Püout
august 18. 2000 » Just M i t 5
sections by awarding Barnes &. Noble its Annu
al Fairness Award in 1998. This honor recog
nizes institutions and individuals that have
made long-term commitments “in the vital area
of equal rights.”
GLAAD said: “Since the inception of the
Barnes & Noble superstore, their gay and les
bian studies section has been providing lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender people in even the
most rural areas of our country access to very
important literature and information about our
community. In a Rolling Stone feature entitled
T o Be Young and Gay,’ one gay teen in Sandy,
Utah, cites the gay and lesbian studies section at
his local Barnes & Noble as one of the most
important places for him to go get information
about himself and his community.
“Barnes & Noble is an important resource
and, in some cases, a lifeline for gay teens in sub
urbs as well as lesbian and gay people all over
the country. When faced with adversity in
regards to the titles they carry, Barnes & Noble
has consistently supported our community by
not only keeping the titles on the shelves but, in
some cases, carrying the titles in more stores.
"This inclusiveness does not end with the
merchandise that they carry. Barnes & Noble
was also one of the first companies to offer
domestic partner benefits to their lesbian and
gay employees.”
Lastly, on a personal note, as an employee
and a member of the gay and lesbian communi
ty, I have to say Barnes &. Noble is the first of
the eight different companies I have worked for
where I have been able to be totally and com
pletely “out” and accepted as a normal member
of society. I value this level of comfort and
acceptance within my workplace greatly.
I am writing in opposition to Measure 9, the
Oregon Citizens Alliance’s Student Protection
Act.
If passed in November, it will create a non-
inclusive, unsafe environment for students and
teachers alike. As a 24-year-old gay man and a
former education major with several years of
experience, this is an issue very dear to my heart.
If Measure 9 passes, any time students ques
tioning their sexual orientation go to teachers
for support, they theoretically will be forced to
say, “Sorry kids, can’t help you.” Immediately,
this will create a noninclusive environment for
those looking for someone to trust.
In addition, teachers no longer will have the
power to combat the hatred and ignorance
embodied in the homophobic slander that is
pervasive in our schools today. Finally, it only
takes one student questioning his or her sexual
orientation, seeking trust and support, to under
stand why the OCA’s measure not only is
flawed, it is wrong.
Believe me, I know. I was once that ques
tioning student.
P ag e J o r d a n
R . J a so n H o lla n d
Barnes & Noble Jantzen Beach
Community Relations Manager
Eugene
Holly for details as to whether Michigan has be
come trans-friendly through the years. Had I
been inclined to attend Michigan, my first ques
tion would be whether my trans companions are
or ever can be truly welcome at an event whose
organizers in the past explicitly have excluded
them.
ombard
W
503/286-1330
E R S
Located in Historic St. Johns
8 3 0 2 N. LOMBARD • PORTLAND, OREGON 9 7 2 0 3
2
g u n a i x UhUgKTrt
M area S tone
Ashland
Just say no
To the E ditor :
Is ffest trans-friendly?
on Limited Edition
^
“the only shop that
comes to you”
4 2 3 5 S E W oodslock B lvd • Portland. O R 4 7 2 0 6
503 774-3531
-
Latest In Gay Travel, Fiction G More
Nappy Texas, Boys Don't Cry 6 More
Gai-Pied
2544 NE Broadway Ph 331.1125
Rental G Sales on tfte latest titles!
* Great Discounts On Our Website: www.gaipied.com i
A smart financial plan
Welcomes letters to tee editor
To the E ditor :
Holly Pruetts vividly phrased plug for the
Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival made me
long to be there [“Michigan on My Mind,” July
7]. But I kept waiting for her to reference the
long-standing dispute over exactly what kind of
womyn really are invited to this gala.
Of course, I could obtain this info easily else
where, so it’s a good thing I wasn’t depending on
Proudly Serving
The Greater
Portland Metro Area
begins with just 7 numbers:
Letters must be
accompanied by a phone number
2 3 8 -6 0 3 6
for verification purposes.
Anonymous letters and letters
without sufficient contact
information will not be published.
Eric Brown
District Manager
500 NE Multnomah Portland, OR 97232
503/238-6036
Keeping with the spirit of popular trash
C J ^ U A U L U ^ S J XV, Just Out asked readers: “Who would
you pick to be stranded with on a desert island?”
rim C R f]*
WADDELL
S cR E E D
The people with a plan for you.
C at G ranado
Gresham
Automotive mechanic
P atrick A nderso n
Portland
“Som ebody who is
fun-loving, sensual,
warm and exciting.”
“Keanu Reeves,
because I met him
once in person before
he was famous, and I
fell in love with him.”
Entertainer
R o b M ills
Woodland, Wash.
Nursery owner
R a c h el M eyer
Portland
Lover of free time
“My boyfriend,
because he’s one of
the most spectacular
guys that I’ve ever
m et.”
“How about Shirley
MacLaine? She had all
those other lives, so if
she got boring, I could
ask her to regress to
someone else.”
CH MORTGAGE
• 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: CgraunitzöCH-Mortgage.com
Loan Officer