Just out., March 16, 2007, Page 7, Image 7

MARCH 16. 2007 iUStOUt: 7
out standin
just askin,
Granting
Access
Just Out asked volunteer lobbyists at
Basic Rights Oregon's Day of Action in
Salem, "What brought youliere today?"
avid Martinez is the policy and constituent relations man­
D
ager for Multnomah County Commissioner Maria Rojo de
J ulie S tegall
Steffey. He sits on tnany committees anti is helping organ­
Working Girl
ize June’s Latino Pride. From his office on a wet Portland
morning, Martinez discusses his life, which took him from
“My wife, my three daughters,
a fann in Eastern Oregon to a career devoted to helping others gain
my friends and my own need to
equal access to information and opportunity.
express my freedom. As an
African American, it’s vital to
My name is David Martinez.
show people that we are here.”
What I am known for depends on who you speak to. I’ve done
a lot of work with people of color in higher education, especially
within issues of retention and recruitment. To that community 1
S tacey M ills
would he known as an advocate and a resource. Within the Portland
metro area I’d he known as someone who is involved in the LGBTQ
community. 1 served on the Q Center board for four years and was
also on the Cascade AIDS Project hoard. 1 also play softball. This is
my fifth year with the Bella Boys softball team. They’d know me as
their manager and outfielder.
My cause would definitely be issues of access. It’s really impor­
David Martinez seeks balance in a life that includes working
for Multnomah County, volunteering with community groups
and playing the outfield.
Green Building Fan
“I have a man in my life that
I’ve had a few proudest moments, but when I graduated from
1 love ’til the end of the earth,
college, having my family there. 1 was the first generation to go to
and 1 want to make that as
college, and when 1 heard my name it was definitely one of the
legally recognized as possible,
proudest.
so I’m here for him.”
tant to me that groups have access to information, support and
opportunities, whether it’s access to education or elected officials
My biggest challenge would be balance. 1 tend to get carried away
or career opportunities. It’s really important to be looking at who’s
with some of the things I get involved with—balancing what I’m
involved and who’s not involved. That’s the perspective that 1 try
doing for work, volunteering, people in my life and my family.
M ichael A bram
to make sure is brought up.
My first job was doing field work. That’s how 1 grew up, on
I am 38 years old. 1 am excited for my 39th birthday, which is
in April. I feel (that it] makes sense that I’m 38. I am grateful for
Clown Revolutionary
a farm. But my first job off the farm was at the Dairy Queen, and
in a small town that was a step up. 1 was indoors.
“I’m learning. I’ve never been
all my experiences and everything that’s led me to this point. I feel
active before, so I’m getting a
I am constantly building and becoming more comfortable and con­
For a perfect day in Portland, I would wake up at about 5:30 a.m.,
fident and have the same energy that I’ve had. If anything, 1 have
go to the gym, get breakfast—1 love breakfast—shop around,
community. If I’m going to be
more of a focus.
maybe go to Powell’s.
enjoying the rights that are
feel for the climate of the active
afforded, 1 can play a part.”
I don’t know what my childhood ambition was, but I knew
My inspiration is my parents. My dad didn’t go beyond third
what I didn’t want to do. I didn’t want to work in farm work.
grade and my mom sixth grade, and they’ve worked so hard, 1 can’t
That’s how we grew up, that’s what our parents did, and that’s
even imagine.
what I saw immediately around me. And 1 knew 1 did not want to
do that. 1 wanted to do something that would help me learn and
better understand how folks get along or don’t get along.
1 don’t remember who my first same-sex crush was on, but
My last queer event was a fund-raiser for Equity Foundation.
JENNI PESK1N
They give grants to different groups, and it was really wonderful to
Human Dignity Coalition
see the recipients of the grants from all over the state and from
Executive Director
such diverse backgrounds.
growing up there were athletes in school or people who I didn’t
“I want my daughter to grow up
realize why 1 was paying so much attention to, who were guys.
My greatest hope is that there can be belter partnerships and col­
They were the boys who were so confident and things seemed to
laborations between minority groups. For example, the LGBTQ
grows up to be, she can be free
have come so easy.
community and the Latino community. I’m gay and Latino, and
from discrimination, hatred and
I could never choose between the two. My hope is that “the commu­
nity” becomes all-inclusive and supportive and works together. ©
oppression.”
In my down time my outlet has been softball, because to me it
is something that has nothing to do with “work.”
in a world where, whomever she
—Alex Baldino
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