GLAPN's next meeting: Thursday, June 6
Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest will meet Thursday, June 6, 7-9PM, at Q Center, 4115 N. Mississippi, in Portland. Everyone interested in regional queer history is welcome to attend.
Pride Northwest honors GLAPN's George Nicola
with Community Activist Award
The Community Activist award is given on alternating years, and recognizes individuals and organizations who are participating in grassroots efforts with limited resources. The intent is to highlight nominees that are working on the front lines of important LGBTQ issues and concerns, which might not otherwise gain broad attention, and bring visibility to that work. This year, Pride Northwest is proud to recognize George Nicola, for his tireless work in bringing visibility and action to a number of LGBTQ issues and efforts. Active in the Portland LGBTQ community since the early days of the modern movement, George has given countless hours to keeping LGBTQ issues at the forefront of public policy and preserving Pacific Northwest LGBTQ history, all with a grace and humor that belies the impact he has, and continues to have on our community.
George began his activism in the early 1970s with The Second Foundation of Oregon, a group which appeared in Portland not long after the Gay Liberation Front began to organize. He lobbied the legislature extensively for gay rights until 1974, when it became necessary for him to get a paying job.
In 2008, George was one of the speakers at GLAPN's Our Stories event marking the passage of the Oregon Equality Act and the Oregon Family Fairness Act – 35 years after gay rights bills were first introduced by Oregon lawmakers. Since then he has been contributing regularly as a writer and speaker about the history of Oregon's LGBTQ movement.
Many of his articles are on GLAPN.org at this link: Click here to read the reminiscences and research of this important Oregon historian.
Musicians and bands contribute to benefit album
for Q Center and SMYRC
COMP 175 is a benefit record for Queer programs & services in the Pacific Northwest. 36 bands, 45 songs, 15 bucks. The pre-order went live on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 via Bandcamp, and the full record releases everywhere music is sold on Tuesday, November 27th, 2012.
Visit the Bandcamp link [below] to see a list of the personnel who contributed music to this album, and to pre-order. Those who partake in the pre-order receive the first 10 songs instantly, 3 weeks before the record is released.
Charity Info: All profits from this release go directly to Q Center, which operates both the LGBTQ Community Center and the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) in Portland, Oregon.
For more info on Q Center, visit http://www.pdxQcenter.org/
For more info on SMYRC, visit http://www.SMYRC.org/
About the album title: Section 175 was a provision of the German Criminal Code from 1871 to 1994, making homosexuality a crime. Over 140,000 people were convicted under the law. The Nazis broadened the law in 1935 and thousands died in concentration camps in the persecutions that followed.
Today, all over the world, the fight for LGBTQ freedom and equality is not yet won. Your purchase of this record helps to ensure that the important work of this vital community resource continues.
Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/Comp175
Twitter Page: http://www.Twitter.com/Comp175Record
Bandcamp Page: http://comp175.bandcamp.com/
Label Page: http://www.LoganLynnMusic.com
Note: "Comp 175" is an eclectic mix of LGBTQ artists, bands, and performers. Some of the content is intended for a mature audience (thus the parental advisory sticker on the album cover).
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20 Years after Measure 9:
GLAPN, Q Center, HRC & BRO celebrate the defeat of Oregon's big anti-gay initiative
In 1992, in an effort to prevent "special rights" for homosexuals, the Oregon Citizens Alliance's Measure 9 proposed to amend the Oregon Constitution to declare that the state "recognizes homosexuality, pedophilia, sadism and masochism as abnormal, wrong, unnatural, and perverse" and to prohibit spending State funds to "promote" them.
In a bitter and divisive battle, Oregonians defeated Measure 9, 56.5 percent to 43.5 percent at the polls. The struggle was enormously costly to the morale of the LGBT community, where there was never full agreement on how to address the OCA's challenge. Nonetheless, our community and its allies outspent the OCA six to one, and the election was won. It was bittersweet: although we had won, we faced the reality that more than 600,000 people had voted to restrict the rights of LGBT citizens in Oregon; and although we had succeeded in preventing loss of rights, we had gained neither rights nor safety from further initiatives.
Although our community was damaged by the struggle to defeat the OCA, the ground-breaking organizing efforts in 1992 provided the foundation on which Basic Rights Oregon, the Human Rights Campaign, the Rural Organizing Project and Love Makes a Family could carry forward the idea that all people deserve the same equal rights under the law.
On November 3, 2012, four community organizations celebrated the 20th anniversary of the defeat of OCA's Measure 9.
In the morning, Basic Rights Oregon sent out crews to knock on doors in Vancouver, canvassing for freedom to marry in the State of Washington.
During luncheon, and afterwards, speakers reflected on the struggle around Measure 9, and what this victory meant to our various communities. To capture the feeling of the time, there was a showing of a 20 minute film called Fighting for Our Lives, made by local documentary film makers Barbara Bernstein and Elaine Velazquez, to help rural Oregonians understand why they should join the effort to defeat Ballot Measure 9. Following that, two individuals who led the fight against Measure 9 shared insights about that struggle, and the future of queer civil rights. The crowd heard from Kathleen Sadaat, a member of the No on 9 steering committee, who fought to include all voices in the opposition, and Charlie Hinkle, an outspoken attorney who helped organize the legal community to craft the language we needed to talk about the measure.
The gathering concluded with a time for questions and discussion, and a call to action by Basic Rights Oregon.
Here's the text of the E-blast the four sponsors released on Friday, October 26, 2012.
Dear Supporter,
Twenty years after Oregonians defeated an anti-gay ballot measure for the first time, local advocates plan to mark the event with a get-out-the-vote effort for the freedom to marry in Washington and a program that celebrates the importance of this historic event.
Oregon has faced more anti-gay measures than any other state, but in 1992, equality supporters successfully organized and for the first time defeated an anti-gay ballot measure. Measure 9 would have forced schools and the state government to go out of their way to discriminate.
Join us in celebration of this historic victory that galvanized our movement in the northwest:
Nov. 3, 2012 Measure 9 Anniversary The Q Center, 4115 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland, Ore. 97217
9 a.m.: Voter Contact Drive
Noon: luncheon, speeches and documentary viewingHope to see you there!
Barbara McCullough-Jones, Executive Director, Q Center
Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign
Ismoon Maria Hunter-Morton, President, Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest
Jeana Frazzini, Executive Director, Basic Rights Oregon
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Daniel Spiro's documentary on Sister Paula Nielsen
debuts at Portland Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Sept. 30, 2012
PLGFF presented the world premiere of Sister Paula: The Trans Evangelist on September 30, 2012 in Portland.
The film, a work-in-progress, tells the story of Portland native Paula Nielsen, a transgender pioneer, legal secretary, cabaret performer, Pentecostal preacher and public access television star.
Daniel Spiro, who produced and edited the 103-minute feature, is an active member of Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN).
Through interviews, television appearances and her sermons, the film tells Paula’s story in her own words. Born Larry Nielsen in 1938, Paula transitioned to female on May 1, 1963 and has lived as a transwoman ever since. In 1950 she became a born again Christian and a preacher. During the 1970’s Paula was the first church secretary for Metropolitan Community Church in Portland, Oregon, when she came out publicly as a transwoman. In 1980 Paula became a featured attraction as a cabaret entertainer at the legendary Darcelle’s. Throughout the 1990’s Sister Paula made guest appearances on national and international television programs and was a featured guest on PM Magazine, Jenny Jones, Joan Rivers and The Daily Show.
Sister Paula continues to spread the gospel on public access TV, her podcast and internet radio.
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Ismoon featured in September's PQ Monthly!
GLAPN President Ismoon Maria Hunter-Morton was featured in column entitled "Local Hero: Ismoon Hunter-Morton – Rebel librarian at large"
This is the first in a series of "Local Hero" articles by PQ Monthly's Sunny Clark.
Read it here: http://www.pqmonthly.com/2012/09/local-hero-ismoon-hunter-morton-rebel-librarian-at-large/
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GLAPN supports International Queer Archive Convention
We proudly sent a donation at the "sponsorship" level to the IHLIA LGBT ALMS 2012 convention which was held in Amsterdam, August 1-3, 2012. We're happy to support such an event in any way, and of course, it puts GLAPN on the world map of LGBTQ archives.
IHLIA is Dutch: Internationaal Homo/Lesbich Informationcentrum en Archief. It's the world's biggest LGBTQ archive, and it's located in Amsterdam. The full link to their English pages is http://www.ihlia.nl/english/english/english_home.
ALMS is an acronym for Archives, Libraries, Museums and Special Collections.
Here's the text of the thank-you that our treasurer, C. Allen Giles, received.
Dear Charles,
The LGBT ALMS 2012 conference has succesfully taken place in the great
venues of the Public Library of Amsterdam in the beginning of august.This was not only a succes because it just happened, it was aspecially
succesful for the participants who never before have been able to meet
each other, to exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences.
For the first time, IHLIA succeeded to create an opportunity, with a very
divers and interesting programme, within reach for people from over 30
countries in Europe and elswhere.
This could only happen with your support. We are very greatfull for your
gift and like to thank you for that.
Do you like to stay connected? Describe for our newsletter at
lgbti.alms.2012@gmail.comThank you again, kind regards,
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GLAPN joins regional archivist group
GLAPN president Ismoon Maria Hunter-Morton was about to join NW Archivists, Inc., a cool local professional association for archives and archivists. She planned on joining on her own, but discovered the possibility of organizational membership, so she joined in GLAPN’s name.
It seems to be the first time GLAPN has joined a professional organization of this type, and the potential for networking is huge.
As a result, we will be featured in their newsletter, in the New Member Spotlight, November, 2012.
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GLAPN announces new officers
Ismoon Maria Hunter-Morton and C. Allen Giles were elected president and treasurer, respectively, of Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest at the organization's March, 2012, meeting.
Ismoon is currently Q Center's librarian, among other community jobs and activities, and Allen brings the experience and perspective of a professional archivist who, among other things, has been working with the Cascade Aids Project's archives.
Robin Will continues as GLAPN's secretary/webmaster.
Everyone is invited to Q Center on Thursday, June 14, 5:30PM - 8:00PM, for a reception to view the 30 posters of the Queer Heroes NW project – and to associate with some of the heroes!
In the winter of 2011, GLAPN and Q Center hatched the idea of announcing a Queer Hero for every day of PRIDE 2012. A photo and biographical sketch of each hero would be displayed on posters in Q Center's gallery, at the Portland PRIDE festival, and on both organizations' websites. In addition, an Internet link would roll out a hero every day during the month of June.
Planning started before Christmas.
Several community groups helped by emailing publicity statewide. GLAPN and Q Center publicized the project through websites and Facebook pages. Nominations were open online through the month of February, and 168 nominations were received. Nominations included teachers, entertainers, straight allies, attorneys, clergy, community activists, and legislators – representing every age group, every ethnicity, and every color of our rainbow.
March was taken up with the very difficult selection process, and during April and May, information was verified and photos gathered for the posters.
RIGHT: The Heroes Posters drew a steady audience of readers at the South Waterfront PRIDE Festival.
We began announcing heroes on June 1. The posters were ready to view on June 14 in the gallery at Q Center, and a portable exhibit of the same posters was on display in Q Center’s booth at the South Waterfront PRIDE Festival, June 15th-17th in Portland.
After PRIDE, the portable display will be hitting the road and making the rounds all over community centers, schools, churches, and businesses in the Pacific NW!
At the completion of the online project, all of the Heroes profiles will be available here on GLAPN.org.
Both organizations admit to being overwhelmed by the response to this pioneering effort. GLAPN and Q Center will be working through the list of nominations, and will continue to collect and publicize information about queer heroes as the year progresses.
For more, please visit the official Queer Heroes NW page on Q Center's website.
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Our Stories: Women’s Softball
Saturday Nov 5, 2011. 7pm
Softball has always had a special place in lesbian culture.
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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Jeanine Wittcke -- opened the evening with a story about how her mother didn’t want her to play “that” sport with “those” women. |
Donna Luckett -- talked about what softball has meant to her. She was involved with the Lesbian Community Project softball tournaments. |
Louise “Chris” Mazzuca -- one of the best pitchers to ever play the game. She had 9 perfect games and 35 no-hitters. She played for several teams including Erv Lind Florists. |
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Pat Cach -- became an active follower of fast-pitch softball during the 1960s as she cheered on the Erv Lind Florists women’s softball team. In 1962 she helped drive the team to a tournament in Connecticut. She also helped coach the Lavender Menace 2. |
Timi Elwood -- coached girls’ high school sports before and after Title IX. She will talk about what Title IX did for women’s sports. Also, she spoke about the importance of having women in decision-making jobs such as “athletic director.” |
Fern Wilgus — a left-handed pitcher for Dotty Moore Pennant Shop. She played from the early 1960s to 1971. |
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October 1, 2011 – Walking Tours benefit
Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition
GLAPN's famous walking tours are back, this time benefiting Oregon Safe Schools and Communities Coalition on October 1, 2011, the day before AIDS Walk.
GLAPN's Rob Douglass and Dave Kohl will be leading the tours, which are chock-full of juicy anecdotes about queer life in Portland over the last century or so.
Two expeditions are planned, with a break in-between at Hobos (120 NW 3rd Avenue) for refreshments and presentations by GLAPN and OSSCC. Really enthusiastic walkers will be able to take in both tours!
Tour 1: Who's on Third will take folks through Old Queer Portland. In the old days, Portland's "vice district" spread along Third Avenue as far south as Lownsdale Square, the "gentlemen's gathering place" of the 19th Century. Gather in front of Hobos for a 1:30pm step-out, stroll south along SW Third Avenue and return along SW Broadway to Hobos at 3:00pm.
Intermission at Hobos: From 3:00-4:30pm, participants will mingle upstairs at Hobos. GLAPN will present a pictorial display and a short discussion of their role in preserving northwest queer history, and OSSCC will describe their campaign to keep schools and communities safe for all of us.
Tour 2: The Stark Truth will explore more recent developments in Portland's queer community. As the name suggests, SW Stark Street will be its focus. It is scheduled to end back at Hobos, at 6:00pm.
Tickets (for one tour) are $30, available through OSSCC's website, OregonSafeSchools.org.
“Welcome to a day of living history. In collaboration with GLAPN, the Gay, Lesbian Archives of the Pacific NW, OSSCC will be leading downtown history tours, honoring our community’s rich past and remembering those who made our journey possible.”
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May 3-5, 2011
A portion of the receipts from the grand opening will benefit GLAPN's treasury.
As if you needed a reason to see what has happened to the old Silverado and the Portland Baths!
By Robin Will, Secretary & Webmaster
Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest
A couple of years ago, GLAPN was contacted by Tim Hills, staff historian for McMenamins, the business which has become as famous for their historic buildings as it is for food, brew, and hospitality.
The McMenamin brothers had just purchased a [smallish] city block in Portland's Gay Triangle, the old Majestic Hotel, site of the Silverado Bar and the Portland Baths.
McMenamins celebrates the history of every property they acquire.
"Could GLAPN help them in their research of this site which had lots of history in the LGBTQ community?"
Several GLAPN members responded. The job wasn't easy, because like most gay history, very little about this site was written down. Personal memories were explored. Personal contacts were exploited. One recollection triggered another. And in the end, it was surprising how much information we were able to generate about this Queer Portland landmark.
The renovation is complete, and the property will open to the public on May 3, 2011.
Of course, Tim Hills didn't stop with the queer portion of the property's history. Judging by pictures on the walls through all four stories, it appears that he looked at every city directory, every newspaper article, and every deed and tax record in existence for that little triangle of land -- and tracked down descendants of original owners, and got access to their family scrapbooks.
There are even pictures of the farmhouse that was on the property before Stark Street came so far west!
This is a see-to-believe proposition. As a Portlander since 1956 (I was in third grade -- go ahead and do the math!), I was amazed at the memories Tim's work brought back.
In appreciation for GLAPN's contribution to the historical research, a portion of the proceeds from the May 3-4-5 Grand Opening celebration, which will include the Crystal Hotel, Ringlers Annex and the Crystal Ballroom, will be donated to GLAPN. There will be food, libations, and music in several venues in the new Crystal complex.
That provides any number of good reasons to visit, and see the new life that McMenamins has breathed into this old Portland landmark.
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P.O. Box 3646 • Portland, OR 97208-3646 • info@glapn.or
Copyright © 2012, Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest