Skip to main contentLil' JM
Gay icon wigs out for final tour stop of Hairspray.
By Byron Beck
The most unabashedly queer event that will take place during June, Portland's Pride month, isn't part of the official Pride program. But the Tuesday, June 20, opening of Hairspray at the Keller Auditorium just might be one of the queerest things this town has ever seen.
Portland, the last tour stop for this production, should be in for a real feast. That's because, instead of the wholesome hooey that's usually shoved on the stage and called a "musical," this subtly subversive 2002 showstopper has a real message. Based on the hit '88 film by cult director John Waters—a queer artist known to revel in taboo subject matter—Hairspray tells the tale of Tracy Turnblad, a chunky '60s-era hunk of burning teen hormones out to change the world, one dance step at a time. It isn't just about overcoming cultural barriers and intolerance; it's also about celebrating who we are. Why else would they cast a man in the role of Tracy's mom, Edna Turnblad? Or cast an openly queer actor, JM J. Bullock, as "hir" husband, Wilbur Turnblad?
Bullock, 51, is best known to oldies as Monroe Ficus on the '80s sitcom Too Close for Comfort. Younger folks remember him from Hollywood Squares. For many viewers, especially of the first two series, Bullock was one of their first encounters with a real live gay man on TV—even though he wasn't out in Hollywood, or anywhere else.
I talked with Bullock by phone in his San Jose, Calif., hotel room at 10 am one recent morning. He had just returned that week to the show after his father's funeral. I don't know if it was his father's passing, or that he was just ready to be done with a show he'd been in for 18 months, but Bullock sounded a bit worn out. And dismissive. Until we got onto the subject of sex.
WW: What was it like to be gay during the early '80s?
JM J. Bullock: I was on Too Close. It was the prime of the show, and I was in the closet...except to my family and to most of my friends, who knew I was gay. I was so ashamed of it. I was brought up Southern Baptist. I had a real conflict with God, spirituality, Christianity and homosexuality. I had this terrible guilt, [but] I couldn't help these urges I had. I was two different people. This person who everybody knew and loved, and then this creature that'd go to bathhouses to get my rocks off.
So you went to bathhouses and bookstores, and into the bushes?
This is so early for this conversation! My friend Jeff would always cruise the bathrooms. And I would usually go to Griffith Park. I also went to bookstores, and then I went to—OMIGOD—these "clubs." They were sex clubs.
Were you scared you might get recognized?
I was recognized several times, and it was always so creepy. People would recognize you in a bathhouse when you were in the middle of your business. But [my response] wouldn't be like, "OMIGOD, that's so great. I'm so glad you watch our show!" It was like, "Uh, yeah...that's right...now let's just forget that and move on."
What has it been like to play "straight" in Hairspray?
Wilbur was a challenge for me because of the fact he was straight. I couldn't get up there and be a "girl." That scared me. I was judging myself and holding myself back. There are so many examples in my past—let me take Monroe [from Too Close] for instance—where I had to play a "straight," or something that was not comfortable for me. I felt really phony and artificial in it. I knew that it looked really uncomfortable and I looked bad. You sort of build up this phobia of, like, "I can't play straight because people will laugh at me." And so that's where I was with Wilbur. I didn't think that they'd ever offer me Wilbur because I'm so notoriously gay.
This show comes to our town at an interesting time, during Pride month. What makes you proud of being gay?
I have changed, and I'm still changing. I'm still fighting old demons. I found out 21 years ago that I was HIV-positive. At that time it was a death sentence. I sort of went, "Wow, I think this came about through self-loathing." I put myself in situations that I shouldn't have been in, but it was the '70s and everyone was doing it. But just because I didn't love myself, or had a lot of guilt about what I was doing, doesn't mean god was like, "I'm going to give you AIDS. Pow—that'll teach you!" It just happened. ... It made me realize I had two roads to choose here. I can either choose this road of self-loathing ...or I can start working toward loving myself. I set out on my own path to find that the god that loves me, that created me, also made me gay and rejoices in the fact that I'm gay. And that's the journey I'm still on. After grieving my partner's death, I went through this celebration of life and of my homosexuality. I went to parties, ripped my shirt off and said, "I'm gay. And I'm out, and I'm having a great time. You know, hello, world!"
That's so Gay!
Pride Week is here. It's queer. This is your guide.
By Shoshanna Cohen
Sure, everyone knows about the Pride Parade and the festival down at Waterfront Park. But have you ever felt like you were missing the real party? Here's our insider's guide to all the best bits (and naked boobs) of Pride Week.
HOTTEST SPOTS TO GET YOUR GROOVE ON
Vas-o-Line
This regular gig is sure to heat up with visitors in town for the festivities, so come get down and slide around to the beats of DJs Beyonda (she sure is busy this week), Dandylion, Stormy and Sol. Red Cap Garage, 1035 SW Stark St., 221-7262. 9 pm Wednesday, June 14. $3-$5. 21+.
Homotherapy
Hip-hoptress Automatron and DJ L-Train gets the pride groove moving with a special performance by DND playing "dancefloor-discoparty-jammz-for-the-underground" at this usually straight bar. Bettie Ford, 1135 SW Washington St., 445-8331. 10 pm Wednesday, June 14. 21+.
Underwear Party
Get down to your skivvies, guys, 'cause it's time to party like you don't have any clothes on at Flaunt, Boxxes' Pride kickoff party. 9 pm Friday, June 16. Boxxes, 1035 SW Stark St., 226-4171. $5 (or free with clothing donation for Portland Rescue Mission). 21+.
Pride Party with the Grrrls
Dyke March got you riled up? Blow off steam to DJs Beyonda and Saffronica's hip-hop tracks at Zaytoon, Alberta Street's hottest new party pad addition. 2236 NE Alberta St., 284-1168. 9 pm Saturday, June 17. $12. 21+.
Pride Dance 2006
Another grrrl dance party will take place at the ever-happening E Room. Think wall-to-wall women. Egyptian Room, 3701 SE Division St. 236-8689. 9 pm Saturday, June 17. $5-$10. 21+.
Taking Pride in Stark Block Party
It's a block party on Stark Street, with performances by DJ Rob C, Jen Folker of Dahlia and the finalists of Portland's G.L.A.S. (Gay & Lesbian Amateur Singers) competition—kind of like American Idol but more gay, if that's possible. Topping it off is the one and only Jody Watley. Yes, JODY WATLEY! Southwest Stark Street between 11th and 13th avenues, Saturday-Sunday, June 17-18. All-day passes $12 Saturday, $5 Sunday. 21+.
Be Free: Stark Street Block Party
Not to be confused with the party up the street, Be Free is a Sunday-only block party between 10th and 11th avenues, featuring the always amazing Ultra Naté and DJ Keoki (you might remember him from the movie Party Monster or NYC's Limelight). Gay icons will be all over Stark this weekend. 1025 SW Stark St., 226-4171, ext. 42. 11:30 am-9 pm Sunday, June 18. Donation. All ages.
HOTTEST PLACES TO GET YOUR SCHMOOZE ON
Willamette Week Pride Party
We couldn't help but get in on the action ourselves, with a little par-tay of our own. Not only will it be a merry mixer-upper ($3 drinks, people), but you'll get to write free personal ads for both friend-searching and hottie-hunting. Check out the sissy-boy kissing booth. Crush, 1412 SE Morrison St., 235-8150. 7-9 pm Wednesday, June 14. Free. 21+.
Pure Love Warehouse Party
Don't forget to wear pretty panties, 'cause there's going to be a bounce video floor at this annual warehouse party, featuring dance diva Crystal Waters ("100% Pure Love," "Gypsy Woman") and a silent auction hosted by Poison Waters (no relation). Northeast 9th Avenue and Flanders Street, 866-468-7623. 8:30 pm Saturday, June 17. $15-$20, $60 VIP weekend pass. 21+.
HOTTEST SPOTS TO PRY OPEN YOUR MIND
In the Life: Portland's Black Pride
No, we're not talking about the Panthers. The week leading up to the Pride Festival is full of consciousness-raising and just-plain-fun events celebrating an often-overlooked part of the queer community. Various locations, 417-7991, Saturday-Monday, June 10-19. Visit www.pdxblackpride.info for a schedule of events.
Dyke March
The term "gay" is often used to imply "male," leaving out, oh, maybe half of the queer population. With an emphasis on the difference between the terms "march" and "parade," this event helps fill in the blanks. Meet at Northwest Park Avenue and Davis Street, 295-9788. 7 pm Saturday, June 17. Free.
Civil Disunion
Do something fun and political. Presented by Humble Divas, a.k.a. Elizabeth Lavenue and Mark Steering, this one-hour musical comedy delves into issues like gay marriage and Dubya while remaining upbeat. Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2823 N Portland Blvd., 289-0318. 8 pm Friday-Saturday, June 23-24. $5-$20.
HOTTEST SPOTS FOR HOOKIN' UP
Portland Spirit Dinner Cruise
The city's most cinematic date opportunity isn't just for Barbie and Ken. Woo or be wooed with a gourmet dinner and a float down the Willamette River. Sets off from 110 SE Caruthers St., 224-3900. 7 pm Wednesday, June 14. $60.
Pride Film Night
Grope in the dark like high-schoolers during Catholic-school romance Loving Annabelle (7:30 pm) and Amy Sedaris' full-length Strangers with Candy (9 pm). Hollywood Theater, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd., 281-4215. Thursday, June 15. $10 per film.
Blackout at Steam
Lights go out and glow sticks come on at this gay bathhouse bacchanal featuring porn star Tag Adams. Steam Portland, 2885 NE Sandy Blvd., steamportland.com. 10 pm Saturday, June 17. No cover, just room or locker rental. 21+.
HOTTEST DRAG 'N' DRAMA SPOTS
Total Drag 2006
It ain't for amateurs: Come watch national-level drag royalty competitors (all genders) belt it out and strut their stuff, whatever their stuff happens to be, hosted by San Francisco's illustrious Anita Cocktail. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St., 284-8686. 9 pm Friday, June 16. $10.
Razzle Dazzle
Portland Gay Men's Chorus brings Broadway to Portland with a staged revue of the music of John Kander and Fred Ebb, the geniuses behind Chicago and Cabaret. Fo' shizzle! Portland Center for the Performing Arts' Newmark Theater, 1111 SW Broadway, 226-2588. 8 pm Saturday, June 17. $20-$30.
Q Center
Portland's new LGBTQ community center offers opportunities to get acquainted with the center's programs all week long and throughout the month, including family events and social-networking opportunities. 1028 SE Water Ave., #145, 234-7837. Through Thursday, June 29. Check out pdxqcenter.org for more info.
HOTTEST OUTDOOR EXTRACURRICULARS
Rose City Softball vs. Portland City Police
100 percent of all donations to this annual charity softball game goes to the Q Center, so get out there and support your favorite jock. Mayor Potter will be there, too! 11 am Saturday, June 17. Lents Park, at the corner of Southeast 88th Avenue and Holgate Street, 552-4769. Free ($5 donation requested).
Pride Fun Run and Walk
If you're more about running clubs than nightclubs, join the Portland Frontrunners for a jaunt around the downtown bridges and waterfront. The group hosts weekly runs during the year, too—good to know if the sight of piles of buff, waxed torsos this week has motivated you to dust off those sneakers. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 SW Naito Parkway, www.portlandfrontrunners.com. Registration begins 8 am, walk 9:15 am, run 10 am Saturday, June 17. $15, $25 per family (two or more).
Portland Pride Festival
Stroll, mingle and buy stuff at the county fair for queers. This year's catchy but totally uninformative theme is "Get Your Pride On!" Enjoy a rainbow of entertainment, including rebels from the leather community, dignitaries from the Imperial Rose Court and songstress Jill Sobule. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 295-9788. Noon-11 pm Saturday, June 17; noon-6 pm Sunday, June 18. Free.
Portland Pride Parade
This one's a no-brainer. Take it to the streets because, well, because you can—in addition to being the most fabulous of yearly spectacles in cities across the nation, Pride commemorates 1969's Stonewall Riots (which essentially started the whole queer rights movement). Steps off from Northwest Park Avenue and Davis Street, 295-9788. 11:30 am Sunday, June 18. Free.
Hairspray, Broadway Across America at Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 241-1802. 7:30 pm Wednesday-Friday, 2 pm and 7:30 pm Saturday, 1 pm and 6:30 pm Sunday. Closes June 25. $25-$75.
WWeek 2015