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by Marty Davis
J
Northern Exposure
VOL. 23 NO. 7
Washington deserves credit for progressive civil rights and health policies
: t’s official. The score now stands at Washington 2, Oregon 0. With the
recent passage of nondiscrimination legislation in Washington,
combined with earlier enactment of one of the nation’s strictest anti­
smoking polices, our neighbor to the north has soared ahead of Oregon
in setting the benchmark for progressive civil rights and health policies.
1 was able to appreciate both happenings on a visit to Vancouver’s
Northbank Tavern for a celebration Jan. 27, when the state Senate set into
motion actions making it illegal to discriminate against gays and lesbians in
areas of jobs, housing and public accommodations. Walking into the
Northbank, I was greeted by a strong smell of deep fat fryer grease. I quickly
realized that this was one of the few times I’d ever walked into a bar and
smelled anything besides decades-old cigarette smoke. And with this knowl­
edge comes a sense of opportunity.
The Northbank promotes itself as a gay bar. It’s located smack dab in
downtown Vancouver, mere miles from the Portland metro area. Portlanders
are often heard calling and requesting bar owners to provide smoke-free
environments and venues. Guess what? Such a place exists. The Northbank
hosts all the amenities of a neighborhixxl tavern, including karaoke and sound
equipment for your favorite DJ. Until Oregonians get on the ball and make it
safe for everyone to go out for an evening without forced exposure to deadly
and disgusting secondhand smoke, let’s take advantage of an opportunity that
exists now. Portlanders, welcome to your new nonsmoking bar.
Actually, if you take into account professional sports, Washington scores
even higher yet than Oregon. Its Seattle Seahawks are headed off to the grand
prize Super Bowl, whereas Oregon has the Portland Trail Blazers, a team
struggling with dismal losses and plummeting attendance and ticket sales.
With these two factors well-publicized, I’ll admit to a bit of cynicism when 1
heard that the Blazers were interested in sponsoring a “FanOut” night for gay,
lesbian, bi and trans people tex attend a specially marketed game. Have the
Blazers hit the bottom of the old marketing barrel, or could this be a sincere
effort to reach out and create bonds with a new segment of the community?
While I’m quick to thank and encourage support from our friends and allies
in the business community, I’m also occasionally put off by Johnny-come-
latelies knocking on the door of a now nationally recognized and growing
niche market: the gay and lesbian consumer.
A phone call to the Blazers front office revealed that the organization has
an equal employment opportunity clause that prohibits discrimination based
on sexual orientation. So, what the heck, let’s give them a shot. All relation­
ships start with a “first date,” then flourish or flounder from that point on. 1 bet
that if we show up in force, the Blazers will be more responsive to building
further ties to our community. A lot of kids from the Sexual Minority Youth
Resource Center and Outside In might enjoy donated tickets to an undersold
game. Also, with Portland building a new gay and lesbian community center,
NEWSMAGAZINE
donations of used sports equipment from our new partner could go far in show­
ing that the Trail Blazers view us as more than a one-night stand. For further
information on the game and to purchase tickets, visit www.pridenw.org.
oes anyone besides me find a certain irony in the fact that Basic Rights
Oregon, the state’s most prominent civil rights organization, is auctioning
off people during Black History Month? With all the rain, 1 guess I’m watch­
ing too much History Channel programming.
While still watching television, 1 was not impressed with a recent episode
of everyone’s favorite, The L Word. The drama featured a less-than-flattering
sexually charged characterization of a U.S. senator. It seemed clear that the
character was meant to represent Hillary Clinton, but what was the point of
this negative portrayal? Is this how we show support for past and potential
political allies—by taking cheap shots? Who’s writing this show, Dick
Cheney's staff?
D
FEBRUARY 3, 2006
ON THE COVER
Our “Sex Issue” cover
girl is the infamous
Linah Cocaine of
Sissyboy. In the drag
troupe’s next show,
“Sissyboy 9 to 5,” Linah
and Precious are living
the high life running a
cutting-edge fashion
magazine...until love
enters the picture, and
everything goes to hell in a Prada handbag.
Check it out 11 p.m. Feb. 15 at Holocene,
1001 S.E. Morrison St. Admission is $5.
FEATURE
20 THE SEX ISSUE
24 hours on Gay.com; sexual addiction; lesbian
sex books
NEWS
ayor Tom Potter has presented his plan to provide funding for local
schools via a new income tax on Portland citizens. With his proposal
8-15 NORTHWEST
comes both support and grumbling. The grumbling comes from many direc­ Diane Linn interviewed; Q Center rollout
announced; Illuminations Project gets big grant;
tions, but I’ve heard more than once the complaint that those who don’t have
join Equity for annual fete; Gay into Straight
kids, including many gay and lesbian households, shouldn’t have to pay this
America sends word
additional tax. I disagree. The fact that you’re reading this column right now
16-17 NATIONAL
places you with two obligations. First, thank the teacher who taught you, and
Sharpton asks churches to help end “poisoned
second, thank those who paid for your own education. If you can’t view the
atmosphere”; Virginia marriage amendment
tax as a means of paying it forward, then you should look at it as a means of
moves forward; Maryland politics shaken up by
marriage ruling; gay families to take part in
paying it back.
White House Easter egg roll; Maryland
governor proposes expanding partner rights;
udos to Just Out staff members Sarah Dougher and Jaymee R. Cuti for their
Colorado groups approve marriage amendment
excellent in-depth interview with Multnomah County Chair Diane Linn.
language; “gay panic” defense limited; national
Highlights of the conversation are printed in this issue, with the interview in
conference on aging to feature sessions on queer
older adults
its entirety available at www.justout.com. A visit there will also provide you
M
K
with Web-only articles on the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Samuel
Alito and remembrances of Coretta Scott King.
inally, much attention has been paid of late to the ongoing strife and
dissension between the four female commissioners of Multnomah County.
I wish to add my voice to the growing chorus of those who respectfully ask—
nay, beg—these strong, wonderful women to settle their differences and
resolve to work together to best serve the citizens who elected them to do so.
Individually you are powerful, talented and skilled women, and we’ve seen
what you can accomplish when you work together. We miss our commission­
ers and their once-delightful camaraderie. If it was an apology that started this
rift, then let another end it. ©
F
18-19 WORLD
Australia tries to stop citizens from marrying
overseas; Euro Parliament demands clampdown
on homophobia; South African Human Rights
Commission supports gay bkxxi donors; Nigeria
to ban same-sex marriage; N.Z. gay men banned
from donating sperm; Australian tennis star
comes out
ARTS AND CULTURE
35-37 FILM
Oregon films go to Sundance; Portland
International Film Festival presents
20 Centimeters
38 CULTURE
Esteemed drag
troupe
DK PDX
reflects on its
influence in
queer culture
39 THEATER
Actor seeks
honest stories
that go
beyond simple
terms of gay
and Hispanic
40-41 CULTURE
Just Out presents your guide to queer
Valentine’s Day fun
COLUMNS
33 MS. BEHAVIOR
A Weeping, Snotty Mess
34 OUT GOING
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
42 EPIQUEEREAN
Will Eat for Love
"Those were the days, my friend. We thought they’d never end ..."
43 JIM'S CLOSET
Ring Leader