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You’re welcome in Kansas City. From the moment you arrive to long after you leave, KC’s cool, cultural vibe and Midwestern hospitality are sure to leave an impression. No wonder About.com named it one of America’s Most Underrated Cities for Gay Travelers. See how Kansas City inspires you at VisitKC.com/LGBT.
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Music Theatre of Wichita is
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11-15
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25-29
JUN 9-13
JUL
23-27
AUG 6-10
Tickets and Gift Certificates On Sale Now! Call 316.265.3107 or visit MTWichita.org
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Distribution Sites Derby
The Raven Bookstore, Rudy’s Pizzeria, South Wind Health Collective, The Vapor's Edge E-Cig Shop, Wheat State Pizza, Wheatfield’s Bakery, Wilde’s Chateau 24, Yello Sub, Z’s Divine Espresso
Derby High GSA
Dodge City
Compass Behavioral Health
El Dorado
Pathways Psychological Services Mokas
Hays Kansas City
Hamburger Mary’s, LIKEME Lighthouse
Lawrence
LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
Ad Astra Acupuncture, Aimee’s Coffeehouse, Bourgeois Pig, Bzar Salon, Community Mercantile, Douglas County AIDS Project, Dusty Bookshelf, Ecumenical Campus Ministries, Einstein Bros. Bagel, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Henry’s, Java Break, KU’s Dean of Students office, KU’s Multicultural Resource Center, La Prima Tazza, Lawrence Public Library, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Milton’s Cafe, The Mirth Café, Natural Grocers, NetworQ, Pizza Shuttle, Queers & Allies office,
Manhattan
The Bluestem Bistro, The Chef Café, Dusty Bookshelf, First Congregational Church, Flint Hills Human Right Project meetings, Grace's Asian Fusion Cafe, K-State LGBT Resource Center, K-State Student Union, K-State Women's Clinic, On the Wild Side, People’s Grocery, Queer-Straight Alliance meetings, Radina’s Bakery & Café (three locations), Rockstar and Rodgers (two locations), Sisters of Sound Music, Strecker-Nelson Gallery, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan, Varsity Donuts
Newton
Bethel College Student Life Center, The Leaf Tea Lounge
Pittsburg
Pitt State GSA
Salina
Ad Astra Books and Coffeehouse, Mokas, Mokas South, Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, Salina Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Saline County Health Dept.
Topeka
The Break Room, Classic Bean (two locations), Field of Greens, Flowers by Bill, Lazio’s Coffee Bar, Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka, Positive Connections, PT’s Coffee Roasting Co., The Razor’s Edge, Reece Nichols Real Estate, Skivvies, Three Flowers Metaphysical, Topeka/ Shawnee County Public Library, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, The Upstage Gallery, Washburn Mabee Library, Washburn Union, YWCA
Wichita
Adult Superstore, After Dark South, The Anchor, Artichoke Sandwich Bar, Barnes & Noble, The Bean Scene, Book-A-Holic (W. 21st & West St. locations), Bungalow 26, The Center,
JULY 2014
Circle Cinema, City Arts, College Hill United Methodist Church, Cow & Sow Deli, Crazy J’s Furniture & Sleep Shop, Cut Loose, The Donut Whole, Earthwise Pet Supply, Fisch Haus, First Metropolitan Community Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Harris & Co. Frame Shop, Heights High GSA, Hunter Health Clinic, J’s Lounge, Jim Starkey Music Center, A Journey in the Light, Kirby’s, KU Internal Medicine Midtown, Mead’s Corner, Moe’s Sub Shop, The Monarch, Our Fantasy Complex, Patricia’s, Picasso's Pizza, Pine Valley Christian Church, Planet Hair, Planned Parenthood, Positive Directions, Rain Café & Lounge, Reverie Coffee Roasters, Spice Merchant, The Store, Tanya's Soup Kitchen, Twist Yarn Shop, Vagabond Coffeeshop, Vegas Video, Watermark Books, Wichita Community Theatre, Wichita Public Library - downtown branch, WSU - That Gay Group meetings, Xcitement Video, Ziggy's Pizza
Would you like to see your business or organization on this list? It’s free! Contact Kristi at editor@libertypress.net to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.
JULY 2014
Liberty Press
Volume 20, No. 11 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Paul Berge, Dave Brousseau, Nolin Christensen, Greg Fox, Jordan Hawk, Charlene Lichtenstein, Mama, Brian Martz, Audrey McQueen, Dr. Robert N. Minor • Staff Reporters: Helen Barnes, Elle Boatman, Brian Hansen, Christy Lyons-Bohrer, Ciara Reid • Contributing Photographers: John Galli, Julian Ortiz • Cover Design: Troy Dilport, photo by Julian Ortiz • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Distribution Manager: Sandra Hawk • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: Liberty Press, LLC
LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
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On the Cover:
Outside the Box:
An Interview with Wichita artist Taylor Miller Page 17
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CONTENTS NEW YORK-BASED WRITER PENS comic book featuring Westboro Baptist Church members as its worst villains......................................... 9 SCRIMP ON COFFEE - not your retirement plan contribution..................11 REVIEW Crown Uptown's Shrek: the Musical............................................12 LIBERTY PRESS FLOAT WINS Best Use of Theme at Riverfest's Sundown Parade......................................................................................22 GLSEN GREATER WICHITA becomes newest chapter................................22
Regulars OP/ED Poll results, editorial cartoon, letters............................................6 THE KANSAS GAYHAWK Coming Out: What a difference a generation makes!................................................................................................6 MINOR DETAILS Why So Much American Anger....................................13 AUDREY ASKS Kenzie Elyse...................................................................16 LEATHER LIFE WHAT????.....................................................................18
IN EVERY ISSUE DISTRIBUTION LIST..................... 4 POINTS OF INTEREST................ 10 MAMA KNOWS BEST.................. 12 ONLINE POLL............................. 18 COMICS....................................... 19 AROUND KANSAS...................... 20 CLASSIFIEDS.............................. 21 BRIDGES..................................... 21 OUT IN THE STARS.................... 21
Liberty Press
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LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
OP/ED
A Monthly Collection of Opinions and Editorials.
The opinions represented here do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Liberty Press. We reserve the right to edit and cut submissions for space and grammatical content. We want to hear from you! Visit www.libertypress.net to answer our Readers Poll. Send your letters and feedback to editor@libertypress.net.
Online Readers Poll
Results! Do you think Michael Sam's kiss on national TV was "rubbing it in"? No 73%
Flint Hills Pride a wonderful success Dear editor: Flint Hills Pride 2014 “Combining All Colors” was a wonderful success. Many people and organizations come together for an event like this to occur, and I would like to thank those involved: Flint Hills Pride Committee, including Vice-Chair Darci Bohnenblust and Secretary Chris Pahls; The Geary County Convention and Visitor ’s
Maybe Yes 18% 9%
Bureau, who gave us a very generous marketing grant to cover all of our advertising; other donors of cash or services: The Xcalibur Club patrons, staff and entertainers; The Junction City Teddy Bears, You and Your Surroundings, Matt and Brenda Hemmer, Flint Hills PFLAG, FHHRP, the Liberty Press, K.C. Exposures, Camp Magazine, Frontier Spirits, Mark Beatty, Ron Martel and Chris Pahls, Darci Bohnenblust and Joleen Hickman, Kevin Stilley, Mike Mayer and Chad Wilson, Colin Glessner and Dijon Aguilera, and John Mallon. If I missed anyone, my apologies. Without the donations of money, labor etc. this event wouldn’t happen. Thank you again. Kevin Stilley, Chairman FHP 2014
JULY 2014
The Kansas GayHawk: A Youth Perspective
Coming Out: What a difference a generation makes!
C
oming out about your sexual or gender identity has never been an easy task. It’s not like you get escorted by a glittery unicorn as you dance your way out of the closet to a mix tape of Cher’s greatest hits. In reality, it can be a scary and rather draining moment in a person’s life. Although not glamorous, coming out has gotten easier over time, especially for my generation. Personally, it was easy for me to come out to my mother since she herself is a member of the LGBT community; however, my fellow classmates were not as accepting. About three weeks into my first year of middle school I told my friend, someone who I thought I could trust, that I had a crush on a girl. I also made the mistake of telling him who that girl was and by the end of the school day I was pretty much known as the “6th Grade Fag.” Now I never faced any physical bullying, but the other kids did make me feel ostracized and I did get called “Lesbo” every once in a while. None of the teachers noticed this occurring though, and even if one of them heard it they did nothing to stop it. Eventually, things did turn around and after several months I had friends again and people surprisingly started coming to me with questions regarding
By Jordan Hawk the “homosexual lifestyle.” Today I honestly feel as though I actually helped them become more tolerant, less ignorant human beings. I am now a senior in high school and pretty much everyone who knows me or knows of me, knows who I am and from what I can tell they are perfectly fine with it. Those who aren’t, know to keep their mouths shut. Every day I hear of more and more people coming out and it puts a smile on my face knowing that the chances of someone getting hurt for being themselves are slowly fading away thanks to the open-mindedness of my generation. For the people of my mother’s generation the chances of getting hurt were extremely high, making the task of coming out not only difficult but dangerous as well. Teens ran the risk of having their parents kick them out and adults could get evicted from their apartment or fired from their job. As for the violent
JULY 2014
consequences of coming out, young gay men were the primary targets. They would get beaten up at school, on the streets, really anywhere. There was no safe place. They were like deer and it was always hunting season. Gay women were not as big of targets as gay men but they were occasionally victims of rape because . . . well, there is no good reason to rape someone, but it can be inferred that men felt that their masculinity was somehow in jeopardy. Obviously this way of thinking is rarely found in today’s generation of men,
Liberty 7.14.qxp_Layout 1 5/12/14 2:54 PM Page 1 LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
which is definitely a reflection of great moms everywhere. Actually, the moms and dads of today have made a large impact on how the LGBT community is perceived by heterosexual youth. Now of course there are still ignorant, hateful people out there spreading their intolerant jargon wherever they go but we must remember to constantly practice the art of love and to keep in mind the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” l
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Join Us in Worship... ALL are Welcome!
SUNDAY SERVICE • 10:15 AM WITH FELLOWSHIP FOLLOWING THE SERVICE ™ Experience the Revolution with Us on Sundays
FREE FAMILY PEACE BBQ & POOL PARTY So much fun Celebrate Our Hope for Peace!
last summer... We’re doing it again!
August 2nd • Noon to 3 pm Fantasy Complex • 3201 S. Hillside Bring the Kids...A Non-Smoking Family Fun Event
FIRST MCC OF KANSAS
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH GOD LOVES YOU.
PERIOD Experience the Revolution™
Rev. Jackie Carter, M.Div.
156 S. Kansas • Wichita, KS 67211 • (316) 267-1852 www.MCCWichita.com www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com Office Hours: M-F 9-12 And by Appointment
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LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
Massage Therapy
JULY 2014
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JULY 2014
LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
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New York-based writer pens comic book featuring Westboro Baptist Church members as its worst villains
By Christy Lyons-Bohrer FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS, NY - Matt Miner, long-time dog rescuer, activist and writer of comic books and graphic novels from New York, has recently made headlines with his new comic book series which features the Westboro Baptist Church as the target of activist zombies. Toe Tag Riot, a fun punk rock comic book co-created by Matt Miner with his artist collaborator Sean Von Gorman, is a series about a punk rock band that is temporarily cursed with zombification. Instead of indiscriminately murdering all people, the characters use their powers in a more productive manner by only slaughtering and eating really horrible people: racists, misogynists and homophobes. Westboro Baptist Church members, known for their hate of the LGBTQIA population as well as their supporters, are featured at the
final zombie showdown. According to the Toe Tag Riot Kickstarter page, the comic book series is “a hilariously gory mash up of rad stuff like Night of the Living Dead, a GWAR live show, and hardcore punk rock with a lighthearted torrential downpour of blood and guts sure to please anyone who loves fun and hates jerks like Million Moms, Nazi Skinheads, Dudebros, and the Westboro Baptist Church.” The series, told in a comedic, satirical style is all tongue-incheek and not to be taken too seriously. Three of the main characters include a bisexual person and a lesbian couple. “The idea was to put a fun and inclusive story on the shelves of comic stores and into the hands of a comic fandom that can sometimes still be a dark and uninviting place for women, minorities and LGBT people,” Miner said in a recent Liberty Press interview. Miner, an activist for animal
and human rights for many years, views the Westboro Baptist Church members as the epitome of a real-life cartoonish group of villains. Furthermore, he is also an activist in the comic arena with the belief that “comics are a world that’s still largely a straight white boys club. Diversity, with positive representations of LGBT folks, is something that’s desperately needed.” M i n e r, u n d e r B l a c k Mask Studio Publishing Company, has two other works including Liberator and Critical Hit. According to Miner, Liberator is “a gritty vigilante book with two young heroes who don’t fight guys in capes and tights but instead take on real world issues of dog fighting and animal abuse.” His newest series, Critical Hit, takes the two women heroes from the first two series of Liberator and moves them in a different direction with a new
art team. To e Ta g R i o t r e c e n t l y completed and met its Kickstarter campaign funding goal, so expect to see the comic book series around January 2015. In the meantime, check out a preview at: issuu.com/ mattminer/docs/untitled_1?e= 12306149/8209652. l
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JULY 2014
Lawrence middle school GSA nominated as LOGOTV Trailblazer Youth Group L AW R E N C E - L i b e r t y Memorial Central Middle School Gay-Straight Alliance was one of the youth groups nominated for the 2014 Logo Trailblazer Youth Group award. Trailblazers, a first of its kind event to honor the pioneers who have made historic strides for LGBT equality, aired on Logo June 26. The one-hour special featured celebrities, politicians, activists, and trendsetters - as well as musical performances. Trailblazers took place at The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, one of the first churches to host gay marriages in New York. As part of event, Logo honored five youth groups that are making major strides in their hometowns and communities. All five groups are chapters of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, a national youth leadership organization. The group with the most votes was to be announced during the broadcast. The Liberty Memorial
Central Middle School GSA is the first middle school in the state to have a GSA. For the past two years, the GSA has been working on having a safe place for students to be individuals as well as working on acceptance at the individual and group levels. This past year the group had a gay pride week, and during this time they had a panel of young adults share their experiences being gay, lesbian, and transgender. For more information on Liberty Memorial's GSA, contact sponsor Deb Keary at dkeary@usd497.org.
Queen tribute show comes to the Midland KANSAS CITY - The longrunning tribute show and full concert experience Queen – It’s
A Journey In The Light Ministries Living, Reaching, Teaching, Preaching the Word of God in Unity
Pastor Danny L. Medell
A full gospel ministry that still teaches Christ, Him crucified and the message of the cross.
2231 S Bluff Wichita, KS 67218 Pastor’s Phone: (316) 925-1102 www.journeyinthelightministries.com
We are a church that accepts everyone regardless of their race, color, social status, sexual orientation, where they are or where they have been in life.
Bible Study for all ages Sunday at 10 am Praise and Worship Service Sunday at 11 am
Only 16 people lived in Leith, North Dakota when Craig Cobb moved in and caused a storm of controversy when he announced his plans to purchase multiple properties, encourage an influx of like-minded white supremacists and take over the town. Photograph by National Geographic Channel's John Galli
A Kinda Magic will tour with its new cast including a stop on July 26 at KC’s Midland Theatre (www.midlandkc.com/events). The show recreates Queen’s 1986 World Tour concert featuring over 20 of the band’s greatest hits such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions and FatBottomed Girls. Painstaking detail has been paid to all the music – the iconic voice of Freddie Mercury, the amazing guitar solos and the groundbreaking rock harmonies. This is as close as you’ll ever get to the real thing.
JC club closes leaving a void in the community By Ciara Reid JUNCTION CITY - The Xcalibur Club in Junction City, has closed. Xcalibur, owned by Mark Beatty, was a popular club throughout the past decade. Beatty didn’t return requests for comment on the bar’s closing. Kevin Stilley was a frequent patron of the club since 2003. He estimates that he averaged one visit a week for 10 years. In addition to just being a fun place to go, Stilley says the club was a huge part of many fundraising events. “ A s a n e n t e r t a i n e r, a n activist, and an active member of this community, I have been involved in many fundraisers over the years, benefitting Flint Hills Pride, the Junction City Teddy Bears, the Regional AIDS Project, Flint Hills PFLAG and other one-time events,” Stilley
said. “We raised an average of $5,000 per year at the Xcalibur Club, with some years topping $10,000. Flint Hills Pride would never have become the large event that it is today without the Xcalibur Club as a base of operations.” Stilley says the club, or the “X” as many regulars referred to it as, was home to many in the Flint Hills LGBT community. “It will be greatly missed as a social hub, a place to raise funds for our allied organizations, and a place to come together as a community/family,” he says. Outside of Wichita and Topeka, Xcalibur was the only other LGBT bar in Kansas.
National Geographic Channel includes Topeka church in American Fringe White supremacists. Anti-gay churchgoers. Freedom-loving misfits. American Fringe, a sixpart series premiering July 9 at 9pm on the National Geographic Channel, takes an in-depth look at some of the country’s most controversial subcultures. In Church of Hate, American Fringe crosses the picket lines to explore the dogma, hierarchy and corrosive message of the Westboro Baptist Church during a pivotal transition in the parish’s history. During filming, leader Fred Phelps passed away and NGC cameras captured in-depth interviews with heir apparent Steve Drain. It airs July 16. Other episodes include Nazi Town, Slab City, and The Legend of Oniontown. l
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Scrimp on coffee – not your retirement plan contribution
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or the past few years, leaner times have forced many individuals and households to juggle everyday expenses and find various ways to trim the family budget. Everything from cutting out specialty coffee drinks and expensive vacations to buying more economical cars and downsized dwellings have been calculated and discussed at kitchen tables across the country. But when it comes to finding additional areas to cut expenses, don't make the mistake of scrimping on your tax-advantaged retirement plan contribution. Making your annual contribution to a tax-advantaged retirement plan, including 401(k) and 403(b) plans, can reduce your current income tax1 as well as allow your account to grow tax-deferred.² According to the 2012 Wells Fargo Retirement Survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Americans say the 401(k) is the “best retirement savings vehicle,” followed by the IRA and a savings account. Thirtyfour percent of Americans who have a 401(k) available through their employer are saving between 3% and 5% in their plan, and 32% are saving between 6% and 10%. Those contributing to a 401(k) report more companies are offering the match (77%) this year versus 66% a year ago. Yet, as much as the tax savings makes sense, when the budget is pinched, you may be tempted to skip your retirement plan contribution this year – for your own financial well-being, please don’t. Here are three common excuses for not contributing to your retirement plan this year – and an equal number of counterpoints to suggest why you should. Excuse #1: My company won’t match my contribution this year.
Counterpoint: If you normally contribute the maximum contribution limits, you will not catch up. The maximum amount you can personally contribute to a 401(k) plan is $17,500 in 2013 on a pre-tax basis. If you are older than 50, you can also make a catch-up contribution up to a maximum of $5,500. Just keep in mind that once you miss making a maximum annual contribution, you cannot make it up due to annual contribution limits. No more excuses – think about making your retirement plan contribution and err on the side of retirement preparedness. Skipping out on retirement contributions now can make it difficult if not impossible later to go back and make up the shortfall. 1
Wells Fargo Advisors does not render legal, accounting, or tax advice. Be sure to consult with your own tax and legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax consequences.
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.
² Withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax and may be subject to a federal 10% penalty if taken prior to age 59 ½. This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of W. Brian Martz CFP®, CIMA®, ADPASM, First Vice President- Investments in Wichita, KS at 316383-8423.
Counterpoint: Companies that normally match their employees’ contributions to retirement plans may suspend their match in a year when company profitability is under pressure. The fact is, you compound the gap in retirement growth income if you follow suit and fail to make a current-year contribution. Excuse #2: We’re trying to put more money in the bank. Counterpoint: The money you put away in an individual or joint account is after-tax money and the interest earned on the account is also subject to tax. In a 30% tax bracket, it would take $1,428 of pre-tax dollars to equal a contribution of $1,000 in a tax-deferred retirement account. What’s more, that doesn’t account for the taxes you’d pay on interest earned in your taxable account. Excuse #3: I’ll catch up on retirement savings next year when the economy improves.
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Crown Uptown cast shines in Shrek: the Musical REVIEW By Helen Barnes WICHITA - Shrek: the Musical, which ran from June 6-28, was the most recent showing at the Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre. The movie version, created by DreamWorks in 2001, is what inspired the stage adaptation. The music for Shrek was composed by Jeanine Tesori, and the book and lyrics were by David Lindsay-Abaire. The stage show began with a 2008 debut in Seattle and a Broadway opening later that year. Since then, it has become a popular offering all over the world. The fairy tale personalities who are supporting characters in Shrek are sometimes changed to represent those found in local stories. In Shrek, an ugly green ogre finds his swamp home invaded by fairy tale characters that have been thrown out of the kingdom of Duloc by the evil Lord Farquaad. The ogre, Shrek, attempts to scare away Pinocchio, the Three Little Pigs, the Wicked Witch and others, but the group won’t leave since Farquaad has threatened their lives if they end up back in Duloc. To get his home back, Shrek confronts Farquaad. However, Farquaad manipulates him into rescuing Princess Fiona, whom Lord Farquaad plans to marry so that he can become king. Princess Fiona has been sequestered, Rapunzel-like, in a tower guarded by a dragon since she was a little girl. Shrek
begins his trek to the tower and meets Donkey on the way. Donkey, who is, well, a talking donkey, has also been cast from Farquaad’s kingdom. The unlikely duo head off together. To explain anything further would ruin the story, but, ala Shakespeare, there is confusion about identity, who is really the “good,” (or “bad”) guy/gal, who qualifies as a hero, and what is “normal.” The Crown Uptown version of Shrek shared the story and most of its nuances well, since it is a work that has appeal to both children and adults. The cast was strong. Ryan Everett Wood gave us a balanced Shrek who walked the line between ogre and sophisticated (albeit green) hero quite dashingly. Matthew Rumsey mastered the bantamrooster character of Lord Farquaad, being appropriately larger than life while short in stature. Lionel Reneau as Donkey maintained an annoyingly chatty and informative but good-heartedness all the way through. Brittney Morton’s Princess Fiona was strong, playful, and lovely in BOTH her manifestations. The singing was fantastic and everyone’s voices were great. Sometimes, though, it seemed a bit too loud, as if the actors’ mikes were turned up too much. Perhaps there was an expectation that the almost full house on a Thursday afternoon (really!) might absorb some of continued on page 21
D
ear Mama, Do you think that all fireworks should be legal in this county? Patriotic Yes I do, but there is always some idiot that ruins it for the rest of us. If people are careful and responsible it can all be fun. Instead we get to watch a firework show that lasts only 15 minutes instead of all night! Damn lawmakers can stick a firecracker where the sun don’t shine! Mama, How do you know when you’re in love? Pondering Well good Lord, how the heck am I supposed to know? I don’t even know why fools fall in love or how to poke someone on Facebook. Ask the professional - Cupid! Dear Mama, What do you think about the politicians knocking the bill down that would help people with their student loans? Not signed Once again the big boys on the
hill think they know what is best for everyone in the country. In reality they don’t know squat! I am sick of politicians not doing what we vote and pay them to do! We need to revamp our political system ASAP! Hey Mama, I am trying to get bills paid and rebuild my credit but it is so overwhelming and just when I think I am making headway another bill comes up. How would you handle it? Debt Do not ever buy on credit, take out loans, or live beyond your means. I know, all that means be so poor you have nothing and barely eat and you will not be in debt. Unfortunately, in today’s world you have to go into debt just to survive. There is no answer but to get new leaders to change things. If I could, I would change Eunice for another! Happy 4th of July everyone! l Have a question for Mama? E-mail MamaTHarper@aol.com or friend Thelma Harper on Facebook.
Win tickets to Queen - It's a Kinda Magic
at www.libertypress.net!
JULY 2014
LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
Minor
Details By Bob Minor
Why So Much American Anger?
T
he recent episodes of now routine American gun violence have sparked discussions of the role of white male anger in it all. This is hardly a brand new strand of analysis. Michael Kimmel, director of the Center for the Study of Men and Masculinities at Stony Brook and author of Angry White Men: American Masculinity at the End of an Era, wrote last November: “Today’s Angry White Men look backward, nostalgically at the world they have lost. Some organize politically to restore ‘their’ country; some descend into madness; others lash out violently at a host of scapegoats. Theirs is a fight to restore, to reclaim more than just what they feel entitled to socially or economically -- it’s also to restore their sense of manhood, to reclaim that sense of dominance and power to which they also feel entitled. They don’t get mad, they want to get even -- but with whom?” Kimmel admits that: “There are plenty of angry men of color and plenty of angry white women.” But anyone who’s paid attention to the reactions of people around them has found that many Americans today need very little aggravation to send them over some edge. Cut them off in a line or in traffic and watch out. Show that a right-wing politician doesn’t have their facts straight and stand back. Just hope they’re not going to reach for some all too handy weapon. In America today, interacting with others can seem like walking in a minefield. One never knows what’s going to
explode and where someone’s trigger is. There’s certainly much reason for anger. Sometimes I’m surprised there isn’t more. From the state of the economy for everyday people to the state of politics for those who haven’t given up, the deck seems stacked against many. And it often is. Even among white males, there are privileges that those who control power and money have that other white men resent they don’t share. And it’s becoming clearer to many that there’s little relationship between those privileges and hard work and ability. It’s about inheritance, opportunity, and geography. We hear this anger in the speeches of conservative, and sometimes liberal, politicians who rail against others as if they’re speaking as their own punishing fathers. We see it in the refrain that some others are getting away with something, that there are “takers” out there who don’t deserve the help society gives them, or that there are nations or movements around the world that deserve military strikes because we “can’t let them get away with” some offense against American pride (read manhood). Anger is dominant in society because it’s an emotion that doesn’t challenge someone’s manhood. It’s so assumed to be inherent in masculinity that much of our culture has given up on treating men as caring, loving, nurturing human beings with a full range of emotions – channel it into sports, send them to anger management sessions, drug them, throw them in prison. There’s still something unacceptable about anger in women. It’s as if it scares
men. There are names for angry women, and they aren’t “decisive,” “righteous,” “leadership material,” or “powerful.” Women must stuff their anger so it appears in other forms. As one therapist said: under all depression is rage. Anger is supposed to be a manly expression because it’s an acceptable secondary emotion that hides the primary feelings men aren’t supposed to express out loud – fear, hurt, and confusion. And the continual expression, even celebration, of male anger without probing deeper into these other feelings that every human on the planet has, only escalates the anger patterns. Men have been told that doing the necessary digging into these deeper feelings isn’t manly either. Anger is all that’s left. Since America is a warrior culture that systematically teaches little boys to become real men - trying to convince their minds that men should be willing to go off to another place to kill other men and be killed by them for the system - the warrior mentality dominates our society.
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Teamwork is mostly defined as a group of men who bond to beat, defeat, or kill other men. And the solution to every problem from illiteracy to crime is to “war” on it. People who call for solutions that involve nurturing, caring, and sympathy are automatically dismissed as “unrealistic” or even “unmanly.” And so our warring goes on without end while our men, women, boys, and girls die from it. We celebrate violence in our pop culture with superheroes who often lose their nerdiness by getting violent revenge. We portray our enemies as out to destroy us. And Mel Gibson has made his fortune with movies that wallow in the anger of violent revenge. I’m not sure we’re ready to solve our American anger problem. Too many are invested in supporting and exploiting the status quo. The Tea Party movement occupies its time creating events, causes, and monuments to American anger. Anger gives Tea Partiers meaning, while the continued on page 20
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when I was younger and I feared being so vulnerable on stage. Now I find beauty and passion in that same vulnerability.
H
ello once again Kansas!! I am so sorry for my two-month break, but I am back and it is time to do the interview. I wanted to change things up so it’s not only drag entertainers, but all kinds of interesting people in the state of Kansas! This month is singer/ songwriter Kenzie Elyse from Wichita. She is very involved with the LGBT community and she is just amazing! Also it was such an honor being a part of the Liberty Press float in the River Festival parade last month! Hats off to Kristi for doing such an amazing job and always doing good for the LGBT community!! So here we go: Audrey McQueen: Hi Kenzie, thanks for doing this interview! Kenzie Elyse: Hello! I’m so excited. Thank you for having me.
Kenzie Elyse
AM: Tell me about your background. Where did you grow up? How did you get into music? KE: I grew up here in Wichita. When I was a young child I took years of piano and flute lessons, but I didn’t fall in love with music until I wrote my first full song as a freshman in high school. I was given a guitar when I was in middle school and it sat in my closet collecting
dust. After the first song came when I was 15-years-old, I fell in love with accompanying my lyrics with the guitar, ukulele and piano. Ever since then, it’s been such an intense passion. AM: Do you still remember that first song? What was it about? KE: I do remember it! It was a song called ‘Forever’ and it was about a boyfriend I had. It was a puppy-love situation and it didn’t end well. He ended up cheating on me and that was the inspiration for the second song that I wrote, ‘Almost Forever.’ I still perform that one every now and then. AM: What is the process like when writing a song? KE: Every song is different. I have written well over 200 songs and none of the processes have been the same! I write every day, but that doesn’t mean that I complete one song a day. Sometimes I write multiple songs a day. There’s so many variables in the equation! I get song inspiration from so many things. I write about love. I write about happiness. I write about sadness and heartbreak as well. I’m inspired by emotions and observations. AM: When was your first live performance? KE: My first live performance was at 18. It was at Mead’s Corner and it was just my guitar and I. I fell in love that night. It made me so happy. I always regretted waiting until I was that age to share my songs with anyone. I was very shut-off
AM: What is your most memorable performance? KE: This is such a hard question! I love performing, and each show is special to me. If I could relive one, it would probably be from PrideFest 2013. It was the first show I had done at nighttime outdoors, so I had never really had such bright stage lights on me before. I couldn’t see anyone in the crowd because the lights were so blinding! When I perform, I love seeing people’s faces, but at this performance, I could only hear the audience singing and cheering back at me. There was something so thrilling and mysterious about that! I just loved it, and so many people came up to me and hugged me afterwards. It was such a beautiful experience. I will be performing at PrideFest again this year! AM: Do you currently have an album or single out? KE: Yes! My debut album ‘Up Close’ came out last December. The album is available worldwide on iTunes and all the major online music platforms. I’m currently in the writing process for my second album. I’ve changed entirely as an artist since the first album and my music has taken a completely different direction. I still love the first album, I just am really taking my time writing this second one and finding out exactly who I want to be on a sonic level. It’s a constant growing process. Hey everyone! I will be doing a fan vote contest on the Liberty Press website (www. libertypress.net). So go on there to vote for the queen you’d like to see interviewed in November. The choices are: Lady Dee, Naquita Lynn, Terri Aqui, Aurora Michelle, KoKo Michelle, Taquella Roze, Tiffany Parr, and Mimi Harts. So starting right now, go vote for your favorite. They will also win a bunch of prizes including a gift card and a gift basket! Thank you all for reading. This has been what Audrey Asked! l
JULY 2014
LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
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he’s doing to raise awareness of social issues through the arts in Wichita. Elle Boatman: So to start, tell me a little bit about yourself and your art. What makes you want to paint and how did you get started? Taylor Miller: I’ve always been interested in art; always in art classes since kindergarten. But I didn’t start acrylic painting ‘til I was a freshman in high school. One day I asked my parents to get me some painting supplies and I just started painting from there. It was kind of an addiction for me. EB: What about your style? How would you describe your art? Have you always had a surrealistic feel or did it develop over time? TM: I actually started with cartoonish drawings in my Intro to Art class. I didn’t discover surrealism until the next year. I started playing with the facial distortion and it just sort of went from there. I would describe my art as quite eccentric and wacky … a lot of people have said they’ve never seen anything like it and I feel that’s the best way to describe it. EB: Personally, what ideas or message do you work to convey through your art, if any? Earlier, you called your art “eccentric and wacky.” Do you feel this is representative of the artist as well as the art? What parts of you go into your work the process and not just the final product? TM: I’m actually working on a series about trans issues and trans pride. I’m working on one about gender dysphoria but still executing them with surrealistic imagery. So I want a positive message to come out of those against transphobia and confusion towards it. And yes, I consider myself pretty eccentric - my mind, body, and soul go into my art. I use my mind to come up with the ideas and images, my body physically makes the art and my soul is seen in the art.
Outside the Box
An interview with artist Taylor Miller
W
By Elle Boatman
ICHITA - OVER THE PAST FEW years, the Kansas government has taken measures to drastically reduce funding of the arts as well as taken measures to pass laws that many Kansans find discriminatory and backwardsthinking. Despite the efforts of Kansas lawmakers to squelch expressions of diversity and creativity, one group is taking this opportunity to challenge and engage
local communities. The ICT Army of Artists is a part of La Casa de la Semilla, Inc., or The Seed House, an arena for established and emerging community leaders to grow and develop in their capacity to bring justice, equality and sustainability through creative collective action. Taylor Miller is a local artist and part of the ICT AoA and I sat down with him to find out what drives him to create and what
EB: As I have said many times before, I love your piece of the person with the egg lungs and holding their own head. Continuing with the idea of your soul being reflected in your art, what were you thinking and feeling when you created that piece? And what about you do you see in it? TM: I was at an odd place in my life at that point - a senior in high school, gearing up for my first art show. I had severe artist block and I could not think clearly. My creative ideas were trapped inside and my head was clouded with stress. Then the concept just came to me on a bus to Kansas City. I see continued on page 18 Photo by Julian Ortiz
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Miller continued from page 17
all of my thoughts and feelings from that time all rolled into it. It is my most prized possession. EB: You mentioned an art show as a senior in high school. What have you participated in or been involved with in the past? What do you have coming up? And what are your goals for the future? TM: I did about four group exhibitions last summer; everything pretty much happened at once. I have my first solo exhibition on Final Friday, July 25 at R Coffee House [in Wichita] at 6pm. I’m also showing a few pieces at TransKansas II in July. I have many ambitions in art but after all these showings I might take some time away from it and focus on the [Army of Artists] mural. EB: You’re a part of the ICT Army of Artists. What’s your role in the group? TM: My role is project leader of the mural for LGBTQ rights. I had attended a meeting about the AoA and it inspired me to approach them about the mural. I didn’t expect them to jump on
board immediately and help me get the wheels turning. EB: Can you tell us more about this mural? As project leader, what does a mural of LGBTQ rights look like, both aesthetically and representatively? How can others get involved and contribute? TM: I’m in charge of creating the artwork, finding a space, getting volunteers; everything about it is my responsibility. As of right now I don’t have a concrete image created just yet. I’m still doing my research. But I definitely want the LGBTQ history of Kansas involved. If anyone wants to get involved and help they can contact me at paintswithpride@gmail.com, more meetings will become apparent when it gets closer to the project coming about. For more information about Casa De La Semilla and the ICT Army of Artists, visit www.facebook.com/ TheSeedHouseCasaDeSemilla. For more information, including registration, on the TransKansas Conference in Wichita, visit www.transkansas.com. l
Get ready for summer here!! Disc golf, hacky sacks, hero sacks and more for fun in the sun!
(785) 776-2252
1128 Moro Manhattan, KS 66502 11am-6:30pm M-F • 11am-6pm Sat.
Leather Life
JULY 2014
By Nolin Christensen aka Master C
I
WHAT????
didn’t know what to call this article other than WTF?! Many of you have read over the last year or so about the history of the leather community and the devastating effect that the AIDS crisis had on our community. That makes what I’m writing about today all the more pertinent. I was recently contacted by someone who was interested in getting barebacked. For those who might not know what this is, it’s having sex without using a condom. Not that this is what bothered me so much. What really upset me was this person, who is HIV-negative, was looking for someone who was HIV-positive for the sole purpose of being “converted.” Meaning he was LOOKING for someone to INFECT him with HIV! My reaction was, "WHAT THE SAM HELL WAS HE THINKING?" People who are looking to become positive are called “bug chasers.” Unfortunately this was not the first time I’ve been approached about this. When I asked WHY he wanted to become positive, part of his answer was so he could become “a true gay.” WTF?! A “true gay”? What the hell does THAT mean? Being positive is NOT what makes you gay.
Have you ever heard of "Bug chasers"? Visit libertypress.net to cast your vote!
And WHY would anyone want to be positive? You wouldn’t want cancer, so why would you want HIV? I just couldn’t wrap my head around this line of thinking. Once I calmed down and had time to think and talk with some others, I realized some things. Many of these so-called “bug chasers” are people who are in their early 30’s or younger. They have never known life without AIDS and HIV. The people who they see in medication ads are very healthy and well-built people. And people they know who are positive look fine and healthy. So they think, well, so I become positive, these people are and they are just fine. They haven’t experienced watching people wither and die a horrible death due to this virus. Also, in talking with people of this age group, I also found out a lot of them are terribly naïve about HIV. They don’t know how it’s transmitted or if they think they do, it’s incorrect. My opinion is that to be a “true gay” you must (not should but must!) know about this disease. They think that if someone ejaculates in them, that is the only way it’s transmitted. Well, I have news for you, just barebacking and not ejaculating IS a way to transmit this disease. We talk about not exchanging bodily fluids to lessen the possibility of transmission. So they think semen, saliva, and other such fluids. They don’t think blood. And if they do, they think that you have to have a cut and are bleeding. Well, you need to go back to Sex 101 because when you bareback, you could have tiny tears in the anus and if the other person could have tiny cuts on their penis, their blood can be transferred from one person to another when they have sex. The other thing I found out is that they have no idea what it’s like to live daily being HIV+.
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JULY 2014
The daily drugs, the constant doctors and the costs associated with the drugs. Unless you have damn good insurance, you will NOT be able to afford the medication to keep you healthy. Without insurance, HIV medication can run $1,500$3,000 per month. And even with insurance, it can still cost you $100s per month. And then there is the constant possibility of getting a virus or infection that might put you in the hospital or worse yet, kill you. At this time in the history of the world, HIV is NOT a curable disease. At this time in life, HIV does still kill. Oh, yeah, you can be on maintenance drugs, but you can’t miss a dosage, and yes it prolongs your life, but not permanently. At some time in the course of the disease, it will kill you. It might be 30 years, it might be two, everyone is different, but just like incurable cancer, it kills. So for those of you out there who think, “Oh, I won’t get it.” Think again!! And for those bug chasers out there, you need to talk to someone who is living with this disease and visit people
LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
who are dying from AIDS. When you watch those you love die from this, you wouldn’t wish this on your worst enemy. So to all my brothers who are younger than 40, please, PLEASE educate yourselves. For more information, please contact Positive Directions,
or KU Medical Center, or The Center. All of them have information they will be glad to share with you. And if you want to talk to someone who has lived through the original AIDS crisis of the 80’s, please contact me. I’ll be glad to share what I know. And should you want to meet
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others who have lived through all of this, many of us in the Leather community have. We lost a lot of our brothers and don’t want to lose anymore. Anyone is welcome to visit and join us. We meet the third Saturday of each month at The Center at 6pm. l
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Student groups Derby High School GSA, kljacobs@ usd260.com, tkellenbarger@usd260. com 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 KU Queers & Allies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, (785) 864-3091, qanda@ku.edu, www.ku.edu/~qanda
Community Centers The Center, 800 N. Market, Wichita Kansas State University LGBT Resource Center, 207 A/B Holton Hall, Manhattan, (785) 532-5299, www.kstate-edu/lgbt
Health Douglas County AIDS Project, 346 Maine, Suite 160, Lawrence, (785) 8430040, www.douglascountyaidsproject. org 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. sedgwickcountylgbt.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 The Sweet Emergency Fund, KUSM-W MPA, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, (316) 293-3405
Politics/Activism Kansas Equality Coalition, www. kansasequalitycoalition.org, chapters across the state. Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project, (785) 215-7436, stephanie.mott@k-step.org, www.kstep.org, provides transgender education and resources. 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.
Lawrence High School GSA, sponsors: Shannon Draper SDraper@usd497.org, and Lindsay Buck LBuck@usd497.org Manhattan High School GSA, mhs_ gsa@hotmail.com Pitt State GSA, Pittsburg State University, pittstategaystraightalliance@ gmail.com That Gay Group!, Wichita State U n i v e r s i t y, ( 3 1 6 ) 9 7 8 - 7 0 1 0 , thatgaygroup@gmail.com, www. wichita.edu/tgg Wichita North High School GSA, (316) 204-5621, kellykk00@yahoo.com Wichita Northwest High School GSA, amcdonald@usd259.net Wichita Southeast High School GSA, (316) 807-2271, psychsteve2@yahoo. com
Social 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/ 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 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 (St. Christopher ’s Episcopal Chapel), Wichita, Sunday Praise and Worship services at 11am. 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 Buddhist Center, 721 W. 13th St., Wichita, (316) 263-1533, info@meditateinkansas.org, www.meditateinkansas.org Lutheran Campus Ministry, 1421 W. 19th, Lawrence, lutheran@ku.edu Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka, 4425 SW 19th, (785) 2721442, office@mcctopeka.org, www. MCCTopeka.org, services Sundays at 10am. Pine Valley Christian Church, 5620 E. 21st St., Wichita, (316) 685-2421, churchoffice@pvcconline.org, www. pvcconline.org 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.
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 Flint Hills PFLAG, Manhattan, (785) 340-2815, meets on the 1st Saturday, 10am-noon, call for location.
JULY 2014 Get Connected, Wichita, (316) 4913778, LGBTQIA youth group for ages 12-21. Meets at The Center, 1602 E. Waterman, every Friday from 7-9pm. 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 O n e D a y A t A Ti m e , Wi c h it a , Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm at First MCC, 156 S. Kansas. PFLAG Hutchinson, PO Box 2488, Hutchinson, (620) 899-2345, pflaghutch@gmail.com PFLAG Lawrence/Topeka, (785) 235-3831, sffeist@msn.com, www. pflagnekansas.org, meets 1st Sundays, 2-4pm at MCC of Topeka, 4425 SW 19th. PFLAG Wichita, info@ictpflag.org, www.facebook.com/WichitaPFLAG, meets 2nd Thursdays, 6:30-8pm at College Hill United Methodist, 2930 E. 1st. Transgender Resource and Awareness Network (TRAN), www.thefaceoftrans. com, provides resources, information, and news regarding transgender issues in Wichita. TransYouth of Kansas, Topeka, tyks@ cox.net, www.tyks.org, providing support for transgender youth and their families. 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. Medical & legal advocacy, support groups, adult & child crisis counseling, educational programs. Wichita Transgender Coalition, wichitatranscoalition@gmail.com, wichitatrans.webs.com/. l
Around Kansas listings are free to non-profit/volunteerbased groups. Send your additions or corrections to editor@libertypress.net. Minor continued from page 13
media loves to give attention to its manifestations. But we’re going to have to deal with the anger out there. And it will have to start with breaking the silence of gendered masculinity around admitting that there are other more vulnerable emotions both men and women feel regularly. It will mean that we have to stop labeling these vulnerable feelings as somehow “gay” or “queer.” It will require the courage to embrace what people have called men’s “feminine side” but what is actually just another part of being fully human, male or female.
It will mean that men and women will have to contradict their fears and support men who break out of the mold of anger and bluster. And it will mean that we’ll have to challenge the powers that be that make money off of the mystique of the angry male and the wars that result from it. Anger and fear feed each other. And we have nothing to fear, but fear itself. 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.
JULY 2014
Products & Services Massage Time! Male-to-male massage, 8am-8pm, open 7 days. No appointment necessary. (316) 204-0111.
tinyurl.com/herscopes Charlene Lichtenstein’s ground-breaking astrology book HerScopes: A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians is celebrating its 10th anniversary! The secrets that are revealed about each sign continue to amaze. Makes a great gift. Classifieds are available for $5 for the first 15 words. E-mail editor@libertypress.net for other options, and pricing.
LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014 Shrek continued from page 12
the sound. The songs were performed so that the audience could appreciate Lindsey-Abaire’s delicious lyrics (“when you are grotesque, life is Kafkaesque”), although the Travel Song was not tight. The set captured the fairy tale forest theme excellently. A curtain with trompe l-oeil plants strewn across the front covered the scrims and other scenery. On each side of the stage, large folddown sections could be opened to become books or a dungeon. A portable fire pit, which cleverly opened up like a suitcase, was used in a couple of scenes. The costumes, however, were inconsistent. Many of the characters required prosthetics, which were sometimes apparent and sometimes not. Lines were visible on the Wicked Witch’s chin and nose, Fiona’s “ogre” hands were obviously gloves, and her ogre nose was held on with a black strap when it could
A
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have been a clear one. The best costumes were those of the citizens of Duloc, which looked just like the ones from the Broadway play. Unfortunately, the quality of these only served to accent the unevenness of the rest. There were technical problems beyond the costumes. The set seemed to take too long to change on occasion, slowing down the story. There were also people running around behind the scenery who were observable in openings between parts of the set. All this distraction was surprising, seeing as how the show ran from the 6th of June and I saw it on the 19th -- there should have been plenty of time to work such things out. The three young ladies who went with me, though, gave Shrek: the Musical an average of nine. For information on upcoming Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre performances, go to www. crownuptown.com, or call 316612-7696. l
bridges Anniversary: Jim DobsonKelley and Iven Kelley-Dobson celebrate 32 years together and the fourth anniversary of their marriage (in Council Bluffs, IA) on July 2, 2014. 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.
cavalcade of Outer planets retrograde through July creating unexpected, dramatic and transformative life changes. Pluto, Neptune, Uranus and Saturn all rock and roll. My advice stay away from falling rock zones.
ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) All of your professional efforts come to a head this July which can be a good thing for those gay Rams who have diligently built their personal brand and cultivated strong mentors. But for those who tried to slide by on a grin and cup of personal oil may find themselves in a hot frying pan. How confident so you feel? Or should I ask how hot . . .? TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Travel may be in the cards but be sure you are not playing with a stacked deck. Queer Bulls are ready to rumble. The fates are also ready to hand you a surprise or two on your journey. So before you take to the open road, try to check your itinerary, your packed bags and all your arrangements twice. At the very least it will be an unforgettable trip! GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Love and lust lift you off your feet and into the stratosphere this July and why not? You are primed and ready for any adventure from a light flirtation to a walk down the aisle. But look before you leap, pink Twin. The fates will offer you a big surprise when you least expect it. Keep an eye on friendships as signals may get crossed. Maybe that is your plan? CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Both your relationships and your career could have their ups and downs this July and one side or the other demands too much of your time and attention. But take it all in stride, gay Crab. The fates are encouraging you to be more balanced in these areas. While it may seem romantic to take a long vacation and escape the day-to-day, try to stay focused in the here and now.
LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) A variety of things could sap your energy this July so be sure to pace yourself through any large project, whether for love, money or prestige. There is a lot on your plate, proud Lion. Avoid spillage by finding effective ways to destress, relax and recharge on an ongoing basis. It could be as easy as regular meditation or perhaps something more physical. Hmmm.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) Are you ready to splurge on a long-desired object that you can barely afford? Better hold off on buying anything that is out of your budget, gay Archer. This July you are apt to get into unnecessary debt that will be hard to dig out of. Find cheaper thrills. They say the best things in life are free. But then they also say you get what you pay for . . . Hmm.
VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) Don’t be bogged down by creative blockage, queer Virgin. If you find yourself staring at the blank page wondering what comes next, don’t panic. There is something amazing waiting for you around the next corner. Could it be a wild thought, a crazy adventure, a zesty one-nighter or a dreamy long-term liaison? Possibly. Carry cab fare just in case.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) July may be the time for a totally new look for you - maybe a new wardrobe or even a haircut. Of course you may be perfectly happy with your current look . . . which you might have had for years. There are folks gravitating into your social sphere. First impressions will be lasting impressions. Put your best foot forward any way you can. Don’t step in a puddle, pink Cap.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Try to postpone any major home projects this July. The planets conspire to turn any minor repair or renovation into a major restoration. Pipes and wires can get crossed. Family gets into your act and all of this adds extra stress on already frayed relationships. So pull out the deck chairs and get your feet up. Rearrange the deck chairs later this summer, proud Libra.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) There is something going on behind the scenes this July, Aqueerius. Is your intuition on target or are you getting static on the psychic line? Don’t react until you are sure you are receiving the correct signals. Then see what manifests and how it might impact your career and paycheck. It could be a big payoff. Or it could be a big move. Which way is up?
PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) There is something just a little bit fun and Anything you think or say could crazy about your friends this July. Enjoy have momentous implications for you their company, plan many pleasant festivities especially if it involves your job. So if with them but don’t let them fill your head you are mumbling under your breath with dreams that are not based in any reality. about your boss or co-workers, give Guppies have a tendency to build their foundations on yourself a break and think happy thoughts. Proud wishes. Wishing is just the beginning. Now focus and Scorps are very strategic thinkers. Let yourself waft build on solid rock. on a wave of mellow dreams. A fresh cocktail couldn’t hurt either. How fresh . . .? (c) 2014 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: A Guide to Astrology For Lesbians is the best in tongue-in-cheek astrology. Order now at tinyurl.com/Herscopes.
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Liberty Press float wins Best Use of Theme at Riverfest’s Sundown Parade
Kristi and Chad Parker with the prize money.
By Ciara Reid, staff reporter WICHITA - Right now, you could say that Liberty Press has a 100% success rate at the Sundown Parade at Riverfest. The magazine was awarded Best Use of Theme, one of the top prizes in the parade float competition, in its first year of participation in the Sundown
Parade. There were 100 entries in this year’s parade - they included bands, cars, walking units, and various decorated floats. “ We h a d a r e a l l y good variety and a lot with entertainment value,” says Meghan Doyle, community engagement director for Wichita Festivals, Inc. Parade float entries were judged on criteria that included best use of the Riverfest theme “Hoopla in DooDah!”; originality, workmanship and creativity; entertainment value; and compliance with rules and regulations of the Sundown Parade. This year’s entrants had the chance to win top prize in the following categories: Admiral’s Trophy – Best of Show; Lt. Jack Galvin Award – People’s Choice; Best Use of Theme; Best Performance by a Band,
and Most Creative. “I still can’t believe we won,” says Kristi Parker, editor of Liberty Press. “We didn’t find out until the next day that we won Best Use of Theme,” Parker says. “It was announced on TV. There were five awards given and we were so honored to be one of them.” Parker admits she was a little nervous on the day of the parade. “Once the day arrived I started to feel a little bit nervous for our safety,” she says. “There were 70,000+ lining the downtown streets of Wichita. One friend came up to us the next day and said, ‘You are so brave to get out there without bulletproof vests!’” Despite the nerves, the excitement of the day soon took over, along with a feeling of nostalgia. “I didn’t expect the nostalgic feelings that happened for me,” Parker says. “I shared them with Vinnie, my ex, and she said, ‘Well of course you’re
excited. This is what we fought for all those years back.’ I don’t think either of us thought that it would ever actually happen.” The Best Use of Theme award was well-earned; the process of creating and building a float for the first time wasn’t easy. Parker says the initial person she put in charge of construction wasn’t able to commit to the task. She moved on without him, and they ended up redesigning the float. “My cousin, Mark [Anderson], and my brother, Chad [Parker], spent hours constructing the most gorgeous float you’ve ever seen and my friend Sandy [Hawk] and I did most of the decorating,” Parker says. “And then to win!” she says. “Did I tell you the prize came with $500 cash? What icing on the literal cake!” l For pictures of the winning float, the parade and the work in process, visit www.libertypress.net Photo Galleries.
GLSEN Greater Wichita becomes newest chapter WICHITA – Several months ago, members from the faith and activist communities in Wichita came together to bring a chapter of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, to Wichita. Their hard work earned them accreditation in June with the national nonprofit organization that strives to ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. “GLSEN has an abundance of resources to support GayStraight Alliances, educators that want to learn how to be supportive allies to LGBT youth, and administrators who want to adopt inclusive school policies that protect LGBT students,” GLSEN Greater Wichita Chair Liz Hamor said. “Our team of committed community members wants to be the link to these resources for our schools. Every
student deserves a safe place to learn and thrive.” GLSEN Greater Wichita also intends to host educational opportunities that will be open to the community. “If GLSEN can impact just one student at each school in the Wichita area in a positive way, we will have succeeded in our mission,” Co-Chair Terri Johnson said. “We want all LGBTQ students to know they have a friend, an ally, and a safe place to go.” On Sunday, Aug. 17 at 2pm, GLSEN Greater Wichita will hold its next community discussion on “How to start and maintain successful GayStraight Alliances (GSAs) in schools.” While geared toward high school students and educators, this event is open to anyone interested. For more information on location, e-mail Wichita@ chapters.glsen.org. l
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LIBERTY PRESS - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS 1994-2014
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