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OCTOBER 2014
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FORTY YEARS! 1974 – 2014
OCTOBER 2014
CONSCIOUS CLAY
October 3 – December 14, 2014
A ceramics exhibition examining innovative solutions to hunger awareness through clay, community, and conversation.
EMPTY BOWLS CHILI COOK-OFF
Fundraiser for the Kansas Food Bank & Hunger Awareness Month SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 | 11 A.M. – 2 P.M. Henrion Hall | Wichita State University
ULRICH MUSEUM OF ART WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY 1845 FAIRMOUNT, WICHITA, KS ULRICH.WICHITA.EDU | FREE ADMISSION
Conscious Clay is generously supported by the WSU School of Art, Design and Creative Industries; the WSU Ceramics Department; the WSU Ceramics Guild; the Faculty Support Fund for Ceramics; Wichita State University; and the City of Wichita. ABOVE: Steven Young Lee, Red, Blue and White (detail), 2013. Porcelain, cobalt inlay, copper inlay, white slip, aluminum, glass, 46 x 50 x 4 in. each. Courtesy of Ferrin Contemporary. Image courtesy of the artist
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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
OCTOBER 2014
OCTOBER 2014
Liberty Press
Volume 21, No. 2 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Paul Berge, Dave Brousseau, Nolin Christensen, Greg Fox, Jordan Hawk, Charlene Lichtenstein, Mama, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott • Staff Reporters: Helen Barnes, Elle Boatman, Brian Hansen, Christy Lyons-Bohrer, Ciara Reid • Contributing Photographers: Rosa Gaia Saunders • Cover Design: Troy Dilport • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Distribution Manager/Ad Sales: Sandra Hawk • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: Liberty Press, LLC
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
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On the Cover:
The 12th annual Tallgrass Film Festival
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CONTENTS
IN EVERY ISSUE
GAY SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP celebrates 15 years........................................ 8 TRET FURE TO PERFORM in Lawrence...................................................13 NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY FESTIVITIES in Lawrence, Wichita.............15 ARTAID CELEBRATES 20 YEARS of helping Wichita's HIV/AIDS community.................................................................................................20 YOUR OWN PERSONAL ATHEY An Interview with the controversial performance artist ....................................................................................26
EDITOR'S DESK............................ 7 POINTS OF INTEREST................ 10 MAMA KNOWS BEST.................. 14 COMICS....................................... 15 DISTRIBUTION LIST................... 22 CLASSIFIEDS.............................. 27 OUT IN THE STARS.................... 27 AROUND KANSAS...................... 28
Regulars OP/ED editorial cartoon, corrections.................................................... 6-7 THE KANSAS GAYHAWK Which Letter Fits Me?........................................6 MINOR DETAILS War Is the Force that Gives Masculinity Meaning.......16 TRANS-FORMATIVE Suffer Little Children...............................................22 LEATHER LIFE Experience.....................................................................30
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OP/ED
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
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.
OCTOBER 2014
The Kansas GayHawk: A Youth Perspective
Which Letter Fits Me?
T
he LGBT community is often thought to be one of acceptance and freedom of identity. You are allowed to be whoever you are and love whoever you want . . . but what if you have no clue what part of the acronym you fit into? I know this struggle all too well. Initially, I believed myself to be fully, 110% gay, but now after developing feelings for not only transgender males, but cisgender males as well, I have no idea where I stand. Am I bisexual? Am I more straight than gay? Will lesbians think of me as a poser or a traitor? These are questions that I ask myself and that I’m sure other youth ask themselves. They all seem like rather simple questions. The thing about simple questions though is that the answers are never easy. The key to all of this is a simple concept but a complex thing to accomplish: just forget everything. Forget the stereotypes that you’ve been taught. Forget the rules that have been placed on human sexuality. Forget what others may or may not think of you. Not everyone’s love life can fit into one letter of the alphabet. Now there are people who know for sure where they stand and the gender of the person they will spend the rest of their life with and those people are so lucky to know where their heart lies. There are others however, that don’t know how to answer the question, “What’s your sexual orientation?” Personally, I just respond with “I’m not sure anymore.”
By Jordan Hawk But in reality my answer is this: My emotional capacity to love another human romantically is not dependent on the location of their reproductive organs. If I said I was entirely gay or entirely straight, I’d be limiting myself to one type of human. That’s like someone only buying vanilla ice cream for the rest of their life, and no one wants to do that. Maybe they also want the choice of chocolate or some nice combination of the two. I do not wish to label myself bisexual, primarily because the notion that there are only TWO genders in existence is so 1950s. I do not have a label for myself anymore. Labels are not a bad thing when used properly, but if used to tie someone in with a group where they don’t want to belong then they just hinder society from its much needed growth. In conclusion - life is hard, being a teenager is harder, and growing into an adult is emotionally draining. l
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OCTOBER 2014
Editor's Desk
National Coming Out Day
T
here was an article in the Aug. 15 Eagle that quotes a recent McClatchy-Marist Poll. Its findings confirm what we already know “Americans are changing their minds about gays at a startling pace.” The main reasons are two-fold, young people growing up in a new age where LGBT people are out and commonly in the news and on TV and more people of all ages becoming increasingly aware of LGBT in their families and lives. Our community can take credit for a lot of the change. The common mantra encouraging people to “Come Out, Come Out” has worked. We knew it made a difference - people who know people who are gay are far more likely to be accepting. But still, the change in attitudes found in the survey are amazing and yes, startling. The poll includes these findings: A solid majority support same-sex marriage, A majority say they wouldn’t be upset or very upset if a child were gay, An overwhelming majority say it would make no difference if a candidate for Congress were gay. The changes are sometimes hard to see in Kansas, a state where the same-sex marriage amendment passed by almost
Corrections In the August issue, we included the J.L. Cleland GLBT Non-Discrimination Scholarship in a story on scholarships available at KU (KU’s Center for Sexuality and Gender
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
70% and an openly gay candidate received death threats just a few years ago. Nevertheless it is hard not to be encouraged by the results reported in the poll. The trend seems inevitably more accepting - even in Kansas - and the thought of going backwards . . . well, it just isn’t going to happen. Amid vocal opposition, the poll found that “virtually any movement in public opinion has been in favor of same-sex marriage.” Despite the efforts of the anti-marriage crusade 12% of respondents switched from opposition to support compared to just 1% from support to opposition. Their tactics aren’t working. Marriage support is great and we see that all the time lately with states laws banning samesex marriage falling one by one, support for a gay political candidate is also good news, however I think the best result of all is the one concerning families. The future of our movement, the growing number of young people who are coming out at even younger ages will be the most successful when they receive unconditional support from their family. So when nearly half say they wouldn’t be upset if a child came out to them and an additional 14% said they wouldn’t be very upset that is incredible news for our youth and foundation. It’s also important to note how drastic that change is. Get this, according to a Los Angeles Times survey 30 years ago FOUR percent said they wouldn’t be upset at all and FIVE percent said they wouldn’t be very upset. Wow. As National Coming Out Day approaches on Oct. 11, let’s celebrate who we are, how far we’ve come and the hope our community’s future. And of course, Come Out. We’re seeing the results and the odds are in our favor. --Kristi Diversity an excellent resource for students, pg 8). However, in the description of the scholarship we transposed the acronym GLBTQ twice to read LGBTQ. I apologize for the oversight and any hard feelings it may have caused. --Kristi Parker, editor
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OCTOBER 2014
Gay senior social group celebrates 15 years By Brian Hansen WICHITA – The local chapter of Prime Timers Worldwide recently held an anniversary celebration in honor of its 15th year together. Wichita Prime Timers began in 1999 and has provided a variety of activities for gay men in their “prime” years. “The anniversary celebration was well attended by over 30 guys,” says Norm Gentry, Member Director and 14-year member. Dr. Robert Minor, one of Liberty Press’ columnists, was the guest speaker at the event.
“[Prime Timers] is where I have made some of my best friends, who are support for me,” says the Vice President, Rollin Dillinger, a member since 2002. “Such a group offers a way to socialize with other gay seniors, some of whom may not feel comfortable in bars.” Prime Timers was founded in 1987 in Boston by a retired professor, Woody Baldwin. The organization has grown to over 75 chapters worldwide, located throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Through volunteerism, politics, gay issues, arts, and entertainment, Prime Timers are
involved in their community. Members of this group vary in professions and age. Although coming from different walks of life, all members share a common value in friendship and support. Gentry says the group shows support for one another and members have an overall camaraderie. Many of these men have lived in Kansas for many years and have observed the vast change of LGBT acceptance in Wichita. “There does seem to be a growing acceptance in Wichita
of the gay community,” explains Dillinger, adding, “Still a long way to go.” Gentry agreed, “We see more acceptance every month. Attitudes are changing all the time. More people feel comfortable coming out.” Prime Timers of Wichita offer a safe, accepting environment for gay and bisexual men. A wide variety of events are held throughout the year; anything from bowling to “gayme” night to potlucks. More information can be found on the website primetimersww.org/wichita. l
OCTOBER 2014
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EcoFest: It’s easy being green! WICHITA - EcoFest 2014, the inaugural event of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita’s family-friendly celebration, offers activities and products designed to inspire all ages to “live green.” The event will be held from 10am-4pm, Oct. 11, at the church, 7202 E. 21st St.
Event organizers Marcia Ellsworth and Vivien MinshullFord note the wide variety in the more than 20 exhibits and vendors’ booths, including Beads and Boxes, Wildfire Jewelry, Fair Trade products, Sierra Club, ProKansas (recycling), along with alternative energy
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
demonstrations and exhibits. Church members will showcase their talents with baked goods, jewelry, crafts, “repurposed” clothing and original artwork. Lunch will be prepared on site and sold during the day. A “Make It and Take It Activity Center” for children will be open all day under the direction of Denise Jackson-Simon and Wendy Haynie-Cosby. Congregation President Charles Merrifield said that when the church was built in 2008 many green features were incorporated into the building, from the parking lot to the bathrooms. The entry garden features native and droughtresistant plants. Admission is free; donations will be accepted.
The North End Urban Arts Festival includes LGBT mural WICHITA - People in Wichita’s North End are organizing a creative uprising in their neighborhood. On Saturday, Oct. 4 street artists, skateboarders, musicians, and chefs will take over the NoMar International
Market at 21st and Broadway for The North End Urban Arts Festival; a cultural intervention in one of Wichita’s most diverse, yet under celebrated neighborhoods. The festival is a project of the ICT-Army of Artists, a volunteer-based effort whose current mural project has hit walls across Wichita. The first mural celebrating the rich history of the North End’s immigrant roots went up last summer. Since then, a mural bringing out the richness of Kansas history has gone up in Delano, and another, celebrating the empowerment of women through education and experience, is set to go up in the North End. During the festival, participants will work together to create the ICT-Army of Artists’ first mobile mural celebrating LGBTQ rights and the freedom of identity. This mural will travel around the city and state to churches and other sites that support acceptance of identity and the arts. The festival runs from 5-11pm and will feature street food, live music, and extreme sports. For more information, visti www.
OCTOBER 2014
northendurbanartsfest.com.
Kristi Stremel and Mel Wade in concert at Missie B’s KANSAS CITY – Kristie Stremel and Mel Wade will be center stage at Missie B’s on Friday. Oct. 17 at 7pm. The singer/songwriters love to play together when their tours overlap and this time they will meet in Kansas City. Stremel, a Hays native, has a new CD out called Kristie Stremel - Songwriter, her first self-produced album, on her own label Stremeltone. Wade, from Reno, Nev., will bring her unique folk/acoustic sound to the stage. Her debut album is titled Solitude. In September 2014 Stremel released Wildflowers – Original Songs And Poems For And About Children with 14 tracks by independent artists as well as her single Love is What Makes A Family. The new single also includes a read-along book illustrated by Blue Haas. Tickets are $18 and are available at kristieandmel. brownpapertickets.com. l
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Tret Fure to perform in Lawrence
LAWRENCE - To most, Tret Fure’s name is synonymous with the genre “Women’s Music.” She recorded with and produced some of the best of women’s music including the legendary “Meg & Cris at Carnegie Hall.” She worked as a duo with Cris Williamson throughout the 90s, producing, engineering and releasing three CDs together during those years.
Fure will perform Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7pm at the Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Road. The concert is open to the public. Fure now has six releases on her own label, Tomboy Girl Records. Her newest release A Piece of the Sky has reached number one on the OutVoice charts. Fure also markets her own line of clothing named after her popular song Tomboy Girl. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Purchase online at www.tretfure.com/concerts. Fure will also be performing a “Sermon as Song” at the UFL’s 11am service on Sunday, Oct. 26. Members and guests are welcome. l
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OCTOBER 2014
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ama, How would you handle a co-worker that tells you, “You can be gay but you choose whether or not to act on it.� Concerned I would tell them to wake up and smell the damn coffee. Tell them it is not a choice, you are born that way and that they need to quit being a moron. Then quit talking to them except for work reasons. Dear Mama, I have been dating my boyfriend for a few months and we have decided to move in together. Do you think it is too soon? Just wondering My goodness this is a question you should be asking yourself and your boyfriend. I say if you love each other and it feels right then do it! Look at Eunice, it was not right but she did it anyway! Mama, W h a t ’s u p w i t h a l l t h e
construction around town? It is almost on every major street or highway. I am sick of it. How do you handle it? Road Rage This question is giving me writing rage! Do I look like I am on the city council? How the hell should I know? Avoid the construction zones. I bet you’re the idiot that drives slower than the posted speed limit and passes everyone in the other lane to get over before the lane ends. Quit whining and drive right! Mama, Do you think it is right to patronize businesses that openly oppose gay rights? Willie If you’re gay then it is not right! I wouldn’t either way just because the business is trying to suppress one part of the human race. If you think about it, it really is no difference than what Hitler did! So tell Chick-fil-a to stick it up their Hobby Lobby! Thank you Wichita for all the great questions. You can catch Mama hosting the La Cage Aux Bears 2014, Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7pm at Our Fantasy Complex. l
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OCTOBER 2014
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National Coming Out Day festivities in Lawrence, Wichita
LAWRENCE, WICHITA National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an internationally observed civil awareness day celebrating individuals who publicly identify as a gender or sexual minority. The day is observed annually by members of the LGBT community and allies on Oct. 11. The holiday is observed in a wide variety of ways: from rallies and parades to information tables in public spaces. Participants often wear pride symbols such as pink triangles and rainbow flags. This year Wichita will celebrate NCOD on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Naftzger Park. Festivities will start at 6pm and will include organizational tables, information and speakers. The event is sponsored by The Center of Wichita. On the WSU campus
National Coming Out Day will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 10 from 11am-1pm on the Rhatigan Student Center north patio. The event is sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Spectrum: LGBTQ and Allies
(formerly That Gay Group!). For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3034. In Lawrence, NetworQ is celebrating National Coming Out Day 2014 on Saturday, Oct.
11 at 3pm with an Oktoberfest gathering at Clinton Park on 5th Street (901 W. 5th). The wearing of lederhosen is encouraged! NetworQ will provide the brats, the community is encouraged to bring side dishes and beverages of choice. l
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Minor
Details By Bob Minor
I
War Is the Force that Gives Masculinity Meaning
n 2002, when P ulitzer Prize winner, Chris Hedges published War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, he wrote in depth about the warrior culture that is the USA. “The communal march against an enemy generates a warm, unfamiliar bond with our neighbors, our community, our nation, wiping out unsettling undercurrents of alienation and dislocation,” he wrote. “It gives us purpose, meaning, a reason for living.” In 2014 the American military-industrial-media complex is still salivating for war to further line its pockets. And a president elected to get us out of two wars in which we were mired, displays caution but finds himself pressured on many sides to do something warriorlike. The drumbeat includes the usual: ramping up of fear against an enemy, claims of a threat to what’s now called the “homeland,” and images of cruelty that invoke the sense that “we can’t let them get away with that, especially when they do it to Americans.” Few are interviewed in mainstream media who argue against the whole mindset.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders appeared briefly on “Meet the Press” in September for the first time in his career. But no Chris Hedges or Noam Chomsky is likely to appear as the debate centers on the best tactics of fighting the bad guys rather than how to change U.S. policies that spawn terrorist groups. In our culture, war is still the manly response; it gives conditioned manhood its meaning. With women in the military and LGBT people tolerated, a warrior reaction to any problem still won’t cause mainstream pundits to question any man’s masculinity, though it might cause them to question a woman’s femininity. Even though there’s been a history of dissenters – Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., to name two well-known examples – and a long history of antiwar movements, America still falls back on a war model to attack problems from literacy, to AIDS, to poverty, to drugs, to crime. The tools of war get more sophisticated, while we sell them to the world to use, even profiting off of selling them to those who become enemies. For war to continue to give
us such meaning as well as warindustry jobs, we need more than just the selling of each new war through exaggeration, lies, and fears. Those tactics must touch something already within so the public relations of warmongering will resonate inside us. Mainstream conditioning of our children through our major institutions must still make warriors and warrior-support personnel out of them through molding their minds, if the propaganda of each new war is to be effective. And, sadly, the old gender role conditioning that enables this hasn’t changed as much as we’d like to believe. In fact, the dominant Northern European/American views of gender and its limitations have heavily affected alternatives that would have been found traditionally among Native Americans, Hispanic peoples, Africans, and Asians. Even in a culture where children are being told that they can be anything they want to be, dominant institutions that supposedly provide “role-models” such as the NFL or Congress, have failed to move outside genderized boxes, and, as if it surprises us, failed miserably to challenge the status quo, as we’ve painfully been reminded recently. It takes the equivalent of mental child abuse to take the little boy who was born with his complete humanity intact, and to convince him that he will be considered an American masculine hero if he is willing someday to go off to another country and kill other men or be killed by them. Notice how the title “hero” is now applied to anyone who does just that. It also takes the equivalent of mental child abuse to take the little girl who was born with her complete humanity and all its possibilities intact, and convince her that the solution to her fears, secondplace status, meaninglessness, and hopelessness is to find fulfillment in supporting one of these male warriors. She might even stay with an abuser if she’s convinced that he is her savior from all that she supposedly lacks in life. But our mainstream culture still does it. It still defines male bonding and teamwork as a group of men getting together to
OCTOBER 2014
beat, defeat, or kill another group of men. Every male sporting event on television celebrates it with the most popular often the sports that reward men for harder hits or knocking the other unconscious. Our culture still awards its warriors for killing another man. A man can get a medal for killing another man, but still be killed for loving one. Much of its religion is still in a fight against the cultural change that threatens to fully accept lesbians, gay men, and bisexual and transgender people who challenge gender roles. Mainstream media gives such religion disproportionate attention, enabling them to feel like noble, righteous warriors in the “culture wars.” And our culture remains stuck in the old gender roles, with otherwise liberal people still talking about their masculine and feminine “sides” as if those categories mean something definite. Or using supposedly positive comments such as: “You’re too pretty to be a lesbian.” “But you’re too macho to be a gay man.” “She’s trans, but you can’t tell. She’s so pretty.” Finally, it’s still quite useful to install the fear of getting close to one’s own gender that’s the heart of homophobia. Without that, it’s much harder for men to make other men their enemies. It’s easier to fear them as threatening competitors. While walking with my then 2 ½ year old grandson down the street, we passed a gaping open sewer. He grabbed my hand and pulled me away, saying “Grampa, be careful. That’s dangerous.” To that little boy, holding hands wasn’t something that men don’t do. It was how they protect each other in their common humanity. But you can’t shoot someone when you’re holding each other’s hand to protect one another. You’re instead more likely to feel the common humanity that would make looking for alternatives to war obvious. 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.
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OCTOBER 2014
Queens and Cowboys among LGBT films at 12th Annual Tallgrass Film Festival
By Ciara Reid, staff reporter WICHITA - The 12 th annual Tallgrass Film Festival will run from Oct. 15-19 in downtown Wichita, and will offer audiences almost 50 feature films, including at least three LGBT films, and will include more than 100 film shorts. T h e Ta l l g r a s s F i l m Association (TFA) received more than 1,400 film submissions and had the heavy task of whittling down to 50 films. Lela MeadowConner, the executive director, Marketing/Public Relations for TFA, says one of the films that
has generated a lot of buzz is The Overnighters, a film about the people working in the North Dakota oil boom. Other films that have garnered attention on the festival circuit include Man from Reno, Art and Craft, and Johnny Winter Down & Dirty. This year ’s festival will include educational workshops, filmmaker roundtable discussions (all of which are open to the public), and lots of parties, says Meadow-Conner. “We’ll be using exciting new venues this year like Union Station and the Great Plains Transportation Museum for
Guy Adkins and Don Scime in The David Dance.
off-screen events, and new screening venues include Wichita Center for the Arts and WSU Shift Space.” The LGBT films included in this year’s festival offer plenty of thoughtprovoking and tear-inducing material, as well as a few laughs along the way. “There are a great number of really wonderful LGBT films on the festival circuit each year so we’re lucky in that respect,” says Meadow-Conner “However, it is important to us that LGBT cinema be represented in our lineup.” The David Dance, directed by Aprill Winney, is a film about David, a shy man who lacks confidence in everyday life, but shines through his on-air persona “Danger Dave” on his radio show “Gay Talk.” Limited Partnership, directed by Thomas G. Miller, tells the love story between FilipinoAmerican Richard Adams and his Australian husband, Tony
Sullivan, one of the first samesex couples in the world to be legally married – in 1975. The couple endured more than four decades of legal challenges. The film celebrates Richard and Tony’s long path toward justice and citizenship as they challenge the traditional definitions of “spouse” and “family.” Queens and Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo, directed by Matt Livadary, chronicles a complete season of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). Roping and riding across North America, the IGRA’s courageous cowboys and cowgirls brave challenges both in and out of the arena on their quest to qualify for the World Finals at the end of the
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OCTOBER 2014
ArtAID celebrates 20 years of helping Wichita’s HIV/AIDS community
By Ciara Reid, staff reporter W I C H I TA - A r t A I D , t h e party-meets-art-auction that benefits Positive Directions (PDI), is about to launch its
20th anniversary event on Oct. 10 at the Cotillion in Wichita. No one understands the meaning of such a momentous milestone than those at PDI. “It’s absolutely an important milestone,” says Renee Duxler, executive director of PDI. “Not only for this event, but for the HIV/ AIDS community.” PDI is about to begin its 24th year of service in Wichita. The nonprofit organization, which began in 1991, provides community, action, resources, education and support for those who have HIV or AIDS and their loved ones. The organization also educates people about behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection. “I think that says a lot about the
epidemic, and that while things have changed tremendously from 20 years ago … there is still a need because people are still becoming infected, and needing care,” Duxler said. This will only be the second year of producing ArtAID without Planet Hair, says Duxler. She says they give full credit to Planet Hair for building an amazing show and giving ArtAID its stellar reputation. This year’s event crew includes a lot of ‘new blood,’ she said; when combined with the amazing community support, it is an event not to be missed. “We’re very excited about the show this year,” Duxler said, “and I think attendees are going to be in for a pretty amazing experience that they wouldn’t get anywhere else in Wichita.” The theme for this year’s ArtAID is MaXX Bedroom – a spin-off of the 80s pop culture icon, Max Headroom. The show’s producer, Aaron Wirtz, is
planning a show that will blend dance, video, and technology with help from videographer Iam Blume. “For the opening number, every smart phone in the audience will be repurposed as a musical instrument to accompany the action onstage,” Wirtz said, “and it will just get better from there.” Meeghan Dunleavy, the current-reigning Miss Kansas, will be taking on the titular role. Fans of So You Think You Can Dance will surely recognize contestant Kyle Taylor as he performs at the event. The evening will be led by emcee Greg ‘The Hitman’ Williams from Power 93.9. The night will include a small live art auction, as well as a silent art auction of more than 150 pieces from local artists, graphic designers and visual arts talent. People can bid on art from artists that include Wade
OCTOBER 2014
Hampton, Curt Clonts, Charlie Baughman, Elly Fitzig, Connie and John Ernatt, Marc and Jana Durfee, and Judy Dove. For those who just don’t want the night to end, the after-party, which will feature DJ Carbon, will keep things going until midnight. Attendance is expected to be more than 1,000 this year. As ArtAID prepares to launch its 20th year, the importance of raising awareness and continuing to help the HIV/AIDS community is paramount. Duxler says that while the dynamic and needs of
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
the HIV/AIDS community has changed drastically over the years, there has still always been a need to serve individuals who are infected, or who are at-risk at becoming infected. “We as an agency have adapted through these years to meet those needs, and continue to do so. It’s important for people to understand that HIV still exists in Wichita, now more than it ever has, and there are resources and services out there that we’re providing that no one else does.” l
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If you go
ArtAID 20: MaXX Bedroom Oct. 10, The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg Dr, Wichita VIP access begins at 6pm, with the Art Preview Party For VIP tables, contact Martin at 316.263.2214 x105 for reservations. Table options include: Four-top VIP Table $400 Ten-top VIP Table $1,000 Ten-top VIP Runway Table $1,250 General admission starts at 7pm Tickets: $85, $95 at the door Tickets can be purchased through TicketFly/The Cotillion: www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/683165 or at Positive Directions, 414 S. Commerce, Wichita For more information on the event, visit www.pdiks.com/news_events/art_aid
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Suffer Little Children
esus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14, KJV). My desire to continue to be identified as a Christian woman is threatened by an extreme interpretation of the Bible, not by some non-existent LGBT agenda. It is threatened by the changed meaning of suffer little children and ever-more present lack of compassion that is undeniably displayed by far too many people who likewise display a Christian nametag. Christianity is not under threat of gay rights or illegal immigration. Christianity is under siege by people who call themselves Christian, then claim
Distribution Sites Derby
Derby High GSA
Dodge City
Compass Behavioral Health
El Dorado
Pathways Psychological Services
Hays
Mokas
Junction City
Devil's Tail
Kansas City
Hamburger Mary’s, LIKEME Lighthouse
Lawrence
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,
some right to choose who is, and who is not, worthy of God’s love. We sometimes refer to these people as fundamentalists, but fundamental Christianity is about love. Unconditional love. There is nothing fundamental about denying love to anyone. The harm done to children by denying equal space to LGBT parents (who often have children) and to LGBT youth is immeasurable and irreparable. Undoubtedly, one of the most horrible harms is the loss of hope; the belief that there will be no end to the pain. It is a frightening fact that nearly half of transgender teens will attempt suicide. It is a disgusting truth that while LGBT persons make up 3-5% of the general population, LGBT youth make up 40% of the homeless youth population. It Milton’s Cafe, The Mirth Café, Natural Grocers, NetworQ, Pizza Shuttle, Queers & Allies office, 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
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
Pittsburg
Pitt State GSA
OCTOBER 2014
is a sad realization that children who are equally loved by samesex parents will face more difficult futures, not because of the relationship of their parents, but because of the denial of equal protection under the law. If you are giving up hope, come spend an hour with me. I have enough for both of us. Hope is not the absence of fear. Hope is not separated from sadness. Hope is the understanding that there is a possibility for change. Hope is the gift of action. When I move my feet, my brain begins to believe that maybe it might could happen. Hope walks hand in hand with love; side by side with gratitude; on the very same path as helpfulness to others. For however long it has been given to me, the gift of love resides in my heart and the desire to be kind has been tethered to my soul. I have been told that the best way to keep this gift is to give it away. It is indescribably important to give it away, especially under some extremely difficult and inconceivable circumstances. When I hear someone talk about their opposition to marriage equality because of the harm done to the children, I think about that verse - suffer little children - and I know in my heart that the children will suffer not from the recognition of love,
but because of opposition to the recognition of love. Why on earth is anyone opposed to love? More and more people are choosing not to be identified as Christian. Does anyone really wonder why? Christians ARE being persecuted. There is no doubt about that. The confusion comes from the belief that this persecution is somehow coming from the inevitable end to the denial of human rights to LGBT people. It is not. The persecution is coming from the very people who are claiming to be the victims. They have attacked Christianity at its very core. They have turned following the example and teachings of Jesus away from love, away from compassion, and away from inclusion. Suffer little children, I will have no gay child living in my house. Suffer little children, your parents’ love is not valid. Suffer little children, you can not embrace your authentic identity. If is a far cry from suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. l
Salina
Circle Cinema, City Arts, College Hill United Methodist Church, Cow & Sow Deli, Crazy J’s Furniture & Sleep Shop, The Donut Whole, DooDah Diner, 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, Lotus Leaf Cafe, Mead’s Corner, Moe’s Sub Shop, The Monarch, Our Fantasy Complex, Patricia’s (all 3 locations), Picasso's Pizza, Pine Valley Christian Church, Planet Hair, Planned Parenthood, Positive Directions, Rain Café & Lounge, Reverie Coffee Roasters, Spice Merchant, The Store, T - A Tea Bar,Tanya's Soup Kitchen, Twist Yarn Shop, Vagabond Coffeeshop, Vegas Video, Watermark Books, Wichita Community Theatre, Wichita Public Library - downtown branch, WSU Spectrum meetings, WSU - Women's Studies office, Ziggy's Pizza
Ad Astra Books and Coffeehouse, Chamucos Nightclub, 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, Serendipity, 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, Albero Cafe, After Dark South, The Anchor, Artichoke Sandwich Bar, Barnes & Noble, BookA-Holic (all 3 locations), Bungalow 26, Camelot Cinema, The Center,
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.
OCTOBER 2014
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
October Worship Theme
“Bountiful Gratitude” Sundays, 11:00 am
Visit our website to listen to previous sermons Please Note:Services will begin at 10:00 a.m., beginning Sunday,
November 2!
In God We Trust
Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka 4425 SW 19th Street, Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: 785.272.1442 office@mcctopeka.org mcctopeka.org
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Tallgrass continued from page 18
season. Along the way, they’ll bust every stereotype in the book. The film tells the story of five members of the International Gay Rodeo Association. From Wade Earp, a descendant of cowboy legend Wyatt Earp and one of the best competitors on the circuit; to Char Duran, a female bull rider who’s never won a buckle, but seems determined to die trying. Livadary didn’t originally plan on making a film about the IGRA. “I was originally doing research for a scripted television show I hoped to develop; a show about salt-of-the-earth rodeo cowboys roping and riding through the American West,” he says. For Livadary, it all stemmed from a trip to a Cody, Wyoming rodeo with his dad when he was only three years
OCTOBER 2014
What you need to know:
12th annual Tallgrass Film Festival Oct. 15-19 www.tallgrassfilmfest.com/ General Admission: $10, $8 for students/teachers/seniors (65+)/military/TFA members with ID. Matinees: $5 for shows before 5pm on Thursday/Friday. Gala tickets begin at $25 and include the film, Q&A and afterparty with open bar/food/live music. Free Films Friday: A selection of films are free for students/ teachers/seniors (65+) with ID during the morning and afternoon on Friday. Free Films at the Central Public Library: All films at this location are free.
old. “Since then, rodeo has always been a fascinating subject for me,” he says. But Livadary also found the sport to be incredibly homogenous. “I found blatant homophobia and hateful rhetoric was often part of the script of the rodeo - it wasn’t comments directed at me, but I found myself offended nonetheless.”
Livadary attended a “straight” rodeo event in Colorado and sat next to a lesbian couple, who told him about the IGRA. “It was the first time I’d ever heard of the gay rodeo. But the moment I did, I immediately understood why the distinction was necessary,” he says. “It was clear to me that a documentary would be far more meaningful than a scripted show. So I quit my job, moved home with my parents, and went on a three-year journey.” Throughout his experience filming the documentary, Livadary says he learned an invaluable amount. “It made me realize that I was telling a story that transcended the distinction of ‘gay’ or ‘straight’ - it was about people, the challenges
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
each of us face on the way to our goals, and the expectations that often prevent us from seeing people for what they truly are.” The film has collected awards at numerous film festivals across the country this year. Since the film’s release, Livadary has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. “We’ve had people come out to their friends and family immediately after seeing the film; we’ve had self-described homophobes in tears coming up to the main characters and apologizing,” Livadary says. “It’s all been an amazing ride, but we’ve been shocked and relieved to see the film seems to consistently find a mainstream audience who may not have originally ever set out to learn anything about LGBT culture and come away feeling more open. I’m really lucky to get to witness the IGRA’s affect on audiences.” Livadary has also maintained friendships with most of the people he documented in the film. “If I’m ever in their area, I always have a place to stay and a hot meal, and the same goes for them if for some reason them cowboys should ever get lost and find themselves in L.A.” l
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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Your Own Personal Athey
OCTOBER 2014
and it’s so many things.
CSM: When you’re performing, what are you going through mentally? What are you experiencing when you’re on a rack surrounded by people touching you? RA: If everything is going according to plan, I can let go. It’s a heightened state; it can be quite twisted. One of the first times I did that, where too many people were touching me, I thought I was on Planet of the Apes. Someone must have had some facial hair that came into the picture and suddenly I thought a bunch of monkeypeople were pawing on me. (Laughs)
An interview with the controversial performance artist By Charles S. McVey
it’s changed.
Fishhooks are inserted in Ron Athey's eyelids during a recent performance in Chicago. Photo by Rosa Gaia Saunders.
P
ERFORMANCE ARTIST, Ron Athey, has spent the majority of his life as a spectacle of sorts. As a child, he was prophetized to become a great spiritual leader by members of the Pentecostal church he attended in Pomona, CA. In the 90s, after a false report of a performance at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, he became a poster-boy for the argument against funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. Twenty years later, Athey continues to challenge audiences with graphic and surreal imagery. Charles S. McVey: With much of your earlier work there seemed to be a real urgency to leave your mark because you had limited time due to your
HIV status. However, 20 years later you’re still here. Has the earnestness of that period left you or has it changed? Ron Athey: It’s different, but those issues still exist and morph into other ones. I think [it’s hard] for everybody from that era to adapt to life after that intensity. … [R]eally putting it all out there in case this is the last year. And it was the last year for a lot of those people. So, It’s hard to compare to it. But I’m still plugged into a lot of those issues. CSM: Has your perception about your amount of time available changed? RA: It’s not urgent, but when you’re past 50, you’re like ‘I’m well beyond the halfway mark and I might be here in 10 years...’ I’m not sick... So yes,
This past February, Athey, who now lives in London, returned to America for a stint of performances in Chicago and Los Angeles. The two Chicago performances, a cooperative endeavor between the Defibrillator and Hook Torture galleries, were held at the Mana Contemporary downtown. Opening night, Athey revisited Incorruptible Flesh: Messianic Remains, a collaborative piece originally started with deceased artist, Lawrence Steger. A crowd of varying ages took turns rubbing Vaseline on Athey’s tattooed body as he laid on a ladder. Fishhooks attached to the white wall behind, pierced and pulled at his eyelids and cheeks, forcing his face into a strangely ecstatic smile. This willingness to present himself vulnerable elicits a myriad of responses from revulsion to affection. This has become the hallmark of Athey’s work. CSM: You use your body as a vehicle and medium for your art. Why did you choose that? RA: I think everything’s about the body. Even if you’re just talking about really esoteric performance, you start with the body. Meditation starts with the body. I’m actually very underwhelmed by all paintings; I just don’t care. I don’t have any passion for it. The body is real
CSM: Do you ever run across limitations with your performances, like, this is too risky or possibly too painful? RA: I don’t know how much I play with high-risk anymore. My limits, a lot of times, are just money. I have lots of expensive ideas. I love technologies that create hallucinations of environment for everyone... There’s lots of equipment and technicians I’d like to work with; that I will in the future. Apart from using physical discomfort and body modifications to create stunning visual experiences, Athey often adapts ritualized religious dogma into his performances. This underlying quest for spirituality runs though the core of Athey’s performance catalog. CSM: Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? RA: I’m not religious and I’m
OCTOBER 2014
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
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pretty close to being an atheist, but I do believe in energy and that there’s a lost facility and need for ritual and magic to happen. Maybe I’m a magician, in a new sense of the word. CSM: Do you see an irony in the way you were raised and what you do now? RA: Of course. It’s like a thread that runs through me. I think I was already an ecstatic, which was why it was always easy to apply all this attention on me in the church because it didn’t happen to my brothers and sisters who had the same environment as me. In 2013, Pleading in the Blood: The Art and Performances of Ron Athey, was published. Edited by Dominic Johnson, Pleading is a collection of personal accounts, anecdotes, and essays examining the social and artistic relevance of Athey’s work. The project spanned over two years and is the first presentation of Athey’s work as a whole.
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CSM: After reviewing your past work for the book, do you see yourself differently? RA: Maybe more clearly. I see clear periods: how I did company work, and then solo work, and the collaborations where they fit in and the scenes that I come out of. Obviously, the 90s AIDS context is the one everyone remembers ... Looking at an image from ‘96, and how mean and grim it could be because the cocktail still wasn’t here yet. So, it was like, ‘How long is everyone still going to be dying?’ It started in the early 80s and suddenly we’re getting into the mid-90s and everyone’s still suspicious. CSM: You’ve talked before about the difficulty in documenting performance art. Is that one of the things that you like about it? RA: I like the mediated documentation and I love a gorgeous photo, but it’s just not the same thing as a performance
ritual where you have a sublime moment. I don’t have a sublime moment with a photograph. I can have a studied, unbelievable moment, but time and space don’t stop. CSM: Do you think 20 years later that your work has become more accepted or do you still consider yourself an outsider artist? RA: Oh, I think I’m definitely still an outsider artist. I’ve been around a long time. You’ll have a season of museums loving you, but it doesn’t add up. I don’t have anything for sale, so it doesn’t establish anything. After 20 years of intense performance art, Ron Athey shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to explore issues of mortality and loss. Though the personal contexts may have evolved, Athey is still pleading, still challenging perceptions of what it means to bleed and to feel alive in the midst of death. l
assion stirs up out Octoberfest as four planets dance around in Scorpio at some time in the month. What is actually brewing below the surface? We will definitely find out. Boo!!
ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) Proud Rams like to feel in control of their destiny, but how much control can you wield when so much of the ground below you shimmers and shivers your timbers? Strong emotions abound and your sensitivity is high. You might become wound up in intense longing, strong desires and overall feistiness. How do you spell relief? V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Try not to put too many demands or restrictions on certain relationships. It will not get you what you want and may even bring you the opposite. Your grip may become too tight and cloying for partners and would-be partners. Try instead to stay calm and cool, queer Bulls. Before you know it you can attract the pick of the litter, but only if you are into trash . . . GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Even if you wanted to take more time off from work, it will be hard to do so now. That is because the demands of the job make you feel like a rat on an ever accelerating treadmill. There will be time to jump off the track in a few weeks, pink Twin. Meanwhile find ways of lowering your stress either by delegating the tasks you can delegate or omm’ing to yoga at night. CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Ha cha cha, gay Crab. The social circuit heats up to a frazzle and includes you in the charge. You become party central incarnate this October. So grab the mantle, get your fests together and conjure up a fabulous time or five. But is it possible that you will overdo, over imbibe and over party to become a dissipated shell of a Crab? Well that is the plan!
LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) Your home is a beehive of activity this October so don’t be sad, surprised or feeling lonely if you can’t get out of your front door. In fact, proud Lion, the jolly masses come to you and stir up a hornet’s nest of fun times. Of course you can always put them to work to improve your humble abode and make it into a pink palace. How about a painting party? Or not. VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) Queer Virgos become veritable chatterboxes this October. They can’t seem to keep a secret or hold back on their desire to gossip. But choose your words carefully lest you cause undue stress and social rumblings. There is time to open up the curtain and take a peek. Just modulate your message and present it sensibly to willing and responsible ears. No, not the blogosphere. LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Proud Libras become spendthrifts everything they see they want. This is not a bad thing if you have the cash to toss, but avoid getting into debt over your head for things that can best be described as ornamental junk. (And that goes for people too . . .) Stick to the gold standard and see if you can mine your treasures to gain the greatest benefit . . . or even profit? SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) You are in the epicenter of all the action. You are the star and the supernova to which all heavenly beings gravitate. You have the ability to sway hearts and minds. Now what, queer Scorp? Will you be able to harness all of this power, prestige and personality into one large personal gain? I guess we will have to see. Be sure to ask, “Trick or treat?”
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) There is so much going on behind the scenes that some of the intrigue may spill over into the spotlight. Are you ready, gay Archer? Keep your suave aplomb (or find some) as all of your best kept secrets become public. At any rate it will be good for the soul and liberate you from any gloomy goblins keeping you down. Just in time for Halloween! CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) Your social calendar goes into overdrive and you might find yourself (shudder!) turning down inviting invitations. Everything seems so much fun! But pink Cap, you cannot dance at two events with just one tush. Make the hard decisions and stick to them. It may even make you more enticing - sometimes playing hard to get makes folks . . . well you know. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) Put your nose to the grindstone and carefully craft your corporate ascent. You have ample ambition, passion for success and opportunity based on your previous strategic outlook. Plan it carefully and strategically. And be very sure that you are focused on the right goal for you. Aqueerians will take no prisoners until they get what they want. Then . . heh . . heh. PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) If there was ever a time to plan and take a vacation this is it. So get your gear together, check out the who, what, where, when and how and get going! Guppies yearn to swim in bigger seas and explore exotic islands. There is a lot to learn and many experiences to enjoy. Your mind is open and clear . . . for a change. Learn a thing or two while you are at it.
(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 - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. Wichita Pride, info@wichitapride. org, www.wichitapride.org, annual celebration held in September.
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/
Community Centers The Center, 800 N. Market, Wichita Kansas State University LGBT Resource Center, 207 A/B Holton Hall, Manhattan, (785) 532-5352, lgbt@kstate.edu, www.k-state-edu/lgbt
Health Douglas County AIDS Project, 346 Maine, Suite 160, Lawrence, (785) 8430040, www.douglascountyaidsproject. org
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
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
Wichita Prime Timers, ICTPrimeTimers@aol.com, www. primetimersww.com/Wichita, social group for mature gay men.
Hunter Health Clinic, 2318 E. Central, Wichita, (316) 262-3611, FREE HIV confidential or anonymous testing with Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters.
A Journey In The Light Ministries, 2231 S. Bluff (St. Christopher ’s Episcopal Chapel), Wichita, Sunday Praise and Worship services at 11am.
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 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 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
Spiritual
College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st, Wichita, (316) 683-4643, www.collegehillumc.org, Sunday Celebrations at 8:30, 9:40 and 11:00am. First Congregational United Church of Christ, 700 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, (785) 537-7006, www.uccmanhattan. org, Sunday services at 10:45am; Taize services Thursday at 7pm, An Open and Affirming Congregation. First 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.
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 Highland Park High School's Parity, Topeka, LGBTatHP@outlook.com, facebook.com/LGBTatHP. 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 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 East High School GSA, Tdavis2@usd259.net Wichita Heights High School GSA, nmagoon@usd259.net Wichita North High School GSA, (316) 204-5621, kellykk00@yahoo.com, rhorning@usd259.net, cwidmer@ usd259.net, meets every Wednesday at lunch in room A213. Wichita Northeast High School GSA, Jbell2@usd259.net Wichita Northwest High School GSA, amcdonald@usd259.net, meets every Monday after school. Wichita Southeast High School GSA, (316) 807-2271, psychsteve2@yahoo. com Wichita West High School GSA, astucky@usd259.net
Around Kansas listings are free to non-profit/ volunteer-based groups. Send your additions or corrections to editor@ libertypress.net.
OCTOBER 2014
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. Get Connected, Wichita, (316) 4913778, LGBTQIA youth group for ages 12-21. Meets at The Center, 800 N. Market, every Friday from 7-9pm. GLSEN Greater Wichita, wichita@ chapters.glsen.org. Headquarters Counseling Center, Lawrence, (785) 841-2345 free 24/7, www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us HIV+ Men’s Support Group, Wichita, (316) 293-3405, mmadecky@kumc.edu 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. The Face of Trans*, www.thefaceof trans.com 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
Is an organization you're involved in listed in Around Kansas? Help us keep it current! E-mail editor@libertypress.net with corrections/current info.
OCTOBER 2014
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Leather Life By Nolin Christensen aka Master C
Experience This month is sort of a continuation of last month’s article. This month I want to talk about experience within the leather and or BDSM lifestyles. One of the things you need to do before you get involved with someone from the Leather or BDSM community is to find out how long they have been in “the lifestyle.” So many people are getting hurt or injured (mental
and physical) because they are playing with people who have little to no experience. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve had to counsel over the years getting them past the hurt and on the road to a healthier leather life. To g i v e y o u s o m e perspective; I was involved in the leather life for over 15 years as a submissive. During this time I learned many types of play from many different individuals. Then when I made the transition to a Dominant, I had lots of experience in lots of different types of play. But even then, it was several more years before I had a submissive of my own. Basically I didn’t rush into anything, I took my time. And so should you. When people get into this lifestyle and within a few years they think they HAVE to have a submissive, someone is going to get hurt. And most often it’s the submissive. Take the time to learn. Take the time to look
around and ask around. Don’t rush. If you rush something, it’s going to be all f..ked up and someone’s going to get hurt. What I’m trying to say, is when you play with someone, one of the questions you need to ask is how long they have been doing or into this type of play. How long have they been a Dominant? How long have they been a submissive? If they answer anything less than five years, you need to be extremely careful because you are dealing with someone who does not have enough experience to keep you safe. Also, ask who they mentored with. This will give you some indication to the amount of training they have had. If you find someone who has only taken a class or two or has learned how to do something via the internet, RUN. Stay clear of these individuals because they have not taken this seriously. They have not made sure that they are properly trained. They are, as I say, “a 10 o’clock news story waiting to happen.” I’ve known people who have gone to a class (yes, one single
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class) and now they think they know everything there is to know about that type of play. Wrong. It takes years of playing, years of experiencing before you can become proficient in any type of leather or BDSM play. As I mentioned earlier, mentoring. One of the best things anyone can do in this lifestyle is to mentor with someone. Now, there is a caveat here too. They need to have mentored with someone who has been in this lifestyle for many years. Just because someone’s been playing for five years, does not make them a good mentor. In fact, I would be very hesitant to be involved with anyone whose mentor does not have at least 10 years of experience. First and foremost my concern here is to keep YOU safe. Second is for you to have a great and wonderful time. If you want to learn more or how to play safely or to experience any type of leather or BDSM play, or you want to be mentored, please come attend a WOOLF meeting. We meet every third Saturday at 6pm at The Center of Wichita. l
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