PQ Monthly July/August 2014 Edition

MONTHLY

FREE

PQMONTHLY.COM Vol. 3 No. 7 July-Aug 2014

INSIDE: George Fox’s Trans “Religious Exemption” • Meet Tyler TerMeer, CAP’s new ED • MC Yogi, Greg Kerr, Restored Hope Network, and More!

PHOTO BY MELANIE DAVIS

THE BUTCH EDITION

2 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

PQ TEAM Melanie Davis

Owner/Publisher melanie@pqmonthly.com

Gabriela Kandziora

Director of Business Development

gabriela@pqmonthly.com

chris alvarez

Art Director chris@pqmonthly.com

editorial TEAM daniel borgen

Editor daniel@pqmonthly.com

nick mattos

Founding Staff Writer & Social Media Manager nick@pqmonthly.com

Andrew Edwards Copy Editor

SALES TEAM larry lewis

Sales Representative larry@pqmonthly.com

lynda Wilkinson Sales Representative lynda@pqmonthly.com

National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com

photographers Oscar Foster

Staff Photographer oscar@pqmonthly.com

THE BRASS TACKS OF FAITH Religion, like every other human cultural product (or, as a perfect revelation given by God but nevertheless managed and propagated in the world by limited, flawed human beings), does not exist as a freestanding force or entity in the world apart from its human “creators” or “caretakers.” In other words, religion qua religion doesn’t do a darn thing in the world. We do it. When violence has been done in the name of religion, it’s not religion itself — as a separate force in the world — that has done it.

We have done it, through religion.

Let’s look at some of history’s largest armed conflicts and genocides.

World War II had between 40-70 million casualties, 6 million of those being Jews killed in the extermination camps. Clearly a particular group was targeted for their religio-ethnic identity, but we go too far in saying World War II was a religious war. It was not. Along with World War II, the An Shi Rebellion in medieval China (approximately 35 million deaths), the Mongol and Tatar invasions of the 12th-14th centuries (an estimated 45 million deaths), the Manchu conquest of the 17th century (an estimated 25 million deaths), the Dungan revolt of the 19th century (an estimated 25 million deaths), and World War I (approximately 20 million deaths) round out the list of the genocides and armed conflicts with the highest estimated body counts. None of these can be described legitimately as religious wars, or wars conducted primarily under the banner of a religion.

The European conquest of the Americas has a death count estimated at 50 million, which includes deaths from the diseases brought to the immunity-lacking natives. Some estimates put the death count here as high as 100 million. Certainly, religion played a role in these deaths; religion was (and remains) part of the rationale of colonialism. However, it’s only a third. Colonialism is a three-headed hydra that seeks to impose not only a culture (usually a religious culture) but also a form of government and an economic system. Hence, colonial conquest is a much — or more — about money and power as it is about religion.

Now in the name of God, religious business owners have the right to discriminate in a twist of words blessed by our highest court in America (the Supremes’ Hobby Lobby decision). Now frenzied, hateful Christians may think they have us beat (women, homosexuals, and all minorities), but the flood gates are now open to all religions to seek legal exemption to dis-

ON THE COVER

Republican Candidate for Senate, Dr. Wehby, Speaks..........................................Page 8 TransActive Stands up to the Restored Hope Network...........................................Page 11 George Fox Given “Religious Exemption” in Trans Housing Case........................Page 13

503.228.3139

pqmonthly.com

Meet Cascade AIDS Project’s new Executive Director...........................................Page 5 How Feminism and Trans Justice Intersect..............................................................Page 6

TJ Acena, Ben Burwitz, Belinda Carroll, Marco Davis, Gula Delgatto, Andrew Edwards, Leela Ginelle, Kim Hoffman, Shaley Howard, Konrad Juengling, Richard Jones, LeAnn Locher, 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.

--Melanie Davis

A SMATTERING OF WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE:

contributing writers

proudqueer.com

criminate. I guess the hundreds of millions who have been killed throughout this history as I noted above have taught us nothing! As the 3 heads of religion gives our freedom the death stare, we must stand together and declare absolute separation of church and state to protect us from each other. The Hobby Lobby decision and the barrage of religious exemptions that are headed our way (we’ve already seen them, and rest assured more are on the way) will not be the final answer or the last word.

We, the people, will always have the last word. That’s why it’s so important to make your words — and voices — heard. In the streets, at the polls, with your pocketbooks. Do not let a handful of old, straight men dictate the way your life will be lived.

Meet new PQ columnist Michael James Schneider in “This Ends Badly”............Page 19 PHOTO BY ERIC SELLERS

The St. John’s Bridge and all things Hot Flash, Dapper, and the Escape was our inspiration, and our publisher had very specific things in mind when shooting this cover. Quick, turn to page 29 to see outtakes from the shoot and read all about our ladies’ business. And remember: support local! Photo by Melanie Davis.

Greg Kerr’s Style is Deconstructed..........................................................................Page 22 Qi Portland Celebrates its First Anniversary............................................................Page 27 Angelica Love Ross, former Pentecostal, current Front and Center Headliner...Page 29

Plus: QI Portland, ID Check, The Lady Chronicles, Everything is Connected, Style Deconstructed, What is a Butch?, A Guide to Butches, The Bi Line, Purple Elbows, Pretty Witty and Gay, and much more! Want to see something in our pages you’re not seeing? Email Daniel@PQMonthly.com.

July/August 2014 • 3

PQ PRESS PARTY! Get PQ Monthly hot off the presses the third Thursday of every month at our PQ Press Parties!

July 17, 2014 • 5 P.M.-7 P.M. JOIN US!

•July 17, 2014, 5P.M.-7P.M. FUNHOUSE LOUNGE (2432 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214)

Next up in August: •August 21, 2014, 5P.M.-7P.M. ( 3536 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97212 )

Like us on Facebook for details on the press parties & all things PQ Monthly!

STARKY’S

GOURMET P S ’ E T N E I C ZZ A N I V SINCE 1994

Dine In • Take Out • Neighborhood Delivery • 1935 SE Hawthorne (at 20th) Portland, OR.

VincentesGourmetPizza.com • 503.236.5223

4 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

FEATURE

DEAR PORTLAND: MEET TYLER TERMEER they are to see someone coming into this position.”

In researching TerMeer before our interview, I noticed a common thread throughout his work — a real dedication to community-driven social change. I press him to mine his history and to talk about his proudest moments.

“From the time I learned I was positive,” he says. “There was always this need for programs that were supportive of people living with HIV that were designed very thoughtfully and inclusive of what people living with HIV really wanted. I think often organizations can find themselves planning what they think is best for people, and “There’s just such a solid staff at CAP — they’re well educated and they’re passionate about making a difference. And many of they don’t always meaningfully them have moved on to such amazing things in their careers, I think that speaks to a really solid organization, when you can involve the voices of the people launch amazing leaders like that.” --Tyler TerMeer, photo by Melanie Davis they’re serving. My work in Ohio has always been important to me — even after I left [to Arizona] and then went back —

By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly because the community there was really thoughtful about When I walked into the Hotel Monaco the Saturday how they included those voices.

That wasn’t always the case when I started — when I morning of Pride weekend to meet with Cascade AIDS Project’s new Executive Director (ED), Tyler Termeer, I wasn’t found out I was positive, I was this young man, very vulcompletely sure what to expect, as is typical of first-time nerable and raw, as most people are after their diagnosis. meetings. CAP’s Board had looked long and hard for a And I really wanted to find a place where I could interact person to fill some very big shoes, as Michael Kaplan con- with people who were going through the same things I was tinues to cast a long, legendary shadow on the beloved non- going through and who were in my age demographic. While profit. Helmed in Kaplan’s wake by a talented board and I found that community of people, I noticed quickly that a very talented Peter Parisot, the need for an ED was cer- people my own age — as a young adult — living with HIV tainly there, but it never felt terribly urgent. The Art Auc- didn’t really have a safe space. And while the service orgation was a success and a redesigned and reimagined AIDS nizations welcomed them, there weren’t places for people Walk hit the ground running. When I shook TerMeer’s hand to grow in terms of learning about their disease or to evolve that drizzly Northwest morning, I knew CAP made the right and grow into the next wave of leaders and leadership in the epidemic.” choice. First, his resume: TerMeer pauses as an angry taxi blares its horn outside TerMeer last served as the Director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition and the Director of Public Policy and Government on SW Washington. “As I was working and finding my own Relations for AIDS Resource Center Ohio — in that role, he comfort, I became very excited about a creating a platdeveloped the organization’s public policy and advocacy form for young people to becoming engaged in the epidevision, and secured OAC as the leading voice on the inter- demic, not only to be a leader in their own health care, but section of HIV and health reform throughout Ohio commu- to form them as new leaders in the fight against HIV. One nities. TerMeer also served as Director of Men’s and Youth of my proudest moments and programs has been the crePrograms at Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS in Phoenix, ation of a leadership summit I designed for young adults Arizona; Prevention Manager at the National Alliance of — it just celebrated its eighth year in Ohio, and I replicated State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), where he that program again when I was in Arizona. It’s a weekend was responsible for leading a team in building the capac- retreat where young people gather, and these are people ity of state health departments in addressing the epidemic who may not spend another moment talking about their among gay men and transgender populations and for man- HIV status — outside the conference — because they don’t aging NASTAD’s prevention with positives, biomedical, feel comfortable with that, especially in rural parts of Ohio and linkage to care portfolios; and on the national Board and in Arizona. It’s an amazing weekend — you see someof Trustees for National Association of People with AIDS one blossom, where they’ve taken down the layers of the (NAPWA), National Quality Center (NQC), and Advocates walls they use to protect themselves. They feel more comfortable talking about their status and their care, and then for Youth.

Throughout his work, TerMeer has become known for we find ways to keep them engaged throughout the year.

My work really started in social justice. I noticed this lack mobilizing communities to create social change at the local, state, and national levels — the White House rec- of services in my own community for young people; and the ognized him as one of the nation’s Newly Emerging LGBT longer I worked, the more my eyes were opened to the overleaders. TerMeer and his partner, Tim, relocated to Port- all impact that the epidemic was having on all of our comland from Columbus, Ohio — and TerMeer officially took munities. I spent my time in Ohio and Arizona, and even in DC on the national level, really fighting for the communithe helm at CAP on July 16.

“This city is beautiful,” TerMeer says. “Coming from ties who are disproportionately impacted by the epidemic.”

TerMeer, on the appeal of Cascade AIDS Project: “One Ohio, where I’m used to year-round cold and very flat landscapes, Portland is much more beautiful than I antic- of the things that is the most challenging with the epiipated. You see the pictures, but you never know for sure — demic — we work so hard to bring awareness each and Portland has certainly exceeded my expectations. And the every day, to make sure folks know their status, and if community has been so welcoming, which has been really they are positive they get linked to care as quickly as great. So many people have reached out to me; it’s exciting possible, but until we address so many of the other drivto see how supportive people are of CAP and how excited ers of the epidemic, it’s really a difficult battle to win. pqmonthly.com

That was one of the things that was so appealing to me about CAP. CAP is an organization I’ve known about for years; I’m close colleagues with Michael Kaplan from our work on several boards together, and in the community. CAP has programs that work to return people to education, to the workforce, that address homelessness. Rent Well is nationally renowned. We have these in place so we’re not setting folks up for failure in the system. It’s a broader approach, and that’s what’s powerful about CAP’s model, they work hand in hand with clients to make sure they’re not headed for a rougher road ahead. And they’re not just addressing poverty and homelessness, they’re also addressing discriminatory practices and the new health care system, and combating homophobia and transphobia that are impacting the community — all these things are interlocked and fueling the epidemic.”

There’s just such a solid staff at CAP — they’re well educated and they’re passionate about making a difference.

And many of them have moved on to such amazing things in their careers, I think that speaks to a really solid organization, when you can launch amazing leaders like that.”

After so many years of work and education, infections are still on the rise. Why? “That’s a long, complicated answer,” TerMeer begins. “We worked so hard and for so long to try to turn the tide of discrimination and stigma associated with the disease, and medication has advanced and made peoples’ lives much more long and manageable — when they have ongoing access to care and medication.

The big difference is that people of a younger generation haven’t necessarily lived in a day when people were very sick and dying — and I see that all the time, but it’s not something that we can blame them for. We swung the pendulum almost too far in trying to address some of the issues we were facing, and now communities are silent about an epidemic that is really seeing the second wave among many populations, just one of which is our younger demographic.”

It’s scary because I have been living with HIV for ten years, and I went my first several years without knowing anyone my own age who was that sick or who was dying.

But in the last three or four years, I have seen people my own age who were getting tested for the very first time — probably much later than they ever should have accessed their first HIV test, and not only were they finding out they were HIV positive, they were being handed an AIDS diagnosis — they were sick, they had pneumonia, they had complications that weren’t necessary in an age where we have a rapid HIV test and where they can get easy access to medication very quickly.”

I think it’s all of those things, and I wish it was different.

You see the media every now and then try to have small conversations, but it always phases out so quickly. For some generations, they have these very impactful moments — where they had their Pedro Zamora or their Magic Johnson or their whoever, and this younger generation hasn’t had this person who has meant so much to them, they haven’t had to see someone very publicly become ill or have to talk about their diagnosis at a time when stigma was so much more real and intense. Not to say that it isn’t very real in many communities, but I think it’s taken a different form for so many people.”

After a thirty minute conversation and enough information to fill a short book, I’m more convinced than ever that TerMeer and CAP are the right fit. “Tyler is going to be a terrific addition to the leadership at CAP. He brings a wealth of experience, talent and enthusiasm to the role,” says Charles Washington, President, CAP Board of Directors.

“We believe that Tyler is the right person to help CAP navigate the changing landscape of healthcare and to ensure that CAP is best positioned to continue to serve our entire community.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

July/August 2014 • 5

PRIDE FEATURE

HOW I TRANSITIONED TO FEMINISM

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

used to having what I like and what represents me valued, the arguments against these sexist cultural hierarchies In Virginia Woolf’s novel “Orlando,” the title character are self-evident. Saying them aloud in our culture, howmysteriously metamorphisizes from male to female in mid ever, can feel like whispering on the side of the freeway, life, leading her to, among other things, ruminate upon the while a thousand louder voices speed by, shouting what ways those two genders view, and are viewed by, the world. they’ve always shouted, “(blank) is the greatest (blank) This experience, perhaps seen as fantastical in Woolf’s time, in the world!” is a somewhat de facto one for transwomen of my generaThe first blank in this construction is invariably a male tion. Socialized male against our wills, we assert our female- name, or the name of a movie, book, TV show or band ness, and in the process, catch the rare about, or made up of, men, while the glimpse of our culture’s patriarchy from second blank just states the category, he both sides of the binary. or they fit in. In the past, I would either When you’re a white male, pop culagree with the statement, excitedly, or, ture and fine art can feel like a banquet either in my mind or with whoever I was prepared and served especially for you. talking to, argue for some other man, or Colleges are staffed with professors who male-themed artwork instead. look like you, and who are paid to tell you As I transitioned, though, and grew about how great stories, films, music and increasingly alienated and offended, I paintings made by people who like both simply fumed more and more with each they and you are. Websites hire underproclamation. Seeking a group that shared paid writers to do the same thing. my frustrations, I discovered feminist webWhen you’re a white female, I’ve sites like Bitch, Feministing, and Bust that found, that experience goes away. At a critiqued the media echo chamber I’d certain point in my transition, misoggrown to hate. I understand there’s someyny went from something I thought of as thing very “grade school playground” about either bad or transgressive, to something “It’s probably been natural for me to see misogyny these talks. Some people say one thing, and that made me upset. Given how misog- and gender inequality within the arts as two further the others, angered, talk about what jerks ynist our culture is, and how little those battles to fight. the first people are. What makes it poignant, expressing misogyny are called out on to me and, I suspect, to others, is that it’s their sexism, this meant I was upset a lot. about something both sides care about, which is art.

In my anger, I looked around, and realized that what Art tells our stories, and the art that dominates the greatI’d called “culture” is a kind of pompous, male feedback est number of conversations, the conversations that reach loop. What happens in university departments happens the most people, is, very often, highly sexist, not to menat Pitchfork and a thousand other places — males feting tion almost wholly unrepresentative of minority groups. art by males, congratulating themselves when they com- In affirming my womanhood, I’ve gone from taking part in pliment something created by a woman, and giggling ner- the first conversation, to participating in the second one, vously when male artists engage in misogyny, homopho- which usually goes, “(blank) is not the greatest (blank) ever, bia, or transphobia. because (blank).”

I’ve also learned I’m supposed to express embarrassThis second conversation is not as fun as the first for ment and guilt about liking art created by, or marketed many reasons: it’s cranky, it’s an argument about an opintoward, women. A comedy about a woman and man fall- ion, as opposed to just being an opinion, it’s about someing in love (as heterosexuality is nearly compulsory among thing one dislikes, rather than something one likes, and it protagonists in movies) couldn’t possibly be as good as a feels like a battle that will never be won. movie about men shooting each other in the head, since The second conversation is empowering, though, in ones like the latter, when directed by Martin Scorsese, are that it confirms that something needs to be said. DecidOscar-winning masterpieces, while ones like the former ing not to see “The Wolf of Wall Street,” while easy, was not are “chick flicks.” Likewise, it goes without saying that Katy fun. Having a discussion with friends about why we were Perry isn’t in the same creative strata as geniuses like the or weren’t going to see it was exciting, for all the ideas that Rolling Stones, because her ouvre doesn’t contain such were raised and shared. In those moments it felt like I was masterpieces of verbal harassment as “Stupid Girl,” “Some taking a stand, rather than missing the fun. Would quesGirls” and “Brown Sugar.” tions about representation and artistic intention have Perhaps because, having been socialized male, I’m bothered me if I hadn’t been socialized male? Would I have

made peace with them in college, or not noticed them at all had my gender been affirmed when I first expressed it . . .

Canons tend to be sausage fests. When I was in college in the ‘90s, the humanities were bemoaned as repositories for the offerings of dead white males. Have things changed? The so-called “Golden Era of Hollywood” commemorates only male auteurs from the ‘70s. Similarly, television’s recently enshrined “great” period has been chronicled in the new book “Difficult Men.” It’s hard to imagine that such repetition would have escaped me. The triumvirate of factors at play: greater opportunities for representation, rampant misogyny within the works, and tireless crowing about the supposedly overwhelming universal achievement that’s resulted, once just normal to me, would, I think, to anyone not both white and male, seem galling.

Galling, that is, to anyone who cared. Caring about art, for me, has meant being a part of a conversation. What is it, who made it, what does it say, and how good is it? Seeing or hearing something, and then reading what other people thought about it, because that’s often nearly as stimulating.

Transitioning, I’ve slowly changed who I talk with and to about culture, because I’ve changed how I see and relate to the world. What I consume is different, as are my reasons for doing so. I’m almost certain my gender, the experience of having been forcibly socialized male, and of enduring and fighting against transmisogyny throughout my transition, has intensified my feelings about these issues.

Though it’s improving, our culture is littered with blatant transmisogyny.

Already construing entertainment as a hostile environment, it’s probably been natural for me to see misogyny and gender inequality within the arts as two further battles to fight.

Once, when I was lamenting the fact that the cultural criticism I’d been writing was keyed solely in the note of rage, that I missed expressing vulnerability, and wondered whether it was spiritually unsound to indulge in anger as I’d been doing, a friend of mine suggested it wasn’t, explaining her view that fighting for social justice was a healthy and constructive outlet for anger inspired by injustice.

Living as a male-assigned person, injustice was something I observed rather than experienced, and not something I felt moved to respond to, which is probably to my discredit. Today, it’s something I appear to see and respond to perpetually.

I’m grateful the LGBTQ and feminist communities were there when I wanted people to commiserate with about my grievances and ideas and I hope I’ve returned the favor in whatever way I could. I suspect we’ll all be talking as long art and audiences exist, relating to and rebelling against the stories all around us.

The Muttley Crew Giving professionals a new leash on life!

• Grooming • Doggie daycare • Premium USA made products • Top rated pet foods including Orijen, Acana, Taste of the Wild, Honest Kitchen Go! Now! and Raw foods. *Best in the Biz 2009, 2010, 2011 by Spot Magazine

Visit us!

806 NW Murray Portland, OR 97229 Mon-Fri 6:45am - 6:30pm Sat 8am - 4pm

Call us:

503-626-8212

THEMUTTLEYCREW.COM 6 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

pqmonthly.com

July/August 2014 • 7

FEATURE FEATURE

“WE ALL CARE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES” Senate Candidate Dr. Monica Wehby talks to the LGBTQ Community

By Nick Mattos, PQ Monthly

Dr. Monica Wehby wants LGBTQ Oregonians to know that she supports them. The strongly pro-marriage equality Republican Senate candidate is currently crisscrossing the state on her campaign trail, promoting her fiscally-conservative and socially-moderate message at venues including Pride celebrations. By phone and email, Dr. Wehby talked with PQ Monthly about her vision of the issues facing LGBTQ Oregonians, the Republican ideal of serving as a “big tent party,” and the danger that ensues when personalities overshadow principles in the electoral process.

PQ Monthly: To start, I’d like to hear your views regarding LGBTQ rights.

Dr. Monica Wehby: I think that it’s important that, as a senator, that I represent all Oregonians, not just one particular group. The LGBT community has all the same concerns that everyone else has — everyone is concerned about jobs, the economy, education for their children, healthcare. We should never discriminate against other people for any reason, be it for their race, their religion, their sexual orientation, or any other reason. That’s not who we are as a country. We were founded on the freedom to be who you are, not on the idea of a government that interferes in every part of your life. I think that’s very consistent with the Republican belief in small government and that the government shouldn’t be intrusive into our personal, private lives.

PQ: In some ways, your political philosophies are more in line with classical conservative thought than many other Republican political candidates we’ve seen in the modern era. How do you see your politics intersecting with the politics of the Republican party at large?

MW: Republicans are a big-tent party — there are people that view some issues differently, but we tend to all want more personal freedom and less government interference. I think my positions are completely consistent with that philosophy that we don’t want government interference where

8 • July/August 2014

it doesn’t belong. I don’t think it belongs in our personal decisions; the government shouldn’t tell people who they should love, or what sort of families they can form. That’s just not the government’s purview. It’s pretty simple to me.

PQ: What are your thoughts on ENDA? MW: I’m supportive of ENDA. I don’t think people should be discriminated against for any reason. There were actually quite a few Republican senators who signed onto that bill as well — I believe there were ten, including very strong conservatives like Orrin Hatch, Jeff Flake, and Patrick Toomey.

I’m completely supportive of that legislation.

PQ: Speaking about the trans community — from your perspective, what sort of issues are trans Oregonians currently facing?

MW: Trans Oregonians are facing the same issues we all face as Oregonians; whether it be difficulty in finding a job, access to quality healthcare, or the cost of education, it’s important that our legislators offer substantive solutions over talking points. As your Senator, I will be a voice for all Oregonians.

PQ: A major concern for the Oregon trans community is access to trans-specific healthcare. How does your alternative proposal include access to the healthcare that Oregon transpeople need?

MW: The trans community is just one of many groups of Americans that face the problem of gaining access to quality, affordable healthcare. No matter the need, access is typically prohibited due to cost. As a doctor, I know the only way to bring down these costs is by instituting a more patient-centered, market-driven healthcare system. In doing so, we will be opening the door to all Americans in need of quality, affordable care.

PQ: If elected, what can you commit to do on behalf of Oregon’s trans community?

MW: As your Senator, I will fight for the trans community the way I fight for all Oregonians. I will be a trusted voice that will not stand idly on the sideline while good intentions turn into bad policy. My candidacy is about offering real solutions to the real problems facing Oregonians, and as your Senator I will commit to doing just that.

PQ: Shifting gears a bit — how about Referendum 301, concerning drivers’ cards for undocumented Oregonians?

MW: Oh, you mean driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants?

I have a lot of concerns about that, because they passed that legislation back in Tennessee and repealed it because it tended to be a magnet for the drug trade and wasn’t shown to improve safety. The point of it is to improve safety, and it hasn’t been shown to do that. I understand that in New Mexico there have been concerns about that legislation as well.

PQ: Do you see any possibility for the current two-party system in politics changing or expanding? Could the Tea Party or other ideologically-driven groups play a role in that expansion?

MW: Again, I think that the Republican Party is a bigtent party, and we are very tolerant of differences in opinion amongst each other. That’s the strength of the party, that we are accepting of other people’s beliefs. The Tea

Party is very fiscally conservative and pushes that strongly — they’re for lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, getting our debt under control — and those are positive goals. They’re huge issues for our country getting our fiscal house in order.

I agree with them on those fiscal issues.

PQ: Speaking of getting our fiscal house in order, your platform emphasizes reforms and protections for social security and the larger social safety net for those becoming aged or disabled. One of the things that the LGBT community faces right now is that a lot of us — just like everyone else — are getting really old.

MW: It happens to the best of us! (Laughs) PQ: Exactly! And it’s becoming more and more salient for LGBT Oregonians. How do you intend to make social security sustainable in the long run?

MW: That’s the key. The Baby Boomers are aging, and fewer and fewer people are paying into the system as our population is shifting. We’ve got to find a way to keep these programs from becoming insolvent, and of course we have to protect the people who have paid into these systems over their lifetime and keep our commitments to our seniors.

We have to start changing it, though — we keep having more people aging into the social security system, and living longer. We have to be smart about this, or else these systems won’t be around by the time we need them. There are all sorts of ways to do this, and everything needs to be on the table — there are lots of proposals out there that need to be looked at.

PQ: On a personal level, what’s been challenging for you about this race?

MW: The biggest issue for me has been times when we stop focusing on the issues and start engaging in personal attacks. I don’t like my family and friends being dragged into it — I’m the one running for Senate, and God bless ‘em, they didn’t have any choice about being pulled into this! (laughs) I’m doing everything I can to keep them from getting embroiled in this, even when it means I have to be the one that takes the hit. This has been the biggest challenge for me. I think that in an election, we should be looking at who has the best ideas for the country, and who has the best ways to make life better for Oregonians and the country at large. When you start to attack the person, you get away from the issues that people actually care about.

Margaret Thatcher used to say that she was happy when people started making personal attacks, because it meant that she had won on all the political arguments. We need to be talking about the issues that people care about — they don’t ultimately care about the candidate’s personal lives, they care about their own lives, their jobs, their families, their education, their healthcare. The hardest part has been dragging my children and family into this race when they really have nothing to do with it.

PQ: In conclusion, what’s your message to LGBTQ Oregonians?

MW: It’s very simple: I plan to be a senator who represents all Oregonians, and really, at the end of the day, I think we all care about the same issues.

pqmonthly.com

FEATURE NEWS

Look out for: MONTHLY pqmonthly.com

PQ Podcasts!

Mouthy & July/August 2014 • 9

FEATURE

NEWS

WHAT’S IN A BUTCH?

GAY SKATE WITH PQ Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink

For Gay Skate July we will meet on the 21st from 7-9pm

THEME FOR August IS: Summertime at the beach THE THEME FOR SEPTEMBER IS: Drag Queen/Drag King 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.

Sponsors:

PQMONTHLY.COM

name it. From there we break those into a multitude of subcategories. And to a certain degree, this does help us understand, learn, and move through life. The problem isn’t necessarily categorizing per se, but perhaps being unaware that when it comes to human beings, these categories are fluid. When we’re ignorant of these differences, we tend to pigeonhole and stereotype groups of people, even within our own community. All of this can lead to oversimplification, exclusion, and limitations on how we see individuals’ complex lives and identities.

But let’s talk about these butch stereotypes in particular one more time — please. I know there are many women out there that do consider themselves butch. But even the self-proclaimed butches have subcategories. You have the soft butch, the diesel dyke, the stone butch, the motorcycle butch, the dapper dyke, the transbutch, the sporty butch, and so on. But these definitions mainly target outward appearances. Is that ultimately what defines a “butch”?

Frida Kahlo is a beloved icon known for mostly appearing more feminine. Or is it more about how “butch” lesbians walk through the world that defines Here’s her “masculine look.” --Shaley Howard them? Are these labels attached to their livelihood such as those who work outBy Shaley Howard, PQ Monthly side, in construction or are mechanics? Or What is a butch lesbian? I’ve been hear- perhaps it’s their ability to express emoing this question for years, and yet we still tions? Do true “butches” maintain an air seem to be debating and talking about it. of stoic confidence and control, never As a lesbian who’s been out forever, I’ve crying, at least not in public? Maybe the definitely noticed quite a few changes. real butches are the seemingly over aggresCertainly 20-30 years ago, most people sive, ball-breaking loud lesbians who love could have easily picked out the lesbians sports and drink pitcher after pitcher of simply by pointing at the butch “looking” beer at football games?

Isn’t it possible that ultimately there’s not ones — you know, women with short hair, ladies who wore so-called “masculine” one way to define a butch? Sure, you can use clothing like jeans, t-shirts, and big boots some of these examples above and claim — plus they had attitude — and possibly a “I’m more this way or I’m more that way,” motorcycle. But being out then was a little but if we limit and fixate on a few particumore harrowing than today, and except for lar categories aren’t we to a certain degree, those who appear (and appeared) as more selling ourselves and our community a little obvious-looking lesbians, many others short? And frankly this whole butch/femme tried to blend in. And I suppose defining discussion ultimately comes down to one lesbians as butch or femme in the past — thing — sexism.

Think about it — where did all of these by outward appearance alone — may have categories come from in the first place? been more acceptable or easier. But lesbians don’t come in just two flavors, butch They came from the bullshit idea that certain outward and inward characteristics or femme.

As being openly gay has become more define a man and certain ones define a prevalent and acceptable (read: “main- woman.

According to stereotypes, women are stream”) over the years, it’s become harder to know merely by appearance who’s a les- overly emotional, they don’t like sports, they bian and who’s not — which, in this writer’s love the arts, they are weaker physically, mind, is a very good thing. With this socie- and they’re great at domestic chores. Also, tal progression, such a strict dichotomy of women are bad at mechanics and construcbutch/femme identity is not only archaic, tion, do not excel in math or science, they it also eliminates a huge portion of the les- love staying at home with the kids, they lack bian population that does not fall under self-confidence and generally follow and one of these two categories or — and this they’re quiet and physically smaller than may sound crazy — may be a little of both?! their male counterparts.

Men, on the other hand, are emotionI think it’s important to acknowledge that ally shallow, love sports, get bored with the we are raised in a world, whether we like it or not, where we’re taught from an early arts, are stronger physically, are terrible at age to categorize, usually beginning with domestic chores. They love mechanics and dualist views of male/female, bad/good, construction, excel in math and science, Republican/Democrat, butch/femme, you

10 • July/August 2014

WHAT’S IN A BUTCH page 15

pqmonthly.com

NEWS FEATURE

PERSPECTIVES

TRANSACTIVE STANDS UP TO THE RESTORED HOPE NETWORK

Queer activists went head to head with “pray the gay away” champion Anne Paulk, who helms the new Restored Hope Network.

Someone get this lady a hobby.

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

On June 26 & 27, when the Restored Hope Network, a “pray the gay away” startup that splintered off from Exodus International, held its annual conference at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Clackamas County, TransActive Gender Center’s founder and executive director Jenn Burleton, along with organization colleagues and allies, occupied the sidewalk directly outside, displaying signs and distributing information.

It’s hard to imagine two groups with more dissimilar approaches to assisting families with gender variant children.

Founded in 2007, TransActive offers counseling and medical referrals for such clients, as well as advocacy with schools and other institutions, assisting the children and those around them in affirming their gender identities as they emerge.

Conversely, the Restored Hope Network’s stance toward the matter is made clear on its website, which states, “In this time of history, when gender and sexual confusion is reaching new heights in all aspects of public and private life, our network of ministries stands on the beauty of God’s life-giving Word,” going on to equate what it describes as confusion with “sin’s control,” which the organization can help clients overcome through “godliness.”

The Restored Hope Network’s executive director is Anne Paulk, ex-wife of John Paulk, the former ex-gay advocate who led the ministry Love Won Out, and who, from 1998 to 2003, was chairman of the board of Exodus International North America, a large, long running “ex-gay” organization, which last year formally apologized for what it’s come to see as the harmful practice of attempting to change people’s sexual orientations.

Last year, John Paulk disavowed his previous belief in reparative therapy, confirmed his status as a gay man, and formally apologized for his role as an advocate of pqmonthly.com

ex-gay ministries in a PQ Monthly expose.

Anne, however, continues to be a proponent of the practice, and helped found the Restored Hope Network in 2012.

Reparative therapy has been in the news quite a bit of late, with states such as California and New Jersey banning the use of its practice on minors. While the media associates conversion therapy almost exclusively with sexual identity, its techniques are also applied to gender identity and expression. Many of the Restored Hope Network conferences’ presenters spoke of “gender confusion” as being an extension of homosexuality, for instance, which they warned could lead to “transexualism,” and the conference featured one workshop, Denise Schnick’s “Understanding Transgender Confusion,” which dealt specifically with the topic of gender variance.

It was this latter emphasis that drew Burleton to represent TransActive at the event. “We knew families would come looking for answers for gender non-conforming kids,” she says, “and we wanted to present our ideas and approach to them. These parents were told by the organizers that reparative therapy was the answer they were looking for, and that ‘gender confusion,’ as they term it, was ‘Satan at work.’ We wanted to present an approach that was healthy for children. We know that affirming children in their gender expression and gender identity can save their lives.”

The Restored Hope Network politely declined to participate with this article.

Burleton says her time outside the conference was peaceful and quietly productive, until the end of Saturday when she was visited there by Anne Paulk and Restored Hope Network board member Stephen Black. Their talk led to a bit of social media cloak and dagger play, resulting in a video Burleton has posted on TransActive’s YouTube page, which appears to demonstrate dissembling on Paulk’s part.

During their talk, Burleton told Paulk and Black she doesn’t object to adults seeking reparative therapy should they choose to, only to such practices being used on minors.

“If adults want to elevate the values of their fundamentalist faith over the authenticity of their gender identity or gender expression, that’s their choice,” she says. “I don’t agree that it works, or that it’s healthy, but adults are free to do lots of unhealthy things.”

A few days later, Burleton thanked Paulk and Black for chatting with her on the Restored Hope Network’s Facebook page, and expressed her hope for an ongoing respectful dialogue. A series of messages followed, which have since been deleted, but which Burleton saved in screenshots that she includes in her YouTube video.

In the messages, Paulk claims Burleton agreed with her that reparative therapy should be an option for both adults and children. Burleton quickly disagrees, accusing Paulk of misrepresenting her THE RESTORED HOPE NETWORK page 15

July/August 2014 • 11

VOICES

Pretty And Witty And Gay You’re Welcome: a Guide to Butches

By Belinda Carroll, PQ Monthly

One day my girlfriend and I were talking about going to the beach. I assumed we were driving back the same night, and then she said with much enthusiasm, “Or, we could CAMP!” Much to my dawning horror, she didn’t mean we were ironically wearing gold lame pants and dancing to YMCA. She meant sleeping in a tent.

Now listen, sugarplum, I am all about the outdoors; as long as there is access to catering and a full bath. But this is a predicament I am used to, since I have spent almost twenty years dating the “women who love tools” set. That’s right, I’m talking butches.

There are many kinds of butch, it’s true.

I believe I’ve dated most of them. If you (or someone you love) think butches are the bees knees, then there is a landscape. And if there is a landscape, call my girlfriend. She loves running a tractor. For me, my kind of butch looks like John Goodman and loves a power drill. Maybe it was too much Roseanne as a child. I don’t know, blame Roseanne Barr. But, there are many kinds of butches.

I’m here to help.

If you too are into butches, let me give you a handy guide (heh, handy) to the type of butch that makes you weak and tingle in your private parts. (I’m using “she” as a default pronoun, but feel free to replace any pronoun applicable to you.)

The Country Butch: You can tell this butch by the line dance that she knows.

Boot-Scootin Boogie? Hell, yes. The Cuban Shuffle? I don’t know, how funky is she feeling? She loves her cowboy hat and her shit-kicking boots. She thinks seducing you to “I’ll Always Love You, Forever” by Randy Travis at karaoke is her ace in the hole. She’s proud of her country heritage and loves America. Likely found hanging out in: the South, country gay bars.

Pros: Very romantic and chivalrous Cons: You’ll never get the cow shit smell out of your 800 thread count sheets.

The Dapper Butch: This butch loves a good night at the Opera, an intellectual discussion on who’s sadder, Dostoevsky vs.

Morrissey? And they look crazy dashing in a tie and suit. Likely found hanging out in: Fancy hipster bars philosophizing.

Pros: They always look sharp and go with whatever you’re wearing.

Cons: They are high maintenance and you may have to read complicated things to talk to them.

The Rocker Butch: Almost everyone has thought of making it with Joan Jett. If you haven’t then maybe you’re young and

it’s Avril Lavigne, or maybe you’re older and it’s Bessie Smith, I’m not judging. But what I do know is when a woman walks in with a multi-level haircut and a bad attitude, you think “I want to make her mine.” Slow down there, girlfriend! There are a few things you should know about rocker butch. They are going to play you like a guitar, and yeah, you’re going to some great concerts. They are likely hanging out in: Concert venues that find that “next hot act” (think Dantes or Doug Fir).

Pros: They are a good time and you are likely on the forefront of new acts and new drugs.

Cons: They are commitment adverse and drugs don’t end up being as fun as you’d think.

The Professional Butch: Now maybe you have a hankering for a little straight and narrow (well, at least narrow). You want a butch that has ambition and priorities. This butch is going places and that may include a private jet and free passes down the line.

You want someone whose bottom line is achieving CEO-level status and whose bedtime is 10PM. Likely hanging out in: Top shelf cocktail bars at happy hour, or Chamber of Commerce mixers.

Pros: She will likely have money at some point and she’s looking for a wife to be her right hand.

Cons: She is likely Republican leaning, even if she voted Democratic for LGBTQ issues.

The Rainbow Butch: This butch doesn’t believe in gender. They are glitter and unicorns. She/he/they want to break the gender binary. They cannot be classified and want to talk about gender, a lot. Likely hanging out in: Progressive coffee shops or at In Other Words.

Pros: They don’t believe in monogamy, or patriarchy, or a host of isms.

Cons: They frequently want to discuss ‘feelings’ and social injustice.

I know this is a short list, and I could write book. I still might. But these are a few ways you can pick out the butch of your dreams. Your cons may not be my cons, your pros may not be my pros. But maybe you can still find the person of your dreams and have bliss. Isn’t that what we all want?

Belinda Carroll is a Portland-based, nationally-touring stand-up comic, writer, vocalist, and an ardent LGBT activist who is in desperate need of a nap, a massage, and a girlfriend who works for an airline or a spa. For booking or to offer the aforementioned services, her email is BelindaDCarroll@gmail.com.

12 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

FEATURE FEATURES

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GIVES GEORGE FOX RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION GF Can Deny Trans Student Housing; Quakers Speak Out; Student will Appeal dug in like this. “I’m shocked and disappointed that the federal government has given George Fox permission to discriminate against me and is allowing it to do so with federal funds,” he says. “But I’m not giving up. I deserve to be treated like the other men on campus. Apparently, the university disagrees, as they have made clear by forcing me to live off-campus.

The university is operating under the doctrine of ‘separate but equal,’ and the religious exemption they received now gives the government’s stamp of approval to what they are doing. My own tax dollars will fund the university’s discrimination against me. I don’t understand it and I don’t think it is fair.”

So, while Jayce waits to plan his future — doing so honestly and openly, it seems the ED and GFO choose stall tactics and subterGeorge Fox refuses to let Jayce live on campus with his friends and peers, and the Department of Education fuge. While each of his peers can make plans supported the college’s decision. Jayce will appeal. and move forward, Jayce once again waits — on the outside.

Because it’s in George Fox’s best “religious”

By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly interests?

Not everyone within George Fox’s denomination thinks In April, we wrote about Jayce M., an African-American transgender student at George Fox who wants to live on George Fox’s actions throughout this ordeal are in line with campus with his friends next year, but was denied on-cam- their stated theological stance. Two local pastors, Dr. C. pus housing by the university. Jayce, a junior at the Chris- Wess Daniels, Pastor at Camas Friends Church, and Mike tian university of liberal arts and sciences located in New- Huber, Pastor at West Hills Friends Church, disagree with berg, Ore., has medically, socially, and legally transitioned. the college’s position: “As pastors in NW Yearly Meeting, we urge George Fox Portland attorney Paul Southwick filed a Title IX discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education University to provide safe housing for Jayce M,” they write in early April, after repeated efforts to find an amicable, to PQ Monthly in a joint statement. “It is our understandmutually satisfactory solution with George Fox adminis- ing that our ‘Faith and Practice’ provides no theological grounds whatsoever for excluding transgender students trators — and after Jayce was denied his final appeal.

This week, the U.S. Department of Education closed from housing consistent with their gender identity. As (and ostensibly denied) Jayce’s complaint, granting George Quakers, the biblical teaching that men and women are creFox college an unusually speedy “religious exemption,” and ated in the image of God convicts us that ‘... all persons have for the time being dashing any hope Jayce had of living on equal value and are created in the image of God’ (Vision, campus with his friends and classmates. Religious exemp- Mission and Values: 1). The theological framework of our tions, it seems, are becoming the new normal. Exemp- Faith & Practice affirms the tions, however, historically take years to get, according inherent dignity of all people, to Southwick. George Fox got theirs in just a few months. regardless of their gender They applied for it — in secret — while meeting with Jayce identity: We witness to the dignity and — at the time — seemingly negotiating in good faith.

For their part, George Fox did offer Jayce housing and worth of all persons before “on-campus” — a separate apartment away from the stu- God. We repudiate and seek to dent body, a solution even administrators predicted would remove discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, be “ultimately harmful” to Jayce.

“George Fox University (GFU), without telling us, or class. We deplore the use requested a religious exemption to the Title IX regula- of selfish ends to gain unfair tions regarding housing, restrooms and athletics as they advantage, and we urge politapply to transgender students,” Southwick explains. “GFU ical, economic, and social jusrequested this exemption from the U.S. Department of tice for all peoples. We consider civil order most just when Education (ED) a mere three days before denying Jayce’s conscience is free and religious faith uncoerced (Faith final appeal to the university and a mere four days before Expressed through Witness: 11).

The same Faith & Practice urges us to consider: Do you Jayce filed his complaint with the ED. The ED granted the request for the religious exemption with surprising speed speak out for justice and morality, and against oppres— only two months, rather than the years it has taken his- sion, exploitation, and public wrong? Do you recognize torically to get an exemption. Based on the exemption, the equality of persons regardless of race, gender, or ecothe ED closed Jayce’s complaint. The ED did all of this nomic status (The Queries #18: 13)?

Based upon these theological convictions, we ask George without telling us anything about the exemption request, Fox University to honor the housing requests of its transdespite my repeated calls and emails for information and status updates. After I received their letter, a representa- gender students. Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ, tive from the ED told me he was ‘not authorized’ to discuss and extend hospitality to those who might otherwise be the religious exemption with me. Normally, the ED decides unsafe and unwelcome in our communities.”

Darleen Ortega, a George Fox alum, member of Northwhether to investigate a complaint within 30 days. In Jayce’s case, they made us wait about 90 days, all without telling west Yearly Meeting of Friends, a judge on the Oregon Court us the real reason they were making us wait. We are going of Appeals, and one of Jayce’s many straight allies, remains similarly confused. “I don’t feel George Fox has handled to appeal the ED’s ruling.”

GFU continues to ignore requests from PQ Monthly itself fairly and transparently,” she says. “Although Paul and I have spent years cultivating a positive relationship with for comment.

Jayce is simply baffled the college he knows and loves has the university, they refused to accommodate our request pqmonthly.com

to meet with them informally back in the spring, when we sought to explore options short of a legal challenge. They were pursuing a religious exemption the whole time, without telling us. I am very disappointed that our years of engaging in a positive way did not yield any willingness to even have a conversation with us, let alone deal transparently with us and allow us to provide support to a student who has a very challenging path to walk.

I can’t speak for the university, of course, and indeed they refused even to participate in a conversation with me long before any legal action was initiated by Jayce. However, that is a lot of what I find troubling. As a person of faith and a Quaker myself, I see nothing in scripture or Friends theology that justifies or even supports the university’s position.

What I find in scripture, instead, are calls for compassion and kindness to everyone. And I don’t understand how one can deal ethically with someone in Jayce’s situation without working to understand his circumstances and come alongside him. There is no clearer call to Christians and no practice more fundamental to Friends.

Progress is slow, particularly now that the university is refusing to even have conversations with us when a situation like this arises. My hope had been that by cultivating a positive relationship, more dialogue would be possible. Without that dialogue, change is very difficult. As for the denomination, I don’t see any evidence of an official theological stance inside Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends regarding transgender persons or how their housing needs should be addressed. My guess is that if you took a poll among people inside the denomination, there would be fear around that issue and lack of understanding, but that is not the same as a theological stance. Sadly, it appears that prejudice and fear frequently gets identified as a religious position.”

Sadly indeed. One wishes the positions and perspectives of people like Ortega, Daniels, and Huber were the norm — and not the exception. And one wishes “religious exemptions” weren’t becoming the new normal. But Jayce, buoyed by his dedicated legal counsel, will continue fighting — and we’ll continue following, supporting him every step of the way.

“To my knowledge, this is the first Christian college to ask the federal government for a permission slip to discriminate against transgender students,” Southwick says. “This is worse than Hobby Lobby because George Fox is largely funded by taxpayer money.

While the government may have granted George Fox an exemption for the time being, private companies do not need to tolerate this discriminatory behavior.

Nike, whose logo is on George Fox’s athletic gear, and Intel and Starbucks, who are major employers of George Fox graduates, can let the university know how they feel about the university’s discriminatory actions.”

From Basic Rights Oregon’s Jeana Frazzini: “It is deeply disappointing that George Fox would choose to deny housing to a student based on their gender identity. Studies show that gay and transgender students face disproportionate challenges in educational attainment. That’s why Basic Rights Oregon is committed to promoting equality, and fighting against fear and misunderstanding about transgender issues and gender identity in our educational institutions.”

Note: Jayce’s Change.org petition has over 20,000 signatures. You can join the ranks here: http://www.change.org/ petitions/george-fox-university-stop-denying-my-transgender-son-appropriate-on-campus-housing.

July/August 2014 • 13

FEATURE

VOICES

THE LADY CHRONICLES How to Change Your Life: a Taurean Retrospective

By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly

LIFE IS GOOD. ENJOY THE RIDE!

www.paradiseh-d.com • 10770 SW Cascade Avenue, Tigard • 503-924-3700 14 • July/August 2014

Three weeks ago, I gave notice at my primary place of employment — I quit a job I’d had for a decade, thoroughly upending all the routine and ritual I knew and loved.

I am a Taurus if ever a Taurus were born, so there’s no overstating how impressive a feat this was for me. Above all things, I crave comfort, continuity, routine — I need every person and each and every thing to fit the role I’ve assigned. Without this consistency, I am a wreck — an insecure, fretting mess; my mind scrambles from here to there, trying to make sense of madness. It’s something I’m working on.

Over the last several years, the number one question people asked me was, “Why do you still work there?” I supervised a little café in the heart of Salmon Creek, Wash., and this query became especially frequent when my partner and I split five years ago and I moved from downtown Vancouver back to NW Portland. The commute was often treacherous — I was subject to the whims and fancies of the narrow, moody I-5 corridor and all of its bridge lifts, accidents, and excruciating bottlenecks. Why didn’t I transfer stores? As I explained, I am a Taurus. Also, seniority has its perks. I got the schedule I preferred and took any vacation I wanted. And about myself I learned: I enjoy being a big fish in a small pond.

Two weeks ago, I gave my car to my younger brother. This year will mark the first in 21 that I do not own an automobile.

I had plenty of utilitarian reasons to keep that ancient silver Honda (a car my friend Craig affectionately dubbed “a Prelude to something better” )— it runs efficiently with minimal supervision and maintenance; it gets me from here to there with ease. There was no practical reason for me to cast it aside, but there was an important one, one that stared me square in the eyes every time I turned the key to the ignition.

It’s my ex’s old car, and driving it took an emotional toll.

There were times during my 25 minute commute to Salmon Creek when the car would taunt me. Not so, you argue — a dulled silver automobile 20 years old is only concerned about making it the next mile, not one thing else. The car itself is fairly nondescript. Its paint is chipping in the corners and the passenger’s side window leaks and the horn stopped working a year ago and once I ran the tires so bald, the tire man was shocked I didn’t die in a fiery accident. But at least once a week — once a week for the past five years, my old metal friend would anthropomorphize. It’d remind me the ways in which my ex and I failed, how much his sister hates me, and the way the two of them still describe me.

Liar, cheater, quitter. I kept it for longer than

I should have; I am a Taurus and I cling to the familiar, even when it hurts. Stab me in the heart, I am yours forever. Casting the car aside was my spiritual Stonewall.

One week ago, I had a very long electronic conversation with a gentleman caller on Grindr. He and I had spent time together before — enjoying the occasional late night cuddle party — and that week marked his second away from his ex, and he was back on the Grind. Kurt and I enjoyed each other’s company well enough, but there were never any Fourth of July fireworks when we shared the same bed. A very tepid romance, but sometimes you take what you can get.

We both had longtime jobs in service and we both found comfort in our occasional commiseration. Kurt is very attractive — he is in his early twenties; I am flattered by his attention. And dating men who are too young for me? I’m working on that.

After a few conversations, Kurt says, “I have to tell you something.” Oh God, I think. He wants to date; he has a communicable disease; he doesn’t want to talk to me anymore. “My last ex-boyfriend is someone you dated, and he sort of told me all about you.” I am never completely sure what “all about you means,” even though it’s something I am accustomed to hearing. If I have learned one thing during my many years on the planet, it is this: Never ask what “all about you” means. No good can come from it. Run if these words are ever spoken to you.

Against my better judgment, I ask him what “all about you” meant; he told me; it was as unpleasant as I imagined. I’m aware of my shortcomings; no good comes from hearing them repeated back to me — no good, only lengthened bouts of insecurity and elaborate social-media-stalking. The guy I dated, who sort of told Kurt all about me, is still wildly attractive — it looks like he’s having fun; and his blue eyes still make my heart ache. (Something I’m working on.)

I’m still upset about the way things ended, but I make a concerted effort to forgive him.

Forgiveness doesn’t justify piss poor behavior, but forgiveness is a freeing of sorts, an emotional epiphany.

In the book that was most helpful to me in coming to terms with the end of my longest relationship to date, Liz Gilbert writes, “Yesterday I might have been a glorious monument to somebody, true enough — but tomorrow I could be a fireworks depository. Even in the Eternal City, says the silent Augusteum, one must always be prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation.” After the better part of more than three decades on the planet — and against everything in my nature that screams the opposite, I am getting comfortable with that certainty; in its way, it is soothing.

Daniel@PQMonthly.com pqmonthly.com

WEDDING

THE RESTORED HOPE NETWORK: “IN THIS TIME OF HISTORY, WHEN GENDER AND SEXUAL CONFUSION IS REACHING NEW HEIGHTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE, OUR NETWORK OF MINISTRIES STANDS ON THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S LIFE-GIVING WORD” Continued from page 11

statements. Paulk then claims to have a recording of Burleton’s statement, proving she’s agreed with her. Burleton counters by saying she suspected Paulk of making such a recording, and took the precaution of making a recording herself. She then challenges Paulk to produce her recording in its entirety. Paulk ignores the challenge, and accuses Burleton of bad faith for making a recording, before signing off and telling Burleton she’ll pray for her.

Reading the back and forth, it’s hard to disagree with Burleton’s suspicions that Paulk intended to doctor the recording she’d made to give the appearance that Burleton agreed with her, and that it was only Burleton’s precautions which prevented her.

Burleton sees Paulk’s tactics in the

matter as being of a piece of the reparative therapy community’s larger mode of operating. “Their pattern is made up of taking a kernel of truth out of research or personal experience — in this case my saying I believed adults should be free to utilize their practices — and misrepresenting it in order to suit their own purposes,” she says.

“Denise Schick, one of the conference’s presenters, had a bad experience with a transgender parent, and has turned it into an anti-trans hate campaign focused on children and youth. It’s not right,” she laments, “and it’s harming kids.

WHAT’S IN A BUTCH

Instead of deciding what category someone fits into and assuming things, maybe just stop going down that road — or ask.

If we are truly comfortable when someone tells us, “I’m butch or I’m femme, or I’m queer,” it should not matter. When it comes to labeling people, not just in the queer community but overall, society fixates on the need to define it. If we don’t care and are comfortable with our sexuality, sexual orientation and the idea that both men and women can have all sorts of masculine and feminine characteristics co-existing, then the insistence of defining what kind of “butch” you are becomes irrelevant to a certain degree.

Whether we consciously choose certa i n behav iors or cha racter ist ics or whether we’re inherently pre-disposed to them, our goal ultimately should be that we do not need to define ourselves or others by these constructs. If today you feel like a butch no matter what you’re outside appearance may be, then you’re a butch. If today you’re feeling more femme, then you’re a femme. In the words of “Frozen,” let it go.

Continued from page 10

loathe staying at home with the kids, are self-confident, natural leaders, and are loud and physically larger.

Interestingly, these classic male/female characteristics often are what we use to define the butch/femme dichotomy. We all know that these are not true; men and women do not fall under these categorically. Think about the women and men you’ve known throughout your lifetime who’ve shown inclinations towards both masculine and feminine traits. Lots of them.

It seems to me that the idea of “what is a butch” is about as fluid and wide as the spectrum for sexual orientation. Take this writer for example. From an outward appearance, many assume I’m butch, and sometimes I definitely feel, act, and look butch. Yet more often than not, I have many more “femme” qualities. I’m “Sensitive Sally,” I love flowers and romantic chick flicks, and honestly most “femmes” could easily my ass.

Go to www.PQMonthly.com to see the video in question, and also screenshots featuring Anne Paulk.

Providing social work and nursing medical case management to people living with HIV/AIDS since 1995.

For intake scheduling, information, and referral:

503-230-1202 • ohsu.edu/partnership

pqmonthly.com

July/August 2014 • 15

STYLE

TURN A LOOK: LIVING THE BUTCH LIFE

By Sally Mulligan, PQ Monthly

One of the coolest things about being queer is that there’s as many ways to be queer as there are queers in the world. That being said, there is some overlap. Like, a lot, actually (check out your dating pool if you don’t believe me.) So when a tomboy femme such as myself starts checking out your looks when we’re all out and about, I both bow down to your personal style (seriously, I would have never thought to pair those things together!) and notice the threads (pun intended!) that we have in common (I thought that was you two aisles over at Top to Bottom, homo!) But as “tomboy” as this femme might be, I have

never felt like I fall anywhere on the masculine end of the spectrum, as adoring and fascinated as I am by all of y’all looking fresh to death over there. As such, I present to you my highly scientific* anthropological study of queers who live that butch life. Turns out a lot of you queers have some things in common: first of all, you all love hats. Swear. Secondly, you are deeply invested in your hair. And (surprise!) you are a very practical bunch.

Now, let’s talk about everything else, shall we?

GENUS: FAG DYKE (FLAMBOYANT SAPPHO) Indigenous to: the dancefloor.

Mating call: “I LOVE THIS SONG!” Demeanor: party, swishy, upbeat.

Prominent markings: cocked baseball cap in colorful prints, neon printed leggings, butch sideboob, gold chains, a clean fade, mixed prints.

Style icon: Zack Morris meets Robyn.

Where they shop: free boxes, baby! What’s that shiny thing at the bottom of the box?

H&M men’s section, their girlfriend’s closet, Top to Bottom, Gen X. GENUS: URBAN JOCK (ATHLETA METROPOLITAE) Indigenous to: Burnside skate park, Portland Rock Gym, the bluffs.

Mating call: “Sup?” Demeanor: super chill or hyper, there’s no in between.

Prominent markings: snapbacks, ironic t-shirts, Vans, lots of neon, vintage anoraks, loud prints, baby face, sagging skinny jeans, high tops .

Style icon: your high school boyfriend.

Where they shop: army surplus stores, skate shops, Goodwill, Red Light Vintage.

Genus: Fag Dyke (Flamboyant Sappho)

Genus: Urban Jock (Athleta Metropolitae)

GENUS: LUMBERBUTCH (LESBIA LIGNATOR) Indigenous to: a secret trail in the woods you’ve never heard of.

Mating call: “I’ll take you there sometime.”

Demeanor: shy or aloof, who can tell.

Prominent markings: traditional-style tattoos, plaid, beanies, plaid, rescue dog, plaid, their dad’s knife, plaid, classic Levi’s or khakis.

Style icon: 90s Eddie Bauer dads.

Where they shop: Andy & Bax, thrift stores, their dad’s closet, actually they have just had these clothes forever.

GENUS: SMARTYPANTS (PELLENTESQUE IPSUM) Indigenous to: the library, In Other Words, Cat Power concerts, art galleries, documentary film festivals, The Modern Man. Mating call: “What are you reading?”

Demeanor: deep in thought, introverted, clever.

Prominent markings: freckles, retro glasses, grandpa cardigans, a dog eared paperback, collared shirts, beat up boots, vintage band tees, one or two cheeky accessories.

Style icons: Morrissey.

Where they shop: quiet Sunday morning garage sales, clothing swaps with friends, grandpa’s closet, TopMan, Palace.

Some other findings that brought these groups together: A lot of y’all don’t even consider yourself “butch” in any specific way. I think this says more about this cultural shift around queerness and gender presentation that I won’t be diving into in a fashion article, but I love it anyway. Something else a lot of gaymos have in common? We all have a really hard time finding clothes that fit our bodies the way we want, make us comfortable, and that we can afford. If any of you have had more luck in this arena, or have some tips, please feel free to share! Maybe we can start a queer sewing circle?

Genus: Lumberbutch (Lesbia Lignator) 16 • July/August 2014

Genus: Smartypants (Pellentesque ipsum)

*Just playin pqmonthly.com

GET OUT! VOICES

PQ PICKS

FRIDAY, JULY 18 Chicken Strip, Unleash your Summer. “A wise chicken recently predicted the summer of 2014 to be The Great Unleashing,” according to party architects. “July 18 is what they call The Ultimate Moment, which gives you the chance to install your Resting Summer Bliss face and remove all other unnecessary resting faces.” What the hell does that mean? Weird ass drag show/dance party/ fresh talent/a don’t-miss event. As the kids say, “next level or bust.” The night includes a variety of excellent deejays. 9:30pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11. $5.

SATURDAY, JULY 19 HRC Gala Dinner. HRC Oregon & SW Washington’s Steering Committee cordially invites you to spectacular evening celebrating local and national heroes of the LGBT community. Join them for a Portland-style gala event proudly serving farm-fresh gourmet food, superb Oregon wines and micro-distillery products. Celebrity guests will help to commemorate the incredible successes we’ve shared from throughout the nation and truly make this a very special night to remember. HRC President Chad Griffin and comedic gem Dana Goldberg will be on hand. For info, go to http://hrcportlandgala.org/.

Gaycation all you ever wanted gets a shout out here because they’ve got Chelsea Starr, Lavender Mirrors DJs, and Mr. Charming on the decks. 9pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison.

Lumbertwink celebrates its second anniversary with Bridge Club and Queerlandia staples Orographic and Pocket Rock-It. Photos by Wayne Bund, portraits by Michael Horowitz. PNW fantasy! 9pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11. $4 in plaid or singlets, $6 without.

MONDAY, JULY 21 The days are longer, brighter, and (much) warmer, and it’s an excellent time to get your active socializing on.

Seriously, Gay Skate is a joy. Meet queers and mingle with them outside the bar setting — maybe your dream lover will ask you to hold hands during couples’ skate.

And there are themes now! Themes! This month, put on your queer thinking caps and think how you might best represent Madonna and Michael Jackson. Think of it as Madonna vs. Michael Jackson. True story. Come dressed to impress and wine beautiful prizes, and look for our publisher, who’s always handing out copies of PQ. And, you know, you’ll probably get a date. Food drive for Take Action Inc. 7pm, Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. $6.

THURSDAY, JULY 24: This is pretty lovely. Our House’s anniversary celebration with a party and in style — this is a special event celebrating Our House and all the great people that make it work. Since 1992, Our House has given Heartfelt Awards to Board, Staff, Volunteers, Businesses and Community members who deserve special recognition and exemplify the true meaning of giving. These individuals and organizations have been extremely generous with their time and energy and give from their hearts to those in need with HIV/AIDS. This year awards will be given to: The Standard, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Gregg

Macy, Karol Collymore, Kate Bowman, Bill Coffey & Chuck Schomaker, John Paulk - Mezzaluna Fine Catering, Rob Cimiluca, Connie Michael, Alan Koch, Joanne Maurice, Dorothy Moose and Virginia Scott. Food and beverages served by Vibrant Table Catering & Events and dessert by provided by Cupcake Jones. Deejay, tours all night. No RSVP required. 5-7pm, Our House, 2727 SE Alder.

SUNDAY, JULY 27 Poison Waters & Friends have decided to again have brunch. There’s a lot to know about this event, so read on: The return of the Poison Waters & Friends Sunday Brunch Show and Film at McMenamin’s Pubs, Breweries & Historic Hotels Kennedy School is for those 21 years and older, and $19 includes brunch, a drag show, and film! 10:30am doors, 11am-12:30pm brunch buffet and Poison Waters & Friends Show featuring Kourtni Capree Duv Alexis Campbell Starr and Meesha Peru Carlos Ramirez Quezada Lulu Lusciouss , wrapping up with the 12:30pm film, “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.” (Of course the full bar featuring bottomless mimosas will be available at an additional charge.) Tickets on sale now. Cascade tickets.

This afternoon, head to the Old Fashioned Community Picnic to benefit the Oregon AIDS Memorial. From organizers: Come one, come all. Guys, gals, boys, girls, children of all ages, and anyone who wants to come.

Everyone is welcome to come to the Old Fashion Community Picnic. Come show your support for the Oregon AIDS Memorial and enjoy an early afternoon filled with food, fun, and games with all your community. There is a $5 suggested donation, but no one will be turned away due to a lack of funds. In addition to games and food, there will be pie throwing, auctions, raffles, and perhaps even a dunk tank—and maybe more! Food and drinks will be available for purchase as well. 3pm, Starky’s, 2913 SE Stark.

THURSDAY, JULY 31 Front and Center: Join Basic Rights Oregon for a night benefitting their Racial Justice and Trans Justice Programs; it’s a night of performance featuring Angelica Ross and a variety of fabulous local performers. Tickets are on a $15-20 sliding scale, but no one is turned away due to a lack of funds. You can select the “pay what you can” option and enter $0 if you are unable to purchase a ticket. 7pm, Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 SW Morrison. Tickets here: http://bit.ly/1juAV6D. THURSDAY, JULY 31-SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 And last but not least, the Portland Queer Music Festival returns for four full days. We’ll have a full schedule (which lists performers) on our blog in the weeks leading up to the event, but here’s a brief overview: Thursday, queer deejay night at Rotture. Friday, queer music showcase — headlined by Gaytheist — at Crush. Saturday, queer music showcase at Rotture, featuring Mattachine Social. And Sunday is Piano Push Play, featuring classically trained LGBTQ pianists, curated by Jedediah Bernards. See? We told you you’d love it. Go “like” Portland Queer Music Festival on Facebook.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26: It’s that time of year again – long hot summer days, BBQ’s, swimming, hiking, rafting and basketball! That’s right – it’s time for the Sixth Annual Portland Women’s 3x3 Basketball Tournament. What’s the big deal about this particular event?

Women! This is a day-long community staple event that’s easily the largest “women’s only” 3x3 basketball tournament in the state, probably the country. Each year at least 30 teams of women of all ages (18 to 60+) and skill levels participate. Whether they’re league champions, gym rats, college hoopsters – short, tall, young, old – all women seem to join in. Even women that haven’t played in years dust off their sneakers and come out to play. But that’s not all this tournament is – it’s also a party. Let’s face it, it’s a big, all-day party in the park. 8:30am5pm, Irving Park. Register here: www.hrc.org/pdxbasketball

1

pqmonthly.com

FEATURES 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 peruse photos from your reporters-about-town. Also, remember to carefully examine our weekly weekend forecast — with the latest and greatest events — each Wednesday (sometimes Thursday), online only.

--DANIEL BORGEN

DANCE IT OUT FIRST SUNDAYS Bridge Club. A slew of stellar deejays play music on the city’s most treasured patio. Old Boys Club regularly welcomes special guests. Snack, mingle, get down.

Bridge club is delighted to announce its permanent new home—Vendetta! 3pm, Vendetta, 4306 N Williams. Free EVERY SUNDAY. Superstar Divas. Bolivia Carmichaels, Honey Bea Hart, Topaz Crawford, Isaiah Tillman, and guest stars perform your favorite pop, Broadway, 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. 8pm, CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis. Free!

FIRST THURSDAYS Dirt Bag. Keyword: Bruce LaBruiser. She’ll make all your musical dreams come true. Indie, pop, electro, all of it.

Dance to the gayest jams. 10pm, The Know, 2026 NE Alberta. Free.

Hip Hop Heaven. Bolivia Carmichaels hosts this hip-hopheavy soiree night every Thursday night at CCs. Midnight guest performers and shows. 9pm, CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis. Free.

FIRST SATURDAYS Sugar Town. DJ Action Slacks. Keywords: Soul, polyester. 9pm, The Spare Room, 4830 NE 42. $5.

SECOND THURSDAYS I’ve Got a Hole in My Soul. Three keywords, the most important being: DJ Beyondadoubt. Others: soul, shimmy. 9pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison. $5.

SECOND TUESDAYS Bi Bar—every second Tuesday at Crush, and it’s an open, bi-affirming space for music and mingling. Correction: Bi/Pan/Fluid/Queer. 8pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morrison.

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. 10pm, 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 night away and burning up dance floors the second and fourth Saturdays of every month at Trio. Welcoming all women, queers, and their allies. 6pm-10pm, Trio, 909 E. Burnside.

Mrs.: The queen of theme welcomes its new hostess, KajAnne Pepper! And dynamic DJ duo: Beyondadoubt and Ill Camino. Costumes, photo booths, all the hits. 10pm, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi. $5.

SUNDAY, JULY 27: It’s time for Portland Latino Gay Pride! Celebrate “¡La Gloria!” with Portland Latino Gay Pride. Join us for an evening of música y baile, special performances, sponsor exhibit area, and many surprises! Tamale Boy is back with amazing food and strong margaritas (thank goodness). Jupiter Hotel courtyard will be at capacity with over 600 of our gente celebrando Latino/a Gay Pride. The festival is 21 and over, and funds raised go towards PLGP Scholarship program. ¡Que Viva Portland Latino Gay Pride! (We’ve been many times, and we can promise you it’s a joy — you’ll leave stuffed and sore. Food and dancing, perverts!) 5pm, Jupiter Hotel, 800 E Burnside, $5.

2

pqmonthly.com/get-out

SECOND SUNDAYS Beat It at Black Book: A beautiful new queer night all for you at one of the city’s most exciting new(ish) venues.

A monthly event celebrating everything from beards and tattoos to butch queens. Mark your calendars: second Sundays. Hosted by JC Powers, killer deejays. 7pm, Black Book, 20 NW Third.

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!) 9pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morrison.

THIRD THURSDAYS Polari. Troll in for buvare. Back-in-the-day language, music, and elegance. An ease-you-into-the-weekend mixer. Bridge Club boys make the music. Bridge and tunnel patrons have no idea what to do with us when we pour in. Hint: it’s always the Thursday we go to press.

What serendipitous fortune! 10pm, Vault, 226 NW 12.

Free.

THIRD FRIDAYS Ruthless! Eastside deluxe. DJs Ill Camino, Rhienna. Come welcome new resident deejay Rhienna and listen to the fiercest jams all night long. Keyword: cha cha heels.

10pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. $3.

THIRD SATURDAYS Burlescape! Burlesque & boylesque wrapped in a taste of tease! Zora Phoenix, Isaiah Esquire, Tod Alan. (And there’s more than that, kids.) Zora is a treat and a treasure—and so are her shows. Try one out! 9pm, Crush, 1400 SE Morrison. $10.

Gaycation: DJ Charming always welcomes special guests. Be early so you can actually get a drink. Sweaty deliciousness, hottest babes. THE party. 9pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison. $5.

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. Established fun, all night long. 9pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. $5.

FOURTH SATURDAYS Blow Pony. Two giant floors. Wide variety of music, plenty of room for dancing. Rowdy, crowdy, sweaty betty. 9pm, Rotture/Branx, 315 SE 3. $5.

LAST THURSDAYS Laid Out, Bridgetown’s newest gay dance party. Seriously, the posters read: “gay dance party.” And oh, how it’s a gay dance party. Thursdays are a real thing again. Deejays Gossip Cat and Pocket Rock-It, with photos by Eric Sellers. 9pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison. $3 after 10pm.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1: Control Top, your favorite quarterly dance party, moves to East End. Plus, they’re bringing out heavy hitter Njena Redd Foxx. Read on: Njena Reddd Foxxx’s raw and unadulterated sound contrasts smooth, fluid vocals with playfully aggressive lyrics, carrying an old-school “rap-battle” feel with them. The Washington-born MC rose to fame rapping on Zebra Katz’s 2012 smash “Ima Read,” which was released on Mad Decent. The track provided the soundtrack for fashion designer Rick Owens’ winter collection, cementing it as one of the year’s underground cult anthems. Roy G Biv has been the main organizer, promoter, and DJ for quarterly Control Top, monthly Panty Raid, and Mooseknuckle in Seattle.

This girl has been around for quite some time and has worked with acts such as Vockah Redu, Rye Rye, Spinderella, Double Duchess, and Lauren Flax. You come, you dance, you fall in love. 9pm, East End, 203 SE Grand. $7.

3

July/August 2014 • 17

PQ Monthly, proud major sponsor of the women’s 3x3 tournament!

FEATURES VOICES

18 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

VOICES

PERS{ECTOVES FEATURE

This Ends Badly We’ll Laugh about This Later: a Pride Recap

By Michael James Schneider, PQ Monthly

Here in the PNW, it’s Pride Season, or as I like to call it, Summertime Sadness.

I’ve gone to a couple Pride Festivals in Los Angeles, where I moved from a year ago, and then my first Portland one last year. It was fun, but I usually just go to the parades and daytime festivities, and I found myself shrugging off Portland Pride 2014. It seems I had lost the spirit of Pride; so this time, I summoned the ghosts of Pride Past, Present, and Future to get it back.

Other guys may get ready by underwear shopping and tanning at Sauvie’s. My prePride rituals include plucking my ear hairs and washing and shrinking all my clothes so they fit tighter. I also avoided the bread aisle at the grocery store...for about an hour.

I text the Ghost of Pride Past: “hey gurl, meet me @ the Bodega.” Then I go out. I start out Friday night at Panty Raid, a crowded, sweaty party thrown at a tiny convenience store on Belmont. The guy at the door asks for Pride Past’s ID, looks at it, looks at him, and waves him through. Then he looks at me. I offer my ID. He shakes his head slowly, sadly, stops making eye contact after he looks at my weathered face, the crow’s feet near my eyes, my outfit that’s trying a bit too hard to be youthful (concept: Spinster Chic). “Please, here,” I offer my papers again. He takes it, looks at my birth year. His eyes get wide, and he gently hands the ID back to me, taking care with my precious relic from Ye Olden Days. He takes my wrist gingerly, as if afraid I didn’t take my Boniva that day, stamps my wrist, and calls me “sir” as he waves me in.

Inside, it’s a mix of tank tops, sweat, and lip gloss. Panty Raid feels illegal; it feels like a secret, it feels like a party that finally gets it right. And oh yeah, there he is: the dude I’m crushing hard on. He’s surrounded by his friends. Hmm, not tonight.

I check my nearby Scruff grid. Oh shit.

An ex, one I definitely do not want to run into, is less than 250 feet away. Time to get outta here. One catch: I am literally incapable of starting a tab somewhere and closing it out. A decision to open a tab automatically means another trip to that same bar when it opens the next day at three. No, I don’t get so faded that I forget my card, it’s just that I’m committed to The Exit Strategy.

The scary thing? The Bodega doesn’t even take cards. Somehow I left it there anyway.

The next night I drag the Ghost of Pride Present to the White Owl Social Club for Control Top. I park in Beaverton, at the end of the line of people waiting to get in. I planned it right: I shaved before I got in line, and have a full, bushy beard by the time I finally get to the entrance. My clothes have gone out of style and then back in. (I kid; they were never in style.)

We get inside, and there they are: Katey

Pants and Kevin Kauer are on their stage, backlit by fire, behind their turntables. Like the puppeteers of fun.

Like a dark High Priest and Priestess (don’t assume you know which is which) who are about to sacrifice everyone to their vinyl god. Like Daft Punk, but actually cool. DJs are the new storytellers, the new shamen.

On another stage inside, Rye Rye is shouting incomprehensible beautiful gibberish into a mic, and her wig is slipping and the crowd is going vertical because there’s literally nowhere else to go. I realize I dressed like someone’s chaperone, or maybe a member of the clergy. Drinking beer to “pace yourself” works until about the 8th beer, and things start slowly going fuzzy, then furry. Oh shit, there he is: Secret Crush. I stumble in his direction, slur a sloppy “Herro” and offer to buy him a drink him a drink as his friends look on, horrified.

I don’t remember much about what happens after that, except I think it involved what the kids call an “afterparty.” I wake up in my own bed drooling on my cat, and of course I left my card at White Owl. The Ghost of Pride Present makes a shitty wingman.

The next day I wear my Hangover Sunglasses at Disco Brunch, where I chat with lovely friends, and then I make a beeline for the Big Gay Boat Ride as the heavens open up over Portland and dump a lake’s worth of water on me. The boat disembarks, and for two hours it’s dudes with nice legs, and laughs over drinks, and drag queens named after food.

Later, I go to Dickslap after Snapchatting the Ghost of Pride Future to meet me there. Adore Delano is predictably amazing, and the party reaches critical mass: the air becomes thick, people start to literally combust, and the walls buckle. I make a hasty exit and stand in the middle of the street as Holocene sucks into itself like the “Poltergeist” house. You didn’t move the graves, Nark, you only moved the headstones.

I look over: there they are, all my friends, about to hit up Robo Taco (people in Portland talk about burritos the way people in Los Angeles talk about yoga). And it’s there that I really discover the true spirit of Pride. Whatever Pride becomes in the future, it will always be a relevant celebration of not taking what happened before us for granted. And in the far future, when Gay Pride becomes a National Holiday (along with #ManCrushMonday and Throwback Thursday), we’ll tell our kids not to take their rights for granted.

Secret Crush slides into our booth next to me as I muffle a scream with my burrito. We talk and then he whispers the five best words ever: “Wanna get out of here?” And as we walk away from the steaming rubble of Holocene, hand in hand, that’s when I remember: Shit. I left my card in there.

Michael James Schneider is a writer, designer, and artist based in Portland, OR. His mom thinks he is the Best Writer Ever. He writes for his wildly unpopular blog, BLCKSMTHdesign.com, and just released his first fiction book, The Tropic Of Never, available as an ebook on Amazon.com.

pqmonthly.com

Always have supported LGBT rights, Always will.

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

Please contact us for advertising opportunities.

503.228.3139 •PQMONTHLY.COM July/August 2014 • 19

NIGHTLIFE

VOICES VOICES

ID CHECK Completing a Chapter

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

The word “transition” implies a beginning, middle and end. Transgender, conversely, like cisgender, suggests an identity, like ethnicity descriptors, or gender categories.

This difference can be confusing for a trans person. Trans people tend to be most visible during their transitions, when their appearances often least resemble their inner sense of themselves. Painful dysphoria, sometimes compounded by the unkind behavior of others, thus, can seem like the dominant feature of a trans person’s existence.

Transitions end, though Hormone replacement therapy, should a person choose to undergo it, runs its course. One reaches the end of the procedures they’ve sought, and, with luck, emerges as their new self.

As someone freshly on the far side of transitioning, I can say gender looks different to me than before. A writer I read upon coming out, Riki Wilchins, talked about how the process of rushing headlong from side of the gender binary to the other had demystified structure for her, to the point that she wrote a book applying postmodern theoretical techniques to its very deconstruction.

I must say, these days I can relate and identify with her, which is, in itself, disorienting. Having spent years haranguing against transmisogyny in all its forms, to suddenly be wondering what a woman or man is, what either of those words implies when describing the infinitely varied, limitlessly vast subject that is one’s identity, is a change of pace.

Whereas previously I’d been prepared to raise hell with any voice that contested any tenet of the trans rights movement as I understood it, I sense that tenacity receding. Being a woman is something I enjoy.

Like being a Portlander, it is, in my case, a part of myself I came into later in life, and that I likely appreciate more fully as a result.

Being transgender, I imagine, will always possess a shadow of trauma, as it’s a piece of me that met with complete, unequivocal rejection when, as a child, I announced it, and that I’m only beginning to trust is accepted in my world today.

I’ve joked that trans people become, almost involuntarily, Ph.D.’s in gender, while cis folk have barely an elementary school understanding of it. In my case, I studied what a “boy” and later a “man” was throughout my life, for fear of not imitating one properly, and thus revealing to people whatever it was I wanted to be.

Upon transitioning, my studies flipped, and I began simultaneously observing women, in order to suitably approximate

one, and devouring anything I could regarding gender itself, in an effort to understand what had happened to me and what I was doing about it.

At the time, riddled with social anxiety, dysphoria, shame, confusion, rage, and terror, overwhelmed with the task of dismantling and reconstructing my sense of self on a seeming daily basis, and encountering one legal and medical cost after another, becoming a woman, in my mind, resembled being a diver in a cartoon, who, having climbed to a platform high in the sky, must attempt to land in a tiny barrel below.

Such perfectionism can make a person testy (see: every trans woman on the internet – myself included). Now, however, things feel more spacious. The dysphoria and expenses are, thankfully, largely past tense, and the emotions are growing more placid.

Being a woman no longer feels like wearing a chip on my shoulder, which the world might, without warning, knock off, or like a test I must ace to pass “life.” Today, and if I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that these sorts of things are subject to change, it feels like the name I’d give one fundamental, intangible part of who I am.

As such, “being a woman” is a topic that demands less of my emotional and mental energy, which is odd considering that, until quite recently, it consumed nearly all of it.

Scaling down from the habitual alarm state that defined transitioning, and the fugitive, closeted mindset that preceded it, means encountering relaxation regarding my self-definition for the first time. Transitioning, for me, meant overruling my assigned gender, and name, and fighting the received notions about who and what trans person are; it meant redefining my life and identity at every level, which was exhausting, exhilarating, infuriating, and engrossing.

Sensing my identity more settled, as much as it ever can be, transphobes and trolls, while still aggravating, are less all-consuming, and battling them feels less and less true to who I’m becoming.

In the past, the degree to which change felt welcome had outweighed the discomfort accompanying it, because, within, I knew change to be necessary and worth fighting for. Today, weary with accomplishment, I have no idea what change means to me, because I’ve never before experienced it as myself.

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

20 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

GLAPN CALENDAR

ROB NOSSE APPOINTED TO THE OREGON HOUSE trict had been represented

by Democrat Jules Bailey, who resigned to run for the board and was recently sworn in.

Rob will be serving in a House that is headed by Speaker Tina Kotek. Tina is the first openly LGBT person to head an Oregon legislative chamber, and the first lesbian in the country to head any state legislative chamber. For the past few years, Tina has been the only openly LGBT person in the Oregon Legislature.

At the time of his recent appointment, Rob had already won the May Democratic primary for that same seat. He is very likely The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has appointed equality champion and Oregon Nurses Association Labor Representative Rob to win the November general election because no Nosse to fill the vacancy in the Oregon House for District 42.

Republican has filed to run for the position. However,

By George T. Nicola, The Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Rob may face a third party opposition candidate.

Pacific Northwest Rob lives in Southeast Portland with his husband Jim The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has and their two children. He emphasizes that he has worked appointed equality champion and Oregon Nurses Associ- his entire life to drive social change for students and workation Labor Representative Rob Nosse to fill the vacancy ing families. For almost twenty years, Rob has been a union in the Oregon House for District 42. Until recently, the dis- representative, trying to raise the bar for middle class fami-

pqmonthly.com

lies. Currently, Rob is employed at the Oregon Nurses Association where he has worked for over nine years. In his job, he helps bring nurses together to create a strong, united voice to advocate for themselves and their patients.

With two kids in the Portland Public Schools, Rob and his husband have been active PTA members at Atkinson Elementary and Franklin High Schools. Rob says that as a concerned parent, he’s seen up close what education cuts in Salem have done to students and teachers in the classroom.

Rob has been an activist on LGBT rights since he moved here to work for the Oregon Student Association in 1992. He successfully brought students from every part of the state together to fight Ballot Measure 9, an extremely anti-gay voter initiative that was ultimately defeated. Rob has served as a board member of Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC helping to elect pro LGBT candidates to public office, and worked to bring marriage equality to our state. As a union representative for Oregon nurses, he also helps to ensure contracts include provisions that give same-gender couples the same benefits available to straight married couples.

Rob attends St. Philip Neri Church, a progressive Catholic Church in Southeast Portland, where he served on the Pastoral Council. In that role, Rob has worked to ensure all Portlanders feel welcome and affirmed, including gay Catholics.

Rob says that as an Oregon Representative, he intends to stand up for progressive Portland values, a continuation of his lifelong fight for economic fairness and full equality for all citizens. Rob is also a member of Jobs with Justice, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Teamsters Local 223, Health Care for All Oregon, the Oregon Student Foundation, and the Labor Employment Relations Association.

July/August 2014 • 21

NIGHTLIFE STYLE

STYLE DECONSTRUCTED: UNLESS YOU’RE A DRUG MULE, RETIRE THE CARGO SHORTS I lean toward the causal side) makes up my wardrobe. I also own a suit, two kilts, a singlet, but I reckon those are topics for another conversation.

PQ: Who gives you a style boner today?

Kerr : Luke Wessman.

Google him. Beefy beautiful tattoo artist with a great sense of style, or, maybe he just has really good stylists but even so, the look he has is something that appeals to me the most. What Brad Pitt wore in Fight Club and Ocean’s 11 was fantastic. I loved that style although I haven’t tried to imitate it. I get inspired mostly though from my friends. I have a friend in SeatBelow, Greg Kerr has a few intimate moments with a garden hose--and expresses his disdain for your cargo shorts. Photos by Eric Sellers tle who pulls off that daddy hipster look effortlessly. I love that hipster retro look. PatBy Eric Sellers and Michael Shaw Talley, PQ Monthly terns, suspenders, hats, contrasts, vests.

PQ: What is most valued article of clothing you have In a city teeming with fashion, personal expression, and trendsetters, we want to get into the heads of some of purchased? Why ?

Kerr: The t-shirt I wore the night my late partner Sam Portland’s stylish LGBTQ icons. To us, style is not made in magazines, malls or on television; it’s personal. This is the died. I can’t seem to part with it, and usually on wear it on the anniversary of his death. Otherwise, I am not overly reason for this style deconstruction. attached to anything in my closet. In fact, I have a general rule of thumb if I haven’t worn it in a year, I get rid of it.

Name: Greg Kerr; Age: 50; PQ: Do you wear jewels? What accessories are a must Occupation: Non-Profit have in your closet?

Kerr: No jewels, not even body piercing, although one PQ: What age were you when you realized style matupon a time I had a frenum in my penis. Another story tered?

Greg Kerr: I think I always knew style mattered on a big for another time. Not even a watch, although I find a nice scale, but I never considered myself someone who was styl- watch incredibly sexy. A must have in my closet? Hats. Guys ish, which is why I was surprised I was asked to be part of underestimate hats. Whether it’s Gatsby or a knit cap or this project. My style focused on what was comfortable and even a baseball cap, I love hats. Every guy can wear a hat durable. I was a big kid (we were called “husky” back then), — just got to find the right one and wear it and own the and my choice of stylish clothes was limited. So it never really mattered that much.

Even so, I grew up in Southern California and the clothes I gravitated to reflected mostly the beach culture. Back in the 80’s, it was about short corduroy shorts, like Stubbies and OP, and board shorts. Everything was relaxed and casual. I recognized early on that what men wore was interesting to me, whether it was because I was fetishizing it (hello coach) or simply thought it was a great look. I am also an artist, so even as a child and teenager, color, texture were something I noticed. I found myself always appreciating when a man could look. Goorin Brothers has wonderful hats ad will help size clash colors and shapes and still pull off the look.

I never did find a niche of style growing up and into them for you. Target has great hats too, surprisingly. I am adulthood. I never dressed in the “gay costume,” nor was I usually in a hat. Also, my Schwood wood sunglasses. Don’t hyper-masculine with boots and tight jeans, et al. Today I touch them, you’ll lose a finger.

PQ: EAT, DRINK, SCENE. What do you nosh? What’s still am inclined for the comfortable and durable, although I have learned what looks and fits best for me. Jeans, shorts, your sip? Where are your haunts?

Kerr: Nosh: the food carts, Grassa, Tasty & Sons, Screen simple shoes, witty t-shirts and the business causal (which 22 • July/August 2014

Door, Sizzle Pie, Tilt, Farm for date night, Oven & Shaker, 24th and Meatballs, Southland Whiskey Kitchen, Rimsky Korsakoffee for dessert, so many to list. I won’t even try to touch the brunch places, but Cameo Café on Sandy & 82nd is my favorite dive breakfast place. The kitsch factor is off the scales. Oh that Sue Gee...let the tourists queue up in the rain for a mediocre doughnut rolled in stale cereal at Voodoo. Go to Blue Star instead. Way better. Of course, for cupcakes hit Cupcake Jones. And there’s always room for Salt & Straw ice cream. Random Order on Alberta for pie. Coffee places, well I am partial to Stumptown, Public Domain, and Barista. Also any place where the barista is bearded and cute.

Booze: Ron Toms, Basecamp, Vault, River Pig. The Multnomah Whiskey Library is beautiful and a great experience, if you can get in. The dive bar at the end of my block, Mad Hanna’s, is pretty rad. They have Jell-O shots with Pop Rocks. You heard me. One of these days, someone should open a fun gay bar that is centrally located with a good vibe where we could all meet for happy hour. Until then, my bearded gang and I will continue to take over a local bar and claim it as our own for the evening.

PQ: Forever young! I wanna be forever young! What do you slather and slop on to pamper yourself? Give us when, what, where, when, why.

Kerr: Drink lots of water, exercise, eat well, but make sure you splurge and enjoy the foods that make you smile or feel nostalgic. Life’s too short to eat sawdust and chicken because you’re committed to that 32” waist. Laugh and be present with the ones you care about, put down your goddamn phone, wear sunscreen. Make sure you make those you are around know how much you care about them.

Listen to strangers, sometimes they are hilarious or filled with wisdom. Of course none of that will make you young though. To hell with that. But I think it will help you honor yourself and age gracefully. Embrace the wisdom of your years. That’s by far more beautiful and sexy than trying to convince yourself and everyone else you are somehow ten years younger than you actually are. We all die and nobody will remember if you bleached your teeth or tanned yourself orange. They will remember fondly about how you made them feel about themselves, which is an extension of how you love yourself. That’s the secret.

PQ: You have a time machine.

Go back in time and anything from any era. What would you get, where, and when?

Kerr: The 1970s. NYC. Studio 54. Coke. Let’s party. Show me your tits, Liza.

PQ: You’re going to a party! You stop by the market. What do you bring?

Kerr: A fine whiskey, or Fireball if I anticipate the party becoming a pantless party. Tequila if I anticipate stupid penis tricks and regretful pictures which will end up on Tumblr.

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

Kerr: Artist? Lots to mention: Jeremy Fish. Camille Rose Garcia. Mark Ryden. Ed Luce. Junko Mizuno. Many others.

I am drawn to the lowbrow scene so anything cartoonSTYLE DECONSTRUCTED page 23

pqmonthly.com

ARTS & CULTURE

Drink lots of water, exercise, eat well, but make sure you splurge and enjoy the foods that make you smile or feel nostalgic. Life’s too short to eat sawdust and chicken because you’re committed to that 32” waist.

STYLE DECONSTRUCTED Continued from page 22

ish and sarcastic gets my attention. I have many pieces of original art in my house, as well as an extensive vinyl toy collection.

Fashion designer. Well I don’t know. I do see the couture runway stuff as art, so I do enjoy looking at what Gaultier and Westwood send down the runway. Of course I love Walter Van Beirendonck, since he designs for big fellas and uses those beefy blokes as his models. Musician? God, so many to list. I’ve been listening to Jimmy Eat World a lot lately. The Naked and Famous is one of my all time favorites. I like mostly the alternative stuff. Not a fan of pop or Gaga or Miley. Blah.

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

Kerr: Guys, get underwear that fits. If you’re wearing boxer briefs and constantly pull them out of your crack because they ride up, then rethink your strategy. You don’t have to spend a lot to get all that fancy shit, but acknowledge your body and wear skivvies that are comfortable.

I’m a big guy, big legs, big ass — low rise briefs fit me best. Took me awhile to come to that conclusion. The only time I’ll wear boxer briefs is if they are by UnderArmour or Scout, as they don’t ride up. Also, those briefs that have the ass cut out of them?

Burn them. They look ridiculous. Wear a

jock or conventional briefs instead.

Pleated pants. Just don’t. Unless you are hiking or a drug mule, you don’t need all those pockets. Retire the cargo shorts. They aren’t flattering. If you insist you need all of those pockets for your stuff, you have too much stuff to carry, hoarder. Trim and clean your finger and toenails. No further comment on this topic is necessary. Don’t shave your pubes unless you’re having surgery.

PQ: Where are some of your favorite places to shop?

Kerr: I’m all about those Chubbies shorts this year (chubbiesshorts.com). They are cut above the knee and I am not afraid to show some leg. Yes, their marketing is a little douche-y, but they are fun to wear and have a lot of styles to choose from. For work pants, Bonobos (bonobos.com). They are cut a little low rise, so they are flattering in the crotch and ass. They have these fantastic flannel lined khakis which are great for the winter. Go commando in them. prAna, which is somewhat of a yoga/ outdoorsy brand, has really good quality casual wear. I have some shorts, sweaters and hoodies from them. It’s pricey, but I like their style and fit. I’m a t-shirt whore: Upper Playground, Ames Brothers, Threadless, Society6, and whatever kind of goofy, offensive or strange t-shirt I can find.

I like to shop at REI. They have a decent clothes selection and the customer base is rather attractive. Target also has decent clothes, well priced.

FEATURES

pqmonthly.com

July/August 2014 • 23

ARTS & CULTURE FEATURE

“SOURCING INSPIRATION FROM ALL TEN DIRECTIONS:” MC Yogi On Hip-Hop, Culture, and “Decapitating Pride”

By Nick Mattos PQ Monthly

M C Yo g i wants you to find enlightenment through rap. Née Nicholas Giacomini, the rapper and yoga teacher has spent much of the last decade translating the core teachings and frameworks o f d e vo t i o n a l Hindu philosophy into a hiphop idiom; in doing so, NPR described the MC Yogi wants you to find enlightenment through rap. young artist as “changing the face of devotional music in America.” On the occasion of the release of his new album Mantras, Beats, and Meditations — and his upcoming workshops and concerts in the Pacific Northwest — PQ Monthly talked with MC Yogi about the source of inspiration, cultural appropriation in a spiritual framework, and the ways that “pride becomes an obstacle to entering the space of grace.”

PQ Monthly: What do you see as the relationship between yoga and hip hop?

MC Yogi: To me they really complement each other.

Yoga turns me inward. It’s the practice of swallowing your senses, absorbing the mind, placing everything back into the envelope and then delivering that all the way through to a place of peace and relaxation… Music can definitely deliver you into a state of yoga, a state of ecstasy. In the Indian tradition, one of the most important parts about performance is the space before the song and the space after the song. After the applause dissolves and dies down, there’s just silence. It’s pretty interesting, because you can be in a wild, fun environment like a hip-hop show and then really just have that moment of just dropping in and feeling completely connected.

PQ: As a yoga teacher and a hip hop performer, you probably have folks who want to talk with you about the idea of cultural appropriation and how your work may

appropriate from other cultures. Have you had anyone confront you about that? And what are your thoughts on it?

MCY: I’m a poet and an artist, and basically what that means for me is that I’m sourcing inspiration from all ten directions. Wherever I find the inspiration, I integrate it into my artistic process. Every genre of music has borrowed from other genres of other music, and hip hop is the best possible example of that. Hip hop never created anything, but it recreated everything. So it’s all about mixing and blending and mashing-up and bringing things together that might not really make sense until you hear them together…

I think sometimes we get boxed-in to our categories, thinking that the Earth is compartmentalized into nation-states and lines on maps, that certain people act a certain way over here and other people act a certain way over there. But when you start to travel you start to realize that we’re all the same. We’re all sourcing our inspiration from the same place. Really, the place where music flows from is beyond the rational mind.

PQ: When it comes to appropriately utilizing inspiration that arose in cultures that aren’t one’s culture of origin, what sort of mindfulness does one need to bring to that process?

MCY: Well, a lot of this has to do with identity. Thinking in terms of origin, it depends on one’s perspective — like, my mother came to the United States when she was eight, and my father’s family came two generations back, and I identify with that lineage. There’s some truth to that. But yogis identify a deeper lineage, a deeper line that cannot be traced to a region. It’s a divine origin; where we come from is beyond human conception. And if you believe in reincarnation, then you’ve been everything under the sun.

So it’s hard to limit yourself in terms of saying “I’m just a man” or “I’m just a woman,” “I’m this age” or “I’m this race,” “I’m this political party” or “I listen to this kind of music.”

That’s the whole point of yoga, to break and shatter all of those layers of that casing that hardens and builds-up in the mind, thinking ‘I am this’. And when that gets smashed you can actually know “I am That… I am That which is everywhere, appearing in this.” It’s a deep rabbit hole to travel in, and for me, the music did lead me down that pipeline and into meditation and helped me to really feed through to the other side. And for me, that’s what the music is all aboutpull the curtains back so that light can shine through.

PQ: So much of the LGBTQ narrative right now has to do with “pride,” being proud of one’s identity as a queer person. In many ways it’s a psychologically healthy thing, especially for folks who come from repressed backgrounds; simultaneous with that, though, “pride” is really counter

to the message that our identities are beyond the physical and that intrinsically we are spiritual beings. As someone with a background in and lots of fans within the LGBTQ community, what are your thoughts on that?

MCY: I grew up in the LGBTQ community. My dad came out when I was 8, and that was a huge part of what moved me to find the practice of yoga and discover truth. I think pride becomes an obstacle to actually entering the space of grace and experiencing heaven in the body. Pride is one of those things that we all come up against, but yoga gives us the weaponry to decapitate pride and become humble so that we can see that all of our identifications are limited. And when we just relax and drop in, we can let go of all of those mental shackles that we drag around, and then we can just be ourselves. And the more that we start to do that, it creates a ripple effect in our communities and our society. People start to just accept one another as they are and stop trying to project all these limitations onto everybody. So that’s what yoga and music and art are all about, is helping set us free so that we’re not trapped in the maze of our own mental bind.

PQ: What do you see as the next steps in the LGBTQ movement?

MCY: I think with every community, the next step toward the goal, which is enlightenment, is to really become more kind and compassionate in every way, shape, or form. That’s always the next step in our evolution. What I keep coming back to over and over again is the undeniable truth that every single person we know is going to die. Every single person we know is going to get sick. Every single person we know is going to have hardship and struggle. And when we start to see that universal truth, there’s a natural response of compassion, because we feel how we share that struggle in common, and then we can start to really bring love and kindness to all other relationships. And it’s a revolution. What happens internally is that you can start to look at your parents that way, your brothers and sisters that way, your friends and your neighbors that way, and the president and the first lady that way. It levels the playing field, because we start to see that we all have pain that we’re walking with and just to be kind to everybody, because we all need love.

MC Yogi plays WOW Hall (291 SW 8th Ave, Eugene) on July 23; Star Theater (13 NW 6th Ave, Portland) on July 24; and Nectar Lounge (412 N. 36th St. Seattle) on July 26.

For tickets and more information on yoga workshops taught by the artist in each city, visit MCYogi.com.

Exceptional, personalized, comprehensive care for your best friend.

1737 NE Alberta suite 102 Portland, OR 97211

ALBERTAVETCARE.COM 24 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

VOICES

MARRIAGE

Fidelities

By Nick Mattos, PQ Monthly

1) There is no space I hate more than a hospital. I sit in the driver’s seat of my friend’s car, the one I borrowed for the purpose of coming here to Vibra Specialty Hospital, willing my breath to move smoothly through my body even though all it wants to do is catch in my throat. Somewhere inside of the big brick building before me, my ex-fiance is laying in a hospital bed on life support.

2) Exactly one year ago, I wrote a column about him. Of course, as is my schtick, it was also about marriage equality in Washington, and Mormon folk concepts of the preexistence, and my terrible inability at age 21 to make anything in my life work, particularly not an engagement — but really, the column was about him. “We are held together by so many things,” I stated in the conclusion, “the community around us, the promises we make, the infrastructure that protects our rights and records these messages saying that the world has changed, that you’ve changed too, that ‘forever’ is a long and uncertain length of time, one which promises only surprises.”

It is one year since I wrote that, and since then, ‘forever’ kept its promise — this is a surprise, walking up to the sliding doors of the hospital, waiting to see my ex-fiance for the first time in years, struggling to understand where our respective fidelities landed us.

3) “Who are you here to visit?” the nurse asks, businesslike.

I give his name, she writes it on a ledger and hands me a pass from a stack on her desk.

“He’s in room 308. Are you a family member?”

“No,” I say, “I was his lover.”

“Oh,” she says neutrally, keeping eye contact with me. “Have a good visit.”

4) While in modern usage “fidelity” most often refers to faithfulness to a partner, the term also refers to the degree of exactness with which something is copied or reproduced. My ex was, and perhaps is, very much a creature of routine — when we lived together in our house in Olympia, I knew that at 11:30 each day he would rise from bed, that Ellen would be on the television and a bottle of Cook’s champagne open when I came home for lunch, that by 8 PM each night that he would be sitting at the bar with a whiskey on the rocks. In comparison, I was highly unpredictable and prone to fits of fancy, adopting new habits and new principles to live by every few months.

At 22, in a grand demonstration of my own inconstancy, I left him and immediately moved to Portland to make a new life; he stayed in our old house, waking up at 11:30 each day, watching Ellen dance while he drank cheap champagne, setting empty glasses of whiskey down on the bar each night. Even after his liver went out, even after his skin and his eyes turned yellow, even after I no longer had a phone number for him, he made each of his days an exact reproduction of the day before it.

And now here we are, on the third floor of the hospital where he’s lived since the day he fell into the coma during his stint in detox. He got here because of his absolute fidelity to the lifestyle we lived in. I got here because I didn’t share it.

5) Beside the door is a medical chart — “Age 37,” it reads beneath my ex’s name. I haven’t seen him in person since he was 32, since I was 25. I silently contemplate the weight of those five years, not noticing someone approaching beside me.

“Here to see him?” the nurse asks with a reassuringly queer lisp.

“Yes.” He takes the medical chart from beside the door. “You might want to wait out here for a moment, I need to clean his tracheotomy tube,” he says. “It’s not pretty to watch.”

6) “One’s sentiments — call them that — one’s fidelities are so instinctive that one hardly knows they exist,” wrote author Elizabeth Bowen in The Death of the Heart; “only when they are betrayed or, worse still, when one betrays them does one realize their power.” There is no space I hate more than a hospital, and this one is no exception. I stand in the sterile hallway, smell antiseptic and sickness, listen to the faint beeping of the machines that keep patients like my ex alive. Why am I even here?

7) The door opens, and I know: I’m here because of fidelity. I’m alive because, at age 22, I stayed faithful to the life I knew was possible and found a new constellation of community and infrastructure and promises to hold me together. I’m here in this hospital because forever is a long and uncertain time, and finding out that someone I once loved was so near to death felt like a betrayal on the part of life. I’m here in Vibra Specialty Hospital because he’s here, right through the doorway before me, and I need to tell him hello and goodbye.

“You can see him now,” the nurse tells me over his shoulder as he walks off.

I inhale, then exhale, and walk into the room.

Nick Mattos is a writer and yoga teacher living in SE Portland.

He can be reached at nick@pqmonthly.com pqmonthly.com

July/August 2014 • 25

DYKES ON BIKES® & FRIENDS

BOOKS MARRIAGE

June 15, 2014 - Portland Pride & Meeting #12, Sandovals for breakfast 8am June 27, 2014 - Central Oregon Pride, Ride on Sat 6-28-14 Meeting #11 -Sunday May 18, 2014 at 9am Escape Bar&Grill June 28, 2014 - Corvallis Pride, Paradise HD at 10am July 12, 2014 - Vancouver, WA Pride, Paradise HD at 10am July 13, 2014 - Poker Party, Escape Bar&Grill 5pm $5Cover July 20, 2014 - Meeting #13, Escape Bar&Grill July 22, 2014 - Sprung Party for Butch Voices Contact: President@DykesOnBikesPortland.com COME RIDE WITH PORTLAND’S DYKES ON BIKES® www.DykesOnBikesPortland.com Dykes&Allies on Bikes

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

26 • July/August 2014

RIDE LOUD & PROUD WITH US!

pqmonthly.com

ARTSCOMMUNITY & CULTURE

QI PORTLAND COMMEMORATES 1ST YEAR OF YOUTH-LED ACTIVISM

Queer Intersections Portland celebrated its first year anniversary with a party at the Jupiter Hotel on June 20. Photos by Leela Ginelle

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

Queer Intersections Portland celebrated its first year anniversary with a party at the Jupiter Hotel on June 20. The nonprofit, which advocates for, promotes the visibility of, and works to build stronger communities for LGBTQ youth and young adults with intersecting marginalized identities, held a commemoration that featured tasty food, moving speakers and fun performers.

Qi Portland’s executive director and founder Giovanni Blair McKenzie reflected on what he saw as the successes of the organization’s first year. “In my opinion, our biggest accomplishment thus far is getting young people in Portland, especially LGBTQ youth of color, to join the fight for equality with a platform that is for and led by them.”

McKenzie views this as a corrective to the more common experiences of youth activists he’s encountered. “I’ve seen, many times, situations where young people weren’t given a space and a platform that really included them,” he says. “Many of these youth have had to either force themselves into these spaces, or these spaces were forced to include young people.

There have been a lot of great accomplishments made by the LGBTQ community here in Portland, but I don’t yet think we have truly witnessed something that was led by young LGBTQ Portlanders and benefited LGBTQ youth and young adults with intersecting marginalized identities.”

Robin Castro, one of the evening’s sponsors and co-hosts, seconded McKenzie’s thoughts, and voiced happiness at seeing the new leadership offered by Qi Portland.

“There are so many folks in our community who have been involved one way or another fighting for LGBTQ rights and my concern is what will happen when we are gone,” Castro said. “I learned as I went along how to fight for equality, and now Qi will be there to engage and nurture those leaders.”

In his speech at the party, Castro talked about the importance of continuing activism, even in this time of success for the LGBTQ movement. “One of my favorite new pqmonthly.com

quotes is ‘There’s a difference between legal equality and living equality,’” he said. “Our community has made so many gains, but we have to be vigilant to make sure those rights aren’t taken away. We are still fighting for immigration rights and transgender justice. These are issues that impact all our community and QI is a voice for the LGBTQ youth and young adults.”

Qi Portland’s executive assistant Jose Madrid was integral in planning the event. Madrid was active in his high school’s GSA, and credits McKenzie with helping him continue his activism.

“I knew I wanted to deal with a multitude of the issues facing youth my age with my identities and situations, though I didn’t know where to go to solve these issues,” Madrid says. “Out of the blue Giovanni asks me to join the Steering Council for Qi Portland which led to me being the Youth Chair of the Anniversary Committee.”

At the party, Madrid, who is genderqueer, spoke movingly about being raised in a world where the gender expectations projected onto him did not match his identity (Madrid goes by male pronouns). Madrid sees raising awareness about gender identity issues as being part of Qi Portland’s work.

“We are here to advocate for people with intersecting marginalized identities,” he says. “For me, genderqueer is an identity that certainly helped me figure out how I felt about myself. It is what made me feel comfortable with my gender expression. The fact that I had never seen or interpreted this from literature or other forms of media until my sophomore year of high school says a lot about what is represented and what is not. I do believe that dealing with these kinds of issues, such as the lack of representation of identities, are definitely within the goals and mission of Qi Portland.”

The performers at Qi’s anniversary party included MC Alexis Campbell Starr, comedic drag queen Valerie DeVille, and drag performer Sugarpill. Sugarpill is Portland’s reigning Rosebud, an award given at an annual underage drag competition.

Like Madrid and McKenzie, Sugarpill has a background in youth activism. “When I was 16, I founded Project Believe in Me, Portland’s only youth-led, youth-founded organization focused on bullying prevention and support,” she says. “That was in 2011, and while our work has slowed down as my personal life has changed, I’m still a huge supporter of truly youth-led activism and action.”

Sugarpill sees Qi’s work as dynamic and inspiring.

“I would love to get more involved with Qi, and actually expressed that interest to my friend Jose Madrid, Qi’s Executive Assistant, at the event,” she says. “In just a year, the organization has had incredible growth, particularly in the way of structural organizing.

Our youth community has a powerful, incredible voice that needs to be heard, and through Qi, it’s going to happen.”

Looking forward, McKenzie says Qi Portland will pursue its main pillars: community building, advocacy, visibility, education, and youth development.

“Our plan is to train peer educators who will go into communities, schools and youth-driven spaces to get more youth aware of opportunities they might not hear about every day — for example scholarships — and have meaningful discussion on topics such as privilege, gender identity, and intersectionality,” he says. “We have a couple other projects up our sleeves, but we’re waiting for the best time to launch them.”

Steve Strode, Realtor®

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

Cut through the noise with Sage advice

LOCAL EXPERTISE & GLOBAL BREADTH

503.490.4116 Meadows Group Inc., Realtors Licensed in Oregon

sagepacificliving.com steve@sagepacificliving.com

Find us on Facebook:

facebook.com/pqmonthly July/August 2014 • 27

BOOKS BOOKS MARRIAGE

VOICES

The Bi Line

Bouncy Castles + Boobs: New York Rejoices

By Ginger Millay, PQ Monthly

My personal slice of New York is entirely peopled with Burners and kinksters. All manner of sexual and artistic expression is as normal as a monthly MetroCard or complaining about tourists.

Kindergarten-themed sex party? Eh, been there. Latex fetish pool party? Nah, I went last time. Nothing seems to really capture the imagination enough to truly excite this pack of horny, creative perverts…until now.

New life has been breathed into the Museum of Sex with the unveiling of its new exhibit, “Funland.” I was sent a link to The Atlantic’s piece on the interactive sex carnival in late June. “Boobs and county castles: your two favorite things!” the subject read. Sold! I was beyond excited to visit — and for under $20 no less! The exhibitition’s piece de resistance, “Jump for Joy,” a moon bounce covered in huge, oversized breasts, was the feature of most articles about “Funland,” but was hardly all it had to offer.

I decided to skip the crowds of opening weekend, preferring to enjoy the cheeky installation at my leisure. On the afternoon of July 3, my lady friend and I, who had met on a bouncy castle at a festival a year prior, left the sweat-drenched streets of Manhattan to enter the museum’s gift shop. Silly tchotchkes and high-end sex toys, both wildly overpriced, swirled around me and my teal-haired beauty as we made our way to the cashier. With each ticket, we were given a pair of disposable gloves to be used in the Tunnel of Love. Wondering if I should have brought some lube along, we climbed the stairs, skipping the permanent exhibits (needless foreplay), to jump straight into the “Funland” action.

Upon reaching our destination, we were greeted by creepy carnival music and a beautiful brunet fellow in what looked like a magician’s cape. We were instructed to put don gloves as he led us to the first attraction, “The Tunnel of Love,” a mirror maze, in which you search for the G-spot. Love.

Love love love. My teal darling and I linked arms and embarked on our quest.

We clumsily grasped the air in front of us with our gloved hands, completely unsure what was real and what was a reflection. The g-spot has never been so elusive! At the end of the maze, we finally happened upon it— eureka! It looked surprisingly like a scoop of ice cream with a hole in the top, which we both had to shove our fingers in for our victory dance. Once upon moving around it deed we discover it to be a Theremin! Hopefully no clueless teenagers were led to believe that this noise should waft from the actual Grafenberg spot when you are properly stimulating it.

Next up was “Foreplay Derby.” Reminiscent of carnival games in which you shoot a

water gun to make a horse move across a board, this “Funland” version has you roll balls into holes, making your phallus move toward its goal. My gal took the prize, but I was a close second. We blew the other two players out of the water. Heh, “blew.”

On to my mecca, “Jump for Joy,” the prodigal bouncy castle of breasts. We waited in line behind a couple of girls as the piped-in sounds of women’s moans and the real sounds of squeals and giggles wafted from the enclosed castle of tit. When it was finally our turn, we slipped off our shoes and climbed into wonderland.

Giant, bouncy breasts of all colors, shapes and sizes protruded from every surface. Nestled between to enormous inflatable mammaries, I bopped back and forth like a ping pong ball, then got in a few good jumps on a flat surface before propelling myself onto a gigantic boob sprouting from the ground.

Our smiles were as massive as the enormous nipples we face planted into. Once satiated and thoroughly exhausted, we exited the castle, still bouncing with excitement. We grinned and cackled as we made our way to “Grope Mountain,” a climbing wall that features all manner of orifices and appendages instead of the usual rock and ledge holds.

My giggling girl went first, grabbing an ass crack while stepping on a set of blue testicles.

I scaled the wall right behind her, groping my way toward the pinnacle, a humongous erect phallus. We hung from the huge, red cock for a few photos, then we made our way down.

It was time for a drink.

I had a simply delicious time exploring “Funland,” but not everyone is so amused by the Museum of Sex’s most recent incarnation. While some are excited by a cheeky, interactive approach, others are frustrated by it, concerned that this makes the museum even more of a joke. While I’m sure some attendees are already quite sex positive or are there strictly to learn, others are probably quite nervous around the topic of sex, and could use an ice breaker. Once you bounce in a bouquet of boobs and scale a climbing wall by the balls, you loosen up and giggle about sex. Then you can be open to and enjoy learning all there is to know about the many varieties of sex dolls, that female bonobos engage in “g-g rubbing” with one another, or that the dick featured in the infamous “Deepthroat” was actually a bit stumpy.

I say let the kids have their fun. Some folks may come just for the silliness of “Funland,” but then wander around and learn a thing or two. And the more ya know, the better ya bang, so come visit and climb a wang!

Ginger Millay is in love with NYC, where she works independently as an event producer, party planner, and Dominatrix. Follow her on Twitter at MyGingersnaps 28 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

FEATURE MUSIC

ON THE COVER

Far left, clockwise from center: Vanna Pecoraro, Armida Hanlon, Jenn Davis, and Rasha Pecoraro. Photos by Melanie Davis

Is there anything more beautiful than the St. John’s Bridge? Well, sure, there are probably more beautiful things, but it ranks among our favorite places in the city, which is why we chose it as the backdrop for our “Butch Edition,” a now-yearly theme we wish to grow and continue. So many things come to mind when we say “butch” — identity, feminism, dapper fashion, and femmes, for starters. But our publisher had a very specific aesthetic (and models) in mind when she shot this. Cover photo and photos by Melanie Davis.

Jenn Davis own Escape Bar and Grill, a destination

frequented by queers of all stripes. Armida Hanlon is co-owner of Hot Flash Inferno, a bi-monthly dance party that attracts a gorgeous collection of ladies.

Make sure you check out a Hot Flash dance (check our calendar) and head over to the Escape for a variety of tasty treats and libations. You can find the Escape at 9004 NE Sandy.

Rasha and Vanna Pecoraro, launched Dapper D Fashion after being successfully funded on Kickstarter, and they offer you all need to be dapper and dandy. You simply must see their website at http:// www.dapperdfashions.com/ and stay atop all the latest finds and trends.

Because, as always, we at PQ Monthly urge you to support local business!

BASIC RIGHTS OREGON PUTS ANGELICA LOVE ROSS “FRONT AND CENTER”

By Leela Ginelle, PQ Monthly

On Thursday, July 31, Basic Rights Oregon will hold its second annual “Front and Center: Racial Justice and Transgender Justice Showcase.” The event takes place at the Artist’s Rep Theatre from 7 to 10pm, and features recording artist and transgender activist Angelica Love Ross.

Front and Center is a performing arts showcase, highlighting the work of transgender people of color (TPOC) across multiple performance disciplines, such as singing, dancing, spoken word and performance art.

With the program, BRO hopes to give a platform to the trans people of color community, which is especially vulnerable, statistically, to hate crimes, unemployment, homelessness, and HIV infection, so that they can share stories that too often go unheard. “As we continue our work toward social justice,” a Basic Rights Oregon spokesperson said, “we hope to provide a platform for honest expression of our struggles, for us to share our visions for the future, and for us to celebrate each other’s passion and creativity.”

Headlining this year’s event is Chicago-based singer songwriter Angelica Love Ross. Ross describes her music as “extremely spiritual” and “progressive pop,” and cites as her influences the artists she grew up listening to, such as “Phil Collins, Genesis, Pink Floyd, India Arie, Michael Jackson, and Madonna.”

Church music proved another formative influence for pqmonthly.com

her. “I grew up singing in the church choir, and even though I no longer identify as a Christian, I recognize that gospel music has heavily influenced my sound,” Ross says.

Ross attended a Pentecostal church in Racine, WI as a youth, “with people speaking in tongues and passing out and all that good stuff,” as she says. She escaped the church and town, and their anti-LGBTQ messages when she was young by enlisting in the Navy. The military, sadly, proved just as oppressive, and Ross was terrorized by fellow sailor demanding to know if she was “gay.” She left the service after four months.

Ross admits encountering so much “ignorance, hate and violence” so early in life makes remaining optimistic a struggle at times, but says, “I have learned to let my heart break a little in order for it to withstand it all. To know that I can sit with sadness, without a need to escape it, makes me more able to help be strong in the midst of struggle.”

“I credit my current perspective and outlook 100% to my being a Buddhist,” she says. “Finding Buddhism, helped me find the language and the tools I needed to go beyond the suffering, and try to find the joy in all things.”

Ross is flourishing today, pursuing her music career, helping the trans community through nonprofit endeavors, and hosting her radio program “Miss Ross Live,” on which she’s interviewed Laverne Cox, Janet Mock and Isis King, among others.

As a musician, Ross appeared in the documentary “Trans Beats,” which featured trans artists, such as herself, Mina Caputo, Our Lady J, and others. “It was beyond inspiring to connect with other musicians and artist who’s work is so integral to their life experiences,” she says of the experience.

She also appears in the new documentary “Just Gender,” currently screening around the country.

“This is a powerful film that aims to educate our society beyond the ‘trans 101’ and provide more understanding of what it’s actually like to live life as a trans person,” she says of “Just Gender.” After years of working with LGBTQ nonprofits, Ross describes herself as disillusioned with the approach followed by most organizations toward serving the trans people of color community.

“Many programs are starting to aim their program’s focus on trans women of color,” Ross says, “but do not actually have trans women of color who actually know the struggle more intimately informing their programming. At best, many of us are glorified tokens within non profit organizations whose leadership does not remotely reflect the population they serve. We are capable of much more, but we are not being put into positions of power to be able to do so.”

To counter this, Ross founded TransTech Social Enterprises, which seeks to empower and educate trans people to work in the tech industry.

Ross’s online radio show, Miss Ross Live, grew out of the fury she felt regarding the treatment of Cece McDonald, a trans woman sentenced to 41 months in prison after stabbing a man to death in self-defense. Owing to media attention from Ross and others, authorities released McDonald after 19 months. Miss Ross Live has been on hiatus for a bit, but will return later this year, Ross says.

Portlanders can see Ross, as well as other performers, July 31st at the Artist’s Rep Theatre during Front and Center.

Tickets can be procured on the Basic Rights Oregon website for a suggested $15-20 sliding scale fee, although no one will turned away for lack of funds. Front and Center.

July 31, 2014, 7-10pm. Artist’s Rep Theatre. 1515 SW Morrison St. 97205.

July/August 2014 • 29

ART BRIEFS

How trippy is your summer? How trippy do you want it to be? At Heavy Metal Ladies’ Night, it’s as psychedelic as you could possibly want. This month brings PDX psych rockers IS/IS to the stage to greatly expand the borders of your mind. DJ Acid Witch spins all your favorite metal, doom, sludge, and fantasy to muck up the gears inside your skull.

It’s wild, it’s intense, and it’s free. 18 July; Sloan’s Tavern, 36 N. Russell, Portland. 9 PM to midnight. No cover, 21+.

Are you ready to get FUCKIN’ EXTREEEEEEME!? If so, Queer Aggression V is for you. The increasingly popular and skillfully curated seasonal celebration brings together some of the most interesting acts in the local queer punk, metal, industrial, and homocore scenes to showcase the turbulence and brilliance of the underbelly of society. The fifth installment of the series presents both established acts such as LKN (Lauren K. Newman of Palo Verde) alongside newcomers like Portland’s own RAZ. PQ Monthly’s own Kat Endgame and her face-melting grind outfit Labryse will justify attendance by themselves. 23 July; The Know, 2026 NE Alberta, Portland. Doors at 8, show at 9. Cover $5; 21+.

Kick off your Latino Gay Pride 2014 at VOZ ALTA: La Gloria, an evening of music and poetry celebrating the Latino American experience through poetic narratives that feature the lives of Portland’s Latino LGBTQ community. Written and produced by the brilliant Joaquin Lopez, VOZ ALTA includes performances and stories by local luminaries including musician (and former PQ cover model) Edna Vazquez, poet Luna Flores, and Equity Foundation’s own dreamboat Izzy Ventura. With musical direction by Susana Jacobo of renegade Latin American folk outfit Bajo Salario, this is sure to be an emotionally gripping and politically-charged night

30 • July/August 2014

PERSPECTIVES of honesty, triumph, and beauty. 25 July; Q Center, 4115 N. Mississippi, Portland. Doors at 7, show at 7:30. Tickets $10; for more information and tickets, visit http://vozaltalagloria.brownpapertickets.com/ The Portland Art Museum’s current exhibition The Art of the Louvre’s Tuileries Garden offers a prime opportunity to view rare examples of early French photography firsthand. To help expand your experience of these rare works, Dr. Julia Dolan, Minor White Curator of Photography, presents The Mirror with a Memory: 19th-Century French Photography from Daguerre to Atget. This illustrated discussion of photography’s birth and development in Europe and explore the medium’s profound social and political meanings during this rapidly changing period of France’s history. 27 July; Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland. 2 PM — 3 PM. Members free; non-members $20, seniors and students $17. For more information and tickets, visit PortlandArtMuseum.org.

Amy Ray must really dig Portland. She played in town as part of her critically important folk duo Indigo Girls along with Joan Baez in June; now, she’s back on her own and preparing to rock the Doug Fir. Since 2001’s Stag, Ray has consistently proven that punk and country are, in fact, kissing cousins. “The Southern punks I knew listened to and got their swagger from classic country as much as anything else,” she says. “Simple country tunes, mountain songs, and heart-breaking honky-tonk sounds held the same populism and rebellion that I loved about punk rock.” For the newly-released Goodnight Tender, Ray continued to mine this vein, with the result of a shockingly powerful and timeless album. “The bloodlines and kinships in music feel pretty powerful and infinite to me these days,” Ray says. “I’ve heard some folks say that country is where punks go to die. I don’t know about all that, but I imagine the last mile is the most lonesome, and there’s nothing like the sound of a pedal steel to keep you company.” 23 August; The Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside, Portland. Doors at 8, show at 9.

Tickets $16, available at DougFirLounge.com.

We’ve already told you all sorts of things about Control Top, local phenomenon (and PQ fixture) Katey Pants’ can’tmiss seasonal parties. This August’s installment, however, is particularly noteworthy for bringing the wildly awesome Njena Reddd Foxxx to the stage. The MC contrasts smooth, fluid vocals with playfully aggressive lyrics, bringing an old-school rap battle feel to her raw and unadulterated sound; her collaboration with Zebra Katz, “Ima Read,” became the underground summer jam of 2012. Her forthcoming album, produced by future-Memphis producer Jepordise, is certain to further cement her place as one of the most interesting and challenging voices in modern queer hip-hop. 1 August; East End, 203 SE Grand, Portland.

Doors at 9; cover $7.

Are you ready for color, culture, and fun to finish out your summer? Color Festival is a joyful reminder to cast away bad feelings and throw worries to the wind. Join the throngs of people laughing, playing, dancing, eating, and filling the sky with clouds of bright color — Google the Indian holiday of Holi to see the inspiration behind the event. With an incredible line-up of live musicians, dancers, yoga instructors, and more, Color Festival is an unforgettable experience that will help you re-center your life on what matters most, and create memories to last a lifetime. August 30; Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA. 11 AM – 4 PM. Tickets $20 general, $15 students, children 12 and under free. For more information and tickets, visit ColorFestival.com.

--Nick Mattos

pqmonthly.com

WELCOME TO THE BRILLIANT LIST!

Renee LaChance

Pam Campos-Palma

PQ Monthly and El Hispanic News invited the community to acknowledge ten local individuals, groups and organizations for the positive impact they have each made upon the LGBTQ community. Nominees were judged on their promotion of diversity and social justice, the skills they have demonstrated in community engagement and inspiration, their dedication to mentoring the next generation of leaders, and their lasting impact upon the community at large. As you may guess, the selection committee had their work cut out for them! We’d like to thank everyone for their nominations — there were many to choose from,

and it was truly inspiring to see the incredible diversity of nominations we received.

The categories are: Corporation, Nonprofit, Rising Star, Individuals and Legacy Award. So, with no further ado — let’s meet the 2014 Brilliant List!

Corporation: Nike – Without a doubt, Nike has been a leader among corporations supporting, encouraging and including the LGBTQ community.

Non-Profit: Equity Foundation – They have helped so many folks for over 25 years, and are spot-on when they say “we fund equality!” In the past year, the Equity Foundation has flourished and continues to be a force of good our communities.

Rising Star: Pam Campos-Palma – As director of Las Mujeres de la Raza, a communal and PSU organization, Pam strives to promote strength, empowerment and unity for all women.

Legacy Award: Renee LaChance – Co-founder of Just Out in 1983, Renee has been a champion, a leader, an activist forming many partnerships in the LGBTQ community. Renee has been one of the go-to people for guidance and support for all when ever called upon.

Kendall Clawson – As former Executive Director of Q Center, Kendall led the effort to move Q Center from it’s former location to it’s new and larger site. After leaving Q Center, Kendall is now on Governor Kitzhaber’s senior management team as Director of Executive Appointments, bringing her vast experience to a statewide level.

Shaley Howard – Whether fighting for LGBTQ equality, fund raising for HRC or advocating for women’s rights,

Shaley walks the walk and talks the talk everyday by being an example for all and strives to get others in our community involved in the issues that matter to us all.

Amanda Wright – As a member of the Klamath Tribe, Amanda has brought awareness of LGBTQ issues to a community often overlooked. Amanda has worked in the Native community bringing awareness to suicide prevention, tobacco prevention and HIV/AIDS prevention and education. She founded the Portland Two Spirit Society, an organization dedicated to bring the LGBTQI community together with their families and allies.

Alissa Keny-Geyer – A member of the Oregon House Of Representatives, Alissa is a champion for all issues in her district and has been a great ally in the Marriage Equality campaign, worked to pass the Natural Hair Care Act, and is another great voice for the LGBTQ community.

George T. Nicola – Thanks to the Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN), the LGBTQ history is documented and used as points of references in our fight for equality. This is just one of the efforts George is engaged with; his activism has spanned four decades and shows no sign of stopping.

Everett Maroon – As Executive Director of Bluer Mountain Heart To Heart, a HIV/AIDS support services organization in Walla Walla, WA, Everett is a voice for the LGBTQ community in a very conservative part of the state. An activist and author, he has published two books and served as a mentor bringing up new leaders in his community.

This is just a snapshot of the many accomplishments of the 2014 Brilliant List winners. We are proud to have so many great folks in our community, and are grateful for all they have done for all of us.

Robin Castro and John Halseth – The Brilliant List Selection Committee Co-Chairs

Some Things Are Just

brilliantmedia.us/the-brilliant-list

Our goal is to identify and celebrate the achievements o f t h o s e fi g h t i n g fo r ever yone’s equality. The winners will be featured in our annual glossy magazine that will be made available on September 28, 2014 at a celebration honoring their achievements.

Brilliant Media’s mission is: Every Letter, Every Color, Everywhere!

BRILLIANT Every Letter, Every Color, Everywhere T.M.

SAVE THE DATE September 28, 2014 4-7pm

www.brilliantmedia.us pqmonthly.com

July/August 2014 • 31

PERSPECTIVES

Curb Appeal Gorgeous Ranch Home in McNary Heights - $499,000

5100 sqft on lush acre. Hardwoods, bright & open, Addtl 1176 sqft buildable space/sep entry. New siding/exterior paint. An entertainer’s dream! This won’t last long!

Gabriela Kandziora, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty Professionals Cell: 503-481-9870 Office: 503-546-9955 Gabriela@KW.com

Stylish Richmond Cottage $349,000

Tastefully updated 3bedroom/1 bath cottage with contemporary flair close to Division street restaurants, great coffee, and bars galore. Easy stroll to Hawthorne makes it hottest urban location in town. Walk Score of 89! Bike Score 94!

Call Dale Schiff at Inhabit Real Estate (503) 449-1023

“Results that move you!”

For open houses visit: RealtorGabriela.com 9755 SW Barnes Rd #560 Portland, OR 97255 Gabriela Kandziora | Gabriela@KW.com | Cell: 503.481.9870 | Office: 503.546.9955 Each office independently owned and operated

+ Find us on Facebook:

facebook.com/pqmonthly

32 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

VOICES

PURPLE ELBOWS

PERSPECTIVES

The Search for the Great New World Pinot Gris

By Richard Jones, PQ Monthly

We all know Oregon’s most widely grown grape varietal, don’t we?

Yep! It’s Pinot noir, the varietal that makes French Burgundies – pardon the redundancy – tremble in their Sirugues. Good! So what’s the winer-up varietal in Oregon?

Uncle Elbows stumbled on that one. He guessed the prestigious charmer, Chardonnay. Wrong-o, dude! It’s that quiet little work horse Pinot Gris.

Oregon has about 8,000 acres of Pinot Noir, about 1,200 acres of Pinot Gris, and about 850 acres of Chardonnay. Merlot (about 600 acres) and Riesling (about 550 acres) round out the top five vines dozing in Oregon vineyards.

WILL THE REAL PINOT GRIS STAND UP? From the best info Uncle Elbows could dig out, Pinot Gris is not quite as picky as some high-falutin’ vines about the dirt they grow in. Presumably, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grow on soil. (Presumably soil with a Ph. D.) The various vineyards, with different slopes and temperatures, presumably deliver different flavors to Pinot Gris grown hither and yon.

To see if we could taste the difference, we sampled Pinot Gris from the Columbia Valley of Washington, the Willamette Valley of northern Oregon and the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon. The results brought a few insights and a few questions. What did we discover? Well, there was a great deal of difference among the three, but we could only guess what they signified.

The only thing we could say with certainty is that Oregon produces Pinot Gris, California calls the same grape “Pinot Grigio” and Washington growers haven’t decided which nomenclature to hang on their “Gray” Pinot. For the record, France can claim to be the home of Pinot Gris. What relation California — or Italia for that matter — might have to supersede Gris is not quite clear. Uncle Elbows says he will let us know when he comes back from climbing the Eiffel tour in Parigio.

In order to attempt to get a handle on gastric geography in a teaspoon, Uncle Elbows undertook assembling three bottles of Pinot Gris in a mini-tasting.

THE PINOT GRIS TRIO In my limited experience, Pinot Gris yields a softer wine than Chardonnay. Generally the fruitiness is right up front with just a touch of residual sugar. History buffs will note that Erath and Ponzi have been producing Pinot Gris for about 40 years. One

should pay respect for this pair that represent so much thought and fine touches over four decades.

We have noted the percentage of alcohol for your convenience. A 12 percent wine will likely have a more delicate flavor, while a 14.8 percent wine will likely hold its own matched with aggressive dishes. From another perspective, I tend to look for lower alcohol wines in the summer and higher ones — especially red wines — in the winter. One awarded chef says that salmon is the perfect food for Pinot Gris. I think he’s dead on target if you can get it just right.

Waterbrook 2013 Pinot Gris (Canyon Valley Ranch V11, ColumbiaValley) 12.8% alcohol, $10. The Waterbrook web site says it is 100% Pinot Gris, but when served very cold it delivers a hint of Sauvignon Blanc character. After dropping to drinking temperature — about 45 to 50 degrees — the herbal character receded and showed some nice fruit. The moral: Don’t do the Freezing thing.

Its acidity is right on target, highlighting its freshness. There’s a light touch of residual sugar, although the web site said 0.5%, but I would wager it’s a tad more. Overall, this is a very, very pleasing wine, perfect for a summer picnic. Buy the flies a one-way ticket to Anchorage.

Erath 2013 Pinot Gris (Erath Vineyards, Oregon) 13% alcohol. $13. Medium low acidity. The body fills out as it drops to drinking temperature. Light fruit. Paired well with red quinoa.

Roxy Ann 2013 Pinot Gris (RogueValley) 14.1%, $16. Pleasant balance of fruit, with a hint of vegetal aroma. Moderate acidity.

Chehalem trade tasting, March 2014 Aubichon 2012 Pinot Gris (Vista Hills) $28. Modest fruit (apple?). Crisp acidity. Very positive comments on the web.

Dion 2013 “Estate” Pinot Gris (Chehalem Mountains) $11. Very nice. Fresh herbal aroma with lively acidity. This little jewel should be flexible at dinner.

Hawks View 2012 Pinot Gris (Chehalem Mountains), $18. Very attractive fruit (peach?) and flowers. Just enough acidity to keep it fresh. Clean. Nicely done.

Ponzi Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris (Oregon) $12. Attractive herbal flavors with crisp acidity. Lots of character. Should be versatile with fish and white meats at the table.

“Richard Jones has imbibed a great deal of vino in his years as a winemaker, wine judge, wine writer, wine publisher, wine lecturer, and wine traveler. When he doesn’t have his nose in a glass, he works as a freelance reporter.” pqmonthly.com

July/August 2014 • 33

QUEER APERTURE Through his Queer Aperture project, photographer Jeffrey Horvitz has spent years documenting the LGBTQ communities of Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. He’s well aware that a picture paints a whole mess of words, but here he offers a few actual words to better acquaint us with his dynamic subjects.

What is your name?

Dr. Noel Thomas

Favorite book?

“Illuminations a Novel of Hildegard Von Bingen”

How long have you lived in Portland?

Since 2001

Favorite movie?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 and 2

What is the first time you noticed that gayness existed?

When I was 6 , I was trying pants on , my mom was upset because I wanted them to hit below the hips like a boy , She snarled “what are you .. a lesbian?

Favorite word?

Shmealy

What would you consider a guilty pleasure?

Getting lost in Powell’s Books Your having a dinner party of 6, whom would you invite?

JK Rowling, Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Maggie Smith Michael Gambon What would you consider a perfect meal?

Anything involving pork belly bacon from Verde Cocina What would be a perfect day off?

Sunny beach, swimming with dolphins, coffee and life altering convo with friends

Least favorite word?

Crumple Favorite swear word?

Shit What is your profession?

Holistic medicine and neuropathy If you could with a snap of a finger what would be another profession you would like to do?

Atmospheric scientist, artist, and travel guide Whom would you like to meet dead or alive?

Hildegard Von Bingen

PHOTO BY JEFFREY HORVITZ

Our Wedding Directory

Flying Cat Coffee and Cakes

Celebrating Love for all since 2005

www.AinsworthHouse.net 3041 SE Division St. 503-234-0910 call to schedule a consultation

503-656-1894

Everyone at PQ Monthly wishes you and yours a wonderful, special ceremony filled with countless beautiful memories.

Lots of love, Your PQ Staff For placement please call Lynda at 503-475-4945 or Larry at 503-512-9065 34 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com

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

HEALTHCARE/NATUROPATHIC

ARCHITECTS

ATTORNEYS

www.pqmonthly.com

MORTGAGE

INSURANCE MASSAGE THERAPY

LAW OFFICE OF NICHOLAS YANCHAR, LLC DON’T LET YOUR VOICE BE SILENCED

Gay Rights Law, Employment, Family, and Civil Law

503-515-1543 NIKYANCHARLAW.COM

PHOTOGRAPHERS PHOTOGRAPHER FOR HIRE!

LIFE COACHING

Pro studio or on location.

Headshots, portfolios, weddings.

Call Sushuma 971-207-3360.

SatChitAnanda Coaching Coaching for Life and Leadership

COUNSELING

Reasonable rates 25 years experience

+ Find us on Facebook:

facebook.com/pqmonthly

REAL ESTATE

It’s a New Day Tommy Faricy | (503) 477-7621 | Tommy@SCACoaching.com

MORTGAGE

HAIR REMOVAL VISIT PQMONTHLY.COM REGULARLY FOR NEWS UPDATES, BLOGS, EXPANDED FEATURES AND MORE!

pqmonthly.com

July/August 2014 • 35

36 • July/August 2014

pqmonthly.com