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INSIDE • TURNBACK BOYZ, PART 2 • FINDING LEO • PLANNED PARENTHOOD • PFLAG LAUNCHES #BLACKLOVEMATTERS • TURN A LOOK: ARIES AND MUCH MORE!
ERIN JANSSENS Portland’s First Female Fire Chief Retiring In April
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A DAY WITHOUT A MEXICAN IN OREGON By Alberto Moreno, PQ Monthly
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Editor’s Note: Our Brilliant Media Team decided to reprint the following piece instead of our typical page 3. Since we first made our PQ readers aware of the ICE RAID that happened during the holiday season of 2015 we had been asked if there were any updates. We had to point out that the planting season has just begun, so the likelihood of raids happening through the harvest season are unlikely. Please do not mistake that statement - This does not mean in any way that they/WE are safe. Que pasaría. What would happen? If we disappeared. If we stopped working. Half a million-strong us?! 160,000 farmworkers us. If tens of thousands of restaurant workers called in sick with the brown and down flu? If we, the teachers, the scientists, the doctors stopped. If they QUIT. Refused to serve. What if we took a well-deserved day of rest and in doing so, we exercise our relaxing power? What if the dairy workers at Dairygold did not show up until we had safe working conditions? If we refused to sow Oregon’s fields until we were equal injustices reaping? What if we did not show up in your factories? Or to your homes to take care of Your children? What if we took ourselves to the doctor for our own long-deferred needs? If we acted as if we mattered too. As if our kids were as important, as loved as yours? What a lovely revolution that would be. What if we closed the 13,000 thousand small businesses and restaurants and took with us, the $1,663,452,000 in sales receipts?* What if we refused to feed anyone else until we too were seated at justice’s table? Wouldn’t that be a thing beautiful and entire?! What if Latinos who make up 58.8% of the workforce in farming, fishing and forestry occupations stopped working? What if 28% of the labor force in grounds maintenance and cleaning, if 23.5% of materials moving, if 20% of the food industry staff and 17% of all construction staff refused to go to work anymore.** For a day. For a week for a month?! What if we stopped working the jobs that you will not do? Refused to
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be the ones you send in to remove asbestos or mold. Or installed your high pitched roofs without the benefit of health or disability insurance. What if we did not show up to clean your homes, hospitals and hotels? What if you could no longer take credit for our work? Who would drywall your gentrified home? Remodel your kitchens. Pound the nails into the doors and buildings which later shutter against us? And what if we refused to build anymore the very roads which we are not ‘legally’ permitted to drive upon? What if we were not here? Refused to be the beasts of burden or blame anymore? Whom would Oregon scapegoat then? What if we said no mas! No more. Will we stoop and bend. Stoop and bend for you. And what if, like God, we took a holiday. A day of rest to tend to our own tired bones. What if we stayed home with our own children to tell them the true story of us? Hardworking us. Legal us. God loved us. Us with our brown Christ-us. What if we stayed home to tell them the story of beautiful them. Removed the garment of shame from their still folding frames. Gave them back their pride. What if they became unashamed once again about their mother’s native tongue? The one that brought them quietly into the world. And what if we stopped spending OUR hard earned dollars. Stopped shopping at Walmart, Target or Costco’s. What if we stopped buying your hand me down cars? If we took our $7 billion in purchasing power to only those businesses which treated us with dignity. What would happen if we ceased? Simply. From our labor? Oregon would come to a grinding halt. Would limp along without us. And the profits made off of our low wages would disappear altogether. But another thing would happen too. We would realize our own true worth. See for the first time or once again, our god given dignity. Which you have kept from us too long. And Oregon. Urban and rural Oregon, would have to pause. And maybe, just maybe see our humanity too. What a beautiful, just, Oregon this would be! (*Figures drawn from 2010 US Census; **American Community Survey and Pew Hispanic Center)
A SMATTERING OF WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE:
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An Interview With The Turnback Boyz, Part Two.............................Page 4
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Sossity Chiricuzio, Samantha L. Taylor, Michael James Schneider, Leo Bancroft, Summer Seasons, Marco Davis, Kathryn Martini, Sally Mulligan, Katey Pants, Queer Intersections
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AND MUCH MORE! MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 3
FEATURE
QUEER MASCULINITY EMBRACING IT’S FEMINIST SIDE, AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TURNBACK BOYZ, PART TWO
By Sossity Chiricuzio, PQ Monthly
Last year Max Voltage brought us the radical queer musical theater piece, “Homomentum,” and now the boy band concept from that production is a spin-off project that just made their big Portland debut! We continue our conversation with the Turnback Boyz in part two of the interview, with more back story and future plans, as well as favorite moments from their premier show. PQ: Let’s get into a bit more of the camp and character of it all. Who is your favorite boy band, and why? Max (aka Peter): N’Sync, because their choreography is so iconic. Runner up is New Kids on the Block because each member had such a defined sense of style and personality. Che (aka Oliver): BoyzIIMen, simply because they have so much integrity and tight vocals. They were probably the best vocalists of all the boy bands out there. Plus, they fully committed to creating meaningful love songs and break up songs. Ruth (aka Tommy): The Backstreet Boys. Mostly because I have so many memories singing into hair brushes at slumber parties and choreographing dances “As Long as You Love Me.” PQ: What was the inspiration for your boy band character and era, and how do you workshop where your stories overlap? Che: Oliver Gold was my Queer Porn handle, inspired by my complexion and mild obsession with the color gold, and a comfortable lead in being an “1840’s cowboy turned gold prospector.” Inspired by a really crappy EX, who took me for granted, Oliver’s backstory has one too (ART AS THERAPY FOR THE WIN!), which got him up and movin’ to the Gold Rush, to find himself surrounded
by fags in early SF. Jackpot! Ruth: Growing up there was quite a variety of music playing in the household. One of my favorite genres was always doo-wop. Max: My character is from a post-apocalyptic future. Personally, I’ve always felt like a weirdo, so setting my character in the future seems somehow fitting. And it gives me space to think way outside the box, create a new fashion, genders and literally invent a world around my character. I also wear the playwright hat and tend to drive the big-picture story pieces (with lots of input from the boyz). PQ: What are your plans for the boyband for the next year, and what is your collective process for moving those ideas forward? Max: This first year has been about developing the concept and learning to work together This next year we’re gonna write more songs, make our first music video, further develop our back-stories, ramp up our choreography, and collaborate with other artists. Che: I’d like to see us do a bit of a PNW tour From PDX to Olympia to Seattle and back! Ruth: One dream includes appearing on Ellen - we want to challenge her to a dance off. PQ: I hear that you are always working on new songs— what are some upcoming topics you want to cover, and why? Che: We are working on a Femme Visibility song, and I personally want to write a Daddy themed song and a hanky code line dance. Pop country for the win! Max: Plus then we get to geek-out about the origins of the Hankie Code! We all agree that femme is such an important, powerful gender, and Y’all deserve a song that reflects how sexy and amazing you are. I think Pan needs a glam-rock genderfuck song about the fate of the world at the hands of capitalists. Ruth: I/Tommy would love a dancier number with the theme: “I don’t care what’s in your pants, I just want to fucking dance.” PQ: What is your favorite thing about being in a boyband? Ruth: Singing, and collaborating with some fantastic and incredibly creative people. Max: Getting to be shiny on-stage, connecting and collaborating, Ruth/Tommy’s dirty and clever puns, Che/ Oliver’s ridiculous lyric brainstorming tangents, the contagious joyfulness of Kim (our director/theatrical coach/ honorary boy band member.) Che: I love having the opportunity to sing/jam/write music. Plus, the reactions I get by simply TELLING people
I’m in a boy band, ain’t too shabby either. PQ: Tell me about a character in or era of history that you are excited to visit and interact with. Ruth: I would love to go to the 1920’s - really just to pick up some sweet swing moves! Che: I really want to visit Atlantis. As a super woo nerd, I would love to explore what their technology was all about and learn from why/how their civilization fell. Max: I’m stoked to use time travel as a way to celebrate and explore queer history! I think we should definitely witness Stonewall, and the birth of 70’s Glam Rock to get in on some of that genderfuck. I’m also excited about Ancient Greece and creating a sci-fi backstory so we can explore and interact with their mythical figures. The piece I collaborated on with local dancer Lauren for our PDX debut is a great example of how we can mix our present day skills and experience with mythology for a new take on an old story. PQ: That number was incredible--it was great to see some fantastic local femme talent like Lauren and Fanny Fuller on the stage with you--and all your audience participation pieces were so fun! What were some personal highlights from this show? Ruth: Oh snap, so hard to pick! How about, looking out and seeing so many supportive people there, and the energy before the show--I swear the room was buzzing! And the laugh when Pansy stuffed the hanky in my mouth! Che: It was such a fun show! I’d have to say when our Joan of Arc volunteer came on stage and danced with us during “Self Made Man.” Also, the Backstreet meow cover! Also the sailor suits! It was a blast! Max: I always love the organic, stay quick on your feet moments of live performance! When Oliver’s guitar cord fell out during “Fool’s Gold” and we made it into a sexy/ dirty/silly moment with Tommy on his knees sticking it in... Rising to the challenge of an audience member’s song request and busting out some Vivaldi, and narrowly avoiding a sword to the face during “Self Made Man”. PQ: Now that you’ve broken onto the scene, what’s next? Max: We have a show coming up April 9 with Canadian genderqueer artist Rae Spoon! We’re looking forward to hearing songs from Rae’s new album, Armour, and mixing their romantic electro style with our boy band magic for some unique, campy fun. We’re also making a guest appearance at Pink Hanky Presents night of queer performance on March 26. We’re really excited to collaborate with more artists, and keep pushing our own artistic edges. See for yourself at their upcoming performances--March 26, 8 pm, Disjecta, and April 9, 7 pm, Panic Room--and on turnbackboyz.com! End note: If you have questions or 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
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FEATURE
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MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 5
VOICES
FINDING LEO One Chest Hair Is Enough I have been on testosterone for 21 months, and still only have one chest hair. One. It’s faint, and sometimes I need my glasses on to see it, but it’s there. Sigh. My facial hair status bar is still loading at 20%. I can wish for more right now, for the hormonal transition to go faster, but I may as well wish for civility in our national political discourse. Some things we just can’t control. Most of the time I feel ok about my body. But I also deal with wishing I was manlier. Part of me believes that the more masculine I appear, the more quickly I will navigate the world. Even though I am very out about being trans (including writing a column about it), I don’t always want to be out to strangers and worry about being misgendered. I am nearly always called “sir” by waiters and salespeople, but then I brace myself for them to wrongly “correct” themselves. I try to butch it up so they know they were correct in identifying me as male. I often don’t feel masculine enough when I’m contemplating dating. If you missed it, last January I came out as bisexual, which is not infrequent in the trans community. I’ve been told that people read me as a gay male, which is great when the dating audience is a gay man, but discouraging if I’m trying to pursue a straight woman. You know how we lament (or celebrate, depending on your opinion) that men are socialized to be manly from a young age? I missed out on all of this socialization into the world of being male. I feel like I’m trying to learn a foreign language by only watching television and guessing at the syntax and rules. For example, I am deducing that I need to stop fluttering my hands about or clasping them to my chest when I’m shocked. Or do I? Our world has so many ways of telling us we are not enough. We are not manly enough, we are not thin enough, smart enough, funny enough, popular enough. Some of this comes from advertising, to be sure. If we buy <insert magic product here>, we will be <insert desirable quality> enough, and then be happy. But our judgment of ourselves and others also comes from our own tendency as humans to tear one another down as we tease, exclude, or bully those who are different from us, often as a way to ease our own insecurities. To be sure, it frustrates me when we are mean to each other. But what breaks my heart to pieces is when churches or people of faith tell people they are not enough: pure
enough, holy enough, cisgender and straight enough. How can I hope to do enough to help heal the wounds inflicted by spiritual leaders on those who are seeking God? The truth is, I can’t. I have had many conversations over the last few years with people who have been hurt by the church. It doesn’t matter to me if you go to church or if you believe in God. It’s not my job to get you to church, and none of my business. I love you just as much as the person who does go to church or believes. But I do care about your stories. You deserve to be heard. You are worthy of being seen and loved just as you are. I mentioned last month that the tattoo on my arm references my favorite Bible verse. Which reads in Romans 8:38-39 (NRSV): “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I’d like to put that another way. “For I am convinced that nothing will make God stop loving you. No matter what anyone has told you, you are enough. Whatever you have done, whoever you love, however you live, you are still beloved.” I can understand if it doesn’t really make a difference for some people if I say this. Their hurt and rejection by the church is too deep to heal quickly. As a person who lived as a straight, cisgender, white woman in the church for 37 years before coming out, I’m sorry that we haven’t done more as a church to speak love over the rancorous voices of bigotry, discrimination, and shame. I regularly feel awkward about talking about God and faith, especially in the LGBTQ community. I’ve been told I am too churchy to date. I don’t relish being the uncool guy that always talks about God and goes to church. But I have been the humble recipient of your stories, and I want to be a good caretaker of the anger and hopes you tell me. I am honored that you have shared your lives with me. You know, I’m going to try to take my own words to heart. I will celebrate my one little chest hair. It is enough. I will try to accept my mannerisms that are read as feminine. I am male enough. I will keep working for justice in the church. I am cool enough. And you? You are enough. And you are pretty damn awesome.
ELLE ZOBER
By Leo Bancroft, PQ Monthly
Leo Bancroft is a Lutheran trans man. He volunteers on the boards of Cascade AIDS Project and ReconcilingWorks. You can reach him at leo@pqmonthly.com. 6 • MARCH/APRIL 2016
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FEATURE
PFLAG PORTLAND BLACK CHAPTER LAUNCHES BLACK LOVE MATTERS CAMPAIGN By Olivia Olivia
PFLAG Portland Black Chapter is honoring February 2016 as Black History Month with a program called Black Love Matters. The program is intended to spotlight what Black Love means to people in the community. PFLAG Portland Black Chapter’s website explains “We want to see shots of you and your loved ones, be they partners, children, siblings, parents, friends, mentors, or spouses – we want to see shots of you and your loved ones representing Black Love in all its shapes, forms, and sizes. We want to show the world that loving ourselves comes in a variety of meaningful relationships. And you – yes you! – and the love you have for others like you is exactly the kind of story that needs to be shared.” Community members are invited to “Submit your photos, stories, quotes, and memories to pflagpdx.pbc@gmail.com and we might share it in our social media campaign across Facebook, Twitter, or our Portland Black Pride page.” To participate in #BlackLoveMatters: 1. Email a photo to pflagpdx.pbc@gmail.com OR message us on Facebook at Portland Black Pride. 2. Include names of all pictured in the photo. 3. Include a sentence or two on why #BlackLoveMatters The deadline for accepting input is February 29, 2016.
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#BlackLoveMatters to me because of this beautiful queen my wife. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today!” - Raechl Work Hard Walker + MzbeautifulWalker
My Dad, Keith Edwards, has been my biggest supporter and fiercest advocate since day one. He has always loved me unconditionally for all of who I am. Thank you, dad!” #BlackLoveMatters - Khalil Edwards
The moment we said “I Do” our lives were changed for the best. Our love is an example of pure black love. #BlackLoveMatters” – Mr. & Mr. Olan and Frederick Williams.
MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 7
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FEATURE VOICES
NEWS GLAPN FEATURE
DATING A WHITE PERSON IS HARD: WHY I CHOOSE TO STRUGGLE THROUGH IT
Long Beach VoiceWaves, Thomas Lick
Five years ago, I met and fell in love with a man for whom it seemed everything did come quickly. He possessed the classic leading man features: 6’ 4”, blonde hair, blue eyes, and was unyieldingly masculine. “Hubbell” (as we’ll call him in this article) was truly the all-American male, and the perfect contrast to my frizzy hair, brown skin, and emotional androgyny. We became fast friends and eventually lovers. And even though there were obvious differences, these only served to sharpen our mutual fascination with one another. For example, his casual approach to life and the attention that followed him always enthralled me. I was more accustomed to having to fight for recognition and respect. It felt as if I, the lifelong underdog, had actually scored the golden boy. But as time wore on it became apparent that what I thought was an attraction based on an appreciation of our differences was actually the bedrock for my own feelings of inadequacy. Those differences fed into opposing views that made our relationship both exhilarating and problematic. Our arguments became less about principle and more about self-assertion. His was a need to feel superior and mine was a need to feel understood. Our disputes were particularly damaging when the subject of racism in America cropped up. During our on-off relationship, my doubts had already crept in over his views on issues like poverty, the minimum wage or rape culture. I’d routinely wonder to myself, “What is this guy thinking?” Some of the real head-shakers were his assertions that poverty stems from laziness and choice, or that rape victims should be held just as responsible as their perpetrators. Our conversation suffered, but I still held on to the belief that his narrow viewpoints didn’t actually involve me. That changed when I innocently opened up discussion on racial inequality. During a fervent discussion about racial inequality, he asserted, “We’re all granted the same opportunities…” outlining his reasoning with total conviction. When I pressed him to justify his claims in the wake of the deaths of Sandra Bland and Michael Brown, he quipped, “All of it could have been avoided if they weren’t pqmonthly.com
breaking the law in the first place.” He then cluelessly issued forth a racial slur; claiming, “Sometimes you gotta’ call a spade a spade.” I was beginning to learn what it’s like to love someone who’s racially insensitive. To be fair, he did say the punishment did not fit the supposed crime, but he couldn’t elaborate on what these people’s crimes actually were. I have learned that there’s a point we reach when we’re faced with the most unbecoming and intimate truths about our friends and loved ones. At that point, we decide to accept these truths or abandon the relationship. With “Hubbell,” I realized I could not love or feel safe with someone so seemingly unsympathetic. After so many topics becoming taboo in our relationship, this one overwhelmed me the most. All of my insecurities and my negative feelings about race had been affirmed in this relationship. When I finally reproached him, he was firm in his belief that while racial strife in America is real, it’s often overhyped and that I was socially irresponsible for buying into it. What’s worse, there was an essential unwillingness on his part to even acknowledge that I could be right. Looking back, the experience made me wonder whether we as a society use the kinds of arguments that Hubbell voiced as an emotional fail safe. To say the victims of police violence and racism are complicit in their abuse lessens the severity of it and allows us to see the problem without confronting it. Because actually confronting it is vastly overwhelming. Hubbell’s words echoed many who regard the Black Lives Matter movement as problematic, the Tim Wolfe’s in the world who believe black people chose to feel oppressed, and those who genuinely think that we’re living in a post-racial society. Recognizing the gulf between us made me want to retreat from the world. “In a way he was like the country he lived in, everything came too easily to him; except he knew it.” The quote comes from the classic 1973 drama, The Way We Were. The film centers on a romance between Hubbell Gardner, (Robert Redford), and Katie Morosky, (Barbra Streisand). She’s a radically political Jew and he’s the knowingly carefree WASP. They’re madly in love but their fundamental differences drive them apart. Unlike Hubbell Gardner, my golden boy wasn’t aware of his privilege. A privilege that affords him the luxury of not needing to acknowledge the consequences of race, of not being called an agitator for protesting or displaying any level of social outrage. Or the sublime privilege of ignorance, to not feel compelled to understand or investigate the struggles of a racial minority group. In many ways I still love him, just not his privilege. MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 9
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GUEST COMMENTARY
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PLANNED PARENTHOOD EXPANDS TRANSGENDER HEALTH SERVICES By Marie Gibson and Skye Frome
At Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, we believe that all people deserve the highest quality of affordable, nonjudgmental health care no matter who they are and where they live — no matter what — and that’s what we provide each and every day. Our doors are open to everyone regardless of their race, income, geography, citizenship status or gender identity. Across Oregon and Southwest Washington, people come to us because they know they will be cared for compassionately and confidentially. We replace fear with facts, and misinformation with education. We know that transgender and gender-nonconforming people face barriers and challenges when accessing health care in a safe environment. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that PPCW now offers transgender hormone provision for people 18 and older, in addition to the preventive care we’ve always offered. Hormone provision appointments initially will be offered at our Northeast Portland Health Center, with hopes of future expansion to our other health centers in Milwaukie-Oak Grove, Beaverton, Salem, Bend and Vancouver, Wash. As long as we’ve worked at Planned Parenthood, we’ve always provided services to people who are transgender. People still get yeast infections, people still need birth control, and people still need testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases — no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. We work with every type of body. No exclusions. By offering hormone provision to our transgender patients, we are doing our part to make things right for a community that has been let down by the healthcare industry for far too long. Meeting the needs of all of our patients is so rewarding and fulfilling, and we’re excited to expand our services to meet the needs of another population that needs our help. Transgender people, like everyone else, have a fundamental need for quality health care, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The unfortunate reality is that not all healthcare providers have knowledge and understanding of transgender identities, so transgender people can encounter numerous obstacles to obtaining healthcare. From filling out forms, to the language used in the waiting room, to insurance coverage, to staff understanding of transgender identities, healthcare environments can be really unwelcoming to transgender patients.
While Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette is new to providing hormone provision for the transgender community, many other health centers across the country have been providing transgender hormone provision for many years, so we have a solid model to follow. As part of our commitment to community engagement, staff members have been connecting with transgender community members, LGBTQ-serving organizations and other healthcare providers to ensure that the services offered meet the diverse needs of the community. Everyone has their own goal in terms of the type of care they want, so Planned Parenthood adheres to strict guidelines and has o u r p a t i e n t ’s best interest and safety as the focal point. We strongly believe in an informed consent model of care. For example, we routinely ask patients, “In terms of the care you’re receiving, do you feel like you are where you want to be physically with your body and emotionally with your identity?” If not, we adjust and adapt to provide individualized care that is right for that person. At the same time, especially with this type of care, we understand that personal health care is ever-evolving based on what people need and what. Best of all, your hormones will not be held hostage because of lack of funds. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans are no longer able to deny you coverage based on a pre-existing condition. Thousands of people are getting insurance for the first time, and Planned Parenthood will continue to provide quality health care — whether or not you have insurance. If you don’t have insurance, we can help you sign up for a plan that includes us as a provider. At Planned Parenthood, we have a strong passion for providing the full spectrum of sexual health care. We are committed to improving the way transgender people receive health care in our region. Easy, accessible and affordable health care for every type of body — regardless of financial or social situation — is our philosophy for health care. Our goal every day is to make each person who comes through our doors feel welcome, comfortable and cared for while providing the best possible care. Marie Gibson and Skye Frome serve as clinicians at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, the largest nonprofit provider of sexual and reproductive health care and youth education programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington. For more information on transgender hormone provision, or to find a health center near you, visit PPCW.org.
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FEATURE
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MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 11
FEATURE
PORTLAND’S FIRST FEMALE FIRE CHIEF ERIN JANSSENS RETIRING and accolades are lengthy. She was appointed Portland’s Fire & Rescue (PF&R) first female marshal in 2009 and first female Fire Chief in 2012. She is also an out lesbian, a pioneer and a role model to many. Janssens was able to share some of her experiences with PQ Monthly about what drew her to a career in firefighting and thoughts on being a woman and out lesbian in that field.
By Shaley Howard, PQ Monthly
Portland’s first female Fire Chief Erin Janssens announced recently that she will be retiring after 3½ years this April. In her message to staff Janssens said, “After over 31 years in the Fire Service and nearly 28 of those with Portland Fire & Rescue, I’m pleased to announce my decision to retire this coming April. Retiring in the spring gives me time to finalize a few projects and provides Commissioner Saltzman time to identify Portland’s next Fire Chief.” Throughout her 31 years, Janssens accomplishments
PQ Monthly: What made you decide to become a firefighter? Janssens: I grew up in Boring, Oregon and spent time in Portland with family. I was your typical tomboy who liked to be active. When attending Community College and trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I recommended becoming a firefighter to a male friend who responded with ‘that would be so great, why didn’t I do it?!’ It hadn’t occurred to me (it actually took me by surprise) but I hadn’t seen or even heard of a woman firefighter. I had been completely limited by the power of language – in this case, by the word ‘fireman’ – along with the traditional visuals of only seeing white men as firefighters and cultural indoctrinations that this was ‘men’s work.’ My fascination with the profession continued through the next year, and I finally decided to investigate it more by enrolling in some classes and searching for the opportunity to become a volunteer firefighter. I quickly figured out I was able to do it physically, mentally, and emotionally. I loved it and then set my sights on becoming a professional firefighter in Portland. PQ: Out of the litany of accomplishments over the past
28 years, what are you most proud of accomplishing? Janssens: I’m always very proud of our people and the work they do - it also makes me happy that people recognize that women are, and can be firefighters, or police officers, -and men can be flight attendants or nurses and that our world is less restricted by old stereotypes. That our women firefighters can walk into any fire station throughout the city and they’ll be greeted and welcomed as a professional peer. I’ve had so many great assignments through my career before becoming Fire Chief. Despite the Great Recession and dealing with tough budgets as the Chief, we’ve actually accomplished a lot over the past 4 years including increasing City-Community initiatives, advancing Equity and Prevention outreach, and improving the health and safety of both the community and our workforce, all with increased fiscal responsibility. Some specifics are keeping every fire station open with 4-person crews on critical fire/rescue apparatus through tough budgetary times. More significantly improving our ability to respond to an earthquake, implementing numerous pilot programs to both help make our community safer and also be a part of the solution to our nation’s healthcare issues, and creating improved messaging for our recruitment and prevention outreach. PQ: As the first female Fire Chief tell me more about what your experience has been like as a woman and what sort of hurdles you faced? Janssens: As the ‘first’ you become much more visible FIRE CHIEF ERIN JANSSENS page 13
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FEATURES FEATURE
FIRE CHIEF ERIN JANSSENS Continued from page 12
and that adds another layer of expectations to an already challenging job. Coming up through the ranks you’re often the only woman in the room, but after many years, I’m used to that. As Fire Chief, I’ve had the opportunity to work with far more women now in the city, region, state, and nation, which has been great. I think my experience as Fire Chief has been the same as anyoneespecially coming up through the ranks and going through tough budgetary times. Fire Chiefs put in long hours and have to make a lot of tough decisions that not everyone understands. PQ: Do you think it will be easier now for other women to take on that sort of leadership role or do you think the glass ceiling is still tough to break and if so how? Janssens: I think more women can now better visualize themselves in not only this role but other non-traditional roles as well. That’s exciting to me. But rising to a leadership position, especially in the fire service where it’s very competitive, takes a lot of hard work no matter who you are. You have to learn to recognize biases and overcome those limitations, but each time someone from a historically under-represented group promotes into a new role it begins to become part of the new norm not unlike women entering colleges and the workforce in the 1900’s or 1950’s. Those women were pioneers and breaking into new roles at that time. PQ: What advice would you pass along to other females wanting to break into positions such as PF&R Chief or other top end positions? Janssens: I would say, be open to learning and working hard. In addition to your regular work schedule of 50-70 hour weeks, responding to all 3rd or greater alarms and fire deaths, the Fire Chief is on call 24/7 for any bureau or city matter, and then also attends many events after hours and on weekends. While it’s an honor, it’s much more than a full-time job- it becomes your life. After that, I would ask the person why they want to do this. Anyone pursuing something just for the money is quickly disappointed. Think about what you enjoy or what gives you satisfaction. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you believe that this is a good match? Can you perform all of the job-related tasks, pass the tests and meet the physical, mental, and emotional demands? It doesn’t matter who you are, you have to work hard and master each job every step of the way. You also have to know and believe in yourself and get feedback from someone you respect and trust. PQ: What overall advice would you have for young girls and women in life? Janssens: Try to eliminate the word ‘can’t’ from your vocabulary- it’s very negative and limiting. Also, try to always use gender neutral words - the traditional terms aren’t bad or wrong, they’re simply not inclusive and limit opportunities. Ask ‘why’ and try to think without limitations. PQ: Has your sexual orientation ever been an issue with your job and if so how? pqmonthly.com
If not, why do you think that is? Janssens: For the most part, before becoming the Fire Chief, I’ve been a relatively private person. I’m very happy that we have made so many advancements for equity in both the workplace and society as a whole, but there’s still work to do. As the Chief, it has been my honor to walk with fellow LGBT firefighters in the Pride Parade, attend the annual Basic Rights Oregon dinners, and make sure I set the tone that no form of discrimination is tolerated. We have a vast and diverse management team that recognizes our biggest strength is that we bring different perspectives and solutions to the table. Today, most of our firefighters live openly not only at home but also at the fire station. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the LGBT community for their support. So often when I’m out at an event, people have been very kind and expressed their support, which means a lot to me. PQ: Living and working in the city of Portland, Oregon my guess is the atmosphere for women and lesbians might be different than other Fire and Rescue departments across the nation. Do you think Portland is unique and different in this and if so, how? Janssens: I do think Portland is different. I’ve heard from numerous colleagues of significant barriers they’ve experienced. Portland is a bit more progressive and reflective of the diversity in our community. I’m not saying we’re perfect, but we strive to be. PQ: As someone who seems very involved, it’s difficult to imagine you sitting still. Where do you see yourself going from here? Janssens: Great observation- I like doing things- better yet, making a difference. I plan on catching up on projects around the house, and then find something that inspires me. I’m really thankful to still have good health- firefighters life expectancy is about 10 years less than the general population, so I hope to try to maximize that time- I know too many people who didn’t get to enjoy any retirement. PQ: What do you do on your time off? Any particular hobbies or volunteer organizations? Janssens: I’ll continue to be on the Board of the Red Cross, enjoy catching up on home improvement projects, gardening, and love playing with my dogs. PQ: What do you hope your legacy will be? Janssens: Do I have to pick only one? I hope my legacy will be advancing an open and diverse workplace/community. By being an active role model in the fire service and the community, and leaving PF&R, our city, and our region better prepared to respond not only on the day to day emergencies people have but especially to a natural or human-caused disaster (earthquake or terrorist type event). I’d also hope that we continue to be more engaged on our most common fire and health issues to prevent more emergencies from occurring in the first place. PQ: Are you still planning on attending the Portland Women’s 3x3 Basketball Tournament? Janssens: YES!! MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 13
FEATURE GET OUT WEDDINGS
VOICES STYLE DECONSTRUCTED
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THURSDAY, MARCH 17
GET
OUT! Want more? We’ll give you everything. Head over to pqmonthly.com and check out our online calendar of events, submit your own events, and send photos for your event. Also, remember to carefully examine our weekly weekend forecast — with the latest and greatest events — each Wednesday (sometimes Thursday), online only. --MATT PIZZUTI, CALENDAR EDITOR PQ MONTHLY
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PQ Monthly March Press Party. Rub elbows with PQ supporters and staff and celebrate the March/April issue of PQ at Local Lounge. As always, this event is totally free and open to all in the community. 5 p.m., 3536 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
FRIDAY, MARCH 18
Sister Spirit Queer + Feminist Roadshow. 6 emerging and established artists offer a critical, intersectional and often humorous lens to issues of feminism, race, size, class, identity, technology, gender and sexuality. See Jezebel Delilah X, Nikki Darling, Juliana Delgado Lopera, Cassie J. Sneider, Virgie Tovar, Denise Benavides and Cooper Lee Bombardier. $15-20 sliding scale at the door, 7 p.m. at the Independent Publishing Resource Center, 1001 SE Division St.
SATURDAY, MARCH 19
PFLAG Portland Black Chapter presents Now What? In 2015
EVERY SUNDAY
Drag Brunch: Testify at Stag with Alexis Campbell Starr. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. every Sunday, Starr brings you the city’s hottest drag performers, drink specials (5 for $5 mimosas, $5 American Harvest Bloody Marys), and tasty brunch. Be there promptly at 11, children—it’s a sell-out crowd. Stag, 317 NW Broadway. 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. Check out the newest and freshest Diva hits, plus a variety of diverse talent. 8 p.m., CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis. Free!
DANCE
IT OUT
EVERY MONDAY
Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Season 8 Viewing Party. Every Monday until the end of the season! The 2016 season of Drag Race is finally here, and you can watch it with your fellow fans and friends on the big screen downtown at Scandals. This year there will be fun new contests to replace the fantasy league but keep the crowd involved. As usual, the event will have Absolut raffle and drink specials. Free. 7 p.m. at Scandals, 1125 SW Stark St. 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 p.m.-11 p.m., Vault, 226 NW 12.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Amateur night at Stag PDX, though they won’t look like amateurs, 14 • MARCH/APRIL 2016
lawmakers passed a bill that bans profiling by law enforcement agencies in Oregon. The End Profiling Bill also created a complaint process to report interactions with law enforcement and hold individuals and departments accountable. Join us for a special presentation and discussion featuring special guests including Salome Chimuku to learn what your rights are and what you can do if you need to file a complaint. Noon at In Other Words, 14 NE Killingsworth.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23
Putting the T in Equality: Trans Basics Workshop. With the increased media attention to celebrities like Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner, the public has been reading lots of stories about being transgender, but don’t know where to go to learn more. This educational event is perfect for those who are not transgender and want to learn and ask questions about the transgender experience in a welcoming, educational, and relaxed environment. 5:30 p.m. Free, put on by Basic Rights Oregon at 310 SW 4th Ave.
THURSDAY, MARCH 24
Radical Poetry Reading. Join Marilyn Buck Abolitionist Collective for a night of inspirational anti-imperialist poetry reading and discussion. Selected work from Marilyn Buck will be read by members of MBAC, followed by a Q&A and discussion. Free. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mother Focault’s Bookshop, 523 SE Morrison St.
trust. Hosted by Godiva Devyne, come gawk at the pretty dancers. And talk some shit with the Devyne Ms. G. 9 p.m., Stag PDX, 317 NW Broadway.
EVERY THURSDAY
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! 9 p.m., CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis. Free.
FIRST SATURDAYS
Hard Yes presents: Yes Please! Yes Please is a monthly queer dance party for the dark, dirty and fabulous who just wanna dance. The party also features guest performers from Portland and beyond plus resident DJ Sappho alongside a rotating lineup of guest DJ’s providing you with a healthy dose of: House, techno, deep disco and hard f*ggotry. Cover $7. 21+. 9 p.m. at Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St. Sugar Town. DJ Action Slacks. Keywords: Soul, polyester. Great place to find the ladies, to mingle, to get your groove on. 9 p.m., The Spare Room, 4830 NE 42. $5. Pop Rocks! 80s music aficionado DJ Matt Consola (Bearracuda) is hosting a very special 80s anthem night at Euphoria Nightclub. The space will be enhanced with an 80s theme featuring dancers, games and an official Dungeons & Dragons Gaming Table, visuals, rad 80s movies, drink specials, a photo booth, coat check and special guest DJs. 10 p.m., Euphoria, 315 SE 3. No cover. Pants Off Dance Off. Come get bold and bawdy at Crush Bar’s
SATURDAY, MARCH 26
The 2016 Mr. Oregon Bear and Mr. Oregon Cub Contest. Join the Oregon Bears for their annual contest to select Mr. Oregon Bear 2016 and Mr Oregon Cub 2016. Join Bill and Ryan for a great night of entertainment, bear community fun, and lots o surprises. $10, 5 p.m. at Embers, 110 NW Broadway. Oregon Bear/Cub Victory Party. Follow up the annual contest at Embers with a victory party at the Eagle. Join Cole Miner and the Oregon Bears as they announce 2016 Mr. Oregon Bear and 2016 Mr. Oregon Cub! Come in Leather, Uniform, Rubber, or other gear for free entry. Cover $3 after 9 p.m., 835 N. Lombard St.
MONDAY, MARCH 28
Joanna Newsom at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Since Joanna Newsom’s first album, The Milk-Eyed Mender, came out in 2004, her music has been an ever-growing category unto itself for listeners around the world. Her albums are regularly found on “Best the Year” and “Best of the Decade” lists. Doors open at 8 p.m. Ticke start at $35. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway.
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
The Night is Femme: A Solo Show Featuring the Works Katey Pants. Katey Pants has been in nightlife going on over fiv years. Her commitment to building queer spaces for is demonstra
monthly clothing-optional dance event, a bar-as-you-dare safe space to break character without risking your day job (no cell phon photos allowed, folks!) Come early—the place gets packed and space is limited. $5 cover after 9 p.m. with a clothes check for $2 1400 SE Morrison St.
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. 8 p.m., Crush, 1400 SE Morrison.
SECOND FRIDAYS
Slo Jams 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// Keyshia to Badu//Lauryn Etc. 10 p.m., Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. $5.
SECOND SATURDAYS
Hot Flash: Inferno. (Second and Fourth Saturdays) In the heart of Portland is where the women are—dancing the nigh away and burning up dance floors the second and fourth Saturdays of every month at Trio. Welcoming all women, queers, and their allies. DJ Lauren joins Wildfire, and this night features dancer from up and down the I-5 corridor. 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Trio, 909 E. Burnside. CALENDAR SP
THIRD MONDAYS
Bump, grind and crash into your favorite queer friends at Gay Skate. Look for our publisher, who’s always handing out copies of PQ. And, you know, you’ll probably get a date. Every third Monday. Food drive for Take Action Inc. 7 p.m., Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. $6. pqmonthly.com
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ed through high concept parties that integrate visual art, photography, sounds, and atmospherics. The Night is Femme will highlight just some her vast work in party building, visual art, writing, and sounds creation. She will explore her personal and queer community connections with night, shadows, the unknown, femme existence, sexism, queer failure, desirability, magic, and power. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Bad Sister Studio, 1627 NE Alberta B3.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
Club Nitty Gritty Dance Party. Do the grind, the slop, the slime, etc to gritty vintage R&B, blues, sultry soul, rugged proto funk. DJ Action Slacks delivers pure grit, no chaser! FILTHY sax, TOUGH stuff, and low down DIRTY grooves. 21+. 9 p.m. $5 at Kenton Club, 2025 N Kilpatrick St. Caravan of Glam presents “Drag me to Church!” Be ready to see things you never thought you’d see in church at this all-ages, all-welcoming fundraiser for Portland’s Q Center at First United Congregational Church of Christ. First United will be accepting donations throughout the evening so bring any clothing, food, etc. and other offerings for those in need. 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. at 1126 SW Park Ave.
SUNDAY, APRIL 3
Ellie Goulding hits Portland. Live this April at the Theater of the Clouds at the Moda Center, don’t miss the return of Ellie Goulding! The past two shows with Ellie sold out as soon as they went on sale, don’t miss out this time around! 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St.
THIRD WEDNESDAYS
Comedy at Crush: 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!) 9 p.m., 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 special slew of talented queens for a night that takes Hip-Hop from beginning to end. 8 p.m., Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. Free.
THIRD THURSDAYS
Polari. Troll in for buvare. Back-in-the-day language, music, and elegance. An ease-you-into-theweekend mixer. Bridge Club boys make the music. Bridge and tunnel patrons have no idea what to do with us when we pour in. Hint: it’s always the Thursday we go to press. What serendipitous fortune! 10 p.m., Vault, 226 NW 12. Free.
THIRD SATURDAYS
Burlescape! Burlesque & boylesque wrapped in a taste of rs tease! Zora Phoenix, Isaiah Esquire, Tod Alan. 9 p.m., Crush, 1400 SE Morrison. $10. We’re featuring all of Zora’s online, so get on the net. PONSORED BY events Undergear: Eagle Portland’s monthly underwear, jock, mankini, etc., fetish party every third Saturday. Free if you arrive before 9 p.m. or if you use free clothes check upon entry after. After 9 p.m. arrivals who do not check clothes must pay $5 entry. Clothes check and raffle prize provided by Cub Cleaners. Eagle Portland, 835 N. Lombard. Stranger Disco. An always-packed North pqmonthly.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13
Soul Clap. Soul’d Out Festival presents a funky soul Hump Day dance party. Your entertainers The Clap is on a mission to change the world one dance floor at a time. Dr. Funkenstein has taught us well: free your mind, and your ass will follow. 21+. 9 p.m. at Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
The Pink Collar Comedy Tour features New York-based comedians Kaytlin Bailey, Abbi Crutchfield, Carrie Gravenson, and Erin Judge as they bring cutting-edge, hilarious stand-up comedy all across the US and beyond. A portion of the proceeds benefits Planned Parenthood. Get tickets at http://pinkcollarpdx.brownpapertickets.com. $12. 9 p.m. to midnight at Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Portland’s dance-heavy/drag party Club Kai-Kai, is celebrating John Waters 70th birthday! To celebrate the King of Filth’s B-day, there will be a performance and $200 ‘Most Devine’ costume contest by RPDR Season 3 winner Raja Gemini, Female Troubles and Pink Flamingos inspired drag performances by Gula Delgatto and Marla Darling, and FILTH, lots and lots of filth!!! Get there early, turn a LQQK, and work it for the dance floor at Saucebox.
Portland favorite queer dance party on North Williams; DJs Stormy Roxx, Vera Rubin and Sappho. 21+, $5, starts at 9 p.m., Vendetta, 4306 N. Williams Ave.
FOURTH FRIDAYS
Twerk. DJs ILL Camino and II Trill. Keywords: bring your twerk. 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 you’ll move all night long. 10 p.m., Killingsworth Dynasty, 832 N Killingsworth. $5. Club Kai-Kai. A crazy, cozy, packed dance party for queers at Saucebox. Club Kai-Kai (at it’s most basic) is an experimentation of nightlife, performance, and your gender preference. If you have questions, we don’t have answers; we just have a space for you to Kai-Kai. $5 cover, 21+ at Saucebox, 214 SW Broadway.
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. 9 p.m., Euphoria, 315 SE 3. $7. Judy on Duty. Lesbian hardcore. Judys, Judes, and cool ass freaks. Dance it out. DJ Troubled Youth. Organized by Ana Margarita and Megan Holmes. 10 p.m., High Mark Water Lounge, 6800 NE MLK.
LAST SUNDAYS
Sabbathhause Discotheque, gay night is back at Aalto lounge and it is bigger and more queer than ever before. Featuring some of the best deejays and performers around and hosted by night hawk Chanticleer Tru. 8 p.m., Aalto Lounge, 3356 SE Belmont.
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WEDDINGS VOICES GET OUT THE BRILLIANT LIST
FRIDAY, MARCH 25
Spring Awakening party by the Gay Prides of Vancouver. Give some love to Portland’s neighbor to the North: Join Your Mr. Ms. And Miss Vancouver Gay Pride, Steven D. Westwood, Nirvana Dix Dupont and Dixie B. Liciou. Enjoy the shows and libate liberally to raise money for Saturday in the Park Pride. Get drink specials, prizes and more. All proceeds benefit Saturday in the Park Pride. 21+. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., 600 Main St., Vancouver, Washington.
PQ PICKS
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
Transgender Day of Visibility. Transgender Day of Visibility is an opportunity to show support and spread awareness about the trans community by highlighting the accomplishments of trans people. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors transgender people who have been victims of violence, Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates achievements and offers recognition. FREE. Pioneer Square from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
Lumbertwink presents Slumbertwink. Spring is on its way, so get your ‘jams on and celebrate the waning phase of cuddle season before the rain gives way to scorching sun at Rooster Rock. This month, join the good old-fashioned slumber party with Portland’s lanate lumbersexuals at Slumbertwink. “Don’t worry about waking your roommates, we’ve got several rooms of plaid clad dads, Lumbertwinks and other woodland creatures partying all night.” Come wearing plaid or pajamas for $2 off your cover. $7, 9 p.m. at Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave. MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 15
VOICES
THE SECRET LIFE OF SUMMER SEASONS Learning to Evolve and Change
When marriage equality came up for a vote the first time in Oregon, I was not for it. You see as a person who struggled with faith my whole life I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the reason for gay marriage. I was gay-identified at the time but didn’t really see the need for it to be a thing. When civil unions were presented that seemed like a good alternative to me, and I chose to support that initiative. It wasn’t until my boyfriend proposed to me, that I finally started to question my own beliefs. I knew in my heart of hearts that it was time for me to make a change because now I was about to have to fight for my own. I started working on the marriage initiative almost immediately and a lot of my friends were very skeptical of me. I had been such a vocal advocate for civil unions instead of marriage that they had a hard time believing that I could now be for it. You see it wasn’t until I was presented with the idea of not being able to marry the one that I love that I personally realized how important this issue was to me. The proposed civil union wasn’t going to be separate but equal; it was going to be completely unequal in all aspects. There were going to be many partner rights that were missing, most nota-
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bly health decisions regarding your partner. I received a lot of hate mail from my friends at this time, and that was really hard for me to adjust to. To me, I had seen the error in my ways and was making a progressive move forward, but to them I had been a part of the reason we were being held back, and the villains who didn’t allow us the rights we so rightfully deserved. I wasn’t going to let anyone slow me down from my new goal of achieving marriage equality, but I was going to for sure make people know why I had changed. Until I had been forced into the change, when anyone had previously asked me if people changed, I would’ve told them it’s not really possible. I’d heard it from my parents and teachers so often growing up that I’d come to believe it myself that people can’t change, and yet here I was forced with one the biggest changes in opinions I’d ever faced and I was contradicting everything I’d believed in and grew up knowing. I couldn’t really explain why the fight became so personal for me, but it became the biggest fight I ever went to go work for inside myself. I had a lot of making up to do, to myself, but also to those that were around me as well. I needed to prove to them that I had made the change in my thinking and that I was now on their side as well.
Realizing I’d made a mistake was probably the hardest for me to get over. I’d always considered myself to be smart, informed and pretty progressive when it came to the issues, but I’d apparently made a mistake. I realized then and now that it was my duty to inform myself on the issues and to educate myself with the knowledge from those that surround me. It would then become possible for me to change and evolve my opinion on things. Growing from my mistakes haunted me for a while but made me a much better person today. I channeled that inner struggle into working for the right side of the cause and started informing the naysayers as to why it was now important to me. The evolution of me will be something I’ll forever be working on. I’m here to tell you that I am now a changed person. It took that personal touch for me to realize it, but now I see all of the issues with a much better clarity. I stopped beating myself up over the opinions I formed when I was younger and misguided and I do my best to discover the facts before making a new view. I’m no longer afraid to admit my mistakes because I believe that acknowledging them will help others to grow, and I’m forgiving of those that come to me and say they’ve changed too. At a certain point in your life, you’ve got to look at your friends or family and forgive them for their past if they weren’t on the same side of you, especially if they’ve changed. It took a while for my parents to come around to being okay with me doing drag, but here they are more supportive than ever. You never know what someone’s past is as to why they make the decisions they do, but forgiveness for their mistakes sure does make the process smoother for them and a much easier life for you!
pqmonthly.com
FEATURES COMMUNITY
UNSUNG WOMEN HEROES AND THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT Author, Suzanne Deakins, GLAPN
This is a story about women. Women we don’t know, whose names never appears in headlines of the newspaper, nor are they considered hero activists. Women no matter what their gender identity, sexual preferences, or station in life, have accomplished much setting us free from the binding tapes of our past. Celebrating Women’s History month, I find myself flooded with words that DON’T convey the true feelings I have about women who have passed through my life. The paternal grandmother of my children who without a degree was the first women to serve as an assistant auditor at the FED in NYC, (actually the first women ever). The friend that taught me I could speak in front of others with confidence. She gave me voice. I am not talking about voice to speak of freedom, but rather a voice to say I love you, and I care for you. She probably will never know how she changed my life and many of the women I know. And there is the transgender woman who everyday rode the bus with me down Fifth Avenue in NYC. Elegant and proud, she showed everyone the beauty of being herself. A true hero to every life she touched. The Mormon wives’ who found themselves in love with one-another. They left their husbands and children, came to Denver to take seminars in freeing themselves from their past beliefs. Returning to Utah, they became the unnamed beacons of light for others seeking freedom. Women’s history is not just about changing laws
pqmonthly.com
and rules, but rather how women have changed the consciousness of us all. Before a law can be changed, the consciousness must change surrounding the law. Quantum physics tells us that there is a connection between us all and that we are intrinsically linked. We can be a million miles apart and we will either mirror or reject (depending upon the action of those we know) the movement and thoughts of others. Physicists tell us that the electrons in the cells of our molecular structure can be a million years old or a million from the future. Every consciousness action unfolds to a greater and more humane future affects us all. Those electrons in China may well be residing in our molecules this very moment. We know the molecular structure is renewed every seven days. Why is this important? Because it tells us our actions and thinking today are transmitted at a very core level to those we have never met. It tells us that our deeds, actions, and love must be for those who are not yet born. Through freedom of thought, expression, and life we are bound to one another. As we drop a pebble into the great lake of life, it sends waves through the whole lake, announcing the presence of life. Women’s History is about life. It is the mothers, daughters, heroes, and the silent majority that strives to make sure all life is looked at as sacred. Women have built the altar of tomorrow of love, strength, caring, and embracing ourselves as beautiful expressions of all life. We are the Goddesses of life. Who-so-ever (no matter the gender identification) embraces the feminine energy is a Goddess and a creator of our universe.
MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 17
FEATURES FEATURE
JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS SEEKS $1M FOR #EMERGINGUS New America Media/Inquirer.net, Anthony Advincula
NEW YORK, NY — Jose Antonio Vargas was in Florida last Friday. Three days later, he was on his way to Georgia, then on to Wyoming. Vargas, the Filipino journalist who rose to prominence after he came out as an undocumented immigrant in a New York Times Magazine essay in 2011, said he practically lives on airplanes, hopping from one state to another. The reason? He is seeking to raise $1 million in 60 days for his new venture #EmergingUS, an innovative video-driven digital news site that explores the intersection of immigration, race, and identity in the United States. “#EmergingUS is a corrective,” he said. “It is correcting the mainstream media’s failure to really cover this demographic earthquake that we, as a country, are going through — with aftershocks everywhere.” Vargas, 35, believes that the national media do not fully capture the true picture of America and what it will be in the future, culturally, racially or politically. He hopes that his new media outlet would fill that void. “This is the time that our population has grown more Latino and more Asian, with Asian people being the fast-
est immigrant group in this country — documented and undocumented,” he said. “But I think the media when they talk about us, there’s [only] one dimension, and we’re lucky if we get a few dimensions on the story. So, we don’t really get the richness of our experiences.” Vargas said that Asian people don’t even exist in the election 2016 debates. “They talk about the Latino vote, the black vote, but not the Asian vote,” he said. “But the country that has been predominantly black and white is now going to talk about issues that are not black and white; it is going to be the fundamental issue of American identity.” Crowdfunding journalism #EmergingUS was originally a joint venture between Vargas and the Los Angeles Times, at a time when the paper was trying to find new ways to experiment with digital initiatives. After meeting in 2015 with then-Los Angeles Times publisher and chief executive, Austin Beutner, Vargas started #EmergingUS in the Times newsroom. But Beutner was fired last September. Then the Times and Vargas agreed to transfer the assets developed for #EmergingUS to his company so that he may pursue the project independently. Now partnering with Beacon, the journalism crowd-
funding platform that helps raise funds for journalists around the world, Vargas needs to reach the $500,000 goal in two months in order to get Beacon’s matching funds. “Jose’s tireless immigration reporting has earned him the trust of readers and lawmakers alike, and has already sparked a national conversation about identity,” said Dmitri Cherniak, co-founder of Beacon. “We’re excited to see what happens when he has the resources to broaden his purview even further.” Vargas, as the publisher and editor, launched #EmergingUS on Feb. 18, 2016. “We should be the center of the narratives. I am tired of being marginalized. I am tired of being just the minority,” he said. “I think that is something that you’d tangibly see in the way we are covering the stories in #EmergingUS.” Relying mainly on donations from its readers and supporters, he and his current team of six have already received almost $65,000— a big achievement in the past 24 hours since the launch. According to Vargas, most of the donors are from individuals that are supporting the site. Some of them gave $5, he added, while others donated as much as $1,000. “This is something that has never been done in American journalism, that is to raise a million dollars from the crowd, so we’re very excited about being able to do that,” he said. As a for-profit company, Vargas admits that #EmergingUS needs to be “economically sustainable” to carry out its operations. In the long run, he said that his company will rely on “the mixture of readers’ support, advertising, sponsorship, live events and all that [to] build an actual business model.” #EMERGINGUS page 19
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PERS{ECTOVES
#EMERGINGUS Continued from page 18
Helping the Filipino community A former reporter at the Washington Post, Vargas was a member of its Pulitzer Prize-winning team that covered the Virginia Tech shooting massacre in 2007. He landed on the cover of Time Magazine in 2012, telling his story as a 12-yearold boy arriving in the U.S. from the Philippines and now a public figure without legal status but considers himself American. With his voice and influence, he could have championed stories about other Filipino undocumented immigrants in the United States — something that Filipino critics said he had almost never done in the community, particularly when Filipinos are among the lowest number of applicants in the Asian community for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). But, according to Vargas, he has helped the Filipino community, including a relief operation for the Filipino victims of Typhoon Haiyan. He said that he also supported the first California’s Filipino-American Assemblyman Rob Bonta to push Filipinos and other Asian immigrants to get their driver’s license, after the historic legislation that allows undocumented residents to apply for a driver’s license in California passed. “I would say that I’m proud to be the first [undocumented] Filipino to get a driver’s license,” he said.
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Vargas does not want to be viewed as a celebrity. “I kind of realized early on, in this journey, that I don’t want to be put in a celebrity thing, especially among Filipinos. Because what do people do? They put you up in some sort of a pedestal and then knock you down. I’m not interested in that.” Not just an “immigration guy.” While he has become a public figure for immigration reform, Vargas added that his work is far more diverse than that, as it relates to race, culture and identity. “I have been traveling non-stop, and I have argued that what I have been doing is journalism. #EmergingUS is kind of the evolution of my own career as a journalist,” he said. “It is important that there’s been a way for me to insist on my own career, and that I am not only an ‘immigration guy.’” Over the last five years, he said that he has done more than 450 events in 45 states, and he has visited more than 210 college campuses. But for Vargas, as a gay, undocumented immigrant, of Filipino descent with a Latino name, he won’t be able to talk about immigration without talking about race or identity. “People don’t walk around thinking, ‘Oh, that’s an immigration thing.’ Or, ‘Oh, that’s an Asian thing.’ Or, ‘Oh, that’s a gay thing.’ I walk around with all those three things intact all the time,’” he said. “These issues are connected—and that’s what #EmergingUS content is going to focus on, with the complexities of our identity.”
MARCH/APRIL 2016 • 19
FEATURE NIGHTLIFE
INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE A WIN FOR LATINO FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR Over a half million Oregonians will see a raise over the next six years, thanks to a new law passed by the Oregon Legislature earlier this month. And the Oregonians most heavily impacted by this minimum wage adjustment will indisputably be Oregon’s Latino families and communities of color. It’s no secret that Oregon’s current minimum wage is not enough to cover basic costs of living: Right now, a full-time minimum wage worker earns less than $20,000 a year, which is simply not enough to afford basic needs, like housing, child care and transportation. What many people may not realize is how this minimum wage has directly impacted Oregon’s historically underrepresented communities. More than half a million Oregonians are working in minimum wage jobs, and these individuals are disproportionately people of color. While people of color make up 42 percent of minimum wage workers, they constitute only 32 percent of the work force. In Oregon, nearly half of our Latino and African-American workers are employed in low-wage industries. That’s why Causa and PCUN, Oregon’s Farmworker Union, fought hard for a minimum wage increase through Senate Bill 1532. With support from a broad coalition of
small businesses, labor groups, and advocacy groups representing Oregonians at large, the Oregon Legislature worked to identify and pass a bill to increase the statewide minimum wage, with three tiered regions, by 2022. We are so proud of our legislature for taking this important step to do the right thing. Now, people like Maria and Cristobal, farm workers who became U.S. citizens in hopes of finding a better life for their family can finally get a long overdue raise. They’ve been working in agriculture for more than 30 years now: Fighting wildfires, planting seeds, picking berries, processing fruits and vegetables, and planting and cutting Christmas trees. You name it, they’ve done it. To date, this work has brought them a household income of $18,000 at minimum wage their entire working life. That will finally change after SB 1532 kicks in, starting July of this year. Across the state, workers will see a wage increase. Regional considerations will determine the full extent of those increases: By 2022, minimum wage workers will receive $14.75 in Portland and its surrounding urban area. Region 2 minimum wage workers will receive $13.50, and Region 3 minimum wage workers will receive $12.50 , with the first raise of $0.50/hour
kicking in July 2016. And equally important to note, the minimum wage law was passed without excluding any sector of worker, including farmworkers and youth. This increase will impact the lives of thousands of people. Over 100,000 workers will get a raise this July, and when the law is fully phased-in by 2022, an estimated 642,000 workers will see a raise. By 2022, the additional wages paid to Oregon workers will be an estimated $2 billion! Even as other cities and states around the nation work to pass minimum wage increases, Oregon is leading the way and will have one of the highest minimums in the country when the law goes into full effect. Given the fact that Latino and African American workers are disproportionately working in low-wage jobs, this is a major victory for advancing racial equity. Raising the minimum wage has long been a necessary step towards addressing our racial wage gap and we applaud the Legislature for addressing this need this session. And when lawmaker reconvene next year, we look forward to them continuing to prioritize efforts that advance economic justice for all communities in Oregon. During the 2017 legislative session and beyond, Oregon legislators must address the illegal practice of wage theft by unscrupulous employers that runs rampant among immigrant workers and workers of color. The next step towards achieving greater economic equality for all is to ensure the minimum wage is enforced, and that low-wage workers have the tools necessary to crack down on illegal employer practices.
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FASHION CALENDAR
TURN A LOOK: ARIES Sally Mulligan, PQ Monthly
have a tendency toward forward thinking and are usually seen as leaders of the pack. This year, consider your wardrobe your armor. This might mean you finally get serious about finding the perfect leather jacket. It might mean you embrace bold lipstick, or sharpen your eyebrow game. It might mean you sell all your clothes and start fresh at the thrift store. There can only be one you, but you can always mix it up.
Welcome to the third installment of Turn a Look: Horoscopes! Every month I will be forecasting fashions for the sign that month falls on. As the days get longer and the vitamin D starts seeping into our skin again, it’s time for ARIES to set our souls ablaze! What would you like to bring light to this new year, Aries? And what is it time to dim? Here’re some tips from yours truly: CALLING IN: BRIGHT EYED AND BUSHY TAILED Aries are known for their childlike enthusiasm and sunny outlook. This, matched with an enviable work ethic, shows that the Rams are good at tempering work with play. So amp it up this year, go full throttle with loud colors and louder prints, and any nostalgic nods to childhood incorporated. Consider: cartoonish makeup, looser silhouettes, neon, lots of rompers and overalls, and maybe a pair of rose-colored glasses. This year is yours for the taking.
CASTING OUT: THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE Oh, sweet ramelot! I find some relief in knowing that I won’t be the first to tell you this: You are not the center of the universe. But! I do concede that you are a critical piece of it. Somewhere along the way, you developed a reputation for being (shall we say?) self-absorbed. You can humble yourself and still make a statement, dear Arians. I see a stark, androgynous minimalism in your future. Lighten the load with floaty fabrics, draped silhouettes, and a simple color palette. It’s time to find out what it looks like to become a part of the universe, and that means remaining unencumbered with lots of bells and whistles. I challenge you to find a brand of androgyny that does not rely on masculinity.
CASTING OUT: COMPLETE 180 Oh, sweet baby Aries. So impulsive it’s scary. It’s time to slow down and take a rest. Your ability to react in a flash is admirable, but resolve to be less rash this year. How do you reflect that in your fashion? Be prepared to stop on a dime. Athletic clothing duffel bags, comfy sneaks, baseball caps, etc.all done with a twist. Put your own spin on this traditional jock gear with unique fabrics, heavyhanded jewelry, and a bit of leather. Keeping it tongue in cheek is what Aries does best. You work hard and you deserve to play a little harder.
ARIES PLAYLIST: “Feeling Good,” Nina Simone “Accept Yourself,” The Smiths “Bright Bright Bright,” Dark Dark Dark “Baby’s On Fire,” Brian Eno. **You probably already know this but just in case: I am not a professional astrologer and these are just my fun suggestions. Do what you want and let me know how it goes!**
CALLING IN: MX. INDEPENDENT Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, are well known for their extreme independence. They
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NIGHTLIFE FEATURE
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ARTS & CULTURE FEATURE
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS PAY BILLIONS IN STATE AND LOCAL TAXES By Walter Ewing, New America Media
Undocumented immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy in many ways. They fill key jobs, they sustain U.S. businesses through their purchase of goods and services, and—contrary to popular misconceptions—they pay taxes to federal, state, and local governments. Their contributions would be even greater if they had a chance to earn legal status and didn’t have the danger of deportation constantly hanging over their heads. With legal status, they’d be able to change jobs more easily and—as they found better jobs and their wages increased— their economic clout as consumers and taxpayers would rise as well. This is a winning scenario for both the immigrants themselves and the native-born population. In a recent report titled Undocumented Immigrants’ State & Local Tax Contributions, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) explores in depth not only the current tax contributions of undocumented immigrants but how much those contributions would increase under two different scenarios. One is the temporary reprieve from deportation and the renewable three-year work authorization that the Obama administration would grant to some undocumented immigrants via executive action. The other
is the granting of legal permanent resident (LPR) status to all undocumented immigrants—in other words, legalization. Not surprisingly, immigrants with legal status pay more in taxes than those who are undocumented. Undocumented immigrants, like everyone else in the United States, pay sales taxes. And they also pay property taxes—even if they rent. Plus, as ITEP points out, “the best evidence suggests that at least 50 percent of undocumented immigrant households currently file income tax returns using Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs), and many who do not file income tax returns still have taxes deducted from their paychecks.” In sum, according to ITEP, “undocumented immigrants living in the United States pay billions of dollars each year in state and local taxes. Further, these tax contributions would increase significantly if all undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States were granted a pathway to citizenship as part of a comprehensive immigration reform.” ITEP estimates the current and possible future tax contributions of undocumented immigrants at the state and local level: Current contributions: Undocumented immigrants paid $11.6 billion in state and local taxes 2013. This ranged from roughly $2.2 million in Montana (home to only 4,000
undocumented immigrants) to $3.1 billion in California (with an undocumented population numbering more than 3 million). The average effective state and local tax rate of undocumented immigrants in 2013 were 8 percent (compared to 5.4 percent in the top 1 percent of all taxpayers). Executive Action: The Obama administration’s executive actions would grant a reprieve to more than 5 million undocumented immigrants. The state and local tax contributions of this group of immigrants would increase by $805 million per year once the actions were fully in place. This would raise the effective state and local tax rate of this group from 8.1 percent to 8.6 percent. Legalization: Granting LPR status to all undocumented immigrants would increase their state and local tax contributions by $2.1 billion per year. Their average effective state and local tax rate would rise to 8.6 percent. These estimates should be kept in mind as political commentators and presidential candidates’ debate how best to deal with the 11 million undocumented immigrants who now live in the United States. In spite of their undocumented status, these immigrants—and their family members—are adding value to the U.S. economy; not only as taxpayers, but as workers, consumers, and entrepreneurs as well. If they had legal status, they would contribute even more. On the other hand, the only alternative—mass deportation—would be very costly and needlessly destructive. Common sense should dictate which route to take.
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FEATURE VOICES BOOKS
LIVING THE LIFE: LIMITED SUPPORT FOR ADULT TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS
Indian Country, News Feature, Mary Annette Pember
WARNING: This is part of a series of stories to be published over the next few weeks that contain potentially trauma-triggering material. Mary G., whose story as a sex trafficking survivor in Duluth was told by ICTMN in 2012 (Native Girls Are Being Exploited and Destroyed at an Alarming Rate), had terrible problems convincing the administrators of her Section 8 housing to allow her daughter Hope to live with her. Hope, also a trafficking survivor has convictions for prostitution as well as assaulting an officer during a mental breakdown. Federal housing programs usually don’t admit tenants with histories of drug use or violent crime. Hope was sex trafficked by a brutal pimp from age 14-20. For three years, she cycled in and out of mental health institutions before Mary G. was able to convince authorities to allow Hope to live with her, only to find that housing rules prevented Hope from staying. Eventually, however, Mary G. was able to appeal the decision. When ICTMN connected with Mary G. recently, we found that Hope is now living with her and trying to recover.
Hope is fortunate. During ICTMN’s search for effective solutions to the problems of rehabilitation of sex trafficking survivors in Indian country, the most immediate dilemma faced by most women was finding a safe place to stay or a place that would have them without placing potentially onerous demands on their psychological state. None of the women profiled in this series (see Living the Life: Little Girls Don’t Daydream of Being Prostitutes) have ever been asked if they were forced to exchange sex for housing or survival during any of the social, mental or health intake processes. Instead, medical professionals asked about Hope’s and Naivara’s (Battle at Home: Traditional Spirit v. Addiction Spirit) physical symptoms and prescribed cocktails of pills to take away their pain and anxiety. Hope receives visits from a home health care worker who dispenses medication and encourages her to apply for jobs; her mental health counseling focuses on getting her involved with job training. But Hope is utterly broken. She sits in her mother’s living room chain-smoking cigarettes; her gestures suggest she is wrapped in cotton. She wears a look of bewilderment, as though trying to recall something important but very far away. Far too few social workers, sexual assault advocates, health care professionals and law enforcement personnel are trained in trauma informed care when it comes to sex trafficking. An example of trauma-informed mental health care would be to ask clients what has happened to them rather than ask what’s wrong with them. Indeed, despite extensive medical literature affirming the role that trauma plays in health outcomes, doctors have been slow to incorporate the use of the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) measure to determine the impact of trauma on their patients.
KIM SEIGAL
Vednita Carter, the founder of Breaking Free, a Minneapolis-based non-profit organization that helps women escape prostitution, suggests changing the wording of the medical and social service intake processes. “Rather than directly asking if clients have been prostituted or involved with sex trafficking, they should be asked if they’ve ever had to exchange sex for things, food or a place to stay,” she said. “Social workers and others serving this population have to have a deep understanding of the impact of sex trafficking on the human spirit,” said Sarah Edstrom a certified sexual assault advocate at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC). Organizations also need to be equipped to deal with the needs of trafficking survivors. Since the release of the federal strategic action plan on services for victims of sex trafficking and the funding focus of Department of Justice on services for trafficking survivors, many programs have emerged seeking to help sex trafficking survivors. Advocates who have comprehensive experience working with trafficking survivors, however, express concern that many of the new programs and organizations may not be prepared to deal with the needs of their clients. “We get calls everyday from these new organizations asking for help in dealing with survivors. I don’t think many of them know what they’re letting themselves in for,” said Carter “Many of the faith-based organizations have the heart to help but they have trouble dealing with the women’s attitudes and drug addiction problems. Sobriety takes a long time.” “Most survivors have addiction problems. Every trafficking survivor I’ve ever interviewed said she had to be inebriated in order to go through with the sex act,” noted Kevin Koliner, South Dakota Asst. U.S. Attorney. “Once she comes down from the drugs, all the painful memories will come back and she won’t know what to do. The only thing that has worked is self-medication with drugs and alcohol,” noted Carter. Most shelters or treatment programs won’t allow intoxicated clients to remain; women may be asked to leave if they show up high. And then the cycle begins again. Edstrom, who coordinates a trafficking survivor support group at MIWRC, recalls a client who testified against her pimp, who had kidnapped and brutally raped her for several days. “She had testified in court against the pimp TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS page 25
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TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS Continued from page 24
and showed up high at group,” Edstrom recalled. “It seemed inhumane to expect her to refrain from using the only coping mechanism she knew,” said Edstrom, who does require that clients refrain from using or possessing drugs on the premises of MIWRC. She thinks some of the programs may have unrealistic expectations regarding the recovery process for trafficking survivors. “It takes more than some hygiene products and improving their self-esteem to start a new life. These women are so wounded that their spirits are almost inaccessible. They haven’t been allowed to grieve for what they’ve lost and all that’s happened to them,” said Edstrom. “We have to deprogram them, in a sense. At Breaking Free, we teach our clients about the dynamics of prostitution. We reassure them they can talk about what has happened to them without being judged. They learn that this was something that was done to them; prostitution is about supply and demand and it’s a multi-billion dollar industry,” said Carter. “Recovery from sex trafficking requires long-term care. Generally, social service agencies try to push people through but there is no quick turnaround. In serving these clients, we are building from the ground up,” said Nigel Perrote of PAVSA,
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Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault in Duluth, Minnesota. “First they need to get sober,” he noted. After that comes the work of learning how to live sober. “Living Sober means learning how to parent, gain job skills as well as getting and keeping a job.” Mary G. described Hope’s inability to cope with the challenges of everyday life. “When Hope first came to live with me she would freak out when we ran out of toilet paper. For years she’d lived in hotels or institutions where it was always there; she didn’t know how to buy toilet paper,” Mary G. reported. “We need wide systemic changes in social services in order to address the deep, basic needs of trafficking survivors,” Perrote noted. Of her family’s work towards healing, Mary G. said, “Me and Hope together, maybe we can do it. We can be like one strong person.” Sadly, survivors without strong moms like Mary G. will still have to rely on a system that is still too slow to come to terms with the reality of the experiences of women who are trying to leave ‘the life.’ Upcoming: Can new funding, shelters and tailored programs provide the model for successfully helping trafficking survivors in Indian country? Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/02/24/living-life-limited-support-adult-trafficking-survivors-163514
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George T. Nicola, GLAPN: Northwest LGBTQ History
Q Center and GLAPN observed Black History Month with a gallery display that highlighted contributions Portland African American LGBTQ people and allies have made to the community going back to the early 1970s. Materials on display came from the archives of GLAPN, the Northwest’s LGBTQ historical society. The exhibit featured plaques of African Americans who have won GLAPN’s Queer Heroes NW Award. A major highlight was a series of posters about Portland black LGBTQ history. The posters were created by award-winning Portland gay African American graphics designer Rupert Kinnard. Duplicate copies of Rupert’s posters were used in a Portland public school
during February for a Black History Month assembly. The Q Center GLAPN exhibit debuted a pictorial history of PFLAG Portland Black Chapter. PFLAG Portland Black Chapter is the first PFLAG group in the nation created by and for the black community. The organization contributed considerable input for the exhibit. Reception for the exhibit was held on February 22, but most of the displays remained in place until month end. The exhibit and its reception were organized by GLAPN President Robin Will and GLAPN member Margaret-Ann Jones, who is also active with Portland PFLAG Black Chapter and LOCA (Lesbians of a Certain Age). All Queer Heroes NW narratives are online at http://www.glapn. org/9060QueerHeroesMain.html.
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