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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2004)
___________________________________march 5, 30^ by » J— » — »Ij jU S t h l 1 [ M a r t y D a v is The IN publication for the OUT population Be all that yon can be Vol. 21 N o. 9 Are we prepared to enlist as frontline troops in the culture war? FEATURE F ounded 1983 • J ay B rown this issue showed a picture of President Bush, in reference to the pro irst, let me state clearly that I am delighted with the prospect posed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and con of same-sex marriage in my own county and my own state. tained the headline “This Means War." My concern now is that the This achievement is the culmination of years of work for many front line of this war has moved directly into Oregon. Are you, are we, lifelong gay rights activists. The list of names of those to he the frontline troops, prepared for this war? Are we trained and ready to recognized, celebrated and thanked for their efforts is long. fight a foe who could very well have been won over with more time and There is no doubt that many worked long and hard to get us to where we just a little more patience? are today. It has taken years of building trust and relationships and years The commissioners took a big gamble. Clearly they have gambled of tirelessly forging and inching ahead. For many the wait has grown too with their own careers. There is no way that their actions could be seen long. Where once we settled impatiently for slow movement forward we as self-serving, and for their intent they are to be saluted. Let’s just hope now demand immediate change. Radical action now is the call. It’s a they didn’t gamble with more than the rest of us are prepared to lose. new century, a new millennium, and a progressive new activism calls for Regardless of thoughts regarding the process, there can radical acts and civil disobedience. Is this the return of be no doubt as to the deep emotions felt by those gay and the ’60s? Will we have to wear those funny pants again The commissioners lesbian couples who jumped at the opportunity to receive and put up with that horrid patchouli smell? legal validation of their unions. We share pictures and While delighted with the outcome of the Multno took a big words with you in our feature, but I’d like to close with mah County Commissions action, 1 do admit to thoughts received from Portlanders Jim Morris and Let's just hope concerns about the manner in which the process was Richard Colombo: handled. Yes, many will say the end justifies the means. they didn't gamble "During the six years that Richard Colombo and I I say a tarnished process does not retain its luster simply have lived together in a loving, committed relationship, because the outcome, this time, was favorable to our with m ore than we have shared the pain of his mother’s struggle with cause. Would you hold to your belief if the situation the rest o f us cancer and her passing. We supported each other as we were reversed? What if the commission consisted of four Lonnie Roberts and one Diane Linn— what if the four are prepared to lose. helped family members with illness and had a few of our own. I managed a successful business, and Richard worked together, within the letter of the law, and enact released a compact disc of his original music. We ed a Defense of Marriage Act in Multnomah County? painstakingly restored our 1904 home and created a glorious garden. We Imagine the outcry, the indignation, the cries of discrimination and enjoyed a wonderful neighborhcxxj where Richard was named ‘Mayor of unfairness. Where are the protests when the outcome is favorable? Does Salmon Street.’ We gave back to our community through our volunteer anyone see that as a conflict in values? work with the Oregon Food Bank, Children’s Cancer Program and Par While absolutely well-intended and with at least short-term positive ents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays. We voted and were results, the actions of the commissioners have also ignited the wrath of actively involved in numerous local political issues, including the last the governor, given fuel to renewed opposition from religious groups, anti-gay initiative. We paid taxes. provided catalysts for unity among previously splintered factions of anti “Yesterday, Richard and 1 sttxxJ in line for over six hours, much of it gay groups and pushed the highly charged and emotional causes of reli in the cold and pouring rain. At the end of the day, we had a four- gious and family values onto the forefront of the Oregon voter. Are we minute ceremony honoring our life together and our commitment to ready for this? Were we given the opportunity to prepare an offensive one another. We were given the honor of acting on one of our country’s strategy, or do we once again find ourselves in a defensive position and most basic civil rights. We were married.” now subject to interminable hind raising so that we can defeat yet Just Out sends best wishes and hopes for love and life together go to another initiative brought forth against us, this time by a very newly all of you who were or will be legally married. JH formed group, the Defense of Marriage Coalition? Our original cover for | and R enée L a C hance March 5, 2 004 WE9QE9 BJSS: Multnomah County issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples »24 NEWS NORTHWEST • Lesbian claims victory against OCA; Loewis & Clark College students challenge campus housing system’s gender binary; worship service addresses HIV/AIDS among blacks; anti-gay judge will decide on Florida adoption ban; Portlanders tie the knot in San Francisco pp 9 - 1 7 NATIONAL • Bush endorses constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage pp 1 8 - 2 1 WORLD • Canadian same-sex marriage hearings postponed pp 2 2 - 2 3 ARTS AND CULTURE MU8IC • Looking back on the country’s first out lesbian band p 35 CULTURE • Meet the brains behind the Aalto P 37 BOOKS • Groundbreaking author ushers the Progressive Era into Portland p 39 DIVERSIONS • Hazy, crazy Rory Stitt; Hip Chicks Do Tabla; William Hurt on stage in Stumptown p 41 THEATER • Sure, Edward II was a bad king, but he makes for great theater P 43 WHAT'S POPPIN'T • Float along with The Dreamers p 45 COLUMNS M S. BEHAVIOR • The scarlet letter p 33 EPIQUEEREAN • Destination: 97214 p 36 OUT WITH IT! • So married p CONGRATULATIONS 5 A }feuro a g o i w o u ld Lowe The submission of w ritten and graphic materi als Is welcomed. Wntten material should he typed and dou in 1004} too T er ARTS AMO CULTURE EDITOR • Lisa Bradshaw FEATURES EDITOR • Meg Daly ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Larry Lewis C 0NTRM UT0U • Marc Acito, Michael E Barrett, ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE • Kari Tate MEWS EDITOR • Jim Radosta p46 of Just Out may he reproduced without written permission fmm the publisher. yìhti lu c í d n a if he 1% f, Kathy Beige, Meryl G>hn, Karen Kudej, Christopher McQuain, Gary Moms, Bob Roehr, Floyd Sklaver, Rex Wockner THE SOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARC * Maximum exposure ju st out U published on the first and third Fri day of each month. Copyright © 2004 by Just Out. N o part been i tifine w ít L Y O U . P U B LIS H » AND M ANAGING EDITOR • Marty Davis 41 GRAPHIC DIRECTOR • Kevin Moore PRODUCTION ASSISTANT • Zanne dejanvier DISTRIBUTION • Kristine Ashton, Allison Benn, Ed Girder, Ashley Conley, Darren Linder, S & E Distributors ble-spaced. Just Out reserves the right to edit for grammar, punc tuation, style, liability concerns and length. We will reject or edit articles or advertisements that are offensive, demeaning or may result in legal action. Letters to the editor should he limited to 500 words. A n nouncements regarding life transitions (births, deaths, unions, etc.) should he limited to 200 words; photc*. are welcome Dead line f o r submissions to the editonal department and for the Calendar IS the Thursday 15 days before the next publication date. Views expressed in letters to the editor, columns and features are not necessarily these of the publisher. The display advertising deadline is the Monday 12 days before the next publication date. Classified ads must he received at the Just Out office by 4 p.m. on the Thursday eight days before the next publication date, along with payment Ads may hr placnl via thr Internet with Vna or MasteK -ml payment, by mail with a check, or in person at our (dice. Ad policy: Just Out reserves the nght to reject or edit any advertisement Compensation for errors in, or cancellation of, advertising will he made with credit toward future advertising. Advertising rates are available upon request Distribution policy: lust Out a available free of charge, i r c copy per person Just (Jut is delivered only to authictzed distribu tors No person may, without prior written permission from Just Out, take more than one copy. Any person who takes more than one copy he held liable for theft, including hut nor limited to civil damages and/or criminal pnsrcunnn. Subscriptions are $22.50 f it 12 issues. First Class (in an envelope) is $40 for 12 issues C ontact Just Out at P.O. Box 14400. Portland. 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