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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2011)
OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE 4 community OCTOBER 7, 2011 ► Come Out, Portland Your local guide to National Coming Out Day events BY AARON SPENCER This year’s National Coming Out Day, set for October 11, marks perhaps the easiest time yet for individuals to come out as lesbi an, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. The event, founded in 1988, encourages sexual minorities and their straight allies to celebrate their pride and focus on advancing LGBTQ_rights. The date was originally cho sen to coincide with the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. But today, six states and the District of Co lumbia have legalized same-sex marriage. Nearly 650,000 couples identified as same-sex partners in the 2010 census, an 80 percent increased from 2000. The It Gets Better Proj ect is 22,000 videos strong in support of bul lied queer teens. Chaz Bono is on Dancing with the Stars. The world has never been more welcoming toward those who are out. Still, recent headlines serve as a reminder that timing is critical, and of the reality that intolerance persists to sometimes tragic effect. Last month, Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old from Buffalo, N.Y., committed suicide after being bullied for being out. “In general, I do think the more people who are out the more others will come to know LGBT people and the more we can advance the movement,” says Dawn Holt, president of PFLAG Portland, “but there are definitely times when it’s in one’s best interest not to come out.” For those who are ready, Portland has a bevy of events where you can be out and proud. Dinners,” hosts will provide the meals and guests are encouraged to donate to the queer community hub. But more loosely, hosts can cook the meal, have it catered or hold a pot- luck. The dinner party can be for any num ber of guests, but each host has a goal of raising $200. Sat., Oct. 8; visitpdxqcenter.com for informa tion on attending or hosting a dinner; $20 mini mum donation per person encouraged. CWC president. Local religious leaders will be on hand to speak. Tues., Oct. 11, 8:30-10 a.m.; Augustana Lu theran Church, 2710 NE 14th Ave.; free, but do nations encouraged; welcomingcongregations.org. Coming Out Day Intergenerational Event LGBTQ_senior citizens will share coming out stories with LGBTQ_homeless youth the evening of National Coming Out Day. O ut Count On Me/National side In, the nonprofit for homeless youth, Coming Out Day 2011 and Gay & Grey, a program for LGBTQ_se- Community Event niors by the nonprofit Friendly House, are The nonprofit that runs Portland Pride, partnering for the event. Outside In’s pro Pride Northwest, is holding an event at Skid gram Queerzone targets the many youth more Fountain on National Coming Out Day who have been kicked out of their homes for to launch the “Count On Me” campaign. The coming out to their families. effort is meant to raise awareness of resources Tues., Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m.; Outside In, 1132 available to the LGBTQ_community to com SW 13th Ave.;free; outsidein.org. bat and deal with violence and harassment. Partners in the campaign include the Sexual Portland State University’s Minorities Roundtable, the Mayor’s Office of National Coming Out Week Safety & Peacekeeping, Equity Foundation, Basic Rights Oregon, Cascade AIDS Project, Portland State University’s Queer Re the Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Re source Center has a week full of events to source Center and the PFLAG Portland commemorate National Coming Day, from a Black Chapter. coffee klatch to karaoke. All of the events Tues., Oct. 11, 6 p.m.; Skidmore Fountain at will be held in Smith Memorial Student SWAnkeny St. and First Ave.; pridenw.com. Union and are open to the public. Mon., Oct. 10, noon-7 p.m.: The QRC will hold an open house in its offices. Learn National Coming Out Day about programs offered, have some snacks Prayer Breakfast and “Guess the Straight” during a game Start your National Coming Out Day with show-styled presentation that debunks a prayer breakfast hosted by the Community stereotypes. Night of 100 Dinners of Welcoming Congregations, the Oregon Tues., Oct. 11, noon-9 p.m.: A trans coffee The Saturday before National Coming nonprofit collective of LGBTQ^welcoming hour (noon-1 p.m.) in the QRC offices pro Out Day, Portland’s Q_Center is holding a spiritual organizations. The event is an oppor vides an opportunity to meet and mingle with fundraiser in homes across Oregon. Strictly tunity for LGBTQjndividuals to come out as genderqueer people. Then head to the Queer- speaking, during the “Night of 100 people of faith, says the Rev. Tara Wilkins, ies Coming Out Panel in rooms 228-29 to hear students tell their stories (2-3 p.m.). Af terward, from 3 to 5 p.m., you’ll have a chance to share your own coming out story, whether it’s on camera, written or through art. You’ll also be provided with supplies to make a spe cial coming out T-shirt. The space will be re served for transgender and gender-noncon forming individuals from 4:30 to 5 p.m. And from 7 to 9 p.m., stay to watch Paris is Burn ing, the 1990 documentary about drag nights among New York’s underclass. Wed., Oct. 12, 3 -7 p.m.: Attend a panel on health care for transgender people from 3 to 5 p.m. in room 236. Afterward, stay for “Toys in the Closet,” an informative program on condoms, lube and more. Fri., Oct. 14, 7-10p.m.: End the week with a dance party and karaoke outside the stu dent union at the South Park Blocks. T#] Mon., Oct. 10-Fri., Oct. 14; 1825 SW Broad way; free; qrc.pdx.edu. Visit blogout.justout.com for late-breaking Coming Out Day events and news.
