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.
Make sure you tell him you saw this ad In Just Out!
7407 NE VANCOUVER PLAZA DRIVE
VANCOUVER, WA 98662
www.dlckhannah.com
* To qualify for warranty you must follow manufacturer's recommended vehicle and tire maintenance schedules at
Dick Hannah Subaru's Senrice Center. This Is a combination offer, make your best deal on a package price