ACCESSline, The Heartland's LGBT+ Newspaper, December 2012 Issue, Volume 26 No 12

Jeff Angelo Heartland News discusses the freedom to marry

Phoenix L’Amour

interview by Arthur Breur

From 1997–2009, Republican Jeff Angelo was Iowa’s state senator for the 48th district. In 2011 he announced that he would be leading the “Iowa Republicans for Freedom”, an organization that would highlight conservative support for the freedom to marry for same sex couples. The ACCESSline’s Arthur Breur spoke with Mr. Angelo about how he changed his position on marriage, the results of the recent election, and what his hopes and plans are for the future on this issue.

How did you come to change your mind on the subject of same-sex marriage?

Basically I tell people that it was relationships with gay people. When I was in the legislature and we talked about the issue of same-sex marriage, often it’s put in terms that there is some faceless, evil entity out there that is pushing

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A Beautiful No

Interview by Heidi Cullinan

TTInterview page 13

What’s Inside:

Section 1: News & Politics

Let’s Hear it for the Boys interview

by Angela Geno-Stumme

Mr Iowa FMI 2013

Photo courtesy of Richard Herod III.

How Richard Herod III Turned a Townhome Rule Into Powerful LGBT Activism Richard Herod III is a general manager of a Woodbury car dealership. He’s a Big Brother. He’s a member of Children of Deaf Adults, where one of his more fun contributions is signing

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Male Impersonators will be able to strut their stuff at the Mr Iowa FMI 2013 competition this December 9th. Male Impersonators, or Drag Kings, are encouraged to come and join the competition with judging in the categories of; Evening wear, On Stage Question, and Talent. Brock Harding, reigning Mr Iowa FMI 2012, gives suggestions for competitors. While I discuss the upcoming competition with Jayden Knight and Papa Vein, who qualified from the preliminary competitions.

The Mr Iowa FMI 2013 competition will be at Connections Night Club in Davenport, Iowa.

David Wendland is co-owner of Mr Iowa FMI and took some time to discuss the pageant with me. David, can you tell me more about Mr Iowa FMI? David Wendland: In 2011, my husband Kris and I decided to start a pageant system for the Male Impersonators in the state of Iowa. We decided to do this because there were pageants available for the Female Impersonators but not the

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From the Editor 3 Advertising rates 3 We Are the Youth Hits by Diana Scholl and Laurel Golio 4 IDPH Launches Bullying, Suicide Hotline 5 Remarkables by Jonathan Wilson 6 From the Heartland by Donna Red Wing 6 God and Natural Disasters by Warren J. Blumenfeld 7 I am Woman Hear Me Roar by Carrie Baker, 7 Connection or Technology by Tony E. Hansen 8 Malawi’s LGBTQ’s short-lived freedom by Rev. Monroe 8 Minor Details by Robert Minor 9 Digging Deeper interview by Amber Dunham 10 Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski 10

Section 2: Fun Guide

Entertainment Picks for the Month 11 Hallelujah! It’s Martha Wash Interview by Chris Azzopardi 11 Facing AIDS ad 12 Phoenix L’Amour by Angela Geno-Stumme 13 Inside Out:The God’s Truth by Ellen Krug 14 Be on the I.C. King’s Holiday Wish Lists this December 14 Wired This Way: by Rachel Eliason 15 Just Sayin’ by Beau Fodor 16 New Project HIM Campaign Promotes Testing Buddies 21 Plans for the Des Moines Pride Center by Todd Walton 21 A Healthier Generation by Kim Lingner 21 The Bookworm Sez by Terri Schlichenmeyer 22 Comics and Crossword Puzzle 22-23 Stay Warm this Winter with Bisschopswijn Recipes 23 The New Kings on the Block Upcoming Events 24 Push-Up Brawlers Finish 2nd Season by Rikki Shaver 24

Section 3: Community

FFBC: Incumbent Sheriff Comes to Town by Bruce Carr 25 Greater Omaha GLBT Network Calendar 25 The Project of the Quad Cities Calender 25 ICON Holiday Thankfulness by Emperor 30, Chippy 25 A Gift of Family by Royal Bush, Multifaith Chaplain 26 From the Pastor’s Pen, by Rev. Jonathan Page 27 Business Directory 28-29 Ask Lambda Legal: Boy Scouts By Thomas Ude, Jr. 30 PITCH Calendar 2012 31 PITCH Conference Call 31 Midwest AIDS Project views the future by Paul Whannel 33

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DECEMBER 2012

PUBLICATION INFORMATION Copyright © 2012, All rights reserved.

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Safer-sex and Support) in Northeast Iowa.

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Section 1: News & Politics

From the Editor Does Iowa really want its courts to be more like…

Louisiana’s?

In his most recent assault on Iowa’s judicial system, Bob Vander Plaats invited Louisiana’s governor, Bobby Jindal, to speak as part of the “No Wiggins Bus Tour,” which was sponsored by CitizenLink, Patriot Voices, the FAMiLY Leader, the National Organization for Marriage, and CatholicVote.org. Yet again, this effort was intended to demonize and punish Justice David Wiggins because of his participation in the unanimous 2009 Varnum v. Brien decision. That decision stated that the Iowa Constitution’s promise of equal protection applies to same-sex couples, meaning that they cannot be excluded from the rights and privileges provided to opposite-sex couples under civil marriage law.

Despite their efforts, Justice Wiggins was retained in November’s election. However, it is notable that Bobby Jindal was chosen to speak about Iowa’s judicial system. Granted, while speaking for the tour, Governor Jindal spent more time speaking against President Obama than against Iowa’s justices, and some accused him of merely using the opportunity to position himself in Iowa as a possible presidential candidate in 2016. Interestingly, Jindal joined another politician on the tour who is much better known for his anti-gay views— and who also has presidential aspirations for 2016—Rick Santorum.

Regardless of his motivations, though, apparently Governor Jindal was a hit with the tour’s intended audience. However, it is very likely that few who saw Governor Jindal speak are aware of how poorly Louisiana’s legal system compares to Iowa’s.

Iowa is ranked #10 overall by the Institute for Legal Reform in 2012 (notably down from #5 in 2010). Louisiana is ranked consistently

at #49—second worst in the country.

Iowa is ranked #10 by the Institute for Legal Reform in 2012 for judicial impartiality.

Louisiana ranked #48.

Louisiana is the one state in the nation whose legal system is run following the rules of French and Spanish codes as opposed to being based on English common law.

Louisiana judges are chosen by general, partisan election—meaning just like in other elections, that a candidate probably belongs to a political party, and their funding and connections may have more impact on the election than the candidate’s qualifications or merit. Iowa judges are chosen according to a merit system—that is, through a selection process that first filters the candidates through a selection committee that sends their best recommendations to the Governor for final selection.

Iowa scores 92% (5.5 out of 6) for LGBT equality, according to equalitygiving.org, whereas Louisiana scores only 33% (2 out of 6).

This election was seen by many, optimistically, as a point of no return—a point in time after which partisan groups that dislike

ACCESSline Page 3

Editor-in-Chief, Arthur Breur a single ruling can no longer affect Iowa’s judicial system. However, this is simply not the case; Iowa’s citizens must always remain vigilant about protecting their judiciary. If not, small groups of motivated Iowans can continue to mount attacks against their own judicial system’s impartiality and rant rhetoric about Iowa’s courts. Doing so, especially with significant outside funding, they could potentially get what they wish for and make Iowa’s judicial system more like Louisiana’s—which is definitely a step in the wrong direction.

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ACCESSline Page 4

Section 1: News & Politics

DECEMBER 2012

We Are the Youth Hits the Midwest by Diana Scholl and Laurel Golio loved about UAY is that it’s a mainstream youth center that has made a commitment to reaching out to LGBT youth, and the youth we met were incredible. In St. Paul, Nhia Vhang and Bruce Thao connected us to the youth at Shades of Yellow.

We owe a huge shout-out to Nicole Killian, a professor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design who introduced us to many members of Gay Club.

And special thanks is due to Eric Juszyk, Drew Heckman and all of the administrators at the Queer Nebraska Youth Networks, an incredible peer-led, youth-oriented group that provides a welcoming place for queer youth. Eric was a particularly great tour guide. They invited us to the Nebraska AIDS Project fundraiser, took us out to see Dawuane of Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by Laurel Golio. a drag show at the Maxx, and In October, we boarded a plane at let us skirt QNYN’s age requirement and LaGuardia Airport in New York City to go come to Gay Rack Ride at Vala’s Pumpkin where we had never gone before: Nebraska, Patch, where more than 50 LGBTQ youth gathered for an evening of fun—the largest Iowa, and Minnesota.

We are the cofounders of We Are the event QNYN has ever had.

We heard inspiring stories everyYouth, a photojournalism project that shares the stories of LGBT youth in the where we went. We were in awe of the United States. After profiling youth in youth working to make things better in the South and in the New York-area, we politics, their communities, families, and wanted to go to the Midwest. So, thanks their own lives. We were honored to be to the generosity of supporters, for eight welcomed with such open arms by everyaction-packed days, we drove from Omaha one we met.

New interviews and photographs of to Minneapolis and photographed and interviewed 25 LGBT youth who gener- the youth we profiled in the Midwest are ously allowed us to share their stories with posted at wearetheyouth.org every other the world. We met hundreds more who Wednesday. Here is the story of Dawaune, Age 18, from Omaha, Nebraska: welcomed us into their lives.

We’re always asked how we meet the youth we profile. It’s a mix. Some contacted us after reading an article about We Are the Youth or finding our Tumblr page.

One youth we profiled on this trip, Izabela, answered a post we wrote on Craiglist. The My dad and I weren’t super-close, so majority learn about us through groups that I didn’t feel I had to come out to him. But work directly with LGBT youth. then September of last year I went to donate We went from interview to interview, blood for the Red Cross, and I answered town to town. Yes, we had some random truthfully, and wasn’t able to donate blood. road trip fun, like stopping at Myers Grill I remembering thinking, That’s a thing? and Catering in Williamsburg, Iowa; a It was the first time I felt discriminated Frank Lloyd Wright in Mason City, Iowa, against because of my sexuality. and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

I was so mad, and I posted a status But mostly we saw the region through the about it on Facebook. My dad saw it, and he eyes of the youth we profiled, and those called me the next day. He was really hurt I who helped organize this trip. hadn’t told him. He actually cried that night.

Dawuane took us to his favorite thrift I had dinner with him and my sister, who store in Omaha; we bowled at the bowling always knew. My dad said he wanted to alley in Newton, Iowa where Ella practices change the fact that we weren’t close. The in the morning; we visited Austin’s home air between us is a lot different now. town of Bennet, Nebraska (population 500) that probably doesn’t make many roadtrip agendas. We visited Shades of Yellow (SOY), the Hmong LGBTQ group where Kendra and A case management program serving those Mai are members.

Folks that really helped us out were living with HIV/AIDS in north-central Iowa.

Dana Stuehling at the Iowa Pride Network, who introduced us to Ella and Sam in 226 SE 16th Street Newton, Iowa, and KiRel in Ottumwa. Joe Ames, Iowa 50010 Latella at United Action for Youth invited 515-956-3312 us to their awesome center. What we

Dawuane, Age 18, Omaha, Nebraska

Living with HIV

My coming out story to my mom is kind of funny. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I was sitting upstairs in my pajamas watching What Not to Wear and my mom comes upstairs and had clearly had a little wine, and a margarita or two.

My cousin and her were hanging out downstairs, and she was like, “I need to talk to you. Do you like boys?” and I was like, “Yeah.” Then she says, “Oh my God, thank you so much! I’ve been so worried! I’ve been hinting the last four months! I just wanted to hear it from you!” The next thing she says is, “Do you have a boyfriend? Because if you do, he can totally come over.”

I tell her, “Mom, just because I came out to you doesn’t mean I have a boyfriend.”

Then she asks, “Do you still like girls?” And I say, “I don’t know, maybe.” And she says, “It’s cool.” Then she goes downstairs, and I hear, “He’s gay!” and my cousin goes, “Oh my God, yes!” and then they scream.

I knew my mom would be supportive, because she and I basically grew up together. She was 20 when she had me.

My parents moved in together young, and were like “Let’s start a family!” My parents aren’t together, and it was a single-parent household kind of thing with my mom.

One thing I take from my mom is being positive. If you stay negative all the time, your life is going to suck. Another thing I got from her is that we love being busy.

I’m a freshman at Creighton University here in Omaha. I’m an administrator of the Queer Nebraska Youth Networks. I’ve done theater since I was in middle school.

Growing up I was always a little more effeminate and wasn’t super-great at football. There were only two mixed kids in my neighborhood, and I was always teased that I was a white boy. I was like, “Because I talk clearly? Sorry I was raised differently.”

I was kind of chubby and awkward, but Dawaune was really dramatic, so I went to an arts-focused middle school.

At the Omaha Playhouse, I get to work with many different people, some who have done theater for longer than I’ve been alive.

Now doing Legally Blonde, it’s so much fun.

I go to school full-time, and everyone else has full-time jobs, but everyone lives and breathes theater. We’re closing tonight and it’s going to be the most traumatizing thing because we have so much fun on stage.

My goal isn’t to be on Broadway; my goal is just to do theater. I have no idea what I want to do after college. The reason I chose to major in sociology is that it has enough of what I like. I like people, and learning about people. My life is made better by knowing other people. Maybe one day becoming a teacher, becoming a counselor, becoming a something. Can I major in stuff and minor in things?

After graduation I plan on leaving.

Going somewhere, giving it a try. I’d love to go to Boston, Seattle, or the Twin Cities.

I love Omaha and am definitely going to come back. I enjoyed it and am really glad I grew up here, and am really appreciative of my family being here. If I want to start a family, I’d start a family here because it’s one of those perfect places.

DECEMBER 2012

Section 1: News & Politics

IDPH Launches Bullying, Suicide Hotline Help available by text or call

At the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit, Governor Branstad announced the launch of a new “go-to” resource where youth, parents, school personnel and all concerned Iowans can get help and information about bullying and youth suicide.

Available 24/7, Your Life Iowa is a phone call or text away at Yourlifeiowa. org or 855-581-8111. Trained counselors will provide guidance and support about bullying, and critical help to youth who feel they’ve run out of options and are considering suicide.

“This hotline is another step toward building a healthier Iowa for our young people, but we are a long way from where we need to be,” said IDPH Director, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “It will take sensitivity and awareness by all Iowans to end bullying and to provide the encouragement and support young people need to see beyond the immediate and tragically irreversible action of suicide.”

Your Life Iowa is funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health in partnership with Boys Town, the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Committee, and the Iowa Department of Education Bullying Prevention, Intervention and Reporting Initiative.

After listening to both sides of the issue and after reviewing the available medical data, I agree with the established medical consensus. I have not found enough published data supporting positive results with gay reparative therapy and I have concerns about the potentially dangerous effects when the therapy fails, especially when minors are forced into treatments.

My biggest epiphany occurred after hearing where the opposing groups found some common ground. The guests who appeared on my show on either side of this debate agreed that entering into any therapy with guilt and selfhate is a major error. Trying to change who you are instead of loving who you are leads to broken spirits and broken hearts. Encouraging self-acceptance is the only way to help alleviate the shame experienced by those who are struggling with their sexuality—and help them reach a place where who they are matches who they want to be. ~Dr. Oz, on his blog November 28th on gay reparative therapy.

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MR FMI Male Impersonators, and we wanted to give the Male Impersonators a chance to do more than just shows.

When we started this pageant system, we connected it with the Miss Iowa FFI pageant system, owned by Jamie Summers.

The 2012 pageant was small the past year, with only three contestants, but it was a very nice competition! The contestants were Brock Harding, current reigning Mr. Iowa FMI 2012, Jaques Straap, and Papa Vein.

This year we had preliminaries connected with the Miss Iowa FFI preliminaries, and from these competitions two people have qualified. However we are hoping to have more contestants. There is no entry fee and it is open to all Male Impersonators in the state of Iowa. We encourage people to come and compete!

Last year the contestants competed in three categories, interview, talent, and evening wear. Most pageants are comparative judging in Iowa, but the FMI and FFI system is a point based system. You do compete against others but you will be your own worst enemy.

Interview is based on Appearance, Subject Knowledge, Timely Response and Ability to speak, and is a total of 100 points.

Evening Wear is based on Fit and Appearance, Modeling and over all look, for a total of 150 points. Finally, Talent is based on Lip-Sync, Showmanship and Appearance, with a total of 150 points. For a total of 400 points per judge.

This year, the Mr. Iowa FMI contestants will be competing with Evening Wear, On Stage Question, and Talent. We changed the interview to On Stage Question, to judge the contestants’ ability to take control of a mic and be confident. Because they may need to be on the mic of any show or pageant.

This year, the Mr. Iowa FMI pageant is held in Davenport, Iowa at Connections Night Club, December 9th, 2012. It is the same night as finals of Miss Iowa FFI. Kris and I are co-owners of Miss Iowa FFI, Jamie Summers is the primary owner and Jamie is also co-owner of Mr Iowa FMI, where Kris and I are the primary owners.

The dates for Miss Iowa FFI are December 7th-9th.

Brock Harding discusses his competition and the past year as Mr Iowa FMI 2012. What experience did you have

ACCESSline Page 5 leading up to the Mr Iowa FMI 2012 competition?

Brock Harding: Leading up to the 2012 pageant I had never stepped foot on stage before! The actual live pageant was my first time ever performing or entertaining. In fact the staff of Connections Night Club, Davenport, Iowa gave me my stage name on the day of the pageant.

What inspired you to compete for Mr Iowa FMI 2012?

Brock Harding: I had been watching drag shows since I was old enough to get into the clubs and had always wanted to give it a shot, I thought I’d be a shoe in.

On the day of the pageant there is an interview process and the judges asked me how long I had been doing male impersonation? My response was “I didn’t know I was,” but I have always looked this way since I was a kid.

What was the most exciting part of competition last year?

Brock Harding: The competition last year was tough, people had dancing lessons, etc. I never had anything like that, and I did not go in with the expectation that I would win, just that I would give it my best shot.

My Mom was my first biggest fan, she was there cheering me on taking pictures and she was very proud to be there with me.

How was your year as Mr Iowa FMI 2012?

Brock Harding: Over the course of the year I have had a blast getting to entertain at different clubs in Iowa! I admit, I still get a little bit of stage freight when it comes time to step on the stage.

What did you accomplish and give back to the community during your reign as Mr Iowa FMI 2012?

Brock Harding: One issue I would like to think I brought to the forefront, which is near and dear to me, is equal rights for all individuals. I don’t always agree with the way this “fight” is forged. It seems to me every little group is looking for “their own rights” and I believe we all need to look out for the rights of all individuals. And when we look at things in that light we can begin to change things.

I don’t see rights as a collective, I don’t see woman’s rights, or gay rights, or African American rights—I only see one kind and those are the rights of individuals.

I would like to think I brought that issue to the forefront of people’s minds.

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Section 1: News & Politics

DECEMBER 2012

Remarkables by Jonathan Wilson Election Reflection

I was there. I have a memory and I’m going to use it—and extrapolate from it. I was there when the Vietnam War ended.

I remember the protests, the turmoil, the political upheaval, and the body bags. When we hit 50,000 of those, the critical mass in public opinion was achieved to end the war. Everyone knew that there was some threshold beyond which the people would no longer tolerate the continued slaughter of our children in a war that had no discernible purpose, no justification in reality. That threshold turned out to be 50,000 body bags. At that point the moms and dads of this country rose up as if with one voice and said, “The war is over. We don’t care whether you call it a win, a loss, or a draw. It matters not. It’s over.” And it was, almost overnight.

Burned into my memory are the pictures of helicopters evacuating people from the roof of the US Embassy in Saigon, beating a fast retreat to a waiting aircraft carrier.

The US election of 2012 documents almost as graphically that the culture war against law-abiding gay and lesbian citizens is over. Take a quick look at the results. A president was re-elected who had opened the US military to gays and lesbians and endorsed gay marriage. Three states by popular vote approved gay marriage.

Minnesota voters rejected an anti-gay constitutional amendment.

Wisconsin elected to the United States Senate lesbian Tammy Baldwin. Iowans retained on the Iowa Supreme Court Justice Wiggins who had joined the unanimous court in legalizing gay marriage. The Iowa Senate, which had stood up against attempts to put a state constitutional amendment on the ballot,

was kept in Democratic hands under the leadership of re-elected Mike Gronstal. He would not be martyred for the cause as our detractors had planned for him.

There’s more. In seven states openly LGBT candidates won election to the state legislature for the first time, including Florida, West Virginia, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. That brings to 40 (80%) of the states with at least one “out” state legislator. The Speakers of the house in California and Rhode Island are gay.

Thanks to the 2012 election, two more will become House Speakers in Colorado and Oregon. And Arizona elected to Congress the first out bisexual.

There has been much debate over the similarities and differences between the racial civil rights movement and the LGBT civil rights movement. There are both. The rapidity of progress on the latter is a notable difference and not without explanation. In advancing the racial civil rights movement, people of color have had to appeal to enlightened, fair-minded members of the majority race. By contrast, we have blood ties into the “straight” majority. When we come out and phone home (in the parlance of E.T.), no matter who answers the phone—mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousins—likely they are straight, they love us uncontrollably, and they vote! You do the electoral math; it’s pretty easy.

You can read in history books the names of folks who said and did things in the early

days of the racial civil rights movement that are nearly incomprehensibly ignorant (and embarrassing) today. In our civil rights movement you’ll be able to look up such names in the phone book. Bob Vander Plaats, for example, comes immediately to mind.

Listen to the likes of Rush Limbaugh who has been ranting and raving in his post-election lambast against gay people.

Mercy, what a doofus.

If that’s not a word, it should be. Remember this: those who are afraid of water don’t get really agitated and vocal until they find themselves in the path of a rising tide. And no amount of indignant pomposity will change it. In fact, it might even speed up the accelerating changes that are taking place, much as “Rev.” Fred Phelps’s tirades have done. Limbaugh can read the same indelible writing on the wall that the rest of us can, and he’s experiencing a sense of impotence that no amount of Viagra will be able to fix.

We should all be students of history.

One of the lessons to be learned from the ending of the Vietnam War is that there is a threshold in public opinion and, once crossed, there’s no going back. Hearts and minds only change in one direction on LGBT issues. It may not be possible to predict the threshold with precision, or to quantify what it is in advance, but it’s there.

Burned into my memory is the election of 2012. The outcomes on November 6, 2012, told me that the LGBT civil rights

said SILENCE = DEATH. Princess Diana shook hands at an AIDS clinic and took her gloves off, sending a clear message around the world that one could not be infected from casual contact. The people’s princess also signaled her support for the LGBT communities and education and research around this disease.

The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988 and in the next year AZT drug trials demonstrated that the disease could be treated. In 1990, a young boy infected through blood products used in treating his hemophilia died, and Congress passed the Ryan White CARE Act. In 1991, Magic Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV. He said, in his announcement: “I think sometimes we think, well, only gay people can get it—it is not going to happen to me.

And here I am saying that it [can] happen to anyone, even me, Magic Johnson. His statement was a wake-up call.

In 1992, Mary Fisher, an HIV-positive woman, spoke to her party—the Republican Party—about their culpability: “We have killed each other with our ignorance, our prejudice, and our silence. We may take refuge in our stereotypes, but we cannot

hide there long, because HIV asks only one thing of those it attacks. Are you human?”

We lost Arthur Ashe, Rudolph Nureyev, Randy Shilts, Keith Haring, Anthony Perkins, Perry Ellis, Rock Hudson, Liberace, Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty), Brad Davis, Robert Reed, Tony Richardson, Issac Asimov, Robert Mapplethorpe, Richard Jeter, Freddie Mercury, Alvin Ailey and so many more. I cannot count the number of services I attended, how many of my friends and colleagues we buried, how many of your friends and family, colleagues and acquaintances. I cannot, even now, comprehend the toll this devastating disease took on our community.

Yet, it was our community—the LGBT community—that fought for research and testing and for clinical trials. It was our community that took our dying and held them and lovingly cared for them until death. It was our community that fought the government and fought the medical community and fought the funeral industries. We fought for the living and the dying and the dead. It was in the crucible of this terrible disease that we found our voice.

And things have never been the same.

More than 30 million people have died from AIDS/HIV. Thirty million women, men, and children. Seven thousand people contract AIDS every day. Last year, of the 1.7 million who died, nearly a quarter of a million were under the age of fifteen.

The US election of 2012 documents almost as graphically that the culture war against law-abiding gay and lesbian citizens is over.

Jonathan Wilson is an attorney at the Davis Brown Law Firm in Des Moines, and chairs the First Friday Breakfast Club (ffbciowa.org), an educational, non-profit corporation for gay men in Iowa 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. He can be contacted at JonathanWilson@DavisBrownLaw.com. movement has now unequivocally passed that threshold of history. From here on, our detractors will be increasingly marginalized.

We win.

From the Heartland by Donna Red Wing, Executive Director One Iowa AIDS/HIV

When I think of AIDS/HIV, I think of the early days when it was called the “gay plague,” the “gay epidemic,” when the general consensus was that only those who were gay or needle users or Haitians were at risk. And because those people were considered “expendable,” it somehow made it “okay” for the general population not to care. But it is not okay; it will never be okay.

I remember political protests where police officers wore thick rubber gloves to handle us. I remember when people would not shake hands, would not touch us. I remember Anita Bryant and her crusade against the LGBT community. And, of particular interest to us Iowans, the banana pie incident, early in her anti-gay career, when a gay rights activist decked her with a cream pie, on camera, at a news conference.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is too large now to show in its entirety. In 1987, Cleve Jones created the first panel for the AIDS Memorial Quilt in memory of his friend.

ACT-UP (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) was founded that year and its first large demonstration was on Wall Street. Protesters held signs that simply

We fought for the living and the dying and the dead.

It was in the crucible of this terrible disease that we found our voice. And things have never been the same.

Donna Red Wing is the Executive Director of One Iowa. She served as Executive Director of Grassroots Leadership, as Chief of Staff at Interfaith Alliance, she was a member of the Obama’s kitchen cabinet on LGBT concerns, and was Howard Dean’s outreach liaison to the LGBT communities. Red Wing was the first recipient of the Walter Cronkite Award for Faith & Freedom. Red Wing serves on the national board of the Velvet Foundation, which is building the national LGBT museum in Washington, DC. Contact Donna at OneIowa.org or donna@oneiowa.org.

In Iowa last year, there were 120 new HIV diagnoses; 28 were between the ages of 13 and 24. There were 1,939 people living with AIDS/HIV in Iowa in 2011.

TTRED WING continued page 26

DECEMBER 2012

Section 1: News & Politics

ACCESSline Page 7

God and Natural Disasters by Warren J. Blumenfeld It’s the Gays’ Fault?

Ultra-Right wing Rabbi Noson Leiter of Torah Jews for Decency referred to hurricane Sandy as “divine justice” for New York state’s legalization in 2011 of marriage for same-sex couples. Leiter, referring to lower Manhattan as “one of the national centers of homosexuality,” argued that “the Great Flood in the time of Noah was…triggered by the recognition of same-gender marriages.” He warned that “The Lord will not bring another flood to destroy the entire world, but He could punish particular areas with a flood.”

Leiter gave as evidence to prove his assertions the appearance of a “double rainbow” above the city as Sandy approached the coastline together with a high tide during the full moon.

Others, most notably some Christian conservative leaders, have long held lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people responsible for causing many of the greatest natural disasters of modern times. For example, in May 1978, Anita Bryant, Florida Orange Juice queen and chief organizer of her so-called “Save Our Children” campaign to overturn an LGBT-rights ordinance in Dade County, called homosexuals “human garbage,” and she blamed the then California drought on their supposed sinful behavior. Ironi-

cally, however, one day following the first openly-gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk’s November 8 election, and six months following Bryant’s claim, rain poured from the Heavens in California.

Some blamed the torrential winds, rain, and devastating floods of hurricane Katrina in 2005 on LGBT people. Reverend John Haggee, evangelical pastor of a “mega-church” in Texas, asserted during an NPR interview with Terry Gross in 2006 that “God caused hurricane Katrina to wipe out New Orleans because it had a gay pride parade the week before and was filled with sexual sin.”

Televangelist Pat Robertson has most likely talked with God who told him of an upcoming calamity. After Orlando, Florida city officials in 1998 voted to fly rainbow flags high atop city lampposts during Disney World’s annual Gay Days events, Robertson issued a stern warning to the city: : “…I don’t think I’d be waving those flags in God’s face if I were you. ... [A] condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation. It’ll bring about terrorist bombs. It’ll bring earthquakes, tornadoes, and possibly a meteor.”

Following the horrific events of September 11, 2001, Robertson, along with his conspiratorial-theory evangeli-

All of this blame on LGBT people for bringing on natural and health disasters amounts to nothing less than scapegoating.

I am Woman Hear Me Roar

by Carrie Baker, LMHC I Made it Out of the Closet…How did I get Here?!?!?!

Fifty percent of women over 50 in same-sex relationships have been married.

The question of why is this happening so often is a question researchers are now seeing as relevant. Same-sex marriage, women declaring their sexuality more openly, high profile women personally speaking to the issue, and broadcast media bringing the LGBT life to focus, they started to take notice of the middle-age woman who comes OUT for the first time.

Of particular importance in LGBT history, are women who spent the majority of their adult-life married. Especially for older women in the spectrum, there was an expectation that they marry to meet societal standards.

Also, women who wanted children, married. At that time there was little thought of anything but heterosexual birth.

These women may have been aware of their sexual preference from childhood, but suppressed their desires in order to meet their needs.

Researchers are challenging the thought that there has to be a specific reason that women choose women after having been with men.

Women operate at a different level of emotion than men. Women’s emotionality makes boundaries more blurred and more

Carrie Baker, LMHC, Baker Adult Counseling, Hiawatha, IA 712-346-8321 (Cedar Rapids area). likely to be open to friendships, closeness, and vulnerabilities.

So sexuality for women is much more fluid than with men. Women can move at any given point in time towards what they need from a relationship. What they once saw as satisfying in a traditional lifestyle is no longer enough as they reach maturity levels. They seek a more responsive, emotional, soulful, and like-minded same -sex relationship.

Do we have to have a reason for loving who we choose? We have been fighting against that forever. It is only interesting now because lesbians are also curious.

Resources: lesbianlife.about.com

cal buddy, Jerry Falwell, reiterated past warnings and throwing other groups into the mix. Falwell, with an air of righteousness, proclaimed on Roberson’s 700 Club on the Christian Broadcasting Network on September 13, 2001: “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen!’” To this Robertson responded: “I totally concur.”

The cause for wide-spread and devastating health pandemics have also been laid at the feet of LGBT people. For example, Ronald Reagan, under whose presidency the AIDS epidemic was detected and spread, had not formally raised the issue until April 1, 1987 in a speech to a group of physicians in Philadelphia—a full seven years after the onset of AIDS in the United States. Before this, however, when AIDS was perceived by many as a disease of primarily gay and bisexual men, Pat Buchanan, who served as Reagan’s Chief of Communications between 1985-1987 was quite outspoken, referring to AIDS as nature’s “awful retribution,” and saying it did not deserve a thorough and compassionate response.

Writing in 1986, Buchanan claimed: “The poor homosexuals -- they have declared war upon nature, and now nature

Warren J. Blumenfeld is associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He is editor of Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price (Beacon Press), and co-editor of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (Routledge) and Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States (Sense). www.warrenblumenfeld.com is extracting an awful retribution.” (Los Angeles Times, 11/28/86). In addition, in 1983, Buchanan demanded that New York City Mayor Ed Koch and New York Governor Mario Cuomo cancel the Gay Pride Parade or else “be held personally responsible for the spread of the AIDS plague.”

And later: “With 80,000 dead of AIDS, our promiscuous homosexuals appear literally hell-bent on Satanism and suicide.” (syndicated column, 10/17/90).

Later in 2007, Falwell extended the blame: “AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals. It is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.”

TTBLUMENFELD continued page 27

ACCESSline Page 8

Section 1: News & Politics

DECEMBER 2012

Connection or Technology by Tony E. Hansen Technology has been helpful with increasing our communication capability and has undeniably altered the way people interact. With the increased capability via the myriad of devices, we have seen a change in how people interact and in how people view patience. Further, people seem to have replaced compassion with a text. We forgo the personal interaction for the instant communication through our devices, and we forget how to self-reflect.

In Sherry Turkle’s TED talk “Connected, but alone”, she describes the profound nature of technology intersecting with human intimacy that is worth our attention. She asserts that messages can be like getting a hug when you need it, but too many can be a problem. Turkle posits that “if we’re not able to be alone, we’re going to be more lonely” because we have used technology to replace the human intimacy and connection. This is a revelation about how people have turned toward using these devices to building connections rather than understanding parts of our inmost being.

With chat rooms, messenger programs, social media, and our devices, technology has provided ample opportunity for communication. Technology can be exciting so much that we sleep with the devices and we take them on vacation with us. Yet, is that technology helping us to understand ourselves?

Technology changes what we do

as well as our perspectives, and if we do not take care, it can change who we are. Etiquette of using these devices has changed what we consider as proper behavior. Consider the perspective of being able to get instant communication on 2-to-5 inch diagonal screen. Your focus is there in that semiprivate conversation (regardless of where you are) rather than observing what is around you and learning from that.

It was only a few years ago that this instant communication was not possible, but easily, one can find a group of friends that are together in a room but having their conversations with completely different people not even in the same city. Whether at funerals, at the dinner table, during a movie, or during work meeting, messaging removes us from the location and the experience of what we are doing (whether grief or enjoyment).

We should think about what is so important that we forgo the experience before us with the often grammatically incorrect bursts coming from our devices.

In Star Wars, Master Yoda spoke to Luke Skywalker, “All his life has he looked away… to the future, the horizon. Never his mind on where he was” and later, “always with you what cannot be done.” Luke was so focused with what was missing (regardless of relevance) that he would easily forget the graces and resources that were there with him.

We are lost in our many bursts

through our devices that we cannot see what is beautiful here. Where does selfreflection happen if you are never alone?

Further, real-time observations and notations are not required because we can present things in the way we want to present them at the pace we can control.

Real-time conversations and human relationships lose their richness and rewards but instead become more like annoying attention demanders.

Messaging is good for getting small bits like saying “thinking of you”, but they do not help us truly gain a context for the person (learning and understanding differences). Yet, people will easily prefer texting over talking. As well, if a message response is not fast enough, people may be offended via the assumption that the bits of texting is automatically more important than the other person enjoying or learning where they are at that moment (never mind possibly driving). Thus, enjoyment and learning of the moment are forever lost in the inferred priority of perpetual bursts from unrelated elements.

We can attempt to “hide” our real emotions by ignoring the current circumstance via instant gratis with people through our devices. Contrastingly, some vividly show their pain and vulnerability in the online-self that you would think their world is infinitely a disaster. Do these not ultimately reflect what people expect from the technology or from others? What scares us that we immerse ourselves in our technology instead of intimacy? What illusions trap us in the technology that we avoid our basic humanity?

Perhaps, we think “no one is listen-

I’d like to believe that Malawi’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) citizens and tourists had a few days to breathe easier.

On November 5, the government issued a moratorium suspending all laws decriminalizing homosexuality. Three days later, on November 8, homosexuality was illegal again.

Had the moratorium held, Malawi’s LGBTQ citizens, who constantly walk in fear and have increasingly been singled out, could not be arrested by police or be reported as engaging in same-gender, consensual activity. Tourists would also be protected from arrest—those accused of homosexual activity are expelled as “undesirable aliens.”

Malawians in opposition to the government’s moratorium contest it was not driven by a change in heart toward its LGBTQ citizens, but rather the change was solely motivated to appease the country’s Western donor nations, which to them is a present-day example of former colonial interference, influence and dictate on African life.

Malawi’s Justice Minister, Ralph Kasambara publicly refuted his opponents’ cynicism concerning the motive behind the moratorium by stating to the Associated Press, “if we continue arresting and prosecuting people based on the said laws and later such laws are found to be

unconstitutional it would be an embarrassment to government.”

A few days later, Kasambara flipflopped stating to the Daily Times, “There was no such announcement and there was no discussion on same-sex marriage.”

Kasambara’s reversal is a direct result of Malawi Council of Churches, cadre comprising of 24 homophobic churches that associate homosexuality with Satanism.

The country ’s traditionalists and religious conservatives did not like the world’s interference in their business. They contend that homosexuality is an anathema to an African identity, cultural and family values; and it’s one of the many ills white Europeans brought to the Motherland (a similar homophobic polemic still argued among religiously conservative African Americans). But if truth be told, criminalizing homosexuality in Malawi is a by-product of British colonialism. Nonetheless, the debate between

“authentically African” and Western colonial remnants always finds some way to dispute the reality of black LGBTQ existence. Malawi is not alone—thirty-eight of fifty-four countries in the African continent criminalize same-gender consensual activity.

Malawi’s antigay laws are some of the world’s toughest edicts criminalizing homosexuality and, understandably, the moratorium sent shock waves throughout the country and around the world.

Case in point, the infamous Malawi couple Steven Monjeza, a gay man, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, a transwoman, who were sentenced to 14 years hard labor on charges of homosexuality in 2010. An international outcry and presidential pardon by Bingu wa Mutharika brought about their release.

Malawi got its independence from the British Commonwealth in 1964, but it hasn’t from the church.

The church willfully operates under

We forgo the personal interaction for the instant communication through our devices, and we forget how to self-reflect.

Tony E Hansen is a web developer, organizer, researcher, writer, martial artist, and vocalist from Des Moines. For more information go to tigersndragons.com. ing”. Perhaps, we must “spend time with machines that seem to care.” Maybe, something is happening in the world (drawing our attention) that we would rather be doing at that moment. These can be captivating questions about personal vulnerability and comfort. We could choose to “unplug” for a while and attempt to rediscover the humanity within ourselves. Whether one intentionally chooses to “unplug”, people will ridicule those for being “offline”, but again, why is that considered odd behavior? Consider why people go fishing or hunting. Some enjoy the game, but many will relate to the quietness of being somewhere without

TTHANSEN cont’d page 9

Malawi’s LGBTQ’s short-lived freedom by Rev. Irene Monroe They contend that homosexuality is an anathema to an African identity, cultural and family values; and it’s one of the many ills white Europeans brought to the Motherland (a similar homophobic polemic still argued among religiously conservative African Americans).

Rev. Irene Monroe is a graduate from Wellesley College and Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University, and she has served as a pastor at an AfricanAmerican church before coming to Harvard Divinity School for her doctorate as Ford Fellow. She is a syndicated queer religion columnist who tries to inform the public of the role religion plays in discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Her website is irenemonroe.com. colonial rule with its ecclesiastical edicts toward its LGBTQ brethren. I like to believe that the country’s justice minister should not have too.

DECEMBER 2012

Section 1: News & Politics

ACCESSline Page 9

Minor Details by Robert Minor We Haven’t Turned the Corner on Marriage Equality Yet

With the 2012 popular vote supporting marriage equality regardless of gender winning in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington, the struggle for marriage equality has turned a corner. It’s not the corner, but an important corner nevertheless.

We can quibble all we want about whether human rights should ever be put up for a popular vote, but the fact that for the first time on a state-wide level activists have been able to beat back the huge funding mechanisms and built-in grassroots networks of right-wing churches and bigots is a symptom of an on-going cultural shift.

And that’s worth celebrating.

Along with the reelection of President Obama and other progressive wins, much of the regressive right-wing has acknowledged that they’re on the run. They’ve concluded that the Evangelical vote has lost the clout it held for the last decades.

“I think this was an evangelical disaster,” lamented Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and former head of the Southern Baptist Convention. It indicates, he concluded, “a seismic moral shift in the culture.”

“Billy Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association bought full-page ads in newspapers; that made no difference,” Professor Saun Casey of Wesley Theological Seminary reported. “Ralph Reed spent tens of millions of dollars getting out the vote in battleground states; that didn’t make the difference. And you add all of that up, and it was not enough because of the changing demographics of our country.”

And by “changing demographics” we don’t just mean what FOX talker Bill O’Reilly opined—that “the white establishment is now a minority.” We don’t just mean that younger generations don’t care who loves whom. We mean that there is also a continuing moral shift toward the justice of equality.

The coming generations will find the whole marriage equality issue a yawn, even young Evangelicals, because of the steady work that older generations have done to

get us here. The country is not where it was in the 1950’s or even the 1980’s.

What we’ve learned is that marriage equality can win at the polls. We also know that marriage equality is gaining popularity in opinion polls.

A November 9th Pew Research Center poll, it’s third on the matter this year, shows that marriage quality has hit the highest favor (49 percent) and lowest opposition (40 percent) ever. The trend to support it is moving ahead regionally, though the South still polls 56 percent against, lagging about ten years behind the rest of the country.

To continue to move forward we must see marriage equality as a part of a long-term national strategy based upon what we know is the history of these wins. This means it’s not the next step everywhere.

Marriage equality can prevail in states where the ground has been prepared by previous wins. It can win in states that already have protections in place for sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace and in public accommodations.

Twenty-nine states don’t guarantee protection from being fired openly from ones job because of one’s sexual orientation, and thirty-four states don’t guarantee that protection based on gender identity. To jump immediately to a vote for marriage equality in these states would not be effective while it saps a lot of activist energy.

Not only is a job protection guarantee a prior and important step toward the goal of marriage equality, but it’s a more crucial need for members of the LGBT community who don’t have it. If one is threatened with losing one’s job, healthcare, and other legal protections, the issue of marriage almost seems to be a luxury.

Those privileged in occupations where job security isn’t a threat cannot forget that most LGBT people are still insecure enough in their workplace that they cannot put a picture of their partner on their desk or use accurate pronouns when discussing what they did during the past weekend. And this doesn’t even include those who work for employers who will dredge up other reasons for their bigoted firing of LGBT employees in states and municipalities where there is legal protection.

Our energy and resources, then, need

Most LGBT people are still insecure enough in their workplace that they cannot put a picture of their partner on their desk or use accurate pronouns when discussing what they did during the past weekend.

Our energy and resources, then, need to be funneled first to adding sexual orientation and gender identity protection to every state and the federal government’s human rights laws.

to be funneled first to adding sexual orientation and gender identity protection to every state and the federal government’s human rights laws. Though this past election brought an expansion of rights in some localities—Paul Ryan’s hometown added domestic partnership benefits—it also saw the elimination of rights in towns such as Salina and Hutchinson, Kansas.

On the national scene, campaigns to abolish the Defense of Marriage Act cannot eclipse efforts to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by civilian, nonreligious employers with at least 15 employees. ENDA has been introduced but failed to pass in every congressional session since 1994 except one.

Then again, the corner marriage equality has turned this year is also important as the issue moves closer to a hearing in the Supreme Court. Currently four cases are awaiting review from its justices.

Since we know the Supreme Court is not an objective legal body, the four popular wins in November will add to the pressure on the Court to affirm marriage equality. The four right-wing ideologues on the bench and the conservative Justice Kennedy need social pressure to discover useful legal arguments to support their decisions.

In fact, the longer it takes for marriage equality cases to get to these justices, the more lower court opinions affirm marriage

SScontinued from page 8

HANSEN disturbance, of being able to self-reflect without noise.

Ms. Turkle also advocates “reclaiming” spaces at home and work where conversation is primary. I can relate to this because my kitchen table is a place for dinner or coffee with conversation, often over a card game of gin-rummy.

Here, my husband and I can relate with and learn about each other. Here, we can build upon each other without technology

Robert N. Minor, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas, is author of When Religion Is an Addiction; Scared Straight: Why It’s So Hard to Accept Gay People and Why It’s So Hard to Be Human and Gay & Healthy in a Sick Society. Contact him at www.FairnessProject.org. equality, and the more state and local decisions pile up to affirm LGBT people, the more likely this conservatively dominated Court will be persuaded to come up with a pro-LGBT outcome. It’s important to take the time.

So, the work continues. No doubt, the work of activists in support of LGBT nondiscrimination and marriage equality will bring the country to a tipping point. But we’re not there yet. interfering.

Consider your holiday rituals and festivities, remember why you are there, and enjoy the moment fully. Escape the technology for the intimacy of family and friends (regardless of irritations or boredom). Those are moments that make us human and they teach us to use what we have rather than worry about what we do not have. Those are moments that teach us etiquette, compassion and mental reflection. Those moments are the ones that teach us real understanding and love.

The dreams of the left are always beautiful—the imagining of a better world, the damnation of the present one. This faith, this luminescent anger—these are worthy of being called human. These are the Beautiful that an age produces. ~Tony Kushner

ACCESSline Page 10

Section 1: News & Politics

DECEMBER 2012

Digging Deeper interview by Amber Dunham

In 2010, high school student Amber Dunham participated in a class assignment to ask someone 20 questions for an LGBT essay. The person Amber chose to ask was Alexis, a transgendered woman from the Iowa City area. This is the second portion of The Interview and will include questions from several individuals. Most of these people have already read the first interview, and I have asked them to think about more questions they might want answers to. Some are again from Amber. Some of the other questions have simply unintentionally come up in ordinary conversations with people and were completely unplanned or unsolicited, but I consider them worthy of additional comment. Others simply seek more in-depth information on one of the previous 20 questions. Any questions or comments for Alexis can be sent care of this publication to Editor@ACCESSlineIOWA.com.

10) Is there discrimination against transgendered and transsexual people as there is toward other groups and minorities?

The answer is certainly “YES.” While there has been a great deal of progress in promoting equality for women and blacks; they are still aware of ongoing discrimination, be it outright or subtle in nature.

Take the pay discrepancy between men and women that, despite equal wage laws, still exists. There are still random cross burnings in neighborhoods, despite the equal rights acts that have been passed.

Despite Rodney King’s words “Can’t we all just get along…,” it still hasn’t happened.

Before this will ever be possible, it will likely be necessary for humankind to rise to a higher level of self-actualization.

Discrimination continues to exist in many forms even today. Without seeming

to play down the value and degree of many of those forms, I will be more concerned about the discrimination faced by gendernonconforming individuals—primarily those who fall under the transgendered umbrella. Like many gay men, lesbians, and bisexual persons, most transgendered try to keep their status private. The largest of the groups here are the cross dressers, who are mostly heterosexual men. Apart from their occasional cross dressing, they are usually married with children, and would have much to lose if the ‘lifestyle” would come out in public. What is different for transgendered

people is that many are often targeted for workplace discrimination and often are not protected under existing laws.

For those individuals, challenges can often be faced in finding adequate health care, housing, public accomm o d a t i o n s . T h ey can find themselves recipients of hate mail, verbal threats, physical harm or even death. November 20th of every year sees memorial services for those transgender and transsexual people who have given their life at the hands of those less tolerant. Because they are often denied certain civil rights and protections that most people think apply to everyone,

the denial of a right to make an adequate income is common. For someone wishing to begin the sexual transitioning process, it often means the loss of their career, friends and family.

Today, despite many advances in the area of equality, under existing case law, courts have found that transgendered people are not covered under statutes based on personal appearance, sex or sexual orientation. Neither are they covered under any disability clause. So, in the absence of other company or statues adopted by several cities and states, transgendered people are pretty much outside the definitions and protections of discrimination laws.

Data drawn from the Transgender Law and Policy Institute shows that as of 2009 some cities and states had developed their own policies and laws.

adultery” thing.

All of this sexy scandal stuff came out right after D’Souza accused President Obama of aggressively “attacking the traditional values agenda.”

“Why is Obama on the social issues— and I’m thinking here of abortion, I’m thinking here of gay marriage—why is Obama so aggressive in attacking the traditional values agenda?” D’Souza asked. “I think this is the problem, Obama doesn’t like traditional Christianity because he identifies it with colonialism. Obama’s own Christianity is more of a Third World liberation theology, a very different kind of Jeremiah Wright type philosophy, summarized in the idea that America is the rogue nation in the world.”

Got it? He hates traditional because he hates Christianity and he hates Christianity because he hates white people. The End. Amen.

Did I mention that D’Souza is one of those “birther” nuts? He’s got a “book” and a “film”—and I use those terms skeptically here—about Obama that’ll make a great gift for anyone you know who is totally racist and disconnected from real life.

D’Souza, who cheated on his wife in a flagrant way at a conference about living with Biblical principles or whatever, also lamented about the state of this country’s morals and spirituality.

“I think that the deepest problems facing America and the West in the end are not political, they are spiritual,” he said. “This is why it makes sense even as we debate policy issues, even as we debate moral issues, to turn to the maker of the universe, this maker of the universe that isn’t just an absentee God like Obama’s dad,

a kind of absentee father who got things going and then took off but a God who cares about each one of us and certainly about our country.”

Aw, snap! No he didn’t! No he didn’t just

call Obama’s dad a God-like deadbeat. Oh, but he did. Because he, Mr. D’Philander, is so much better, so much more moral than some guy who contributed chromosomes to create the President of the United States.

Today, despite many advances in the area of equality, under existing case law, courts have found that transgendered people are not covered under statutes based on personal appearance, sex or sexual orientation.

Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski Dinesh D’Souza

Are you sitting down? Because this may come as quite a shock: Another anti-gay stalwart and “defender” of marriage has been caught in a marital mishap.

Now, I’m not a marriage counselor, but I feel pretty confident dolling out this advice: if you’ve been married for 20 years, and are, in fact, still married, you should probably not go to a right-wing Christian conference with a woman who is not your wife, share a hotel room with her, and introduce her to your right-wing bros as your fiancé. That’s just, well, tacky. At best. At worst it’s totally hypocritical bullsh*t, though that is, as we’ve seen time and time again, par for the course.

Alas, this warning comes too late for Dinesh D’Souza, a right-wing author and media darling and his mistress, Denise Odie Joseph II, who not only share a philandering bed but also share odious views about marriage equality. A match made in Heaven, obviously. Well, at least a Heaven that has nothing to do with the “thou not commit

You should probably not go to a right-wing Christian conference with a woman who is not your wife, share a hotel room with her, and introduce her to your rightwing bros as your fiancé.

ACCESSline’s fun guide It’s Martha Wash Our Picks for December Hallelujah!

Interview by Chris Azzopardi

11/30-12/9, Fisher Theater, Ames, Iowa, Alice in Wonderland, Theatre.IAState.edu 12/6-9, Connections Night Club, Davenport, Iowa, Miss Iowa FFI 2013, ConnectionsNightClub.net 12/7-30, Des Moines Community Playhouse, Des Moines, Iowa, The Wizard of Oz, DMPlayhouse.com 12/8-9, Stephens Auditorium, Ames, Iowa, Nutcracker Ballet, Center.IAState.edu 12/8, The Max, Omaha, Nebraska, A Winters’ Evening in Imperial Russia, ImperialCourtofNebraska.org 12/9, The Max, Omaha, Nebraska,

Bright Lights, Big City—Christmas in New York, ImperialCourtofNebraska.org

12/9, Connections Night Club, Davenport, Iowa, Mr Iowa FMI 2013, ConnectionsNightClub.net 12/11-16, Civic Center of Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa, War Horse, CivicCenter.org 12/14, First Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa, May Your Gays Be Merry & Bright, DMGMC.org 12/14, Club CO2, Cedar Rapids, Iowa,

The New Kings on the Block: Wrap Your Package, Club-CO2.com

12/14-16, Orpheum Theatre, Omaha, Nebraska, Beauty and the Beast, OmahaPerformingArts.org 12/18, Civic Center of Des Moines, Ames, Iowa,

Jim Brickman: On a Winter’s Night,

Center.IAState.edu 12/20, Stephens Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa, War Horse, CivicCenter.org 12/21, Gallagher-Bluedorn, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Miracle on 34th Street, gbpac.com 12/21-22, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa, Mannheim Steamroller, CivicCenter.org 12/27, Studio 13, Iowa City, Iowa, I.C. Kings: Last Show on Earth, STThirteen.com

...and January

1/26, Gallagher-Bluedorn, Cedar Falls, Iowa,

Cinderella-Russian National Ballet Theatre, GBPAC.com

1/15-20, Orpheum Theater, Omaha, Nebraska, Memphis, OmahaPerformingArts.org 1/18-2/10, Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha, Nebraska, Deathtrap, OmahaPlayhouse.com

Martha Wash. Photos courtesy of Project Publicity.

Disco star talks first album in 20 years, fighting for gay rights and how she wants it to rain Matthew McConaughey

If you’ve been feeling cloudy with a chance of man-rain, have we got news for you. Martha Wash, the former lead singer of The Weather Girls, releases her first album in 20 years this December—and she’s bringing out the sun.

Known for leaving a mark on the disco era, the early ’80s girl group’s biggest hit, “It’s Raining Men,” is still as much a part of gay culture now as it was then. The theme of empowerment—one that the 58-year-old can relate to, especially after witnessing the toll Hurricane Sandy took on her New York neighborhood—endures on Wash’s latest solo album, Destiny, an adult-contemporary showcase for her powerhouse vocals.

Just hours after her power was restored, Wash called us to talk about what the new songs mean to her, how she fought for gay rights when few people in the ’80s did and being surrounded by hot hunks for the 30th anniversary shoot of “It’s Raining Men.” Twenty years: Do you know how grueling this wait has been for your gay fans?

(Laughs) Well, I’ve tried to give them a little bit off and on, but I’m glad this is finally coming out.

Why the 20-year wait?

Well, what can I tell you? Life. No one particular thing, but I thought it was time to put out a whole new CD and hope that the fans would accept it.

Was it easy getting back in the studio?

Yes and no. Some of the songs are a bit harder for me to do, but it was something I needed to do—to stretch out on things I had not done in a long time. I’m just really hoping that the fans will appreciate the work and love the music.

The album takes a very inspiring and faith-focused approach. How does Destiny represent you at this point in your life?

I think it’s more so for the masses.

There are so many people that are going through something, and sometimes they feel like they’re the only ones going through it. I think that everybody needs a bit of uplifting, and the songs kind of sound like anthems. For some people, those are the things they’ll take away from the songs— songs of empowerment, just being uplifted.

I think that’s what people need right along through here.

Obviously you’re known for anthems; “It’s Raining Men” is still a staple in the gay community 30 years later. Which songs on the album could

TTMARTHA WASH cont’d page 31

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The Fun Guide

DECEMBER 2012

The Fun Guide

DECEMBER 2012

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Phoenix L’Amour Shimmies and Shakes interview by Angela Geno-Stumme Headmistress of The Iowa School of Burlesque

Phoenix L’Amour began her love of dance at a young age and has explored it through over 100 performances in four states. She discusses her dance career, her involvement with Sharika Soal’s music video, touring nationally as a member of the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque group, and her view of burlesque as Headmistress of the Iowa School of Burlesque.

When did you first start dancing and what is your inspiration?

I was sent across the stage at the age of two in a tutu at my sister’s dance recital to stall the audience. I guess you can say I caught the jitterbug early. I began burlesque dancing in 2008. My inspiration comes from many different places: life experiences, songs, current events, and most frequently other artists.

What fond memories do you have during your dance career?

Dancing has always forced me to put myself out there, even at times when I didn’t feel up to it. It has given me a drive and discipline that I don’t think any other training could provide me.

What training and experience do you have? In what styles of dance?

I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and I studied dance from the time I was three years old until I was 15, when I began teaching. I trained in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical, hip-hop, and pointe.

I excelled in tap dance, and after only a year of teaching, formed a competition tap troupe. Many of my students have gone on to be professional dancers and are currently touring with pop superstars such as Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. I have studied under many famed dancers such as Tony Award winning performer Savion Glover, jazz dancer and Broadway star Gus Giordano, and M.A.D.D. Rhythms director Bril Barrett (to name a few).

Tell me about the music video you were in with Ladysoal. How did that come about? Was it as exciting as it sounds?

As it turns out, I am very good friends with Sharika Soal. The video came about

because I actually had a dream about the video, down to what Sharika would be wearing and of course, the storyline. I called Sharika immediately and we started putting the details together. It was actually more exciting than it sounds. Watching my actual dream come to fruition was an amazing collaborative process. I had a blast on set and working with the band, videographer Doug Choi, and the cast.

You are a touring member of Super Happy Funtime Burlesque group and have toured nationally with them. How do you prepare for and how grueling is a national tour?

Preparation is strategic. The Super Happy Funtime Tour Bus (which is referred to as the Funliner 5000) is a refurbished school bus that has to fit 18 people, their costumes, props, musical equipment etc. on it. Therefore, I make sure to be as organized as possible, travel light, and get as much sleep as possible.

Tour can be grueling if you make it feel that way.

Some folks are not cut out for roughing it on the road. I have some of the best memories from tour and feel as though SHFB is my long-lost family. They think of me as their own and have certainly made me a better performer and person.

What inspired you to found The Iowa School of Burlesque?

During my burlesque career I have made many mistakes, learned some valuable lessons, acquired many tricks of the trade, and have gained a confidence level that no other life experience could lend me. The interest from others and my own desire to share my journey is what inspired me to start the Iowa School of Burlesque.

Part of your class itinerary includes burlesque history; could you give us a short synopsis?

The world “Burlesque” is derived from the Italian word “Burlesco” which means to joke, laugh or poke fun at. The root of burlesque is comedy. The famous playwright, Aristophanes, was the first to teach his audience to laugh at not only themselves, but also real-life situations. I consider him to be a founding father of modern burlesque.

While common belief is that burlesque is merely stripping, it is much more than that.

We focus on body confidence and happiness, not what label you come with.

In fact, we encourage everyone to come labelless, if you will.

The cast of UNDERBUSTED: Hallowiener Special! at The Des Moines Social Club in October 2012. Photographer: Cody Osen/ Des Moines Live Photography.

Phoenix L’Amour. Photographer: Melissa Stukenholtz/ Gorman House Photography.

Burlesque is a performance art like none open arms. other and can be anything from a classic What type of classes and trainstriptease, to total comedic mayhem. ing do you offer at The Iowa School of What is the mission of The Iowa Burlesque?

School of Burlesque?

We teach all aspects of burlesque The Iowa School of Burlesque’s mission ranging from history to twirling to basic is to provide the community with a head- dance. We also offer an apprentice program quarters for burlesque topics and history, a which applications open up for once per place to build confidence and character, and year. Five applicants are chosen and spend a partner in keeping performance art alive. 6 months of intensive training with myself Burlesque is a place for everyone, and so is focusing on character development, confidence building, routine creation, costuming the Iowa School of Burlesque.

How do you make a space that is safe and more. They are presented for the first and welcoming place for people of all ages, time in a live performance based graduation races, genders, sexual orientations, reli- ceremony.

Where are classes held? gious affiliations and political beliefs?

The Blazing Saddle in Des Moines, Iowa While it is difficult to appeal to everyone, we only partner up with other organiza- and on occasion at The Space for Ames in tions that we feel emulate our mission. The Ames, Iowa.

Where can people go for more inforSpace for Ames, Blazing Saddle, and the Des Moines Social Club are places that I feel mation?

Drop us a line at iowaschoolofbursupport and parallel our mission. We focus on body confidence and happiness, not what lesque@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter label you come with. In fact, we encourage @IASchoolBurlieQ, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/IowaSchoolBureveryone to come label-less, if you will. You : can be whoever you want to be at The Iowa lesque, and stay tuned for our website School of Burlesque. We welcome all with www.iowaschoolofburlesque.com.

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The Fun Guide

DECEMBER 2012

Inside Out: The Things We Hold Dear by Ellen Krug hide my need to recover, just like I couldn’t hide that I have a drinking problem to begin with.

In AA, people talk about suffering a “hard bottom,” where some extreme event—like a drunk driving arrest or a drunk-induced life-threatening injury— intervenes to force the person to admit they have a problem.

At least with a hard bottom, there’s something you can point to when fighting the urge to drink.

Thankfully— and only by the very sheerest of luck—I haven’t experienced a hard bottom.

Instead, I’ve had a “soft bottom:” a realization that I’m a drunk through countless instances of drinking far too much after promising myself (and others) that I would limit my intake. Soft bottoms are far more difficult to gauge and understand, since there’s no police officer or judge or doctor to drive home the point that you’ve reached an end point in your addiction.

My soft bottom came during a black tie optional evening event for lawyers where I started to nod off during the keynote address. This wasn’t the first time that I had a problem staying awake after a few glasses of wine.

It’s become clear that if I don’t stop drinking, other people and things that I value in my life—like my daughters and a promising career as a nonprofit executive director—will be lost. Even my memories of giggling with my daughters when they were young are at risk; yes, the alcohol seems to affect both my long and short term memories.

There’s much irony here, too. I grew

up vowing that I’d never be like my father.

I know what a drunk looks like and how they act. For four decades, I told myself that I wasn’t like my father and that I’d never be him.

I’ve been lying to myself for that long.

My “sobriety” (and believe me, I use that word very tepidly) wouldn’t be possible had I not transitioned to female three years ago.

There’s no way I would have been able to stop numbing myself from the pain of being caught in the wrong gender. This is an instance of one honest decision leading to another honest decision.

I tell myself that as long as I continue being honest, everything will work out.

The problem is that I don’t know how to handle some other emotional baggage without alcohol. All of us suffer in life, this I know, and not all of us become drunks.

For me, however, alcohol is my refuge. It’s the place I’ve run to when the realities of life—which in my case amount to many losses, including the loss of a wonderful marriage when I came out—start to knock on my door. For a few hours, Heineken or chardonnay always made everything appear far rosier.

Now I have to find another way to deal with the losses. I’m still working on how to do that; all I understand is that booze isn’t the answer.

I know many people who have gotten sober. An ex-girlfriend related how she was drunk from her early teens to midtwenties, only to finally get sober for good on her thirtieth detox. She’s since become a Minnesota state representative.

Another friend, now in his mid-forties,

falsetto). Call it an annual recap, a nod to the future, an excuse to not be outside in winter, just be there.

Franky D. Lover: We have several shows in December.

And our “Last Show on Earth” at Studio will be a lot of fun.

People will be done with finals and past the holiday rush, plus we’ll be so close to The I.C. Kings. Photo courtesy of Paranoid Peachezz.

New Year’s that there will be no better reason to get out and The I.C. Kings are very excited for celebrate.

Our “Last Show on Earth!” will December. With three shows in one month, these beard-clad bois from Iowa City are be post-apocalyptic holiday cheer, wrapped ready to celebrating and ringing in of the in gorgeousness and dipped in champagne.

We are excited to be hosting special guests, New Year early.

Hugh Jindapants: Unlike some things, Unda, performing their amazing ATS (American Tribal Style) belly dance. They I.C. Kings don’t shrink in the cold.

On Thursday, December 27th, the I.C. will be sure to add to the festivities! PLUS, Kings will be presenting their “Last Show everyone should be excited for the return on Earth!” at Studio 13 in Iowa City. Follow- of J.T. Amore! He’s back in town, because ing our tradition of years past, we will take he missed us sooooo much!

J.T. Amore: It’ll be great to be back you out on a high note (although probably

performing with my bros! I was sad to miss the 80’s show last month, but I’ll be bringing some major Amore this time around!

Franky D. Lover: Our past December shows include “Icy Kings”, “Winter: What a Drag!” and the “Belles & Balls Show”. If you attended any of these shows, you would have seen some scarf clad cuties, shiny balls, a plethora of holiday songs, heat waves, faux ballet, ugly sweaters, drunken caroling, midnight snogging and other immensely entertaining shenanigans.

The upcoming “Last Show on Earth!” will undoubtedly be a fabulous way to spend your Thursday night.

I mean, if I’m already excited to perform, you know it’s gonna be good!

Oh, geez... yeah, ok Julius, calm down.

You can show everyone your list now.

Julius Fever: What Julius Fever wants for Christmas: 1. To be a real boy!

The things we hold dear.

Like a former soul mate. Or children.

Or memories. Or that very cool new bike that I can’t seem to get enough of.

There’s one more thing I hold dear: alcohol. Yes, I’ve had a forty-year love affair with booze. We were quite a couple in our day, prompting many to turn their heads and gawk.

Now, the affair needs to end. “We’re over,” I said as I poured a half-empty bottle of Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay down the sink.

“Really, dear?” Michelle asked. “You’ve acted like we’d be together forever.”

“Yes, really. I’m done with you.”

At least that’s the story for today.

I’ve learned from AA it’s all I can ask of myself.

And let me tell you, I sure fit the stats for having a drinking problem: my grandmother died of sclerosis of the liver in her forties; my alcoholic father’s last act before his suicide was to pour himself a big fat glass of Scotch; I started drinking in a friend’s car on a country road when I was fifteen.

I’m also transgender, and as many know, of the letters in the LGBTQA alphabet, it’s the T’s who have the highest incidence of drug and alcohol addiction.

Throw in that I’ve tried to stop drinking on many occasions, only to return to it time and again, and you’ve got a pretty good picture of a drunk. An ex-girlfriend told me as much, just before she left me the morning after I had once again over-consumed.

Finally, I’m publicly admitting that I’m an alcoholic.

I’ve always resisted writing about this aspect of my humanity, even though my one constant goal as a writer has been to “speak human to human.” I thought I could tackle this problem quietly, under the radar, without having to tell the world.

I’ve now found that confronting my alcoholism won’t work that way. I can’t

I’m also transgender, and as many know, of the letters in the LGBTQA alphabet, it’s the T’s who have the highest incidence of drug and alcohol addiction.

Ellen Krug, writer, lawyer, human, is presently completing her memoir, “Getting to Ellen: Crossing the Great Gender Divide,” which will be published in 2012.

She lives in Minneapolis and works as the executive director of a nonprofit serving the underrepresented. She welcomes your comments at ellenkrug75@gmail.com. has been sober for twenty-two years. “It is possible,” he told me. He too, has emerged as a community leader. “If I hadn’t stopped drinking,” he said, “I’d either be dead, or positive, or homeless.”

Sobriety is the product of acquired wisdom. It takes time—something not very easy for impatient people like me. Throw in that I’m a-wear-it-on-my-sleeve kind of person (surely that’s a newsflash for my regular readers), and sometimes, I just don’t know how I’m going to pull off being sober for the rest of my life.

Still, I’m wiser than I used to be.

Finally, I hope this self-disclosure isn’t too much. Certainly, it’s necessary if I’m going to stay sober. I dislike hypocrites, and now—with this—I’d be the ultimate hypocrite if I went back to drinking.

Thank you.

Be on the I.C. King’s Holiday Wish Lists this December

2. A date with Lindsay Blowhan and J. Ho. 3. Mustache cream.

4. A goat named Billy.

Hugh Jindapants: Hugh’s Holiday Wishlist: 1. More Hugh!

Franky D. Lover: I don’t know if you’ll get any presents, Julius and Hugh.

You are both probably on the NAUGHTY list. Just sayin’!

Franky’s Solstice/Chrismakkuh Wish List: 1. Lots of love for Lovers 2. Wingtip shoes 4. Scotch Joey D.: I just can’t wait to work on my Jingle Bell Rock... and hopefully find some mistletoe. Be ready to rock at Studio 13 on Thursday, December 27th, for the “Last Show on Earth!”!

For more information go to STThirteen.com or find the I.C. Kings on facebook.

Our “Last Show on Earth!” will be post-apocalyptic holiday cheer, wrapped in gorgeousness and dipped in champagne.

The Fun Guide

DECEMBER 2012

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Wired This Way by Rachel Eliason

Taking the Fight Mobile: HIV related apps for your smartphone

The AIDS epidemic has been one of the first truly modern epidemics. From the first few cases in the early eighties down to the present, our understanding of the HIV virus and our reaction to it has been shaped by science and technology. The lack of a permanent “cure” for the disease obscures just how far we have come in understanding and treating the disease in a relatively short period of time.

Since the beginning activists have used the latest technology to get the word out, to organize, and to educate. In the eighties that might have meant photo-copying fliers and pamphlets, handing out condoms, or giving safe sex talks. Throughout the nineties and the first decade of this century that meant organizing online, creating websites, and sending emails. Now, increasingly that technology goes with us, in the form of a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device.

So for ACCESSline’s Facing AIDS edition I have reviewed some of the best and worst HIV-related mobile apps. I’ve wasted time on my phone so you don’t have to.

Apps for the HIV positive

iStayHealthy my review: 5 stars iStayHealthy is a simple intuitive app that allows you to record and track a number of pertinent aspects of your medical care.

You can enter CD4 and viral load and these will be shown in a graph over time. It also has space to enter the medications you are on, the address of clinics and offices, and information about previous hospitalizations and illnesses. The alert function allows you to set reminders daily (to remind you to take your meds) or one time calendar reminders for office visits, etc.

My review: It’s simplicity makes it versatile and easy to use. It runs smoothly.

Best of all its free. It’s definitely a five star app. The only possible downside, as another reviewer pointed out, is that it can’t be set to a password. If you are not “out” about your status you would have to password protect your entire phone or else be very careful who has access to it.

HIV ichart 3 stars iChart is put together and maintained by the University of Liverpool, so it’s got some strong academic credentials behind it. This app allows to you to search for drug to drug interactions. On the first page you can select the HIV medication(s) you are on and click the next arrow to select from a list of co-medications. The final arrow will take you the results pages and tell you if there are any expected drug interactions.

My review: This is an app with a lot of promise. It could be extremely useful. Its usefulness is hampered by three things. The list of co-medications is far from complete.

The FDA has approved some 800 drug ingredients and there are over 100,000 individual medications out there. (The University of Liverpool is in England and maybe there are fewer drugs on the market over there, but it’s still far short of every possible medication.)

Neither page has a search feature. That’s not much of a handicap with HIV meds because the list is relatively short, but it would be a really nice feature on the co-medication page. Finally most of the medications listed are prescription. Presumably your doctor looked up these medications in their own more exhaustive database and forewarned you about possible interactions. If this app had text search (or better yet barcode searching) for common over the counter medications it would be a solid five star— enter your HIV medication and then scan a bottle of cold medicine and see at glance if you can take it or not. That would even be worth some money. As it is this is a free app and still worth giving a try.

Positive Singles 3 stars I was a little taken aback, to be honest, to find a dating site for HIV positive individuals. After some thought it makes a certain amount of sense. HIV positive individuals face incredible obstacles and dating other positive individuals gets them around one of the biggest obstacles.

My review: It looks like a good idea but I can’t really review the app in much detail.

The app itself is little more than a mobile connection to their website. I didn’t want to create an account when I am not HIV-positive and don’t intend to use the site other than reviewing it. Having not gotten on the site itself my only criticism of it is that it didn’t have a choice for transgender (just male or female). Given the relatively large number of trans people struggling with HIV I find this problematic to say the least.

HIV connect 4 stars hivconnect.com is a social support site for people living with HIV. It includes news links, forums and discussion boards on a wide range of topics. It can accessed on a regular computer but they have a robust mobile app as well.

My review: It’s a slick professional app that runs well and is easy to navigate. There are tabs for featured articles, activity, discussion, and profile pages. It’s also professionally moderated and looks like a very upbeat community of users. If you are HIV positive and looking for a support system online this free app is definitely worth looking into.

We all know we need to be safe. But the only way to be completely safe is to lock ourselves in a cave and be hermits for the rest of our lives and nobody wants that. So how safe is safe? How risky is risky? As humans we are notoriously bad at determining just how risky our own behavior is. Our phones on the other hand can be far more objective.

The HIV risk calculator is a wonderful quick guide to safe sex. Answer a few short questions through a series of simple touch screens and it can give you a quick look at how much risk you are likely exposing yourself too.

My Review: The first screen clearly shows this is an app for everyone. Are you worried about getting infected, or are you infected (maybe) and worried about getting your prospective partner infected? The questions continue in this simple matter of fact way, are you male or female? Is your partner male or female?

What specific acts are you planning on/have done? At the end the app will rate each act by risk level and give you guidelines on how to play more safely in the future. Everyone should have this app on their phones. Teens should be forced to install it, just in case. For two geeks in love it could be an easy way to introduce the topic of safe sex in an easy and fun way. Definitely my favorite app.

Sex Detective Lite 1 star This app does the same thing as the HIV risk calculator with a small problem.

My review: I hate the word “lite” when it comes to apps. If an app is called “lite” there is probably a “deluxe” or “pro” version that costs you money. It’s like the trial version software, just an excuse to get you in the door and sell you something. So it is with Sex Detective Lite. Like with the HIV risk calculator you enter the actions you plan to engage in and it tells you how risky those acts are. However any really questionable action is conveniently buried in the “pro” version. If you want to know how risky “french kissing” and “second base” (yes, these are actual choices) then this is the app for you. If you are over the age of eighteen, save your money and get the HIV calculator instead.

Condom Finder 2 stars Need a condom in a hurry? Yes, there’s an app for that. Condom Finder uses your location data and google maps to find the nearest condom distributor near you.

My review: This app is a great idea but is hampered by a couple of severe limitations. It should take a lesson from the transquat app and allowed users to enter data to expand the database. It should also allow business sources. It lists only one distributor in my neighborhood and its predictably the AIDS Project. Great but I doubt they are open at two am when the bar crowd is letting out and some of you (I am not pointing fingers) are looking for that condom.

Stunning Public Service Ads 0 stars Activists have long known that most people pay no attention to public service messages. They have responded by making

Mobile technology is rapidly transforming our lives. Mobile devices can be expensive toys, geeky status symbols or powerful tools to live better.

News apps

I am reviewing the news/information apps as a group. There were almost none that I would suggest to the average user. In practice HIV is a portal for a large professional database, possibly useful to a medical professional who already owns a subscription but not aimed at the average user. Same goes for the John Hopkins HIV guide, which carries a thirty dollar price tag. There is an app called HIV & AIDS by a developer named Bawidgets.com that leads nowhere.

Apps for everyone HIV Risk Calculator 5 stars

Rachel Eliason is a forty two year old Transsexual woman. She was given her first computer, a Commodore Vic-20 when she was twelve and she has been fascinated by technology ever since. In the thirty years since that first computer she has watched in awe as the Internet has transformed the LGBT community. In addition to her column, Rachel has published a collection of short stories, Tales the Wind Told Me and is currently working on her debut novel, Run, Clarissa, Run. Rachel can be found all over the web, including on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Goodreads. their ads provocative, even, dare I say, sexy.

Now you can get some of the top public service ads to set as wallpaper on your phone for free.

My Review: When I first saw this ad I got really excited. I could imagine all the fun, sexy images I’ve seen over the years on the walls of gay bars and in various LGBT publications.

The tiny image you can barely see in the icon only fueled my imagination.

The app however, sucks. Only one of the images is related to HIV/safe sex, and it’s a hetero ad. (Not that there is anything wrong with heterosexuality, but given the ACCESSline readership...) The majority of the images have to do with other social causes ranging from domestic abuse to animal rights. Nor are there very many images. Worst of all the app is spammy. (Is spammy a word? It ought to be.) Most free apps are supported by ads and generally I don’t have a problem with this. But this app is above and beyond. When I installed it, it also installed an advertising app which appeared automatically on my home screen and which sent push notifications about products and give-aways. Unless you want your phone beeping, dinging, and trying to enter you in an ipad give-away every ten minutes, avoid this app at all costs!

Virus World 0 stars Another wallpaper app. Again I was intrigued. Virus images are fascinating and there would be an almost Zen-like sense of making peace with your enemy to having the virus as your wallpaper. Sadly this is just the public service ads app in a different guise, with all the same problems.

On the lighter side

Yes there is a lighter side to HIV-related apps.

Catch the Condom game 2 stars Catch the Condom is a light hearted game to remind everyone of the importance of playing safe. You maneuver your pecker to

TTWIRED THIS WAY cont’d page 33

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Just Sayin’ by Beau Fodor Looking in a rear-view mirror

This last month I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on the past year. While there have been some incredible experiences, the fight to get where we are now and the people who fought along the way need to be remembered as the heroes they are.

First, of course was the election. Human Rights win again...enough said.

Second, working on the All-Iowa AIDS Benefit was an incredible experience with some incredible people. Who, against all odds, are showing me how to live. What I got out of the Benefit was the notion of “human-kind”...be both!

I spent the night with many amazing people: the All-Iowa AIDS Benefit committee (all rock-stars), the generous donors, the hosts, the Service Members and guests, One Source Events, the talent, OMG, seriously—all truly heroes in their own right. And also some very close friends were with me at the All-Iowa AIDS Benefit.

My “partner-in-crime” that night had recently had a double mastectomy and was finally able to celebrate her life…for a little awhile. And also that night, with Desmund Adams, who made me so proud!

That night he shared his time and energies

SScontinued from page 1

HEROD III pop songs on YouTube. He kickboxes and does autocross racing. And after November 6, 2012, he can add being a successful political activist to his life resume.

Herod started the Vote No: Taking It To The Streets car campaign in Minnesota, a movement which eventually included 300 vehicles across the state and raised $17,000 for Minnesotans United for All Families, a coalition of organizations, community, and business leaders determined to defend and secure marriage equality in Minnesota.

It all started when someone told him no.

“I went to a Human Rights Campaign dinner, and the Minnesota representative Keith Ellingson gave a speech talking about how gays and lesbians are the last group of people that are legal to discriminate against.

All of a sudden it hit me that wow, that’s right.

He said everyone gets to a point in their life where they decide it’s their time to stand up.

And I thought to myself, if not now, when?”

That dinner was part of a fundraising effort, and Herod was so moved by the event he ended up giving one thousand dollars, even though as he puts it, “I didn’t really have it.”

Though Herod is currently single, like many Americans of any orientation, he dreams someday of having a partner and possibly even children. The event drove home to him how personal this fight was and how much was at stake.

For his donation, Herod received a VOTE NO yard sign, which he proudly put in his yard in front of his Minneapolis town home.

However, the town home association told him this was in violation of their rules.

Herod was devastated at the removal of his yard sign. “To me the sign signified the

The Fun Guide

to remember heroes and loves lost. His campaign for Senate continues, and his leadership skills in District 22 will make Iowa a better place to live, for everyone, equally. Please, if you live in District 22, vote this December 11th, in the special election.

Matt, my first High School beau who died of AIDS complications in 1988, was also “beside me” that night as well. Not to sound like a “New Jersey Medium” but the feeling of doom and gloom had left me… and so many memories came back that night. Talking about him and laughing out loud, even sitting and having dinner in the tiny restaurant while the Benefit surrounded us, was like out of a movie.

A movie that celebrated his life...I kinda owe Matt my life. He taught me how to live. How to live with AIDS, with your family and church throwing you out, a hospital unprepared for HIV-infected patients, Kaposi Sarcoma covering your face, a face that once was on a GQ magazine cover, and now unrecognizable....

He also taught me to lift my voice up in protest and even get arrested—if it was the right thing to do. He taught me to ACT-UP, he taught me how to do drag, he

taught me how to be a Radical Fairy…and to hold my head high, no matter what people say. How to shine in the darkness.

That was his greatest gift to me, along with the hundred or so other of my friends that decade of the 1980’s. We were young and beautiful and free...or so we thought... when all of a sudden, the lights went out.

They gave their all. And now they expect me to, as well...

O.K., I’ll lighten-up... back to the Holidays and gratitude for family and friends.

Third, The Blank Children’s’ Hospital Festival of Trees and Lights...wow...what an incredible, incredible event last week, seriously! And that was wrapped-up with a wrestling team...but I digress!

Finally, the Fort Dodge Thanksgiving, which was the highlight! I’ll just say the kids and I had fun, and only got yelled at a few times. We all worked non-stop, preparing food, making wreaths and garlands, and even gilding and glittering acorns for the centerpiece. The traditions established and, especially the new ones created, are epic and I am so grateful to be able to share them with a new generation of family.

I may be a 50 year-old hot mess, who

To whom much is given, MUCH is expected. And my friends who came and left before me have made me who I am today. I am blessed to have made it this far.

their friends, and before long the movement was a Facebook group. Their work, however, was just getting started.

A fundraising event at a local bar saw them wrapping 81 cars. A friend of Herod’s pointed out the local LGBT group wasn’t allowed in the Anoka parade, though they’d applied; in protest, Herod and his crew of carcampaigners drove to the parade and staged a driving Photo courtesy of Richard Herod III. protest. They did road rallies start of being aware of the issue. Straight and flash mobs outside of debates on the friends of mine had ‘vote no’ shirts—I didn’t marriage amendment. The day of the election have anything that was VOTE NO. Nothing.” they had five car rallies where they circled the Remembering the speech that had inspired University of Minnesota campus for an hour. him, Herod said, “I’m not giving up. I’m not They took donations from people out of state who wanted to subsidize those who couldn’t backing down. What can I do?”

Remember: Herod’s profession is dealing necessarily afford the decals themselves. with cars, and as he mulled over how he could They also took the car-wrapping campaign fight back, he couldn’t help thinking of all the to Duluth.

“We wrapped thirty cars in Duluth,” decals and window stickers he’d seen made over the years for different events. After Herod reports. Most of those cars, he says, approaching the company he knew made the were driven by LGBT allies. “Blew my mind. decals, he found out yes, he could get some for We wrapped five suburbans in a row, the his own vehicle, and he did. For two weeks his ultimate hockey mom car.” But the allies told car sat in his driveway as his personal protest Herod, “It shouldn’t be like this.” They wanted against the rule, his whole car a sign, no small to participate in the movement too.

Shortly after that they started partnering foot by foot-and-a-half cardboard number with Minnesota United for All Families, and any longer.

Then he posted a picture of his car on the car-wrapping campaign also became a fundraising drive.

Facebook.

“The whole thing was a total whirlwind.

“In one day my car got liked 500 times and shared 100 times. When that happened, I can’t believe it all happened.”

Now the group is looking to spread its carI’m like, something is happening here.”

On a hunch, Herod ordered ten more campaigning technique to other states facing decals, but the car-wrapping quickly went marriage amendments. “If we can do this now,” viral. He wrapped some of his friends’ vehicles, Herod says, “What can we do in four years? It but they brought their friends, who brought could be anything, any social cause.”

DECEMBER 2012

Beau Fodor is the owner of PANACHE, an Iowa wedding planner who focuses specifically on weddings for the LGBT community. He can be reached at iowasgayweddingplanner.com or his blog PANACHE Points at blogspot.com. Photo courtesy of Billy Porter. survived filming one reality show and is mad enough to continue filming this spring, but I’ve learned my lessons well.

To whom much is given, MUCH is expected.

And my friends who came and left before me have made me who I am today. I am blessed to have made it this far.

Best to you & yours this Holiday season.

Warmest Regards, Beau Herod’s advice to other would-be activists? “If not now, when? Through this process I’ve learned there are 515 rights in the state of Minnesota that I don’t have because I’m a gay man. Federally it’s almost 1100. Our rights are important. People are important. It’s basic humanity. When you love yourself enough to stand up for yourself, you just might surprise yourself.”

To Herod this fight is now so important and personal he made it a life event on Facebook. He sent a letter to his town home association, thanking them, letting them know how vital their NO became to him.

“I found my voice,” Herod says. “If they hadn’t told me no, I’d have just donated one thousand dollars and put up a yard sign.”

For the three hundred people who car-campaigned with Herod, for the almost 14,000 same-sex couples in Minnesota, for the 1.5 million Minnesotans who helped defeat the amendment, for LGBT persons and allies yearning for equality everywhere? That town home association’s no was a beautiful, powerful thing.

You can find Richard Herod III on Facebook and follow Richard’s YouTube Channel IMFunner, and see his signing atMinneCODA on YouTube.

Heidi Cullinan has always loved a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. She enjoys writing across many genres but loves above all to write happy, romantic endings for LGBT characters because there just aren’t enough of those stories out there. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, listening to music, and watching television with her husband and ten-year-old daughter. Heidi also volunteers frequently for her state’s LGBT rights group, One Iowa, and is proud to be from the first midwestern state to legalize same-sex marriage. Find out more about Heidi, including her social networks, at HeidiCullinan.com.

DECEMBER 2012

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New Project HIM Campaign Promotes Testing Buddies Going in for an HIV test can be a nervewracking process, especially for those who have not been tested before or those whom haven’t been tested for a long period of time. Nationally, approximately one in five HIV+ individuals is unaware of his or her positive status. These individuals account for around half of the new HIV+ cases via sexual transmission. Many factors including anxiety, stigma, and lack of support can hinder individuals from getting tested. When compounded with sexual orientation, these factors are magnified. In a 2011 statewide survey of gay and bisexual men in Iowa, 28% had never been tested for HIV. Project HIM staff member, Ryan Bruellman, notes the importance that support can play for people to take the steps to get tested. “When clients share their experience of getting tested, many of them tell me stories about how a friend or loved one encouraged them and/or went with them to get a test. That support and encouragement clearly helped them in coming to get tested.”

A growing body of research shows that a strong social support network improves one’s health in multiple areas including emotional, mental, and physical health.

Having social support is commonly seen in

many different avenues such as a workout partner, lunch buddy, or bar friend. So, why not have a testing buddy?

The latest campaign unveiled from Project HIM encourages gay and bi men in central Iowa to bring a buddy along to a testing site. The message is simple: “Get Tested. Bring a Buddy.” The buddy can be anyone, ranging from partner to a family member or friend. The buddy can provide support and backup to help ease the nerves, offering support regardless of the outcome.

A buddy system can help eliminate the stigma of HIV and testing through the open communication of support networks.

Support your partner, friends, and family members in being proactive about their health. Bring them with you when you get tested, or go along with them when they get tested. Bring your testing buddy with you into the room to get tested, or have them sit in the waiting room. Have a buddy, be a buddy; get tested and know your status.

Project Healthy Iowa Men has one mission: to stop HIV in its tracks. But we’re doing things a little differently… No guilt, no shame, we’re here to help you do what you do… in the best way you can! To learn more, please visit us at projecthim.org.

A Healthier Generation by

PPH Health Education, Kim Lingner December 1st was World AIDS Day, and the entire month of December is an opportunity for people worldwide to raise awareness about the disease and unite in the fight against HIV. We’ve made great progress over the past few decades in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but there is still much more work to be done.

Young people make up about 40 percent of all new HIV infections, and the LGBT community is disproportionately affected by high HIV/ AIDS rates. While this disparity is concerning, we also have reasons for hope. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and new recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force will greatly increase access to HIV screenings, education, and information. In support of World Aids Day this month, let’s commit to supporting the investments and policies that will help us curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. There are about 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., and gay and bisexual men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group. Gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men, make up just two percent of the population yet account for 61 percent of all new HIV infections. There are a number of reasons why HIV remains such a problem for the LGBT community, including lower rates of access to health insurance, and discrimination and stigma by providers who lack an understanding of LGBT health concerns.

Equally troubling is that nearly one in four gay and lesbian adults lacks health insurance, making it that much more difficult to obtain health care. Unfortunately, that also means they receive less information and education about the risks of infection.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives us an opportunity to change the course of this

epidemic. Under the ACA, new insurance plans will be required to fully cover annual counseling and screening for HIV for all sexually active women, as well as for adolescents and adults aged 13-64 who are at higher risk for contracting the virus. This will enable more people to get immediate access to life saving treatment. Additionally millions more people will be eligible for health insurance under the ACA, including many people living with HIV. In November, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended that everyone aged 15-65 receive routine HIV testing, not just those most at risk. If this becomes finalized, insurers would have to cover HIV screening without a co-pay. HIV screening would become part of basic health care for nearly everyone.

No one or no population is immune from HIV. Lack of access to information and resources are part of what drives high HIV infection rates in young people. Too many young people don’t receive comprehensive sex education, including information about HIV. Only 33 states and the District of Columbia currently mandate HIV education. As an educator I understand that it’s difficult for many people, including adults, to talk about sexuality, but the result is that young people make up nearly half of all new HIV infections.

Communicating with young people, friends, and family is vitally important. Take this month as an opportunity to talk about this global problem, and ensure your loved ones get the information and care they need and deserve. With the commitment to investing in sex education and fully implementing the ACA, we can help change the course of this devastating epidemic. Together we can lead a healthier generation.

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Plans for the Des Moines Pride Center by Todd Walton

As many readers of ACCESSline will know, the Des Moines Pride Center has undergone a tumultuous year. In February it became necessary to leave our facilities located in the Western Gateway of downtown Des Moines. Three months later, in May, our volunteer Executive Director stepped down. Since that time the Des Moines Pride Center has carried out limited functions with minimal staff, in meeting space offered to us by other LGBT organizations in our community.

While the past year has been difficult, the need remains to provide a safe place for the LGBT community to gather, gain education, improve health, and gain support and advocacy in a drug free environment. The Des Moines Pride Center board recognizes this need, and remains committed to the vision of meeting it.

At the 2012 Capital City Pride event we reached out to you with our Community

Assessment Survey. Thank you for your responses! We received great input to guide us on what needs we should work to meet.

Our challenge now is to build the Des Moines Pride Center into an organization capable of meeting those needs.

We have a strong board committed to building trust and the relationships necessary to create a sustainable, long term, plan for the future of the Des Moines Pride Center.

This is a process that will take time and community involvement and we are here for the long haul.

If you would like to get involved or offer support, please contact any member of the Des Moines Pride Center board.

Des Moines Pride Center Board includes: Co-Chair Matthew Skuya, Treasurer Marty Moore mamoore350@yahoo.com, Member Mark Metz scorpiored48@yahoo.com, Member Todd Walton todd@hardboot.org, and Member Max Crabb maxcrabb@gmail.com.

Together we have worked to make something very simple and right come true. Our people should not have to choose between serving the country they love and sharing a life with the people they love…I want you to leave this celebration thinking about what more each and every one of you can do—those who are currently serving in our government, those who have served in the past, and those who I hope will decide to serve–to make not only the agencies of our government but our world more just and free for all people. ~Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Gays & Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies’ 20th Anniversary.

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DECEMBER 2012

The Bookworm Sez by Terri Schlichenmeyer

“My Husband and My Wives: A Gay Man’s Odyssey” by Charles Rowan Beye, c.2012, FSG, $26.00 / $28.95 Canada, 257 pages Change is good.

It might be uncomfortable, especially if you like the status quo, but it’s good. Without change, we’d still be traveling on horseback, wearing crinolines, and communicating via letters. No change, no out-of-season vegetables or sushi restaurants. We’d live without TV and internet, and die of diseases that are now curable.

Change is good but sometimes, you have to know where you came from to appreciate where you are. In the new book

Across 1 Funny Mabley 5 Memorial Day race, briefly 9 Erect member 14 Roasting place 15 “Brothers & Sisters” matriarch 16 Angelou poem, “And Still ___” 17 Hacienda room 18 Fly like an eagle or a falcon 19 Exasperates 20 With 38-Across, cutting support to PBS on the campaign trail 23 Got ready for porking?

24 Reel 28 Battery term.

29 Scott of Beautiful Thing 32 Come out 33 Former NFL player Tuaolo 35 Lion protest 37 “Viva, Las Vegas” middle name 38 See 20-Across 41 Island of Diamond Head Beach 44 American follower?

45 Siddhartha writer 49 Uranus, for one 51 Interstate rumbler 53 Beret or beanie 54 Ball whackers, in Ping-Pong 56 Have the attention of 58 Same sex couple effected by cracking down 61 Potpourri scent 64 Gave a pink slip to 65 “No” voter 66 Not quite erect

“My Husband and My Wives: A Gay Man’s Odyssey” by Charles Rowan Beye, you’ll see why.

Growing up in Iowa City, Iowa, in preWorld War II years, Charles Rowan Beye was taught to maintain a genteel deportment.

His widowed mother insisted that all six of her offspring dress for dinner, and conversation was never provocative. Servants were to be ignored and children weren’t allowed in certain parts of their house.

Despite that his family was well-off, Beye went to public school and remembers feeling different than his peers, in part because of his mannerisms and demeanor. Still, other boys readily accepted him.

It was with one of them that Beye had his first sexual experience.

Though he’d kissed girls and paired up like other adolescents his age, Beye was definitely more attracted to boys than he was to girls. He dated girls and they loved him for his gentlemanly ways. Young men liked him because he was willing to do anything they wanted, on the spot, no questions asked.

But then, in the middle of going to college and becoming a teacher, Beye fell in love – with a woman.

He met her nine days after his twentyfirst birthday and they were married four months later. She knew he was attracted to men and she accepted it until her death

Q-PUZZLE: Sesame Street Fight

67 What either bride may wear 68 They come between Mauresmo and opponents 69 Necrophiliac’s bedsheets?

70 “She” to Cocteau 71 “Nuts!”

Down 1 George once of San Francisco

They’re essential for breeders 3 Hodgepodge 4 Eat between meals 5 Like some pitched balls 6 Common lunch time 7 Subject of Wigstock 8 Online exaggeration?

2

four years after their wedding. Not quite a year later, Beye married another woman, then became a father four times over while continuing to sleep with men. His wife also had flings of her own, until she divorced Beye in about 1976. “… I always say to myself, I just can’t do gay,” says Beye. But he finally did – and in 2008, he married the man he hopes to spend the rest of his life with.

As a look back at small-town gay America, pre-World War II and pre-AIDS, “My Husband and My Wives” is a delightful (albeit sometimes wordy) surprise.

With droll wit and the teensiest bit of self-depreciation, author Charles Rowan Beye writes about a time when homosexuality was a subject left on the highest shelf of the deepest closet. Still, despite any former furtiveness, Beye is unrestrained and unafraid to tell tales; in fact, he admits that his graphic remembrances could make readers uncomfortable.

He’s not far off in that warning and yet – this book is such a perfect look into gay life gone by, that you almost can’t help but enjoy it. For anyone who craves that step back in time, if just for a peek, “My Husband and My Wives” is a something different for a change.

9 Home on the range 10 Fruity drink 11 Squeak silencer 12 Broadband connection, briefly 13 “Thumbs up!”

21 Let the Dead Bury the Dead author Randall 22 SNL’s Cheri 25 Warning from Toto 26 Id partner, to Frasier Crane 27 Stimpy’s boyfriend, perhaps 30 Wanting water 31 Shirt alligators 34 Sue Wicks’ game, in slang 36 Ready and willing partner 39 Risky fellatio partner?

40 European white wine 41 Straight to gay (abbr.)

42 The Crimson Tide’s st.

43 Was in bed with 46 Supermarket checkout item 47 John Henry Mackay’s pen name 48 Olympian who makes points by touching the body 50 Succeeds a la Log Cabin 52 Stick your nose where it doesn’t belong 55 Prevent, with “off” 57 Thou 59 Jump for Doug Mattis 60 Chicago producer Meron 61 Race unit 62 Suffix that changes Juan’s gender 63 Like Abner, before Viagra?

• SOLUTION ON PAGE 30

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Under Construction : ACCESSline’s Heartland Recurring Events List

ACCESSline’s Recurring Events List is and has been provided by ACCESSline readers. With the added communities of ACCESSline’s Heartland Newspaper, the list is need of a large overhaul. We need readers to continue to help and update the list.

Please submit recurring ManagingEditor@ACCESSlineIowa.com.

events

to

Stay Warm this Winter with Bisschopswijn December Recipes

The season is here, and whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukah or the Winter Solstice or the Festival of Janus, mulled wines and other warm drinks are the perfect answer to the winter chill! Here are some recipes from Iowa’s own Bisschopswijn (bisschopswijn.com) that will warm your body and lift your spirits!

Christmas Wassail

• 1 gallon apple cider • 1 quart pineapple juice • 1 can (6oz) frozen orange juice concentrate • ¼ cup Bisschopswijn - Mulled Wine & Cider Spices Place Bisschopswijn spices in a muslin steeping bag or large tea ball. Mix all ingredients in a large crock pot, add spices and simmer. Serve hot. Makes about 12 servings

Wassail • 10 small apples • 10 teaspoons brown sugar • 2 bottles, .750 ml, dry sherry or dry Madeira • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg • 3 thick slices fresh ginger or candied ginger • 2 tablespoons Bisschopswijn - Mulled Wine & Cider Spices • 2 cups superfine sugar • 1/2 cup water • 6 eggs, separated • 1 cup brandy Core the apples and fill each with a teaspoon of brown sugar. Place in a baking pan and cover the bottom with 1/8-inch of water. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes or until tender.

Place Bisschopswijn spices in a muslin steeping bag or large tea ball. Combine the sherry or Madeira, nutmeg, ginger, Bisschopswijn spices, sugar and water in a large, heavy saucepan and heat without letting the mixture come to a boil. Leave on very low heat.

Beat the egg yolks until light and lemon-colored.

Beat the whites until stiff and fold them into the yolks.

Strain the wine mixture and add gradually to the eggs, stirring constantly. Add the brandy. Pour into a metal punch bowl or any heat proof bowl, float the apples on top and serve.

Eggnog • 1 gallon eggnog • ¼ cup Bisschopswijn - Mulled Wine & Cider Spices • Brandy or rum, optional Place Bisschopswijn spices in a muslin steeping bag or large tea ball. In a sauce pan gently heat the eggnog and spices until hot. Remove the spice bag. Serve immediately.

Do not leave the eggnog over heat for an extended period.

Add brandy or run if desired.

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DECEMBER 2012

The New Kings on the Block Upcoming Events Starting in December, The New Kings on the Block will perform the second Friday of the month at Club CO2.

The December 14th show will feature a sexual health awareness theme of “Wrap your Package” with several surprise guests and gifts.

A merchandise booth at the show will feature artwork, Good N. Plenty performed November 15 at Club CO2 for jewelry, and clothing crafted Jayden Knight’s benefit show. Photo courtesy of Jill of All by local artists for sale.

The New Kings on the Trades Productions.

Block will be performing every second Friday of the Month at Club CO2 and will have shows January 11th, February 8th (February 23rd will also be a special performance by the New Kings on the Block at Kings and Queens Tap in Waterloo), March 8th, April 12th, May 10th, and June 14th.

For more information on Jazmine Fritz (left) and Chelsea Joy Lob the new MCs The New Kings on the Block go prepare to go on stage November 2 at Club CO2. See them to Club-CO2.com or find them again December 14 at 11pm. Photo courtesy of Jill of All Trades Productions. on Facebook.

Push-Up Brawlers Finish 2nd Season With Bruises & a Bang

by Rikki Shaver a.k.a Dani DeBeato Leading up to their last bout against the Cedar Rapids Roller Girls on November 10, 2012, the memory of their two previous heart breaking losses weighed heavy on Brawler minds. The first occurred in an away bout in Des Moines, Iowa on October 13th against the evenly matched Crash Test Dolls. Brawlers held the lead the entire bout and, in a series of very unfortunate events, lost the lead and the bout in the final jam of the game, 148-150. The Dolls were able to score 25 points in the final two jams of the bout when a rogue Dolls skater accumulated her 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th major penalties combined with an untimely lone Brawler jammer penalty. Needless to say, Brawlers won the after party.

The next loss was dealt at home the very next weekend by the Dakota City Demolition Crew. Seven capable DCDC skaters took the track, prepared to put in work. Their numbers were further reduced during the middle of the second period when a teary eyed MizzChiff was escorted off the floor after committing her 7th major penalty and fouling out. The foul out was the exception as the DCDC ladies skated relatively clean. The Brawlers, on the other hand, were repeatedly sent to the sin bin, leaving them light on blockers and jammers

during most jams. Final score: 98-157. Hats off, Dakota City. Brawlers look forward to a rematch in 2013.

Losses behind them, November 10th was their last chance for a win in the second season. This would be the third match up with the Cedar Rapids team, the first of which was the Brawlers very first home bout—a loss in front of more than two thousand people. It seemed fit to end their second season against this team, in a military appreciation bout, S.M.A.S.H. The bout was extremely exciting for fans; it was non-stop action as the teams traded blows, power jams, and trips to the penalty box. Brawlers struck first, holding Cedar Rapids scoreless the first five jams, culminating when Bruise Hound and pals took advantage of a power jam. Twelve points on the board for the Brawlers put the score at 29-0. The teams nickel and dimed each other the next few trade-offs, until another key CR jammer trip to the box. Bruise Hound put up 15 points, giving the Brawlers their greatest lead of the bout, 60-23. Two jams later she would return the favor and take a trip to the box for a track cut, enabling Flashdance to put up 23 big ones. The teams were within 2 points of each other, when another Cedar Rapids jammer penalty gave Whiz Bang the

Speaking from my personal experiences on the team, I can say that season two can be summarized in one word: Growth.

Oskaloosa Jammer stuck behind a Brawler wall. Pictured from left: Toothy Hilt, 40 Watt Halo, LudaFist, and Exsie Cute. Photo by Donna Olmstead Photography.

Blocker After School Special gives Toothy Hilt a jersey assist on a block to the Quad Cities Jammer. Photo by Donna Olmstead Photography. opportunity to answer back with another 15 point power jam. The half closed with a slight Brawler lead, 79-62.

It was still anyone’s bout in the second half and the Brawlers would have an uphill battle ahead of them. They played short at least one blocker every single jam here on out as the penalty box ate skaters left and right. Not to mention missing one of their premier blockers in Desmo Destroyher, absent from seven jams after an equipment malfunction. The crowd on the edge of their seats, the Brawlers kept the lead the whole time with Cedar Rapids constantly nipping at their heels. It was unclear if the any of the Brawlers had a Crash Test Dolls flash back, because this bout also came down to the final jam. Whiz Bang, highest scoring Brawler jammer, had just scored 11 points that put the Brawlers ahead by 13 points.

After School Special was awarded her 7th major penalty after a high block and was asked not to return to the track.

Everyone held their breaths as double threat jammer Toothy Hilt was sent to the box for a back block. Could the Brawlers hold the lead? Dani DeBeato, most played Brawler blocker, forced a track cut on CR jammer Flashdance, springing Toothy free from the box and enabling her to put the nail in the Cedar Rapids Roller Girls’ coffin.

The final score: 152-138, queue confetti

and uproarious cheers. Ok, no confetti; it gets caught in the wheels.

I feel like this article wouldn’t be complete without some reflection on the season overall. Speaking from my personal experiences on the team, I can say that season two can be summarized in one word: Growth. Technically, this was the second season for only a handful of skaters on the team. The majority of skaters joined the team late last year and early this year, making it their very first season. We have been able to learn to work together and play as a team. It’s taken a whole season, but I believe the Brawlers have put in the ground work for what promises to be an explosive third season.

The Cedar Valley Derby Divas want to thank our dedicated, amazing ref crew who help us improve our game play every day. Thank you Booter, Shiny, and Arand B. We also want to thank our family, fans, volunteers, visiting refs, and non-skating officials. Without you we wouldn’t be able to do what we love.

Interested in becoming a Training Brawler? We have a new group of talent working hard right now and will recruit again Spring 2013. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and right here on our website for more information in the upcoming months, CVDerbyDivas.com

Equality, absolutely, that’s what defines us. It’s what makes us great. If it doesn’t sit well with your religion, let your God sort it out in the end, but that’s us. We’re equal. ~Brad Pitt in regards to Maine, Maryland and Washington legalizing gay marriage.

DECEMBER 2012

Section 3: Community

FFBC: Incumbent Sheriff Comes to Town by Bruce Carr Our guest speaker at the November 2 meeting of the First Friday Breakfast Club was Bill McCarthy, Polk County Sheriff since November 2008. His appearance at FFBC came just four days before he would be handily reelected to a second term by the voters of Polk County.

In its endorsement of McCarthy’s re-election (October 24, 2012), the Des Moines Register wrote: “McCarthy takes credit for having established more professionalism within the department, evidenced by the creation of an Office of Professional Standards that receives and investigates complaints from citizens about the department’s deputies. That office, similar to one he helped create within the Des Moines Police Department, gives officers a sense of what conduct should be expected. Setting a high bar for professionalism in law enforcement may make some deputies uncomfortable, but it is in the best interests of the department and the public. That is why McCarthy deserves the support of Polk County voters.”

Indeed, McCarthy’s professional excellence shone through every word of his presentation to us. Clearly uncomfortable in his role as a political vote-seeker, he needed no rhetoric to embellish his extreme competence in, and devotion to, his profession. His outline of the care with which he administers the jail, for example—only one of his many duties as sheriff—was fascinating and inspiring.

William McCarthy is a life-long law enforcement official who began his career

in 1969 as a Peace Officer. He joined the Des Moines Department in 1970 and held numerous positions within the department, eventually serving as Chief until his retirement in February 2006.

Sheriff McCarthy has received numerous awards for his work with neighborhood and business groups and for his outstanding service to the citizens of Des Moines and youth groups throughout the community. He led the initiative for what is now known as Community Policing and was the driving force behind the city of Des Moines’s Homeland Security initiative, a plan now funded by the County and every municipal government within Polk County.

His emphasis on establishing meaningful relationships with all minority groups and respecting their diversity is well known: last March he was presented with the Mary Louise Smith Human Rights Award for his long-term commitment to raising the level of awareness and concern for human rights in the Des Moines area. Sheriff McCarthy continues to be active in many civic and community organizations.

Sheriff McCarthy earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration Degree from Drake University. He attended Harvard’s Senior Management Institutes for Police and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program. Sheriff McCarthy was born and raised in Des Moines, and he and his wife Linda of 43 years have two children and three grandchildren; he served in the United States Marine Corps and is a Vietnam Veteran.

ICON Holiday Thankfulness

by ICON Emperor 30, Chippy The chill in the air and the leaves on the ground can only mean one thing—the holidays are upon us again. During this month of giving, we have decided to start showcasing some of our most cherished members of the community that donate in various ways to help ICON. This month we are focusing on two particular individuals, Jan Ritterbush and Jeff Weber. Jan, mother to Empress 25, Lana Caine, has helped our organization in various ways. Jan donates her time and fresh produce she purchases for the monthly NAP client luncheon at MCC. She also has donated toys, and tons of mittens and hats to be given away to the children of the Nebraska Aids Project at Toyz 4 Totz. Jan has even served on the Board of Governors for ICON. Our second community member that we would like to recognize is Jeff Weber. Jeff is a friend of Emperor 30, Chippy. Starting during the summer of 2010, Jeff has donated all of the hamburger and hot dogs that are used for

the Memorial and Labor Day Picnics. Jeff’s donation is not only a higher quality product, Omaha Steaks, but saves the organization a lot of money that allows us to donate more proceeds from the picnic to our causes.

Community members like Jan and Jeff are the reason that we are able to keep giving money back to the community after 32 years. On behalf of Emperor Dan and Empress Macy,the Royale Family of Reign 32 and the rest of the Imperial Court of Nebraska, we thank the community for your support. We also thank those who contributed at Food 4 Thought, our annual fundraiser for the Nebraska Aids Project.

We encourage everyone to join us on Sunday evening, December 9th at the MAX for Toyz 4 Totz 2012. Monies raised at this show go to purchase toys for children affected/effected by HIV/AIDS. If you are unable to join us, please consider a donation by visiting our events page at ImperialCourtofNebraska.org.

Together, we made a statement that America is tired of division. America is tired of discrimination, of exclusion, and of unthinking oppression—the belief that people have to live their lives according to someone else’s views rather than their own free will…We can promote free will over oppression. We can treat others the way we want to be treated, with dignity and respect. We can work together to find common ground, despite our differences, and build a stable, nurturing society. ~MN Viking Chris Kluwe speaking on the defeat of Minnesota same-sex marriage ban.

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Greater Omaha GLBT Network Calendar

The mission of GOglbt is to advance growth and equality for its members, businesses and allies by providing educational, networking and community-building opportunities. We typically meet the first Thursday every month at a traveling location to see the community and be seen. For more information or to be included on the e-newsletter list, please email us at info@goglbt.org.

GoGLBT Meeting Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 5:30pm - 7:00pm Council Bluffs Community Alliance (CBCA) Biweekly Meeting-Iowa Friday, October 5 & 19, 2012, 5:30pm - 8:00pm Council Bluffs Community Alliance (CBCA) promotes the city of Council Bluffs as a developing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender family community, and to assure the equality of all Council Bluffs’ residents. Please email councilbuffscommunityalliance@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.

Council Bluffs Community Alliance (CBCA) Weekly Meeting-Iowa Every Friday, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm CBCA also meets at Barleys, 114 W. Broadway in Council Bluffs every other Friday at 5:30 PM - 8:00.

The Wimmins Show Every Sunday, 11:30am - 1:00pm The Wimmins Show online at kzum. org, or if you live in Lincoln, on 89.1. The Wimmins Show focuses on music by, for, and about women, featuring lesbian and feminist artists. Hosted by Deb Anderson and other guest programmers.

The Project of the Quad Cities Calender Founded in 1986, The Project of the Quad Cities is a non-profit HIV/STI/AIDS Service Organization that provides support to persons living with HIV/STI/AIDS as well as their families and friends in Iowa and Illinois. www.apqc4life.org Symptom Management Group—Every Wednesday from 1-2:30 pm Life Skills Group—Every other Wednesday from 10-11:30 am Coffee Hour—10-11:30 am on Wednesdays when the Life Skills Group does not meet; A relaxed and casual atmosphere Groups meet at our Moline office. We also offer free HIV testing Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm. For more information call Susie or Mollie at 309-762-5433

ACCESSline Page 26

Section 3: Community

A Gift of Family by Royal Bush, Multifaith Chaplain As I remember the story being told to me there was a frail old man that lived with his son, his daughter-in-law, and his four-year-old grandson. His eyes were blurry, his hands trembled, and his step faltered, he was not in the best of health.

The family would eat together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon, drooping to the floor.

When he grasped his glass of milk, it often spilled clumsily at the tablecloth.

With this happening almost every night, the son and daughterin-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his milk spilling, noisy eating and food on the floor,” the daughter-in-law agreed. So the couple set a small table at the corner.

There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed their dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in wooden bowls. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone.

Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening, before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly: “What are you making?”

Just as sweetly, the boy replied, “Oh, I’m making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.” The fouryear-old smiled and went back to work.

These words so struck the parents that they were speechless.

Then tears streamed down their cheeks.

Though no words were spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening, the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.

I am reminded of this story, especially during the holiday season when we spend so much time with family and friends, that in caring for the ones we love; it is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy and giving.

I challenge us all to pause during the holiday season and think about those

I am reminded of this story, especially during the holiday season when we spend so much time with family and friends, that in caring for the ones we love; it is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy and giving.

Multifaith Chaplain Royal D. Bush serves Inclusive Life, Omaha, NE. He holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration.

He studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. He holds a current certificate of spiritual counseling with the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling. He can be reached by phone at (402) 575-7006, by email at chaplainroyal@inclusivelife.org, and at inclusivelife.org. whom you love; family and friends… who could benefit from your love, your care, your service? A gift can be a gift of time, listening, sharing.

However you choose to celebrate the holiday season, may, peace, love and compassion be with you and from you.

Travel safe and be well.

DECEMBER 2012 SScontinued from page 6

RED WING As we pass another World AIDS Day, let’s look at the last 25 years. Let’s remember how hard we fought and how far we’ve come. Let’s pause to remember the extraordinary people who fought against ignorance and prejudice. Think of the street theater and the arts, the music and the medicine, the politics and the people who moved us day-by-day towards an understanding of this terrible disease.

Let us pause to remember the astonishing generation that was lost, and the incredible power we have gained.

And while we consider our past, let’s look to the future. What can we do to prevent one more infection? What can we do to provide services to those already infected? Here in Des Moines, I would suggest a donation to the Aids Project of Central Iowa. Anyone reading ACCESSline can find an AIDS project near them. They need your support.

In addition, I would suggest that you look at the state of Iowa’s criminalization of AIDS/HIV, a draconian measure meant to punish. The criminalization is simply born of fear and ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS and the LGBT community. We need to treat all people with dignity and respect, not criminalize them. Having HIV is not a crime, and prosecuting people with HIV does not make us safer.

World AIDS Day, on December 1, is a time to consider what role you will play in our ongoing battle. The struggle continues. We each have a part to play. We know what happens when we are silent.

Section 3: Community

DECEMBER 2012

ACCESSline Page 27

From the Pastor’s Pen by Rev. Jonathan Page The Shifting Moral Ground for Gays in the 2012 Election

In recent years Jonathan Haidt has made quite a name for himself by applying insights of moral psychology to politics.

In his book The Righteous Mind, Haidt argues that there are five moral foundations that have arisen through evolution, and that our instinctual moral reactions to different situations can be attributed to one of these five foundations.

For example, people have an innate revulsion to harming others.

We have evolved to care for other people because caring for others usually leads others to care for us. Similarly, we are morally indignant when we think people who owe us, or others, some favor renege on their assumed obligation.

This moral hard-wiring is useful in determining whom to trust. The same holds true for our instinct to be loyal to our group and to see betrayal of the group as the ultimate sin. Furthermore, we innately respect authority because authority leads to order and justice within our group or our world. That stability usually translates into security, even if it comes at the cost of the occasional abuse of authority.

Finally, we create boundaries of holiness and purity out of our evolutionary instinct in order to preserve that which brings us, or our group, benefits. These are Haidt’s five moral foundations of social

behavior: care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and sanctity.

According to Haidt, the emphasis on these five moral foundations varies by political affiliation. He has surveyed a significant number of people and found that liberals tend to stress the first two moral foundations, care and fairness. On the other hand, conservatives tend to stress all five in more or less equal proportion.

This explains, among other things, why conservatives are often more organized, why they tend to respect authority and the way things “should be done,” and their loyalty to the group.

Compare Occupy Wall Street to the Tea Party.

This different emphasis on moral foundations also explains the conservative repulsion to homosexuality.

LGBT people violate traditional purity codes/taboos, which is particularly unnerving to conservatives, whereas liberals usually prioritize the care of others over purity concerns. Think of Pat Buchanan’s famous quotation in reference to gays, “It’s not who you are that bothers me. It’s what you do.”

Regardless of what you think of Haidt’s proposals—any such categorization is prone to flaws—it is a useful lens for considering the sea-change in this election with regards to LGBT issues. After more than thirty consecutive defeats at the ballot box for gay marriage, this election saw four (or five if you include Iowa) favorable gay marriage referendums. What happened? How could such a turnaround

Now, it seems, the nature of purity/ sanctity has changed and homosexuality is no longer taboo.

SScontinued from page 7

BLUMENFELD Some even fault LGBT people for ultimately placing humanity on the endangered species list. In his annual “State of the World” address at the Vatican delivered to diplomats from 179 countries, Pope Benedict XVI, on January 9, 2012, released a dire warning stating that marriage for same-sex couples “undermine the family, threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself.”

The pontiff stated earlier on December 22, 2008 at a Christmas address to the Curia, the Vatican’s central administration, likening saving humanity from homosexual and gender-variant behaviors to

saving the rainforest from destruction: “(The Church) should also protect man from the destruction of himself. A sort of ecology of man is needed….The tropical forests do deserve our protection. But man, as a creature, does not deserve any less.” The Pope warned that humans must “listen to the language of creation” and understand the intended roles of man and woman. He compared behavior outside heterosexual relations as “a destruction of God’s work.”

All of this blame on LGBT people for bringing on natural and health disasters amounts to nothing less than scapegoating. The origin of the scapegoat dates back to the Book of Leviticus (16:20-22). On the Day of Atonement, the people selected a

occur so rapidly?

The biggest obstacle to gay marriage has been, and continues to be, conservative religion in the United States. Yet, the churches have not softened their opposition to gay marriage, with the exception of some African American churches in response to Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage. Nor have political alignments changed in any significant way. The voting trends we saw in the election of 2008 continued with the election of 2012.

There are not more liberals than there were before. So what happened? Here is where Haidt’s perspective can explain things more easily.

Historically, liberals have embraced gays and lesbians because liberals stress the virtue of caring more than purity.

Once a liberal gets to know someone who is gay or lesbian, his or her views begin to shift. Moreover, as traditional taboos become less important to someone, that person becomes more liberal. The shift in this election with regards to gays could represent a left-ward movement of the electorate.

Yet, I would argue that we are seeing something different in the 2012 election.

Rather than more people prioritizing care for gays and lesbians, American views on purity/sanctity are changing. In the past, someone might not know what to do about homosexuality, but they were good liberals and cared for those around them in spite of the culture’s heterosexism. Now, it seems, the nature of purity/sanctity has changed and homosexuality is no longer taboo. Being gay has finally moved into the mainstream.

If this is true, and if we take Haidt at

live goat by lot. The high priest placed both hands on the goat’s head and confessed over it the sins of the people. In this way, the priest symbolically transferred the sins to the animal, which the priest then cast out into the wilderness. This process thus purged the people, for a time, of their feelings of guilt, shame, and fear.

I believe that THE prime factor keeping oppression toward LGBT people locked firmly in place and enacted throughout our society—on the personal/interpersonal, institutional, and societal levels—remains the negative judgments emanating from certain faith communities.

Fortunately, however, there exists no monolithic conceptualization, for other faith communities’ values and policy positions have progressively welcomed LGBT people, our sexuality, and our gender expression, and these communities are working tirelessly to abolish the yoke of oppression directed against us. Where the various faith traditions connect negatively on issues of same-sex sexuality and gender non-conformity, however, is in the area of religious orthodoxy.

Today we still live in a society that attempts to define and perpetuate “fairytales” about the real lives of LGBT people, and even proclaims that we do not have a right to exist, but exist we do, everywhere, in all walks of life. Though certain religious denominations may continue in their attempts to define us, they will not succeed.

FFBC member Jonathan Page is senior pastor of the Ames United Church of Christ, 217 6th Street, Ames, Iowa. Sunday service at 10:45. He can be reached at jon@Amesucc.org. face value, we should expect two things to follow. First, there will be rapid advances in gay rights as the taboo over homosexuality changes. Second, whereas before, if someone supported gay rights, that person was most likely a liberal, now someone can maintain his or her conservative strictures on purity and still embrace gay rights. Gays must still follow certain purity codes, but being gay is okay.

In other words, as gay rights expands, we will see fewer, rather than more, gay or gay-friendly liberals. For the record, we already see this happening. Look at the rise of gay evangelical Christians or the founding of the new, and ultra conservative, GOProud group within the Republican Party. It is worthwhile considering what implications this will have for being gay in 21st Century America.

A central tenet of liberation is the right of people to self-define, to maintain their subjectivity and agency over the course of their lives. With our loving allies within progressive religious communities in addition to those unaffiliated with religious denominations, we are taking back the discourse and demanding that orthodox religious institutions curb their offensive dogma and take their interpretations of scripture off our bodies.

We refuse to allow them to cast us out into the wilderness!

References: (http://www.rightwingwatch.org/ content/religious-right-rabbi-blameshurricane-sandy-gays-marriage-equality) (Clendinen & Nagourney, p. 306.)

Clendinen, Dudley, and Nagourney, Adam (1999). Out for Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay Rights Movement in America, Simon & Schuster). ( h t t p : / / f i re d o gl a ke . com/2008/03/02/sunday-late-nite-thestains-on-mccains-campaign/) ( h t t p : / / w w w. g o d w e b . o r g / godandhurricane.htm) (https://home.comcast.net/~joe. grabko/falwell.mp3) (Bill Press, The Sad Legacy of Jerry Falwell. Http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1987843539) (http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2008/12/ecology-of-man. html)

ACCESSline Page 28 DIRECTORY NOTICE

The ACCESSline community directory is updated each issue. LISTINGS ARE FREE but are limited by space.

Free online listings are available at www.ACCESSlineAMERICA.com.

Information about new listings 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@ACCESSlineAMERICA.com or call (712) 560-1807.

The ACCESSline is expanding our resource directory to include heartland resources outside of Iowa. Please bear with us as we continue improving our resource directory.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Breur Media Corporation : Website Consultation, Design, Programming, and Hosting.

HIV and STD Testing Sites near You, including places where you can get tested for free: hivtest.org/ Crisis or Suicide National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org Information on Mental Health National Alliance on Mental Illness: nami.org Counseling, Information and Resources about Sexual Orientation GLBT National Help Center: glnh.org or 1-888-843-4564 Information on Mental Health for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender nami.org Information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health, cdc.gov Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund 1133 15th Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, victoryfund.org 202-VICTORY [842-8679] Human Rights Campaign, National political organization, lobbies congress for lesbian & gay issues, political training state and local, hrc.org, 1-800-777HRCF[4723] Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund I I E. Adams, Suite 1008, Chicago, IL 60603 lambdalegal.org, 312-663-4413 National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) ngltf.org - taskforce.org 1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Ste 600, Washington, DC, 20005 National Organization for Women (NOW) 733 15th ST NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20005, now.org 202-628-8669 PFLAG National Offices 1133 15th Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, info@pflag.org - pflag.org, 202467-8180 The Trevor Lifeline |Crisis and suicide prevention lifeline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. (866) 4-U-TREVOR - (866) 488-7386 Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are toll-free and confidential - thetrevorproject.org/

Iowa ORGANIZATIONS

Equality Iowa P.O. Box 18, Indianola, IA 50125, equalityiowa.org - 515-537-3126 Faithful Voices Interfaith Alliance of Iowa’s marriage equality project. 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 imperialcourtofiowa.org Iowa Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) Janis Bowden, President, IA NOW janleebow@aol.com PO Box 41114, Des Moines, IA 503111 Iowa Gay Rodeo Association (IAGRA) 921 Diagonal Rd, Malcom, IA 50157 polebender60@yahoo.com 641-990-1411

Section 3: Community Iowa PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gay) State Council, PO Box 18, Indianola, IA 50125 http://community.pflag.org/Page. aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2 515-537-3126 or 641-583-2024 Iowa Pride Network 777 Third Street, Suite 312, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 - Iowapridenetwork.org, Executive Director: 515-471-8062, Outreach Coordinator: 515-471-8063 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 - OneIowa.org The Quire Eastern Iowa’s GLBT chorus, thequire.org

NEBRASKA ORGANIZATIONS (LIST in progress)

Citizens For Equal Protection-402-398-3027 1105 Howard St, Suite #2, Omaha, NE 68102. cfep-ne.org - info@cfep-ne.org The Imperial Court of Nebraska Meets the third Monday of Every month at the Rainbow Outreach Resource Center at 17th and Leavenworth in Omaha, NE. Meetings start at 6pm and are open to the public.

PO Box 3772, Omaha, NE 68103 Nebraska AIDS Project Omaha Office (Home Office) 250 South 77th Street Suite A Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 552-9260 - Email us: info@nap.org (also serving Southwest Iowa)

Ames, Iowa

First United Methodist Church 516 Kellogg Ave, Ames, IA 50010, Contemporary worship Sat 5:30; Sun 8:30 & 11am acswebnetworks.com/firstunitedmcames/ 515-232-2750 ISU LGBTA Alliance GLBT Support, Activism, Social Events, Newsletter - 515-344-4478 L East Student Office Space,2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014-7163, alliance@iastate. edu - alliance.stuorg.iastate.edu Living with HIV Program 226 SE 16th Street, Ames, IA 50010, Ask for Janelle (Coordinator), 515-956-3312 ext 106 or 800-890-8230 Lord of Life Lutheran - 515-233-2350 2126 Gable Lane, Ames 50014, Services Sundays at 9:00a.m.; Wed. 7:00pm.

PFLAG Ames Youth and Shelter Services Offices, 2328 Bristol Drive, Ames, IA 5001, 2nd Tuesday, 7pm - pflagames.org 515-291-3607 Romantics Pleasure Palace 117 Kellogg Street, Ames, IA 50010-3315 romantixonline.com 515-232-7717 United Church of Christ-Congregational 6th & Kellogg, Ames, 50010, Sunday Continental Breakfast, 9:00am; Sunday School, 9:30am; Worship 10:45am. uccames@ midiowa.net 515-232-9323 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames 1015 Hyland Ave. Services: 9:30 am and 11:30 am, Sunday, uufames.org uufa@aol. com 515-292-5960 Unity Church of Ames - unityofames.com 226 9th St, Ames, IA 50010-6210, Sunday service and Sunday school 10:30am.

Wednesday mediation 6:30pm Daily dial-a-blessing 515-233-1613

Arnolds Park, Okoboji, Spencer, Spirit Lake, Iowa

The Royal Wedding Chapel 504 Church Street, Royal, IA 51357 712-933-2223 TheRoyalWeddingChapel.com Wilson Resource Center An Iowa Great Lakes area gay-owned, nonprofit community based organization. PO Box 486, 597 W. Okoboji Rd., Arnolds Park IA 51331-0486 - 712-332-5043 F.JosephWilson@aol.com. wilsonresource.org

BURLINGTON, Iowa

Arrowhead Motel - arrowheadia.com 2520 Mount Pleasant St, Burlington, IA 52601-2118 - 319-752-6353 Faith Lutheran Church E L C A 3109 Sunnyside Ave, Burlington, IA 52601 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, LoversPlayground.com

Steve’s Place 852 Washington St, Burlington, 319-7545868 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Services start at 10:30 am, 625 N 6th St, Burlington, IA 52601-5032, (319) 753-1895 uuburlington.org

Cedar Falls - Waterloo, Iowa

Adult Cinema 315 E 4th St, Waterloo, IA 50703-4703, (319) 234-7459 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, 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, episcopalcampus.org Community AIDS Assistance Project (CAAP) - PO Box 36, Waterloo, IA 50704 LGBTA Support Group at Hawkeye Community College, Call Carol at 319-296-4014 or carol.hedberg@hawkeyecollege.edu Iowa Legal Aid Free civil legal service available to low income persons who qualify under income/asset guidelines.

607 Sycamore, #206, Waterloo, IA 50703 1-800-772-0039 or 319-235-7008 Kings & Queens 304 W. 4th St, Waterloo, IA, 319-232-3001 Romantix Waterloo (Adult Emporium) 1507 La Porte Rd, Waterloo, IA 50702 319-234-9340, romantixonline.com Stellas Guesthouse 324 Summit Ave, Waterloo, IA Private B&B, Overnight accommodations for adults only. 319-232-2122 St. Lukes Episcopal Church - 319-277-8520 2410 Melrose Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Services: Sunday 8:00 & 10:15, Thurs 11:30 st-lukes-episcopal.org St. Timothys United Methodist Church 3220 Terrace Drive, Cedar Falls, 50613 sttims-umc.org, 319-266-0464, info@sttimsumc-org, “Welcome of all persons, including those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.”

Together For Youth 233 Vold Dr, Waterloo, IA 50703, 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 319-366-9686 Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County - 319-266-5640 3912 Cedar Heights Dr, Cedar Falls, IA

Cedar Rapids/marion, Iowa

Adult Shop 630 66th Ave SW, 319-362-4939 Adult Shop North 5539 Crane Lane, 319-294-5360 CRPrideFest (formerly Cedar Rapids Unity) Social activities, non-profit Pride festival organization. PO Box 1643 Cedar Rapids 52406-1643 - CRPrideFest.com Christ Episcopal Church “We have a place for you.” 220 40th Street NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-363-2029 ChristEpiscopal.org Belle’s Basix - 319-363-3194 Open 5pm to 2am M-F, Sat & Sun 3pm-2am 3916 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids Club CO2, A GLBTQA Nightclub, 616 2nd Ave SE, 319-365-0225, Open 7 days a week 4PM2AM, Happy hour from 4-8 pm, club-co2.com Coe Alliance GLBTQ and straight students, staff and people from the community. Coe College, 1220 First Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. coealliance@coe.edu or Erica Geers, faculty advisor at 319-8616025

Community Health Free Clinic 947 14th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 - 319-363-0416 - communityhfc.org Free Medical Services provided for the uninsured and underserved patients of Cedar Rapids, Marion and the surrounding areas in Eastern Iowa.

CSPS Legion Arts Contemporary Arts Center - 319-364-1580 1103 3rd St. SE, info@legionarts.org Diversity Focus, 222 2nd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401, 319-363-3707, DiversityFocus.org, Lead in the promotion of diversity, cultural awareness, and inclusion in the Corridor community.

Eden United Church of Christ 351 8th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 (319) 362-7805 Sunday School 9am - Worship 10:15am 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 Linn County Public Health 501 13th NW, Free confidential HIV testing, 319-892-6000 Linn County Stonewall Democrats For more info, contact linnstonewall@ gmail. com People’s Church Unitarian Universalist A welcoming congregation. 4980 Gordon Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 11am Sunday. 319362-9827 - peoplesuu.org PFLAG CR, Linn Co and Beyond Support Group meets on the 4th Thursday at 7pm except for Nov Dec - call for details.

319-431-0673, pflaglcb@gmail.com The Linn County Stonewall Democrats Meet 2nd Wednesdays, Blue Strawberry, 118 2nd St SE in Cedar Rapids, IA. Contact Harvey S. Ross, HRoss007@aol.com.

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.

- ri-ess.org, 319-390-6376, georgia523@ yahoo.com - marlenemarschel@yahoo.com Unity Center of Cedar Rapids “A center of positive, practical Christianity.”

4980 Gordon NE, Cedar Rapids unitycr.org - (319) 393-5422

CLINTON, Iowa

18 and Beyond (aka ABC Books), 135 5th Ave South, 563-242-7687 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, Iowa

Council Bluffs Community Alliance “…will promote the city of Council Bluffs as a developing gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender family community, & to assure the equality of all Council Bluffs’ residents.”

CouncilBluffsCommunityAlliance.org Council Bluffs NOW PO Box 3325, Omaha, NE 68103-0325 Romantix Council Bluffs (North) (Adult Emporium) 3216 1st Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501-3353-romantixonline.com515-955-9756 Romantix Council Bluffs (South) (Romantix After Dark) 50662 189th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 romantixonline.com, 712-366-1764

Decorah, Iowa

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, 563-3871040.

Luther College PRIDE-Diversity Center, 700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101 Contact Charles 563-210-6570 PFLAG Northeast IA (Waukon/Decorah) Beginning May 23rd: meeting at Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center, 119 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA (lower level), corner of Winnebago and Main Street, Meetings: 4th Mondays, 7pm-9pm Call Jean @ 563-535-7680 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Meets alternating Sundays at 10:30am, Decorah Senior Center, 806 River St, Call Bill at 563-382-3458.

DECEMBER 2012 Des Moines, Iowa

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, Des Moines, IA theblazingsaddle.com - 515-246-1299 Buddies Corral 418 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA - 515-244-7140 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 Diversity Chorus [A gay-friendly mixed chorus] Rehearsals on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Beaver Ave. at Franklin St., Des Moines.

All are welcome, no auditions.

PO Box 65312, West Des Moines, IA 50265, Julie Murphy, Artistic Director jahmurphy@hotmail.com, 515-255-3576, desmoinesdiversitychorus.org Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus 515-953-1540, 4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines - administrator@dmgmc.org Des Moines Pride Center @ One Iowa (temporary location) 419 SW, 8th St., Des Moines, IA 50309 Family Practice Center - 515-953-7560 Safe, supportive LGBT health care. 200 Army Post Road, Ste 26, ppgi.org 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. 515-288-2500 info@ffbciowa.org ffbciowa.org First Unitarian Church 1800 Bell Avenue, Services Sundays at 9:30 & 11am - 515-244-8603, ucdsm.org Franklin Family Practice Dr. Joe Freund, MD 4908 Franklin Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310 515-280-4930, ucsinformation@ucsdsm.org, UCSOnline.org/FranklinFamilyPractice The Gallery (adult store) 1000 Cherry St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4227 - (515) 244-2916 Open 24 Hrs, LoversPlayground.com The Garden 112 SE 4th Des Moines, IA, 515-243-3965 Wed-Sun. 8pm-2am grdn.com Gay & Lesbian AA & AI-Anonymous Mon 7pm; Tue-Thu 6pm; Sat. 5:30pm, 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 Lavender Victory Fund Financial assistance for women in need for medical emergencies. lavendervf@aol.com 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. 515-508-0825 MINX Show Palace - 515-266-2744 1510 NE Broadway, Des Moines, IA 50313 North Star Gay Rodeo Association of IGRA, Iowa Division of North Star, NSGRA@ NSGRA.org or 612-82-RODEO Primary Health Care Inc., David Yurdin, 2353 SE 14th St., Des Moines, 503020, Works with GLBT ages 16 to geriatric, 25 years of experience. 515-248-1427 Rainbow Union, Drake University ru@drake.edu PFLAG Des Moines - 515-243-0313 1300 Locust , Des Moines, IA 50312 Plymouth Congregational UCC Church and the Plymouth GLBT Community 4126 Ingersoll Ave. 515-255-3149 Services at 9am & I lam Sunday. 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.

Pride Alliance, AIB College of Business Gay and straight students celebrating diversity. Contact: Mike Smith, Advisor, PrideAlliance@aib.edu - aib.edu/pride Pride Bowling League for GLBT & Supporters - Every Wednesday, 7 PM, Air Lanes Bowling Center 4200 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321-2389. Email pridebowlingleague@ gmail.com or 515-447-2977.

Raccoon River Resort Accommodations for men, women, or mixed in campgrounds, lodge, Teepees or Treehouses. Reservations: 515-996-2829 or 515-279-7312

TTDIRECTORY cont’d page 29

DECEMBER 2012 SScontinued from page 28

DIRECTORY

Ritual Café - ritualcafe.com On 13th between Grand and Locust.

Gay owned, great music, awesome food & coffee. 515-288-4872 ritualcafe@aol.com Romantix North Des Moines Iowa (Bachelor’s Library) 2020 E Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317, romantixonline.com 515266-7992 Spouses of Lesbians & Gays Support group for spouses of gays and lesbians. 515-277-7754 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 - 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 at r.eliason@hotmail.com or call 515-979-6959 Trinity United Methodist Church 1548 Eighth Street - 515-288-4056 Services Sundays 10am, trinityumcdm.org Urbandale UCC - An open & affirming congregation. 3530 70th St., Urbandale, IA 50322, 515-276-0625, urbucc.org Walnut Hills UMC Join us at 8:30 or 10:45am for Sunday worship. Sunday classes & group studies at 9:30am. 515-270-9226, 12321 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50323, whumc.org Westminster Presbyterian Church 4114 Allison Ave - WestPres.org Sunday services 8:45 and 11am. Of note is their GAY-LESBIAN-STRAIGHT AFFIRMATION GROUP, GLSA 515-274-1534 Women’s Culture Collective (WCC) A lesbian social group. Des Moines, IA iowawcc.org Word of God Ministries, Sunday service: 3:00pm, at 3120 E 24th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50317, Gay, lesbian & straight affirmation 515-707-5947.

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

Dubuque, Iowa

Adult Warehouse - 563-588-9184 975 Jackson St, Dubuque, IA Dubuque Friends Worship Group (Quakers) Join us at an unprogrammed worship service on Sunday at 10am. Welcoming and Affirming, 563-582-9388 St. Mark’s Community Center, 1201 White Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 PFLAG Dubuque/Tri-State Carnegie Stout Library, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 360 W. 11th St. 3rd Tuesday, 7pm 563-581-4606 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque - “The uncommon denomination.” general services at 10am. 1699 Iowa St, Dubuque, IA uuf-dbq.org 563-583-9910

ELKADER, Iowa

Bethany Church (ELCA) - 563-245-1856 307 3rd St NE, Elkader IA 52043 Pastor Jim Klosterboer. Inclusive. Welcoming.

A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation of LC/ NA. alpinecom.net/~bethanychurch bethanychurch@alpinecom.net, Schera’s Restaurant & Bar 107 S Main St, Elkader, IA 52043, Scheras.com, E-mail: info@scheras.com Fine dining featuring Algerian & American Cuisine. 563-245-1992

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Romantix Fort Dodge (Mini Cinema) Sun-Thu 10am-12am, Fri & Sat 10am-2am 15 N. 5th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501-3801 RomantixOnline.com - 515-955-9756

Grinnell, Iowa

Broadviewwildflowerseed.com, Broad View Wildflower Seed, 428 Hamilton Ave., Grinnell, Iowa 50112, Manager/Owner: John C., chicoski7@yahoo.com Saints Ephrem & Macrina Sunday services at 10am. (Affiliated with the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America.)

Divine Liturgy is served Sundays during the College academic year 1:30 p.m., Herrick Chapel, Grinnell College Campus, 1226 Broad Street, Grinnell, IA, 641-236-0936

Section 3: Community 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 United Church of Christ-Congregational, ‘An open and affirming church.’ 902 Broad St, 641-236-3111

INDIANOLA, iowa

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. crossroadsucc.org

Iowa City, iowa

AA (GLBT) 319-338-9111 Meetings Sundays 5 - 6pm at First Baptist Church, 500 North Clinton Street. For more info, call IC Intergroup Answering Service, Congregational Church UCC An Open and Affirming Congregation, Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m.

30 N Clinton St (across from Ul Pentacrest) 319-337-4301 - uiccic.org Counseling Clinic 319-354-6238 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 Counseling and Health Center Client-centered therapy. Les-Bi-Gay-Trans always welcome. 616 Bloomington St, Iowa City, IA - 319-337-1679 Crisis Center 319-351-0140 1121 Gilbert Ct, Iowa City, 52240 Emma Goldman Clinic 227 N. Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52245 319-337-2111or 1-800-848-7684.

Faith United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation.

1609 Deforest Street, Iowa City, 52240 Sunday Worship 9:30 AM 319-338-5238 bob.faithucc@g.com, faithucciowacity.org GLBTAU-U of lA Student support system and resource center, info, activism, events, and other community involvements.

203 IMU, University of IA, Iowa City, IA 522421317 - 319-335-3251 (voice mail) glbtau@uiowa.edu Hope United Methodist Church Worship Service at 9:30am. 2929 E. Court St., Iowa City, IA - Contact Rev. Sherry Lohman.

319-338-9865 Human Rights Commission (City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission) 319-356-5022; 391-356-5015; 319-356-5014 Fax 319-887-6213 humanrights@iowa-city.org ICARE (Iowa Center for AIDS Resources & Education) Practical & emotional support, youth programs, information, referrals and support groups. 319-338-2135 3211 E 1st Iowa City, IA 52240-4703 Iowa City Free Medical Clinic Free & strictly confidential HIV Testing. 2440 Towncrest Dr Iowa City, Call for appointment 319-337-4459 Iowa City NOW PO Box 2944, Iowa City, IA 52244 Iowa Women’s Music Festival P.O. Box 3411, Iowa City, IA 52244 319-335-1486 Men Supporting Men 319-356-6038, Ext 2 HIV prevention program. Discussion Groups, Educational Series, Safer Sex Workshops, Book Club. Andy Weigel, email: aweigel@ co.johnson.ia.us New Song Episcopal Church 912 20th Ave, Coralville, IA. Sunday services at 10am.

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 - 319-351-9444 (Pleasure Palace I) 315 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240-4722 - romantixonline.com Studio 13 13 S. Linn St. (in the Alley) Iowa City, IA Open 7pm ‘til 2am, daily 319-338-7145 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 & free religious community nurturing intellectual & spiritual growth & fostering ethical & social responsibility. uusic.org 10 S. Gilbert, Iowa City, IA Sunday services: 9:30am & 11:15am. 319-337-3443

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. PO Box 1143, Iowa City, IA 52244-1143 - 319-338-5810 Women’s Resource Action Center (WRAC) Leads & collaborates on projects that serve U of l and 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, iowa

Adult Odyssey (Adult Video Store) 907 Iowa Ave E - 641-752-6550 Domestic Violence Alternatives/ Sexual Assault Center, Inc., 132 W Main St. 24 hour Crisis Line: 641-753-3513 or (instate only) 800-779-3512

MASON CITY, iowa

Cerro Gordo County Dept. of Public Health 22 N. Georgia Ave, Ste 300 Mason City, IA 50401. Free confidential AIDS testing. 641421-9321 PFLAG North Iowa Chapter 641-583-2848, pflagmcni@yahoo.com, Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe @ 7 p.m. Wed.

Mount Vernon, Iowa

Alliance Cornell College 810 Commons Cir # 2035 - alliance@cornellcollege.edu - orgs.cornellcollege.edu/alliance/

Pella, iowa

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, iowa

AIDS Project Quad Cities Info, education & support. Davenport, IA 52804, www.apqc4life.org 319-762-LIFE Black Hawk College Unity Alliance Serving GLBT community at Black Hawk College. 6600 34th Ave, Rock Island, IL 309716-0542.

Connections Nightclub 563-322-1121 822 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802 DeLaCerda House 309-786-7386 Provides housing & supportive services, advocacy and referrals for people living with HIV/ AIDS. P.O. Box 4551, Rock Island, Il. 61201 Good Samaritan Free Clinic 309-797-4688 Provides free primary medical care to patients age 16-64 who are working but have no medical insurance. gsfc@mchsi.com 602 35th Ave, Moline, IL GoodSamaritanFreeClinic.org The Hole-In-The-Wall 309-289-2375 A Private Membership Men’s Club, Located 3 miles east of Galesburg, IL. just north of I-74 at Exit 51. HoleInTheWallMensClub.org Holy Spirit Catholic Faith Community Meets one Sunday per month for Mass at 6:30pm at MCC-QC, 3019 N. Harrison St, Davenport, IA Mailing: PO Box 192 East Moline, IL 61244 For more info, call 309-278-3359 Lucky Shamrock 313 20th St, Rock Island, IL - 309-788-7426 An Irish Pub open to all types.

Mary’s On 2nd 563-884-8014 832 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA MCC Quad Cities - Svcs Sun 11am, Bible study Wed 7pm 563-324-8281, 3019 N Harrison, Davenport, IA 52803 Men’s Coming Out/Being Out Group Meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7pm.

QCAD.OutForGood@GMail.com 309-7862580 PFLAG Quad Cities 563-285-4173 Eldridge United Methodist Church 604 S.2nd St., Eldridge 1st Monday, 6:30 pm Prism (Augustana College) 309-794-7406 Augustana Gay-Straight Alliance, Augustana Library - 639 38th St, Rock Island, IL, Contact Tom Bengston Quad Citians Affirming Diversity (QCAD) Social & support groups for lesbian, bi, and gay teens, adults, friends & families; newsletter.

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

Quad Cities Pride Chorus (Call Don at 563324-0215) At the MCC Church in D’port, 7pm Wed. qcswede64@aol.com Rainbow Gifts www.rainbowgifts.net - 309-764-0559

T.R. Video Adult books & video, 3727 Hickory Grove Rd, Davenport, IA. 563-386-7914 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, Rev Jay Wolin, Sunday Service 11am - 563-359-0816 3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807 Venus News (Adult) 902 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA. 563-322-7576

Red Oak, Iowa

First Congregational United Church of Christ (open and affirming) - 712-623-2794 608 E Reed St, Red Oak, IA 51566 Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, Pastor uccwebsites.net/firstcongredoakia.html firstconguccredoak@yahoo.com

SHENANDOAH, Iowa

PFLAG Shenandoah 1002 South Elm Street - 712-246-2824

Sioux City, IOWA

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) 712-258-6922 412 Jones St., Nightly 6:00pm to 2:00am.

Mayflower Congregational Church 1407 West 18th St - 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 712-277-8566 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.

Zaner’s Bar - 712-277-9575 -3103 N Hwy 75, Sioux City, IA 51105. Monthly drag shows & events; hometown bar for Imperial Court of Iowa’s Western Chapter zaners-sioux-city@hotmail.com

Sioux falls, south dakota

Toppers, 1213 N Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57103, (605) 339-7686, Su-Tu 7:00pm - Close : We-Sa 3:00pm - 2:00am, sdtoppers.com Center for Equality, 406 S Second Avenue in Sioux Falls, 605-331-1153, centersforequalitysd.org

Waverly, Iowa

Cedar Valley Episcopal Campus Ministry.

717 W. Bremer, (St. Andrew’s Episcopal) 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 10:30am. Bible discussion Wed. 6:45pm 319-352-1489 Rev. Maureen Doherty, Pastor

NEBRASKA (CONTENT IN PROGRESS) HASTINGS, NEBRASKA

PFLAG Hastings - pat@datacc.net

Lincoln, Nebraska

Club Q Lincoln 226 South 9th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 402-475-2269 Indigo Bridge Books The Creamery Building, 701 P St, Ste 102, Lincoln, NE 68508 - 402-477 7770 “Indigo Bridge Books strives to provide a solid, relevant Gender Studies section with a focus on LGBT titles. indigobridgebooks.com Nebraska AIDS Project (Lincoln Office) 1921 South 17th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502 (402) 476-7000 - nap.org OUTLinc Bringing Lincoln’s LGBT Community Together outlinc.org Panic 200 S 18th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 402-435-8764

ACCESSline Page 29 PFLAG Cornhusker Chapter PO Box 82034, Lincoln, NE 68501 Meetings 4th Tuesday, Unitarian Church of Lincoln, 6300 A St, 7-9pm pflagcornhusker.org PFLAG Helpline: 402-434-9880 - Confidential Support & Information - We’re Here For You !

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Sexual and Reproductive Health Care, Transgender Care - (402) 441-3302 2246 O St, Lincoln, NE 68510 The Rainbow Clinic in the UNL Psychological Consultation Center “…a specialty outreach service to the GLBTQ community. Psychological services, including individual, couples & family therapy, are provided within the UNL Psychological Consultation Center by regular PCC staff…open year round; day & evening appointments available. $10 for intake & $25 for therapy sessions. Application can be made for reduced fees based on federal poverty guidelines.

325 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588 402-472-2351 unl.edu/psypage/pcc/ Star City Pride starcitypride.org - info@starcitypride.org The Unitarian Church of Lincoln 6300 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510-5097 (402) 483-2213 - unitarianlincoln.org Sunday from 10am to 11am

Omaha, Nebraska

AIDS Interfaith Network 100 N. 62nd, Omaha, NE Call Br. Wm. Woeger, 402-558-3100 Citizens For Equal Protection-402-398-3027 1105 Howard St, Suite #2, Omaha, NE 68102. cfep-ne.org - info@cfep-ne.org DC’s Saloon - (western/levi/leather) The Midwest’s hottest GLBT Country & Dance Bar! 610 S 14th St, Omaha, NE, Open everyday 2pm-1am Front Runners/Front Walkers Walking/jogging club. P.O. Box 4583, Omaha, NE 68104, 402-804-8720, frontrunners.org GLBT Rainbow Outreach Omaha Serving GLBT community in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Also office for Imperial court of Nebraska. 1719 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE, rocc.org - 402-341-0330 Greater Omaha GLBT Network - goglbt.org “…to advance growth & equality for its members, businesses & allies by providing educational, networking & community-building opportunities. Meetings 1st Thursday every month locations at a traveling location to see the community and be seen. For more info or to be included on the e-newsletter list, please email us at info@goglbt.org.

Heartland Gay Rodeo Association (HGRA) (Midwest Division of the International Gay Rodeo Association) PO Box 3354, Omaha, NE 68103, hgra.net - 402-203-4680, Serves Iowa and Nebraska Heartland Pride ”…to develop a high impact and relevant cultural festival & events annually that promotes equality & unity for the LGBTQ & Allies Communities of Western Iowa and Greater Nebraska. heartlandpride.org Imperial Court of Nebraska P.O. Box 3772, Omaha, NE 68103, 402-5569907 Inclusive Life “Religious and Non religious care, services and ceremonies for all!”, 105 S. 49 Street, Suite E, Omaha, NE 68132, (402) 575-7006, inclusifelife.org The Max 1417 Jackson at 15th, Omaha, NE 68102 6 bars in 1 - 402-346-4110 MCC Omaha 819 South 22nd, Omaha, NE 68103, Sun 9:30AM & 11:15 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, 402-291-6781 River City Gender Alliance Peer support, friendship, and understanding for crossdressers, transgenderists, and transsexuals. PO Box 4083 Omaha, NE 68104, 402-291-6781, info@rcga.us - rcga.us River City Mixed Chorus Gay/lesbian chorus, PO Box 3267, Omaha, NE 68103, Call Stan Brown, 402-341-7464 Tri-ess Chapter, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter, Omaha, NE 68107, Transgendered organization supporting crossdressers, their families, and friends. tri-ess.org, 402-960-9696, Judy marlenemarschel@yahoo.com Youth Support Group for GLBT Youth 13-21, meets twice monthly. Omaha, NE - 402-291- 6781

ACCESSline Page 30

Section 3: Community

DECEMBER 2012

Ask Lambda Legal: Boy Scouts By Thomas Ude, Jr., Senior Staff Attorney Q: I am an Eagle Scout and I am gay.

Having been involved with the Boy Scouts since I was six years old, I would like to become a scoutmaster for my local troop, but I don’t want to hide my sexual orientation. What should I do?

A: Despite how much the world has changed since the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) over a century ago, so many young men just like you still can’t openly be themselves in one of the largest youth organizations in the United States.

Unfortunately, the national BSA has repeatedly said that local Councils must comply with its discriminatory ban on openly gay and bisexual members and leaders, which continues to trouble young scouts and their families across the country. Although the BSA is an organization that teaches the value of respect for others, and not about discrimination, openly gay scouts continue to be punished for standing firm for the values they learned to uphold.

Lesbian, gay or bisexual individuals involved with the BSA have to make a difficult personal decision about whether or not to disclose their sexual orientation and risk retaliation or expulsion. While public opinion increasingly does not support the BSA’s continued discriminatory policy, the law does not currently prohibit it.

Back in 1992, Lambda Legal filed a landmark case on behalf of Eagle Scout James Dale against the BSA and its local Scouting Council in New Jersey, after the BSA barred Dale from continuing to serve as an adult scout troop leader because he is gay.

Lambda Legal argued his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, in 2000, held that the BSA is a private group whose Constitutional right of expression allows it to exclude openly gay people from its adult leadership positions.

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, families, parents, religious groups, corporations, cities, and schools have determined that anti-gay discrimination is unhealthy for all kids and ended their financial and other support for the BSA. Lambda Legal continues to assist those who are choosing not to support that discrimination.

In 2010, Lambda Legal filed a friendof-the-court brief to support the City of Philadelphia’s decision to stop subsidizing the Cradle of Liberty Council of the BSA’s harmful discrimination. The brief argues that although the Boy Scouts are entitled to express their beliefs, as recognized in the Dale case, discrimination nevertheless causes harm. The City of Philadelphia is not required to continue to subsidize the local Boy Scouts Council’s discriminatory conduct by giving it exclusive, rent-free use of a city-owned building on the taxpayers’ dime.

The BSA is entitled to its harmful and discriminatory membership and leadership restrictions, and has chosen to continue them, resisting the efforts of many people— including many former boy scouts and adult scout leaders—to change them. But the Constitution does not require that antigay groups receive public subsidies to facilitate their discrimination.

Please note that this is not legal advice.

If you are concerned about legal issues like government subsidizing the Boy Scouts in your town, contact Lambda Legal. Call our Help Desk at 866-542-8336, or see LambdaLegal.org/help.

Thomas W. Ude, Jr. Thomas W. Ude, Jr. is Senior Staff Attorney for Lambda Legal, he coordinates Lambda Legal’s work to address government misconduct and support for discrimination, and has included matters in many of Lambda Legal’s issue areas, including government misconduct, employment discrimination, recognition of same-sex relationships and parent-child relationships, transgender rights and the rights of people living with HIV. Since joining Lambda Legal in June 2007, Ude has worked on cases in many of Lambda Legal’s issue areas, including Taylor v Rice (Lambda Legal’s challenge to the State Department’s ban against hiring anyone with HIV as a Foreign Service Officer), Stern v. Cosby (amicus brief arguing that under New York law, falsely describing a man as gay is not defamatory per se), Patino v. Birken Manufacturing Co. (amicus brief arguing that Connecticut’s law prohibiting employment discrimination because of sexual orientation protects workers from severe antigay harassment on the job), Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center v. City of Kingston (Lambda Legal’s challenge to the denial of statutory tax exemption for the Center’s property), and Cradle of Liberty Council, BSA v. City of Philadelphia ( amicus brief arguing that

Philadelphia’s decision to end its subsidy of the Scouting Council’s antigay discrimination was lawful and justified).

Ude graduated cum laude in 1989 from the University of Michigan Law School and clerked for Senior U.S. District Court Judge T. Emmet Clarie in the District of Connecticut.

DECEMBER 2012

Section 3: Community

SScontinued from page 11

with somebody who was gay? Use a little bit of common sense, but people weren’t.

And they were scared. They were saying, “Don’t be around somebody who is gay, because you don’t know if they might give you the AIDS virus.”

I remember this one time there was a celebrity who had this big dinner party and she had all her silverware washed in bleach. Seriously. This was kind of a gossip report. And I’m saying to myself, “You don’t know how this is being contracted, so why would you bleach all your silverware?” It was just crazy.

Is that celebrity still a celebrity?

Yeah.

Can we talk about who it is?

I’m not gonna talk about who it is. She is famous and she was married to a very famous man. But it was just the mentality at that time.

What do you miss most about Sylvester?

I guess his craziness. (Laughs) Yeah, he was crazy at times, but you had to love him.

He was way before his time and really just kind of on the cusp of going mainstream when he passed. I think if he had come out now, it would be no problem—him being a gay singer. There are more people who are coming out every day, period. But I think he was way before his time. Great singer, great entertainer. I think if he had lived longer, if he had come along in this generation, it wouldn’t have been a problem.

Where do you stand on gay issues like marriage?

I’m for it. Look, from my perspective, there have been more gay couples who’ve stayed together longer than straight couples. My feeling is, if you are a citizen of the United States, you should have all rights and liberties of everybody else. If you’re paying taxes like everybody else, why can’t you have the full commitment from the United States government, from marriage on down?

Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com.

MARTHA WASH be remixed for the gay clubs?

Everybody wants a remix! Can’t you accept it just the way it is? (Laughs) You know how the gays are: They want something to shake their butt to.

Have you considered remixes?

Nope, no. We have not. I don’t think it’ll happen. That’s not to say never, because somebody is always going to find a way.

This album can stand on its own.

That’s what we want it to do.

How can you relate to these songs?

(Laughs) Oh, I can relate to just about every song, to something in there.

Anything in particular?

Good grief. Put me on the spot here. I think as far as Destiny is concerned, having gone through love and loss and thinking, “If it’s supposed to be, then it will be; that would be the destiny for us. But if it’s not, then I gotta let it go.”

How much of a hand did you have in writing these songs?

Just the one song, “Destiny.” I’m slowly getting into songwriting; that was a song Zach Adam already had the music and lyrics for, and we decided to just scrap the lyrics, keep the music and start all over again. So we wrote that one again.

For the 30th anniversary shoot of “It’s Raining Men” with celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz, how difficult was it being surrounded by all those hot men?

(Laughs) Oh, that was fun! And the shoot went great.

The song is played everywhere: at weddings, gay clubs, even at my Zumba class.

Look, it’s played everywhere, OK! The gay community snatched it up and made it their anthem, but like you just said, you hear it at wedding receptions, you hear it at bar mitzvahs, you hear it at parties, you hear it at clubs, at your Zumba class—you hear it everywhere. Even though it’s a campy song, everybody likes it. I think that’s why it’s lasted so long, because for 30 years you’ve got the kids and then you’ve got the grandkids who like the song. It’s one of those pop songs that’s a classic now.

Are you glad “It’s Raining Men” is the song you became known for, or is there another that you wished became your staple?

I think for that particular time, when it came out in 1982, that was the song that was supposed to be for us, because other people had turned the song down.

We were the ones that recorded the song and (co-writer) Paul Jabara was the one who really took the song around to clubs and asked the DJs to play the song in the clubs way before mainstream music picked up on it.

You know, 1982 was also the year I was born. Should I blame it for turning me gay?

(Laughs) Uh huh! There are a lot of people who say, “I came out when that song came out.” And I say, “Well, cool!”

When did you know you had a big gay following?

It was actually before “It’s Raining Men,” when I was singing background for Sylvester. I started singing with Sylvester in the mid-’70s, and so he had a large gay following and it followed us when we

ACCESSline Page 31

Martha Wash. Photos courtesy of Project Publicity. started recording under the name Two Tons causing this AIDS epidemic and the blame o’ Fun and then into The Weather Girls, and was always on the gay community—which I don’t believe was true, because I was so forth and so on.

And how about all the Weather Girls hearing of straight people who were dying drag queens? of AIDS. They couldn’t figure out how they There have been over the years, contracted it. At the time, the gay commubecause they’ve come up to me and told me, nity was really getting slammed for bring“We sing your songs in our show!” ing this AIDS epidemic to the world, and Do you get a kick out of seeing it was wrong because at the time nobody them? knew how it was contracted. But you always At times, yes. (Laughs) have to put the blame on somebody, so why Which men would you want it to not the gay community? That’s the easy rain? For me, I’d put George Clooney in thing to do. the sky.

So you were defending them.

Mmm, sure. Let’s see: George is a Yeah, I couldn’t understand why would nice-looking guy, but I’m leaning more you blame the gay community but not know toward Matthew McConaughey or Idris how it’s contracted. Again, there were Elba. And Terrence Howard is cute. Russell straight people (getting AIDS). I remember Crowe’s not bad. So yeah, there are a few an older woman who died, she was in her out there.

50s or 60s, from what they said was AIDS. You’ll be given the Lifetime Achieve- So now how did she contract it? Was she ment Award by the AIDS Emergency Fund on World AIDS Day at the 30th anniversary dinner gala—in the heart of the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park—to honor your friend Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH) is a volunteer-run non-profit organizaSylvester, who passed away from AIDS tion, founded in 2007, their goal is to provide social networking and support to Iowans back in 1988, and for years of raising living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. Their mission is to create an atmosphere where money and awareness of HIV/AIDS. HIV+ people can unite, advocate, and assist other HIV+ people for better health and Why were you so outspoken about gay wellness. Waterloo PITCH Support Groups meet at 4th floor in the KWWL Building, issues when so many people in the ’80s 500 E. 4th Street Ste. #414, Waterloo. More information can be found at pitchiowa.org were not?

Yeah, we were going around doing all these fundraisers for these grassroots 1 World AIDS Day organizations in different cities and we 6 Waterloo Support Group for Iowans infected were asked to come and do shows to raise 20 Waterloo Support Group open to those infected and affected money for different organizations that were trying to set up hospices. I always say I wish I didn’t have to do this, but it’s been over 25 years (of AIDS/HIV) and I’m still going out, doing shows and trying to help people 7-7:30 PM, topic discussion from 7:30-8 raise money.

PM, non-topic time for everyone to share How do you reflect on that time? And Positive Iowans Taking Charge will be how they are doing from 8-8:30 PM. Times why was it important for you to stand up having a Conference Call Support Group are adjusted depending on the needs of for the gay community? meeting, December 26th at 7 PM. This the people on the call.

Because at that time I was losing so Support Group Meeting is open to those The number to call is 949-812-4500 many people in the industry: artists, DJs, outside of Iowa. and the Pin number is 684713 that everyagents, managers. People just leaving out The meeting is to provide emotional, one will use the same code. of here in droves. It was a really scary social, and educational opportunities for For more information go to time for a lot of people, and at that time Iowans across the state. The Agenda is as pitchiowa.org or find them on facebook. nobody could really figure out what was follows: welcome and introduction from

PITCH Calendar 2012 December

PITCH Conference Call Support Group Meeting

ACCESSline Page 32 SScontinued from page 1

ANGELO the issue, and the goal of this unnamed entity is to undermine the pillars of society.

What happens is, if you open up your heart and your mind to the people around you, of course many of us have co-workers who are gay, we have neighbors who are gay, we have people in our church who are gay, and you’re willing to talk to them about this particular issue it becomes more personal for you, you realize that there are a lot of Iowans who are just looking to live their life the way I live my life. They are looking for life-long, monogamous relationships and stable families, and they are gay. They feel like the political rhetoric around this issue makes them feel like second-class citizens. You really have to open up your heart and open up your ears and talk to the people that you’re close with about this issue and then be willing to hear their side of it. And that’s where I began to rethink it.

What has been your experience since you publicly announced your change of heart on the subject?

You get both sides of it. First of all I will say that the reason that we get the reputation as a state for “Iowa nice” is because we are nice. Even folks who may approach me in church or in political meetings who may disagree with me are willing to enter into a civil conversation about it, willing to hear why I believe what I believe and talk to me about their beliefs in it. It’s a lot more person to person than what you see usually spotlighted in the media. Obviously a number of Republicans who agree with me have sought me out to talk about their views on the issue and I’m beginning to talk to a number of candidates that would like to run on the Republican ticket and be for the freedom to marry. It’s no coincidence that a lot of those candidates are younger candidates, because generally folks who are thirty years of age and under are in favor of the freedom to marry, and that includes Republicans. And so, as a new generation of Republican candidates begin to think about running for office they begin to talk about campaigning on the freedom to marry— and of course running into some organized opposition on that topic as well. That’s been my experience, that many, many people are giving a lot of thought to this issue and, on the Republican side, are rethinking their position on the issue.

What are your thoughts on fitting same-sex marriage to social conservativism?

A lot of folks who are socially conservative are so because they are anti-abortion.

This issue got thrown in as more folks who are gay said “I’d like the right to be married, I need that legal recognition,” then a lot of the religious conservatives who populate the social conservative movement began to talk about this issue as well. I think a lot of social conservatives at this point are not willing to continue to advocate against the freedom to marry because a lot of folks who are socially conservative believe in the freedom of religion, and the freedom to practice your faith but not have that faith

Section 3: Community imposed through the secular institution of government. That’s where I think you see some separation of people who say, “Yes, I’m socially conservative,” and they identify themselves as such, but they’re also saying, “I believe that a gay couple has the right to go to their court house, their justice of the peace, their city hall, and to be recognized by their secular government as married.

What about the idea of same-sex marriage being a conservative idea?

The folks who object to same-sex marriage also then say it would promote the “homosexual lifestyle”—implying promiscuity.

Wouldn’t encouraging same-sex marriage be a logical way to reduce promiscuity, getting a gay person into long-term relationship with one other person?

It’s great that you ask that question. I just addressed this in a talk that I gave the other day, that there is a stereotype among conservatives that the “lifestyle choice”—for those who still believe it’s a choice—also includes that a person skews toward promiscuity. This is a great way to destroy those stereotypes and to take away the arguments against the freedom to marry. What I’ve urged a lot of the gay couples that I know is to go to the legislature this coming session when there’s not a lot of anti-gay legislation out there, so there’s not the tension of trying to persuade a person to vote for or against the issue, and introduce themselves to their legislators—particularly gay couples that are in Republican districts. Because they can say to these legislators, “I’d like you to meet me, I’d like you to meet my spouse, I’d like you to meet my kids, I’d like to tell you a little bit about my life.” And I believe truly there are some republicans who are shocked to meet a gay couple that have been together twenty or thirty years, that have kids, that have grandkids. The follow-up to that is to say that what gay people across Iowa and across this nation are asking us to do is to set up a stable family unit—which conservatives are always saying is the foundation of a sound society. So there is a conservative aspect to this, people saying they would like to set up a lifelong monogamous relationship with another person and create a stable family. That’s very conservative. You can make the conservative argument for the freedom to marry.

What do you think about the Iowa Republican Party Platform, which is much more clearly and strongly worded against marriage equality than the federal platform—though they both state that they wish to have laws and amendments ending same-sex marriage completely? The Iowa platform even includes the wish to strip the judiciary of the right to rule on issues regarding marriage. What do you think of all that?

I think that was a misstep by the Iowa Republican Party, if you want to talk about the judicial issue, because that isn’t a partisan issue. There were a lot of Republicans that were able to separate the issue of having a fair and impartial court from having a ruling that people disagreed with.

And having a fair and impartial court is

DECEMBER 2012

They are looking for lifelong, monogamous relationships and stable families, and they are gay.

Jeff Angelo at the First Friday Breakfast Club, December 2011. Photo by Gary Moore. more important. In regard to the platform folks are thinking and how they’re going to in general, I’m always reminded of the vote. I saw an interesting survey recently in saying, “The world is run by the people which 2% of people identified themselves who show up.” Those who are against as wealthy, 7% identified as poor, and 91% the freedom to marry, and those who talk of the people identified themselves as about an activist court, they’re well funded middle class. That’s a pretty large chunk and well organized, and they show up for of voters there and you need to be listening the meetings. They outvote those who are and thinking about what the middle class is against them. In order to change these saying on an issue and align yourself with platform planks, more people of more them, otherwise, in the end, the folks who you support in your diverse views have to political party are not show up. Obviously getting elected. there is a much larger How do you see number of Republicans the Republican Party in the state of Iowa than reacting to the recent there are that show up election? Do you at these activist meetthink it’s going to ings, and the folks who move to center or the show up get to vote. So right, or potentially it’s important of diverse split? What are your views who are Republican to show up at these meetings and thoughts on that?

It’s really hard to say at this particular have their say and have their vote on this issue. But at this particular point, the more point. I think that the party itself is going to organized faction is the folks who approve remain what I would call a “conservative” party, however I think that one of the issues pretty strident platform planks.

Do you think that is likely to scare that we as a party have to address is that more people away from the Republican we have to be able to present conservative Party completely, rather than encourag- principles in a way that people will believe ing them to participate in its internal that they running the country by conservative principles will improve their quality of processes?

You have to align yourself with what is life and it is something they support. You mainstream thought, and if your party looks can’t just bludgeon people who disagree out of touch with mainstream thought, you with you and think that that wins eleccan’t win elections and your candidates tions, because ultimately politics is about don’t get elected. That’s really the bottom the art of persuasion. I think that there line. You can fall on your sword all you are a couple of aspects to the last election. want for a cause that gets you a minority You can say, “Well, we need to continue to of the vote, but then you can’t complain be conservative,” but you need to be able when the election rolls around and your to present the message in a way that gives candidates don’t get elected. You always people inspiration and hope. I don’t think have to be examining what working-class TTANGELO continued page 34

How many people truly believe at this point that preventing couples from marrying leads to a better society?

DECEMBER 2012 SScontinued from page 5

MR FMI I see a lot of differing views in the lgbt community, and I had an experience this last year. I was managing in a call center and one of my Reps was a transgender male to female, she definitely could pass and had been using the ladies restroom since she started—until someone complained and she was forced into the “unisex” room. Now some people might be like, “well that’s great at least they had a bathroom for her to use”. However there was only one unisex bathroom in the entire building. Some of the transgender individuals were walking past several male and female restrooms just to get to the one unisex room, only to have to stand in line behind a person that could use any of the other 10 bathroom facilities that were available.

There were several gay and lesbian individuals that worked with me, yet no one wanted to say anything about this. To make matters worse none of the info on company policy was in the new hire paper work, and no map of the restroom locations was ever provided. Basically, if you were hired and transgender you may not even know there was a unisex bathroom in the building. Because the facility was that big, if you worked on the opposite side of the building, the walk to the bathroom would be around a quarter mile round trip!

I was able to persuade them to put in more unisex restrooms, as well as add company policy in new hire paper work and include a map of restroom locations.

Just accomplishing this much and getting the company to agree to it, involved me walking off the job for a day…then I got the call from the building manager at home saying they would make changes. That to

SScontinued from page 15

WIRED THIS WAY catch the falling condoms and score points.

Weird little monster like things come down at you and you have to shoot them before the hit you. (Don’t ask what you shoot. Use your imagination.) Occasionally, and for no apparent reason, storm clouds brew and your pecker may get struck by lightning if you aren’t careful.

My review: The game is definitely NSFW, or Not Safe For Work for those less familiar with Internet lingo. However it’s a cute idea. The controls are touchy and they are so low on the phone that I frequently bumped the back or home button by mistake and exited the app mid-game. In short it’s a cute idea but the game itself needs some serious work.

So there you have it. There are, of course, more apps than I could possibly review. Many are associated with a specific organization, charity, or event. Often these are simple news feeds or portals to the organizations websites. The app market grows everyday and new apps are always being added.

Searching for keywords like HIV, AIDS, or safe sex can bring up many results.

Mobile technology is rapidly transforming our lives. Mobile devices can be expensive toys, geeky status symbols or powerful tools to live better. The choice is up to you. The right apps can make all the difference. Getting familiar with the app market and what it offers is worth the time and effort. In the case of these apps it might save your life.

Section 3: Community me was huge!

What advice do you have for Mr Iowa FMI 2013 competitors?

Brock Harding: My advice for upcoming contestants is; remember good sportsmanship, and even if you don’t make it this time keep practicing and try again next year—you will get where you are going!

Who has helped you and who would you like to thank as your year as Mr Iowa FMI 2012 comes to a close?

Brock Harding: I can’t thank my promoters David Wendland and his husband Kristian Watkins enough, since I had never done anything like this before. I needed advise and to be pointed in the right direction often—these guys were absolutely wonderful to work with!

From the preliminaries two competitors for Mr Iowa FMI 2013 qualified; Jayden Knight and Papa Vein. Both competitors had a chance to answer some questions for me about their experience, the upcoming competition, and their hopes.

What made you decide to compete for Mr Iowa FMI 2013?

Jayden Knight: What inspired me to go into the FMI competition was the fact that, since I started drag, I’ve always wanted to make a name for myself. And I felt that I could go in and have the fun of competing, and possibly walk away with the title to make a name for myself. That and I always love learning, to critique myself from the judges’ notes, and also see different styles and ideas from other kings.

Papa Vein: I decided to run for Mr. FMI 2013 because I thought it would be something different from being a stay at home mom and wife.

Papa Vein, what experience do you

have? And what have you learned that will help you with this competition?

Papa Vein: I don’t really have any experience with male impersonation, but like life, I learn something new every day.

Jayden Knight, what have you learned from being a part of The New Kings on the Block that will help you with this competition?

Jayden Knight: I’ve learned a lot about sportsmanship. You need to be able to work with others and help when needed. I’ve also learned everyone is different. Everyone has their look, their style, and own kind of special talents.

Competition will be with Evening Wear, On Stage Question, and Talent. Can you give us a sneak peek into what you will be wearing? Give us a few aspects of your wardrobe for the night.

Jayden Knight: Well, I can say that I’ll be wearing a very flashy tux. As for talent I’m really bringing Jayden full force. I’m showing them the meaning of “puppet master”.

Papa Vein: I can’t give away all my secrets, but I have a plain black suit with a leather vest, and a nice button up for evening wear.

What is your inspiration for the Talent part of the competition? Any particular performers or musical genres?

Jayden Knight: I’m having a wonderful back-up dancer named Daphne Dimentia working with me. She’s ever-changing, so she’s like me you never know what to expect!

I feel that for my talent I’m kind of channeling Joey D. Dragking of the I.C kings. She is

On World AIDS Day it’s important to reflect on the amazing successes we’ve had over the last 30 years. A virus that once threatened to decimate our community instead gave us a new reason to come together. Fighting HIV helped unify the LGBT community. And thanks to advances in treatment, HIV is no longer an automatic death sentence.

After three decades, it’s easy to forget HIV is still a threat and a problem. Younger individuals never saw the destruction and heartbreak left behind by AIDS in the 80s and 90s. Those that did still carry the torches of their lost friends and loved ones, but have been exhausted by HIV fundraisers, events, and marketing. Where does that leave us? HIV may not claim as many lives as it once did, but it rarely makes people’s lives better. St igma. Cost. Burden. And it continues to infect more people year after year, right here in Iowa.

A new era in harm reduction is upon us, where HIV prevention focuses on finding ways of reducing transmission of the disease for those that don’t practice safer sex or have otherwise been exposed to the virus. But the most important factor

is still routine HIV testing. It may not be flashy after all these years, but it’s still key.

This Holiday season, I hope you’ll not only join me in remembering those we’ve lost to this disease, but also in redoubling our efforts to stop this virus and the harm it inflicts.

Get tested. Because our community is still being tested by this virus.

I think together we can succeed.

The Midwestern AIDS Project is the state’s newest HIV prevention organization, formed to replace programs lost by government funding cuts. The non-profit is currently located at 1620 Pleasant Street in Des Moines, but plans to relocate to a storefront location, possibly along Des Moines 6th Avenue Corridor. The organization offers free, confidential HIV testing at its central location, as well as a growing number of testing sites at partner organizations. A food pantry serving Iowans living with HIV will open in January.

ACCESSline Page 33 always really bold with her talents and she inspires me to go big or go home!

Papa Vein: I normally listen to heavy metal and classic rock, but when I get on stage, I like to make people laugh. I love doing Weird Al, because who is better at comedy than him?

Jayden Knight, are you nervous and excited to compete?

Jayden Knight: I’m both actually. I know I’m up against some pretty fierce competitors. But also excited to show the FMI system just exactly who Jayden Knight is.

If you win, what do you hope to accomplish and give back to the community during your reign as Mr Iowa FMI 2013?

Jayden Knight: Honestly, if I won Mr Iowa FMI 2013 I would give back to the people who helped me get where I am today.

I would promote the system and encourage fellow kings to come out, have fun, and to compete. I also wish to show people what the FMI system is truly about.

Papa Vein: If is a big word. The other contestants are amazing, but if I should win, I want to break the stereotype of what a male impersonator looks like at home. I mean, I am a mom and a wife to a wonderful man, so I have curves, I live for a great pair of heels, and half the time I am home—I have my apron on, baking cupcakes, and cookies. So I want to show the other women out there, you can do anything you put your mind to—just look at me!

Who has helped you and who would you like to thank as you move to compete for Mr Iowa FMI 2013? Jayden Knight: Wow there is just so many people. First off, my amazing promoter Kristian Watkins and David Wendland. They’ve helped me from day one. Secondly, all the amazing performers who took time out of their busy schedule to do my benefit such as: JD Lesbiani, Tatem Trick, Good’N’Plenty, and Miss India Love.

They are helping me afford to make this dream real. Also I want to thank Jill Kennedy, our promoter of The New Kings on the Block, for giving me a place to practice and call home.. Scott Alt owner of Co2 for giving me a place to hold my benefit. And most of all my fans—without them I’d be nowhere!

Papa Vein: My family first and foremost.

Kristian and David for believing in me. To Leesa Craft for always picking my confidence off the floor. And to all my friends for pushing me forward. Without any of these people— Papa Vein would be nothing.

At the time of print ACCESSline was informed that Jayden Knight would not be competing due to personal issues. For more information go to ConnectionsNightClub.net.

I like to make people laugh. I love doing Weird Al, because who is better at comedy than him?

Midwest AIDS Project views the future by Paul Whannel HIV may not claim as many lives as it once did, but it rarely makes people’s lives better. Stigma.

Cost. Burden.

ACCESSline Page 34 SScontinued from page 32

ANGELO we’ve done a very good job of that.

And I think in line with what you and I are talking about, how many people truly believe at this point that preventing couples from marrying leads to a better society? Because ultimately, whether you are presenting moderate views or you are presenting conservative views, the voter has to believe that voting for that principle means that things are going to get better, and that we’re going to become a better state. I think the folks who oppose the freedom to marry are not making the case at this particular point as to why we’re all better off if same-sex couples can’t marry.

And I think that’s where they ultimately lose the argument. I don’t think that we necessarily need to go “less conservative” as a party, but what does conservativism consist of, I think that’s a great debate.

What I see coming is maybe a hedge on the issue at first, because of course moving the Republican Party to the mainstream on this issue is not going to take place right away. What I would be hopeful is that there are candidates who get Republicans excited who at the very least would be able to say, “I respect the states’ rights on this issue. That may be all I can hope for in the next few years with candidates who try to walk this fine line of trying to appeal to the Republican base during the primary but then not seem out of main stream thought in the general election.

My wildest dream would be a candidate that attracts people and gets conservatives very excited and who simply says, “Look,

Section 3: Community I am for the freedom to marry, and let’s move on to other issues.” Barring that, at the very least a candidate could say, “Look, I think this is a states issue and I’m not going to declare some federal limitation on the freedom to marry.” That would be extremely helpful.

And if that’s where we’re going on a federal level—if ultimately the US Supreme Court is going to say it’s not the federal government’s role to prevent couples from marrying—then that would also be a huge advancement.

As I look at my more conservative friends and I see them starting to move a little bit on the issue, I start thinking, “What are the baby steps we can take?” rather than, “I’ve changed my mind completely.” To be able to say of Iowa, “I respect Iowans’ right to have the freedom to marry and I don’t believe in a federal law that discriminates and ends this issue once and for all.” Maybe that’s where we can go in the next election.

What’s happening now with Iowa Republicans for Freedom?

There are a couple of things. One, which I talked about earlier, is to organize couples who are gay in the districts throughout Iowa, and I would love to have those couples come to meet with their Republican legislators—not to be for or against a bill, because I think that the fact that the Democrats kept control of the Iowa Senate, there’s not going to be a lot of anti-gay legislation advanced this year.

So with that kind of tension off, this is a great time for couples to meet with their legislator—regardless of their political ideology—and just to talk to them and forge those kinds of relationships which cause Republicans to change their mind on this particular issue.

Another step is that we need more Republicans to announce their support for the freedom to marry. I don’t want to pretend that the last election ended the division among social conservatives in my party. If you’re a Republican legislator and you believe in the freedom to marry, you always can be threatened by an opponent in the primary. Sitting Republican legislators understand that primaries involve a smaller universe of voters, and they’re worried that they will lose primary elections if they announce that they are in favor of the freedom to marry. So it’s important to me for more and more Republicans in the individual districts to call Republican legislators and say, “We support you. We believe in the freedom to marry and we will be there for you when you are running for re-election.

So those are a couple of immediate goals for Iowa Republicans for Freedom.

How do you feel about the federal “Defense of Marriage Act” (which says that Article IV in the US Constitution, mandating that states honor the contracts made in other states—the “Full Faith and Credit” clause—doesn’t

We need more Republicans to announce their support for the freedom to marry.

DECEMBER 2012 apply to same-sex couples and their legal marriage contracts)?

Let’s go back to the Supreme Court decision here in Iowa. I know as a former legislator, you can’t set up conflicts in Iowa law, and you can’t set up conflicts in the Constitution. And if your Constitution says “equal protection under the law”, you can’t set up a law or an element of the Constitution that conflicts with that. What I’m hopeful about, for example, with the US Supreme Court—we often talk about the Supreme Court justices and their ideology, which is liberal, or conservative—when you can see these different justices, even within the framework of their own ideology, saying that the federal government cannot discriminate against gay couples who want to be married. Saying the government is supposed to be limited, we have an equal protection clause, you can see a “strange alliance” for lack of a better term, between liberal and conservative justices.

You simply cannot set up conflicts within the law or in the Constitution against other elements of the Constitution. Either we are a nation that recognizes we are all equal in the eyes of the law, or we’re not. And I doubt that there are people who hold onto the concept that there are some people who are not equal in the eyes of the law. That’s a concept we all agree to. So I can see the Supreme Court saying to the Legislature, “You’ve got to stop twisting yourself into knots trying to get around the Constitution with this law.”

For more information on Iowa Republicans for Freedom go to IowaRepublicansforFreedom.com or look for them on Facebook.

DECEMBER 2012

Section 3: Community

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