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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2007)
4 culture 'Every Day Is a Revolution Women of size rally and celebrate c by Julie Stegall ailing all voluptuous, plus-sized, big boned women and those who love them! Stacy Bias is back with her celebrated Fat Girl Speaks, a show designed to “uplift and celebrate women of size and our allies." Absent for the past two years, the event returns to the Portland State University campus with a diverse selection of groups, from belly dancing and burlesque to live musical performances and cheerleading. “This year we tried to get a little of everything,” says Olivia McClelland, Fat Girl Speaks planning coordinator. She has been on the planning committee for Fat Girl Speaks since seeing a flier for the event in 2003. From its inception, the group has been an , avenue for the size acceptance community to cele brate themselves in a world that is critical of them. According to McClelland, the first event was more political, focusing on education and visibility of Portland’s “big beautiful women community.” She admits, “We only expected 100 to 150 or so to show up.” It was a huge success, having turned those same numbers away after selling out. Performers were invited to the next year’s event, and word quickly spread throughout the community. After the first few years, the planning commit tee burned out, and the production was shelved. Last year, during the initial stages of planning, the committee decided to resurrect Fat Girl Speaks and placed its energies into creating an event that is scaled back from what was originally anticipated. This year’s theme is “Every Day Is a Revolution!” which speaks to the statement women of size make every day in a hypocritical society that expects indul gence while fitting into a size zero. Though the event will feature more entertainment than politics, the message is clear. “Living in the world as a person of size is a revo lutionary act,” says Bias, who describes herself as a “Swiss Army dyke." She has a number of projects dedicated to fat activism, including a Fat Girl Speaks book that she is researching. Additionally, she is an entrepreneur, the operator of DykeTees.com and the manufacturer of Pussy Pucker Pots. Bias’ focus, though, is people. “I want people to be happy,” she says as the reason for her fat activism. “There are so many lies being sold to us each and every day—so manv ways that the media and big industry seek to tell us we are lesser-than, and then to sell us products that promise falsely to make us better than everyone else, or at least bet ter than we are.” McClelland has become the point person for this year’s event as plans are finalized. Her philosophy toward body politics is: “Its my body, so let me be.” Though having tremendous support from the lesbian community, Fat Girl Speaks aims to address all communities. The event will kick oft with a fashion show, featuring focal independent designers who are committed to pushing the envelope when it comes to the industry and catering to big grrls, bois, ONE SHOW ONLY! Peacemakers (pes ma kers) Portland Gay Men’s Chorus persons, groups or nations that tn to make peace Bob Mensel, Artistic Director Michael Barnes, Principal Accompanist The Peacemakers. the final concert of the Portland Gay Men's Chorus 27th Season, will present the world premiere of BraveSouls and Dreamers, a bold and timely new work about the devastating realities of war, its consequences on families, and the ongoing pursuit of peace. Artistic Director Bob Mensel describes BraveSouls and Dreamers as “compelling, the music rich, and the words - often - strident and provoking." The concert will be hosted by Governor Barbara Roberts and will also include compelling and memorable works previously written for PGMC. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Mercy Corps. femmes, hutches and transgender people alike. Dressing a diverse group of women from XL to 6X, the designs run the Clockwise from top left, Shawn Mathis, Jenny Braso, Sossity Chiricuzio, gamut from Amithyst Fist, Domi Shoemaker, Olivia McClelland and Stacy Bias plan casual to fetish subversive fun for the Fat Giri Speaks event June 9. wear. The show will include lingerie, swimwear, casual and formal therapist, chiropractic services and a practitioner wear, focusing on couture, an element not normally providing in-home feminine care services. ascribed to full-figured women. Performers include Nedra Johnson, FatAssPDX “We want the models to feel good and the people Cheerleaders, Sahara Dunes and Fatty and the to feel good," says Sossity Chiricuzio, coordinator of Hamslappers. the fashion show and owner of the clothing line The event is financed in part hy proceeds from Diesel Femme, which will he featured in the show. the Cupcake dances held on the third Sunday of Outfitting the models in designs of local inde every month at Holocene. pendent artisans such as Size Queen, Hips and Curves and Fashion Overdose, her goal is to F at G irl S peaks takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. encourage and empower women to wear what feels June 9 at Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, 1825 S.W. Broadway. good to them, without someone else’s labels and definitions of what fat women should wear. The fashion show starts at 7. Tickets are $16.50 from Ticketmaster. For more information visit Tit Totes and Sock Dreams will join Diesel Femme as vendors during the event, providing www. fatgirlspeaks .com. a number of items seen on the runway for immedi ate purchase. JULIE S tegall divides her time between work, school Additionally, members of the naturopathic com and family. Her passions include writing and dancing. Contact her with comments at munity will be on hand to promote size acceptance. asima8l7@aol.com. A self-care information booth will include a massage PEACEMAKERS PROFILE THEATRE S TENTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON 2006-2007 "Serious issues and serious people can « be quite funny. ” THIRD By Wendy Wasserstein B rave S ouls © D reamers by Seeley and Espindola Robert Exploring the human cost of war and hoping for the joy of peace. Saturday, June 16, 2007 • 7:30pm Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Tickets $30, $25 and $20 A and Others By Wendy Wasserstein Low Price Previews: May 16-18 June 3 - 6 e 7 p.m. June 9 • 2 p.m. profile Our 27th Season Sponsors RFC ; . a : A Staged Reading Thurs. - Sat. @ 8 p.m., Sundays @ 2 p.m. Student discount with id 1/2 hour prior to curtain. Order tickets now at www pdxgmc.org or call the PGMC office at 503-226-2588 Tickets also available at PCPA Box Office, and additional charges may apply. __MtlLLAMEIXE. i/VEEK •» I Uncommon ¿ Women MercyCorps Featuring the World Premiere of —Wendy Wasserstein i May 19 - June 17 Robert *r noun Presents 1 -r / Theatre Hill Tiff MN'MAN. fOflNOATIOV T r U^T Order online at www.proflletheatre.org or call 503.242.0080 Theater! Theatre! 3430 SE Belmont Street «
