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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2003)
If Ms. Bradshaw didn’t enjoy Sophie’s set, she could have simply said, “Sophie B. Hawkins was the downer of the entertain ment" and left it at that. What she wrote was unnecessary and scathing. And clearly not in keeping with the enthusiastic response from the audience. One can only hope that her comments don’t leak out to the music community at large, thereby limiting the opportunities to attract major artists to Portland Prides of the future. In closing: Sophie rocks; Lisa can’t even roll. 1 have no problem with what the adults wear or do in the parade, but if you are going to represent a youth service, then there should be appropriate supervision of the kids. 1 did notice what I believe was a Washington youth service, and the kids were having just as much fun but were not put on display in a sexual manner. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of flak for this, hut let’s get real. They are kids, and even if some of them are older than 18, they are still representing a youth group. M a r k e N ielsen Portland B er n if . C o n s t a n t in e Portland Being boring T o t h e E d it o r : egarding Lisa Bradshaw’s recent article concerning the Pride festival and her review of Sophie B. Hawkins: I must say you are extremely narrow-minded for being a columnist. I really was blown away to hear you said she was “boring.” I find that interesting coming from someone with a desk job. Ms. Hawkins is an exciting, talented and cute musician. 1 recall she plays around four to five instruments. She has Grammys and is a national act. I was tmly grateful that she was chosen to play our city. Who really cares about comments, anyway? The entire gay population is always sharing their opinions, so she should he able to speak her mind, tcx). Sophie is honest, and I enjoyed her perspective on life. I am so sorry you are so negative. Your whole article was just that. Maybe next year you won’t he on the rag. R E lla n a N o rto n P<rrtland Act your a g e T o t h e E d it o r : or the second year in a row, I could not help hut feel embarrassed for the repre sentatives of the Sexual Minority Youth Recreation C enter in the Portland Pride parade. For a youth service to display their kids in a scantily clothed manner and allow them to make sexual gestures to the crowd is quite sad. T My partner and I have been together for six years. We want to get married. We have always wanted to get married. We can ’t. * Will we eventually break down and have a “ceremony” ? Yes. A t Cirque de Celine, possi bly. But it’s not marriage, and we all know that. My partner and I complained about it to one another for about four years, then we got involved this past year in various organizations that actually work toward the legalization of same-sex marriage. This has resulted in more of a feeling of “what I am doing” vs. “what am I to Does anybody care? T o t h e E d ito r : he celebration of Gay Pride in Portland was on a beautiful, warm, sunny day, hut for me it was as uncomfortable as can be. As queers walked around with their lovers and family and friends, I was lying on the ground under a tree near the lovely Porta-Pottys. A sudden case of fixxl poisoning from the festival food, 1 suspect from the day before, had left me in anguish. And while I was vio lently vomiting as the parade went by, 1 thought to myself, “All these QUEER people walking past me and not one has asked me if 1 was OK, or if I needed anything, or if they could help.” I think I was looking horrible, plus 1 was on the ground most o f the time because I couldn’t walk around due to my dehydration. People lcx)ked at me and just walked on by, like they were looking through a jewelry store window. I cried because I felt alone (and needed help) even though all these people, who supposedly are my community, didn’t give a shit. More than four hours later when I couldn’t stand to vomit one more time, 1 asked security, and a nice woman (thank you) called a cab to the Oregon Health & Science University emergency nxxn, and 1 was greeted by nurses and dix:tors. I am sad and disappointed in the queer community. So for most, Pride is a time to celebrate struggles, rights and expression, but do we care about our own people? As demonstrated to me so nicely, no we don’t. T A lthough 1 haven’t asked him yet, he’s someone 1 want to spend the rest o f my life with, and 1 started making plans for a trip to Canada just as soon as 1 heard the news. It’s going to be difficult for the United States to not recognize such marriages, though no doubt many states will try. My only wish is that our country had taken the leadership position on this issue, as a standard bearer for equality and freedom. K e it h D aly Portland B r a n d o n R ic k e Portland n Marty Davis’ story on politicians who were present at the Portland Pride parade even though they were not after our votes this year, you omitted one who was present [“D in ’t Rain on My Parade,” June 20|. I was proud to see Rex Burkholder from the Metro Council present— not just because he represents me in Northwest Portland hut because he has been a longtime supporter of diversity in and out of Metro. As for those who show and smile when they need our votes— then fade away when we need their support— they count on us forgetting and picking them as the “lesser of two evils" choice when the next election rolls around. Shame on Governor Ted, Mayor Vera, the Portland City Council and other local politicos like Commis sioners Serena, Lisa and Diane for supporting the community only when we can give some thing to them (our votes). 9 9 I We have .i knowledgeable. I trieiuLK staff helpinii you find the right camera, binoculars, or photographie accessories. \ ‘family ' owned and operated business since l' W . 582 SW Adams Avenue (541) 753-2653 Corvallis, OR 97333 www.oregoncamera.com S c o t t S eib er t Portland Accidents in the universe To t h e E d ito r : ’m one of those aging Nxxners. I came out in my early 20s in South Minneapolis wearing my flannel shirt and comfortable shoes. My partner (at the time) and I participat ed in the lesbian baby boom and gave birth to two girls (one now 14, the other 8). With love and disgust, my 14-year-old likes to refer to me as a crazy, lesbian, feminist hippie. (She also wishes I would get a real job, but I’m a sculptor.) And of course, my spiritual leanings are decidedly New Age. Therefore, I’m pretty sure there are no accidents in the universe. So it came as no surprise to me when I heard the date that Ontario’s Court of Appeal told Toronto’s city clerk to issue gay men and les bians marriage licenses. It’s Judy G arland’s birthday! In spite of being a lesbian (rather than a stereotypical gay m an), 1 recognized the date so quickly only because 14 years ago June 10 a Judy Garland special was on television and she was singing “Over the Rainbow” in the I 602 SE 38th Ave. Portland, O R 97214 503.231.39ii Wed - Sat • f 1 had a partner, I would, but I think recog nition of it here would be sporadic. I think we’re going about this process all wrong, how ever. In todays world, “marriage" is a religious institution, and in that context, we’ve already won the battle— many churches will happily marry gay couples. W hat we want is a civil union that defines the rights and responsibil- breast forms, bras & more! trans friendly cosm etic makeovers & consultation susan johnson owner/fitter 2041 ne burnside, gresham 503/491-5110 - www.shopitsme.com ities of people joining together to form a sin gle household. I think if we stop confusing the terms and separate the church and the state as they’re supposed to be, we’ll be much better off. A l a n B a t ie D I U nique Beaverton next PFIUL M ITCHELL it's ME Continued on Page 7 • • • We are not by any means political activists, hut it does make a difference in our feelings on it, our awareness. If anyone goes to Canada with the misconception that their marriage will be recognized stateside, I would say you should most likely stay in Canada. Don’t worry, it’s only a matter of time before I can smuggle Celine back to her native land...you may now kiss the groom. Everything Photographic To t h e E d ito r : D y G u lo tta Eugene dor egon Camera Cheshire politicians SSL predict will be the afterm ath of the U S . Supreme Court's decision in Laurence vs. T exas? Should homophobes start waving their white flags, or is this only the first of many battles in Justice Antonin Scalia's so-called “ cultural w ar"? (Please see related item on Page l .) Respond at ivww.justout.com. (Don't forget to include your nam e, city and daytime telephone num ber.) Ì H0ME & I G arden l A rt , G ifts & M ore £ i Living By The Garden 1X29 U; UbiTla ¡¡d lp a I m r I’lirllainl 131141 2X7-4 M l
