Liberty Press Dec 2015 by Liberty Press Kansas

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

The whacky & whip-smart news quiz. Saturdays & Sundays | 10 am

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DECEMBER 2015

Liberty Press

Volume 22, No. 4 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Beacon Youth Group, Nolin Christensen, Greg Fox, Sandra Hawk, Charlene Lichtenstein, Mama, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott • Staff Reporters: Grayson Barnes, Blake Hampton, Ciara Reid • Cover: Troy Dilport • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: Liberty Press, LLC • Printer: Valley Offset Printing National Advertising: Rivendell Media, (212) 242-96863 Subscriptions are $18/year

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Inside: MINOR DETAILS....................11 THE BEACON BIT..................14 TRANS-FORMATIVE...............17 AROUND KANSAS.................18 LEATHER LIFE.......................19 KYLE'S BED & BREAKFAST...19 MAMA KNOWS BEST............20 OUT IN THE STARS................20 Liberty Press' Gay Gift Guide....6 Conway Springs teacher controversy.................................9 and more!........

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DECEMBER 2015

This holiday season Shop Local! Bungalow 26, 613 W. Douglas, 440-4846 With their own brand, Splendid Alchemy, Bungalow 26 offers hand-poured soy candles in winter scents, aroma therapy inhaling salts, stress-relief oils and much more! After a full day of shopping, you can keep the oils for yourself! $12.50 and up

Watermark Books , Lincoln Heights Village Shopping Center, 4701 E. Douglas, 682-1181

Watermark Books has several noteworthy LGBT offerings - and you might be able to get a signed copy if you hurry! Grant Park by Leonard Pitts, Jr. ($24.95) and Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg ($9.99) just to name a few. Watermark also has gift ideas besides books like the LIT t-shirt above ("I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie," $20).

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Tons of gift ideas at The Spice Merchant! Besides the fresh ground coffee, check out the mugs (below, $10.99), HIC Food Mill to easily strain or puree foods (upper right, $48.49), or the OGGI pinch bowls, set of 6 in rainbow colors (right, $10.99). For your upcoming holiday party Wind & Willow edibles offer a variety of appetizer mixes (above, $4.49).

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If you're planning to pop the question to your sweetheart this holiday season, head over to McMullen Jewelry and let Ruth help you find the perfect ring. She has an assortment of sterling silver bands in a variety of styles starting at just $80.

For the music lover on your list, Spektrum offers vinyl, and tapes both vintage and new. Also an eclectic selection of t's. Donna Summer (left), The Wanderer, 1980, $4 Against Me! (right), Transgender Dysphoria Blues, 2014 new, $14

Compiled by Sandra Hawk and Kristi Parker. Photos by Kristi Parker.

DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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DECEMBER 2015

HOAMC presents “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

By Greg Dalton-White WICHITA – The Heart of A m e r i c a M e n ’s C h o r u s (HOAMC) proudly announces its upcoming holiday concert, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Audiences will enjoy a wide selection of musical styles and genres ranging from

a jazz rendition of “Holly Jolly Christmas” to the classical beauty of “O Lux Beatisima.” The concert will be presented in Kansas Newman University’s De Mattias Hall on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7:30pm and Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4:30pm. Tickets, which will be available at the door, are $15 for adults and $5 for students. For more information call 316-7084837. The Heart of America Men’s Chorus is a not-forprofit organization dedicated to providing fellowship and music education for its members as well as quality musical performances for the public. Deanne Zogleman, Director of Music at Newman University, is artistic director. HOAMC is always looking for new chorus members from age 18 on up to add to its ranks. If interested and plan to attend the concert, ask any chorus member for details. Otherwise, call 316-7084837 for details. l

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DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Conway Springs teacher resumes teaching following controversy By Ciara Reid, staff reporter CONWAY SPRINGS - Tom Leahy, a social studies teacher at Conway Springs Middle School, has resumed his position following a tumultuous several weeks. Leahy had shown his students a short film called Love is All You Need, a fictional account of what the world would be like if heterosexual children are bullied by homosexual peers. The film, which was released in 2011 and was recently made into a featurelength film (yet to be released), shows the protagonist, Ashley, growing up and experiencing numerous scenarios as a closeted heterosexual: unsupportive parents who use heterosexual slurs such as “breeders,” a church sermon that rejects heterosexual relationships, and bullying from classmates. According to The WichitaEagle, Leahy, who had been teaching in Conway Springs since 1997 and had planned to retire next year, was asked to resign after the showing of the film upset parents. Leahy said he showed the film to several 8 th grade classes to teach tolerance to the students, after several students conveyed anti-homosexual remarks in a previous class in which they were asked to form new colonies and create their own Bill of Rights. Several students shared that they would not allow gay people into their colony, which upset other students. Following this unsettling episode, Leahy began to research films that would help convey tolerance to his students. He chose Love is All You Need and showed it to the students the next day. While Leahy’s intentions were good, he has previously told other media that he did

not get the permission of the school’s principal, nor did he give parents the opportunity to voice their opinion as to whether their children should see it. Leahy was told by several school officials in the days following the showing of the film that they had received numerous phone calls from parents about his choice to show the film. The film’s director, Kim Rocco Shields, spoke with Leahy about the controversy at Conway Springs Middle School. She has said that she is sad about the backlash, and that the film is meant to generate discussion. She says the film is being shown by educators all over the world. Leahy and the school agreed that he would take a 10-day leave of absence. In that time, both sides met with legal counsel to assess the situation. Leahy stated to media that he was sad and disappointed by the turn of events, but understood that school officials had to take action. School officials have said that there was never a forced resignation situation. Leahy has since been allowed to return to his teaching position; a written statement stated that Leahy would be allowed back in the classroom with “some safeguards in place to make sure the students in the classroom are okay which is our number one concern.” Leahy received a lot of support throughout the controversy. The Tyler Clementi Foundation, an LGBT youth and anti-bullying organization, launched a national petition for Leahy to help raise awareness about intolerance. A local petition asking for Leahy to be reinstated gathered thousands of signatures. Leahy could not be reached for comment. School officials have told media that they have no further plans to comment on the issue. l

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DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Minor

Details

By Bob Minor Outrage Over Red Cups Fills the Attention Deficit of the Needy

red Phelps and his tiny, no-account, insignificant Westboro Baptist Church perfected it in the field of religious bigotry. But attracting attention when you’re a nobody to the rest of the world is now an established strategy. It’s fueled and enabled by the mainstream media since it changed to make everything it follows provide moneymaking entertainment. There are no more money-losing news bureaus maintained for the public good. Instead, 24-hour cable news channels compete for public attention so they can deliver eyeballs to their advertisers. They’ve made a perfect publicity manipulating enemy of ISIS and the perfect politician of a talentless businessman/ entertainer named Trump. The Donald’s TV ego and its outrageousness, which he’s displaying in his joyride of a presidential race reality show, are branded in the entertainment catchphrase: “You’re fired.” And media have created a presidential race ideal for Newt Gingrich’s advice: “If you want to sell books, run for president.” Add: if you want to become a media commentator or an overpaid blowhard on the lecture circuit for suckers, particularly religious ones. Getting this level of attention when little else is notable in one’s life requires an extraordinary outrageousness that raises someone above the crowd. It also means that if they’re going to continue getting media attention, people regularly must ramp up the offensiveness of the outrageousness. And like watching a train wreck, the more offensive and outrageous, the more the media can’t resist and the more the pubic won’t turn away. We

tune in, repost, discuss, express surprise and unbelief, complain, get angry, and search for more. Phelps learned early. When local news started ignoring his tiny family church’s protests, he doubled down, displayed more outrageous signs, travelled to higher-powered funerals, and targeted attacks on wellknown people outside the LGBT community. So, how many unimportant, nobody-cares-about-them, churches are out there whose leader would love to be known on a national stage? And how many of these leaders have a desperate need for more attention in their otherwise unnoteworthy routine of preaching the same old, same old to the same old, same old? R e m e m b e r h o w Te r r y Jones, pastor of a little nothing congregation he dubbed “Dove World Outreach Center” in Gainesville, Fla., became the center of worldwide attention he’d never otherwise deserve? In 2010 he announced his plans to burn Qurans on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Jones thereby found a shtick and the attention he needed to feel like a big shot. So, he followed that with similar attention-getting behavior in 2011, 2012, and 2013 because he learned how this manipulated the media to his benefit. N o w, a n o t h e r n o b o d y cares-about-him-otherwise minister suckered the media into validating him through his outrage over nothing more than the plainness of red holiday cups at Starbucks. Well, actually he’s an Arizona no-church-pastor, a self-labeled “evangelist” named Joshua Feuerstein who describes himself appropriately as a “social media personality.” Of course this was manufactured outrage. Starbucks

had never put explicitly Christian symbols on its cups while actually selling products mentioning Christmas such as its “Christmas Blend” coffee. But this made another Christiannobody-cared-about the latest national hero in that annual right-wing and FOX outrage called the “War on Christmas.” Right-wing religious leadership in particular draws people who are starved for attention. There are numerous reasons why they’re drawn to right-wing religion, including that it lures them in by agreeing that they’re worthless sinners. Right-wing religious teachings are inherently abusive and thus it attracts those who’ve been brought up as abused children. It validates anyone with low self-worth with its teaching that all people rightly deserve hell, an eternal child abuse from their Heavenly Father. Their kind of salvation is supposed to be the way out of this, but for most “born again” feelings fade, so something more is needed. Maybe that’s more church attendance, more praying, more Bible reading, more testifying to others. Others’ attention needs propel their whole career into the church, thereby becoming professional Christians. That, they believe, should get some necessary attention particularly from their only Heavenly Father. But attention from an invisible being is hard to measure or convincingly feel. So they’ll need visible evidence. Religious professionals aren’t supposed to admit these needs even to themselves, of course. But becoming pastor of a megachurch or televangelist can feel someone’s special to God with all those adoring, donating, selfsacrificing fans. Even a lavish pastoral lifestyle can be taken as visible proof that Heavenly Daddy is paying special attention through all the faithful contributing to it. In a consumption-oriented society, material success is the goal of many seeking to feel they’re worth something. Yet, realistically, when someone is emotionally starved for attention, nothing will ever feel as if it’s enough. Megachurch pastors won’t be able to settle even for these.

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Imagine the unfulfilled attention needs of the thousands of pastors of tiny, indistinguishable churches often in the middle of nowhere. How can they get the attention from God and humanity to fill their void? The answer is: be like Donald Trump or Fred Phelps. Act outraged and be outrageous enough to get the attention you crave. When we in turn give them attention of any sort, we collude with them because they don’t care whether that attention is positive or negative. As the old quip goes: “It doesn’t matter what they’re saying about you as long as they’re talking about you.” To them “persecution,” after all, is real proof that they’re righteous. Mockery only sounds like what they believe Jesus received from sinners. What we need to face is that these are needy grownup children who’ve been wounded in their upbringing and are victims of religious abuse and religious exploitation of their woundedness. They don’t need our pity, but understanding that the real issue isn’t a rational one solved by logical discussion. This means that the most powerful thing we can do is to say this and then treat them like the attention-needy children they are down deep. Surely, let’s not give them attention for their outrageousness, but stand our ground modeling the humanityaffirming and psychological healthy alternative of our own lives. 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; and Gay & Healthy in a Sick Society. Contact him at www. FairnessProject.org.

tinyurl.com/herscopes Charlene Lichtenstein’s ground-breaking 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.

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

DECEMBER 2015

E.C. Tyree Clinic reaches out to LGBT community, offers affordable dental, medical and mental health services

By Blake Hampton W I C H I TA - A f f o r d a b l e healthcare has always been complicated and difficult. With the Affordable Care Act in place the rules are changing. Then there’s Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and the state legislature resisting to expand Medicaid. So what payment options someone in the LGBT community may have for a medical procedure can be difficult to know.

E.C. Tyree Health and Dental Clinic, located at 1525 N. Lorraine in Wichita, is a place that prides itself on good healthcare and giving a patient the options to afford it. With a staff of over 26 employees the clinic provides dental, medical, and mental health services. The clinic is not federally funded. They take commercial insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. If someone doesn’t have insurance the staff can help by showing the patient insurance plans that work best for them. If a patient wishes to pay for it themselves there are some procedures, such as dental or anything else major, that the clinic will do as a discounted self-payment plan. They do not have an emergency room. So for those who get into a serious accident please call 911. I spoke with Chief Executive Officer Schaunta Boyd, who runs the clinic. Her duties include hiring, writing grants, overseeing programs, and many more. She said the main goal of

the clinic is “besides providing healthcare that’s affordable, we want to provide a space where you’re comfortable. That way you have the comfort to ask your doctor questions. To know that you as the patient have the right to those questions. “I’ve been at this clinic for over 15 years,” she said. “It was closed when I took over.” Besides rebuilding the clinic, the overall work that Boyd is trying to do is to educate people on health, and be a part of the community. The clinic is open to everyone. They are LGBT-friendly. Boyd wishes to reach out to the LGBT

community in Wichita; to be known that they are an option. They provide many services and treatments, and if it’s something that the clinic cannot handle, for different reasons, they provide the necessary resources to find a place that can. For the future of the clinic, Boyd is also trying to find ways to reach out to a younger generation that might want a career in medicine. “The younger generation is our future and we’ll need them in order to keep the clinic going in the long run,” she said. The clinic is currently participating with internship nurse practitioners’ programs from places like WSU. The E.C. Tyree Health and Dental Clinic is located on the north end of St. Mark United Methodist Church. Their phone number is (316) 681-2545. For more information, visit the clinic’s Facebook page. l

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DECEMBER 2015

The Beacon Bit: A Youth Perspective

Kathy Richstatter

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

316 316--641 641--3954

ello and welcome to the Beacon Bit! This is our first official column in Liberty Press (or elsewhere) and we are very excited to have this opportunity. Beacon Youth Group was founded several years ago in 2011. Since its formation, it underwent many changes and eventually, after a brief hiatus, was relaunched in March of this year. We provide a welcoming environment for queer youth ages 12-20 to engage in socialization, education, exploration, and activism. To expand on that, we create a safe space for LGBTQ teens to express themselves and make friends with others who have similar experiences, as well as explore their own identities; we give lessons on topics ranging from sex education to different identities to LGBTQ history; and we provide ways for our kids to be active in the community, by means such as protests, rallies, and service opportunities. Beacon has a fairly large attendance, typically ranging from 10-20 kids most meetings. We h o l d m e e t i n g s e v e r y Monday (barring extenuating circumstances) at 5:30pm at one of two locations. The first is Central Congregational Church at 1248 SW Buchanan St. in Topeka, where we meet the first, fourth, and fifth Mondays of every month. The second is the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka at 4775 SW 21st St., where we meet the second and third Mondays of every month. You do not have to live in Topeka to attend. If you would like to attend a meeting and want to make sure of our location and meeting time, we post that information on our Facebook page before each meeting. You can find it at

facebook.com/beaconks. Among those who regularly attend meetings, we have a broad range of identities and orientations. We have a number of trans members, both FTM/ MTF and non-binary. We have kids who are on the asexual spectrum, kids who are on the aromantic spectrum, kids who are pansexual, kids who are bisexual, kids who are gay/ lesbian, and kids who are straight. Don’t be intimidated by the big range of queer identities; straight cis kids are welcome too! In Beacon, every voice is welcome. We want to hear your opinions, your struggles, your experiences, your story. That being said, homophobia, transphobia, racism, religious intolerance, and any other conceivable form of bigotry or hate speech will not be tolerated in Beacon. Bullying of any kind is completely against our mission and values and any member who engages in such conduct will be asked to leave and will be barred from any future interaction or participation. Safety and emotional health are very important to us and we will not allow that to be compromised for any reason. In future columns, which will be written by various members of the group, we will be discussing current events, different identities, and what it’s like to be a queer teen in today’s world in general. If there is a topic you’d like us to write about, if you want more information about our group, or even if you just want to say hi, you can e-mail us at beacontopeka@gmail.com. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next month! l

DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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DECEMBER 2015

Transgender State Legislator: Not This Time

hen Kansas State Representative Harold Lane announced his retirement, I didn’t hesitate to make it known that I planned to try to become the nominee to fill his unexpired term. November 14, the six Democratic precinct committee members for Kansas House District 58 gathered together to make that nomination. It went to Rev. Ben Scott. Gov. Brownback will now make an appointment to fill this seat in the Kansas Legislature. There is much more to this story than a transgender woman from Topeka not being selected as the nominee. It was not a difficult decision for me to place my name into consideration for this seat. I have long had my eye on the right opportunity to come along. This one certainly had all the earmarks of the right opportunity. Far more took place in that room than just the six precinct committee members electing a nominee. When Bryan Lowry of The Wichita Eagle ran a story on this little election, it was picked up by the Associated Press and went out coast to coast. It was also picked up by newspapers across Kansas. Perhaps the most important thing I set out to do was to give a few young people, who happen to be transgender, some hope that they could live authentically and make it in this world. I’m thinking that we - me and all the other marginalized people who stand up and claim our dignity - are making a difference. The door has been opened. It can never be closed again. Speaking loudly and clearly I say to you, “You can more than make it in this world. You can make this

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

world a place where we don’t have to wonder if we can live authentically.” I got to give a speech before the election. A lot of people were there who didn’t really know much about me. Now they do. Several of these people, leaders in the community, came up to me after the meeting and shared how much they appreciated what I had to say. Amazing things will come out of this. Multiple requests have already been made for me to share my journey. I have learned in the last several years that when I put good stuff out to the universe, good stuff comes back to me. I am extremely excited to see what good stuff will come from this. I am certain of one thing,

the universe knows exactly where I am supposed to be. It is leading constantly to that precise place and I will arrive at the precise time I am supposed to arrive. A couple weeks ago, I registered for the final two classes to achieve my Master of Social Work degree from Washburn University. If I had been appointed to the Kansas House of Representatives, I would have needed to postpone my MSW by as much as a year and a half. I couldn’t have been at my MSW practicum, and at the State Capitol at the same time. I knew, going into this, that no matter what happened, it was good. I shook Rev. Scott’s hand on the way out of the meeting and offered my congratulations. In the speech he gave before the election, he talked about justice for all people. I am concerned that Rev. Scott does not believe justice for all people translates into laws that make it illegal to discriminate against LGBT people. I could be wrong. If not, you can expect me to step up again. F i n a l l y, I b e l i e v e t h a t every time we get the word transgender into a newspaper in

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Kansas, we bump the football a little bit down the field; a little closer to the goal line. We didn’t lose. We bumped the football far enough down the field to get a first down. We have a new set of downs and we still have the ball. The end of this story is not yet written. In the course of this experience, I was asked several times what it would mean to be the first transgender woman elected to the Kansas Legislature. My response has been to say, “We need to get to a place where we don’t have to recognize the first of any population to achieve something; a place where the legislature in Kansas is representative of the diversity in Kansas.” Touchdown. 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.

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

Social

Community Centers

Freethinking Parents Group, Are you raising kids without religion? You're not alone. Freethinking Parents meet 2-4pm, third Sundays at Botanica, Wichita. Info: www.facebook.com/ groups/586131888148529/

The Center, 800 N. Market, Wichita, (316) 285-0007 www.thecenterofwichita. org

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

Kansas State University LGBT Resource Center, 207 A/B Holton Hall, Manhattan, (785) 532-5352, lgbt@kstate.edu, www.k-state-edu/lgbt

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

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

Junction City Teddy Bears, c/o Kevin Stilley, 2 Oak Valley Dr., Manhattan, (785) 556-8188, trlrhouseman@webtv. net NetworQ, Lawrence, KansasNetworQ@ yahoo.com, www.KansasNetworQ.org, meets at Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire Wichita Bears, presidentwichitabears@ yahoo.com, www.wichitabears.org Wichita Organization of Leather Fetishes, (316) 201-6242, www. woolfks.com Wichita Prime Timers, ICTPrimeTimers@aol.com, www. primetimersww.com/Wichita, social group for mature gay men.

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

DECEMBER 2015

churchoffice@pvcconline.org, www. pvcconline.org Prairie Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1809 E. 30th, Hutchinson, (620) 663-8002, www. prairieuufellowship.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.

Student groups Derby High School tkellenbarger@usd260.com

GSA,

F re e S t a t e H i g h S c h o o l G S A , Lawrence, sponsors: Hilary Morton hmorton@usd497.org, and Kim Grinnell kgrinnell@usd497.org Highland Park High School's Parity, Topeka, LGBTatHP@outlook.com, facebook.com/LGBTatHP. Hutchinson High School GSA, faculty advisor: Mr. Westmoreland, chairperson: Kara Vaughn. The Independent School GSA, Wichita, sponsor: Matt Hanne matt. hanne@theindependentschool.com K-State LGBT & Allies, meets every Thursday at 5:30 in Leadership Studies room 123 KU Queers & Allies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, (785) 864-3091, qanda@ku.edu, www.ku.edu/~qanda Lawrence High School GSA, sponsors: Shannon Draper SDraper@usd497.org, and Lindsay Buck LBuck@usd497.org Manhattan High School GSA, mhs_ gsa@hotmail.com Maize South High School GSA, sponsor: Shelly Walston swalston@ usd266.com, meets 2nd Fridays. Pitt State GSA, Pittsburg State University, pittstategaystraightalliance@ gmail.com Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies, Wichita State University, Twitter.com/ Wsuspectrum, meets Thursdays at 7pm in the Lucas Room (RSC 265) when classes are in session.

Wichita Southeast High School GSA, (316) 807-2271, psychsteve2@yahoo. com Wichita West High School GSA, astucky@usd259.net

Support Beacon Youth Group, Topeka, beacontopeka@gmail.com, queer youth group for ages 12-20. Meets every Monday at 5:30pm at Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchanan St., the 1st, 4th, and 5th Mondays and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, 4775 SW 21st St., 2nd and 3rd Mondays. Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, 2622 W. Central Suite 500, Wichita, (316) 660-5120, www.cpaaa.org, CPAAA is available to assist seniors, caregivers, and adults with disabilities through life’s transitions and with various levels of support. COMCARE Crisis Intervention Services, 934 N. Water, Wichita, (316) 660-7500 free 24/7, www. sedgwickcounty.org Flint Hills PFLAG, Manhattan, (785) 340-2815, meets on the 1st Saturday, 10am-noon, call for location. Get Connected, Wichita, (316) 2850007, LGBTQIA youth group for ages 12-21. Meets at The Center, 800 N. Market, every Friday from 7-9pm. GLSEN Greater Wichita, wichita@ chapters.glsen.org. Headquarters Counseling Center, Lawrence, (785) 841-2345 free 24/7, www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us Healthy Transitions, for heterosexually married gay men in KC. A phone and face-to-face interview required, Mark McCarthy, LPC (816) 931-0011x4. HIV+ Men’s Support Group, Wichita, (316) 293-3405, mmadecky@kumc.edu O n e D a y A t A Ti m e , Wi c h it a , Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm at First MCC, 156 S. Kansas. PFLAG Hutchinson, PO Box 2488, Hutchinson, (620) 899-2345, pflaghutch@gmail.com

Wichita East High School GSA, CFee@fcscounseling.com

PFLAG Wichita, info@ictpflag.org, www.facebook.com/WichitaPFLAG, meets 2nd Thursdays, 6:30-8pm at College Hill United Methodist, 2930 E. 1st.

Wichita Heights High School GSA, nmagoon@usd259.net

The Face of Trans*, www.thefaceof trans.com

Wichita North High School GSA, (316) 204-5621, kellykk00@yahoo.com, rhorning@usd259.net, cwidmer@ usd259.net, meets every Wednesday at lunch in room A213.

Wichita 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 Northeast High School GSA, Jbell2@usd259.net Wichita Northwest High School GSA, amcdonald@usd259.net, meets every Monday after school.

Wichita Transgender Community Network, meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at The Center, 800 N. Market, at 7pm. l

DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

Leather Life By Nolin Christensen aka Master C

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

t’s that time of year again, you know, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah, blah blah blah. Why don’t we find a fun name for it, like Happy Kink Day (yeah, I like that, Kink Day, my kind of day, all year long!!). So with the holidays, what kind of gift are you going to give? Why not make it the type of gift that keeps on giving all year long? Something that

someone can enjoy every day all year. Something along the lines of an “adult” gift. Something fun, something exciting, like clamps, rope, whips or chains? And make it something that they can enjoy by themselves every day every year for years to come. 20 years ago I gave a friend some clamps and to this day they are still his favorite toy to play with. The gift that just keeps on giving! So get on down to Patricia’s or go online to Leather Masters and pick out something fun for your significant other, or just pick out something for yourself! Think outside the box. Make it fun, make it exciting, make it something that will be enjoyed again and again. Make it something you have always fantasized about playing with or having. Do something fun this year. Take a chance and try out those deep desires. Try something you’ve always wanted to do. And if you are unsure about what to do with your new “toy,” come see us at WOOLF. We can continued on page 20

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Dear Mama, What do you think about all this controversy over the Starbucks holiday cup? I see red I will say it again, “WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!” Why in the world everyone, all of sudden, is so offended by everything or everyone? Because people want other

people to believe and be like them. Who cares about an over-priced cup of damn coffee? If a holiday coffee cup defines your Christmas and who you are then you have more problems than Eunice!! Hello Mama, What do you think we should do about all the increasing earthquakes in the area? All shook up Duh, get earthquake insurance. Do you people not have Google to look things up? It is not that earth-shattering to learn about something new! Mama, What would you do with ISIS if you were in charge? Not signed I would erase their asses off the face of the earth! End of Story.

ingle your bells this December as a sleigh of planets traverse merry Sagittarius that “trine” shocking Uranus. Ho ho ho. Hey, who are you calling a ho?

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) Prepare to be pushed into the center of the holiday party this December as your innate charisma brightens even the most festive of festivities. Your influence will take on global proportions. Become a worldwide celebrity or at least a shining local star, gay Ram. Then you can amass great personal power and shape the world opinion to your own will. Heh heh. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Mysterious admirers manage to make your holiday season much more jolly. Feisty and sexy proud Bulls not only have rollicking times, they can also fall head over hooves for someone totally different or unexpected. The heart wants what the heart wants, I suppose. But take things slowly until the planets move on. You can then see things as they really are. Yikes!! GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Sometimes all you need is a good friend. That time might be now, pink Twins, as the holiday fun times heat up. But just hanging with the usual crowd may not be enough for you. Spend quality time in certain oneto-one relationships and also spread your wings into new social groups. Expand your pond into an ocean and then dive in and take a swim around. CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Expect some surprises in your career as holiday parties take unusual twists and turns. Gay Crabs sure know how to have fun but should temper their enthusiasm around the big bosses. You don’t want to ruin your chances for promotion and greater power, do you? So avoid diving head first into the company eggnog and announcing who is naughty or nice in the office.

DECEMBER 2015

Mama, What do you think of all these states refusing Syrian refugees? Looking Do I look like Ann Landers? Oh wait, this is that kind of column. I think it is up to each individual state. Some states just cannot afford to handle more problems. Our government needs to fix us first before helping everyone else. I also, do not want those poor people to stay in that terrible environment. There is not one right solution for this. I would help, but Vinton and Naomi still live in my basement. Soon we will be overwhelmed with ads, e-mail, and mail about the upcoming campaign next year. I want each person to read this and make a good informed decision for the election. Remember that each political party has a department that looks for little bits and pieces of news about the other candidate to smear and make big in the news. Do not listen to this garbage. Get the facts! Do not believe everything you read on

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) Proud Lions get out of their usual routine this December with a series of unusual and possibly surprising series of events. This can mean getting an invitation to the A-list party of the season or meeting outrageous and creative holiday pranksters. Whatever the fates have in store for you, make the most of it. That might mean dressing as Santa. Don’t forget the Christmas balls. VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) Will you fall head over heels for some naughty elf this December? Possibly. And you will enjoy every minute of it. Even staid and careful queer Virgos have their share of surprises as the gift boxes they open have more than they expected. Plan some home-based activities and see who drops by. Eight tiny reindeer can deliver plenty of droppings by the way . . . LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Snuggle by the yule log fire with your special someone this December, proud Libra. Relationships take on added importance. This is the time to shower your affections on you-know-who. If you are trying you find a soulmate, try some unusual or unexpected places to hunt. I will bet that they are waiting for you at some local hot spot. Go and get a little hot yourself. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Exercise and anything health-related will seem more important to you now. How will you be able to balance good eating with all of these holiday treats? Gay Scorps will have to figure out what they most value this December. Is money important? If so, stick to a holiday budget and get creative. Good things will come in small packages. Was it bought on sale?

Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media. Not everything is fact on those sites. Remember that certain news channels and papers are run by people of different parties that will only give you the information they want you to hear for the party in which they support. Just get the facts about the candidates and what they will do and vote for who you think is best for the job! Thank you! Everyone please have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! l Have a question for Mama? E-mail MamaTHarper@aol.com. Leather continued from page 19

help you learn and teach you how to play and be safe with your new item. We are more than willing to help anyone learn. Just look us up at www. woolfks.com or come to one of our meetings. We meet the fourth Saturday of each month. Come join the fun and enjoy Happy Kink Day!! l

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) December brings not only relentless fun and celebration, it will also place you in the epicenter of all of the attention. So prepare for your close-up with a fresh face, get involved in a range of holiday events and see who you can meet, greet and sweep off their feet. You become influential yourself, gay Archer. Today the party circuit, tomorrow the world body. CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) Deck your halls with boughs of holly and hang the tinsel. This is the time to focus on your home to make it everything you want it to be. But hold off on any massive renovations or changes, pink Cap. There might be some surprises along the way that can delay or change your plans. You want Santa to have the right address, don’t you? AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) Aqueerians speak from the heart this December and can say something unexpected, shocking or too brutally honest by mistake. But don’t sweat it. Anything you do or say now will eventually reinforce friendships and make other relationships even stronger and warmer. You might want to back up your words with a lovely holiday gift just to be sure. PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) Guppies may overspend on holiday gifts and celebrations this year but what a way to go . . . or so you think. Keep an eye on your bottom line and try to stick to a manageable budget. You know how to improve any party and will even catch the eye of those in power who can help you move ahead in your professional goals. Now THAT is a great Christmas gift!

(c) 2015 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.

DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

JANUARY 19-21 CENTURY II CONCERT HALL

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Tickets: 316.303.8100 • Groups 10+: 1.866.314.7687 wichitaTIX.com • BroadwayWichita.com

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department offers free HIV testing. For more information, visit:

www.ldchealth.org/HIV

DECEMBER 2015

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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New!

“Open Pole” Fridays

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

DECEMBER 2015

Show us what you’ve got, Wichita! Friday nights are now “Open Pole” nights so you can come and work it out! Bring some friends to cheer you on. The best dancer of the night gets a cash prize! Everyone is welcome to participate.

New Year’s Eve Party Ring in the new year at the Brown Sugar Showcase featuring Wichita’s Future Stars!

Show starts at 10:30.Champagne Toast at midnight!

Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Check out our Facebook page for hours and specials.

www.ClubBoomerang.com 1400 E 1st Street - Free Parking Nearby

club Boomerang