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OUR STORIES:
Since January, 2008, GLAPN has teamed with Portland’s Q Center to produce a number of events of historic interest to the LGBTIQQ community. More are in the planning stage. Collectively known as the Our Stories Series, these oral history programs feature LGBTIQQ activists and elders gathering to share personal reminiscences around significant issues or anniversaries. All of these programs were videotaped.
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Our Stories: Pioneers in Oregons fight for gay rights, January 12, 2008 |
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On January 12, 2008, some of the pioneers of Oregon's queer civil rights movement gathered at Portland's Q Center to share their stories. For more about the program, including a complete cast of characters, click here. The program was videotaped, and a DVD of the proceedings is available. |
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Our Stories: A Quarter-Century of AIDS, March, 2008 |
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Members of the caregiving community and long-time HIV survivors discussed changes in their lives and their community since the discovery of the virus.
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Our Stories: Coming Out/Making Waves, October, 2008 |
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Life-changing decisions effect individuals who make them, but may also have ripple effects on entire communities. Such are the stories that were shared October 4 at Portland's Q Center.
Eight individuals shared their own tales about coming out and making a stand on gay and lesbian rights. Their own lives were altered; but the actions they took with and for the GLBTQ community have made a difference to hundreds of other lives. Designed to tie in with National Coming Out Month, the Saturday event was co-sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN), which collects and archives the memories and memorabilia of GLBTQ Oregonians. Speakers came from several sub-groups within the sexual minority community - urban, rural, disabled, racial minorities, parents, and activists. Speakers included Frank Roa (Umatilla Morrow Alternatives); Betty Nelson (Lesbian Community Project and Metropolitan Community Church); Carla Remy (KBOO radio); Larry Smith (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network); Mehera Scheu (Sexual and Minority Youth Resource Center); and Don and Joanne Ross (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Introducing speakers will be Dave Kohl, author of the award-winning history of Portland's GLBTQ community, "A Curious and Peculiar People." |
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Our Stories: Out for Good – 40 Years After Stonewall, May 23, 2009
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Our Stories: Gender Variance ––>F, November 14, 2009 |
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The Our Stories Series continued on November 14, 2009, with the first of two programs honoring the 30th anniversary of the Northwest Gender Alliance.
The event, sponsored jointly by GLAPN (Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest) and Q Center, was held at Q Center, 4115 N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland, Oregon, beginning at 7:00PM. Gender Variance -->F was a panel discussion focusing on the male-to-female portion of our trans/gender-variant community. (A later Our Stories program will feature female-to-male members of the community.) Five panelists, three trailblazers in Pacific Northwest trans/gender-variant issues and two in the 20s-30s age group, spoke about their personal stories, followed by a moderated question-and-answer period, and open questions from the floor. Dave Kohl, northwest author, historian and artist, was the MC/Moderator for the evening. |
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OUR STORIES: "Finding Our Voice – the 1970s" |
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On Tuesday evening, October 19, 2010, GLAPN members Rob Douglass, George Nicola and Robin Will appeared on "Out Loud" on KBOO radio to talk about the October 23 event. Here's a link to the program:
Eight pioneers of the gay rights movement in Portland spoke at Q Center on Saturday October 23 as part of the ongoing series of history forums, “Our Stories”. These distinguished individuals were active in the early days of the “modern” gay rights movement in the 1970s. They worked to advance our civil rights, establish community, and a positive presence for LGBTQ people in Portland. They created social and community organizations and did the early work that led to the establishment of our legal protections. Click here or on the "finding our voice" logo to the right to read more about this event. The program was videotaped, and a DVD of the proceedings is available. __________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Our Stories: If it's Sunday, this must be Portland, May 22, 2011 |
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Remember the parties of the 1970s and '80s? Or have you only heard about them? Come to Q-Center Sunday May 22 at 2:30 in the afternoon for a few hours of reminiscing and discovery. This is the 7th in the series of "Our Stories" co-sponsored with the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN). Admission is free.
Bars, taverns, and restaurants were the earliest public gathering "If it's Sunday, this must be Portland" is the theme for May 22, From the early 1970s, Portland gay (and by extension, lesbian, bi- trans, queer) culture revolved around the weekend, usually culminating with a FABULOUS Sunday brunch, the finale to a weekend on-going party. Bar and Tavern owners supported or sponsored events large and small, developing a climate from the fantastic and fabulous to philanthropic and festive (and for a time, yes, even funerial). Portlanders invited their sisters from other west coast cities to the Rose City for a gay weekend - the Court, Ramblers, Chorus, Bears, SportsTeams, Leatherfolk, MCC, and Adventurers. Bar tenders (and even waiters on roller skates) promoted the friendly and provocative, adding yet another layer of "energy" and hospitality to the Our special guests for this informal round-table seminar discussion are some of Portland's esteemed Bar owners and bar tenders. Some were first active in the 1960s – now living treasures of Portland gay history. We want to listen to their tales and innuendos, adventures with customers, police, the OLCC, city hall, boyfriends, dancers, food and drink. And maybe go party after the event.... |
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Our Stories: Women's Softball, November 5, 2011 |
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Saturday Nov 5, 2011. 7pm
GLAPN and Q Center teamed up to take a look at the earlier days of women's athletics in Portland. Guests joined us for a night of stories from women who loved the sport as they shared their memories of fast-pitch during the 1960s, the Erv Lind Florists, the impact of Title IX, and the Lesbian Community Project’s annual softball tournaments.
Here’s the line-up.
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Copyright ©2011 • Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest


Members of the caregiving community and long-time HIV survivors discussed changes in their lives and their community since the discovery of the virus.
Life-changing decisions effect individuals who make them, but may also have ripple effects on entire communities. Such are the stories that were shared October 4 at Portland's Q Center.
As part of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, eight esteemed members of our community shared their stories of how this struggle forever shaped their lives. Come join us for an amazing evening of living history, reconnecting, and hearing shared the stories of Portland’s LGBTQ community.
The Our Stories Series continued on November 14, 2009, with the first of two programs honoring the 30th anniversary of the Northwest Gender Alliance.

Remember the parties of the 1970s and '80s? Or have you only heard about them? Come to Q-Center Sunday May 22 at 2:30 in the afternoon for a few hours of reminiscing and discovery. This is the 7th in the series of "Our Stories" co-sponsored with the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN). Admission is free.
Softball has always had a special place in lesbian culture. 





