november 21.2003 * Just
PEOPLE
Building bridges
gay
Felipe Leon w an ts to be a bi g
Latino brother
to Portland’s queer y o u th
by
eatingout
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eatin
CAFE & ESPRESSO BAR
E r in S e x t o n -S a y l e r
P
Sigh, the price of
ortlander Felipe Leon won the title of
success...Mr. Gay
Mr. Gay Latino Oregon last summer
Latino Oregon
and is working hard to serve his com-
Felipe Leon
munity while he reigns. The 22-year-
performs some of
old is fluent in English and Spanish and learn
his duties for
ing sign language while working as the clinic
adoring crowds
coordinator at Outside In.
at Klub Z
“1 am just someone who wants to have fun,
who wants to learn from other cultures and
experience what other people have experi
enced,” says Leon. “I want to he a better person
for myself and a better person for my communi
ty members.”
According to pageant coordinator David
Zambrano, the Mr. and Miss Gay Latino/
Larina Pageant was started in 1998 by Carlos
Torres, who owned then gay bar Exstasis.
W hen he moved away in 2001, Zambrano
took over the pageant, which grew into a
statewide event.
The pageant is open to any Latino
or Latina who wants to compete, and
the ritleholders are recognized by
the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court.
Mr. and Miss Gay Latino/Latina
Oregon represent the Beaver
State in the Queen and King of V
the Universe Pageant.
Leon is excited about the networking he is
doing with other Mr. Gay Latinos across the
United States. His counterparts in California
and Washington have invited him to come
visit, and he is eager to spread the word
about the Oregon pageant and its mission.
“The purpose of these titleholders is
to educate the community on how to
become a Latino leader and role
model, to network with other organi
zations to promote health and HIV
prevention and to build bridges
within other cultures," he
explains, appearing to take this
Leon has several goals for his term. First,
creed very seriously. “People expect you to he
he is eager to show his appreciation to
a role model 24 hours, seven days a week.
friends and family who have supported him
Working here at Outside In...I do that." He
along the way. He reports that his mother
enjoys it when patients recognize him as the
helps him with costumes and ideas for per
titleholder and receives support from the
formances. He also wants to recognize the
clinic in his pageant role.
community organizations that have support
ed the pageant: Darcellc XV, Silverado,
r. and Miss Gay Latino/Latina Oregon
Scandals, Kluh Z and Embers.
aren’t the only official representatives
Leon also hopes to
from Portland and Oregon’s queer Latinc
start
providing support
community. The organi
and mentoring to Lati
zation Poder Latino dc
no/Latina high schoolers
Oregon is also moving
who are gay, lesbian, hi,
and shaking, “focusing on
trans or questioning.
developing leadership
“I’ve seen that in the
...by organizing social,
Latino community we
educational and HIV pre
need more of that offer
vention events."
‘I’m willing to help’ or ‘I
Leon and Zamhrano
am a resource.’ ”
are quick to acknowledge
Beginning early next
the tension that arose in
year
Leon would like to
June after an alleged mis-
start a peer group that
communication between
will he able to go out to
Miss Gay Latina Oregon
high schixils and orga
and Ptxler Latino sur
nizations serving Latino
rounding her place on the
and Latina youth and
organization’s float during
provide them with
Portland Pride 2003.
resources such as phone numbers and
Leon is committed to changing the way the
information. “Kind of like the Big Brother
public views their interactions. “All we can do
is respect all other organizations, unite as much
program.’ ’ in
as we can, extend our welcome, open our doors
and show support. We can hope for the best for E rin S exton -S ayler k the resident sassy ad dyke
at Just Out.
them as well for us.”
MIDWESTERN BEEF
G U LF PRAW NS
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P O R T LA N D P R IC E S IN S T E A D O F C H IC A G O ’S
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SatflenA
M
"I want to learn
from other cultures
and experience
what other people
have experienced.
I want to be a better
person for myself
and a better person
for m y community
members
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