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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 2009)
OREGON S GAY/LESBIAN/BI/TRANS NEWSMAGAZINE NOVEMBER 6 2009 3 ___________________ PAGE 3 b y Marty Davis It s November V O L 27 NO. I And for me, o month of vibrant and deeply felt memories or virtually my entire life, this month has been marked by the memory of November 22, 1963. For those of my era, this date is often thought of as the worst in history. For fans of A M C ’s popular television series, M ad M en, the assassina tion of President John F. Kennedy is now a storyline playing out on the tinny black 8c white television sets in the background' of the characters’ lives. These people, these people who don’t even exist, are acting out the same feelings, pain, shock and numb ness that 46 years later I remember as clearly as if it were yesterday. For four days in November the world stood still. More recent Novembers bring me to 1992. Oregonians were going to the polls, real polls—no mail-in ballots in those days—to vote on the first Ballot Measure 9. This ballot measure, if passed, would have placed the following wording into Oregon’s legal system: All govern m en ts in Oregon may not use their monies or properties to prom ote, encour age or fa cilita te homosexuality, pedophilia, sadism or masochism. All levels o f governm ent, including public education systems, must assist^ in settin g a standard fo r Oregon's youth which recognizes that these behaviors are abnormal, wrong, unnatural a nd p erverse and they are to be discouraged and avoided. In 2009 the gay and lesbian community is fighting for marriage equality. In 1992, we were fighting to not be declared ab normal, wrong, unnatural and perverse. If you think the gay civil rights movement is moving too slowly, stop and look at your history. On the Sunday before Election Day in 1992, thousands upon thousands of gays and lesbians, with families, allies and support F Maloy's Jewelry Workshop M-F 10am to 5:30pm Sat 1 lam to 5pm 717 SW l()th Ave Portland, OR 97205 503.223.4720 www.maloys.com i f V ers, filled Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was the largest single gay and lesbian rally in the state’s history. Nothing has come close to it in the years, and ballot measures, since. On the wall at Ju st Out we have a large framed photo history of that rally and the effort against Ballot Measure 9. This excellent artistic document, the work of Linda Carter, is a treasured piece of our history; I encourage everyone to stop by our office and look at it. The November 2004 elections brought disappointment. Oregonians voted for the passage of Ballot Measure 36, amending the Oregon Constitution to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman. The initiative passed by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent. November 2008 was a remarkable year in Oregon, and national politics. Barack Obama was elected president; Californians denied the right of marriage to same-sex couples. 009 will end the year with one less state offering marriage equality to her same-sex citizens. November 3 saw the people of Maine voting to deny marriage equality in their state. The dance continues—that’s two steps forward; one step back. The evening of November 3, 2009, an other group gathered in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square to demand equality and marriage rights for all citizens. Orga nized by the Portland Equal Rights Co alition, some 30 stalwarts stood in a circle and raised their voices in protest. In 1992 thousands stood in unity in that same Pioneer Courthouse Square. Where are the thousands of us in 2009? Today many say they want equality; today many demand equality, so many that the question begs to be asked, “W hat are you willing to do to obtain this goal of full civil rights and marriage equality?” In 1992 we took to the street by the thousands. In 2009 we write checks and pay for others to do the work? W ill that get us where we say we want to be? How strongly do you feel about mar riage equality and what are you willing to do to obtain it? W ill you push your com fort levels? W ill you speak personally about yourself to strangers? W ill you speak up? W ill you take to the streets? Or will you leave it all for others to handle? NOVEMBER 6. 2009 IN SID E» » FEATURE 16 BRIDGING THE GSA GAP Rural Gay-Straight Alliances Look to GLSEN Oregon’s Urban Efforts for Support » NEWS 6 10 12 14 NORTHWEST BRIEFS PERC LOOKS BEYOND OREGON EQUALITY MARCH. SEEKS BRO SUPPORT RECALL UPDATE BIZ BRIEFS » ARTS 8 CULTURE 21 28 30 32 34 OUT 6 ABOUT ART: ARNOLD J. KEMP DUST OFF YOUR TASSELS PERSONALITY: TIM MILLER THE ISRAELI EXPERIENCE » COLUMNISTS As I’m sharing my memories and thoughts with you comes word of a tragic shooting at Fort Hood military base in Texas. The news reports are full of conflict ing stories and speculation. Everyone seems to have an opinion, all while no one has an iota of factual information upon which to base these opinions. Was the shooting an act of terrorism? Did the shooter just snap? Is it coincidence that he had a Muslim name? Is it profiling to note that he’d re cently converted to Islam? These questions, theories, speculations fill the airwaves this stormy night. For a brief moment America will set aside fears and concerns over same-sex marriage to focus on this tragic news story. In America we fear the unknown; it brings out the worst in us. The Muslims today, the gays again tomorrow. Tomorrow. What will we do about tomorrow? Commence living happily ever after. Maloy’s offers a fabulous selection o f antique and estate jewelry and fine custom jewelry, as well as restoration and repair services. 26 27 31 35 40 LIVING OUT LOUD THE SASSY GARDENER LADY ABOUT TOWN REMEMBER TO BREATHE MS. BEHAVIOR » ABOUT OUR COVER THE WORDING AND PRESENTATION STYLE OF THIS DEFINITION OF 'FAGGOT' WERE CREATED BY GLSEN AND THE AD COUNCIL FOR GLSEN S 'THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK' CAMPAIGN. TO LEARN MORE. VISIT THINKB4YOUSPEAK.COM
