Liberty Press July 2013

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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JULY 2013

A Journey In The Light Ministries

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Liberty Press

Volume 19, No. 11 ‡ (GLWRU Kristi Parker ‡ &RQWULEXWRUV Paul Berge, Dave Brousseau, Nolin Christensen, Troy Dilport, Greg Fox, Charlene Lichtenstein, Mama, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott, Ben Rivers, Kevin Stilley ‡ 6WDII 5HSRUWHUV Helen Barnes, Brian Hansen, Ciara Reid ‡ &RQWULEXWLQJ 3KRWRJUDSKHUV Troy Dilport ‡ &RYHU 'HVLJQ Troy Dilport ‡ *UDSKLF 'HVLJQHU Troy Dilport ‡ :HEPDVWHU Ren Autrey ‡ 3XEOLVKHU The Liberty Press, LLC

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CONTENTS DYCON PRODUCTIONS LAUNCHES TO PROVIDE quality LGBTQ entertainment for Kansas City ..............................................................10 FLINT HILLS PRIDE 2013 one for the record books ................................13

Around Kansas listings are free WR QRQ SURĂ€W YROXQWHHU EDVHG groups. Send your additions or corrections to editor@ OLEHUW\SUHVV QHW

REGULARS OP/ED letters, Comments from the Web, editorial cartoon, correction ...................................................................................... 6-7 BOOKENDS Where You Are, Saving Italy and The Hardest Thing ........11 MINOR DETAILS Surprised That There’s So Much Rape in the Military? ..........................................................................................12 TRANS-FORMATIVE Trans-Surgery: A Year Gone By .............................17 LEATHER LIFE Newbie Mistakes ...........................................................18

IN EVERY ISSUE DISTRIBUTION LIST .................... 4 POLL QUESTION ....................... 10 0$0$ .12:6 %(67................. 13 COMICS...................................... 19 AROUND KANSAS ..................... 20 %5,'*(6 .................................... 20 CLASSIFIEDS ............................. 21 OUT IN THE STARS ................... 21

P.O. Box 16315 Wichita, KS 67216-0315 phone: (316) 652-PRESS [7737] e-mail: editor@libertypress.net www.libertypress.net www.facebook.com/LibertyPressKS

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OP/ED

JULY 2013

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 or the question of the month. Send your letters and feedback to editor@libertypress.net.

Again, I think he is right, when we celebrate ourselves, we “freeâ€? non-gay people from having to worry about their own sexuality, just as when members of other minorities are equal, we all feel freer. While not many white people actually were afraid of being thought black $ JUHDW XVH RI WH[WLQJ although a few (such as Dinah PL[HG EOHVVLQJV RI JRLQJ Shore) were, most were just accused of being n... lovers, to reunions, I do think some gay-friendly Liberty Press is not just people worry that they might be accused of being gay - as if the IRU .DQVDV only reason to support our civil Dear editor: rights is if someone IS gay. Reading your article in the Time will answer Danny current issue of Liberty Press: In Cooper’s (and lots of others’) all the discussion of the positives q u e s t i o n s a b o u t h o w t h e and negatives of texting, I had Supreme Court will rule on never heard how much good it the marriage cases. I think we does for people like your Jack. all know that just changing a As you say, it is a good way to law does not end the problem communicate with kids with - Board of Education sure took autism. decades to get results and Roe And I suspect many of us, has not done much good to gay and non-gay have had less change people’s minds. It seems than pleasurable experiences in that the end of sodomy laws going to reunions, but perhaps a (Lawrence) has not had any bad few of those who ask us personal results, and the same seems true questions are really trying to of the end of DADT. So the odds understand. Maybe they should are in our favor, and history will see a copy of Liberty Press - but show the bigots, even those on I must admit I am not sure of the the Supreme Court, are losers “meaningâ€? of the wild cover of and the ignorant ones. the June issue. I think it means (I just watched a movie on pride is both a heartfelt thing and Charlie Chaplin and it seems a whole body thing. relevant to point out that the I think Stephanie Mott’s court refused to honor a paternity experience with the young boy test proving Chaplin was NOT ÂżWV WKDW WKRXJKW WRR ZKHQ KH the father of a child, strange asked her if she is a boy or girl considering how easy such a test - she wisely asked him what is to get today, and courts honor he thought. BECAUSE she it today - so things can and do had already asked herself that change, mostly for the better.) question at the start of her long Billy Glover journey, and she had not had reason to ask that question much 7KDQNV IURP )+ 3ULGH VLQFH WKDW ÂżUVW WLPH Bob Minor asks - as have many others - what do we mean about Dear Editor: our Pride events? Apparently We would like to thank when we act normally - have everyone who made Flint Hills a picture of our spouse or even Pride 2013 such a success. friend - many heterosexuals Major donors included Colin still can’t see that this is what Glessner, Dijon Aguilera, Bang THEY do and don’t think it is Lingerie, FHHRP, Flint Hills “pushingâ€? their sexuality. It is PFLAG, Geary County CVB, a “double standard,â€? as many the JCTB’s, Kevin Stilley, Chris black Americans, or women also Pahls, Ron Martel, Mark Beatty face. and the Xcalibur Club, the

JULY 2013

Xcalibur Club staff, the Xcalibur Club entertainers, and most of all, the Xcalibur Club patrons, who supported our fundraisers. Donors to the Casino Night event included Mark Beatty and the Xcalibur Club, Joseph Brock, Kevin Stilley, Colin Glessner and Dijon Aguilera, K e r r i e B a k e r, Wa l - M a r t , Darci Bohnenblust and Joleen Hickman, Bella Boutique, Chris Pahls, Andrew Craig, Calvin, David, Brad James of Headlines, and Raven Smith. John Mallon provided a dumpster for us at no charge, as

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

he has for many years. I also want to thank the many volunteers at the event itself who provided labor, runs to town for last minute items, etc. I want to single out a few younger participants. Anthony and McKayla Swartz and their friends went the extra mile helping us out. These teenagers were there with their parents, and we’re proud to have them as part of our community.

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Comments from the Web “Love the last issue of Liberty Press and your articles.� --Harper, KS “Thanks for rockin’ this magazine! It is a gift to Kansas!� --Wichita, KS

Zan Bertolino, Chairman Kerrie Baker, Vice Chair Kevin Stilley, Treasurer

Correction: In last month’s Bookends column, Cassie Lehnherr mistakenly said that Judith Katz won a Lambda Literary Award for her book The Escape Artist ZKHQ LQ IDFW .DW] ZRQ WKH DZDUG IRU KHU ¿UVW ERRN Running Fiercely Toward a High Thin Sound. We regret the error.

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By Ciara Reid, staff reporter KANSAS CITY - Anyone who attended the Girls with Guitars: Acoustic Vibrations show at the Uptown Theater on June 15 witnessed an immediate upward shift in the quality of Kansas City LGBTQ entertainment. The immense talent of local, regional and national musicians that included Jen Foster, Corday, Summer Osborne, and Kristie Stremel was all orchestrated by the new entertainment company DYCON Productions, LLC. The company is the brainchild of Chynsia Hinesley, who is no stranger to planning events. Currently, Hinesley and partner Marie Hale organize the monthly Girl2Girl events at the Conspiracy Room, held every second Friday. The Girls with Guitars: Acoustic Vibrations show was the first official DYCON event. So how did it go? “The show was out of this world,�

Hinesley says. “To quote one of our Facebook posts, we had the ‘holy grail of talent’ in Kansas City.â€? Hinesley’s goal for the ÂżUVW VKRZ ZDV WR NLFN RII WKH company with a great lineup of iconic women performers. “After all, I am calling the company DYCON Productions, which is a combination of the word Dyke and Icon, so I felt I had to start with that in mind.â€? DYCON Productions is the result of many years of Hinesley traveling the world, partaking in numerous events like London’s World Pride and dark dive bars in cities like Stockholm, London, New York and Denver, to name a few. Every time she would return home, she felt a gaping hole in entertainment options – “not only as a woman, EXW PRUH VSHFLÂżFDOO\ DV D OHVELDQ woman in the Midwest,â€? she says. “That led me to research the questions, ‘Where is all the women’s entertainment in the

Midwest?’ and ‘Why is it so hard WR ÂżQG RXW ZKDW LV JRLQJ RQ LQ my community?’â€? she says. Hinesley spent a couple of years researching those questions and developing and justifying a business plan to get the company off the ground. She spent a year at the UMKC Entrepreneurial Scholar Program working on this business project, was selected to enter the 2013 Regnier Venture Creation Challenge competition, and was a Finalist Award Winner with High Distinction. And at the same time, she was planning '<&21ÂśV ÂżUVW HYHQW Girls with Guitars: Acoustic Vibrations. Hinesley says that future DYCON events will depend on the availability of the talent. She wants to bring in performers that the Kansas City community may not have ever heard of, in hopes of increasing their exposure and giving Kansas City quality entertainment in the process. She says to expect intimate shows – shows where the

audience can interact with the performers. “People like to touch and feel and talk to all the performers,� she says. “There will be no wall of separation between the performer and the audience whenever possible.� Hinesley has a lot of events in mind for the future both large and small scale. “I want to keep introducing great women entertainers to the Kansas City community and to other cities in the Midwest.� For information on upcoming DYCON events, visit www. dyconproductions.com. For information on Girl2Girl, visit G2G - Kansas City on Facebook or www.g2gkc.com. O

Online Readers Poll

Would you support women entertainers in other cities in the state? Visit libertypress.net

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JULY 2013

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

consensual relationship. The teacher in me had a hard time seeing past the abuse of power McNelis committed, and there were several moments where I SXW WKH ERRN GRZQ RQO\ WR ¿QG that I had tensed every muscle in protest of what was happening. Still, not every story moves the way that I want it to, and Trumble explores a scenario By Ben Rivers that most dare not touch. Even ummer. The time for binge though I disagree with parts of reading and gratuitous the book, it is still well written. If that sounds a little too 1HWÀL[LQJ LW¶V RQ 8UEDQ Dictionary, so it must be a word). “ripped from the headlines” Full disclosure: I have summers try Saving Italy by Robert M. “off,” so the pastimes of summer Edsel (W.W. Norton & Co., reading and relaxed schedules $28.95). This bit of historical are a part of my life. I know not QRQ¿FWLRQ IROORZV D JURXS RI everyone gets a large chunk of servicemen during WWII who time off in the summer, but the were tasked with preserving tradition of summer reading still some of the most import exists. So in that tradition I bring artworks in the world. I knew nothing of this you three summer reads! Back in March I reviewed J. aspect of WWII, and found the H. Trumble’s Don’t Let Me Go formation of these “Monuments and if you still haven’t read it, Men,” as the author has dubbed do. Trumble’s sophomore novel them, fascinating. Dwight D. is Where You Are (Kensington, Eisenhower down to troops on $15) DQG OLNH KLV ¿UVW ERRN LV the ground took cues from these set in a Texas town, primarily men on what works were of most in the halls of its high school. importance. Also fascinating The focus is on 24-year-old are the intricacies and behind math teacher Andrew McNelis the scenes movements that and his senior student Robert happened in Italy. So often we focus on the Westfall, who is dealing with atrocities of the Holocaust and family trauma. Yes, this is about their the bombing of Pearl Harbor, relationship. While I love and rightly so, but information Trumble’s writing and could like this adds a whole new help not but enjoy the world he dimension to this period. Now, I must admit that both created, I felt like he was trying so hard to justify this taboo Where You Are and Saving Italy

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are mindful readings; readings where you are asked to think. So if you need a less thoughtprovoking and more titillating read, pick up James Lear’s The Hardest Thing (Turnaround

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Books, $9.99). After guffawing over the title until I cried, I found this work of . . . uh . . . “gentleman romance” a fun read. While I did have my moments where I questioned the gaping holes in the plot, I was quickly reminded that this is not a work for highbrow reading. And sometimes, especially on a relaxed summer’s day, a little mindless fun is just what you need. O

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hormone level created by nature sets in place the possibility for these types of things to occur.â€? But the third of those layers is that “Getting Laidâ€? for high school boys is impersonal. “It is best if a boy isn’t otherwise acquainted with, or a friend of, the sexual object. One does not By Bob Minor marry the girl who is the best lay‌. Getting laid, therefore, is not about the person.â€? 6XUSULVHG 7KDW 7KHUH¡V The more that this impersonal 6R 0XFK 5DSH LQ WKH layer is internalized - the more 0LOLWDU\" it’s felt that the sex isn’t done to a person but an object - the easier it is to deny that there’s n 2012, 26,000 women and analyses of this epidemic, Ana violence involved. One isn’t men reported sexual assault Marie Cox of The Guardian really hurting another person. in the American military. concludes: “it’s something about Add to this the seventh We have no record of how being in the military today, at layer - that “Getting Laidâ€? is much remains unreported. WKLV PRPHQW LQ KLVWRU\ ÂżJKWLQJ self-centered, that it’s done to That’s only one year of WKH NLQGV RI ZDUV ZHÂśUH ÂżJKWLQJ someone on the agenda of a victimization in what military with the kinds of troops we real man - and the sexual act brass admitted before Congress have.â€? [“The Real Roots of becomes an act of power over was a “cancer.â€? If it weren’t for the US Military’s Epidemic of another. One can see this in the seven women on the Senate Sexual Assaultsâ€?] the raping of men by men who Armed Services Committee, I’d “It’s a truism among feminists identify as heterosexual in our expect such reports to be buried. – if not senators – that rape is a Hearing so many of the old Congressmen respond to this ´,W VWDUWV ZLWK ZKDW ZH WHDFK RXU with stupidity, sexism, and ER\V DV WKH\ HQWHU SXEHUW\ DERXW pseudo-science, even surprised those of us who expect so little ZKDW PDQO\ VH[ LV Âľ out of right-wing politicians. And blaming the existence of prisons – a situation that’s often women in the military ignores crime of violence, not of sexual made into a joke. the fact that 14,000 of those attraction ‌. Could it be that the Now, most of our boys victims were men. real crisis in today’s military is know that something like this That’s 6.1% of the women tied to not who these soldiers conditioning is there in their teen in the military and 1.2% of the are, but the nature of what we’re \HDUV EXW WKH\ ÂżJKW LW VLOHQWO\ men. And 98% of the reported asking them to do?â€? internally and seemingly sexual assaults on men were Today’s military with a alone because men don’t talk committed by other men. growing number of soldiers about their deviations from In one of the most insightful and veterans diagnosed with “manhood.â€? But what happens mental illness and chemical when we add the conditioning dependency, with the tactics men encounter in the military? of modern warfare and the A key goal of the military’s length of troop service, basic training is turning recruits exacerbates what we’ve into warriors who’ll be ready to taught our men culturally kill others if called to do so. But and our military men in a man can’t do this if he thinks particular. of the enemy personally. It starts with what we That’s why enemies must teach our boys as they enter be turned into stereotypes and puberty about what manly described with phrases such as: sex is. In Scared Straight “human life isn’t valuable to I called that conditioning, them.â€? The face of the enemy the “Nine Layers of Getting must be inhuman or it would be Laid,â€? a paradigm that hard to destroy it. continues to dominate junior Military conditioning thereby high and high school male adds another layer to thinking gender roles idealized in impersonally of others. Other the studs of contemporary human beings are objects, not media. living, loving human beings who T h i s c u l t u r a l are sons and daughters of real conditioning is often excused people. as the male sex drive. But it also de-humanizes Georgia Senator Saxby the warrior himself. His own Chambliss said in the Senate value comes to be understood hearings: “Gee whiz, the

Minor

Details

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JULY 2013

as contingent upon not only his ability to kill others but his willingness to be killed defending the system. Violence to others becomes even easier. And violence against oneself as just a killing machine who’s been put further out of touch with his own, caring, feeling humanity also becomes easier. A true warrior expects violence. He could even use its SUHVHQFH WR ÂżQDOO\ SURYLGH YDOXH for his own insecure manly selfworth. He can earn a medal from real men at the top for killing another man, after all, but be killed for loving one. Valuing oneself for such violence turned inward has spurred a record level of suicides among those who serve and veterans, so that in the past 12 years more have died by their RZQ KDQG WKDQ E\ HQHP\ ÂżUH What’s actually surprising is that these figures aren’t much higher. The conditioning is doing everything it can to encourage sexual assault as an act of power and violence over some object so as to assert one’s manhood and worth. But they’re not, because men aren’t inherently like this. They’re not naturally driven by testosterone and hormones, no matter how we might use these as excuses. It’s not that “boys will be boys,â€? for a lot of abusive manhood conditioning software has to be installed in our little naturally loving, caring, feeling boys to make them killers and sexual assaulters. And enforcing that is the fear that if they don’t act tough, hard, cold, and objectoriented enough, they’ll be put down as girly and fags. Add to this their impression that society has given up on men. It’s not challenging their conditioning but sending them to anger management, drugging WKHP RU ÂżQDOO\ WKURZLQJ WKHP away in prison. Conditioning is all learned, and what is learned can be unlearned. But do we have the courage to lead that charge? O Robert N. Minor, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas, is author of When Religion Is an Addiction; Scared Straight: Why It’s So Hard to Accept Gay People and Why It’s So Hard to Be Human and Gay & Healthy in a Sick Society. Contact him at www. FairnessProject.org.

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Flint Hills Pride 2013 one IRU WKH UHFRUG ERRNV MILFORD LAKE - The 11th Annual Flint Hills Pride was one for the record books. Over 150 people registered at the event, several coming over 100 miles, and one driving 500 miles to join the celebration. A record number of RV’s and tents were set up for the entire weekend of June 14-16. Things kicked off Friday night with a community potluck supper hosted by the Junction City Teddy Bears, followed by Bitchy Bingo emceed by Carlotta Junicelli, Allie Monet and Mystie Massengil. Saturday morning began ZLWK D EUHDNIDVW WR EHQH¿W WKH Junction City Teddy Bears Christmas Fund. Proceeds will go to Open Door and the Flint Hills Breadbasket to help families in need during the holidays. Participants enjoyed swimming, volleyball, camaraderie and fellowship.

Food was a frequent factor, as nearly all sat down together for meals during the weekend. This was truly a great big family reunion. Those present also enjoyed watching their favorite drag performers get soaked at the Dunk-a-Drag Queen event. Everyone was enlightened by speakers Jonathan Mertz of the Flint Hills Human Rights Project, and Stephanie Mott of the Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project, and entertained the entire afternoon and evening by DJ Omar Sepulveda-Gonzales. Saturday ended with Karaoke Under the Stars. Sunday morning wound things up with Old Car Kevin getting everyone started with ZDIÀHV 7KHQ FDPH JRRG E\HV packing up and heading home. Anyone who missed this year’s event can start planning on Flint Hills Pride 2014. O

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ey Mama, Do you enjoy the 4th of July? Firecracker

I used to enjoy it as a kid, now we have a BBQ and Vinton burns the meat and Eunice always VWDUWV VRPH GDPQ ¿UHZRUN ¿JKW with Ellen. I have a beer and wish a bottle rocket would land on my kids!! Mama, If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Traveler Mmmmm. I would go back in time and not get married or have children; or I would just go to the store and get six pack of beer! Dear Mama, Who is the one person you admire the most in life? Not signed I admire any person that has been through some awful event or thing in their life and still be able to go on and live a healthy, rich, and happy life! That is amazing to me. There are not that many out there that could do that! So it isn’t just one person and I may not even know

them! Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Why do you only perform for benefit shows and not on a regular basis? Me )RU RQH EHQHÂżWV DUH IRU D JRRG cause and it helps people in need. The second reason is if I did it on a regular basis it becomes a job and who the hell really likes their job that much? The last reason is too much of a GOOD thing gets old fast! Mama, Do you ever think or worry about being crazy mentally? Need help Hello? My son Vinton and his trampy wife live with me. Plus my two daughters Ellen and especially Eunice are always causing problems. I AM crazy; hell our house is a nut ward! No wonder I have gray hair! If anyone needs help it is me! Get me out of here!! Have a safe and happy 4th of July! Thank you everyone! O Have a question for Mama? E-mail MamaTHarper@aol.com or friend Thelma Harper on Facebook.

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

JULY 2013

JULY 2013

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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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 ™

FMCC BINGO NIGHT... Trans-Surgery: A Year Gone By

I

t’s hard to believe that it has already been more than a year since that magical trip to Bangkok and my gender affirmation surgery. So many things have changed since then. So many new, delightful feelings and experiences. I hope not to disappoint anyone, but I am not talking about sex. I am talking about life. As a 55-year-old woman with a one-year-old vagina. One of the most interesting questions posed to me before my surgery, was a question about when do I get to use my new vagina. That question gave life WR D TXHVWLRQ PRUH VLJQL¿FDQW WR me. Exactly what is the point and purpose of having the surgery itself? Why was this surgery so LPSRUWDQW WR PH WKDW , ZRXOG À\ half-way around the world and spend $10,000, so that I could fly back half-way around the world with my new lady parts? At the time, I thought it was a lot about sex - that I might have a particular type of physical relationship with a man. That thought hasn’t changed. But in the last year, I have discovered another truth. A deep, inner truth that can only belong to me. There are many who believe that sex reassignment surgery is not medically-necessary for transsexual individuals. Many people who are transsexual do QRW ¿QG WKLV VXUJHU\ QHFHVVDU\ to their happiness. But there are some of us for whom there can be no true happiness in a body that tells lies about who we truly are. It was a feeling once imagined and longed for. Most often framed as a question, a guessing JDPH D SUHVXPDEO\ ¿FWLWLRXV neverland where one’s physical self matched one’s spiritual and mental self. Even as a child, I

will soon be on a new night... at a new location... at a new time!

believed that it was something somehow reserved for the afterlife. Never something that was possible in my earthly existence. It was a feeling that only took LWV ¿UVW EUHDWK DV P\ ZRPDQKRRG left the dark, life-draining spaces of the closet. Like when the wind would catch my skirt in a certain way and my reaction would be the same as any woman’s reaction. Not programmed, like a response. Natural, as a reaction. Born of the freedom WKDW FRXOG RQO\ FRPH E\ ¿QDOO\ living as myself. Yet still very rare, and very elusive. It was a feeling always shocked back into mismatched reality by the need to use the bathroom. A feeling not possible while dressing in the morning. $ IHHOLQJ PRUH RIWHQ LGHQWL¿HG in the existence of other women who unknowingly served as undeniable evidence of that which I could not yet feel. In many ways, I am like a teenage girl who is just discovering her sexuality. There is a constant repositioning of power between the me who wants so much to experience physical love, and the me who wants so much to wait for the right person with whom to have the experience. In many ways, I am like a child who is still discovering the wonders of her own body. Every day becoming more aware of my femaleness. Notions of womanhood that were hidden by my previous anatomy. Feelings only revealed by living as a woman who has a vagina. It is not my vagina that makes me a woman. It is not the hormones or the clothes or anything other than my mental and spiritual self. But there is something drastically different for me. I am not more of a continued on page 20

Contact the church office for details

Attend Church in Your UNDERWEAR?

ONLY if You Watch Our Livestream Service Sunday at 10:15 am at www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com

GOD LOVES YOU.

PERIOD Experience the Revolution™

FIRST MCC OF KANSAS

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

Rev. Jackie Carter, M.Div. 156 S. Kansas • Wichita, KS 67211 • (316) 267-1852 www.MCCWichita.com or www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com Office Hours: M-F 9-12 And by Appointment

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

3UHVHQWHUV DUH - /XEH -DFN +DUG\ +DEHUPDQ 2NLH1DZD .H\QRWH E\ 0DVWHU 7DOOHQ

Leather Life

JULY 2013

By Nolin Christensen aka Master C

Friday, August 16, 2013 thru Sunday, August 18, 2013 Package price: $95, includes food Www.leathercamp.com JOIN US ON THE EDGE This column is dedicated to explaining to others what the Leather lifestyle is about and what we do.

Newbie Mistakes Recently I was talking with one of the other Doms and we were discussing an issue where someone who was new to the Leather community made a very common mistake. So this month I’d like to address the two most common mistakes people make when coming into this community.

Originally in the old tradition, when people came into the community they came in as a submissive and served (mentored) with someone for several years before they were elevated to a Dominant position. Now days we have people coming into the community without this learning and have self-proclaimed they are a Dominant. 7KLV LV ÂżQH EXW ZKDW WKH\ should know is that they still should mentor with a person oneon-one. Reading and learning online and then jumping into the community is not always a wise thing to do. We have seen where Dominants have done this and a big mistake they are making is the following: These people come in with the attitude that ALL submissives are theirs to command. Wrong! The only submissive a Dominant is and should command is their own submissive, not others, ESPECIALLY a submissive who is connected with or collared to another Dominant.

JULY 2013

So often new Dominants make this mistake. Although it is a simple mistake, it is one that carries grave consequences. So if you are a dominant-type person who is interested in the Leather lifestyle, remember, all submissives are not yours to command. The other mistakes we see are with new submissives. Some of them think they have to have a slave mentality. While there are people who do and are slaves, these are few and far between. If you are looking to just serve a Master and not have any intimacy, then you might be a slave. If you are someone looking for any intimacy, then you are a boy/girl. But the biggest mistake we see is they think that just because they are a submissive they must submit to everyone and allow others to dominate and walk all over them. Wrong again. The only person you should submit to is the Dominant you are associated with. Yes, a submissive should show respect to other Dominants, but they are not and should not be dominated by them. You are still your own

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

person and you should still hold yourself in high esteem. A good submissive is someone who properly serves their Dominant, but is also their own person. There are many other mistakes new people make, but most of it is along the lines of the Leather protocols and these are

easy to correct. The two issues listed above have more to deal with a preconceived mindset and may be harder for people to work through. The absolute best thing that anyone who is interested in the Leather lifestyle can do is to contact someone who is already

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in the community and start mentoring with someone who has a lot of experience. By doing this, you can avoid any possible problems and embarrassments that might occur. If you have any questions or are curious about leather, please contact someone within our community. O

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LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. celebration held in September.

Student groups Free State High School GSA, Lawrence, (785) 832-6050, phatcher@usd497.org, welcomes all queer, questioning and straight ally youth to talk about issues. Meets Wednesdays.

Community Centers The Center, 1602 E. Waterman, Wichita Kansas State University LGBT Resource Center, 207 A/B Holton Hall, Manhattan, (785) 532-5299, www.kstate-edu/lgbt Open Roads LGBT Community Center, Hays, (785) 259-6526, openroadslgbt@gmail.com, www. openroadslgbt.org

Health Douglas County AIDS Project, 346 Maine, Suite 160, Lawrence, (785) 8430040, www.douglascountyaidsproject. org Hunter Health Clinic, 2318 E. Central, Wichita, (316) 262-3611, FREE HIV FRQ¿GHQWLDO RU DQRQ\PRXV WHVWLQJ ZLWK 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 *DU¿HOG $YH WKLUG ÀRRU 7RSHND 232-3100, www.pcneks.org

Haskell Shout OUT, Haskell Indian Nations University, Bobby. crowfeather@haskell.edu, dedicated to actively seeking to bridge the Native LGBTQ community and their straight allies by promoting Openness, Understanding, and Tolerance. Meets Thursdays at 6pm in Stidham Union. KU Queers & Allies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, (785) 864-3091, qanda@ku.edu, www.ku.edu/~qanda Lawrence High School GSA, (785) 330-2391, ArlaKan@usd497.org, welcomes all LGBT, questioning and straight youth to talk about issues. Meets almost every Friday at 3:05pm in the LHS library. Manhattan High School GSA, mhs_ gsa@hotmail.com Pitt State GSA, Pittsburg State University, pittstategaystraightalliance@ gmail.com

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

Pine Valley Christian Church, 5620 E. 21st St., Wichita, (316) 685-2421, churchoffice@pvcconline.org, www. pvcconline.org

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

O n e D a y A t A Ti m e , Wi c h i t 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, SĂ€DJKXWFK#JPDLO FRP PFLAG Lawrence/Topeka, (785) 235-3831, sffeist@msn.com, www. SĂ€DJQHNDQVDV RUJ PHHWV VW 6XQGD\V 2-4pm at MCC of Topeka, 4425 SW 19th. Transgender Resource and Awareness Network (TRAN), www.thefaceoftrans. com, provides resources, information, and news regarding transgender issues in Wichita. TransYouth of Kansas, Topeka, Paula@ tyks.org, www.tyks.org, providing support for transgender youth and their families.

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

Get Connected, Wichita, (316) 4913778, LGBTQIA youth group for ages 12-21. Meets at The Center, 1602 E.

Wichita Transgender Coalition, wichitatranscoalition@gmail.com, wichitatrans.webs.com/. O

Junction City Teddy Bears, www. jctbears.com/index.htm

Trans continued from page 17

NetworQ, Lawrence, KansasNetworQ@ yahoo.com, www.KansasNetworQ.org, meets at Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire

woman because I have a vagina. Neither does having a penis make one a man. Who I am, is more closely matched to the vehicle that houses my soul. And for that reason, my soul is more at peace. One of the most interesting questions posed to me before my surgery, was a question about when do I get to use my new vagina. That question gave life WR D TXHVWLRQ PRUH VLJQLÂżFDQW WR me. Exactly what is the point and purpose of having the surgery itself? There are some of us for whom there can be no true happiness in a body that tells lies about who we truly are. I have used my vagina every single day. In every breath. In every step. In every thought. I am not talking about sex. I am talking about life. As a 55-year-old woman with a one-year-old vagina. O

Wichita Bears, presidentwichitabears@ yahoo.com, www.wichitabears.org

Wichita Prime Timers, ICTPrimeTimers@aol.com, www. primetimersww.org/Wichita, social group for mature gay men.

Kansas Equality Coalition, www. kansasequalitycoalition.org, chapters across the state.

Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka, 4425 SW 19th, (785) 2721442, office@mcctopeka.org, www. MCCTopeka.org, services Sundays at 10am.

HIV+ Men’s Support Group, Wichita, (316) 293-3405, mmadecky@kumc.edu

Social

Regional AIDS Project, Manhattan, (785) 587-1999 or (785) 238-5338 -XQFWLRQ &LW\ UDS#Ă€LQWKLOOV FRP

Politics/Activism

Lutheran Campus Ministry, 1421 W. 19th, Lawrence, lutheran@ku.edu

Headquarters Counseling Center, Lawrence, (785) 841-2345 free 24/7, www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us

Flint Hills PFLAG, Manhattan, (785) IKSĂ€DJ#VEFJOREDO QHW ZZZ IKSĂ€DJ RUJ PHHWV UG 7XHVGD\V SP First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Ave.

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 Organization of Leather Fetishes, (316) 201-6242, www. woolfks.com

The Sweet Emergency Fund, KUSM-W MPA, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, (316) 293-3405

Kalpa Bhadra Kadampa Buddhist Center, 721 W. 13th St., Wichita, (316) 263-1533, info@meditateinkansas.org, www.meditateinkansas.org

Waterman, every Friday from 7-9pm.

Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, 355 N. Waco, Suite 100, (316) 263 RIÂżFH FULVLV OLQH 24/7, wasac@wichitasac.com, www. ZLFKLWDVDF FRP IUHH FRQÂżGHQWLDO VH[XDO assault services to all genders and sexual orientations. Medical & legal advocacy, support groups, adult & child crisis counseling, educational programs.

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

of Wichita, 7202 E. 21st St., (316) 684 RIÂżFHPDQDJHU#ÂżUVWXX QHW ZZZ ÂżUVWXX QHW $ :HOFRPLQJ &RQJUHJDWLRQ

JULY 2013

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 $I¿UPLQJ &RQJUHJDWLRQ 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

Stephanie Mott is a transsexual woman from Topeka. She is the executive director of the Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project and state chair of the Kansas Equality Coalition. Reach her at stephanieequality@yahoo.com.

bridges Died: Brad K. Gordon, 66, on May 19, 2013 in Wichita. He is survived by his loving partner of 34 years, Patrick Habkirk, son Jason Gordon and his wife, Melissa Stucky of Lawrence, and his mother, Hazel Gordon of Newton. Died: Brennan C. Carter, 14, Truesdell Middle School student and member of the Get Connected youth group, from suicide on June 1, 2013 in Wichita. 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.

JULY 2013

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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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.

ClassiďŹ eds are available for $5 for the ďŹ rst 15 words. E-mail editor@libertypress.net for other options, and pricing.

J

uly heats your tamales as a bunch of planets oppose volcanic Pluto through the month. Don’t be surprised if what you thought is true DQG VROLG LV QRW 1HYHU IHDU ÀXLGLW\ LV what keeps us on our toes and makes us work harder for success. Change is often good and in this case, needed.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) If your domestic situation is in need of a summer cleaning, expect a big broom to sweep clean this month. Gay Rams either decide on new furnishings or new company to decorate their abode. The more time you spend on all of this, the less you want to spend on the job. Will all of this activity change your life’s goals? It depends on what your goals are. Unemployment?

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) Mystery surrounds you this July whether in secret admirers or secret enemies. Keep your ear to the ground and see if you can discern friend from foe. And speaking of secrets, there are things that you can do to remove the cosmic clutter from your life that might be creating obstacles to success. There is no mystery here: you know exactly what you have to do.

TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Talk is cheap, so they say. But talk of global adventure and changing the world could be expensive. Queer Bulls have grand plans that they need to put into action sooner than later. But careful planning and implementation are essential because of unforeseen obstacles. The world can become your oyster, if you like searching for pearls in every dish . . .

VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) Dive into the social swim this July and see who sails by and hoists you up. Queer Virgins can reach out and make new friendships very easily now. And the people you meet now lead you into all sorts of artistic enterprises. But don’t overdo it. The temptation will be to light your candle at both ends. That will quickly result in a very small and burnt candle.

GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) The world is looking rosy and lush. Why not increase the overgrowth by lavishing your lover with expensive gifts? But are they suitably grateful? Be sure to communicate carefully so that your lurid words match your extravagant actions. Even better, try to ¿QG ZD\V WR URPDQFH RQ WKH FKHDS 1XGH IRRG SDLQWLQJ can be combined with lunch . . . CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) The spotlight turns on you. Is it a harsh strobe or a rosy glow? The quality of your appearance is up to you, pink Crab. But be aware that partners and partnersto-be will be watching and assessing your charms. Give it all you’ve got and pour on the charm. The hearts that you capture this July will warm you throughout the summer . . . and then some.

LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Reach for the corporate star, proud Libra. It may be within your reach. You have worked too hard for too long to let this rare opportunity go by without a grab. But understand that everything has a cost. Here it may be too much time at work and not enough time nurturing home and family. Balance as best as you can and weigh the scales with the extra cash you earn. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Expand your horizons this July with either a quick and fanciful vacation or a week of nothing but lounging around the house and surfing the internet. Whatever lowers your stress will work. And the less said the better. Your words have a powerful but unintended effect. 7KLQN ÂżUVW DQG WDON VHFRQG %HWWHU VWLOO GRQÂśW WDON DW all. Let your actions speak prouder than your words.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) Even if you don’t feel especially feisty, the planets conspire to make you a delightful sexy morsel this July. Gay Archers attract anyone they set their minds to attract. Your amours will be plentiful and wooing WKHP ZLOO EH FRVWO\ 7KLV FDQ JHW \RX LQWR ERWK ¿VFDO and emotional trouble! Are your eyes too big for your whatevers? Pray for shrinkage. CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) How independent and fancy-free do you really feel, pink Cap? You may ¿QG WKDW \RX QHHG WR ¿QG RU FUHDWH the boundaries in certain one-to-one relationships so that you can truly be you. Finding your center is an important goal that should be very achievable this July. It will not be without some compromise for the love of others, but nothing that you can’t live with. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) Working hard has its benefits. But working smart is . . . well . . . smarter. Aqueerians need to put something extra into their efforts so that they really pay off. Sometimes that means gaining underhanded advantages. Sometimes it is just going with your gut to get you through the weeds. &RQVLGHU \RXU RSWLRQV EHIRUH WKH ¿HOG LV RYHUJURZQ PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) Let your creativity go on a wilde tangent and see where it leads you this July. Any artistic DGYHQWXUH ZLOO EULQJ IDU ÀXQJ IULHQGV FORVHU and ratchet up the fun and frolic. But learn to conserve your energy so that you can go the distance in any party-fueled pursuit. It would be a shame to turn into a pumpkin just before the harvest moon ball.

(c) 2013 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.

JULY 2013

Sunday Worship, 10 AM FREE Community Meal Saturday, July 13, 5-6:00pm

Adult Education Study July 14 after worship

͞,ŽůLJ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƚŝŽŶƐ͟ - faith discussions for adults July 21 & 28 after worship

Coming August 6, 7 & 8 Vacation Bible School! Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka 4425 SW 19th Street, Topeka, KS 66604 Phone: 785.272.1442 office@mcctopeka.org www.mcctopeka.org

2013 SUMMER SEASON SPAMALOT

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BROADWAY-QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT HAPPENING IN DOWNTOWN WICHITA

Season Tickets & Gift Certificates ON SALE NOW!

Call 265-3107 or visit www.MTWichita.org Centur\ ,, W. Douglas Photo from 2012 production of “9 to 5”

JULY 2013

LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.

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JULY 2013

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