PAGE 2
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUIARY 2013
RUN A MARATHON SON’S MEDICAL SCHOOL TRIP TO PARIS
TIME WITH GRANDSON
REMODEL KITCHEN
VOLUNTEER
With you when you need a Financial Advisor fully invested in you You have many options if you are looking to create a retirement plan based on your current situation. But creating a plan that will help get you to your dreams requires a more personal approach. At Wells Fargo Advisors, we’ll look at your entire financial picture, even money you’ve invested elsewhere, before creating a strategy that will help get you to and through retirement. With more than 125 years of investment experience, Wells Fargo Advisors offers more than just knowledge and insight. We offer vision and a path to lead you. To learn more about our comprehensive approach, call today.
ɄɄƌɄɄ ɄɄƌɄɄ
Martz-Wagner Financial Strategies Group of Wells Fargo Advisors 4.
8 #SJBO .BSU[ $'1¥ $*."¥ "%1" 'JSTU 7JDF 1SFTJEFOU *OWFTUNFOUT "DDSFEJUFE %PNFTUJD 1BSUOFSTIJQ "EWJTPS4. 4 .BJO 8JDIJUB ,4 5FM t XBSSFO C NBSU[!XFMMTGBSHPBEWJTPST DPN XXX XFMMTGBSHPBEWJTPST DPN XBSSFO C NBSU[ ,QYHVWPHQW DQG ,QVXUDQFH 3URGXFWV X 127 )',& ,QVXUHG X 12 %DQN *XDUDQWHH X 0$< /RVH 9DOXH 8FMMT 'BSHP "EWJTPST --$ .FNCFS 4*1$ JT B SFHJTUFSFE CSPLFS EFBMFS BOE B TFQBSBUF OPO CBOL BGöMJBUF PG 8FMMT 'BSHP $PNQBOZ ª 8FMMT 'BSHP "EWJTPST --$ "MM SJHIUT SFTFSWFE < W > "
Company
THEATRE
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
THE
JANUIARY 2013
PRESENTS:
JANUARY 10 - FEBRUARY 3
THE MYSTERY OF WICHITA PREMIERE! Full Frontal Lunacy! A hilarious quick-change comedy!
618.0444 www.forumwichita.com
a p enny dr eadf ul
by charles ludlam
FEATURING: RAY WILLS & MONTE WHEELER
“By far and away, the funniest two hours on a stage!” New York Times
FEBRUARY 14 - MARCH 3 1930's Berlin:
inside the Kit Kat Klub the girls are pretty, the mood is merry and the music sizzles with divine decadence.
Love flourishes for Sally Bowles and her American friend.
147 S. Hillside Wichita, KS 67211
I RMA VEP
CABARET
Reserve your seats Today!
Page 3
Winner of 12 Tony Awards and 8 Academy Awards.
Leave your troubles outside...
PAGE 4
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUIARY 2013
Find Liberty Press here! Dodge City
Dodge City High School, Hastings Books & Video
El Dorado
Pathways Psychological Services
Hays
Open Roads Community
Center
Hutchinson
Kansas Equality Coalition meetings
Joplin, MO
Spirit of Christ Metropolitan Community Church
Junction City
Rockstar and Rodgers, Xcalibur Club
Kansas City
Hamburger Mary’s
Lawrence
Aimee’s Coffeehouse, Bourgeois Pig, Community Mercantile, Douglas County AIDS Project, Dusty
Bookshelf, Ecumenical Christian Ministries, Einstein Bros. Bagel, Hashinger Hall, Henry’s, Java Break, KU’s Dean of Students office, KU’s Multicultural Resource Center, La Prima Tazza, Lawrence Public Library, Love Garden Sounds, The Mirth Café, NetworQ, Queers & Allies office, The Raven Bookstore, Rudy’s Pizzeria, Third Planet, Wheatfield’s Bakery, Wilde’s Chateau 24, Yello Sub, Z’s Divine Espresso
Manhattan
The Bluestem Bistro, The Chef Café, Dusty Bookshelf, Ecumenical Campus Ministry, First Congregational Church, Flint Hills Human Right Project meetings, K-State LGBT Resource Center, K-State Student Union, K-State Women’s Center, On the Wild Side, People’s Grocery, Planet Sub, Queer-Straight Alliance meetings, Radina’s Bakery & Café (two locations), Rockstar and Rodgers, Sisters of Sound Music, Strecker-Nelson Gallery, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan,
Varsity Donuts
Pittsburg
Body Intuition, Pitt State GSA meetings
Salina
Saline County Health Dept.
Topeka
The Blue Planet, The Break Room, Classic Bean (two locations), Field of Greens, Flowers by Bill, Lazio’s Coffee Bar, Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka, Positive Connections, PT’s Coffee Roasting Co., The Razor’s Edge, Reece Nichols Real Estate, Skivvies, Three Flowers Metaphysical, Topeka/ Shawnee County Public Library, The Upstage Gallery, Washburn Mabee Library, Washburn Union, YWCA
Wichita
Adult Superstore, After Dark South, The Anchor, Barnes & Noble, Bella Luna Cafe - East Central location, Bungalow 26, The Center, Circle Cinema, City Arts, College Hill United
Methodist Church, Crazy J’s Furniture & Sleep Shop, The Donut Whole, Fetish Lingerie, Fisch Haus, First Metropolitan Community Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Harris & Co. Frame Shop, Hunter Health Clinic, J’s Lounge, Journey in the Light, Junk in the Trunk, Kirby’s, KMUW, KU Internal Medicine - Midtown, Mead’s Corner, Moe’s Sub Shop, Monica’s Bundt Cake Co., Mystic Planet, Our Fantasy Complex, Patricia’s, Peace & Social Justice Center, Pine Valley Christian Church, Planet Hair, Planned Parenthood, Positive Directions, Rain Café & Lounge, Side Street Retro Lounge, Spice Merchant, The Store, Twist Yarn Shop, Vagabond Coffeeshop, Vegas Video, Watermark Books, Wichita Community Theatre, Wichita Public Library downtown, WSU - Rhatigan Student Center (info desk), WSU - That Gay Group meetings, WSU - Women’s Studies office, Xcitement Video
Would you like to see your business or organization on this list? It’s free! Contact Kristi at editor@libertypress.net to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.
JANUIARY 2013
Liberty Press
Volume 19, No. 4 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Paul Berge, Dave Brousseau, Chef Curtis, Nolin Christensen, Danny Cooper, Greg Fox, Charlene Lichtenstein, Mama, Audrey McQueen, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott, Ben Rivers, Tobacco Free Wichita Coalition • Staff Reporters: Helen Barnes, Amanda Barr, Angie Combs, Ciara Reid • Contributing Photographers: Danielle Creek • Cover Design: Troy Dilport • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: The Liberty Press
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 5
On the Cover:
Readers Choice Awards: Liberty Press’ first Best of Gay Wichita! Page 23
Subscriptions are $18/year
The “Liberty Press” and its contents may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. All rights reserved. Unsolicited material may not necessarily be acknowledged or returned, is assumed intended for publication unless otherwise stated, and becomes the sole property of the Liberty Press. Letters to the editor and bylined columns reflect the views and opinions of the authors only and are not necessarily those of the Liberty Press, LLC or its staff. The Liberty Press reserves the right to refuse or restrict advertisements at the editor’s discretion. Advertisers and agencies assume liability for claims arising from the content of their ads. Publication of the name, photograph or likeness of any persons, organization or business in articles or advertisements in the Liberty Press in no way indicates or reflects their sexual orientation. First copy free, additional copies may be obtained for a nominal fee from the publisher.
P.O. Box 16315 Wichita, KS 67216-0315 phone: (316) 652-PRESS [7737] e-mail: editor@libertypress.net www.libertypress.net © 2013 The Liberty Press
CONTENTS CAMP MEETS GOTHIC ROMP in The Mystery of Irma Vep......................... 10 DIRTY DOROTHY: No place like home at Missie B’s...............................13 NEW PRESIDENT OF WSU STUDENT GROUP wants LGBT leaders to be known on campus......................................................................19 WICHITA BEARS to host Valentine’s dinner................................................. 20 LGBT SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES to start in January........................21
Regulars OP/ED Poll results, letters, editorial cartoon........................................ 6-7 EDITORIALLY SPEAKING What have we learned from 2012? Will 2013 be different?.......................................................................................6 WICHITA BEARS PICNIC BASKET Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream......11 THE JOYS OF RAISING JACK Social Struggles.........................................14 MINOR DETAILS The Non-End of Homophobia......................................16 BOOKENDS Gulliver Takes Manhattan and If I Told You So...................18 LEATHER LIFE Leather Customs............................................................21 TRANS-FORMATIVE Will I Be Pretty?......................................................22 AUDREY ASKS Mackenzie Carmichael...................................................24 MOVIE MINUTE The Master...................................................................28 PICTURE PAGE Be an Angel, Mr. & Miss Gay Kansas USofA At Large..20
Around Kansas listings are free to non-profit/volunteer-based groups. Send your additions or corrections to editor@ libertypress.net.
IN EVERY ISSUE DISTRIBUTION LIST..................... 4 POINTS OF INTEREST.................. 8 MAMA KNOWS BEST.................. 15 POLL QUESTION........................ 21 NEWS BRIEFS............................ 26 COMICS....................................... 27 AROUND KANSAS...................... 28 CLASSIFIEDS.............................. 29 ENGAGEMENTS.......................... 29 OUT IN THE STARS.................... 29
Liberty Press
The Liberty Press distributes 4,000 copies a month in cities throughout Kansas, including Dodge City, Lawrence, Topeka, Wichita, Manhattan, Junction City, Hutchinson, El Dorado, Hays, Kansas City, Pittsburg and Salina.
We Accept
Now, Don�t Miss The Ad Deadline!
February 2013 AD DEADLINE January 23 ON-STANDS February 1
Don’t Get Out Much? Get a Subscription.
Name:_____________________________________ MAILED Address:___________________________________ FIRST CLASS! City _______________________________________ State______ Zip_____________________________
___ Check Enclosed ____ Please bill my (circle one) Visa Mastercard
Card # __________________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date:______________________________________
Just send this completed form with $18 (check, money order or visa/mastercard info) to: LP, PO Box 16315, Wichita, KS 67216-0315. We’ll send you a full year (12 issues) of Liberty Press, mailed every month in a plain brown envelope.
PAGE 6
OP/ED
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUIARY 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.
auction donors, and especially those persons who opened their wallets to make this weekend such a success. Kevin Stilley, Secretary/ Treasurer, Junction City Teddy Bears, aka Allie Monet 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.
Red Ribbon Weekend Dear editor: The 7th Annual Red Ribbon Weekend was a huge success! The Friday night auction at the Xcalibur Club in Junction City set a new record, raising $670. The Saturday night Red Ribbon Review, hosted by Miss Allie Monet, with an all-star cast of drag performers and live singers, raised an additional $666. Also on Saturday, the first annual Red Ribbon Ball at Kansas State University raised $49. Five hundred dollars will be donated to Duane’s Food Pantry at the Riley County Health Dept. This is available only to persons living with HIV/ AIDS. The remaining $885 will go to the HIV/AIDS Client Emergency Fund administered by the Junction City Teddy Bears. A huge “Thank You” to all persons who participated in helping to raise these muchneeded funds. This especially includes the Xcalibur Club, the JCTB’s, LBGT and Allies at K-State, Gamma Rho Lambda sorority, Delta Lambda Phi fraternity, and all entertainers,
Made in America Dear editor: My name is Chelsey Klube, and I am the writer and Executive Secretary/Treasurer for a new group called Made In America, Where Are My Rights? We’re a new organization based in Erie, PA, whose mission is to educate the public on the inequalities the LGBTA community faces. We hope to achieve this by taking photos of the community and sharing them, along with their stories. Our ultimate goal is to publish these into a series of books. We recently began a project on the website Indiegogo; we hope to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of our nonprofit application, photo equipment, travel costs to interview subjects outside our city, and finally to assist with the cost of publishing and printing the book series. We hope to get in touch with more people looking for their story to be told. Anyone interested in helping with our fundraising goal or having their story told can contact us at 585.519.6492, Indiegogo.com/ MadeInAmerica, Facebook. com/MadeInAmericaWhere AreMyRights or @MIArights Chelsey Klube Made In America, Where Are My Rights?
By Danny Cooper
What have we learned from 2012? Will 2013 be different?
W
hat can be expected in 2013? As I look back on all that 2012 has had to offer I see positives and negatives as I look forward into the future. It is worth mentioning though that the positives outweigh the negatives, and I am hopeful for 2013. 2012 brought us the reelection of Barack Obama and the fiscal cliff disaster that we hear of on the news. All too soon after the election we have be inundated with more propaganda more them-and-us speech. I want 2013 to bring us together as a country as a people. I hope that we focus more on getting this country on the right track and less on political divisiveness. 2012 wasn’t without tragedy. Due to the horrific events on Dec. 14 America is forever changed. We must remember Newtown as we go into the New Year. The 26 lives that were lost on that fateful day has brought sorrow to the hearts of not only the American people, but to people around the world. As we count our blessings we should remain vigilant and active to change the world for the better. Changing for the world for the better is nothing more than cliché or hyperbole if we do not first search within ourselves. Not every person will be motivated to stand in the cold and picket, not every person feels comfortable shouting their cause from the rooftops. However, help in ways that you can. Find something, however small, that you believe and do your part. As we can reflect on 2012 and all that it had to offer I encourage anyone with the ability to make 2013 better. What can we expect from 2013? Hopefully in 2013 the fiscal cliff will be a catch phrase of the past and all Americans will tighten their wallets a little and
our country will begin to get out of debt. If not the ever looming blame game will commence and we may be stuck in 2012 all over again. At the end of the day the majority of Americans agree that corporations are not people and therefore shouldn’t be treated as such. Corporations that create jobs in the United States should reap the benefits of certain tax breaks, those that ship jobs overseas should not. The gun debate has begun and this is not along normal party lines. Many people have guns for many different reasons. Instead of blaming anyone other than the shooter we should look to find what is faulty with our current system. This problem needs to be tackled holistically. We can look to other countries that have faced similar tragedies and see what works. There is no reason anyone needs an assault rifle. Gun control is not a nasty word. We forget that it was never the intention of our founding fathers to have rights bestowed upon those that wield those rights to suppress the rights of others. Your right to own a gun and all that it entails ends when it starts to violate my rights -including my right to person. We should think of regulating guns in a way in which those that wish to have guns are held accountable and responsible much like those that own a car, or house, or any other property. You are expected to be mentally capable, financially responsible, and are held accountable when you are not. As we move forward into the New Year let’s make 2013 better than 2012. Let’s hold each other accountable for making our country a better place. Whether we agree or disagree with each other let’s attempt to make 2013
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
the year where we listen to each other and work together to get our country on the right track once again. l
Danny Cooper is a graduate in Theatre and is currently finishing his 2nd and 3rd degrees in Political Science and International Studies. He has traveled and worked throughout Latin America, South Korea and most recently the Middle East. Follow him on twitter @ brasildan.
Online Readers Poll
%
Results! 24 yes 1 no 0 no opinion
Do you think our community should continue to push for non-discrimination ordinances?
4% 0%
yes yes no no
no opinion no opinion
96%
96%
Win 2 tickets to Billy Elliot in KC www.libertypress.net
Page 7
PAGE 8
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Wichita PFLAG being reactivated WICHITA - The Center of Wichita and former board members of the Wichita PFLAG chapter are working together to reactivate the chapter of PFLAG. PFLAG is an organization for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Years ago, Wichita had a PFLAG chapter and multiple people from the community have been asking to re-establish a chapter again. The Center contacted the last people who were in charge of the former
chapter and together they are working on getting a chapter started once again here in Wichita. The first meeting will be Jan. 15 at 7pm at The Center, located at 1602 E. Waterman. Anyone who is interested in helping, participating or wants to be a member is encouraged to attend this meeting. Please visit PFLAG International for more information about PFLAG at community. pflag.org/.
2013 charity calendar helps promote gay rodeos KANSAS CITY - Lupine Enterprises of Kansas
City has released its newest fundraiser calendar series. The 2013: Cowboy Country charity calendar is a male fullnude calendar designed to raise awareness and monies for the sport of gay rodeo. Proceeds from the sale of these calendars are given to various gay rodeo associations to help put on gay rodeos around the country and in Canada. Additional proceeds go to help sponsor HomoRodeo.com contestants by paying their entry fees into gay rodeos. Calendars are available at www.HomoRodeo.com.
Theatre on Consignment calls it quits WICHITA - “It is with regret that I must announce that Theatre on Consignment will no longer be an entity within the community,” Cherice Henderson, executive/ artistic director, said in a Facebook post. And with that, the troupe known for producing
JANUIARY 2013
an eclectic mix of shows that wouldn’t otherwise be seen in Wichita disbanded. According to Henderson, the reasons for the group’s closing are many. “We started losing audience a bit last season, and big time this season,” she explained. “Our costs of operation doubled. We were barely paying the bills each show.” Figure into that the Wichita Eagle’s decision to cut back on theatre coverage, leaving people in the dark about upcoming shows, and the future didn’t look very bright. “This has happened to a few theatres in town,” Henderson said of the Eagle’s lack of coverage, “and of course it affects attendance.” The people that make up Theatre on Consignment’s board, including Henderson, have been active in the theatre community for years. Henderson says that won’t change. “Many of us have been doing things with other theatres over the years, Wichita Community Theatre, Wichita Scottish Rite Signature Theatre, Kechi Playhouse, etc. so I am sure you will see us around.” But that won’t fill the void left by the group’s reputation to produce edgy shows, many of them LGBT-themed. “We have no plans at this time to start another group or anything of that nature,” Henderson said. “I, myself, plan on taking a break for a while.” l
We’re expanding! Want to be a distribution point? e-mail editor@libertypress.net
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 9
COME OUT AGAIN, THIS TIME AS A NON-SMOKER! The Center of Wichita is partnering with the American Lung Association and Tobacco Free Wichita (TFW) to provide a Freedom From Smoking cessation class. Visit TFW today for details, FREE resources and to reserve your spot. For more information check out: TobaccoFreeWichita.org or contact us at TobaccoFreeWichita@hotmail.com or 316-530-2839. Find us on Facebook and Twitter @tfwichita.
MAKE A FRESH START IN 2013 AND JOIN YOUR FRIENDS IN QUITTING. For FREE help quitting smoking now, visit KSquit.org or call 1-800-Quit-Now
PAGE 10
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUIARY 2013
Camp meets Gothic romp in The Mystery of Irma Vep By Helen Barnes WICHITA - Take Hitchcock’s film Rebecca and infest it with werewolves and vampires. Mix in some mummies. Add a ghost or two. Toss in two crossdressing actors who play eight roles and change costumes 48 times. Include literary allusions, a lot of “high camp” and you have The Mystery of Irma Vep. Irma Vep will be the Forum Theatre of Wichita’s first show of the new year, running Jan. 10Feb. 3. Rick Bumgardner, CoArtistic Director of the Theatre Company at the Forum Theatre, says the play is actually licensed so that the two actors are always the same gender in order to guarantee cross-dressing. The casting of his play was THROUGHan important consideration for Charles Ludlam when he penned Irma Vep in 1984. He wanted to keep the audience off balance by playing with gender. Ludlam wasn’t initially a writer – he was as an openly gay actor in the late His effeminate behavior HEATRE1960’s. and unusual appearance were at odds with his excellent theatrical training and he won few roles. PRESENTS:So he decided to create his own. In 1967 he founded New
York’s “Ridiculous Theatrical Company” and started writing plays. His first plays were simply odd. Then he focused on popular culture, which was very much a reflection of the time, since it was the era of Pop Art and Warhol (who happened to be a good friend). Ludlam began to fashion works that were hilarious sendups of the creations of cultural icons, such as Shakespeare, Molière, or Wagner. These plays were lauded for their bawdiness and wit. At a deeper level, however, reviewers began to realize that Ludlam was flouncing up and “b*tch-slapping” “Theatah Herself,” while wearing high heels and a bouffant. Ludlam wanted to make sure people didn’t take things so seriously that they forgot to live. He also turned the spotlight on less serious things so that folks would pay them more attention. Of himself, the playwright remarked, “I want to be remembered – as a great actress.” Unfortunately, Ludlam died of complications from AIDS in May of 1987 at the age of 44. In 1991, Irma Vep became the
JAN. 10 THE MYSTERY OF FEB. 3 THE
T Company
Sunday Worship, 10 AM JANUARY EVENTS:
I RMA VEP
a p enny
dr eadf ul
by charles ludlam
Full Frontal Lunacy!
“Brown Bag Devotional” A hilarious Wednesday, January 9, 12-1pm quick-change comedy! Food & Fellowship for the Body & Soul “Feed My Sheep” - FREE Community Meal “By far and away, Saturday, January 12, 5-6:30pm the funniest two hours on a stage!”
Join us Sundays at 10am for worship! New York Times Weekly Audio Sermon also available on MCC Topeka Facebook & Twitter
TICKETS:
4425 SW 19th Street, Topeka, KS 66604 Phone: 785.272.1442 office@mcctopeka.org www.mcctopeka.org
618.0444 forumwichita.com
THE FORUM THEATRE 147 S. HILLSIDE
WICHITA PREMIERE! M
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 11
200 N. BROADWAY | WICHITA, KS 67202 | 316.263.0884 EMPRISE BANK PRESENTS 2013 CLASSIC FILM SERIES
THE BIG CHILL THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 • 7 P.M. Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream 2 c. fat-free half & half 1/4 c. sugar substitute 1 tsp. peppermint flavoring 1 pkg. sugar-free instant chocolate pudding 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. Egg Beaters 1/4 c. egg whites 1 tsp. cream of tartar Whip egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Reserve to add to ice cream 1) Mix first 6 ingredients together in a sauce pan, on low heat bring to a simmer constantly stirring until thick. 2) Cool completely. 3) Pour mixture into ice cream maker: follow instructions for your machine. 4) When ice cream is still soft fold in egg whites that have been whipped until they have stiff peaks and finish freezing the ice cream. 5) Serve. Store any leftover ice cream in an air-tight container in the freezer. l most produced play in America. It remains the longest-running play in Brazil. Ludlam was recognized for his career when he was posthumously inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2009. The Forum Theatre production of Irma Vep features Wichita natives Ray Wills and Monte Wheeler in the eight roles. Wills has returned to Wichita after spending time on Broadway, where he played Max Bialystock in The Producers. According to Bumgardner, Wills also had parts in “almost every variety of Law and Order” possible. Wheeler is reprising his Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma role for Irma Vep. He is a regional icon who has performed at Cabaret Oldtown, Wichita Music Theatre, Wichita Children’s
Theatre and elsewhere. His roles have included Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Harold Nichols in The Full Monty. Bumgardner added that the “third actor” in Irma Vep is the team of dressers, Michael Karraer and Dona Lancaster, who choreograph the costume changes. One change takes place on stage as a human morphs into a werewolf. The werewolf then runs off stage and returns as a woman. All of this takes place in about 1.7 seconds while another character quips, “That man will never change!” In order to enjoy the campy, Gothic romp through England and Egypt that is The Mystery of Irma Vep, call the Forum Theatre at 316-618-0444, or find them on the web at www.forumwichita. com. l
WICHITA GRAND OPERA PRESENTS DONIZETTI’S
DON PASQUALE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 • 7 P.M.
RIVETING RHYTHMS, BOLD BEATS & EAR-GRABBING ENERGY
DRUMLINE LIVE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 • 8 P.M.
FRIENDS UNIVERSITY JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTS
COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 • 7:30 P.M.
JOHN DENVER A ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH CONCERT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 • 7:30 P.M.
TRACY MORGAN EXCUSE MY FRENCH | PRODUCED BY JADE PRESENTS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13 • 7 P.M. Tickets available through SELECT-A-SEAT: 316.755.7328, selectaseat.com, Dillons Superstores, & Plant Employee Clubs.
www.wichitaorpheum.com
‘EXTRAORDINARY’ ‘SPECTACULAR’
PAGE 12
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
TORONTO STAR
JANUIARY 2013
SEATTLE TIMES
E L A S ON WINNER!
! W NO
10BEST TONY AWARDS
®
MUSICAL
January 22–27•Music Hall
Ticketmaster.com•800-745-3000•All Ticketmaster Outlets•Music Hall Box Office•Groups of 10+ SAVE! Call 1-866-31-GROUP
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 13
Dirty Dorothy: No place like home at Missie B’s
By Ciara Reid, staff reporter KANSAS CITY - What started out as a party trick has turned into a successful stage show that currently pleases the zealous crowds at Missie B’s on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The Dirty Dorothy show is the brainchild of Jessica Dressler, who dons the famous ruby red slippers several nights a week. Dressler’s Dorothy is based on the classic Wizard of Oz character everyone knows and loves, but with expletives and sex jokes galore. “The character started as a party trick; ‘Make Dorothy say...’ then insert whatever the person wanted to hear,” explains Dressler. “I was later involved with Late Night Theatre and the amazing Ron Megee, and Dorothy grew to a backstage/ dressing room show where the actors would ‘ask Dorothy’ about what really went on in Oz.” If you’ve been entrenched in the Kansas City gay bar scene for a few years, odds are you’ve probably seen various versions of the Dorothy Show in several spots. Those who cherish fond memories from countless nights at Bar Natasha should recall the live singing drag show called the Girlie Show. Dressler, as Dorothy, emceed. That’s when the moniker ‘Dirty Dorothy’ became official. When that show closed, Dressler kept Dirty Dorothy alive for another stage show, this time at Sidekicks. Dressler’s friend Spencer Brown (Daisy Bucket) had a show called The Madness Show. When he was cast as Trampolina in The Kinsey Sicks, he asked Dressler to fill in as host. From there, Dressler and some of that show’s cast moved on to Missie B’s, where they launched The Dirty Dorothy Show. “My cast is truly amazing, and we have a blast together!” says Dressler. The Dirty Dorothy character has evolved with each venue. “At Bar Natasha, it was an ensemble show, so she was far more subdued,” Dressler says. “At Sidekicks, the show was absolute fantastic chaos, and she was more raucous. At Missie
B’s, I have more of a platform to work like a stand-up comedian, which is what I have found I enjoy the most.” Dressler has been taking her show on the road too. She’s made regular appearances at the Fantasy Complex in Wichita over the past several months and recently at Wilde’s Chateau 24 in Lawrence. The show itself gets better and better, all thanks to Dressler and the cast. Currently, the show has about 24 different performers throughout the month. The Saturday night show in particular has a revolving cast. The Sunday night show includes cast members that Dressler has worked with consistently for the last five years: Astro the Clown, Genewa Stanwyk ‘The Whore of ‘84,’ and the cast member Dressler ’s worked
Dorothy shows off her cleavage to a jealous Daisy Bucket.
line of merchandise. Dressler says they’ve had a soft launch of limited greeting cards and t-shirts available at Birdsings on the Plaza and other grocery and novelty stores. After the first of
my feet, so absolutely no plans of retiring them anytime soon,” says Dressler. “Someday I may wish to retreat back to black and white, but for now Technicolor is where it’s at!” l
The Dirty Dorothy Show Upcoming Events: Jan. 25th at the Fantasy Complex in Wichita: with special guest Roxie French For shows at Missie B’s, visit www.missiebs.com with the longest - Connie Carlysle. “As that cast has been together the longest, I’d say we evolve together as each of our characters continue to become more defined,” says Dressler. Those who have seen the show at Missie B’s know how crazy the atmosphere can get, but no one knows better than Dressler. She’s seen it all, and most of the time, she’s been in on the chaos. “We’ve had drag sumo wrestling on Chinese New Year, a drag watermelon eating contest on Labor Day,” she says. “Connie and I have ridden a mechanical bull together on more than one occasion - and yes she was in perfect 50’s drag.” On more than one occasion, Dressler says, Drag Wrestling has happened; though it is a rare occasion lately. “We’re all getting older and bruise more!” she explains. All these events keep the audience – and cast themselves – entertained. “We definitely don’t let ourselves get bored. If that ever happened, we’d probably quit,” says Dressler. Beyond the shows, future plans include the launch of The Dirty Dorothy Collection, a full
the year, the full line will be available. For Dressler, there’s no place like Missie B’s, where she feels like family. “From bar back to bartender to security to drag queen! I love everybody so much, work doesn’t feel like work. My cast is one of my favorite groups of creative people I’ve been lucky enough to work with … we have a ball together.” Anyone who might be nervous that Dressler will retire Dirty Dorothy and those ruby red slippers needn’t fret. “The slippers are still quite comfortable on
Keep warm with our new Winter clothing! Bajas & Hoodies. Gloves & Mucklucks!
(785) 776-2252
1128 Moro Manhattan, KS 66502 11am-6:30pm M-F • 11am-6pm Sat.
PAGE 14
Social Struggles “Hi baby, how was your day?” “Good,” Jack said. This is always what Jack says. “What did you have for lunch?” “Salad,” he replied, turning up his nose. “Today was chicken fiesta rice and it’s too spicy.” “Aw, I’m sorry. Did you have
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
a la carte?” “Yes, an ice cream sundae.” “Well, that’s good! What did you do at recess?” “I worked on rebuilding my relationship with those kids.” Jack said matter-of-factly. I tried to stifle my laughter at Jack’s choice of words. “Oh, I’m proud of you! How did that go?” “Okay.” And on goes our daily after school routine when Jack meets me at the car across the street from his middle school. I ask him lots of questions. He very graciously answers all of them. He’s a very honest kid. He tells me when he has problems, has to sit out in gym for acting out, has homework or “meltdowns,” etc. During our routine the day before, he said he told some friends at recess that he wasn’t going to talk to them anymore. I got the feeling that the friends weren’t being very nice and told Jack that they didn’t like anything he liked. In kidspeak, it translated to Jack’s tendency to talk about the same things over and over . . . and over and they were tired of it.
I encouraged Jack to try and talk to them about some of the things they like, which led to the above answer the following day. “How was gym?” “Oooohh-kay. We played kickball and my team lost. The other team kept kicking the ball down the sideline and my team didn’t score once!! The other team was cheating!” I found out later that he had to sit out because he wouldn’t quit saying the other team cheated. “What about FACS?” I asked, referring to the new name for what I consider Home-Ec. It stands for Family And Consumer Science. “Epic failure on the sewing machine,” Jack said with a frown. -- Jack worked with the Rainbows therapists admirably. A l w a y s a h a p p y, j o v i a l personality he willingly did everything that each of them asked even if it was a struggle and he wasn’t successful. I have come to find out what a gift that has been. He has continued
JANUIARY 2013
that mentality throughout his childhood and it hasn’t shined more than his recent transition to middle school. One of the things the speech therapist did was put tiny pieces of candy on the outsides of his mouth - on his cheek, chin, etc. - and asked him to get it with his tongue. It was obvious that he didn’t have the muscle control or dexterity in his tongue to do it! His tongue went all different directions trying to aim it at the candy - both by feel and while looking in a mirror. He tried and tried. All of Jack’s therapists were women and it’s interesting to note here that he seemed to try much harder and behave much better for the cuter therapists! Is that somehow ingrained at such a young age? It’s also interesting to note that through all of this Jack is still not talking. Not a word. It’s amazing to think back at how easy it was to communicate with him. I can’t imagine it now, but it wasn’t an issue at all. He actually didn’t start talking until he was three and a half years old, but we’ll get to that next time. l
JANUIARY 2013
H
ello Wichita! Did you look for my column in the December issue? It was on page 24. Okay so I am lying. It was not in there! It did say I was on page 24, but I took a month off to survive the holidays with my family! So in November I ask you readers a question. I only got one response. I think Wichita needs to wake and pay attention to Mama before I get upset! The question(s) were as follows: Why do you all ask me about dating so much, gay or straight? What makes you think I know the answers? Dear Mama, I am a 26-year-old single mom and by far do I want dating advice. I want to answer your question as to why people ask you for dating advice, well my opinion anyways. Young people now days have no moral values about family, love and relationships. For those of us who do, it is hard to find someone else that does. All anyone wants anymore is someone to pay their way and provide for them. Money and material objects, looks and sex. That’s what young people are about now days. Now you probably have a lot of moral values when it comes to love and relationships, but, now it is about who has more money and who will do more of this and who is better at that. My son’s father and I were together for five years and he left for someone with more money and a car. And I see it happen a lot. So why ask your advice? Your moral standards can help find someone with those types of values. Plus, some people may figure that you’ve had a lot more experience with dating than we have and know the signs of a sap when you hear (read) about them. You can say I’ve been there, he’s no good. Or I tried that, she’s just pulling your strings. That’s what I think. Signed, Single and Happy
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
I want to thank Single and Happy for your response and your kind words. I do agree with you on some of the younger generation ideas you have! Thanks again! Dear Mama, How are you going to spend New Year ’s Eve? Signed Partier Well, I usually watch the ball in Times Square fall on TV and drink a beer. I know it is midnight when my support hose falls to my ankles! Good Lord, maybe I should drink two beers this year! Mama, What is your opinion on gun control? Curious I think guns should be taken away from idiots and the ones with issues. So basically, only a few people will have guns! Like us old broads. I have to break away from my usual funny attitude to be serious. What happened in Connecticut in December just made me sick and confused. I cannot wrap my mind around it. I do believe we need some kind of gun control, but not taking the right to protect yourself away. We also need to pay more attention to the entire mental health system. I know from personal experience that people do fall through the cracks of the system. Someone very close to me has schizophrenia and for a long time we couldn’t get the help they needed because they had to be a threat to themselves or others. Needless to say, without going into detail, they got help. In a nutshell we need to make major changes to keep this kind of unimaginable thing from happening! Connecticut is in my heart and thoughts! I hope to get more questions soon! E-mail me at Mamatharper@aol. com or message me on Facebook Thelma Harper! Thank you all and Happy New Year! l
Page 15
PAGE 16
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Minor
Details By Bob Minor
The Non-End of Homophobia
2
012 ended with the Associated Press publishing a new stylebook for journalists that bans the use of the words “homophobia” and “Islamophobia.” The AP argues that “phobia” describes an illness or mental disability and, thus, isn’t accurate in “political or social” reporting. As Michelangelo Signorile argued, the problem with their decision “is not necessarily the logic of the argument as much as it is how long it took the AP to get to it.” He himself restricts use of the term to discussions of psychological motives and so prefers “anti-gay” where others use “homophobia.” The word, however, has been used for 40 years. This change comes at a time when anti-gay forces, feeling they’re on the run culturally, are hunting for any support for their retrograde prejudices. So by banning “homophobia,” Signorile argues, “the AP is in fact playing into a political agenda, erasing a word that came into usage decades ago and has a meaning that is broadly understood. By banning the word, the AP does exactly what it seemed to be trying to avoid: backing an agenda and taking a side.” Signorile’s distinctions are
relevant as writers debate this change. Timing is important, and one wonders what the underlying motives are for the Associated Press to end the use of “homophobia” now. It’s not that homophobia has left the news. Another end-of-the year story lays bare not only what homophobia is, but also why LGBT people are lightning rods for mental and emotional issues that homophobia describes. News sources out of Mesa, Arizona, reported that two high school boys who were caught fighting were given the choice of suspension or sitting in the school courtyard holding hands while other students shouted and spewed homophobic slurs. One student described students “laughing at them and calling them names, asking ‘Are you gay?’” The principal who oversaw the punishment had been brought in as a savior to reinvigorate the school’s reputation. But now the school district wasn’t amused, saying it “does not condone the choice of in-school discipline given these students, regardless of their acceptance or willingness to participate.” Everyone who knows anything about the subject would argue that this punishment reeked of homophobia. It sent a
message of non-acceptance to LGBT people, but it did more. We have no idea what the sexual orientation of these two high school boys was. The odds are they were not gay. B u t t h e y, t h e s t u d e n t s who taunted, and others who witnessed both the use of holding hands as a punishment by authorities and the resulting student taunts, and the adults who thought up and condoned the “punishment,” were all victims and enforcers of our culture’s predominant homophobia. For homophobia stifles the humanity of everyone. I agree emphatically with Michelangelo Signorile: homophobia denotes something deeper, something behind the anti-gay rhetoric and abuse LGBT people experience. I also agree that it’s better to call the rhetoric and abuse exactly what it is – anti-gay actions that should never be condoned but clearly punished. The profounder reality is that much of our culture remains invested in this deeper homophobia that’s behind anti-gay words and actions. And often, therefore, it acts its homophobia out on LGBT people. The basic, underlying cultural meaning of homophobia denotes something that is not necessarily about sexual orientation. And if LGBT people can realize this, they can free themselves from believing the culture’s problem is their problem or their existence, or has anything to do with them. At its root in America, homophobia is actually the fear of getting close to one’s own gender. It is this fear that stands behind all of the other uses of the word such as fear of gay people, fear of homosexuality, fear of being gay, fear of samesex feelings, anti-LGBT actions and slurs, etc. Homophobia is systemic. Americans are supposed to be so conditioned that they internalize this fear and self-monitor it. Homophobia fuels American consumerism. If one believes that half of the world cannot meet one’s closeness needs and that only one person from the other half – defined culturally as Mr. or Ms. Right – can do so, it’s easier to convince people that when this one savior fails to
JANUIARY 2013
be fulfilling there are products to be bought to make it more likely that natural human closeness needs can be met. Since no single relationship can fulfill all one’s needs for human closeness, especially the patterned straight or straightacting forms of relationships defined by a consumer-oriented culture, there will always be a market for cosmetics, gym memberships, fad diets, nicer cars, anti-aging treatments, and you name it, to promise fulfillment. The American way of advertising and marketing counts on it. But what happens when someone openly challenges the root idea of homophobia and acts as if you can get close to your own gender without being afraid? Well, that’s the rub. It’s the fact that anyone demonstrates for all to see that no one has to be afraid, but can actually like, same-sex closeness that causes trouble. So, we don’t mind gay men, bisexual people and lesbians who are “that way.” We can tolerate that in a homophobic culture. But do they have to “shove it in our face?” Do they have to “flaunt it?” “Why do we have to see it?” And: “Why do they have to have Gay Pride?” “Why I even think they’re in my church, but they’re not bragging about it.” LGBT people who display the same openness about their relationships that any heterosexual couple can without much notice, openly threaten the system’s homophobia. They are openly saying that the system is wrong. And the system hates that. So expect the same reaction to two guys holding hands no matter what their sexual orientation. The larger question is: shouldn’t we all be able to hold each other’s hands? Or does that make it just too hard to shoot or hit the person whose hand we’re holding? And we wouldn’t want that. We’re a warrior culture after all. 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: 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.
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 17
PAGE 18
A
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
By Ben Rivers
fter reading the two books I reviewed this month I am left wondering if I am a prude. Maybe it is because I grew up in the Midwest in a proudly conservative Bible Belt family. I have always considered myself to be the liberal branch of my family tree, but maybe I am, dare I say, puritanical when it comes to sex. Justin Luke Zirilli is in no way as puritanical as I. His title character of his debut novel, Gulliver Takes Manhattan (AmazonEncore, $14.95), practically takes all of Manhattan
Island to his bedroom, or a back room, or an alley, or . . . well, anywhere. In the “Round III” section of the book, I found myself actually saying out loud, “Oh, come on!” and thinking that I might need a mental STD test. Some authors use intimate relations like cayenne pepper in chocolate; a spice to kick up and accentuate the positive flavors of the chocolate. Zirilli drowns his otherwise engrossing story in gratuitous pornography. And if that is what you are looking for in a book, turn to the “Round III” section of Gulliver Takes Manhattan. I don’t think you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for an engrossing story, you will weep with me. Zirillli is brave and unafraid to take his character to the point of mental, emotional, and physical meltdown. Negative actions have negative consequences, and there are unexpected twists
in the plot. So I wept when this enticing story was destroyed by needless gratuity. While Gulliver was unexpected, the events in If I Told You So (Kensington, $15) played out a little too expectedly. Ti m o t h y Wo o d w a r d h a s written a young adult novel that portrays coming out as a teen in an overall positive manner, which is somewhat rare for
JANUIARY 2013
LGBT coming-out stories. There are many memoirs and novels about the negative reactions to coming out, but when Sean Jackson, the main character, realizes what others already know, he finds a reliable support system. My hope is that LGBT teens would read this book and see that there are so many loving and accepting people out there waiting to support them. I could find only two negatives about If I Told You So. Sean’s first love, brash NYC Jewish “bestie” gal pal, and stereotypical father figure are too predictable, and I wanted more unexpected twists for Sean to navigate. Also, and this is where I put on my “Prudie McPrudence” name badge, the sex scene went too far for young adult fiction. So while I think this is a positive read for young adults, I caution parents to read it before recommending it to teens. I am interested to see if I am as big a prude as I now see myself. Readers, after reading these two books let me know your take. Maybe we can start a Kansas chapter of the “LGBT Prudes” club. l
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 19
New president of WSU student group wants LGBT leaders to be known on campus
By Angie Combs
W I C H I TA - A t Wi c h i t a State University there is one student organization that has been working on creating a
Moore safe place for students of all types, but with a particular focus on the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and ally community. Simply referred to as TGG!, That Gay Group! has a new president that is taking the lead this January. Meet Patrick “Patch” Moore. Wichita native and graduate of East High School, Moore is now a senior Shocker. Majoring in music and being a part of several student organizations, Moore was chosen by the TGG! Board to take on the office of President as the current elected official graduated in December. Moore has been an active member of TGG! for nearly four years and says he has enjoyed every minute of it. His favorite moment came this past spring at the 2 nd
Annual “Finals Are a DragShow,” when he debuted as “Tiffany” and took home the crown. When not involved in classes, homework, and activities, Moore said he enjoys spending time with friends, finding music to listen and dance to, and keeping up with his favorite TV shows. So what’s next for That Gay Group!, as Moore takes the reins in January? He said he wants the organization to continue with its social and support missions that TGG! was founded on, but he also “wants to put a bigger face to TGG! on campus. “I want officers to break out, be seen and be known,” he said. He calls himself the “firecracker” of the group and hopes to incorporate a fun aspect while raising awareness and
increasing the acceptance of all Shockers. In the works for the spring semester is WSU’s Pride Week as well as the 3rd Annual “Finals Are a Drag-Show.” Alumni advisor, Brad Thomison, said he is “excited to see what he [Moore] will be able to do with the organization. He embodies TGG!’s mission to not only create a safe space for queer Shockers, but to also empower
campus leaders to grow and become powerful voices for the WSU community.” Anyone interested in joining TGG! or wanting more information can visit www. wichita.edu/tgg or e-mail thatgaygroup@wichita.edu. After all, according to Moore, TGG! is the “most amazing organization to be a part of: to learn, to grow and to have fun.” l
PAGE 20
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Wichita Bears to host Valentine’s dinner
By Steve Einsel WICHITA - The Wichita Bears are bringing back a Valentine’s dinner for GLBT individuals and couples. On Saturday, Feb. 9 the Bears will be serving “Valentine—Italian Style,” beginning at 7pm at the South Forty. Price for the lasagna dinner will be $15 or $25 per couple. A typical Italian pasta dinner will be presented with salad, garlic bread and dessert; drinks are not included. Diners are invited to stay after dinner for conversation and dancing. “GLBT couples wishing to celebrate Valentine’s Day often have problems trying to find a place to go for dinner, so we wanted to fill that gap,” Ben Breese, president of the Wichita Bears said. “We teamed up with the South Forty and chose to offer an alternative for a special dinner the weekend before Valentine’s Day, to make it easier for people to attend.” Dinner tickets can be purchased from a Wichita Bears member or online at wichitabears.org, but must be purchased in advance. A portion
JANUIARY 2013
Be an Angel Dec. 7, 2012
of the proceeds will be donated to local LGBT charities. Valentine’s Dinner will mark the first event of the new year for the Bears and the first event for a new slate of officers. New officers are Randy Ballard, treasurer and Robb Mitchell, secretary. They will work with the existing officers Ben Breese, president; Curtis Isley, vice president; Travis Hooper, webmaster; and Jim McAdam at-large board member. Following a successful year, the Bears are looking forward to an even more successful 2013. 2012 included a Dining With Friends dinner fundraiser with WOOLF and MCC for Positive Directions, the annual Bears In the Heat, participation in the Wichita Pride events and the AIDS walk, hosting a booth at Coming Out Day and concluded with a successful, record-breaking La Cage aux Bears. The club meets on the third Sunday of each month at 5pm in the Spangles community room (located at Kellogg and Broadway). Everyone is invited to attend. l WICHITA - Revelers at First MCC’s annual fndraiser for its Homeless Overflow Shelter. Entertainers donated their time and tips for the cause including Audrey McQueen, pictured top right. Photos by Kristi Parker
Mr. & Miss Gay Kansas USofA At Large Nov. 30, 2012 Wichita - Pictured below: Dorae Saunders, Dakota Whitney, Dan Henderson, Lindsay Paige and Nikko Andrews. Photos by Danielle Creek
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Leather Life By Nolin Christensen aka Master C
This column is dedicated to explaining to others what the Leather lifestyle is about and what we do.
Leather Customs
W
ithin the Leather community there are many customs and protocols that are used to govern our lifestyle. This month’s article is a hope to shed some light on those customs and how they are different from area to area. The customs and protocols of the Leather community are as many and varied as the communities where leather exists. Because of these variations, the customs of one community are not necessarily the same as the customs of another. This has been the case ever since the U.S. Leather community came into existence back in the 1940’s. The Leather culture originally formed in Europe before World War II and then came to the U.S. after the end of the war. However, the customs between Europe and America are vastly different. There are even differences between the customs between Canada and the U.S.; even though they are different they are more similar to each other than to the Leather customs in Europe. Even here in the U.S., the customs differ from coast to coast and from city to city. No two are exactly the same. Yes there are similarities, but the one constant is they are all different. So you may be wondering, “How on earth do I learn the customs of a community if they change from place to place?”
First of all there are basics that every community uses. Some use them to a greater degree than others, but the bottom line is that there is a foundation that exists in all the communities. The Dom/submissive relationship is one of those basics. Honor, integrity and respect is another. To find out how a community operates, sit back and observe the leathermen and women and soon you will recognize the leaders of the community. Then you can approach them and inquire more specifically on how that community operates. When the Leather community was first getting started here in the U.S., there were three main areas; the West Coast, the East Coast and the Chicago area. One custom that was very different between the East and West Coasts was the hanky flagging. Flagging is a way to subtly let others know your sexual preferences. Early on, the West Coast Dom’s flagged on the left and submissives on the right however, the East Coast was the opposite. Today, the West Coast way of flagging is the standard that everyone uses. This is just one of the many things that was different and that has changed over the years. Here in Wichita, the Leather continued on page 29
Page 21
LGBT smoking cessation classes to start in January
enough problems to tackle? “Tobacco use is the number one preventable health problem By Tobacco Free Wichita Coalition that we can steer clear of,” Dr. Scout, director of The Network WICHITA - The Bilerico for LGBT Health Equity, stated Project, the third largest LGBT in the video. news blog nationally, recently Smoking rates in the LGBT published a personal update community are often 70% higher from Bil Browning, editor of the than the general community due publication. Browning recently to discrimination, the stress of announced in October that he coming out, feeling alienated would be quitting smoking (especially as a teenager) and the on his 40th birthday . . . a life- social norm of smoking within long struggle for the community. him and many More than 30,000 in the LGBT LGBT lives are lost community. yearly due to smoking Browning, not related illnesses and only went public, complications. Many he decided to in the community don’t Online start a “wider realize the impact conversation” Readers tobacco has on the on smoking entire body. Smoking Poll in the LGBT not only increases community. The Do you plan to cancer risks and asthma, American Legacy quit smoking this but can also interfere F o u n d a t i o n year? with medications; partnered with including hormone Visit B r o w n i n g a n d www.libertypress.net therapy, medications The Network for for depression and HIV to cast your vote! LGBT Health treatments. Equity to produce an excellent In fact, smoking can weaken short video to help get the the immune system allowing conversation started. HIV and cancers to be more Legacy also joined the aggressive and at the same time Human Rights Campaign in interferes with the medications, hosting a panel discussion that making them less effective. was viewable by webcast on During the December panel Dec. 11 discussing these issues. discussion, Legacy brought Check out Legacy’s website together leaders within the to view the video and all of the LGBT community to share latest documents and research their knowledge and experience that were just released at with others. Their efforts can www.legacyforhealth.org/ educate people on how to make LGBT or Tobacco Free a difference in tobacco control Wichita Coalition’s blog, in their own community. TobaccoFreeWichita.org, One major step forward has for local news, support and been the inclusion of a sexual events. orientation question on the Why should the LGBT National Health Survey that is community worry about conducted every year. This will smoking? Aren’t there continued on page 28
National webcast tackles the issue
FMCC Ad 1.13:Layout 1 PAGE 22
12/19/12
4:32 PM
Page 1
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUARY MATT FENWICK
JANUIARY 2013
IN
IN CONCERT...
JANUARY 26TH • 7:30 PM
FMCC • 156 S. Kansas • Wichita Benefit Concert for FMCC
EVERY THURSDAY 6 TO 9 PM IS...
FMCC BINGO Night
PDI Bingo Hall • 1010 W. 41st Street S. Every 3rd Thursday of the month is Buy One/Get One Free $20 Packets Thursday Night Profits Benefit FMCC
Monday & Saturday Nights Benefit PDI
Attend Church in Your
UNDERWEAR?
ONLY ifif You You Watch Watch Our Our ONLY Livestream Service Service Sunday Sunday at at 10:15 10:15 am am Livestream at www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com at
FIRST MCC OF KANSAS
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH GOD LOVES YOU.
PERIOD Experience the Revolution™
Rev. Jackie Carter, M.Div.
156 S. Kansas • Wichita, KS 67211 (316) 267-1852 www.MCCWichita.com www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com Office Hours: M-F 9-12 And by Appointment
Will I Be Pretty?
I
watched a video by Kate Makkai entitled “Now For Sale: Daughters, $10,000 Each (If They’re Pretty)” from a link on a friend’s Facebook page, expecting that after watching it, I would be shaking my head in wonderment about how such a thing could happen. As expected, I was shaking my head. Not as expected, I was shaking my head at myself, wondering how such a thing could have happened. I was consumed by the feelings of a 54-year-old, 16-year-old girl, and the many truths and not truths that have come into and out of focus in my lifetime. Stopped in mid-breath by an all too real reality and an all too unreal pretending of some of those truths and some of those not truths. The video is a remarkable commentary about self-worth, and the pains (figuratively) and pains (literally) that we sometimes put ourselves through to be pretty. It is a remarkable commentary about how much value so many people place on measuring up. It brought with it my own personal metal video of the actions, decisions, and thoughts that are part of my daily existence. Will I be pretty? Every morning I sit at my make-up table and look into my make-up mirror and take actions, make decisions, and
think thoughts, all designed to influence how I am seen. A lot has changed in the 5 ½ years I have been doing this. Mountains of make-up have been replaced by touches and the day has come when I can actually go to the store without putting on any make-up at all. All of this leads me to believe that my understanding of the image in the mirror is something not the same as the image in the mirror. Something more about how I see myself and something less about how I will be seen. Something more about being who I am and something less about being who I think I am supposed to be. Then I walk into the world and see the most stunningly beautiful women with narrow waists and perfect faces. I still see in them what I wish I could be and what I wish I could have been. My heart still longs for the never possible chance for me to be a little girl, shopping for the most darling little-girl dresses, and spinning and skipping my way through the store. Resentment never takes hold as a recall the pain of pretending to be a man and the struggles of trying to play the part well, in spite of myself. That I am allowed to present myself as a woman is a miracle in itself. continued on page 28
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 23
2013 Best of Gay Wichita BALLOT
LGBT Event____________________________
W
elcome to Liberty Pressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first Best of Gay Wichita 2013! Located to the right is the ballot to vote for your favorites in the LGBT community in Wichita. Voting is open Jan. 1-Feb. 8, 2013. Votes will be tallied and the winners will be announced in the March 2013 issue.
LGBT Fundraiser_______________________ LGBT Organization_____________________ Bartender_____________________________
Some notes: If you are unsure if your favorite would qualify, refer to the helpful title: Best of Gay Wichita. We want to know what the LGBT community thinks, with a focus on LGBT people, places and things. Feel free to fill out as many, or as few, categories as you like.
Dance Floor____________________________
To vote: Write in your picks, then send the ballot to us via snail mail to:
Theme Night___________________________
Liberty Press PO Box 16315 Wichita, KS 67216-0315
Include as many ballots as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like - gather your friends and save a stamp!
Or you may vote online at: www.libertypress.net
Place to Grab a Beer____________________ Place to Meet Women____________________ Place to Meet Men______________________ Mixed Drink (what/place)________________ Overall Bar____________________________ Hair Salon_____________________________ Gay-friendly Restaurant/Coffeeshop_______ ______________________________________ Drag King_____________________________ Drag Queen____________________________ Local DJ______________________________ Local Musician/Singer___________________ Local Actor____________________________ Theater_______________________________ Educator______________________________ Massage Therapist______________________ Realtor________________________________ Attorney______________________________ Business Person________________________ Community Leader_____________________
PAGE 24
H
ello once again Kansas and Happy New Year! I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and enjoyed my last article with Jiggly Caliente. This month I have chosen to interview the lovely Mackenzie Carmichael! She is a staple in the Wichita gay community, she is a Showgirl, and she is one of my inspirations! Enough blabbering let’s get to know Mackie! Audrey McQueen: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me. Mackenzie Carmichael: You’re welcome, girl! AM: My first question is how did you get your drag name? MC: I made a list of all the first
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUIARY 2013
names that I thought would fit my personality. I then made a list of last names of all the boys I wanted to marry. I was a romantic youth. I then mixed and matched until I came up with Mackenzie Carmichael. It seemed to fit. AM: Very cool, how did you get your start doing drag? MC: I started as a dresser for a friend of mine who wanted to compete. We were brand new at drag. We prepared for the Miss Fantasy Pageant - he as the queen, and myself as the dresser. Two days before the competition, he decided he didn’t want to do it. We were the same size, so we switched roles. I ended up winning the contest
Mackenzie Carmichael Sugar Experience.
and the rest is history!
AM: Who are your inspirations for what you do? MC: Fritz Capone, Big Mama Simone, Jamacia Montez, locally. Norma Christie, Lady Bunny, Tommy Ross, on a more national level. I am currently inspired that the entire art of drag has become more commercial. There are many, many talented queens locally and nationally that carry on the “Drag” torch. Whether raising money or pushing the envelope with technical illusion, from the time of Stonewall forward, the art form of female illusion will always inspire me. The players are interchangeable from one season to another. It is an historical part of gay history from the beginning of gay rights. I have had a terrific time dedicating my many years to the craft. AM: Do you have any advice to a new drag queen wanting to start out? MC: Look in the mirror as much as possible. When you believe it and own it, then one can convince others. AM: Where can we catch you perform? MC: I have been employed at the Fantasy from 1999 to current. Through the years I have been a feature for the Fritz Capone Follies. Big Mama Simone and the Chicks, and most recently, and longest-running: The Brown
AM: Do you have any current or past titles the readers should know about? MC: Miss Fantasy, Miss Diva, Miss Gay Kansas America, Miss Gay Kansas USofA. AM: Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about you? MC: I truly love to perform and give “ya” Mackie. I have spent a lot of time learning my character. Many blessings have come from this experience: I met my partner of 15 years, traveled, am able to create hair, sew costumes, and generally play dress up all the time. I would like to thank all the readers for the many years of support and tips, and overall generosity I have been afforded throughout my performing years. I plan to share my craft as long as an audience enjoys watching me! Neat! Thank you so much Mackenzie for your time! Mackenzie was one of the first drag queens I saw that inspired me to do what I do, so it was such an honor to interview her! Mackenzie is on Facebook so make sure you friend her and get to know her and go see a show! Thank you all for reading this month! I will be back next month with a special drag king interview so make sure you stay tuned! Happy New Year! And that is what Audrey Asked! l
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 25
PAGE 26
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
News Briefs
New York City announces Pride theme
Bedding for gay men Vice Merchants, the rebelliously l u x e b e d d i n g c o m p a n y, announced the release of “Cowpokes,” its first line of bedding geared specifically towards gay men. Made from 100% Egyptian cotton, 400 thread count, fine Sateen fabric, the bedding, available in wheat and slate, features a ranch scene of playfully undressed men engaging in acts of whimsical outdoor fun and farm work. Illustrated by award winning artist, K. Commodore, cows, horses and tractors further set the scene as men work hard and play hard in the foreground. “ We ’ r e e n t h u s i a s t i c t o expand our brand to cater to the gay community,” Jake Katz,
JANUIARY 2013
breakinglasspictures.com.
President of Vice Merchants stated. “Cowpokes is a design unlike any other that allows gay men to spice up your bedroom in a subtle, yet enticing and playful manner. With this bedding, every night can feel like a sweaty day with the boys on the ranch.” www.vicemerchants.com.
Two DVD releases: Hedda Lettuce‘s Go Go Crazy and The Falls Go Go Crazy, writer-director Fred M. Caruso’s outrageously funny and sexy follow up to his acclaimed The Big Gay Musical, will
be released on DVD Dec. 11 by Breaking Glass Pictures. Led by the iconic drag comedian Hedda Lettuce, the film also stars adult gay film star Jake Steel and a cast of hot male up-and-comers. Also being released by Breaking Glass Pictures on DVD Dec. 11 is Jon Garcia’s The Falls, a love story between two young Mormon men. The Falls captures the lives of the men struggling to make sense of the conflict between their worlds, their desires and each other. What they ultimately discover is a challenge to them both, but also an affirmation of the human spirit. www.
NYC Pride announced the official 2013 Pride theme: “Rain to Rainbows.” In addition to the theme announcement, NYC Pride released an assortment of official 2013 theme artwork that can be found through their various social media channels. This year’s theme will spotlight the many positive changes that have occurred despite the struggles the LGBT community
Photo: Chris Callis
The true story musical phenomenon that takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 10 • CENTURY II CONCERT HALL 316.219.4849 • wichitaTIX.com • •
WichitaTIX box office • Groups: 1.866.314.7687
www.JerseyBoysTour.com
Contains authentic Jersey language.
Original Cast Recording On
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
still faces. NYC Pride will host their annual barrage of events commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, beginning with the Rally and ending with the Dance on the Pier.
8 destinations for LGBT travelers to visit or avoid in 2013 Bruvion is pleased to announce ALT By Bruvion, a new company catering to the travel needs of the LGBT community. Alternative Luxury Travel (ALT) appeals to open-minded individuals looking for life-enriching and memorable travel experiences. Drawing on their insight of travel experiences, ALT’s team has compiled a list of 8 places for LGBT people to avoid or to visit in 2013. Most Opulent Destination: Sardinia, Italy A playground for the social elite who flock here with their yachts each summer to see and be seen, Sardinia offers many luxurious 5-star hotels featuring the most expensive rooms found anywhere.
gay and straight, centuries of history and culture on every corner, Istanbul is perfect for a gay guy and his gal pal. Best Gay Family Destination: Copenhagen, Denmark A very open and accepting culture, an amazingly beautiful city and sites for kids and adults. Plus there’s nightlife once the kids go to bed.
H o t t e s t N e w International Destination: Bhutan This small Buddhist country in the Himalayas is opening their arms to tourists, but only to a certain number each year.
Most Overrated Destination: Dubai Full of hype and far removed from reality; Dubai is a big city in the middle of a desert with little charm, less visible history and antiquated laws.
Most Dangerous U.S. City to Visit for Gay Travelers: Detroit, MI A slumping economy, increase in crime, high number of landmark gay bars closing and a severe lack of smart accommodations puts Detroit at the top of our list of U.S. cities to avoid.
Best Destination for Singles: Paris With its opulent hotels, amazing food and fashions, Paris offers more than enough distractions to keep any single person occupied and carefree.
Best Destination for Gays & Their Girlfriends: Istanbul Good-looking men both
Hottest Gay Event Destination: Sydney/ Cairns Let your hair down at Sydney’s Mardi Gras then escape to recoup at The Great Barrier Reef. l
Page 27
PAGE 28
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 Body Intuition Massage Therapy & Wellness Center, 302 E. 4th, Suite E, Pittsburg, (620) 875-1928, www. facebook.com/bodyintuitionpittsburg, offers spiritual and emotional wellness and massage therapy to those affected by HIV/AIDS. 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 confidential or anonymous testing with Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters. KU Internal Medicine-Midtown, KU School of Medicine, 1001 N. Minneapolis, Wichita, (316) 293-1840, (877) 472-8227 toll-free, (316) 293-2652 HIV Program LGBT Health Coalition of Sedgwick County, Wichita, (316) 285-0007, www. sedgwickcountylgbt.org Positive Connections, 1001 SW Garfield Ave, third floor, Topeka, (785) 232-3100, www.pcneks.org Positive Directions, 414 S. Commerce, Wichita, (316) 263-2214, (316) 2635214, www.pdiks.com Regional AIDS Project, Manhattan, (785) 587-1999 or (785) 238-5338 Junction City, rap@flinthills.com Sedgwick County Health Dept., 2716 W. Central, Wichita, (316) 660-7300, www.sedgwickcounty.org The Sweet Emergency Fund, KUSM-W MPA, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, (316) 293-3405
Politics/Activism Kansas Equality Coalition, www. kansasequalitycoalition.org, chapters across the state. Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project, (785) 215-7436, stephanie.mott@k-step.org, www.kstep.org, provides transgender education and resources.
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. Peace and Social Justice Center of churchoffice@pvcconline.org, www. South Central Kansas, 1407 N. Topeka, pvcconline.org Wichita, (316) 263-5886, director@ wichitapeace.org, www.wichitapeace. Support org Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, Wichita Pride, info@wichitapride. 2622 W. Central Suite 500, Wichita, org, www.wichitapride.org, annual (316) 660-5120, www.cpaaa.org, celebration held in September. CPAAA is available to assist seniors, caregivers, and adults with disabilities Student groups through life’s transitions and with various levels of support. Free State High School GSA, Lawrence, (785) 832-6050, phatcher@usd497.org, COMCARE Crisis Intervention welcomes all queer, questioning and Services, 934 N. Water, Wichita, straight ally youth to talk about issues. (316) 660-7500 free 24/7, www. Meets Wednesdays. sedgwickcounty.org 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, pittstategsa@gmail.com That Gay Group!, Wichita State U n i v e r s i t y, ( 3 1 6 ) 9 7 8 - 7 0 1 0 , thatgaygroup@gmail.com, www. wichita.edu/tgg
Social Heart of America Men’s Chorus, Wichita, (316) 708-4837, www.hoamc. org Junction City Teddy Bears, www. jctbears.com/index.htm NetworQ, Lawrence, KansasNetworQ@ yahoo.com, www.KansasNetworQ.org, meets at Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire Wichita Bears, presidentwichitabears@ yahoo.com, www.wichitabears.org Wichita Organization of Leather Fetishes, (316) 201-6242, www. woolfks.com Wichita Prime Timers, ICTPrimeTimers@aol.com, www. primetimersww.org/Wichita, social group for mature gay men.
Spiritual 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, A Welcoming Congregation. Kalpa Bhadra Kadampa Buddhist Center, 721 W. 13th St., Wichita, (316) 263-1533, info@meditateinkansas.org, www.meditateinkansas.org Lutheran Campus Ministry, 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,
Flint Hills PFLAG, Manhattan, (785) 410-3130, fhpflag@sbcglobal.net, www. fhpflag.org, meets 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm, First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Ave. Get Connected, Wichita, (316) 4913778, LGBTQIA youth group for ages 12-21. Meets at The Center, 1602 E. Waterman, every Friday from 7-9pm. Trans-Formative continued from page 22
Of course, the permission was given to me, by me. The degree to which I am a woman is something of my nature and requires no permission. The only permission required is that should I dare to allow myself to be me. But then again, I am allowed to be me. It is not entirely my choice. There are still too many transgender people who are not allowed to be who they are. Even if there were only one such person it would be too many. But couldn’t they be who they are if they only gave themselves permission? Permission to what? Permission to be disowned by their parents? Permission to be beaten? Permission to be fired from their jobs? And we could all be able to drive race cars, if we only gave ourselves permission. The fact is that we can’t all drive race cars, and we can’t all find the courage and/ or insanity it takes to simply be who we are, no matter the price. I will still sit at my make-up table in the morning and look into my make-up mirror and take actions, make decisions, and think thoughts, all designed to influence how I am seen. In the mix of those actions and decisions and thoughts will be the ones about how I will live my life, the ones that lengthen my lashes, and the ones that drive me to try to make the world a little better on a daily basis. Will I be pretty? It depends on how you look at it. More importantly, it depends on how
JANUIARY 2013 Headquarters Counseling Center, Lawrence, (785) 841-2345 free 24/7, www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us HIV+ Men’s Support Group, (316) 293-3405, mmadecky@kumc.edu Lawrence/Topeka PFLAG, 785-2353831, sffeist@msn.com One Day At A Time, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm at First MCC, 156 S. Kansas. TransYouth of Kansas, Topeka, Paula@ tyks.org, 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, wasac@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.
I look at it. Watch the video: www.upworthy.com/now-forsale-daughters-10000-each-iftheyre-pretty?c=ufb1. l 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. Smoking continued from page 21
allow for more accurate results on various health issues among the LGBT community. For the first time, this question will be included in the 2013 survey. More data equals more funding opportunities. In Wichita, community partners are coming together to increase support, resources and smoke-free policies to help protect the LGBT community from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, especially for those with weakened immune systems and asthma. Anyone interested in taking steps to manage their addiction, look for Last Drag Quit Kits, which are placed in local organizations and venues around Wichita. Kits include free resources, tips and tricks for helping make a plan to quit. To request a kit, please contact Tobacco Free Wichita (TFW) at TobaccoFreeWichita@hotmail. com or 316.530.2839. The Center is partnering with the American Lung Association and TFW to provide Freedom From Smoking cessation classes in January and February. Anyone interested in quitting with group support, is asked to contact TFW and indicate what days and times work best. Notification will go out when the class is scheduled. l
JANUIARY 2013
Products & Services Massage by Kenn 7am-9pm, open 7 days. No appointment necessary. (316) 204-0111, 1st time special, call for details. Sensual.
tinyurl.com/herscopes Charlene Lichtenstein’s ground-breaking astrology book HerScopes: A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians is celebrating its 10th anniversary! The secrets that are revealed about each sign continue to amaze. Makes a great gift.
For Rent Westside 1-bd apt. for rent all bills paid and cable, internet. Kenn 316-204-0111 Classifieds are available for $5 for the first 15 words. E-mail editor@libertypress.net for other options, and pricing.
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL. Leather continued from page 21
leaders have taken an approach to try and adhere to as much of the traditional customs and protocols that were prevalent in the 50’s and 60’s. Some of those customs have been lost because of the AIDS epidemic. Of the customs that have survived, some of are no longer applicable, but many are still relevant and we are working to incorporate them into our community. It’s been a slow process recreating the lost customs and working
Page 29
out how to implement them into the community. Many other communities are watching the Wichita Leather tribe to see how we bring about applying our traditional customs back into the community.
So if you have questions regarding the customs or protocols of the Leather community, when you see us out, stop one of us and ask. Or contact anyone on the WOOLF Board at www.woolfks.com. l
Help Wanted The Liberty Press is expanding! We’re looking for a commissioned ad sales person in the Lawrence/Topeka area. Also looking for assignment writers in Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita. Must be able to meet deadlines, have e-mail, be familiar with the paper and be involved in the community. E-mail Kristi at editor@libertypress.net for a brief application. No phone calls, please.
N
o sooner do we toss the last of our new year’s confetti than we dust ourselves off and turn our attention to the job at hand. What do you want to achieve this new year? All these planets in ambitious Capricorn turn up the voltage and give us a charge. Uh, will that be credit or debit? ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) If you are finding that your corporate ascent needs a bit of a push, this is the time to do it. Resolve to do what needs to be done to get your professional goals into gear and zoom ahead, up or even out the glass doors. You have what it takes. Now take it to the next level. Proud Rams like to rule the roost. It’s time to bring out the frying pan and make fried chicken. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) No matter how tired you feel or how bare your budget is, cart yourself to the nearest vacation spot and bask in relaxation and mellowness for a while. The holiday season might have left you with a frazzle, but now it’s time to sizzle. Queer Bulls find something special waiting from across the world . . . or even closer to home. But you have to get off your couch to find it. GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) 2013 brings more than just a passing fancy or a fancy pass. Pink Twins who are avoiding intimacy will be drawn to the flame like any other innocent moth. Singe your wings and see how amazing it feels. Who knows what the fates will deliver once you take the bait? It could be a trip to the moon on gossamer wings. Let’s hope it’s not one of those crazy old things. CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Relationships have their valuable moments in early 2013. And they could bring more than just a feeling of security and a sense of accomplishment. There will be something extra. Something sacred. Something satisfying. So don’t be afraid to give a little more of yourself. You could wind up getting a lot more than you expect . . . or even deserve, gay Crab. Ahem.
Engagement Together with their families, Heather Bohrer and Christy Lyons announce their engagement and March 2013 wedding. Both brides are excited for this time in their lives as it represents incredible hard work and dedication to each other, their family and friends, and their professions.
LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) Take stock of what you need to do in early 2013, especially on the job and in any health or diet regime. Then set out to do it. There are so many nitpicky tasks and detailed projects that you have deferred that now the best use of your time is to efficiently clean off your desk and cross things off your “to-do” list. Now don’t you feel better, proud Lion? Not yet? VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) The fun will not stop on New Year’s Eve, queer Virgin. In fact the bon temps continue for another precious few weeks. So this is not the time to quietly gripe about your over-extended social calendar. It is time to continue the party and see how far you can ascend on your good vibes and personal fumes. Stock up on A-listers for use through the year. Catch your z’s later. LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Personal family issues come into the foreground in early 2013 and it will be a good idea to deal with all of them immediately. Proud Libras strive for compromise and diplomacy, but there are some things that require a stronger personal stand and honest opinion. Don’t worry, you will know when is when and which is which. Who, what, where and how is also up to you. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) You know what to say and how to say it. Toss out your great ideas to the right and appreciative audience and see how things begin to take off. 2013 is a year of growth and accomplishment, queer Scorp. But you will need to focus on the most important and neediest area of your life to tackle first. Love or money? Errr, can you combine both?
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) For those gay Archers who have focused on their bottom line, 2013 may lead to greater consolidated riches and security. For those extravagant souls who have scattered their wealth in pursuit of enjoyment, the year brings an opportunity to replenish your vaults. But you have to get serious and practical. Cushion your nest egg so it can become a fluffy omelet. CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) 2013 will be a year to remember if you carefully plan your course of action. Get involved in new and influential social groups that bring you in touch with important movers and shakers. Then move and shake yourself around town. Launch new ideas. Begin new projects. Is world domination in the cards? It depends on what game you are playing. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) Cut out all the excess noise and listen carefully to your inner voice and intuition. There are things going on behind the scenes that will prove to be prescient and important. Even hidden enemies can be uncovered and de-clawed. Give back to the cosmos by getting involved in a good community cause or charitable effort. No good deed goes unrewarded. PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) Friends from all walks of life will help you in some very unexpected ways all through early 2013. So go through your contacts and see who can become your first benefactor or mentor. And don’t stop there: Guppies who decide to swim in new schools can expand their net and catch some cache with new notables. Make a note of that and scribble on.
(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.
PAGE 30
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUIARY 2013
JANUIARY 2013
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
Page 31
Try our Sunday Breakfast Buffet! Served 10:30am - 2pm Just $7.50!!
*Crafted CafĂŠ Fare *Quality Beverages *Pride Served Daily Enjoy Our Premium Scotch Laphroaig - Island Scotch with smoky peat flavor Glenfiddich - Aged in sherry bourbon casks Dalwhinnie - Delicate smoky plains scotch Glenmorangie - Floral with hint of orange Lagavulin - Slight Oak, fruity and peat taste Oban - Slightly fruity coastal blend Glenlivet - Slightly tropical 12 year Scotch
PAGE 32
LIBERTY PRESS - WE WERE GAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL.
JANUIARY 2013