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Hot damn, Pride Season always comes up so damn fast, even before the sunshine in this town. Here at qPDX we’re seldom “prepared” but we were born “ready” and we’ve got a whole lot of good stuff to keep you on your toes all weekend long. Firstly, everything Pride related can be found at Pride Central 2011, from schedules to photos to reviews. And if you think we’re […]  Southern Oregon Pride 2010 in Ashland, OR Good news for our queer brethren in the southern half of state when it was announced yesterday that the city of Ashland, Oregon will co-sponsor their Autumn Gay Pride Parade, saving Southern Oregon Pride about $800 in fees. The city council approved the move yesterday, taking over the cost of overtime for Ashland police and public works employees who will […]   Portland Black Pride - June 15th to June 19th Portland Black Pride is back! After a hiatus of sorts Portland Black Pride is back – and collaborating with the PFLAG Portland Black Chapter. “We are planning a series of events to take place during the dates of 6/15-6/19. We have combined a variety of youth, adult, and events for all ages during the black pride celebration week to ensure we are including and recognizing all of our community” writes Khalil Edwards, one of the organizers of the events. More info and a full listing of events underneath the cut. Continue reading »   Bear Bear Bust ! Photo by Wayne Bund for JustOut BearTown 16 is here! June 9th to 12th Portland will be packed with bears and beary events. While not a bear myself (but as a follically powerful individual I do sympathize with feeling empowered about hairyness) I was excited to hear that Beartown this year will feature massage therapists! Well damn. If that isn’t the best idea I’ve heard in a while, as big time gay social events can be a bit tension inducing. Apparently, however, you gotta be smart and reserve a massage slot in order to make the best of this great offer – at $1 a minute with a 15 minute minimum, it sounds like a fairly affordable treat (and probably more satisfying than other pay-by-the-minute services i can think of). BearTown this year has a packed schedule full of events such as the Meet and Greet on Thursday, June 9th, from 7-11 pm at the Eagle Portland, and a full day of events from 10-2:00 am at various locations around town. Friday’s highlights include an UnderBear dance party, a cigar social, and Cheers, Cheese and Chocolates event at the Local Lounge. Continue reading »   qPDX.com needs you to "make it happen". What is that big golden disc in the sky? OMG the SUN? This can only mean-we’re half way through the year already, almost. Pride time! This year, Pride NW’s theme is “MAKE IT HAPPEN”. You already know we do that every day of the week, but the bigger Pride gets (and my, does it grow), the more we need your help! Every year, we at qPDX.com do everything we can to bring you the freshest, savviest, and most organic queer news and events possible. That means doing everything at once, for us. And while that sounds kind of fun, more hands are better than less when it comes to…tug of war, orgies, moving house, and qPDX Pride coverage. Continue reading » 
I just recently saw Tender Forever, aka Melanie Valera, kill it at Saratoga. With a new album and all over her emo-electro charisma, Valera is sincere and swoon-worthy. Even I was charmed by her slight French accent as she convinced the audience to catch her crowd surfing. And I did see someone filming my favorite performance trick of hers, controlling the beats with a pair of WiiMotes, but they disappeared before I could commandeer the recording for the site. (But I have another chance, and with better light!) Continue reading » 
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the first Day of Silence, held at the University of Virginia in 1996 by students who wanted to call attention to anti-LGBT bullying on campus. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) became the official sponsor in 2001, and participation has grown to include students from more than 7,500 middle and high schools-10% of schools nationwide–last year and hundreds of colleges. Continue reading »   Purple Rhinestone Eagle Thursday Purple Rhinestone Eagle‘s Bad Dream Tour kickoff with Fucking Lesbian Bitches – “I don’t compromise. I’m metal..” And with hot local ladies making it you don’t have to. Seriously fuzzy riffs and bold but not scratchy vocals combine the best of 70s hard rock with punk and blues undertones. PRE’s new album The Great Return is out now and they’re ready to take their act on the road. Joined by FLB for their hometown farewell helps prove hardcore punk’s not dead, nor are ironic band titles with the word “lesbian” in them. Hustle: A trans top surgery benefit dance party – It’s time to dance your boobs off with DJs Kinetic (Blowpony), Trans Fat (Maricon, Blowpony, Cafeteria) and Roy G Biv (Bent, Blowpony). Good cause and there’s bound to be trannies and chasers so take your pick. Continue reading »   Self Portrait by Brian Patrick from the 2010 contest Every year Just Out has an amateur photo contest; I was even a judge last year. Now it’s time to gear up for 2011. Here are the deets below: Entries are limited to 10 per person. Any means of snapping that award-worthy original shot is fine: iPhone, digital camera or that old fashioned standard picture-taker, but we must receive a printed/hard copy — no digital submissions accepted. (We’d prefer you didn’t mat the image.) On that note, no print size is too small or large — however, as we caution every year, your masterpieces will not be returned. To repeat, you won’t get ‘em back. What you will get is recognition, one way or another. A winner will be selected for each of the six categories listed below, and all submissions will be displayed throughout the month of July at Q Center. Details on a forthcoming artists’ reception to come. Continue reading » |
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Love and Rage: A guest editorial from Katey Pants
Bell Hooks
Today I have had this “Less Hate More Love” crap shoved down my throat. Now that I have your attention- let me tell you- I think the world does need a lot of love. Our society causes many of us to be broken, traumatized, fragmented, and isolated. Good politics and good practices should help us heal, bring us closer, and should inspire us to love openly. However; the idea that we should approach all of our interactions and root our analysis only in love is not only simplistic- it is anti-feminist, silencing, and counters much of what we value throughout history.
Most of my feminist upbringing and socialization is directly related to the works of bell hooks. I love bell hooks and her contributions to race, class, and gender politics are invaluable. However; in the past couple of years she has turned her attention away from political struggle to more of an individual and spiritual look of oppression. She has also not pushed herself to engage with queer/gender/sex positive theories and practices. I recall some of her analysis of BDSM and feminism to be downright sex negative. However; for a long while as a youth I took nearly everything she said as gospel and still hold her near and dear in my heart. Even some of the spiritual woo-ness that she espouses has sort of a place in revolutionary political struggle. However; that place is not in the foreground. Her most recent article Building a Community of Love upsets me for many reasons. Her revisions radical history, her conclusions of radical work, and the simplistic nature that she posits valid political struggle get to my point of why it is positing our world in a love vs. hate is damaging and ineffective.
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