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Ladies and Gentlemen, The President Of The United States

It can happen.

 

Sen. Clinton was amazing. She has a power and energy not seen in the daily news clips. This woman is indeed the most viable candidate for the democratic party nomination. 

Clintons Return
The Clintons sure love Oregon. Former president Bill and former first daughter Chelsea Clinton will be at the Milwaukie Solutions for America event from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. May 17 at the North Clackamas Park Rose Garden, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive.

Click here for details.

DOMA Author Runs for President
Click here to read about former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, the Georgia law maker who authored the federal Defense of Marriage Act
The "states rights" advocate is seeking the Libertarian nomination.
Fashion for Equality
I just got back from Wonder Ballroom, where Basic Rights Oregon is busily preparing for tonight’s third annual fashion fund-raiser, Strut, produced by gay designer Jonny Shultz and Q6 Model and Artist Management. Besides supporting a great cause, look at all you get for $15:

• Schmoozing with more than 500 fair-minded fashionistas who will don fierce attire for the occasion.

• A fashion show featuring the latest collections from local cutting-edge gay designer Adam Arnold along with Sofada, Magali Corzo, Revivall Clothing, Idom, Popina Swim, Emily Katz, Amai Unmei and under U 4 men (pictured).

• A silent auction featuring goodies from Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams, Queenbee Creations, Urban Humanity and many more.

• Free haircuts from Rudy's Barbershop.

“Strut is about glamour, style and an over-the-top celebration of local designer talent,” said Juan Martinez, BRO development coordinator. “And Basic Rights Oregon is defending Oregon’s domestic partnership and anti-discrimination laws from attacks by out-of-state anti-gay groups, so community support is especially important right now.”

The red carpet walk starts at 6:30 p.m., doors are at 7, and the show starts at 8. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster or at the door, 128 N.E. Russell St. VIP tickets are $75 and include a swag bag, private cocktail service and reserved runway seating.

Rose & Thistle Evokes Old Hollywood
I was in search of happy hour last week, and found it at the Rose & Thistle on Northeast Broadway and Northeast 24th Avenue.
The pub boasted Scottish atmosphere and grub but it mostly reminded me of bars on Hollywood Boulevard in touch with classic Los Angeles.
There wasn't much for this vegan to munch (I'd already had hummus for lunch) but the beer poured cold and I enjoyed the rowdy scene.
A Mini Lesbopalooza
Out/Loud, a two-day festival formerly known as Lesbopalooza, kicks off today in Eugene. Click here for details.

If you can’t make it to that event, here’s the next best thing: Queer Control Records’ “Pass the Torch” Tour—featuring its five resident bands—comes to the Egyptian Club on May 30. Read on:
The QCR artists that will be participating in the “Pass the Torch” Tour include Pariah Piranha, a queer girl band from York, Penn.; Tough Tough Skin, a trans-guy band from Minneapolis; 8 Inch Betsy, a queer girl band from Chicago; Fruit Punch, a queer punk band from Philadelphia; and Oi-Gays (pictured), a queer girl band from San Francisco.

Pariah Piranha will release its second full-length album, Animus Unanimus, in April 2008.  8 Inch Betsy released its first full-length album, Last Time, This Time, Every Time, in February 2008. Tough Tough Skin released its first full-length album, Let It Sink Down, in March 2008.

“QCR is all about re-energizing queercore music and serving as a platform for some of the amazing queer bands out there. These guys are better than a lot of indie bands that are blowing up in the ‘straight’ world. It is our hope that the resources and support we can offer our bands will help to bridge that gap,” described QCR co-founder and president/CEO Marlene Melendez. “The ‘Pass the Torch’ Tour is the label’s first major tour and is intended to showcase some of the talent of the new generation of queercore.”
This Event Is The Shit
The sixth D'Merde Salon—featuring Portland's most talented and creative painters, writers, sculptors and musicians—takes place from 7 to 11:30 p.m. today at 6310 S.E. Steele St. Read on:
A beautiful assassin serving absinthe, readings from legendary socialite and writer Viva Las Vegas, art from the inimitable Miss Mona Superhero (pictured) and live mural painting by Mayorga and Holdt will be among the 20-plus presenters…. The events are strictly capitalism-free, and there are no sales, only donations.

The previous salon in April boasted eight publishing company reps, nine film company reps, eight illustrators, 23 writers, 34 artists, 19 musicians, 10 designers and a film crew.

Reps have been actively recruiting Portland's most creative minds in what is quickly becoming a low-pressure treasure trove of top-notch material. The synergy created by absinthe, fire and these wild and high-spirited parties have spawned multimedia projects and new events and, most importantly, have made the exchange of ideas exciting again.
Explosive Art
The Mt. Tabor Art Walk—a great neighborhood walking tour featuring 40 artists in 30 sites—will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17 and 18. To download a map click here.
¡Atención, Papis y Chicas!
The next planning meeting for Portland Latino Gay Pride will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. May 18 at Jupiter Hotel, 800 E. Burnside St.

For updates and to sign up for blog notices, click the link above. Check out the May 30 edition of Just Out for full coverage on Latino Pride and this year’s special guest, ¡Gaytino! actor Dan Guerrero.

The End of an Era?
Some bummer news just arrived moments ago from dyke cartoonist Alison Bechdel. Check out the May 30 edition of Just Out for the final installment.
I'm both sad and a little relieved to announce that this is the last Dykes To Watch Out For episode for the foreseeable future. I'm facing other pressing deadlines, and need to focus on that work for the time being.

I'm sorry I didn't give you more notice—it was a rather sudden decision.

Thank you so much for carrying my work in your paper all these years. I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity that you've given me to reach your readers with my comics.
Ellen's Getting Married
If you watch The Ellen Degeneres Show today you'll see the comic announcing that she and partner actress Portia de Rossi will be among the Californians taking advantage of the state's very new same-sex wedding laws.

The talk show host can't announce a specific date yet as none has been set for the implementation of the new laws.

Watch a clip of the announcement here.

And Now, A Word About The Weather
WHAT THE FUCK!!!!

(oops, make that three words)

He's Coming Back

With less than a week before Oregon's May primary election, presidential candidate Barack Obama is coming back for a rally at 12:30 p.m. May 18 at Waterfront Park on the corner of Southwest Columbia Streeet and Naito Parkway.

Click here for details.

All I Ever Wanted...
GAYCATION! It may be hot outside, but it can be hotter inside! Join all your queer friends at Holocene tomorrow. Featuring your favorite Gaycation DJs and all the way from sunny San Francisco, my fabulous friend DJ Chelsea Starr. See you there!
JO Barney Frank Interview Generates Heat
Not everyone in the sexual minorities community was thrilled with what US Rep. Barney Frank, D-Massachusetts, had to say to Just Out (May 2 issue: "Franky Speaking") in defense of his work on the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill offering workplace non-discrimination protections to gays and lesbians (but not transgender persons) which passed the US House last fall and is awaiting action in the US Senate.

In a screed posted to the popular left-leaning blog Pam's House Blend, San Diego-based trans activist Autumn Sandeen rails on Frank, writing that she's "really pissed off that Rep. Barney Frank is apparently ready to rewrite his part in what happened with ENDA in 2007, and I'm not going to buy into the bullsh*t rewrite of my community's history with this gay congressman. Nor am I going to let his bullsh*t attempt to rewrite his part in ENDA 2007 history pass by unnoticed. I'm calling foul."

She goes on in the post, writing that "Frank is denigrating transgender activists like me in an attempt to rewrite history in a light that flatters him."

Ouch. What's your take?