by
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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
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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