Liberty Press July 2016 by Liberty Press Kansas

PAGE 2 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Mamma Mia! What a season!

JUL 13-17

JUL 27-31

AUG 10-21

316.265.3107 | mtwichita.org

DEFINITELY BROADWAY UNIQUELY WICHITA

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 3

PAGE 4 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

--Kristi Parker

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Liberty Press

Volume 22, No. 11 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Nolin Christensen, Greg Fox, Charlene Lichtenstein, By Ramona Liera-Schwichtenberg, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott • Staff Reporters: Grayson Barnes, Emily Beckman, Annette Hope Billings, Blake Hampton, Isabella Parker, Trevor Reichle, Ciara Reid, Jeromiah Taylor • Contributing Photographers: Jeremy Cowart • Cover Design: Troy Dilport • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: Liberty Press, LLC • Printer: Valley Offset Printing National Advertising: Rivendell Media, (212) 242-96863 Subscriptions are $18/year

The “Liberty Press” and its contents may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. All rights reserved. Unsolicited material may not necessarily be acknowledged or returned, is assumed intended for publication unless otherwise stated, and becomes the sole property of the Liberty Press. Letters to the editor and bylined columns reflect the views and opinions of the authors only and are not necessarily those of the Liberty Press, LLC or its staff. The Liberty Press reserves the right to refuse or restrict advertisements at the editor’s discretion. Advertisers and agencies assume liability for claims arising from the content of their ads. Publication of the name, photograph or likeness of any persons, organization or business in articles or advertisements in the Liberty Press in no way indicates or reflects their sexual orientation. First copy free, additional copies may be obtained for a nominal fee from the publisher.

Distribution Sites

Inside:

Andover

OP/ED......................................6 KANSAS NEWS......................10 TRANS-FORMATIVE...............13 WHAT'S NEW AT THE CENTER?...............................13 BRIDGES................................13 NATIONAL NEWS..................14 OUT IN THE STARS...............18 AROUND KANSAS.................19 MINOR DETAILS....................20 LEATHER LIFE.......................21 KYLE'S BED & BREAKFAST...21 ON THE COVER: Lisa Koch brings her comedy and musicianship to Wichita..................................12 The Power of LGBTQ Love and Anger.......................................6

Andover Public Library

Derby

Derby High GSA

El Dorado

Pathways Psychological Services

Emporia

Emporia State GSA

Hutchinson

Bluebird Books, Hutchinson Community College GSA, Hutchinson High School GSA, PFLAG Hutchinson, Prairie Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Junction City

Devil's Tail

Kansas City

Hamburger Mary’s, LIKEME Lighthouse

Lawrence

Community Mercantile, KU’s Dean of Students office, KU’s Multicultural Resource Center, Lawrence Public Library, Wheatfield’s Bakery

Manhattan

August 2016 DEADLINE July 20 ON-STANDS July 29 Around Kansas listings are free to non-profit/volunteer-based groups. Send your additions or corrections to editor@libertypress.net.

Aggie Station, Arlan's Fine Wines & Spirits, Auntie Mae's, The Bluestem Bistro, The Chef Café, First Congregational Church, K-State Ecumenical Christian Ministry, K-State LGBT Resource Center, K-State Student Union, K-State Women's Clinic, Mimi's Cheese Shop & Other Delights, On the Wild Side, People’s Grocery, Positive Connections office, Queer-Straight Alliance meetings, Radina’s Bakery & Café (two locations), Riley County Health Dept., Rockstar Home Fusion, Sisters of Sound Music, StreckerNelson Gallery, Varsity Donuts

Mulvane

Naughty Tiger Gifts

We Accept

Newton

Bethel College Student Life Center

Salina

Circulation Data Subscriptions Hand delivery including 35 free pick-up racks E-blast subscription list Total

115 3,885 1,050 _____ 5,050

Ad Astra Books and Coffeehouse, The EndIron Inn, Mokas, Mokas South, Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, Salina Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Saline County Health Dept.

Topeka

The Break Room, Bunker Coffee Company, Central Congregational United Church of Christ, Classic Bean (two locations), Field of Greens,

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 5 Flowers by Bill, Gravity Gallery, Lazio’s Coffee Bar, Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka, NOTO Burrito, Pinkadilly, Positive Connections, PT’s Coffee Roasting Co., The Razor’s Edge, Serendipity, Three Flowers Metaphysical, Topeka/ Shawnee County Public Library, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, The Upstage Gallery, Washburn Mabee Library, Washburn Union, YWCA

Wichita

Adult Superstore, Albero Cafe, The Anchor, Artichoke Sandwich Bar, Artist At Large, Beautiful Day Cafe, Bike Walk Wichita, Bionic Burger (N. Ridge Rd.), Book-AHolic (Parklane, w. 21st), Bungalow 26, Camelot Cinema, The Center, Charlie's Pizza Taco, Circle Cinema, Club Boomerang, College Hill United Methodist Church, The Cotillion, Crazy J’s Furniture & Sleep Shop, Delano BBQ, Dempsey's Burger Pub, The Donut Whole, Doo-Dah Diner, DT's Outlet (all 3 locations), East High GSA, E.C. Tyree Health & Dental Clinic, Elektrik Chair, E.M. Shorts Guitar, Eric Fisher Academy, Felipe's (N. Woodlawn), Finishing School for Modern Women, Fisch Haus, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Fit For A Queen, Harris & Co. Frame Shop, Hell Bomb Tattoo, Hue Gallery, Hunter Health Clinic, J’s Lounge, A Journey in the Light, Kirby’s, KMUW, KU Internal Medicine - Midtown, The Labor Party, Le Monde, Light and Sound Spa, Lotus Leaf Cafe, Lucky's Vape Lounge, Lynne Ziegler Gallery, MCC Table of Hope, Mead’s Corner, Melange Jewelry, Moe’s Sub Shop, The Monarch, The Orpheum, Patricia’s (all 3 locations), Peace & Social Justice Center, Picasso's Pizza, Pine Valley Christian Church, Planet Hair, Planet Sub (east location), Planned Parenthood, Positive Directions, Rain Café & Lounge, Reverie Coffee Roasters, Saigon, Skeletons Out of the Closet, South Wind Women's Center, Spektrum Muzik, Spice Merchant, The Store, Tanya's Soup Kitchen, Therapeutic Specialists, The Tire Store, Uhlik Music, Unity of Wichita, Vagabond Coffeeshop, Vegas Video, Watermark Books, What's Brewing?, Wichita Brewing Co. (west), Wichita Public Library - downtown branch, WSU's Brennan Hall II, WSU's Elliott School, WSU's McKnight Art Center, WSU Spectrum meetings, WSU's Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Ziggy's Pizza

Would your business or organization like to be a distribution point? It’s free! Contact Kristi at editor@libertypress.net to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

PAGE 6 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

OP/ED

A Monthly Collection of Opinions and Editorials.

The opinions represented here do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Liberty Press. We reserve the right to edit and cut submissions for space and grammatical content. We want to hear from you! Visit www.libertypress.net to answer our Readers Poll. Send your letters and feedback to editor@libertypress.net.

My Take Dear editor: So the last time I wrote a letter to the editor was in February 2015, at that time I was very outspoken about the state of politics in this country, and it has only gotten worse. Everyone is looking for someone or something to blame for Orlando, Fla., well I’ve come up with a simple answer. Southern Republicanstyle politics! The “us against them” mentality of we are better than them mixed with the fear of losing the old way we used to live. Yes, that grand old time when black men were called boy, when a girl could be sexually harassed and it was just boys being boys, and when the gay community literally was in the closet. Yes that is what all those white southern gentlemen want to go back to. Yeah it sounds great if you are a white, middleaged heterosexual middle- to upper-income male. For the rest of us it is not the American Dream we are working and dying for to gain the dignity that those white southern gentlemen think that they are only entitled.

Orlando is the blame of every Republican in the nation that thwarts equal treatment under the law; that turns difference into fear. They, for the last 16 years, have used it as a wedge in politics to seize power and in doing so have given rise to terrorism, terrorists that think that if you don’t change then you should not be treated as humans. They have made villains of the poor, the sick, the old. They have made people fear the LGBT community by making their talking points on the Sunday news shows as though we are perverts, deviants and predators. Everything that they spew is nothing but a lie to retain their hold on power to make sure the rich get richer, by making us fear and loath each other just for expecting to be treated with the human dignity that each of us are capable of giving. No, we as sheep let them manipulate us into coveting what we have and that no one else should be treated as we expect to be treated. So yes those White Southern Gentlemen may be to blame for making us fear, loath, even frightened of each other, but we the sheep have made it all possible. Love one another as I have loved you; Love your neighbor as you would yourself. Yeah maybe that’s what we should practice, and that’s my take. Ray Butterfield

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

GUEST EDITORIAL The Power of LGBTQ Love and Anger By Ramona Liera-Schwichtenberg

y heart hurts. My head aches. The week of June 13 has resurrected memories of being gay-bashed while leaving a club, and losing a friend to gun violence at the University of Iowa in 1991 (six died including the gunman). It saddens me that the most recent shooting of June 12 at the Pulse Nightclub, is yet one more act of terror and hate as President Obama succinctly stated. So, like so many times before, the news media, following the mass shooting in Orlando, has been a non-stop dirge, a lament for the victims and wounded, and families whose lives are forever changed. The new twist is that the hate was directed at the gay community, now mourning the 49 LGBTQ dead. The names and faces are a collage, and the stories of shooter and victims are chanted over and over again as an incantation searching for answers. The litany follows the pattern from Sandy Hook, Aurora, Charleston, and others, with: 1) shock, 2) grief 3) gun debate, and 4) inaction. Politicians will exhort us to “pray for Orlando,” as they go about doing the NRA’s bidding with few exceptions. But, the murderer and the NRA may have met their match in the social organization and political mobilization of the LGBTQ community. A recent Washington Post article (June 17) notes the community’s organizational expertise as part of a social movement that has waged many battles---from the homophile movement of the 1950s to the Zap actions of the 1970s, and the die-ins of Act-

Up in the face AIDS, to finally marriage rights---the LGBTQ community has been a marvel at advancing a model of coalitional politics. An injury to one is an injury to all. It’s time to begin to feel again, take a breath, and get damn angry. How dare this macho culture stroked by the NRA make me feel fearful? Here, I am cheered by the recent post of my friend, Milton who is going to Orlando with his husband, Michael, and will “go to gay bars, gay resorts, gay bookstores, gay coffee shops and gay restaurants.” He and Michael will “hold hands and kiss and talk about gay things. … meet and hug and laugh with other gay people.” Milton’s exhortation asserts our right to love and live without the fear of gun violence: “We will do all this WITH joy and WITHOUT fear because no one will take our spaces or our spirit or our pride from us. Ever.” We all should adopt this politics of love and anger. The NRA should worry; the LGBTQ community is expert in building alliances and getting things done. We will not be cowed or chased back into the closet. We’re coming for those guns, kissing all the way. Gun reform may very well be the “next chapter in LGBT history” (George Takei). l

Corrections In the June issue in the article entitled Lanna Allen - the Next Rung, the story stated incorrectly that Allen was supported by the Wichita Area Business Association (WABA). It should

have said the Wichita Bar Association (WBA). We regret the error and any harm it may have caused.

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 7

Indigo Girls bring ‘One Lost Day Tour’ and harmonies to Crossroads KC

By Ciara Reid, staff reporter KANSAS CITY - Fans of the Indigo Girls finally got their hands on new music per the duo’s newest collection of songs on the album One Lost Day, which was released in June of last year. Their 16th album comes four years after 2011’s Beauty Queen Sister. But it’s not just the newer music that keeps fans listening intently to the band: the Indigo Girls have been steadily rocking since 1987’s Strange Fire. Even for newer fans, or those not entirely familiar with their entire musical catalogue, it would be hard to miss the infectious crowd pleasers that include Closer to Fine, off their 1989 self-titled release, and Fill It Up Again, from their 2004 album All That We Let In – and those songs only skim the surface of fan favorites. The effortless harmonies

of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray make their songs contagious and nearly impossible to not sing along. Their live shows can be described as a spiritual experience – even if one has never heard one note of an Indigo Girls’ song, hearing an entire audience sing along, word for word, is a thrill. One Lost Day shows that the Indigo Girls are not resting on their laurels – the album demonstrates their ability to flex their creative muscles with a new producer and new musicians, along with their touring band. “We took some chances on the making of One Lost Day with a new producer, engineer, and various musicians,” Saliers says on their website. ”Stretching like that felt liberating to me. Each song tells a story of where we’ve been and what we’ve thought about, whom we’ve met, and the travels we’ve had. It is a travelogue on lessons learned and love lived. I’m so glad we brought Jordan Hamlin on board to take us to new musical landscapes for this group of songs. And my relationship with Amy feels further strengthened by the collection of these songs and the diligent effort to make them the best they could be.” Ray agrees with Saliers. “The title sums it up for me,”

Ray says. “This is about the one lost day that rekindled and infused with our spirit to find that making music is just as vibrant and full of passion as it’s ever been for us!” The Indigo Girls are touring the country throughout the summer, with many dates

already sold out. They will bring their show to Crossroads KC on July 27, along with opening act Great Caesar. General admission tickets are $25. The show begins at 8pm. Ticket and more information can be found at www.indigogirls.com, or www.crossroadskc.com. l

PAGE 8 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Trinity Academy’s anti-gay policy to allow expulsion of students over LGBT family comes to light

By Trevor Reichle, staff reporter

WICHITA - A private Christian school in Wichita has a policy that is upsetting more than just a few people. In May, a policy in Trinity Academy’s “Statement of Understanding,” was made public by a few former students. In the agreement that must be signed by the parents and students who attend the school, the policy states that

the school reserves the right to expel students if they appear to be “accepting of the LGBT lifestyle” - that includes having LGBT family members. The “Statement of Understanding” that Trinity Academy provides is a series of ideas or beliefs that the school follows that parents and students must agree to in order for their child or children to attend the school. If not followed, disciplinary action

Kathy Richstatter

KS Realtor ABR, e-PRO, GRI, SRES Kathy@KansasRainbow.com www.KS.PenFedRealty.com

316 316--641 641--3954

can take place. This is not an uncommon procedure for many private religious schools. After the policy became public knowledge, many national online news outlets covered it, causing a public outcry that resulted in the school’s website being shut down for a time, along with its Twitter and Facebook pages. The policy still remained a heated talking point by LGBT Kansans and people across the country, with many decrying it as discrimination. Others, however – most notably on the conservative side – believe that the policy is acceptable as it is a private Christian school and that belief falls in line with Christian principles. One parent, who wished to not be named, said she enrolled her child in the school’s summer program before the policy became public knowledge. Once it was, the parent said she

contacted the school to resolve the issue, stating that the child had gay parents and that she either needed a refund for the program or for her child to be given no grief for his living situation. Despite attempts to contact Trinity Academy, the school never returned her calls and instead issued the refund several days later by e-mail. In response to the criticism of the anti-LGBT policy, the school released a statement to KSN, stating “Trinity Academy holds biblical views on human sexuality and gay marriage and we want prospective families to understand that... Trinity would not and has not denied admission to a student simply because they have a sibling who is gay. Neither would we necessarily deny admission to a student with same-sex attraction. We do not condone sexual activity of any kind for our students whether heterosexual or homosexual.” l

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 9

What happens at the polls affects you. On the second Tuesday of every month, Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap brings an expert panel together to inform you about issues in our community and ways to make it better.

TUESDAY JULY 12 5:30 - 8 pm at The LUX, 120 E 1st St N July Topic: Transportation & Infrastructure

This program is partially supported by the Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation.

PAGE 10 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

Kansas News Event to raise money for Orlando victims WICHITA - Following the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla. local community members wanted to do something to help. Rev. Jackie Carter and Bobby Hise came together as co-organizers of an event titled “We Stand Together for Love,” to be held at the former Fantasy Complex location. The building, located at the corner of Hillside and 31st Street South, is now an event center that has been rented for the July 10 fundraiser. “It’s nice because the bars and the church are coordinating together,” Allen Mairs, the owner of Rain, said. Rain, Club Inferno and Club Boomerang are joining MCC Table of Hope along with organizations WOOLF, The Center, Equality Kansas, Wichita Pride and the Wichita Bears in sponsoring the fundraiser. The event, which runs from 4-8pm, will be family-friendly and feature speakers from the community, musical performers, a BBQ, silent auction and a drag show. According to Mairs, part of the proceeds will go directly to the family of one of the victims with Wichita ties, as well as the medical expenses of survivors through the Equality Florida GoFundMe website.

Satirist Roy Zimmerman to Perform at First UU Church of Wichita WICHITA - Singer-songwriter Roy Zimmerman, called by the LA Times “a latter-day Tom Lehrer” for his satirical songs about the social and political foibles of the day, performs Sunday, July 10, at 3pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita, 7202 E. 21st. Suggested $15 donation at the door. Roy Zimmerman’s original songs—about class warfare, creationism, same-sex marriage, guns, marijuana, abstinence, ignorance, war and greed—are often played on progressive radio. He has shared stages with Bill Maher, Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres, Kate Clinton and George Carlin. He’s been profiled on NPR’s “All Things

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Considered” and he is a featured blogger for the Huffington Post. The concert at Wichita’s First UU church, “Roy Zimmerman: This Machine,” is 90 minutes of Zimmerman’s hilarious, rhymeintensive original songs. The title references Woody Guthrie and Pete Singer, who famously emblazoned their instruments with the words, “This Machine Kills Fascists” (Guthrie’s guitar) and “This Machine Surrounds Hate and Forces It to Surrender” (Seeger’s banjo). Zimmerman’s concert is part of his election year “campaign promise” to perform in all 50 states before the Republican National Convention.

Mr. and Miss Wichita Pride Pageant WICHITA - In August, Wichita Pride Inc. kicks off by hosting the Mr. and Miss Wichita Pride Pageant at Club Boomerang on Aug. 12 at 10pm. This will be a judged pageant with categories such as talent, pride wear, and a question and answer segment. The contestants will be raising money both before and during the pageant as a fundraising opportunity in order to support this year’s Pridefest. Anyone wanting to participate as a contestant or in need of more info, contact Ron Anderson at entertainment@wichitapride. org.

Bears in the Heat coming in July WICHITA - “Bears in the Heat,” the Wichita Bears annual run, will be held from July 14-16 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel located at 221 E. Kellogg. Local bears and bear enthusiasts are welcome to join the gathering for a full weekend of fun activities in the company of bearish men. Thursday night the bears will attend the current show at Mosley Street Melodrama. This is not part of the registration. Attendees will have to call the theatre at (316) 263-0222 and tell them they are with the Bears. On Friday as people get registered, they will have time to get settled into their room, lounge by the pool or hang out in the hospitality suite. Friday night is the annual bar crawl,

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

which will start out with a tour of Wheat State Distilling to learn how they turn Kansas wheat into vodka or whiskey. After the tour, the bears can purchase a wide range of products from gin to bourbon. Other stops on the run will include J’s Lounge, Rain, Club Boomerang, The Back Room, Club Inferno and Rocky’s. Afterwards the hospitality suite will be open. Saturday activities include a getting-to-know-Wichita scavenger hunt, more time around the pool and in the hospitality suite, plus the big dinner at Caesar’s Table featuring a buffet. The evening’s entertainment will be a murder dinner mystery set in the 1950’s. On Sunday, everyone will check out of their rooms and head for home, or hang around for lunch and a movie. Registration is $65 and available online at www.wichitabears.org.

Bohren performs a deep repertoire of blues, country, gospel and original songs while telling tales from a lifetime of wandering the world. Next up is acoustic duo Moreland & Arbuckle on Aug. 25, and finally Jazz legend Bobby Watson on Sept. 15. Each month, the Ulrich invites music lovers to bring a lawn chair, enjoy free refreshments and relax in the scenery of the WSU campus while enjoying Art For Your Ears. Bohren, and Moreland & Arbuckle will perform on the McKnight Outdoor Plaza, Watson takes the stage at the Duerksen Outdoor Amphitheatre accompanied by the WSU Jazz Band. All events run from 7-9pm and are free and open to the public. Rain location is the WSU CAC Theater. More information at ulrich.wichita. edu/afye. l

Art For Your Ears returns WICHITA - The Ulrich Museum of Art on the Wichita State campus kicks off its 2016 Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 7 with New Orleans blues guitarist Spencer Bohren.

twitter.com/ LibertyPressKS

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 11

PAGE 12 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Lisa Koch brings her comedy and musicianship to Wichita throughout the years, and Murder Summer Concert Series - MCC Table of b y M i d n i g h t would sound right Hope Benefit, 201 S. Greenwood at home in a jazz Tickets: $20, Show starts at 7pm lounge. Other (Dinner is served at 6pm) For more information, visit www. songs have the godlovesyouperiod.com or www.heylisa. twang of a country song, or the guitar com. licks of a classic By Ciara Reid, staff reporter rock song. She can do it all, and does – effortlessly. WICHITA - Seattle’s own Lisa She began playing music in Koch is one part comedian, one high school with her brother. In part musician – and she excels the beginning, she was solely a at both. Koch describes herself musician. Then she happened as “Tina Fey meets Bette Midler upon a theatrical group and with Joan Jett guitar chops” – started writing funny songs, and and when you hear her music, then segued into sketch comedy. the comparisons ring true. “I grew up in funny family, and Her songs range from flat-out we always enjoyed laughing,” hilarious anthems, like her most Koch said in a recent interview popular song, I’m a Middle- with Liberty Press. “In my head Aged Woman, which includes I think I’m a musician. Comedy the lyrics “My thermostat has is second, in my brain.” really gone awry / I’m sweating Koch has released four like a pig, while my cha cha is albums: two solo albums – Tall totally dry.” Cool Drink and You Make My Her range and style of music is Pants Pound, and Other Show diverse – songs like the acoustic Tunes, one album entitled My track Three Times a Year is a Breasts Are out of Control with somber account of a friendship her comedy duo Dos Fallopia,

Event Details:

At this church, you’re

FREE to be just how

GOD

made you!

Attend Church in Your UNDERWEAR?* *ONLY if you watch our Livestream Service Sunday at www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com

Sunday Mornings at 10:30AM

156 S Kansas St. in Wichita

and I’ll Be Homo for Christmas with the comedy quartet Venus Envy. She is currently working on a new solo album, and plans to record the album this fall. The record will include a song called Enjoy the Ride about her father who passed away seven years ago. I asked Koch what song she is most proud of. Though each song has a particular meaning for Koch, she says I’m a Middle-Aged Woman really struck a chord with women. “It was a pretty fun song to come up with that was a connecting point for a lot of women that are aging,” Koch says. “It’s a little tirade against aging.” She also says the song she wrote for her late father is special, and songs about her sobriety describe a huge part of her life. A read through the guest book comments on Koch’s website www.heylisa.com shows the strong connection her songs have with fans all over the world. Many people write just to thank Koch for making them laugh during hard times in their lives. “It feels very powerful,” Koch says about the comments. “Laughter is a great healer.” Down time is few and far between for Koch. She tours several times a month, which

includes about three trips a year with Olivia Cruises. With Olivia, Koch has been just about everywhere – Australia, Europe, Russia – even Antarctica. When she’s not touring, she writes songs for corporations and also takes on corporate entrainment gigs. Soon, she’ll begin planning her annual Christmas sketch show, “Ham for the Holidays”. This year will mark the 16 th year. Koch describes the show as a cross between Saturday Night Live and the Carol Burnett Show. I spoke with Koch just a few days after the Orlando shootings at Pulse nightclub. We couldn’t help but talk about the massacre that has hit so close to home for the LGBTQ community. Koch says that it is more important than ever for the community to continue to be strong and to not be afraid. “I just did an event in Berkeley with two other comedians,” K o c h s a i d . “ We talked about it – it could have been our event. It is so important to get out there and experience the emotion from singing a collective song.” Koch will be performing at the Hyde Park Recreation Center in Wichita on Saturday, July 30. Tickets are $20, and benefit the continued on next page

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

What’s New at

T R

Dangerous Trans

ecently we saw a man get six months in a county jail for raping an unconscious woman. We also saw the Pope find it necessary to clarify that Bishops can be fired for, “negligence of bishops in the exercise of their functions, especially in cases of sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults.” In 2015, the Department of Defense reports there were more than 6,000 reports of

who are simply trying to live authentically. It tells you where they stand. Make no mistake - they are not interested in protecting women and girls. They are interested in trying to get people not to see what’s really happening. Might be about time to ask a few simple questions: Why don’t people like Gov. McCrory in North Carolina want us to see rape culture? Why are they so interested in making the

“Make no mistake - they are not interested in protecting women and girls. They are interested in people not seeing what's really happening.” sexual assault in the military. RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) says, “Every 107 seconds another American is sexually assaulted.” National outrage, right? Not so much. Number of sexual assaults committed by trans people in public bathrooms? Zero. National outrage? Totally. When they say you should be afraid of me or people like me, or people pretending to be like me; please take a good look at who they are protecting. Rape culture in this country is undeniable, inexcusable, and intolerable. Yet instead of addressing centuries of violent crimes against women and men, girls and boys, they create a myth about vulnerable people local Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Those who attend will not only be benefiting the Food Pantry, but will also be in for a treat. “I’m going to entertain their socks off,” Koch says of the show. “It will be a real mix of comedy and some great tunes, some cover tunes, and mash ups.” l

country look at transgender people in bathrooms? Why isn’t the mainstream media calling them out? That last question is a doozie. Why isn’t the mainstream media calling out the obvious hypocrisy of the all-of-a-sudden concern about transgender people? The answer is even more frightening than the question, I think. There are many other things the mainstream media fails to report - peaceful black protests, climate change, corporate subsidies, an overtly racist presidential candidate - to name a few. We h a v e s o m e s e r i o u s problems in the United States of America, today. People who are transgender are not one of the problems. In the time it took me to write this column, 16 Americans were sexually assaulted. Seems to me like we ought to have more of a problem with that. l Stephanie Mott is a transgender woman from Topeka. She is the executive director of the Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project, and a commissioner on the City of Topeka Human Relations Commission. Reach her at stephanieequality@yahoo.com.

he library continues to grow. We are getting new books every week. If you have LGBT books or books written by LGBT authors, please consider donating them to the Center’s library. Kids Connect (pre-K5th grade) is getting lots of online attention. We continue to encourage families with fluid gender children to come and participate with us. Check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ KidsConnectCenterofWichita. Get Connected (grades 6-12) continues to grow. We now average 15-20 youth each week. If you know of a teen who is LGBTQIA or just questioning, we encourage them to come join us. Many folks have contacted The Center about volunteering. We are working to put together a schedule of when people can

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 13

be at the Center so we can have open hours. If you are interested in this project, please contact us at thecenterofwichita@gmail. com. For those who may not know, we have an online directory of LGBT-owned and friendly businesses. Please visit our website to see this list. Click on the Directories tab. If you know of a business or organization that is LGBT-friendly and they are not on the list, please contact us with the information so we can add them. The Center’s calendar is up and running. We encourage all LGBT organizations to post their events on the site so that there is one single place for out-of-town folks to see in one central place what’s going on in the city. If your organization did not get a login or you have lost your login, please contact us so we can get you setup to post to the calendar. l

bridges Awarded: Jay Price, professor of history, received the 2016 John R. Barrier Distinguished Teaching Award. The award honors humanities and social sciences faculty who exhibit excellent teaching and influence upon the lives and career choices of their students. Died: Steve Einsel, 68, co-founder of the Wichita Bears, retired teacher and co-owner of Steve’s Jams & Jellies, of a massive stroke on June 14, 2016 in Wichita. He is survived by his husband of 22 years Ken Smith. If you or someone you know is having an anniversary, received a promotion or award, or a loved one has passed away, we will publish it free in Bridges. E-mail editor@libertypress.net.

PAGE 14 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

National News Wedding spending generated $102 million in state and local sales tax revenue LOS ANGELES — Marriages by same-sex couples have generated an estimated $1.58 billion boost to the national economy and $102 million in state and local sales tax revenue since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision extending marriage equality nationwide in June 2015, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, 123,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot, according to an analysis by Gary J. Gates, former Williams Institute Research Director. Key findings from the report include: * To t a l s p e n d i n g o n t h e 123,000 marriages generated an estimated $1.58 billion, including $1.35 billion in direct wedding spending by the couples and $228 million in spending by out-of-state guests. * This economic boost has added an estimated $102 million to state and local coffers in the 46 states that collect state and local sales taxes. * This spending could support an estimated 18,900 jobs for one full year. Read the report at: williamsinstitute.law.ucla. edu/research/estimating-theeconomic-impact-of-marriagefor-same-sex-couples-one-yearafter-obergefell/.

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Pentagon to announce end to transgender military ban on July 1 WASHINGTON, DC – The American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation’s largest organization of LGBT military families, praised the news that the Pentagon is expected to make history on July 1 by announcing the much anticipated end to the military’s ban on open service by transgender people. “Our transgender service members and their families are breathing a huge sigh of relief,” said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. “Soon, anyone who is qualified will finally be able to serve our great nation, regardless of their gender identity. We are eagerly anticipating the details of this historic announcement, and we are incredibly grateful for the leadership Secretary Carter has shown in getting us to this critically important point for our military families.” There are an estimated 15,500 transgender service members currently serving. Stonewall becomes first national park site dedicated to LGBT history NEW YORK – After more than two years of building strong public support in the community, across the nation and in Congress, National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) celebrates President Obama’s historic designation of Stonewall National Monument, continued on next page

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

the first national park site dedicated to LGBT history. On Friday, June 24, to coincide with national LGBT Pride Month, and just a few days before the 47th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, President Obama officially designated the area surrounding Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park in New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greenwich Village as the 412th national park site. l

Get ready for summer here!! Disc golf, hacky sacks, hero sacks and more for fun in the sun!

(785) 776-2252

1128 Moro Manhattan, KS 66502 11am-6:30pm M-F â&#x20AC;˘ 11am-6pm Sat.

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 15

PAGE 16 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Kansas City's center, LIKEME Lighthouse, begins capital campaign for permanent home

KANSAS CITY - Kansas City has never had a permanent home for an LGBT community center. LIKEME® LighthouseKC wants to change that one person and one dollar at a time. The first effort will begin with a fundraiser at Leinenkugel’s on July 9 followed by a Public Forum - Conversation with the Community on July 10 at LIKEME® Lighthouse-KC, 3911 Main Street at 2pm.

Myofascial Release and Massage Therapy

The fundraiser will help to provide LMLKC with the financial support to maintain its current location next year while the board establishes a plan for a capital campaign to purchase a new home. “The LIKEME® LighthouseKC board members are exercising due diligence to establish a solid business foundation to ensure sustainability for the future,” Felicia Kyle, LMLKC President,

Gary Martens & Larry Bunker

120 N Santa Fe in Downtown Salina, KS

for more information and to book an appointment

www.peacefulbodywellnessretreat.com

stated. “Over the last year the board of LIKEME® Lighthouse-KC has incorporated and obtained its 501(c)3 status with the IRS. In addition, basic business practices and procedures are being developed and LMLKC has installed a secure online system for giving.”

“This is the beginning of an ultimate goal to grow with the needs of the community,” Kyle said. “It will be the first of many steps toward sustainability and growth for future generations.“ l

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 17

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

DUSTY RHODES Call/Text 316.519.2112

I am excited to have the great services of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate to offer to you.

Email: Dusty@DustysHomes.com

Web: www.DustysHomes.com

DUSTY RHODES Call/Text 316.519.2112

I am excited to have the great services of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate to offer to you.

Email: Dusty@DustysHomes.com

Web: www.DustysHomes.com

DUSTY RHODES Call/Text 316.519.2112

I am excited to have the great services of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate to offer to you.

Email: Dusty@DustysHomes.com

Web: www.DustysHomes.com

Don’t Get Out Much? Get a Subscription. DUSTY RHODES

Name:_____________________________________ MAILED Address:___________________________________ FIRST CLASS! City _______________________________________ State______ Zip_____________________________

___ Check Enclosed ____ Please bill my (circle one) Visa Mastercard AMEX Discover

CardI#am __________________________________________________________________________ Call/Text 316.519.2112 excited to have the great services of Better

Email: Dusty@DustysHomes.com

Real code: 3-digit security Exp.Homes Date: and Gardens Estate to offer to you.

Web: www.DustysHomes.com

Just send this completed form with $18 to: LP, PO Box 16315, Wichita, KS 672160315. We’ll send you a full year (12 issues) of Liberty Press, mailed every month in a plain brown envelope.

PAGE 18 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Positive Directions hires prevention coordinator

Elizabeth Taylor hopes to educate and expand outreach of organization By Trevor Reichle, staff reporter WICHITA - A local HIV/AIDS organization is planning for big changes in the coming months ahead. Positive Directions, which was founded in 1999, previously offered both case management and prevention services, but is now moving forward with a focus solely on prevention. The organization has also hired Elizabeth Taylor as their new prevention coordinator as they shift focus. Taylor, a WSU alumni, graduated with her

Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2009. She subsequently spent time as a stay-at-home mom and wife and is now re-entering the workforce in assuming this position. Taylor does have a personal connection with this area of work; after losing a family member to AIDS, Taylor developed a desire to help those within the HIV/AIDS community. The organization plans to expand current programs that are in place in order to reach more people, such as condom distribution, as well as implementing or reimplementing new programs in an effort to be effective at

repare for a roaring July with bursts of confidence spilling into every area of our lives. Will you demand attention for any little thing? Or will you turn your need to please into helping others? Hmm, let’s just see.

preventing the spread of HIV within the area. The organization is also considering re-instating its Bodyguard program, aimed at equipping volunteers with the necessary education and tools they need to be able to talk openly about HIV/AIDS and answer any questions when in public settings around their peers. “We need more education, especially to the youth in the community,” Taylor said. “A lot of them look at [HIV/AIDS] as not a big deal because of all the medical advances in that area. It doesn’t matter your sexuality, race, socio-economic status or anything. It’s here.” Taylor also hopes to help in ending the stigma of the disease within certain groups, particularly African Americans and lower-income communities. Beyond education, Taylor also hopes the organization will be able to set up a mobile testing center to run free HIV tests in

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) You are the center of everyone’s universe Proud Rams fill up their festive social and command so much attention that calendar with all of the top parties and others are cast into a shadow. Lucky events now. But how much fun can one proud Lions are just where they want have? You think that too much is never to be. But use this attention wisely enough, but try to conserve your energies and creative ideas so that it lasts long into the rest of the and carefully. You don’t want to burn bridges or push summer. There are still fun things to do around town in too many possible helpers aside. Be generous and August, though you may have a hard time believing that. magnanimous now and you will continue to be popular for months to come. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) Your home will become a beehive of The gossip mill may go into overdrive activity throughout the next few weeks . . . about you now, queer Virgo. People are and that is just how you like it, queer Bull. noticing every little move you make. This Plan some get-togethers with folks that you can be flattering, as it will generate a bevy haven’t seen in a while. Even include some of secret admirers, but at some point it long lost relatives. Bringing everyone together is also a healthy thing. It clears the air and makes life less stressful will get tired and annoying. Don’t worry, this intense attention will move on soon. In the meantime, milk . . . unless they leave a big clean-up mess! it for all it is worth, be yourself and enjoy the love. GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Pink Twins are even chattier than usual and This is a great time to plan as many why not? You have some great ideas just gatherings with bosom buddies as waiting to find the right audience. Share possible, proud Libra. You are hitting a your ideas with others and see if anyone can help you take them the next big step high popularity point and will be a sought after guest forward. And you may find ways of partnering with others. at any pride event. Be choosy and they will want you There is a lot going on in your neighborhood that could use even more. New clubs and associations only enhance your already popular ranking. How big is big? Who your helping hand. The more hands the better! knows? Just keep expanding your universe. CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Use your time wisely now as financial Your professional ambitions may get a considerations are highlighted. You will lift now as you can finally attract the benefit from doing some research on how attention of the influential few. So put to invest and plan for the future. The profits your plans for corporate domination are there for the picking. Gay Crabs love on full speed ahead, queer Scorp. You any excuse to splurge, but try to hold on to more of your hard won gains and try to save for a rainy will carefully craft an ascent designed to fulfill your ambitions. Maybe those ambitions include an early day. Do I see storm clouds gathering? retirement? If so, consult a financial planner along the way.

lower-income areas, in addition to the testing they already offer. Going forward, the organization is going to continue to work within the community at prevention and education and despite rumors, will not be closing its doors anytime soon. Taylor notes that getting others involved in the cause is important to seeing long-term success. “We always need volunteers,” s a i d Ta y l o r, n o t i n g t h a t volunteers to help with various events and with programs like the Bodyguard program are crucial. l

tinyurl.com/herscopes Charlene Lichtenstein’s groundbreaking astrology book HerScopes: A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians is the best in sun sign astrology! The secrets that are revealed about each sign continue to amaze. Makes a great gift.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) You cannot sit at home now, gay Archer. The world is calling and you must answer. Plan a fabulous trip, last-minute vacation or even a cheapie adventure that takes you away from your routine and sparks your imagination. This could also be accomplished by a new course of study or a trip to a new part of town. The most important thing is to refresh your world view. CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) Even careful pink Caps can’t help but feel a bit feisty and sexy now. So explore your feelings and seek those who make you want to take even a small emotional and physical commitment. You may be surprised at who you attract and who you are attracted to. Stars in your eyes light the night. But also keep your eyes focused during the day. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) Partnerships may be ready for a jolt of more love and attention now, Aqueerius. The Love Boat will not go adrift if you grab the controls and steer your moves into happy ports. If you have been looking for your special someone, this is a great time to ramp up your efforts. Not only do you have a choice of possibilities, you are a bit of a possibility yourself. PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) Guppies can be very productive now and that can mean at work, at home or even in their health regime. Clear your desk, your “to do” box and your excuses. It is time to give yourself some much needed attention and activities that reduce stress and make you feel more energetic and healthy. You are your own work project. Who will help you do the job?

(c) 2016 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Lichtenstein’s blog www.thestarryeye.typepad.com covers everything new age. Her astrology book HerScopes is the best in sun sign astrology. Order now at tinyurl.com/herscopes.

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas, 1407 N. Topeka, Wichita, (316) 263-5886, director@ wichitapeace.org, www.wichitapeace. org Wichita Pride, info@wichitapride. org, www.wichitapride.org, annual celebration held in September.

Social Heart of America Men’s Chorus, Wichita, (316) 708-4837, www.hoamc. org

Community Centers The Center, 800 N. Market, Wichita, (316) 285-0007 www.thecenterofwichita. org Kansas State University LGBT Resource Center, 207 A/B Holton Hall, Manhattan, (785) 532-5352, lgbt@kstate.edu, www.k-state-edu/lgbt

Health E.C. Tyree Health & Dental Clinic, 1525 N. Lorraine, Wichita, (316) 6812545, www.tyreeclinic.com HIV/AIDS Client Emergency Fund administrered by the Junction City Teddy Bears, c/o Kevin Stilley, 2 Oak Valley Dr., Manhattan, (785) 556-8188, trlrhouseman@webtv.net, for people in the Manhattan/Junction City area Hunter Health Clinic, 2318 E. Central, Wichita, (316) 262-3611, FREE HIV confidential or anonymous testing with Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters. KU Internal Medicine-Midtown, KU School of Medicine, 1001 N. Minneapolis, Wichita, (316) 293-1840, (877) 472-8227 toll-free, (316) 293-2652 HIV Program LGBT Health Coalition of Sedgwick County, Wichita, (316) 285-0007, www. wichitalgbthealth.org Positive Connections, 1001 SW Garfield Ave, third floor, Topeka, (785) 232-3100, www.pcneks.org Positive Directions, 414 S. Commerce, Wichita, (316) 263-2214, (316) 2635214, www.pdiks.com Sedgwick County Health Dept., 2716 W. Central, Wichita, (316) 660-7300, www.sedgwickcounty.org South Wind Women's Center, 5107 E. Kellogg, Wichita, (316) 260-6934, www.southwindwomenscenter.org, LGBTQIA-friendly health services. The Sweet Emergency Fund, KUSM-W MPA, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, (316) 293-3405

Politics/Activism E q u a l i t y K a n s a s , w w w. kansasequalitycoalition.org, chapters across the state. Flint Hills Human Rights Project, fhhrp@yahoo.com Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project, (785) 215-7436, stephanie.mott@k-step.org, www.kstep.org, provides transgender education and resources.

Junction City Teddy Bears, c/o Kevin Stilley, 2 Oak Valley Dr., Manhattan, (785) 556-8188, trlrhouseman@webtv. net NetworQ, Lawrence, www.Kansas NetworQ.org, events are listed on website and FB page. Wichita Bears, presidentwichitabears@ yahoo.com, www.wichitabears.org Wichita Organization of Leather Fetishes, (316) 201-6242, www. woolfks.com Wichita Prime Timers, ICTPrimeTimers@aol.com, www. primetimersww.com/Wichita, social group for mature gay men.

Spiritual A Journey In The Light Ministries, 2231 S. Bluff, Wichita, (316) 302-6225, Sunday Praise and Worship services at 11am;Wednesday Discipleship Training at 7:30pm. College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st, Wichita, (316) 683-4643, www.collegehillumc.org, Sunday Celebrations at 8:30, 9:40 and 11:00am. First Congregational United Church of Christ, 700 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, (785) 537-7006, www.uccmanhattan. org, Sunday services at 10:45am; Taize services Thursday at 7pm, An Open and Affirming Congregation. First Metropolitan Community Church of Kansas, 156 S. Kansas, Wichita, (316) 267-1852, www.mccwichita.com, www.godlovesyouperiod.com, Sunday services at 10:15am. First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita, 7202 E. 21st St., (316) 6843481, officemanager@firstuu.net, www. firstuu.net. Kalpa Bhadra Kadampa Meditation Center, 721 W. 13th St., Wichita. (316) 263-1533, weekly meditation classes, prayers and workshops. See calendar of events at www.MeditateInKansas.org, everyone is welcome. Lutheran Campus Ministry, 1421 W. 19th, Lawrence, lutheran@ku.edu Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka, 4425 SW 19th, (785) 2721442, office@mcctopeka.org, www. MCCTopeka.org, services Sundays at 10am. Pine Valley Christian Church, 5620 E. 21st St., Wichita, (316) 685-2421, churchoffice@pvcconline.org, www. pvcconline.org Prairie Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1809 E. 30th, Hutchinson, (620) 663-8002, www. prairieuufellowship.org

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Rd., (785) 842-3339, www.uufl.net, 9:30am program, 11am service Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan, 481 Zeandale Road, (785) 537-2349, www.uufm.net, services Sundays at 10:45am. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, 4775 SW 21st St., (785) 2729233, www.uuft.org, services Sundays at 10:30am. Unity of Wichita, 2160 N. Oliver, (316) 682-7511, www.unityofwichita.com, 10am Sunday service, activities through the week.

Student groups Bethel College GSA, North Newton, advisor: Gabriel Fonseca gfonseca@ bethelks.edu, President: Zachary Preheim zacharyrpreheim@bethelks.edu Derby High School tkellenbarger@usd260.com

GSA,

F re e S t a t e H i g h S c h o o l G S A , Lawrence, sponsors: Hilary Morton hmorton@usd497.org, and Kim Grinnell kgrinnell@usd497.org Highland Park High School's Parity, Topeka, LGBTatHP@outlook.com, facebook.com/LGBTatHP Hutchinson High School GSA, faculty advisor: Mr. Westmoreland, chairperson: Kara Vaughn. The Independent School GSA, Wichita, sponsor: Matt Hanne matt. hanne@theindependentschool.com K-State LGBT & Allies, meets every Thursday at 6:30 in Willard Hall, room 120. Lawrence High School GSA, sponsors: Shannon Draper SDraper@usd497.org, and Lindsay Buck LBuck@usd497.org Manhattan High School GSA, mhs_ gsa@hotmail.com Maize South High School GSA, sponsor: Shelly Walston swalston@ usd266.com, meets 2nd Fridays. Pitt State GSA, Pittsburg State University, pittstategaystraightalliance@ gmail.com Spectrum KU, University of Kansas, Lawrence, (785) 864-3091, rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/ SpectrumKU Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies, Wichita State University, Twitter.com/ Wsuspectrum, meets Thursdays at 7pm in the Lucas Room (RSC 265) when classes are in session. Wichita East High School GSA, CFee@fcscounseling.com Wichita Heights High School GSA, nmagoon@usd259.net Wichita North High School GSA, (316) 204-5621, kellykk00@yahoo.com, rhorning@usd259.net, cwidmer@ usd259.net, meets every Wednesday at lunch in room A213. Wichita Northeast High School GSA, Jbell2@usd259.net Wichita Northwest High School GSA,

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 19 amcdonald@usd259.net, meets every Monday after school. Wichita Southeast High School GSA, (316) 807-2271, psychsteve2@yahoo. com Wichita West High School GSA, astucky@usd259.net

Support Beacon Youth Group, Topeka, beacontopeka@gmail.com, queer youth group for ages 12-20. Meets every Monday at 5:30pm at Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchanan St., the 1st, 4th, and 5th Mondays and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, 4775 SW 21st St., 2nd and 3rd Mondays. Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, 2622 W. Central Suite 500, Wichita, (316) 660-5120, www.cpaaa.org, CPAAA is available to assist seniors, caregivers, and adults with disabilities through life’s transitions and with various levels of support. COMCARE Crisis Intervention Services, 934 N. Water, Wichita, (316) 660-7500 free 24/7, www. sedgwickcounty.org Get Connected, Wichita, (316) 2850007, LGBTQIA youth group for ages 12-21. Meets at The Center, 800 N. Market, every Friday from 7-9pm. GLSEN Greater Wichita, wichita@ chapters.glsen.org. Headquarters Counseling Center, Lawrence, (785) 841-2345 free 24/7, www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us Healthy Transitions, for heterosexually married gay men in KC. A phone and face-to-face interview required, Mark McCarthy, LPC (816) 931-0011x4. HIV+ Men’s Support Group, Wichita, (316) 293-3405, mmadecky@kumc.edu Living Positive, a support group for people living with HIV and their caregivers. Meets 1st Tuesdays at 6pm. Call 785-537-7006 for location. O n e D a y A t A Ti m e , Wi c h it a , Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm at First MCC, 156 S. Kansas. PFLAG Hutchinson, PO Box 2488, Hutchinson, (620) 899-2345, pflaghutch@gmail.com PFLAG Lawrence/Topeka, sffeist@ msn.org, www.pflagnekansas.org, meets 1st Sundays, 2-4pm. Location alternates between Lawrence and Topeka. Check website or e-mail for location. The Face of Trans*, www.thefaceof trans.com Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, 355 N. Waco, Suite 100, (316) 2630185 office, (316) 263-3002 crisis line 24/7, advocate@wichitasac.com, www. wichitasac.com, free, confidential sexual assault services to all genders and sexual orientations. Wichita Transgender Community Network, social group meets the 1st week of each month and the support group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at The Center, 800 N. Market, at 7pm. l

PAGE 20 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

Minor

Details By Bob Minor

I'll Say It: Every Right-Wing Bigot Is Responsible for the Orlando Murders

merica’s most deadly mass shooting at an Orlando LGBT nightclub on another American day that will live in infamy almost half way through Gay Pride month was a national tragedy at so many levels. And the responsibility for it falls at the feet of every right-wing religious and political leader who has publicly spoken out in their nationally orchestrated campaign to demonize, dehumanize, and threaten LGBT people with punishment in this life and the next. Words matter, and words spoken publicly echo and reecho in the hearts and minds of those who will act on them. In this case they may have produced the kind of self-hate LGBT people internalize so they come to despise who they are and those who remind them of it. And of all people, right-wing preachers and televangelists who spend their time minutely parsing every word in their Bibles because what they say it means is so important in confirming their prejudices, know what the impact of their words is. They’re responsible for their speech and for those who act upon them. I’m not just talking about those who literally call for the return of executions of LGBT people. That’s just the most obviously extreme rhetoric of a last prejudice our society allows to be spoken out loud without consequences. I’m talking about every one of those religion-pushers who has used LGBT people to further their agendas, their power, their leadership, and their attentiongetting needs. I’m talking about every pusher of addictive religion who

has closed their minds and hearts to alternative understandings of their scriptures and traditions, in order to cover up their personal issues around sexuality and their sexual addictions. I’m talking about every religion leader who finds that LGBT people are great scapegoats to hold the attention and pocketbooks of congregants, TV viewers, radio listeners, and the gaggle of gullible enablers who host them in the mainstream media. I’m talking about every right-

other views (and still can’t stand LGBT people).” I’m talking about religious and political leaders who won’t take a public stand against the violence LGBT people still experience regularly in our culture often while the perpetrators are shouting things they’ve heard from American pulpits. They’re the ones who’ll usually deny in some backhanded non-public way that they condone the violence, but are too afraid to preach, march in a parade, or attend a rally to openly say so. I’m talking about every right-wing pundit, blogger, and politician who wants to turn what was intentionally an attack on an LGBT club into something to bludgeon Muslims over, to prematurely bury the LGBT human victims of the attack under their need to scare us all about Islam instead of the homophobic bigotry they condone daily. I’m talking about all those right-wing leaders who suddenly are acting as if they care about

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

and ask for it. Forgiveness of those who don’t want it is hubris. And if I’m wrong, then there are things that those whom I’m holding responsible can do to prove it. These are actions, not just pretty words, that will show the rest of us that you don’t condone violence against LGBT people. Otherwise you’re just a self-justifier. (1) Make sure that your local, state, and federal laws include LGBT people in hate-crime protections. Hate crimes are not just individual crimes; they’re directed at someone because that someone is a member of a whole group the perpetrator wants to terrorize. (2) Take a public stand against violence toward LGBT people as human beings and citizens in this country. Even if you can’t stand LGBT people, let everyone you know know that you are against the brutalization and dehumanization of them. (3) Face your own issues about sex and sexual orientation. Get therapy. Attend a support group. Ask yourself why this is the issue you want to be known for, and not poverty, homelessness, or hunger. (4) Stop condemning as heretical other ways of understanding your religious texts and traditions than the antiLGBT one’s you cling to for some personal reason. These alternatives proposed by also very sincere believers are all out there in the public discussion and have been for over half a century. (5) Face your and your religious organization’s fears about public support for ending crimes against LGBT people and of what other people will think of you. Fear is spiritually debilitating, and facing those fears is a matter of your own spiritual growth not just an action that will benefit others. (6) And repent for all you’ve said or done that’s regularly cited to kill LGBT people, OR seek for other self-justifications to keep doing so. l

“Words matter, and words spoken publicly echo and reecho in the hearts and minds of those who will act on them.” wing politician, and even others who consider themselves more liberal, who must not speak out against anti-LGBT violence because of their absolute terror of losing their funding, power and positions, who refuse to be leaders in equality because that will come at a personal cost. I’m talking about those who counsel that now is not the time to enact LGBT protections, or any gun control, while more people die. I’m talking about other religious leaders who won’t lead their institutions to take a public stand for the affirmation of LGBT people with all kinds of fear-based excuses like: “We don’t want to be known as a gay Church.” “We accept everyone, but do we need to mention it?” “We don’t want to divide the Church (because church unity is more important than the lives of LGBT people).” “We need to study this subject more because there are many in our congregation who have

LGBT victims because it’s all about pushing the politics of Islamophobia, in spite of the fact that for generations right-wing Christians have been brutalizing LGBT people without a peep from these same religio-political leaders. I’m talking about those all over the internet who are looking for every loophole, every subtle nuance, every syllable, and every questionable moral argument to applaud what happened. All of you are personally responsible even though many people will claim outrage refuse to say so. My liberal friends might shy away from me on this because they don’t want to believe that the above is true or because their hope is still that those I’m holding responsible are going to change if like abused spouses we’re just nicer to them, more understanding, and more forgiving. Forgiveness is something, however, to be given only to those who believe they need it

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; and Gay & Healthy in a Sick Society. Contact him at www. FairnessProject.org.

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Leather Life By Nolin Christensen aka Master C

Earning Your Leathers

Editor’s note: This column may contain content that is offensive to some people.

ne of the aspects of leather that came out of WWII (more on that next month) and the early Leather community is “earning your leather.” I would like to talk more about this and what it means. To earn your leather was where someone, either your mentor, or your Dominant, or your community would present

you with leather because they felt you earned it. So what does it mean to earn your leather? When a submissive would mentor with a Dominant, one of the first things they would learn was how to properly take care of the Dom’s boots. Once the Dominant felt that the submissive had properly learned and mastered the ability to properly care for the Dom’s boots, the Dom would present the submissive with his own pair of boots. Other leathers (shorts, pants, chaps, vest, jacket – usually in that order) would be presented to the submissive when the Dominant felt they had properly learned some aspect of the leather culture or had pleased the Dominant in some way. Some Dominants would work their way up starting with the boots and present leathers from the feet to the head with a cap being the final presentation. However, not everyone does it the same way. Others started with the head and worked down; others presented whatever according to how they felt the

submissive had earned it. Dominants can also earn leather. This is in the form of a Muir Cap (also called a biker cap) where the community felt they were worthy of being honored by the community as a whole. My boys earned their leather when I would explain some part of how the Leather community worked and saw that they implemented that into their lives without me having to tell them to do it. When a submissive automatically takes something they’ve been told and they implement it into the relationship/lifestyle, that is impressive to a Dominant and we want to reward them for having done so. A problem we are seeing in today’s world is that some Dominants do not fully understand this “earning of leathers” and have corrupted it to be a source of manipulation. What I have seen is that they instruct the submissive if they do something, they will get a reward. They think this is earning. It’s not; it’s manipulation and that’s NOT what we are about. When someone tells you to do something in order for you to get something, you need to be

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 21

very careful about it. I know of situations where someone will tell them, you’ll get your scene (whatever that might be) only if you will do this. That’s not how leather works. You give to your submissive because you want to. You please your Dom because you want to. Now Dominants, you need to watch out. Because if the submissive is only doing something because they think they will get something in return, you have a problem. And if they use the term or have the attitude, “I deserve it” you have an even bigger problem. Remember, manipulation can go both ways. So you need to watch out. I want a submissive that will do things (play or lifestyle) because HE wants it; because he likes it. This is what pleases me and that’s what I want to see. Trust me, leather is NOT a cheap lifestyle and I’m not going to be forking out money on a submissive that truly does not deserve it. And submissives, you too need to watch out. If someone tells you that you have to do something in order to get either a play scene or something continued on page 22

PAGE 22 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Leather continued from page 21

to wear, you need to get out of that relationship as fast as possible. It’s one thing to have a manipulative submissive, but it’s a WHOLE different situation to have a manipulative Dominant. These types of Dominants are not someone you want to learn from and definitely not someone you want to play with. You’ll end up getting hurt both physically and emotionally. What everyone needs to realize is that this does not just

apply to the leather culture. It can also apply to anyone in any relationship in any culture. So if you want to learn more about Earning Your Leathers and the proper way to do it, please contact the WOOLF group. We will be glad to help educate you. We meet the fourth Saturday of each month for a munch at Club Boomerang starting at 5pm. Everyone is welcome to come join us. l

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

JULY 2016 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 23

PAGE 24 | LIBERTY PRESS | JULY 2016

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.