COMMENTARY
by
M a h IV D a v i s
The IN publication for the OUT population
F ounded 198} • J ay B rown and R enee L a C hance
Vol. 20 N o. 7
February 7, 2003
FEATURE
COURAGE IN THE CLASSROOM: A statew ide
coalition will teach educators and students how
to make Oregon schools safe for all
P 25
N E WS
NORTHWEST • Corvallis group disbands after
15 years of queer advocacy; Southeast Portland
lesbian couple expecting triplets; committee
reaches out to sexual minority elders
pp 9 -1 9
NATIONAL • Rolling Stone a rtic le disputed;
AIDS adviser’s appointment causes political
firestorm; Catholic protesters found guilty
20-21
WORLD • Nine men killed in South African
massage parlor massacre; German mayor disses
Blind Date couple
pp 2 2 -2 3
pp
ARTS AND C U LTU R E
THEATER • Harlem Renaissance writer re-created;
penis puppetry goes limp
pp 3 4 -3 5
FILM • These three DVDs will help get you
through the rest of winter
p 37
ROOKS • Celebrated hustler profiled
p 39
WHAT'S P O P P IN 'T . The Pianist is pitch-perfect;
learn How to Lose a Guy
p 40
DIVERSIONS • Valentine’s Day alternatives;
CoHo Theater presents Child o f Pleasure;
queer comics coming to town
P 41
CULTURE • Motorcycle club celebrates
33rd anniversary
p 42
CULTURE • Love a man in a uniform?
p 43
COLUMNS
Give a little bit
Oregon’s weak economy necessitates a strong response
How do we cope with life’s personal challenges without having to
regonians woke up Jan. 29 to discover that compassion
choose or set aside the characteristics of selflessness, compassion and
for others was not to be served with the morning cup of
charity that make us human?
coffee. The defeat of Ballot Measure 28 does not bode
1 don’t have all the answers but can make some suggestions. First,
well for our state as a whole, and the painful impact will
yes, take care of yourself first or else you’ll be of no value to anyone else.
he felt within pockets and segments of the sexual minori
Determine your strengths and what you have to offer. If you absolutely
ties community as well.
have no extra money to donate, then offer your time. The need for vol
Already KGW-TV and The Portland Tribune have profiled gay AIDS
unteers within our community’s service organizations is great.
patients who have lost funding for their costly yet life-saving medica
If you say you have neither time nor money, then I
tions. The potential for loss of life is real.
suggest
what you’re really saying is you simply don’t
Service providers such as Cascade AIDS Project,
I f you say
care. If that’s the case, at least be honest about it. Say
Our House of Portland and many others will see
you have neither
ing you have no money for others as you head out for
decreased funding combined with increased demand
your golf game lacks a certain quality of, hmm, honest
for services. Government and private funding for
tim e nor money,
introspection?
youth programs were stretched and threatened even
then
I
suggest
For many of us we have it good— perhaps too good.
prior to the defeat of the tax increase.
We are professional couples, unencumbered with the
What happens to those dependent upon services
what
you're
really
financial
responsibilities of children and families.
now? Where will the money come from, and how will
In our comfort we fail to honor or respect those who
we as individuals and a community rise to help our
saying is you
came
earlier and did the work that affords the lifestyles
own?
sim
ply
don't
care.
of today, and at the same time we turn our backs on
The truth is that many of us can, with too little
the less fortunate among us. As spring comes to the
ease, turn our hacks on those most likely in peril. After
I f that's the case,
Northwest I suggest we take on the communal project
all, it’s not our fault that “they” have AIDS; “they"
of
weeding out the hedonism that now grows like a
should have been more careful. We wouldn’t have a
a t least be honest
toxin among us.
problem with all those street kids if they’d all just
about
it.
Saying
you
Participate, attend, join in the myriad benefits
shape up and behave. I have a job, 1 pay my bills—
that well-intentioned people and organizations
why should I have to worry about them? They aren’t
have no m oney
within our community sponsor. G et value for your
like me. I work for my money— I deserve a vacation, a
fo r others as you
money at the same time that you’re giving it. Build
hot tub, another new car. 1 haven’t fucked up my
community. A ttend a dance or a silent auction; go
life— it’s not my problem to take care of. Why can’t
head out fo r your
to a concert that’s donating the evening’s take to a
they get their act together?
charitable
cause.
Now you— yes, you— tell me you’ve never thought
g o lf gam e lacks a
Be specific about where you donate used items and
these things. Tell me the truth. I can honestly tell you
certain quality of,
clothing. Give back. You are where you are today
I’ve thought them.
because, at some other time, some other person gave of
You don’t have to be homeless or living with
hmm, honest
their time, money or efforts. Patronize local and com
HIV/A1DS to feel the weakness in our economy. For
munity
business owners that you know give back via
introspection?
example, turn to Page 51 of this issue. Never have we
their sponsorships and donations. We can recycle our
seen such an amount of people looking to lower their
money
among
ourselves
and vastly increase the value it brings.
housing costs by sharing living spaces with others. Coincidence? I don’t
If you only have $5 to spare this month, make it the best $5 dona
think so.
tion
ever— and bring good feelings to yourself at the same time. It’s OK
People are being laid off. Jobs are being lost. Dollars for discretionary
to feel good about helping others— it’s not self-righteousness, it’s perpet
spending are vanishing. Small-business owners are struggling to stay
uating
the circle of humanity and goodness. If it feels good, you’ll do it
afloat. Teachers are losing pay and benefits. Health care costs are soar
again.
ing. The needs outpace the abilities to give. People are becoming ner
If we all join in together— and many give a little rather than count
vous and tightening purse strings at the same time that the needs of
on a few to give a lot— well, it’s a cliché, hut really, we will all be better
others becomes the greatest. Fear is among us.
for it. j n
So how do we take care of others while still taking care of ourselves?
M S . BEHAVIOR • Noncommitment-seeking dyke
needs advice
P 33
isfism r2
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARC • Marc’s
• Singer Melissa Etheridge cam e out of the closet
and singer Janis Ian acknowledged she's a lesbian
during gay inaugural festivities last month in
Washington. D .C .
Guide to Long-Term Relationships
p 45
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• President Clinton has named an out lesbian as
secretary of fair housing and equal opportunity. If
confirmed, San Francisco Supervisor Roberta
Achtenberg will be the administration's highest-
ranking openly gay or lesbian appointee.
San Francisco reached a grim milestone on the
afternoon of Jan. 7 ,1 9 9 3 , when it recorded its
10,000th AIDS-related death.
• The Right to Privacy PAC and Right to Privacy
Inc. voted in new officers in late January. LeHa
WrathaH and Fred R. Neal wifl 9erve one-year
terms as co-chairs of both groups. This is the
first time Right to Privacy has elected two co
chairs. Their goal is to have one man and one
woman as chairs each year, according to Neal.
Marty Davis
Jim Radosta
ARTS A M C W W E9TTM • Lisa Bradshaw
’ • Marie Heischmann
i • Marc Acito, Kathy Beige, Meryl
Cohn, Anthony Davis, Timothy Krause,
Christopher McQuain, Gary Morris,
Floyd Sklaver, Tom Stevenson,
Glenn Williams, Rex Wockner
• Larry Lewis
• Markie Acevedo
• Erin Sexton
• The National G ay and Lesbian Task Force has hired local
activist Scot Nakagawa as dkector of its new Fight the
Fight project.
• Kathleen Saadat, Katherine English and Donna Fled
W ing have been chosen to speak for O regon in
W ashington, D .C . The O regon M arch on W ashington
Organizing Com m ittee m et Feb. 2 to choose the people
who will represent the state April 22 to 26 at the
national M arch on W ashington.
• The Lesbian Community FVoject presents the Red
W ing Ftoast benefit. Join Kathleen Saadat. Linda Shirley,
the Rev. G ary W ilson and others for a dinner and roast
in honor of The Advocate magazine's W om an o f the
Year.
• A Lesbians with Depression support group now is
forming for wom en unable to w ork because of
depressive disorders.
I • Kevin Moore
• Zanne dejanvier
I • Marie Fleischmann
I • Kristine Ashton,
Jennifer Brinson, Ian Drake, Ron Geer,
Mary Hauer, Crash Schwartz