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THE BRILLIANT LIST
A SPECIAL EDITION OF PQ MONTHLY & El HISPANIC NEWS
Photo by Eric Sellers
PORTLAND
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PQMONTHLY.COM - Vol.3
No.5 May/June 2015
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PQ TEAM
WELCOME TO THE BRILLIANT LIST!
Melanie Davis
Owner/Publisher
[email protected]
chris Àlvarez
Art Director
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editorial TEAM
daniel borgen
Editor
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Leela Ginelle
Regular Contributor
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Matt Pizzuti
Regular Contributor
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Contributor, Social Media Manager
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Web Editor
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We weren’t quite sure what to expect when Melanie Davis asked
John and I if we would consider chairing a committee to select the
first Brilliant List. Once we agreed, Melanie gave a brief idea of what
she wanted, stepped back and told us to go! We quickly realized that
the selection committee would have to start from scratch, except
we didn’t have a committee yet, so we looked to our community
and recruited three great folks: Skye McKay, Willa Hendrickson, and
Cameron Whitten. Each committee member is activlely engaged in
our community and was eager to get going.
Our first task was to establish the rules for the nominees. The committee ensured that all the candidates demonstrated community engagement and/or leadership with a focus on Social Justice and diversity.
Examples of this were anti-bullying, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, immigrant rights, women’s rights, homelessness, poverty, hunger and political activism. Candidates originally were to be from Oregon, but we later
realized that PQ Monthly and El Hispanic News reached farther than
the Oregon border and we expanded it to include parts of Washington.
Once nomination guidelines were set, we waited for the nomina-
tions to come rolling in, we thought that the hardest part was over, we were wrong! Our community
has so many folks that do so much and the nominations reflected this. We received many great nominations from Oregon and Southern Washington and
we realized that this would not be an easy selection
process. We wanted to have a diverse and exciting
first Brilliant List.
During our process of determining the nominee’s
qualifications, we also decided on several categories that would be inclusive of the many aspects of
our community. We decided there should be awards
for a Business, a Non-Profit, and individual awards
that would include a Rising Star and a Legacy award.
Since the nominations were open to everyone, the
nominating form asked several questions about the
nominees that would inform us while making the
selections. We had asked for background information to help us understand why folks were nominating the business, non-profit or individual such as unique skills, qualities or noteworthy accomplishments that make the nominee “Brilliant”. We asked for a description of how the nominee promotes diversity and social justice in the community as well as any collaborative
partnerships that resulted from their actions. We wanted to know how
the nominee inspired, encouraged and/or mentored others to create
a positive change. And finally, we wanted to know how the community benefited and the lasting impact the nominee has had. All in all,
this was a very thorough vetting process that the selection committee
developed to ensure that we truly did have a “Brilliant List”!
You will find, each of those selected truly have made an impact, in
our local community and also in the broader community.
John and I would like to thank Melanie Davis for her vision of creating an award as a way for those who do great work and for those who
rarely get recognized. We’d also like to thank each of the committee
members for their dedication to this project, without their insight and
determination we could not have accomplished this.
--Robin Castro and John Halseth
A SMATTERING OF WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE:
photographers
Oscar Foster
Staff Photographer
[email protected]
ON THE COVER
contributing writers
The Brilliant List Introduced..............................................................Page 4
Radical History, GLAPN’s Community-Based Archive...................Page 8
TJ Acena, Belinda Carroll, Marco Davis,
Gula Delgatto, Andrew Edwards, Leela
Ginelle, Sossity Chiricuzio ,Shaley
Howard, Konrad Juengling, Richard
Jones, LeAnn Locher, Michael James,
Monika MHz, Miss Renee, Katey Pants,
and, of course, your PQ Editorial Team
“Butch Queens in Pumps” and Ball Culture....................................Page 9
503.228.3139
June is Coming; Your Pride Preview................................................Page 16
“We Changed the Face of Oregon”...............................................Page 10
The Deconstruction of Colonial Structures.....................................Page 12
“We Are All Connected”..................................................................Page 14
Even More Events..............................................................................Page 18
proudqueer.com
THE NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE OF PQ MONTHLY
IS RIVENDELL MEDIA, INC.
BRILLIANT MEDIA LLC, DBA EL HISPANIC NEWS & PQ MONTHLY.
pqmonthly.com
See and Be Seen and the Return of Ginger Lee............................Page 32
This month’s cover is brought to you by our Brilliant
List honorees, who we believe are the perfect
introduction to Pride season. Here you will find
activists, legislators, non-profits, and so much more-these people work tirelessly to make our city and
state (thus, our world) a better place. So dive in and
get inspired! All Brilliant List photos by Eric Sellers,
styling by Michael Shaw Talley.
Plus: ID Check, The Lady Chronicles, This Ends Badly, Pretty, Witty, & Gay, more Brilliant
List, more Pride events, and lots of inspiration. Not seeing what you’d like to read?
Email [email protected], and keep June 11 marked on your calendar, our
complete Pride Guide will be printed that day (and released a little early online).
SPECIAL EDITION MAY/JUNE 2015 • 3
THE BRILLIANT LIST
2015’S BRILLIANT LIST
PQ Monthly and El Hispanic News have invited their
readers to acknowledge ten people, groups or organizations that have an impact in the LGBTQ community.
Nominees were judged on skills, promotion of diversity
and social justice, inspiration, mentoring and their lasting impact. As you may guess, the selection committee
had their work cut out. We’d like to thank everyone for
their nominations, there were many to choose from with
many deserving folks.
The categories are: Corporation, Non-profit, Rising Star,
Individuals and Legacy Award. So, let’s meet the 2014 Brilliant List!
Nike – Without a doubt Nike has been an ally and a
leader among corporations supporting, encouraging and
including the LGBTQ community.
Equity Foundation – They have helped so many folks for
over 25 years and are spot on when they say “we fund equality”! In the past year the Equity Foundation has flourished
and continues to be there for our communities.
Pam Campos-Palma is the Rising Star among the group.
As director of Las Mujeres de la Raza, a communal and PSU
organization, Pam strives to promote strength, empowerment and unity for all women. And that’s just one of her
accomplisments.
Kendall Clawson – As former Executive Director of Q
Center, Kendall led the effort to move Q Center from its
former location to its new and larger cite. Her accomplishments are many and after leaving Q Center, Kendall is now
on Governor Brown’s senior management team as Director of Executive Appointments and Deputy Chief of Staff
bringing her vast experience to a statewide level.
Shaley Howard – Whether fighting for LGBTQ equality, fund raising for HRC or advocating for women’s rights,
Shaley walks the walk and talks the talk everyday by being
an example for all and strives to get more in our community involved in the issues that matter to us all.
Amanda Wright – As a member of the Klamath Tribe,
Amanda has brought awareness of LGBTQ issues to a community often overlooked. Amanda has worked in the Native
community bringing awareness to suicide prevention,
tobacco prevention and HIV/AIDS prevention and education. She founded the Portland Two Spirit Society, an
organization dedicated to bring the LGBTQI community
together with their families and allies.
Alissa Keny-Geyer – A member of the Oregon House Of
Representatives, Alissa is a champion for all issues in her
district and has been a great ally in the Marriage Equality
campaign, worked to pass the Natural Hair Care Act, and
is another great voice for the LGBTQ community!
George T. Nicola – Thanks to the Gay & Lesbian Archives
of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN), the LGBTQ history is
documented and used as points of references in our fight
for equality. This is just one of the efforts George does; his
activism has spanned four decades and shows no sign of
stopping, truly an asset to our community.
Everett Maroon – As Executive Director of Bluer Mountain Heart To Heart, a HIV/AIDS support services organization in Walla Walla, WA, Everett is a voice for the LGBTQ
community in a very conservative part of the state. Activist, author, he has published two books, one a humorous
memoir about his gender transition, and the other about a
trans kid who can jump through time, mentor, we are very
happy to be able to include Everett.
Renee LaChance is the Legacy Award winner. Co-founder
of Just Out in 1983, Renee has been a champion, a leader,
an activist forming many partnerships in the LGBTQ community. Renee has been one of the go to people for guidance and support for all whenever called upon.
This is just a snapshot of the many accomplishments
of the 2014 Brilliant List winners. We are proud to have
so many great folks in our community and are grateful
for all they have done—so dive into our pages and enjoy!
--Robin Castro and John Halseth
NIKE PAVES WAY FOR EQUALITY
By Matt Pizzuti, PQ Monthly
Find us on Facebook:
facebook.com/pqmonthly
Businesses, small and large, play a powerful role in the
struggle for equality — not just by affecting the lives of their
employees and consumers, but also as influencers of policy
and culture.
One company that ranks among
the best nationwide as an advocate
for equality and inclusion comes
from our own backyard in Beaverton, Oregon. Nike, the company
with the mission to bring “inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world” (and that means
everyone), not only stands up for its
LGBTQ workers but has a message
of inclusion for all.
That’s especially valuable to us
in a company that stands as the
cultural force that Nike is, with an
iconic level of brand recognition,
partnerships with world-famous
athletes and sponsorships with hundreds of teams and athletic events.
And, as a brand that is central to the world of sports, Nike
has been making waves in industries that have often been
slow to respond to the changing times for LGBTQ people.
In 2014, Nike paved the way for making it easier for
LGBTQ athletes to come out, promising to endorse any
major league player who did. And that’s exactly what happened when NBA player Jason Collins announced he is gay,
and then signed a deal with Nike.
Nike scores a perfect 100 in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index,
has been lauded for offering a
transgender-inclusive healthcare
plan and is the creator of the Be
True line to support the LGBT
Sports Coalition.
Nike’s CEO Mark Parker criticized Indiana’s so-called ‘religious
freedom law’ passed into law this
spring — a law that essentially
introduced a right to discriminate
against LGBTQ people on religious grounds, before the law was
updated by Indiana’s legislature.
“Nike proudly stands for inclusion for all,” Parker said in an official statement. “We believe laws
should treat people equally and
prevent discrimination. Nike has
led efforts alongside other businesses to defeat discriminatory laws in Oregon and opposes the new law in Indiana
which is bad for our employees, bad for our consumers,
bad for business and bad for society as a whole,” he said.
pqmonthly.com
FEATURE
THE BRILLIANT LIST
“THROW YOURSELF INTO ONE OR
MORE CAUSES”: ALISSA KENY-GUYER
By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly
Since 2011, Alissa Keny-Guyer has represented constituents in Oregon House District 46, an area including Mt.
Tabor, Laurelhurst, Montavilla and Foster-Powell. As a legislator, she’s advocated on behalf of children and pursued
health care gains for all—concerns that have animated her
entire career.
In the early ‘80s, after graduating from Stanford, KenyGuyer taught in Indonesia, and returned there as a Community Development Officer with Oxfam. She earned a
Masters in Public Health for the University of Hawaii, and
later moved to Portland when her husband, Neal, became
the head of Mercy Corps. From 2003 to 2009, Keny-Guyer
served on the Multnomah County Children and Families
Commission. In the Oregon House, Keny-Guyer sits on the Human
Services and Housing committee, and is Vice-Chair of the
Health Care committee. In May 2013, she co-sponsored
The Natural Hair Act, which allowed African-American
hair stylists to practice natural hair styling—a part of African-American cultural tradition—without a cosmetology
license, but with a natural styling license instead. This was
just one example on Keny-Guyer’s commitment to serving
all the communities around her.
PQ MONTHLY: You served many communities, from
Indonesia where you taught and worked in community
development, to Portland, which you represent in the state
legislature. What does being part of, and contributing to,
a community mean to you?
Alissa Keny-Guyer: As the third of six children, being
“amidst” and contributing to community has been a part
of my DNA for as long as I can remember. I am energized
every day when I can work with others who are inspired
to give back to their community. I feel rewarded when I
see progress in economic development, social justice, and
community pride as a result of collaborative efforts. The
issues are often similar in communities overseas as well as
at home... everyone wants to see their families and communities thrive.
PQ: You recently worked with Conscious Coils to
pqmonthly.com
pass the Natural Hair Act in Oregon. You’ve
also advocated for midwives and survivors
of domestic violence. What does activism
mean for you in your life?
AK-G: My focus has been on the health
and well being of women and children most
of my career. Well being is based on physical
and social factors, including a strong social
fabric and access to resources: education,
business capital, housing, healthy foods, nurturing relationships, and a clean environment. Activism means working with others
to ensure that everyone has access to these
physical and social determinants of health. PQ: You’ve accomplished many things in
your life, including graduating from Stanford,
being an elected representative and serving
on the boards of Impact NW and the Portland Children’s Levy. What’s inspired you in
your achievements?
AK-G: My parents were my original inspiration. My father focused on international
development, from his early career with the
United Nations in Pakistan, India and New
York, and later with Save The Children. My
mom focused on domestic issues, from civil
rights and poverty to nuclear disarmament.
Despite all they did for others, they personally suffered
from societal prejudices. My dad felt compelled to hide
his homosexuality and later died of AIDS; my mom died
of complications from Hepatitis C.
As an adult, my list of mentors and heroes has grown to
include the thousands of people I have witnessed working
tirelessly for social change, from Jeana Frazzini on LGBTQ
issues, to Marian Wright Edelman on children’s issues, to
Alberto Moreno on immigrant rights, to Nichole Maher on
native rights, to my legislative colleague Rep. Lew Frederick
working to end racial profiling. There are countless others
who have suffered beatings and death when standing up
to injustice. Every time I feel tired or anxious about taking
an unpopular political stand, I think about those who have
risked so much more than I ever have. PQ: You’ve been an elected official since 2011. Do you
envision continuing in that role? What goals do you have
for your future?
AK-G: I hope to continue serving in this role as long as
I can have an impact on promoting social justice through
the political system. While there is so much gridlock in
Washington DC, we have made a lot of progress at the
state level to support women, children, the LBGTQ community, immigrants, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Yet we also have a long way to go in all those areas! If I ever
feel that my ability to impact change through the political
system is severely restricted, perhaps by my party losing
the “majority” or by my making too many enemies (!), I
will probably return to the nonprofit sector, where I spent
all of my career prior to politics.
PQ: As a member of the inaugural Brilliant List, do you
have any thoughts to pass on to young activists or leaders
who might just be starting off on their paths?
AK-G: I recommend throwing yourself whole-heartedly
into one or more causes, and see it through until you have
a victory. It is so rewarding to know you have made a difference in collaboration with others, and it will make you want
to repeat that experience over and over! Find mentors and
learn as much as you can from them, and then be ready to
share your experiences and lessons with those who come
after you. Learn from your mistakes... we all have MANY of
them, so go easy on yourself and those around you.
you have
1,138 reasons
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THE BRILLIANT LIST
“I WORK FOR MY PEOPLE, MY COMMUNITY”: AMANDA BRINGS PLENTY-WRIGHT
In 2010 Amanda Brings Plenty-Wright founded the Portland Two Spirit Society. The group uses education to help combat the homophobia and transphobia introduced to Native American cultures by European colonists. In 2012 PTSS partnered with 2SY, a Two Spirit youth group run by the Native American
Rehabilitation Association, to create a curriculum and tool kit for workshops and education. In 2013,
Plenty-Wright (Klamath/Modoc) was recognized by Queer Heroes NW.
PQ MONTHLY: You founded the Portland Two-Spirit Society, which has helped people connect with
and reclaim their identities, and you’ve helped educate those around you to combat homophobia learned
from European colonizers. What does being part of, and contributing to, a community mean to you?
AMANDA BRINGS PLENTY-WRIGHT: I work for my people, my community—so it literally means
everything to me. I feel a strong sense of self worth when I am helping and giving to others. The credit
is uncomfortable for me, I like the behind the scenes work. I work hard and the pay off comes in seeing
the change not accepting credit or being praised for the work. My great-grandparents helped raise me
and really instilled a strong work ethic and a strong sense of taking care of others and working for my
people. My great-grandpa always used to tell me, “Everything you give will come back to you, always
keep your word, be generous, humble and respectful to everyone who comes along, a person can have
no material possessions but if they have respect, they have everything they need in life.”
Two Spirit people have always held leadership roles in our communities, as healers, mediators, historians, teachers, caretakers, etc so I think in that way it comes naturally for me. PQ: You helped the PTTS partner with 2SY, a two-spirit youth group started by the Native American
Rehabilitation Association, to create a youth curriculum and tool kit. What does this activism, that helps
so many people, mean for you in your life?
ABP-W: I am so very proud of this work and collaboration! It’s amazing to see others inspired and
moved to action by my work as I have so many heroes and mentors that I look up to and have been
inspired by. I still very much feel sometimes like I am that little Klamath/Modoc kid in the back of the
room sitting quietly while my elders lead the way. To look up now and see and acknowledge that I am
participating in leading the way for others is humbling and amazing to me. I really do put everything I
have into my work and I don’t like to hear, no or it can’t be done or it’s impossible and I think that’s when
I work best. All my life I have been hearing that and my response has always been, let me show you and
one way or another I make it happen.
PQ: You’ve had a number of big accomplishments, such as being chosen as a 2013 member of the
Queer Heroes NW. What’s inspired you in your achievements?
AMANDA BRINGS PLENTY-WRIGHT page 7
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ABP-W: Thank you. I’m
grateful for the acknowledgements. I’m constantly
inspired by my kids; the
greatest thing in my life is
Continued from page 6
being a parent. These little
spirits come into your life and shake your foundation to
it’s core and really make you question what you really think
about the world and your place in it. Then they are like
little sponges thirsty for knowledge and your job is not to
own them or put them in a bubble but prepare them to be
awesome, responsible, respectful, contributing adults in
this big, bad, beautiful, chaotic world. And in the moments
between the why’s, what’s and how’s they constantly seek
you realize looking through their lens they teach you more
then you will ever teach them. They inspire me to do my
best everyday and to work at shaping the world they will
inherit.
My brother Myles also inspires me everyday. He has
survived Leukemia twice now in 8 years and is only 30. His
bone marrow transplant was a year ago this month. He still
battles with the battle scars of cancer and the drug side
effects that were used to kill the cancer but he’s the strongest person I know. When I’m feeling pitiful I remind myself
what he’s endured and cut my pity party short. I’m grateful
for him and the things he’s taught me.
PQ: What activities do you have coming up? What do
you see in your future?
ABP-W: PTSS is revamping itself and gearing up to start
social activities this coming summer. It’s exciting returning, I’ve took a much needed break and now it’s time to get
back to work. I hope that PTSS will establish itself as a nonprofit and start looking for grants to further it’s work in the
community. As for my future, I’m not looking to far ahead
these days, I’m trying my best to enjoy each moment, spend
time with my family, create as much Art as I can because
it truly feeds my soul, and graduate from my Master’s program. I will be very proud of myself next year this time
when I graduate as the first in my family to have a Master’s
degree. I was told many times that I couldn’t do it and it
really never gets old to say, let me show you!
PQ: As a member of the inaugural Brilliant List, do you
have any thoughts to pass on to young activists or leaders
who might just be starting off on their paths?
ABP-W: Yeah: always be true to your word, work hard, and
celebrate the work not self. Never give up and work harder
through adversity. Get to know your strengths and use them. AMANDA BRINGS
PLENTY-WRIGHT
Look out for: PQ Podcasts!
MONTHLY
pqmonthly.com
Mouthy &
FEATURE
RADICAL HISTORY: GLAPN’S
COMMUNITY-BASED ARCHIVE
By Ampersand Crates, GLAPN
will only be able to piece together the overarching story of this protest; collectively,
We often see the term “radical” used the voices of the demonstrators merge to
to describe politics and modes of think- create a more complete and potent history.
ing, but what exactly does this mean? The
Primary sources are infinitely valuable
word “radical” stems from
in historical terms, and
the Latin radix, meaning
many of them never see
“root.” Think of a converthe light of day due to persation with a young child,
ceived insignificance by
where they ask a seemtheir creators. Primary
ingly simple question:
sources are basically the
“Did you go to school
raw materials of history—
too when you were
they include diaries/jouryounger?”
nals, letters, event flyers,
“Yes, I did,” you answer.
articles of clothing, etc.
“Why?”
These sources can be
You pause. “Well, chilintensely personal, offerdren need to go to school
ing an unfiltered look
because that’s how they
into the individual expelearn things from teachriences behind crucial
ers.”
periods of queer and
The child shrugs and
trans history that otherasks, “Why?”
wise receive little to no
And so on they ask after
coverage. Using a comevery answer you give to
munity-based model of
every question
archiving histhey pose, contory, every voice
“TELLING OUR STORIES, SHARING OUR
tinually peeling
is given value
MEMORIES, AND SAVING REMNANTS
away the layers
and unique conFROM OUR PAST ARE ALL WAYS TO
of meaning and
sideration. Pris u b t e x t u n t i l ASSERT OUR WORTH AND SIGNIFICANCE
mary sources are
they either get to
recognized for
IN A WORLD THAT IS OFTEN VIOLENTLY
the origin of that
their value preOPPOSED TO OUR EXISTENCE.”
particular human
cisely because
institution or, at
they comprise
least, know where they next need to hunt the core of our lived reality as a commufor answers. That child is practicing rad- nity, free from any spin or bias.
ical thinking.
Telling our stories, sharing our memHistory, much like education, is often ories, and saving remnants from our past
structured on the assumption of hierar- are all ways to assert our worth and sigchy: the study and preservation of our past nificance in a world that is often violently
belongs to the extensively trained archi- opposed to our existence. If we view history
vists and degreed historians, both of whom as a collective effort, we empower ourselves
we assess as authority figures. Information to mold the narrative of queer and trans
is circulated linearly, from top to bottom, struggles in a way that centers our humanity
and those who are not trained as creators and autonomy. A community-based archive
are mere consumers. But looking through also excels in amplifying our intersecting
a radical lens, we will find ourselves asking, identities. Much of history focuses on a sin“Why?”
gular narrative that is white, wealthy, cisA community-based archive is an alter- gender, heterosexual, and male; if we shape
nate way of viewing the creation of our his- history ourselves, we subvert this paradigm
torical record. Instead of following the cre- and center those at the complex intersecator-to-consumer model, all members of a tions of identity.
community-based archive are creators and
Do you have a story to share? An old
contributors. It’s an empowering concept, journal from your early days of activism?
and it is especially important to consider A homemade sign from the first time you
when documenting queer and trans his- participated in a demonstration? We invite
tory. Personally, I tend to emphasize three you to connect with us! Every one of us has
reasons for this importance:
a story to share, and every story gives us a
If we rely solely on trained experts and broader understanding of where we came
mainstream media outlets, we are left with from and where we hope to be. In the realm
an incomplete and inaccurate record. His- of radical history, your experience is at the
torians record history, but the actual cre- center of our movement, and we want to
ation of history rests with us all. Imagine a help you preserve it.
protest attended by thousands of demonstrators; while it’s true there is a single event
GLAPN currently meets on the 4th Thurstaking place, every one of those protestors day of every month, from 7 PM to 9 PM, at
brings their own perspective and experi- Q Center. For more information, contact us
ence to the forefront. An outside observer through email at [email protected].
pqmonthly.com
NEWS
FEATURE
“BUTCH QUEENS UP IN PUMPS”: HOUSE/BALL CULTURE TODAY
For many observers, their first taste of the house/ball
scene came with the 1989 documentary “Paris Is Burning.”
The indelible film took viewers in Harlem’s African-African
and Latino LGBTQ subcultures, where members formed surrogate families, with names
like the House of LeBeija and the House of
Ninja, and competed in voguing and catwalking battles.
Twenty five years later, author and academic Marlon M. Bailey offers readers both an
update on this culture and a thoughtful, scholarly look at its roots, its place in U.S. society,
and the vital meaning it holds for participants. To research his book, “Butch Queens Up In
Pumps,” Bailey spent six years in and around
the Detroit ball scene, joining the House of
Prestige himself, and walking in numerous
balls as a butch queen, or cis gay man. His
writing balances “you are there” style reportage, deep analysis, and occasionally wonky
academese.
Bailey’s thesis is a large one: that LGBTQ African-American (his focus omits Latinos), excluded from African-American culture by homophobia, and white LGBTQ culture by
racism, formed houses to provide themselves nurturing
and support, and throw balls to both acquire the skills they
need to survive in a world that’s hostile toward them, and
as ceremonies for their identities.
He demonstrates his ideas handily, in a work that ranges
over many topics, such as house culture’s gender system,
the houses’ family structures, and ball dynamics. One topic
Bailey delves into masterfully is “realness.” A viewer watching “Paris Is Burning” might find realness,
pqmonthly.com
which measures a person’s ability pass as cisgender if they
are trans, or as heterosexual is they are gay or lesbian, as
non-progressive. Bailey, however, displays the social circumstances that make realness competitions so important
for ball participants. Surrounded by violence and hostility,
learning to pass, or to “unmark themselves as
non-normative,” allows house members to
navigate their worlds safely. Likewise, acquiring these skills with the support and mentoring of their house families reinforces participants’ value to themselves and each other. As Bailey sees it, houses could not exist without balls, and vice versa. The need for family
is always balanced with the thirst to “slay and
snatch”: slay the competition and snatch the
trophy. Both aspects give members a chance
to create a world in which they’re valued and
can see themselves as participants. While the house scenes are home to all
sexual and gender identities, Bailey critiques
the way in which it reproduces the femmephobia and transphobia of mainstream culture. Masculinity is privileged, meaning “butch
queens” hold a dominance over “butch queens up in drag”
(cis gay men who perform drag), and “femme queens” (trans
women). Likewise, “butches” (trans men) are valued above
“women” (cis lesbians). Bailey’s book offers fascinating looks at how voguing
has evolved since “Paris Is Burning,” the ways homophobia has caused house music, which is integral to the ball
scene, to be undervalued both academically and within
the African-American community, and the place that call
and response dynamics, which play out vibrantly between
the commentator and the ball contestants, holds in African
traditions. That said, the author also displays some of the
traits, such as explaining at length what he plans to discuss
in each chapter, and using words like “labor” and “kin” in
incredibly broad, repetitive ways, that can make academic
writing off-putting for lay readers.
While clearly concerned with and sympathetic toward
trans participants in house/ball culture, Bailey is more surefooted when discussing gay identities than trans ones. He
uses the terms “male-bodied” and “biologically male,” for
instance to describe trans women, both problematic, and
less respectful of trans identities than “assigned male at
birth” would be. Likewise, his recounting of a discussion
between a trans man and a trans woman about gender roles
within houses is offensively sensationalized. He describes
their dynamics as “paradoxical,” basing his view on the
speakers’ birth assignments, rather than their identities.
Bailey’s more insightful when comparing the world of
balls with that of mainstream culture. In examining “stunts
and crafts,” for example, the use by ball goers of identity theft
to fund their outfits, and their trips to competitions, he gives
space for people who condemn such illegal practices, but
also places them in the context of a U.S. culture that appears
to condone corporate fraud on a massive, ongoing scale. The author, likewise, delves deeply into the widespread
use of words like c-nt and pussy by commentators, participants and promoters in the scene to connote femininity. He
explores the idea that the terms’ meanings have mutated
subversively in their journey from the broader culture to
the subculture, so that they might not carry misogynist
charges any longer there, while conceding that their use
may simply be a replication of misogyny that’s been unconsciously reproduced. Nearly every page of Bailey’s book contains thought-provoking ideas, as it explores an inspiring, fascinating culture. Pick it up, but be warned: in the words of ball commentator Frank Revlon, “It’s gonna get severe up in here.”
NEWS
THE
BRILLIANT LIST
“WE CHANGED THE FACE OF OREGON”: KENDALL CLAWSON
Kendall Clawson, formerly Executive Director at
Portland’s Q Center, led the effort to move Q Center to
a new and larger site—from its modest spot on Water
Avenue to its now-iconic perch atop Mississippi. In
2011, she left Q Center for a role in Gov. John Kitzhaber’s
office—Director of Executive Appointments—with a
goal of finding more women, people of color, and LGBT
folk to serve our state in a variety of capacities. Soon
Deputy Chief of Staff was added to Clawson’s resume.
Since the recent transition to Gov. Kate Brown’s administration, she continues to serve in the governor’s office
as Deputy Chief of Staff.
PQ Monthly: Tell me a little bit about your background.
Kendall Clawson: My dad was in the military, and so
I grew up in Cuba and Puerto Rico and came back to the
U.S. when I was getting ready to go to high school. I had
this completely different reality where particularly race
and class weren’t as obvious because in the military we
were first and foremost American. I (went) to college at
UC Santa Cruz, and started to notice the difference in the
way that people are treated. I had this interest in community, in issues related to race and class.
PQ: What sparked your interest in community work?
KC: I always expected to go to law school, but one of
my greatest mentors—the associate dean of admissions,
African American and gay, someone I knew I could relate
to, taught me about trusting myself and accepting myself
and looking at ways that leadership would work for me as
a woman of color. This is back in the 1980s. He called me
one day and said he felt really sick, went to the hospital
and he found out he had AIDS. I was interested in what
was happening to him as an African-American gay man
experiencing that discrimination and disenfranchisement,
and back then there weren’t a lot of programs that were
culturally competent.
There was an organization called the Black Coalition on
AIDS, and I went and started volunteering and ended up
working there. I decided not to go to law school, because
I felt my calling was around community development and
organizing.
PQ: What brought you to Portland?
KC: I was living in Massachusetts, working for United
Way and it was a winter that it just snowed relentlessly, and
I was ready to get out of there and do something different. My wife Michelle and I—we had a conversation about
“we’re not gonna do this cold winter stuff anymore”—and
we always loved Oregon. We decided to roll the dice and
move. I saw the job posting for the Q Center and—ended
up getting the job, and it was this really amazing opportunity to build something from the ground up.
This is the piece that I love about Portland and about
Oregon in general is that when people believe in something, they really come together around it. I was really
lucky. I didn’t know a soul, I literally had zero friends here,
and yet I walked in on my first day surrounded by people
who were ready to help me be successful and help me
build the center.
PQ: From there, you started working in the governor’s
office.
KC: My former board chair Gwen Baldwin called me one
day and said, “Some people in Salem are talking to you;
the governor wants to talk to you about a job.” I was like,
“What, are you kidding me?” I get this phone call an hour or
KENDALL CLAWSON page 11
pqmonthly.com
FASHION
so later from his
transition team. I
had a conversation with Governor Kitzhaber and
he said he wanted
to focus on connecting people who don’t
have access, and create opportunities for
women, people of color, LGBT people, to
get onto these boards and commissions
where all the decisions for the state were
being made.
I said, “Can I be frank with you?” and
he said, “Of course.” I said, “I’ve heard this
song and dance from dudes like you before,
where you come in and tell me all these
amazing things you want to do, and this
is what I would imagine could happen. I
go down to Salem...and start to put people
of color and women and gay people into
these spots, and the people who are used
to having them start getting upset, and they
can’t be upset with you so you send them
back to me, and when I say no, you put the
handcuffs on me...and we’re not doing what
you said we’re going to do. So if that is something you think is a possibility, don’t pick
me. But if you are serious about this, and
you want to change the face of Oregon, I
will chase this like a dog and you can ask
anybody who knows me that when I say
I’m gonna do something, I’m gonna do it
ten thousand percent.” So he calls me the
next day and offers me the job.
PQ: How has the transition to Gov. Kate
Brown’s administration gone for you?
KC: She’s wonderful, and that’s the great
part of it, that Gov. Brown is an amazing
woman and she’s been a great role model
KENDALL
CLAWSON
and great leader. I’m not gonna say that any
of that was easy, it wasn’t. But Oregon is in
really good hands.
PQ: Do you think the state has taken a
step closer to the LGBTQ community in
any way?
KC: Well heck yeah, she’s talked more
about it in the last two months than anybody else has ever. We just in fact had a conversation a couple days ago about making
sure we use trans-inclusive language in all
of our applications. That’s not something
that anybody’s ever pushed for before. It’s
certainly helpful, I think, for us to have
somebody that has not only an understanding but a direct relationship and advocates
on a regular basis.
PQ: What are you the most proud of?
KC: Well it’s two things, actually. If I had
pride in anything, it’s knowing my role in Q
Center and its origins. I feel very fortunate
and if I were going to say anything in a super
public way, it’s that I recognize I am where
I am right now because I arrived in Oregon
and was embraced by the LGBTQ community, who supported me and who loved me
up on a regular basis.
But in terms of the broader work that
I’ve done statewide, it’s really this leadership pipeline that I have generated in the
governor’s office. We actively went out and
sought people of color for leadership, and
really took on a recruitment strategy where
we went to people’s events and sat down 1
on 1—dozens and dozens of coffees with
people to find out what are their interests, what are their skills, what is the best
placement for them. We changed the face
of Oregon.
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VOICES
FEATURE
PHOENIX SINGER AND THE DESTRUCTION
OF COLONIAL STRUCTURES
Before European colonists came to
North America, indigenous communities lived in cultures with as many as six
traditional gender orientation roles. The
settlers brought with them the western gender binary, however,
and repressive, violent tactics that instilled transphobia and homophobia among
the indigenous people whose
lands they occupied.
Phoenix Singer, who identifies as a trans woman and
two-spirit, uses academic
writing and activist organizing to reclaim her indigenous
identity and promote decolonization. “Outside of colonialism, I would have been able
to exist as myself, without the
threats I face now—of medical
violence, imprisonment, unemployment,
etc.” she says.
Singer’s work helps her find a voice in the
face of multiple, intersecting oppressions.
“There’s a question of how I exist in indigenous and western culture,” Singer says. “It’s
grating. I shouldn’t exist, since colonialism
spent 600 years trying to erase indigenous
culture, and sexual and gender deviance.”
In her paper, “Colonialism, Two Spirit
Identity, and the Logic of White Supremacy,”
which has been viewed almost 7,000 times
online, Singer traces the ways indigenous
gender orientation roles were stamped out
by violent forces and western ideologies.
“In order to get people to accept colonialism, they had to be taught to accept
power differentials and hierarchies, and
that came through patriarchy,” Singer says.
“Colonial settlers refused to talk to women
leaders. If they were present, they’d ignore
them. Sexual and gender deviations were
not allowed to exist.”
One horrifying tool in this campaign,
which has been largely buried, was the use
of boarding schools. Designed, as one proponent Richard Henry Pratt said, to “kill
the Indian and save the man,” the schools
removed indigenous children from their
families, stripped them of their culture, and
attempted, coercively, to indoctrinate them
into western, Christian society. Homophobia and transphobia were rampant in the
schools, as well as sexual assault, so that the
traumatized students often came to associate violent pedophilia with non cis- and
heteronormativity.
In the 1980s, indigenous gender and
sexual minorities began to organize, and
reclaim the cultural legacy that had been
stamped out through colonization. At a
1990 conference in Winnipeg, attendees
adopted the term Two-Spirit to replace the
western terms transgender, lesbian and gay,
which had been imposed on them.
“The influence of Western culture on
the erasure of Indigenous ‘Queer’ and
Two-Spirit peoples has created a system
of sexual assault, homophobia, and trans12 • SPECIAL EDITION MAY/JUNE 2015
phobia used against our peoples,” Singer
writes. “Healing our identities is part of the
ongoing process of decolonization because
besides our land, our identities are colonized as well and expressing our identities
as Two-Spirit peoples is to resist colonialist
definitions defining who we are while also
proclaiming ourselves sovereign from the identities of
the white dominated LGBTQ
rights movement.”
Si n g e r h a s o r g a n i z e d
with several groups in Portland. She’s led a decolonization workshop at PSU’s
Queer Resource Center, and
done lobbying work with the
Oregon Students of Color
Coalition. Recently, she was
chosen as a trans justice policy
fellow at Basic Rights Oregon.
While proud of her twospirit identity, she sees the
value of working with Western groups. “It’s
important to recognize we live in the Western world,” Singer says. “Some people will
say, ‘We don’t have gays and lesbians and
trans women in our communities. Those
are Western categories,’ but I see that I
am recognized as a trans woman. I recognize that transmisogyny and homophobia
exist, and that I’m subject to them, and I
can build solidarity with Western groups
fighting them.”
A framework Singer uses for her activism
is decolonization. “It’s something that can
be pursued personally and collectively,” she
says. “Personally, you can look at the ways
colonization effects your thinking and work
to change that. Collectively, you can work
toward the destruction of colonial structures.”
While Singer is an outspoken advocate
for indigenous and two-spirit people, that
support has not always been returned. “I
don’t have the most accepting community,”
she says. “They promote the idea that I do
things wrong. According to them, I’m not
actually trans, or I am, but I’m not doing it
the right way,” Singer says, explaining that
people suggest she follow an outmoded
medical model, which would require her to
pursue years of therapy before even beginning hormones.
Looking ahead, Singer says she imagines pursuing a graduate degree in Critical
Race Theory. “It provides a way to look at
social structures and hegemony,” she says.
“It helps people understand what creates
oppression around race and gender, and
provides a framework for understanding
alternatives.”
Singer’s also attracted to the group
Incite!, which was formed in 2000 by women
of color, and prioritizes issues such as immigrant rights, Indigenous treaty rights, institutional racism, and the prison industrial
complex. “They’ve worked to combat the
rampant police violence against indigenous women,” she says. “And they’ve compiled and released statistics about the Two
Spirit population. They’re an organization
I’d like to work with.”
pqmonthly.com
FEATURES
pqmonthly.com
THE BRILLIANT LIST
“WE ARE ALL INTER-CONNECTED”: PAM CAMPOS-PALMA
The daughter of a first generation immigrant from Honduras, Pam Campos-Palma
entered the U.S. Air Force out of high school, where she rose to become an Operational
Intelligence Officer. As an officer, Campos-Palma traveled the world, and was especially
fond of Kyrgyzstan, where she saw her presence as a successful, professional woman
broaden the horizons of the young girls she met.
Following her active duty, Campos-Palma enrolled at PSU as a political science
major. At PSU Campos-Palma became director of Las Mujeras, a Latina student organization, prioritizing the mentoring of middle and high school and collegiate Latinas,
and combating the cultural stigmas present in higher education. She likewise became
involved with the National Hispana Leadership Institute, from whom she received the
2014 Rising Star award, and became the first student member of the school’s Institutional Governing Board of Trustees.
In 2014, Campos-Palma was named a national Newman Civic Fellow, and given
the Shattuck Award for Outstanding Service to Women. She currently studies at NYU,
where she’s pursuing an MPA at the Wagner School of Public Service.
PQ Monthly: You’ve been part of many communities and organization, including
the U.S. Air Force, the PSU group Las Mujeres, Causa Oregon, and now the Women’s City
Club of New York. What does community mean to you?
Pam Campo-Palma: Many of my mantras are about living a communal-minded
life; we are all interconnected in some way or another, and our intersectionalities are
more intrinsic that we might think. Building and being in community brings insurmountable strength, resilience, and fortitude that can move mountains, but it takes
courage, work and intentionality. Community to me is about being conscious of others,
it’s about support that’s not marred in expectations or being transactional. To me the
notion of “uno para el otro” (being one for the other) has the ability to lift many, instead
of just a select few.
PQ: While at PSU, you helped mentor middle, high school, and collegiate Latinas,
and facilitated workshops on Interrupting Oppression. What’s the role of activism in
your life, and what meaning do you draw from it?
PC-P: I didn’t truly understand the word “activist” until I moved to Portland. In retrospect, my mother, a single parent, and Honduran immigrant, was the first activist I
knew, before I even knew what that was. Advocacy and serving others has been a lifelong cultural norm and value. I have many memories of her speaking out, stepping up
to do what was right, defending or helping others without needing anything in return.
She’s my number one role model in many ways, and ultimately shaped my own convictions and activism. Activism to me is about consciousness and choosing to act to
change a damaging perception, or a negative situation. It isn’t always about changing
the world, but about having integrity, and compassion to act in small moments that
add up to a better, more whole existence.
PQ: You’ve accomplished a lot in your life, including being named the first student
member of PSU’s Board of Trustees. Who and what’s inspired you in your achievements?
PC-P: I’m deeply inspired by my mother, who instilled my comfortability with taking
risks, being fearless, and having confidence in myself. Throughout different junctures
in life, I’ve been very blessed to have geographically scattered, but very genuine women
and men, from an art teacher, to military officers, to peers, who all have really, truly
believed in me. To me, humbling, intentional support and encouragement from very
different folks is priceless soul sustenance. During my time in Oregon I was also deeply
impacted by the wisdom, and role model of Jilma Meneses, Governor Kate Brown, and
Kendall Clawson, who among others, really exemplified to me what genuine mentorship and moral courage looks like.
PQ: You’re studying public service at NYU now. What do you see in your future?
PC-P: I came to NYU to figure that out, to learn more about myself, and the possibilities to be had. I’m passionate about many social justice issues, and there are many
systemic, policy changes I seek to address. I’m pursuing a hybrid MPA, focusing on
International Management and Policy. Ultimately I’m interested in the social sector,
raising consciousness and leadership development within underrepresented communities. I’ve also become interested in international development, global security
as it relates to gender equity, feminicide, and violent crimes, as well as peacekeeping.
PQ: As a member of the inaugural Brilliant List, do you have any thoughts to pass
on to young activists or leaders who might just be starting off on their paths?
PC-P: Everyone has the ability to be a leader, a change agent, and an innovator. We
tend to over glorify leadership, to put it on a pedestal, making it so far removed, and
isolated. This makes it difficult for folks to see themselves as leaders, when in all actuality you very likely possess the very tenacity required to invoke change. Even the smallest acts of kindness, and compassion can plant small seeds of infectious consciousness. Believe in yourself, be kind to yourself, embrace living outside a box of comfort,
and you’ll find strength and wisdom you never knew you had.
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VOICES
Pretty And Witty And Gay
STONEWALL WAS A RIOT
By Belinda Carroll, PQ Monthly
Hey kats and kittens! It is time for another
LGBTQ Pride season.The time when you
pull out your best assless chaps — or if it’s
rainy this year, your best assless neoprene
hiking pants — and and march down the
avenue for all to see. It’s ripe for highs and
lows. The high of realizing that the Absolut
booth is giving away samples, the low of
realizing that your ex’s new dating partner
has better abs than you.
Mostly it feels like a symbolic affair; gone
are the days of hundreds of Westboro Baptist protesters or names of people appearing in the paper to shame them about their
sexual orientation or gender identification.
Usually the mainstream press will throw
a shout out or two to a ‘most powerful’ queer
that came out, or run the most scandalous
pictures from the march. I had a girlfriend
who was just coming out, completely disappointed in her first pride because she
thought it was going to be way more Tom
Of Finland and way less Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Nowadays, there are more
churches in our march than leather bars.
Which, depending on who you talk to…we’ll
save that debate for another day.
The other day I was watching “Selma,”
because I know how to really get the PMS
waterworks going, and I was thinking about
how much we owe our gratitude to the Black
civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s.
(Spoiler alert if you skipped Black history
month in 8th grade.)
The reason that Selma got attention
during the 1965 marches is because the
media finally showed up and showed white
middle America what the police were doing
to black people in Alabama every day. White
people were understandably shocked,
and they finally kicked in some help. Of
course, then the cops were like “our bad,”
and stopped being racist. Ha. Just kidding.
We’re still dealing with the systematic
arrest, killing and
jailing of a disproportionate
amount of blacks.
The riots in Ferguson and Baltimore
are a response to decades of police violence
against people of color.
The current riots reminded me a lot of
Stonewall. For those that don’t know, Stonewall was a gay bar in New York City which
was raided June 29th, 1969 (much like a lot
of gay bars in the US) by police because the
mob, who owned the bar, forgot to pay off
the police. But instead of just going quietly, and switching clothes as to not to be
arrested for gender crimes (you had to have
on three pieces of ‘correct gender’ clothing),
people fought back.
People think it was the white gay men
that fought, and they did have a hand in
the riots, but the people who threw the first
brick were reportedly Martha P Johnson
and Sylvia Rivera, two trans women of color.
The media again helped fuel the flames
of the Stonewall riot, and reported it as
white homosexual men (their words, not
mine), burying the persons of color participation. The next year was the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, which
in subsequent years became The Gay Pride
march, The Gay and Lesbian Pride march
and finally the LGBTQ Pride march. No one
else come out as anything new, I can’t memorize any more letters.
This Pride season, as you’re planning
what parties to go to, who to make out with,
or how to avoid the whole thing altogether;
remember the contributions of those that
came before us. Do whatever you can to
support those that are on the frontlines
fighting for the basic right to live their lives
without having to worry about violence
based on who they are. We’ve made huge
strides in the last 45 years, but we still have
a long way to go.
Belinda can be reached at [email protected]
pqmonthly.com
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WEDDINGS
FEATURE
PRIDE IS UPON US!
Here is a smattering of the slew of events
sure to test your livers and stamina this
June. Drink lots of water, take naps, and
invest in quality eye treatments. (This isn’t
an exhaustive list; our complete list will be
out June 11, and will run early online, so
stick with www.PQMonthly.com for the all
the latest. Also, several Pride and pre-Pride
events are on our calendar, page 18.) HEKLINA is coming to town!
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
PQ’s Pride Press Party: Mix and mingle
with the makers of your favorite queer
newspaper. Rub elbows with activists and
leaders of our local queer movement. 5pm,
Vendetta, 4306 N Williams. (5-7pm)
Queerlandia i s q u e e r
excellence—don’t miss it:
Queerlandia is back to kickoff Portland Pride for its 5th
year. Honoring our vibrant
local queer community, they
bring you the best performers, DJs and artists in Portland on a backdrop of stunning decorations while raising money for Bradley Angle’s
LGBT service. DJs: David Sylvester (Two Dudes in Love),
Roy G Biv (Panty Raid, Control
Top), Huf N Stuf (Destiny at
Dynasty), Orographic (Family
Home Evening, Bridge Club). Plus: Carla
Rossi’s Postmillennial Pledge Drive, where
Portland’s premier drag clown promises to
amuse and horrify you with visions of the
new future in this annual tradition. Also:
queer arts market. Hosted by Serendipity
Jones. 9pm, Embers, 110 NW Broadway. $5.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Open Wide Pride: Loveshack at Lovecraft. This year Portland’s goth bar Lovecraft is having its first Portland Pride event
presented by their queer parties NecroNancy
and Ghoulfriend. DJs: Sappho, Hold My
Hand, Buckmaster, Prince$$ Dimebag, &
Stormy Roxx. Live talent, performance artists, and more. See Menorah, Amoania, Ash
St. Darling, Protégé, and the Mistress of Rollerskating Ivizia Dakini. Get it, queens. 9pm,
Lovecraft, 421 SE Grand. $10.
Free Bleed: Portland Queer Pride. Enjoy
the best patio in the city before the sun goes
down, then dance the night away. Queer life,
best life—PDX queer pride PNW talent represent! Performances by Bomb Ass Pussy,
sounds by Riff Raff, Chelsea Starr, Roy G
Biv. Hosted by Chanticleer Tru, party vibes
by Anton Boeke, photos by Major Arcana,
fortunes by Coco Paradise. This is a queer
and queer allies party. We are anti-racist,
body-positive, sex positive, queer-as fuck
freaky radicals who strive to create an environment of respect, celebration, and fun in
our parties.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Their biggest hit ever! PGMC presents ABBAQueen: A Royal Celebration.
This time, it’s even bigger and more dazzling. During Pride Weekend 2015, celebrate with PGMC as they pull out all the
stops with singing, dancing, costumes, and
lots of sparkle. ABBAQueen brings all the
spectacle and music of two iconic groups
together in one exhilarating show. From
Mamma Mia and Voulez-Vous to Bohemian
Rhapsody and We Will Rock You, this is the
must-see show of the season. So, put on
your cool bell-bottoms and groovy platform
shoes and join all the Dancing Queens for
an unforgettable evening. It’s sure to be a
sell-out. Don’t be left out, because the show
must go on. https://tix4.centerstageticketing.com/sites/portlandgaymenschorus6/
Save the date: Inferno’s Pride edition is
this Saturday. More info coming soon.
Blow Pony, of course, will have their
annual queer shindig. Get there early,
darlings, this one always sells out. Mykki
Blanco, Hi Fashion, Vinsantos,
Buckmaster, and more! 9pm,
Rotture, 315 SE Third. $10.
Gaylabration: DJ Bret
Law (Seattle) will spin to celebrate this party’s fifth incarnation. Izohnny will perform;
Izohnny is the dynamic performance duo of Isaiah Esquire
and Johnny Nuriel. This statuesque pair of 6’5’’ ebony & ivory
specimens embody a gender
fluidity that audiences swoon
over. Consistently delivering
a jaw-dropping performance
experience, they exhibit an
impressive and unique array of disciplines.
Go fill the Crystal Ballroom and make some
Pride magic! 10pm, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W
Burnside. Tickets available via etix.
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
It’s Sunday and your Pride experience is
just beginning.
The Big Gay Boat Ride on the Portland
Spirit always always sells out early. Get your
life and get a ticket. Coco Peru, Carla Rossi,
Poison Waters, Trixie Mattel, and HEKLINA.
Last year was pure queer joy, truly. Portland Stranger tickets: The Big Gay Boat Ride
2015. Do it. Plus: HEKLINA.
Lumbertwink Patio Pride: Lumbertwinks! They’re having their first Pride
Sunday party and they couldn’t be more
excited. After the parade, come right over
and enjoy a gorgeous day on the patio.
Doors at 3pm and we celebrate Plaid Pride
till 10pm, come early or come late. This will
be an indoor/outdoor event and Funhouse
is serving great food all day long. Get in the
photo booth and meet some friends. Guest
Matt Consola on the decks, along with Orographic, Hold My Hand, and Jimmy Swear
(SF). 3pm-10pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE
11. $6 in plaid, $10 without.
Pride saved the best for last—there, we
said it. ProHomo. It’s like you’re on the boat
again, but you’re not. You’re on land. Land!
Two floors of hot music, hotter dancing,
and the hottest go-gos. Plus: Pearl and Trixie
Mattel from RuPaul’s Drag Race. And: HEKLINA. And Coco Peru, Poison Waters, Carla
Rossi, Jackal, Art of Hot, Madame Dumoore,
DJ Mouthfeel, and Jens Irish. Whew! We
hope you’re taking Monday off. (We are.)
Best save some cash for the VIP, it’ll be worth
it. 8pm, Branx, 320 SE 2. $15 GA, $40 VIP.
--Daniel Borgen
pqmonthly.com
WEDDINGS
FEATURES
pqmonthly.com
GET OUT
FEATURES
1
GET
See Page 16 for our full Pride
Preview; and stay tuned for June
11, the print date of PQ’s Pride
Issue, which will also include our
annual Pride Guide! As always,
stay online for the latest. Also, we’ll
run our Pride Guide online early
this year, as is customary now.
THROUGH JUNE 6:
Funhouse Lounge is proud to
present “Buffy! A Parody Musical”, a live stage parody of the 1992
cult classic film Buffy
the Vampire Slayer.
Want more? We’ll give you Buffy Summers was
ever ything. Head over to just a normal Southpqmonthly.com and check ern California high
out our online calendar of
school cheerleader,
events , submit your own
planning dances and
events, and peruse photos
from your reporters-about- shopping at the mall
town. Also, remember to with her friends. Then
carefully examine our weekly a stranger appeared,
weekend forecast — with the and she learned she
latest and greatest events —
was “the chosen
each Wednesday (sometimes
one,” destined to
Thursday), online only.
--DANIEL BORGEN battle bloodsuckers from beyond the
grave. Funhouse Lounge is presenting its unique
take on this classic 80’s story, jammed to the max
with humor, dance numbers, pop culture references,
a totally rad eighties soundtrack for songs and lyrics,
and even a glittering, brooding Edward Cullen. C’mon down and see
how a girl takes care of business when the ‘stakes’ are high. Directed
by Trenton Shine; starring Landy Steckman, Sean Lamb, Trenton Shine,
Michael Teufel, Anthony McCarthy, Kate Brauneis, Katie McFarland,
Hanz Eleveld, Greg Shilling, Colton Ruscheinsky, and Andy Barrett.
OUT!
2
See Page 16 for our full Pride
Preview; and stay tuned for June
11, the print date of PQ’s Pride Issue,
which will also include our annual
Pride Guide!
FIRST AND THIRD
SUNDAYS
Squeeze: Dance
your afternoons away
at Scandals with these
delightful afternoon
soirees—guest deejays from near and far,
all your friends, and
sunshine! Who doesn’t love day drinking? (You can
socialize sober, too.) 3pm, Scandals, 1125 SW Stark.
DANCE
IT OUT
EVERY SUNDAY
Superstar Divas. Bolivia Carmichaels, Honey Bea Hart, Topaz
Crawford, Isaiah Tillman,
and guest stars perform your favorite pop, Broadway, R&B, rock, and country hits. Dance floor opens
after the show. The Drag
Queen Hunger Games are
over, and the shows must go
on! Check out the newest and freshest
Performances are: May 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30. Also June 4, 5, 7.
7pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave.
THURSDAY, MAY 21
During our regularly scheduled PQ Press Party on May 21, we
are stepping it up a notch. We will be honoring the 2015 Brilliant List
Awardees! As always, the event is free to attend; however, we will be
raffling off a 5 night, 6 day stay (May - September, based on availability) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at Le Mision
de SanFrancisco (donated by the www.elysianballroom.com), in a cozy condo located in the
heart of the highly desirable Romantic Zone.
Proceeds will benefit Brilliant Media Scholarship Fund. Raffle tickets are $10 each and can
be purchased in advance via
Eventbrite. 5pm, Tony Starlight, 1125 SE Madison.
Ooligan Press invites you to join
them for a reading of Untangling the Knot: Queer
Voices on Marriage, Relationships & Identity at
Another Read Through on
Thursday, May 21, 2015 at
7:00PM. (Authors Carter Sickels, Ben Anderson-Nathe, and
Sailor Holladay will be reading!)
FRIDAY, MAY 22
We’d argue that nothing moves us quite like the
movies: So join filmmakers for an evening of compelling and eye-opening local documentary shorts! DIY
May 22nd Documentary students will be screening their films at
the Clinton Street Theater this spring. They have tales
of West African immigrant families, survivors of homosexual “conversion” therapy, transformation through outdoor education and perspectives on the first foods of indigenous communities, among others. Join
filmmakers for another great evening of Homegrown Doc Fest! Tickets are $8 at the door. 7pm, Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton.
Diva hits. 8pm, CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis. Free!
EVERY MONDAY
Family Home Evening. A weekly, post-work lounge party
every Monday night at Vault, featuring DJ
Orographic (Bridge Club, Queerlandia) and
occasional special guests (Sappho fills in now
and then). Jens Irish serves you happy hour
all the live long night. 7pm-11pm, Vault, 226
NW Twelfth.
FIRST THURSDAYS
Hip Hop Heaven. Bolivia Carmichaels hosts this hip-hop-heavy
soiree night every Thursday night
at CCs. Midnight guest performers
and shows. Remember those midnight shows at The City? Bolivia does!
9pm, CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis.
Free.
FIRST SATURDAYS
Sugar Town. On June 6, Sugar Town is raising funds for
PFLAG Portland Black Chapter; half the profits at their annual
Pride Kickoff Party will be donated. DJ Action Slacks is joined
by Oakland’s DJ Larsupreme. THE Sugar Town evento f the year, so get
out. Keywords: Soul, polyester. Great place to find the ladies, to mingle,
to get your groove on. 9pm, The Spare Room, 4830 NE 42. $5.
SECOND TUESDAYS
Bi Bar—every second Tuesday at Crush, and it’s an open, bi-affirming space for music and mingling. Correction: Bi/Pan/Fluid/Queer.
8pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morrison.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
Blow Pony. Double Duchess is back! Plus: two giant floors. W
variety of music, plenty of room for dancing. Rowdy, crowdy, swe
betty, the one tried and true, even after all these years. 9pm, Rottu
Branx, 315 SE 3. $5
FRIDAY, MAY 29
SATURDAY, MAY 30
Take a ride up the I5! Turnback Boyz, an inter-dim
sional, intergalactic queer boyband, will bring their Orig
tour to Seattle’s Gay City. Oliver Gold, Tommy Tugu
and Peter Pansy, your favorite superstar time traveling
will be performing their classic hits; Consent is Sexy, N
cisexual and Love is Cheesy, along with brand new tra
from their new album Turnback Boyz: Origins. Starr
Oliver Gold, Tommy Tugunns, and Peter Pansy. (Hom
mentum spinoff!) Gay City Health Project,
517 E Pike, Seattle. http://www.strangertickets.com/events/24616505/gaycity-arts-presents-turnback-boyz
Also, enjoy the cool vocal stylings
of Portland Idol phenom CJ Mickens—at the Funhouse Lounge. 10pm,
2432 SE 11.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
The return of the Poison Waters
& Friends Sunday Brunch Show and
Film at McMenamins Pubs, Breweries &
Historic Hotels Kennedy School is happening Sunday
June 7! 21 years and older, $21 includes brunch,
show featuring Cassie Nova , Ciara Dela’Rosa , Jeff
George aka Shallow Waters, Godiva DeVyne, and
our cohostess Kourtni Capree, and “Dreamgirls,” the
movie! 10:30am doors, 11am-12:30pm brunch
buffet and show followed by film. (Of course the
full bar featuring bottomless mimosas will be available at an additional charge.) Did we mention Poison is going
be there? Tickets can be found via etix—search for this eve
May 23rd
SECOND FRIDAYS
Slo Jams is a Queer Modern R&B & Neo Soul Dance Nigh
Local Lounge. DJ II TRILL (TWERK) and DJ MEXXX-TAPE lay do
everything from Mary J // Jagged Edge// Keys
to Badu//Lauryn Etc. 10pm, Local Lounge, 35
NE MLK. $5.
SECOND SATURDAYS
Hot Flash: Inferno. (Second and Fou
Saturdays) In the heart of Portland is where
women are—dancing the night away and burn
up dance floors the second and fourth Saturday
every month at Trio. Welcoming all women, que
and their allies. 6pm-10pm,
Trio, 909 E. Bur nside.
Mrs.: The queen of theme
welcomes its new hostess,
Kaj-Anne Pepper! OK, she’s
not new anymore. But we love
her so. And dynamic DJ duo: Beyondadoubt and
Ill Camino. Costumes, photo booths, all the hits.
Lots of ladies, very queer. 10pm, Mississippi
Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi. $5.
THIRD WEDNESDAYS
Comedy at Crush: Our own Belinda Carroll
and a slew of locals rustle up some funny. Special guests, and Crus
signature cocktail and food menus. Donations, sliding scale. (Com
have to eat and drink, too, so give!) 9pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morris
Queens of the Night: Alexis Campbell Starr. That’s all you need
know. But there’s more: she always welcomes a special slew of
pqmonthly.com
Dynasty, $3 suggested donation, though no one
will be turned away for lack of funds.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Mark your calendars! Sunday, June 7: Squeeze party featuring special guest DJ OROGRAPHIC and DJ JENS IRISH. DJ Orographic aka
Rob Loucks: Rob plays house grooves and techno funk, esoteric jams
and bedroom soundtracks. An original member of the Bridge Club collective, half of Queerlandia and most of Spookitins, Rob has been dancing it out in dark rooms
(and well lit patios) since 2000, making music
since 2001 and DJing since 2010. Feel the
happiness of the sunshine at Scandals Pdx this
summer for “SQUEEZE.” The 1st & 3rd Sunday
of every month from 3pm to 6pm, featuring
local and national DJs.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Back by popular demand: Testify returns!
Home Theatre System presents: TESTIFY! A
MUSICAL STORYTELLING REVIVAL. Gather
round your friends and gaybours and fill your
heart- bellies with us as we kick off the summer
with the third season of this irreverent storytelling
experiment in faux churchiness! Hosted by William Frederick Steuernagel V and Shitney Houston. With music by Sister Mercy. Featuring serApril 19th mons, testimonials and “soapbox confessions”
by CASS HODGES, SOSSITY CHIRICUZIO,
SISTER BRITT, NIKKI LEV, JAMES DIXON, and MITCHELL DRINKWATER. The family that preys together, stays together. 6pm, Killingsworth
ented queens for a night that takes Hip-Hop from beginning to end.
8pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. Free.
THIRD THURSDAYS
Polari. Troll in for buvare. Back-in-the-day language, music, and
elegance. An ease-you-into-the-weekend mixer. Bridge Club boys
make the music. Bridge and tunnel patrons have no idea what to do
with us when we pour in. Hint: it’s always the Thursday we go to press.
What serendipitous fortune! 10pm, Vault, 226 NW 12. Free.
THIRD SATURDAYS
Burlescape! Burlesque & boylesque wrapped in a taste of
tease! Zora Phoenix, Isaiah Esquire, Tod Alan. (And there’s more than
that, kids.) Zora is a treat and a treasure—and so are her shows. Try one
out! 9pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morrison. $10.
Gaycation: DJ Charming always welcomes
special guests—and here you’ll find everything
lesbian, gay, and in between. Be early so you
can actually get a drink. Sweaty deliciousness,
hottest babes. THE party. Yes, boys, even you
can hit on Mr. Charming. We know you want
to. 9pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison. $5.
Undergear: Eagle Portland’s
monthly underwear, jock, mankini,
etc., fetish party every third Saturday.
Free if you arrive before 9pm or if you use
free clothes check upon entry after. After 9pm arrivals who do not check
clothes must pay $5 entry. Clothes check and raffle prize provided by
Cub Cleaners.
FOURTH FRIDAYS
Twerk. DJs ILL Camino and II Trill. Keywords: bring your twerk. The
pqmonthly.com
Are you looking for something new to do this
year in support of equal rights and the LGBT community? Well Pride Glow Run is just what Portland has been asking for! PGR will be kicking off
Pride Weekend on June 12 at 9pm under the
Morrison Bridge. Join your community as we show
our true colors on this 3 mile LED glowing loop
located on Portland’s own waterfront. To particiMay 29th pate in this year’s Pride Glow Walk or Run event
register at http://prideglowrun.com/ and receive a pride glow run T-shirt,
Glow Bracelets, Glow Necklaces and a LED Glow Baton. For team and
individual pricing please check the website athttp://prideglowrun.com/
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Their biggest hit ever! PGMC presents ABBAQueen: A Royal Celebration. This time, it’s even
bigger and more dazzling. On
Pride Weekend 2015, celebrate with PGMC as they pull
out all the stops with singing,
dancing, costumes, and lots
of sparkle. ABBAQueen brings
all the spectacle and music of
two iconic groups together in
one exhilarating show. From
Mamma Mia and Voulez-Vous
to Bohemian Rhapsody and
We Will Rock You, this is the
must-see show of the season.
June 7th
So, put on your cool bell-bottoms and groovy platform shoes and
join all the Dancing Queens for an unforgettable evening. It’s sure
to be a sell-out. Don’t be left out, because the show must go on.
https://tix4.centerstageticketing.com/sites/portlandgaymenschorus6/
See Page 16 for our full Pride Preview; and stay tuned for June 11, the
print date of PQ’s Pride Issue, which will also include our annual Pride Guide!
city’s longest-running queer hip hop/R&B party—where artists, deejays,
performers come to mix, mingle, and move on the dance floor. We promise you you’ll move all night long. 9pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. $5.
Turnt Up! is a dance party for queers and queer sentiments. It features
a combination of performance, live music and DJs from near and far. This
night is for those who want: cosmic level dance music, a place to turn a
look and an intimate dance floor to
get your flirt on. What you’ll hear:
Underground dark disco, house,
garage and techno. Organized by
club creatures: DJ Sappho and
Dillon Martin. 9:30pm, Lovecraft
Bar, 421 SE Grand Ave., $5-7.
FOURTH SATURDAYS
Blow Pony. Two giant floors.
Wide variety of music, plenty of
room for dancing. Rowdy, crowdy,
sweaty betty, the one tried and true,
even after all these years. 9pm,
Rotture/Branx, 315 SE 3. $5.
Judy on Duty. Lesbian hardcore. Judys, Judes, and cool ass
freaks. Dance it out. DJ Troubled Youth. Organized by Ana Margarita
and Megan Holmes. 10pm, High Mark Water Lounge, 6800 NE MLK.
LAST SUNDAYS
Sabbathhause Discotheque, gay night is back at Aalto lounge
and it is bigger and more queer than ever before. Featuring some of
the best deejays and performers around and hosted by night hawk
Chanticleer Tru. 8pm, Aalto Lounge, 3356 SE Belmont.
3
PERS{ECTOVES
CALENDAR
SATURDAY, MAY 30
DUNGEONS & DRAG
QUEENS is a crafty, clever
stage production wherein the
audience gets to experience
watching a comedic cast of
performers utilizing drag to
portray the game of D&D
live on stage, with some references to nerd and gaming
culture thrown in, as well as
a lot of LARPing. (We don’t
even know what that is.)
“What happens when you
take one of the most famous
RPGs in the world and cross it with comedy camp,
glamour, and heels? You
get DUNGEONS AND DRAG
QUEENS (EENS Eens eens...
eens). Seriously, they are in it
to win it this time. No matter
what! Our heroes are BACK
and better than ever in this
third installment of the hit series. Hosted by Saturn
Saturn and a slew of talented queens. 8pm, Guardian
Games, 345 SE Taylor.
PQ
PICKS
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
SHADES: This has become the can’t-miss event
on your calendar! A monthly POC, LGBTQ and ally
happy hour celebrating diversity by bringing community
together through the
best R&B, Old School
Hip-Hop and ChilledOut-Disco-Lounge!
SHADES is a driving
force with our involvement in hosting benefit fundraising for our allies and other POC LGBTQ nonprofit organizations. This month’s Pride kickoff event is
hosted by the one and only Poison Marie Waters! Cue
applause. The evening will also serve as a fundraiser for
Cascade AIDS Project’s AIDS Walk, so you get to socialize and be a do-gooder. 6pm-10pm, Bad Habit Room,
5433 N Michigan.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
(Yep, two great events June 4. Sorry about it.)
Known for their eccentric and colorful costumes and
beautiful music and harmonies, Justin Whomever
and Tammy Whynot
join forces with lush
musicologist Mari
Lane and vibrant
vibeologist Tanya
Tuckit to launch
t heir glamorous
new musical project: Seven Cake Candy. It’s sure to be a fun and
elegant event with people dancing and enjoying the
atmosphere. Seven Cake Candy has been cooking
up a unique sound for several months, and now they
are ready to give their audience a taste. Their first show
promises to be a blend of visual and aural delights that
doesn’t skimp on wit or glamour. They are currently at
work on an EP, as yet untitled, and will have a music
video out in the next few months. Come out and support these hard working musicians! 9pm, Crush, 1400
SE Morrison.
FEATURE
NIGHTLIFE
VOICES
This Ends Badly
How It Happen
By Mike Schneider, PQ Monthly
This is how it happens: you look at Scruff
one day, having been single for three years,
single at 41. All of these faces scrolling by.
Some familiar ones occasionally post new
photos, where maybe they have a little more
grey; they’ve lost or gained weight. Maybe
they look a little more tired from the search,
a little more cynical. Maybe they’re almost
ready to press “delete” and just leave meeting people to fate and natural circumstances.
Their faces say they’re ready to just trash
every dating app and get on with living life,
spending more time with friends, creating
more art. Maybe their weary faces say they’re
a little scared that they’ve already experienced all the love they’re ever going to.
Or maybe that’s just me, you think. You
see a handsome bearded face in the grid of
faces. He has a boyfriend, because of course
he does, and they’re exclusive. You chat a
bit, and he won’t even flirt with you because
he’s taken. He makes an impression on you
but the conversation fades away after a few
days.
Months later, he finds you again on the
app, and the two of you start chatting. He’s
single now, and the connection is instant.
He’s far away though, and much younger
than you, and you haven’t exactly had a
stellar track record with the combination
of those two things. In fact, the opposite:
you’ve finally heeded your friends’ and family’s advice and sworn off courting guys
more than, say, 1,000 miles away. But you’re
determined to not be a cynic, so like a dog to
its vomit, you return to your pattern.
You ask him on a FaceTime date, and
the two of you eat Italian food and talk
about your lives, and then watch a movie
simultaneously. His movie idea is “What’s
Up Doc?” which you haven’t seen before.
After the date you talk for hours, you confess
your recurring nightmare of a Voltron—but
made of your ex-boyfriends—you almost
fall asleep together.
The next day, you’re optimistic, but
there’s a voice in the back of your head. It’s
telling you to wave off; it’s telling you that
this is eerily similar to something that happened before. This is the same voice that
tells you to give up; this is the same voice
that tells you to stop trying. This is the voice
in your head that sometimes raises bigger
questions about singledom and predestiny,
faith versus science, the sick role of entitlement in being single and lonely. You ignore
the voice.
You go on another FaceTime date, then
another. Suddenly there’s this beautiful,
wonderful creature that wasn’t in your
life before. You’re deeply infatuated, but
that voice keeps muttering dark things in
between the folds of your brain. You take
a deep breath one evening and invite him
to Portland to visit. He
says he’ll think about
it. After the date ends
you just sit there on your couch, and let the
voice wash over you. It cackles gleefully and
tells you that he’ll say no, it sets up a projector and plays a home movie of a particularly bad rejection from a similar situation
three years prior.
And then the miracle happens. He says
yes, he’ll come and visit for a long weekend.
We are surrounded by these little miracles
every day, we just can’t recognize them anymore, we would not know miracles if they
came up and bit us on the ass, and they do
all the time, our asses are positively covered
with the bite marks from miracles. The cynical voice murmurs an expletive, but it shuts
the fuck up for a while.
Before you go to the airport to pick him
up, you look in the mirror at your meticulously groomed hair, your carefully curated
outfit, your artificially lowered expectations. “I hate myself!” you smilingly exclaim
at the mirror, meaning it to sound funny
and self-deprecating, but instead it echoes
in your empty apartment. You realize that it
maybe hits a little too close to home, sounds
a little too similar to that dark voice in the
back of your head. As you get your keys off
the console you whisper a counter-spell
to yourself, “Either way, you’re going to be
okay, Mike.”
You spend the weekend getting under
each other’s skin, getting to know each other’s loves and fears, holding each other’s
hand in the car. When you kiss him it feels
like it’s supposed to, it feels how you imagined it would feel when as a kid you made
your GI Joe action figures make out with
each other. Over the next few months, you
celebrate those little victories: when you
become exclusive, when he visits a second,
third time, when your ex texts to congratulate you and repeats (maybe one too many
times) that you’re so much better in a relationship than single.
You fall deeper and deeper in love, and
he does too. You love him so much that you
want to cut yourself open like a TaunTaun
and insert him into you to keep him warm.
You finally articulate the fear that after so
long of being known for being single and
miserable, you’re not sure what you’ll write
about now. You say out loud the fear that
you’re scared that the best creativity comes
from pain, and you’re not in pain anymore.
You state the fear that the fact that you never
really learned to be completely happy by
yourself, before you met him, feels like a
failure.
But in the end, it’s fine. You’re fine. It
doesn’t work, until suddenly it does. Even
the low, doubting voice concedes defeat,
raises a white flag.
Let’s see what’s next.
Michael James Schneider is based in Portland, OR. He writes for his wildly
unpopular and poorly-named blog, BLCKSMTHdesign.com. His first fiction book,
The Tropic Of Never, is available on Amazon.
pqmonthly.com
CALENDAR
THE BRILLIANT
LIST
SMALL TOWN, BIG ACTIVISM: EVERETT MAROON
As Executive Director of Blue Mountain Heart To Heart,
an HIV/AIDS support services organization in Walla Walla,
Washington, Everett Maroon is a voice for the LGBTQ community in a conservative corner of the Northwest. An activist and author, Everett has published two books, one a
humorous memoir about his gender transition, and the
other about a trans kid who can jump through time.
PQ Monthly: What inspired your interest in activism
and community work?
Everett Maroon: It’s lots of things. Being totally terrified
by the nuns and priests who ran my Catholic school saying
you needed to do something or the gates of hell would swallow you up or something — you couldn’t just say you were
a good person, you had to be a good person — there’s a lot
from that Catholic heritage I still walk around with.
Also, I’ve come through so much personal trauma in
my own life that I don’t want to let it befall other people, so
that really inspires me to make others’ lives easier. I found
early transition to be really difficult, and I almost didn’t
make it. So when I hear someone else might be struggling
and they’re in early transition, I almost always reach out
to them, even if it’s just to listen and be a sounding board.
PQ: How did you get into HIV/AIDS work specifically?
EM: When I came out in 1990, I had some good friends
who died young, and was friends with some of the radical
faeries in Syracuse, and to watch your friends just disappear off the face of the earth is horrifying to say the least.
I was one of those folks who would go around to nightclubs with packets of condoms and leave them on tables.
More recently I became involved in HIV work through the
HIV/AIDS organization here in town as a grant writer, and
then got promoted to the executive director position, and
I’ve been doing that for five years.
PQ: You’ve said your involvement with your involvement
with Act Up in 1992 and the march on Washington in 1993
changed your life. How?
EM: Well, one, to be in a city of 500,000, and to know
there were a million people there — we tripped the population of D.C. in one weekend. Coming up the escalator
from the DuPont Circle metro station, you just heard this
dull roar on the platform that got louder and louder as you
came up, and it was just all these screaming, cheering gay
men and lesbians and drag queens and people wearing
leather even though it was hot as blazes outside. It was so
instantaneously validating and electrifying and terrifying
and wonderful. It made me really feel like we did have a
voice as a community, and really could change the world.
PQ: I understand that you’ve written and published
some books.
EM: Yes, I published them with a small publishing house
pqmonthly.com
in Seattle. First I wrote a memoir called
Bumbling into Body Hair, and the point of
it really was that I’ve read other trans man
stories, and they were very proscriptive and
prescriptive, like ‘don’t do this, do this,’ and
‘you’re transitioning right if you’re doing
XYZ.’ I wanted to push against that idea
and say, ‘I’m one person, I did this in a particular place and time, and this is how it
worked for me and please remember there’s
no right way to do this.’ Then I wrote a novel
called Unintentional Time Traveller that’s
for young adult readers.
PQ: Is there anything about Walla Walla or
small towns like it that you think LGBT people
from a city like Portland should know?
EM: Well on the one hand it’s not horrible as I used to think when I was simply ‘a
city person.’ There is a sense of community
here, and you know, the LGBT community
is small no matter where you are. ...there
are definitely pockets of, you know, I’m not
gonna say ‘hostility’ since no one’s really
hostile but there might be some lack of cultural competency we’ll say. So it’s not all a
rosy picture, but it’s certainly not the religious intolerant place you think you might
be, it’s a pretty cool town.
PQ: Out of everything you’ve done, what
are you the most proud of?
EM: I think I’m most proud of how I’m
raising my two sons right now. My toddler
said to me today, ‘Do you know what my
favorite color is?” He has a new favorite
color like every three days. I said ‘What?’
he said ‘pink.’ I said ‘pink is great!’ He said
‘I want pink shoes, will you take me to get
pink shoes?’ And you know, my very first
thought is ‘oh my God my son is about to go
out in public in little pink shoes, what will
people say?’ I go through all these psycho
panic moments, and then my response is
just ‘sure, we’ll go out later today!’ (Laughs).
So he thinks I’m really cool with it, even though there’s all
this stuff going on in my head.
I’m also really proud of the books. I must get an email
every couple of weeks from some very young person saying
my book made a big difference to them and to thank me
for writing it, and you know, I’m not gonna make a million
dollars for anything I write ever, but if I’m making a 15 year
old scared kid feel better, I’m immensely proud and honored to do that.
PQ: Is there anything else I haven’t asked you about,
that you want to add?
EM: I would say there’s really nothing special about
me, but I’m happy to do the work and put the time in and
just connect with people and remind them that we’re all
OK. And I think that means that all of us can do that. You
see these award things and you think, oh my God, this
person invented Nitrogen, I could never invent Nitrogen!
But no, it’s really not about exceptionalism to be helpful
in the world.
NIGHTLIFE
VOICES
ID CHECK
Trans Bodies, Cis Words
When my transition began, I believed
it was incumbent on me to “pass” the
moment I stepped outside. Having been
raised with unquestioned cissexism, cis
male and cis female were the only genders
I considered valid.
My failure, my inability to impersonate a
cis woman, plunged me into shame. Transmisogyny had taught me I was an abomination, not fit to be among cis people.
With daily effort, I’ve worked to rid
my mind of the prejudices that led to my
self-loathing, yet I still see them, in all their
ugliness, informing our language, laws, and
culture.
A Federal judge recently ruled the University of Pittsburgh had not discriminated
against a trans man they’d expelled, after
repeatedly disciplining him for accessing
the men’s athletic facilities and restrooms
on campus. In their ruling, judge Kim
Gibson wrote, “While Plaintiff may identify
his gender as male, his birth sex if female.
Thus, even though Plaintiff is a transgender
male, his sex is female.”
The phrase “birth sex” is prejudiced, a
remnant of the legacy that considered all
people cis people. Like the phrases “biological woman,” or “genetic man,” the use of the
term “birth sex” implies a scientific legitimacy to the misgendering of a trans person.
Cis people’s genders are natural and provable, these terms suggest, unlike trans people’s theoretical, artificial identities.
Trans people’s identities, and those of
gender non-conforming people, are seen as
suspect in our system, namely due to their
erasure at the moment of birth. Our medical
and legal systems view bodies, even intersex
bodies, as “biologically” female and male,
and assign them as such.
Bodies, however, as those of trans and
gender non-conforming people demonstrate,
do not have gender identities. My gender
identity existed entirely independently of
my birth anatomy. In being assigned male at
birth, I was subjected to a cissexist error. Misgendering terms, such as “biological male” or
“birth sex” compound this prejudice in our
culture, which seek to codify it, via court rulings, like the one described above, or transphobic legislation, such as the recent spate of
proposed “bathrooms bills.”
What could assure that trans women
were no longer housed in men’s prisons, or
trans men were kept from male facilities as
they are now? The passage of Federal Civil
Rights for LGBTQ people, perhaps.
A long, loud campaign that said, over and
over, we are who we say we are, and your backward, cissexist objections, your protestations
of discomfort over our deviations from com-
pulsory cis standards are
prejudiced, and are violating our right to equal
treatment.
From the moment my
gender identity emerged,
I was taught to hide and hate it. My parents,
teachers and peers policed me until, terrified, I policed myself. Our society is for cis
people, I learned, and I towed the line. That
sort of gender police state of thirty five years
ago has loosened, but not vanished.
What might my transition have looked
like had my gender identity been assumed
to be mine to decide? It would doubtless
have occurred earlier, been accompanied
by little or no angst, and would not have
been called a “transition,” because I would
not have been declared cisgender without
my consent.
Were people’s gender identities truly considered theirs, we wouldn’t police the genders of others, based on some cis paradigm
we hold in our heads. Entry into bathrooms
and athletic facilities wouldn’t be granted or
denied based on cis people’s levels of comfort, and religious schools would not gain
exemptions to discriminate based on gender
identity because of “deeply held” beliefs, as
Forest Grove’s George Fox did last year.
Instead, we would trust that each other’s
sense of themselves was authentic, and give
one another space to express who we are
vis a vis our gender presentations. No state
could spitefully refuse to change the gender
marker on an individual’s birth certificate,
as Tennessee does today, because no state
would purport to wield power over anyone’s
identity—over who anyone “is”—in that way.
Discarding terms like “birth sex” and
“biological male” would mean degendering bodies; it would mean ending the cissexist narrative that trans people “are” cis
before they’re trans, and remain cis “physically” until they’ve undergone enough surgeries to convince cis people they’ve really
transitioned. It would mean acknowledging
non-binary genders exist.
Discarding terms like “genetic woman”
and “born a man” would mean relinquishing the entitlement we feel to gender everyone we meet and judge their gender expressions as successful or unsuccessful based
on our appraisals. It would mean ceasing
the projection of insane amounts of gender
expectations onto infants, whose gender
identities have not even emerged, and halting the policing of their expressions based
on cis male and female standards.
If we each assumed the only gender
identity we had any say over was our own,
and acted accordingly, gender expression
might become what it ought to be—an
individual’s human right.
Leela Ginelle is a playwright and journalist living in Portland, OR.
You can write her at [email protected].
pqmonthly.com
FEATURE
ARTS & CULTURE
pqmonthly.com
VOICES
BOOKS
THE
BRILLIANT LIST
GLAPN
“CHANGE DOES HAPPEN”: SHALEY HOWARD
By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly
As a proud “Portland Unicorn,” someone born and
raised in our fair city, Shaley Howard works tirelessly to
make it a better place for everyone. A nationally-recognized
activist for HRC and Habitat for Humanity, for starters,
Howard’s activist resume is a long and storied one. When
PQ Monthly launched a few years ago, Howard added writer
and blogger to her already-impressive list of credentials.
(Watch for her on Portland Timbers billboards.)
Howard is the owner and operator of Scratch N’ Sniff
Pet Care, a relentless sports enthusiast, and she’ll happily
lend you her smile when you need it (and even if you don’t).
Says Howard: “I’ve always had a lot of energy and enthusiasm for life. I typically wake up ready to go and excited
for another day. So that natural inherent glowing energy
combined with the outrageous idea that everyone deserves
equality and basic rights—those things lead me and keep
me on the path of action.” Learn a little more about the
face you see all around town:
PQ Monthly: Why do you think Portland is such a special city to live in?
Shaley Howard: There’s an energy in Portland that is
different from many cities I’ve visited. It’s a young energy,
active and outdoorsy along with tolerant, accepting and
inviting of new ideas and new ways of living. We don’t have
a lot of religious dogma compared to many other states
and cities but instead seem to have a population of people
who are spiritually oriented which I think adds to open and
more laid back way of life. There’s also a huge lesbian population here so for us lezzies it’s fabulous.
PQ: What’s it been like watching equality slowly unfold
in a progressive city like ours? You’ve been able to see the
OCA days all the way to marriage equality? SH: Unbelievable. I do remember the Lon Mabon OCA
days back in college. But even before that I had spent years
in the closet not exactly knowing why it was bad to be gay,
but everything around me gave me a clear understanding it
was not accepted. So a lifetime of being told that there was
something wrong and abnormal with me led me to be closeted till my 20’s. Then in college I met the true love of my life,
Amy, and came out. That was right about the time the OCA
started their No on 9 campaign. It was a rude awakening.
Up until that point I knew on some internal level being gay
was not at all acceptable but it was the No on 9 campaign
where I saw blind hatred in people who blatantly would tell
me I was a sinner and I should be ashamed and more. ‘Welcome to the party, Shaley, the water’s warm, so jump on in.’
So the years of fighting for equality up to the present is just
phenomenal. What brings me to tears sometimes beyond
the actual legal progress is witnessing the transformation of
people. We are all fed a bunch of lies when we’re born and
so of course we believe them – be it sexism, homophobia,
racism. To be able to live long enough to actually witness
people change and see them wake up realizing the lies of
homophobia are just that – lies, is heartwarming and gives
me such hope for humankind.
PQ: Tell me a little about how you define community
and what community means to you. SH: Community to me is my neighbors, the people at the
local stores where I shop, it’s the people I meet on the streets –
SHALEY HOWARD page 25
pqmonthly.com
FEATURE
FEATURE
MUSIC
SHALEY
HOWARD
it’s everyone. It has to
be. That is my community. We may not
all share the same
Continued from page 24 ideas about what we
want in life, how we
should live or share the same goals and interests, but we all live together. We make the
mistake of setting up artificial boundaries
in our communities all the time, whether we
acknowledge them or not, be it class boundaries, racial division, gays and straights, and
so on. But my community is everyone. I
refuse to see boundaries and always strive
to include everyone, from every walk of life
into what I call community. We all sometimes shrink from reaching out or having
that challenging conversation because we’re
scared. We don’t want to offend; it’s new to
us so we’re unsure of someone else’s lifestyle
or how they’ll respond, so we remain silent.
But in order to really have true community
everyone needs to be included. If we want
to create that utopian world of equality we
have to start with each community individual that makes the whole.
PQ: What inspires your work for HRC?
What are your proudest accomplishments
with that organization? What have you
learned during your activism? SH: I was inspired to work for HRC but
I’m super gay. There are many amazing
organizations out there that I do support
but for very obvious and personal reasons,
pqmonthly.com
and being that HRC is the biggest LGBTQ
organization in the US, my passion is for
my own personal rights and equality along
with my queer sisters and brothers.
I’m very proud of the events that I’ve created, especially the Portland Women’s 3x3
Basketball Tournament which over the last
6 years has brought in almost $30,000 for
HRC, not to mention countless memberships and bringing the LGBTQ and straight
ally community together.
I’ve learned to stick to your guns. Volunteering, as they say, is often a thankless job.
And it does sometimes feel that way. But if
you stick to your beliefs, show up continually and remind yourself of the bigger picture that what you are doing is for a much
bigger cause, in the end you will feel satisfied and even happy. Fighting for equality of any cause, not just LGBTQ rights, is
a long, sometimes arduous path. The key
is to always check in with yourself, not the
outside critics or supporters, but yourself as
to why you want to fight the fight. It’s your
internal activism compass. We all have it
and it will guide you. But it is a long road
so I’ve learned patience and to never, ever
give up. My Mom always used to gently
remind me as a kid when I was outraged
at some travesty of inequality and injustice that change does happen. It may not
happen overnight be it will happen so get
comfortable and work on being just a tad
bit more patient.
THE BRILLIANT LIST
“FULL EQUALITY IS A MARATHON,
NOT A RACE”: EQUITY FOUNDATION
Since its inception in
1989, the Equity Foundation
has served Oregon’s LGBTQ
community, and advanced its
equality. Equity gives grants
and scholarships, and sponsors events, all with the aim
of promoting LGBTQ justice
and security. As the needs of the community change, so does the
focus of Equity’s work. Current foundation priorities
include: housing for people
with HIV, Trans Justice, the
arts, and youth. We spoke with
Equity Foundation Executive Director Karol Collymore
about the organization’s mission, vision, and future.
PQ MONTHLY: Equity
Fo u n d a t i o n i s O re g o n’s
only grant-making institution designed specifically to
fund projects and programs
that promote equality for the
LGBTQ community. What
would you say community
means to the Equity FounPhoto by Eric Sellers dation and the people who
lead it?
KAROL COLLYMORE: When Equity began in 1989, it was a place inspired by and
created for inclusion. Our founders wanted LGBTQ-identified people to have a visible
impact on Oregon philanthropy. It helped people recognize that Equity Foundation
donors could be their neighbors, friends or colleagues. The ground those founders
broke is another piece of what brought Oregon full, legal equality. We continue to be
inspired by inclusion and motivated to support our LGBTQ community. We recognize
that despite legal victory, it remains difficult to grow up being the only one in your
classroom that is gay or trans or a person of color. Sometimes, that child could be
all three. Laws don’t mandate personal safety when someone is cornered on a playground by bullies. Our job now is to provide community in those spaces by funding
organizations doing the work of protecting, supporting, and representing LGBTQ
Oregonians. And we need to fund those spaces, especially in rural communities.
PQ: Equity Foundation works to fight the social alienation and legal discrimination
faced by LGBTQ individuals, and has done so since 1989. What would you say activism
means to Equity Foundation, and does that definition change as the LGBTQ makes social
and legal advances over time?
KC: To me activism means present participation in issues that are affecting the community I live in. It’s being a voice for those who can’t always speak up on their own. The
definition doesn’t change. Social and legal advancement makes an activist’s heart sing. It
means nights in phone banks, going door to door—even protesting inappropriate media
representation makes hearts and minds change. But we know full equality is a marathon
and not a race. So Equity has to remain present and be nimble enough to respond to issues
that arise. Right now we know LGBTQ-identified kids are still having a hard time. How do
we do our best with our funding to make sure those kids get what they need? That’s what
our activism will continue to be.
PQ: Equity Foundation raises money year round to provide grants, scholarships and
sponsorships to individuals and groups. What inspires the organization to fulfill its mission, and what inspires people like you, who help carry that vision out?
KC: Equity is inspired by our founders who were committed to inclusion, no matter
what. What an honor it is to continue this work in that spirit. I’m inspired by mom, who
I realized as I got older had made it a point to never teach me a bad stereotype about
anyone. At all. None of this, “we hate this person because,” nonsense. Every person that
came through her life was loved with food and laughter, no matter what. She showed by
incredible example how you treat people, how you bring them in to your circle of support,
and you keep them there as long as they will let you. And that carried straight through to
her volunteer work and straight through to me. That inspires me to do the best I can do.
PQ: Equity Foundation has been serving the LGBTQ community consistently since
1989. What do you see in Equity’s future?
KC: I think the future of Equity is bright. We are poised to continue the work of funding
equality throughout Oregon. There are still LGBTQ kids that need support, people living
with HIV and AIDS who need homes and transgender people who need better access to
healthcare. This is our charge. As we gain more and more members to our Foundation,
we’ll have even more resources to fund the needs of our community. Every member has
a piece of this work and we are proud of that.
PQ: As representative of a member of the inaugural Brilliant List, do you have any
thoughts to pass on to young activists or leaders who might just be starting off on their
paths?
KC: When you’re starting out, it’s OK to be the person who answers the phones for a
while as you set your career goals. It will help you figure out if that is the right organization or career for you and actually make you stronger when it’s your turn to be the one in
charge. Seek out opportunities for professional growth and mentors that will be honest
with you. No matter how much you love it, work is work so look for balance, protect your
personal relationships and make self-care a priority. And if you are a person of color, seek
out your peers. There will be many spaces where you are the only and you’ll need someone who relates to that specific feeling and the situations that will arise.
pqmonthly.com
VOCES
THE LADY CHRONICLES
HEALTH CARE
LIFE IS GOOD. ENJOY THE RIDE!
The Gay Bar is Dead,
Long Live the Gay Bar!
In the old days, gays would saunter up
and down Stark Street any given night—
especially on a Thursday or a Saturday—
finding everything their tipsy little hearts
desired within a few small-ish city blocks.
Perhaps you’d go from Red Cap to the
then-infant Blow Pony at the Eagle and you’d
end up at Silverado or maybe face down
in a greasy platter of fried goodness at the
Roxy, shoveling fries in your mouth while
you gazed at the guy across the restaurant
doing the same. On Stark, you were always
within shouting distance of any part of your
cohort that may have wandered off; it feels
like we didn’t even need cell phones then,
we’d simply holler at friends on the street
or magically end up at the same place on
the same night. Though we probably had
phones; who knows—my memory.
During Pride season, there was really no
question where you’d go; everyone went
to the block party on Stark. That gathering of hundreds that felt like thousands
was an amalgamation of every shade of
queer; though Stark, in general, was a gay
man’s game for most of its history, Pride
was always the exception. There was something really special about having a de
facto, default gathering place during high
season; there you saw people you saw once
a year, perhaps many others you wish you
forgot, but it was no matter. The sun was
out (except for the year that poured and
washed off all of Poison’s makeup) and the
gays were carefree and happy. You didn’t
need Facebook to stalk your exes; they were
all right there! Now Red Cap is a shopping
mall, the old Eagle sells high end skin care,
and your ex blocked you on Grindr.
This column is not an angry letter from a
cranky old man wishing the kids would get
off his lawn; this column is part nostalgia,
a moment to address the wistful affection
my aging friends and I have for simpler days
gone by. Because as much as I loved those
days and remember them fondly, I am not
sure I’d trade Panty Raid at Vendetta or Coco
Peru and Heklina at Rotture for anything
back then. Change is good for the soul, this
old Taurus is learning—begrudgingly.
Enter Stag, the upstart gay bar that
opened just down the street from Embers
on Broadway; billed as “Portland’s premiere
[sic]” (a word the whole city should consider retiring) “gentlemen’s club, catering to
gay men and women, a place for dancers to
perform and patrons to enjoy fine Oregon
spirits and microbrews.” Ever the skeptic, I
resisted going the first weekend it opened;
but I heard the buzz and I watched social
media kick into overdrive as gays from all
corners of our fair city descended upon
it. Then, post CAP art
auction, my friend
Komo and I decided
it was time to see Stag
with our own eyes—I tore myself away from
Netflix and wine for a night; and oh, did we
behold the glory.
First, let’s get serious about our lives: it
is thoroughly refreshing to walk into a gay
bar and immediately notice that ownership
has invested some money in furnishings. It
is also nice to not see a thousand Absolut
signs plastered on every wall—not that there
is anything wrong with an Absolut sign, per
se, but the dearth of typical bar paraphernalia set Stag apart from the outset. Perhaps I
was just mesmerized by the dancers holding themselves upside down on the gymnastic rings on stage; such strength! Regardless,
Stag has a rustic sophistication that suits it
quite well; sure, the décor is sometimes a
literal translation of the bar’s name, but the
folks at Christopher David did a fine job; it
feels new and exciting and comfortable and
familiar all at once.
While there, my friend and I saw a few
dozen faces we hadn’t seen in a while—old
friends and new ones, some texting from
the long line outside, others hollering from
across the street. Gays were everywhere, and
they filled the bar to the brim. Drinks were
a little slow—they often are in a fledgling
establishment; not everyone can be Trevor at
Silverado—but the bartenders are kind and
easy on the eyes. Aside from logistics, it is
very clear Stag hit a nerve; gays are clamoring for another place to socialize. In a time
when our bars are closing left and right,
Stag opened and is thriving. Long lines, big
crowds, return visits (I went 3 times in a four
day stretch), gays from near, gays from far;
build it and they will come. Does Stag have
staying power? Will it be as busy in August as
it is now? At the moment, it feels like those
questions are moot.
For now, I am enjoying the fact that we
have a sort of makeshift gay district again. I
can go watch my favorite drag show starring
Bolivia Carmichaels and then watch beautiful dancing men at Stag (where Godiva
DeVyne is probably hosting); and walking
from place to place satisfies that nostalgic
itch that we all get now and then. It doesn’t
mean I won’t venture over to Vendetta or
Lumbertwink or whatever is happening
at Killingsworth Dynasty; it means I am
a complicated creature who craves comfort and newness at once. It means I can
love gay yesteryear while embracing queer
today. It means sometimes I want a room
filled with sweaty men, and other times I
want every queer I know on a patio. Please just work on getting me my drink a
little more quickly; Nana needs her juice.
www.paradiseh-d.com • 10770 SW Cascade Avenue, Tigard • 503-924-3700
Though it is lovely, this lady recommends always traveling through Old Town in groups—
especially on weekend nights or during Pride season. Be safe, queers. [email protected].
The title of this column is taken from an old Decemberists track, one of my all-time favorites:
Oceanside. Yes, I have loved them since 2001. Email [email protected].
pqmonthly.com
THE BRILLIANT LIST
“A STRONGER SENSE OF COMMON PURPOSE”: GEORGE NICOLA
Raised in the Midwest in the 1950s, during a time of rigid conformity, George Nicola
has a unique perspective on the history of our LGBTQ movement. Then, especially, homosexuality was thoroughly demonized. Young people at the time were alienated from their
hometowns because they associated those places with the homophobia they experienced
when they grew up; many of Portland’s early activists were transplants from other cities.
Nicola came to Portland in 1968; there were no openly gay organizations, almost no positive literature on homosexuality, no gay support groups. He looked for gay bars but could
not find them. As with many other gay people, the fact that gays were demonized made
Nicola afraid to talk about to anyone about his feelings. He decided that if he could find a
way to come out, he would have to make sure others would never go through what he did.
On February 7, 1970, an alternative newspaper called the Willamette Bridge carried
an interesting article. An anonymous young gay man who said he was lonely wanted to
find someone like him. The newspaper refused to carry the ad because they thought it
was sexual, which it was not. So a 21 year old gay newspaper staff member named John
Wilkinson wrote a reply to the anonymous man suggesting that Portlanders organize a
Gay Liberation Front (GLF) like what had recently been done in other cities. Eventually
the Portland GLF was formed, and I came out through that. It was the parent of Oregon’s
LGBTQ movement. Later, Nicola joined a newer gay group called the Second Foundation. That was the basis of his lobbying for Oregon’s first attempt to ban sexual orientation discrimination.
These days, you’ll see George Nicola supporting a slew of local causes—Queer Intersections, PFLAG, Q Center, and many more. He also works tirelessly to record our state’s
queer history—with GLAPN—and has been a regular contributor to PQ Monthly.
PQ Monthly: What has it been like watching equality slowly unfold in a progressive
city like ours?
George Nicola: Portland has not always been progressive. By 1970, the city no longer
attempted to close all the gay bars, but homophobia was still rampant. Since I came
through the birth of Portland’s and Oregon’s LGBTQ movement, I have seen it all. The early
gay organizations like the Portland Gay Liberation Front and the Second Foundation of
Oregon produced some changes just but by being out. But it was a long time before we
made any progress. There was a gradual change in attitude in the 1970s and 1980s. However, between 1988 and 2004, Oregonians endured about 34 anti-gay ballot measures,
almost surely more than any other state.
Eventually, all of these plus an earlier anti-gay ballot measure were overturned by legislative action or court order. Overall, there has been a gradual progression toward tolerance and inclusiveness. But it did not just happen. It occurred because we and our allies
worked so hard. It was not until 1991 that the City of Portland passed an ordinance banning
GEORGE NICOLA page 29
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sexual orientation
discrimination.
Gender identity
was added in 2000.
Our response to
the 1988 through
2000 anti-gay ballot measures tended to
mute our identity. However, when marriage
became the issue, muting our identity was
no longer possible. The campaigns had to
talk openly about us and our relationships.
That began a process of humanization that
had not occurred previously, which is why
the marriage equality movement has benefited people like me and many of my friends
who would never marry.
PQ: Tell me a little about how you define
community and what community means
to you.
GN: When we say the “LGBTQ community”, we are talking about people who
have something in common. Some of these
people do not know many others in that
group. But there are organizations and
vehicles that have brought LGBTQ people
together for a common purpose. Those that
are still operating include Pride Northwest,
Q Center, Basic Rights Oregon, PFLAG Portland, GLAPN, among others. Facebook and
PQ Monthly and your monthly press parties
are distinctively helpful in this area.
PQ: What inspires your work for GLAPN?
What are your proudest accomplishments
with that organization?
GN: We cannot change the past. However, everything today is a result of what
happened in the past, so to some extent we
need to know history to understand where
we are and where we are going. And look at
what has happened! A group of people that
was criminalized, demonized, and considered mentally ill is now accepted at least
nominally and legally. If we are to learn
anything about bettering the life of human
beings and allowing people to live peacefully together, this is a case we should study.
I talk a little bit about our successes in my
article at http://glapn.org/6027PersistentOnes.html:
We have battled about 35 anti-gay ballot
measures. We have gone to court numerous
times. This took a good deal of stubbornness, and some of our people have been
persistent to the point of appearing quixotic. When faced at nightfall with a demoralizing defeat that seemed to vanquish all
hope, they started planning for a come-
GEORGE
NICOLA
pqmonthly.com
back the next morning. This was often the
work of a few people when the vast majority
even in the LGBTQ community thought the
cause was hopeless. And for the most part,
the optimists’ strategy eventually worked.
My writing for GLAPN has had some
unexpected consequences. The article on
anti-gay ballot measures was cited by attorney Lake Perriguey in his brief for Geiger v.
Kitzhaber, the lead case that overturned
Oregon’s ban on same-gender marriage.
Though I am not an attorney, I was asked
to lead an Oregon State Bar class on the
history of Oregon LGBTQ law. I also participated in the development of the Oregon
State Bar Diversity Story Wall. But I still
think the major outcome of my work has
been to help Oregon LGBTQ people and
allies gain a stronger sense of common purpose. Community is to some extent established by a common tradition, and our history helps people understand that tradition.
PQ: Where do you see LGBTQ rights in,
say, ten years? Twenty?
GN: In Oregon, we have full LGBTQ civil
rights protection. But we still face a huge
amount of homophobia and transphobia,
even in Portland. It gets much worse outside of Portland metro, even in the suburbs
but especially in rural areas and smaller
cities. So the change I would want most
would be one of attitude. On a federal level,
we have no legislative legal protection, and
I would hope that comes about soon, especially in employment. I would hope that
soon the Supreme Court makes a decision
[about marriage] that extends that to all
50 states.
PQ: If you could do one thing to inspire
people to do more and give back more,
what would it be? Or what would you say
to inspire them?
GN: Beyond good health and financial
comfort, what brings human beings the
greatest happiness is their relationship to
other people. So I think that involvement
in the LGBTQ movement and its associated
activities will make us happier because it
involves LGBTQ people and their allies in a
positive way. One of many ways is through
the numerous performing arts groups in
our community. I tried to summarize that
in this article: http://glapn.org/6033PerformingArts.html. A group that has done
much to give back is PFLAG Portland, which
includes the Black Chapter and East County
components.
THE BRILLIANT LIST
“COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE”: RENÉE LACHANCE
Renée LaChance, the Brilliant List’s Legacy Award winner, co-founded the Portland
LGBTQ newspaper Just Out in 1983, a paper she helped expand and eventually sold in
1998. A community leader with a grassroots mentality, Renee has been a champion and
steward of numerous LGBTQ community and social groups in Portland.
PQ Monthly: How did you get started in LGBT media?
Renée LaChance: It started with the Northwest Fountain. I was involved in the Women’s
Place bookstore, and thought maybe they should advertise. I tracked down the gay paper,
talked to the publisher and said, “Well how come you don’t have any women’s news? It’s
all men.” He said, “Well, write it!” So I did. I had “The Women’s Page,” writing about what
was happening in the lesbian community.
Six months later another guy comes along and says, “Hey I’m gonna start a gay paper,
why don’t you come work with me?” And I said great! That was the Cascade Voice, Neil
Hutchins was the publisher. I started as the assistant manager; within a month or two I
was the editor.
Some controversies happened between the summer of 1982 and summer of 1983. Back
then everything was “gay,” there was no “gay and lesbian.” So women were fighting and
our male allies were fighting to call things lesbian and gay. The publisher of the Cascade
Voice was not coming along; I was also learning about issues of people of color and develFEATURES
oping this new political consciousnesses and wanted to talk about that, and he just wasn’t
having it. I had an ally, my assistant editor Jay Brown who was also my paper’s photographer. Jay and I decided to start our own paper and we started Just Out.
PQ: Tell me about how Just Out was different.
RL: Our mission was that everyone should come out; the more visible we were, the faster
we’d get our rights. The majority of the community was closeted back then. Since we had
left the paper that advertised all the (gay) bars — the traditional advertising revenue for
an LGBT newspaper — they boycotted us. We started to approach non-gay people, or gay
and lesbian professionals, or businesses who were gay or weren’t gay, who didn’t advertise
with the other paper. We did surveys with our readers, and people said, “Yeah, if someone is
advertising a Chevrolet car I’m gonna buy that before I buy a Ford because it’s in my paper.”
That kind of loyalty just bloomed. We were the first ones who did that. Every time I talked to
other gay papers, they said, “What? You sell to non-gay businesses? How do you do that?”
PQ: Who inspires you? Who are your role models?
RL: Well Harvey Milk is one my early mentors because he advocated being out, and he
was one of the first to talk about intersections. He would look at his board of San Francisco and see all the different communities and what they had in common. Kathleen
Saadat, Rupert Kinnard. Gloria Steinem, for her feminism, and right now Melanie Davis
is kinda being my hero.
PQ: Yeah? How so?
RL: Because she really walks her talk, and really visualizes her community as a whole —
every color, every letter — she really lives that. And as people are saying “papers are dying,
papers are dying,” she’s proving they’re not, by starting another one and even expanding.
PQ: What are your hopes for the future?
RL: For the community, I would like to heal the rift between lesbians of a certain age
who aren’t as supportive of trans women as they could be — I need to think of a better
way to say that — I’ll say I’d like to heal the rift between cis lesbians and trans lesbians.
For myself, I hope to be able to create something in this community to support our aging
queer population — the boomers who got us all to where we are now, I’m the youngest,
right? So they’re all older than me, and some of them are in their 70s and 80s and we need
to be creating systems and spaces for them to still have viability, and to create residences
for them too. Our queer heroes shouldn’t be warehoused. So we need like community
housing, we need to develop space for ourselves to continue being our authentic selves.
I have visions of mini houses in a community space where you can live in your little
independent house, but still have common space like a common kitchen and dining room,
and maybe somebody comes in and helps with assisted living types of things if needed.
And hopefully nursing homes will be better eventually but I don’t see that happening. But
I see our people getting warehoused in places where they can’t be out, they can’t be with
their loved ones, and their friends are too old to visit them, and that’s wrong.
PQ: Is there anything you’re really proud of?
RL: I’m proud of all the firsts that Just Out did. The first paper to depend on non-gaybar advertising, we were the first gay newspaper credentialed for a National Democratic
Convention in 1988, we were the first ones to buy a big gay billboard by the Memorial Coliseum that said “come out come out wherever you are!” It must have been 1991.
I’m having a lot of fun right now with a group called the Dapper Boy’s Club; it’s a group
of trans men and butch women and people just fucking with the gender binary. We dress
up and go out and mostly look like peacocks, take our pictures, drink whisky. That’s been
very fun — we’ve been doing that for two years — we call it the dapper takeover and take
over a bar. We take over a gay bar and it’s been very fun to rattle some people saying “what’s
going on over there? Who are those people?” But hey, it doesn’t matter what we are, our
gender doesn’t matter. And I’m super proud of being a fifth generation Oregonian.
Always have supported LGBT rights, Always will.
pqmonthly.com
VOICES
TENDER PLACES: INSIDE STORY
By Sossity Chiricuzio,
PQ Monthly
The body is a road
map of discovery, full of
hard truths and tender
places. It is also the only
thing that most definitely belongs to us.
Despite all the ways the
world has tried to steal
them away and sell them
back, our bodies can still
be a place of sharing and
compassion and knowledge and power and joy.
I’ve been a sex radical
writer and educator for
decades, talking about
sex and bodies, sharing
stories and unlearning
shame. Send me your
questions, and we’ll find
some answers together.
Photo by J Tyler Huber.
Dear Sossity,
Are double-ended dildos a thing that works in practice,
or mostly just porn? It’d be rad if there was a toy that could
penetrate both of us at the same time (cunt-to-cunt) more
equally & effectively than the Feeldoe. Position recommendations also solicited!
--Two Hopeful Switches
Dear Hopeful,
In my experience, traditional double-ended dildos are
mostly good for giving you a UTI because a straight line
from your insides to your partners is not actually how cunts
are shaped and angled. Especially once you maneuver your
bodies into a position that will accommodate double penetration. That said: there are new styles on the market, and if
you really want that scissoring plus experience, they could
be worth a try. Sheboptheshop.com has a few intriguing
models listed!
You could also try a toy that is similar to the Feeldoe,
but shaped in a way meant to fill you both more equitably. I’ve got a few suggestions that could work well for
you - though I recommend contacting the support staff
at your favorite shop for more thorough vetting. I’m listing the Nexus first because I can personally recommend
it. My favorite toy to use with a partner for well over a
decade, and it never fails to work for me, too. There is a
minimal size difference in the the two ends, and it comes
in two size ranges.
The Fuze Tango is similar in design to the Nexus, but
with a larger difference in the two ends plus a clitoral stim
pad. There’s also the Share, which holds a bullet vibe in a
very well placed spot. All of these are recommended to use
with a harness, but positioning and PC* muscles can often
do the trick to hold it in place and give you more skin to
skin contact. I’ve been able to use this type of toy in many
positions, but I get the best results in friction and penetration for both when one person straddles the other (facing
either direction,) bent over from behind, or missionary style
(modified as needed). Have fun exploring!
Dear Sossity,
“I want to work up to being able to be fisted vaginally are there good exercises I could be doing? I feel really tight
and little and my partner hasn’t been able to open me up
enough to take more than three fingers.”
--Dreaming of Red on the Right
Dear Dreaming,
Asking for information is a great place to start. Most vaginas can be fisted, but every one of them is different, and
some are more accommodating than others. Fisting is a
trust exercise for everyone, as you’re both going to be vulnerable and exposed by an act which leaves a part of them
fully and intricately enveloped by a part of you.
Being able to open up enough to take their whole hand
is not so much about stretching out, as letting go. Some
pieces to consider: Has your partner fisted anyone else
before, or done homework around techniques? Are you
feeling connected, and communicating what’s happening
for each of you when you try? Are you taking the time for
a long buildup of activities that ground you in your body
and turn you on?
There is a wealth of resources online, everything
from tips and tricks to how to instructions, so I’m going
to cover a few basics and let you take it from there. I
recommend making it into a sexy homework project
for you both!
Lube.** Lots of it, and try using latex or nitrile gloves as
they are smoother than skin, avoid hangnails or other sharp
edges, and don’t soak up the lube as much.
Communication. Describe what you’re feeling to each
other, ask for more, less, a break, a kiss – support each other
in this adventure, don’t get locked into your own heads.
Patience. Take your time getting excited and engaging in
sex play. The more aroused you are, the more likely you’ll
be able to open up and let your partner in.
Research. If you are not already familiar with Kegel exercises and the muscles of your vagina and pelvic floor, learn
more. Locating and understanding what you’re trying to
relax can sometimes help the process.
If you find yourself getting to that place that feels like
it’s not gonna happen, you can’t take anymore, just slow
down and feel the fullness of two or three or four fingers.
Take some deep breaths, give your PC muscles a flex, and
then release them. Relax into feeling full and desired and
open. Come a few times if you can, or just enjoy the sensations. Breath. Relax. Enjoy. Repeat. You may finally get
there, and even if not, remember it’s not a failure, it’s just
a different kind of joy.
*The pubococcygeus or PC muscle stretches from the
pubic bone to the tail bone, forming the floor of the pelvic
cavity. PC exercises can help increase pleasure and control
in the pelvic region.s ** Be sure you check in about allergies
before making your glove and lube choices.
End note: If you have questions you’d like me to answer
or seek out answers for, please get in touch! sossity@
pqmonthly.com.
PQ Monthly is published the 3rd Thursday of every month. Please contact us for advertising opportunities.
503.228.3139 •PQMONTHLY.COM
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PHOTOS
SEE AND
BE SEEN
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you’d like to share in the pages of PQ Monthly? Send
your photos along with a photo credit and caption to
[email protected], post them on our Facebook
page, or tag PQ Monthly in them.
Featured: Photos from the Superstar Divas Megashow (every
Sunday night) (note the return of Ginger Lee!) and PQ Monthly’s
Press Party at the Elysian Ballroom. Photos by Officials Fans of the
Superstar Divas Megashow and Christopher Alvarez.
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PHOTOS
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FEATURE
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Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink
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