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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 2001)
jaouary 5^2QQlj!L^Mt_aflt|5 ^S999out The purpose of codifying civil rights protec tions into law is to guarantee human freedom, not to protect the “rights” of corporations or bigots. Far from putting "Portland on the forefront of gender rights,” by adopting an ordinance filled with unprecedented exclusions, Portlands city commissioners failed to even provide the protec tions offered in Seattle; Minneapolis; Louisville, Ky.; New Orleans; Tucson, Ariz.; and other cities. M argaret D eirdre O ’H artigan Filisa Vistima Foundation Director To t h e E d it o r : Is just Out trying to create news? A recent article mentioned that OutProud listed Portland’s “ex-gay" organization (I refuse to publicize its name) in its gay youth referral database (“Anti-Gay Group Targets Youth,” Dec. 15]. In reading the article, I assumed Out- Proud was somehow reluctant to drop this “ex gay” organization from its listing. However, upon notification, OutProud exec utive director Chris Kryzan immediately removed the “ex-gay” organization’s listing and apologized for the mistake. He seemed unaware of the listing, so I assume Just Out made no attempt to notify OutProud before publishing the article. I have no reason to believe Out Proud would not have taken the same action if Just Out directly contacted OutProud for com ment. In this incident, I find your reporting method to be exploitive and harmful to the gay commu nity. It appears to me Just Out was attempting to create news by not attempting to contact Out Proud. Just Out took no consideration of the harmful effect its neglectful actions might have had on a valuable and positive resource for gay youth. Gay and questioning youth already have enough challenges now that “ex-gay” ministries covertly are attempting to use gay-positive resources for their recruitment. Just Out should not have exploited a gay youth organization’s unfortunate oversight. N orman B irthmark Portland Problem solved To t h e E d it o r : We were contacted by one of your readers who indicated that Just Out mentioned that our Web site had Portland Fellowship listed under referrals for queer youth. We want to thank both you and him for bringing that to our attention. It was clearly an error and never should have happened. We immediately removed the listing. From time to time we receive requests for listings that, upon scrutiny, turn out to be from ex-gay ministries or anti-gay organizations. We are usually able to weed most of these out, although some slip past our radar either through oversight or because they are just too stealthy. When we become aware of such listings, our policy is to remove them immediately, as we have done with Portland Fellowship. In case there is any question, OutProud exists to serve, support and advocate for queer youth. It is our goal to help them find accep tance within themselves and ultimately to cele brate who they are, including their same-gender sexual orientation. We believe the best place to do this is often a local organization where they can meet others like themselves and welcoming and supportive facilitators who will provide a safe environment. We believe the best places we can refer these youth to locally are typically queer community centers and youth groups and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays chapters, although we have more than 4,400 organiza tions in our referral database and cover many other categories, as well. I hope this clears things up, and if you have any questions or issues, please be sure to let me know. Best to you all. C hris K ryzan OutProud Executive Director Shame on you To t h e E d it o r : was informed that the newspaper only printed information about “queer” events. Shocked to virtual speechlessness, I tried to explain, with the above information, why our benefit quali fied as “gay and lesbian friendly.” As the event coordinator, and a gay man myself, I am happy to report that some gays and lesbians were able to learn of our event through alternate news sources. I also am pleased to report that more than $2,500 was raised for Parkinson’s disease treatment and research. However, I am saddened by the thought that our community’s newspaper felt the need to cen sor our show because it didn’t meet its definition of “queer.” Shame on you, Just Out. A nthony W ynn Portland Strength in numbers To t h e E d it o r : We want to thank you so much for placing a notice about WomenStrength s annual new vol unteer training in your Out & About section! As you may recall, we are the program that pro vides free self-defense classes every month to women and girls in Portland, and our classes are taught by volunteers. Without your help, it would be difficult to locate potential volunteers. After the notice ran in your paper, we received multiple calls. We are very grateful to you for your assis tance in getting the word out. Happy holidays! As a loyal reader and supporter of Just Out for some eight years now, 1 am saddened by the need to write this letter. I always have believed Just Out fairly, accu rately and comprehensively has covered news and printed information of interest to Portland’s gay community without regard to gender or sex S tephanie R eynolds ual orientation. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem A ndrew K irkland to be the case in all regards. Portland Police Bureau On the morning of Dec. 1 ,1 personally visit Family Services Division ed the Just Out office to deliver a press packet of information on the benefit screening of the clas sic MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the To t h e E d it o r : Parkinson’s Center of Oregon and featured The other day at a Red Robin restaurant in famed actress June Lockhart ( Lassie , Lost in Hillsboro, I was the victim of “heterosexual Space) appearing in person, with all proceeds ignorance and rudeness.” After being seated, I walked past four host slated to benefit Parkinson’s disease treatment and research. Our organizing committee esses into the clearly marked women’s restroom. believed this event would be of interest to the No sooner had I unzipped than someone opened the entry door. gay community at large for several reasons: I heard a female say, “Sir, get out of the 1. Parkinson’s disease affects people across all restroom.” At first I was confused, knowing I’m ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations. 2. Meet Me in St. Louis is regarded as one of in the women’s bathroom. 1) I can read. 2) I get called “sir” a trillion MGM’s finest Technicolor musicals, stars the incomparable Judy Garland, was directed by times a week by strangers, and being alone, I was Vincente Minnelli and consistently is ranked in who they were referring to. At this point I was humiliated, pissed and the top 10 holiday movies of all time. quite insulted. After I worked up enough 3. Lockhart (Lucille Ballard in Meet Me in St. Louis) is well-loved by the gay community and courage to make my exit back to my seat, I was was honored as Woman of the Year in a 1999 stared at by the same hostesses, as if I was some ceremony by the United Fellowship of Metro freak of nature. politan Community Churches for speaking out What can you say at a moment like this? Not only did I look like a complete ass, but a cus for the rights of gays and lesbians since 1970. 4. This fun, lighthearted event was perfect tomer was standing at the counter, too. 1 want for the holiday season and priced at just $10 a ed to defend myself. person to enable people of all incomes the So I said: “I’m a girl; some idiot thought I was opportunity to attend. a guy. God, this sort of shit pisses me off.” By this time, I was still furious. I then told my Confronted by one of the representatives of Just Out upon my arrival to the office, I rudely girlfriend what I just experienced. We asked for the manager. I gave my side, and she was at a loss for words. Maybe as a female she, too, didn’t appreciate how cruel people are. She asked what I would like to make up for the treatment. I know I’m not spending my hard-earned dollar for such treatment and ignorance. I still feel damaged and quite humiliated. I know I must not be the only butch out here Letters must be dealing with this sort of treatment daily. It’s a accompanied by a phone number shame people can get the best of you, even when for verification purposes. you’re proud of who you are. PALM S P R I N G S An intimate hotel for gays, lesbians, their families, and their friends. Children of all ages always welcome. Opening February 2001 Now accepting reservations. 800-843-6908 or 760-318-8400 viola@ violasresort.com www.vlolasresort.com drive with Pride Schedule your appointment today with: L i s a C o s t e llo 503 - 256-3700 R E Y R E E C E D E A L E R S H IP S ISUZU-VOLKSWAGEN-USED 122nd & East Burnside www. reyreece. com Red scare o m b a id F L O W E RS Located in Historic St. Johns Proudly Serving The Greater Portland Metro Area 503/286-1330 8302 N. LOMBARD PORTLAND, OREGON 97203 justrrn Welcomes letters to tlie editor Anonymous letters and letters without sufficient contact information will not be published. 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