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Assertive Engagement Newsletter
June 2023
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Last month was part one of our discussion of resistance. Hopefully you made it out to some Juneteenth events and celebrations, or at least had time to connect with community.
This month, we feature stories of resistance from the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and the fight involved with being able to love who you want. Still today, people are fighting for the right to be recognized as their authentic selves and everyone should have the right to exist without fear of punishment.
I'm also thinking about the resistance we sometimes feel to loving ourselves. It's so easy to look in a mirror or reflect on our actions and find the flaws, the things we could improve upon. Sometime I physically cringe when I think about some misstep I've made (a spelling typo from the October newsletter still haunts me). I urge you to resist that! Fight against the stories we hear about how we should look, feel, act, do, have, be... and take the bold step to embrace who you are. Dare to love yourself in your current form, right now.
This is the lesson I've taken from watching Sonya Renee Taylor perform the poem Bodies of Resistance during each AE training. Please watch, enjoy, love, accept... and resist.
The Assertive Engagement Team,
- Helen, Rhea, Gabe & Ruba
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“As we learn to make peace with our bodies and other people's bodies, we create an opening for a more just and equitable world.
Every time you call truce with your body, you interrupt a system of violence and power that profits off your self-hate.”
— Sonya Renee Taylor
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History is made and preserved by and for particular classes of people. A camera in some hands can preserve an alternate history.
-David Wojnarowicz
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For this month’s LGBTQ resistance issue, we uplift the beautiful and effective activism of grassroots organization, AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP). Formed on March 12, 1987 in NYC, ACT UP was created in response to the devastating lack of treatment and resources people living and dying with HIV/AIDS were experiencing. ACT UP’s civil disobedience, research and art activism transformed the way the government, the media, corporations and medical professionals talked about AIDS and provided treatment. This movement also forced mainstream culture to shift towards greater acceptance for LGBTQ folks.
From the beginning, ACT UP was established as a decentralized, democratic organization with small groups of people working in committees and in coalition with new ACT UP chapters popping up in cities around the US and internationally.
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Here is a bit of ACT UP history:
April 1987, ACT UP activists held an action at the NYC General Post office witnessed by people filing last minute tax returns. The Silence=Death project was launched which created a media campaign reminiscing the signifier Nazis used to mark gay people in concentration camps.
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October 1988, ACT UP successfully shut down the FDA for a day with the biggest demonstration since the Vietnam War. Over 1000 people showed up with chants like “Hey hey, FDA, how many people have you killed today?” ACT UP’s coordinated efforts and rigorous governmental and scientific research led to demands for changes that were implemented the following year, making experimental drugs available more swiftly.
September 1989, members of ACT UP chained themselves inside the New York Stock Exchange to protest the high price of the drug AZT. Several days after the action, the price of AZT went down almost 40%.
December 1989, over a hundred ACT UP protestors were arrested during the Stop the Church action at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Calling attention to the Catholic Church’s public stand against safe sex education, condom distribution, abortion and public condemnation of homosexuality. Such condemnation led to LGBTQ AIDS patients portrayed in media literately as guilty victims.
In Octobers 1992 and 1996, during displays of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, ACT UP activists held two Ashes Actions where they scattered the ashes of people who had died of AIDS including influential writer/artist David Wojnarowicz and activist Connie Norman on the White House lawn to protest the Government’s inadequate response to AIDS.
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ACT UP showed us that when folks build relationships and come together to work on specific and realistic demands with creativity and vision, big political and social change is possible.
So many people dedicated their lives to the movement to bring awareness to the AIDS crisis and to bring dignity to its victims, most of whom were denied because of their sexual identities. May their lives, actions, and memories be an inspiration for our ongoing liberation struggles.
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Portland Pride is on the horizon and will take place July 15th-16th. Pride has a long rich history of bringing people together to celebrate and bring awareness to the issues facing the LGBTQAA+ Community. Anti-queer legislation continues to grow throughout this county, and trans people are losing basic access to healthcare. Pride serves as a vital reminder that the vibrant community is still here, matters, and deserves spaces to celebrate their authentic selves. Come out and celebrate with us! There will be a lot of events taking place over the weekend that will be updated on the Pride NW Calendar. and the Portland Pride Calendar. The main Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, July 16th at 11:00 AM and kick off from the North Park Blocks in Portland. | |
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Trans Pride March July 15th at 3:30 PM
The first Trans March took place in San Francisco and started when an anonymous email was sent to several community activists. The email called on all gender variant people to gather to increase visibility, speak against hate and build community. The email galvanized people to organize and show up. Today trans marches happen throughout the US.
Trans people have made an impact throughout history, and you can learn more by reading this short article.
The fact that we celebrate Pride month in June is in large part to Trans Women of Color who lead the way for change. Knowing no one else was coming to help their community, they created their own space for Trans youth living on the streets. Learn more in this 4 minute video.
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Marsha "Pay It No Mind" Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were early leaders for Trans and LGBTQIA2S+ rights | |
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Dyke's March July 15th at 6:00 PM
First took place in 1993 and was organized by the Lesbian Avengers who Marched on Washington. The same year Dyke Marches were held in New York, San Francisco and Atlanta. By 1994, the protest march had spread to other cities and the tradition of starting the parade with a march of drummers began. Today Dyke Marches happen around the world. The marches started as a protest because lesbians felt gay men were the focus of Pride Events. The Dyke March came into existence to spotlight the issues of lesbian freedom and to combat sexism. To see a short video of the first march watch this video.
Additional Community Events happening in the month of July:
The Takeoff Flight 2: The Jet Lag
Ellen Bye Studio, Portland Center Stage at the Armory
Friday, July 7, 2023 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Prepare to embark on an emotional journey filled with laughter, tears, and inspiration as queer art takes center stage. Building upon its foundation, this next installment maintains its unwavering commitment to queer youth, fostering an environment where they can revel in self-expression and self-celebration, shedding inhibitions and fearlessly sharing their stories.
Pride at the Museum
OMSI - Friday, July 7, 2023
Join OMSI In celebrating our LGBTQ+ community!
2023 Portland Gay Prides Pageant
Ellen Bye Studio, Portland Center Stage at the Armory
Sunday, July 9, 2023 4:00 PM -7:00 PM
Pride Northwest is both proud and honored to take our relationship with the Portland Gay Prides Pageant to the next level. The longstanding reputation that the pageant has for fairness and inclusion aligns well with Pride Northwest’s own values and is something we will continue to center and prioritize in management of the pageant. We also look forward to this expanded opportunity to continue celebrating and nurturing the amazing talent of Portland’s LGBTQIA2S+ community, ensuring that our peoples’ contributions to Portland’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene are both supported and acknowledged. Pride Northwest is PROUD to continue on the legacy of The Gay Prides of Portland and is excited for this new journey.
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Portland Remembers Darcelle XV
On March 23, 2023 we lost a Portland icon when Walter Cole Sr. who performed as Darcelle XV passed.
In 1967 Walter Cole purchased Demas Tavern and put on a dress for the first time. He and his partner Roxy Neuhardt created the character Darcelle who could say and do the things that shy Walter would not. While Walter was afraid of heights, Darcelle would ride a zip line in Vegas.
In 1973 Darcelle was crowned the 15th Rose Empress of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court, Oregon's oldest registered LGBTQIA2S+ non-profit organization. After her reign she renamed the Demas Tavern to Darcelle XV and performed for 50 years, often using the club to host fundraisers and providing a safe welcoming space to the queer community.
In 2016 Darcelle XV was certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest drag performer, with a career spanning 56 years.
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On April 25, 2023, nearly 3000 people gathered at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to honor the memory of Darcelle XV/Walter Cole. Speakers included current Governor Tina Kotek and former Governor Barbara Roberts.
Cole's urn was presented by the Royal Rosarians Honor Guard and Portland Gay Men's Chorus performed two songs. The evening ended with a moving performance of "The Rose" by Thomas Lauderdale featuring a recording of Darcelle's singing voice.
The legacy of what Darcelle XV/Walter Cole did for Portland could certainly not fit in this newsletter. Watch the OPB documentary to learn more about this local legend, may she forever sparkle and shine.
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Beauty in Resistance
As a global community, we lost a legend on May 24, 2023. Tina Turner, known as the Queen of Rock and Roll, blessed the world with her musical performances for over 50 years.
Dominating the stage as part of a band and as the oldest female solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 list- Tina Turner knew a thing or two about resistance. A survivor of domestic violence and unapologetically honest about her experiences in a 16 year abusive relationship, she was willing and able to break the barrier of silence historically associated with domestic abuse. She dedicated her life to music and numerous foundations to support anti-hunger/anti-poverty efforts and supporting others that survived domestic abuse.
When the world told her she couldn't be a solo artist...she excelled in her solo music career. When she put her career on pause to support her family, people told her she'd never have a career again due to her age. She went on to relaunch her career at the age of 44 breaking records and earning acclaim wherever she graced the stage.
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All of this is amazing AND we cannot forget the singer's lived reality of segregation and the ways black women were excluded from entertainer spaces. Ms. Turner would not let this stop her from sharing her gifts to the world. Thank goodness! The world would be a little less bright without her in in it.
Fellow actress and lifelong fan, Angela Bassett shared:
"How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world? Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like."
We say goodbye to Tina Turner with reluctance, yet her legacy will live on.
See below for a special video Tribute Tina Turner
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We'll Never Live in a World Without Tina Turner | "Nothing could ever scare the fire out of her voice, which carried the whole story of American music in it..." | | | | |
Have a story or thoughts to share? Email us: aeinfo@multco.us! | |
Question of the Month
Who is your Resistance Role model?
Someone who has inspired you to move your own way or stand up for something you believe is right.
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June Poll
Why is it important to resist?
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May Poll Results!
Thank you to everyone who responded with ways you show your resistance!
Here are your responses in order:
Withdrawing from a situation 21%
Proposing innovative solutions to others 14%
Saying No 14%
Asking open ended questions 7%
Learning from others who have different viewpoints 7%
Directly naming inequity when it occurs 14%
Dismissing negative self talk and working towards growth 7%
Creative expression 7%
One thing to remember is there is no wrong way to resist, you know yourself best and you know the right way for you to respond. That can look like engaging or disengaging. You'll always get another chance to try again or do something different!
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Upcoming Virtual Training Opportunities | |
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June
- Day 1 Tuesday, June 20th, 9am - 3pm
- Day 2 Thursday, June 22nd, 9am - 3pm
- Day 3 Tuesday, June 27th, 9am - 3pm
- Day 4 Thursday, June 29th, 9am - 3pm
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Our video modules are now in the editing process and we are developing the skills practice sessions.
Stay tuned to this newsletter for video release information!
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Upcoming Community of Ongoing Practice Sessions
July 27
Resistance
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
In person! Sign up below for more information.
Sign up to join our community of practice email list and get updates on future programming and events.
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What is a Community of Ongoing Practice?
A group of people who share a common interest and interact often to learn from each other and advance their work.
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