LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
DECEMBER 2012
The true story musical phenomenon that takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Photo: Chris Callis
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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 10 • CENTURY II CONCERT HALL 316.219.4849 • wichitaTIX.com • •
WichitaTIX box office • Groups: 1.866.314.7687
Contains authentic Jersey language.
www.JerseyBoysTour.com
Original Cast Recording On
Nativity Mstr:Layout 1
11/20/12
3:57 PM
DECEMBER 2012
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FIRST MCC OF KANSAS METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
December 7th • 7:00 pm • Be an Angel Fundraiser December 16th • 7:00 pm • “Birth of a Revolution” Christmas Cantata December 24th • 6:30 pm • Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Celebrate the...
a f o h t Bir
n o i t u l o v e R
10:15 AM SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
WITH FELLOWSHIP FOLLOWING THE SERVICE
Go to our Website to Watch Our Livestream Service Broadcast
GOD LOVES YOU.
PERIOD Experience the Revolution™
{ b
Rev. Jackie Carter, M.Div.
156 S. Kansas • Wichita, KS 67211 (316) 267-1852 www.MCCWichita.com www.GodLovesYouPeriod.com Office Hours: M-F • 9:00 am - 12:00 Noon And By Appointment
DECEMBER 7, 2012 • 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
l e g n ASupport the Homeless Overflow Shelter Fundraiser Be an
AT THE SOUTH FORTY • 3201 S. HILLSIDE •WICHITA
Admission is $5 or one new package of underwear or socks LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • SILENT & LIVE AUCTION & RAFFLE • FOOD
FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY: FIRST METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
FOR MORE INFORMATION: • 316.267.1852
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LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
DECEMBER 2012
Start your holiday shopping
at the Wild Side!
Jewelry, bath and body products, clothing something for everyone on your list!
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Xcalibur Club
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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, Local Burger, Love Garden Sounds, Milton’s, The Mirth Café, NetworQ, Queers & Allies office, The Raven Bookstore, Rudy’s Pizzeria, Teller’s, 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
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Body Intuition, Pitt State GSA meetings
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Saline County Health Dept.
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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.
DECEMBER 2012
Liberty Press
Volume 19, No. 4 • Editor: Kristi Parker • Contributors: Paul Berge, Dave Brousseau, Chef Curtis, Nolin Christensen, Danny Cooper, Greg Fox, Dan Henderson, Cassie Lehnherr, Charlene Lichtenstein, Mama, Audrey McQueen, Dorothy Miller, Dr. Robert N. Minor, Stephanie Mott • Staff Reporters: Helen Barnes, Amanda Barr, Angie Combs, Ciara Reid • Contributing Photographers: Matt Beard, Julie Huston, Derrick J. Mahoney, Rob Waymen • Cover Design: Troy Dilport, photo by Rob Waymen • Graphic Designer: Troy Dilport • Webmaster: Ren Autrey • Publisher: The Liberty Press
LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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On the Cover:
Jim Brickman annual concert: a holiday tradition Page 24
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CONTENTS DISAPPOINTING ELECTION RESULTS for LGBT Kansans in Salina, Hutchinson.................................................................................................. 9 LIBERTY PRESS’ Gay Gift Guide.............................................................10 KU PROFESSOR, STUDENT WRITE STUDY on media, homosexuality in China...........................................................................................17
Regulars OP/ED Poll results, letters, Comments from the Web, editorial cartoon..............................................................................................6 BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE Non-discrimination ordinances.....................6 MINOR DETAILS We Haven’t Turned the Corner on Marriage Equality Yet......................................................................................12 WICHITA BEARS PICNIC BASKET Heavenly Butter Rum Cake................13 THE JOYS OF RAISING JACK Pete and Repeat........................................16 BOOKENDS Remembrance of Things I Forgot and S’Mother................20 LEATHER LIFE Leather Relationships....................................................21 TRANS-FORMATIVE Trans-Seneca.........................................................25 AUDREY ASKS Jiggly Caliente................................................................26 MOVIE MINUTE The Master...................................................................28 PICTURE PAGE NetworQ Thanksgiving Potluck, Pitt State GSA Candlelight Vigil, Red Ribbon Art Auction........................................29
Around Kansas listings are free to non-profit/volunteer-based groups. Send your additions or corrections to editor@ libertypress.net.
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LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
OP/ED
DECEMBER 2012
Both Sides of the Fence
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.
Non-discrimination ordinances
Online Readers Poll
Results! Where are you spending Thanksgiving? with family with friend alone
7 4 2
15%
with family 54% 54%
31%
with family
with friends
alone
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.
with friends alone
Miss Pride slight Dear editor: I find it very disrespectful how your Miss Wichita Pride 2012-13, Jessica Maddox, was not pictured nor mentioned in the Liberty Press for the LGBT community and everyone else to acknowledge. Correy Burden
Comments from the Web “Glad to see the listing again of where Liberty Press can be found.” --Wichita, KS
Win a free LGBT movie pack at www.libertypress.net!
FROM THE RIGHT:
FROM THE LEFT:
J
T
Dan “The Yes Man” Henderson
ust a few weeks ago Kansas residents both in Hutchinson and Salina rejected either the idea that discrimination didn’t exist or they chose to openly discriminate. In our current culture, discrimination usually specifically refers to racism or bigotry within the business world or organized social groups. It is bad. Kindergarteners can tell you this. Like picking your nose in public, clear displays of it are considered “wrong” by our culture. Institutional forms of discrimination are also prosecutable under certain situations. But why — if it is considered so wrong — do enough people practice it enough so that laws prohibiting said actions are necessary? After all, we all do it in some form or another. Some people are bigoted against bigots. Others choose the color of a person’s skin, their sexual orientation, the religion they practice, where they went to school, if they use a Confederate flag as home decor or how much they earn each year. Why is it illegal to discriminate on the basis of the first three criteria and not on the last three? Don’t we choose our friendships based on some of these qualities? Personally, I don’t care if someone dislikes me because I am gay, blonde with blue eyes or American. None of these personal characteristics are going to change simply due to an individual’s dislike or an institution’s dismissal. I don’t continued on page 31
Danny Cooper
his year’s election turned out to be historical for the gay community. The first ever openly gay senator was elected in Wisconsin. However, it also proved to be a disappointing election for us here in Kansas. The cities of Hutchinson and Salina drastically changed the debate of equal rights in Kansas and for the rest of our nation. The two cities had established themselves as advocates for equal rights nevertheless, petitions to the city council allowed a change in the cities’ positions. The two ordinances include the Salina ordinance which prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The ordinance in Hutchinson covered sexual orientation exclusively. In both instances community members put the issue to a vote in response to special interest groups. The main argument from opponents to the measures was that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (in the case of Salina) is that these “behaviors” are not valid reasons for anti-discrimination protections. The first problem I have for both cities is that to remove the ordinance in Salina’s case and not take up the ordinance in Hutchinson’s case was promoted and supported by several groups outside of both cities. Giving an unfair advantage and representation of what the local community thought on the issue. The main proponent in continued on page 33
DECEMBER 2012
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Cirque Du Soleil to present Quidam in Wichita and Kansas City KANSAS CITY, WICHITA Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce that the criticallyacclaimed production Quidam will be performing in Wichita from Jan. 2-6 at Intrust Bank Arena and in Kansas City from Dec. 26-30 at the Sprint Center.
Sammich the Tramp
The Bawdy Beggars Road Show hits Wichita Dec. 1
Photo by Matt Beard
Tickets are available at www. cirquedusoleil.com/holidays. Quidam had its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. In December 2010, Quidam began performances in arenas throughout North America. The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters. The show is based on young Zoé, who is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her.
Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world—the world of Quidam—where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul. For show information, visit w w w. c i r q u e d u s o l e i l . c o m / quidam.
W I C H I TA - Va n E l l a Productions and The Beggar’s Carnivale present The Bawdy Beggars Road Show Dec. 1 at 9pm at Lizards Lounge, 300 S. Greenwich Road. The variety burlesque show from St. Louis features a dazzling mix of follies style showgirl glamour, classic circus comedic antics, and bawdy, back alley burlesque! It stars: Lola van Ella, international chanteuse, dancer and emcee; Sammich the Tramp, “Everyone’s favorite lovable scamp,” brilliant physical Chaplin-esque comic and variety; Ray Gunn, acrobatic dancer extraordinaire of the
A Journey In The Light Ministries Living, Reaching, Teaching, Preaching the Word of God in Unity
Pastor Danny L. Medell
A full gospel ministry that still teaches Christ, Him crucified and the message of the cross.
2231 S Bluff Wichita, KS 67218 Pastor’s Phone: (316) 925-1102 www.journeyinthelightministries.com
We are a church that accepts everyone regardless of their race, color, social status, sexual orientation, where they are or where they have been in life.
We invite you to join us for worship every Sunday at 11:00 am
Stage Door Johnnies; Foxy la Feelion, dancer, choreographer and stripteaser with a fiery blend of energetic dance, attitude, and sexuality; Indie Lou, a lithe and lovely aerialist; Bendy, mesmerizing contortionist; and special guest from Tulsa, the lovely Ilsa the Wolf. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. For more information, visit www.lolavanella.net.
Local massage therapist joins Hands for Heroes WICHITA - Eddie U. Massage Clinic has joined with Hands for Heroes to provide therapeutic bodywork at no fee for veterans. Eddie Ulloa will provide a predetermined number of bodywork sessions each month to help the veteran in dealing with the stress encountered while on duty, as well as physical complaints common to service men and women. Hands for Heroes is a nationwide organization of healthcare professionals who have donated their time and skills to provide therapeutic bodywork for veterans. Ulloa is the owner and massage therapist of Eddie U. Massage Clinic. He has been in practice for 16 years and specializes in orthopedic and sports massage. Eddie U. Massage Clinic, as a Hands for Heroes partner, will make a significant contribution to the healing of service men and women and their families. To contact Eddie Ulloa, call (316) 312-9226 or e-mail Eddie@EddieU.com. Or find him on Facebook at www. facebook.com/EddieU.Massage. To learn more about Hands for Heroes and its goal of providing 1 million massages across the nation, go to www. handsforheroes.net. l
DECEMBER 2012
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Disappointing election results for LGBT Kansans in Salina, Hutchinson By Angie Combs HUTCHINSON, SALINA Nov. 6, 2012 went down in history as a day of political victory for the LGBT community. The first openly gay senator was elected and three states, for the first time ever, voted in favor of equal marriage rights. The re-election of President Barack Obama brings hope for a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. LGBT communities awoke Wednesday morning with an overall sense of pride and excitement, but for some Kansas communities, the bright glow of hope was hidden behind shadows. Citizens of Salina and Hutchinson were presented with a similar question on the Nov. 6 ballot, and both cities voted for the same outcome. In Salina, the measure was to repeal an ordinance that city commissioners had passed in May 2012. “In Salina, the focus was on not legalizing discrimination,” a spokesperson for the Kansas
Equality Coalition (KEC) said, “remember, the ordinance banning LGBT discrimination had been in effect since late May, and repealing it would legalize a currently banned practice.” In Hutchinson, June had brought a disheartening compromise for passing a city discrimination ordinance that removed the language “gender identity” from the ordinance, and limited the ban on discrimination to only jobs and housing. This measure was also placed on November’s ballot asking the residents of Hutchinson to decide if the ordinance should stand. As the sun rose in Kansas on Nov. 7, both cities were left without ordinances protecting their LGBT citizens. According to KEC, the Salina ordinance was repealed 54% to 46% (9,079 to 7,686 in favor of repeal), and the Hutchinson ordinance failed to pass 58% to 41% (8,110 to 5,783 against passage). Gary Martens, chairman of the North Central chapter of
KEC, told the Salina Journal, “I am pleased at the way we were able to get the dialogue going in the community. This has been discussed, is out there and will continue being discussed. It isn’t going away. In the long run, we will be on the right side of history.” KEC’s Tom Witt said that the Salina campaign stayed largely on the message that nondiscrimination and diversity are good for the local economy. Local businesses with inclusive policies were highlighted in mailers and newspaper inserts, and were discussed with voters by volunteers. A highlight of the Salina campaign was the door-to-door canvass that, in two short months, tallied nearly 7,000 door-knocks and over 2,000 voter contacts, Witt said. I n t h e e n d , K E C ’s spokesperson said the organization is ready to look at what worked, and what didn’t; to examine how to better bring these protections to life for Kansans. “This fight is not over,” she said. “It has only just begun.” l
It’s back!!
Online Readers Poll
Do you think our community should continue to push for nondiscrimination ordinances? Visit
www.libertypress.net
to cast your vote!
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Guide for the Modern Bear Released by Ingram Publishing, a fun, wholesome and hip travel guide focused on the Bear lifestyle and Modernist community in 14 cities across the U.S. and Europe. Available on Amazon.com $19.99
Liberty Press’ Gay Gift Guide Haut Chocolat Come see what the hype is about... Vosges Haut Chocolat Mo’s Bacon & Chocolate Bar Available at Bungalow 26, 613b W. Douglas, Wichita $8
Rainbow Law’s SameSex Legal Kit for Dummies The first Dummies reference guide to comprehensively address the legal issues facing the LGBT community. Includes information on estate planning, marriage equality, adoption, surrogacy, artificial insemination, immigration, housing, taxes and more. Available on Amazon.com and in bookstores Dec. 4 $34.99
Good Gravey™ Lotion Solid A n o n - m e s s y, m o l d e d , moisturizing puck for hands and body. The lotion solid is made with beeswax and rice bran oil, a substance rich with anti-oxidants and a good source of vitamin E. Good Gravey™ has a soothing lavender scent. The 3-ounce solid puck is removable to allow for easy application and is packaged in an attractive round tin. Available at ilovechickenpoop.com or retail locations where Chicken Poop is sold $13
Custom-made hemp jewelry On the Wild Side, 1128 Moro, Manhattan, specializes in making hemp jewelry in-house. Choose from a wide selection of beads, pendants and weaving techniques to design a necklace, anklet or bracelet. Usually done the same day! $7, $6, $4 plus the price of beads respectively.
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11 th AnnuAl
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DECEMBER 2012
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LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Minor
Details By Bob Minor
We Haven’t Turned the Corner on Marriage Equality Yet
W
ith the 2012 popular vote supporting marriage equality regardless of gender winning in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington, the struggle for marriage equality has turned a corner. It’s not the corner, but an important corner nevertheless. We can quibble all we want about whether human rights should ever be put up for a popular vote, but the fact that for the first time on a statewide level activists have been able to beat back the huge funding mechanisms and builtin grassroots networks of rightwing churches and bigots is a symptom of an ongoing cultural shift. And that’s worth celebrating. Along with the reelection of President Obama and other progressive wins, much of the regressive right-wing has acknowledged that they’re on the run. They’ve concluded that the Evangelical vote has lost the clout it held for the last decades. “I think this was an evangelical disaster,” lamented Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and former head of the Southern Baptist Convention. It indicates, he concluded, “a seismic moral shift in the culture.”
“Billy Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association bought full-page ads in newspapers; that made no difference,” Professor Saun Casey of Wesley Theological Seminary reported. “Ralph Reed spent tens of millions of dollars getting out the vote in battleground states; that didn’t make the difference. And you add all of that up, and it was not enough because of the changing demographics of our country.” And by “changing demographics” we don’t just mean what FOX talker Bill O’Reilly opined – that “the white establishment is now a minority.” We don’t just mean that younger generations don’t care who loves whom. We mean that there is also a continuing moral shift toward the justice of equality. The coming generations will find the whole marriage equality issue a yawn, even young Evangelicals, because of the steady work that older generations have done to get us here. The country is not where it was in the 1950’s or even the 1980’s. What we’ve learned is that marriage equality can win at the polls. We also know that marriage equality is gaining popularity in opinion polls.
A Nov. 9 Pew Research Center poll, it’s third on the matter this year, shows that marriage equality has hit the highest favor (49 percent) and lowest opposition (40 percent) ever. The trend to support it is moving ahead regionally, though the South still polls 56 percent against, lagging about ten years behind the rest of the country. To continue to move forward we must see marriage equality as a part of a long-term national strategy based upon what we know is the history of these wins. This means it’s not the next step everywhere. Marriage equality can prevail in states where the ground has been prepared by previous wins. It can win in states that already have protections in place for sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace and in public accommodations. Twenty-nine states don’t guarantee protection from being fired openly from one’s job because of one’s sexual orientation, and 34 states don’t guarantee that protection based on gender identity. To jump immediately to a vote for marriage equality in these states would not be effective while it saps a lot of activist energy. Not only is a job protection guarantee a prior and important step toward the goal of marriage equality, but it’s a more crucial need for members of the LGBT community who don’t have it. If one is threatened with losing one’s job, healthcare, and other legal protections, the issue of marriage almost seems to be a luxury. Those privileged in occupations where job security isn’t a threat cannot forget that most LGBT people are still insecure enough in their workplace that they cannot put a picture of their partner on their desk or use accurate pronouns when discussing what they did during the past weekend. And this doesn’t even include those who work for employers who will dredge up other reasons for their bigoted firing of LGBT employees in states and municipalities where there is legal protection. Our energy and resources, then, need to be funneled first to adding sexual orientation and gender identity protection to every state’s and the federal
DECEMBER 2012
government’s human rights laws. Though this past election brought an expansion of rights in some localities – Paul Ryan’s hometown added domestic partnership benefits – it also saw the elimination of rights in towns such as Salina and Hutchinson. On the national scene, campaigns to abolish the Defense of Marriage Act c a n n o t e c l i p s e e ff o r t s t o pass the Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA) that would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by civilian, nonreligious employers with at least 15 employees. ENDA has been introduced but failed to pass in every congressional session since 1994 except one. Then again, the corner marriage equality has turned this year is also important as the issue moves closer to a hearing in the Supreme Court. Currently four cases are awaiting review from its justices. Since we know the Supreme Court is not an objective legal body, the four popular wins in November will add to the pressure on the Court to affirm marriage equality. The four right-wing ideologues on the bench and the conservative Justice Kennedy need social pressure to discover useful legal arguments to support their decisions. In fact, the longer it takes for marriage equality cases to get to these justices, the more lower court opinions affirm marriage equality, and the more state and local decisions pile up to affirm LGBT people, the more likely this conservatively dominated Court will be persuaded to come up with a pro-LGBT outcome. It’s important to take the time. So, the work continues. No doubt, the work of activists in support of LGBT nondiscrimination and marriage equality will bring the country to a tipping point. But we’re not there yet. 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.
DECEMBER 2012
LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Heavenly Butter Rum Cake 1 stick butter (4 oz.) 2 c. sugar 2 egg yolks 1 c. oil 1 c. pecans finely chopped 2 c. flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 c. buttermilk 1 tsp. vanilla 2 Tbsp. butter rum flavoring 5 egg whites, stiffly beaten Cream butter and add sugar. Beat until smooth. Add egg yolks and oil. Combine flour and soda. Then add buttermilk, vanilla, rum flavoring, and pecans. Fold in egg whites. Pour batter into three greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350째 for 25-30 min. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting Cream Cheese Frosting 1/2 c. butter (1 stick), room temperature 8 oz. Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature 2-3 c. powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. butter rum flavoring With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing. Add the vanilla extract and rum flavoring and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness and thickness. Either spread on with a blunt knife or spatula. l
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Sunday Worship, 10 AM Celebrate Emmanuel - God With Us! World AIDS Day Worship Saturday, December 1, 6pm Holiday Bake Sale Saturday, December 8, 8am to 4pm “Feed My Sheep” - Free Community Meal Saturday, December 8, 5-6:30pm Christmas Eve Worship Monday, December 24, 8pm 4425 SW 19th Street, Topeka, KS 66604 Phone: 785.272.1442 office@mcctopeka.org www.mcctopeka.org
DECEMBER 2012
DECEMBER 2012
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Pete and Repeat “Where should we go for my birthday dinner?” I asked Jack one day while he was working on the computer. “It’s your day, you should decide,” he replied. I hesitated for a second. It always takes me by surprise when Jack not only answers what could be seen as “correctly,” but also after only one asking. As the parent of a child with
LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
autism you become accustomed to repeating yourself. You also become accustomed to hearing things repeated . . . and repeated and repeated. It’s like this selffulfilling circle. He repeats and his inability to focus on two things at once requires you to repeat until you have his full attention. As a result there is a lot of repeating going on at our house. So his response, while working at the computer, was, well, let’s just say it was unusual. “Why don’t we go to Texas Roadhouse,” he suggested during my silence. “That’s an excellent idea, buddy,” I said. “Will you ride the sawhorse with me and say, “yaaa-hoooo!” while I swing the napkin over my head?” With that, he turned away from the computer and looked at me sort of perplexed. Maybe he thought that was only for kids, I thought. “I’m NOT too old to have the birthday treatment,” I said out loud, defiantly. Even though he heard me, I said it again for good measure. Some things bear repeating. -- The search for services for our non-verbal son, led us
to a wonderful organization called Rainbows United. They provide all sorts of services for all kinds of kids, from physical therapy, and speech therapy to day care. Many of the services they provide are free of charge especially for those on a low-tomoderate income such as ours. As we waited for Jack to be eligible to enroll in Kaleidoscope, the preschool he could start at two and half, our first step was to have Jack evaluated by the team at Rainbows. By this point, I had started to have a few other concerns in addition to his speech delay. Not having been around children Jack’s age it was tough to compare development. However, a friend had a grandson that was born just two weeks before Jack and was visiting our friend the day we stopped by. I saw him running around
DECEMBER 2012
the couch, a feisty two-year-old with such agility. “He seems so sure on his feet,” I said to Vinnie. “Jack seems more aloof. Maybe we should mention that at his Rainbows evaluation.” I had also noticed what trouble Jack had pedaling his Hot Wheels bike. He just couldn’t seem to get the motion down to make it go. “We can ask,” Vinnie assured me. And so the evaluation for speech services, or so I thought, began. They took him into a room with several people with clipboards and played. We waited in an adjoining room. We didn’t realize, or at least I didn’t, that they were evaluating him on all different levels of developmental benchmarks. When they called us in to tell us their findings I was unprepared. “Your child qualifies for speech services, physical therapy, and occupational therapy,” I vaguely remember them saying. One by one, each of the respective evaluators started to go over their list of his deficiencies. I felt myself starting to cry. “But he’s such a perfect baby,” I wanted to shout. “Can’t we talk about some of the things he’s good at, how happy he is all the time?” The lists seemed neverending. His spatial awareness was off. His coordination wasn’t up to age level. His depth perception wasn’t good. He got scared when you balanced him on a big exercise ball. “But *I* would get scared if you balanced me on that huge ball standing up!” I said defensively. continued on page 33
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KU professor, student write study on media, homosexuality in China LAWRENCE — Researchers about their media habits. Official homosexuals, the students h a v e o f t e n s t u d i e d h o w media in China is state controlled, did indicate that their individuals’ use of media does but they also rated how often evaluation of first contact or does not affect their views they view Western media such was positively associated in everything from politics as movies, television programs with their stereotypes. to social questions. But very and newspapers as well as online “Basically, what that little research has examined media, such as forums, news means is, first impressions media effects on views toward sites, social networks and blogs. are in fact important,” Lee homosexuality in China. Respondents also rated how said. Two researchers from the often they discuss homosexuality Survey respondents University of Kansas have with teachers, parents, relatives were also asked to give authored a study their age, e x a m i n i n g t h a t “What surprised me was, overall, the gender and question. Among size of their stereotypes were not that negative...” their findings: hometown. T h e -Tien-Tsung Lee • The more hometown frequently people size variable consume state media, the more and friends as well as how often proved informative, as negative their stereotypes toward they have in-person contact with larger cities are more Tien-Tsung Lee homosexuals are; homosexuals. media diversified and with • People with more personal T h e s u r v e y s h o w e d a larger populations, presenting lesbians and gay men,” Tu and contact with homosexuals have correlation among students who more opportunities for in-person Lee wrote. “In other words, respondents who live in a big less negative stereotypes; more frequently use Chinese contact with homosexuals. • P e o p l e f r o m s m a l l e r media and find it more believable “ T h e s t e r e o t y p e s o f city and have strong interest in hometowns tend to have more and negative stereotypes. h o m o s e x u a l s h e l d b y knowing lesbians and gay men negative attitudes on the subject “Among Chinese college Chinese college students are tend to hold positive beliefs of — this also holds true in the students, the more often they consistently predicted by the homosexuals. Developed cities United States. use Chinese media, and the size of community in which in China are inarguably more less often they have in-person they live, their interest in media diversified; therefore, Jiawei Tu, a former master’s contact with homosexuals, the knowing homosexuals and more vicarious contacts with student at KU, and Tien-Tsung more negative their stereotypes their in-person contact with homosexuals are available.” l Lee, associate professor of of homosexuals are,” the authors journalism, surveyed more than wrote. 225 Chinese college students Conversely, students who to learn more about their views more frequently used imported regarding homosexuality and media, the Internet and have the media they choose to more frequent discussions on consume. Tu, a native of China, the topic did not hold more is now a doctoral student at positive stereotypes. Students City University of Hong Kong. who had more in-person contact The article has been accepted with homosexuals did show less for publication in the Journal of negative associated stereotypes. Homosexuality. “Frequency of imported The survey was distributed at media use was not associated universities in Beijing, Shanghai with more positive stereotypes,” and Guiyang. Students were Lee said. “That surprised us. asked a number of questions, In other words, there was no including how strongly they relationship between stereotypes agreed or disagreed with a and the students’ use of Western number of statements. The most media.” negative stereotypes were that There are several ways to homosexuals are “not fit to serve interpret the findings, Lee said. in the military,” are “sensitive One possibility is that stateand lonely,” “having a strong run media in China portrays need for security” and “not homosexuals in a negative light. fit for marriage.” The most Another could be that young positive were that homosexuals people depend less on state are “artistic or liking art and media. It is also possible that the literature” and “intelligent or Internet has never been viewed imaginative.” as a news source in China, as “What surprised me was, websites there have to rely on overall, the stereotypes were state-run media, and sites with not that negative,” Lee said. user-generated content such as “There were stereotypes, but blogs and social networks, are they were not as strongly held subject to censorship. as we expected they might be.” When asked about their The students were also polled i n - p e r s o n c o n t a c t s w i t h
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By Cassie Lehnherr
he possibility of timetravel is something I feel that most of us have daydreamed about at one time or another. What if you could go back to Dec. 8, 1980 and prevent the assassination of John Lennon? What if you could jet back to prior years and do things differently in a relationship (or in my own personal case, never get involved with someone in the first place)? In Bob Smith’s Remembrance of Things I Forgot (Terrace Books, $26.95), comic book dealing protagonist, John Sherkston’s 15-year relationship with his physicist boyfriend, Taylor has
LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
gone sour. He is still reeling from his sister’s suicide, and is very disillusioned with the Bush-Cheney administration. Taylor just happens to work for the government under said administration under Dick Cheney and has perfected a time machine for government use. In order to prevent Taylor from becoming a Republican, to warn his sister of her impending depression, and to stop George W. B u s h f r o m b e c o m i n g President, John uses the machine himself to travel back to 1986 to meet his younger self, Junior. The unlikely trio of John, Junior, and younger Taylor set forth on a cross-country journey, starting in the 1980s art scene in New York City to Northern California, where his sister resides. All the while, Dick Cheney is chasing them to battle John and force him back to the present day. Through vividly drawn characters, political satire, witty and edgy humor, and sharp scrutiny of recent American events, Smith tells an uproarious tale of adventure. He examines family and relationship
dysfunction, suicide, New York City, and the blunders of human beings while melding science fiction and reality-based fiction (some of the events are similar to those Smith has experienced in his own life) while managing to create an incredibly moving novel. While the novel is comic, the story moves toward John’s life being altered for the better. Did I mention this book is very funny? That being said, beware of the very last line - it will make you cry. Time travel aside, after reading S’Mother by Adam Chester (Abrams, $15.95), I am even more thankful for my wonderful mother who loves me but would rather not know what I am up to when I am not in her presence. This is not this case with Chester and his mother in this memoir that recounts over 30 years of bizarre, morbid, and hilariously crazy letters he received from her. He is talking not hundreds, but thousands of letters, which contain unsolicited advice, frequent updates of
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her Last Will and Testament, warning about their family members, and sometimes just a single word. Some of the advice his mother professed “Please don’t go into Mexico, they are kidnapping Americans and cutting off their heads” or “Screw down windows to keep the killer bees out.” The letters started in college and continued up until the date this memoir was sent to the presses. Chester is an accomplished composer, having worked with the likes of Barry White and Sir Elton John. While he is very loved by his mother, she never compliments his success but rather chastises him for not wearing a winter coat with enough “down” in it. The pathological maternal instincts also caused the loss of relationships due to his mother actually moving in with him if she did not hear back from him for a few weeks. She went as far as moving in to his college dorm with him for a while! This is one of the best memoirs I have read in a very long time. The letters (some with actual photocopies of his mother’s originals) combined with Chester’s hilarious and sarcastic commentary; make for an amusing and very quick read. While his mother was at times obnoxious and smothering (hence, the title), after years of perspective and money spent on therapy, Chester looks back lovingly and fondly. I am grateful to him for sharing his story with us all to make us feel better about our own mothers. I highly recommend both of these books for a humorous holiday escape. Look back and forward and smile, don’t daydream too much about time machines and always love your mother. l
DECEMBER 2012
Leather Life
LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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 Relationships
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his month’s article is about multiple-partner relationships which are quite common in the Leather and BDSM communities. Although many people involved in the Leather and BDSM communities are in multiple-partner relationships, not everyone is,
nor is it a requirement to do so. We often refer to these relationships as a poly relationship which is short for polygamy or polyamory. Having multiple partners or spouses is called polygamy. I grew up Mormon and almost all my great-grandparents were polygamists (technically it was polygyny). So it’s no wonder that today I’m in a poly relationship. There are several different kinds of polygamy relationships. There’s polygyny, which is a man with more than one wife (and no marriage between the wives). There is polyandry, which is a woman with more than one husband (and no marriage between the husbands). There is group marriage, where each person is married (or committed) to all the others in the relationship. And more recently is the term polyamory; having an intimate loving relationship with multiple people. Polyamory is also described as consensual
non-monogamy. Polyamory may or may not have marriage contracts. Bigamy is also a term that is used. Bigamy means to marry a second person while still married to a first in a culture where monogamy is the norm. Bigamy is considered a crime in most western countries. Also, the first spouse is unaware of the new spouse. Historically, these types of relationships have existed in almost every ancient culture. Worldwide, polygyny is the most common type of polygamy relationship, (one man with multiple wives). Some areas of the world still practice them. Even here in America, the Native Americans practiced polygyny. And a majority of religions have or had polygamy. One of the first things I want to stress is that poly relationships are not for everyone. It requires a special type of person to be in that type of relationship. Many of the polygyny relationships in my family tree resulted in divorce or separation because of some of the issues that could and can happen in that type of relationship. (These issues will
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be discussed later). A very important thing to keep in mind for a poly relationship is that the relationship must be with the full knowledge and consent by all parties involved. I can NOT stress this enough. Everyone involved MUST be aware and ALL of them must consent. Without this, the relationship will not survive and problems will arise. One of the most important aspects of any poly relationship is to have set rules and guidelines. Granted many people in marriage relationships have an assumed understanding of married rules and guidelines, it’s always wise to discuss them and possibly have them in writing. Consent. As discussed earlier, everyone in the relationship must have full knowledge and must consent to the rules and guidelines of the relationship. In writing. It is a wise point to write down what will be the guidelines of the poly relationship. This keeps everyone on the same page. Open vs. closed. Any type of relationship can have an continued on page 32
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I didn’t survive... Breast Cancer Treatment
Depression & Suicide Attempts
Coming Out & High School Bullying
...to die early from smoking. When you’re ready, we’re here to help.
take in your health Stop by the PRIDE Health Fair for a Last Drag Quit Kit
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DECEMBER 2012
Jim Brickman annual concert: a holiday tradition
By Ciara Reid, staff reporter WICHITA - There are so many things that are considered classic traditions when the holiday season arrives: decorating the tree, exchanging presents with loved ones, and consuming way too much eggnog. But there’s another tradition that is quickly becoming a holiday staple for so many people here in the heartland and across North America: attending a Jim Brickman concert. For the past 17 years, Brickman has embarked on a nationwide tour just in time for the holiday season. Brickman has enjoyed immense success since the release of his debut album in 1994. He’s been nominated for two Grammy’s for Best New Age Album in 2003 and 2010, had several albums that have surpassed the Gold and Platinum status, and has enjoyed successful tours for almost 20 years. His new album Believe was released in early November of this year. “It’s called Believe because it’s of an inspirational quality,” he describes. “It’s not a Christmas album, but it is that time of year to believe in magic, beauty and nostalgia.” When I spoke with Brickman for this article, he was in Las Vegas preparing for his concert. His tour, A Winter’s Night, is just underway; over the course of the next several months, he will play about 50 shows. For many artists, the cities can have a tendency to blur together. But for Brickman, he gives every show all his effort and tries to make it as unique and enjoyable for the audience as possible. The reason for an annual tour around the holidays is simple. “It’s the right time of year for all things – it’s a very emotional time of year, and my music is of an inspirational and romantic nature,” says Brickman. For him, it’s the perfect time to tour: “Music is about family, gathering, and emotional connection.” Audiences can expect to see him perform an array of holiday classics - Jim Brickman-style as well as songs from throughout his successful 20-year career,
and songs from his brand new album Believe. After every show, Brickman meets with his fans at the VIP meet and greet event. (Fans who purchase his new album from his website, www.jimbrickman. com receive an after-show pass). Not every artist makes such an effort to connect with their fans. “It’s important to me,” says Brickman. “A show is such an intimate thing; a conversation. I get to know them and they get to know me. It’s a friendship that’s developed over those couple hours.” Brickman says that he respects the fact that people have paid money to be at his shows. He even recognizes the faces of frequent fans. “The meet and greet is so important – who’s there and why, and why they keep coming back,” he said. Fans may notice that he loves collaborating with other artists. Throughout his musical career, Brickman has joined forces on songs with artists like Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Jane Krakowski, and Michael Bolton, just to name a few. The connection between him and each collaborator, says Brickman, is at the heart of each song. His collaborations happen naturally; the type of song determines the type of collaborator he chooses. One of his latest collaborators is Luke McMaster, a fellow Canadian singer/songwriter who is featured on his new single Good Morning Beautiful. Not only can audiences expect a great show from Brickman, they can also expect to see several special guest collaborations on stage. Look for Luke McMaster, Anne Cochran and Tracy Silverman to grace the stage with Brickman at both shows in Kansas City and Wichita. Don’t think for a second that cities like Wichita will be ‘just another show’ for Brickman. “Wichita was one of the first places that really embraced my music very early on,” says Brickman. He describes his Wichita shows as a really generous, supportive, familiar experience. And for all his shows across the country this winter,
Jim Brickman on A Winter’s Night tour: Dec. 7, 8pm, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City Tickets range from $60 to $84 Dec. 18, 7:30pm, The Orpheum, Wichita Tickets range from $34.50 to $64.50 audiences will see a side of Brickman they’re not used to. “I like singing Without You in My Life in concert – it shows a side of me people don’t see all that often – very tender and emotional.” At Brickman concerts, it’s just him and a piano. “There’s no band at my show, and there’s never been a band,” he says. As an artist, Brickman aims to be as genuine as possible: “It’s all about not trying to be something you’re not. As I’ve gotten older, you learn that more and more.” Those who can’t make
Photo by Rob Waymen
it to his show this winter – don’t fret just yet. The Annual “Escape Fan Cruise will be Jan. 19-26 throughout the Eastern Caribbean. Visit www. jimbrickmancruise.com for more details. Though this will be the last fan cruise for a while, Brickman is working on something special for his fans, set to launch next summer. Details are not finalized just yet; he describes it only as a “Brickman-palooza” type event in Nashville. “It’s not a festival but it could turn into that,” he says. l
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be that this was the one thing that was supposed to come from the visit. In a way, it was a little like talking to Dan about the person I have become. I think Dan would be very pleased that I was happy. These are the things I take from my trip to Seneca - people wanting to learn and remembering a brother who never wanted anything for me other than for me to be happy. I talked a lot about God and love and faith. The things that Trans-Seneca were denied me when I believed didn’t mention the pastor or the that I couldn’t be me and have a astor Curtis Knapp, of New sermon; only that I was going to relationship with God. And the Hope Baptist Church in share my journey of faith. Seneca, Kansas, preached I confided that I had planned things that have been gifted to quite a sermon on the last Sunday to present in Seneca, but the me in the few short years since in May. It was just a few days sermon had has tened my everything changed, and I began before I returned to Kansas from presentation. Presenting about to embrace the woman God created. Bangkok, Thailand after having My small my gender affirmation audience listened surgery. I listened to “Presenting about transgenderism intently. Then we the entire one-hour sermon during which in small Kansas towns is something visited, more like old friends than like the pastor called for the of a hobby of mine.” people who had just government to execute met. Handshakes from gays, and I knew the transgenderism in small Kansas the two men and a hug from the time had come for me to go to towns is something of a hobby Seneca with a different message. of mine. Transgender is not lady, and my time in Seneca was over. I walked out of the A message of hope. something people talk about K a n s a s S t a t e w i d e much in Kansas. When they do, library to the rainbow colored Transgender Education Project much of the time it is about the signs of the protestors from board member Chris Cook horrible things we supposedly Westboro Baptist Church. I followed up on my request to do in bathrooms. find an opening in the Seneca The reporter for the Seneca library schedule when I could weekly paper published an go do a presentation about my article about my upcoming journey into faith as a transsexual presentation. It was next to woman. In short order, we had a another article about local fallout presentation scheduled from from the pastor’s sermon. I was noon-2pm on Saturday, July 7. pleased, as the article contained It was truly a remarkable day, the thoughts I wanted to be one I will remember forever. shared, “I have nothing against The hand of God continues to the pastor and he has a right guide my journey and I am quite to believe and say whatever. excited to see what happens But my message is a different next. one than in the sermon. It is a While I was still in Thailand, message of hope.” I put together a press release and S o , I t r a v e l e d t h e 9 0 sent it out to the Seneca Courier- minutes to Seneca and did my Tribune and the Topeka Capital presentation. Three people were Journal. Hindsight might have in attendance. Sometimes, when had me wait until I got back to I do these presentations, there the U.S., but I am not generally are only a few people. Other good at standing still. times, there are more. I have Journalists from both papers come to understand that the tried to contact me via e-mail, people who are supposed to be however, by then I was on there, will be there. And I have my return trip. During a short come to understand that amazing layover in the Tokyo airport, things can come from these I called the reporter from the presentations, no matter how Seneca paper. small the audience. She wanted to know if it was Those in attendance simply a coincidence that I was coming wanted to learn about a subject to Seneca just now, or was it that people don’t often talk related to the sermon by Pastor about. It turns out that one of Knapp. When I wrote the press them knew my older brother, release about the presentation, I Dan, when he was alive. It might
P
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took it as something of a badge of honor. Although I live in Topeka, the home of WBC, and they have protested events and places where I participated, this was the first time that they have protested me. I spoke quite a lot in the presentation about how Jesus tells us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us. I spoke about how I have come to understand why I need to do my best to do those things. If there are any people in the world who need love and prayers more than Fred Phelps and his followers, then I don’t know who they would be. People like Curtis Knapp have no idea of the harm they bring to God’s LGBT children. I drove to Seneca to present a different message. I will undoubtedly end up back in the Seneca area again before too long. There are many small towns in Kansas. I will go to as many as I can and present my different message. It is a message of hope. 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.
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ello Kansas, I have a very special surprise for December, my gift to all of you, so Merry Christmas! I present to you Jiggly Caliente! She was just on season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and now she is in the Liberty Press (well not really IN the Liberty Press but . . . Okay I’ll shut up now!) She is from New York City! Let’s get to this thing - I present to you Miss Jiggly Caliente! Audrey McQueen: Thank you for having this interview with me! Jiggly Caliente: Sure no problem, hon. AM: Alright so my first question for you, how did you get your name? JC: I got my name from Pokemon. Jiggly Puff is cute and all, but I wanted to be a big girl- sexy and hot - so I’m gonna take Puff out and add Caliente! My drag mother was Chevelle Brooks! AM: Who are your inspirations in your drag? JC: Chevelle Brooks, Angela Carrera, Kim Moore, RuPaul and so many more, they helped me find my voice and who I am today! They all helped me grow and there is so much more, even now I still have more growing to do. I look up to anyone who
LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
AM: Any last remarks for my readers and your fans? JC: Live like it’s your last, love unconditionally, laugh uncontrollably, and enjoy life!
helped me find my voice as a drag queen. AM: What has been the best place to perform? JC: I love to perform everywhere! But one that stood out was Asheville, NC. Those kids went up for me! They even recognized my shoes from the show! Always with traveling I have learned little things from them, and I always meet and greet and give advice. AM: Do you have future plans? JC: I’m acting in a movie that is coming out soon and I want to do as much as possible, the sky is the limit for me! AM: What is a good way to get a hold of you online? JC: All social media. My Facebook and on Twitter @ jigglycaliente! AM: Do you have any advice for up and coming queens? JC: Practice, play with and enjoy all the colors of the palette. Play with it as long as you can. It will only help you get better! AM: Before we wrap this up, what do you think of the Season 5 cast? JC: I’m super excited for the new season. I think now all
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whatever can shut up! RuPaul’s Drag Race covered all the major drag pageantry systems with their formers - USofA, Continental and America. I really wish my new sisters all the best and that they take full advantage of the opportunities that come with Drag Race!
Jiggly Caliente these pageant queens that read the show and say that there is no real talent in the competition ‘cause it’s not real drag or
Thank you so much Jiggly for doing the interview with me! I hope all of you guys enjoyed this month’s interview! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Make sure you stay tuned for our next interview in January! And that is what Audrey Asked! l
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directed by FrANcO drAGONe
DEC 26 – 30 | Sprint CEntEr | kanSaS City, MO Jan 2 – 6 | intruSt bank arEna | wiChita, kS cirquedusoleil.com/holidays OFFiciAl SpONSOrS
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REVIEW The Master Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity and language tttt- Not for everyone, this movie, written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will be Blood, Magnolia, Boogie Nights), is brilliant. Just don’t expect it to have hard edges or a straight path or to lead you to a conclusion. Based loosely on the life of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, it’s a character study of not one but two men. Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) is a disturbed veteran of WWII who was likely disturbed when he got into the war. Now he suffers post traumatic stress disorder and a proclivity for strange concoctions of alcohol, including that found in household cleaners. We sympathize with him as he drifts about, trying to cope with confusion interspersed with outbursts of anger and psychotic behaviors that put him in danger. Just when we are about to give up (and perhaps leave the theater), he meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who describes himself as a “writer, nuclear physicist and a
Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Weinstein Company’s The Master - 2012
theoretical philosopher.” Dodd, leader of a cult called The Cause, takes to Freddie and tries to help him with indoctrination into the therapy he invented, consisting of various combinations of questions, repetitive talking exercises, and past-life regressions. In turn, Freddie introduces Dodd to some of his ad hoc alcoholic drinks. Freddie is won over. It’s clear that Dodd is a quack, but at the same time we can see why he has a following. Some of what he does helps people and he clearly has enormous charisma. His wife Peggy (expertly played by Amy Adams) is his most staunch supporter and a sort of assistant practitioner. He’s had many wives previous to her, and perhaps this is her way of holding on to him. Yet the clench of her jaw when he is criticized seems real enough,
tttt- You should see it - I’d see it again! ttt- Entertaining but flawed tt- It didn’t kill me; see it at a $1 theatre t- Skip it - it’s not worth the popcorn
as is Freddie’s inclination to beat up anyone who questions Dodd. Phoenix’s performance as a broken man is brilliant. His screwed-up face, his gait, and the way he has of moving his body when he walks suggests someone who is profoundly uncomfortable, self-conscious and deeply pained. From time to time Freddie “cleans up” with an ever-so-slight change in his mouth and clarity to his eyes and we think he is cured. But we are afraid of him too, as is Peggy. His intensity is palpable. Dodd gives as good as he gets, with a commanding demeanor even in the face of the police and his detractors, all the while catering to wealthy patrons and maybe doing some larceny on the side. He is amused by Freddie and attached to him. The brilliance of the filmmaking is that we have to decide how and why they are who they are and why they are drawn to each other. It’s likely that they are in love, but Anderson respects us viewers to figure things out for ourselves. We’ll see these guys at the Oscars. l
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News Briefs Special Election edition
Baltimore welcomes same-sex marriage with dedicated LGBT microsite The ballots have been counted and the people have spoken – Maryland has upheld the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the city of Baltimore is ready to welcome happy couples for weddings, receptions and honeymoons. Couples can obtain a civil marriage license from the state beginning Jan. 1, 2013. Visit Baltimore, the city’s tourism bureau, provides free planning assistance to help ease the stress of wedding planning, providing assistance in securing accommodations and group rates and suggestions for venues and vendors. Visit Baltimore has created a new microsite – www. baltimore.org/lgbt-weddings – containing everything samesex couples need to know to
get married in Baltimore, from practical information on how to obtain a marriage license to unique wedding venues and vendors, and information on Baltimore’s TAG-approved accommodations.
The Equality Election The historic Nov. 6 election had many milestones: • The first sitting president to affirm his support for marriage equality was re-elected. • The first lesbian elected to the U.S. Senate. • The first transgender person elected to statewide office won a seat in the New Hampshire legislature. • A record number of openly LGBT people elected to Congress bringing the total to
seven. • Three states approved marriage equality at the ballot box - a first in American history. • One state rejected a marriage discrimination amendment - the first definitive win against one of these amendments • Pro-equality Democrats did very well in this election cycle with 57 of the 60 candidates endorsed for Congress heading to Washington - a 95% win rate.
Lambda Legal proclaims a ‘Blockbuster at the Ballot Box’ Lambda Legal issued the following statement by Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal: “The election of 2012 was a
NetworQ Thanksgiving Potluck Nov. 15, 2012 LAWRENCE - NetworQ held its annual Thanksgiving event at Maceli’s. Pictured top left: Brian, Kyle, Nathan and Omar of Delta Lamba Phi Fraternity. Photos by Derrick J. Mahoney
Pitt State GSA Candlelight Vigil Nov. 8, 2012
blockbuster at the ballot box for same-sex couples. With clear victories in Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Iowa and Washington we have turned an historic corner, and there is no turning back. We don’t have to look very far back to the elections in 2004 when we lost anti-gay ballot measures in 13 states. This is amazing progress in the span of eight years. “In Iowa, the second campaign by anti-gay groups to oust an Iowa Supreme Court justice for his vote in our case that won the right for same-sex couples to marry has failed. “In addition, voters have re-elected a president who embraced marriage for same-sex couples, led the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and is standing with us to defeat the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. And we look forward to working with President Obama early in his next term to enact the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and the Student Nondiscrimination Act. “We also saw the election of the first openly lesbian member of the U.S. Senate, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.” l
Red Ribbon Art Auction Nov. 10, 2012
LAWRENCE - The Douglas County AIDS Project raised much needed funds for its services. Pictured above: Attendees practice bidding.
PITTSBURG - The Pitt State Gay Straight Alliance held a candlelight vigil at Campus Lake to remember the victims of homophobia. Names were read along with something good about the person followed by a moment of silence. Photos by Julie Huston
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see the DMV’s indication of my hair and eye color as discrimination; it’s simply descriptive. My blue passport with gold stars is just an identification of citizenship. On the other hand, there are very real forms of discrimination focused on me because I am gay. I regret the ignorance of those individuals who would — and do — direct slurs against me, assume my “lifestyle” should force me to register as a sex offender or question my ability to fulfill a business contract because I’m attracted to men instead of women. But no law written, passed or enacted is going to change those false assumptions about me. Instead, the very procedure of trying to put that law into place is simply going to underscore false assumptions and further inflame the issue. The only cure for bigotry is face-toface communication and this type of interaction is badly hampered by those who believe that homosexuality is contagious. People, you can’t “catch” it. My conservative politics give me only one argument to wage in a discussion of discrimination: no legislation should be passed to force anyone to employ — or not to employ — a person who is “different.” Hatred based on prejudice is stupid and silly, but you can’t legislate it away. Besides, a law enacted against the result of a stupid belief or action is redundant. Watch an episode or two of Cops if you don’t believe me. I believe in a God of love and acceptance, not hatred and discrimination. I believe the Christian viewpoint shouldn’t express anything but love and caring, not only for people with whom I share a lot in common, but also for those individuals who would be my polar opposites. Of course this
is the shortest and easiest of these sections to complete: God is love. I regret the decision in Salina and Hutchinson, but I regret more the attempt to pass a law in my name that tells a businessman or individual what they can and cannot believe about me. Part of that is and will always be my responsibility. To force that opinion on someone well--that is anti-American. l
bridges Anniversary: Robert Gass and Stephen Watt are celebrating their 14th anniversary on December 5, 2012. 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.
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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 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. 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
LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS! celebration held in September. (316) 660-5120, www.cpaaa.org, CPAAA is available to assist seniors, Student groups caregivers, and adults with disabilities through life’s transitions and with Free State High School GSA, Lawrence, various levels of support. (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 Flint Hills PFLAG, Manhattan, (785) Kansas, Lawrence, (785) 864-3091, 410-3130, fhpflag@sbcglobal.net, www. qanda@ku.edu, www.ku.edu/~qanda fhpflag.org, meets 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm, Lawrence High School GSA, (785) First Congregational Church, 700 330-2391, ArlaKan@usd497.org, Poyntz Ave. welcomes all LGBT, questioning and Get Connected, Wichita, (316) 491straight youth to talk about issues. Meets 3778, LGBTQIA youth group for ages almost every Friday at 3:05pm in the 12-21. Meets at The Center, 1602 E. LHS library. Waterman, every Friday from 7-9pm. Manhattan High School GSA, mhs_ Headquarters Counseling Center, gsa@hotmail.com Lawrence, (785) 841-2345 free 24/7, Pitt State GSA, Pittsburg State www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us 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, churchoffice@pvcconline.org, www. pvcconline.org
Support Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, 2622 W. Central Suite 500, Wichita,
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open or closed policy. Open relationships are where the partners can play with others. Closed are where they can only play with individuals within the relationship. Make sure that everyone in the relationship is fully aware which the relationship is. Not playing by the defined and discussed rules of the relationship can also create heartache and problems. Poly relationships can and do work. I’ve known many over the years. My two partners and I have been together for just over eight years. There are multiple advantages in a poly relationship. Some of which are multiple support both physical and emotional and multiple financial support. Issues that can arise in a poly relationship are wide and varied. The following are just some of them that I have seen or experienced or have found in research. Jealousy. This is probably the number one problem that occurs in any relationship. When you have multiple partners, jealousy can occur between the different partners. If someone has jealousy issues with the person they love, then a poly relationship would probably not be in your best interest. Each person in the poly relationship needs to be aware and keep in check any jealousy issues. If jealousies should arise, communicate this to the others and talk it out. Cheating. As I stated earlier,
DECEMBER 2012 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.
ALL parties must be aware of all the other multiple partners. No going behind one partner’s back to be with the other. Everything about who you are playing with MUST be open and known by all partners. Communicate to each other who you are with and when. Communication. Communication is key in a poly relationship. If you are in a poly relationship, discuss whether or not the other partners want to know about those you play with. Being open and honest with each partner keeps from having bad or hurt feelings later on. Don’t assume the others know how you feel. Attention. When in a poly relationship it is vital that each partner gets loving attention from the others. When one partner gets more attention than the other, it can cause jealousy, hurt feelings and possible resentment. This in turn causes internal strife in the relationship. Honesty. Above all else be honest with yourself and your partners. Also, be honest with yourself if you are the type of person that likes to play around. If you know you have those tendencies, then don’t mislead your partner that you are monogamous. Love, honor and cherish each person in the partnership. Whether you are in a one-onone relationship or you are in a relationship with several other people. Love, honor and cherish each of them. This is what builds a strong relationship, whether it’s a poly relationship or not. l
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LIBERTY PRESS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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I felt like I had been run over by a truck. I just wanted to hug him and take him away from these mean people who didn’t know anything. Vinnie, surprisingly, was a lot more pragmatic. “They just want to help him,” she assured me. So I let her handle setting up all the details. In home speech therapy twice a week, occupational therapy every two weeks, physical therapy once a week. All at no cost. l
the Hutchinson example was from a business owner Paul Waggoner who argued that sexual orientation is a “personal characteristic” and to treat it as a class would be terrible public policy. His argument extends from his own personal views on sexual orientation and are not facts based on any sociological or biological facts. Waggoner also neglects to clearly clarify why he believes these things to be true and why it is not important to protect gays from discrimination. It appears clear that his argument is that there is “zero history of anyone being harmed in Hutchinson due to their sexual orientation.” What he is neglecting to further clarify is the belief it’s a business’ right to fire, evict or deny someone of a different sexual orientation services if he disagrees with said orientation based on his own “personal beliefs.” Who one sleeps with should have no bearing on how we conduct business. If two parties
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D
ecember gives us a gift whether it’s a bunch of hanging holiday balls or a bevy of decorated boxes. Our personal planets weave through Sagittarius and Capricorn and eventually oppose retrograde Jupiter. How big is big? Obviously not big enough!
ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20) Have you been naughty or nice in your career ascent, gay Ram? The fates see to it that you get what you deserve professionally. Perhaps that means the key to the corner office, but it can also mean a key to the utility closet. Avoid all closets at any cost! Your next move depends on how you say it. All your communications have great impact. Kaboom. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Queer Bulls can get their tails into all sorts of mischief now. Spicy adventures encourage you to hang your Christmas tinsel all over town. Will you go hooves over horns by New Year’s? Anything is possible. Yet other surprises are in store too. Extravagances will cost much more than you think. So fill that sensual bathtub with seltzer rather than champagne.
LEO (JULY 24 - AUG. 23) Do you feel overwhelmed by work? It may seem that way. However life doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Proud Lions cajole their way into any top-tier party this season. You charmer you. Spread your jolly cheer while you have the momentum. Friends are a source of surprises and give you extra holiday oomph. You will need it to keep your sleigh aloft . . . VIRGO (AUG. 24 - SEPT. 23) There is simply too much activity going on at home now. Queer Virgins are tempted to toss their Yule log on the home fire and roast their chestnuts. And why not? Invite a certain someone or group of someones over to share holiday spirit. But don’t get too spirited. There may be some loose ends on the job that need your attention. Ah, same old story!
GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Your inner fear is that you will be alone this December. But heck, pink Twins couldn’t be alone if they tried! Everyone tries to get you on their holiday list and at their holiday party. How tiring and, as you will find, shocking and surprising. Try not to burn your candle at both ends. You can wind up with a tiny burnt wick and few people I know like it that way.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23) Your e-vite is in the e-mail. Holiday parties pile up and spam your schedule now. Sociable proud Libras should carefully choose only those events that provide more punch than eggnog. And why limit yourself to the usual haunts? Go far afield for your holiday cheer. Travel out of your comfort zone and locate new comfort zones as you go. Go, go, go. Ho, ho, ho.
CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Stick to the basics pink Crab as December sends you back to school for a refresher course. Remember that success is in the details and the best way to see the details is close up and from below. There is a lot going on behind the scenes. Keep your eyes and ears open and observe. Very soon you will know exactly who is naughty and who is nice.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Proud Scorps are eloquent and even charming this December. Good - you need all your communication skills to entice, enthrall and seduce a certain you-know-who. But all that glitters is not gold. Make sure your holiday gifts have a valuable meaning. What is in that gaily wrapped gift box? A collection of Guy Lombardo DVDs? What exactly does that mean . . .?
enter into a contract such as a lease agreement the parties are bound by the stipulation of said agreement. If one of the parties violates that contract then there are legal measures that apply. My main issue with the Salina law is the will of the majority ruling over the minority. It is important to keep in mind that this type of violation by the majority is one our forefathers spoke of. This justification by the majority has historically been used to treat women as less than equal, African Americans as 2/3 of a person, and other groups whether religious, ethnic, or otherwise as inferior to the will of the majority. Rights are not granted by the majority, but by natural rights given to citizens by the Constitution of the United States. This argument goes beyond a business’ right to conduct business. The argument is broader and goes into that which makes us equal in the eyes of the law. l
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 22) First impressions are lasting impressions, so plan your debut as carefully as you would your exit this December. You will focus more on relationships as partners make more demands on your time. Santa is reviewing his list and measuring your sock for cash or coal. Just how naughty have you been, gay Archer?? I hear the market in coal stock is rising. CAPRICORN (DEC. 23 - JAN. 20) Pink Caps dream of adulation, attention and accolades. Anything is possible, but there are things going on behind the scenes that keep things out of your control. So what? Just keep your sense of humor and go with the cosmic flow. In fact you could flow along and wash ashore on some of the most desirable beaches around. Look at those elves in Speedos! AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19) Your secret is Out Aqueerius and you are happy and relieved to have it that way. Stand back and watch the festivities unfold. Life will not be dull. In fact, friends come to the rescue of any boring party and deliver an ample jolt of holiday spirit. So much so that things could get out of hand. When is too much fun too too much fun? Never . . . I think. PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20) You are a calming, curative force this December and your charitable influence is felt far and wide. But Guppies would be mistaken to believe that they can let their ambitions take a back seat to their compassion. Get ahead of the curve and plan some transformative New Year’s resolutions. Then spike the eggnog at your company’s holiday party.
(c) 2012 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Can’t get enough? Join the blog: www.thestarryeye.typepad.com/newage Lichtenstein’s astrology book HerScopes is an international sensation. Buy it and feel the vibration. Order now at tinyurl.com/Herscopes
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