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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2006)
▼ page 3 iustout by Marty Davis J Take Care NEWSMAGAZINE VOL. 23 NO. 9 MARCH 3, 2006 Judith Rizzio steps down from Our House of Portland riends and supporters of Our House of Portland’s Judith Rizzio were no doubt dismayed to read in the Feb. 17 issue of Just Out that the powerhouse director of community relations and all-around dynamic diva had left her staff position at the organization. While Just Out did err in stating that Judith has left the building already, the undeniable fact remains that she will be leaving as of March 31. With her future plans still unannounced, it can nonetheless be said with heartfelt certainty that few people will ever affect the AIDS care and provider community quite like Judith Rizzio. And- if she’ll hold still in one place long enough for us to sit down and talk, we’ll share her memories of the past and hopes for the future in an upcoming issue of Just Out. Until that time, I’ll join the chorus of those saying thanks for the years of hard work, Judith. You mean so much to a great many people. Thank you, thank you, thank you. • ebruary might be the shortest month of the year, but it certainly kept to a fast pace in the activities and events held throughout. February brought us the opening of the attractive and friendly new Scandals and the energetic final performance of popular drag king troupe DK PDX. Successful and innovative fund-raisers were held by Basic Rights Oregon, Equity Foundation and Our House. On Feb. 20 this publisher, and new skate promoter, was stunned to see more than 350j?eople enthusiastically turn out for Gay Skate Night. This was an increase of 200 skaters from the previous thought-to-be-a-record atten dance in January. Wow! The next monthly event is scheduled for March 20 and promises to be even more exciting than February. Taking to the floor will be the trained, tuned, toned and skilled athletes of the Rose City Softball Association. Well, something like that, anyway. There will be a lot of softball players in attendance. This is the night for you to come and see what the league has planned for the 2006 season. If you’re looking for a softball team, there’ll be a team there looking for you. Also, we’re making it “jock night,” so show up in your butchest, cutest, sportiest outfit, and let’s seriously put the “gay” in Gay Skate. I promise prizes for creativity, effort and blatant bribery. Please continue to bring along canned and nonperishable food items for Esther’s Pantry. Your donations make the night benefit those who aren’t able to attend. F ne of my favorite things about living in Portland is the accessibility to our elected officials and those folks aspiring for office. Now, granted, I’ve not O reflections lived anywhere else but Portland since coming of voting age, so my observations aren’t based on comparison but rather my own experiences. Those experiences lead me to conclude that Portland’s political climate is one that expects and demands accountability, visibility and exposure to those choosing careers in public service. I also think this opportunity for accessibil ity demands utilization—especially in situations where an elective race requires thorough research and studious preparation from those striving to be educated voters. One such race facing voters in the May primary is the contest for Multnomah County chair, an office held by Diane Linn. Challenging her for the position is Ted Wheeler. Both candidates will be appearing at the March 8 monthly luncheon of the Portland Area Business Association. PABA is a business networking organization geared toward advancing gay, lesbian, bi and trans people involved in a wide variety of endeavors. The race for Multnomah County chair appears destined to become contentious, and same-sex marriage will play subtle and not-so-subtle roles in determining the winner. Your attendance at the PABA event will help cement the strength of the role of our community’s voting power and allow you the opportunity to evaluate for yourself the candidates for this race. Everyone and their mother, including this very paper, will ultimately offer you endorsements as to how you should vote. Your best bet is to show up, pay attention, ask questions and arrive at your own conclusions. And if you can’t make the PABA luncheon, these two candidates will be facing off continually across the county between now and May. Become involved in the process; seek out the information you feel that you need to become an informed voter. For more information on PABA, please visit www.paba.com. This luncheon does require advance registration, and seats will fill up quickly. ur Feb. 17 cover story, “Taking Care of Business: A Glimpse into Portland’s Thriving Queer Sex Industry,” caught more than a few off-guard. In presenting a side of our community not looked upon with favor by many, we tweaked the comfort level of some readers. For this, I offer no apology. The simple fact is that each and every one of the stories told belongs to a real, live person. And if this person “isn’t who I am,” then look about you, be thankful for what you have and where you are, and respect that not everyone has had the same opportunities, made the same choices or chosen to be the same as you. All stories deserve to be told, even the ones that aren’t about you. As we demand tolerance from the outside, let’s live it also from within. O • Fireman's Fund Insurance Company of Washington, D.C., one of America's oldest business firms, has become the first insurance company in the nation to file a homeowner's policy change that recognizes domestic partners. • Members of th’e radical AIDS direct-action group ACT UP disrupted the evening national news on CBS and PBS Jan. 23 as part of a "Day of Desperation" that saw the group stage numerous actions across New York City. Three activists jumped onto the set of CBS Evening News with Dan Rather just as he began his broadcast. Athletes from Team Oregon prepare to wow the crowds at the Gay Games in Chicago and the Outgames in Montreal NEWS 8-14 NORTHWEST Business Watch: pride gear and a welcoming suburban salon; AIDS reporting policy change; governor creates Equality Task Force; foundation funds female artists; union endorses Ted Wheeler; Gender Studies Symposium; Gov. Kulongoski misses Democratic endorsement; community unites after hate crime; Jewish library named for gay congregant; Ladies Rock Camp; county observes LGBT Health Awareness Week; Multnomah County Commission candidates interviewed; photos from Investments in Dignity Awards Conference strategizes for reducing HIV drug burden; Subway sued for firing HIV-positive man; gay airline employee denied tickets; judge blasts juvenile detention facility for harassment; ACLU warns school board not to restrict GSAs 18-19 WORLD United Arab Emirates jails gays; Israeli court OKs lesbian adoption; Portuguese Parliament receives gay petition; Irish support same-sex unions; Czech president vetoes partnership bill; religious leaders, mayor oppose Moscow Pride; Finland set to allow lesbian insemination; Kuala Lumpur police raid massage parlors ARTS & CULTURE 35 MUSIC 15 Years Ago in Just Out... volume 8 number 5, march 1991 • • Two credit cards specifically serve the gay community and gay-positive people. The Pride Foundation of Seattle issues a card through Seattle First National Bank. Dallas Gay Credit Union has just come out with its own credit card. 20 GO FOR THE GOLD 15-17 NATIONAL just out • Portland's gay and lesbian community lost a good friend and avid supporter Feb. 9. Brad Roy passed on to a place beyond the pain and suffering he had endured for the past three years. He joined the Portland Gay Men's Chorus in 1981. FEATURE • Longtime Portland gay rights activist Susie Shepherd was honored Jan. 26 in Los Angeles by The Leather Journal as Woman of the Year. • Portland Police Chief Tom Potter was honored for his work with the gay and lesbian community Feb. 7 at Hobo's. The Lesbian Community Project and the Right to Privacy PAC sponsored the reception. This was the first formal acknowledgment from the gay community to honor Potter. Queer vocalists from Erasure, 4 Non Blondes go solo 36-37 FILM American documentarian, French philosopher put sex under the microscope 39-42 BOOKS Lee Lynch returns with a novel eight years in the making; resources address the special challenges faced by queers raising kids • Capitol Forum and Willamette GALA invite participation in Oregon Gay Pride Day on April 20 in Salem. There will be a Pride celebration with a rally on the Capitol steps. Meet for fun, crafts, games and music. COLUMNS • The Radical AIDS Truth Squad has been busy communicating with and educating U.S. Rep. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and his staff regarding the serious deficits in federal policy toward the AIDS crisis. RATS has presented his office with a specific set of issues on which he should take action. 38 EPIQUEEREAN 33 MS. BEHAVIOR Beyond Reach 34 OUT GOING Aspects of Love Eat Hellas Good Food 43 JIM'S CLOSET For the Love of Life
