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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 2002)
auQusl 2 .2ÛÛ2 • J n t M t ] 13 nT!TîT7!TOT3T3ne<u;s erhaps you noticed them floating by anywhere you are. I went to the market one day in this year’s Portland Pride Parade. with my friend who was a little fern, and every Men dressed as colorful butterflies body was throwing tomatoes at him— and me, moving to a Latin beat beside others because 1 was with him. And you think, ‘I don't wearing tall lion masks decorated want to be like him, because that is going to with feathers and mirrors and some with rumba happen to me.’ ” silk shirts waving flags from Latin American Candela came to Portland 14 years ago; countries. needless to say, it was a big change. He is lucky Poder Latino de Oregon quickly makes its presence known They are one of the state’s newest and to have found acceptance in his family here and by Kim Stephenson fastest-growing queer groups, Poder Latino de in the white world, but he still faces hostility Oregon, a social and educational organization from his larger culture. that is an outgrowth of Cascade AIDS Project. “When I came here 14 years ago my aunt Willamette Week certainly noticed them: They asked me if I was gay, and I answered, ‘A little won first prize in the Pride float contest! bit,’ ” Candela says. “And she Their organization to pull together such an said: ‘No, you don’t have imaginative and beautiful float is even more to hide here. We hear impressive considering Poder Latino de Oregon some things about " l think one o f the only has been around for one year. Salvador you, and it’s OK to main reasons I am in Candela began the group as part of his position be gay here.’ at CAP, where he does HIV prevention out “So that was a the United States is reach to Latino men who have sex with men. big step for me, to “It is unusual to be out in the Latino com because I am gay. It is have my family munity,” he says. “ But last year we were a recognize I was hard to say am g a y ' group of about 25, and now we have about 50 gay and accept it. people! O f course, it took some effort and Here, I am accept in M exico." calls to get people interested, to make the ed by the Anglo — Salvador Candela meetings less boring. We have snacks and community and my drinks, and we try to be open and social, not family, but if I try to fit like a m eeting.” in with the larger Latino Candela says he tries to keep the group’s community here as a gay man it activities closely tied to Latino culture and roots. would be hard. ” j n Besides creating fabulous parade floats, they also celebrate the Day of the Dead in October. P oder L atino de O regon meets from 6:30 to Poder Latino de Oregon won the Willamette Week float contest during Portland Pride 2002 Candela tries to create a safe place for every 8:30 p.m. every other Thursday at Outside In, body because he knows Portland has a big pop “ I think one of the main reasons I am in the Mexico I never said to anybody that I was gay. 1132 S.W. 13th Ave. The next meeting is Aug. 8. ulation of Latino men who have sex with men United States is because I am gay,” says C an “My friends were gay and a little feminine, For more information call 503-806-6416 or but who do not identify as gay or hi. And the dela, who believes religion plays a big part in and other men would throw things in their face, 503-871-7146. reason they have difficulty feeling good about Latino homophobia. "It is hard to say ‘I am whatever they had on hand. They called you being queer is as tangible as a tomato in the face. gay’ in Mexico. In my small hometown in names— awful names— right on the street or K im S tephenson is a Portland free-lance writer. P roud L ions and B utterflies P 7 Don’t let your feet walk all over you. Debra K. Lynch, DPM Treating all diseases S surgery of the foot Physician ancT Surgeon including: Bunions • Neuromas Hammertoes • Bone Spurs Heel/Arch Pain • fractures Cysts * Fibromas Ingrown Toenails • Warts Hospital & Office Based Surgery Prescription Orthotics Sports Medicine T ^ o s e Q jiiy VETERINARY HOSPITAL Integral Health 503 235-3767 - 545 NE 47th Ave., Suite 325 • Portland 232-3105 VIDEO MAGAZINES TOYS NOVELTIES LOTIONS AND MORE... W P E Ö 5 PORTLAND A N P U F* MULTI-CHANNEL ARCADE WITH VOYEUR ÖLA55 2 3 7 S .E . M L K B L V D 5 0 3 -2 3 9 -1 6 7 8 503 366-5555 - • 525 N. Columbia River Hwy • St. Helens Medicare & Most All Insurances Accepted rABOO ADULT VIDEO DVD Columbia County Foot & Ankle Clinic SALEM 2 3 3 0 S .E . 8 2 N D A V E 3 4 7 3 S IL V E R T O N R D N .E . 5 0 3 -7 7 7 -6 0 3 3 5 0 3 -3 7 0 -7 0 8 0
