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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2009)
8 . ’ OLIt northwest Our Walk A progressive voice from a divided city by Jaymee R. Cuti I arol Collymore finds her truths to he Now I’m Jeff Cogen’s communications and self-evident. She believes in being an ally and a volunteer. She believes Portland is capable of a higher discourse, have allies that other projects manager. I maintain the Web site and don’t officials blog, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr—all the avenues you to having him be a transparent elected official. armed the same . with room for dissent, when confront JRC: Q &A ment leader for sexual minorities, con siders Collymore a “true progressive" and “honorary gay.” “Karol cares so deeply about social justice for everybody that it shapes the way she lives her entire life,” said Thorpe. “She’s my hero.” At 31, Collymore has worked on political cam paigns for U.S. presidential candidate Al Gore What is your beat and their staffs are aren’t doing. JRC: How at JRC: You de BlueOregon? is scribed yourself should write for BlueOregon. I said, as “O-motional” KC: 1 don’t “I’m not a writer,” and he said, “Just do over President think we are at it.” Three years later, I’m an editor. Obama’s inau a point where guration. What we I’ve fallen into the area of writing about things that are left unsaid: race, does his presi gender, sexuality. I’m interested in the ideas of dency mean to equality as something we should have more dis you? cussions about, especially in this town. Richard Romero in 2002 and Oregon Supreme progressive KC: Kari [Chisholm] thought 1 in 2000, New Mexico congressional candidate Court Judge Virginia Linder in 2006. or like as you. ing race, gender and sexuality. Roey Thorpe, an equality move look elected JRC: Has there been a reader’s response that has stuck with you? Portland? Karol Collymore blogs about race, gender, sexuality and other things left unsaid at Blue0regon.com. can call Portland a mul ticultural city. If you mean KC: I think people of color, not just black art and music, a really rich culture of straight and people—I also consider myself Latina—have to GLBT thinkers, then yes. But all you have to do work so hard for anyone to give you just average is read comments after The Oregonian article about credit. And if you mess up, watch out, they’re Obama’s inauguration to know that it’s still a long She lends an au courant, sage and kinetic pres KC: Two years ago I wrote about how being coming for you. You carry the weight of your skin discussion. It’s a discussion I want to stick around ence to Multnomah County as Commissioner Jeff gay wasn’t the new black. Because of my deep pas color on your back at all times. When Obama and have. Portland likes its progressive reputation Cogen’s communications and projects manager. sion for gay issues, it was hard for me to say that. won, it proved that black people can do this. It’s and is loath to bring up the racial aspect, the lack As a black woman bom in Panama to Spanish Equality is the overriding issue, but it’s not the stupid to have to say that, but there’s no more of diversity. speaking parents, Collymore shares her unique same issue. If 1 were a white lesbian, it’s up to me doubt. It’s erased. perspective on the blog BlueOregon.com. to tell people that I’m a lesbian, but I’m a black I was not an Obama girl at first. There’s that “black people want civil rights for themselves but woman and 1 have no protection. 1 don’t want idea that you don’t want to put your hopes on not for gay people.” That’s a heartbreaker. It in anyone to live in a closet, but if there’s a space someone and it doesn’t work out and then you’re validates the presence of GLBT people of color. you need to protect yourself as a GLBT person, disappointed again. How do we still live in a place that allows people Jaymee R. Cuti: What brought you to Portland and prepared you to live and work here? Someone commented on a blog 1 wrote that Karol Collymore: 1 worked on the Al Gore you can and I can’t. There are many similarities I relate to the idea that we can disagree with to paint others in broad brushes? That’s part of the race while 1 was still in college. 1 wanted to be re and 100 places where we can walk together, but out being disagreeable. We can do things at a problem with the Sam scandal—you risk painting ally involved in politics. It turned out to be com it’s not the same walk. higher level of discourse—it doesn’t have to be people with broad brushes. pletely life-defining. shouting, calling somebody a Nazi or throwing I was bom in Panama and grew up in Albuquerque. I went to the University of New Mexico. JRC: How did your passion for gay rights begin? people under the bus. People have called Obama JRC: What other passions do you pursue? KC: My parents never raised me in any sort a terrorist and the man is as cool as cool can be KC: I’m on the board of Hands on Portland. By 2003, I’d been working in New Mexico politics of context of gay or straight. 1 came to it with for three years. I couldn’t see the future that 1 wanted true openness. In college, four guy friends told me in politics there. 1 applied to work at American Heart within a year that they were gay. I have a sign on Association, and they sent me to Portland. my forehead that says: “Please tell me that you’re A year later 1 got a job at [the National Abortion gay. 1 will accept and feel open toward you.” and Repnxluctive Rights Action League], so at 25, I worked at [Basic Rights Oregon], fund raising I’m development director of this fantastic women’s in 2006. 1 sat on their [political action committee] nonprofit. It was a really maturing experience. If I board, and I’m now on the Q Center board. early in his campaign as a group of advisers. our constitution, and 1 don’t think there’s been enough of an uproar. We live in the United States really gcxxl people who want to do good work, done. White people elected Obama. You have to and I hope this doesn’t define the good work that it. This circles back to allies. If you really want to be an ally, then let’s get to work. © ^Lighted Curios J129 Ashley Computer Wall Workstation * Solids & veneers • Brass accent hardware ■ UR.ELHURST J_JENTI5TRY GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTISTRY Treatment options include: # Veneers # Implants # ZOOM whitening # Cerec technology 21299 Pub Style W 5pc Dining Set 2520 EAST BURNSIDE, PORTLAND, OR 97214 PH: (503) 233-3622 FX: (503) 233-5882 WWW.LAURELHURSTDENT1STRY.COM 503*230-7716 OFFICE FURNITURE: 503-238*4477 NEW HOME FURNITURE. Shop Every Day 9am to 6pm www.cityliquidators.com 4b- > • KC: I sat on the “kitchen cabinet” for Adams Oregon. We had discrimination written into I’m a strong believer in allies. Allies get things Mirrored Back 823 S.E. 3rd Avenue elected, and what is your reaction to the scandal? ently, you fucking do it and stop blogging about Sofa ¿ fast Fnd Of The Mormon Bridge 1 feel really strongly about gay marriage in JRC: How did you help get Mayor Sam Adams ner to everybody involved. Politics is filled with BONDED LEATHER A FURNITURE WAREHOUSE to New Orleans. of America. If you want something done differ Çet the at half have 1 believe in volunteering. We did a trip last year 1 hope this is resolved in a timely and fair man had one terrible [fund-raising] event, we couldn’t get a ballot measure done or support a candidate. and that’s lovely. From left to right: Sheila Bennett. DMD. Adnenne Fischl, DMD Diane Applegate. DDS. Clarice Johnston, DMD
