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. Instead,
much faith in this community and how well they
For more information about Q C enter call
raise $200,000, stating only that he’s “been to the
a federal court judge delayed implementation of
rally around things.”
503-234'7837 or visit www. qcenter.org.
contract.
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