PQ Monthly June/July 2015 Edition

By Joe Paradise

PORTLAND

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Vol.3 No.6 June/July 2015

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HAPPY PRIDE, BE SAFE, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER It’s a privilege to assemble our Pride issue each year; it’s a time to take stock of our wildly talented queer movement and to assemble as many voices and perspectives as we can fit in our pages. This year, we had so many excellent prospects for printing we released supplemental online Pride content as an addendum to the print copy you’re holding in your gorgeous hands. It’s a great issue and we’re proud of our work and we hope you enjoy June’s PQ as much as we do, and as much as we enjoyed (labored) making it.

I’ve always said Pride is sort of my de facto New Year; Pride-to-Pride makes a lot more sense to me, and it’s probably the years in publishing talking. In queer media, Pride is like queer Christmas—it’s typically our biggest issue and we always have lots of events and people to cover. (Pride is so big, it usually stretches three months.) This past year has been phenomenal; Oregon basks in marriage equality; nonprofits are hard at work striving to create lived equality for everyone; we have a trans person on the cover of Vanity Fair. It’s pretty incredible. But, we still have work to do, as anyone fighting for racial, social, or trans justice can attest to. We must strive for lived equality for everyone; it’s a moral imperative we’ve written about many times (and we won’t stop anytime soon).

But there’s a troubling issue that hasn’t gotten a lot of ink in our pages. On May 29, two members of our community were beaten and punched for being gay. We have an extensive interview with the victims on p. 6, and although it’s troubling and triggering, we encourage you to read their story. It’s a cautionary tale and, unfortunately, a temperature check of the Entertainment District city officials champion. I talk about the various responses circulating the Internet and social media sites in my column on p. 31—and to avoid being repetitive, I won’t dive too deeply into that here. In short, no one deserves to be beaten for any reason—yes, sass included—and it’s appalling anyone would imply a queer person “asked for it” because they called upon wit—that’s saved their life in the past—to deal with a troubling situation. How many of us built walls around our true selves in adolescence to survive? How many of us used wit and humor to cope? Let’s not turn away from that now.

Their attack on the 29th wasn’t the first this year. It wasn’t even the first in May. And yes, though Rose Festival undoubtedly adds to the dangers queers face downtown, it is not the sole culprit. Two queers were attacked at the end of April in the same area. The more we tell those stories, the more people come forward to tell theirs. How many aren’t reported?

As I type this editorial, activists throughout the city are attempting to reactivate Q Patrol, which is a great step in helping create a safer Old Town.

We’ll have updates about how you can get involved posted online very

ON THE COVER

A huge thank you to every advertiser who helped make this edition possible; special thanks to the gay bars who support us month in and month out: Scandals, Crush, Stag, Local Lounge, Vault, Silverado—give them some of your Pride business.

The State of Queer Nightlife, a Temperature Check.................Page 4 Two Gay Men Gay Bashed in Old Town.....................................Page 6 A Message from Pride NW...........................................................Page 9 Portland’s Trans March, Building Community.............................Page 10 Mark Your Calendars: Peacock in the Park...............................Page 12 The Pride Party Guide You’ve Waited Your Whole Life For.........Page 20

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More Pride Events and Beyond...................................................Page 22

proudqueer.com

Disco Cruelty.................................................................................Page 25 A Cover of Pride: Darren Davis and Bluewater Productions ABOUT THE COVER: Our Pride 2015 cover comes to you by way of Bluewater Productions publisher Darren G. Davis and artist Joe Paradise.

Also an award-winning comic book writer, Davis’s original titles have been featured on everything from CNN to Perez Hilton. His Lost Raven made headlines for including one of the first HIV-positive protagonists in a YA graphic novel. Read his full story at PQMonthly.com.

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Take care of each other.

--Daniel Borgen

A SMATTERING OF WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE:

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

THE NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE OF PQ MONTHLY IS RIVENDELL MEDIA, INC. BRILLIANT MEDIA LLC, DBA EL HISPANIC NEWS & PQ MONTHLY.

soon. But the onus is not solely on us to keep ourselves safe; the City of Portland and Mayor Hales must make our community’s safety a priority.

They must hear us. (And we must report every single hate crime.) Enough is indeed enough and we simply cannot stand for any more violence against the LGBT community. (And all the trans folk reading this reply, “No shit”).

In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be telling all the victims’ stories—every single one who wants to. We must give voice to the voiceless and to keep pressure on city officials to act.

In the interim, a few safety tips if you’re caught in a precarious scenario as you’re out and about this Pride season— and summer (inspired by Andrew Shayde): 1. Travel in pairs or groups. Make sure your cell phone is charged. Call 911 immediately if you notice anything suspicious or threatening. The only way to make our voices heard is to use them; report everything.

2. Avoid large groups of men. “Large” means they outnumber you. Are all groups of men bad? No, but better safe than sorry.

3. Only answer to your name on the street. Your name is not “Hey, you,” so don’t respond to it.

4. Try to avoid engaging hecklers or angry harassers. Put on a stone face and walk toward a crowd or safety.

5. If all else fails, scream and run to a crowded place. If you’re knocked to the ground, try to protect your face and head.

6. Record any details you can. You never know what might help in a police investigation.

7. Call 911 if you feel unsafe at any time. Once you’re assured of your safety or a victim’s safety, report the incident. If you call the police, they will ensure you get medical treatment ASAP and they will remain with you until they collect a statement.

8. Do not live in fear. Let your queer flag shine and create safe community around you—of friends and supporters. Do reach out to us to tell your story. We want to hear it.

Pride is about celebration—we have lots of things to be proud of. So celebrate! Pride is also, unfortunately, a time to be vigilant and safe. So do that, too.

Clockwise from bottom left: Rupert Kinnard, Maria Peters Lake (center), Katey Pants (Roy G Biv), Summer Seasons, Darren Davis and Andrew Shayde (in the car), Honey Bea Hart, Mary Charming (Mr. Charming), and Jeremy Abe.

GLAPN’s Queer Heroes NW..........................................................Page 34 Plus: Rupert Kinnard, the Outright Theater Festival, Alexis Campbell Starr, a Lesbian Midlife Crisis, Being Queer in China, ID Check, The Lady Chronicles, This Ends Badly, Pretty, Witty, & Gay, and much more! Editor’s note: we had so much great content, we’ve added a special Pride edition online. There you can find a word from Planned Parenthood, and columns from Nick Mattos and Kathryn Martini. Not seeing what you want to see in our pages? Email Daniel@PQMonthly.com.

JUNE/JULY 2015 • 3

FEATURE

PORTLAND’S EVER-CHANGING QUEER PARTY LANDSCAPE

By Matt Pizzuti, PQ Monthly

ing our only lesbian bar, the E Room. A lot of really good people from our community have left; two of them I can There’s a good queer party somewhere in the city almost mention are Splendora (Lee Kyle) and Puppet. every weekend of the year, but during Pride season dozens PQ: What’s your favorite thing about the direction that happen all at once. We caught up with some of Portland’s it’s heading in now? top event planners to help you make the tough decisions Heater: Seeing some of the new faces and what some of about where to go Pride weekend—and gain their insights these queers and queens are doing is exciting! Like DieAna on how the city’s queer social scene is growing and changing. Dae, Shitney Houston, Staci Styl Lista and Ash St. DarKatey Pants: Control Top, Panty Raid ling—they’ve given life back to club kids and being more PQ: What Pride week events are Troll Drag than just giving face you involved in this year? and playing pretty pony. Although Pants: Queerlandia at Embers Shitney does give a real pretty Thursday, June 11 and Free Bleed face. at Vendetta Friday, June 12.

PQ: Finally, name one Portland PQ: In a few words, why should Pride event that you’re not perthose top everybody’s list of things sonally involved in but you defito do for Pride? nitely don’t want to miss (and Pants: They shouldn’t. I think why). there is so much talent and queer Heater: Queerlandia; I’ve only culture to absorb here. Pick somebeen once over the years, but it thing that vibes with you. was amazing and I have huge PQ: You put together a monthly respect for those throwing it. The Seattle event as well—how does party has a great concept, great Seattle’s queer nightlife compare Wesley Walton, of Mrs. and Twerk fame, is among those weighing on on the music, and a beautiful host. or differ from Portland?

Mary Charming: Gaycation state of queer nightlife. Photo by Mykl Fstr.

Pants: Oh Lord, so much. SeatPQ: What are you looking fortle vibes on my music way more. ward to at Gaycation this year?

Portland loves its ‘90s rap and Top 40 and while there is Charming: We have a few different things on the horinothing wrong with that, there is also nothing wrong with zon for this summer and fall! We’re bringing down guest DJs that not being my jam. from Seattle and San Francisco and working on incorpoPQ: Spread the love: What’s one PDX Pride event you’re rating more live music/performers in our event. not personally involved in but can wholeheartedly endorse?

PQ: Among Portland queer events, Gaycation is one Pants: Friday, June 12 at Lovecraft for OPEN WIDE, and that attracts many straight or non-LGBTQ people who are Sunday, June 14, a daytime scenario at Floyd’s Coffee Shop: curious about going to a queer event. Do you agree, and if For the Win. so what do you think has made it so universally inviting?

PQ: What’s one former queer destination or party in Charming: Gaycation is, and always has been, a party Portland that you would bring back if you could, and why? for us by us; it’s also one of the longest-running monthly Pants: None. I think nostalgia is ultimately reactionary queer parties at one of the most popular clubs, which most and has no place in my creative process. I think people other weekends hosts dance parties geared more towards should end their parties more often than they do. I want straight folks. We welcome fervent allies but also want to to see the queer parties of the future more than anything. make sure that Gaycation is a fun, safer space for the diverse Airick Heater: Blow Pony members of our own community.

PQ: How does this year’s event compare to what you’ve I feel like this is especially important to stress because done with Blow Pony last month, or even last year’s Pride? we have been losing so many of our own dedicated spaces.

Heater: Different queer artists, and more of them, local I’m sad there’s no dyke bar left in a town known for its queer and internationally known. It’s different from last month women’s communities and its long history of queer women because we put a bit more focus on the meaning of Pride, and music. There aren’t even that many gay bars anymore. So not the corporations who latch themselves onto our Pride our nights at mainstream clubs are some of the only things for our money. This is our eighth Queer Mutiny Festival, we have left. We want to make sure our lives, community, which was created to have an alternative to some of the and culture are celebrated here and most importantly, put other more high-profile events that don’t usually cater to first. If you’re an ally, make sure you’re keeping that in mind dirty queers during Pride season. when you choose to attend queer events. When that doesn’t PQ: Over the last few years Portland has grown up into happen, I do my best to make sure folks feel comfortable a national destination for queer people, with a lot of new- approaching myself or security to best address the situation. comers arriving, and a lot of people leaving too. What’s one PQ: Gaycation is also one of the longest-running recurthing you miss about Portland’s queer nightlife of seven or ring queer parties in Portland. How do you think Portland’s eight years ago? queer nightlife in general has evolved over the years?

Heater: I miss BOOTY, the Dirty Duck, and the Original Charming: I feel like there’s been a shift in what types Eagle PDX. Seems we’ve lost a lot of LGBTQI spaces includ- of events folks choose to attend. Gaycation is in its ninth

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year and will turn 10 this coming February. Back when we first started, there was still a pretty active live music scene in the queer community. Gaycation booked live bands and musical performers regularly. Over the years, folks seem to respond more to events centered around dancing and DJs, or at least with that as a main element. I think this is partially because of the general shift in popular music to things that are more dance-centric. I do feel like it’s starting to swing back in the other direction, so to speak. With festivals like Not Enough that focus on queer music and art, events like Lez Stand Up and Testify, there’s definitely a lot more diversity in the type of events that can thrive and be supported in the Portland queer community.

PQ: Name an old party or club in Portland that you’d resurrect if you could—and why?

Charming: Dirtbag! It didn’t end that long ago, but I know I’m not the only who misses it nor the only one who held it as a favorite. Dirtbag always reminded me of the queer punk house shows I would go to when I first moved to Portland 15 years ago. It was always a place for getting wild on the dance floor, sloppy make-outs and amazing music.

Wesley Walton: Mrs./Queen, Twerk, Maricon PQ: What events are you helping to put together this year for Pride?

Walton: This year for Pride I will be doing Queen, of course, which normally happens on second Saturdays all year-round, only now we have a million other things happening the same night. The night before I will be doing an event called Titty Pop with Summer Russell (DJ II Trill), with whom I collaborate for my parties Twerk and Slo’ Jamz. Slo’ Jamz is normally second Fridays, but this year we wanted to do something more high energy, so Titty Pop will feature booty bass, bounce music, Miami bass, and club-type jams. I’m also a featured guest at Shade in Seattle for their Pride, which is an event created by my friend Alea Mahone (DJ Riff-Raff).

PQ: A lot of people are curious about how Mrs. grew up and became Queen.

Walton: Mrs. was originally created with a larger cast of characters. There were originally four DJs and we had the same photographer every month, my friend Ally Picard (Bloodhound Photography). Eventually, people moved, people broke up, and we were left with the core creative group of myself, Ally, and Casey Minatrea (DJ Beyondadoubt).

About a year ago, Ally decided to move to L.A. We brought on Kaj-Anne Pepper as our host and have been working with different photographers. Our vision was always to celebrate “queens” of all shapes and sizes, genders and non-genders, to celebrate what our audience finds fabulous about themselves and each other.

PQ: There seems to have been a shift in Portland over the last few years from a city with a more defined “gayborhood,” plus a gay nightlife district in “Vaseline Alley,” to a city where the events and spaces are more spread out.

Queen is, of course, up north on Mississippi. Do you think that has any impact on Portland’s queer culture in general?

Walton: For me, I never really felt a part of the Vaseline Alley crowd. I went to those places (CC’s, Red Cap, Boxxes, etc.) occasionally, but I grew up a weirdo! I was goth in high QUEER PARTY LANDSCAPE page 8

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JUNE/JULY 2015 • 5

FEATURE

“I CAN’T QUITE RELAX”: ANOTHER GAY BASHING IN OLD TOWN

By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly

shoved Gary out of his way—and that he cut in front of us.

He swung at me once, missed, puffed up again, swung a As first reported online by PQ on June 2, two gay men second time, landed a punch, cracked open my forehead. were assaulted in Old Town on Friday, May 29. They were While I was on the ground he swung at Gary, who had attacked on NW Fourth and Davis while standing in line gotten in front of me, hitting him on the side of his head. at the taco truck that routinely sets Then he ran off. Our friends had up shop on that corner; the attack left 30 seconds before, there was occurred around 11:30pm, close to the no one else around, just us and the city’s busy entertainment district, and taco vendor. When he first looked there were no witnesses aside from the at us, it was fear, I saw the fear in victims and the gentleman taking their his eyes. Then he probably noticed order at the food truck. Both victims my drawn-on eyebrows—I wasn’t believe they were attacked because in face [drag makeup] or anythey’re gay. thing—something triggered in “My friend Gary and I were out him, he went from fearful to angry and about,” says Daniel Pulver, aka in a split second.”

Madame DuMoore, who works as a Pulver was taken in by CC’s staff bartender at the Rainbow Room. “We and sent to the hospital, where he had gone to Stag, Embers—where we stayed overnight; he received sevran into some of our friends. We had eral stitches, a CT scan, and conour drinks and were on our way back cussion tests. to CC Slaughters—but Gary wanted “I was so shocked,” says Gary tacos. Because we always use the LeBlanc, who also works as a barbuddy system, we told our friends to “I feel violated,” says Madame DuMoore of CC Slaughters. tender at CC’s. LeBlanc suffered head to CC’s and I’d wait with Gary to get food [at Fourth significant swelling on the left side of his head. “I was and Davis]. As we were paying for our tacos, a Caucasian shocked and then immediately felt guilt and shame. I wish man, about 5’8” or so—he was really muscly—pushed his I had done more [to protect Daniel], but it all happened so way in front of us to order. fast—I got in the way of the guy’s fist, because it looked like I leaned over to Gary and said, ‘Oh my, what manners. he was about to go in on Daniel again, and he was already At least his butt is nice.’ He turned to us and said, ‘Is this on the ground bleeding. I lived in such a bubble before; some kind of gay shit?’ I replied, ‘We’re just here trying to get nothing like this has ever happened to me. I thought gay tacos.’ Then he jumped us. I was trying to explain to him, bashings were a thing of the past. I mean, if I were in my before he got violent, that he was being rude—he literally hometown in Arkansas, maybe I’d understand, but this is

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Portland fucking Oregon. This isn’t supposed to happen here. I sissy my walk everywhere I go, to the gym, to Safeway. I’m just so shocked and it is so jarring.”

“I wasn’t trying to egg the guy on or make him feel uncomfortable,” says Pulver. “I made a comment to Gary— it kind of goes into, and I am just going to say it, a double standard. Guys like him [the assailant] can go into Dirty [a few blocks away] and say nasty comments about women all night long, and they have to take it. He had cut in front of us, so I used my wit and my sass, and I owned it when he turned around to confront me. I was just trying to convey how rude he was being. He had literally pushed Gary out of the way. The push was violent.”

The outpouring of support from the community has been constant since word of the attack spread on social media sites. “There have been a lot of people who have told me their own stories [of being attacked],” says Pulver.

“When something like this happens, we have no choice but to band together, to come together and rise up. Yeah, we have our cliques and our groups, but when we realize we all suffer the same, that suffering like this is indiscriminate—we come together. This year it was me, last year it was someone else. I mean, it’s sad to say it always happens this time of year [Rose Festival], but it does.

“Support from the community has been tremendous— constant and very sweet.

“But the worst thing about the whole experience is that I felt guilty that I wasn’t going to be able to paint [in drag] for some time, which seems little and insignificant—for me it’s a really big and important thing,” adds Pulver. “It’s something I do for myself, my friends, my fans, for the community; that was the initial guilt, I didn’t even realize until GAY BASHING IN OLD TOWN page 7

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“My bubble has been burst,” adds Gary LeBlanc of CC Slaughters

GAY BASHING IN OLD TOWN Continued from page 6

I was halfway to Slaughters that I was gushing blood. It’s a really weird thing to feel guilty about, but it’s the first thing that crossed my mind; it’s part of my job, and I felt guilty about not being able to do my job properly. My health was our first concern. I also felt bad for my companion, Gary; he didn’t deserve that. I was the one who made the smartass comment, which in my mind was no way aggressive or anything—but whatever, bad reaction occurs, take it out on me, don’t take it out on him.”

Both victims—and much of CC’s staff—have called on law enforcement to be more vigilant in the Entertainment District, citing multiple reports of similar incidents around Old Town. “There are always cops on Fourth and Couch and Third and Couch. As a police officer, you’d think you’d be trained to be vigilant, to watch for altercations—how no one saw a guy throwing punches at us, a guy in a bright blue shirt, and then running away, that’s beyond me,” says Pulver.

As for coping, their approach has been the same. “We both tried to be funny about it,” says LeBlanc. “We tried to use humor to diffuse the seriousness of it. Lots of people have been like, ‘What’s wrong with you [because you reacted that way]?’ There’s nothing wrong with us, that’s just the way we chose to process it. Bring it to light, make a situation known, do something, but try not to wallow in it.”

At the time of the incident, both men focused on the immediate health and well-being of Pulver, who was bleeding profusely. Pulver has since reported the incident to Portland Police.

After our interview with Pulver and LeBlanc, PQ chatted with Officer Rashida Saunders at the Old Town Precinct.

She says Portland Police encourages any victim of a hate crime to immediately report the incident by calling 911.

The Oregon Department of Justice also has a site set up to investigate potential hate crimes. PQ encourages those enjoying the city’s Entertainment District to travel with friends, and to always carry your mobile device.

“It’s not shame I feel now, it’s violation,” says Pulver. “I feel violated, and I feel like I am waiting for the next time it’s going to happen. I can’t quite relax.”

“My bubble has been popped,” adds LeBlanc. “I have never really felt unsafe in this city, but now I feel unsafe, and I feel like I am feeling that out now, and learning what that looks like in day-to-day living.”

If you have any information about this incident, please contact Portland Police. This is first in a new series examining ongoing violence against LGBT folk in Portland’s Entertainment District. Daniel Borgen, the author of this piece, offers personal commentary on this incident on p. 31. pqmonthly.com

PQ Monthly is published the 3rd Thursday of every month.

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QUEER PARTY LANDSCAPE Continued from page 4

school and I always felt those places were sort of like gays emulating the mainstream (not to mention I hated most of the music). I think that popular culture has driven those types of places into semi-extinction mainly because “the underground” parts of gay culture are so much more overground these days and everyone is more comfortable with their weirdness (thank you, Internet).

I always think there is a difference in how venues cater to crowds on the West- and East- sides. The Westside venues seem to be geared a bit more toward mainstream people who might have a little more money. All my favorite venues on the Eastside have a bit of grit to them; there’s still an element of punk that, for me, makes them more relevant.

I think it’s nice for the queer community to have choices that are closer to their own neighborhoods; not having to venture downtown to possibly be harassed by drunk jerks.

PQ: Aside from Queen (or any other event you’re personally involved in), what’s one Pride season event you highly recommend that everybody add to their itinerary?

Walton: Bridge2Destiny. It’s being thrown by a group

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of folks who are all homies of mine. It’s a warehouse party and goes till real late, so definitely check it out as an afterparty scenario.

Samuel Thomas — Local Queen, Big Gay Boat Ride, Branx mastermind PQ: What Portland Pride week events are you helping to set up this year?

Thomas: This year I am helping Testify try out a new venue (Killingsworth Dynasty) on Thursday evening. Then my biggest projects are the Big Gay Boat Ride on the Portland Spirit and #ProHomo at Branx, both of which take place on Sunday.

PQ: What kind of audience do you find it easiest to cater to?

Thomas: That’s a tough question! I try hard to make events that cast a wide net; I like to make parties fun for everyone (granted, most are 21+); Portland is too diverse to just pick a single niche.

PQ: You used to be manager at Red Cap, a former gay bar on Stark that is now closed. How do you think Portland’s LGBTQ culture is changing now that the former gay district on Vaseline Alley has mostly disintegrated?

Thomas: Portland has gone on to become much more disconnected; it seems like most of the LGBTQ community

sticks now to neighborhoods and smaller venues, coming out only once or twice a month for large parties.

PQ: On the bright side, what’s one thing you like about the direction that Portland’s LGBTQ nightlife is going in now?

Thomas: I love seeing how many new faces are popping up and trying new ideas, events and concepts! It’s a tough time in Portland for artists and innovators, so I look forward to seeing where we are a year from now.

PQ: Finally, let’s spread the love a little bit. What’s one Pride event you’re not personally involved in but readers shouldn’t miss?

Thomas: How could I pick one? Pride weekend is the one time Portlanders all come together and come out nearly every day to celebrate and have a good time. It’s amazing to see and I wish I could see it every weekend. But if I was going to have to pick just one, I’d say Flare, since the lineup is spectacular and it’s a brand new concept (full disclosure, my first thought was Queerlandia, but I am helping host Carla Rossi behind the scenes... so I’m kinda involved).

Ed. note: For a complete list of Pride events, see our exhaustive Pride Guide on p. 16. Also, our monthly print calendar can be found on p. 20.

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NEWS FEATURE

BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

By Debra Porta, Pride NW President

The last year has seen a number of positive moves forward for the LGBTQ community. More and more queer couples around the country can marry. In Oregon, we reached our one-year anniversary of the right to marry. Members of the Trans* community are able to worry a bit less (a bit) about being discriminated against in the workplace (at least in certain sectors). LGBTQ visibility is at an all-time high. At the same time, an undercurrent of “something isn’t quite right” filters through our community. A community-wide sense of unease and uncertainty seems to have set in over the last year—truth be told, longer than that. Reasons for this are, in some cases, obvious.

From our perspective, winning rights and gaining equality within the larger society rings a bit hollow as long as our queer community’s members of color still have to watch over their shoulders because of the color of their skin. There is still much work to do, as long as our alter-abled family is ignored in their needs and contributions, and our LGBTQ elders are afterthoughts.

Photo by Stephanie Diller As long as 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBTQ-identified, we have not arrived. As long as we establish a standard of who is an “acceptable” queer—and who is not—community will remain difficult to build. And, as long as we remain unable or unwilling to build real community, we will continue to wake up—as I did recently—to news of another of our own being attacked, bashed, and harmed.

A lot about Pride Northwest has changed in the eight years I have been involved in the organization. We’ve made friends and we’ve lost friends. Board members have come and

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gone. Finances have followed the ups and downs of our country’s larger economy. Some years have seen rain while others have shone brightly. (Andy Bell can bring his sunshine back to Portland any time!) One thing has remained steadfast about Pride Northwest— our commitment to community. Our guiding vision and unshakable priority has been to create a home in which everyone under the alphabet soup umbrella can find their place and be welcome—and to ensure that the visibility, work, and leadership of the LGBTQ community involves and engages ALL of that community.

Earlier this year, we made the decision to put our money and our time where our vision is, and engage in the reorganization of Q Center. That was not an easy decision for us.

There had existed a very serious rift between our organizations for a number of years.

We didn’t collaborate, didn’t communicate, and barely acknowledged each other, should we periodically end up in the same room. But we knew that what was most important to us as an organization—the health and vitality of our community—was more important than any slight or offense ever could be. We knew that, if we were going to honor what Pride means to us, we had to step up. If our vision for what is possible in our community was going to mean anything, or ever come to fruition, it would be because we did it together. Now, I don’t know exactly what the future holds for Q Center. But I do know that Pride Northwest will continue to do what we do best—and that’s build community.

Speaking of building community, just a couple of days ago, Pride Northwest was one among many in a room of organizational representatives from all across Oregon. Most were LGBTQ, but a great many were organizations working in the Black, Latino, and API communities who have also begun to actively engage with the LGBTQ-identified members of those communities. It was one of the most diverse and broadly attended LGBTQ organizational meetings I had ever attended. Even then though, I knew that many in our community were still not represented at that table. Pride Northwest will work to continue building more and more inclusiveness into what, by all indications, is a long-haul process.

With another Portland Pride celebration just days away, Pride Northwest is also reflecting upon our own direction. We have come through some tough times and are looking ahead to growing as an organization, and to being part of building a strong, resilient, and inclusive (without that, we will never be strong or resilient) LGBTQ community. I’ve said many times before—Pride will always reflect those who are involved and engaged. We invite you to engage, to be part of writing Pride Northwest’s next chapter.

JUNE/JULY 2015 • 9

NEWS FEATURE

PORTLAND TRANS MARCH 2015: FINDING STRENGTH AND LOVE IN COMMUNITY

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

On Saturday, June 13, for the second consecutive year, Portland will be home to a Trans Pride March. This year’s event, which is themed “Trans Visibility is Life and Death,” and which welcomes allies, family members, and friends, begins at 2pm in the north park blocks, where speakers and entertainers will perform, with the march itself commencing at 3:30.

For the event organizers, the march is about strengthening community, and revealing a unified face to the world.

“It’s for us, as the marchers, to send the message that whether we’re trans women or trans men, or genderqueer or non-binary, we care about each other, and we’re there for each other,” says organizer Trystan Angel Reese. Fellow organizer Emma Lugo concurs: “The march is important, because it’s an exercise in community building,” Lugo says. “I think the trans community

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has become splintered here in Portland. With this march, though, people have a chance to come together and work as a community.”

The march’s theme focuses on the epidemic of suicide—particularly youth suicide—in the trans community.

On May 24, Kyler Prescott of San Diego became the 11th trans youth to kill themself this year. Bullying and harassment underlie nearly all these deaths. The march organizers, who have formed the group Portland Trans Unity, believe visibility can help counter the stigmas and despair that contribute to such acts.

“For me, being trans has always been lonely,” Reese says. “All those nights I spent lying awake when I was young, wondering what was wrong with me were very difficult. That feeling is part of why it’s dangerous to be a trans person. I think that’s why we’re targeted, because people think no one’s

going to stand up for us. For all the people who see this march, though, they’ll know we’ll stand up for each other.”

It’s a sentiment Lugo shares.

“We still have so many rights we’re denied,” she says.

“We still commit suicide. We’re still bullied. Our families still shun us. This is a chance to come together and demand our rights. When I talk to trans people about the march, they’re excited. They understand intuitively why we need to be there.”

The pre-march program at the park blocks will feature a variety of speakers and performers, including former Basic Rights Oregon Policy Director, and current Gender Justice League Executive Director Danni Askini, and Jayce Marcus, the George Fox University who has sued the school for the unequal treatment he’s received as a trans man. Also on hand will be Two Spirit activist and Basic Rights Oregon Trans Justice fellow Phoenix Singer, trans performer Jesse Paradox and several others.

Reese believes the variety among those who perform and those who gather and march is a great strength of the event.

“There’s something to the huge diversity of the people who’ll be there,” he says. “I’ll be there with my partner and kids. I imagine there will be people who look very fabulous with amazing shoes and outfits, and people in business suits. The diversity shows there’s a million ways to be TRANS MARCH 2015 page 11

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FASHION

TRANS MARCH 2015 Continued from page 10

trans. Nobody’s doing it wrong.”

The current iteration of the Trans March is not the first in Portland. Another was staged a few years back, which, because of its planning and organization, has come to be viewed by some as a cautionary tale.

“There was a march in 2009,” Lugo says.

“It was in a historically black community in Portland, and there was a feeling that those staging the march were being insensitive about their surroundings. It was seen as a bunch of organizers coming in and being clueless about the community, and things fell apart with the march after that.”

It’s a lesson from which Lugo and her colleagues have learned. “This year we’re trying to be cognizant about that. When we’re putting together our speakers we want to represent the entire community to the best of our ability.”

The Trans March is affiliated with Pride NW, which has helped it secure permits and police support, and which Reese praises for “standing in steadfast support” of the organizers’ efforts. Lugo says she draws great energy and inspiration from Trans Pride Unity’s organizing model.

“In our planning we’re trying to be non-hierarchical,” she explains. “We operate by a consensus model, so everyone comes along and no one feels bullied. For a

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lot of us on the committee, the Trans March is a refuge where we can practice our values.

It’s so nice to be somewhere where I feel safe to speak as a trans woman, because— as a trans woman—I don’t feel safe in a lot of places.”

To support their efforts, Reese says Portland Trans Unity initiated a fundraising effort. A success, the campaign raised $3,000 in only a few weeks, mostly through $10 and $20 donations. Lugo says approximately a fifth of the money collected has been put toward accessibility for people with disabilities, in the form of disability vehicles for the march and ASL interpreters.

Reese says his personal story helps make the counter narrative the march important for him. “I’m from a military town in the middle of the desert,” he says. “I didn’t grow up knowing anyone trans, or knowing that trans was a thing. I grew up believing the myth that no one would ever love me,” a myth he believes is still prevalent. The march, to Reese’s mind, offers a chance to share a different vision.

“With the march we’re celebrating our resilience,” he says. “No one had an easy time transitioning. We’ve all survived in a world that didn’t want us to, and that’s worth celebrating.”

“We truly don’t see many models of trans people in healthy, loving relationships,” he adds. “So when we come to the march with our parents, partners, family and friends, we show that we do have love.”

JUNE/JULY 2015 • 11

FEATURE

FEATURE

PEACOCK IN THE PARK: A LEGACY OF INCLUSION AND EDUCATION

By Amanda Schurr, PQ Monthly

PixPatisserie.Com

Find us on Facebook:

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2014 following a decade-long hiatus. “We did very little in the way of advertising, mostly word of mouth and social It is a Portland Pride institution, and a true innovator in media blasts, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Peters Lake a city known for its drag culture. But to speak with Maria explains. “Walking out on the stage and seeing the park full Peters Lake, the longtime matriarch of Peacock Produc- of folks took my breath away. I will never forget it.”

Crowds can expect the same celebratory atmosphere tions, Peacock in the Park is also a testament to not only a remarkable local heritage, but the future of the LGBTQ com- and stellar live and lip-synch performances that have made Peacock in the Park a perennial munity in more ways than one. favorite—Peters Lake says she The flagship event of Peahas heard it described as an cock Productions debuted back “annual family reunion.” It’s also in June 1987 as Peacock and the something of a rarity in Pride Roses, when entrepreneur and season—a family friendly drag entertainer Lady Elaine Peashow whose fundamental inclucock’s dreams of a drag show siveness appeals to all ages and in Washington Park came to fruwalks of life. “I am always surition. In the fall of that year, her prised when folks come in and mother, Audria M. Edwards—a say, ‘I was here when I was 7 and staunch gay rights activist— now I am 27,’ or by the people passed away. “[She] was warm, who brought their children and welcoming, understanding now their grandchildren. Someand loving,” Peters Lake says Peacock in the Park is one of the city’s most beloved traditions. times I think… Man, I am old!,” of Edwards, whose family of six says Peters Lake, laughing. children represented the full LGBT spectrum.

“What keeps it fresh is all the talent in Portland,” she Not only had Edwards been the second president of the Portland Chapter of Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays continues. “We are constantly being introduced to more (PFLAG), Peters Lake notes that she is now credited with and more people that want to participate.” Not that the being the first African American president of any PFLAG deceptively simple premise—a picnic, music, and a show— chapter in the country. Edwards was a shining example for is without its challenges. Peters Lake stresses that while Lady Elaine, Rose Empress XXIX of Oregon’s oldest LGBT Peacock in the Park is free to attend, it is critical that the nonprofit, the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court, and the com- thousands who flock to the event donate to the cause. The munity at large. And in the spring of 1988, Lady Elaine, Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund depends upon it.

“For a long time I thought if we just threw a great party, along with Misty Waters, Rosey Waters and Ray Southwick, established the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund in the money would come,” she says. “That kind of thinking is tribute to her mother’s commitment to continued edu- what caused us to stop the party in 2004. In the 10 years we cation. Peacock and the Roses was rechristened Peacock were off trying to do other things, we never stopped hearing in the Park and became the main fundraiser for the newly people say how much they missed Peacock in the Park. So created fund, which awarded its first scholarship in 1989. we decided to bring it back. Only this time we understand The event—a lavish, joyous presentation of drag, dance, that we have to be more direct and say, ‘Hey, we need your and live entertainment—grew in scale and popularity over money to continue!’ We also learned how to ask for help. the years, with crowds numbering in the thousands. Monies The fun [part] has been all the amazing people I’ve met raised benefited the post-secondary, undergraduate edu- over the past 20+ years and hearing all the stories about cation of a deserving LGBT student, or a student with an how much Peacock in the Park means to them.”

And what does Peters Lake think it would mean to Lady LGBT parent. But in October 1993, days after Peters Lake stepped up as Rose Empress XXXVI, Lady Elaine herself Elaine Peacock at this, the start of Pride 2015? Could she died. In hopes that her legacy, the scholarship fund, and its have imagined how far her namesake event, her mother’s primary fundraiser would continue, Peters Lake and Kim- namesake scholarship fund, and the LGBTQ community berlee Van Patten succeeded their friend and have shep- as a whole would have come? “If I had one wish, it would herded the event ever since. “It is always our intention to be to ask Lady Elaine Peacock this exact question,” Peters extend that loving, giving, inclusive spirit to our audiences Lake reflects. “At the time of their deaths, we were just the at Peacock in the Park and beyond in hopes that being who ‘gay’ community and we were fighting to survive the AIDS we are will someday be enough to unite communities and pandemic and the Oregon Citizens Alliance. But despite all the fear, oppression and homophobia of that era, Audria foster equality,” Peters Lake says.

That mission is bigger than just the audiences who and Peacock chose love, leadership, inclusion and educacome back year after year, generation after generation tion. They were pioneers in the fight for gay rights.”

“I’m sure they would be astounded by the progress we’ve for a summer afternoon in the park. With $250,000 raised to date, Peters Lake hopes Lady Elaine and Audria would made as a community and doubt they ever dreamed we’d be proud of what the organization, now a 501(c)(3) non- have gay marriage, whole TV shows built on gay characprofit, has accomplished. “We have people from all over ters and trans folks gracing the covers of Time and Vogue the state and Southwest Washington that have touched just 30 years after the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. We’ve come us with stories of strength and perseverance,” she shares. a long way and it is up to us to keep the memories of those “From single parents going back to school with their chil- we loved, who paved the way, alive.” dren to those who were the first in their family to go to colPeacock in the Park 2015 is Sunday, June 28, from noon lege, they have all told us receiving the gift of higher eduto 5 p.m., at the Washington Park Amphitheater, 410 SW cation was life-changing.”

Peacock Productions’ lineup evolved throughout the Kingston Ave., Portland. Bring a picnic or you may puryears to include a Peacock After Dark event, Soul Food chase food from concession carts onsite. No alcohol will be & Gospel Show, Medieval Feast, and an All-Ages Show at sold or served; however, you may bring beer or wine (no hard Darcelle XV Showplace. But the centerpiece of the organi- liquor). Admission is free, but donations are requested. For zation remained Peacock in the Park, which returned in more information, visit peacockinthepark.org. pqmonthly.com

FEATURES

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JUNE/JULY 2015 • 13

FEATURE

OUTWRIGHT: PORTLAND’S LGBTQ THEATER FESTIVAL

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

SAVE THE DATE! PQ PRESS PARTY July 16th • July 16, 2015, 5P.M.-7 P.M. Salvage Works (2024 N Argyle Street, Portland, OR 97217.) *This will be hosted by Salvage Works and Sponsored by Steve Strode REmax with art show by David Lynch.

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Lijoi’s new show, Under The Influence, is a satire, which examines the vices—coffee, cigBeginning June 14, a queer Portland tradi- arettes, alcohol—that populate our daily lives. tion continues, as the third annual OUTwright “Every little disgusting thing about people, Theatre Festival commences at the Funhouse we lay out there,” Tennant says. “But we do Lounge. A two-week LGBTQ theater festi- it with satire.” val featuring readings, workshops, and a full Tennant and Lijoi met through mutual musical production, OUTwright offers audi- friend J. Julian Christopher, an OUTwright ences a chance to take in new and developing veteran, who returns this year with the works from writers in the queer community. musical Oso Fabuloso and the Bearbacks, “I don’t think any art form has spoken to which concerns the titular Oso, a gay Latino the LGBTQ experience the way theater has,” bear struggling to recover from a breakup. says festival organizer Rusty Tennant. “I’m It’s important that OUTwright reprechoosing to do the OUTsent all the voices of the wright Festival every year, LGBTQ community, Tenbecause I think it’s importnant says. “I try, but particant to sustain the work our ularly within the trans and community does.” lesbian communities, it’s a The festival had its genchallenge. It’s challenging esis five years ago as The not just to find trans writGay Pride Reading Series, feaers, but trans performers, turing works like Love,Valour, as well,” he says, noting Compassion. The series was that trans-identified pera hit, Tennant says, selling formers may not want to out the old Theater Theatre be pigeonholed as trans. venue, a performance that A two week LGBTQ theatre festival, featuring readThis year’s trans offering demonstrated the audience ings, workshops, and a full musical production, is the play They Them Their, for LGBTQ-themed work. Outwright offers audiences a chance to take in about queer youth who attend a SMYRC-like OUTwright evolves each new and developing works from writers in the youth center (full discloyear, in terms of format and queer community. sure: They Them Their was venues. Whereas last year more than a dozen companies contributed written by me). Tennant specifically reached works in various spaces, this year the festi- out to trans director Jack StockLynn to help val is housed solely at the Funhouse Lounge stage the reading. “If there’s one person I with only two producing companies: Fuse knew who had the connections to the comEnsemble and Original Practice Shakespeare. munity and the sensitivities around the issues “Every year is an experiment,” Tennant involved, it was Jack,” Tennant says.

Other readings include the lesbian drama says. “This year is more unified. If people Almost Home by Meryl Cohn, Reverberation, latch onto this, I’ll know it works.”

Tennant himself is directing OUT- by Matthew Lopez, and How to Be a Sissy, wright’s full production, the musical Under written and performed by Brian Haimbach. the Influence, by lyricist Ernie Lijoi. Lijoi, The festival ends with a “gender-bent” pera recent transplant to Portland from New formance of Taming of the Shrew from OrigYork, is likely the only OUTwright writer inal Practice Shakespeare on June 28.

OUTwright’s scheduling is intuitive, Tenwhose work can currently be enjoyed on Broadway, where original songs of his can nant says. “Pride is when LGBT-stuff is on be heard in the musical It Shoulda Been You. people’s minds,” he notes. “But Portland Lijoi says he worked on those songs sev- Pride happens two weeks before Stonewall, eral years ago, while part of a prestigious which is when most of the world celebrates BMI group made up of aspiring compos- it. So we start at the end of Portland Pride ers and lyricists. Members would collab- weekend and run up until Stonewall. We orate with each other constantly, he says, occupy that space.” practicing their craft, and thinking little of Tennant says he’s committed to making where the works might lead.

OUTwright a queer theater institution in The day he and his partner moved to Portland, and is seeing little signs that his Portland, Lijoi recalls, he received an unex- determination is paying off. “This year when pected phone call from Barbara Anselmi, I talk to people about it, they know what it the show’s composer. “’Do you remem- is, so that’s an improvement,” he laughs. ber that project you worked on with me “I don’t have to say it and then explain it.” eight years ago and that you contributed “I think there’s such an important canon of two songs to?’” he recalls her saying. “’Yes.’ work our community’s created about our ‘Well, we open on Broadway next week.’” journey that’s housed in plays,” he says. “As we The show, which stars Tyne Daly and was make progress, I fear the attention we pay to directed by David Hyde Pierce, concerns an that’s going away, but I want us to preserve it.” overweight woman who comes to terms with her body image issues, as well as gay The OUTwright Theatre Festival runs marriage. It’s a financial success and has June 14-28 at Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE received recognition from the Outer Crit- 11th Ave., Portland. Learn more and purics Circle Awards. chase tickets at outwrightfest.com. pqmonthly.com

FEATURE

OUR MIDLIFE ADVENTURE (NOT CRISIS), PT. 2

By Kim Dunn and Laura Waters, PQ Monthly

dren, and seemed to enjoy a slower, more-connected pace.

There were noticeably fewer people with their eyes on Just a little over a year ago, we set off on our nine-month- devices, and people just being—together or alone. Beauty long European adventure. was everywhere. It was, of course, in expected places like First stop, Paris. And we blew the budget right out of the artwork and architecture and people. But beauty was evigates with our $1600/month Oberkampf Airbnb apartment. dent in storefronts, with gorgeous arrangements of flow(And our 70-Euro cab ride from the airport, too). Oberkampf ers, produce, pastries, cheese and wine. And unexpected is apparently one of the coolest places to be for nightlife. courtyards, hiding behind huge carved doorways. And the Since we traveled with our 2-year-old daughter we can’t Parisians themselves. They are seriously beautiful people, confirm that, but the 11th was and it appears to be somehow the perfect arrondissement for effortless. us, full of real Parisians doing I don’t think most people real Parisian everyday life. would think to travel to Paris So what do you do when you with kids, but in many ways arrive in Paris for the first time it was the best place we went. in your life and you’re kicking It had far and above the best off a huge life-changing advenplaygrounds of anywhere we ture? Well, if you live with Kim visited. And they were every(our household foodie), you where. They have amazing, stock the fridge. And if you well-designed playgrounds are going to stock the fridge, with age-designated equipoooooh-la-la Paris is the place ment in their big beautiful to do it. parks, but also everywhere There is a mind-blowing, else. There are tons of them. If lush-food-filled, eye-popyou’re a parent, you also know ping, jaw-dropping fresh food this can be a negative when market in Paris daily and we you’re trying to get somewhere were within walking distance and you don’t want to stop and of the Oberkampf, Bastille play. Good luck avoiding playand Père-Lachaise markets. grounds in Paris.

Without speaking French and Paris also has Disneyland, with no experience dealing in and we totally did that. It’s Euros, we didn’t know what small and generally less magiwe were doing. We felt pretty cal than its American versions, intimidated trying to make purbut a pretty amazing experichases. In the end, we relied on ence for a kiddo who’s Mickey the international smiling and obsessed. And food! Everynodding technique, and bought where there is food. Grabbing a kilo of this and a kilo of that. a sandwich or a crepe or a small A kilo is a lot, by the way—2.2 There is a mind-blowing, lush-food-filled, eye-popping, jaw-dropping fresh food delicious something is availpounds. We all had fun and had market in Paris daily and we were within walking distance of the Oberkampf, Bastille able on every corner. And the to kick the kid out of the stroller and Père-Lachaise markets. boulevards are wide and very to haul home our delicious treasures (including the best stroller-friendly (which we did not encounter elsewhere in strawberries I’ve ever had).

Europe.) And the Eiffel Tower is impressive at any age. And With a fully stocked fridge, we began to explore Paris. museums! Perhaps at 2, Tatum doesn’t understand, but we With time on our side and a tight budget, we walked. Every- had a good time looking at art together—and bonus, the where. With Tatum still at an age when she was willing to Pompidou has an awesome outdoor escalator with a killer ride in a stroller, we covered many miles a day—10 on aver- view at the top. age. And I’m not sure what I expected to find on these walks, From beginning to end, Paris remained a favorite. We but what I found was beautiful and surprising, somehow thought that maybe it was only because we started there, quaint and easygoing, a place I could live. but when we returned nine months later to fly “home” to It was May and pretty warm; people ate their baguettes the States, it was still as beautiful and swoon-worthy as on park benches, played in the sandbox with their chil- before.

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WEDDINGS

STYLE DECONSTRUCTED

“EVERYTHING GOES DOWN THIS GULLET”: ZACH AUGUSTINE

Photo by Eric Sellers.

By Eric Sellers and Michael Shaw Talley, PQ Monthly

In a city teeming with fashion, personal expression and trend setters, we want to get into the heads of some of Portland’s stylish LGBTQ icons. For us, style is not made in magazines, malls, or on television; it’s personal. That is the reason for this style deconstruction.

Zach Augustine, 46; Fashion, Art, Design (Nike) PQ: What age were you when you realized style mattered?

Augustine: I don’t recall ever not putting style first. I was considerate of not only my appearance but the environment I inhabited from the moment I had physical control of my personal space. I came up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, so film and pop stars ruled my vision. Highlights include Edie Sedgwick, Dale Bozzio, Mickey Rourke, Bill Murray, the Blitz Kids, The Outsiders, Blade Runner and Chrissy Snow. I’ll close with Richie Rich, just because he’s fearless and Heatherette was the zeitgeist of fashion in its time.

PQ: Who gives you a style boner today?

Augustine: I’m still stuck on Courtney Love, Kristen McMenamy, Raja Gemini and Kate Moss. Sting, Trudie Styler and Annie Lennox deliver consistently. Tonne Goodman is everything, always. Anything Steven Klein does charts our future. Ashley Olsen, period. Krylon Frye “Superstar” keeps it hot. Oh, and of course The Ones, those boys never fail.

PQ: What is the most valued article of clothing you have purchased? Why? Augustine: Tough one. I was just showing Michael a rare, possibly only existing Vivienne Westwood wrap straight off the runway from the Witches Collection AW 1983-84; it’s pretty remarkable. I have hoarded some of the best quality vintage 34” waist 501s with striations worthy of a collector’s trust fund. Ross Klein gifted me a collection of ‘80s Gaultier wool blazers I have under lockdown. Most emotionally valued has to be my punk rock tour tees ripped off band member bodies in the heat of the moment (Fugazi, Minor Threat, The Dead Kennedys, TSOL, Agent Orange… to name a few), and yes, I “paid” for them.

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PQ: Do you wear jewels?

What accessories are a musthave in your closet?

Augustine: I’m especially fond of my artisanal “0” collection accessories by Martin Margiela, 1990s, before he departed the Maison. I’m a bag junkie and hoard vintage military. Lots of pins from my early punk days.

Bandanas collected during tours in Japan with Richie Rich. Most importantly, any Native American-inspired jewelry made by or collected by my Grandad Chicken.

PQ: The soundtrack of your closet, list four songs on your Style EP? Augustine: Grace Jones, “Breakdown”; Bronski Beat, “Hit That Perfect Beat”; Guns N’ Roses, “Paradise City”; The Go-Go’s, “This Town.”

PQ: EAT, DRINK, SCENE. What do you nosh?What’s your sip?Where are your haunts?

Augustine: Adventures in eating are a critical aspect of my Portland experience; everything goes down this gullet. But, vodka martinis and heavy California reds. Feeding at Radar, Interurban, and Yakuza.

PQ: Shoes! What do you have? What do you need? Brands, color, styles? Let’s talk shoes!

Augustine: Really obsessed with 201314 Saint Laurent Men’s; whoever was doing that for Hedi [Slimane, creative director] slayed. I also worship my Margiela Tabi boots purchased in unison with Richie Rich and Chloe Sevigny over 20 years ago. I’m exclusive to Nike and favor Tennis Court Classic kicks as well as custom Huarache’s via NikeiD (shameless plug) when it comes to casual. Paul May and Rachel Comey make the ultimate men’s dress styles.

PQ: You have a time machine. Go back in time and get anything from any era. What would you get, where, and when?

Augustine: Jim Morrison’s concho belt and [Henry] Rollins’s first Black Flag tee… both gifted to me in the back of “the van.”

PQ: You’re going on vacation! Where would you go? What one item is a mustbring?

Augustine: The Mediterranean. I’d bring a second-skin black leather jacket (currently a Levi’s one Michael Leon surrendered). Also a black Sunga, probably by aussieBum. A vintage Gucci pill case.

PQ: Who’s your favorite artist, fashion designer, musician, and why?

Augustine: Limiting these complex answers to the first three I barf out.

Art by Paul Cadmus, Jack Pierson, and Robert Loughlin. Fashion by Isabel Marant, Siki Im, and Tomas Maier. Music by LCD Soundsystem, Magic Mouth, and The 2 Bears.

PQ: What’s your most irritating fashion faux pas?

Augustine: Shaving my eyebrows off, hands down. pqmonthly.com

WEDDINGS FEATURES

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FEATURE FEATURES

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VOICES

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PERS{ECTOVES VOICES

DAYLIGHT SAYS, “COME SEE US IN ASTORIA!”

By Marco Davis, Special for PQ Monthly

shy person—I am serious, I’m shy—I work hard to be open and loving and vocal; I prefer the serenity of my backyard, It’s Pride season! That wonderful time of year when we the forest or beach, but being in public is where I choose step out from our hiding places, homes, offices, cars, or tents, to be to help build community and support those who are and celebrate as a people, proud to be our true gay selves. in need of advice, a shoulder, a laugh, a meal.

This marks my 25th year celebrating my pride. Mind you, Have you noticed how many brave people have come it was all about secret celebration those first 10 years—you out recently? It is incredible! It reinforces my thought that know, the kind where some of your friends we all come to our own understanding know but you don’t quite feel like letting in our own time. Each of us has a unique the whole world or your family know. This path, no matter how similar we are. Some year, I get to celebrate in Astoria with my people are brave and daring and solid and friends and family as we have our first Gay come out in their teens; others comes out Skate Night at the Astoria Armory, the very in college and many more as grown adults, place I grew up going skating. lives altered to walk to the truth. Who are It is an exciting time in Astoria. We are we to say when the time is right? It just is working on getting the Lower Columbia Q when it is, and I celebrate everyone for Center up on its feet to be a place of serhaving the courage to breathe their truth. vice to people in our area. This skate night Astoria really has an incredible comis our first event. Now, I know many of munity. I’m blown away by the bravery I you have big plans in the city (wink), but see with people stepping out and walking maybe think of coming to Astoria on June There’s a thriving queer scene on the Oregon Coast, and proud. Because of it, I feel that every day 13 to skate with us and share in our pot- Marco Davis is at the center of it. is Pride for us in this little town, because luck of tasty treats. The Shanghai Roller we choose to walk out and be seen and Dolls have a bout right before we take the floor and spar- acknowledge each other and hold hands with our beloved kle at 8pm. There will be adult punch, laughter, the glori- as we stroll through town. It makes me utterly happy. ous sound of skates on wood rolling around as music plays, I didn’t mean to get sidetracked, I just get so emotional... and we can hold hands with one another and drink in the Let me have my Whitney moment. beauty of being present in the moment.

I’m also pleased to announce that I will be doing the I’m extra excited because one just never knows who will cooking episodes again. The first one is on June 18, chez show up. There are so many of us on the coast these days— moi. I plan on doing one a month and always invite friends it will be so nice to gather and get to know each other. Isn’t to come share in the food I prepare, so if you’d like to join that what it is all about, really? Getting to know our com- me, email me at marcogerarddavis@gmail.com. I will be munity and know that we are surrounded by support? As a doing some other cooking experiences out on 46 North

pqmonthly.com

Farm; Saturday, June 27 is the first one. During a garden tour, we will pick the food we will prepare; I will give a cooking demonstration and we will all share the meal—a fabulous E.M. Forster moment in my mind’s eye.

We wrap up the summer with DRAGALUTION on August 7 at the Columbian Theater. It is going to be a sexy, bubblegum love fest. The doors open at 9:30pm, with a show at 10. If you have never been, we put on a fun show, have drinks, laughter, a dance party, and we shine, shine, shine. My favorite part is seeing how every person dresses to express; it is always as varied as all the fabulous friends who show up to celebrate DRAGALUTION and our indepenDANCE, celebrating our power to be free and alive and express as we must.

The next morning is the Astoria Regatta Parade. We have a float, and I invite all of you to come and scatter flower petals and dance through the streets of Astoria, showing the town just how present and wonderful we are.

Community is what I live for. Not walking or breathing in fear is a freedom I wish for every one of us. To not have that little moment of panic come on as I pass someone uncomfortable with me while holding my boyfriend’s hand. To not hear “fag” yelled at me as I wait for the light to change—such name-calling will become a distant memory.

It doesn’t happen as often anymore, but it still happens. It is my Pride wish this year and every day that we all will be able to live as equals, without judgment. I believe it can happen.

The more we make eye contact, the more we speak up and defend our family from anger and ignorance, the more present we can be in our lives, we can break that mold and step beyond the walls of restraint and breathe in the beauty of the path before us. Happy Pride! Come see us in Astoria!

With an open heart, Daylight Cums

JUNE/JULY 2015 • 19

NIGHTLIFE

PRIDE 2015: THE PARTY LIST

By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly

Pride is here. Here is your exhaustive party list, always the longest print list in town, regardless of what other publications say; our lists are compiled by folks who actually sample the queer nightlife our fair city has to offer. You can also see even more events on our calendar, which you’ll find on p. 20. Note: 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. It is one of our biggest parties of the year, and hello, that patio.

5pm, Vendetta, 4306 N Williams, Free.

(5-7pm) 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 as HTS kicks off the summer with the third season of this irreverent storytelling experiment in faux churchiness! Hosted by William HEKLINA! Frederick Steuernagel V and Shitney Houston. With music by Sister Mercy. Featuring sermons, testimonials and “soapbox confessions” by a variety of queers. The family that preys together, stays together. 6pm, Killingsworth Dynasty, $3 suggested donation, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Ignited! A celebration of colors. Portland’s newest (and hottest) fire show and dance party. Instructions: (1) Pick a color, any color; (2) Wear that color from head to toe; (3) Add as many same color accessories as you can; (4) Different shades of the same color are allowed; (5) Go enjoy the show (mostly #5). Featuring Johnny Nuriel and Isaiah Esquire, and a slew of performers, including Danie Ward and Melody Kay (and a list too long to print). 8pm, Bossanova Ballroom, 722 E Burnside. $15-20.

Queerlandia is queer excellence—don’t miss it (it’s also our official after-party): Queerlandia is back to kick off Portland Pride for its fifth 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.

Frisky Whisker at Stag: Dapper bears and cubs dance for your viewing pleasure and aim to kick off Pride in style.

A body positive and inclusive space, hosted by Kaj-Anne Pepper, and held at the city’s hottest new club. Get priority tickets early (Portland Stranger Tickets), and avoid the rush! (PQ staff adores Stag.) 9pm, Stag, 317 NW Broadway. $10 priority, $12 at the door.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1

See pg. 23 for info. on Scandals’ annual block party, which PQ encourages you to attend!

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 20 • JUNE/JULY 2015

and Ghoulfriend. DJs: Sappho, Hold My Hand, Buckmaster, Prince$$ Dimebag, and 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, queeras-fuck freaky radicals who strive to create an environment of respect, celebration, and fun in our parties; Free Bleed seeks to situate queer authenticity and expression outside of masculine exceptionalism. This is a celebration of femme and a celebration of the Pacific Northwest’s queer talent, to showcase a variety of sounds, visuals, and performances that challenge our ideas of a traditional party and to move it into an insurrectionary experience. 9pm, Vendetta, 4306 N Williams. $10.

Titty Pop: A Pride Booty Bass Jam. PQ encourages you to bounce that thing with Ill Camino and II Trill. Expect lots of NOLA Bounce, Baltimore Club, Miami Bootie Bass, Bootie House, Chicago Juke, Hip Hop, Party Jamz, Reggae and Reggaeton. (Slo’ Jamz will return next month.) 10pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. $7.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

Fifty Shades of Gay: It’s time again! Get ready to release your inner goddess (or god) in the fourth installment of our annual Pride Photo Scavenger Hunt with special hostess Helvetica Font. You and your team (4-5 people total) will race across Portland completing tasks, kinky challenges, and maybe taking a whipping or two (all to be captured on your cell phone) as you play to win. This year we’ll be providing proceeds from all sponsored drink sales to Cascade AIDS Project thanks to the generosity of Jägermeister and our local bars. 21+, teams can be organized ahead of time or at the venue (arrive early). 12pm, Hobo’s, 120 NW Third.

Inferno’s Pride Edition: In the heart of Portland is where the women are—dancing the night away and burning up dance floors with DJ Wildfire the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. Welcoming all women, queers, and their allies. DJ Lauren joins Wildfire, and this night features dancers from up and down the I-5 corridor. 6-10pm, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside. $12 advance, $15 at the door.

Their biggest hit ever! Portland Gay Men’s Chorus 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. It’s sure to be a sell-out. Don’t be left out, because the show must go on.

Note: A second show at Revolution Hall has been added to June 19. Get tickets here: pdxgmc.org.

Club Destiny: Bridge Club + Destiny have joined forces to curate a special series of queer futurism in art and music, bringing you all the night warehouse parties and day-

time summer dancing, with national and local artists who are sure to inspire the city. First up: Pride! Note: Bring your gay warehouse vibes. Mr. Charming, Gossip Cat (SF!), Huf N Stuff, Hold My Hand, Trouble Youth. With special guests Shaun J Wright (Twirl, Chicago) and DJ Gigs (Natasha Kmeto DJ set), it truly is a nationwide affair. Hosted by Shitney Houston and Stacy Stl Lisa. Visuals, photo booth, two magical areas of music (inside and outside). 9pm, White Owl Social Club, 1305 SE Eighth. $10. ($8 before 10pm.)

Blow Pony, of course, hosts their annual queer shindig— and it’s a family affair. As always, the Pony Kru strives to create a safe, inclusive space for queers. Bears, dykes, cubs, chubs, hawks, cocks, kings, queens, fags, hags, witches, pillow biters, romp rangers, queers, garden keepers, sissies, trade, rough trade, very rough trade—and you. Get there early, darlings, this one always sells out. Mykki Blanco, Hi Fashion, Vinsantos, Buckmaster, and more! 9pm, Rotture, 315 SE Third. $10.

Mrs. Presents: Pride Queen! Theme: Pride and Queer Night Life. Mrs. encourages you to celebrate community and the queen in all of us (we know it’s in there.) Hosted by Kaj-Anne Pepper, music by Ill Camino and Beyondadoubt.

Standout looks receive a card for free entry or free drinks!

Dress to impress, fierce ones. Photos by Lauren Baker.

10pm, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi. $10.

Gaylabration: DJ Bret Law (Seattle) will spin to celebration 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 and 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 (HEKLINA DAY!)

It’s Sunday and your Pride experience is just beginning.

The Big Gay Boat Ride on the Portland Spirit always sells out early, and is probably sold out this very moment.

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. If you’re too late, watch for #ProHomo.

For the Win: Congrats! You made it. You’re almost there.

You did lose your pants last night, but it’s totally chill, man.

For Pride orphans, disco freaks, and thirsty children of daytime realness. Your T-Dance has arrived, in the form of this afternoon’s salvation. DJ Sappho, Pocket Rock-It, performances, all of the things. 12pm, Floyd’s Old Town, 118 NW Couch. $5.

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). 3-10pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th. $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 VIP, it’ll be worth it. 8pm, Branx, 320 SE Second. $15 GA, $40 VIP. pqmonthly.com

CALENDAR

pqmonthly.com

JUNE/JULY 2015 • 21

GET OUT NIGHTLIFE

1

GET

SEE P. 20 FOR OUR ANNUAL PRIDE GUIDE. PRIDE NW’S LINEUP CAN BE FOUND HERE:

PRIDENW.ORG

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

Drag Queens, bingo, and a movie!

A great way to kick off Pride Weekend. Join us at the McMenamins Mission Theater for a fabulous evening hosted by Poison Waters and Friends and win great prizes.

Want more? We’ll give you Poison Waters and ever ything. Head over to pqmonthly.com and check bingo, oh my! 6pm, out our online calendar of Mission Theater, events , submit your own 1624 NW Glisan. events, and peruse photos Are you looking for from your reporters-about- something new to do town. Also, remember to this year in support carefully examine our weekly of equal rights and weekend forecast — with the latest and greatest events — the LGBT commueach Wednesday (sometimes nity? Well, Pride Glow Thursday), online only.

Run is just what Port--DANIEL BORGEN land 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 three-mile LED glowing loop located on Portland’s own waterfront. To participate 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

OUT!

2

DANCE

IT OUT

SEE P. 20 FOR OUR ANNUAL PRIDE GUIDE. FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAYS

Squeeze: Dance your afternoons away at Scandals with these delightful afternoon soirees—guest DJs 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.

Every Sunday Samuel’s Hangover Happy Hour. (Not Pride Sunday.) Bloody Marys, friends, food, beats by Art of Hot and guests. It is an excellent recovery scenario. Mingle with queers in very chill settings. 2-7pm, Killingsworth Dynasty, 832 N Killingsworth. Free.

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 Diva hits. Yes, there 22 • JUNE/JULY 2015

Glow Baton. For team and individual pricing please check the website athttp://prideglowrun.com/.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

Going to Astoria? The Lower Columbia Q Center is hosting their first, of what they hope will become monthly, gay skate nights. This is an all-ages, friends, families, allies, new-tothe-area, getting-to-know-you event. It is Pride season and they are kicking it off with this party.

Do go if you can and come out, skate, laugh, and visit. 8:15pm, Astoria Armory, 407 17th St. Their biggest hit ever! Portland Gay Men’s Chorus 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. 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. (Show added June 19, see http://www.pdxgmc. org/ for details.)

the return of Ginger Lee. Ginger! Plus Bolivia, Honey, Topaz, Isa and a variety of special guests. Your drag dreams come true. 8p CC’s, 219 NW Davis. Kiss Bolivia for me.

Monday, June 15 The days are getting longer! And still an excellent time to get your ac socializing on. Gay Skate is a joy. M queers and mingle with them outside bar setting—maybe your dream lo will ask you to hold hands during c ples’ skate. And there are themes n Themes! (Check online for the lates this edition will be particularly Pride-c tric.) Come dressed to impress and beautiful prizes, and look for our p lisher, who’s always handing out cop June 16th of PQ. And, you know, you’ll probably a date. Every third Monday. Food drive for Take Action Inc. 7pm, Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. $6.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

The CJ Mickens show hits Portland Pride’s main stage at 2pm.

The main stage also features BIG DIPPER, so c h e c k o u t h t t p : / / p r i d e n w. o r g / f o r t h e f u l l l i n e u p !

Don’t forget the Superstar Divas Pride Megashow, which will feature

They, Their, Them by Leela Ginelle, directed by Jack StockLynn. Faeris, a queer youth, is about to age out of the LGBTQ youth center they attend. Rebellious, artistically inclined, genderqueer and formerly houseless, they must face their demons as they move into adulthood. Through Faeris’s romantic travails with fellow youth Jordan, their contentious relationship with the younger Raven, and their power struggles with center coordinator James, we see how the center, in its own way, provides characters the sort of families they never had. There will be a brief t

is a special Pride edition! 8pm, CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis. Free!

shia to Badu//Lauryn Etc. 10pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. $

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. 7-11pm, Vault, 226 NW Twelfth.

Hot Flash: Inferno. (Second and Fourth Saturdays the heart of Portland is where the women are—dancing the n away and burning up dance floors the second fourth Saturdays of every month at Trio. Welcom all women, queers, and their allies. DJ Lauren jo Wildfire, and this night features dancers from up down the I-5 corridor. 6-10pm, Trio, 909 E. Burns Mrs.: The queen of theme welcomes its new host Kaj-Anne Pepper! OK, she’s not new anymore. we love her so. And dynamic DJ duo: Beyondado and Ill Camino. Costumes, photo booths, all the hits. Lots of ladies, very queer. 10pm, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi. $5.

June 12th

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

EVERY MONDAY

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. DJ Action Slacks. 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.

Pride edition on tap. 8pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morrison.

SECOND FRIDAYS

Slo Jams (postponed until July) is a Queer Modern R&B & Neo Soul Dance Night at Local Lounge. DJ II TRILL (TWERK) and DJ MEXXX-TAPE lay down everything from Mary J // Jagged Edge// Key-

SECOND SATURDAYS

THIRD WEDNESDAYS

Comedy at Crush: Our own Belinda Carroll and a slew of locals rustle up some funny. Special guests, and Crush’s signature cocktail and food menus. Donations, sliding scale. (Comics have to eat and drink, too, so give!) 9pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morrison.

Queens of the Night: Alexis Campbell Starr. That’s all you need to know. But there’s more: She always welcomes a s cial slew of talented queens for a night that takes Hip-Hop from beg ning to end. 8pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. Free.

THIRD THURSDAYS

Polari. Troll in for buvare. Back-in-the-day language, music, elegance. An ease-you-into-the-weekend mixer. Bridge Club b pqmonthly.com

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back following the show.

7pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

It’s time for the epic return of Peep Show’s annual Star Search Competition, so brace yourselves as an array of new faces take to the stage to battle it out for cash prizes and the chance to become a part of the Peep Show performer family. This is the show where you have no idea what to expect; there will be some spectacular talent, and there is sure to be an epic fail or two as well to make things even more entertaining. And don’t forget the fantastic after-party SLEAZE with killer beats by the one and only Jackal PDX. Do you think YOU have what it takes to get up on the Peep Show stage? Shoot Artemis a Facebook message or email her at artemischase@gmail. com to sign up. 9pm, Analog Café, 720 SE Hawthorne. $7 GA, $10 reserved, $40 VIP.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Drag Brunch: It’s been a while, but Valerie DeVille and Nikki Lev are bringing back the Drag Brunch... now at Local Lounge, June 19th and now on a Saturday. They’re going to get this started on June 20, so you can think of it as a PRIDE aftercare afternoon of happy eating and drinking with two of the wildest drag talents in town as well as some

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 12th. Free.

THIRD SATURDAYS

Burlescape! Burlesque and 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. We’re featuring all of Zora’s events online, so get on the net.

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 Portl a n d ’ s m o n t h l y u n d e rwear, 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. pqmonthly.com

amazing TBA guests.

They’ll start around 1, 1:30ish, depending on the crowd, but everyone will be hanging out from noon on, and playing hot music, and Valerie herself plans to dance until she’s too faded to continue.

Central Oregon Pride: June 20th Saturday, June 20 at Drake Park from noon until 6pm. What a beautiful reason for a drive back east! You can find a full list of events here: http://centraloregonpride.org/2015/03/19/2015-pride/.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

Rice, Beans, and Collard Greens. Rice, Beans, and Collard Greens is an allages Pride dance party for queer and trans people of color and their friends and family. 21+ to drink, everyone can dance.

One of the best Pride wrap-ups each and every year. 7:30pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison. $10 cover, no one turned away for lack of funds.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

Scandals hosts their annual block party, a beloved Pride tradition; they celebrate their TENTH anniversary this year. Congratulations, Portland’s “Cheers.” This party stretches through an entire city block and has all the gay you can handle, including the city’s best deejays, performances, and every feature your gay little heart could hope for. As usual, proceeds go to charity: Cascade AIDS Project, and the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund—so give generously, you do-gooder. Here’s all the block party info you need: Friday the party begins at 7pm and goes until midnight; Saturday Scandals is open 2pm until midnight; Sunday the block is buzzing from 12pm until 8pm (neighbors need to sleep). Be sure to stop by and support the bar that supports our community. Scandals PDX, 1125 SW Stark.

PQ PICKS

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

June 26th

The 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’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 Third. $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

3

ARTS & CULTURE THE BRILLIANT CALENDAR LIST

Sabbathhause Discotheque gay night is back at Aalto Lounge and it is bigger and more queer than ever before. Featuring some of the best DJs and performers around and hosted by night hawk Chanticleer Tru. 8pm, Aalto Lounge, 3356 SE Belmont.

Community Unity: a Vancouver Bears fundraiser. The Vancouver Bears invite everyone to another evening of community fun, supporting those individuals who need love and support—the clients and families of Martha’s Pantry, in Southwest Washington. Great music, Mr (DJ Hunter) himself, provides a wonderful mix of rock and more. Food will be provided— great snacks, in fact, along with raffles and prizes and lots of drink specials. Their bear team—Willy, Dan, Tony, Paul, Reggie, Steve, and the Eagle Staff—look forward to seeing you there. $3.00 donation for entry, $1.00 raffle tickets, drawings at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30, and you must be present to win. All proceeds raised by the Vancouver Bears, (including entry, raffle, and all donations) goes directly to supporting individuals and families in Southwest Washington living with HIV and AIDS. Courtesy of our fellow host, video screens with be sporting the standard PG only. A very special thanks from the bears to Eagle PDX, Fat Cobra, and everyone in the Vancouver and Portland metropolitan community for their continued support of Martha’s Pantry and the services they provide.

21+. Eagle, 835 N Lombard.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

The most delicious fundraiser of the year! 2015 marks the 16th annual Bites for Rights event. On June 18, 2015, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and bakeries around the state will donate a generous percentage of their day’s proceeds to Basic Rights Oregon.

On this one day, you can feast to promote fairness for all LGBTQ Oregonians.

Click here for a list of the 2015 Bites for Rights participating restaurants: http://www.basicrights.org/news/bfr/ Is your favorite place not on our list? Let BRO know and they’ll invite them to participate—contact bfr@basicrights.org. And make your feasting plans now!

JUNE/JULY 2015 • 23

VOICES BOOKS

24 • JUNE/JULY 2015

GLAPN

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MUSIC FEATURE

DISCO CRUELTY: MICHAEL ALIG AND THE CLUB KIDS

Prescient in many ways, the Club Kids sought fame for its sake. They promoted themselves as “superstars” in the Warhol mode.

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

Like most casual observers, I first encountered the Club Kids in the early ‘90s on a daytime talk show. An explosion of colorfully drugged up, gender-variant extroversion, they routinely appeared on Geraldo, Donahue, and Joan Rivers’ programs, symbiotically promoting themselves while boosting their hosts’ ratings through their shock-andawe-driven performances.

I was intoxicated—male-assigned people expressing femininity while having fun and giving no fucks? I wanted to know where to sign up, and I wasn’t alone. The Club Kids’ message was a siren song for LGBTQ youth around the country, who, like their leader Michael Alig, were bullied and outcast in their repressive schools and communities.

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The scene was no utopia, however. Increasingly steeped in drug use and self-destruction, it collapsed completely when Alig murdered close acquaintance and drug dealer Angel Menendez.

Prescient in many ways, the Club Kids sought fame for its sake. They promoted themselves as “superstars” in the Warhol mode. Their outrageous appearance, which participant James St. James described as “part drag, part clown, part infantilism,” invited the curious into a world of liberation and hedonistic immaturity. Anything went. Members of the inner circle included RuPaul and Amanda Lepore.

Alig came to New York in 1984—fleeing Indiana for the big city. Successful and savvy, he studied briefly at Fordham University and the Fashion Institute of Technology, but quit both to be part of the nightclub scene. He promoted parties, partnering in 1988 with club owner Peter Gatien, who operated several spots, including Limelight, which Alig helped make the city’s premier destination.

Though a pre-Internet phenomenon, the Club Kid scene is well preserved online. In addition to their talk show appearances, YouTube hosts footage of their “Outlaw Parties,” the proto-flash mobs Alig would organize in which scenesters would descend on locations such as a Burger King, or an area under a bridge in order to revel anachronistically. These clips convey the weird mixture of disappointment and frenzy common to most post-adolescent New Year’s Eve outings.

Also online are the archives of the Club Kids’ magazine, Project X. Insular, subversive and decadent, they’re both fascinating and superficial. Issue 14, for instance, from June/ July 1990, concerns itself with the then current and controversial practice of “outing” gay celebrities. It features playful mock outings of Elizabeth Taylor as a lesbian, and

journalist and outing practitioner Michelangelo Signoriele as straight, as well as an essay criticizing gay record mogul David Geffen for promoting homophobia by signing acts like Guns n’ Roses and comedian Andrew Dice Clay.

The issue features less edifying fare as well, such as a darkly catty social column by Alig, and an ironic, self-lacerating board game called “Party Success,” in which self-destructive acts lead to advancement, while self-care results in social failure.

Drug use became endemic in the Club Kid scene. Over time, Alig and the others turned from ecstasy to Special K, an animal anesthetic that produced an introverted, psychedelic experience, seemingly at odds with the dance club surroundings. The buying and taking of drugs at Limelight, as well as Gatien’s other clubs—The Palladium, Tunnel, and Club USA—took place out in the open.

Alig’s behavior, always outrageous, became crueler and crueler with time. He would urinate on club employees, hand people cups of vomit, and steal drugs and money.

“It’s hip to be a mess,” Alig said, while Limelight doorman Kenny Kenny countered, “There’s not enough fabulousness.

It’s like people are looking for beauty in horror.”

In March of ‘96, Alig and his friend (Freeze) murdered the former’s roommate Angel. The story of this tragic, pointless act and its gruesome aftermath now dominate the Club Kids’ story almost completely. It’s the basis for two movies, Party Monster: The Shockumentary and Party Monster.

The former is by far the superior. Filled with archival footage of Alig’s parties, it captures both their allure and darkness. Alig emerges as magnetic and without conscience, a man creating a pleasure dome for all, but whom no one should be following. It focuses throughout on Alig’s fascination with schlock horror films, like Blood Feast, DISCO CRUELTY page 27

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VOICES

This Ends Badly Fight or Flight

By Michael James Schneider, PQ Monthly

It was a long drive back to Portland that morning; I hit traffic at Tacoma and Spokane, so I was already tired. I had been in Seattle for a few days, and spent more time downtown than I had in past visits (when you’re in love, even the downtown urine smells sweeter). And I’m sorry, but when I travel it’s like I don’t even know my own poops anymore. So yeah, I was in a strange headspace.

It was a warm day, and I had opened the windows in my apartment to get some breeze going. I made a sandwich, settled down at my desk and got ready to catch up on emails. That’s when I heard him from the sidewalk outside, just below my window.

There’s a convalescent facility in my neighborhood, and often one or two of the residents would cross the street to rest under the big trees surrounding my apartment building. I’d chatted with a couple of them; they would almost always be friendly and chatty. This voice? I recognized his booming baritone; he had been in front of my building before.

The murmur of his voice outside was suddenly punctuated with words that rose out of the background noise of his speech in sharp relief: “...Yeah, and all the faggots and child molesters moving into the neighborhood....”

My hand froze, holding the sandwich halfway to my mouth. My breath caught, I could suddenly hear my heartbeat in my ears, and my eyes widened. “...The fuck did I just hear...?” I thought. I shook my head, slowly lowered the sandwich. Then again: “...Yeah and the faggots are all over the place....” Without thinking, I pushed off the couch and stood up, startling my cat off the sofa. Is this what fight or flight feels like? I wondered.

I was born in the Bay Area and my family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico when I was 5. Although no one in my family ever disparaged gay people, my dad was the son of a Lutheran minister, and my mom and grandma came from a Latino Catholic background: I had good reasons to stay in the closet. I don’t remember my first-ever thoughts of being gay, but I do remember making my same-gendered stuffed animals kiss each other. A bit later in high school, I had a best friend, Helen, who was brassy and outspoken. I eventually came out to her after my junior year. In my senior year, I had a massive crush on Mark, a freshman (some things, it seems, follow a pattern). I passed many, many notes to Helen detailing my infatuation with him in the form of poetry and prose.

One day, Helen ran up to me breathless. It was a disaster: Mark and his friend were riding the bus with Helen, who was

dutifully reading yet another note of mine.

They decided they wanted to read the note, and grabbed it out of her hands. Knowing that she was the only person in my life I was “out” to, she heroically fought and grabbed the note back.

When they persisted, however, she made a last-ditch, desperate attempt to safeguard my secret, and threw the note out of the window of the moving bus. What she didn’t count on was Mark and his friend’s curiosity, and they got off at the next stop, ran back, and found and read the note.

When Helen told me this, my teenage chest tightened, every pore in my body closed, and my vision blurred. And now more than 20 years later I felt this again, listening to the voice outside my window.

“He’s not worth it,” that other guy had said so many years ago. After high school I stayed in town, went to the University of Near Mom New Mexico and pursued a theater arts degree. It was here that I finally came out to my friends and family, and even though being gay in the early ‘90s was easier than decades before, it was still Albuquerque. I found this out one night as some friends and I ate our weight in Moons Over My Hammy at Denny’s, the greasy spoon near the school. I wore my Freedom Rings proudly around my neck, coordinating with my solid cobalt-blue flannel shirt. (Did I mention it was the ‘90s?)

Our meal was interrupted in much the same way that my current sandwich was.

Two guys at a table nearby, older and bigger than us, noticed my rings and started talking loudly: “What are you looking at, faggot?”

“Stop looking at me, faggot!” My friends and I stopped eating, looked at each other with wide eyes, silent and still. Maybe we collectively thought that they would leave us alone if we played possum. Maybe homophobes’ vision is motion-based, like a T-Rex. No such luck: They strutted up to the table, and the main aggressor repeated what he said before directly to me. His friend got uncomfortable, though: “He’s not worth it,” and pushed his angry friend away from the table, out the door.

It was that, that same feeling, I was feeling now. Sure, I’d heard that word plenty before, but usually in public, and mostly in a way that I could walk away from. But here? In my own home? I couldn’t stand for this. Could I? I couldn’t. I’d be damned if I let someone say that word in a place I was supposed to feel safe. I haven’t been in a lot of fights, but I know how to get ready for one. I took my glasses off, took my watch off. I got my phone ready in case I needed to record anything.

I opened my door and walked toward him.

To be concluded in Part Two.

Michael James Schneider is based in Portland, Ore. He writes for his wildly unpopular and poorly named blog, BLCKSMTHdesign.com. His first fiction book, The Tropic of Never, is available on Amazon.

26 • JUNE/JULY 2015

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HEALTH CARE

DISCO CRUELTY Continued from page 25

and the revolting coincidence between the events in that movie and those surrounding his despicable disposal of Menedez’s body.

Party Monster, the feature, stars Macaulay Culkin in one of his few adult roles. Miscast, Culkin plays the outsized force-of-nature Alig as a creepily insistent introvert.

This might still have worked, however, if it hadn’t larded its telling with moralizing melodrama. Few viewers need slow takes and somber music to intuit spiraling into addiction and murdering one’s roommate are bad choices.

A macro view of Alig’s crime and its punishment can be found in Frank Owen’s book Clubland. Owen covered nightlife for the Village Voice and was the first to report on Menendez’s murder, which for months remained a rumor. His book paints vivid portraits of club owner Gatien, who himself was sliding into crack addiction, Gatien’s wife Alex, whose identity and backstory appear to have been completely fictitious, and criminals who took over the club scene’s drug trade.

Owen details at length the labyrinthine double-crosses and evidence tampering by DEA agents and informants that preceded the government’s unsuccessful attempt to prosecute the shady, but seemingly innocent, Gatien on drug trafficking charges.

Reading Owen, I considered him a

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scold for judging Alig so harshly. Alig, who emerged from prison last May after serving 17 years for manslaughter, and who’s preparing a memoir titled Alig-ula, has put on a penitent face in the numerous interviews he’s given since his release. He’s spoken about his struggles with drugs, which continued well into his incarceration, and facing the pain that led him to escape.

His interviewers, however, like Owen, have voiced their skepticism.

Upon reflection, I see I’ve wanted to do what Owen criticized those around Alig at the time of doing, focus on the world he created rather than the atrocity he committed, carving his roommate up and throwing his parts away in the Hudson River.

Like Alig, I’ve known what it’s like to be punished for who I was, and told I had to hide myself away. The part of me drawn to the Club Kids’ creation longed for the liberation it conveyed, and the air of dominance its cool suggested—the idea they’d not just survived; they’d won. I didn’t want that to be false.

In his coda, Owen expressed his own sorrow at what he’d once viewed as “democracies of desire,” becoming spoiled. “After too many nights of seeing club kids’ inhumanity to fellow club kids, I’m more likely to view discos as institutions constructed on cruelty,” he wrote. “Club culture is supposed to be about community, self-expression, and joyous release through music . . . [It’s] not supposed to come with a body count.”

True words indeed.

Steve Strode, Realtor®

• Accredited Buyer’s Representative • Certified International Property Specialist • Portland metro & global real estate services

HELPING OUR COMMUNITY CELEBRATE THE PRIDE OF HOME OWNERSHIP “Thank you PQ Monthly for calling Portland your home.”

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JUNE/JULY 2015 • 27

THE BRILLIANT LIST

VOICES

Photo by J Tyler Huber.

EMBODY Family Knots

By Sossity Chiricuzio, PQ Monthly

As in ties that bind, nests that cradle, nets that trap, connections we weave, places to untangle.

Mother’s Day was last month and Father’s Day is approaching fast—those holidays made up to remind us of obligations and sell us things to acknowledge them. Or, less often, an opportunity to have a special moment of gratitude for a parent we’re on good terms with. One more way to gauge the depth of our relations, or the strength of our disguise. It’s a complicated thing, family.

Most every queer person I know has lost at least one member of their family of origin for the simple fact of being who they are.

That truth of them—their intimate relationships and ways of being in the world.

The truth that, were it a heterosexual truth, would be a source of praise and connection, and proof of belonging, but it’s not, so instead it is an eviction notice. A judgment day. A long silence. A conversation made up of the weather, and maybe sports, or gardening.

Blood is thicker than water. Family comes first. Respect your elders. Father knows best. I brought you into this world.

It’s for your own good. How could you do this to me? Not while you’re living under my roof. This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.

The world is full of mythology about family. What it means, what is owed, and whether love or guilt or duty is the currency in play. I have seen all manner of ugly interactions between people who are in a family together, seen them fold it into their skins like scar tissue and keep going. Rubbing it quietly at holidays and family gatherings like an ache that lives near the bone. I’ve also seen great beauty and respect in families, seen honesty and vulnerability and trust and joy.

Like my own family, which has been a combination of DNA and circumstance and choices from the beginning. My mother and I, her mother and siblings, their circle of friends, all the partners any of us has ever taken (unless they opt out, or are abusive), cousins and neighbors and orphans and outlaws. I count my family as one of my greatest gifts, try to share it with friends whenever possible, work hard to keep lines of communication open, to grow together as adults.

It’s not like I make it easy for them. I am a queer loudmouth agitator. I am shameless and strange and a sex educator. I am happily fat and femme and working class and bearded and poly. I look folks right in the eye and talk about hard stuff, point out places that maybe don’t align with their highest truth, ask questions they maybe

weren’t ready to ask themselves.

Gently. It’s who I am in the world, and it’s at least partly how my family raised me. Who they are and how we were and how we are together help shape me, over and over. Give me examples to live up to, and places to push back against. Inspire me to find definitions for words that aren’t as universal as we thought.

Give us all a chance to grow more.

Despite this, most of them have opted in to a genuine connection with me. When I talk to other queers about my family, I often see unshed tears, a tensing of the skin that I know hides a yearning. A disbelief smoothed into courtesy. The concept of a family that not only accepts, but also respects and loves me for exactly who I am and what I do is like a fairy tale. I am unbelievably lucky, and it breaks my heart. That this should be an exception of such magnitude. That my people have such a depth of hunger and loneliness and rejection that leaves us fractured like crystal. Shining and sharp-edged and fragile to a blow at unexpected angles.

I think this is part of why building family is so important to so many of us. Why we bond with friends and even ex-lovers so tightly. Why we join groups and teams and boards and churches and weave them into a net to sieve out the ones who feel familiar and interesting and safe. We are pack animals, alone in our own heads, in a world that wants us to be just like them, or invisible, or dead.

If family is the means by which we tie ourselves together, then knots are inevitable. Our paths cross and diverge and intertwine. We share space and language, memories and resources and names. Debt and gratitude and sorrow and passion. Loss and hope. Anger. Laughter. Tears.

If knots are inevitable, then we must learn which ones weave us stronger, and which ones bind our roots. Sometimes those cords, sunk deep into our hearts and navels, need to be cut so we can grow. Sometimes they fray and need tending, careful stitches on intricate patchwork.

I am learning how to recognize family that is not just a noun, but also a verb. I have become unwilling to ignore the contradiction between loving me, but supporting politics or religion that would happily erase me. Diplomacy I will give freely, but access is earned, just like respect. A family worth being a part of is worth the time and work, worth being patient and present and honest and kind. I don’t want the false safety of shallow waters, I want to dive deep.

I cannot say what anyone else should do about family, but I do hope we can all find one that treasures us.

If you have topics you’d like me to cover, products you’d like me to review, people you’d like to hear from, or resources to share, please get in touch! sossity@pqmonthly.com 28 • JUNE/JULY 2015

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JUNE/JULY 2015 • 29

THE BRILLIANT LIST

VOICES

BEING QUEER IN CHINA: A RETROSPECTIVE

By TJ Acena, PQ Monthly

Ed. Note: In September 2014 PQ writer TJ Acena left for China to teach for 10 months. During this time he has been sending in personal accounts on what life is like for LGBTQ people in China, both locals and foreigners, for our blog. The following is a compilation of highlights from his correspondence.

1. The two most common questions I get from female students are: Do you have a girlfriend? and Do you prefer Chinese girls or American girls? Most of these kids have never met an American before, so things like my impeccable outfits and mannerisms don’t seem to mean anything to them.

The answer to the first is “no.” The answer to the second is “I like Chinese girls just as much as American girls.”

2. It’s legal to be gay in China, but that’s pretty much it. And while occasionally people make re m a rk s a b o u t h ow homosexuality is “abnormal” or “unacceptable,” for the most part people just don’t talk about it. And that’s the strangest part to me—it’s like gays and lesbians don’t exist.

3. “Gay life just opened in these last few years—the last generation, like my parents, they almost know nothing about gay life.

They cannot understand what gay life is in China. So the young people don’t know how to explain these things to their parents.”

4. I went downtown to meet a guy from Germany. As I approached him he reached out to hug me. I was caught off guard; it’s strange to embrace someone for the first time, especially if you’ve only had a few seconds to take in the dimensions of their body. He was small and lithe, and I felt large and bulky holding him. The last time I had been touched by someone in an intimate way was almost two months before, when my best friend hugged me goodbye at PDX. 5. After a few minutes we left; he didn’t feel comfortable being seen by someone he knew, so we went on a walk outside even though it was quite cold. He told me about living in Pakistan, how every man uses Grindr, how gay men marry women and continue dating other men.

“My father would kill me if he knew,” he said. He said it like a joke, but a sad joke.

6. Maybe everyone in China shares a level of intimacy I can’t comprehend. I watched a boy lean over the shoulder of his friend as they talked with a girl sitting behind them.

The boy wrapped his arm around his friend’s waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It would seem a romantic gesture, intimate, but I see all these interactions all day long; they are so thoughtless.

7. There are things you just can’t plan for if you move to another country. For exam30 • JUNE/JULY 2015

ple, the university I teach at is an hour outside the city center and surrounded by industrial parks, so I don’t meet a lot of new people very often. Also, the other two American teachers here both left in the first week of the semester. I had expected my time in China to be lonely, but not this lonely.

8. “Family is also important in China because you need connections. Your family will get you a good job through the people they know. You have to stay with your family.

In America, people move wherever they want. People don’t care about your family as much. We can’t do that here.”

9. I spend every day at work having simple, stilted conversations with my students, and besides one American friend I have in the city who I see on weekends I don’t actually have a lot of actual conversations with people in my native language.

As time passed, I often found myself spending more and more time talking with other western guys online, driven in large part because I didn’t know how much I would miss having fluent conversations in English, even in text.

10. Eddy’s Bar captures my general impression of Shanghai, affluent and modern, but still China. I’m sure there is a fancy gay bar somewhere in New York that looks just like it, with dark lighting, sleek modern Asian furniture, and some ancient Chinese lamps. And of course there was pounding techno music that made it nearly impossible to talk. The bar was packed full of men who all seemed to fall somewhere between the gym rat-upscale urbanite spectrum, and the Westerners I saw in there were the same. Needless to say, drinks were very expensive.

11. Despite the firewall I’m constantly surprised by the amount of American television and movies that my students take in.

Modern Family is a favorite show of many of my students and they use an app banned by the government to watch it on their phones.

12. After I turn off my recorder and we get up to leave, “James” tells me that I’ll never really understand gay life in China since I don’t speak Chinese: “You can only talk to people like me, who can speak good English and have gone to school.” He tells me that his ex-boyfriend, who is not going to college, will have a much different life. He probably won’t have the chance to leave if he wants to; his family is from the country and much more conservative. He’ll probably have to get married to a woman one day and start a family. I realize he’s right.

How could I possibly hope to understand?

Living here for a few months, separated from everyone around me by language.

James’s story is just one among many, but I hope it gives you just a little better idea of what life is like in China for LGBTQ people. pqmonthly.com

VOICES VOICES

FEATURE FEATURE VOICES

THE LADY CHRONICLES “They Wish We Were Invisible.

We’re Not.”

By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly

In high school, I got called faggot a lot. It didn’t happen every single day, maybe not even once a week, but it happened enough that I noticed. Getting called out on your shit when you’re a terrified church kid trying to keep all your skeletons sorted and stashed in the closet is utter horror. Fairly quickly, I relied on wit and sass to protect me. (Plus I did the jocks’ math homework for them.

You’re somewhat less apt to be called names or harassed if you’re the smartest kid in the room.) As a grown man working and living in an arguably progressive city, I still hear faggot occasionally. Today, even though it shouldn’t, the word, when tossed by a reckless assailant, cuts a little too deep.

Every single time I’ve dated anyone— or even gone on a date with anyone—and held his hand, I’ve been called a faggot. My ex-partner was once attacked for his perceived gayness. I’ve been pushed, punched, shoved, spit on, and made to feel generally unsafe on more occasions than I can count, and I know far too many people who tell similar stories. Several years ago, some friends and I, reacting to yet another gay bashing during Rose Festival season in downtown Portland, called on Q Center to host a town hall meeting. There, leaders from the city came, listened, and, eventually, Q Patrol formed. Q Patrol was not perfect and it was not the answer to all the problems our community faces, but it was heartening to see so many from the community get involved.

Late last month, two men I know were assaulted while standing outside a taco truck on NW Fourth and Davis. Fortunately, they’re both healing and on the mend mentally, though the experience has left them traumatized and in shock. Thankfully, I work for a queer publication and we can offer these men, Daniel and Gary, an outlet to share their stories and give voice to an alarming problem. I’ve been heartened by the outpouring of support from many folks in Portland—and beyond. However, there have been hecklers and detractors.

First, let’s be clear. No matter what some queer person says to some gentleman who shoves them or pushes them aside, no one deserves violence as a repercussion. After getting shoved, one friend said to another, “What manners. At least he has a nice ass.”

The suspect replied, “Is this some gay shit?”

Would the assailant have turned around, seen Daniel’s drawn-on eyebrows, and punched him anyway? Who knows. The bottom line: the man said, “Is this some gay shit” and went ballistic. That is horrific. Let’s not wag our fingers at someone for saying something we may or may not have said were we in the same scenario. How many times have you said something sassy about someone while you’ve been in a bar? Care to count the number of snide drunken comments you’ve made in your lifetime?

Second, my blood pressure cannot handle pqmonthly.com

another person implying someone somehow deserves it because they’re partying in Old Town, as if there exists some sort of queer caste system wherein people who frequent CC’s or Embers or Silverado deserve to suffer because of their choices in nightlife. Anyone committing any hate crime should pay a steep legal price; we should not have to suffer for our perceived difference; the city should and must commit all its resources to keeping its neighborhoods safe. Perhaps that means dismantling the “Entertainment District.” (PS, any belligerent straights stumbling upon this, we were there first.) It is reprehensible that there is a spike in hate crimes during Rose Festival; it is unacceptable that the city can’t seem to manage a district it created; we should demand more from our elected officials.

I have been consumed emotionally by the violence. Since telling last month’s story, more have been brought to my attention.

Two men were bashed at the end of April; another man was violently attacked a few days before this column’s deadline. People are reaching out, telling their stories. I am seeing terribly upsetting photos—people are suffering from horrible injuries. Mental anguish abounds. The people attacked are beautiful souls—talented and smart and witty and beautiful. Decidedly queer.

As I write this, activists are talking about resurrecting Q Patrol. I am not sure Q Patrol is the answer, but I wholeheartedly support people trying. It beats armchair and Internet activism.

I’ve heard lots of people want to bash back; while I do not condone that, I don’t judge it. I understand your rage, hurt, and anger. Some people want to carry mace, others more potent weapons. There are all sorts of reactions to a very complicated issue that hits people right in the soul. Personally, I’m employing the buddy system, charging my cell phone, and screaming like a banshee if anyone approaches me or my friends.

I’ll also be dialing 911, because what’s not reported, the city can do nothing about.

In the interim, try to withhold judgment.

Don’t scold victims for how they process what happened to them, or for what you feel they “did wrong” in any given scenario. These things happen in a split second, in the blink of an eye, and reactions occur accordingly.

I have a thousand clichés to toss your way, like: hindsight is 20/20. Don’t be a Monday morning quarterback. Put yourself in a victim’s shoes.

Be vigilant, but don’t hide who you are because you’re afraid. I am certainly not suggesting you run around hurling sexual innuendos at every straight man you encounter, but there’s a happy medium. The fact that anyone would dim their big gay light because of a handful of unhinged assholes breaks my heart nearly as much as the violence does.

“They wish we were invisible. We’re not.

Let’s dance.” –Joe. My. God.

Daniel@PQMonthly.com

JUNE/JULY 2015 • 31

FEATURE

RUPERT KINNARD: A SUPERHERO OF HIS OWN MAKING

By Amanda Schurr, PQ Monthly

Rupert Kinnard’s life as a storied one, quite literally. A pioneering presence in the publishing realm, the Chicago native first moved to Portland in 1980, making a name for himself locally as an art director (Willamette Week, Just Out), and nationally as the visionary behind syndicated political comic strip Cathartic Comics, which he’d created in 1977 for his college newspaper at Cornell. The strip’s cast of satirizing regulars would become the oldest continuRUPERT KINNARD AND HIS PARTNER, SCOTT STAPLEY ing black gay and lesbian characters in United States.

His astonishing breadth of community involvement, progressive advocacy, and accolades—among them a 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Arts Foundation—are far too numerous to even scratch the surface of here. What is equally as inspiring is how Kinnard’s work spans all facets of his personal identity, from race, gender, and sexuality to classism, ageism, and disability—the latter the result of a 1996 automobile accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

A thoughtful and humble man, Kinnard, 60, spoke candidly with PQ Monthly as he reflected upon his groundbreaking career, the intersectionality of diversity and community, and plans to get his 320-page graphic memoir, The LifeCapsule Project, to the public.

PQ Monthly: You’ve been a cartoonist and an art director. What is the appeal of each for you?

Rupert Kinnard: The comic strip was really born out of the passion I had for superhero comic books and a platform in which to share my views and my thoughts on what was going on in the world. The art director was really more of a profession for me than being a cartoonist. … I think one of the main reasons I’m known as a cartoonist is because the characters that I created, there weren’t that many characters, or any characters, like them. They were a gay male superhero-slash-fairy [The Brown Bomber] with a lesbian partner [Diva Touché Flambé].

PQ: What were your expectations in debuting such characters that had never been seen before?

Kinnard: It’s one of those things where you kind of follow your creativity and do what it is that you enjoy. The thing that I think is really important to highlight is the development of the Brown Bomber, because when I was a kid and I was into Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Fantastic Four so much that I started drawing those characters. And then at some point I thought, “Well, I can just create my own characters,” and when I was creating my own characters

32 • JUNE/JULY 2015

at one point I realized there weren’t any black people in these comic books that I had admired. I went, “Well, wait a minute, they’re white.” It was like one of those racial awakenings, because it’s interesting to me that I was outraged when I realized that I wasn’t really being represented in the comics and then I didn’t think, “Well, what the hell? I created these characters, my own, and I’ve even made them white.” So that caused an extreme change in direction.

PQ: Do you think the format allowed you to get away with more, broach hot-button topics easier?

Kinnard: Maybe. All I know is I really created something that was just a hybrid of so many aspects of cartooning and editorializing. It’s one thing being a superhero in a comic book, it’s another thing being a superhero that’s the lead in a weekly comic strip commenting with the other characters of the strip on events of the day. The only thing I can say about the combination of all the elements that went into making my strip [is] that it just ended up being a whimsical collection of influences.

PQ: As an African American, a gay man, and also a paraplegic, speaking as generally or specifically as you’d like, what have you observed in terms of visibility and growth?

Kinnard: I think what we all would like is for kind of a natural integration of visibility of diverse people. Not only people of color but gender-wise, in terms of transsexual people and bisexuals, but the other cross I have to bear is I’m disabled or what I consider “less-abled.” So you just kind of want there to be a true understanding of how diverse the community is. … I’ve been around long enough that I definitely remember the frustration of how everywhere you turn, [with] the gay community at that time, it wasn’t even considered “lesbian” and “gay”—it was white men [who] were representing the community, and they had to kind of be dragged kicking and screaming to even include women.

And even when they did make any kind of effort to include women they wanted women to identify as “gay women.”

And the women were saying, “No, we have enough difference from you as gay people that we are lesbians,” and there was that conflict. … I can understand women basically saying, “Why are you questioning us? You’re saying you want us to be a part of this, you say you’re welcoming, and the minute we let you know how we want to identify ourselves we get this flak from you.” It was all indicative of a power play that I think is kind of a root part of straight white men and then gay men— merely by virtue of being gay, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have that white male privilege aspect. Exploring that kind of stuff has always been fascinating to me, and I have to make it fascinating just to kind of override the frustration that’s in it all.

PQ: As we approach Pride season, can you share your thoughts on not only the frustration you mention, but our accomplishments and triumphs?

Kinnard: First of all, I don’t think that you can ever talk

to anyone who would be as strongly in agreement as I am in terms of how far we’ve come. I’m in awe of how far we’ve come, the community has come, on so many levels. During the ‘80s, the least of what we were fighting for was the right to not be beaten up in the street and not to be discriminated [against] in housing or on the job. So there was this really intense thing that we were really passionate about fighting for and we never in a million years would have added samesex marriage to the mix. It was inconceivable that that was anything that we would ask for, so the degree to which that has taken hold in just the American consciousness is absolutely one of the hugest things that has occurred. Connected to that is how humbling it is to see the sheer power of the Coming Out movement. This whole idea of refusing to be in the shadows and in the closet is in every single way responsible for, in retrospect, how quickly change has happened. …

I still think the challenge really does have to do with the diversity within our ranks, and aligning ourselves with other social movements. One of my favorite cartoons that I drew back in the ‘80s had to do with a gay white man [who’s saying], “We really need to struggle to get all the rights that we deserve” … and basically what he was saying is, as white gay men, the only thing stopping them from really being a part of the power structure was the gay part. … So in answer to your question, it still really is a diversity issue and really understanding the true power of intersectionality.

PQ: What have been some of your favorite moments in seeing how your work, your voice on the page, has impacted others?

Kinnard: One of the most gratifying things happened so recently. It had to do with being invited to the Queer & Comics Conference in New York. One of the panels that I had been invited to be on that I was really proud of was the “Pioneers of Queer Men’s Comics” panel. When I was invited, my first thought is, “I’m not a pioneer,” but … it gives you this opportunity to reflect back on what you’ve done, what you’ve created and, even more so, it forces you to think back to the state of gay cartoons when I started.

All of a sudden I think, “Well, wait a minute, I was drawing this black gay superhero in this comic strip—who else was there?” It made me realize that there [hadn’t been] what it is I was doing. The other panel that I had been invited on was a panel that I really felt dealt with these different parts of who I am, “Queer Comics, Health and Dis/Ability,” and I thought that that would be the least-attended panel but it was packed. Just the reception I got from the presentation that I did, it was the most recent example of how people can be moved when you have these various issues to deal with within the queer community. Anytime that I feel like I’m in a place to encourage people to draw parallels between all of our different challenges and you can put a political slant on it, I do feel very, very gratified and very rewarded.

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committee came from community volunteers; in following years, previous Heroes have mostly done the job. We were happy with the racial, ethnic and gender balance among the nominees—our community has Queer Heroes Northwest was born four consistently given us plenty to work with years ago, out of a conference at Portland’s in that regard. Narrowing the list down to Q Center.

30 was the hardest part.

Some Q Center staff On June 1, we started and a couple of GLAPN announcing a Queer members were looking at Hero per day on GLAPN. a multimedia project from org, and the Thursday out of state. It was flashy, before Pride, we had all it looked expensive—and 30 Queer Heroes postit honored an LGBTQ citers up in the gallery at izen for every day of their Christine Tanner and Lisa Chickadonz met in 1982 at Q Center. The Queer Pride festival.

Oregon Health Sciences University. They started a family in Heroes posters stay up “Can we do this in Port- the 1990s. (Our online version has their complete story.) all year at Q Center; a land?” was the question. separate display of the Minus the ad-agency glitter and flash, it was Heroes goes to Pride; and we create a travcompletely possible. We came away from eling display to other exhibits and celebrathe table with a project timeline, a little bit tions, all year round. The Queer Hero profiles of strategy, no budget whatsoever, and the remain on GLAPN’s website forever. name Queer Heroes Northwest.

By the time this article is in print, at least It was a good project for a historical soci- some of the 2015 Heroes will have been ety. GLAPN’s entire reason for existing is announced online. All of this year’s Queer to collect, preserve and publicize regional Heroes’ posters will be on display at Q Cenqueer history. We knew some of our com- ter’s Aaron Hall Gallery, opening Thursday, munity’s heroes, and we were certain that June 11, from 5-7pm. It’s quite a gathercrowdsourcing would tell us more. ing—all present and previous Queer Heroes It was good to team up with Q Center, are invited, and the event is open to the which was in a position to reach a far larger public. Folks who can’t catch the opening audience than GLAPN could claim on our at Q Center can see the entire display at own.

Pride, or follow along day by day on GLAPN. And it was good to introduce such a org and Facebook as the rest of the Queer positive project. All LGBTQ folk have been Heroes are revealed. beaten down at least a little bit by prejuIt’s impossible to do this work for four dice and discrimination, in part because years without learning a thing or two. we don’t get much good news about ourI found it remarkable how much our selves. It is uplifting to hear stories of cour- movement has depended on drag queens. age, persistence and accomplishment, told Who rioted at Stonewall? Who started orgaby those who know us. nizing our community, in Portland’s gay So the first year of Queer Heroes NW bars? Who stepped up with fundraisers went remarkably well—and, in fact, four for AIDS victims, when the need was most years later we’re still doing approximately desperate? Who is still funding and awardthe same things, except that Q Center is now ing scholarships to LGBTQ students to this in the background, and GLAPN is learning very day? These men and women have my to run Queer Heroes Northwest on our own. utmost respect.

We opened nominations for Queer It has been eye-opening to see the influHeroes NW on our web page early in March, ence people of color have had on our moveand a number of friends gave us a boost ment from the beginning. The mainstream through social media. We were open to press never told us that. hearing about anybody—living or dead, We can see connections as time goes by.

LGBTQ or straight ally—who had ever made For instance, there’s a line running from Bill life better for queer people in the Northwest. and Ann Shepherd (who co-founded PFLAG We added the criteria of risk, sacrifice, ser- in 1975), through Jeff Rose, (Mr. Portland vice, example and inspiration, recognizing Leather in 1993, who created a scholarship that while legislators and bureaucrats make fund in the Shepherds’ honor), directly to lasting contributions to our community, so the Shepherd Scholar who took the State of do people who have nothing to give but their Oregon to court in 2014, bringing marriage volunteer hours, or those who worry about equality to Oregon. getting beaten up on the way home from Of course there’s more. Someone with a school. We intended to recognize everybody. little patience can get a fairly good picture We compiled the nominations in April. of Oregon’s LGBTQ history, just by browsIt was like inviting folks to a party, and wait- ing the last three years’ Queer Hero proing to see who showed up. Response was far files on GLAPN.org—small, tolerable, even bigger than we expected, and even in the interesting doses of history, and it’s about first year we compiled more than 150 nom- people we know! inations into the mother of all spreadsheets We’re sharing one of this year’s Queer and sat down to figure out what we had.

Heroes profiles online at PQ Monthly’s webWe made selections in early May, and site, chosen particularly to illustrate one started on production. The first selection couple’s tenacity in pursuit of justice. pqmonthly.com

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VOICES

Pretty And Witty And Gay

LIFE IS GOOD. ENJOY THE RIDE!

MARRIAGE FOR EVERYONE!

By Belinda Carroll, PQ Monthly

It is a very important Pride season for the LGBTQ community, kids. Sure, the booze is flowing, the EDM is on full blast in many of our various hot clubs, and President Obama declared June Pride Month, which makes it super official. It’s also the month that the Supreme Court of the United States is due to rule on the rest of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act).

When SCOTUS struck down DOMA June 26, 2013, it was only a section. It ruled that the assertion that “defining marriage only between a man and a woman lacked constitutional basis” and left the legalization of same-sex marriage up to the individual states. It’s basically like your mom deciding that your bedtime doesn’t necessarily have to be 9pm but then leaving it up to everyone in the house to decide. You’re still going to bed at 9pm if they decide they don’t want to change it, even if it’s just not fair, mom.

The ruling opened the floodgates all over the U.S. making same-sex marriage legal in 36 states. Good thing Scalia, one of the only dissenting judges in the ruling, isn’t the only justice. That guy is a real buzzkill.

A positive ruling can mean a few things, depending on how they rule. They can decide that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, and no state can abridge the rights outlined in the Constitution. In other words, states would no longer have the right to deny marriage; it would be, in effect, federalized. Or, it can decide that if a couple gets married in a state that has legalized gay marriage and then come to let’s say, Alabama, Alabama would have to recognize the marriage. (Although, why anyone would willingly move to Alabama is beyond me.) Or, it can decide to keep things exactly the same.

There are a couple of things that point toward a positive ruling. One is that Ruth Bader Ginsburg rocks. That’s just true in general, but she recently performed a same-sex marriage for two men, and at the end of the ceremony said, “By the power vested in me by the Constitution of the United States”— which points to Bader Ginsburg thinking marriage is constitutional. But before we send Bader-Ginsburg a note saying, “Do you like us, yes or no?” there have been other indications, such as SCOTUS overturning 100 percent of the state same-sex marriage bans in the last two years.

We kind of know who is going to vote

what. (Scalia against it, Bader Ginsburg for it.)

T he r e a l q ue stion mark is Justice Anthony Kennedy, who has said both that he believes everyone has the right to marry freely and also said, “I don’t even know how to count the decimals when we talk about millennia. This definition has been with us for millennia. And it’s very difficult for the court to say, ‘Oh, well, we know better.’” He added that “the social science on this”— the value and perils of same-sex marriage—is “too new.”

I’m not sure what Kennedy is afraid of. Maybe he’s afraid of china patterns that are just too fabulous, or that lesbians will use our power tools powers against people. Forced remodels are very scary.

But, since Massachusetts legalized samesex marriage in 2004, divorce rates have actually gone down for the state. A lot of that has to do with the fact that the couples who have gotten married were together for decades, which really says to me that we need to do things the opposite way. Let’s have a relationship for years before we marry. Much higher rate of success. You’re welcome.

I think that the biggest predictor in the success of same-sex marriage being legalized is... the Internet. I know, the Internet tends to be a vile cesspool of opinions, but the one thing it does is let people have a clear view into the lives of others (despite the outright lie that is the selfie).

People who have never come in contact with LGBTQ people before now talk to them daily on the Facebooks, the Twitters and the message boards. That means a lot of people have more understanding than they ever have prior.

Which leads to votes. According to current polls, the support for same-sex marriage has never been higher. According to CNN polls, an overwhelming 63 percent supermajority has been recorded—incredibly higher than 2004 numbers, which were 26 percent for same-sex marriage according to Rasmussen Reports.

So we’re at a crux in the same-sex marriage battle, and we will win. If not at the end of June, then soon. But it’s coming, and I think that people who want to get married yet have commitment issues should get into therapy sooner rather than later.

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JUNE/JULY 2015 • 37

FEATURE

“I NEVER WANT TO GET STALE”: ALEXIS CAMPBELL STARR

By Shitney Houston and Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly

a lot. There were scriptures being said. And you know, I used to play the organ at church.

They were saying, “You can’t be at church You know Alexis Campbell Starr from doing this if you’re going to be doing this stuff.

Queens of the Night—her monthly hip- If you’re living this way, you can’t do this anyhop party at Local Lounge—or Darcelle more.” Yeah. It was a lot. I don’t regret anyXV Showplace. Perhaps you’ve glimpsed thing. And you would have thought coming her at the Superstar Divas out at school as a gay man would Megashow, or caught her as have been hard. It was so easy emcee at Boyeurism. The list and so smooth. goes on. Most recently, Starr When I first came out, my placed First Alternate in the mom’s thing was, “I can’t supMiss Continental Pageant, one port it as long as you live in my of the most storied drag paghouse.” That was her thing. But eants in the world. (Think To when I moved out, there was Wong Foo.) PQ had a chance nothing more that she could to catch up with the fabulous say. Nothing more they could Ms. Starr—about growing up Alexis Campbell Starr is a little piece of do. Now, every once in a while, in Portland, her art and evo- heaven. Heaven must be missing an angel. she’ll catch feelings. She’ll cry. lution, and much more.

She might get emotional or Etc. Photo by Eric Sellers.

PQ Monthly: So you were something if she sees a picture born and raised in Portland, right? of the old me, “I have faith that God can Alexis Campbell Starr: Yes, I grew up in change you.” So she’s still on that train.

NE, close to the Mississippi area. I came out PQ: So when you were young and had when I was 17 years old. your gay support system, were any of them PQ: Before that, growing up, what was it drag queens? like for a young black gay man in Portland?

Starr: Yes. I didn’t know at the time they Starr: I dated women through high school, were drag queens. But, my friend, Kourtni, until I was a junior. That’s when I had my first Kourtni Capree Duv, I didn’t really know experience with a man. It sparked everything that side of him. I wasn’t even a fan of drag from then on. So when I had that experience queens then. I didn’t like it. They were very with this guy, I caught some feelings, and intrusive to me. They just kind of scared me. eventually outed him at school first.

I just didn’t see the need for a man to get up PQ: Oops. in women’s clothing.

Starr: Yes. I outed him and myself along PQ: So how did Alexis get going? What with it all. So I broke up with my girlfriend. was your first time in drag like?

And his girlfriend wanted to fight me. And Starr: The first time was Halloween. My it was just a mess. boyfriend at the time, his sister and cousin, PQ: So after all that, how did it go down they were like, “We have clothes you can with your friends and family? wear!” And Kourtni was like, “And I can paint Starr: So I had to come out to my family your face.” So it all kind of came together. at that point, because there was an orga- And I was a hair stylist. So I could do my nization that we were a part of that caught own hair, they all brought me all kinds of wind of what was going on. It was like a clothes, and Kourtni did my makeup. But, rite-of-passage program for young Afri- girl, I looked terrible. I don’t even know can-American men. So when this all hap- what my style choice was that night. And pened, our advisors were called, the school I had these black and blonde tracks. And I was notified, and our parents were noti- remember I had to get up and go to school fied. My mother didn’t really understand the next day, so I wasn’t going to glue anywhat was going on. I knew some shit was thing in my hair or anything permanent like about to happen. It was about to get very that. So I just put my hair in a ponytail. And I real. I ended up getting pulled out of the wrapped the tracks around, like really super program. Life got tough. I had to come out tight. There was a little bit of my hair in the to my family, and I was put out. front. And I just flipped it all backwards. It PQ: You were kicked out of your home? sort of looked like a full wig. I thought I was Starr: Yes, and I moved in with my bio- something. But it was such a mess. logical father’s side of the family for a while, PQ: You’re not just doing pageants now. until my parents were able to go with the You have been hosting nights, having your flow as far as what was going on with me. own gigs and jobs.

But they were trying to figure out if they Starr: Yeah, in 2012, I worked at Silverado. could change it. They felt they could change I was their host Thursday nights, and I filled it. They thought church was going to change in too. Then I went to Hamburger Mary’s. me, all this wrongness. They actually did an That’s when I started doing the show with intervention on me with bibles and holy Isaiah [Tillman]. I was having a great time. water, and all kinds of things.

PQ: When did you start Queens of the PQ: How did that go down?

Night?

Starr: At this point, I had a very nice surStarr: That started in 2010. And that’s rounding gay support system. So, what hap- always been at Local Lounge. pened was, I went to my mom’s house. My PQ: So you’ve had your share of the both aunts were there, my uncles, my grandparALEXIS CAMBELL STARR page 39 ents. And my grandfather is a preacher. It was 38 • JUNE/JULY 2015

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ALEXIS CAMBELL STARR Continued from page 38

the pageant world and the club scene. Compare them.

Starr: So the club thing is me hosting on the microphone and such. That’s a whole different side of me. That’s my jokester side, having fun, getting to tell people about myself or my experiences in a funny way that they might be able to relate to. Just throwing out things that happen in everyday life. About people too, just to see a whole table laugh and lay out, “Bitch, we all know she’s talking about you!”

That is where I have my fun. Now pageants are very serious to me. Pageants are my way to show that I’m not one to be fucked with. That’s how I look at pageants. I don’t look at them like, “Oh, I’m just going to have fun with this and see what happens.” No, bitch. I’m coming in here and I’m going to win this. Just for me, at least, it’s like a helpful reminder, “Bitch, you still got it.” It keeps me in that mind frame. I’m sitting here right now wondering, “What am I going to run for next?” That’s the difference to me.

PQ: You’ve lived in Portland for most of your life, and you’ve been in the scene for a while now. Is the scene different now?

Starr: I think what’s changed is me. My view of the scene is different now. I mean the gay scene is sort of always the same in some ways. After being on the inside of things, like working at the clubs, or being at a place like Darcelle’s, you start to know

all the people that put together the shit and all the particulars. Just knowing the insides of things makes me look at it differently. I don’t necessarily look at clubs as fun anymore. I don’t much go out in drag to clubs unless I can get paid.

I’d rather go to a place like the Fox and Hounds and enjoy the company of friends than go out drinking and dancing and stripper-watching. It just doesn’t amuse me anymore. It’s not some kind of weird stuck-up thing. I just think I’ve kind of outgrown it.

You know, I hear Poison [Waters] say all the time, “I don’t do drag for free. I don’t do drag for free.” And I feel like, for me anyway, that’s what I’d be doing if I was always out in drag at this point. That’s why you’ll find me in sweats just chilling after a show.

PQ: Who are some of your inspirations?

Starr: As far as drag goes, stylistically, I would say Raquell Lord. She’s always been my drag idol. She’s just amazing, everything she does. People can say she is late, or she is just a glamour queen. But I am fine with that. The ballads she does are so… they’re just so good. Her Anita Baker! Everything she does gives me life.

And Beyoncé is one of my tops as well.

Not because of what she is doing now necessarily, but to see where she’s come from.

How her voice has changed, she’s a mother now. She’s just a little different. I love to see that evolution in a person. That’s what inspires me to constantly change myself, whether it’s a little bit at a time or a dramatic change. I try to keep it fresh. I never want to get stale.

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VOICES

ID CHECK

Measuring Progress & Pain

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

Recently, while I walked past a group of teenagers, one called out to my back, “Oh my god—that’s a guy!” Her tone was hysterical, and elicited a similar response from her friends.

I ignored them. While unpleasant, this was nothing I hadn’t experienced before.

Transphobia, and more specifically, transmisogyny, is a value of our culture, and something adolescents, I’ve witnessed, can bond around.

A few days later, I attended a meeting that included a “pronoun round”: Those present were invited to introduce themselves by their names and pronouns. Though trans people were invited there, this was not a particularly queer event, and it was evident that for many this was the first time they’d been asked to offer such information.

Gender identities in our culture, historically, have belonged to the state and the community. Individuals are assigned a binary gender identity, and then policed and graded on how well they enact that assignment. To those teenagers, I had failed.

Assigned male, I was not being a man. Likewise, because they “recognized” that, I wasn’t succeeding as a woman either. As part of our society, they deemed themselves entitled to define my gender publicly, and ridicule the deviation they inferred in my expression.

As the pronoun round demonstrated, though, these practices are changing. “You tell me who you are, and I will listen,” these ceremonies say. I noticed some anxiety or bewilderment in a few of those who spoke that day. Had they failed at gender? Did we not know what to call them?

About seven or eight years ago I noticed heterosexual people, when talking about their significant others, using the word partner, rather than girlfriend or boyfriend, husband or wife. The gesture seemed egalitarian—a way to erase a privilege they felt shouldn’t exist. Heterosexuality shouldn’t be compulsory or “normal,” and non-heterosexual relationships shouldn’t be stigmatized, their choice said.

Acts like pronoun rounds communicate similar ideas regarding gender. Being cisgender is not “correct,” and being trans or gender non-conforming is not odd or confusing. Asking someone their pronouns or offering one’s own avoids misgendering, makes space for non-binary identities, and chips away at the idea that identities are something assigned or imposed, rather than a person’s integral self.

As I’m writing this, there have been 8 reported murders of trans women in the U.S. this year, and 11 reported trans

youth suicides. These numbers are sadly not out of keeping with recent trends. The cissexist idea that cis people have the right to bully, harass and assault anyone trans or gender non-conforming makes life unsafe for all people who aren’t cisgender. Bullying and harassment underlies each of the youth suicides, and the transmisogynist violence in the murders is self-evident.

Observing these ideas evolve, and play across fields such as television comedy, public restrooms, women’s colleges, and murder reports has been alternately odd, inspiring, and infuriating. Progress is occurring I could never have envisioned when I was young, and yet the injustice could not feel more personal. The prejudice affecting young people—those specifically targeted by conservative religious groups— is the same that made living my identity when young an impossibility. That same prejudice is literally killing the most vulnerable among us—those specifically with intersecting marginalized identities—and our community seems to pay it little mind.

A recent article about Barnard, a women’s college on the verge of formalizing a policy to accept trans women applicants, revealed a campus where those supportive of such a measure spoke freely, and those opposed—those “uncomfortable” with trans women, and who perhaps didn’t see them as women at all—would not talk to reporters, and confided their worries only in private, for fear of seeming prejudiced.

Thinking about transphobia is like watching a fire slowly going out. Thinking about it for a trans person is like observing a fire that’s devoured one’s house, and killed one’s family members, being extinguished. One’s glad to see the danger ebb, but is mindful one’s house still contains a fire.

That meeting organizers would include a pronoun round and assume goodwill on the part of those asked to participate, and that students who wished to act on transphobic impulses at Barnard felt the need to publicly censor themselves—actions and attitudes that likely wouldn’t have been present perhaps even two years ago—demonstrate the stigma being on the wane. That teens burst into spontaneous harassment upon seeing me speaks to its continuing vibrancy.

Finding myself drawn to trans topics during my transition has meant concerning my mind with narratives of progress and death, narratives that feel like an ongoing novel—the only one I want to read at times, because only it reflects my trans identity, and resonates with the deep wounds of my past.

Ginelle is a playwright and journalist living in Portland, OR. You can write her at leela@pqmonthly.com.

40 • JUNE/JULY 2015

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VIVA TEQUILA PDX 2015 PRESENTED BY CASA HERRADURA

August 29 & 30, 2015

Saturday 4 to 9pm, Sunday noon to 4pm (VIP Tasting 4:30 to 7pm Sunday)

VIVA TEQUILA PDX General Admission $25 Per person, per day + processing fee General Admission Includes 6 Tastings & Commemorative Photo

JUPITER HOTEL 800 E. BURNSIDE, PORTLAND, OREGON 97214

VIP $45.00 Per person + processing fee VIP Includes one (1) 2-day pass 8 Tastings (total) Access to 3 VIP Tequila Hospitality Suites & Commemorative Photo

Get your tickets now at: VivaTequilaPDX.com Sponsors:

MONTHLY

DRINK SPONSOR

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VIVA TEQUILA PDX 2015 PRESENTED

BY CASA HERRADURA

*Event is 21 & older ONLY, valid proof of age required - * Viva Tequila PDX Benefits: Milagro Theatre a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Portland, Oregon whose mission is to provide extraordinary Latino Theater, culture and arts education experiences for the enrichment of all communities.

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JUNE/JULY 2015 • 41

FEATURE

GAY SKATE WITH PQ Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink

Always the 3rd Monday of every month from 7-9pm THE THEME FOR JULY IS: MADONNA & MICHAEL JACKSON THE THEME FOR AUGUST IS: SUMMERTIME AT THE BEACH Follow us on Facebook for details

ADMISSION $6.00 PQ Monthly is proud to partner with Take Action Inc for their “Backpack program.” This program fills backpacks, utilizing YOUR Gay Skate food donations, for Oregon kids pre-kindergarten to 8th grade, so they do not go hungry over the weekends.

Thank you for donating to this most worthy program.

Please visit www.pqmonthly.com/ partnerships and click on “Take Action Inc” to view their list of preferred foods.

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DYKES ON BIKES® & FRIENDS

Come join the Oregon DYKES ON BIKES® Portland Chapter! www.DykesOnBikesPortland.com Dykes&Allies on Bikes

Please email President@DykesOnBikesPortland.com to get on mailing list

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RIDE LOUD & PROUD WITH US! pqmonthly.com

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY PQ Monthly is published the 3rd Thursday of every month. Please contact us for advertising opportunities at 503.228.3139

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