Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1997)
_l Wednesday, April 30, 1997 What effect will Ellen's coming out have on Ameri can society? 'Ellen' show breaks barriers tonight, sends positive message to mainstream America KARIN REDSTON Feature Editor “Ellen’s coming out will increase tol erance for gays and lesbians in many ways t>ut, most importantly, it will make young or closeted gay people aware that they have a large com munity of support.” Elise Bush Publications "I don't know. I don't care." Amos Kirk Student “Ellen’s “coming out” shouldn’t af fect anyone except Ellen’s state of mind. No more hiding for her. As for America, why should it affect me or anyone else? My life is the same. I don’t look at her any different. My opiniones: “What’s the big deal.” Live your life and go about your busi ness.” Shevette Bonner Help Center Ellen DeGeneres' decision to “come out” on television tonight as a major character who is gay sends a positive message to people every where. DeGeneres hopes to break down barriers and create dialogue by showing gay people do not have to pretend to be straight. Gay people can be themselves without fear of reprisal or recrimination. I would hope this message would enter into the workplace where, in Oregon, it is still okay to fire people because they are gay. People are still being evicted from housing because they are gay. People are also denied custody of their chil dren because they are gay. It has been no secret that DeGeneres is a lesbian, but “com ing out” on the “Ellen” show is a big step. By “coming out” DeGeneres runs the risk of having her show canceled by right-wing pressure on ABC and not finding work in the future. By “coming out” DeGeneres will help a lot of people come to terms with their sexual orientation. Many feel they have been living a lie by trying to live the “normal” or accepted lifestyle of being straight. For teenagers who are struggling with their own sexuality and acceptance, this show may provide clarity and sup port. One of the highest suicide rates in this country is among teenagers who are confused about their sexuality. I fully support DeGeneres’ decision to “come out” on her show. Gays and lesbians have been around since the be ginning of time and it is time for the prejudice to end. For those who do not want their chil dren exposed to “Ellen” and her “com ing out” episode, turn off the television and take your family to a movie. The remote was made with an off switch. For those of you who do decide to watch the show, I hope we start a dialogue of understanding with all people and learn a lesson of acceptance and love. “It doesn’t affect me at all. She has the right to do and be anything she wants, as we all do. Roni Wilhelm Help Center "It will help young people have a positive role model, someone with a sense of humor." Kate Gray Rainbow advisor "Her coming out at this point in time is a reflection of society as it is at this time." Dirk Theisen Student Gay people can be them selves without fear of reprisal or recrimination. J? J, 'Ellen1 hoopla, hype: so what?? BRAD ZIMMERMAN Managing Editor "Who cares? It's been overdone. If we had a major war or bombing, it wouldn't even .have been done. It's a slow news month." Mel Fields Custodian It's even worse some people actually fear that their lives could be changed by this event. Tonight Ellen DeGeneres is go ing to come out on the nationally syndicated TV show "Ellen." So what? It's bad enough that there is this much hoopla over DeGeneres be ing gay (and making it widely known), but it's even worse some people actually fear that their lives could be changed by this event. The event itself, where DeGeneres reveals herself as a lesbian, should not be that big of a deal because: every one already knows DeGeneres is a les bian. More so, DeGeneres has been hyping this event as much as she can because it's sweeps month. When DeGeneres comes out Wednesday night, millions of people are going to be watching — people who would not normally watch. That's the reason DeGeneres is tak ing this "risky" move. Money. Even though Chrysler, Wendy's and J.C. Penney will not be advertising, there are plenty of other advertisers who know that this is going to be a mas sive media event. If people are concerned about ex posing their kids to the TV show, well... flip the channel off. People could read the newspaper or get on the Internet, but the same sort of material that DeGeneres is pushing is evident in all forms of media today. "Coming Out Party" • The Rain bow Club will be hosting a "Come Out with Ellen” party tonight at 8 p.m. • 'Ellen* starts at 9 pm • Contact Kate Gray at ext. 2371 for more details. Classifieds Painters Wanted, summer employment. No experience needed. $6- $14 per hour. Col lege Pro Painters For more info, call Matt at 301-9865. KARIN REDSTON / C/apkamas Print About 50 women attended Focus on Women's Getaway Weekend at Camp. Collins April 25-27. Participants learned to play musical instruments in one of the workshops offered. The "Getwaway Band" (above) then made its debut at the Saturday Night Show. Standing, from left: Heather Caponette, Cindy Hines Kurfman, Linda Durham and Michelle Herzog. Seated, from left: Nbra Wayman, Linda Vogt, Linda Kurtz and Maggie Pedersen. Wednesday, April 30, 7 Looking for energetic, friendly people to clean homes in West Linn. Must be in good physical condition, have a vehicle & good ref erences. Starting base pay $6.25 per hour while training. Can earn bonuses up to $1 per hour. Also looking for someone with lead ership skills to fill Crew Supervisor position. Base pays starts $7.25 plus bonuses. Must go through training program to be elligible for this position. Call Innovative Cleaning Specialists at 790- ■7030. TV Home Entertainment Suround Sound AMP 5 Speakers, 1 SUB Woofer, Hi Fi VCR, Prologic System. $700, Must Sell. John Angelis, 557-1427 Your ad here! Classifieds are free to Clackamas students and staff members. Contact Business Manager Mair in Anne Moore at ext. 2578. National Park Employment- Discover how to work in America's National Parks, Forests & Wildlife Preserves. Excellent benefits & bonuses! (Seasonal/Summer) Call Outdoor Information Services: 1-206-971- 3624 ext. N60572 Sofa, love seat, matching footstool and wing chair. Good Condition - $300. Wooden Desk - $30. Contact Sally. Ext.2287 85' Honda Civic Hatchback, New battery, runs good, dependable. $2000 OBO. Contact Alicia @ 829-4498 Free 1997 Summer Bulietinl Oregon State University Summer Session. Open enrollment- no admission requirements. Phone registration begins April 17. Many four-week courses offered. Call today for free bulletin. 1-800-375- 9359 or 541-737 1470. Or check the latest on the Web: http://osu.orst.edU/dept./summer Volume XXX, Issue
