just out
by Marty Davis
J
A Beautiful Day
^NEWSMAGAZINE
VOL. 24 NO. 14
MAY 18, 2007
Governor signs bills legalizing domestic partnerships, banning discrimination
ay 9 was one of those often-too-rare,
stunningly beautiful spring days in
Salem. This history-making morning
was adorned with deep, crisp, blue
skies, with only a soft and occasional
white cloud drifting through. The bright blues of the
Oregon state flag flew sharply and energetically in
the morning sky, providing a duo of contrasting
shades of azure. As the bill-signing ceremonies began,
the sun rose over the Capitol, bathing the gathered
spectators in warmth and good will. To add to the
splendor of the morning, not so much as a single
protester appeared to mar the moment. No buses of
Slavic youth, no pious churchgoers, no protest
signs—not a single person appeared to dampen the
moment. It couldn’t have been better.
Gathered together on the westside steps of the
Capitol was a veritable living encyclopedia of gay
and lesbian history in Oregon. Together again, for
this day, were men and women representing more
than 30 years of political activism and history. Don
Powell, Steve Fulmer, Fred Neal and Terry Bean
were all able to bear witness to decades of lobbying
before one state legislative session after another,
extolling our elected leaders to simply do the right
thing. I have no doubt that each of them was giving
thought to others who had also labored hard and
long but whose own battles had ended before
this day finally appeared.
1 myself thought of the
good work of Bill and Ann
Shepherd and wished that
V • • . - J'J1
they could have lived to see
this day. Their memory and
their endeavors were kept
alive by the presence of
their PFLAG co-founders,
Chuck and Rita Knapp.
The Knapps, accompanied
by their daughter Kristan
and her partner, Janna
Macauslan, are to be hon
ored and thanked for their
years of service and dedica
tion to our community.
Gail
Shibley
and
George Eighmey sightings brought to mind the days
bump-inducing version of “America the Beautiful.”
when we were represented by five openly gay men
And then the party began. Hellos, goodbyes and
and women in the state Legislature. Today, Tina
hugs around. Cupcakes and cider. It was a very gixxl
Kotek sets a high standard of visibility and activism
day.
within the Capitol halls. In the next election cycle,
It would be ideal to say that the story ends here
we must strive to send another of us to share her
in Salem on a warm spring morning when, for ever
load. Strength in numbers!
so briefly, all looks well with the world.
Assembled on the Capitol steps, facing a large and
But, as we now know, this is not the way it will
cheering crowd, Gov. Ted Kulongoski was jubilant as
be. Earlier this week a new coalition formed to
he prepared to sign Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2007.
challenge SB 2 and HB 2007.
His broad smiles were exceeded only by those of for
Opponents of the laws have formed a political
mer Gov. Barbara Roberts, who declared that this day
action committee called "Defense of Marriage and
was one of the proudest moments of her life.
Family AGAIN!” and filed their intent to seek
Gathered around the signing table was a who’s who of a referendum with the secretary of state. Marylin
Oregon politics. Present were Attorney General
Shannon of Brooks, a former Republican state
Hardy Myers, Treasurer Randall Edwards, Secretary of senator, apparently heads the group. It draws
State Bill Bradbury and a multitude of state senators
support from members of Slavic churches; Restore
and representatives. Members of the Governor’s Task
America, a Lake Oswego-based organization that
Force on Equality stixxl together. Let’s not forget their
encourages evangelical Christians to vote; and the
role in bringing honorable and decent recommenda Constitution Party of Oregon.
tions back to the governor.
It is not yet known what, if any, role the lead
First came the speeches,'each brief yet meaning supporters of Ballot Measure 36 will play in the
ful. The governor hugged his colleagues, and the steps
attempts to challenge the new laws. What we do
echoed with applause. Then the moment came for
know is that with a strong organization in place,
the actually signing. The table was ringed with cere collecting the needed 55,000-plus signatures will
monial pens, each with an engraved wtxxlen case.
not prove to be difficult. And there can be no deny
Each pen scribed a few letters and was then handed
ing that if everyone who voted yes on 36 votes the
off with smiles and handshakes. Receiving the pens
same way again, our newly won rights will be strick
were Roberts, Bean, Powell, Kate Brown, House
en from us before they’re ever put into place.
Speaker Jeff Merk ley and Basic Rights Oregon’s new
So while we briefly bask in the glory of that
executive director, John Hummel.
warm Salem morning, we must do it with the
The official part of the ceremony closed with
knowledge that, once again, a great challenge lies
the Portland Gay Men's Chorus offering a goose ahead of us.
ON THE COVER
Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis—
a memorable biography of a genius who was
queer in more ways than one—screens June 2
at QDOC: Portland Queer Documentary Film
Festival, the first of its kind in the country.
FEATURE
22 SOUTHERN COMFORT
Oregon Shakespeare Festival hires new out
and proud artistic director
NEWS
8-14 NORTHWEST
Queer literature financed; school tackles
queer health education; theater group
receives NEA grant; pro-choice comedian
entertains at Darcelle’s; trans activist
imparts experience; HIV Day Center
celebrates 18 years
18-19 NATIONAL
Half of Americans protected from anti-gay
discrimination; California Name Equality
Act passes Assembly; trans president elected
to SF police commission; Colorado
Legislature passes nondiscrimination bill;
20-21 WORLD
Gaydar founder jumped to death while on
drugs; BP CEO outed, resigns; Jerusalem
bomb seen as warning to gays; Singaporean
former PM against criminalizing gay sex;
Thai gays seek constitutional protection
ARTS AND CULTURE
15 BOOKS
Author deconstructs “the stigma of
effeminacy”
39 SPORTS
Rose City Softball Association sees a record
increase in new members
41-43 FILM
Cillian Murphy smartly picks award
winning The Wind That Shakes the Barley
instead of execrable sequel 28 Weeks Later;
Portland makes history with the country’s
first queer documentary film festival
44 NIGHTLIFE
Sometimes a hangover is worth it
COLUMNS
16 DEAR ETHEL
Eyeing the Prize
31 EPIQUEEREAN
Where to Get Your “Oohs” and “Ahhs"
35 MS. BEHAVIOR
Expiration Date
36 OUT GOING
Funny Honey
37 OUT OF MY MIND
Grief Revisited
46 JIM'S CLOSET
Queen of the Desert