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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2001)
36 ’ ¡una 15.2001 FAMILY Continued from Page 35 Although Pride celebrations continue to be important to them, parenthood has tempered their participation in activities somewhat, Chinn says. Today the trio start their Pride fes tivities at a brunch with other lesbian mothers and their children, then watch the parade and visit l . v r'«rival. Two years ago the family marched in the parade. “1 felt a tremendous amount of pride when we marched in the Portland Pride parade with our daughter,” Raicht says. “I was amazed at the numbers of people that cheered for us and our little family and made us feel proud.” But Pride parades haven’t always been care free. When the family marched in 1999 they were confronted with fundamentalist Christian protesters who shouted “ignorant and hateful things.” What upset the women most was that their 1 -year-old daughter could see the spectacle. That confrontation only has fueled their determina tion to be proud. “It is for them that I hold my head up high and keep marching,” Raicht says. She thinks Pride events are imperative. “It helps us show each other and the rest of the community who we are and the diversity within our own community. We are your neighbors, your teachers, your coaches, your doctors, your graphic designers and your customers. Our visi bility is essential to increasing tolerance, accep tance and, hopefully, celebration.” In addition to their careers (Chinn is a busi ness operations manager at Cascade AIDS Pro ject; Raicht works in commercial real estate at Grubb &. Ellis) and their civil rights work, the women participate in a 4-year-old group of les bian moms. It now consists of seven couples and eight children with one baby on the way. The monthly gatherings have given the kids a chance to see other lesbian families and to have friends who come from similar back grounds, Raicht says. —Jonathan Kipp DYLAN STONE n the final day of Coming Out Week last year, 20-year-old Reed College biology major Dylan Stone picked up the phone and called all his aunts, uncles and cousins. O “It was hard at first, but I didn’t want there to be any illusions," he remarks. “1 just told all my relatives that I’m gay and that’s who I was. Some of them were shocked, some of them said they didn’t care, and some of them were proud of me.” His mother claimed she’s known since he was 4. Growing up in conservative Boise, Idaho, Stone is not someone you’d expect to become a pride figurehead. But during the fall semester, he led the Queer Alliance and expanded the organization to provide support for faculty and staff as well as students. This semester Stone co-leads the Mul ticultural Resource Center, which provides support for minority students. He also works as a house adviser, math tutor and secretary in the residence liie office. “I feel like I’m celebrating pride every day,” Stone says. “I’m living in an apart ment with my boyfriend for the first time, and we go on walks together every day.” Stone recently discovered what pride meant to him when he returned home for his brother’s high school graduation. “We had this reception after the gradu ation,” he explains. “One of our acquain tances asks me if I have a girlfriend, and I’m not sure what to say at first. I’m in arch conservative Boise, Idaho, surrounded by all these grandparents.” Stone pauses. “So I’m quiet for a moment, and they all start listening to me. So I say, ‘No I don’t have a girlfriend, but my boyfriend’s really nice!’ ” —PZ Pure, Organic, Unadulterated Coffee! Over 23 locations in the Portland/Vancouver area! Liked Virgin, tdsteit for the very first time! Bring this ad on Sunday, June 17th and receive $0.50 off any espresso drink or smoothie! Visit our website or call 503-289-2209 for the class nearest you. With Jazzercise, the original dance-fitness program you get easy to follow aerobics in a fun and friendly environment. PRESENT THIS AD FOR 3 FREE CLASSES! $25 off all sunglasses 908 NW 23rd 503-221-1459 jazzercise www .tlbporNand.com www.jazzercise.com eye exam« available Comer of SW Park & Yamhill 15 BGLKVIAG •No experience necessary. • No contracts or membership fees. • Convenient times/locations • We fit every body.
