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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2008)
PHOTO COURTESY Q CENTER northwest $200,000 in 90 Days Is Q Center up to the challenge? by Jaymee R. Cuti endall Clawson wants to come to your well before.” She described him as a generous phi the domestic partnership law, so barbecue. lanthropist who “wants to help create a legacy.” a group of furious, disappointed The successes of film screenings, speaking engagements and bingo bouts have caused Q Center to outgrow its space at 69 S.E. Taylor St. She’ll speak at your group meeting It became clear to Clawson that Q Center and frustrated community members gathered at and is accepting invitations to meet outgrew its capacity on the corner of Southeast Q Center. This time, Q Center could not accom through grassroots means. Clawson has asked in your friends for happy hour. Water Avenue and Taylor Street during two key modate the crowd. dividuals, groups and corporations to “sponsor a Clawson is asking for donations at every turn. community events. As of July 9, the center had raised $60,000 “We were supposed to go to our spot, and our day” at $2,222. Clawson passed a basket around Q Center hosted a memorial service Nov. 20, spot was too small for us. I remember facing the at a PABA luncheon. A supporter brought in an for Dan Callaway, a much-loved gay window and, in the pouring rain, looking out at empty 10-gallon water jug to stuff with change, And this is no arbitrary goal. Clawson, execu Portlander who was murdered. Family and friends people’s faces pressed up against the window, not and Clawson asked for donations from the crowds tive director of Portland’s sexual minority com filled the 1,600-square-foot space beyond capacity being able to get into their community center. at Portland Pride. munity center, was challenged to raise the money at the standing-room-only event. That was the moment when 1 said, ‘This isn’t Large donations have come from corporate enti working for us,’ ” said Clawson. “I can’t have ties, small businesses and organizations such as Wells people looking into Q Center.” Fargo, Albina Grmmunity Bank, Pride Northwest, Her swelling social calendar is part of her plan to raise $200,000 for Q Center by September’s end. 2007, in three months with the promise of a matching Q Center’s location along train tracks had grant by an anonymous donor. Paired with money caused delays and deafening whistles since the from past capital campaigns, Q Center hopes to center’s inception, but never had the train both relocate to a permanent home. ered Clawson as much as that night. The demand for Q Center has continued. the Rose City Softball Association and PABA. The Portland Area Business Association (PABA) Tim Bias, an insurance agent and man about “I’m not married to four walls,” said Clawson, “Not only was it crowded, but the train came became a partner tenant, sharing the center’s town, is spearheading the Power 100, in which trying her best to not be coy while continuing to through at the worst time. Dan’s mother came to the upstairs administrative office. The center also he is asking 100 people to donate $1,000 each to keep details such as the new center’s coordinates microphone, and the moment she began to speak, launched an enormously popular film screening Q Center’s capital campaign. close to the vest. She does not want to get the the train went by and 1 was so upset for her,” said and speaker series centered around the documen community’s hopes up-with the location of a new Clawson. “This was a mother’s moment, and it was tary Ballot Measure 9. center until the ink dries on the lease or mortgage being interrupted by this stupid external thing.” In her attempt to meet the challenge of raising “It’s not only about those who can write the big checks. It’s also about the person who cleans out their coat pockets and gives what is significant to them,” said Clawson. © Q Center was thrust into dire importance $200,000, Clawson said: “This place belongs to Clawson also would not disclose the owner again Jan. 1 when couples had planned to cel the community. I’m just the innkeeper. 1 have so of the deep pockets who challenged Q Center to ebrate their new domestic partnerships. 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