slides: Party Report: Equity Foundation at University Club

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Monday, November 10, 2014

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

Equity Foundation held its third annual Equity Awards at the University Club in downtown Portland on Saturday night.

The black tie event, entitled "Soiree," honored individuals, groups and institutions who have served as catalysts for equality in the LGBTQ community. 

This year's honorees included Fire Chief Erin Janssens (whe she joined Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) in 1988, she was one of two female firefighters out of some 700), Kurt Beadell, co-owner and creative director of Vibrant Table Catering & Events, and Paul Justin Carlos Southwick, a native Oregonian and an attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and Jayce Marcus, a student at George Fox University who identifies as male and wants to live with a group of male friends. However, the college considers him a woman and turned down his request.

SEE SLIDESHOW OF EQUITY'S SOIREE BELOW

The evening, hosted by NIke's Robert Goman, was an opportunity to listen and learn. As Robert so aptly summarized when he said the night's lessons were "to be present, use your words, & slay dragons!" Words, and how they are used, were an intergral part to both Fire Chief Janssens and Jayce's speeches. They both explained how important words are to how we look at ourselves and the ever-changing world around us. 

The evening was capped by a performance by the Portland Gay Straight Alliance Chorus (one of the songs they performed way Miley Cyrus's "Party in the U.S.A."). The chorus includes a younger member who identifies as gay and Mormon. His parents are incredibly supportive of their son and his decision to live his truth and his faith. The hope is that he can stay true to both paths—gay and Mormon.  And it was important that Equity Foundation gave him, as well as the awardees, a chance to share their stories with the audience gathered at the University Club.

Banner photo of Wayne Miya, Andrew Tweedie, Tina Kotek and Karol Collymore by Byron Beck.

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Related Slideshow: Equity Foundation at University Club

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