The Advocate, Issue 5 - Oct. 16, 2015

October 16, 2015 Volume 51 Issue 5

unnaturaloptimistic wretchecstasy magical beautiful embarrassment ranscendent unevolved passive worthy content heavenly squalid upsetting love gleefulfilthy dignityshame understanding alienation SPECIAL PRIDE EDITION masculinity abnormal fraud dearest flawed afraid charming lascivio acceptance feminine glamour carnal hidden smutty treasure alienatio depression adore pleasurebutch fated complete erotic gorgeous Independent Student Voice of MHCC anger stunning approval instinctive alluring provocative radiant disg ustful sensual involuntary loser grotesque delightful obscene differen captivating joy darling euphoric sleazy ideal effeminate self-confid disgust attractive serenity charisma unclean pornographic hideous openness suggestive gay downgrade wrong intimate pridemagnetic MHCC talks passion tigma denialhandsome phony divine vulgar fleshly sinner Iran deal unnaturaloptimistic passive ecstasy magical beautiful PAGE 5 embarrassmen ranscendent unevolved wretch worthy content heavenly squalid upsetting love gleefulfilthy dignityshame understanding alienation masculinity abnormal fraud dearest flawed afraid charming lascivio Burton characters’ acceptance feminine glamour carnal hidden smutty treasure alienatio gender swap 6 depression adore pleasurebutch fated complete erotic PAGE gorgeous anger stunning approval instinctive alluring provocative radiant disg ustful sensual involuntary loser grotesque delightful obscene differen captivating joy darling euphoric sleazy ideal effeminate Advantagesself-confid for trans fighter hideous disgust attractive serenity charisma unclean pornographic PAGE 7 openness suggestive gay downgrade wrong intimate pridemagnetic tigma denialhandsome phony divine vulgar fleshly sinner passion passive ecstasy natural optimistic magical beautiful embarrassmen wretch worthy ranscendent unevolved glamour delicate squalid filthy shame upsetting gleeful dignity love understanding alienation “Transgender people are here to stay.� No-brainer P.2 masculinity abnormal fraud dearest flawed afraid charming lascivio

2 PAGE

OPINION

advocate-online.net

Editorial

No-brainer: These assaults should not happen

W

ith this month being LGBTQPIA+ (LGBT for short) History Month, and also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the staff at the Advocate couldn’t think of a better time to raise awareness of a subject that has been swept under the rug for a while now: the disproportionate rates at which transgender people are assaulted.

Let’s start with the good news: Much greater attention has been paid to rates of violence within the transgender/gendernonconforming community in the past few years. More and more studies are published as the days go by – but these studies show the

same, typical problems as any other sexual or domestic assault studies, in that most of the information is brought in through anti-violence organizations, and if someone was assaulted but didn’t contact that organization, it’s not recorded.

Which makes the numbers we do get from the studies much more somber.

These numbers are like cockroaches: for every one we see when we turn on the lights, there could be 10 more that we will never know about.

While raising awareness seems to be our best immediate course as a society, knowing the statistics is no valid substitute for compassion when communicating with a

50 percent of transgender people have experienced sexual violence –U.S. Department of Justice

survivor.

According to a study funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, a sub-department of the U.S. Department of Justice, published by forge-forward.org, 50 percent of transgender people in

America have experienced sexual violence (this number has been found in multiple other studies).

And this isn’t just a problem trans people experience at the hands of the general public. The fast facts are: 22 to 38 percent reported being harassed by police; 15 percent had experienced physical abuse and 7 percent sexual abuse.

At least 26 percent of trans people haveexperienced physical assault from a health-care professional, and another 10 percent have experienced sexual assault. In schools, 31 percent of gender- nonconforming youth reported they have experienced “significant abuse.”

These rates of harassment and/ or abuse can be higher in sub-

communities of transgender people: 47 percent of transgender or gendernonconforming African-Americans polled in 2011 reported they had been in jail at least once.

What we’re saying is, whether you support the LGBT community and its goals, or not, every one of us should have recognized three things by this point: One, transgender people are here to stay; we don’t think anyone doubts that. Second, individuals in no way deserve to be targeted for being themselves, assuming that they’re not hurting anyone. And, three, at the point where literally half of a large group reports being assaulted in some way, something in our culture clearly needs to be fixed.

The pain is real – getting help is tangible, too

Gloria Saepharn the advocate

When I first meet people, I want to be known as the bubbly girl who enjoys laughing, having fun, and treating others the way I wish to be treated. I never thought I’d publicize the way I’ve lived or what I’ve experienced, but this month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I’ve experienced domestic abuse firsthand, and I can honestly say: It’s impacted my life more than I care to admit – but the past is what makes me who I am in the present. As a

child, I experienced more than anyone my age should have and it was somewhat terrifying. I didn’t know what to do or how to handle it. I never really understood what was happening in my household or how I should be “a kid.” Without “real” friends, alone, different, and never showing that there was something wrong, was how I existed throughout most of my life; actually, I moved around in my elementary school years and over time, I became unattached and learned to adapt.

Arguments and moving happened frequently for the first 12 years of my life. My father had an anger-management problem and it terrified me. I loved my mother and I always wanted to make sure she was safe. Things were difficult when it came to my father; he would downgrade my mother and would say disrespectful and awful things.

I hated going through what I did, especially when I felt so helpless.

Being a small child and feeling as if there’s no one that will help you is a scary feeling; even if you’re an adult, it’s never a position that you’d ever want to be in.

I can honestly say that I never truly felt caring towards my father, because in my gut, I knew he was a bad person and I knew he enjoyed manipulating people to think he was a much better person than he was.

He gambled, drank at least four bottles of beer a day and smoked for the first five years of my life. The emotional, physical, and mental abuse was tough.

I did get out of being in an abusive household, along with my mother, once my last straw was drawn and I felt that it was time to tell my story. I was threatened with a gun (over a computer problem,

might I add) and then pushed onto a stack of books. Unfortunately, this was a Friday and I had to suffer through an entire weekend I don’t seem to remember. All I recall is this: That night is when I told my mother that we’d get out of that house and I’d make sure we were safe and I’d tell my counselor what was going on that next Monday.

That school day was the day I remember the most and it changed my life, because I felt so determined to “save” me and my mother.

Through pain and suffering, I’ve understood that there will be a better tomorrow or at least a better future, so long as you continue to push yourself to what you know you can accomplish.

No matter who or what gender you are, I feel that it’s important to get out of any abusive situation. No matter how scared you feel, it’s what

you do to help yourself that will make you a stronger person in the future. Don’t give up.

If you ever feel like you’re in danger or feel like you can’t get out of an abusive relationship, the National Domestic Hotline can be contacted at: 1-800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224.

The group’s website is: thehotline.org

the advocate Editor-in-Chief Adam Elwell

Kody Holcombe Gabrielle Madewell

Arts+Entertainment Editor Ivy Davis

Photo Editor Nick Pelster

News Editor Gloria Saepharn

Opinion Editor Adam Elwell

Sports Editor Clay Vitale

Public Relations Manager Emily Wintringham

Graphic Designers Ayla Buckner

Features Editor Jon Fuccillo

Video Editors Ben Baxter Chuck Masi Thomas Stewart Copy Editor Quincy Smith Staff Writers Isaiah Alder Nicole Kaadi Karianne Morley Konah Nimo

Web Editor Matana McIntire Advisers Howard Buck Dan Ernst E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 www.advocate-online.net #mhccadvocate Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030

The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission.

Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board.

The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length.

Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print.

Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.

NEWS

October 16, 2015

PAGE PAGE

3

Possible pill cure for malaria found at Portland State Gloria Saepharn the advocate

Portland State University researchers have found a new possible cure for malaria, within a single pill.

There are more than 200 million cases of malaria a year in the world, and almost half a million people die in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia from the blood-borne disease.

Malaria is carried by Plasmodium parasites and are spread through bites of infected mosquitoes. Two PSU chemistry professors, Kevin Reynolds and Jane Kelly, and Papireddy Kencharla, a senior research associate, investigated what the pill might do to change the future of the disease. A soil bacteria is what their new compound is based on, and it cures malaria in a single oral dose in animal models (mice). It also

has worked against drug-resistant strains of the disease.

The breakthrough came after Reynolds found a paper from the 1970s that mentioned the antimalarial activity of the bacteria pigments. The single pill they envision for humans wouldn’t need to be refrigerated or administered through an injection or needle. The team has applied for a patent and a new federal grant – and say it could be another five years before a human pill is ready for distribution.

Malaria’s effect on the planet could be decreased, through this promising new cure. The orally ingested cure has the potential to change lives all over the world.

“When ready, it would be transformative.”

- Kevin Reynolds PSU chemistry professor

Check out our mobile-friendly website!

advocate-online.net

Positive view of Iran arms deal from MHCC panel Nicole Kaadi the advocate

Controversy surrounds the proposed Iran nuclear arms deal, which is almost at its final stage and awaits Congress’ final approval.

President Obama says he will figure out a way to push the deal through, regardless of the great number of naysayers holding back passage of the treaty.

On Wednesday, several Mt. Hood faculty members gathered for a midday roundtable discussion on the treaty’s political standoff in Washington, D.C. – and generally said they believe the proposal should be approved.

Participants included history instructors Pat Casey and Elizabeth Milliken, political science instructor Janet Campbell and Iran-American chemistry instructor Javid Mohtasham. They held an open discussion on what the arms deal

entails and some of the arguments surrounding it.

Following years of negotiation, the United Nations Security Council – made up of five permanent members, the U.S., United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France – plus Germany (the so-called P5+1) came up with an agreement this summer which basically would allow Iran to enrich uranium for peaceful nuclear energy purposes for a set number of years.

The economy-crippling sanctions that have been placed on Iran would lifted, and in return, Iran would have to reduce the amount of its stockpiled uranium and follow other rules and guidelines set in the contract.

In theory, the big 5+1 can keep track of what Iran is doing so it can’t collect or make any nuclear weaponry, and Iran can start rebuilding its economy.

Supporters of the treaty say

that it’s a start for a tentative trust between nations and a lot can happen in the time span that the treaty covers. This is not really about trusting Iran; it’s about starting a foundation to build trust upon, advocates say.

Naysayers feel that this is just postponing a problem. “Can we really trust Iran? What if they take their new freedom and excess revenue and just fund terrorists?” critics are asking, the panelists said.

Can the inspectors really be trusted?

What if Iran smuggles their uranium to the terrorists? are among their questions.

A rebuttal to those complaints came from Milliken, who supports the deal. She agrees there are valid arguments from treaty opponents, but questioned the credibility of those making up the loudest opposition. Do these people an agenda? How informed are they?

Milliken told the audience, “We

made a similar type agreement with the Soviets and they were much more of a threat to the U.S. at the time” during the Cold War.” The proposed treaty is less about completely trusting Iran than a step toward easing tensions between the nations, she said.

As for the idea this will make it easier for Iran to smuggle plutonium to terrorists, the U.S. and other nations will have their eyes on Iraq.

Smuggling and enriching uranium to make weapons of mass destruction is a very expensive and difficult process. If it were simple, it would have already happened, the panel members noted. As for raising any new revenue, it would be prudent for Iran to fix its failing economy, rather than resort to funding a terrorist agenda, they noted.

“We made a similar type agreement with the Soviets and they were much more of a threat to the U.S. at the time.”

Photos by Nick Pelster

4 PAGE

NEWS

advocate-online.net

A simple explanation to LGBTQ+ communities Karianne Morley the advocate

On Friday, June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage would be legal in all 50 states. This finally started an open and more accepting dialogue about sexuality and gender in America. There is still a lot of misunderstanding on what it means to be apart of the LGBTQIA+ community – not only in America, but around the world. In 66 countries, homosexual acts are illegal and in 12 countries, homosexual acts can be punishable by death. Only in 22 countries is same-sex marriage legal and with 195 countries total, that is an exceptionally low number.

As an ally of the community, I have tried to be as inclusive and correct as possible. The first part of becoming an ally is to understand: what does LGBTQIA+ stand for?

LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer, intersex and asexual.

Lesbian is the sexual and affectional attraction of someone who identifies as a woman to someone else of the same gender.

Gay is the sexual and affectional attraction to someone of the same gender. Gay is usually referred to someone who identifies as male, but can also be used as an umbrella term for both men and women. Bisexual is someone who finds attraction to both genders. Transgender is typically used as an umbrella term for someone who does not feel that they truly embody the gender they were assigned at birth. Questioning is someone who is not sure of their sexuality, and queer can be identified

as an umbrella term for someone who is somehow a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Asexual is not feeling sexual attraction or the desire for sexual activity. A common misconception of asexuality is that it is just another way of saying that a person is celibate, which is not the case – celibacy is a deliberate abstention from sexual activity. The ‘+’ then stands for all of the other genders that are across the spectrum.

Previously, I mentioned identifying as a gender. When it comes to gender, there are people who believe they do not conform to the gender they were assigned at birth – either male or female, which is decided based on the reproductive organs that child is born with. It is always important to make sure that you are referring to someone by their preferred pronouns; for example, someone who was assigned as “male” at birth may not identify as male. So, it’s not always correct to refer to that person as he/him. If the person is transgender, the preferred pronoun may be she/her or even possibly they/them. People who are gender non-conforming may actually prefer the pronoun they/them, as they do not believe in subscribing to gender roles that have been created by society. Gender queer is someone who feels as if they fall outside society’s norms for gender.

With so many ways to define gender, there are also sexualities that come hand-in-hand with loving all genders. Pansexuality is someone who loves, as well as feels, sexual attraction to anyone of all sexualities and genders. Someone who is pansexual does not feel attraction to any specific gender or sexuality – they love whom they

want to love with no boundaries.

Panromantic is almost the same thing as pansexual, but is a romantic attraction to people of all genders and sexualities.

Now, I understand that there are many different genders and sexualities that are not covered in this article. If you want to be more informed and aware of the community, check out: lgbtqnation. com, America’s most followed LGBTQ+ news source.

If you ever feel like you’re not sure of your gender or sexuality and need someone to talk to, The Trevor Project has a free 24/7

apply). You can visit their website at: thetrevorproject.com to talk live on trevorchat from noon to 6 p.m. Pacific Time Zone, seven days

a week. The Trevor Project has many resources for counseling, as well as connecting you with others in your area.

LGBTQ FLAG GUIDE Gay Pride

Used by all members of the LGBTQ+ community

Bisexual Pride

Used by those with possible attraction to both men and women

Pansexual Pride

Used by those with possible attraction to people of any gender or sex

CONTACT THE TREVOR PROJECT Text the word “TREVOR” to: 202-304-1200

National Hotline: 866-488-7386

Polysexual Pride

Used by those with possible attraction to people of multiple genders or sexes

Asexual Pride

Used by those with a lack of sexual attraction

Polyamory Pride

Used by supporters and practicers of having multiple relationships at once

Transgender Pride

Used by male-to-female and female-to-male transgender people

ONLINE:

THETREVORPROJECT.COM

Genderqueer Pride

Used by those with a societally abnormal gender identity

Intersexual Pride

Used by natural born and transitioning intersexuals

national hotline that you can call at: 866-488-7386. You can also text the word: TREVOR to 202-304-1200 (standard text messaging rates may

Straight Allies

Used by non-LGBTQ+ supporters of LGBTQ+ rights

Nutshell News Spooky Planetarium Show You don’t have to wait to until the sun goes down to see the stars – MHCC has a planetarium, if you don’t know. And it will be showing a ‘spooktacular’ program for the Halloween season.

“Spooky Stellar Phantoms: Nebulae and More!” will screen for Mt. Hood students, faculty, staff and the public on Thursday and again on Tuesday, Nov. 3. There will be two showings for both days, at 6 and 7:15 p.m. Admission is $5, but only $2 for

students with a valid MHCC ID and children under 17.

- Matana McIntire

No Shame Talent Show Calling all performers: The No Shame Talent Show will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Studio Theatre (AC1118).

Participants may present any original project they have, whether a display of art, music, theater, poetry, personal story, stand-up comedy, etc.

Here’s the catch: You have to show up 10 minutes before the event to sign up for a 5-minute slot. There are rules once you get there: The act/display must be original, cannot harm anyone and cannot harm the stage area.

- Gloria Saepharn

Retro Gaming Expo Yup, it’s finally here: The most hipster gaming convention is coming to the most hipster place on Earth.

The Portland Retro Gaming Expo will run at the Oregon Convention Center, opening for early admission at 9 a.m. Saturday (doors open for standard admission at 10 a.m.). It ends at 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Expo will feature 165 arcade games, from the ’80s to today’s newest arcade hits which players will gladly waste a lot of time on.

And don’t forget the crazy amount of cosplayers that come from all around the world; it’ll practically be a zoo. There might

be even a chance of a cosplay fight – who doesn’t like seeing those? The Classic Tetris World Championship is going to be hosted at the event, too, creating an International Tetris throwdown.

With panels going on throughout the entire weekend, I doubt you will have any trouble finding something you have an interest in. So, invite your friends, cosplay, get your game on and have a fanatical time!

- Thomas Stewart

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 16, 2015

PAGE

5

Damon colonizes Mars in ‘Martian’

Ivy Davis

the advocate

Libra – Mars will be extra bright in coming days, meaning it’s best to stimulate your scalp to be more receptive. If you don’t get shivers of delight, you’re still doing it wrong.

Scorpio – I’m not pointing any fingers, but you could probably use some serious karma right now. Alphabetize everyone’s everything every chance you get.

Sagittarius – Mercury approaches, which puts Scorpios in a weird mood. I’m not saying you should buy mace specifically for this occasion, but it’s a good thing to have around nonetheless.

Capricorn – Since you’re probably going to be in the mood for bold statements this week, anyway: Monopoly can disprove absolute reality.

You just need to play it, A LOT. Aquarius – LGBTQ History Month doesn’t necessarily mean you should sport rainbows, but it’s definitely going to be the best color scheme for your outfits this week anyway, so, when in Rome, I guess?

Pisces – Did you know you can use moss as graffiti? Yup. There should be a hardware store near you. Google that stuff and get to it.

Aries – Now would be a great time to meet your fellow Aries in the area.

Grab the most interesting thing near you and meet up at the courtyard in the Visual Arts gallery at 10:33 Monday morning for a white elephant gift exchange.

Taurus – Make sure to check your tire pressure as the air gets colder.

And why not treat yourself while you’re at it, and get some new windshield wiper fluid? More people will notice than you think. Tell that Camry next door to step up its game.

Gemini – Fall fashion can be confusing. Leather is a pretty safe bet, right? Also, have you read Fight Club? Is there anything more metal than wearing the same clothes most of your life? Seems frugal to me.

Cancer – Strangely enough, grocery shopping is your biggest dilemma this week. Here’s a tip: Tortilla chips are much more versatile than convention would have you believe.

Hummus, soup, crab dip, just to name a few.

Leo – Stick with me on this one because it sounds weird, but I think we’re on the same page: peanut butter, haikus, fly-fishing. No? Give it a second.

Virgo – You’re going to want an absolute rush at about 4 o’clock (I’m not sure if it’s a.m. or p.m.) this Wednesday. Try using a lot of body paint and starting a mosh pit. Your week should probably calm down after that.

4.5/5 on the Martian scale

Matt Damon, Mmmmm Mmmmm. The man isn’t too shabby of an actor. Personally I don’t think of him for his acting, though. My thoughts of Matt Damon go to him without a shirt on, which you do see in “The Martian.” A couple times, you even see his fully naked butt.

“The Martian” started off pretty well. Damon plays the character of Mark Watney, an astronaut on Mars conducting soil experiments.

Watney and his fellow five crew members get stuck in a storm and are forced to evacuate the mission.

Watney is struck by scrap metal and thrown into the storm, while his crew is forced to leave and presume he has died.

The interesting part comes when Watney wakes up, half-buried under sand, with a piece of metal stabbed into him. He ends up getting to the base and being able to doctor himself up. Though this scene is a bit nauseating, Damon does has his shirt off.

Watney realizes he’s been left on the planet alone, has meager sup-

plies, and no way to contact anyone.

The astronaut uses his skills as a botanist to expand his food supply.

He also figures out different ways to help his situation in order to get him off the planet.

After about a month, NASA has realized they wrongly pronounced Watney dead. The NASA team has to work hard in order to figure out how to contact him and get him home.

The best part of the movie is the fact the Watney is able to keep his humor throughout his struggles. For a man stranded alone on a planet 34 million miles from Earth, he is very resourceful and funny. I found myself laughing a lot. Some of his best lines include when he talks about how he colonized Mars, and is technically a space pirate and asks to be called “Captain Blond Beard.”

It’s important to know that the movie takes places in “Sols,” or Martian days. One year on Mars is 687 Earth days, or 669 Sols.

This is a huge drama film, but thankfully the writers knew how to add some comic relief. I give this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars. There is also a novel, written before the movie, which I’m sure is better (all books are.) I definitely recommend this one!

Damon as Mark Watney showing how well his potato garden is doing. A garden he engineered using his own feces, Mars soil, a contraption he created to make H2O, and the center of his bunker.

A good portion of the movie was filmed on what looks like a computer video log.

This video still is from the first log Watney took after being left on Mars. The log explains how he survived and plans to continues his survival.

“Goodnight Mommy” confuses viewers Nicole Kaadi the advocate

3/5 on the confusing movie scale

Recently added to the Portland Queer and Foreign Film Festival roster was the psychological German drama “Ich Seh, Ich Seh”

(“Goodnight Mommy”). The lack of much advance information didn’t keep it from getting a good turnout, however. “Ich Seh, Ich Seh” is a story that takes a dark turn for twins Elias and Lucas after their mother comes home from a bad accident, acting like a different person. The movie illustrates a strong bond between twins, and a dark struggle as the boys try to figure out what is real.

The film unfolds on a remote farm where the two boys travel to be with their mother as she recuperates. Much to the boys’ dismay, she seems like a different, angry woman, who won’t even acknowledge one of her own sons. The movie illustrates the struggle between the two and the mother as the boys try to decipher if she is actually their real mother, and what the reality of their situation is.

There is no backstory, and some of the plot needs to be figured out by bits

and pieces of conversation throughout the film. This makes it a little confusing. The viewer may figure out a few things as the movie progresses, but everything doesn’t make sense until nearly the end. What actually happened to the mother is never answered but questions like some of the boy’s attitudes and the mother’s strange behavior and what was real and what was imagined all finally make sense in the last part of this film.

The movie is definitely more psychological than action – with pieces of the horror genera, such as a house in the middle of nowhere, cornfields, torture and death –

mixed into the plot.

Honestly, this movie is hard to describe without giving it away, and is difficult to explain. The trailer to this movie makes it seem like there is more action then there really is.

The film is slow, but the creepy parts stick with you. If I was to rate it, I’d give it 3 stars for creepy and confusing. But if a viewer likes action and to have a good idea of what’s going on, I don’t recommend it. But if you’re a person who likes it better watching mysteries unfold and are a fan of creepy, I recommend this for you.

The brothers create masks before torturing the truth out of their mother.

All photos from web

6

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

advocate-online.net

A Tim Burton Halloween for pride Ivy Davis

the advocate This October, Roxy Taylor and Morgan Brooks are hosting “Keep Portland Weird 3rd,” but with a new twist this Sunday, the 18th.

Morgan Brooks started performing in Mississippi under the tutorship of a drag queen in Atlanta where she earned the “Brooks” name. Brooks has been a part of a number of events and shows, working her way up to this one and kicking off the Halloween season. Roxy Taylor is the current Miss Gay Pride of Portland. Taking theater, art, and choir courses in high school lead Taylor to drag. Taylor wanted to push the boundaries on gender and has been involved in Keep Port-

the theme for Sunday’s event, “A Tim Burton Halloween.”

Using this theme, different performances will use gender-swapped characters from all of Burton’s movies. There will be five characters from “Nightmare Before Christmas,” two from “James and the Giant Peach,” two from “Beetlejuice” and many more from “Sweeney Todd,” “Dark Shadows,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Batman” and “Corpse Bride.” The show will have Graphic from K PW 3rd dancposter ers, drag

land Weird (KPW) events for two years. Last year, she hosted an event that raised $1,100 for Camp Casey (a horseback riding program for children with cancer) and the year before, she helped raised $1,500 for the AIDS Walk.

Previous KPW events were not themed, which makes this year’s event special. Taylor found inspiration in a gender-bent illustration of Jack and Sally from Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” - a beloved childhood movie for her. The art, by Sakimi-Chan, inspired

This das

Open House PSU Graduate School of Education

queens, a n d male entertainers.

Roxy Taylor herself will be playing the gender-swapped “Jackie Skeleton,” accompanied by “Ragdoll Sal.” Aside from Miss Gay Pride (Taylor), others appearing at the event will include Mr. Gay Pride, Tron

EDUCATION•COUNSELING

Drift Valentine, Jr.; Miss Gay Pride, Sugar Pill Valentine; and Junior Ms. Gay Pride, Katana Blades. According to Taylor it is hard to get all of the Gay Pride Titleholders at the same event because of the age (under 18) of the Junior titleholders (under 18).

Unlike most drag events, this one is able to host all ages.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the 2016 Pride NW. All of the performers are working for free, and the host encourages tips from patrons, since the performers have chosen to donate their tips to Pride NW. Taylor’s goal is to raise $2,500 for next year. The hostess is also hoping for local businesspeople to come, have fun, and maybe donate products or money for prizes.

The event is meant to be a good time. Though it will be a bit eccentric, the venues inside are like a huge funhouse at a carnival. It won’t be scary, but silly. Brooks said the team is already working on the next three events for Gay Pride support and is ready to “keep the city as weird as possible.”

Tickets may be purchased through performers, by contacting them on the event Facebook page, or bought at the door. The event will be staged from 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday at the Funhouse Lounge, 2432 S.E. 11th Ave. in Portland.

Art that inspired the event:

FA L L O P E N H O U S E

Drop in: 1-3pm Thursday, Oct. 22 Fourth Avenue Building 1900 SW 4th Ave., Portland

Discover GSE The Graduate School of Education invites all prospective and current students to explore new and advanced opportunities in education and counseling.

At this event, you will: • Learn about our 50+ programs • Meet with faculty and advisors • Tour our new building • Talk with current students • Receive application information Event features workshops for applications and scholarships. Free and open to the public.

Drop in or register for your seat: pdx.edu/education/DiscoverGSE gseinfo@pdx.edu 503-725-4619 pdx.edu/education

Graduate School of Education PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Roxy Taylor’s photo inspiration of a gender swapped Jack and Sally by artist Sakimi-Chan.

ART(C)SAKIMICHAN>DEVIANTART>COM

SPORTS

October 16, 2015

PAGE

The Queen of Swords Transgender fighter Fallon Fox caused stir in mixed martial arts.

Unfair advantage?

Clay Vitale

the advocate Boyd Burton Jr. was brought up in a conservative household in Toledo, Ohio, the middle of three children in a mixed-race family. By all accounts, he grew up to be an ordinary American male with an interest in animation art, wrestling in high school and fathering a daughter at 19 and marrying his then-girlfriend. To make ends meet, he served four years in the Navy as an operations specialist before enrolling in the University of Toledo. He never followed through with higher education, due to psychological stress; and he began to unravel the tangled webs of his inner self.

At 5 years old, Boyd thought he was just playing around while trying on his sister’s dress.

What he didn’t expect was the level of comfortability the dress provided him how right it felt. He went through adolescence without facing the turmoil he felt, until hearing a word at age 17 that clicked with those feelings inside: transgender. Temporarily living life as a heterosexual male, he knew he couldn’t continue down a path that only confused him. He became a truck driver after his stint in the Navy, which funded the operations needed to transition to the female form. While saving up, he started hormone replacement therapy in preparation for the scheduled surgery in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2006.

Coming out party Enter Fallon Fox, Boyd Burton’s new female identity in life. Fallon’s

daughter was receptive to the new look of her father, but most others turned their backs on her, and Fallon’s shell of a marriage ended in divorce a year later. In Fox’s new life, she still hadn’t discovered her true calling, but had an interest in jiu-jitsu and was always in the gym. Little did she know what would lay ahead.

A video of Megumi Fujii, a female mixed martial artist, captivated Fallon, who had not known women could compete in the sport. She fervently watched videos dedicated to MMA and decided to pursue this new passion.

Fox scoured gyms that specifically trained in Brazilian JiuJitsu and Muay Thai styles, ending up in Illinois at Midwest Training Center in 2010. She quickly became one of the hardest workers in her camp, and her skills developed to a

Web photo

professional level. Soon, the “Queen of Swords” (her moniker inside the octagon) would be fighting out of the featherweight division for Invicta FC. In March 2012, she knocked out Ericka Newsome with a straight knee to the head, pushing her MMA record to 3-0. Fox, however had not disclosed to the fighting commission that she was transgender, and worried her past would reveal her

Web photo

secret before she was able to on her terms. It would.

Trouble brewing A reporter caught wind, an article came out and TMZ published pictures of Fallon as Boyd Burton.

She was caught in a whirlwind of controversy with no way out. The commissions had to review her licensing applications and doctors in the sport requested medical records.

Her trainers and gym partners did their best to comfort her, welcoming her to stay regardless of a potential states ban, so she put her best foot forward. She granted interviews with the likes of ESPN and Sports Illustrated, hoping to gain support and understanding while still able to fight under licensing review.

Unsurprisingly, defeated opponents like Newsome have said they wished they knew Fox was not born a woman before fighting her, some stating they noticed a substantial difference with her clinch and felt very overpowered.

Fallon has countered the bone structure and muscle mass issues critics have pointed to with her own defense. After her sex reassignment surgery, Fox no longer has the genetics to produce testosterone (and never did have the ability to produce estrogen), which she claims hinders her strength and endurance when compared to her female sparring partner. A side effect of taking estrogen boosters is a higher bone density; however, it’s an advantage not by design, simply out of necessity.

Fallon’s days in the cage may be numbered at this point anyway, as she is fast approaching 40 years old and has only accumulated a couple of fights since coming out as transgender. With a current record of 6-1, it remains to be seen when her next fight will be. Or, better yet, who will take her on?

7

Volleyball faces challenges; travels to Umpqua Friday The Saints have been put through the wringer lately. First, winning an intense game against Clackamas that went down to the wire on Oct. 9, then losing a tough match to Clark at home on Wednesday. Focusing on the latter, the Mt. Hood squad came out and immediately put the Penguins to the test, taking the first game, 25-16. After that, it was all Clark, however. They punched back and the Saints had no answer, allowing points in bunches in each of the last three games. This was in stark contrast to the resiliency Mt. Hood has shown, as of late.

Afterward, Saints head coach Andrew Clifton brought up how the team struggles when being pushed. The players put in the work, there’s no question there, but many first-year players have had trouble adjusting to the college level style of play, he said.

The Saints will travel to UCC on Friday, where the thought of competition will be overshadowed by the reality of terror. Umpqua is set to reopen its campus, beyond the classroom, next week and the Saints will be welcomed by the Riverhawks. In wake of the Oct. 1 mass shooting there, Clifton made mention of putting together some T-shirts or banners to show support. As for his team’s preparation and whether anything would change in its approach, he said, stoically, “We play even-keel and without a ton of emotion, anyway. We have too much respect for them not to bring our best game.”

photo by Chuck Masi

Norquist continued from page 8

lowering those numbers, but isn’t putting a time frame on anything, though she has goals of finishing the season in the 19:30 range.

Norquist is slowly but surely coming along, and has no regrets after suffering such a painful injury.

“The most amazing thing about this happening to me was the way that God was there for me,” she said. “I know it’s just inflammation in my foot, but through every step of the way, from when I first started limping, to when I realized I couldn’t compete, to when I found out how to fix everything through the help of my trainer and naturopath... God was the guy who carried me through it.”

“He made me and knows my name, and if I love something like running… Imagine how much joy it brings the one who designed me in my mom’s tummy,” she said.

Norquist first started running at Gresham’s West Orient Middle School, under the guidance of coach Andrea Anderson. She said she’s content with where she is at now, but wants to gain more and more speed for upcoming meets, including the South Region championships and the NWAC league championships, if all goes according to plan.

Norquist was one of six children

at home. “When we were growing up, we had tons of neighborhood kids that we played with, so we were always doing fun things... mud wars, hay fights, lightsaber battles, building forts, hide-and-seek and tag at night,” she said. “I loved running when I was little and so it came naturally for me when I started track in middle school, except this time, I wasn’t running away from anyone” besides her competition, she said.

She plans to teach high school English, but for now she’s focused on running with a passion, and for God. “I love high school students and I would love to teach overseas,” said Norquist.

As for college, Norquist said her top choice is currently Multnomah University in Northeast Portland, which is close by and is now competing at the NAIA level (collegiate division) for cross country and track and field.

“I would love to run there and finish my degree,” she said. But she’s also prepared for potential detours, having fought back from her injury.

“Everything that happens to me is filtered through God’s loving hands.

So I don’t have to be in despair when things in life don’t go as planned because I know that everything is actually planned.”

a

For full unabridged story, www.advocate-online.net

8 PAGE

SPORTS

advocate-online.net

Norquist bounces back from injury, runs for God Jon Fuccillo the advocate

S

ophomore cross country runner Leah Norquist started feeling jolting pain in her right foot around December of last year while competing for the Saints. Now she’s back on track, quite literally, and enjoying running again, especially with the help of her No. 1 love – God. Like most runners, Norquist runs for a purpose, and feels a calling from a higher power. She doesn’t pretend to have had a difficult upbringing, but knows trials and errors, like anyone who has experienced life.

At first, the graduate from Sam Barlow High School outside Gresham ignored the pain and was fighting through the motions, like most athletes tend to do.

Then the 18-year-old couldn’t take it anymore. She decided to see her primary doctor since she never had problems with her feet.

“I thought it was just a tweak or

She opted to redshirt her freshman year of track and field in the spring, instead of pushing the limits, but never felt sorry for herself. She sought more answers, though, and turned to a naturopath doctor who said her body was sensitive to sugar and wheat and “that I had to take those out of my diet.” So, she did, and after two weeks, she started feeling results.

“My foot was almost all better. It was so great to be able to start training again,” she said. “I had to start slow, because I hadn’t (run) for about four months.”

Norquist, who is the Saints’ top female runner this season, just -Leah Norquist feels blessed to be back Saints cross country runner on course. Heading into though she never got too hot or cold Saturday’s Mike Hodges Invitational in her thoughts. “It looked like I had at Clackamas Community College, arthritis in my fifth metatarsal (at she’s excited to compete after finishfirst). I was actually relieved because ing 12th during Mt. Hood’s last meet (my doctor) said it could be a stress on Sept. 26 in Battle Ground, Wash.

She finished that 5k with a time of fracture” instead, she said.

Norquist said she had to walk 20 minutes, 29 seconds. She plans on with a hitch in her giddyup for close -See Norquist on page 7 to two months, still without answer. something that would heal over the weekend,” said Norquist. But as the weeks went on, she started to realize something wasn’t right. After an X-Ray, the doctor told her she was battling inflammation in the foot. This left her with more questions and she couldn’t seem to piece together a reason for her injury,

“The most amazing thing about this happening to me was the way that God was there for me.”

Photo by Nick Pelster

Saints sophomore cross country runner Leah Norquist, 19, bounced back from a right foot injury last season and is now back on track for the Saints this year.

MHCC SPORTS INSIDER “Softball to the rescue” Reeghan Lehnert and Hailey Valiski both came to Mt. Hood Community College to play softball for 14th-year head coach Meadow McWhorter. The two planned all year to practice softball during the fall and winter, preparing themselves for next spring’s softball season.

Those plans changed when they were asked to compete for the Saints’ shorthanded women’s cross country roster so the squad could field a full team, eligible to score in official meets. McWhorter was fine with the two athletes helping out cross country head coach Jim Satterfield.

“I am so happy for them to have the opportunity to participate in cross country and that they are able to run for Satterfield,” said McWhorter. “He is an excellent coach.”

Until those two joined, the Saints didn’t have enough women runners to compete in the South Region and NWAC championships. They now have the minimum required five runners. Lehnert and Valiski both accepted the challenge and athletic scholarships from Satterfield for their sacrifice and dedication to the school and the athletic program.

Q & A with Reeghan Lehnert and Hailey Valitski

Isaiah Alder - the advocate

The Advocate got a chance to catch up with the two new cross country runners this week from the softball team, which will help boost the Saints chance to score team points with a full cross country roster.

Valiski Freshman, from Sandy

Lehnert Sophomore, from Pendleton

Q: When did you first know you’d be running cross country for the Saints this year?

A: I didn’t know at all until my softball coach asked me if I would help out just a couple weeks already into the cross country season.

Q: What were your initial thoughts? Excited? Nervous?

A: I was just sort of anxious because I’m brand new to the sport.

Q: Do you consider yourself already in good enough shape for this sport, due to running so much throughout the softball offseason?

A: I thought I was going to be fine because of all the running our softball team does, but once we started practicing the sprints for our kicks at the end of the each race, I was thoroughly surprised.

Q: What other sports did you play in high school?

A: I was a three-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball, and softball –never any cross country or track.

Q: How did you find yourself at Mt. Hood?

A: I first got the idea from some girls who came to play softball at Mt. Hood that I played with in high school. They helped me schedule a visit so I could come work out for the softball team. I was welcomed immediately.

Q: How do you expect cross country to help you with your upcoming softball campaign this spring?

A: I picture cross country helping me with my overall physical shape, endurance, and mental toughness throughout the rest of softball season.

Q: Are you trying to surprise any other teams with your times during cross country?

A: Honestly I am nervous, but I am going to go out there and do my best. It’s going to come down to being mentally tough and finding a steady pace that I can stick with so I don’t burn out.

Photo by Nick Pelster