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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2002)
r r n r n m m tt-s F amily R eunion Humon Dignity Coalition throws another party for Central Oregonians by T om S tev en so n i/*/' ’• »* .<& ■ hen the Human Dignity C oali tion in Central Oregon re ceived funding from Equity Foundation last year to do some work with the area’s sexual minorities community, organizers tossed around several ideas. According to bisexual board member Renee Davidson, one of the key ideas was to put together an event that would give people “an opportunity to network in a fun, safe setting.” The coalition got the word out, and a core group of about eight people, including members of the sexual minorities community as well as straight folks, joined forces to put everything together. Just like that, the first-ever “Family” C ele bration was bom. “We decided the event should have something for everyone— a family event during the day that was suitable for children and grown-ups alike and a 21-and-over ‘cabaret’ event in the evening,” Davidson says. The celebration was such a success that the group decided to do it again this year, with a few minor changes. Davidson says “Family” Celebra tion 11— Reunion! will be “a little less elaborate” hut still will he a fun-filled afternoon at the infa mous Funny Farm between Bend and Redmond. The coalition is planning a true “family reunion”; it will he providing grills, napkins, utensils and nonalcoholic beverages for the event. Those who wish to attend should bring something to grill, something to share with o th ers and a blanket. As part of the fun— and as a clever way to collect cash for the coalition— a special drawing will he held for an “UGH-ly" prize, which is being c?reated and donated by the owners of the Funny Farm. A ccording to Davidson, the unique fund-raiser will force people to pay $5 to keep their name, out of the m nning so they won’t have to go home with the unpleasant The area Ls beautiful and gay-friendly but lacks reward. a cohesive queer community T he celebration is open to anyone who wish and messages from gay men living in the area es to attend. Organizers are hoping to have 100 people come from throughout Central Oregon ! who are unhappy because they do not have a place to meet others and are afraid to come out and even from across the rest of the state. of the closet. C entral Oregon has no gay bars, Last year the coalition was put in the strange position of advertising the location for the cele and a gay-friendly coffeehouse no longer is operating. bration in Just Out hut not in Central Oregon. “We do have several gay-ffiendly establish Instead, only a phone number was listed for peo ments, hut there used to he the one which you ple who were interested in attending to call. could suggest folks go to,” Cook says. “Now you “We just weren’t sure if it was safe to let everyone know where they could find a group of don’t know which one to send guys to.” Cook is “convinced that on a per capita mea queers all in one place,” Davidson says. “We also informed the police department of our party, just surement, Bcnd/Central Oregon has a larger gay in case anything were to happen. O f course, community than what would he the average” statewide but says the closet keeps many of these there were no problems at all— not that we expected any, we just didn’t want to take any ! folks from connecting and making friends. This chances.” ; is why members of the coalition are sponsoring events like the “Family" Celebration. JM Is there reason for the queer community in C entral Oregon to feel threatened? T h at depends on who you talk to, according to coali “F amily ” C elebration II— R eunion ! will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Funny Farm, tion hoard member Cliff Cook. The gay man insists he feels “very comfortable” in Bend. 64990 Deschutes Market Road. For more information call 5 4 1 -385-3320 or e-mail “I have rainbow/pride stickers on my car, and renee@humandignitycoalition. org. I’d have to say that I’ve never received any direct negative comments and have never felt threat ened because of being out," Cook says. “I’ve actu T o m STEVENSON is a Portland free-lance writer, a ally felt accepted and appreciated. But much of Portland State University student and a big fan of that is because I’m out and active and involved.” the Central Oregon area. Fie can be reached at Still, Cook says he receives many e-mails ruraltom&yahoo. com. 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