October 4.2002
u nm rm inew s
»
S outhern
O regon
P ride
K
lamath Falls is not known for
advocates
being the most gay-friendly place
don’t move to
in Oregon. But 20-year-old Jared
a progressive
urban area.
Hargrove is heading up a project
“Klamath has
that will take his hometown one
step closer to being just that.
turned out to
be a lot more
Along with Jeff London, 34, and Jeff Foster,
open-minded
22, he is developing the Klamath Pride Orga
than anyone
nization to offer friendly social interaction,
expects,” Fos
outreach and support to the local gay commu
Gay men in Klamath Falls
ter says. “But
nity. A wide variety of activities is already in
organize to offer friendly social
I have want
the works for the group, including movie
to move
nights, potlucks, a Halloween party, a World
interaction, outreach and support ed
before, to a
A ID S Day candlelight vigil and Christmas
by Sarah Leim ert
pJace where
time sledding. “Klamath Falls needs an organi
there would
zation that can provide activities, support and
he
more
to
do.
I
haven’t
left
yet
because of my
unity [for] everyone, no matter what their sex
family and because o f the very close rapport I
ual orientation or age is,” Hargrove says.
have
with my extensive network of friends.”
All of the founders agree that the gay popu Jeff London (left) and Jared Hargrove say Klamath Falls is more open-minded than most people realize
London also is remaining in Klamath for his
lation in Klamath Falls is likely much larger
family, and Hargrove and his partner are staying
that I wasn’t gay because I was overweight."
than it seems. “I don’t think there’s ever going to
London came out to his mother at the age of
put for financial reasons. “We are dedicated to this
Hargrove’s decision to create the organiza
20. “She was concerned that 1 may go to hell,”
he an accurate estimate,” Foster says. “It’s hard
group,” Hargrove says. “We hope to get it going
tion was bom from a complete lack of formal
to get us all together. Nobody really wants to
he says.
and stay put in Klamath for at least another year.”
support for queer youth in K-Falls. “Before I
But after attending a church meeting where
take a risk in a community of cowboys, farmers
The group plans to advertise itself via classi
came out, I really needed someone to talk to,”
she was asked to put herself in her son’s shoes,
and gangster wannabes."
fied ads, fliers, brochures and posters. Oregon
he says. “I tried calling another group in town
she changed her mind. “Amazingly, it worked!
But the men also agree that Klamath’s reputa
Institute of Technology has offered space for
about twice a month and could never get a
She realized how difficult growing up gay must
tion for being homophobic isn’t entirely accurate,
meetings
and welcomes a gay and lesbian group
either. “1 haven’t found that to be the case at all,” have been, and to this day we are best friends,” response. When I finally attended one of their
to form on campus. Hargrove’s goal is to reach
functions, I realized that this town needed some
London says. “I find it interesting that going to
Foster says, “and I’ve lived here my whole life.”
out
to queers in Klamath Falls, “and we hope by
thing
better,
something
that
would
reach
out
to
church is actually what changed her attitude.”
Each Klamath Pride organizer has a com
having these activities it will bring the gay com
youth and adults” who were coming out.
Foster has had the strange experience of feel
pelling story to tell. Hargrove says he didn’t
munity closer together.” JH
Eventually,
Foster
would
like
to
see
Klamath
ing
more
shunned
by
his
queer
peers
than
by
his
experience any homophobia after coming out—
Pride offer youth counseling and age-related sup
straight friends and family. “Most gay men in
except from his own family. His father kicked
The K la m a t h P rid e O r g a n iz a t io n will hold a
port groups along with strictly social activities.
this town consider it an exclusive thing, like
him out of his 87-year-old great-grandmother’s
“There have been similar groups in the past, but
M eet and G reet from 3 to 5 p.m . O ct. 5 in the
belonging to a country club or something like
house after he had taken care of her for a year.
Sunset Lounge at Oregon Institute o f Technology,
because of infighting one group is gone, and the
that, especially if you don’t conform to their
His mother told him he was going to hell.
3201 Campus Drive. For more information
last remaining group is dying a slow and terrible
physical standards,” he says. “When I first start
“None of my family talks to me now,” Har
ed trying to participate in the gay community, I death,” he says. “It’s time to offer something else.” e-m ail Klamathprideorg@msn.com or visit
grove says. “And this all happened about a year
groups. m sn. com/KlamathPrideOrganization.
One might wonder why the three brave
was told by members of the youth group I joined
and a half ago.”
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