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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2011)
nwnews OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE letters “ N e w Y o r k ’s P o e t a n d t h e J u s t if ic a t io n o f P r id e ” To t h e E d it o r : In 1860, Walt W hitm an seems to have almost had a vision of full equality in New York state, which came to pass with the gay marriage legislation of June 24,2011. To para phrase his poem, “So Long!” I announce what comes after me... ...When America does what was promised, When each part is peopled with free people, When there is no city on earth to lead my city, the city o f young men, the Mannahatta city... ...So long! I announce natural persons to arise, Iannounce justice triumphant, Iannounce uncom promising liberty and equality, I announce the jus tification of candor, and the justification ofpride... ...I announce adhesiveness— I say it shall be limitless, I say you shall yet fin d the friend you was looking for... ...Do notforget me, I feel like one who has done his work— I progress on, The unknown sphere, more real than I dreamed, more direct, darts awakening rays about me— So long! Remember my words— I love you— I departfrom materials, I am as one disembodied, triumphant, dead. t h e E d it o r JULY 1. 2011 B Y RYAN J. P R A D O P r id e o n D is p la y ? To » : I recently encountered a window display at Portlands downtown Nike store in support of gay pride, which is exciting because it reflects the company’s willingness to publicly sup port the queer community in its fight for the same rights, recognition and legal protections as straight couples. However, the decision by certain members ot the queer community to align with Nike, a multinational corporation that is notorious for its reliance on sweatshop labor, may prove antithetical to the liberatory aims of the GLBT community at large: to construct a society in which every citizen is re spected. Consequently, Nike’s endorsement of gay pride primarily serves to expand their con sumer base of goods produced within an envi ronment of questionable working conditions, which is not empowering for either GLBT people or for industrial production workers. Instead, members of the GLBT community should seek sponsorship and alignment with other companies that provide safe working conditions, and good wages and benefits for their workers. Sincerely, Mark C. Abell Portland Mitchell Santine Gould Portland O re g o n ia n s A s k B la z e rs to S ta n d U p A g a in s t H o m o p h o b ia John Zeller, a student at Oregon State University, has filed an online petition with Change.org in the hopes that with enough signatures, it will convince the Portland Trailblazers to produce an “It Gets B etter” video. Should the Blazers prove swayed by the petition, they’d be the first organization in the NBA to produce such a spot. “Five [Major League Baseball] teams have already made videos and I think it’s time for the Blazers to make a statement,” Zeller said in a press release. “Portland has such a large LG B T community; it’d he huge for them to come out in support o f a campaign like this.” Traci Rose, vice president o f comm unica tions for the Trailblazers, told Just Out that while the organization is now aware o f Zeller’s petition, and a similar plea from re tired Southridge High School teacher Rich M atkins, any move on the Blazers’ part would likely happen closer to the opening o f the season in October. Rose noted that high- profile athletes are less available in the off season to assist in getting the message to a more widespread audience. “W hen we go out and do a campaign, we want to make sure we’re giving it its full re spect,” Rose explained. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and the Chicago Bulls’Joakim Noah were both involved in high-profile incidences o f ho mophobic remarks during this season’s NBA playoffs, and were both given stiff fines. In Major League Baseball, five teams responded to petition-driven campaigns to produce videos for “It G ets Better,” though as Rose pointed out, the swiftness with which base ball has responded makes sense considering their league is in season. Rose reported that discussions internally have just begun about how best to address a campaign against hom ophobic slurs, and overall anti-gay sentim ent in the Blazers ► FANNO CREEK C L I N I C Louise McHarris, DO Board Certified Infernal Medicine General Adult Healthcare Wellness/Physical Exams Preventive Medicine New Patients are always Welcome! 2400 SW Vermont St. Portland 503.452.0915 ROUND TRIP FOR TWO INCLUDED DISCOVER VOLVO OVERSEAS DELIVERY We’re celebrating our 100th birthday on Sunday, July 24, noon-4pm. 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