http://www.ThePortlandAlliance.org/qcenter
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We are gearing up for the Out on the sQuare Block Party: Presented by Q Center and we hope to see you there! This year's event not only showcases over 35 Portland LGBTQ organizations, businesses and allies but is designed to encourage connections between community members. Our stronger focus on food, beverages and entertainment this year will set the stage for conversations and networking.
 Barefoot Wine has generously sponsored this year's new wine garden and we couldn't be more excited! Kick off your shoes and join us in the Barefoot Wine Garden where we will be serving a selection of Barefoot Wine and a specialty drink made with Crater Lake Vodka!
Entertainment will include appearances by SMRYC Dance Troupe, Portland Gay Men's Chorus, Portland GSA Youth Chorus, Portland Lesbian Choir, Caravan of Glam, Jersey Jo Scities, and The Sexbots. We are honored to have Empress Ambrosia Shock of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court perform at Out on the sQuare this year, and we're so thrilled that Bolivia Carmichaels and her many beautiful faces will be our host!
Formerly known as Gay Fair on the Square, this event is an annual fall gathering of LGBTQ- and-allied nonprofit community organizations and businesses at the Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Founded by the Portland Gay Men's Chorus in 2009, Out on the sQuareis an end-of-summer/back-to-school community block party where Portland's LGBTQ nonprofits and businesses can connect and share information about their work, programs and volunteer opportunities.
 RSVP to the Facebook event and please share the event on your page! In Community,   Justin Pabalate & Stacey Rice Executive Co-Directors, Q Center |
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Save the Date!
November 22 @ The Nines
Q Center's annual gala is back this year and we're excited for the opportunity to gather with our community and CELEBRATE Q Center's amazing change and growth over this past year. We hope you'll plan to join the Q Center board, staff and community supporters for brunch and festivities.
RSVP to our Facebook event to stay updated and share with your friends! We are looking forward to celebrating with YOU.
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Collaboration Station: The Equi Institute, Piano.Push.Play and Friends of Trees!
Q Center is launching several collaborative projects this fall that we are excited to share with you.
Have you heard that The Equi Institute is partnering with Q Center? Check out PQ Monthly's article on this exciting development. The Equi Institute's mission is to empower and improve the health of the LGBTQI communities of the Pacific Northwest. We are honored that The Equi Institute would chose Q Center to partner with. They are leading in their field and we are committed to doing all we can to uplift their work. We are also a clinic by and for the community. When you come to the Equi Institute, you are assured you will have a provider who is from your community, understands your needs and culture, is passionate about creating health equity and social justice, and doesn't judge you. The Equi institute is dedicated to providing patient centered, patient driven care that is tailored to the needs of the individual.
Dr. Angela Carter
Board Chair and Clinical Director
Be sure to like The Equi Institute on Facebook to stay up to date on their lifesaving work.
Piano! Push Play! is on a mission to make pianos available to anyone who wants to play them. You may have seen their pianos around town this summer. Q Center has two pianos, so a partnership seemed like a natural fit. Plans are in the works for Piano! Push Play! to upgrade one of our pianos with a tune-up and more. Later this fall we'll unveil this work of art, honoring a local LGBTQ community icon. So, stay tuned!
This summer we approached Friends of Trees for help beautifying our location. They connected us with Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services, who helped Q Center qualify for trees and cement cutting at no cost! We're grateful that BES will also provide the first few months of watering for the new additions to North Mason Street.
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Fun Facts!
Did you know:
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Actions Speak Louder
This article was contributed by Jean Bryant, a community member who regularly participates in the Transgender Women's Group that meets Friday evenings at Q Center. She asked if she could share her reflections on a recent visit and contributions from a community supporter.
This is an appreciation and a commentary on community and "allies." On September 4we had a great session thanks to Suzanne, who works at one of the cosmetics counters at the Macy's in Vancouver-Westfield Mall. She has decades of knowledge and experience as a cosmetologist and esthetician. She's one of my angels. She, and virtually every single one of her co-workers, have consistently gone beyond to be not only welcoming but truly helpful and supportive to me personally. When she heard me talk about our Friday group she asked if she could visit.
Suzanne gave a three-hour presentation/demonstration and Q&A for us on skincare and makeup techniques. She spent time before and after the meeting working with individuals. Suzanne gave us each a gift bag with donated products from each of the counters at Macy's.
It's easy, arguably even trendy lately, for cis-hetero folks to talk or write about supporting Trans* people. But, actions speak louder...Suzanne and her co-workers have not only supported me but have truly touched my heart. Support can mean more than donating money or time. If you have a skill that you can share with trans communities, please consider it. You will undoubtedly touch the hearts of those you help empower.
Jean Bryant
Vancouver, WA.
 If you have a skill, talent or passion that you think would benefit your community, please let Justin know how you would like to share it!
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Upcoming Events
For more details concerning the following groups and events, please visit the Q Center Events Calendar or Programs Page.
Special Events
Out on the sQuare, 9/27 Q Center GALA Brunch, 11/22 Affinity Groups
Coming Out Group (4th Monday of each month)
LGBTQ NA Support (every Sunday)
Bi/Pansexual Conversation Group (4th Tuesday of each month)
Community Events
LOCA (Lesbians of a Certain Age) (4th Saturday of each month)
PDX Queer Jews (4th Sunday of each month)
Boise Neighborhood Association (2nd and 4th Monday of each month)
Rentals/Special Events
Foster Family Care Network (September 16th)
Talking Kink (September 28th)
Max Meditation (Every Tuesday Evening)
If you would like to start an affinity group, rent space with us or have a community event, please contact Stacey Rice at (503) 234-7837 x114 or by email. |
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Donation Station!
As you can imagine, running a community center requires lots of things! If you would like to have an immediate impact on the Q Center community please consider making an in-kind donation. Below is a list of items that we would be eternally grateful to have in-kinded to Q Center. Please contact Justin to coordinate drop-off/pick-up/delivery.
You can find these items on our Amazon wish list but did you know that if you sign into AmazonSmile FIRST and choose "LGBTQ Community Center Fund" (Q Center's legal name) and THEN purchase the items in our wish list, Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to Q Center?! Ongoing needs at Q Center:
8.5"x11" copy paper
Pens Dry-erase markers
Paper towels
General office supplies
Regular ground coffee (for volunteers, visitors and staff!) Assorted teas
Dishwasher detergent Multipurpose cleanser Clear trash-can liners (13 gallon and 8 gallon) One-time/occasional needs:
2-3 WiFi range extenders (or a powerful router)
50 4ft LED T8 replacement tubes(to save money on the electric bill!) 50 8ft LED T8 replacement tubes 10-15 large and small indoor plants 5 new or gently used throw rugs
5 outdoor bistro-style tables and chairs with umbrellas
If you don't see what you have to donate on the list, check with Justin and he may be able to help you find a place for it either at Q Center or with one of our community partners.
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For all we can know