Pride on Parade

Entertainment and Inclusion Float to Top of Mind

By Jake Ten Pas

If MAC’s recognition and celebration of Pride were expressed as a line graph, it might look like a rainbow tipped on its side, starting at the bottom left and, on the right, curving ever skyward.

“It’s been an evolution,” says Social Activities Committee Chair Ian “Louie” Paul, who plans to attend this year’s Dine with Pride happening in a custom-made, rainbow tie-dye suit, much as he has in years past. “Portland has a rich history of drag queen culture, and this year’s Pride party will honor it — and much more — by being bigger and better than ever before.”

Many shades of human make up the LGBTQ+ spectrum, as well as the allies who do their best to amplify a diversity of voices. At MAC, members can find a variety of ways to express themselves or their support for others throughout June and July.

Board of Trustees Vice President Richard Maxwell, who will speak at the Dine with Pride event, sums up why such a celebration isn’t just good for those who identify as LGBTQ+, but for everyone who wants to see MAC remain relevant today and in the future.

“Participating in Pride and inclusion is not only a moral imperative but also a smart move for the club and our community. It sends a strong message that discrimination against LGBTQ+ people is not tolerated. By supporting Pride, our club can attract a diverse range of people who may have previously felt excluded or marginalized. Inclusivity creates a sense of belonging and community, which will improve the social fabric of our club,” he says.

Float On

Perhaps the biggest development in this year’s lineup of happenings is MAC’s first entry into the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade in the event’s history, which dates back to 1994. On Sunday, July 16, a MAC “float” joins the procession, displaying much of what makes this club such a coveted community to join.

A mix of members and employees plan to march and fill a flatbed trailer decked out in exercise equipment and color blocking inspired by ‘90s Nike Air aesthetics, the movie Flashdance, and Richard Simmons’ eye-popping ‘80s ensembles. There also are opportunities for members to get involved decorating the float the day before and cleaning up after the parade if they’re more comfortable behind the scenes.

“This will have a positive impact on the reputation of our club in the community,” Maxwell says. “It shows that we are progressive, accepting, and forward-thinking, which will attract positive attention and support from the Portland community and other organizations. Overall, participating in Pride and embracing inclusion is a win-win situation that benefits everyone.”

First-year trustee Alex Young agrees, and also sees this as an opportunity for cis men such as himself to not just express their support for the LGBTQ+ community but expand their perspectives in the process. Young says he’s definitely taking his three children to the parade.

“What I love about the direction at MAC is our desire to make this community stronger and be part of the journey for people to reach their potential. A sense of belonging and inclusion is critical to a thriving self, as are other dimensions such health and fitness,” he says. “Another reason this is so exciting is it provides an opportunity for people like me to continue learning and growing — my kids are very comfortable with the language around the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of understanding why terminology, actions, and words are important. To be a true ally to communities that have been discriminated against, I need to continue my education and ask questions at times. This requires trust and an openness, and it’s inspiring to see leaders like Richard, and others at MAC, embrace individuals like me in what is inherently an individual journey.”

Rainbow Confection

Many MAC members are familiar with the name Darcelle, but fewer might know that the man behind the woman was named Walter Cole. He worked at the club as a page boy while attending Lincoln High School in the late ‘40s. The most famous drag queen in Portland history — who passed away in March — gets his due as part of a display set to add an educational element to Dine with Pride on June 16.

The plated dinner features a menu crafted by MAC’s culinary team and plenty of rainbow cake for dessert, but the real stars of the evening are the drag queens, led by Poison Waters and Meesha Peru. For those who don’t know, the latter is 1891 server extraordinaire Carlos Quezada, who sparkles like a Christmas ornament when dressed in full gender-bending regalia.

“Carlos is one of the most wonderful servers we have here, and he’s an amazing performer, too,” Paul says. “He and Poison Waters create a really fun atmosphere that captures the big, glamorous personalities of '80s divas with a lot of comedy thrown in.”

Meesha Peru poses with attendees at a past MAC Pride event

MAC hosted its first Drag Queen Bingo back in 2019, and it quickly sold out. Since then, both Waters and Peru have appeared at a variety of club events, from holiday happenings to boozy brunches and supper clubs.

If Dine with Pride continues this streak of demand exceeding supply, Paul says members might see it become a regular occurrence.

Another member of the Social Activities Committee, Amy Johnson, says that while Pride and drag queen events are still a relatively recent addition to MAC’s array of social offerings, they actually represent an extension of the club’s commitment to excellence.

“Being a member of the MAC community is more than just fun and exercise. We are all here to respect and support one another in our efforts to make the most of our lives.

MAC members lead by example, and celebrating our LGBTQ+ members is important at this moment. I’m definitely going to show up for these events,” she says.

In addition to the great entertainment and food, attendees have a shot at winning prizes from a variety of local LGBTQ+-owned businesses, one of which is the featured provider of libations for the evening. Remy Wines, owned by McMinnville Mayor Remy Drabkin, was recently featured at one of two Women’s Month Wine Dinners, and attendees of Dine with Pride can preorder bottles for their tables.

Love Doesn’t Cost a Thing

For those in search of serious bang for their buck, look no further than the free Listen & Learn featuring a screening of member Devin Fei-Fan Tau’s documentary Who’s on Top? on Thursday, June 15. Immediately afterward, Tau and several cast members host a Q&A about the transformative experience of making the film, which follows a group of LGBTQ+ individuals who set out to climb Mount Hood.

Featuring the narration of George Takei — known for his sassy social media posts, commercial voiceover, and role on Star Trek — Who’s on Top? is an inspirational journey to confront stereotypes and prove that you don’t have to be straight to go straight to the top.

The cast of Who's On Top?

In his profile in the July 2021 issue of The Winged M, Tau summed it up nicely: “These are very true, very personal stories, and they come together, wanting to represent LGBTQ+ people in a positive light to show that we’re not a disease, we’re not unnatural. We belong in the outdoors.”

However members choose to celebrate, the message from MAC should be clear. Everyone should feel like they belong here, and the club takes great Pride in the diversity of its membership.