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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 2007)
1$ JUStjOUt AUGUST ! 7,2QQ7 H ollywood A ntiques northwest PORTLAND'S PREMIER ANTIQUE MALL EST. 1982 FUNKY & FABULOUS! SEE OUR EXPANDED MID-CENTURY SECTION Checking in with Ted Wheeler Is the Multnomah County chair honoring his commitment? by Julie Sabatier DAVIS 1969 NE 42nd Ave. 1 block north of Sandy • 2 blocks from Max Phone:503-288-1051 E-mail: hollywoodantique@comcast.net www.hollywood-antiques.com Gillan Bradley Co Custom Fine Jewelers Express Yourself with Jewelry Distinctly Crafted for You! 1 1, i „ i i Jewelry & Watch Repairs Come and join us! 503.282.0282 Tuesday - Wedneiday 10:30 am - ¿ pm Thursday 10:30AM - 7PM Friday - Saturday 10:30 am - 5PM Hollywood Art Beat Every 3rd Thursday ü z ? 4049 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213 ’W ~ . Call us at 1-888-8NWRELO or visit www.nwrelocation.us for a free estimate Close your transaction with Shea and Dawnie and receive $200 off your closing costs! Offer expires 9/30/07 about his commitment to queer rights, promising to stand up for equality at the state and county level. Now that he’s been in office for about eight months, Just Out thought it was time to assess whether he is walking his talk. Wheeler was a visible presence at the Portland Pride parade and the Red Dress Party, and he voiced his support Barbara Wilier (left) is the PRISM liaison for Multnomah for House Bill 2007 and Senate Bill 2, County Chair Ted Wheeler. saying he wanted to hold hearings on the statewide legislation in Multnomah County. lesbian families and their children,” said Adams, who Leaders at Basic Rights Oregon, who endorsed Linn, stressed that his comments were made to encourage declined Wheelers offer. rather than criticize Wheeler. “We felt it was important to keep our volun Wheeler himself was not available to comment teers focused on talking with key swing legislators, on this specific point by press time. His deputy all of whom were from districts outside Multnomah chief operating officer, Barbara Wilier, had this to County,” BRO’s Melissa Chernaik explained. “We say: “We really haven’t had that discussion with are really looking forward to working with Chair our board at this point." Wheeler to make sure folks in Multnomah County Wilier, a lesbian, also serves as Wheeler’s liaison are educated about why it’s important to vote yes to Pride Respect and Integrity for Sexual Minorities on the referendum, should they be on the ballot in (PRISM), a Multnomah County employee network November 2008.” group. Wheeler indicated that he’s open to supporting Within the larger queer population, there are BRO in whatever way makes the most sense, special needs groups like queer seniors, served by although both he and the nonprofit were vague organizations like Senior Housing and Retirement about what an effective educational campaign Enterprises and the Elder Resource Alliance, which would entail. is a part of the Friendly House senior program. Kendall Clawson was a bit more forthcoming Neither organization receives any direct county about her hopes for the future. A transplant from funding at this point. Massachusetts, she took over as executive director “We would love for Elder Resource Alliance to for Q Center m June. The year-old community be funded...but we’ve heard over and over again center does nor receive any county funding. that isn’t going to happen,” said Friendly House “We’ve been talking for a little while now about executive director Vaune Albanese. the whole concept of a larger space for Q Center that Wilier said: “It sounds like they need to have has a joint tenancy with other queer organizations a conversation with our program staff. We have and businesses can collaborate with one another and a process for all our funding. They know that.” perhaps have some sort of cornerstone business that On the other end of the human spectrum is the can help support queer issues and activities," she Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center and explained. “Would they have a willingness to join in Outside In, both of which praised Wheeler for his and participate in finding a building for us so that we commitment to queer youth. don’t have to do a massive capital campaign?” “He really gets it,” said Outside In executive The answer from Wheeler is a resounding and director Kathy Oliver. “Of course, I wish there were enthusiastic “maybe.” dedicated funds specifically for GLBTQ homeless “I love the Q Center,” he said. “At this time, youth.” the Q Center is not directly engaged in the deliv Wheeler said that he would like to have more ery of social services, but if they decided to kxik in information about the specific funding needs of the that direction as part of their new vision, I think young and queer homeless population but that there would be more opportunities for direct there might be opportunities to partner with the county support.” city of Portland to provide financial resources. Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams also Although Wheeler’s openness to ideas from the had some practical advice about how best to queer community is commendable, it is worth noting support the sexual minorities community at the that he didn’t exactly begin this dialogue himself. county level. He suggested Wheeler emulate his “I would encourage him if he really wants to do Equal Benefits Ordinance, which requires all con this, rather than doing it through a newspaper tractors who deal with the city to offer the same article, to invite a core group of queer leaders to benefits to domestic partners as they do to spouses. come together and let’s hammer out a plan and set “1 think that is the most tangible and doable a deadline for ourselves so we don’t talk it to reform that would provide real support for gay and death,” said Clawson.
