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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2008)
Regarding the new post with CAP, Kaplan said in a written statement: “It’s been over 10 years since I left my role as executive director for a community-based organization. During the last decade, I’ve worked with literally hundreds of organizations in the U.S. and abroad on HIV and have been blessed with opportunities to see and learn so much. More than anything, I’ve learned my passion is at the community level, and 1 can’t imagine a better place to focus that than in Portland with CAP.” Volleyball Association Hosts Grass Tournament Action on the courts, however, was no laughing matter. Using constant directional shouts like, "1 go, 1 go" or “Out,” teams played their best, working on athletic ability as well as communication. “1 have not played in about five years, but be ing out here it is amazing how the feel of the game just comes back to me,” said Rob McElroy about the day’s game play. “I love it.” The grass tournament was also a chance for players to get ready for the Portland Gay Vol leyball Association’s open invitational Oct. 11 and 12 at Tualatin Hills Recreation Center. In preparation for the tournament, gym sessions are open to all interested athletes on a weekly basis at Hillside Community Center. For more information about practice times and other social events, check out www.portlandgay volleyball.org. DOUGHER Not even ground saturation from an evening of rainstorms nor a day of dark skies could stop the Portland Gay Volleyball Association from hosting a grass volleyball tournament Aug. 9. More than 50 players and fans filled up Brentwtxxl Park in Southeast Portland for a full day of play. “In comparison to sand volleyball, grass is P:ear Reopens with Benefit a much easier surface to move on,” said Tomas P:ear, a homeless and transitional youth orga Tellez regarding the choice of the courts. “Plus, nization, is reopening in a new location at 338 N. we have more abundance of parks to play on than W. Sixth Ave. with a “pre-p:ear” preview and beaches.” benefit from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 3. The event will Teams of four were picked to compete against help raise money for the purchase of the building each other, each using a campy name inspired by ' while previewing artwork in the on-site gallery. one of this summer’s popular movies (“Sperma When p:ear lost its lease earlier this year, the Mia,” “Triple X Files”). community rallied in support of the programs The Fortis Construction crew is hard at work remodeling the p:ear building in time for its Sept. 3 reopening art show and benefit. A Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Firm Protecting Your Rights Guarding Your Interests providing arts and education men toring for homeless youth, helping raise enough money to remodel the building. “Pre-p:ear” will feature fine Italian wines, ftxxl prepared by chef Robert Reynolds, music by Tim DuR<x:he, a raffle at 7:15 p.m. and art by Hayley Barker, Irana Douer, Maureen Gubia, Nicole Erika Smith and p:ear youth. The exhibition is curated by Kelly Rauer. Tickets are $50 from www.pear- mentor.org. Reitan Helps Ratchet Up Queer Support for Obama Jacob Reitan knows the struggle for equality for gays and lesbians is his generation’s civil rights movement. High-profile queer activist Jacob Reitan has turned his That’s why the 26-year-old activist is focus to the presidential campaign for U.S. Sen. Barack calling the queer community to arms Obama, D-lll. with LGBTForObama.com. Reitan has relocated to Portland to assist “Everything is on the line,” Reitan said. “It is Terry Bean, Portland real estate broker, gay rights clear as day that Barack Obama is the most LGBT- activist and philanthropist, who also serves as a friendly major party nominee for this election. He national finance committee member for the presi is for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act dential campaign of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, and the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy.” D-lll. Together, Reitan and Bean are working to In a letter to Windy City Times in February elect Obama by raising money for and awareness 2004, Obama said, “[11 have taken on the issue of of the candidate. civil rights for the LGBT community as if they The Web site offers links comparing Obama’s were my own struggle because I believe strongly queer rights track record to that of U.S. Sen. John that the infringement of rights for any one group McCain, R-Ariz. It also has a donation option and eventually endangers the rights enjoyed under law suggestions for raising money. by the entire population.” Raising money is a large part of Reitan’s nuxius If McCain is elected president, Reitan predicts operandi because of Obama’s decision to decline at least a decade of setbacks to queer rights. public financing, forgoing about $84 million in “There are so many reasons outside of gay and federal funds. This leaves Obama and his support lesbian issues why not to elect McCain,” he said. ers—like Bean and Reitan—responsible for raising “His stance on the war, health care and tax cuts, the entirety of his nine-figure campaign budget. for example. In addition, he has no willingness Reitan has previously raised money for queer to help the lesbian and gay person or family. He programs, and has a history of achievements supports the right for employers to fire someone stretching back to when he created his Mankato, because he or she is gay and is against same-sex Minn., high school’s first Gay Straight Alliance. couples adopting children.” At 23, Reitan conceived Soulforce Equality However, if Obama wins the presidency, Reitan says queer equality is ensured. “We need Ride, a traveling group of advocates bringing awareness of gay issues to faith-based universi to put our sweat, money and time into the effort to have a president that recognizes our humanity, ties, making him the poster boy for reconciling dignity and worth.” religion and politics. His appearance in the 2007 d<Kumentary For the Bible Tells Me So added to his Continued on Page 10 growing recognition in promoting queer rights. 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