Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2009)
OREGON S GAY/LESBIAN/BI/TRANS NEWSMAGAZINE PAGE 3 N O V E M B E R 20 2009 3 --------- —----- ¿ u W n b y M a r t y D a v is 'just ou t Tis the Season j VOL. I heard this phrase a lot over the years that the popular hospital drama ER ran on television. Those words were a sign that the patient-struggle-of-the-week had ended, leaving the need to mark the time of death. Whoever had the role of the bedridden pa tient would not be getting paid for coming back in the next episode. We’re through here. It’s over. Call it. In Portland it’s now time to call it on the second attempt to initiate a recall effort against Portland Mayor Sam Adams. This effort is dead; any and all efforts to resusci tate are pointless. Call it. I think many of the folks involved in the second recall are honest, well-intended people who care about the city and the values it should hold and represent. At the same time I have concerns that others identified with the second attempt are sim ply longtime opponents of Adams and his policies and have an opportunistic interest in the outcome. A recall is not the appropriate tool for advancing the personal and political agen das of others. The correct venue for those so motivated will be the next mayoral elec tion, in 2012. Those interested in seeking the mayor’s office at that time should start laying the foundations for their campaigns now. I suspect that Portland voters will be wary of all candidates for city office for some time. A long courtship and wooing process is called for. Viable candidates should not be lurking behind a recall attempt. It’s now time to step forward and campaign on your own merits— not the failures of another. Sam Adams is, and will be, the mayor of Portland for the remainder of his term. That’s not in question. Still unknown, how ever, is how he will proceed as mayor. I have been asked, more than once, if I fear retri bution from Adams for taking the position that I did back in January. I like to think that the mayor has more on his mind than me. I am very careful with my parking and jaywalking habits though, just in case. s Adams moves forward with his mayoral agenda, he does leave be hind a damaged and bruised gay and lesbian community. Yes, the situation is now, months later, getting better. Tem pers have calmed, hostilities have let up. That aside, there remain deep, underlying problems—problems that, while easy to ignore, would be far better served if ad dressed and resolved. I am specifically concerned about the lack of leadership within Portland’s gay, lesbian, bi and trans community. There is no one person or persons we can turn to— from our activist community, our non profits, our spiritual community, our arts community—with the ability or stamina to take on a leadership role during tough times like those we’ve just witnessed. The people who would have us think they’re capable leaders proved not to be. Is this troubling to anyone besides me? A hile I can’t solve the community’s leadership problems, I can do my best to increase awareness and ask for help with another crisis facing so many o f our friends and neighbors. It’s almost 2010 and there are still many hun gry people in Oregon. Our state has one of the highest hunger and food shortage rates in the nation. The need for donations to food banks and shelters is at an all-time high. Just Out advocates for assistance for Esther’s Pantry year round. We pick up the pace during the holiday season. Food dona tions are accepted daily at our office at 6234 N. Greeley Avenue. To entice your interest, W //A » NEWS 6 NORTHWEST BRIEFS 12 BEN HERE. DOING THAT: Ben Brown Jr. Emerges as Prominent Organizer for World A ID S Day Portland 15 A DIFFERENT KIND OF TRANSITION Partners ofTransitioning Individuals Lack Support During the Process » PERSONALITIES II WRITE HERE. WRITE NOW: Oregonian Columnist Anna Griffin » ARTS 8 CULTURE inally, a word about our most excel lent Just Out columnists, those folks who bare their souls and feelings in each issue— or in the case of the Sassy Gar dener, bares her bulbs and blossoms. We’ve come to the rest-for-the-weary portion of the gardening year, the time when “Sassy G ” LeAnn Locher retires to her comfy chair and seed catalogs, to sprightly return in the spring. Also on hiatus is Out Going fella Floyd Sklaver. Floyd is taking some time off, but we hope to share his escapades again with you soon. Joining Remember to Breathes Nick Mattos and Living Out Loud’s Kathryn Martini is Daniel Borgen, whose Lady About Town column will keep you in touch with all the high, and low, social comings and goings. F The Just Out staff thanks you for reading and wishes you the h a p p ie st of Thanksgivings. 23 OUT 6 ABOUT 31 DANCE: DANIEL LEVEILLE DANSE Takes O ff with White Bird’s Uncaged Series 34 NIGHTLIFE 36 TRAVEL: EXPLORING ASTORIA » COLUMNISTS 28 33 39 44 LIVING OUT LOUD LADY ABOUT TOWN REMEMBER TO BREATHE MS. BEHAVIOR » ABOUT OUR COVER PORTLAND ARTIST BRENT D. MARR THINKS THAT MECHANICS. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. FIRE MEN. AND -BEARS' ARE THE REAL SEX SYMBOLS. YOU CAN FIND MORE OF HIS HIS CELEBRATIONS OF THE AVERAGE. AND NOT SO AVERAGE AMERICAN MALE. AT BRENTMARRART.COM • Life & Disability & LTC Insurance C olleen Weed C e ll Just Out’s Fall Reading Guide • Comprehensive Financial Planning (Fee Based) • Inheritance & Estate Planning MORTGAGE 50 : > 297»9900 16 BETTER OFF READ In itia l consultation w ith no charge or obligation • IRAs, Roth IRAs, Rollovers • Tax & Retirement Planning 6700 SW 105th Ave., Suite 200 Beaverton, ( )R 97005 Toll F ire (877) 82641900 Fax (503) 2974)824 E-Mail: colleen@ m tgadvocates.com www.mtgadvtxates.com O ffic e I will be conducting weekly raffles with giveaways to local restaurants and theaters. To be eligible for prizes, you simply need drop off a donation at our office. Check daily at BlogOut at www.justout.com for details and deadlines on what we’re giving away next. A very big thank you goes out to the mu sicians and audience of Motherlode. Their recent concert raised $300 in cash and food donations for Esther’s Pantry. Just Out will be partnering with other community events in the coming weeks. Let me know if you’d like to help. In Your Life, In Your Investments Careful and energetic handling of all your home financing needs UC»ML 1056 50 > 780*1561 NOVEMBER 20. 2009 » FEATURE Diversity Matters - mAVAILABLE when yo ^are! 2 IN S ID E » Giving up, giving book, and giving thanks "CALL IT." 27 . NO. Investing with a Conscience WADDELL (^ ^ |< 5 £ rR E E D Financial Advisors I n v e s t i n g . W it h a plan. **** ‘ ImuroiKi products or« offered through insuronce compon»* with which Woddee & Reed ho* soies arrangements
