Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2008)
KEVIN COOK Claim to Fame: Heiress apparent to Darcelle’s throne, Kevin Cook (aka Rose Empress XLIV Poi son Waters) is the man behind Port land’s most visible drag personality. So They Say: “One of the girls goes, ‘I did not know until that last day that you were a man. I’m like, ‘What are you—Helen Keller? I’m enormous. I wear so much makeup. My hair is so big. Who walks around in se quins and feathers?’ ” (Dec. 7, 2007) Who’s Next: Sahel Scities, aka Tim Byars, who’s “not only a fabulous entertainer and tal ented makeup artist, he’s a darn nice fellow who is mature and grounded beyond his years.” This Cook has several irons in the fire: a full- time job at Pintland Monthly and Seattle Metropoli- tan magazines that requires frequent travel from the Rose City to the Emerald City; diehard volunteerism for Camp Starlight, an annual summer adventure for kids affected by HIV/AIDS; and a packed calen dar as the “hostess with the mostest” for numerous charitable events. But it’s her weekend appearances at Darcelle XV Showplace where Poison gets to dis play the quick wit and sharp tongue that Portlanders have come to love for the past 20 years. GUS VAN SANT metri Claim to Fame: The filmmaker who put Port land on the map as an indie mecca. So They Say: “My films show a real severe world. If I tell things the way I see them, eventu ally it’ll help. I don’t want to propagandize being gay to the straight world.” (January 1990, about making films about outsiders) Since 1985, Van Sant has been making Port land proud with a string of acclaimed films that bounce from indie (Drug store Cowboy) to mainstream (Good Will Hunting) to experimental (Elephant). All of his strengths converge with Milk, which is certain to garner Oscar recognition for Sean Penn’s moving portrayal of slain San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk. Opening Nov. 26, the highly anticipated epic promises to open minds about queer equality at a time when we need it badly. THOMAS LAUDERDALE Claim to Fame: Bandleader for world-famous “little orchestra” Pink Martini. So They Say: “It’s not like we’re a band who gets stoned and then gets in the cargo van and goes trxxllin’ down the freeway. It’s more like the band that travels in Some Like It Hot...except there are only a couple of drag queens.” (May 4, 2007) Formed in 1994 to entertain at gay rights benefits, Pink Martini has evolved into that rarest of musical acts with an audience full of hipsters, grandparents and every age in be tween. Fresh off a guest gig with Oregon Sym phony for a Ger shwin solo, Lau derdale will join Pink Martini to perform new material from its fourth album, due next year, Dec. 28 at Crys tal Ballroom. The band then heads to Los Angeles to celebrate New Year’s Eve with two shows at Walt Disney Concert Hall with jazz great Jimmy Scott. DONNA DRESCH Who’s Next: Nike executive Jackie Thomas, Bean prods, “if she decides to be.” Claim to Fame: Queer musician and activist icon; member of prominent Northwest rock bands, including seminal dyke-core punks Team Dresch. Who’s Next: Beth Ditto, who has spread the gospel of queer love, acceptance and activism in Portland and abroad in her punk/blues band Gossip. She also volunteers for the Rock ’n’ Roll Camp for Girls. Donna Dresch, known as “Queen of Grunge,” began her 20-year stint in the Northwest music scene as part of the cultural and social movement known as “queercore” in the 1980s. This style challenged the homophobia and sexism prevalent in the straight-male-dominated world of punk rock. In 1991 she founded in dependent la bel Chainsaw Records, which devoted itself to supporting iconic queer Portland bands such as Sleater-Kinney, The Third Sex and her own Team Dresch, which is known as the most outspoken, politically active and emotion ally potent of her projects. On their 1994 album Captain My Captain, vocalist Jody Bleyle sings, “Don’t tell us we only care about the dykes and fags/don’t try to find fake reasons to hate us/some people get it/lots more people need it/freedom: it’s for all or it’s all for nothing!” TERRY BEAN pedfit ¿¿e m / Terry Bean’s 30 years of gay civil rights leadership and philanthropy have had a national impact. He has founded or co-founded major institu tions that have kept the movement focused, em powered and funded, including the Gay &. Lesbian Victory Fund; Right to Privacy Political Action Committee; Equity Foundation; and, along with local activist Jerry Weller (see page 31), the Gay Rights National Lobby, Human Rights Campaign Fund and National Fairness Fund, which evolved into the main parts of hxlay’s Human Rights Campaign. Bean was also on the original board of directors for the Gay Games. Bean speaks with a passion that stems from an ability to affect issues most people feel pow erless against. Whether he’s talking about suicide rates among queer kids, the value of sexual minor ities represented in political office or how HRC has changed rhe world, Bean approaches political advances with the same methodology he exhibits in his business. President and CEO of Bean In vestment Real Estate, he says: “Patience in invest ing is a virtue. Investing is for the long haul.” Bean counts the Gores, the Clintons and former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts among his friends. He has influenced dignitaries and Fortune 500 CEOs, revolutionizing national fund raising through large donor projects. LAURA CALVO Claim to Fame: Founding and funding nation al gay rights organizations. Will take partial credit when the Employment Non-Discrimination Act becomes law. So They Say: “A lot of my activism comes from a deep desire to have kids not grow up that way.” (Sept. 21, 2007, on his suicide attempts as a queer youth) Claim to Fame: Being part of the progress and change for equality for queer Americans. Building a credible presence for sexual minorities in main stream Democratic Party leadership. "Helping You Save Time and Money" John C. Lucy IV Continued on Page 1 5 * Go Green * Stay Green For your Party and Transportation needs Susan K. Johnson Professional Organizer 830X3^W® 0 5r03l8lll929A816‘ Reservations or on-call Toll Free 1.877.853.3577 Taxi- 503.234.1414 Shuttle- 503.252.4422 Online Reservations: www.areentrans.com Special Group/Corporate Rates www.nworganized.com susan@nworganized.com MAPO www.LAW420.com Oregon Marijuana and Criminal Law Attorney and Counselor at Law With special emphasis on Marijuana Criminal Charges & Medical Marijuana & all other drug crimes, including: • Methamphetamine • Cocaine & Heroin • MDMA (Ecstacy, X) & GHB • Steroids, Poppers, & Prescription Drugs Other Criminal Charges covered, including DUH. Prostitution, Theft and Assault ___ nuMiH ph. 503.227.6000 fax: 503.227.4702 johnii>law420.com
