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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2005)
mat' may 20.2005 DIVERSIONS ................ ▼................ GSA beautifies Madison High School is undergoing a major beautification project, all in the name of diversity. Students from the schools Gay Straight Alliance have been creating unique mosaic panels to compose a mural on the theme of social justice. Central to the design is a globe with Mahatma Gandhis famous mantra, “Be the Change.” F- 602 SE 38th Ave. Portland, OR 97214 503.231.3922 Wed - Sat PAUL MITCHELL egon Camera Everything Photographic \\ c have a know lc(l</cal)lc. Iricndh stall helping vou find the right camera, binoculars, or I photographic accessories. \ ’family ' owned and operated HH business since 199". 532SW Mans Arane (541)753 2553 Cernito. M 97333 www.orceoicaHcra.coa \_ ____________ 7 Looking for someone to grow old with? Try the Just Friends Voice Personal ads. Submit your ad at www.justout.com tiling the school’s pillars to coordinate with their project. “It is by far going to be the best-looking part of the school,” says senior GSA member Tyler King. The mural is expected to be finished at the school year’s close. “I really like it,” Epton says, “because when we have our 10-year reunion, we can look at it and remember what we did at that time.” —Jaymee R. Cuti Hell hath no fury like a Christian scorned coalition of playwrights whose work the the ater had planned to perform (including Craig Lucas and Athol Fugard) withdrew their plays. Finally, after arranging for extra police protec tion, the play was rescheduled. As the opening night audience passed through metal detectors, more than 2,(XX) protesters chanted angrily outside. Corpus Christi asks us to open our minds and consider a scenario that’s different from the accepted Gospel. Clearly, McNally knew his play was potentially explosive because he ends it with the words: “If we have offended, so be it. He belongs to us as well as you.” That’s a powerful statement that’s sure to provoke ire, but is censorship ever justified? Come and decide for yourself 7 p.m. May 23 and 24 at Theater Theatre, 3430 S.E. Belmont St. Tickets are $10-$ 15 from 503-242-0080. —Floyd Sklaver When Terrence McNally’s gay retelling of the Jesus story Corpus Edge off 57 Christi opened in 1998, the Gay icon Stevie Nicks will be revered and Manhattan Theater Club respected just in time for her 57th birthday was bombarded with hate May 26. mail, protesters and death Plumb Bob, a country, rock and funk fusion threats. Portlanders now band, is abandoning its original tunes for one have the opportunity to night — Stevie Nicks Tribute Night— see what all the fuss was 9:30 p.m. May 21 at Laurelthirst Public House, about when Profile Theater Project finishes its 2958 N.E. Glisan St. Covers are not restricted to Stevie alone. all-McNally season with a The band will include Fleetwixxl Mac songs staged reading of the play. such as “Go Your Own Way,” “Say You Love McNally’s play is a Me,” “Over My Head,” “Tusk” and “Never modern-day retelling of Going Back Again.” the story of Jesus’ birth, This is the eighth year Plumb Bob members ministry and death in will take the stage in the name of Stevie. Other which both he and his dis special musical treats include “Landslide,” ciples are homosexuals. “Sara,” “Edge of Seventeen” and “Gold Dust Preopening publicity for Woman.” the original production “We know 45 songs. I try to keep the set list stirred up the firestorm. under 30,” says gay frontman Bill Leeds, an When The New York Post avid Stevie devotee. claimed (falsely) that a Madison High's Gay Straight Alliance will complete its mosaic Leeds will share the stage with special guests Christ-like character had project by the end of the school year. Michael Jodell, Jen Bernard, John Henry sex with his apostles (the “Social justice means we will not tolerate Bourke, Angela Buchiere, Emily Butler and headline was “Gay Jesus May Star on B’way"), people calling each other names based on who Tim Stebbins, with a stunning solo version of the article enraged conservative Christians; the they are, how they kxik and where they’re “Gypsy” performed by Little Sue Weaver. Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights from,” says junior GSA member Horatio The band promises to forgo the black lace, threatened protests and boycotts of the the Benneth. but the crowd is encouraged to imitate the icon. ater’s corporate sponsors. One sponsor, TWA, Lillian Ady, also a junior in the club, adds, “None of us are trying to look like Stevie, even withdrew its support. “We want everyone to feel accepted and treat ed just the same as everybody else.” GSA adviser David Colton says the mural is also helping the kids creating it. “The whole idea is toward making gay kids more visible so they also get the chance to date, to go to prom and all of the same devel opmental opportunities as the rest of the kids,” the openly gay counselor told Just Out. “This project has attracted a lot of marginalized kids who don’t know where they fit in.” The students are working under a visiting artist, Indigo, who teaches all-ages classes. Her instructive strategy is distinctly hands-off. “It’s got to kx>k like it was done by kids. I think of myself as the eixirdinator, and I help the kids when they hit a creative or mental roadblock,” she says. Students who have never before tried their hands in glass are now snipping and positioning elegant Italian tiles into symbols to support the Ashleigh Flynn (left) opens for Chris Pureka on May 21 at Mississippi Pizza Pub. mural’s concept. “I’m working on the happy and sad drama but the crowd comes in shawls and black dress During rehearsals, the theater received a masks so people can be themselves,” said Brigit es, ” says Leeds. phone call lambasting the “Jew guilty homosex Epton, a sophomore GSA member. She and Plumb Bob is secondarily a tribute band, but ual Terrence McNally.” The caller threatened to project partner Amber Christensen have never its first album of original tunes will be released “exterminate every member of the theater and made mosaics before, but Epton has let a cre this summer. The band’s predecessors, The Tree bum the place to the ground.” Out of concern ative streak guide her. Frogs, are planning a reunion at the Portland for the actors and the audience, the theater’s “You just go with your imagination in put Rose Festival. board of directors canceled rhe production. ting it together," she says. Cover is $6. For more information call But their action caused a new ruckus. The mosaic will cover a large earthquake 503-312-2882. Several organizations, including People for the stabilization wall at Madison. Students are also —JRC American Way, condemned the board, and a
