•statewidepride'
OREGON'S LGBTQ NEWSMAGAZINE
PBC and the work we do,” Edwards says.
This year, PFLAG PBC is taking that expo
sure to a new level by sponsoring Portland
Black Pride, five days of events themed “Say it
Loud: Gay and Black is Beautiful.” Edwards is
working in collaboration with Maurice Evans
at Cascade AIDS Project, Maria Council at
Just Out, Shaundell Newsome at PFLAG PBC
and various members of the community to
stage the event.
“This year’s Portland Black Pride really came
about in a collaborative effort. People in the
community wanted to make sure that this tra
dition continued,” Edwards says. “Black Pride
is important because there are Black LGBTQ_
folks in all our communities, all across the
country. We are proud of that, and we need to
provide a space to celebrate that.”
In past years, it has been a struggle to get
Black Pride up and running with a strong
community turnout. In 2011, Edwards hopes
the hard work pays off but says that, ultimately,
success is measured by effort—and they’ve put
in plenty.
“I am excited and enthusiastic about Black
Pride this year. But, I will say I am hesitant at
the same time. Portland has many obstacles in
reaching out to black LGBTQ_ folks, and as
much as you work to overcome the obstacles
you can and work around the ones you can’t, it
is still difficult,” Edwards says. “I do believe
that ‘If you build it, they will come.’ We have
worked hard to build it. I think true success
Above: Hot Chocolate
Right: The faces of Black Pride 2011
comes from knowing you did your best."
What they’ve built is 11 events spanning
five days with a special emphasis on youth-
friendly activities, including karaoke, roller
skating and dancing.
Black Pride 2011 kicks off Wednesday, June
15 with Speak On It!, a poetry slam and open
mic at Local Lounge. The MLK melting pot of
queer and African-American communities will
also host You Better Sang!, a karaoke party fol
lowed by a hip-hop and R&B dance night on
Thursday, June 16. W hile the above-21s are
belting it out at the Local, the youngsters will
be singing their own tune at INSYNQ, a kara
oke night at SMYRC for black LGBTQ^
youth.
On Saturday and Sunday, Black Pride will
have a booth at the waterfront festival includ
ing information, T-shirts, games, music and
prizes. On Saturday evening, Black Pride co
sponsors the Chocolate City Pajama Jam at
Crush (see the profile on Marcy Dupree, p. 26,
for more) as well as a youth party at Portland
State University.
After marching in the Pride Parade with
PFLAG PBC, PFLAG Portland and PFLAG
East County, Black Pride heads over to Ken
ton Park for the Families of Color Day Out
and finally wraps up a filled-to-the-brim
weekend with Hot Chocolate at Darcelle’s.
Of all the events, Edwards says he is most
excited about the Families of Color Day Out,
organized in partnership with Adelante M u
jeres, the Asian Pacific American Network of
Oregon and other organizations serving local
communities of color.
“It is jiot often we can come together as
straight folks and LGBTQ/olks and just enjoy
each other’s company,” Edwards says. “It’s not
about an agenda, it’s not about any politics or
issues. It is about enjoying some music—a wide
array of artists from folk to rap—enjoying good
On Friday, June 17, young and old alike will food, games, fun with friends and family, and
strap on a pair of skates for a Roll Bounce just having a good time. For the community to
party at Skate World. The less-than-coordinat- come together like that truly excites me.” *[•]
ed need not fear bruised knees—they can sit
back, relax and enjoy a movie screening at Piv For more information on Portland Black Pride ,
ot, while enjoying a game of spades or visit facebook.com/portlandblackpride or email
dominoes.
portlandblackpride@gmail. com.
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