ACCESSline, Iowa's LGBT Newspaper, January 2010 Issue, Volume 24 No 1

A Free Publication

www.ACCESSlineIOWA.com

A Free Publication

Marriage Equality Action

by Jennifer Merriman

“My commitment to traditional values, including how marriage is defined and respect for life, holds true in the United States and around the world. After being asked about legislation being considered in the Ugandan parliament, I contacted the U.S. State Department to get information. I did not have any knowledge about the proposal from any source beyond the news reporters who asked about it and the few constituents who contacted me. Based on what I’ve been able to learn about the legislation and from the stand point that I’m a born again Christian, I can tell you that I don’t agree with this un-Christian and unjust proposal, and I hope the Ugandan officials dismiss it.”

— Senator Chuck Grassley, December 11, on Ugandan anti-homosexuality legislation linked to the Washington DC fundamentalist group, The Family.

US News Page 5

When we look at the future of gay marriage in Iowa, there’s no doubt about it: We need your help.

The Iowa Legislature is currently controlled by a fair-minded majority, legislators who went to the mat in the days and weeks after the Varnum v. Brien decision to keep civil marriage equality in Iowa.

But recent polls show some troubling numbers. While Iowans are split on support for a constitutional amendment, the majority oppose civil marriage for gay and lesbians couples, according to a recent poll in The Des Moines Register.

The opposition’s base is more energized and empowered than our pro-equality supporters, and we need to close that gap.

With the 2010 general election looming, we have gubernatorial candidates whose sole platform is reversing the marriage decision.

Nineteen of the Democratic seats in the Senate and all 56 of the Democratic seats in the House will be up for re-election. In addition, three Iowa Supreme Court Justices including the Chief Justice will be up for retention as well as a ballot measure to convene a constitutional convention in 2010.

Voters are not in open revolt against the Supreme Court, the governor or the legislature, and most think both that this issue will not affect them and there are other more important issues like the economy and jobs.

And we know voters who get to hear the best arguments for and against marriage equality usually prefer the pro-equality argument. We need your help making sure they hear our best argument.

We have two important events coming up to help energize our supporters and give them the tools they need to effectively agitate for gay marriage.

• Red, Blue and Purple: We will be announcing our coalition of equality partners and unveiling our new video campaign message at this event January 10 at the Des Moines Social Club.

• Lobby Day: Make sure to join us February 10. We’ll be going to the capitol to talk to our legislators. Make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to find out more as we get closer to the date.

Join us for One Iowa’s 2010 Legislative Reception on Jan. 12, 2010, featuring special guests Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Speaker of the House Pat Murphy.

The event is hosted by Mike Simonson of Simonson and Associates Architects, and will

be held from 6:30-8:30pm at 1717 Ingersoll Avenue, Suite 117, in Des Moines.

Suggested donation for the event is $50; host levels are Co-chair $2500, Champion $1000, Supporter $500 and Host $250. RSVP to Amanda Huppert, amanda@oneiowa.org or 515.288.4019 x214.

In the meantime, whatever your brand of activism, you can help get the word out to friends, neighbors and communities across Iowa. And if you need help, One Iowa staff is available to help you get the most out of your important work.

Write a letter to the editor. Your voice for equality is amplified in the local [city] paper. Our online tools make it easy to craft and send a letter.

Be a rapid responder. Unfortunately, newspaper and television stories about gay marriage are targets for hateful comments online. We are looking for a couple of people in each community who will track these stories and post educated, civil responses and comments about marriage equality.

Share your story. Our website features a second for Iowans who want to tell why they support marriage equality. We use these stories again and again to help spread our message.

Meet with your legislators. We would like equality supporters to meet with every legislator in Iowa during this session. [ Editor’s note: Find your Iowa legislators at: www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/ ] Make sure to visit our website at www.oneiowa.org for more opportunities, stories and activist tools.

One Iowa Legislative Reception, January 12, 2010

World News Page 6

Editorial by Arthur Breur Page 9

Janelle Rettig Running for Johnson County Board of Supervisors

“I’m Janelle Rettig.

I’m currently serving on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. There will be an election on January 19th and I’m the Democratic candidate. Any registered voter in Johnson County can vote in the special election.

“I will work hard, listen, find common ground, and demand fiscal responsibility. In addition to an efficient county government, I value human services, quality of life issues, protecting our environment, and our rural and family farm culture.

“For nearly two decades, I have been active and involved in our county. I’ve served on commissions at the city, county and state levels. I’ve worked for state and federal government, for non-profits, owned my own business, and have volunteered for numerous local organizations.

“I enjoy meeting many people and listening to everyone’s ideas and thoughts.

Please contact me at any time to talk about Johnson County. My cell phone is 319-3300916.

“Please vote for me, Janelle Rettig, on January 19th.”

Classic Cocktails Page 11

Review: A Single Man Page 36

ACCESSline Page 2

Section 1: News & Politics

January 2010

January 2010

PUBLICATION INFORMATION Copyright © 2010 ACCESS in Northeast Iowa P.O. Box 2666 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2666 (319) 550-0957 www.ACCESSlineIOWA.com ACCESSline is a monthly publication by ACCESS (A Concerned Community for Education, Safer-sex and Support) in Northeast Iowa, a registered non-profit organization in the State of Iowa and a federal non-profit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code.

Arthur Breur, Editor in Chief Q Syndicate Rex Wockner News Service Contributors: Joshua Dagon; Beau Fodor; Jennifer Merriman; Lisa Schreihart (a.k.a IowaLisa); Brett Edward Stout

All rights reserved. Original material printed in ACCESSline (with the exception of information from other sources) may be “lifted” for use in other publications so long as proper credit is given.

Publication of the name, photograph or likeness of any person, business or organization in ACCESSline is not to be construed as any indication of sexual orientation. Opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ACCESSline, ACCESS or the gay and lesbian community.

Letters to the editor may be published. We cannot be responsible for errors in advertising copy.

We welcome the submission of original materials, including line drawings and cartoons, news stories, poems, essays. They should be clearly labeled with author/artist name, address, and phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters and other material for reasons of profanity, space, or clarity. Materials will not be returned. A writer’s guide is available for those wishing to submit original work.

Advertising rates and deadlines are available at ACCESSlineIOWA.com. All ads must be approved by ACCESSline’s editorial board.

Section 1: News & Politics What’s Inside: Section 1: News & Politics Happiness & Heartache of 2009...........3 US News.................................................4 World News ..........................................5 Creep of the Week, with bonus creeps.. 6 Action Reaction.....................................7 Editorial by Arthur Breur.....................9

Section 2: Community First Friday Breakfast Club.................27 Finance, Shaken not Stirred..................28 Pride Institute......................................29 Wellmark Foundation.........................31 Business Directory........................ 33-34

ACCESSline’s

“Fun Guide” Theater Ads Deep Inside Hollywood.......................11 Our Picks for January..........................11 Outfield.................................................12 IowaLisa’s List......................................13 Joshua Dagon.......................................14 Classic Cocktails from Schera’s.........14 An interview with Alan Chin..............15 Deep Inside Hollywood.......................15 The Gay Wedding Planner..................16 Out of Town:Vancouver & Whistler...21 Hear Me Out........................................24 Comics and Crossword Puzzle...........24

A Pull-Out Section to Keep!

ACCESSline Wants To Hear From You!

Send in photos and reports of your events... especially benefits and conferences.

Please send us information on any of the following: • Corrections to articles • Stories of LGBT interest, both in and outside of Iowa • Letters to the editor • Editorials or opinion pieces • Engagement and wedding ceremony announcements or photos • Questions on any topic we print • Photos and writeups about shows, events, pageants, and fundraisers Please email us at Editor@ACCESSlineIOWA.com. You may also contact us at our regular address: ACCESSline PO Box 2666 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2666

ACCESSline reserves the right to print letters to the editor and other feedback at the editor’s discretion.

ACCESSline Page 3

Gronstal: “No” to marriage vote In a late December interview with IowaIndependent.com, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal made it clear that he opposes bringing up a legislative vote on an amendment to change the Iowa Constitution in order to ban same sex marriage.

“I will not write discrimination into the constitution of the State of Iowa,” Gronstal said. “I’m going to block that at every opportunity. There will be no vote on the constitutional amendment.”

Iowa’s constitution includes provisions that protect it from the types of “bend with the wind” changes that afflict other states, such as California and Florida. In order to amend Iowa’s constitution, there must first be two consecutive affirmative votes by two Iowa legislatures. Since Iowa’s legislative terms last two years, if there is no vote in this term, then there would be no vote put to the people of Iowa earlier than 2014.

We are actively seeking article submissions from journalism students and student photographers for inclusion in ACCESSline.

Preferable topics and subjects would be anything of LGBT or HIV+ interest, and local issues or items of relevance in the State Iowa. However, creative or compelling work on any topic will be considered.

Accepted submissions will be reviewed under the same criteria as other content

in the publication, and if approved, will be published either online or in the print edition of the paper.

If not approved, submissions will be critiqued and, if appropriate, returned with comments.

Interested journalism students and instructors should contact Arthur Breur at editor@accesslineiowa.com or by phone at 319-767-7823.

ACCESSline issues open invitation to journalism programs

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We are seeking distribution support in Ames/ Marshalltown, Council Bluffs/Omaha, Dubuque, Iowa City, Sioux City, and Waterloo/Cedar Falls.

Distribution occurs at approximately the first Friday of every month. The number of drop-off points varies from city to city, but all of these routes take at most a few hours to complete.

Compensation is provided.

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ACCESSline Page 4

Section 1: News & Politics

January 2010

US NEWS news analysis by Rex Wockner Federal Prop 8 trial starts Jan. 11 The trial in the federal lawsuit seeking to overturn California’s Proposition 8 starts Jan. 11 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

It could last a month.

Representing the gay side are famed attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies, who, in 2000, argued opposite sides of the Bush/ Gore “hanging chad” election mess before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Intervening for the gay side is the city of San Francisco. Gay rights groups Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights were blocked from intervening after they angered Olson and Boies by speaking ill of the case, saying it was poorly timed and unwise. The groups do have advisory status as “friends of the court.”

The defendants in the case—Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown (who very likely is running for governor), state health officials, and the counties of Alameda and Los Angeles—are not expected to actually defend Prop 8, and Brown has said he agrees with Olson and Boies that it violates the U.S. Constitution. It is highly unusual for a state attorney general to refuse to defend his state’s constitution.

Prop 8 amended the California Constitution to re-ban same-sex marriage.

Because of this strange situation, the forces behind Prop 8 have been allowed to intervene so that there will be someone in court to argue that Prop 8 is not unconstitutional.

Olson and Boies will attempt to convince Judge Vaughn Walker that Prop 8 violates the due-process and equal-protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution by singling out gays for disfavored legal status and discriminating on the basis of gender and sexual orientation.

California gay leaders predict that Walker will rule for the gay side, sending the case to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which, gay leaders say privately, is also thought likely to be sympathetic to Olson’s and Boies’ reasoning. In the end, the case very likely will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

While the gay legal establishment

The establishment has expressed a preference for delaying returning to the ballot until 2012—but, privately, some gay leaders in the state are not even sure it would be wise to do so then.

As one key gay leader said, “We really need to win the federal case.”

The trial in the federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 8 starts Jan. 11 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Representing the gay side are famed attorneys Ted Olson (left) and David Boies (right), who, in 2000, argued opposite sides of the Bush/Gore “hanging chad” election mess before the U.S. Supreme Court. File photos. continues to privately loathe the case, fearing the U.S. Supreme Court just isn’t ready to “go there,” many other gay leaders privately or openly don’t share the gay legal eagles’ angst.

They think it could indeed happen for gays at the Supreme Court.

What’s more, they say, with the latest ballot-box marriage loss in Maine—bringing the total to more than 30 such state losses— it’s fairly clear that if California is going to regain same-sex marriage in the near future, it is going to have to come from the U.S. Supreme Court, since voters everywhere have shown a willingness to snatch away gays’ right to marry if given the chance and since there are no further legal avenues available in California courts.

A U.S. Supreme court ruling striking down Prop 8 could, depending on the reasoning used, also strike down all other U.S. bans on same-sex marriage, which would be the mother of all U.S. gay rights victories.

A fledgling campaign to have California voters vote again on same-sex marriage— the only thing left to try inside the state—in 2010 is widely expected to fail to collect enough signatures to get the measure on the ballot. The grassroots/netroots campaign— which grew out of the huge, angry street protests after Prop 8 passed in November 2008—does not have the support of California’s gay-activist establishment.

Lambda Legal blasts Obama; federal judge battles administration

Lambda Legal has lashed out at the Obama administration for refusing to give spousal benefits to a lesbian federal courts employee despite a judge’s order that it must do so.

The administration cast aside a ruling

by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that staff lawyer Karen Golinski is entitled to spousal health benefits.

“We are once again surprised and shocked that the Obama administration is rejecting another chance to do the right and legal thing, disregarding both the order, and the substantive analysis, of the chief judge of the 9th Circuit about what federal law and the 9th Circuit’s employment rules require in this case,” said Lambda’s marriage project director, Jennifer Pizer.

Kozinski, a Reagan appointee, concluded that the 9th Circuit must not discriminate against Golinski with respect to the health-

insurance benefits portion of her compensation, and that the separation-of-powers doctrine of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the court to take appropriate steps to treat its workers fairly, and prevents employees of the executive branch from interfering with the functioning of the judicial branch in such circumstances.

“Employees of the (Office of Personnel Management) and the (Department of Justice) do not have superior authority to interpret federal law than federal judges,” Lambda said. “Lambda Legal also finds it troubling and very disappointing that the Obama administration has chosen to express its views of these legal questions through Friday-afternoon press statements stating that it will not comply with Judge Kozinski’s direct orders, rather than by presenting its legal reasoning to Judge Kozinski in this proceeding so that we can respond on Ms. Golinski’s behalf in the duly-established administrative forum in which Ms. Golinski is required to present her discrimination claim.”

“OPM has never disputed that this administrative forum is the appropriate venue for this discrimination claim, and yet has refused to participate and present its views, and now, again, refuses to respect both Judge Kozinski’s duly-issued order and his direct and clear legal analysis,” the pre-eminent gay-rights legal group fumed.

“This is not the approach to issues of LGBT

TTUS NEWS continued page 8

January 2010

Section 1: News & Politics

ACCESSline Page 5

World News by Rex Wockner Mexico City legalizes same-sex marriage

Mexico City’s Legislative Assembly voted 39-20 to legalize same-sex marriage Dec. 21.

Mayor Marcelo Ebrard supports the measure and will sign it. It redefines “marriage” as “the free uniting of two people.” The bill also explicitly legalizes adoption by gay couples.

Federal benefits, such as pension, inheritance and social-security rights, will remain off-limits to married gay couples without changes in federal law to recognize the Mexico City marriages.

Politicians from Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s conservative National Action Party have threatened to try to overturn the new law via a challenge in the Supreme Court, arguing that it violates the federal constitution.

Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. It also is legal in the United States in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

UK rugby legend comes out

United Kingdom rugby legend Gareth Thomas, 35, came out Dec. 18 in an interview with the Daily Mail.

The move was particularly noteworthy because Thomas is not retired. He still plays for the Cardiff Blues.

“I was like a ticking bomb,” he told the Mail. “I thought I could suppress it, keep it locked away in some dark corner of myself, but I couldn’t. It was who I was and I just couldn’t ignore it anymore. ... It’s been really tough for me hiding who I really am, but I don’t want it to be like that for the next young person who wants to play rugby, or some frightened young kid.”

Thomas said he didn’t come out publicly earlier “because I knew I would never be accepted as a gay man and still achieve what I wanted to achieve in the game.”

He married his high-school sweetheart,

“My parents, my family and my friends all love me and accept me for who I am, and even if the public are upset by this, I know the love of those people who mean the most to me will never change.

I’m not going on a crusade, but I’m proud of who I am. I feel I have achieved everything I could ever possibly have hoped to achieve out of rugby, and I did it being gay. I want to send a positive message to other gay people that they can do it, too.”

— UK rugby legend Gareth Thomas in a Dec. 18 coming-out interview with the Daily Mail.

Thomas plays for the Cardiff Blues.

Jemma, in 2002 but the couple split in 2006 because of his gayness. Thomas said he had been so despondent over living a double life that he repeatedly contemplated suicide.

“I used to go to the cliffs overlooking the beach near our cottage in St. Brides Major and just think about jumping off and ending it all,” he said.

Thomas told the Mail he doesn’t know of any other professional gay rugby players, but “statistically I can’t be the only one.”

The full, lengthy article is worth the read.

See tinyurl.com/garethout.

Portugal to have same-sex marriage soon

Portugal’s Socialist government has formally presented its legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, and gay weddings likely will start in April.

Parliament will vote on the bill Jan. 8. A majority of MPs belong to the government party or other parties that support samesex marriage, so there is no question the bill will pass.

Some gay activists have criticized the bill because it specifically excludes access to adoption for gay couples.

The group Panteras Rosa accused the government of “cowardice” and called the bill “second-class marriage.” Other gay groups praised the measure, with one leading organization calling it “historic.”

PEI finally fixes laws related to same-sex marriage

The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island has finally fixed 29 laws that have needed modifying since same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in 2006.

Several of the statutes referred to married couples only in opposite-sex terminology.

Officials said the delay created a backlog of paperwork in some areas, including changing the birth certificates of children who have two moms or two dads.

3rd World Outgames go to Antwerp in 2013

The third World Outgames, the Olympics-style extravaganza that competes with the Gay Games, will be staged in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2013, the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association announced in late December.

GLISA’s Tatjana Eggeling said the city and province of Antwerp and the Flemish government “have taken partnership in the project and will provide both financial and in-kind support now and in the years to come.”

GLISA said 2009’s second World Outgames in Copenhagen saw “a positive financial result,” following the financial disaster of the first games staged in Montreal in 2006.

The Outgames were born after the Gay Games organization had a falling-out with its local organizers in Montreal, who responded by launching the duplicate international

games.

GLISA said its regional “continental” Outgames in Calgary, Canada, in 2007 and Melbourne, Australia, in 2008 also ended up in the black. Additional continental Outgames will take place in Vancouver, Canada, and Wellington, New Zealand, in 2011.

efforts to kill and maim gays and lesbians in some countries that we have spoken out about, and also conveyed our very strong concerns about to their governments— not that they were governmentally implemented or even U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the government denounced Uganda’s “kill the gays” bill was aware of them, in a recent appearance at Georgetown but that the governUniversity. Photo by Rex Wockner ments need to pay much greater attention to the kinds of abuses that we’ve seen in Iraq, for example.”

“We are deeply concerned,” she continued, “about some of the stories coming out of Iran. In large measure, in reaction, we think, to the response to the elections back in June, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton there have been abuses committed within has denounced Uganda’s “kill the gays” bill the detention facilities and elsewhere that in an appearance at Georgetown University. we are deeply concerned about. And then She also addressed anti-gay activity in the ... piece of legislation in Uganda which Iraq and Iran. would not only criminalize homosexuality “Over this past year, we have elevated but attach the death penalty to it. We have into our human rights dialogues and our expressed our concerns directly, indirectly, public statements a very clear message about and we will continue to do so. The bill has not protecting the rights of the LGBT commu- gone through the Ugandan legislature, but it nity worldwide,” Clinton said. “And we are has a lot of public support by various groups, particularly concerned about some of the including religious leaders in Uganda. And we specific cases that have come to our attention view it as a very serious potential violation around the world. There have been organized TTWORLD NEWS continued page 10

Hillary Clinton denounces Ugandan ‘kill the gays’ bill

ACCESSline Page 6

Section 1: News & Politics

January 2010

Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski Star Parker

If gay marriage is legalized in Washington, D.C., then everyone will get AIDS. BAM! Just like that. Move along, nothing to see here, everybody’s dead, especially Obama and it’s all his fault for loving homos so much.

That’s the kind of post-apocalyptic (if by apocalypse we mean gays and lesbians legally marrying) hellscape Star Parker attempts to paint in a Nov. 23 opinion piece on Townhall.com.

After laying out D.C.’s abysmally high HIV/AIDS rates, Parker unveils the following: “Amidst this dismal picture, the D.C. City Council, perhaps on the theory that serving up another glass of wine is the way to help a drunk, is scheduled to vote on Dec. 1 to legalize same sex marriage in America’s capital city.”

In other words, making it legal for two guys to marry each other in D.C. would make HIV/AIDS rates go up. It will also make “our nation’s capital city transform officially into Sodom.”

Hey, you can’t argue with logic like that. Not because it’s sound, but because it would be, to borrow from the ever-sogay Barney Frank, like trying to argue with a dining room table. Actually, a table is a pretty useful piece of furniture, so how about something less utilitarian like an umbrella stand or a curio cabinet filled with knick-knacks that your grandkids will sell for next to nothing in a garage sale once you die.

Of course, one could argue that that’s not what Parker is saying at all. After all, she begins her piece by pointing out that the “poverty rate of Washington, D.C., almost 20 percent, is one of the highest in the nation. Its child poverty rate is the nation’s highest.”

There’s no question that our nation’s capital is in sad shape. But instead of offering solutions to the problem, Parker blames the gays. She even writes about the Catholic Church’s threat to stop feeding the homeless if gay people are allowed to marry as, if the church is the victim.

“The Catholic Archdiocese of D.C. announced that legalization of same-sex marriage would make it impossible to continue its relationship with the D.C. government and require termination of the social services it provides to some 68,000 of the city’s poor – including about one third of its homeless,” Parker writes.

Parker blame’s D.C.’s council for all of this. In fact, the headline of Parker’s piece as it appears on WashingtonExaminer.com is “D.C. sells out poor for gay marriage.”

Uh, not quite. When the Catholic Church stomped their feet in order to bully the D.C. Council into abiding by the church’s anti-gay will, the council essentially told them to piss off. And rightfully so. For all Parker’s moaning about the plight of the poor, she seems to have no problem with these very families being used as pawns in the church’s fight against equality for gays and lesbians.

But for Parker, the council’s refusal to

roll over means that gay marriage “is more important to them than feeding the poor” and that council is “out of touch with the needs of D.C.’s poor.”

You know who’s out of touch? People who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus and then say that if two dudes exchange rings they won’t be able to give starving kids any bread. Even more out of touch is someone who calls such a thing the moral high ground.

Harry Jackson

If Washington, D.C. starts letting gays and lesbians get married, then we as a nation are doomed. Even more specifically, the National Cathedral is doomed. In fact, true Christians ought to set fire to it right now lest the gays start marrying in it and/ or turn it into a combination bathhouse/ dance club/24-hour gym/Asian fusion bistro.

Or such is the fear/fantasy (it’s so hard to tell the difference sometimes) of Bishop Harry Jackson, a man who has devoted his life to making sure gays are not treated equally in our nation’s capital, lest that send some kind of ungodly message to the rest of the country. Ever since the D.C. Council voted to let gays wed there, Jackson has been in No Homo mode.

Jackson was a recent guest on Washington Watch Radio, a program hosted by the Family Research Council’s Tony “I love black people so long as they hate like me” Perkins.

During the show, Perkins lamented the fact that Bishop’s fight to get an anti-gay, one-man-one-woman proposal passed in D.C. wasn’t netting the same levels of national media coverage as the Tiger Woods sex scandal.

“Now this has not gotten much attention outside of Washington, D.C. with the exception of some groups focused on marriage who talk about it,” Perkins said.

“But as far as the press, the media, they have not paid any attention to the battle that is raging here in the nation’s capital over same-sex marriage. This is more than a symbolic issue, this has significance for the whole marriage debate going forward.”

One reason for the lack of national attention could be because there really isn’t a “battle” over same-sex marriage “raging” in D.C. unless you’re one of the key players in the debate. Maybe for everyone else, the D.C. marriage debate is largely a non-issue. They obviously didn’t read the part in the Bible that says two dudes marrying or two ladies feeding each other cake is a sign of the Rapture.

And that’s why folks like Jackson want to make sure that gays don’t get the same rights as everyone else.

“It is a national issue,” Jackson said during the program. “Imagine, Tony, two men coming out of the National Cathedral, rice coming down, them embracing and kissing, on the front page of USA Today.

That will lift the spirits of pro-same-sex marriage advocates around the country.”

Will it? Really? I think that it will depend largely on what the grooms are wearing. Also, throwing rice is so passé. I expect one of those simultaneous releas-

ings of live butterflies or even doves.

In any case, making sure that gay spirits aren’t lifted is part of Jackson’s job as a Bishop, apparently. I’m pretty sure that’s what Christians are all about. Jesus, after all, pretty much hated everybody and would throw a fit if he even so much as saw one of his apostles talking to a leper or a prostitute. He’d be all, “Paul, OMG! WTF? WWJD?” WWJD standing for “What would Jackson do?” That’s Harry Jackson, if you’re nasty.

Rick Scarbrough

Remember how, when Barack Obama was elected, all racism suddenly ended and was gone forever? You’d be driving along and black people and white people would be out in the street hugging all over the place and you’d be all, “Hey, Yes We Can, and all, but I’ve got to get to work!” But then you’d remember that your true job was to love and you’d just put the car in park and jump out and join them.

Unfortunately, the election of a lesbian mayor in Houston hasn’t quite had that same effect.

Some people aren’t very happy right now.

One of those some people is surely Rick Scarbrough, the president of Vision America. No, he isn’t an optometrist. The Vision America board includes such rightwing, anti-gay notaries as Don Wildmon and Tim LaHaye.

Scarbrough sent out an e-mail before the election warning Houstonians that if Annise Parker became mayor, “Houston will become ... the San Francisco of the South.”

That’s right: Windy. Cold – even though it’s California, for crying out loud.

Not to mention all of those damn hills.

Or maybe he’s talking about the gay thing.

“If people who hold to traditional values neglect to vote in this election, the results will be far reaching,” Scarbrough pleads in his e-mail. “This election illustrates like few others why good men and women must stay engaged as concerned citizens.”

According to Scarbrough, Parker’s election will bring on the Eight Gay Commandments of the Homosexual Agenda, if you will.

First, everyone in Houston will have get gay married. Second, gay-on-gay action in public will be the law. Third, “homosexuality (will be taught) to school children, starting in kindergarten, as an acceptable, alternative lifestyle. This is known as multisexualism. This enables homosexuals to recruit children to their lifestyle.”

Ah, yes. The old “gays are after your kids” line. I have yet to meet a single gay person who was “recruited” into being gay.

I think someone needs to tell the anti-gay Christians that homosexuality doesn’t have anything to do with missionary work.

In order to drive the “lock up your kids, the gays are coming” point home, Scarbrough cites NAMBLA in order to “prove” that Parker and her gay mafia will, in their fourth measure, “lower or remove

TTCREEPS continued page 10

January 2010

Section 1: News & Politics

ACCESSline Page 7

Action Reaction: Legally Sick by Brett Edward Stout For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; this rule is something by which we are all bound regardless of our knowledge or perception of it. The purpose of this column is to explore the actions and reactions we have to the decisions and questions raised in our ever-adapting world. The reactions here are intended to stimulate debate in the hope that through it, we can better see what unites us in the face of our differences.

In the November 2009 issue of “Reproductive Health Matters”, Medical News Today published a report that described current HIV criminal transmission laws as unnecessary. The laws themselves prohibit HIV+ individuals who know their status from engaging in sexual activity without disclosing their HIV status.

How should we react to the notion these laws are obsolete when our instinct of self-preservation warns us to the contrary?

What actions can we taken against laws leftover from the darkest days of AIDS? And, how do we protect ourselves from a fatal disease, which hides behind beautiful smiles and tender words?

As always, studying the road that led us to where we are today can arrive at the answer to these questions.

Those of us under 30 have no memory of the onset of the “gay plague” that was blamed on the sinful ways of gay disco.

HIV first made the news in 1981, the virus that causes it was discovered in 1983 but, under the direction of the Moral Majority, President Reagan refused to acknowledge it as a public health threat until 1987, after more than 20,000 Americans had already died.

Compare this to the instantaneous global response to the Avian and H1N1 influenzas and it’s hard not to feel bitter or ashamed.

After the 1996 invention of secondgeneration anti-retroviral treatments, HIV has gradually transitioned from a fatal disease to chronic condition. And, while it is now manageable, it can only be managed if people get tested and treated.

It was during the years of misinformation and confusion that laws criminalizing the transmission of HIV came into being. Yet, HIV is not the only fatal infectious disease.

So, why are there not similar laws for other fatal diseases?

There are. Acts of malice are well covered by existing laws, even in the case of transmitting infections including HIV, which is where the aforementioned report derives its thesis. Today we sit 15 years

into the “chronic” HIV era, yet stigma has changed little. Criminal transmission laws carry more than their fair share of the blame for that.

While the report paints criminal transition laws as obsolete and redundant, I think these adjectives are not nearly strong enough. These laws are more than “unnecessary”; they are cruel and fatal. From the fires of ignorance, lawmakers tempered a system that rewards the irresponsible and punishes the unlucky.

HIV is a virus that has made its way from a group with a weakness for intimacy to one raised to be skeptical of medical science. It has hit the LGBT and black communities the hardest. These groups as of yet remain under-represented in our mechanism that fabricates public policy, making progress toward fixing these laws all the slower.

As the law stands now, the same action perpetrated by two HIV+ individuals—one who has been tested and the other who has not—would be illegal only for the person who has taken responsibility and been tested. The laws create an unfair situation that rewards those who do not get tested and punishes those who do. Following this logic, if people are not tested, they cannot be accused of criminal transmission of HIV, but they also will not be treated for the infection. Left untreated, they remain infectious and further the goals of the disease.

Let us never forget that it is the HIV virus that is the enemy, not those afflicted with it. The root problems that lead people to risky behavior are far harder to resolve in the face of a legal paradigm which promotes stigma and can be used as a weapon of hate.

There is also a much harder battle to be fought in teaching an entire population to love themselves and to trust in science.

This isn’t new.

Many were right in thinking that these laws would not be questioned until people other than homosexuals were afflicted with it. Now that they are, the topic is finally being raised. Even so, the argument

“I was there from the beginning (of AIDS). A lot of young people weren’t there at the beginning of it. I was there in the ‘70s when suddenly this very strange thing started happening to friends of mine. Even though I was on the road most of the time, I was very much aware of it. By 10 years into it I had lost half my phone book. All these people that I had worked with and that I knew were gone, and at a relatively young age. I had never thought that I would be that close to death; it was shocking. ...

So whenever anybody asks me to do something for this disease, I’m there.”

— Singer Barry Manilow to the Palm Springs gay magazine The BottomLine, Dec. 4.

presented against these laws hasn’t changed in content or relevance, but action is becoming more urgently needed.

We need to move past the legacy laws, which were the by-product of an era of death and panic, when fear outweighed fact and better judgment.

What we need is a system that enables and encourages people to protect themselves.

It is easy to dodge Writer, filmmaker, and photographer Brett Edward Stout personal responsibility is a Cedar Rapids native and recent graduate of the University of but where does that path Iowa. He spent five years in the US Marine Corps as a Russian linguist. of behavior lead?

His first novel Sugar-baby Bridge was published in 2008. He is It leads here: a currently working on his second novel, entitled The Lives Between. world where HIV has become the number one killer of young ourselves and stop assuming it is the other black women in America. The fundamental person’s job to warn us. This backwards lesson that needs to be learned is that it is idea of reverse-protection has become a not solely the duty of those afflicted with mainstream line of thought, especially in the HIV to protect others. People have to learn LGBT community. Today’s online profiles to protect themselves. If we hit a driver on are littered with statements like “D/D free the road, we may be at fault for hitting them, only” and “negative as of X, UB2.” To those but we are not at fault for their failure to who post this, I ask: wear a seat belt.

What are you using to judge someIt is time we all take responsibility for one’s status, their word?

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Section 1: News & Politics

January 2010

SScontinued from page 4

US NEWS equality we had anticipated and deserve from the Obama administration.”

In making its determination to deny the benefits, the Office of Personnel Management decided that Kozinski was not, in this instance, acting as a federal judge but rather as an “administrative official” resolving an employee dispute.

As such, OPM said, his order is not legally binding and, in issuing it, he did not have the powers granted a federal judge by the U.S. Constitution.

Lambda’s Pizer said OPM’s determination is nonsense and that the only capacity in which Kozinski can act is as a federal judge.

On Dec. 22, Kozinski raised the stakes in his escalating war with the administration, issuing an order that declared OPM had waived its right to appeal his original order by failing to properly respond to it on time.

He said that failure makes the original Nov. 19 order “final and preclusive on all issues decided therein as to (OPM) and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts” including its “jurisdiction over governmental entities such as OPM.” The original order now will be reviewed by the 9th Circuit Judicial Council in an appeal limited only to issues presented by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Golinski’s insurer, which had been told by OPM not to comply with the order but did respond in the matter in a correct and timely fashion.

“My spouse Amy and I are bitterly

Gay activists are increasingly upset over actions by the Obama administration that they see as unnecessarily harmful to LGBT people. Photo by Rex Wockner disappointed by the government’s actions,” Golinski said Dec. 22. “I followed the court’s required procedures. There are now two orders from Chief Judge Kozinski stating that I have suffered discrimination and that the remedy is that my spouse should be added to my family insurance plan. ... Amy and I enter the new year still with unrelenting stress and anxiety because her health insurance coverage is inadequate and costly.”

The Friday afternoon OPM press release and Lambda’s responses marked the latest

skirmish between the Obama administration and gay leaders, who increasingly feel the president has failed to keep his major campaign promises to the LGBT community and even has actively worked to harm the community in several instances.

Besides the Golinski matter, other examples of administration mischief include the Department of Justice’s filing of a homophobic brief in a federal marriage case, Obama’s inviting anti-gay mega-pastor Rick Warren to pray at the inauguration, and Obama’s refusal to suspend enforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” even though he could do so with the stroke of a pen and even though polls show wide public support for ending the military’s ban on openly gay members.

In October, Obama assured attendees at a Human Rights Campaign dinner that good

things come to those who wait.

“While progress may be taking longer than you’d like as a result of all that we face—and that’s the truth—do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach,” he said. “My expectation is that when you look back on these years, you will see a time in which we put a stop to discrimination against gays and lesbians, whether in the office or on the battlefield.

You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.”

Maybe 9th Circuit attorney Karen Golinski can use those words to pay her spouse’s health-insurance premiums.

Assistance: Bill Kelley

January 2010

Section 1: News & Politics

ACCESSline Page 9

Magical, Mystical Mind-Body Union

Or “What’s been missing from the legal definition of marriage all along!” by Arthur Breur What really makes a relationship into a marriage?

According to National Organization for Marriage Chairman, Robert P. George— recently profiled in the New York Times—it is not dedication, or commitment, or love between two people, or making vows before God and your loved ones, or making a contractual agreement, or sharing expenses, or raising children together, or paying taxes, or staying with each other for decades, or caring for each other in sickness and in health.

Even the combination of all these things apparently can never equal a real, true, honest, “natural” (and therefore legally-recognized) civil marriage—not without one key, mystical, magical ingredient: the parties involved must have, between the two of them, one “natural” penis and one “natural” vagina, and must use them together lovingly, practicing sex for procreation, even if they are incapable of conceiving a child together. (And no cheating: even if they are natural and used lovingly, the penis and vagina in question are not allowed to both be on the same person.)

According to the December 16, 2009 New York Times profile of Mr. George, he argues as follows: … marriage is a uniquely “comprehensive” union, meaning that it is shared at several different levels at once — emotional, spiritual and bodily…

And then furthermore: …only [loving] vaginal intercourse — “procreative-type” sex acts … can consummate this “multilevel” mindbody union. Only in reproduction, unlike digestion, circulation, respiration or any other bodily function, do two individuals perform a single function and thus become, in effect, “one organism.” Each opposite-sex partner is incomplete for the task; yet together they create a “one-flesh union,” in the language of Scripture.

“Their bodies become one (they are biologically united, and do not merely rub together) in coitus (and only in coitus), similarly to the way in which one’s heart, lungs and other organs form a unity by coordinating for the biological good of the whole,” George writes in a draft of his latest essay on the subject. Unloving sex between married partners does not perform the same multilevel function, he

argues, nor does oral or anal sex — even between loving spouses.

Infertile couples, too, are performing this uniquely shared reproductive function, George says, even if they know their sperm and ovum cannot complete it. Marriage is designed in part for procreation in the way a baseball team is designed for winning games, he says, but “people who can practice baseball can be teammates without victories on the field.”

Religious Argument First, note that George includes “the language of Scripture” in his rationale for legally denying some couples the same rights as other couples. That’s “Scripture” with a capital “S” even. So his argument is obviously—and admittedly—coming, not from a plainly legal standpoint, but rather from one of religion, and specifically from the writings of Paul in the Christian New Testament (though the “two become one” originates, biblically, in the book of Genesis).

Now keep in mind—for purposes of discussing what civil rights individuals should or should not have—that even Christian churches within the same denominations cannot all agree among themselves as to how Scripture-with-a-capital-S should be interpreted—and according to Wikipedia there are approximately 38,000 Christian denominations.

Take as an example the recent news from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Its leadership decided that LGBT people might just be okay after all, and suddenly the ELCA finds itself spawning denomination 38,001 as some of its member churches have nailed their own proverbial “Protestations” to the ELC’s doors on the subject.

So to safeguard overall fairness, just-ness, and non-mystical-ness, as to what civil rights should or should not be awarded to citizens, neither the United States Federal Government nor any of the 50 United States is a Christian theocracy. This is to prevent an “established” religion: meaning that Pentacostals cannot insist that everyone else practice speaking in tongues; that Seventh Day Adventists cannot enforce nationwide restrictions on the drinking of coffee, tea, and soda; or that the Dunkards (think I made them up? Google

it!) cannot insist that all other citizens refuse oaths and military service.

This is the meaning and purpose of separation of church and state: since we would never be able to get everybody to agree on which church would be in charge of deciding the laws, no church gets to decide the laws.

Contrived Analogies

Second, I must say—especially as someone who’s “playing for the other team”— that the “practicing baseball” analogy strikes me as so profoundly contrived and lacking as to require no rebuttal. But I rebut: Civil marriage rights require no proof of either capability or intention that the two parties involved will participate in “soft toss scrimmage drills” much less “grip correction and pulling their head.” (Those are honestly real baseball drills. I am not making them up.)

Civil marriages do not even require showing up for practice, if the parties involved agree they would rather keep their bats and mitts in their respective lockers and just watch a game on TV instead.

Note that no federal or state marriage law requires there be a mystical, magical “mind-body-through-penis-fitting-intovagina” union between spouses to validate the marriage; however, some state laws do apparently require that the two parties involved (should they be correctly equipped) agree to at least try to “Win one for the Gipper.”

(Sorry, I’m mixing my metaphors.) A poor enough batting average can even be grounds for divorce, but that still does not mean that

all married couples are required to practice swinging. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.)

However, here is a final nail in George’s marriage-mirage coffin: some civil marriages are only legal if the two parties are of a certain age and cannot bear children, such as “first cousin” marriages in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Utah, and Wisconsin. The laws in this instance are saying procreation is specifically forbidden and completely unwanted in these examples of legally recognized civil marriages.

So this significant exception alone—and there are the innumerable others—sinks the “mystical-magical-procreative-type-mindbody-union” as the critical element deciding who should get civil marriage rights and who should not.

ACCESSline Page 10 SScontinued from page 6

CREEPS age of consent laws leading to relaxation of laws prohibiting pedophilia.” That’s right.

Gays won’t be happy until sixty-year olds can marry twelve-year olds. You know, like the old-timey Mormon Church.

No. 5: Gay people are going to take your job after Parker makes gays “a minority class, leading to affirmative action for homosexuals in the workplace.”

Silly Houstonians. They thought it was illegal immigrants they had to watch out for.

Destroying freedom of speech is sixth on the list, as a lesbian mayor would surely “prohibit any speech which opposes homosexual activity. This would be considered ‘hate speech’ and have criminal sanctions.

This would destroy First Amendment free speech rights for those who oppose homosexual conduct and the homosexual political movement.”

Seven and eight on the list are employee benefits for homos and the election of more gay candidates who will implement these same eight steps, thus creating a never-ending gay cycle.

And all of this is going to happen in, um, Houston? Whatever you say, Scarbrough. You’re the one with a divinity degree, not me.

D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world she reviews rock and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing at the University of Michigan

Section 1: News & Politics SScontinued from page 6

WORLD NEWS

no such plan. On Dec. 22, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow reported that anti-gay Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni privately assured U.S. officials he will veto the bill.

of human rights.

“So it is clear that across the world this is a new frontier in the minds of many people about how we protect the LGBT community, but it is at the top of our list because we In Iraq, according to Human Rights see many instances where there is a very Watch, militias are torturing and murdering serious assault on the physical safety and an men suspected of engaging in gay sex or of increasing effort to marginalize people. And not being manly enough, and the authorities we think it’s important for the United States have done nothing to stop the killing. to stand against that and to enlist others to The organization has documented a join us in doing so.” campaign of extrajudicial executions, kidnapThe Ugandan legislation, the “Anti- pings and torture that began in early 2009 in Homosexuality Bill 2009,” would imprison the Baghdad district of Sadr City, a stronghold for life anyone convicted of “the offense of Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army militia, then of homosexuality”; punish “aggravated spread to other locations. homosexuality”—including repeat offenders, The killers invade homes and grab or anyone who is HIV-positive and has gay people on the street. Victims are interrogated sex—with the death penalty; forbid “promo- for names of others before being murdered. tion of homosexuality” and incarcerate rights Torture practices include supergluing victim’s defenders who work on LGBT rights; and anuses shut, then feeding them laxatives. imprison anyone for up to three years if they Iraqi gays say they also face “honor killfail to report within 24 hours anyone they ings” by homophobic parents and brothers know who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or who supports GLBT human rights.

A Dec. 9 news report

by Bloomberg said officials plan to “drop the death penalty and life imprisonment for gays ... to attract the support of religious leaders who are opposed to these penalties.” But on Dec. 13, the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said both that bill’s author told Britain’s gays don’t exist in Iran, and that those who do exist “are not The Observer there is even known who they are to be hanged.” CNN screen capture

IRAQ

January 2010 who believe “unmanly” behavior shames the family or tribe.

“Hundreds of men may have died,” according to HRW, though the precise figure is “almost impossible” to determine.

Consensual adult gay sex is not illegal under Iraqi law but the militias have claimed to be enforcing Islamic religious law.

IRAN

Iran has the death penalty for sodomy and has used it, although in nearly all the cases that have been publicized, the teens and men who were hanged were accused of additional crimes as well, such as homosexual rape.

In a 2008 interview, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied that people are executed solely for having gay sex.

“Homosexuals are not even known who they are to be hanged,” he told the Democracy Now! radio program. “So, we don’t have executions of homosexuals. Of course, we consider it an abhorrent act, but it is not punished through capital punishment.”

A year earlier, speaking in New York City, Ahmadinejad had claimed that “we in Iran don’t have homo-play (hamjensbaz) like you have in your country.”

“In our country, there is no such thing,” he said. “In Iran ... absolutely such a thing does not exist as a phenomenon. I don’t know who told you otherwise.”

“Hamjensbaz”—“same-gender play/ player”—is a derogatory term for people who chase after those of the same sex in pursuit of sexual pleasure. A newer word, “hamjensgara”—“same-gender-oriented”— refers to gay folks.

ACCESSline’s fun guide Our Picks for January 1/6-1/24, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines: Disney’s The Lion King 1/11, Orpheum, Sioux City: Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles – Broadway at the Orpheum 1/12-1/17, Slosburg Hall, Orpheum Theater, Omaha NE: Little House on the Prairie The Musical 1/13, 1/14, Ballet Quad Cities (613 17th Street), Rock Island, IL: Simone Ferro rehearses for “Love Stories” 1/13-1/24, Temple Theatre, Des Moines: Dixie’s Tupperware Party 1/15-1/16, Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha NE: Omaha Symphony - RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, Scheherazade 1/15, 1/17, Gallagher Bluedorn, Cedar Falls: Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre - Salome 1/15-1/23, Hope Martin Theatre, Waterloo: The Canterville Ghost 1/16, Capitol Theatre, Davenport: Winter Dance Party (Recreation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper’s final tour 1/17, Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State Center, Ames: Swan Lake, Moscow Festival Ballet 1/23, Sinclair Auditorium, Cedar Rapids, 1/24, West High School, Cedar Rapids: Orchestra Iowa, “Fire and Ice” (Conor Hanick) Piano 1/23, Slosburg Hall, Orpheum Theater, Omaha NE: Pilobolus 1/24, Sinclair Auditorium, Coe College, Cedar Rapids: The Ickys (The Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance Annual Meeting and Excellence in Innovation Awards) 1/29, Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State Center, Ames: The Flying Karamazov Brothers Pilobolus Dance Theatre performs in Omaha and 1/29, Gallagher Bluedorn, Cedar Cedar Falls Falls: FAURÉ Piano Quartet 1/30, Diamond Jo Casino, Dubuque: America 1/31, Gallagher Bluedorn, Cedar Falls: Pilobolus

(and early February…)

2/6, Adler Theatre, Davenport: Quad City Symphony Orchestra – MOZART, Exsultate, jubilate; ORFF, Carmina Burana 2/6, Orpheum, Sioux City: ROCKESTRA, Chicks Who Rock

Deep Inside Hollywood by Romeo San Vicente Taylor Lautner: Shirtless again in Cancun

When you’re more famous for your abs, pectorals and personal training saga than your acting, you’ve already reached gay icon status. And so it is that Taylor Lautner (Team Jacob, in case you’ve been living on a different planet this year) will make sure that his next non-Twilight project will allow for plenty of attention on his body. The young star will appear in an action thriller titled Cancun, in which he’ll star as a misfit college student who has to save his girlfriend from a Mexican drug cartel. How will he do this? With martial arts, of course. The actor showed off some skill on a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, backflipping and chopping fake wouldbe threats to his girlfriend Taylor Swift.

And that’s all you need to inspire a film in Hollywood, really: youth, a willingness to get semi-nude and the threat of righteous violence. Congratulations, Mr. Lautner, keep striking while it’s still hot.

Go Fish gals reunite for The Owls

Every lesbian (and lesbian-loving gay guy) remembers the scruffy 1990s indie hit Go Fish, the film that launched actor Guinevere Turner and L Word collaborator

Taylor Lautner. Photo: Summit Entertainment

Rose Troche onto the scene. It was a blast of fresh, hip lesbian energy into the world of queer-themed media and paved the way for a cooler brand of girl-on-girl entertainment.

And now two of its stars, Turner and her crunchier companion V.S. Brodie, are set to appear in the new film from lesbian director Cheryl Dunye called The Owls. It’s a thriller about older lesbians accidentally (?) killing a younger one, then trying to hide the body of evidence and running into the usual movie complications that arise when that sort of thing takes place. Sounds like the perfect way to rehab Dunye’s directing career after that unfortunate My Baby’s Daddy situation.

It should be swooping into theaters sometime in 2010.

TTHOLLYWOOD continued page 15

ACCESSline Page 12

the fun guide

January 2010

The Outfield by Dan Woog Gene and John spread the wealth

Scientists, artists and world leaders have Nobel Prizes. Geniuses have MacArthur grants. Gay athletes have the Gene and John Athletic Fund of Stonewall.

While not as well-known as those other prizes, the Gene and John Fund has spent a decade offering scholarships of up to $5,000 to LGBT young people, to continue their education while pursuing athletics.

Now, the Fund is branching out.

This year they supported efforts beyond scholarships to highlight athletic achievements by queer athletes, featuring the first annual Stonewall Swim across Long Island’s Great South Bay this past summer. Nearly three dozen swimmers, ranging in age from early 20s to late 50s, swam for three and a half miles. All—including Michael Holts, who swam the English Channel last summer— finished. The winning time, by Win Chesson, was a swift one hour, 28 minutes.

The course was not chosen lightly. The end point—Fire Island Pines—is one of the New York area’s premier gay vacation spots.

The finish line—a spectacular home—was where actress Christine Ebersole welcomed the swimmers ashore.

Holts called the Stonewall Swim even more difficult in some ways than the English channel, because of the Bay’s currents and rough, choppy waters.

The swim, said honorary chair and Gene and John Athletic Fund co-founder Gene Silbert, “is exactly the kind of activity that we want to promote. It is perfectly aligned with our Fund’s mission ‘to promote athletic role models by showcasing the abilities of gay and lesbian athletes.’”

It was also a very successful fundraiser that surpassed its already ambitious goal of $100,000. One swimmer—Robby Browne— raised $20,000 by himself. Many other contributions, however, came in small amounts from individual donors.

Fund co-founder John Kiley hopes to expand the swim beyond New York, to include national and even international participation.

Another event already reaches across the country. Thanks to Gene and John Athletic

Fund support, the Q Center of Portland created a series of clinics. LGBT youngsters in the area learned the basics of soccer, softball and volleyball.

Coaches from local LGBT sports organizations led each clinic. Participants were provided with equipment—including shoes donated by avid Q Center supporter Nike.

“The impact of these clinics was clear to the coaches and team members,” the Fund reports. “The pressure, prejudice and isolation that befalls LGBT athletes in school settings was not a factor. Camaraderie and support escalated on the fields and courts, especially when a team member was not as strong as others.”

When “Go queen!” was shouted, it was as support—not ridicule.

Encouraged by the clinics, the Fund is asking gay community organizations to propose other athletic activities benefiting LGBT youth.

“As we approach the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Gene and John Athletic Fund,” the organization says, “we are grateful for and inspired by the example of all the fine athletes, dedicated coaches and committed administrators we have had the honor of meeting and working with.

“Humbled by their passion and inspired by their achievements, we look forward to supporting and shining the light on more fine LGBT athletes in 2010 and beyond.”

In addition to its other accomplishments, the Gene and John Fund is still committed to its scholarship program. This year’s winner is Patrick Ryan Adams. A 2009 graduate of Deerfield Academy, he is attending Colby College in Maine.

At Deerfield, Patrick ran cross-country, skied and rowed. He was the cross-country captain and a triple award winner. He also captained the ski team and earned an achievement award. As a three-year rower, he won two bronze medals. He now rows at Colby.

Patrick—who served as a Deerfield proctor—was also an Eagle Scout, and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics. As a member of Deerfield’s Gay-Straight Alliance, he helped create a confidential counseling service for closeted students.

Pat Griffin “After I came out, I know I altered people’s perceptions about the LGBT community,” Patrick says. “I will continue to live as a successful and humble example for people in and outside the LGBT community.”

He adds: “While I realize anyone can say they will make a difference, I know I can.”

The Gene and John Athletic Fund of Stonewall can say the same.

For more information about the Gene and John Athletic Fund, including 2010 scholarship information, visit geneandjohnfoundation. org, call 212-367-1155, e-mail stonewall@ stonewallfoundation.org, or write the Stonewall Community Foundation, 119 W. 24th St., New York, NY 10011.

Transitioning athletes “It Takes a Team” is the apt name of a national educational and advocacy institute addressing LGBT issues in sport.

All too often, however, the “T” has been missing from teams—sports teams and It Takes a Team.

That’s starting to change.

Trans athletes are raising their voices— and demanding to be heard—on sports teams across the country. As is true with many things LGBT, the young are leading this call for change.

“We’re seeing a definite increase in trans students in general,” says Pat Griffin, a writer, professor emerita in the social justice education program at the University of Massachusetts, and director of the It Takes a Team campaign (part of the Women’s Sports Foundation).

“A lot more people are identifying as trans or gender queer, and they’re doing it earlier. Schools are struggling to address that issue. It makes sense that some of those students want to play sports—and are.”

Recently, It Takes a Team initiated a Think Talk. The goal is to make policy recommendations to schools, administrators and coaches. “We want to be proactive around trans issues—not reactive,” Griffin says.

Sport, she notes, is one of the most gendered segments of society.

“We have men’s teams, and we have women’s teams. It’s a binary system. But that doesn’t represent everyone’s experiences.

There’s a dilemma when a student does not identify as one gender or the other.”

A few sports organizations have developed policies. The International Olympic

Committee was one of the first; groups like the United States Golf Association and USA Track and Field adopted similar guidelines.

The Federation of Gay Games and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network followed suit.

One problem, Griffin says, is that groups like the IOC require reassignment surgery before allowing an athlete to compete as another gender. “That’s not an option for high school kids,” she notes. “And it’s not a good idea at that age.”

Surgery is less an indicator of gender than testosterone level, she says. Testosterone affects performance. But, she adds, it’s not the only indicator. “We already have a huge range of performances among girls and women, and among boys and men.”

Another problem: The IOC mandates a two-year waiting period before competing as another gender. “That’s a long time— especially in high school and college,” says Griffin.

Take the example of Keelin Godsey, an high-level hammer thrower. “Keelin is a female-bodied man who has chosen not to transition,” says Griffin. Keelin—who identifies as a man, but has not transitioned— competed on the women’s team at Bates College.

That required accommodations, and educating teammates, coaches and opponents about trans issues. “Teammates and coaches were great,” Griffin said. “But there’s been discrimination at the sports’ elite levels.”

Though all the examples Griffin knows are female-to-male, she knows there are MTF trans athletes in high schools and colleges.

Her message is simple: Schools need to prepare.

The It Takes a Team initiative began a few years ago, with a conference call involving Griffin; Helen Carroll, sports project director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and representatives of the NCAA, USGA and USA Track and Field.

“Neither Helen nor I are experts on trans issues,” Griffin admits. “They’re different from LGB issues, although there are overlaps that come from misunderstandings. But we wanted to involve legal, medical and child development experts, along with people from the NCAA, the National Federation of State High School Association, and trans athletes TTTRANS continued page 13

January 2010

the fun guide

ACCESSline Page 13

IowaLisa’s List by Lisa Schreihart Howdy folks!

This is a list of Iowa’s live music, arts, social events and culture for, by, featuring, and of interest to women, GLBT folks, and friends for January.

To submit events and announcements, or to sign up a friend to receive this list by e-mail, e-mail iowalisa@juno.com. Visit me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iowalisa or on MySpace at www.myspace.com/iowalisa. I’m on Twitter too (@iowalisa)!

Editor’s Note: Most of the events in this list are in the Cultural Corridor area of Iowa.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:

AWFUL PURDIES NEW CD! The muchawaited Awful Purdies CD is now in stores.

It’s available online at: www.cdbaby.com/cd/ AwfulPurdies or in local stores at The Record Collector, Iowa City; The Iowa Artisans Gallery, Iowa City; Real Records, Iowa City; and Moon Dog Records, Dubuque.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS: Harvester is a new artist-centric website “for artists on the outside.”

Go to www.HarvesterCR.com for complete submission details.

THE SHOP NEXT DOOR: Coming Soon! The Shop Next Door is a new venture by Cedar Rapids’ own Brewed Awakening’s Coffeehouse. The new store will be located on 13th Street in Cedar Rapids, directly behind Brewed’s flagship store.

The Shop Next Door specializes in handmade art in all forms – essentially an Artisan Collective.

They are looking for artisans to fill the shop. They hope to cater to the young adult crowd. Contact Heather Younker for more info: 319-363-4333 or heather@brewedawakeningscr.com.

CONNECTIONS, the Iowa City organization that provides social, educational and networking opportunities for GLBT folks and friends with a range of interests, is in full swing. Connections offers small groups (a nature group, a spiritual group, a motorcycle club, a reading group, just to name a few), and what it doesn’t offer can be arranged! Check out the Connections website at www.queerconnections.org. For more info, e-mail queerconnections@yahoo.com.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Find GLBT events of interest at www.queerconnections.com/calendar.

U. OF IOWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Iowa women’s basketball games are great fun to watch and the team is very exciting this year. Come on out to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on the following January dates: 14, 24 and 31. For more info and game times, visit www.hawkeyesports.com.

NEW WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP GROUP IN CEDAR RAPIDS: Integrity Integrated, owned and operated by part-time University of Iowa MBA instructor, Ginny Wilson-Peters, is running a new group for women who want to be stronger leaders. The first session starts on January 26. For more info, contact Chelsea Hillman at 563-359-1099 or chillman@integrityintegrated. com. Visit www.integrityintegrated.com to learn more about this great women-owned business.

SONGWRITERS NEEDED FOR IDOL CONTEST: Starting on January 19, Daniel Arthur’s Acoustic Idol will return on a new night (Tuesday) in downtown Cedar Rapids. If you want to be a part of either of this event as a competing performer, e-mail Kimberli Maloy at

flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

CEDAR RAPIDS PRIDE IS BACK IN 2010: If you want to get involved in the planning process, contact Anthony Brown at Anthony.Browna04@ Gmail.com or any GLRC Board member via Facebook. CR Pride Week will be held June 1-6, 2010, with the main event on June 5.

TRAINING IN ART AND SOCIAL CHANGE: Are you an artist, activist, teacher or student?

Do you believe the arts have the capacity to create community, address significant issues, and support social change? This January, in Cedar Rapids, Legion Arts and Matthew 25 will host a Hothouse for Art & Social Change. The three-day seminar, Jan 15-17, is the brainchild of the Crossroads Project (www.xroadsproject. org/), a New Orleans-based team of researchers, artists and educators who develop, document and disseminate effective community-based arts practices. The New Orleans team will be leading the seminar. Participation is limited; if you think you might want to take part, please let us know ASAP by writing info@legionarts.org.

IWMF ON TWITTER: Iowa Women’s Music Festival is on Twitter. Follow us @iwmfest.

IMPACTCR FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: Found out more at www.impactcr.org. This organization was formerly Access Iowa.

LGBT SOCIAL CIRCLE ONGOING AT THE SENIOR CENTER: Gather at the Senior Center in Iowa City on Wednesday afternoons with other gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender seniors. This is your opportunity to meet new people in a welcoming environment. Activities are determined based on the interests of participants. For more information call Thomas

SScontinued from page 12

TRANS themselves, so we could start thinking about the best way to move forward.

“The guiding principles are that participation in athletics is valuable for all students—and that trans athletes should not be denied that opportunity.”

Any rules regarding participation should be based on “sound evidence,” Griffin says—not “misunderstandings, misconceptions or myths.

Over two days in October, three dozen people met in Indianapolis. Griffin and Carroll are evaluating their insights. This spring, the two women will report back to the NCLR and Women’s Sports Foundation, and seek comments on their recommendations.

Going into this fall’s meeting, Griffin says, “The biggest fear was that it would be too hard to agree—that trans issues are too complicated. But we’re really excited.

We made a lot of progress, and had a lot of consensus.

“There was great energy, and a lot of knowledge and passion in the room. We got a good sense of what could happen. And each person made a commitment to do what they could, individually and within their organization.”

For more information on It Takes a Team and its advocacy for trans issues, visit www. ittakesateam.org.

Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes.

Visit his Web site at www.danwoog.com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.

at 319-354-1784.

CONNECTIONS WELCOME WAGON: Ever been the new kid in school? It can be lonely and scary. Connections is looking for volunteers to meet and greet GLBT people who move to Iowa City and are looking for information about the community. We are looking for friendly people who have lived in the area for a few years who could have a cup of coffee with a new Iowa Citian and answer their questions. Not a huge time commitment. We are hoping to have a big enough pool that we could match up like-minded people. Contact Bridget if you are interested in helping at malone.bridget@gmail.com or 319-338-0512.

JANE AND JANE MAGAZINE: You can read the entire issue of Jane and Jane Magazine on-line absolutely free by going to www.janeandjane.net ART FEED: A new website that promotes local Corridor artists is on-line at www.TheArtFeed.com. The Art Feed is part online gallery and part promotional tool for artists. Artists can upload images of their art for a low annual membership. The public can come and browse as well as find out about art-related businesses and events.

CEDAR RAPIDS CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION IS RETOOLING: The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has two articles concerning important GLBT news. Also, they are at the climax of a long process of a total retooling of our civil rights code which will serve as an example of how-to for communities nationally. Visit www.cedar-rapids.org/civilrights/, http://bit.

TTLISA’S LIST continued page 23

“Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I’ve been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton. I’ve long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same-sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that, ‘The marriageequality issue should be recognized for what it truly is—a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.’ I couldn’t agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now.”

— Rocker Bruce Springsteen on his Web site, Dec. 8.

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the fun guide

January 2010

Here’s To Your Health by Joshua Dagon Originally published in Circuit Noize Magazine, Winter 2000, Issue Number 26 Waiting for our lunch order to arrive, I sat sipping lemonade, watching my sister dunk slices of white French bread into a tub of oil and pesto, listening to her berate me for my dangerous lifestyle.

“It’s really irresponsible, you know,” she said, pesto dripping onto the tablecloth, “for you to take so many risks with your health.

What did the psychiatrist say?”

“He said I have depression,” I answered plainly.

“See!” my sister exclaimed, snapping her fingers at the waiter who’d failed to notice she was out of espresso.

“He said,” I continued, “that it might be because I took drugs.”

“Oh, my god! Then what did he say?”

“He said, ‘Here. I think you should take these drugs.”

Our lunch arrived and the waiter refilled my sibling’s I think fifth espresso.

He set down my plate of skinless teriyaki chicken breast, and then my sister’s doublestacked Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich, complete with a side of hot, steaming, cow-flesh-cooking byproduct, or “ah-ch00” sauce—or whatever the French call it—and covered in still more cow byproduct in the form of melted coagulated udder excretions.

“Mmm,” she hummed at her plate of American food-of-death. “I guess I can splurge today. It’s okay, ya know, once in a while.”

“Didn’t you eat half a pizza last night by yourself?” I asked.

“So, you’re gonna slow down on this partying thing now, right?” she said, ignoring me.

“I suppose,” I replied.

“Well, it’s about frickin’ time.” She emptied a fifth packet of artificial sweetener

into her espresso; I suppose it only causes cancer in rats. “You have no idea how much we worry about you, carousing all over the country, dancing all night, snorting whoknows-what up your nose.”

She decided that her fries weren’t crispy enough and snapped again for the waiter.

“Would you be a dear,” she said to the guy, “and toss these back into the grease for a few? Thanks. Oh, and could I get a beer?

None of that ‘lite’ shit, though. Thanks. You’re a doll.” The waiter left and my sister gave me a wink. “Lite beer gives me gas.”

She drained her espresso and leveled a serious look at me.

“And I certainly hope you’re not being promiscuous,” said the mother of five children, each of whom had different fathers.

“You know how dangerous that is these days.”

“I’m very careful.”

“Well, I think you should just settle down with one, you know?” offered the three-time divorcee. “Don’t you want to settle down?

Don’t you think that would be nice?”

The waiter returned and set down my sister’s beer and a plate of still-sizzling fries.

After lunch, as we stood saying goodbye at her car, she lit her second cigarette and gave me a stern look.

“I think you should tell mom and dad,” she said, careful to blow the smoke out the side of her mouth—I guess so that it wouldn’t mingle with the smoke coming from the end of her cigarette, which I was currently breathing. “I think they should know what’s going on with you and your health, you know?”

“Okay.” I shrugged.

That weekend, I went to the gym early, with an overnight bag in my car. After my workout, I headed to suburb-land. My parents were back from Las Vegas and wanted to have dinner. I thought it might

be a good opportunity to tell them I’d been put on drugs by my psychiatrist in order to combat my depression, which had been caused by drugs.

I decided to tell them because, if I didn’t, my sister would—only she might embellish a bit, and I didn’t want to get the call from my dad saying, “What’s this I hear about you being on suicide watch?”

My mother was making pasta. I saw that she’d planned ahead and put a tiny pan of plain tomato sauce on a back burner for me. She wasn’t in the kitchen; she was on the patio, adding to a stack of cigarette butts that was already taller than my niece.

“Hi, honey,” she said, coming in the patio door, setting her vodka rocks next to the donut machine. It was 3:15 in the afternoon.

I love my mom’s voice; after smoking for thirty years, she sounds like Brenda Vacarro cloned with Elaine Stritch and James Earl Jones. Every time I answer the phone at their house people say, “Janet?”

“I spoke to your sister this morning,” my mother said, going to the refrigerator and pulling out a bar of butter the size of a mailbox. “She’s very concerned with the way you’re living.” My mom put the entire bar of butter into what would soon be Alfredo sauce thick enough to grout tile. “Your father and I are worried, too.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, pouring a glass of orange juice. “I’m trying to keep it under control.”

“Well,” my mother went on, popping a bite-sized Milky Way bar into her mouth. It had been sitting on the counter, next to her insulin. “I just wish you’d take better care of yourself.”

My father walked into the kitchen and asked how I was.

“Fine,” I said. “Where were you?”

“Oh, the doctor said I should get more exercise, so I went and got the mail. Hand

Novelist Joshua Dagon is the author of Into the Mouth of the Wolf, The Fallen, and Demon Tears. For more information, please go to www.joshuadagon.com.

To contact Mr. Dagon, please e-mail him at jd@joshuadagon.com.

me a Coke, please. Make it two.”

“The other day,” I began, handing my dad the cans of soda, “I read a study that suggests drinking from aluminum cans might cause—” “Hey, Jan,” my father blurted, frowning at the dinner table. “Is that “Lite Sour Cream?’

You know I hate that fake stuff.”

My mother sighed and set down some real sour cream to replace the low-calorie sour cream-flavored gelatinous chemical substance.

I looked at my father. “Where’s your oxygen?” I asked.

“In the bedroom I don’t need to use it until I sit down to watch Numbers.”

My parents and I had a very pleasant dinner, during which they recounted the alarming possibility that I might be going to Hell, as explained to them by my brother-inlaw when they visited him in jail.

“So,” my father began, “didn’t you have something you wanted to tell us?”

“Nope,” I said.

Classic New Year’s Cocktails courtesy of Schera’s Restaurant & Bar, Elkader, Iowa Schera’s Restaurant and Bar in Elkader Iowa is owned by Brian Bruening and Frederique Boudouani. A few years ago, the couple moved to Iowa from the big city life of Boston and opened Schera’s, serving both American fare and foods from Frederique’s native Algeria. Neither Iowa nor Elkader were random choices for the move: Bruening is an Iowa native, and Elakder happens to be named after nineteenth-century Algerian scholar, military leader, and national hero, El Amir Abdelkader, or Emir Abd al-Kadir.

Elkader even has an Algerian sister city: Mascara, Algeria.

For New Year’s each year, Schera’s holds a themed celebration. This year the theme looked back fifty years for inspiration, to New Year’s Eve 1959. The restaurant served a superb five-course meal featuring a delectable roast duck and what was described by one guest as “the best filet mignon I’ve ever tasted.” The meal was served attentively by very professional and well-managed staff and was completed with a very clever dessert buffet—a wide selection of treats sized small enough to allow patrons to try multiple items without feeling overindulged.

Included in the evening’s theme was a carefully selected (and, I was told, thor-

juice, and brandy over cracked ice, shake vigorously and strain into cocktail glass.

ALEXANDER II, 1946

In a mixing glass combine 1 oz. brandy, 1 oz. heavy cream, and ¾ oz. creme de cacao. Shake well and fast with cracked ice, not cubes, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

WHISKY SOUR, 1946

oughly taste-tested) selection of classic cocktails that could have been served on New Year’s Eve, 1959.

PERFECT MANHATTAN, 1941

In a cocktail shaker combine ¼ oz. dry Vermouth, ¼ oz. sweet Vermouth, 1½ oz. Templeton rye whiskey, and a dash of Angostura bitters. Stir in cracked ice, and strain into a cocktail glass which has been prepared with a maraschino cherry.

SIDECAR, 1945

Mix 1 oz. each Grand Marnier, lemon

Into a shaker put 1½ oz. Jim Beam bourbon, ½ tsp of simple syrup and 2 level tsp of lemon juice. Shake hard with ice to chill; strain into a highball glass. Add some fine ice, cap with club soda, and garnish with a slice of orange and red cherry.

TEQUILA COCKTAIL, 1949

Pour into a cocktail shaker, with ice cubes, 1 oz. lime juice, 4 dashes grenadine, and 1½ oz. Jose Cuervo tequila. Shake well and serve in cocktail glass.

GREYHOUND, 1955

Pour 1 oz. Clearheart vodka and 2 oz. grapefruit juice over ice cubes in a glass.

Garnish with a slice of lemon.

GRASSHOPPER, 1956

Pour over shaved ice 1oz. white creme de cacao, 1 oz. green creme de menthe and 1oz. cream. Blend the drink gently, but do not shake it, and serve in cocktail glasses.

THE RED CARPET, 1956

Into a bar glass half full of cracked ice, pour 1½ oz. Clearheart vodka, 1 oz. unsweetened, full-strength cranberry juice, and 1 teaspoon lime juice. Shake and serve in a chilled cocktail glass.

FRENCH “75”, 1960

Half fill a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and add 1½ oz. Beefeater gin, 1 teaspoon simple syrup, and the juice of ½ lemon.

Shake the mixture vigorously and strain it into a highball glass packed with cracked ice. Fill the glass with chilled Champagne.

Garnish with lemon curl. For French “75” Cognac, substitute 1½ oz. cognac for gin.

WARD 8 COCKTAIL, 1962

Pour 1½ oz. Jim Beam bourbon, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1teaspoon each of orange juice and grenadine into a cocktail shaker half-full of cracked ice. Shake the mixture well and strain it into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and half an orange slice.

January 2010

the fun guide

Alan Chin: Soldiering On interview by guest columnist Carey Parrish (Originally published on Carey Parrish’s WebDigestWeekly.com.)

For the past year or so, I have had the privilege of becoming friends with novelist Alan Chin. Alan is a man who is very talented and he’s also extremely adept at sharing the stories he creates in his heart. His use of language is powerful and the words he writes become more than sentences on a page.

They invite you into his mind, and into the hearts of the characters he writes about. His debut novel, Island Song, became an awardwinning product that continues to resonate with readers. Alan is now back with a new novel called The Lonely War. Once again he brings his unique brand of storytelling to the project and the result is another tale that is impossible to put down. I couldn’t pass up the chance to visit with Alan again once I read his new book. As with our last chat, he is traveling in Asia but he made the time to answer my nosy questions without a hint of bother. Alan is someone I’m glad to have met and he’s a friend who really stands by you. I am honored to host him again.

CP: Welcome back, Alan. It’s great to chat with you again.

AC: It’s great to be back. Like most authors, I enjoy any opportunity to talk about my work.

CP: Tell me about your new book, The Lonely War. AC: It’s a story of survival, love, integrity – a tale of what men in desperate situations will do to protect and honor the men they love. It takes place in the Pacific theater during WWII. When the crew of the USS Pilgrim become POWs in Changi, a Japanese prison camp on Singapore Island, Seaman Andrew Waters is elevated through adversity to discover his inner resources, allowing him to sacrifice himself to save the life of his beloved, Lt. Nathan Mitchell. But of course, sometimes the Gods take notice of a courageous soul, and turn sacrifice into blessings.

CP: What was the inspiration?

AC: After completing Island Song, I wanted to write a story that made a statement about DADT. I believe the main issue keeping the military from accepting openly gay servicemen/women is the fear of relationships forming between enlisted personnel and officers, which would breakdown the chain of command. The Lonely War tackles that topic head on.

CP: How is it being received?

AC: It’s only been out a few weeks. I’ve gotten very little feedback so far and only one review, which was glowing. The feedback suggests that it is far superior to Island Song in story content, quality of writing, and character development. And the people who made those comments loved Island Song…

CP: How does this one differ from your previous novel, Island Song?

AC: It’s a far more complex story, both in terms of plot and characters. There are many more important characters in The Lonely War, and they have more depth. Island Song is about finding love, overcoming grief and moving on. The Lonely War is about being trapped in an intolerable situation, and the only thing to help you survive is holding onto to the love you feel, not only for the one you love, but also for your comrades.

CP: What was your goal when you

embarked on this project?

AC: To create a compelling story with unforgettable characters who make a political statement about DADT. I like to think that I succeeded.

CP: What does this book symbolize for you?

AC: I know it’s a cliché, but for me, it symbolizes the power of love – how love can drive you beyond limits to protect who/what you love. It can also drive you to the brink, perhaps beyond.

CP: Are you working on a new book?

AC: I’m working on a screenplay and a novel. Both have the same storyline, which is expanded from a short story I wrote a few years back but never published. It’s about a gay Native American who finds a most interesting way to help an aged rancher die with dignity, and does he find love along the way? Well, the aged rancher does have a grandson…

CP: Island Song remains popular. To what do you attribute its longevity?

AC: Island Song was slow to take off, mostly because of my lack of marketing savvy.

But, yes, it is becoming more popular and I’m getting great feedback from readers. It has really touched a deep cord in some readers, and I find that very rewarding.

I think it’s simply word-of-mouth that is selling it now. I was proud to recently find it on two author’s all-time top-ten lists, both of whom I respect.

CP: And what’s next for you?

AC: I have one novel searching for a publisher and another novel waiting for a final polish. After that, I’ve got a futuristic story that’s knocking around in my head.

I’ve actually written about half of it, and I’m waiting for the second half to solidify in my gray matter before I tackle writing it. I’m also having lots of fun writing screenplays. It’s a different mindset, but it’s fun. Screenplays make you focus on the action and characters without getting caught up in the prose.

CP: Okay…Now some nosy questions for the fans: You’ve been traveling lately.

Where have you been?

AC: I spent three weeks knocking around southern China with my husband’s family to visit the Chin village, Macau, and Hong Kong. We participated in a huge celebration in the village where we were the guests of honor. It was an amazing, unforgettable trip into the farming villages and you can check it out on our travel blog: http://hermanandalan.blogspot.com/ From China, Herman and I parted with his family and we came to Thailand. We spent a week in Bangkok and another three weeks in Chang Mai. We’ll be here through the holidays, then move south to Phuket Island. On our return home, we plan to spend a few weeks in Vietnam and another week in Hong Kong.

CP: When will you be returning to the US? AC: If all goes well, mid-march.

CP: What have you been doing during your travels?

AC: Trying to juggle writing, book promotion, and sight seeing. Since we’ve been in Chang Mai, it mostly been writing and book promotion because we’ve been here so often we’ve seen all the sights. It’s a great place to relax and write.

CP: What is your favorite country?

AC: Every country has its own charm, but

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HOLLYWOOD

Bryan Singer in for hot X-Men prequel

my favorites are the countries of East Africa.

I love being on photographic safari. As far as cities go, Kyoto, Japan is my favorite.

CP: Favorite Asian cuisine?

AC: Japanese, although any Asian cuisine is great with me. I do love rice… And eating an all-Asian diet, I’ve lost 15 lbs since leaving the states six weeks ago. Five more to go…

CP: Have you read anything lately you’d like to discuss?

AC: I recently finished Safe As Houses

by Alex Jeffers, which I loved. A gay love and family story that is superbly written. Jeffers is a favorite of mine.

I can also recommend A Report From Winter by Wayne Courtois. A very moving memoir about finding strength in his relationship while losing his mother to cancer.

Well written, sad, funny, very moving.

BTW: I recently read a charming first novel by Carey Parrish called Marengo. It’s about two Americans living in London. All the characters are a bit wacky and lovable.

I highly recommend it, but then you know that already.

I am currently reading Graham Greene’s The Power And The Glory, which is keeping me up nights. It’s not gay, but a truly engrossing story of faith that takes place in southern Mexico. Phenomenal writing. I discovered Greene earlier this year and love his voice. He packs so much story into a few well-chosen words. Very inspiring.

BTW: I post lots of my book reviews on my blog. Your readers can browse a dozen reviews of gay books at: http://alanchinwriter.blogspot.com CP: As a practicing Buddhist, what can you share about Buddhism that could help others?

AC: The last thing the Buddha said was: Be a light unto yourself. He was trying to encourage his disciples to find their own path, to not take his word for anything, to find truth themselves. That is all I can pass on. We all have truth in us. You won’t find it in the Bible or the Koran or some other “holy” book. Look for it inside yourself and you will find it.

CP: What are you most proud of?

AC: That’s easy. My relations with my husband. We’ve built something special based on love. And unless he pulls a Tiger Woods on me, it’s something I think will last.

I’m proud of what we are together.

CP: Alan, thanks for visiting with me again.

AC: Thank you, Carey. As always, it was a pleasure.

Of all the movers and shakers in Hollywood, no one likes to keep more projects in development than Bryan Singer. Barely a month goes by without his name getting attached to something new. So here’s the next one: a return to the X-Men universe for the man who directed the first (and best) installment. Singer is currently in talks to take on X-Men: First Class for Fox. The “first class” thing isn’t about how fancy they are; it’s an origin story about the first class of X-ers to make it through the “Xavier Institute for Higher Learning,” aka mutant high school. New characters are being planned to mingle with the older (but younger) characters and the prequel will also explore the first meeting of Charles Xavier and Magneto. When’s it scheduled to graduate from idea to green light and then production schedule? Not even Magneto knows.

Hugh Jackman gets gay again

In the most recent flurry of Hugh Jackman, Inc. activity (not counting his fictional appearance on Inside the Actor’s Studio for 30 Rock, the moment that inspired the now-legendary line, “I’m not gay, I’m BI-LARIOUS!”) something monumentally odd almost slipped through the cracks. In all the hoopla over the next Wolverine movie and the planned remake of Carousel, a smaller entertainment seedling sprouted. It’s called Avon Man. It’s about a down-on-his-luck guy who winds up selling Avon cosmetics, recruiting other men in his town to join him on his lipstick and moisturizer-based journey. Because men doing things ladies do is automatically funny somehow. The comedy is still on Jackman’s back burner, but expect major Skin So Soft synergy to take place when it gets closer to a release date.

Romeo San Vicente moisturizes daily.

Who doesn’t? He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@ qsyndicate.com.

“I’m not gay. I grew up singing and dancing, so people have been calling me gay since fifth grade. I’ve heard everything you could possibly hear about it. But I do love gay people, so I’m not going to act like I was insulted or angry about it.”

— Glee star Matthew Morrison, who plays Will Schuester, to Elle, Dec. 18.

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the fun guide

January 2010

The Gay Wedding Planner: Happily-Ever-After Begins Right Now! by Beau Fodor As this new year begins with already four large destination weddings—two of which will bring over 150 guests each, from Texas and Minnesota—planned for this coming summer of love, I’m so grateful to be living in our GREAT state. And in these few winter months ahead, I plan to regroup and rethink strategies (and address the challenges) for the spectacular wedding season that lies ahead.

For the upcoming brides and grooms, who may be wondering where to begin, here’s a “Top Ten To-Do” list: 1. Establish that budget and STICK TO IT! Whether a D-I-Y $2,000.00 ceremony and reception, or a lavish $35,000.00 destination Vineyard wedding, this is truly THE MOST IMPORTANT part of the plan!

2. Define your personal vision. Create a look or feel (or theme) for your wedding and integrate it throughout the celebration.

3. Find and book that perfect location venue NOW! 4. Choose your color palette to create a memorable, visually holistic experience.

5. Personalize the big day, by incorporating your personal style, story, family, and friends into your celebration.

6. Find that wedding attire NOW! (Tuxes and gowns on sale thru February!)

7. Research etiquette for the upcoming big day and the dilemmas that are sure to be a part of it. Invites, RSVP’s, seating charts, kids or no kids, wedding party gifts, and don’t forget tipping!)

8. Register right. This is a godsend for

your guests and will provide enough. Our next expena good foundation for your diture on an Olivia Cruise life together. or a Miami circuit party is 9. Get gorgeous. not going to make one bit Whether a spa day, get a of difference in the reality complete make-over, or of our movement toward even hire a fitness trainer. equality. We must have 10. Last, but certainly the courage to be ourselves NOT least, if you will have outside of our cloistered more than 20 guests, LGBT+ groups. or are spending more In staying in the than $2,000.00, HIRE A closet—even one foot in, PLANNER. No matter how one foot out—especially fabulous, or anal-retentive to co-workers, friends you are, there is no such and family, we also stay thing as a bride or groom invisible to the rest of the who can do it all and still world. Take yourself more be a guest at their own seriously as a member of wedding! And with now human-kind and be both.

15 destination weddings If not for yourselves, then behind me, EVERY couple for the generations that lies has said it was the best beyond us. We, especially money they EVER spent! the 30/40/50-somethings, Last month’s issue NEED TO and HAVE TO of ACCESSline feature a create this change. We must Beau Fodor column titled “The happicontinue to put down the ness and heartache that cocktails, get our butts off was 2009” by editor Arthur Breur. It set a the bar stools and lift our voices in protest. stage for where we’ve been and what lies And if you can’t bring yourself to speak up, ahead in 2010.

PULL OUT THOSE CHECKBOOKS, and use We must not rest on our laurels. We your dollars to have One Iowa do it for you! must work harder at becoming visible and Beau Fodor is an Iowa wedding planner HONEST. Just attending and talking to one who focuses specifically on weddings for another at gay-businessmen-breakfasts or the LGBT community. He can be reached professional-elitist-snob-cocktail-parties through iowasgayweddingplanner.com or (and I say this as an insider to these!) is not gayweddingswithpanache.com.

A Single Man movie review by Chris Azzopardi

Queer couture designer Tom Ford fash- bors juxtapose his sorrowful state as they blast ions beautiful, heartbreaking film through life with unshakeable smiles. In them, This is how you know a gay fashion he sees the possibility of restoring what he designer made A Single Man: It looks great. lost—happiness and hope.

And this poetic beauty, He finds that in in all its chic come-to-life Kenny (Nicholas Hoult contrast, is what makes of About a Boy fame), an Tom Ford’s dynamic analytical intellectual and directorial debut, where one of George’s students, color dances about the who charms the pants off funereal monochromatic his teacher. Literally, as scheme to represent life’s they doff their duds and vigor, an eye-gasm that skinny dip in the lake—a Nicholas Hoult. Photo: The Weinstein only sometimes swalscene that’s simplistiCompany lows its own story. cally beautiful and awash Based on Christopher Isherwood’s with magical morose-parting optimism. Hoult, heralded 1964 novel about an empty, closeted a pretty boy with the most gorgeous oceangay man whose zeal for living dies when his colored eyes, perfectly plays the inquisitive partner of 16 years, Jim (a charming Matthew kid who suspects George’s isolation.

Goode), actually does, A Single Man is essenBut the eloquent film belongs to Firth, tially a tale of sadness, loneliness and love, giving an Oscar-caliber interpretation of a all oozing in the bleakest of tones in its artful man clouded with dashed hopes, all the more cinematic translation. heartbreaking when he sees his lover Jim in Only intermittently does gay English black-and-white flashbacks and we gradually professor George Falconer (Colin Firth in a realize what a pair they were. career-best performance), living in L.A. during Barely an iota of it is translated in the the ‘60s, come alive – and when he does, the scheming mainstream-beguiling trailer, which on-screen palette bursts into brightness like implies only a hetero hookup between Charley a rainbow after a storm. It befits the sullen- and George—one that’s obviously important but-sometimes-funny script (keenly written to A Single Man, but hardly the crux of Ford’s

by Ford and David Scearce), which is a daylong film, which is unabashedly queer. Two men look into the life of George as he plans his even kiss. On the lips. suicide. But can the people around him help Sexuality, though, has little to do with him fight his fate? what George is experiencing—the most There’s the pity party with his best friend universal of human conditions: to feel, to lose, Charley, aced by a spirited Julianne Moore— to suffer. Color can help translate that, as it especially as she gets increasingly playful with does splendidly here, but Firth’s wounded each tonic concoction she sucks down. A hot performance does that just fine on its own. hooker makes George feel wanted. The neighGrade: A-

“It’s been brought to my attention that this is a political act, even though that’s not what it feels like to me—it just feels like personal exposure and it’s uncomfortable. But my understanding is that so much research has been done that says that if anybody knows someone who’s gay or lesbian, then when they are addressing gay or lesbian issues, political issues, that affect their rights, they are less likely to vote against them, to take away their rights. So ... if I can be that lesbian you know now, ‘OK, well, if I vote this way, then that actually might affect this person I know, that Meredith.’ ” — Actress Meredith Baxter (Birney) from the TV shows Family and Family Ties, to the TV show Today, Dec. 2.

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Out of Town: Celebrating the Winter Olympics and WinterPride in Vancouver and Whistler by Andrew Collins British Columbia’s star city, Vancouver, and most famous ski town, Whistler, are hosting the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in early 2010, and from a GLBT perspective this is an unprecedented Olympic event.

For the first time there will be a GLBT pavilion, called PRIDE House, set up throughout both sets of games, with the main base in Whistler and a satellite branch in Vancouver.

Furthermore, the day after the Olympics closing ceremony, Whistler kicks off its 18th Annual WinterPride gay ski week. It’s a very exciting time to experience these two wonderfully progressive and dramatically scenic destinations.

What to See and Do in Vancouver

In Vancouver, one of the world’s most stunning cities, you can kayak in English Bay in the morning before skiing down Grouse Mountain later that afternoon—indeed, few cities offer better access to the great outdoors. The city’s glimmering, postmodern city center anchors a peninsula jutting into the rippling Strait of Georgia, its shoreline sculpted by bays and inlets.

From just about anywhere on this peninsula, you’re within walking distance of two beaches, leafy Stanley Park, the ultra-gay Davie Village district, and several similarly diverting neighborhoods. It’s for all these reasons that winter visitors to Vancouver will find plenty to keep them busy.

Vancouver is a highly progressive place—feminists, lesbians and gays play a prominent role in local politics, have helped rejuvenate flagging neighborhoods, and support a compact but potent restaurant and club scene. The West End, which abuts downtown, is the city’s main gay commercial and residential sector. You’ll find most of the gay nightlife and social scene along a roughly eight-block stretch of Davie Street known as Davie Village. Farther north, Davie intersects with another lively strip of cool shops and restaurants, Denman Street. At this intersection, you’re just steps from sparkling English Bay Beach, a fine spot to catch a few rays on a warm afternoon.

Davie Village is a terrific neighborhood for eating and barhopping. Bin 941 exemplifies the growing popularity of tapas restaurants in Vancouver. Try the mussels steamed with habanero chilies, kafir-lime leaf, and cypress-honey lager, and enjoy a local vintage from the fabulous wine list.

The campy and affordable Hamburger Mary’s is a fun, late-night bet for burgers, fries and diner fare. Near where Davie meets Denman, you can sample inventive Pacific Northwestern cuisine at the Raincity Grill where dishes like grilled bison strip loin with lentil-and-braised-rib ragout await you. Grab an espresso nearby at gay-popular Delany’s or up the street at Melriches, which is just around the corner from the acclaimed queer book and gift shop, Little Sisters.

Later in the evening, check out Davie Street’s gay bars, the most popular being

Celebrities and the Odyssey, which both draw young, stylish crowds. Both spots pull their share of lesbians, but Celebrities is the more diverse of the two. The Odyssey has a festive patio and a great little dance floor. Other fun drinking spots along Davie include Oasis (an attractively decorated piano cabaret and restaurant), Pumpjack (a neighborhood pub with a leather-and-Levi’s vibe), 1181 (an ultra-chichi martini lounge drawing a wellcoiffed crowd), Fountainhead Pub (a casual bar with a great patio), Score (the neighborhood gay sports bar), and Numbers (a lovably dive-y cruise bar with three levels).

Photo: Andrew Collins Just steps from the West End you’ll discover the beautiful, rugged Stanley Park, which occupies a peninsula of more than 1,000 unspoiled acres of lush greenery, forests of cedar and Douglas fir, sandy beaches, and panoramic maritime vistas.

From here it’s a short drive to North Vancouver, home to Grouse Mountain ski area. For a great photo-op, stop by the nearby 450-footlong Capilano Suspension Bridge, which swings gently (for the most part) 230 feet above the river below it.

Back in the city center, you’ll find some of the city’s best upscale shopping along Robson Street, and you can enjoy a more historic aspect of Vancouver by wandering through Gastown, the site of Canada’s transcontinental railroad terminus. Today you can stroll along Gastown’s main cobbled thoroughfare, Water Street, past dozens of somewhat touristy shops and restaurants.

A culinary highlight in Gastown, Salt Tasting Room lets guests create their own charcuterie-and-cheese platters, with an emphasis on regional artisan purveyors (as well as fine BC wines). Not far from Gastown, also check out romantic Chambar, which specializes in creative Belgian fare.

Walk a several blocks south, not far from BC Place Stadium (a major venue in the Olympics), and you’ll find Yaletown, where Vancouver’s fine-arts-and-fashion elite has converted dozens of early 20th-century warehouses into chic restaurants, galleries, and shops (including the stellar gourmet food market, Urban Fare, an excellent place to pick up picnic supplies). Yaletown is also where you can catch a water taxi to Granville Island, a former shipping and processing center for the city’s logging industry that’s been converted to a mammoth public market

and many galleries and artists’ studios.

Yaletown abounds with sophisticated restaurants and memorable people watching.

There’s Blue Water Cafe, whose specialties include a sampler of four ceviches with salmon, halibut, tuna, and scallops, and a wonderful entree of local sablefish caramelized with soy and sake. A block away, slick Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar turns out delicious food, including tequila lamb satay with limemint glaze. This is the flagship of the whitehot Glowbal restaurant group, which includes the acclaimed Yaletown newcomer Society, with its cheeky take on mod comfort food.

Don’t miss the very grownup milkshakes (like one with Nutella, frangelico, and baileys), or the rich lobster gnocchi with a parmesan crust.

A downtown Glowbal eatery that’s de rigueur for fans of seafood, the swanky Coast Restaurant is one of Vancouver’s definitive see-and-be-seen hangouts. From incomparable Dungeness crab cakes to smoked salmon flatbread with dill-crème fraiche and capers. Inside the gayfriendly, discreetly upscale Metropolitan Hotel, you can savor first-rate Pacific Northwest cuisine, including local bay scallops with porcini risotto, and Pemberton Valley beef strip-loin and short ribs with lump crabmeat and bordelaise sauce. With its grand, old-world setting and beautifully interpreted classic Continental cuisine, Bacchus is a lovely place to share a glass of wine by a roaring fire, or feast on Dover sole or slow-braised veal cheeks.

It’s a 15-minute drive east of the city center to Commercial Drive, a neighborhood that’s been reborn in the past decade as the city’s lesbian hub. Here you’ll find several woman-owned shops, including Womyn’s Ware, the definite source for women’s sex toys, lube, and fetish wear. Most afternoons and evenings, you’ll see cute dykes passing time at the neighborhood’s several shabbychic coffeehouses. This is also a great area for affordable, healthful cuisine. Excellent options include globally inspired Stella’s Tap & Tapas Bar and Havana, a great source for delicious Latin-infused fare.

What to See and Do in Whistler

The town of Whistler is home to one of the world’s largest ski areas, the twin mountains (connected by a dramatic aerial tram) of Blackcomb and Whistler. During the Olympics, only about 5 percent of resort’s ski runs will be in use for competitions, meaning this is an excellent time to ski the rest of the mountain. Between the Olympics and Paralympics, from March 1 to March 8, thousands of participants will attend the town’s fantastic WinterPride, which has as many activities for nonskiers as for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. There’s cooking classes, zip-lining tours, parties and events at the LGBT PRIDE House Pavilion.

The Little Black Book -------------------------------------

Vancouver: Bin 941 bin941.com Bacchus wedgewoodhotel.com Blue Water Cafe bluewatercafe.net Celebrities celebritiesnightclub.com Chambar chambar.com Coast coastrestaurant.ca Delany’s 604-662-3344 1181 tightlounge.com Diva’s metropolitan.com/diva Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar glowbalgrill.com Fountainhead Pub thefountainheadpub.com Hamburger Mary’s hamburgermarys.ca Havana havanarestaurant.ca Little Sister’s littlesistersbookstore.com Melriches melriches.com Numbers numbers.ca Oasis theoasispub.com The Odyssey theodysseynightclub.com Pumpjack pumpjackpub.com Raincity Grill raincitygrill.com Salt Tasting Room salttastingroom.com Society society-grg.ca Stella’s Tap & Tapas Bar stellasbeer.com Score scoreondavie.com Tourism Vancouver tourismvancouver.com Urban Fare urbanfare.com Womyn’s Ware womynsware.com Whistler: Araxi araxi.com Bearfoot Bistro bearfootbistro.com Dusty’s Bar & BBQ whistlerblackcomb.com Garibaldi Lift Co. whistlerblackcomb.com Monk’s Grill monksgrill.com Tandoori tandooriwhistler.com Tourism Whistler whistler.com Whistler WinterPride gaywhistler.com The Wine Room fairmont.com/whistler

You’ll find several superb restaurants in this upscale resort, where most of the dining, shopping, and lodging is set around an attractive central village. Don’t miss the exceptional, creative cuisine served at Bearfoot Bistro, one of the town’s top eateries—there’s also a chic champagne bar. Try Bearfoot’s nightly fivecourse tasting menu—favorites here include venison loin with sunchoke-vanilla puree, and local lingcod with crispy squid “frites.”

Other romantic, gay-friendly dining options of note include the elegant Wine Room at the classic Fairmont Chateau Whistler resort, and the farm-to-table-inspired cuisine of Araxi.

Tandoori is a regular supporter of WinterPride and always a reliable bet for artful Indian cuisine. Head to Monk’s Grill, at the foot of Blackcomb Mountain, for apresski fun or, later in the evening, some of the finest steaks in town—this is one of the more gay-popular hangouts in Whistler, as is down-home Dusty’s Bar and BBQ in the resort’s Creekside village. For nightly revelry, a super-friendly staff, and some of the hottest people watching in Whistler, drop by Garibaldi Life Co. (GLC), with its huge fireplaces and expansive patios facing the mountain.

The GLC is just steps from the Whistler Village Gondola. After a day tackling the resort’s internationally acclaimed ski runs, this is the perfect place to finish the day.

Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutofTown@qsyndicate.com.

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LISA’S LIST ly/nwUPI, and http://bit.ly/HcGaM. FAMILY POTLUCK IN DES MOINES: A group in Des Moines holds casual family potlucks.

People interested in joining the group should e-mail mfender@lambdalegal.org or call Matt Fender at 515-288-4019 ext 202.

FEMINIST, POLITICAL, SMART, ESSENTIALLY ESTROGEN! Check out www.essentialesstrogen.com for blogs by and concerning women.

The link www.essentialestrogen.com/blogroll.html has a list of Iowa blogs of all different sorts by women of all different sorts. For feminist blogs, go to www.esssentialestrogen.com/essentialfeminists.html. Check it out!

OUTHISTORY REQUESTS HISTORIES OF LGBT EMPLOYEE AND OTHER GROUPS: Knowledgeable members of the public can create on-site histories of LGBT corporate employee groups, unions, and professional groups. Any logged-in users can contribute to the site. The entries can be accessed on OutHistory through their group titles: LGBT Employee Groups: A History; LGBT Union Groups: A History; and LGBT Professional Groups: A History. OutHistory. org is a freely accessible, nonprofit, educational website produced by the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies. For more info, e-mail Jonathan Ned Katz at outhistory@gc.cuny.edu.

GLBT EVENTS LIST: Bridget Malone sends a comprehensive monthly (and sometimes more often) listing of GLBT events in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. To get on her list, e-mail malone.bridget@gmail.com. Bridget’s list comes out twice per month, around the 1st and the 15th.

If you hear of GLBT related events, please send them to her at malone.bridget@gmail.com.

QUAD CITIES GROUPS: The Lesbian Book Club is reading books by or about lesbians. Nonlesbians are welcome to attend. All meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3707 Eastern Ave., Davenport, and meet the 4th Saturday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. OUT (Our United Truth): A GLBT Support Group meets every Tuesday evening from 7-8:30pm, also at the Unitarian Universalist Church (address above). For more info, call 563-359-0816.

CEDAR RAPIDS GLBT SPIRITUAL GROUP: The GLBT Spiritual Group meets to socialize, discuss topics, share stories, hang out and have fun! The current plan is to meet alternating months for dinner and get together to do a fun activity other months. To be included on future e-mails and invitations, contact Susan at liddelles@aol.com. Or sign up for the new Google Group cedar-rapids-glbta-interfaith-group@ googlegroups.com.

ONE IOWA, the state’s largest LGBT advocacy organization, is dedicated to supporting full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals living in Iowa through grassroots education and advocacy. Check out their website, donate, volunteer, and become involved: www. oneiowa.org/web/.

OLD CAPITOL CITY ROLLER GIRLS: Iowa City’s roller derby team is up and rolling! For more info or if you want to join, contact: Sarah Carter (Huzzie Lecher #FU), Coach, Asst. Team Manager at 515-201-0161 or kaylola3@aol.com; or Amanda Sergent (Kila Kaylola #H8), Team Manager, Asst. Coach at 515-201-4743 or kaylola3@aol.com. Visit the Old Capitol City Roller Girls at www.myspace.com/oldcapitolcityrollergirls or e-mail occrgirls@yahoo.com.

NEW WOMEN IN MUSIC CDs! Visit www.ladyslipper.org for the best of women in music!

DO YOU GET LC? Lesbian Connection is

the fun guide the free worldwide forum of news, ideas, and information for, by, and about lesbians, with info on festivals, travel, conferences, retirement communities, books, health issues, relationships, politics, and much more. Ambitious Amazons have been publishing since 1974, and they mail issues out every other month in plain brown envelopes. If you’d like to start receiving LC for free, all you need to do is email elsiepub@aol.com with your full name and mailing address. LC’s official name and address is Elsie Publishing Institute (EPI), PO Box 811, East Lansing, MI 48826, ph 517-371-5257, fax 517-371-5200. EPI is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 nonprofit charity.

WEBSITE FOR MIDWESTERN EVENTS: If you want to know what’s going on in neighboring states for women, check out Kai Phillipi’s website www.lambdabuzz.com.

BETA SIGMA PHI is an international women’s friendship network. It provides educational programs to its members and opportunities for service to others. It includes women of all ages, interests, and educational and economic backgrounds. It’s the largest organization of its kind in the world. For more info, contact Mackenzie Hootman at mmh52204@hotmail.com or call 319-721-2105.

IOWA PRIDE NETWORK: If you are interested in getting more involved and active in Iowa’s GLBTQ community, focusing on safe schools and LGBT student leadership and development, check out the Iowa Pride Network’s new website www.iowapridenetwork.org. Register at iowapridenetwork.org/jointhenetwork.htm to join this LGBT and Allied network of students and supporters.

WOMEN’S CULTURAL COLLECTIVE: Check out the happenings in Des Moines and the surrounding areas that are sponsored or supported by the Women’s Cultural Collective (WCC) at www.iowawcc.org.

IOWA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: Visit www.women.iowa.gov to find resources and tools for women, ICSW initiatives, and information for girls.

PRAIRIEWOODS: Check out all the events for women and friends at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha. If you’ve never been there, you don’t know what you’re missing. Visit www.prairiewoods.org for more info and a long list of events.

ONE-TIME EVENTS:

January 6-24, Disney’s THE LION KING, Broadway’s award-winning best musical, at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. For more info or tix, visit www.ticketmaster.com or www. civiccenter.org.

January 13-24, DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY at the Temple Theater, Des Moines. For more info or tix, visit www.civiccenter.org.

January 15-17, TRAINING IN ART AND SOCIAL CHANGE seminar at Legion Arts/CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or to get involved, visit www.legionarts.org or e-mail info@legionarts.org.

January 15-24, THE LARAMIE PROJECT, presented by Theatre Cedar Rapids at TCR Lindale, 4444 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, visit www.theatrecr.org.

Saturday, January 16, 2 and 7pm, CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. For more info or tix, visit www.englert.org or call 319-688-2653. A celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there, Church Basement Ladies is a new musical comedy featuring four distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota church about to undergo changes in 1964.

Saturday, January 16, 7-9pm, MARY McADAMS with Chad Elliott – “One Hot January Night” at People’s Court, Des Moines. Cost: $40 VIP seating (reservation REQUIRED) includes admission to concert, reserved seat at table up front, a $15 bottle of wine to enjoy during the concert (doors open for VIP ticket holders at 6pm). To make your VIP reservation, contact Bonita Crowe at afinetime4wine@aol.com or call 515-314-4472. Your reservation is not confirmed until payment is received. $10 General Admission.

Thursday, January 28, 9pm, DESDAMONA at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. Desdamona is the premiere female hip hop and spoken word artist in the Midwest. A FIVE time Minnesota Music Award winner for Best Spoken Word Artist and winner of Honolulu’s Slam 2004 Slam Championship. $6 cover. Visit www.myspace.com/desdamona.

Saturday, January 30, 9pm, SARAH CRAM and the Derelicts with Adobanga at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. For more info, visit www.icmill.com or call 319-3519529. $6 cover.

RECURRING EVENTS:

Every Sunday, 5-6pm, GLBT AA, First Baptist Church at 500 N. Clinton St., Iowa City.

For more info about Intergroup and Alcoholics Anonymous call the 24-Hour Answering Service at 319-338-9111 or visit the AA-IC website: www.aa-ic.org.

Every Sunday, 7pm, L WORD LIVES: L NIGHT at the Firewater Saloon, 347 South Gilbert St., Iowa City, 319-321-5895. The night will start with Season 1, Episode 1 of the L Word... because a good thing should never die. FoLLowing the L Word wiLL be a Drag King show at 9:30 p.m.

No cover.

Every Sunday, 6-8:30pm, THE QUIRE: Eastern Iowa’s GLBT Chorus Rehearsals, at Zion Lutheran Church, 310 N. Johnson St., Iowa City.

Membership is open to all GLBT folks, as well as allies who support the community. There are no auditions; you only need to be willing to attend rehearsals regularly and learn your music. For more info, visit www.thequire.org.

Every Sunday, QUEER GUERRILLA BRUNCH, location in Iowa City to be announced each week. LGBTQIs & Allies gather for Sunday brunch to celebrate queer visibility & community. Sign up for future brunches on Facebook at apps.facebook.com/causes/307228/41151079.

Every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 3-6pm, TANGO LESSONS at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Cost is $5. Everyone welcome; no partner or experience necessary. For more info, call Elie at 319-363-1818 or e-mail epsa@ aol.com.

Third Sunday of the month, 3-4pm, IOWA CITY PRIDE PLANNING COMMITTEE, Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room E. Come help plan the 2010 Iowa City Pride Festival (to be held Saturday, June 19, 2010). For more info, contact Bridget at malone.bridget@gmail.com.

Third Monday of every month, 6pm, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) of Cedar Rapids Metro Area, 6 p.m. (social time), 6:30 p.m. (meeting time), in the Middle Room of Faith United Methodist Church, 1000 30th St, NE, Cedar Rapids. Call 515-537-3126 for more details. Coffee and refreshments will be served before the meeting, beginning at 6 p.m.

Everyone is welcome; confidentiality is required.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil

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First Monday of the month, 6:30pm, Iowa PFLAG Quad Cities Chapter Meeting, at Eldridge United Methodist Church, 604 S. 2nd St., Eldridge.

For more info, call 563-285-4173.

First/Second Monday (alternating) of the month, 7pm, Iowa PFLAG North Iowa Chapter Meeting, at First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Pierce St., Mason City. For more info, call 641-583-2848.

Fourth Monday of the month, 7pm, Iowa PFLAG Waukon/Northeast Chapter Meeting, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, 309 W. Main St., in the Parish Center, Decorah. For more info, call 563-535-7680.

Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 6pm, and every Saturday at 5:30pm, GLBT ONLY AA MEETINGS IN DES MOINES, at 945 19th St. (east side of building, south door).

Second Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30pm, SPIRITUAL SEEKERS, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 E. College St, Iowa City. Spiritual Seekers is a group for people of all faiths, or of little faith, who wish to make deeper connections between their sexual identities and the spiritual dimension in their lives. Meetings include discussion of specialized topics, telling of pieces of our faith journeys, and occasional prayer and meditation. (On the 4th Tuesday of each month, the group gathers at a local restaurant for food and fellowship.) For more info, contact Tom Stevenson: tbstevenson@mchsi.com or 319.354.1784.

Second Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8pm, GLRC OF CEDAR RAPIDS BOARD MEETING at 6300 Rockwell Dr, Cedar Rapids. Meetings are open to the general public. For more info, call 319-366-2055 or visit: www.crglrc.org/.

Second Tuesday of every month, WOMEN FOR PEACE KNITTERS meet for knitting, crocheting, and discussion, 9:30am-Noon at Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha.

For more info, call 319-377-3252 or go to www.womenforpeace-iowa.org. All ages and levels of needlework skills welcome. Come knit for charities.

Second Tuesday of every month, Iowa PFLAG Ames Chapter Meeting, 7pm, at the Youth and Shelter Services Offices, 420 Kellogg Ave., 1st Floor, Ames. For more info, call 515-291-3607.

Every Tuesday, 7-8:30pm, ACE INCLUSIVE BALLROOM at Old Brick 26 E. Market St, Iowa City. An equal opportunity social dance workshop/rehearsal for LGBT people. All skill levels are welcome. American social dance, Latin, a mix of dance from the last 100 years. For more info, contact Mark McCusker at iowadancefest@gmail. com, 319-621-8530 or Nora Garda at 319-4004695, or visit iowadancefest.blogspot.com.

Every Tuesday evening, 7:30-9:30pm, ARGENTINE TANGO practice and open dance, at the Iowa City Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St, Iowa City. A donation of $1-2 per person is requested for use of the Senior Center. For more info, contact Karen Jackson at 319-447-1445 or e-mail kljedgewood@msn.com.

Every Tuesday evening, 7pm, OUT (Our United Truth): A GLBT Support Group meets 7-8:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3707 Eastern Ave., Davenport. For more info, call 563-359-0816.

Every Tuesday at 9pm, KARAOKE IDOL at Studio 13, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City. Drink specials and great competition! Visit www. sthirteen.com.

First Wednesday of every month, CEDAR RAPIDS CHARTER CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION meets. For more info, visit charter-chapter.tripod.com.

First Wednesday of the month, 7pm,

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Hear Me Out by Chris Azzopardi Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment

best “Pick U Up”) and vulnerable slowies are all here for our entertainment. Too much?

Yeah. Sometimes the album’s like an 18-yearold running loose in a porn store. But, then again, you’re talking about a guy who boasts about being born with glitter on his face. This should be the least of our worries.

Grade: B

Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster

Monsters kill, and few have done more chart-slaying than the towering, twisted

Across 1 Ballet move 5 Petty of A League of Their Own 9 Puts it to 13 Pomo ___ Homos 14 Similar in nature 15 Anderson of TV and film 16 Dial ___ Murder 17 “The Knife” handle 18 Tops a cupcake 19 Hallmark TV movie starring 50Across 22 L. Cruz and C. Torres, on Grey’s Anatomy 23 Tricky turn 24 Quiet partner 25 Had oral sex at home?

27 Grazing ground 29 Street material 30 Margolyes of Ladies in Lavender 33 Muscle Mary stat 34 ‘80s sitcom starring 50-Across 36 Juicy job for a fruit?

38 Plane name 39 ___ Tin Tin 40 Group of games, for Mauresmo 41 Drag queen’s garment 45 Thumb-turning critic 47 Mai ___ cocktail 49 Where to find lesbianation.com 50 Actress who recently came out on The Today Show 54 Persian Gulf land 55 Mrs., in Munich 56 Little bit

Judging the guylinered gay based solely on his sexually superfluous shot at being, uh, “spontaneously artistic” during the American Music Awards wouldn’t be fair. He needed none of the pseudo fellatio, because he can sing—and the Idol runner-up thankfully applies his rocketing range to these 14 tracks better than he does a man’s face to his clothed junk. He’s still making whoopee on “For Your Entertainment,” the hyper-sexual good-gaygone-bad bit, and turning up the heat on Lady Gaga’s co-written contribution “Fever,” wringing a falsetto-laced chorus that’s so Scissor Sisters in its sound and unapologetic homoliciousness. His debut is easily the edgiest of all Idol firsts (and maybe it knows that just a little too well). Perhaps that’s because of Lambert’s versatility—retro glamrock (like the crippled “Strut”), anthemic rock (“Time for Miracles”), musical-lit lifters (disc

Q-PUZZLE: “God Bless the Child That Sings”

57 Abercrombie & Fitch event 58 Old T-bird features 59 BenGay target 60 Apart from this 61 Coupling device

62 Penetrate slowly Down 1 Queer symbol from Greek alphabet 2 Hard work

musical mastermind behind some of this year’s weirdest WTF-was-that? moments.

So it was more obvious than anything Gaga’s done that we’d get a part two (you know how these monsters are). The eight songs—some ferociously fly (“Bad Romance”), a couple big blunders (she tries honky-tonk on “Teeth,” and it bites) and some old, recycled gimmicks on new cuts—are part of a generous re-issue

3 Turn on 4 Chi Chi LaRue’s field 5 The Silence of the ___ 6 Green lights 7 Costa ___ 8 Makes tats 9 Gertrude’s partner 10 Ancient Greek gay, perhaps 11 Vulnerable leg bone 12 Religious women who don’t have sex with men 20 Jeans material 21 Clean-air org.

26 Mosque leader 27 One-night-stand partners 28 They’re trained to use paddles 31 Evita lyricist Tim 32 “Why should ___ you?”

33 Admiral’s position?

34 Six Feet Under events 35 Urvashi Vaid’s birthplace 36 Basis of an argument 37 The L word, to conservatives 40 Possible result of unsafe sex 42 Seduce 43 Foam at the mouth 44 Meryl of The Hours 46 Zellweger of Chicago 47 Express gratitude to 48 Manhandle 51 Dubious 52 Threesome 53 Opening day, briefly

• SOLUTION ON PAGE 27

January 2010 of 2008’s The Fame. In step with the worlddominating disco ball she dropped on us pre-Monster, head-hijacker “Bad Romance” wields a colossal new-wave synth sound like Michael Myers does a machete. Her weapon is unleashed a lot, cutting through the Beyoncéteamed “Telephone” and the way gay retro shimmer of “Dance in the Dark” (namedropping like Madonna via “Vogue”). Songs about self-obsession, like “I’m So Happy I Could Die,” don’t exactly jell with “Speechless,” a heartfelt orchestral ballad with a ‘70 rock feel. But, hey, at least it makes this fame monster seem more human.

Grade: B-

Rihanna, Rated R

That umbrella Rihanna gave us almost three years ago could’ve come in handy during her very public Chris Brown beating.

She was mum for a while, but clearly that’s

because she wanted the music doing the talking. And so it does on Rated R—a dark, sometimes-horrific portrait of the 21-yearold Barbadian vixen, who’s recorded a brave pop opus that’s nothing like 2007’s chart glutton Good Girl Gone Bad. She’s badder, but in the raw, de-sexualized sense that goth-rock “Russian Roulette” evokes with its violent analogies and radical anti-contempo sound.

“Cold Case Love,” about a derailed relationship (and ex-boyfriend Brown, presumably), is meticulously swelled into a blistering masterpiece, ending calmly with a string lilt. You can almost see Rihanna walking out of the fire. She doesn’t start many, as it’s almost all more heavy than hooky—though self-boasting “Rude Boy,” “Hard” and “Fire Bomb” have insta-hit potential. But this is Rihanna the Woman, not the Girl—and her fourth offering is a mature reflection of someone who, at the time she recorded this, wasn’t living under the disco ball anymore.

She was seeing herself in it.

Grade: A-’

the fun guide

ACCESSline Page 25

ACCESSline Page 26

INSURANCE - IOWA CITY

MASSAGE THERAPIST - QC

TAXI CAB - CEDAR RAPIDS

WINE - CEDAR RAPIDS

the fun guide SScontinued from page 23

LISA’S LIST CONNECTIONS’ RAINBOW READING GROUP, Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room B, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City. For more info, contact Todd at: faunides@yahoo.com.

First Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8pm, WOMEN’S SACRED CIRCLE at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha. This group is for women who are interested in gathering for spiritual growth. The direction and activities of the group are determined by participants. $5 per session. For more info, visit www.prairiewoods.org.

Second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8pm, STONEWALL DEMOCRATS, the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party, meets at Hamburger Mary’s, 222 Glenbrook Dr. SE, behind 2nd Wind off of 1st Ave SE in Cedar Rapids. For more info, contact Harvey Ross at linnstonewall@gmail.com or call 319-389-0093.

Second Wednesday of every month, WOMEN FOR PEACE KNITTERS meet for knitting, crocheting, and discussion, 7-9 p.m. at Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha. For more info, call 319-377-3252 or go to www.womenforpeace-iowa. org. All ages and levels of needlework skills welcome. Come knit for charities.

Every Wednesday, 7-9pm, U OF I GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER AND ALLIES UNION MEETINGS in the Penn State Room #337 of the Iowa Memorial Union, U. of Iowa campus, Iowa City. For more info, visit www.uiowa.edu/~glbtau/ or e-mail glbtau@uiowa.edu. These meetings are open to the public.

First, third, and fifth Thursdays of each month, 6:30-8:30pm, EVENINGS FOR SPIRIT, sponsored by SpiritHill Retreat, 604 Cedar Valley Road, West Branch. Women gather at SpiritHill (or other locations) to share our spiritual experiences, visions and longings.

No specific spiritual practice is followed. This event is always open to newcomers. For more info, call 319-643-2613, or e-mail spirithill@earthlink.net. Calling in advance is highly recommended to confirm the location for the specific month of interest.

Second Thursday of the month, 7-9pm, OPEN MIC WITH MARY MCADAMS at Ritual Café, on 13th St. between Locust and Grand, downtown Des Moines. Visit www.ritualcafe.com. For more info, e-mail mary@marymcadams.com.

Second Thursday of the month, 7pm (6:30pm social time), Iowa PFLAG Omaha/Council Bluffs Chapter Meeting, at Mead Hall, First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., Omaha. For more info, call 402-291-6781.

Third Thursday of every month, 7-10pm, OPEN MIC HOSTED

BY KIMBERLI, at the Blue Strawberry Coffee Company (now open after the flood), 118 2nd St. SE, Downtown Cedar Rapids. Signup at 6:30 p.m. or by e-mailing flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com the week prior to the open mic.

Third Thursday of every month, 7-9pm, CONNECTIONS GAME NIGHT, at Donnelly’s Pub, 110 E. College St., in downtown Iowa City.

Third Thursday of every month, 7pm, Iowa PFLAG Dubuque/ Tri-State Chapter Meeting, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1276 White St., Dubuque. For more info, call 563-582-9388.

Every 4th Thursday of the month, PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK (PWN) meetings. For more info, visit www.pwn.org, e-mail pwn@pwn.org, or call Shelley Woods at 319-981-9887.

Every 4th Thursday of the month, 7:30pm, THE GLBT READING GROUP meets in the conference room at Red Cross Building at 6300 Rockwell Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids. The group is open to new members; contact crglbtreadinggroup@yahoo.com for further info.

Every Thursday and Friday, 6-10 pm, SHANNON JANSSEN at The Cedar Grille at the Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Shannon performs a variety of music including original songs on the Grand Piano in the hotel’s beautiful atrium.

No reservations required.

First Friday every month: the FIRST FRIDAY BREAKFAST CLUB is an educational, non-profit corporation for gay and bisexual men to provide mutual support, to be educated on community affairs, and to further educate community opinion leaders with more positive images of gay men. It is the largest breakfast club in the state of Iowa. Breakfast begins promptly at 7:00am at the Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

First Friday of the month, FAIRFIELD ART WALK. For more info, visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.com.

First Friday of every month between February 6 and December 4, 5-8 pm, DAWN’S COFFEE HOUSE, at Dawn’s Hide and Bead Away, 220 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Music and light snacks are provided. Proceeds from the door are split between the non-profit

January 2010 of the month and the store (to cover the cost of snacks). Any other donations received go 100% to the non-profit. $3 cover. For more info, phone 319-338-1566.

First Friday of the month, GUERRILLA QUEER BAR MEETUP! Tired of the same old bars? Crave the idea of bringing your queer and straight friends together in a fun, new environment? We’re descending upon an unsuspecting straight bar and turning it into a gay bar for the night. To join in: join our Facebook group, Google group or Twitter feed. You’ll receive an email the morning of each event with the name of a classically hetero bar and the meeting time. Call your friends, have them call their friends, show up at the bar and watch as it becomes the new “it” gay bar for one night only.

Visit groups.google.com/group/iowa-city-guerrilla-queer-bar.

Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the each month at 7pm, a DRUMMING CIRCLE meets at the Unity Center of Cedar Rapids, 3791 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. For more info, call 319-4317550.

Third Friday of every month, 8pm, OLD-TIME DANCE FOR ALL, a Barn Dance 12 miles east of Iowa City at Scattergood Friends School. Admission is $5.00 per person. Singles and couples, beginners and veterans welcome. The music is live, and all dances are taught and called (that is, prompted while the music is playing).

Note: (1) same-sex couples are common at these dances, (2) they’re no-alcohol, no-smoking events, (3) every dance is taught, so beginners are welcome, and (4) people can attend alone or with a partner. People of a variety of ages show up, and the atmosphere is friendly and inclusive. For more info, phone 319-643-7600 or e-mail treadway@netins.net.

Every Saturday, noon to 1pm, WOMEN FOR PEACE IOWA host Weekly Street Corner Vigils for peace, rain or shine. Meet at the corner of 1st Ave. and Collins Rd. SE (in front of Granite City Brewery), Cedar Rapids. Show your support for our troops by calling for their return from Iraq. For more info, e-mail khall479@ aol.com.

Third Saturday of every month, 2-5pm, QUEER SCRIBBLE FEST at Old Brick on the corner of Market St. and Dubuque St., Iowa City. Different subjects or motifs highlight each month.

All are welcome. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Straight Allies are gathering to scribble, draw, write, talk, or what you will. Bring some music and a snack. It’s FREE but taxdeductible donations are welcome. Donations of papers, pencils, books, and other art materials are also appreciated. For more info, call Mark McCusker at 319-621-8530 or e-mail a.c.experiment@ gmail.com.

Third Saturday of every month, 9pm, ACE DANCE PARTY in the Old Brick Basement, 26 E. Clinton St., Iowa City for St8 Allies, Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders, Queers, Intersexes and others* as an experiment with arts and cultures. BYO music and drinks. Donations benefit ACE, paying for Old Brick rent and programming. ACE is also raising money for a more suitable, fitting, proper/appropriate floor.

Fourth Saturday of every month, 7:30pm, TANGOVIA, join area tango dancers at the Wesley Center, 120 N. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Enjoy a candlelit evening of dance, hors d’oeuvres, and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. Cost is $5. Partner not necessary. Beginners welcome to come at 7 p.m. for an introductory lesson. For more info, call Gail at 319-325-9630, e-mail irelandg@gmail.com, or visit www.tangovia.com.

Fourth Saturday of every month, 7pm, THE LESBIAN BOOK CLUB is reading books by or about lesbians. Non-lesbians are welcome to attend. All meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3707 Eastern Ave., Davenport. For more info, call 563-359-0816.

Every Saturday, 3:30-5:30pm, BAILE LATINO: SALSA, CHA-CHA, MERENGUE AND BACHATA LESSONS taught by Gloria Zmolek, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. No experience or partner necessary. All ages welcome. $5 per person requested.

For more info call 319-365-9611 or visit www.crsalsa.org.

Hamburger Mary’s Weekly Happenings, at 222 Glenbrook Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, off of 1st Ave. Mondays – Charity Bingo at 8 p.m. with a special guest hostess; Tuesdays – Kid’s Night; Wednesdays – Game Night; Thursdays – Mary-oke with Nic from 9pm to 1am; Fridays – Drag Show at 9 p.m. (all ages) and 11 p.m. (21 and over); Saturdays – Open Mic Night followed by Drag Show at 9 p.m. (all ages) and 11 p.m. (21 and over). For more info, e-mail hamburgermaryscr@mchsi.com or visit www.hamburgermaryscr.com.

Thanks for supporting live music, women in the arts, and your community!

Lisa iowalisa@juno.com

January 2010

Section 3: Community

First Friday Breakfast Club speaker for December: Peter Pintus by Bruce Carr Our speaker on December 4 was the Rev. Dr. Peter Pintus, an extraordinary religious and social leader in Des Moines, who gave us an articulate and passionate plea for tolerance and diversity, grounded in his own extraordinary life. This reporter has never observed our breakfastroom so silent and so riveted as it was while he told his remarkable story.

Born in Berlin in 1927, just before Hitler announced the “Third Reich” in 1933 (peter remembers gathering around the radio to hear the speech), he began life as the son of a wealthy ironworks owner with a posh apartment just off the Potsdamer Platz, servants, opera and concerts—all the signs of worldly success. Yes, he was bullied as a Jew in public school, but the family was at first spared the most violent excesses of Nazi repression because his mother was not Jewish—the family was, officially at least, partly Aryan. Even after the “Kristallnacht” [Night of the Broken Glass] of November 1938, which initiated vicious anti-Jewish pogroms throughout the Reich, they still managed to keep their home.

But eventually Peter’s mother buckled under the pressure and, imitating a dear elderly neighbor, took her own life with an overdose. Their protection gone, Peter and his father were arrested as

non-Aryans, their property was seized, and they were sent to a slave-labor camp.

It was a highly secret munitions factory being dug out of a former salt-mine, far beneath the radar of the Allies and most Germans. They kept surviving despite brutal treatment. As the Allies moved in early in I945, however, the Nazis started rounding up even the slaves for transportation to death camps. Alerted, Peter and a buddy staged a dramatic run for their lives, lived like beasts for a week in the forest, and “surrendered” to an Allied officer just before they starved to death.

Released after the fighting stopped, Peter made his way back to Berlin (the apartment house was a shell), found his father, and considered—as an angry, dispossessed, unemployed 18-yearold— what to do. Not a good time. But some inner strength, he said, made him realize at last that his anger was going to kill him if he did not let it go. About this time he met Eva, who would become his wife in 1948 and with him created a family (now numbering five children, ten grandchildren, and starting on great-grandchildren) that has sustained them to this day.

Peter’s journeys since then—physical, educational, professional, and spiritual—would make another morning’s presentation. He has worked and contributed as a teacher, minister, business manager,

social worker, counselor, and chaplain.

(When I first met him, in 1994, he had just been ordained an Episcopal priest!)

For over a decade in Des Moines he has volunteered his services as a chaplain in the Iowa Health Services hospital system, offering substance abuse counseling and support for families in need. As Temple B’nai Jeshurun noted upon presenting him the Torchbearer’s Award in 2004, “Peter has been a continuous thread of spiritual leadership to the Temple community. He has provided tireless support to us—guiding Shabbat services, sharing with us our joys and sorrows, listening to our problems, encouraging us, and being part of our many individual and congregational accomplishments.” He is an active board member of the Des Moines Area Religious Council and pastpresident of the Des Moines Ministerial Association.

And always, he travels as an ambassador to schools, colleges, universities, and civic organizations wanting to listen and learn about the Holocaust and intolerance in Nazi Germany. As a Survivor, Peter Pintus has shared his appalling experiences with thousands of listeners.

His message calls to consciousness the worth of persons, acceptance, and tolerance as a way of life. We were privileged to hear it.

ACCESSline Page 27

HPV transmission case mirrors outdated HIV law

by Arthur Breur

The Iowa Court of Appeals last month confirmed the award of $1.5 million to a Winfield, Iowa woman in her case against a Muscatine man who she claimed infected her with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), despite the man’s argument that he was unaware of his own possible infection.

While well intentioned, laws targeting the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases may do more harm than good, and could encourage irresponsible behavior by inadvertently punishing responsible behavior. (See Brett Edward Stout’s article on page 7.)

Estimates range wildly as to how many adults in this country are infected or have been exposed to HPV; anywhere from 25% to 75% of sexually active adults have been exposed. With HPV, it is also difficult to tell which party infected the other. Symptoms may never appear, or may be too small or “inconveniently located” to be seen. Furthermore, HPV is easily contracted by mere skin contact, meaning that even condom use does not provide reliable protection.

This legal decision, with its significant financial award, will likely lead to further lawsuits specifically because of the difficulty in proving—or disproving—which party has infected the other. And this despite what should be a common public awareness that 25%-75% of potential sexual partners are HPV positive.

One Iowa Public Forums The Iowa legislative session is set to begin in January, and a roster of anti-gay gubernatorial candidates is pledging to take away the freedoms we’ve worked so hard to achieve. One candidate even flaunts the idea of defying the Iowa Supreme Court ruling with an executive order, barring the door to committed couples who want to marry.

One Iowa has been hosting a series of public forums to continue our statewide conversation about marriage equality.

These panel discussions around the state represent various local perspectives: same-sex couples, parents of gays and lesbians, faith and community leaders, the legal community and local businesses.

Since One Iowa began in 2005, we have kept Iowa’s statewide conversation about issues like civil marriage polite and respectful. We hope to continue this conversation about the positive affect of marriage equality on Iowa communities.

We face a critical challenge in Iowa’s long history of civil rights. The opposition will try to chip away at our freedoms; together, we can protect civil marriage and equality in America’s Heartland.

The forums are sponsored by • Iowa Planned Parenthood Affiliate League • Iowa Civil Rights Commission • Interfaith Alliance of Iowa • ACLU of Iowa • NASW - Iowa Chapter • Lambda Legal • Family Equality Council • PFLAG • GLAAD • MetLife

As of the publication date of this newspaper, there are two forums remaining in the series: Thursday, January 14th 6:30-8:00 pm Southeastern Community College Rm 433 1500 West Agency Rd West Burlington, IA 52655 Still to be rescheduled: Newton Public Library 100 N 3rd Ave W Newton, IA 50208-3217

“Nice. New York now joining California in banning gay marriage.

New York and California: the only two states in the country whose streets have disco rollerblading lanes. Not cool with gay marriage.

Because New York and California aren’t as progressive as Iowa!”

— The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, Dec. 3.

ACCESSline Page 28

Section 3: Community

January 2010

Finance, Shaken not Stirred: Holiday Hangovers by Tracy Freese Hello, my economically savvy friends.

Not only does this time of year bring to mind your mother’s battery-operated holiday sweater, it also reminds you of how strapped your wallet really is. On one hand you tell yourself, “Self, great-aunt Betty has been so good to me over the years, I am going to buy her that diamond encrusted paperweight she deserves!” Then you consult your bank account and realize sending her a nice “Merry Christmas!” over the telephone will have to suffice.

Why do we do it? Why do we play mind games with gift-giving? From the contests with the relatives, to the regifting, and the last minute dashes to crowded shopping centers that ruin perfectly good days…an act that is supposed to be selfless becomes stressful!

I recently read somewhere that an economist declared money as the best gift you can give because nothing you could give someone else would compare to the pleasure of them purchasing what they want. Not very sentimental, I know, but very intriguing to think about. Maybe at next year’s gatherings you should mandate that everyone takes the cold hard cash they would spend on each other, wrap it up, and exchange it. What would we do if we had to come clean about the amounts we spend? How venerable we would be if everyone knew we bought that set of steak knives on sale! It would be way too scary to have to admit that it

truly is the thought that counts and not the price. Yikes!

To say nothing of the shell-shock you are probably now feeling as the holiday season comes to an end – why did I spend that much money!? Or, maybe you rationalize the amount of credit card debt as a necessary expenditure because nothing costs more than the guilty realization that you spent $25 less on one child than the others. Reality check people: spend time with your loved ones and spread love not debt!

Gather ‘round my children and I will absolve you from your celestial hangover!

Here is my recipe to break free from the holiday season gridlock: Pre-heat your bank account to a solid $500 by November 1st each year. That means you swipe $50 each month for ten months, February to November, into a designated savings account. Make it easy on yourself and have the money transfer when you get paid so you feel like it wasn’t even there.

Grease your gift-giving wheels by listening to your family member’s gripes and wants throughout the year. Keep a list of when your mom tells you she really needs a file cabinet because her current method of filing involves cardboard boxes and plastic shopping bags. Even better, buy it right then and save it for the future, toss in a paper shredder and you have her birthday covered too! Remember, the best gift is that thing you know they wouldn’t

buy for themselves.

Combine your efforts. If you know Mom and Dad really want a new flat screen, get your siblings, grandparents, and children into the mix! $500 is a lot for one gift but when you split it between ten people, the price looks a lot better.

Cut your budget and stick to it. Believe it or not, you are your own worst enemy on this one. I would wager that a person spends more energy deciding not to give someone a gift and feeling guilty about it than the recipient does not receiving it. Most “outliers” on your list wouldn’t even notice if you didn’t give them anything, heck many of them might wish you didn’t spend anything on them so they could save the money they were going to spend on you. Oh the twisted gift-giving webs we weave!

And finally, bake into your holiday budget some gift ideas that don’t cost a thing. Has your daughter been eyeing one of your rings? Give it to her as an heirloom.

Does your family have a lot of events and occasions going on each year? Create a calendar of everyone’s birthday, anniversaries, and special dates. Write down treasured family recipes. Give them to your sister-in-law who may be new to your family. Think outside the gift box and bake some type of treat for your loved ones, or frame a picture you took of them.

Bon appétit and always keep in mind that sound financial planning gives you control and clarity.

Tracy Freese is a registered financial advisor and can be reached at 319-464-7894 or by email at tfreese@libertybank.com.

Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative, Securian Financial Services, Inc. Securities Dealer.

Member FINRA/SIPC. A Registered Investment Advisor. Securian Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with Liberty Bank.

“Happy Harlem Holidays!! Finally arrived (layover in Vegas—won $9.50 in slots!), got us a tree, about to trim.

Yeah, that kinda trim.”

— Gay actor Neil Patrick Harris in a Dec. 21 tweet.

January 2010

Section 3: Community

PRIDE Institute Sets Another Benchmark for Mental Health Industry

Adolescent Chemical Dependency Treatment Program for LGBTQ Community Opens

ACCESSline Page 29

Community Serving Community: A Pagan Pride of Iowa Fundraiser Helping to support pagan education and the Waypoint Women’s Shelter, January 9, 2010 from 1 to 5pm The Cedar Rapids Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) and the Covent of the Blessed Lady will be hosting a fundraiser on behalf of Pagan Pride of Iowa on January 9, 2010 from 1:00 - 5:00 pm at the Cedar Rapids Peoples’ Church UU. We will have events and refreshments for everyone!

Activities from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.: • Workshops on stones, herbs, reflexology, and creating sacred space • Crafts, activities, and games for the children • Raffle tickets will be sold for prizes • Local vendors and artists will have items available for sale • Coffee, hot cocoa, and Homemade goodies will be served • Mini-psychic fair with palm reading, tarot, and Reiki practitioners At 4:00 p.m. a Public Circle will be held in the Andre Room focusing on Community Support lead by Rev. Shannon Webber, HPS, Covent of the Blessed Lady

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – (Dec. 3, 2009) – To add to its list of firsts, PRIDE Institute is now the only facility in the nation to offer a chemical dependency (CD) treatment program exclusively for adolescents in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community.

The intensive outpatient program (IOP), for adolescents 14 to 19 years of age, was developed based on a needs assessment during fall of 2008.

“According to a study by University of Pittsburgh, 190 percent of LGBTQ youth are more likely to suffer from a substance abuse problem than heterosexual youth,” said Rick Pliszka, CEO of PRIDE Institute. “Here at PRIDE, we understand LGBTQ—it’s the norm, not the exception. We’re already the leading provider in adult LGBTQ care, so who better to help these young adults deal with their chemical dependency issues than us?”

Susan Stemme, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor at PRIDE, oversees the program which combines cognitivebehavioral therapy with the 12-step principles.

“PRIDE’s IOP CD Adolescent Program is designed to help LGBTQ youth learn tools for recovery through a combination of group therapy, education and individual therapy,” said Stemme. “It can be used as a step down from residential levels of care or for patients new to re-

covery with a desire to develop a firm foundation for freedom from chemical use and dependency.”

The IOP CD Adolescent Program meets from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with 10 hours of group counseling, in addition to one hour of individual therapy per week.

About PRIDE Institute Founded in 1986, the PRIDE Institute is the nation’s first and leading provider of inpatient and outpatient programs devoted exclusively to treating the mental health and chemical dependency needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) communities by placing them in a setting exclusively for members of the LGBTQ community. The freestanding 42-bed facility has graduated more than 10,000 LGBTQ members through its healthy alternative to traditional mental health and chemical dependency treatment programs, focusing on the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, sexual compulsivity, depression, anxiety and HIV/AIDS-related stress and grief.

The Pride Institute is located at 14400 Martin Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344.

1-800-54-PRIDE www.Pride-Institute.com

Admission is a donation for the Waypoint Women’s Shelter. Some of the items needed are*: Food Items: • Boxed Pasta Meals • Coffee • Pasta / Pasta Sauces • Peanut Butter Household Items: • Bath Towels / Cloths • Dishwasher Detergent • Foil • Kleenex Children and Baby Items: • Baby Lotion • Packaged Socks • Packaged Underwear • Toddler Pull-Ups Toiletries: • Band-Aids • Deodorant • Disposable Razors • Hair Brush/Comb The cost for readings for the psychic fair will be on a donation basis. A portion of these proceeds will be going towards the Pagan Pride of Iowa event that will take place in Des Moines on August 21, 2010. The goal of Pagan Pride is to help educate the public on what Paganism is about and is an opportunity to give back to the community through charity donations.

Please join us in supporting Pagan Pride of Iowa, the Waypoint Women’s Shelter and the UU Church in bringing our community together and showing that we can make a difference every day of the year.

For more information on this event or Pagan Pride of Iowa, please contact Deborah Maynard, Cedar Rapids CUUPS leader at 319-363-4743 or contact Rev. Shannon Webber, Co-Coordinator of Pagan Pride of Iowa at 319-310-8862.

For a complete list of donation items needed, please visit the Waypoint website at: www.waypointservices.org/Content/Donate/List-of-Needs.aspx

ACCESSline Page 30

Section 3: Community

January 2010

“The phrase ‘mission accomplished’ has gotten a bad rap in recent years, but in this case, it certainly applies.

When we set out to establish Lambda Rising in 1974, it was intended as a demonstration of the demand for gay and lesbian literature. We thought if we could show that there was a demand for our literature, that bookstores could be profitable selling it, we could encourage the writing and publishing of GLBT books, and sooner or later other bookstores would put those books on their own shelves and there would be less need for a specifically gay and lesbian bookstore. Today 35 years later, nearly every general bookstore carries GLBT books, often featuring them in special sections. The other part of our mission was to make good GLBT books and information available to anyone anywhere at a time when such items were very hard to find. Today, people almost anywhere can access GLBT information on the Internet.”

— Deacon Maccubbin, founder and co-owner of the D.C. and Delaware gay bookstores Lambda Rising, announcing on the stores’ Web site that they would be closing at the end of 2009.

ACCESSline proudly announces:

jobs.ACCESSlineIOWA.com A BRAND NEW JOB BOARD SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO MEMBERS OF LGBT COMMUNITIES IN IOWA

…and it’s FREE!

ACCESSline Page 31 Section 3: Community The Wellmark Foundation funds six health improvement projects in Iowa, South Dakota January 2010

DES MOINES, IA (January 4, 2010) – The Wellmark Foundation has funded six health improvement grants in Iowa and South Dakota – totaling $447,395 – at its recent board of directors meeting. Organizations receiving grants in the Healthy Communities: Supporting a Culture of Wellness & Prevention program include: • Black Hawk County Health Department in Waterloo, Iowa received a two-year $112,375 grant to implement a wellness program for older adults focusing on fall prevention.

Fall Prevention in Older Adults will implement a coordinated program to prevent falls and related injuries, and to improve overall wellness among adults 60 years and older. The innovative approach utilizes balance assessment, fall risk stratification, consumer education and referral, and an evidence-based fall prevention model, A Matter of Balance.

• The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) received a one-year $25,000 grant to create an interactive resource and mapping tool to improve the health of low-income families in the Des Moines community. Mapping an End to Hunger in Greater Des Moines (Phase I) will create an electronically-accessible food security map of the community designed to reduce hunger and

improve the health of low-income families through enhanced access to nutritional and affordable food.

• The Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics will use a twoyear $23,511 grant to promote childhood literacy through expanding the Reach Out and Read (ROR) Program in Iowa. Early Literacy through Reach Out and Read in Family Medicine Residency Programs, which will continue ROR work funded through a previous Wellmark Foundation mini-grant in 2008, will establish ROR programs in Iowa’s nine Family Medicine Residency Programs (FMRPs).

• The Iowa Department on Aging was awarded a two-year $144,744 grant to expand a disease self-management program designed to improve the health of older adults in the state.

Iowa Healthy Links/Wellmark Foundation Initiative will expand the successful Iowa Healthy Links’ evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) primarily designed for Iowans 55 years and older into 19 mostly rural Iowa counties.

• South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, S.D. was awarded a oneyear, $25,000 grant to implement a community-wide health planning program. Brookings County Strides to a Healthier Community will imple-

ment a program developed in 2005 by the South Dakota Department of Health, which provides a framework for working with communities to positively impact health. The project will conduct a community-wide health assessment in Brookings County in order to increase health and wellness in the community.”

• Van Buren County in Keosaqua, Iowa will use a two-year, $116,765 grant to implement a leadership development program designed to support and strengthen a county-wide wellness program. Creating Lasting Wellness Through Leadership will focus on development of well-trained local volunteer leaders who can help recruit, motivate and retain participants in the local Healthy Villages program and other wellness initiatives in the county.

The Wellmark Foundation has provided approximately $17.43 million to fund 428 health-related grants in Iowa and South Dakota since 1997, including $447,395 in the current funding cycle.

“The Wellmark Foundation works to improve the health of Iowans and South Dakotans,” says Matthew McGarvey, director of The Wellmark Foundation. “These are remarkable grantee organizations that have great influence in their communities. Their comprehensive projects will

positively impact the health of thousands of Iowans and South Dakotans.”

The Wellmark Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation created by Wellmark, Inc., doing business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa.

Visit The Wellmark Foundation’s Web site at www.wellmark.com/foundation for future funding opportunities. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and The Wellmark Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

“Why let a 30-second Google search get in the way of your good sound bite, Senator?”

— Rachel Maddow, Dec. 30, on South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint’s comment that “[The president] doesn’t even use the word [“terrorism”] any more.”

ACCESSline Page 32

Section 3: Community

January 2010

January 2010 DIRECTORY NOTICE

The ACCESSline directory is updated each issue.

The directory may also be found at ACCESSlineIOWA.com.

LISTINGS ARE FREE. Information about new groups must contain a phone number for publication and a contact (e-mail address, land address, or website) for our records.

For more information or to provide corrections, please contact Editor@ACCESSlineIOWA.com or call (319) 550-0957.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund 1705 De Sales St NW, Ste 500 Washington, DC, 20036 www.victoryfund.org.

202-VICTORY [842-8679] Human Rights Campaign National political organization, lobbies congress for lesbian & gay issues, political training state and local www.hrc.org 1-800-777-HRCF[4723] Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund I I E. Adams, Suite 1008 Chicago, IL 60603-6303 www.lambdalegal.org 312-663-4413 Fax: 312-663-4307 National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) 1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Ste 600, Washington, DC, 20005 www.ngltf.org / taskforce.org National Organization for Women (NOW) 733 15th ST NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20005 www.now.org 202-628-8669 PFLAG National Offices 1726 M St. NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 info@pflag.org www.pflag.org 202-467-8180

STATE ORGANIZATIONS Equality Iowa P.O. Box 18 Indianola, IA 50125 www.equalityiowa.org 515-537-3126 Faithful Voices Interfaith Alliance of Iowa’s marriage equality project. www.faithfulvoices.org Imperial Court of Iowa Non-profit fundraising & social, statewide organization with members from across the State of Iowa.

PO Box 1491, Des Moines, IA 50306-1491 www.imperialcourtofiowa.org Iowa Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) David Steward, President, IA NOW 1010 Charlotte Ave. Davenport, IA 52803 Iowa PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gay) State Council PO Box 18, Indianola, IA 50125 www.equalityiowa.org/PFLAG 515-537-3126 or 641-583-2024 Iowa pridenetwork 3839 Merle Hay Rd, Ste. 285 Des Moines, IA 50310 www.iowapridenetwork.org 515-243-1110 LGBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force PO Box 1997, Des Moines, 50306 515-243-1221 One Iowa PO Box 3, Des Moines, IA 50309 Stonewall Democrats of Iowa 5 Creekside Ct Mason City, IA 50401 Contact: Dean Genth figfinesse@yahho.com 641-583-2024

Ames First United Methodist Church 6th & Kellogg Contemporary worship Sat. 5:30; Sun at 8:30 and 11:00am. www.fumcames.org.

515-232-2750 Living with HIV Program 126 S. Kellogg, Suite 1 Ask for Janelle (Coordinator) 515-956-3312 ext 106 or I -800-890-8230

Section 3: Community ISU LGBTA Alliance GLBT Support, Activism, Social Events, Newsletter East Student Office L, Memorial Union, ISU Ames, IA. 50014 alliance@iastate.edu http://www.alliance.stuorg.iastate.edu 515-294-2104 Lord of Life Lutheran 2126 Gable Lane, Ames 50014 Services Sundays at 9:00a.m.; Wed. 7:00pm.

515-233-2350 PFLAG Ames Youth and Shelter Services Offices 420 Kellogg Ave 1st Floor.

2nd Tuesday, 7pm www.pflagames.org 515-291-3607 Romantics Pleasure Palace 117 Kellogg Street Ames, IA 50010-3315 http://www.romantixonline.com 515-232-7717 Stonewall Democrats of Ames tlloman@aol.com goodwinm@istate.edu, or Terry Lowman, 515-292-3279, or Mary Goodwin 515-292-0352 United Church of Christ-Congregational 6th & Kellogg Ames, 50010 Sunday Continental Breakfast, 9:00am; Sunday School, 9:30am; Worship, 10:45am. uccames@midiowa.net.

515-232-9323 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames 1015 Hyland Ave. Services: 9am and 11am, Sunday uufa@aol.com 515-292-5960 Unity Church of Ames 226 9th St. Sunday service and Sunday school 10:30am.

Wednesday mediation 6:30pm, class 7:15pm. www.websyt/unity/ames Daily dial-a-blessing 515-233-1613

Arnolds Park, Okoboji, Spencer, Spirit Lake The Royal Wedding Chapel 504 Church Street Royal, IA 51357 712-933-2223 www.TheRoyalWeddingChapel.com Wilson Resource Center An Iowa Great Lakes area gay-owned nonprofit community based organization.

PO Box 486 Arnolds Park IA 51331-0486 F.JosephWilson@aol.com.

712-332-5043

BURLINGTON Arrowhead Motel 2520 Mount Pleasant St Burlington, IA 52601-2118 319-752-6353 - www.arrowheadia.com HIV/AIDS Screening @ Des Moines County Health Department in Burlington 522 N 3rd By appointment between 8:00am to 4:30 319-753-8217 Confidential RISQUES IV (adult store) 421 Dry Creek Avenue West Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 753-5455 Sun - Wed 8am-Midnight Thurs - Sat Open 24 Hours www.LoversPlayground.com Steve’s Place 852 Washington St, Burlington 319-752-9109 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Services start at 10:30 am 625 N 6th St, Burlington, IA 52601-5032 (319) 753-1895 - www.uuburlington.org

Cedar Falls - Waterloo Black Hawk Co. Health Department Free HIV testing (donations accepted); MW, 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Thurs, 1:00pm to 4:45pm 1407 Independence Ave. (5th fl) Waterloo 50703 319-291 -2413 Cedar AIDS Support System (CASS) Service, support groups & trained volunteers for persons with HIV/AIDS in Waterloo/CF call Elizabeth or Karla, 319-272-AIDS(2437). cvhospice@forbin.net Cedar Valley Counseling Services Promoting personal growth and development in a strengths-based environment Joan E. Farstad, MA, Director.

319-240-4615 www.cvcounseling.com farstd@cvcounseling.com.

Cedar Valley Episcopal Campus Ministry. In Lutheran Center 2616 College St, Cedar Falls, IA 319-415-5747 mcdinoiwa@aol.com www.episcopalcampus.org All welcome!

Community AIDS Assistance Project (CAAP) Funding for special personal needs, community projects, and small grants that are AIDS related.

PO Box 36, Waterloo, IA 50704 LGBTA Support Group at Hawkeye Community College Call Carol at 319-296-4014 for time & location of meeting chedberg@hawkeyecollege.edu Iowa Legal Aid Free civil legal service available to low income persons who qualify under income/asset guidelines.

607 Sycamore, #708, Waterloo, IA 50703 1-800-772-0039 or 319-235-7008 Kings & Queens Tap 304 W. 4th St, Waterloo, IA www.//myspace.com/kingsandqueensspace 319-232-3001 Romantix Waterloo (Adult Emporium) 1507 La Porte Rd, Waterloo, IA 50702 319-234-9340 http://www.romantixonline.com/ Stellas Guesthouse 324 Summit Ave, Waterloo, IA Private B&B, Overnight accommodations for adults only.

319-232-2122 St. Lukes Episcopal Church 2410 Melrose Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 www.st-lukes-episcopal.org Services: Sunday 8:00 & 10:15, Thurs 11:30 319-277-8520

Linn County Public Health 501 13th NW Free confidential HIV testing, 319-892-6000 Linn County Stonewall Democrats 2nd Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m.

The LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party, meets at Hamburger Mary’s, 222 Glenbrook Dr. SE, behind 2nd Wind off of 1st Ave SE in Cedar Rapids. For more info, contact linnstonewall@ gmail.com Rapid AIDS Grant Wood Area Red Cross 3600 Rockwell Dr NE Cedar Rapids, 52410 319-393-9579.

PFLAG Cedar Rapids 3rd Monday, 6:30pm, 6 social Faith United Methodist Church 1000 30th St, NE 515-537-3126 People’s Church Unitarian Universalist A welcoming congregation.

600 Third Avenue SE 11AM Sunday.

319-362-9827 Stonewall Democrats of Linn County Contact Roy Porterfield royboycr@mchsi.com 319-362-5281

Council Bluffs, Omaha(Ne)

Together For Youth 233 Vold Dr, Waterloo, IA 50703 www.TogetherForYouth.net 319-274-6768

AIDS Interfaith Network 100 N. 62nd Omaha, NE Call Br. Wm. Woeger 402-558-3100

UNI-LGBTA Alliance-Student Organization 244A Bartlet Hall, University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls 50613 lgbta@uni.edu 319-222-0003

Citizens For Equal Protection 1105 Howard St, Suite #2 Omaha, NE 68102 www.cfep-ne.org info@cfep-ne.org 402-398-3027

United Church of Christ Cedar Falls 9204 University Avenue, Cedar Falls 319-266-9686

Council Bluffs NOW Write PO Box 3325 Omaha, NE 68103-0325

Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County 3912 Cedar Heights Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 319-266-5640

DC’s Saloon 610 S. 14th St. Omaha, NE Open everyday 2pm to 1am, western/levi/ leather.

402-344-3103

Cedar Rapids/marion Adult Shop 630 66th Ave SW, 319-362-4939 Adult Shop North 5539 Grain Lane, 319-294-5360 Club Basix Open 5pm to 2am M-F, Sat & Sun 3pm to 2am 3916 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids www.clubbasix.com 319-363-3194 Coe Alliance Education, activism & fun for GLBTQ and straight students, staff and people from the community.

Coe College 1220 First Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 For information contact: coealliance@coe.edu or Erica Geers, faculty advisor at 319-861-6025 CSPS Legion Arts Contemporary Arts Center 1103 3rd St. SE info@legionarts.org 319-364-1580 Faith UMC 1000 30th Street NE, Cedar Rapids, 52402 Pastor Kathy Moore Sunday services at 11:00am. www.crfaithumc.org 319-363-8454 Foundation 2 Crisis Counseling 24-hour telephone crisis counseling. f2crisis@aol.com or www.f2online.org 1540 2nd Ave. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 319-362-2174 or 800-332-4224 GLRC of Cedar Rapids Support, social activities lnfo@crglrc.org www.crglrc.org or, write to P.O. Box 1643 Cedar Rapids 52406-1643 Call and leave a message -- all calls will be returned.

319-366-2055 Hamburger Mary’s 222 Glenbrook Dr. Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 319-378-4627 www.hamburgermaryscr.com www.myspace.com/hamburgermaryscr Krug Law Firm 6 Hawkeye Drive, Suite 103 North Liberty, IA 52317 319-626-2076

Diamond Bar 712 S. 16th St. Omaha, NE 10am - 1am, M-Sa, closed Sun 402-342-9595 Front Runners/Front Walkers Walking/jogging club.

P.O. Box 4583 Omaha, NE 68104 402-496-3658.

Gilligan’s Pub and Grill 1407 Harney Omaha, NE Everyday 4pm-1am. Friday and Sat. After hours 12-4am 402-449-9147 GLBT Rainbow Outreach Omaha Serving GLBT community in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Excellent message and info. Also office for Imperial court of Nebraska.

1719 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE www.rocc.org 402-341-0330 Heartland Gay Rodeo Association (HGRA) PO Box 3354, Omaha, NE 68103 www.hgra.net 402-203-4680 HGRA serves both Iowa and Nebraska Imperial Court of Nebraska P.O. Box 3772, Omaha, NE 68103 402-556-9907 L.E.O. (Leather Engineers of Omaha) Educational-social group for Gay Men with interest in Leather Lifestyle. Meets 2nd Saturday at Gilligan’s Pub at 7:00pm.

L.E.O. PO Box 8101 Omaha, NE 68108.

The Max 1417 Jackson at 15th, Omaha, NE 68102 6 bars in 1 402-346-4110 MCC Omaha 819 South 22nd P.O. Box 3173, Omaha, NE 68103 Sun 9 & 11 am Wednesday “ReCharge” Worship, Wed 7pm 402-345-2563 PFLAG Omaha Mead Hall, First United Methodist Church 7020 Cass St. (Omaha) 2nd Thursday, 7, 6:30 Social time 402-291-6781

ACCESSline Page 33 River City Mixed Chorus Gay/lesbian chorus PO Box 3267 Omaha, NE 68103 Call Stan Brown, marketing 402-341-7464.

Romantix Council Bluffs (North) (Adult Emporium) 3216 1st Ave. Council Bluffs, IA 51501-3353 http://www.romantixonline.com 515-955-9756 Romantix Council Bluffs (South) (Romantix After Dark) 50662 189th St, Council Bluffs, Ia 51503 http://www.romantixonline.com 712-366-1764 Youth Support Group for GLBT Youth 13-21, meets twice monthly.

Omaha, NE 402-291- 6781.

Decorah Decorah Human Rights Commission Contact: City Clerk 400 Clairborne Dr, Decorah 563-382-3651 Meetings: First Tuesdays, 5:30pm Luther College Student Congregation Contact Office for College Ministry 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101 563-387-1040.

PFLAG Northeast IA (Waukon/Decorah) First Lutheran Church 604 W Broadway, Decorah, IA Meetings: 4th Mondays, 7pm-9pm Call Jean @ 563-535-7680 PRIDE Luther College Diversity Center, 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101 Contact Chris at 563-387-2145 or Melanie at 563-387-1273 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Meets alternating Sundays at 10:30am, Decorah Senior Center 806 River St Call Bill at 563-382-3458.

Des Moines AIDS Project of Central Iowa Free HIV testing, prevention supplies, care services, food pantry, information.

711 E. 2nd, Des Moines, IA 50309 515-284-0245 Blazing Saddle 416 E 5th St www.theblazingsaddle.com 515-246-1299 Buddies Corral 418 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 515-244-7140 The CENTER 1300 Locust; The new LGBT and progressive place to be. thecenterdm@gmail.com Church of the Holy Spirit-MCC Pastor Pat Esperanza Sunday service 10:30am at the 1st Christian Church 2500 University, Des Moines chsmccdmia@aol.com 515-287-9787.

Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus 515-953-1540 PO Box 12269, Des Moines, IA 50312 dmgmc@mchsi.com www.dmgmc.org.

Family Practice Center Safe, supportive LGBT health care.

200 Army Post Road, Ste 26 www.ppgi.org 515-953-7560 First Friday Breakfast Club Educational breakfast club for gay/bisexual men. Meets first Friday of each month.

Contact Jonathan Wilson for meeting topic and place.

Jonathanwilson@davisbrownlaw.com 515288-2500 First Unitarian Church 1800 Bell Avenue Services Sundays at 9:30 & 11am 515-244-8603 The Gallery (adult store) 1000 Cherry St Des Moines, IA 50309-4227 (515) 244-2916 Open 24 Hours www.LoversPlayground.com The Garden 112 SE 4th Des Moines, IA 515-243-3965 Wed-Sun. 8pm-2am www.grdn.com Gay & Lesbian AA & AI-Anonymous Mon. 7 pm; Tues. - Thurs. 6 pm; Sat. 5:30 pm at Drake Ministries in Ed. Bldg. 28th & University Gay and Lesbian Issues Committee 4211 Grand Avenue, Level-3 Des Moines, IA 50312 515-277-1117

ACCESSline Page 34 Heartland Gay Rodeo Midwest Division of the International Gay Rodeo Association.

402-203-4680 Iowa Affirmation Lesbian/Gay United Methodist Thoreau Center, 35th & Kingman Blvd. Write Affirmation PO Box 1726, Des Moines, IA 50309 Java Joe’s Gay friendly 214 4th St. 515-288-5282 Lavender Victory Fund Financial assistance for women in need for medical emergencies.

700 Rose Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315 Contact Bonnie at 515-244-7946 Liberty Gifts 333 E. Grand Ave., Loft 105 Des Moines, IA Gay owned specialty clothing, jewelry, home decor.

Libertygiftsonline.com 515-508-0825 MINX Show Palace 1510 N.E. Broadway Des Moines, IA 50313 Open 9am - 2am, M-Th; 9am - 4am, F-Sat. 10am -9pm Sun. 515-266-2744 National Association of Social Workers (NOW) (Nat’1 Organization of Women in Des Moines) http://www.meetup.com/locale/us/ia/desmoines North Star Gay Rodeo Association of IGRA, Iowa Division of North Star NSGRA@ NSGRA.org or 612-82RODEO Rainbow Union, Drake University Contact Sara Graham ru@drake.edu PFLAG Des Moines 515-537-3126 or write 3520 Grand Ave #51, Des Moines, IA 50312 Plymouth Congregational UCC Church and the Plymouth GLBT Community 4126 Ingersoll Ave. 515-255-3149 Services at 5:30pm Sat, 9am & I lam Sunday. www.PlymouthGLBT.com Polk County Health Department Free STD, HIV, and Hepatitis B & C testing.

HIV. Rapid testing also offered.

1907 Carpenter, Des Moines, IA 515-286-3798.

Raccoon River Resort Accommodations for men, women, or mixed in campgrounds, lodge, Teepees or Treehouses. Reservations: 515-996-2829 or 515-279-7312 Ritual Café On 13th between Grand and Locust. ritualcafe@aol.com Gay owned great music, awesome food and coffee.

515-288-4872 Romantix North Des Moines Iowa (Bachelor’s Library) 2020 E. Euclid Ave. www.romantixonline.com Des Moines, IA 50317-3668 515-266-7992 Romantix 1401 E. Army Post Rd. Des Moines IA 50320-1809 http://www.romantixonline.com/ 515-256-1102 SOFFA Iowa (Significant Others Family Friends and Allies of people who fall under the Gender Variant umbrella) Monthly meetings held at The CENTER, 1300 Locust contact Jaye at: (515)779-5185 thecentersoffaiowa@gmail.com Spouses of Lesbians & Gays Contact Ruth Schanke, 515-277-3700 St. John’s Lutheran Church 600 6th Ave “A Church for All People.”

Services Sat 5pm, Sun 7:45, 8:45 & 11am.

See web page for other services.

515-243-7691 www.stjohnsdsm.org TransformationsIOWA Monthly meetings for the female to male, male to female, transgender community, cross dressers, gender queer, questioning, and their significant others. For location and info, email Jayden at thecenterdmtrans@gmail.com or call 515-779-5187 Trinity United Methodist Church 1548 Eighth Street Services Sundays at 10a.m.

515-288-4056

Section 3: Community Urbandale UCC An open & affirming congregation.

3530 70th St. Urbandale, IA 50322 515-276-0625.

Walnut Hills UMC Join us at 8:30 or 10:30am for Sunday worship. Sunday classes and group studies are at 9:30am.

12321 Hickman Rd. Urbandale, IA 50323 515-270-9226.

Westminster Presbyterian Church 4114 Allison Ave. www.westpres.org Sunday services 8:45 and 11am. Of note is their Gay Lesbian Straight Affirmation small group ministry.

515-274-1534 Word of God Ministries Join us at 3:30 for Sunday Worship at 3120 E. 24th St, Des Moines, IA Mailing address: PO Box 4396, Des Moines IA 50333 515-276-6614 Women’s Culture Collective (WCC) A lesbian social group.

Des Moines, IA www.iowawcc.org Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure Open daily. Gay-friendly 2723 Ingersoll, Des Moines, IA 515-244-7694.

Dubuque Adult Warehouse 975 Jackson St., Dubuque, IA 563-588-9184.

Congregational Church UCC An Open and Affirming Congregation Sunday Worship 9:15am (July & August) 30 N. Clinton St. (across from Ul Pentacrest) 319-337-4301 - www.uiccic.org Counseling Clinic Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sensitive and supportive counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups. Sliding Fee. 505 E Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319-354-6238.

Counseling and Health Center Client-centered therapy.

Les-Bi-Gay-Trans always welcome.

616 Bloomington St, Iowa City, IA 319-337-6998.

Crisis Center 1121 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, 52240 319-351-0140.

Emma Goldman Clinic 227 N. Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52245 319-337-2111or 1-800-848-7684.

Faith United Church of Christ 1609 De Forest Street, Iowa City, IA Services Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

319-338-5238 GLBTAU-U of l Student support system and resource center, info, activism, events, and other community involvements.

203 IMU, University of IA Iowa City, IA 52242-1317 glbtau@uiowa.edu 319-335-3251 (voice mail)

The Q 920 Main Street, Dubuque, IA Open Mon - Sun, 7pm to 2am. www.myspace.com/qbar_dbq 563-557-7375

Hope United Methodist Church Worship Service at 9:30am.

2929 E. Court St., Iowa City, IA Contact Rev. Sherry Lohman.

319-338-9865

Dubuque Friends Worship Group (Quakers) Tired of being rejected by your church?

Tired of following church pronouncements that smack of homophobia? Join us at an unprogrammed meeting on Sunday at 10am.

Open and Affirming St. Mark’s Community Center 1201 Locust Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563-556-3685 for info and directions

ICARE Iowa Center for AIDS Resources & Education Practical and emotional support, youth programs, information, referrals and support groups.

3211 E 1st Iowa City, IA 52240-4703 319-338-2135.

Dubuque Pride Monthly social group, meeting for meal and conversation. www.dubuquepride.org Dubuque Regional AIDS Coalition Direct services, education. HIV+/AIDS support group and family/friends support group. Contact Kay Auderer or Connie Sprimont, Mercy Health Center.

563-589-9606.

PFLAG Dubuque St. John’s Lutheran Church 1276 White St. 3rd Thursday, 7pm 563-582-9388 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque 1699 Iowa St. Dubuque, IA “The uncommon denomination.” Adult religious education meets Sunday at 9am before general services at 10am. www.uuf-dbq.org.

563-583-9910

Fort Dodge Romantix Fort Dodge (Mini Cinema) 15 N. 5th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501-3801 http://www.romantixonline.com

Grinnell Saints Ephrem & Macrina Orthodox Mission. Welcoming worship in the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition.

Sunday services at 10am. (Affiliated with the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America.)

1226 Broad Street, Grinnell, IA 641-236-0936 Stonewall Resource Center Open 4:30pm to 11:30pm, Sun through Thurs and by Appointment.

Grinnell College 1210 Park Street PO Box B-1, Grinnell, IA, 50112 srcenter@grinnell.edu 641-269-3327

INDIANOLA Crossroads United Church of Christ (UCC) An Open & affirming congregation. Services: Sunday 10:30am, Summer worship: June, July, Aug, @ 9:30 am, worshiping in the Lounge at Smith Chapel, Simpson College, corner of Buxton and Clinton. Mailing address: P.O. Box 811, Indianola, IA 50125 515-961-9370.

Iowa City AA (GLBT) Meetings Sundays 5 - 6pm at First Baptist Church, 500 North Clinton Street. For more info, call IC Intergroup Answering Service, 319-338-9111

Iowa City Free Medical Clinic Free & strictly confidential HIV Testing.

2440 Towncrest Dr Iowa City, Call for appointment 319-337-4459 Iowa City NOW PO Box 2944, Iowa City, IA 52244 for information & meeting times/places Iowa Women’s Music Festival P.O. Box 3411, Iowa City, IA 52244 319-335-1486 Krug Law Firm 6 Hawkeye Drive, Suite 103 North Liberty, IA 52317 319-626-2076 Men Supporting Men HIV prevention program exploring issues that gay/bisexual men deal with on a daily basis.

Discussion Groups, Educational Series, Safer Sex Workshops, Book Club. Contact Andy Weigel, email: aweigel@co.johnson.ia.us 319-356-6038, Ext 2 New Song Episcopal Church 912 20th Ave Coralville, IA Sunday services at 1Oam. Rev. Elizabeth Coulter, Pastor Rev. John Harper, Associate.

319-351-3577 Pride Committee WRAC 130 N. Madison, Iowa City, IA 52242 Bridget Malone 319-338-0512 Charles Howes 319-335-1486.

Romantix Iowa City (Pleasure Palace I) 315 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240-4722 http://www.romantixonline.com 319-351-9444 Studio 13 13 S. Linn St. (in the Alley) Iowa City, IA Open 7pm ‘til 2am, daily 319-338-7145 Thich Nhat Hanh based “Mindfulness” meditation and study group Iowa City Public Library, Sundays 1 to 2:30pm Usually Room E 319-354-4065 U of I Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Staff & Faculty Association c/o WRAC 130 N. Madison, Iowa City, IA 52242 319-335-1486

January 2010

Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City Inclusive and free religious community nurturing intellectual and spiritual growth and fostering ethical and social responsibility.

10 S. Gilbert, Iowa City, IA Sunday services: 9am & 10:45am. www.uusic.org 319-337-3443

Mary’s On 2nd 832 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA 563-884-8014.

United Action for Youth (UAY) A GLBTQA youth group providing support and counseling for teenagers and young adults processing sexual identity issues. Meets Mondays 7-9pm at UAY 410 Iowa Ave. Iowa City, IA 319-338-7518 or Teen Line, 319-338-0559.

Men’s Coming Out/Being Out Group Meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7pm.

QCAD.OutForGood@GMail.com 309-786-2580

The Ursine Group Bear Events in the Midwest.

P.O. Box 1143, Iowa City, IA 52244-1143 319-338-5810 Vortex Gifts 211 E. Washington, downtown Iowa City 319-337-3434 Women’s Resource Action Center (WRAC) Leads & collaborates on projects that serve Uofl & the greater community, offers social & support services, including LGBT Coming Out Group.

University of Iowa 130 N. Madison Iowa City, IA 52242 319-335-1486

Marshalltown Adult Odyssey [Adult Video] 907 Iowa Ave E 641-752-6550 Domestic Violence Alternatives/Sexual Assault Center, Inc. 24 hour Crisis Line: 641-753-3513 or (instate only) 800-779-3512

MASON CITY

MCC Quad Cities - Svcs Sat 5pm, Sun 11am Bible study Wed. 7 pm 3019 N. Harrison, Davenport, IA 52803 Call 563-324-8281.

PFLAG Quad Cities Eldridge United Methodist Church 604 S.2nd St., (Eldridge) 1st Monday, 6:30 pm 563-285-4173 Prism (Augustana College) Augustana Gay-Straight Alliance Augustana Library 639 38th St. Rock Island, IL Contact Tom Bengston 309-794-7406.

Quad Citians Affirming Diversity (QCAD) Social & support groups for lesbian, bi, and gay teens, adults, friends & families; newsletter.

309-786-2580 Community Center located at 1608 2nd Ave, Rock Island.

Quad Cities Pride Chorus.

At the MCC Church in D’port, 7pm Wed. qcswede64@aol.com Call Don at 563-324-0215 Rainbow Gifts www.rainbowgifts.net 309-764-0559 T.R. Video Adult books & video 3727 Hickory Grove Rd, Davenport, IA 563-386-7914.

Cerro Gordo County Dept. of Public Health 22 N. Georgia Ave, Ste 300 Mason City –Iowa 50401.

Free confidential AIDS testing.

641-421-9306

Venus News (Adult) 902 w. 3rd St, Davenport, IA 563-322-7576

PFLAG North Iowa Chapter 1st Presbyterian Church 100 S. Pierce.

1st/ 2nd Monday (alternating), 7pm 641-583-2848

PFLAG Shenandoah 712-246-2824

Mount Vernon Alliance Cornell College 810 Commons Cir # 2035 alliance@cornellcollege.edu www.cornellcollege.edu/alliance contact person: Glynnis 319-895-5874

NEWTON PFLAG Newton UCC Church 308 E 2nd St N 3rd Thursday, 7pm 641-521-7436

Pella Common Ground (Central College) Support group for GLBT students and allies.

Contact: Brandyn Woodard, Director of Intercultural Life woodard@central.edu 641-628-5134

Quad Cities AIDS Project Quad Cities Info, education & support. Ste 360 1351 Central Park West Davenport, IA 52804 563-421-4266.

Augie’s Tap 313 20th St, Rock Island (IL) Noon - 3am daily.

309-788-7389 Black Hawk College Unity Alliance Serving GLBT community at Black Hawk College.

6600 34th Ave, Rock Island, IL 309-716-0542.

Connections Nightclub 822 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802 Phone: (563) 322-1121 DeLaCerda House Provides housing and supportive services, advocacy and referrals for people living with HIV/AIDS. P.O. Box 4551, Rock Island, Il. 61201 309-786-7386.

The Hole-In-The-Wall A Private Membership Men’s Club Located 3 miles east of Galesburg, IL just north of I-74 at Exit 51 309-289-2375 www.HoleInTheWallMensClub.org Holy Spirit Catholic Faith Community Meets one Sunday per month for Mass at 5:30pm at MCC-QC 3019 N. Harrison St., Davenport For more info, call 563-340-7488

SHENANDOAH

Sioux City Am. Business & Professional Guild. Gay Businessmen.

Meets last Sat. of the month; ABPG P. O. BOX 72, Sioux City, 51102 abpguild@yahoo.com Grace United Methodist Church 1735 Morningside Avenue 712-276-3452.

Jones Street Station (Bar) 412 Jones St. Nightly 6:00pm to 2:00am.

712-258-6922 Mayflower Congregational Church.

1407 West 18th Street Call 712-258-8278.

Morningside College Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Alliance Contact Professor Gail Dooley, Advisor Morningside College GSA 1501 Morningside Ave. Sioux City, IA 51106-1717 dooley@morningside.edu 712-274-5208 PFLAG Siouxland PO Box 1311, Sioux City, IA 51102 siouxlandPFLAG@aol.com Romantix Sioux City (Adult Emporium) 511 Pearl St, Sioux City, IA 51101-1217 St. Thomas Episcopal Church Service Sun 10:30am 406 12th St, Waverly, IA Rev Mary Christopher 712-258-0141 Western Iowa Tech. GSA widemal@juno.com for info.

Waverly Cedar Valley Episcopal Campus Ministry.

717 W. Bremer, (St. Andrew’s Episcopal) Waverly, IA www.episcoplcampus.org 319-415-5747 Gay, Lesbian Bisexual Student Alliance Wartburg College, Waverly, IA 50677 Contact Susan Vallem 319-352-8250 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 717 W. Bremer We welcome all to worship with us on Sunday at 10:30 am. Bible discussion Wed. 6:45pm Rev. Maureen Doherty, Pastor 319-352-1489

January 2010

Section 3: Community

ACCESSline Page 35

ACCESSline Page 36

Section 3: Community

January 2010