Magid's post last weekend set off a firestorm of reaction around sexual assault and privacy.
April Baer / OPB
Last weekend, a Portland musician who plays in several bands made a shocking admission on his Facebook page. Joel Magid described in graphic terms how he’d tried to rape a woman, until, he says, a friend intervened. Magid claimed in the post he was so drunk at the time he has no memory of what happened. Magid told OPB he would not comment further.
At least one other woman has come forward stating Magid had raped her six years ago. The Portland Police Bureau confirmed a case file has been opened. A bureau spokesman would not confirm how many incidents are part of the investigation, but said all publicly-known information is being taken into account.
The response from women — and some men — in Portland music circles was swift and staggering. We spoke with some women who had had strong reactions. We've posted the long versions of our conversations below.
Jeni Wren Stottrup
Jeni Wren Stottrup is a music journalist, producer of the Gritty Birds podcast, and host on the community radio station XRAY-FM. She’s performed her own original material and sung with Shy Girls.
“I was in a band that was all dudes. I was the only girl. They were lovely to me. I know that my experience has been different than other peoples' experience.”
Ali Clarys
Ali Clary is a singer and synth player, and performs with several bands: Tiburones, the Secret Drum Band, and Death Songs.
“We trust our peers to the utmost extent. I feel safe in a room full of artists. That level of trust combined plus vulnerability from drugs and alcohol is a dangerous thing.”
Elizabeth Elder
Liz Elder is half of the creative team for the music podcast Party Boyz. She books talent for the Portland bar, The Liquor Store, founded the Lose Yr Mind Music Festival, and hosts a radio show on XRAY FM.
“I think the first thing is the trauma. It's something that's so intimate — you don't feel like sharing it.”
Sarah Clarke
Sarah Clarke is the lead singer of the band Dirty Revival.
“What I'm struck by is there's a lot of noise and a lot of silence. It's important for us to say, "Tell me what you think and let's talk about this.'”
We'll continue to follow this story. Joel Magid declined to comment, and the victim of the attack mentioned in his post could not be reached.