|
|
In deference to the hard-working members of Oregons House of Reps, I have decided, rather than write this blog here, rather than petitioning or protesting or doing any work whatsoever, that I will, instead, simply vacation. Who needs that pesky work and decision making anyway?! So here I will simply give you some opposing views and let them duke it out myself. I recommend the flash animation, as cartoons are always more fun than silly little editorials right?
 Track the Lies cartoon
O editorial
Guest editorial
On the other hand, in the land of television queerness, Queer as Folk, the world (i.e. Babylon) has exploded and everyone seems to have gone mad. The lesbian recommendation seems to be to move to Canada while bad boy Brian has decided that his former ideals of rebelling against straight culture, monogamy and white picket fences, is indeed not worth the struggle, and what he really wants is his little blonde boy to cuddle in front of his newly purchased country mansion fireplace. Ironic if the show that was supposed to be the wildest, brashest, most on the edge depiction of queer life and queer SEX, a show that lesbian tennis star Martina Navratilova called depraved, ends its 5 year run with tame and humble family scenes. Would Martina have wanted to back out of her gay credit card endorsement if she had seen previously promiscuous Brian on his knees in marriage proposal (despite the fact that we have nothing of the sort yet in this country) instead of other activities? If literature and film of the 20th century was previously prone to killing gay characters, or at least ending their stories very unhappily, as a form of retribution for their gay sins, and thereby recuperating conventional heterosexual morality, are we now more likely to absolve our so-called sins by taming our own narratives and disguising the real variety of ongoing queer life, so that we all look respectable in the end? For all its political obviousness, Queer as Folk has at least addressed these very questions (as well as others) to a certain extent. For example, Emmett almost loses his job as queer guy for a local newscast, when he makes mention of himself as not just a silly little fashion step-n-fetch-it but as a real human being with real sexuality. Will they really end the series proclaiming that the heteronormative family way is the only way?
[…]
It sure does put your life in perspective as we fight in Salem for civil unions when mere boys in Iran are hanged for messing around. The teenagers, about 16, did not know that sex was a death sentance and cried out for mercy, as they were practically children. And yet there they swung, at the end of a rope. Three more are on the run. These are the kind of refugees I would like to think our vast nation would embrace. Somehow I doubt it.
[…]
 Sissyboy teams up with premiere Portland comedienne (and one of those bio women drag queens herself) Amber Martin for Part 2 of their epic summer trilogy. (And this is Ambers real last show before leaving the roses behind for an NYC trip) Apparently the boys got into a bit o trouble in Hollywood last time and now it looks like they may have to pay the price in the form of a stand in front of infamous TV courtroom drama queen Judge Judy. Please show up and clap your hands and say you believe in fairies and they may be spared death row.
But dont show up to Holocene because the boys have moved to the Wonder Ballroom (128 NE Rusell). I havent been yet but I hear rave reviews. Feel free to share your opinion. Sissyboys act out this Wednesday July 20. Doors at 8, show at 9, Sissyboy at 11. $7 at the door $5 in advance.
[…]
Ten years after the completely ineffectual “don’t ask don’t tell” policy went into effect, the Oregon State Bar has decided that it violates their anti-discrimination policy to let the US Military advertise in their monthly magazine. Bravo, Oregon lawyers, but what took you so long?
But before you stop telling lawyer jokes and start cheering let me just say that it may only be red tape and not morals that guide Oregon’s attorneys. Although at present the US Military does violate their policy they may amend said policy to cleverly insert “unlawful” right before that pesky little word “discrimination.” Because the military’s injustice is considered quite legal bigotry the Oregon law magazine will, in that case, certainly be allowed to print the advertisements.
On a militaristic sidenote, isn’t interesting that, during wartime, one can be as out and proud as they want and not get chucked out, while peacetime means a “dishonorable discharge” appears on the papers of nelly queens. Seems as long as you’re willing to act as cannon fodder you can wear as many dresses as Klinger.
[…]
Ten years after the completely ineffectual “don’t ask don’t tell” policy went into effect, the Oregon State Bar has decided that it violates their anti-discrimination policy to let the US Military advertise in their monthly magazine. Bravo, Oregon lawyers, but what took you so long?
But before you stop telling lawyer jokes and start cheering let me just say that it may only be red tape and not morals that guide Oregon’s attorneys. Although at present the US Military does violate their policy they may amend said policy to cleverly insert “unlawful” right before that pesky little word “discrimination.” Because the military’s injustice is considered quite legal bigotry the Oregon law magazine will, in that case, certainly be allowed to print the advertisements.
On a militaristic sidenote, isn’t interesting that, during wartime, one can be as out and proud as they want and not get chucked out, while peacetime means a “dishonorable discharge” appears on the papers of nelly queens. Seems as long as you’re willing to act as cannon fodder you can wear as many dresses as Klinger.
[…]
Two girlie gay acts take stage this weekend.
 Saturday will see post-punk riot grrl electronica Le Tigre, led by former Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna. The new face of coolness is also the new face of liberation and fluidity, both musically and gender-ly. Most recent release This Island chronicles New York City is a way that it both grounded and surreal. Hannas childlike voice on remake of the Pointer Sisters Im So Excited is an eerie romp into pop musics past. The dancey jangle of the 80s are also echoed on the keyboard-laden After Dark while On the Verge and Seconds remind more of Hannas 90s rock and riot roots. Still others give us the sound of the playful cheese of a gay nightclub in Nanny Nanny Boo Boo. But the message and the politics are certainly not lost, as evidenced by the anti-war New Kicks and the queer powered Viz. But the city is wrapped up in blips and beeps and lyrical reality on the title track The Island. Le Tigres latest release provides a nice sampling of time, place and genre that is refreshing. This Island may not have the energy and intensity of their first release (because although gender-bender JD Samson is not only hot, but a skilled musician, the loss of Playskool filmmaker Sadie Bening was quite a blow) but it is certainly an improvement on the largely boring beats of sophomore outing Feminist Sweepstakes. The play with naughty pretty boy Beck at the Memorial Coliseum.
Sunday sees folky favorites Indigo Girls at the Oregon Zoo. How wholesome sounding isnt it? Well, the girls of blue have their own form of rock edge and hard-hitting messagesits just acoustic. Amy Ray, lately, has been spreading her wings to rock out with the likes of the scruffy Butchies and you gotta love that smoky voice belting in chorus with these crazy punkers Lucy Stoners dont need boners I havent heard the Indigo Girls newest album but Closer to Fine is sure to be at the fingertips of every lesbian guitarist around a campfire forever more. Im also guessing that special guest Girlyman is a big ol queerbie too.
[…]
Unpredictable and drizzly Northwest weather be damned, it’s time to get our summer on. My statewide summer travel kickoff began this weekend with a misty beach (oh excuse me, it’s called the coast here) trip to Lincoln City  where I actually learned some new terminology, from a woman in a 10 gallon hat no less! Scoffing at the idea that there might be a secret sea side hangout, she called those of our persuasion who live by the ocean “acquainted.” Sounds a little like a Christopher Pike novel to me, but those were always a pretty sexy pre-teen read so carry on coastal queers and get ready to get acquainted.
Its a party in the woods in Southern Oregons Big Gay Campout starting this Friday and continuing through Sunday. Join your host the gay-owned Camp Telequa near Tiller (is this more rural lingo Im not hip to?) for events such as drag shows and queer eye for the tent guys best campsite. $10 per night 541-582-2894.
A bit closer to home in Eugene this Saturday is the fifth annual Big Ass Field Party. Live bands, performance artists, go-go boys and DJs. Is this in a big ol field? Im guessing so though it sounds like a pretty clubby scene to me. But it is Eugene so Im thinking this combo might be reminiscent of a rave? Hey, make fun of those baggy pants and candy necklaces in the back of my closet, there were worse movements than ones centered around peave, love, unity and respect. Besides, it really was a great way to get cuties to lick your neck6p gates, 9p entertainment, $10.
You can still enjoy the heat in town with JOQs summer sizzler BBQ and Softball Social. Need I say more? Sunday the 17th 4p (2512 NE Broadway). For a more lady oriented event try the ever-lesbian potluck hosted by DinnerGrrls at Sellwood Park this Saturday. 3-6p SE 7th and Miller. RSVP to portland@dinnergrrls.org
One more late addition:
Hoedown Benefit
Come out with us and have a fun time while supporting Transforming Us! There will be music performers, lots of fun games like sack races, pie eating contests, mud wrestling and more!
Satuday, July 16th 4-10p at SMYRC (2100 SE Belmont) $5-10 sliding scale
All proceeds will go to Transforming Us!
Drew Gadbois
Volunteer Coordinator for Transforming Us
1631 NE Broadway-PMB 242, Portland, OR 97232
503.281.8970
tuvolunteers@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transforming us was created to aid physically transitioning people, in the portland area, to acquire surgery funds. Currently surgeries for these people are not covered by insurance companies because they are seen as elective cosmetic surgeries. We are establishing ourselves in order to monetarily assist those in need of those surgeries, particularly those who are low income.
[…]
Despite my wavering opinions on them, the topic of civil unions, especially in Oregon, is all over the place. So, here’s some tidbits I’ve found particularly informative.
The boys of Gay Rights Watch have a particularly good overview of Friday’s vote including speeches and a vote breakdown I thought quite a nice package.
An opinion piece in the New York Times also addresses the marriage conundrum, relating how the institution has already been changed over the centuries by heterosexuals themselves.
And speaking of the famed NYC periodical, woo boy! did they make some folks mad this week with an article claiming that bisexuality may be a myth…at least among men. Interestingly enough, people are not supposed to be trusted to self-identify, as, according to said article, bisexual men usually have sexual response (if it was measurable) to either men or women but not both, while women generally have sexual response who a host of individuals even though only about 1.5% of the female population identifies as bisexual. Scientific problems with the article are clearly outlined in this breakdown provided by the Gay and Lesbian Task Force. A simple response by Joshua Gibson expresses some very interesting points. GLAAD also had some interesting things to say.
In such a study there really can be no control group, much needs to be measured besides simple blood flow (perhaps brainwaves?), and stimuli other than commercial mainstream pornography used. If you’re measuring a bisexual man’s arousal based of those hairless buxom blondes that star in “lesbian” porn, that is certainly a problem in and of itself. Even I would take that opportunity to go to the bathroom or get more popcorn.
[…]
Well, the vote has been put off no longer. Thankfully SB 1000, the bill providing civil unions as well as anti-discrimintion laws in Oregon has finally passed in the Senate. Now it marches on to the Republican-driven House of Representatives. If I was an optimist I would be celerating along with Basic Rights Oregon, who are throwing a party tonight at Masu (406 SW 13th Ave). But I’m not, so I’m just going to the beach.
Enjoy the weekend everyone. I’m sure I’ll talk to you all again before we have civil rights.
[…]
Supposedly, SB 1000 will finally be on the floor tomorrow at 9. For reals? I will believe it when I see it. Keep your fingers crossed. And check Basic Rights for more info…
[…]
|
|
