Eric Marcoux and Eugene Woodworth, Vicci Martinez, Mayor Charlie and Nancy Hales, Gov. Barbara Roberts, Terry Bean, Adam Killian, Ben Cohen, Ted Wheeler, parade watchers, Basic Rights Oregon, bleacher crowd at Embers, hot fireman and cops

PRIDE 2013: I was very proud of Pride 2013. There was plenty to be proud about.

The people who marched, like Eric Marcoux and Eugene Woodworth, who have been partners for sixty years. These two went to the first three Portland Pride parades 30 years ago but were needed else in our community until yesterday, when they were in the parade with another person to be proud of, Sister Paula Nielsen, and the good folks of Sage Metro Portland. These queer elders rock...and I am not talking about in a chair.

I was also proud to see rugby legend, and anti-bullying champion Ben Cohen in the parade again. He's becoming a bit of a Pride regular. I think this was his third parade in a row. He always walks with an incredibly large group of really cool people from Nike.

I was proud to see Mayor Charlie Hales and his wife Nancy. And Mult. Co. Chair Jeff Cogen. And Gov. Barbara Roberts joined as always by Terry Bean. I was also proud of other politicians, including Kate Brown, Jennifer Williamson, Tina Kotek, Brad Avakian, Ted Wheeler and others, who marched with Basic Rights Oregon. That's who I marched with too, right next to my partner Juan Martinez, who I am also very proud of.

I was proud of the crowd.

And the pop star (The Voice's Vicci Martinez participated in her first ever Pride).

And the porn star.

I was even proud of the weather (it was perfect for the day).

All in all, I was proud of Pride.

Now...about the Waterfront Festival and those very, very, very long lines.

Ben Cohen, Billy Bean, Ross Milam, Cyd Zeigler, Robert Goman, spinning mirrorball Nike shoe, Sherri Murrell, Karol Collymore, Wyatt filpping on the dance floor, Juan Martinez and Lisa Hunefeld

BE TRUE: This past weekend, Nike held its second annual LGBT Sports Summit in Portland. Pro and college-level athletes as well as coaches and others with an interest in seeing sports being more accepting of ALL people came together to meet and talk about eliminating discrimination in the world of sports (including Jason Collins who appeared on Saturday to discuss his life since becoming the first pro athlete in the top four sports to come out).

On Friday night there was party in honor of all these cool people. And myself, and my partner Juan Martinez as well as a few other Oregonians, were lucky enough to party with them at Refuge PDX, the site of Nike's incredibly cool #BETRUE Pride Dance Party.

There were all sorts of interesting folk there (including out PSU coach Sherri Murell, Nike Summit leader Lisa Hunefeld and Outsports.com honcho Cyd Zeigler) as well as a both an old and a new friend who are both committed to "standing up against bullying": rugby god Ben Cohen and baseball legend Billy Bean. Oh yeah, it was great to see both of these athletes hanging out in the VIP room. In fact, it was a really GREAT night. Thank you Nike (and especially thank you Robert Goman...you rock both on and off the dance floor!).

The Portland Gay Men's Chorus, Bill Dickey (center) and friends celebrate post show

BROADWAY BABES: In its three decades plus of existence The Portland's Gay Men's Chorus performed to its largest live audience ever on Saturday night at The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

The Chorus took the stage that night at the Schnitz for "Show Tunes! Bill Dickey's Big Broadway Bash."

This one-night-only event combined PGMC's 160 talented singers with KGW's own Tracy Barry, members of Portland's esteemed opera and symphony community, Chris  Mattaliano and Diane Syrcle, and Diverse Harmonies, the nation's only gay and straight alliance youth choir out of Seattle, Wash.

Following performances from such hits as "Book of Mormon" and "The Producers" as well as a knock-out performance by a songbird I've had my eye on for a long time, Niki Villiarmio, the evening concluded with a intimate after-party at The Heathman Hotel hosted by the "star" and benefactor himself, Bill Dickey who recalled how, years ago, he told himself that "someday he would make it in this town" and "that it only took thirty years to finally see his name on a marquee on Broadway." Congrats, Bill. I really do think you've made it. And I have a sneaking hunch that the boys in the chorus are grateful for that too.

Gus, Will, Robin, Will with video background and Juan Martinez and the boys

RIDE ON THIS: In honor of LGBTQ Pride, Firebrand Sports held two very special Pride Rides. The instructor? A shirtless Will Moroski. The music? Britney, bitch. And Beyonce. And Madonna and all the other divas that make you sweat (including their videos).

It was an extremely hot ride. Both due to the temp in the room and that there were so many frigging hotties spinning who were there to "werq" it. Following the rides, Byways Cafe provided rainbow-hued nibbles and people donated to the good works of Basic Rights Oregon, the beneficiary of both rides.

Bartenders Brian Johnson, Jabriel Donohue, Carlos Cuarta, Nick Keane from last year's NW Spirits & Mixology Show

GOING ON A "BEND"-ER: The  3rd Annual NW Spirits and Mixology Show in Bend, Oregon, part of the 11th Annual Bite of Bend, is happening June 29 and 30th. It's a one-of-a-kind show unlike anything else in the Northwest. And Kelly Kerbs, and her company Drink-Think,  are the geniuses behind it. I will be making the trip to Bend at the end of the month, as will many other people from across the Northwest, but first I wanted to talk to Kelly about the big show and here is what she had to say:

The NW Spirits and Mixology Show is unlike any other event in the Northwest. What makes it so different?

The NW Spirits and Mixology Show is different because it is the only Show that brings together consumers, distillers, bartenders and buyers at the same event. It's an interesting confluence of industry/consumer that allows everyone that is interested in really great cocktails, along this continuum (from the chemistry of distilling to the marketing and branding of spirits, to the mixology of cocktails, to the home bar tender) to come to the Show and find many amazing things to satisfy their interests.

The entire street is dedicated to craft cocktails correct? What is your favorite cocktail?

Ha!  I find something new and amazing every year.  That's like asking me to choose my favorite child.

What are some of the state-wide spirits that will be featured at the show?

We're always proud of our partnership with Bendistillery.  And one of the very cool features of this event is the mix of brand new distilleries/brands (Wild Roots Vodka, blackberry infused vodka, really lovely) and established brands like Drambuie and Fernet Branca.  We are excited about House Spirits coming with their new product, Volstead Vodka.  We have several really great Washington distilleries this year, like Batch 206 with their Mad Mint Vodka, and Seven Stars Moonshine.  We have Heritage Distilling, with their vodka made from grapes and a really beautiful Soft Gin.. and a new to the state distillery from MI with a Beer Barrel Bourbon - New Holland Brewing…I can go on and on!

What is new for this year's show?

We have simplified the entrance fee and cocktail prices - $10 entrance and you can sample EVERYTHING.  Full cocktails from the 3 bars are $5 each.  We have the Drambuie sponsored Social Media Lounge hosted by the famous Byron Beck.

I saw plenty of Portland faces the last time I went. Who can I expect to see this year?

Your favorite Northwest bartender will be here, for sure.  We are very happy to have Nathan Gerdes (GQ and Bombay Sapphire's Most Imaginative Bartender 2013) as a finalist for the Bartender Brawl, as well as Jake Bliven (Finlandia Vodka Cup USA finalist).  You can hang out with Jennifer Heigl of the Daily Blender, Dave Pickerell (former Master Distiller for Maker's Mark), and incredible master distillers from all over the country.

Anything else we should know about the show?

It's a great value and a really good time!  The distillers who come to represent their brand are passionate about their product and eager to share their love of the industry and knowledge of the craft.  The mixologists who come to work the bars are incredibly creative.  You combine those elements with the fabulous Bend atmosphere and its a pretty cool event!

Click here for tickets and more information about this spirited event.