Notebook
(EduCaTION)
The Campus Pride Index has come out with a ranking of the top
25 gay-friendly universities in the United States. Based on factors
such as LGBT policy inclusion, support and institutional commit-
ment, academic life, student life, housing, campus safety, counseling
and health, and recruitment and retention efforts, the list includes
two Oregon schools. The University of Oregon can be found at
the #11 spot and Portland State is at #18. The University of Wash-
ington, as well as several California universities, also made the cut.
campusclimateindex.org
Pocatello, Idaho is on track to become the state’s second city
to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The city
council there is drafting an ordinance to protect gays and les-
bians in matters of housing and employment. unlike neigh-
boring washington and Oregon, Idaho does not list sexual
orientation or gender identity as a protected class, like race
and religion.
(maRRIaGE)
Social Security Benefits
Because DOMA Section 3 prevents their marriages from being recognized
by the federal government, legally married same-sex couples cannot access
federal programs that help other couples and families. In the context of Social
Security, DOMA prevents a spouse in a same-sex marriage from claiming the
Social Security benefit that would otherwise be available to a spouse, includ-
ing the spousal benefit, spousal disability benefit, lump-sum death benefit,
and survivor benefit. GLAD’s new publication, Social Security Benefits and
the Defense of Marriage Act: Can I Do Anything Now to Preserve My Rights?
yes!, details the various benefits that same-sex couples are denied under
DOMA, how to file for those benefits now, how to appeal the denial of benefits
based on DOMA, and how to keep your appeal alive to preserve your rights
while the legal challenges are pending. glad.org
Staff
Top LGBT Colleges
Portland mayor Sam adams and a handful of other Port-
landers are featured in The Gay men Project, a proj-
ect by New york based photographer Kevin Truong.
Truong’s goal is to create a visual catalog of gay men living
in New york City and beyond, celebrating the wide range
of diversity within his community while searching for the
commonalities that make each of these gay men beautiful.
thegaymenproject.com
(wEb)
Lesbians in PDX
BASED ON A NOW DEFUNCT SAN FRANCISCO
PROJECT 3, PORTLAND BASED LADIES, ASHLEy, RyAN
AND ALyx, STARTED A TUMBLR BLOG DEDICATED
TO SHOWCASING THE MANy FACES OF THE PORT-
LAND LESBIAN SCENE CALLED LESBIANS IN PDx,
LESBIANSINPDx.TUMBLR.COM. JUST OUT EDI-
TOR ALLEy HECTOR WAS RECENTLy FEATURED
WITH THE REQUISITE THREE “FUN FACTS.”
EMAIL LESBIANSINPDx@GMAIL.COM IF INTERESTED
IN BEING ON THE BLOG.
(muSIC)
Reynosa 7”
Reynosa: l to R brisa Gonzalez, ana briseno, fabiola Reyna
Reynosa are a welcome change in a Portland music scene so focused
on indie rock. With a queer punk take on Cumbia and a combination
of other Latin styles the trio, made up of Ana Margarita Briseno on
percussion, Fabiola Reyna on guitar, and Brisa Gonzalez on vocals,
formed in 2011 and has just released their first 7” record. Side A cov-
ers a 1960s Peruvian cumbia/chicha song “Carinito,” from a group
called, Los Hijos Del Sol. The Spanish title means something akin to
“a special, personalized bit of affection.” Reynosa’s rendition certainly
retains that sentiment as well as the bright cultural character of the
original, while adding a soulful blending of female vocals. you’ll find
more wordplay in their original B-side “Caballera,” which roughly
translates to “cowgirls” but really means so much more. This “queer
cumbia” song brings an even more Northwest flavor with some rock-
ing guitar licks and punctuated drums. A full album should be ready
by Spring 2013.