ACCESSline, Iowa's LGBT Newspaper, June 2010 Issue, Volume 24 No 6 by ACCESSline

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal passes in US House of Representatives On May 27, two milestones were reached in the effort to repeal the US military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. In the Senate, the Armed Services Committee voted 16-12 to approve the “Murphy Amendment,” a compromise that orders the repeal of DADT, but allows a delay in the repeal until the Department of Defense has completed its review of how best to implement the policy change. Just after 10pm Eastern Time on the same day, the full US House of Representatives passed the amendment with a

What’s Inside:

Section 1: News & Politics Dear Senator Grassley…

Iowa News

US News

World News

Creep of the Week

Action Reaction: “The Gay War for the South” 9

Section 2: Fun Guide Deep Inside Hollywood

Partying Hard: “Late Night” by Joshua Dagon

The Outfield

Hear Me Out (Music Reviews)

Recurring Events, Statewide

The Gay Wedding Planner

Cocktail Chatter

vote of 234-194. The amendment still has to pass in the Senate, which is expected to vote on the issue during the month of June. Iowa’s two senators have opposing views on the issue. Senator Tom Harkin, who has a 78% positive rating from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), will likely vote in favor of the amendment. Despite voting for the “Defense of Marriage Act,” Senator Harkin has voted against a federal marriage amendment and against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Senator Charles Grassley’s HRC rating is 0%, meaning he has never voted on the side of LGBT rights and issues. Senator Grassley still points to concerns that repealing the policy will adversely affect military readiness and morale— effects that have not been seen by US allies that have already implemented policies in their militaries allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly.

CSPAN’s live feed showing the House DADT vote, May 27.

More than 90 people participated in Iowa City Pride’s 4th Annual RAINBOW RUN 5K Fun Run and walk on May 22 at Lower City Park.. The event raised nearly $2,000 for Iowa City Pride.

CAAP 2010 Prom’s crowned Queen and King, Megan Scribner and Rick Jenn. Photo by Renee Evans. Read the story on page 29.

“In the absence of any clear and convincing evidence that discipline, morale, and overall readiness of our all volunteer military would now no longer be undermined, I cannot support any change to the current policy.” — Excerpt from Senator Grassley’s form letter regarding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

CAAP Prom lights up Kings and Queens Tap, raises $1,400

Out of Town: Cologne and the 2020 Gay Games 25 Book Marks

Comics and Crossword Puzzle

Section 3: Community Annual CAAP Prom

First Friday Breakfast Club: Ryan Roemerman 29 HRC advice on visitation rights

Inside Out:“Daddy Dearest” by Ellen Krug

The CENTER Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

PITCH: 2010 Wellness Summit:Taking Charge

Business Directory

Arthur Breur Page 3

36-37

Jonathan Wilson Page 7

Brett Stout Action Reaction Page9

Joshua Dagon Page 12

Ellen Krug Inside Out Page 33

ACCESSline Page 2

Section 1: News & Politics

JUNE 2010

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

Arthur Breur, Editor in Chief Q Syndicate Rex Wockner News Service Contributors: Bruce Carr; Beau Fodor; Tami Haught; Ellen Krug; Jennifer Merriman; Brett Edward Stout; Justin Uebelhor:

All rights reserved. Original material printed in ACCESSline (with the exception of information from other sources) may be “lifted” for use in other publications so long as proper credit is given. Publication of the name, photograph or likeness of any person, business or organization in ACCESSline is not to be construed as any indication of sexual orientation. Opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ACCESSline, ACCESS or the gay and lesbian community. Letters to the editor may be published. We cannot be responsible for errors in advertising copy. We welcome the submission of original materials, including line drawings and cartoons, news stories, poems, essays. They should be clearly labeled with author/artist name, address, and phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters and other material for reasons of profanity, space, or clarity. Materials will not be returned. A writer’s guide is available for those wishing to submit original work. Advertising rates and deadlines are available at ACCESSlineIOWA.com. All ads must be approved by ACCESSline’s editorial board.

Section 1: News & Politics

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Dear Senator Grassley... Dear Senator Grassley: Thank you for responding to me. I appreciate hearing your objection to S. 3065, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010, which would enable gays and lesbians serving in the military to do so openly. I request that you reconsider. I was taken aback by your reference to Elaine Donnelly’s ”Flag and General Officers for the Military” list of 1,100 retired high ranking military officers. A review of this list has revealed that many of the generals and admirals have denied ever signing this list, that many others have asked that their names be removed, and that several more were deceased at the time it is claimed they signed it. Additionally, very few of those on the list served under the current policy. There has never been any empirical evidence suggesting that gays serving openly harms good order and discipline, unit cohesion, morale, or recruitment and retention. Dr. Harek Ph.D. testified in 1993 that “The research data shows that there is nothing about lesbians and gay men that makes them inherently unfit for military service, and there is nothing about heterosexuals that makes them inherently unable to work and live with gay people in close quarters.”

The current Department of Defense policy is based on a long-standing presupposition. An assumption, even a traditional one, is not good foundation for policy. Currently gays and lesbians serve in every branch, at every rank, and in every billet; many of them are serving openly. Knowing a servicemember is gay in no way negates the service they are already providing. While there is civilian behavior that is not allowed under UCMJ, those behaviors are only disallowed specifically because they impede a unit’s efficacy. Being gay does not correlate to the other dischargeable offenses like murder, drug abuse, or desertion. It is cause for concern that the military continues to actively recruit convicted felons, drug abusers, high school dropouts and individuals as old as 42, while simultaneously discharging highly competent men and women from our armed services who are gay or lesbian despite their intelligence, physical abilities, and leadership skills. You aptly point out that our national security trumps popular opinion and issues of fairness. This current divisive law’s code of silence stands in direct conflict with the principles of honor and integrity the uniform stands for. This policy was the reason I did not reenlist. I could not ethically serve under a policy that stands in opposition to the ideals of the nation I pledged myself to defend. As a result, our military is without my mission critical skills as a Russian linguist, weapons marksmanship instructor, and warrior in a critical time of war. I look forward to your further comments on this matter. Semper Fidelis Brett Edward Stout

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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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ACCESSline Page 4

IOWA NEWS 60% of Iowa gay marriages between non-Iowans by Rex Wockner There have been 2,020 same-sex marriages in Iowa since the state Supreme Court legalized gay marriage starting April 27, 2009—but only 815 of the marriages involved couples from Iowa. The other 1,205 same-sex marriages were between people who traveled to the state to tie the knot, including 199 couples from Illinois, 158 from Missouri, 111 from Nebraska, 109 from Minnesota and 67 from Kansas. The figures, released by the Iowa Department of Public Health on May 18, are complete through March 31. In addition, among the 19,904 couples who married in Iowa during the period in question, there are 1,015 couples whose sex was not recorded in official records. More lesbians than gay men got married—1,292 couples vs. 728. The largest number of gay marriages occurred in the counties that are home to Des Moines, Davenport, Iowa City and Council Bluffs.

Brad Clark departs One Iowa for One Colorado

Section 1: News & Politics personally grateful. I’m writing with mixed emotion as I let you know that I will be leaving One Iowa at the beginning of May to become the Executive Director of One Colorado. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to be part of this historic campaign, and I am extremely excited about the challenge ahead! And honestly the decision became that much easier when I knew that I’d be leaving the work in very capable hands. I am pleased to let you know that on June 1, Troy Price will join One Iowa and continue to lead our efforts to protect marriage equality in Iowa. Troy has worked various roles within the Vilsack and Culver administrations, most recently as Governor Culver’s press secretary. I have the utmost confidence that he will serve our campaign well in the months ahead. As you well know, we have a critical year ahead to maintain our fair-minded majority in Iowa and protect this victory. I am confident in Troy, our One Iowa team and partners, and the aggressive plan we’ve put together to protect our friends and ensure marriage equality is here to stay. Again - please know that I am personally grateful for all of your help and support over the years to ensure this victory in Iowa. And I look forward to staying in touch moving forward. All best – Brad Clark Campaign Director One Iowa

Q in Dubuque closes

Brad Clark announced in late April that he will be leaving One Iowa to be executive director of One Colorado:

Friends Thank you for all of your help and support of One Iowa’s historic campaign. The advancement of equality we’ve seen over the past year would not be possible without you. I am

QBar in Dubuque announced on May 18, 2010 that it was closed for business. The announcement was made through the bar’s various social media outlets. On the QBar Facebook page, the message read as follows: “QBar Dubuque is sad to announce that we will be closing our doors effective immediately. Our time at Q has been some of the most amazing all of us have ever experienced. We have been so fortunate to meet many new friends and reconnect with so many more. We want to thank all of our patrons for your loyal support over the last year and a half. With love & thanks!! ---- Ann & JoJo, Scottie Q, Tera, Heather, Nikki, Tony & Matt!”

JUNE 2010

" Mr. Bartz is out to destroy the fabric of American families' lives with his unreasonable and uneducated view of the necessity for the new language needed on the DNR Camping forms. My family consists of my husband Gary and our six children. If Gary and I choose to camp in the state of Iowa, we would hope that Mr. Bartz would see the logical nature of our need for two tents on our campsite. Again, Sen. Bartz is just wrong on this issue. He even early on tried to say this is the result of the Supreme Court decision in Varnum v. Brien when in FACT the DNR is complying with the 2007 Anti-discrimination legislation that the House and Senate passed at that time. I am grieved and hurt that Mr. Bartz's focus seems to be on destroying the ability of my family to camp appropriately in the state of Iowa." — Dean A. Genth, Chair Iowa Stonewall Democrats Caucus , May 27th, on Iowa State Senator Merlin Bartz’ complaint that same-sex married couples will be treated as a “family” when camping at Iowa state parks. QBar advertised itself as “the only gay owned & operated All Lifestyle Bar and Dance Club in the Tri-State area.”

Merlin Bartz complains about camping equality

Iowa state senator Merlin Bartz made headlines this month during a Radio Iowa interview. The senator objected to the idea that, due to changes to state camping guidelines by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), married samesex couples might receive treatment equal to that provided to married opposite-sex couples at Iowa campgrounds. Senator Bartz pointed to this change as an unwelcome consequence of the Iowa Supreme Court’s 2009 decision that legalized same-sex marriage. “A lot of the advocates of gay marriage in Iowa have said, ‘It doesn’t affect anything. Nothing has changed.’ The reality of it is that everything is changing.” However, the rules change that the DNR was implementing had nothing to do with the 2009 supreme court decision; rather, the DNR was updating its guidelines to match Iowa anti-discrimination statutes that were already on the books prior to 2009. During the interview, Senator Bartz again explained his position regarding same-sex marriage. “One of the things that I promised my constituents is that I would be a defender of traditional marriage in the state of Iowa and that actually was before the Supreme Court decision.” Many Iowa citizens from Senator Bartz’

area of the state feel that he is not representing them on the issue. Dean Genth and Gary Swenson are legally married and said in an interview with KAAL TV that Senator Bartz has becomed “consumed” with the same-sex marriage issue and is merely persecuting gays and lesbians. “It’s hurtful and it is demeaning to think that someone wants to take away rights,” said Genth.

Iowa same-sex married couple sues over birth certificate

Heather and Melissa Gartner were legally married in June 2009. When the couple received the birth certificate for their daughter, Mackenzie, born of Heather in September, only Heather was listed as a parent. Melissa was excluded. The couple requested with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) that the certificate be amended to also show Melissa as Mackenzie’s parent. The IDPH refused the request in March. The couple has decided to sue to have the certificate corrected. IDPH’s Director, Tom Newton, has stated that he will fight the lawsuit, defending his position with the argument that Iowa birth certificates are intended to protect the rights of biological parents. The lawsuit proposes that excluding Melissa from the birth certificate will hinder her ability to act in her proper responsibilities as Mackenzie’s parent. Furthermore, listing only one parent on her birth certificate will saddle Mackenzie with the stigma of “illegitimacy.”

JUNE 2010

Section 1: News & Politics

ACCESSline Page 5

US NEWS news analysis by Rex Wockner Episcopal Church consecrates another gay bishop

The Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool, far right, became the second openly gay and partnered bishop in the Episcopal Church on May 15. Church photo Although the 2003 consecration of openly gay and partnered New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson still threatens to implode the worldwide Anglican Communion, the U.S. Episcopal Church consecrated a second openly gay and partnered bishop on May 15. The Diocese of Los Angeles elevated the Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool to the position of suffragan bishop in a ceremony at the Long Beach Arena that was disrupted by two anti-gay protesters. “The world’s transformed only if we turn to each and every one of our brothers and sisters and see the face of Christ superimposed on them,” said co-consecrator Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles. There are about 70,000 Episcopalians in the six-county Diocese of Los Angeles.

Minn. governor vetoes gay funeral bill

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a “final wishes” bill May 15 that would have given gay individuals control over a deceased partner’s funeral and allowed a surviving partner to sue in case of wrongful death. “Marriage—as defined as between a man and a woman—should remain elevated in our society at a special level, as it traditionally has been,” the governor said. “I oppose efforts to treat domestic relationships as the equivalent of traditional marriage.”

Gay activists arrested at U.S. senator’s Chicago office

Thirteen gay activists were arrested at a sit-in at the Chicago office of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on May 20. The ad hoc group claimed Durbin has failed to affirm “his commitment to a transgender-inclusive Employment NonDiscrimination Act.” Instead, Durbin, who is an ENDA co-sponsor, e-mailed the activists a “form letter” saying he supports prohibition of “employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,” they said. A version of ENDA that bans job discrimination based only on sexual orientation might pass Congress more easily than one that bans both sexual-orientation and gender-identity discrimination.

But, unlike in some previous years, all key LGBT activists—as well as Congress’ gay members—now oppose the notion of upping the bill’s chances of success by aiming for gay protections first and then attempting transgender protections later. “We have to be here to fight for those who are forced to remain invisible and deny who they are just to make a living,” said Lindsey Dietzler, who was among those arrested. The protesters were cited and released. On their website, titled “Chicago Harvey Milk Week of Action,” the activists said: “Although we’re very glad our senator has co-sponsored the bill, we have seen him do precious little else to support it. As the majority whip of the Senate, the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, we need Senator Durbin to stand before the media and his colleagues and forcefully advocate for this bill’s immediate passage.”

AIDS protesters arrested at Obama event

Eight AIDS activists were arrested May 13 in Manhattan for lying down in Madison Avenue to protest President Barack Obama’s alleged “broken promises” on global AIDS funding. Obama was speaking inside the St. Regis New York hotel at a fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. According to Housing Works, which assists homeless people with HIV and took part in the demonstration, about 500 people joined the picket. “Obama’s broken promises for global AIDS funding mean people will die because they cannot afford a ‘cocktail’ of HIV/AIDS medication,” said protester Henry Bennett from ACT UP/Philadelphia. “Obama gave them hope, then he took it away.” The demonstrators said that during the presidential campaign, Obama pledged far more money to the global fight against HIV than has been forthcoming. According to Housing Works, candidate Obama promised to “at least double the number of HIV-positive people on treatment.” “Obama’s commitments to fighting

AIDS have not even kept pace with inflation, let alone increased to the level he promised,” the group said. “Flat-funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) means that people who were tested for HIV under U.S.-sponsored programs and promised treatment when they got sick are now being turned away.”

Larry Kramer. Photo by Rex Wockner Veteran AIDS activist Larry Kramer took part in the demonstration. “Reassemble! Reunite!” Kramer told the group. “Fight back once more with the passion and honor and truth and unity and brotherhood as we once did. We once accomplished miracles (via AIDS activism). Why do we not recall our glorious fights and build anew upon them?” For more information, see tinyurl.com/ hivdemo1. For photos, see tinyurl.com/ demopics. For Kramer’s full speech, see tinyurl.com/lkspeech.

Obama selects Supreme Court nominee

The Human Rights Campaign “hailed” President Barack Obama’s May 10 selection of U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan as his nominee to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the U.S. Supreme Court. “We are confident that Elena Kagan has a demonstrated understanding and commitment to protecting the liberty and equality of all Americans, including LGBT Americans,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. Gay cases that could come before the court in the near future include the Proposition 8 federal case by famed lawyers David Boies and Ted Olson and other same-sex marriage cases, challenges to the anti-gay federal Defense of Marriage Act and to the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ban on gays

who do not stay in the closet, and cases targeting the new federal hate-crimes law that is inclusive of sexual orientation. As dean of Harvard Law School, Kagan opposed the Solomon Amendment, a 1996 federal law that allows the secretary of defense to deny federal grants—including research grants—to universities and colleges that prohibit military recruiting on campus. Some schools banned military recruiters because Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell amounts to employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, which violates the schools’ policies. At Harvard, Kagan partially blocked the recruiters in 2004 after a federal court struck down the Solomon Amendment, then unblocked them after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the amendment in 2005. “This action (the arrival of military recruiters on campus) causes me deep distress,” Kagan wrote in October 2003. “I abhor the military’s discriminatory recruitment policy. (It is) a profound wrong—a moral injustice of the first order.” HRC’s Solmonese said, “We applaud Elena Kagan’s vocal opposition to the Solomon Amendment and the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law.” In April, CBSNews.com mistakenly called Kagan “openly gay” and, in an addendum to that post, also called her “apparently still closeted.” The network later deleted the column because of its “irresponsible speculation.” The Washington Post reported April 16 that an unnamed Obama administration official said “Kagan is not a lesbian.” On May 13, Politico.com reported that it had talked to some of Kagan’s friends and they confirmed that she is “not gay.” Richard Socarides, former President Bill Clinton’s gay White House special assistant, told CNN on May 10 that Kagan is “a brilliant, pragmatic progressive who is intent on hearing all sides to fashion a solution that works for the most amount of people.”

California Assembly calls for DADT repeal

The California Assembly passed a resolution 51-17 on May 13 urging repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ban on open gays in the military. The measure asks Congress to pass, and President Barack Obama to sign, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009, which would clear the way for LGB service members to come out of the closet. “We are proud of our state’s leadership for championing fairness and equality in the military,” said Equality California Executive Director Geoff Kors. EQCA said Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has led to the discharge of some 13,500 service members, including some 800 specialists serving in critical operations. More than 300 language specialists have been discharged under the policy, “resulting in a critical shortage of qualified translators in intelligencegathering posts,” the group said. The California resolution now goes to the state Senate, which had passed it last year, for a concurrence vote. Assistance: Bill Kelley

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Section 1: News & Politics

JUNE 2010

World News by Rex Wockner Portugal legalizes same-sex marriage

Portugal became the 10th country in the world where same-sex couples can marry on May 17 when President Aníbal Cavaco Silva grudgingly signed a bill that was passed by Parliament and vetted by the Constitutional Court. Cavaco Silva, who does not support the law, had little choice in the matter. Had he vetoed it, Parliament would have passed it again, which would have forced him to ratify it eight days later. “I understand that I should not contribute to uselessly extending this debate,” the president said in a televised statement, explaining that he would have preferred to enact a civil-union law in order to “respect the institution of marriage as a union between a man and woman.” “I do not think anyone honestly can consider the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland or Denmark as backward countries,” Cavaco Silva said in reference to European nations that do not let same-sex couples marry but give them the same rights under registered-partnership laws. “The partisan forces that approved the law would not consider an elementary principle of political action in a plural society: to choose from among the various legal solutions one that was likely to create less social conflict or one that could be acceptable to the largest number of citizens, whatever their worldview,” the president complained. Correspondent João Paulo from PortugalGay.pt said, however, that the bill had not been particularly controversial. “It was not a ‘fracture’ subject in our society,” Paulo said. “People don’t care that much about civil marriage being open to same-sex couples—just a small group of extremist Catholics have tried to put a stop to it. There were even some opinion polls with the majority in favor of the move.” “I must say that I was surprised with the president’s message,” Paulo added. “I was expecting some personal opinion against it, but not anything like this.” The law excludes access to adoption for same-sex couples. Activists said they plan to tackle that deficiency quickly. The first same-sex weddings are expected to take place around May 29, once the law has been officially published and then five more calendar days have passed. Gay marriage also is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Mexico City, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C. The next addition to the list likely will be Iceland.

Malawian gay couple jailed for 14 years

A gay couple in Malawi, who were arrested in December after holding an engagement party at a hotel, were sent to prison for 14 years with hard labor on May 20 after being convicted of gross indecency and unnatural acts. Blantyre Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa Usiwa told Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge

Chimbalanga, 33: “That’s the maximum (sentence) under the Penal Code. I will give you a scaring sentence so that the public be protected from people like you, so that we are not tempted to emulate this horrendous example.” The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission called the convictions and sentences “part of a broader pattern of mounting pressure and persecution on LGBT people by authorities in Malawi.” “This persecution has come from the highest levels of government,” the group said. “On April 23rd, President Bingu wa Mutharika reportedly denounced homosexuality as ‘un-Malawian,’ ‘evil’ and ‘disgusting’ and linked it to corruption, violence, theft and prostitution.” Malawi’s Center for the Development of People said the couple’s imprisonment will “drive the gay community further into hiding.” “It is not only a ruling against Steven and Tiwonge but the whole LGBT community in Malawi and Africa,” said the group’s Dunker Kamba. U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Malawi should decriminalize gay sex. “The United States is deeply disappointed in today’s conviction of same-sex couple Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza in Malawi,” Crowley said. “We view the criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity as a step backward in the protection of human rights in Malawi. ... The United States views the decriminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity as integral to the protection of human rights in Malawi and elsewhere in the world.” The White House press office issued a statement which said: “The United States strongly condemns the conviction and harsh sentencing of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi. The criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity is unconscionable, and this case mars the human rights record of Malawi. We urge Malawi and all countries to stop using sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for arrest, detention, or execution.” Malawi is heavily dependent on foreign aid, which makes up some 40 percent of its budget, according to The New York Times.

LGBTs stage IDAHO flashmob in St. Petersburg

More than 150 people from the LGBT group Coming Out staged a “Rainbow Flashmob” in St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 16 in conjunction with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. They distributed pamphlets and released multicolored balloons “symbolizing their dream of a world free of hate and homophobia,” organizers said. Far-right groups had threatened to attack the event, but the confrontation did not materialize. “By coming to the event, people demonstrate that they will not be bullied,” said Coming Out spokesman Igor Kochetkov. “Each time, the LGBT community of St. Petersburg becomes more and more self-

confident in showing itself.” IDAHO flashmobs took place in dozens of other cities in Russia and elsewhere.

Gays march in Brussels and Havana

More than 30,000 people marched in Brussels May 15 for gay pride. They demanded equality for LGBT people throughout Europe. Belgium takes over the rotating European Union presidency in July. In Havana, hundreds of LGBT people marched in the Vedado nightlife district May 15 in advance of the May 17 International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. They were led by President Raúl Castro’s daughter Mariela, who heads CENESEX, the National Sex Education Center. Other Cuban IDAHO events included workshops on LGBT issues and a huge, officially sanctioned outdoor drag show May 17 in the city of Santa Clara, 160 miles (258 km) east of Havana.

Aussies rally for marriage equality

Gays and lesbians staged large rallies in Australia’s cities May 15 demanding federal legalization of same-sex marriage. The rallies coincided with the May

17 worldwide International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. British gay actor Sir Ian McKellen addressed more than 1,000 ralliers in Melbourne. “A non-discrimination law establishing the right for gay people to be married would cost the Australian government nothing financially and would gain for you worldwide respect (and) would change lives enormously,” McKellen said.

Marchers arrested at Minsk pride fined $6 each

Seven people who were arrested when police violently broke up the first gay pride parade in Minsk, Belarus, on May 15 were released two days later after paying a fine of 17,500 rubles ($5.83) each for taking part in an unsanctioned public action. The detained activists included St. Petersburg Pride organizers Aleksandr Sheremetyev and Dmitri Milkov. City authorities had banned the parade, citing a national law that prohibits public events within 200 meters of subway stations and pedestrian tunnels. When 40 people marched anyway, police attacked them and beat them. Assistance: Bill Kelley

JUNE 2010

Section 1: News & Politics

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PROTECT YOUR

FAMILY In April, President Obama issued a memorandum to make sure that hospitals respect our rights to choose our visitors and have the people we love make healthcare decisions for us during emergencies. This memo will only help us if we take the steps necessary to protect our rights. This pride season, make it a priority to use the tips below to protect yourself and your family. Ã Check the hospital’s Patients’ Bill of Rights/ non-discrimination policy. It should include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression.” Ã Ask to see the hospital’s visitation policy. It should ensure equal access for our families with an LGBT-inclusive definition of family. Ã Complete hospital authorization forms to make sure the visitors you choose are permitted to see you. Ã Complete advance healthcare directives to make sure the people who know you best will be able to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.

More information: www.hrc.org/protect-your-rights

NEXT WEEK, LOOK FOR THE RELEASE OF THE

HEALTHCARE EQUALITY INDEX 2O1O

ACCESSline Page 8

Section 1: News & Politics

JUNE 2010

Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski Tim Pawlenty If there’s one thing gays and lesbians love it’s a good “political game,” especially if that game involves a partner dying. Or so Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty apparently thinks. He vetoed a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to file wrongful death lawsuits and make funeral arrangements for their deceased partners. Now you may be thinking, “Whoa, wait a minute. This sounds like the kind of bill even the most cold-hearted homophobe could get behind.” It certainly seems so. Surely Pawlenty must have had a very compelling reason for his veto. Not so much, it turns out. “I think the effort that’s underway in this bill is simply a political game to get the concept or the wording domestic partner into state law,” he said. “And I would suggest the Legislature focus on addressing our budget issues rather than trying to tee up divisive social issues.” Ah, yes. This whole bill was just a ploy, a tentacle of the “gay agenda,” if you will. First gays came to destroy “traditional marriage.” Now gays are going after “traditional death.” This has nothing to do with compassion and dignity and respecting the wishes of the dead and everything to do with politics. Pawlenty said that the measure, known as the “Final Wishes” bill, “addresses a nonexistent problem.” He’s right on one level: the problems the bill addresses are nonexistent for married heterosexuals. But for gay and lesbian couples in Minnesota who aren’t allowed to get married, the problem is all too real. But, as Pawlenty mentioned in his veto letter, all gays and lesbians have to do is just whip up some paperwork and voila, problem solved. That is, if they’ve got a grand or two to spare at their favorite lawyer’s office. Never mind that such paperwork does not have the same legal weight afforded legally married couples. “His comment that the proposed legislation is unnecessary shows he is out of step with the experiences of real Minnesotans,” said Ann Kaner-Roth, executive director of Minnesota gay rights group Project 515. “Many families have faced exactly the kind of discrimination this legislation sought to prevent even though they had put in place all of the legal and other preparations available to them under current law.”

Not that Pawlenty, who is widely believed to be gearing up for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, cares. As Alex Pareene puts it on Salon.com, “(Pawlenty’s) no longer obligated to give a s*** what his constituents think—he’s governing solely for the editors of the Weekly Standard and our nation’s conservative newspaper columnists.” Pawlenty also bristles at the idea of a “surviving domestic partner” being “afforded the same legal recognition” as a heterosexual spouse. “Marriage—as defined as between a man and a woman—should remain elevated in our society at a special level, as it traditionally has been,” Pawlenty said in his veto letter. “I oppose efforts to treat domestic relationships as the equivalent of traditional marriage.” In other words, he opposes efforts to treat gays and lesbians like actual human beings. Because nothing protects traditional marriage better than making the most difficult time in a person’s life even bleaker for some homo. But hey, gay bashing plays well to the GOP’s conservative base. Gay bashing dead gays? Even better—because that’s the way they like ‘em.

George Rekers

Say you’ve had surgery that renders you unable to carry luggage and you’re about to go on a European vacation. What’s a person to do? Well, if you’re Family Research Council co-founder and ex-gay therapy champion George Rekers, you look no further than RentBoy.com for a “travel assistant.” And then you get caught at the airport with this hot young stud while pushing your own luggage cart. Whoops. That’s right, yet another anti-gay so-called Christian has been caught gayhanded. Rekers doesn’t seem to think so, however. He’s sticking very hard to his “travel assistant” story. According to a statement on his website, “Following medical advice (Rekers) requires an assistant to lift his luggage in his travels because of an ongoing condition following surgery. His family, local friends, and even another university professor colleague have offered to accompany him on trips to assist him in his travel.” Wow. It looks like he had a lot of people he could have asked to accompany him on his trip. And yet he still went with the prostitute

from RentBoy. Maybe his family, friends and that mysterious other university professor don’t give good enough hand jobs. “Rekers found his recent travel assistant by interviewing different people who might be able to help, and did not even find out about his travel assistant’s Internet advertisements offering prostitution activity until after the trip was in progress,” his website’s message continues. I reckon “interviewing different people” means “I looked at lots of hot naked dudes on RentBoy before deciding on the only I now refer to as my “travel assistant.” It’s kind of hard to believe that Rekers found out about the RentBoy profile while the two were in Europe together, unless of course his so-called assistant said, “Oh, by the way, want to see pictures of my penis online?” Rekers claims that there “was nothing inappropriate with this relationship” and that he “was not involved in any illegal or sexual behavior with his travel assistant.” He even went as far as comparing himself to Jesus and John the Baptist saying he was just ministering to his sinner of a travel assistant and trying to save his soul. Needless to say, it’s all kind of hard to swallow. Rekers can claim all he wants that he isn’t gay has never been gay and just wants to save the real gays from their evil gay selves, but he is definitely one confused and hypocritical little man. Rekers has made a career out of demonizing LGBT folks and doing everything he can to make this country less safe for anyone who isn’t heterosexual. For example, Rekers was paid real taxpayer dollars to testify for the state in favor of Florida’s anti-gay adoption ban. It’s really not a surprise that so many folks who are rabidly anti-gay have turned out to be closeted and suffering even as they fight to keep discrimination against LGBT people written in this country’s laws. It’s as if they’re thinking, “Gosh, this had better stay illegal otherwise I’m going to do it all day long.” You know what, Rekers? You don’t end up at RentBoy.com by accident and you sure as hell don’t hire a guy whose credentials include “large” and “uncut” as a “travel assistant.” I’m not a doctor, but I don’t think foreskin is usually involved in carrying a suitcase.

Peter LaBarbera

“Are (or were) you a practicing homosexual?” That’s the question on the tip of Peter LaBarbera’s salivating tongue and he’s posing it to Elena Kagan, whose name has been mentioned as a possible Obama Supreme Court nominee, David Dreier and Patrick McHenry, both Republican Representatives, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. “We appeal to Kagan, McHenry, Dreier, Crist, and all potential ‘hiding-in-the-closet’ politicians or appointees to answer the question: ‘Are (or were) you a practicing homosexual or do you consider yourself homosexual (gay)?’” LaBarbera, founder of Republicans For Family Values, said. LaBarbera wants to know if these folks are on the down-low because “each (has been) the subject of wide speculation that they practice(d) homosexuality.” The big question I have is what does it

mean to “practice” homosexuality? You can practice the piano. You can be a practicing Catholic. You can practice your jump shot. But homosexuality isn’t like a musical instrument, a religion, or a sport (no, not even figure skating or softball). And what does LaBarbera mean by “were” here? What past deeds, exactly, does he want Kagan, Dreier, McHenry, and Crist to confess to? Does he want to know about that one time at Girl Scout Camp? Or the time a certain seventh grader got a boner in the boys’ locker room? Is he looking for juicy slumber party details? And how is LaBarbera’s question to be answered? Via text? Slam poetry? Through a bullhorn out the back of a police wagon? Or maybe before the House Committee on Un-Heterosexual Activities? Is homosexuality America’s new communism? Hardly. Not for most folks, anyway. But LaBarbera is certainly trying to make it so. Whether or not the politicians LaBarbera’s named are gay, he’s sure as hell going to do his best to cement the idea in as many minds as possible hoping the specter or homosexuality will be enough to bring these pols to ruin. Not only does LaBarbera think gay people are bad and icky, he also thinks they can’t be trusted. “Homosexuals’ privacy interests simply do not outweigh the public’s right to know about potential conflicts of interest in the lives of their representatives and judges,” LaBarbera said. After all, gays always stand by each other, which is why the gay community and gay rights movement, unlike any other community or movement, is completely free of political infighting, personality clashes, petty bickering and differences of opinion. LaBarbera does make a good point, though. If you’re active in political life and in the closet you aren’t doing yourself any favors. If you come out, assholes like LaBarbera can’t use your closet door against you. And you have the opportunity to come out with dignity instead of, say, by sending graphic instant messages to young teens or tap dancing in an airport terminal toilet. “In an era of ubiquitous pro-gay messages and pop culture celebration of homosexuality, it’s ridiculous that constituents should be left guessing as to whether a judicial nominee or politician has a special, personal interest in homosexuality,” LaBarbera said. Ah yes, “a special, personal interest in homosexuality.” Well, Mr. LaBarbera, someone certainly does.

Steve King

Some fools from Michigan have filed a federal lawsuit over last year’s Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which became federal law last year. The group is made up of three Michigan ministers and Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association’s Michigan division and the Mitten State’s No. 1 antigay creep. Their complaint? The Hate Crimes Prevention Act violates their first amendment right to speak out against homosexuality. They allege that the act has the “effect

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Section 1: News & Politics

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Action Reaction: The Gay War for the South by Brett Edward Stout For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; this rule is something by which we are all bound regardless of our knowledge or perception of it. The purpose of this column is to explore the actions and reactions we have to the decisions and questions raised in our ever-adapting world. The reactions here are intended to stimulate debate in the hope that through it, we can better see what unites us in the face of our differences. On February 4th, 2010, Juin Baize walked into Itawamba Agricultural High School (IAHS) and in less than 4 hours was suspended and sent home. Those 4 hours would be the only ones that Juin would be a student at IAHS. A month later, a story exploded in the media as another IAHS student, Constance McMillen, attempted to bring her girlfriend to prom resulting in the school canceling the official prom and holding a secret (and private) prom that Constance was not invited to. Soon after this, in nearby Georgia, Derrick Martin was thrown out of his home by his parents when he won the fight to bring his boyfriend to his prom. And, as the 2010 school year came to a close, Ceara Sturgis, an honor student in Jackson, Mississippi opened her year book to discover that every trace of her had been deleted because she chose to wear a tuxedo in her senior portrait. This certainly wasn’t the first time a gay or lesbian student tried to bring their partner to prom. This also wasn’t the first time a trans student attended class dressed as they felt comfortable nor was it the first time a lesbian student didn’t wear a dress in her yearbook photo. In 1980, Aaron Fricke and his same-sex date attended prom in Rhode Island. Despite external predictions of violence and fire from the heavens, the couple remembers the prom as being as uneventful as most proms are. How should we react to bold-faced discrimination against LGBT students in public schools? How should we act when

the educators bestowed with ushering our children into enlightenment and adulthood instead become the perpetrators of prejudice and an army of pious conceit? The media fiasco and hoopla generated by these students was not because of their actions, but rather instead by a place: the South. Conventional advice has been for LGBT teens to seek out more progressive cities, to bide their time silently and get out as soon as they are able. However, if we are going to prevail in the battle for equality, this is not a winning strategy. What we need are more people willing to stand their ground and resist. We cannot win this fight if the only success stories of gay youths in the South are stories of escape. We need people of courage. This year, it seems that high-schoolers have answered that call and headed to the front lines. So, how did these kids get to be so brave? There are several answers to that question. It is true that we live in a time where the heterosexual paradigm is changing. A time where jocks and cool kids never learned that homophobia was supposed to be part of their persona but, this trend cannot be given all the credit. LGBT kids are growing up no longer feeling helpless to the forces of oppression. We are witnessing the birth of a generation that has pride in more than their community, they have the pride to defend themselves. The gay war on the South has begun and it is being fought between children who recognize what

is right and the traditional establishment of intolerance. The fight will be an arduous one. The establishment has a fortified position. Our strategy must be decisive and deliberate. We need to take aim against the teachers who have cast aside their roles as heroes and chosen to attack their students. We need to demolish the system that would expel a child, cancel a prom, or erase a student’s memory rather than let them be who they are. And we need to find and nurture those who have an invested interest in a New South. They are out there. Ultimately no one wants a legacy of bigotry. We must also admit fault for not trying harder. For decades the moral majority has bunkered themselves in the South and has pulled the center by pushing the boundaries of how far right you can be. We have let them. We cannot continue to do this. It’s time to retaliate, not by redefining the left, but by reclaiming the right. Our system works best when there are opposing viewpoints to encourage debate. The right’s position of inflexible obstinacy is an obstacle to be overcome, not a point of view. But, we cannot reclaim the right without reclaiming the South. The South has long been a stronghold of social conservatism but, social conservatism has been transformed into social fanaticism. It’s long been a foregone conclusion that the confederate states are stuck in their ways.

Writer, filmmaker, and photographer Brett Edward Stout is a Cedar Rapids native and recent graduate of the University of Iowa. He spent five years in the US Marine Corps as a Russian linguist. His first novel Sugar-baby Bridge was published in 2008. He is currently working on his second novel, entitled The Lives Between. Photo: Adam Bouska

We’ve adopted a general attitude of, “What do you expect? It’s the South.” The real question we should be asking is: why we are ok with that? Geography is not an excuse. We need to question why we allow tradition to continue when that tradition is wrong and unjust. We have to stop taking our arguments to people who already agree if we are to advance. If we don’t, what ground do we expect to gain?

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CREEPS of deterring, inhibiting, and chilling the exercise of fundamental rights by persons ... who publicly oppose homosexual activism, the homosexual lifestyle and the homosexual agenda.” Wow, air-tight argument, right? I mean, as long as you ignore the part of the act that reads, “Nothing in this division shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States and peaceful picketing or demonstration.”

Section 1: News & Politics Minor detail. Maybe this is why U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has called for the lawsuit to be dismissed. Still, I can’t help but wonder, if the Hate Crimes Act already safeguards the constitutional rights of homophobes and only prohibits violent acts, what are the “fundamental rights” Glenn and his band of ministers claim are being violated? The right to punch a homo in the name of God? But hey, the suit’s convoluted argument is good enough for U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who sent the group a letter giving them props. “As a member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, I worked hard to stop this legislation,” King writes. “Like you, I believe this ‘Hate Crimes’ Act is unconstitutional and marks an unprecedented move to regulate

and criminalize our thoughts.” That’s right. King thinks the Hate Crimes Act constitutes thought control. It doesn’t, of course, but even if it did, everybody knows that thought control can be easily thwarted with a helmet made of aluminum foil. King continues, “Not only will this act create a class of people that are ‘more equal than others,’ it will hinder your ability to preach the gospel and openly teach biblical principles.” Unless folks are preaching the gospel using a tire iron and steel-toe boots and “teaching biblical principles” means beating some fags up outside of a gay club, it’s hard to see what King’s problem is. But logic has never stopped anti-gay folks in the past. When King says the Hate Crimes Act creates “a class of people that are

JUNE 2010 ‘more equal than others,’” what he means is that strengthening laws regarding brutality against LGBT folks acknowledges that LGBT folks not only exist but that they are at an increased risk of violence. Not only that, but that they deserve protection from said violence. The Hate Crimes Act doesn’t make hating gays illegal. What it does is tell folks that the United States, at the highest level of government, doesn’t tolerate violence against LGBT people. Apparently that’s not the kind of country King and the plaintiffs he praises want to live in. 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 June 6/10 Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove, Council Bluffs: Adam Lambert live in concert 6/11-6/12 Capitol Hill Lutheran Church: Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, Of Frolic and Folk 6/18-6/27 StageWest, Des Moines: Torch Song Trilogy 6/18-6/20 Sondheim Center, Fairfield: My Fair Lady 6/18-6/27 Grand Opera House, Dubuque: RENT

IOWA PRIDE EVENTS 6/1-6/6 6/5-6/6 6/11-6/13 6/19 7/16-7-18

Cedar Rapids Pride Week Quad Cities Pride Fest Capital City Pride, Des Moines Iowa City Pride Cedar Valley Pride

OTHER REGIONAL PRIDE EVENTS

Deep Inside Hollywood by Romeo San Vicente

Drew Barrymore. Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Drew Barrymore is off to see Who will scream for the wizard Scream 4? Once upon a time in a land called Hollywood, all the way back in the olden days of 2002, Drew Barrymore was set to play the lead role in Surrender Dorothy, a sequel to The Wizard of Oz. Well now it’s eight years later and the starlet is now a director who might just take over the whole project. Barrymore, whose sweet, funny, underrated directorial debut, Whip It, went almost unnoticed at the box office last year, looks like the person who’ll helm the journey back to the yellow brick road. In this story, Dorothy’s great, great granddaughter must use the power of the ruby slippers to prevent the Wicked Witch of the West (who, frankly, needs a boost of badness after her all that sympathy generated by a certain emotional Broadway musical) from taking over both Oz and the outside world. But the question is will Barrymore still play the lead? Or will she pass the privilege down to someone not yet in their 30s? And will someone please give Fairuza Balk a shot at one of the roles? It’s only right.

5/31-6/6 Gay Pride Kansas City, Missouri 6/11-6/13 PrideFest Milwaukee 6/27 Chicago Pride Parade June 27 Twin Cities Pride Parade, Minnesota Pee-wee Herman’s new July 1-4 Nebraska Pride, Omaha Playhouse is on Broadway

For a limited six-week run starting October 26, New York’s Stephen Sondheim Theater (formerly the Henry Miller Theater) will become a playhouse. Pee-wee’s Playhouse to be specific. That’s because The Pee-Wee Herman Show, the original stage production created by Paul Reubens, based on the character he created with L.A.’s Groundlings three decades ago, is coming to Broadway. And why not? The sugar-powered man-child Pee-wee has been beloved by everyone from hipsters to children for 30 years and has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to Los Angeles performances of the show. He’s an institution by this point and Broadway can only be made brighter by his presence. No human casting has taken place yet, but there will be puppetry by Addams Family string-puller Basil Twist and yes, Chairy and Conky will co-star. Romeo loves this news so much he wants to marry it.

They’re finally casting Scream 4 in the hopes of a planned July start date and, really, it was about time. What’s taking so long? Well, the script is on lockdown and agencies aren’t even getting copies to show their clients, which slows down the process. (But think about it, the fourth installment of its parody cousin, Scary Movie 4, came out years ago.) This next go-round will reunite creators Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson, as well as original cast members Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courtney Cox. And so far the new faces tentatively on board (negotiations, they keep happening) are Lake Bell, Twilight alum Ashley Greene, Rory Culkin and Hayden Panettiere. Who’ll be stabbed first? And do they get paid less?

Gay Stuff On TV: The Update

No amount of Newsweek op/ed negativity can keep Sean Hayes down. The man accused by a columnist for that magazine of being too gay to play straight in Broadway’s Promises, Promises, is, it turns out, not too gay to host the Tony Awards, which he will be doing come June 13. And we can all breathe a sigh of relief that gay co-star of Glee, Jonathan Groff, was not so unconvincingly hetero on camera that he sank the entire show – it’s been picked up for a third season before season two even starts shooting. How’s that for a vote of homo confidence? And finally, un-gay Paula Abdul, who convincingly played a singer on eight seasons of American Idol, is moving into a new judge’s chair, this time on the CBS show Got To Dance, where the choreographer will help prop up the hopes and dreams of a variety of aspiring dancers hoping to make it big with their feet, eventually getting cast on that very straight show called Glee or in totally heterosexual Broadway musicals.

Breaking Dawn finds a director

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) is now the chosen one TTHOLLYWOOD continued page 17

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the fun guide

Partying Hard: Late Night Ever get to a club on a Saturday night, dance for hours and hours, socialize for more hours and hours, dance for still more hours, and then, even though the party is still going strong and the music is perfect just decide to leave? Me either. That’s why I thought my friend was insane when he suggested out of the blue that we should go home. “Why?” I asked. “Because it’s late?” “No,” he said. “Because it’s Tuesday.” It’s so easy to lose track of time when the room is really energized. I can’t talk myself into going home to bed when there are hundreds of guys around me still having a great time, and not one of them has yet agreed to come home with me—that last item is actually a somewhat important element. Even so, my suspicion is that a lot of guys stay so long at a club because they have not only lost track of time but also space, dimension, their equilibrium, and the pants they were originally wearing. Add to that the large percentage of those who have also lost the ability to blink, pronounce consonants, and successfully identify their own species. Therefore, I’ve determined that everyone who stays really, really late at a club is not so much behaving indulgently as they are acting responsibly: They’re refraining from operating a motor vehicle until they’re either totally back to normal or they’ve been able to recall where it is exactly that they live. Of course everyone knows there is such

JUNE 2010

by Joshua Dagon

a thing as “staying too long at the dance.” A sign of this occurrence can take many forms, such as when our mail builds up at our homes for so long that realtors begin the process of appraising the property. Another sign would be encountering other drivers when on one’s way home early on Sunday mornings. These other drivers are normally on their way to church and tend to view club wear and glassy eyes on a Sunday morning to be a sign of the work of Satan. Sometimes they throw holy water. I suppose it’s okay not to sleep very much when out of town on a sort of “party vacation,” a long weekend where there’s a new party starting every nineteen minutes over the course of three to five days. It’s at these times when it’s important to have a reasonable plan or else you could end up missing whole calendar days just trying to attend all of the best events. “All right, we’ll start out at Shangri-La, then head over to Xanadu, after which we’ll try to get into Zombie Zone, then, if there’s a good DJ, we’ll go to After Puke, or maybe the Dawn of the Dead Dance, then the Cardio Hemorrhage Party, or the Chemical Coma Club, and then the Respiratory Failure Event, and the Kidney and Liver Damage Mixer. During these kinds of summer weekends, it’s not uncommon for guys to leave a club and be utterly stunned to discover not only that they’ve missed the entire morning, but that they’ve also missed Labor Day. It’s no wonder some local clubs are

still packed when the sun comes up. We’re systematically training ourselves not to notice little indications of time passing, such as general fatigue, the position of the sun, or significant glacier movement. Instead, most of us have modified our concept of time to be sensitive to alternative indications, such as: The DJ is so desperate for material that they are playing KC and the Sunshine Band, or; you abruptly realize that all of the club lights have come on and you’re lying in a pile of empty water bottles being hit in the head with a push broom, or; you’re being sexually propositioned by Barney the One-Armed Barback. One solution I have is to wait to go out until late in the evening in order to enjoy the highlight, or “peak,” hours of the event. One advantage to arriving late is that you won’t have to worry about being on the guest list as there will not be any line, with the exception of one person who cannot understand why his grocery store club card cannot be accepted as legal identification. One disadvantage, though, is having to park farther away from the club itself, such as in Argentina. When I arrive late at a club, I won’t spend quite so much time getting schnocked. When proper planning like that is made, it’s far less likely that I might behave inappropriately by perhaps getting on top of something to dance, only to realize that I’m in the parking lot. Which wouldn’t be so bad if had been able to locate my pants.

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.

What I do it this: I sit lazily around the house and don’t even begin to get ready to go out until Saturday Night Live is over. That way, I’ll arrive at the club smack in the middle of the prime of the evening when most of the guys have not yet had enough intoxicants to begin vomiting on each other—a significant advantage to arriving while still sober enough to move quickly. Be all that as it may, it’s still a good idea to get home before too much time passes; Sunday’s T-dances normally begin around 4:00 PM.

JUNE 2010

the fun guide

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the fun guide

JUNE 2010

The Outfield by Dan Woog Gearing up for the Gay Games

In 2001, as Chicago was bidding to host the Gay Games, Kurt Dahl decided to lend a hand. He didn’t know much about the Games—he vaguely recalled something about Greg Louganis diving a few years earlier—but he figured his background in banking and finance could help.

Kurt Dahl

Chicago won the bid. By the time Gay Games VII kicked off in 2006, Dahl was the treasurer. His story is not unique. “A lot of people—even in the gay community—don’t know about the Gay Games,” he says. Which means that Gay Games VIII—set for Cologne, Germany from July 31 to Aug. 7—faces the quadrennial challenge: Telling the world what the Gay Games are, and why they’re important. Over 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries know. They understand the Gay Games are about “participation, inclusion and striving for personal bests.” They know the Games are open to everyone—gay and straight; male, female, transgender and transsexual—regardless

of “religion, nationality, ethnic heritage, political convictions, athletic skills, physical capabilities, age or physical condition.” They also know that the Gay Games includes not only sports—ranging from soccer and volleyball to bodybuilding, figure skating, golf and chess—but “culture.” Two-thousand participants will be singers, musicians, visual artists, dancers and cheerleaders. Like the Olympics (though legal issues prevent the Gay Games from using the “O” word), the Gay Games Village is part of the draw. There are plenty of opportunities for participants to mix and mingle. As at every Gay Games, an International Rainbow Memorial Run will commemorate the victims of HIV-AIDS and breast cancer. Yet nearly three decades after the first Gay Games—held in 1982 in San Francisco— getting people to understand the reason behind the Games is still hard. The difficulty starts with the complex relationship many gay men and lesbians still have with athletics. “A lot of us grew up feeling uncomfortable with sports,” Dahl explains. “The Gay Games allow us to be who we are. We can participate openly, and meet other LGBT people. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to take part. Just trying to do your personal best in front of the world is a great opportunity. It’s an enriching life experience. It’s powerful to watch it happen, too.” When the Gay Games were in Chicago—an open, diverse, welcoming city— some people still did not understand. There was what Dahl calls “an undercurrent” of anti-Gay Games feeling, and some picketing. Cologne seems ready to embrace the Games. “I’ve been there several times already,” Dahl says. “The people there are very proud to be hosts. Europeans in general have always embraced the Gay Games movement.” The Gay Games have alternated between Caucasian-dominated sites— other host cities have included Vancouver, Amsterdam and Sydney—and the 2014 Games are set for Cleveland. But multisport gay clubs have sprung up in places like Chile and Argentina, and Dahl calls South America “an untapped market.”

Johannesburg was one of three cities vying for the 2010 Games. Dahl says there is “no reason” the South African metropolis can’t host the 2018 Games. Dahl—whose official titles are co-president of the Federation of Gay Games, and vice president of host relations—wants to make sure the LGBT community knows about this summer’s event. Among the attendees will be Australian Olympic gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham. He’ll be involved in several activities—though not as an active diver. “I’m excited to be part of something so important for our communities around the globe,” Mitcham says. “This event brings lesbian and gay life out on the court, onto the track and into the pool. “Participating at the Gay Games is a great chance for all gays and lesbians to show that we as a community are not like the stereotypes the straight media loves to portray. I will take time off from training and travel to Cologne, since I strongly feel we have to celebrate our own values and help others accept that it is OK to be different.” Dahl is excited that the 20-year-old Mitcham will be in Cologne. “He is a fantastic role model, especially for younger people. He is focused and successful in his sport and doesn’t have to hide being gay. Dr. Tom Waddell, the Gay Games founder, would have been so proud of that. But the Gay Games are as much about non-elite athletes as they are about Olympic gold medalists. “Come to Cologne!” Dahl urges the world. “See what the Gay Games are all about. If you don’t already participate in gay sports or cultural events, get involved. “It’s great fun. You’ll make excellent friendships, and enrich your life. My partner and I have met some of our closest friends through gay softball. It could be a life-changing event.”

Fighting homophobia around the sports world

Justin Fashanu is known for several things. In 1981 he became Britain’s first million-pound black soccer player. In 1990 he became the first professional soccer player to come out as gay. And in 1998 he killed himself. In 2010, English soccer is filled with black stars. But Justin Fashanu stands alone as “the gay professional.” Little has changed in 20 years—and prospects look dim for the next 20. International soccer is a tough place, both physically and mentally. In hopes of speeding things along—or at least making the soccer world less homophobic—a group called The Justin Campaign went to work. Their goal is to “challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist around gay men in (soccer) and work toward a future where the visibility of gay and bisexual men in professional (soccer) are both accepted and celebrated.” During the past two years they sponsored two tournaments, for players of all sexual orientations. The Justin Campaign hosted an evening talk in Brighton, around the topic of homophobia in soccer. They played a prominent role in the first-ever

Pride Festival in Norwich—Fashanu’s hometown. They met with officials of the Football Association, Britain’s governing body. Then, with a website (www.thejustincampaign.com) and some committed volunteers, they targeted a day in the middle of the soccer season (and Britain’s LGBT History Month). They hoped clubs, players and fans around the world would unite on February 19, bringing communities together “in opposing hate and intolerance in the world’s favorite sport.” The day kicked off in Norwich. The Justin Campaign’s own soccer team was there, along with Fashanu’s niece and the president of the Norwich club. Two members of Parliament blew whistles to start the matches. In Liverpool, the Merseyside Marauders—a gay club—celebrated. So did Edinburgh’s gay HotScots. There was a flashmob-style photo op in Manchester, organized by PrideSports and Queer Youth Network. Other events took place in Sussex and Exeter. Internationally, the Justin Campaign spurred a match in Barcelona (with speeches from local politicians), while in Mexico City the Tri Gay Mexico team played the semifinal of their city’s gay soccer tournament under the “Football vs. Homophobia” banner. The Justin Campaign suggested that professional clubs display the Justin Campaign logo with a message of support on their websites, put the logo on scoreboards during games, include the logo and information in match-day programs, and post signs condemning the use of homophobic language. But despite their efforts, the response from top teams was a pronounced silence. Not one player volunteered to appear in a planned video campaign against homophobia. Gordon Taylor, president of the 4,000member Professional Footballers’ Association (the British players’ union), responded to newspaper reports that players feared being ridiculed by opponents—as well as fans—if they participated in the video. Taylor said: “Everybody assumes (soccer players) are full of confidence, but it is not easy on issues like this. Remember, there was a time when even black players did not feel they could talk about race.” English soccer is “a beacon of diversity with players from many backgrounds, countries and continents,” Taylor added: “It is unacceptable for them to be subjected to abusive chanting, be it racist or homophobic whilst they play. I applaud the ongoing work in this area.” Peter Clayton, chair of the FA’s Homophobia in Football advisory group— and openly gay—placed the blame on agents and clubs. “A player coming forward to appear in it would feel he might ignite more vitriol,” he said. Closer to home, a similar campaign is gathering steam. Canadian-based “Speaking About Silence: Homophobia in the Sports World” is part of a broader-based International Day Against Homophobia, set for May 17. Its bilingual website (www.homophobie.org) lists a number of activities across TTOUTFIELD continued page 28

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Hear Me Out by Chris Azzopardi Melissa Etheridge, Fearless Love

Rockin’ riffs, soaring runs and that unbreakable soul that even cancer couldn’t stop—Melissa Etheridge welcomes back the slamming sound that made her a rock goddess. Tweaked, though, with some modern U2 siren-like guitars, notably on the wailing power-anthem “Fearless Love,” her 11th album is as ’90s as it can be while still keeping Etheridge relevant. More than ever, though, she’s using her collective wisdom—nearing 50, and having wrestled with disease and inner demons, there’s a lot of it—and imparting it into a galvanized and hit-heavy album that ranks as one of her best. It’s a reflective road to self-love, finding it and then giving it, as she does on “Gently We Row”—an intimate acoustic wrap-up that builds to an intensely moving

climax about her kids. She parts her own mirror on “Indiana,” a piano-guitar seesaw that’s an empowering tale of her wife’s journey, and then on “The Wanting of You,” about a woman resisting temptation. Both should be radio hits. Etheridge also gives a big ol’ “suck it” to her home state on “Miss California,” a scorching guttural-sung rant about Prop. 8 that she wails with such fiery passion and win-win sway, it could change legislation. Fearless, indeed. (Out April 27) Grade: A-

Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh

Erykah Badu has a husky rawness about her voice that connects to the heart and soul of her songs. She’s as crafty a writer as she is a quirky vocalist, slipping in snappy rhymes and singing about love with the kind of laid-back vibe that might conjure up a summer romance and a bag of pot. Whatever weirdness that envelopes Badu, it’s diluted with a more modern approach to R&B than 2008’s New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)—a sociopolitical album as out-there as Badu herself, trippy and twisted and hard to warm up to with its unconventional sound. More lightweight and accessible, Part Two comes closer to the neo-soul smoothness of her debut Baduizm, never working too hard to work: “Window Seat” stomps and claps its way into your head, “Umm Hmm” quilts a catchy chorus with a lo-fi sample and mellow standout “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long” rides atop a hella good groove. What she loses in mind-bending mechanics, she gains in melodic reverie. Only at the end does she truly venture out with a loungy-launched ballad that morphs into a hypnotic 10-minute-plus emotional cry—proof that, even with slighter material, we’re missing a lot more than we think in that video of hers: some balls. Grade: B+

Also Out Naked as they come (and very naked in her au naturel “Window Seat” video),

The Disco Biscuits, Planet Anthem Should we listen to Adam Lambert?

After Twitter-approving the Philly quartet, his call-out makes sense, even if it’s not entirely warranted: Theirs is music to get lost in. And even if it’s not disco, some of it still feels as silly, especially when it expands from futuristic electronica to alt-rock on the disjointed last half of their fifth studio album. “On Time,” though, makes Lambert’s kudos at least partially right on. Amy Cook, Let the Light In The Austin musician’s salty drawl would be enough to sell a song, but sneaky hooks that Sheryl Crow would kill for help a whole lot. Teeming with them—from the pop-Americana of “Get it Right” to the jolty rocker “I Wanna Be Your Marianne”– Cook’s follow-up to 2007’s The Sky Observer’s Guide is edgier, bolder and far less vague. Having collabo-queen Patty Griffin sing harmony on “Hotel Lights” doesn’t hurt, either.

Laura Bell Bundy, Achin’ & Shakin’ She’s got the goods to make Dolly Parton fans smitten—ya know, a big personality and a big voice. But this Broadway big-shot’s major country debut thrives off other influences, like the campy Shaniasounding “Giddy on Up.” The two thematic parts should’ve been swapped—party first, relax later—but at least it ends on a strong note: “Everybody,” the pick-me-up standout that feels as good as it sounds. Chris Azzopardi can be reached at chris@pridesource.com.

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ACCESSline’s STATEWIDE Recurring Events List 1st and 3rd 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 necessary. For more info, call Elie at 319-363-1818 or e-mail epsa@ aol.com. [ L G B T M W A ] 3rd 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 ] 3rd Sunday of the Month, IOWA CITY PRIDE PLANNING MEETINGS, 3PM, Meetings to plan the 2010 Iowa City Pride Festival. Everyone welcome to attend. [ L G B T K ] 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 B T M W A ] 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. [LBTWD] 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 B T M W A ] 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 B G T M W A] Every Sunday, RAINBOW AND ALLIED YOUTH, 8:00pm-11:00pm, Social group for Queer youth 25 years and under [ L G B T ] 1st 2nd 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 GBTMWAK] 1st 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 563-2854173. [ L G B T M W A K ] 3rd 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. [ L GBTMWAK] 4th Monday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG WAUKON/NORTHEAST CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM, in the Fellowship Hall at First Lutheran Church, Decorah. 604 West Broadway Street. (563) 382-2638‎ [ L G B T M W A ] Every Monday, DES MOINES GAY MEN’S CHORUS REHEARSALS, 7pm-9:30pm, For more information about singing with the Chorus, contact Rebecca Gruber at 515-865-9557. The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. [ G M A ] Every Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday, 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 TMWAKD] 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 B T MWA] 2nd Tuesday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG AMES CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM, For more info, call 515-291-3607. [ L G B T M W A K ] 2nd 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 ] 2nd 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 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, OUT (OUR UNITED TRUTH): A GLBT SUPPORT GROUP, 7-8:30 PM, For more info, call 563-359-0816. [ L G B TMWA] 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, 319-621-8530 or Nora Garda at 319-4004695, or visit http://iowadancefest.blogspot. com/. [ L G B T M W A ] Every Tuesday, ARGENTINE TANGO, 7:309:30 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 T M W A ] 1st Wednesday of the Month, CEDAR RAPIDS CHARTER CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN

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Taylor Lautner of Twilight series. Photo: Summit Entertainment.

SScontinued from page 11

HOLLYWOOD to shepherd Twilight teens Edward and Bella and Jacob as they enter their final on-screen chapter, Breaking Dawn. And, not missing a single lesson learned by the people who directed the three earlier films, he’s courting fans in a way that most franchise helmers don’t really have to. Of course, those other franchises tend not to have the sort of maniacal, demanding followings that the Twilight series “enjoys.” The director posted an open letter to those fans online, acknowledging his newcomer status and asking for comments and questions; and they responded in droves (Two movies please? No 3D please?). The verdict? The majority of the Twihards seem supportive. The rest are angry about Jar Jar Binks. Look for the movie sometime in 2011.

Dragon returns for more training

The little dragon that could has given birth to another chapter, thanks to every filmmaker’s dream come true: great reviews and crazy box office. Dreamworks’ How To Train Your Dragon, from gay director Dean DeBlois and un-gay director Chris Sanders (the guys behind the sweet-natured Lilo & Stitch), has grossed nearly $400 million worldwide so far and earned the kind of nearly unanimous glowing reviews that classics (and 2011 Oscar noms) are made of. So it’s a bit of a no-brainer and not at all surprising that a sequel has just been announced. Obviously

without caring hands to guide it (a plea to the powers that be: bring back DeBlois and Sanders, they know how to do this kind of thing just right) it could all turn to dull, cashing-in-focused merchandising, but until that goes down this remains great news. There’s now at least one sequel probably worth seeing on your 2013 calendar. That is, if you plan your movie-going that far in advance. Romeo does.

The N.W.A. Movie: Film tha police

It was 22 years ago that seminal hip-hop group N.W.A. burst onto the music scene with their album Straight Outta Compton, introducing gangsta rap to the world and shocking conservative critics with their song “F*** Tha Police.” That means a new generation doesn’t know who they are (their members included Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E) or what they did (they were frequently accused of inciting violence, misogyny and homophobia) and that it’s time for a biopic. Enter Straight Outta Compton, from screenwriter Andrea Berloff (World Trade Center), that will chronicle the rise and dissolution of the band thanks to money squabbles and egos, as well as the reconciliation that occurred following the death of Eazy-E to AIDS. No stars are attached yet, but Romeo will keep it real with updates. Romeo San Vicente has always preferred Lil’ Kim. He can be reached care of this publication or by email at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

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The Gay Wedding Planner: Southern Hospitality by Beau Fodor

Cottages at Honey Creek Resort During these past few weeks, I’ve headed South and had the opportunity to check out a fabulous NEW resort (and gay weddings venue!) on Rathbun Lake called Honey Creek Resort, and all I can say is I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Upon arrival, I checked in with the brutally handsome Front Desk manager, Matthew Mosley, who immediately made me feel relaxed and “at home in a strange land.” His hospitality and true customer service made me feel at ease and ready for adventure. The spotlessly clean accommodations were extremely comfortable and offered fabulous amenities. The rooms (of which there are 105) vary from queen doubles to king suites—and there are 28 brand-new luxury cottages off the main lodge, as well! The full-service restaurant and lounge was spectacular, along with the 50 boat slips in the Marina (which includes a fishing pier). And the 18-hole golf course was beautiful, too!

My focus, obviously, was on facilities for weddings and honeymoons, and Marsha, the Special Events Diva, offered a dream selection of 3-day honeymoon packages, like the “Sport Boating and Private Beach package,” or the “Exploring Romance Nature Hikes package,” or the “Pure Golf package.” Definitely something for every couple out there! Other amenities included a 6,500square-foot conference center with stateof-the-art technology, an RV Park with 20 full-service hook-ups, multi-purpose hiking trails, a huge playground, and even scavenger hunts for the children! That weekend, two brides from Kirkville, Missouri, with 125 guests in tow, said they had the wedding of their dreams, and that the resort was so gay-friendly it was a non-issue! For even more information visit honeycreekresort.com. Another fabulous spot South of Des Moines is Two Saints Winery in St. Charles, Iowa. Just three miles east of Interstate 35, tucked into the rolling hills of rural Warren County, this is honestly one of the best experiences I have had in Iowa. The 10 acres of property are divided into separate parcels on which are grown only local Iowa red and white grape varietals. The owners (who offer genuine “southern” hospitality) support the belief that wines should come from where the grapes are grown. The 2,400-square-foot banquet facilities, for up to 200 guests, offer an 800-square-foot dance floor, as well.

Sunday June 20th, 2pm

Writers’ Discussion and Book Signing

Featured Authors: Joshua Dagon John Riley Myers Brett Edward Stout Presented by ACCESSline Newspaper, Breur Media Corporation, and Hamburger Mary’s Cedar Rapids 222 Glenbrook Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 319-378-4627 www.HamburgerMarysCR.com

Beau Fodor The facilities include a caterer’s kitchen—for the caterer of your choice—a wet bar counter, and the most fabulous, HUGE wooden wrap-around deck that looks over the picture-perfect setting. Watching the sunset over the Vineyard was to die for... Please visit their website at twosaintswinery.com! 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.

JUNE 2010

“I think that we ought to definitely look at it (samesex marriage) and debate it. I think there are a lot of people who have trouble coming to terms with that because they see marriage as traditionally between a man and a woman. But I also know that, you know, when couples are committed to each other and love each other, they ought to have, I think, the same sort of rights that everyone has. I guess that would be an area that we (my husband and I) disagree. … I think it’s also a generational thing that will come…” — Laura Bush to CNN’s Larry King, May 11.

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Cocktail Chatter by Ed Sikov Gearing up for housemates season

“They eat grasshoppers there.” This came from Kyle, one of “the puppies,” as the rest of us called them behind their backs. “You moron! It’s cicadas!”—the inevitable putdown by Robbie, the other puppy. Generically shirtless but periodically pantsless, too, the puppies moved and spoke in tandem. They played with each other like restless young Weimeraners. “Kyle is right,” I shouted from the kitchen just before pushing the blender button marked “pulverize,” mainly to mix up the brunch cocktail du jour, but also to drown out the conversation. The puppies were more than hot; they were scorching. But they could also be tedious, especially when clothed. I was making Sangres de Marias—which my partner Dan and I thought up during a trip to Oaxaca, where they serve mezcal—a fierce, smoky drink made from the maguey agave plant. Mezcal is tequila-ish, only better—more like a barbecued brandy than the druggy but mixable star of the 7-ElevenSlushee-like frozen Margarita. Mezcal is smokier and more refined. When they aren’t drinking it with ground up worms preserved in salt (I said no, no, no), Oaxacans serve shots of mezcal with sangrita, the perfect chaser—Bloody Mary-like, but more complex and citrusy. And it’s spicier and more refreshing than those awful hintof-powdered-horseradish disasters sold to the gullible as Bloody Mary mixes. (Oh, come on! Get some tomato juice, a bottle of real horseradish, and some Tabasco, and make the damn Bloody from scratch.) Dan and I have a house in Fire Island Pines, which we can only afford by having housemates, so we were launching the upcoming 2010 season with the annual housemates brunch—a slightly sodden prelude to another summer in Alice’s Gay Wonderland—the gorgeous beach full of gorgeous men, the joking and the bitching, the flashes of skin in our outdoor shower (conveniently located outside the kitchen window—the puppies were superstars in this arena), and of course the cocktails. We served the Sangres de Marias in tall, thin flea market glasses, but you can use any glassware you like. Just show some class— no plastic cups. And add enough vodka so you can taste it. I’m sorry, but vodka is not tasteless—it adds flavor as well as punch. If all you want is watered down tomato juice, then add more ice and let it melt. Except for Robbie’s obnoxious response (“This tastes like pureed grasshoppers”—I was outraged), the Sangres de Marias were a hit. Craig, the shall we say fat former theater student turned legal aide, blurted, “You should call it el cuaderno de la virgen.” “You’re dating yourself, doll,” I said, to which he retorted, “Of course I am—no one else will.” Here’s our recipe for Sangres de Marias, but you should adjust the proportions and make it your own way:

Sangres de Marias

• 1 48-ounce bottle tomato juice—don’t get the low sodium kind or you’ll simply end up with cocktails that need salt • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best but pricey)

• ½ cup unsweetened lime juice (use ReaLime, not Rose’s, which is sweetened) • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1 teaspoon ground ancho chilies (optional) • A handful of roughly chopped cilantro • A few shakes of Tabasco • Premium vodka—I recommend Absolut 1. Blend the first seven ingredients until almost smooth. 2. Pour the mixture into a large pitcher, and add as much Absolut vodka as possible. Just be careful not to overwhelm either the cocktail or your guests. Add it by the slosh until you think it’s enough. Never forget this cardinal rule: You’re not making a hydrogen bomb. You’re making a drink. Proportions aren’t critical with Bloody Marys or Sangres de Marias.

The “I Don’t Care What Anyone Says” Classic Martini

“It’s early Alzheimer’s,” I whined. I’d left the duck breasts I’d planned to grill at home. I’d have to rush to the grocery and buy some more. And they’d have no time to marinate! “Alzheimer’s jokes aren’t funny,” Dan scolded. “Chipotle-Grapefruit Duck is no joke either.” “You know what I mean. And it’s not funny. I know Alzheimer’s. You don’t have Alzheimer’s. So stop it.” As Director of Research at CogniTech, a pharmaceutical company that developed new Alzheimer’s treatments, Dan didn’t find fake whimpering about forgotten duck amusing. “I’ll go get more duck. You start the rest of the stuff.” Just as Dan was leaving, Chipper burst in. He dropped his backpack on the floor and spouted off. “That train was late—again! So, I missed the 6:30 ferry and had to wait at that bar in Sayville, with their watered-down drinks, and… Martini! Now!” “I’ll make you one,” I offered. “Hell no!” Chipper snapped. “Yours are lousy.” “I beg your pardon?” “Your proportions suck.” He stripped off his sweaty T-shirt and sprinted to the liquor cabinet. I admired his moist, wide, delightful lats while resenting his stupid opinion as he reached for the Beefeater. “They do not! I make the classic martini.” I was huffy. “If you like a little gin with your vermouth.” I watched Chipper in speechless rage as he grabbed the cocktail shaker, filled it with ice, poured in a full martini glass full of Beefeater, then added precisely five drops of dry vermouth and stirred wildly. “If you want straight gin,” I said coldly, “why bother with that silly nod to tradition and just go the W. C. Fields route? I’m sure some perv in the Pines gets off on guys with gin blossoms.” “Jag-off,” Chipper muttered as he left the room clutching his martini. Chipper had lived in New York for 20 years but reverted to Pittsburgh slang when he got mad. I was still stewing when Dan returned with the duck and a bottle of Sancerre. He was accompanied by Paolo, who had stopped at BarHarbor, right off the dock, for—yes—a martini, the dregs of which he carried in a

swatted my behind, then shoved the paper bag full of duck breasts into my ribs. “Shut up and grill.” This is a Classic Martini; Paolo and Chipper can write their own damn columns:

Classic Martini

red plastic cup. I offered to make him a real martini in a real martini glass. “Thanks, no,” Paola said. “I’ll make my own.” “Why? Aren’t mine good enough for you?” “Good that you brought that up,” he said with business school tact. “I prefer my proportions.” “Here we go again,” I snarled, then told him about Chipper, who had shut himself inside the room he shared with Paolo. “It’s actually quite the reverse,” Paolo explained. “You should taste the vermouth clearly. Otherwise there’s no point in adding it.” I watched in piqued fascination as Paolo made a distinctly wet martini. “Well,” I huffed, “if you want to drink straight vermouth…” whereupon Dan

• 4 parts Beefeater gin (If you want to use Absolut, fine; just don’t call it a Classic Martini.) • 1 part dry vermouth 1. Fill shaker with ice. Pour liquors in. Just let it sit on the counter to chill—no need to shake. 2. Stir just once, put the lid on, and strain your Classic Martini into the proper glass. 3. Add an olive or a lemon twist; a cocktail onion turns it into a Gibson.

“There is a straight-to-gay conversion group: It’s called Liza Minnelli. You date her, you start flouncing around in a boa singing Lady Gaga songs.” — Village Voice columnist Michael Musto to host Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, May 11.

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Out of Town: Cologne and the 2010 Gay Games by Andrew Collins A progressive, attractive metropolis that’s long been a playground for fans of outdoor cafes, leafy parks and extremely friendly gay bars, Cologne (http://bit.ly/9ENzJ8) is Germany’s fourthlargest city and a hub of the country’s beautiful Rhineland. Established as a Roman settlement more than 2,000 years ago, Cologne is rife with cultural attractions and centrally located—it’s within four hours by car or train ride of Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Strasbourg. There’s plenty to see and do year-round in Cologne (Köln in German), but summer is an especially popular time for a visit. Average high temperatures in July and August are in the low 70s, and the city’s many bars and cafes with sidewalk or courtyard seating come alive during these months. Every year in early July, the city hosts the Cologne Gay Pride festival and parade (http://bit. ly/97Bdfm)—it takes place July 2 through July 4 this year. But 2010 is an especially important year in Cologne from a GLBT perspective— this year, from July 31 through August 7, the city hosts the Gay Games VIII (http://bit.ly/drijxn). This well-attended event, which is held every four years, was begun in 1982 and held in San Francisco the first two occasions, before being hosted by Vancouver, New York City, Amsterdam, Sydney and most recently Chicago. It’s slated to take place in Cleveland in 2014. This is the largest GLBT sports and cultural gathering in the world, although the similarly themed, though wholly independent, World Outgames were established in 2006 in Montreal, held again in Copenhagen in 2009, and will next take place in Antwerp in 2013. Thousands of visitors will come to Cologne to participate and watch the games, which also take place around the same time as Amsterdam Gay Pride (http://bit.ly/cQvPBZ). It’s expected that many travelers will make time for both events. Organizers are expecting as many as 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries—plus another 100,000 spectators. The city of Cologne, which has long been very supportive toward gays and lesbians, has worked hard to prepare for the Games, improving many sporting venues and working hard to roll out a warm welcome. Most of the games take place within Cologne city limits and virtually all of the venues are within 20 minutes of the city center by car or public transport. The city has a highly efficient rail and light-rail system. Some 34 sporting events are featured, including basketball, cycling, diving, figure skating, inline speed skating, sailing, softball, soccer/ football, track & field, volleyball and many others. The Games also feature a number of cultural events, including a cheerleading contest, band and choral festivals, a “rainbow” run, visual and performing arts, along with countless parties and social events. The city’s skyline is marked by one of the most dramatic architectural works in Europe—the 515-foot Cologne Cathedral, which was built over the course of six centuries and merits a visit to appreciate the sheer wonder of its interior. The city has plenty of other cultural high points. Near the cathedral are the fabulous Museum Ludwig, which contains one of Europe’s

Three of Cologne’s most iconic sites: the Cologne Cathedral, the Colonius telecommunications tower, and the Hohenzollern Bridge. Photo by Andrew Collins. most impressive collections of modern art (with Picasso a particular specialty), and the Romisch-Germanisches Museum, known for its priceless collection of Roman artifacts. The starkly modern Wallraf das Museum excels in European art over the past seven centuries, and the Museum fur Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Art) is a rich trove of furnishings, decorative arts, and textiles from throughout Europe. It’s also worth looking for tickets to the renowned Cologne Opera and the city’s esteemed WDR Symphony Orchestra. There’s also some serious shopping in the city center, with the massive Olivandenhof department store among the hot spots for retail. The pedestrian-only Schildergasse is the most popular shopping street in the city—it’s lined with brand-name shops and always abuzz with people. If you’re a fan of German snacks, don’t miss Hoss an der Oper, a justly famous delicatessen that proffers everything from sausages to fine Rieslings. Another retail highlight is the 4711 shop, which sells the product for which the city is named, eau de Cologne, a rather heady perfume with a citrus-y fragrance. Visitors will find several enchanting places to stroll around the City Center, including the broad and open Stadtgarten, which lies just west of the city. Just follow Rudolfplatz west a few blocks and look for the soaring Colonius telecom tower, which rises 872 feet above the park. It’s also enjoyable to stroll along the Rhine, walking across the historic and dramatic Hohenzollem rail bridge (look for the triangular tablet along the river promenade just south of the bridge—it’s a memorial to gay and lesbian victims of Nazism), sauntering back down the right bank, and crossing back over via the Deutzer Bridge, which deposits you right into Old Market (Alter Markt) district. Historically, the gay scene in Cologne was centered around the Old Market and nearby Hay Market (Heumarkt) areas, and you’ll still find a number of bars and hangouts in these neighboring districts along the left bank of the Rhine. Bars and clubs tend to be cruiser and more sex-driven around Hay Market and the streets just south. Popular here are Hombres, Zille, Blue Lounge (which draws more of a mix of women and men), Zipp’s, My Lord, and Station 2B fetish club,

plus a few shops selling erotica, leather gear and underwear. Restaurant Mederrano (http://bit.ly/9PxmbF) is a very nice dining option hidden away from the crowds of Old Market but near gay nightlife. Gay bars around Old Market generally appeal to a somewhat older—and more mixed—crowd (women and men, and some straights). These include Zum Pitter, a convivial space with outdoor seating, and nearby Comeback, a jolly gay pub. The newer and trendier gay scene emanates from around Rudolfplatz, a 15-minute walk west of Old Market. Just south of this bustling square typically packed with students, hipsters, artsy types and young professionals, you’ll find several stylish gay bars along Schaafenstrasse and the streets just south of it. Among the hot spots, check out ExCorner, Maxbar, Schampanja, and the swish the swish X-Bar. Restaurants worth a look near Rudolfplatz include Paul Bobotie (http://bobotie.de), which specializes in South African cuisine; and endearingly cool Bar Tabac (http://www.bartabac.de), which has the vibe of a cafe on the Left Bank in Paris. A good bet for a gay date, Nana’s is a comfy restaurant with a warmly lighted interior that feels rather old-school, but the kitchen turns out surprisingly modern and very tasty German fare. Just a bit northwest of here, gay-owned and wonderfully romantic

Limbourg Restaurant (http://bit.ly/cpsC0v) serves outstanding French and Northern Italian fare. Within steps of Rudolfplatz you’ll also find numerous ice cream parlors, sidewalk cafes and casual eateries with a devoted gay following. Era Cafe & Bar (http://cafe-era.de), with its light tapas and good-looking staff, is a favorite—also check out Cafe Rico (http://cafe-rico.de) and Brennerei Weiss (http://brennereiweiss.de), a festival beer hall with a large patio. Also just off Rudolfplatz, stop inside Bruno’s GLBT bookstore for both mainstream and adult titles, as well as gifts, videos, toys and the like. It’s along Kettengasse, which has several other shops catering to the GLBT crowd. One of the best hotels in Cologne for proximity to gay nightlife is the Hotel Barcelo Cologne City Center (http://bit.ly/aMENw8)—rooms in this large, international hotel have large windows, many overlooking Rudolfplatz, as well as contemporary work desks, flat-screen TVs, blonde-wood floors and beds with comfy duvets. One of the city’s most famous and opulent properties is the historic Le Meridien Dom Hotel (http://bit.ly/9loHlH), a posh hotel overlooking the Cathedral and Old Town. Its 124 rooms are decked out with boldly colored furnishings, marble bathrooms, and—in some cases—balconies. Overlooking the Rhine, the 454-room Maritim Hotel Cologne (http://maritim.de) is quite elegant, its lobby set inside a massive glass atrium. There are four restaurants on-site, and facilities include a pool, fitness room, sauna and shopping mall. Nearby Hotel Lyskirchen (http://hotel-lyskirchen.de) is also quite popular with gays and lesbians and is near the gay bars in the historic city center. The 106-room property is steps from the Rhine and accommodations are sleek and airy. Excellent, fair-priced options near Rudolfplatz include the trendy Hopper Hotel Et Cetera (http://hopper.de), a handsomely designed property set inside an 1893 former monastery, and the simple but cheerful Conti Hotel (http://conti-hotel.de), whose small but comfy rooms have rates starting well under 70 euros nightly. Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutofTown@qsyndicate.com.

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Book Marks by Richard Labonte The Moonlit Earth, by Christopher Rice. Scribner, 368 pages, $25 hardcover. Terrorist bombings, family secrets, sibling conflicts, corruptive wealth, mazelike conspiracies, a closeted 18-year-old Muslim scion and a handsome homo flight attendant: Rice stuffs a whole lot of plot into his fifth novel. The story is somewhat dense, with oodles of expository asides, but nonetheless zips along at a page-turner pace. When West Hollywood party-boy flight attendant Cameron is caught on video fleeing a Hong Kong hotel bombing, accompanied by a shady Middle Eastern character, his slightly estranged but still loyal sister, Megan, sets out to prove her brother is no terrorist. Despite Cameron’s proclivities—and his interaction with a young, hedonistic Saudi Prince, Aabid, who tries to buy Cameron’s affections with an envelope of cash—there’s less queer content than in Rice’s previous books. Instead, in fine thriller fashion, the novel tackles the murky, menacing world of great wealth, overarching egos, the politics of oil, the strictures of religion and the riveting intersection of greed and power. It’s a mega-tale balanced nicely by the evolving relationship between a sister and a brother who, growing up, learned to depend on each other.

Across 1 Worn-out stallions 5 Sound of three men in a tub 10 Speak like a tough guy 14 Middle Eastern sultanate 15 Undeliverable letter, in post-office slang 16 Capable of performing 17 Stuff out of your shaft? 20 Evita composer Lloyd Webber 21 DeGeneres’ Finding ___ 22 Stroke your furry one 23 Breeder’s concern 25 You may take it out before a blow job 27 Ukraine, once (abbr.) 28 Slangy home 30 Bottom’s cry 31 Scrolls at Beth Chayim Chadashim 33 Box tops 34 Cutie at a gay bar? 37 Minor dispute 39 Gertrude with a beer mug? 40 Like a Man of la Mancha knight 43 Give some relief 44 “Isn’t ___ bit like you and me?” (“Nowhere Man”) 47 End of an Oscar Wilde title 49 Bonheur’s motives 51 ‘70s org. of kidnappers 52 Kind of time 54 Salon staple 55 Ticketed a homophobe?

Bobby Blanchard, Lesbian Gym Teacher, by Monica Nolan. Kensington Books, 304 pages, $15 paper. Three, three, three genres in one. It’s a murder mystery—who killed the elderly professorial companion of Metamora Academy’s befuddled but benign headmistress? It’s a romance—with which of the sometimes sultry, sometimes standoffish teachers will fledgling gym teacher Bobby Blanchard find the sexual and emotional connection she longs for, after she’s dumped by her closeted, class-conscious girlfriend? And, as with Nolan’s hilariously saucy debut novel, Lois Lenz, Lesbian Secretary, it’s a campy homage to the classic lesbian pulps of Paula Chris-

tian, Ann Bannon and Vin Packer—set at an elite boarding school for often snotty girls, where newcomer Bobby decides to revive the school’s once-formidable field hockey team. Looming over the action is the school’s historic bell tower, exuding mystery and menace, from which the former Math Mistress plunged to her messy death. Nolan’s pell-mell pastiche of varied genres—add outrageous humor to the mystery, romance and pulpy homage—is great fun, both on the playing field and off.

Madre & I: A Memoir of Our Immigrant Lives, by Guillermo Reyes. University of Wisconsin Press, 288 pages, $18.95 paper. Reyes, an accomplished playwright and theater professor, bares his soul with searing candor in this graceful memoir about growing up as a Chilean immigrant in America. It’s as much the story of his mother’s life in a new land as it is his own.

Q-PUZZLE: “Ian as We Speak”

58 Engrossed with 59 Desperate Housewives, and others 60 “Money ___ object!” 61 Dick Tracy’s girlfriend Trueheart 62 Spine-chilling 63 Many, many moons

Down 1 Itinerant folk 2 It tops a B 3 Mate of a heterosexual goose 4 Mortimer, with a wooden head 5 Where the rubber meets the road, in winter

The book recounts tenuous ties to a father and family he barely knew back in Chile, until later in life; his mother’s work as a house cleaner and a nanny, forever putting her son’s interests ahead of her own; and his years-long, self-conscious struggle with same-sex relations and body image, despite the fact that pictures of a young Reyes in his 20s show him to be a handsome fellow. As a boy, he wouldn’t go to the beach, for fear of exposing his body to the ridicule he assumed awaited him; and though he had high school and college crushes, disrobing for sex was always traumatic. The author’s honesty about coming to terms with his fears is expressed with a compelling combination of poignant honesty and rueful wit, a tone that infuses this spirited life story. Richard Labonte has been reading, editing, selling, and writing about queer literature since the mid-’70s. He can be reached in care of this publication or at BookMarks@qsyndicate.com.

6 Tyler of Lord of the Rings 7 Alternatives to asses 8 Successfully donated sperm 9 Trapped, with “in” 10 The daily grind 11 Ian McKellen played a Nazi war criminal in this film 12 Took the wheel 13 Cole’s family 18 Completely faithful 19 Top drawer 24 “Great balls of fire!” 26 Follows up on a kiss? 29 On the Beach author Nevil 31 Atlas was one 32 Weapon of Caesar’s day 34 Search requirements 35 Put straight 36 At Swim, Two Boys writer Jamie 37 Deems necessary 38 Confection with nuts 41 Uncool sort 42 Fly over the equator 44 Like Brando’s Godfather voice 45 San Fernando Valley locale 46 Hubby of Demi 48 Lake site of gay and lesbian ski week 50 Old photo color 53 Maude producer 56 Canon camera 57 Cost-of-living stat • SOLUTION ON PAGE 28

JUNE 2010

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QUAD CITIES: MASSAGE

IOWA CITY: INSURANCE

CEDAR RAPIDS: GIFT BASKETS

CEDAR RAPIDS: WINE & GIFTS

FREELANCE WRITER

“Call me old fashioned but I think you should clean the bathroom mirror before you take your naked pictures in front of it and post ‘em online.” — Gay writer Dan Savage, on his blog, April 22.

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OUTFIELD

EVENTS

the country—but only a few involve athletics. In New Westminster, British Columbia, the Douglas Students’ Union will speak to college sports science classes. Members will also hand out brochures, water bottle stickers and pins to raise awareness of sexuality and athletics. Across the nation in Burlington, Ontario, the Halton Organization for PRIDE and Education has involved local sports figures to attend their International Day festivities. Manitoba’s Civil Service Commission will host a lunch-and-learn session on homophobia—and transphobia. Many of the International Day efforts are non-sport-specific. Gay-Straight Alliances will hand out information, hang posters and conduct seminars. The Alberta Teachers’ Association plans to distribute posters and pamphlets to educators. Edmonton’s’ Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services is screening “Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride.” Information will be displayed on the main floor lobby of the Winnipeg Tax Centre. Individually, all this may not sound like much. But that’s not the point. Knowledge is power. And who knows what Justin Fashanu’s life might have been like if—back in the day—he’d come across just one of those posters, information tables or presentations? Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog.com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.

BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION, For more info, visit charter-chapter.tripod.com. [LW] 1st 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 ] 1st 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 ] 2nd 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 BTMWA] 2nd 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. [LGBTA] 2nd Wednesday 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 ] 2nd 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 ] Every Wednesday, TRANSFORMATIONS IOWA, 7:00pm-9:00pm, TransformationsIowa is a Transgender support group. It is open to all ranges of the gender spectrum, male to female, female to male, cross dressers, drag queens, gender queer, questioning, as well as friends, significant others and allies. [ T D ] 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 ] 1st 3rd Thursday, EVENINGS FOR SPIRIT, 6:30-8:30 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 319-6432613, or e-mail spirit-hill@earthlink.net. Calling in advance is highly recommended to confirm the location for the specific month of interest. [ L W ] 2nd 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 G B T M W A ] 2nd Thursday of the Month, IOWA PFLAG OMAHA/COUNCIL BLUFFS CHAPTER MEETING, 7 PM (6:30 PM social time), at Mead Hall, First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., Omaha. For more info, call 402-291-6781. [ L GBTMWAK] 3rd Thursday of the Month, OPEN MIC

“Every gay person who knows the truth about closeted antigay politicians has a responsibility to speak up, as (blogger) Mike Rogers does so fearlessly. This is no longer an issue that is debatable. No one’s privacy deserves respect when that person is working against our rights, and none of us should be complicit in keeping the secrets of these detestable individuals.” — SiriusXM host Michelangelo Signorile—who, in the late ‘80s was credited with “inventing” “outing”—writing in the June issue of The Advocate.

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 B T M W A ] 3rd 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. 515243-0313 [ L G B T + ] 3rd 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 563582-9388. [ L G B T M W A K ] 3rd Thursday of the Month, CONNECTIONS GAME NIGHT, 7-9 PM, at Donnelly’s Pub, 110 E. College St., in downtown Iowa City. [LGBTMWA] 4th 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 319-9819887. [ L W ] 4th 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. [ LGBTMWA] 1st Friday of the Month, FAIRFIELD ART WALK, For more info, visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.com. [ L G B T M W A ] 1st 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. [ LGBTMWA] 1st 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 ] 1st 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 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. [LGBTMWA] 2nd and 4th 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 ] 3rd Friday of the Month, OLD-TIME DANCE FOR ALL, 8 PM, A Barn Dance 12

JUNE 2010 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. [ L G B T M W A ] 3rd 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 319-6218530 or e-mail a.c.experiment@gmail.com. [ L GBTMWAD] 3rd 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 ] 4th 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 ] 4th 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 ] 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 W A K D ] 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 BTMWAKD]

ACCESSline Page 29 Section 3: Community Annual Community AIDS Assistance FFBC: Pride in Iowa by Bruce Carr Project (CAAP) Prom by Alex Mougin

JUNE 2010

A packed house for CAAP Prom at Kings and Queens Tap in Waterloo

Glow sticks… check. Dance cages… check. Body paint… double check! These items aren’t on the typical grocery list, but they were a part of the rather large list of necessities for this year’s annual CAAP Prom at Kings and Queens Tap in Waterloo. CAAP (Community AIDS Assistance Project) is a non-profit organization founded 16 years ago to assist those living with HIV/AIDS. Currently there are over 90 people in Black Hawk County living with HIV/AIDS. For several years, CAAP has held a “prom” event as a fundraiser for those the organization helps. This year, as always, the first step was to find a proper theme for the event. “We had to think ‘what exactly hasn’t been done around here that would attract a good crowd?’ and come up with ideas,” said Curt Dietz (a.k.a. Courtney Michaels), CAAP Chair. “So naturally a Rave would be the first thing that came to mind. Anything to make the bar a wild, crazy, & fun place.” With the theme in place, it was time to come up with what had to be prepared and what was to be done with Kings and Queens. “As soon as I heard Rave, I immediately started thinking of ways to get dance cages incorporated into the event,” said Renee Evans, CAAP Vice Chair. “I told everyone on the committee that it just wouldn’t be a Rave without cages, dance boxes and some sexy go-go dancers!” Evans began pushing the Rave event right away with her Cedar Valley Pride account on Facebook. As soon as people caught wind of the prom, word quickly spread and the committee knew they were in for a lot of work to pull it off. Kings and Queens’s owner and CAAP Treasurer Jona VanBlaricom began thinking of every possible way to transform the bar into something nobody in the area had ever seen before. “I wanted everything to either glow, light up, or just look completely different from what our normal patrons see every week,” said VanBlaricom. “It helped that I was planning on repainting the place anyway, because as soon as I found out we were getting glow paint, I wanted it thrown all over the walls and tables.” Besides glow paint, hundreds of glow sticks, glow jewelry, strobe lights and even some lasers were acquired for the event in order to get the full-fledged Rave effect.

Once all of the pieces were figured out, it was time to put them together. This took place from two to six the morning of the Rave. A group of dedicated volunteers including myself waited until the bar closed and then went into action to build the now half-fabricated cages, install the new lights, hang rainbow fabric, and paint the walls in the style of a spontaneous Rave spot. With everything ready to go, it was only a matter of hours before the event. “We worked our butts off and walked away that morning (and I do mean morning) satisfied,” said Dietz. “With the fog and lights and lasers, the place looked so different and it put a smile on my face even though I was tired as all get up.” That afternoon, everyone returned after taking some well deserved naps and grabbing some dinner. Food was put out, glow sticks were activated and hung on the ceiling, the playlist was set, the go-go dancers got painted and bedazzled, and the fog machines got rolling. It was time for the party to start! Once in full swing, the Rave had the bar more alive than ever before! Guests to the event immediately went for the glow jewelry and glow paint to get in the Rave mood and have fun dancing the night away. Visitors ranged from those who just turned 21 to those who were about to get married later that week. “I saw AT LEAST three bridal parties come to the Rave,” remembers Evans. “They looked like they were just having a blast dancing, drinking, meeting new people and even getting on the dance box and boogying with our dancers.” “I loved seeing the bar so packed and full of people having a great time,” said VanBlaricom. “I had so many people come up and tell me they wish the bar was like this all the time.” The event brought in $1,400 in door money alone for CAAP as well as great business for Kings and Queens. Rick Jenn was crowned Prom King and Megan Scribner was crown Queen. All pictures from the Rave can be found on the Cedar Valley Pride page on Facebook as well as upcoming Pride and CAAP events in the Cedar Valley. The next CAAP event will be a picnic on August 28 followed by CAAP Pride July 16, 17, & 18th with a Sand Volleyball Tournament as Pride’s big event on Saturday. Details can be found on the inside cover of the Accessline or online at cedarvalleypride on Facebook.

Our speaker on the first Friday of May was Ryan Roemerman, executive director of the Iowa Pride Network (IPN), a statewide nonprofit education and advocacy organization which works to make Iowa schools and colleges safe for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Roemerman began with a sincere expression of gratitude to the First Friday Breakfast Club for its key role in the founding of IPN: FFBC provided funding to launch the organization in 2003--when he and co-founder Brad Clark were both still college undergraduates. Seven years later, IPN counts over 120 gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in high schools and colleges throughout Iowa. Roemerman gave an efficient and inspiring account of IPN’s growth and its activities in fighting bigotry and intolerance against LGBTQA students in Iowa . The Network works directly with students, helping empower them to start and enhance GSAs in their high schools and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support and mentoring, and educational, advocacy, and networking opportunities. In addition, IPN (you can go to <iowapridenetwork.org>, telephone 515-471-8062) works to educate policy makers and educators on the issues facing LGBTQA students, besides advocating for the interests of these students both locally and statewide. A very handsome, 30-page result of

Ryan Roemerman, executive director of the Iowa Pride Network. Photo: Arthur Breur IPN’s activism is its new student organizing handbook, Making It Real--copies of which were handed out to all attendees. The booklet outlines in concise but detailed fashion the pertinent Iowa law (both Civil Rights legislation and Safe Schools legislation) and how and when to use its provisions to make Iowa schools safe and nurturing for LGBTQA students. IPN’s student members, using techniques outlined in the manual, have in fact helped to shape Iowa law. They lobbied the state legislature to include TTFFBC continued page 38

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Section 3: Community

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Inside Out: Daddy Dearest by Ellen Krug A few days before Mother’s Day this year, I was in a convenience store talking to the clerk, a nice person but a stranger. As I walked out the door, she wished me “Happy Mother’s Day.” This was the first time someone had ever said this to me, and it was heartfelt at that, given she believed I was a genetic female. It warmed me. Acceptance. Parenthood. Becoming a member of a new club—a women’s only club. I have two daughters, one 19 and the other now 21. Both still call me “Dad,” which is perfectly fine with me. They have a fantastic mother who is a genetic female and certainly, I do not want to do or say anything that would diminish her role or place in their lives. So, how does it work when one parent changes their sex? Especially, as in my case, when in the beginning I had young teenager girls (I left the house in 2004), who were already familiar with me in one gender role and really didn’t want me acting or appearing as the other gender. The answer: it is not easy. In fact, early on, it seemed near impossible. As my younger daughter once said, “it would have been cool if you were just gay, Dad. But you being transgender is just too difficult to explain to my friends.” What an understatement, kiddo. “Flipping” one’s sex is difficult enough for adults to take in. Asking your children to go with that program

is entirely something else. For one thing, there is the loss of the classic male role model—as a father, a man—my children viewed me as their protector and guardian. I was the one who ensured they were safe, that the scary things from the outside world stayed away. Losing that male in their lives generated some real fears and insecurity. The second problem was far more tangible—my daughters’ very real fear of their friends rejecting them for having this weird parent. Teenage girls in particular are subject to intense feelings about fitting in. Now my girls had a father showing up in public in skirts and heels. Imagine running into a group of girlfriends, who know nothing about your transgendered father, when you are with your father at a store. What do you say? How do you explain it? How fast can you run? Isn’t there a brown bag close by to put over your Dad’s head? The net result was that for a long time, my daughters refused to be with me in public. We watched a lot of home movies. Eventually, one daughter lost much of her fear when she accompanied me to the Mall of America and repeatedly heard clerks refer to me as “Miss,” and the two of us as “ladies.” This calmed some of her concerns about me looking like a guy trying to look like a woman. Hooray for my makeup consultant. Another issue is simply the hurt and feeling of loss. This comes with

the territory of divorce, to be sure, but as I’ve heard repeatedly, at least with a “normal divorce,” you still have both parents in their original gender roles. My girls suffered a pretty complete loss, across all bases, leaving them with a lot of confusion. I can only imagine how they may mistrust men for a long time, if not forever. Will he really be who he says he is? How can I ever rely on his word to stay with me? I will carry this knowledge with me forever. When I am honest with myself, I tell me that this is just the way it has to be. At other times, I worry this will be my legacy to them, a legacy of unintended, deep scarring. One should never scar someone you love so dearly. So how did we as a family deal with all of this emotional stuff— the “losing your Dad who cannot be your Mom but what the hell is he now” stuff? The first thing I realized is that this is way out of my league, so my ex-wife and I arranged for a therapist to see one daughter. (The other daughter refused therapy.) I also gave them some books and materials to real, like Noelle Howry’s Dress Codes. Most of all, what I did was wait. Just wait. Even though I could not control how my daughters reacted to me, I certainly could control my reaction to them reacting to me. Being rejected, even momentarily, offers one with two choices: you can either become angry and run from it, or you can stand in, and simply hope and pray that attitudes will come around. I chose the latter course. I still don’t know how I did this since I come from a long line of pessimistic and angry atheist runners. But I did. I knew that this waiting, this patience, was paying off when one daughter came to me on a certain night a year ago. She had something important to disclose, something that could upset me. “But before I tell you Daddy, promise me that you will use your girl voice when we talk about this.”

Wow. I was ecstatic to hear—actually to feel—the acceptance in her request, and I told her, of course, I would use my girl voice. It was then that I knew I was batting at least .500 with my daughters. And in my view .500 is not too bad at this point in the process. Since then, the other daughter has started to come around. It is an incremental process, which really is so true for the parenting process as a whole, even in normal circumstances, without divorce or transgendered parents. In the end, I think one word applies: devotion. My girls are devoted to me, I know, and they will show up one day, unimpeded. I am devoted to them and will remain steadfast even when it hurts like hell to do so. I am so lucky. So very lucky. 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.

“I grew up the youngest of nine in a very Catholic family, attending Catholic schools and never missing Sunday mass. I had a great upbringing in a church that didn’t preach hatred against gay people. But the Catholic Church has changed dramatically and is one of the worst abusers in their bigotry and discrimination towards gay people. I don’t belong to the church anymore—not because of who I am, but because of who they are. I don’t feel guilty. I feel right. I know that God is on my side and on the side of all people, no matter who they are.” — Steve Hildebrand, who was Barack Obama’s deputy national campaign director, on his new gig with the organization Faith In America, to lgbtpov.com, April 22.

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The CENTER Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

CEDAR AIDS SUPPORT SYSTEM

On June 1, 2009, The CENTER in Des Moines opened its doors to serve the un-served and under-served LGBTAQI community and is located at 1300 Locust in downtown Des Moines. The vision of The CENTER is to counter-act the effects of invisibility by providing advocacy, services and a safe space for those who don’t have a voice. “We don’t let people fall through the cracks.” The CENTER is a safe place to be yourself! It is a drug and alcohol free space and a great place to hang out. The CENTER was founded by Equality Iowa, the oldest LGBT organization in Iowa, a statewide, grassroots, non-partisan organization working to secure and uphold equality under the law and in society for Iowa LGBT communities and their allies. Equality Iowa was founded in 2003 by Sandy Vopalka. While Iowa has other organizations devoted to LGBT issues, Vopalka has reinvigorated Equality Iowa with a newfound zeal for serving those members of our community whose lives and needs are often left out of the mix. In a predominantly white state like Iowa it is understandable that LGBT people of color might slip through the cracks, particularly in light of historic tensions within some communities of color regarding non-heterosexual identities. At this point in our history it is often a challenge just to find other LGBT people of color with whom to create a sense community. One of the goals of The CENTER is to provide

a place where people of color can congregate. Other underserved groups within the LGBT community in Iowa include the transgender community, bisexuals, LGBT people experiencing poverty, and LGBT people with disabilities. Vopalka, who has worked tirelessly for years to promote equality for LGBT Iowans, said she looked around and saw a great deal of attention being given to the lesbians and the gays, but almost none to the bisexuals and the transgenders. She also took note of the lack of concern with the needs of LGBT people of color. These concerns motivated her to find a funder and help establish The CENTER. Thousands have visited The CENTER and hundreds or more have benefitted from the services offered. Services include a clothing closet, a lending library of over 1200 books, DVDs, movies, and periodicals, legal and social research resources, financial literacy education, safe sex information, LGBTQI community resources, and many more. The CENTER has assisted several people with finding safer housing, understanding medical and drug programs, providing Internet service for job searches and printing resumes, and providing meeting space for several organizations and groups. Organizations at The CENTER include: • PCCI Progress Coalition of Central Iowa • WCC Women’s Cultural

Collective • Transformations Iowa (Transgender Group) • Equality Iowa • SAGE Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders • Dykes of the Roundtable (Women of Color) • PFLAG Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays • TABU Together All Brothers Unite • Rainbow Youth and Allies (a group for 25 and under) • PITCH Positive Iowans Taking Charge Support groups include: • LGBTQ Parents Support Group • Coming Out Support Group • Transgender Support Group • Bi Support Group • Lesbian Support Group • Grief Support Group • LGBTQ Elders Group Volunteer opportunities are endless at The CENTER. Thousands of volunteer hours have been logged with more to follow. The CENTER has one paid staff member. All other programs are run by volunteers. The CENTER would not be able to serve the community without volunteers and donations. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.equalityiowa.org/wp or call us at (515)243-0313.

JUNE 2010

“I can imagine someone coming in and interviewing one day in man’s clothes and come back the next day and apply for a job in woman’s clothes, and then setting up a lawsuit in a sting operation to harass our religious organizations. … If people wear their sexuality on their sleeve, then they want to bring litigation against someone that they would point their finger at and say ‘you discriminate,’ it is an entrapment that is legalized by the ENDA Act, it appears to, and it’s a violation of the individual rights of employers to, at their own discretion, decide who they want to hire and who they want to fire. … We don’t need more federal mandates, and we surely don’t need a political statement, and that’s what this is, too. This is the homosexual activist lobby taking it out on the rest of society. They are demanding affirmation for their lifestyle. That’s at the bottom of this.” — Iowa Representative Steve King on the radio program of the Family Research Council, May 11, 2010

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

JUNE 2010

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2010 Wellness Summit: Taking Charge Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH) hosted the 2010 Wellness Summit: Taking Charge at Camp Wesley Woods near Indianola, IA. The Wellness Summit helps people living with HIV/ AIDS connect with others to lessen the social isolation often experienced by PLWHA. Participants were engaged in a series of educational workshops, outdoor activities, relaxation, and opportunities to form friendships with other Iowans living with HIV/AIDS around the state. This year, there were 31 participants, 8 women (26%), 22 men (71%), and one transgender (3%). Twenty-two identified as White, Non-Hispanic, 8 (26%) identified as African American, and one identified as multi-racial (Black and American Indian – 3%). This is a record high for women attendees. Workshops this year were chosen to promote advocacy, for yourself and the community. Educational workshops ranged from: Creation of Your True Self, Applying for Social Security and Disability, Self Advocacy and Doing what is Right for You, Advocating for Yourself. Medical issues such as HIV/Hep C co-infection, HIV and Aging, dealing with medication side effects, and building a relationship with your pharmacist were also discussed. This year a few focus groups were lead dealing with HIV stigma, “What We Don’t Know”. There were 2 breakout groups: one for men and male Simpson Students and one for the women and female Simpson Students. These focus groups were very well received by all with requests to have more focus groups next year. Participants could express themselves during the campfire/drum circle. Many different percussion instruments were brought for participants to try. Creating stigma puzzle pieces, empowerment stories, living quilt panels, or designing greeting cards were also creative outlets provided to the participants. One goal of the planning committee was to open the summit up to people who had never attended a summit before. This can be a challenge due to anxiety issues for individuals who have never attended. To alleviate some of the anxiety, planning committee members made contact with all participants who submitted applications. We are pleased that this strategy was successful, 14 (45%) of this year participants had not attended a previous Wellness Summit. Also, 8 (26%) of the participants had attended only one previous summit. Another of the successes this year was that 8 (26%) women attended this year. Many participants commented that it was nice to have a greater female presence. PITCH created a PITCH Bingo card that was given to summit attendees. Each participant was asked to share a unique item or bit of information about themselves, this information was gathered during the pre-summit phone calls. The goal of this activity was to get participants at the summit to talk with everyone else, alleviating the sense of isolation or being left out that some feel when they do not know anyone.

Everyone was asked to sit by someone new during meals, so they could meet everyone and fill out their PITCH Bingo cards. We feel this was successful, no one commented about clichés or being left or feeling isolated. The scavenger hunt provided a time for team building and cooperation. It also aided in communication between participants and Simpson Students. This provided a safe environment for community and relationship building. PITCH and the Wellness Summit Planning Committee would like to thank the following groups, agencies, and individuals for their generous funding of the 2010 Wellness Summit: AIDS Project of Central Iowa, Community AIDS Assistance Project (CAAP), Community HIV/ Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN), Pfizer, Allen Women’s Health, Jordan Selha, Evelyn Thompson, Patient Fund (UIHC), Bryan and Kris Davis, Rina and Ashok Chaudhary, Becky Johnson, F. Joseph Wilson, North East Iowa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Decorah, and Positive Iowans Taking Charge. PITCH and the Wellness summit Planning Committee would also like to thank the following groups, agencies, and individuals for their generous donation of prizes and supplies: AIDS Project of Central Iowa, All-in-One Pharmacy, Be the Cure, Pat Young, Peggy Fisher, Anita Thompson, and Twyla Berry.

TESTIMONIALS

It was about this time last year when I was trying to decide whether or not to attend the Wellness Summit. As you probably know isolation can be quite comforting for those of us with this disease. It came right down to the last minute when I finally decided to give going a shot. It was one of the best decisions I made last year. While still remaining shy and in the background I was forced out of my comfort zone. I learned following that I could face my social fears even if only for 3 days. That was the empowerment I received my first year. My second year I had the good fortune of being a part of the PITCH planning committee and even offered a session of HIV/Hep C co-infection. The

empowerment this time came from watching others gain their strength. It was so touching to see my camp mates come away with more confidence in themselves. The Wellness Summit continues to be a great source of building pride and self esteem for a community of folks that many times have never even met another person living with HIV or AIDS. Sincerely, John Chamberlain My name is Brian O’Gary and I was diagnosed with HIV.

I debated whether I should be so direct when introducing myself, but, experiencing a weekend at the annual PITCH Wellness Summit, I am more confident today in being able to forthcomingly identify as a person living with HIV. In short, the Wellness Summit is an extraordinary experience that I recommend to any Iowan who wants to learn more about the living with HIV/AIDS. In the days preceding the retreat, I found myself growing increasingly apprehensive; I more than once thought about calling the summit organizers and informing them I would not be able to attend. Let’s face it - living with HIV/ AIDS can be a trial. Fighting the public stigma, struggling with self-scrutiny, maneuvering the inevitable financial pitfalls, and the accepting the truth that one’s illness is, momentarily at its best, chronic, is often an insuperable burden to bear. And it’s intimidating to take a step out of the box and learn from perfect strangers who live the same day-to-day struggles as me. Fortunately, these fears were for naught because the planning committee did an astounding job organizing the weekend. All people present were welcoming and accepting because of their shared experience. During the weekend, I was able to attend a number of seminars, ranging from building selfesteem and identity-creation to managing medicinal side-effects and engaging TTPITCH continued page 38

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Section 3: Community

JUNE 2010

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ACCESSline Page 36 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) AIDS Interfaith Network 100 N. 62nd, Omaha, NE Call Br. Wm. Woeger 402-558-3100 Citizens For Equal Protection 1105 Howard St, Suite #2, Omaha, NE 68102 www.cfep-ne.org info@cfep-ne.org 402-398-3027 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

JUNE 2010 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 St, Decorah, IA Meetings: 4th Mondays, 7pm-9pm in the Fellowship Hall Call Jean @ 563-535-7680 PRIDE Luther College Diversity Center, 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101 Contact Chris at 563-387-2145 or Melanie at 563-387-1273 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Meets alternating Sundays at 10:30am, Decorah Senior Center 806 River St Call Bill at 563-382-3458.

Des Moines AIDS Project of Central Iowa Free HIV testing, prevention supplies, care services, food pantry, information. 711 E. 2nd, Des Moines, IA 50309 515-284-0245 Blazing Saddle 416 E 5th St www.theblazingsaddle.com 515-246-1299 Buddies Corral 418 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 515-244-7140 The CENTER 1300 Locust; The new LGBT and progressive place to be. thecenterdm@gmail.com Church of the Holy Spirit-MCC Pastor Pat Esperanza Sunday service 10:30am at the 1st Christian Church 2500 University, Des Moines chsmccdmia@aol.com 515-287-9787. Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus 515-953-1540 PO Box 12269, Des Moines, IA 50312 dmgmc@mchsi.com www.dmgmc.org. Family Practice Center Safe, supportive LGBT health care. 200 Army Post Road, Ste 26 www.ppgi.org 515-953-7560 First Friday Breakfast Club Educational breakfast club for gay/bisexual men. Meets first Friday of each month. Contact Jonathan Wilson for meeting topic and place. Jonathanwilson@davisbrownlaw.com 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

JUNE 2010 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

ACCESSline Page 37

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 woodardb@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

ACCESSline Page 38 SScontinued from page 33

Section 3: Community

JUNE 2010

SScontinued from page 38

PITCH

FFBC

in safe sexual practices. I learned about taking care of myself and becoming a self-advocate. As a Wellness Summit, I expected to learn more about living with HIV, but I did not expect to have as much fun as I did. Between morning games and campfires at night, there was ample time to get to make new friends and catch up with old ones. We had plenty of downtime to socialize and everyone was open and willing to get to know one another. Aside from the seminars and the games, it was the opportunity to hear from people like myself which made the weekend most memorable. Most of us do not have the regular privilege of talking to those who walk our same path; as a community, people living with HIV have the additional struggle of being able to commiserate with others who share a similar experience. Through hearing the stories of others, I recognized that people living with HIV are intermingled with the general populace: we are your neighbor, your coworker, your mother, your partner. The Wellness Summit afforded me realization that I am not alone; Iowan people from all walks of life are affected by a shared condition. In many ways, the retreat was validation of a life I have no choice but to live. I am grateful for the experience and I sincerely look forward to going again next year. Gratefully, Brian O’Gary

sexual orientation and gender identity alongside race, gender, and religion in the 2007 bill to protect school students from harassment. The same year, they joined other groups in a push to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s Civil Rights Act. Both laws—among the nation’s most inclusive—are now on the books. In response to questions, Roemerman cited some of the many fellow organizations with whom IPN has worked toward mutual goals, including P-FLAG and The Trevor Project (866-488-7386; <thetrevorproject.org>), which focuses on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQA youth. He also noted transgender issues as probably the most significant new concern in the field. Roemerman further emphasized The Safe School Certification Program, created to survey school climate in the wake of-and encourage compliance with--the new laws. In 2008, IPN convened a diverse group of non-profit organizations and state agencies, representing many of the 17 enumerated categories within the law, to create a program that provides support to schools and recognition to those that meaningfully implement the law. The Safe School Certification Coalition, as it became known, developed the Safe School Certification Program. The Certification Program helps schools implement the law with fidelity and lead the way in providing a safe and affirming learning environment for ALL students.

ACCESSline is seeking non-exclusive advertising sales reps in Ames

jobs.ACCESSlineIOWA.com THE JOB BOARD FOR MEMBERS OF LGBT COMMUNITIES IN IOWA …and it’s FREE!

Cedar Rapids Council Bluffs/Omaha Des Moines Dubuque Iowa City Quad Cities Sioux City Waterloo/Cedar Falls Earn extra money by getting the LGBT-owned and friendly businesses and services you already support to place advertisements in ACCESSline.

JUNE 2010

Section 3: Community

ACCESSline Page 39

Celebrate Pride Month!

June 2010 Activities Calendar

SAT

19 TUES

Connections Forum: Iowa Wedding Albums

7-9pm • hotelVetro • 201 S. Linn St.

Join Connections as we celebrate a year of gay and lesbian weddings and discuss the historic Supreme Court decision.

SUN

13 MON

14 FRI

The Quire: Reunion Concert

SAT

7-8:30pm • Zion Lutheran Church 301 N. Johnson St.

The Quire celebrates its 15th anniversary with a Reunion Concert. If you would like to participate, contact us: www.thequire.org/

Big Gay Bar Crawl

8-11pm • Starts at Studio 13 13 S. Linn St.

All bars are gay when we are there! Must be 21 or older. Pre-registration and entry fee are required. www.sthirteen.com

Iowa City Pride Patio Party

3-7pm • Sheraton Hotel Pool & Patio Downtown Iowa City

Come gather with friends and family as we raise money to give back to the community and rock the night away. The Sheraton Patio overlooks the Ped Mall where the Friday Night Concert Series is presenting the Diplomats of Solid Sound, featuring The Diplomettes. Join us for free appetizers and a cash bar to kick off Iowa City PrideFest!

Events are free and open to the public, unless stated otherwise. Visit www.queerconnections.org/pride

SUN

20 TUES

22 WED

Iowa City Pride Parade

Noon • Starts at College Green Park

Support your community by marching with the Iowa City GLBT community! Whether you walk, ride, or just watch, come out and continue making this the longest running Gay Pride Parade in Iowa. For parade route go to www.queerconnections.org/pride

Iowa City Pride Festival: Pride on the Ped Mall!

Noon to 5pm • Iowa City Ped Mall

After the parade, bring your family and friends to the shady Ped Mall for great food, entertainment and vendors. Music includes Chris Miller, The Quire, Lojo Russo and The Jodie Foster Connection. Bring your own lawn chairs, enjoy snow cones, and face painting.

Gay Garden Tour

9am to Noon • Happy Hollow Park

A “perennial” favorite! Join host Micheal Blake as we tour some of the loveliest Gay Gardens in the historic Iowa City Northside.

Read Out, Speak Out

7-8:30pm • Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room B, 123 S. Linn St.

Join the Connections Rainbow Reading Group as we discuss the novel, “The Danish Girl,” by David Evershoff. Info: kirstenplowman@ yahoo.com.

LGBTQ Life in Iowa City, Iowa: 1967-2010 7-9pm • Iowa City Public Library

Meeting Room A, 123 S. Linn St.

See a presentation of the UI OutHistory.org online exhibit. Bring your own photos to share. Info: David McCartney, (319) 335-5921.