FEBRUARY 6, 2009
Bed, Bath & Bubbles
Obamicon yourself at www.obamiconme.
pastemagazine.com.
Obamicon Me
Chris Kramer found a site Jan. 27 that customizes
President Obama's iconic campaign art.
“Brought to you by Paste magazine comes
Obamicon Me at www.obamiconme.pastemagazine.
com. Now we can all make our own Obama posters.
“It’s super easy. Just upload a photo or take one
with your webcam, position it and choose what you
want it to say. You can also balance the colors and
zoom or rotate the image. Once it’s done you can
even Twitter, Facebook or e-mail it to friends. It’s
all in good fun!
“Maybe you shouldn’t do this at work, since
the past two days has proved the job market is
bleeding dry.”
Community Loses
Queer-Specific Counselors
JaymeeR. Cuticalledattentum Feb. 3 toacommuniry
resource that has crumbled under the economic recession.
The closure of Samaritan Counseling Centers after 25
years in business leaves queers without a variety of
culturally competent services.
Portlanders will lose a host of queer mental
health care, addiction/recovery services and
same-sex relationship counseling when Samaritan
Counseling Centers closes shop Feb. 28.
Executive director Michael Sorensen
announced the closure Jan. 30, citing the
“negative effects of this economic time
and reality that needed donations to
subsidize care" weren’t available.
According to board chairman Mike
Stastny, half of the agency’s budget is
federally funded, 30 percent is donated
and patients pay the remaining 20
percent.
Several queer therapists work at
Samaritan
Counseling,
providing
counseling to sexual minority individuals,
couples and families.
“You shouldn’t have to educate your
therapist,” said therapist Michele Pearce.
“It can really help to know that the
counselor you are working with will be
affirming of you and your relationships
as well as knowledgeable about all the
queer-specific resources available in our
community.” Pearce was especially driven
to serve the transgender community.
A low-barrier, confidential substance relapse
prevention group for gay, bi and questioning
men, along with a lineup of queer workshops, will
continue through February.
For questions about alternative programs, call
503-281-3318, ext. 0, or e-mail main@sccpdx.org.
Equality Now Or Later?
Jaymee R. Cuti asked Jan. 26 if queers want
ed organizational and political leaders to push for
marriage equality at the next opportunity, in the
November 2010 ballot, or wait until 2012. Some
local leaders believe the election year will result in
better voter turnout.
“Gay and lesbian Californians had a taste of
equality when the state Supreme Court legalized
same-sex marriage.
“Since that right was eliminated with the
passage of Proposition 8, some gay rights activ
ists are getting behind 2010 initiatives to bring
the issue back to voters. Others, including Basic
Rights Oregon executive director Jeana Frazzini,
think activists have a better chance at bringing on
marriage equality (in Cali and Oregon) in 2012,
a presidential election year. "©
Compiled by J aymee R. C uti
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