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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2011)
MAY 20, 2011 eveninglife WWW.JUSTOUT.COM All Fired Up Pauline Miriam’s growing empire proves it’s no (Hot) Flash in the pan BY KIRA LESLEY Hello Portland, We are opening a new store on in Raleigh Hills on April 3rd. dafe 8338 N . LorrtBaRÒ 50 3 . 247.1066 TRADITIONAL O R IG IN A L Pauline Miriam recalls that when she first needs o f women— so women don’t go.” started going to lesbian bars in the 1970s, the She chose the number 36 because, she ex scene was very different than it is today. Pa- plains, “In Judaism, 36 is a hallowed number trons would traverse alleys and climb stairs, and I wanted to give [the dance] all the good looking for unmarked doors. You never en- luck I could give it.” However, Hot Flash has tered through the front door. no minimum age and plenty of younger Today, Miriam’s Hot Flash women’s dance women attend. Miriam says she welcomes this is a loud and proud celebration. It is the big- age inclusiveness. gest women’s dance party in Portland, Miriam “Finally, after seven years, we have women says, and her H ot Flash/ in their twenties who are Inferno dances (hotflash- coming and women in their dances.com) have spread sixties who are coming and to seven other cities na they all seem to be happy. I tionwide. “We don’t de don’t know how I pulled serve back alley bars that off but it’s a major anymore,” she says. “We coup,” she observes. Still, deserve beautiful venues. women ages 33-48 form We deserve to respect “We have women in their “the core group who come ourselves and be in places and keep us going.” twenties who are coming where we will be W hile there are no age respected.” restrictions for those of le and women in their sixties Once a month, 250-300 gal drinking age, there are who are coming and they all women pack the lower restrictions based on gen level of popular downtown seem to be happy. I don’t der. According to Miriam, club Barracuda. DJs move she has faced questions and know how I pulled that off through the decades spin challenges from those who ning songs from the 1970s but it’s a major coup.” disagree with the idea of, or to todays radio hits. Ear need for, a women-only -PAULINE MIRIAM lier music starts earlier in dance. “I have had to de- the night and the dance itself starts and ends fend that point over and over and over again,” earlier than most nightclub parties ( p.m.). she says. Hot Flash attendees include straight, That way, Miriam says, patrons can head over to hi, trans, queer and lesbian women. “W hat CC Slaughters, Blow Pony or their beds. you’re not gonna find is bio men,” she says. Originally, Miriam, now 60, created the Describing herself as an “old-time lesbian event with women ages 36 and older in mind, separatist feminist from the early‘70s,"Miriam Whereas ladies in their twenties may meet says she currently sees a strong need for wom- and socialize at bars, at a certain age the bar en to reinforce their worth. She fears that sex- scene doesn’t fit, she says: “W hen you get past role stereotyping may be experiencing a resur- around 33, the clubs are not geared to suit the gence. O f the women-only nature of Hot 6-10 4704 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. LEBANESE RESTAURANT 1318 SE Hawthorne, Portland, OR 97214 Portland Or, 97204 503.235.1254 fax: 503.236.8457 11 :30 am - 9 pm M on - S at 12 - 8:30 Sunday Taste the Great JL U U v l t j U Street Foods of I KETTLEMAN BAGEL COM PANY m * * Asia Stickers Asian Cafe 6808 SE Milwaukie Ave PDX 503 239-8739 Yummy Signature Cocktails w w w .stickersasian cafe.c om Business Owners: Showcase your business to the GLBTQ Community in Just Out Serving the GLBTQCommunity for 29 years.
