Come Be a Part of Til Death Do Us Toby!

Portland!

We are coming to town this week to film a portion of the short film Til Death Do Us Toby and want YOU to be a part of it.

DETAILS

Saturday, June 26, 2010
5 - 6pm
Laurelhurst Park*

*meet at the bathroom area (click on map embedded here)

We will be filming Christine Havrilla singing a song called Hightail, co-written by Gina Daggett and Patricia McKenny. With her jammin' acoustic guitar, we are going to film Havrilla in front of all of you, who will sing along with the chorus, which is super duper catchy...

Gotta break free

Gotta survive

Gotta find a way to stay alive

I just wanna run

I just wanna scream

I just wanna hightail out of this dream

What is this Til Death Do Us Toby movie anyway?

It's a short film about a girl named Sam and a neurotic dog named Toby, who are both trying to find freedom. In Sam's case, she's trying to break free from her controlling mother, Mimi, who doesn't like Sam's best friend who's quite the edgy dyke. In Toby's case, he misunderstands a conversation between Mimi and Sam and thinks they're out to kill him, so he's just trying to hightail out of electric chair (aka their house).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It's going to be a ton of fun and won't take up a bunch of time, so come on out and be in the short film, which will be making the queer festival rounds next year. Lipstick would be forever grateful!

If you're coming, let us know on FACEBOOK!

Portland Pride This Weekend

Boy do I wish I was going to be in Portland this weekend!

Two of my favorite performers are singing or strutting their stuff on the Community Stage for the Portland Pride 2010.

First up: Christine Havrilla plays at 3pm on Saturday. Right after: Bang Bang Betty's Big Beautiful Bombshells (which includes our Executive Editor from Curve, Diane Anderson-Minshall) at 4:30.

Portland Peeps: get your pride on this weekend and go check out these fantabulous performances!

Be sure to check out the full lineup of great performers coming to Portland Pride this weekend. It's quite the talent draw: http://www.pridenw.org/

* Kina Williams Photography for Bang Bang Betty

Tristan Taormino in Portland and Salem

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Hanging Out with Butches

Even though I am clearly butch-identified and even write from the butch perspective for a living, I'm sad to admit that I don't have a lot of butch friends in my day-to-day life. Most of my butch gals live elsewhere. Sure, we text each other when the Stanford women play basketball and meet up in SF every year for the dyke march, but really, it's not enough.

So I was super excited when my old pal Evan decided to start the "Butch Crew" after attending the Butch Voices conference in Oakland this summer. The Butch Crew is a monthly meeting of butches to talk about gender and identity and situations butches encounter, like bathroom problems or dating other butches. And it's awesome!

I missed the first meeting because I was on some lesbian cruise, but was able to meet up with the gals this past weekend. And I'm looking forward to many more gatherings. If you're in Portland and are a female-identified butch, please join us:

Sunday, January 10

Butch Crew PDX Meet up

Time:3:00PM Sunday, January 10th

Location:Flying Cat Coffee Co., 3041 SE Division St. Portland.

That's What She Said

Lipstick & I saw some amazing talent on the Sweet Cruise. One of my favorites That's What She Said. That’s What She Said is a mad musical bouquet of imaginative, comic songs about lesbians. My favorite, was the U-Haul Song.

Their show is a benefit for Jeff Bader who needs help to finance in-home care as he lives with ALS.

Saturday, December 12, 2009
Time:	8:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	Q Center
Street:	4115 N mississippi Ave

Jennifer Beals Watch

Lipstick isn't the only one who is spotting Jennifer Beals out and about. This weekend I was in downtown Portland for the annual AIDS walk. I was in a long line waiting to use the toilet when who should pop out of the Porta Potty right in front of me, but Jennifer Beals herself!

Yay to Jennifer for showing her support to the AIDS walk. I had to pee so bad, I didn't stop and ask her for an autograph. Oh well, maybe next time.

Come Meet Kate Kendell This Weekend

I am so excited to meet one of the leading activists for lesbian rights this weekend in Portland. Kate Kendell, head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights is coming to the Rose City to hang out with us and chat. One of the events is free--at a cool new lesbian-owned coffee shop. The other is a fund raiser for Basic Rights Oregon. Attend one or both. I'll be there Saturday. If I didn't have my neighborhood block party, I'd be there Sunday too. Some come on out and meet Kate and Dipstick!

The State of Our Unions: LGBT Legal & Policy Issues
Saturday, September 12, 2009
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The legal landscape for LGBT people is ever-changing, and this year, that has proved to be especially true! With new victories and defeats occurring at a faster pace than ever, it’s hard to keep track of where our struggle for justice stands, and how and where our relationships are protected. Join Kate Kendell and Basic Rights Oregon’s Executive DirectorJeana Frazzini for a presentation and discussion on the latest legal and policy issues affecting the LGBT community, including an update on moving forward with marriage equality in Oregon and other states and federal legislation and litigation.

Flying Cat Coffee Co.
3041 SE Division Street
Portland, Oregon

A Social for Social Justice:
Benefit Party for NCLR and Basic Rights Oregon
Sunday, September 13, 2009
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

So much has happened over this past year – we hope you can join us for a fun and intimate afternoon to catch up with NCLR and BRO and find out more about our current work and what lies ahead in the fight for our LGBT civil and human rights.

We’ll enjoy:

• Complimentary wine
• Complimentary gourmet hors d’oeuvres by award-winning Chef Cathy Whims
• A great group of folks within our community
• Fantastic door prizes, including a trip for two on a Sweet Caribbean cruise!

Nostrana Restaurant
1401 SE Morrison Street

Portland Gay Pride & Dyke March 2009

Portland's Gay Pride was this weekend. As you can imagine, I'm exhausted. The Dyke March was a blast. Because Lipstick & I are usually working the Curve booth, we've missed the Dyke March in the past few years. This year Curve wasn't able to make it to Portland Pride, so I was free to march with the Dykes. I sure did miss it! Check out my photo gallery.

It seems some of you did not watch the Pride vlog, or you chose to ignore our advice. Or rather, you took Lipstick's advice. I saw one woman limping home, barefoot and pregnant because she decided to wear cute, instead of comfortable shoes. And you know what she sacrificed? A night of dancing with bunches of hot ladies. All because she didn't take Dipstick's advice and wear sensible shoes.

I'm lucky enough that I don't have any exes that live in Portland, so I don't have to worry about running into them. But two friends did. How could it not happen? For one it was simply awkward. For the other it was kind of traumatic. Ah lesbians, we're either best friends with our exes or spend our existence avoiding them. At least these dykes didn't stay home, just to avoid the inevitable run-in.

No matter where and when your pride is, I hope you have tons of fun, few protesters and no traumatic ex run-ins.  

Portland Rose Festival Parade

Normally I avoid anything having to do with Rose Festival. But once every five years or so, I get it in my head that I should ride my bike down to the Rose Quarter and check out the parade.  Each time I do, I am reminded why I stay away.  The parade is really boring.  It's nothing at all like Gay Pride, where people are outrageous and flamboyant and disco music is pumping.  

Instead, it's just a bunch of teenage blonde rodeo clones on horses, perky high school girls in gowns practicing their princess wave and creepy clown posses scaring the little children.  Sure, some of the floats are pretty, but all I can think about is the wasted resources.

This year I took my camera and thought I'd take a few shots for the blog.  The most interesting thing was when this car, carrying a 1959 Rose Princess, broke down and people had to jump in from the sidelines to push it out of the way.  As you can see, they got it fixed and eventually pulled back into the parade route.

Other than the broken down car, the only other thing that really caught my eye was the cute female cops. I hope you enjoy looking at them.  Maybe they'll be around next weekend for gay pride too.  
 

Michelle Malone with Ashleigh Flynn

I remember the first time I saw Michelle Malone.  My friend and Americana genius Ashleigh Flynn was opening up for a show in a small all-ages club in Portland. I had heard of "Moanin' Michelle Malone," but it was the first time I saw or heard her music.

Ashleigh had to stall the crowd, as Michelle and her crew were running late. Their van broke down somewhere between Oregon and California.  When Michelle and her drummer finally walked into the venue, they looked tired and cranky.  "This show is going to suck," I said to myself.

Instead, I was treated to one of the best rock-n-roll shows I have ever seen.  Michelle Malone is the real deal, a full time rocker with a dozen studio CDs and almost as many live recordings. 

Billboard magazine calls her "criminally underrated." Why she hasn't achieved more commercial success if beyond me.  The only reason I'm grateful is that I get to see her in small clubs, like my favorite Mississippi Studios.

If you're in Portland on Friday, come and check out Michelle Malone with my pal Ashleigh Flynn.

Mississippi Studios

Friday May 15
3939 N. Mississippi
Doors at 8, Show at 9
$12

If you don't see her in Portland, Michelle Malone is going a lot of places. Be sure to check her out.

Funny Lesbian Comedians:: Marilyn Pittman & Gail Hand

Our good friend and funnywoman Gail Hand is bringing Marilyn Pittman to Portland for two comedy shows. Lipstick & I were guests on Marilyn Pittman's Out in the Bay radio show a year ago, where we dished about lesbian sex, butch/femme and our lesbian relationship guide. She's a very funny woman and also good at navigating San Francisco at rush hour.

You know you need a laugh right about now. So be sure to check these two out!

Saturday, April 4 at 10:30pm

Sunday, April 5 at 7:00 pm

Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC)
5340 North Interstate Ave. 

Tickets:  $20/$18 for seniors

Meet These Hot Lesbians at the Winter Gala

To all our Portland peeps, please come out and support the amazing work of The Q Center and meet Heather Matarazzo, aka Stacey Merkin the "vagina wig" from The L Word and her adorable girlfriend Carolyn Murphy.

This Saturday Saturday, January 31st at the amazing Nines Hotel. (Upstairs at Macy's.) The event is to celebrate all things Portland, including a performance by sexy Storm Large.

Tickets are $75 and all proceeds go to support the important work of Portland's LGBT Community Center. Buy them here!

L Word Premiere Recap

What a fun night Dipstick and I had emceeing and entertaining the crowd who'd gathered at the Bagdad Theater on Sunday. Thank you all for coming out to support HRC.

About 700 women showed up (it sold out once again) to ring in the final season of the L Word, a season opener which began with the shocking death of the wildly loathed Jenny Schecter (played by actor Mia Kershner). Collectively, we raised thousands of dollars for HRC.

We played some super fun games. The first: pin the pasties on Jennifer Beals. In the picture here, Lipstick is measuring how far the candy pasties were from her nipples. The second game we played was the dildo ring toss. Here, Dipstick is rooting on one of our contestants.

It was so much fun and we will truly miss our L Word sisters!

The photo below is with our photographer Maggie Parker. Our friend Carla Remey took it.

Obammmmmmmma!

Woot!!!! It's offish: Barack Obama has taken over power! It's a sunny day here in Portland, Oregon and there is a buzz in the air, as there is across the country. Change has finally arrived!

Dip and I have been busy these past few days (hence why we've been MIA) doing several things. On Saturday, we were in an all-day photo shoot with Curve. Photographer Maggie Parker captured the next six columns coming up in Curve. (Two upcoming shoots are pinned here.)

On Sunday, Dipstick and I emceed the L Word Premiere Party at the Bagdad Theater. We entertained the crowd before the season opener of the final season of the L Word. Those pics will be posted tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Hallelujah for change!!!

L Word is Coming!

Don't forget, the L Word Season Six premiere is this Sunday, January 18 and there is a big party at the Bagdad Theater in Portland, Oregon that Lipstick & Dipstick are hosting. The details are below, but here is a sneak peek of what might be in store. You'll have to show up to find out more:

Pasties and Jennifer Beals
A phone call with Helena and photo
A free L Word Season 5 DVD set
L Word Posters
Curve magazine with cast autographs

DETAILS

Baghdad Theater (3702 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.)

January 18, 2009

5:30pm (doors open)

Premiere at 7pm

RSVP Here!
Be sure to come early as it sold out last year.

*Pictures are from last year.

L Word Coming Soon

For the L Word's final season, Lipstick & Dipstick will be emceeing the big L Word premiere at the Baghdad Theater in Portland, Oregon again this year. Last year's event sold out and they had to turn a bunch of people away, rsvp today on HRC's website.

Details
Sunday, January 18
5:30pm - 9pm
Bagdad Theatre
3702 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214

After they open the doors, Lipstick & Dipstick will be entertaining you for an hour as people get popcorn, brewskis and find seats. You do NOT want to miss this Season Six premiere of the L Word--apparently something really big happens in the first few minutes that will set the scene for the rest of the season. To whet your pallet, see below...

Lethal Lesbians

I don't anything about any of the films showing this weekend at the Clinton Street Theater, but the title of the festival is enough to make me want to go:

Lethal Lesbian 3, a collection of Israeli lesbian short films, will be held on Sunday, November 30 at 1:30 pm at the Clinton St. Theatre, located at 2522 SE Clinton St.  Reception and after party will follow the screening at Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St.
 
The program includes 7 shorts and one 50 minute drama, The Other War, by Tamar Glezerman.  Before the screening, QueerVideos, a 5 minute video-art piece by Shiri Blumenthal, will be screened.

Check it out if you can!

We Need Your Help! Fred Phelps is Coming to Town

This just in from an activist friend of mine:

As some of you may have heard, Fred Phelps (of "god hates fags" and westboro baptist church infamy) is picketing PSU's queer resource center and Silverton, Oregon's recent election of Stu Rasmussen (The first ever openly transgendered Mayor) on Monday, November 24th.

There is a planning meeting tonight Friday, November 21, 2008 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Outside In at 1132 SW 13th Ave. Portland, OR 97205 (between Jefferson and Main)

In the meantime, the organizers of the counter-protest have put together a unique way to fight Phelps and his traveling band of hatemongers. Please read on, and re-post, and please TAKE ACTION.

We would like to fight the WBC by raising money for Outside In. You can see the services that Outside In provides to homeless youth, with lots of services for queer/trans youth, by visiting (www.outsidein.org). We are asking our local businesses and any individuals interested in participating, to donate any amount of money from $.05 and up, for each minute that Westboro Baptist Church protests in our community(with a minimum donation of $10.)

Want to help raise money for this action? Email dmm1976@gmail.com for a sample letter that you can email to friends, family and businesses to help solicit donates.

Help stop the hate!

The Funniest Lesbian in America is Coming to Portland

Her head is still big from winning voted Curve magazine’s funniest lesbian in America contest. But we don’t care, because really she is that funny.

We love Suzanne Westenhoefer for many reasons. #1. She’s Hot. #2. She makes us laugh. #3. Her head's not really big, it's just her hair. #4. She’s super sweet. #5. She loves butchy girls.

Back when Lipstick and I were trying to figure out if we really were funny, Suzanne graciously met with us, on a hot summer day in her downtown hotel room and helped us craft a few jokes and make the ones we had funnier. And she wanted nothing in return. Except a lift to her girlfriend’s soccer game.

She was one of the first OUT lesbian comedians, making us laugh for 18 years. I’ve seen her so many times over the years, I’ve lost count. And I can’t wait to see her again. Suzanne never lets me down.

Suzanne Westenhoefer

• Saturday, November 22
• Aladdin Theater
  
• 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave
• Portland, OR
  
• Ticket Price: $25.00 adv / $25.00 dos
  
• Doors at 7:00 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
  

_{© Tokyphotography.com}

Kathleen Bryson's Big Debut

Portlanders: Come Out to Support the Women's Film Festival and Portland's Own Kathleen Bryson! She rocks!

Here is the press release for the big premiere:

POW Fest and Siren Nation present the World Premiere of "The Viva Voce Virus"!

Please join us Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00pm for an evening of surreal cinema, featuring the World Premiere of "The Viva Voce Virus," presented by The Portland Women's Film Festival (POW Fest) as part of the Siren Nation Festival.

"The Viva Voce Virus" is co-directed by Kimmo Moykky and Portland's own Kathleen Bryson. London actress Ronnie investigates a mysterious disease from Hollywood's yesteryear: a disease that makes actors keep mum about their same-sex love affairs, a sickness seemingly spread by frothy blue drinks and perfume atomizers. It's a "wild, vivid, surreal sci film... a Kenneth Angerish adventure through the history of the closet," says Friction Magazine.

We will also present a preview of the upcoming documentary, "Five Star
Museum: Exotic World and the Burlesque Revival", produced by Portland's own Courtney Herman.

Doors open at 6:30 pm at The Hollywood Theatre, located at 4122 N.E.
Sandy Blvd. in Portland, Oregon. Tickets are $5 for the screening or
$25 for a festival pass. More information is available at www.sirennation.org, www.powfest.com and www.vivavocevirus.blogspot.com.

***

The mission of the Portland Women's Film Festival is to celebrate the art and cinematic contribution of women filmmakers from around the world, in any format, with any content and in any genre. The 2009 festival will take place March 19-21 at The Hollywood Theatre.