4 j M t M t ' febfua/y 6. 2004
m a out
how they think a community center can help
He is the only candidate to have provided
their mission and constituencies. We will seek
more than 95 percent of children in his state
their views on issues such as co-locating or offer
with health insurance. He also balanced the
To the E ditor :
ing services at a center.
budget every year he was governor (11 years)
saw a true hero on television Jan. 30. Justin
We are holding a community forum at
Gregorich is a kid who saved someone’s life while still providing enough money for great
5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the boardroom of the Mult
schools and social services.
on his way home from school. But there is much
nomah
Building, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., to
I
assume
that
many
of
you
who
are
undecid
more to the story than that.
share the draft organization questionnaire and
Justin left school early because he was dis ed are considering U.S. Sen. John Kerry. He has
get
ideas on how we can achieve the broadest
for
the
most
part
been
a
very
progressive
senator,
couraged. Other kids were teasing him because he
possible
input from the nearly 200 organizations
but Dean has so much boldness, strength,
couldn’t bench-press as much weight as they
in the region that address LG BTQ issues. Com
integrity and toughness that he outshines Kerry
could. He also has Tourette’s syndrome, which
ments
can also be sent to P.O. Box 1682, Port
causes his face to twitch. Tired of the teasing, he as a candidate. Kerry has caved in to President
land, OR 97207.
Bush on some major issues including the war on
left schtx)l. Normally, he’d call his mom for a ride,
This LG B TQ Community Center effort has
Iraq. While Kerry was part of the failed mess
hut that day he decided to walk so he could think
generated a lot of interest, enthusiasm and sup
things through. And that’s when he saw the car that is the opposition party in Congress, Dean
port, which is terrific. Much work has taken
has
been
standing
up
for
better
solutions
that
veer across the road and right into a pond. Justin
place, and we continue to do our best to keep
transcend politics as usual.
dove in and helped save the driver’s life.
the community informed with timely updates.
Dean offers a real choice compared to Kerry:
To say 1 was touched by Justin’s television
This can be a challenge at times; for example,
interview would he an understatement. I was someone who has st<xxl up to the Republicans at
Ron Rasmussen didn’t receive the update e-mail
every
opportunity,
someone
who
is
part
of
many
deeply moved by his kind spirit, courtesy and
we sent him in October, which addressed his
humility. When his interview concluded, I successful reforms in what is now one of the few
questions about the progress of the community
states with a solvent government. Studies show
turned the television oft and wept. It is beautiful
center effort and gave contact information
people would rather vote for someone who they
to see a kid like Justin, who battles teasing and
[“Best Foot Forward?” Jan. 23). We recently con
believe may be wrong but is steadfast and bold
the stigma of being different, respond with
tacted him again hy phone and e-mail, and he
about his views, rather than someone who may
courage and kindness rather than with anger.
he right but is wishy-washy, uninspiring and play was very pleased with our response.
The temptation to just give up and accept that
ing me-tex) games with his opponent’s views.
We hope to complete the community center
the bullies may he right after all is strong. But
feasibility study— including fund-raising feasi
This is why we need someone who is clearly and
Justin responded hy becoming a hero.
bility and a three-year estimated operating bud
admittedly a clean break from Bush.
Justin said some kids at schcx)l are still
get— by Pride 2004. We still have a lot of work
Also, the same corporate mass media that
unkind to him after his heroic rescue, yet he
ahead and hope anyone interested will attend
love Bush do not like Dean. This only confirms
responds with an inspiring purity of heart.
the Feb. 12 forum or any future monthly forums.
that Dean is a great candidate. The media are
“That’s life," he says. I hope Justin knows that he
being quite kind in comparison to the other
is a hero not just because of what he did, hut
Democratic candidates. This probably means
S am A dams , G wenn B aldwin , K athy
because of who he is. He inspired me, and 1 live
B
ambeck , K aelin B owers , J acob B rostoff ,
thousands of miles away from him. The impact
the pro-Bush media think Dean is electable and
this young man can have on others is powerful.
the others aren’t, as it is in the corporate media’s J ohn C oomler , A shleigh F lynn , J oey L ee ,
D avid M artinez , B ill S oderberg , M olly
interest to convince I\'tnix:rats to nominate
Justin Gregorich has a long road ahead of him.
F ranks and A lex D e L ara
He will he teased for being different, hut he will
someone unelectable.
LG BTQ Community Center Fund Board
survive and go on to do great things.
Whoever is the I\'mcx:ratic nominee will
Justin lives in Florida, a state that has been
endure the media’s wrath in the general elec
tion, so Democrats should not base their prima
on my mind a lot lately since gay adoptions were
recently banned there. I wonder why it is so ry season vote on current coverage. Since the
hard for some to understand that people’s sexu media will be biased against any Democratic j To the E ditor :
nominee, we should nominate Dean, as he has
ality has nothing to do with how much love
t is an honor to be honored. I appreciate hav
they will give a child.
ing the work of the Rural Organizing Project
proven he can stand up to the media’s abuse and
come hack again and again.
recognized nationally through the recent Lead
A s a gay man, I grew up being different and
endured childhcxxl bullies. It’s disappointing
ership for a Changing World Award. It was gen
T om S oppe
to realize the battle is not over. Now, as an
erous of Just Out to feature the award in an arti
Portland
adult, 1 am still bullied politically. I’m not
cle in your Jan. 9 publication (“Westerling
allowed to marry the person I love. The possi
Receives Leadership Award”). Thank you.
bility of adopting a child I love is forbidden in
Out of 1,300 nominees, 17 award recipients
some places.
were chosen. Two are from Oregon. Both of us
But, like Justin, I can still do the right thing.
To the E ditor :
have been strong organizers for scx:ial justice
I have the choice of becoming angry and bitter,
s 2004 begins, we want to give everyone an
that demands full human rights for queers,
or I can stand up for myself and be a hero. I
update on what was accomplished in 2003
immigrants and farmworkers.
would be so proud to have a kid like Justin, and
and what is next for the community center fea- i
Receiving an award that is also given to
I know many other gay men and women who sibility effort.
Ramon Ramirez (PCUN/Causa) is the most
feel the same way. I hope someday we will have
The most visible 2003 activity was the “Out
humbling aspect of this honor for me. Ramon
that honor.
with It!” survey, which gathered views from
has worked tirelessly and inspirationally, with
more than 1,600 people in Oregon and Wash grace and force to not allow homophobia to be
T odd P ozycki
ington. The data and analysis were done
a wedge issue that divides people of color from
Portland
entirely by volunteers who spent weeks making
queers. I hope that Just Out will make it a prior
sure we had every comment and piece of con ity to herald his selection as a Leadership for a
tact information.
Changing World Award winner as well.
If you didn’t have the chance to see the
The queer community has much to be proud
To the E ditor :
results through Just Out 's news coverage, please
of in Oregon. These awards highlight the power
recently returned home to Portland after check out the Web site at www.outwithit2003. of a broad vision for justice.
serving on Gov. Howard Dean’s presidential
com. It was heartening to see in the survey :
campaign staff in my home state of Iowa. I want results that the community was supportive of M arcy W esterling
to encourage those participating in the Wash having a center. A community center could be
Scappoose
ington caucuses and the much-later Oregon pri wonderful for Portland, and we are committed
that the center both reflect the needs of our
mary to support Dean.
Dean has a record of standing up for queer community and be feasible.
Americans, as he is the only candidate to have
The LG BTQ Community Center Fund also
To the E ditor :
signed a civil unions bill into law. He knew at the
filed and received status from the Internal Rev- j
esbian, gay, bisexual and traasgendcr people
time it was not popular, but has said that he enue Service as a nonprofit organization and
merit respect, understanding and support at
needed to do what he knew was right, whether it received pledges and commitments of about
every stage of life from childhcxxl to old age, yet the
$17,000 from individuals, corporations and the
was popular or not. He also sttxxJ up against the
needs of LGBT elders have all too frequently been
ovcrkx>ked by contemporary queer culture and by
Iraq war during a time when the media and the city of Portland. We had a major community
forum in September to review the survey results,
Republicans were calling such a stance treason.
society in general. Just Out therefore deserves high
and then we took a break for the holidays.
praise for giving the voices of LGBT older adults a
He always says what he really thinks and
Now we are ready to undertake the next
prominent place—most recently with your inspir
stands up to those who are standing in the way
piece of the feasibility study. We are asking
ing feature “Generation Stonewall” [Jan. 9).
of justice. This is the kind of leadership we need
organizations to give us input specifically about
I would encourage readers who would like to
in the White House.
A super hero
I
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