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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 2007)
FEBRUARY 2 2007 |USt|OUt just askin outstanding Empowering Youth Just Out asked members of Shabbatluck, a queer Jewish social group, "What was your most memorable Valentine's Day?" | he supervisor of the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center began as a volunteer 10 years ago. She reflects on her high hopes for the center and high esteem of the youth it K serves. M arcy F eibelman National College of Natural Medicine Student My name is Zan Gibbs. • “I was a senior in high school and in my first relationship. My boyfriend pent me a dozen roses with a card that said, ‘Love, John.’ My mom took pictures of me smelling them.” I am known as the pillar of SMYRC. People say, “Zan will always be here” or “She’s a rock,” probably because I’m the only one still here since the beginning. My cause is empowering queer and trans youth to be leaders and activists. When 1 got to Portland and started meeting a lot of queer and trans youth, it was so clear that they were organized and active but needed a space where they could be respected and supported and hang out with each other after school in a drug- and alcohol-free environment. E liza G reenwood Documentary Filmmaker “What I remember is my great aunt sending us a cheesy card with a $2 bill in it. My worst Valentine’s Day was when she stopped.” I am 31 years old. 1 feel like I’ll always be inspired by the youth movement—you can be invested in youth at any age. My childhood ambition was to live in the Amazon rain forest. I just read in the latest National Geographic a huge article about the state of the rain forest, and now 1 have to say I’m slightly reinvested in that goal. K im T oevs My first same-sex crush was on Winona Ryder...Heathers, 1 love it. Queer Hipster “1 remember a Valentine’s Day when my parents made construction paper cards with doors that opened to little critters and Valentine’s sayings. My dad was a physicist, so that was really sweet.” Known as "a rock," Zan Gibbs is a SMYRC mainstay. My proudest moment was signing up for the Ironman triathlon. Much of why 1 did that was about over coming my asthma. 1 couldn’t run half a block when I started training. It was a lot of hard work. It took me three years to run three miles. My biggest challenge is completing the Ironman triathlon. It’s also challenging to watch how the world’s wealth is distrib uted and knowing SMYRC could do so much more if we had the resources. ’ A perfect day in Portland would be spent in the sun, riding my bike. And winning the lottery. My vice is exercise, my bike and vegetarian food. Since I don’t smoke, drink, do drugs or sugar at all, that’s my mental health release. My inspiration is the youth 1 see every’ day—hearing their success stories, watching them grow up, seeing them face insurmountable challenges and watching them empower each other. Seeing them performing drag to Britney Spears pretty much rules. The last queer event I participated in was watching queer comedian Peterson Toscano perform at SMYRC. 1 learned a new word—heteroflexible—as part of my gAy,B,Cs. P ercy W ise The last philanthropic event I participated in was acquir ing a nonprofit organization. I now have a second, unpaid job to rebuild Students Run Portland, which trains at-risk youth to run the marathon. Trans Law Student “I remember when I was in first grade, writing a Valentine to a kid named Scott but spelling it Scoot....... and being made fun of.” My highest hope for the cause is that SMYRC will become fully funded and sustainable and that we will own our own build ing. A consistent source of money would allow us to open the drop-in center five nights a week. © —Malka Geffen FINALLY. The glbtqs spiritual community not only has a voice... it’s rocking out. 1529 SE Hawthorne Blvd. • Open Sundays 1-4 PM One Bedrooms from $ 191,500 Elevation Service at MCC Portland offers a place for all to come and worship with high-energy music, powerful and pertinent discussions, in a place where it's safe to be who you truly are Join us every Sunday at 6P! ABERDEEN CONDOMINIUMS AberdeenPDX.com LiveOUT! LoveOUT! WorshipOUT! Elevation at MCC Portland 7 2400 NE Broadway. Portland 503-281-8868 www mccportland.com | Call for your personal tour: Doug Beebe, Broker 503-260-780 Tom Cotter, Broker 503-260-7876 t SEAL PROPERTIES
