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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2005)
by iUSthlH fl M arty D avis newsmagazine newsmagazii the in publication for the out population Can I get a witness? Founded 1983 • Jay Brown and Renée LaChance Vol. 22 No. 13 May 6. 2005 FEATURE Oregon Legislature hears testimony on Senate Bill 1000 24 A PLACE IN THE MOVEMENT Is Love Makes a Family serving its purpose? earings for Senate Bill 1000 convened May 4 in Salem. This hill, if passed, will provide civil unions for same-sex couples in Oregon and put into place protections against discrimina- JL JL tion based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Preced ed by a rally on the Capitol steps led by the ever-dynamic Roey Thorpe of Basic Rights Oregon, a contingent of supporters gave voice to the call for passage of progressive legislation. Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams was one of many placing himself in the bright light of personal scrutiny as he addressed rhe hear ing. 1 lere is the text of his remarks: “Thank you for providing me the opportunity to testify before you this evening. My comments will be brief, as 1 understand you have many people hoping to have your ear. “My name is Sam Adams. 1 grew up in Newport and Eugene, Oregon. 1 am a resident of North Portland. As the first openly gay member of rhe Portland City Council, 1 find myself in the unique position of being both publicly in charge and privately restricted. I will tell you what I mean. “As a member of the City Council, I am charged to make decisions that affect over 100,000 families in Portland. But 1 cannot make deci sions with a family of my own making. “1 am entrusted to spend $1.9 billion wisely, but I am not misted to manage the benefits of a partner who has passed on. “I make multimillion-dollar decisions about the health care of 5,400 city employees, bur I’m hindered in making lifesaving medical decisions for a life partner. “1 will help build thousands of homes for families who need it, but I can be denied a hotel room in my hometown of Newport. I cannot see the logic in these contradictions. 1 hope rhe Legislature cannot as well. “Portland has had a civil rights ordinance, much like the non discrimination provision of rhe hill before you for 1 J years. It has worked. Senate Bill 1000 asks you to extend these protections, as Port land cannot protect all Oregonians from being denied rights because of their sexual orientation. With two-thirds of Oregon voters supporting civil unions and 80 percent of Oregonians supporting a ban on discrimi nation, you have the support of our state behind you. 1 know you have my support. “Thank you for your leadership, your advocacy and your belief in the rights of every Oregonian to a fair and prosperous life. GtxxJ evening.” NEWS ust Out is not making candidate endorsements in any of the up coming school board elections. We encourage you to study the candidates in your district closely and, if possible, attend a neighbor- J hood forum where you can meet and question those running for office. People elected to school boards have enormous responsibilities, and they make decisions that ultimately affect all of us. In this issue we introduce you to Dan Ryan, an openly gay man running for Zone 4 of the Portland Public Schools board. He was endorsed in his race May 2 by The Oregonian. he cover of this issue of Just Out reflects on “ftKus." As individuals and as organizations, we are all eventually faced with a need to stop, shake it off and refiK'us. Refocus our energies, our commitment and our desire to live and work to our fullest potential. For more than a year now, the focus of our community has been on securing equal rights via rhe legalization of same-sex marriage. During this year of intense work, we have lost, or perhaps shifted, focus from other goals and initiatives. It is now time to broaden our focus and kxik more clearly at where we find ourselves. Our cover story focuses on Love Makes a Family and community perceptions of the effectiveness of this organization. Bonnie Tinker’s group is not alone in its lack of focus and viability. The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus is struggling with leadership issues and changes in staffing and is wisely turning to outside assistance as it restructures and refocuses the organization. Members of the Lesbian Community Project continue to struggle to find their way in a community that’s seemingly gone ahead without them. As a photographer, albeit amateur, I’m aware of the consequences of being out of focus. Vision, viewpoint and ability to see clearly become blurry. No action, however, yields more power than that of refusal to accept criticism, accept change and rake steps that lead you back to a clear vision of the path you should be on. T ar hx> frequently, my e-mail brings a riotice from the governor’s office. The heading is always the same: “A Statement by Governor Ted Kulongoski on Death of Oregon Soldier.” The first line always reads: “Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski asked that all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff in memory and honor of (insert most recent victim’s name here).” After seeing far tix> many of these e-mails, 1 suggest that we now simply leave the flags down continuously until this war is over and this meaningless loss of life ends. This is the most fitting tribute at this time. This is my first public anti-war statement. It’s time that 1, too, adjust my ftKus. I can see clearly now. jH F 9-19 NORTHWEST SHARE plans retirement housing to meet needs of sexual minorities; Michigan Womyn's Music Festival convenes local participants; Dan Ryan, school hoard candidate; Cascade AIDS Project nets $600,000 at Art for Life; Oregonian lands NPR fellowship; Rural Organizing Project holds Walk for Truth, Justice and Community from Jtme 12 to 18; OSU celebrates Queer Pride from May 9 to 1 3; Washington Senate fails to protect queer citizens 20-21 NATIONAL Conservative homophobe Joseph Ratzinger elected Pope Benedict XVI; United Church of Christ to consider marriage resolution in July; Soulforce protests Focus on the Family 22-23 WORLD Spanish Parliament OKs same-sex marriage; Televisa network to get gay-sensitivity training; gay harassment increases in Copenhagen; gays protest at Charles and Camillas wedding; Slove nia considers same-sex partnerships; Austrian MP sues gay organization ARTS AND CULTURE 35 THEATER Actor Michael Mendelson muses on life in Port land theater 36-37 FILM Global Super 8 Anniversary Celebration screens Bruce LaBruce’s daring No Skin Off My Ass 39 PEOPLE PDX man featured in his first pom film 40-41 DIVERSIONS Curve 15th Anniversary Takeover; Pendulum Aerial Dance Theatre; Tamaras; Amy Ray 42-43 BOOKS Authors explore vast viewpoints on the fantasy and reality of black gay male sexuality COLUMNS ». ♦ Vol. 17 No. 13. May 5. 2000 • The Lesbian Community Project has been without a full- time staff organizer since Deke Law departed last fall. Longtime community activist Kristan Aspen just completed a stint as interim staff organizer for the 13-year-old organi zation. She has been retained on a contract basis until fall. and benefits of marriage. He signed the bill pri vately, because he did not want the ceremony to be a triumphal party for supporters of the law. Instead, he said, it was time for the state to begin healing. • After a six-year stmt on Equity Foundation’s board of directors. Matthew Nelson was hired as the organization's executive director in April. • Empress XXXVIII Misha Rockafeller is one of the hosts of Drag WhipCream 2000 on May 7 at the Brig. • The Apnl 27 Des Moines Register reports that Seattle based sex columnist Dan. Savage, who allegedly cast a vote earlier this year in the Iowa presidential caucuses, has been charged with felony voter fraud. • Encore Theater, a group of senior citizens in Eugene, talks to youth about their life experi ences, including the perspective of a lesbian. Because of the inclusion of a lesbian viewpoint, they have been targeted by the Oregon Citizens Alliance • In April, Mississippi became the second state in 2000 to pass legislation banning gay and lesbian couples from adopt ing. Utah passed a similar law earlier this year. Previously, Florida had been the only state to forbid adoptions by gay and lesbian couples. • Gov. Howard Dean signed a bill into law April 26 that makes Vermont the first state to give same-sex couples the rights • The Portland Bisexual Alliance plays host to Oregon Bi Conference 2000 with co-sponsor Queers and Allies, a student group at Portland State University, May 13. Oregon now has six bi-specific organizations, and additional groups are beginning to emerge. Just Out is published on the first and third Friday of each month. Copynght © 2005 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 editohal 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 prior 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 PO 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. 33 MS. BEHAVIOR Measure of a man 34 EPIQUEEREAN Harnessing your veggie might 45 JIM’S CLOSET Fore play PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR Marty Davis NEWS EDITOR Sarah Dougher ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Jim Radosta STAFF WRITER Jaymee R. Cuti ART DIRECTOR Bonnie Barrett PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Katy Maehl ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Larry Lewis ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Ashley Austin, Kari Tate, Cshea Walker CONTRIBUTORS Yvonne P. Behrens, Kathy Beige, Stephen Blair, Meryl Cohn. Jemiah Jefferson. Timothy Krause. Andy Mangels, Christopher McQuain, Gary Morris, Jenny Nguyen, Rebecca Ragain, Bob Roehr, Floyd Sklaver, Rex Wockner DISTRIBUTION Kristine Ashton, Allison Benn. Lisa Benson. Pat Kilmer-Cramer
