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 It’s been 8 years that a gay man and a straight woman have gushed upon each other on national television, 8 years that Jack has pranced across the screen, 8 years that Karen has been a scathing rich Medusa. But whether you love Will & Grace or think it trite and old, the show has become an institution. And though it may present us mainly as fodder for laughter and less like evolved, sexual human beings, it was one of the first truly mainstream shows with gay main characters at all. And it emerged a mere year after the completely insane fits of excitement caused by Ellen’s coming out show. So tomorrow’s final episode is certain to bring tears to many a gay eye. For any of its shortcomings Will and Grace has made me chuckle out loud. It has characters that are, if imperfect, at least interesting, and certainly an unusual love between the two main characters but goes beyond most sitcoms. You will be missed.
The final episode airs tomorrow at 9, following a retrospective at 8 on NBC (Channel 6 KOIN).
[…]
This recent article of the struggles Seattle Pride organizers are going through reminds me of all the muck and mire we queers can get ourselves into. Though we may band together by some sort of alternative sexuality (and our friends that want to be cool as well) we are a diverse people that often have a hard time making decisions and getting things done because of our differences. Of course this is not always a weakness. It also means we are listening to each other and considering each others needs, which I see as a strength. But it can be tough. I am reminded of last year’s Dyke March fiasco wherein the usual organizers didn’t get the usual Saturday-before-Sunday-Pride march going and instead wanted to march as a segment of Sunday’s larger parade. I believe, though I did not attend, that a last minute Saturday march was organized. I really don’t know the inside information as I am not an organizer but the impression I got was that those who marched Sunday (who included the Lesbian Avengers as well as others) have a more radical approach. It does appear that this year will see a Saturday march again, but as for the politics around the event, I am woefully uninformed. I would, however, love to hear feedback from any of you. Though impending blog technology is still on its way (oh very soon dear readers I assure you) and comments are not available quite yet. I would be happy to manually (snicker snicker) post any comments you have. And track the getting ready for Portland’s Pride at the website for Pride NW.
[…]
I think it might be the stink of shallow research. Do lesbians not respond to either sexes pheremones in that specail sexy way? And could that be why we’re all frigid manhaters? OK, so this SF Gate article doesn’t imply the latter at all, though you could (and I suppose I did) jump to that conclusion. I’m sorry, with a study of 36 individuals I just ain’t buyin’. Besides, when I put on the Axe deodorant all the ladies go crazy, no matter what orientation… (I think I may have linked to the Axe site before…My apologies. I admit I may be obsessed but it cracks me up. Besides, sometimes I wonder if there’s some truth to their claims…)
[…]
Oh how I adore the celebration of campus queerness. And not just because it’s a great excuse to ogle the 18-22 year old market 3 years post graduation. College students often bring a great mixture of fun and education and also have such vivaciousness, hope, and wildness that I just find inspiring. Our more cynical grown-up queers could use an infusion. And that starts today with PSU’s Queer Awareness Week. The Uni’s newspaper, The Vanguard, gives a great rundown and schedule, which I’ve also included below. My personal recommendations would be Tuesday’s Queer History (let’s hope it’s mroe than Paris is Burning), Wednesday’s Sissyboy performance (oh my how much more cracked out will they look in the daytime?), and Lube Olympics/Drag Racing, Friday’s Queer prom (ah the memories) and lastly, the windown with Brokeback Mountain (bring your favorite tent buddy).
Monday, May 8
* Presentation: City Commissioner Sam Adams, SMSU 228 (Multicultural Center), 12 1 p.m.
* Presentation: Costa Rica Gay Sex Tourism, SMSU 296, 1 2 p.m.
* Presentation: U.S. Anti-Sodomy Laws, SMSU 296, 2:30 4 p.m.
* Panel: Ally Roundtable, SMSU 296, 4 6 p.m.
* Film: Beautiful Boxer, SMSU 298, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 9
* Band: The Divided, Park Blocks, 12 1 p.m.
* Presentation: Queers in Religion, SMSU 238, 1:30 2:30 p.m.
* Presentation: Queer History, SMSU 238, 2:30 3:30 p.m.
* Speaker: Grant Wood A Gay Man’s Self-Fashioning, SMSU 338, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10
* Performance: Sissyboy Sissyboy Straightens Out The Park Blocks, 1 2 p.m.
* Presentation: It’s My Pleasure Sex Toys 101, SMSU 238, 1 2:30 p.m.
* Event: Lube Olympics/Drag Racing, Park Blocks, 2 3 p.m.
* Presentation: Dark Lady BDSM 101: An Intro to Bondage with Dark Lady, SMSU 238, 3 4 p.m.
* Film: The Cockettes, SMSU 238, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 11
* Event: Live Acts of Homosexuality, Park Blocks, 11:30 a.m. 4 p.m.
* Band: Sneakin Out, Park Blocks, 12 1 p.m.
* Interactive Panel: Guess the Het, SMSU 296-8, 2 3 p.m.
* Performance: Brody Theatre Incrimi-Nation, SMSU Parkway North, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 12
* Presentation: Queers and Careers, SMSU 296, 12 1 p.m.
* Presentation: Basic Rights Oregon and Love Makes a Family, SMSU 296, 1:30 2:30 p.m.
* Panel: Trans Individuals, SMSU 338, 2:30 3:30 p.m.
* Event: Drag Workshop, SMSU 338, 4 6 p.m.
* Event: Queer Prom + Drag Show A Night of Kings and Queens, $5 + bar, all ages, Hoffman Hall (1833 S.W. 11th Ave.), 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 13
* Film: Brokeback Mountain, Fifth Avenue Cinema (510 S.W. Hall St.), 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 14
* Film: Brokeback Mountain, Fifth Avenue Cinema (510 S.W. Hall St.), 6 p.m.
[…]
Upon first read of this editorial (Stop pretending that voters have spoken on civil unions) I just had to say, I agree, but isn’t it obvious? Well, perhaps it should be. But it is as obvious as it was to all of us that balked at the proponents of Measure 36 who argued so strongly that this only applied to marriage and not civil unions or other rights and benefits. Now that the Measure has passed suddenly it is about CUs. And we saw that coming. But it was a convincing argument for many Oregonians.
There is something magical, ok, religious, (is this not the same thing?) about the untouchable word “marriage.” More than anything it seems opponents of gay marriage are working harder and harder to protect this ridiculous English morpheme. Because I don’t believe most Oregonians, or most Americans for that matter, really do hate all gay people, nor want to deny them the right to live as equal citizens. (My girlfriend’s Catholic mother LOVES this little sinner, though she would deny me my rights in a second). But this word does get in the way. For many it is about religious doctrine, though I’m sure the word for marriage has changed language and exact meaning in 2 or 4000 years. And I would be happy to divorce myself from that as a gay person wishing to engage in a secular contract. But as we saw in the 50s, “separate but equal” has just never worked. Perhaps we can redefine the word marriage to mean only the religious union and use civil unions (or another term) for all legal marriages. Because religious queers can and have been fighting their own battles within their churches and those ongoing discussions are something to be completely worked out in that context. But the law should be fair.
So, yes, let the voters decide the semantics, seeing as that is better than government shaping the nature of language and belief for us. But understand, also, that in many ways, that is all we’re arguing about.
[…]
A bit of media attention (including this blog) has been paid to LGBT focused programming on television as well as emerging gay channels such as the MTV  owned Logo. But ever since Wayne and Garth we’ve all known that local cable access can really reach people. And, ahead of Portland’s lack of queer TV may be Wild Life, a public access talk show begun by Dennis Vickoren and L. Scott Clay, dedicated to exploring the lives on gay men in Southern Oregon. And while a self-proclaimed “venue for coming out” might seem tedious to our citified notions, it is certainly valuable in communities where Stark Street queens and Alberta hipsters may not be a daily presence. Certainly, it can even be a tear-jerker, as when guest Travis Thompson opens himself up and talks about the disavowal he felt by health care workers as his partner was dying of cancer. This is raw emotion, and the raw feel of public access programming is just the stage for such a show.
[…]
 Though the chilly and only partly sunny day may have dulled our emerging summer spirits ever so slightly, May certainly is a month for gaiety. The flowers are blooming, love is in the air, and the clichés that roll off the tongue feel blessed and refreshing. It is also the big build up to the months of pride, although we celebrate year round, of course. Nevertheless, there is something special on the horizon, and what better way to begin the celebration than with a Rose Court to rival that other Portland festival, than the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court. And while we queers are all about queens and crowns and beauty, this organization is actually a charity, raising money for SMYRC, Esther’s Pantry, Our House, The Pride of the Rose Scholarship, The Audria M. Edwards Scholarship, The Shepherd Legal Scholarship, numerous Breast Cancer Research Funds, Camp Starlight and Outside In, among others. And they have a stellar line-up of May events. Here are some highlights:
Today the 1st – Board meeting
Saturday the 6th – Spring Ball
Monday the 8th – Court meeting
Friday the 19th – Imperial Empress Show
Saturday the 20th – Emperor’s Scavanger Hunt
[…]
A couple weeks I told you about Logo refusing to air a commercial by the United Church of Christ, a church that not only welcomes same congregants, but is in favor of letting us marry as well. And, although Logo won’t air the commercial wherein undesirables are ejected from their church pew seats, it is being shown in the Portland area. Yet, I know PDX summertime queers have better things to do than sit in front of the boob tube, so I found online (in both English and Spanish!). Choose the language and format that is right for you; the UCC treats both Windows and Mac users with equality and respect…
English:
http://www.stillspeaking.com/resources/ejector.rm (Real)
http://www.stillspeaking.com/resources/ejector.mov (Quicktime)
http://www.stillspeaking.com/resources/ejector.wmv (Windows Media)
Spanish:
http://www.stillspeaking.com/resources/ejector-s.rm (Real)
http://www.stillspeaking.com/resources/ejector-s.mov (Quicktime)
http://www.stillspeaking.com/resources/ejector-s.wmv (Windows Media)
[…]
The weather seems to indicate that summer is just about upon us and with it comes more events than you could possibly drag your lazy, sunbathing bum to. While laying in the sun this weekend I circled oh so many things in the calendar section of Just Out, yet I am sure I will make it to few of them. Nevertheless, here are the ones I will try to get to, and if you get tired of sipping daiquiris by the pool, so should you.
Tonight
• Movie Night Monday at lesbian-owned Middle Eastern bar Zaytoon. Tonights films are Breakfast at Tiffanys and Get Shorty. (8:30 pm. 2236 NE Alberta St.)
Tomorrow
• Beginning writers as well as more established readers come together for inspirational rants and performances during Dexters Spoken Mic every second and fourth Tuesday at In Other Words. (8 pm. 8 NE Killingsworth St.)
• House of C*** entertainer Amber Martin presents her gayest show ever at Towne Lounge. Stick around to hear her DJ afterward! (11 pm. 714 SW 20th Place. $2-$2,000 sliding scale.)
Wednesday
• Gay writer Matthew Stadler hosts the Back Room, an occasional series of intellectual presentations featuring dinner, drinks and live music at Ripe. Tonights guest is photographer Gregory Crewdson in conversation with Stephanie Snyder of Reed Colleges Cooley Gallery. (7 pm. 2240 N Interstate Ave. $42 from 503-235-2294 or eat@ripepdx.com.)
• The Red Cap Garage presents Vas-o-Line, a monthly dance party featuring DJs Beyonda, Dandylion, Stormy and Sol spinning an eclectic array of progressive beats for a full night of nicotine-free aerobics. (9 pm. 1035 SW Stark St. $3-$5 sliding scale.)
Thursday
• Former Oregon State University football player Esera Tuaolo discusses and signs his book, Alone in the Trenches: My Life as a Gay Man in the NFL, at Vitis Enoteca. Proceeds benefit Multnomah County Chair Diane Linns re-election campaign. (5:30-7:30 pm. 535 NW 16th Ave. $35.)
Friday
• The Oregon Bears throw their monthly Double X Dance at C.C. Slaughters. (9 pm-1 am. 219 NW Davis St. $2.)
• Bad Girls presents Dyke Night at the Eagle featuring an auction, a raffle and live performers. Proceeds benefit Bradley-Angle House. (9 pm-midnight. 1300 W Burnside St. $4-$10 donation.)
• The Blow performs with Scout Niblett, Faerie Talk and Everything Is Fine at Berbatis. (9:30 pm. 231 SW Ankeny St. $7.)
Saturday
• Discover high-paying, high-skilled careers in the construction-related trades during the 14th annual Women in Trades Career Fair at the National Electrical Contractors Association/International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Training Center. (9 am-4 pm. 16021 NE Airport Way.)
• The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Emerald Empire presents Damsels, Divas and Dudes, a family-friendly evening of music, dance and impersonation, at Hult Centers Soreng Theater in Eugene. Proceeds benefit HIV Alliance. (7 pm. 1 Eugene Center. $25 from box office, 541-682-5000 or www.hultcenter.org.)
• The Embers presents Deaf Comedy Night, a popular annual showcase of deaf actors using American Sign Language with a voice interpreter. (7:30-9:30 pm. 110 NW Broadway. $5.)
• Find out what all of Europe has been talking about: Berlin cabaret diva Dahlia revisits Dietrichif Dietrich had done post-punk electro discowith 3asic and DJs Boy and Puppet at Porkys Pub. (9 pm. 835 N Lombard St. $5.)
[…]
 Ah, my little chickadees, alas, though I may boast as of late that the impending summer months will be bringing me back into the queer nightlife of this throbbing town, I must disappoint again. (Although I did manage to make it back to Booty for the 2 year anniversary last week. COngratulate these old bones if you see me) Due to emotional and physical exhaustion I think I have to miss tonight’s Dolly vs. Bjork at Holocene (1001 SE Morrison) though it promises to be quite the diva throwdown. I mean who wouldn’t love to see the buxom country blonde entangled with the moody Icelandic artwife?
But wait! The bizarre place that is Queer Portland resumes only 2 days later with one of the most original of queer events — Wild Card. This variety show is not new, although it has had to move from its digs at Bossanova to Acme (1305 SE 8th at Main) but its been one of our best kept secrets. I love to dance, and I love to watch drag shows but either one faces the danger of becoming tedious and overdone. But Wild Card is as unpredictable as its name suggests. Always themed (oh how I adore a good theme) performers take the stage will all kinds of strange talents that go way beyond the lip sync. But there’s plenty of room for drinking, dancing and other merriment. This Friday will see sailors, pirates, and plenty of love-boat-making with a fabulous Fantasy Island theme. How lucky that I just unearthed my sailor hat. I will most definitely be dragging my lazy bum out of the house for this one. And if you don’t believe me, listen to what drag twin extraordinaire Max Voltage has to say:
all aboard! for sexy burlesque, intriguing film shorts, crazy performance art, unpredictable audience participation and prizes, a raffle to benefit Cascade AIDS Project and the world premiere of the steaming hot gender bending local band BASIC, all hosted by comedic drag duo Max Voltage and Splendora, follwed by a dance party with DJ Puppet.
[…]
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