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.