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  Every now and again qPDX must stand behind a public service announcement. This April 1, and no, it’s not a joke, we refuse to be invisible any longer and should stand up and be counted for the 2010 Census. And though the government survey woefully only counts gay couplings rather than the numerous among us who are queer enough of our own, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has also started a grassroots pink sticker campaign called Queering the Census wherein you can seal your envelope with your out and proud status.
On March 18, a kickoff event at Q Center will officially unveil two PSAs targeting Portland’s gay, lesbian, bi and trans community to spread the word about the changes to the Census. You can check out one of the two below featuring locals Basic Rights Oregon’s Jeana Frazzini, Q Center’s Kendall Clawson, and Cascade AID’s Project Michael Kaplan and City Hall worker and former Portland Mercury Journalist Amy Ruiz.
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 Roy Ashburn comes out, but now what? Complete and utter tosser California state Senator Roy Washburn has now officially come out, several gay news websites along with mainstream media report.
Roy Ashburn, a republican politician and classic victim of internalized homophobia that ends up fucking things up for everyone else, spent the last several years voting against Harvey Milk day, anti-gay bullying initiatives, gay marriage, and apparently even organized an anti gay-marriage rally. Oh and he’s from California, that lovely prop-8 state.
A few days ago he was booked by the cops after driving around drunk in his state-issued SUV, coming from a gay bar called Faces and with a gay guy in the passenger seat. Smart move.
Now what? I don’t think gays and lesbians will ever accept Ashburn into the fold. Maybe the Log Cabin’s want him?
Some video under the cut.
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 Perry v. Schwarzenegger Federal Trial news resources January is a slow month for queer news in PDX, but there is a lot happening on the national level, with the Perry v. Schwarzenegger federal trial going down which may set the stage for queer rights and queer activism for the next, oh, decade at least, if not more, and providing a touchpoint for gay marriage in the US. Kristin Perry (left in photo) and Sandra Steir’s (onthe right) relationship and lack of recognition therof is at the heart of this lawsuit which may become gay America’s Roe v. Wade.
With me hanging out in Germany, my old stomping ground, and Al busy keeping the home fires burning we don’t have the gaymo-power to cover the trial, but we do have a list of news resources for you so you can stay up to date. Enjoy.
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 Amanda Simpson Amanda Simpson is being called the first America’s first openly transgender presidential appointee in the the job she starts Tuesday as the Senior Technical Advisor in U.S. Commerce Department.
Reluctant to be the first, Simpson knew there would be issues, despite her exceptional qualifications for the job. And indeed, anti-gay leader Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans For Truth, asked, “Is there going to be a transgender quota now in the Obama administration? “How far does this politics of gay and transgender activism go? Clearly this is an administration that is pandering to the gay lobby.”
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 CRITICAL SERVICES FOR GAY COMMUNITY FACE MAJOR CUTBACKS
New report documents devastating impact for gay and transgender Oregonians if Measures 66 and 67 fail
(PORTLAND, OREGON – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010) – As ballots begin arriving in mailboxes around the state, Basic Rights Oregon today distributed a new report documenting the impact of budget cuts expected if Measures 66 and 67 fail.
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The general consensus is that 2009 has been a tough year. No one knows that better than the sex scandal embroiled Mayor of Portland Sam Adams. But unlike cynics like Just Out and I, Adams exits the year on a positive video note. Oh, you bouncy bicycling optimists…is it teenage sex that makes you cheery?
2009 Video Highlights from Mayor Sam Adams on […]
 Houston Mayor-elect Annise Parker, center, celebrates with her partner Kathy Hubbard, left, Parker’s runoff election victory at a campaign party on Saturday. David J. Phillip/Associated Press Looks like Portland has lost its ability to boast the largest city with a gay mayor. In a fairly conservative Houston, Texas city controller and openly lesbian Annise Parker was elected Mayor this Saturday night.
Though this news has a lot to do with a fellow Democratic competitor, it is still quite exciting and surprising. Parker also seems to have a sense of humor about it, bragging that she was the first graduate of Rice University to be elected mayor (and indeed she is) before continuing on to serious topics in her acceptance speech.
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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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 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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