That’s it, folks. Four years in the making, Gay Games VIII—held July 31–August 7 in Cologne, Germany—is over and done with. Boasting 10,000 athletes from 75 different countries participating in 35 sports, the event hosted GLBTQ athletes for camaraderie, equality and competition. And right in the thick of it were some of Oregon’s elite competitors muscling their way into the spotlight. Some traveled within the Team Oregon 2010 pack—a self-funded group of GLBTQ Oregon athletes—and some paved their way while also setting up regional rock ‘n’ roll gigs in Europe. Either way, Oregon can be proud of this year’s alumni—and all those medals they brought back.

Table tennis superstar and queercore punk rock pioneer Kaia Wilson took to Cologne with her sights set on winning gold, but managed to expand her social swath by booking a short tour in Germany along with fellow Oregon Gay Gamer and musician Debbie Fox.

“The atmosphere was very inclusive and friendly, with some tangents into party-time/cruising—I mean, I didn’t do that! Come on!” joked Wilson. “[There was] also a very serious competitive athletic agenda by most participants.”

Wilson won a gold medal in mixed doubles along with her lottery-drawn table tennis partner Joyce Stuart, but failed to advance past the first round in her singles division. Wilson also took home a bronze medal in the team singles event.

Fox competed in the triathlon in the 35-40 age group, and placed last out of seven competitors, finishing her sprint triathlon in two hours. But for Fox, the experience wasn’t about her results as much as it was the essence of the environment so prevalent in Cologne.

“It was my first exposure to an international gay event and to see proud GLBTQ people from all over the world, some who are experiencing immense amounts of legal and societal discrimination, being totally out and proud was inspiring and life-changing,” said Fox. “It was also noticeable to me that there were not protestors or haters protesting the Gay Games. It was all very positive and amazing.”

Cathy Schmitz and Sue Muzik upped the Team Oregon medal count considerably during their third trip to the games, with Schmitz taking two silver medals in speed chess—in both rapid and blitz play. Muzik took home the gold in bowling doubles and also a bronze for team bowling in her division.

Rounding out an impressive international showing was Valerie Worrell, who won gold representing Team Oregon in the Natural Bodybuilding category. Worrell was the only woman to perform in the bodybuilding finals.

“Attending the Gay Games for the first time was a great experience for me,” said Worrell. “The crowd was adorable and their response and cheers made me feel like a star for the evening. I was interviewed by German journalists and appeared in two of their newspapers while I was there.”

As for the distant future, all of the athletes from Oregon were busy looking ahead to 2014 when the games come to Cleveland, Ohio.

“The Gay Games have made me super gay jazzed about international gay sporting events!” raved Wilson. “I am a huge fan and really recommend folks try to do it. Next Gaymes will be in 2014 in the U.S.A.! Start training now!”

Horizon Events is hoping to turn the last gasps of summer into both a charitable and community-building occasion when they present the inaugural Portland Summer Showcase at the Washington Park Amphitheater on Saturday, September 11.

The event is the second put on by Horizon, a Portland event-planning organization founded by Patrick McGhee in April. Horizon also organized last June’s Portland Pride Cruise but this time is looking to streamline a slew of up-and-coming local LGBTQ musicians, artists and performance artists for an outdoor festival event. The showcase will provide various forms of talent within the LGBTQ community a stage to blossom, while also giving the community a chance to gather together, socialize and enjoy homegrown wares and wonders.

“In the past, there have been events similar to this that were very community oriented, and we really see that there’s a lack there now,” explained McGhee. “We really are trying to help fill that void while creating something that’s different from what previously existed.”

Twelve performers were booked thus far, including established PDX comedian Belinda Carroll along with largely unknown acts such as female duo Delaney Andparis, Rude Fish, Shakespeare’s Crush and jazz artist Belinda Underwood. Performers have the opportunity to sell their merchandise at booths alongside food vendors like La Hacienda, nonprofits and more. The blueprint is designed to provide a bigger stage for hard-working underground artists to shine, while offering friends and family the chance to socialize in a creative environment.

“It just gives an opportunity for the whole community to really gather together in one location and not have an agenda,” said McGhee. “It’s not a rally for marriage rights, it’s not a political thing. It’s just an opportunity for them to come together and spend time amongst each other in a very inviting environment that is very family-friendly.”

The event is free and open to the public, and 25 percent of the proceeds from vendor booth fees and sponsorships will go to primary beneficiary Q Center and secondary beneficiary Cascade AIDS Project. Horizon Events was, as of press time, still in the process of securing sponsorships for the Portland Summer Showcase.

Dr. Toby Meltzer, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based surgeon who teaches at OHSU, will offer presentations and consultations on surgeries for transgender people at Q Center on Saturday, August 21 between 2 and 9 p.m.

The free private consultations, made possible by a donation from Meltzer’s office, will be first come, first served from 2 to 4 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. Consultations typically cost $100 and are often not covered by insurance.

The doctor will also give two separate presentations, followed by Q&A sessions. The first presentation begins at 4 p.m. and will focus on surgeries for male-to-female/trans-feminine people, including procedures such as vaginoplasty, labiaplasty and breast augmentation.

The second presentation starts at 6 p.m. and will focus on surgeries for female-to-male/trans-masculine people, including procedures such as chest reconstruction, metoidioplasty and phalloplasty.

MTF surgeries make up the bulk of Meltzer’s practice. He has performed 2,400 vaginoplasties, more than 2,000 labiaplasties and hundreds of facial feminization procedures. According to his website, he usually does two to four vaginoplasties a week and has performed more than 800 FTM “bottom” surgeries (metoidioplasties, phalloplasties, etc.).

Meltzer also presents on issues relating to these procedures at medical and transgender conferences, including Gender Odyssey and Southern Comfort.

The informational sessions are sponsored by Tranz Guys PDX and are open to all, including partners, friends, allies and healthcare and service providers.

Also coming up at Q Center is the workshop “Relationships Made Easy Through the Enneagram,” on August 24 from 7 to 10 p.m.

The workshop will explore nine different personality types and how they influence the way individuals see the world and function in relationships.

“When I discovered the Enneagram thinking style, everything suddenly made sense and clicked into place,” said instructor Gary St. John. “I found that the source of my motivations as seen through the lens of the Enneagram gave me a much better picture of my view of the world and my boyfriend.”

Admission to the workshop costs $15 and includes a copy of the book The Essential Enneagram.

• The Rose City Softball Association (RCSA) is lacing up the registration spikes for its Fall Ball 2010 season. Interested players have until Saturday, August 28 to register, and spots are limited. To register, and for more information, visit rosecitysoftball.org…

• Since the closing of the original Hamburger Mary’s in Portland in the 1980s, the franchise has changed ownership and has reemerged with 10 nationwide locations. Now Hamburger Mary’s is returning to Portland for its 11th location, after a long hiatus, and to commemorate the rebirth of one of the LGBTQ community’s most popular hamburger destinations, they’ll be holding a look-a-like contest for the next “Portland Mary” on Sunday, August 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Darcelle XV Showplace (208 NW Third Ave.).

Hosted by Poison Waters, the contest is open to all genders, races and ages, so long as you are 21 or over. Admission is $10, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES). Local celebrity judges will choose the winner of a cash prize, based on likeness, personality and audience appeal. The contest winner is not guaranteed full-time employment with Hamburger Mary’s Portland but may be invited to attend special events. For more information, visit hamburgermarys.com…

• Legendary Darcelle XV performer, director and choreographer Roxy Leroy will celebrate his 75th birthday on Monday, August 23 at 6 p.m. at Darcelle XV. The event will include a hosted cocktail party and appetizers, where guests can revel in 75 years of life, love and laughter with one of Portland’s pioneering gay celebrities…

• Gay multimedia performance artist and musician Jason Ingram will perform the entirety of Pink Floyd’s psych-rock masterpiece Dark Side of the Moon on Friday, August 27 at Rock Bar and Coffee Lovers (4144 SE 60th Ave.). The show starts at 8 p.m. and is free.

Ingram will bring along some special guests to accompany him, and he’ll also tackle portions of Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. Ingram created Identity Thieves, a multimedia visual project documenting his five-year struggle in the “ex-gay” movement after coming out in 2006. The performance piece is touring the West Coast at various venues. Ingram also plans to release a new CD of sound collages, including an 11-minute piece of anti-gay sermons spliced with psychedelic rock. For more information about Ingram, visit myspace.com/jasoningramproductions…

• The 2010 Siren Nation Festival—an exposition designed to empower women of all ages and to highlight the many achievements of women in the arts—will be holding its Art and Craft Sale on Sunday, November 7 at McMenamins Kennedy School. The call for crafty vendors the city over is open until Thursday, September 30.

The craft sale will showcase women artisans from the Northwest as part of this year’s Siren Nation Festival. Vendor costs are $20 for a 4-foot table. Apply by filling out an application at sirennation.com/info and emailing it to artsale@sirennation.org. You can also mail a printed application to Siren Nation, P.O. Box 12110, Portland, Ore., 97212. Applicants will be notified of acceptance via email. For more information, visit sirennation.org…

• Satori Men’s Chorus seeks male tenors, basses and baritones with any prior singing experience to join the chorus for their 2010-’11 season. Potential chorus members must be committed to attending rehearsals and learning new music. Dues are $30 per month, with first month’s dues waived for new members. Scholarship opportunities are also available.

The Satori Men’s Chorus 2010-’11 season concerts include “Living Water” on November 20; “Power of the Dream” on March 19, 2011; and “Love is Here to Stay,” set for May 21, 2011. For more information on joining, call 503-242-4244 or visit satorichorus.org.

• Portland Idol finalist Niki Villiarimo was part of the San Francisco audition for the next season of American Idol August 19. Villiarimo previously auditioned for Idol three years ago in New Jersey but failed to advance.

Check out the next issue of Just Out for updates on the results of his audition and more about Villiarimo and Portland Idol winner Tamra Scanlan.

• The Portland Steering Committee for the Human Rights Campaign is launching its first signature event in eight years with Bridges to Equality, a star-studded benefit gala and brunch, August 22 at Pure Space.

The gala, featuring Tonight Show intern and comedian Ross Mathews and local folk musician Holcombe Waller among other high-profile speakers and performers, will raise funds for HRC’s national lobby efforts to overturn “Don’t ask, don’t tell” and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

While the main focus of the event is financial, event co-chair CM Hall says it is also “a movement building opportunity for us in Portland to create more of a draw for what HRC’s work is in D.C.”

Bridges to Equality runs 12:30-3 p.m. Sunday, August 22 at Pure Space (1315 NW Overton). Tickets are $100, VIP tickets (including a hosted bar and access to the special guests) are $125. Tickets can be purchased online via hrcactioncenter.org or by phone at 800-494-8497. For more information, visit portland.hrc.org.

• The Independent Film Channel has greenlit Portlandia, an original comedy series starring Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live) and Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney). The series will also star Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks) and Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) and is expected to poke fun at the people and values of our fair city.

Inspired by Armisen and Brownstein’s sketch comedy group Thunderant, Portlandia will feature such classically Portland characters as the owners of a feminist book store, a militant bike messenger, an artsy couple obsessed with cut-outs of birds on everything and a punk rock couple in search of a “safe word.”

“I’m so excited about working on this,” Armisen said in an IFC release. “It’s a passion project I have been working on with Carrie Brownstein for a while, and I can’t think of a better way to spend my off seasons from SNL.”

Portlandia begins production later this month and is written in collaboration with Allison Silverman (The Colbert Report) and Jonathan Krisel (SNL). IFC has not yet decided when the series will air. For a taste of what’s inspiring Portlandia, visit Thunderant.com.

Same-sex couples in California will have to wait to marry until at least December, when the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will decide if supporters of Proposition 8 have standing to appeal the district court’s ruling overturning the measure banning same-sex marriage in the state.

The Ninth Circuit Court granted Prop. 8 supporters a stay of Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling pending an appeal to be heard beginning December 6, so long as the appellants can demonstrate why the appeal should not be dismissed for lack of Article III standing.

According to the law, Article III standing requires that the appellants prove that allowing same-sex marriage in California would cause an “invasion of a legally protected interest that is (a) concrete and particularized, and (b) actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical,” that there is a direct causal relationship between act and the “invasion” and that appealing Walker’s decision provides clear relief from the harm allegedly caused by marriage equality.

The issue of standing has become the focus of the appeal. A unanimous Supreme Court said regarding the 1997 case Arizonans for Official English v. Arizona that it had “grave doubts” that the sponsors of a ballot measure had standing to defend the law in federal court, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In the Prop. 8 case, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown both declined to defend the California law in court from the start. Some speculate that if this fact causes the Ninth Circuit Court to find that the appellants lack standing, it could invalidate Judge Walker’s ruling in district court as well.

“These are, at best, unchartered [sic] legal waters,” wrote Peter Scheer, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition, for The Huffington Post. “If it turns out that none of the parties before Judge Walker was a constitutionally adequate defendant, the judge’s entire decision may fall—which is to say, gay marriages in California would once again be illegal.”

If the Ninth Circuit Court agrees to hear the appeal, Prop. 8 supporters will be tasked with proving that same-sex marriage causes harm using the evidence they presented in district court, as the appeal must be decided based on the facts of the previous case.

Opening briefs for the appeal are due September 17, giving the appellants a month to put their case together.

“This is lightning quick for a federal court of appeals, and it’s a very good sign,” said Brian Devine, a legal analyst at Courage Campaign, which sponsors Prop8TrialTracker.com. “The court understands that this case is important, and it doesn’t want it to linger.”

On August 17, The Human Rights Campaign called Target’s decision not to balance out a political donation to anti-gay Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer a “punch in the gut.” HRC had been in discussions with the corporation to match its $150,000 donation to a pro-gay rights candidate in order to balance out the same monetary donation to Minnesota Forward, the political action committee supporting Emmer in the state.

However, after two weeks of discussion, Target rejected the demands from HRC to contribute to a pro-gay rights candidate. HRC reported that after two weeks and two tentative agreements, Target would not take any “corrective actions to repair the harm that it caused by contributing $150,000 to an organization supporting a vehemently anti-gay candidate.”

“If their initial contribution was a slap in the face, their refusal to make it right is a punch in the gut, and that’s not something that we will soon forget,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

Amid the fallout, Equity Foundation announced August 18 its liquidation of all Target Corporation stocks. “I have directed our foundation’s portfolio management firm, Trillium Asset Management, to liquidate all stock we own in Target given its support of anti-LGBT candidates,” explained Equity Foundation Executive Director Peter Cunningham via press release. He encouraged “donors and friends to boycott shopping at Target until this situation is rectified. The LGBT community’s buying power is $743 billion per year in the United States. Target should recognize the LGBT community is an economic as well as a political force to be reckoned with when making future decisions about which candidates to support.”

Target Corp. CEO Gregg Steinhafel defended his company’s $150,000 donation from the beginning, saying that the decision was not an anti-gay move, but based strictly on issues that affect the company’s retail and business objectives. Steinhafel then issued an apology to his employees and customers, explaining that the contribution from the corporate treasury to a political effort was designed to support his stance on economic issues. Ads run by the group were intended to focus on budget policy, not social issues.

Several pro-gay groups, including MoveOn, as well as the continued presence of a Boycott Target Facebook page that had ballooned to more than 67,000 fans as of press time, were encouraging a continued boycott in light of the rejection of an agreement. The boycott extends to fellow Minnesota-based big box retailer Best Buy for its $150,000 donation to Minnesota Forward. Best Buy, however, was reportedly still in talks with HRC, and said that it would donate $150,000 itself to gay-supportive candidates.

Target currently has a 100 percent rating on HRC’s “Corporate Equality Index,” but that rating was being reconsidered in light of the donation.