PORTLAND, Ore. — For years, Just Out newspaper told the history of Oregon's LGBTQ+ communities and the fight for equality. In 1999, Marty Davis became the owner of Just Out to tell those stories.
"Facing enemies like the OCA (Oregon Citizen's Alliance), ballot measures that tried to deny recognition as a people, as a community, to a state where we have gay marriage," said Davis.
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"Individual groups have their own cohesiveness, but for many years, I felt that Just Out was like the glue that brought the many groups and organizations together," Davis continued.
Due to the recession, the newspaper had to shut down in 2011.
"It was devastating to me to have to close down the paper, and I still feel a little burden of guilt when I say our stories aren't being told because that was my job," said Davis.
After traveling across the country, Davis decided to launch the Shoutout social media page to give a voice to the LGBTQ+ community once again.
"I don't have the conceit that one social media page is going to bring cohesiveness to a community, but it can give visibility and we can strengthen and help each other up," explained Davis.
It also launched to put a spotlight on supporting local LGBTQ+ businesses.
"I like to share the stories of queer-owned business owners, and I'm a firm advocate of shop local, shop your gay business owners when you can," said Davis.
With Shoutout taking off, Davis plans to continue to tell the stories of LGBTQ+ people and make sure they are seen and heard.
"Honor our history, celebrate our present and prepare for our future — because all are important," Davis said.
KGW's Breaking Barriers series features Oregonians making a difference in the world of sports, arts, government, business and more. You'll see stories throughout June for Pride Month.