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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2002)
julyJlt™ ? JW — t ¡25 T oy S oldier For Phyllis M cBride, giving is b etter than receiving by Patricia L. MacAodha that much easier to he an out and proud gay Through the years Lincoln County has male living in a community that I would have defeated the Oregon Citizens Alliance’s ballot never considered growing up in.” measures by a wider margin than most other Hull is also proud to note the considerable regions of the state. “1 think we experience more success of the mall. “They have definitely negativity around being Democrats than for helped to put Lincoln City on the map as an being gay,” Beck laughs. antiquing destination on the The Couple of the Year Citizens take top honors Oregon coast.” are quick to note that their The impact of the award for Community Days success is attributed in part has far exceeded the night of MOOtrL CIT17FNS ?>:#:<*« n«v”Okf$. th e to the people who have C.sX-'dv'TO' :Of "KrCXi fhAMtr. LwnifY. £>::( Lt-POV. • » tinCOio the ceremony, according to Otift lent a hand along the way. City Food *V»fry. aU***. ijneoto C ay* M en 0* "Hi Y«i*r duflrKJ t Brtrt* Beck. People still are “com Wcrriar “What people think was CHitM lit S nit) P-Ck I t ; w ; wf*f* U’y*: V -v HsvsS \<r.xM '¿i frw t tot work w#*? ing in to say, ‘We read your ftf Coastal an overnight success for us AIDS tH'-wo *k ;:w kva- Democri» tr. c n d sucCAMk»: tkwun**» T»:«.« i. Ar-.ftquc» Pot winne#;; story and had to come in to higNy was actually 7 1/2 years of •»■*1 ihea t.tf, A«U o» Gutud. meet you.’ It has been an hard work and hungry incredibly affirming process.” times in the little shop, The couple are especially with many wonderful peo pleased that their communi ple pulling for us,” Bris ty is engaged in a conversa sette says. “And we’re tion about gay and lesbian thankful we were able to issues. just keep going on.” “It is astonishing when They are confident that you think about it—a gay the momentous award will couple honored for what help others live openly and honestly on the coast. “Lin they have done for their coln City is a great town,” community, without hesita tion and with pride, and this Brissette says, “filled with wonderful, loving and is in rural Oregon,” Brissette affirming individuals who says. “We’ve come a very have demonstrated courage long way.” Aside from a small number of angry letters to and compassion over and over again. I know it the editor printed in the News Guard, the com has made some folks feel a lot more positive munity has been enthusiastically supportive. about themselves. ” j n Beck and Brissette are aware of a “virulent layer” of homophobia in Lincoln City, but they gener SARAH L e im e r t is a Portland free-lance writer. Contact her at sleimen@hotmail.com. ally feel comfortable and safe there. zo t 3.5% 5.66% $0 Down Loans PLUS Minimum Payment D ignified pet S ervices Cremation A Memorials For Your Companion • • • • • Unique Cxemation U xk S M&noniad, Jeve (Uy PeASonafcized Caskets Gnanite Monuments Books 6 Litexatuxe ■ /0 Fully Indexed Payment $1347.13 principal & Interest on $300,000 loan $673.57 principal & Interest on $150,000 loan (3.5% minimum payment & 5.66% fully indexed APR) • Is your m ortgage paying your retirem ent account? • Is your home the beet w rite-off on your federal Income taxes? 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An out lesbian who has been involved in neighborhood activism for 22 years, she was recognized for her work on the St. Johns Christmas Mar ket, which she rescued after a two-year absence and has coordinated for the past five years. She also has served on the neighborhood foot patrol, as an assistant to shut-in residents and as a mentor for the Big Sister Program at the North Portland Youth Service Center. She normally is involved with the St. Johns Parade Committee as well, but this spring her second spinal surgery cur tailed her participation. Still, very little holds this intrepid woman back—and not for long. According to McBride, very few peo ple in St. Johns reacted badly to a les bian being so honored; many more have expressed enthusiasm about her selec tion. She thinks the detractors are in the minority. “There was an objection to my get ting the award, but I think it was mostly just talk. Nothing came of it,” she says. “For the most part, people who live here are pretty wonderful. They work hard and let things be.” One of the Christmas Market ven dors contacted Just O ut about Santa finds out who’s been nice at the St. Johns McBride and the award, expressing Christmas Market deep appreciation of her commitment to the community. Eve Morgan cited her she “doesn’t like to ask for help.” Both fans agree work to reopen the market, which had been there seems no end to her willingness to help a popular wintertime venue in the neighbor others and are proud to have her working for the hood to generate social activity during the neighborhood. holiday season. McBride grew up in Zanesville, Ohio, Disability activist Laura Woodruff lives in which was “difficult from a gay person’s point St. Johns and was one of the nominators. She of view,” she says. “I guess I always knew that says McBride “accepted me for how I am, who I was gay, but I would not admit it to myself or others because there was a lot of heckling I am.” Woodruff observes this is the way her fellow community leader deals with everyone, adding Continued on Page 26
