Advertise on podcast: PrideScape

In this month's episode of PrideScape, Pride Northwest Executive Director and podcast host, Debra Porta sits down with Author, and Founder of Up and Over and Glenda’s Garden, Javonnie Shearn for an important conversation about Hunger. Tune in as Jovannie talks about her journey and how her identity and family have influenced her work. And join Debra and Jovannie as they discuss how we can keep people fed and how we can all do our part in helping the communities we serve. Guest Bio Javonnie Shearn is the founder of Up and Over and Glenda’s Garden, a housing advocate, and author of Someone’s Someone. She started Up and Over in 2011, leading youth mentorship, workshops, and assemblies, and expanded into housing services and outreach during the pandemic. Javonnie also served on the Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board for eight years, including four as Chair. Through her work and personal story, she brings a powerful voice to mental health, grief, and rebuilding lives. After Tuning In: Sign-up for the Pride Northwest newsletter to follow along and find where you can plug in with our 2026-27 Community Resilience Program kicking off this fall- In its role as an intermediary nonprofit organization, Pride Northwest supports and serves as a connector between resources, grassroots initiatives, and advocates, who are working on the ground to address (and meet) community needs. This support includes funding, technical assistance, capacity-building, networking opportunities, and more to support those organizations in maximizing their impact, intentionally working to center the perspectives and efforts of Black, Indigenous and Queer People of Color community organizers. In addition, Pride Northwest sponsors dozens of community events, employs hundreds of LGBTQIA2S+ artists and performers throughout the year, and provides economic opportunities for dozens of LGBTQIA2S+ makers and artisans. You can also learn more about Up and Over and Glenda’s Garden and support in the ways you are able! Listen to this episode and all previous episodes on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform! PrideScape Formally known as the PrideScape Podcast, PrideScape is the evolving storytelling platform of Pride Northwest. Through podcasts, articles, videos, and more, we bring together multiple outlets for stories, discussions, important news and information affecting Oregon and SW Washington's LGBTQ+ community. Learn more: PrideScape Media | PRIDE NORTHWEST, INC.

“Made with Pride” Series: LGBTQ2SIA+ Veterans Village with Ian Michael  In this episode PrideScape Host and Pride Northwest Executive Director, Debra Porta, sits down with Ian Michael (he/they). Ian is a USMC Veteran, and the LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs in the Appeals & Special Advocacy Division. Ian, for the last several years has also been instrumental in manifesting the “Veterans Village” at the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival.  This episode offers insight into the making of the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade, the intentionality behind the work, how Pride is made, and highlighting the people and community that help Make Pride Happen.  After tuning in:  Learn more about all things Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade, including registration, volunteer opportunities, and more visit portlandpride.org The Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade is one of the largest donation-based pride events, ticket admission donations support the festival and Pride Northwest’s year- round work. Donate ahead of time or pay it forward: Donate GET TICKET – 2026 Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade – Tom McCall Waterfront Park About the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs: Access resources and program information on the ODVA website: Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs : Welcome Page : State of Oregon Learn more about Oregon’s LGBTQ+ Veterans Program: Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs : LGBTQ+ Veterans : Resources For... : State of Oregon Listen to this episode and all previous episodes on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform! PrideScape Formally known as the PrideScape Podcast, PrideScape is the evolving storytelling platform of Pride Northwest. Through podcasts, articles, videos, and more, we bring together multiple outlets for stories, discussions, important news and information affecting Oregon and SW Washington's LGBTQ+ community. Learn more: PrideScape Media | PRIDE NORTHWEST, INC.

In this month's episode of PrideScape, Pride Northwest Executive Director and podcast host, Debra Porta sits down with two of our reigning 2025 Portland Gay Prides Pageant title holders for an inspiring conversation about community, visibility and what it means to represent their community throughout their reigning year.  Mr. Gay Pride Austin Lindsey and Ms. Gay Pride Saint Syndrome share what inspired them to compete, the personal challenges and meaningful moments that came with this journey and so much more! As the 2026 Gay Prides of Portland Pageant approaches, the conversation turns towards the future. Whether you are thinking about attending, competing for a title in future years or simply want to get insight into this event- our Gay Prides cover it all. Tune in as we celebrate our 2025 titleholders and look ahead towards welcoming our upcoming 2026 representatives. After tuning in: For more information about the Gay Prides of Portland Pageant, including the history of the pageant, photo galleries, and ticket information visit our website:pridenw.org/portland-gay-pride-pageant See you on Sunday, June 21st 2026, Doors: 4 PM / Show: 5 PM at the McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209!  Keep up with our guests on Instagram: Austin Lindsey (Instagram) and Saint Syndrome (Instagram)

Rejoin PrideScape Host and Pride Northwest Executive Director, Debra Porta, sits down with Ian Morton, Pride Northwest Director of Programs and Max Micozzi, Project Coordinator of Pride Elder Connections for part two of this episode highlighting Pride Northwest’s newest program. Tune in as Debra, Ian and Max discuss how both LGBTQ2SIA+ elders and the broader community can get involved and support Pride Elder Connections- and all there is to look forward to! After tuning in:  Stay in the loop with all things Pride Elder Connections! Pride Elder Connections | PRIDE NORTHWEST, INC.  Pride Elder Connections Mailing List

In this episode PrideScape Host and Pride Northwest Executive Director, Debra Porta, sits down with Ian Morton, Pride Northwest Director of Programs and Max Micozzi, Project Coordinator of Pride Northwest’s newest program Pride Elder Connections! Join Debra, Ian, and Max as they discuss the origins of the program, issues elders in our community face, and the program mission. They also take a moment to reflect on key achievements and memorable moments of the program so far.  This is a two part episode, so stay tuned for part two where Debra, Ian and Max discuss how the community can support, get involved and what we have to look forward to with Pride Elder Connections. After tuning in:  Stay in the loop with all things Pride Elder Connections! Pride Elder Connections | PRIDE NORTHWEST, INC. Pride Elder Connections Mailing List

In this episode PrideScape Host and Pride Northwest Executive Director, Debra Porta, sits down with Pride Northwest Program Assistant, Karianne Horton. On top of all the amazing work Karianne does year-round with Pride Northwest, Karianne is instrumental for coordinating Portland Pride registration.  Join Debra and Karianne as they reflect on the work that has happened to professionalize and streamline Pride Northwest’s registration system over the years. Tune in as they discuss Pride Northwest’s goals this Pride season, some things to look forward to, current festival and parade participant stats, and more! This episode offers insight into the making of Portland Pride, the intentionality behind the work, the commitment to keeping the event accessible and maintaining the Portland Pride’s community-focused nature. Get an exclusive look into the behind the scenes work that goes into making Pride happen!  After tuning in:  Learn more about all things Portland Pride, including registration, volunteer opportunities, and more visit portlandpride.org Portland Pride is one of the largest donation-based pride events, ticket admission donations support the festival and Pride Northwest’s year- round work. Donate ahead of time or pay it forward: Donate GET TICKET – 2026 Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade – Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Season 4, Episode 7- Year End Review with Debra Porta and Ian Morton (Part 2) In part 2 of this episode of PrideScape, host and Pride Northwest Executive Director, Debra Porta, sits down with Ian Morton, Pride Northwest Director of Programs to close out the 2025 year. Join Debra and Ian as they take a moment to look back at everything 2025 brought to Pride Northwest. And as they celebrate the progress, reflect on the journey, give thank you’s, and set the stage for what’s next.

In this episode of PrideScape Host and Pride Northwest Executive Director, Debra Porta, sits down with Ian Morton, Pride Northwest Director of Programs to close out the 2025 year. Join Debra and Ian as they take a moment to look back at everything 2025 brought to Pride Northwest. And as they celebrate the progress, reflect on the journey, give thank you’s, and set the stage for what’s next.

In this episode PrideScape Host and Pride Northwest Executive Director, Debra Porta, sits down with award-winning Portland filmmaker, playwright, and storyteller, Sean Brown whose work dives deep into the complexities of LGBTQIA2S+ identity, resilience and survival.  Join Debra and Sean in this powerful conversation that touches on the diversity within the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and highlights that not everyone fits into a neat box. Sean discusses how his latest play The Death of A Drag Queen came to life, and how he draws from his own life to create characters and narratives that are raw, unfiltered and unapologetically real- and not always mainstream.  This episode offers insight into the making of a modern and timely story.  After tuning in:  Death of a Drag Queen, the world premiere play by award-winning filmmaker Sean Brown, sashays onto the stage this December in a heartbreakingly fierce collision of Southern grace, spiritual reckoning, and full-blown drag. The production opens December 5 at The Echo Theater for a limited engagement run. The Echo Theater - Portland, Oregon Opening Night: December 5, 2025 Run Dates: December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20 The Board Room – Portland, Oregon Run Dates: January 22, 23, 24, 29. 30, 31 Tickets: Death of a Drag Queen - A new drag play in Portland About Sean Brown:  Sean Brown is an award-winning Portland filmmaker and storyteller. His film Christmas Freak is available worldwide and recognized for writing and music with the hit single “Cool Christmas” on SolarRadio the most popular R&B station in the UK. Soundtrack available on Apple Music. Previous films include Strictly Professional (Best Ensemble Acting) and Radio Silence, which won the Grand Prize at WIPE Festival in Berlin. Death of a Drag Queen marks his most intimate work to date.

In this episode, Pride Northwest Director of Programs and this month's guest host of PrideScape, Ian Morton, guides listeners through a look at one powerful piece of a broader fight for food security, a central focus of Pride Northwest's winter “Drive to Thrive” campaign. The spotlight is on Mis Tacones, a restaurant where food, culture, and social justice intersect in meaningful ways.  Owned by Carlos Reynoso and Polo Banuelos, Mis Tacones brings traditional Chicano and LA-style street food to life with a plant based twist. Beyond their vibrant menu, Carlos and Polo have created a welcoming space that offers free meals to queer and trans people of color and other underserved community members. In this conversation, they share how this initiative began, how their identities shape their work, and what it means to serve their community through food.  This episode also highlights how community efforts contribute to the broader push for food justice and offers a meaningful glimpse into how one organization is addressing food insecurity with heart, creativity and community centered care. After tuning in:  Learn more about Mis Tacones and support their Pay it Forward program: Mis Tacones PDX.  Mis Tacones is nominated for the VegNews Restaurant Award - a national nomination amongst other vegan businesses in the country! Vote for them here. About Carlos and Polo: Carlos Background: "Carlos started doing social advocacy work, because he related personally to the communities he served. As an at-risk gay youth, he'd been incarcerated, struggled with substances, etc. In social services, the burnout rate is high, and the pay is never great, so he would do side jobs in kitchens. It was like two different environments, between the social justice work and the cutthroat nature of the kitchen: where no one cared about your identity. His dream? Creating an environment in the restaurant world, that cared about humanity and valued its staff, customers, and community at large. Being vegan himself for 14 years, as a stance against cruelty in all forms, it fit perfectly with his mission as a whole." Polo Background: "Polo Banuelos' love for cooking originated at an early age - finding comfort through food & spending quality time in the kitchen with his mother, aunts, and grandma. The importance of spreading joy through family meals and traditional recipes stuck with him, through his own vegan journey. He believes that life should be respected in all forms, including animals."  Mis Tacones backstory: "Mis Tacones was born out of homesickness, a desire to integrate the couple's roots into a new city, after moving to Portland. It was an experiment, an art project, and a call for connection. Their superpower? Coming from hard-working, immigrant families. They knew what it took to run a small business, and that's the community they want to champion."

In this episode, Executive Director of Pride Northwest and PrideScape Host, Debra Porta (she/they) sits down with PrideScape special guest, Abby Ross (they/them), a truly multifaceted guest. From academia, government, to the arts, Abby shares about their journey and how they ended up in Portland. Debra and Abby discuss one of Abby’s recent blog posts, Authoritarianism Survival Kit: On Being Ready for the Long Run, and dive into a thoughtful discussion on current events, building community, and what community resilience looks like in today’s world. After Tuning In: Check out Abby Ross’ Sheathed Sword on Substack: https://sheathedsword.substack.com/

In this episode, Executive Director of Pride Northwest and PrideScape Host Debra Porta, and PrideScape special guest, Representative Travis Nelson, sit down for an open and engaging conversation about the impact of recent legislation impacting the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the importance of utilizing the leverage our community has.  Rep. Nelson also touches on his journey, identity, what drives him, and how this influences his work in the state legislature.  Learn more about IP 33: the “Equal Rights for All” initiative: Equal Rights for All | ACLU of Oregon About Representative Travis Nelson:  Travis Nelson was appointed to the House of Representatives on January 27, 2022 representing House District 44. He was sworn in on the first day of the 2022 Legislative Session. In the 2022 general election, he was elected to his first full term as State Representative​. He is proud to join the legislature as the first ever Black LGBTQIA+ member. The grandson of Louisiana sharecroppers, his parents moved his family to the Pacific Northwest before he entered grade school. He put himself through community college and then Washington State University School of Nursing by working food service, landscaping, and janitorial positions. It is this strong work ethic that has carried him to where he is today. Throughout his career as a Registered Nurse he saved lives by practicing constant attentiveness along with being a strong advocate. He specialized in Emergency Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing and Rehabilitation Nursing. Serving as a union representative honed his advocacy skills and allowed him to begin tackling the many problems inherent in our healthcare system. He is a member of the Sierra Club, American Nurses Association, Oregon Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, the NAACP and a former Vice President of the Oregon Nurses Association. He knows healthcare is intersectional and is entwined with our environment, housing policy, racial justice, and so many other social determinants of health. It is this intersectionality that initially drove him to run for office. ​ Follow Representative Travis Nelson’s new Facebook page to get regular updates on what he is working on in Salem.​

Season 4, Episode 1: " A History of Ballroom in Portland" Whether you’re a ballroom veteran or just curious about the world behind ballroom culture: join Debra Porta and Daniel Giron as they dive heels-first into the vibrant and resilient history of Portland’s ballroom scene. This episode explores how ballroom culture took root in the Pacific Northwest, the pioneers who carved out space for self-expression, and how the scene continues to evolve today. Hear personal stories, cultural reflections, and the legacy of voguing, houses, and community-building. This episode highlights the work and mission of The Rebound a 503(c) non-profit, devoted to ethically spreading the legacy of ballroom in the PNW through events, classes, panels and performances. About our guest: Originally from Veracruz Mexico, Daniel Giron is a well rounded entertainer and community leader featured on HBO Max hit show LEGENDARY Season 3. You may recognize Daniel from being immortalized as a meme with the floor performance in the sand heard ’round the world. Daniel uses his social media not only as a platform to educate on Ballroom culture, but to activate and create change through movement. Shattering gender norms while using their engagement as a means of resistance and equity within communities of Queer people of color. You can learn more and donate to Rebound PDX on their Website: The Rebound – Portland's Bimonthly Kiki Ball You can also find Rebound PDX and Daniel on Instagram:  @reboundpdx / @dnlgiron

Join us as we spend some quality time with cartoonist and community-builder Rupert Kinnard, to talk about his journey and latest project "Ooops...I Just Catharted!: 50 Years of Cathartic Comics!" Rupert Kinnard is an American cartoonist who is best known for creating the first ongoing gay/lesbian-identified African-American comic-strip characters: the Brown Bomber (a teenage superhero) and Diva Touché Flambé (his ageless lesbian partner). Originally from Chicago, aside from a seven-year stint in San Francisco, Rupert has made Portland his home since 1979. In addition to becoming the first African-American person to serve on the Portland Town Council, Rupert was instrumental in the early years of Just Out and was a founding member of Brother to Brother, a social organization for African-American queer men. Rupert's latest project, "Ooops...I Just Catharted!: 50 Years of Cathartic Comics!", is a collection of Rupert Kinnard's long-running comic strip, Cathartic Comics. From the 1970s through the 1990s, Cathartic Comics made its way from the Cornellian, the student newspaper of Cornell College, to the queer-focused alternative weekly newspapers that popped up in communities across the country. Along the way, readers delighted to the exploits of the Brown Bomber, comics' first black and gay superhero, and Diva Touché Flambé, master of the ancient practice of Slapthology. These two satirized the political and social mores of the age, touching not only upon the divide between liberal and conservative or gay and straight, but also between Black and white in the queer community and beyond. Back this project on Kickstarter.

In this episode, Pride Northwest Executive Director Debra Porta is joined by the Development Director of Rose Haven, Liz Starke. Debra and Liz discuss the services Rose Haven provides day-to-day as the only day shelter and community center specifically serving women, children, and gender-diverse people in Portland. The conversation also includes topics such as how the LGBTQIA2S+ community is impacted by homelessness and the barriers they face accessing services, the landscape of current needs for houseless and housing-insecure people in Portland, and the no-daytime camping ban in Portland and how that has affected houseless folks, shelters, and service providers. To learn more about Rose Haven's crucial work in the community and how to get involved, please visit rosehaven.org. To stay updated on Pride Northwest's programs, visit pridenw.org. To contribute to Pride Northwest's Fall & Winter Community Impact Drive, of which Rose Haven is a beneficiary recipient, please check out our Impact Drive page here: https://www.pridenw.org/community-impact-drive