LET TERS
ly knows about it yet, as I am new here and
all this attention has been throughout the
country and into Canada — just starting to
see it venturing into the U.K. this week.
I think it would be a wonderful thing
for Eugene Weekly to report on and a
much-needed vote of confidence to the city
that all its efforts to combat homelessness
and addiction in the community are not in
vain.
P.S. My writing has got so popular
that my original blog in its third month is
over the 12,000-view mark, and if it keeps
the pace set so far this month, it could hit
20,000 views for September. Here is the
link to that podcast: goo.gl/UatxFF.
Marc McMahon
Eugene
POWERFUL SYMBOL
On the day the young Our Children’s
Trust plaintiffs appeared in their court case
against the U.S. government and Big Oil,
The Register-Guard noted that the Uni-
versity of Oregon Foundation had decided
to divest of fossil fuels. A Register-Guard
editorial later called that action largely
symbolic. How disappointing.
Yet I remembered how symbols point
to something larger, and how an action can
become a symbol that inspires further ac-
tion. Young men burning their draft cards
during the ’60s became symbolic of the
anger many felt about our involvement in
Vietnam. Rosa Parks refusing to give up
her seat to an able-bodied white man be-
came a symbol of racial inequity in our
country.
LIVING OUT
And today, a pro football player kneel-
ing during the national anthem points to
the way people of color are treated in our
justice system.
Not everyone is comfortable being re-
minded of the situations that spark these
actions. But change is often the result
— because they become symbols inspir-
ing others. We ended our involvement in
Vietnam. Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil
Rights Act. Colin Kaepernick exposes a
flawed justice system.
Divesting won’t bankrupt the University
of Oregon — and it might spark other insti-
tutions to do the same. So, thank you, UO
Foundation, and thank you, Register-Guard.
And thank you especially to the 21
young people standing on the courthouse
steps — a powerful symbol of little guys
taking on the corporatocracy. May you in-
spire further action for the public good.
Donna Haines
Eugene
YES ON MEASURE 100
Oregonians love animals and we have
a long, proud history of passing laws to
protect them. That’s why among all 50
states, Oregon is ranked second in strength
of its animal welfare laws.
Now we have a chance to continue
that tradition by passing Measure 100 to
ban the commercial trade in the parts and
products of our most cherished and iconic
wildlife species.
Federal rules and laws can only go so
far in closing down illegal wildlife traf-
ficking. Measure 100 closes an important
loophole in existing law by imposing seri-
ous penalties on anyone caught trying to
traffic in endangered animal parts within
our state, thereby augmenting and bolster-
ing federal enforcement efforts.
With California and Washington hav-
ing already passed similar laws, passing
Measure 100 will mean the entire West
Coast will become far less hospitable to
the poachers, smugglers and profiteers in
search of local markets and driving our
world’s animals to extinction.
The measure also includes common-
sense exemptions for bona fide antiques,
musical instruments and use of these prod-
ucts by native tribes.
Oregonians rank the global poaching
crisis among their top animal welfare con-
cerns, yet often feel powerless to stop it.
Now, with Measure 100, we have a chance
to do our part and take a leadership role
in protecting elephants, rhinos, big cats,
whales and other imperiled animals. Please
vote yes on Measure 100.
Scott Beckstead
Oregon Senior State Director
Human Society of the United States
Sutherlin
lion more a year. It will raise school bud-
gets by an estimated 25 percent.
As early childhood professionals, we
support Measure 97. We have mourned
the burdens of unacceptable public school
class sizes and cuts in vital school pro-
grams. Our teachers are doing an amaz-
ing job despite many handicaps. Our state
has failed its constitutional obligation to
ensure a great public education. Both po-
litical parties have failed to find long-term
financial solutions to correct our lack of
strong educational funding.
Some corporations have failed to pay
their fair share of taxes, compounding the
problem. They as well as their supporters
threaten us by saying that, if voted in, they
will pass the Measure 97 corporate tax on
to customers. As citizens, we can choose
where we spend our money by not support-
ing irresponsible corporate behavior.
Supporting our state public school sys-
tem is both patriotic and a family value. As
President Barack Obama stated in a 2013
speech, “If you think education is expen-
sive, wait until you see how much igno-
rance costs in the 21st century.”
Christopher and Deb Michaels
Eugene
SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL
Former presidential candidate Bernie
Sanders spoke consistently about fairness,
need and corporate greed. Oregon voters
will have a chance in November to make
a statement about those matters with Bal-
lot Measure 97. Voting yes will result in
schools, low-income health needs and se-
nior citizen services getting around $2 bil-
SEMPLE FOR WARD 1
Regarding the Ward 1 City Councilor
election, Eugene, 2016:
Folks, we’ve got two very good people
running in the Nov. 8 election for the City
Council position. I know and like both
Emily Semple and Josh Skov. Emily was
encouraged to run, and has been well-sup-
BY SALLY SHEK LOW
Unfurling Freak Flags
NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY IS OCT. 11
N
ational Coming Out Day is a great time
to come out, whether for the first or ump-
teenth time. It’s a day to remember the
importance of being open about your true
lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning,
intersex, polyamorous, pansexual, asexual, two-spirit,
nonbinary, genderfluid, agender or otherwise beyond-the-
old-norm self.
It’s also a good time to come out as an ally to those of
us who are LGBTQ+. Oct. 11 is set aside as a day to make,
or renew, our commitment to come out of the closet and be
open about who we are, to let people know that we adore
our queer friends and relatives, and to expose and confront
homophobia, biphobia and transphobia wherever they
lurk. Like in, say, the Republican Party platform. Ahem.
As someone who has been way out for evah, you’d
think I would have no more coming out to do. Since the
1970s I’ve made sort of a career of being here, queer and
helping folks get used to it. As an activist, writer, college
instructor and general dyke-about-town, I’ve dedicated
myself to promoting LGBTQ+ visibility and our move-
ment for freedom, justice and fabulousness. So, it’s hum-
bling to confess that, even for me, the closet door some-
times slams shut. Yes, though hard to admit, sometimes
even I don’t let my rainbow freak-flag fly.
6
October 6, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com
Take yesterday, for example. I had taken my car in
for a recalled air bag replacement and was shuttled home
in a dealership van to wait out the four-hour repair. The
driver was super friendly, obviously well-trained in cus-
tomer service and easy to talk to as he drove me home. We
chatted about the changing weather, which led to garden-
ing and whether the tomatoes would ripen, and what to
do with a bumper crop of zucchini. Tame, neutral stuff.
I shared my recipe for zucchini pancakes, which he said
sounded delicious and he’d have to make some for his
wife. It was a perfect opening for me to mention my wife.
He’d mentioned his, right?
But I made the snap judgment that so many queer
people have learned to make in every interaction where
it’s suddenly up to us to come out or not. In an instant,
we have to gauge the safety of the situation, assess our
support or escape options if the response isn’t good and
decide whether we are prepared to defend ourselves.
I think a lot of us who’ve survived years of various
anti-gay onslaughts experience this kind of residual ho-
mophobia-phobia. It’s like a long-lingering PTSD that
creeps up on us even when we think we’re “over it.”
I had to quickly determine if I’d be more uncomfort-
able being out or remaining in, or whether the driver could
or couldn’t already tell that I’m not straight. Would I have
what it takes in that moment to be nonchalant, to set the
tone that would make him able to at least act like he was
taking my revelation in stride? Was I ready to go there?
All this was computing in that split second when I opted
to hold back, to keep my usually very public life private,
and not say “my wife.”
Frankly, I surprised myself. What was I afraid of?
There was little risk of anything bad happening in that
Toyota courtesy shuttle van. I was the always-right cus-
tomer, after all. And I know that making queerness nor-
mal takes going through these awkward moments again
and again until they’re not awkward any more. Those of
us privileged to not be risking our lives or homes or jobs
have a responsibility to stick our necks out when we can. I
know that. And yet this time I chickened out. My reaction
definitely gave me something to think about.
Luckily we have this annual day to reflect upon what
kind of people we want to be, to rededicate ourselves to
staying out of the closet, to be open about what we know
is true and right and good. Next time — you heard it here
— I’ll definitely speak up. Shuttle drivers of the world,
brace yourselves.
Award-winning writer Sally Sheklow has been coming out in Eugene Week-
ly since 1999.