Observer Weekly Nov. 18, 2015

November 18, 2015

Arizona man who gave birth 3 times sentenced in stalking OBSERVER STAFF PHOENIX -- The transgender Arizona man who gave birth to three babies was sentenced Monday in the stalking of his ex-wife.

Thomas Trace Beatie, 41, had pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and was sentenced to a year of supervised probation.

Beatie was arrested after his wife told Phoenix police she found a GPS tracking device under her car in September 2014.

Police said Beatie admitted to installing the tracker in 2012 and monitoring it online.

Beatie was born female in Hawaii, where he underwent gender-reassignment surgeries in 2001 and eventually married a woman.

Inside 2,500 quit Mormon Church over gay rights Page 5

World AIDS Day observance planned for Loft Cinema Page 8

So the GOP doesn’t think it needs the White House next time, but what about after that?

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One small ad for Barbie, one giant leap for gender equality Page 8 Judge gives up case after ordering baby away from lesbian couple

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Serious slutshaming is antigay, with PrEP or without it Page 4

He became pregnant because his wife was infertile, giving birth to their first child while they lived in Bend, Ore., and two more children after they moved to Phoenix.

Issue 1608

Tucson LGBTQ community makes plans for its future

Their 2012 divorce proceedings were routine until Judge Douglas Gerlach issued an order questioning whether his court had jurisdiction, questioning the couple's Hawaii marriage, and of course whether their three children were legitimate.

In August of 2014, an Arizona Appeals Court finally ruled that Arizona had to recognize the marriage and allow the couple to divorce.

Beatie now lives in Phoenix with his three children and his girlfriend, Amber Nicholas.

Phoenix's Grand Canyon U extends samesex benefits OBSERVER STAFF PHOENIX -- Reversing a long-standing anti-gay policy, Grand Canyon University announced last week that it will extend health and employment benefits to spouses of employees in same-sex marriages.

For most of its history, GCU was a Southern Baptist institution. In 2004, its sale to an investor group made it the first for-profit Christian college in the U.S. In 2014, the school announced it is exploring the possibility of becoming nonprofit again because of the stigma attached to for-profit colleges.

In a letter announcing the inclusion of same-sex families, the school re-emphasized that it still believes in marriage as "a sacred union between a man and a woman."

However, the letter went on, "GCU is making a conscious choice to maintain its religious beliefs, while respecting and honoring its neighbors, as well as the system of government and laws that exist today, by extending employee benefits to spouses of lawfully married same-sex couples. …

By Stephanie Anne Donoghue SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER A coalition of community members and supporters of the Tucson LGBTQ community hosted a forum on Nov. 12 to discuss current and

future programming needs at the Donna Liggins Recreation Center. Councilwoman Karin Uhlich and Catherine Tornbom of Our Family Services were the evening’s moderators.

LGBTQ serving organizations and groups in Continued on page 9

Network nixes two men dancing close to 'Boys Like You' OBSERVER STAFF "Dancing with the Stars" may have featured two men "near dancing" on its Nov. 9 show, but ABC reportedly said no dice when it comes to the same men huddling to the strains of "Boys Like You" on Nov. 23.

The song's lyrics talk about a young man falling in love with another man. Too touchy for prime time, the network said, according to "TMZ." Alek Skarlatos and CarContinued on page 9

Alek Skarlatos and Carlos PenaVega got close once on "Dancing with the Stars," but won't be allowed to do it with a gay love song.

Grindr linked to murder of former UofA hoops star OBSERVER STAFF

"The university's decision to extend benefits has been made freely and without compulsion by the state," the letter added.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The body of former University of Arizona basketball star Michael Wright was found in the back seat of his Lexus last week wrapped in black garbage bags, and police revealed that they are looking for a man Wright reportedly met on Grindr, the gay dating site.

Earlier this year, the Arizona ACLU had asked Grand Canyon to reconsider the policy and had received a letter saying the matter would be discussed this month.

Wright was not known as a gay athlete, but his cousin Randolph Berry told the New Continued on page 9

Michael Wright, former Wildcat basketball star, was found in the back seat of his car wrapped in garbage bags.

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OBSERVER

Anti-gay coalition that won in Houston is the devil's work

risk, and would undermine the USDB's important military mission," the DOJ statement said.

HOUSTON -- The coalition that defeated the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance earlier this month is not the usual Christian right-wing assortment.

Dallas tops Houston by adding trans to anti-bias ordinance

It's a basket of nuts that insists gays should be murdered and Texas should secede from the U.S. ("Texas should be free — it should be an independent nation," says Steve Hotze, one of the more familiar names in the group.)

They also pray for God to "smite" Houston city officials ... no news reports on whether this use of "smite" means "kill" or simply injure.

Jay Michaelson at The Daily Beast described the coalition as "a uniquely Texan consortium of sword-swinging, Bible-swearing, fire-breathing extremists."

One of the fire-breather groups is Texas Values, the Texas lobbying arm of the Liberty Institute -- otherwise known these days as Kim Davis's lawyers.

Earlier this summer, Hotze at least advanced a non-lethal solution for Houston if its residents don't have the cojones to kill members of the LGBT community.

"Drive them out of our city," he bellowed. "I don't want them in our city.

Send them back to San Francisco."

And you probably still thought the chupacabra was a mythical creature . . .

Feds: Manning's hair a security risk; 'why' is a secret FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -The U.S. government has defended forcibly cutting jailed whistle-blower Chelsea Manning's long hair, saying it was a "security risk" -- but refusing to say how it arrived at that conclusion.

The military had apparently given its approval to Manning's transitioning earlier this year, but continues to force her to present as male, including forcibly shaving her head.

In court documents released last week, the U.S. Department of Justice defended the treatment, claiming long hair is a security risk.

Manning has been permitted female underwear and sports bras, plus hormone treatment, but she is held in the United States Disciplinary Barracks (popularly known as Leavenworth Prison), a male institution that prohibits hair longer than 2 inches.

"Making an exception to the USDB's generally applicable hair restriction would pose a significant security

Can you say "bullshit," boys and girls?

DALLAS -- Just a week after Houston voters repealed an equal-rights ordinance approved by their city council, the Dallas City Council voted to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity for anyone living or working in Dallas.

Sexual orientation has been covered in Dallas since 2002.

"We want to make sure everyone is protected," Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings told KDFW-TV. Dallas joins more than 200 U.S. cities that protect transgender citizens.

The Houston anti-trans forces capitalized on fears of allowing trans people to pee in appropriate restrooms; no problems have yet been reported to support those fears.

There was no organized opposition to the Dallas move.

WEEKLY

the Republican National Committee stopped funding ads for him in October. He is only Kentucky's second GOP governor in the past 38 years.

"One thing I will take care of right away is we will remove the names of the county clerks from the marriage form," Bevin told reporters at the state capitol. "The argument that that can't be done is baloney — we've already changed those forms three times, for crying out loud."

Apparently no reporter asked whether the form has been changed by executive order before, or whether he will have to go through the Legislature.

Bevin also pledged to roll back Kentucky's Medicaid expansion, even though the state has the highest percentage of residents taking advantage of Obamacare.

He is scheduled to take office Dec. 8.

Protesters label Caitlyn Jenner an 'insult to trans' CHICAGO -- Trans protesters held up "I Ain't Cait" signs and confronted Caitlyn Jenner as she left a Chicago charity event last week.

Suspected arrested in attack on couple in Palm Springs

"You are an insult to trans people; you are an insult to women," protester Monica James shouted over a loudspeaker. "The $500 you spend at a luncheon is more than most black trans women are able to earn in a month."

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- Police have arrested one of two suspects in a Nov. 1 attack on a prominent Palm Springs gay couple that left one of the pair unable to sit up or walk.

Jenner's response couldn't have helped matters: "I would love to see you have a job. I love you," she told James before being escorted into a black van.

Yikes! Condescend much, Caitie?

Keith Terranova, 35, was jailed in connection with the bottle attack that left George Zander, 71, incapacitated.

Zander's husband, Chris Zander, said surgery was required but that George is improving.

At the time of the attack, the Zanders were leaving a gay bar called Hunters. George Zander is the Coachella Valley field director for Equality California and a longtime LGBT activist.

Police reportedly are still seeking a second suspect.

New Kentucky guv says Davis will get paperwork change FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin said last week one of the first things he'll do after taking office is signing an executive order changing the state's marriage license application to conform with what Kim Davis wants.

Bevin was such an unorthodox candidate and unexpected winner that

The protest was in response to remarks made by Jenner, 66, on her reality-TV show, "I Am Cait," in which she blasted trans women who rely on public assistance. "Why should I work? I got a few bucks; I got my room paid for," she said in describing the women.

The activists' event page set up to publicize the protest described Jenner as "a clueless rich white woman who thinks disenfranchised trans women of color should just pluck themselves up off the street and stop being so lazy."

Ukraine approves nondiscrimination bill at EU urging

KIEV, Ukraine -- The Ukrainian Parliament passed a bill last week providing LGBT non-discrimination protections, especially in employment.

The European Union required the provision in order for Ukraine citizens to travel to other EU member nations without visas. Lawmakers rejected the measure twice last month because of opposition to LGBT rights.

After the measure failed again, Speaker Vologymyr Groysman called a

November 18, 2015 recess to lobby for it, according to the Kyiv Post.

According to another periodical, Korrespondent, Yuri Lutsenko (leader of a party in the governing coalition), also lobbied for it.

"It's better to have a gay parade on Khreschatyk" -- Kiev's main thoroughfare -- "than Russian tanks in the center of the Ukrainian capital," Lutsenko said.

"I believe that if we're going to Europe, we should recognize the accepted rules in the European community."

Australian Senate to prime minister: Don't delay equality CANBERRA, Australia -- Australia's Senate passed a motion last week asking the prime minister to scrap his plan for a public vote on marriage equality, which is expected to take place in Continued on next page

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November 18, 2015

OBSERVER

WEEKLY

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GUEST COLUMN

2017 and delay actual marriages even longer.

So the GOP doesn't think it needs the White House next time, but what about after that?

Since public support for same-sex marriage is overwhelming, the Senate wants a quick vote in Parliament, which would allow marriages much sooner.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been a staunch opponent of marriage equality for Australia, which is now the last major English-speaking country not allowing it.

Utah Scouts see donations plummet after pro-gay move SALT LAKE CITY -- The fall fundraising drive for Utah's National Parks Council of the Boy Scouts is only about halfway over, but the council is already laying off employees because donations are so sparse.

This is one of the largest Scout councils in the country because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest sponsor of Boy Scout units, accounting for about 18 percent of the group's membership.

The church, less formally known as the Mormons, expressed dismay over a July decision allowing gay adult leaders in the Boy Scouts at local discretion, but has not withdrawn its support for Scouting.

"I think people may be kind of mad at the Boy Scouts, but there's a big difference between the national council and the three local councils in Utah," said Stan Lockhart, president of the National Parks Council.

By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST You don't have to read many political blogs these days to find one that says Republican power brokers may not even think they need the White House in the next elections.

With a stranglehold on Congress to block Democratic nominees (to prevent a 21st-century Supreme Court for a couple more generations) and a lock on state Legislatures to gerrymander districts, the GOP may not be governing but it sure as hell has prevented anyone else from governing as well!

So maybe that's the game plan, considering the gaggle of prezidunces seeking the Republican nomination for the White House.

But what about after 2016? Will the GOP adjust and rebuild itself as a national party or become the regional party of the South, Indiana/Kentucky, Kansas/Missouri and possibly Arizona?

That would put the White House out of reach permanently, and that it quickly becomes an elephant of a different color.

For the GOP right now, the existential question is whether it will acknowledge the 21st century or be the last whimper of a (largely imaginary) time that won't come around again?

David Brooks, The New York Times columnist who wavers between the trumpet of astute observation and the flatulence of the party line, asked a series of questions about the GOP earlier this month, one of them being: "Can the party see reality?"

In order to answer that, in regard to the party's leadership, you'd have to determine who's leading the party these days, and I don't know where you'd go to find out about that.

sorry, Ted Cruz, but going back to the gold standard is not reality."

tirely on fossil fuels will cripple the U.S. heading into the future.

There have been glimmers to indicate that Democrats are waking up and noticing the new century. (translation: Democrats in this case = Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama)

Republicans don't seem to be having any of that.

"The demographics of this country are changing. This will be the last presidential election cycle in which the GOP, in its current form, has even a shot at winning the White House."

-- David Brooks, whose viewpoint channels "Mr. Moderate Republican" (if there is such a thing anymore) in The New York Times

But Brooks' answer to his "reality" question is telling:

Hillary has admitted that her husband's plan for mass incarceration had devastating effects on the black and Hispanic communities, and that his signing of an anti-gay law may have helped him get re-elected but did damage to the LGBT community that still hasn't been offset.

"Deporting 11 million people is not reality. Building a physical wall across the southern border is not reality. I'm

Obama giving up on the Keystone XL Pipeline could (just possibly) indicate that he's noticed how reliance en-

The poll several weeks ago indicating that most Republicans think it's more important to have a candidate who agrees with them than to have a candidate who can win puts them squarely in la-la land.

So they give up the idea of the presidency for 2016, which would appear to mean for eight years -- taking us to 2024.

What's the plan after that?

For that, we have Brooks' answer to another of his GOP questions: "For a rising number of Republicans — congregating around Trump and Ben Carson — leadership is about ignorance and inexperience. Actually having prepared for the job is a disqualifying factor."

In other words, what the party's become best at is making big caca, and a large number of its voters seem to think that's all that's required.

Let's just hope they don't get a chance to bury the whole country with it.

OW

November 18, 2015 OBSERVER WEEKLY Community Voices Serious slut-shaming is antiBeing a positive influence gay, with PrEP or without it

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Thank you for being part of TIHAN and this incredible movement that values life and love and empowerment for people living with HIV. Here’s another story about how a positive community support system makes a difference.

By Scott Blades Executive Director TIHAN Having a positive outlook on life can make a huge difference. A positive attitude, a sense of hope and optimism, helps build resilience, even in the face of the challenges and obstacles that life can bring.

Our TIHAN volunteers talk about how much they appreciate being around positive people — people who are not just HIV-positive, but also have a positive attitude about life.

And our TIHAN CarePartners living with HIV likewise talk about how important it is for them to surround themselves with positive people — others who are also living with HIV, but also a support system of peers and volunteers who help them stay positive and hopeful, focused on a future filled with health and wellbeing.

At our Poz Café monthly lunch and at all our Living Well with HIV classes, people living with HIV meet others who are HIV-positive and build upon their support stems of people who are positive about life. And they meet great volunteers — both HIV-positive and HIVnegative — who can become part of a community support system.

Every day, I am around so many awesome people — staff, volunteers, and CarePartners living with HIV — who help me focus on the positive and inspire me to be a better person.

Whether you are a volunteer or a CarePartner (person living with HIV), when you are at TIHAN you are around positive people. Sometimes, life can be full of negative people, and people trying to bring you down or drain your energy and enthusiasm.

Sometimes, life’s circumstances are beyond our control. “Bad” things can and do happen to “good” people, but surrounding yourself with positive people who support you, believe in you, can really make a difference.

Positive people can help us be more authentic, and more focused on the blessings and being grateful for another day surrounded by people who care.

Robert, a CarePartner living with HIV, credits TIHAN with helping him to be more proactive and involved in the community. When Robert was diagnosed with HIV in 2001, he was reluctant to share his story with others. For several years, the only people who knew that he had HIV were his doctor and members of a support group at SAAF. Robert’s doctor, with whom he had very good rapport, suggested that he check out TIHAN’s Poz Café lunch program. Robert loved it, and although he was working two jobs at the time, he made sure to take time off on the third Thursday of every month to attend the luncheon and be with other positive people.

Robert’s been involved with TIHAN for more than seven years now, and he shares that TIHAN has had a big influence on him, helping to shape him into an advocate and ambassador for others living with HIV. Nowadays, Robert tries to take part in all that he can, including volunteering with TIHAN and El Rio Special Immunology Associates, and he is very thankful for the compassionate individuals he has met through TIHAN. Looking back on his journey, Robert speaks of his gratitude: “Being positive and having a positive attitude is so important to me, and it has helped me become a better person. TIHAN has been a big part of that positive support system for me, and I am grateful.”

There are lots of positive people in our community. They’re at TIHAN, but they are also at El Rio Special Immunology Associates, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, University of Arizona’s Petersen Clinics, the Veterans Administration HIV clinic, and all throughout our community.

Whether or not you are positive for HIV, you can be a positive influence, and a part of a positive community where every person is valued and appreciated and given the best treatment, support services, and opportunities possible.

I am grateful to be part of a community that has so many people and organizations who care and who work for positive change. If you want to find ways to be more involved in being a positive support system for people living with HIV, reach out to one of these groups and get involved. We’re all here working together, and we can only make a difference because people like you care.

By R.D. Smith GUEST COLUMNIST This budding trend in the LGBT community to wag fingers and try to impose a one-morality-fits-all mentality needs to be nipped before it blossoms into something even uglier.

Just as the community gains a little equality, why would we want to adopt the attitude of the people who stomped us down for so long?

Count me out.

The emergence of PrEP as potentially reducing the specter of HIV infec-

"I've definitely felt belittled for identifying as a bottom. As if being a bottom meant being something 'less' in our community."

-- Joshua Collins, a PrEP user from Phoenix, told Tyler Curry at The Advocate tion should be a cause for celebration, not for puritanical judgment.

As HIV-prevention worker Kenny Neal Shults told JamesMichael Nichols at Huffington Post: "It seemed obvious to us that judging the men who could benefit most from PrEP for the behaviors that we think they should abandon and replace with consistent, unfaltering condom use was not our job. ... I mean, that's the tacit implication of these reactionary pulpit platforms, isn't it; you either use a condom every time -- behave -- or you're shamed and set apart from the rest of the community."

It's an old cliche that shouldn't need repeating at this late date: If we can't

allow freedom for everyone, we won't really have freedom for anyone.

"It is a particularly galling feat of hypocrisy for gay men, who have been on the outskirts of acceptable society for such a long time, to turn around and assert their role as gatekeepers so soon after achieving 'respectability,' " Kit Williamson wrote for The Advocate.

"Do you think the people that consider you immoral are going to be convinced otherwise when they see you parroting their outrage?" Williamson asked.

Dr. Chris Donaghue, in an interview with The Advocate, spelled it out simply: "All consensual sex is healthy, regardless of the form it takes."

"Our culture is sexually anxious, and anything related to sex is treated as dangerous, suspect, and of lesser worth or value," Donaghue added.

"Amazing, as sex is our most present, ubiquitous, and healthiest human drive.

It can't and should not be avoided."

If you want monogamy, by all means have it -- if you can get it. But don't get all prissy and think it makes you superior to someone who "spreads love around."

That's the very bullshit we've been fighting against for all these decades.

OW

November 18, 2015

OBSERVER

2,500 quit Mormon Church over gay rights

tional scene, with some saying leaving the church felt like a death in the family.

But no one seemed to regret their decision.

Kim Raff

Members fill out forms to leave the Mormon Church during a mass resignation in Salt Lake City.

OBSERVER STAFF SALT LAKE CITY -- An estimated 2,500 people have resigned from the Mormon Church as a result of last week's declaration that church members in same-sex relationships are "apostates" and children of those relationships won't be baptized until they're 18 and renounce their parents.

Most of those resigning had not been active in the church recently, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints keeps meticulous records on members, even those who are inactive.

"There's a constant contact when your name is on the record," Lindsay Matson told The New York Times as she and her two daughters formally resigned their memberships. "The church considers itself responsible for you."

Before the mass resignation, church President Thomas S. Monson sent out a Twitter message warning of eternal consequences: "I plead with you to avoid anything that will deprive you of your happiness here in mortality and eternal life in the world to come."

Saturday's mass resignation in downtown Salt Lake City was an emo-

"I do feel a sense of relief," former Mormon Kyler McGhee told KUTV. "Unfortunately, the church decided to slam their doors in our face."

The new policy characterizes a same-sex relationship as a "serious transgression" and labels those in them as "apostates," something usually re-

"The fact that it affects children really upset people. Most people [who resigned] are disaffected from the church already, and this was the final straw."

-- Mark Naugle, organizer of the protest served for people who commit crimes like murder and rape. It bans children of such couples from taking part in the church and refuses them baptisms.

"The policy also marks the first time a Christian church has enshrined a baptismal ban on children of samesex couples," said Mary Beth Maxwell, a senior vice president of the Human Rights Campaign.

WEEKLY

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Judge gives up case after ordering baby away from lesbian couple OBSERVER STAFF PRICE, Utah -- Judge Scott Johansen recused himself Monday from the case he had turned into a national shitstorm by ordering an infant removed from lesbian foster parents in favor of a heterosexual environment.

You know ... you're a family-court judge in a small town out in the middle of that part of Utah where nobody lives, and one day when you're dozing off on the bench you forget that your title is "judge," not "God," then all hell breaks loose.

Oopsie.

April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce were in shock last week after Johansen announced he was yanking an infant out of their home to place it with parents who live right.

That is, who live heterosexually.

For a minute there, while he was dozing, Johansen must have forgotten that since Hoagland and Peirce are legally married and got certified as Utah foster parents, WHAT HE THINKS OF THEIR LESBIANISM DOESN'T COUNT. Three days later, after even state officials demanded that he rescind his order removing the baby and the child's biological mother followed suit, the judge did relent.

But apparently the feces still flew, and eventually he removed himself from the case altogether.

The two women still face a hearing on Dec. 4 in their quest to adopt the in"They were worried about what would happen to their girls at school in the small central Utah city with about 8,400 people. Instead, the girls discovered widespread support from their classmates, Hoagland and Peirce said."

-- The Associated Press fant, but presumably now the case will be heard by a more careful judge.

This wasn't Judge Johansen's first waltz with national fame.

In 1997, he was reprimanded by the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission for "demeaning the judicial office" after he slapped a 16-year-old boy during a meeting at Price's Carbon County courthouse.

And last year, a judicial review commission recommended he be kept on the bench despite "lower than average survey scores for procedural fairness, separation of his personal beliefs from his legal rulings, and fair and respectful treatment of courtroom participants."

He just provided new evidence for his next review.

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WEEKLY

November 18, 2015

IBT’s celebrates 30th in high style to raise funds for Turnabout for TIHAN

In keeping with the origins of Turnabout for TIHAN, a yearly fund raiser benefiting the Tucson Interfaith HIV/ AIDS Network, IBT’s put together a turnbout show Nov. 12 as part of their weekend-long 30th anniversary Pink Party.

Bar tenders and bar flies alike gave the resident drag queens a run for their tip money which all ultimately went to TIHAN. See if you can guess the identities of some of the new queen faces you see here . . .

More pix on page 12

November 18, 2015

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November 18, 2015

Charlie Sheen comes out as One small ad for Barbie, one HIV-positive, claims he's paid giant leap for gender equality $10 million to keep it quiet stigmatized enough that outing someone is a viable threat.

Knowingly spreading HIV without disclosing one's status is still a crime in 35 states. In the Sheen interview, anchor Matt Lauer asked about Sheen's former wives, noting that Sheen had been with one of them around the time of his diagnosis.

The actor said he revealed his status to end extortion cases involving millions of dollars.

Sheen said he didn't know how he contracted HIV four years ago, but stated in a letter to Lauer that his diagnosis led to a "downward spiral" of shame, anger and substance abuse.

OBSERVER STAFF Actor Charlie Sheen told the world Tuesday that he's HIV-positive and that he came out to stop extortion cases that have cost him $10 million in the past.

"I think I release myself from this prison today," he said on NBC's "Today Show."

HIV status is legally protected medical information, but the condition is still

Sheen's doctor, Robert Huizenga, said his biggest concern about Sheen had been his depression and substance abuse, but that through it all, the actor managed to take his medications and has controlled his viral load.

Sheen said he's had unprotected sex with two people since his diagnosis, but that both were informed ahead of time and both are under the care of his doctor.

World AIDS Day First VA clinic for observance planned transgender vets for Loft Cinema opens in Ohio TUCSON -- World AIDS Day will be observed from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.

The event is sponsored by several local entities.

Featured will be speakers, a live feed from a sister celebration in Tanzania, live music and dance, and locally produced art.

More information is available from Rick Small, rsm619ster@gmail.com, or Heather Morosco, drmoroso@mac. com.

Panini

"Moschino Barbie is so fierce!" he says as he steals the show from his friends.

The Department of Veterans Affairs on Nov. 12 opened its first clinic specifically geared toward treating transgender veterans.

The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Ohio will provide primary care, hormone therapy and mental health care to up to 20 transgender veterans one day a month, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.

The move comes as the Pentagon eases policies for the estimated 15,500 transgender troops actively serving in the military.

An estimated 134,000 U.S. veterans are transgender.

Panini came to us in need of extensive dental/medical treatment; we got him all fixed up and now he’s walking about the house like he’s been here forever! He is a very sweet and affectionate gentleman of 7 years, looking for his forever family. He loves ear scratchies, and snoozing in boxes (what cat doesn’t love boxes, really!) and chirps a little when he wants attention.

OBSERVER STAFF So you been thinking Barbie's a bit lame for the 21st century? Stand over there in that corner, bee-yotch -- Barbie's kicking her some ass and taking some names.

Toy-maker Mattel, Barbie's sugardaddy, teamed with Italian fashion house Moschino for a hot new ver-

"This is what progress looks like."

-- YouTube commenter sion. But it's a 30-second clip of a little boy pronouncing "Moschino Barbie is so fierce!" that's causing One Million Moms some big butt-hurt.

Gary Janetti, "Family Guy" producer and husband to Hollywood stylist Brad Goreski, joked that the commercial is "missing the part where the dad comes in and says 'put that fucking doll down!'"

The young star, sporting a junior Macklemore haircut, winks coyly at the end of the ad — maybe aiming at the girl in an earlier viral video who ranted "Why do girls have to buy pink stuff?"

The limited-edition doll models Moschino styles described by The Wrap as leather suits, gold ropes, "paparazzishaming sunglasses" and other accessories.

It sold out almost immediately, but you can already grab one on eBay. The initial 700 units priced at $150 are reselling in the $400 to $800 range.

"Boy in Barbie commercial Yes, yes and yes! 21st century - Finally," wrote one YouTube commenter.

"This almost made me cry," sighed another. "I used to play with my sister's Barbies and felt such shame afterward.

I'm so glad we can just let kids be kids.

Thank you for this. Boys like dolls too."

Where God's love for all is the good news!

November 18, 2015

OBSERVER WEEKLY

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Tucson LGBTQ community makes plans for its future

Continued from page 1 the area shared their current priorities and goals. The aim of the facilitated discussions was to gather the wisdom of the community on what needs are being met and unmet and to form some concrete ideas on how to address them.

The final portion of the forum focused on potential areas of action the community would like to engage in further.

The results of the forum will be made available to the public as well as to the City of Tucson GLBT Commission and other organizations and agencies that address LGBTQ needs in Southern Arizona.

Marc Paley and Michael Woodward, the organizers of the forum, were asked why they decided to put this on and what their goal was.

Paley stated his main reason was a realization that we needed to come together as a community now that we don’t have a community center.

“We need to talk about the unmet needs that the LGBT community has here in Tucson,” he said.

Paley feels there needs to be more

effort put into broadly communicating between the different organizations, groups, and leaders in town.

“That’s the main reason why I wanted to put this together and why I asked Michael to join in and participate in this,” he added.

Woodward stated that the community is important to him, and he felt with the demise of Wingspan, even though most of the services are still there, people don’t know where to find them.

“Tucson has so long been known as one the most LGBT friendly towns in this part of the country, and we’ve lost a big piece of that with the loss of Wingspan.

Nevertheless, the talent is still here, the energy is still here, it’s just a matter of everybody talking to each other and figuring out how to make it keep working with or without a community center,” said Woodward.

“It’s really more about being a family and recognizing we don’t always get along. But we still need to come together at important times, and now is an important time,” he added.

Network nixes two men dancing close to 'Boys Like You' Continued from page 1 los PenaVega were allowed to dance close for Queen's "We Will Rock You," no less. Presumably the network thinks Middle America didn't know or has forgotten the Freddie Mercury story.

The website Just Jared Jr. said the two men "owned the show" when, after performing with their respective female partners, they danced together.

"Boys Like You" is scheduled to be performed by Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor and the out singer Who Is Fancy.

Asked how they thought the night went? Paley responded: “Oh my goodness, the night was fantastic! Every seat was filled, people were engaged, and most of the folks that came stayed till 9 p.m. We have a dozen champions for the five identified areas to continue this conversation.”

“So, when we come back to visit, Tucson will still be thriving,” he said.

Woodward’s last thought on the night were also positive. And even though they both are moving away from Tucson, they are really hopeful that people will continue to step up and continue to have these dialogs.

“I just can’t imagine a Tucson without a vibrant community leadership structure and I’m just so hopeful that is what’s going to come out of this process,” he said.

Paley shared that as a secondgeneration Tucsonan, “Tucson is my heart, this town, the people in it, the programs in it, all the groups that are a part of this community.”

OW

Grindr linked to murder of former UofA hoops star Continued from page 1 York Daily News that the family knew little of his dating life.

Wright played for the UofA from 1998 to 2001, when the Wildcats lost to Duke in the national championship game.

He was selected by the New York Knicks in the 2001 NBA draft, but didn't play in the NBA. He became a major star overseas, though, playing for teams in Turkey, South Korea and Poland.

Police did not disclose the identity of the man Wright met on Grindr, nor any details such as whether an encounter actually took place or was merely arranged, nor did they say whether more than one other individual was involved.

Relatives of the 6-foot-8 Wright described him as a "gentle giant." He was known to live with roommates in a "palatial" home at Closter, N.J. Pending an autopsy report, police speculate that he died from a skull fracture.

One producer's dismissive email stated: "Apologies all, but this is a definitive no from the network."

Neither ABC nor "Dancing with the Stars" have definitively commented on the issue.

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

Page 10

As Clark Saw It

Zoe’s World

OBSERVER

By Gary Clark

By Zoe

WEEKLY

November 18, 2015

November 18, 2015

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.

VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm.

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.

Tuesday 3-8 p.m.

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.

SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge

offers mens health re-

OBSERVER WEEKLY

Page 11

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 2 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.

VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi 2 for 1 Original Everything Happy Hour 5-6 pm. 4.00 Titos/Absolut, Cosmos/Martis from Dan G

Saturday

Sunday

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.

VENTURE-N - Open Noon-2am. Free Music. Free WiFi

sources

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.

12-1 p.m.

3-4:30 p.m.

4:30-6 p.m.

6:30-7:30 p.m.

7-9 p.m.

Thursday 3-8 p.m.

4-5:30 p.m.

5:30-6:30 p.m.

SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources 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.

SAAF’s MSHAPE Lounge offers mens health resources Support Group for Transgender Survivors of Sexual Trauma, SACSA, 1600 N. Country Club Queer People of Color &

Ajia Simone, Owner 426 E. Ninth St. 520.624.8400

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

Friday 4 p.m.

5:30-6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Saturday

2:30-4:30p.m.

2nd Saturdays

Sunday

9-11 a.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.

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

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

10-11.30 a.m.

Advice For Life & Prayers

for World Peace. Bud dha’s teachings,

Kadampa Meditation Cen

ter Arizona 1701 E. Miles St. 10-12 p.m.

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.

2-5 p.m.

Mamasitas! Men’s Sports club at Menlo Park The New Men’s Mas2:45 p.m. sage 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.

5:30 p.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.

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

Page 12

OBSERVER

WEEKLY

November 18, 2015

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