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by Marty Davis
N ewsmagazine
Pet Peeve
JULY 6, 2007
MEUSSA MORALES
VOL. 24 NO. 17
Pridegoers unleash their opinions
ye-bye, June. Bye-bye, Pride. Welcome July heat and the changing
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what can be done? This shouldn’t have to become a matter of laws and regula
pace of the summer season. Things change so quickly around here
tions and the banning of all matters offensive to some. It should, quite simply,
that people can find themselves with a case of energy whiplash. It’s an
be a case of common sense and decent courtesy. Folks, please don’t smoke in
unnerving transition as we switch abruptly from the frenetic schedule
crowded places. Don’t smoke in lines. Don’t wave lit cigarettes around in
of events leading to Pride to the sudden, “Hey, where’d everyone go?”
crowds. Yes, you might have the right to smoke. Just remember, please, that the
languor of July vacation mode.
person next to you also has the right not to.
But wait, hold on a bit, no one can leave town yet. We’re not completely
And now, let the healing begin.
through with Pride 2007. After all, we're gay and we’ve got work ro do. We have
to process.
So, in this, our third and final Pride issue for 2007, we look back on the
ith Pride over, there is another project ahead for the Just Out staff. After
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months—years, actually—of pending urban development on the east side,
weekend in pictures, and in the words of attendees. We report directly from
the time has finally come for us to move from our home of the past 14 years. The
those who were there. We share thoughts on what worked this year, and what
Bumside Bridgehead project is gearing for takeoff, and our building, Convention
was deemed to not be quite so successful. Immediately after Pride Weekend, we
Plaza, is nearing its last days. As the other tenants vacate, leaving behind an
asked visitors to our Web site to share their thoughts and opinions on all things
empty and forlorn building, the creepiness factor of the area is on the rise. This
Pride. And share they did. Familiar themes from previous years were back. Too
could turn out to be a good thing, as it makes it that much easier to leave.
many dogs and too much smoking were the most common complaints. The dog
If we end up where I think we’re going, Just Out will have the opportunity
situation is problematic in different ways. I doubt that there are many people
to host more community events. We’ll have more interior space as well as
who simply dislike dogs and want them gone as a matter of personal preference.
a spacious outdoor area where we can eat, drink and make “Mary.” We’ll be
No, 1 think it’s more that the dogs seem to keep getting bigger and bigger from
moving in August, so with a few weeks to settle in, I predict an end-of-summer
year to year and appear more threatening to people and other dogs. Thankfully,
community barbecue at the new location. 1’11 provide more specific details once
leashes are used by most, but that presents another troublesome scenario as dogs
I have signed papers and can uncross my fingers and not worry about jinxing
suddenly lurch toward other dogs. Yes, dogs often lunge in happiness, joy and
the transaction by speaking too soon.
FEATURE
22 PARADING OUR PRIDE
Readers rant and rave in retrospect
lust—not unlike all Pridegoers—and do not always intend to kill and maim, no
At “Blog Out," found at www.justout.com, I groused plenty about my dislike
matter how it appears. Yet the sudden sting of a wrapped-around dog leash can
for that aberration of behavior, neighborhtxxi Fourth of July fireworks. Now that
NEWS
be disconcerting at best and unnerving at worst.
the day has come and gone and my home and hearth survived another year,
8-17 NORTHWEST
This topic of dogs at Pride is now oft-repeated on my part and risks becom
1 find this bizarre evening even more odd. We seem to have one night a year of
ing a tedious annual rant. But because so many others brought it up, I’m stick
police-condoned unlawfulness. There are guidelines about firecrackers in
ing to my guns on this subject. 1 remain firm in my belief that it’s irresponsible
Oregon. They are well-publicized. It’s clear what you can and can’t do. Yet, for
to take dogs to a hot, dry, crowded plijpe where there are few accommodations
this one evening, the city is full of people engaging in absolutely illegal activi
for their well-being and care. There is no shade, there is no water, and—guess
ties. We have a night of anarchy, and nothing happens.
what, dog owners?—your pet has to pee and poop, too. Where’s your supply of
Yet in this same city, Portland, Oregon, you can be perceived as engaging in
cleanup materials? Forget them again this year, huh? Or is it simply your
illegal behavior at an anti-war demonstration and you could be, at best, pepper-
expectation that someone else will clean up after you?
sprayed, beat up or arrested. Police will clog the streets with their weaponry and
The pet parade was new this year and was a well-attended and -appreciated
control at such an event. Yet blow up small bombs in the street, nothing
event. Unfortunately, this encourages people to bring animals to a place where they
happens. Not enough police to go around? It’s strange, I tell you, very strange.
shouldn’t be. For 2008, perhaps pet parties could be held at a location other than
The Fourth of July has become a study in classism, police relations and politi
the festival site—perhaps even being a separate event held the weekend before?
cal control. 1 wonder who is really in charge and what are they up to.
A larger, more inclusive pet fair could be held, perhaps in conjunction with the
Oregon Humane Society and the other animal care groups and organizations that
our community supports and endorses. This could be a more leisurely and less stress
ful place for dog owners and dog lovers to relax and appreciate their pets.
What can you say about smokers at Pride? Plenty of people complain, but
inally, as you enjoy your July, please stop by Q Center and view the art show
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composed of the entries from the 2007 Just Out Amateur Photo Contest. For
details on Q Center hours, visit www.pdxqcenter.org. There are some great
photos on display, and you’ll be glad you made the trip.
reflections
5 Years Ago in Just Out... Volume 19 Number 17, July 5, 2002
• Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Kulongoski has promised to
with the request, she said
return a $15,000 campaign contribution because the money was tied to
a restraining order will be filed
|
to
prohibit him from coming
a company that produces gay adult videos, The Oregonian reported June 26.
into the church or within 150
• Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury spoke to a smattering of leaders
feet of the building.
from the sexual minorities community June 28, assuring them about his
excellent chances of winning the U.S. Senate race this fall.
• The Student Protection
Act II—an anti-gay measure
• The Bumside Triangle Advisory Group, a council of community members,
filed by the Oregon Citizens
activists and business owners appointed by City Commissioner Dan Saltzman
Alliance
in
December
and now overseen by City Commissioner Jim Francesconi, met June 27 to
2000—will not appear on the
discuss current projects and future plans. It is charged with making
Nov. 5 ballot, according to
recommendations about matters of interest to the sexual minorities
chairman Lon Mabon, who
community surrounding the development and future of Portland's gay district.
called it a "doomed effort."
• City employees had the opportunity to spend their lunch hour June 26
brown bagging it while commemorating National Pride Month. Sam Adams,
Mayor Vera Katz's chief of staff, played host to the Cultural Celebration
Series event, which drew only a handful of people.
• Metropolitan Community Church of Portland has asked an outspoken
animal rights advocate to stop attending worship services or other
functions in its building. In a letter dated May 22, attorney Kimberly S.
Brown informed Roger Troen of the board's decision. If he does not comply
• Potential entrepreneurs
could learn a lot from Bill Dickey. The gay Portland businessman has been
at the top of the game, and he has watched the bottom fall out. He has been
praised, just as he has been criticized. And he has always managed to get
back up, brush himself off and find another business project to tackle.
Domestic violence hits home; Club
Portland closes; new talents added to CAP
board; lift your hood; TriMet driver
disciplined; church resolves support; Seattle
Pride marchers confront Minutemen; get
professionally organized; Southern soul,
Northwest heart; campaign launches to
uphold rights; Jerusalem Pride under fire
18-19 NATIONAL
Presidential candidates examined; article
examines “don’t ask, don’t tell”; “free speech
zones” challenged; ads target queer homeless
youth; politicians donate to expand center
20-21 WORLD
Moscow Pride organizer guilty of disobeying
cops; 100,000 march in Rome; Bucharest
Pride succeeds with heavy police protection;
Colombia passes partnership law, then kills
it; world record: 3 million march in Sao
Paulo; Jamaican singers agree to halt anti-
gay music; lesbian Japanese politician
marries
ARTS AND CULTURE
38 MUSIC
The musical life of Galloway & Luckett
40-41 FILM
Boy Culture is banal and uninspired
43 MUSIC
New releases benefit Portland homeless
youth agencies
44 NIGHTLIFE
Miss Gay Oregon to be crowned
COLUMNS
14 GET DIRTY WITH DAN
Covering Ground
31 EPIQUEEREAN
Eat, Sleep and Be Merry
33 MS. BEHAVIOR
Four Play
36 OUT GOING
Winning Isn’t Everything
37 OUT OF MY MIND
• Queer runaways are at significantly greater risk for negative outcomes
than are their heterosexual counterparts, according to a study published in
the May issue of The American Journal of Public Health.
Soon Enough
46 JIM'S CLOSET
Before and After