IffflNMI out
Continued from P age 5
the negligence and disrespect toward the com
munity that the hoard members have displayed.
However, we are adamantly opposed to the
threat by four authors of a letter to Pride North
west that promises to report the board to the
Oregon secretary of state and the Internal Rev
enue Service. We are dismayed that these mem
bers of the sexual minority community would
resort to a counterproductive cure that is worse
than the disease.
The secretary of state supports the status quo
and enforces undemocratic laws that keep
minor political parties off the ballot. The Free
dom S<x:ialist Party has been denied the right to
run candidates due to an unconstitutional elec
tion law that maintains the dominance of the
two-party system.
The IRS, is infamous for its abuse of power.
7
We insist that the threat to turn to an oppressive
state apparatus to solve our problems be revoked.
We demand that the hoard members of Pride
Northwest behave as responsible representatives
of the GLBT community and uphold democrat
ic principles. Public organizing is the only way
to bring about public accountability.
S usan S andstrom , E duardo M art I nez -
Z apata , H oward T horn , G lenn A llen
K irkindall , D. S pring S vart , E velyn
A ako , J ordan a S ardo , K enneth B rown ,
M arjie S andoz , L uke A navi , A nnalee
P urdy , J ennifer L averdure , K ris
D e M aria , K imberly J ohnson , B rian
B arnett and A drienne W eller
Activists from the sexual minority and
union communities including representatives of
Radical Women, Bigot Busters and Freedom
Socialist Party
Chicago to San Francisco, where he was instru
mental in creating its Leather Pride Week—six
days of events, many of which depended on him
for their success. Undoubtedly, one of the most
widely celebrated of his achievements in the
world of leather was his design of the Leather
Pride Flag, which he presented May 28, 1989.
In 1993, he and his partner relocated to Port
land. A loyal friend and constant counselor of so
many leathermen and leatherwomen, he will he
missed profoundly by the hundreds who had
come to depend on him for advice, instruction
and comfort.
A private memorial was held recently in
Portland. Plans are under way for a major
memorial celebration of DeBlases life at Inter
national Mr. Leather 2001 during Memorial
Day weekend in Chicago.
Contributed by Joseph Bean
David E. Perry,
1952-2000
T
1942-2000
D
r. Tony DeBlase, one of the great innova
tors and leaders of the leather community
and creator of the Leather Pride Flag, died
peacefully July 21 in Portland after an extended
illness, largely involving liver failure. He was 58.
He is survived by his lover of more than 24
years, Dr. Andrew Charles of Portland.
DeBlase— a mammalogist, specializing in the
biology of bats— was engaged in museum
administration and development for much of his
professional life. In his free time, he became
involved in the founding of the Leather
Archives and Museum and served as hoard of
directors vice president from 1992 until 2000.
Also known as Fledermaus— a name he usu
ally reserved for fictional writing about leather,
sadism and mas*>chism— he was one of the most
active lecturers, demonstrators, instructors and
one might even say philosophers of leathersex in
the latter third of the 20th century. His accom
plishments as a leather leader are legendary and
include founding DungeonMaster magazine,
which published 49 issues from 1979 to 1994.
In 1986, DeBlase and Charles moved from
• 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
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: Cgraunitz@CH-Mortgage.com
■ír-'-y'-v
Cory Graunitz
Loan O fficer
K W
n o ta b le s
Tony DeBlase«
CH MORTGAGE
he community is mourning the loss of one
of its finest leaders, Emperor XVI11 David
E. Perry, who died of cancer July 24. He was 47.
He was horn Dec. 3, 1952, in Dubuque,
Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army.
Perry moved to Salem and graduated from
Western Baptist College with a bachelors
degree in music during the 1970s. He moved to
Portland in 1984-
He was past president of the Imperial Sover
eign Rose Court board of directors, past Mr. Gay
Oregon and an ordained minister. He also was a
manager for several restaurants in the Portland
area until retiring in January.
"David raised a lot of money for both the
scholarship funds and also did a lot of work for
Our House and the Pride Foundation,” Empress
XXXVIII Misha Rockafeller said. “There are
several people who are part of the court system
now who are there because David Perry got
them involved. He was always actively involved
with people.”
He is survived by his daughter, Becky Heilen;
sons, David and Chris; granddaughters,
Machaula and Skyeler; and lifelong friends,
Emperor X Gary Benoit and Michael S.
Perry’s accomplishments were celebrated
July 28 at Embers Avenue. Final disposition was
by cremation. Omega Funeral &. Cremation
Service handled the arrangements.
The family is accepting contributions to
cover expenses. Write to Friends of PWA, P.O.
Box 4014, Portland, OR 97208.
Contributed by Jim Radosta
l-i. A L
• Chin or Neck: $89.95
• Upper Lip: $89.95
• Bock: $134.95
Bikini Line: $89.95
• Underarms: $89.95
• Upper Legs: $149.95
• Lower Legs: $139.95
(Minimum 3 treatments per area usually required)
LASER ~ WORKS!
HAIR REMOVAL AND SKIN REJUVENATION CLINICS
503-244-8600 OR 888-452-1610