JUNE 2. 2006
jUStOUt 11
northwest
Continued from Page 9
that provide access to health care, education and
economic safety net programs; and communities
strongly desire the tools and resources to talk
about, respond to and take care of families’ needs
around sexuality and sexual health.
The research and collaboration achieved
through this summit is invaluable for the future of
minority families and communities. Joining in the
celebration of the summit’s published report is one
way to ensure the continued success and tremen
dous efforts of Western States Center.
To attend the fund-raiser, contact Stephanie
Stephens at 503-228-8866, ext. Ill, or stepha-
nies@wscpdx.org by June 7.
E-Room "Mom" Recovering
A longtime bartender known to Egyptian Club
customers as “Mom” suffered a heart attack
May 22. Linda Paul, mother of co-owner Michelle
DeNolt, has worked at the E-Room for eight years.
“I don’t have a lot of energy,” says Paul, “but
I’m doing OK.”
While her doctor said she should not be working
at the club because of the smoke, Paul, who “quit
smoking real quick,” says she hopes Oregon goes
nonsmoking soon. Co-owner Kim Davis says Paul is
persistent about going back to working the door.
“I have to do something. Maybe I’ll wear a gas
mask,” Paul says with a laugh.
Just Out wishes “Mom” a speedy and full
recovery.
Lon Mabon Proposes Initiatives
Balanced Body Work
Anti-gay bully Lon Mabon proposed two con
stitutional amendments bearing a great resem
blance to 2000’s Measure 9 on Election Day,
May 16.
Fresh from a six-week jail stint he served for a
contempt-of-court charge, Mabon tiled the initia
tives proposed for the 2008 ballot. The deadline for
comment to the Oregon Elections Division is
June 8.
The first measure states, “Because the behaviors
of homosexuality and bisexuality pose a serious
health risk to Oregon’s students...it is hereby
established that sexual orientation shall not be
taught in Oregon public schools in any manner or
whatsoever that would express approval of, endorse
or otherwise make morally acceptable the behav
iors of homosexuality, bisexuality or transgendered
conduct.”
Bryan Boyd, a spokesman for Basic Rights
Oregon, noted, “Thjs measure is not specific to ele
mentary or secondary education but also would
affect higher education in Oregon.”
Mabon also introduced a measure to amend
the freedom-of-speech clause in the Oregon
Constitution. He stated that freedom of speech
should be defended, even against hate crime
laws.
With the inclusion of transgender people in the
measure, some foresee a nasty anti-trans message
woven through the campaign. ©
it’s no secret that massage therapy helps relax
the body and mind. But some need a massage after
stressing over the thoughts of a stranger kneading
their tender parts while they lay
vulnerably on a table.
Kristy Geffen, a body worker
and owner of Harmonize, a new
massage and polarity therapy stu
dio in Northeast Portland, under
stands how the experience can be
intimidating and works with her
clients to pur them at ease.
“1 feel like body work is an extremely vulnera
ble and personal experience and doing touch has to
honor rhe body,” said Geffen, who is queer.
“Something 1 want to do is empower people in
their unique gender expression and challenge the
societal aesthetic that measures a person by their
size and their shape.”
Geffen practices Swedish, deep tissue and
pregnancy massage. She opened Harmonize inside
a wellness center May 1.
Geffen, a recent Portland transplant originally
from Wisconsin, says making clients feel comfort
able is as simple as getting to know them.
“1 really experience that people feel comfortable
opening up when they know their choices around
health and their life and aren’t judged,” she said. “1
spend time with them to get to know them and get
a full picture of who they are. With that, I found
people are able to share their experience with me.”
According to Geffen, massage is helpful in
Complied by J aymee R. C uti and M alka G effen
easing discomfort caused by illness, injury, repeti
tive motion or the dramatic changes of pregnancy.
Some of her clients who benefit from her treatment
are HIV-positive.
“The queer community
are pioneers in H1V/A1DS
outreach and education. It’s
a goal of mine to support the
positive community in well-
educated and skilled body
work.”
Geffen practices polarity
therapy to bring equilibrium to a physical, emo
tional or mental imbalance through acupressure,
joint mobilization and bone alignment.
A musician with a passion tor piano and guitar,
Geffen sees the benefit of the body functioning like
a finely tuned instrument.
“Each body is also an amazing instrument in
that its systems have their own unique resonances
and rhythms. My goal as a body worker is to really
listen to and feel these rhythms and help all the
systems of the body play in time and in tune with
one another,” she said.
For more information visit Harmonize at
5515 N.E. 30th Ave. or call 503-312-5878.
business
watch
LAURELHURST
Bringing Your Memories to Life
“Electronic storytelling has been a passion of
mine since 1 was given my first tape recorder when
I was 8,” says Sean Minogue, co-owner of
Continued on Page 12
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