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2 Girls, 1 Podcast ep#14 talks with lesbian werewolf author Allison Moon

This episode we talk with author and educator Allison Moon, author of a sci fi lesbian werewolf romance Lunatic Fringe and then make her comment on the Mars Hill vandalism, primary elections and QDoc. […]


Second Class Citizens Doc Raises $176K

LA-based filmmaker Ryan James Yezak has launched an effort to raise funding for “Second Class Citizens,” his planned documentary about the gay rights movement. This documentary will encompass all areas in which the LGBT community is discriminated against. This includes: discrimination towards the gay community revolving around marriage rights, gays getting denied admission to private schools, private organizations and religious institutions. Additionally, the documentary will also cover the reality […]


The weekend packs some POW (fest) with Bent’s 2 year anni, a Lisa Frank Mrs and more

Mrs takes on Lisa Frank Saturday at Mississippi Studios

Thursday and all weekend

POW (Portland Oregon Women) Film Fest – POW Fest, now in its third year, aims to highlight women directors (unlike the Academy, who has never awarded a female Best Director) and has a great and eclectic assortment of films in its 4 day run. On Friday can catch 80s classic Fast Times at Ridgemont […]


POW Film review: ‘Austin Unbound’

'Austin Unbound' screens Sunday at the Hollywood Theatre

The first documentary about a deaf transperson is also locally made, with opening shots of iconic Portland landmarks easing you into the voiceless 45 minute feature. In what seems like a very collaborative process from Greensoda Studios Austin Unbound follows protagonist Austin, as well as his friends and family, in his journey through top surgery in 2004-2005. It screens this Sunday as part of the POW (Portland Oregon Women) Film Fest.

Very aware that this is the story of one man, and not a fable for all deaf or trans people, Austin Unbound takes a very personal yet objective approach. The film contains no vocal communication. Even the interviews with hearing individuals, including Austin’s mom, are subtitled and overlayed with music.

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2 Girls, 1 Podcast ep#12: Bowling for Oscars

I was really hoping Glenn Close (R) would win Best Actress for Albert Nobbs though I do love Meryl Streep (L) as Margaret Thatcher. Both portrayals seem pretty gay.

This week’s podcast dispels some rumors, discusses the Hollywood Bowl drama and digs on the Oscars.

First we address a rumor about Just Out from last week before moving on to a couple “sports” related updates. Can queer […]


Celestial Clockwork: A Movie Overlooked

This is a strange one...

Hey, I missed you guys! Due to the dedication to the new QPDX Podcast, 2 Girls 1 Podcast, I’ve been a little busy of late. However, I love writing about  movies, and little could keep me away from this blog for long.

Celestial Clockwork, made in 1995 by Venezuelan director, Fina Torres (Oriana and Woman on Top), is one of the stranger movies I’ve ever seen. Recently, going through some of my older posts, I realized how few foreign films I’ve reviewed. So, I thought I’d start with one of the first that really surprised me.

The movie begins with beautiful Ana (Ariadna Gil) at her wedding altar. It’s clear that she loves the opera, and is terrified to get married. She’s about to speak her vows, when… she realizes that settling down would compromise her biggest dream, to be an international opera star! There is no choice, but to hightail it to France where she can train.

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2012 Sundance re-cap and queer movies to watch out for

Rhys Ernst's short film 'The Thing'

So we all know that Salt Lake City was awarded the “gayest” city by The Advocate, but friends, as a current resident in SLC who just moved back from Portland, I can tell you that just isn’t true!  However, Salt Lake City does occassionally step up its “cool” factor, such as every January when Salt Lake City and Park City host the Sundance Film Festival.  This is the time of year where pretty much everyone I know braves the snow and goes up to Park City in the hopes of sighting celebrities in town for the festival.  Sundance is a place where independent artists can present their stories free of the commercial pressure of the mainstream movie industry.  Many Sundance movies are then picked up by larger distributors and re-released into theaters, such as last year’s Sundance queer favorite, Pariah.

Being a poor, unemployed college student I didn’t make it to many Sundance movies this year, (which can quickly become expensive at $15 a pop!) but here are some queer movies from this years film festival to watch out for:

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Gender bending roles among the Oscar nominees


Oh Oscar!
  Being 30, I have been able to witness our generation of queers and queer friendly people evolve and accomplish. It is amazing how far Hollywood has come. Trans America and Brokeback Mountain seems to have only been the beginning. I never thought that I would see the day where gender-bending roles and other homo-centric roles would be up for an Oscar.

Welcome to the other side of the closet!

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A weekend of (Feminist) Agendas, (Magic) Mouths, (Blow) Ponies, and local film

Boy Funk makes his Portland debut at Blow Pony

Thursday

Note: The previously listed SistaFist/Magic Mouth show was listed incorrectly as this Thursday. It’s actually next Thursday, which we didn’t find out until this week. qPDX regrets the error.

Feminist Agenda launch party – Feminist Agenda has quietly been creeping onto the scene for about 3 or 4 months now but they’ve finally decided this is the time for their coming out party. A site dedicated to being a directory and resource of feminist activism and organization, FA is helmed by former In Other Words staffers Katie Carter and Amber Rowland. You can read an interview with the dynamic duo from earlier in the week, and stay tuned to hear them on next week’s podcast.

“Ethical Sluthood” a Q&A with Janet Hardy – Portland (well Eugene in this case) queers are more used to polyamory than most but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot to learn. Whether people have been calling Gingrich’s indiscretions an open marriage or polyamory you’d be wrong. That was just plain cheating. So how do we know we’re being fair in a non-monogamous relationship? Some of it is common sense, a lot of it is communication, but many of the “rules” are unfamiliar territory. Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy’s Ethical Slut, has been the go-to guide for polyamory with a conscience since its release in 1997. Now you can actually ask questions about the finer points and maybe even some “what ifs” thanks to new sex toy store As You Like It.

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Get The Party Started! Feminist Agenda PDX Launches!

Feminist Agenda PDX Launches Party Jan. 26

Calling all Feminists! The Girls from In Other Words, Katie Carter and Amber Rowland have officially launched Feminist Agenda PDX and want to celebrate. They are hosting a FREE all-age, family friendly event at Mercy Corps., January 26th.There will be short films on media literacy by the Reel Grrls (all girl camp in Seattle) and a screening of Miss Representation. There will be an after party celebration for those of you over 21 at the Beauty Bar; drink specials included.

The two started Feminist Agenda PDX in hopes of bringing the Portland Feminist community together as well as promoting the work of different feminist, queer and radical organizations. Beside the website-which includes a directory of over 30 groups and organizations, the Feminist Agenda PDX has a monthly newsletter to help promote different future events and volunteer opportunities. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook. I had the chance to interview Katie and Amber about Feminist Agenda PDX.

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