OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE
4
About That Ad,
and Editorial
Dear Marty,
In reference to your editorial of 09-02-11,
I do regret the misinterpretation of our ad in
your August 5th issue. Please be assured this
type of ad will not appear again [Vol. 28, No.
19, Page 3, “Putting the ‘Ad’In Adverse”].
Per the Internet’s Free Dictionary, an “old
bag” is described as an “ill-tempered, dis
agreeable or unpleasant woman.” One could
reasonably assume that very few persons, of
any age or either gender, actually enjoy the
company of an “ill-tempered, disagreeable or
unpleasant woman.”
One could also reasonably assume there
are also older men who can be described as
a “curmudgeon” or an “old coot.” It is not the
sex or the age that is being commented upon
in these descriptions, but rather the overly
critical attitude of these types of persons.
The woman in the photograph is a paid
professional model depicting, through her
look and demeanor, a certain type of indi
vidual. This picture is not intended to portray
any specific person, or to be indicative of all
women past a certain age, or to represent a
specific sexual orientation. Again, it is the
stern and rigid attitude of such individuals
that is being commented upon.
It has never been our intent to offend
any individual or group through the (failed)
letters
humor of this particular ad or this particu
lar photograph. The overwhelming response
to this ad was positive. Those customers
who commented upon the ad most often
described it as “fun.” Additionally, it’s been
the most successful ad we have run in Just
Out. Since the editorial regarding this ad has
appeared, I have received an amazing num
ber of calls and emails, all supporting the ad
as it ran. However, I regret that anyone, for
any reason, experienced unhappiness from
viewing it. And for that reason, it will not
run again.
Borrowing from your perceptive sugges
tions, I would be most happy to personally
meet with the letter writer, especially since
she states she has been a long-standing cus
tomer. With a little advance notice, I will also
have for her a dozen fresh-baked cookies—in
the flavor of her choice! I [also have person
ally responded] to her email, because I really
do appreciate her particular point of view be
ing brought to my attention.
As an individual who has had a significant
weight challenge nearly all of my adult life, I
am aware, on a daily basis, of real or perceived
slights directed toward me and my physical
appearance. At these times I remind myself
of Eleanor Roosevelt’s most famous saying,
which came from a woman who considered
herself to be, at best, homely. This saying is,
of course, “No one can make you feel inferior
without your consent.”
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
►
Finally, Marty, thank you for addressing this
issue in your editorial. Do know how much
our company continues to appreciate the pa
tronage and support of the Just Out readers, as
well as your importance to our community.
Sincerely,
Gregg Simon
Portland Luggage Company
Alazar Manning
And Fr. Michael [of Portland’s St. Philip
Neri Parish] gave me $50 because he read
about me in Just Out...
And we've had other people give who we
don't know, but we think it's because of the
article...
The best is one person said they read the
article, went to my blog, asked for my address,
and sent me a $50 check—from Hawaii!!!
Thank you, thank you,THANK YOU!! ...
Right now we've raised $4,810!! YOU
really helped me!
Big Thanks from
a Young Reader
Hey Ryan and Marty,
I just want to thank you for writing a “pro
file” about me—it has made a difference in
making people aware and giving to my cam
paign [Vol. 28, No. 19, p. 12, “Youth Upris
ing”]. Examples:
We were standing at the school bus stop,
and this man walked by, stopped, and said,
“I read about you in Just Out and I'm going
to give to your campaign,” and later that day
Warmly,
we got a $250 pledge by someone we didn't
know, so I think it was him....
Alazar Manning
And we were setting up for the Muddy
Portland
Boot Festival, and someone walked up to me
and said, “I read about you in Just O ut” and For more profiles of AIDS Walk Portland 2011
he gave me $15 dollars....
participants, turn to p. 18.
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