OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE
i
community
AUGUST 5. 2011
13 _ J 3
Farm-Fresh Fundraising
HRC Portland channels Portlandia with second annual gala
D tVA CARD PHOTOGRAPHY
The Portland Steering Committee for the
Human Rights Campaign is mixing things
up for its second annual fundraising gala—
or “anti-gala,” according to event co-chair
Michael Long.
HRC Portland is taking it outside for a
farm-fresh dinner held at Meriwether’s Sky
line Farm. Guests will feast on chicken and
produce so fresh they can see it growing be
fore their eyes while sipping on local and re
gional wines and signature cocktails featur
ing liquor from Bend Distillery.
“It’s all about being local, fresh, sustainable
and kooky,” Long says of the event inspired
by the city’s current pop culture ambassador,
IFC comedy series Portlandia. Fittingly, one
of the show’s co-creators and stars, Fred Ar-
misen (Saturday Night Live) will be a special
guest at the gala, as will series guest stars
Mayor Sam Adams and actress Edie McClurg brief education in all things HRC, including
(Ferris Buetier's Day Off).
an update on the organization’s work around
“[The chicken] won’t be Colin from Port the country from HRC National Field Di
landia, but it will obviously be one of his rector Marty Rouse.
relatives,” Long jokes.
“We are bringing money together to use
In addition to Armisen, the event will for the purposes best for our community,”
include an appearance by U.S. Senator Ron Long says. In the past, some of the money
Wyden, an early supporter
has gone toward helping
“Our goal is to raise funds to
of marriage equality and
Basic Rights Oregon win
one of 14 senators to vote do more work. [Still,] it’s not
domestic partnerships for
against the Defense of about the dollar amount...
Oregonians and contrib
Marriage Act in 1996.
uting to the recent mar
We want to educate people
The evening will be host
riage equality victory in
New York.
ed by 105.1 The Buzz radio about what’s going on on
personalities Daria O ’Neill the federal level.”
Next year will be a busy
and Mitch Elliott (who
one, Long says, with mar
-M IC H A E L LONG,
came out on air in 2007) HRC PORTLAND’S URBAN FARM riage equality ballot mea
DINNER GALA CO-CHAIR sures likely in Oregon as
and producer Ted Douglass.
“Mitch is openly gay and
well as Maine and a num
Daria is a gay supporter,” Long says. “They’re ber of other states. The campaigns to win
such great entertainers in general.”
those measures will cost money, though
Because the event is not only a benefit and Long emphasizes that education is just as
social gathering, guests will also receive a important as fundraising.
FILE PHOTO
BY ERIN ROOK
“Our goal is to raise funds to do more
work,” Long acknowledges. Still, “it’s not
about the dollar amount... We want to edu
cate people about what’s going on on the
federal level.”
H RC’s current federal priorities include
marriage equality, the repeal of “Don’t ask,
don’t
tell” and
employment
non
discrimination.
“We’re going to have a lot of things going
on in 2012,” Long says.. “It’s a good time to
be involved with our community.”
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get
involved. For those who cannot attend the
gala dinner, HRC is also hosting an after
party at Ford Food and Drink, which Long
describes as ^Portlandia-ish,” saying its SE
11th and Division location “could almost be
the heart of Portlandia.” The party will fea
ture music from local deejays Roy G. Biv
(Bent, Blow Pony) and Mr. Charming (Gay-
cation) as well as special cocktails.
All in all, the evening’s events will be full
Left: Chef Earl Hook at Meriwether's
Skyline Farm
Top: Hosts Mitch Elliott, Daria O'Neill,
and Ted Douglass
Bottom: DJs Roy G Biv and Mr,
Charming
of Portland spirit. Long says he hopes that
the focus on his fair city will appeal to locals
and visitors alike.
“The idea is that August is the best time
to be in Oregon,” Long says. “We want to
encourage people to come to Oregon to cel
ebrate what we’re doing here.” JK
HRC P ortland ’ s U rban F arm D inner
G ala , Sat., Aug. 13, 5:30-9p.m.; Meriwether
Skyline Farms, 12735 NWSkyline Blvd.; 1125,
SI 75 for VIP, S100 for students and seniors. Af
ter-Party, 9:30 p. m. -late; Ford Food & Drink,
2505 SE 11th; $10, free with VIP ticket; 800-
494-TIXS, HRCPDXUrhanFarmGaladPgmail.
com or portland.hrc.org.
h
■i
54 Years o f Experience and...
We Won't Be
Undersold!
...about Investment Properties!
H. D
w ayne
D
a v is
R ealty T rust
4275 SW 139th Way, Beaverton 97005
CROUP X
1220 NW Lovcjoy. Suite 130 • Portland, OK 97209
www. Bridget icw TeamRTG.com
a -u fib l ’A + *W
503 319-4057
-
1
503-372-3115
Herzog Meier com