qPDX.com – Queer news, views and events for Portland

Though I had had a Friendster profile for years I really fought against joining MySpace (and who can blame me really, considering Rupert Murdoch), though I finally gave in. (You want to find me, it’s really not difficult). But I just learned about DList a sort of MySpace for gays and I got excited. I love the idea of a queer community. I’d happily cut and paste a few “About me” snippets to be part of something like that. But upon first glance of the site it appears to be all underwear party club queens and pretty boys. Can you be a weird queer, or even any kind of female identified and join this site? All the pix I see are deliciously little 18 year old hardbodies, so it makes me wonder. Nevertheless, I think I will join and check it out for a bit, if for not other reason than to throw a wrench in their party machine…
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Time for random bits of queer-related internet news:

• Lesbian Bed Death was not their fault. Gay couples can now get into the lawsuit game.

• For a gay sports aficianado the Gay Games in Chicago may be a midwestern paradise. I have to admit even I’m intrigued. But because their website is pretty atrocious I’ll have to direct you to Logo’s pretty sweet coverage of the events.

• Gay cartoon duck movie? I can’t believe Disney didn’t get there first…

• Camille Paglia talks like a crazy lady, and indeed she may be, but she’s entertaining too…

• She blinded me with science…and the discrimination therein

• And of course don’t forget our continuously updating news coverage courtesy the Associated Press…ah, ain’t news grand?
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Some good news today, if more in the form of dodging a bullet than actually gaining any ground. Anyhow, looks like the U.S. House rejected the ban on gay marriage. Although we won because we needed 2/3 of the vote, not because half of the house actually supports gay people and their security. So this is all sort of alternately encouraging, discouraging, and irrelevant in light of teh fact that the Senate also did not pass the amendment 6 weeks ago.

In light of all this serious marriage talk I wanted to take a minute to think of a lighter side of the gay marriage debate. The Onion, as always my second favorite news source (after the slightly more on topic Jon Stewart Show) presents a darling little article on a child’s eye view of the situation as of 2003.

On a sidenote, I was led to this by the not terribly relevant but still wonderfully funny yet horrible blog entry by “Pete” from March Together for Life, condemning an abortion-loving lady. The comments, however, are what really make one chuckle in such a mean, yet gratifying way. It was there I found even more to the story.
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There’s been some interesting discussion going on over at Blue Oregon about the rhetoric of incumbent Democrat Ted Kulongoski vs. Independent Ben Westlund. While the commentary starts out as pretty simple disbelief at Westlund’s “drugged before surgery excuse” it goes on to some quite thoughtful posts about who is perceived to be more gay friendly vs. who might actually speak out or act during crucial times. I’m still inclined to support a more domocratic candidate overall but I have some sympathy for Westlund’s travels through life. I think it a bit cowardly to say that he was just stressed into an answer about Measure 36, rather than say he had a change of heart but stress can do immense things. It will remain to be seen what he does for gay rights going forward. It’s not enough to make me vote for him, and I doubt it will make BRO endorse him, but it’s worth listening to him and perhaps supporting him in the future.

Then again, the cynics may all be right when they call it simple double speak in a desparate attempt to win both conservative and liberal votes.
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Our favorite on screen semi-operative transsexual has made it to a Portland stage yet again. Triangle Productions, a queer focused theater company, is bringing Hedwing and the Angry Inch to Portland beginning tomorrow. I really don’t see enough theater and almost forget that this town has a booming stage presence with no lack of queer themes. (I finally made it to an ART performance of Theater District and it was quite good). But the fantastic nature of this gender-bending and oddly tragic musical is particularly exciting, all the more so considering the Drammy wins for its 2002 run.

Hedwig with show on the ART main stage, 1516 Sw Alder St, from July 13 – Aug 12.
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I speak of Wal-Mart shoppers with distaste but I know that, although in the long run those in poverty are only worsening their situation by shopping there, that extra 10 dollars they save really can make a difference in their daily living. But with gay icon, millionaire and outlandish gay Knight, Sir Elton John sells his soul to the devil for soem extra cash there’s really just no excuse. Turns out that his money-making show at Caesar’s Palace benefits Palace owner Philip Anschutz, conservative Christian billionaire who spends his free time and money in the struggle to deny Gay Americans their rights. Queerty also has some things to say about Elton and Celine Dion but at least I never expected her to be a champion. Sir Elton, I am ashamed of you. You can ruined enourmous cubic zirconia studded sunglasses forever for me…
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Nobody can resist a puppy. That seems to be the hope of an ambitious ad campaign taken on by the Gill Foundation in Colorado called Born Different. And while in most contexts, certainly those containing primarily other queer folks, I would debate the complete nature theories, or all the half-heartedly scientific studies on gay men’s innate homosexuality (not to mention the idea everyone keeps pushing that no one would ever choose such a horrible life…) I find this ad campaign intriguing. A more complex reality would be too complex for these cute and simple, if forceful PSAs and most Americans seem to want the short answer anyhow. I have to admit I was sucked in by the masterful line drawing Flash animation intro, sleek yet fun web design, and of course the adorable puppy that says Moo. (Definitely take a moment to watch the short TV spots with Norman). So if cuteness and good design can being about more acceptance in this world. I’m all for it.
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Though it may be cold comfort in some ways the only good news following the sad new of the demise of Sleater-Kinney is that their last show will not be in the far-off land of the big budget Lollapalooza tour in Chicago, but here, at home. Yes, one of Portland’s most cherished bands comes home to die August 11th at the Crystal Ballroom. Tickets go on sale this Saturday but be forewarned, you can only buy 2 at a time by phone or computer, or 4 at the box office. I can’t anticipate whether this promises to be a small madhouse or complete mayhem but either way it will be a frantic rush into a sad goodbye.
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That’s what my mother always used to call the day or two following a joyous holiday celebration, when you have to go back to work or school and life just doesn’t seem nearly as much fun as it had a mere day before. But don’t worry my children, come Wednesday Gaycation will not be over, but just beginning. Seems like it’s been a bit since the last no-cover-to-be-you-and-me mid-week party down at Holocene. Though Independence Day may be gone, summer remains, and I almost can’t wait for the holiday to be over when someone will certainly be buying me a delicious mojito down at the ‘cene.

Nevertheless, this online STD notification program that has just begun in Multnomah County seems a good one…certainly better than having to call all or recent sexual partners to tell them the potentially bad news. This little mini-article keeps calling them e-cards however, bringing to mind a picture of a teddy bear holding a balloon with midi music playing in the background. I just hoep no one gets too jovial STD e-card. “Surprise! You may be infected!”
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