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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2002)
may 1 Z. 2002 r r r a /io u t Continued from Page 5 instances involving other employees. The administration listened and since has opened up an investigation. The next day, 1 was eating lunch and over heard a few students sitting at the table behind me discussing the case. 1 glanced around and saw that these were the same wrestlers who facilitat ed the rally. A few minutes later, one of them brought up homosexuality. 1 assume the topic was spawned from an arti cle he was reading. 1 honed in as they began to take hits at the gay community minutes after they preached principle. What’s more, these were the same guys who, a day earlier, were dispensing justice in front of the entire campus. I sat and listened to these wrestlers say “eew" and “gross” with shammed shivers of disgust about homosexuality. The specifics of what was said are irrelevant, hut I was shocked that they were missing the point of their pilgrimage. How can you climb a mountain yet disregard the team members you bury at the bottom? So I am left wondering— and regretting— why 1 didn’t turn around and call these guys on their bigotry. I wouldn’t have pointed my finger hut pointed out their impotent stand for justice. I choose my battles wisely, yet there a handful o f moments in my life when 1 regret not getting involved. Hopefully, this will he the last one. Was it my place to step in and say some thing? Yes, I believe it’s my social responsibility to challenge noisy ignorance. Granted, they were having a conversation among friends, and I don’t dispute that people are free to not only feel whatever they want but say what they want. However, when peo ple put themselves out there as martyrs for jus tice, then it becomes our liability to hold them accountable. These young students probably didn’t know the blonde sitting behind them was not only lis tening but also a lesbian. If they were going to take a whack at the African American commu nity, 1 am quite certain they would have looked around the room before they spoke. People with such antiquated ideology need to be careful in what they stand up for. I’m not asking them to fight our cause; I’m not asking them to like me. I’m just asking for them to stop, open their eyes and look around. I keep reminding myself that they are young. But is that really an excuse? It must he rough on the knees to live in such a shallow pond. Because I live in a society that is accepting of my lifestyle, coming across these students degrading my community didn’t poke holes in my skin, forcing me into shame or dejection; rather, I was astounded by their bigotry. If they really want to stand for justice and righteous ness, perhaps they should reconsider what the words mean. G ina D aggett Portland Honest to Goddess Fetish Masquerade Ball, I only scanned through the article to make sure all of my performers’ and sponsors’ names were spelled correctly. Here are the corrections: Tushell Lieberman, owner of Bad Attitude Boutique, had nothing to do with the Fetish Masquerade Ball that took place Feb. 9 at Rose- land Theater, nor did she have anything to do with any other Fetish Masquerade Balls prior to that. I also did not arrive here in 1994, as I have been here for about 20 years, with the exception of 1986 to 1988, when I was studying to be a Dom in San Francisco, where I earned my title “Goddess.” I was never the creator of the Sextacy Ball. I participated at that event and many other Fetish Nights thereafter. I am, however, in no way the creator of these events, nor was I paid for my performances at any of the previously stated events. Fighting the Oregon Citizens Alliance was just an idea that was tossed around at the first Fetish Night meeting at Bad Attitude, which I attended per Deacon X ’s request. I am not sure why the part about the battle against the O C A was published, as I had informed the inter viewer that I was unsure as to the end result of how the money was distributed and whether it was used, in fact, to combat the O C A in the long run. G oddess S everina Portland I Good w ork To the E ditor : just wanted to say a personal thank you for your coverage o f G eo rgen a’s Journey I vw Realtor V £ Ä * W C lu b Tcn»P,e *Wan M a * w r* n eV C C h o ir ^ AND THEIR KICK ASS CARS! CAR WASH & CAR SHOW COME PREPARED TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED $5 REGISTRATION °' O 'Ä * L e sb ia n u n ity JUNE 9 th , 2002 A T G A R R Y S M A L L SA A B 1940 SE 82nd Ave Basic *<ght! C° f f he April 19 article “Community Found” incorrectly stated that Seda Rhodes was the only out queer participant in events spon sored by Eugene’s Justice Not War. She was the only out queer organizer of events, not the only out queer participant. Just Out regrets the error. WANTED WOMEN f IOOO f r j en o n s e r v a " ^ correction 5 0 3 .2 8 8 .1 123 s,ei*ra C ir c le Portland WWW.FIVEDOLLARSOAPVHANDvJOB.COM A aclu Y ama C randall T To the E ditor : would like to thank all of you again for the generous coverage you afforded me and my event [“Fetish, Anyone?” Feb. 1]. However, a couple of things were taken out of context. In my haste and busy schedule because of the (“Saving G eorgena,” May 3]. Our first fund-raiser/dance May 4 was a huge success, and I am certain much of the awareness and support largely was prompted by your story. It was helpful having all the technical descriptions about multiple sclerosis as a part of the article to help educate people about the disease and its rapid progression in Georgena’s case. Caitlin Sm ith really did a great job, and 1 am appreciative to all of you at Just Out for going the extra mile to obtain a wide repre sentation of facts and opinions as considera tion for compiling this factual yet heartfelt human interest story. Our efforts will be ongoing, and it is great knowing we are not alone in our goals. There was one minor mistake in the article. We have to raise the money by September, not June. A truly amazing network o f community efforts helps us all set our sights high and makes the seem ingly impossible become attainable over time. Keep up the good work. Son N O O N -8 P M FEMALE DJ’S RAFFLE PHOTOSHOOT FOR COFFEE T ABLE BOOK ICE CREAM & HOT DOGS R etail N u rsery - L an d scap e Serv ices Gardening Workshops: When you buy or sell a home with me, you’ll know your dollars are helping support a greater cause. I contribute at least 10% of my earnings to community and environmental organizations. . Millynn James ([\ f * f w t ft 7A ’ir- Associate Broker. GRI ABR: Accredited Buyer's Representative 5 0 3 .3 3 0 .H O M E ( 4 6 6 3 ) V iti; 1 . 8 0 0 . 8 2 5 . 9 9 4 8 R&’ M/'X equity group Rij/MAX Sundays, 1pm - Gardening Workshops Open to the Public May 19 - “The Why’s and How’s of Paths and Circulation in the Garden” John Caine-landscape designer at Joy Creek Nursery May 25 th & 26th - “ A Celebration of Clematis” with guest speakers Brewster Rogersop (5/25 at l pm) & Linda Beutler (5/26 l pm) Join Joy Creek Nursery and the Pacific Nortwest Clematis Society for two days of botanical displays, Q & A , and lots of bloom. For Information Call: 503 / 543-7474 Open daily 8am-5pm w w w .m illy tin .c o m 1 m oil: m illyn n (ci)aol c o m Proud sponsor of the Portland Fire N atio n al C atalo g u e S ale s ~ w w w .joy creek .com 7
