Name: Don ‘Donnie’ Horn
Occupation: Founder/Producer/Playwright/Director at Triangle! Productions
Location: Portland, OR
What is your pride and joy in life?
My family. To have five wonderful children and also my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At 71, I feel that this is one of the greatest sources of accomplishment, and that each is an individual and is becoming their own person.
What do you feel thankful for about our community?
That there is a community and that community is a chosen family who, through thick and thin, still identify as ‘a’ community.
There have been ‘waves’ when our community has been strong and forged forward, and other times it has been quiet and has lost its focus. I’m saying during the 1920s-1960s our community had to ensure we weren’t seen because of the laws against us. The late ‘60s doors blew open, and courage possessed lives. It continued for several decades, but as we received certain rights, we began to become complacent; our community became as it should be, ‘like everyone else’. Then bars, bookstores, etc. began to close, and our physical presence started to diminish. But the underlying current was that those who shared the same values and identity were still there. We are stronger together when we work together and stand together, and I believe that has been proven since day one. It’s just that we can’t lose sight of the fact that when we receive a right, we can celebrate, but there are other portions of our lives that we need to keep pushing to ensure equality and justice. And this isn’t just for our community, but the community at large; no matter what race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or views, we must pull together and work together.
Who inspires you to make a difference in the world?
To this day, there are two; both have passed. The first was my Aunt Lee, who showed me love, compassion, and grace. Second, Walter W. Cole/Darcelle. For over three decades, he was my friend and a father figure.
Both of these people gave me a foundation of trust, joy, understand of the human condition that no one else had. They also accepted me for me. I truly believe everyone should have an elder in their lives to assist in this journey – it just makes it so much easier.
What are the dreams you still want to accomplish?
Dreams, hopes, aspirations – big words. I guess accomplishing getting my play up and running off-Broadway this fall. Divine and I have some similarities, and seeing another icon in our community being honored in front of an audience is exciting. For those who don’t know, check out www.divinetheplay.com.
To keep working to ensure that our community’s history is gathered, documented, preserved, and shared. That’s why I started the Umbrella Project [umbrellaprojectoregon.com] several years ago, and out of that, I spearheaded getting the Darcelle XV Showplace on the National Register, which was Oregon’s first LGBTQ+ business on the NPS.
Have triangle reach 40 years of producing theater. Being one of the oldest LGBTQ+-identified theaters in the nation, it would be an achievement. That’s three years away; a lot can happen during that time.
What hopes do you want to see come true for the younger generation?
First, I want them to be true to themselves and not believe they should mold into something they are not. I want them to know that there were those before them who were like them, with dreams and ambitions, and strove for a better tomorrow, and use that knowledge to move the ‘dial’ a bit further. That they understand that mankind isn’t perfect. To view things with a complete lens and not one side of an issue. Not to separate themselves but to integrate so everyone benefits from their contribution to this world.
I wrote a play that we did this year, about Gert Boyle of Columbia Sportswear here in Portland. The title of the show was, “It’s Not All About Me.” Remember that. Hilary (Clinton) said, “It takes a village.” And as the younger generation moves forward, remember that you are not alone and don’t be alone – you need your family, who is the community.
So, what do I want to see come true? The future is their oyster – let’s see what they come up with.
How do you stay grateful for what you have?
Remembering the past. It has been proven that I was a mishap in my parents’ relationship, as they divorced right after I was born, and for many years I felt unwanted and not part of any family or group. It wasn’t until one day someone told me to look in the mirror and love myself, understand that the reflection isn’t perfect, but flaws are just as important as perfection. Once I began to understand that I am just me – for better or worse my world changed, and things around me became clear. Looking in the mirror happens every day; the little child of hurt hasn’t gone away, but I now know that with the years I have left, I have value and will use it as much as I can in the capacity that I have.
What encourages you to make tomorrow better than today?
That we’ve been here before and that things change. Do we like some of the stuff that is happening? NO, but remembering that I am not in this alone; we are not alone.
What is one thing you are proud of yourself for?
What a loaded question. I guess I did the unexpected, and it worked out. A fat, chubby kid from a farm and a family who had little money, and years later coming to a city, and through the years has become a quiet voice in the community. I never started to do this for the accolades; I did it to tell one story about a family who was devastated after a loved one died of AIDS, and here it is 37 years later, ready to tell another story.
