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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2011)
OREGON’S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE just out Confession Time VOL. 2 8 . NO. 9 How prepared are any of us, for anything, anytime? I haven’t been with the program the last few days, my normal “publisher of a gay paper” program, that is. My mind hasn’t been where logic dictates it should be. I haven’t been at all concerned about the lack of an executive director at Q_Center. I’m quite sure that current staff is more than capable of keeping the place up and running. I haven’t been to any drag shows or performances-all of which did just fine without my camera and me. I think I’ve gone almost a week without whining on Facebook about not being able to find anyone, in a state with a 10 percent unem ployment rate, to work in sales. I have no ticed that Basic Rights Oregon has started running its “Marriage M atters” television ads and that they are very professional and sharp. But short of thinking that I’d like to be the proverbial fly on the wall, if and when the ads are shown in Harney County, I can’t say that I’ve paid the attention that I should. So where has my mind been? Have I actually finally found someone to date? Oh hell no. Am I in a twitter over the prospect of the rain stopping and the longed for 60 degree temperatures arriving? Nah, not re ally. Am I spending all my time sitting on the dock, waiting for my ship to come in? Well, that’s a given any day and time. No, what I’ve been doing the last week is spending all my time thinking about death and dying. Cheery, huh? Prior to my new attention-stealing focus on death, I was obsessed with the happening-any-day-now earthquake that’s predicted to destroy the Pacific Northwest and life as we know it. I t’s not that I’m worried that I’m going to die in this natu ral Armageddon— no, I’m more worried that I’ll survive. One day I might be out walking my dog, the next living in a world straight out of M ad Max. Not long ago I read The Road, a deeply dark post-apoca lyptic novel by Cormac McCarthy. This book tends to send people scurrying for comfort in dark corners, curled in a fetal position while whimpering in fear. If you’ve seen the movie, trust me, the book is far more disturbing. Today, post-earthquake, the people of Japan appear to be living and surviving through enormous tragedy with grace and determination. W hen it’s our turn, and it will be one of these days, Americans will likely turn on each other as soon as the first meal is missed. The Road truly puts the grim in modern fairy tales. W hile I was already in an earthquake- preparedness funk, I received word of the death of a friend— a young, vibrant friend. W hich brings me back to the beginning— I’ve been spending all my time thinking about death and dying. We’re told over and over how and what to prepare for the big earthquake. Are we told enough, do we listen enough, to know how to prepare for death? Sadly I must say that were I to die now, today, tomorrow, next week, I would leave a mess behind. I do not have my death- preparedness kit in order. Do you? Do you have a will, a current and updated will? Have you changed partners more fre quently than you’ve seen your lawyer? In the bloom of first love did you rush out and register to become domestic partners— before even really knowing if you like each other? Are you aware that these are legal contracts that have to be resolved, dis solved? Is your current partner going to be inconvenienced if you die tomorrow and your former partner shows up next week to claim the house? Are you close to your parents? If you die without a will, they get your stuff. That put the fear of God in me years ago— definitely the catalyst for my first will—a document now horribly outdated. Basic Rights Oregon is running television spots because the current Oregon Constitution makes it necessary for same-sex couples to jump through domestic partnership hoops to obtain rights given freely and legally to heterosexual couples. We have to do our paperwork. Earthquakes, tsunamis, radiation that’s never going to reach the West Coast and the far-too-soon death of a friend have left me grappling with far more questions than answers. For earthquake preparation we’re to have flashlights, batteries, a radio and three days’ supply of food and water. For death preparation we’re to have a will, a clean house and all our ducks sitting in an orderly row. To prepare for the death of friends— ah, for that one I’m at a loss. I have no original, brilliant new thought to offer on the topic of death. Death is a part of life. It happens, it hurts, we pause in thought and memory, in love and con cern— and then we get on with it all? Q . Is Just Out going to be having a ■ photo contest again this year? You bet we are. Some components of the contest will remain the same. As in prior years, all winning photos will appear in our June 17 issue. All submissions will be on display at Q_Center during the month of July. All entries must be submitted in print form. There are no requirements to size. The deadline for submitting entries is Tuesday, May 31. W hat I’m still finalizing are the cat egories and the possibility of bringing in sponsors to assist with the prize pool. I’m thinking that maybe we’ll have one separate category for photographers ages 19 and under. I’m thinking of all sorts of new things. On Thursday, April 7 we will post all the details at justout.com. They also will appear in the next print issue, out April 15. This contest will present opportunities for everyone. We’re excited to begin. APRIL 1.2 0 1 1 INSIDE » FEATURE 16 BALLS OUT! Portland’s LGBTQjsports clubs eye a busy season o f competition and community ! 20 GAME CHANGER GLSEN’s new sports project addresses homophobia in school sports » NEWS/EVENTS 5 TRANSITIONS 6 NORTHWEST NEWS IN BRIEF » COMMUNITY ¡ 12 CAN THEY WE DO IT? Facing crunch time, BRO must decide whether to stick to 2012 marriage equality goal 30 HOT! HOT! HOT! Red Dress 2011 sizzles with more intimate “Red H ot”party » ARTS 8 CULTURE 23 OUT & ABOUT 32 A SPRING IN THEIR STEPS April performances showcase local choreographers and dancers 34 SHAKE IT Sissy bounce’s reigning queen brings the beat 36 STILL SCANDALOUS Portland institution adds spice to local gay nightlife on its 32nd anniversary » COLUMNISTS 15 SASSY GARDENER 28 LIVING OUT LOUD 29 UKDY ABOUT TOWN 38 PANDA SAY WHAT 39 REMEMBER TO BREATHE » PHOTOS 46 HRC’S ‘80s BOWLING 47 PGMC & GAY SKATE S e r io u s In ju ry & D e a th C a ses Wrongful Death • Medical Malpractice • Serious Accidents • Brain Injuries Trucking Accidents • Spinal Cord Injuries • Nursing Home Abuse • Therapist Malpractice O v e r 2 1 Years E x p e rie n c e • Top “A V ” R a tin g Proudly serving our community since 1989 Free Consultation 503 - 295-1940 • 800 - 795-8945 w w w .goreslaw .com Hola J. Gores, Attorney Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
