Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2005)
January 7.2005 • jUSt OUt 7 m?f7TTÜTTî1ne ws briefs Multnomah County Commissioner Lisa Naito and Both faced tough re-election bids last year because of their decision to uphold the Oregon Constitution and issue marriage licenses to same- sex couples. Naito was sworn in by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Dale Koch, and Rojo was sworn in by Joe D’Alessandro, the openly gay president and CEO of the Portkind Oregon Visi tors Association. A D own -H ome M ayoral E vent Portland Mayor Tom Potter showed his sup port for queers by putting a few of them in the lineup of performers at his inaugural party Jan. 3. The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus was among the acts to take the stage, along with an African dance/drum troupe and a mariachi band. The “stage” was actually the dimly lit north end of the City Hall atrium, where a shoddy sound sys tem and a few candles served as props for the entertainment. Still, they made the best of it. The chonis lined the central staircase and sang two songs, including “This Town Is Your Town,” a version of Arlo Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” rewritten for the occasion by Reed College professor Edward Segel. “We all belong here, we’ve all a song here/This town was made for you and me,” the men sang. Openly gay City Commis sioner Sam Adams helped direct traffic to fill up the space when it came time for Potter to speak. To pry people away from their hob- nobbing, Adams b(K)med out an official sounding “Joe D’Alessandro, Circuit Court Judge Dale Koch you’re wanted in the North Atrium,” referring to the openly gay president and CEO of the Portland Oregon Visitors Association. “1 understand you’re to do a dance interpre tive number,” Adams said to Tom Potter. Indeed, next up was a duet between Potter and drag king Johnny Mozzarella, who led the new mayor, as well as Adams and others, in a heartfelt rendition of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” Perhaps the most delighted audience mem bers were Potter’s grandchildren, McKenzie and Madison. They sat in rapt attention at Moz zarella’s feet. Ever the gentleman, the Big Cheese crooned directly to them. The most transgressive queer moment of the evening, however, occurred when a cheerleader clad burlesque performer, Gigi Bang Bang, min gled with the suits and skirts, handing out fliers for her next performance with Mozzarella. “Tonight is just a preview,” she said, batting her blue-sparkled eyelids, then bouncing off, foot-high blond afro bobbing above her. jM T/tZ y j/matneife Financial Group, LLC ♦ Retirement ♦ Life Insurance ♦ College Planning ♦ Long - Term Care ♦ Sustainable Investing Floreid Walker 3529 NE Broadway?™ Portland, OR 97232 ^503.445.9390 ext.101 floreidfaAvfgadvisors.com Greg Look 3550 Liberty Rd.Sf™ Salem, OR 97302 503.566.7266 ext. 114 grcg(o> vvfgad vise > rs. com Call one of us today for more information! www. wfgad vi sors .com extraordinary flora Compiled by S arah D ougher , M eg D aly and J im R adosta Save up to 80% 1019 nw 11th ave p 503.228.1558 30-day Full Money Back Guarantee www.pawntelk.com 2122 NE Sandy Blvd 503.813.9273 Don Valerio, MD Board Certified Internal Medicine Fanno Creek Clinic 2400 SW Vermont Portland Sports injury • HIV Testing ■ HPV/STDs ■ Hepatitis ■ PSA/Prostate Cancer Skin Problems - Physical Exams ■ General Adult Healthcare "An annual checkup is the easiest step to preventing disease. " New patients are always welcome. Appointments are now available: (503) 452-0915 Three generations of Potters with Mayor Tom