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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2007)
4« \ JUStpUt SEPTEMBER 21. 2007 Our quality will stun you - our prices will amaze you! BLOW OUT ON GOLD CHAINS! Only *18 per gram Retail price *32 per gram Jewelry by t Ponce Owned & Operated Sinc e 1983 3211SE HAWTHORNE BLVD • CORNER 33R0 AVE PORTLAND OREGON 97214 • 503 233 3698 • TUES-SUN 11-7 WWWJEWELRYBYPONCEPORTLAND.COM \AJn.4rl worw beat Soul Rock MUSIC MILLENNIUM Women’s Okies Jazz Folk Gospel Cajun Country New Age Bluegrass Soundtracks Musicals Lounge Big Band Comedy Reggae Spoken Word and more... MILLENNIUM [MUSIC EAST PORTLAND • 32nd & E Burnside St. • 231-8926 * T LT II r »NC., YA Equity Loans 100% Financing I' M J Reverse Mortgage Commercial Loans Investment Properties I t ROBERT 1 Mortqoqe Defender Mortqoqc 0 F inancial S ervices I nc . WWW * I Mix It Up, Vol. 2 Curating the ultimate queer compilation ust like the wimpy Democratic Parry, the Human Rights Campaign could use an image makeover. Frequently criticized for putting its D.C. hackslapping ahead of a more radical queer agenda, HRC seems to he getting its groove hack. This summer it sponsored the True Colors Tour with the hip lineup of Cyndi Lauper, Dehhie Harry, Erasure, Rufus Wainwright, Cazwell, The Gossip, The Dresden Dolls and The Cliks featuring trans frontman Lucas Silveira. The accompanying compi lation CD is equally impressive, offering a snapshot of today s hottest queer and queer-friendly talent. The last time 1 reviewed an HRC benefit disc, 1 wasn’t nearly as impressed, so 1 compiled my own around with no Oscar Meyer wiener. You must be anthology of queer portrayals in popular music, both sure that the girl is pure for the Funky Cold positive and negative [“Mix It Up,” March 4, 2005]. Medina.” (To clarify further, he emphatically Since then I’ve come across a number of songs that added: “Ain’t no plans with a man! This is the ’80s, I should’ve included, so here’s a sequel playlist, and I’m dowfl with the ladies.”) presented chronologically: 7. “In This Life.” Madonna’s best album, 1. “A Boy Named Sue.” Johnny Cash experi 1992’s Erotica, is mostly remembered for its sexual ences some major personal growth in this classic frankness, but it also includes this touching ballad recorded in 1969, the same year as the Stonewall about a 23-year-old gay friend who died of AIDS: Riots. The title character initially seeks bloody “Why should he be treated differently? Shouldn’t revenge on his deadbeat dad for giving him a girl’s matter who you choose to love.... Is there a lesson name, but he changes his tune after hearing his I’m supposed to learn? In this case, ignorance is father’s explanation at a saloon in Gatlinburg, not bliss.” Tenn.: “I knew 1 wouldn’t be there to help you 8. “Chicks and Dicks.” Damn, we need to take along, so 1 give ya that name and 1 said goodbye, a break from all this heavy stuff. Danish duo Junior and 1 knew you’d have to get tough or die. It’s that Senior broke stereotypes in 2003 with their non- name that helped to make you strong.” traditional appearance—the twink boy is straight, 2. “Walk on the Wild Side.” Just three years and the bear boy is gay. The latter sings bluntly: later, Lou Reed introduced us to a woman named “I’m a man man, 1 don’t need no chick.... Girls Holly hitchhiking from think I’m hot, but I think Miami to New York City: they’re not.” “Plucked her eyebrows on 9. “Ménage à Trois.” Let’s the way, shaved her legs give a shout out to our bi/poly and then he was a she.” brothers with this 2003 tune 3. “The Killing of from Alcazar. Even though it’s Geòrgie, Pt. 1 & 2.” At about a homy couple inviting the height of his popularity, a third person to have sex Rod Stewart bravely re with them, the Swedish pop corded this epic 1976 group sings with Ahba-esque single about a gay friend innocence: “Would you like who gets kicked out of his to come to our ménage à house, moves to Manhat trois? There’s room for one tan, becomes the toast of Broadway and is mur more body in our boudoir! Would you care to try a dered by a New Jersey gang. The sad story ends on little un, deux, trois? Everyone will get a chance to a hopeful note: “Never wait or hesitate. Get in, kid, be a star!” before it’s too late. You may never get another 10. “Flawless (Go to the City).” George chance, cos youth’s a mask, but it don’t last. Live Michael made up for all those lost years in the it long and live it fast.” closet with this 2004 gay anthem encouraging rural 4. “I Was Born This Way.” The Rev. Carl boys to get the heck out of Dodge: “You’re beauti Bean was way, way ahead of his time when he ful, and you know it. You’re wasted here...in this recorded this proud song in 1977: “You laugh at me small town.... I think you know that you are more and you criticize ’cause I’m happy, carefree and than just some fucked-up piece of ass.” gay.... Now I won’t judge you—don’t you judge 11. “All Over Your Face.” Yeah, white rapper me. We’re all the way nature meant us to be.” Cazwelt’s 2006 debut single isn’t specifically queer, 5. “Hideaway.” Erasure offered words of encour just dirty. But any hit that mentions giz, bukkake agement in this 1987 tale about a boy who moves and KY is worth including to show how far we’ve far from home after being rejected by his parents for cum—er, come. coming out of the closet: “Don’t be afraid, love will 12. “Billy Brown.” Mika created an instant mend your broken wing, time will slip away, learn queer classic with this 2007 sing-along ditty: “Oh to be brave.” (Do we detect a theme here?) Billy Brown had lived an ordinary life—two kids, 6. “Funky Cold Medina.” Long before Eddie a dog and a cautionary wife. While it was all going Murphy made headlines for his tranny chasing— accordingly to plan, then Billy Brown fell in love with another man.” © and setting the stage for The Crying Came— Tone- Loc bragged in 1989 about serving his love potion to a woman named Sheena, only to find out that Arts and Culture Editor J1M RADOSTA needs your she was a he: "So 1 threw him out—1 don’t fool feedback. Write to jim@justout.com.
