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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2004)
by iUStnTT] M a r t y D a v is gU newsmagazine the in publication for the out population Founded 1983 • Jay Brown and Renée LaChance Gome on down! Vol. 22 No. 3 It’s time to play H ie Blame Game W elcome, contestants, to the 2004 version of The Blame Game. This week’s contest takes place in Washington, D.C., where, depending on which story you read, Human Rights Campaign executive director Cheryl Jacques either “stepped down" or was “fired” from her position. Tins action comes less than one month after the calamitous November election. 1 cannot for one minute even pretend to he privy to the inner work- ings of HRC. I’ve never met or spoken to Cheryl Jacques. I have no idea if she was efficient, dedicated, personable, detached or horribly rude to her staff. But the laws of politics are such that someone has to take the fall when things go wrong, and let’s face it, things went very, very wrong last month. What 1 can read into the departure is that H RC has a strong board of directors that’s taking responsibility for the direction of the organization. Too often, it seems, especially on the local level, organizations are led by strong executive directors who are linked to weak hoards. This leads to lack of accountability to the hoard, the organization and the community or constituency that the organization represents. Strong hoards of directors are key to well-managed and well-focused nonprofits and community-based organizations. n the “slow news day” department, KGW-TV opened its 11 p.m. Dec. 1 newscast with a live crew at the scene of a small demonstra tion outside Hollywixxl Theatre. The protesters were upset about a screening of Jesus Has Two Mommies, presented as a benefit for the Sex ual Minority Youth Recreation Center. They were from out of town, represented some little-known religious group and did not warrant the attention that KCW provided. I find the coverage even more annoying than usual because Dec. 1 happened to he World A ID S Day, and real, significant events that warranted cover age by Channel 8 went unnoticed that evening. When questioned, the KCW newsroom replied that they didn’t have a camera crew available hut that mention had been made of planned events on the noon news show. Well, fine folks at KCW, thousands of Oregonians have died from AIDS, thousands more are living with HIV or AIDS, and the situation is neither getting better nor going away. The camera crew that was sent to cover a motley crew of alien protesters should have been sent to cover the reading of names at the World Trade Center. That crew should have Icxiked into the faces of those who have lost loved ones to A ID S or those who face death them selves. That crew could have addressed the rising cost of drugs and the caps that insurance companies are starting to place on prescription drug coverage. That crew could have shown a message from the African ortland is losing her “first” and, to date, possibly only out gay AIDS Response concert and could have given voice to the millions— male police officer. Traffic Cmdr. Mike Garvey is retiring from yes, millions— of people infected worldwide have AIDS. That camera the force after 31 years— many spent in public scnitiny of his sex crew, KCW, was wasted, as was your opportunity to present the real ual orientation. In 1996 he was thrust into the media spotlight amid leading story of Dec. 1. allegations that he’d paid for sex with male escorts. Garvey was never indicted on these charges, but the police department internally dealt illie Tucker died Nov. 20. Our community suffered a great loss out a suspension and reassignment of duties. that day. I knew Willie for many years, long before Just Out came Are there other gay officers in the Portland Police Bureau? Could into my life. n’t tell ya. I do know for a fact that lesbians are present and some After I settled into my new role, Willie became my go-to guy what more visible. A few years hack an internal organization, Vision, whenever I needed “a cranky black guy perspective” on anything. He was available for gay, lesbian, hi and trans staff. That organization is provided gtxxl counsel and knew more about the history of Portland’s now inactive. gay community than anyone else I’ve ever met. Willie was, hy his own Scandals aside, Garvey never embraced the notion of being a gay admission, just about the crankiest person anyone could hope to role model; that load has been carried for years by Katie Potter encounter. He set a curmudgeonly standard that many of us will try, yet ever fail, to meet. (whose dad, Tom, used to be the chief of police and is about to become our mayor). She has been stellar in stepping forward and At Willie’s service, family members acknowledged several times that always being there. “Uncle Willie was private.” They seemed genuinely surprised at the number of friends present. One nephew spoke, looked about in awe and But isn’t it time for someone to step up and share the job with acknowledged that he thought only family would he there. her? W ho’s it going to he? Is there anyone ready and willing accept a visible role in the community? How about the fire department— any Nope, many of us were there that day to say gcxxlhye. He would have been even crankier if we hadn’t shown up. I find it sadly fitting that one ready to step forward? I know you’re there, so that leads to a larg 2004 was the final year for Peacix:k in the Park. How could there ever he er question: In Portland in 2004, what are the fears of being an “out” another one without Willie backstage? Gcxxlhye, Willie. J H police officer or firefighter? I P W R EFLECTION S • Mayor Bud Clark's community policing plan acknowledges the need to hire more women and minority police officers. But the mayor’s office is a little wishy-washy when it comes to explaining what process will bring that about in a fair and equitable manner. Now that the city is hiring new cops, it's about time the gay community demanded that the city openly recruit gay and lesbian police officers. • So far this fall, there has been one reported abduction and disappearance and one reported murder involving patrons of the Stark Street gay bar strip in Portland. Both are unsolved. God knows how many unreported acts of violence have taken place, including beatings by gay-bashers and hate groups. • Outside In, Portland's, unique social service agency, recently named outstanding urban clinic by the Oregon Primary Care Association, has also received Metropolitan Community Action's Program of the Year Award. • Massachusetts joined ranks with lonely Wisconsin when it became the second state to pass a gay/lesbian nghts bill Oct. 30. Although gay nghts laws are common in large U.S. cities and university towns, the process of pulling "yes'' votes out of state legislators from rural America will provide a challenge for activists in the remaining 48 states well into the 21st century. ago in ♦ 1989 • The Coors maintain strongly held, fundamental religious beliefs. In a profile of the family in 1988, The Los Angeles Times noted that “All five of Joe C oors' sons, inspired by their mother, Holly. 67, are self-described born-again Christian fundamentalists. Hardcore...the whole family is awaiting Armageddon, which Joe Jr. believes will occur around the year 2000. * Also according to the article, the Coors family “ haggles over such diverse matters from George Bush's choice of running mates to whether AIDS is, in fact, God's pre-Armageddon for punishment of homosexuals.” • First Tuesday Coffeehouse brings music, fun and women's space. Join MC Carol Stemel. smger/song- wnter Maria W ebster and duo Adrianne and Liz. • The Portland Lesbian Choir opens its third season with Within the Light, a holiday concert featuring solo and sm8ll-group performances including the Lesbian Fantasy with Carol Steinel. Sarazan James, Meg Rowe and Cathryn Heron. • Tee Connne began photographing lesbian writers in 1974. She was drawn to their words as well as to their uncloseted public stance. Lesbian M use features a sampling of those faces, long anonymous to us. in the format of an engaging calendar. Just Out is published on the first and third Friday of each month. Copynght © 2004 by Just Out No part of Just Out may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher Editorial guidelines: Letters to the editor should be limited to 500 words Announcements regarding life transitions (births, deaths, unions, etc ) should be limited to 200 words, photos are welcome Deadline for submissions to the editorial department and for the Calendar is the Thursday 15 days before the next publication date Just Out reserves the right to edit for grammar, punctuation, style, liability concerns and length Views expressed in letters to the editor, columns and features are not necessanly those of the publisher Advertising policy: The display advertising deadline is the Monday 12 days before the next publication date Classified ads must be received at the Just Out office by 5 p.m on the Sunday five days before the next publication date, along with payment Classifieds may be placed via www justout com, by mail or in person at our office Just Out reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement Compensation for errors in. or cancellation of. advertising will be made with credit toward future advertising Advertising rates available upon request Distribution policy: Just Out is available free of charge Just Out is delivered only to authorized distributors No person may. without poor written permission, take more than one copy Any person who takes more than one copy may be held liable for theft, including but not limited to civil damages and/or cnminal prosecution Subscriptions are $22 50 for 12 issues First Class (in an envelope) is $ 40 for 12 issues Contact Just Out at P O Box 14400. Portland. OR 97293 0400: 503-236-1252. advertising 503-236-1253, fax 503-236-1257; e-mail justout@justout.com. Visit us on the web at www.justout.com. December 3, 2004 FEATURE 23 GIFT GUIDE 2004 Helpful holiday hints from the Just Out staff NEWS 7-13 NORTHWEST Measure 36 update; Silverton’s cross-dressing city official; money for queer anti-smoking efforts; kx:al AIDS organizations score in national omnibus spending bill 15-19 NATIONAL Supreme Court decides not to hear challenge to Mass, same-sex marriage case; Human Rights Campaign executive director Cheryl Jacques steps down; Missouri teen challenges schixil dress axle; national TV networks refuse to air affirming United Church of Christ ad because of Bush’s anti-marriage stance 20-21 W ORLD U.K. Parliament assents to civil unions; new European Union justice commissioner open to same-sex unions ARTS AND CULTURE 36-37 BOOKS Same-sex marriage is the hottest topic on the shelves 38-39 CULTURE Fallen Angels regroup just in the Saint Nick of time; queer youth leam about drag from some seasoned pros 41 THEATER Pageant; Mrs. Boh Cratehit’s Wdd Christmas Binge; Keep Tightly Clused in a CtxA Dry Place 43-45 FILM Alexander the Straight?; Cbser to fine 48-49 DIVERSIONS Hometown girl hits the big time; queer Jews celebrate Hanukkah; Do Jump for the Holidays; HollyTones COLUMNS 35 MS. BEHAVIOR Exhilarated campaigner pursues happiness 42 EPIQUEEREAN Bye-bye sweety! 47 J IM ’S CLOSET Elton vs. Rufus 50 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARC Mourning in America PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR Marty Davis NEWS EDITOR Sarah Dougher ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Jim Radosta STAFF WRITER Meg Daly ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Larry Lewis ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Kari Tate, Ashley Austin, Cshea Walker ART DIRECTOR Bonnie Barrett PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Zanne deJanvter CONTRIBUTORS Marc Acito, Michael E Barrett, Meryl Cohn, Timothy Krause, Andy Mangels, Christopher McQuain, Gary Morris, J.B. Rabin. Bob Roehr, Floyd Sklaver, Cori Taratoot, Graham Turner, Rex Wockner, Pat Young DISTRIBUTION Kristine Ashton, Allison Benn, Lisa Benson, Brian Boucher, Bob Terry
