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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2005)
October 21.2005 - JUSt OUt 17 fTTTTTTTTiTlnews Leronda, who used to draw and take pho tographs, says he lost his artistic drive when he relapsed into methamphetamine use two months ago. For now, he doesn’t want a camera for fear of losing it, like his 800 electroclash CDs stolen from shelters and lost while moving around. Leronda wants to find work in the tele marketing or f<x)d service industries. His goals for the future are simple and honest. “I just want my own place and a job and a nice, big dog,” he said. JH sorry, tue don’t do exotics. The following organizations are welcoming to the sexual minorities and homeless community. April says street culture has lost its sense of community. they’ve served me with is tickets,” said April, who is bisexual. She says her alternative appearance is some times to blame for the treatment she gets in public, as is her abrasive demeanor. “People think I’m stupid because of my appearance. I usually get treated automatically like I’m a drug addict,” said April, who served in the Army for four years. “I’m bipolar, so if you catch me on a bad day, I’m not that pleasant to be around.” Drugs have been a part of April’s past, but she says she’s trying to stay clean and better her life. April is staying with friends but has been homeless on and off since she was 16, when she started shooting methamphetamine. She grew up in Montana. “I ran away from home with $2 in my pock et,” she said. When asked why'April explained: “I have no impulse control. I have a mental ill ness. I go wherever my gut takes me.” Her instincts have led April to Heald College, where she plans to study business administration and eventually open her own automotive repair shop. According to April, kxal street culture has let her down and lost its sense of community. “Street culture is horrible,” she said. “I get ripped off. A man spit in my face. When I was here 10 years ago, people kx>ked out for each other.” April finds solace in writing and strolling the downtown streets. “I like to walk a lot. I walk from midnight to i 5 a.m., just to talk to people who most normal ; Blanchett House 340 N.W. Glisan St. people wouldn’t talk to,” she said. 503-226-3911 April observes divides within the queer com Serves homeless men with work based munity between the housed and the homeless. recovery programs. “Everybody’s created equal, whether we’re I Bradley-Angle House gay or not,” she said. “Why do we segregate with 503-232-7812 in ourselves when we’re already segregated?” Boi Toy | www.bradleyangle.org Serves homeless victims of domestic violence. Central City Concern eronda knows more about the fantasies of 232 N.W. Sixth Ave. straight men than their wives. He says pros 503-294-1681 tituting in Portland has kept him in drugs, cash, a car, apartments and a cell phone—at least ■ www.centralcityconcern.org Serves low-income and homeless adults and temporarily. families, including those in recovery. Sometimes Leronda is picked up by the very Join same men who gay-bash him in public. “There are lots of psychos out there, but i 3338 S.E. 17th Ave. 503-232-7052 there are some people who are really crxil and www.joinpdx.com become my sugar daddies,” said Leronda. He Serves adults and families who are homeless. describes most of his clients as “dirty old men New Avenues for Youth who want some little boy to be their toy.” 1220 S.W. Columbia Blvd. Leronda, 24, came to Portland when he 503-224-4339, ext. 203 was 16 to flee his strict Russian family from www.newavenues.org Woodbum. “My whole family drxrsn’t like me because I Serves homeless youth. I’m gay, but I’m the only one out of them that Northwest Pilot Project doesn’t have a [criminal] record,” said Leronda. j 1430 S.W. Broadway Of seven sisters and five brothers, he is accepted i 503-227-5605 Serves low-income and homeless seniors. by only two of them. Leronda turned to prostitution after a one- j Outside In night stint as a stripper. He has stayed in shel- i 1132 S.W. 13th Ave. ters and slept in Washington Park last summer. 503-535-3801 He is living with friends while waiting for an www.outsidein.org apartment promised by a sugar daddy. Serves homeless youth. L p:ear 801 S.W. Alder 503-228-6677 www.pearmentor.org Offers art programs and mentoring for homeless youth. ♦ /tose Gifu VETERINARY IIOSITI \l ♦ CRAIG QUIRK OVM STEPHEN KOCHIS OVM 809 SE Powell Blvd (near the Ross Island Bridge) 232-3105 LAURELHURST DENTISTRY C larice J ohnston & dm d . ASSOCIATES Sisters of the Road Cafe 133 N.W. Sixth Ave. 503-222-5694 sistersoftheroadcafe.org Serves meals and provides assistance to the homeless. Street Roots • Treatment explained and discussed • Teeth whitening • New patients welcome 211 N.W. Davis St. 503-228-5657 www.streetroots.org Nonprofit newspaper advocating for the homeless. Trans/ldentity Resource Centre 1030 S.W. 13th Ave. 503535-3895 www. outsidein. org Offers programs for homeless and queer communities. Leronda is transitioning out of homelessness by accepting gifts from sugar daddies. 503/233-3622 2520 East Burnside ®
