DECEMBER 7, ¿007 justout they aware that LBT women also live in or visit Portland? Were they aware that working-class queers, including students and artists, might live in or visit Portland? I doubt such considerations crossed their minds in their apparent rage that all of Portland did not cower before their somehow superior collective presence. That these two then had the nerve to play the manly man card by suggesting a local gay man in a feather boa does not represent them (what, not camp enough?) and the victim card by suggest­ ing—1 think falsely—that CDs were stolen from their car adds insult to injury. 1 find it highly unlikely that any hardened Portland car thief would strut down to Music Millennium attempt­ ing to sell back Experience the Divine: Bette Midler’s Greatest Hits to the hipster clerk behind the counter. Besides, CDs have less a chance of disap­ pearing if you choose to put the top up on the Pride-sticker-covered red convertible I feel almost certain these two clowns gallivant around in. 14. Your neighbor/friend/relative’s body weight j organization. His comments were self-serving and isn’t any more your business than is bkxxl pressure very narcissistic. As the former executive director or cholesterol. of the agency, it was his responsibility to manage 15. Worrying about weight causes stress. the organization’s operations in a professional 16. Stress contributes to being overweight. manner. Simply put, he apparently failed to do so. 17. Harassing, nagging, intimidating or revil­ He should take responsibility for that failure or, at the very least, the perception of that failure. ing people who are fat does not improve their health and is not a sign of love or compassion; it As a former chairman of Brother to Brother’s is harassment. board of directors, 1 do know that policies were developed to enhance the organization’s infrastruc­ D eni S tarr ture and to maintain the fiscal soundness of the Portland Business & Professional Women organization. If the executive director did not implement the board’s policies, resulting in a “lax Looking Back structure,” then he should have been taken to task. To the E ditor : If the paid leader of the organization cannot discern The holiday season is a gixxl time to kxik back when his own behavior is inappropriate, whether on the past year and reflect on what has transpired. real or perceived, then he obviously will have It is obvious that 2007 has been a fabulous year for limited success at best. I can only say that Brother the GLBT community. With the passing of the two to Brother is much better off without Darryl Moch Oregon equality acts at our state level and the pass­ at the helm. ing of the Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill and 1 hope this experience does not taint Kourtni the Employment Non-Discrimination Act at the Dupree’s zest for working in this field. Portland S ean C. H ayes national level, we have made some great strides in needs young, vibrant black men like him to work Portland our quest for full equality. The process was a strug­ with their same-gender-loving peers. These types of gle to get through, and we will continue to be episixles are unfortunate and should not be viewed Fat Is a Feminist Issue engaged in the process in 2008. as the norm for Brother to Brother or any organiza­ To the E ditor : At this time we would like to thank Just Out for tion serving same-gender-loving people. I felt a need to respond to Mr. Jeffrey Smith’s all of the great coverage you have had in your Brother to Brother has done great work through lesbophobic letter printed in your Nov. 2 issue with newspaper concerning transgender events, work­ the years. It is disappointing that Darryl M Windermere Springfield, OR 97477 t=J IQUAi NOUWMO OFFOttUNItV /illtiiiicltc b'iììci liciti I W V Group, LLC Together, let’s create a personalized strategy for your goals and dreams, whether ♦ planning for your retirement ♦ evaluating your current portfolio ♦ managing your inheritance ♦ saving for your children’s education ♦ managing distributions from your retirement accounts ♦ utilizing unique planning strategies for singles and same gender couples ♦ aligning your environmental and social values with your financial goals Before making any investment decisions, call... Floreid Walker Committed to client success since 1987 Financial Planning Strategist Retirement Income Distribution Strategist Willamette Financial Group 3529 NE Broadway, Ste 101 503-445-9390 ext.101 floreid@wfgadvisors.com www.wfgadvisors.com ’Florvid Walker is an Investment Representative offering Securities and Investment Advisory Services through AJG Financial Advisors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and SEC registered investment advisor. Member NASD/SIPC. 5