News & Issues | qPDX.com – Queer news, views and events for Portland

str8 cologne an issue of h8 or just annoying?

Written by Perry ||

STR8's the only way, apparently

A brand of cologne called “STR8” as been fluttering around the internet for a little while – complete with seemingly homophobic tagline: “STR8. There’s no other way”

What is this? The work of another group of religious nuts? Scientology side-income? No – seems like a hungarian/polish perfume company making a quick buck on the back of good-old american wistfulness for the great beyond.

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World AIDS day candlelight vigil and events

Written by Alley Hector ||

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Tomorrow’s many activities mark the 21st Annual World AIDS Day, a time to recognize not only the 25 million individuals lost to HIV and AIDS, but the 33 million global citizens living with the HIV virus today. World AIDS Day Portland lists numerous stories, resources, events and workshops happening throughout the day and for the next week.

To mark world AIDS Day and raise awareness throughout the Portland Metropolitan area, HIV/AIDS service organizations with both domestic and international focus have come together to implement the Nine and a Half Minutes Campaign for 2009. Through this campaign, we envision hundreds of groups – from schools to community-based organizations – to mobilize short actions, events, or campaigns all over the Portland-metropolitan area to raise awareness for 21st Annual World AIDS Day.

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Straight couple barred from “gay” civil union in UK

Written by Perry ||

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In a strange twist of circumstances, a heterosexual couple interested in obtaining a civil union in the UK has been barred from doing so. The reason? Civil unions are only for gay people. Heteros can only be “married” and only by a member of a church.The couple is supported by Peter Thatchell, one of the UK’s most prominent gay rights activists.

No civil union for straight pair

[…]

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Written by Alley Hector ||

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Katastrophe performs tonight at PSU as part of TDOR

Today is the 11th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to mourn and memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.

he event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people.

Portland events will take place tonight at 6pm at Portland State University in the MultiCultural Center – SMSU 228.

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Basic Rights Oregon kicks off ‘Marriage Matters to Me’ campaign

Written by Alley Hector ||

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Evan Wolfson - Executive Direction Freedom to Marry

Starting today Basic Rights Oregon begins a big Marriage Matters to Me campaign with events in Portland, Bend and Eugene. All three will feature Evan Wolfson, founder and Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, a national gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality across the country. In 2004 TIME magazine named Wolfson one of the “100 most influential people in the world.” Wolfson is the author of “Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People’s Right to Marry”. He wrote the book on marriage, literally.

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Obama signs HIV/AIDS bill extension; implements lifting of AIDS travel ban

Written by Alley Hector ||

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Wow, another move to actually improve the lives of queer people by a President that has spewed mostly rhetoric so far. My faith is being restored! Today President Obama signed extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS bill.

The legislation provides care, treatment and support services to nearly half a million people, most of whom are low-income.

Obama also announced that the Department of Health and Human services has finally crafted a new regulation spelling the end to the HIV Travel and Immigration Ban. The regulation goes into effect in January.

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Obama signs Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Written by Alley Hector ||

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President Obama signs the Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Finally more than just lip service from our overly-nice President Obama today as he signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law.

The new law gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

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In Other Words feminist bookstore celebrates its sweet 16

Written by Alley Hector ||

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Our sweet and saucy sister in literature In Other Words, one of that few remaining feminist bookstores in the country, has survived and thrived in Portland for the past 16 years. This Thursday it’s time to celebrate that fact with their Freaky, fancy sweet 16 birthday party.

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‘Original Plumbing’ inaugural issue showcases FTM sexuality and culture

Written by Alley Hector ||

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Editors Amos Mac (L) and Rocco Kayiatos pose with the first issue or 'Original Plumbing'

Lesbians used to have On Our Backs and gay men have Butt. Now, Original Plumbing, a “quarterly photo and interview-saturated magazine dedicated to the culture and sexuality of FTM transsexuals” is the new Playboy for the genderqueer generation. Sure, there’s all kinds of hot naked spreads, but you actually can genuinely say you read it for the articles with a “straight” face.

Just a warning, the website (linked above) features many NSFW photos.

The inaugural “bedroom issue” has just been released, and is already on independent bookstore shelves. Release parties continue to soldier on, including stops in Brooklyn, San Francisco and Seattle.

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October is National GLBT History Month

Written by Alley Hector ||

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Local filmmaker Gus Van Sant will be feaured Oct. 30th

I may be a few days late announcing October’s GLBT History Month, but a new website dedicated to showcasing our past features one of my absolute favorite historical figures today, Ruth Ellis, so I’m happy to highlight your gay Monday.

Modeled after Black and Women’s History Months, GLBT History Month highlights annually the achievements of 31 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Icons—one each day—with a free video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.

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str8 cologne an issue of h8 or just annoying?

World AIDS day candlelight vigil and events

Straight couple barred from “gay” civil union in UK

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Basic Rights Oregon kicks off ‘Marriage Matters to Me’ campaign

Obama signs HIV/AIDS bill extension; implements lifting of AIDS travel ban

Obama signs Hate Crimes Prevention Act

In Other Words feminist bookstore celebrates its sweet 16

‘Original Plumbing’ inaugural issue showcases FTM sexuality and culture

October is National GLBT History Month

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