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
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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