march lfL2Q01
COMMENTARY
by
M
arty
D
a v is
The IN publication for the O U T population
F o u n d e d 1 9 8 3 • J a y B rown a n d R en ée L a C h a n ce
Voi. 18 N o. 10
March 16, 2001
FEATURE
Did you miss me?
TAKE M E TO IK E RIVER: The secret is out about
the Columbia Gorge
Publisher plays catch-up after a plethora of guest commentaries
P 22
ecause of a recent influx of guest commentaries, 1 have been
absent from this space for several issues.
As a result, 1 now have some catching up to do. So stick
with me here as 1 bring you up-to-date with announcements,
introductions, clarifications and a request for your input on
a difficult-to-resolve issue.
NEWS
NORTHWEST • Ryan's hope
pp 6-17
NATIONAL • Meet another caveman named Fred
F
pp 18-19
WORLD • The F u ll Monty exposed
pp 20-21
ENTERTAINM ENT
MOSIC • We’ re in the Pink
p 33
THEATER • You need A New Brain
pp 34-35
SPORTS • These Strokers are good
P 37
MOSIC • New gal in town
p 39
COLTORE • Bar hopping with the new kid
p 40
MOSIC • Paul Scardina has the moves
■ 41
DIVERSIONS • Lotsa dancin’ and a great big outing
P 42
COLUMNS
M S . REHAVIOR • Some hairy matters
p 31
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARC • Gotta dance
P43
SPECIAL
JO S T FRIENRS • Free voice personal ads
Pl0
We are going to understand that this paper serves men and women
and young and old and everyone in the middle and that not everyone
lives, works and plays in the same way. We are going to understand
that the rainbow of diversity does not simply mean demanding respect
and attention from others but also honoring and acknowledging the
many differences among ourselves.
And if that doesn’t work for you, then I’ll suggest you look back
and remember exactly what kind of stuff you were doing when you
were 22 years old. Uh-huh, that’s just what I thought. Just because
you’re out of the closet doesn’t mean your skeletons are.
irst, the request for input. Just Out recently was asked to print an
obituary— a memorial, if you will— in honor of a loved and trea
sured family member.
This would not seem to be out of the ordinary. We do this fre
few issues back, a reader wrote in to complain that his event had
quently; in fact, this very issue contains a transition notice about the
passing of a community member.
not been included in the Just Out calendar. He asserted that it
would have been of interest to our readership and should have had auto
What was different about this specific request was that the family
member in question was this persons pet. The family member was a cat.
matic inclusion in our free listings.
The staff at Just Out discussed this at great length, and we were
The policy about the calendar is that first and foremost it is for
unable to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion as to how this should be
events for and by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered com
handled. We all have pets. We most definitely understand the value
munity. Our own groups and organizations seldom find their way
into the pages of mainstream papers, so this is
our animals bring to our lives.
When my own dog died after 16 years, trust
The rainbow o f diversity does our first priority.
As space allows, we broaden our scope to
me, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I
not sim ply mean demanding
understand the pain of a pet’s passing.
include items of more general interest. The key
to this latter sentence is “as space allows."
But I also know not all readers will under
respect and attention from
There are times, happily, when we are able to
stand or equate the loss of a pet with the loss of a
others but also honoring and
cherished partner, friend or family member. 1
fill the calendar with our own community dances,
plays, readings, meetings and the like. The holi
understand some might he offended if we give
acknowledging
the
m
any
day months and Pride issues are good examples of
traditional obituary space to an animal.
times when the calendar fills quickly with com
So, what do you think? How would you like
differences am ong ourselves.
munity events. During these times, other sponsors
to see this handled in the future? Send me an
and promoters of events always have the opportunity to purchase adver
e-mail or a letter, or visit www.justout.com for a direct link.
tising space should they have an event that they think will appeal to our
readership and that might not make it into the calendar.
ext, I’d like to introduce you to one of our newest free-lancers.
Michael Wayne Keck’s writing first appeared in the March 2 issue,
astly, 1 am finalizing the details of the first-ever Just Out amateur
but 1 am confident that his article in the current issue will be the one
that stands out.
'photo contest. Sponsors are being obtained, prizes are worthy,
judges are excited, and photos will be on display— somewhere— during
This gay youth brings a decidedly new perspective to our readers.
Pride 2001 in June. If someone can guarantee it won’t rain, blow, hail or
Some of you aren’t going to like it.
snow, we’ll have them in our booth during the festival at Tom McCall
My own initial response was a series of “omigods.” With every sen
Waterfront Park. In the absence of this guarantee, they’ll be showcased
tence read, my successive utterances became shriller and higher-pitched.
at the Just Out office or perhaps an art gallery.
By about the eighth paragraph I actually had hurt myself, and as 1 fin
ished the column I was reduced to soundless, painful screeches. The air
March has five Fridays. Why do I mention this? Because it means
was filled by the wails of empathetic neighborhood dogs feeling my pain.
you must wait three weeks before your next Just Out.
“I can’t print this,” I whined. “The lesbians will all be mad at me—
So read slowly, and we’ll see you April 6. While you’re waiting for our
especially the old ones!”
return, I need all groups and organizations who want free listings in the
2001 Just Out Pocketbook to send me their info via fax (503-236-1257)
Well, it’s printed, and here’s how you and I are going to handle it.
or e-mail (marty@justout.com). J H
We simply are going to get over it.
N
EATING OHT • Let someone else cook tonight
REFLECTIONS
pp 38-39
NIGHTSPOTS
1 0 years ago
Gay-friendly hangouts
p 40
is published on (he first and third
Friday of each month. G ip y rig h r © 2001 by Just Out.
N o part of Just Out may be reproduced without written per
mission from the publisher.
The submission of w ritten and graphic
materials is welcomed. W ritte n material should he
typed and double-spaced. Just Out reserves the right to edit
for grammar, punctuation, style, liability concerns and
length. W e will reject or edit articles or advertisements that
arc offensive, demeaning or may result in legal action.
Letters to the editor shtxild he limited to 500 words.
Announcem ents regarding life transitions (births, deaths,
unions, etc.) shixild he limited to 200 words; photos are wel
come. Deadline for submissions to the editorial
department and for the Calendar is the Thursday 15 days
• Portland Police Chief Tom Potter received the first
formal acknowledgment of his work with the gay and
lesbian community Feb. 7 at Hobo's. The Lesbian
Community Project and the Right to Privacy P A C
sponsored the reception in his honor.
• M y Country, M y Right to Serve by Portland author Dr.
Mary Ann Humphrey was one of the finalists for the
G ay and Lesbian Book Award for 1991. The G ay and
Lesbian Task Force of the American Library Association
planned to announce the winner March 15.
• Longtime Portland gay rights activist Susie
Shepherd was honored by the Leather Journal as
Woman of the Year on Jan. 26 in Los Angeles.
• Integrity, the lesbian and gay ministry of the Episcopal
Church, formed a new chapter in the Portland area.
before the next publication date. Views expressed in letters to
the editor, columns and features are not necessarily those of
the publisher.
T h e display advertising deadline is the M onday
12 days before the next publication date.
Classified ads must be received at the Just O u t office
by 4 p.m. on the Thursday eighr days before the next publi
cation date, along with payment. A d s may be placed by tele
phone or via the Internet with Visa or MasterCard payment.
Ad policy: Just Out reserves the right to reject or edit
any advertisement. Compensaticm for eiTors in, or cancella
tion of, advertising will be made with credit toward future
advertising. Advertising rates are available upon request.
Subscriptions
are $17.50 fix 12 issues. First Class (in
an envelope) is $30 for 12 issues.
Contact Just Out at P.O. Box 14400, Portland, O R
97293-0400; 503-236-1252. advertising 503-236-1253, fax
5 0 3-236-1257;
m
■A '
I f L: 3 ■ F i m i
e-m ail
justoutdjustour.com .
Internet site at www.justnut.com.
Visit
m ir
• Although sodomy was illegal in the rural town of
Boise, a jury gave Idaho the distinction of being the
first state in the country to acquit a lesbian in a
I • Marty Davis
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • Oriana Green
COPY EDITOR • Jim Radosta
S W F REPORTER • Jonathan KiPP
CONTRIBUTORS • Marc Acito, Rich Bray,
Meryl Cohn, Katy Davidson, Heron,
Michael Wayne Keck, Andy Simon,
Tom Stevenson, Rex Wockner
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Meg Grace
ADVERTISING RPRESBVTAnVES • Markie Acevedo,
Larry Lewis
NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE • Rivendell
Marketing Company Inc., 212-242-6863
ART DIRECTOR • Rupert Kinnard
stabbing case under the “battered spo use' defense.
• D o Jum p's winter concert, “Adjusting to the Light.”
was in production through March 23 at Echo Theatre.
The show was conceived and directed by that master
of visual surprise. Robin Lane.
• Th e R A TS (Radical Am azon Tongue Squad) struck
Slabtown, the newest women's bar in Portland, with a
kiss-in protest. The establishment’s stated policy had
been to ban public displays of French kissing.
• In coordination with International Women's History
Month, the Council for Prostitution Alternatives brought
Andrea Dworkin, a radical feminist writer and theorist, to
the Northwest Service Center in Portland on March 8.
• Catbird Seat Bookstore presented John Lee speak
ing about healing men's wounds March 13.
• W om en for Peace picketed U S Sen. Bob
Packwood's office March 8.
• Kevin Moore
• Melissa Sayler
OFFICE MANAGER • Melissa Sayler
DISTRIBIfTION • Jerilyn Adams, Kathy Bethel,
Katy Davidson, Ian Drake, Bonita Mattinson,
K.D. Parman, Merid Schwartz,
Hadley Scott, Ruth Traut