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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2006)
AUÜUST 18. 2006 it. 1 still go skating on Skate Night because 1 don’t feel out of place. I go to Pride every year because I do fit in. 1 attend the film festival every year because many—but not all—appeal to me. The events I’d love to go to, hut don’t, are the events where I’m made uncomfortable by rudeness to the new generation of our gay youth. I’m hoping that Just Out might make these kids become aware of their behavior and treat all gay humans equally. One of the first things 1 discovered about my new world was that gay men are always talking about doing things. They are always going away on some great vacation. They are going to these fabu lous concerts or the first to buy something mar velous at that “new store.” They are being invited to the most divine parties. And that’s just it—they just talk about it! But it’s the lesbians who are actu ally coming back from doing things. They are always camping, hiking, taking pictures, remodel ing, rebuilding, repainting something. So if Just Out has a lesbian slant, maybe it’s because the lesbians are the ones actually out there doing things. When I read Just Out, 1 see my friends Pam and Smokey with the rest of the Women in the Woods. I read about my pal Lynda Hale hosting her fetish nights at Embers. 1 see the latest at the Egyptian Club. But these are not events that interest me. Perhaps Mr. Lanagan should start letting us “regular guys” know what other ordinary gays do socially, other than sit in a bar and get drunk. Every bar I’ve been in—gay or straight—has a “happy hour,” but I rarely see a lot of happy people there. If Mr. Lanagan wants to start another gay local publication, I will gladly welcome it. We can nev er have enough information in our lives. But please, sir, make it appealing. I don’t read Penthouse, Honcho, Hustler or The Mercury, nor do I rent Japanese anime or Falcon films, because they just don’t appeal to me. If Just Out does have a lesbian slant, this is one devoted reader who doesn’t see it. What 1 do see are the back pages advertising half-naked, almost underage models and C.C. Slaughters’ monthly events. I see the Man Action ads and how to hook up in the classifieds. If Just Out has a lesbian slant, maybe it’s because lesbians do more than hook up or constantly look for “hot action.” Not every gay or bi male is looking for endless love. Some men— like the girls—just wanna have fun. M ark S ustello Portland Are You Worth It? To the E ditor : As a GLBT person, have you personally taken the time to objectively realize your value in our society? With Gay Pride just behind us, it saddens me to know that there are those of us who still are not openly out or who feel we are without a voice in our society. There are those who feel disenfranchised by our government and vulnerable to discrimination without remedy in our lifetimes. It’s truly tragic to know there are those of us who have given up hope on so many levels. Muddle-headed ignorance drives bigotry, irrational fear and oppression. With Gay Pride just behind us, we should take stock in our actual worth. We walk on every path of life contributing equally, in many cases exempla ry, as doctors, lawyers, judges, soldiers, police offi cers, cooks, artists, spouses and parents of beautiful children. We are brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and next-door neighbors. More than half of the Fortune 500 companies recognize the value of diversity in the workplace. One needs only to look at the list of corporate sponsors of many GLBT events to see just a glimpse of our economic value. We can’t deny that the entertainment industry has recognized our value. Our individual sexuality and rich culture have been decidedly valuable in the political arena. We have been used as a wedge issue by the elected majority to drive their conservative voter bases to the polls and to irrationally distract those voters from the most vital issues, such as health care, Social Security, education, the environment, taxes, terrorism and our economy. The current harsh reality of American politics is that it is a two-party system, Republican vs. Democrat, conservative vs. liberal, or us vs. them. Given the urgent, critical nature of the issues that face our country and GLBT people, we simply can not take this opportunity to decrease the value of our votes at the polls by idealistically voting for a third-party candidate. We only need to look at the last presidential election to see the margin that left us with a catastrophe that will affect generations to come. Partisan politics alone defeated Senate Bill 1000 here at home. We need to value ourselves, especially at this critical time in history, in two very important ways. We can ill afford to be divided. We and our allies must elect a majority to every elected position across the nation. We must participate fully and effective ly in the election of Democratic Party candidates. It’s the only viable and logical option available. The second most, but not least, important action we must take is to be proud of our families, our professions and ourselves. We can no longer stand in the darkness of a closet. We must stand in the full light of every dawn, shoulder to shoulder with every other human. Dignity freedom, equality and happiness are true values. JUStOUt 5 G ray G ardens .Art ’ Dec or ' Antiques ■ ....................................—— 1 111 GRAND OPENING Friday, August 25th, 6-9pm Refreshments, Tarot Readings, Door Prizes, and Surprise Guest! 7400 N Lombard St. Portland 97203 503-285-4959 www. 1 heGrayCuardens.coni OUT and Proud Since 1970! L aura C alvo Portland NOTABLES Vickie (left) and Tobin Britton will travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, to be joined in mat rimony Aug. 19. They will be accom panied by friends and family for their nuptials. Upon their return, a wedding reception will take place for those unable to travel with them for the ceremony. CORRECTION The Aug. 4 article “Strong Brew” mistakenly credited Terry Bean with helping organize the March on Washington in 1963. The Lesbian and Gay March on Washington, which Bean helped organize, was held in October 1987. The Aug. 4 article “Freak Live” misspelled the name of author Katherine Dunn. Just Out regrets the errors. Our Family 1990 when you buy or sell a home with me, you'll know your dollars are helping support a greater cause. I contribute at least 10% of my earnings to community ami environmental organizations. Millynn James Broker, Graduate Realtor Institute ABR: Accredited Buyer’s Representative 503.3 30.HOME(4663) 1.800.825.9948 www.millynn.com millynn@aol.com
