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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2003)
»jiy lfl. 2ÛÛ3 ' >at EfWRlotit eyes, you see a vomiting woman on the grass and decide, “She’s not one of us, avoid her.” Or if you see a brown-skinned sister and decide, “Ella no hahla espanol, es una ‘sellout.’ ” Given my experiences, I have found it more self-motivating to identify as “human" rather than try to align myself with any par ticular group and thus be forced to meet expectations such as those that have been imposed on Mtxtre and Gulotta. As a proud member of the human race, I want to develop empathy for someone who loves her heritage and wants to be welcomed by those who may be more in touch with it. As a member of the human race, 1 would like to have a hard time passing by a person who is lying on the grass without seeing if he or she is getting some help. I’m not a perfect human being yet, but checking all the boxes off on the “human race membership list" is enough for me to work on in this lifetime! ■■■<** rTVTTTTTI «I * K do predict will be the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Laurence vs. Texas? Should homophobes start waving their white flags, or is this only the first of many battles in Justice Antonin Scalia’s so-called “cultural war”? n 1896 the Supreme Court, in Plessy vs. Fer answer, and the religious right wing fits that guson, ruled that “separate but equal" description perfectly. I think in time, logic and objectivity may accommodations for African Americans were legal. It only took the court 58 years, via Brown prevail, but that won’t happen soon or easi vs. Topeka Board of Education, to realize how ly. In the meantime, we must be patient and persistent and celebrate each victory, no wrong that decision was. Did that mean the segregationists just matter how small, as a step forward. rolled over and played dead? Not bloody like The Lawrence decision was a step forward ly. People like Orval Faubus, George Wallace, of historic proportions and one that we Bull Conner, Lester Maddox and Strom should value particularly highly. The Thurmond kept the banner high and resisted Supreme Court does not easily reverse its own decisions, and for it to reverse a rela the end of Jim Crow for as long as they could. While I am thrilled that it only took the tively recent decision such as Bowers is remarkable, perhaps even unprecedented. court 18 years to realize that the Bowers vs. Hardwick case was just as wrong, you can bet There’s hope that maybe we’ll leam what our the farm that the homophobes are going to - history should have taught us long ago: J ean -M arie Z ubia be just as tenacious as the segregationists There’s no room in civilized society for big Portland were. We have our Antonin Scalias, Bill otry and discrimination of any kind. Frists, Rick Santorums, Pat Robertsons and Open communication P atricia H ansen Lon Mabons to contend with, and you know they’re not going to exit quietly. Portland To the E ditor : Lawrence vs. Texas, like Brown vs. Tope think Mitra Rahnema’s letter about what ka, is a historic first step nationally. The war the word “racist" means, or should mean or Bravo’s who it applies to, is well written ¡“White still rages, let’s not forget that. Those who Guilt," June 20). 1 don’t agree with some of forget history are doomed to repeat it. reality her points. television show Boy Meets Boy, P at K erwin I don’t think Just Out is trying to take premiering July 29, is like The Portland “empowerment away in order to make it easier" Bachelor but with a twist: Some • • • to deal with the word. I’ve never found Just Out to be particularly selective or excluding of any of the contestants are straight! Is he fun is just starting. The Lawrence deci one or any group, save maybe Jerry Falwell. this an interesting and playful sion should be the beginning of the end (Smile.) social experiment or an insulting for legislation that aims to discriminate against It is about “the word.” When the “R-word” is practical joke played on gays? gay men and lesbians, but 1 think it’ll be a long, brought up, by anyone of any group, it is the (Please see related item on equivalent of a man or a woman in a social gath tough battle. Homophobes, particularly those who justify ering “breaking wind” with an ear-shattering, Page 43.) Respond at their bigotry by reliance on their religious long and oily eruption. Everything sort of stops. www.justout.com. (Don’t forget All talking and all communication just grind to beliefs, will not wave the white flag anytime to include your name, city and soon. The most intolerant person in the world a halt. People sort of step away. daytime telephone number.) is the one who believes he has the only right Just Out is not denying the concept nor the effects past and, to some extent, present of racism, only that the word itself is like the There is still so much more work ahead of “N-word.” And even among African Ameri “hard" really is like. Even better, talk with some us to achieve some of the basic rights so many full-time black transvestites or transsexuals. cans, using the “N-word” is probably not in the others take for granted. 1 am encouraged best of taste. For anyone but an African Ameri about what the future holds, and 1 hope we can to use the “N-word" around African Amer J ohn B oynton can all come together—queer, straight, ques Vancouver, Wash. icans, he or she damn well better have a loaded tionable—hand in hand to move forward. gun and be ready to use it instantly, for with 100 Because it affects all of us sooner or later, let percent certainty, a serious attempt will be made Looking forward your voice he heard and follow it through with on his or her life. some action. One voice can make a difference. Finally, I would like to point out to Ms. Rah- To the E ditor : nema that if she thinks that various types of VI 'e live in a unique time with the positive V * changes and endless opportunities hap Rie B errong “isms" are not going on within the nonstraight Portland pening at a rapid pace all around us. The recent world, then she is very much in denial, and just so she does not miss the point, that includes the i Supreme Court ruling is yet another step for ward, but it is still not enough. world of lesbians of color. Equality before the law There is much more work to be done within Racists for the most part know they are the queer community to ensure that we contin To the E ditor : racists, and they may or may not feel bad about he U.S. Supreme Court upheld the princi ue to move forward. I am encouraged by the it. But screaming at them, “getting in their face” ple of freedom of association June 26 when many community groups, big and small, young or haranguing them is not a whole lot different it struck down a Texas law that criminalized pri- and young at heart, who are committed to a from Caucasians doing the same thing at all those who are not male and white. If there is to common goal: basic human rights for everyone. .vate, consensual sexual behavior between U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn, wants a consti homosexuals. At its heart, this is similar to a be change, there has to be open communica tutional amendment to make it a law that mar Supreme Court ruling three years ago that lim tion, and neither side can demand that it is ited New Jersey’s abilities to interfere with the riage is between a man and a woman. He needs "their way or the highway" and expect any Boy Scouts’ private decisions. Both cases should to define to me what love is before he decides improvement. be applauded by all who believe our U.S. Con As a separate aside, people who are seem who should have the right to bond their love with marriage. I would he interested If he, or any stitution is a charter of liberty. ingly pissed off all the time, like Ms. Rahne- Although both cases embrace the same ma, also miss a lot of the little good things of his narrow-minded followers, can tell me constitutional values, many of those who what I feel is not love. that happen in life. Being permanently angry Despite the Supreme Court ruling, with cheered the first decision will revile the sec can become a 24/7 lifestyle, until people do out a legal document, a simple piece of paper, ond, and vice versa. That one’s position on not remember when they were not angry all freedom of association depends on one's posi 1 am still able to look into the eyes of the man the time. who has captured my heart and say with com tion on homosexuality demonstrates how ide P.S. If Ms. Rahnema thinks being an African plete, faithful confidence how much I love ologically polarized—and divorced from American lesbian is hard, she should talk to him. This is my right as a human being and some full-time transvestites or transsexuals in has nothing to do with my gender. 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