The only customers at Southeast Portland’s Hutch Restaurant on Tuesday, February 16 are twenty-five middle-aged women having dinner and drinks at four tables.
Dinner continues with seemingly no other purpose than socializing when halfway through, Susan LaLone stands, silencing everyone with a loud whistle. She begins the monthly regimen of announcements detailing the Northwest Gender Alliance’s latest happenings and events.
Members ask questions and make suggestions. Afterward, LaLone, NWGA’s president, gives a last opportunity for miscellaneous announcements. A younger woman in the back raises her hand and stands up. It is her second NWGA meeting.
“Last time, I came as Mike,” she says. “This is my first night as Julie.”