1560 December 17, 2014 by Observer Weekly

December 17, 2014

Issue 1560

Arpaio glorifies pit bull that chewed 5-year-old; public aids Phoenix boy

2014 -- the year fast food became military weapons

OBSERVER STAFF P H O E N I X -- If you’ve seen the media circus surrounding Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s campaign to save Mickey the pit bull and make the dog a video star (all for political gain, of course), here’s the rest of the story. Mickey is the dog who earlier this year clamped his jaws on the head of the 5-year-old son of a Central American Continued on pge 5

Inside Senate’s new environment chief says Streisand behind climate-change hoax Page 4

The harm and shame of negative labeling Page 3

It’s time to let states pay for their own anti-marijuana enforcement Page 5

You can contribute to TIHAN $200 or $400, and get that same amount back on your Arizona tax return! Page 6

We’ll all be bragging about our ‘selfie stick’ Page 16

Indigestion on page 5

Driver license ban could be ending when you read this

SAGA sees resurgence after incorporation

PHOENIX -- Gov. Jan Brewer’s ban on issuing Arizona driver’s licenses to people brought to this country as immigrants could be ending any day now after losing a series of court decisions. A federal appeals court earlier this year ordered an end to Brewer’s executive order, and after a lot of wasted time and taxpayer money, immigrants granted deferred action by the Obama administration were expected to start getting driver’s licenses as early as this week. A Brewer spokesman said the state is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay while its appeal is pending, but a spokeswoman for the ACLU of Arizona said the ACLU believes it’s “very unlikely” that the Supreme Court would issue such a stay. Other non-citizens who are in the state legally had not been prevented from getting driver’s licenses, but when someone reminded Brewer that she couldn’t single out one group, she did expand the ban to include some groups that previously were licensed. The appeals court ordered Brewer to stop ignoring federal documents stating that the immigrants are here legally, as provided by the U.S. Constitution.

OBSERVER STAFF Effective Nov. 17, the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance became incorporated as a nonprofit organization. It had most recently operated out of Wingspan prior to Wingspan’s closing. According to board vice president Abigail Jensen, SAGA’s board decided to incorporate in order to create a formal structure that would be legally recognized and enable SAGA to seek funding via grants and donations, which, in turn, would enable the organization to expand its programming. The good news is that even in the face of instability Continued on page 7

There ain’t enough lube out there to make us enjoy the new spending bill recent years, Republicans called the shots. They shot everything from environmental funding (cut for the fifth straight year) to safety regulations for long-haul truckers (who can now go back to being on the road 82 hours a week instead of 70).

By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST You’re probably still hearing bad things about the government funding plan approved Sunday by Congress.

Question: How bad is it? Answer: No one knows yet, but it’s worse than you could have imagined. As has been the case in

The fact that the GOP consistently leads the “Democratic” Senate around by the nose has prompted many writers to ask how we’ll know the difference after the Republicans take it over next month. Hell, if you have to ask the Continued on page 13

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Actor didn’t blind Vietnamese man in attack 26 years ago Actor Mark Wahlberg’s petition seeking a pardon for a crime he committed at age 16 produced an unexpected result. The Vietnamese man he assaulted has come forward, saying he had no idea for 26 years that his assailant was Wahlberg, but that the whole thing had been blown out of proportion. Johnny Trinh said, for instance, reports that Wahlberg’s assault cost him an eye were complete fabrications -- he lost his eye fighting the communists in South Vietnam. Trinh said that in fact Wahlberg’s assault had not caused any serious problems and he was happy to forgive the actor, who has freely discussed his youthful activities growing up in a tough neighborhood.

Anti-gay activists: Constitution should ban trans identity Spokesmen for the Family Research Council speculated last week that the U.S. Constitution should be amended to prohibit recognizing anyone’s gender different from that assigned on them at birth. Peter Sprigg and Craig James made the remarks on the group’s radio show Washington Watch With Tony Perkins. “Gender identity, that might be the flashpoint, that might be the next thing we have to combat in this war with the LGBT community and those who are challenging sexuality,” James said.

Arpaio requests $14 million a year to stop profiling PHOENIX -- Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has asked the county to continue an extra $14 million a year to help his officers comply with a judge’s order to stop racially profiling people. This is in addition to his department’s $350 million annual budget. Strangely, $4 million of the add-on is for body cameras, and we’ve recently seen how much good those do in curbing law-enforcement excesses. It’s amazing how much money “fiscal conservatives” can waste once they get going. This request, though, amounts to Arpaio flipping the bird at a court order and expanding his fiefdom by $14 million a year while doing it.

College town dumps LGBT protections in special election

OBSERVER evicting individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity, economic background, marital status or veteran status. A group known as Repeal 119 gathered enough signatures to put the ordinance up to a public vote, and it failed by 52 percent to 48 percent, according to the Fayetteville Flyer. Other media reported the difference was 480 votes. A friend of an Observer staffer commented, “Fayetteville is so gay that it won’t make a bit of difference. They’ll just buy the town.” Maybe so, but the haters have the power now. The ordinance was strongly opposed by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, whose president is Steve Clark, described by an Arkansas Times blogger as the former Arkansas attorney general driven from office after being convicted of expense-account fraud. Clark’s son-in-law, Juston Tennant, was one of two Fayetteville council members who opposed the ordinance, and Tennant is expected to run for mayor against the incumbent, Lioneld Jordan, who backed the ordinance.

Gay-bashing church finds five members indicted for assault SPINDALE, N.C. -- Five members of Spindale’s anti-LGBT Word of Faith Fellowship were indicted last week in connection with a kidnapping and assault complaint lodged by a gay member of the congregation. LGBT Nation identified those indicted on second-degree kidnapping and simple assault charges as Justin Brock Covington, Brooke McFadden Covington, Robert Louis Walker Jr. and Adam Christopher Bartley. Sarah Covington Anderson was indicted on those two charges plus assault by strangulation. The congregation has previously been controversial for its alleged “cultlike activities” and severe treatment of members, especially young ones. The latest indictments grew out of charges made by Matthew Fenner, 21, who has been a member of the congregation since he was 16.

Post-racial America spray-paints ‘KKK’ on two black churches CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. -- The FBI is investigating last week’s spraying of “KKK” on two rural predominantly black churches after five county sheriff’s officers were suspended (with pay) for “insensitive comments” on the subject of race.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Voters repealed an LGBT civil-rights ordinance last week in a special election.

The first to be suspended was Deputy Richard Moon, after a Facebook posting in support of Officer Darren Wilson in the Ferguson, Mo., controversy.

The ordinance, passed by the city council last Aug. 20, prohibited employers and landlords from firing or

Moon’s post: “Damn cockroaches! Squash ‘em all!!!! I say we rally for Wilson, who’s with me?”

WEEKLY

December 17, 2014

Sheriff Charlie Creel said he’s “livid” about the graffiti.

on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

“Why somebody would do something like this with everything going on in other parts of the country in Missouri and everywhere else and New York City. Why would someone do like this in Wakulla county? ... Where when you walk in a grocery store it’s a social event because you run into so many people you know. We’re neighbors.”

Those sterling cities are Lubbock, Mesquite, McAllen and Irving.

Creel did not, however, mention, further action against the officers for their racist comments. Some in the community reportedly were surprised at the outpouring of support for the victims of racial harassment. The white Wakulla United Methodist Church canceled a service and 40 of its members attended a service at New Bridge Hope Missionary Baptist Church, one of the vandalized black churches. “I thought that was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen,” said Pastor Derek Howard of New Bridge Hope.

Michael Sam finally says it: Prejudice left him sidelined

Mississippi is so bad that Daily Beast recently rated the state a minus 1 on LGBT issues.

S.C. bill to allow officials to refuse service to LGBTs COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A South Carolina state senator has prefiled a bill to allow judges and other public officials to refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples even though marriage equality is the law. Sen. Lee Bright, R-19th Century, told WLTX-TV the bill would authorize discrimination based on religious belief -- as if that has not been the root of all the discrimination faced by LGBT Americans all along. Bright, whose name remains Continued on next page

LOS ANGELES -- TMZ Sports reported recently that Michael Sam finally said what we’ve all been thinking: He’s sidelined for the season because he came out. Sam was asked at Los Angeles International Airport what he thought was the reason he isn’t playing. “I was the SEC [Southeastern Conference] defensive player of the year last year ... so I don’t think it had to do with talent,” he said. He also said the chances of Oprah Winfrey reviving the reality show that was being planned before the NFL draft are slim to none, so he’s still focused on getting into the league.

Rolling Stone lists five worst states for LGBTs to live in According to a list released last week by Rolling Stone magazine, Arizona is not among the worst five states for LGBT citizens. In fact, the magazine even noted, “When Arizona is ahead of you on LGBT issues, you know you’ve got a big problem.” The top five would be (in order of horror) Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and Michigan. Nobody could be surprised about the four southern states that form a single band from El Paso to Opelika, but people who don’t keep up with politics (i.e., radical Republicans) might be a little shocked about Michigan. The listings are based on the usual lack of job protections, civil rights, protection from hate crimes -- anything that a civilized society might think of providing. Even though Texas only ranked third overall, it does have one distinction -- a whopping four cities that rate “zero”

1830 E Broadway Blvd #124-215 Tucson, AZ 85719 www.observerweekly.com info@observerweekly.com Voice Mail 520-812-0909 Editor-In-Chief Bob Ellis Executive Editor Nicholas K. M. Pafford Senior Editor Greg Miller Assistant Editor Christine Beall Assistant Editor Christopher L. Pankratz Phoenix Area Distribution T-Media Promotion Send Classifieds, Inquiry Letters, etc to: info@observerweekly.com Publication of names or photos of any person or organization in the Observer Weekly is not to be construed as indication of the sexual orientation of such person, organization or advertisers or any employees thereof. Opinions expressed by contributors, advertisers or in PSA’s are not necessarily those of the Observer, its staff or advertisers. The Observer assumes responsibility for its own editorial policy only. © 2014 by Observer Publications Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted or archived in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Observer Publications Inc.

December 17, 2014 Continued from previous page unexplained in light of his expressed viewpoints, also has prefiled bills to prevent Obamacare from operating in South Carolina and to relax some of the state’s already relaxed gun laws. It’s hard to see the legal pathway for publicly elected officials to refuse to perform the job they were elected to do -- whether it involves refusing to serve gays, lesbians, blacks or Jews -- but we’re sure South Carolina will give it its best shot.

Twin sisters’ fight over sex toy, man leads to 1 arrest BRADENTON, Fla. -- A Bradenton woman is free on $500 bond after allegedly attacking her twin sister over a vibrator and the sister’s boyfriend, according to various news reports. No information is available yet regarding who uses the vibrator on whom. Heidi Creamer, 48, was arrested for domestic battery after she allegedly punched, scratched and pulled the hair of her twin, Holly Ryan. Creamer has previous arrests for assault and drunken driving.

Utah man sentenced for threat to kill inter-racial family SALT LAKE CITY -- A 71-yearold resident of a town about 15 miles north of the Arizona border was recently sentenced to a year in jail over a letter threatening to kill white members of a family if they didn’t ban their 13-year-old black son from their neighborhood. The attorney for Robert Keller of Hurricane, Utah, said his client merely has “some old-fashioned sets of ideas” and called the sentence excessive. In addition to the year in jail, Keller got a year of supervised release, a $1,000 fine and 260 hours of community service. Keller himself said the letter “wasn’t really meant to be a threat; it was more or less to wake them up to what was going to happen down the road.” He didn’t attempt to explain what he actually did mean if it wasn’t a threat.

OBSERVER Hurricane is a city of 14,000 near St. George in the rapidly growing southwest corner of Utah. The boy’s family has declined to be publicly identified.

YouTube’s Franta comes out to 3 million followers

WEEKLY

Commentary

The harm and shame of negative labeling Together they charged at me explosively, saying, “You will burn in hell, you faggot.” Not words a child expects to hear from a parent or a sibling, especially since the parent and sibling serves as the child’s vehicle through which the virtues of faith, hope, and love are transmitted. At once I went from being a Roman Catholic son with an unconditionally loving mother and God to an “other” faced with a world of human limitations, including my own.

Connor Franta, the 22-year-old YouTube sensation, came out last week in an unscripted and emotional video he posted to his account. “This has easily been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I’m so glad I’m doing it,” he said of his decision. In the video, Franta told his 3 million followers he’s known he was gay since he was 12, and “I’m sick of censoring myself.”

I went from being able to explore my sexuality, my gender, and my same-sex sexual attraction in an open, safe, and honest way to the confines of a budding virtual world codified and programmed by AOL, chat rooms, and Internet porn. Experimentation with drugs and alcohol soon followed, escape from reality was the new normal.

His video set off a deluge of support, making #WeLoveYouConnor a trend on Twitter. He responded on Twitter: “I am completely overwhelmed by all the kind, loving words pouring in right now -- from the bottom of my heart & top of my soul, thank you <3”

Chris Colfer signs deal for six more books for youth NEW YORK CITY -- Chris Colfer, the 24-year-old star of “Glee” and best-selling author of children’s books, signed another multi-book deal recently with Little, Brown and Co. According to the publisher, the deal includes installments four and five of Colfer’s “Land of Stories” series, set to come out in July 2015 and July 2016 (both currently untitled), and two picture books based on the series plus two companion volumes, to come out as a holiday boxed set next year; and Separately, Colfer also is reported to be working on a teen novel.

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By Benjamin Brenkert THE ADVOCATE It was 1986. I was 6 years old. I was in kindergarten at Clear Stream Avenue School. Known as the “kissing bandit,” I was already pushed to the margins by my peers. My teachers did little to care for me and my hyperactive self: They kept me in during lunch, they kept me isolated, they told my mother that I was destined to be enrolled in an innovative “new” educational program called “special education.” Then one day I needed my teacher urgently — I had made a mess of myself in the bathroom and told a female classmate to “go find Mr. Libertini!” Little did I know that that day my plea for help would result in years of bullying, emotional and psychological turmoil. I went from a safe outsider or a fringe character to an “other.” I felt a tremendous amount of fear. School was no longer safe, and my teachers provided no safe environment or educational context for me to flourish. I spent the rest of my time in elementary school polarized. What that experience taught me is that negative labeling impinges upon human flourishing. Some years later, at 14, I told my oldest sister about a sexual experience I had had with a friend of the same sex one day after school. My sister immediately called my mother. At once I was confronted by both my Roman Catholic mother, a woman steeped in the malformation of the Baltimore Catechism, along with my collegebound sister.

Both of these incidents shamed me, embarrassed me — though thankfully making me naked before God as I understood my God. I was not a “normal” member of my social environment or within my family. I had little placement or belonging among the very people who were supposed to be the conveyors of God’s unconditional love. That was my youth and adolescence. After college, I entered religious life where I decided to become a Roman Catholic priest in the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). As a Jesuit I studied philosophy and theology. As a religious follower, I learned that negative labeling contributes to structural violence. Structural violence is the systemic harm caused to human beings or human communities, which results from intolerance and discrimination. At the very least, structural violence leads to the marginalization of those who are viewed as “others,” and not as the same as “us.” Structural violence describes social structures — economic, educational, political, legal, religious, and cultural — that stop individuals, groups, and societies from reaching their full potential. One effect of that is the feeling of shame. As both a youth and an adolescent I felt this shame; the structures of school, home and religion prevented me from reaching my full potential. I could not be my truest self in school because I was icky, at home because I was straight and at church because I was disordered. Continued on page 13

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OBSERVER

WEEKLY

Senate’s new environment chief says Streisand behind climate-change hoax

December 17, 2014

D’Angelo releases first new album in more than a decade

OBSERVER STAFF The anti-environment activist that the voters recently positioned to head environmental policy in the new U.S. Senate said years ago that Barbra Streisand was behind a conspiracy to make us believe climate change is real, according to a recent report in Mother Jones.

This week marked the release of the first album in 14 years by D’Angelo, who has been described as “the elusive, inscrutable, beloved and revered R&B maestro.”

If it’s not the most ridiculous statement ever made by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., it ranks right up there.

“Black Messiah” seems to be generating as much buzz as the last D’Angelo album, “Voodoo,” did in its day.

Knowing how Inhofe also detests gays, he probably figures Streisand will call for her legions of gay fans to rise up and . . . what? . . . damage the environment?

Though the new effort also has songs about love and lust and the problems thereof, it’s being billed as more political than “Voodoo.”

The 80-year-old Inhofe is in line to chair the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which reportedly will now be know as the Whatever Big Oil Orders Committee.

“It’s about people rising up in Ferguson and in Egypt and in Occupy Wall Street and in every place where a community has had enough and decides to make change happen,” D’Angelo wrote in a booklet distributed with the album.

Inhofe recently set us straight that God directs the earth’s environment, and man’s activities have no influence.

Singer Barbra Streisand and husband actor James Brolin listen to U.S. President Barack Obama speak after receiving the Ambassador for Humanity Award at the USC Shoah Foundation 20th Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles.

He knows this because the Bible says “As long as the Earth remains there will be ... cold and heat.”

Please don’t look to us to explain what that has to do with climate change.

Fellow artist Questlove simply called the album the “ ‘Apocalypse Now’ of black music.”

Altman’s 1982 gender-issue classic released on DVD OBSERVER STAFF A 1982 film that was described as a “gay touchstone” on its release is now out in Blu-Ray and first-time DVD release by Olive Films.

James Dean came to the isolated town of Marfa, Texas, to shoot his third film, “Giant.” (The filming did take place in the actual town of Marfa and the movie is still a cottage industry there.)

Robert Altman’s “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” stars Oscar winners Cher and Sandy Dennis along with Oscar nominee Karen Black.

A reunion in which the action is revealed through each character’s life may sound like a cliche, but playwright Ed Graczyk and Altman’s grasp of gender issues make this work transcendent.

The work has also been called an “egalitarian masterpiece” for its capturing of seemingly simple smalltown lives that are anything but simple.

The film’s original engagement at the Carnegie Hall Cinema proved so popular it had to be held over for a second run.

The plot concerns the 20-year reunion of the Disciples of James Dean, a teenage fan club begun in 1955 when sexually ambiguous ‘50s heart-throb

For many LGBTs across America, the film was their first experience of themselves on screen in an obvious but not overtly sexual context.

“Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,” whose original engagement at the Carnegie Hall Cinema proved so popular it had to be held over for a second run.

December 17, 2014

OBSERVER

WEEKLY

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2014 -- the year fast food It’s time to let states pay for their own anti- became military weapons marijuana enforcement OBSERVER STAFF

The Chinese zodiac may have decreed 2014 the year of the horse, but American fast-food purveyors obviously decided to serve the horse’s ass.

And just in case U.S. military adventurism left us with an ally or two, we were determined to come up with fast food disgusting enough to alienate the last country on Earth. The list of gut-bombs included KFC’s fried-chicken corsages, Taco Bell’s waffle taco swimming in mapleflavored industrial byproduct, and Dunkin’ Donuts’ eggs Benedict quickiefake Hollandaise ejaculation. Those just missed out on the Oscar for best improvised (stomach-)exploding device. It was Burger King Japan’s black cheeseburger that really pulled the pin on fast-food weaponry. Black bun, black cheese, black

By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST House Republicans’ current efforts to keep D.C. from obeying the will of its voters and legalizing pot shows what a flock of asshats the House Republicans actually are. How can I be so sure about this? Data, that’s how. A recent major survey showed that 67 percent of Americans think Congress should pass itself an official “butt-out” law and recognize states’ rights where marijuana is concerned. Fifty percent already support full legalization, while 60 percent said it should at least be left up to each state -- but still, there’s that 67 percent saying they don’t want Congress mucking about with whatever the states might decide. I’ve said it so many times people are tired of hearing it: I have no interest in smoking marijuana (or anything else) myself, but marijuana reportedly is less addictive than tobacco, and the government has no compelling interest in forcing us to pay billions to stop our neighbors from puffing pot. Period. So here’s the deal: It’s time to stop the flow of federal dollars for anti-pot enforcement.

What kind of sense does it make for some states to legalize marijuana and salvage their budgets with the tax revenue, only to send millions to the federal government to subsidize the states that don’t legalize it? Oh sure, you can say that’s simply how the federal system works. But it doesn’t have to. Congress issues waivers to states all the time on all kinds of things, and there’s no reason why the Controlled Substances Act can’t be modified. Not that common sense will prevail even if Congress does butt out. A major case in point is Arizona, where voters have spent years repeatedly approving medical marijuana and the state government has spent years using those voters’ own money to fight against one approved measure after another. The point here is that those state governments that yell the loudest about states’ rights are the ones fighting hardest against legal pot, so let them have the “right” to pay for it. Besides, leaving it up to the states flies directly in the face of international drug treaties. The word “international” ought to make flouting them a wet dream for congressional Republicans.

ketchup -- who thought it would be a fun idea to look across the table and see tar oozing from your dining partner’s mouth? Or spurting across the table at you like a Keystone XL rupture before the pipeline’s even rubber-stamped? Supposedly the black comes from squid ink and bamboo charcoal, but don’t ask us -- there are some things even we won’t allow stuck in our mouths. When America began introducing burgers into countries that had a long tradition of edible food, it seemed harmless enough. Even when fast food began to develop bizarre mutations and unlikely flavor combinations, how bad could it get? The nightmare has begun to take shape. Pizza Hut does at least get honorable mention for an amusing name with its cock-a-doodle bacon pie. But even putting “cock” in the name won’t get us to eat one.

Arpaio glorifies pit bull that chewed 5-year-old; public aids Phoenix boy Continued from page 1 immigrant and refused to let go. The website of Maricopa Medical Center, where little Kevin Vicente was treated, says Kevin’s wounds were so horrifying that even jaded health-care workers were “traumatized.” The pit bull would have been euthanized, but Arpaio convinced a judge to let the dog live. Arpaio then used Mickey for a political campaign; donations eventually set up “Mickey cam” so fans can see what Mickey is doing live at any given time.

Joe Arpaio’s media stunt and political campaign grab on the back of the pit bull that mauled a 5-year-old son of a Central American immigrant is inhumane.

Speaking of ghouls ... As Phoenix New Times’ Stephen Lemons wrote last week, it’s a “sign of the sickness of our times.” “If Kevin were white and his mother spoke perfect English, Mickey would be rotting in a landfill right now,” Lemons added. One of Kevin’s eyelids still doesn’t

function, and even after 10 months he can’t play much with other 5-year-olds for fear some of his scars might break open. Even some of Arpaio’s former political allies couldn’t stomach it. One family of them started a crowd-funding page to help Kevin and his mother: http://igg.me/at/kevinvicente.

December 17, 2014 OBSERVER WEEKLY Lily Tomlin at Lincoln Center to be broadcast on Dec. 30

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OBSERVER STAFF

comedy skit featuring Tomlin and Richard Pryor as “two black folks hangin’ out in a diner,” which one reviewer at the time called “the most profound meditation on race that I have ever seen on a major network.”

The celebration earlier this month of out lesbian comedian Lily Tomlin as a Kennedy Center Honors recipient is scheduled to be broadcast by CBS on Dec. 30.

Her career has spanned television, comedy recordings, Broadway and movies. Her parents were Southern Baptists who moved to Detroit from Paducah, Ky., during the Depression.

President Obama presented the award, which recognizes living artists for outstanding contributions to the performing arts.

Other honorees this year (the 37th annual version of the awards) include singer Al Green, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride and singer-songwriter Sting.

During his introduction of Tomlin at the White House ceremony, Obama described what Tomlin thought would be a suitable tribute to herself: “What I’d like to see is a big stream of gay drag artists come out as Ernestine.” The character Ernestine, of course, was Tomlin’s classic snorting telephone operator. She is also known for the smart

Jane Lynch, Jane Fonda and Kate McKinnon were among the stars involved in honoring Tomlin. and bratty little Edith Ann and for the 16 characters in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, written

by Tomlin’s partner, Jane Wagner. Obama also mentioned a 1973

At age 75, she is the first out lesbian to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. The gala will be broadcast Dec. 30 on CBS (9 p.m. Eastern/Pacific).

Community Voices

You can contribute to TIHAN $200 or $400, and get that same amount back on your Arizona tax return! By Scott Blades Executive Director TIHAN It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. You can contribute $200 or $400 to the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network, and it won’t cost you a thing, because you will receive it all back when you you’re your Arizona income taxes! TIHAN is a Qualifying Charitable Organization by the State of Arizona. This provision allows donors to take a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for a donation to TIHAN. By donating up to $200 per person (or $400 per married couple filing jointly) to TIHAN before Dec 31, you may be eligible for the Arizona Tax Credit and reduce your state tax liability with a dollar-for-dollar reduction. And remember that now with samesex marriage legally recognized in Arizona, you might be able to file jointly and receive a $400 tax credit! You can help TIHAN sustain its mission to provide vital support services to those living with HIV/AIDS in our community and be rewarded — every dollar you contribute is a dollar less that you owe in taxes to the State of Arizona. Visit http://www.azdor.gov/TaxCredits. aspx for more information. We know that sometimes the funding priorities of the State of Arizona

don’t address the needs that we see in our own community. The Arizona Legislature has given you an opportunity to designate some of your own hard-earned tax dollars to important causes — schools (public and private) and 501(c)(3) organizations that serve the working poor. Please make a contribution to TIHAN and designate some of your tax dollars to support people and causes that are important to you, and support people in your community! It truly is a win/win opportunity for you and for the people who benefit from the services provided by TIHAN.

Put your tax dollars to work right here in Tucson, helping serve those living with HIV/AIDS in our community. And this is more good news: Now, you do not have to itemize deductions to claim a credit for contributions to a Qualifying Charitable Organization or Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization. (For 2012 and prior, taxpayers were required to itemize deductions on their Arizona return in order to claim a credit for contributions to a Qualifying Charitable Organization, but that is no longer the case.)

More information about the State of Arizona’s charitable tax credit and details about eligibility can be found at www.azdor.gov, and then click on Tax Credits. TIHAN is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization (federal tax ID #86-0819574).

December 17, 2014

OBSERVER

Chuzapalooza update:

It’s time for the 40 Frame Escandalo!

WEEKLY

SAGA sees resurgence after incorporation Continued from page 1 and change as the organization left Wingspan and incorporated on its own, there has been a resurgence in volunteer support, attendance at support groups and renewed energy in making SAGA a successful organization and improving the lives of transgender and gender nonconforming people in Southern Arizona. SAGA is vital to the community because of the unique and effective services it offers transgender individuals. Through SAGA, people undergoing gender confirmation are assisted with court-ordered name changes as well as changing gender markers on driver’s licenses, passports, Social Security cards, and other records.

By Mark Kerr SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER Close to 300 people were in attendance Saturday at the Loft Cinema for the second annual showing of” White Christmas,” the 1954 classic movie musical. Tucson Vice Mayor Richard Fimbres was present for the event, as was Martha Durkin, Tucson’s City Manager. They, along with everyone else present, let it snow and had a good time. Lady Ashley and her entourage performed several dance numbers during the movie. The highlight was the battle of the famous rendition of “Sisters” by Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby. Tournament Co-Director Kevin Wheeler and this reporter lip-synched for their lives to a big round of applause, during this number with Lady Ashley and crew. The high point was when it snowed, cued on by any mention of snow during the film. More than 490 bags of snow were distributed to those in attendance. Sing-a-longs, snow and fun reigned at the Loft but two other points of note. More than seven food boxes were filled for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation and the proceeds from ticket sales will help the volunteers who run the Chuzapalooza bowling tournament, Jan. 16-19, 2015 (chuzapalooza.com)

Now after the songs and the tons of snow, it’s time for the 40 Frame Escandalo, to take place Dec. 28, at 5:30 p.m. at Tucson Bowl, 7020 E. 21st St.

SAGA also offers education programs to develop cultural competency for employers, churches, other civic organizations, health care providers and others.

This is a fun event and will be literally, a forty frame game with bonuses and surprises galore. For more information, visit the 40 Frame Facebook page.

Currently SAGA offers four monthly support groups: SAGA General, DezertGirlz, DezertBoyz, and DezertPartnerz which welcome transgender, genderqueer, and gender nonconforming community members. Mentoring and support is also available in person or by telephone.

The Chuzapalooza Committee wants to thank everyone who came out to the movie, donated food (and $230) to SAAF, as well as helping Tucson’s “Best Little Bitty Pissant Regional Tournament.” The tournament is proud to announce that the League of United Latin American Citizens have become the latest sponsor for the tournament. Until next time, Happy Holidays and go bowling some time!

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SAGA’s online presence includes a website, sagatucson.org, which hosts a variety of resources as well as an active Facebook page; invite-only Facebook group, and four Yahoo groups for support and information sharing. SAGA hosts events for the trans and genderqueer communities and their allies including Fourth of July and Thanksgiving Potlucks, and collaborates with the University of Arizona’s LGBTQ Affairs Office to hold the annual Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance in November. Currently, SAGA is exploring the creation of support groups for parents of transgender youth 13 years old and older, and those youth; expanding our educational programming; expanding advocacy for trans people on legal, political, health care and other issues; and hiring a part-time coordinator. What the community can do to help SAGA: Donate to support its programming using the Donate Now button on the SAGA website sagatucson.org/wp/ or by mailing a check to SAGA, PO Box 41863, Tucson 85717.

Page 8

OBSERVER

WEEKLY

December 17, 2014

OBSERVER WEEKLY

Page 9

Choozapaloozaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s White Christmas SingA-Long Party at the Loft Cinema

Page 10

World’s first samesex marriage under Scottish law takes place in Australia MELBOURNE, Australia -- Scottish citizen Douglas Pretsell has become the first of his countrymen to legally marry another man as Scotland’s marriage equality law comes into effect Tuesday. Pretsell married Australian man Peter Gloster at the British consulate in Melbourne at 11.01a.m. at the exact moment when Scotland’s equal marriage legislation came into effect.

OBSERVER

By By Darren Wee GAY STAR NEWS The gay manager of the café at the center of the Sydney hostage crisis has been hailed a hero for wrestling the gunman before he was shot dead.

The couple had already entered into a civil partnership which allowed them to take advantage of the new law. A quirk of Scottish law means samesex couples not in civil partnerships will have to wait 15 days from Dec. 16 to marry.

Johnson was shot trying to take the gunman’s weapon and died later in hospital.

Pretsell said he was thrilled to be part of the history of his homeland moving forward on the issue.

Barrister Katrina Dawson was also killed while shielding her pregnant friend and four others were injured.

“It’s just so sad that as soon as we stepped out of the consulate and on to the street we ceased to be married in the country we call home. Today, I feel immensely proud to be a Scot, and I look forward to feeling just as proud of being Australian. Here’s hoping that Australia takes note and brings in equal marriage soon.” Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Scottish Equality Network Tom French congratulated all the couples who will marry under the new law. Continued on pgae 11

December 17, 2014

Sydney siege: Gay café manager shot dead protecting hostages hailed a hero

Tori Johnson, 34, lunged at hostage-taker Man Haron Monis as he shot at several fleeing hostages at around 2 a.m. Monday, giving them time to escape.

“It’s wonderful to finally have our marriage confirmed, especially since the Scottish legislation is the most progressive in the world with the full inclusion of transgender and intersex partners,” Pretsell said.

WEEKLY

After hearing the gunfire, commandos stormed the café killing Monis and freeing the remaining hostages. Johnson was in a long-term relationship with his partner of 14 years, Thomas Zinn, who is being comforted with the deceased’s family at the couple’s home in Redfern. “Police in Sydney have now confirmed to local media that the Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson died when he attacked the gunman, trying to wrest his shotgun away. This action almost certainly saved many lives,” said Don Baxter, adviser for international programs at the Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations.

Tori Johnson wrestled hostage-taker Man Haron Monis giving several hostages time to escape.

“Gay Australians are comparing Tori’s actions with those of Mark Bingham, who led the attack on the 9/11 plane heading towards Washington, bringing it down and thereby avoiding many more deaths.” Monis, a radical Muslim cleric from Iran, seized 17 hostages at Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place Monday morning. Johnson had managed the coffee shop since October 2012 and before that had worked at restaurants in Sydney and the U.S.

He was the son of acclaimed Australian artist Ken Johnson and his former wife Rowena. “We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for,” his parents said in a statement.

December 17, 2014

OBSERVER WEEKLY

‘The Flash’ finds its Pied Piper

Wingnut: Refusal to make a gay-bashing cake is intolerant OBSERVER STAFF Anti-gay activist Theodore Shoebat says a bakery’s refusal to produce a gay-bashing cake proves “how militant and intolerant the homosexual agenda is.” Commenters have pointed out that a cake celebrating a same-sex wedding makes no statement about a malefemale marriage, but a cake with a gaybashing message is simply a hate cake. Why bother? Shoebat and his father, another antigay activist named Walid Shoebat, could see the difference if they studied it.

“Smash” alum and “Chasing Life” actor Andy Mientus will play the gay DC villain.

By Philiana Ng THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER “Smash” alum and “Chasing Life” actor Andy Mientus has boarded The CW’s “Arrow” spinoff as the openly gay DC villain in a multi-episode arc, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. He will appear in the 11th and 12th episodes. Hartley Rathaway, who later becomes Pied Piper and a member of the Rogues, is a genius who used to work at STAR Labs until he had a falling out with the mysterious Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), the brains and money behind the particle accelerator. Following the explosion that created the metahumans, Hartley lost his hearing but started creating sonic weapons that he uses to destroy Harrison’s latest creation: The Flash (Grant Gustin). “The Flash” made a huge splash for The CW on Oct. 7, premiering to a massive 4.8 million viewers and a 1.9 rating among the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic — the second-biggest debut for the network behind “The Vampire Diaries.”

Page 11

One commenter on YouTube, where Shoebat posted the two-part video he made of his odyssey in search of the hate cake, tried to explain that the hate message is what would be intolerant, adding that “Bakeries have also in the past refused to decorate a cake to say ‘Happy Birthday Adolf Hitler.’ “ We need to focus energy on influencing people who can help -elected officials, rational neighbors, educators -- whoever. The nuts will be nuts unless a miraculous epiphany causes something to penetrate. Don’t even bother.

World’s first same-sex marriage under Scottish law takes place in Australia Continued from page 10 “After many years of campaigning, we are delighted that as of today samesex marriage is now legal in Scotland,” French said. “We wish all those couples who are getting married today, and those planning to do so in future, all the best. “In recent years Scotland has become a leading light on LGBTI equality, with one of the most progressive equal marriage laws in the world, helping to create the fair and equal society we all want to see.” This Scottish couple marrying on Australian soil while other Australian same-sex couples still cannot prompted the campaign for same-sex marriage in Australia to call for Australian lawmakers to move forward on the issue.

“I congratulate Douglas and Peter on their marriage and for being marriage equality pioneers,” Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said, “Most Australians will find it absurd that Douglas and Peter’s solemn vows under Scottish law are not recognized in the country they have chosen to call home.” “Australia has many historical and cultural ties with Scotland and I look forward to the time when another tie is that both countries treat all loving couples with equal dignity and respect. I call on [Australian Prime Minister] Tony Abbott to allow a free vote on marriage equality so Australia can rejoin the company of nations, including Scotland, that value equality for all.”

Send your photos, cartoons, and music reviews to us at: info@observerweekly.com

Page 12

As Clark Saw It

Zoe’s World

OBSERVER By Gary Clark

By Zoe

WEEKLY

December 17, 2014

OBSERVER WEEKLY

Page 13

There ain’t enough lube out there to make us enjoy the new spending bill

The harm and shame of negative labeling

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 3

question you’ll probably sleep through the results anyway.

off those functions into subsidiaries that the taxpayers won’t underwrite via the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

peripheral stunt supposedly aimed at undermining President Obama’s executive order on immigration.

Judging from the GOP talk, let’s just say we can expect them to provide an issue or two with which to club them over the head in 2016.

Apparently it’s even true that Citigroup lobbyists helped write this section to weaken the new regulations on derivatives.

Even several prominent Senate Republicans voted against Cruz, and some claimed they couldn’t figure out what he was doing.

There’s probably no thinking person who believes much of this “spending bill” be good for the country.

Sorry, taxpayers -- with the next big bank-caused crash, you’re likely to get hosed even worse than you got it last time.

I imagine they gave Cruz exactly what he wanted -- a 74-22 loss plus quotes from establishment Republicans saying he’s lost his mind.

If you’ll be retiring under one of the multi-company pension plans that had been trying to give you a special hosing, sorry -- they’ll probably pay you as they see fit rather than whatever they promised you.

Can you think of a better Christmas gift for energizing the nutbag brigade that will be working for Cruz in his presidential campaign? Some of those “prominent Republicans” probably will end up being sorry they were so outspoken.

The congresscritters who voted for it did so because they expect it to produce more and fatter campaign contributions; that doesn’t mean they seriously think it’ll be good for the country. The banksters who promoted it did so because they expect it to funnel a few more tens of billions into their pockets before the next bubble bursts; that doesn’t mean they seriously think it’ll be good for the country. In short, we got a $1.1 trillion debacle so bad that even the “good guys” were beginning to talk about a government shutdown possibly doing less harm to the country than this mess is likely to do. One thing we’re all likely to pay for: The bill eliminates the Democrats’ 2010 rule that if banks want to operate like gambling casinos, they have to spin

Actually, if you’re in one of those plans, at least you know you can’t get less than 110 percent of the minimum guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. Er ... well ... that is, if you retire before the next round of cuts ... Approved in a rare weekend session for the Senate, the debate over the funding bill produced at least one interesting development. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas went down to horrendous defeat (74 to 22) on a

Anyway, most of government functions got funded, for better or worse, through the end of this fiscal year (September 2015). Homeland Security is funded only until February, when the Republicans can again rip into each others’ haunches over Obama’s immigration move. Expect it to get either uglier or more humorous -- depending on which side you’re on.

The shame I felt is different from guilt. Shame and guilt are both feelings; each has its own affective expression and bodily reaction, and each can be grounded in human conduct. Guilt is the feeling that results after a violation. If I rob a bank and in the process of robbing the bank hurt an employee and am soon caught by the police, I am certain to feel guilt. The shame I felt as the result of structural violence included self-criticism and self-blame; it targeted my very being (identity) and not simply my actions. The shame I felt reduced my feelings of joy and interest, causing me to feel great humiliation and embarrassment. It is important to prevent negative labeling from impinging upon human flourishing, before it leads victims of structural violence to feel shame. During the civil rights movement activists spoke about agape love as a means to end structural violence and its correlate affects, negative labeling and shame. Agape love is brotherly love or charity; it is the love God has for humankind. I learned about agape love in college, and practiced it daily after facing the people who shamed me through psychoanalysis. Through agape love I practice what my peers, my family and my religion wouldn’t: mutual recognition and respect. Through agape love society can eliminate the evil caused by structural violence, negative labeling, and shame.

Remember to send in your wedding announcements and photos to info@observerweekly.com so we can print them here for all the world to see. Donations accepted.

To volunteer, call Mark Rosenbaum For support services, call a Link Specialist For more information, events, or to donate, visit www.tihan.org

OBSERVER WEEKLY

Page 14

Monday BRODIES TAVERN - Service Industry Night 7 p.m.- 2 a.m. $2.50 House Well, Long Islands, Margaritas on Tap, $3 16 oz. BudBud Light-Mic Ultra Cans, Fireball Shots. IBT’s 11a.m.-2a.m. Taking Back Mondays hosted by Diva featuring *3-4-1 Well Vodkas (Regular, Grape & Cherry) 9 - Close. Karaoke Inside or Lounge on the Patio 9 p.m. VENTURE-N Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.

Friday BRODIES TAVERN - Get the Party Started Friday 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $3 Malibu Rum Black-House Long Islands-Pucker Vodka, Margaritas on tap-XX Pints IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m., Flawless Fridays featuring “Absolutely Flawless” Drag Show hosted by China Collins @ 9 p.m. DJ Import Inside after the show, Million$DJ on the Patio 9pm. GoGo Boys @11p.m. LOOKS - 6 p.m. to Close, Karaoke 8-12, $3.50 Absolute Lemon Drops, $5 Jamesons VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

BRODIES TAVERN - Two Buck Tuesday 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $ 2 House Well, Fire Eater Shots, $2 Margaritas on Tap, $2 Long Islands IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m.; Taco Tuesdays. $1 Tacos. Drink Specials 9-Close: Mix-n-Match Mexican Beer Special, Tequila Specials (Patron $6, Milagro $4.50, Hornitos $4, Cuervo $3.50), Million$DJ Inside 9 p.m. VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.

BRODIES TAVERN - Whiskey Wednesday 7-2 a.m. $3.25 Jack-Jim Beam-JamesonFireball-Makers Mark-Johnny Walker Red IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m., “Viva La Diva” Drag Show Hosted by Diva at 9. “Whiskey Breath” Drink Special Every Wednesday 9-Close. $2 Well, $3 Call, $4 Select Top Shelf Whiskey and Scotch Blend Whiskies. Million$DJ Inside after the drag show. VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 22 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.Dave’s $3.50 Margaritas and Long Island Iced Teas

BRODIES TAVERN - Customer Appreciation 7-2 a.m. Two-for-One Well-Domestic Bottles, Margaritas on Tap House Kasiz Shots IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m. Therapy every Thursday. All Day *2-4-1 Drink Specials (excludes top shelf, wine & draft). Million$DJ Inside at 9 p.m., DJ Sid the Kid on the Patio 9 p.m. GoGo Boys @11 p.m. LOOKS - 6 p.m. to Close, Happy Hour 6-8, $3 Southern Comforts, $5 Long Islands VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 22 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm. 4.00 Titos/ Absolut, Cosmos/Martis from Dan G

Saturday BRODIES TAVERN - Back Pocket Sabado Latino 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. $3 Magaritas on tap-Corona Bottles, $3.25 Latin Beers-XX Micheladas, $1 Tequila Shots-Corona Ritas IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m., Karaoke on the Patio 5 - 8 p.m., “Saturday Night Starlettes” drag show Hosted by Janee Starr 9pm, Million$DJ on the Patio 9 p.m., DJ Import Inside after the drag show. LOOKS - 6 p.m. to Close, $3 Flaming Shots From Hell, $5 Bombay Saphires VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi

Monday 12-3 p.m. 4-5:30 p.m.

4:30-6:30 p.m.

6:30-7:30 p.m.

7-9 p.m.

7-10 p.m.

7-8:30 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 6 p.m.

sources

Mah Jongg Mondays Himmel Park Library. Ages 50+, 1035 N. Treat. In Our Own Voices, Women’s therapy group for survivors of sexual trauma, SACSA, 1600 N. Country Club, 520.327.1171 Cancer Support Group for LGBT People, Arizona Cancer Center at UMC-North, Rm 1127, 3838 N. Campbell Ave. 520.694.0347 Regardless of… NA LGBT Meeting, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd. SAGA General for trans forlks and allies 1st Monday SAGA Desert Girlz for trans Femanine folks 2nd Monday Reveille Men’s Chorus Open Rehearsal, Rincon Congregational Church, 122 N. Craycroft Tucson Women’s Chorus rehearsal.Call for details: 520.743.0991 Desert Girlz meeting at Wingspan PFLAG en Español Meets the 1st Monday of each month at Fortin de las Flores: 243 W. 33rd St.

4 p.m.

LGBTQA Support Group. LGBTQ Affairs Office, UA Student Union level four. SAGA Desert Boyz for trans masculine folks 3rd Tuesdays

7-9 p.m.

Wednesday 3-8 p.m.

SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources

12-1 p.m.

Pink Triangle AA Meeting, 439 N. Sixth Ave. Everyday. Gender Spectrum support Group. UA Campus Health Service Building Room C312. $5 TMC Hospice LGBTQ Grief Support Group. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, Peppi’s House Chapel, 2715 N. Wyatt Drive. RSVP at: 520-324-2438. Wednesday Night Christian Bible Study, Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall, 2902 N. Geronimo Ave. Weekly Bears Coffee at Crave, 4530 E. Broadway Blvd.

3-4:30 p.m.

4:30-6 p.m.

6:30-7:30 p.m.

7-9 p.m.

BRODIES TAVERN - Funday 7 p.m. - 2 p.m. $2.50 House Well, $3 House Long Islands, Tap Magaritas, $1 House Kasiz Shots, $1.75 Domestic Pints IBT’s - 11a.m.-2a.m., Karaoke 4-8:30 p.m. “Cheap Ass Sunday’s” 9-Close feat. 2-4-1 Drinks and Bottle Beer (exclude top shelf, wine & draft), Karaoke Inside 9pm; DJ Sid the Kid on the patio 9 p.m. VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi

Two Spirit support group. African American Student Affairs MLK Center, 1322 E. 1st Street. 6 p.m. Write Now! a writer’s group open to all at Revolutionary Grounds 606 N. 4th 6:30-7:30 p.m. Regardless of… NA LGBT Meeting, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd. 7 p.m. Weekly Meditation Classes in Central Tucson, cost: $10, Kadam Meditation Center Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. 7-9 p.m. SAGA Desert Partnerz for cis-gendered 4th Thursday 7-10 p.m. Triangle Tribe, Men’s Support Group. Call 520-398-6826

3-8 p.m.

SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources

4-5:30 p.m.

Support Group for Transgender Survivors of Sexual Trauma, SACSA, 1600 N. Country Club Queer People of Color &

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Ajia Simone, Owner 426 E. Ninth St. 520.624.8400

10-11.30 a.m.

10-12 p.m.

2-5 p.m. 2:45 p.m.

Friday 4 p.m.

5:30-6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

Wingspan’s Eon Youth Program New Youth Orientation Fridays at 4p.m. Youth Center Open M-F Oasis LGBT Social Group. Email oasis.wingspan@gmail.com Bingo at MCC Every Friday call John 975-3166.

2nd Saturdays

Bears of the Old Pueblo Potluch 2nd Saturdays 520.444.2275 Transparents For parents of trans kids. RSVP SAGA to attend.

Sunday 9-11 a.m.

Co-ed Softball, all abilities welcome. Oury Park, 600 W.St. Mary’s

Advice For Life & Prayers for World Peace. Bud dha’s teachings, Kadampa Meditation Cen ter Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. LGBT Buddhist Medita tion Group meets every Sunday at The Three Jewels, 314 E. 6th St. in Tucson. Meditation sessions with readings, recordings, and discussion. Welcoming to all.For info call Jim at 520-884-4218. Mamasitas! Men’s Sports club at Menlo Park The New Men’s Massage Group. Sept 21 at 4 pm. Call Marc at 881-4582 to sign up. Or email bleu55@gmail. com in advance. It’s a great place to meet men. Safe, non-sexual but very sensual and a little erotic. Donation.

3-5p.m.

Men’s Social Network “H” Club open to entire LGBTQ community. This is a fun discussion, learning and participation group meeting for discussions on major words beginning with the letter “H.” Doesn’t meet the 1st Sunday of the month.

5:30 p.m.

Puertas Abiertas Latin/ Hispanic LBGTQ/Ally support group meeting at Wingspan 430 E 7th St – every 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30pm.

Saturday

Thursday

SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health re-

Sunday

2:30-4:30p.m.

Tuesday 3-8 p.m.

December 17, 2014

OBSERVER

WEEKLY

Page 15

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Friendship & Socializing

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Page 16

OBSERVER WEEKLY

December 17, 2014

‘Ussie’? ‘We-ie’? ‘Menagie’? We’ll all be bragging about our ‘selfie stick’ OBSERVER STAFF

“No matter how many people press the button at the same time, it’s not sufficient to interfere with other devices’ network or cause interference in frequencies in unlicensed bandwidth,” Kim said.

South Korea already banned unlicensed “selfie sticks,” claiming the Bluetooth technology can interfere with other electronics. But the devices haven’t yet become the rage in Hot Coffee, Miss.

“So, practically speaking, it’s hard to cause frequency interference with a Bluetooth selfie stick.”

What’s a trend-hugging young LGBT to do?

There. Straight from the mouth of a “wireless systems researcher.”

You don’t want to be too far out front, because then you might look geeky or (God forbid) self-absorbed.

Chances are, the rage won’t expand as rapidly now that the weather in most places is too cold for a lot of dallying outside.

But you absolutely, positively don’t want to be the last one to pull your stick out -- talk about a mojo-killing social move. Charlie Warzel at BuzzFeed already told us that very soon, though, a selfiestick won’t be optional. (The headline was “Like it or not, everyone is going to be wielding a ‘selfie-stick.’) There’s even already a selfie-stick epic -- Alex Chacon’s “Around the World in 360 Degrees.” Shot with a Go-Pro stuck on his stick. And they’ve been selling like ... um ... hot sticks. According to Rich Bright, director of sales at Promaster, which wholesales its own version of the sticks: “Our

Next summer, though, be prepared for questions from elderly relatives about how to make their stick extend.

initial shipment was expected to last approximately eight months and we sold out in just three and had to reorder with the factory. We’ve been able to get an emergency order in, but we’re already looking at how to speed up given the sales.” For such an important accessory, the thing doesn’t look like much. It’s an extendable rod with a thingamajig at the end to hold your phone, plus a button at the handle end that activates the button on your phone camera.

From such humble ideas, billions in profits are raked in.

Aside from governments trying to outlaw people’s new toys, the major issue still undecided is what to call these “group selfies.”

The South Korean law certainly seems as if the government plans on profiting from the gizmos itself -- a $30,000 fine? Three years in jail?

But at least we have one winner: “Menagie” definitely works for a certain niche market.

And for what? Korea University wireless systems researcher Kim Chung-ki said the government has its head up its ass. OK, he didn’t quite say it in those words, but ...

Then again, the first one in our menage to post one of these won’t need to worry about what to call the photo; their name will be the old-fashioned “mud.”