July 2013
Summer Escape with Traveling Jack Helpful Health for Her & Him Your Pittsburgh Pride 2013 Recap The Victory on Proposition 8 and DOMA
Black Pride
Our community celebrates
Issak Wolfe
How one transgender teen took on his high school
Super Gay Friends
We’ve got some colorful heroes to heat up your summer.
It takes two: sharing the wealth and the responsibility If you make all the financial decisions at home but your partner suddenly had to step in, ideally the transition would be seamless. To ensure that one’s financial life would continue undisturbed if the unexpected happened, both partners must be informed and aware. If your marriage or relationship is like most, the financial responsibilities are more on one person’s shoulders than the other, for a variety of reasons. Regardless of the reason, it’s critical that your partner be prepared to handle bill-paying, investments, taxes and the like in the event that you cannot. To learn more about the importance of smart planning for you and your partner’s financial futures, contact us today. Lee Oleinick Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Christopher Butsko Vice President–Wealth Management Debora Kuzmanko Senior Wealth Strategy Associate
Lee Oleinick has been recognized by Barron’s as one of the Top 1,000 Financial Advisors in the U.S. (2012, 2013)
Walnut Wealth Management Group UBS Financial Services Inc. 5600 Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-665-9900 walnut@ubs.com ubs.com/team/walnut
We will not rest
UBS Financial Services Inc., its affiliates, and its employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. Clients should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. ©UBS 2013. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member SIPC. 7.10_Ad_7.75x7.375_OJ0410_Walnut
Animals don’t care who you love...Neither do we.
You saw the shirt at Pride. Own your own for $20! Make check payable to ARL.
Please select size and quantity: Name Address City
State
Phone
n Check
n Credit Card
Zip
n Small ....... Qty: _____ n Medium ... Qty: _____ n Large ....... Qty: _____ n XL ............ Qty: _____ n XXL .......... Qty: _____
$ __________ $ __________ $ __________ $ __________ $ __________
6.00
Mail to: Ann Yeager 6000 Verona Road Verona, PA 15147
For more information, contact: Levi Hahn at lhahn@animalrescue.org or 412-345-7306 or Ann Yeager at ayeager@animalrescue.org or 412-345-0346.
Shipping
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CONTRIBUTORS & THANK YOU’S G. Michael Beigay is a freelance photographer and special education professional for Allegheny Intermediate Unit. His photography has provided educational tools to aid students with cognitive disabilities. He also has worked with a media specialist at his LGBT-friendly church to develop various multi-media productions. Michael has shot for Cue, Whirl, and now Equal. He is one of the hosts for G2H2 and he is also the main photographer. Jack Bellas is Partner of Revive Marketing Group and resides in Pittsburgh’s South Side. Jack’s love of the city is rooted in its culture, growing restaurant scene, and continuously evolving nightlife.
John Britt was born and raised in Jeannette, PA. John has lived and worked all over the city for over 23 years from South Side to Mount Washington to East Liberty. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Political Science and post graduate studies in Information Systems.
Mike Buzzelli is a standup comedian and author. His book, Below Average Genius, a collection of humor pieces culled from his weekly humor column at the ObserverReporter newspaper, is available at Amazon.com.
Caldwell is a self-taught photographer about town who has been documenting the queer and trans community for a number of years and who has called Pittsburgh home for 6 or so years. The most exciting news in Caldwell’s life is that she currently has an exhibition of photos in the Warhol Museum that opened Pride weekend and runs through September.
Karla Doolittle is a mother, wife, writer, artist and advocate. Residing in Regent Square with husband Devon, a professional singer, artist, advocate.
Philip Ezzo, one of the tallest men in Pittsburgh, is currently a pastry cook at the Duquesne Club downtown. He has been a writer and columnist in LGBT publications for over four years. He is known for his sense of humor and charming personality. In his spare time Philip is a chapter leader with Gay 4 Good, Pittsburgh chapter, where he is an outreach coordinator. Stacey Federoff is a Sutersville, PA, native, Penn State alumna, and reporter living in Park Place near Regent Square. She has written for The Daily Collegian, The Chautauquan Daily, Trib Total Media. She loves music, vinyl records, coffee, running and volunteerism.
Jonathan Fobear is a native of Cass City, MI. For 12 years he has been an art director branding nonprofits, corporations, destinations and city festivals. He’s designed ads, magazines, logos and identities for clients as big as The Dept of Agriculture and NASA, to clients as small as his mom & dad. Jonathan has presented branding workshops both in Pennsylvania and New York and currently lives in Pittsburgh’s South Side. Roy J Gloeckl II is an aspiring voice actor/children’s author with a BA in Creative Writing, Minor in Theatre and Certificate in Children’s Literature from Pitt. Said degree does not assist in the tending of bars, but he remains optimistic. In the meantime, our intrepid writer continues to seek a rabbit hole, down which he may tumble — or a Prince who will carry him off into the sunset.
Are YOU interested in writing for Equal Magazine? Email joek@equalmagazine.com 4
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Ramon Harmon has worked in the beauty industry for over ten years, as a professional hairstylist and freelance makeup artist. Ramon can also be found on stage as the drag personality Anna Steezia.
Anastasia Hons-Astle Anastasia is a seventeen year-old with a passion for human rights and all things glittery. The goal of her obsession with proper grammar and literature is to write full time. In her free time, Anastasia plays with her pitbull, Rose.
Mara Rago specializes in portraits, fine art, pets, events, model portfolios, legal, and corporate photography. She has a studio in the East End of Pittsburgh and shoots in studio as well as on location. Photography is Mara’s life. It’s a passion. Capturing visions in her little black box is a gift... and, every day, she is grateful.
Guest contributors: John Altdorfer Rick Evans Matthew Falco Michael Lemaster Dr. Frances Southwick DO
Special thanks: Larry Busacca
About the Cover
Cover photo by Mara Rago Cover models Beth Elko and Camellia Babbert
SHOT BOYS Every Tuesday & Friday
CELEBRATE YOUR
INDEPENDENCE
Underwear
KARAOKE 1st Thursday of the month
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Open 2 PM to 2 AM 365 days a year!
KARAOKE Every Thursday
WITH LOVE Dear Friends, Are you paying attention? Can it be that history has been made? It almost doesn’t feel real, does it? The LGBT community has achieved the most amazing progress towards equality since Stonewall and it feels as though momentum is building. Each and every one of us is witnessing history being made. Are you really paying attention? The acceptance we begin to experience can only be attributed to the pioneers who have come before us. LGBT leaders like Harvey Milk, Barney Frank and Randy Forrester along with outspoken allies and advocates alike have all helped us gain acceptance. We’ve got a powerful story on what you need to know about the Supreme Courts rulings on page 34. We’ve also packed this historic issue with a story on Black Pride (page 30) and the many activities you won’t want to miss. We’ve also got a super summer read about gay comic book characters that will have you shouting “Holy homos, Batman!” (page 38), and while we are talking about costumed crusaders, the fur flies with a feature on man’s new best friends, the Furries! pg 36. Our popular straight ally spotlight which this month is the women behind the City Special Events office is on page 28. Our Out at Work feature takes us to the Warhol (page 32) and a revealing, first person, hot guy book review sizzles on page 45. Finally, we get to celebrate Pittsburgh Pride all over again with a recap and photo montage on page 22. As we move forward making our mark on the world, gaining acceptance while creating change, I hope you will continue to support Equal Magazine by subscribing and allowing us to share our story as a community. Make this month a time to recognize and celebrate a new kind of independence. My personal message has always been that we are all Homo-sapians who deserve equality, love and acceptance…now more than ever!
Joe King Editor-in-Chief
Correction
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We apologize for printing the wrong contact information for Project HOPE of Beaver County in our previous issue. Know your status and get tested today: Project HOPE of Beaver County •155 Liberty Ave • Midland PA. 15059 • 724-862-0015 • Fax 7 24-862-0027 • www.facebook.com/projecthopeofbeavercounty
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WHAT PAGE IS THAT ON?
FEATURES 22
Pride 2013 Recap
34
The Prop 8 & DOMA Decisions:
38
Truth Justice & the American Way:
34
38
JULY
22
The in’s and out’s + a photo retrospective
What does it all mean?
A guide to gay comic book characters
IN (ALMOST) EVERY ISSUE 10 Calendar of Events: What’s happening in July 12 Gay and Goin’ On: Out and about in the community 16 Health by the numbers 20 Youth: How one transgender teen took on his high school 18 Travel: Reds vs. Whites 28 Special allies: Pittsburgh Police Special Events office 30 Event spotlight: Pittsburgh Black Pride 32 Out at Work: Pop goes Eric Shiner 37 Event spotlight: Rhinestone Queer Festival 45 Hot Guy Reads a Book 42 Big Gay map 44 Opinion: Tops vs. Bottoms 46 Caldwell: Queer linker checks in
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Editor-in-Chief Joe King Art Director Jonathan Fobear Director of Marketing and Development Chris Bryan Emotional Support
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For questions, comments, and advertising inquiries, please email info@ equalmagazine.com EQUAL Magazine, PO Box 100057. Pittsburgh, PA 15233.
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The mission of the Delta Foundation is to be a vigilant catalyst for change that produces increased opportunities and a high quality of life for the LGBT community. Opinions and claims made by advertisers are those of the advertisers ONLY. Equal accepts no liability for claims made by advertisers. All rights reserved. ©2013 Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh.
An
Kierra Darshell
n
Fu Youn
or
etta Lov
g
First Fridays with
Sa
FRIDAY, JULY 5
Nolan
e
a sh
L
July Events
Color The Queens Red, White, & Blue
FRIDAY, JULY 12
Comic Adam Sank
8 PM
Order tickets at showclix.com (enter promo code SANK and save!)
CRUZE BAR’S
2ND ANNIVERSARY PARTY!
SATURDAY, JULY 13
with Special Guest
#1 Billboard Record Producer
TONY MORAN Like us on Facebook
Follow us @cruzebar
1600 Smallman Street • 412.471.1400 • cruzebar.com • Open Wed-Sat 5PM-2AM
July
STAY BUSY
4
Thurs
INDEPENDENCE
DAY
11 Thurs
Fri - Sun Fri - Sun
photo by Michael Beigay
12-14 19-21
Lola LeCroix’s
VAIN
This is a show you surely not want to miss as Raven from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 2 and All-Stars makes her Pittsburgh debut!!
Imitation of Wife starring Ms. Eda Bagel Hamburg Theatre, City Theatre Order tickets showclix.com
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Sat
Rhinestone
Steel 2013
Featured and Local Performers, Tabling Organizations, and Food 12pm 3577 Bigelow Blvd. Pittsburgh PA 15213
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feat. Raven
13
11pm CAVO Strip District
Sat
2nd Anniversary CRUZE BAR’S
Cruze Bar is celebrating its 2nd anniversary on July 13th with special guest Tony Moran. Tony is a #1 Billboard Record Producer. 9pm @ Cruze Bar Cruze Bar 1600 Smallman Street Strip District
Images courtesy of Logo TV & RuPaul’s Drag Race
5
Fri
5
FIRST FRIDAYS WITH KIERRA DARSHELL
Color The
Queens Red, White, & Blue
Fri
9
Tues
SHEPHERD WELLNESS CENTER’S
WHITE T-SHIRT PARTY
PIRATES OUTING Pirate’s game at PNC Park 7pm Tickets available at SWC dinners
Friction Pittsburgh is hosting its second event - the event of a lifetime - at Whim Nightclub in Station Square with a White T-Shirt dance party! 9:00pm-2:00am Whim Night Club Station Square
9:30pm-11:30pm at Cruze Bar starring: Eda Bagel & Kierra Darshell Cruze Bar cruzebar.com
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Sat The Link Presents:
The Queen of Green
12
Fri
Hedda Lettuce
COMIC
ADAM SANK
Marsha Monster Mellow, Jezebel D’Opulence, Anna Steezia in The Queen of Green!
8 pm @ Cruze Bar 1600 Smallman Street, Strip District Tickets at showclix.com (enter promo code SANK and save!)
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Sun
Presale tickets are $10 9pm at The Link Nite Club
21 Sun
28 Sun
Pittsburgh Pride Drag Brunch 1 pm, Buckhead Saloon, Station Square Reservations recommended at 412-232-3101
STEEL CITY SCAVENGER HUNT
Explore the city with friends - follow the clues - win prizes. A benefit for Persad Center. Pittsburgh Opera 2425 Liberty Avenue, Strip District pittsburghpride.org/tickets or call 888-71-TICKETS
11 am @ 5150 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224
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EVENTS
What’s Gay and Goin’ on? Photos by G. Michael Beigay Gay4Good Harvey Milk Day
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Persad Art for Change
Bunny Bixler @ The Fairmont
Transgender Comedian Ian Harvie @ Cruze Bar
Big Gay Picnic @ North Park Lodge
Equal Magazine Launch party @ 5801
6pax Softball
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The Dirty Ball
G2H2 White Party @ 5801
The Marys Softball Team Friction @ CAVO
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
WOMEN’S
HEALTH Ladies, do you need a health to-do list for your life? By Dr. Frances Southwick, DO As a woman, I know that taking care of oneself can seem overwhelming. With so much to fit into our schedules, our health sometimes slips onto the back burner. What we don’t realize is that if we break it down into manageable steps, we can make a real difference and stay ahead of the game! Here is a list of recommended shots and tests for women YOUR age. You can do it! Men, there are some tidbits for you here as well. If you are planning to become pregnant or are a woman sexually active with men, you should be taking 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily. This helps prevent neural
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tube defects in your potential baby. By the time you know you are pregnant, it may be too late to prevent problems; this is why it is usually recommended that ALL women of childbearing age be on supplemental folic acid. Remember, this list is not comprehensive. A simple and reliable way to keep up-to-date with health maintenance is to go for a checkup with your doctor. This helps ensure that the recommendations are tailored specifically to you based on your age, lifestyle, family medical history and personal medical history.
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Age 18-26 HPV (human papilloma virus) Vaccine. This is a series of 3 shots. Women AND men should have this vaccine. Some say start the vaccine series at age 11, this is also acceptable. HPV causes cancer of the cervix (the opening to the womb) in women. Protect yourself by getting your HPV shots. You could get a bonus – there is likely some protection from genital warts by getting these vaccines.
Age 50+ Mammogram. Some doctors screen earlier; this is something to discuss one-on-one with your doctor, especially if you have a concern about your breasts or have a close family member with breast cancer.
Age 60-75 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening. This is done with an abdominal ultrasound; ultrasounds are painless, noninvasive tests. Ask your doctor about this if you have a history of smoking.
Age 21-65 Pap Smear. Depending on your results (if fully normal several years in a row), you may get a ‘pass’ from your doctor for the following 1-2 years.
Age 21+ Hypertension Screen. Screening and treating high blood pressure should be done yearly and is very important; uncontrolled blood pressure causes kidney, heart, and blood vessel damage. It even causes strokes. This recommendation also applies to men.
Age 50-75 Colon Cancer Screening. Ask your doctor for details; it’s probably not as bad as you think. (Earlier if you have symptoms or a close relative has colon cancer.)
Age 60+ Shingles Vaccine. This vaccine reduces your risk of developing shingles, and if you do get shingles, it reduces your risk of chronic pain afterward.
Dr. Southwick’s
TOP FIVE
Health Recommendations for everyone: 5
Wear Your Seatbelt
4
Get a Yearly Checkup
This is a free and easy way to save your life, and it is so simple. Just buckle up every time you get in the car.
It’s a good idea to have a checkup with your own doctor every year whether you think you need it or not. For example, you might have a family history of diabetes and need to be screened yourself, because you feel fine. But diabetes gone unchecked has a multitude of negative health effects. You can bring up health concerns and questions, working as a team with your doctor to optimize your health.
Congratulations
Billy Porter for your
Tony-Award Winning performance as Best Actor in a Musical. Billy’s star-making performance as Lola in “Kinky Boots” is the conduit for change and personal acceptance. Each night he and the cast of “Kinky Boots” extol in song the Price and Simon secret to success:
Wash Your Hands
• Pursue the truth. • Learn something new. • Accept yourself and you’ll accept others too. • Let love shine. • Let pride be your guide. • You change the world when you change your mind.
2
Go for a Walk
Billy accepted the award with grace and humility and brought us to tears with his moving acceptance speech as he realized a life-long dream. He has made all of Pittsburgh proud.
1
Stop Smoking
3
Do this after you use a bathroom and before you eat. This simple public health item decreases your risk of getting sick (flu, common cold, organisms that cause diarrhea and vomiting).
This is a simple, highly effective way to give yourself some ‘me’ time, improve your heart health, and did you know: Exercise is as effective for mild-moderate depression as a medication!
My partner and I quit smoking six years ago, and our health has never been better. Smoking cessation has innumerable health benefits. In one fell swoop, you can MARKEDLY decrease your risk of developing a stroke, heart attack, blood clot, multiple types of cancer, and bad teeth! If you can accomplish these five things, your health benefits are limitless! And they are all FREE! Always check with your doctor about your personal health recommendations. For more information, you can check www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org
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TRAVEL
Reds and Whites Traveling Jack dishes on the Wining and Dining in Napa Valley
By Jack Bellas Photos by Jack Bellas We all go through our “dream vacation check list” in our heads countless numbers of times as soon as the travel bug gets a hold of us. As I go down my list, 99% of the time I am looking for things that I don’t have here in Pittsburgh including sun, sand, or an over-the-top activity that can occur in one specific place. One thing that I never imagined that I would add to the list is food and wine. And when you add those too items to the checklist, you end up in Napa Valley, California. The time to hit wine country is late August thru early November in the prime of grape harvest season. Napa, St. Helena & Yountville comprise the vineyards I visited in the four days I was there. As you enter wine country via Route 29, you are surrounded by beautiful fields, flat as a pancake, with grapes as far
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as the eye can see. You also see the side roads shooting up the side of the mountains, which are breathtaking. The culture is more relaxed than any I have seen, and I attribute that to the fact that everyone MUST have a perpetual buzz from all the wine tastings! Everyday is the same in the best possible way. Sitting along the river running through Napa at The Milliken Creek Inn, (millikencreekinn.com) enjoying a cup of coffee and some delicious breakfast pastries, a sense of serenity that I have never felt before came over me. The biggest decision we had to make is what winery’s to visit. We ended up starting at Vineyard 29 (vineyard29. com) and continuing on to Barnett Vineyards (barnettvineyards.com), Pride Mountain Vineyards (pridewines.com) and Grgich Hills Estates (grgich.com). Heavy reds and spectacular whites, along with amazing weather, made the day nearly perfect. The only missing component was lunch at
the best spot in the valley, Mustards Grill (mustardsgrill.com). The evening food scene delivers a culinary experience that knocked my socks off. The crucial components for a perfect dinner are cocktails (a requirement after drinking wine all day), atmosphere, and a savory meal followed by a decadent desert. Every dinner option in Napa, St. Helena and Yountville delivers all three. Napa Valley taught me a valuable lesson. Vacation is not always about doing something different and shocking. It can be, and sometimes is, something that allows you to escape and enjoy all the things you love ...in a perfect part of the world!
As you enter wine country via Route 29, you are surrounded by beautiful fields, flat as a pancake, with grapes as far as the eye can see.
TreaT Your FamilY To ComForT ... DisCover The value oF insulaTion!
PITTSBURGH AIDS CENTER FOR TREATMENT (PACT) PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS HIV MEDICAL CARE SINCE 1989 As a patient at our outpatient clinic, you will have on-site access to: • • • • • •
Insulating your home will make it more comfortable year-round and can reduce your utility bills substantially ... it could be one of the wisest investments you’ll ever make.
Call usa insulation Today For a Free in-home energy Consultation!
HIV primary care Pain management Gynecologic care Nutritional consults Pharmacy services Free and confidential partner testing
• • • • • •
HIV specialty care Anal dysplasia care Mental health care Medical case management Patient support groups Participation in clinical trials
HIV medical care is provided for the uninsured on a sliding fee scale. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 412-647-7228. Falk Medical Building, 3601 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-492-save usainsulation.net Lic.# PAO52228
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YOUTH
Issak Gender vs.
By Stacey Federoff
WOLFE FOUGHT TO HAVE HIS NEW NAME RATHER THAN HIS LEGAL NAME READ AT GRADUATION AND INVOLVED THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. 20
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Back in April, Issak Wolfe, a student at Red Lion Area High School near York, Pa. wanted to add his name to the running for prom king. But because he is transgender, he was instead placed on the prom queen list with his legal name, Sierra Stambaugh. Shortly after this story ran, the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) decided to do an in-depth analysis of school districts’ policies According to PSEC executive director Jason Landau Goodman, “If it’s not clearly spelled out in print, there is too much at stake for students to be discriminated against. Policy can certainly be a jumpstart for a community to meaningfully address the needs of transgender students.” After reviewing 400 of the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, the organization found just four that include gender identity: Pittsburgh, State College Area, Abington and Allentown.
Discrimination based on gender identity has been prohibited in Pittsburgh since 1997 and in Allegheny County since 2008, so after a review last year, Pittsburgh Public Schools added it to the nondiscrimination policy, says assistant solicitor Jocelyn Kramer. She says the model policy recommended to school districts by the Pennsylvania School Board Association (PSBA) does not, however, include gender identity along with sex, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, so it is often left out.
“If PSBA added it, a lot of (districts) probably wouldn’t think twice about it,” Kramer says. “A lot of school districts might not want to do something above and beyond what is required by law.” Pennsylvania does not include gender identity in its statewide nondiscrimination policies.
Lisa Brush, associate professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, says legislation varies widely from state-to-state as well as school district to school district. “Public institutions are having to deal a lot more consistently with issues of gender nonconforming students than they have in the past,” she says. Many things, especially in the public school system, are organized by gender even though separating boys from girls isn’t really necessary, Brush says. For example, Wolfe was permitted to wear a black robe at graduation, generally worn by boys, while the girls wear yellow robes. “(Challenging gender norms) tends to challenge the conventional notion of what gender is and what masculinity and femininity is,” she says. “The thing that’s really radical is saying, ‘Let’s not organize the world around these dichotomies.’” Emphasizing the need to conform to such things as hairstyles, makeup and dress in a polarizing way reproduces differences and the inequality between genders, Brush says. And when
people are so sharply divided, it is more difficult to relate one to the other.
providers like Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network or Persad Center.
Kramer says those divisions between boys and girls can cause an unsafe environment in schools for those that don’t fit either mold, and distract from the district’s mission of education for everyone. Her firm represents a number of different school districts in southwestern Pennsylvania and she would recommend being proactive about these policies rather than reactive.
The district also does annual in-service training addressing bullying and harassment of LGBT students, Kramer says.
“Having a policy in place and being able to respond to questions is always a good thing,” Kramer says. “There’s so many schools (in Pittsburgh) and each individual administrator would’ve reacted differently” to something like Wolfe’s situation. In addition, schools are mandated to have a Student Assistance Program where all Pittsburgh public schools are licensed as outpatient facilities for different mental health providers as well as prevention service
Wolfe fought to have his new name rather than his legal name read at graduation and involved the American Civil Liberties Union, but was unsuccessful. But Landau Goodman says residents of southwestern Pennsylvania can keep that discrimination from happening to their children by contacting their school districts and supporting the federal Student NonDiscrimination Act, which forbids schools from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the Safe Schools improvement Act, introduced by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) in February to prevent bullying and harassment of students.
Tell your friends! Bring your co-workers! Alert the media! Join us at these upcoming dates for Xtreme Bingo:
Sunday, July 21 Sunday, August 18 Get your tickets online at pittsburghpride.org/tickets or call 888-71-TICKETS 5.22.13 - Bingo Sidebar Ad Revised.indd 1
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2013 PRIDE
Pride Recap:
An event as large as Pittsburgh Pride takes a village, and then some.
By Philip Ezzo Photos by John Altdorfer For the past six years, Pittsburgh Pride has taken on a different look than it had previously. For one thing, it’s a lot bigger in size and scope, and is far better attended. The celebration’s presence now carries more weight and is more visible, but in order for it to continue to do that, it needs people working behind the scenes; lots of people. There was a time when all of PrideFest could fit into Roberto Clemente Memorial Park. Now, PrideFest spans more than four city blocks in downtown Pittsburgh. That’s progress. The bigger the operation, the more people it takes to make that vision a reality. And believe it or not, the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh has already started planning next year’s Pride celebration. We’ve heard the phrase, “it takes a village” before, and it definitely applies to this situation. Although there are a few key individuals that lay a lot of the groundwork by meticulously planning throughout the year, the bulk of the physical labor doesn’t take place until the week of Pride rolls around. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the end result does come
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together very quickly, and it is over in a flash. This year, for instance, there were 300 volunteers that helped to set up, support, and clean up during the festivities. Local LGBT citizens and allies logged thousands of manhours, not to mention all the help from the Clean Team of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and the wonderful staff from Landmark Security that kept everyone safe over the weekend. In addition to those “villagers” that helped to lay the framework, there were 150 different businesses and organizations that set up booths at PrideFest. That’s a lot of tables! From religious organizations and HIV research groups, to animal shelters and sporting groups, there were at least 300 different representatives for each area. That isn’t even including the Elf Entertainment employees that operated and chaperoned the inflatable kids’ play area. A gay’s got to eat, and with 17 different food vendors for the weekend, there were many different options. Starting with the Big Gay Picnic and the Splash! pool party, hundreds of pounds of hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, cheese and condiments were grilled up and served,
and between Saturday and Sunday, one food vendor in particular went through 900 pounds of potatoes while making its French fries. Cases of lemons were used to make fresh squeezed lemonade, and mountains of chicken were “sticked” and consumed. We had our pride, and ate it too. When it comes to entertainment, Pittsburgh had no shortage of local, regional, and national talent that came to perform over the weekend. There were nearly 30 different acts in all, offering a variety of talents to behold from singing, to dancing, to drag. British X Factor winner Joe McElderry even logged thousands of airline miles to come perform for the very first time in the United States. It took a lot of coordination, communication, and cooperation to get all of these people in one place, and to make sure things ran smoothly. Pride is a time of the year when the LGBT community and our allies can come together and celebrate, but it’s important to recognize how much work it takes to make it a reality. With any luck, Pittsburgh Pride 2014 will be even bigger and better than this past year. Our hats come off to those “villagers” that have given and continue to give their free time and energy to the cause.
ANIMALS
By Michael Lemaster If during Fourth of July weekend you see human-sized stuffed animals roaming around town, know that you are not hallucinating due to the extreme heat. It simply means that Anthrocon, the world’s largest furry convention, is back in town. Since 2006, furries from all over the world have converged on downtown Pittsburgh to celebrate anthropomorphic arts and let their fur flags fly. This year, some six thousand attendees will pack the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for what will surely be the hottest convention of the year. Literally. “It’s like wearing your couch around,” says convention-goer, Andrew Eafrati, referring to the feeling of wearing a fur suit all day long in the sweltering heat. While every summer convention deals with heat-related issues, none likely compare to those of Anthrocon. Chairman Samuel Conway, also known by his furry persona – or fursona – Uncle Kage, listed heat exhaustion as a primary challenge his staff must confront each year. To combat the problem, special space is set aside with large fans to allow those in suits to dry off privately. Additionally, last year Conway instituted a rule requiring participants in the furry parade to drink at least one glass of water before embarking on the route. The result was the first year in convention history without the traumatic site of a cute and cuddly animal collapsing in front of concerned onlookers. The heat is not the only challenge the fandom faces. Misconceptions about what a furry is still persist, and they undoubtedly invade some
of the minds of Pittsburghers, who Conway describes as generally being “excruciatingly welcoming.” Misconceptions generally exist due to a lack of education. So, what exactly is a furry? Fisher Cooper, an attendee since 2009, says being a furry means identifying with animals or animal characteristics and wanting to express that in a way that brings joy to himself and others. Conway describes furry fandom as “a collection of people who think the idea of anthropomorphic animals is really cool.” More seriously, he says “the most imaginative, inventive people on the face of the planet is what makes up furry fandom.” And he could very well be right.
all. Conway describes the furry fandom as an incredibly open and welcoming community, which may explain why members of the gay community have always been so comfortable being open members. The current convention, which welcomes a healthy mixture of sexual orientations, had very humble roots when a group of gay men began having furry parties years ago. After a while, numbers grew and the first true convention was held in 1997 in Albany, NY. The next year, Conway was invited to be the guest of honor. After making some much needed organizational suggestions, the board appointed him chairman, a post he has kept to this day.
Each year, the convention attracts thousands of people who are as unique as any other general human population. One might find groups of furry dancers, gamers, poets, artists, costumers, and even more specific groups, such as the mil-furs, a group of 25 or so active-duty and retired military personnel who attend each year. Each of these groups bring their unique talents to the convention and the world of furry fandom, allowing for some truly inspiring creations, including fur suits with outstandingly clever and useful features.
Along the way, Anthrocon has made sure to give back to their host communities. Each year, through a process jokingly compared to a papal concave, the board selects a local animal-related charity to which they donate proceeds collected during the convention. This year, the selected charity is Equine Angels Rescue, a local 501(c)3 equine rescue, rehabilitator, and shelter. Next year they will select a different area charity, as there are no plans to leave Pittsburgh any time soon.
Fisher and Andrew, whose fursonas are Oz Tigah and Blitzburgh respectively, have seen suits with built-in fans, water-based cooling systems, fiberoptic lighting, motorized appenditures, and Fisher’s personal favorite speakers in the ears that play music. These suits are not cheap, which is why many in attendance wear only partial suits, or none at all.
“The friendliness the people of Pittsburgh has shown to Anthrocon is unprecedented in our fandom and we treasure that greatly,” Conway profuses. So, if you somehow miss out on seeing those big, furry animals walking around this Fourth of July weekend, be sure to keep an eye out, or an ear up, next year.
But whether one suits up or not is no issue at
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2013 PRIDE
Pride in Photos by John Altdorfer
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the Street
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2013 PRIDE
PrideFest & Photos by John Altdorfer & Michael Beigay
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& PrideMarch
ALLY
PRIDE
and the
PITTSBURGH
By Mike Buzzelli Photos by Mara Rago
POLICE
June was busting out all over. There was the Three Rivers Arts Festival, baseball games, hockey games and, of course, Pittsburgh Pride. It was a busy month for Nadine Brnilovich and Christie Gasiorowski. The women work with the Special Events Department at Pittsburgh Police Headquarters. Nadine Brnilovich is the coordinator for the event and many others. She coordinates over 400 events for the city of Pittsburgh; from small street fairs to larger events, like Pride in the Streets. 28
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Her job as the Special Events Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Police started as an outreach of the mayor’s office over 20 years ago. She was a secretary in Mayor Tom Murphy, Jr. administration. In his office, the position grew to be Special Events Coordinator. She oversees and handles all of city’s events, including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Marathon and Light Up Night. There are several unforeseen details of each event that goes through her office, permission for rerouting traffic, cordoning off streets, insurance and health issues. Certain parade routes hinge on a majority of issues. Brnilovich said, “If the Consol Energy Center is having an event we try to change the parade
route to accommodate everyone, but, for the most part, we stick to two central routes through the city.” This year and the year before, the Pride parade groups met at the Boulevard of the Allies and started up Grant Street and ended at Heinz Hall. Brnilovich said, “Pride went very well this year.” She added, “Pride is a good value for the city. It’s good for visitors and residents.” Christie Gasiorowski also works with Pittsburgh Police Special Events. Gasiorowski worked the Command Booth and was on hand for the
PRIDE IS A GOOD VALUE FOR THE CITY. IT IS GOOD FOR VISITORS AND RESIDENTS.
Nadine Brnilovich events Pride Weekend. She got a chance to walk around and observe the festivities. She said, “It was a great event.” Gasiorowski added, “There were 6,000 people in attendance Saturday night and 55,000 on Sunday. There were no arrests this year, though some people were treated for dehydration. Sunday’s event last year had even more people, but the inclement weather may have kept some people at home this year.” Gasiorowski enjoys working the event. She said, “Pride and Light Up Night are my two favorite events. Working with the police department, I get a chance to see people in a positive manner instead of a negative one.” She also confirmed that on Saturday night there was only one protestor. Gasiorowski said, “As long as he stands there and everyone keeps their hands to themselves. He’s allowed to have a dissenting opinion, but I, personally, loved the event. The crowd was enthusiastic and cooperative.”
Christie Gasiorowski.
Both women are passionate about their jobs. Brnilovich added, “The year sort of goes by really fast for me, because I’m always planning the next event.” Brnilovich is currently working on permits and plans for events like Light Up Night and events kicking off in the very beginning of 2014.
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CULTURE
Black
Proud
&
By John Britt A little more than fifty years ago, the world was quite different. It was a time before the March on Washington and before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s stirring words began to change the hearts and minds of a generation. It was before the passage of the Civil Rights Act. In those days, if there was a Black Pride event it was likely sparsely attended and poorly covered by the media. Even with the changes that were taking place, the pace seemed much too slow. Fast forward to 1996 and Felicia Harvey, Program Director, helps create Black Gay Pride Week, now known as Pittsburgh Black Pride Week. What began as a Sunday BBQ 3 0
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has expanded to a week-long celebration taking place from July 22-28. While the purpose of Black Pride Week is fun and fellowship, the mission and vision goes much deeper. According to Harvey, the mission statement of Black Pride is to “provide a safe and educational family-oriented event which includes culturally relevant prograamming aimed at increasing health and well-being for all LGBT community members, but particularly those members of color of Southwestern Pennsylvania.” Harvey adds that “while it is important to acknowledge the struggle of all LGBT people in our society today, people of color
are particularly impacted by long-standing barriers such as racism, poverty, underrepresentation and stigma.” The theme for 2013’s Black Pride Week is “She/He Ain’t Heavy, She/He is my Sister/ Brother!” and Harvey hopes this year’s theme inspires all LGBT community members and supporters to come together to make the community better and more aware of each other’s needs. Black Pride has some terrific events taking place. Why not take the time and explore all that they have to offer for the LGBT community! For more info, visit PittsburghBlackPride.org
2013 PITTSBURGH
BLACK PRIDE WEEK EVENTS MONDAY, JULY 22
SATURDAY, JULY 27
6:30 PM Judah Fellowship Christian Church
8 PM; 18+ Moose Lodge, Lawrenceville
FRIDAY, JULY 26
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Doors open at 6:30 PM 7101 Hamilton Avenue
Noon-8 PM Highland Park, Rhododendron Shelter
Meet & Greet Opening Reception 1st annual Prom Night
Buckhead Saloon
2nd Annual Pride Drag Brunch Sunday, July 14th
Doors Open at 11:30 am
$10 donation to DELTA Foundation
$5 Bellinis/Mimosas $6 Bloody Marys A la carte Brunch
225 West Station Square - www.BuckheadPittsburgh.com - 412.232.3101 Reservations Recommended
Show at 1 PM Featuring Pittsburgh’s TOP Queens
8th Annual “The Aggressive-One 17th annual & Ms. Fem Pageant” Pittsburgh Black Pride BBQ FRIDAY, JULY 26
The N-Dependence Day Ball
SUNDAY, JULY 28
SATURDAY, JULY 27
9 PM-2 AM Galaxy Lounge 7245 Kelly Street
Time & Place TBD
Basketball Tournament Noon-5 PM Warrington Rec Center
End of the Rainbow
DAILY HAPPY HOUR 5 - 7PM
1211 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 434-0480 www.crystalonpenn.com
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WORKING OUT
Eric Shiner Discusses the Art of Being Out By Anastasia Hons-Astle Photo by Ric Evans Since 1994, The Andy Warhol Museum has become one of Pittsburgh’s most influential and important cultural organizations. Located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, The Warhol holds the distinction of being the largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single artist. Honoring the eccentric, Pittsburgh-born pop art icon and openly gay artist is director Eric Shiner. After coming out in January of his senior year at The University of Pittsburgh, Eric went on to study at The University of Osaka in Japan and then at Yale University. During his time at Yale, he was influenced by two professors, Laura Wexler and Dolores Hayden, who were both professors of American Studies; Wexler in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Hayden in architecture and urbanism. After interning at the Warhol for many years, 32
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Pittsburgh is where I came out and developed as a gay man.
the New Castle native was named the first Milton Fine Curator of Art in 2009. In 2011, after long-time director Thomas Sokolowski resigned, Shiner was named director and accepted it with open arms.
installations reflect that and encourages all to attend the Caldwell Linker exhibit “All Through the Night,” an intimate and celebratory portrait of Pittsburgh’s vibrant and underground queer community.
The world of art is a home to many, and Shiner feels that it is important that LGBTQ youth know that the Warhol Museum is an open forum for creativity where self-expression is encouraged. Shiner says, “I’ve never once experienced resentment, difficulty, or negative feedback in my profession as a gay man in the art world.”
Pittsburgh’s many LGBT events, including this year’s Pittsburgh Pride, have had great effect on Shiner as they showcase the change and acceptance that the community is making. Showing his own pride, Shriner says, “Pittsburgh is where I came out and developed as a gay man.” It is only fitting that he, embracing his true persona, is working to make our city an even more open-minded place. The museum, as well as Eric Shiner, are true gems in the steel city.
Many teens feel that they do not belong or have a niche in this world, but the director assures that The Warhol is a safe place that is dedicated to queer youth. The museum offers many diverse programs, even hosting the Youth Pride Prom, and encourages them to participate in an environment where they can feel comfortable. Diversity is a core value at The Warhol and Shiner says that it is only fitting that the
For more information, visit warhol.org. Visit The Andy Warhol Museum this summer and learn more about upcoming installations, including the LGBTQ Linkers Exhibition online at www.warhol.org.
Make a difference. Be a Buddy. PATF is looking for responsible, compassionate, and dedicated individuals who would like to serve as “Buddies� for HIV+ individuals who need extra assistance due to their disease. Call 412-345-0585 for more information
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FEATURE
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Pittsburghers cheer Downtown as SCOTUS ruling is announced By Kaitlynn Riely and Monica Disare / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Photos by Mara Rago Liberty Avenue, which less than two weeks ago was the scene of the annual Pittsburgh Pride celebration, today witnessed an encore. The news that the Supreme Court had ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and had dismissed the California same-sex marriage case came to a crowd of about 300 gathered at Liberty Avenue between Ninth and 10th Streets just after 10 a.m. For the Pittsburgh Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, the news was good. A gathering Downtown, including many from Pittsburgh’s LGBT community, reacted with cheers and hugs when the Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. “DOMA is done,” said Gary Van Horn of the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh announced, prompting cheers and waving of rainbow flags. City Councilman Bruce Kraus took the stand and said, “To my fellow gay, lesbian, transexual, and queer friends, welcome to full equality!” Today’s decisions come 40 years after the first gay pride event was held in the city of Pittsburgh and on the 10-year-anniversary of the
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ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court case that decriminalized sodomy. Although the crowd has mostly dispersed, Liberty Avenue between Ninth and 10th Streets will remain closed to traffic until noon. As word of the rulings spread, those in the crowd cheered, cried and waved their flags. “I’m tearing up,” said Eric Cheek of Shadyside, “We’re here, this is it”
“I’ve never seen the tide of public opinion swing so quickly.” Ms. Onufer said. “My Republican, Catholic parents support me, which is something I never thought I’d see.” Liberty Avenue reopened to traffic at 11 am. Copyright ©, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2013, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
“I have goosebumps,” said Martha Kramer of Swissville. “I’m so overwhelmed.” Lindsay Onufer of Swissville said that just a few years ago, it would have been dangerous for her to be out in public holding hands with her partner.
“IT’S OVERWHELMING, TO KNOW THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO HIDE YOUR RELATIONSHIP ANYMORE.”
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QUEER ARTS
Rhinestone
Steel
Queer Arts Festival Returns for Summer Fun By Stacey Federoff Photos by Caldwell Linker The organizers of an upcoming queer arts festival needed a name, so they created two lists, one of words associated with queerness and the other a list of words associated with Pittsburgh. And what a better combination for those two than Rhinestone Steel. Now in its second year, the festival takes place July 13 from 3 pm-1 am at the studio warehouse space at 3577 Bigelow Blvd, near the Bloomfield Bridge. Admission ranges from $5-20. “Because it is a completely queer event, I feel like it really encourages people to be themselves more and do things that maybe they’d be intimidated or nervous to do in a predominantly straight crowd,” says Teresa Martuccio, who is organizing the event with Lauren Jurysta.
the diversity of locals at the event. “I feel like it really just makes you realize how amazing queer people there are in Pittsburgh, and to all be there together celebrating is really awesome,” she says. Although alcohol will be available at the event, Jurysta says Rhinestone Steel is an all ages event with an emphasis on the political action of creating a safe space for queer people. Martuccio said that extends to teenagers especially. “I feel like teens more than anybody need to know there are things like this happening in Pittsburgh and there is a community that will love them,” she says.
Both wanted to create a place where the queer community could connect and collaborate. “We just want to make the queer music and arts scene bigger,” Jurysta says. Both women identify as queer and say they define the term as a flexible identity that is about forming “non-traditional, non-hetero normative relationships smashing the gender binary. Queer is political. And queer is also about forming community outside of the dominant culture and creating safe spaces.”
Visitors to the Rhinestone Steel festival will benefit from organizers improving the experience since last year, Jurysta says.
It features music, art and food by queer folks in Pittsburgh, as well as information booths with resources available from organizations throughout the city.
“Last year we did learn a lot and I think we’re building off last year’s ideas. We’ve had to be flexible a little bit with what the community needs are,” she says.
“I feel like the one thing that makes queer art different from straight art is probably the queer experience in the world, living as a queer person in the world – but we’re all so different,” says Jurysta.
Fundraisers throughout the year, including an installation art dance party, a burlesque show and weekly “homo-aerobic” classes during the winter have benefitted the festival.
To that end, out-of-town acts include “The Coolots”, “Big Dipper” and “Cate Giordano” among others, which Martuccio says adds to
variety of instruments including a mandolin and xylophone.
Jurysta and Martuccio are members of the band “Layne James and the Bang Gang” described as a drag performing group that will take the stage at Rhinestone Steel with a
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H T U R T
FEATURE
E C I T S JU ICAN R E AM
E H T D AN
Y A W
A retrospective look at the growing diversity in the world of comic books
By Roy J Gloeckl II Illustrations by Rey Arzeno, Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, Dynamite Comics, and Archie Comics Greetings true believers, as Stan Lee would say. Picture if you will a world of entertainment that has never evolved beyond the “values” of the 1950’s. No violence, no sex, no suggestive content, no horror, no nudity and definitely nothing gay. Television would be trapped in some sick hybrid of Nick-at-Night and Groundhog’s Day. Canned laughter, couples sleeping in separate beds, Cubans playing drums, people just whistling…bone-chilling, right? Until recently, comic books were subject to a 50’s-era censorship standard under the Comics Code Authority (CCA). Formed in 1954, publishers would submit their content to the CCA’s screening process and receive a stamp when they were seen to be in accordance with the code. As Joe Wos, Executive Director and Founder of Pittsburgh’s Toonseum, puts it, “It was the equivalent of McCarthyism 3 8
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in comic books.” Many blamed the formation of the CCA on the criticisms of Fredric Wertham, psychiatrist and author of 1954’s Seduction of the Innocent. “Wertham accused Batman of encouraging homosexuality as one aspect of his witch hunt,” said Wos. “I point [with] great pride that one of the primary examples he held up as ‘seduction of the innocent’ was Phantom Lady, as drawn by Pittsburgher Matt Baker, one of the first mainstream African American cartoonists.”
publishers are working to change that, telling stories the public needs to hear, “challenging us to be more open-minded to new narratives…it’s way over due.”
As Wos points out, it was the uber-conservative aftermath of this Comics Code that kept LGBT characters and stories out of comic panels for so long. “The big publishers were still fearful of taking on any issues that had been politicized. Editors at Marvel even had a ‘No Gay Characters’ edict! Isn’t that what makes things take so long, fear? The only way to battle fear is education.”
Excelsior!
“Look how long it took television to have openly gay characters like Billy Crystal’s character on Soap,” Wos continues. “Then there were long breaks with sporadic campy characters…until Ellen came out and broke down those walls.” Comics, Joe says, are like any other medium: they give people what they want, not what they need. But independent
The changes we need, as you will see in the accompanying timeline, have already begun to take place. While they have attracted criticism and controversy, it is only a matter of time before LGBT characters and issues are weaved seamlessly into the vibrant art form that is the comic book.
From exhibits to screenings to costume parties, get your superhero fix at Pittsburgh’s Toonseum. Check them out on Facebook, twitter and at toonseum. org! Joe Wos, on the underwear-outside-the-pants thing: “The tights began with Lee Falk’s Phantom, also the first true superhero to wear a mask. [Tights] conveyed a certain athleticism and allowed the artist to show off the strength and physique of their character. I think geeky cartoonists just like drawing muscles!”
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2001
Writer Chris Claremont originally intended to make shape-shifting villainess Mystique the father of the X-Men’s demonesque Nightcrawler with his mother being the mutant seer Destiny. The CCA forbade this but Claremont snuck past it later and had the couple adopt and “raise” the future X-Woman, Rogue.
Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman series focused on The Endless, powerful beings that embody various aspects of reality. This overtly pale group consisted of Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Delirium and the twins, Despair and Desire. Desire was depicted as being both male and female, meant to represent everything that someone might desire.
The DC Comic’s title Doom Patrol was known for show-casing weirdness but it struck an odd note with one of the most unconventional relationships in comic book history: The Brain, a villainous scientist who transferred his brain into a life-sustaining machine, and Monsieur Mallah, his genetically altered gorilla assistant. They confessed their love for one another moments before being seemingly blown to pieces.
In Alpha Flight Issue #106, Canadian mutant Northstar came out to his teammates after he adopted a baby with AIDS, hoping to further the causes for the cure.
Marvel cut ties with the CCA. And launched the Ultimate X-Men title which included a re-imagined Colossus, exmember of the Russian mafia and steel-skinned gay man. Three new gay characters were added to the Marvel roster: color changing Bloke/ Rainbow, mass controlling Phat and lycanthropic Vivisector. This satirical series, titled X-Statix, followed a group of mutants specifically trained to be media superstars…who died with surprising regularity.
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2002
2003
2004
2006
2009
The aforementioned Alpha Flight Issue #106 became the only comic book to be inducted into the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Hall of Fame. These awards are given to works of scifi, fantasy and horror that explore LGBT topics in a favorable fashion.
Two young gay mutants, reptilian Anole and nocturnal Graymalkin, joined the student body of the Xavier Institute in Marvel’s New Mutants.
Mia Dearden, Green Arrow’s protégé Speedy, revealed to her teammates her status as HIV positive and was accepted without question or fear in DC’s Teen Titans.
Katherine Kane, aka Batwoman, is revealed to be a lesbian.
Marvel achieved another first with their first samesex on-panel kiss between seismically charged Rictor and mutant swordsman Shatterstar in X-Factor Issue #45.
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Marvel also featured a couple that proved difficult to classify in the series called The Runaways: Karolina Dean, solar-powered alien lesbian, and her fiancée, Xavin, a shape-shifting alien. Xavin originally preferred to appear as a black male human, a form she felt was more intimidating in battle, but soon adopted the form of a female to be with the woman she loved.
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2005 GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) honored Marvel with the award for Best Comic Book in recognition of Young Avengers and their favorable depiction of the relationship between two new gay characters, spell caster Wiccan and alien hybrid Hulking.
2007 Wolverine’s son, Akihiro, a clawed, pheromonewielding hottie with a Mohawk, made his first appearance. Going by the codename Daken, he would eventually show himself to be bisexual.
Vietnamese lesbian mutant Karma was shown in-panel with another woman for the first time in Marvel’s New Mutants.
2010 The issue of Archie depicting gay character Kevin Keller’s wedding became one of the fastest selling issues in decades.
“THE BIG PUBLISHERS WERE STILL FEARFUL OF TAKING ON ANY ISSUES THAT HAD BEEN POLITICIZED. EDITORS AT MARVEL EVEN HAD A ‘NO GAY CHARACTERS’ EDICT!
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DC and Archie Comics cut ties with the CCA.
On June 20, 2012, Marvel scored another first when Northstar wedded his longtime boyfriend, Kyle on the pages of Uncanny X-Men.
Sleeping Beauty found a new happily ever after with Red Riding Hood in Dynamite Comic’s fairytale title Damsels.
The New 52 was a massive revamp and re-launch of DC’s major titles which saw some much-needed diversity added to their roster. Teen Titans welcomed the first openly gay youth on the team, psionic hero, Bunker. The creators of this character gave him what they described as an “angst-free” background. Bunker grew up in a small Mexican village in a very loving, accepting home so he grew up to be very open, comfortable and positive about who he is, as well as his sexuality. DC also went on to revamp a character that first appeared in 1940: Alan Scott, the first Green Lantern. This Lantern’s power ring was the ring he intended to slip on the hand of his boyfriend Sam, who was killed in a train wreck.
The aforementioned gay Archie character, Kevin, welcomed actor and gay activist George Takei and his husband, Brad, to the pages of Kevin Keller issue number six. DC’s character The Shining Knight claimed “I’m not just a man or a woman. I’m both.” The writers allowed his/her gender to remain ambiguous so as not to eliminate any possibilities. Ystin (or Ystina), pronounced “Justin(a)”, was suggested to be a female biologically but identified as male. Previously the character was simply a woman posing as a man to serve as a knight of Camelot. Pittsburgh club-goers will appreciate her/his winged steed.
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DC scored a first of its own when it introduced the first transgender character in mainstream comics: Alysia Yeoh, the male-to-female roommate of Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl. Batgirl writer Gail Simone also mentioned in an interview that it was time for a trans-hero and said she is currently working on one for another title but did not go into further detail. Equa lMa ga z ine.org
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wood
HOT GUY READS A BOOK
on Tenth of December by George Saunders
own Ave
Ave
Photo by Mara Rago “Tenth of December” by George Saunders is a collection of short stories that touches on themes from adolescent disobedience and post-conflict PTSD to suicide and death. The stories were often dark, perverse, and emotional. Due to the heavy content of the material, it became hard for me to rally behind many of the stories’ characters. I felt the stories focused on a more pessimistic view of human nature, one that often alienated me as a reader. The highlight for me was in Escape from Spiderhead. I was fully engaged as the story follows a colony of murderers and explores the gray lines between love, lust and pain. Unfortunately, most of the other stories were too heavy for my taste. Overall, “Tenth of December” left me feeling pretty hopeless. While it was a worthwhile detour from my normal reading choices, I’d prefer something more optimistic. I wish for what I read next to focus more on what is redeemable in our human character, and not only on what is lost.
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OPINION
No Love
From Top to Bottom
Is the stigma of being a bottom a wake up call to our own latent homophobia? By Jonathan Fobear
I’ve been called a lot of things in my life: flaming, trashy, cheesy, stupid, ghetto, talented, idealistic, brilliant, crazy and numerous other things. I have also been called a “bottom” several times and often it’s been intended as an insult.
LET’S GET YOU A LABEL Here’s a quick review of sexual terminology for those of you who are new to our scene. Please everyone sit down at your desk and look up front at the overhead projector. A “bottom” in sexual terms is the catcher, the receiver, the taker. A “top” is the pitcher, the giver. In electricity, the plug is the top and the wall socket is the bottom. The words top and bottom are used as a noun and verb interchangeably. 44
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“Versatile” people love both positions. Even though there are many truly vers people in our community, there’s speculation that saying you are vers is just a façade to cover up your true intention to bottom. But why hide? Could it be the same reason that some selfdescribed bisexuals use their label to grip onto the last vestiges of their socially acceptable heterosexual lifestyle as they transition out of the closet? Maybe. There are many truly vers and truly bisexual people that are part of our community. However, it’s also easy to find those labels being misused. There are many among us that have bought the notion that alpha-males, masculinity, and tops are prized obsessions. Admitting what you truly want might make your worst fears come true;: a disgraceful drop to the “bottom” of the pecking order.
WHEN SEX BECOMES DIVISIVE AND POLITICIZED The belittling of guys who prefer bottoming is nothing new. The top vers. bottom culture clash is so old it’s ancient. The Romans had several words to describe adult male bottoms: concubinus; a male whore, typically a sex slave; cinaedus & pathicus, both are derogatory insults, and many other slurs. Any male who preferred bottoming as an adult was evidence of weakness or mental illness. There was only one word for the top, vir, and it meant “a real man.” And yet thousands of years later, a modern formation of these attitudes is still alive and well today. Years ago at a Shadyside bar, some intoxicated “top” acquaintances cornered me and said, “Here comes Mister Bottom Pride.” I asked what they meant by that and got this
response: “Nobody ever wants to admit they’re a bottom. People online say they’re vers, but when you meet them they really just want to bottom. You put it out there like you don’t even care.” I fired off some insults at them and rejoined my friends. It was a small exchange, but it struck a nerve. I had never considered for one second that bottoming was something to be ashamed of. Since then I’ve encountered many other top vers. bottom instances: In Lawrenceville I’ve heard a drag queen on stage call out some poor unsuspecting man from the audience: “You’re looking all bottomy - bottom for me.” And in an embarrassed mumble he said “Uh no, I’m a top.” She responded with “Yeah, right.”
of embarrassment – embarrassment that wouldn’t be happening if they were calling him a top. I’ll admit the candy-colored video is slickly produced, hummably catchy and cute, but I have a hard time swallowing the ending which repeats the phrase “Never gonna bottom” 14 times in a row.
SO HOW BIG IS IT? From Roman times to present day, being on the receiving end of sex has always had a weak and sissy (borderline sexist) connotation. We have allowed the act of bottoming to remain a negative and we have internalized it. We hear it every day: “The bartender screwed me over”
Another drag queen in a different bar addressed the whole crowd as a bunch of nelly bottoms.
“If she finds out, then I’m totally f****d.”
There’s also the countless times drag queens would greet me and other friends of mine as “Hey Bottom.” We are not some Borg-like bottom collective. I actually have a name, and you’re choosing not to use it.
“I’m so screwed.”
And it’s not just Pittsburgh. Over a 10-day summer vacation in NYC, I met a wonderful guy who I hooked with up for the last half of my visit. For five days we hung out together, took walks around his neighborhood, we kept each other up late talking into the night while cuddling. He would top, and I would bottom… except for this one night. He wanted to bottom and I happily agreed to top. Later when we went out with his friends he asked me not mention that he bottomed for me in front of them. Sure, I guess. So imagine how shocked I was when all of us walked past some gay bars packed with people enjoying outdoor summertime cocktails and he yelled at all the whole mass of people “Bottoms! You’re all a bunch of @$*!ing bottoms!” Three drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race made a spoof video titled “Boy is a Bottom.” The three queens follow a guy around the city announcing that he’s a bottom in restaurants and grocery stores as he constantly tries to conceal his identity out
you’re a drag queen, leather daddy, bear, cub, wolf, otter, fem, butch, masc, top or bottom we should not be cutting each other down. Of course not all tops are “bottom-haters.” I’ve been treated with respect and care by most of the tops I’ve been with. But those who are bottom-haters are getting louder and harder to ignore. Shouldn’t we all just love each other? An attitude shift has to happen and the hate has got to stop. Sex is what brought us all together in the first place so let’s not let it divide us now. Please, stop shaming bottoms (or vers or top/vers or whatever) and let’s shame each other for much more important issues; like who you voted for, what beer you drink, what neighborhood you live in or why you’re still wearing crocs.
“Make sure to cover your a**.”
Many decades ago in the hush-hush closeted world, gay sex was a shared and mutually valued experience for us in the bedroom (or rest stop); free of prejudice. Now that we have started living our lives in the bright light of of the mainstream, sexual position has become something else to lie about online. Hateful antigay zealots would be celebrating and popping the champagne if they discovered that the selfloathing they could never instill in us, we’re dishing out to ourselves.
I HAD NEVER CONSIDERED FOR ONE SECOND THAT BOTTOMING WAS SOMETHING TO BE ASHAMED OF.
YOU’RE A BOTTOM, SO JUST SHUT UP AND TAKE IT. As our community broadens and strengthens with more support, we should take careful steps to self-regulate. We don’t want to inherit cross-cultural misandry and misogyny no matter how ingrained they might be in heteroland. No queer person should be afraid or embarrassed of their own queerness. The last 44 years celebrating LGBT “pride” has failed if the only outcome is us trying to act as straight as possible. We want to be treated equally, but does that mean assimilation too? Whether
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1.
QUEER LINKER
2.
4.
by Caldwell Linker Hello folks: I hope everyone is well rested after an exciting Pride month. Here are some shots from a few non-pride events. Rhinestone Steel held a strip show fundraiser (1) which was a huge success and got everyone excited for the fest on July 13. Jinkx Monsoon stopped by to do a little song and dance and hang out with Sharon Needles and Alaska (2) Double Duchess was back in town for a show at Brillobox (3). Manilla Luzon (4) dropped by CAVO and wowed her fans. Operation Sappho (5) was a blast as always, and this month the DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behind Femz Witatwist. One of the most exciting events was the sold out opening of CHICKENS; A NEW PLAY, (6) that was written by Paul Kruse, and directed by Adil Mansoor. The opening of my solo exhibition at The Warhol (7) was one of the best nights of my little life. Stop by and check it out through September 15.
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3.
5. 6.
7.
diana ross Greatest Hits Tour
Heinz Hall Box Office (412) 392-4900
HeinzHall.org
August 20 8pm
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