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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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 Oh my, this already feels icky. The Oregonian is reporting today that a transgender motorist is suing the Portland police for more than $200,000 for alleged groping during traffic stop. The plaintiff, Chloe Lucero, claims that the officer, unfortunately named Kevin Macho, grabbed her breasts and genitalia during a search instead of waiting for a female cop.
Macho claims that, although the alleged victim’s driver’s license states she is female that she appeared outwardly male in appearance.
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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 […]
  Kaj-Anne Pepper is ':Shorn'
Local avant-garde dragster Kaj-Anne Pepper has been all over town this year winning top-homo at Homo’s Got Talent, the Gagadonna edition of Miss Thing, and generally being an all-around drag superstar. In reflection Kaj-Anne has thought of himself as taking over Portland until ChiChi and Chonga burst onto the scene, but I think he can still claim some monarchy over our alterna-drag loving community.
Is is this balance of confidence and humbleness that compliment his amazing works of art. His upcoming installation and performance art work :Shorn – Cuts, Guts and Glamour at Half/Dozen Gallery (625 NE Everett #111) should be quite a feat of hair and amazement. With collaboration from Eric Sellers, Dallas Oliver and Nandi LaSophia this staged ritual will be nothing short of queer art religion.
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  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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  Stambaugh speaking at the Q Center. KATU photo
Folks were shocked to hear that earlier this month a Lewis and Clark student teacher, Seth Stambaugh was let go from the Beaverton school district for revealing that he would marry a man if it were legal. There has been much discussion and outrage in the last few weeks and last Thursday the Beaverton School District voted unanimously to reinstate Stambaugh, while also issuing an apology. From Superintendent Jerry Colonna:
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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 […]
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