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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2011)
OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE pridefiles Seeds of Change Arkansas transplant Ali Williams grows community from ground up Ali Williams may be new to Portland, but she has wasted no time in establishing her self and, in the spirit o f this year’s Pride theme, making it happen. The 24-year-old Arkansas native arrived in Portland fewer than six months ago, with nothing but a bit o f savings and the deter mination to work at Q_Center. “That’s just kind o f how I operate,” W il liams says o f her leap-of-faith approach. She had visited during the previous year and was taken by the Pacific Northwest’s promise o f outdoors adventure and progres sive politics and decided to find a nonprofit to land at. “I came to visit and it was great,” says W il liams, who grew up in a conservative South ern evangelical Baptist family in the city that is home to Walmart’s headquarters. “I wanted to be in a more progressive place.” Once she arrived in Portland, Williams made a coffee date with Q_Center’s then- executive director Kendall Clawson. She came to the meeting with a list o f things she JUNE 17, 2011 would do if hired as a Q_Center intern, to which Clawson replied, “Looks great. Do it,” Williams says. Starting the day before 2011, Williams jumped into preparations for the annual Winter Gala, and was soon approaching the board o f directors with her proposal for a farmers market. After hearing her market pitch, the board told her to “go for it,” Williams recalls. She began laying the groundwork on February 1 and is currently putting in 20-30 hours each week as the Market Cooperations manager and special projects and events intern. “I’m not a farmer, but I really liked the idea, especially the way it brings people to gether,” Williams says of the now established Market CO It would be an unpaid gig, but Williams managed to secure a donor to fund her work there. That’s in addition to a second internship with Clawson in her new posi tion as director o f special appointments for Governor John Kitzhaber. While Williams aspires to take on bigger projects, perhaps going to graduate school or entering politics, she says she’s happy to be standing among the grass roots, one foot planted in community organizing, the other in politics. “I have no problem starting at the ground floor,” she says. “You have to start somewhere.” 5L J S YOU CAN’T BEAT OUR MEAT Our burgers are made with 100% grass-fed Carman Ranch beef. They’re lower in cholesterol & calories and higher in vitamins and nutrients. Come see why 0regonlive.com calls dk “Belmont’s newest (and best) diner.” Happy Hour 3-5pm Mon-Fri m DICK’S KITCHEN 3 3 1 2 S E B E L M O N T ST. 503.235.0146 — E rin R ook The Executive Director Todd Tubutis returns to Portland after 20 years Portland seems to have converted Todd Tubutis. “I have embraced the gay beard,” he jokes. Sitting at a table outside o f Barista, he motions toward the plaid shirt he is wearing. Gray speckles his jet black beard. Lying in the seat next to him is his bike helmet. Portland has indeed infiltrated his life. A year and a half ago, Tubutis moved to Port- C O M F O R T FOOD TO FEED THE SOUL 66 Renner’s Grill is either the straightest gay bar or the gayest straight bar in Portland.” -Jen Lane barflymag.com RENNER'S BAR & GRILL in Historic Multnomah Village 7819 SW Capitol Highway • Portland, OR 97219 503.246.9097 Inspired Breakfast ~ Creative Cocktails - Extraordinary Lunch Mon-Fri 6am to 2:30pm I Sat-Sun 7am to 3pm
