Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 16, 2000)
june 16.2000 Eß599out T o the E ditor : The article about womens body image [“Big ger Than Barbie, Stronger Than Ken,” June 2] interested me, because 1 gave birth to my daugh ter and gained 50 pounds. But the social mores presented are dumber than Barbie and more conformist than Ken. Lesbians aren’t the only women in our community. We have a diverse community, which also includes bisexual, trans- gendered and transsexual women. This exclu sion provided a strange, vacuous quality to the discussion. When I was raised as a fundamentalist Chris tian, 1 was told makeup was forbidden because it was from Satan. When 1 came out as a rebellious lesbian, 1 wore makeup. 1 was then told that makeup was forbidden because it was from Men. I decided to say "fuck off” to both right and left and wear makeup)—get this—just because 1 want to. There may be “many ways to deviate from the mainstream standard,” but sadly it appears there are few acceptable ways to deviate from a predefined lesbian norm. Take wearing a bra, for example. When you’re nursing a baby, a well-fitted nursing bra can feel comfortably suppxirtive. I went from a two-hook 36A to a four-hook 42 DD in two trimesters. I would like for “Zoe,” who said she B etty H ale Portland Low-income student talks back T o the E ditor : My name is Erin. I’m a college student, 1 work for a nonprofit organization that fights for women’s reproductive rights, I’m an activist, a volunteer and an agent for social change. I’m also poor. Nonprofits don’t pay well, and neither will any of the jobs I get when 1 graduate. So if you ever want to talk to me about my queer pol itics, we’ll have to do something low-cost, like meet for coffee, because our worlds will never meet at one of your fancy shindigs. Bummer. Although I don’t personally identify this way, according to Marty Davis (“2, 4, 6, 8 ...We Refuse to Assimilate!” June 2], I’m also a “pig.” 1 think it has something to do with the (proud) fact that I refuse to sell my freedom for a beer sponsorship and acceptance by straight society and assimilationist LGBT community members. So I march topless and eat fire with my queer friends and allies and relish the fact that many of my community members feel like I do. And look at that. I didn’t mention that article, and it only took me three lines to state how I really feel. As far as the economic justice bit goes, well Marty, your white middle-class privilege allows you to say such things and feel that way, but the rest of us who know the reality of working hard for not enough money, of being forced to choose between selling out and putting out for cash, of trying to maintain a shred of personal dignity and a job, we would have to disagree. Apparent ly you've never been fired ’cuz you’re queer (how long have you been out anyhow?), have had to suck your boss’s dick for your incremental raise, or seen someone of a lighter skin color get pro moted instead of you. So, Marty, you can fuck off and enjoy your Dinah-Shore-Olivia-Cruise- lines-$500-a-plate-dinners, and the rest of us will just keep fighting for social and economic justice. Fire- GrilledN.Y. Steak9 E r in S exton Portland HGQSSQ: S lS O Z O C D G l In “ Just Out went to a Portland Fire game to ask basketball fans: “Has the Fire sparked n mie yet?” ¿J CL/ J enelle T h o m ps «. Portland L isa W eaver Lake Oswego Yard and landscape maintenance Director of sales “Yes, they’re exciting to watch and I think they have great potential.” “I just got here, it’s my first game so I don’t know yet. It’s still new.” N an cy W illiam s Portland T ina S chafer Portland Real estate developer Realtor “Oh baby!” “Yes, I enjoy the fact that the team is revi talizing professional women’s basketball in Portland.” r i o t cl a e Vincent B. Amen died April 18 at his home in Portland at the age of 83. Bom July 15, 1916, in Walla Walla, Wash., he earned a bach degree in German and a master’s degree in education from Whitman College. During World War II he received a Bronze Star while serving as an Army interroga tor in France and afterwards taught at the Moclips, Wash., high school. In 1959 Vincent moved to Portland, where he taught German at Cleveland High School until illness forced an early retirement in 1975. In 1959 Vincent also met Paul Paxton, his life partner for 33 years until Paul’s death in 1992. Vincent was an accomplished pianist and vocalist in his youth, and an avid reader. Despite 25 years of wheelchair confinement and numer ous health issues, Vincent remained remarkably positive about his life to the end. He was a Christian Scientist. Survivors include his caregiver, . Chris Smithrud; his friends David, Carol, Bobby, Bruce, Alma, Tom, Hans and Doug; two sisters- in-law and two nieces. Interment was in Willamette National Cemetery. A COMMUNITY RUN NATURAL FOODS STORE SINCE 1 9 7 0 : FOOD FOR PEOPLE, CH MORTGAGE NOT FOR PROFIT • Fast 15 to 20 day • Instant approval at closings your home or office • Good or bad credit • 0% down programs • Apply online at www.CH-Mortgage.com all organic produce bulk selection*full grocery line everyone welcome! organic farmers market wcdntsdays 2-7pm tà EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Phone: (503) 294-0044 Fax: (503) 294-7115 Cell: (503) 577-1981 5125 S.W. MACADAM • SUITE 145 PORTLAND, OR 97219 Email: CgraunitzOCH-Mortgage.com Cory Graunitz Loan Officer 3029 S E 21ST AVE BETWEEN DIVISION * POWELL 9AM-9PM DAILY (5 0 3 ) 2 3 2 -9 0 5 1 B R ID G E P O R T * ALE HOUSE * 3632 S E H awthorne Blvd. www. bridgeportbrew. com Ale Hoiue Jambalaya*Wood Oven Fired Pizzao °Figo Marsala °And More! We’re a Non-Smoking Establishment °Lunch c> Dinner Seven Days a Week! See our review at www. city search. would never date a bra-wearing woman, to strap a half-liter of milk to each of her breasts and hear her repeat this opinion. If fat js currently “in,” why am I not outra geously chic? Why haven’t I been able to “pass” as a lesbian among lesbians, even when 1 had cropped hair and wore coveralls? I had hoped this article would have insights about gender and body image instead of dicta tion of vapid style, e.g., “(Lesbians do] piercings in visible places.” What’s the difference between that and the “no white shoes after Labor Day” rule? None as far as I can tell. Dumber than Barbie ù
