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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2001)
E xcept for O ne L ittle P roblem : M emoir of a L ife in H iding by Joan Denson. Barricade Books, 2001; $14.95 softcover. uthor Joan Denson, 62, chronicles the years she ' spent cloaking her sexual orientation— first from herself and her family, later from her husband and son, then from neighbors and straight friends. Although she eventually found her way out of the closet, the majority of her life was spent there. Surprisingly candid for someone still in practice as a therapist, she details her failed relationships as well I would be the girl next door... as the ups and downs of her long term partnership. She isn’t afraid to reveal things that might deter poten tial clients, proving even “experts” Memoir of a Life in Hiding can manage to screw up their love Joan D e n s o n lives. What hindered her coming-out process was having a child and worrying she similar situation. Readers who are long past might lose custody of him. Although he asked these dilemmas won’t find much new here. to be sent away to school once he learned of — OG his mother’s secret, they eventually made peace with the truth. What disappoints in Except for One Little B o ys B riefs Problem is Denson’s narrow focus on her own Picture This! life without many insights to the larger picture. That is probably because she didn’t fit in with ou never know what kind of the California lesbian scene and instead chose package you’ll find when dip to socialize mostly with other divorced subur ping into a set of briefs, and ban moms who came out of the closet. this collection of short films is no That narrow world view and her lack of exception. T he feature was a selection great writing skills make this book primarily at both the Sundance and Berlin festi suited for individuals who find themselves in a vals, and although few of the shorts Except For One Little Problem seem award-quality, some gems can be found. “T he Absolution of Anthony” is a mildly shocking film about a teen’s prank phone sex calls, while “Sm ear” tells the story of a hoy in love with his straight buddy. Two very short featurettes are “Front Room,” which showcases the close-up erotic journey of a tongue, and the German “Piglets,” a hilari ous three-minute sex farce. Longest of the set is “Fairy Tale,” an uncom fortable story of a gay youngster bringing his boyfriend home for dinner with the parents, while the Hong Kong film “Stanley Beloved” features another straight/gay boy romance. In between each of the six segments the package promises “humorous on-camera commentary by youthful hosts,” but thank fully, the DVD allows viewers to bypass these insipid introductions and watch the shorts in any order. W ith too heavy an emphasis on gay-straight crushes for my taste, Boys Briefs is quite a mixed basket, but at least if you don’t like one short, another will be along briefly. — AM r TEN wuAv. IOpercent.com EN by Intense is the first fra grance for the gay market formulated with an exclusive, patented, man- If to-man pheromone based on advanced scientific research. “I always wanted to develop the perfect cologne,” says Greg Nimer, 10% Productions CEO. “I wanted to create something long-lasting but not overpowering— decidedly masculine but clean and fresh— that wouldn’t completely take over a room.” TEN ($38.50 for a 2-ounce bottle) has been specially created by and for gay men who want to improve their self-confidence and cre ate a magnetic aura. Also available is a nonfragranced pheromone called Intense. Dedicated to the positive portrayal of gay men and lesbians, 10% Produc tions was founded in 1993. Today, it offers more than 500 cards, posters, gifts and calendars in addi tion to an extensive video and DVD collection. From the same company, check out these fabu ornaments: a set of six glittery pumps in a rainbow of hues ($80) or the limited-edition Red Ribbons, with proceeds benefiting the American Founda tion for AIDS Research’s efforts to find a vac cine— and a cure. Each piece is carefully hand- blown in fine detail, silvered and exquisitely painted to become a collectible work of art. — OG Visit Portland’s sunniest, most whimsical gift store this holiday season! FENG JHUI Guides & directs home energies of family, love, health, career, business, wealth and more... 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