In the early morning hours of Monday, February 1, a custodian at the University of Oregon entered the offices of the school’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning Alliance and discovered a giant black swastika spray painted onto the carpet. Two computer monitors were also spray painted black. There were no signs of forced entry.

Reaction to news of the vandalism was swift from the student body. A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday, February 2 on campus, and a Solidarity March and Rally were held on Wednesday, February 3.

“The only way that we can fight hateis to reaffirm that we will absolutely not tolerate these values in our community,” read a press release from the UO Students in Solidarity.

Both the university’s Department of Public Safety, and the Eugene Police Department have begun an investigation that, should perpetrators be apprehended, could bring charges of a hate crime.

Motivation for the crime has yet to be uncovered, as nothing was stolen from the office. However, a group called Pacifica Forum—which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center—is being looked into as a possible link to the vandalism.

The university has a practice exercised by some retired faculty members wherein the use of campus rooms is free of charge. Ordinarily, faculty members are required to rent rooms for outside free-speech or otherwise non-university oriented activities. Pacifica Forum—once a peace-based group—now consistently poses topics of discussion that U of O Senior Director of Office Communications Phil Weiler described as “objectionable.” The group has met on campus since 1994 under the affiliation of retired professor Orval Etter.

“I would be a little nervous about us automatically making a link with them,” Weiler told Just Out. “I think it’s highly coincidental that suddenly we’ve got this piece of hate graffiti that’s been left, and this group has been raising its profile on campus.”

A January 15 meeting of Pacifica Forum posed a debate on the symbolism of the swastika.

“The group’s topics have not been topics that appear, at least at the outset, to be wanting to have a thoughtful discussion and debate,” said Weiler.

Pacifica Forum released a statement on its Web site, declaring, “We regard the weekend incident at the LGBTQA office as despicable and hereby go on record as completely opposed to that and all other such acts of vandalism.”

The university is reconsidering its policy of allowing off-campus groups to meet on-campus, and more specifically, whether or not the practice is even a policy.

“The president of the university [Richard Lariviere] is questioning why we’re making this service available free of charge to retired faculty members. It doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense,” explained Weiler. “If it is indeed a policy, is it one we want to continue, or should we be charging costs to people who want to use the space? I can tell you with regard to Pacifica Forum in particular, not only are they getting the space for free, but because of the kinds of topics they cover, it requires quite a bit of public safety protection as well, both for participants and for attendees. At this point the group does not pay for that service and we’re using a tremendous amount of staff hours—safety staff—to be able to make sure that these events can happen in a safe manner.”

Weiler also said that through media reports, he is aware of at least one member of Pacifica Forum who has made statements that have been anti-feminist and anti-gay.

“I don’t know, though, if the group itself has held any LGBTQ topics lately,” he added. “A lot of them have to do with things like their last one had to do with, which were swastikas, which makes people question them about this incident. They did another one about white power and white supremacy. It seems to be that there’s been a strong racial component to their topics, but that isn’t to say that they haven’t talked about gay and lesbian issues in the past.”

On February 2, the Associated Students of the University of Oregon Senate voted to send a resolution to a vote on February 10. The resolution is aimed at opposing Pacifica Forum, but does not call for the group to leave campus. Some ASUO senators said they would not back a resolution to kick the club off campus for fear that doing so would imply a restriction on the organization’s First Amendment rights.

The university’s Department of Public Safety is asking people with any information to contact them at 541-346-5444. There were no suspects as of press time.

The second attempt to recall Portland Mayor Sam Adams launched with a low-key filing at the City Auditor’s office the morning of January 20, kicking off a 90-day campaign to gather almost 32,200 valid signatures from registered Portland voters.

Chief petitioner and spokesperson Avel Gordly told Just Out that morning she was confident the recall would make the ballot, describing the effort as “an opportunity to focus on the integrity and character of our city, and the election process.”

Gordly, along with first recall organizer Jasun Wurster, confirmed that they would personally help collect signatures, though Wurster was otherwise taking a backseat in the second effort, per a December 30 email. “It’s not like we’re starting over,” Gordly added. “We’re building on the foundation that was already laid.”

Volunteer Coordinator Teresa McGuire said that recall organizers would draw upon the 700 volunteers who’d previously canvassed for signatures, and those of new signature gatherers—including an anticipated 25-30 paid workers.

A February 4 email from “Portland PAC—The Recall Sam Adams People” and signed by McGuire solicited petition gatherers for an appearance the following day by Adams at the City Club. It also included training details and listed other previously used sites at which volunteers could collect signatures. “What is going on with the paid petitioners? Where is the money? We will have DETAILS on this shortly,” McGuire said in closing.

As of a January 28 release, $17,000 had been raised for the effort, and petitions were available at the recall office, located at 940 SW Morrison St., and at recallsamadams.com. Signatures are due to the City Auditor’s office by 5 p.m. April 20.

Portland State University graduate student Jennifer Tennent will be offering a lecture to discuss visibility and education regarding the global asexuality community on February 17 at noon in Cramer Hall room 263.

Asexuality, as defined by those who identify as such, refers to individuals who do not experience sexual attraction. Although there have been very few scientific studies regarding possible psychological or mental conditions the orientation may stem from, there has been no conclusive evidence either way.

Tennent is a member of online asexual community the Asexual Visibility and Education Network, which was started by San Francisco-based asexual David Jay. The network was founded in 2001 with two distinct goals: creating public acceptance and discussion of asexuality and facilitating the growth of an asexual community. Since its founding, the online community has grown to include some 20,000 members, and the site has been publicized during segments on The Montel Williams Show, ABC Primetime, Fox News Dayside, and The View.

Locally, a group called Portland Aces—“ace” is an abbreviation used in lieu of “asexuality”—has formed on social networking sites including Twitter and Facebook. The group is set up for Portland asexuals to schedule meet-ups, and to forge a local community.

Tennent’s lecture will focus on both the misconceptions of asexuality, as well as simply generating awareness for a sector of the populace that is very much under-represented. Psychologists estimate that 1-2 percent of United States’ citizens identify as asexual—some two million people nationwide.

“Right now I think it’s really about raising awareness, visibility, just getting information out there, and trying to debunk or combat the idea that something’s wrong with us,” explained Tennent.

After being encouraged by friends and fans of their local queer dance group Under the Radar, dancers Em Connor and Erin Rook have launched their very own dance classes, dubbed SWAGGER: A Queer Dance Movement. SWAGGER is designed to bolster self-expression through movement, offering every level of talent body-positive dance classes for queers.

Having kicked off their first classes in January, Connor and Rook tackled the course with a series of hip-hop dance instruction. The two have designated February as the month to branch out into other genres, including step dancing and indie ballet.

“We made ‘indie ballet’ up,” said Rook. “I have a background in ballet and wanted to use that and bring ballet to the community in a way that was fun, a little more funky, and not the kinds of things people might associate with potentially negative childhood, forced-dance experiences. The core of it is ballet, and then we’re adding some modern movements, and choreographing to some funkier music to make it a little more eclectic.”

Under the Radar will continue to perform, even with Connor and Rook’s new venture. The duo’s lauded performances can be seen February 13 during Homomentum at the Egyptian Club, and during the February 27 Blow Pony queer dance party at Branx in Southeast Portland. March dates have yet to be announced.

“I really see the two as very interconnected,” explained Rook. “Certainly there’s an additional time commitment, but I think they really go hand in hand. As much as Under the Radar is a performance group, for the sake of art and performance, I think it also serves to promote the classes as well.”

Rook said the classes have had an average of 15 students thus far. A $5-7 donation is suggested to participate.

Upcoming classes for SWAGGER will be held at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. on February 7 (hip-hop and indie ballet), 14 (hip-hop and step), and 28 (hip-hop and indie ballet). Classes are held at Center Space, 420 SE Sixth Ave.

Asian Pacific Islander Pride (APIP)—formerly known as Asian and Pacific Islander Lesbians and Gays (APLG)—will hold their annual dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 6 at Q Center (4115 N. Mississippi Ave.). The banquet will include an evening of fun activities, raffle prizes, performances, and more.

APIP aims to bring new blood, new ideas, and new energy to members of the Asian and Pacific Islander gay, lesbian, bi and trans community. The event is an opportunity to learn about Asian and Pacific Islander Pride, and how you can get involved with the organization this year.

Admission runs on an $8-$20 sliding scale per person. Those interested in attending this all-ages event are encouraged to RSVP with your name, address, contact information and dietary preference by March 4 to Sally Lee at sally-lee@q.com.

Casey’s owner Karl Wilgus has turned over day-to-day operations of the establishment to bartender Josh Hart, who will now hold the title of general manager for the Old Town club, located at 610 NW Couch St.

Hart took the reigns on January 1. He hopes to help foster a better reputation among Portland’s gay community following the closure of The Eagle Underground last August, as well as the violence surrounding a gay bashing incident in June 2009 during Portland Pride.

“It’s time for new blood and fresh ideas,” explained Wilgus, who will retain ownership of the business. Wilgus will also continue to tend bar a few times a week.

“We not only want to be here to support the gay community, but the general community as well,” said Hart. “We want to build a solid base and work from there.”

For starters, the bar will host a series of benefits, beginning February 14 with a fundraiser for Haiti relief, followed by a second one on Tuesday, February 16. A St. Patrick’s Day benefit has also been planned to raise funds for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Wilgus and Hart hope to relicense the downstairs facilities—formerly The Eagle Underground—for the purposes of an additional dance floor by spring 2010.

Our House of Portland presents “Shangri La,” an Asian celebration and benefit auction on Saturday, February 13 at the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave.).

A silent auction with libations, hors d’oeuvres and live music begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 with Master of Ceremonies Dale Johannes. A live auction starts at 8 p.m. with auctioneer Johnna Wells.

Tickets are $175 and up, with proceeds benefiting Our House and its continued support of individuals in the community living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, contact 503-736-9276 or email events@ourhouseofportland.org.

A new group for gay, lesbian, bi and trans people with physical disabilities and their friends will meet on Tuesday, February 9 at Q Center (4115 N. Mississippi Ave.) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact pdxglbtqidisabled@comcast.net, or call 503-213-3801…

The Best of GayCities 2009 voting has concluded, naming the Egyptian Room (3701 SE Division St.) Best Lesbian Bar in the country. Visit gaycities.com for the write-up and other national winners…

Cascade AIDS Project hosts a Positive Brunch on Sunday, February 21 in the CAP Men’s Wellness Center (209 SW Fourth Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be catered, and the invitation is extended as primarily an HIV-positive gathering and social networking function. RSVP to Michael Kaplan at mkaplan@cascadeaids.org…

Savoir Faire, the weekly burlesque and vaudeville revue held at the Hawthorne Theatre Lounge, is seeking new talent for its March/April season. Interested parties should email savoir.faire@sinnsavvyproductions.com for inquiries and further information…