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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2007)
just out by Marty Davis Where Did the Year Go? J VOL. 25 NO. 4 ' newsmagazine DECEMBER 21, 2007 2007 was filled with memorable moments <xxl Lord. Another year—2007, it seems—is coming to an end. happening. While the Latino community repeatedly expressed concerns about Coming to an end? When did it start? Where the hell did it go? being disrespected during the renaming process, renaming opponents, myself What a hazy blur of memories this past year has been. It was included, kept insisting that disagreement was not the same as disrespect. Our Christmas, apparently 2006, that my brother was here. Then it rained American culture is so competitive on all levels, so “us" vs. “them” oriented, a lot, Pride came and went, and people came and went—some with that perhaps we’ve simply lost the ability to view the world from a place of respect toward each other? a great party, and now it’s 2008, give or take a heartbeat. 1 recently stopped into a coffee shop in Southeast Portland, which, at the That was my year. How was yours? risk of making assumptions, strongly appeared to have “European ownership Actually, 1 do exaggerate somewhat. (Imagine that.) This year, 2007, was with a strong religious background." One indication of this, in addition to the a year of gain, accomplishment, emotion and turmoil, albeit swift and fleeting. many biblical references on the walls, was a large sign stretched across the While, to many, the passage of House Bill 2007 and Senate Bill 2 will top counter. The sign read, “if you disrespect me by talking on your cell phone I will FEATURE respect you by waiting until you are finished to take your order.” 22 YEAR IN REVIEW the year’s memorable moments, I personally am reserving that spot for the turmoil and angst that became the train wreck known as “the renaming of Interstate Avenue.” Now 1 think that most of us view obnoxious cell phone users as simply that. But that wasn’t even a gay issue, many will say. No, I suppose not, but viewed disrespect toward ourselves. Do we so routinely disrespect each other that we on a larger scope it clearly became the story of the year. Far beyond the chang have simply lost sight of what we do? Knowing these kinds of things about ing of street signs, this became a contentious battle of civil rights, bitterness, ourselves could make it easier to understand others. But to find this out, we first anger, hurt feelings, accusations of racism, behaviors clearly demonstrating have to learn how to talk to each other. In order to understand disrespect and racism (denied or otherwise) and a lack of political leadership in Portland that racism, we have to get past the anger and the defensiveness that so quickly became painfully embarrassing and confusing. erupts and boils forth. This will be hard and will require leadership and thick- As the anger rose, the name-calling escalated and accusations and denials skinned people stepping up to take risks. of racism were tossed about the city, I took a small, deeply personal and difficult Who’s up for the job? step toward looking within myself to see if an honest evaluation of my own One woman has entered the fray and thinks she has the potential to be attitudes and perceptions would bring me to a conclusion of racist behaviors. a problem solver. Multnomah County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey is I examined behaviors that would most comfortably be kept hidden and are not poised to announce that she’s a candidate for the Portland City Council. well accepted or tolerated even when brought forth in an attempt at honesty Hmm, now this is going to be a race to watch. 1 am going to do my best to be and candor. Yes, I admitted. I can see this in myself. 1 can see racism. Not my open-minded and evaluate every word that comes out of this woman’s mouth proudest moment perhaps, but an honest one and a shared one. in an effort to determine if she’s a viable candidate for this important office. Now what, people asked? What now? What comes next? What do you do I will have a hard time setting aside the “mean girls” legacy of her and her with this information? How do you leverage this into community-involved fellow commissioners at the county level, but I will listen to how she handles dialogue and action? What level of personal exposure and risk are you willing questions and objections, and I look forward to her detailed plans on how to to take? OK, that last question, that one 1 asked myself. As a business owner I be an effective city leader. That said, I was amused by a recent comment from have to be aware that personal risks I take in this column can bear financial an ally who defended Rojo’s record by pointing out how much better things consequences. And while there is clearly a desperate need for dialogue in our are at the county now that Ted Wheeler is there and all the old problems are community about racism, I don’t know how much of a risk 1 can take from out the door. Silly me, I expect a county/city commissioner to provide leader potentially punitive advertisers who disagree with what 1 say. One advertiser did ship, not require it. cancel ads because she’d heard something about me being racist. She admitted that she hadn’t actually read anything I’d written, but to her rumor was enough to cause her to pull out. Chances are she was just looking for a reason to bail, and this one came along. Unfortunately, this tossing about of racism accusations servesxinly to create further wedges in an already divided community. In the end, I have to ask if I can live with myself if I silence my voice in order to sell ads. Just Out turns back the pages Obnoxious. We don’t tend to internalize others’ behavior and make it personal ooking forward, what’s ahead for 2008? Lots of things, I’m sure. In November L Just Out will have a grand 25th anniversary celebration at Q Center. You’ll be hearing a lot more about that as we progress through the year. For two years now I’ve largely let the Just Out Personals, found online at www.justout.com, lead its own life. This has been strictly a time management issue, and 1 thank all the many people who place ads and use the site. It has Respect and disrespect were also tossed about throughout the renaming managed to take on a life and thrive on its own. I do have a plan for the “women debacle. I think that perhaps we, as Americans, have grown so used to dis seeking women” users, though. Starting soon, really soon, Just Out Personals will respecting each other that we no longer even realize or consider that it’s host a monthly Bunco party for single women, probably at Q Center. This is a perfect activity for meeting each other. It is fun and fast-paced, requires no game experience and, unlike the dances, is conducive to actual conversation and meeting. My plan is that we’ll play from maybe 2 to 5 p.m., then the evening is free for new friends to take off and enjoy dinner together—at one of Just Out’s fine restaurant advertisers, of course. Fellas, that leaves me to come up with a plan for getting you single guys together. 1’11 think of something. Stay tuned. We end 2007 with a thank-you to those who have made our food drive for Esther’s Pantry’s successful so far. We’ve raised close to $1,000 in cash contribu tions, and several carloads of food have been taken off to replenish shelves. NEWS 7-17 NORTHWEST Tips for partnering on Jan. 2; writers clam up; Equity launches campaign; BRO adds development associate; new PA BA prez promises “low drama”; have dinner for Our House; Adams returns donation from pom proprietor; brunch for shelter; celebrate your partnership; escort charged with extortion, theft; survivors cast for recovery; designs inspired by the arts; Pacific Audiology helps the hard of hearing; lawsuit could delay domestic partnerships; sexual minonfy seniors polled on experiences 18-19 NATIONAL Smith introduces federal partnership bill; Matthew Shepard Act dies; recount ousts gay candidate; male student defends his protn dress; Huckabee reiterates anti-gay messages; couples celebrate civil unions at midnight 20-21 WORLD Croatia sees first openly gay candidate; Uruguay passes civil union law; Brazilian television network to pay $42 million for outing model; man hanged in Iran for “anal rape”; Kyrgyzstan sees first gay pamphlet; U.S. gay singers perform in Singapore ARTS & CULTURE 39-41 FILM Johnny Depp gives “the closest shave you’ll ever know” in Sweeney Todd; a bisexual interloper, a notorious reparative therapist and an online serial killer terrorize queers on DVD 43 MUSIC Ani and Joni return with mixed results 44 NIGHTLIFE Have a ball on New Year’s Eve Thanks so much to the great crowds at Gay Skate Night who contribute month after month. Pauline Miriam and her Hot Flash dancers came through with COLUMNS flying colors again, and thanks go out to PFLAG as well as the many others who 31 EPIQUEEREAN have dropped off donations. Just Out will become a year-round donation point, Presents of Mine so feel free to stop by any time. Finally, I closed this column in the last issue with mention that Just Out Dykes Hate Men might attempt to sponsor the annual women’s New Year’s Eve dance. That 36 OUT OF MY MIND turned out not to be a doable project, but I’m pleased to report that Teri Popejoy, Decisions, Decisions DJ Crystal and a few other elves have stepped in, at the last minute, to host a New Year’s Eve dance. For details see Page 11 or 21. The renaming of Interstate Avenue became a key issue in 2007. 33 MS. BEHAVIOR From the staff of Just Out, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a hap py new year. We’ll see you in 2008. ® 37 OUT GOING He Is What He Is 46 JIM'S CLOSET Queer View Mirror PAGE 55 explanation, some without. The rain stopped, we moved the office, we had
