Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2011)
OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE DECEMBER 9,20)1 Looking Forward, To 2012 Second verse, same as the first? page 3 BY M A R T Y D A VIS ell, here we are again, the beginning and the end— the one and the same? We arrive at the start o f another new year— while bidding farewell to one that looks and feels a lot like the one before it. In the classic words o f the not-yet-immortal Peter Noone o f Herman’s Hermits, “Second verse, same as the first.” Backwards, forwards, in and out, there are a few thoughts that I’d like to put to. paper at this sharing time o f the year. Looking for ward to 2012, I’m happy to be able to tell you o f a partnership that Ju st Out is entering into with innovative local business Portland Pedal Power. Starting with our January issue, Just Out print copies will be delivered to distri bution spots in the downtown Portland core area by bicycle. Yup, bicycle. This will mean one less car, one less frazzled driver going “round and round” looking for parking spots while desperately trying to not become bus kibble. We’re going to start out with 30-40 stops in the area somewhat defined by the transit mall and Portland State University. If all goes like it should, we’ll soon expand to in clude the north-of-Burnside zones. Bike de livery is cost-effective, it’s logical and it’s ever so Portland. I’m proud to be partnering with Jenn Dederich and her Portland Pedal Power crew on this project. This is one o f the more significant “win-win for everyone” proposals that has crossed my desk in some time. I’m also proud that I made this announcement without using the words “green” and “sustain able,” because seriously, these are among the most overused words o f 2011. he last couple o f years saw me selecting a “ Person o f the Year” for this final column o f the calendar. At first I didn’t think I’d do it this year, due simply to the fact that I can no longer clearly tell when one year has ended and another has started, leaving me prone to get people and their accomplishments all mixed up. But in the last few days, about 30 in fact, a story among stories has been in the telling in Portland. As a follower o f the daily Facebook postings detailing this wondrous story o f love, dedication and selflessness, I would be completely remiss if I did not ac knowledge the tremendous efforts o f Diane Young as she has spent the last month caring for her hospitalized partner, Michelle Lagos. Michelle’s illness was sudden and unexpected, catching her partner, family and friends com pletely by surprise. Diane, in a relationship still relatively new, even in lesbian time, stepped up and took on the role o f her partner’s advo cate and caretaker. Now, there might be those among you, the more cynical among us who’d say that she did what any partner would do— should do. And you would be right; it is the role o f partners to care for each other. But in this time o f marriage equality battles and issues— with a community o f people trying to show the world, to educate the world on the value, the merit, the love, the normalcy of our relationships— no one could possibly put a better face to the image o f marriage equal ity, to love equality than Diane Young has done this past month. For this reason, Diane Young, you, representing the best that we all have to offer each other, are my personal hero and Person o f the Year. Another component of Diane and Michelle’s story is to acknowledge the progress made by LG BTQ . rights organizations in advocating for patient’s rights and equality with same-sex couples facing health care situations. From the accounts presented, it seems that Providence Hospital has been simply stellar in their ac ceptance and understanding of the relationship between Michelle and her same-sex partner. This progress didn’t happen overnight and it didn’t happen on its own. While there are some who decry what they see as a glacial pace in the movement toward marriage equality, let’s not lose sight of other accomplishments. T then, we will provide you with “introductions” to key candidates. We start in this issue with Portland mayoral candidate Charlie Hides. We’ll continue introducing you to candidates right up until election month. The Portland mayoral race will he impor tant, very important, even though it lacks the rainbow-hued spark o f 2008 when Portland had the opportunity to elect the first openly gay mayor o f a major U.S. city. That race ig nited, and later divided, Portland’s LG BTQ _ community. Looking forward, we— we collectively— have the opportunity to present ourselves as a strong voting bloc. I tend to think that Portland’s gay community could be a deciding factor in the selection o f the next mayor and city commissioners. My vision o f our unity is not shared, however, by Portland’s “other” alternative paper, Willamette Week. In a recent issue, it identified six groups that could play powerful roles in the coming elections: “organized labor,” the “power lunchers,” “The Kremlin” (inner east side Portland), “the red and the gray,” “the young and the restless,” and “the rest o f us.” I suppose it could be said that the gays fall into the “rest o f us” category, but that simply isn’t good enough for me. I think we, the gays, indeed have the potential to be stronger, more active and more power ful in determining who next fills the seats in Salem and in Portland. Willamette Week , for those o f you with a memory shorter than mine, was chosen in 2011 by Pride Northwest to publish that organization’s Pride Guide. At that time its publisher admitted, in print, that his paper didn’t have a good record o f covering our community’s issues. I think that e close 2011 with the first look at what this latest slight shows a continued trend o f will be defined as the top story o f underestimating LGBTQ_votes, dollars and 2012— local and national elections. While the determination to elect progressive candidates candidates for the Republican Party presiden and support ballot measures that push for tial nomination are going to be in the bright ward with LGBTQ equality issues. United we est spotlight seemingly forever, the focus o f have enormous potential. If we need another Just Out is turning toward local candidates. In openly gay elected official to sit in a position oodbye,2011. You were a lot like 2010— April we will make endorsements for several o f power and keep us on track, then let’s find the best about which could be said was local races. Our endorsement process will have the appropriately skilled and qualified person that it wasn’t 2009. Welcome, 2012. Be gentle several components, not the least o f which is and get them elected, T im Joyce? with us, please JW a lot o f “listen and learn.” Between now and W W G 3 just out VOL. 29. NO. 2 DECEMBER 9. 2011 INSIDE » FEATURE 10 THE YEAR IN REVIEW 11 THE YEAR IN COMMUNITY 14 THE YEAR IN BUSINESS 17 THE YEAR IN POLITICS 20 THE YEAR IN FAITH 22 THE YEAR IN MILESTONES 23 THE YEAR IN TV & FILM 36 THE YEAR IN VISUAL ART 38 THE YEAR IN MUSIC 40 THE YEAR IN BOOKS 42 THE YEAR IN SPORTS 46 THE YEAR IN NIGHTLIFE 47 THE YEAR IN COMMUNITY 48 THE YEAR IN PERFORMING ARTS » NEWS & COMMUNITY 5 LETTERS 6 NORTHWEST NEWS IN BRIEF 26 THE YEAR IN POLITICS Ihe first in a three-part series with Portland’s mayoral candidates » CULTURE & LIFESTYLE 29 OUT & ABOUT 33 THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION New Year’s Eve and other holiday highlights 44 HO-HO-HOMOMENTUM! Queer cabaret spectacle returns alter the holiday seasont » COLUMNISTS 24 PETLANDIA 34 LIVING OUT LOUD 35 LADY ABOUT TOWN 37 PANDA SAY WHAT?! 50 ASK A GAY 51 REMEMBER TO BREATHE Start the New Year with a New Career! justout is looking for a few good people to join our sales team. You provide the motivation, the work ethic, and the desire to succeed. We'll work with you to build job skills to last a lifetime. Sales o f services and goods move the economy o f America. SALESPEOPLE ROCK! To start the conversation please email Marty Davis at marty@justout.com Join us in making 2012 a Happy and PR O SPER O U S new year for all.
