DECEMBER 19, 2008
JUStlOUt
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Calls made Dec. 4 to
Mayor Tom Potter’s of
fice and a ring to the Of
fice of Human Relations
yielded a conversation
with a staffer who had
no information about the
GLBTQ Equity Panel or
Human Rights Week, no
idea when the Web site
would go live or even
when Johnson, the of
fice director, could be
Celebrate the mayoral
reached.
If this is a signal of how Portland’s Office of
Human Relations is going to be managed and run,
there might be cause for concern, especially when
the office’s budget allocation is threatened in a
belt-tightening environment.
Mayor-elect Sam Adams stopped by the
Dec. 4 meeting to voice support for the office,
saying: “The work that you have under way
and your willingness to serve on this commis
sion is really important to me personally, and
I know it’s very important to the City Council
as a whole. Maria Lisa is doing an excellent job
with her team.”
An hour before the Dec. 4 panel began, John
son told Just Out who would speak on the panel:
Latino Gay Pride co-founder David Martinez, po
litical and trans activist Laura Calvo, Q Center’s
Kendall Clawson, gay marriage poster woman
Mary Li and city of Portland employee Debbie
Caselton. She apologized for the Web site not be
ing finished in time to promote the events.
Mayor's Ball Benefits Q Center
Next month Portland Mayor-elect Sam Adams
will be putting the “gay” back in “gala.”
To celebrate his historic election as the first
openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city, Portland’s
gay glitterati are planning one of the most
glammed-up, high-strutting mayoral balls ever
seen in Stumptown at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31, 2009—
with raucous entertainment, fabulous food and
drink and the stylish setting of Portland’s new
Nines Hotel, 525 S.W. Morrison St.
The inaugural Winter Gala is also a fund
raiser, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting
Q Center, Portland’s queer community center.
Donors can choose between a general admis
sion ticket for $75 or a VIP pass for $175. For more
information call 503-234-7837 or visit www.pdx-
qcenter.org.
Kotek Among Highest-Ranking
Queer Reps in U.S.
Openly lesbian state Rep. Tina Kotek,
D-North/Northeast Portland, has just ascended
another rung on the political ladder.
After being elected as deputy majority whip of
the Oregon House just last month, she got a big
break when recently appointed Majority Whip
Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, stepped aside from the
role to focus on another key committee appoint
ment. After a Dec. 6 vote, Kotek was unanimous
ly chosen by her peers as the new House majority
whip. The appointment makes her among the
highest-ranking openly gay state representatives
in the country.
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inauguration of Sam Adams on Jan. 31, 2009
In a statement, House Speaker designate Dave
Hunt, D-Gladstone, praised Kotek for possessing
the “skills, leadership and trust of her colleagues
necessary to ensure that we pass our Roadmap for
Oregon’s Future. Oregonians expect us to con
front the tough issues around our economy, and
Kotek will help us take bold steps to move Oregon
forward.”
Kotek said she was “honored to be my col
leagues’ choice for majority whip.... We face
challenging times, and House Democrats have
a chance to strengthen our economy, expand
access to health care, create jobs and improve
education.”
Athletes Make
New Year's Resolutions
Jan. 2: The day that most Portlanders have
shaken off the hangovers and stopped the feeding
frenzy of the holidays, finding the inner resolve to
start their list of new year’s resolutions. About 40
percent of U.S. citizens will make a resolution—
often focused on improvement in some health,
fitness or nutritional aspect of their lives—and
queer athletes are no exception.
Patrick Shearer got serious about his fitness
routine in 2008 in order to gain more energy to
manage the demands of being a busy college stu
dent. “I started off with walking on the treadmill
for 20 minutes, building to a goal of running under
a nine'minute mile," he tells Just Out. To improve
his lung capacity he also stopped smoking. Shear
er recently spent an evening in the fitness section
of Borders to explore different bodybuilding texts,
determined to find a program that fits his ability
level and to build on his progress.
In addition, health and fitness entrepreneurs
are hoping for a strong business year. Ken Reader,
a yoga instructor and massage therapist with Elixa
Wellness Center, strives to provide “healing
through more education and intuitive touch.” By
implementing his techniques in their daily lives,
clients will “create the balance and peace to re
move stress and illness."
For those who prefer a social element in
achieving their fitness goals, consider joining one
of the many community sports leagues next year.
The Rose City Softball Association will be hold
ing its 15th season, with many more teams avail
able for athletes to join. Team Tennis annually
hosts the Rose City Open. The Amazon Dragons
Paddling Club is recruiting new members with an
informational meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon
Jan. 11, 2009, at Q Center, 69S.E. Taylor St.
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