Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2003)
oclûbai X 2ÛÛ3 rTTTïTïïTnTînews C hile E ffect ive m onths ago Patricio LaBeuffe arrived in Portland, seeking an oppor tunity to experience his spirituality in an atmosphere that would accept him Volunteer helps church with Spanish-language outreach as a gay man and a spiritual man. Five years earlier he had heard about M etropolitan by Patricia L. MacAodha G im m unity C hurch and started keeping in reg ular contact with the denom ination’s global out com m union by a trans reach coordinators and its Miami congregation. no people to church, in teaching the Spanish Raised in a country and family ot Roman person. “This would not classes, which are tun and delightful." Githolic culture and religion, LaBeuffe identifies happen in C hile,” he says. She is glad to have accepted his offer to teach as Christian hut needs a kind of ecumenism that “It was wonderful, and and to provide a Spanish-language prayer service, goes more than a little beyond the box: the side of which is done between the two main Sunday serv that’s when 1 realized 1 him that studies with a Tibetan lama, engages in ices. LaBeutte will tailor the prayer services to the was in a gtxxl place." needs ot those who seek out a Spanish-language He knows the o u t regular meditation and does Reiki. (He is a liturgy and will include cultural focuses reflecting reach to Latino and Lati Level II practitioner.) These, he says, would have the heritage of those who take part in the services. not been accepted in the Chilean Githolic milieu, na queers in the Portland Ail M CC churches in Mexico and Latin but they are important to him. “My spiritual life area will reflect a wide array of cultures. He has been very personal, my own thing.” America use Spanish as the liturgical language. However, the denomination has few such pro expects the majority to be He deliberately picked Portland after a friend from Mexico, but with a Patricio LaBeuffe came to Portland in search of a spiritual home that grams outside these areas, even though large told him he would find the spiritual tolerance he significant variety of peo would accept him as a gay C hristian Latino populations exist in many countries, sought here, with a church where he would be ple from South America communities and cities served by MCC. This accepted as a gay man. T he church was M CC and other Spanish-speaking countries. For these two men, it seems, the dreams, and the will be the d enom ination’s first Spanish- Portland. language outreach in Oregon. Just Out asked how he expects to work with partners with whom to share them, have met at LaReuffe came here on a tourist visa and LaBeuffe’s background reflects the multi this cultural mix. “If they know they can come the right tune and in the right place, hopes to extend it because of the prix:ess that here,” he says, "can talk, meet in small “It is im portant,” LaBeuffe says, “that the cultural ambiance of Chile. He is French, Spanish, began the day he walked into M CC Portland. groups. ..celebrate with their own identities and people send a positive message. O ne of the spir- Danish and English but identifies proudly with the W hen he introduced himself to the Rev. G lenna itual roads we can take is to learn about our own Chilean culture and Latino heritage. sense of community, they will feel more com Shepherd on that first Sunday, he immediately personal divinity.” J H outlined his plan to offer, as a volunteer, a Span- fortable, more welcome.” He mentions gay organizations in Chile, W ith all of his plans, the one thing LiBeuffe such as Movihil, that are fighting publicly for ish-language prayer service as well as providing M etropolitan G immunity Q iurch of gay rights and that are encouraging gay and gay- didn’t expect was to fall in love, but that, too, has the congregation with free Spanish classes. He PORTLAND offers Spanish-language prayer senice also told the pastor of his plans to become an supportive candidates for public office. There is come into his life, in the person of a man named Tony who teaches English as a second language. from 10:05 to 10:55 a.m. Sundays and free Spanish M CC clergyman and eventually return to Chile also a movement to promote gay marriage. W ith the international scope of his new partner’s classes from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at 2400 N.E. Trans activists there have created an institute to and start a congregation there. Broadway. For more information call 503-281-8868. help them with their transition prtKesses and plaas, is Tony prepared to give up his Portland life Shepherd was a little amazed at the sudden gaining support and understanding. and join LiBeuffe in Chile? His aaswer is a quick ness of LaBeuffe’s offer but was interested in his “Yes.” Tony’s study of the Spanish language is part P atricia L. M a c A o d h a is a Portland free-lance W hen LaBeuffe came to M CC Portland, one ideas and impressed by his enthusiasm. “1 think of his dream to live in a Lifin American country. umter. E-mail her at parmacJ I@juno.com. thing that caught his attention was being served he is doing fabulously," she says, “in bringing Lati F The Finest Collision Repair. YOUR RIGHTS? YOU SHOULD BE. % • C o llis io n R e p a ir P r o b le m s S o l v e d • Richard B. Schneider A • W h e e l A lig n m e n t — y / a u t o b o d y 503 - 232-3600 2454 E. B urnside • P o rtlan d , O R 97214 w w w .fergusonauto.com Family O w ned & Operated Since 1952 sorry. uie don't Jo exotics. Serving the Portland Metro area • Residential • Commercial • 1 0 3 1 Tax Deferred Exchanges • Reverse Exchanges • Business Opportunities Put my experience to work for you! 503 - 350*5099 fx: 5 0 3 .2 2 6 .7 3 9 9 “Gay & Lesbian Couples Face Special Challenges In Estate Planning .” Call today lor your FREE copy V\ose G//y Law OIMtas oi VETERINARY HOSPITAL Richard B. Schneider, LLC 2455 MW Marshall St. Salta 1 1 Portland, Off 97210 ♦ CRAI G QUI RK DVM KOCHIS 809 SE P o w e l l o i O r e g o n . In c. L aw What Every Gay And Lesbian Couple Should Know About Estate Planning ♦ STEPHEN p a c if ic n o r t h w e s t t it l e t FREE REPORT! • O il C h a n g e s for all your Escrow and Title needs A is well versed in the special estate planning needs of the GLBT community and can help you with care and professionalism. • T ire s • B r e a k 'i n R e p a ir s ttorney ( n e a r t he R o s s DVM B I v d Island 232-3105 Bridge) 503 . 241.1215
