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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 2008)
page 3 j ustiout by Marty Davis J Past, Present, Future ——1IfqËvVS MAGAZINE VOL. 25 NO. 6 JANUARY 18, 2008 As we remember our heroes, we must rally for our rights T ur Q Center, yours, mine, ours, is becoming host to an amazing array of events and activities. The bad news about the recent weekend of historical perspective is that it’s over. The good news, however, is that more events similar to these are being planned, specifically for Pride Month in June and Gay History Month in October. I cannot speak enough to the importance of learning the history of Portland’s gay and lesbian community. We are so fortunate to have people among us who can speak—with candor, humor and, yes, some grief—of the events of not all that long ago. What a delight it was to hear from, among O others, Susie Shepherd, John Baker, Chris Tanner, Jerry Weller, Terry Bean and Donna Red Wing. On Jan. 11 we watched a movie about a story that these people lived. On Jan. 12 we met them and heard the stories in their own words and memories. Folks, we have heroes in our community. They gathered togeth er at Q Center on a recent magical weekend. hile learning lessons from the past, we must not lose sight of the fact that the battle to achieve full civil rights for gays in Oregon is far from over. Basic Rights Oregon is leading the charge against those who would oppress us. Our next day in court is scheduled for Feb. 1. This is when Federal Judge Michael Mosman will hear arguments regarding a permanent injunction against Oregon’s domestic partnership legislation. While the legal battle will take place in Mosman’s courtroom, the battle cry to rally will take place two days prior. This is when all of Portland’s gay, les bian, bi and trans community must come together in a massive show of support and unity. Aside from Pride parades, our community—joined by friends, fam ily, allies and supporters—has not taken to the streets, so to speak, since 2000. Now is our time. Basic Rights Oregon needs me, Basic Rights Oregon needs you. All of you. This can’t be left for someone else to do. This is the day for all of us to come together, to raise our voices and our signs and make it clear: “We’re not taking it anymore.” Be there for the Rally to Defend Equality 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Terry Shrunk Plaza in Portland. Leave work early; take the day off if you need to travel. Wear warm clothes and sturdy, waterproof shoes, and be ready to make some noise. We’re done with vigils, folks. W ow, closing on a lighter note, after yelling until we’re hoarse and standing shoulder to shoulder in political unity, let’s not forget the importance of the social components of our lives. Let’s not forget dating and fun. After all, happy and fulfilled people make for better activist and leaders, right? Do it for the community. Get out there and date. It’s your duty. If you should fall into the women-seeking-women category, and perhaps are looking for new opportunities to meet others of the same mindset, then I JustOutPersonals.com has something new for you. Please join us Jan. 27 at Q Center for the first-ever single women’s Bunco event. I guarantee you’ll have a good time. Bunco is, after all, speed-dating lite. Come and find out for your self. Details can be found in the calendar section of this issue. © N 10 Years Ago in Just Out... volume 15 number 6, january 16,1998 • The executive council of the American Psychoanalytic Association adopted a resolution Dec. 18 endorsing the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. • A Gannett News Service poll found that more than 90 percent of U.S. citizens know who Ellen DeGeneres is (making her more well-known than Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott) but that only one in three approve of her, The Detroit News reports. • Oregon health officials have scrapped a plan, at least temporarily, to require the names of people who test positive for HIV to be reported to the Oregon Health Division and county health departments. 22 LIPSTICK & DIPSTICK Butch/femme columnists dispense advice in their first book NEWS 8-15 NORTHWEST Arrest in Callaway murder; Rally on Jan. 30; Planned Parenthood remembers Roe v. Wade; Office of Human Relations formed; trans writing group begins; Q Center packed for history weekend; welcoming service held; Pride Northwest has new leader; popular comedian donates performance; Plural keeps marketing real; healingTiappens at in the Nest; candidate shakes up mayoral race; Just Out examines Mosman 18-19 NATIONAL Army sergeant comes out; California trans leader snubs HRC; Sen. Craig tries new defense; New Jersey assembly passes stronger hate crime bill; New Jersey Legislature hears marriage plea 20-21 WORLD Large anti-gay rally in Madrid; Spain investigates minister’s gay cure program; McKellen becomes companion of honor; online homophobes prosecuted in the Netherlands; Canadian bill would protect transgender people; new Bolivian constitution not all good for gays; Uruguay civil union bill signed into law; Nepal Supreme Court mandates gay protections ARTS & CULTURE To view pictures from these events, visit the photo gallery at www.justout.com. reflections • The Clinton administration plans to seek an additional $165 million in its 1999 fiscal budget to help treat and care for people with AIDS. The increase would mark a 14 percent rise in spending to assist people with the disease and would raise total spending to slightly more than $1.3 billion. FEATURE • Organizers of Portland Pride have recently drafted new guidelines aimed at evaluating the queer-friendliness of potential event sponsors. According to Christopher Webster, treasurer of Pride Northwest, the festival's organizer, the move was galvanized in part by the controversy around Coors' corporate sponsorship of Pride 1997. • The Human Rights Campaign, a national gay and lesbian rights Organization based in Washington, D.C., will hold its annual Oregon fund-raiser/dinner Feb. 7 at Portland's Benson Hotel, 309 S.W. Broadway. Scheduled speakers include Betty DeGeneres, former U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield, former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts and lesbian activist Donna Red Wing. • Petitioning will be held Sunday afternoons throughout January and February to promote the Living Wage Campaign, which seeks to guarantee at least $8 an hour and health benefits for workers at companies receiving government contracts. • Chocolate City, a new women's nightclub, featuring music for women with flava! Hip-hop, rap and R & B. Full bar, complimentary hors d'oeuvres. 38-39 FILM Looking for Cheyenne offers fresh take on love under siege; monstrous creature terrorizes New Yorkers in Cloverfield 41 CULTURE DVD spotlights standup routines; gay comedy show puts the “sketch" in sketchy 44 NIGHTLIFE ASL Comedy Night brings communities together COLUMNS 17 DEAR ETHEL | Resolve to Quit 31 EPIQUEEREAN Alberta Strikes Again 33 MS. BEHAVIOR Breaking Up Is Hard to Do 36 CORNER VIEW Lose My Breath 37 OUT GOING New Year’s Eve 42 OUT OF MY MIND Kiss My Assimilation 46 JIM'S CLOSET Mama’s EJoy PAGE 55 his month saw a whirlwind of activity swirling about our community. At Q Center’s Jan. 11 Ballot Measure 9 movie showing and the follow ing night’s “Stories from the Struggle,” I witnessed, heard and felt deeply heartfelt emotions, tenderly retrieved from journeys into the past. A scant few days after these events, the Portland City Council voted to invest capital and energy in the human resources and well-being of all its diverse citizens. And, through all this, Basic Rights Oregon is planning and preparing for the battles that still lie ahead. Our past, our present and our future entwine us together. We cry, we celebrate, we prepare for more. Let’s start with the most recent event, one of merit and long-term poten tial. I attended the Portland City Council meeting held Jan. 16 at Jefferson High School. This was quite the atypical City Council meeting. Attendance, in the school auditorium, was high. The gathered folks presented a rainbow of diversity and difference. It was the first time I’ve ever seen a nonservice dog allowed into “chambers.” Applause was allowed after testimony, a no-no during regular sessions. Many students were present, and several clusters appeared to be families who were attending together. On the agenda was a resolution to approve and establish a new Office of Human Relations. The resolution passed 4-0, with one commissioner absent. By July 1, Portland will again have a human relations entity operating under the auspices of the mayor’s office. I don’t have the space here to specifically outline the scope of the new office, so here’s an overview, with more to follow in future issues. The main goal of the Human Relations Commission is “to empower and serve the residents of Portland by advocating for the rights of all people, fostering diversity and resolution to issues rooted in bias and discrimination.” As Martha Stewart would say, “It’s a very good thing.” In the coming weeks many questions will surface about this new commis sion. On the simplest level, Portlanders will want to know who will be doing what, and about whom. Just Out will find out the answers for you.
