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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2006)
e 3 iustout by Marty Davis J Is It Over Yet? N ewsmagazine VOL. 23 NO. 24 OCTOBER 20, 2006 The ballots are in the mail he gubernatorial debates are all but done, The Oregonian angers and surprises Democrats, the commercials have a sharper edge, and the handshakes appear less friendly. The most definitive sign that the end is near, finally: The ballots are in the mail. You now have until Nov. 7 to make your decisions and mail back your packet. All bal lots must be received at your county election office or official drop-off location prior to 8 p.m. If you haven’t registered to vote, it’s too late now for this election. Go ahead and do it, though, and be prepared for the next. Pundits and pollsters predict a lackluster turnout for this nonpresidential election. A visit to the local post office adds credibility to these speculations. Stacks and stacks of state voters pamphlets are left lying about, cast aside with out so much as a glance. Perhaps these post office box renters are all among that group who know easily who and what they favor? They, then, are the lucky ones. As a voting bloc, the gay and lesbian community is well past the rime where we once would automatically endorse a gay or lesbian candidate based simply on his or her sexual identity. Now, candidates seeking endorsement and support have to be the best qualified for the job. This is not to say, however, that the lack of an endorsement by Just Out implies a negative opinion of a candidate. It takes a tremendous amount of time and resources to properly interview and evaluate all candidates for all races, as well as research all ballot measures. Just Out simply doesn’t have the staff to delve into all races and issues. Therefore, we pick the ones of importance to the greatest number of our readers. We have profiled and introduced you to most of the “out” candidates campaigning for office this year. Win or lose, it’s an admirable undertaking to run for any office, and I respect and salute those who put themselves out there. Kudos to Tina Kotek, Virginia Linder, Christopher Wright, Sam Sappington, Marc Delphine and Lee Coleman. For a more detailed look at statewide legislative races, include Basic Rights Oregon in your voting process. This issue of Just Out contains an insert with its election endorsements. And if for some reason your insert is left lying on the fkxsr of a now disgruntled distributor, you can find all of BRO’s endorsement information at www.voteequality.com With regards to the race for Multnomah County Commission District 2, well, you’re on your own. There were five viable candidates in this contest in the primary, and there are two qualified and deserving candidates in the gen eral. For what it’s worth, Lew Frederick worked hard to get our endorsement. He let it be known that it was important to him by way of repeated calls and interactions. I’m not saying our combined support is not important to Jeff Cogen, hut Frederick repeatedly stepped up, showed up and asked. Whoever wins the election to the beleaguered commission inherits a disgruntled con stituency and myriad messes. Gcxxl luck with that one. I’ve been a voter and a follower of elections and the process for many a year now. Never have 1 been so disgusted and put off by a campaign as the one waged by Mike Erickson against incumbent U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore. That man should not be elected to his local water district. Now, a word about state ballot measures. Ballot measures are, by and large, designed to meet the needs of special interest groups. A few are well- thought-out proposals that, if passed, have rhe opportunity to improve serv ices, funding or the like tor the majority of people. Often, though, ballot measures are self-serving crap. To be an informed and educated voter, which is the only kind to aspire to be, one must ferret through the subterfuge and chicanery of the ballot measures. Measures make it to the ballot because of inherent flaws and weaknesses in the initiative process system. Until the signature-gathering process is improved, voters will have to scratch their heads and ponder the confusion placed before them. Aside from all the oth er reasons to not want Wal-Mart in our neighborhoods, there’s also the fact that apparently Wal-Mart customers will sign anything placed before them. And that, kids, is the birds and the bees of ballot measures. Sign petitions in an unwise fashion, and about nine months later a little bundle of joy, often of questionable parentage, will appear on your ballot. If you don’t understand an issue, if you’re unsure of a candidate, don’t vote on it. Your ballot will not be disqualified if you don’t mark every selection. Ballot measures can leave you with crossed eyes and a furrowed brow. Does yes mean no? Does no mean yes? Be an educated voter. Read, question, study—then cast your ballot. fter rhe election comes the rest of November. More rain, short days, long nights and the beginning of the “holiday season.” November also marks the anniver sary month for Just Out, and this year we’re starting what hopefully will become an annual tradition. Join us, please, in our first-ever toy drive benefiting the chil dren and families served by the Friends of People with AIDS Foundation. Our Nov. 3 issue will have all the details of activities and organizations that he will joining this project. Daily updates, of course, will appear at www.justout.com. I’m excited about this project. Please join Just Out in making a positive impact on the lives of underserved children in our community. A 2006 General Election Endorsements • Governor of Oregon: Ted Kulongoski • Judge of the Supreme Court: Virginia Linder • Representative in Congress District 3: Earl Blumenauer • Representative in Congress District 5: Darlene Hooley • • • • • • • • • • • State State State State State State State State State State State Representative District 21: Brian Clem Representative District 26: Lee Coleman Representative District 33: Mitch Greenlick Representative District 36: Mary Nolan Representative District 41: Caroline Tomei Representative District 42: Diane Rosenbaum Representative District 43: Chip Shields Representative District 44: Tina Kotek Representative District 45: Jackie Dingfelder Representative District 46: Ben Cannon Representative District 47: Jeff Merkley • State Ballot Measure 40 (requires judges to be elected by district): No • State Ballot Measure 41 (state income tax deduction): No • State Ballot Measure 42 (prohibits insurance companies from using credit score in calculating rates): No • State Ballot Measure 43 (parental notification for abortion): No • State Ballot Measure 44 (prescription drug coverage): Yes • State Ballot Measure 45 (term limits for Oregon legislators): No • State Ballot Measure 46 (allows campaign funding laws): No • State Ballot Measure 47 (sets campaign finance limits): No • State Ballot Measure 48 (state spending limits): No • Multnomah County Ballot Measure 26-81 (library funding): Yes • Portland Ballot Measure 26-86 (amends charter: changes fire and police disability and retirement system): Yes • Portland School District Ballot Measure 26-84 (school funding): Yes ON THE COVER Into the Pumpkin Shell is an exhibit of Jessica T. Hassler’s paintings and drawings illustrating Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland as seen through rhe lens of Halloween and modern Goth culture. Check it out through Oct. 31 at Launch Pad Gallery, 534 S.E. Oak St. FEATURE 20 TRICKS AND TREATS Just Out presents your guide to queer Halloween fun NEWS 6-15 NORTHWEST Performance art finds a home; when monkeys paint; tripping out; levy for schools; AIDS quilt on display; health care more inclusive; support still needed; Q Center hosts women's business network; new hires join BRO; batter up: Corvallis; rolling back oppression; keeping up the fight 16-17 NATIONAL Foley scandal called “pure McCarthyism”; AIDS activist dies; California court rejects challenge to marriage law; census data show queers in every district; discrimination lawsuit filed against school board; first gay congressman dies; Shepard foundation launches campaign 18-19 WORLD Latvia passes anti discrimination bill; ILGA and ILGA-Europe shack up; Sweden to deport gay Iranian; cop wins Mr. Gay U.K. contest; civil union bill presented in Costa Rica; gay man becomes deputy premier of Ontario; Buenos Aires mayor says he isn’t gay; Amnesty launches Filipino campaign ARTS AND CULTURE 38-39 FILM John Cameron Mitchell raises eyebrows with Shortbus 40 CULTURE Imperial Sovereign Rose Court crowns Don Hixxl and Dawna . Creation 42 FILM Mentally ill woman sends gay teenage son off to live with highly unorthodox psychiatrist in Running with Scissors COLUMNS 12 DIRTY DAN Is Bigger Better? 35 MS. BEHAVIOR In a Bind 36 OUT GOING Another Openin’, Another Show 41 EPIQUEEREAN Chocolate Renaissance 46 JIM'S CLOSET MAX Is Gay
