Just out., April 01, 2005, Page 13, Image 13

aprii 1.2005 ’ jUSt OUt 13
h’di iici'i'i Sinews
S outhern O regon
R eport
LGBT Political Caucus calls it quits;
Lambda Awards celebrate local contributions
No
glorified
No
ego
N o
you’re
no
teachers
no
script
pedestal
by Sarah Dougher
lthough the queer community
Danielle Mancusos tireless efforts to keep
center in Portland is still in the the community center alive financially were
planning stages, in Ashland the rewarded with the Community Service Award.
Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community In addition to this work, she also put in many
Center is going strong after a long hours for No on 36 and helped organize
momentary stumble. Named for Roxanne Ellis Pride Week.
and Michelle Abdill, who were violently mur­
Artattack Theater won the Arts and Enter­
dered in Medford in 1995 because of their sexu- tainment Award. Founded in 2000 by Justin
al orientation, the agency has hit some rough Lockwood and Nicole Isaacson-Hill, the
parches in the past.
ensemble of seven delivers
But a renewed
innovative and compelling
vigor has taken
performances that push their
hold, as evidenced
audiences to see the sexual
by the publication
minorities community in a
The Center Post.
different light.
Bringing news from
The Mail Tribune of Ash­
the sexual minori­
land received the Hall of
ties community liv­
Fame Award for its unflag­
ing in and visiting
ging ability to encourage dis­
southern Oregon
cussion and actions about
and northern Cali­
the barriers that exist in the
fornia, the informa­
sexual minorities communi­
tion from these
ty. It also printed an editorial
pages evidences a
in strong opposition to Mea­
community whose
sure 36 and promoting posi­
far-flung members
tive relationships within the
nevertheless feel
sexual minorities community
solidarity.
and the larger community of
Kristy Alberty received the Lambda
A few pieces of
the Rogue Valley.
Humanitarian Award for her outreach
important news:
Two new awards were
work during the No on Constitutional
• The LGBT
presented this year, the Out­
Amendment 36 campaign.
Political Caucus of
standing Youth Award and
Southern Oregon,
the Connect the Dots Perse­
which had a vigor­
verance Through Oppression
ous run between
Award. The youth award
1996 and 2005, was
went to the Gay Straight
formally dissolved
Alliance of South Medford
Feb. 8. In a state­
High for its courage and
ment, the board
efforts in creating and estab-
members
wrote:
lish-ing an organization with
“This very difficult
more than 15 members.
vote was taken after
Connect rhe Dots is a
heartfelt delibera­
Grants Pass theater that is
tion and thoughtful
producing a documentary
consideration for
about its experience on The
the current feasibil-
Laramie Project. In the docu-
ity of continuing.
mentary and through the
course of the evening, it dis­
Though the loss of
the caucus is disap­
cussed the similarities of
pointing, we hope
Grants Pass and Laramie,
Wyo. Connect the Dots was
it also opens up the
Danielle Mancuso was honored for her
positive opportuni­
a
new theater when it put
tireless contributions to queer activism
on The Laramie Project, and
ty and catalyst for a
in the Rogue Valley.
it received disapproval in
future local LGBT
political organization to arise anew with fresh the form of hate mail, angry phone messages
and even the loss of a grant. Never did it con­
people, ideas and support.”
• About 250 people gathered Feb. 19 for the sider not following through with rhe produc­
ninth annual Lambda Awards, which honors tion. It even found a part for all the people who
people who have made outstanding contribu­ came to try out. In the eyes of the awarding
8 tions to the sexual minorities community in committee, the play was an important work to
bring to the valley, and Connect the LYots
southern Oregon.
Kristy Alberty received the Humanitarian received an award named after the organiza­
Award for her work as outreach coordinator on tion in honor of its perseverance through
the No on Constitutional Amendment 36 cam­ oppression. jm
paign. Jeffrey Faust received the Community
Outreach Award for his work on the Kerry- To become involved with queer issues in southern
Edwards and No on 36 campaigns, calling U.S. Oregon, consider joining the A rdill -E llis
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., out on the subject L ambda C ommunity C enter . It can be
reached (mime at www.abdellis.org.
during a town hall meeting.
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