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Fellowship, a home for the liberal religious spirit (10
am Sunday. 4505 E. 18th St. Vancouver
360-695-1891)01/01)
Willamette Valley: Spirituality
First Congregational Church, United Church
of Christ is an open and affirming congregation offer
ing worship and church school. Child care provided.
Wheelchair accessible. (10 am Sunday. 700 Manon St
NE. Salem. 503-363-3660 ) (11/01)
Gay-Straight Alliance of the Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of Salem meets for a
potluck on the third Sunday of each month. (6 pm.
5090 Center St. NE. 503-363-8716.) (1 1/01)
Interfaith Spiritual Community meets for inspira
tional messages, children's celebrations and joy every
Sunday at the Heart Center. We honor and celebrate all
sacred paths, recognizing each person's divine gifts and
supporting spiritual growth, healing and enlightenment.
(6-730 pm. 1578 Commercial St. SE. Salem.
503-763-6030) (11/01)
Morningside United Methodist Church is a rec
onciling congregation where everyone is welcome to
participate in the full life of the congregation. (8:30 and
11 am Sunday. 3674 12th St. SE. Salem.
503 364-5013)0 1/01)
Sweet Spirit Metropolitan Community Church
(MCC) holds worship at 11 am Sundays followed by
coffee and fellowship as well as potluck lunches every
second Sunday. (American Legion Hall. 4774 Lilac Lane
NE. Salem Mailing address: Pastor Ken Kerr. PO Box
12753. Salem. OR 97309 503-315-7923.) (11/01)
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S/de Man extends its run at Artists Repertory Theatre through July 8
Metro: Youth
Anawim Community of gay men meets weekly for
Christian meditation and prayer. (7 30 pm Thursday.
503-281 -0722.) (11/01)
Expression is a free art/expression support group for
GLBT youth between 13 and 23 in Gresham. Hang out
and have fun every Fnday1 Sponsored by Roots and
Branches. (Jonathan503-872-9664. ext. 28)0 1/01)
Bridgeport Community Church (UCC) is a
growing community of progressive, political people
exploring and celebrating the Christian faith. We are
multicultural, lesbian, gay, bi and straight, and our chil
dren are valued members. (10:30 am Sunday 621 NE
76th Ave 503-258-0992.) (11/01)
Community of St. Andrew invites all to join a
diverse Catholic faith community for prayer and fellow
ship. (9.30 am Sunday 806 NE Alberta St.
503-281-4429.) (11 /01)
Dignity Portland meets for Mass Sundays at 4 pm
at St. Stephens Episcopal Church followed by a social.
(Southwest 13th Avenue at Clay Street.
dignitypdx@aol.com.) (11/01)
Eastrose Fellowship Unitarian Universalist a
welcoming congregation, offers Sunday service and
children's religious education at 10:30 am.
(1133 NE 181st Ave.. Gresham. 503-665-2628
eastrose@teleport.com.) (11/01)
Estacada United Methodist Church
Reconciling Congregation, where we really mean
everyone is welcome Sunday worship at 10:30 am.
(204 SE Main St. Estacada) (6/01)
First Congregational United Church of Christ
is an open and affirming congregation in the liberal
Christian tradition. Sunday worship is at 10:25 am. and
church school for children runs concurrently. (1126 SW
Park Ave. 503-228-7219.) (11/01)
First United Methodist Church of Portland, a
welcoming and reconciling congregation, believes no
one is left out in God's family. GLBT potlucks are held
monthly. (10.30 am Sunday. 1838 SW Jefferson St.
503-228-3195 www fumcpdx org) (11/01)
Full Circle Temple is a place of worship for women
of all ages offering workshops, song and drum circles,
meditation rooms and altars of celebration, incorporat
ing what you bnng to share (10 am-10 pm Tuesday-
Sunday. 3125 E Bumside St. 503-238-0675.) (11/01)
The God Connection Center for Worship,
Growth and Leadership invites you to celebrate
your spintuality with the Revs. Casey and Berdell
Moffett-Chaney. Liberal, practical: all are welcome.
(10 am Sunday 4828 NE 33rd Ave. 503-481-7591.)
(11/01)
Grace Space, a multidenominational spiritual center
led by the Rev Stephanie Tomes, holds Sunday evening
celebrations (5 pm. Friends of Multnomah. 4312 SE
Stark St 503-287-3216 ) (11/01)
Integrity, the gay and lesbian ministry of the
Episcopal Church, meets on the second Friday of each
month in the Morrison Room at Trinity Cathedral
Euchanst is celebrated at 6 45 pm followed by a
potluck and fellowship (147 NW 19th Ave.
503 289-1687.) (1 1/01)
Interiaith Spiritual Center. Spiritual directors from
various world religious traditions are available for guid
ance. classes and retreats (Second Floor. 3910 SE
11th Ave 503-233-2026. ext 3
www.spmtone.com/-isc. (11/01)
Compassionate Heart Sangha a lesbian and gay
meditation group, meets m the Buddhist Vipasana tradì
tm (730-9 pm Wednesday Flanders House. 2926 NE
Flanders St. Jon 5032395539)0 1/01)
Lincoln Street United Methodist Church is an
open and accepting congregation of progressive
Chnstians (9 am Sunday 5145 SE Lincoln St . , .
503 231 1930) (11/01)
Meta noia Peace Community (United Methodist) is
a "house church," bringing gay and straight together.
(Daily prayer 7:20 am. Sunday gathering 6 pm.
2116 NE 18th Ave. 503-281-3697.
www.tearsoup.com/metanoia.)(11/01)
Metropolitan Community Church of Portland
holds ecumenical Sunday morning worship services at
9 and 11 am. Sunday school for children is held during
the 11 am worship service. (2400 NE Broadway.
503-281-8868 info@mccportland.com.) (11/01)
Potter's House Ministries Life Center.
Evangelical and chansmatic Chnstian. (3830 SE 62nd
Ave. 503-775-5024.) (11/01)
SisterSpirit offers women's spintuality celebra
tions. discussion groups, a drumming circle, work
shops and classes. Schedule of events available. All
women are welcome. (Suite 102, 3430 SE Belmont
St. Mailing address: PO Box 9246, Portland, OR
97207. 503-736-3297. sistersp@teleport.com.)
(11/01)
Southminster Presbyterian Church is a chal
lenging. supportive community that welcomes all peo
ple. It is the first More Light Presbytenan Church in
Oregon. (10 am Sunday summer. 9 30 and 11 am
Sunday winter. 12250 SW Denney Road. Beaverton.
503-644-2073.) (11/01)
St. James Lutheran Church, a reconciled in
Christ congregation, welcomes all people for traditional
liturgical worship. (9 and 11 am Sunday 1315 SW Park
Ave. 503-227-2439.) (11/01)
St. Philip Neri Catholic Church offers a gay-pos
itive community for Catholics and their friends Mass at
7 30 pm Fridays followed by a social (Paulist Center.
2408 SE 16th Ave 503-2314955 X11/01)
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church has been wel
coming all people since 1863 (12:10 pm Wednesday
and 745 and 10 am Sunday Sunday school and child
Outside In operates a clinic for anyone who can't
qualify for the Oregon Health Plan as well as a needle
exchange service that includes exchange for those who
inject hormones. It also has some transitional housing
for youth 20 and younger as well as for youth who are
HIV-positive and younger than 23. It also plays host to
VOICES (Voices of Individual and Community
Empowerment from the Streets), a self-support group
for queer youth. (10 am-6 pm Monday-Friday. 1236 SW
Salmon St. 503-223-4121)01/01)
Pride Project brings together Washington County
lesbian, gay. bi. trans and questioning youth to plan and
attend monthly social events. Also information, referral,
support and advocacy services for Washington County.
(Molly 503-260-5792 moUy@pndeproiect org.) (11/01)
Rainbow is a multicultural peer support and activity group
for gay. lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning youth.
(4 30 pm Wednesday Metropolitan Community Church of
Portland. 2400 NE Broadway 503-281-8868.) (11/01)
Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Center
(SMYRC) offers drop-in computer access, pool tables
and an informal place to hang out and plays host to
weekly youth support groups including Windfire. Trans
Youth Group and Personal Deity Proxy (a creative
group). (4-8 pm Monday and Wednesday. 4 pm-
midnight Friday and Saturday 2100 SE Belmont St
503-872 9664 www smyrc org.) (11/01)
Youth HIV/STD Prevention Project provides fun
and educational programs along with counseling and
testing to queer youth in a fnendly. relaxed environ
ment (503-872-9664.) (11/01)
YouthNet. a program of Love Makes a Family, offers
tutonng and mentoring for lesbian, gay. tx and trans
youth as well as for children of LGBT parents.
(503-227-1981 )(11/01)
care at 10 am SW 13th Avenue at Clay Street.
503-223-6424)01/01)
Unity Church of Portland is an all-inclusive
community following Christ's teachings and celebrat
ing diversity and truth without trappings for 75
years Sunday school and child care available
Potluck first Sundays (10 am Sunday 4525 SE
Stark St 503-234-7441. umtyprtlnd@wwdb org.)
(11/01)
University Parti United Methodist Church is a
member of the network of reconciling congregations
and meets for worship at 10 am Sundays. (4775 N
Lombard St. 503 289-7843) (11/01)
Zion United Church of Christ an open and
affirming congregation, is open to gay. lesbian, bisexual,
transgender and heterosexual people who wish to wor
ship in a Christ centered, warm, caring,
multiage/race/cultural faith community (11 am Sunday
2025 NE 23rd Ave. Gresham 503 6658741.) (11/01)
Southern Oregon: Youth
Southern Oregon Youth Outreach (SOYO) a
group for gay. lesbian, and bi youth between 14 and 20.
meets on the first and Thursdays of the month in
Ashland (541 488 6990)0 1/01)
Washington: Youth
Teen to Teen Sexual Minority Youth Program
offers education, support and advocacy to gay. lesbian,
bi and trans and questioning youth m Vancouver. Wash
Meets 6-8 pm Tuesdays and 3 30-5 30 pm Thursdays
in Suite Ml00 at Cascade AIDS Project. 1104 Mam St
(Amanda 360-693 1188)01/01)
Willamette Valley: Youth
Washington: Spirituality
East Vancouver United Methodist Church.
Reconciling, welcoming (10 am Sunday
5701 MacArthur Blvd 360-693 4761
ourclarkcounty Columbian com/273/.) (11 /01)
First Congregational Church, United Church
of Christ Two Sunday services traditional and 'less
traditional" in an open and affirming congregation
(1220 NE 68th St. Vancouver 360-693 1476)01/01)
Metropolitan Community Church of the
Gentle Shepherd. (10 am Sunday 913 W 13th St.
Vancouver 360-695-1480 ) (11/01)
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and
Questioning Youth Group for ages 13 to 18 offers
support, information and fun Free, confidential, drop-m
(4 6 pm Fnday Amazon Community Center.
2700 Hilyard St. Eugene 541 684 3466 ) (11/01)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Youth
Group for ages 25 and younger meets every Monday
(5 pm Komoma Center. 1414 Kincaid St Eugene
541 3461134)01/01)
Rainbow Youth is a support group for gay. lesbian,
bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their
fnends between 13 and 17 years old in the Salem
Keizer area (503581 5535)01/01)
Why would a dyke want to give up
her Gold Star status?
D ear M s . B ehavior :
I am a 19-year-old
single lesbian with a
problem. I believe in
experiencing life to
the fullest, and I
want to have sex
with a man.
I have asked my
best straight guy
friend to sleep with
me for one night. He
knows I am a dyke
and do not want a
sexual relationship
with him. He is
happy to help me on
a one-time basis.
The problem is my father. Dad,
who raised me alone after Mom died,
is one of those PFLAG activists like
Michael’s mother on Queer as Folk
but worse.
I am sometimes embarrassed and
wish he would chill. But basically his
support has helped me be proud of
who I am, and usually I appreciate
him and his enthusiasm.
Except now. He is trying to
interfere with my plan
to lose my heterosexual
virginity.
He tells me there is
no reason for a lesbian
who is secure about her
homosexuality to have
sex with any man, even
once. He suspects my guy
friend is in love with me and
wants to convince me to go
straight.
He says I am being manipulated by
the guy and confused by the hetero
sexual world in general. He worries I
might start dating men, fall in love,
waste time, miss opportunities for find
ing a good lesbian partner, lose my gay
identity, go straight, get pregnant,
whatever. I think that’s all nonsense.
But should 1 ditch my plan? If not,
what should I do about Dad?
—Virginity Sucks
D ear V irginity S ucks :
Why is your hip, supportive father
involved in your sexual plans? Most 19-
year-olds are at a developmental stage
where they want and deserve privacy.
Did you come home late one night
and confess over milk and cookies your
desire to have sex with a dude? If you
invited Daddy into discussions of your
deflowering, now you’ll have to find a
diplomatic way to tell him to butt out.
Otherwise, be prepared to endure his
advice about everything from your outfit
to your method of birth control. Creepy.
It’s OK to experiment with straight
sex if you really want to. But if you plan
to fornicate because you feel uncool,
Ms. Behavior urges you to reconsider.
Lesbians are virgins when they
haven’t had sex with other women,
not men. If your so-called virginity
feels like an albatross to you now, it
might be because you confuse hetero
sexual intercourse with sophistication.
If in the end you decide never to
have sex with a man,
you can look forward
to a long, happy life of
being worshipped as a
Gold Star Lesbian by
countless dykes who
regret having sullied
their Sapphic purity
with meaningless
penile contact.
D ear M s . B ehavior :
Last year 1 became
depressed and sought
the help of a psychia
trist, who prescribed
antidepressants. I
started on a low dose and moved up
to a moderate one.
The pills have helped a lot, and I
no longer wake up feeling dread.
The problem is this medication
obscures my sex drive, to the point
where I’d rather do laundry or wash
the kitchen floor than make love
with my girlfriend.
Then, on those rare occasions when
we do have sex, it’s nearly impossible
for me to have an orgasm. My
girlfriend was patient for a
few months, but now she’s
over it. She wants me to
resume the lower dose of
the medication because
on that dose I still had
sexual desire.
The psychiatrist ini
tially said I probably could
cut back at some point. I
don’t want to do it now because
I think my girlfriend is being selfish
and unreasonable. Shouldn’t my men
tal health be more important than her
sexual desires?
—Little Libido
D ear L ittle L ibido .-
It’s a mistake to pit your mental
health against your girlfriend’s sexual
desires, as if you only can attend to
one or the other. Although depression
can be a serious illness requiring med
ication and/or therapy, treatment
doesn’t have to squash your libido like
a bug. Some newer medications have
fewer sexual side effects, so you can
have a cheerful mood and lots of rau
cous lesbian sex all in the same day.
Your girlfriend’s desire to make
love with you does not mean she is
indifferent to your happiness. Don’t
try to make her prove she loves you
by asking her to settle for infrequent,
disengaged sex.
Talk to your shrink about cutting
back the medication or trying a differ
ent drug. Think of it as an experi
ment; if you feel uncomfortable, you
can return to your current regimen.
Maybe your girlfriend will have
fewer clean shirts and the kitchen
floor will be sticky, but once your
medication is adjusted, you’ll remem
ber just how delightful sexual passion
can be. jn
Wnte your confused and conflicted heart out
to Ms. B ehavior at MsBehouortSool com.