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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2005)
20 JliSt «Mit ’ ¡une 17.2ÛD5_______ .’l.'ISTÍWminews Madame bouffant E rik S ten C omes O ut Opening June 3 {grand opening party june 16} • custom & ready to wear wigs • hair & fashion accessories • fancy things • makeup 1 1 30 sw alder 0 503.219.wigs www.madame-bouffant.com WELLS FARGO The Next Stage® Over the last 20 years, Wells Fargo has donated more than 13 million dollars to GLBT charities; developed a network of GLBT Wells Fargo Team Member Resource Groups to promote an inclusive working environment; and has worked with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to increase opportunities for GLBT-owned businesses. Wherever it is you want to go, Wells Fargo is committed to helping you reach your Next Stage of financial success. © 2005 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. wellsfargo.com/glbt City commissioner stands boldly for queer civil rights by Jaymee R. Cuti end chronic homelessness in Portland. n a city whose leadership consists of an openly gay commissioner, a mayor who According to Kathy Oliver, executive direc first marched in the Pride Parade in uni tor of Outside In, a homeless youth clinic and form as the police chief, a governor who program, approximately 30 percent of homeless introduced a civil unions bill and county youth identify as queer. commissioners who granted marriage equality Sten makes a connection between oppres to gays and lesbians, it’s difficult to stand apart sion of sexual minorities and homelessness. as the exemplar for civil rights. “An inability for certain parts of our com Somewhere between a young idealist and a munity to accept lesbian and gay teen-agers is a seasoned veteran lies Erik Sten. Elected in direct cause of homelessness. Teen-agers find 1996, serving his ninth year as Portland city themselves in situations where they have to commissioner, he is the senior member of the leave and have nowhere to go,” said Sten. council. At 37, he is also the youngest. He believes the creation of a queer commu “I’m having an identity crisis,” said Sten. nity center will have a positive effect on queer “1 don’t know if 1 can be a youthful voice of youth, as well. experience.” “The community center could have lots of Though he has aligned himself with numer benefits—one by giving gay and lesbian teen-agers ous progressive causes through the years, some an easier path to meeting role models,” he said. have questioned Sten’s commitment to issues Development of the Q Center has taken off affecting sexual minorities. recently, with Commissioner Sam Adams at the Couched in admiration for other projects, helm. He says Sten has been an ally for that representatives for Basic Rights Oregon said project and many issues affecting queers. they would like the commissioner to step up his “Erik is a strong supporter of the LGBT support. community,” said Adams. “This is not just a job “Commissioner Sten has never done any for him, it’s a passion.” thing to disappoint Basic Rights Oregon, and When Sten is not at the forefront of queer civil we have no reason to doubt his commitment to rights, he’s a supporter. He arrived at the Mult our issues,” spokeswoman Rebekah Kassell said. nomah Building within hours of waking when gay and lesbian cou ples were lined up to marry in March 2004. “I wanted to congratulate peo ple and feel the love in the air,” he said. “I also wanted to show political solidari ty and lend what ever help my presence in office delivers.” Despite the Oregon Supreme Court’s decision to overturn same- sex marriage, Commissioner Erik Sten, flashing his trademark grin, glams it up at City Hall. Sten shows un “At the same time, in comparison, Commis wavering support for the county commissioners sioner Sten has not in recent years risen to the who gave gays and lesbians a glimpse at full same level of leadership as other city commis equality. sioners on issues of equality and fairness for “It was a terrific thing they did, and I stand GLBT Oregonians who regularly contribute, by it without reservation,” he said. speak publicly about these issues and attend our The commissioner is hesitant to endorse Sen events. But, we have nothing but respect for ate Bill 1000 but concedes that civil unions will Commissioner Sten and his work for the city lead to marriage equality, which he believes in. and would welcome him as a more actively “It makes sense to support civil unions as a engaged ally.” next step, but I’m for gay marriage,” he said. Sten rose to that challenge with an unequiv Sten recognizes that the city council is sore ocal voice of commitment. ly lacking in diversity, with Adams’ sexuality “I’ve missed a lot of banquets, but I’ve never lending the only tinge of minority status to the once missed a vote or turned down the chance all-white-male panel. to say what needs to be said,” said Sten. “There’s no substitute for having women and In the past, Sten has supported Multnomah minorities on the council with the subtle but County’s domestic partnership registry; co different points of view, but Sam brings intangi sponsored the Equal Benefits Ordinance, ensur ble depth and perception on gay and lesbian ing that Portland only contract with companies issues that the other four of us can’t, because he that protect sexual minorities in their non lives the issues,” said Sten. discrimination policies; and funded the startup Buzz about a mayoral run has followed Sten study for the queer community center through since last November’s election. Instead of run the housing bureau. ning, he and his wife had their first child. Sten “It’s not a cause for me so much as a funda is eyeing the mayor’s seat in the next election. mental issue of basic human dignity,” said Sten. “I’d love to do the job, but I don’t need the Homelessness has recently become a key job to work on the issues I care about," said issue for Sten. He spearheaded a 10-year plan to Sten. “I wouldn’t rule me out, either.” jn I
