O REGO N S GAY/LESBIAN/Bl/TRANS NEWSMAGAZINE
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PAGE 3
just out
by Mart/ Davis
Two Years. Two Mayors
Two Letters
«
I VOL. 26 NO. 18
INSIDE»
A public conversation continues
n July 15 Just Out received a let
ter to the editor from former
Portland Mayor Tom Potter. The
letter, found on page 5 of this issue, states
the reasons why the former mayor is now
an advocate for the recall of the current
one. Potter’s letter was published on our
Web site the day it was received, setting off
a small firestorm of media activity. Why did
Potter send the letter to Just Out and not
another media outlet?
Ask him.
Just Out encourages letters to the editor.
Letters are an important forum for sharing
opinions within our community. Letters
promote dialogue and open doorways for
dissenting opinion. Letters must be signed;
no anonymous letters will be published.
There are plenty of blogs and newspaper
Web pages available for those inclined to
spew, spout and cower with false bravado
under the shield of anonymity. The Letters
to the Editor page isn’t one of them.
With over two months remaining in
signature gathering for the Adams recall
movement there is ample time for every
one to share their opinions. The best way
to submit yours is via our Web site, www.
justout.com.
Staying silent on an important issue is
the same as agreeing with the other point
of view.
Potter’s letter on page 5 is not the first
statement to the community concerning the
Adams turmoil. Looking back to Septem
ber 2007, the beginning of our city’s long
journey into madness, then City Commis
sioner Sam Adams also wrote a letter to
the community. In this letter he expressed
outrage over accusations of a relationship
with the much younger Beau Breedlove.
That letter, reprinted again, follows in its
entirety.
O
“Dear Portlander,
As you have probably seen in the
media, I have been the target of a
nasty smear by a would-be political
opponent. I will not dignify the sub
stance o f this smear by repeating it
- if you read the accounts you will
see there is no foundation to it. The
reason is simple: it is untrue.
This kind of ugly politicking may
be commonplace in other cities and
at the national level, but Portland and
Oregon largely has been blessedly free
of it. It saddens me that it has been
introduced here, and I have faith that
Portlanders’ rejection of it will mean
that this incident is an anomaly.
About this attempted smear, here
is what I want to say.
I have in the past, and I will in the
future, respond to people who reach
out to me for help and advice. This
is especially true when it comes to
young people.
Growing up in Newport and Eu
gene, Oregon I remember when I was
a teenager and I had nobody who I
felt I could talk to at a time I desper
ately needed someone to give me ad
vice and perspective about coming to
terms with being gay. I came through
it. Not everyone does.
Gay youth suicide rates, homeless
ness and depression are still too high.
And, adequate services have been
lacking: Reasons why I co-founded
Portland’s Q_ Center, served on the
Boards of Cascade AIDS Project,
Basic Rights Oregon and lobbied the
state legislature in support of state
wide non-discrimination laws.
I didn’t get into public life to al
low my instinct to help others to be
snuffed out by fear of sleazy misrep
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» FEATURE
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ONE GIANT STEP
Q_Center’s New Location Builds an Even
Bigger Vision
» NEWS
8
14
NORTHWEST BRIEFS
THRIVING. DYING, AND
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
Checking in with local MCC churches
15
FORUMS FOR AFTERMATH
OF BLOW PONY VIOLENCE
» ARTS 8 CULTURE
27
PRIDE OF THE SOUTH
Eugene Shows Its Colors
This letter from Sam Adams, two years
ago, led to the letter from Potter printed
now. Two years, two mayors, two letters.
Who knows where this all will end?
28
SUDDENLY. THIS SUMMER
Catching up with now-Oregonian
Martha Davis o f The Motels
30 ALL LEATHERED UP
he cover of this issue features art
work from a local queer artist, Devon
Berrong. It is the first of what will
hopefully become many as Just Out creates
a highly visible space for showcasing local
artists. If you are a queer artist who would
like to see your work on the cover, please
contact creative director Laura Atkinson at
production@justout.com. We’re open and
receptive to your suggestions. We seek the
colorful, the provocative, the original and
the eye-catching. If this is you, and your
work - we should talk.
T
Oregon Leather Pride 2009
33 ART: PNCA QUEER SHOW
34 FILM: BRUNO 6 BOY
SHORTS
» COLUMNISTS
26
31
35
41
LIVING OUT LOUD
SASSY GARDENER
REMEMBER TO BREATHE
MS. BEHAVIOR
uly has five Fridays and that means a
week of summer vacation for Just Out.
We’ll be back in print on August 7.
Breaking news and daily updates are found,
as always, at www.justout.com.
Stay cool. Share your opinions. Write us
a letter.
J
Come exploit
&xpencHU sled:,
sophisticated funtsímcjs
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MORTGAGE
Colleen Weed
resentations or political manipulation.
I understand the need for good judg
ment, and I work very hard to keep
within the bounds of propriety - as I
did in this case.
I’m glad that people consider me as
a person they could come to for help,
understanding and support. I work at
it. And I hope that you do too. Local
programs needing mentors have long
waiting lists.
About my political future: this at
tempted smear will not deter me from
serving Portland in the best way I
know how. Soon I will be sharing with
you my future political plans.”
V
our shorncoom^
Careful and energetic handling of
all your home financing needs
JM
JULY 17. 2009
IC «Mi KR«
503 * 780 * 1561
M2DÜRNE
FINE FU RN ISH IN G S 6i
FUNKTIONAL INTERIORS
5210 SW Corbett Ave., Suile M
503-595*7770 I www.modurne.biz
Devon Yan Berrong was born in South
China in 1982 and cannot recall a time
when he wasn t interested in art He
is a self-taught artist who found his
early inspirations from classic movies
and music, along with his imagination.
Creating his own style and always trying
to achieve a realistic image. Devon
has never looked back as he reaches
every day for his dream of being an
artist Devon moved to Portland in 2006.
finding new inspiration and building
confidence in his unique vision