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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2001)
24 7,2ÛÛ1 ed, Blues National crisis leaves gays and lesbians feeling frustrated T D I C T JL U U n lO 1 ^ V D Jl I V A D v i T here’s no question that everyone in the United States was affect ed by Sept. 11— thousands died, while the rest of us are left to endure a time of war, recession and anxiety. And although each person’s situation is unique, the impact of that day has revealed a number of struggles that are making life especially difficult for the sexual minorities community. Within days of the terrorist attacks, thousands of people were standing in line for hours at the American Red Cross, but sexually active gay men are banned from donating blood. The country is at war, but gays can’t serve openly in the military. Meanwhile, binational couples are facing a growing crackdown on immigra tion. Others who lost loved ones during the terrorist attacks are forced to deal with disparities in getting the assistance they need. Adding to our troubles is the sorry state of the national economy, especially when it comes to travel. Because the hospitality industry employs a large number of sexual minorities, this has become another devastating side effect of Sept. 11. Here, Just Out takes a look at how the day that changed the United States also changed the sexual minorities community. Horrific hijackings force travel agents to renew customer confidence by Tom Stev en son he terrorists attacks on Despite what many might see as bleak New York and Washing conditions, all of those interviewed were ton, D.C., set off a chain in complete agreement that right now of events that heavily might be the best time for members of the affected the hospitality gay and lesbian community to take that long-awaited trip. All also insist traveling industry in every comer of the world. Although planes only were grounded for a is indeed safe— maybe safer than ever. couple of days, the emotional grounding “Now is the time to experience new of travelers has taken a lot longer to heal. places and new things,” Richardson says. Tourism businesses in Portland have “Prices are very low for flying, staying at not escaped the impact. The hospitality hotels.. .even restaurants are dropping industry is heavily represented by mem their prices to lure people in. Department bers of the sexual minorities community, stores are having deals. Just live life.” many of whom have seen both good and Nevers adds: “I truly believe it is much bad results since Sept. 11. safer to travel now than it ever has been. According to Skip Rognlien, owner of Your travel adviser should be your Sullivan’s Gulch Bed and Breakfast in Port resource to advise you if they feel travel is land, with the exception of the first couple not advisable to a certain area. Otherwise, of days after the attacks, his establishment Norm Nevers believes travel is safer than ever since Sept. 11 go with confidence and have fun.” has not seen a decline in customers. In fact, Blanks says: “Hying, although current- he says he actually has gained some business. response to the slowdown.” ly inconvenient, is still one of the safest modes of “One couple said that they had not planned Travel agents also have been forced to get transportation. Immediately following the attacks to go anywhere but to bolster the economy came creative, as their business has suffered during the we had a vacation scheduled in Hawaii. Rather here for a week for shopping,” says Rognlien, trauma of the past couple of months. than canceling, we kept with our plans. With the who has been a proud member of the gay com Norm Nevers, another active member of the security measures in place and the extra aware- munity since he came out at age 16 some 50 gay community and an agent at Gulliver’s Trav- ness travelers exhibited, we felt completely safe.” years ago. “It seems like many gay and lesbian els in Portland, says he and other members of Joan Sher, a consultant with GK Ltd. Travel, travelers are not daunted by recent events.” the company are finding new ways to attract says she has spent a great deal of time in the past Not everyone has been quite as lucky. Phillip business. “We are actively working the Internet, few months attending seminars and familiarizing Richardson, sales manager at the Westin Portland calling current clients to advise them of great herself further about destinations. Her goal is to Hotel, says the attacks, along with an already weak travel bargains now available and try to reassure soothe the fears of her clients and “pamper” them, ening economy, definitely have affected business. anyone who asks us that travel is still safe.” Sher also notes she, along with the other mem- “The hospitality industry as a whole has seen a pretty significant decline in both business and leisure travel,” he says. “The economy was already looking bleak prior to the Sept. 11 events, with high unemployment and people being more cautious with their money. And of course now, economic conditions are worse.” Nonetheless, Richardson sees reasons to remain optimistic. “1 believe that we have not been hit nearly as hard as primary markets like San Fran cisco, Los Angeles and Seattle, as those are high- profile, major-market cities,” he adds. “And the fact that most of the recent events have taken place on the East Coast helps our markets slightly.” All of those involved in the hospitality industry have felt the pressures of “belt tighten ing” because of a slowdown in business. Lanning Blanks, a gay man who owns Portland’s White House, has seen a 5 percent to 10 percent decrease in business since Sept. 11. “Fortunately, we have not had to lay any staff off due to a lack of travelers,” he says. However, “We are monitoring our labor closely in Business is down 5 percent to 10 percent at Portland’s White House '«ig fr "One couf that they I plonne anywhere bolster the ec came tit week for si bers of her family, have been travel ing extensively since Sept. 11. Her recommenda tion is quite sim ple: With the lower costs of travel, now really is the time to live it up. “As far as destinations that feel safer if one is particularly concerned, I would recommend that now is the time to go on a cruise, go to Hawaii or another sunny destination like Mexico or the Caribbean,” Sher says. “Forget all your troubles and just relax.” Richardson perhaps sums it up best in dis cussing the fear some travelers are facing. “When you see the measures being taken at the airports and our borders.. .you have to realize that flying has never been more safe,” he says. “It may be a little more of a hassle to deal with the new security measures, but to ensure that I have a safe flight or that my hotel is secure, that is an inconvenience I am happy to have. I think peo ple need to live their lives.” J H T o m STEVENSON is a Portland free-lance writer and a full-time Portland State University student who can be reached at ruraltom @ yahoo.com .
