THE FIGHT MAGAZINE APRIL 2011

ISSUE 003 APRIL 2011

GAY RAGE IN STEREO

ELEPHANT’S JACKSON & COLEMAN VRANA

THE TRUTH ABOUT HIV DR. OMAR MINWALLA ON SEXUAL DUPLICITY

OVER (TOLE)RATED CODY J. SANDERS ON THE TROUBLE WITH TOLERANCE

LESBIANS VERSUS GAYS ANN ROSTOW ON WHAT MAKES A COMMUNITY The Fight 1

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APRIL/CONTENTS

COVER STORIES AND FEATURES

14 '* Rostow Report

10 YOU’RE GAY! NO, YOU’RE GAY! Political Outing In Glendale

Hidden Toxins

12 THE TRUTH ABOUT HIV Dr. Omar Minwalla On Sexual Negotiations

14 ROSTOW REPORT

What’s The Matter With Maryland?

16 OVER (TOLE)RATED

Cody J. Sanders On Those Who “Tolerate” Us

10

20 THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

You’re Gay! No, You’re Gay!

20

The Elephant In The Room

Rick Wilkinson On Jackson and Coleman Vrana

22 COSMETIC TREATMENTS FOR MEN

Dr. Nathan Newman On New Procedures

26 SEX DRIVE & ADHD

Dr. Mick Gallinson On Undiagnosed ADHD

30 WHOSE COMMUNITY IS IT, ANYWAY? Ann Rostow On Lesbians Versus Gays

IN EVERY ISSUE

26

8 18 24 29 32 34 36 38

Sex Drive & ADHD

Letters to The Editor Finance Financial Planning For Couples Health Masturbation Cuts Cancer Risk Pets Beware Of Sugar-Free Treats Arts View With A Brew Profile Do You Know Luke John D’Amico?

Sports Gay & Lesbian Bowling League Calendar Aid for AIDS Fundraiser ISSUE 003 APRIL 2011

MASTHEAD

Editor-in-Chief Stanford Altamirano Managing Editor Mark Ariel Art Director Michelle Nati

Marketing Consultants Lisa Radamaker Sash Carl Troy Legg Lora Mae Jaslow

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING PLEASE CALL 323-297-4001

Contributing Writers Ann Rostow Rick Wilkinson Nathan Neuman, M.D. Brodie Hubbard Foster

Photography by Lorenzo Gomez (lorenzogomez@earthlink.net)

ON OUR COVER

GAY RAGE IN STEREO

ELEPHANT’S JACKSO N & COLEMAN VRANA

THE TRUTH ABOUT HIV

DR. OMAR MINWALL A ON SEXUAL DUPLICIT Y

OVER (TOLE)RATED

CODY J. SANDERS ON THE TROUBLE WITH TOLERANCE

LESBIANS VERSUS GAYS

ANN ROSTOW ON WHAT MAKES A COMMU NITY The Fight 1

The Fight 5

THE FIGHT

letter from the editor

A GAY REVOLUTION TWO–FACED

If you would like to offer The Fight at your location, please call 323-297-4001 PUBLISHER Third Step, Inc. DISTRIBUTION Pride in Media The Fight Magazine is published monthly by Third Step, Inc. 611 South Catalina Street, Suite 307 Los Angeles CA 90005

Possibly more hurtful and destructive than the verbal bashing we tend to receive from those outside of our community is the verbal abuse we tend to engage in amongst ourselves.

Telephone 323-297-4001 Fax: 213-281-9648 E-mail info@thefightmag.com

You’ve probably heard it all before: “watch out for that one that bitch got the bug,” “forget her, she’s a recovery queen,” or “f*ck that dyke!”

The Fight Magazine LEGAL CAVEATS By listing in The Fight Magazine, advertisers acknowledge that they do business in a spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for providing same as advertised. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers.

Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisements in The Fight Magazine.

Why, as a minority group, would we do this to ourselves? Most likely this behavior stems from internalized homophobia.

Negative feelings towards oneself because of one’s homosexuality bring about demeaning, negative comments about others within the community.

In the case of HIV positive men, the situation is intensified.

“Disclosing a positive status to a potential sex partner can leave a person vulnerable to possible rejection or emotional wounding. It can also bring up the internalized shame,” says Dr. Omar Minwalla (“The Truth About HIV,” page 12.)

As a group - writes Ann Rostow (“Whose Community Is It, Anyway?” page 30) we are multi-racial, multi-gendered, and divided along lines of faith, origin, class and even politics.

Publisher assumes no liability for safekeeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. The Fight Magazine reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content.

All contents © 2011 Third Step, Inc., all rights reserved. Content may be reproduced with permission.

“The one thing we have in common, and the one thing that makes us a ‘community,’ is the reaction that others have to us. To the evangelical right, a middle-aged suburban lesbian couple with kids is no different than a young gay male party animal in Manhattan or West Hollywood. We’re all sinning perverts, headed to Hell,” says Rostow.

The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine, and reserves the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publishers’ discretion.

While an occasional inside joke or jab behind someone’s back may not necessarily mean you’re a self-hating queer, this type of ongoing behavior becomes fuel to the fire of the hatred within.

WWW.THEFIGHTMAG.COM

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letters

QUICK SUGGESTION Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Regarding your filthy publication: Homosexuals use many methods to deceive the gullible into tolerating homosexuality.

One way they do so is to point to same sex attraction among animals. Do not be deceived into thinking that since same sex attraction has been observed among animals that this somehow legitimizes same sex attraction for humans.

Some animals are also known to eat carrion, excrement and attack and kill humans. If same sex attraction among them can be rightly used to legitimize same sex attraction among humans, so can all their other unclean and murderous tendencies. Animals are irrational creatures that are not accountable to God. Only totally depraved fools point to the nasty actions of dogs as examples to follow rather than live according to the righteousness of God. Homosexuals prove they have fallen lower than animals by making animals as their mentors and examples to follow. One thing for sure is creatures of instinct demonstrate that they are more righteous than homosexuals, because they do not seek to justify their acts by the nasty acts of homosexuals.

Really nice work, guys, for a first publication. It was nice to see a more mature Mr. Murillo (“Coming Clean,” THE FIGHT, Issue 001), very different from his last foray into gay media. I also liked the piece on gays in Nazi Germany (“The Nazi Persecution of Gays,” Issue 001).

Homosexuality is one of the many manifestations of the total depravity of mankind. It is part of the evidence that demonstrates the sad totally depraved state into which all mankind has fallen. It evidences that the wrath of the Almighty God hangs over the heads of every graceless human.

Quick suggestion: how about a travel column, about gay friendly places in the world?.

Robert Lee–via the internet

Jon Anders, Los Angeles

BE CAREFUL

BAD FOR YOU Dear Editor,

Thanks for the update on Chick Fil-A (Chick Fil-A: AntiGay DNA”, THE FIGHT, Issue 002).

Just a quick fyi: Carl’s Jr. is also known for supporting anti-gay measures. Aside from that - fast food is bad for you, anyway.

David Green, via the internet

FORGET THE “T” Dear Editor,

Wow. Kudos to Ian Harvie for the revealing interview (“Manning Up,” THE FIGHT, Issue 002).

I really like that you put a transgendered person on your cover. People sometimes forget the “T” in LGBT. I hope you will continue to represent the entire community and not just the West Hollywood party boys.

S. Roser, via the internet 8 The Fight

Dear Editor,

Interesting article on gay Muslims (“Uncovering The Closet Jihad,” THE FIGHT, Issue 002). I agree with Ani Zonneveld’s statement “Muslim youth ... generally are much more accepting of gays and lesbians and that should shape the views in the Muslim faith over time.”

The problem is one has to be more careful in our community because you can never know who may be against you.

Some of my Muslim friends are progressive in every way aside from accepting homosexuality. So - as a Muslim - if you decide to come out - be careful - and selective.

Name Witheld–via the internet

Get It Off Your Chest!

E-mail your Letter to the Editor to: editor@thefightmag.com Or mail to: THE FIGHT, Letters to the Editor 611 S. Catalina St. Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005

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LOCAL POLITICIANS OUT EACH OTHER IN VICIOUS CAMPAIGN

BY BRODIE FOSTER HUBBARD

T

he City of Glendale is holding their council election on April 5th. One of the incumbents, John Drayman, has been battling corruption charges from opposing candidate Mike Mohill, a self-described “community activist.”

Mohill has repeatedly pointed out that sub-contractors of Advanced Development Investments, Inc., which is under federal investigation for defrauding the city through falsified billing and safety violations in its affordable housing projects, helped renovate Drayman’s condominium and contributed to his campaign fund.

In a City Council meeting in March, with Mohill present, Drayman responded by revealing Mohill’s arrests by Los Angeles Police for lewd conduct in 1987 and 1988. Drayman did not have details of the arrests, but implied they were for public exposure. Drayman told the Council he was disgusted to resort to drudging the matter up, but that it was an issue of character, and he was tired of Mohill’saccusations.

Mohill walked out of the meeting without comment, losing endorsements for his candidacy and leaving questions unanswered.

But one week later at the next Council meeting, Mohill outed 10 The Fight

himself as a gay man, saying the arrests were regarding consensual sex with another man in a public place.

Mohill told THE FIGHT that while he and his wife have been married over 30 years, they have an understanding and “stopped having sex. I (dated) men and I had a few long-term (same-sex) relationships.” Mohill says he knew his homosexuality might come out, but says he was “naive” about his police record becoming public knowledge. Although Drayman did not specifically discuss sexual orientation in his comments about Mohill, Mohill believes it was Drayman’s intention to out him, and says he assumes Drayman was also planning on using “pictures of me in compromising positions.”

Mohill also claims that Drayman is “in the closet” and himself a gay man. When asked for substantiating details, Mohill refused to name sources, but advised THE FIGHT to “ask people down in Palm Springs, I’m sure they’ll tell you.”

Drayman has yet to publicly comment on or disclose specifics about his sexuality.

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D O O Y L L O H T S L A WE I T N E D I F N O C THE REAL FRIENDS OF DOROTHY, THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND AND THE PESKY SMOKING BAN CONTROVERSY

THE TRUTH ABOUT HIV

BY BRODIE FOSTER HUBBARD

DR. OMAR MINWALLA, CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SEXUAL HEALTH, ON THE DUPLICITY OF SEXUAL NEGOTIATIONS

BY DR. OMAR MINWALLA

12 The Fight

I

ntegrity and honesty in our sexual negotiations is a critical aspect of sexual health - both on the individual and community level. Many gay men, regardless of whether they are HIV positive, negative or don’t know, still avoid being direct and honest about their HIV status, their attitudes towards HIV, and their sexual behaviors. Despite the remarkable medicalpharmaceutical advancements in confronting HIV, many gay men still struggle with confronting the profound phobia and shame that still exists - within each of us and within our community.

A gay men’s sexual health concern that rarely gets explored is how fear and shame associated with HIV can foster duplicitous sexual negotiations between gay men. While HIV marketing portrays gay men as “embracing, accepting and proud,” many of us still harbor unresolved fear, shame, judgments and hostility when it comes to HIV. It goes without saying that many gay men do indeed negotiate their sexuality with integrity, honesty.

It also goes without saying that there are many gay men who negotiate sex with others with deceit, avoidance and halftruths.

Those who are HIV positive still contend with anxiety and shame in the face of social stigma and marginalization. Thus comingout as HIV positive can still be a very difficult and challenging process, requiring much courage and self-acceptance. Disclosing a positive status to a potential sex partner can leave a person vulnerable to possible rejection or emotional wounding. It can also bring up the internalized shame. Thus for many HIV positive people, there exists the human impulse to protect one’s vulnerability by lying, obscuring or avoiding reality when it comes to telling others about being positive.

It is human to protect ourselves from that which we fear. When we perceive threat, we experience fear. Fear triggers our “fight or flight” impulses. For many of us HIV still triggers fear. Some of us react to this fear of HIV by attacking it - the “fight” response.

We “attack HIV” with covert and overt hostility, judgments, stigma, and prejudice, in ourselves and in others. Others among us react to our fear of HIV by avoiding, denying or otherwise distancing ourselves from HIV - the “flight” response. We avoid getting tested or knowing, we avoid talking about it, we avoid asking others, we avoid helping or knowing positive brothers, and run from the issue altogether. We avoid dealing with HIV in ourselves.

There is the positive guy who states he is negative on his online profile, but will disclose to actual partners if it comes to actually being sexual. There are positive guys who lie about their status and say they are negative, using justifications and rationalizations that it is okay as long as they don’t penetrate anyone without a condom, or as long as they only bottom. Sadly, there are also positive men who will intentionally lie in order to have sex, placing others at risk. Rage breeds the psychology of entitlement to violate their gay brothers. Thus the issue of duplicity and lying in sexual negotiations is a serious sexual health concern for gay men and the gay community.

positive. HIV negative men struggle with a myriad of complex emotions such as anxiety, empathy and hostility. Many struggle with shame and guilt for their ambivalence, phobias and hidden judgments towards positive men.

Furthermore, many HIV negative men, and those who don’t know, struggle with safe sex and live in chronic anxiety regarding their sexual behavior and the possibility of having been infected.

This can fuel the impulse to attacking HIV in others or fuel attacks against the self. It also fuels avoidance and not dealing - avoiding getting tested or finding out. In fact, many gay men avoid asking altogether, relying on fantasy assumptions about their partner’s status; the “don’t ask, don’t tell” strategy and the “what we don’t deal with won’t kill us” strategy.

Many HIV negative men struggle with their own phobias, shame and discriminatory feelings. Instead of being upfront and honest they will find duplicitous ways of dealing with HIV positive men.

There are many of us who hide comfortably behind a veneer of compassion, acceptance and “political correctness,” however, “behind closed doors” will judge, shame, or in some way perpetuate HIV stigma and discrimination, often with subtle expressions, pejorative terms and hushed tones. Thus, HIV negative men and those who don’t know also struggle with lying or being less than genuine and honest in negotiating sex with other men. This only serves to perpetuate the fear and shame in all of us, and in our community.

“The more we deny or avoid dealing with HIV-related fear and shame, the more difficult it becomes for all of us to to be honest with ourselves and with others in our sexual negotiations.”

While it goes without saying that each of us is responsible for our actions, from the perspective of collective psychological responsibility, we must also acknowledge that the more we deny or avoid dealing with HIV-related fear and shame, the more difficult it becomes for all of us to be honest with ourselves and with others in our sexual negotiations. HIV fear and shame drive duplicity in our sexual negotiations. The removal of fear and shame allows for integrity. Integrity and honesty in our sexual negotiations with others is a criterion for sexual health - both on the individual and community level.

Dr. Omar Minwalla is a Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Sexologist and Clinical Director of The Institute for Sexual Health. For more information visit www.sexualtreatmentprograms.com.

Among gay men who are HIV negative or don’t know, there is still the discomfort and fear in explaining to a potential HIV positive partner their disinclination to have sex with someone The Fight 13

rostow report

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH MARYLAND?

I

t’s hard to get up a full head of steam over the loss of marriage rights in Maryland when thousands have died in a disaster of Biblical proportions and tens of thousands more have seen their homes and lives destroyed.

So forgive me if I only get a little steam going in our discussion of the unexpected and disappointing demise of marriage equality in Annapolis on Friday, March 11.

Look, we spent months worrying over the bill in the Maryland senate like a dog with a bone until finally, the votes came together and the bill passed the upper chamber. After that victory, things came apart and the center did not hold.

Sponsors in the reportedly gay-friendly house of delegates changed their minds, others went back and forth and we barely survived a committee vote that had to be delayed. Finally, the bill was pulled off the house floor rather than be put to a losing vote.

(Please note that I have decided to cease capitalizing “house of delegates” in view of their cowardly behavior.)

Ann Rostow According to analysts, everyone thought that a loss on the house floor would be more demoralizing than a strategic retreat until 2012, although I’m not clear on that rationale.

Whatever. It’s sad. But at least Maryland wasn’t submerged by a tidal wave. As I said at the start, it’s hard to put gay legislative news in perspective under the circumstances. But we must try. Our beat, after all, is the national gay news of March 2011, not international calamities that will be talked about for centuries.

NEW LEGAL POSTURE There are other marriage developments in other state legislatures, but after our disappointing results in the Crab State we haven’t the heart to delve into the machinations in Rhode Island or Indiana.

Instead, let’s review the impact of last month’s 14 The Fight

bombshell; the Justice Department’s decision to treat gays and lesbians as a protected class under constitutional law.

This new legal posture means, as you recall, that the Obama administration will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court. After a “bipartisan” committee vote, in which two Democrats voted for us and three Republicans voted against us, the House of Representatives subsequently decided to hire private lawyers to go to bat for DOMA in several ongoing cases.

As for the Prop 8 case, which does not involve the federal government (since it was filed against the state of California), our lawyers have asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to release their hold on Judge Vaughn Walker’s progay decision, and allow same-sex couples to marry in the Golden State while the underlying case continues.

Considering that the Prop 8 case seems destined for a long and winding road through several side issues, releasing the stay would be delightful indeed, although

free yogurt sample at the local Sunflower Market. I don’t think he was gay, but I encountered the story at 365gay.com, so it’s sort of a gay news item.

Law enforcement took possession of the suspiciously slithery dairy treat after a customer complained, and the offender was identified through DNA. Very yucky and disturbing, n’est-ce pas?

MUCINEX GAY MURDER MYSTERY I was also forced to skip another frownmaking piece of gay news, the horrific story of a 19-year-old from Hickory, North Carolina, who took a heavy dose of “Mucinex DM,” felt weird, and murdered his gay roommate.

According to the Advocate, Michael Anderson shot Steven Starr with a rifle, shot him again with a pistol, hacked him up with an ax, and carved words into his body. He then called 911 to report that he had butchered Starr to such an extent that the dead man was unrecognizable.

Anderson told the operator he met Starr at

• On aliens developing human life on Earth • On a grocery clerk’s strange yogurt fetish • On sex education taking place in basements the U.S. Supreme Court might be obliged to weigh in on the subject. (Cue: X Files theme music.)

a gay bar, where he (Anderson) had gone to “experiment.” It seems that subsequently, Starr let Anderson stay at his place.

Finally, a federal judge in Northern California has dismissed a DOMA-related case on a technicality, at the same time asking Lambda Legal to file a revised complaint by mid-April. Judge Jeffrey White indicated that he would love to strike DOMA if given the chance, but wrote that the constitutionality of the law was not at issue in the original case.

As Anderson explained on the 911 call: “I met him and went to his house and he took me in and I turned straight again.

And he wanted to touch me and stuff and I wouldn’t let him, and he kept trying. And I waited until he went to sleep and then I shot him three times. And I mutilated him very badly and I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Oh God, please help me.”

SUSPICIOUSLY SLITHERY DAIRY TREATS

I was going to spin this as a cautionary tale about gay shame run amok, but actually, I think Anderson is a madman who transcends sexual orientation.

There’s been so much actual news that I’ve been obliged to spike a few interesting items over the last month, including the story of the 30-something grocery clerk in Albuquerque who jacked off into a

mucus people in quite the same light. Also, a town called “Hickory, North Carolina” is just a little surrealistic. Not sure why.

SHOULDER INJURY SIDELINES GAY In other news, lawmakers have introduced a bill in both the House and the Senate to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. This is not the first time we’ve seen a DOMA repeal introduced on Capital Hill, but it seems to be a serious effort rather than a symbolic gesture to the community.

Apple Computer has dropped an antigay feature from its store after our community protested the Exodus International ap that helps sad gay people turn straight.

And in an update on the Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay was still out with a sore shoulder as of mid-March and MRIs have been “inconclusive.” Get better soon, Rudy! We’re all rooting for you.

Finally, Rael, the head of the group that believes aliens developed human life on Earth and will soon return to check our progress, has given an “Honorary Guide to Humanity” award to the Northwestern professor who organized an after-class sex demonstration the other day.

Rael and company believe sex is great in all its manifestations, a philosophy that is shared at their annual “Happiness Academy” in Vegas. If I’m not mistaken, Rael offered an academy pass to Tiger Woods last year, or maybe the year before.

This year, he hopes Professor Michael Bailey will join the festivities in Sin City.

Bailey’s teaching moment involved a woman and a vibrator, if memory serves, a live exhibition that Rael called “a great example of sex education that should happen everywhere in the world.” Rael added that “such demonstrations should even be available for much younger students, as soon as they reach puberty!”

I’m sure he’ll get no argument from the students in question. Personally, I believe adolescent sex education should take place in basements and bushes and other more traditional locales.

Contact Ann Rostow at: arostow@aol.com

As for Mucinex DM, I don’t know whether I want to avoid it like the plague or try one “just for fun.” I know I’ll never see those TV The Fight 15

OVER (TOLE)RATED WHY WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH’S STRAIGHT OUT HOMOPHOBIA MIGHT ACTUALLY BE LESS DANGEROUS THAN THOSE WHO “TOLERATE” US

BY CODY J. SANDERS

16 The Fight

W

hile most readily dismiss the notorious anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka as a fanatical fringe group, other anti-gay groups are beginning to qualify their speech in very peculiar ways.

Likewise, physical violence gets the most visibility in the press while violence to the psyche and the soul is easily overlooked. And speech has everything to do with how this oppressive power and violence is enacted.

Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, for example, is reported to have said, “All the recent attention to bullying helped us to realize that we need to equip kids to live out biblical tolerance and grace while treating their neighbors as they’d like to be treated, whether they agree with them or not.”

As much as our commitment seems to enshrine freedom of speech as a value we hold dear, it often serves to display how inconsequential we actually believe “speech” to be. Far more than syllabic utterances strung together and pushed out into the world by our vocal chords, speech produces real consequences. That is, free speech is not free from consequences that affect our bodily, material reality. Our speech, our words, our language constructs our world, defines reality and gives meaning to our sense of self.

Focus on the Family has even launched a project called True Tolerance to address sexuality (i.e. “homosexual advocacy”) and bullying (i.e. “deceptive” anti-bullying initiatives) in schools.

All of this talk about “tolerance” scares me. More than Westboro’s vitriolic speech that is obviously hateful (e.g. signs that read “God Hates Fags”), these advocates for tolerance toward LGBT persons have me more than a bit concerned.

They concern me because people generally like this talk about tolerance - a lot. Practicing tolerance seems like a virtuous striving in our quest to “get along.” But talk about “tolerance” sounds different based on one’s position in the conversation. The talk takes on particular meaning depending on whether one is doing the tolerating or being tolerated. To queer ears, tolerance doesn’t seem like such a gift.

What exactly does it mean to be tolerated? Those who were once persecuted are later tolerated. Those who were once treated with violence are now allowed to exist in an atmosphere of “beneficent” tolerance. Tolerance says, “You shouldn’t be here, but I’ll allow you to exist.” We commit ourselves to overlooking the offense, the annoyance, the violation to our senses caused by the things and people we merely tolerate. Indeed, toleration is no gift to the tolerated.

Further, tolerance is a poor excuse for a theological notion. We should practice intolerance toward any notion of “tolerance” that creeps into our theological imagination and vocabulary. The only way in which we can practice tolerance is if we have constructed our theological understanding of the world in a hierarchical fashion.

And depending on your position in the hierarchy (straight white men presumably near the top) determines whether you get to do the tolerating or are simply the object of someone’s toleration.

Tolerance only works one way on the hierarchy.

Above all, the trouble with tolerance is that it presumes acquiescence to, even an acceptance of, an oppressive status quo.

There is no prophetic imagination or dream of justice embodied in a resolve to tolerate. If our goal is to practice tolerance, then we have given up on a quest for a more radical acceptance and embrace of difference and Otherness. Tolerance assumes that the hierarchical theological constructions we hold are “natural” and that the binary ways that we construct the group we call “us” and the groups we call “them” have some basis in reality. Tolerance allows our unearned privilege (whether racial privilege, class privilege, heterosexist privilege, etc.) to go unquestioned and unchallenged.

So beneath the theological surface of the iceberg’s tip-Westboro and the like - we do not find less hateful and violent theological and ideological views, just more subtly expressed ones.

Michel Foucault called this type of power “discourse.” The term “discourse” describes the stories we as a society tell about ourselves and the world, from what perspective we tell them, with what authority, and in support of whose way of being in the world.

Discourse describes whose stories get told in public and whose do not. Discourse is the way we define reality. And those stories, perspectives, and ways of being that fall outside of the constructed “norm” are subjugated to the dominant discourse. Narratives that challenge the norm are silenced.

The trouble with tolerance is that it presumes acquiescence to, even an acceptance of, an oppressive status quo The dominant heterosexist discourse in our society is one seeking to define reality solely from the perspective of heterosexual experience and to subjugate the narratives and lives of LGBT people. We can see the active struggle over definitional power in the questions surrounding who gets to define “marriage” (both in the legal and the sacred lexicons). In the end, this heterosexist discourse seeks to make non-persons of LGBT people. It defines the experience of heterosexuality as the only reality that counts and all other experiences as subjugated narratives that represent deviance, sinfulness, or illness.

Perhaps the most insidious way in which the personhood of LGBT persons is called into question is through theological discourse.

When being gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual is presented as a violation of the sacred, the transcendent order, the Divine will, etc., theological notions are used to construct a reality, a way of being in the world that supports the heterosexist status quo and benefits a certain privileged few to the detriment of those whose lives look different.

For Westboro, this is expressed in simple language like “God Hates Fags.” But there are various levels of nuance to the message that LGBT people are unacceptable to God, and these often pass under the guise of tolerance.

Cody J. Sanders is a Baptist minister and Ph.D. student in Pastoral Theology and Counseling at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX.

Unfortunately, it is the power that does not look like power that is most effective in maintaining circumstances of oppression.

The Fight 17

Financial Planning For Gay Couples LEGALLY, YOU’RE CONSIDERED STRANGERS, SO THE WISEST COURSE OF ACTION IS TO PUT EVERYTHING IN WRITING

S

ame-sex couples need to keep in mind that even though domestic partnerships or civil unions are recognized by some states -- California, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine and Hawaii -- and gay marriage is allowed in Massachusetts, you remain strangers in the eyes of the federal government. In fact, one financial planner points out that there are about 1,049 federal laws that benefit those allowed to take an official trip down the aisle.

“Any rights you would want to have as a married couple, you need to re-create in a legal document,” says Todd G. Sears, a senior financial adviser who founded the LGBT financialservices team at Merrill Lynch & Co. That will require a lot of paper. Some of the documents needed and the terminology will vary from state to state, but here’s a basic list that same-sex partners should have: Wills and/or revocable living trusts and pour-over wills: Without a will or revocable trust, you risk having your assets pass to family members instead of your partner. It also allows you to name a guardian for minor children.

Advance health-care directive; health-care-authorization proxy; durable power of attorney for health care: Generally speaking, these documents appoint an agent -- your partner -to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. They also will allow visitation, which can be denied unless you’re a spouse or family member.

Durable power of attorney for finances: This document designates an agent, whether it’s your partner or an adviser who will keep your partner’s interests in mind, to make financial decisions if you’re incapacitated, says Philip J. Hoskins, an attorney in Los Angeles.

Domestic partner agreement: Much like a prenuptial agreement for married couples, this document -- also called a living-together or property-sharing agreement -- spells out who gets what in the event of a split or death. “There is no such thing as gay alimony,” says Merrill’s Sears.

Beneficiaries: Be sure to review your beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, stock options, life insurance and any other assets.

Domestic-partner registration: In certain states, couples can register as domestic partners and will be afforded state spousal rights, such as the right to inherit without a will. But even if you can and do register, experts advise documenting everything, no matter what your status.

“Whatever you do, put it (all) in writing, even if you register as domestic partners,” attorney Hoskins says. “Don’t leave things to chance. Otherwise, you are stuck with what the state tells you you’re stuck with.”

18 The Fight

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The Fight 19

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

BY RICK WILKINSON

Gay twin rappers Jackson and Coleman Vrana on homophobia, “hedonistic

B

rash and ballsy, Jackson and Coleman Vrana make up the controversial band, Elephant - the only white, twin brother, queer rappers on the music scene today.

Expect badass beats, penetrating lyrics and in-your-face performances. Freshly signed to a record label and having collaborated with the ‘Johnny Are You Queer?’ 80’s pop icon, Josie Cotton, the dynamic duo is now poised to make some real noise. Coming to Pride Festivals near you, these two angry young men are hell-bent on trampling the rules and the stereotypes that cage most of us in.

In an interview with THE FIGHT, Elephant shares their path of being beaten up but not down, how their Bacchanalian audiences freely take part in mid-show sex and why gay people have every right to be madder than hell about the unfair treatment we still receive from a society full of bigots.

HISTORY Originally from Oklahoma, they came out when they were 14 and got beaten up every day. Both of them left when they were 18.

Coleman went to New York and Jackson went to London. They 20 The Fight

lived separate lives until about four years ago when Coleman paid a visit to Jackson, who had moved to Los Angeles. While they were together in L.A. they discovered that they both had similar musical ideas. They then secretly put together Elephant.

What’s with the name?

Jackson: “The name ‘Elephant’ really is about being that proverbial one in the room, releasing the statements people are too afraid to touch, having a presence that’s impossible to ignore.”

EVOLUTION Jackson: “We recorded our first album in a week. It’s a matter of you listen to it, go back, change shit. We come together and do this business thing and music. We don’t live together. We don’t argue about anything. We’re really aren’t involved in each other’s personal lives hardly at all. We need our separate time.

When we’re writing a song, we can say anything to each other like, ‘That fucking sucks.’”

Coleman: “I feel like I wouldn’t be able to say anything like that to my friends. It would be a lot harder. When we first started

Jackson: “Older straight men have called us homophobic the most, I believe. We get the feeling that these guys are really closeted gay men who aren’t ready to listen to people like us.”

RECOGNITION Jackson: “Everybody tells us apart because my neck is tattooed.

I have a panther.”

Coleman: “I have a tattoo on my arm - the word ‘Queer’ with a big heart. It was in the L.A. Times. We were playing “Mr. Black” (The Tuesday night party at the club, Bardot in Hollywood) and they took a picture of it. People come up to me and say, ‘I saw that tattoo.’”

REBELLION Jackson: “We were good students up until the middle of high school when we stopped giving a fuck.”

Coleman: “We got beat up like every day in our Oklahoma high school.”

Jackson: “The school wanted us out. We were the openly “hedonistic faggots.” Every day was like a war.”

Coleman: “We have pictures of us with black eyes and bloody noses.”

Jackson: “I think half the time we’d just allow our parents to think that we were half the problem.”

Coleman: “Eventually we got pretty good at fighting.”

Jackson: “Basically, we started punching people in the balls.”

FOLLOWERS

faggots” and 1000 bears in diapers writing, we were only using cheap stuff in our living room and garage. So we were limited. You can only write what you can record. So now we can record anything. We have studio producers - we have everything. So you write differently, you write bigger, knowing you can accomplish a lot more.”

Jackson: “Yeah, since we signed the record deal with Scruffy Records, songwriting is a lot more exciting. We just get into that confrontational ‘Elephant’ mindset, and then start the process of creating beats, music and lyrics. We are a band, and we do write, record and produce all of our own music with the help of our legendary co-producer and sound engineer, Paul Roessler.”

REVOLUTION Jackson: “I think most gay men are very angry about their everyday lives because of growing tired of being called ‘faggot.’ For the most part, gay men are still the butts of jokes. Homophobia plays a huge role in keeping that anger alive in an Elephant song.”

Jackson: “Everybody has their own idea of what this twin thing should be and they won’t get excited until they see it. Those who have no idea what they’re about to see are probably the best.

I like it when I can see their eyes and see their reactions. Our songs can provoke people to do drugs and take off their clothes and have sex.”

Coleman: “Last year, we did N.Y. Pride events at all these different clubs. You go to one club for 500 people that has this really young, kind of hip-hop crowd - all gay. In the next one, you have 1000 bears in diapers. At this big outdoor thing we had 5000 screaming lesbians. And then, you go to yet another club and it’s completely different. I’d say online, we get followed by a lot of really young, young kids - like 12 year olds a lot. In person, we see people in their 60’s sometimes.”

Jackson: “There are a lot more straight people paying attention to us than I’m sure if we were just a straight-up, electro-popsinging, gay band. It’s funny though, especially when you catch a straight guy singing along to the ‘The Tranny Step’ song.”

To find out where the boys are, what they’re up to and info on their April release of the album “Don’t Sit There.

It’s Wet”- go to www.elephantwave.com

Coleman: “We call ourselves ‘queer’ before we call ourselves ‘gay.’”

The Fight 21

Modern Men Embrace Today’s Cosmentic Treatments THE MANY NEW OPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS AND ADVANCED COSMETIC SURGERY TECHNIQUES HAVE MADE COSMETIC PROCEDURES POPULAR FOR MEN

BY DR. NATHAN NEWMAN

A

dvances in cosmetic surgery have made cosmetic treatments easier, more natural looking, and affordable.

As a result, men are having cosmetic procedures done more than ever before. In this article I will outline the wide range of treatment options that men are seeking in pursuit of looking healthy, youthful and competitive.

use of Botox® to treat the frown lines between the eyebrows, on the forehead and the so called crow’s feet on the sides of the eyes affects the shape of the eyebrow. If a women is treated with Botox® in a way that lowers and flattens the arch of her eyebrows, she will not like the results. For a man, the same treatment will result in a more attractive and masculine appearance.

A cosmetic surgeon must understand the difference in what our society considers attractive for men and women and know how to apply the appropriate treatment method to achieve the desired result. Skin texture, facial and body structures, and the proportions of bone, muscle and fat differ in men and women.

For example, the shape of eyebrows differs in men and women.

Men have straighter and lower eyebrows and women have more curved or arched eyebrows that sit higher on the forehead. The

Another very important point to consider for men is that they generally do not want to “look done” and need to have very little “down time” to recover from a procedure. More traditional surgical methods require the use of a scalpel and leave scars. Unlike women who usually have longer hair styles that can cover their scars, men with short hair are not able to cover the scars. New technologies, such as lasers, and less invasive advanced cosmetic

22 The Fight

surgery techniques, such as the Stem Cell LiftÂŽ, are enabling men to avoid the scalpel and enhance their appearance without scars.

NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS Desired Correction

Treatment Options

Loose Skin

Laser Treatments

Frown Lines & Wrinkles

BotoxÂŽ, Fillers

Laugh Lines

Fillers

Broken blood vessels

Laser Treatments

Sunspots & Skin Discoloration Lasers, Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion Acne &Rosacea

Lasers, Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion

Fat Reduction

Laser, Mesotherapy

Hair

Lasers

Scar-Free Procedures • Stem Cell LiftŽ • Nose Reshaping • Neck fat removal • Zerona Laser for fat reduction • Titan Laser to tighten loose skin • Fractionated Lasers to improve skin texture, lines and acne scars Surgical Procedures • Fat Liposuction and Liposculpting • Eye Lid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) • Nose Job (Rhinoplasty) • Face, Neck and Brow Lift • Hair Transplants • Ear Tuck (Otoplasty) • Tummy tuck usually after massive weight loss With metrosexualty becoming mainstream and as modern men seek to maintain their youthful virility, vitality and appearance, advanced cosmetic techniques are available to deliver the desired results from a vast range of completely non-invasive treatments to surgical procedures with natural looking results.

Dr Nathan Newman is a world renowned cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills and the innovator of the Stem Cell Lift(r). Dr. Newman works in collaboration with finest specialists to provide the most comprehensive and individualized medical treatment for his patients. To learn more about Dr. Newman and his advanced cosmetic surgery procedures please visit NathanNewmanMD.com or Stem-Cell-Lift. com.

To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Newman, please call 310-273-3344.

Gay-AfďŹ rmative Counseling As a therapist and psychologist for over 25 years, with her broad background in the treatment of mental health issues, Dr. Patricia Ziegler deals effectively with a wide range of problems. She has taught and lectured in such diverse areas as addictive disorders, creating balance, and issues facing gay and lesbian singles and couples.

Dr. Pat’s specialties include: t "MDPIPM BOE %SVH "CVTF XPSLT JO DPOKVODtion with your recovery program) t %FQSFTTJPO t "OYJFUZ t -POFMJOFTT t .FO XIP IBWF EJGmDVMUZ JO GPSNJOH PS sustaining intimate relationships t 1FPQMF -JWJOH 8JUI PS IBWF QBSUOFST with - HIV/AIDS, or other life threatening illnesses. t 8JEPXFST XIP BSF EFBMJOH XJUI UIF EFBUI of their partner %S 1BU PGGFST HBZ BGmSNBUJWF DPVOTFMJOH 5IJT NFBOT UIBU JOTUFBE PG WJFXJOH IPNPTFYVBMJUZ CJTFYVBMJUZ BOE PUIFS WBSJBUJPOT JO TFYVBM PSJFOUBUJPO BT QSPCMFNT ZPVS TFYVBM JEFOUJUZ JT TVQQPSUFE Patricia Ziegler Psy.D. (PSY19102) Cedars-Sinai Medical Tower 8635 W. Third Street Suite 1065 West Los Angeles, CA 90048

310.859.5880 The Fight 23

health

HELPING HANDS MALE MASTURBATION CUTS PROSTATE CANCER RISK

R

esearchers suggest men could reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer through regular masturbation.

They say cancer-causing chemicals could build up in the prostate if men do not ejaculate regularly. And they say that sexual intercourse may not have the same protective effect because of the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, which could increase men’s cancer risk.

Australian researchers questioned over 1,000 men who had developed prostate cancer and 1,250 who had not about their sexual habits. the research findings were:

The researchers suggest that ejaculating may prevent carcinogens accumulating in the prostate gland.

The prostate provides a fluid into semen during ejaculation that activates sperm and prevents them sticking together.

• Those who had ejaculated the most between the ages of 20 and 50 were the least likely to develop the cancer.

• The protective effect was greatest while the men were in their 20s.

• Men who ejaculated more than five times a week were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer later in life.

The fluid has high concentrations of substances including potassium, zinc, fructose and citric acid, which are drawn from the bloodstream. But animal studies have shown carcinogens such as 3-methylchloranthrene, found in cigarette smoke, are also concentrated in the prostate.

Previous research has suggested that a high number of sexual partners or a high level of sexual activity increased a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer by up to 40%.

Dr Giles said fewer ejaculations may mean the carcinogens build up. “It’s a prostatic stagnation hypothesis. The more you flush the ducts out, the less there is to hang around and damage the cells that line them.”

But the Australian researchers who carried out this latest study suggest the early work missed the protective effect of

24 The Fight

ejaculation because it focused on sexual intercourse, with its associated risk of Sexually transmitted Infections. Graham Giles, of the Cancer Council Victoria in Melbourne, who led the research team, told New Scientist: “Had we been able to remove ejaculations associated with sexual intercourse, there would have been an even stronger protective effect of ejaculations.”

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SEX DRIVE & ADHD SOCIAL INTERACTIONS INCLUDING SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE IMPACTED BY ADHD. UNDIAGNOSED ADHD IS A COMMON REASON COUPLE THERAPY FAILS

BY DR. MICK GALLINSON

J

eremy felt emotionally abandoned and sexually rejected; he complained that his partner, Robert, a lawyer ten years his senior, stayed up all night and they never had sex. Robert sat scowling on my couch.

Prior to our first session, Robert’s internist had told me that he believed Robert suffered from significant anxiety, that his anxiety kept him from sleeping, impaired his ability to work and diminished his ability to participate in his relationship.

During our initial conversation Robert disagreed. He stated that he had learned in high school that he performed best in the shadow of a deadline, that he had always procrastinated writing briefs and that his procrastination had nothing at all to do with performance anxiety. Robert said that he enjoys working through the night because alone, when the world is quiet, he feels highly focused, extremely efficient and hugely productive.

During that first session I had discovered that Robert’s

26 The Fight

handwriting is illegible, his spelling has never been good and he “never” attended class at law school because he couldn’t take notes. “The only way I could get good grades was to stay in my room and read all day. I memorized the texts and cases. And I sucked at theory and oral argument.”

Robert admitted that he relies on his associates’ notes because his rarely make sense; he avoids writing emails because it takes him so long to make them articulate and he hates using his cell.

When I asked Robert to rate his frustration tolerance on a scale of one to ten, Robert said six. Jeremy said 2.5.

At the end of the first session, I explained to Jeremy and Robert that dopamine is a neurotransmitter and that a low or inconsistent volume of dopamine in one’s brain can have a wide-ranging effect on many behaviors. Low dopamine levels can cause procrastination, illegible handwriting, poor spelling, low frustration tolerance and, perhaps most significantly for Jeremy and Robert, diminished sexual appetite.

During our second session, Jeremy sat beside Robert, wary, silent, looking only at me. Robert sat, half-turned away from both of us.

Jeremy blinked away tears, he seemed filled with helplessness.

“This is exactly why I’m here, this is what happens every time we try to talk about feelings!”

“When was the last time I was angry?” Robert seemed to be talking to the bookcase on the far side of the room; the question sounded more like an accusation.

A dopamine deficiency is the significant part of the biological definition of Attention/Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a disorder of under-stimulation. It is a frontal lobe disorder and, as a result, it tends to diminish self-awareness. The capacity to identify and label feelings is a highly dopaminergic activity. Adults with ADHD, lacking dopamine, often struggle to recognize and label feelings. They often find it difficult to articulate what frustrates them and their ability to modulate arousal in the midst of frustration is usually under-developed.

“Yesterday when I asked if you wanted to go out for dinner.”

The lawyer looked at me. “I don’t remember that.”

“You marched out of the kitchen, down the hall and slammed the bathroom door!”

“Robert, do you remember marching out or slamming a door?”

“Not really.”

“I’m not going to assume you did or didn’t, but I’m curious. Do you often forget things that have happened in the last 24 hours?”

Robert smiled at Jeremy in self-recognition.

“Robert never remembers the names of people we have dinner with, the artist whose opening we attend, problems or people I struggle with at work.”

Robert shrugged. “He’s right.”

“Robert, I’d like to know what you did feel yesterday...”

“I, uh, think, I... Mmmm... Look, my idea, was, uh, I didn’t want to disappoint Jeremy...”

“You didn’t want Jeremy to feel disappointed. And you felt...”

“Part of me wanted to go so he would be happy....”

“Good. And the other part...”

He sighed. His body twisted as he tried to find a name so that he might speak. “The other part... it wanted. I don’t know.” Robert gave up; he looked to Jeremy, silently asking for a hint, a clue, the answer. Jeremy’s voice was nurturing. “You usually like to lie in bed, read and be alone.”

Robert’s eyes flashed angrily, his face flushed, his lips got very thin. “That’s not what I wanted!” Robert’s body seemed to vibrate with tension.

“So sorry!” Jeremy was sarcastic. defensively withdrew.

Feeling attacked, he

Individuals with ADHD - like Robert - unable to perceive their own feelings, tend to diminish or be oblivious to their partner’s.

Typically, many seemingly innocent conversations -- Where to go for dinner? How was your day? How are you feeling? - quickly degenerate into arguments and both partners are confused about how they end up feeling so distant and estranged from each other.

As they age, many people with ADHD lose interest in sex because sex drive is determined by one, testosterone levels and, two, the proportion of serotonin (another neurotransmitter) to dopamine. Testosterone levels are dependent upon dopamine levels, so low dopamine, low testosterone; and as serotonin goes up (i.e. when one feels content after years of marriage, or after one takes an SSRI like Prozac or Lexapro) or dopamine goes down (i.e. due to ADHD, lack of sleep, and/or stress), sexual desire and the ability to climax often becomes impaired. Interest in sex wanes or an affair -- adventure increases dopamine levels -- begins.

An efficacy study a few years ago showed that the most common reason couple therapy fails is because someone had an affair.

The second most common reason is undiagnosed ADHD in one or both of the partners. This is particularly significant because only about eight per cent of the population has ADHD. Robert began a medication protocol. Jeremy and Robert continued in treatment. Robert’s ability to know and express what he is feeling has improved. Jeremy’s understanding of himself and Robert is deeper and more empathetic. Each is now more able to share and listen to his partner’s hopes, dreams, feelings and experiences. They are actively affectionate and sexual. Their relationship now nurtures each man’s growth.

Mick Gallinson, Psy. D. is a psychologist in private practice in Beverly Hills. Dr. Gallinson can be reached at (310) 2763636 or drgallinson@sbcglobal.net.

“Robert, do you think it would be fair to say that you felt confused?

“I don’t know!”

“Can you tell us how you’re feeling now?”

“Very anxious.”

“So anxious that you begin to doubt if Jeremy loves you...”

“Yes. I feel very alone.”

The Fight 27

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28 The Fight

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The Fight 29

WHOSE COMMUNITY IS IT, ANYWAY? UNLIKE AFRICAN AMERICANS OR LATINOS, LGBTS DON’T HAVE A CULTURE. WE ARE MULTI-RACIAL, MULTI-GENDERED, AND DIVIDED ALONG LINES OF FAITH, ORIGIN, CLASS AND EVEN POLITICS

BY ANN ROSTOW

30 The Fight

C

ommunity is a pretty vague word, but let’s define it as a bunch of people with something in common. As for us, the vibrant and colorful “LGBT community,” there is only one thing we absolutely have in common, and it’s not sexual orientation or gender identity.

The one thing we have in common, and the one thing that makes us a “community,” is the reaction that others have to us. To the evangelical right, a middle-aged suburban lesbian couple with kids is no different than a young gay male party animal in Manhattan or West Hollywood. We’re all sinning perverts, headed to Hell.

In actual fact, of course, the differences may well be stark. The lesbians may care about social security benefits. The single guy might not give a damn. The single guy might care about HIV prevention.

The lesbians might have AIDS way down on their list. And who knows if any of them think twice about the transwoman fighting for respect, or the homeless gay kid begging for spare change at the intersection?

Twenty years ago, society’s disgust for gays, lesbians and transpeople was pervasive, surrounding all of us within walls of hostility that indeed turned us into a “community.”

Today, that disgust has dissipated and much of it has been transformed into indifference or solidarity. The walls are falling fast, and as they fall, so goes our own sense of shared suffering Unlike African Americans or Latinos, LGBTs don’t have a culture. We are multiracial, multi-gendered, and divided along lines of faith, origin, class and even politics. (Don’t forget that roughly 25 percent of gays and lesbians voted Republican in the last three presidential elections.)

That said, many of our gay stereotypes have their basis in reality, as is the case with most stereotypes. Lots of my gay male friends know all the words to every Sondheim musical and lots of my

lesbian friends can fix a flat and hit a two-hundred yard drive.

But these traits don’t define a culture.

They’re the gay version of the couch potato husband who leaves his socks on the floor or the ditzy wife who can’t find anything in her purse. As LGBTs, we might be typecast at times. But the same thing happens to all sorts of human subsets, and it doesn’t make “LGBTs” any more of a community than “husbands” or “wives.”

We’re not “proud” because we’re gay. We are “proud” because we refuse to be ashamed and because we refuse to accept society’s view that there is something to be ashamed about to begin with.

I can hear some readers objecting. What about Pride? What about our marches on Washington, our protests, our activism?

Yet all of this, again, is a reaction to our common hardships.

Even the word “pride” reflects, not how we see ourselves, but how others see us.

We’re not “proud” because we’re gay.

We are “proud” because we refuse to be ashamed and because we refuse to accept society’s view that there’s something to be ashamed about to begin with. This, by the way, is why the idea of “Straight Pride” is nonsensical. And it’s a direct corollary to the 1960s slogan of “Black Power,” which reflected a rejection of impotence, not a desire to rule the world.

But even now, the gay community is far less cohesive than it once was. That’s why activists and pundits who call for the “community” to fight for this or that find themselves preaching to small factions rather than addressing the millions of Americans who fall under the LGBT initials.

And this phenomenon is even more apparent when something external brings us together again and the community comes roaring back.

When Proposition 8 passed in November of 2008, the old walls of hatred seemed to rise up on all sides overnight. Young gay men and women, who perhaps had never felt the sting of generalized rejection, were shocked. Complacent gay parents, worrying about soccer games and play dates were roused out of their routines. It was as if the rest of society came together as one and said: “Just so you know, we might not talk about it as much, but we still think all of you are sickos!”

You probably remember the sense of unity that washed over LGBT America in the weeks following that electoral defeat.

On the flip side, you’ll see the LGBT community come together as well when the rest of the country sends us a strong message of support, like for example, when Congress repeals the Defense of Marriage Act or when the U.S. Supreme Court issues the LGBT version of Brown v Board of Education.

Meanwhile, although our community ties might be weakening, we’ll always be brother and sisters in spirit. That counts for something, right? And plus, your personal LGBT community will never truly die as long as your local gay bar is still serving decent cocktails.

By it’s very nature, the LGBT community is destined to disintegrate over time as homophobia and transphobia erode.

For those of you who love the idea of community, don’t worry. Gay and trans bias are likely to be with us in some form for a few more generations at least.

The Fight 31

arts & culture Get out and about this Spring!

PLAYING NOW THROUGH APRIL 24 “SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL…”

PLAYING SATURDAY / APRIL 9 THROUGH MAY 24 A SECRET SOCIETY

Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $30. Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Tel: 323.957.1884.

For more info: www.celebrationtheatre. com

Christopher Maikish (l) and Patrick Gomez (r) star in ‘The Next Fairy Tale’ at Celebration Theatre.

Celebration Theatre is presenting Brian Pugach’s premiere musical event, ‘The Next Fairy Tale’. The fabled magic mirror is about to choose which “hero’s quest” shall become the next fairy tale.

FRIDAY / APRIL 8 A ONE-OF-A-KIND DANCE FLOOR

The design of architect, Barbara Bestor’s dance floor, at SCI-Arc Gallery, is that of an over-scaled, unfolded demi-dodecahedron.

SATURDAY, ARPIL 9 WITH DEATH, COMES NEW LIFE

32 The Fight

Actor, Erich Bergen is part of the cast of playwright, John Marans’ historical drama ‘The Temperamentals’ playing at The Blank Theatre.

‘Temperamental’ was code for “homosexual” in the 1950s. ‘The Temperamentals’ tells the story of two men, falling in love, while building the first gay rights organization pre-Stonewall.

SATURDAY / APRIL 16 A TRULY CUTTING-EDGE SHOW

Exhibition discussion with architect, Barbara Bestor on Friday, April 8, 7 pm. Exhibit runs from April 1 - May 15 with special DJ events. SCI-Arc Gallery, 960 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles.

Tel: 213.613.2200. For more info: www. sciarc.edu

The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) presents the interactive exhibition ‘Silent Disco’ by Los Angeles-based architecture firm Barbara Bestor Architecture.

Part of the display, at The Corey Helford Gallery, will be ‘Flutterdies’- Sculptures fashioned from real insects by UK street artist, D*Face.

Performances are Thursday though Saturday at 8 pm; Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $26$30. The Blank Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Tel: 323.661.9827 For more info: www.theblank.com

Opening reception April 16 7-11 pm. Exhibit runs till May 9. Gallery Nucleus, 210 E. Main St., Alhambra. Tel: 626.458.7477. For more info: www.gallerynucleus.com

Ken Garduno is one of over 40 artists showing pieces that feature art inspired by, ‘Edward Scissorhands’ to celebrate the film’s 20th Anniversary.

Gallery Nucleus presents ‘The Edward Scissorhands 20th Anniversary Tribute’ that will transport visitors to a whimsical world paying homage to Tim Burton’s oneof-a-kind fairytale love story. There’s also a costume contest- So look sharp.

WEEKEND / APRIL 16 & 17 A TRULY CUTTING-EDGE SHOW

Opening reception Saturday, April 9, 7:3010 pm. Exhibit runs till April 27. Corey Helford Gallery, 8522 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Tel: 310.287.2340. For more info: www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

Spring Artwalk April 16 & 17, 11 am to 6 pm. FREE. The Brewery Arts Colony, Main St. exit from 5 Freeway, 2100 N. Main St., Downtown. Tel: 323.223.6089. For more info: www.breweryartwalk.com

At The Corey Helford Gallery, UK street artist, D*Face, will debut ‘Going Nowhere Fast’. The gallery will be transformed into a multi-media vault of aPOPcalyptic works immortalizing deaths of America’s most illustrious icons.

Whether you collect art or are gift shopping, you’ll enjoy wandering the labyrinth of artists’ studios at The Brewery, the world’s largest art colony.

A work by artist, Ramon Alejandro, entitled ‘Le gout de pouvoir’ is just a sampling of the amazing range of original art, photography, sculpture and jewelry exhibited at The Spring Brewery Artwalk.

THURSDAY / APRIL 21 IT’S HAMMER TIME!

New works by L.A. and international artists on view now at the Hammer Museum as part of the ‘All of this and nothing’ exhibit..

Free Closing Bash, with cash bar, Thursday, April 21 at 7 pm. Exhibit and events run now till April 24. General admission $10. Free Thursdays. The Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Tel: 310.443.7000.

For more info: www.hammer.ucla.edu.

The Hammer Museum presents ‘All of this and nothing’ highlighting L.A. and international artists. Come enjoy art, drinks, and live music.

THURSDAY / APRIL 28 PICK UP A TRICK Opens April 28. Exhibit and events run till September 4. General admission $10. Free Thursdays. The Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Tel: 310.440.4500. For more info: www.skirball. org

Part of more than 150 Houdini objects, Joe Coleman’s painting ‘The Man Who Walked Through Walls (Harry Houdini)’, will be on view at The Skirball Cultural Center.

The Skirball Cultural Center presents ‘Houdini: Art and Magic’. It is the first major art museum exhibition to explore the life and legacy of the celebrated American showman.

FRIDAY / APRIL 29-MAY 1 FIND FORM AND FUNCTION Friday Preview, 6-9 pm. $85-$100.

Saturday, 11-7 pm; Sunday, 11-5 pm. $15.

The Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Air Center, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica.

Tel: 213.356.5388. For more info: www. lamodernism.com A glimpse of last year’s show and sale, this year will again feature a range of highquality 20th Century furnishings, decorative arts, and fine arts in room-setting vignettes..

The 23rd Annual L.A. Modernism Show & Sale will feature 65 national and international decorative and fine arts dealers presenting all design movements of the 20th Century.

WEEKEND / APRIL 30 & MAY 1 BOOKWORMS: GET SOME AIR! Festival runs afternoons April 30-May 1.

FREE. USC campus. Map the intersection of Exposition Blvd. and S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Tel: 1-800-LA TIMES, ext. 7BOOK. For more info: latimesfestivalofbooks.com The huge literary celebration, The L.A. Times Festival of Books, marks its 16th storied year. Enjoy famous authors and celebrities, speaker panels, chefs, plus local musicians.

The Fight 33

profile

NOW DO YOU K

co i m A ’ D John

?

JOHN D’AMICO IS A PRINCIPAL PROJECT MANAGER FOR UCLA AND A NEWLY ELECTED WEST HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCILMAN WHO HAS WORKED IN ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING FOR OVER 20 YEARS Will it be awkward serving with two incumbents you campaigned against? Smart, reasonable people disagree all the time. Plato disagreed with Socrates. My mother disagreed with my father. Things still got done. What’s your view on the accusations regarding the city’s misuse of funds before you were elected? We need to be clear about the policy on public money, and make sure that it is upheld, acknowledged, and rigorously enforced. What is the future of the city? I hope that we can really focus on bringing in a new generation of young people. Unfortunately, there has been a malaise about the rising rents and how to invite younger people into the city. When the city puts its laser beam focus on something, it succeeds marvelously. Is America becoming a safer space for the LGBT community, as modeled in West Hollywood? The fight is not done. All of us know someone in some part of the country where it just really sucks, and they want to come to West Hollywood to transform their lives. If we’re going to be our best, we’re going to go back to that cornerstone. Whether it’s leaving the former Soviet Union to be free, leaving your parents’ home to be out, or leaving to be a rock n’ roll musician... whatever it is, gender, age, and identity are secondary. West Hollywood is a transformational place.

You can find out more about John D’Amico’s vision for West Hollywood at OurWeho.com. - (Brodie Foster Hubbard)

34 The Fight

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The Fight 35

sports GAY & LESBIAN BOWLING LEAGUE www.tavernguildleague.com The Tavern Guild Invitational is a predominately gay and lesbian bowling league in Studio City. It was founded in 1997 and is a friendly non-competitive organization that encourages bowlers of all ages and abilities. They meet on Monday evenings at Pinz Bowling Center. For more info visit:

SAGA LA

DIFFERENT SPOKES

www.sagala.org A non-profit, volunteer-run organization, one of the first gay-centered sports organizations in the United States. Their most popular trips are the Mammoth bus trips, complete with meals, cocktails and films en route and group meals in the Condos. As a nonprofit organization, their ski and snowboard trips are reasonably priced and tailored to the desires and preferences of their members.

www.differentspokes.com Rides start in various locations in the greater Los Angeles area.

V.O.I.L.A.

WEST HOLLYWOOD SOCCER CLUB

www.lagayvolleyball.com Open gym play for novice-advanced players, tournaments and socials.

GREAT OUTDOORS www.greatoutdoorsla.org The largest gay outdoor recreational organization in Southern California.

GAY AND LESBIAN SIERRANS

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BLADES www.bladeshockey.com It is never too late to join the action on the ice.

LOS ANGELES FRONTRUNNERS www.lafrontrunners.com Running and walking club.

www.gaysoccer.com Comfortable, supportive environment for learning and playing the world’s most popular game.

LOS ANGELES GAY SCUBA CLUB www.barnaclebusters.org The world’s first and largest gay & lesbian scuba club.

http://angeles.sierraclub.org/ gls/

LOS ANGELES GAY ROCK CLIMBING

Wide range of events for gays, lesbians and their friends and family.

www.lalgbtclimbing.com Indoor climbing weekly, and outdoor climbing biweekly.

CHEER LA

WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS

www.cheerla.org Performances raise funds for local charities. For more info call: 310-393-0207.

LA ROWING www.larowing.org Rowing in Marina Del Rey. 36 The Fight

www.wh2o.org Professionally coached workouts and seasonal clinics with 180 athletes. Gay Games participants.

(3&"5 '00% 5)& #&45 */(3&%*&/54 "''03%"#-& 13*$&4

Nestled in the heart of Studio City, Zachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CafĂŠ has been a popular celebrity hangout and mainstay in the San Fernando Valley since 1987.

While our menu focuses on many Italian dishes, we serve food items that suit differing tastes as well. Our menu runs the gamut from our famous Goat Cheese and Mushroom Lasagna to the everpopular Adamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baby Green Salad and everything in-between.

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Sat: 4pm-10pm. Sun: 4pm-9pm.

Tel: 818 762 4225 www.zachscafe.com The Fight 37

calendar

CAUGHT Now through May 15th, www.CaughtThePlay.com CAUGHT,” a smash-hit play on same-sex marriage and the challenges LGBT family members face, has teamed up with Aid For AIDS! 25% of your ticket will be donated to benefit Aid For AIDS. Visit www.CaughtThePlay.com for tickets and more information. Playing now through May 15th, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.

WHITE PARTY April 8-11, 2011 in Palm Springs. www.jeffreysanker.com Jeffrey Sanker Presents. The driving force behind weekend parties at metro Los Angeles clubs like Voyeur, Here and Eleven. Also events in Las Vegas, and beyond.

GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS Sunday, April 10 The Westin Bonaventure Hotel www.glaad.org

Every Friday, 8pm.

The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles.

For more information, call 323-8607302 M-F between 6-9pm.

Social networking group offers a safe and welcoming opportunity for people of any age and gender identity to learn from others and to share experiences.

GET CENTERED MEDITATION

The annual GLAAD Media Awards honors individuals and projects in the media and entertainment industries for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives.

Every Saturday, 10-11am. $10.

Gay & Lesbian Center, 1625 N Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles.

For more information, call 323-8607300

AN EVENING WITH WOMEN

SENIORS SERVICES

Sunday April 16, Beverly Hilton Hotel www.lagaycenter.org Star-studded entertainment, with dinner and an extensive live and silent auction. Benefits The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

BI-OSPHERE P.O.V. Every 2nd Wednesday, 8-9:30pm.

The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles.

For more information, call 323-8607302 M-F between 6-9pm.

Topic-driven discussion for women and men who identify as, or are exploring bisexuality.

TRANSGENDER PERCEPTIONS 38 The Fight

Ongoing, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles.

For information, call 323-860-7359.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Seniors Services department provides a broad array of social, educational and support services to LGBT seniors and Baby Boomers, all of which are free or low-cost.

THE VILLAGE READERS The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call 323-860-7302.

An LGBT reading and discussion group. May 4, Just Kids, by Patty Smith.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT Ongoing, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, 1625 N Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles.

For information, call 323-860-5806.

If your partner is abusive or if you are abusive to your partner, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s STOP Domestic Violence services can help you.

12-STEP GROUPS The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles.

For information, call 323-860-7302 M-F between 6-9pm.

• Alcoholics Anonymous Mondays, 6:10-7:10 p.m.

• Crystal Meth Anonymous Saturdays, 9:10-10:10 a.m.

• Debtors Anonymous Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m.

• Marijuana Anonymous Wednesdays, 8:15-9:45 p.m.

Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Overeaters Anonymous Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.

• Sexual Compulsives Anonymous Mondays, 8-9 p.m.

Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m.

Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m.

Thursdays, 8:15-9:15 p.m.

Saturdays, 12:15-1:45 p.m.

• Women’s Narcotics Anonymous Saturdays, Noon-1 p.m.

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The Fight 39

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