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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2007)
SEPTEM^" 7. zog? jciStjQUt. g letters Cuts Both Ways discussions and action the board took in this matter. right to hypocritical rabid “family values" voting Craig’s real crime was cooperating with a law To the E ditor : The information you presented indicated that record. He accurately represented his conservative officer who misrepresented the facts and entrapped It was not so much that Marty Davis left the MCC had issue with Roger’s positions and campaigns Idaho constituency, and the governor will appoint, him into losing his career over something that was man with the broken-down truck by the side of the for animal rights. That assessment is incorrect, and and voters sustain, similar ilk. supposed to be a minor fine and walk-away matter. road in rural Oregon (albeit while she went for 1 want to clarify your records. Craig’s offense was not bad bathroom etiquette, Craig was promised and convinced that pleading help, although he managed to a ride on his own), The problem with Roger at that time was not or lewd public sex, but rather being gay. The bath- guilty would “make this go away." Instead, he fell but her feelings afterward that these people might with what Roger was saying but his choice of method. nx>m sting cop of the Minneapolis Airport Police, prey to gay-bashing built into the system. now become friends and allies of GLBT folk around The board had to deal with the continual m the widely circulated audio tape, claimed routine disnipting of our worship services with inappropri success with nabbing gays. Presumably this cop was Avi F euer Seems to me we can’t expect someone to want ate actions. No one can be allowed to interfere dressed, and behaved, in an appropriate manner to Portland to understand and support us in our time of need with our worship to campaign for any cause. Our garner solicitations. Indeed, Craig said, “You solicit- ' (Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2007 on the ballot in worship service is not a venue for unplanned ed me” and called the event “entrapment.” The Outing Bigots November 2008) if we also allow our own fears and campaigning for any public or political cause. actual actions of Craig were so subtle that the To the E ditor : the state (“Road Trip,” Aug. 3|. stereotypes and possible previous negative experi- ' As a matter of fact, many of our members, includ officer had to question Craig in derail as to the 1 just learned about the Web site KnowThy ences to keep us from offering assistance in “their" ing myself, agree with and support Mr. Troen’s work position of his hand, palm up or down. This hardly NeighborOregon.com. Initially, I thought simply, time of need. in the field of animal rights. sounds like overtly lewd behavior. “Great, that ought to help.” Then 1 read the opening 1th as to work both ways; If GLBT Oregonians want the respect and cooperation of straight and If you refer to this event in the future, please correct the details. unaware/misinformed/homophobic Oregonians in Are gays not allowed to make subtle advances page about responsibility and it got me thinking. in public? Would this be a crime in a bar or on the 1 am gay and I am out, really out. I am a local street? Surely a bathnxim is more private. With law businessperson, and if you search my name on the next year’s election, we need to do some work as K elly M c F arland enforcement budgets strained, especially in airports, | Web you will find many links to gay business well in breaking down those walls, showing Portland do we want cops lurking in bathroom stalls trying directories. I am also a PTA mom, neighbor and to solicit advances to bust gays? consumer. ourselves as valuable and worthy in their eyes, and demonstrating that we can support them and their In Denial lives/needs at the same time. To the E ditor : E sther G riffin Beaverton A Matter of Fact Metropolitan Qimmunity Church with Roger Troen. 1 don’t know who is anti-gay. This Web site has me “1 don’t*care about sexual preferences or anything wondering who among the many folks I encounter Larry Craig had no friends. His quiet resignation was like that,” said bathrcxim cop to Craig. “There’ll be would like to limit my rights and legal protections. • designed to end the story and bury controversy. a fine.” This he said before reading his Miranda rights. I never really considered the public nature of the While 1 don’t bemoan the loss of a hypocrite anti-gay The cop said: “You’re gonna get out of here. You’re signatures on all the many anti-gay initiatives that senator, his demise is simply systemic gay-bashing. gonna have to pay a fine, and that will be it. I don’t have coursed divisively across our state since my call media, 1 don’t do any of that type of crap.” arrival in 1990. I could have gone to rhe court What was his crime, and did it warrant loss of So Craig pleaded to a lesser charge, disorderly house but never thought of it. I will, however, go Craig denied any wrongdoing. Moreover, he conduct, to make this go away. The cop engaged in online. And I will have to decide how to responsi denied being gay, as if that was the crime. “I am not a form of plea bargain with Craig but then violated bly handle the information. gay. I have never been gay.” his end of the deal. They released the tape to the It may tear people apart. How painful it would be media. Is the officer, and/or the city of Minneapolis, to find signers who smile at you at the water cooler or guilty of fraud? when they drop their child off at your home for a play career? Ago in Just Out" [July 6|. This entry was regarding a situation at the of career? Is that included in the sentencing? While everyone knows 1 am gay, I realize that After news of a bathroom sting arrest, suddenly To the E ditor : I am writing in regard to a listing in “5 Years What penalty did this public servant serve? Loss I was a member of the board of directors at the time Unfortunately simply being gay was the crime. of this incident and remember quite clearly the Craig has the right to closet life. He even has the date? I hope my peek at the signatures will not Submit your letters, wedding announcements, transitions, or list your events online at www.justout.com present me with the tough situation of finding those JUStjOUt I work with and live among and from whom I buy goods and services. Sadly, I expect to find names I know. I can figure out no other way to process that but to understand that those people who sign to over justoutpersonals turn our newly won, and still less-than-equal, rights Business Directory Between The Pages Just Asking BLOG OUT • Call to Action from GLAAD Labor Day Weekend ha; This often marks the er How does this make yo Photo Gallery Calendar of Events Re.id et S u bm issb MPMSMBBHMRHBI Arts & Culture Page 3 Comment Columns 1 will have to challenge anyone 1 know who has signed to discuss the issue. I will have to ask direct ly why they believe 1 am less worthy of basic legal Resources News Headlines believe some of us are less equal than others. Weddings & Commitments Transitions List Your Events " II • Bring on the rain. Err • NOI More sun, more • Summer was here? • Fall is the best seaso • Yeah, we're that muc Potter's birthday. • As always use comm your seasonal thougt protections than they are. I will have to vote with my dollars. 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