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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 5, 2003)
September 5.2003 • J u t neat , 3 f7TT77TTTOlneu;s “To that end, we have run a picture ad in most people name the Bend Bulletin showing three of our mem queer-friendly places in the bers," Weir says. “It includes the words: ‘Do you state, they certainly don’t know someone who is lesbian or gay? We do.’ think about anything east of Central Oregonians celebrate diversity with a day of fun and games The response has been phenomenal with no the Cascade Mountains, hut apparent backlash.” if you talk to the folks who call Central Ore by Tom Stevenson To achieve greater acceptance, to foster gon home, they will tell you things are chang added openness and to ing—slowly, perhaps, hut things achieve what Weir calls the are changing. “greatest concern”—pro That is why Bend will he the viding safe schools for stu site of “Family” Celebration! Ill, dents who identify as part of A Family Reunion, a celebration the queer community— of diversity designed specifically activists must provide con to honor the sexual minorities tinued outreach. Cook community in the region. This insists that activities such as year’s event will he held Sept. 28 “Family" Celebration! Ill, and will feature an expanded A Family Reunion, and agenda that is sure to catch especially the drag show, many hy surprise. will help achieve those The day will start off with goals. “The more we can “Frolic at the Funny Farm," reach out, not only to oth which will include music, games ers in the GLBT com and surprises from ncx>n to 4 p m. munity but to everyone, the at the famous Funny Farm. Then, better off we will be.” that evening beginning at 8, Weir says one of the Portland drag performers Poison greatest things she sees Waters and friends will he per “Family” Celebration! Ill, A Family Reunion will give members of the sexual minorities community an opportunity to explore about this year’s cele forming at the Grove Lounge. the region's famous Funny Farm bration is the fact that The "Cabaret Celebration” will time even saying they were gay or lesbian in the and more gay-friendly and accommodating,” I something is planned for people of all ages. “I feature music, dancing, food and drinks. he says. think the community is excited. I for one am People might presume that this is Bend’s safety of a PFLAG meeting,” she says. The acceptance and changes in laws taking really happy to see that the two functions first drag event, but Portland’s legendary Dar- Things have changed. "Now, just about all the lesbians, gays and place worldwide are also affecting Bend. Cixik include one for children and the younger set as celle performed there in the early 1990s. Regardless, that was at least 10 years ago, and bisexuals 1 know are out,” notes that “Central Oregon is well as the drag show." Organizers, like those in all areas, will feel a one Central Oregon gay man is thrilled anoth says Weir, who is “56, part of the greater world are just ordinar er show is planned. straight and the proud mom around us" and that as certain caution as the day of the event grows 7 progress is made everywhere, closer; no one can be sure how the greater com “1 think it’s about time,” says Cliff Cook, a of a gay son." “Our PFLAG folks who work an a it does find its way to all areas munity will react to having a drag show, but human rights advocate from Bend. “I know I’m chapter has even decided to play in Central Oregon of the country. Those changes Cook has few fears. “I think people will come looking forward to it, and 1 think the GLBT march in the annual Christ community and our straight friends are also. I mas parade in December. I just like everyone else, bring added awareness of the out and have fun," he says. JH fact that gay men and lesbians think all of the loving and compassionate peo know there is some fear of F rolic at the F unny F arm , an all-ages event, backlash as a result of recent ple in Bend will respond well.” and I do think people are "everywhere.” Cook recently stepped down from the advances. 1 took one call to “We are just ordinary folks features live music, games and a few surprises are recognizing that. Human Dignity Coalition board and is slowing the PFLAG help line from a who work and play in Central from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Funny Farm, down his activities. But he served as the main woman with a gay brother And the gay community Oregon just like everyone 64990 Deschutes Market Road off Highway 97 in contact when the show was originally discussed I who lives in a rural commu else, and I do think people are Bend. Bring something to barbecue and a dish to in Central Oregon is recognizing that,” Cook says. share. Festive attire encouraged. and was one of the organizers who helped “get nity. She was absolutely terri the hall rolling" in making sure it would take fied for him. But the reality “And the gay community in C araret C elebration , a 21-and-over event, also helping itself. We Central here seems to be pretty much Oregon is also help features Portland drag queens Poison Waters place. ing itself. We are more and and friends, music, dancing, focxl and drinks “This will bring growth for everyone, or at ‘ho-hum’ from the broader are more and more more unified than at any time 8 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Grove Lounge, least the ones who know about it,” Cook says. community.” unified than at any in the past.” “All we have to do is make sure that everyone Cook points out that the 1033 N.W . Bond St. near Greenwood Avenue The cohesiveness is also in Bend. People wearing costumes receive a free knows about the GLBT events like this one, sexual minorities community time in the past. shown in the participants of raffle ticket. The suggested donation is $10 a and [those in the sexual minorities community] is evolving in the Central —Cliff Cook PFLAG. According to Weir, person and $15 a couple. To make reservations need to remember that being GLBT is more Oregon region, with activi ties including a ongoing two-thirds of her chapter’s call 541-385-3320 or e-mail and more accepted.” Carolyn Weir, president of the Central Ore men’s dinner group, the dynamic growth of a members identify as gay, lesbian, bi or trans and jenni@humandignitycoaliti(m. org. gon chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of highly active lesbian group, a new queer Web one-third are parents, family members or Lesbians and Gays, believes the region is becom site, the start of a queer-friendly “night on the friends. One of the group’s top priorities in the T om S tevenson is a Portland free-lance urn ter ing increasingly queer-friendly. “When we first town” and much, much more. “1 think it past year has been to increase its visibility with and a full-time Portland State University student who can be reached at ruraltom@yahcx).com. moved here, PFLAG attendees had a very hard clearly shows that the area is becoming more the greater community. 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