_____________________ FEBRUARY 20, 2009
ju
Stout 3
iustiout
' newsmagazine
VOL. 26 NO. 8
FEBRUARY 20, 2009
PAGE 14
Wanted: Strong Leadership
J
Sam Adams should denounce vandalism against this publication
sorely in need of guidance and leadership. Trust needs to be rebuilt. Wariness
needs to be resolved. Communication skills and tolerance were tossed hastily
out the window this past month. So now what? Where do we go from here?
ven before Sam Adams held a press conference and all hell broke loose
at Just Out, 1 would almost daily spend a fair amount of time listening to
readers’ complaints and concerns about one thing or another that didn’t sit
well with them. For the past year, these conversations have often seemed
to be exclusively about something written by the love-him-or-hate-him
Stephen Marc Beaudoin. In the 10 years I have owned this paper, no one
has tossed about the hearts and stomachs
of readers as much as Stephen. And now,
damn it, it’s time for him to move on. In
his own words, here's Beaudoin:
“1 am writing to let you know that I am
moving on from my position here at Just
Out and am moving on to some exciting
new opportunities for me, personally and
professionally.
“I’m proud of my body of work from
my 13 months with Just Out, especially my
expanding coverage of politics (from state
Sen. Gary George’s incredible interview-
heard-round-the-world to our first-class
primary and general election endorsement
packages and Silverton’s Stu Rasmussen)
and current events/breaking news, to arts
journalism and criticism, nightlife and
much more. I’m glad that some of this
work landed in regional and national pub
lications and on the Associated Press wire
and that 1 was able to speak as a represen
tative of the paper to other print and TV
media outlets across the country.
“More importantly, I’m proud of the
important work this publication does and
will continue to do and have been blessed
to work with some amazing colleagues
here in the office and across the city. I feel like 1 know at least half of queer
Oregon now!”
So there you have it. Beaudoin moves on. His missing voice will be a
loss to this paper—a loss that, I’m happy to say, will be somewhat tempered
by his continued presence in Just Out with his column, “Comer View.” So,
detractors, he’s not gone completely. Fans, same story, he’s still going to have
his say, just not as often.
Stephen, while clashing routinely with me, is to be thanked for his pas
sion and his commitment to Just Out. He helped bridge the gap between the
Just Out of 1983, the Just Out of yesterday and the paper that we must change
and grow to be successful today and tomorrow.
What this also means is I now have a part-time staff writer position
available at Just Out. In the time of disappearing newspaper jobs, this is a
rare opportunity indeed. Now am I as hard to work with as you might have
heard? Oh hell, yes. Maybe even more so. Understand also that, at any given
time, half the community loves what we do and the other half hates us. Just
remember, our job is to report, write and issue opinion, not make friends.
Will this be demanding work? Of course. It will be demanding, rewarding
and as meaningful as hell. If you are an experienced journalist with a keen
interest in the news, politics and culture of Portland’s gay, lesbian, bi and
trans community, send me an e-mail at marty@justout.com.
FREE
like one.
We all know the mayor is only concentrating on city business these days.
Well, Sam, this is city business. I am a business owner in the city that elected
you, and I’ve got a problem that requires your missing leadership. Speak to
the issue of free speech, Sam. Talk about the value of honoring diversity of
opinion. Be forceful and show that you absolutely do not accept or condone
the theft and destruction of the property of this publication. Call your sup
porters off, Sam, because if you don’t, well, what will that say about you and
your leadership?
And lest there be those detractors who quickly jump up to say that
I’m managing to make this all about Just Out, I’ll respond with, “No, I’m
not.” I, maybe as much as anyone in this community, am keenly aware of
the multitude of pain, grief and frustration in our community now. We are
et’s close with an ode to laughter. I’d like to send someone to see Kathy
Griffin on March 4. Bring in a donation of f<xxl for Esther’s Pantry to
6234 N. Greeley Ave. and you’re entered to win a pair of tickets. Just Out
is accepting donations through March I. The winner will be notified that
evening. Griffin is damn funny. You know you want to go, so let’s make it
happen. We could all use a good laugh about now.
FEATURE
14 DRIVEN TO DRINK
Homophobia and other cultural factors
leave queers predisposed to addiction
NEWS
6-7 COMINGS AND GOINGS
Lobby Day in Salem on March 6; budget
cuts threaten human rights commission;
practitioners learn to give meaningful
care; queer counseling continues; First
Thursday at City Hall discontinued;
GLSEN Oregon founder honored;
Muddy Waters goes profit-free
8-10 NORTHWEST
Adams critics organize recall;
Kroger bullish on civil rights
12-13Q8 A
He fights to keep their laws oft your body
ARTS AND CULTURE
26-27 FILM
Two Indian women in 1950s South
Africa fall in love against a background
of pervasive police brutality and
racism in The World Unseen
28-29 DANCE
Gay choreographer questions how dance
companies are traditionally structured
30 BEST OF THE BLOG
Adams administration loses second staffer;
Red Dress Party tix on sale now; Love
is in the air; gay restaurateur responds
to recession; Craigslist strikes again; In
Other Words pledges to stay open—for
now; government-endorsed fisting?
32 NIGHTLIFE
Gay bars celebrate Fat Tuesday
33 THEATER
The Importance of Being Earnest reminds
us of persecuted playwright’s genius
COLUMNS
34 JIM'S CLOSET
In the Red
42 MS. BEHAVIOR
Act Your Age
PAGE 29
t has been one month since Portland Mayor Sam Adams had to fly
home from Washington, D.C., to address a surprised and alarmed popu
lace about allegations that he had lied about a personal relationship
with the now infamous Beau Breedlove.
In the ensuing month, Portlanders have seen the gray of winter
dissipate into the warmer climes of early spring. But while the temperature
outdoors may be warming up, a cold division still exists within much of
Portland’s gay and lesbian community. Although much of the city seems to
have settled into an anxious holding pattern pending the results of the attor
ney general’s investigation, a restless cease-fire hangs over our portion of the
greater community. A pattern of occasional
sniper action has replaced the initial onslaught
of anger and vitriol directed toward this pub
lication and its stance on the mayor’s actions.
But unrest, wariness and distrust permeate our
community. We truly stand divided and in dire
need of strong leadership.
Adams, as recently reported in The
Oregonian, answered a question about his effec
tiveness as mayor with the following: “I have
to let people go through their issues. Clearly
partnerships have been stressed, but I’m work
ing hard to fortify them.”
A month into our city’s crisis in confidence,
I’d like to ask the mayor, in light of his com
ments, if he might step up. Step up, in a for
tifying sort of manner, and denounce specific
actions of vandalism and theft still occurring
on an ongoing basis against this publication.
In the past month, since calling for the
resignation of the mayor, Just Out has been
subjected to the loss/theft of several of our out
door paper boxes. The loss amounts to several
hundred dollars. Boxes not taken in their en
tirety have the papers removed, often with the
flier pictured on this page left in their place.
Fear of perception? Making comparisons
between the Adams story and Stonewall? 1 am
always available to meet and converse with my detractors in a professional
and friendly manner. But first, step out of the shadows, stop stealing my pa
pers, and identify yourself. Then we can talk.
Is it coincidence that this is happening at this time? No, I don’t think so.
What I think is happening is that supporters of Adams are going way too far
in defending, in their eyes, their now seemingly martyred mayor. The actions
that they are taking are not simply misguided. We’ve long ago crossed into
illegal and downright wrong. Sam Adams needs to step up and say, with
conviction, “Knock it off.”
Yes, Adams has a lot on his mind. He’s a busy guy. He’s got the potholes,
the economy, the snubs from other elected officials. Yeah, he’s got all this to
deal with. We all know there’s an interstate bridge to build with six« eight,
12 lanes, whatever. But Adams also needs to shake it off, show some strength
and leadership, and piece together some damn bridges in this community.
If Adams is going to continue to be the mayor, then it’s time for him to act