September 3.20Q4 »
Just out 3
The IN publication for the OUT population
F ounded 1983 • J ay B rown and R enée L a C hance
Vol. 21 No. 21
Let’s not miss this chance to speak out about marriage equality
reetings!
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over, and
the election is now only 60 days away. It has been a very
busy summer for those of us working to defeat Constitu
tional Amendment 36. This, as you probably know, is an
attempt to ban marriage equality and put unequal treatment of gay men
and lesbians into our constitution.
Basic Rights Oregon is a lead organization of the No on Constitu
tional Amendment 36 campaign coalition. We have learned over the
years that the best campaigns are true coalition efforts, and No on Con
stitutional Amendment 36 follows that model. BRO is partnering with
the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthtxxl, Service
Employees International Union/Oregon Public
Employees Union, rhe Oregon Education Association
and many other organizations, business and individu
als from across the state to defeat this unnecessary
and divisive amendment.
All of us at BRO have committed ourselves to
winning this campaign and have made it our top pri
ority. Make no mistake: This is the fight of our lives.
None of us can simply sit by and allow unequal treat
ment to be written into our constitution. Whether
you are a recently married couple or someone who
never wants to marry, this is a battle that impacts
your life, because this is about more than banning
same-sex marriage. It is about sending the message
that it is OK— that it is constitutional— to single out
gay men and lesbians for unequal treatment. Losing this campaign
would set back the cause of marriage equality for years to come.
1 think it’s important to understand the difference between the
short-term goals of a campaign and the long-term goals of the public
education we are doing on marriage and other GLBT civil rights issues.
Here in Oregon, we’ve seen the campaigns come and go, and while it’s
crucial that we make them a high priority, it’s equally important that we
strategize for the future. Basic Rights Oregon will work hard to defeat
this amendment, but we are also preparing for the 2005 legislative ses
sion and beyond. We will gain momentum through this campaign and
use that velocity to be a powerhouse in Salem next year!
G
FEATURE
In the short term, we are confident that even though it will be hard
work, we can win this campaign. The recent loss in Missouri was dis
heartening, but we know that Oregon is different. Voters here have a
'long history of defeating anti-gay rights ballot measures. Of a dozen
states facing similar amendments this year, Oregon has the best chance
to win. In fact, polls show that this election is a statistical dead heat,
with neither side over 50 percent.
But in order to win, we need the help of everyone who cares about
this issue! The stakes are high and the time is short. We cannot put off,
even for a day, doing everything in our power to fight Constitutional
Amendment 36. We must ensure that everyone in the GLBT commu
nity is registered to vote, we must talk to everyone we know about the
devastating impact it will have on gays and lesbians
and their families, and we must give generously of our
time, money and talents to the campaign.
We need more than 5,000 volunteers across Oregon
in the next two months, so please get involved today.
We are all very busy this time of year, but I urge every
one who wants to keep unequal treatment of gays and
lesbians out of our constitution to please pledge to vol
unteer at least once between now and November.
The campaign especially needs canvassers to go
d(x>r to door talking to voters about this amendment.
We are talking to voters at their dixfrsteps about the
real harms that this amendment would cause.
Whether you are gay or straight, young or old, experi
enced or new to campaigns, we need your help. We
are organizing canvasses in the Portland metro area as well as out of our
regional field offices in Central Oregon, Benton/Linn counties, Lane
County, Marion/Polk counties and Southern Oregon.
It’s heartbreaking that we have to fight this campaign, over an issue that
is so personal and so basic. Fortunately, it offers a unique opportunity for us to
speak out honestly and clearly about our lives and our families and to share
our stories with our fellow Oregonians. Let’s not miss this chance to speak
out and be heard. 1 urge you to go to NoOn36.com today to learn more
about what the campaign is doing and how you can help in your area. JF1
Whether you are
a recently married couple
or someone who never
wants to marry, this is
a battle that impacts
your life, because this is
about more than banning
same-sex marriage
R oey THORPE is the executive director of Basic Rights Oregon.
<
REFLECTIONS
20 years ago in
♦ ♦ ♦
'À
are available at the door for $5 and are tax
deductible.
• Womansource 11th annual fall gathering
Sept. 7 in Ashland. Sliding fee scale, child
care provided, work exchange.
iC.¡WW
: ' '
.
;
• Wine and cheese reception Sept. 11 for
Naomi Littlebear Morena. sponsored by
Performing Artists for Nuclear Disarma- *
ment to raise f funds for the travel expens-
es of her upcoming
oming tour. Morena will per-
form along with Musica Femina, Izetta
Smith and deForrest Walker
• Truman Capote, one of the greatest of contem
porary American writers, died Aug. 25 in Los
Angeles at the age of 59. Although not particularly
prolific, he earned the accolade of great through
the depth, quality and insight of his work. He was
also respected in the gay community for pubkcly
affirming his own homosexuality without regret
• A member of the Portland chapter of Parents
and Fnends of Lesbians and Gays. William
S hepherd, was recent ly in tend ewed for a publ ic
affairs program on a Seattle television station
I
t "There was no father in Seattle willing to
appear on our show," said Elen Lockert, pro
ducer of the KING-TV program. “None or my
friends knew anyone And none of the advoca
A special all-live musical arid comedy
evening to benefit the Counseling Cen
cy groups could find anyone to do it, either ’
ter for Sexual Minorities will be held
• Bridgetown Realty Home erf the Month: This
Sept. 23 at the Embers/Avenue The
three-bedroom on five peaceful acres is only
center is the parent group of the
$59,900. Located in Clark County just 20 min
“Gay Hotline. " which offers commu
utes from Portland, it has a wood stove, updat
nity information and medical referrals
ed electrical, newer carpeting, fruit trees and
each night of the year from 7 until
11. Tickets for the two-hour show
an assumable mortgage
• Fair NW '84. Fun. food, music. Wo.
tours, health fair, arts and crafts, side
walk sales Sept 15. A booth Is being
organized for gay/lesbian issues, fund-
raisers, information.
PUBLISHER ANO MANAGING EDITOR • Marty Davis
NEWS EDITOR • Jim Radosta
ARTS ANO CULTURE EDITOR • Lisa Bradshaw
FEATURES EDITOR • Meg I3aly
Timothy Krause, Andy Mangels, Christopher
McQuain, Christa-Margaret Nelson, Eric
Plemons, J.B. Rabin, Bob Roehr, Floyd Sklaver,
Roey Thorpe, Rex Wockner
CONTRIBUTORS • Marc Acito, Michael E Barrett,
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Larry Lewis
Michael Burdick, Meryl Cohn, Els Debbaut,
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES • Kari Tate,
September 3, 2004
Ashley Austin
GRAPHIC DIRECTOR • Kevin Moore
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT • Zanne deJanvier
DISTRIBUTION • Kristine Ashton, Allison Benn,
Lisa Benson, Brian Boucher, Bob Terry
BLOWOUT: Time-Based Art Festival's queer
artists explode the boundaries of identity politics
p 20
NEWS
NORTHWEST . Oregon Republican Party unveils
anti-gay platform; No on 36 campaign receives
national seed money
pp 7-13
NATIONAL • Gay Republicans fight back; Pat
Robertson’s congressman outed, will retire;
veep dissents on same-sex marriage
pp 14-17
WORLD • Australia Senate bans same-sex
marriage
pp 18-19
ARTS AND CULTURE
BOOKS • Just Out columnist makes good
P 33
BOOKS • Tammy Faye Messner shares her
survival story
P 35
PEOPLE • Personal trainer makes fitness
accessible for every queer body
p 37
DIVERSIONS • Panorama closes for real; triangle
productions! abandons Theater! Theatre!
p 38
WHAT’S POPPIN'? - Don’t be Outfoxed
p 39
FILM • Kyle MacLachlan shines as the ghost of
gay life past
p 40
COLUMNS
MS. BEHAVIOR • Sometimes you've got to try it to
reject it
p 31
OUT LOUD • Trans fluidity and the problem of
documentation
P 32
EPIQUEEREAN - Burgers revisited
p 34
OUT WITH IT! • S’long, Mad Dogs
p 38
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARC • The Bible
and homosexuality
P42
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