page 3
just out
by Marty Davis
J
Road Map to Equality
NEWSMAGAZINE
VOL. 23 NO. 5
JANUARY 6, 2006
As a movement, do we know where we're going?
elcome to 2006, to the start of yet another new year. As individ­
W
energy toward helping us all achieve desired goals.
uals, we often set aside this time for moments of reflection,
In 2006, marriage equality activism in our state, like the Portland Trail Blazers,
analysis and emotional inventory—accompanied, of course, by
will focus on “rebuilding.” Now we seriously look at where we are, the “oops” of
goal-setting and resolutions. We question, we ponder: “How
how we got here and the question of where we head next. The Trail Blazers are
exactly is it that I’m here, in this place, doing this? Where would
focusing on building a winning team of tomorrow with youthful players of today.
1 rather be, and how do I get there?” A new year brings the unfolding
and
Are
we? reading
Do we have the next wave of leaders in place and in training?
of the maps of our lives. How about you? Are you where you thought you’d be by
As an election year, 2006 brings the opportunity to clear out the deadwood in
FEATURE
now? Are you slightly off track? Are you, perhaps, flat-out lost?
20 THE COWBOY WAY
Salem. While we ll work hard to elect progressive leaders, we also have to identi­
As a community, this is also the time for us to look about and take stock. As a
fy, groom and elect gay, lesbian, bi and trans officeholders at all levels of state and
movement, as an entity, where are we in the struggle for complete civil rights?
local government. We are lacking in elected representation. Who do we put in
Just in time for Brokeback Mountain, gay rixleo
enthusiasts wrangle new members in the Pacific
Again, are we where we should be? Do we know where we’d like to be? Do we have
place politically to help with the leading of the next charge?
Northwest
a map, a plan to follow, to help get to that place?
Perhaps 2006 will be the year that we work within our community to foster and
NEWS
Locally and statewide, we have organizations that work hard at meeting the
promote better understanding of each other. For instance, I am frequently taken
unique needs of those they strive to serve. These groups work to keep us steady
to task for not better showcasing the roles of bisexuals in our community. I’m
and on track. Our community is fortunate to have Basic Rights Oregon, Q Center,
•always left to respond with questions of my own. Who do I profile? What group or
Equity Foundation, the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center, Cascade AIDS
organization do we feature? Who steps up to carry the mande of bisexual identity?
CAP partners with statewide AIDS organizations;
Newsom protested at fund-raiser; barbecue keeps on
Project, Senior Housing and Retirement Enterprises, Pride Northwest, the Portland
Who is there to provide visibility for bisexual leadership or activism? To those who
bumin’; Shields takes new job; John Garlington
Area Business Association, Brother to Brother, Love Makes a Family, the Lesbian
identify as bisexual, 1 ask: “What is your expectation of your place within the sex­
leaves Cascade AIDS Project; Q (inter seeks
Community Project, the Human Rights Campaign, the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
ual minorities community? What is your role? What is your contribution?”
coordinator; what’s up at SHARE
8-15 NORTHWEST
Conference on same-sex domestic violence convened;
and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. This listing reflects groups
Who and where is the voice and leadership of the trans community? For many
with political or social activism skills. Other groups focusing on recreation, sports
years you were represented by strong voices, voices filled with strident anger and
and the like also compose the fabric of our community. Some groups are stronger
urgency and frustration. Now these voices have seemingly gone quiet. Who speaks
Young soldier to leave Army after anti-gay attacks;
federal discrimination lawsuit filed on behalf of
than others; some seem to struggle perpetually with achieving membership goals.
next for the trans community? How do we help you strengthen yourselves in 2006?
former Penn State basketball star Jennifer Harris;
A few might have simply been outgrown by a movement leaving adolescence and
In some ways it seems that trans acceptance and understanding in the greater
inching toward adulthood. How many times can we write that LCP continues to
community has reached the point where it now exceeds the knowledge and under­
struggle with membership and continuity? Has the evolution of our progress
standing of bisexual identification. Positive growth?
brought an end to this once-needed service organization? Are lesbians now being
If 2006 appears to start with a stepped-down external agenda, I remain most
better served by the likes of Cruise Control PDX and Girls on Gay and business own­
confident that our time can be well spent on serving our internal community needs.
ers like Aysha Ghazoul of Zaytoon and Tiffany Miller of Dingo’s?
To be strong outwardly, we must remain strong and viable inwardly.
A healthy community—like a healthy individual—matures, grows, creates,
understands and accepts change. Change often means letting go.
2006 will see change in the programs, services and directions that our com­
munity leaders present to us. Those who work as leaders and those who serve as
Park. The popular third-Monday skates will continue—effective this month.
and leadership. Folks with visible contributions of time, energy, leadership, mon­
plete aerobic workout and involves all of the body’s muscles, especially the heart.
ey and activist support include Roey Thorpe, Susan Remmers, Nicole Browning,
(For additional activities in which to involve your heart, please visit www.justoutper-
Sam Adams, David Martinez, Terry Bean, Bill Dickey, Ashleigh Flynn, Patricia
sonals.com.) Skating will put a smile on your face and a song in your soul. In this
Keeney, Jonathan Weedman. Bonnie Tinker, Linda Traeger, Gwenn Baldwin, David
case, the song will be a snappy tune from the ’60s, 70s or ’80s. Yeah, Abba!
Wilson, Tim Healea, Kevin Cook, Darryl! Mooch, CM Hall, Bob Mensel, R E. Szego,
Please join us from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 16 at 1 S.E. Spokane St. Admission is only
$5, and that includes roller skates or roller blades. See you there! ©
just out
• The National Board of Tourism in the Netherlands took out
a full-page, glossy ad on the back cover of Our World,
a Florida-based gay and lesbian travel magazine. This is
likely a first for the gay press.
• MTV banned Madonna's new "Justify My Love” video,
which reportedly includes bisexuality, cross-dressing and
mild sadomasochism. Madonna responded, "Why is it that
people are willing to go to a movie and watch someone get blown to bits
for no reason and nobody wants to see two girls kissing or two men
snuggling?"
• A district court judge in Austin overturned Texas' "Homosexual
Conduct" law Dec. 10, saying it denied gays and lesbians constitutional
protections of privacy, due process and equal protection under the law.
Seven other states specifically criminalize gay sex, and another 17 outlaw
oral, anal and certain other sex acts by anyone.
U.K. gays tie the knot; Czech lower house passes
partnership bill; latvia bans same-sex marriage;
Polish parade ban was illegal; Chinese police shut
marriage ban rejected; Jamaican AIDS activist
murdered, Nigerian sodomy suspects freed
T
The Seinfeld reruns will still be there when you get home. Skating provides a com­
• Celebrate Motherlode's 10th anniversary, album release
concert and pie social. The concert recognizes the release of
its third album, Heartline. A memorabilia party and pie social
will follow the concert. You can bake, buy or bring a pie.
18-19 WORLD
down gay festival; four guilty in krndon killing; N.Z.
have organizations, we are equally served by the individuals who provide structure
15 Years Ago in Just Out...
volume 8 number 3, december 1, 1991
settlement
-announce that Just Out has taken over sponsorship of Gay Skate Night at Oaks
Why skate, you ask? Well, it’s fun, it’s great exercise, and it gets you off the couch.
reflections
Indianapolis council approves gay rights law;
Pentagon spied on U.S. gay groups; queer legal group
opposes Alito nomination; bullied teen gets $44()K
aking the subject of strength and health in a different direction, I’m pleased to
activists and volunteers will be faced with new challenges. As we are fortunate to
Christa Orth, Juan Martinez and many others who selflessly donate their time and
16-17 NATIONAL
A
wonderful
winter of
words
ARTS AND CULTURE
• Gays and lesbians of the world, welcome
to the United States of America. President
Bush signed a bill Nov. 29 recently passed
by Congress lifting a 38-year-old ban on
homosexual tourists and immigrants.
• The first-ever Harvey Awards Dinner,
organized by After 8, an organization in
Corvallis, was held Nov. 17. The evening
was an acknowledgment of the efforts of
those who joined together after Measure 8
to enhance the visibility of the gay and
lesbian movement. The event was also a
tribute to Cathy Siemens and Billy Russo,
who are living Harvey Milk's legacy.
• About 50 AIDS activists blocked traffic for
a half-hour on the Burnside Bridge during rush hour Dec. 3, National AIDS
Awareness Day. The demonstration was staged to draw attention to the
fact that 1,000 Oregonians have been diagnosed with AIDS, while AIDS
prevention, education and treatment services remain grossly underfunded.
35 MUSIC
Dyke favorites return to the recording studio
36-37 FILM
Survivors fondly revisit Gay Sex in the 70s, queer
rappers Pick Up the Mie, the producers of The
Producers wisely opt to “Keep It Gay”
40-41 TELEVISION
Mystery, sex, magic and murder
43 BOOKS
Biographies follow lives of Hollywood gays
COLUMNS
33 MS. BEHAVIOR
Energizer Bunny
34 OUT GOING
Ho Ho Ho Mos
38 EPIQUEEREAN
Something New to Chew
39 GET DIRTY WITH DAN
• Dignity Portland, the organization for gay and lesbian Roman Catholics
and their friends, invites all gay and lesbian community organizations to
send two representatives to their annual community dinner. This is
Dignity's gift to the community and is always a popular event.
Moving Blues (And Grays and Greens)
44 JIM'S CLOSET
The Sundance Kid
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