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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2003)
tebruary 7.2003* Jets* Mftjg nTiTïT7TF!ïï3^neu;sbrie/s A nn S hepherd M emorialized ourners packed First Presbyterian Church on Jan. 25 to celebrate the life of the woman who for more than 30 years was consid ered the surrogate mother to Portland’s sexual minorities community. Ann Shepherd— who co-founded the local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Les bians and Gays with her husband, Bill— died Jan. 4 at home. She was 84. The Rev. Troy D. Perry, founder of the U ni versal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, came all the way to Portland from Los Angeles for the service. The Revs. Dudley Weaver and Susan Leo of Bridgeport United Church of Christ also officiated. “The Shepherd family wishes to thank all those who have extended the gift of their love and supportive presence to them in these last weeks," the service program read. “ In the gift of one another we find strength and comfort.” From left, the Revs. Susan Leo, Dudley Weaver and Troy D. Perry memorialize Ann Shepherd on Jan. 25 at First Presbyterian Church; inset, Susie Shepherd (center) celebrates her mother’s Remembrances can be sent to the Bill and Ann life with well-wishers Shepherd Legal Scholarship Fund of Equity Founda tion, P.O. Box 5696, Portland, OR 97228-5696. 1988s Ballot Measure 8, which rescinded an support group and a chapter of Parents, Families executive order banning discrimination in state and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. In addition, employment on the basis of sexual orientation. several churches formally have been designated orvallis roup isbands The initiative later was found unconstitutional as welcoming or reconciling congregations. FTER 8— an organization that has provid by the Oregon Court of Appeals. AFTER 8’s Harvey Milk Awards, which started ed queer advocacy, education and visibility “The name ‘AFTER 8’ was chosen as a sign of out as a small one-time dinner at a Unitarian fel in Benton and Linn counties for the past 15 hope that there was indeed life after Ballot Mea lowship, grew into an annual sold-out affair draw years— no longer is functioning. sure 8,” Neustadt said. “We were determined to ing more than 300 people. In the spring of 1992 “There is not the sustained energy to continue provide accurate information about the lives of the group joined with the American Civil Liberties maintaining the groups operations,” president lesbians, gay men and bisexuals so that nothing Union and National Organization for Women to Karuna Neustadt wrote to supporters Jan. 13. “We like Measure 8 would ever pass again.” form the Mid-Valley Human Rights Coalition, believe that the time for AFTER 8 has passed.” Since then the Corvallis area has seen the which led the campaign that soundly defeated the The group was formed after voters approved creation of three Gay Straight Alliances, a youth Oregon Citizens Alliance’s Measure 02-06, which M C G D A Mention this ad and get a 10% discount. “SAM E DAY S E R V IC E O N M O S T R EP A IR S” Repairs of All Makes & Models y Am erican • European • Im ports Ca rs • Trucks • RVs We Fix It Right the First Time From Oil Changes to Overhaul, Fred's Auto Works Does It All Close to Downtown • Free Local Rides All Makes & Models "Fred's Auto Works... Why Doesn't Vours?" Services Include: • Maintenance • D EO • Tune-ups - Poor Engine Performance • Brakes • Clutch • All Electrical Problems • Carburetors & Fuel ln|ection • Pre Purchase Inspection • Alternators & Starters (Repaired. Rebuilt or Exchanged) 926 SE Morrison, Portland • http://andgautomotive.uswastdex.com would have allowed dis crimination based on sex ual orientation. AFTER 8 also success fully worked to include sexual orientation in a Corvallis anti-discrimina tion ordinance; helped Benton County develop Oregon’s first human rights law to include trans people; convinced the Corvallis School District to ensure the provision of domestic partnership benefits for nonrepresented employees and to cur tail recruitment by the Boy Scouts of America; co sponsored the Opening Doors conferences for edu cators working with queer youth; and assisted Ashbrook School in writing a policy allowing free artistic expression for performers regarding sexual orientation. Volunteers also staffed “bigot busting” tables and made efforts to expand the public library’s selection of queer-positive books. The end of AFTER 8 “does not mean that there is not room for other LG B T groups to con tinue with their work, or for another LG BT group to come into existence," Neustadt said. “Indeed, we hope that this is exactly what hap pens, if it is needed.” A nti -T obacco C oalition F orms A new group is organizing to combat smoking in the sexual minorities community. The LG B T Coalition Against Tobacco will Continued on Page look! click! GayArtPdx.com CreationGalleryPdx.com 11
