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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2005)
june 3.2005 » Kevin Cook, in reac tion to her award for Spirit of Pride. “If you Jo nice things and you’re a nice per son...it’s the right tiling. The “right thing” in 2004-2005 has Been Poison’s involve ment with Camp Starlight, which provides children whose lives have been affected by HIV/A1DS the opportu nity to enjoy a caring, sate, recreational, spiritu al and fun camping experience. Camp Starlight is a program of Cascade AIDS Project. Poison has ratcheted up her involvement with CAP by joining the board of directors this year. She says: “Sometimes CAP is perceived as corporate, all business and money. I get to be the average Joe on the street, speaking for the people on the board. I’m pretty proud of this. CAP is so big, it’s going to benefit greatly from having average Joe’s opinion.” Poison also notes that her past program work with Camp Starlight puts her in a unique position of being a board member with hands- on experience with the client base at CAP. “Portland is such a gay city,” Poison says when asked what is special about Pride celebf^- tions. “I hope each year that the celebration can grow bigger and that it can shine a positive light on our cause to the community at large. “There are so many opportunities to get involved in the community. I think that to keep Pride alive all year round, people really need to volunteer more of their time to the community. People don’t rake advantage of the great opportu nities here!” The new queer community center is of special interest to Poison, who will be hosting the silent auction portion of a fund raiser during Pride Weekend. “People don’t understand that this is actually going to happen. People have been working tor years on it, and now they are even looking at property!” A self-described “go-getter” and “self-moti vator,” Portland is lucky to have Poison. Comimity ;Acluoczfc The Vera Peacock in the Park Champion of Pride Award Is Given to Katz and Vera Katz has a long and resolute history of supporting the gay community of Oregon, beginning in 1973 when she and Steve Kafoury sponsored the first gay rights bill in the Oregon Legislature. The bill ultimately failed, and was the first of 11 to fail, but this persistence paved the way for greater acceptance in the Legislature for civil rights legislation. Katz and Kafoury were part of a handful of political and public figures who dared to support gay rights in the early ’70s. They were joined in this fight by Frank Roberts, Stevie Remington, cur rent Gov. Ted Kulongoski and later Gretchen Kafoury. < Oregon Democrats including Kat: and for mer Gov. Barbara Roberts were leaders in the winning of other victories, including the state’; hate crimes law, support for the Multnomah County domestic partnership registry, forbid ding Portland city contractors to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and benefits tor domestic partners. The city of Portland offers protection from discrimination to gays and lesbians as well as transsexuals and cross dressers. Katz sees this support as coming with the job. “I always felt that my job as an elected offi cial as well as a citizen of this community was to give back—to educate others to be success ful," says Katz. “To talk to individuals or groups that wanted to know how to get their work done and to use the position of power to make things happen. “There was a core group in the Legislature that really worked together on a lot of issues, including gay rights issues,” says Katz, “but with out the Portland Town Gouncil and without the visibility of an organized effort, it would have been very difficult.” Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams says: “I don’t know of any political leader in Oregon or Portland who has done more for the LGBTQ community than Vera just out 35 Katz—Ixith in the state Legislature and as mavor—in her policy-making life and personal lite.” The 18th and final Peacock in the Park was held June 27, 2004. Pink Martini and Michael Allen Harrison were the featured performers. With rhe help and the generous support of sponsors, scholarship grants totaling $20,000 were awarded at Peacock in the Park 2004, bringing the organization’s total grant amount to $138,000 since 1987. The Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund gives grants to gav, lesbian, bisexual and trans people and their children to assist in their pursuit of post secondary education. Since 1987, this yearly extravaganza has been a tribute to rhe late Lady Elaine Peacock and constituted rhe largest fund-raiser for rhe scholarship fund. However, Peacock Productions decided that the event was no longer raising enough money to make it worth while. In addition, the event had outgrown its space in the amphitheater at Washington Park, and organizers were unwilling to move it to a different venue. So the group decided to make Peacock in rhe Park 2004 the finale for the well-loved summer spectacular. While Peacock in the Park is now a thing of rhe past, Peacock Productions has every inten tion of continuing the scholarship fund for many years to come. The Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund was established in 1987 by her children, Wixxly Johnson, aka Lady Elaine Peacock, and Misty Waters. Applicants must be pursuing their edu cation through the post-secondary level and require financial assistance to that end. jM gayandlesbianweddingbands.com Sterling silver and 14 karat gold rings created by a lesbian-owned art jewelry company. Custom work, all gold, and platinum available. Visit us online or write to us at info@gayandlesbianweddingbands.com PRIDE MONTH The City of Portland joins you in celebrating Pride Month. By honoring all of our citizens, we weave a community fabric built on understanding, caring, and respect. \)our commitment to each other is our commitment to you. Portland Pride 2005! June 18-19 © Tom McCall Waterfront Park t
