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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2007)
2A. JUStjpUt DECEMBER ¿1. ¿927 Continued from Page 23 A Year in Organizations Groups played musical chairs in 2007 Curtain calls keep gaiety in motion by Jaymee R. Cuti by Julie Sabatier and Jaymee R. Cuti asic Rights Oregon’s executive director, John B Hummel, made a surprise announcement Dec. 13. After seven months on the job, he resigned. BRO spokeswoman Karynn Fish said: “It wasn’t a gixxl fit for him. He is returning to Denver to be closer to his family.” Hummel was known in his hometown of Boise, Idaho, for helping organize the state’s first gay rights organization, Your Family Friends and Neighbors. The group was responsible for Idaho’s first Pride celebra tion in 1990. “Everyone says when they leave a job that they want to spend time with their family, but in this case it’s actually true,” said Cris Lind, BRO board co-chairman. “We are going to move very quickly to put an interim leadership structure in place. We are committed to naming an interim ED hopefully by Jan. 1.” n June 11, Portland met Kendall Clawson, O Q Center’s first executive director. Clawson, a consultant and former United Way executive from Massachusetts, moved to Northeast Portland to take responsibility for fund-raising programs, administration and community relations efforts, supporting the board and shaping the center’s long-term vision. “I don’t think it is possible for me to be more excit ed to work with such a dynamic organization and to help build more connections between the diverse ele ments of our LGBTQ community,” Clawson.said in June. homas Bruner, former executive director of T Cascade AIDS Project, returned to the nonprof it sector in March when he accepted the chief execu tive officer position with rhe Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross. It didn’t take long for Bruner to outgrow that role. In August, he was promoted to regional executive of the American Red Cross, meaning that in addition to being the CEO of Portland’s chapter, CEOs from Salem, Eugene, Medford, Bend and Baker City also report to him. his was a year of tremendous change for the Revs. T Glenna Shepherd and Kermie Wohlenhaus. Shepherd resigned as senior pastor for Metropolitan Community Church of Portland and left Portland in January to start her new position as elder (bishop) over Western Europe and Africa. Her partner, Wohlenhaus, planned to join her in England until she received a breast cancer diagnosis in March. She remained in Portland to fight the cancer. In September, Wohlenhaus joined Shepherd. Wohlenhaus has received a clean bill of health and is serving as interim pastor at MCC of North London. Shepherd spent her first year assisting congrega tions with transitions and conflict, working with congregations and clergy who want to be part of MCC and creating liturgy and music resources. “1 have worked with our churches in Scotland, England, Denmark, Germany, France, Nigeria and South Africa," said Shepherd via e-mail. "We support an orphanage in Zimbabwe, and spending time with the staff and children there was a highlight of my year—our work with these 175 children who’ve been orphaned because of HIV truly touches my heart.” Shepherd says she has also worked with new pas tors in Kenya and Zimbabwe as they affiliate with MCC. “All over sub-Saharan Africa, our LGBT peo ple are longing for affirming faith communities! I’ll travel to Uganda and Nigeria in early 2007 to visit churches and explore interest there as well," she said. T REMK Dawnie Grubstein Mortgage Broker 5O3-557-91OO daw niegrubstein ©Comcast.net ttr I organization that had been serving people with AIDS for 17 years. The Friends of People with AIDS Booty DJ Puppet (bottom) and reveler Wayne Bund Foundation folded in June because its executive direc gave the queer dance party a sendoff Sept. 27. tor, Kevin Friends, retired for health reasons. Leaders within the organization decided to close the group because they could not find a replacement for Friends, whose demanding position was unpaid. Instead of ending its programs—Tod’s Corner, Esther’s Pantry and the Kids and Holidays gift-giving program—Our House of Portland stepped in to take over every service provided by Friends of People with AIDS. Allen Brady, director of administrative services at Our House and co-founder of Friends of People with AIDS, smoothed the transition. Meanwhile, Friends continues to rack up good karma by volunteering for Oregon Greyhound Silverado patrons will walk to the bar’s new Association. location at 318 S.W. Third Ave. on Jan. 1, 2008. We'll find you a home and get you the loan. Signature Properties t was the end of a short-lived era in he community said goodbye to a nonprofit We cover both sides of the fence. Shea Steel Realtor 503-282-1000 Ext 112 sheasteel (n remax.net A Year in Entertainment Close your transaction with Shea and Dawnie and receive $200 off your closing costs! Offer expires 12/31 /07 Portland’s queer history when Sissyboy took the stage for the last time Oct. 6 at Holocene. The punk drag troupe of self described “gender terrorists” ended three years of monthly shows with a bang, per forming a revue, appropriately titled Sissyboy Goes Away, full of musical num bers, outrageous costumes and raunchy humor. At the end, the boys went “full monty” for the standing-room-only crowd (except Lee “Splendora” Kyle). When asked what he learned from the Sissyboy experience, Kyle said: “I’m more comfortable with myself as a drag performer, and I’m more comfortable with breaking eggs on myself and shoving things up my ass on stage. We pushed ourselves as performers, and we had a really gracious audience.” Kyle continues to perform with a new group called the Gender Fluids with Chad Tolson and former Sissyboy Garrett “Kaj-anne” Winter. The new venture is distinct from Sissyboy, incorporating gender-bending elements but eliminating some of the gross-out factor that helped define Sissylxiy. lso leaving the altema-queer scene A was the popular dance night Booty. After three years in at least as many venues, Booty walked the plank Sept. 27, bidding farewell to DJ Puppet, who relocated to San Francisco in November. Much of the real estate in Portland’s gay district on Stark Street changed hands this year, perhaps most notably the Continental Building, which was once home to the Club Portland bathhouse and contin ues to house Silverado. Gerding Edlen Development acquired the 15,760- H ollywood A ntiques PORTLAND'S PREMIER ANTIQUE MALL EST. 1982 FUNKY & FABULOUS! 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