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