tuna lfi. 2000 * J m t a o t g
mrnm zinews
f you believe the folklore behind Peacock
in the Park, Portlands annual outdoor
summer drag show, the last Sunday in
June is the driest day of the entire year.
Rose Empress XXIX Lady Elaine Pea
cock, the founder of the annual drag fest and
fund-raiser, reportedly looked into the precipita
tion history books to chose a day to have her
first show. It had to be the sunniest and most
beautiful day of the year. It had to be a day when
a Peacock could strut her stuff and show off her
plumage— without any mascara running.
This year’s event, the second largest gay
event in Portland, is on June 25. As usual, the
picnic and show will feature the Washington
Park Amphitheater as its backdrop. The show
will begin at 2:30 p.m. with scholarship presen
tations. Music and picnicking will start at noon.
Local drag celebs Maria and Poison Waters will
conduct the afternoon festivities.
The event, originally called Peacock and the
Roses Show, started in 1987 and drew only a
small crowd. In those days, the stage had no sets,
there were no food booths, no T-shirts and nary
a promotional poster. Despite the production’s
simplicity, Lady Peacock’s mother, Audria M.
Edwards, was there to see that first show.
A few months later, Edwards died. Her death
would be the catalyst for what has grown into
one of the community’s most successful annual
events.
Along with her siblings, Lady Peacock, one
of Portland’s most flamboyant and beloved drag
performers, established the Audria M. Edwards
Scholarship Fund in her mother’s honor. The
show was renamed Peacock in the Park.
Since 1992, nearly $60,000 has been distrib
uted to sexual minority students and the student
children of sexual minority parents who reside
in Oregon and southwest Washington.
This year, additional scholarships totaling
$13,500 will be presented. The event hopes to
match the money raised last year, when more
than $30,000 was taken in, netting $18,000 for
S equins in the S un
Banking on beautiful weather, Peacock in the Park organizers
are ready to unleash the outdoor drag extravaganza by Jonathan
From left:
Poison Waters,
the Rev. Roy
Cole and Maria
at last year’s
Peacock in
the Park
PHOTO BY KRITSENIA STRAWDER
the tax-exempt nonprofit Peacock Productions
Inc.
Nowadays, seven years after the death of
Woody Johnson ( a k a Lady Elaine Peacock), a
capacity crowd of about 3,000 gathers each year
to enjoy one of Portland’s most unique events.
W hile the crowd at Peacock in the Park is
typically well-mannered, Kimberlee Van Patten,
co-director of the event, says there usually are a
few who have too much to drink and become
disruptive. Organizers want to limit excessive
P artnership R egistry
D raft R eleased
Multnomah County and city of Portland release draft of domestic
partnership registry ordinance— with differences from original plan
by Jo n ath an Kipp
s promised, the city of Portland
and Multnomah County pre
sented a draft ordinance June 9
outlining a domestic partnership
registry.
The draft was delayed while city and county
attorneys grappled with the issue o f confiden
tiality, so there will be no unveiling of a func
tioning registry at Portland’s annual pride event
June 17 and 18.
Mayor Vera Katz had hoped to model the
local registry after the city of Ashland’s, allowing
couples to register anonymously if they feared
public disclosure. But, according to a joint press
release from the city and county, it was ulti
mately decided an option of anonymity “would
undermine the core purpose” of the registry.
The ordinance, if approved by Portland’s
City Council and the Multnomah County
Board of Commissioners, does call for couples to
retain the original domestic partnership certifi
cate. But a database containing the names, dates
of registration and certificate numbers would be
considered public record.
A
Kipp
alcohol consumption this year, so no kegs will be
allowed in the park. A permit has been issued to
the event’s sponsors allowing attendees to bring
their own alcoholic beverages.
Still, Van Patten wants people to drink
responsibly.
O f particular concern are the kids, she says.
Historically, young people, who seem to think
liquor laws will not be enforced, act as if the
event is a free-for-all.
“We don’t want to see anyone get hurt,” Van
sioners will hold two hearings on the proposed
registry.
Implementation of the registry is expected in
September, barring any unexpected complica
tions.
Multnomah County will issue the domestic
partnership documents in a process similar to
that of dispensing a marriage license.
To take part in the registry, both parties will
be required to appear in person with identifica
tion and declare that they are:
• Residing together and sharing the com
mon necessities of life;.
• Not married or registered as a domestic
partner in any jurisdiction;
• At least 18 years of age;
• Not related by blood kinship closer than
would ban marriage in the state of Oregon, and
Domestic partners uncomfortable with their
names becoming part of the public record will
be advised by the county on how to document
their partnership without government involve
ment— presumably utilizing private attorneys
who can prepare domestic partnership agree
ments.
Katz announced her intention to
"It's high time the government allows all
pursue a domestic partnership reg
istry ordinance in January. The
couples the right to formalize their
mayor says the city supports “all fam
ilies— no matter what their make
relationships and families."
up." She feels the existence of such a
registry would cement that support.
— M ultnom ah County Commissioner Lisa Naito
But at least one city official has
warned proponents of the registry
that, while the draft ordinance is ready to be
are mutually competent to consent to the con
implemented, “we are not done yet.”
tract;
East Multnomah county residents, notori
• Each other’s sole domestic partner with the
ously more conservative than their western
intent to remain so indefinitely and are respon
counterparts, will have an opportunity to com
sible for each other’s common welfare.
ment on the proposed registry in early July at a
The registry would provide a means to estab
community meeting in Gresham.
lish a domestic partnership for all citizens
Following the meeting, the county commis
regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
Patten says. “This year we’re going to be watch
ing more closely.”
The Portland Parks Bureau has donated the
services of at least three park rangers to patrol at
the event, and Portland police officers have
been hired to patrol the park’s perimeter as well.
Violators of the event’s rules will be asked to
leave the park either by volunteer security
guards or law enforcement.
Due to space constraints and shallow irriga
tion pipes in the amphitheater, no canopy tents
will be allowed at this year’s event.
A “beer bust,” at the Embers Avenue in Old
Town, will immediately follow the show. Pro
ceeds from the party will also go to the scholar
ship fund.
The popular June event is often mistakenly
attributed to Pride Northwest, which organizes
Portland’s annual gay pride parade and celebra
tion. But Peacock Productions has its own tax-
exempt status and is fully self-supporting.
While Van Patten has to worry about people
obeying the rules and the law and the logistics of
the event, she says she wants people to come
and enjoy themselves. She says it is always a lot
of fun and is a great family event.
And Peacock fans can almost bet on the
weather, too. The last time the event saw rain
was 1993— the same year Lady Peacock died
and left behind this amazing legacy.
■ P eacock IN THE P ark takes over the Washing
ton Park Amphitheater at noon June 25. Because o f
limited parking, free shuttles to and from the park
will be available from 9 a.m . to 7 p.m. Pickup and
drop-off locations are Embers Avenue, 110 N.W .
Broadway, and the com er o f Southwest 12th
Avenue and Stark Street.
For more information about the AUDRIA M.
E dwards S cholarship , write to P.O. Box
11883, Portland, OR 97211; or apply online at
www.gaydirect.com/peacock/sform.asp, or in per
son at Embers Avenue, the Edge or the NorthBank
Tavern.
For domestic partners wanting to end their
relationship, the draft ordinance calls for a
“Statement of Termination of Domestic Part
nership.” The document is required if the part
nership is terminated by either party (unless by
death).
The draft also requires a six-month “cooling-
off period” before a previously registered indi
vidual can register with a new partner.
“It’s high time the government allows all
couples the right to formalize their relationships
and families,” Multnomah County Commis
sioner Lisa Naito said in the press release
announcing the draft.
The impact of such a registry on sexual
minority couples is unclear. Some consider the
registry a benign gesture of goodwill by local
government, while others think registries are a
crucial first step toward gaining equal rights cur
rently denied to same-sex couples.
Whatever the political repercussions of such
a registry are, same-sex couples in the Portland
area stand to gain at least a nod of approval from
local government.
“Our proposal is a step toward making all
families feel welcomed in our community," Ser
ena Cruz, a county commissioner, said.
■ T h e final community meeting to receive public
comm ent about the draft ordinance will be held from
6 to 8 p .m . July 6 at the G resham Library, 385
N .W . Miller Ave. County hearings are scheduled
fo r July 2 0 and 2 7 .
W ritten comments can be submitted to may-
orkatt^a.Portland.or.us. The draft ordinance can
be viewed at w w w .ci.pordand.or.us/m ayor.