Iowa’s National Rachael Kilgour Heartland News Lesbian Mothers Receive Accurate Interview by Impact: HIV Death Certificate for Stillborn Arthur Breur Transmission Policy Baby Interview by Angela Geno-Stumme Sean Strub and The Sero Project
Executive Director Sean Strub took some time to talk about what The Sero Project is and its work in Iowa and the Midwest. Sero is a not-for-profit human Sean Strub rights organization promoting the empowerment of people with HIV, combating HIV-related stigma and advocating for sound public health and HIV prevention policies. Sero is particularly focused on ending inappropriate criminal prosecutions of people with
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Jenny and Jessica Buntemeyer have received an accurate death certificate for Brayden, their stillborn son, listing both mothers after the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) declined to appeal its defeat last month in Buntemeyer v. Iowa Department of Public Health. “The Buntemeyers finally can put this unnecessary legal battle behind them,” said Camilla Taylor, Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal. “For too long, the state denied that Jenny and Jessica are both Brayden’s mothers, erasing Jenny from Brayden’s death certificate. We are glad the IDPH decided to step back from this legally unjustified and cruel fight against a grieving Iowa family. Now, Iowa will provide a death certificate listing both spouses as parents to all married same-sex couples who suffer a similar loss.” The case was filed in February 2012 after the family’s tragic loss was exacerbated when the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) erased Jenny’s name from Brayden’s death certificate–even though Jenny was
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Midwest Project HIM Celebrates A Year of LGBT Advocacy by Angela Geno-Stumme HIV Prevention
Project Healthy Iowa Men (Project HIM) is the HIV intervention program at The Project of Primary Health Care (formerly The AIDS Project of Central Iowa). In March, we are celebrating 1 year of commitment to our mission to stop HIV in its tracks. Central to this mission is increasing HIV testing in order to reduce the numbers who don’t know their HIV status. During our first year, we conducted over 300 HIV tests and reached over 10,000 contacts through our outreach, events and educational activities in person and online. Project HIM’s positivity rate, or the proportion of HIV tests that result in someone becoming aware of their positive status and getting linked into treatment, was over 3 % in the first year of the program. This rivals rates of HIV in larger, urban centers with higher prevalence of HIV. Greg Gross, Prevention Services Manager explains, “While sobering, the statistics show the success of Project HIM in fulfilling its mission. This is an important first step in fighting the HIV epidemic”.
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There are many organizations in the Midwest that work hard as LGBT advocates and this month we spoke with First Friday Breakfast Club and Cedar Rapids PFLAG. The two organizations talk about their history, mission, and how they have made an impact. First Friday Breakfast Club is based in Des Moines, Iowa and Cedar Rapids PFLAG is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa but both organizations attract followers from throughout the state.
First Friday Breakfast Club, Inc.
Jonathan Wilson of First Friday Breakfast Club, Inc. spoke with me about his organization’s history, core values, and other individuals who have stood out for their advocacy work. Give me a short history about your organization and tell me about your mission. The First Friday Breakfast Club, Inc. was formed in 1996. It’s a 501(c)(3) entity, an association of gay and bisexual
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What’s Inside:
Section 1: News & Politics
Advertising rates 3 Community Survey Out for Diversity Focus 4 Midwestern AIDS Project by Angela Geno-Stumme 5 Remarkables by Jonathan Wilson 6 From the Heartland by Donna Red Wing 6 The Boy Scouts by Warren J. Blumenfeld 7 Shrink Rap by Loren A Olson MD 7 Moving Forward by Tony Dillon-Hansen 8 It’s time for a queer-friendly pope by Rev. Irene Monroe 8 Minor Details by Robert Minor 9 Just Sayin’ by Beau Fodor 10 Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski 10
Section 2: Fun Guide
Entertainment Picks for the Month 11 Rachael Kilgour interview by Arthur Breur 11 Inside Out: Scrabble by Ellen Krug 12 Wired This Way by Rachel Eliason 13 I’m Insecure at the Gym by Davey Wavey 13 Getting to Ellen Review by Arthur Breur 14 NKOB Celebrating the Luck of the Irish 16 National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Ad 18 The Race is on with the I.C. Kings 21 The Bookworm Sez by Terri Schlichenmeyer 22 Spring 2013 Scholarship Bonuses Awarded 23 Comics and Crossword Puzzle 22-23
Section 3: Community
FFBC: Sean Strub and the Sero Project by Bruce Carr 25 Project of the Quad Cities St. Patrick’s Day Party 25 PITCH Calendar 2013 25 2013 AIDS Walk/Run: A Step Closer in Des Moines, Iowa 25 Productive Members of Society by Royal Bush 26 From the Pastor’s Pen by Rev. Jonathan Page 27 Business Directory 28-29 Fetish February Recap by Mark Turnage 30 LGBT Health Initiative of Iowa Survey 32 Ask Lambda Legal: Religious Exemptions 33 The Project of the Quad Cities Calendar 33 Shortsighted by Ryan Berg 34 The T Side of Things By Sean Finn, IPN Student 34
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MARCH 2013
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Section 1: News & Politics
Letter to the Editor
An opposing view on Iowa’s law 709c
709c was passed to protect gay men in Iowa. One Iowa makes it sound like we gays were the victims of discrimination with this law—and One Iowa states it is outdated. Contacting HIV is still a trauma; still devastating; and costly. There are still men out there that will knowingly transmit. I believe the law is warranted. As an active gay man in Iowa from 1976 thru 1984 I was in the thick of it. One Iowa sounds off like
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HEARTLAND NEWS married to Jessica when Jessica gave birth to Brayden—and refused to return the couple’s repeated phone calls for an explanation. Under Iowa law, vital records including death certificates reflect legal parentage, and not biology, and both spouses are parents to any child born during a marriage regardless of whether they share a biological relationship to their child. In March 2012, the Iowa Attorney General’s office filed court documents saying that the state will continue to refuse an accurate death certificate to Jenny and Jessica Buntemeyer, asserting that it was correct in erasing Jenny’s name. In December 2012, District Judge Robert A. Hutchison ordered the IDPH to issue an accurate fetal death certificate to the Buntemeyer family and all married Iowa parents, and referred to Varnum v. Brien, Lambda Legal’s 2009 case affirming the freedom for same-sex couples to marry in Iowa, when concluding: “[A] mother’s wife is a female parent.” “Brayden will always be with us in our hearts, and we are so relieved to be able
we were the victims of discrimination with 709c. Many of at that time clamored for such a law; which was very slow to be passed. At the time we regarded it as discriminatory in that gays were not worth being protected from those out-right criminal assassins transmitting HIV knowingly. What is outdated is the thrust of arguing that men avoid testing due to 709c. The immoral transmitters are not avoiding testing due to 709c; they couldn’t care less. The best way to expand testing is thru community outreach programs that offer move forward,” said Jessica Buntemeyer. “Any grieving Iowa family looking to find closure after a tragedy shouldn’t have to wait, much less have to fight for it.”
Iowa Conservatives in Support of Marriage Equality
Iowa conservatives joined Ken Mehlman—a New York businessman, former Republican National Committee Chairman, and the architect of President Bush’s 2004 successful campaign—for a public event in Des Moines to discuss support for marriage for same-sex couples, and the future of the Republican Party. The public event was held at Davis Brown Law Firm and hosted by Iowa Republicans for Freedom (IRFF), the public education organization making the conservative case for marriage. “Allowing civil marriage for all Americans promotes freedom, cultivates family values like community stability, fidelity and commitment and follows the Golden Rule,” said Mehlman. “Like Dick Cheney, Clint Eastwood, John Bolton and Ted
ACCESSline Page 3
free testing. Health clinics that do offer free testing with scheduled hours advertised. In addition, a team of men who visit gay bars each week at an advertised time; set up a table in a back room; and provide results within thirty minutes. The ACCESSline newspaper reaches many gays across Iowa? How often are free test sites advertised in those pages? Rather than conjuring playing a victim with 709c why not advocate something meaningful to curtail the spread of HIV. Best regards, John Clayton
Olson, these Iowa conservatives support civil marriage because of our principles, not in spite of our philosophy.” The event drew more than 30 Iowa conservatives from around the state. Attendees and participants were encouraged to talk to other Iowa conservatives— family, friends and church members— about supporting marriage for same-sex couples. Mehlman was joined by David Kochel, Mitt Romney’s Iowa strategist and founder of Red Wave Communications, who expressed his support for marriage at the event and his desire to see the Iowa Republican Party support civil marriage for same-sex couples. “Support for the freedom to marry is emerging as a mainstream position in the Republican Party. If we are to be the party of principles and values, isn’t our first obligation to the principle of freedom, and the value of individual liberty?” said Kochel. “The Republican Party must think big, be big, welcome new voters, and earn the trust and support of a much broader coalition, or be doomed to shrink into irrelevance.”
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SERO PROJECT HIV for non-disclosure of their HIV status, potential or perceived HIV exposure or HIV transmission. The Sero Project is very close to your heart, tell me a little about your history and how Sero came into being. I’m a native of Iowa City and have worked on HIV/AIDS issues for nearly 30 years, particularly focusing on the empowerment of people with HIV and combating HIVrelated stigma. I tested positive when the test came out in 1985, but looking at my medical records it seems likely I was infected in 1979 or 1980. I was involved with the People With AIDS Coalition/New York in the mid 80s, ACT UP/NY in the late 80s, was the first openly HIV+ person to run for U.S. Congress, in 1990, and then founded POZ Magazine in 1994. I’ve lived my entire adult life with HIV; in the mid 90s, I was extremely ill, covered in Kaposi’s Sarcoma lesions, including in my lungs, had a CD4 count of 1 and a viral load of 3.3 million. I’m amongst the lucky who lived long enough and responded well enough to benefit from protease therapy. While I have lived in New York since the late 70s, I’ve been involved in AIDS work in Iowa over the years. In late 1987 or early 1988, my Mother and a friend of hers organized an AIDS fundraising event in Iowa City. I also was a page in the Iowa State Senate, in 1975, so I know the Capitol and a lot of political people in Iowa. What is the Sero Project’s mission? Sero promotes the empowerment of people with HIV and combats HIV-related stigma, discrimination and criminalization. Talk about the Sero Project’s activities in the Midwest. In Iowa we have been particularly focused, because there was a pre-existing anti-stigma group created by people with HIV, PITCH, several people who have been prosecuted who were willing to go public (Nick Rhoades and Donald Bogardus) to speak up and educate others, Senator Matt McCoy who has become a nationally-recognized leader on this issue and a state public heatlh department that is highly-professional and recognizes the impediment criminalization has become to effective public health policy and reducing HIV transmission. Our role is mostly to support educational efforts, help access research and resources, we’ve participated in community forums, spoken at conferences, met with various policy leaders and worked with the media. Iowa is one of the first states to take on modernization of their statute, so in that sense it is something we are watching closely to learn lessons that can be applied elsewhere. I’ve been involved to a much lesser extent with the efforts underway in Missouri, mostly participating on conference calls and coordinating with individual advocates. A couple of years ago I tried to organize some efforts to oppose the Nebraska bill that made it a felony for people with HIV to spit or vomit in the direction of law enforcement officers, but didn’t get very far. The bill passed. Sero being such a far-reaching organi-
Section 1: News & Politics zation, are some areas of the country fighting HIV-related stigma more than others? The stigma is everywhere, but it manifests differently in different communities. There’s nowhere free of it, but I find in places where there is better sex education in schools, there’s a lot less stigma. The criminalization phenomenon is somewhat concentrated in the upper Midwest and the South. What should people with HIV understand when it comes to the law and prosecution? That this risk is real, a significant number of the prosecutions are situations where there was a genuine misunderstanding whether someone disclosed or not, a significant number are revenge situations and whether you use a condom or have an undetectable viral can have little relevance to a prosecution. HIV transmission happens only in a tiny percentage of the prosecutions; sometimes they are for things like spitting or biting or situations where there is no chance of HIV transmission. People with HIV need to know how to protect themselves— our website seroproject.com has a great brochure with good tips and advice—and they need to become advocates if they are able. Iowa’s progress has been made, for more than any other reason, because of the people with HIV in the state are brave and courageous and tenacious enough to become public and work on this issue. It’s amazing what they have accomplished so far. Stories of hope are important to advocacy, what story stands out to you during your work for Sero? Iowa is one. This is a state that has been one of the global leaders in criminalization— unintentionally—but now, after a couple of years of work, it is one of the global leaders in reform of criminalization statutes and very well might become the first legal jurisdiction to repeal their HIV-specific statute. One cannot help but admire and be inspired by Nick Rhoades’ story and Donald Bogardus, who is awaiting trial in Waterloo; both are amazing. Donald is facing 25 years in prison and lifetime sex offender registration. But this work is so important to him that he came to Washington last November to testify before President Obama’s Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. The strength and courage people with HIV have shown in the face of profound intolerance, hatred even, including from many within the LGBT community, is astonishing. Almost everyone starts out thinking these statutes are a good idea—one survey showed 79% of young gay men support them—but those numbers change quickly when people look at the facts and understand how criminalization is actually making the epidemic worse, not lessening it. So I also am inspired by the people who are big enough and mature
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MARCH 2013
Community Survey Out for Diversity Focus Becky Lutgen Garden, the Senior Director of Communications and Media Affairs with Diversity Focus, discusses what Diversity Focus is and what their Creative Corridor Community Survey is about. What is Diversity Focus? Diversity Focus is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 by a group of community, business and educational leaders. Their goal was and remains improving the living and working environments for all residents in the Corridor region by encouraging conversations, partnerships, connections, education and training. The mission of Diversity Focus is to lead in the promotion of diversity, cultural awareness and inclusion in our Corridor community. What is the Creative Corridor Community Survey? In 2008, Diversity Focus conducted a benchmark research survey in Linn and Johnson Counties examining residents’ attitudes and opinions on the climate of their neighborhoods, work environments and communities. Now, it is conducting a five-year follow-up to the survey, What is it measuring?
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PROJECT HIM Project HIM is about more than testing, however. The program embraces all gay, bi men and transgender with an approach that emphasizes ways we’re strong and celebrates sexual creativity, freedom, and health, with no guilt or shame. Through our street team, outreach, testing, and one-onone workshops, we provide education and offer the latest state of the science options so that individuals can do what they do with the least risk possible. Project HIM’s focus on resiliency, holistic health, and changing community norms are all rooted in research and evidence-based programming with proven effectiveness. The CDC-funded initiative includes a community level intervention to change norms about HIV testing through street team outreach and role model videos, an individual level intervention, CLEAR, that
Measuring current attitudes and opinions, identifying trends and changes. Gain a sense of where the Creative Corridor is and what it needs to do to attract the best people and continue to grow. How will the results be used? Provide data and insights for government, education, non-profits, corporations and other organizations to use in their strategic planning. How can one take the survey? Starting February 19th, residents of Linn, Johnson, Washington, Iowa, Cedar, Benton and Jones Counties can participate in the 2013 Creative Corridor Community Study by going online to: http://diversityfocus1.org/newsite/creative-corridor-community-survey/ A link to the survey can also be found on the Diversity Focus website: www.diversityfocus.org. To complete by phone, call 319-3647278, ext. 7140. Who can take the survey? Residents of Linn, Johnson, Washington, Iowa, Cedar, Benton and Jones Counties How long will the survey be available? Through March 15, 2013
addresses mental, physical, and sexual health topics, and Counseling, Testing, Referral that provides risk reduction counseling, HIV testing, and reputable referrals to mental health, sexual health, general medical care, substance use treatment, and other support services. Project HIM believes in addition to improving the overall health of Iowa men, HIV/STD testing and awareness of status will become part of every Iowa man’s routine healthcare. A reception to honor our collaborators, volunteers, and community sponsors will be held On Friday, March 29, 2013, at 6:00 PM, at Sticks, 3631 SW 61st Street in Des Moines. Contact Callen Úbeda at cubeda@ phcinc.net for more information or to RSVP to the event. To learn more about Project HIM, visit our website at ProjectHIM.org, or follow us on our social media outlets Facebook and Instagram: Project HIM, and Twitter: @ Project_HIM.
MARCH 2013
Section 1: News & Politics
ACCESSline Page 5
Midwestern AIDS Project interview by Angela Geno-Stumme
Paul Whannel, Executive Director, took the time to discuss Midwestern AIDS Project. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Paul talks about the history of this organization, its mission, Paul’s experience with non-profits, and what services Midwestern AIDS Project offers. Tell me how Midwestern AIDS Project came to be. In 2010, the Federal Government released their first comprehensive HIV/ AIDS plan. It only took 30 years, but HIV advocates were initially excited. Unfortunately, the plan called for hundreds of thousands of dollars to be reallocated from Iowa to cities with higher HIV infection rates. Sure, it makes sense from their point of view. But to be effectively told, “We’ll give you money to fight HIV once you have a lot more infections” was very frustrating. Iowa is considered a “low-incidence”
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NEWS As the support for the freedom to marry continues to grow, many conservatives are unsure or conflicted about this issue, while others see this as an opportunity for the Republican Party. According to a December 2012 NBC News/ Wall Street Journal national poll, 51 percent of Americans support marriage for samesex couples versus only 40 percent who oppose legal marriage. Here in Iowa, 49 percent of Iowans support marriage while only 43 percent oppose it. The event was hosted by Iowa Republicans for Freedom founder and former State Senator Jeff Angelo. In 2004, Angelo co-sponsored the first constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples in Iowa. He eventually reversed his position on the issue after talking to his lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) friends, family and constituents. In 2011, he founded Iowa Republicans for Freedom with the goal of increasing support for the freedom to marry among Iowa conservatives. “As a proud Evangelical Christian and Republican, I believe the freedom to marry is firmly rooted in the values I hold dear— like freedom, individual liberty, and family values,” said Angelo. “By including our gay and lesbian neighbors in civil marriage, we can strengthen Iowa families and continue to build healthy communities for our children. This is why I’m proud to stand with Ken Mehlman and Iowa Republicans to make the conservative case for marriage. It’s the right thing to do.” Also attending the event was Kathy Potts, Iowa Republicans for Freedom Advisory Board member, and Governor Rick Perry’s Linn County Campaign Chairperson. Potts joined IRFF in 2012 after the Iowa caucuses and has been an avid proponent of increasing Republican
state for HIV infections. We’d like to keep it that way. In August of 2012, when it was clear that no other agency was going to to step up, we were founded to replace the programs lost due to these funding cuts— programs serving communities of color, homeless individuals, drug users, gay and bi men, and more. What’s the mission of Midwestern AIDS Project? “To restore HIV programs lost due to federal budget cuts and fill the gaps in HIV service providing.” Basically that means we’re the next generation in AIDS service organizations. Outdated approaches and thinking have left Iowa with a growing problem. There’s not a lot of work being done on the relationships between sexual health and domestic violence or drug and alcohol abuse, and we’re addressing that as well. support for marriage equality. “I support marriage for gay and lesbian couples and have been vocal about my support, even when it hasn’t always been the popular thing to do. I am inspired by what Mr. Mehlman has said, and what Jeff Angelo has done here in Iowa. I believe our party is turning a corner and that the future is bright for Republicans. I encourage more Iowa conservatives who believe in limited government and individual liberty to join us in supporting civil marriage for same-sex couples. It’s time.”
Iowan Jane Kelley, Nominee for Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
President Barack Obama nominated Jane Kelly to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. If confirmed, Kelly would become the second woman to ever sit on the Eighth Circuit. As a federal public defender, Kelly would bring great professional diversity court, as well. In order for Kelly’s nomination to move forward, the Senate Judiciary Committee must vote on whether to move the nomination to the Senate Floor, for consideration by the full Senate. Iowa Senators Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin play an instrumental role in ensuring Kelly is confirmed by the Senate. Senator Harkin has issued a statement supporting Kelly, and a coalition of Iowa non-profit organizations now encourage Senator Grassley to help quickly move Kelly through the nominations process: Statement from One Iowa Executive Director Donna Red Wing: “Courts matter to all Americans and access to a fair and impartial judiciary is the bedrock of a healthy democracy. The
As co-founder, what were some of the obstacles you faced or are facing with Midwestern AIDS Project? Not surprisingly, funding has been very difficult and continues to be a struggle. I worry about day-to-day costs constantly— that means most of my salary is donated back, as I can’t stomach the thought of individuals being turned away because they can’t afford services. Our board is amazing, bringing insight from the communities we serve, and they’re all financial supporters. That said, we need major support in the coming months if we’re to survive long enough to get the grants and funding streams available later this year. The LGBT community in Iowa has financially supported HIV/ AIDS work for decades, and we want to make sure each community we serve helps give back. That means a lot of trust-building in communities that have historically been averse to the subject of sexual health. We’re laying out all new concepts to bring individuals into the fold—including the heterosexual community, as we don’t turn
people away based on their sexual orientation, race, or behaviors. Trust-building takes time, and we’re thrilled that the LGBT community has been our biggest source of support as we make these inroads. Paul, you have been very active within the LGBT community, tell me what non-profit experience touched you the most? I’ve stayed behind-the-scenes a great deal, so many people don’t know I’ve worked for One Iowa and the AIDS Project of Central Iowa, along with serving on boards and volunteering. I’ve been privileged to have amazing experiences in those roles, but most touching, and heartbreaking, was my work at an LGBT suicide prevention organization as a teen. I struggled a great deal with my own coming out, and like so many gay people, I wanted to give up. The solution to my problem was to help others with their problems—I can remember staying up all night on the phone or in chat rooms with other youth, urging them to
Free HIV testing and counseling is our most commonly accessed service— we’re the only provider in the state, to our knowledge, that offers free HIV testing seven days a week.
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is very familiar with the impact courts can have on our families and our lives. Courts matter to us. We deserve a judiciary that is free from politics and posturing and one that serves its central purpose: justice. We urge Senator Grassley to confirm Jane Kelly to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Delaying confirmations is an impediment to justice, and one that LGBT families cannot afford. One Iowa will stand with all Iowans to ensure full access to a fair and impartial judiciary that works.” Statement from Working Families Win Organizer Chris Schwartz: “The courts have served as the last chance for justice on a variety of social and economic issues, but their importance is far too often they over looked by the public. We need to hold our political leaders accountable, and educate the public about what is at stake so that justice is not delayed. The courts matter to us and to working families.” Statement from Iowa Citizen Action Network Executive Director Sue Dinsdale: “Everyone deserves their fair day in court, but courts without judges deny Americans their access to justice. Our country faces a judicial crisis with federal courts across the nation in desperate need of judges to fill empty courtrooms. While senators play politics with judicial nominations, well-qualified nominees wait to be seated, cases go unheard, and a growing number of Americans find it increasingly difficult to assert their legal and constitutional rights. We call on Senator Grassley to temper the “confirmation wars’ that have troubled judicial appointments and seize this opportunity to swiftly confirm Jane Kelly to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.“ Statement from Progress Iowa Execu-
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tive Director Matt Sinovic: “It’s time for Senator Grassley and the Senate Judiciary Committee to stop playing politics with our courts and move the nomination of Jane Kelly forward. Any further delay will result in justice denied, and Iowans deserve better from their elected leaders. Kelly will provide an important perspective on the bench as an accomplished attorney, a lifelong defender of the indigent, and as a woman. Her nomination must move forward without further political obstruction.” Jane Kelly: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Jane Kelly has been an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Northern District of Iowa since 1994, serving as the Supervising Attorney in the Cedar Rapids office since 1999. Kelly was born and raised in Greencastle, Indiana. She received her B.A. summa cum laude in 1987 from Duke University and her J.D. cum laude in 1991 from Harvard Law School. After graduating from law school, Kelly clerked for the Honorable Donald J. Porter of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota. Subsequently, she also clerked for the Honorable David R. Hansen on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Prior to becoming an Assistant Federal Public Defender, Kelly worked briefly as a visiting instructor at the University of Illinois College of Law. Since joining the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Kelly has argued numerous federal appellate cases, tried 14 cases to verdict in federal court, and argued countless motions. In 2004, she received the John Adams Award from the Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, which is given annually to an Iowa attorney who has dedicated his or her career to defending the indigent.
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Section 1: News & Politics
MARCH 2013
Remarkables by Jonathan Wilson The Freedom to Die by Gun Violence
The nation’s founders and constitutional authors were masterful in the art of crafting compromise and drafting constitutional principles. They were, however, prisoners of their time and limited by the facts existing and known to them. Case in point, the Constitution they fashioned made the president Commander in Chief of the “Army and Navy of the United States.” No mention of the Air Force. There were no airplanes. The only things that flew back then were birds, hot air balloons, and—with a nod to Benjamin Franklin—kites. Even so-called strict constructionists have had no apparent difficulty constitutionally recognizing the expanded US military to include the Air Force. That they get with no problem. The facts changed; military capabilities changed; the military needs of the nation changed; and no one with a brain worth two cents in change has suggested that a constitutional amendment is necessary to make the Constitution encompass those changes. Rational, contextual interpretation of the Constitution works quite satisfactorily there. Enter the so-called debate over the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. It’s short and warrants quotation: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,
shall not be infringed.” [Emphasis added.] It was written in a time when guns were single-shot muskets. Mass murders by a lone gunman—like airplanes—did not exist. By its very terms the Amendment refers to a well regulated militia being necessary to the “security of a free State”—not the security of a free people. It was to protect the State (from someone or something—I’m coming to that), not to protect the people from the government. Whatever else you might say about the founders, they were not slouches when it came to drafting. They knew the difference between the United States and a “State,” and the difference between “State” and “people.” Here some historical context might be helpful. When the Amendment was drafted, independence had already been won, the individual states were in place and functioning, and the founders were trying to find something to improve upon the Articles of Confederation. Now get this: there was slavery at that time, principally in southern states. Occasionally slaves would run away and, because of their living conditions and their sheer numbers, there was an abiding fear of a slave uprising. Individual states had “well regulated militias” in place for the purpose of hunting down runaways and
protecting against a potential slave rebellion. That way individual slave owners didn’t have to trouble themselves with such pursuits. In short, those well regulated militias were necessary to protect the status quo. In short, the Second Amendment is a remnant of our shameful history of slavery. Happy Black History month. Gun advocates would have us believe that the debate is about the right to go hunting or the right to selfdefense from intruders. Everyone, themselves included, knows better. It’s not about either of those rights and no one has proposed anything that would compromise either of them. Gun advocates would have us believe it’s about hunting and repelling intruders not because it is, but because it expands their base of support and masks what their take on the Second Amendment is really all about. Advocates for unrestricted access to assault weapons want the amendment to read: “Being necessary to maintain the freedom of the people from oppressive government, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” That is, of course, not what the Amendment says. Not even close. The diehards are, in truth, anarchists.
ing in marches and actions and kiss-ins (remember kiss-ins?); standing toe-to-toe against our opponents who ranged from the uninformed to those who targeted our community with rhetoric and violence. We learned to work at both the margins and the mainstream. We also danced at Women’s Music Festivals, silkscreened tee-shirts only a lesbian could love, bought clunky funky pottery, wore lavender and aqua flowing harem pants and (god-love-‘em) Birkenstocks. We helped transform what had been dubbed “the love that dare not speak its name” to what one pundit called, “the love that simply won’t shut up!” LGBT people looked to the Supreme Court for remedy. In 1986 the Supreme Court of the United States disappointingly ruled that laws criminalizing sodomy were constitutional (Bowers v. Hardwick). Ordinances protecting LGBT citizens were repealed in cities and states around the nation. It was not until Lawrence v. Texas 2003, in a 6–3 ruling, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Texas sodomy law, making same-sex sexual activity legal in every U.S. state and territory. (Sodomy has been defined since the era of Henry VIII as any “non-procreative sexual activity.”) We witnessed Evan Wolfson, now CEO at Freedom to Marry, as he served as co-counsel in the Hawaii marriage case. Evan’s brilliance coupled with his
tenacity really ignited the movement for marriage. He insisted that we work for marriage equality; not civil unions, not domestic partnerships—marriage: nothing more, nothing less. He was that voice in the wilderness. In the early 1990s few believed him, few believed that we would see marriage in our lifetime. President Clinton signed the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on September 21, 1996, defining marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman for federal and inter-state recognition purposes. I was working for a national LGBT organization in Washington, DC at the time and remember that as our community pulled out all the stops for ENDA, the Employment Non Discrimination Act; we did not fight very hard against DOMA. Even in 1996, ceding marriage did not seem like we were giving up anything that was possible. In retrospect, we will probably have the freedom to marry before we end employment discrimination. My home state, Massachusetts, was the first in the nation to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In 2004, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled (in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health)that it was unconstitutional under the constitution of the Commonwealth to allow only heterosexual couples to marry. Since that ruling eight more states have done so and many more will. According to a national Pew study it is the “Silent Generation” (born from 1928-1945) who have the most difficulty with same-gender marriage. My generation, the “Baby Boomers” (1946-1964) are a little more accepting. The Gen Xers (1965-1980) are
The diehards are, in truth, anarchists. Fueled and funded by fear-mongering purveyors of guns and ammo...
TTREMARKABLES continued page 31
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.
From the Heartland by Donna Red Wing, Executive Director One Iowa The Long Journey Into Matrimony
We have joined that crazy whirlwind called ‘planning for the wedding’. Our parents died long ago, so there is no in-law situation. There are, however, siblings and children and nieces and nephews; old friends and new; colleagues; ex-lovers and neighbors to invite. We have immersed ourselves in a world of venues and menus and flowers and photos. We are Unitarian Buddhists (or U-Bu’s) and have asked a friend who happens to be a Baptist minister to officiate. We’ll write our own vows as soon as we have time. We wonder if we should take our dachshund and our Chow-Austrian-mix on the honeymoon. And, what about the cake? When Sumitra and I fell in love twenty-six years ago we never thought that we would ever be anything but strangers under the law. Our relationship, while profound and life changing for us, was not recognized legally or culturally. We lived in dangerous times. The most radical factions of the right had come together with evangelicals in a potent mix of political and personal homophobia. Add to that mix the hysteria around AIDS/HIV. In our first decade together we experienced the extraordinary roiling of a movement, our movement for equality: fighting ballot measures and amendments to create second class citizenship; engag-
We helped transform what had been dubbed “the love that dare not speak its name” to what one pundit called, “the love that simply won’t shut up!”
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. even more accepting and the majority of the Millennials (born after 1980) favor marriage equality at 61%. Sumitra and I know how it feels to live as social outlaws. That was what we were twenty-six years ago. But that is not the case in Iowa, today. We are part of the fabric of life in this heartland community. We know it and we feel it. That is, I think—
TTRED WING continued page 31
MARCH 2013
Section 1: News & Politics
ACCESSline Page 7
The Boy Scouts and “Interest Convergence” by Warren J. Blumenfeld Though the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) reaffirmed its ban on gay, bisexual, or transgender scouts (youth members) and scouters (adult leaders) last year, talk was in the air that the BSA National Executive Board was to make an announcement on whether it was willing to reconsider its previous stands. Recently, however, the Board released a statement that due to the controversial nature of and divided opinions over the present policy, a decision would have to wait until May to provide the Board and local Boy Scout chapters more time for deliberation. According to its past position on homosexuality: “Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed….” While no one is advocating same-sex sexual conduct between scouts or between scout leaders and scouts, the position statement confuses conduct with identity since the organization rejects membership also in terms of one’s identity. Actually, no atheist or agnostic need apply either since the Boy Scouts of America “Anthem” proclaims: “The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God….The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favors and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members.” In fact, a significant percentage, some estimate as high as 70% of local scout chapters, have affiliations with various religious denominations, including the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and the Catholic
Church, both of which hold positions opposing inclusion of gay, bisexual, and non-gender normative members. So why, after its reiteration of the ban just last year, is the National Executive Board even considering a reversal? Quite simply, the Board’s policies have placed the Boy Scouts of America on the endangered organizations list. Since its reaffirmation last year, major corporate donors have either pulled out completely or have severely reduced financial support. Such corporations include the Intel Foundation, UPS, United Way, and Merck Company Foundation. Over 70,000 people signed a petition asking BSA’s National Executive Board to drop its discriminatory policy. In addition, around 65,000 scouts turned in their uniforms last year in reaction to the ban, bringing down the total membership below 2.7 million. Since 2000, the organization has lost approximately 21% of its membership. The United States Supreme Court in 2000 affirmed BSA’s right as a private organization to bar anyone, including gay, bisexual, and transgender scouts and scouters from membership under the First Amendment’s “freedom of association” clause when “the presence of that person affects in a significant way the group’s ability to advocate public or private viewpoints.” The justices ruled that since BSA opposes homosexuality as part of its “expressive message,” allowing gay and bisexual members into the organization would interfere with that message.
Dear Dr. Olson, I’m a mid-level professional and I would like to introduce my partner to my co-workers. Is it safe to come out at work? Greg In 1986, I was freshly divorced, newly out (only to a very limited degree), and Medical Director of Psychiatry for one of Iowa’s largest hospitals, I was threatened to be “out-ed” to the hospital administration by a problem physician. Fearing that my career and my only source of income was about to go down the drain, I confessed my sexual orientation to my vice-president. She said, “Loren, we knew that when we hired you.” She wouldn’t tell me how she knew, but her validation freed me to include my
husband, Doug, in all future work-related activities. Finally, I could stop censoring my life from others with whom I worked closely. A few weeks ago I spoke at the Gay/ Straight Alliance at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, an event that was unimaginable when I graduated from UNMC 45 years ago. At that time I knew no one in medical school who was gay—nor did any of my class mates, and no one knew of any of the gay bars that existed in Omaha at the time. Still considered to be “a pathologic deviancy,” being openly gay would surely have ended our medical careers. Life is remarkably different than it was then. In his inaugural address, President Obama said, “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.” Homophobic boards and cultures persist in some corporate businesses and typically the bigger the business, the more conser-
Interest Convergence
The late Dr. Derrick Bell of New York University Law School forwarded the theory of “interest convergence,” meaning that white people will support racial justice only when they understand and see that there is something in it for them, when there is a “convergence” between the interests of white people with racial justice. Bell asserted that the Supreme Court ended the longstanding policy in 1954 of “separate but equal” in Brown v. Board of Education because it wanted to present to the world, and in particular, to the Soviet Union during the height of the cold war, a United States that supported civil and human rights. Let’s take another example: LDS president, Brigham Young, instituted a policy on February 13, 1849, emanating from “divine revelation” and continuing until as recently as 1978 forbidding ordination of black men of African descent from the ranks of LDS priesthood. This policy prohibited black men and women from participating in the temple Endowment and sealings, which the Church requires for the highest degree of salvation. The policy likewise restricted black people from attending or participating in temple marriages. Young attributed this restriction to the sin of Cain, Adam and Eve’s eldest son, who killed his brother Abel: “What chance is there for the redemption of the Negro?,” stated Young in 1849 following declaration of his restrictive policy. “The Lord had cursed Cain’s seed with blackness and prohibited them the
The Board’s policies have placed the Boy Scouts of America on the endangered organizations list.
Shrink Rap by Loren A Olson MD
vative it is. Over 40% of LGBT professionals remain closeted, but that is an improvement in the last two years with more and more executives are tip toeing out of the closet. Yet, young and ambitious LGBT professionals complain about a lack of openly gay mentors. Some employees live in social isolation for fear of being asked at the water cooler, “What are you doing this weekend?” Employees can still be fired for being gay in 29 states. No openly gay CEOs head-up corporations in the Fortune 1000. Some fear that coming out will disrupt career advancement; others fear customer boycott, particularly if they deal with highly homophobic cultures like the Middle East. A few wait until the safety of retirement to come out. Astronaut Sally Ride had her sexual orientation revealed in her obituary. More progressive employers have discovered that a culture of diversity helps in recruiting clients and talent retention. Gay men (17%) and women (9%) consider being gay an advantage; through their own diverse networks they are able to bring in clients and customers. Some
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 Priesthood.” The twelfth LDS Church president, Spencer W. Kimball, who served from 1973 to his death in 1985, was supposedly touched with a vision, and he reversed the ban, referring to it as “the long-promised day.” We can ask, however, whether “revelation” or interest conversion was the determining factor in granting black people full membership rights in the Church at a time of ongoing and heightened civil rights activities in the United States and an increase in LDS missionary recruitment efforts throughout the African continent. Well, possibly the BSA National Executive Board will, likewise, be touched with a similar “moral vision” by coming to a fuller recognition of how interest conversion impacts the ultimate survival of the Boy Scouts of America.
Some fear that coming out will disrupt career advancement; others fear customer boycott
TTSHRINK RAP continued page 27
Loren A. Olson MD is a board certified psychiatrist in the clinical practice of psychiatry for over 35 years. Dr. Olson has conducted research on mature gay and bisexual men for his book, Finally Out: Letting Go of Living Straight, a Psychiatrist’s Own Story. He has presented on this subject at conferences across the United States and Internationally. His blog, MagneticFire. com, has a strong following among mature gay and bisexual men. He established Prime Timers of Central Iowa, a social organization for mature gay/bisexual men. For more information go to FinallyOutBook.com or contact him on Facebook.com.
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Section 1: News & Politics
MARCH 2013
Moving Forward by Tony Dillon-Hansen Diane Ravitch said about education reform that “The greatest obstacle to those who hope to reform… is complacency.” While she may have been speaking about education, her comment reflects upon any noble crusade for reform. Listening to the news recently, one would think that we have achieved great milestones with respect to equality as pertaining to the LGBT community. While we may have finally crossed some dimensions of the struggle, there are still many throughout the United States that do not enjoy any semblance of equality whom those in specific states or cities enjoy (notwithstanding the federal DOMA restrictions). We may have had our moments including when a President (whether premeditated by political campaigning or not) recognized the civil rights strife in the current era as inclusive of the LGBT community. We, however, cannot rest on our laurels thinking the war is won. We cannot become complacent. The work of many years and the milestones that we have achieved, thus far, can easily be vaporized if we do nothing to keep the pace moving forward. The Promised Land cannot be thought of as here and now, but instead, that moment will only be when equality is achieved for all of our brothers and sisters. For all of the advances that we have gained, there are those that are actively working to stem or to reverse the tide because they have now had to endure
major setbacks. We do not have to think too far back to remember how that feels on our side. In 2010 (just couple years ago), judges were voted out of office because of narrow-minded bigotry while more states voted to exclude marriage from loving couples. In Iowa, we are but a couple votes away from having a constitutional amendment proposal in Iowa to exclude marriage. To think we have somehow escaped the gravity of bigotry and right-wing mantras in American politics is erroneous and dangerous to the cause of continued freedom. Further, complacency sanctions people to be lulled into inactivity and even arrogance. Even great athletes lose important matches and games if they think they have finally achieved the winning point without actually finishing the win. The time to rest is not now. The time now is to keep the presence in the face of, as well as to keep the pressure upon, lawmakers to help equality to remain alive. The time now is to help friends and family to remember what equality and freedom mean at the ballot box. For those that have yet to enjoy equality, we must help to further their cause because we are reminded of how breathtakingly close we are. We know the people of the far-right are planning the next move, and again, they will be well-funded. They are digging through numbers and stories to find material that they can use to destroy equality.
They are planning on less active voting in the next elections. They will use fear; they will use so-called traditions; and they will use fabrications and distortions of truth to further their agendas. They will paint pictures of burning Rome, will recall angry prophecies of the Bible and will ridicule ideas that promote diversity. They will cast terrorism and diversity as mutual enemies of the state. We know this because we have seen this. They are still using these tactics and we can expect them to continue this pathology of destructive lies, especially if they think we are complacent with our recent victories. Conservative Barry Goldwater said, “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice…moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Complacency cannot be our resolve, but instead we should be even more vigilant. No society can base its traditions upon lies and deceit unless they are all liars and deceivers. No society can continue to be great when the whole of its members are disallowed to expand in culture, knowledge, and skills. As Martin Luther King Jr said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We must further the cause of equality without prejudice, respect of diversity, respect for all families, and adherence to the truth. We must do this not just in our community and state, but we must also help our LGBT friends and family elsewhere. We should be extreme with defending our rights because they are granted to us by a higher power. Equal justice and love for neighbor is essential to what Jesus taught. No one should be allowed to distort that, and no one should place liberty (or
Just hours after Pope Benedict XVI announced his unexpected resignation, a bolt of lightning struck St. Peter’s Basilica. Many say it’s unequivocally a sign from God. If so, I’m hoping it’s an Amen moment signaling the end of an oppressive era of LGBTQ bashing as the church now moves forward. “With the pope’s impending resignation, the church has an opportunity to turn away from his oppressive policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, and their families and friends, and develop a new understanding of the ways in which God is at work in the lives of faithful and loving people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said the LGBT Catholic group Equally Blessed in a statement. This pope has used his papal authority to hold back the tides against modernity. And the early signs were there long before Benedict became pope. The reaction by many religious progressives to the election of then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in April 2005 as Pope Benedict XVI had been tempered by either their faith to keep hope alive or by an apologetic acceptance in deference to Pope John Paul II. If the Catholic Church was looking for a religious leader who embraces the world—as it is today—Pope Benedict XVI a.k.a. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was not the man. Benedict used his authoritarian and
“Rottweiler” persona of church doctrine to maintain an ecclesiastical lockdown on the churches progressives. For example, just last year he publicly bashed, not surprisingly, a group of U.S. “dissident” nuns for “focusing its work too much on poverty and economic injustice, while keeping ‘silent’ on abortion and same-sex marriage.” This rogue group of Catholic sisters were not only undermining the Church’s teaching on the priesthood and homosexuality, but they were also brashly promoting “certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.” Benedict pushed back against the tide of progressive theologies by upholding a rigid orthodoxy of millennium-old church doctrines and creeds. Case in point, Benedict suppressed the growth of Liberation Theologies in Third World countries, the emerging face of the Catholic Church, for their supposedly Marxist leanings that exposed classism. However, Liberation Theologies combines Christian theology with political activism on issues dealing with human rights and social justice. Liberation Theologies emphasize the biblical themes that God’s actions on behalf of the enslaved, the poor,
the outcasts like women, people of color, and LGBTQ people, just to name a few, are a central paradigm for a faith that embraces the world—as it is today—from an engaged and committed stance that does justice. It is Liberation Theologies that have given women, people of color, LGBTQs, developing countries a voice. And it’s Liberation Theologies that allow us all—churched and unchurched, believer as well as atheist—to stand in the truth of who we are. Benedict’s venomous attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people has been unrelenting. Just this past December, the Pontiff’s Christmas sermon denounced same-sex marriage, advocating it would destroy the “essence of the human creature.” In previous sermonic anti-LGBTQ diatribes during his tenure as pope Benedict has stated that marriage equality is a “manipulation of nature,” and a threat to world peace. The Pontiff doesn’t equivocate his stance on us with the theological qualifier to “love the sinner but hate the sin.” Instead, Benedict takes his stance to a level that invites LGBTQ-bashing justified in the name of God. “Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is more
We, however, cannot rest on our laurels thinking the war is won. We cannot become complacent.
Tony E Hansen is a web developer, organizer, researcher, writer, martial artist, and vocalist from Des Moines. For more information go to tigersndragons.com. equal justice) in the wavering hands of whatever the current tyrannical majority believes. Nor should we allow hateful lies to stand uncontested. Freedom, justice and equality may be birthrights, but we know that some would ensure that we do not get to enjoy these God-given benefits. They purpose their negative lives so that we do not get our share of the pie. They may do this because of some false notion of a superiority complex or they may simply not want to share the fruits of society with all. If they will not allow us to celebrate and to enjoy our birthrights, we must be ready and willing to fight.
It’s time for a queer-friendly pope by Rev. Irene Monroe Benedict takes his stance to a level that invites LGBTQ-bashing justified in the name of God.
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. or less a strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil,” Cardinal Ratzinger stated in a 1986 Letter to the Bishops of the
TTMONROE cont’d page 9
Section 1: News & Politics
MARCH 2013
ACCESSline Page 9
Minor Details by Robert Minor Can “Lincoln” Still Happen Here and Now?
One lesson most moviegoers picked up from Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” was that the workings of Congress have always involved downright ugly wheeling and dealing. Votes were bought, sold, and traded to pass both good and bad legislation. The laudatory goal of that January 1865 backroom and backalley horse trading was to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude. Lincoln and Secretary of State, William Seward, were uncomfortable with offering direct monetary bribes to buy the necessary votes, but instead authorized agents to under-handedly contact Democratic congressmen with offers of federal jobs in exchange for their support. Americans can cling to the idea that their country is somehow virtuous, even uniquely so. But contrary to what we might want to believe about America as an exceptionally pristine nation moving in some providential way toward the expansion of liberty, the fact is that the good that’s been accomplished has often been achieved by moving politicians through appealing to their pocketbooks, their desire to amass fortunes, offers of opportunities for their personal futures, and other base, egotistic needs. There’s no evidence that such political motivations have disappeared. But what has changed is that what Lincoln had to offer as incentives is no longer effective. Honest Abe offered patronage appointments that guaranteed that lame duck politicians could live out their days in secure federal jobs. Back then that was an effective payment for their vote. Today a similar offer of a government job has little appeal. It can’t compete financially with vastly more lucrative corporate,
lobbying, or consulting jobs waiting to reward politicians who vote pro-corporate and, thereby, earn those positions before they exit government. Today’s reality is that even being voted out of office is hardly a penalty in the on-going culture of “the best Congress money can buy.” To lose an election means that one is going to enter a much better paid career through the revolving door into lobbying and consulting. Yet one will only earn that reward if one has consistently voted for what benefits these future corporate employers. So, though we might ask why many politicians aren’t thinking logically, or in the light of what works economically, or for the betterment of the whole country, these have become less relevant questions. Sadly, it’s true in either party. It explains why Democratic leadership is repeatedly unwilling to actively confront Republicans, why they keep acting as if Republican leadership includes honest brokers, why the Democratic millionaires in the Senate appear to think that Republicans will miraculously repent and act in ways they haven’t in over a decade. Most in Congress, no matter what political party they claim, will financially benefit personally from Republican victories. Thus, Democrats are willing to move further to the right-wing while the rightwing jumps up and down in the same place. There are exceptions among the Democrats, probably none any longer among the Republicans in Congress. But for some reason Senate Democrats continue to elect Harry Reid as their leader even though he can’t seem to lead his majority to a progressive win. Reid’s recent whining about Republican misuse of the filibuster follows his capitulation to Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell after expressing his frus-
To lose an election means that one is going to enter a much better paid career through the revolving door into lobbying and consulting.
tration with Republican filibuster misuse in 2012. Reid caved, and one wonders what Harry got out of the deal for himself. Either Harry and the Democrats who continue to let him lead don’t know how things work and don’t pay attention to recent history, or they have a stake in keeping things the way they are. Fool you once, Harry, shame on the Republicans. Fool you how many times now, Harry and your senators, shame on you. So, what motivates lawmakers today? Choose one or more: (1) Ideology. So entranced by their ideological stands, and so caught in ideological bubbles, or so caught in an Obama derangement syndrome, no set of facts will change them. They’re like advanced addicts for whom only personally hitting bottom could dislodge them. Otherwise, they’ll never identify with anything that’ll disrupt their entrenched worldview. (2) Power and Prestige. Once people have accumulated massive fortunes and found that money doesn’t bring fulfillment, they turn to seek personal fulfillment in the accumulation of power and adulation especially from those in the upper class whom they accept as worthy competitors. They’re more likely to be affected by the threat of losing their elected positions, unless, like Jim DeMint, they become convinced that they’ll accumulate more power in the world of lobbying. And another source of prestige is the attention they can get as FOX News personalities. (3) Money. There are lawmakers committed to corporate goals because they see this as the way to further their careers and accumulate millions after leaving politics. A legislative position is the place to increase their financial value to corporate America by making insider government connections and proving they are worth the money they hope to gain later. (4) Security. Politics is a tool to secure these lawmakers’ personal business interests by ensuring laws increasing their tax and other advantages. They see themselves as barriers preventing government from
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MONROE Catholic Church on Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons. On the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith website, directed by then Cardinal Ratzinger, he wrote: “Those who would move from tolerance to the legitimization of specific rights for cohabiting homosexual persons need to be reminded that the approval or legalization of evil is something far different from the toleration of evil.” Benedict believes that evil is born into a person and that it is part of their ontological makeup; therefore, when you remove the bad seed, you ostensibly remove the evil. And many religious conservatives feel that since you cannot remove LGBTQ people from society, then society must either restrain or deny them their civil rights. And one clear way to do that is to call that group of people “evil” or state that they contribute to, if not create, evil in the world. St. Augustine argued that evil arose
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. adding restrictions and financial costs to their wealth. (5) Benevolence and pity. No matter how much of it is money-raising and at times kow-towing to people with money, politics is a chance to improve the lives of others even at personal cost. That price could be financial loss, but doing the right thing could even mean the end of political office. Staying in power can have multiple, often lower, motives. No matter how we want to believe that politicians will be moved by benevolence, logic, facts, the “good of the country” or “what’s best for citizens,” the reality is usually quite different. So, when we approach politicians, let’s abandon any illusions. Let’s do it realistically. Let’s recognize that we’re confronting self-centered reasons for hanging onto power. And then proceed in the light of Frederick Douglass’ realism: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will.”
from the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. And St. Thomas Aquinas said that evil derives from man’s abuse of God giving us the choice of free will. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that philosopher JeanJacques Rousseau stated that evil was not an intrinsic nature found in man, but instead it was caused by the corruption and constraints of a society. And I side with Rousseau. Evil exists in its various machinations because of systems, regimes, presidencies, and, yes, the Vatican, which allow it to give birth unchecked. As a system whose wheels churn on the absence of goodness, evil reduces people to objects of sin and targets of hatred, thus denying them their basic human needs. And its strength to maintain human suffering is proportionate not only to its political and capital clout, but also to the strength of its religious ideological underpinning. The problem with evil is not only how it diminishes human life, but also how it denies the suffering it causes. It’s time for a queer-friendly pope. And the bolt of lightning striking St. Peter’s Basilica is no clearer sign.
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Section 1: News & Politics
MARCH 2013
Just Sayin’ by Beau Fodor
We must not give up the fight...For we have only just begun...
These past few months for me, and PANACHE, have been extremely tumultuous and had me very insecure and unsure of my struggle for another re-invention. Late last year was very difficult; from Hurricane Sandy, my family on the East Coast, to my aging parents reaching their “transitioning” point, and now personally having to face the future as I never had to before—well, I wanted to step-back and chill for awhile. I thought my 4 years as “Iowa’s Gay Wedding Planner” had a good run and I could be done. I thought I should move on to something “less” stressful, and just focus on a simpler existence, like just catering dinner parties and doing personal shopping...at least until I could catch my breath (or a multi-millionaire). But, then came a Presidential shout-
out and newly found acceptance and celebration for marriage equality, not just here in Iowa, but everywhere! And all of a sudden it was like a torch had been lit and a race needed to be finished; at least for me. And then my blog and web presence blew up, literally…and...wow, I was inspired! I found new inspiration from couples who called in late December and early January. Along with state-wide acceptance and accommodation at Iowa Wedding Expo’s and Bridal Shows that continued thru the month of February. And now this coming weddings season, we have couples coming from all four corners of the U.S.A. Planning, budgeting, counseling, decorating and accommodating these couples is the easy part. Listening and sharing their hopes and fears, and hearing the stories of their struggles with homophobia and equality— sometimes from their own friends and
families, is at the heart of the matter. And very eye-opening, stressful and humbling to discuss with every wedding party. This is why we must continue to lift our voices. From the “Runaway Texas Brides”, who will travel secretly and alone, against all odds, and be married in a Horse and Carriage ceremony at the Capitol. To the family of 40, from Mexico City, Mexico, who’s life-savings will be spent on traveling here to be allowed this freedom in a safe and supportive environment. Well, it was my wake-up call, showing me how this needs to be my “mission statement”... to continue to be the best little gay “Weddings” Planner that I can possibly be. And while that may sound self-serving, it’s not. I sometimes struggle with these columns and my blog posts, worrying if I sound self-serving or worse-yet, pontificating. But I do feel as though our visibility here in Iowa is creating credibility in the movement—both nationally and internationally (or as the singer Pitbull says’ “WORLD-WIDE”). My story and my stories are adding to that visibility and help the movement. And I believe that there is so much intervention and education that still needs to take place on the issue.
destructive, and deceptive leadership,” Jones announced proudly on his website. “It is time for a new American revolution. Let us organize, unite, and hit the streets in order to bring this nation back to greatness.” Rah rah rah! As you know, if it’s not on YouTube it didn’t happen. So thankfully there’s a heavily edited video of the burning you can watch with your own eyes if you must. “Do you know what bestiality is?” Jones asks the crowd (several people say no). “Sex with animals. “He,” Jones said pointing to the Obama doll, “he said it was okay.” People in the crowd understandably react in disgust and anger at “learning” that Obama is totally cool with animal f*cking. “And people wonder why we’re so upset,” Jones says as he takes a gun out of his jeans pocket in what I suspect was supposed to be a cool move but the gun gets caught and he has to tug a separate time to free it. Setting the gun on the lectern in front of him he says, “And people wonder why we’re mad.” He puts the gun back in his pocket. “People wonder why we call for a revolution. Sex with animals. Our president says it’s okay our senate says it’s okay. And we do nothing.” Now I do not remember when the President and the Senate of the United States of America passed the pro-animal sexing act. My guess is that it’s a provision buried in some kind of appropriations bill. Sneaky bastards. An African-American man, identified in the YouTube video as, no sh*t, “Michael the Black Man,” addresses the crowd next surrounded by seven other AfricanAmerican men. “You see we have an effigy of Obama and one of Mr. Clinton. President Clinton,” MBM says. “The reason why he’s up there with Obama is because he deserves to burned in hell, too.” Oh, thank you MBM for explaining that.
Because I was having trouble wrapping my brain around why Clinton was being burned on National Burn Effigy of Obama Day
I do feel as though our visibility here in Iowa is creating credibility in the movement—both nationally and internationally (or as the singer Pitbull says’ “WORLD-WIDE”).
Creep of the Week by D’Anne Witkowski Terry Jones
Hey are you pissed that President Obama has been all nice-nice with the gays lately? Then you should totally set him on fire. Or at least a life-size Obama doll strung up on a gallows on the front lawn of your church with an upside down American flag flying in the background. Because that’s what Jesus would have done. And that’s what Pastor Terry Jones did to show everyone that he was not pleased with all this gay lovin’ the President was lavishing on the queers. You may recognize Jones’ name because he’s the *sshole that burned the Quran to show those Muslins who’s boss. “In times of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act,” says Jones in a YouTube video of the effigy burning. Jones is decked out in a black leather jacket and mirror sunglasses while standing in front of a trailer with “National Burn Effigy of Obama Day” written in red on it. Next to the trailer is a giant tombstone that reads “Obama Dead” sitting on a pile of dirt. On Jones’ website he writes, “President Hussein Obama is a disgrace to this nation. He is an illegal president, the poster child for abortion, a frontrunner of the homosexual movement, a destroyer of the U.S. Constitution, and the great friend of Islamic terrorist governments.” Did you know all of this? I did not know all of this. Jones is what you might call an information man. Always schooling. I certainly did not know Obama was the “frontrunner of the homosexual movement.” I’m not even sure what that means. But if Terry Jones said it, why it’s as good as God’s word. If God were a hateful man with a handlebar mustache. “On Saturday, January 19th, 2012, we burned an effigy of Obama as a public expression of our disgust for his immoral,
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 Toby Schuh Photography. Issues such as U.S. Military beneficiaries and continuing gay marriage through-
TTBEAU FODOR continued page 27
(which, I should add, is not a federal holiday). Personally I think Clinton deserves his own day, but hey, I didn’t organize this event.
ACCESSline’s
Our Picks for March
3/1, Hotel Vetro, Iowa City, Iowa, Sweet Equality in Iowa City, OneIowa.org 3/2, Kraze Outfitters, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Book Signing Event, KrazeOutfitters.com 3/3, Omaha Performing Arts, Slosburg Hall, Omaha, NE, Joffrey Ballet, Le Sacre du Printemps The Rite of Spring 100th Anniversary, omahaperformingarts.org 3/5-10, Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines, Iowa, Jekyll & Hyde, DesMoinesPerformingArts.org 3/6, Iowa Pride Network, Des Moines, Iowa, 2013 Student Day at the Capitol, IowaPrideNetwork.org 3/7, Rainbow Outreach, Omaha, Nebraska, Helen Broadway-Savage Lecture, RainbowOutreach.org 3/9, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 2013 Iowa Pride Conference, IowaPrideNetwork.org 3/11, Englert Theatre, Iowa City, Iowa, Janis Ian, Englert.org 3/15, Temple Theater, Des Moines, Iowa, Rhythm of Love, DMGMC.org 3/15, Radisson Quad City Plaza, Davenport, Iowa, The Prides of March Masquerade Ball, QCPride.org 3/16, Gallagher-Bluedorn, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Dreamgirls, GBPAC.com 3/16, Dubuque Five Flags Theater, Dubuque, Iowa, Dubuque Symphony: A Chain of Jewels, DubuqueSymphony.org 3/22-4/21, Des Moines Playhouse, Des Moines, Iowa, 9 to 5 the Musical, DMPlayhouse.com 3/30, Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines, Iowa, Ballet Des Moines-Snow White, DesMoinesPerformingArts.org
...and April
4/5, Englert Theatre, Iowa City, Iowa,
Tig Notaro & Janeane Garofalo, Englert.org
4/9, Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines, Iowa, Momix: Botanica, DesMoinesPerformingArts.org 4/11, Mason City Community Theatre, Mason City, Iowa, Arsenic & Old Lace, MCCommunityTheatre.com
fun guide
Rachael Kilgour interview by Arthur Breur
Rachael Kilgour It’s easy to understand why singer/ songwriter Rachael Kilgour is developing a following: just listen to any one of her songs. Her lyrics are simultaneously conversational and profound—like that random phrase someone says, offhand, that suddenly snaps you to a new awareness about something you thought was completely familiar. It doesn’t hurt that her voice is as approachable and real as the words she sings. I discovered while talking to her that her words and music are just a clear distillation of her sharp mind and very likeable personality. You are touring throughout the Midwest and have just released a new EP. Tell us about that. Yes, the title of the EP is “Whistleblower’s Manifesto, Songs for a New Revolution”—which is basically longer than the EP itself. It is more of my social justice-themed music. I have two previous albums that I released, and they are a mix of both that kind of music and also love songs, and songs about my kid, and other things like that. But this time I wanted to specifically target social justice. It’s the thing I enjoy the most, singing about things that inspire people. You write very clever and witty
lyrics. What is your process for writing a song? Well, I’ve found that I do tend to struggle with some social anxiety, and have always had a hard time expressing myself with words, live. But when I write lyrics I get to craft them and perfect exactly what my message is. I tend to start out with an idea: something that’s been either bugging me, or something positive that I’ve been thinking about. The rest of it is like I’m doing a puzzle. I have a really logical brain. It’s funny, because you’d think that being a singer-songwriter that I might be creative, but I don’t find myself extremely creative. I feel a lot of it is filling in the blanks, and my brain is constantly thinking of new ways to express things. New analogies, new things to get people to think. I guess when I’m writing the music I’m just trying to put out my thoughts in the best way that I can. There are some songs that I just sit down and—tada!—it’s done, I don’t know where that came from. And then there are other times where I’ll have to work on it a little longer. You married Adeline Wright in 2007—was that in Canada? Well, we’re married, except that it’s
TTKILGOUR cont’d page 31
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The Fun Guide
MARCH 2013
Inside Out: Scrabble by Ellen Krug It was totally unexpected—a bulky brown manila envelope in the mailbox. A late Christmas gift from my baby sister, Jacki. I cut open the envelope and found a short note with seven wooden letters. Each letter—in a monotype font—was affixed with a different patterned paper. A crisp crimson “N,” a polka-dotted “Y,” a paisley “E.” Even a sparkly “O.” I spread out the letters on my breakfast bar and played an unintended game of Scrabble. For a good ten minutes, I rearranged letters one way, and then another, creating words, but never with all seven letters. “Run.” “Joy.” “No.” “Yet.” I walked away from my new guests, these letters. In a bit, I’d call Jacki and get the answer—the word—and save myself any more mild frustration. Hold on. Give it another try, El. Once more, I moved letters around. This time, I tried for syllables, with “EY” at the end. Finally, the word came to me—of course! “J-O-U-R-N-E-Y.” Oh my god. Jacki understands after all. There are three of us Krug kids. I’m the oldest, originally the big brother. Mark, in the middle, has been a steadfast ally as I took my “gender journey” from boy to girl. He even babied me for a week, spoon-feeding me pain pills ground-up in chocolate pudding after one of my surgeries. Jacki, on the other hand, has had a more difficult time with my transition. “You were my big brother,” she once wrote. “You gave me security and the comfort of knowing that I’d have someone if I ever needed help. Now that you’re Ellen, I don’t have that anymore.” The words hurt. We had become very close—Sunday morning breakfast pals, just the two of us, talking about kids, careers, and growing up. She taught science in Catholic middle school, and bragged about me, her big brother lawyer. Jacki, Mark and I had survived an alcoholic father and weak mother. Twentythree years ago, on a frigid Tuesday night in January, Jacki and I raced to an American Airlines plane at the Cedar Rapids airport. We were barely an hour in with the news of my father killing himself. Against the backdrop rrrrrrrrrrrr of propellers cutting through icy air, Jacki and I clasped hands, vise-like, leaning on each other.
Four years later, Mom was gone from cancer. The Krug kids doubled back, sibling to sibling, realizing that we had survived several family horrors and that somehow we’d been able to manage three intact marriages with children. A decade and a half later, I came out as transgender. That was the end of my marriage. I knew that coming out would greatly hurt Jacki and that she would pull back. I also knew that I’d dearly miss our Sunday morning breakfasts. What is it about being transgender that causes people to fall away? Why do we lose people we love and people who love us? Don’t they see that by transitioning, trans folks are more at peace as their true selves? That we’re finally authentic? I had a best friend in Cedar Rapids— “Drew”—who hated to see me with my hair grown out and face in make-up. He called me “the ghost of Ed Krug.” He went on: “It’s as if you’ve died. The person that I know is gone.” Those words hurt, too. By then, I was on a trajectory away from manhood, headed toward the true Me, a woman named Ellen. Still, I missed Drew. Jacki and I went for several years with minimal contact—not shut down completely, but then again, not with very much communication, either. Then, she and her family travelled to Minneapolis for a family wedding last fall. We had a family picnic the next day. “Can we take a walk?” I asked. We made our way around Minnehaha Park on a crisp October afternoon. I told her about my book and floated the pseudonym—“Jacki”—that I had selected for her. She was good with that, and even good with the fact that I had written a book about my life. I asked about her new job—one that paid way better than her old science teacher job—and offered some advice about a project she was considering. We talked about my job heading a nonprofit and about our kids. It was a good talk, almost as good as those Sunday breakfasts. Later, Christmas arrived. There was a phone call and holiday greetings. Nice,
I thought. Which brings us back to JOURNEY. “I can’t take the credit for the word,” Jacki confessed when I called to thank her. Her oldest daughter—a young twenty-something—had suggested the word because it fit me. Still, Jacki had sent the letters Still more, Jacki had signed off. Even better—more than anything else, for the first time—I believed that Jacki actually did understand. JOURNEY. As in going from one place to another. As in leaving one spot and arriving at another. As in surviving and then prospering. The key, as I see it, is another word, one that’s just as important as JOURNEY. That word? R-E-S-I-L-I-EN-C-Y. The only way that trans people survive is by being resilient—we need to push forward, not be deterred, and keep our eyes on the prize, that destination of the true “me.” But we also have to be resilient in another way. We need to remain open to people from our former lives. It means giving them space to grieve over the loss
Why do we lose people we love and people who love us? Don’t they see that by transitioning, trans folks are more at peace as their true selves?
If this was a Holocaust denier or a white supremacist, there would be no question. Hiring that writer would be an embarrassment to your company. Well, [Orson Scott] Card is an embarrassment to your company, DC. And of all the characters Card could have been hired to write, you give him Superman? The character that taught me to lead by example? To do the right thing, even when it was hard? To keep going, even when it seemed hopeless? What an insult. Kids are killing themselves. They are killing themselves in a climate of intolerance and homophobia publicly fostered by people like Orson Scott Card. You don’t have to contribute to this. You shouldn’t. You mustn’t. ~Actor Michael Hartney in a letter to DC Comics.
Ellie Krug is a columnist and the author of Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change. She resides in Minneapolis and welcomes your comments at ellenkrugwriter@gmail.com. Visit her blog at www.gettingtoellen.com. of our former—false—selves and the time needed to heal. If we do that, many people whom we thought we lost will actually come back. Just as Jacki apparently has. Of course, she was resilient, too. She could have walked away from me and never looked back. Thankfully that didn’t happen. JOURNEY now rests on my desk, behind my laptop, plainly visible. The letters have become a reminder of where I had been. And of where I’m going.
The Fun Guide
MARCH 2013
ACCESSline Page 13
Wired This Way by Rachel Eliason
Shut up and Take my Data!
I have written about online privacy several times before. As I have said the real issue has very little to do with who can see your Facebook pictures or someone seeing your posts. Those situations can be embarrassing. If it happens because of yet another default change to Facebook’s setting you may be inclined to blame them. The sad truth is that the internet is definitely a “user beware” sort of place. What I am talking about is “meta-data” and what companies do with it. This kind of sharing happens regardless of your privacy settings. Companies argue since they aren’t including identifying information and they aren’t publicly posting the information (merely selling it to other corporations) that it’s not a violation of your privacy. Regardless it’s a goldmine of data being collected and shared on every web activity you do, from what you “like” to what you search for. Why does that issue get such a ho-hum response? It’s no real surprise that the industry has little interest in the issue. After all Facebook makes most of its money by selling meta-data to third party sources. It’s not just Facebook either. Google does it too. A quick look through Mashables article on “how internet companies make their money” is enlightening. Advertising, lead generation and selling data figure into almost every company’s
revenue stream. Expecting the industry to tackle this problem is like expecting congress to tackle corruption in Washington. But why aren’t consumers up in arms? Is it because the risks are so distant to our everyday lives? After all it’s not data they are selling but meta-data. When a company tracks you, you are given an “unique identifier”—a string of numbers. The marketing research company that buys that data never sees your name or any other identifying information. All they know is that consumer x searched A and then B. How bad is that? I have written before about the potential dangers of this sort of data mining. For instance LGBT people can and have been outed by targeted advertising. Why then are we not protesting in the streets against this kind of data sharing? Maybe it’s because while the potential dangers seems distant, the benefits are tangible and strike much closer to home. Running a huge website costs money. Facebook has to make money somehow. Which would you prefer, a premium site that cost 10 dollars a month or a free website with some advertising on it? If you are going to have advertising then targeted ads are win-win. You are more likely to see ads you are interested in and advertisers get better results. You can’t have targeted ads on Facebook, smart searches on Google, suggested
friends on any social network or even autocompletion without metadata. So we fork over the data, like it or not. Once upon a time people worried about cookies. Now the average consumer is like “cookies? Who doesn’t like cookies?” Seriously, we are still concerned about cookies, but what happens when you disable them? Amazon doesn’t remember your last shopping session or your credit card info. Your favorite game site no longer recognizes you or remembers just how awesome you are at Monkey Quest. What do you do? You enable cookies and flash and all those other plug-ins you have been warned about and hope for the best. That’s what I do anyway. For me the moment when I abandoned any pretext of being concerned about privacy and began whoring myself to the data gods came when I got my new Nexus 4 smartphone. The latest android system has a built in feature called Google Now. Google Now is seriously high in geek appeal. We talk a lot about how technology makes our life simpler but the simple plain truth is that most technology is a pain in the butt. Google Now is one of those rare things we geeks can point to and say, “see, this stuff really does make your life simpler.” Let’s say you have a meeting set up for eleven am. You put it in your google calendar and set your phone to remind you fifteen minutes before the meeting. Unbeknownst to you (how often do you get a chance to use that word in a sentence?), there is a huge traffic accident somewhere between you and your meeting. Traffic is delayed by a half an hour or more. Google Now will monitor the traffic between you and your upcoming meeting and move your reminder to compensate. I love Google Now though I have to admit
Dear D, Thank you for your heartfelt and honest email. You’re certainly not alone. If you didn’t go to a gay gym, I’d be tempted to remind you that most people are too caught up in their own workouts to pay much attention to anyone else around them. In most situations, the judgment that exercisers feel is perceived judgment and not actual judgment. The reality is that most people could care less what you look like or how much weight you’re lifting. But things are a bit different at gay gyms. As someone who has attended many gay gyms, there’s a certain layer of sexual tension that pervades the environment. And yes, many guys do seem to be paying attention to the exercisers around them. There are a few things to keep in mind. First, when amazingly built guys talk about how crappy their abs look, know
that it’s a reflection of their own insecurities and not an assessment on your level of fitness. Just because they’re spouting ridiculousness to each other doesn’t mean that you need to believe or internalize it. That is their path and their fitness journey. Don’t make it your own. Second, reassess your reasons for working out. What motivates you? Yes, there is an appeal to looking a certain way. As a personal trainer, you know that vanity is what brings most people in the door. The thing is, most of us soon discover the true benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle–and how it fundamentally improves every aspect of your being. The shift happens wherein people exercise not because they hate their body, but because they love their body. And honoring your body with exercise is an extension of honoring your life. That’s the real magic. So take some time to examine your reasons for working out, and then let
We are on a slippery slope. Instead of being scared most of us are doing belly flops and laughing. We came to this slope with our toboggans and sleds. It’s a fun ride but what sort of spiky rocks are waiting at the bottom?
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. that given where I live and my occupation, I am not the consumer who would benefit the most from it. Google Now will occasionally tell me to expect a one minute delay on the three mile drive to my day job. (And given the fact that my day job is actually a night job, those delays rarely coincide with when I am actually trying to go to work.) Still it’s a cool to be able to drag up from the bottom of the phone’s screen and instantly see things like the weather and traffic to and from places I have recently been or to have a search
TTWIRED continued page 23
I’m Insecure at the Gym by Davey Wavey, AFPA certified personal trainer Dear Davey, I’m 26 years-old, a certified personal trainer… I’m gay and while I would certainly be considered to be very fit, I’ve been feeling increasingly ostracized in the gay fitness community. I used to love going to the gym. I’d go five or six days a week, sometimes twice for an extra cardio or abs session, and loved every second of it. Lately, I’m barely able to drag myself there once or twice a week, and I feel nothing but self-conscious the whole time. I live in a densely gay populated area of DC, so the gym is essentially like watching clothed porn stars work out. While I realize the foolishness in comparing oneself to others, these guys are in phenomenal shape yet strut around talking about how terrible their abs look, and how their arms are only seventeen inches big and all sorts of ridiculous crap. Still, over the course of many months, it’s kind of made me feel like what’s the point of working out at all? I’m in great shape but certainly not bodybuilder/porn star worthy. Being a trainer, I’ve always prided myself on having healthy, balanced, challenging workout plans, and now when I walk into the gym, I just feel like I have no clue what to do. From, D
Most of us soon discover the true benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle–and how it fundamentally improves every aspect of your being. The shift happens wherein people exercise not because they hate their body, but because they love their body.
Davey Wavey is an AFPA certified personal trainer shares his passion for and knowledge of fitness, exercise, health and nutrition with the world. For more information go to DaveyWaveyFitness.com. those reasons be your motivating force. Third, you might want to find a new gym. If you truly feel like your workout environment is too toxic to tune out, why not go somewhere else? It’s great having a sense of community and working out with friends, but perhaps a different gym is a better fit. If you can’t change the way that you look at your gym situation, there’s no shame in removing yourself from it. Love, Davey
The Fun Guide
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MARCH 2013
Getting to Ellen Review by Arthur Breur Ellen Krug’s memoir, Getting to Ellen, is touching, entertaining, witty, and exquisitely crafted. To anyone who has ever said, “I just can’t understand…” in reference to anything about people who fall into the “T” category of LGBT, I say: Read Getting to Ellen, and you will start to understand. However, this book is about more than just the topic of being courageously transgender: it is about being fully honest to ourselves and honest to the people we love, no matter what we fear the cost may be. With full disclosure in mind, this could never be a completely objective review. I met Ellen Krug in 2009, after I had become The ACCESSline’s editor-in-chief. Her law firm was an advertiser for the paper, and Ellen was as yet just a voice on the other end of the phone as we discussed the changes in her life and how they would be affecting the ad run in the paper. The change, fulltime, from “Ed” to “Ellen” had only recently been made. Our phone conversations graduated to an in-person meeting at Hamburger Mary’s in Cedar Rapids that December, and an apology that her law firm would be closing and would therefore no longer be running its ads. We talked about the reasons why, which were very much wrapped up in the changes taking place in her life. When I
asked what she wanted to do with her life, now that she was starting so many things fresh, she said she wanted to be a writer. The topic arose that she might contribute a column to The ACCESSline and I offered to read—and also critique— some of her writing. Shortly after I read an early draft of one of her short stories— what would eventually become some of the opening moments in this book—and I was impressed. I recall pointing out that she clearly already was a writer, and a good one at that. The meeting and that short story both cemented my opinion that Ellen Krug is one of the most courageous and dignified—and unflinchingly human—people I have ever met. Shortly thereafter, The ACCESSline published the first installment of Ellen’s “Inside Out” column. I continued to get occasional updates on Ellen’s progress as she worked on her memoir, but never saw another glimpse of what it would contain until receiving the completed book three years later. Upon reading Getting to Ellen my opinion of Ellen Krug as a person remains unchanged, and my opinion of her as a writer has risen. Memoirs are far from my favorite type of reading, usually because they often seem to be attempts at re-writing the author’s life. In addition,
Readers will find themselves understanding a perspective and a life experience that is probably very different from their own.
I have read memoirs that read more like documentaries than dramas. Not so, here. Ellen Krug brings a rich humanity to every person she portrays, even the people only seen once or twice in passing. She beautifully fills in just the right amount of details you need about places and settings and the physical elements of the story, and even creates some beautiful metaphors along the way—and they fit perfectly into the overall style of writing, so that it never feels forced or superfluous. Readers will find themselves understanding a perspective and a life experience that is probably very different from their own. Ellen has managed to write her story in such a way that the reader will constantly find themselves feeling and experiencing, moment by moment, the emotions—frustration, fear, anger, denial, happiness, loss, and love—that she describes. I felt myself wanting to cheer when—and with the title of the book, this is not a spoiler—we finally “get to” Ellen. On a negative note, I found the experience jarring when I would start reading those chapters that were out of the chronological order that drives most of the book—even though I can understand the strategic choice to introduce those elements in those places. This reaction might have been because I wanted so badly to find out what happens next?! Or perhaps it was just the feeling of frustration caused by having to go backward, to a time where things remained more
unresolved. Regardless, to me, the few out-of-chronological-order chapter starts drew me out of the overall experience of the story. Other than that, my only complaint was that I wanted to have more to read when I turned the last page and the story was over. I know there are more chapters for Ellen to write. I guess her readers will just have to wait, eagerly, for her next memoir. You can purchase Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty, and Gender Change by Ellen Krug at Amazon.com.
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MARCH 2013
SScontinued from page 1
ADVOCACY men, and the largest breakfast club in the state of Iowa. In addition to monthly meetings for mutual support, networking, and learning from distinguished speakers, FFBC gives scholarships to Iowa high school students who have done notable things to reduce homophobia and educate on LGBT issues in their schools and communities. As of this year it will have awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships. Scholarships are awarded regardless of gender, gender orientation, or gender identity. It also publishes a monthly newsletter of articles written by members. It central mission is education, particularly (but not exclusively) relating to LGBT issues. How has your organization changed over the years? Its mission and core values have remained consistent since its inception. The notable changes have been in the lives that FFBC has touched and influenced. It has been particularly meaningful in helping men with the changes that come with coming out in more and more aspects of their lives. Over time it has come to be seen as an important interface between the larger community
and the gay community primarily in central Iowa. How has your organization made the most impact? FFBC has had a profound impact in three ways: First, it creates a uniquely supportive environment for gay and bisexual men to learn about themselves and current issues on a wide range of topics. Second, it serves to educate our special guest speakers who have typically never witnessed so many unapologetic, well-adjusted gay and bisexual men in one place, in broad daylight, and without smoking or alcohol around. Third, when our members go to Iowa high school graduations to present our scholarships, they often do so before audiences who ignorantly think they’ve never before see a gay person in real life. Has there been one individual in your organization that has stood out in their advocacy work? Many hands have made light work in keeping the organization vibrant, fiscally sound, and always growing. Of particular note is perhaps the contribution of Iowa Senator Matt McCoy who is openly gay, a member of FFBC, and a re-elected member of the Iowa Senate. Such role models serve to educate, without even trying. Share with us a memorable experi-
It serves to educate our special guest speakers who have typically never witnessed so many unapologetic, well-adjusted gay and bisexual men in one place, in broad daylight, and without smoking or alcohol around.
ence during your years in this organization. One year we had the distinction of being protested by “Rev.” Fred Phelps of “God Hates Fags” fame. We initiated a fundraiser called Phelps Helps because taking the P out of Phelps, Helps. With this initiative, enlightened people in our community pledged varying amounts of money for every minute Phelps protested. That approach celebrated the exercise of his First Amendment rights and raised more than $20,000 for FFBC scholarships. On the day of our meeting that year our members and guests were safe and warm inside at Hoyt Sherman Place, while a gentle cold rain fell on Phelps and his protesting ilk. The Lord works in mysterious ways. For more information go to FFBCIowa. org.
PFLAG Cedar Rapids Serving Linn County & Beyond
Diane Petersen of Cedar Rapids PFLAG spoke with me about the national and local history of PFLAG, the impact Cedar Rapids PFLAG continues to have, and the recent collaboration with local schools. Give me a short history about your organization and tell me about your mission. We are PFLAG Cedar Rapids serving Linn County, Iowa and beyond. Our local PFLAG Cedar Rapids reinvigorated in 2010 and we benefit from the support of national PFLAG. PFLAG is a national grassroots orga-
ACCESSline Page 15 nization founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son. PFLAG became the original ally organization. Made up of parents, families, friends, and straight allies uniting with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy. Now in its 40th anniversary year, PFLAG has over 350 chapters and 200,000 supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities and rural areas in all 50 states. How has your organization made the most impact? We count ourselves successful if one person feels more hopeful towards themselves or loved ones in relation to their realization that they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer/questioning. Or as I think of it in my personal sub-titles not fitting into the Dick, Jane or Sally model from my first grade reader (yes I know I am dating myself with that reference). The most straight forward way this happens is through monthly meetings at 7pm on the 2nd Thursday January – October. We meet at Coffeesmiths at 2300 Edgewood Rd SW in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In November and December we combine meetings (date to be announced). You can find more information by emailing pflaglcb@gmail. com and like us on face book https:// www.facebook.com/pages/PFLAG-CedarRapids/120895141420573. National’s website contains a complete list of chapters and helpful materials at www.pflag.org .
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NKOB Celebrating the Luck of the Irish The New Kings on the Block performed February 8th at Club CO2 located at 616 2nd Ave SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa for their Love is a Battlefield show. Tidbits bakery donated mini cupcakes and The Tool Box from Iowa City brought many items to sell at the merchandise table for the pre-Valentine’s Day show. A Silky G Vibe from the Tool Box was raffled off to Melanie Laurier. The winner of a Tatem Trick T-Shirt and Illustration by Alana Hyatt was Theresa Sawyers. Club CO2 recently celebrated their one year anniversary and looks forward to the future success of the New Kings on the
Block. Upcoming events at Club CO2 include a special St. Patrick’s day drag show with Tajma Hall, Starina St. James, Alexandria Markstone and The New Kings on the Block. The drag show will begin after the Cedar Rapids St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Look for the Kings on the Block float in the parade! The next chance to catch the New Kings at Club CO2 will be Friday, March 8th. The show begins at 10pm and will have another special performance by singer Rachel Stickley. DJ BFast will be there again to keep the crowd dancing after the show. Cover is $5 and you must be at least 21 years old to enter.
Jacques Straap performs at Club CO2 as a new member of the New Kings on the Block. Courtesy of Alan Hyatt.
Girls always swarm around the stage to get a closer look at Tatem Trick. Courtesy of Alan Hyatt.
Justin Cider pumped up the crowd with an energy filled performance. Courtesy of Alan Hyatt.
Hunter Down performing from the heart. Courtesy of Alan Hyatt.
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The Race is on with the I.C. Kings This month, the I.C. Kings are taking it to a different level, appearing in not one, but 3 different shows to knock your socks off and into your pants! On Thursday, March 14th, the I.C. Kings are teaming up with the University of Iowa’s Honors program to bring you a free and all ages event full of drag performances and even a discussion panel! This event is at Old Brick in Iowa City, Iowa. Show starts at 8pm, with tips going to charity. Bring those dollars and stuff your favorite I.C. King’s pants for a good cause! Also, bring any questions you’ve been dying to ask your I.C. Kings! “So, um,
Julius Fever at the “Bow Chicka Wow Wow!” show at The Mill in Iowa City, Iowa. Photo courtesy of Bronson Karaff.
boxers or briefs?” The Coe College Drag Show will be on Wednesday, March 20th! Come cheer on: Franky D. Lover, Hugh Jindapants, Honey Love, Brittney Cass and a ton of amateur talent, to raise money for One Iowa! The theme for the show is Mardi Gras! Check out the booth palooza outside of the cafeteria at 7pm. The drag show starts at 8pm. This is a free event! On Thursday, March 28th at 9pm at Studio 13, the I.C. Kings are turning things over to the fabulous Miss Kitty! She’s hunting for the freshest, hottest, brand spanking-new kings for... Miss Kitty’s Drag Race!! Come see new performers stuff their shorts, slap on some fake hair and see who can make the crowd cheer (and Miss Kitty purrr!). Don’t fret, your favorite I.C. Kings will be there shaking their buns and blowing your minds as well! It will be a show unlike any other! Start your engines and may the best drag king win!
The I.C. Kings Tranniversary Show at Studio 13 in Iowa City, Iowa. Photo courtesy of Juan Carlos Herrera. For more images of this performance go to JuanCarlosHerrera.net
Julius Fever and Frank D Lover at the “Bow Chicka Wow Wow!” show at The Mill in Iowa City, Iowa. Photo courtesy of Bronson Karaff.
Franky D Lover at the I.C. Kings Tranniversary Show. Photo courtesy of Juan Carlos Herrera. For more images of this performance go to JuanCarlosHerrera.net
I.C. Kings at their “Bow Chicka Wow Wow!” show at The Mill in Iowa City, Iowa. Photo courtesy of Bronson Karaff.
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The Bookworm Sez by Terri Schlichenmeyer “The One I Left Behind” by Jennifer McMahon, c.2013, William Morrow, $14.99 / $16.99 Canada, 423 pages Once upon a time, your parents diapered your behind. They didn’t mind, though, because it was part of being a parent. They fed you, cleaned up after you, put clothes on your little body, toys in your bedroom, and lessons in your head. They made meals, curfews, and sacrifices. Someday, you may need to repay the favor, although it may not be pleasant. In fact, in the new novel “The One I Left Behind” by Jennifer McMahon, it may come at a bigger price than one might think. Thirty-nine-year-old Reggie Dufrane never wanted to return to Monique’s Wish. The old stone house was once a labor of love, built by Reggie’s grandfather for his wife, Monique, who died in childbirth. It was supposed to be a gift, but Reggie only saw it as a place to escape forever. She never wanted to return. But when her Aunt Lorraine phoned, she had no choice. Twenty-five years ago, Reggie’s mother, Vera, was the final victim of a serial killer that the media dubbed Neptune. Though they never found her body, they found Vera’s right hand, amputated neatly, the calling card of a killer. But Vera was very much alive. She’d been living in a homeless shelter all those years, and now she was dying of cancer. Lorraine demanded that Reggie bring Vera
to Monique’s Wish for her final days, though returning to a life’s worth of bad memories was something Reggie didn’t want to do. In retrospect, Vera hadn’t been a good parent. Reggie spent more time with her aunt than with her mother because Vera loved to drink. Lorraine resented that, and she seemed to resent Reggie, too. Because she felt unloved, and because of a childhood injury, Reggie grew up self-conscious, self-destructive, and unable to resist peer pressure from a reckless supposed-best friend. It had taken a long time to overcome that. She didn’t want to return to it. But the fact of the matter was that her mother was alive, and dying. The other fact was that Neptune was never caught and vulnerable Vera was still in danger. Then again, so was Reggie… I really have to stop reading books like this before bedtime. I was okay until I got about a quarterway through it. But then author Jennifer McMahon made me jump and, well, helloooo nightmares.
Though there are some rough spots in editing and a little bit of initial back-andforth confusion in timeline, “The One I Left Behind” is a pretty fine thriller. The characters are a creepy bunch, even when you may think they’re not supposed to be. There are lots of distractions here to keep you guessing, and plenty of dead ends that should easily foil early-solvers. In fact, I didn’t know where McMahon was going until almost the end of this book, which was mighty satisfying. So if you need to scare up a few scares, this book should be your next read need. For lovers of a high Creep Level, “The One I Left Behind” won’t be left behind anywhere.
67 Brand of machine that cuts leaves of grass 68 The life of Riley 69 Cruising areas 70 Mistake by Glenn Burke Down
1 David Hyde ___ 2 Join the army 3 Cher’s portrayer in Clueless 4 Allergic reaction 5 Result of a good, hard workout 6 Overpower by force
So if you need to scare up a few scares, this book should be your next read need.
Across 1 Benjamin Britten’s Peter 6 Comedy sketch 10 Reproduced nonheterosexually? 14 Mother of the groom, to the other groom 15 Reverse an action 16 Foam at the mouth 17 Beethoven’s “F¸r ___” 18 Former lead singer of Culture Club 20 “America” writer 22 CBS show in which semen may be evidence 23 Athenian T 24 Strikes out 27 Series ender 29 Blowholes 33 “Let’s call ___ day” 34 Clean-air org. 36 Copy source 39 “America” writer’s role at a DC celebration 42 Glass footwear in a fairy tale 43 It connects Dick to Dyke 44 Article in a German newspaper 45 Spaghetti strainer 47 Carrier to Tel Aviv 51 A real mouthful 54 “Got a Rainbow” lyricist Gershwin 56 “Diamonds ___ Forever” 57 In “America”, the writer noted that his people weren’t like people on this TV show 62 Song from a broadway rock musical? 64 First name in Irish literature 65 Words said with a nod 66 Erotic opening
Q-PUZZLE: First Gay Inaugural Poet
7 Attachment often found on drawers 8 Pastoral poem 9 Julius Caesar costume 10 “Time in a Bottle” singer Jim 11 ‘60s First Daughter 12 One that gets laid 13 Low mark 19 Bring to a halt 21 Lays waste to 25 Louisiana, in old OrlÈans 26 Mineo of Rebel Without a Cause 28 Ballet move 30 Viking-liking 31 Part of a chorus line? 32 Like the moon, at times 35 Type of tent that may be erected 37 1.0, for one 38 Actress Skye 39 Tennis champ Nastase 40 The Gay ___ 41 William Tell’s canton 42 Get hard 46 Moving porn 48 Cavalry member that can stick it in you 49 Jockey Eddie 50 Newsman Jim 52 Number of sides to a gay symbol 53 Like cool cats 55 Humble home 58 Antigay prejudice, e.g. 59 Go for another tour 60 Official records 61 Visitor at gay.com 62 Hurry, to Shakespeare 63 Nutty fruitcake center?
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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
Spring 2013 Scholarship Bonuses Awarded
to
Ten scholars have earned Academic Scholarship Bonuses for their exceptional academic efforts during the 2012 Fall Semester. Matthew Shepard Scholars may earn an additional $500 per semester for achieving exceptional academic results. Scholars receiving a Scholarship Bonus for the 2012 Fall Semester are: Iowa State University • Carter Collins • Kay Walker Kirkwood Community College • Arianna Dahlin University of Iowa • Ben Alley • Zachary Bird • Keaton Fuller • Nick Muntz • Sara Puffer University of Northern Iowa • Kyle Woollums • Stormy O’Brink To qualify, first year scholars must achieve a 3.25 GPA, second year scholars must achieve a 3.5 GPA and third and fourth year scholars must achieve a 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
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WIRED features that knows my personal interests. The problem is that Google Now is a data slut. To work effectively it has to know where I am and where I have been. Having your phone tracking your location at all times is unnerving at first but it’s surprising how quick you get used to it. Besides there is a good chance your phone is doing it already whether you know it not. We are on a slippery slope. Instead of being scared most of us are doing belly flops and laughing. We came to this slope with our toboggans and sleds. It’s a fun ride but what sort of spiky rocks are waiting at the bottom? There is an easy solution, just don’t opt in. If you don’t like Facebook’s privacy settings you can just delete your Facebook account. Yet for all the complaints I hear about Facebook (mostly on Facebook) I don’t see many people doing that. You can turn off your phone’s GPS, but you might be turning off your navigation feature as well. My point is that consumers aren’t going to solve this issue either. Opting out means opting out of some of the best new pieces of technology. The saddest part is that the solution to most of these issues is so simple. It wouldn’t take a revolution, or a huge reform. Corporations should do business in a transparent way. Third party sources should be a matter of public record. The kinds of data they buy should be a matter of public record. A few privacy watchdogs could do the rest. Unfortunately those small reforms don’t seem to be anywhere in the making.
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MIDWESTERN AIDS literally stay alive. Those people helped me just as much, if not more. Where is Midwestern AIDS Project located? We’re excited to announce we’ve just moved to our new headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa —607 Forest Avenue, just off of the 6th Avenue Corridor. We couldn’t have asked for a better location, and as the Corridor is being revitalized, we’re thrilled to be a part of that. Too many people were unaware that Des Moines even had AIDS service providers, so visibility is something we’ve built in to our strategy. We think a hidden, inaccessible location only stigmatizes the issue further. What services do you offer? Free HIV testing and counseling is our most commonly accessed service—we’re the only provider in the state, to our knowledge, that offers free HIV testing seven days a week (appointments are recommended until we’re running at full steam). We’re establishing satellite testing locations across the city, and we’re working to add STI testing at as many locations as possible. People can expect a non-judgmental, confidential environment when they test with us. Originally, we hadn’t planned to offer case management, but after listening to the HIV-positive community, we went back to the drawing board. Many Iowans living with HIV/AIDS are frustrated by a lack of options in the area—and Polk County has the most HIV infections in the state by far. So we’re offering non-medical case management, referral services for medical needs, and a food pantry dedicated to HIVpositive Iowans. Again, our focus is on providing a non-judgmental, confidential experience for our clients. Our staff and volunteers don’t gossip, lecture, or bring attitude to the table. Of course we’re focused on sexual
Showing the rise in AIDS diagnosed from 1986 to 2010, as well as those diagnosed with HIV and undiagnosed. The data comes directly from IDPH’s 2011 HIV Surveillance Report, available online at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IDPHChannelsService/file. ashx?file=D1022080-484F-49DE-8038-5D97E9792F87. Courtesy of Midwestern AIDS Project. health education, through broad marketing ally and quickly. as the details are finalized! campaigns, behavioral interventions, oneWhat events are coming up for Visit our website at mwaidsproject. on-one Q&A sessions, and providing speak- Midwestern AIDS Project? org, call us at 515-288-0659, email info@ ers to groups and classes. It’s not surprising We’ve got many events in the works, mwaidsproject.org, or pick up a brochure that people complain “no one talks about and we’ll be sharing those with ACCESSline at any one of our partner locations. HIV” when teachers and professors here in Iowa can’t find speakers when they need them. We’re always happy to talk about sexual health, and we’re building a speakers bureau of HIV-positive Iowans willing to share their stories (please contact us if you’re interested!) One of my favorite parts of being a new organization is that we can’t rest on our laurels. If we want people to support us, we have to raise the bar, making sure our services are in tip-top shape. Nothing slides or falls through the cracks. As Executive Director, the “buck stops here,” so I’m the one responsible for mistakes or lapses. If something goes wrong, expect me to own and address the issue person-
Back row from Midwestern AIDS Project, Bill Dodd, Development & Operations Director. Right - Paul Whannel, Executive Director. Front row, counselors from Venus Family Planning, our dear friends and partner organization. Left, Crystal McBride, Center - Missie Larsen, Right - Natasha Jordain, NP.at 2013 I’ll Make Me A World In Iowa. Courtesy of Midwestern AIDS Project.
They know they are on the wrong side of history. It is my job to continue to push and make them think abut their own courage. Eventually, we are going to win. ~Missouri Rep. Stephen Webber in regards to his bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
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FFBC: Sean Strub and the Sero Project by Bruce Carr
status: “Take the test and risk arrest” is, unfortunately, a powerful slogan. We need to contact legislators and urge their action to de-criminalize HIV, to repeal laws created in the fearful and ignorant last decades of the last century, and thus make honesty a considerable option. Strub also talked about HIV transmission, pointing to studies which show that viral load is the key marker here: a person whose viral load is undetectable cannot transmit the virus, he said.
Sean Strub Our guest speaker on Friday, February 1, was Iowa native Sean Strub, writer and activist who founded POZ and several other magazines; a long-term HIV+ survivor, Strub is an outspoken advocate for the self-empowerment movement for people with HIV/AIDS. Strub showed us the short documentary film HIV Is Not A Crime that he created in 2011 (youtube.com/watch?v=iB-6blJjbjc), as a prelude to outlining his campaign inaugurated last year against the long standing criminalization of HIV: The SERO Project theseroproject.org. He noted that a majority of states in the U.S. have enacted HIV-specific statutes (which make persons indictable upon even the suspicion of sero-positivity), as well as laws through which criminal penalties for other charges can be increased if sero-positivity is judged present. Also present at the meeting was Nick Rhoades, currently released on appeal from a Black Hawk County five-year jail sentence for an HIV “crime,” who spoke briefly about his case. Rhoades is one of the three interviewees in Strub’s film. Listeners in the room paid close attention as Strub went on to discuss the current legal dangers of disclosing HIV
Sean Strub, a pioneer expert in massmarketed fundraising for LGBT equality, began his political career as a page in the Iowa legislature. He was a long-time member of ACT UP in New York. In 1981 Strub persuaded playwright Tennessee Williams to sign the first fundraising letter for the Human Rights Campaign Fund, and in 1989 he asked pop artist Keith Haring to create a logo and poster to launch HRC’s National Coming Out Day. In 1990, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives—the first openly HIV+ candidate for federal office in the U.S., and in 1991 he was one of the AIDS activists who erected a giant condom over then-US Senator Jesse Helms’s house in suburban Washington. In 1992 Strub produced the off-Broadway play The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, written by and starring David Drake. In 2009 he was president of Cable Positive, the cable and telecommunication industry’s AIDS response; in 2010 he helped launch the Positive Justice Project at the Center for HIV Law & Policy; and in 2012 he founded The SERO Project. Strub is also a co-owner of the historic Hotel Fauchere (hotelfauchere.com), a luxury boutique hotel in Milford, Pennsylvania, where he lives. The hotel was founded in 1852 and restored in 2006. Strub’s books include Rating America’s Corporate Conscience (Addison-Wesley, 1985), a guide to corporate social responsibility, and Cracking the Corporate Closet (HarperBusiness, 1995).
Take a step closer to ending HIV/AIDS. Take a step closer to ending the stigma. The 13th Annual AIDS Walk/Run will take place at Des Moines University Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday April 13th. This annual fundraiser benefits The Project of Primary Health Care’s HIV/AIDS care and prevention services, as well as to reduce HIV stigma in our community. This fun and challenging 1 mile walk/5K run courses through the south of Grand Avenue neighborhood, starting and finishing on the Des Moines University campus at 3440 Grand Ave. Over 300 walkers and runners entered last year; this year we anticipate a greater number. Prizes are awarded to winning runners in several age divisions,
as well as for top fundraisers. There will be entertainment for the whole family, including our four-legged friends! Exhibits from local fitness clubs, chiropractic services, and veterinarians will be on site. Make your every step count. Strengthen your commitment to bringing us a step closer to ending HIV/AIDS and help those living with HIV. Whether you sign up for the Walk/Run or become a sponsor, you are helping take strides towards raising awareness, fighting the stigma, and ending the epidemic. For more information contact David Vitiritto at dvitiritto@phcinc.net or 515-284-0245.
2013 AIDS Walk/Run: A Step Closer in Des Moines, Iowa
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Project of the Quad Cities St. Patrick’s Day Party On Saturday, March 15, 5:00-9:00pm. The Project of the Quad Cities will be hosting our annual St. Patrick’s Day Party! The event is held at 2316 5th Ave Moline and will feature free food and beverages, including our fantastically popular Mash-tini Bar, which invites guests to gobble fluffy potatoes topped with
their choice of goodies. Holiday-related activities, door prizes, and Irish music will entertain participants, who are also offered the opportunity for free HIV testing. Transportation is provided for those who confirm by Wednesday, March 13. For information call (309) 762-5433.
PITCH Calendar 2013
Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH) is a volunteer-run non-profit organization, founded in 2007, their goal is to provide social networking and support to Iowans living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. Their mission is to create an atmosphere where HIV+ people can unite, advocate, and assist other HIV+ people for better health and wellness. More information can be found at pitchiowa.org or call Tami Haught at 641-715-4182.
March
6,13,20, & 27: Des Moines Open Support Group 5pm-6pm (Wednesdays) 7,14,21, & 28: Thursday Group 2pm-3pm (Thursdays) 14 & 28: Waterloo PITCH Support Group 6pm-8pm (Every other week) 13 & 27: Wednesday Evening Group 5:30pm-6:30pm (Every other week)
Support Group Meeting Conference Call
Positive Iowans Taking Charge will be having a Conference Call Support Group meeting, March 27th at 7 PM. This Support Group Meeting is open to those outside of Iowa. The meeting is to provide emotional, social, and educational opportunities for Iowans across the state. The Agenda is as
follows: welcome and introduction from 7-7:30 PM, topic discussion from 7:30-8 PM, non-topic time for everyone to share how they are doing from 8-8:30 PM. Times are adjusted depending on the needs of the people on the call. The number to call is 949-812-4500 and the Pin number is 684713 that everyone will use the same code. For more information go to pitchiowa.org or find them on facebook.
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Productive Members of Society by Royal Bush, Multifaith Chaplain 1982 was the year that I joined. I wanted to explore the career of law enforcement and seeing how police officers did their job. So I joined Law Enforcement Explorer post 591 of the Omaha Police Division (at that time, it was a Division of the Omaha Public Safety Department.) Omaha Police officers wear dark blue shirts and dark blue pants. As explorers we wore light blue shirts with an Explorer badge and patch and a Police Division patch, and dark pants. Our utility belts carried mace, handcuffs, flashlights and often pouches for gloves in case of an emergency. We fingerprinted kids at various events, we assisted in security for city-wide festivals, county fairs, and concerts. We were trained on how to perform color-guard for opening presentations and often raised money for the group by being “clean up” people for large events. We attended local, state and national competitions for our competencies in areas like accident investigation, crime scene search, hostage negotiations, domestic violence intervention, arrest techniques, firing range, and handling bomb threats. Our advisor of the group, Police Officer Garry Gernandt (who went on to become a Police Sergeant before retiring and now serves the city as a respected City Council Person) always told us “I don’t expect you all to become police officers. I do expect you to become productive members of society.” There were many other Explorer Posts in other fields, from Accounting to Zoology. I just happen to choose police work as my
field to explore. Exploring is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America. I was 15 at the time I started in the Exploring program. It was also a time I was exploring who I was, my sexuality and a lot about life. As I look back today, I realize that some of us, who were in Exploring together, flourished as productive members of society, and who are also members of the LGBT community. I went on to serve with another Explorer Post, the Douglas County Sheriff Explorer Post 592, led by Deputy Rich McShane. We were lucky then that both posts had advisors whose focus was not on converting or recruiting us to become law enforcement officers. They were there to mentor us, care for us and shape our lives. I didn’t go on to be a law enforcement officer. I did create, own and manage a private law enforcement company for a number of years. I did make some poor choices in my life, I have gone on to finish schooling, volunteer in my community, pay taxes, and now pay it forward by helping others. A life built on a foundation of my formidable years as a youth by leaders and peers who came from all walks of life, experiences and diversities. What’s obvious about my experience with BSA and Exploring is that I was led by
straight leaders and that didn’t change the fact that I am gay. I suppose the same would be true that kids would still be straight if led by a LGBT leader. For many years there have been a lot of people who struggle with allowing LGBT people serve within the framework of BSA. The facts are that there have been, are now and will always be kids involved who identify as LGBT. And I am sure there are leaders who have remained in the closet about their sexual orientation so they may remain active and help shape the lives of the many kids they mentor. It seems obvious that the largest segment of the population that takes issues with allowing LGBT people to be involved is groups affiliated with organized religion, these groups explain that that being gay is a sin and that they can’t have their children around LGBT people. I guess they don’t understand that where they shop, go to the park, eat, get their hair done, go to school, worship, have hospital procedures, get their car fixed, etc. all have some of “those” people. BSA is currently considering an option for each local branch to determine their-own policy on LGBT issues. I hope that they go beyond that and once and for all remove the doors from all closets and let fit leaders
What’s obvious about my experience with BSA and Exploring is that I was led by straight leaders and that didn’t change the fact that I am gay.
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. serve openly and kids be who they are without fear of hiding who they are. The BSA website shares “The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.” And for those groups who take issue with allowing ALL adults to serve and ALL
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From the Pastor’s Pen by Rev. Jonathan Page An Encounter with the Evangelicals
Ping! My iPhone sounded, telling me I had a new text message. I glanced at the glowing screen. “Would you come to Salt on Thursday? They are having a talk on homosexuality.” I winced. I had planned on doing other things with my Thursday night. I texted back, “Sure. What time?” The response, “8pm.” “OK.” With those few texts I had agreed to go to Cornerstone Church’s weekly worship for their ISU student group, called the Salt Company. Cornerstone is a classic evangelical church, loosely affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and the student who texted me is gay and regularly attends their services. “This is going to be interesting,” I thought to myself. I knew I was at the right place when there was a traffic jam to get into the parking lot. Jogging through the freezing temperatures, I was greeted by enthusiastic college students who must have wondered why a 33-year-old guy in a button-down Oxford and a sport coat was there. Close to a thousand students packed the sanctuary, although sanctuary is an odd term for a theater with a rock band on stage. There were no permanent objects like a cross to distinguish this holy space from the Civic Center. Fancy lighting. Big flatscreen monitors up front. I was definitely in evangelical land. After a couple of Christian rock songs, the preacher, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, strode on stage. The sermon title appeared on the screen behind him, “Singleness.” He read 1 Corinthians 7, the passage where the Apostle Paul urges the Corinthians to be celibate, if at
all possible. In a dubious interpretation of the text, the preacher claimed that “obviously” heterosexual marriage is the preferred estate. But, he insisted, some of the lucky few are called to celibacy, and celibacy is also blessed by God. Since God gave his only son for you, God loves you whether you have found that special someone of the opposite sex, or not. It had to be one of the most disingenuous sermons that I have ever heard from a Southern Baptist, a denomination that worships straight marriage. What he meant to say is that if you are gay, you should be celibate, and if you’re straight, you should be married by age 22 lest you fall into the sin of premarital sex. A fifteen-minute break separated the worship service from the lecture on homosexuality. The presenter opened with a clip from “For the Bible Tells Me So,” which described in cartoon form how homosexuality was natural and how our sexual orientation, whether gay or straight, was not a choice. “This,” the presenter said, “is just what our secular society wants you to believe: that homosexuality is natural and therefore from God. But we know better.” He proceeded to read from Romans 1:18-26. “You can see from this passage that homosexuality is a result of our Fallen World. Same sex relations are sinful. There is no doubt about it. Now, of course, it would appear that some people are more pre-disposed to same sex attraction than others. But this is not
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BEAU FODOR
corporations have developed policies for LGBT affinity groups, bereavement leave for same sex partners, and income adjustments to compensate for a discriminatory the tax code. A recently released study found that coming out has health advantages. It reported that openness at work and with family about sexual orientation led to reduced stress and greater productivity. It found that disclosure had a positive effect on health and well-being for sexual minorities. Rick Welts, CEO the of the Phoenix Suns, the most prominent sports executive to come out, said that he remained closeted because he wanted to protect his team. But he found coming out to be unexpectedly positive and painless, and he wished—as many of us do—that he had come out sooner. In a review of my book it was said: (Dr. Olson’s) point is clear: The struggle for personal gay emancipation is unique to each individual. We must have empathy for each person’s struggle, allowing them the time to find their comfort zone and level of expressiveness. Coming out means showing vulnerability and that carries with it some risks, but we imagine the potential losses to be greater than they are, and we minimize the potential gains from living an authentic life. Remaining in the closet bears its own set of risks.
out the nation are other battles that are on the rise nationally. I’m grateful for the polarizing news stories of brave groups that support us and fight for our equality— especially our U.S. Military. U.S. military personnel who are legally married to same-sex spouses would gain full spousal and family benefits under legislation proposed in both the House and Senate last week. In the Senate, the Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act is named after New Hampshire National Guardsman Charlie Morgan, who died from breast cancer earlier this month. Her widow, now a single parent to the couple’s 5-year-old daughter, is ineligible for survivor benefits. “The story of Charlie Morgan offers a powerful example of why we need immediate action to end LGBT discrimination in our military,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who introduced the legislation along with co-sponsor Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. The Department of Veterans Affairs will allow the same-sex spouse of a veteran to be buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Oregon. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki based the decision on evidence of a “committed relationship between the
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an excuse for sinful conduct. Troy [the lead pastor at Cornerstone] is more predisposed to lose his temper and become angry, but that does not make it right. That is his sin he must resist, just as gays must resist theirs.” The presentation ended and the speaker asked if there were any questions. No one stirred. Finally, I stood up and walked to the microphone. “My name is Jonathan Page. I am a Christian minister here in town and I would like to add that there are faithful Christians who disagree with what has just been presented. If you want to talk about it, you can find me afterward.” As I walked back to my seat, the tension in the room spiked. After a couple of harmless questions from the students, the program ended. A few minutes later, a crowd began to gather around me. There was not much space in the aisle of the auditorium, and soon I was surrounded by more than fifty people. Apparently, it was my turn to respond. “If you read Romans 1,” I started, “you will find that Paul says same-sex intercourse is a penalty for idolatry. It is an example of the wrath of God. Do you actually believe that? Do you believe that someone is gay because they are idolaters? The fact is that Paul’s conceptions of sexuality, considered in its broadest terms, is radically different from our own, and the notion that anyone would be naturally attracted to someone of the same sex would have been completely alien to Paul.
What he meant to say is that if you are gay, you should be celibate, and if you’re straight, you should be married by age 22 lest you fall into the sin of premarital sex.
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individual and the veteran,” the VA said in a statement (Washington Post). Our neighbors on three sides are starting the fight for equality as well, and it appears the battle over same sex marriage in Minnesota may start to heat up earlier than expected. While talking with Esme Murphy (on WCCO Sunday Morning), Minnesota Senator Scott Dibble said he plans to introduce a bill to legalize gay marriage this week. Dibble believes this legislation has the momentum to pass after voters defeated a constitutional amendment that would’ve strengthened the existing gay marriage ban. “It’s just simply an amendment that removes the restriction that disallows some couples from getting married,” Dibble said. “My strong sense, even from folks in greater Minnesota, is that they’re comfortable with this, they know that Minnesota has changed a lot and is continuing to change at a very rapid pace.” State Representative Karen Clark is expected to introduce a similar bill in the House. Neither she nor Dibble expect a vote on their bills until later this session after the Minnesota Legislature passes budget bills. Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will sign a bill legalizing same-sex marriage if it reaches his desk (from The Associated Press on 2/16). Some national “gay marriage” stats:
I’m grateful for the polarizing news stories of brave groups that support us and fight for our equality—especially our U.S. Military.
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. We have no problem updating the biblical view on the natural world in light of modern science. Why not do the same thing with human sexuality?” Needless to say, my words sparked a modicum of controversy. The heated discussion followed well-worn lines, and we each offered salvos in our defense. After a half-hour of contentious debate, we agreed that it was time to depart. The whole incident left me pretty shaken. It is not easy arguing about something so personal, especially in a hostile setting outnumbered fifty-to-one. My only hope is that some student, struggling with his sexuality, heard that maybe God thinks it is okay to be gay. God might actually love him for who he is.
(http://www.statisticbrain.com/gaymarriage-statistics/) Total percentage of Americans who Strongly favor/favor Gay Marriage: 41% Percent of Americans who Oppose/ Strongly oppose Gay Marriage: 47% Percent of Americans who are unsure about Gay Marriage: 10% Percent support for gay marriage has increased annually for the past two decades: 1% Total number of gay couples: 594,391 Percent of highest concentration of gay couples (Washington D.C.) 1.29% State with the lowest concentration of gay couples (North and South Dakota).22% Percent of gay population in most cities: 2.5% Total number of U.S. states where gay marriage is legal 6 Total number of U.S. states that recognize out of state gay marriages: 2 Percent of Americans who believe gays should be allowed to marry: 43 % Percent of Americans who believe gays should not be allowed to marry: 47 % Percent of Americans who are unsure whether or not gays should be able to marry: 10% Needless to say, we’ve come a long way, Baby..... but our fight for equality has really just started. And this is one for the record books. What we leave behind is so much more important than what we have to endure.
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.
MARCH 2013 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
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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 Rainbow Pride support and socialization group. For members of the LGBT+ community who want to expand their social circle, get support for LGBT specific issues, & help with advocacy. Meets Mondays at 1pm Hillcrest Wellness Center 225 W 6th St., Dubuque, IA 563-690-1239 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
Section 3: Community 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 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 - 319-337-4459 Free & strictly confidential HIV Testing. 2440 Towncrest Dr Iowa City, Call for appointment 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. Jennifer Masada, Jane Stewart, and John Greve. 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 309-786-2580 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 - 402-475-2269 226 South 9th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 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 - outlinc.org Bringing Lincoln’s LGBT Community Together Panic - 402-435-8764 200 S 18th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 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 !
ACCESSline Page 29 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 402-556-9907 P.O. Box 3772, Omaha, NE 68103 Inclusive Life - inclusivelife.org “Religious and Non religious care, services and ceremonies for all!”, 105 S. 49 Street, Suite E, Omaha, NE 68132, (402) 575-7006, The Max 1417 Jackson at 15th, Omaha, NE 68102 6 bars in 1 - 402-346-4110 McLovin 1010 South 10 Street, Omaha, NE, 68108 info@mclovinstore.com, MclovingStore.com 402-915-4002, A store for men. 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
MARCH 2013
Fetish February Recap by Mark Turnage, Mr. Iowa Leather 2013 So much fetish, so little February. It’s been a wild month, Des Moines. All four weekends in February marked the celebration of Fetish February, a massive collaboration between the Titans of the Midwest, the Cornhaulers Leather and Levis Club, the Central Iowa Power Exchange (CIPEX), the Imperial Court of Iowa Reign XX, Team Friendly Iowa, Project HIM, Pride Sports League, The Iowa School of Burlesque, Le Chateau Exotique and Liberty Gifts. Events at The Garden Nightclub, Le Boi Bar, Lime Lounge, Buddy’s Corral, and the Blazing Saddle catered to different fetishes with events that emphasized education, charity, and participation for all who desired. On Friday, February 1st, we began by kicking off Fetish February with a Gear Bar Crawl. Several titleholders in the leather community (don’t know what a titleholder is? Check out my February article in ACCESSLine!) were invited from out of state: Great Lakes LeatherSIR 2013 Sir Papa Bear, Mr. Midwest Leather 2013 Matt Hengle, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2013 Ryan Brown; International Trainer 2012 Daddy Don, International Puppy 2012 Pup Luckey, and International Mister Leather 2012 Woody Woodruff. Beginning and ending at the Blazing Saddle, we hit Buddy’s Corral, Lime Lounge, handed out free Project HIM swag to an enthusiastic crowd for the Imperial Court’s show at the Garden, and enjoyed a packed drag show featuring the entertainers of LeBoi Bar. That was just the kickoff to the weekend. KINK U, held on Saturday, February 2nd, captivated a crowd with in-depth demonstrations and answered attendees’ questions on how to perform kinks safely and enjoyably. International Puppy 2012 Pup Luckey and International Trainer 2012 Daddy Don provided a lesson in rope suspension that left Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2013 Ryan Brown bound and hovering horizontally three feet off the ground for “easy access.” Mr. Midwest Leather 2013 Matt Hengle provided his back as a canvas for Great Lakes LeatherSIR 2013 Sir Papa Bear’s collection of handmade floggers, and I learned firsthand from “Daddy J” Jason Southerland how the versatility of a paddling/caning session can become an introspective journey as well as an erotic power exchange requiring sensitivity and trust. Bootblack Mike educated those present on the finer points of boot blacking all throughout the weekend, and International Trainer 2012 Daddy Don provided a humbling and insightful demo of pup play
with International Puppy 2012 Pup Luckey. The afternoon concluded with a questionand-answer panel on Dom-sub relationships, featuring panelists Great Lakes LeatherSIR 2013 Sir Papa Bear, “Daddy J” Jason Southerland, International Trainer 2012 Daddy Don and International Puppy 2012 Pup Luckey. Saturday evening culminated in Gear Night at the Saddle, and featured dozens of hot men in chaps, harnesses and jocks, a jock auction where the winning bid could remove the jock from the wearer onstage! The leatherwear/wares of Alexis Miller and Le Chateau Exotique, who flew in from Pennsylvania for this event, were available all weekend for those interested to try on and purchase. On Sunday, we bid farewell to our guests with a Mr. Iowa Leather Beer Bust to benefit my journey to International Mister Leather this May. I was thrilled and excited to see and hear people all throughout the weekend say things like “I never knew Des Moines’ scene could be this fun!” or “I never thought I’d be into kink!” And it only got better. On Saturday, February 9th, Week 2 of Fetish February celebrated Mardi Gras with Mr. Friendly, the HIV anti-stigma campaign designed to educate and edify people about the facts of HIV one friendly conversation at a time. A Liberty Gifts booth was also available with toys, adult videos, underwear, and jocks for sale. With Mr. Friendly masks, beads, a Gear Try-On section featuring leathers, rubber and hoods from the Cornhaulers Leather and Levis Club and the Titans of the Midwest, plus a knockout show from the talented performers of the Garden Nightclub, it was certainly a night to remember. That S u n d ay, February 10th, the Friendly fun continued down the dusty trail with Duke Morty (Jesse Driscoll) and Duchess Jewetta (Tim Edwards) hosting a westernthemed beer bust at the Blazing Saddle. Featuring the talents of Stinketta and Jewetta Beaverhausen, Shelbi Baker, Feenamint Phatpussy, Abolta Fabrica Aspire, Kata Klysmic, and Lucy Jackson, that weekend over $1200 was raised from the beer bust to support Mr. Friendly International! The way the Des Moines community has embraced the simple, straightforward concept of the Mr. Friendly program speaks volumes about the positive impact this has had in Iowa, and training sessions for Team Friendly Iowa are still available for those who want to participate. We had the pleasure of hosting the ladies from the Iowa School of Burlesque
I was thrilled and excited to see and hear people all throughout the weekend say things like “I never knew Des Moines’ scene could be this fun!” or “I never thought I’d be into kink!”
I learned firsthand from “Daddy J” Jason Southerland how the versatility of a paddling/ caning session can become an introspective journey as well as an erotic power exchange requiring sensitivity and trust.
for the Black and Red Ball with the Imperial Court Reign XX on Saturday, February 16th--Week 3 of Fetish February. Formal fetish wear or formalwear was the attire encouraged for the evening as light refreshments like peanut butter cups and mushroom-stuffed pastries were served. During the show, I had fun with pie, sexy nuns, whipped cream, fuzzy handcuffs, a peeping tom, Darth Vader in lingerie, and a sizzling Bettie Page tribute! And let me tell you--what a way to celebrate twenty years of the Imperial Court of Iowa’s charitable contributions to our community! Week 4 rounded out the month on Saturday, February 23rd with a steamy Late Night Beach Party with none other than Jewetta Beaverhausen. Liberty Gifts teamed up with Jewetta to showcase the new 2013 underwear and swimwear lines-and successful bidders could even buy the jock right off the sizzling studs onstage. Proceeds from the auction went towards the “Holiday Basket Program” to help families affected by HIV/AIDS. The night got wetter and wilder with a wet boxer contest and enough fabulous entertainment to make MTV’s Spring Break jealous of Iowa winter. That Sunday, the final day of Fetish February, was the second Mr. Iowa Leather Beer Bust, a celebration of a great month and citywide support of the Des Moines kink community. Travel isn’t cheap, but proceeds from selling shots that weekend were split between my travel fund and the Pride Sports League, a new organization
Mr. Iowa Leather 2013 Mark Turnage. in Des Moines that encourages those who want to meet like-minded athletes to come out and play! If you came out any of those four weekends, we were glad to have you celebrate with us and experience the kinky side of Des Moines. I am excited to be a part of a continually growing fetish community that challenges itself to do more every year. And you know what? We’ve only just begun. Special thanks to Jesse Driscoll, Jeremy Morris and the Blazing Saddle for making this month a reality.
MARCH 2013 SScontinued from page 26
ROYAL BUSH
Section 3: Community SScontinued from page 11
RACHAEL KILGOUR
youths to participate in learning values, building character, receiving training for being responsible and citizenship and personal fitness… well then perhaps it is time for you to leave BSA. Your tolerance is not wanted. If you are unable to respect and accept the contributions, lives and diversities of all people, perhaps you are not what the BSA really is all about! I firmly believe that for every group that drops out because of an “open door” policy, there will be a new group to replace it that will be open and affirming, to all.
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REMARKABLES Fueled and funded by fear-mongering purveyors of guns and ammo, they are convinced that there’s a real threat of government oppression, and an armed citizenry is what will prevent it. The logical extension of that reasoning would support unfettered citizen access to weaponry equivalent to that used by the government. It is, after all, folly to take a mere knife to a gun fight, or a mere semi-automatic assault rifle to a fight against tanks, killer drones, chemicals, and tactical bombers. No wonder they argue so unapologetically for preserving unfettered access to those assault weapons. They see their position as a compromise! It would be a baby step in the right direction if we could require background checks in 100% of lawful sales; bad guys (some of whom I’ve heard interviewed in the continuing debate) may still be able to get guns, but it will be more difficult and more expensive. If we could eliminate assault weapons and large ammo clips, I’d be willing for the government to issue a single-shot musket to every adult citizen. The Constitution, like the Bible, should be read rationally and in context. If only gun advocates would read the Second Amendment and their Bibles with the degree of enlightenment they apply when considering the Air Force and the Constitution. As said by James Russell Lowell: “Time makes ancient good uncouth; they would upward still and onward who would keep abreast of truth.”
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RED WING at least for us—the miracle that is Iowa. And so, we plan our wedding much like any other couple. We’ll fret over how many vegetarian meals we’ll need and what we will wear and the flowers and music and cake and all the things that turn perfectly sane people mad. At the end of the day, this wedding will be a celebration. We will, with our friends and our families, rejoice in the years we have had together and the years to come. We will remember those who came before us—those women and men, those gender rebels, who created the space we stand in today. We’ll celebrate those who have loved us and accepted us over the years. We’ll forgive those who could not. And so, on September 21st of this year, seventeen years to the day after DOMA was signed into law, Sumitra and I will pledge our troth. In Iowa! That, my friends, that is the revolution!
not legally recognized. We’ve never done any official paperwork, we just call it “married”. I’m actually a dual citizen, so we’ve talked about even moving up there. But we’re both, my wife and I, native to Duluth, Minnesota, and all of our family is there, so we had our wedding in Duluth and had a big ol’ party. We’ve had little glitches along the way, I guess, and still do, for being a gay couple. But Duluth is a very progressive town, and these days it’s not that big of a deal. We feel accepted and safe in our community. We have a daughter, too, and she’s had a pretty great go at it so far. I have never really promoted the fact that I’m gay, though I’ve definitely not been in the closet. It’s always felt so normal for me that I don’t really remember to tell people that. I get on stage and say “Hi, I’m Rachael, this is my wife who’s singing with me!” I don’t think twice about the fact that people might be offended or have never seen that before. I think that I am really super lucky for that, to be part of this generation of LGBT people and how grateful I am for all of the work and struggle that people before me put into it. So Adeline sings with you? Yes, she does! She’s my backup singer! We don’t always perform together, but if she’s around and free, she does sing with me. We have a pretty interesting relationship, being that we’re married and parents together, but we also take turns working with each other. My wife is a very talented hairstylist and she owns her own business. She’s an entrepreneur, and I am the manager of her salon. I do all of the ground work and the receptionist and everything, and she styles the hair. And when I go out on tour she’ll come with me, and sing backup, and sell merchandise for me. So we spend a lot of time together. Well it’s good that you enjoy spending so much time together! Yeah! Of there are challenges, like for everyone. We have times where we bounce back and forth. “Is this really what we should be doing? Would we like each other better if we didn’t see each other so much? Maybe this is meant to be my solo endeavor—but we always come back to trying it out again. And right now it’s working really well. You are performing all over in Minnesota and Wisconsin over the next few months. Are you still looking for
more places to perform? Yes! Absolutely! I am taking suggestions always. I have just started putting the tour together now, so I’m still piecing things together. I’d love to expand into the rest of the Midwest and not just hit Minnesota and Wisconsin, though they are easy for me, being right on the border of them. I was very intrigued by the YouTube video of just you singing and playing guitar on a bridge over a river. It looks like you performed the song pretty much perfectly in one take. Did that really happen? Yeah! That’s what happened there. [Laughs] That was tricky. It was hard for us with him walking across the bridge, backing up, without us screwing it up. Yeah. I’m working on maybe a little perfectionism. Sometimes it’s good. The other day at our salon we had Pandora on and we were listening to these old Motown recordings, and I was thinking, “This is ridiculous: they had a band, and a choir backing them up, all just sitting in one room with one microphone and laying this out, and it’s so cool. You can hear that sometimes something’s a little off or somebody misses a beat, but it’s real. And now, I know, I spend so much time in the studio, and I’m trying each time to let go a little more: “It’s OK that my voice cracked there, it makes me sound human. But yeah, that was a fun one. The same person who did that video is doing one for the song “In America” on the new EP. He has done a whole series of videos of local Duluth musicians, live, outdoors. I do often play on my own just because it’s easier when I’m touring. For larger shows I do have the band that plays with me on the record. That’s me and Adeline, my wife, and Jake and Jeremy Hanson, who are really awesome musicians who are brothers. They live in the Twin Cities. Jake plays in the Mason Jennings’ band, and Jeremy plays in the band Tapes ‘n Tapes. They’re really really awesome. I feel very lucky just to know them. I met them through Haley Bonar. She produced the EP and one of my previous albums. I should also give props to Humans Win! Studio for doing the recording. They are pretty spectacular. Bonner. What kind of songs do you prefer to sing, love songs, social justice songs...? I think they’re all connected. I feel like most of my songs that are love songs have
ACCESSline Page 31 some sort of message too. On my last album, titled “Will You Marry Me”, and the title track for that one I had written for my grandparents, from my grandfather’s perspective of falling in love with my grandmother. He died a few years ago, and that song, in the moment, was a tribute to my grandfather and to their marriage and to how awesome I thought it was. But also the more I played it the more I realized that I was singing it for myself and singing it for my own wife, and for how much I would like to have a legal marriage. So they all somehow turn out to be social justice oriented anyways. But I think that I get the most energy from—and my favorite thing to do is—performing live in front of people, and to specifically play songs that tap at people’s consciences, and to look around the room and see people… you can kind of tell when it clicks. There will be certain lines that people will get and you can see it in their eyes, that they’re thinking, “Whoa, that’s exactly how I feel but I had never thought of it that way.” I think that’s my favorite part of performing. What venues do you like the most? I’ll tell you what I don’t like: I don’t like playing in bars. I have a really hard time playing when people aren’t listening. Which sounds like I’m a diva, but I don’t think of it as an ego thing, like “Pay attention to me!” It’s more like, “I just wrote these songs, and they’re good, and they could do something, so please listen to my song! (Stop talking!)” [Laughs] I really like playing colleges. I feel like young people often are ready for this sort of thing. I’ve also been doing a little bit of performing in churches, which is kind of interesting if you’ve listened to my songs. I feel like churches, depending on the church, can be a really great place for people to take that kind of music in. Specifically when it is an open and affirming congregation. I just played one in Ashland, Wisconsin, and that was really cool because they’re talking about becoming an official open and affirming congregation—though clearly they already felt that way. It was neat to be a part of that because I could sing about my own family and about these different things. I mean, people go to church hoping to be inspired and hoping to motivate themselves. I think everyone wants to feel like they’re a good person, and churches are a place we should remember that.
Rachael Kilgour and wife Adeline Wright on stage at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Photo by Rick Lewis.
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Section 3: Community
MARCH 2013
LGBT Health Initiative of Iowa Survey LGBT Health Initiative of Iowa is working to assess the health needs of the LGBTQ community in Iowa. The goal of this project is to collect information about the health status and health care experience of you and your community. This information will be used to determine how the LGBT Health Initiative of Iowa, community based organizations, and other health care providers can better serve you and your community. To participate in the anonymous Iowa LGBT Health & Wellness Survey online starting March 10, please go to OneIowa.org. Or complete the survey on this page and mail it to: LGBT Health & Wellness Survey C/O One Iowa 419 SW 8th St. Des Moines, IA 50309 And remember, the LGBT Health & Wellness Conference is Friday, June 7, 2013 at Des Moines University, 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312.
Consent and Confidentiality 1. Do you give your consent to participate in this survey? (By saying yes to participate in this survey you are giving your permission/ consent. ) qYes qNo
DEMOGRAPHICS 2. Do you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer? qYes. Please continue. qNo. If no, what is your relationship to the LGBTQ community? 3. What is your age? Age:_____ 4. Are you Hispanic or Latino? qYes qNo 5. Which one or more of the following would you say is your race? Mark all that apply qWhite qBlack or African American qAsian qNative Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander qAmerican Indian, Alaska Native or qOther [specify]_____________________ 6. Have you ever served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, either in the regular military or in a National Guard or military reserve unit? Active duty does not include training for the Reserves or National Guard, but DOES include activation, for example, for the Persian Gulf War. qYes, now on active duty qYes, on active duty during the last 12 months, but not now qYes, on active duty in the past, but not during the last 12 months qNo, training for Reserves or National Guard only qNo, never served in the military 7. Are you: qMarried qDivorced qWidowed qSeparated qNever married or qA member of an unmarried couple 8. How many children younger than 18 years of age live in your household? qNumber of children___ qNone
9. What is the highest grade or year of school you completed? qNever attended school or only attended kindergarten qGrades 1 through 8 (Elementary) qGrades 9 through 11 (Some high school) qGrade 12 or GED (High school graduate) qCollege 1 year to 3 years (Some college or technical school) qCollege 4 years or more (College graduate) 10. Are you currently (Check all that apply): qEmployed for wages qSelf-Employed qUnemployed qRetired qDisabled or Unable to Work qA Homemaker qA Student 11. Is your annual household income from all sources: qLess than $10,000 q$10,000 to less than $15,000 q$15,000 to less than $20,000 q$20,000 to less than $25,000 q$25,000 to less than $35,000 q$35,000 to less than $50,000 q$50,000 to less than $75,000 q$75,000 or more 12. How much do you weigh? __ __ __ Weight pounds 13. How tall are you? __/__ __ Height ft/inches 14. What is your ZIP Code where you live? _ _ _ _ _ ZIP Code 15. What sex were you assigned at birth? qMale qFemale qDecline to state 16. What is your sex or current gender? (Check all that apply) qMale qFemale qTransMale/Transman qTransFemale/Transwoman qTranssexual qGenderqueer qDecline to state qAdditional Category (Please Specify): 17. What best describes your sexual orientation or sexual identity? qGay qStraight qLesbian qBisexual qQueer qPansexual qDecline to state Other (please specify) 18. Do you own or rent your home? qOwn qRent qOther arrangement qHomeless
Health Care Access 19. Do you have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare or Medicaid? qYes qNo 20. Does your spouse/partner have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare? qYes qNo qN/A 21. Does your child or children have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare? qYes qNo qN/A 22. Are you out to your doctors/ healthcare providers as an LGBTQ person? (check one) qAll of them.
qSome of them. qNone of them. qN/A I do not have doctors/healthcare providers qDon’t know/ Not sure 23. Has a healthcare provider or office staff ever reacted poorly when they realized you were LGBTQ? qYes qNo qSomewhat qN/A do not have a doctor or healthcare provider qDon’t know/ Not sure 24. Do you fear a negative reaction by a healthcare provider if you come out as LGBTQ? qAlways qOften qSometimes qRarely qNever 25. Think about all of your healthcare providers: On a scale of 15, how knowledgeable or competent do you feel they are about LGBTQ health issues? q1Not at all knowledgeable or competent q2 q3Somewhat knowledgeable or competent q4 q5Extremely knowledgeable or competent qN/ADon’t have a health care provider 26. In your opinion, what are the top three health issues for the LGBTQ community? Select three issues from the list below: qSexually transmitted diseases/ infections (STD’s/ STI’s) and HIV/AIDS qMental health issues qAlcohol use qTobacco use and/or second hand smoke exposure qBullying qElder care qObesity/ overweight related health consequences qIllicit drug use (cocaine, meth, etc.) qSuicide qCancer qDomestic Violence qSexual Assault qGambling qOther Behavioral Addictions qOther [specify] _______________________ Healthy Living 27. Describe your negative experiences with health care providers or staff: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ 28. Do you now smoke cigarettes every day, some days, or not at all? qEvery day qSome days qNot at all 29. During the past 12 months, have you stopped smoking for one day or longer because you were trying to quit smoking? qYes qNo 30. How long has it been since you last smoked cigarettes regularly? qWithin the past month (less than 1 month ago) qWithin the past 3 months (1 month but less than 3 months ago) qWithin the past 6 months (3 months but less than 6 months ago) qWithin the past year (6 months but less than 1 year ago) qWithin the past 5 years (1 year but less than 5 years ago) qWithin the past 10 years (5 years but less than 10 years ago) q10 years or more qNever smoked regularly 31. During the past 30 days, how many days per week or per month did you have at least 1 drink of any alcoholic beverage? __ __ Days per week __ __ Days in past 30 qNo drinks in past 30 days 32. During the past 30 days, how many days per
week or per month did you use illegal drugs? __ __ Days per week __ __ Days in past 30 qNo illegal drug use in past 30 days 33. During the past month, how many times per day, week, or month did you drink 100% PURE fruit juices? Do not include fruit-flavored drinks with added sugar or fruit juice you made at home and added sugar to. Only include 100% juice. _ _ Per day _ _ Per week _ _ Per month qNever 34. During the past month, not counting juice, how many times per day, week, or month did you eat fruit? _ _ Per day _ _ Per week _ _ Per month qNever 35. During the past month, how many times per day, week, or month did you eat raw, cooked, or canned vegetables? _ _ Per day _ _ Per week _ _ Per month qNever 36. During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise? qYes qNo 37. How many times per week or per month did you take part in this activity during the past month? _ _ Times per week _ _ Times per month qNone 38. And when you took part in this activity, for how many minutes or hours did you exercise? _:_ _ Hours and minutes 39. Have you ever been tested for HIV? Do not count tests you may have had as part of a blood donation. Include tests using fluid from your mouth. qYes qNo 40. * You have used intravenous drugs in the past year. Does this situation apply to you? qYes qNo 41. * You have been treated for a sexually transmitted or venereal disease in the past year. Does this situation apply to you? qYes qNo 42. * You have given or received money or drugs in exchange for sex in the past year. Does this situation apply to you? qYes qNo 43. * You had anal sex without a condom in the past year. Does this situation apply to you? qYes qNo 44. What colorectal cancer screening test did your health care provider recommend?(mark all that apply) q1) the take home fecal occult blood test (called guaiac test or fecal immunochemical test) q2) flexible sigmoidoscopy (where the doctor uses a lighted instrument to examine about onethird of your colon (usually done in the doctor’s office without sedation) q3) colonoscopywhere your entire colon is examined using a flexible instrument with a light on it (you are usually given medication to help with pain and make it more comfortable; someone needs to drive you home afterwards) q4) barium enemawhere the colon is filled with liquid barium and an x-ray is taken q5) my health care provider did not recommend a colorectal cancer screening 45. When was your last mammogram? (women only) Year: _________ qN/A
46. When was your last PAP? (women only) Year: _______ qN/A 47. In the past 12 months have you bet money or possessions on any of the following activities? Casino gaming including slot machines and table games; lottery including scratch tickets, pull tabs and lotto; sports betting; internet gambling; bingo or any other type of wagering. qYes qNo 48. Have you ever been forced or pressured into having sex or sexual contact when you didn’t want to? qYes – How old?:______ qNo 49. Has anyone you’ve been in any kind of relationship with been violent with you? qYes qNo 50. Has anyone ever been violent with you because of your sexual orientation or gender identity? qYes qNo 51. In the past 12 months, have you had sexual contact with: qMen Only qWomen Only qBoth Men and Women qNeither
Disability/Mental Health 52. Are you limited in any way in any activities because of physical problems? qYes qNo 53. Are you limited in any way in any activities because of mental or emotional problems? qYes qNo 54. Are you now or have you ever, taken medication or received treatment from a doctor or other health professional for any type of mental health condition or emotional problem? qYes qNo If yes – please specify: 55. In the past 12 months have you experienced any of the following [check all that apply]: qDepression qSuicide Attempt qAnxiety qBullying qOther_____(Specify)
Personal Health and Wellness 56. Would you say that in general your health is: qExcellent qVery good qGood qFair or qPoor 57. How interested are you in incorporating healthy living strategies such as healthy eating, exercise, tobacco cessation in your life? qExtremely Interested qVery Interested qSomewhat Interested qNot particularly Interested qNot at all Interested 58. Do you act as a caregiver to anyone? qYes qNo 59. Do you have a caregiver? qYes qNo Other 60. Please leave a comment on areas you feel are important about your health that were not included in the survey: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
MARCH 2013 SScontinued from page 4
SERO PROJECT enough to be willing to have open minds and learn and be willing to change their opinion on this matter. How can people work with Sero to educate and advocate? If they can join our e-list, at seroproject. com, that’s the first step (or email info@ seroproject.com), so they’ll be informed about activities underway. But right now, if they can call their legislators and alert them to this issue and encourage them to listen to the Iowa Department of Public Health and advocates like Tami Haught from CHAIN and Donna Red Wing from OneIowa and others working on this issue, it will be a big help. Most people don’t understand that just three or four calls from constituents to a legislator makes a difference. If everyone reading this sent emails or called their legislators, it would be like jet fuel to this effort. They can also share information with their friends, “liking” Sero Project on Facebook, posting our short video (HIV IS NOT A CRIME, on our website), etc. alerts people to this. Most people, even in the LGBT community, don’t understand the threat of criminalization; we’re in the earliest stages of community education work. Hey, if anyone can donate to help support Sero’s work, they can do that at our website as well!
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ADVOCACY Has there been one individual in your organization that has stood out in their advocacy work? In our PFLAG Cedar Rapids we fortunately have many members who each bring dynamic assets. Keep in mind the heart and soul of our group remains the individual confidential conversations. Through each conversation GLBTQA people with their family and friends advocate for individual greater self-esteem and healthy communities. Healthy communities which embrace each individual in their current life position without judgment. Share with us a memorable experience during your years in this organization. We meet, greet educate and advocate in a variety of ways. We hold monthly confidential support groups, create and participate in anti-bullying panels, educate at health fairs and pride-fest and contact our local and federal elected representatives. Nothing compares however to our recent collaboration with one of our local school districts. A little background: since we first formed we receive via e-mail, in person, and by phone, requests to help middle school students, their parents and teachers who are coping with the coming out process. My heart struggled with this daily. People wanted referrals to physicians, counselors, and teen groups—like the high school gay-straight alliances. At the same time, physicians, counselors, and teachers were reaching out for information and training. I firmly believe that a young person voicing the realization that they identify or are curious about GLBTQ concepts is not a problem. So, when I think of handling these natural inquiries by students by assigning
Section 3: Community
ACCESSline Page 33
Ask Lambda Legal: Religious Exemptions
By Jenny Pizer, Sr Counsel & Director, Law & Policy Project Q: I live in Illinois and have been eagerly waiting to see if we become the next state to win marriage. I was reading about an issue with religious exemptions—can you tell me what that means? A: In addition to Illinois, Colorado is considering a civil union bill and Rhode Island and Hawaii are reviewing marriage bills. As we work toward equality for samesex relationships across the country we are having to resist suggestions in some states that new exemptions should be created from current state nondiscrimination laws. The proposed exemptions we are seeing are clauses in bills designed to allow religious organizations to discriminate against same-sex couples who are getting married or entering a civil union, or have done so. Religious belief and expression are already protected by our federal Constitution and every state constitution, so exemptions in bills are not necessary to protect the freedom of clergy and houses of worship to decide whose marriages they will solemnize. The problems arise when religious groups want exemptions that go beyond protecting the church door and therapy or a doctor I think we can do better. My ideal world would contain this type of thought as natural as deciding if they prefer jazz, rock music or both for young people and the adults who guide them. If they can see their inner selves modeled as normal, to me, which would engender solid self-esteem. We spoke about this quite a bit at our PFLAG meetings. Finally, we developed a concept of “biblio-therapy”. Not bible therapy. The term “biblio” meaning bibliography or book therapy. Our goal is to have books available in the middle schools where the students questioning or coming out can see themselves in a published story and realize they are not alone. More importantly they can realize they are “OK”. Their feelings are normal and natural. Our initial thought was to try and form book groups in middle school, like a chess club. Upon hearing this, my gay son, who is close to 30 years old now, reminded me he never would have joined that group. Nor did he feel would anyone else. Any extra reading would have been torture for him. However, if the right book were given to him by a favorite teacher or counselor he would have glanced at it. We decided to pursue this option. Luckily, we found a middle school counselor who helped shaped our ideas and thought them timely. Through careful review of potential books we selected a set of books for middle school use. They are currently in review by a group of middle school counselors. After we receive feedback from the counselors we will purchase a set of books for each middle school in one of our local school districts. Dependent on reception we will continue to approach middle schools in and surrounding our county. It is a work in progress. It a program we take very seriously. If anyone would like to know more about how we did this and the current list of books please e-mail us at pflaglcb@gmail.com.
extend into the public sphere of commercial transactions and social services. We especially are watching out for proposals to exempt marriage “celebrations.” Marriage “celebrations” often means wedding receptions, not just solemnization ceremonies done in a church. So if a bill includes this language, a religiously affiliated agency that rents out space to people of all faiths and backgrounds for wedding receptions can deny gay and lesbian couples the chance to rent that space. This type of discrimination usually is unlawful under human rights laws like the one in Illinois, which says organizations that offer goods or services to the public may not discriminate on a series of grounds including race, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation. Another type of religious exemption that can harm LGBT people allows a religious organization to not “recognize” a same-sex couple’s marriage. This is particularly alarming when we consider what can happen in religiously affiliated hospitals when visitation or decisionmaking depends on one’s legal status. Just imagine needing emergency care, being
taken to the nearest hospital, and having your spouse kept from your bedside because the hospital refused to respect your legal marriage. A third example concerns social services. The government provides funding to many organizations that provide adoption services, addiction recovery, hunger relief, senior services, and help for those who are homeless. Usually, if an organization receives public funds to provide services like this, it cannot discriminate on various bases including sexual orientation. Allowing an exemption for religiously affiliated agencies could have broad implications, such as blocking children who need families from placement with eligible same-sex couples and putting those who need shelter at risk of rejection because they are gay. It is exciting to see our allies in legislatures across the country standing up for the freedom to marry. We are working vigilantly with them to protect our core nondiscrimination policies in the process. If you feel you have been discriminated against based on your sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status please contact our Legal Help Desk at lambdalegal.org/ help.
The Project of the Quad Cities Calendar
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 34
Section 3: Community
MARCH 2013
Shortsighted by Ryan Berg When I met Charles, I’d recently moved back to Des Moines from New York City, a stop-off, I’d intended, on my way out west. I sat in a coffee shop getting some work done when my mind began to wander. I logged on to a smart-phone social networking application designed for gay men, and received a message from Charles, a college freshman. We exchanged pictures, made small talk, and before long he got to the point: He was eager to meet right away. He didn’t mince words about what he wanted. I might have been drawn to his youthful longing. Maybe I was acting out because being back in Iowa felt suffocating to my sexuality, or maybe his boldness triggered my own desire. Whatever the reason, I met with him. And not only did we have sex; we had it without a condom. I knew better. Here was a person I’d been acquainted with for less than an hour. We’d exchanged little more than first names, and yet I still found myself jumping into risky territory. I’d broken a rule of contemporary gay life. As long as I’ve been having sex, it’s been understood: Don’t endanger your sexual health. Everyone knows it’s a death wish. To my surprise, Charles seemed fine with our slip, almost encouraged it. There were moments during our rendezvous where I could have interjected, impressed upon him the inherent dangers of unprotected sex; I could have shaken us both from the irrational haze of our desire. I could have grabbed a condom. I can’t blame my lapse in judgment on drugs, alcohol, or the shame of being in the closet . I’m educated about HIV/AIDS, having worked with queer youth in New York and
volunteered for both the Gay Men’s Health Crisis and Housing Works. When being sexually active I get tested regularly, and have been scrupulous about maintaining my HIV negative status. I know the studies; have researched articles about the resurgent HIV epidemic, climbing syphilis rates, new drug-resistant strains of Chlamydia. So why would I chance my sexual health for this brief encounter with Charles? Risk is a relative notion. Perhaps I qualified my safety by being in the Midwest where the numbers of HIV infections are lower. Or, because of Charles’ age, and my assumption that he hadn’t had many sexual partners, my risk was lessened. Whatever the calculation, I felt daring enough to engage in a way contrary to my knowledge of the subject. The more I talked to young men on the smart phone application, both closeted and out, the more apparent it was to me that the younger generation of men who have sex with men in Iowa—like most places across the country—were willing, and often times preferred, to engage in unprotected sex. When considering risk, public health professionals tend to focus on how rational or irrational a choice is based on the information available. Rarely is it considered how emotions, our sense of self, can alter our decisions. It’s easy to focus on a situation like Charles and mine, and examine it, define it as a momentary lapse of reason. How else could such careless behavior be explained? But new
studies show that nearly 50% of gay men using hook-up smart-phone applications engage in unprotected sex regularly. Momentary lapses are becoming habitual, repeated behaviors. I grew up watching AIDS patients wasting away on television, and listening to the cries for action by activists as they faced social indifference and political neglect. Witnessing the near-death frailty of once youthful men on TV frightened a whole generation soon to come out of the closet into being meticulous about sexual safety. Later, as anti-retroviral therapies became available, and the lives of those living with AIDS were prolonged, a belief seemed to permeate queer culture. Sex, it appeared, was losing its danger. Youth have become more brazen, often times ignoring a host of complications that come with living with AIDS. One young man I spoke with recently shrugged when I asked about his habitual unsafe sexual practices. He told me it wasn’t a big deal if he tested positive, it’s no longer a death sentence. People are living with the disease, true, but people are dying too. Even when you’re able to pay for the medication, a litany of problems can arise. The drugs can having serious side-effects, particularly in advanced disease; if patients miss doses, drug resistance can develop; providing anti-retroviral treatment is costly and resource-intensive, and the majority of the world’s infected individuals can’t access treatment services; individuals who fail to use anti-retrovirals properly can
Practically everyone could tell you what it means to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Not all would be able to explain in depth, but they understand the general premise. But wait, there’s an initial missing from this set. There’s that ambiguous letter settled at the end of that common acronym—LGBT. What does it mean? Do people understand it? Unfortunately, not very many people fully understand or could explain what it means to be transgender. Even among those in the LGBT community, there are many who barely know what it means and who have several misconceptions about it. Trans people are a huge minority! The numbers aren’t exact, but an estimated only 0.3% of the population fits under the category of trans. And that probably explains why so many people are so misinformed or uninformed about it. So I’ll go ahead and explain a few things about trans folk. Someone is transgender when the body they were born in doesn’t match up with their own idea of who they are. There are two main categories: FtM (Female to Male) and MtF (Male to Female). Typically, trans people like not to be called by their birth name, or by pronouns that align with their
birth sex. There’s a lot about trans folk that many people don’t understand, so go inform yourself! Simply by Googling transgender, you’ll find an abundance of informational resources. Here are a couple: http://transequality.org/Resources/ NCTE_UnderstandingTrans.pdf http://lbgtrc.msu.edu/resources/ transgender-information-and-resources Living in a world like ours is hard for me as an FtM. Yes, there are a lot of difficult, expensive steps to take in order to transition, but what is even harder is the psychological stress of everyday situations. From teachers continuing to call me “Miss Finn” and classmates not thinking to group me with the guys to avoiding public boysor-girls restrooms at all costs and sitting with an application in front of me, staring at one of the first, usually easiest questions—check m or f. In a world so oblivious to people like me, those who take the time to be informed and acknowledge me as a regular guy restore some confidence in me that there are non-trans people out there who can at least partially understand what I go through and who I am. They brighten my day, make me smile, and put some pep in my step. If
you’re one of those people—I thank you sincerely. If not - become one! It’s always a good time to learn something new. You’ll never know how much of an impact just a few, well-intentioned words can make to someone. Finn is a junior at Marshalltown high school and the President of SOAR (Sexual Orientation Alliance Representatives). He is very involved in the school community, participating in band, speech, Envirothon, Science Olympiad, debate, National Honor Society, mock trial, and SOAR. Finn writes that “as the leader of the school GSA, I have found the group to be a fantastic way to spread awareness and to establish otherwise unlikely friendships.” This article was taken with permission from the Iowa Pride Network’s blog at www.iowapridenetwork.blogspot.com. The Iowa Pride Network is a state-wide nonprofit organization that works directly with students, helping empower them to start and enhance GSA’s in their high schools and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support, mentoring, educational, advocacy and networking opportunities. In addition, the Iowa Pride Network fights bigotry and intolerance against LGBTQA students in Iowa; educates policy makers and educators on issues facing LGBTQA students; and advocates for the interests of these students on the state and local levels. For more information go to www.IowaPrideNetwork.org.
But new studies show that nearly 50% of gay men using hook-up smart-phoneapplications engage in unprotected sex regularly.
The T Side of Things By Sean Finn, IPN Student
From teachers continuing to call me “Miss Finn” and classmates not thinking to group me with the guys, to avoiding public boysor-girls restrooms at all costs...
develop multi-drug resistant strains which can be passed onto others. Results from a recent review confirm that HIV-positive adults are at a higher risk for developing cancer than the general population. In particular, people with HIV are about four times more likely to develop cancer than people without HIV and are slightly more likely to develop cancer than people who have had an organ transplant. AIDS education has seemed to wane from public discourse and prevention instruction seems sequestered to HIV testing sites. Remember the days when red ribbons were fastened to the lapels of a host of public figures, serving as a reminder of the epidemic? Luckily, we might see the reappearance of such reminders this year. Films like the Academy Award nominated How to Survive a Plague, and Jim Hubbard’s United in Anger: A History of ACT UP, are bringing AIDS awareness back into focus. Young men who have sex with men need to grapple with, and face the facts these films present. Youth can be perilous without support and education. As men of a generation that remembers the devastation of the AIDS epidemic, there is a need to reach out to our younger counterparts. Gay male mentors are nearly nonexistent for young men. Most men, myself included, have allowed desires to dictate interactions with younger men. As a result, many like Charles get terribly lost before coming to a healthy, integrated sense of self. Now it’s time to step up, to present ourselves, and our knowledge, in hopes of making the lives of our youth a little less lonely and a lot safer.
Sean Finn, Iowa Pride Network student. Courtesy of IPN.
MARCH 2013
Section 3: Community
ACCESSline Page 35