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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2006)
NOVEMBER 17, 2006 jUSt|OUt|l3 northwest Study On I cun make your home buying or refinancing process very easy. Please call me to inquire about programs available to you. Just Out scholarship winners announced CHERYL BELL by Malka Geffen n January, Just Out began hosting Gay Skate youth to “be who you are and don’t try to hide or Night every third Monday at Oaks Park. The deny it.” She looks to the future and hopes people proceeds from this ongoing event benefit the will become more accepting of same-sex marriage. Just Out Scholarship Fund. The annual schol “I think it’s getting a lot better. People are starting to arship is available to queers and their children embrace differences. I can see how different it is now in Oregon and Southwest Washington. We are SR. MORTGAGE BROKER First Pacific Mortgage (503) 670-9515 phone cherylb@istpac.com • www.istpac.com than 10 years ago.” pleased to announce the recipients of the 2006 scholarships in honor of Just Out’s 23rd anniversary. hile studying political economics at Evergreen State College, Erika anielle Chong, Ash took a sign language class, which a 17-year-old les helped direct her new path. With the bian originally from aid she’s received from the Just Out Santa Barbara, Calif., scholarship, she continues her studies will use her Just Out in the sign language interpreting pro scholarship to contin gram at Portland Community College. her studies at Ash hopes to get a master’s degree Rogue Community College in Medford. from Western Oregon University and Chong, who came drawn to the language itself at first, ue out two years ago, has but when 1 learned more about the been living on her deaf culture, 1 drew parallels about own ever since. “The hardest part It's better to be safe than sorry. SUBARU OUTBACK become a teacher for the deaf. “I was Danielle Chong is studying criminal justice at Rogue Community College. being part of a minority community knowing the struggle of trying to face adversity,” she says. was coming out to my family because both my parents are Catholic, Ash, 27, spent some time working for and 1 already knew they weren’t going to be OK j AmeriCorps and as a house cleaner. “I feel proud for with it. 1 knew 1 wasn’t going to be allowed to live letting myself take time to figure out what 1 want to under their roof anymore,” she says. do—to explore and get connected so there’s purpose After taking the general education development test, Chong met a single father who needed an au in what I’m doing,” she says. She attends gatherings of Deaf & Hearing Out pair and has found room and board through the Reach, the local signing community of deaf and employment. “1 do love my parents, and 1 do under- j hearing queer and queer-friendly people. Ash, who stand that they don’t accept it. There are always has been involved with the Sexual Minority Youth going to be people who are never going to change, Resource Center and Basic Rights Oregon, says she but we’re not going to change how we feel, either,” is also active “in my own life being out and trying said Chong, who is now in touch with her parents. to effect change with people 1 interact with and Successfully making it on her own is, according being a role model and speaking up about issues.” to Chong, her greatest accomplishment to date. Recalling the challenges she faced when coming With a full course load at Rogue, where she main out at age 15, Ash said she stniggled with telling her tains a 4 0 grade point average, and her work as an au mother, who came from a strong Roman Catholic pair, she said she’s appre I ciative of the Just Out background. “1 was assuming responsibility for my family’s feeling scholarship. “Thanks to and had to learn to let go of that,” the scholarship, 1 got to she says. Ash notes that her sister quit my full-time job at was a great source of comfort. Burger King,” she declares. “She’d come to my rwim and tell studying me, ‘1 want to hear about your criminal justice and plans crushes!’ ” For anyone struggling Chong is to become a probation with the decision to come out, she officer after graduating. suggests trying to “figure out what “I want to help kids who your support’s going to be and real are kind of lost in adoles ize that you have to live your life for cence who don’t get sup yourself and let go of feeling respon port from their families,” sible for other people’s hang-ups." she says. “I’m hoping I’ll get to help out in schools language interpreting program at Portland Community College. at a time when people are Last year, when Ash was consid school, she came across the Just Out confused about who they are.” scholarship. “Because I read Just Out and am a queer As a member of the sexual minorities commu- nity, Chong was active in her high school’s Gay community member, 1 thought, ‘How amazing that Straight Alliance club and is involved with the and thought I’d go for it.” Ash owns a house in GSA at Rogue. “In high school I was president of Portland with her partner of five years. When she’s the club, and this year 1 try to help out as much as not learning sign language, she enjoys doing outckxir I can. 1 help out with the Pride parade in Ashland sports and ctxsking macrobiotic meals. my own community is giving out money for school’ every year," says Chong. As a young lesbian who knows about the challenges of coming out, Chong advises other queer At Dick Hannah you're a VIP! ering ways to access funds for For more information on the JUST OUT SCHOLARSHIP F und visit WWU1 . justout.com/scholaTslup.aspx. 'Dick SUBARU. • No tax to Oregon Residents • Only local dealership providing 100K Powertrain Warranty* • Largest inventory in SW Washington • Free Oelivery Deal directly with the sales manager Greg. NO closers’ Call Greg's cell at 360-600-0791 or email him at gregm@dickhannah.com. 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