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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 2007)
page 3 lust out by Marty Davis J What's the Fuss? FEBRUARY 2, 2007 MODEL BLAKE CEDRIC • C XIUA FAYE VOL. 24 NO. 7 NEWSMAGAZINE Let's pick our battles wisely ueer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. obscenities about profusely. In the wonderful world of coincidences, the day Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Queer. Faggot. Queer. after encountering her brand of humor, I received a press release announcing Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Queer. the sale of her newest video. In this release she’s described as “one of the hottest Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. comedians in America; she makes people laugh at their own stereotypes and Queer. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. differences.” Trust me, faggot would be one of the kinder, gentler words that Queer. Faggot. Queer. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. she would use. 1 couldn’t listen to her. 1 only lasted long enough to ponder the Q Queer. Faggot. Queer. Faggot. Queer. difference between this show and Queer as Folk, which, over on the Logo Two words. One, once the most reviled, feared and hated, yet now “reclaimed.” network, is censored, sanitized and spewed out as a sterilized version of the The other, faggot, perhaps not as painfully powerful or subject to the oppression original. What’s with censoring the gay content and yet allowing this foul- as queer? Both words now come with varying levels of acceptance within our own mouthed woman to use words that would make most sane people cringe? community. While many still wince upon hearing either, others celebrate their Different networks, yes. But Logo is part of the MTV family, not The 700 Club. liberation from the ability for words to afflict wounds. No one, however, ever has I find it insulting that American viewers are not allowed to be as offended by the right to use either word as a weapon of anger, malice or hate. Queer as Folk as they are by Lampanelli’s potty mouth. So, what’s the fuss about one actor and one national gay and lesbian activist organization and the word faggot? Much ado over nothing perhaps? ast week our Just Out blog, “Blog Out,” featured a segment on former Basic bore, but let’s not allow the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, on L our behalf, to best him in an endeavor to look foolish. Our predilection for announced that she is now leaving that organization also. Ah, but she won’t political correctness in this incident is an insult to those who have suffered real tell us where she’s headed off to. So let’s play “Where’s Roey Thorpe working and serious abuse as victims of hate language. From where 1 sit, GLAAD has next?” My guess—and that’s all it is, simply a guess—is that she’ll be joining jumped on the “let’s milk this for all it’s worth” bandwagon and is guilty of a new organization called Gill Action. The stated mission of this group: "The exploiting the situation for its own gain. Gill Action Team looks forward to working with a broad base of people from The Grey’s Anatomy actor, Isaiah Washington, might well be a dolt and a What has gotten sloughed over in this brouhaha is the fact that the second Rights Oregon executive director Roey Thorpe. Some six months after leaving BRO to join up with the Freedom to Marry Coalition, she has diverse backgrounds to achieve equal rights through the political process.” usage of the word faggot was merely a denial that he’d used it the first time. The Gill Action will have an office in Washington, D.C. Perhaps down the timing was absurdly inappropriate, but the word was neither flung with hatred street from the spiffy new headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign? It will nor with menace. I think that indeed the man is guilty of idiocy. But if we all were be interesting to see how these two national organizations divvy up the chores sent to rehab for stupidity, there’d be quite a waiting list at the old Betty Ford. and the money, with or without Thorpe. This incident speaks to me of why so many Americans fear gay marriage. It’s not over religious concerns. It’s not fear of threat to their own vows. Hell no, they’re worried that some tight-ass gays or lesbians are going to marry, move t’s not every day that finds me ringing the doorbell at Lon Mahon’s house. But I a recent Friday affemcx>n found me doing exactly that. The door opened, and next door and suck the life and joy out of the neighborhixxl The gays are here. in I went. But not too far and for not too long. I was there on a stated purpose. Ah hell, cancel the damn block party. Take a photo. Take it quick and haul ass out. And Bonnie Mahon was clearly in While not undervaluing the complexity of hateful words and the fears, the charge of making sure that that’s exactly what happened. This woman knows potential of escalated behaviors, let’s consider picking our battles more wisely how to set boundaries. To my mind, she wears the pants in that family, and quite than demonstrated in this incident. possibly sets the tone and direction of the oh-great-they’re-back Oregon Citizens Alliance. To find out what they’re up to now, go to Page 12 to read Jaymee R. o then, what about words—hateful words, ugly words—and their usage in S Cutis interview with Mabon. Just Out might be the only place you’ll find a direct comedy? Are there different rules, guidelines and sensitivities? 1 ask because interview with Mabon. He doesn’t talk to the other newspapers. ing out of my television. Yup, 1 had a major Republican moment. Once there, you’re a mere click away from our new and improved Just Out I recently found myself sitting in shock and amazement at what I heard com Are any of you familiar with one Lisa Lampanelli? She pops up now and then on Comedy Central and pretty much earns her living by spewing filth and Don’t forget to check in with us daily at “Blog Out” at www.justout.com. personals site. Bigger, better and, what’s more, still free. Get moving. Go find that Valentine’s Day date. © reflections • The Lesbian Community Project board of directors held two special meetings that resulted in a new look and direction for the volunteer-based organization. • Metropolitan Community Church of Portland's new year's resolution is to begin the search for a new pastor. The Rev. Roy Cole left in October after tenure of seven years to further his education. A pastoral search committee has been selected to guide the membership through what might be a lengthy process. • U.S. Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., joined a bipartisan group of colleagues Jan. 24 in sending a letter to Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., urging him to bring hate crimes legislation to the floor for a vote as soon as possible. • The Northwest Gender Alliance honored Portland Mayor Vera Katz with the Ellen Summers Lifetime Achievement Award on Jan. 26. 22 MOST ELIGIBLE Portland’s queer singles come out for Valentine’s Day NEWS 8-16 NORTHWEST Home finder displaced; pets handled with care; birth specialist delivers options; BRO seeks leadership; Foundation celebrates justice; PABA treasurer resigns; legal workshop offered; singing the blues; building a coalition; Lon Mabon exclusive; crisis team responds; open and affirming church celebrates 15 years 18-19 NATIONAL Transgender religious summit breaks ground; safe bathrooms sought; star apologizes for slur; California’s first trans judge sworn in; complaint filed against ex-gays; more newspapers acknowledge gay unions 20-21 WORLD Queen’s composer denied civil partnership; Kylie Minogue is top British gay icon; Czech gay group shuts down; gays protest at Vatican; Mexican state passes civil unions; Mexican gay leader murdered; trouble for Scottsdale/Marrakech sister-city plan ARTS & CULTURE 39 CULTURE Independent Lens focuses on Black History Month 40-41 BOOKS Acclaimed author Armistead Maupin reads at Equity Foundation benefit 5 Years Ago in Just Out... volume 19 number 7. february 1, 2002 • Melissa Arnold and Anne Seelye became the 10th couple to register as domestic partners in Multnomah County this year. FEATURE • Renowned comedian Lily Tomlin will entertain during Equity Foundation's inaugural Investments in Dignity Awards Gala on Feb. 25 at the Nike World Headquarters Campus. • It looks like Rosie O'Donnell is finally doing it. Her new memoir, Find Me, due April 23, reportedly includes a discussion about her relationships with women. There is no guarantee she'll say the "L" word out loud on the air, but hey, it’s something. • Wild Abandon restaurant celebrates its seventh anniversary with a benefit for Our House of Portland. From Feb. 5 to 7 the gay- owned eatery will be open for business as usual but will donate 40 percent of all proceeds to the residential care facility. 42 FILM Portland International Film Festival screens “the Korean Brokeback Mountain” 43 DANCE Spend Valentine’s Day with men in tutus 44 NIGHTLIFE Not Your Typical Valentine Show COLUMNS 17 DEAR ETHEL No Pain, No Gain 35 MS. BEHAVIOR New Kid on the Bkx:k 37 OUTGOING Hat Trick 38 EPIQUEEREAN Chip Off the Old Block 46 JIM'S CLOSET Through a Lens Darkly
