Liberty Press March 2018 by Liberty Press Kansas

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WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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Liberty Press

Volume 24, No. 7 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Nolin Christensen, Charlene Lichtenstein, Mama, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott • Staff Reporters: Grayson Barnes, Annette Billings, Ciara Reid, Jamie Rhodes, Beth Wasson • Contributing Photographers: Jamie Rhodes, Jeff Templin • Cover Design: Troy Dilport • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: Liberty Press, LLC • Printer: Valley Offset Printing • Opportunities: The Liberty Press welcomes volunteer writers and photographers throughout the year. If you're interested in contributing to our publication, send an e-mail to editor@libertypress. net.

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Andover Derby

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VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

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VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

Hutchinson

Bluebird Books, Hutchinson Community College GSA, PFLAG Hutchinson, Prairie Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

Kansas City

ACLU of Kansas, Hamburger Mary’s, Kansas City Center for Inclusion

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.

The Around Kansas section is now found online only! See it at: www.libertypress.net.

Salina

Ad Astra Books and Coffeehouse, Mokas, Mokas South, Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, Salina Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

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Emporia State GSA

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Subscriptions are $18/year

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Andover Public Library

KANSAS NEWS........................5 MINOR DETAILS....................12 TRANS-FORMATIVE...............13 LEATHER LIFE.......................16 MAMA KNOWS BEST............17 BRIDGES................................17 OUT IN THE STARS...............17 ON THE COVER: Carl Brewer..................................8

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Liberal

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

Manhattan

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, Mimi's Cheese Shop & Other Delights, On the Wild Side, People’s Grocery, Positive Connections office, SAGA meetings, Radina’s Bakery & Café (Leadership Studies), Rockstar Home Fusion, Sisters of Sound Music, Varsity Donuts

Adult Superstore, Albero Cafe, Bike Walk Wichita, Bionic Burger (N. Ridge Rd.), Book-A-Holic (Parklane), Bungalow 26, Camelot Cinema, The Center, Circle Cinema, Club Boomerang, College Hill United Methodist Church, The Cotillion, Delano BBQ, Dempsey's Burger Pub, DT's Outlet (West St., S. Seneca), Fairmount United Church of Christ, Felipe's (N. Woodlawn), Finishing School for Modern Women, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Hell Bomb Tattoo, Hunter Health Clinic, J’s Lounge, KU Internal Medicine - Midtown, Lotus Leaf Cafe, Mead’s Corner, Moe’s Sub Shop, The Monarch, The Orpheum, Peace & Social Justice Center, Picasso's Pizza (both locations), Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, Planet Hair, Positive Directions, Rain Café & Lounge, South Wind Women's Center, Spice Merchant, Table of Hope MCC, Tanya's Soup Kitchen, Therapeutic Specialists, Vagabond Coffeeshop, Vegas Video, Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Watermark Books, Wichita Public Library - downtown, WSU's Elliott School, WSU Spectrum meetings, WSU's Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Wichita Vet Center, XY Bar

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Kansas News Equality Day 2018 at the Kansas State Capitol TOPEKA - Equality Day 2018 takes place this year on Tuesday, Mar. 20 from 8:30am4pm at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. It is a time to advocate for LGBT justice and equality, including a rally, march, luncheon and to visit with legislators. The event is hosted by Equality Kansas and includes LGBT groups from around the state that are continuing to press the government for equal justice and fair treatment under the law, and to stop discriminatory “religious freedom” and “bathroom bill” legislation. Equality Kansas has reserved the second floor rotunda and north wing hall of the statehouse for the entire day. LGBT groups and allies will have the opportunity to reserve display tables and distribute the organization’s message. To participate, write info@eqks.org, or call 316-683-1706. Table space is limited. Tentative Schedule Of Events 7:30am: Groups arrive and set up tables 8am: Check-in opens 8:30-9am: Issue briefing (Repeats at 9:30am, 10:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm) 8:30-11:30am: Legislative visits and statehouse tours 11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch at the Statehouse, catered by Field of Greens, $15 12:30-1:30pm: Rally and March 1:30-4:00pm: Legislative visits and statehouse tours

Heartland Men’s Chorus continues 32nd season with ABBA-Cadabra! KANSAS CITY - Heartland Men’s Chorus (HMC) continues its 32nd season in March with ABBA-Cadabra! Featuring the most iconic hits from one of the world’s most beloved bands, ABBA-Cadabra! will be a musical extravaganza that includes a full evening of toe-tapping ABBA favorites. The ABBA phenomenon began in 1974 in Brighton, England, where Waterloo became the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. That hit song was the break-through for the quartet, made up of Swedes Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersoon and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, who, with their short skirts and headbands, would go on to sell more albums than any other group second only to The Beatles. Under the baton of Artistic Director Dustin S. Cates, HMC will be donning platform shoes and bell-bottom pants to celebrate all that is ABBA including (but

certainly not limited to) iconic favorites like: Does Your Mother Know, Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, and Dancing Queen. ABBA-Cadabra will be performed at 8pm Saturday, Mar. 24 and 4pm Sunday, Mar. 25 in the C. Stephen Metzler Hall at the historic Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th Street, in downtown Kansas City, MO. Tickets to both performances are available online at hmckc.org/tickets/ or by calling 816-9313338. Prices range from $18 to $43 with special student pricing at $7.

early 1960s. Having been deserted by their father in early childhood, the girls were raised by their dominating mother. Time has changed the tender closeness of girlhood; Ceil has married and cut herself off from the others; Catherine has begun to drink more than she should; and Anna is on the brink of madness after a scandalous incident at the school where she teaches. Ceil has come back to the Reardon home to press Catherine into having Anna committed to an institution. Neither Anna nor Catherine are interested in anything their sister has to say and the simmering resentments of many years burst alive and are inflamed by the intrusion of a wellmeaning but ill-mannered neighbor couple, whose unexpected arrival urges the action towards its devastating conclusion - in which all the pathos, humor and searing honesty of the play combine with overwhelming effect. Performances are 8pm WednesdaySaturday; two Sunday matinees on Mar. 11 and Mar. 18 start at 2pm. Tickets are $14 or $12 for military/senior/students. There is a special opening night ticket price of $10 on Mar. 7 only. Reservations at 316-686-1282. l

Northeast Magnet presents Trash

Wichita State University Dance

WICHITA CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATRE

B E L A I R E - Tr a s h : t h e Earth Day Musical, a schoolhouse-rock-style musical, is specifically made for families with young children. While being entertaining, Trash teaches the community about the importance of the R’s – reduce, recycle, and reuse – to help save and preserve the earth for future generations. Moreover, the show tries to tackle important world issues with children through music so that they begin preservation habits at an early age. The musical will be presented at Northeast Magnet, 5550 N. Lycee St., Bel Aire, on Thursday, April 12 at 7pm. Tickets are $5, all ages welcome. For more information, contact: cmarion@usd259.net or (316) 973-2300.

SPRING CONCERT

And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little at WCT WICHITA - Wichita Community Theatre (WCT) continues its 2017-2018 season with And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little by Paul Zindel from Mar. 7-18. Zindel’s dark comedy explores the relationship between three very different sisters after the death of their mother in the

FRIDAY & SATURDAY MARCH 9-10 7:30PM MILLER CONCERT HALL TICKETS: $15, $12, $10 WSU STUDENTS FREE WITH ID WSU BOX OFFICE 978.3233

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WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

New book details activists' struggles with Kansas marriage amendment REVIEW By Kristi Parker When you first pick up C.J. J a n o v y ’s n e w b o o k , N o Place Like Home: Lessons in Activism from LGBT Kansas (University Press of Kansas, $29.95), you might expect a leisurely Sunday read. Think again. What’s inside is a thoroughly researched book chronicling the time LGBT Kansans came together to fight the anti-gay marriage amendment to the state Constitution. The book is broken up by cities, from Topeka to Wakeeney, Kansas City to Wichita and everywhere in between. Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Dodge City and Garden City. It appears Janovy spent hundreds of hours researching, interviewing and compiling information from all the major players from across the state.

The amendment, which passed in 2005, was a huge blow to the community. However, for the reader who wasn’t involved in the fight, the stories of those who were are inspiring. It is a captivating, motivating read and I believe enough time has passed to take in and learn about the local community history without feeling the loss all over again. Books about Kansas’ LGBT history, however focused, are few and far between. Janovy’s offering is an immeasurable gift that everyone - not just those in our community - should take advantage of. l

C.J. Janovy is an arts reporter and editor for KCUR (Public Radio Kansas City, MO) and former editor of the Pitch.

There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like KC for PrideFest! Pack your bags, Toto, we’re going to KCPrideFest! June 1 – 3, 2018 Berkley Riverfront Park, Kansas City, Missouri Special hotel room rates available at Hampton Inn, Country Club Plaza – available only on our website.

Presented by:

Gaypridekc.org Kansas City Pride Liberty Press.indd 1

2/21/18 7:41 PM

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March 24 & 25 Sat 8pm • Sun 4pm C. Stephen Metzler Hall in the

Folly Theater

300 West 12th, KCMO

Dustin S. Cates, artistic director

Put on your disco boots, channel your inner “dancing queen,” and join HMC as we celebrate one of the greatest bands in popular music history! Featuring everything in the ABBA repertoire from “Take a Chance On Me” to “Mamma Mia,” you’re sure to be singing at the top of your lungs and screaming, “Thank You for the Music,” before the curtain falls. HMC’S 32ND SEASON IS UNDERWRITTEN BY HOTEL PHILLIPS

16/17

season

tickets: hmckc.org or 816.931.3338

PAGE 8 | LIBERTY PRESS |MARCH 2018

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

What's brewing with Carl Brewer?

Kansas gubernatorial candidate talks discrimation and meanness with Liberty Press' Jamie Rhodes

any people seem to think just because certain civil rights laws have passed, there are no longer issues. But why do we constantly hear in the media of hate crimes and abuse of power used to target people of color? Likewise, but obviously not the same thing, people seem to think the LGBT community attained its rights when the supreme court ruled in favor of marriage equality. Well, obviously if you’ve been keeping tabs in the news, you would’ve figured out by now just because one thing in the law has changed, doesn’t make it all better. With Trump’s previous threats of banning transgender people from the military and former Governor Sam Brownback’s anti-gay semantics to protect so-called “religious freedom,” we still have a long way to go. Brownback was recently recruited by our Commander in Chief to take on his new role as “United States Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom.” So, what does that entail? Well, if it’s to do with him manipulating and amending the laws to ensure religious freedom is in place over LGBTQIA rights, then he’s the man for the job. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all

about equal rights and religious freedom, but not when you mask religious freedom with bigotry. This was proven with SB175, which was passed Mar. 23, 2016. It requires public colleges and universities to give benefits, including access to funding and the use of facilities, to student organizations, even if the organization violates the institution’s anti-discrimination policy. Luckily, former Democratic Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer has plans to revisit such laws if elected governor in the upcoming election. While attending the opening of his Wichita Campaign Headquarters, I was honored to visit with and asked his disposition on protecting such rights, including, “Do you have any plans to ensure federal LGBT laws aren’t being compromised?” Along with asking his views on SB175. “Well certainly I think [the laws] need to be looked at very closely and find out if there’s any loopholes and things where those laws have the right to violate anyone else’s rights … [W]e have to put something in place to ensure everyone is protected and they have a source where they can actually go and file legitimate complaints and get results - particularly if

Carl Brewer talks with supporter, U.L. "Rip" Gooch, at the opening of his Wichita Campaign Headquarters. Photo by Jamie Rhodes

Carl Brewer’s campaign team. From left to right: Brigetta Young (key volunteer), Christina Long (graphic designer), Ron Holt (treasurer), Rebecca White (campaign manager), Larry Burks (key volunteer), Carl Brewer, Kiana Knolland (fundraising/ millennial outreach), Rachel Vlanowski (finance director), Mary K. Vauhn (volunteer director). Photo by Jamie Rhodes

they are receiving any type of state funds or incentives - and making sure that there are clear directions that these rights and these rules will not be violated in any way,” Brewer said. Brewer is a man who came from humble beginnings and endured many struggles. He was taught several valuable lessons, but ultimately has stayed true to his core values of honesty, responsibility, education and his faith in God. He was the first African-American Mayor of Wichita and was re-elected with 69% of the vote. If elected governor, he’ll be the first black governor in the state of Kansas, but wants to be remembered for much more: “I’m seeing more and more people get caught up in the hype of discrimination and meanness and the hatred that’s going on … Being a former mayor I got the opportunity to see first-hand what decisions were being made at the state level and national level that were affecting our families, communities, and love of government. “They were tying local governments’ hands and telling them what they could or could not do to define their own destiny. So, after looking at

that and recognizing that our families are the ones being hurt the most, someone had to stop it. And if we don’t say anything or do anything about it, then that means we’re in agreement with it. So, we must start standing up for what we believe in. “Never in my lifetime I would think to see this country or this state be in the condition it is today ... I can’t believe we’re having these conversations today with race and social issues. We cannot ignore this. The [state] leadership has moved us back, but we’re moving forward, not back.” There’s certainly an element of “hatred” and “meanness” in this state which remains. The Kansas Act Against Discrimination, as it states now, currently protects people of Kansas from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, or ancestry. Since its establishment in 1953, it has been amended several times to include the current civil liberties as they have transpired. In 2016, HB2323 was proposed which would Amend the Kansas continued on page 16

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Tom Frye brings Sophia to life at Roxy’s Uptown Although in its third run, The Golden Girls script is new

By Beth Wasson WICHITA - If you remember sitting in front of the television every Saturday night and watching The Golden Girls, then you’ll want to make it to Roxy’s Uptown and see the live version with four local actors portraying the roommates. This is the third season in a row that Roxy’s has produced an uproariously funny, all-male version of the show. The TV show featured Rue McClanahan as Blanche, Betty White as Rose, Bea Arthur as Dorothy, and Estelle Getty as Sophia. In the live version, Scott Noah is the flirty southern belle Blanche, Kyle Vespestad is the simple and naïve Rose, Monte Wheeler is the no-nonsense Dorothy, and Tom Frye is the wise-mouthed Sophia. Entering the theatre, you see the stage is set as the living room of the famous house. The script comes from the actual television

show through an arrangement with a national parody theatre company. Although this is the third year Roxy’s has done the show, the script is new, and seats are selling fast. “The first year sold like gangbusters and they had to turn people away,” says Frye. “I think the Saturday shows are already sold out and the shows on Fridays and Sundays are filling up.” Frye says he enjoys working with the cast and he’s performed with each member many times, but this is the first time all four are together in the same show. Frye plays Sophia, the eldest member of the household and Dorothy’s mother. He delights in playing the wise-mouthed Sophia noting, “All the characters are iconic and have their little peccadilloes. But, Sophia’s dealing with old age and it happens to all of us. She loves living with the girls,

From left: Scott Noah, Monte Wheeler, Tom Frye and Kyle Vespestad star as the Golden Girls. Photo by Jeff Templin

but misses her independence.” Frye is well known in the area as an actor, writer, and director and even did stints as a high school drama teacher and instructor at Wichita State University. He’s also a frequent contributor at Mosley Street Melodrama and in fact, wrote and directed the current show, To Have and Have Not. Frye shared the directing duties with one of the Mosley actors since he’s unable to be in two theatres at once. He has yet to see a full run of his show. “I only saw the dress rehearsal and would like to see the show if I can,” Frye said. In his few moments of spare time, Frye has written some scripts for the Kansas

Radio Theatre which airs on several radio stations throughout the state. “The show runs on Saturday mornings at eight and Sundays at noon on 92.3 FM. I’ve done four scripts and I have two more coming. The show’s been running for seven or eight months,” Frye explained. The theatre features music and comedy skits in the style of oldtime radio shows. The Golden Girls runs through Mar. 26, with shows Thursday-Saturday and a Sunday matinee at 2pm. Tickets are still available for any night but Saturday and range from $20-$30. A catered meal is also available before the show for an additional $15. Reserve tickets at 316-265-4400. l

PAGE 10 | LIBERTY PRESS |MARCH 2018

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WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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PAGE 12 | LIBERTY PRESS |MARCH 2018

Minor

Details By Bob Minor

Why Do Those White Evangelicals Really Love Trump? (Part Three of a Series)

hese final two elements of the lens through which those White Evangelicals who continue to support Donald Trump see politics help us understand why they do. (5) Capitalism. Confidence that the American economic system is divinely sanctioned. Vi e w i n g t h e B i b l e a n d Christianity through the lens of Capitalism isn’t new. In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber argued that “the Protestant work ethic” that developed after the Reformation was a force behind the rise of Capitalism. Prosperity evidenced religious piety. The poor brought their misfortunes on themselves; the fact that people are rich proves God has blessed the wealthy. American business both promoted and benefited from the rise of Evangelicals. By the 1950s, business lobbies and executives were promoting Evangelical narratives and leaders to counter the regulations of the New Deal and anti-capitalist “Godless Communism.” American Capitalism became fully a part of the lens of these Evangelicals. This meant ignoring or interpreting unaccommodating Biblical passages. Jesus’ call in Matthew 19:21 to give all that you have to the poor and follow him couldn’t mean that literally and was not meant for me. He couldn’t really mean what the Gospels tell us he said with “it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The Hebrew prophets’ condemnations of loaning

money with interest couldn’t apply to America. “Usury” should be interpreted instead as not demanding too much interest. Evangelists such as Jerry Falwell in his 1980 Listen America! and Evangelical preachers promoted parables such as Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents” claiming that they taught basic Capitalist principles toward life. Wi t h t h e i n f l u e n c e o f American New Thought and New Age teachings about prosperity for those who envision it, recent decades saw the rise of the “Prosperity Gospel” and ministers who downplay their harsher theological legalisms to make people feel happy and prosperous. Faithful Evangelicals should be financially secure - and certainly their leaders, like Joel Osteen, are. Though there are voices in American society warning that the Bible isn’t a good promoter, for those who support Trump, Capitalism as the best economic system is a Biblical certainty. That includes its rewards for true believers and punishments for lazy folk who must not truly be Christians. (6) Anti-Secularism. The State should promote their sectarian Evangelicalism. Religious movements have affected politics throughout history with ideas ranging from abolition to temperance. Roosevelt’s New Deal embodied the Christian Social Gospel while the civil rights acts of the LBJ era were pressured by the movement heavily inspired by the Black church. F o l l o w i n g Wo r l d Wa r II, White Evangelicals

eschewed politics, believing that God would do his work on governments including bringing their destruction in an Apocalypse. By 1970, Hal Lindsey’s popular The Late Great Planet Earth assured them that God would soon vindicate them. But cultural and social challenges coupled with mainstream marginalizing of these White Evangelicals as uneducated, backward, and insular, increased the sense of victimization that had historically made them feel like “strangers in a strange land.” Biblical quotations such as “Come out from among them and be ye separate” and hymns such as “This World Is Not My Home, I’m Just A-Passing Through” were soon replaced with using the Bible for political activism. The New Testament was a hard place to find much more for their relationship to governments than to “render” what was due to Caesar or the Apostle Paul saying: “Obey the authorities.” The places for seeing a model for an Evangelical government were the Israel of their Old Testament and the contentious you-caninterpret-it-any-way-that-worksfor-you book of Revelation. With the 1964 defeat of Barry Goldwater and the embrace of the Southern strategy, Republicans knew that these White Evangelicals were useful. Pop evangelists rose to the occasion. Movements such as “The Moral Majority,” “Focus on the Family,” and “The Family Research Council” tied the self-concept, survival, and success of the White Evangelical agenda to legislative efforts and subsequent electionary politics. There was little faith left in waiting around for God to act. Government was to become the means for these White Evangelicals’ vindication. Candidates must affirm these six elements of their worldview, and politicians and preachers who strayed sexually could be forgiven for “indiscretions” and “sins” if they adhered to those elements. The list of the forgiven became long. Abortion and equal rights for LGBTQ people became rallying cries. Being “pro-life” became the shorthand litmus test assuring that candidates actually

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

accepted all six of the elements. They became crucial to Conservatism. Linguist George Lakoff would analyze the mental frame that internalized and politicized them - a “strict father” model that embodied all of six elements in these White Evangelicals’ worldview. When Donald Trump arrived on the scene, he embodied them. Whether he believed anu or just knew he could get Evangelical votes by espousing them is another question. And charges of hypocrisy didn’t matter. They’re common in the world of these White Evangelicals and their leaders. The word “hypocrisy” doesn’t challenge anything about their beliefs. It merely says that an individual didn’t live them perfectly. And since they believe that we’re all sinners anyway, it merely means that the hypocrite is just another human like them, saved by grace. More important is whether the hypocrite affirms the six elements. It’s a time-waster to argue religion with them. Down through history, religions do nothing – it’s what people do with their holy books, institutions, and traditions that has an effect, and that’s done because of this lens. People cling to religious beliefs for reasons related to prejudices, the influence it provides, egos, beliefs about their culture, and to protect their personal identities. It’s also a waste of time to dwell on the religious beliefs they regularly tick off looking for some mysterious answer there. It’s the wrong question to ask: “How can they believe this or that and still support X, Y, or Z politician?” Do they, or do they not embrace instead these six elements of the lens through which these White Evangelicals see the world? That’s what matters. l

Robert N. Minor, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus 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 writes a regular column on relationships for 50PlusPrime.com Contact him at www. FairnessProject.org.

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. MARCH 2018 | LIBERTY PRESS | Page 13

The Kansas Republican Party Has Lost Its Mind

he Kansas Republican Party (KRP) has lost its mind, and its heart, and its soul. Not that this is news in Kansas right now, rather more of a status quo, but if any doubt still remained, the recently approved resolution on “sexuality” removed any remnants of even the most basic humanity1. In case you missed it, KRP approved, by voice vote, this resolution completely inaccurate and horribly destructive to transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) Kansans, and then turned around and absurdly proposed it was the product of love. The ignorance and ideology of the party is championed throughout the resolution and absurd is but one of the descriptors for the claims made within. The resolution was brought forward by Eric Teetsel, who is president of the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, an organization that repeatedly supports anti-LGBT legislation, opposes marriage equality, and attacks TGNC children. This Teetsel quote is from the Wichita Eagle article about the resolution2: And ultimately, an ideology that says you can determine your own gender identity is broken and it’s going to lead to a lot of pain, and that’s why it’s important to bring us back to what we know to be true and good. And I would say: And ultimately, an ideology that says you can determine my gender identity is broken and is causing a lot of pain, and that’s why it’s important to bring us back to what we know to be true and good.

The only hope I can find in this situation is perhaps you have finally stooped so low, we can begin to move back to a place where Kanas is seen as a state where we embrace the diversity of our citizens, truly represent all families, and lift up dignity. Perhaps this will lead to the change we so desperately need. We have much to do. Let’s do it. l And how do we know it’s true and good? According t o L a m b d a L e g a l 3, t h e American Medical Association says so, and the American Psychological Association says so, and the American Psychiatric Association says so, as well as every major medical and psychological association across the country. In addition, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recently released a statement4 saying the following about conversion therapy: These interventions are provided under the false premise that homosexuality and gender diverse identities are pathological. They are not; the absence of pathology means there is no need for conversion or any other like intervention. Further, there is evidence that “conversion therapies” increase risk of causing or exacerbating mental health conditions in the very youth they purport to treat The resolution claims there is “no scientific consensus regarding the ethics or effectiveness of attempts to align one’s biology with one’s selfperception through experimental and exploratory medicine.” Actually, there is complete scientific consensus saying TGNC identity is valid, and attempts to change a person’s gender identity are neither effective nor ethical. There is also consensus stating attempts to change a person’s gender identity lead to irreparable damage and increase the alreadyway-too-high likelihood TGNC individuals will attempt suicide. The Kansas Republican Party has given up all defensible positions that they can be described as pro-life, pro-love, pro-family, pro-liberty, or prodignity.

issuu.com/tcj5/docs/

resolution?e=15618686/58515320 2 - www.kansas.com/news/politicsgovernment/article200798114.html 3 - www.lambdalegal.org/sites/default/ files/publications/downloads/ll_trans_ professional_statements.rtf_.pdf 4 - www.aacap.org/AACAP/Policy_ Statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy. aspx 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.

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1128 Moro Manhattan, KS 66502 11am-6:30pm M-F • 11am-6pm Sat.

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WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Invisibilia Season 4 March 11-25

Sundays at 4 p.m. KMUW 89.1

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Tom Neilson coming to First UU in March

WICHITA - Award-winning folk musician Tom Neilson— dubbed “the coming together of Phil Ochs and Tom Lehrer” and the “Bard Insurgent” for his sophisticated, astute musical and political wit—presents a special, family-friendly concert at First Unitarian Universalist Church on Saturday, Mar. 17 at 7pm. Light snack items and beverages will be available for purchase. Suggested ticket price is $10–20 and may be purchased in advance in person or by phone; tickets will also be sold at the door, but early reservations are encouraged. A portion of proceeds will go to support First UU. Call 316-684-3481, send an e-mail to office@firstuu.net, or visit firstuu.net. Activist, historian, and educator, Neilson has performed songs of humor, compassion, and political affairs in 21 countries on five continents. He has appeared with Cynthia McKinney, Amy Goodman, Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin, Cesar Chavez, and others and played at the MLK Center in Havana, Cuba. A classical vocalist in his youth, he has also performed at the Washington Cathedral, New York City’s Town Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall, and the New England Conservatory of Music. Beginning with a move to South America in 1970, Neilson spent a dozen years in countries outside the U.S., primarily Africa and South America. His doctoral dissertation, rooted in his work with the United Nations in Somalia, is on U.S. political/

More information: What: Folk artist Tom

Neilson in concert.

When: Sunday, March 17, 2018, 7:00 pm Where: First Unitarian

Universalist Church,7202 E. 21st N., Wichita

Tickets: 316-684-3481, or office@firstuu.net, or www. firstuu.net

economic hegemony. He teaches college-level courses “Music as Social History” and “Voices in Labor History” and offers Music in the Classroom courses for all ages. P r a i s e d b y To m Paxton for producing “very good music— and very good politics,” Neilson also organizes community activism against water privatization, mountaintop removal, nuclear energy, incinerators, fracking, and toxic waste. He plays at festivals, universities, conferences, cafes, and political and social gatherings. He has performed for countless benefits and causes, and his music has been used in documentaries. For more information about Neilson, visit tomneilsonmusic.com. l

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of what a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity Act Against Discrimination may be, or LGBTQ, these are to include “sexual orientation our children, our mothers, our and gender identity.” Despite brothers, our sisters, our family. the proponents from respected We all know someone in that people among the community, category. And that goes back including Thomas Witt, the to they should be protected just Executive Director of Equality like anyone else. That should Kansas, Brownback’s office not even be a factor. They are decided to squash it. human beings. Witt pointed out in a letter “I would certainly entertain the dangers involved with not and go back and push and amending this Act. As of now, see that there is something Kansas currently has no law in place to ensure they are protecting individuals based on protected. The laws we have their sexual orientation or gender in place currently, I know that identity. This flaw not only the Brownback administration affects adults, but children and was getting rid of, rather there teenagers as well. The exclusion were individuals who fell in that category who weren’t being covered in the state. Everyone would be covered. We need to treat all citizens with the utmost respect and we’re going to treat them equally. “Regardless of whether you like the Carl Brewer speaks at the opening of his Wichita color of their skin or if Campaign Headquarters. Photo by Jamie Rhodes you agree or disagree of sexual orientation and gender with their sexual orientation or identity in the current Act leaves gender identity, that’s none of high-risk youth exposed and your business. They are human vulnerable to mistreatment beings and we’re going to and abuse. They can be denied respect and treat them that way. access to a refuge because of And so certainly, I would push their “lifestyle choices.” to make sure that does happen. This was the case in 2014 As I said, we cannot afford to when KDHE was directed open the door for one individual to license and regulate “safe to abuse another individual houses” but legislators objected based on those things.” to the licensing because “sexual orientation” is not a protected A l o n g w i t h e q u a l i t y, class in the Act, denying those Brewer plans to focus on the youth the help they would financial condition of the state, otherwise need to be successful. education, the current food tax, It also leaves transgender diversifying, restructuring and men and women in transition coming up with other things we vulnerable in the workplace can use in terms of agriculture, along with countless other manufacturing and taxes. people in the LGBT community not protected against harassment “[We need to] create a and permits them to be treated fair and equitable way to get unfairly in terms of employment, representation for everyone, public accommodations and whether you’re in urban or rural housing. Kansas, male or female, African After sharing facts of Witt’s American or Latino. Bring back letter with Mr. Brewer, I asked a certain sense of respect … I for his response and if this is a pay attention to those things bill he would revisit to help end and listen. Treat everyone with discrimination in the LGBT respect. Treat someone else the community. His passionate way you want to be treated. It’ll response focused on equality make life a whole lot easier.” and what’s best for the families in Kansas: For more information on Carl Brewer for Kansas Governor, to “Well that leads to my original donate or volunteer, visit www. comment about discrimination brewerforkansas.com. l and separation. Regardless Brewer continued from page 8

WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Leather Life By Nolin Christensen aka Master C

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

Fifty Shades of again?

ell, the new Fifty Shades movie is out. And again, it’s causing controversy. I read a post where someone was stating that BDSM is just a form of cover-up for abuse. While this might be true in some cases, it’s not true in all cases. Remember there is a fine line between BDSM and abuse and that line is mutual consent. And mutual consent is the agreement between two individuals of what type of play will be done and how it is done.

Anything outside the agreement is and can be considered abuse. But my problem with the Fifty Shades series it the fact that they never mention or promote education, safety or consent. They just show people having fun with various BDSM activities. By showing this like they do, they are telling individuals that they can just go do this. This is wrong. Any type of play in the BDSM community must be accompanied by education. You MUST know what you are doing. Failure to do so will cause issues and problems. I knew of a couple here in town who decided to do a scene without being educated and the scene went bad, he lost control, she got damaged and they got a divorce. As I have said before, educate, educate, educate. Because if you go see the Fifty Shades of Freedom know that by being educated THAT is what will give you the freedom to explore and enjoy the wonderful world of kink. l Master C is the current president of WOOLF, the local leather club. Contact him via www.woolfks.com or at MsterC69@gmail.com/

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Mama, What can we do about the tragedy in Florida? Heartbroken Everyone better pull up a chair and a beer. I am sick to my stomach over this. These mass shootings must stop. I know this is a very hot topic with everyone, but we have to do something or we are going to keep losing loved ones! I do not want to take anyone’s guns away from them.

I just want some kind of laws to limit criminals and mentally ill people from getting a firearm so easily. Does anyone really need an automatic firearm to protect themselves or go hunting? NO! I have never heard of an animal shooting back at the hunter. Just because we want a law to make it more difficult does not mean it is a solution, but if it could stop some of the mass shootings would it not be worth it? My goodness we have to quit thinking about ourselves all the time. These are children’s lives we are losing. These people that don’t see that is what we want, and think we want to take their guns are idiots or too involved in their own gun-loving life they don’t care about anyone else but themselves. We have got to make changes. Arming teachers or having

arch comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Yeah, right. With jolly Jupiter redirecting and a bunch of planets entering Aries, March comes out in a bang, not a whisper. Give a roar!

guards at school is just asking for an accident to happen. We don’t even pay the teachers enough to teach our kids, now we expect them to be trained and armed. That sounds like a prison not a school. Please just open your mind and eyes and see that we want change, not to take your guns away. No one but the military needs automatic firearms. Please people, do not be that selfish

individual that will let the next mass shooting happen! Let’s come together and figure this out from both sides! We are letting our children, country, and ourselves down. God bless Florida and all the children in the world. Follow those children’s example in Florida and demand change!! l Have a question for Mama? E-mail MamaTHarper@aol.com.

bridges Died: Colleen "Coke" Didier, retiree from the City of Wichita, after a year-long battle with cancer on February 22, 2018 in Wichita. She is survived by her wife Jennifer King. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2 at 10:30am at St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. Douglas, Wichita. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be made to either St. James or the Donna Sweet Emergency Fund. Closing: Rocky's, opened in 2016, is closing on March 17, 2018. Owned by Rocky Cornelson, the bar was located on the corner of Topeka and Kellogg in Wichita. Cornelson did not want to comment. 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.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) Get your projects lined up and ready to launch as a barrage of energy enters your life. Gay Rams become inspired and fired up. Don’t waste this hot energy on radioactive things. Meet and greet the most important deal-makers, make your connections and, with their help, leap forward into a productive future. Then you can plot to rule the world. Heh. Heh.

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) Proud Lions have itchy paws that need Gay Archers just want to have fun. And why to be scratched by exotic and interesting not? You become the life of the party and travel. You may be feeling bored and in can command the group dynamic. There a rut, but the solution is right in front of might also be a temptation to gamble and you. If time and money are tight, find take a risk on something fun and creative. ways to get out of your old routines with off-the-beaten Follow your temptation with your eyes open to the risk; path gay hotspots, a new restaurant or bar and some where you might want to break the bank is in the romance plucky new company to share your plonk. department. That might be a good risk.

TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) There will be more activity than you can easily handle going on behind the scenes. It’s time to center yourself, queer Bull, meditate and find your inner core of strength. Then you can lift the world on your shoulders and carry it around town. Become the master of your universe and do it through good karma, charitable works and a bit of ESP. You have the ticket. Now travel.

VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) Sexy queer Virgos are seeking love If you find that you are enjoying staying and affirmation for the next few weeks home around this time of year, feed your wherever they can find it. You simmer domestic instincts and cocoon, pink Cap. and sizzle and can attract anyone of your There may be some home-based projects choosing. But try to be a bit choosy yourself in your that could use your attention or there may love pursuits and don’t settle for second best. The be a few invitations that could be reciprocated. Whatever relationships you make now can lead to something gives you domestic bliss, pursue it. By next month you more than just a quick flash . . . if you want. will want to be on the road.

GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Friends will get you to where you want to go, pink Twin. You only have to give them the chance to take over and navigate your ship for a while. It may be to a new hot club or exclusive membership association. But is that what you really want? Be alert, be awake and be sure you know where you want to go. Then let your bosom buddies expertly guide you there. CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Gay Crabs are poised for greatness now and why not? You have been working very hard and are expecting some positive payoff. The big bosses are taking notice. Watch carefully as opportunities present themselves and take advantage when you can. Before you know it you will be on top of the heap. Or do you prefer the bottom?

LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Proud Libras seeking a meaningful connection, whether in business or in love relationships, can find (or craft) perfect ones now. The secret to your success will be to get out of your comfort zone and try something or someone totally new. You then get a good idea of how you appear to others and what you need to do to close the sale. Maybe offer two for one? SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Reappraise and re-design your health and exercise regime, queer Scorp, with an eye towards overall toning and buffing. Not only do you find that you have reserves of energy, but you also have inspiring help to get you to your personal goals. See what is on your to-do list and do it. Spring is here and it is perfect for a personal spring cleaning. Rub-a-dub.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) Aqueerians are especially eloquent and wise now. If you have been cultivating some great ideas, it is time to share them with a wider audience. So plan ahead, formulate your best arguments, find new ways of reaching out and present your best and provocative ideas to those who can help you push them one giant step forward. It is no time for baby steps. PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) If money is on your agenda, find time to focus on your investments. Guppies may not always be the most fiscally prudent, but now you can amass your fortune and make it work for you. Find the right advisor and do the necessary research. Before you know it you will move and shake with the oligarch power brokers. Be kind when you reach the pinnacle of success.

(c) 2018 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.