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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
MAY I 2009 OREGON S GAY/LESBIAN/BI/TRANS NEWSMAGAZINE just out A Show of Hands VOL 26 NO. 13 Considering new partnerships in the woke of recent victories O zation, welcomed news that the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1913,‘Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009,’ by a vote of 249 to 175.” “The bill strengthens existing federal hate crime laws by authorizing the Depart ment of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting certain bias- motivated crimes. The bill would also pro vide authority for the federal government to prosecute some violent bias-motivated crimes directed against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.” ‘“This is exactly the legislation necessary to help address the unacceptable violence which threatens our communities,”’ said John Amaya, legislative staff attorney for MALDEF. “The bill comes at a critical junc ture - in the midst of an anti-Latino hate crime epidemic where hate crimes commit ted against Latinos have risen more than 40 percent in the last few years.” There we are. Two groups, the same con cerns, the same fears about hate crimes. We send and receive separate emails, from dif ferent advocacy groups, celebrating the same accomplishment - passage of legislation affectiQg the lives of whom each represents. For some, it’s a community of gays and les bians; for others, a community of Latinos. I find myself wondering if the success ful vote on the Matthew Shepard Act could have happened faster if these two organi zations had teamed up to form a powerful coalition of groups, seeking similar solutions and goals. Could diverse communities, toil ing alone, have accomplished more by join ing together? At the same time the House has been working on hate crimes legislation, major gains in the bid for marriage-equality - es pecially in the New England states - are be ing achieved. While progress makes its way down the eastern coastline, those longing for INSIDE» the right to same-sex marriage in Oregon are all too aware of the key obstacle to this reality. Marriage in our state is now constitu tionally defined as being between one man and one woman. It will take a Herculean push to bring marriage equality to the Or egon State Constitution. It will also take the combined efforts of many coalition partners and supporters. In Oregon, Latinos are the fastest-grow ing segment of the population. They’re grow ing in number, they’re growing in number of voters. To overturn Ballot Measure 36, we will need their votes and their assistance. This brings us to the issue of tit-for-tat, so to speak. The Latino community has their civil and human rights battles; we have ours. Some are different; some are the same. How much more effectual could we be if we band ed together in support of common causes? It has been asked, and will be again, if the desire and the struggle to rename a street merits consideration as a civil rights issue. I think only the people involved have the right to make this determination. The Latino community is asking for recognition of their history, their culture, their victories and their place of equality in the greater community. Is this really any different than what we, as the gay, lesbian, bi and trans community, ask for? When we appear on their doorstep, ask ing - no doubt, demanding - their help with marriage equality, shouldn’t we be able to say, with Pride, “We were there for you”? »Feature 14-17 SIGNS OF COMMUNITY Josh Gross explores the efforts to rename 39th Avenue in honor of human rights activist Cesar Chavez, and the intersection of Portland’s Latino and gay, lesbian, bi and trans communities »News 5-11 NORTHWEST • BRIEFS Lincoln City names Couple of the Year // Wrap-up of the 16th Annual Oregonians Against Discrimination Business Leaders Luncheon // Launch of new gay, lesbian, bi and trans monthly, id Magazine // HRC looks to the next 100 days in gay // Pride NW announces 2009 honorees // Cascade AIDS Project s 20th Annual Art Evening 8c Auction recap // PABA’s May luncheon to feature Travel Portlands new gay, lesbian, bi and trans visitors guide // STRUT your stuff for BRO 12 LOCAL GROUPS TEAM UP FOR GAY 6 GREY SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR 13 HIV-POSITIVE VOLUNTEERS PRESENT PROJECT 150: SCREW STIGMAI SUBMITTED n April 28, Latino activists met at Portland City Hall to pres ent - again - their case for nam ing a Portland street in honor of their hero, Cesar Chavez. At this meeting there was no organized showing of support or coalition building for their effort by any local human rights, civil rights or gay rights advocacy organizations. Opposition to their cause, however, was strongly represented. One day later, on April 29, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act. The vote was 249-175. Now the mea sure goes to the Senate, where passage is considered likely. Passage came on the heels of a White House statement from President Obama, urging the House of Representatives to vote in favor of the legislation. Matthew Shepard’s mother, Judy, issued a heartfelt response following passage: “No one should face violence simply because of who they are. This bill is a critical step to erasing the hate that has devastated far too many families.” Passage of the Matthew Shepard Act was immediately celebrated by gay and les bian rights groups across the nation. Press releases and announcements of a jubilant nature were distributed, heralding the vote as a move forward for gay and lesbian civil rights. The Human Rights Campaign quick ly issued a supportive statement, as did other activist organizations. The following day, yet another email of encouragement and optimism was received. The tone of the message was similar to earlier releases, yet this one came not from HRC, or any other gay rights group - but rather as noted below. “Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the nation’s leading legal civil rights organi MAY I. 2009 A couple of closing reminders: Com plete details for the Just Out Amateur Photo Contest can be found on pg. 6. *Share your work, share your artistry with us. Please note that Just Out does have college/ education scholarship funds available, with the 2009 application deadline approaching in June. Visit equityfoundation.org for more information, vlft » Arts 8 Culture 19-22 OUT 6 ABOUT What to do, where to go, who to see. 27 BOOKS Sarah Waters leaves the lesbian out of her latest. 28 It’s a beautiful thing. NIGHTLIFE Where to be seen on the scene 30 THEATER Vicente Guzman-Orozco stars in I he Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa 39 i » Columnists = 25 : 29 j 31 wwvv .SiMi’i y G rand A ntiques . com OUT GOING Floyd Sklaver finds the rhythm Corner of SE (¡rand @ Main ROSE CITY VETERINARY HOSPITAL / 809 SE POWELL / 503.232.3 105 SASSY GARDENER LeAnn Locher gets royally floral M Sat 116* Sun 12 5 (1 block north of 1 lawthorne Bridge} LIVING OUT LOUD Kathryn Martini uncovers resources for latebians : 503-234-0003 BACKPAGE Softball heats up i 37 MS. BEHAVIOR
