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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2003)
(une 20, rrrTTTÏÏTnTlnetus this year’s Black Pride after receiving positive hen Cliff Jones moved to feedback about the inaugural celebration. Portland in the early 1980s, “We had great turnout,” he says of 2002’s two he felt something was lack events, “A Night of Flava” at Klub Z and ing in the city. “Ebony Knights" at the Fez Ballroom, which “There was not an organ Brother to Brother celebrates Black Pride I 1 A • . I • . he estimates attracted close to 250 ized gay community for blacks,” he people overall. says. “ 1 had been exposed to a really Herrera says last year’s Black tight network of black gay and hi Pride events— which featured both men in other parts of the country, social and educational components, and I wanted some of that here in including safe-sex messages, HIV Portland.” testing and condom distribution— Seeking an opportunity to con were well received. “The need is nect with other African American there. There was a strong feeling queers, Jones, along with a group of that events like this should he held nine like-minded men, worked more often.” together to create Brother to Broth This year’s Black Pride party, er. T he volunteer-run nonprofit which has taken a six-member com organization provides advocacy and mittee more than four months to support for black gay and hi men plan, is expected to draw 150 people. and their families. “We want them “We have a lot of people supporting to have a voice, to have a home,” us, and I’m optimistic that it will be a Jones says. great event," Herrera says. "The event For the past 10 years Brother to is to recognize that we’re here, to give Brother has done just that: created us a voice.” a home for African American gay Herrera believes that when and bisexual men and their sup African American men are trying to porters through social and educa come out and be accepted into the tional programs including monthly gay community, they often feel they potluck dinners and political and must lose their cultural identity. “We fund-raising activities. “ It’s a way to show them how to maintain their share black culture in a queer set cultural identity and he part of the ting," Jones says. gay community,” he says, In addition to a full social cal Community is what Brother to endar, Brother to Brother also C liff Jones co-founded Brother to Brother in 1993 to provide advocacy and support for black gay and bi men and Brother is all about, Jones says. “ It’s places heavy emphasis on HIV their families a safe environment where we can prevention education. The organi expect we won’t he disrespected, invalidated been anything hut invisible. In 2002 alone the event. He says Black Pride will include music, zation partners with state and local health or stereotyped based on our race or sexual ori food and conversation. organization served close to 500 people through agencies such as Cascade A ID S Project to entation. We want people to get to know each “We’re here to empower our community,” stx:ial events, referrals and education. fight the epidemic, which disproportionately other and break the isolation.” Herrera says. “ Black Pride is about shared vision Jones says he’s proud of Brother to Brother’s affects African Americans. Petry adds: “It’s an inclusive event. Everyone and shared responsibility. There are not a lot of accomplishments during the past decade. “As “We know how to reach our community,” in the community is invited to participate.” things in the LG BT community that address Jones says. “We know how to draw in knowl one of the founding members it was my vision He hopes the event will create closer con African Americans; we’re here to create a that we would identify the issues of black gay edge, resources and information, and we want nections between African American gay and bi to help health organizations bring their mes and hi men and create services to ensure they shared vision in our community.” men. "When we celebrate in the community, it * Brother to Brother office were addressed.” sage into our community in a way that works helps defray the stigma,” he says. “It’s one small manager Bobby Fouther One of the ways Brother for us.” step in being able to accept who we are.” adds, "The event provides a to Brother is creating Run purely on volunteer power, Brother to Petry, who has been active in promoting the safe place for us to gather opportunities to come Brother is the only nonprofit organization in Black Pride celebration, concludes, “I hope it together as a family." He together is through Black Portland offering this depth and variety of continues to strengthen our community.” J H says that gay men in the Pride parties. This is only services to African American gay men. “We African American commu the second year Portland have no competitors,” Jones says. “We’ve nity have limited opportuni Brother to Brother will celebrate its 10th anniver made it 10 years because a community of has held the event, a full ties to participate in organ sary during B la c k PRIDE 2 p.m. June 28 at Site F day of celebration for the black gay and hi men felt the organization was of Columbia Park at the comer of North Lombard ized social activities and that African American gay com important." — Reggie Petry Black Pride addresses that and Woolsey streets. For more information call munity and its supporters. Reggie Petry, owner of Alherta Arts Pavilion 503-417-7991. need. and one of Brother to Brothers founding mem Black Pride 2003 also will "It brings people together,” Fouther says. “It’s bers, says his interest in creating the organiza commemorate Brother to Brother’s 10th a gcxxJ event to meet other people in the com JODI H elm er is a Portland free-lance wnter and tion was simple: “ It was a way to meet other peo anniversary. editor. Her work has appeared m The Portland munity and to celebrate the work Brother to “ It’s going to he a celebration,” says ple who related to the issues of who I am. I want Tribune, The Oregonian and Nervy Girl. Visit Brother is doing.” Stephan Herrera, the organization’s HIV pro ed to stop being invisible." her online at www.jodihelmer.com. Herrera is "excited and optimistic" about gram manager and a lead organizer of the For the past 10 years Brother to Brother has E bony K nights "It was a way to m eet other people who related to the issues o f who I am. I wanted to stop being invisible." Investing m Dignity Community philanthropist Gary Maffei saw the stage production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch last summer and fell head over heels in love! He knew many of his friends at Equity Foundation would too. Leveraging their Equity Foundation donor-advised funds, they joined together to sponsor the return of Hedwig this June at Theater! Theatre! We agree with Hedwig: "To be free, one must give up a little part of one's self.” Donor advised funds are easy to set up and make it possible for individuals, couples and families to develop their own personal plans for making charitable contributions. triangle productions! presents Hedwig starting June 12th at Theater! Theatre! For tickets call 503-239-5919 Fo un d ed in 1989 by O re g o n ’s G ay and Le sb ia n co m m u nity W W W . C q i i i t y f 0 U n d 3 t i 0 n . o r g Ad sponsored by Marvin Salles. Realtor and Susan Nestor. CPA. PO Box 5696 Portland. OR 97228-5696 503-231-5759 13
