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One Year of Marriage Equality in Iowa
Congratulations! Congratulations to the many same-sex couples married in Iowa over the past year. Special thanks to the six couples who led the way by being part of the Iowa Supreme Court Case, Varnum vs. Brien. Arthur Breur took a little time out of Kate and Trish Varnum’s weekend and chatted with them about how it feels to be a part of history and to be legally married. Read the interview on page 9.
One year later, after the Iowa Supreme Court made history and provided marriage equality to same-sex couples in the state, the tally of states that provide full marriage rights has gone from three to five plus Washington DC. Maine nearly joined the list, but marriage rights there were overturned in November with the passage of Question 1. With the number of marriage-equality states almost doubling in one year, it is easy to be encouraged, even seeing all the states in black and gray in the map below.
OneIowa “This Place” TV spot wins Gold Pollie Award
Congratulations to One Iowa and Joe Slade White & Co! “This Place,” One Iowa’s television advertisement supporting the freedom to marry received a Gold Pollie Award from the American Association of Political Consultants in the category of Best TV Spot for a statewide initiative campaign. The Pollie Awards are hailed as the “Oscars of Political Advertising.” The award comes as Iowans are about to celebrate the one-year anniversary of marriage equality in Iowa. Read the complete story on page 13.
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Ames GOP state senate candidate’s law firm filed anti-equality amicus in Varnum vs. Brien AMES, IA — Attorney Timothy Gartin announced his candidacy for the Iowa State Senate, District 23, in early March, and filed his nomination papers on March 23. He will be challenging State Senator Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames) this November. To date, all of Mr. Gartin’s political statements have focused on purely fiscal issues, and he has made no mention of social issues. ACCESSline requested a statement from Mr. Gartin specifically on the issue of civil rights for members of Iowa’s LGBT+ communities, but as of publication, Mr. Gartin has not Photo: Tim Gartin for Iowa Senate responded. Of particular interest to our community is the fact that Mr. Gartin’s law firm filed an amicus brief in the Varnum vs. Brien case, opposing marriage equality. Co-counsel on the amicus brief was the National Legal Foundation, a hard-right-wing Christian legal group whose mission statement includes such phrases as “Pursuing legal and policy means of ensuring that all levels of government reward good and punish evil.” (Same-sex marriage would apparently fall within their definition of “evil.”) From the amicus brief: “As to the second point, same-sex marriage cannot be considered a fundamental right, because, by definition, marriage is the union of a man and a woman. The primary substantial objection to this argument based on definition is that it is simply tautological. However, chemistry provides a clear analogy that demonstrate that this argument is not tautological. The study of chemistry has revealed that the only process in which table salt can be formed is through the union of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). Even if the union of two sodium atoms or two chlorine atoms is called “salt,” as a matter of definition, it cannot be. The same is true for marriage; even if you call a union of two same-sex persons a marriage, it simply cannot be.” Senator Quirmbach has a history of supporting and promoting civil rights in his tenure as state senator.
LIttle Boots Page 12
First Friday Breakfast Club Page 29
ACCESSline Page 2
Section 1: News & Politics
April 2010
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On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality in our landmark Varnum v. Brien lawsuit. Lambda Legal congratulates all your hard work in preserving the freedom to marry, and joins in celebrating this happy anniversary.
www.lambdalegal.org
April 2010
PUBLICATION INFORMATION Copyright © 2010 ACCESS in Northeast Iowa P.O. Box 2666 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2666 (319) 550-0957 www.ACCESSlineIOWA.com
Section 1: News & Politics What’s Inside: A note from the editor Section 1: News & Politics Iowa News..............................................4 US News.................................................5 World News ..........................................7 Creep(s) of the Week............................8
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: Bruce Carr; Beau Fodor; Tami Haught; Ellen Krug; Jennifer Merriman; Terri Schlichenmeyer; Brett Edward Stout; Justin Uebelhor: Allen Vander Linden; Jonathan Wilson
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.
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A Conversation with the Varnums.......9 Editorial by Jennifer Merriman.............9
Section 2: Fun Guide Deep Inside Hollywood.......................11 Our Performance Picks.......................11 Small talk with Little Boots................12 One Iowa wins Gold Pollie Award......13 The Outfield.........................................14 Recurring Events, Statewide...............15 Hear Me Out........................................16 Bitch and Baby Dee at CSPS..............17 The Gay Wedding Planner..................18 Interview with Kerry Muzzey.............23 Out of Town: Charleston, SC...............25 Book Review.........................................26
Section 3: Community First Friday Breakfast Club.................29 Nate Phelps in Topeka, April 24..........29 Breakfast with Mayor Cownie............29 Queeries.............................................230 Joshua Dagon..............................................31 MCC QC 30th Anniversary.....................32 Ellen Krug: Let Us Eat Cake?...................33 PITCH 2010 Wellness Summit...............33 Colleen Kelly to host AIDS Walk/Run....35 Business Directory........................ 33-34
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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
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This issue is both the anniversary issue for Iowa marriage equality, and the anniversary of my first ACCESSline paper. About one year ago I was looking at everything that was happening in Iowa and thinking it was going to be an interesting place, and I pointed out that with everything that had happened in March, April had a hard act to follow. This falls under the lesson, “Be careful what you say or wish for, because it might just come true.” April 2009 started with a bang. Just as we were distributing the first papers with me as editor, the announcement came that the Iowa Supreme Court—on the earliest day it could possibly provide a ruling—was going to be announcing their decision on Varnum vs. Brien. While driving on Interstate 80 to the Quad Cities, I was listening in on the One Iowa conference call about the pending announcement. And all the time I was thinking: why didn’t we publish the paper just one week later? So the second lesson I learned after becoming ACCESSline’s editor was that we are just not a “breaking news” operation. ACCESSline is a monthly summary of what has happened in Iowa and around the world; it is a reminder about dates, events, and performances in the near future; and it is a celebration of the diverse and wonderful community that we have here in Iowa. In the past year, I have gotten legally married to my partner of nearly 14 years; I have interviewed celebrities from Paula
Poundstone to George Takei. This month I got to interview Kate and Trish Varnum (who happen to live right here in my town of Cedar Rapids) and Kerry Muzzey, an up-and-coming composer for TV and film. Of special personal note to me in this issue is the advertisement for Kathy’s Pies in Cedar Rapids. They provide the most delicious sheet cakes, and were the vendor we chose for our own wedding this past August. Also this month, we have great original columns by Ellen Krug and Joshua Dagon. I sparred with “JD” this month about the fairly explicit (but nevertheless hysterical) way he describes one particular side effect of HIV medication. He won the debate, as the description will help remind folks just why we must continue practicing safe sex!
A letter to Brett Edward Stout regarding Action Reaction: Pride and Glory Brett, what a beautiful and moving article you wrote! The views you express so brilliantly are exactly the points that get lost in our opponents’ attempts to paint gay service members as the “Bogeyman.” Leadership, as you so skillfully point out, is all that is needed to allow gays to serve honestly. And it is truly an insult to the fine men and women in our military to assume that they lack the leadership to allow all its members to serve with the same dignity and honor. DADT insults the professionalism of gay service men and women by assuming they are all predators, they are promiscuous, they are voyeurs, they are prone to misconduct and sexual harassment of their peers. And DADT is equally insulting to the straight
members of our military to assume they all look at the gay peers in that light. There are tens of thousands of straight service members now serving, in both theaters of war and everywhere else, who know gays in their own unit, and it obviously is not degrading combat readiness. To me, that is game, set and match for DADT. If known gays are serving now, known to their peers and often to their commands, yet unit morale, unit cohesion and combat readiness are unaffected, wherefore the need to continue DADT? Anyway, thank you for including me in your fine op-ed. Keep up the great work. — RADM Alan M. Steinman, America’s highest-ranking “out” military official
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IOWA NEWS
Section 1: News & Politics
April 2010
by police who claimed they had seen her Chuck Hurley claims marriage license through the window legalized gay marriage Iowa of her home. will lead to more Rep. Chris Hagenow unsafe, promiscuous sexual behavior in Iowa seeks to exclude gays The Des Moines Register this month from abuse statute reported that the president of the Iowa Family Policy Center, Chuck Hurley, declared that legalized same-sex marriage is worse than smoking because it will encourage behaviors that spread HIV and syphilis. “The Iowa Legislature outlawed smoking in an effort to improve health and reduce the medical costs that are often passed on to the state,” said Hurley. “The secondhand impacts of certain homosexual acts are arguably more destructive, and potentially more costly to society than smoking … Homosexual activity is certainly more dangerous for the individuals who engage in it than is smoking.” This argument echoes other faulty logic and inaccurate statistics that try to prove that homosexuals have drastically shortened lifespans due to their behavior. Unfortunately, the comparison is faulty to the point of being cruel. (See Jennifer Merriman’s editorial on this subject on page 9.) As a counter-argument to Mr. Hurley’s claims, the Register reported that Jordan Selha, executive director of the AIDS Project of Central Iowa, said, “Stigma and discrimination only add to the barriers people face in accessing testing, prevention, and healthcare services.”
Iowa marriage license leads to sergeant’s Air Force discharge
As further proof that there is still “asking” going on under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell , Air Force sergeant Jene Newsome was outed to officials at Ellsworth Air Force Base
Spring has sprung in Iowa.
Iowa State Representative Chris Hagenow
by Justin Uebelhor State Representative Chris Hagenow of Windsor Heights led the charge today seeking to exclude married gay and lesbian couples from a domestic abuse bill. The attempt failed after Speaker of the House Pat Murphy ruled the move “nongermane” to the bill at hand and a procedural attempt to suspend the rules and bring the matter to the floor failed largely along party lines. Shame on Representative Chris Hagenow for playing politics with the domestic abuse bill! Seeking to exclude married gay couples from equal protections is unconscionable.
MASSAGE THERAPIST - QC
INSURANCE - IOWA CITY
“You see, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, when it started this move toward same-sex marriage, actually defined marriage—now get this—it defined marriage as simply, ‘the establishment of intimacy.’ Now how dangerous is that? I mean, I don’t mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point—I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse. It’s just the wrong way to go, and the only way to protect the institution of marriage is with that federal marriage amendment that I support.” —Former U.S. congressman and Republican U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth to WORL radio, March 14. Hayworth is running against Arizona Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary.
April 2010
Section 1: News & Politics
US NEWS news analysis by Rex Wockner School cancels prom to keep lesbians from attending
Constance McMillen. From an ACLU video. The Itawamba County School District in northeast Mississippi has canceled the April 2 prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School to stop a lesbian couple from attending. The board cited “distractions to the educational process caused by recent events” and urged citizens to organize a private prom that assumedly could legally ban gays. Student Constance McMillen, 18, was told she couldn’t attend the prom with her girlfriend and couldn’t wear a tuxedo either. She fought back, enlisting help from the American Civil Liberties Union. Gays and their lawyers usually win prom-ban cases on federal constitutional grounds, so the district responded by just canceling the whole thing. “Oh, my God,” McMillen said, when informed of the development by USA Today. “That’s really messed up because the message they are sending is that if they have to let gay people go to prom that they are not going to have one. A bunch of kids at school are really going to hate me for this.” On March 11, McMillen and the ACLU sued the school district, demanding that the prom be un-canceled and that McMillen be allowed to attend, with her girlfriend, in a tux. At press time, McMillen’s battle was shaping up as a possible Rosa Parks moment for the LGBT movement, eliciting support from everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to more than 243,000 Facebook fans. Hashtag #Constance was a “trending topic” on Twitter, which is a big deal, she was appearing on network newscasts and talk shows, and Google was reporting 176,000 unique hits on her name.
Same-sex couples marry in Washington DC
Same-sex marriages began taking place in Washington, D.C., March 9. Gay couples had started applying for marriage licenses on March 3 but, like everyone else, had to wait three full business days before receiving their licenses.
Three of the first weddings took place inside the offices of the Human Rights Campaign. The D.C. Council legalized same-sex marriage in an 11-2 vote Dec. 15 and Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the bill Dec. 18. The measure then moved to Congress for a review period of 30 “legislative” days. It did not encounter any opposition there. Just before the law took effect, anti-gay activists tried to get the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a stay against it. Chief Justice John Roberts rejected the petition, saying the Supreme Court defers to D.C. courts “on matters of exclusively local concern.” He also said Congress could have stopped the law’s coming into force “but Congress has chosen not to act.” Same-sex marriage also is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont; in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden; and in Mexico City and Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province. It is expected to become legal shortly in Portugal.
Sean Hayes comes out
Photo by Rex Wockner. Actor Sean Hayes, who played flamboyant and narcissistic Jack on the long-running TV series Will & Grace, officially came out as gay in the April edition of the Advocate. And he claimed he’s always been out. “I never have had a problem saying who I am,” he said. “I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never.” “I feel like I’ve contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America,” Hayes added. “What more do you want me to do? Do you want me to stand on a float? And then what? It’s never enough.” Hayes also said that sitcom work is “stifling.” “Doing a sitcom, it’s a machine, it’s a factory,” he said. “There’s nothing creative about it for an actor. There’s nothing new I’m going to discover for a character in episode 185. It’s just a pure punch-in, punch-out factory day job—and it’s a wonderful factory day job—but creatively it’s stifling.”
“I never have had a problem saying who I am. I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never.” — Actor Sean Hayes, who played Jack on Will & Grace, to the Advocate, April issue.
Senators push repeal of ban on gay blood
Sen. John Kerry. Photo by Rex Wockner. A group of U.S. senators, led by John Kerry, D-Mass., is pushing the Food and Drug Administration to lift the lifetime ban on blood donation by any man who has had sex with a man since 1977. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, the senators wrote: “[P]rospective donors who have engaged in heterosexual sexual activity with a person known to have HIV are deferred for one year. At the same time, male donors who engaged in protected homosexual sexual activity with a monogamous partner 26 years ago are deferred for life.” At the time the ban was initiated, there was no test to determine if one was infected with HIV. Once the first antibody test became available, some people could continue to test negative for up to several months after becoming infected—until their immune systems produced detectable antibodies. Today’s HIV tests, however, can detect infection almost as soon as it happens. “We live in a very different country than we did in 1983,” the senators wrote. “Today, the high-risk behaviors associated with HIV contraction are more fully understood and dramatic technological improvements have been made in HIV detection.”
Gays arrested at White House and at Pelosi’s DC and SF offices
Gays and lesbians were arrested in three separate protests March 18 at the White House and at the offices of House Speaker
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Nancy Pelosi in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. At the White House, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” activists Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo were arrested after they handcuffed themselves to a fence. They were charged with failure to obey a lawful order. The two were jailed overnight, pleaded not guilty and face trial April 26. Also arrested was activist Robin McGehee, who co-organized last year’s National Equality March. She was taken into custody after helping Choi and Pietrangelo attach themselves to the fence. McGehee reported via Twitter that she was fined $35. The D.C. action started at an antiDADT rally organized by the Human Rights Campaign and comedian Kathy Griffin. Choi crashed that rally and, after initially being rebuffed, was allowed to speak. He then invited Griffin and HRC President Joe Solmonese to march with him to the White House. Neither went with the group of about 100 people who marched to the White House—a decision that led to criticism of Solmonese and HRC on blogs and elsewhere. HRC’s critics said Solmonese’s refusal to support Choi, who has become something of a hero in the gays-inthe-military battle, was another example of HRC being out of touch and ineffective. ACT UP founder Larry Kramer called for Solmonese to resign over the debacle, writing: “Joe you are one big schmuck! Choi wants to speak, you let him speak and thank him for showing up and offering to do so. When are you going to step down and disappear so someone can take over with guts and a sense of what’s really important and (who) knows how to strategize.” Equality Illinois co-founder Rick Garcia called HRC “a house homo” for the Obama administration. “HRC does what it is told,” Garcia said. “It dupes well-meaning gay people to open their wallets and it produces nothing for us and provides cover for politicians who [screw us].” HRC seemingly attempted damage control after Solmonese’s inaction was criticized online. “There’s been some confusion about Lt. Dan Choi’s role in the rally,” HRC wrote. “As
TTUS NEWS continued page 6
Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo prior to their March 18 arrests for handcuffing themselves to the White House fence in protest against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Photo: Omar Clarke, GetEqual.org
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U.S. NEWS Joe Solmonese was walking on stage Lt. Choi asked Joe if he could have a speaking role. Joe explained that it wasn’t his sole decision to make on the spot given that there was already an established program that included Kathy Griffin, other organization (sic) and veterans. After Choi then spoke with Kathy Griffin, she agreed to bring him up on stage and speak to the crowd during her remarks. Lt. Choi in his speech called on the crowd to march on the White House. Joe Solmonese along with Eric Alva and others felt it was important to stay and engage those at the rally in ways they can continue building the pressure needed for repeal. This does nothing to diminish the actions taken by Lt. Choi and others. This is the nature of social change and everyone has a role to play.” AMERICAblog’s John Aravosis then called HRC liars. “I was there, standing next to Dan, about 10 feet from Kathy Griffin and Solmonese,” Aravosis wrote. “They were behind a rope line, to keep them from the rally attendees. They looked over at Dan when he asked them, for the second time, to come with him to the White House ... and they just stared back at him. They were not helping engage the rally about how to build pressure—the rally was over, they were already off the stage, behind it actually, getting ready to leave behind a secure rope line to separate them from the crowd. I’m sorry, but this statement is flat out untrue. They were getting their photos taken. Unbelievable.” Meanwhile, GetEqual.org activists in D.C. and San Francisco staged sit-ins at the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying they would not leave until she promised to bring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the floor of the House for a vote this month. Four protesters were arrested in D.C. and six were arrested in San Francisco. The California activists were cited and fined on a disturbance charge. The D.C. protesters were released without bail and will appear in court April 6. “A majority of Congress supports this bill to stop job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but promises to bring it to a vote last fall were broken several times,” GetEqual said in a statement. “ENDA has been jammed up in committee for six months, awaiting a signal from Speaker Pelosi that hasn’t come. We have visited, called and written Congress by the thousands, and have been ignored. ... Now the midterm elections are coming, and Speaker Pelosi has promised Congress no more ‘controversial’ votes. The ‘controversy’ is whether LGBT Americans have the right to a job. ... Nonviolent direct action is relevant and needed and it’s happening now.” It is legal in 29 states to fire people for being gay and it is legal in 38 states to fire people for being transgender.
U.S. State Dept. reports on LGBT life in nearly every nation
This year’s U.S. State Department “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices” looked at LGBT life in nearly every nation on the planet and did an excellent job of documenting anti-LGBT abuse across the globe, the Council for Global Equality
Section 1: News & Politics said March 11. The council further applauded State for urging “the use of diplomacy to counter this trend” of anti-gay hostility. Introducing the report, Michael Posner, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, singled out the situation in Uganda, where a draconian anti-gay bill has resulted in a seriously deteriorating atmosphere for LGBT people. Among much else, the bill punishes “aggravated homosexuality” and a second conviction for “the offense of homosexuality” with the death penalty. “The report ... documents LGBT-related incidents in almost every country in the world, including a range of cases involving arbitrary arrest and detention, police abuse, rape, and murder,” the council said. “For the first time ever, most of the reports have a dedicated section examining ‘societal abuses, discrimination, and acts of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.’“ In Jamaica, for example, the report says LGBT people suffer “arbitrary detention, mob attacks, stabbings, harassment of ... patients by hospital and prison staff, and targeted shootings.” In Iraq, it says, gays “were assaulted and murdered by having their anuses glued shut or their genitals cut off and stuffed down their throats until they suffocated.” “The level of reporting on LGBT abuses this year is remarkably detailed and truly commendable, and unfortunately this new level of detail shows just how dangerous it is for LGBT individuals to go about their daily lives as ordinary citizens in so many parts of the world,” said council Chair Mark Bromley. Michael Guest, the openly gay former U.S. ambassador to Romania, and an adviser to the council, commended “President Obama’s and Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton’s principled belief that the human rights of LGBT people cannot be separated from those of all of society.” The report’s LGBT content, when extracted and pasted into a Word document at 12-point type, stretches to 137 pages. Here is just a tiny amount of what was reported: * Australia: “(T)he government amended 84 laws to eliminate discrimination against same-sex couples and their children in a wide range of areas, including taxes, child support, immigration, pensions, and social security.” * Azerbaijan: “(P)olice raided gay bars on four occasions and arrested almost 50 persons. Police reportedly held the individuals and threatened to expose their sexuality publicly unless they paid a bribe. The human rights Ombudsman’s Office intervened to resolve the incidents.” * Burundi: “(R)evisions to the penal code enacted during the year included a provision that criminalizes homosexual acts. ... On March 6, a demonstration with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 participants took place in Bujumbura in support of the law criminalizing homosexuality. The march was sponsored by the ruling party, CNDD-FDD. Participants in the antihomosexual demonstration wore CNDD-FDD T-shirts and sang party anthems. Buses were hired to bring large numbers to the march, including school-aged children; schools were closed for the event.” * Croatia: “On June 13, an antigay protest was staged during the annual Gay Pride Parade. Members of the protest carried banners with abusive language such as
‘kill the faggots.’ Organizers of the parade considered the protest a hate crime and criticized authorities for having allowed it to take place.” * Cuba: “(S)ocietal discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity persisted, as police occasionally conducted sweeps in areas where gay men congregated, particularly along sections of Havana’s waterfront. On March 24, police arrested 20 male transvestites in Central Havana. Some were reportedly detained for several hours and ordered to stop dressing in women’s clothing. Gay rights organizations also reported cases of individuals discharged from their jobs due to their sexual orientation. Mariela Castro, the president’s daughter, headed the national Center for Sexual Education and continued to be outspoken in promoting gay rights. Despite these efforts, several non-government gay rights activists asserted that the government had done nothing to stop frequent cases of police brutality and harassment of LGBT persons. In August two LGBT activists were detained without charges for 13 days in connection with their efforts to plan a ‘Mr. Gay Cuba’ competition. During the detention, police destroyed or damaged personal property and seized computer equipment used by the activists. The activists were held incommunicado for more than 24 hours. On September 3, the contest winner reported that he had been detained for several hours and threatened with expulsion from medical school as a result of his participation in the contest.” * Ecuador: “The new constitution includes the principle of nondiscrimination and establishes choice of sexual orientation as a right.”
April 2010 * Equatorial Guinea: “Societal stigmatization and discrimination against homosexual persons was strong, and the government made little effort to combat it.” * Gambia: “In a March 27 speech before the National Assembly, President Jammeh called homosexual conduct ‘strange behavior that even God will not tolerate.’ The president previously described homosexual conduct as a criminal practice and told police to arrest persons practicing homosexual activity and to close motels and hotels that accommodated them. In May 2008 the president ordered all LGBT persons to leave the country within 24 hours and threatened to cut off their heads. There were no LGBT organizations in the country.” * Indonesia: “On May 16, LGBT organizations held gay pride marches in Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and Banda Aceh commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia. Organizers were able to obtain necessary permits from the government and police provided protection to the marchers.” * Iran: “(T)he last confirmed death sentences for homosexual conduct were handed down in 2005, although there were allegations of executions related to homosexual conduct in 2006 and 2007.” * Kuwait: “(T)here were more than a dozen reports of police arresting transgender persons at malls and markets, taking them into custody, beating them and shaving their heads, and then releasing them without charges.” * Malawi: “On December 28, two men were arrested in Blantyre and charged with illegal carnal knowledge and committing
TTUS NEWS continued page 10
April 2010
Section 1: News & Politics
ACCESSline Page 7
World News by Rex Wockner Portugal same-sex marriage law still on track
Same-sex marriages could start in Portugal in May. Parliament finalized and passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage on February 11. The law was sent to President Aníbal Cavaco Silva on March 5. On March 13, Cavaco Silva sent it to the Constitutional Court for review.
Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva. Presidência da República Portuguesa photo. The court must act on the review by April 8. The bill then will return to the president, who will have 20 more days to mull it over. If he signs it, it becomes law. If he vetoes it, Parliament is expected to pass it again, which would then force Cavaco Silva to sign it. Should the Constitutional Court find some problem with the law, which is considered to be unlikely, Parliament then probably would amend it to address the court’s concerns. The current form of the law specifically excludes access to adoption for married same-sex couples, which may catch the Constitutional Court’s attention. However, Cavaco Silva did not request court review of that provision. Socialist Prime Minister José Sócrates has said legalizing same-sex marriage “rights a wrong” and increases freedom and equality. The board co-chair of the European Region of ILGA—the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association—said same-sex marriage is rapidly becoming the norm in Europe. “It is truly a fantastic start of 2010 for LGBT people in Portugal and Europe as a whole,” said Martin K.I. Christensen. “It is clear that a European consensus is fast emerging on marriage equality.” Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden; in Mexico City and Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province; and in Washington, D.C., and the states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Gay, lesbian couples marry in Mexico City
Same-sex couples started marrying in Mexico City on March 11.
The first same-sex weddings took place in the Municipal Palace with Mayor Marcelo Ebrard and numerous other officials in attendance. The federal government is challenging Mexico City’s legalization of gay marriage, but the case likely will not see any action by the Supreme Court for more than a year. The Mexico City government’s Web site says that to get married in Mexico City, “requirements” include that the couple “be residents of the Federal District” and present the original and a copy of proof of domicile issued within the past three months. It does not say what qualifies as proof. News reports have mentioned such things as utility bills and have suggested that the requirement does not seem to be strictly enforced. The same page of the Web site explains what is required for “foreigners” to marry in Mexico City. If only one of the individuals is a foreigner, he or she must present “authorization issued by the Secretary of Governance to marry.” But, “When both parties are foreigners, permission from the Secretary of Governance is not required.” The Web site’s information seems at odds with media statements by Mexico City officials, who have said they hope gay couples will come from around the world to get married and that the city is working with travel agencies to offer packages that include flights, hotel, sightseeing, a wedding and a banquet. There are no differences between sameand opposite-sex marriage in Mexico City, and the city’s Web site contains otherwise identical PDF forms for “him/her,” “him/him” and “her/her” marriages. The Web site of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, under the heading “American Citizens Services - Marriage and Divorce in Mexico,” says: “You should contact the office of the Registro Civil in the jurisdiction where you plan to get married for complete information about the requirements. A marriage that is properly executed in Mexico is valid in the United States provided the marriage would be legal in the United States.” A marriage contracted legally anywhere in Mexico also is supposed to be recognized everywhere in Mexico, but some Mexican states have taken recent steps to attempt to avoid recognizing gay marriages from Mexico City. It is not known how those conflicts will play out. An English-language Google search for “getting married in Mexico” produced tens of thousands of hits clearly aimed at nonresident foreigners. Same-sex marriage also is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden; in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province; and in Washington, D.C., and the states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. It will become legal later this year in Portugal.
Hate crime convictions in Slovenia
Slovenia has seen its first convictions leading to imprisonment in an anti-gay hatecrime case. Three men will spend 18 months in jail
for attacking the Ljubljana lesbian bar Café Open during a pride week event last June. Along with several other men, they threw rocks, yelled anti-gay slurs and beat gay activist Mitja Blazic, who suffered head injuries as well as burns from the attackers’ torches. The Ljubljana District Court found the three guilty of instigating hatred, violence and intolerance on the basis of sexual orientation. The men’s lawyers said the verdict will be appealed.
Saudi man to be flogged for gay video
The MPs say the parade would violate the new “Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information.” The law, which took effect March 1, bans information that promotes sexual relationships, “denigrates family values” or encourages a nonheterosexual concept of marriage and family. Such information is prohibited wherever it could be accessed by a minor. The petition states: “It is obvious that one of the aims of the parade ... is the promotion of the organization (Lithuanian Gay League) and attraction of new members—also the demonstration of a positive attitude towards nontraditional families. Therefore, the parade may be treated as the dissemination of public information.” The MPs said the parade also could provoke anti-gays to riot.
UK Catholic adoption charity can discriminate against gays A 27-year-old man in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was sent to jail for a year, fined $1,330, and will be lashed 1,000 times for appearing in a gay-themed video. Ahmad al-Faqih was charged with impersonating a police officer, being a homosexual and committing a general-security offense. The amateur, three-minute production shows al-Faqih dressed as a cop, asking for someone’s driver’s license, and demanding “physical comfort” to let the driver go free. He opens his shirt, plays with his chest and dances around suggestively to club music while holding a gun. The video reportedly raced around Saudi Arabia via the Internet and cell phones. See it at tinyurl.com/saudivid.
Lithuanian MPs try to stop pride parade
Fifty members of Lithuania’s Parliament have petitioned the Prosecution Office to stop the Vilnius city government from permitting a gay pride parade in May.
London’s High Court on March 17 exempted a Catholic adoption charity from laws that ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in the provision of public services. The court said Leeds-based Catholic Care can refuse to consider gay couples as parents. The charity had threatened to stop placing children if it had to abide by antidiscrimination laws. Leading gay rights group Stonewall denounced the decision, which ordered the Charities Commission to reconsider Catholic Care’s request for an exemption in light of the court ruling. “It’s unthinkable that anyone engaged in delivering any kind of public or publicly funded service should be given license to pick and choose service users on the basis of individual prejudice,” said Stonewall spokesman Jonathan Finney. “It’s clearly in the best interests of children in care to encourage as wide a pool of potential adopters as possible.” According to the court, Catholic Care argued that it is prevented from behaving legally by Roman Catholic teaching that “the Holy Family of Nazareth” is the only correct “model for family life.” Assistance: Bill Kelley
ACCESSline Page 8
Section 1: News & Politics
April 2010
Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski John Sheehan
A quick history lesson: In 1995, during the Bosnian War, thousands of people were murdered in the town of Srebrenica. It was—and still is—horrific. But it turns out the entire thing could have been prevented. And it’s all Holland’s fault. Or, more specifically, Holland’s gay soldiers. Looks like Fred Phelps needs to get himself, his signs and his family to Holland, stat. You see, Holland lets openly gay men and women serve in its armed forces. It did in 1995 and it continues to. But as every God-fearing patriot knows, gays aren’t fit for duty, unless that duty involves a sailor hat, a g-string and a Pride parade float blasting Madonna “Confessions on a Dance Floor” remixes. In other words, you don’t put queers in charge if you want to stop a genocide. Or so says retired U.S. general John Sheehan, who testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” insisting that it need to be kept in place. Unless, of course, we wanted thousands of people to die. In 1995, Bosnian Serb forces trounced the Dutch soldiers, enabling them to kill nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys, because the Dutch solders were all a bunch of limpwristed fags. I mean, for one thing, they were there for peace-keeping—not fighting—so they didn’t even have “the big guns” so to speak. And, as everyone knows, peace is totally a faggy thing. To understand where Sheehan was coming from (besides out of his own ass), the following exchange happened during his testimony. “(Allowing openly gay Dutch soldiers to serve) led to a force that was ill-equipped to go to war. The case in point that I’m referring to is when the Dutch were required to defend Srebrenica against the Serbs. The battalion was under-strength, poorly led and the Serbs came into town, handcuffed the soldiers to the telephone poles, marched the Muslims off and executed them.” “Did the Dutch leaders tell you it was because there were gay soldiers there?” asked Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan), chairman of the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee. “Yes, they did. They included that as part of the problem,” Sheehan said. “That the combination was the liberalization of the military, a net effect was basically social engineering.” Levin wasn’t buying it. “I think that any effort to connect that failure on the part of the Dutch to the fact that they have homosexuals, or did allow homosexuals, I think is totally off-target,” he said. In other words, “Sheehan, you crazy.” The Dutch are all, “WTF?” and “Um, no.” “It is astonishing that a man of his stature can utter such complete nonsense,” said Dutch defense ministry spokesman Roger van de Wetering. Oh, honey, not in our country. Hearing talk like Sheehan’s is totally a “same shit, different day” kind of thing. “The Srebrenica massacre and the involvement of UN soldiers was extensively investigated by the Netherlands, international organizations and the United Nations,” van de
Wetering continued. “Never was there in any way concluded that the sexual orientation of soldiers played a role.” Well, of course they didn’t. Everyone knows the United Nations is a fag-front operation. Thankfully we’ve got guys like Sheehan to tell their own batshit crazy versions of the truth.
Cliff Kincaid
Last month when the Conservative Political Action Conference let gay conservative group GOProud cosponsor, they sure raised a shit storm. Ryan Sorba, last week’s Creep, got his 15-minutes of fame when he was booed for excoriating GOProud’s inclusion. Anti-gay conservatives have lauded Sorba as a hero and they just can’t stop talking about it. One such Sorba fan is Accuracy In Media’s Cliff Kincaid. In a Feb. 22 column titled “The Gay Infiltration of the Conservative Movement,” Kincaid praised Sorba and sought to prove that one could not be both gay and a true conservative. “GOProud’s commitment to constitutionally protected homosexual sodomy (i.e., anal intercourse) is not a position that appears on the agenda of any conservative groups,” Kincaid writes. “Hence, using the term ‘gay conservative’ to describe these people is either a deliberate deception or an oxymoron that doesn’t stand up under scrutiny.” Got it. In order to be a conservative you have to agree with any and all conservative ideas and principles, even ones that demean you as a human being. In other words, when it comes to true conservatives, you’re either with them or against them. Gays are, obviously, against them, because of penises and butts and combinations thereof—and since this is all there is to gays in the first place, at least to Kincaid, any claim to conservative principles is automatically a fraud. “GOProud … claims to be ‘conservative’ but supports the Obama policy of putting active and open homosexuals in the military, supports homosexual marriage, and even advocates a foreign policy of promoting acceptance of sodomy abroad,” Kincaid continues. “The latter is referred to as ‘Standing strong against radical regimes who seek to criminalize gays and lesbians.’ These ‘radical regimes,’ such as the Christian-dominated government in Uganda, are trying to prevent the spread of AIDS and protect traditional moral values by toughening laws against
homosexuality.” Ah, yes. The good, Christian government of Uganda, which has pending legislation to put gays in prison for life or just execute them. Kincaid has been an outspoken supporter of Uganda’s aims. Apparently this is the model Kincaid would like to see the United States follow. Alas, as Kincaid writes, “(T)he ‘banning’ of homosexuality is not realistically possible at this stage in the United States because the Supreme Court has effectively legalized it.” But if banning homosexuality in the United States was possible, you bet your ass that Kincaid would be the first one on the ban wagon.
Kincaid finds the idea of gays in the military especially abhorrent. “(H)ow will open homosexuals in the U.S. military be greeted on Muslim lands where homosexuality is still illegal?” he asks. To borrow from Dick Cheney if I may, I’d say they’d be greeted like the rest of the soldiers: as liberators. Kidding. But Kincaid raises some important issues. For one, do Muslims have fabulously good gay-dar? Or does Kincaid think gay soldiers will be wearing pink camouflage and sparkly feather boas? (Dazzle camouflage!) Kincaid sees a gay takeover of the army as the ultimate goal. “Under these ‘gay conservatives,’ one can imagine gay soldiers being deployed to overthrow ‘homophobic’ regimes.” Once “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed, it’s only logical that the next step would be an all-volunteer gay army. Then a government takeover. Gays won’t be happy until the rainbow flag is flying from the White House. God bless Gaymerica, from California to the New York Island, indeed.
Roy Ashburn
Closet Pro Tip No. 1: If you go to a gay bar and pick up a dude, don’t drink and drive. Closet Pro Tip No. 2: Especially if you’re an anti-gay state senator. Look, I don’t care if elected officials want to get their drink on and shake their booties every now and then. Even politicians are entitled to some down-time when they’re not
TTCREEPS continued page 10
April 2010
Section 1: News & Politics
ACCESSline Page 9
A conversation with Kate and Trish Varnum by Arthur Breur After being together for eight years, Kate and Trish Varnum were married September 5th, 2009. This was five months after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously in the case that bears their family name—a case that included them and five other same-sex couples fighting for a basic right: the right to have their committed relationships legally recognized by the state. For the first anniversary of the event, I got the chance to chat with Kate and Trish about how they feel on year later. But we started out with me asking about their wedding cake: Kate: A quick note about the cake: The woman who made it is Kathy from Kathy’s Kakes in Independence, Iowa, and she made that [as a gift] for us. Her mother and I have been in PFLAG for a long time, and Kathy was so blown away by [the Iowa Supreme Court’s] ruling that she called us that weekend and told us, “I want to do your cake for you.” Isn’t that wonderful? Does it feel any different being married than just being “partners”? Kate: I noticed it when filling out legal forms. This year I changed my insurance and I had to fill out a lot of new medical forms… and I could actually mark “married” and there’s just such a feeling with that, it’s amazing. How did it feel the day you were finally legally married, the day you were cutting that cake? Kate: We felt justified, we felt validated that day. I don’t know… it still seems unreal that this has happened and it happened so much more quickly than we thought it would. What do you think about the Iowa
Supreme Court decision now that it is a year later? Trish: It feels just as important today as it did then, with maybe a little less fanfare. It has the same weight and importance that it did then. Kate: We’re getting ready for the anniversary party [Saturday, April 3, at the Temple for Performing Arts, 1011 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA] so I’ve been looking at some of the video from a year ago, and it still gives me chills, it still gives me goose bumps to realize that it actually happened and the importance of what did happen. How do you feel knowing your family name will probably be remembered not just in Iowa history, but throughout American history as well? Kate: It feels a little surreal. Varnum is the family name that I grew up with. Just over a year before the ruling came down, my dad passed away, and he would have had so much fun knowing that his family name was part of this. He would have been so honored and just so tickled about the whole thing, and I’m sorry that he’s not around to experience that. Have you had any negative reactions regarding being married? Trish: We’ve had none at all. We’ve had unexpected people coming and congratulating us and saying “thank you,” in places that you’d never expect. When I got the letter thanking me for my United Way donation, there was a handwritten note on it thanking us for our [role] in the case. Kate: Classmates of ours from High School have contacted us saying, “Congratulations,” and, “This is a really good thing,” and “We’re really proud to know you.”
Trish and Kate Varnum on their wedding day, September 5th, 2009.
Is there anything you’d like to say to people about marriage rights—or other civil rights for that matter? Kate: This has been a wonderful year, and I know a lot of people have gotten married in Iowa in the last year. But the thing we need to remember is that, while we may have won this time, there is so much more we need to fight for, not just in Iowa, but across the country. We have brothers and sisters across the country who are denied this right, and are denied so many other rights, and we need to work to ensure that we not only keep this right in Iowa—to be married—but we work to protect the rights of others across the country. Talk to your friends. Talk to your neighbors. Tell them how important it is to have marriage equality in Iowa, and what it means to you. If you are the brother or sister of someone who is gay, tell people what it means to you knowing that your sibling’s family is fully protected. Talk about it. That’s the best way that we’re going to continue this. Make it a daily part of your conversations.
“Talk to your friends. Talk to your neighbors. Tell them how important it is to have marriage equality in Iowa, and what it means to you. If you are the brother or sister of someone who is gay, tell people what it means to you knowing that your sibling’s family is fully protected. Talk about it. That’s the best way that we’re going to continue this. Make it a daily part of your conversations.” — Kate Varnum, with Trish Varnum, in her interview with ACCESSline, March 28, 2010
EXTREME RIGHT WATCH: Hurley’s cruel comparison by Jennifer Merriman In a sensitively-worded press release about the alarming rates of HIV and syphilis rates in gay men, the CDC last month reaffirmed its commitment to lowering STD rates and heightening awareness in the gay community. The CDC points to continuing stigma and homophobia as barriers to their goal. Of course, Chuck Hurley and his cronies at the IFPC used the press release as an excuse to bang their monotonous drum against gay marriage. This time Hurley used a new twist: Gay marriage is more dangerous than secondhand smoke. Same-sex couples entering into a marriage encourage monogamy and stability in our communities the same way opposite-sex couples do. Marriage is an ideal of love and commitment, a public symbol of the strength of partnership, and when people like Chuck Hurley try and exclude gay and lesbian couples from this ideal, they make us all a weaker community. A gay man could no more be expected to have a strong marriage to a woman than Hurley could marry a man. But the IFPC would have us believe we’d all be better off if gay men were forced to marry women, lying to themselves and their spouses, and engaging in risky behavior to try and hide who they are. In an email to supporters, IFPC communications director Bryan English, said the
Chuck Hurley, president of the Iowa Family Policy Center. (AP photo.)
CDC “attempted to blame ‘homophobia and stigma’ for the HIV epidemic”. English and Hurley say the way to stop AIDS is to stop homosexual sex. But we know that’s not true, both because safe sex works and because heterosexuals, although their infection rates are lower, are not immune. The fact is many people, gay and straight, engage in risky behavior , but being in a committed, loving relationship
“Iowa lawmakers need to pay attention to hard facts and not be persuaded by emotion laden half-truths,” he said. “Because of their unwillingness to correct the error of last April’s Iowa Supreme Court opinion, the Iowa Legislature is responsible for sanctioning activities that will lead to dramatically higher rates of HIV and syphilis in Iowa.” — Iowa Family Policy Center president Chuck Hurley, illogically arguing that promoting responsible, legally recognized long-term relationships for same-sex couples will somehow lead to an increase in unsafe and promiscuous behavior. is not one of them. We can’t let the Chuck Hurleys and Brian Englishes of the world dictate how we should live when they are so pathetically, and happily, ignorant. What this study shows, rightly, is that we need to step up our support of young gay and bisexual men. We don’t want HIV/AIDS to, as the CDC’s Kevin Fenton, M.D., said “inadvertently become a rite of passage for each new generation of gay men.” Showing our gay and lesbian youth
they have a place in society, that they do not have to lie to themselves or a spouse about who they are is the answer to this problem, not trying to stuff them back in the closet. Interestingly Hurley doesn’t address lesbians in his rant, who must really be a thorn in his side, because by his own rationale, with the lowest rate of AIDS and other STDs, lesbians should be first in line at the courthouse.
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Section 1: News & Politics
April 2010 SScontinued from page 6
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CREEPS
U.S. NEWS
hard at work doing the people’s business. It’s only an issue if the partying gets in the way of said politician doing his job. That’s when there needs to be some kind of intervention. For California Sen. Roy Ashburn, that intervention came last week in the form of a DUI arrest. Granted, being arrested for drunk driving would be blemish enough on a rightwing Republican’s record. But getting a DUI after leaving a gay bar? Oops. Oh, and according to Sacramento station CBS13, “A male passenger ... was also in the car. He was not detained.” Oh, he may not have been detained, but he was picked up all right. Ashburn, a divorced father of four, has a distinguished record of voting against every gay rights measure put in front of him. Recognizing out-of-state marriages between samesex partners? No way. Honor a champion of gay rights by designating May 22 Harvey Milk Day? Not a chance. Cover LGBT folks under anti-discrimination laws? Please. But frequent gay bars in Sacramento where you’re sure to be recognized? Certainly. Keep in mind: This is the man who, in a 2005 press release, stated, “We need to preserve traditional values for the future of our children. Children must be raised with morals and principles. As a society, we must provide them with a secured and loving environment that allows them to flourish.” Needless to say, people are crying hypocrisy. West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, who actually complained publicly on Facebook last year about seeing Ashburn at gay bars despite his anti-gay record, told CBS13, “You can’t just live a double life in politics anymore. To live a secret life and at the same time be attacking exactly the same people you are one of, but you are too ashamed to admit, that’s the hypocrisy for folks whether you are gay or not. It’s just unacceptable in politics.” But that’s not the way Ashburn sees it. According to Californian columnist Lois Henry, Ashland defended his voting record saying he “represents a conservative district and votes as his constituents would want him to.” When Henry asked Ashburn if he was gay, he replied, “Why would that be anyone’s business? ... I think there are certain subjects that are simply not relevant and this is one of them. It has no bearing on the job I do.” Um, yes it does. But I think Ashburn knows that now, which is why he decided to announce his homo-ness a couple days later on a local radio station. Though that
acts of ‘gross indecency with another male person.’ The men were denied bail and were in jail awaiting trial at the end of the year.” * Mexico: “Activists organized gay pride marches in cities across the country; the largest, in which 400,000 people participated, was held in June in Mexico City. In December Mexico City legalized gay marriage and adoption, effective in March 2010.” * Nigeria: “In the 12 northern states that have adopted Shari’a law, adults convicted of engaging in homosexual activity may be subject to execution by stoning, although no such sentences have been imposed.” * Russia: “Project GayRussia attempted to stage a gay pride parade timed to coincide with the annual Eurovision song contest hosted by Russia. Authorities arrested all 50 participants in the Sparrow Hills park before they could organize. ... Moscow mayor Yuriy Luzhkov, who in the past had called homosexuality ‘satanic,’ told the television program ‘Facing the City’ that ‘the morals of society’ do not accept gay persons, to whom he referred using a slur.” * Samoa: “The Censorship Board banned the film Milk due to its homosexual scenes.” * Sierra Leone: “Social discrimination based on sexual orientation occurs in nearly every facet of life for known gays and lesbians, and many choose to have heterosexual relationships and family units to shield them.” * Somalia: “Sexual orientation is considered a taboo topic, and there is no public discussion of this issue in any region of the country.” * Taiwan: “The seventh gay pride march was held in October. More than 25,000 individuals participated.” * Uganda: “The September introduction in parliament of a bill providing the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality’ and for homosexual ‘serial offenders’ resulted in increased harassment and intimidation of LGBT persons during the year; the proposed legislation also provides for a fine and three years’ imprisonment for persons who fail to report acts of homosexual conduct to authorities within 24 hours.” * Yemen: “Homosexual activity is a crime punishable by death under the country’s interpretation of Islamic law. There were no lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) persons’ organizations. ... Few, if any, LGBT residents were open about their orientation or identity because of heavy societal pressure.” To see all the lengthy LGBT excerpts, visit tinyurl.com/statelgbt. The Council for Global Equality is a project of Public Interest Projects, a New York-based nonprofit organization. Member organizations include American Jewish World Service, Amnesty International USA, Anti-Defamation League, Center for American Progress, Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, Global Rights, Heartland Alliance, Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Immigration Equality, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Metropolitan Community Churches, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Open Society Institute, and Out & Equal. Assistance: Bill Kelley
doesn’t mean he’s going to stop voting antigay. Logically. “I believe firmly that my responsibility is to my constituents,” he said in the interview. “And so, on each measure that may come before me, I will take a careful look at it and apply that standard.” “I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment,” he added in a statement. “I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did. I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me.” Makes you wonder what ever happened to the adage, “Larry Craig: Never Forget.”
Itawamba County School Board
When I was in high school I did not take my girlfriend to prom. It didn’t even seem remotely possible. Instead I took a boy, who turned out to be gay. And my girlfriend took a boy, who turned out to be gay. And my twin sister who also had a girlfriend at the time took a boy, who also turned out to be gay. My point is that maybe if my sister and I had felt welcome to bring our girlfriends to prom we wouldn’t have made all of those boys into homos. But we did it. For revenge. That was 14 years ago. And though I wish gay and lesbian students had an easier time today bringing their boyfriends and girlfriends to prom, that’s sadly not the case in many places. Case in point: Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Miss., which has chosen to cancel prom entirely rather than let IAHS student Constance McMillen bring her girlfriend to prom.
“My (scores of anti-gay) votes reflect the wishes of the people in my district. And I have always felt that my faith and allegiance was to the people there in the district, my constituents, and so as each of these individual measures came before the Legislature, I cast ‘no’ votes—usually ‘no’ votes—because the measures were almost always about acknowledging rights or assigning identification to homosexual persons. I felt my duty, and I still feel this way, is to represent my constituents. There’s never been a doubt in my mind on the position of the vast majority of people in my district.” — California state Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, in a March 8 coming-out interview on KERN radio, five days after he was arrested and charged with drunk driving after leaving a Sacramento gay bar.
The school told 18-year-old McMillen it won’t let same-sex couples buy the less expensive date tickets because they don’t want students without dates to pair up to save a few bucks. This is a lame justification, not just because the policy discriminates against gay prom-goers, but also because it’s really shitty to say to people who don’t have a date, “Oh, we’re going to charge you more so we can pay the janitor who has to mop up your tears from the gym floor.” But when it turned out that McMillen wasn’t allowed to bring her girlfriend at all, or wear a tux for that matter, McMillen didn’t just sigh and take a soon-to-be-gay boy instead. No. McMillen called the ACLU. And they filed suit saying that district officials violated McMillen’s First Amendment right to freedom of expression. Which is when the district canceled prom. Because adults are in charge and that is a totally grown up thing to do. McMillen called it for what it was. “A bunch of kids at school are really going to hate me for this, so in a way it’s really retaliation,” she said. McMillen’s case has garnered national attention. She’s been all over TV, including on “The Joy Behar Show,” “The Early Show” and “The Wanda Sykes Show.” The Facebook page Let Constance Take Her Girlfriend to Prom! is rapidly approaching 300,000 fans. So much for the school district’s claim that they canceled prom because of “distractions to the educational process.” They apparently had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they went up against an out and proud 18-year-old. The case has far-reaching implications. “This is about vulnerable LGBT high school and middle school students all over the country,” Dan Savage posted on The Stranger’s blog. “By coming down on the Itawamba County School system ... we’re not just sending a message to the bigots running a high school in a corner of Mississippi. We’re sending a message to school boards and superintendents and principals all over the country: You will pay a price if you discriminate against or encourage other students to retaliate against LGBT youth.” I hope McMillen and her girlfriend get to go to prom together. And I hope the ACLU kicks the Itawamba County School Board’s ass in court. 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.
ACCESSline’s fun guide
Our Picks for April
Deep Inside Hollywood by Romeo San Vicente
4/3, Orpheum, Sioux City: Avenue Q – Broadway at the Orpheum 4/9, Sondheim Center, Fairfield: Red Cedar Chamber Music and Avalon Quartet Angelina Jolie. Photo: Universal Pictures. 4/10, CSPS, Cedar Rapids: Bitch A franchise for Angelina 4/10, US Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids: Lesbian mystery writer Patricia Cornwell’s immensely popular medical examiner Orchestra Iowa presents Queen Kay Scarpetta may finally, after a very, very, very long wait, be coming to the big screen. 4/10, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Iowa City: And Angelina Jolie is the power player who’s going to make sure it happens. The star of Interpreti Veneziani baroque 17 Cornwell novels, Scarpetta is an older character turning forensic ingenue with 4/11, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines: San an original screenplay featuring the casecracking lady’s origins (otherwise they’d Jose Taiko be offering the part to Meryl Streep, which really wouldn’t be such a bad thing when 4/12, Scott Recital Hall, Omaha, NE: you think about it), this way the character can age as she does in the book series. Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Meanwhile, a woman in Hollywood will have a screen franchise of her own, just like 4/16, Englert Theatre, Iowa City: Luna Negra one of the guys. Irish screenwriter Kerry Williamson is tackling script duties and the Dance Theater cameras could roll sometime in 2011, so you still have some waiting to do. Why not start 4/17, CSPS, Cedar Rapids: Baby Dee reading those 17 books? Glee to tour 4/18, Gallagher Bluedorn, Cedar Falls: This is not a tease: the cast of Glee is Yeol Eum Son, Van Cliburn piano medalist coming to a city near you. And they’re going to sing. When most hot young stars of a 4/18, Stephens Auditorium, Ames: Luna Negra hot young show are taking their betweenseasons break, they usually find themselves Dance Theater booked to shoot a terrible teen horror movie or romantic comedy. But the seemingly 4/18, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines: tireless Glee kids (all of whom are over 18 and therefore can be worked until they Romeo & Juliet: A Love Story collapse in exhausted, Auto-Tuned heaps) are taking it on the road to sing live for the 4/23, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines: show’s insanely enthusiastic fans. The mini tour of America will include New York, Los Trans-Siberian Orchestra Angeles, Chicago and Phoenix. And though it’s not been announced at all, you probably 4/24, Orpheum, Omaha, NE: Tim Conway wouldn’t lose money if you bet that they’re
May
5/13, Orpheum, Sioux City: CATS – Broadway at the Orpheum
June
PRIDE MONTH
July
7/7-7/25, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines: Jersey Boys 7/18, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Out at Wrigley
eventually headed to Europe as well, where songs from the show dominate the pop charts and turn fans into Journey-catalogdownloading fiends. The mania has only just begun.
Gaga for Glee
The all-Madonna-song episode is coming up soon (begging the question of who gets to keep Jane Lynch’s cone bra), but this past weekend, Glee creator Ryan Murphy, at a Paley Center event in Los Angeles, revealed an even bigger piece of pop-culture news. According to producers, the show reached out to Lady Gaga and she will appear in some capacity before the season ends, with the cast singing at least one of her songs. The theme: the power of theatricality, of course. In what other context would you appropriately place a woman who, on live television, dives into fake pits of fire during a duet with Elton John? Mean-
while, the really important question now will be where the series will go in season two after getting all the biggest names on their “want” list right out of the box? And speaking of Elton John, when’s his cameo?
Indie star Miranda July’s next movie
Miranda July, the bisexual artist, performer, author and filmmaker who created the lovely, awkward and strangely moving indie film Me and You and Everyone We Know, has not gone away, she’s just been busy not bothering to take Hollywood by storm. Since that film’s critically acclaimed debut in 2005, July has published two more books, participated in the Venice Biennale and has begun work on a new feature. Formerly (or possibly still, depending on where you read) titled Satisfaction , the story is built around a couple (July will star as one half of that unit) instead of the loosely connected ensemble of Me and You. And that’s all the plot we know right now, but in July’s own words, this one is set to be even “weirder” than the sometimes inscrutable, sometimes shocking weirdness of that earlier feature. Nothing is shot yet, so patience for this one will be its own reward.
Mo’Nique. Photo: Lions Gate Films.
Mo’Nique wants McDaniel’s life on screen When you’ve got instant Hollywood power thanks to an Oscar win, it seems like a no-brainer to go after your dream project. And that’s just what Mo’Nique is planning by buying the rights to legendary actress Hattie McDaniel’s life story. McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Academy Award (for playing “Mammy” in Gone With The Wind), was namechecked in Mo’Nique’s acceptance speech, and now Mo’Nique wants to play her in a film project to be directed by her fellow Precious colleague and Oscar nominee Lee Daniels. Daniels already has Selma and Miss Saigon on his plate, so this project could take a few years to make happen. But Mo’Nique radiates power-player/producer already (something maybe to do with that refusal to shave her legs?) so it seems likely she’ll get what she wants eventually.
Pearce joins Pierce
As Romeo reported earlier, the fivehour HBO miniseries event, Mildred Pierce, to be directed by acclaimed queer filmmaker Todd Haynes, already has its Mildred in TTHOLLYWOOD continued page 13
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April 2010
Small talk with Little Boots interview by Chris Azzopardi Electropop princess on arriving in the U.S., her shoe size and being a gay matchmaker Tour Dates: May 1 Metro Chicago, IL
Walk a mile in Victoria Hesketh’s Little Boots and you’ll realize why every man over the rainbow hearts her. She’s cute, fun and sounds like the second coming of Kylie. After posting a series of covers on YouTube, the gays’ latest love is busting into the U.S. with her electropop debut, Hands, finally released stateside after dropping in the U.K. last year. It happened against all odds—the British reality show Pop Idol rejected her and her father’s tone deaf. Hesketh, best known by her Little Boots pseudonym, told us how her current tour is like a dating service for gay men, why she’s not a fan of being a celebrity and the actual size of those little boots. How do you feel about the album finally reaching the U.S.? The fans have been really patient, so I’m just glad it’s finally out. Especially the gay ones. I love the gays! We have a bond. Gay guys seem to really like that female vocal and uplifting, dance-pop music. So I’m not surprised about all the gays (laughs). They’re enthusiastic, very loyal fans, especially in America. Our last tour was mainly gays. Great if you’re looking for a boyfriend. What do you have in common with the gays? I mean, I’m not gay, so not that (laughs). But you did kiss fellow U.K. musician Florence Welch. Florence kissed me—and there was definitely no tongue. I was in shock. It lasted not even five seconds. Which was long enough for someone to get a photo. Exactly. It’s so annoying! You seem a little hesitant about fame in interviews. What about it doesn’t appeal to you? I don’t really like the whole idea of celebrity and people doing things for attention—it’s just quite weird. If people know who I am, I want it to be because I’ve written good songs or because I’m a good performer or a good musician. Not because I went out with no pants on or something weird. If I get recognition for that then that’s flattering, but otherwise why would I want to be in a stupid magazine? If people are talking about your music or what you do—or are saying that you look cool or you
have a nice dress—that’s quite flattering. But making up stories isn’t. Do you read press written about you? God no! I don’t read anything. I avoid it like the plague. When this album first came out, I read some of the reviews just because I was curious. But who cares what one dude thinks? Why care what everyone else thinks? If some old dude that works at a newspaper says I’ve got a good record, do I really care? If they say it’s crap, do I care? Not really. People are calling you “the future of pop”—that’s a lot to live up to. Is there a lot of pressure on you right now? Not really, no. There was at this time last year, but now everything’s happened over here (with the U.K. release) and I’m fine. I don’t really feel very much pressure at all. How did being a part of Pop Idol affect you? I wasn’t actually on the program. I just went on one of the auditions, but I was never on the TV show. People kind of make it a bigger deal than it was. I was just quite young and I just tried it. It wasn’t really a big deal to me at all. What songs were you playing when you first started on the piano at age 5? My First Piano Book songs and nursery rhymes. Just, like, classical stuff. I wasn’t really playing any pop songs at that age. I was probably listening to pop music, but I wasn’t playing it on the piano. I don’t think I would’ve known how. Do you come from a musical family? No, it’s terrible—my dad’s tone deaf. Not musical at all (laughs). It’s quite weird. You’re a Kylie Minogue fan, and the influence she had on Hands is pretty obvious. Have you been into her for a while? Yeah, I’m just a fan of good pop songs, and she has a lot of good pop songs. She’s a great performer, a really good pop star and she’s good at what she does. Were the lyrics of the song “Earthquake” inspired by Tori Amos’ “Little Earthquakes”? I don’t think the song sounds like Tori Amos. I wasn’t really ripping it off or anything, I just wasn’t thinking about it at the time. (Laughs) But then I realized later on that there’s an album called it. How little are your little boots? They’re size 3, but I don’t know what that is in American sizes. In the U.K., it’s really small, like the third size in adults. They’re probably like a normal person’s hand. It’s kind of creepy. Appreciate your time, Victoria. Nice to talk to you! Come to a gig. You’ll get a boyfriend.
Nice to talk to you! Come to a gig. You’ll get a boyfriend. — Musical pop star Little Boots, to gay entertainment columnist Chris Azzopardi.
Little Boots. Photo: Daniel Sannwald
April 2010
the fun guide
One Iowa’s “This Place” TV Spot Wins Gold Pollie Award “This Place,” One Iowa’s television advertisement supporting the freedom to marry received a Gold Pollie Award from the American Association of Political Consultants in the category of Best TV Spot for a statewide initiative campaign. The Pollie Awards are hailed as the “Oscars of Political Advertising.” The award comes as Iowans are about to celebrate the one-year anniversary of marriage equality in Iowa. “This Place reflects Iowa’s tradition to protecting equal rights for all of its citizens. We are proud the ad, which features Iowans and was produced by a former Iowan, has been recognized with this outstanding award. It reinforces the commitment we have made to having a conversation with Iowans about equality and freedom,” said Carolyn Jenison, One Iowa Executive Director. “This Place” was produced by Joe Slade White & Co., a firm that has produced awardwinning advertisements for everyone from former Senator Joe Biden to T. Boone Pickens’ energy plan. Statement from Joe Slade White: As a writer and director, I feel honored to have the film “Place” chosen for a First Place Gold Pollie Award, selected from hundreds of entries from across the country.
As a native Iowan, I feel this film was a chance to honor the values and lessons I was taught growing up, and the pride I have in the state and especially in Iowans. We titled the film “Place” because all Iowans grow up with a unique sense of place, and a common bond about respecting each other. In my family, we were taught that Iowans might originally have come from different lands and spoke different languages and held different beliefs, but what united us was respect for one another. That to me was at the essence of the Supreme Court decision. And we sought to communicate that with words and with images of Iowans. Finally, I feel this piece is dedicated to my family, starting with my great-grandparents who came from Ireland to the prairie of Western Iowa seeking freedom in this land and were farmers in Shelby County. They truly inspired the words and themes and values of “Place”. And they would understand what it’s all about, and what is at stake.” “This Place” can be viewed online at: youtube.com/watch?v=33odacwy0y0 One Iowa is the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, committed to full equality for LGBT individuals, including the freedom to marry. More information at www.oneiowa.org.
“I was an extremely closeted actress for the first few years of my career. In fact, when I was on Ally McBeal, I wouldn’t even drive down Santa Monica Boulevard because I was scared people would see me through the car window and wonder what I was doing in the gay part of town.” —Portia de Rossi, Ellen’s wife, at the Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Hero Awards Dinner, March 14, as transcribed by lgbtpov.com. SScontinued from page 11
HOLLYWOOD Kate Winslet. And now the rest of the cast has been announced for the remake of the dark, classic Joan Crawford film about a hard-working single mother and her never-satisfied daughter. Guy Pearce will play Mildred’s mild-mannered suitor Monty and Evan Rachel Wood will take on the role of Mildred’s mean, spoiled child. Good move, since Wood already gained plenty of experience playing a bad girl in the film Thirteen. Rounding out the cast are Academy Award-nominee Melissa Leo and indie-film vet James Le Gros. Cameras roll in April and (not to jinx the process or anything but) Emmy nominations come later.
Stephen Merritt has Strange Powers
Ask any indie rock fan and they’ll tell you that the Magnetic Fields are one of the most important bands of this generation. Don’t know them? Then you’ve never met one-man song-machine Stephen Merritt, the band’s leader and creator of the chamber pop masterpiece 69 Love Songs. Filmmakers Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara would like to change that cult status with their recently completed documentary Strange Powers: Stephen Merritt and The Magnetic Fields, which follows Merritt, a man who’s been called “the Cole Porter of his generation,” and the revolving cast of musicians who
accompany him when the band performs. Appearing in the doc, alongside main MF collaborator Claudia Gonson, are SleaterKinney’s Carrie Brownstein, Superchunk’s Laura Ballance, writer Sasha Frere-Jones, Peter Gabriel, Kiki & Herb’s Kenny Mellman and Lemony Snicket author (and occasional MF accordionist) Daniel Handler—in other words, a feast for fans and soon-to-be fans. Find it soon at a film festival near you.
La Femme Nikita lives
Who would have imagined that a French action film about a woman and her gun would spawn such longterm devotion? But that’s exactly what’s happened with La Femme Nikita. After the original (with Anne Parillaud) and the Bridget Fonda-starring American remake Point of No Return and a USA Network cult hit TV series starring Peta Wilson that made lesbian pulses race, you’d be forgiven for thinking there was nothing new to explore here. You’d be wrong. Now Mission Impossible 3 star Maggie Q is picking up her own firearm to star in an updated relaunch of the series on The CW. Score one for Asian actresses (Quick: Who was the last one to headline a primetime TV drama? OK, we’ll give you a while to think about that one.) and for audiences that really want to see women in hot outfits committing acts of violence. Romeo San Vicente usually just wears violent outfits and commits acts of hotness. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.
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April 2010
The Outfield by Dan Woog The NCAA talks trans (and LGB)
For several years now, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has addressed LGBT issues at its annual convention. The once sparsely attended sessions have mushroomed into key events. High-ranking athletic administrators now look forward to the panel discussions; they ask insightful questions, and acknowledge the importance of the issues raised. This year’s session—held last month in Atlanta—was perhaps the best yet. Nearly 150 athletic directors, faculty representatives and student-governance people heard five panelists discuss the best means of ensuring fair treatment of LGBT studentathletes within their own teams and in their universities overall. Laurie Priest—the athletic director at Mount Holyoke College—has participated in several NCAA panels. She called this one “wonderful.” The feedback was the most positive ever. “People are really interested in finding ways to support, and be inclusive of, LGBT student-athletes,” she said. She was also encouraged at the extent of minority representation at the session. This year’s event was the most diverse she’s seen. Priest—and many attendees—were particularly pleased with the emphasis on transgender people. Noting that the NCAA held a “think tank” on trans issues last fall in Indianapolis, she said that the Atlanta session built on that foundation— and re-emphasized the organization’s acknowledgment that gender identity must be addressed in sports. Each of the five panelists addressed a different concern. Mark Schuster, senior dean of students and student conduct at Rutgers University, talked about faculty outreach. Ted Rybka, director of sports media for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, discussed media relations and language. Pat Griffin, professor emerita in the Social Justice Education program at the University of Massachusetts, tackled current LGBT issues in sport, while Priest offered an athletic director’s perspective. Helen Carroll of the National Center for Lesbian Rights spoke about that
organization’s sports efforts and outreach. Priest said that an encounter shortly after the session illustrated how far awareness has come—but also the downside associated with that heightened awareness. An administrator approached Priest, and said that the environment on her campus was very open and positive. “She came to our session feeling her school had done it all for LGBT athletes, that everything there was OK,” Priest reported. “But listening to the panel, she realized there is more to do. Things like actually reading the school’s non-discrimination policy to student-athletes at the beginning of the year could send a very powerful message. We assume that every school knows all the right things to do, but they don’t.” An attendee from the Deep South was so impressed with the panel’s presentation that she asked them to do another, aimed solely at providing hands-on advice for faculty representatives. “We’ll do it,” Priest promised. “We’ll give you specific ideas for all kinds of issues, like how do you handle athletes who are dating.” Another attendee told Priest that a student-athlete was transitioning at her school. The athletic department was generally receptive of the transgender person—but no one knew what to say or how to help. The panelists’ inclusion of transgender issues provided the attendee with important ideas for resources. Schuster’s portion of the panel dealt with how NCAA faculty representatives can reach out to instructors on their campuses, encouraging them to include LGBT sports issues in curriculums and conversations. Schuster envisions campuses filled with athletic liaisons who are affirming, positive and trained to work with LGBT student-athletes. He wants those liaisons to be easily accessible through well-publicized and highly respected networks. He told attendees that senior year is critical for LGBT student-athletes. That’s when they decide if they want to pursue their sport at the next level, or stop competing—perhaps for the first time in their lives. For athletes who have not yet come to terms with their sexuality, the end of college and the beginning of “the real world” can be an even more stressful time
than for other seniors. Schuster also urged students and faculty to avoid using the term “coming out.” “That frames sexuality as a problem,” he said. “I prefer the term ‘coming in.’ That’s more collaborative. It implies working with allies to talk about success stories of student-athletes.” “We do tend to preach to the choir at these sessions,” Priest admitted. “But the people who came really did want to know more.” Priest was heartened that nearly two-dozen attendees were NCAA interns. They’re future administrators; they’ll address LGBT sports issues down the road. Hearing about them has to help—both now and in the future. “Four or five years ago I got the feeling that people wondered why we were talking about all of this,” Priest said. “I totally didn’t get that this time. A new generation of sports administrators is arriving. Things are going to change.”
Prodigal sons return to Montana
Growing up in Montana’s Big Sky Country, Kimberly Reed was told that anything could happen there. And it did. Her younger brother Todd came out as gay. Her other brother Marc—adopted as an infant—had part of his brain removed following a bad accident, and still suffers bouts of fearsome anger and violence. While searching for his biological parents, he learned he was the grandson of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. As for Kimberly Reed herself: Through high school, she was Paul McKerrow. He was class president, valedictorian—and captain of the football team. The story has all the makings of a truthis-stranger-than-fiction movie. Which is exactly what Reed—a filmmaker—has produced. Prodigal Sons—her yearlong look into family dynamics that makes the Royal Tenenbaums seem like the Brady Bunch— opened last month in limited release. It airs on the Sundance Channel in June. As an 86-minute documentary, it may not receive widespread exposure. But as a vivid example of the power of biology, chemistry, geography and fate to shape lives, it is worth seeking out. The device that anchors the film— Reed’s return to Helena for her 20th high school reunion—sounds trite, almost laughable. It turns out to be the perfect vehicle for a remarkable journey. Reed expertly weaves still photos and videos of her childhood and youth, interviews with Helena High classmates, family members and friends, plus her own narration. Shots of Montana’s boundless vistas reinforce the idea that life unfolds in a sprawling way—one that is impossible to comprehend with only a glance. Too much happens in Prodigal Sons, which was produced by Big Sky Film Productions, Inc, to recount here. Suffice it to say that the film Reed ended up with is not the one she imagined when she began. As she and Marc confront their pasts—he is still trapped in a brotherly rivalry she long ago abandoned—she real-
Kim Reed izes that it is not Marc who thirsts for an identity, but herself. The film is ultimately not about a family grappling with sexuality, adoption, family, sports, Hollywood, growing up or going home. In the end, Reed said, it is “quite simply about love, and how one family faces challenges and triumphs that no one would ever have imagined.” Last month, days before the film’s release, Reed discussed the project. “With non-fiction documentaries, the challenge usually is to increase the drama,” she said. “With this, we had the opposite problem. We had lots of dramatic hand grenades. We had to figure out how to throw them without blowing everything up. We had to stick to everyone’s humanity.” When Reed was Paul, she said, being a football star was “an icon.” “Everyone knows what ‘high school quarterback’ means. We didn’t have to dwell on that.” Video of games are used in the documentary as “symbolic images of who I used to be,” Reed said. “I’m haunted by these images.” When people hear “jock,” they think “straight dude,” Reed added. “When I transitioned, I stopped being athletic at all. I had always conflated athletics with maleness, with a particular sexual and/or gender identity.” Now, she said, she has gotten back into athletics and exercise, particularly swimming and yoga. “Hopefully, I’ve found a way to be both athletic and feminine.” One of the film’s surprises is the easy acceptance of her former teammates. “Montana is a surprising place,” she explained. “Montanans are very independent. They like to make up their own minds about things.” On camera, a football co-captain calmly tells Kim about the changes that have occurred over 20 years: “We’re all fat, bald and old. And you’re a girl.” Her football team, she said, was “a really cool group of guys. I got lucky.” One of the lightest moments—in a film that is, for the most part, deadly serious—comes when Tim, Paul’s best friend in high school, recounts a bad driving experience from those years. Back then, Tim jokes, “I didn’t know she was a woman driver!” At film festivals in the U.S.—where it has won numerous awards—and as far away as Finland and Estonia, viewers have TTOUTFIELD continued page 15
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OUTFIELD the same consistent, positive reactions, Reed said. Yet as instructive as the film is for audiences, its effect on the filmmaker herself is equally powerful. “I started out believing this film was about Marc’s quest for identity,” she said. “But it was about my own. “I thought my transition was complete. Instead Marc taught me I was only halfway there, and that I had to somehow resurrect the first half of my life I had buried alive. This freed me to return home and reclaim my past.” Paul McKerrow no longer throws game-winning touchdown passes. But this may be Kimberly Reed’s most important victory of all.
Focus on the NCAA
It’s one thing for Apple or Doritos to hawk their wares during the Super Bowl. It’s another thing entirely for Focus on the Family to do so. The right-wing Christian political organization—known for its strident opposition to both abortions and LGBT civil rights—provoked a national uproar when CBS agreed to air an anti-abortion commercial featuring University of Florida quarterback Ted Tebow during what turned out to be the most-watched program in American television history. (The controversy was stoked in part because in 2004 CBS refused to air an ad in which the United Church of Christ showed that it welcomed everyone—including gays and lesbians.) The network said its policy on “advocacy ads” changed in the intervening years. The anti-abortion spot aired, and the republic survived. But within days, a new controversy arose. Within a few weeks, CBS was televising the men’s college basketball tournament—and more Focus on the Family ads were planned. This time, though, it was not the network that drew activists’ fire. It was the organizers themselves: the NCAA. Pat Griffin has worked closely with the NCAA, as both a former University of Massachusetts coach and director of the Women’s Sports Foundation’s “It Takes a Team” anti-homophobia project. Now a blogger on LGBT sports issues, she set her sights on the powerful oversees of most American collegiate athletic programs. The NCAA’s own constitutional principles explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, she wrote. Yet Focus on the Family wants to “impose their values on the NCAA tournament … . (The NCAA and CBS) are rolling out the red carpet, and I am deeply offended by the NCAA’s complicity in this.” The NCAA, Griffin said, “cannot have it both ways. They cannot claim to care about the quality of the athletic experience for LGBT student-athletes and provide educational programs to assist schools in making sure that LGBT student-athletes can compete with respect and dignity, and (at the same time) allow Focus on the Family to use the NCAA Web site and men’s basketball tournament to promote their discriminatory right-wing Christian agenda.” Griffin asked her readers to pass her blog post on to friends—and the NCAA. She urged anyone who attends—or once attended—an NCAA school to call their
the fun guide university presidents. Other LGBT blogs, including the influential Towleroad, picked up the cause. Within a day, the NCAA relented—a bit. NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said the decision “came in response to vocal protests from a small number of advocates for gay and lesbian athletes, who complained that the group’s views that homosexuality and abortion are immoral is inconsistent with the NCAA’s stated nondiscrimination policy. Focus on the Family did have a banner ad on NCAA.com. Today, it was decided to remove the ad from the Web site as a result of concerns expressed by our membership.” Williams’ words went from combative (“vocal protests,” “small number of advocates for gay and lesbian athletes,” “complained”) to acceptance (“concerns expressed by our membership”) in the span of three sentences. No decision was announced, however, about the television ad—which was, after all, more of a case of the ball being in CBS’s court. And then something really interesting happened. The NCAA statement was changed. Suddenly, the language was less provocative, more objective: “The decision by the NCAA came in response to vocal protests from advocates for gay and lesbian athletes—which quickly grew into a broader audience of critics who sent e-mails and set up what has now become the standard, a Facebook page—who complained that the group’s views that homosexuality and abortion are immoral are inconsistent with the NCAA’s stated non-discrimination policy.” Griffin wasn’t through. She used the NCAA’s own Advertising and Promotional Standards to argue that Focus on the Family’s ads violated the organization’s stated mission. NCAA advertising, the standards say, should support ideals that include diversity, gender equity, non-discrimination, ethical conduct and student-athlete welfare.” The connection between the NCAA and CBS turns out to be quite close. According to InsideHigherEducation.com, the ads were part of a larger package deal between CBS—which manages NCAA.com—and Focus on the Family. Griffin kept up her attack. Focus on the Family’s definition of “family,” she said, is restricted to those in which heterosexuals marry. The group is “entitled to their perspectives on controversial issues,” she said. And of course “they have a right to buy advertising time if their ads meet the standards of CBS or any other for-profit media group.” However, Griffin argued, a line must be drawn when non-profit educational organizations like the NCAA have missions and values that “do not square” with those of groups like Focus on the Family. Griffin said she would like to follow March Madness with the same excitement she always has. She does not want to feel “sold out” by the NCAA—“or need to go to war about it.” But, she warned, “I will if I have to.” 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.
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ACCESSline’s STATEWIDE Recurring Events List Every day except Sunday, HAMBURGER MARY’S WEEKLY HAPPENINGS, See Description, 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 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; 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. [ L G B T M W A K D ] Third Sunday of the Month, IOWA CITY PRIDE PLANNING COMMITTEE, 3-4 PM, at 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. [ L G B T M W A ] Third Sunday of the Month, IOWA CITY PRIDE PLANNING MEETINGS, 3PM, Meetings to plan the 2010 Iowa City Pride Festival. Everyone welcome to attend. [ L GBTK] Every Sunday, RAINBOW AND ALLIED YOUTH, 8:00pm-11:00pm, Social group for Queer youth 25 years and under [ L G BT] Every Sunday, GLBT AA, 5-6 PM, at 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: http://aa-ic.org/. [ L G BTMWA] Every Sunday, L WORD LIVES: L NIGHT, 7PM, 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. Tel, 319-321-5895. [ L B T W D ] Every Sunday, THE QUIRE: EASTERN IOWA’S GLBT CHORUS REHEARSALS, 6-8:30 PM, 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. The Quire prepares two full concerts each year in the winter and spring, and occasionally performs shorter programs at events in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area. The Quire is a member of Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA), and has developed a reputation for excellence and variety in its concert programs. For more info, visit http://www.thequire.org/. [ L G BTMWA] 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 http://apps.facebook.com/causes/307228/41151079. [ L BGTMWA] First and Third Sunday of the Month, TANGO LESSONS AT CSPS, 3-6 PM, at 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Cost is $5. Everyone welcome; no partner or experience neces-
sary. For more info, call Elie at 319-363-1818 or e-mail epsa@aol.com. [ L G B T M W A ] Fourth Monday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG WAUKON/NORTHEAST CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, 309 W. Main St., in the Parish Center, Decorah. For more info, call 563-535-7680. [LGBTMWA] First Monday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG QUAD CITIES CHAPTER MEETING, 6:30 PM, at Eldridge United Methodist Church, 604 S. 2nd St., Eldridge. For more info, call 563-285-4173. [ L G B T M W A K ] First Second Monday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG NORTH IOWA CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Pierce St., Mason City. Meetings are held the First and Second Monday (alternating) of the month. For more info, call 641-583-2848. [ L G B T M W A K ] Every Monday Wednesday Thursday Saturday, GLBT ONLY AA MEETINGS IN DES MOINES, 6 PM - SAT 5 PM, at 945 19th St. (east side of building, south door). [ L G BTMWA] Third Monday of the Month, PFLAG OF CEDAR RAPIDS METRO AREA, 6 PM (social time) 6:30 PM (meeting time), in the Middle Room of Faith United Methodist Church, 1000 30th St, NE, Cedar Rapids. Meeting held in the Middle Room of Faith United Methodist Church. 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 rights. Call 515-537-3126 for more details. [LGBTMWAK] Second Tuesday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG AMES CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM, For more info, call 515-291-3607. [ L G B TMWAK] Second Tuesday of the Month, GLRC OF CEDAR RAPIDS BOARD MEETING, 6:30-8 PM, at 6300 Rockwell Dr, Cedar Rapids. Meetings are open to the general public. For more info, call 319-366-2055 or visit: http://www.crglrc.org/. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Tuesday, OUT (OUR UNITED TRUTH): A GLBT SUPPORT GROUP, 7-8:30 PM, For more info, call 563-359-0816. [ L GBTMWA] Second Tuesday of the Month, WOMEN FOR PEACE KNITTERS, 9:30 AM, 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. [ L W ] Second Tuesday of the Month, SPIRITUAL SEEKERS, 7-8:30 PM, 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 TTEVENTS continued page 28
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Hear Me Out by Chris Azzopardi
Little Boots, Hands Good pop doesn’t work too hard. So luckily, few beads of sweat trickle from the electro shimmer of Victoria “Little Boots” Hesketh’s much-anticipated stateside landing. Odds are, however, that you already knew the darling musician, who dropped an EP last year, when she was still a self-made YouTube sensation performing covers in her pajamas. But on her full-length debut, featuring a plethora of producers, the British pixie’s stimulating a disco-ball glow, glittering the robotic lost-in-space sounds with a Kylie Minogue kinship that won’t go unnoticed by any gay boys. “New in Town” put her on the ’mo map, using simple Spice Girls sing-along lyrics (“I’m gonna take you out tonight/I’m gonna make you feel alright”) over buzzing synths that makes for one bubbly little nugget of neon-strobed sweetness. By comparison,
“Earthquake” sounds bigger (and, with that name, shouldn’t it?), ruminating on relationship woes—a running theme—in a dizzying display of laser sounds and drum machines. Not making much of a rumble, though, is the forgettable breeziness of the closing ballads: the throwaway “No Brakes” and “Hearts Collide,” a major Minogue mimic. The allure of Hesketh, though, is that she’s familiar enough to get us hooked—dressing her music in ’80s influences and doing disco-leaned danceables. Imagine how big Little Boots will be when she finds a sound that’s all her own. Grade: B
k.d. lang, Recollection
Not even Evian water can rival the purity of k.d. lang’s voice. So drink up, because the 22 songs on this doubledisc collection (also available in a deluxe version)—from the music legend’s multidecade, cross-genre career—mark some major milestones. And not just with hits like “Constant Craving,” her defining moment that’s included early on here. The mellowness of her warm, supple voice sweeps through the breadth of songs—interpreting covers with immeasurable astuteness, like on the intensely moving Hollies’ tune “The Air that I Breathe” and the longing of Neil Young’s achy “Helpless.” Duets that were once only available via soundtracks appear on Recollection: “Crying” with Roy Orbison, which has the power to completely stop the world from moving, and “Calling All Angels,” a quiet plea, sung with Jane Siberry, that
material, is lo-fi and chill, turning some wicked guitar licks (no wonder she’s been compared to Bonnie Raitt) and impassioned testimonials, like “Cupid’s Knee,” one of her first recordings. Even lesbian icon Janis Ian pops in, harmonizing with Larkin on “Italian Shoes.” With a guest list this good, don’t forget to RSVP.
somehow became even more splendid after its Six Feet Under spot. If 2006’s Reintarnation chronicled her twangy genesis, this set encompasses the stylish elegance now oft-associated with her timeless tunes— whether she’s melting us with the Beatles “Golden Slumbers/The End” hybrid or moving us on two immaculate, understated versions of “Hallelujah.” When Tony Bennett gushes during an intro to his Grammywinning duet with her on “Moonglow,” he says, “Every once in a while there are certain performers who come along—they’re just blessed with a destiny.” No kidding. Grade: A-
Also Out
Patty Larkin, 25 How genius: The revered sorta-folkie re-records songs for each year of her 25-year career over two discs with some of her BFFs. All of it, like most of the New Englander’s
Brandi Carlile, XOBC Her booming pipes usually threaten everything in their path, but the Seattle singer-songwriter goes for cute-and-cuddly over loud-and-lifting on this iTunes download. Three new cuts, the best being the piano-building conundrum “Love Songs,” are cornered between two remakes: the Beatles staple “All You Need Is Love” and Bryan Adams’ pop hit “Heaven.” Sounding blissful, restrained and tender on the latter, there’s no better way to describe it than by its own title. Reach Chris Azzopardi at chris@pridesource.com.
“In 2000, I pushed Ricky Martin very hard to admit if he was gay or not, and the way he refused to do it made everyone decide that he was. A lot of people say that destroyed his career, and when I think back on it now, I feel it was an inappropriate question.” — Barbara Walters to the Toronto Star, March 6.
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Bitch and Baby Dee to appear at CSPS
Singer, musician, composer, actress, and performance artist, Bitch.
Congratulations to the 100+ couples for whom Reverend Peg Esperanza officiated this past year! It was great to be around so much love & happiness! Reverend Peg Esperanza and Vicky Esperanza Church of the Holy Spirit MCC, Des Moines
LGBT musical artists Bitch and Baby Dee will appear at CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, in April. Bitch will perform Saturday, April 10 and Baby Dee Saturday, April 17. Both shows are at 8 p.m. Bitch is touring behind her new solo release, Blasted! Her personal yet politically charged lyrics, atypical instrumentation (she learned violin from Andrew Bird) and wildly dramatic stage persona have earned her an international reputation. Her former band, Bitch and Animal, released three albums together. Their first, What’s that Smell?, was released on their own label and quickly caught the ear of Ani DiFranco, who co-produced and released their second album, Eternally Hard on Righteous Babe Records. Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times voted it one of the top 10 albums of 2001. The group’s third album, Sour Juice and Rhyme (also on Righteous Babe), was nominated for album of the year in the GLAAD Media awards, where their fellow nominees were Rufus Wainwright, Peaches and Me’shell Ndegeocello. Since the break-up of Bitch and Animal, Bitch released her first solo effort, Make This Break This, on Kill Rock Stars; started her own label, Short Story Records; produced Boulder, by legendary Canadian folk singer Ferron; and played herself in John Cameron Mitchell’s notorious movie, Shortbus. Baby Dee is a classically trained transgender harp player and performance artist from Cleveland via New York. After working closely with Will Oldham on her critically acclaimed Drag City release,
Baby Dee Safe Inside the Day, Dee is touring behind a mesmerizing song cycle sure to be compared to Antony and the Johnsons. The album, A Book of Songs for Anne-Marie, was produced by noted arranger Maxim Moston, of Antony and the Johnsons’ touring band. Baby Dee has worked with Antony and the Johnsons, Marc Almond and Andrew WK. Tickets for Bitch are $11 in advance and $15 at the door. Baby Dee tickets are $14 in advance and $18 at the door. For more info call 319-364-1580 or visit www.legionarts.org. Advance tickets are available at www.midwestix.com.
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The Gay Wedding Planner: A Year of Gay Weddings by Beau Fodor Wow, it really has been a dream come true, for so many of us here in all four corners of our great state of Iowa! Congratulations to all the couples who have married here over the past twelve months. Special congratulations and thanks to those fifteen couples and their families and friends that I worked for and beside, who traveled from both coasts, and crossed international borders, against all odds, to simply say “I Do!” and then left Iowa prepared to live happily-ever-after… Even if their own state or country didn’t recognize their marriage vows. It has been the most humbling year of my life, as well. Sharing and preparing for destination weddings is definitely a roller coaster ride. The psychology and sociology (and occasional homophobia) that come into play are intense, to say the very least. Of course, then there is the inevitable family drama and dysfunction (which—out of respect for those fifteen couples— I won’t even get into!) But as the couples in every wedding drove “off into the sunset”—or snowstorm, as was the case late last year—with a “just married” sign usually somewhere in sight, no matter the scenario, it was like a very real gift from God. The past year has been a dream come true for this not-so-privileged gay kid from New Jersey, who had to fight for his life for three decades just to believe in himself. Now, as my second year as a gay wedding planner begins, with more self-worth and
self-esteem than I’ve ever had before, and a new batch of engaged couples visit the state and plan their dream weddings, I still am in awe of their pioneering spirit, and dedication to each other, and the movement. After a year of talking, writing, and blogging about all these weddings, the question that seems most asked about is how to combine and balance long-held traditions with necessary new ones to create a modern and unique ceremony. So far, we have been doing a great job of it. A recently-engaged couple from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, will bring their entourage of 150 to central Iowa for a vineyard wedding this summer. These ladies, Kat and Gretchen, (pictured), are true DIVAS, in the sense that they are both corporate executives and activists in the LGBT community, and have fairytale-like nuptials planned for late this summer—that will include the media. As we’ve planned the engagement announcements and photos, and now are fine-tuning the thousand or so small logistical details that come with a large destination wedding and reception, I’ve come to realize,
Beau Fodor again, one very important thing: No matter what the anal-retentive bestlaid-plans and planners’ lists say… well, things change and the unexpected will still happen. This is life, after all. Make a degree of spontaneity part of your expectations and roll with it. Keep your love for each other the focus, and your love for your family, friends, and guests—and don’t sweat the details! (That’s what wedding planners are for!) Keep that in mind, and you’ve got a great start to that happily-ever-after. Just like Kat and Gretchen. Congratulations, Ladies!!! Beau Fodor is an Iowa wedding planner who focuses specifically on weddings for the LGBT community. He can be reached through iowasgayweddingplanner.com or gayweddingswithpanache.com.
April 2010 “Proposition 8 changed (things). Really for the first time in my life, I felt like I knew what it was like to feel discrimination and hatred. I felt less-than. I felt like my government was telling me that I wasn’t as important as everyone else and that I didn’t deserve the same rights and freedoms. I found myself having discussions with so-called liberal people about the word ‘marriage’ and I discovered that my expectation at being considered equal and wanting to be treated as such was extreme. So I started talking. I talked about injustice and inequality wherever I could. I shared private details of my life with Ellen to make a point and I talked about my frustration that a basic human right could be taken away by a majority vote. I developed a knack for turning any question into a discussion about gay marriage. ... And I won’t stop talking until equality is achieved and there’s nothing left to talk about.” — Portia de Rossi, Ellen DeGeneres’s wife, at the Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Hero Awards Dinner, March 14, as transcribed by lgbtpov.com.
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YEARS O F
P R O C L A I M I N G
GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL I N H O LY D I V E R S I T Y
Celebrate with us! Sunday, April 18, 2010 Worship 11 a.m., Tanglewood Hills Chapel Dinner 12:15 p.m., followed by awards and dancing Silent and live auction fundraiser to retire our mortgage Tanglewood Hills Pavilion 4250 Middle Rd, Bettendorf, Iowa $30 for dinner-dance tickets 563.324.8281 R.S.V.P. by 4/10
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An interview with composer for film and TV Kerry Muzzey by Arthur Breur Kerry Muzzey is an up-and-coming composer with already more than a dozen film and TV credits to his name. Add to that a musical cue being used in the hit TV show GLEE, and Kerry is in his happy place: What has been your greatest challenge in your line of work? That question has a couple different answers. The challenge a few years ago was making the decision to walk away from a career on the biz side of TV and music to dedicate myself to working full-time as a composer. Then the immediate challenge became making a living at it! The challenge now is a much less-difficult one: now it’s all about prioritizing what I want to be doing project-wise and figuring out which jobs I want to take on when I’m presented with multiple opportunities. It’s kind of an embarrassment of riches this year: I hope that keeps up. But that’s what happened with the film “BearCity” – a music supervisor friend of mine was handling the music and soundtrack for the movie, and the director had asked a few people for composer suggestions. She asked if it was something I’d be interested in working on because she thought I’d be a good fit. I was hesitant because most gay-themed movies are really bad and I didn’t have any reason to think this one would be different, and because I was finishing the “Home Movies 2” album and starting to pack up for my move from NYC to L.A. But once I watched it, I completely changed my mind and realized I needed to find a way to fit this movie in and to make it a priority. 20 minutes into it I thought, “Wow – this is good. And it’s funny, and it’s really sweet and even a little bit heartbreaking. “ And I was amazed at how much I felt for these characters. I think the difference between this movie and most of the other gay-themed movies out there is that this isn’t a “gay movie.” It’s a romantic comedydrama about a group of friends in NYC – 3 gay couples, their hot single friend, and a 21-year-old “twinkie” who’s really into the bear scene and befriends them. The themes and the relationship issues are pretty universal, and there’s so much humor in it. I loved that part of it: a gay film that isn’t heavy and dark! The production values were also really fantastic: it doesn’t look like an independent film. And the script, casting and acting are great. I fell in love with the project pretty quickly, and it became a very easy project to say “yes” to. What do you enjoy the most every day as you do this work? I love that I wake up every day knowing that I’m going to sit in my studio all day and try to write something good. I still can’t believe that that’s my job. If I’m working on a TV show or a movie, the enjoyment comes from seeing how the music completely changes the movie. It’s all about figuring out how to enhance it or make it more beautiful or make it sad without getting in the way of it. I worked for a long time in corporateworld on the biz side of TV and music, which is grueling and pretty soul-sucking, so I am fully aware of how good I have it these days. I do miss the social contact of having people around, but on the flipside I do get to work with some awesome editors and directors, which keeps things fun and keeps me from
Kerry Muzzey hermiting away too much. If you could compose a movie score for any a) director, b) actor, or c) subject, what would they be? I’m dying to work with Patty Jenkins, who was the writer and director of “Monster.” She has such a respect for music and a real passion for it, and her work is so intelligent and gut-wrenching. I’d also love to work with this Italian director named Gabriele Muccino, whose movies are just beautiful in every single way. I’m such an Italophile… I’d love to be scoring contemporary Italian movies. Subject-wise, I guess I never thought about that. I think the subject doesn’t matter much to me, as long as it’s a good and engaging story that leaves me feeling something. As for actors, I had two awesome experiences on films where I found myself scoring the actor specifically because I was so completely taken with them on my screen. The first one was a film called “Amexicano,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival a couple years ago. There was an actor in it named Raul Castillo, who played the main character, and when he was onscreen the music had to change. It just had to… he was an amazing presence. More recently I did the score for this film called “Hole in the Paper Sky” and the lead in that film was Jason Clarke, from Showtime’s “Brotherhood” and he blew me away. That was another case where I found myself so fascinated with watching him that the music became all about scoring him directly. You could literally score the fleeting emotions that ran across his eyes. It was a great experience and it made for a beautiful soundtrack. What is coming in the near future from Kerry Muzzey? Well I hope you’ll be hearing more of my cue “Looking Back” on GLEE. My deal with Fox is open-ended, so I’m hoping to hear more of that love theme in the “back 9” episodes and in Season 2 this fall. “BearCity” is all wrapped up and will start opening in theatres in major cities nationwide in June through September, and the DVD release is already set for November 2nd. I’ll be putting out a physical CD of that score as well as putting it on all the usual digital platforms like iTunes and Amazon and eMusic. There are a couple other things starting to simmer for later this year: my fingers are crossed that one of them comes through!
Set in New York’s gay “bear” scene and taking a cue from the popular HBO franchise “Sex and the City,” BearCity follows a tight-knit pack of friends experiencing comical mishaps, emotionally sweet yet lusty romantic encounters and a cast of colorful, diverse characters as they gear up for a big party weekend. (IMDB.com) Coming June 2010.
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Charleston, South Carolina by Andrew Collins One of the wealthiest and largest cities of pre-Colonial America, Charleston today mixes expected, if stereotypical, Southern charms like plantation museums, cobblestone lanes, ancient military sites and traditional Lowcountry cuisine with a number of facets that surprise first-time visitors: hip coffeehouses, edgy galleries, informal restaurants and nightspots, and an increasingly more youthful and progressive population (Obama easily outpaced McCain in Charleston County in 2008). It’s hardly surprising that this fast-growing, sophisticated city known for its arts festivals and historic architecture has become a favorite weekend destination among GLBT travelers. Museum junkies won’t lack for things to see and do here, although there’s no reason to focus your explorations indoors, especially from fall through spring, when the moderate climate is perfect for strolling along the riverfront or trekking to one of the beach communities nearby. A good place to begin exploring is with a stop at the Historic Charleston Foundation. A number of key events are held here, including the famed Spoleto Festival, which in late spring offers two weeks’ worth of first-rate opera, dance, theater, music, poetry readings and visual arts exhibitions. The foundation also operates two superb museums, the 1817 Aiken-Rhett House and the 1808 Nathaniel Russell House. From the latter you can walk a few blocks south to Waterfront Park, a grassy tree-filled plot of land with gardens and an adjacent promenade overlooking the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper rivers. Walk north through the historic downtown along Meeting Street, Charleston’s “Museum Mile,” and you’ll find one intriguing attraction after another. The Gibbes Museum of Art, with its 7,000-piece permanent collection and the Charleston Museum, which opened in 1773, are highlights. Meeting, King and Bay streets have their share of both high-quality and predictable gift and antiques shops, as well as several galleries. Charleston figured pivotally in the American Revolution and even more directly in the start of the Civil War. Today Fort Sumter Tours offers boat excursions out to Fort Sumter National Monument, the 19thcentury fort on which the first shot of the war was fired on April 12, 1861. No visit to Charleston is complete without a side trip to one of the imposing plantations. Consider the 1740s Drayton Hall, the only extant antebellum mansion along the Ashley River (it’s unfurnished, however); and Middleton Place, a 1741 spread whose colorful gardens are the oldest in the country. In the other direction, head east and then south to the breezy Sullivan’s Island, an excellent place to stroll along pristine goldsand beaches. You can tour Fort Moultrie, another significant Civil and Revolutionary war site that’s now run by the national park service. And then stop for a filling lunch at rustic Poe’s Tavern, which turns out enormous and delicious burgers with names inspired by 19th-century horror writer Edgar Allan Poe—he was stationed at Fort Moultrie for a couple of years. In downtown Charleston, you’ll find
The Little Black Book --Andrew Pinckney Inn www.andrewpinckneyinn.com -- Baked
www.bakedcharleston.com
-- Blossom www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com -- Chai’s Lounge & Tapas www.chaislounge.com -- Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau www.charlestoncvb.com -- Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Waterfront www.marriott.com/chscy -- Déjà vu II -- Dudley’s Pub -- Fig -- 4 Unity Alley
www.dejavuii.com myspace.com/clubpantheon www.eatatfig.com www.unitybb.com
-- Hampton Inn Charleston Historic District http://bit.ly/bHeNav -- Harbourview Inn www.harbourviewcharleston.com
Colonial and Victorian buildings in Charleston’s downtown historic district. Photo: Andrew Collins countless opportunities to partake of the region’s famed Lowcountry cuisine, which mixes soul, Creole, and Southern recipes. Head to Slightly North of Broad (aka “S.N.O.B.”) for a creative take on classic Southern fare, including a flawless rendition of shrimp-and-grits. Just down the street, Blossom serves similarly creative Lowcountry cooking with a modern spin— try the pan-seared flounder with butterbean ragout and bacon jus. Quite a few more modern establishments have been gaining favor with foodies of late. A good choice for sipping flights of different styles of wine while nibbling on tasty tapas is Social Wine Bar, which makes fantastic wood-fired pizzas—the one with prosciutto, fontina, sliced pear and mozzarella is a stand-out. Stellar farm-to-table mod cuisine is served at the trendy storefront eatery Fig, from Wagyu beef tartare to slow-baked black bass with baby clams. An emerging restaurant row close to the city’s two main gay bars, upper King Street, has several excellent dinner spots, including the swanky pan-Asian restaurant Chai’s Lounge & Tapas and the cozy, romantic French bistro La Fourchette—an enjoyable place to feast steamed mussels in garlic and white wine with frites doublefried in duck fat. With as strong a GLBT following as anywhere in town, Vickery’s serves such tasty and affordable Caribbean-meetsCuban victuals as fried-green-tomato turnovers, black bean soup, and grilled jerk chicken salads. Stop by the cozy coffeehouse Baked, the only place in the Southeast serving Portland, Oregon’s famed Stumptown Coffee, plus tasty cakes and deliriously good sweet-and-salty brownies (filled with caramel and topped with sea salt). Although Charleston isn’t a major gay nightlife hub, you will find a couple of great hangouts near upper King Street. Convivial Dudley’s Pub is a prime spot to chat with locals, shoot pool, sing karaoke, or watch videos, while just down the block and open only on weekends, Pantheon is the city’s hottest gay dance club, with go-go boys, top DJs, and drag shows. You’ll also find a couple of less touristy neighborhood bars in the region: Patrick’s Pub & Grill, a 15-minute west of downtown, Déjà vu II, which is the
same distance to the north. Upscale and popular year-round, Charleston has fairly high hotel rates, but you will find some of the snazziest and most romantic accommodations in the country. If you’d rather not blow your whole budget on your room, consider a couple of the excellent—and gay-friendly—mid-priced chain properties in town, including the Hampton Inn Charleston Historic District (which is close to Dudley’s and Pantheon gay bars) and the attractive Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Waterfront, which overlooks the riverfront and is a 10-minute walk west of the Historic District. Among high-end lodgings, the sumptuous and centrally located Market Pavilion Hotel contains 70 beautifully appointed rooms filled with museum-quality furnishings and artwork. There’s also a rooftop bar and pool affording panoramic views, and one of the best restaurants downtown, Grill 225, serving decadent steaks and Lowcountry seafood. Around the corner, the five-story Harbourview Inn is another stunner— inside you’ll find soaring ceilings, exposedbrick walls, and four-poster beds. The complimentary perks are many: Continental breakfast delivered to your room, afternoon wine and cheese, evening milk and cookies, local walking tours, and Wi-Fi. The Harbourview is part of a local hotel group that includes several other excellent properties, among them the 41-room Andrew Pinckney Inn, which occupies a beautifully restored 1840s building. Another exceptional choice is the meticulously maintained Planters Inn, many of whose luxurious rooms have whirlpool tubs. This courtly property overlooks City Market and is close to many galleries and shops—it’s also home to the stellar Peninsula Grill restaurant. One of the city’s most historic options is the John Rutledge House Inn, which has rooms in the main 1763 mansion as well as in two adjacent carriage houses. The romantic, Italianate-style main building was built by a signer of the U.S. Constitution—its rooms, with 13-foot ceilings and elaborate plaster moldings, are supremely opulent, but those in the adjoining carriage houses offer a bit more privacy.
-- John Rutledge House Inn www.johnrutledgehouseinn.com/ -- La Fourchette www.lafourchettecharleston.com -- Market Pavilion Hotel and Grill 225 www.marketpavilion.com -- Pantheon
myspace.com/clubpantheon
-- Planters Inn
www.plantersinn.com
-- Poe’s Tavern
www.poestavern.com
-- Slightly North of Broad www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/snob -- Social Wine Bar -- Vickery’s
www.socialwinebar.com www.vickerysbarandgrill.com
The city has a few gay-owned B&B, including 4 Unity Alley, is a gem hidden down a tiny alley off historic Bay Street. This 18th-century former colonial warehouse, in which George Washington is said to have housed his horse for a night, contains airy, light-filled rooms with fine antiques. Keep in mind that the four guest rooms here often book up quickly—it’s wise to make your reservations well in advance. Guests can relax in a sunny garden, and off-street parking and a full breakfast are included in the rates. 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.
“My favorite thing I saw was a guy on the Internet that said: ‘Of course he’s gay. He’s got a gay face,’ which I thought was kind of an odd thing to say anyway. A ‘gay face’? That’s a very worrying thing, like they have sat at home and have got pictures of me next to other famous, gay (people)—Elton John, I don’t know—just comparing across the years. I’m not sure. It’s very, very odd. … If people want to say that, they can. But I’m not. I’m straight.” — Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe to MTV, March 1.
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Book Review by Terri Schlichenmeyer “Divas Las Vegas” by Rob Rosen ©2009, Cleis Press $14.95 US / $18.95 Canada 287 pages
Across 1 The Gay ‘90s, and more 5 Bette Davis feature of song 9 Butcher’s cut 14 Philbin cohost 15 Arenas’ house 16 Made easier to bear 17 Place for a Malgieri pastry 18 By word of mouth 19 Borders on 20 Pink Triangle press, e.g.? 23 “___ you loud and clear!” 24 Like 1,001 nights 28 Because I Said So comedienne Maggie 32 When sex addicts need it 33 Seemingly forever 35 Shaft output 36 Drag queen looking for action? 42 Marine eagle 43 Gellar kisser in Cruel Intentions 44 O’Donnell’s memoir 47 Having gaydar, perhaps 52 Prick stimulators 54 Stage offering 55 Coup by Ellen? 59 Show that aired TV’s first lesbian kiss 62 Wilde country 63 Tall Boston guy, for short 64 “___ there yet?” 65 Spamalot writer Eric 66 Tanning need 67 Bear
You would have never believed it if you hadn’t seen it for yourself. Mere steps into the terminal at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, there were, indeed, slot machines: rows and rows of them in all their lightflashing, cha-chinging, whooping glory. Just off the plane, you were overjoyed. You were excited. You couldn’t dig quarters out of your pocket fast enough. And, of course, that was just the beginning because there’s lots to do in Sin City; even more, if you’re looking for a lost antique. But in the book “Divas Las Vegas” by Rob Rosen, an old relic could mean trouble anew. When Bill Miller (known to his friends as “Em”) lost his job through the sale of his beloved bookstore, he was sad… for about ten minutes. His share of the sale amounted to $30,000, which was just the balm Em’s newly-
Q-PUZZLE: “Ile Fly Away”
68 It’s a gas on Broadway 69 And others, for Caesar Down 1 Like a Mapplethorpe photo 2 Kahlo’s husband 3 High points
4 Seasonal mall employees 5 Finance major’s subj. 6 Barbecue area 7 Twin to Jacob 8 Music style for Martin 9 Cause anguish to
unemployed soul needed. The other soothing thing was that it was Las Vegas night on Antiques Roadshow, and Em loooved Antiques Roadshow. But what he saw astonished him. Years ago, Em’s mother inherited a vase that had been a sore point in her childhood. As a kid, she was never allowed to go near it and she always hated the thing. Once it was hers, she sold it at a garage sale for two dollars, then regretted her rashness soon after. The vase was featured on the show. It was appraised at $25,000. Instantly, Em knew that he had to find that vase. Accompanied by his BFF, Justin (who had scads of money and didn’t need a job), and a suitcase filled with two fabulouslysequined chorus-girl costumes, Em flew to Vegas to make his mother happy. But while Las Vegas is filled with beautiful boys and kitschy shows, it’s also filled with danger and intrigue. First, the newest owner of the vase turned up dead, then two strangers were murdered in the hotel in which Em and Justin were staying. TTDIVAS continued page 27
10 Result of excessiver heterosexuality 11 Columbus coll. 12 Mauresmo’s court divider 13 Wood and more 21 Bright notions 22 Sung syllable 25 Letters over Mary’s son 26 Top parts of suits 27 Costner character 29 Liberace’s nickname 30 Pop singer Lisa 31 Common sprain spot 34 The King and I setting 36 Test the weight of 37 Iroquoian tongue 38 Tales of the City’s Madrigal 39 Founder of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 40 Barely beat 41 Letter from a teacher 45 Brown’s Murder, She ___ 46 Areas for Dr. George O’Malley 48 Deep throat soother 49 “___ your way” 50 She filled a lot of shoes 51 OPEC, for one 53 The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas author 56 It comes on the beach 57 Alice’s Restaurant patron 58 Noted news columnist Lisa 59 Vegas opening 60 What Michelangelo put out 61 DeLaria of comedy • SOLUTION ON PAGE 27
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DIVAS Adorable men flashed in and out of the picture like faulty Vegas light bulbs, and old flames flared up. But when one of their new boy-toys got in trouble and vanished, Em and Justin realized that it wasn’t about the vase any more. Take two men with a flair for fashion. Add a beautiful bisexual woman, a handful of Middle Eastern hotties, and a chainsmoking cabbie. Mix in several murders and a hopelessly horrid vase, put them in Sin City and shake gently. Open, and serve on a beach because “Divas Las Vegas” is the perfect escape read. Author Rob Rosen created a campy, rompish, slightly naughty semi-mystery novel that is hilariously fun, fun, fun. I loved Em so much (and maybe Justin a little more) that I couldn’t wait to see what they’d come up with next. This story is so enjoyable, in fact, that you’ll almost wish you’d been there. If you’re looking for something light as a headdress feather but as addicting as a one-armed bandit, “Divas Las Vegas” is for you. To miss this good-time novel would be a Sin.
“The weirdest thing about the latest Roman Catholic pedophilia scandal is that the church condemns healthy, loving gays as sinners who will face the flames of hell if they don’t embrace Jesus, whereas a priest who routinely molests young boys is simply given some light therapy, then transferred to another parish! Pisses me off!” — Village Voice columnist Michael Musto on his blog, March 13.
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STATEWIDE RECURRING EVENTS 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. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Tuesday, ACE INCLUSIVE BALLROOM, 7-8:30 PM, 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, 319-6218530 or Nora Garda at 319-400-4695, or visit http:// iowadancefest.blogspot.com/. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Tuesday, ARGENTINE TANGO, 7:30-9:30 PM, Practice and open dance. 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. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Tuesday, KARAOKE IDOL, 9 PM, Drink specials and great competition! Visit www.sthirteen.com. [ L G B TMWA] Every Wednesday, U OF I GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER AND ALLIES UNION MEETINGS, 7-9 PM, at the Penn State Room #337 of the Iowa Memorial Union, U. of Iowa campus, Iowa City. For more info, visit http://www. uiowa.edu/~glbtau/ or e-mail glbtau@uiowa.edu. These meetings are open to the public. [ L G B T M W A ] First Wednesday of the Month, CONNECTIONS’ RAINBOW READING GROUP, 7 PM, For more info, contact Todd at: faunides@yahoo.com. [ L G B T M W A ] First Wednesday of the Month, CEDAR RAPIDS CHARTER CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION, For more info, visit charterchapter.tripod.com. [ L W ] First Wednesday of the Month, WOMEN’S SACRED CIRCLE, 6:30-8 PM, 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. [ L W ] Second Wednesday of the Month, STONEWALL DEMOCRATS, THE GLBT CAUCUS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, 6:30-8 PM, For more info, contact Harvey Ross at linnstonewall@gmail.com or call 319-389-0093. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Second Wednesday of the Month, OUT NETWORKING, 5:30, A social, business, and philanthropic networking organization for anyone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning or supportive. The group presents year-round events focused on business, culture,... community, and philanthropic subjects. [ L G B TA] Second Wednesday of the Month, WOMEN FOR PEACE KNITTERS, 7-9 PM, at Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha. Knitting, crocheting, and discussion. 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. [ L W ] Second Thursday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG OMAHA/ COUNCIL BLUFFS CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM (6:30 PM
the fun guide social time), at Mead Hall, First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., Omaha. For more info, call 402-291-6781. [ LGBTMWAK] Third Thursday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG DUBUQUE/ TRI-STATE CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1276 White St., Dubuque. For more info, call 563-582-9388. [ L G B T M W A K ] Third Thursday of the Month, CONNECTIONS GAME NIGHT, 7-9 PM, at Donnelly’s Pub, 110 E. College St., in downtown Iowa City. [ L G B T M W A ] First Third Thursday, EVENINGS FOR SPIRIT, 6:308:30 PM, at SpiritHill Retreat, 604 Cedar Valley Road, West Branch. First, third, and fifth Thursdays of each month. Women gather at SpiritHill (or other locations) to share our spiritual experiences, visions and longings. The evenings include time for sharing and time for silence. Laughter, tears and singing are often shared as well. No specific spiritual practice is followed. This event is always open to newcomers. For more info, call 319-643-2613, or e-mail spirit-hill@ earthlink.net. Calling in advance is highly recommended to confirm the location for the specific month of interest. [LW] Second Thursday of the Month, OPEN MIC WITH MARY MCADAMS, 7-9 PM, 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. [ L GBTMWA] Third Thursday of the Month, LGBTQI YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT AT THE CENTER, 6:30-10pm, This is part of the LGBTQI youth program, anyone 24 years old and younger is welcome. Come down spend the evening with your friends and make some new ones. 515-243-0313 [ L G B T + ] Third Thursday of the Month, OPEN MIC HOSTED BY KIMBERLI, 7-10 PM, 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. [ L G BTMWA] Every Fourth Thursday of the Month, PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK (PWN), For more info, visit www. pwn.org, e-mail pwn@pwn.org, or call Shelley Woods at 319-981-9887. [ L W ] Every Fourth Thursday of the Month, THE GLBT READING GROUP, 7:30 PM, Red Cross Building at 6300 Rockwell Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids. The group is open to new members; contact crglbtreadinggroup@yahoo.com for further info. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Thursday and Friday, SHANNON JANSSEN, 6-10 PM, Dawn’s Hide and Bead Away, 220 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Shannon performs a variety of music including original songs on the Grand Piano in the hotel’s beautiful atrium. No reservations required. [ L G B T M W A ] First Friday of the Month, FIRST FRIDAY BREAKFAST CLUB, The First Friday Breakfast Club (FFBC) is an educational, non-profit corporation for gay men who gather on the first Friday of every month 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. Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 95030. Contact Jonathan Wilson at (515) 288-2500 or email: info@ffbciowa.org [ G B ] First Friday of the Month, FAIRFIELD ART WALK, For more info, visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.com. [ L G B T M WA] 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 http://groups.google.com/group/ iowa-city-guerrilla-queer-bar. [ L G B T M W A ] First Friday of the Month, DAWN’S COFFEE HOUSE, 5-8 PM, Dawn’s Hide and Bead Away, 220 E. Washington St., Iowa City. First Friday of every month between February 6 and December 4. Music and light snacks are provided. Proceeds
April 2010 from the door are split between the non-profit 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. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Second and Fourth Friday, DRUMMING CIRCLE, 7 PM, Unity Center of Cedar Rapids, 3791 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the each month. For more info, call 319-431-7550. [ G M ] Third Friday of the Month, OLD-TIME DANCE FOR ALL, 8 PM, A Barn Dance 12 miles east of Iowa City at Scattergood Friends School. 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. [LGBTMWA] Every Saturday, WOMEN FOR PEACE IOWA, Noon to 1PM, hosting 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. [ L G B T M WAKD] Every Saturday, BAILE LATINO: SALSA, CHA-CHA, MERENGUE AND BACHATA LESSONS, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, taught by Gloria Zmolek, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. No experience or partner necessary. All ages welcome. No sign-up required. $5 per person requested. For more info, contact Gloria at 319-365-9611 or visit www. crsalsa.org. [ L G B T M W A K D ] Third Saturday of the Month, QUEER SCRIBBLE FEST, 2PM to 5PM, 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 tax-deductible 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. [ L G BTMWAD] Third Saturday of the Month, ACE DANCE PARTY , 9 PM, 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. [ L G B T M W A D ] Fourth Saturday of the Month, LESBIAN BOOK CLUB, 7 PM, 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. [ L ] Fourth Saturday of the Month, TANGOVIA, 7:30 PM, 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. [ L G B T M W A D ]
“When I was a child I asked my mother what homosexuality was about and she said—and this was 100 years ago in Germany and she was very open-minded— ‘It’s like hair color. It’s nothing. Some people are blond and some people have dark hair. It’s not a subject.’ This was a very healthy attitude.” —Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld to Vice magazine, March issue.
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Nate Phelps, son of the Fred Phelps, First Friday Breakfast Club speaking in Topeka, Kansas, April 24, 2010 by Allen Vander Linden and Jonathan Wilson Nate Phelps – Growing Up in West- ence (RDFRS) are sponsoring this event. boro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas Nate Phelps, son of the Rev. Fred Phelps, will be speaking in Topeka, KS, April 24, 2010, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 SE 8th Ave. Nate left his family at the stroke of midnight on his eighteenth birthday. He is returning to Topeka to share his story growing up as the son of Fred Phelps and a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. Admission is free. He will be joined on stage by the Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of the international denomination, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, www.mccchurch.org. Following Nate Phelps’ presentation, Reverend Elder Wilson will speak, and then she and Nate will have an open discussion. Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka (MCC of Topeka) and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Sci-
Nate contacted MCC of Topeka knowing that LGBT people and Topeka have been the original targets of Fred Phelps and his message of hate that is now spread across the country. Part of a documentary of Nate’s story will be shot during this event by Upper Branch Productions, and sponsored by the RDFRS. For more information, or to cosponsor or show support for this event, please contact MCC of Topeka at www.mcctopeka.org. On May 1, 2010 at 2:00 pm, Nate Phelps will be also be speaking at the 3rd Million Fag March, an annual event at Gage Park in Topeka, KS. The park is in the proximity of Westboro Baptist Church and the Fred Phelps Compound. Participant protest Fred Phelps and his church, which promotes hate and discrimination toward the LGBT community. For more information visit www.millionfagmarch.com.
Breakfast with the Mayor of Des Moines by Bruce Carr
Before the Main Event of our March 5 meeting, we all stood to welcome and honor Brenda Pringle, known to many of us as the telephone voice of the FFBC and the “goddess in the details” of managing our roster, handling correspondence about membership and scholarships, issuing meeting and other reminders and, in general, keeping the organization running smoothly ids. Pringle (who in her day job is FFBC president Jonathan Wilson’s secretary at his law firm) was presented with a signed card and a gift in grateful recognition of her many services to us. Graciously ignoring the introductory remark that she has “put up with Jonathan for 27 years”— true!—Brenda responded with a small, elegant, and obviously heartfelt speech, returning thanks to us for broadening her own understanding of our mission during the 14 years of our existence. “It wasn’t so long ago,” she noted, “that I was taking telephone death-threats for my boss—and see how far we’ve come today.”
including 600 from the US. And why would local government leaders want to participate in deliberations with international Heads of State? Because, he said, whatever the Heads agree to do about sustainability, the real work will be done at the local level—actual projects will be implemented and directed by local communities around the world—and those local communities must be represented. Cownie also cited his recent testimony before the US Congress, which described recent devastating floods across Iowa, and he pointed out that it is not just coastal cities that must be prepared to deal with the consequences of natural disasters. He also pointed out that local governments are already planning and executing without waiting for international decisions and guidelines; they have no choice. Cownie’s presentation got unavoidably wonky once or twice, for so early in
Our speaker on March 5 was His Honor the Mayor of Des Moines, Frank Cownie, who regaled us with some tales and details of his attendance at the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference (the “Copenhagen Summit”) in Denmark last December. He described with good humor and a certain measure of surprise the conference’s extensive security arrangements: the Summit’s thorough and repeated credential checking resulted in enormous lines of delegates and others seeking to attend the meetings. Organizers were surprised to attract 24,000 people, and some of the highest-level meetings were limited to 90 attendees, including Cownie himself, he was pleased to note. Cownie made the Copenhagen trip (which was not, he emphasized, paid for with taxpayer funds) as a member of the ICLEI delegation to the conference, a delegation with 1,200 members
the morning, but the consensus was certainly that we are fortunate to have such a thoughtful. informed, and forwardlooking Mayor in our City Hall. The Copenhagen Summit was held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 7 December and 18 December 2009. The conference included the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 5th Meeting of the Parties (COPIMOP 5) to the Kyoto Protocol. ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, www.iclei.org—is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. ICLEI was founded in 1990 when more than 200 local governments from TTFFBC continued page 36
Brenda Pringle, “Goddess in the Details.”
The First Friday Breakfast Club came into existence in January 1996. As an association of gay and bisexual men, it has been the largest breakfast club in the state of Iowa from its inception. It meets on the first Friday of every month (thus the name) at Hoyt Sherman Place, 15th and Woodland, Des Moines. There are usually 65 or more in attendance to network, provide mutual support, learn from distinguished speakers, and demonstrate a more positive image of gay men. Guest speakers have included Governors, a United States Ambassador, members of Congress, the mother of Matthew Shepard, the Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, the authors of the district court and Supreme Court samegender marriage decisions, and the majority leaders of both chambers of the Iowa Legislature. National leaders in the movement to achieve civil equality have appeared, including the executive directors of PFLAG and GLAAD. An important program of the First Friday Breakfast Club is promoting education around GLBT issues in Iowa schools and communities. Scholarship awards in the amount of $2,500 are made to high school seniors who have contributed significantly to the reduction of homophobia and increasing awareness and tolerance of GLBT students and related issues. Since 1997 nearly $100,000 has been awarded to 70 students from across Iowa. Recent scholarship winners have formed Gay-Straight Alliances; worked with school administrators to develop and implement policies to provide a safe environment for
GLBT students; made class presentations and led discussions to educate fellow students and school staff; led activities such as day of silence and “trans” day observances; lobbied at the State Capitol; addressed church groups; conducted student surveys; led training for school administrators and students on transgender issues; written articles on GLBT issues for community and school newspapers; and worked with statewide organizations like One Iowa and Pridenet. Additional education inevitably takes place when an FFBC representative presents the scholarship award at the school’s annual awards program, often to an audience of folks who think they’ve never before seen a real, live gay person. Hearts are moved, minds are changed, and the climate in our state is improved. New members are always welcome. Visit the website: www.ffbciowa.org or call Jonathan Wilson, 515-288-2500.
All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression. — Thomas Jefferson
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Queeries: Advice to LGBT people on gay manners by Steven Petrow When to tell your date “I’m transgender”? Q: I’ve told men upfront that I’m a male-to-female trans woman (I date straight guys) and I’ve also waited till longer into the relationship, and I still don’t know which is the better approach. I don’t want them to be upset (or to lose their attention), but I also want them to know I’m an honest person—someone you could have a relationship with. What’s the best strategy for this if I’m looking for a keeper, i.e. not just sex? A: Whether and when to disclose that you are transgender is a personal decision, so there is no right or wrong here. It’s a private fact about you that might become relevant to someone you’re dating if the relationship progresses past a certain point, but it’s also something that you don’t owe other people an explanation about. Some trans people prefer to be open about their transgender status in all aspects of their lives; others prefer to disclose it only under certain (safe) circumstances, and many folks fall somewhere in between. In the past, many transgender people received advice from health care providers that they should keep their trans status hidden at all costs. Today, however, there is a growing understanding that it can take a heavy emotional toll to feel obliged to conceal such an important aspect of a person’s life.
In light of that, here are some considerations that might help you decide what feels like the right choice for you. Let’s say you decide not to say anything early on, what could happen? You may end up spending more time and energy feeling anxious about when you will disclose that you are trans, and how the other person might react. With that in mind, if you disclose your trans status up front, you can avoid wasting your time dating anyone who does not accept who you are, or who would feel deceived. It can be hard to talk about something personal, like being trans, with someone new, but this is a pretty big payoff. Regardless of when you tell someone that you are trans, be aware of your safety. It is sad, but true, that violence against trans women in the dating context is all too common, and it can be hard to know in advance whether someone is prone to violence. If you have any cues that he might be—say, if he seems to be homophobic, or controlling—be extra careful. But no matter what, make sure that you are able to get help and support immediately if you need it, whether from your friends and family or from local LGBT or antiviolence organizations.
What’s up with speed dating?
Q: My best friend Marc is a champ at gay speed dating and thinks it would
be great for me too. Honestly, the whole thing intimidates me: all those guys, so little time. He wants me to go with him to one that promises 10 to 25 dates in an evening. Isn’t this completely superficial? And more importantly: What should I wear? A: Speed dating has become very popular lately. But the first few times are nerve-wracking for most people. Try not to feel intimidated, but do think ahead about some questions to ask because it’s easy to get tongue-tied knowing you’re being judged while the clock ticks away. Steer away from questions that will result in a “yes” or “no” answer since they won’t get you into the rhythm of a conversation. Ask about things that matter to you: “What kind of work do you do?” for instance, or “Where have you vacationed recently?” Try to avoid especially involved questions, like “What’s your relationship with your family like?” or deeply personal ones, such as “Top or bottom?” Some people even jot down questions on a slip of paper. Remember, you should be asked questions, too. If one of you is doing all the talking, it’s time to move on. Keep in mind that speed dating isn’t for everyone. But all you really have to lose is about $20 and an evening. And some people really do make great connections at these events. As for what to wear? Put a little extra effort into your look. If any dating scenario is about first impressions, this is it.
How to treat my lesbian daughter-in-law? Q: Even though my lesbian daughter can’t marry her girlfriend, Lisa, because it’s not legal in our state, should I treat Lisa as I do my other sons- and daughtersin-law? A: It all depends on your daughter’s relationship with Lisa. If she is a casual girlfriend, then no; she doesn’t have the same status as a son- or daughterin-law. But if they are in a committed partnership—regardless of the legal basis—yes, do the right thing even if state law doesn’t. Steven Petrow is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and Yahoo! He’s also the author of The Essential Book of Gay Manners & Etiquette. Ask him your own question at: queeries@live.com
“Whenever someone speaks out against gays, the first question they should be asked is, ‘Are you gay?’” — Writer Dan Savage’s friend Scott, quoted by Savage on Savage’s blog, March 5.
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2010 HIV Wellness Conference, which Includes Terminology That’s Tough to Spell by Joshua Dagon On March 5th and 6th of this year I attended the 2nd Annual HIV Wellness Conference held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was very pleased to have been invited, although the conference schedule didn’t allow me very much time to gamble, enjoy the local entertainment, or utilize—to the extent I thought my editorial endeavor demanded—the permissible prostitution offered in specific counties within the state. Interestingly, a very nice police officer took the time to explain that fascinating legal tidbit to me while I was being fingerprinted. At the Mandalay Bay Resort, though, aside from the very well organized and spectacularly informative conference, I did have to opportunity to ogle a few lifeguards around the pool whenever I wasn’t attending any actual presentations. A good number of the presentations themselves were a tad over my head, however, especially the various punctilious terminology, such as “punctilious.” Even so, I did manage to interpret—at least vaguely—some of the professional phrases, such as “Randomized Clinical Trial,” “Demographic Predictor,” and “Pharmacologically Induced Volcanic Gastro-Intestinal Combustive Projection Capable of Pulverizing Cinderblock.” One of the first things of which I was informed at the conference—something I thought I should pass along immediately—is that HIV is still a crucial concern around the world. I know several folks have been wondering about that exact topic, despite my copious and tenacious assertions to the affirmative. “I wonder if HIV is still a crucial concern around the world,” I’ve heard some folks say at various sex clubs, bath houses, and truck-stop rest areas. [I read that on the Internet; I’ve never been to a rest area.] “No. HIV is no longer a crucial concern around the world—or in the United States, which, I don’t believe people realize, includes Alaska.” I will not mention said individual—but her initials are Sarah Palin. “We Bible-believing Christians prayed away that nasty problem
long ago,” continued the Bible-believing Christian nut ball. “They cancelled Will & Grace didn’t they? Our next goal is to criminalize man-scaping. Please donate generously.”1 As for the continued threat from HIV, despite what optimistic members of our community would like to believe, it is still disastrously abundant. My suggestion would be to continue listening to credible medical professionals, using condoms— sometimes several at once—or opting to have your penis laminated. Sure, there’s an extent of sensibility that is lost by such a procedure, but at least NNRTIbased medications will not be necessary nor will the need to look up what NNRTI actually means. If anything at all is to be learned from events such as the HIV Wellness Conference, it is that HIV is not only still around, it also really sucks cheese to get it, not to mention manage it. That being the case, it was the unanimous message of the highly credible and educated speakers that, if you’re going to be sexually active, condom use is still the best way to reduce exposure to HIV infection, as well as avoiding the sharing of needles with depraved parolees who regularly manufacture meth amphetamine in their gym bags. Besides unfortunate gastro-intestinal projection concerns, the HIV Wellness Conference also focused on several key subjects. On Friday morning, roughly at 3:15 AM, while God himself was still waiting for his coffee to brew, healthcare representatives gathered to hear Dr. Lisa Capaldini, MD, MPH. As it happened, Dr. Capaldini is a remarkably compelling and conversant speaker. I found her engaging, well-spoken, and professionally advanced. Dr. Capaldini was the first professional at the conference to address the question of the best time to begin pharmacological therapy for infected individuals. She also told a really funny lesbian story, which I won’t repeat here; you really had to be there. [As well as not too hung over, which I personally learned the hard way.] T-Cell count—or CD-4 Cell count— has been a basic marker for the prescription of medication for many years. It
has also been a popular means by which HIV+ individuals have distinguished themselves from those whose condition has progressed into AIDS. Why such a dichotomy is important to some people is utterly beyond me. In fact, Dr. Jerry Cade, MD, MBA, observed that the term “HIV Positive” in relation to “AIDS” can be misleading at best and a misnomer at worst. There are degrees in the progression of every infection, Dr. Cade explained. For example, one does not need to actually vomit before their condition can be officially considered to be the flu—although it certainly helps. Therefore, AIDS and HIV should have a single, all encompassing moniker, such as...oh, “Maurice.” “I’ve been living with Maurice for a decade or so,” some folks could choose to say. “Let’s hope that Maurice disappears from society altogether,” would be yet another effective and easily poignant notion to express. “Maurice has been significantly affected by drugs,” some other folks could also say as an alternative to phrases that employ stigma-laden disclosures, such as “I have AIDS but I promise not to bleed on you.” Dr. Cade’s presentation was also of unique interest as he outlined a number of emerging treatments that show great potential. Powerful compounds are close to general application, such as “Integrase Inhibitors,” “Coreceptor Antagonists,” and other chemicals I have a remarkably difficult time spelling. I listened intently to Dr. Cade as he has obviously worked closely with the NARS (Nevada AIDS Research Society), the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services), the IAS (International AIDS Society), and the WHO (World Health Organization). Tee hee! “The WHO.” [I thought that was funny. Shut up.] What really affected me, though, was something Dr. Capaldini said. Dr. Capaldini has been fighting in the trenches, so to speak, for decades. Today, she explained, “Twelve months after diagnosis, patients are still alive.” As well as fifteen years after diagnosis. And twenty years after diagnosis. And twenty-five years after diagnosis.
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.
That’s really part of what this is all about, don’t you think? We certainly have come a long way. Let’s keep using condoms anyway. AIDS can be stopped. So, let’s all do our part, get off our collective asses, and stop it. 1
I made that up. Duh.
“(P)rospective donors who have engaged in heterosexual sexual activity with a person known to have HIV are deferred for one year. At the same time, male donors who engaged in protected homosexual sexual activity with a monogamous partner 26 years ago are deferred for life.” — From a March 4 letter by a group of U.S. senators to the FDA urging an end to the ban on blood donation by any man who has had sex with a man even once since the 1970s. The lobbying campaign is being led by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
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April 2010
MCC QC 30th anniversary worship celebration and dinner/fundraiser to be held at Tanglewood Hills, Sunday April 18 by Rev. Rich Hendricks
CEDAR AIDS SUPPORT SYSTEM
Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities - Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities (“MCC QC”) is a growing fellowship with a big heart for missions. “MCC QC began 30 years ago and we want to invite the community to celebrate with us,” says its pastor, Rev. Rich Hendricks. The congregation began in the fall of 1979, eleven years after the founding of what was then known as the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, a group of individuals from both Iowa and Illinois began discussions about forming a local congregation of MCC in the Quad Cities. Under the guidance of Rev. Reid Christensen, pastor of MCC Illiamo in Quincy, Illinois, the group came together to form an advisory board and later began worshiping in the living rooms of members’ homes. A female impersonator group, “We Are Family,” organized the first three fundraisers for the Church and the first official worship service as MCC of the Quad Cities was held on March 23, 1980. Today MCC QC celebrates two worship services, one on Saturday evenings at 5pm and one on Sunday mornings at 11am. “MCC QC has become well known for its missions work. We are involved in feeding the hungry through providing a hot meal once a month and supporting the many works of Churches United of the Quad Cities, as well as promoting the wonderful community work of agencies
such as AIDS Project Quad Cities and Quad Cities Affirming Diversity and QC Pride, Inc.,” says MCC QC Board Chair, Jeff Simpson. “In addition, each year the people of MCC QC choose a local charity to support with a portion of every offering taken. The local chapter of Habitat for Humanity was chosen for 2010.” MCC QC was the major impetus in starting what is now know as The Project (formerly AIDS Project Quad Cities) back in 1986, and MCC QC started QC Pride, Inc. in 2008. There is a large for sale sign in front of the current Church building and facing on the heavily-trafficked Harrison Street in Davenport. Hendricks states that the congregation is looking for handicapaccessible space that can be used as both a worship and community center. “We hope our 30th Anniversary Celebration/ Fundraiser will go a long way towards paying off the current mortgage.” All proceeds from the dinner, as well as from silent and live auction items will benefit MCC QC’s Building Fund. The dinner will be a buffet including oven fried chicken, carved roast beef, twice baked mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, seven layer & pasta salads, fruit bowl, anniversary cake, coffee and iced tea. A cash bar will be available for soda, beer, wine and cocktails. Entertainment will include music during dinner provided by Anjila Daniels, with a DJ for dancing after the awards program.
MCC QC will be awarding two Rev. Bob Darst Community Awards, and two Outstanding Community Service Awards, in each case one award representing the three years previous to 2009 and the second award for 2009. The Rev. Bob Darst award, named for a former MCC QC pastor, is given to a member of MCC QC who has demonstrated commitment above and beyond the call of duty to the congregation. The MCC QC Outstanding Community Service Award is given to a business or agency within the Quad Cities that has demonstrated significant support for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community, such as through education, support and/or advocacy. The 30th Anniversary worship service will be held on Sunday, April 18th at 11am at the Tanglewood Hills Chapel, 4250 Middle Road, Bettendorf. Following the worship service, at 12:15pm at the Tangelwood Hills Pavilion will be the dinner, awards program and dancing. Tickets for the dinner are $30 for the 30 years of MCC QC’s celebrating holy diversity. Tickets are available by check mailed to the church address at 3019 N. Harrison St., Davenport, Iowa 52803. For more information, please call the church office at 563.324.8281 or email Rev. Rich Hendricks at richdhendricks@ msn.com. MCC: tearing down walls & building up hope!
“The power of truth and living honestly is very liberating. So, what the hell took me so long? I was waiting, like so many folks are waiting, for change—for attitudes to change, for laws to change—and I realized that the time for waiting (to come out) has passed.” — Former American Idol star Clay Aiken at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in North Carolina, Feb. 27.
Serving Northeast Iowa by: - Offering confidential support services with compassion and respect for the diversity of those impacted by HIV or AIDS - Increasing awareness and understanding in communities - Offering CASS services free of charge
319.272.2437 | 800.617.1972 www.cvhospice.org
CASS A program of Cedar Valley Hospice
April 2010
Section 3: Community
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Let Us Eat Cake? by Ellen Krug I heard a National Public Radio story not too long ago that made me think. It recounted an experiment that a business professor conducted to determine how the brain works in dealing with choices. The subjects started out in one room where they were assigned a number. Some were assigned a two digit number; others were assigned a seven digit number. They were told to memorize the number and then instructed to walk down the hall to another room where they were to recite the number to a person waiting in the second room. While on the way to the second room, the subjects (hapless graduate students) encountered a person in the hall who asked if they would like a snack as a reward for participating in the experiment. (Remember, the subjects thought they were being tested on their memory skills.) The choice of snack was either a piece of juicy chocolate cake or a cup of healthy fruit salad. As it turned out, the subjects asked to memorize the longer number selected the cake option twice as often as the subjects who were asked to memorize the shorter number. The take away from this experiment? The theory is that the brain has two systems, one that is rational (which would tend to think that we should do things that are good for us, like eat fruit) and the other, which is emotional. This emotional brain sure likes rewards, like chocolate cake. When the brain becomes overwhelmed (and yes, needing to memorize seven digits apparently puts the brain in the “overwhelmed” category), its defenses against emotion are much weaker. Hence the choice of chocolate cake. “So,” I said to myself, “is this why a glass of wine at the end of the day is almost mandatory for me?” And then I thought more and wondered about how we got to the point where we need chocolate cake so much. For some of us, a lot of chocolate cake. And alcohol. And random sex. Just
fill in the blank after “and.” Why should we wonder about this stuff? I chose to be an attorney. Of course I had no clue about what this choice meant in the end. The last time I took a vacation without a cell phone was in 1991. The last time I was without a computer and email was 1993. My business as a lawyer got to the point where clients expected (which is a different word than “appreciated”) that I would answer the phone or respond to email at any time day or night. This included being called out one Easter morning just as church ended, with the request that I report to the scene of a serious personal injury accident a hundred miles away and where I spent the rest of the day talking to witnesses. It is so easy to take on responsibilities in this world of dwindling jobs,
Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH) is proud to announce the dates for the 2010 Wellness Summit “Taking Charge”. The Summit will take place April 30, May 1 - 2, 2010 at Camp Wesley Woods near Indianola. The purpose of the event is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment for people living with HIV. Attendees come from across Iowa to renew mind, body, spirit, and to overcome the social isolation that often characterizes life with HIV in a rural state. I am asking for your help; believing that HIV prevention and education should include interactive communication, PITCH is creating games for the event. Games include “Positive Feud” (like Family Feud), Pozardy and Hepardy (like Jeopardy). I need your help with Positive Feud, I have come up with ten questions, but I need to have 100 people to survey, I am hoping readers will help answer the ten questions for us. So here we go: 100 people surveyed, the top 5 answers are on the board and the question is:
1. What is your age? 2. When you look at a person you are attracted to, what is the first feature you notice? 3. What is your favorite red fruit or vegetable? 4. What is your favorite green vegetable? 5. What is a common sexually transmitted disease? 6. What is the 1st word you think of when someone says HIV/AIDS? 7. What is the best way to prevent the spread of a sexually transmitted disease? 8. HIV can be found in four body fluids, what is one of the bodily fluids? 9. There are many opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS, what is an opportunistic infection? 10. What is your favorite candy bar? Please answer with your first thoughts. Answers can be sent to positiveiowanstakingcharge@yahoo.com or anyone of facebook can go to PITCH’s page and there is a link to Survey Monkey. Thank you for your continued support and help.
Ellen Krug is a writer, lawyer, human. She was a trial attorney for 28 years before realizing there is more to life. She is now on sabbatical to write a book, and if that does not work out, to wait tables. She is parent to two adult children and hoping for the best, despite the odds. She can be reached at EllenKrug75@gmail.com.
PITCH 2010 Wellness Summit
eager competitors, finicky bosses, and astronomical mortgages. Throw in internal pressures like believing you need to attend every dance or softball game or show-choir performance of your kid (something that GLBT people will experience more and more as they marry), and pretty soon we NEED that chocolate cake in order to survive. For us in the gay and transgender communities, the incidence of chocolate cake addiction is even higher than in the straight world. For many who live in the closet, there is the added stress of fearing discovery and the self loathing that goes with not being unified in your life. For those who choose to be out, living their lives as they really are, there can be the residue of disappointing loved ones and friends. Regardless of our choices, there is a certain amount of chocolate cake that we will eat. The key is figuring out which choice will result in less chocolate cake craving. I don’t know about you, but I’m all for simplifying life in general and hoping that it means I will go for the fruit salad instead of the chocolate cake. But I wonder about how naive I am when I say “simplify.” I’m human after all. When I feel that I want something, it is so hard not to think that I “need” it. For many years, I wanted a 325i BMW. It is a great car, for sure, and after test driving one, my mind moved from rea-
son to emotion. I finally got that BMW. But after paying $1000 for a brake job, along with learning that it drove like crap in the snow, it became pretty clear this car was complicating my life, not making it easier. So I sold it. I now drive a Honda. Hell, I don’t have all of the answers (and some would say I have no answers). I just know that the starting point is recognizing the difference between chocolate cake and fruit salad. That takes some honesty and a plan. “Where do I want to be in two years?” should be the question at the top of the plan. “Which choices will I have to make to get there?” Certainly we should be asking how many chocolate cake calories will come with each of those choices. The idea is to figure out if the stressors and complications from that choice make it unhealthy for us. Literally. All of this is far more easier said than done, I know. And it doesn’t mean that regardless of the choices, we aren’t working our asses off, putting in long hours, and hassling with people we dislike or even detest. But I do believe you can limit the amount of chocolate cake you need by consciously understanding the rule of the experiment—that the more you overload your brain and emotions, the less you are able to think rationally. And that rule is one to remember. Assuming you don’t already have too many other things in your head.
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Section 3: Community
April 2010
April 2010
Section 3: Community
Colleen Kelly, Star 102.5 FM radio personality, to host 2010 Aids Walk/Run, Sat. April 10 DES MOINES, IOWA — Colleen Kelly, co-host of the “Ken & Colleen Show” on 102.5 FM morning radio, will be the Celebrity Host at the 2010 AIDS Walk/Run Saturday, April 10th beginning at 10 am. The 10th annual event will be held at Des Moines University, 3440 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, which has been the generous venue sponsor each year. The AIDS Walk/ Run is an HIV awareness and fundraising event benefiting the AIDS Project of Central Iowa (The Project). Entry is available online at www.iowaaidswalkrun.com or via phone at 515-284-0245. Proceeds from the event help The Project provide food, housing, emergency financial assistance, mental health services and case management to the men, women, and children in Iowa living with HIV/AIDS. Funds raised also are used to deliver evidence-based HIV prevention services and testing to people in the Des Moines community. All services are free. Wining runners is several categories and top fundraisers will receive gifts from local merchants and restaurants.
In addition to the walk/run aspect of the event, there will be a performance by the Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corp, family entertainment, massages by DMU osteopathic students and spinal screenings Corporate sponsors include Des Moines University, Bankers Trust, C.I.C Associates, ING, Wells Fargo, Iowa Health Physicians & Clinics, Des Moines Internal Medicine, P.C., Simonson & Assoc., The Saddle, The Garden, Balance RX, Bowman Chiropractic, CHAIN, Starbucks, Cityview, and Fitness Sports. Several individuals are “Community Pacer” sponsors. “The AIDS Walk/Run has become a popular event”, says Frank Vaia, The Project’s Development Coordinator. “Participants enjoy running or walking through the picturesque South of Grand neighborhood as well as the activities and entertainment throughout the event. They come to have fun and support our agency’s work.” For more information about the event, visit www.iowaaidswalkrun.com, www.aidsprojectci.org, or call The Project at 515-284-0245.
“We have a great deal more work to do to ensure that LGBT individuals and families have the same rights, benefits, same freedoms that all straight Americans have. And I know that my son’s world will be a better one because no one, no matter how hard they try, can stop our progress.” — Former American Idol star Clay Aiken at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in North Carolina, Feb. 27.
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FFBC 43 countries convened for an inaugural conference, the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York. Over 1,124 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLET’s growing membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international, performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs. Its four current initiatives target Resilient Communities and Cities, Just and Peaceful Communities, Viable Local Economies, and Eco-efficient Cities. ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level. Thomas Michael Franklin “Frank” Cownie owns and operates Cownie Furs (est. 1905), a store that has been in his family s for generations. Scion of a political family in Des Moines, both of his parents served on the school board here. He attended Roosevelt High School and Iowa State University. Before being elected mayor (in 2004; re-elected in 2007 with nearly 80 percent of the vote), he served preyiously for two years as an at-large member of the City Council. He also served several terms on the Plan and Zoning Commission and was chairperson of Downtown Des Moines, Inc.
April 2010 “When you get arrested, it’s difficult because your hands are restrained and the movement is a little bit stymied or halted on the physical level. But it’s my hope that the larger movement, even with the chains on, can do nothing but grow to the point where it cannot be controlled by anything but that freeing and that dignified expression of getting arrested for what you know is absolutely morally right. There was no freer moment than being in that prison. It was freeing for me, and I thought of all of the other people that were still trapped, that were still handcuffed and fettered in their hearts. And we might have been caged up physically, but the message was very clear to all of the people who think that equality can be purchased with a donation or with a cocktail party or with tokens—that are serving in a public role. We are worth more than tokens. We have absolute value, and when the person who is oppressed by his own country wants to find out how to get that dignity back—being chained up and being arrested, that’s how you get your dignity conferred back upon you. ... We’re going to do it again. And we’re going to keep doing it until the promises are manifest. And we will not stop. This is a very clear message to President Obama and any other leader who supposes to talk for the American promise and the American people: We will not go away.” — Lt. Dan Choi on March 19 after he was arrested a day earlier for handcuffing himself to the White House fence to protest “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
ACCESSline proudly announces:
jobs.ACCESSlineIOWA.com A BRAND NEW JOB BOARD SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO MEMBERS OF LGBT COMMUNITIES IN IOWA
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April 2010 DIRECTORY NOTICE
The ACCESSline community directory is updated each issue. 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 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 500 East Locust St, Ste 300 Des Moines, IA 50309 515-288-4019 Fax: 515-244-5846 www.OneIowa.org 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 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
Section 3: Community 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
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
PFLAG Cedar Rapids 3rd Monday, 6:30pm, 6 social Faith United Methodist Church 1000 30th St, NE 515-537-3126
Kings & Queens Tap 304 W. 4th St, Waterloo, IA www.//myspace.com/kingsandqueensspace 319-232-3001
People’s Church Unitarian Universalist A welcoming congregation. 600 Third Avenue SE 11AM Sunday. 319-362-9827
Romantics Pleasure Palace 117 Kellogg Street, Ames, IA 50010-3315 http://www.romantixonline.com 515-232-7717
Romantix Waterloo (Adult Emporium) 1507 La Porte Rd, Waterloo, IA 50702 319-234-9340 http://www.romantixonline.com/
Stonewall Democrats of Linn County Contact Roy Porterfield royboycr@mchsi.com 319-362-5281
Stonewall Democrats of Ames tlloman@aol.com goodwinm@istate.edu, or Terry Lowman, 515-292-3279, or Mary Goodwin 515-292-0352
Stellas Guesthouse 324 Summit Ave, Waterloo, IA Private B&B, Overnight accommodations for adults only. 319-232-2122
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
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
Tri-ess, Iota Kappa Phi Chapter P.O. Box 8605, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52408 We are a transgendered organization supporting crossdressers, their families, and friends. www.yahoo.com/group/Tri-essIotaKappaPhi www.tri-ess.org, 319-390-6376 E-mail: Georgia georgia523@yahoo.com E-mail: Judy marlenemarschel@yahoo.com
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 Ave, 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
Together For Youth 233 Vold Dr, Waterloo, IA 50703 www.TogetherForYouth.net 319-274-6768 UNI-LGBTA Alliance-Student Organization 244A Bartlet Hall, University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls 50613 lgbta@uni.edu 319-222-0003 United Church of Christ Cedar Falls 9204 University Avenue, Cedar Falls 319-266-9686 Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County 3912 Cedar Heights Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 319-266-5640
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-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 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.
CLINTON Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clinton 309 30th Avenue North, Clinton, IA 52732 (563) 242-4972 - uuclinton.org Sunday services at 10:30 (year-round) Where YOUR spiritual and ethical journey is welcome! Rev. Ruby Nancy, minister
Council Bluffs, Omaha(Ne)
ACCESSline Page 37 Tri-ess Chapter, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter Omaha, NE 68107 We are a transgendered organization supporting crossdressers, their families, and friends. www.tri-ess.org, 402-960-9696 E-mail: Judy marlenemarschel@yahoo.com 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
AIDS Interfaith Network 100 N. 62nd, Omaha, NE Call Br. Wm. Woeger 402-558-3100
PRIDE Luther College Diversity Center, 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101 Contact Chris at 563-387-2145 or Melanie at 563-387-1273
Citizens For Equal Protection 1105 Howard St, Suite #2, Omaha, NE 68102 www.cfep-ne.org info@cfep-ne.org 402-398-3027
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Meets alternating Sundays at 10:30am, Decorah Senior Center 806 River St Call Bill at 563-382-3458.
Council Bluffs NOW Write PO Box 3325 Omaha, NE 68103-0325 DC’s Saloon 610 S. 14th St., Omaha, NE Open everyday 2pm-1am, western/levi/leather. 402-344-3103 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 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
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 515-288-2500 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 Heartland Gay Rodeo Midwest Division of the International Gay Rodeo Association. 402-203-4680
ACCESSline Page 38 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 Le Boi Bar 508 Indianola Rd, Des Moines, IA 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
Section 3: Community 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
National Association of Social Workers (NOW) (Nat’1 Organization of Women in Des Moines) http://www.meetup.com/locale/us/ia/desmoines
Adult Warehouse 975 Jackson St., Dubuque, IA 563-588-9184.
North Star Gay Rodeo Association of IGRA, Iowa Division of North Star NSGRA@ NSGRA.org or 612-82RODEO
The Q 920 Main Street, Dubuque, IA Open Mon - Sun, 7pm to 2am. www.myspace.com/qbar_dbq 563-557-7375
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
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 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
Ritual Café On 13th between Grand and Locust. ritualcafe@aol.com Gay owned great music, awesome food and coffee. 515-288-4872
Q Bar 920 Main St, Dubuque, IA, 52001 563-557-7375 The only gay owned & operated All Lifestyle Bar and Dance Club in the Tri-State area www.facebook.com/qbar.dubuque
Romantix North Des Moines Iowa (Bachelor’s Library) 2020 E. Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317 www.romantixonline.com 515-266-7992
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
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 Urbandale UCC An open & affirming congregation. 3530 70th St., Urbandale, IA 50322 515-276-0625.
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
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)
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. 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
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 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
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.
Rainbow Gifts www.rainbowgifts.net 309-764-0559
MASON CITY
PFLAG North Iowa Chapter 1st Presbyterian Church 100 S. Pierce. 1st/ 2nd Monday (alternating), 7pm 641-583-2848
Krug Law Firm 6 Hawkeye Drive, Suite 103 North Liberty, IA 52317 319-626-2076
Prism (Augustana College) Augustana Gay-Straight Alliance Augustana Library 639 38th St. Rock Island, IL Contact Tom Bengston 309-794-7406.
Domestic Violence Alternatives/Sexual Assault Center, Inc. 24 hour Crisis Line: 641-753-3513 or (instate only) 800-779-3512
ICARE Iowa Center for AIDS Resources & Education Practical & emotional support, youth programs, information, referrals and support groups. 3211 E 1st Iowa City, IA 52240-4703 319-338-2135.
Iowa Women’s Music Festival P.O. Box 3411, Iowa City, IA 52244 319-335-1486
PFLAG Quad Cities Eldridge United Methodist Church 604 S.2nd St., (Eldridge) 1st Monday, 6:30 pm 563-285-4173
Quad Cities Pride Chorus. At the MCC Church in D’port, 7pm Wed. qcswede64@aol.com Call Don at 563-324-0215
Cerro Gordo County Dept. of Public Health 22 N. Georgia Ave, Ste 300 Mason City –Iowa 50401. Free confidential AIDS testing. 641-421-9306
Iowa City NOW PO Box 2944, Iowa City, IA 52244 for information & meeting times/places
Men’s Coming Out/Being Out Group Meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7pm. QCAD.OutForGood@GMail.com 309-786-2580
Adult Odyssey [Adult Video] 907 Iowa Ave E 641-752-6550
Hope United Methodist Church Worship Service at 9:30am. 2929 E. Court St., Iowa City, IA Contact Rev. Sherry Lohman. 319-338-9865
Iowa City Free Medical Clinic Free & strictly confidential HIV Testing. 2440 Towncrest Dr Iowa City, Call for appointment 319-337-4459
April 2010
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 Mary’s On 2nd 832 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA 563-884-8014. MCC Quad Cities - Svcs Sat 5pm, Sun 11am Bible study Wed. 7 pm 3019 N. Harrison, Davenport, IA 52803 Call 563-324-8281.
T.R. Video Adult books & video 3727 Hickory Grove Rd, Davenport, IA 563-386-7914. Venus News (Adult) 902 w. 3rd St, Davenport, IA 563-322-7576
SHENANDOAH PFLAG Shenandoah 712-246-2824
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
April 2010
Section 3: Community
ACCESSline Page 39
ACCESSline Page 40
Section 3: Community
April 2010