______________________________________________________________________________MAY 19, 2006
COMPLETE SPIRITUALITY AND NONMETRO LISTINGS
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.JUSTOUT.COM
professional, in Washington, Oregon and southern British Columbia.
Dinner meetings in Portland area. (503-701-7922. casflyers@yahoo com.
www.geocities.com/casflyers.)
A Common Bond is a social support network for former or questioning
Jehovah's Witnesses who are queer. (acbportland@webtvnet.)
Coqsure is a social group for people who were assigned a female sex at
birth but identify otherwise (female-to-male, genderqueer, drag king,
etc.). First Sunday meetings are open to partners and families of any
configuration. (503-471-1515. groups.yahoo.com/group/coqsure)
50+ lesbian social group for women meets on the third Saturday of the
month. (4-7 pm. 503-642-3360 or 503 286-3575.)
FTM Pacific NW OR b WA is a social and discussion group for female
to-male trans men. (groups.yahoo.com/group/FTM PacificNW.)
Funny Ladies, a social group for nice lesbians 35 and older as well as
their friends and loved ones, holds potlucks on the second Saturday of
each month. (503-639-7488 flataps@yahoo.com.)
Genealogy group forming. Gather with other lesbian researchers to trace
your family tree and tackle "brickwall" female ancestors.
(famhistnw@aol.com.)
Women of the Rivers, the Portland/Vancouver chapter of the Women on
Wheels Motorcycle Club, meets monthly at Elmer's, sponsors riding
clinics and takes day trips. (7:15 pm second Thursday. 9848 N Whitaker
Road, wwwhevanet.com/chama/wow.)
The Short End
of the Stick
Physical Recreation
Online dating profiles offend
Adventure Group organizes a variety of activities year round, including hik
ing, walking, cross-country and downhill skiing, rafting and mountain bik
ing. (PO Box 2201, Portland, OR 97208-2201 www adventuregroup org )
D ear M s . B ehavior :
Amazon Dragons Paddling Club invites women 16 and older to join
Portland's only out lesbian dragon boat team. Be part of the fun and fit
ness with this dynamic group, (www.amazondragons org.)
The Forest Group outings are cooperative adventures for women.
Participants are responsible for providing their own equipment and choos
ing outings appropnate for their skill and fitness level. All skill levels wel
come. (503-772-1860 imnoregon@comcast.net wwwgeodties.com/
ncc1127/forestpdx.)
Gay Women's Golf
(www. turfgirlz. com.)
Group
welcomes
all
levels
of
players.
1 have used various gay online dating sites, hut my opinion
about them has recently changed. 1 read a profile that stated:
“No Fats, No Fems, No Twinks, No Short Guys.” I have read
similar lines hundreds of times, hut this was the first time 1 read
a profile that automatically rejected me because of my height.
(I’m 5-foot-5.) 1 was really bothered by that.
Then I realized that these statements are generally offen
sive! 1 started reading dozens of similar profiles, offensive in
Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon is the oldest gay, lesbian, bi
and trans social/fund-raising organization in the state of Oregon. Meetings
are the first two Mondays of each month, (www.rosecourt.org.)
Lesbian Equestrian Group gets together for equestrian activities in the
Pacific Northwest. (Denise 503-654-3865
Lynn 503-777-2339
kelrav@rdrop. com.)
almost every category: age, stature, body hair, and, yes, even
Jewish Gay Men's Group—please call for meeting time and place.
(503-246-5939 efraimlevi@aol. com.)
National Gay Basketball League practices at Chief Joseph Elementary
School in preparation to represent Oregon in the 2006 Gay Games.
(7:15-9:30 pm Monday. 2409 N Saratoga St edmundgaines@msn.com
wwwngbaus.)
As members of the GLBT community, we endure so
Keshet is a social connection group for queer Jews and their spouses,
partners, significant others and good friends, whether Jewish or not. It
meets monthly for potluck dinners and special events. (David
503-226-7079, ext. 14. or Mike 503-331-1111.)
Lesbians Enjoying Nature and Science (LENS) is a fun-loving group of
women who enjoy exploring all aspects of the environment. Activities
include bird watching, nature walks, archaeology, camping, kayaking, star
gazing and an occasional 'lecture." No experience necessary. (Laurie
503-977-2903. Iensnews@yahoo.com.)
Lesbian Garden Club is a group of women who love gardens and garden
ing. They exchange plants, seeds, advice and encouragement while hav
ing a good time. Call for a copy of the newsletter and information about
upcoming events. (Linda 503-909-2002.)
Lesbians with Degrees is a social group for intellectual women and
those who want to meet them. (Lani 503-233-3557. Join listserv at
LesbianswDegrees-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.)
•
Lulu's Pervy Playhouse is a social group for self-identifying \Komen who
are into S/M. Play parties are held on the second Saturday of the month.
(503-231-3992 dykedadi@comcast.net. www.luluspervyplayhouse.org.)
Men Over 40 is a small, socially supportive group that meets second and
fourth Thursdays. (503-777-1376.)
Monamorous bi group forming for women in their 40s who are single
and professionally employed, (monogirls06@yahoo.com.)
Night in Black Leather and The Leather Duck Club are the first and third
Friday of each month at Gail’s Dirty Duck Tavern. (9pm-midnight. 439 NW
Third Ave. 503-224-8446 orleatherfrat@yahoo.corp.)
Oregon Men Enjoying Naturism is a social organization for gay male
naturists/nudists. Social gathering second Saturday of every month.
(omenpdx@omenpdx. org www. omenpdx. org.)
PDX FTM is a social group for female-to-male trans men and their sig
nificant others, friends, families and allies, (groups.yahoo.com/
group/PDX FTM.)
PDX Lesbo Nerds invite interesting, intelligent women 35 and older to
socialize while playing board games like Scrabble and Spades.
(games.groups. yahoo com/group/PdxLesboNerds.)
The gay Pinochle Group meets Sundays at Hobo's. Come play cards and
meet the gang. New players always welcome. (6 pm. 120 NW Third Ave.
Mike 503-641-7224.)
Poder Latino is a nonprofit social community voice group for gay, lesbian,
bi and trans people that reaches out to Latinos and Latinas by organizing
events and retreats and advocating HIV prevention. Meets every other
Monday at Outside In. (6:30pm. 1030 SW 13th Ave Hugo 503-997-8615
orAudencio 503-261-5463.)
Portland Bisexual Women is a discussion, social and support group for
bi and questioning women. (503-347-5817. portlandbiwomen@com-
cast.net www.portlandbiwomen freeservers com.)
Portland Leather Alliance is one of the largest pansexual, nonprofit
B/D/S/M, leather and fetish lifestyle organizations in the Northwest.
Regular social and educational opportunities, including KinkFest, Leather
Ball and Fall Vendors Fair, (www.pdxleatheralliance.org.)
Portland Leather Men meet every second Saturday for potluck and social
izing. Meet men into a leather lifestyle and keep abreast of leather happen
ings. No dues, no formal organization, no officers or board, just leather
socialization for the past 21 years. (360-896-6665. plm@direcway.com.)
Portland Lesbian Book Club gathers monthly to chat about a chosen
book or to attend selected events. (6:30 pm third Tuesday
groups, yahoo, com/group/portlandlesbianbookclub.)
Portland Metro Prime Timers is a social group for mature gay men
and those who appreciate them, coming together for social, educa
tional and cultural purposes. (PO Box 5884, Portland, OR 97228.
503-286-4613 or 360-693-5506
pdxprimetimers@yahoo.com
www. geocities com/pdxprimetimers.)
Rainriders Motorcycle Club meets weekly at the Roxy. Ride your bike
or just come meet the group. Everyone welcome (10 am Sunday
1121 SW Stark St. www.pdx-rrmc com.)
Rose City Discussion Club, the largest open pansexual/alternative sexu
ality club in the Northwest is open to all orientations, fetishes and lifestyles
that are safe, sane and consensual. Monthly meetings, workshops and
newsletter (503-972-1869 rcdc@teleport.com wwwrcdc org.)
Soyboys Vegetarian Men's Group is a fun, social gathering for gay
.and bi men who are interested in a healthy vegetarian or vegan
lifestyle. A variety of activities and monthly potlucks on the last
Saturday, (veggieguys@aol.com.)
Just Out is published on the first and third Friday of every month lhe deadline for
submissions is 14 days prior to publication
OirtReach listings of up to 50 words are provided free ol charge to organizations
and groups specifically serving lhe sexual minorities community AH listings are
subject to editing, and inclusion is subject to space limitations, relevance and
receipt try deadline
Listings expire onr • <i year In. July) and submissions run from U h - date received until
JUStpUt 37
the big one...RACE!
much daily discrimination that it’s shocking to see this dis
Ms. Behavior
crimination within ourselves. Do peoples Internet profiles
BY MERYL COHN
Net Rippers is a gay men's indoor soccer team that's just starting up
in Portland, (bendoverbeckham@gmail.com wwwmyspace.com/
netrippers.)
expose the negative side of who they truly are? In a real-
Out Dancing teaches dancing for same-sex couples at Ankeny Street
Studio. Classes for different dance styles start the first Friday of each
month: country, swing, tango, cha-cha, etc. Call for schedule.
(503-236-5129. out dancing@yahoo.com. home att net/-outdancing.)
bought them a drink. Why would people think it is inoffensive to write it?
world situation, no one would dream of saying, “Sorry, NO FATS" if an overweight gentleman
Ms. Behavior, I defer to your knowledge: Is there proper online profile etiquette that you can
recommend?
OutKayaking Portland's gay and lesbian sea kayak group, explores the
lakes, rivers and bays of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.
(www outkayaking. org.)
Pacific Coast Boating Club provides opportunities for gay and lesbian
boaters to come together for fun on local rivers and promotes safe boat
ing. (paccoastboatclub@comcast.net.)
Portland Avalanche rugby team is always seeking new players for
practices Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 17 at East Delta Park
(6:30-8:30
pm
10737
N
Union
Court.
503-715-3122
www.avalancherugby.org.)
Portland Gay b Lesbian Community Bowling Association is in its 28th
season! Meets Sundays at Hollywood Bowl. Drop-ins welcome anytime.
(3:30 pm. 4030 NE Halsey St. Mailing address: PO Box 42034, Portland,
OR 97242 503-722-0438 pdxbowl@comcast.net. wwwpdxbowl.com.)
Whether you're a running novice or a seasoned marathoner, Portland
Frontrunners welcomes gay, lesbian, bi and trans people of all
abilities and interests. (Gary info@portlandfrontrunners.org
www. portlandfrontrunners, org.)
Rosetown Ramblers. Portland's gay and lesbian square dance club,
dances at mainstream and plus levels. (PO Box 5352, Portland, OR
97228-5352. www.rosetownramblers.com.)
Ruby Red Flippers, a group of gay and lesbian scuba divers in the
Portland area, teaches new recruits and takes dives in Tacoma, Hood
Canal and other Pacific Northwest waters, (rubyredflippers@yahoo.com.
www. rubyredflippers org.)
Soccer players capable of participating in 2006 Gay Games July 15-22
in Chicago sought for adult league in Portland. (Carlos 503-282-4907
gay games soccer@myway com.)
Team Oregon, the umbrella sports group coordinating efforts for
Outgames 2006 in Montreal and Gay Games 2006 in Chicago, holds
monthly meetings for those wanting to participate. (503-736-3292
www. teamoregon2006. org.)
Team Tennis meets Sundays at University of Portland. All levels of play
welcome. First time is free, subsequent times are $7. Please join us!
(8am-noon. 503-788-8192. teamportlandtennis@yahoo com.)
YOUTH
Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE) is the only inter
national organization specifically supporting young people with sexual
minority parents. (colage@lmfamily org. wwwcolage org.)
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) strives to
assure that each member of every school community is valued and
respected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression
(12700 SW North Dakota St.. Suite 180 If 129, Tigard, OR 97223.
503-525-1177. glsen@glsenoregonorg wwwglsenoregon org.)
House of MOCHA (Men of Color Healthy b Aware) is a group of
gay/bi/same-gender-loving men of color between 16 and 25 who want to
engage in activities, socials and community events among their peers.
(Kourtni 503-417-7991. www.brotobropdx.org.)
Outside In operates a clinic for anyone who can’t qualify for the Oregon
Health Plan as well as needle exchange services that include those who
inject hormones. Provide transitional housing for youth 20 and younger
and for those HIV-positive and younger than 23. Need volunteers of all
ages. (10 am-6 pm Monday-Friday 1132 SW 13th Ave 503-535-3800
www outsidein. org.)
—E-World Frustrated
D ear E-W orld F rustrated :
Finally, a short man awakens! Maybe if you hadn’t been personally insulted by rhe “No Shorties”
restriction, you’d still be happily answering offensive ads, oblivious to the plight of fatties, twinks
and people who encounter racial biases. That’s how discrimination is kept in place; you don’t mind
until it affects you.
Personal ads are impersonal and dehumanizing; you don’t generally have to face someone and
say, “Sorry, Chubs" or “Bug Off, Gorilla Hands.” Also, in personal ads, people prioritize efficiency
over sensitivity. It might be just as easy to delete a response from someone whose picture shows that
they are “too short” or “too hairy,” but it’s not the culture. Ms. Behavior receives dozens of letters
about this issue; her advice for online profiles is pretty simple: Don’t say anything in an ad that
you’d consider too rude to say directly in a face-to-face meeting.
If you’re placing an ad, specify preferences in a more sensitive way by focusing on desired attrib
utes. For instance, “GSM seeks Tall, Slim, Manly Gladiator for Sex and Love.” Doesn’t that sound
better than “No Fatties, No Nellies, No Dwarves"?
Sometimes a trait is just a trait. If you love red hair or big noses, such preferences appear to be
neutral. But if you love big dicks, are you discriminating against little ones? Maybe so, but little
ones apparently have their fans, too.
Race is trickier. Although some argue that preference for skin color is as benign as a desire for
any particular attribute, we live in a racist culture, which requires more sensitivity. While it’s true
that Caucasian isn’t always the race being sought, some personal ad writers do sound like they’re
building an Aryan army. It’s one thing to target a particular type but still preferable not to sound
like a member of Hitler Youth. On the other hand, if an ad writer reveals himself to be an ignorant
pig, you might be spared from wasting your time.
D ear M s . B ehavior :
My girlfriend and I moved into a nice house on a nice street in a lesbian-friendly town. The
problem is that the houses are close together, and a few times lately we’ve caught the older woman
who lives next door looking in our window (from her window). We’ve begun to pull down the
shades, and we never speak to her when we see her, but we feel like prisoners in our own home.
Is there something we can do about this, other than living in darkness? Should we try talking to her?
—Neighborly Jane
D ear N eighborly J ane :
If you lived in an urban setting, you’d be used to having to make the unfortunate choice
between light and privacy. Keep your blinds open in an apartment building and you’ll witness your
neighbors cooking, exercising, fighting and fellating each other. The down side (for some) is that
they’ll watch you doing the same things.
Pride Project brings together Washington County queer and questioning
youth to plan and attend monthly social events. Also information, referral
and advocacy services in Washington County. (Austin 503-260-5792
austin@prideproject. org.)
hear and deer to watch you, your options are limited. Talking to your neighbor probably won’t prove
Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) offers support, recre
ation, counseling and referral to gay, lesbian, bi and trans kids 23 and
younger Drop-in computer access, pool tables and an informal place to
hang out. Weekly trans, leadership and art support group meetings.
(4-9 pm Wednesday, 4-11 pm Friday 2100 SE Belmont St. 503-872-9664
www.smyrc.org.)
at (perhaps only silhouettes), without completely obscuring your sunlight. A more aggressive tactic
the next scheduled expiration date Listings are automatically deleted upon expiration.
Jo ensure uninterrupted listing, please submit updated information at least a month
prior to th» expiration dale Complete listings are available online al www justout com.
Send listings to Just Out Gitin Calendar), PO Box 14400, Portland. OR 97293 0400
Fax submissions to 503 236 125/ or e mail iiistout justout c om Submissions
cannot he accepted over the phone
Please type your announcements and include full contact information
MERYL C ohn is the author of Do What 1 Say: Ms. Behavior’s Guide to Gay and Lesbian Etiquette.
Small-town life obviously has some privacy snags, too. Short of living in the woods, with only
useful; she’ll deny that she peeps.
One solution might be hanging some sheer curtains, which would give yixir neighbor less to kxik
might be for you and your girlfriend to put on a show for your neighbor, kissing and grinding and expos
ing various body parts, with the hope of frightening her and displacing her from her window perch.
(This, of course, could backfire if yixir neighbor—or other neighbors—happen to enjoy it.) ©
Signed copies are available directly from the author. Send questions or correspondence to msbehavior@aiil.com.