august 3.2001 * Just Mit
COMMENTARY
F o u n d ed 1983 • J ay B rown a n d R en ee L a C h a n ce
Vol. 18 N o. 19
August 3, 2001
FEATURE
THE NAKED TRUTH: Just Out goes on a strip
by
M a r t y D a v is
Up of the iceberg?
Looking beyond Deny Jackson’s dilemma, it’s clear we’ve got trouble in River City
search for Portland skin
p
22
NEWS
N0RTHWE8T • The Burnside Triangle has
a long history of controversy; a living trust
is an attractive estate planning option for sexual
minorities; a strong, vibrant and visible Lesbian
Community Project benefits everyone
pp 7 - 1 7
NATIONAL • Lesbian police officer slain;
bill would ban workplace discrimination
PP 1 8 - 1 9
WORLD • Moscow Gay Pride prohibited;
Mexican official takes aim at AIDS patients
pp 2 0 - 2 1
ENTERTAINMENT
FILM • You'd be pissed, too!
pp 3 2 - 3 3
ART • Kristy Edmunds, pioneer
pp 3 4 - 3 5
DIVERSIONS- Cmising and banging balls
p 37
CULTURE • Leather Pride Week
p 38
THEATER • Our man in New York
p 39
SPORTS • Go for the gold
p 41
COLUMNS
MS. BEHAVIOR • Dating outside your age group
p 31
SPECIAL
uch has been written recently in the mainstream media His spewing of the word clearly made it, in his usage, an obscenity.
about the remarks and ensuing flap created by Portland
I then engaged in a brief “dialogue” of absolutely no value with
Public Schools board member Derry Jackson. Many peo Broussard. 1 identified myself as gay and advised him that his remarks
had been noted and that 1 was with Just Out, the gay newspaper.
ple called for his resignation, and emotions ran high.
Calm now seems to have descended, and Jackson
His attitude was derisive, and he indicated he wanted it clearly under
might he enjoying a moment of respite. I doubt this lull will last beyond stood he wasn’t gay. Admittedly, this was not something I felt confused
about, but it seemed important to him to have it acknowledged.
the next scheduled school hoard meeting.
Therefore, let it officially be known that Bruce Broussard is not gay.
1 attended the “apology” press conference. I witnessed the entire
botched affair, the refusal to answer questions, the shouts from detractors, Neither is he, apparently, clear on accountability and the role Jackson is
playing in his own political demise.
the anger of supporters.
My concern now is that there is some serious bridge-building that
1 know what was reported on television and in the press, and 1
know what was not reported. At this news conference 1 was witness to needs to be done between gay men and lesbians and the African Ameri
a surprising and disturbing moment that 1 think was potentially of can community. And 1 am really unclear who might be willing to take
on the task of orchestrating this dialogue, mediation
greater significance than anything said or not said
or politically correct phrase du jour. In politically
by Jackson.
It seems to me
incorrect terms, it seems to me some people are pissed
What I consider to he a crucial component of
the event was not seen or heard by the cameras. some people are pissed o ff off for the wrong reasons, and we need to sit our butts
down and work out our differences. The debate con
After Jackson spent a brief time stumbling over his
for the wrong reasons,
cerning military recruiting in schools has created a
apology and then a few more minutes avoiding
and we need to
need for dialogue that has not occurred.
questions, he basically bolted from the room and
Pat clichés and phrases are being spouted in print
headed for his car.
sit
our
butts
down
and
and on camera. This creates further problems, stress
This created a mini melee as the reporters and
camera crews grabbed their equipment and literal
work out our differences and misunderstandings.
It is very apparent that resentment and anger are
ly chased the man through the parking lot. Many
others remaining in the room, including myself, then followed those building and growing and that we are perched on a potential time bomb
pursuing Jackson, who was doing his very best to act as though he was of emotions, miseducation and ramifications from the simple lack of
the only person present, seemingly oblivious to the fact that a dozen knowing each other.
I would like to suggest perhaps there is a role here for Basic Rights Ore
microphones were surrounding him.
By this time his supporters also were gathering. Walking across the gon. Lets use that leadership to broaden our focus and perspective and
look to other areas where we need to build infrastructure by linking our
parking lot was a man I recognized as Bruce Broussard, an African
American activist involved with the National Association for the community to others. Lets divert some time, energy and even money, if
Advancement of Colored People and the Police Accountability C am necessary, away from the tedious Lon Mabon and his remaining minions
paign. He was also one of 15 candidates who challenged Mayor Vera and look toward other troubled areas.
Broussard is a man with followers. If he is a wise leader he will want to
Katz in her most recent bid for re-election. Broussard is, by all
accounts, a respected leader of the African American community and speak of truth and honesty to those who rely upon him for direction and
guidance. Right now these people are getting the wrong message.
a person with a political following. A man with clout.
What are we going to do about this? What are Jackson and Broussard
Broussard also appeared to be an angry man. His anger apparently
willing to do?
stemmed from the treatment being accorded Jackson by the press.
Jackson probably is finished with the school board. His political career
And so as the cameras and microphones scurried after the embattled
is likely not salvageable. What’s left now is for us to salvage the relation
board member, Broussard stood in the parking lot and shouted to the
ship between the gay and lesbian and the African American communities.
reporters, in a loud and hostile voice, “Its the gays...its the gays.”
Apparently, in the eyes of Broussard, it was not Jackson who had cre
Any ideas, Mr. Broussard— or would you rather just toss blame
ated his own problems; rather, the blame was to be placed on the “gays.” about? j n
NIGHTSPOTS • Gay-friendly hangouts
p 32
I
EATING OUT • Let someone else cook tonight
pp
40-41
Philip Anderson became the 25th member of the
Portland G a y M e n ’s Chorus to die of AIDS-related
causes July 21.
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p
Portland police officials say they expect reports
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year due to the creation of the bureau’s
Bias/Hate Crime Unit.
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• Anita Marie Lacy and M ary Ellen (M e g) Grace
were united as life partners in a commitment
ceremony June 30. Both wom en's parents par
ticipated in the wedding, which took place along
the Sandy River in Oxbow P ark
• Scott Lively, communication director for the
Oregon Citizens Alliance, spoke at Portland
State University recently at the request of the
Conservative Student Alliance. M ore than 150
lesbians and gays showed up to hear and
respond to what Lively had to say. Wearing
ga g s and holding up “He's lying” signs, the
protesters made a powerful visual statement
without being disruptive.
PUBLISHER AND MANAGING EDITOR • Marty Davis
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • Oriana Green
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CONTRISIITORS • Marc Acito, Kristan Aspen,
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• Right to Privacy P A C s Garden Party w as a huge
success. “M ore people than ever before,” approxi
mately 350, attended, according to executive direc
tor Ltnda Welch. Lots of politicos were present,
am ong them Gov. Barbara Roberts. Secretary of
State Phil Keisling, C om m issioners M ike Lindberg
and Earl Blumenauer, Reps. Vera Katz and Gail Shib-
ley, and representatives from the office of the other
city commissioners. M o s t notably missing w as
M ayo r Bud Clark.
• Dem i-Monde Productions is an independent feature
film company dedicated to women and lesbian film-
making. Nicole Conn is in the process of producing
Claire o f the Moon, a low-budget J 6- millimeter feature.
• G a y Atheists d iscu ss Aug 20 how their realization
that G o d s and supernatural forces do not exist
affected their feelings about their sexual orientation,
• Labor D a y weekend. Aug. 30 to Sept 1. athletes
from W ashington, Idaho. California and British
Columbia are joining Oregon athletes to hit, stroke,
lift and run their way through the Portland G a y and
Lesbian Sp orts Festival
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR • Kevin Moore
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT • Melissa Sayler
OFFICE MANAGER • Melissa Sayler
INTERN • Peter Zuckerman
OISTRIRUTION • Jerilyn Adams, Ed Carder,
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3