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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