REAL LIFE | Friends & Neighbors
LGBTQ Allies
Text by Alley Hector Photography by Horace Long
Immersed in Portland queer life can feel like we live in a world without
straight people, but even here the reality is that we are still a minority. But
we are part of the majority of a local community that is accepting, loving,
and “has our back.” When I sat down in the Q Center’s library, surrounded
by rows upon rows of LGBT themed books, with three straight mar-
ried couples, nothing was more apparent. It was a feel good moment
of the highest order and helped me remember that heterosexuals are
part of our community and part of our movement. They are excited
to be part of it. They are happy give us their time, money and friend-
ship, and we need them.
I was raised by one of the staunchest allies I know, and during the course of the
interview I heard very familiar words coming from the mouths of Mark and Tracy
Fenske, Chris and Monica Reed, and Lisa Watson and Peter Shanky, though they
themselves are a diverse group of people. Mark and Tracy work in finance.
Chris and Monica own A Word in Edgewise eco-printing company and
Lisa and Peter own the tasty Cupcake Jones bakery. Different genera-
tions, raised in different places and from different religious and eth-
nic backgrounds, they hold many similar beliefs and had familiar
and relatable tales to tell.
One of my mother’s favorite stories is that of her best friend’s com-
ing out to her. When Lisa started palling around with another girl
in Jr. High, Jill Hector was angry and hurt. But when she found out it
was a love interest all was forgiven. You could be stupid when it came
to boys, when it came to a crush, just as long as another BFF wasn’t
taking her place.
The six people I sat with at the Q Center also have important gay people
in their lives. These early influencers helped lead them into a world
where they proudly proclaim they are not just allies, but advo-
cates for LGBT people. Here are their stories...
On how they became involved.
Lisa Watson: My first friend to die of AIDS died in
1987. I did my first AIDS Walk shortly after and
became an activist.
Mark, Tracy, & Reggie Fenske
Chris Reed: I was hijacked.
My best friend turned us
onto PABA (the Portland
Area Business Association for