id Magazine is sending out it’s parazzi team of photographers and reporters this weekend to a series of events for which you have to be seen at. 

Friday January 1.15.10:  Enjoy Portland night life with us as we celebrate everything red neck, white trash, and worthy of Jerry Springer at Red Cap’s 2nd annual TRASH party.  Located on 1035 SW Stark Street, the party starts at 10pm and last till 3am.  Be sure to wear your wifebeater t-shirts and trucker baseball caps.  Showers are optional.  DJ Adam West spins the beats, and there will be a “Jagerbooty” rump shaking contest for two big bills.

Saturday January 1.16.10:  Team Portland Tennis will be hosting a dinner party for all current and interested members from 7-10pm.  Keg will be provided.  Fundraising raffle for Dunlop racquet and a dinner for two at The Resort at the Mountain in Welches.  Come see what the organization has in store for it upcoming season.  For more information contact Carla Ikehara at teamportlandtennis@yahoo.com.

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Netrippers Football Club began the New Year with good cheer at MacTarnahan’s Taproom in NW Portland Saturday January 9^th with a social/fundraiser for their upcoming season.  Over 60 members of the organization attended the dinner packing the ski longue style dining room to capacity—more than the serving staff was expecting.   Warm greetings and hugs abound as many of the members have not seen each other since the end of the last summer season.  Sign-ups were provided for current and newly interested members to participate in one of four teams to play leagues associated with Portland Parks and Recreation starting in April:  Co-ed indoor, Co-ed outdoor, Men’s 4A, and Women’s.  Also, on the business agenda was voting for one of four potentially new logos for the organization and information about the team ski trip.

Participation in the various leagues in the metro area is not the only field time members can get involved in.  Netrippers also travel to various tournaments in the Pacific Northwest targeted for the GLBT athletes.  They also hold their own annual summer grass tournament.  Being able to have basic equipment and playing fields for the year is a consideration of fundraising each year.  As there is interest to play in double the amount of “seasons” this year so will the cost.  To offset this a raffle was conducted to win various prizes by the end of the night ranging from Timbers gear, gift certificates, to even a gay movie/safe sex package from Taboo video.  Fortunately, a male member of the organization won the movie package to the jeers of the crowd.

For more information about Netrippers F.C. stay tune to id Magazine and check out their website @ http://www.netrippers.org/.

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Off season for id Magazine Sports has passed. But during this hiatus we have not been couch potatoes. Our coaches have reviewed the taps noting what went well and what to improve for the 2010 season. No longer part of the freshman team, we aim to earn our varsity letter. Who knows maybe a title or two along the way?

Our program aims to bring you more coverage of all the team and individual sports not only in those events our GLBT community participates in, but also cheers for. Many more personalities will be showcased as major athletic events of the Gay Games in Cologne, Germany and Volleyball Nationals here in Portland will be taking place. Expect to see more event coverage with statics of the players along with additional features in health & fitness. Visibility is the key, as more writers will also be welcomed into this format for a stronger team. We may also hold a few give-a-ways along the way.

Sports, Health & Fitness articles will be posted every 7-10 days, so check back frequently. Share this link with your friends and join id Magazines social networking pages:

Facebook = http://www.facebook.com/pages/id-Magazine/99312835730

Twitter = https://twitter.com/idmagazineor

Above all get involved and show your support to the GLBT sports scene in Portland!

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Portland Gay Basketball Open Gym will continue this week on 9/23/09 and will be playing every Wednesday thru the month December.

To cover the cost of the gym there will be a weekly fee of $5 dollars or you can pay $30 dollars and that will cover you for the entire time we have the gym open. If it is your first time, you can play for free that night, and start paying your second time attending. There will also be a Release of Liability that you will need to sign to play.

This year we will be playing at George Middle School in NE Portland. Address is 10000 N Burr Ave, Portland OR 97203. Start time is 7:30pm and we have the gym until 9:30pm.

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Members of the Portland Frontrunners, the city’s only organized group of GLBT runners, once again participated in this year’s Hood to Coast Relay Race which took place August 28-29th. Teams were comprised of 12 runners each running between two to three legs of the relay. The Frontrunners group included men from Denver, Chicago, New York, and even Istanbul. 1,004 teams finished this year’s marathon race of 197 miles from Mt. Hood to the shores of Seaside, Oregon placing 51st with a time of 22:54:42. An average 6:58 per mile pace. id Magazine caught up with the runners of this year’s race (once they were plenty rested from physical exhaustion of running and not sleeping) to capture the following accounts of their experiences.

Friday 5:45pm—Race Start

“The sun was getting lower in the sky. This was the first leg of the race and one that I ran in 2008. It consists of a severe downhill descending about 2000 feet in under six miles. Running downhill is not easy and if someone goes out too fast, their quads may be shot for their next legs of the race.”—Steve Strode

Saturday 1:30am—Alone in the Dark

“This being my second time doing Hood to Coast, you would think I would be less nervous to run my first leg. I was very nervous. Nervous that I could trip and fall since it is hard to see. Nervous that I would let my team down. It is somewhat surreal to run that late at night, because there is very little to see and you are often times completely alone.”—Derek Shaw

Saturday 5:30am—Reappearance of Day

“The relief of the reappearance of the day only partially mitigated the increasing fear I had for my upcoming 3rd leg described as 6.11 miles of very challenging up and downhills through winding wooded section of Highway 202. My nervousness and dread was due to the feeling of being tired and the increasing disorientation of what time of day it was. Eventually the adrenaline lifted me, and I had one of the most amazing runs I have ever experienced.” –Brain Vasey

Saturday 4:39pm—Finish Line

“As you wind through the streets of the city (Seaside), you don’t really know how close you are getting. Suddenly, there are no more building in front of you and you can see the ocean. I ended up nicking a garbage can twice trying to avoid all the people not wanting to slow down. Whatever it took to complete the race strong. I passed 24 people on my last leg of 6 miles of the entire race.” –Derek Shaw

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In recent years of film making there has been a surge of movies appearing on the market about queer topics thanks in part to companies like Here! and TLA.  Some of these movies have even become blockbusters of entertainment and culturally significant.  Brokeback Mountain for example.  Even rental companies are providing accessibility to titles online and their physical locations—I was surprised to see a large easily accessible selection available at Hollywood Video at 21^st and Burnside.  In all of these cinematic pieces few touch on the experience of a queer athlete.

Granted you can find Greg Louganis’ story of Breaking the Surface and the softball classic Broken Hearts Club, but where are the movies addressing victories of queer jocks among heterosexual counter parts outside of the sport of cheerleading?  Not saying a gay identity is not important to cheerleading success.  Since there are few films in sports with the GLBTQ voice we turn to the abundance of other jock films to be inspired and entertained. 

Argue as you may that lessons to be learned from any sports film are universal and sexual identity should not be an issue is only half true.  As we all identify with different labels like “athletic”, “straight” and/or “queer” each are tenants we stand upon in building a positive self identity for ourselves to achieve success not only in sport but other areas of life. Queer jocks desire more presence on film—as with other areas of media—in all play fields arenas.  Enough of being on the soap box though.

Id Magazine’s newest issue available online and in print (within the week) has the theme of film.  Review of the long list of popular sports themed movies three solid categories emerge:   1) out of place coach inspires a team to victory and personal lessons of triumph; 2) creating your own path of success in the world though athletics often dancing along the way; and 3) women who can kick butt in a male dominant world inside and out of the boxing ring.  Dancing is culturally connected to queers—don’t forget about our influence with disco and having the best clubs to go to—so let’s look at the lessons from such movies.

Editor’s note:  As contributor Matthew Free is completing the hours of watching high stepping action for this review of sports films we would like to hear about your favorite sports films and their significance to you as an athlete.  Come back August 18^th for this story wrap up.

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Athletic endeavors are known to give the participant a physical high from endorphins. For 200 members of the Adventure Group, their fitness pursuits often put them on top of the world. “Coming out on these rocky open spaces is just majestic. You deserve all of this beauty that is before you,” says member Jeff Richard of the rewards of hiking his favorite trail, Manra Point on the Washington side of the Gorge. Founded in 1986, the Adventure Group not only offers its members hikes to some of the areas tallest peaks, but urban treks, kayaking, biking, backpacking, and camping for the summer months. During the winter one can join in snow shoe and skiing trips.

Trips are arranged by a leader familiar with the trial, posted on the club website, and participation ranges from two to ten people. Bringing canine friends is sometimes allowed with permission of trip leader.

Treks are given a rating system based on the mileage, altitude changes, and pace of the hike. Adventures are not just about picking daisies. Still, there are plenty of treks to learn about the vegetation and nature experienced. First time participants are encouraged to join one of the urban walks around Portland to get a sense of their fitness level before heading out for longer trips. “Hiking is a cheap sport and more of the reason why I do it,” explains Mr. Richard in response to equipment needs, “All you really need is a good pair of shoes.”

Portland Monthly recently did a review of the best area hikes, and id Magazine asked members of Adventure Group about their favorite trials. “Everyone in Oregon should get on top of Mt. Hood. The struggle to get up there on your own two feet and the view you experience truly makes you an Oregonian,” shares Evan Boone. Jeff Richard agrees, “It was wonderful moving here to find all of this beautiful public land right outside of my back door.” Other members enjoy trials like Mitchell Point for the ruggedness of the path giving them a sense of what it was like for the pioneers of the state. Adventure Group recommends hikers to not go alone for safety reasons. Going with a friend often enriches the experience. “I used to go with my buddy David. Going together was an emotionally bonding,” shares Jeff.

Hiking provides many health benefits. Mr. Boone did not start becoming an active individual until he was nearly 50. “I did not like the competitive side of sports. Hiking has provided me a way to get in better physical condition at my own rate.” Evan has also hiked in locations like Yellowstone National Park and up Mount St. Helens. For Jeff hiking has become a focal point in his regular health program. “If I don’t get that exercise I go bonkers,” he says.

Adventure Group encourages all members of the queer community to come try one of the hikes hosted by their organization for the physical, spiritual, social benefits provided.

Extra: To explore the vast amount of trials there are in the city, hike on over to Portland Monthly’s Trail Finder.

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PORTLAND – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, will join Nike to host its inaugural women’s 3×3 basketball tournament in Portland, Oregon. About 100-120 players on 32 teams will compete on Saturday, July 25 in both competitive and recreational brackets. Teams can register to play for $80, and individual tickets are on sale for $20. Additionally, 500 raffle tickets will be sold at the event for $10 each to win a trip for two on the inaugural Sweet Caribbean Cruise, the largest lesbian cruise ever, to set sail on November 8-15, 2009.

Venue is Irving Park, NE Fremont St. and NE 7th Ave., Portland, Oregon

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.hrc.org/pdxbasketball

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The following are dates and events for the LGBTIQ Adventure Group

Sat Jul 18 through Jul 21 – Join the Adventure Group for up to 4 nights
in the Olallie Campground on the Mackenzie River. Expect nice day hikes,
kayaking, hot springs and more. RSVP to Richard 360-852-3132.

Sun Jul 19 – The Adventure Group takes a moderate hike to Dickey and
Pansy Lakes, a favorite featuring both an alpine setting and meadow
views. Bull of the Woods is the only area peak still topped by a lookout
tower. Meet outside Starbucks at Hollywood Fred Meyer (8am – 3030 NE
Weidler ST – Evan 503-701-7922)

Sun Jul 19 – Rain or shine, the Adventure Group goes on a moderate road
bike ride. RSVP required, repeats Jul 26th. Meet at the north end of NE
33rd Dr. (9am – 2912 NE Marine Dr – Dave 503-281-4798)

Tue Jul 21 – The Adventure Group takes an urban bike ride on the streets
and trails of Portland. Repeats July 28th. Meet at the drinking fountain
on the Esplanade’s Madison Plaza (6pm – 2 SE Madison ST – Laurent
503-880-8900)

Thu Jul 23 – The Adventure Group takes a moderate urban walk traversing
the trails of Mt Tabor Park with optional dinner afterwards. Meet at SW
corner of SE 60th at Stark. (6:30pm – 300 SE 60th Ave – Greg 503-963-4138)

Sat Jul 25 – The Adventure Group takes a moderate hike to Indian
Mountain, through old growth forest, rocky vistas, springs, and up an
alpine ridge to a stunning old lookout site. Meet outside Starbucks at
Hollywood Fred Meyer (8am – 3030 NE Weidler ST – Jeff 503-830-0187)

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Thinking of American traditions it is easy to equate the 4th of July weekend as time of barbeques filling the air with the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers with coolers packed of cold ale. Spending time with family and friends on a local beach or even at the baseball park. For the members of Netrippers FC in Portland this year’s July 4th activities included twelve 50-minute co-ed matches in hopes of creating soccer as a new past time for the queer community of athletes and fans.

“The amount of fresh faces present at this year’s tournament is awesome,” declared Miguel Villarreal. Attention to soccer has been building in American in recent years, but the game’s uniting spirit among a US fan base pales in comparison to other nations. Id Magazine was out to watch the recent Netrippers tournament and talk to our athletes and fans of the sport.

Meet Jennifer La Bonte. La Bonte’s experience’s in “football” has not only enriched her life, but she believes soccer can do so for all American’s if they understood some reasons why to make the game a true national past time.

“I have been playing for 27 years now–since the age of 5. I wanted to be a ballerina at first but my dad said that La Bonte’s were not dancers rather soccer players. At first I was kicking and screaming when playing, but I grew to love it as I got older. Soccer does take a lot of time to develop and learn the skills necessary to perform at a level where you can actually have fun playing. I compare the game to theater—predicting what other people are going to do, trusting in your teammates, and being there for them in return even when the game is not going your way. For myself I love playing the forward position because of thrill of scoring. I will always remember the great goals scored. Getting the ball through the defense and ‘juking’ the goal keeper for a score thus making them look like a fool is awesome,” she proclaimed.

La Bonte continues, “When playing in college at University of Oregon, I played in many pick-up games with men of various nationalities learning different styles of play from each. Some were all about speed while others skilled in technique or finesse. With the Saudi Arabians, when there was a conflict everyone would sit down and eat cut watermelon discussing the foul for a half an hour till resolved. Now, I have play mostly on all women teams, and vow to only do co-ed play with the guys of Netrippers because they understand the premise of team work. All of these experiences have made the game so much fun!”

“The game of soccer is getting bigger here in the states thanks to women pioneers like Mia Hamm and the Women’s World Cup win. Still we have a lot of catching up to do. If the US does not join the ranks of other nations with interest in soccer we need to still be respectful for its long traditions as a sport. People might think the game is boring because there is not a score every second. Still, soccer is exciting because it takes 90 minutes to build up to the conclusion of winning or losing with the play of the game happening at any time. The game is my greatest passion in life for which I am so thankful,” La Bonte concluded.

Netrippers FC roster is now 25% women in just a few years. As summer provides opportunities for outdoors tournaments like the one over 4th of July weekend, members also play with indoor leagues throughout the year. Due to the growing competitive interest of its players, the organization is planning to hold try outs for four men’s teams this Fall. Women’s teams are also being considered. Stay tuned with id magazine for updates about upcoming team tryouts!

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