Queer Issue 2016

"Lives Matter"

Voices and Pictures from Portland's #PulsePride Vigil

Our Place

What We Find in Gay Bars and Queer Clubs

My Encounters with '80s Porn Star Al Parker

What I Learned About Him—and Myself—After Painting His Portrait

My Girlfriend and I Just Visited North Carolina

We Did Not Get Beat Up and We Even Got to Go to the Bathroom!

Things to Do: Pride Edition

Everything You Want and Need to Do for Pride

Boyeurism: Beyond Borders
A special Pride edition of Boyeurism, featuring performances by Dr. Chance de Valmont, Hydrangea Strangea, Daniel Girón, Jayla Rose, Niki Villiarimo, Nikki Lev the Glitter Beast, Johnny Nuriel, and Isaiah Esquire. Hosted by Richie Stratton. Wed June 15, Star Theater, 13 NW 6th, 8 pm, $15-25

La Cage aux Folles and The Birdcage
In the 1978 queer classic film La Cage aux Folles, gay couple Renato and Albin are happy their son is getting married, but the bride's father is a die-hard conservative. Allow hilarity to ensue! Followed by the remake Birdcage, where all the French people are substituted for Calista Flockhart, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, and Gene Hackman. Hilarity again ensues! Wed June 15, Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan, La Cage aux Folles at 6 pm, $4, all ages; Birdcage at 8:45 pm, $10 (includes cocktail), 21+

Grandma
A free screening of the 2015 Lily Tomlin film Grandma. Wed June 15, Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark, 6:30 pm, free (call 1-877-926-8300 to reserve tickets)

Showgirls: The Musical
The stage version of the classic trash film about a Vegas showgirl who has awkward pool sex with her boss. Ew. Thurs June 16-Sun June 19, The Headwaters, 55 NE Farragut, #4, 7:30 pm (plus 10 pm on Sat), $15, all ages

recommended Flare
Pride has its official kickoff party at Zidell Yards, starting with this full-blown fashion show with designs by Bryce Black, Wildfang, V Thongrivong, and Brady Lange, followed by a dance party featuring the sounds of Cazwell and JD Samson. Proceeds benefit Basic Rights Oregon, Love Wins, and the Bus Project. Thurs June 16, Zidell Yards, 3121 SW Moody, 7:30 pm, $15-25

recommended Lez Stand-Up's Queer Pride Show
Caitlin Weierhauser and Bob Wolf celebrate Pride, as they bring you an extra special queer pride edition of the always-hilarious Lez Stand-Up show, featuring its regular crew of fantastic comics with special guests Whitney Streed and drag artist/psychic/magician/comic Melody Awesomazing. Thurs June 16, Siren Theater, 315 NW Davis, 8 pm, $10

3-2-1 Launch: A Pride Kickoff Party
Getting Pride 2016 started right with a dose of dance-punk and techno from Portland's Du Og Meg, DJ Sappho, and Gehno Aviance. Thurs June 16, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 9 pm, $5

Pride Glow Run
Billing itself "Portland's sickest night run," the Pride Glow Run is back. At this family-friendly nighttime event, participants get five glow necklaces, five glow bracelets, a LED baton (!!!), and a T-shirt. Fri June 17, SW Naito & Salmon, 9:30 pm, $50-60, all ages

Cathy Disco Pride
While some great DJs (Vera Rubin, DJ Sappho, Stormy Roxx) provide the sounds, some fine queens provide the moves, including performances from Chanticleer Tru and Amoania. Fri June 17, District East, 2305 SE 9th, 10 pm, $12

recommended Scandal's Portland Pride Block Party
It's the 11th annual hot 'n' sweaty shindig featuring musical performances, dancing, drag artists, and drinking in the street. Scandals, 1125 SW Stark, Fri June 17, 7 pm, Sat June 18, 2 pm, Sun June 19, noon, FREE

recommended Portland Pride Festival
Get out and proud for Portland's annual LGBTQ-appreciation fest! Shop at Waterfront Park vendors by day, hit up dance parties by night. Sat June 18-Sun June 19, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 SW Naito, noon-6 pm, $7

recommended Stag PDX Block Beach Party
Swimwear is "highly encouraged" at this sexy, outdoor beach party, with a wet swimwear contest, dancing, and more. Sat June 18-Sun June 19, Stag PDX, 317 NW Broadway, noon, $6

recommended Portland Trans Pride March 2016 Greater Portland Trans Unity hosts the third annual Trans Pride March, celebrating the Portland community and raising awareness. Sat June 18, North Park Blocks, NW Park, 3:30 pm, free, all ages

R U Gay??? Pride Party An all-day live revue headlined by RuPaul's Drag Race
stars Katya Zamolodchikova and Detox Icunt. Hosted by Gula Delgatto. Sat June 18, District East, 2305 SE 9th, 2:30 pm, $25-55

recommended 2016 Portland Dyke March
It's not Pride without this long-running (or marching, rather) event raising visibility for, as the organizers put it, "dykes of all persuasions." Sat June 18, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Pine & Naito, 6 pm, free, all ages

Inferno Pride
Hot Flash Productions brings an all-community dance party and Pride celebration to the Crystal Ballroom, featuring tunes from DJ Lauren and DJ Wildfire. Sat June 18, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 6 pm, $12-15

The Divas
The Portland Gay Men's Chorus ends its 36th season by inviting their chosen divas—Dru Rutledge, Jennifer Gill, and Susannah Mars—to take the stage for Pride. Sat June 18, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 7 pm, $16-48, all ages

Club Destiny
A one-night-only, Pride-exclusive throwdown courtesy of Bridge Club, featuring the futuristic sounds of headliner Ma Deejay, along with Chanti Darling, Hold My Hand, Troubled Youth, Casual Aztec, and Prince$$ Dimebag. Sat June 18, White Owl Social Club, 1305 SE 8th, 8 pm, $10

recommended Playground PDX Pride
A dance party starring Lady Miss Kier of Deee-Lite, celebrating both Pride and the birthday of the Northwest's own Sappho. Sat June 18, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 9 pm, $12-30

recommended Gaylabration 2016
DJ Drew G and Orographic lead the charge at the sixth edition of Gaylabration, the official Pride Saturday night dance party. Sat June 18, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 10 pm, $14.99-49.99

Portland Pride Parade, Sun June 19, 11 am, kickoff at W Burnside & Park

recommended Portland Pride Parade
Don't miss the Technicolor exuberance and thumping splendor of the annual Portland Pride Parade, celebrating the LGBT community in all of its varied splendor. Sun June 19, see route information this page, 11 am, free, all ages

recommended Bob the Drag Queen
RuPaul's Drag Race season eight winner Bob the Drag Queen comes to the Star Theater on Pride Sunday to headline two shows. Each show will feature a range of musical guests and drag talent. Hosted by Buckmaster, Stacy Stl Lisa, and Ann Pyne. Sun June 19, Star Theater, 13 NW 6th, 1 pm (all ages) & 3 pm (21+), $20-50

The Big Gay Boat Ride
The fourth annual floating Pride party, headlined by Hot Chocolate, (Maria Peters Lake, Alexis Campbell Starr, Kourtni Capree Duv, and Poison Waters) and Shangela from RuPaul's Drag Race. Sun June 19, Portland Spirit, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, docks at SW Salmon & Naito, 3 pm, $33-65

Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine
A documentary examining the life of Matthew Shepard—who was brutally beaten in 1998, and left to die because he was gay—through the eyes of those who knew him. Sun June 19, Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7 pm, $9

Drag Queen Bingo
The always hilarious Poison Waters hosts this evening of bingo—because if you don't like drag queens and bingo, you must be some kind of monster, right? Wed June 22, Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan, 6 pm, $15

Shades: Portland Black Pride Celebration
DJ Dirty Red and some very special guests headline this dance party that'll help raise money for the PFLAG Portland Black Chapter. Thurs June 23, Dig a Pony, 736 SE Grand, 7 pm, free

recommended Queer Horror
The bimonthly series, hosted by Carla Rossi, returns with Desperate Living, John Waters' 1977 follow-up to his shit-eating classic Pink Flamingos. Preceded by a short film by local filmmaker Gula Delgatto. Thurs June 30, Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 9:30 pm, $9