Check out my article in the Portland Mercury's 'Official Pride Guide'.

Here's a tiny snippet:

As Portland's gay pride festivities loom on the horizon, and a large portion of our community plans to come together-be it only for a few days-what about Oregon's anti-gay crowd? What are their plans for Pride?

"I respectfully decline the offer to be interviewed for your publication," Representative Kim Thatcher, co-sponsor of an initiative that would repeal Oregon's new anti-discrimination law, wrote in response to my email inquiry.

After many attempts to talk to those in charge of recent efforts to deny essential humanity to Oregon's GLBT folks, no calls were returned, so we're left to speculate on the whereabouts of the anti-gay cheerleaders during Pride. My best guess is they'll be at church on that fine Sunday. (Though with all the gays at Pride, one has to wonder who will be singing in their choirs.)

Labels: portland

Yeah, I said gayor of Portland. Portlandians overwhelmingly gave the thumbs up tonight to Sam Adams to be our next mayor.

Congrats Sam on a job well done! You made history tonight by becoming the first openly gay mayor of a top 40 city.

Labels: oregon, portland, sam adams

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama, portland

Beyond words. He has inspired a nation and he can and will change the face of this country for the better.

Barack was just here in Portland and spoke to a crowd of tens of thousands 75,000 at Waterfront Park. ABC news called it the largest political rally in the history of this cycle. Here's a picture (thanks to the Portland Mercury):



Here's a little video that continues to resonate with me. It's from the New Hampshire primary.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama, oregon, portland

It's no surprise that we are crazy about the idea of having Sam Adams as Portland's mayor. His unique vision, his tackling of the big/controversial issues and his steadfast drive to create a more livable Portland - or as his campaign would say 'Let's Move Portland Forward'. That sums it up.

It's also hard to overlook the fact that Portland would make history, aside from his groundbreaking, progressive policy. Portland would be the first Top 40 city in history to have a gay mayor.

We'll be voting for Sam. We hope you join us. His latest commercial is below, although I would highly recommend also watching an earlier video we posted a while back. We've posted that one below as well.

Labels: oregon, portland, sam adams

That's right. I was just as surprised to hear it. Of all the places Chelsea decided to swing by on Saturday night was Portland's annual famed Red Dress Party. Though she didn't wear a red dress (as required) she was wearing a Product RED t-shirt under her suit jacket.


Photo via Marty Davis at Just Out.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, portland

Today Basic Rights Oregon endorsed Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams for the upcoming '08 Portland Mayor race, while green lighting Sho Dozono.

Via BRO:

On behalf of the Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC, we are pleased to announce our endorsement of Sam Adams for Mayor of Portland. We have also issued a Green Light for Sho Dozono. When Portland Commissioner Sam Adams and longtime ally Sho Dozono each came seeking the endorsement of our Equality PAC in their campaigns to become the next Mayor of Portland, we knew it would be a competitive process.

Commissioner Sam Adams is a smart and effective elected leader and a well-respected champion of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Oregonians. Business owner Sho Dozono has an admirable history of advocacy for our community, and plays a significant role in encouraging all Oregon businesses to stand up for equality.

But after carefully weighing our options in this race, our choice was clear. Basic Rights Oregon's Equality PAC is proud to issue a full endorsement of Sam Adams. We have also issued a Green Light for Sho Dozono.

Labels: 2008 elections, portland, sam adams

'Sho' nuff. 'Sho' not. Our vote is with Sam.

Labels: 2008 elections, portland, sam adams

On Saturday, March 29th, the Portland Q Center will feature Our Stories: A Quarter Century of AIDS.

Via the Portland Q Center:

Join us for another in Q Center's ongoing series of roundtable storytelling events featuring in-person testimonials, Q&A, and community discussion. This month we will feature some amazing leaders and activists from Portland's LGBTQ community who have been involved in the fight against AIDS through the years. The work, visibility and efforts of these people have shaped and continue to guide our community's ongoing response to HIV/AIDS.

Come join us for an incredible evening of living history, reconnecting, hearing the stories of Portland’s LGBTQ community and what it has been like for LGBTQ Oregonians through the decades of living with AIDS-and share your own stories as well.

It is important to know where we have come from and to think about where we are going.

Hosted by Q Center, the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest, and Cascade AIDS Project.

Labels: events, portland

This morning marked the first day that Oregon's Domestic Partnership law was officially back on the books after Friday's ruling in an Oregon federal court.

Hundreds of couples lined up at county offices across the state to officially get registered as Domestic Partners (congrats to all of you!). In Portland, some arrived at the Multnomah County Building near the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge as early as 4 a.m. to get in line for the building's 8 a.m. opening.

We'll bring you more pictures throughout the day.

Labels: domestic partnership, HB 2007, oregon, portland

We just received word that counsel representing Basic Rights Oregon has been granted their motion to intervene in Lemons v. Bradbury. The motion was filed Wednesday and although the judge had two weeks to make a decision, it only took him one day to approve it.

Folks this is some fantastic news. This will give Basic Rights Oregon the proper standing in the case, enabling them to ensure that the voices of hundreds of families and committed couples are heard before the court.

The interveners in the case include:

While today would have marked the day that committed same-sex couples in Oregon could enter into Domestic Partnerships, we instead gathered with nearly 500 others to join side-by-side in candlelight in dedication to upholding the law. While no one can forget the nearly 35 year struggle for a statewide anti-discrimination law, we also cannot forget that last Friday the 28th, a federal judge put Oregon's Domestic Partnership law on hold for at least a month - pending another hearing on February 1.

I wanted to share some photos of this evening's ceremony which was on of seven across the state. Other cities south of Portland brought about 300 people. Photos below the recent story links.

Here are some photo highlights. Sorry about the lack of quality on some of them.

RELATED POSTS (old to new):

BREAKING: Basic Rights Oregon Files Motion to Intervene



Nearly 500 people attended the vigil at the Q Center in Portland. Cops closed the street out front as it was so full inside, they began to fill the streets.


Basic Rights Oregon's former Executive Director Roey Thorpe.

Labels: domestic partnership, lawsuit, oregon, portland

Tonight all across Oregon there will be candlelight vigils held - this comes on the heels of a federal judge halting Oregon's Domestic Partnership law, that would have gone into effect today, until at least February 1st. On February 1 there will be a hearing on the matter and the judge will then decide whether of not our law will go into effect. For more on the background of the story we direct you to an earlier post.

Those of us from Gay Rights Watch will be at the Portland vigil and we strongly encourage you to join us in masses. This is all part of the massive response from Basic Rights Oregon. Our community, be it straight or gay, must join together and stand up against injustice to our fellow Oregonians.

Portland
The Q Center (69 SE Taylor)
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Eugene
Grace Chapel (1166 Oak Street)
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Corvallis
Meet at the First United Methodist Church Community Center (11th and Jackson) at 5:30, then walk to the Benton County Courthouse (120 NW Fourth).
Adjourn at 6:30 to Iovino's Restaurant.
This event was organized jointly between Corvallis-Albany PFLAG and Corvallis BRAT.

Bend
Candlelight Vigil and Celebration of Equality
Meet at 5:30 at the corner of Wall and Greenwood.
Afterwards, join us for a celebration of all relationships at The Summit at 125 Oregon St.
This event was organized jointly between BRO and the Human Dignity Coalition

Ashland
Ashland First Congregational United Church of Christ
717 Siskiyou Boulevard
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Salem
Salem City Hall (555 Liberty St. SE)
Meet at the north entrance to city hall (the end towards the creek). Supporters will gather under the overhang near the fountain.

Pendleton
Courthouse clock tower (corner of SE 4th and Court Ave.) 5:30pm
Candles will be provided. Dress warmly!

Labels: basic rights oregon, domestic partnership, oregon, portland

So unrelated to the gays... it was supposed to dump snow in Portland today but instead we're only seeing a rain/snow mix. Nothing is sticking. You'd think that those of us in the Pacific NW would be used to wet, winter weather but that's not the case. People here can't even drive in the rain, let alone snow. Here is a scene from the last winter storm from January 2007. A bit painful to watch, but we're assuming everyone was OK... just a little bowling with cars.

Labels: portland

Just Out, Portland's own (fabulous) GLBT newspaper, will be coming out with an issue next Friday, January 4th profiling queer bloggers in the Portland Metro. I don't want to spoil the surprise but there are some pretty great folks on the roster including someone I adore a whole heck of a lot.

Oh - and we'll be in it too!

Look for it on January 4th!

Labels: kudos, portland

Multnomah County announces that they are as ready as it can be, taking all necessary steps to assist in the implementation of Oregon's Domestic Partnership on January 2nd. Because January 1st is a holiday, Declaration of Domestic Partnerships won't be given out until the 2nd.

Below are some very important instructions in case you and your partner are planning on getting registered.

Today we spoke with the fabulous Karol Collymore, Communications and Policy Manager for Commissioner Jeff Cogen.

She said, "Here in Jeff's office, we all feel very close to the GLBT movement. We knew when HB 2007 passed we'd do whatever we could to help expedite the process for couples seeking to further protect their relationships. We found out that couples filing for domestic partnerships were going to have to notarize their forms - something not needed for marriage certificates, by the way - and that adds to the stress of the process. We made a group decision to all take the notary class to help the GLBT community and ensure for those folks getting domestic partnership forms, they would not have to leave the building and return again, just to file. We all take this personally and are proud to continue to work for equality for all Oregonians."

Go Jeff Cogen's office!


From Multnomah County:

When the Oregon Family Fairness Act takes effect January 2, same-sex couples throughout Oregon will be eligible to register under the new domestic partnership system created by the law. Multnomah County has been making preparations to ensure smooth and efficient business operations after the new law is implemented.

The county’s Assessment and Taxation division has been in charge of planning and will process domestic partnerships in the same way as marriage licenses. Plans include creating orderly spaces for higher than average numbers of people in the building’s lobby if needed, focusing staff resources in customer service areas and ensuring that all other county business will continue uninterrupted.

“We're going to be ready to start certifying domestic partnerships the moment our doors open on January 2,” said Carol Ford, director the county management, which oversees marriage licenses and domestic partnerships. “Multnomah County has undertaken a thorough planning process and we expect everything to run very smoothly.”

The new law allows same-sex couples, when one of whom is a resident of Oregon and both are over 18 years of age, to certify their partnerships in any county within the state and receive a range of civil and legal benefits previously unavailable to them.

The form, Declaration of Domestic Partnership, will be available at Multnomah County offices beginning on January 2 and is expected to be available at the Oregon Department of Human Services Website on January 1. Those who choose to print the form from the web must use legal-sized paper (8 ½” x 14”) or Multnomah County will be required to reject the form.

Unlike marriage licenses, the Declaration of Domestic Partnership requires no solemnization from a religious or legal official. Instead, forms require signature verifications and seal of a Notary Public. Volunteer notaries will be on site at the Multnomah County offices for the first several business days after the new law takes effect. Both parties are required to present identification for the notarization.

Like marriage licenses, the fee is $60 to register a domestic partnership. Fees are payable in cash or certified funds only; no personal checks or credit/debit cards accepted. An ATM is available at the Multnomah Building (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd.) and business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Labels: basic rights oregon, domestic partnership, multnomah county, oregon, portland

I'm a procrastinator. There, I admit it. I've been meaning to call and have someone out to take a look at our garage door for about a month now but for 'some reason' haven't had the 3 minutes to make the call. The problem is that out of the blue our garage door started only opening half way and sometimes if we're lucky, 3/4 of the way so that we can just barely slip under it.

So today on my way to the mailbox I saw a van drive by that said "Dave's Garage Doors". Perfect I thought! A reminder! I just happened to have my little iPhone on my person and I Googled "garage doors portland oregon". For whatever reason "Dave's" was the second on the list so I called.

While on hold I noticed that they were playing a local Christian radio station, one that happens to feature a notoriously anti-gay, former Measure 36 spokesperson Georgine Rice (pictured). I paused then asked my partner what he thought about that. Now don't get me wrong - we're church going folk, we just happen to attend a church that welcomes all - not one of exclusion.

I quickly thought it through and when the woman came back on the phone I told her I need to check my calendar first and that I would call back.

I immediately went to my computer and visited the Portland Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages. As surely as I cannot say for certain whether Dave's Garage Doors would be somewhat anti-gay, I can say with certainty that Precision Door Service who I found on is not anti-gay.

I urge you not only during the holiday season but year-round to do the same thing and utilize the Portland Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages for whatever you may need. And don't forget to tell them where you found them!

And for those of you who aren't in the Portland metro area - it is as easy as Googling "your city" and "gay and lesbian yellow pages".

Labels: personal life, portland

"So today, in awe of this great city built by those who came before us, and driven by the desire to construct an even greater city we can build together, it is with great humility and respect that I ask you to support my campaign to serve you as the next Mayor of Portland, Oregon." – SAM ADAMS, OCT 3, 2007

Labels: 2008 elections, portland, sam adams

Adams, 44, served as chief aide to Mayor Vera Katz and was elected to the City Council in 2004. As accomplishments, he cited his work to lower business taxes and deal with dangerous intersections.

His candidacy was hardly a surprise. It has been expected ever since Mayor Tom Potter announced last month that he wouldn't seek re-election. Although a handful of unknown candidates have filed to run for mayor, no well-known figures have emerged to challenge Adams.

If elected, Adams would be the only openly gay mayor of a top-40 U.S. city, a fact he downplayed today.

"It might be historic, but I"m not running to be Portland's first gay mayor," he said.

Labels: 2008 elections, oregon, portland, sam adams

It looks as if Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams will announce his intent to run for mayor. If successful he would be the first openly-gay mayor in a 'Top 40' city.

From the PDX Mercury Blog:

Next Wednesday, October 3, City Commissioner Sam Adams will announce that he's running for mayor.

The announcement will be an informal event at 5:30 pm at Roots Organic Brewing Company (1520 SE 7th), one of the 100 or so businesses Adams visited during his first 100 days in office. A more formal campaign kickoff will happen in the next month.

"It's time to get going," he says.

Labels: 2008 elections, portland, sam adams