Portland State Vanguard Volume 78 Issue 3

OPEN OPINION PLATFORM COLUMN FOR ALL AT PSU

• STATE NAME AND AFFILIATION W/PSU

• SUBMISSIONS ARE UNPAID, NOT GUARANTEED AND CHOSEN BY THE EDITOR

• SEND THOUGHTS, STORIES AND OPINIONS TO EDITOR@PSUVANGUARD.COM

CONTENTS

NEWS

PSUFA prepared to take collective action

SCIENCE & TECH

COVER DESIGN BY WHITNEY McPHIE

PHOTO BY ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI

SPORTS

PSU research could transform Portland’s energy consumption

OPINION

Summer heat makes PSU housing uninhabitable

STAFF

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kat Leon

MANAGING EDITOR

Brad Le

NEWS EDITOR

Zoë Buhrmaster* (out until Fall)

CO-NEWS EDITOR

Alyssa Anderson

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Macie Harreld

SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR

Cameron Rodriguez

SPORTS EDITOR

Laura Kowall

OPINION EDITOR

Nick Gatlin

PHOTO EDITOR

Alberto Alonso Pujazon Bogani

ONLINE MEDIA MANAGER

Sam Johnson

COPY CHIEF

Isabel Zerr

INTERIM DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Nick Gatlin

CONTRIBUTORS

Amber Finnegan

P. 4

P. 5

P. 6-7

Reflecting on the Women’s World Cup P. 8

ARTS & CULTURE

2023 Queer Screams Film Festival P. 9

Events

PRODUCTION & DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Whitney McPhie

DESIGNERS

Dana Ives

TECHNOLOGY & WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS

Rae Fickle

George Olson

Sara Ray

ADVISING & ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA

Reaz Mahmood

STUDENT MEDIA ACCOUNTANT

Maria Dominguez

STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR

Rae Fickle

To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com

MISSION STATEMENT

P. 10

Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.

ABOUT Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ psuvanguard for breaking news.

from the editors

Hello, hello! First off, thank you for reading and supporting Portland State Vanguard. Second, my name is Laura Kowall, and I am the sports editor. I am a communications and arts and letters graduate—whoo Portland State class of ‘23— going on to further my education here at PSU this coming year. Most importantly, I am a sports fanatic.

In May of 2023, I had the opportunity to resurrect the sports section in Vanguard following its year-long absence after COVID-19. With the fall sports season here at PSU about to start, I would love to share my vision for my section with you.

Naturally, I plan to focus on our campus athletics, celebrating the victories, analyzing games and spotlighting outstanding players, coaches and staff members who contribute to the success of our university’s sports.

I also take pride in featuring local sports events and leagues, strengthening the connection between our university and the broader sports community.

I believe in the importance of inclusivity, so I feature a diverse range of sports—highlighting both popular and lesser-known ones. Men’s and women’s sports receive equal attention, and I also want to showcase adaptive sports to promote a sense of belonging for all athletes.

In addition to game recaps and scores, I’d love to start sharing in-depth feature stories about athletes, coaches and sports-related issues which resonate with our readers. Personal interviews and profiles will offer insight into the lives and experiences of those involved in sports, hopefully inspiring our readers and shedding light on important topics in the sports world.

By following these principles, I aim to create a sports section at Vanguard which informs, entertains and inspires our readers, fostering a strong sense of community and pride in the sports culture at PSU.

LAURA KOWALL, NEW VANGUARD SPORTS EDITOR. COURTESY OF LAURA KOWALL

PSUFA PREPARED TO TAKE COLLECTIVE ACTION

ADJUNCT FACULTY CONTINUE BARGAINING FOR FAIR CONTRACT

“Bargaining is ongoing.”

According to a proposal comparison table provided by PSUFA, PSU’s offer of an 8% increase puts adjuncts at an increase of merely 0.08% compared to what they were making in 2019, when adjusted for inflation.

The proposals PSU made during the July 19 bargaining session do not include any compensation for the work adjuncts do outside the adjunct teaching purview, any commitment from the university to establish a sick leave bank, any compensation for adjunct research and professional development nor any compensation for adjuncts who’s classes are canceled.

Vasiliki Touhouliotis—PSUFA’s chair of membership and adjunct professor for the Honors College—said the instability and insecurity of her job at PSU has affected her teaching. For three of the four terms she has worked at PSU, Touhouliotis said her classes were on the verge of being canceled.

Members and supporters of the Portland State University Faculty Association (PSUFA) marched to the Bogue Boardroom in the Karl Miller Center on Friday, July 28, from 12–12:30 p.m. They picketed with signs demanding, “FAIR CONTRACT NOW” before their bargaining session with PSU administration, where they continued negotiating for a Cost of Living Increase (COLA) for adjunct faculty.

In the July 28 bargaining session, PSUFA responded to PSU’s offer of an 8% COLA—which would cost the university $3.3 million—and continued their fight for a 10% COLA, health insurance, retirement benefits and more. PSUFA has stated they are ready to take collective action if their minimum demands remain unmet.

“PSU’s maximum demands do not meet adjunct’s minimum demands,” said Mayra Vasquez-Garcia—a representative for the American Federation of Teachers—at the march. “We’re here to let them know that it’s just not enough, especially when adjunct faculty teach almost 40% of the classes. $3.3 million is just not enough. [We are looking for] a thoughtful response—a response that actually takes into

consideration the things that adjunct faculty have said at the bargaining table and puts that forward in writing.”

Adjunct Professor Kjerstin Johnson explained how the July 28 march was a final push to demonstrate PSUFA’s power and support.

“PSU—like many universities—is powered by adjunct teaching,” Johnson said. “We are hoping to get pay equity with full-time faculty, so we wanted to gather up our folks and show [the PSU administration] what this means to us.”

According to the PSUFA bargaining recap blog, the PSU administration was visibly rattled by PSUFA’s demonstration.

“The fight is not over, and we adjuncts will keep demanding a fair contract until we get one—sending the message to Administration loud and clear that we are worth more and that our students deserve more,” the blog stated. “The PSUFA Bargaining Team’s parting message to [the] administration on [July 28] was simple: we are willing to continue negotiating, but the total allocation must be significantly larger—our bargaining unit will not accept the current allocation.”

PSUFA will continue bargaining for a fair

contract, with the next bargaining tentatively scheduled for Aug. 18. Bargaining sessions are open to the public, and PSUFA urges supporters to attend these meetings to show their support for equal pay for part-time faculty.

According to the blog, PSU denied a 10% COLA for adjuncts because it is in a $20 million financial hole, stating it only has $3.3 million to allocate to part-time faculty.

The PSUFA’s current proposal would cost the university roughly $8 million over two years— increasing the adjunct’s share of the total university budget from 3.1% to 4.3%. With over 1,000 adjuncts who teach roughly 40% of PSU’s student credit hours, the blog explained that PSU’s offer of an 8% increase is not enough.

“The budget crisis the university has found itself in should not mean perpetuating our part-time poverty,” the blog stated. “Adjuncts did not create this crisis, and its solution should not be laid at the feet of PSU’s already underpaid faculty.”

When Portland State Vanguard reached out for a comment, PSU referred to their statement quoted in our previous article. “The Office of Academic Affairs continues to work together with PSUFA to find solutions,” PSU stated.

“A week or two before the terms began, I would have no certainty that I would be teaching,” Touhouliotis said. “It’s detrimental to education to have a teaching force that doesn’t know, from term to term, if they will even be teaching. There’s so much insecurity around our jobs. Obviously, you want to have instructors who are not worried about what they are going to do or how they are going to house themselves. A significant portion of our bargaining unit struggles with basic things like food and housing security[…] The basic needs we have as human beings need to be secured for us to be good teachers, and PSU is just not providing that.”

PSUFA is scheduling more bargaining sessions. Touhouliotis said a poll of their members indicated a willingness to participate in collective action if the PSU administration does not meet their minimum demands.

“The results of the poll unambiguously demonstrated a desire to unite in some form of collective action if necessary for the contract we deserve,” the blog stated.

Touhouliotis clarified that university’s reliance on cheap, adjunct labor is a national phenomenon. Yet, she explained that this widespread phenomenon does not make the situation at PSU any less scandalous.

“What’s happening at PSU is a scandal,” Touhouliotis said. “The university is not paying adjuncts fairly or equally, and they’re relying on the unpaid labor of adjuncts to do a lot of the essential work of teaching[…] They’re not investing in students and faculty in the way that they need to be, especially in this critical moment of crisis that the university is facing[…] Adjuncts are a deep part of this institution. Many of us have been here for many years, and we deserve to be paid equally.”

DEMONSTRATORS SURROUND BOARDROOM WITH “FAIR CONTRACT NOW” SIGNS ON JULY 28. COURTESY OF PSUFA

ALYSSA ANDERSON

PSU RESEARCH COULD TRANSFORM PORTLAND’S ENERGY CONSUMPTION

EXPLORING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE HEATING AND COOLING

When discussing new energy, geothermal might not be the first thing which comes to mind for most people, but it has potential to be a locally-sourced, renewable energy which creates a more sustainable future for Portland and cities all over the U.S.

Many places worldwide utilize natural hotspots to generate electricity through geothermal power. Special technology can harness this energy to generate electricity or heat buildings. It’s clean, sustainable and doesn’t produce harmful greenhouse gasses, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

While the Portland basin does not have a hot spot, there is stable stagnant water which can be used as storage for heating and cooling buildings internally. This would rely on traditional means of heating and cooling—which create large emissions—significantly less.

The recent study—which researchers from PSU’s geology department participated in—primarily focuses on the various applications of geothermal energy, particularly for large-scale building projects with an emphasis on heating and—more importantly during the summer—cooling.

Where heating is a well-established right provided by landlords, Oregon only recently passed a bill allowing renters to have an air conditioning unit. Summers are getting hotter globally, and we need a change in how we cool down, which doesn’t rely on everyone having access to air conditioning and the electricity bill accompanying it. We need an adaptive infrastructure so that Portland can be more energy resilient.

John Bershaw—head of the Portland State geology department—employed an interdisciplinary approach to the complexity of this evolving issue, focusing on an equitable way of advancing widespread energy capacity which doesn’t necessarily need to travel long distances to get here.

“We want our critical infrastructure to be resilient—to have multiple ways to function,” Bershaw said. “And so having something that’s local like that, where it’s literally getting heat from underground underneath the hospital, doesn’t require infrastructure. It doesn’t require trains. It doesn’t require power lines. It doesn’t require pipelines, etc. That is really attractive.”

Conventional geothermal energy is already in Oregon, mostly in Klamath Falls. We have directly explored the use of geothermal en-

ergy using the volcanic temperatures, which created a geothermal gradient for use in places like Newberry, Oregon.

When it comes to Portland, “we don’t have a bunch of magma under our feet,” Bershaw said. “Thermal gradient under Portland is actually really low.”

Jonathan Fink—a PSU geology professor—focuses on making cities more sustainable, participating in various projects across the city.

“Just with the idea that under the campus, if

you go down a few hundred feet, the temperature stays stable and around 40 or 50°F,” Fink said. “And so you can just circulate water down there, get that temperature and use it for heating and cooling the campus.”

When circulating that water underground, it goes through a very specific process. “The idea here is what if we use that rock in the subsurface, which I’m going to call a reservoir,” Bershaw said. “What if we use that rock as a thermal battery?”

This framework of deep, direct-use would go farther down than any aquifer taking water past our clean water aquifer to pockets of stagnant water in which we would establish reservoir thermal energy storage.

The reservoir would be designed to have excellent thermal insulation to minimize temperature exchange to the surroundings, similar to a battery. This is crucial to preserve the stored thermal energy until it becomes pertinent for use in the winter months. Leveraging cool temperatures, they can also circulate cool water through buildings for natural cooling, switching between hot water reservoir and cool water reservoir.

However, given the lack of warm temperatures below our feet, the way we use the water to heat our buildings is a slightly different process than the way we have used geothermal energy in the past.

This plan works in conjunction with other power sources—such as solar—which helps capture heat for the reservoir where it’s then stored for potentially chilly winters. This is especially important when other heat sources aren’t as reliable as we need them to be

Bershaw is one of many experts who works with organizations and city officials to build a model of Portland which explores the possibility of using geothermal energy to improve temperature regulation in the city.

The process does have drawbacks. It is initially quite expensive and timeintensive to facilitate. This technology requires a substantial infrastructure investment, including underground structures, piping for circulating hot or cold water and properly insulating buildings to maximize the benefits of this technology.

Moreover, there were concerns about risks which appear with fracking. When fracking takes place and people inject a lot of water into the subsurface, it can create a micro-earthquake. It provides innovations which can create an adaptive city by creating cooling and warming solutions. This locally provided energy source could provide “low carbon footprint energy in addition to resilient energy,” Bershaw said.

With temperatures and the demand for cooling in cities increasing, we are only going to see needs for this technology increase. It provides innovations which can create an adaptive city by creating cooling and warming solutions which locally provide “low carbon footprint energy in addition to resilient energy,” Bershaw said.

CAMERON RODRIGUEZ

DANA IVES

SUMMER HEAT MAKES PSU HOUSING UNINHABITABLE

THE UNIVERSITY FAILS TO PROTECT STUDENT HEALTH

Portland State campus housing is unlivable during the summer.

Portland State Vanguard wrote about this topic previously. Unfortunately, the issue has not improved. As average high temperatures hit 85.9°F in July, student housing remains as miserable as ever. It’s time for the university to make a change.

I want to share some of my own experience for context. I currently live in Blumel Residence Hall. Blumel is an old building— built between 1986–1988—designed to handle Oregon winters. Each unit has carpeted floors, thick cinder-block walls and small windows which only partially open at a sub-45° angle.

It’s pretty nice in the winter but hellish in the summer. There is currently an air conditioning unit running all hours of the day in

Blumel’s lobby, and the room temperature stays around 78°F. In my room without air conditioning, it’s much worse. My bed registers at 81.3°F around 11 a.m. That’s after a relatively cool day and an entire night of blowing cold air in through the window. It’s much worse during the hours of peak heat.

At any given time, the temperature inside my unit is about 10°F hotter than it is outside. That’s practically uninhabitable. Blumel is so unbearably hot during the summer for multiple reasons—all of which compound on one another.

First is the windows. They open less than six inches—shorter than the length of my hand— and point downward instead of outward. These minuscule openings hardly allow any air to pass through, meaning air circulation is dramatically impaired—even with a powerful fan. It’s

impossible to get the hot air out and the cold air in fast enough to keep up with the day’s heat.

Second is the carpets. Besides a few exceptions—such as the kitchenettes and bathrooms in each unit—nearly the entire building has carpeted floors. Carpet is a thermal insulator, meaning it stops heat from circulating around the space. Non-carpeted floors are typically better thermal conductors, allowing heat to easily transfer from the floor to the rest of the living space.

Third is that Blumel is in what’s called an urban heat island, similar to other PSU residence halls—such as Broadway, Ondine and Stephen Epler. This is where structures such as buildings, roads and asphalt lots absorb and reflect heat more than areas with tree cover. Urban heat islands usually have daytime tem-

peratures 1–7°F higher than comparable areas with tree cover, and nighttime temperatures are about 2–5°F hotter.

These issues magnify each other, leading to a situation where outside temperatures are consistently hotter than average while inside temperatures remain high day and night.

Similar to half the units in Blumel, my unit faces a large, unshaded, south- and east-facing parking lot which absorbs the worst of the heat during the day and continually reflects it back into the building.

Once that heat gets in, the inadequate window openings and insulated carpeted floors ensures the air inside remains hot and stagnant. Stagnant air is a significant health concern since it traps air pollution and can potentially cause respiratory

NICK GATLIN

OPEN WINDOWS OUTSIDE BLUMEL. ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD

distress and other health issues.

Additionally, high nighttime temperatures severely impair the body’s ability to sleep. According to a 2012 study, “heat exposure increases wakefulness and decreases slow wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep,” which are essential for functioning in daily life. Losing the ability to fall into deep sleep and REM sleep affects every part of one’s body, from one’s circulatory system to the immune system to brain function and mental health, according to the Cleveland Clinic

According to the National Weather Service, when Blumel finished construction in Aug. 1988, the average high temperature was 80.9°F. In Aug. 2022, the average high was 87.3°F. In the past few years, Portland experienced multiple hotter-than-average summers, such as

the 2021 heat dome event when temperatures exceeded 100°F for three consecutive days

It’s long-past time for the university to uphold its obligation to students’ physical and mental health, and do something—anything— about extreme heat in university housing.

Oregon Senate Bill 1536—also known as the Tenant Right to Cooling Bill—passed into law during the 2022 legislative session. It requires landlords to allow portable air conditioners and window-mounted air conditioning units under a list of conditions. For example, tenants cannot violate building codes when installing an air conditioning unit. Landlords can ban their use from October to April, however, they are not legally allowed to ban air conditioners altogether, as stated by the PSU 2022–2023 Housing Handbook

It’s unclear what the timeline will look like for PSU to comply with the new state law. Regardless, there are many steps they could take right now to fulfill their duty to protect student health.

First, the university could replace the window joints in each unit to allow windows to open fully. In their current state, air circulation is middling at best. Simply opening the windows completely would do wonders for moving air—and therefore heat—in and out of units.

Second, they can and should remove the carpeting in each unit and common areas. Carpet may have made sense in the 1980s, but it’s inadequate for the current climate.

Third, the university can work with the city to plant more greenery around campus, expanding shaded areas. The Park Blocks are an

excellent addition to downtown Portland. It’s clear when one compares the shady park to the unshaded areas surrounding it how much cooler it feels—even on the hottest days. While this would be a long-term project, the campus community would greatly benefit from getting a head-start on expanding green spaces now rather than later. I’ve written about the benefits of green spaces in urban areas, which are especially clear in the summer months. Whatever happens, it’s untenable for the university to continue to do nothing. Students pay the same amount of money to live on-campus in the summer as they do any other term, and the university essentially abandoning us is shameful. It’s time for PSU to step up and carry out its responsibility to safeguard student health.

INDOOR THERMOMETER READS 87.8ºF IN FRONT OF OPEN WINDOW AND FAN BLOWING OVER BOWL OF ICE IN BLUMEL. NICK GATLIN/PSU VANGUARD

BOWL OF ICE PLACED IN FRONT OF FAN IN AN ATTEMPT TO STAY COOL IN BLUMEL. NICK GATLIN/PSU VANGUARD

REFLECTING ON THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

SPORTS BRA PATRONS CELEBRATE EMPOWERMENT

The FIFA Women’s World Cup not only showcases the talent and skills of women athletes on a global scale, but has been able to transcend its role as a mere sports tournament by emerging as a powerful platform for promoting and empowering women in sports—igniting a sense of unity and community.

As the clock struck midnight on Monday, July 31, Portland State Vanguard joined fans gathered at the Sports Bra to witness the United States women’s national team square up against Portugal.

The Sports Bra—located at 2512 NE Broadway—was dubbed the first Portland bar dedicated to playing women’s sports and providing a safe space to do so.

In April of 2022, queer chef Jenny Nguyen opened the doors of this revolutionary bar which used to be the butt of jokes in conversations with friends. A little over a year later, they are selling out viewing parties of sporting events—such as the Women’s World Cup—within 20 minutes of releasing tickets.

“Seeing women come together to support and celebrate women’s sports gives you a sense of empowerment,” said patron Stephanie Pagan. “It’s very exciting because I grew up here only watching men’s sports. It’s about time to have bars filled with women watching sports, and we need more bars to play for women’s sports too.”

The tournament represents a pivotal moment, driving demand for greater representation and recognition of women in sports. Sports have long been recognized as a transformative force, capable of empowering individuals regardless of gender, race or background. Ryan Fitzgerald—a bar patron and soccer enthusiast—shared his experience and emphasized the impact of witnessing women athletes on the global stage. “It’s nice because you come here, you get the atmosphere, you get the people that you want to be around,” Fitzgerald said. “So you get great energy. Everybody’s happy to be here. It’s just a nice vibe.”

At the Sports Bra, patrons witnessed women breaking down barriers and overcoming societal expectations, dispelling age-old stereotypes about gender and sports. This empowered display of strength resonated with the audience—particularly women—who find inspiration and motivation to chase their dreams on and off the field.

The Women’s World Cup serves as a catalyst for breaking down gender-related barriers in sports. Kate Flowers—another bar-

goer—spoke about the significance of having a dedicated space for women’s sports. “This is exactly what we need,” Flowers said. “We are heading towards the apex of popularity, and to have a space where you can celebrate that—this is where you catch that movement.” She went on to highlight the importance of representation and the joy of watching women’s sports without facing challenges or judgment.

At the bar, discussions about female athletes’ accomplishments often lead to in-depth conversations about gender equality and providing equitable opportunities to all individuals. As barriers crumble and perceptions change, society can move closer to an even more inclusive and progressive future.

The tournament created an atmosphere of inclusivity, where fans bonded over shared emotions, irrespective of their differences. Strangers became friends, and barriers which might have otherwise existed started to dissolve—all in the name of sports.

As viewers witnessed women athletes’ skill, dedication and determination, they developed a more profound sense of empathy and understanding. This newfound understanding sparks conversations about the need for equal opportunities, fair treatment and recognition of women’s achievements in all spheres of life.

“You know, a lot of people always watch male-dominated sports, but coming here, it’s so comfortable,” said Malcolm Hayes, another patron. “I love women’s soccer and love to watch it. And I love seeing all of my friends and family be represented and be in a space where they feel heard and personable.”

In this way, the Women’s World Cup becomes more than just a sporting event. It drives societal change and fosters a more compassionate world.

Representation matters, especially in sports. The Women’s World Cup not only showcases female athletes’ abilities, but also serves as an inspiration for young girls and women worldwide. When young girls see their role models succeeding on the global stage, they become motivated to pursue their dreams, no

matter how ambitious they seem.

For Moe Brown, being able to witness a non-binary athlete on the world’s stage brought them pride. “I’m excited to watch the U.S. play, of course,” they said. “But I’m sad that Canada didn’t make it [further], because they have the first non-binary player— Quinn—on their team. It’s always good to see that representation and for the younger generation to see it.”

At the bar, patrons witnessed this powerful impact firsthand. In the community, they observed young girls’ eyes light up with hope and excitement, realizing that they could achieve greatness and break through the societal barriers placed before them.

The Women’s World Cup is a testament to the transformative power of sports, highlighting the immense potential they have to uplift, empower and unite individuals across the globe. Whether at the bar or beyond, let us continue celebrating and supporting women athletes as they inspire us all to reach for greatness.

LAURA KOWALL

FANS AT THE SPORTS BRA CHEERING ON TEAM USA. ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD FANS AT THE SPORTS BRA WATCHING USA VS PORTUGAL. ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD

WORKERS AT THE SPORTS BRA READY FOR USA VS PORTUGAL. ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD

2023 QUEER SCREAMS FILM FESTIVAL

WEEKEND OF LGBTQ+ HORROR FILMS AND PERFORMANCES

The first Queer Screams Film Festival—a three-day, LGBTQ+ horror film event—will occur at the Clinton Street Theater, Aug. 18–20.

The festival combines 31 short and feature films from local, national and international filmmakers. The festival lineup offers a variety of horror genres—including zombies, vampires, demonic possession, cabin-in-the-woods slashers and stories of one-night stands which take terrifying turns. The films span a wide breadth of horror subgenres, but LGBTQ+ themes and representation ultimately link each film together.

Those were the two requirements for entry into the festival. Films needed to be a horror-genre film containing LGBTQ+ representation, whether it be the characters on the screen or the actors and filmmakers behind it.

There will be live performances, special guests and several filmmakers and artists involved in the festival’s film selections.

Lynn Lowry—starring actress of Shivers and The Crazies—will host a Q&A between screenings of these films. A Q&A and live book reading with Sam Irvin—author, teacher and director of the 2001 horror-comedy Elvira’s Haunted Hills—will accompany the charity screening of this film. Proceeds of this screening will benefit a Portland-based LGBTQ+ charity cause.

Additionally, the festival will feature various drag performances, including a live production of Evil Babylon, Body Academics’ kink-positive, comedy-horror rock opera featuring a cast of Portland-based drag performers.

“It’s definitely gonna be a celebration and fun,” said JT Seaton, director of the festival. “The goal of the film festival is to create a community event. That’s why there’s so many live aspects to it.”

Queer Screams intends to be fun, festive and frightening, but it ultimately promotes positive queer representation in cinema— something still relatively new in media history.

“For years, queer representation was minimal—in horror and elsewhere,” Seaton said. “In horror, we were either the comic relief or the villain for many, many years.”

“One of the reasons why queer people and queer audiences gravitate toward horror films is because we identify with the Other,” he said. “We identify with being the outcast of society. We identify with being the final girl in the horror movie, because the final girl is usually the outcast of the group. She’s the shy one. She’s the virgin. She doesn’t fit in with the cool kids.”

“So we identify with that character, and we have to fight,” Seaton said. “We fight more and fight stronger than the other characters that get killed off very quickly. We’re the final girl, because we have to fight for our representation.”

By curating a schedule which elevates queer filmmakers and performers, Queer Screams establishes a space for positive role models and representation for and by the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think by having a festival like this and cluing people into, ‘Yes there is LGBTQ representation in horror films,’” Seaton said. “‘Yes there is a lot of that out there, just look for it—you’ll

start to see it more.’ So I think people will start to see it more by coming out of this festival.”

One feature screening at the festival is Andrew Scot Frink’s premier short film, In the Basement. “It’s a romantic drama with horror themes,” Frink said. “It’s this couple who’s just trying to figure out where they stand with each other while also experiencing this horrifying situation.”

Frink explained that the film’s inspiration is rooted in an experience of dealing with feelings of helplessness amidst tragedy.

Thus, In the Basement follows the story of Ian and Zachary— played by Rolly Stafford and Alexander Nickolas respectively—as they seek shelter from the Anomaly—voiced by Kate Horn— while at the same time being prevented from protecting others.

According to Frink, the queer dynamic between the lead characters actually developed after the romantic duo had been written. Only when it came time to name his characters did the plot realize a gay couple.

“I was getting towards that final act, and I decided, ‘Okay, it’s probably a good idea to name the characters now,’” said Frink. “The only names that came to mind were Zachary and Ian, so I realized, ‘Oh, I guess this is a gay love story,’ and it didn’t really change much about the film itself. I was looking at this from the perspective of people.”

The upcoming showcase will also feature Night Shift, a short film by talented creative Karlee Boon. This retro coming-of-age film follows best friends Cheryl and Darcy who are waitresses at a small-town diner and experience the horrific and unimaginable together.

Originally from Phoenix, Boon moved to Portland after high school and graduated from Portland State in 2021. “Once I got to Portland, I just connected with so many artists,” she said. “I found such an open, welcoming creative community here, so it kind of pushed me over the edge to kind of take the leap and decide that I want to pursue a more creative field.”

The story behind Night Shift grew from Boon’s desire to cultivate a strong female relationship. “It was kind of a healing process for me to remind myself what a really healthy, compatible and supportive female friendship can look like,” she said.

Themes of feminine empowerment, a search for community and freeing oneself from restrictive patriarchal pressures underscore the film’s detailed costume design, nostalgic cinematography work and gruesome effects.

“I really was interested in specifically making horror films that have a purpose and a meaning behind them,” Boon said. “Something that isn’t just bloody and gory and gross for the sake of being bloody and gory and gross.”

Boon explained that the storyline’s LGBTQ+ representation developed organically as well. Cheryl’s character would form an attraction to a punk-rock diner patron due to Boon’s own queer experience, but also thanks to the interpretation of the film’s lead actor.

“That didn’t really transform into what I think it became in the final film until I cast my lead,” Boon said. “The lead actor that I cast— their name is Marlowe Ostara—they’re nonbinary, they’re trans and when they read the script they immediately came to me and were like, ‘Yeah, Cheryl’s a lesbian.’”

The cast shot the film during overnight sessions at an actual Oregon diner. “Obviously, there were a lot of challenges to making a lowbudget, 28-minute short film,” Boon said. “I would say it was pretty ambitious for the resources that we had, but I really had such an incredible time doing it.”

Even as Boon plans to expand Night Shift into a full feature film, the short has already been granted various recognitions. The 2022 Horror Origins Film Fest chose Night Shift

as a selection, and it received the Best Sound Design award at the 2023 Portland Horror Film Festival.

As for Queer Screams, “I thought it would be really cool to be a part of a festival that is specifically uplifting and promoting queer voices in independent film,” Boon said. “I think that’s really important.”

Queer Screams supports established and up-and-coming filmmakers, but is also a source of inspiration for potential creators. “Maybe there are some students—some PSU students and filmmakers in the audience—that go, ‘Wow, I have been wanting to make a movie, been wanting to make a film, and now I’m inspired that I can tell my story,’” Seaton said.

MACIE HARRELD

MARLOWE OSTARA AND CHYNNA RAE SHURTS AS CHARACTERS CHERYL AND DARCY IN KARLEE BOON’S NIGHT SHIFT. COURTESY OF KARLEE BOON

LIL' BO, QUEER SCREAMS FILM FESTIVAL’S OFFICIAL MASCOT. COURTESY OF JT SEATON

ANDREW SCOT FRINK BESIDE THE ANOMALY FOR THE FILM IN THE BASEMENT. COURTESY OF ANDREW SCOT FRINK

THURS 8/10

EVENTS CALENDAR August 10–16

KAT LEON

REBECCA MARIMUTU: PORTRAITS

ADHERED

BLUE SKY GALLERY

NOON FREE

INNOVATIVE SELF-PORTRAITS ON WOOD, USING UNIQUE ADHESIVES AND DIGITAL TECHNIQUES

FRI 8/11

SAT 8/12 SUN 8/13 MON 8/14

NORTHWEST TROLL: WAY OF THE BIRD KING

NORDIC NORTHWEST CAMPUS

4:30 P.M.

PRICES VARY

UNVEILING OF THEIR FIRST GIANT, HANDBUILT TROLL MADE BY RECYCLE ARTIST THOMAS DAMBO

TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY BOHIO STUDIO

4 P.M. FREE

TWO DAYS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY, INCLUDING PORTRAITS AND FACE-PAINTING

LEGO MUSEUM WITH U-PAINT POTTERY DIRECTOR PARK 11 A.M.

FREE

LEGO ARTWORK, LUXURY LEGO JEWELRY, AND A DAY OF CREATIVE FUN AND PLAY

ST. JOHNS IN THE MIST BOTTLE & BOTTEGA

2:30 P.M.

$42 PER PERSON

STEP-BY-STEP PAINTING INSTRUCTION WITH DRINKS. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED.

TUES 8/15

CLUTCH

ROSELAND THEATER

MIDNIGHT

PRICES VARY

ROCK BAND FROM MARYLAND FORMED IN 1991

WED 8/16

BAND-MAID 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

MCMENAMINS CRYSTAL BALLROOM

MIDNIGHT

PRICES VARY

ALL-FEMALE JAPANESE ROCK BAND

TEA PARTY

FUSE THEATRE ENSEMBLE AT THE BACK

DOOR THEATER

7:30 P.M.

DONATIONS ENCOURAGED

CROSSDRESSER JOINS A CLUB, BUT HIS NEWFOUND FREEDOM THREATENS HIS MARRIAGE

MIX IT UP THEATER

OREGON CHILDREN’S THEATRE

3 P.M.

$260

FIVE CLASSES FOR AGES 7–10

HIGHLIGHTING A NEW ADVENTURE IN THEATER PERFORMANCE EACH SESSION

COMMUNITY WELLNESS CLINIC EARTH SPACE PDX

6 P.M.

PRICES VARY

SHORT, AFFORDABLE HEALING AND DIVINATION SESSIONS IN A COMMUNITY SETTING

YOGA CLASS

SELLWOOD COMMUNITY HOUSE

8 A.M.

PRICES VARY

HEALTHY AND SAFE MOVEMENTS FOR YOUR DAILY LIFE, GROUNDING YOU IN YOUR MIND AND BODY CONNECTION

YOUNG THE GIANT

MCMENAMINS HISTORIC EDGEFIELD MANOR

6 P.M.

PRICES VARY

ROCK BAND FROM CALIFORNIA FORMED IN 2004

PORTLAND BLUEGRASS SUNDAY JAM

WILSHIRE PARK

1:30 P.M.

$5

LIVE, IN-PERSON ACOUSTIC JAM SESSION. ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE

SHAKESPEARE’S JULIUS CAESAR

8648 NW OGDEN ST.

7:30 P.M.

FREE

POLITICAL INTRIGUE, BETRAYAL AND TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES UNFOLD. BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR.

DAISIES

5TH AVENUE CINEMA

6 P.M.

FREE FOR STUDENTS

STUDENT-RUN CINEMA PRODUCTION RUNNING ALL WEEKEND

GREASED

WELL WELL PROJECTS

12 P.M.

FREE

ART EXHIBITION OF 1978 FILM GREASE WHERE DANNY ZUKO IS A CARDBOARD CUTOUT OF JOHN TRAVOLTA WHICH SLOWLY DISINTEGRATES

POINTS OF INTEREST

BLACKFISH GALLERY 11 A.M.

FREE

PHOTOS REFLECT ON PAST EXPERIENCES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PHOTOGRAPHER AARON JOHANSON

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

BLACKFISH GALLERY 11 A.M.

FREE

SHOWCASING DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES OF NINE ARTISTS CELEBRATING COMMUNITY AND CREATIVITY

FREE

FOLKSONGS AND PUPPETRY WITH PORTLAND-BASED FOLK MUSICIAN RED YARN

KIDS MOVIES FOR $2

REGAL FOX TOWER

VARYING TIMES

$2

GREAT FAMILY MOVIES BROUGHT BACK TO THE BIG SCREEN

MISS ELECTRICITY

NORTHWEST CHILDREN’S THEATER AND SCHOOL

VARYING TIMES

PRICES VARY

A CAN’T-MISS SUPERHERO COMEDY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR

LLOYD CENTER

11 A.M.

FREE

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT WITH FOOD, BILLS, EMPLOYMENT, HEATH AND MORE

POETRY WORKSHOP

OREGON CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

1 P.M.

FREE

FIND YOUR VOICE THROUGH WRITING PERSONA POEMS USING FUN PROMPTS

COMMUNITY GARDEN VOLUNTEER DAY NAYA MAIN CAMPUS

10 A.M.

FREE

HELPING HANDS IMPROVE NATIVE

AMERICAN YOUTH AND FAMILY CENTER’S COMMUNITY GARDEN

COMMUNITY LUNCH AND RESOURCE FAIR OREGON CHANGE CLINIC

10 A.M.

FREE INDIGENINITY’S MONTHLY LUNCH, PLUS INFORMATION ON MULTNOMAH COUNTY’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES

PEOPLE’S FARMERS MARKET

PEOPLE’S FOOD CO-OP

2 P.M.

FREE

LONGEST RUNNING YEAR-ROUND MARKET IN PORTLAND