february 15.2002 »
COMMENTARY
by
M
arty
D
;* ^ 3
a v is
The IN publication for the OUT population
F ounded 1983 • J ay B rown
V o l. 1 9 N o . 8
and
R enee L a C hance
February 1 5 , 2 0 0 2
FEATURE
OPEN DOORS, OPEN ARMS: Outside In welcomes
queer and questioning youth to a new home
P 24
NEWS
NORTHWEST • Educating teens about HIV;
gay heart transplant recipient leads active life
pp 7 - 1 9
NATIONAL • Lesbian couple survive arson attack
pp 2 0 - 2 1
WORLD • “Pussy Palace” charges dropped
pp 2 2 - 2 3
CULTURE
PEOPLE • Aisha Ayers is a slam bang dyke
p 35
FILM • New releases Ehan and Charley
and The Imn Ladies
p 37
MUSIC • Jamie Anderson is proud o f folk
p 39
CULTURE • The Imperial Sovereign Rose Court
puts the “D” in diversity
pp 4 0 - 4 1
ROOKS • Divine’s mom writes a book
p 42
FILM • John Waters’ bizarre filmography
P 43
DIVERSIONS • Alix Dobkin in Eugene;
Touchstone is gifted; queer films from Africa;
a singles party!; White Bird gets money; Senior
Year queer; what’s poppin' at a theater near you
pp 4 4 - 4 5
COLUMNS
MS. REHAVIOR • Dealing with an HIV-phobe;
dating a stimulating fistee
p 33
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARC • Live, nude
guys
p 49
SPECIAL
EATING OUT • Let someone else cook tonight
Freedom of expression
W hen did we agree to never disagree?
'hat a dichotomy of emotions the past couple of days
have brought about. A wealth of events within our
community has kept the mind running in all directions.
The definite highlight was a lively and well-
organized forum at Mount Hood Community College
in which panelists explored the ramifications of the proposed state bal
lot measure known as the Student Protection Act II. The infamous Lon
Mahon was scheduled to attend hut instead did another one of his
“no-shows.”
Lou Beres of the Oregon Christian Coalition was present, which pro
vided an excellent opportunity for attendees to attach a face to the
opposition lead. He was joined by two other men who appeared to he
all-around good-guy neighbor-next-door types— personable, polite and
totally dead-set in their convictions.
These fellas were more than a tad unnerving. I will go to my grave
being wary of strangers who profess love for me in
the name of Christ. Sorry, hut this approach just
does not work.
Beres took on the role of the humbling doofus
grandfather figure. His performance was reminiscent
of an old Saturday Night Live sketch in which Presi
dent Ronald Reagan also played the stumblebum
hut was actually a brilliant strategist in disguise.
Is this a conscious persona being adopted by
Beres? Are we meant to be taken in by his kindly
grandfather act?
An open invitation was extended to visit his house for cookies and
milk— and Scripture, no doubt. Any takers?
Disagreement was the order of the evening at this forum. There was
no question that opinions presented were going to he argued.
The very value of these exchanges lies in the freedom to openly
express views in a moderated climate of faux respect and civility. Toler
ance for the intolerant is the operational guideline.
/ will
community who would take them from us?
We are not all the same. We do not have shared memories and equal
backgrounds. Even as we rally to stand together as one, we remain
unique individuals molded and created by difference.
"“) ay men and lesbians are not alone in facing loss of rights as the new
age of conservatism creeps across the nation. Pro-choice advocates
are enduring enormous setbacks, too.
The National Abortion Rights Action League is taking an aggressive
stand in voter education by running a powerful advertisement on televi
sion stations across the country. Their message, briefly summarized, is
that they are being threatened by the loss of rights. They will win sup
porters— and, of course, incur wrath from others.
But the important thing is they are being proactive. They’re educat
ing voters; they’re “spinning” a positive public image. They are not
waiting to have their rights taken away.
Now, the important question. How can we, as
members of the sexual minorities community, take
steps to increase education and awareness among vot
ers and keep the Student Protection Act II from even
qualifying for the Oregon ballot?
One project I’m taking on is organizing Gay and
Lesbian Volunteer Day at the Oregon Food Bank.
There no doubt will be those who think this is a
“goody-goody” approach to the public relations
aspect of winning friends and influencing people.
I say let’s take all steps available to control the fires of animosi
ty that are raging against us. W hen firefighters are deployed to
contain a wildfire, they come at it from all sides, not merely one
fixed approach.
We must do the same. We must have multiple strategies to achieve
success.
With a scarcity of details at this time, please e-mail me at
marty@justout.com and let me know if you’d be interested in participat
ing in this project. More information will be in available in an upcom
ing Just Out.
C
go to my grave
being wary of strangers
who profess love for me in
the name of Christ. Sorry,
but this approach just
does not work.
ll of us will face opposition, dissension and manners of thoughts that
differ from our own. 1 am becoming concerned about what I see as
an increased lack of acceptance for disagreement within the gay, lesbian,
hi and trans community.
Where is the tolerance we adamantly demand of others yet abandon
when confronted with a dissident within our own ranks? When did the
concept of “I disagree with what you say hut defend to the death your
right to say it” become “Agree with me or shut the fuck up"?
Are we willing to become the Stepford Queers— one voice, one
path, one direction? Will we actually attempt to silence others for the
sake of increasingly dangerous political correctness?
Words that stem from hatred are to he challenged. But how do we
justify denying expressions reflecting confusion and personal belief—
especially as we demand these very freedoms from those outside our
A
T
his issue features a cover story about the stunning new facilities at
Outside In. This incredible project is the culmination of years of
planning and dreaming and working by Kathy Oliver and her staff. Com
bine this new building with the recently opened shelter at the Oregon
Humane Society, and Portland now treats her stray children as well as she
does her stray cats and dogs.
finally, February is Black History Month. On Pages 40 and 41, Poison
Waters takes us on a historical journey of the Imperial Sovereign Rose
Court and highlights the accomplishments of black citizens throughout
the past 33 years. We salute their achievements. JH
I
pp 3 8 - 3 9
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H istory M onth
• All visito rs to Iran will be tested for HIV at border clin ics,
health officials said D ec. 26.
M isha, donated nearly $1 8.2 00 to several charities dunng
1996.
• The N etherlands' sam e-sex partnership legislation is
expected to becom e law by January 1998. It will grant reg is
tered couples all the rights and obligations of matrimony
except the right to adopt children.
• An openly gay Portland man has filed a $2 million law suit
against the Salvation Arm y and one of its em ployees datmtng
they violated the Portland city ordinance prohibiting discrim i
nation in public accom m odations b ased on sexual orientation.
• A $ 1 3 .4 million, 25-year lease between United Airlines and
the San Francisco Airports Com m ission must be renegotiat
ed to include dom estic partner wording, the city Board of
Su p ervisors said Jan . 14 All city contractors must provide
benefits for dom estic partners equal to those given to mar
ried couples.
• It s been more than 11 years sin ce K elly C hron ister's hand
som e face graced the co ver of Newsweek The international
ly distributed new sm agazine's feature sto ry for the w eek of
Jan 13. 1986. w as titled "Grow ing Up G a y The S o cie ty 's
Dilem m a. O ne Fam ily's C risis. “
• In January, C harles K Ortleb, publisher of Theater Week
and the N ew York Native, art award-winning w eekly serving
the sexual minorities community, announced he would term i
nate publication of both titles b ecau se of lack of funds.
• The Imperial Sovereign R o se Court, under the reign of
R o se Emperor XXII Michael and R o se Em press XXXVIH
• A Lesbian Valentine's D ay party Feb 14 at the M onte
C arlo features a free Italian buffet, dancing and su rp rises.
Lucky w inners receive Portland Pow er tickets and more.
• Portland B isex u al A llian ce p lay s h o st to a B i S le e p o v e r
on Feb . 22. Enjo y g am es, m o vies, junk food and g ho st
9to ries M od est attire req uired ; one p erso n p er sleep ing
bag
PUBLISHER AND MANAGING EDITOR • Marty Davis
Jack Turteltaub, Rex Wockner
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR • Kevin Moore
NEWS BUTOR •Jim Radosta
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Meg Grace
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT • Melissa Say 1er
CULTURE EDITOR • Lisa Bradshaw
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES • Markte Acevedo,
OFFICE MANAGER • Melissa Sayler
CONTRIBUTORS • Marc Acito, Meryl Cohn,
Larry Lewis
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Marketing Company Inc., 212-242-6863
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