itfICE
firs t Congregational United Church of C hrist is
®
open and affirm ing congregation in the liberal
istian tradition. Sunday w orship is at 10 25 am. and
rch school fo r children runs concurrently. (1126 S W
Ave.. 503-228-7219.)
Circle Temple is a place o f w orship fo r wom en of
I ages offenng workshops, song and drum circles, med-
ation rooms and altars o f celebration, incorporating
at you bnng to share (10 a m -10 pm Tuesday-Sunday
125 E Burnside S t 503-238-0675.) (11 /0 0 )
God C onnection C en ter fo r W orship,
row th and Leadership invites you to celebrate your
ntuality with the Revs. Berdell M offett and Casey
Liberal, practical; all are welcome. (10 am service
Sunday 4828 N E 3 3 rd Ave. 503-481-7591.)(11/00)
Space, a newly form ed m ultidenom inational
ritual center led by the Rev. Stephanie Torres, holds
unday evening celebrations. (5 pm at Unity Church.
525 SE Stark St. 503-287-3216.) (11 /0 0 )
. the gay and lesbian m inistry o f the Episcopal
hurch, meets on the second Friday o f each m onth in
Momson Room at Tnmty Cathedral Euchanst is cele-
ated at 6 45 pm follow ed by a potluck and fellow ship.
The Gay-Straight Alliance o f the Unitarian
Universalist Congregation o f Salem m eets on the
third Sunday of each month fo r a potluck. (6 pm,
roups form every other m onth. Spmtual directors from
anous world religious traditions are available fo r guid-
Interfaith Spiritual Community m eets every
Sunday at the Heart C enter fo r inspirational messages,
children's celebrations and jo y We honor and celebrate
all sacred paths, recognizing each person s divine gifts
and supporting spmtual growth, healing and enlighten
ment. (6-7.30 pm. 1578 Commercial St. SE. Salem.
503-763-6030.) (1 1/00)
M o m in g s id e U n ited M e th o d is t C hurch is a rec
onciling congregation where everyone is welcom e to par
ticipate in the full life of the congregation
(8 30 and 11 am Sundays. 3674 12th St. SE Salem.
503-364-5013.) (11/00)
S w eet S p irit M etro p o litan Com m unity C hurch
(M C C ) holds worship at 11 am Sundays followed by cof
fee and fellowship as well as potluck lunches every second
Sunday. (Services held at American Legion Hall. 4774 Lilac
Lane NE. Säern Mailing address: Pastor Ken Kerr. PO
Box 12753. Salem. OR97309. 503-315-7923 )(11/00)
YOUTH
nce. classes and retreats. (3910 SE 11th 4 ve .. second
floor 503-233-2026. ext. 3.
ivhom etown.aol.com /diiho5/webpagehtm l.) (11 /0 0 )
asbian and gay meditation group.
"Com passionate Heart Sangha." m eets fo r m editation in
¡ Buddhist Vipasana tradition. Donation requested
730-9 pm Wednesdays at Flanders House. 2926 NE
; S t Jon 5 0 3 2 3 9 5539 ) ( 11 /0 0 )
etanoia Peace Community (U nited M ethodist) is
a "house church," bnngmg gay and straight together.
(Daily prayer 7.20 am. Sunday gathenng 6 pm at
2116N E 18th Ave. 503-281 -3697.) (1 1 /0 0 )
Metropolitan Community Church of Portland
holds ecumenical Sunday m orning w orship services at
9 and 11 am. Sunday school fo r children is held dunng
the 11 am worship service. (2400 NE Broadway.
503-281 -8868 mccpdx@aol com.) ( 11 /0 0 )
Potter's House M inistries Life Center. Evangelical
and chansmatic Chnstian. (3830 SE 62nd Ave.
503-775-5024.7(11/00)
Radical Fairies Fae D irt mfo line: 503-235-0826
(
11 / 00 )
Metro: Youth
Outside In operates a clinic for anyone who can t qual
ify fo r the O regon Health Plan as well as a needle ex
change service. It also has some transitional housing for
youth 20 and younger as well as fo r youth who are HIV+
and younger than 23 It also plays host to VOICES
(Voices o f Individual and Com munity Empowerment from
the S treets), a self-support group fo r queer youth.
(10 am-6 pm Monday-Fnday. 1236 S W Salmon St.
503-223-4121.) (11/00)
Phoenix Rising Foundation Inc. is a community
agency pnmanly serving sexual rnmonty youth. The
Sexual M inonty Youth Recreation C enter (SMYRC) plays
host to drop-m socials and support groups for queer
youth. M etro groups held at SMYRC: other groups
include: Bridge 13. a youth speaker's bureau
(503-872-9664). Hillsboro Youth Group (4-5 3 0 pm
Wednesdays at Room 125. Public Services Building.
155 N First S t . Hillsboro). Transitions (3.30-5 pm
Wednesdays in Room 8. 11640 S W Parkway.
Beaverton) (503-238-0780.) (11/00)
Project brings together W ashington County les
bian. gay, bi, trans and questioning youth to plan and
SisterSpirit offers wom en's spirituality celebrations,
discussion groups, a drum m ing circle, workshops and
attend m onthly social events. Also inform ation, referral,
classes. Schedule o f events available A ll wom en are
welcome. (Office hours: 3-6 pm Tuesday-Fnday at
(Molly 503-260-5792.) (11 /0 0 )
support and advocacy services for W ashington County.
3430 SE Belmont St.. 4102. Mailing address: PO Box
Rainbow is a multicultural peer support and activity group
9246. Portland. OR 97207. sistersp@teleport com.
for gay. lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning youth.
503- 736-3297.) (11 /0 0 )
(4 30 pm Mondays at Metropolitan Community Church o f
Southm inster P resb yterian C hurch is a challenging,
Portland. 2400 NE Broadway 503-281-8868 ) (11/00)
supportive community that welcomes all people. It is the
first More Light Presbyterian Church in Oregon. (Sundays
Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Center
(S M Y R O is a program of Phoenix Rising Foundation
at 10 am summer. 9 30 and 11 am winter. 12250 SW
offenng drop-in com puter access, pool tables and an infor
Denney Road. Beaverton. 503-644-2073.) ( 11/00)
SL Philip N eri gay and lesbian outreach. A g a y/le s
bian positive comm unity fo r C atholics and their friends
Mass at 7:30 pm on Fridays follow ed by a social. (Paulist
Center. 2 4 0 8 SE 16th Ave. 503-231-49557 (1 1 /0 0 )
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. the new home o f
the Portland Gay M en's Chorus, has been welcom ing all
people smce 1863 (Wednesday service 12 10 pm;
Sunday services 7.45 am and 10 am. Sunday school and
child care at 10 am Southwest 13th Avenue at Clay
Street. 503-223-6424.) (1 1 /0 0 )
University Park United M ethodist Church is a
member o f the netw ork o f Reconciling Congregations
and meets fo r worship each Sunday at 10 am. (4775 N
mal place to hang out. Also plays host to weekly youth
support groups including W indfire, Trans Youth Group and
Personal Deity Proxy (a creative group) (4-8 pm
Wednesday. 4 pm-midnight Friday and Saturday 424 E
Burnside St. 503-872-9664. www smyrc org )(1 1/00)
Youth H IV/STD Prevention Project provides fun and
educational programs along with counseling and testing to
queer youth in a friendly, relaxed environment. Sponsored
by Phoenix Rising Foundation in collaboration with M ult
nomah County and Outside In. (503-872-9664 7(11/00)
YouthNet a program o f Love M akes a Family, offers
tutoring and m entonng fo r lesbian, gay. bi and trans
youth as well as fo r children o f LGBT parents.
( 5 0 3 -2 2 7 -1 9 8 1 )(1 im
Lombard S t 503289- 7843.) (1 1 /0 0 )
Zion United Church o f C hrist an open and affirm
ing congregation, is open to gay. lesbian, bisexual, trans-
Southern Oregon: Youth
gendered and heterosexual people who wish to w orship
The Sexual M inority Youth Recreation Group of
m a Christ-centered. warm, canng, m ultiage/race/cultural
Klamath Fall» provides support fo r gay, lesbian, bi.
faith community. (Service: 11 am Sundays. 2025 NE
trans and questioning youth and their allies. (For more
23rdAve. Gresham. 503-665-8741.J (1 1/00)
information, e-mail boytoy229hotmail com.) (11/00)
Southern Oregon Youth Outreach (SOYO). a
group fo r gay. lesbian, and bi youth aged 14-20 meets on
Washington Spirituality
E **t Vancouver United M ethodist Church.
the first and Thursdays o f the month m Ashland
(5 4 1 -488-6990.) (11 /0 0 )
Reconciling, welcom ing. (10 am Sundays
5701 M acArthurBNd.. Vancouver. 360-6934761
ourclarkcounty.columbian.com/273/.) (11 /0 0 )
First Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ. Two Sunday services, traditional and "le ss tradi
Washington: Youth
Triple Point Youth Program is a social/support
tional m an open and affirm ing congregation (1220 NE
group fo r gays, lesbian, bi and trans youth between 13
and 22 m Vancouver. Wash M eets 6-8 pm Tuesdays and
68thSt. Vancouver 360-693 1 4 7 6 )(11/00)
3 30-5 30 pm Thursdays at 1104 Mam St. Suite M -100
Metropolitan Community Church o f the Gentle
Shepherd. (10 am Sundays. 913 W. 13th S t .
Vancouver 3 6 0 4 9 5 1480 ) (11 /0 0 )
Michael Servetus U nitarian Unhmrsalist
Fellowship. (10 am Sundays 4505 E. 18th S t
M W - 1891.) (11/00)
(Amanda 360-693-1188.) (11/00)
Willamette Valley: Youth
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Tranagenderad and
Questioning Youth Group for ages 13-18 offers
support, inform ation and fun Free, confidential, drop-m
Willamette Valley: Spirituality
|
— t » s » w i i u n u rc n . U nited Church o f
Ghnst. is an open and affirm ing congregation offering
"™sh<P and church school C hild care provided
Whee|cha«r accessible
(10 am Sundays 700 M anon St
Lovelorn readers looking for love
in all the w rong faces
5090 Center St. NE. 503-363-8716.) (11/00)
147 N W 19th A ve . 503-289-1687.)
nterfaith Spiritual Center. Gay men's spm tuality
Straight talk
NE. Salem. 503-363-36607 (11 /0 0 )
(4-6 pm Fridays at Amazon Community Center
2700 hUyard St.. Eugene 541-684 3466X11/00)
, gay, ^tla^uusal, i
-Jr ages 29 and younger meets every
pm Mondays at Komona Center.
1414 Kmcmd S t . Eugene 5413461134X11/00)
M onday (5
D ear M s . B ehavior :
1 am an extremely eligible 40-
something gay man, widowed long
enough to be interested in dating
again but not so long that I haven’t
been able to shake the awful feeling
that I’m some kind o f a gay Rip Van
Winkle. I’m attempting to confront
many strange and mysterious things
with an open mind, one o f which
is: W hat is one supposed to do with
those tit rings during sex? G ive ’em
a tug?
But that’s not what I’m writing
about. I’ve never liked bars or really
needed them, because I seem to
attract dating possibilities in my
everyday life.
In that vein, I’m meeting guys—
younger ones— who appear to be
gay in every way and even show
signs o f sexual interest hut, at the
end o f the day, are straight! Could
this he?
Is there some growing popula
tion o f quasi-crypto homos? O r are
they more likely to be plain old
closet cases?
I know you can’t answer this
question with authority unless you
were to meet, interview and per
haps even probe the people I’m
talking about. But I would be inter
ested in any advice you have in
dealing with them.
— Confeuiunvuizd
D ear C o n few w w w zd :
Ms. Behavior doesn’t need to
probe anyone to know you’ve been
in cold storage for too long (and
probably need a good probing your
self). W hen you say you’re attract
ing dating possibilities in your
everyday life, do you mean these
younger, gay-appearing straight
men? Or, even worse, closet cases?
G o to where the homos hang,
doll. You don’t have to go to bars if
you don’t like them.
Find a neighborhood restaurant,
a queer theater group, a gay stamp
club or a N ellie political organiza
tion. Your ability to discern who’s
gay and who’s just a little dapper
around the edges will soon return.
As a special bonus, you’ll proba
bly find someone who can edu-
>
cate you in all manners o f
pulling or biting his tit ring in
j
just the right way.
J
D ear M s . B ehavior :
I am a 22-year-old lesbian,
and I always fall for older
women. Recently, I ended
up with a 44-year-old
divorced woman who has
three children.
She was never with a
woman prior to me and says
she could never have a rela
tionship with a woman.
She’s waiting for the “ man
o f her dreams’*.. .but in
the meantime, the sex is
out o f this world, and I
D ear H etero ’ s P e n c h a n t :
The notion o f dismissing a fabu
lous sexual partner feels tragic to
Ms. Behavior. But wasting your pas
sion on someone who plans to kick
you to the curb when the “ right
man’’ comes along is even more
crushing. (Please don’t bother with
the hope that maybe she’s really a
lesbian and in denial; if this is true
and she’s in her mid-40s, it’s not
necessarily good news.)
Th e biggest problem with this
scenario is if you’re really falling in
love, you probably won’t adequately
protect your heart. Penchant
Woman will squash you like a bug.
Later, when you finally do
meet a fabulous woman worthy o f
your devotion , you’ll blow it
am falling for her BIG TIM E .
because you’ll be bitter from h av
I know I am just a plaything to
ing squandered your adoration on
her. Th e last time we were together,
Penchant W om an. T h en , you’ll
I asked her outright what the deal
torture and damage the fabulous
was.
new woman with your rejection,
She said: “ I am a raving
forcing her to subsequently
heterosexual. I would
spread her sorrow to
never sleep with
another lesbian,
another woman. I
and so on and so
Is there some
guess I just have a
on, w hich will
penchant for you.”
perpetuate
growing population
PENCHANT?
the cycle o f
ortjuasi-crypto homos?
Like this is some
lesbo pain ad
credential I
infinitum .
Or are they more likely
should post on my
It’s probably
resume?
a lot to ask, be
to be plain old
My problem: I
cause you’re
closet cases?
am falling for her,
young and new to
but she is looking for
this love stuff, but if
Mr. Right. And I am con
you practice a little
fused as all hell.
damage control here, you
Cut the cord or no? And, if so,
m ight prevent the ex tin ctio n o f
that is not an easy thing to do.
the entire dyke species. Ms.
For someone who is a “raving
Behavior realizes this is probably a
heterosexual,” she sure doesn’t hold
longer view than you want.
back when we’re in her bedroom.
So, the simpler answer is this:
Help!!
C u t the cord w ith your heterosex
— Hetero’s Penchant
ual nongirlfriend if you can.
O therw ise, you risk having her
sever it with her teeth, at great
expense to both your tender
umbilicus and lesbian
civilization .
in
Write your confused and conflicted
heart out to Ms. B e h a v i o r at
MsBehavior@aol. com.
M y problem:
1 am
fallina (or her,
but she is looking
for Mr. Right.
And I am confused
as all hell.