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  Film still 8: The Mormon Proposition. Directed by Reed Cowen. Screening 7pm tomorrow as part of QDOC.
I consider the passage of Proposition 8 in California to be the biggest setback to the gay marriage movement. Activists, allies, and the hundreds of couples that were newly married were all taken completely by surprise. Everything had seemed to be going our way. The California Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage, City Hall began issuing licenses to thousands of people, and polling showed that the majority of Californians were in favor of letting the progress towards equal marriage rights stand. When a last ditch effort initiative, Proposition 8, appeared on the ballot in 2008, it seemed destined for defeat.
But no one counted on the Mormons rolling into town.
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  Jennifer Cohen of the Circus Project The Circus Project seems like a great organization. A non-profit which utilizes the unique power of art to transcend social barriers and inspire personal transformation, they put on world-class aerial performances and provide expert training, all the while funding outreach to homeless and at-risk youth in the Portland metro area.
But it seems, despite prior approval (which I don’t personally think is necessary) The Rose Festival coordinators threatened to cancel “Duende,” after audiences complained about a kiss between two women. While the show does go on the times have been changed in order not to ruffle the feathers of “family friendly” audiences.
So please take a moment to read this letter and show your support in any way you see fit, be it attending a show, writing to the Rose Fest or otherwise taking up space as a big ol’ gaymo in this town.
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Portand’s QDoc is the only queer documentary film festival in the US (and one of two in the world) held annually at the intimate Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton). That’s pretty special. But not surprising for our hometown.
It’s also a great kick-off to Pride season to reflect on our LGBT roots before we start the party. Several qPDXers got the chance to screen some of these films and will be providing reviews in the next couple days. But the folks organizing the fest have put together a pretty fabulous preview on their own:
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 Mexican wrestlers at 2009's La Lucha. Photo by Stephen Casselll It seems the gay high holidays are officially upon us. Tomorrow begins some events, brunches and celebrations caliente with 2010’s La Lucha – Latino Gay Pride week. As you can see, last year was a blast, and I’m sure this year’s parties at Boxxes and the Jupiter Hotel will be equally filled with hip-swinging, Mexican wrestler masking wearing, rainbow orgullo y divertido. Here’s a schedule of heritage happiness.
UPDATED SCHEDULE
Voz Alta, Wednesday, June 2, 6pm – 9pm
Miracle Theatre, 525 SE Stark, Portland OR
Voz Alta or “loud voice” kicked-off the 2009 Portland Latino Gay Pride Celebration. Partnering with Miracle Theatre, approximately 100 individuals enjoyed an evening of poetry, song, dance, and dramatic performances. For La Lucha 2010, be prepared for another powerful presentation of music, drama, and song. Suggested Donation: $5.00
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 Queer Prom masquerade
School is almost out for summer, but the university gays and lesbians wanted to send off their lavendar grads in style with last Friday’s Portland State University Queer Prom. qPDX photographer and PSU student, CROD, was there to catch all the action in pictures.
 Sally Ingus Wilder
Variety shows, drag and performance art in Portland can be hit or miss. For as many mind-blowing acts, there are long drawn out talent shows featuring more talking than artistry. But local (and NICE) drag diva Artemis Chase has hit on something fabulous with this year’s Miss Thing so I have no doubts that tomorrow’s Peep Show will be equally worth seeing.
I was […]
  QDoc is happening! June 3rd-6th Everybody knows I’m a huge film fan. The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls In Love gave me my first pseudo-butch role model, while the Celluloid Closet taught me to see film and culture differently. There was no way I would have ever become the fabulous queer you see showboating around nightclubs, street corners and dark alleyways without the profoundly formative films I consumed in my youth. I even came out to my mother after spending the day watching Jeffrey and The Birdcage back in 1996. (She didn’t take it so well. I wish she were a bit more like Nathan Lane!) Things also really changed when I discovered Bruce LaBruce, Fatih Akin, Todd Haynes, John Waters…
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  Let's get physical at Saturday's Leotard 80s party If you’re not headed up to Seattle for Freakshow a gogo these are the places you should be this weekend:
Tonight
Dirtbag – Sweaty, small, cheap. The music is a mixed bag but you won’t care.
Bootie mashup – Apparently pirates are back. So mashup yer eyepatches and go go dancing. And butt pirate photobooth? All about it.
Gay Volleyball Championships – I really really hope they bring in sand to the convention center. I only watch sports for the short shorts and jiggling but this has got to fulfill all your fantasies of sun-drenched beach hotness in the horrible weather we are currently experiencing. Oh yeah, and expect to see pictures here on Monday…
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  I join Jen K. aka Party Martyr at Random Order Coffeehouse. Jen joins me after a long morning in a Chinook trailer van parked at the Portsmouth Pizza parkinglot. It’s a balmy afternoon on Alberta street right before the bustling last thursday event begins. Over the squealing of espresso machines and roar of hungry pie goers we sat at the bar and I got to ask Jen K. a couple of questions.
HOW ARE YA?
Fantastic
SO I GUESS THE MAJOR REASON I WANTED TO INTERVIEW YOU WAS TO BRANCH OUT TO EVERY FACET OF THE PORTLAND QUEER SOCIAL SCENE. THE DJ’S I’VE INTERVIEWED HAVE BEEN PRONE TO PLAY MORE ISLAND, DUB AND HIP HOP AT DANCE NIGHTS AND I WANTED TO SPOTLIGHT AN ELECTRO FRIENDLY DJ.WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOUR MUSICAL FORTE IS/ WHAT DO YOU JUST LOVE TO PLAY?
Electronic, specifically swedish electro pop.
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  2007 "People" category winner Lee Kyle's “Kajanne Pepper in Stripes” Even though it is still may and the rain continues to dampen our spirits as we head into the official beginning of summer, Memorial Day, and Pride Season, I’m starting not to be able to control my upcoming seasonal excitement.
qPDX has plans to march, of course, cover the hell out of our local festivities, and tweet all the cool stuff the whole time (my apologies if the tweets start to get messy by the end of each evening). But even better? We’re going to be doing it all again the next weekend from San Francisco!
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. QDoc will kick off the season shortly, and we’ll have some stellar review coverage this year. But you can get just ask excited as me RIGHT NOW by entering Just Out’s 2010 Amateur Pride Photo Contest. It’s bound to be an interesting competition this year with all kinds of new staff at the JO as well as…drumroll…celebrity guest judging from yours truly. (You’re calling me a local celebrity? Well of course I’ll [fill in the blank]. Flattery will get you everywhere…) Here’s some of my judgemental comrades:
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