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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2002)
October la, 2002 P T m io u t Continued from Page 5 Stop the violence making our community more inclusive for everyone and those who resent having to add the word “trans” to the equation. You have the women-hating men and the men-hating women. You have the “dykes” who identify as women, live like men and are threat ened by transgender people. You’ve got those who are in the endless pur suit of getting laid and the ones who always are looking for the "one.” Then, you throw in psy chotherapy, politics,' everyday life issues, a Republican president and an ever-evolving society. The other day 1 was looking for a lightheart ed escape when I picked up Just Out. After I read through it I felt overwhelmed and frustrated, because in every issue the editor airs her person al problems and hang-ups and always ends up putting her foot in her mouth. Most of the let ters submitted are in protest to someone else’s letter, and the gay man who used to write the insightful and funny stories now is obsessed with his newfound skinniness, big dicks and offend ing lesbians. To me, “community” is more than having alternative sexuality in common. It is about sharing a common bond, having each other’s backs and being accepted and appreciated for who we really are. I haven’t found that sense of community here yet, and I’m not sure I ever will. For now, I guess I will have to take Portland for what it is: extremely diverse, fiercely opinionated, at times dysfunctional and definitely interesting. To the E ditor : J ess B runelle Portland I have been very blessed to have found a wonderful gay therapist with a respectful knowl edge of OCD. It is with his help that my com mitment to my partner is stronger and more confident than ever. Domestic violence comes in many forms through emotional or physical abuse. Reasons for it vary from alcohol, drugs and jealousy to mental illnesses, the weather and many other unlimited examples. It never should be justified or ignored. Because of my situation, I have decided to begin a support group for people with O C D and those who love them. T his illness is seri ously misunderstood, and I know how alone he felt. I have befriended people from across the country who just need someone to talk with who understands. Anyone can reach me at 971-544-0404 or FaithfulQueer@aol.com. I encourage the queer community to come together against domestic violence. We still can have our fun with pageants, dance parties and other entertainment releases, but let’s come together and not be fearful to tackle the serious issues within our community. Domestic violence is just one overlooked reality. The outbreak o f sexually transmitted diseases soon will become an overwhelming concern, as many younger queers are not completely educated. Breast cancer within the lesbian community has seriously high numbers. These are only a couple of the issues begging to recognized. We all have a voice, and one voice can make a difference. I would like to express my appreciation for the story Just Out ran about the murder of Jerri Lee Williams allegedly by her partner, Lisa Marie Roberts I“Woman Accused of Strangling Partner,” Sept. 6]. Domestic violence seems to be a taboo subject, especially within in the queer com munity. And while this story is extremely heartbreaking, I hope a light of good can come from the death of Williams, who was only 35. Though my situation is different, during a two-month period within my relationship with my soul mate, I was a victim of his violence. Because of his social illness, obsessive-compul sive disorder, a period of immense stress upon him was released against me. I never truly feared he would seriously hurt me; at these moments he was not fully in con trol of the situation because of his OCD. But because our relationship is so spiritually strong, I knew it was only a matter of moments before I could hold him and all the pain would be released for both of us. During this brief period, I found myself very alone. O f course, many friends could not under stand why I would stay with someone who had hit me. But their lack of knowledge of O CD did not give them a valuable concern for my situation. It affects everyone differently and is difficult for outsiders to understand fully. Crisis lines were available, but I felt a sense of distance when I informed them this was a gay relationship. No shelters or safe homes are avail Ric B errong able for abused men. I Portland Let’s hear it for the rainbow tour To the E ditor : I was surprised to see the picture of only three people in your photo of our Saturday Burnside Triangle Advisory Group history tour in the Oct. 4 issue of Just Out (“Don’t Know Much About History r’]. 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