FEBRUARY 16. 2007 JUStjOUt;
outstanding
Building Community
Just Out dropped by the Worst Day of
the Year Ride, an annual 18-mile bike ride
benefiting Community Cycling Center, to
ask cyclists, "What brings you out today?"
n the glow of his computer, one young man
operates a virtual community. Queers in Salem
can visit www.myspace.com/gayinsalem for
news and event information to keep them
connected.
I
D ivya Z a
Hot Lips Pizza Chef
My name is Jonathan Reitan.
“I ride by myself every day, but
I did this to ride with the
community and be colorful in
the city.”
I am known as a freelance writer and production
assistant at the Woodbum Independent newspaper.
My cause, through the MySpace page, is
connecting Salem-area gay and lesbian people—
bringing word about upcoming events and news to
people who wouldn’t normally be aware of such
things.
G regg L avender
Zero Attention Spun Man
I am 22 years old. I feel older than other
22-year-olds because I bought a house a couple years
ago, and there are not Ko many younger adults in
the Salem area who take up leadership roles.
Right now, I’m in Woodburn at my parents’.
I grew up here, and it’s a small town.
1 came out at 16. A group of friends and 1 all
came out in high school and started a {Gay Straight
Alliancej. We were the gay pioneers in Wixxlbum.
“It’s a chance to have a big party
with a bunch of cyclists.’’
Jonathan Reitan keeps the Salem gay community informed.
My childhood ambition was to be a nonfiction writer.
My first same-sex crush was on my baby sitter’s son when
1 was in first grade.
1 like to spend my down time writing. I’m the founder and
moderator of Gay Horror Professionals, a private networking
group for gay writers, editors, artists and publishers that special
ize in horror. I’m also a member of the Rose City Gay Freedom
Band. 1 play the trumpet—have since I was in kindergarten.
My proudest moment was in high school when a group of
my friends and I stood up in front of the school board and
changed the anti-discrimination policy to add sexual orienta
tion. It became the topic of controversy in Woodbum. Some
members didn’t want it to happen, people wrote letters to the
editor—they were afraid we were taking over the school. But
we had a very supportive principal.
My biggest challenge is trying to get people involved in
things. No matter how many times 1 put something up, it doesn’t
mean they’ll show up. It’s hard to make people realize that we
have a community in Salem and it needs to be supported.
A perfect day in Salem would be spent at the Southside
Speakeasy with friends. It’s a little bar where everyone knows
everyone. I like going there and feeling like I’m at home,
especially after a hard day’s work.
M arisa L eone
A Royal Mess
“My Hot Lips crew was doing it,
so I said: ‘You guys rock. 1 want to
roll with you today.’ ”
My first job was as a janitor for my dad’s office building
when I was 11.
My vice is my unhealthy crush on Justin Timberlake.
My inspirations are gay rights pioneers Mel White and
Harvey Milk.
B ear W ilner -N ugent
Public Defender
The last queer event I participated in was a fund-raiser at
the Speakeasy for a Sweet Spirit Metropolitan Community
Church building. They’ve been meeting at the American
Legion Building. The charity drag show raised about $1,000.
“It’s my birthday!”
My highest hope is that the MySpace page becomes a bigger
voice for the Salem community and for everyone—not just in
Salem but in Portland, too—to recognize it and realize Salem has
a very active gay community.
—Malka Geffen
It’s Your Town. It’s Our Town.
We’re Bridgetown.
5
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BRI DG ETOWN
r REALTY 1
Proud Supporter of Just Out
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Our Community
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