___________________________________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
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