ADVICE
SPIRITUALITY
Metro: Spirituality
Ainsworth United Church of Christ is a multi
racial, multicultural, open and affirming church Sunday
worship is at 10 am church school for children runs
concurrently (2941 NE Ainsworth St 503284 8767
auccQteleporl com) (7/03)
Anawim Community of gay men meets weekly for
Chnstian meditation and prayer (7 30 pm Thursday
503 281-0722X7/03)
Atkinson Memorial Church i$ a Unitarian Universalist
welcoming congregation si Oregon City (710 Sixth St
503656 7296 wvwv athnsonchurch com) (7/03)
Bridgeport United Church of Christ is a commu
nity of progressive political people exploring and cele
bratmg the Chnstian faith We are sexual mmonty and
straight, multicultural and multiracial, and our children
are valued members (10 30 am Sunday 621 NE 76th
Ave 5032580992 www bndgeportucc org) (7/03)
The City Church Portland's "oldest gay affirming
Chnstian church," offers a spint driven church for
today s diverse generations (10 am Sunday commu
nion and worship service. 6 30 pm Sunday worship
service. 7 pm Wednesday Bible study 3830 SE 62nd
Ave 503 775 5024X7/03)
Congregation Neveh Shalom, an open and pro
gressive Conservative Jewish synagogue, extends a
warm welcome to all sexual minonties Shabbat serv
ices 8:15 pm Fnday and 9 am Saturday (2900 SW
Peaceful Lane 503 246 8831 7 (7/03)
Congregation P'nai Or (Faces of Light) is a
vibrant, egalitarian. Jewish Renewal congregation in
Portland Meets several times a month in vanous loca
tions (PO Box 42187. Portland. OR 97242 0187
503 248-4500 wwwpnaiorpdx org )(7/03)
Dignity Portland meets for Mass on Sundays
(503 262 6947X7/03)
Eastrose Fellowship Unitarian Universalist a
welcoming congregation, offers Sunday service and
children s religious education (1030 am Sunday
1133 NE 181st Ave . Gresham 503 665 2628
eastroseQteleport com www eastrose org) (7/04)
Faith United Methodist Church is a welcoming
community of Chnstians in Troutdale that values and
encourages all people in finding a place of belonging in
the family of God Sunday worship at 1015 am; Adult
Education at 9 am. children and youth at 10 30 am
Wednesday Prayers 6-6 30 pm (27400 SE Stark St
503 661 4520 X7/03)
First Unitarian Church of Portland is an open and
affirming liberal religious community offenng a wide range
of programs to nurture spintual growth, community and
social justice Sunday service 9 and 11 am (1011 SIV 12th
Ave 5032286389 wwwfirstuntananportlandorg) (7/03)
First United Methodist Church of Portland, a
welcoming and reconciling congregation, believes no
one is left out in God's family Sexual mmonty potlucks
held monthly (10 30 am Sunday 1838 SW Jefferson
St 503 228 3195 www fumcpdx org ) (7/03)
Gay and Lesbian Outreach (GALO) of St Philip
Nen Catholic Church celebrates an affirming Mass fol
lowed by a social (730 pm Friday Paulist Center.
2408 SE 16th Ave 503 231 4955 7(7/03)
Gay Men's Labyrinth Project meets quarterly for a
walking meditation and wisdom circle on the labynnth
(Dale 503 233 2026. ext 3 www gaytabynnth org ) (7/04)
Integrity is a group of sexual mmonty Episcopalians
and fnends Vanous locations throughout Oregon
(Bruce Mason 503 286 9111 brucepdxorQattbi com
www mtegntyusa org) (7/03)
Interfaith Spiritual Center houses spiritual direc
tors from vanous world religious traditions, who are
available for guidance, classes and retreats (Second
Floor. 3910 SE 11th Ave 503 233 2026 ext 3
www interfaithspmtualcenter com) (7/03)
YOUTH
Metro: Youth
Flavor« a program of MultiQueer and Brother to
Brother. Is a social support group for sexual mmonty
youth of color 24 and younger Meets every other
Sunday for food and socializing Regular events and
activities (Jaye 503 228 3892 or yrye&mfamily org)
(7/03)
The Gay. Laeblan and Straight Education
Network (GLSEN) fights to end anti-gay bias m
K -12 schools. (12700 SW North Dakota St.
Suite 180. »129. Tigard. OR 97223 503-525-1177.
glsenOglsenoregon org www glsenoregon org)
(7/03)
MultiQueer, a program of Love Makes a Family,
provides advocacy to sexual minority youth Offers
resources and support m the community and the
school systems with a focus on support for youth of
color (Jaye 503 228 3892 or piyeQlmfamity org)
(7/03)
Outside In operates a clinic for anyone who can t
qualify for the Oregon Health Plan as well as needle
exchange services that include those who inject
hormones Can provide transitional housing for
youth 20 and younger as well as for those HIV+
and younger than 23 Also plays host to VOICES
(Voices of Individual and Community Empowerment
from the Streets), a self-support group fix queer
youth Needs volunteers of all ages (10 am-6 pm
Keshet Portland is a group for Jewish members of the
sexual mmonties community and their partners spouses
and supporters Monthly social, rekgious and cultural
events (Dawd or Laney 503 2267079. ext 14 7(7/03)
coming ail people snee 1863 (12 10 pm Wednesday
and 7 45 and 10 am Sunday Sunday school and child
Koinonia Catholic Community is a progressive,
small faith community that gathers weekly to celebrate
Eucharist at Bridgeport United Church of Chnst A
welcoming congregation Catholic m tradition and
Ecumenical m membership (6 pm Sunday 621 NE
76th Ave 503 699-0473
www komoniacommunity org ) (7/03)
Trinity United Methodist Church is an open
Chnstian community where faith and life intersect AH
invited* ( 10 30 am Sunday 3915 SE Steele St The
Rev Wendy Joy Woodworth 503 777 3901 7(7/03)
Lesbian Christian Fellowship meets for study
and social outings Committed Chnstians and stiH
unsures welcome (Barbara 503-760-5791.) (7/04)
Longview United Methodist Church is welcom
ing and reconciling (10 am Sunday 2851 30th Ave
360 425-4927) (7/03)
Metanoia Peace Community United
Methodist Church is a "house church" that bongs
gay and straight together Daily morning prayer and
Sunday evening worship (503-281-3697
www tearsoup com/melanota) (7/04)
Metropolitan Community Church of Portland
holds ecumenical Sunday morning worship services at
9 and 11 am Sunday school for children is held dunng
the 11 am worship service (2400 NE Broadway
503 281 8868 mfo&mccportland.com .7(7/03)
Peace Church of the Brethren is a welcoming
congregation (11 am Sunday 12727 SE Market St
503 254-6380) (7/04)
care at 10 am Southwest 13th Avenue at Clay Street
503 2236424) (7/03)
Waveriy Heights UCC is open and affirming with
worship, children s school and child care. (10 am
Sunday 3300 SE Woodward St 503 238 1337
www wavertyucc org ) (7/04)
Wy'east Unitarian Universalist Congregation
is an open and liberal rekgious community offering
mtergenerational services and rekgious education for
children It welcomes gay. lesbian, bi and trans mem
bers Nurtures spintual growth and promotes living by
Unitanan Universalist pnnc.ples (4 pm Sunday
3915 SE Steele St 503 777 3704
www wyeast pnwd uuaorg) (7/03)
Zion United Church of Christ .in open and
affirming congregation, is open to gay. lesbian, bi.
trans and heterosexual people who wish to worship m
a Chnst centered, warm, canng. multiage/race/cultural
faith community (II am Sunday 2025 NE 23rd Ave
Gresham 503665 8741X7/03)
Washington: Spirituality
Portland Center for Spiritual Growth is a New
Thought, uplifting, refreshing and exciting place of wor
ship Become a minister m our ministerial program
(10 am Sunday Cal for location 503 777 0727 .7(7/03)
Abundant Life Center is A New Thought
Community for spintual awakening and transforming
lives through love A safe place where children team to
embody spintual principles (10 am Sunday 10006 NE
Ninth Ave Vancouver 360 573 2626X7/03)
Portland Church of Religious Science is a lib
eral. open, progressive New Thought community wel
coming everyone to discover the spint within Change
your thinking, change your life1 (10 am Sunday medita
East Vancouver United Methodist Church is
reconciling and welcoming (10 am Sunday
5701 MacArthur Blvd 360693-4761
ourclarkcounty Columbian com/273/ )(7103)
tion. 1030 am service and /unior church. 630 pm
Wednesday prayer circle 3983 NE 112th Ave
503 261 0677) (7/03)
Portland Radical Faeries meet twice a month
with potlucks and circles at the full moon and the new
moon Open to all men seeking alternative spiritual
growth and community Coffee hours start 9 30 am
Saturdays at 3 Fnends Coffeehouse. 201 SE 12th
Ave (503 235-0826 ollerQpcet com )(7103)
Seventh Day Adventist Kinship is a support
organization for LGBT people, their families and
fnends (PO Box 7320. Laguna Niguel. CA 92607-
7320 866 732 5677 officeQsdakmship org
www sdakmship org) (7/04)
SisterSpirit offers women's spmtuality celebrations,
discussion groups, a dramming circle, workshops and
classes Schedule of events available All women are
welcome. (Suite 102. 3430 SE Belmont St Mailing
address PO Box 9246. Portland. OP 97207
503 736 3297 sistersp@teleport com ) (7/03)
Spirit Circle is for lesbian, bi or trans women seeking a
welcoming community in the Catholic church Meets every
third Thursday in the St Andrew Nativity School (7 pm
806 NE Alberta St Ibtspmtcircle&yahoo com ) (7/03)
Southminster Presbyterian Church is a chai
lengmg. supportive community that welcomes all peo
pie It is the first More Light Presbyterian Church m
Oregon Sunday school and nursery care (10 am
Sunday 12250 SW Denney Road. Beaverton
503 644 2073 staffQsouthmin com) (7/03)
St. Andrew Catholic Church invites all to join a
diverse faith community for prayer and fellowship (9 30 am
Sunday 806 NE Aberta St 503 2814429X7/03)
St. James Lutheran Church a Reconciled in
Chnst congregation, welcomes all people for tradition
al. liturgical worshp where we expenence God's rec
onciling love that sets all people free (9 and 11 am
Sunday 1315 SW Park Ave 503 227 2439) (7/03)
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church has been wel
Monday Fnday 1132 SW 13th Ave 503535-3800
www outsidein org ) (7103)
Vanguard Youth Services a program of
Cascadia Behavioral HealthCare. offers support and
recreation to gay. lesbian, bi and trans kids 23 and
younger Programs include Clackamas County
Sexual Minority Youth Connection (COS-
MYO provides opportunities for queer and
questioning kids to get together for free, fun and
supportive social activities Also one-on-one
support and referrals to Clackamas County
service providers (503 969 0060
cosmycyouthQyehoo.com) Expression is a free
art/expression support group m Gresham for queer
youth. Hang out and have fun every Friday*
(Jonathan 503672-9664. ext 28 7 Pride Project
bangs together Washington County queer and
questioning youth to plan and attend monthly social
events Also information, referral and advocacy serv
ices in Washington County (Moly 503 2605792.
moHyQpndeprofect org) Sexual Minority Youth
Recreation Center (SMYRC) offers drop-m
computer access, pool tables and an informal place
to hang out Weekly youth support groups includes
Trans Youth Group and Personal Deity Proxy (a cre
ative group) (4 8 pm Monday and Wednesday.
4 pm midnight Fnday and Saturday 2100 SE
Belmont St. 503-872 9664 TTY 503 231 9286
WWW smyrc org ) Youth HIV/STD Prevention
Project provides fun and educational programs
along with counseling and testing to queer youth m a
friendly, relaxed environment. <503872 9664)
(7/03)
First Congregational Church United Church of
Chnst. holds two Sunday services, traditional and
"less traditional" in an open and affirming congrega
lion (1220 NE 68th St. Vancouver 360 693 1476
vanucc&aol com) (7/03)
God's Holy Territory is a chansmatic joy filled
worship expenence in Vancouver where everyone is
welcome gay. lesbian, bi trans and straight (II am
Sunday service Bible study 7 pm Thursdays, except
third Thursday 1500 NE 49th St 360 885 9461
pastorQgodsholyterntory com) (7/03)
Metropolitan Community Church of the
Gentle Shepherd m Vancouver welcomes you
(10 30 am and 630 pm Sunday worship. 9 am Sunday
Bible study 2200 Broadway The Rev Harnet
Barshofsky 360695 1480) (7/03)
Michael Servetus Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship a Welcoming Congregation, provides a home
for the liberal religious spint (9 15 and 11 am Sunday
4505 E 18th St. Vancouver 360695 1891 7(7/03)
Willamette Valley: Spirituality
First Congregational Church United Church of
Chnst is an open and affirming congregation offenng wor
ship and church school Child care provided and wheel
chair accessible (9 am Sunday learning hour. 10 am wor
ship 700 Manon St NE. Salem 5033633660X7/03)
Morningside United Methodist Church is a
reconciling congregation where everyone is welcome
to participate in the full life of the congregation (8 30
and 11 am Sunday 3674 12th St SE. Salem
503 364 5013 ) (7/03)
Sacred Souls honors aH sacred paths, promotes peace
and stoves to create an environment that supports and
promotes mterfaith dialogue Meets at the Oregon School
of Massage (6 308 pm Sunday 440 Ferry St SE.
Salem wholhlth^ail com www sacredsouls org 7(7/03)
Eastern Oregon: Youth
Easte^^n ^3re^^^)^i
fur In^lep^inil^rnt Lrvm^j
offers support and advocacy to gay. lesbian, b, trans and
quesbormg youth r Eastern Oregon (541 889-3119 or
8662488369 eootOeociorg wwweodiorg.)(7/0/3)
Washington: Youth
Triple Point offers education, support and advocacy
to gay. lesbian, b. trans and questioning youth in
Vancouver. Wash Meets 6-8 pm Tuesdays in the
basement of Youth House. 1112 Columbia St in
Vancouver (John 3606951325.) (7/03)
Willamette Valley: Youth
Gay. Lesbian* Bi* Transgender and Questioning
Youth Group for ages 13 to 18 offers support, nfor-
mation and fun n Eugene Free, confidential adult faok
tated. (Drop n 46 pm Fnday Amazon Community
Center. 2700 Htyard St. 541684-3466)0/03)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual. Transgender Youth
Group for ages 25 and younger meets every Monday
in Eugene (5 pm. Komon» Center. 1414 Knead St
541-3461134X7/03)
Rainbow Youth of Salem for kids 21 and younger
meets twice weekly (66 pm Tuesday 4 6 pm
Thursday 600 State St. Dan 503 93672601(7/03)
.............. ▼...............
Close, closer...
Sexual predator or victim—which are you?
Jeff is now married
D ear M s . B ehavior :
to a woman, and he’s a
I seem to attract bi
lawyer, and he lives in
sexual women or those
the wealthy 'burbs near
who are still in the closet.
They find me a safe
the city where we grew
up. I'm none of those
haven for unexpressed
things. 1 haven’t figured
feelings or are attracted to
out yet what to be
me. We start out as
friends, and then the rela-
when I grow up.
tionship evolves to anoth
I am clean and
er level of verbal intimacy.
sober now, finally, after
Most women talk
years of depression and
about intimacy and
bcxize. 1 work as a waiter
love, right? So this isn’t
in a very gay city, which
a boundary abuse, is it?
is about as far away from
How <kx?s one help others with their
my hometown as a person can get.
hidden sexualities without making
Sadly, I have never fixind love, so I
them feel uncomfortable in any way?
would be going alone.
There are times when these women
Aren’t these reunions just a bunch
have gone as far as flirting with me in
of people standing around bragging
different, subtle ways. It has caused me
about their kids, careers and happy,
heartache and pain to deal with such
happy lives? My life hasn’t been so
denial. I have even put myself in ther
happy. Should I subject myself to the
apy to make sure what I am perceiving
misery of having to tell people I work
from these women is an attraction
I in the restaurant industry just to get a
because it is so confusing. They end up
little tongue from an old lover?
Somehow 1 can’t seem to make
dropping out of my life when they feel
myself blow it off because Jeff from my
they are getting hx> close to me, and I
am left standing there feeling empty.
past wants me to show up and have a
cocktail with him. Should I go to this
—Trust Bandits
thing for one final fling?
—At Least I Still Have All My Hair
D ear T rust B andits :
Are you the lesbian our mothers
warned us about? You’d prefer to believe
D ear A t L east I S till H ave A ll M y
you're a magnet for sexually confused
H air :
If you go to your high school
women, when in actuality you lure
them with the promise
reunion just to
reconnect with your
of sorting out their
feelings. Your conver
secret sex buddy
sations with them are
from 20 years ago,
probably erotically
you’ll probably be
charged, which is why
disappointed. You
you wonder if it’s
might have left out
“boundary abuse.’’
a juicy detail when
In reality, these
you described Jeff’s
women don’t need
e-mail, but, if not, it
your help with their
seems unlikely that
“hidden sexualities.”
he plans to have a
They’ll figure out
final fling with you
what to do with their
at the reunion,
feelings all by them
despite your luxuri
selves, without you
ous hair.
acting as the midwife
It’s fine to fanta
for their latent
size about hixiking
lesbianism.
up with a past
You need to stay away from straight
lover, but counting on it might leave
or bisexual women (and their birth
you feeling crushed. Besides, where
canals) and figure out why you’re afraid
does his wife go in your fantasy
to have friendships or relationships
while Jeff fellates you behind the
with real lesbians. (OK, some of us are
punch bowl? Sometimes a cocktail is
just a cocktail.
admittedly scary, but once you get to
know us we’ll embrace you and love
Most people attend these events
you and excite you—and try to ensnare
when they're feeling gixxl ahxit them
you in long, sexless relationships.)
selves, and it d(X?sn’t sound like yixi do
If you stop trying to suck confused
right now. So, congratulate yourself on
women into intimate chat, you'll stop
your newfound sobriety. And work on
feeling the pain of their denial, which
becoming a spiritual giant before yinir
is actually your own denial. If your
25th reunion so that you can decide
therapist hasn't begun to lead you in
from a detached and fearless position
this direction, you might need a new
whether to attend. jm
therapist. (Ms. Behavior hopes you
haven’t gone so far as to find yourself
© Meryl Gihn 2003
a sexually confused therapist, tixi.)
M eryl C ohn is the authm of Do What
I3 ear M s . B ehavior :
I Say: Ms. Behavior’s Guide to Gay
Out of the blue I received an e-mail
and Lesbian Etiquette (Houghum
from a guy I had lots of secret sex with
Mifflm). Signed copies are available
in high schcxil. He wants to know if
directly from the author. Send questions ar
I’m going to ixir 20-year reunion.
correspondence to mshehiwurd&aol com.
You'd prefer to
believe you're a.
magnet for
sexually
confused
women, when
in actuality you
lure them with
the promise of
sorting out
their feelings