e 3
just out
by Marty Davis
What a year
J
NEWSMAGAZINE
VOL. 23 NO. 4
DECEMBER 16, 2005
A look back on 2005 and a look ahead to 2006
H
as ever a year come and gone more quickly than 2005? It seems like
motion and publicity. I’m wary of the thin line between "good-natured” humor and
just yesterday that we were reeling in despair from the passage of
that which turns into hateful and hurtful anti-gay rhetoric.
Measure 36, and now -an entire year has come and gone. The year
The movie opens in 1963, as two taciturn individuals struggle with character,
brought even more political upsets and disappointments but also prom
love, relationships and tradition. Were the movie set in a contemporary context, it
ise and hope.
would be about two men on the “down low,” having sex with each other while
2005 started with swearing-in ceremonies for Tom Potter and Sam Adams; now
being unfaithful to their wives. Sounds a little less glamorous that way, doesn’t it?
in office, neither has slowed down for a moment. Their commitment to our com
Nonetheless, the story is compelling, the scenery and cinematography -are beauti
munity is an asset that we should cherish and not ever take for granted. There will
ful, and many moviegoers will likely be moved to tears.
come a time when they will have to say, “No, I can’t be there.” Let’s be gracious
when that time comes.
i
FEATURE
20 YEAR IN REVIEW
A year in civil rights, a year in business and much
more
s 2006 begins, those dreaded new year’s resolutions will begin popping up. You
that will take the faces of the gay rights movement out to the communities of
A
Oregon. BRO and its partners in a coalition of organizations are making contact
people. With most of these resolutions you’re on your own, but Just Out can help
Equal Benefits Ordinance announced; rock camp in
with people who might have previously thought of us only as an unknown foe to be
you meet new people. The solution is simple. Visit www.justoutpersonals.com. Our
feared. Is this the pace that many would have set for the movement? No, but it is
great new online dating service is now up and running. This is the place to post your
likely now the pace, albeit slow, that will take us to the finish line.
profile and check out all the great people in our area. And if you really do want to
trouble; Q Center storytelling event a great success;
Equity Foundation offers seminar on socially
responsible'investing; James West, embattled Spokane
2005 set the direction for Basic Rights Oregon to develop -and design strategy
know them all: lose weight, clean the garage, study Eastern religions, find the
meaning of life, hike those damn Gorge trails and, of course, get out and meet new
2006 does hold promise of being an election year without an anti-gay measure
take on those high-altitude trails, this site is the place to meet your new hiking pals.
on the ballot. I suggest then that we throw our combined energy and support into
Best part yet: It’s all free. Whatever are you waiting for? There’s a new year
backing an initiative to ban smoking in all public and work places in Oregon.
coming—let’s get going.
A similar- law is in effect now in Washington and has been for some time in
California. Oregon is historically the leader in progressive legislation. Why are we
falling behind in this much-needed legislation—legislation that will have an imme
inally, a few thank-yous to end the year. A belated thanks to Jeff Fisher at
F
Logomotives for his help with our new logo design. A great big thank-you goes
NEWS
8-15 NORTHWEST
mayor, ousted; Cascade AIDS Project announces new
leader; PGE and its employees give $1.2 million
away; kids benefit from toy drive; Oregon Bears
gather to learn American Sign Language; historic
women’s land in southern Oregon robbed
16-17 NATIONAL
Loss in New York; lawsuit targets Oklahoma anti-gay
diate positive impact on the health and well-being of countless Oregonians?
out to the many free-lance writers who contribute so much to this paper and who,
Wouldn’t it be great if our gay bars took the lead in going smoke-free, or establish
by way of pay, get little in return. Thanks to the Just Out staff, who do a tremen
adoption law; black ministers object to proposed gay
rights law; Bush supprts Marriage Protection
ing smoke-free nights prior to legislative mandates? Let’s grow together as a com
dous job issue after issue. Thanks to their efforts, you and your community are rep
Amendment author
munity in 2006, not kill ourselves off in smoky bars.
resented by one of the finest papers in the nation serving gay, lesbian, bi and trans
he entertainment story of the year has to be Brokeback Mountain. Opening
T
Same-sex marriage legalized in South Africa; United
ask someone who has recently lived in another city.
Arab Emirates may give arrested gays hormones;
Amnesty International blasts Poland; New Zealand
nationally Dec. 16, the movie has already garnered seven Golden Globe nomi
And, as always, the biggest and final thanks goes to you, our readers, our -adver
nations, including one for Heath Ledger—for best Tommy Lee Jones imperson
tisers, our friends, our community. We send you all our very best wishes for a pros
perous new year. ®
ation? The movie immediately became a boon to the comedy industry, where the
18-19 WORLD
communities. If you think I’m exaggerating or being overly self-promoting, simply
gay theme has become the butt of many jokes and skits. Saturday Night Live pre
sented a predictably raw sketch, and David Letterman made gay cowboys the top
J ust O it ends this year with our quarterly week off. We ’ll he closed the week
ic of a Top 10 List. Jay Leno is simply beside himself with the wealth of material
of Dec. 19, returning Dec. 26. Our next issue will he out Jan. 6; he sure and
now -available, while the movie producers no doubt are jubilant about the free pro
check www.justout.com for bulletins.
may ban same-sex marriage; Switzerland elects gay
House speaker; push to report anti-gay abuses to U.S.
State Department; Belgium’s lower house OKs gay
adoption; Swedish Lutheran ministers rebel; “hate
speech” pastor cleared; Knights of Columbus lose
lesbian case; Australian Capital Territory to recognize
gay couples
ARTS AND CULTURE
39-42 FILM
j Happy Holidays
Brokeback Mountain-, Breakfast on Pluto, gay
filmmaker celebrates life in Transamerica
from the staffat Just Out
And many thanks
for your continued support
during the past 22 years.
45 CULTURE
Wanna ring in 2(X)6 with a midnight smooch? This is
where the out crowd will be partying.
COLUMNS
15 DEAR ETHEL
Behind the Scenes at the Corporate Gym
35 MS. BEHAVIOR
Humor Me
36 EPIQUEEREAN
East Eats West
37 OUT GOING
Alternate Universe
47 JIM'S CLOSET
Look for the next issue on stands Jan. 6!
In tlie Pink