'Laramie Project' shows the worst (and best) of us
Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:13 AM PST
Printable version
E-mail this articleCommentary by Dave Grumbois
For The Daily News
Do you remember a particular moment or event that shaped your life? Mine came in 1992.
I was the editor of a newspaper in Lebanon, Ore., less than two years out of college and full of ambition and idealism. I was 24 years old and about to consider my feelings on sexuality.
At issue was Oregon’s Ballot Measure 9, sponsored by the Oregon Citizens Alliance, a conservative Christian political activist organization founded by Lon Mabon. The initiative would have made it illegal for the state to promote homosexuality. Mabon said he wanted to discourage the gay agenda, but this wasn’t just about banning books. You could be denied scholarships or housing simply for being gay.
The OCA had a good track record. They sponsored a winning measure in 1988 which prohibited job protection for homosexuals in state government. If you were a gay state employee, this gave multiple meanings to being “out,” as in “out of the closet, out of a job.”
I majored in communications at Linfield College, but also took numerous history and religion courses. I was fascinated with the Civil Rights movement, but Malcom, Martin, John and Bobby were dead before I was even born. I imagined that I would have stood up for Rosa Parks. I imagined I would have marched in Selma. But until you’re faced with the challenge, you never know.
Couple that with me being a small-town, straight white kid who had told his fair share of racially/sexually tinged jokes. Would I have stood up?
I finally got to answer that question. Ballot Measure 9 would become the most controversial issue that I would cover in 13 years as a journalist.
While Ballot Measure 9 failed statewide, it passed by a wide margin in my county. I covered both sides of the story fairly and accurately. But I also authored opinions against the initiative for our editorial page. That got me plenty of hate mail and several threats of physical violence.
When OCA supporters want to beat you up and slash your tires, you know you’re doing the right thing. That’s where my left wing popped out and my core beliefs in civil liberties took bloom.
Funny how things come back around. “The Laramie Project” generated its fair share of media coverage the past two weeks. The play dealt with the murder of a gay man, Matthew Shepard, in Wyoming and rumors of hate groups coming to Longview.
Instead, Lower Columbia College professor Mark Bergeson inspired student and civic groups to march and sing songs at a diversity celebration Dec. 5. Area churches held a week’s worth of ceremonies, confronting a topic that was undoubtedly challenging. And best of all, right-to-life groups, who frequently clash with liberals, attended Friday’s event, celebrating the sanctity of life — even the life of a gay adult male like Matthew Shepard.
We’ve come a long way since 1992. I’m grateful to everyone who took part in last week’s events. And I’m proud that they took place in my hometown.
Dave Grumbois is a resident of Longview.
Beer&Skittles wrote on Dec 14, 2008 9:56 AM:
aelkins02 wrote on Dec 14, 2008 12:44 PM:
Im_not_saying wrote on Dec 15, 2008 4:49 PM:
Past Month's Most Commented Stories