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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 2015)
Page 6 The Portland Observer Black L AW &J USTICE History Month Voices for Human Rights Beaverton’s Human Rights Ad- visory Commission is getting stu- dents to express their ideas about the importance of human and civil rights as part of its annual Creative Expression Contest. “Every year, our students create inspiring work through this con- test,” said Mayor Denny Doyle. “The submissions we receive serve as reminders that we must uphold human and civil rights in our com- munity.” Creativity is highly encouraged. Entries may take the form of any artistic medium, including poems, stories, essays, original songs (or other musical compositions), any type of two- or three-dimensional artwork, film, dance, or any combi- nation of these. The entries should convey the importance of respect and accep- tance at home, school, in the com- munity or the world. Informational flyers about the contest can be found at all Beaverton-area libraries. For more information, contact the human Kayla Rodrigues and her 2014 winning entry from Beaverton’s rights commission at 503-526-2569. Human Rights Creative Expression Contest. February 11, 2015 How to End Poverty in 90 Minutes Stage production engages community The Portland Playhouse in northeast Portland and Sojourn The- atre present “How to End Poverty in 90 Minutes,” a collaboration conceived and written by Michael Rohd and directed by Sojourn’s Liam Kaas-Lentz. The world premiere production, now playing through Sunday, Feb. 22, is not a play; it is not a lecture; it is not an interactive workshop; it is not a physical theatre piece; it is not a public conversation. It’s a blend of all of these things. Most significantly, it’s an opportunity to challenge a different audience every show with the question: How do you attack the problem of poverty in America, with a lens specifically focused on Multnomah County. Over the course of 90 minutes, the audience will listen, explore and ultimately choose how to spend $1,000 cash from ticket sales sitting onstage at each performance. The show is an experiment in dialogue, in collective decision-making, in shared responsibility, and in the potential for art to help us make our world a better place. Spectacularly eclectic in form, often delightful and occasionally uncomfortable, How to End Poverty in 90 Minutes will engage audiences alongside community experts. The Portland Playhouse is located at 602 N.E. Prescott St. For more information or to buy tickets, visit portlandplayhouse.com or call 503-488-5822. PHOTO BY O LIVIA O LIVIA /T HE P ORTLAND O BSERVER Racial Justice Organizer for Basic Rights Oregon Khalil Edwards and Zack Mo help celebrate last year’s overturning of the gay marriage ban in Oregon. Born Perfect! Basic Rights Oregon campaign kicks off Basic Rights Oregon is inviting the community to join them in a new campaign, and at an upcoming open house, to learn more about what is happening with justice work on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. A new social media campaign asks that LGBT community to share baby photos of themselves or their loved ones and send along a state- ment to support legislation that would ban conversion therapy in Oregon, a debunked and often harm- ful treatment for reversing a person’s sexual orientation that has been condemned by the American Psy- chiatric Association. Going by the Twitter handle #BornPerfect, the campaign will showcase individuals who were born perfect and talk about why attempts to change who they are should not be allowed in the state. The civil rights group is also hop- ing to collect other forms of support, continued on page 10