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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2008)
for the Illinois senator during his primary and gen in the sexual minorities and African-American simple: “I believe in democracy,” adding, “and it Oregon Citizens eral election campaigns. communities close to legendary. After toiling in scared the hell out of me.” Alliance’s series Redwing’s Oregon legacy as a mild-mannered or the trenches to fight back Oregon’s infamous Ballot ganizer and peaceful activist seems firmly entrenched. Measure 9 (the documentary of which, by the same She looks hack on it now in awe. “Those 10 years name, is an absolute must-watch), she was director in the 1980s and were so extraordinary—every day was profound.” of the Portland Rainbow Coalition/African-Ameri- ’90s. KATHLEEN SAADAT sty /teaset/ of anti-gay ballot measures Because cans for Human Rights. She retired at 60, then came Claim to Fame: Founding board member or di out of retirement in 2005 to join the ranks again for rector of queer political organizations like the Human Weller a senior-level position at Cascade AIDS Project. Rights Campaign, Portland Town Council and Right one of HRC’s- to Privacy Political Action Committee. largest six-figure “I’m Claim to Fame: Leading the fight against Or JERRY WELLER often of his held up as the So They Say: “Two tents. 1 mean camping person tents.” (June 1986, on the tiny size of 1976 Port ’90s, land Pride festival) even egon’s Ballot Measure 9, a vitriolic anti-gay ballot black measure in 1992. who was the ac work, landed donations in the without being So They Say: “If undressing in public gets the tivist,” Saadat job dorte, I’m willing to play Lady Godiva this one says with typi Jerry Weller’s living rixrn walls are covered in gay man named John James Vasey, who had read time.” (November 1991, on how she intended to cally alarming plaques, plates and posters, bearing witness to the about Weller in Just Out and Right to Privacy’s rally supporters to fight Ballot Measure 9) candor. “It is Rose City’s early gay organizing: the Sanford Director newsletter, and arranged to have his entire estate, the history of award, the Lucille Hart award, a 1979 poster for the worth several hundred thousand dollars, split the Portland Candlelight March for gay rights. between Phoenix Rising and HRC, with Weller Who’s Next: Activist Stephen Herrera and Dan Ryan of the Portland Public Schools Foundation. gay lesbian Fear is a powerful thing. And with her diminu ment aware of it. The gift came from a reclusive closeted and move that Weller, now in his late 60s, was the first exec as the estate’s executor. The donations were major it utive director of the Portland Town Council, one tive linebacker’s frame and famous baritonal growl does not look of Oregon’s earliest gay rights political groups. He Weller, who has since retired from organizing, of a voice, Kathleen Saadat has an uncanny abil at communities went on to become a founding board member of now works as an Occupational Safety and Health ity to make even the most hard-shell A-list activ of color as a resource except when it comes to a both the Human Rights Campaign Fund and Gay Administration compliance officer, which he’s ists quake in their boots. Activist Donna Redwing campaign, and that,” she says, “hasn’t changed Rights National Lobby, which in 1986 merged to done for the past 21 years. Even now, having moved (see Page 29) recalls meeting Saadat shortly after that much.” create what is now the Human Rights Campaign. from the center to the periphery of the queer equal What exactly was it about Ballot Measure 9 He also helped found the Right to Privacy ity fight, he acknowledges the gains that have been that started Saadat on her passionate path of Political Action Committee, which organized education and activism? The answer, she says, is fund raising and volunteers to bat back the made: “I feel that we have gone further, faster than I expected in my lifetime. © arriving in Portland in 1989. She says Saadat, quite simply, “Scared me to death!” It’s part of what makes Saadat’s status as a leader cooperation is a beautiful Signature Properties Don’t | rocrastinate Many thing. Insurance benefits expire December 5 I st ■'XA f as well as flex benefit, cafeteria plans S’ health savings accounts Portland's people’s JL " JLi food co - op 3029 SE 21st Ave www.peoples.coop (503) ORGANIC CONDO PRO RON MILLIGAN Real Estate Broker (503) 484-3166 email: ronmilligan@remax.net 2717 NE Broadway Portland, OR 97232 (503) 282-4000 x143 (503) 282-8558 (fax) landmarks for both organizations. ON BROADWAY 2300 bJE BROADWAY PORTLAND, OR 97232 503-284-2300 Drs Barreto, Boersma & Phromsivarak Optomet-ric Physicians J
