Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2006)
jUStpUt, 9 So close yet so far away, live amongst itall in perfect harmony. Nicole Browning (left) and Stef-Anie Wells address the crowd at Pride 2006. Pride President Bids Farewell Nicole Browning, who has been president of Pride Northwest for the past three years, is stepping down. She made her resignation known to the board before this year’s Pride and nonetheless pulled off a successful event. Tens of thousands of Oregonians have enjoyed celebrating their commu nity these past few years due in large part to her energy and efforts. According to Browning, she had been ignoring her personal life and wants to “focus on me.” A graduate student working toward a master’s degree in public health, she had taken the spring term off to work on Pride but doesn’t want to post pone her studies anymore. Browning is upbeat about the changes her departure will bring to Pride Northwest. “Pride is always the result of someone’s hard work. It’s not a bad thing to have someone else at the helm.. .change is always gixxl.” Pride ’06 gave Browning much to be proud of. “It was essentially flawless. 1 am very pleased, especially with the additional week of events, which were amazing." According to Stef-Anie Wells, Pride Northwest vice president and parade chairwoman, board elec tions will be held later this summer. “Transition from year to year is very common,” she says. “Though Pride is a labor of love, people come in, work hard for a few years and move on to new opportunities." Wells, who has worked on the board for two years, says the community partners and sponsors, as well as all of the events during Pride Week, made this year’s festivities great. “Every year, it is people that make Pride a success—all the wonderful Model unit open 11-4, Sat thru Wed Occupancy thisSpring! volunteers, sponsors, organizations, businesses, float builders, entertainers and everyone who comes to Pride each year.” One concern this year was the construction on Southwest Naito Parkway. “The parade went smoothly despite all the construction," says Wells. When she’s not working as a wedding planner and film promoter, Wells collaborates year-round with the rest of the board on planning Pride. When asked about the ability of such a small group of peo ple to continually put on such a large event, Wells quoted Margaret Mead, who said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Portland Approves Symbolic Resolution Portland Mayor Tom Potter and the City Council unanimously passed a resolution June 14 urging Congress to adopt the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2005. The U.S. armed forces nondiscrimination resolu tion was introduced by openly gay Commissioner Sam Adams and co-sponsored by Commissioners Randy Leonard, Dan Saltzman and Enk Sten. Testifying in support of the resolution were retired U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Frank Dixon and former U.S. Anny 1st Lt. Fred Fox. House Resolution 1059, which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., would repeal the military’s ban, also known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” on the service of openly gay, lesbian and bisexual personnel. The bill began with 57 co sponsors and now has 115 co-sponsors, including Oregon Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and David Wu. “ ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ is un-American because it creates a second-class citizenship," said Dixon, who led the efforts in collaboration with the Military Education Initiative and National Stonewall Democrats. “This is no way to thank our lesbian, gay and bisexual patriots for their selfless service to our country. As stewards of democracy and freedom, we all have a role to play in ending discrimination against our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members.” According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, more than 65,000 sexual minority Americans serve in our nation’s armed forces. More than 10,000 service members have been discharged under “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and replacing them has cost $200 million. Almost 800 service members with critical specialties such as Arab linguists and intelligence analysts have been fired because of their sexual orientation. With the adoption of the resolution to support the act, Portland joins New York, Chicago, St. Louis, West Hollywood, San Francisco and Cathedral City, Calif., in their stance against discrimination. The California Assembly adopted a similar resolution to oppose the military’s ban in September 2005. A second state resolution is pend ing in the New York Legislature. Sixty-two well appointed condominiums are now available in Goose Hollow. Choose from a variety of one and two bedroom floor plans priced from $ 189,000. Visit online for plans and prices, go to www.claystreetcommons.com 1535 SW Clay Street Enter Sales Office from main entrance on SW Clay Exclusively marketed by Josh Reiter, Re/Max Metro (503) 402-1777 Preferred lender Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Addie's^ people A ’s I] ou and 1 Travel Service (503) 282-7545 (800) 342-5500 JL FOOD CO-OP We buy from over 50 local family farms. COMMUNITY-OWNED FULL LINE VEGETARIAN GROCERY addici« addie9y0uanditravel.com www addiestravel.com LiSVP <• l’LIVlÂCliUlSLS - AFFORDABLE LOCAL & ORGANIC PRODUCE FRESH BREAD & PASTRIES GRÉAT PRICES IN OUR LARGE BULK SECTION 7545 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland. OR 97213 Where SERVICE is More than open 8-10 daily everyone welcome (503) ORGANIC 3029 SE 21st AVE BEFORE YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF, YOU’LL NEED TO FIND UST The best things in life aren’t easy to find. But once you go the extra mile to find us, we’ll go the extra mile for you. Easy to buy. Easy to own. Visit any of our five inspiring showrooms. You’ll be eternally grateful you found us. SOLANA. Oregon a few degrees warmer HotSpring Spas www.orhotspringspas.com Former Just Out Intern Honored Former U.S. Army 1st Lt. Fred Fox celebrates at Portland Pride days after testifying on behalf of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. Growing up gay makes you different, said Peter Zuckennan, a former Just Out intern who propelled his experience into a journalism career and recently landed the prestigious Livingston Award. Continued on Page 10 BEAVERTON CLACKAMAS VANCOUVER SALEM BENO ( 503 ) ( 503 ) ( 360 ) ( 503 ) (54I) 643 650 892 363 388 5002 8242 5905 4000 0905
