JULY 6. 2007 JUStpUt! TriMet Driver Disciplined Organizational development specialist Trever Cartwright is the new Cascade AIDS Project board president. Washington residents since 1985—announced June 29 that three people have joined its hoard of directors. Trever Cartwright, an organizational develop­ ment specialist, is the hoard’s new president. Liz Rahiner Lippoff, founder of the public relations and marketing firm Liz, ink, was elected secretary. Both Cartwright and Lippoff are new to their roles. Tony Melaragno, a hematologist/oncologist and former medical director of the San Diego Blood Bank, works with the Legacy Health Care System and will continue to serve as treasurer of the hoard, which he joined in 2002. CAP’s new board members include Ted Fettig, a Wells Fargo executive and community activist; Foy Renfro, who represents the College of Business in the Portland office of the Oregon State University Foundation; and Jane Schiffhauer, an artist and former marketing executive. “We’re very excited to have such a wealth of talent on our board,” said CAP executive director Jean Ann Van Krevelen, who appeared in the June issue of Go New York magazine’s “100 Women We Love” feature. “Each individual brings us an exceptional skill set, and each one is committed to helping us carry out our mission— to lead efforts to prevent new HIV infections; to care for people affected and infected by HIV/A1DS; to educate communities to eliminate stigma and shame; and to advocate for immediate action in combating the pandemic.” Lift Your Hood A new workshop has been added to the slate of activities offered this month at Q Center. If you have been ashamed of your lack of mechanical know-how when it comes to car main­ tenance, Q Center volunteer Deb Beechy can help. “Cars 101: Basic Auto Maintenance” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon July 14. Beechy is encouraging ladies to come out and get their hands dirty in this basic course directed toward those who have rarely, if ever, lifted their hoods. If you don’t have a car, bring a friend who does and work together to keep yourselves informed. No prior knowledge or skills are required to attend. Q Center is at 69 S.E. Taylor St. For more infor­ mation visit www.pdxqcenter.org. TriMet announced June 20 that the driver who kicked two 14-year-old lesbians off the No. 12 bus for kissing has been disciplined. Spokeswoman Mary Fetsch would not provide details about the 64-year-old male driver’s discipline because of the company’s confidentiality policy. She confirmed that an internal investiga­ tion is complete and that the driver is still employed by TriMet. According to Fetsch, the riders’ behavior did not warrant being removed from the bus and the driver acted outside of TriMet policy, which requires operators to call for assistance before removing a minor from the bus. “TriMet sincerely apologizes to the girls and their families for this incident. Removing the girls from the bus was not consistent with our policy. 1 want to reiterate that we welcome all riders on our system," said TriMet general manager Fred Hansen. Ronnda Zezula, mother of one of the teen girls, was disappointed that the driver took matters into his own hands. “We would have welcomed a call to come pick up our kids for their behavior on the bus, as poli­ cy dictates. We could have then safely applied consequences, thereby teaching them an actual lesson about putting themselves on public display. In this world, that is still dangerous,” she wrote in a letter submitted to Just Out. “The only thing the driver got across is that adults can behave how­ ever they want to, even against the rules, if their emotions cause them to lose control.” Zezula added, “Our main hope was to send a message that if you choose to work and live with other humans, you should expect to be offended every once in a while.” Zezula’s daughter and her girlfriend had been en route to the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center. A “kiss in" has been organized to protest the actions of the bus driver. Organizers are asking the community to meet at 2 p.m. July 8 outside the TriMet office, 701 S.W. Sixth Ave., for some lip locking. Church Resolves Support A total of 13 pro-gay/reconciling resolutions were brought forward and adopted at the Oregon- Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church in June. According to the pastor of North Portland’s University Park United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jeanne Knepper, these resolutions constitute “why and how we, as a church, should be less discriminatory." A standing resolution, which was adopted by I more than two-thirds of the conference, specifical- 1 ly addresses the need for children of same-sex I couples to have their parents’ relationships legally I recognized. I The resolution, titled “To Benefit the Children I of Same-Gender Relationships,” reads: “The 2000 I census established that same-gender couples are I raising children in 96 percent of all counties in the I United States. Children of same-gender parents I often experience economic, legal and familial I insecurity when their bonds to nonbiological I parents are not legally recognized. Moreover, legal I recognition of same-gender relationships increases I the ability of adult couples to provide and care for I one another and fosters a nurturing and secure I Continued on Page 10 I Better Sleep for Less (360) 260-2222 We carry the largest selection of Simmons and Tempurpedic in the N.W. Free (Same or Next day) Delivery - We pay the sales tax! We take PRIDE in our prices and PRIDE in our service! Next to Ross Dress for Less - Across the street from Vancouver Mall 4708-B NE Thurston Way, Vancouver, WA 98662 (360) 260-2222 Bring in this ad and receive a FREE umbrella! It’s Your Town. It’s Our Town. 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