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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
OREGON S GAY/LESBIAN/BI/TRANS NEWSMAGAZINE MAY I 2009 NORTHWEST BRIEFS Same-Sex Couple Chosen as Couple of the Year. Again On Saturday, April 18, the North Lincoln Lions Club honored Lincoln City’s Scott Summerfield and Eric Simpson for their ser vice to the coastal community, naming them Couple of the Year. This is the second time a same-sex couple has been given the award, as part of Lincoln City’s Community Days. The first same-sex duo to be recognized was Rick Brisette and his partner, Daniel Beck, in 2002. Brisette and Beck were given the award by The News Guard, a Lincoln City newspaper. In a recent phone conversation, Brisette extended his congratulations to the 2009 win ners, stating, “It’s wonderful because it proves that Dan and I are not an anomaly.” Brisette also expressed his thanks to the Lions Club “for putting any biases they may have had aside and honoring another gay couple.” After winning the title, he admitted “small resistance in the community,” which resulted in The News Guard dropping its spon sorship of the award. There’s nothing controversial, however, about Summerfield and Simpson’s contribu tions to Lincoln City’s hungrier residents. The couple earned this year’s accolade for their efforts to found the St. James Meal Program, which provides dinners on Monday ¿7- . and Thursday evenings. Since its inception in 2000, the program has grown to include four churches and counting. Simpson said winning the award, pre sented at the Chinook Winds casino, came as a pleasant surprise. “We are involved in the community just like everyone else,” he deferred, but “it really was sort of out of the blue.” Simpson, who works as a local music teacher, downplayed the pair’s uniqueness, describing themselves as “just a plain, old, boring couple.” He said that, unlike that expe rienced by Brisette and Beck, there had been “no negative feedback” from the community. In fact, they received a number of cards from people wishing to congratulate them. Summerfield and Simpson’s next project is to expand the meal program to include Satur day morning breakfast. For information about Lincoln County food pantries, call Lincoln County Food Share at 541-265-8578 or 800-939-3663. — A. Daniels 16th Annual Oregonians Against Discrimination Business Leaders Luncheon Over 500 area business owners, elected offi- cialsandcommunity leaders wentbacktoschool Area business owners and community leaders attended April 23's Oregonians Against Discrimination Business Leaders Luncheon April 23, when the Oregon Convention Cen ter’s Portland Ballroom hosted the 16th Annual Oregonians Against Discrimination Business Leaders Luncheon. During her introduction, Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Jeana Frazzini re minded attendees that “there is no substitute for marriage,” referring to the OHSU story about a Northeast Portland man unable to visit his gravely ill, registered domestic part ner in intensive care. The incident, the subject of an editorial in the prior day’s Oregonian, SHOPPING ALWAYS HAS A HAPPY ENDING AT made national news. Taking a cue from its “Community Con versation” theme, this year’s event bridged “the Classroom to the Boardroom” with a panel discussion of issues affecting Oregon students. Jonah Edelman, co-founder and CEO of Stand for Children, joined Gabriele Ross, homeless education coordinator and substance abuse counselor for Evergreen Public Schools; Isaac Dixon, regional direc tor of the Office of Diversity Initiatives for Providence Health and Services; and Portland LINCOLN CITY’S INN CATERING TO THE LGBT COMMUNITY A 'Vised 'O' ¿Mdr Espresso Bar * A Vie. of C ome V isit the O regon C oast ’ s L argest A ntique M all ! a bird catcher! NE Hwy 101 • Intimate and quiet oceanfront suites. • Ail suites have private balconies overlooking the beach, with free High-Speed Internet, and Satellite TV. i City, Oregon 97367 Visit our website for more information .994.8572 www.avista-d-mar.com Toll-free: (866) 776-8659 ■ D avid W. O wens ■ Place toTww Nev P.C. & ASSOCIATES serving the community since 1975 . Check Out Our 11 Website for Details! Finders Keepers Upcoming Events over 2000 hand blown glass floats will be hidden on the beach for you to find and keep! Come Back with More than Memories! Sea* OCEAN FRONT SUITES www.Iittleaiitiquemall.coin Oct 18,2008 to Memorial Day 2009, 5 May 1-3: Wings & Waves Birding Festival May 2: Fish Taco Cook-off May 9: Spring Chicken Cooking Class May 15: Mexican Small Plates & Wine May 16: Mutt Masters Dog Show A ttorneys at L aw S erving O regon & W ashington 503.224.3100 DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS ADOPTIONS • ESTATE PLANNING WILLS • TRUSTS • ADVANCE DIRECTIVES POWER OF ATTORNEY GUARDIANSHIPS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS www.owens-law.com • 4380 SW Macadam, Suite 590 • Portland, Oregon 97239 • Parking Validated
