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It’s hard to believe it has already been that long since the start of Proud Queer Monthly. Taking stock of that marker of this publication’s development, I recently had conversations with our core team about where they are and where they are headed in the realm of independent media. Through those conversations I learned that Brilliant Media’s art director, Christopher Alvarez, is at a point where he wants to help our communities in a different role. He started here with Brilliant Media in 2004, right out of college, and we have seen and done a lot together. I am forever grateful to Chris who has been more than a colleague and friend — he is family. Chris, with all of me, thank you — the revolution needs you and we look forward to witnessing your many victories! #VivaLaCausa Even as I say a heartfelt goodbye, I am honored to bring on board some new faces. Maya Vivas is an artist and graphic designer, and will be replacing Christopher Alvarez as art director. Also joining the Brilliant Media team is Ryn McCoy as editor. Leila Haile is also contributing their genius to our team as an editorial advisor. Please join me in welcoming everyone to the team! I want to give a special thank you to Leila Haile, who is also providing us with work space every Thursday at the Sankofa Collective office at the Q Center during business hours. It’s been five years of #ProudQueer, and 36 years of El Hispanic News; that’s 41 years of collective media experience, and we are not done yet! We have long been at the forefront of this industry for our communities. From day one we have been using queer and gender-inclusive language in our media space while successfully challenging our colleagues to begin incorporating this practice into their language. We use 70% recycled paper product and soy ink as a standard, because we understand that what we produce needs to go back to the earth. As a Queer Woman of Color I bust my ass to pay our team within the top 10% margin of the industry. And in every edition this brilliant team co-creates, we tell the truth. Our truth, the truth about politics, the truth about pain, how colonialization has affected us as queers, and the truth about how we can be better. Recently, people keep asking me: “What do we do in this terrifying political environment?”
We think the existence of this publication is important here in Portland. There is a particular kind of validation in seeing our community’s voices in print — it is evidence that we are not alone, that there are others around us that believe these stories, our stories, are worth writing about, and are worth spending time and money and energy to share in this tangible inkand-paper form. It is nothing new that the documentation of stories of marginalized peoples is something that has been stolen, ignored and blatantly erased. We would like PQ to be beacon of light in the long history of dampening down minority voices. There are boundaries as to who matters enough to be uplifted via the written word. Publications like PQ chip away at those walls, and with our collective voices in harmony we set out to build a new structure of inclusivity. We have already begun to ask what our communities want to see in this publication, and so far most answers seem to fall under the same category: us. We want to see ourselves in all our intersectional complexities, and we want to see all of us, which inherently requires focusing on the most underrepresented. We want to ensure PQ is always a platform for trans and queer voices, black and brown voices, undocumented voices, indigenous voices, voices living with physical and mental disabilities, immigrant voices, youth and elder voices, voices living in or near poverty, and all of the voices between and beyond these that need to be lifted up. We are motivated and excited at the opportunity to serve and expand the Proud Queer community. Our communities have a lot of work to do, loving and uplifting each other as we fight for our basic human rights, but together we can speak our truth and we can be powerful. Ryn McCoy Editor – Brilliant Media
Maya Vivas Art Director – Brilliant Media
Here is my response: open your heart and listen, listen with all of your being to Black women and other women of color. I cannot stress this enough. The matriarchs in communities of color have survived and thrived for eons. (This is not gender-specific; matriarchs take many forms.) The world is waking up to the atrocities “those people” have been subjected to, because now there is danger of being subjected to the same. As this global unrest grows, we can look to these matriarchs for love, support, real talk, and downright survival tactics that may get us through safely. As a unified society we have never tried this before. Now is as good time as any to start … Melanie C. Davis Owner, Publisher — Brilliant Media llc.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE: Horoscope............................................................... Page 5
Holding Space For Us..............................................................Page 14
Going For Broke................................................................ Page 6
Hitler or Hyperbole.............................................................Page 16
Civil Disobedience........................................................... Page 8
1980’s Dance Party................................................................. Page 17
The Value in Saying Fuck Trump..................................... Page 9 THE NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE OF PQ MONTHLY
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Forever Dusty..................................................................... Page 11
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 3
VOICES
EMBODY By Sossity Chiricuzio
Your Existence is Part of the Resistance I have been preparing for this revolution for most of my life, knowing our system isn’t sustainable, that the foundation is rotten and so is most of the support structure. Knowing we are in danger of destroying ourselves, and possibly the whole world. Living on borrowed time, on stolen land, on the backs of so many who are punished if they stand up. I have been preparing for so long that my bones are brittle with it. I have been fighting so long that my body is worn down from it. I cannot march, I cannot sit on the ground, I cannot throw myself into the fray and make of my broad shoulders a shield. And this is not about me, except the part where it is. Where I need to do my part, need to be involved, need to find a way to make reparations even though my pockets are empty most days. I am watching from home, and my clenched fists can hardly punch the air, because shoulder joints. Because decades of lifting things that didn’t belong to me. And I am still one of the lucky ones. No forced labor in my life, no hazardous journey to escape death and desolation, no clouds of poison or explosions from the ground or the sky. I have an easy grasp on the language deemed proper in the United States, as if there were ever only one language spoken here. As if this language wasn’t as much a tool of colonization as the bible, and the body shame, and the brutalization. As if every lie and every broken treaty weren’t made of those self same words. I am watching from home and I am fact checking and I am sharing and I am encouraging and I am refuting and I am soothing and I am feverish and I am sorrowful and I am rageful and I am not out there like I thought I always would be. I am not looking for reassurance. I am not looking for pity. I am not looking for absolution. I am looking for ways to be involved, to do my part, to be a part of this long time coming, long overdue, long road ahead of us revolution. FEATURES
I am not alone in this. The system was built to grind us into dust, cram us down into molds, and make bricks to wall each other in. That so many bodies are yet able to lift and march and yell and resist is as much a miracle as the fact that we’re finally, collectively, waking up to the need to do so. ‘We’ is a misleading word, a word we’re working towards but many of us haven’t yet earned. ‘We’ ignores the truth of racism and classism and ableism and transphobia and homophobia and xenophobia and misogyny. ‘We’ is a claim of solidarity that hasn’t been lived long enough to be solid ground.
What I mean to say is that white people are finally realizing their privilege, and affluent people are finally realizing their privilege, and cisgendered and able-bodied people are finally realizing their privilege. What I mean to say is that because the corruption of the new administration is cracking open the complacency, people with privilege are finally looking beyond their own comfort and seeing the world as it actually is. I am sitting with my feelings of inability and fear and sorrow and horror and disgust as the bully leader of our bully country drags the entire world into his violent delusion and punishes us for not cheering it on. I am working through those feelings and pushing myself to make ways to be involved, to make a contribution, to make a difference. I am in pain, and I am struggling with dissociation and depression, and I spend most of my days doing work that is both sacred, and scarring. Queer and trans bodies are in constant danger, are left to suffer without adequate or respectful care, are on the front line just for existing. I spend my days on that battlefield, offering up my heart in one hand, and a sword in the other. I am not looking for reassurance. I am not looking for pity. I am not looking for absolution. I am looking for ways to stand up for the fact that people of color and immigrants and refugees and indigenous people deserve justice and sanctuary and respect. Deserve safety and the sanctity of their bodies and faiths and cultures and choices to be upheld. I will never stop fighting from every chair I occupy. I will never stop fighting for every body in danger. I will never stop, even in those moments when I crumple into my own soft and scared center and try to remember how to pull air all the way down in there with me. If you are also struggling with how to be involved despite mental or physical disability, or in how to include folks with disabilities in your activism, there are some great resources to support your efforts and help you get started. Remember (as I am attempting to do) that you are a part of it all. That you can make a contribution in your own ways, and that it might look like many things not reflected in our media and communities. That your existence is part of the resistance. Do your best to stay safe, to stay aware, and to stay involved. Find places of comfort and laughter and passion and let it fill you up. Prepare yourself to face this as the long, hard road it is sure to be.
Sossity Chiricuzio is a writer and columnist based out of Portland, Oregon. She is a regular contributor to PQ Monthly and focuses on social justice, communication, community, and changing the world. You can reach her at sossity@pqmonthly.com or follow her online @sossitywrites. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 4 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY
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HOROSCOPE
LOCAL
STAR TRENDS By Robert McEwen
Uranus in Aries This is a planetary transit that changes how one leads. Whatever you are a leader in, be it your personal life, a family, a business, or a country, do it like you would fry a small fish — carefully attend to the heat, the spices, the time you cook it — same with leadership! Pay attention to the details and needs of the people. What is needed, and also what do they really want. Uranus brings a collective vision of what is truly helpful. That is needed to lead. Ask this question and you will do a good job. Aries does not like the details but will need to learn the needs in detail. Uranus knows by seeing the ideal principles under and behind social change. This is a unique quality. Take time to meditate on this very fact. It will help you, for the next year TRULY LEAD whatever it is you’re in charge of. This breaks up old patterns from the past. See into the future and what will guide the social order to some Spiritual Values! See the integrity and authentic needs of where we are lacking compassion. This is more important than ever. Have compassion for yourself as well in this process. One must accept what one is professing others need. This is the honest way. Honesty is what resonates with people. They are used to being lied to by politicians, preachers, and bosses. It will be a breath of fresh air to do this, and you will gain your own trust as well as that of others. All of 2017 this transit is operative. Follow these simple principles and you will bless all concerned. This is the simple and honest truth.
Robert is available for astrological readings. These are done in a “sit down face to face” setting, covering where all 10 planets are moving and effecting your astrology chart. This natal chart of yours is based on your birth time, date and place. $100 for a 90 minute reading. Also available by phone: 503 706-0396, or Skype. robbystarman@aol.com. Payment paid by Paypal to his email. Robert has been a professional astrologer and Mentor since 1977 and done well over 3,000 readings with people of all walks of life from all over the world.
ROBERT MCEWEN, H.W., M AVAILABLE FOR ASTROLOGY READINGS AT ROBBYSTARMAN@AOL.COM PHONE: 503 706-0396 pqmonthly.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 5
VOICES
going for broke broke VOICES
Remembering the Japanese Concentration Camps By Leslie Kimiko Ward
To this day, my grandmother cannot stand the smell of mutton. “They boiled it all day in camp,” she says. “It smelled …” My grandmother pinches her face so tightly, I wince in response. In college, a professor tells me about the internment. She explains how U.S. citizens were rounded up, forced to abandon their homes, pets, businesses, friends, lives, then marched by armed guards, taking only what they could carry, to live behind barbed wire, inside American concentration camps. “Why did no one ever tell me?” I ask my mother. “It’s not the kind of thing you tell.” Even though I am curious, I do not ask how many of our family members had to share a bed inside the squalid tarpaper barracks or manure encrusted horse stables. February 19 is the anniversary of Executive Order 9066. On that day, in 1942, our nation’s president declared my legal immigrant family enemies of the state. My grandfather was a Fife high schooler, a tri-letter athlete, class valedictorian. He was weeks from graduation when his family was rounded up. Following news of the recent travel ban, I asked my grandfather what he wants America to know, now, about what happened to him, then. He sends me this message: “I think our government made a bad mistake upon some poor advice to put all of us in concentration camps during WWII. They soon discovered it was a mistake so they tried to correct it by allowing us to volunteer in the armed forces. Most of us were raised to respect the authority and not do anything to place shame upon yourself or your family. This created an atmosphere of men who fought with honor and broke all kinds of records during the war. It also created a group of men who fought together as a team, which made them successful. We fought to protect our nation from all adversaries.” My grandfather received two purple hearts and a congressional gold medal for his service. 60 years later, the graduating class of Fife high school invited him to walk in their graduation ceremony and give his valedictorian speech. These are the stories our family tells. Hopeful stories about a greatest generation, about war heroes and triumph over adversity, about a model minority. Assimilation came fast in our family. Most Sansei, third generation Japanese Americans, married white. As a result, my generation, Yonsei, is half Japanese, hapa, like me. When my hapa cousin and his wife had babies, I remember being shocked at how white they looked. Two generations. That’s all it took to disappear the ancestral breadcrumbs from our faces. “That is the cutest kid I have ever seen,” my dad keeps telling me. “Have you seen a cuter kid?” “You two have the same hairline,” I remind him. Last week, I message my cousin, the one who looks most like me. Our white FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 6 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY
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VOICES dads voted Trump. Our Japanese moms don’t make waves. My cousin admits she hasn’t spoken to her parents since the inauguration.
Two months ago, in Tennessee, I watch as my uncle’s face reddens. He is talking so fast and so loud, into the rearview mirror of our parked car, trying to convince me that discussions about racism, misogyny, civil rights, Black Lives Matter, constitutionality, are “deck chairs on the Titanic” until “Trump can fix our economy.”
My mom and I talk on the phone today. She’s sad, she tells me, that politics are breaking up families. “Dad and I agree to disagree,” she assures. I know this means no one is talking to anyone about anything. My full name means “the peerless guardian of the dark grey fortress.” I am a hapa Yonsei, fourth generation, Japanese American. My grandparents’ stories live inside me now. I spin and weave and grow around them so they won’t hurt so much. This is our intergenerational trauma. Most of the time, I pretend these stories don’t exist. This is my privilege.
My grandparents sit silently beside me in the backseat. I am the one who brings up the internment. “War is hell,” my Grandpa tells me, later, after my uncle is out of the car. “Mrs. Nelson began to weep. Through her tears, she asked, “Why are they doing this to you? How can they do this to you? You are American citizens, born right here in Portland. It’s wrong, all wrong. What is going to happen to you?”
“We believe that when we are dealing with the Caucasian race we have methods that will test the loyalty of them . . . But when we deal with the Japanese we are in an entirely different field and we cannot form any opinion that we believe to be sound.” – US Congress Select Committee, 1942
We sat silently. We had no answers, but the memory of strawberries red and unreachable.” – Sato Hashizume, “Only What We Could Carry: The Japanese American Internment Experience”
One summer, I got into a yelling match with my white cousin. We were in a Chick-fil-A in Greenville, South Carolina. “You locked up my GRANDPA!” I remember screaming.
Next week, I’ll begin drumming taiko again. I know that what I need now is to beat all of my feelings into a drum, and bathe myself in echoes of my ancestors. I know this will give me strength.
When the relocation orders came down, junk dealers descended on the Japanese community. Opportunists bullied sales and outright stole Japanese American property in the ensuing chaos. Looting and vandalism happened concurrently with the hasty evacuations. In Santa Anita, CA, a riot broke out in response to rumors that policemen were illegally confiscating items for personal use. One policeman was beaten. Martial law was installed.
If there is such a thing as truth, and I believe there is, I will keep searching for it inside my family’s story. Immigrants, zealots, healers, terrorists, capitalists, racists, prisoners, queers, God-fearing bible worshipers—I am the legacy of all those I seek to understand. If I can begin to reconcile these conflicts inside of myself, then I can begin to embody the unity I seek in the world. As it happens, rarely do I have to dig very deep to find relevance, to feel empathy, or gain insight.
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 7
Civil Disobedience FEATURE
By Suzanne Deakins
“One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” – Martin Luther King Jr. “Civil disobedience is a sacred duty when the state becomes lawless and corrupt.” – Ghandi “Historically the most terrible things — war genocide, and slavery — have resulted not from disobedience but from obedience.” – Howard Zinn Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying power. Civil disobedience is a symbolic or ritualistic violation of the law, rather than a rejection of the system as a whole. By its very nature civil disobedience is meant to be nonviolent. This is the method used by Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The goal of civil obedience is to attempt to convert your opponent by exhibiting the justice of your cause. Active nonviolence does not seek to defeat or humiliate your opponents, but to win their friendship and understanding.
Three Principles of Civil Disobedience The goal of civil disobedience is to win over your opponents in a nonviolent manner. Your nonviolent actions should show that you respect the law but are refusing to accept unjust laws that target certain classes of society and are discriminatory in their application. You are not opposing the rule of law. You are not trying to win an argument. You are trying to show others the injustice of a particular law or government command. First Principle: Maintain respect for the rule of law even while disobeying the specific law that you perceive as unjust. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 8 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY
Nonviolent activists do not seek to undermine the rule of law, but to repeal unjust laws. Gandhi and King’s demands were clear and simple: laws that discriminate and disenfranchise must be abolished. Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and other outcasts such as African-Americans, women and GLBTQs do not want special rights; they simply want the rights that all others enjoy. All legislators should recognize that keeping discriminatory laws that many reasonable people protest erodes respect for the law. Second Principle: Plead guilty to any violation of the law. As Gandhi explains: “I am here to . . . submit cheerfully to the highest penalty that can be inflicted upon me for what in law is a deliberate crime and what appears to me to be the highest duty of a citizen.” Gandhi instructed his disciples to take the penance of their oppressors upon themselves. Gandhi’s tactics were a form of moral and political martial arts. Some of Gandhi’s judges felt as if they were the ones charged and convicted. Thoreau said that his one night in jail made the state look foolish. Third Principle: Attempt to convert your opponent by demonstrating the justice of your cause. Active nonviolence does not seek, as Gandhi says, to defeat or humiliate your opponents, but to win their friendship and understanding.
Staying Safe Safety is a major concern during any protest. Before you participate in a demonstration of civil disobedience or a protest walk, practice and talk about what could happen. Think about solutions to situations where someone might pour water on you, kick, hit, or spit on you, and other possible dangers. Visualizing what can happen and different scenarios of your reaction will help you stay calm and safe. Look your opponent in the eye. Be pleasant and don’t react in kind to angry words and actions. Violence in words, physical actions, and body language only begets more violence. You want to convince opponents of your humanity and your desire to see all are treated in a respectful and humane manner. The force of a crowd gathered to protest has energy that is always greater than the sum of the individuals participating. It can feel as if your identity is the crowd. Hold onto the idea that you are a person seeking respect for all humanity and life. Remain as calm as possible and respectful to all that gather or appear to be opponents of the ideals and laws you are protesting. Each time we stand up for what we know to be morally right and ethical for all, we are creating a ripple in consciousness. Like the principle of a butterfly flapping its delicate wings our commitment as individuals and a community can change the very nature of unjust laws throughout the Earth. What we do is for the children of tomorrow and for the recognition of the primacy of Spiritual Truth being the foundation for the equality of all humanity. pqmonthly.com
The Value in Saying Fuck Trump VOICES NEWS
By Kelly Kelly
“Are you prepared for people to say mean things?” my BFF of 25 years asks. I’m about to walk out our hotel room door wearing a black sequined formal gown. It has a long train, an open back, and near illegal slits at both thighs. It also has huge gold lettering that says FUCK TRUMP from breast to floor. I’ve paired it with four inch platform combat boots and a black leather baseball cap I’m wearing backwards. It’s 8:00 in the morning. I won’t be blending in. “Yes,” I reply. We’re going to the Women’s March in Los Angeles. I’d been debating wearing this dress for weeks. It was an impulse buy. Days after the election I’d seen a photo of the dress online. It was designed by a Project Runway contestant named Rey Ortiz. A gay man with activist leanings, he’d shown the dress on a runway in Austin, Texas before the elections. A picture of it went viral. I emailed him to say how much I wanted his dress. “I can’t afford couture,” I write. I tell him of my desire to “be loud,” describing a germ of an idea to use the dress as a gathering point for people who felt like me. Angry people who wanted to be loud. “I want to wear it to the women’s march” I say. “I like it” Rey writes. Days later the dress came in the mail. I wake up hours early the morning of the march. I’m agitated and sick to my stomach. I’m putting myself directly in the middle of the ugliness that’s been spewed by Trump and his supporters for months. My plan to meet that ugliness just as directly is becoming scarier the closer it gets to show time. March organizers had been advertising the march as “inclusive.” Stating often that it was “not anti-Trump.” My take on that is we’re playing up to people like Trump. People pqmonthly.com
who think anger is ugly on women and reserved for men. We’re being too nice. If Trump were not a powerful man with decades of statements reflecting his perceived entitlement to women’s bodies there wouldn’t be a march. We are anti-Trump and there is value in being angry. Donald Trump has made his disdain for women who don’t meet his standards of beauty crystal clear. He believes the worst insult he can hurl at a female candidate is to say she’s ugly. He has stated that women who get abortions should be “punished” but the men who get them pregnant should not. He wants to defund poor women’s access to STD screens. If not for that there would be no women’s march. I wasn’t marching to bring people together. I was marching to say Fuck Trump. To say if you’re willing to overlook his horrifically sexist, xenophobic, homophobic beliefs and behaviors, then fuck you too. I wasn’t marching to build bridges with people who think a man who called Rosie O’ Donnell “degenerate” because she’s a lesbian is fit to be president. I don’t want to build bridges with people who would paint a broad picture of Mexican nationals as “bad hombres” or think being Muslim means being terrorist. I’m an angry woman. I was marching to express my anger. Theoretically the women’s march and its participants should be my peeps. I wasn’t sure. And I was scared. All the same, out the hotel room door we go. Our room is literally next to the elevator yet the walk to the elevator door felt long. A thirtysomething white man joins us for the wait. He’s dressed for work, a well-worn computer bag over his shoulder. He’s noticed the dress and his face is unreadable. The elevator door opens on a young couple. Their faces go blank as they register what the dress says. The potential for conflict makes my nerves go away. “Let’s do this,” I think. The man going to work looks at me. “I love your dress” he says with a grin. The couple smile at me conspiratorially. The elevator doors open on the lobby. Starting in the lobby and through the end of the march, hundreds of people stopped for pictures with the dress. Every waiter at breakfast, talking to each other in excited Spanish, wanted a picture. When our bill came it just has two coffees on it. A group of large, heavily tattooed young men took pictures and gave me thumbs up. A black man went live on Facebook with me and the dress. A boy around ten told me I looked like a superhero. I felt like one. The overwhelming support crossed many of the lines we’ve drawn around the human race. Construction workers, young black women, old white men, and a bevy of sex workers. They all loved the dress. More people than I can count said “thank you.” To me. A fifty three year old white woman of privilege wearing a FUCK TRUMP dress at an event marketed to spread the love. Like me, they are angry. I saw a lot of media on the march. The overall focus was the “love trumps hate” message. I heard little mention of the anger fueling the march. But anger is why I was there, and why hundreds of people loved the dress. It is gravely important to stay angry at the basic truth of Donald Trump’s lack of humanity and tolerance. At his sexism, and bigotry. To not allow the bigotry that fuels him to become normalized in attempts to be inclusive or conciliatory. Being conciliatory has its place. It doesn’t happen to be my skill. I will leave it to the natural politicians. Instead I will give voice to the anger. The very appropriate anger. The dream is to see the dress become its own movement. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pictures of it at same sex weddings, performing on stage, walking a protest line. Keeping the focus on our right to feel the way we do and our right to express it how we deem fit. Follow @fucktrumpdress #fucktrumpdress JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 9
COMMUNITY NEWS
Broadway Composers Team Up to Raise Money for Beaverton High School Spring Musical By MK Scott
If you have lived in Portland for the past 40 plus years, you may have heard of the late great musical theater director, James N. Erickson, who was a staple at the Lakewood Center as well as the now defunct Portland Civic Theatre, Sylvia’s Class Act Dinner Theatre and the Musical Company. Plus he produced Breakfast with Santa for Meier and Frank for over 30 years. Erickson was also the head of the Beaverton High School Theater Arts Department for 29 years from 1970 to 1999, and was an enduring mentor for many of Portland’s thriving theater scene from Jay Horenstein, Greg Tamblyn, Dale Johannes, and John Oules to Broadway stars such as Brooks Ashmanskas and Shoshanna Bean. After Erickson’s retirement in 1999 and sudden death in 2004, the Beaverton High Drama Department struggled for over a decade up until last year, when Shannon Dery stepped up to lead a new generation of theater (and queer) students. To gain some support, I contacted my celebrity friends and was able to get Olivia NewtonJohn to do a small shout out to ask people to help save the school’s 2016 production of “Grease.”
Portland Center Stage at
128 NW Eleventh Avenue Portland, Oregon 97209 503.445.3700 | pcs.org
SEASON SUPERSTARS
We raised over $3,000, and as a bonus, many alumni that hadn’t visited their high school in decades came back and pledged their support for Erickson’s successor. So how do we top Olivia Newton-John? It was luck that Beaverton chose Terrence McNally’s adaptation of the classic film of “Catch Me If You Can,” which made its world premiere at Seattle’s famed Fifth Avenue Theater, which I have a connection to. They encouraged me to get in touch with the composers, Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman (Hairspray), who agreed to record the shout-out — and totally surprised me with a cameo by the king of Broadway himself, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton)! We need volunteers and contributions to give these kids the professionalism and the support that only the legacy of Erickson can provide. Check out our Campaign video at https://www.gofundme.com/support-bhss-musical-fund. Scott is the chair of the James N. Erickson Legacy Project and is a Seattle-based blogger. Check out his blog at outviewonline.com.
TICKETS START AT $25! Visit www.pcs.org for more info.
SEASON SUPPORTING SPONSORS
FEBRUARY 4 – MARCH 19
SHOW SPONSORS
Portland Center Stage receives support from the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the State of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 10 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
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Forever Dusty
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment Review By Summer Lynne Seasons
Being a huge fan of live theater and having had a positive experience with Triangle Productions before (La Cage) I had really high expectations for this production and I assure you it delivered in every single way.
Always have supported LGBT rights, Always will.
As described on Triangle Productions’ website, “Forever Dusty tells the dramatic, revealing story of how a shy Irish Catholic school girl from West Londo n tra n sf o rme d herself into the voice of blue eyed soul and the face of Swinging London. It’s a compelling and moving story of Dusty’s journey, in a dramatic, high-energy musical filled with some of the most exciting pop songs ever written.” Upon arrival and being shown to my seat I noticed video screens playing background information about Dusty Springfield. It immediately immerses you in her world before the play even starts, and is then used throughout the show in a thoughtful and enlightened way. At first I found the wigs distractingly unrealistic, but after the first few scenes I had forgotten about it entirely. Overall, the costumes were very period appropriate and some just stunningly beautiful. Having not known much about the life of Dusty Springfield, this play does a fantastic job of filling you in. You are taken on the journey of her life from a very young age to her death. You are given details of her relationships with her brother, her longtime lover Claire and her manager Jerry. It is edited in a way that nothing seems to be left out, yet the flow is very smooth. Leah Yorkston as Dusty is incredible. Her voice is soothing, soulful and very powerful. When she sings “I close my Eyes” there wasn’t really a dry eye in the house including mine. Her interactions with her co-stars seems genuine and very intense. She is able to portray her pain, her joy and her anguish to you, not only through her acting, but through her singing too. Kayla Dixon as Claire/Ensemble really stole the show for me. When she came out and sang “Tell Him,” I was left with goosebumps and the whole audience was left wanting more. You feel the love she has for Dusty almost immediately, and Kayla performs beautifully as that love turns to heartache. She harmonizes with Leah in a beautiful and soulful way, and her voice is both haunting and comforting at the same time. There’s not one bad actor in this play and that is a huge feat to accomplish. It is staged so that it is both acted in front of you and around you. The musical interludes keep the play flowing and the singers deliver every note effortlessly. If you haven’t been to a local play in a while, I’d suggest you start with this one. You don’t have to be an expert on Dusty Springfield to enjoy it either, because the play teaches you what you need to know. You’ll find yourself singing the songs many days later, and be left with smiles for weeks. It’s beautifully put together, well-acted, and the singing is superb. Overall I’d give it a solid 4 out of 5 Rhinestones. Bravo! Forever Dusty is playing at Triangle Productions! through February 25. Learn more and buy tickets at http://www.trianglepro.org/forever-dusty. pqmonthly.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 11
CALENDAR
1 TOP PICKS
Lunar New Year Banquet with API Pride Ring in the Year of the Rooster in style! The banquet will be a night for all LGBTQ+ Asians and Pacific Islanders and their friends and family to come together, enjoy good food and amazing local performances while celebrating each other. $1 raffle tickets available the night of from fabulous local vendors, including Steam Portland, Microsoft, Portland QDoc Film Festival, Rose City Rollers, She Bop, Powell’s Books, and more. API Pride needs your help at the banquet! If you are interested in volunteering to qualify for free admission to the banquet, please contact API Pride via email or Facebook. For more information, please contact api. pride@gmail.com. Saturday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Szechuan Chef, SW Macadam Ave., Portland. $20 in advance, $25 at the door, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Admission includes dinner and program, with a cash bar available. This is an all ages event.
Putting the T in Equality We’ve all read lots of stories over the last few years about the issues and hurdles that transgender folks face. But what if we needed to educate someone who didn’t know anything about being transgender? Would we have the terms and the knowledge to be a good educator? Join Basic Rights Oregon and Portland Underground Grad School for a special workshop for allies and loved ones of transgender folks to learn and discuss issues that affect them.
at an LGBTQ homeless shelter in Los Angeles. Spoken word poetry and teen romance collide in this coming of age story as two homeless teens find inspiration to live life on their own terms. Milagro Theatre, 525 SE Stark St., Portland. Show runs through Feb. 25. Tickets range from $20 to $27 based on senior or student status.
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Sunday, March 5, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1126 SW Park Ave., Portland. Event is free and open to the public but requires registration, which can be found at basicrights.org.
Swimming While Drowning When teenager Angelo Mendez decides to leave his home out of fear of further disappointing his homophobic father, he encounters a world he was not prepared for
Want more? We’ll give you everything. Head over to pqmonthly.com and check out our online calendar of events, submit your own events, and send photos for your event. Also, remember to carefully examine our weekly weekend forecast — with the latest and greatest events — each Wednesday (sometimes Thursday), online only. --OLIVIA OLIVIA, CALENDAR EDITOR PQ MONTHLY
2
Powerful Self: LGBTQIA2S+ Lives Today
Queer Speak Out Rally and March
Celebrate the opening of this unique and powerful intergenerational exhibit, meet the storytellers, and enjoy free admission and refreshments with community. Friday, March 10, 5:30 p.m. at the Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland. Free and open to the public.
Join the community to create solidarity with marginalized peoples and organize for LGBTQ rights and all of those who are close to us. Sunday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at 1020 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland. Free and open to the public, all ages.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Incite: Queer Writers Read Radical Indigenous Queer Feminist Pop-Up Shop As part of the Iconoclastic exhibition featuring works by artists Morehshin Allahyai, Daniel Rourke, Demine DinéTazhi’, Noelle V. Sosaya, Maya Lin, Goshka Macuga, Michael Rakowitz, and Ryan Wooding, a selection of participating artists will speak on behalf of the project. Friday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. at Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery. Talk at Psychology 105, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland. Open to the public. Sunday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at 1020 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland. Free and open to the public, all ages.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 12 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
Enjoy the launch of a new curated reading series for queer writers, hosted by Kate Caroll de Gutes and Kate Gray. This reading will feature local writers Domi Shoemaker, Kelly Jeske, David Skilton, Julianna Gonzalez, and Stephanie Glazier. Tuesday, March 7, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Literary Arts, 925 SW Washington St., Portland. Free and open to the public.
Queer and Trans Acro Workshop
Pro-Choice Coalition of Oregon Lobby Day Rally Individuals and groups from across Oregon will come together in Salem to rally and talk to legislators about the Reproductive Health Equity Act. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 12 p.m., Oregon State Capitol, open to the public.
Join the community AcroYoga fun in a safe space curated for queer and trans identified people. All levels and experiences welcome. Saturday, March 4, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Om Movement Studio, 14 NE 10th Ave, Portland. $10 – $20. Register at AcroSuperHeroes.com. pqmonthly.com
FEATURES
3 GOOD TIMES
Rocky Horror Picture Show Extravaganz
Saturday, Feb. 18, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. at Escape Bar and Grill, 9004 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. Free and open to the public, 21+ only
Meet original cast member Barry Bostwick, plus the local shadow cast of Clinton Street Cabaret at this amazing screening and historical film event. Cosplay welcome!
The Oscar Party
Saturday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. General Admission is $10, with reserved VIP tickets available for $89
Queer Story Jam
Okurrrrrr with Detox
Backfence PDX, Scarlett Productions, and Pride Foundation is hosting an LGBTQ Storytelling and music/dance event. Featuring Sasha Scarlett, Caitlin Weierhauser, The Rotties, Belinda Caroll, Jeffrey Robert, Jimmy Radosta, and special guests Simon Tam and The Slants.
Okurrrrrr welcomes back to Portland the star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 and All Stars Season 2: Detox! Enjoy music by resident DJ and host Buckmaster, guest DJ Prince$$ Dimebag, and supporting acts by Shitney Houston, House of Ada, Daphne Dauna, Birdie Le Tramp, Noni. St. Darling, Brittany Newton, and Ann Pyne.
Monday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, 10:30 p.m. live music at Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland. Tickets $15 – $25, 21+ only
Twerk is For Lovers Resident DJ Ill Camino along with guest artist Massacooramaan invite you to hit the floor in an inclusive queer hip hop night. Featuring guest door babe, Femmegold. Friday, Feb. 24, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Killingsworth Dynasty, 832 N. Killingsworth St., Portland. $5 entry, 21+ only.
Last Wednesgays Get through hump day with a bonus LGBTQ drink or two. This hip, rustic-industrial hangout offers a patio, fireplaces, and ping-pong.
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Rontoms, 600 E. Burnside, Portland. Free, 21+ on
Debut Bronco Night at Stag Every first Saturday is Bronco, a sexy new men’s night in Portland and across the U.S. at men’s clubs. Enjoy beefy bearded dancers, great tunes, photo booths, and sexy visuals! Saturday, March 4, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. at Stag PDX, 317 NW Broadway, Portland. $6 before 10 p.m., $10 after. Doors open at 9 p.m. 21+ only. pqmonthly.com
the spotlight to help raise funds for CHAP (Concerned Humans Against Poverty). There will be a raffle and karaoke, so come prepared to win some fun prizes.
Come one, come all and watch the Academy Awards with us, no cover. Dress up or dress comfy — either way we’ll have the big screen ready. Enjoy a drink special and get in on a raffle for some serious prizes or bid on a couple of hotel stays at premiere hotels, all while fundraising for Cascade AIDS Project. Sunday, Feb. 26, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Scandals PDX, 1125 SW Stark St., Portland. Free and open to the public, 21+ only.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave., Portland. $20 presale General Admission, $25 day of. $35 presale Meet and Greet, $40 day of. Tickets available at : www.okurrrrrrdetox.brownpapertickets.com
Legendary Mondays Every Monday, Bart Fitzgerald curates one of the most refreshing events of the week. If you make it through a Monday, you deserve to attend. Music by Dubblife. Mondays, 9 p.m - 2 a.m. at Swift Lounge, 1932 NE Broadway St. Portland. Free and open to the public, 21+ only
Nightmares and Dreamscapes: A Themed Variety Show
Drama Queen
Enjoy performances portraying deepest dreams and darkest nightmares! Hosted by Nikki Lev, this showcase will feature drag, comedy, singing, dancing, and more!
Enjoy a night of high-concept drag, performances, installation works, and a runway competition with a grand prize of $250.
Thursday, March 9, 9 p.m. at Crush Bar, 1400 SE Morrison, Portland. Entry $10, 21+ only
Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Jade Club, 315 SE 3rd Ave., Portland. $10 before 11 p.m., $15 after. Show at 11 p.m., competition to follow, 21+ only
Testify Brunch at Stag
Drag Queen Brunch with Sasha Scarlet
Alexis Campbell Starr is serving more than just breakfast every Sunday. You’ll be gagging on the sausage, bacon and eggs when you come to Stag for this unique weekly event. Better than church, just as holy: Testify.
Celebrity tributes, comedy, laughter, and glam are welcome to you every other Sunday, hosted by Sasha Scarlett.
Sundays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Stag PDX, 317 NW Broadway, Portland.
Sunday, Feb. 26, Mar. 5, Mar 19. Doors at 11 a.m., show at 12 p.m. at the Doug Fir lounge, 830 E. Burnside, Portland. Tickets are $18 – $20, 21+ only
CAREeoke – Spotlight for Povert Come out to Escape Bar and Grill and take JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 13
FEATURE
HOLDING SPACE FOR US Attending the World’s Only Public Two-Spirit Powwow By Melanie Davis, PQ Monthly
The Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits held their Sixth Annual Two-Spirit Powwow at the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA. It was a free community event, open to the public. According to Derek Smith of the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Nation, Powwow Committee Co-Chair, “Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the BAAITS Powwow mission. It is currently the world’s only Two-Spirit organized powwow and draws some of the area’s top dancers together for a day of fun and appreciation of the Native American Two-Spirit tradition.” “The BAAITS Powwow embraces traditional Native American culture while also providing a uniquely San Francisco experience,” added Ruth Villasenor, Powwow Committee Member from the Chiricahua Apache Nation. Two-Spirit traditions, community members and allies were honored, and ceremonial giveaways were held. Head Staff dancers included; Justin Goggles, Jr., who is a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Ethete, Wyoming and a member of the Blackfeet Tribe in Browning, Montana; Travis “Buffalo Barbie” Goldtooth, who is Dine (Navajo) from Teec Nos Pos, Arizona.; and Kaylene Diamond Baltys of the Lakota Rosebud, Otoe-Missouri and an enrolled member of the Comanche nations, the daughter of Saulius and Hope Baltys, sister of Harlynd Erik Growing Thunder, and granddaughter of Kaylene and Erik Kimple. Competition dancing as well as intertribal dances offered the public an opportunity to learn about Native American culture, and all powwow dancers and drums were welcomed.
Dancing and singing were not the only highlights of the powwow; Native American food vendors including Wahpepahs’ Kitchen, Wailakis Fry Bread and others were on hand to feed the massive crowd of over 6,000. Foods ranged from Indian tacos and tamales to buffalo burgers. There were also vendors on site selling Native art, jewelry, supplies, and other wares. The Native American Health Center was in attendance providing free health screenings. Host drums for the BAAITS powwow included Southern Pride, host Southern Drum, a drum group that traveled from Jay, OK, and whose members are Two-Spirit singers and drummers and their families. There was also Northern Host drum, All Nations, a local group from Oakland, CA, that has been together for 30 years — they sing at Alcatraz for Unthanksgiving day, host drum for numerous powwows, and they have been teaching kids native music and dance at the Intertribal Friendship House for 19 years. De-Gendering Dance Categories Ever since I can remember, I remember going to powwows in my home state of New Mexico, and one major difference that I noticed at the BAAITS Powwow was the removal of gender markers from the names of the dances for our event (i.e. “fancy shawl” instead of “women’s fancy shawl”). Sheldon Raymore, 2015’s Head Two-Spirit Dancer, explains why we are doing this, and why it’s important: “Using these terms is necessary in providing a safe space for the diversity of our community. BAAITS is modeling the appropriate terminology so that the BAAITS Powwow makes dancers feel safe to honor their spirit of who they are inside, versus only the outside body appearances. By erasing the genders of each dance category, BAAITS is allowing one’s spirit to manifest and express itself.” Among the winners of the dance completion, it was exciting to see the following Oregon Two-Spirit Dancers place at this National Competition: -Asa Wright, Klamath/Modoc, placed third in fancy/grass dance combined -Yukpa Sophie Wright, Oglala Lakota, Klamath/Modoc, placed first in jingle dance -Monty Herron, Umpqua/Takelma/Chinook, placed third in Northern traditional/ Southern straight dance A Message from Standing Rock Additionally, there was a special presentation from the Two-Spirit Camp at Standing Rock. Joining Founder Courage, Mextizo/Lakota, was Camp Elder Sade Ali, First Nations Mi’kmaq (Canada), and Camp Medicine Person Candi Brings Plenty, Oglala Lakota Sioux, who reiterated that all are welcome at Two-Spirit Camp at Standing Rock. Courage shared with us that when they went to Standing Rock, they kept asking where the Two-Spirit Camp was. While not being able to find the rumored camp, he gathered materials and created the flag that still represents the Two-Spirit Camp at Standing Rock. This powwow was one of the most exciting and refreshing events I have been to in quite a while. It was divine to enjoy the presence of our elders, youth, drummers, singers, and dancers. The personal takeaway for me was experiencing people’s joy while authentically expressing one’s self with the people one most loves! It means everything when people show up for your tribe, and as of late we need more people to show up and hold space for all to be joyful. Thank you BAAITS and all who held space. May the blessings be returned tenfold. The Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) is a community-based volunteer organization offering culturally relevant activities for Native Americans identifying as Two-Spirit and their allies. Two-Spirit people are defined as LGBTI and gender variant members of the Native American community. The term Two-Spirit was coined in 1990 by queer Native Americans gathered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Many contemporary LGBTI Native Americans use the term Two-Spirit to maintain cultural continuity with their traditions. For more information, please visit www.baaits.org.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 14 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
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The Secret Life of Summer Seasons
VOICES
PQ PRESS PARTY
VOICES
FEBRUARY 16th at: Thursday, February 16th 2017, 5P.M-7P.M: Q CENTER (4115 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217)
How Hearsay Can Ruin Friendships By Summer Seasons
When I was 25 or so I met and befriended a guy who for this story I’ll call John. John was an older gentleman who I’d met in a chat room and had become very close with in a very short period of time. Both of us being single I’d often end up being his plus one to many events. He’d taken me to a Steely Dan concert, a few local dinner parties — and then came the opportunity of a lifetime. He had won in a school auction a stay for two in Jamaica and he asked me if I wanted to go. I remember thinking at the time it might not be appropriate for me to go with him, because what if he wanted more than what I was prepared to offer. I had made it very clear to him that we were to be nothing more than friends and I felt good about the way he had reacted to it too. So we began planning the trip. That summer before we went, we spent many a day on Lake Oswego, water skiing, getting to know each other and becoming very good friends. The kind of friend you felt comfortable telling anything to. It was pretty clear that friends were all we were gonna be so I felt reassured right before leaving for our trip. We had everything packed and ready to go and we were off to paradise. Whenever I travel to someplace new, I have little to no expectations of what to do or see — I always ask around and see what the locals recommend. It’s always been my thinking that they know the good spots so it helps to make your trip better. This kind of actions immediately started to cause a rift between John and me. He wanted to sit on the poolside chairs at night and have drinks delivered while I wanted to go into town to Margaritaville and party with everyone. I’ve never been afraid to venture out on my own, mostly because when I was younger I closed myself off to so many people so if I wanted to have fun I had to make sure I did things for myself. I went to Margaritaville that first night and had an absolute blast. I finished a bottle during the shot contest, rode down the slide into the pool there and danced with really cute guys and girls. I came back excited for him to wake up the next morning and hear of my ventures. At around noon the next day he came barging in the door screaming at the top of his lungs, saying that he was furious with me. With a hangover from hell, I was struggling to understand what he could possibly be mad about. He proceeded to tell me that he’d run into some guys last night that said I had been talking shit about him. He said that I said, he was my sugar daddy, that he was an old fuddy duddy, and that I was just along because I was beautiful arm candy. I absolutely know that none of that could’ve been true, because even though I had had a lot to drink the night before I was sure of the fact that I wouldn’t say these things about him. No matter how much I tried to convince him he wouldn’t believe me.
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I found the alleged people he’d claimed had said those things and they swore up and down that he had to be making it all up, because they had never said them. At this point I was unsure of who to trust. I can trust the guy I’ve known for 7 months whom I’d become very close to, or these brand new friends who also had no reason to lie, but I didn’t know them. So I chose to believe him. A few nights later he woke up with the same allegations after I’d been out at the club all night and this time I demanded we talk to everyone all at once. These gentleman wouldn’t admit that they made it up and he chose to believe them over me. A friend who had been there for him and helped him do so many things over the past few months. A little later I learned that those guys had figured out that if they made him mad at me they could become his sugar babies, and he fell for it hook line and sinker. John pretty much told me that day that our friendship was over, that once we were back to Portland we were through. I was crushed. I hadn’t done anything wrong and here I was being blamed for it and my friend chose complete strangers over me. To this day, I will not listen to hearsay from ANYONE without confronting the person it involves. It hurts people when you spread lies about them and it ruins friendships. We should all be a little kinder to folks and that’s gonna start with me. pqmonthly.com
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 15
HITLER OR HYPERBOLE? VOICES
You Decide. By Monty Herron
After just one week in office, the nation’s new president arguably set progress in this country back by thirty years, while simultaneously setting the record for fastest majority disapproval rating in this country’s history (8 days). Additionally, with his recent executive order regarding refugees and other immigrants, he has committed two impeachable offenses in breach of his oath to defend this country’s constitution—the Establishment Clause prevents discrimination based on religion or country of origin, and the Separation of Church and State is violated by his indication that he would ‘help’ Christians while barring Muslims.
To my fellow Native Americans/Indigenous Americans: You know he WILL be coming for us at some point, right? He blames our Native casinos for his own business failures and failed casinos, despite a casino being a pretty much “auto-pilot enterprise” that will always make money. He thinks we should be taxed, that we should let the government do whatever they want to us and our lands. That we are the “losers” of the land, so he can build pipelines to make private oil companies he’s invested his money in. Who cares if the country becomes a hellscape of oil spills and poisoned waters?
Here’s a short laundry list of the things he did just within his first ten days:
The parallels to another time in history are disturbing to say the least.
Greenlit the Dakota Access and Keystone pipelines — pretty much committing an act of war, and in violation of numerous treaties signed with the United States. Not hyperbole. Reinstated the anti-abortion global “gag rule,” which means no more U.S. financial support to any foreign organization that offers abortion or family-planning services. This will increase the number of unsafe abortions around the world. Scrapped a money-saving fee cut for new homeowners. This was a .25% interest rate cut for low income and first time home buyers that would have saved them $500 a year. Federal hiring freeze. No new hires (except for 5,000 new border guards). Meanwhile, State Dept. employees are resigning at the senior levels like rats leaving a sinking ship — these people possess unique knowledge and tradecraft that can only be gained through experience.
Step One: Hitler discredited the media (and eventually took control with his own propaganda machines).
Alienated the country of Mexico and her residents with his plans for “the wall” and more taxpayer funded nationalism. The President of Mexico cancelled current and future meetings with Trump. Taken aim at Sanctuary Cities, using the language “crackdown,” while right here in Portland, I.C.E. agents have started slumming around the Multnomah county courthouse and jail, checking people’s immigration status. (Yes, straight out of a WWII or Cold War movie. “Papers Please!” Did I fall asleep and somehow wake up in 1940s Berlin?) Started dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Millions of Americans will no longer have health care, the same health care we all help subsidize with our Medicare tax from our paychecks. Dismantled protections for clean air and water by demanding via executive order that the EPA fast track approvals on assessments for infrastructure like roads, highways, bridges and pipelines. (All things that really are a moot point if we’ve all been poisoned and are too dead to use them.) Instructed government agencies to stay off social media, gagging them, and removed pages of internet content from the White House and other agencies’ websites if they pertained to things he doesn’t agree with (e.g. disabled persons, LGBT community, climate science, etc.).
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 16 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
“
Step Two: Hitler silenced scientists and government employees, unless they were unconscionable psychopaths who wanted to experiment on humans, or could innovate for his war machine. Step Three: Hate crimes against minorities grew to the highest in their country’s history. People were literally fighting in the streets. Clashes between parties became so extensive that Hitler ended all civil liberties, claiming “law and order” as the reason. (How many times have you heard Trump say he’ll restore law and order?) Those who opposed Hitler were ridiculed, threatened, and beaten within an inch of their lives, right out in the open. (States are working to pass laws that allow people to hit protesters with cars if they are blocking traffic, and that’s just the beginning.) Step Four: Wealthy supporters purchased media outlets, employing only those faithful to the ruling party. Step Five: Hitler declared that the only way the country could be unified was to restore traditional values. Minorities including gays, the disabled, Jews, Roma, and people of color were considered “inferior” and sent to death camps for slaughter. We are in the third step right now. If you are confused by how so many people could go along with Hitler’s Final Solution, this is exactly how it happens. It’s real, it’s happening around you right now.
Did I fall asleep and somehow wake up in 1940s Berlin?
When we reach that final step, I won’t be here to say, “I told you so.” As an educator and member of the academic community, as well as a person of color, I’ll be one of the first people they murder, silence or get rid of. Because I won’t shut my mouth. I won’t let them quietly do their work. I will speak. Monty Herron is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, an author, activist, and adjunct instructor of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
With All-New Nu Shooz and Animotion at Everett’s Historic Theatre
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By MK Scott
While the 1990s was the era for Seattle’s music, it was Portland in the 1980s that was the birthplace of three incredible bands. I am talking about the legendary sound of Quarterflash (headed by Pat Benatar look-alike Rindy Ross) or the percussionheavy Dan Reed Network (headed by dreamy Dan Reed, with his Jon-Bon Jovi-like smirk) and finally the pop/R&B/funk style of Nu Shooz (led by Valerie Day with husband, John Smith). After a lengthy hiatus from the world of funk-pop and soul (to raise a family and play other styles of music), Valerie and John have revived the original Nu Shooz sound. The husband and wife team are back on the road as part of the Super Freestyle Explosion Tour and the live eight piece band, Shoo-Horns and all, are playing shows for the first time in 25 years. On February 4, Portland-based Nu Shooz traveled north to Everett to open at the Historic Everett Theatre as the first half of a double billed show along with 80s synth-pop sensation, Animotion. The ageless Valerie Day looked and sounded fantastic as she entered the stage wearing a shimmering, black and white jumpsuit. Day opened with her 1986 hit (and my personal favorite), “Point of No Return,” and it was like I had been tranported back to the fall of 1986 and no time had passed. If you go back and view the “Return” video, Day might remind you of Belinda Carlisle, but with the quirkiness of Cyndi Lauper. According to my conversation with Day after the show, the animation of hundreds of shoes following her in that video was done not by computer, but the old fashioned way of camera motion, one step at a time. The Shooz also sang their 1987 hit, “Should I Say Yes?” as well as some music from their new album, “Bag Town.” They nailed the classic cover of the Supremes hit, “Someday,” before closing with their biggest hit of all, 1985’s “I Can’t Wait,” as the audience was invited to come and dance in front of the stage. After an 1980s costume contest, Animotion came out. Who could forget their 1985 hit, “Obsession?” That video was epic, with lead singers Bill Wadhams and Astrid Plane dressed as Cleopatra and Marc Antony. Wadhams was known for his great jaw and model good looks, and he still looks great. Plane also looks and sounds great. Wadhams then told a story about the making of the video for 1986’s “Let him Go,” when they created a giant mouse wheel in the middle of the desert from an old Ferris wheel. Plane complained that the temperature was 125 degrees when shooting. After over a decade away, both Wadhams (now based in Portland) and Plane have been continuously performing since 2001 and joined other 1980s groups on tour, including the Motels, A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung and Berlin. They have just released a new album, titled “Raise,” and previewed several new songs, including “Bad Review.” They finished on “Obsession,” while a crowd danced in front of the stage. For an encore, Animotion and Nu Shooz joined together for a soulful cover of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” Despite a small crowd, it was an honor to meet these icons after the show. We welcome back Nu Shooz, and may we hear more from them and from Animotion for years to come. Get Nu Shooz’s new album, “Bag Town,” and Animotion’s new album, “Raise,” both available at Amazon.com and iTunes. MK Scott is a Seattle-based arts blogger, check out his blog at outviewonline.com. pqmonthly.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • 17
NATIONAL
Backlash Against Muslim Ban Offers Hope But Immigrants Still Vulnerable By Elena Shore, New America Media
SAN FRANCISCO – Immigrant rights advocates are hailing Thursday’s ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals in San Francisco, which refused to reinstate President Trump’s ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries. But they are also bracing for a prolonged legal fight with the White House. Esther Sung, staff attorney with the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), called the decision “a necessary check to the blatant Constitutional overreach emblazoned by President Trump’s unlawful and un-American executive order.” Trump, who tweeted after the ruling, “SEE YOU IN COURT!,” now has the option to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. “This decision means that, for now, people seeking refuge from horrific conditions will not be turned away, that families separated by this discriminatory policy can reunite,” said Sung, who spoke on a national press call organized by New America Media and Ready California this week. “This is a reminder to everyone: our Constitution protects us all, and no one — not even the president — is above it.” But although the decision was lauded as a victory by civil rights groups, it is one step in a long battle being waged by immigrant communities and their allies to defend their rights amid a flurry of activity from an administration just three weeks in office. Sally Kinoshita, deputy director of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), noted that while the decision is “good news, immigrants in general continue to be vulnerable under a Trump administration.”
Rights That Can’t Be Taken Away As a result, legal experts say it is more important than ever that individuals know their rights under the U.S. Constitution. “There are certain rights rooted in the Constitution that Trump cannot take away,” explained Grisel Ruiz, staff attorney with ILRC. Constitutional rights protect everyone in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. These include the right to remain silent, the right to not open the door to agents without a warrant signed by a judge, and to not sign anything they don’t understand or that isn’t true. “What the immigrant community needs to know,” said Kinoshita, “is that their rights haven’t changed.”
The Pushback Meanwhile, some state and local governments are stepping up to protect the rights of immigrants in their communities. “California has been a leader,” said Ruiz, noting several bills that have been introduced in the legislature to protect immigrants. Senate Bill 54 (the California Values Act), introduced by Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), would prevent state and local resources from being used to cooperate with deportations. Assembly Bill 3, by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) would
provide resources and training to California’s public defenders. Senate Bill 6, by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, seeks to provide attorneys to individuals in immigration proceedings. (Although individuals have the right to an attorney, they are not currently provided a public defender.) While Trump has railed against “sanctuary cities,” threatening to withhold federal dollars, Ruiz noted, “Cities and counties have no legal obligation to enforce federal immigration law.” Sung of NILC, which has been at the forefront of the legal challenges to the travel ban, said Trump’s executive orders “aren’t just an affront to our Constitution; they are an affront to our American identity.” Still, she said, she is encouraged that the pushback against Trump’s executive orders has been so widespread. Nearly 100 businesses, mostly tech companies, signed on to an amicus brief in support of the suit brought by Washington and Minnesota. The brief called the travel ban bad for business and the country. Other friend of the court statements were filed by faith organizations, former members of the military, former attorneys who worked for the Department of Justice and refugee rights groups. “The backlash against these executive order has been swift, it has been diverse, and … it gives me tremendous hope personally,” she said. “No one has seen a mobilization like this before in defense of immigrants and refugees.”
‘The New Normal’ The same week the decision was announced in San Francisco, ICE arrested approximately 160 people in a series of sweeps in Southern California. In a statement released Friday, ICE claimed that 150 of those arrested in the five-day operation had criminal histories. The sweeps were part of what Angelica Salas, executive director of the Los Angeles-based nonprofit CHIRLA, called “President Trump’s ‘new normal,’ where criminalizing and dehumanizing immigrants is convenient to violate their due process and facilitate their deportation.” Even the definition of “criminal” has been expanded since President Trump took office. In an executive order signed Jan. 25, Trump dramatically expanded the groups that are prioritized for deportation to include anyone who initially entered the United States without documents; anyone with a final removal order; anyone charged with a criminal offense (even if the charge was dropped); and anyone who committed a crime (even if they were never charged). “What that means in many cases is that there really aren’t priorities, that anyone could fall into the net,” said Kinoshita. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 18 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
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