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.
M ichelle C olangelo
Beaverton
na t ur a l f o o d s • g o u r m e t treats
exoti c c o l l a r s • u n i q u e t o y s
l uxuri ous b e d s
find us at 108 ne 28th
c a l l us at 503 . 238 . 7793