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by Marty Davis
I NEWSMAGAZINE
Vote Out
APRIL 18, 2008
PAGE 24
VOL 25 NO. 12
Just Out takes the endorsement process seriously
he ballots are printed and will be arriving in our mailboxes soon.
his week’s mail brought the final newsletter of Portland’s Lesbian Com
After what seems like endless campaigning, Oregon’s primary elec
munity Project—a newsletter announcing, to no real surprise, the end of
tion is nearly here. Those ballots, once mailed, will all need to be
this once much-heralded organization. The good news, such as it is, is that
read, studied, marked and returned by May 20.
its annual softball tournament will continue. Long gone, however, are all the
FEATURE
24 ALWAYS FORWARD
SMYRC reflects on 10 years
The Just Out editorial staff has done a great deal of advance
other programs that gave identity to the group during its earlier years. In the
work for you. We’ve read, studied, quizzed, interviewed, shadowed and evalu
May 2 issue we’ll provide a historical overview of LCP and its accomplish
NEWS
ated a slew of candidates. Starting on Page 18 you’ll find our endorsements
ments. My thanks do go out to the many women who provided leadership,
for many local and statewide races. On our Web site, www.justout.com, you
8-17 NORTHWEST
energy, funding, patience and guidance to this organization when it was so
will find the written answers candidates provided to our questions. Please
very needed in this community. I do wish that there could be one final re
check the “Vote Out” blog for the complete text of their responses.
union event, even if it’s just a big old potluck, to gather again together, for
The Democratic presidential race is, as many know, becoming a matter
of deep personal conviction for voters. Hillary Clinton supporters stand firm
one last time, the many women who in some way touched, or were touched
by, LCP.
in their beliefs; Barack Obama fans believe their candidate is the one for the
job. In this column 1 have already announced my personal support for Clin
n April 16 the Just Out staff hosted the monthly After Hours event for
ton. It is understood that others feel differently. In this race let’s honor and
the Portland Area Business Association. We didn’t take a head count,
respect our individual choices. May the best woman win.
but we know a lot of our community’s business leaders passed through our
Just Out —to the surprise of no one, I’m sure—has chosen to endorse openly gay
door that evening. PABA is doing a great job of bringing together the busi
Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams for the office of mayor. From comments
ness community through networking and social activities. As Oregonians
posted on our blog in the past weeks, we are aware that not all readers are going to
feel the financial pinch of nationwide recession, it becomes more important
embrace this endorsement. We are also aware that there will be questions about
than ever that we support ourselves by buying, shopping and engaging in
endorsing the “gay guy” simply for the fact that he is the “gay guy.” But believe it or
commerce with our community, including our community of supporters and
not, Adams’ sexual orientation was not the sole basis for the endorsement. Just Out
allies. Just Out is proud to be a PABA supporter and ally. For more informa
does not automatically endorse candidates for office because they are gay. In the
tion please visit www.paba.com.
introductions to the endorsements you will read the criteria that were followed in
the selection process. Adams meets and exceeds all these criteria.
don’t mean to sound like a broken record in this space and speak of the
Repeal Watch; Red Dress Party raises
$30,000; Southern Oregon queer center
closes; cabaret revue replaces Peacock in
the Park; Vancouver court holds Corona
tion; Juan Martinez takes fund-raising
reins at BRO; health conference brings
meaningful discussion; bears raise cash for
injured bartender; MCC Portland assistant
pastor moves up; county employee named
public health hero; on the campaign
trail with mayoral candidates; Just Out
ringleads the elephant and donkey show
22-23 WORLD
Ecuadorian president supports same-sex
partnerships; Costa Rica declares National
Day Against Homophobia; Euro mayors
invited to Moscow Pride; 120 rally in Lon
don against deportation of gay Iranian; po
lice reportedly close Beijing gay bathhouses
Sho Dozono is a longtime supporter of our community. He appears to be a kind
same events over and over. That said, I’m going to talk-about our new
and affable person. He is not, however, the person who should be Portland’s next
Q Center-supported Bunco games again. In the 10-plus years that I’ve been
ARTS & CULTURE
mayor. Electing Dozono would be akin to re-electing Tom Potter, who is a fine
promoting events in this community, none has had quite the feel-good effect
40-41 THEATER
person also. But Portland simply does not need four more years of passivity in the
of these Bunco games.
city’s highest office. Sam Adams has the experience, the passion and the drive to
be a truly fine Portland mayor.
The Bunco games are all about camaraderie, laughter and instant
friendships. In a time and place where communications are electronic and
From rent boys to school boys, queer
peers dabble in the currency of affection
42-43 FILM
the world has become virtual, it’s dam delightful to see strangers coming
Looking for Langston is poetic film about
he May 20 primary election will be followed by June and all her statewide Pride
together, and in the span of two hours, laughing and enjoying each other
intersection of African-American and gay
activities. Pride Month marks the return of one of Just Out’s favorite events, the
like old friends. In a world where it can be hard to find actual in-the-flesh
male culture in United States; brilliant but
Amateur Photo Contest. This year’s contest will be our 25th anniversary contest,
community, Q Center and Just Out are striving, and succeeding, at creating
and we’re ramping up the prizes and the energy. Last year we received hundreds
opportunities to bring people like us back together.
criminally minded queens strangle friend
in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 classic Rope
of entries, and we’re looking for the same in 2008. All photos submitted will go
Right now the games are sponsored by JustOutPersonals.com and are
on display at Q Center throughout the month of July. Last year we had virtually
geared toward women seeking women and men seeking men. 1 have no
every wall covered, and we fully plan to do it again. There will be a reception for
doubt whatsoever that soon we’ll announce general monthly games open to
the winners and everyone who enters the contest. Complete rules can be found on
any and all. Lœk for news here, at www.justout.com and in the Q Center
Page 28 of this issue.
newsletter.
46 NIGHTLIFE
Egyptian Club presents a night
of female-fronted artists
48-49 BOOKS
Humorist returns with sequel to
award-winning debut novel
reflections
15 Years Ago In Just Out... volume 10 number 11, april 15,1993
the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the mili- j to help her in
tary, champions on both sides of the issue are the search for a
new police chief
preparing for the showdown.
to replace Tom
• Last October, Oregon Citizens Alliance sup Potter, who is
porters desecrated St. Matthew's Catholic retiring.
• The League of Lesbian and Gay Prisoners will Church in Hillsboro. They spray painted "Yes on
be participating in the March on Washington by 9," "Kill Gays and Catholics" and other threat • The Portland Awakenings Youth Group has
promoting a Proxy Participation Project through ening and racist slogans in the church and set been put to sleep. The YMCA of the Columbia-
which prisoners will be matched with volun a fire in the rectory near Assistant Pastor Jim Willamette canceled the support group for gay,
lesbian and bisexual youth at the end of March.
teers on the outside who will represent them in Galluzzo's bedroom.
While YMCA President Jerry Balser says the
the march.
• Multnomah County's Fair Housing Task Force group was canceled because of insurance risks,
• Minnesota has become the eighth state to ex- ! recently released a report confirming what too co-coordinator Peter Rosenblatt says the real
tend civil rights protection on the basis of sexual many residents already know—that discrimina reason is homophobia.
orientation. The new law covers the areas of tion in housing is rampant. Legal Aid lawyers in
housing, employment, real estate, public ac the eastern part of the county received 99 com • If you can't go to Washington, come to the
commodations, public services, education and plaints last year; a substantial number of them People's March on Springfield. Thumb your
nose at Oregon Citizens Alliance types and cel
were from Latinos looking for housing.
access to credit.
ebrate equal rights for all. United voices join in
• As the six months tick away that President • Portland Mayor Vera Katz has assembled an a peaceful march opposing the oppression of all
Clinton set aside for discussion before he lifts advisory committee of 13 community members human beings.
• Rather than honoring the Colorado boycott,
comedian Paula Poundstone chose to pay for 15
billboard messages in Colorado Springs, home
of Colorado for Family Values, creators of anti-
gay Amendment 2.
■
COLUMNS
35 MS. BEHAVIOR
On the Nose
38 EPIQUEEREAN
The Six-Inch Itch
39 OUT GOING
The Write Stuff
45 SASSY GARDENER
Beyond Hens and Chicks
50 JIM'S CLOSET
Wag the Bulldog
ON THE COVER
New York City photographer Karl Giant’s work
has appeared in Vanity Fair, Elk, Interview and
other top publications, and his unique visual
style has enhanced
Marc Jacobs, Dolce
& Gabbana, Chris
tian Dior and other
top brands. He also
directs music videos,
including the No. 1
hit “Automatic” by
Ultra Nate. For more
information visit
www.karlgiant.com.
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