This week we’ve been getting in touch with our inner artists, in honor of the Gallery Opening next week for First Friday. We’ve been reflecting and exploring and painting. Actually, thinking we could get used to this. You could try it for yourself this weekend or you can read on for other adventures and feel up your inner artist at the gallery!

Happening this week:

• Be the change. InQuisitive will have a special guest appearance by Kevin Jennings January 26th at 11:30am. As part of the PDX Q Center’s Education and Training program, diverse guests are invited for a Q & A with Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones. Bringing a lunch is recommended, but beverages will be provided. Early registration is available here.
• Mercy Corps hosts the official launch party for Feminist Agendatonight,
  

  Image courtesy of Stanford Women

  January 26th, at 6:30pm. Free and all-ages! The event will open with screenings of “Miss Representation”, which explores the media’s misrepresentation of women and “Generation of Consolidation”, a short-film series created by Reel Grrls Seattle on media literacy. It will also be ASL interpreted and wheelchair accessible. While all ages are welcome, the 21 and up crowd will follow the showings with drink specials at Beauty Bar. Get it, guurrrrl.

• Teach me your ways! The University of Oregon and As You Like It present “Ethical Sluthood: Foundations of Nontraditional Lifestyles” at the Erb Memorial Union. The workshop will explore ethically and emotionally stable lifestyles beyond the tradition of monogamy with host and author Janet W. Hardy. The event will take place Thursday, January 26th at 7pm.

Links we loved:

• Out Magazine shares the story of how a Squamish community celebrates marriage regardless of gender. We know a few people who should take notes.
• California Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi proposes bill for the first LGBT specialized license plate. Honk if you like this!
• Kim Kardashian donates $50k to the Trevor Project. Let’s hope her commitment to the nonprofit lasts longer than her marriage.

Image courtesy of The Republic

Happening this week:

This weekend we’re doing our best to remind ourselves of those little, really minor, resolutions we may or may not have vowed to continue at the beginning of the year. Who’s idea was this anyway? At least we can look forward to some distractions!

Happening this week:

• Focus on Youth Photographic Art Show and Sale wraps up with its final shows this week at the PDX Q Center. The reception on Thursday, January 12th at 5pm will include more than 20 images from professional and amateur photographers along with matted works by students of Focus on Youth mentors. Swing by for a little wine, some snacks and a different perspective.
• Salt, Fire and Time will host a $30 class showcasing Gluten-Free Cooking
  

  Image courtesy of Yelp

  on a Budget at 6:30pm on Thursday, January 12th. Holistic Health Coach Eric Blair will teach you healthy and thrifty recipes that will stick to your resolutions and not to your ribs. Reserve a spot here to get in on the menu of millet, lentils, garlic-sautéed rainbow chard and baked sweet potatoes. Open wide!

• Celebrate good times! In Other Words presents Dirty Queer’s 5th year anniversary! The special celebration, at 6pm on Friday January 13th, will include mingling, open mic sessions, local treats and a fliptography booth. Door prizes will be provided courtesy of Good Margot, Alicia Shaffer from Fancy! Salon, As You Like It Pleasure Shop and Lady Scarlett. A portion of the proceeds will benefit IOW and donations are tax-deductible. Arrive early if you want to sit & contact the bookstore in advance for wheel-chair accessible seating.

Image courtesy of GayRVA

off at every NYE party we can. We’ll spend the rest of the week splurging with a guilt-free conscience (which is so out of the norm, riiiight?) before we have to get our butts back in gear for the new year. Cheers to a fabulously safe New Year’s Eve and a prosperously happy New Year!Happening this week:

• Portland Hilton and Executive Tower hosts the 21st Annual Champagne Ball December 31st from 8pm until 2am. The New Year’s Eve Party includes access to four rooms, midnight snacks, champagne and party favors, as well as all night entertainment by 5 Guys Named Moe, AWOL Dance Collective and a few of Portland’s hottest DJs. The no-denim dress code requires a cocktail attire minimum. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit the Children’s Cancer Association. The ball will drop but the bubbles will rise!

• Get your creative juices flowing for 2012. Inspire Truth: A New Year’s Eve Celebration & Ceremony will be held at Refuge PDX on December 31st from 9pm until 2am. The event will feature performances by music sensations Tipper, Dubtribe Sound System, Heyoka, Kaminanda and local faves Vagabond Opera, Solovox, Manoj & E3. Visual artists Autumn Skye Morrison and Jonathan Singer will also make a guest appearance. Get your tickets now to dance the night away and celebrate the transition into a pivotal year.

• This hotel party is not for sleeping. Hot Flash Productions presents Inferno Portland New Years Eve Party at Red Lion on the River December 31st. DJ Wildfire will rock the party all night from 8pm to 2am. Tickets are available now for early birds, late-comers and 10 person tables. Ring in the new year on the Columbia river.

Image courtesy of Out Magazine

Links we loved:

• Out Magazine lists the 15 Best Places for a Gay NYE. Can any of you vouch for one or more of these hot spots?
• Thousands of families supported Zach Wahl’s defense of marriage equality with the online video and photo campaign Love Makes a Family.
• We’re heartbroken to hear the news that Portland’s LGBT Magazine Just Out is shutting down. Thanks for a great 28 years of news, events and community support.

Image courtesy of sfquppsala

This week we’re whipping out our Ugly Sweaters and attending all the Holiday parties we can, invite or not.

Image coutresy of Clip Art Guide

It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas! We’re prepping for the holiday hustle this week and obsesively checking the weather for the snowstorm we’re sure is en route. Til then we’re warming up to the holiday music selection and giggling while everyone else struggles with Christmas decorations.

Happening this week:

• The PDX Q Center and Portland Playhouse partner to bring Tony Kushner’s ANGELS IN AMERICA: Millinneum Approaches. The show, which follows a variety of characters through the landscape of an uncertain American future, will make its premiere at The World Trade Center Theatre Thursday December 8th at 7:30. Break a leg!
• Crush is hosting Jingle Ball, a happenin’ holiday sweater party Friday
  

  Image courtesy of Sauce Hockey

  December 9th. Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with dancing, drinks, and darn ugly sweaters. The festivities kick off at 8pm and will include a prize for the best sweater. At least you won’t have to worry about what to wear.

• Ho ho ho! Santa Claus makes an early stop at the Portland Q Center! Sponsored by Helen’s Pacific Costumes, Jolly ol’ Saint Nick will be present for photos from 12-3pm on Sunday December 11th. For $3 and a can of nonperishable food you can make a Christmas memory.

Links we loved:

• Controversial comic Rosie O’Donnell settles down. The talk show host proposed to girlfriend Michelle Rounds. Guess she liked it so she put a ring on it.
• Tradition shmadition! Secretary of State Hilary Clinton defends LGBT rightsagainst the excuse of cultural tradition.
  

  Image courtesy of GLAPN

• The 1999 Gay Portland Walking Tour Guide is now available online. Secretary of the Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest Robin Will says the document is “without equal in Pacific Northwest Queer History.” And to my right we have awesomeness.

Image Courtesy WorldAIDSDayNW

• The PDX Q Center will present a Living Vigil: 30 years of HIV tonight at 6:30pm. Hosted by Ben Brown Jr., the annual event encourages its audience to stay well and keep up the fight for health and justice. Doors open at 6:30 and is free to the public. Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight.
  

  Image courtesy of Rotary Scholar

• The Mercy Corps Action Center is hosting What’s New in HIV symposium. National Minority AIDS Council Executive Director Paul Kawata will present the latest information regarding HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment. The presentation, which will include time for networking, will take place from 5pm to 7pm Thursday December 1st. Learn what’s new so you can know what’s next.
• Get your fill of food, information and remembrance. Gaymaleiam is hosting a Remembrance Brunch from 11am to 1pm on Thursday December 1st. There will be coffee, sweets, informational brochures and a commemorative table. Monetary and nonperishable food donations are appreciated.

Links we loved:

• 

  Image courtesy of Out.com

  Ahhhh freak out! Out Magazine compiled a list of the 25 gayest songs of the 80’s.

• Hear ye, hear ye! Vermont appoints first openly lesbian Supreme Court Justice, Beth Robinson.
• We Were Here, the acclaimed AIDS documentary, is reportedly being considered for Academy Award nomination. Drum roll, please.