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."