March with SMYRC in the Parade! Details in this email! And, more Pride events!

Alright! Here are the details for where and when to meet SMYRC and QueerZone at the Pride Parade this Sunday, June 19th!
Come meet up with us anytime after 10am at the corner of NW Davis and NW 12th.
The parade kicks off at 11:30am. We’re #98 in the parade so we won’t be moving right at 11:30am but come ready to have fun, do some final decorating and celebrate at our float before we start moving! See you there!

And, here’s some additional fun things to do this Pride Weekend!

Saturday, June 18th
Vanguard Revisited: LGBTQ Homeless Youth Activism in the 1960′s and Today
2pm-3:30pm
(at New Avenues for Youth – 314 SW 9th Ave. This event is for folks 24 and under.)
San Francisco’s GLBT Historical Society shares the queer history of 1960s anti-poverty organizing with faith and youth groups across the country.

SEE artwork from street kids in the 1960s and today
…HEAR stories of what has changed and what hasn’t
TAKE copies of original and new Vanguard magazines
LEARN about our queer history, to better change our future!

In 1966, a motley group of San Francisco Tenderloin street youth, urban ministers, and anti-poverty activists formed Vanguard, the nation’s first queer youth organization. They organized dances in church halls, held street protests, created their own extra-ecclesiastical street churches, and produced a self-titled magazine that linked themes of poverty and social stigma; isolation and loneliness; artistic expression; and faith and queer theology.

Dyke March
5pm – 7pm
(Meet at the North Park Blocks-W. Burnside and Park)
The march is open to ALL dyke-identified folks and allies!! Accessibility vehicles will be provided for those who need them. Come with your noisemakers, voices, and pride!!

Monday, June 20th
Gay Skate
7pm-9pm
(At Oaks Park–1 SE Spokane St)
A night of the hokey pokey, backwards skate and putting on some serious mileage at Oaks Park. Proceeds benefit the Just Out Scholarship Fund. All ages! $6 plus a food donation for Esther’s Pantry.

SMYRC Pride Guide 2011!

Here it is folks, your SMYRC approved list of some of the funnest, most fabulous, queerest Pride events this year! This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the rad stuff happening this week (and beyond), but here are some of the highlights!

Sunday, June 12th
Gayest Day of the Year Bike Ride at SMYRC!
Noon to 5pm
Free for folks 23 and under! $10 donation for folks over 24. (No one turned away for lack of funds)
Come for revelry, a performance at Irving Park by the Sprockettes, music (Autry! as well as youth performances), a bike ride, acrobats, snacks and a family friendly event to kick off your Pride week! Don’t have a bike? Don’t worry! When some folks leave with their fabulously decorated bikes for a ride around the neighborhood, the party will still continue at SMYRC until the riders get back!

Thursday, June 16th
Portland Black Pride presents IN SYNQ: Queer Youth Karaoke Party
(happening at SMYRC)
5pm-9pm
Sing your heart out with Black Pride at their youth karaoke party! Food, prizes and giveaways, all FREE! For youth 23 and under.

Friday, June 17th
T*Party
5:30pm until dusk
(at Overlook Park on N Fremont & Interstate-On the MAX Yellow Line – “there is seriously limited parking, so we encourage carpools, biking, roller skates, MAXing, mobility devices, walking, piggy back rides, skateboarding, and cartwheels.”)
“You, yes you, are invited to the 5th annual t*party – a gathering for genderqueers, dragsters, genderdeviants, trans people of all stripes, and those who are busily defying the gender binary.
Also welcome: our friends, lovers, families, allies, and pets.
this event is FREE!
* hot BBQ grills n snacks provided *
bring food, drinks or games to share.”

Portland Black Pride presents Roll Bounce Skate Party
6:30pm-10pm
(at Skate World, 1220 NE Kelly Ave.)
“Get your skate on to the sounds of hip hop! ALL AGES. $6.75/person (includes admission and skate rental.)”

Saturday, June 18th
PrideFest at the Waterfont
Noon until the evening
Check out all sorts of LGBTQ organizations and groups at the annual PrideFest at the Waterfront. Check out the Pride Northwest website for details on performers that night. And don’t forget to swing by the SMYRC booth and the Teen Oasis booth! At the Teen Oasis there will be free food, activities and music!

Portland Black Pride presents Swagg Out (a youth dance party spinning the hottest hip hop/R&B)
8pm-Midnight
(At the Stott Center Roof at Portland State University- 930 SW Hall)
Dance it out at this FREE dance for youth ages 14-24.

Sunday, June 19th
Pride Parade! Walk with SMYRC!
Parade kicks off at 11:30 am at the North Park Blocks.
Keep an eye out for another email with details on where to meet SMYRC to walk in the parade!
Walk, skip, cartwheel or ride on the SMYRC float with us! Then after, hang out again at the Waterfront at the SMYRC booth, the Teen Oasis or any of the other fun tents!

Black Pride presents Families of Color Day Out Picnic (with Asian Pacific Islander Pride, Latino Gay Pride and others!)
4:30pm-9pm
(At Kenton Park, 8417 N Brandon Ave.–This is a smoke-free event.)
Come hang out for an afternoon of fun and entertainment. Free food, raffle prizes, and live entertainment!

SMYRC Drop In will be open for regular hours Pride Week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 4-9pm) so come and help make t-shirts, decorate the SMYRC float, and help make signs and buttons!

Again, this is only some of the fun things happening for Pride Week in Portland, so check out Just Out and the Willamette Week’s Pride Guide for more events!