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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 2002)
MIRAGE™ OASIS? c 'm ,m u e ih r n l'me SECURING “ VOTE A proactive organization builds community by meeting candidates, talking issues and wielding political power n 1996, southern Oregon activist Rosemary Dunn Dalton invited to her home local and state political candidates to speak with mem bers of the sexual minorities community. Voters were able to put faces to the names on the ballot, and candidates had the opportu nity to shake hands with an important group of their constituents. From this simple gathering sprung the influential Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus of Southern Oregon. Six years later, “candidate night” continues to he a major feature of this nonpartisan educa tional organization that strives for equality through political action. Based in Ashland, the caucus today reaches out to more than 500 individuals across southern Oregon. And its activities are expanding as well. “We’re trying to he more than a political organization,” caucus co-chairman Les Krainheal explains. He hopes that educating the public about the sexual minorities community will he a proactive way to head off future anti-gay mea sures, such as those initiated by Lon Mabon and the Oregon Citizens Alliance. He wants to replace myths and stereotypes with knowledge and neighbors. “In the past, 1 think most of the gay and human rights organi zations have been reacting to (Mahons) activi ties rather than making people aware of who and what we really are,” he says. KrambeaFs partner, caucus treasurer Gordon Owsley, adds: "There arc a lot of misconceptions down here, particularly in the niral areas. We’re hoping to overcome some of that.” Toward this end, a new project in develop ment at the caucus is a speakers bureau. The organization will draw on its member ship network of professionals willing to speak to area groups. Prior to the program’s launch next spring, each will receive training on the . caucus’ position on current political issues and candidates as well as how best to represent the overall sexual minorities community, especially to clubs and organizations outside Ashland. “Ashland is a microcosm of gayncss in the valley," Owsley admits. “But,” Krambeal counters, "the gay commu nity works and lives throughout the valley.” So, throughout the Rogue Valley they go, with personal lives and volunteer efforts often overlapping. For instance, the couple often represent the caucus at other meetings, such as the Ashland Cham ber of Commerce. Per haps more importantly, they make a signifi- and the Oregon Statewide Equal Rights Alliance toward goals of policy and social change. The new resource center will focus on social activities and offer a lounge, meeting space and library. More importantly, it will have a soon-to- be-hired paid staff director to axmJinate its events on behalf of students. The physical loca tion has yet to be identified, but the grand open ing is set for Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day. G row th has been both a positive and a negative reflec tion of campus life. Student involvem ent in the union now numbers some 500, dem onstrating acceptance among the academic commu nity and a growing comfort level for queer or questioning individuals. O n the other hand, Leitner observes, the organization’s mission of diminishing preju dice, discrimination, violence and oppression is still meaning ful and just as important as ever to cultivate an open and accepting academic environment. “We still have hate crimes happening," she says. “We still have people using derogatory language and maybe not even realizing they’re using derogatory language because there’s still ignorance.” Stories of hate crimes and negative experi ences are common among students who live in EXPANDING ™‘MIND Queer students launch resource center at Southern Oregon University while continuing hands-on activism exual minority students at Southern Oregon University in Ashland will have an alternative space to call their own this fall when the Lesbian, Bisexu al, Gay, Trans and Allies Student U nion opens the doors of its new Queer Resource Center. For 15 years, this student-run organization has sponsored dances and social gatherings, present ed safer-sex sessions, played host to educational panels, advocated in the political arena and provided a general peer support network. But the workload has grown too large. According to student union president Deanna Leitner, a senior majoring in theater, “The people who are doing the most advocacy on this campus are students first, and the focus on academics leaves little time for advtKacy." In September, the organization will become two, each with distinct roles. The existing stu dent union will continue to operate in the domain of activism and politics, working with larger organizations such as Basic Rights Oregon Drivers wanted. Auto, Home, Life & Business ■ "Your Independent Insurance Agency" D ignified pet S ervices p □ &□ Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker, Inc. 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