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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2004)
26 | f r t mm pninry 2 1 2QQ4 W P in k Ink ix S r Continued from Page 25 important part of the writing. Participants are welcome to ask for feedback or help with spelling or punctuation, hut what really matters are the stories that people tell and their confidence in sharing them. Sharing stories is core to W R A P ’S mission, and echoes an ethic that was eloquently articulated by Northwest writer Barry Lopez in Crow and Weasel: “T he stories people tell have a way o f taking care o f them. If stories com e to you, care for them. A nd learn to give them away where they are needed. Som etim es a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. T hat is why we put these stories in each other’s memory. T his is how people care for them selves.” Teaching people to care for themselves and others through writing is what W R A P is all about. Sullivan has participated in three W RA P workshops, two o f them through CAP. In addition to the benefits for himself, Sullivan realizes what he has to offer to the community at large. “A s someone who has lived with HIV for almost 17 years, IWRAPj has also allowed me to delve into Je ff Sullivan has participated in two W RAP workshops through Cascade A ID S Project stories o f others that 1 have had the benefit which varies from group to group, of befriending along the way. Most o f them small build and a gentle, earnest voice, he then is circulated among the writers. feels like he is still very unsure about who he weren’t as fortunate as I have been and are Sometimes a facilitator may need to now deceased. By sticking with this work is and where he fits in society. “I’m still ques remind participants of the guidelines, tioning everything,” he says. He feels like he shop and allowing it to become a prime but Tuller’s group took its to heart is too young to label himself and wants time source o f inspiration, I intend to continue from the beginning. to explore his sexual identity. Seng, like sev telling stories about them .” He adds, “So Unlike some of her other work hopefully, I will he a member o f W R A P for a eral others in the group, heard about shops, Tuller was surprised at how SM Y R C through his high school’s Gay long time to com e.” tuned-in and respect Straight Alliance and want ful of one another Vouth find freedom to share and question ed to check it out. He went the participants with some friends to the were. If readers sus W R A P workshop. heyenne Tuller is another person with a pected that someone growing W RAP history. When she started “ I always wanted to in the group would as a volunteer facilitator four years ago, write for fun,” says Seng. be offended by the “W R A P offers me an she worked at a corporate job and wanted a writing, they were creative outlet. She answered an ad for the pro opportunity to do that.” gram and has been involved ever since. Tuller More than being fun, Seng sure to warn that never thought twice about being herself in the discovered, writing was a person to cover his W RAP community. “You don’t have to care great way to get out his frus or her ears or leave about being out,” she says. tration. "A t schcxil you have the nxirn for the W RAP accepts people as they are and duration of the piece. to hide some things or people never judges them. Since her first workshop at will judge you. People will put The SMYRC Project Quest, a support facility for people with you in a closet of their own.” guidelines included chronic illnesses such as HIV and AIDS, Tuller He was free to be who he wanted to be at the “We won’t let personal differences get has facilitated 10 workshops, including the in the way of writing,” “We will sepa W RAP workshop. recent group at SM YRC. rate the writer and the writing" and This was her first group with teens, and she Respect, openness and flm ^ “We will respect each other’s work.” was impressed with the resource center and the The group also decided that sharing participants. “We didn’t have places like RAP takes care to create safe, comfort was optional, that all writing is gcxxl to SM YRC to go to when we were young," she able environments that foster a sense someone and that they would “avoid observes. “IThe participants] are so sure of who tangential conversations about Elmo of respect. At the beginning of each they are. I didn’t have a clue at their age." 10-week session, participants spend time estab from Sesame Street.” SM Y R C participant Pros Seng might dis lishing a list of guidelines that promote trust Seng found the WRAP experience agree with Tuller’s perception. A t 16, with a and safety. This unique list of ground rules, to be very supportive. “I draw strength “In English class, you get assignments th at you have to do. Here, you w rite about things you care about.” -Frankie ~\ t Elise Campbell, gri , abr It's that Simple! Home Buying Tip #1 Call Today! 503 307-1353 - EhseC@ Com passRealty.com www. El ìseCam pbell .com There are many details which should be factored into making an offer on a home. Writing the offer incorrectly could cost you thousands of dollars on appliances, services or other attached items that you "assumed" were part of the home. Let me guide you to make sure your offer is made correctly. Shadowed Light Our feet are the same size. I've never real ized before now, with the moonlight streaming through the blinds, spilling onto our bed. The dark lines of shad ow coupled with the pale, pure light that is such a contrast to our black satin sheets. And our feet at the foot of the bed, hers much whiter than mine, are the same size. I look to her face, slack and unguarded in sleep. Her black eyeliner is smudged under her eyes and I know that if she were to open her eyes, they would be a beauti ful pale blue. The first thing out of her mouth would be "What?" not "Why?" I always thought it strange that if you look at someone a bit too long, they ask "What?" Shouldn't they ask "Why?" I wonder what she would be asking if she did ask why. Why are you star ing? Why satin sheets? Why all the black? Wh^ do I love you? Or maybe...Why are our feet the same size? — Frankie Porras (SMYRC) Are you an HIV + gay or bi man looking for a fun social group? Pink Link meets every Wed. night at 7pm, at the Cascade AIDS Project office. No boring lectures or stuffy speakers. Just fun social outings with other men. Check us out! Confidential. For more information, contact Philip or Misha at 503. 223.5907, or by email at ThePinkLinkPDX@aol.com
