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
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