- - % -:><; ■- ■-■- «a ■ PHOTi R u r a l fo lk s ¡share ¡storieiS o f s m a l l - t o w n life page 27 High visibility ABC’s 20/20 interviews alternative family from Portland by J onathan ne of the longest-running and most critically acclaimed evening newsmagazines, 20/20, soon will feature one of Portland’s own alternative families. We are used to hearing about gay men and lesbians having children. Melissa Etheridge talked about her kids on television. Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres also spoke of their dream to have children. One season, Oprah Winfrey followed the story of two men having a baby with the help of a surrogate. She even sent a camera to the men’s baby shower. And then there is Rosie O ’Donnell. The media haven’t shied away from the topic of gays having babies— or even adopting foster children. But what about the older children— the ones raised, at least partially, in the closet? W hat about the kids who were bom before it was a trend? T h e ones bom when it was K ipp unusual for a same-sex couple to create families that included children? These stories aren’t reported often. Some say at least part of the reason for this is because of lingering secrecy. he upcoming 20/20 exposé is about one of Portland’s blend ed families. It is also about one of Portland’s “queer” families. It is a story made up of so many smaller stories that these peo ple only could be one thing: a family. And mainstream America— from Weed, Calif., to Manville, N.J.— soon will learn more about this family of three children and two moms from Portland. Josh Graham and Alex Tinker are brothers. They are the ones who will be featured in the 20/20 piece. T Continued on Page 13 ■ OawBtawR rally Page is - Communities if citar speak tut Page 19 ■CHpMtlMl display ywr Nmlstai Page 60 IV IO