PAGE 2 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Tickets for most shows are 50% off for K-State students and kids 18 and under. Discounts available for groups, faculty/staff, seniors, and military.
Paula Poundstone
Dianne Reeves
7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8
7:30 p.m Tuesday, Dec. 12
Parsons Dance
Flint Hills Children’s Choir
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21
The B-52s
Cabaret
7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16
Riverdance
John Cleese Live with a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Swan Lake: Russian National Ballet Theatre
Tao: Drumheart
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5
Jake Shimabukuro 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16
Dirty Dancing 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22
My Father’s Dragon 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen Aquila Theatre
7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2
Kinky Boots 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26
7:30 p.m. Monday, April 9
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31
An evening with David Sedaris
The Temptations
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20
7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26
Jersey Boys
Kenny G
7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 and 12
7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29
Home Free
7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28
Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet
The Fab Four
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22
Dixie’s Tupperware Party
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2
The Sound of Music
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy
7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25
(Wareham Opera House) (Adult content)
(Wareham Opera House)
7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10
Hamlet By William Shakespeare
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Aquila Theatre
Bumper Jacksons (Wareham Opera House)
7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6
7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1
Dates, artists, venue, and ticket prices are all subject to change.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8
2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13
McCain Holiday Home Tour (Please note: tickets will go on sale for this event in the fall.)
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 3
Myofascial Release and Massage Therapy
Gary Martens & Larry Bunker
120 N Santa Fe in Downtown Salina, KS
for more information and to book an appointment
www.peacefulbodywellnessretreat.com
Welcome Back, Students!! Customize your new home at the Wild Side! Incense, candles, beads, tapestries and more!
(785) 776-2252
1128 Moro Manhattan, KS 66502 11am-6:30pm M-F • 11am-6pm Sat.
PAGE 4 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
LIVE
Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre
Saturday, September 9 TICKETS AT KMUW.ORG
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 5
Editor's Desk
As if I needed more reasons to love my Wildcats.
I
graduated from Kansas State University at the tender age of 21. Not yet completely out to myself, I wasn’t aware of the resources available to LGBT students at that time. However, I WAS culturally savvy enough to know that it couldn’t have been much. You know the line . . . I had gay friends. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my time at K-State immensely. It was the best decision I’d made up until that time in my life to transfer from Wichita State and live in a dorm independently. And although I later also graduated from Wichita State, my heart remains first and foremost with the Wildcats. I dislike the saying “I bleed purple,” but . . . well . . . uh, I bleed purple. Fast forward 20 (or so) years and I’m so proud to see the plethora of organizations, events, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community coming out of KSU. Wow! I couldn’t believe it when I saw a list of the organizations and the cutting edge things, i.e. the Gender Collective, that were happening in Manhattan. So I decided to dedicate this year’s back-to-school issue to my beloved Wildcats. And then Scott Frantz came out publicly. What timing! The KSU sophomore starting offensive left tackle told ESPN’s Holly Rowe in July he is gay and that he had come out to his teammates the year before. And guess what? His teammates embraced him, told him he is still their brother, and that it doesn’t change how they see him. In other words, all the right things. “I’ve never felt so loved and so accepted ever in my life than when I did that,” Frantz told ESPN. As I read the article and the ensuing editorial I, geekishly, pumped my fist. Yes! I was so proud of my team. I held my breath as I got to the point in the story with coach Bill Snyder’s reaction. I feared the football god would say something that knocked him down a tier in my eyes. It was still football after all, the epitome of anti-gay machismo. But, alas, the good man didn’t let me down. I gave another fist pump and cheered silently. “ What impressed me about this story is that Scott really thought that he could assist others who were experiencing perhaps the same thing or something very similar to this,” Snyder said. He went on to say, “I was quite comfortable that our team would be very receptive and that they would treat him as they always have - as his teammate and someone that they cared about. And they did.” Yay! K--S--U Wildcats!
--Kristi
PAGE 6 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
Liberty Press
Volume 23, No. 12 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Annette Billings, Nolin Christensen, John Dalton-White, Charlene Lichtenstein, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott, Vinnie Reed • Staff Reporters: Grayson Barnes, Emily Beckman, Ciara Reid, Jamie Rhodes • Cover Design: Troy Dilport • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: Liberty Press, LLC • Printer: Valley Offset Printing Subscriptions are $18/year
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OP/ED
A Monthly Collection of Opinions and Editorials.
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Letters Pride 2017 Dear editor: Last month Pride 2017 broke records for the Wichita Pride organization. There were events over the course of a week. Attendance at all the events, with the exception of the Block Party, were up from prior years making the 2017 Pride festival the most successful to date. This year, Pride helped to host the National Equality March. The Equality March was held in over 116 cities and five different countries. For the Wichita Equality March, there was over 400 people who marched down Douglas Ave. on Sunday, June 11. Pride looks forward to hosting the Equality March again next year. A new event was added this year. Find Your Pride scavenger hunt. Pride had 12 teams at the XY bar. It was a blast. Pride is looking to expand this event again for next year by adding something for families. Pride Family Picnic was the largest ever, with about 300 people. The food provided by Cargill was awesome. The kids had a wonderful time with the water guns. Everyone was wet by the time the picnic ended. Pride looks forward to next year by having more games for everyone during the picnic. Pride revamped their Block Party making it more an all-age/ youth dance party. While the numbers were less than last year, Pride is looking at ways to make this event better and bigger next year. The rally and parade drew in a record crowd of about 500 people. The parade had the most entries ever and Pride is looking at ways to make it even larger next year. It just added to the parade to have the Grand Marshall’s being the Wichita Police Department
LGBT liaisons. Officers Rusco and Kimball have been working with the community since the inception of the liaison position and it was great to have them represent the community and Pride this year. This year was also the first time to have a Youth Representative (please see article in this Liberty Press for more about Jonathan Cooley). The final event was the Festival held again at the MidAmerica All-Indian Center. There were about 1,800 people at the event. Look toward next year being even bigger. Pride would like to thank all those that participated in this year’s event. For the first time in a long time all the bars and clubs were involved in some way shape or form. The bars and Pride are looking forward to more involvement together next year. Pride has one more major event coming up this year. Called “The Return To Fantasy” it is being held Sept. 30 at the old Fantasy Complex. This will be an event for everyone, including families and children. If you would like to be involved with Pride, you are more than welcome to join any of the committees that are putting together next year’s events. Pride welcomes everyone and would love to hear input from the community on what they would like to see in the future. Please check the Pride Facebook page and website for dates and times of future meetings. And thank you to all of you in the Wichita community for supporting this year’s Pride because without you there would be no Pride. Pride looks forward to seeing you at the next event. Nolin Christensen, treasurer Wichita Pride, Inc.
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Haysville teen named Pride Student Ambassador By Emily Beckman WICHITA - Jonathan Cooley wanted to spread the message that it is OK to be gay - so he started by coming out. That was several years ago. Now entering his junior year at Campus High School, the 17-year-old is Wichita’s Pride Student Ambassador. He acquired that position in June, and will hold it for one year. The position - in its second year - is part of Wichita Pride. The position includes speaking up for LGBTQ+ youth and listening to their ideas, Cooley said. In addition, the Pride Student Ambassador is expected to maintain good grades, be a good role model and work with the Pride board, according to Daisha King-Madden, Youth and Family Director for Wichita Pride. “Jonathan is a very empathetic person,” King-Madden said. “He can relate to a lot of other kids on a lot of different levels. He’s been through a lot so he has a better understanding what it’s like for a lot of kids that are going through a hard time.” At school, Cooley is involved in the Campus LGBTQ+ group, of which he is the auditor. Cooley says that most teachers at Campus are supportive of LGBTQ+ students. “It’s a really nice school to go to,” he said. In the future, Cooley hopes to become a drag queen, a cosmetologist and a nurse practitioner. As an aspiring drag queen, Cooley enjoyed attending Pride in drag and meeting drag queens. Once he
turns 18, he plans to perform at Club Boomerang. “When I do drag it’s kind of a confidence booster and it’s something to make me feel proud of myself,” Cooley said. “I already feel proud of myself and where I am at, but drag is just more of a comfort zone for me. [It’s] a way to express my feelings and to show everyone it’s OK to be what you want [and] to dress the way you want.”
Advice, involvement Cooley remembers a time in his life when he didn’t feel like he had a voice. “I want to continue speaking for the youth and being there for the youth and helping people who don’t necessarily have a voice at the moment,” Cooley said. He has advice for those who may be in shoes he previously wore: reach out and get help. “There is someone that is going to care about you no matter who you are, what you identify as or who you like. Because, I mean, we’re all human,” Cooley said. As far as getting involved in high school LGBTQ+ groups, he recommends seeking out a teacher, counselor or administrator who is LGBTQfriendly for guidance. King-Madden hopes that the Student Ambassador position will show LGBTQ+ youth that Pride cares. “We want students to realize Pride does know that they’re there and that the youth do make a huge impact on our community and they are our future,” she said. l
Jonathan Cooley attends Pride 2017 in drag. Cooley is Wichita's current Pride Student Ambassador. To get involved with student pride, e-mail Daisha King-Madden at youth@ wichitapride.org or visit wichitapride.org.
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 9
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Capitol City Equality Center opens in Topeka By Annette Billings TOPEKA - In 2015 a small group of concerned Topekans met to discuss the idea of a community center to provide a safe space for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. The results of a community needs survey had led them to believe the time had come for such a space to be created in Topeka. The name chosen was Capitol City Community
City Equality Center had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opened its doors. The center’s opening makes it the third of its kind in Kansas and the first in Topeka. Its mission is to provide an inclusive, safe environment for the LGTBQ community and its allies. It will also serve as an educational setting for anyone who is interested in learning more about issues affecting the LGBTQ community. Mott and Brennan emphasize the center’s
Planting Peace that owns two houses, above, that sit across from Westboro Baptist Church donated the house on the right to serve as the new community center.
Center (CCEC). A board was formed with Stephanie Mott as president and Dan Brennan as executive director. As a result of fundraising efforts, the group was able to obtain designation as a 501(c)(3) organization. This development led to continued efforts to secure funds to purchase a building to house the center. During this time the Planting Peace organization purchased the house next door to the Equality House in Topeka and painted it in the colors of the transgender pride flag. Both houses, the Equality House and the Transgender Pride House, are located across the street from Westboro Baptist Church. Last November, Planting Peace generously donated the Transgender Pride House to serve as the location for CCEC. Work to prepare the house was undertaken by dedicated individuals from the community. Fast forward to this past June 28. What began as an idea became a reality as the Capitol
availability is not limited to the LGBTQ community, but to all people who feel marginalized. Plans for the center include a food bank, a clothing bank and ongoing assessments of community resources to develop strategies to fill any gaps. There will also be space for educational meetings on finding employment, living successfully in the community, self care, leadership skills, activism and advocacy. It will have a library with information related to the needs of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The library will also house a display of the LGBTQ history in Topeka and Shawnee County. An excitement surrounds the opening of CCEC which is fueled by its commitment to be a place which will improve the lives of the LGBTQ community and other marginalized citizens. It serves as evidence of how the ideas of committed people can be transformed into reality. l
PAGE 12 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
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Wichita Police Department adds LGBT liaisons, starts Safe Harbor program
By Grayson Barnes WICHITA - Sgt. Don Kimball of the Wichita Police Department (WPD) is a night shift Field Supervisor at Patrol South. He didn’t expect his 5:30am e-mail to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay to get a reply for days, let alone in an hour. “That just tells me how committed he is to the LGBTQ community,” laughed Kimball. As a 25-year veteran of the WPD, and, by his admission, “the only truly out gay male officer” he knows of, Kimball has seen the department’s attitudes about the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ WPD employees change a lot. “Traditionally the situation has been one of mistrust,” Kimball said. He’s seen it in the police force and on the streets. This was difficult for him because he wanted to be a cop. “There were places I wouldn’t apply because I was told they didn’t want gay police officers,” he said. However, he believes attitudes have changed since Stonewall, “with one or two steps forward, another back, and
then, recently, a surge ahead.” That latest surge he referred to is the development of two LGBTQ Liaison posts at the WPD. Kimball’s wee hours message to Chief Ramsay was to thank him for attending a Wichita community vigil after the Pulse nightclub shooting last year. After that e-mail, Chief Ramsay created the Liaison positions. The two openings were filled last August by Kimball and Sgt. Vanessa Rusco. Their job is to foster interaction and understanding with the LGBTQ community by connecting with organizations, businesses, and individuals. “We want them to know what we have to offer, and,” Kimball said, “what they can teach us that we need to know.” For him, it is all about developing relationships so that everyone’s lives and access to the law can improve. “Right now, Kansas doesn’t have a hate-crime law,” Kimball added, “but Wichita has a City Ordinance that covers some of that.” This is Ordinance 5.01.010, titled Ethnic Intimidation and Bias Crimes, which besides the title, embraces
sexual orientation and gender identity along with additional categories. An offender can be charged with anything from a fine to jail time, depending on their crime. Kimball and Rusco also represent the WPD at LGBTQ events. Kimball hopes one day the WPD will march in the Pride Parade. Besides outreach, the Liaison Officers’ duties are to help “educate new officers about appropriate interaction with the LGBTQ community and help guide policy,” that will affect the WPD as well as the city itself. They are also charged with improving the reporting on LGBTQ hate crimes. The problem is hate crime victims rarely feel safe to report. In order to change that, a program was unveiled last month called “Safe Harbor.” The nine Starbucks stores in Wichita posted signs that identify the businesses as places that victims of hate crimes can seek refuge. Starbucks is the flagship here for this program, which started in Seattle Starbucks in 2015 under the title “Safe Place.” It was renamed for Wichita to distinguish it from the local youth safety program. Starbucks employees received training on how to help a victim, how to report what they see, what constitutes a hate crime, how to operate within company policy, and, most importantly, their responsibility to call 911 so law enforcement can help. The victim can stay in the store until the police arrive. “Safe Harbor” is open to any business by contacting the LGBTQ Liaisons. Kimball knows the work he and Rusco are doing will also help LGBTQ employees at the WPD, who, in the past, have largely remained under cover. “It will provide a changed culture within the police department,” he said. “I want to facilitate and foster a positive culture [for LGBTQ WPD employees]
Sgts. Vaness Rusco and Don Kimball are the new Wichita Police Dept. LGBTQ Liaisons.
without the fear that being who they are will adversely affect their careers.” Kimball’s LGBTQ Liaison duties are in addition to his regular night shift. He and Rusco often attend meetings on days off or evenings. For him, those can be during the time he’s usually sleeping. It also means he’s away from his husband, to whom he was legally married four years ago in California before marriage equality passed, though they’ve been together for 17. “I can’t imagine life without him,” Kimball said. For more information, visit www.wichita.gov/WPD/Pages/ Liaisons.aspx, or call Sgt. Don Kimball at 316-350-3447 or Sgt. Vanessa Rusco at 316-3503400. l
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A Message from Your Friend, Jason Dilts Proven leadership. Heart-centered commitment. The ability to bring people together to get things done. Those are the qualities that come to mind when I think of Carl Brewer. They’re also the merits Kansas needs in the governor's office. Carl Brewer is an honest & caring champion of basic fairness & equality whose community-first mindset uniquely qualifies him to get Kansas back on track. That's why I'm enthusiastically endorsing his campaign for Governor! Carl Brewer is a friend & ally of the LGBT community. He has long supported efforts to outlaw discrimination & he was among the more than 500 mayors nationwide who came out in favor of marriage equality during the Freedom to Marry campaign. As Governor, both his personnel & his policies will respect all families. He will restore the executive order that protects LGBT state employees from workforce discrimination as well as work to end discrimination in employment, housing, & public accommodations for all Kansans. Carl Brewer has a track record of bridging the partisan divide to deliver results. He did this as Mayor of Wichita, & I know he'll do this for the LGBT community! During my nearly 15 years of community & political organizing in Kansas, I got to know a lot of elected officials. None possessed the unique chemistry of Carl Brewer: a special blend of genuine care matched by a skill to bridge divergent viewpoints to deliver real results for communities in need. Carl Brewer understands that we can solve problems by empowering people at the grassroots level. As mayor, he worked closely with myself & others in the arts community to make Wichita a more attractive city. From Final Friday art shows, to the Tallgrass Film Festival, & more, he was always a champion of allowing people to exercise their talents to do good. Each time I saw him he always asked "how can I help?" His authentic connection to the community is what made him a successful mayor, & it's exactly how he'll get Kansas back on track! You deserve a governor who wants to help--and who will listen for solutions! Kansas can't afford another failed experiment. Join me in supporting Carl Brewer for Governor. Together, we can bring forward the best of Kansas values!
Jason Aaron Dilts, Former Sedgwick County Democratic Party Executive Director
Paid for by Brewer for Kansas, Ron Holt, Treasurer
PAGE 14 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Kansas State University offers range LGBTQ Faculty Staff Alliance
By Ciara Reid, staff reporter MANHATTAN - As students squeeze out the last bit of fun from the summer, the upcoming school year looms large. For many, they are simply looking to survive their course load, have fun, and simply feel safe and included. Kansas State University (KSU) offers numerous LGBTfocused groups to help educate and promote inclusivity and safety throughout the campus. The university details each LGBT group on the school’s website, which are summarized below. For more information, visit: www.k-state.edu/lgbt/.
LGBT Resource Center The LGBT Resource Center is dedicated to helping LGBT students, staff, faculty and allied members of the campus and surrounding communities to be more secure, educated,
and productive in their personal and professional surroundings. The Center, located in 207 Holton Hall, is open to all and provides information regarding resources available to those of differing sexualities and gender identities. The Center, opened in August 2010, currently has been awarded a five-star Premiere Campus rating based on the Campus Pride Campus Climate Index.
The purpose of LGBTQ*FSA is to support and advocate for sexuality and gender-identitybased issues on the KSU campus. The LGBT faculty and staff along with campus allies seek to encourage and support K-State’s efforts in the recruitment, retention, and professional advancement of sexuality and gender-identity minority faculty and staff. This includes mentoring of junior faculty/staff, professional development, opportunities for advancement and promotion, and advocating for dual career issues. The group also advocates for the university’s efforts in the recruitment and retention of diverse sexuality and genderidentity minority students, by serving as resources and mentors to the students, support of student organizations, and advisement of university recruitment, retention, and graduation efforts. Key details: Contact the LGBT Resource Center for more information about the LGBTQ* FSA.
Key details: Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, 785-532-5352. Brandon H. Haddock, PhD, lgbt@k-state.edu.
Kansas State University Gender Collective
Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
The Gender Collective is an organization designed to provide a venue for individuals who are transgender, crossgender, intersex, androgynous, gender variant, or otherwise involved in activities, expressions, or presentation that is divergent from their birth-assigned sex. The collective engages in outreach and educational efforts for the KSU faculty, staff, and students and Manhattan community to promote a better understanding and acceptance of gender diversity, expression, and identity issues. Gender Collective was started in the Spring 2016 by Riley Katz,
SAGA is a welcoming and safe student organization for those who identify as LGBTQ or are an ally to the community. Meetings include social activities, educational events, and guest speakers. Some prior events include: LGBT history presentations, game nights, queer movie nights, queer sex education, speakers on topics from mental health to various queer identities, and more. Key details: Meetings every Thursday, 6:30pm-8:00pm, in the K-State Student Union in Room 206. Adam Carr, President, arcarr@ksu.edu.
last year’s president. 20162017 was the first full year of the club. During the first year, the club hosted two major events. The group organized an on-campus rally about the need for more gender-neutral
restrooms on campus, as well as the need for the administration to explicitly voice their support for all students to be able to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. Key details: For more information, contact kstategendercollective@gmail. com
oSTEM – Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics oSTEM is a national society dedicated to educating and fostering leadership for LGBTQA communities in the STEM fields. The mission of oSTEM at K-State is to: 1. Increase the representation of LGBTQ+ persons in STEM fields; 2. Foster a more open and welcoming environment within STEM fields at K-State; 3. Expose the LGBTQ+ community at K-State to professional
development and networking opportunities in STEM; and 4. Highlight contributions LGBTQ+ individuals have made in STEM disciplines. Key details: Meetings are every other Monday at 5pm in the Leadership Studies Building, Room 201. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ostemksu/
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 15
of LGBT resources
Broad Spectrum student division of the Lesbian & Gay Veterinary Medical Association Broad Spectrum is a global student organization of LGBT veterinary students and straight allies advocating for a welcoming and inclusive environment within the veterinary profession. The group strives to do the following: 1. Offer all students (LGBTQI and straight advocates) a forum for discussion and an environment where they can feel welcome and open; 2. Coordinate and promote activities that educate the college and Manhattan on
issues surrounding the gay and lesbian community within the scope of veterinary medicine and in society as a whole; and 3. Provide a haven for those in need and a resource for people that are interested in educating themselves. Key details: www.k-state.edu/lgbt/ community/vetmedlesbiangay.html
In addition, K-State also hosts a Lavender Graduation, is a member of the Safe Zone program, and has an LGBT Fund set up through the KSU Foundation. l
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SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 2
SATURDAY • AUGUST 19 CROSSROADSKC WWW.CROSSROADSKC.COM
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 17
K-STEP Hires First Employee and Other Exciting K-STEP News
S
ince its beginning in Salina, KS on Aug. 14, 2010, Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project has been an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. We have grown and expanded and our 5th regional conference will be in the books by the time this column is out. Normally, this would signal the wind-down of the K-STEP year and the beginning of plans for TransKansas 6, which, by the way, is going to be in Wichita. Things are a little bit different this year for K-STEP - we just
hired our first paid employee, Chrissie Noriega as executive assistant working part-time through the end of the year. Chrissie served as Director of Outreach with SpectrumKU, and Director of Educational Outreach with Queers & Allies. She also was a reporter/producer for KJHK 90.7 radio at the University of Kansas. We are so excited and Chrissie has hit the ground running, already making a difference for K-STEP. With her joining the K-STEP team, we are sure to have a much greater impact on transgender education in Kansas.
In more, also exciting, K-STEP news, we have been awarded two grants totaling $20,000. Our plan is to expand our efforts in areas including racism, immigration, incarceration, reproductive health care, and diversity of programming and leadership. The other new programming from K-STEP will be a series of full-day workshops in cities like Emporia, Hutchinson, Iola, Clay Center, Colby, Hays, and more. These will be six different speakers giving presentations on six different topics, and then some time for discussion between the presenters and the audience. K-STEP wants to make sure that over the next year or two, we have covered Kansas with a network of unity, education, and resources available to all transgender and gender nonconforming Kansans, friends, families, and allies. We know that knowledge and information are the keys to
acceptance and understanding; fear and ignorance are the locks. When one person shares, a key is placed in a lock. When one person listens, the key turns and the lock opens, and another human being gets a bright, new, shiny key. Together, one person at a time, we change the world. We will be handing out K-STEP Keys across the state. I can’t begin to say how proud I am to work with the dedicated leadership, presenters, and volunteers of this organization. And I am also very proud to have the opportunity to work with our very first employee, Chrissie. If you would like to know more, please visit the K-STEP website at www.k-step.org or check us out on Facebook. 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.
Alithea Artistic Directors: Nicholas Johnson & Sabrina Vasquez
“I have seen the work he has created develop new boundries of our art.” Marcel Marceau
Orpheum Theatre, Wichita Saturday August 19, 7:30 pm
General Admission: $20, Students, Children, Seniors, Military: $10. Select-A-Seat 316.755.7328. Tickets also at the door. Media Sponsor:
PAGE 18 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
Minor
Details By Bob Minor
Can We Stand Resolute Against the Rollback of LGBTQ Equality?
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hen in 2015 Michelangelo Signorile published his warning It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia, and Winning True Equality, no matter how accurate his analysis was, he had little idea that even worse would be the election of a sociopathic egomaniac as president and a Vice President who is the poster boy for everything that is antiLGBTQ. Back then I said that it was the must-read of the year. The way forward, he pointed out, was no longer to be wishywashy liberals who thought that cookies and milk and the singing of Kumbaya would make everyone like us. “In fact,” Signorile wrote, “it’s time for us to be intolerant – intolerant of all forms of homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry against LGBT people. People often use the phrase ‘let’s agree to disagree’ when they respect but do not share the different positions of their friends or colleagues. But it’s time that all of us who support LGBT equality no longer agree to disagree on full civil rights for LGBT people. Anything less
than full acceptance and full civil rights must be defined as an expression of bias, whether implicit or explicit. And it has to be called out….” Almost seven months into the Trump presidency and the Republican domination of all federal and most other governmental entities, nothing that we think is in keeping with the American constitution, its amendments, and values is safe especially LGBTQ rights. The Constitution means in practice what the Supreme Court says it means, not that to which our lofty ideals and our rational arguments cling. The appointment of Neal Gorsuch to the Supreme Court moved the Court further to the right than when it was dominated by the late Anthony Scalia. Nothing about Gorsuch’s courtroom activity indicates anything other than the fact that he’d like to turn back the rights of most now-protected groups in favor of the new right-wing trope of “religious liberty.” Instead, even though he was a new appointee, Gorsuch had no hesitation establishing himself as the head of the Court’s extreme right-wing. And since it looks as
if the Trump administration will be appointing at least one more justice, the odds are that this will secure an anti-LGBTQ Court for the foreseeable future. This all suits the long-term plan of the political-religiouslegal right-wing. Even without the new Court appointees, they calculated that they couldn’t get the Court on their side by openly talking of rolling back the rights of a group such as LGBTQ communities. Instead their goal became to chip away at them through a new form of bigotry called “religious liberty laws.” Their strategy – and Gorsuch is crucial to it – is that if they can argue for the freedom of religious institutions and private businesses to discriminate, they’ll get more of the public and the Court on their side. Even Justice Kennedy, who supported marriage equality, might go for the religious liberty argument. States dominated by Republicans afraid of being primaried from the right will then pass draconian laws under the guise of religious liberty that will eventually end up in a Supreme Court that will on that basis declare that the laws uphold the First Amendment’s protection of religion. That’s what we are watching happen right now. The current Court has thus agreed finally to take up Masterpiece Cake Shop v. C o l o r a d o C i v i l R i g h t s Commission to decide whether private parties can refuse to do business with LGBTQ clients based on their religious objections. Even marriage equality is now up for grabs. Our response to all of this must be calculated, forceful, and realistic. And we can’t spend
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
time trying to convince the inconvincible who make up a personality cult of this president who plays on bigotry. First, let’s reflect again on the fact that the loud people who run this country because their supporters show up to the polls and keep the pressure on, are a minority. In terms of marriage equality, for example, the majority of Americans support it. So we are in a majority that for various reasons is not showing up, standing up, and being out in the open wherever it finds itself. Second, as a result, spend your valuable time working with the majority of Americans who don’t psychologically need to be anti-LGBTQ, or antiwomen, or anti-immigrant, but will discuss, not argue, and make progress. These are the people who might now think all is well and things will happen without them doing something, who think that it can’t be as bad as you’re painting it, who don’t vote in every election they can, who want to argue among fellow progressives. The fact is, we have not been good about rallying our natural bases, and the opposition knows that doing so is what works for them. Elections are most often lost by the Democratic Party, for example, because they do not spend time rallying their base but trying to move to a postulated, nonexistent center. Speaking to “the choir” is one of the most important things we can do now because all the choir members aren’t actually singing. Third, it is unlikely that you can change a true believer in the personality cult of the current continued on next page
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 19
Two new Wichita churches where everyone is welcome
By Jamie Rhodes WICHITA - More than 70% of the American adult population identify as Christian, according to a Pew Research Center 2014 study. Out of those 70%, 54% agree homosexuality should be accepted and not discouraged by society. Those 54% of church members generally come from a younger population rather than from the older congregational members. Most elders and traditional Christians follow the teaching of the Bible where they are taught homosexuality is a sin and those who “live that lifestyle” don’t have a place in heaven. As Rollin Dillinger, a Deacon at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Wichita, put it, “We’re not literalist. We have to understand when that particular [Bible] passage of scripture was written, to whom and by who. If you understand the context, it sometimes sheds light on the actual meaning.” Dillinger has been with Pilgrim United Church of Christ for about three years, and he is happy to say that they are now one of the newest churches in Minor continued from page 18
president or those others who are willing to argue obsessively against LGBTQ rights. So, think of what you are doing as more of an intervention and decide how much time and energy you really want to use up trying to get them to just understand you as opposed to rallying those who agree. As an intervention, this means standing firm, not caving, not moving an inch from your position as if people’s human rights are debatable. A recent defeat of a mean anti-transgender amendment in the House of Representative
Wichita, making one of the 27% of congregations in the U.S., that is a part of the largest church movement welcoming the LGBT community. This movement is known as “open and affirming” (ONA). Attending Pilgrim United Church of Christ, one could expect the same thing as from any other church, from the usual singing in the workshop service, prayers, scripture readings, preaching, fellowship and communion. The only difference? Those who consider themselves a part of the LGBT community don’t have to worry about being judged for their sexual orientation, identity or gender expression. On May 23, Pilgrim UCC, 6000 E. Harry, along with Fairmount UCC, 1650 Fairmount St., have adopted the following covenant: We, the United Church of Christ congregations of Wichita, recognize that all persons are created equal in God’s image and are loved, valued, and blessed by God. We are inclusive and diverse churches; places of unconditional love that inspires all individuals in our communities, regardless of race, culture, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability and socioeconomic status. We invite all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joy of our congregations as we seek to is an example of the bold offensive Signorile argues is needed, one that draws a line in the sand. “In the face of the danger of a rollback not just on rights for queer people but for all minorities under attack in the Trump era, this showed that standing firm, energizing activists in the base and resisting ― rather than pandering and caving in ― is the way to win.” l 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.
In May, two Wichita churches passed Open and Affirming Covenants. The designation means the congregations are welcoming to the LGBT community. The Pilgrim Congregational sign out front reflects the recent vote. Courtesy photo
‘grow together in faith and love.’ For a church to become ONA, there is a process involved that deals with questions, filling out all the right forms and finally the congregational vote for the official designation. Deacon Dillinger invites everyone to, “Come on down!” Pilgrim UCC has a close-knit congregation of around 50 people. According to Dillinger, ONA churches don’t have one way to describe God or Christianity.
“They are known for letting people form their own opinion. I don’t think the denomination would say ‘this is it.’ The denomination doesn’t tell people this is what you need to think or believe to be a part of it.” The most important aspect of the ONA covenant is, “Everybody is welcome.” Dillinger’s favorite Bible passage is one that represents his life and reflects the ONA church. It is 1 John 4:19 “We love because God loved us first.” l
PAGE 20 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
Signature Theatre produces local playwright’s work
By John Dalton-White WICHITA - Local playwright Anne Welsbacher’s original play, Last Chance Liquor, will close out Signature Theatre’s 2016-2017 season. The play will be performed at the Wichita Scottish Rite Theatre, 332 E, 1st St., Aug. 18-19 at 8pm and Aug. 20 at 7pm. “Signature Theatre for the past few years has expanded its genre of shows produced. For the longest time, we only produced children and youth theatre, but now we produce more diverse dramas, comedies, and musicals, as well as children’s theatre,” Deb Campbell, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, said. “Signature Theatre is a civic theatre designed to bring performance opportunities to Wichita area amateur actors of all ages.” Welsbacher is a magazine
editor for a national nonprofit organization and has a background in music and theatre. Her plays have been produced in Minneapolis, Denver, and Wichita and she has published magazine articles and nonfiction books for children. The daughter of Dick and Betty Welsbacher, she and her husband live in Wichita with four cats and several fish. Last Chance Liquor tells the story of Rayette Boulanger who has just arrived unannounced in the small, failing Kansas town she left decades ago. She believes she’s there to save the life of her mother. It takes every member of her family – the ones she cast aside and the ones she has yet to meet – to teach her that her journey to Last Chance Liquor will save not her mother’s life, but her own. The play is under the direction of Dona Lancaster and
the cast includes: Sarah Strole as Rayette, Kathryn McCoskey as Lily, Beth Wise as Alice, Larry Hartley as Ray, Dalton Smith as Steve and Jared Wise as Eddie. Sydney Alder is stage manager and Bob Lancaster is set designer. Tickets may be reserved by calling Select-a-Seat at 855-755SEAT or may be purchased at the door. Ticket prices are $18, $14 and $10 with discounts for all students, military and seniors. l
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Welsbacher
Although set in Israel, book applies universally
REVIEW By Vinnie Reed
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hen I was a kid we all knew our neighbors. I lived on a block of 70 row homes and we knew who lived in every one – whose kids would come and play and which
grown-ups would prefer we stayed off of their lawn, which kids were allowed to play in the street (most of us, really). I don’t know my neighbors anymore. We don’t have kids the same age and we don’t run in the same circles. Three Floors Up (Other Press Paperback Original,$16.94) made me want to know my neighbors again. Israeli novelist Eshkol Nevo weaves a beautiful tapestry of the lives of the families on each floor, how they connect and how they set themselves apart, how and whom they love and how they each are a part of the larger society. In an easy-to-read but hardto-put-down novel, Three Floors Up held my attention and was a book I just couldn’t put down. Aside from the engaging stories of each family, it’s also set in Israel, offering the idea that no matter where we live, we all fit together somehow. l
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WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 21
Teen movie by Kansas City native featured in Out Here Now, KC’s annual LGBT film festival By Ciara Reid, staff reporter KANSAS CITY - Over the course of eight days, Kansas Citians had the chance to cram in 44 films selected for this year’s Out Here Now, Kansas City’s LGBT film festival. The Centerpiece Screening this year had local connections: Something Like Summer is based on the award-winning novel by Kansas City native Jay Bell. Dubbed as the “gay La La Land,” the film follows the up and down relationship of highschoolers Ben and Tim. The film traces their relationship from high school into adulthood, and features seven songs. Bell attended the local screening. Liberty Press spoke with Festival Director Jamie Rich near the end of the chock-full week of films, to get his take on his favorite films in this year’s lineup, what films generated the most buzz, and if the politicallycharged climate affected the tone of the festival. Liberty Press (LP): What have been some of your favorite films included in this year’s festival and why? Jamie Rich (JR): It was great seeing the strong response people had to the spotlight we shined on the storytellers whose work is at the heart of the 44 films selected for this year’s festival. It was standing room only for Kansas native Jay Bell whose best-selling gay romance novel, Something Like Summer, had its big screen, hometown premiere Our audiences also strongly supported the expanded number of Audience Choice screenings which brought in more films from emerging filmmakers across the globe. Global voices from Armenia, Spain, Poland, Germany, and Ireland were featured. We hosted the world premiere of a new work by an emerging Romania director and trans activist. Audience Awards went to filmmakers from the UK and Brazil as well as to three U.S. films by directors under age 25.
The headline for this year might just be “Midwest fest has global impact.” LP: What films have generated the most feedback and buzz from moviegoers? JR: A capacity crowd turned out opening night for the riveting, new documentary, The Lavender S c a re a b o u t t h e b i g g e s t workplace witch hunt against gays and lesbians in our nation’s history. This largely untold story cost thousands of federal workers not only their jobs, but their lives. Director Josh Howard led an after-screening discussion of his film and was honored with the 2017 Out Here Now Courage Award for bringing this important story to light on the big screen. Also in attendance that night were many longtime area activists who learned of a new film being made locally about an historic Kansas City battle to protect the rights of LGBT people and people with AIDS. That effort continues at www. TheOrdinanceProject.com. Another highlight was working with the KS/MO Dream Alliance to present Forbidden, an empowering profile of Moises Serrano, a queer, undocumented, rural American. Audiences cheered the closing night film, Handsome Devil. which will soon be coming to Netflix and there was high praise for the lesbian romantic comedy, Signature Move and the moving trans film, Apricot Groves. My personal favorite was the new musical, Hello Again and hearing first-hand from director Tom Gustafson about how it was to work with his star-filled cast and what an amazing editing work was required of a film that jumps multiple timelines and storylines all while people are singing! People also really liked that we incorporated a live, spoken word performance into the lineup this year with The Untold Tales Of Kansas City curated by Joel Barrett.
LP: How has the current political climate altered the focus of the festival content (if at all)? JR: We live in very challenging times. Those who stand against us want us to feel degraded, isolated and overwhelmed. But, our stories are powerful. Our film festival has a responsibility to shine a light on filmmakers whose stories transform, inspire and connect us. And, equally important at times like these is to de-stress. Sharing laughs
together and escaping into entertaining stories can be wonderfully restorative. For more information, visit www.outherenow.com or the “Kansas City LGBT Film Festival” Facebook page, which includes audience feedback and links to stories about several feature films. l
PAGE 22 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. AUGUST 2017 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 23 Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas, 1407 N. Topeka, Wichita, (316) 263-5886, director@ wichitapeace.org, www.wichitapeace. org Wichita Pride, Inc., info@wichitapride. org, www.wichitapride.org, annual celebration held in September.
Social 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
Heart of America Men’s Chorus, Wichita, (316) 708-4837, www.hoamc. org Junction City Teddy Bears, c/o Kevin Stilley, 2 Oak Valley Dr., Manhattan, (785) 556-8188, trlrhouseman@webtv. net
Health
The LGBT Social Club of Wichita, monthly social outings for the Wichita LGBT community, lgbtsocialclubwichita@yahoo.com. Find us on Facebook.
E.C. Tyree Health & Dental Clinic, 1525 N. Lorraine, Wichita, (316) 6812545, www.tyreeclinic.com
NetworQ, Lawrence, www.Kansas NetworQ.org, events are listed on website and FB page.
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, 2044 SW Fillmore, Topeka, (785) 232-3100, www.pcneks.org Positive Directions, 416 S. Commerce #108, Wichita, (316) 263-2214, (316) 263-5214, www.pdiks.com Saline County Health Dept., 125 W.. Elm, Salina, (785) 826-6602, www. sschd.org 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.
Wichita Bears, presidentwichitabears@ yahoo.com, www.wichitabears.org Wichita Organization of Leather Fetishes, (316) 201-6242, www. woolfks.com Wichita Prime Timers, PO Box 3275, 67201, ICTPrimeTimers@aol.com, www.primetimersww.com/Wichita, social group for mature gay men.
Spiritual 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 Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita, 7202 E. 21st St., (316) 6843481, officemanager@firstuu.net, www. firstuu.net. 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
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.
Wichita Northwest High School GSA, amcdonald@usd259.net, meets every Monday after school. Wichita Southeast High School GSA, (316) 807-2271, psychsteve2@yahoo. com
Unity of Wichita, 2160 N. Oliver, (316) 682-7511, www.unityofwichita.com, 10am Sunday service, activities through the week.
Wichita West High School GSA, astucky@usd259.net
Woodland United Methodist Church, 1100 W. 15th Street N. in Riverside, www.woodlandumc.com, office@ woodlandumc.com, services 9 and 11am; families welcome.
Beacon Youth Group, Topeka, beacontopeka@gmail.com, queer youth group for ages 12-20. Meets Mondays 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.
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 Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), 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. People Respecting Individuality and Diversity in Education (P.R.I.D.E.), Emporia State University, Rochelle Rowley, Box 4022, 1 Kellogg Circle, Emporia 66801, (620) 341-5723 rrowley1@emporia.edu PRISM, Pittsburg State University, find them on Facebook.
Prairie Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1809 E. 30th, Hutchinson, (620) 663-8002, www. prairieuufellowship.org
SpectrumKU, University of Kansas, Lawrence, (785) 864-3091, rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/ SpectrumKU
Riverside Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1001 Litchfield, Wichita, (316) 263-0900, www.riversidedisciples. org, services Sundays at 10:30am.
Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies, Wichita State University, Twitter.com/ Wsuspectrum, meets Thursdays at 7pm in the Lucas Room (RSC 265).
Ta b l e o f H o p e M e t r o p o l i t a n Community Church, 156 S. Kansas, Wichita, (316) 267-1852, w w w. m c c w i c h i t a . c o m , w w w. godlovesyouperiod.com, Sunday services at 10:30am.
Wichita East High School GSA
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Rd., (785) 842-3339, www.uufl.net, 9:30am program, 11am service
Wichita Northeast High School GSA, Jbell2@usd259.net
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.
Support
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 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, 2534 N. Main, Hutchinson, 620-842-8272, pflaghutch@ gmail.com PFLAG Lawrence/Topeka, sffeist@ msn.com, 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 (WiTCoN), PO Box 293, Wichita, 67203, karen.abshiregordon@ witcon.org, meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays at 200 N. Broadway, Ste. 220, at 7:30pm. l
PAGE 24 | LIBERTY PRESS |AUGUST 2017
Leather Life By Nolin Christensen aka Master C
Men's Bars, Still Here or Gone?
F Editor’s note: This column may contain content that is offensive to some people.
or those that follow this column, you know I’ve commented several times about the fact that men-only spaces are just about a thing of the past. Well, this last month I was at a fundraiser in St. Louis and we were at JJ’s bar. To my surprise, it was mostly men! (Until about 1:30am when all the straights came out). So while I’m there I look around to figure out WHY. Why was this place mostly men? After thinking about it and looking around, I think I figured it out. These people supported their bar. I saw couples; I saw singles; I saw older men; I saw younger men; I saw lots of people coming
A
ugust brings with it an array of surprises from the ridiculous to the sublime. We have five retrograde planets which can make us feel like we are schlepping along to the same old tune. Chin up, compadres. This too shall pass.
ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) No matter how hard you think you are working, the fates seem to add baggage to your load. Proud Rams with a need to succeed should seek their affirmations in more cosmic places. Dream a dream and see how your good vibes can carry you over the Rainbow. Leave the worldly signs of success for the winter months when you burn brightly.
WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
out in support of a primarily men’s-only bar. I think that’s the difference between there and here. So many times here and in the KC area, I know lots of couples who just don’t go out. Why? I don’t know. But there in St. Louis it hit me, these people SUPPORTED their bar. They came out (and it was not a major fundraiser or anything special, it was just another night at the bar). And it was lots of couples, singles and some awesome music. The dance floor was packed. So I think there are several factors here on why. One, people came out, and two, the ambiance of the bar, and three (a very important fact) was great dance music. The music was fantastic. Just loud enough for the dance floor to jam and not so loud that people in the bar could talk to each other. It was the perfect balance. So while we here in Wichita lament the fact that we don’t have a primarily men’s bar, there are men's bars in the region. Right now I only know of two, JJ’s in St. Louis and the Omaha Mining Company in Omaha. On the coasts, there are a few, but
not a lot and most of these are leather bars. So, when I hear folks complain about not having a men’s bar, they’re probably going to get an earful. Because if you want something you have to SUPPORT it!! There was an attempt to have a men’s space here, but no one came out on a regular basis to support it, so of course, it’s gone. So if you want to go to a men’s-only space, well, it’s not going be an only space anywhere. Because regardless, in this day and age, there is no such thing as a men’s-only or women’s-only space. While the place may be predominately men or women, it won’t be an only men or women. So deal with the changes because here in Wichita we are a mixed community and we will continue to have mixed company at any given bar. If you want a primarily specific gender bar, seek them out. They are out there, but just not here in our local area. l Master C is the current president of WOOLF, the local leather club. Contact him via www.woolfks.com or at president@woolfks.com.
LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) There are many job-related tasks that Gay Archers are usually very generous seem to not only be ongoing but are and may even be feeling flush, but your beginning to pile up. So don’t run inclination to spend may be ill-advised yourself down now, proud Lion. You right now. You may not get what and who are in need of a respite from all of your you pay for. Some investments may be too daily stresses. Expect some small ailments or accidents risky. Hold off on your splurges, if possible, and focus that will indicate to you that you need to slow down. instead on loving relationships that don’t require a down But the world keeps turning and so do you. How deep payment. Sometimes cheap and tawdry will do the trick. will you drill? Let’s. Just. See. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) Travel is not all it is cracked up to be VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) If you think that you are making a great now, queer Bull. But that doesn’t mean Fun may be more trouble than it is worth impression, you may want to check that you should stay home and hide away. now, queer Virgo. That is because you yourself out in the mirror first. Pink Caps However, it does mean that you should seem to take on all of the responsibility for may step on some toes as they try to get expect any big journey out of your comfort planning, launching and even cleaning up. into certain select circles. But your careful zone to have its share of upends and surprises. So try to Delegation is vital. Who knows, with the nature and diplomatic abilities protects you from any be flexible, keep your good sense of humor and prepare extra time you have, you can focus more on your love severe popularity gaffs. Let’s just say that it will take for an exciting time. Whoops! life and a certain you-know-who. That is, of course if you a little longer than expected to rule. they are not busy arranging your parties. GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) No sooner do you think your love life has LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Surprises may occur from the most hit a high note than the music tempo can Any home-related project may not go unexpected places so be on your toes, change. You can go from a tango to disco as smoothly as you expect and hope. Aqueerius. There are some people who in a flash. Pink Twins might be tempted to Proud Libras with a long housekeeping may be plotting to upend your long-term and greatly check out a few platonic relationships to to-do list should expect that few tasks will be crossed cherished plans. Be ready for anything and anyone. But kindle their romantic flame. Do what you will with any off that list in the next month or so. Instead of trying don’t succumb to paranoia. Believe and expect that the willing partner, but don’t be surprised if this is a short- to get everything done, give yourself a needed break cosmos has your back and anything tried can be foiled. term fling. Hey, whatever stokes your passion. and spend your time on things that bring you a sense Goodness will prevail. of satisfaction. No names please! CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) There are several areas of your life that SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Guppies may find that large groups will will have surprises and realizations now, While you are usually very eloquent, cramp their style for the next few weeks. gay Crab. You may ache for a meaningful this may not be the time to test your Expecting a crowd to go along with your relationship. One can be had, but it may personal persuasion. The things you say plans may be a tough sell. So if you find not necessarily result in your slice of could be misunderstood or not have the that you need to go it alone or with only a heaven. Compromise is required, along impact or intent you expect. The world few close bosom buddies, do that and be happy. You will with a tolerance for some surprising personal habits. may just not be listening to you and this may play out not only travel faster, but will have more opportunity to It may feel like a dream when it starts. Just wait until unexpectedly at work. So don’t sweat it, queer Scorp. attract a completely new fan base. you wake up . . . Just let your actions speak louder and prouder than your words. (c) 2017 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.
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WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
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NOW THATS WHAT I CALL AWE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
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90 s PARTY
WITH DJ BOWTIE Tired of staying home with your beanie baby collection? Come out to XY Bar and party like its the 90’s! DJ Bowtie will be serving up songs that will keep you dancing like it’s 1999.
F R I D A Y, A U G U S T 4 T H , 1 0 P M NO COVER | 21+
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRI, AUGUST 18TH, 10PM
LUAU PARTY! No cover, 21+
EVERY TUESDAY, 7PM
SUN, AUGUST 20TH, 8PM
JENGA TOURNAMENT & PRIZE GIVEAWAY
DIVA DRAG SHOW
No cover, 21+
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Hosted by Brown Sugar No cover, 21+
THU, AUGUST 3RD, 10PM
SAT, AUGUST 26TH, 1PM-7PM
WAR ON THE CATWALK AFTER PARTY
CRAWL FOR CANCER
No cover, 21+
Follow Wichita Crawl for Cancer on Facebook for details registration Dancers 4 Cancer @ XY
xybarict
235 N. Mosley, Wichita KS 316-201-4670
FRI, AUGUST 4TH, 10PM
MON, AUGUST 28TH, 8PM
90’S PARTY
RHONDA’S REVUE
DJ Bowtie, No cover, 21+
No cover, 21+