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
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