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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2011)
. 2 0 THE YEAR IN DECEMBER 9, 2011 W W W .JU STO U T.C O M B Y R YA N J. P R A D O VOLUNTEER - make a difference and support our community! Join us for the 5th annual United Way MLK Weekend of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There are projects spread across the Portland/Vancouver region to meet your schedule, interests and skills. Bring along your family, friends or coworkers. Sign up now at www.unitedway-pdx.org/mlk Sponsored by: In partnership with: k d rv iE R ( t r ry , f i GIVE. ( ufwptKl VOLUNTEER. United Mtey of the Columbia-Willemette If faith as it pertains to the LGBTQ_ community weren’t already a big enough debate before Mars Ilill arrived in Port land’s Sunnyside neighborhood, it became the debate for local equality activists heading out of summer. When it was announced in early September that the evangelical mega church would be moving into South east Portland, the news was met with swift criticism by hardcore LGBTQ_ rights activists across the city. Before the congregation had even moved in, or its pastor Reverend Tim Smith offered an opportunity to address the skeptical denizens of its new com munity, Mars Hill was public enemy No. 1. As reported by Just Out’s Aaron Spencer in mid-September, the con troversial aspects of Mars Hill’s ser mons were not unfounded, and po larizing even among conservative Christians. Its Seattle pastor, Mark Driscoll, has been criticized for com ments he made about male pastors behaving too effeminately. The church also believes homosexuality is a sin, though so do several churches in Portland, even some in the Sun nyside neighborhood, where the Mars Hill branch is located. Mars Hill also raised eyebrows with a video posted on its website about the new Portland church, which shows im ages of rainbow flags and a strip club while Smith says, “[Portland] values sexual free dom as an end in itself with a thriving sex industry that goes back for more than a century.” Smith told Spencer his priority is not to fight homosexuality. He says his goal is to help people learn about Jesus, “[Homosexuality] is not something that comes up in every sermon,” he saiH The ensuing dissent expressed by equality activists was buffered by an extension of educational efforts, led by Portland’s Q. Center soon after. Q_ executive director Barbara McCullough-Jones explained that the invitation to understand one another’s positions with regard to the community at large was of major importance, though a sizable number of activists disagreed with Q s decision. Bishop G ene R obinson, the E piscopal C h u rc h ’s first op en y gay bisho p, paid a visit to P ortland in June. “Maybe we’re not going to change [Mars Hill’s] mind because of the way they inter pret the doctrine they follow,” McCullough- Jones told Just Out in October. “That’s the basis of who they are. But, if we as people who live in the same community can find some common ground, won’t that lead us to more peaceful coexistence? In my view, the answer is yes.” 4 - Finally within Reach. : W ith SunRun, You can moke one poymenf for o solar system that will slosh your utility bills for 2 0 years / $6.000 down and done ♦ No monthly paymonts. y $6.000 bm * through »tut« tax credits. ($1.500 por yoar tor lour years ) All Solar olertnc savings fo you 2 0 Year. 10 0 % guaron»*« with free monitoring and maintenance Take control of your choices K aren J . M ockrin A tto r n e y at Law 2075 SW 1st Ave., Ste. 2J, Portland. OR 97201 (503) 4 2 1 -8 1 6 9 . w w w .n o rth w e s tla w o ffic e .c o m Transgender Law • Criminal Defense • LGBT Civil Rights M em bers of the LGBT com m unity face unique challenges in both the civil and criminal justice systems. Hire a committed and compassionate attorney who understands you, who cares about what you are going through. Call Karen at (5 0 3 ) 4 2 1 -8 1 6 9 or e-m ail her at karen@ northw estlaw office.com for a FREE consultation When you visit Portland's Dr. fdward E.Ward you'll discover how our cosmetic dentist can help you make the most of your smile. Dr. Ward is highly skilled in using the latest cosmetic materials and technology to create gorgeous new smiles. • Cosmetic Dentistry • Im plant Dentistry • Family Dentistry • Tooth W hitening INTERSTATE DENTAL I Edward E.W ard, DM I) • Providing quality , caring, painfree dentistry fo r 3 0 years. 5835 N. Interstate Avenue | (503) 285-5307 Make an appointment onlindcosmeticdentalportland.com