Every now and again qPDX must stand behind a public service announcement. This April 1, and no, it’s not a joke, we refuse to be invisible any longer and should stand up and be counted for the 2010 Census. And though the government survey woefully only counts gay couplings rather than the numerous among us who are queer enough of our own, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Forcehas also started a grassroots pink sticker campaign called Queering the Censuswherein you can seal your envelope with your out and proud status.
On March 18, a kickoff event at Q Center will officially unveil two PSAs targeting Portland’s gay, lesbian, bi and trans community to spread the word about the changes to the Census. You can check out one of the two below featuring locals Basic Rights Oregon’s Jeana Frazzini, Q Center’s Kendall Clawson, and Cascade AID’s Project Michael Kaplan and City Hall worker and former Portland Mercury Journalist Amy Ruiz.
Delease Carter is suing the PPB for harassment, unlawful arrest and battery. Photo from the Oregonian
Delease Carter, a 21 year old student who lives in Northeast Portland and studies at Portland Community College Cascade (my old stomping ground!) is suing the city of Portland for battery and unlawful arrest.
Delease claims Portland Police Bureau officers (we don’t know which) touched breasts and genitals, slammed Delease’s head into the pavement and insulted her, all because she was walking home with friends in the middle of the street.
Beau Breedlove in a shoot he did for Unzipped magazine
If you thought you heard enough about the mayor’s sex scandal with hottie Beau Breedlove, then you were wrong. Not only is Mr. Scandal back in Portland, after so unceremoniously leaving us for the east coast, but he also has a forthcoming book. The as-yet-untitled tome will be a
…reflection on the events of my life before, during and after the ’scandal’ surrounding my relationship with Sam Adams…
In addition, the book will cover a broader look at people who have been in similar situations to mine, and how stereotypes both play into the media attention as well as are used as tools against victims. This book is a memoir, and an insight into the change that the GLBTQ community needs to see in the way we are portrayed and represented.
Here at qPDX we really do like to have fun. That often means that our coverage is entertainment and event heavy. But 2009 saw plenty of news headlines as well. I’m sure it will come as no surprise to anyone what scandal fills the top spot, but let’s run down 4 more items as well before we repeat the obvious.
Thomas Beattie, the famous Oregon “Pregnant Man” is expecting his third child, new websites including this one report. (the comments on that site are pretty transphobic. I’ll try and find a better source.)
Congratulations Thomas! My first reaction was “three in a row??” and I find it good/strange/telling that I would pretty much feel the same way about any heterosexual married woman. Any thoughts?
I hope the pregnancy goes well and the baby and dad are healthy.
Q Center located at 4115 N Mississippi Ave. Photo by Ashley Bedford
In last week’s Conversations form the Gayborhood, we chatted with the executive director of the Q Center, Kendall Clawson, about the Winter Gala (which was a huge, glittery success!). This week, we switch gears from the details of the annual party to the details of the daily grind at the Q, as well as Clawson’s experience meeting President Obama.
Show of hands: How many of you have actually been to the Q Center? And walking by it on Mississippi in route to the bar does not count. I’m talking about been inside—checked out books from the library, or attended bingo, cabaret or one of their multiple discussion groups. In the twenty-something generation that I am proud to be a member of, the general reaction seems to be: Wait, what? They have bingo nights?! (Yes, and better yet, it’s drag bingo!)
Vandalized LGBTQA offices with the swastika carpet removed by police
Oh man, this is a sad state of affairs. The LGBTQ Alliance space on a liberal campus with a thriving queer community in a hippie town in a liberal state has been vandalized by spraying enormous black swastikas on the floor and on computer gear, the Oregonian reports. No signs of forced entry to the office space have been found and nobody seems to really know who could have done it, although they are obviously homophobic, and probably anti-semitic and racist, wankers.
Queer news site Autostraddle also has an in-depth news report with insider info.
I’m sure that U of O LGBTQ Alliance would welcome signs of support from us Portlanders.
The interdisciplinary academic arena that is Women’s Studies, Gender Studies or Sexuality Studies is one that is rife with opposing opinions. Indeed, that is one of its great strengths and great frustrations. I attended Smith College in the early aughts and what to call this specific department was contonually under debate, even though the decision to keep it Women’s Studies(because we had to keep the “We study women in a major way” button tradition alive..) and to focus on spotlighting the “fairer sex” had already been “decided.”
Now our local public university, Portland State, is having that discussion as well. This Thursday 21st (tomorrow) the PSU WST Dept is holding a meeting from 7:-9 pm in Smith Memorial room 296 to discuss the possibility of changing the department’s name to reflect changes both internally in the program, and externally in the field as a whole.
Just a quick note to let you know that the popular lounge night “GLOSS” @ Invasion is sadly taking an indefinite break due to Carlee’s busy schedule. We hope GLOSS will return in the future (those lavender flavoured drinks were fabu) and we’ll be sure to let you know if it does…
CRITICAL SERVICES FOR GAY COMMUNITY FACE MAJOR CUTBACKS
New report documents devastating impact for gay and transgender Oregonians if Measures 66 and 67 fail
(PORTLAND, OREGON – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010) – As ballots begin arriving in mailboxes around the state, Basic Rights Oregon today distributed a new report documenting the impact of budget cuts expected if Measures 66 and 67 fail.
The general consensus is that 2009 has been a tough year. No one knows that better than the sex scandal embroiled Mayor of Portland Sam Adams. But unlike cynics like Just Outand I, Adams exits the year on a positive video note. Oh, you bouncy bicycling optimists…is it teenage sex that makes you cheery?
In Other Words will soon be featuring a coffee shop!
Hot and fresh -
News has it that a new coffee shop will be opening inside In Other Words, everyone’s favourite feminist bookstore! It’l be called “Tuff Luck” and serve coffee and other hot drinks and coffee related, well, products. Not much info is forthcoming yet, but they are planning on holding events to garner funds to pay for licensing. Fantastic idea, details TBA. Check this space or contact IOW for more info.
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