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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2005)
4 7.2005 EpMtoiit not only seen just as that. When I meet new people, I meet them as a very specific gender— female—not as a male who turned female. I face this world and the queer community To the E ditor : under a very specific gender role of being n my eyes, I was not doing something ground female. breaking. 1 was only fulfilling my desire to 1 remember how hard I fought in high make a change in our community. I did not take school, at jobs, with family, all for the sake of into account, nor did 1 imagine, die dissension I respect—for the sake of not being treated as would create being the first transsexual to hold an though I were an outsider. 1 realized that if K urt D. K oester under-21 title in the Portland queer community. that same oppression is found in this commu Portland The conflict that has been stirred due to my nity, 1 obviously have been put here, in this * title started before 1 even won and has become What does it take to get a position, to do something about it—not to do even more translucent as the days continue. something just for me, but to make a differ first aid kit in this town? I constantly have messages on my phone calling ence in this far-reaching community. Also, so To the E ditor : me a hennaphrodite or a man. Also, a new that in the future when another transsexual participated in AIDSWalkO5 Sept. 25. Con development in this malicious cycle of events runs for a title or looks for respect in an gratulations to Cascade AIDS Project on the has led to innumerable posts on the Internet. unyielding position of power or prestige, that success of this year’s walk. I especially appreciated I have been a member of the queer com person may be given the same treatment and the wonderful contribution by the cheerleaders munity for five years. 1 also have been an respect without oppression. Exactly the same from David IDouglas High School and their new active member of the Portland queer commu as a person who is not transsexual. program on educating kids about AIDS and HIV. nity for the same amount of time. The queer Why I am staying in this position is very 1 do have a complaint that 1 would like the community (Portland in general) has been my clear to me. Why others in this community are organizers to hear. As 1 was walking along the family since 1 was 15 years old. It has been my being so hateful and evil is not. Any ideas? south waterfront admiring the maritime muse support both in queer-related issues and in life um ship, I had the misfortune of missing one of overall. I won this title to give something back L ace XIX D evinity O’D ora the mooring cleats that dot the walkway. for all the help 1 have received through the Portland I tripped and got nasty abrasions on my knee. years. The title I hold has made tremendous Continuing rhe walk, 1 was disappointed to find strides for the transsexual populace. In fact, no first aid centers anywhere along the route. 1 have been seen, by some, as a sort of a role Returning to Pioneer Square, 1 was informed he Sept. 16 article “Expert Takes Aim” model and guide to others who are struggling that the only emergency medical technicians on omitted the contact information for with gender identity. duty were unable to even give basic care to my Jawea Mockabee of On Target Fundraising. I do not understand the animosity toward injury. 1 was told to wash it and get something She can be reached by calling 503-349-9301 me for winning this title. Do others not see the myself while my knee was bleeding. or visiting www.ontargetfiindraising.com. difference I have made and am making in the I would like to suggest that, given the great The Sept. 16 article “Jane of Many lives of others in our community? The queer variety of people involved in this and future Trades” erroneously reported that Marie community should be one that is accepting. walks, to consider setting up basic first aid at cer Fleischmann was the recipient of a Pride Are we not the minority in this country? Are tain points along the route. Northwest scholarship. She actually was the we not persecuted enough for being queer? See you next year. 2005 recipient of Pride Foundation’s Scott How, then, is this discord and hatred to one Rodríguez Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender another going to help our struggle to be taken B ob C arlson Queer Leadership Scholarship. seriously as members of society? Portland Just Out regrets the errors. I won this title to show that transsexuals are what is going on here in D.C., as the main stream media are not doing much for coverage. I’m proud to say that independent gay radio media have interviewed me three times and To the E ditor : have been doing a great job of talking to the urt Koester, your big gay “Fruit for Peace,” is protesters and getting their stories out. I’m hop reporting in from Washington, D.C., where ing you folks will do the same. Take care, and I’ll I marched along with another couple of hundred talk to you when 1 get out of the big house. thousand people for peace and to voice our dis The big gay fruit’s report from D.C. K gust with the current administration Sept. 24. Today I’m taking my big gay strawberry sign and shirt and heading to the White House with about another 1,000 people who have requested a meeting with the president. Personally, 1 requested (in advance of today) a meeting with “Dick” (I’m a gay man, so of course I’d rather see “dick”!), and since Dick has a bum leg, 1 said I’d be more than happy to meet with his wife (if she isn’t busy writing more lesbian love stories). The plan is that we will all be refused a meet ing with the president (no duh!), and the unit ed clergy, the veterans for peace, the families of veterans and the rest of us will be having a sit- down in front of the White House and will get arrested. How long we will be in the “big house” is anybody’s guess. I have my doubts that it will get violent because a huge portion of the group marching and protesting today is middle-age all the way up to 80-plus years old. Not exactly a threatening sight. I just wanted to let you know that the gay community is being represented here in Wash ington, D.C., and since Dykes on Bikes, drag queens, bears and leather folks aren’t here, you’re just going to have to settle for the big gay strawberry from Portland. I’m hooking up (no pun intended!) with a group of students from Ithaca, N.Y., for the protest, as we were encour aged to group up for safety reasons. I’m a gradu ate of Cornell University, so when 1 found this group of students and a private citizen of Ithaca, I jumped in with their group. Please, please, please, get the word out about a i 1 corrections T I’mAVAILABLE wnen Careful and energetic handling of all your home financing needs MORTGAGE á Advocates 67(X) SVV 105th Ave.. 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