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  Rev. Mark Kiyimba at the 2009 UUA General Assembly Uganda has been in the LGBT news a lot lately for its upcoming bill that proposes executions for gays. Introduced in Uganda’s parliament last year, the bill would give the death penalty to any homosexual person who tests positive for HIV, and up to three years in jail for anyone who knows a gay person and does not report them. The proposal emerged after ex-Oregon Citizens Alliance communications director Scott Lively spoke to Uganda’s parliament.
It it likely to pass but there are still Ugandans working for justice in their country. One of them, Rev. Mark Kiyimba, will be in Portland this weekend.
Kiyimba, one of a small number of straight supporters of gay rights in Uganda, has risked his life by holding an LGBT conference last February in Kampala, attended by 200 people. His church runs a school for 150 orphans who lost their parents to HIV and AIDS, as well as an orphanage for 22 children infected with the virus.
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  Riley and Flo sport matching denim onsies at Dirtbag Thursday
Weekly or monthly, neighborhood or downtown Thursday is a night for favorites Dirtbag! and Drop Shop. I’ll be swillin’ at the perfect little party that could in one of my favorite just big enough locations on Alberta St. Of course, don’t forget the first night of artsy schmoozing at the exciting and all ages Siren Nation festival, which continues all weekend.
Friday
Homomentum: Rebels & Outlaws – The monthly variety show of thematic queer fabulousness is back from summer break with more mayhem and a new location. Downtown’s Fez Ballroom (SW 13th and Stark) should be a much better venue with more room for watching than last year’s now defunct E Room. I have been especially devoid of Catitude in my life lately and I can’t wait to see what they do with such a rebellious theme. Little Tommy Bang Bang & Slim Pickins, Swagger and the long missed All of the Above, should also have some hilarity mixed with hotness that I just can’t wait for.
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  Tara Jane O'Neil performs Friday at the Someday Lounge Portland is no stranger to alternative and women-centric music. But for a while little sister Olympia seemed to have the best fests, Homo-a-gogo, Ladyfest, Yo-Yo. All of those have evolved beyond the PacNW but Portland has taken on its own women’s festival. Now in it’s 4th year Siren Nation, is no longer a fledgling fest but the real deal.
Music is a big part of Siren Nation, taking up Nov 5th and 6th Friday and Saturday nights at Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th) with folks like sultry folkstress Erin McKeown, experimental multi-instrumentalist Tara Jane O’Neil and bhangra bright spot DJ Angiali.
But it’s actually visual art that kicks off the festival, as well as representing a true northwest flavor, with Thursday Nov 4th’s “Sometimes a Great Notion” group art show.
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 The Tampon Troupe with Hamburger Mary
Halloween weekend is already off to a ghoulish and garish start. Last night qPDX stopped by Hamburger Mary’s Haunted Opening before heading over to the Local Lounge for Junktion’s Zombie Formal and got photos from both.
Marys hosts ChiChi and Chonga riled the packed crowd with their musical drag prowess but the Tampon Troupe truly stole the show.
The Zombie Formal […]
  Fannie Mae Darling in 'Trannysnatchers' This is the weekend that all the gay ghouls come out of the woodwork for All Hallow’s Eve mayhem. So whether your pleasure is tricks or treats there’s bound to be a party, or 2, for you.
Thursday
Cafeteria, HomoDeluxe and Drop Shop – Thursday isn’t particularly spooky, although I have no doubts there will be some excellent costumes at “lunch trays and ghoulish gays” themed Cafeteria. Dead lunch ladies? Zombie assistant principals? Vampire cheerleaders?
Friday
Crave‘s Halloween Bash – Sexy undead go go dancers and the chance to show your own go go off with costume prizes in several categories like originality, scariest, sexiest, nerdiest and cutest couple. The featured drink of the night is ‘Monster Punch,’ sweet/sour and strong, and it’s only 2 bucks before 10. Plus VIP passes and incentives for friends makes this the it party for girls.
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  Many a youthful afternoon was spent smoking cigarettes (yes kiddies you could even smoke in restaurants in those prehistoric days) and eating french fries at the quintessentially queer restaurant Hamburger Mary’s. It was gone for many years but now the gay eating institution is back. And to celebrate it’s grand opening the ladies are hosting a haunted opening. That’s right, this Friday at the new Hamburger Mary’s (19 NW 5th Ave), dress up or else.
But the best part is this video commercial advertising the opening featuring new queens on the scene ChiChi and Chonga.
They have been embroiled in a drag video battle with local drag phenomenon and Mary’s co-star Fannie Mae Darling which is also quite entertaining. It looks like this is becoming an impromptu TV show that’s worth turning in to.
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 From Right. Co-owner Carlee, Mayor Sam Adams and co-owner Annie at the Grand opening
Whenever Fat Fancy, Portland’s uber-hip plus sized clothing store, has a sale or an event there’s always cookies. I love that. Combining shopping and food is a hipster chub’s wet dream. So I’m sure they’ll have some tasty nibbles at their upcoming rummage sale this Sunday at their shop at 1013 SW Morrison […]
  sPLURt is hot and gross at the same time...but who didn't love the drugs of the 90s? Thursday
Work! – Brand spankin’ new night at Plan B (1305 SE 8th Ave), last home of infamous Booty by DJ Gutter Glamour. It evokes that feel good gay 90s RuPaul anthem…so you better work! Oh and leave the drama for yer mama, cuz this ain’t no place for shade just really good music in a fun space. Big back patio and the last day before the rain settles back in for the duration of winter.
Splurt! – The former hump day fest is just making it’s way to every third Thursday, but its not too far from Plan B, so you can probably make it to both this and Work! The “hardest workin’ DJs” in town say not to bring either your bad attitude or that sweater (you know the one) but with a theme like, 90s rave bukakke, there might be just a little dramz at this one. Nevertheless Thursdays are for exclamation points and peace, love unity and respect.
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  Wondering what all the royal and lavendar tones are on your Facebook today? It’s in support of LGBTQ youth in the wake of recent suicides.
It’s been decided. On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved.
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  This past month, the LGBTQ Community has been shaken to its core with news that 5 young people have committed suicide, suicides that were direct results of sustained, unwarranted bullying and harassment because of their sexual orientation. The public outcry has been great–and admirable–and Q Center and SMYRC (Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center) will sustain this momentum, seizing the opportunity to take tangible action in the wake of these horrific, needless tragedies. As has been said, one suicide is a tragedy. Several is a crisis. The LGBTQ Community must work together–and quickly–to stem the tide.
Last spring, Q Center hosted a community forum that came on the heels of a spate of gay bashings in the Portland area. The community spoke, city officials and community activists listened, and Q Patrol emerged, an organization dedicated to not only patrolling our streets, making them safer, but to pooling the resources available to our community.
While Q Center proudly embraces the “It Gets Better” video series led by Dan Savage and we advocate for inspirational and supportive messages to young people by LGBTQ adults (and we applaud those in our community, like Mayor Sam Adams, among many others, who have already recorded their own videos), we fervently believe that as Oregon’s LGBTQ Community Center, we need to take this inspiration a step further. We want to come together as a community and listen to the stories and experiences of LGBTQ youth in our communities.
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