Combined pride guide

36TH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS PRIDEFEST DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS SOLDIER’S MEMORIAL JUNE 26 -28, 2015

PrideFest 2015 is Presented By

2

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

Proud to Support PRIDE St. Louis.

Making a balanced meal accessible to everyone in a sustainable way requires a wide range of ideas and resources. At Monsanto, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and many others to develop a broad range of solutions to help nourish a growing world.

Learn more at Discover.Monsanto.com

Monsanto and Vine Design® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2015 Monsanto Company.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

3

Together is beautiful

At Wells Fargo Advisors, we celebrate the social progress that allows more and more LGBT couples to legally marry and form civil unions, and we robustly support change that helps LGBT individuals live, love, work, and succeed with equality.

Our Financial Advisors are purposefully and supportively positioned to help LGBT individuals and couples succeed financially. Many were among the first in the industry to earn the Accredited Domestic Partnership AdvisorSM designation – a distinction of expertise in the area of understanding and advising on the unique financial needs of the LGBT community.

Visit wellsfargoadvisors.com/adpa to learn more about the benefits of working beautifully together with an ADPA®- certified Financial Advisor near you.

We are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of PrideFest 2015.

Investment and Insurance Products: X NOT FDIC Insured X NO Bank Guarantee X MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2015 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0515-00377 [96509a]

4

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

5

POWERING PRIDE Ameren values diversity. As part of our mission — to Power the Quality of Life— Ameren proudly supports PrideFest 2015. Ameren.com/communities

Ameren has been named the number one company on DiversityInc’s list of Top Five Utility Companies.

6

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

Welcome to PrideFest!

It’s such a unique and wonderful time for our community. Finally, change is sweeping the nation with same-sex marriage equality, improved employment rights, better protections and benefits, transgender rights, all building towards full LGBT equality. Still, important work remains in way of legislation, diversity training and equality for all.

Here in the heartland, St. Louis City and the region led the way with partner benefits and recognition that all people maintain the right and ability to marry whomever they want. For the first time ever at PrideFest, those who wish to marry will be able to in a ceremony to be held at City Hall during this year’s Festival.

As we continue to Color Our World, I applaud the tremendous work and effort of my fellow Board of Directors, the countless volunteers and our City leaders who give so much to produce one of this nation’s largest and free pride festivals. Throughout this weekend we celebrate not just who we are but also the community in which we live.

Enjoy your time at PrideFest 2015, we are so very proud you are here!

Sincerely,

PRIDE ST. LOUIS, INC. 3738 CHOUTEAU, SUITE 200 ST. LOUIS, MO 63110

Matthew J. Harper President, Pride St. Louis, Inc.

PRIDESTL.ORG

PRESIDENT - Matt Harper VICE PRESIDENT - Ethan Barnett SECRETARY - Jason Morgan TREASURER - Christopher Smith DIRECTORS - Todd Alan, Leon Braxton, Dennis Gorg, Eliot McDaniel, Mitch Perry-Cox, Wolf Smith, Ellen Vanscoy, Steve Zeiger, Marty Zuniga Pride St. Louis, Inc. is a tax-exempt educational and charitable organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal revenue Code, dedicated to increasing the awareness of the general public of the presence of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) individuals in the community in an effort to eliminate prejudice and achieve harmony. Donations to Pride St. Louis, Inc. are deductible as charitable donations.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

7

SPEND TIME WITH THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

EN ROUTE TO ST. LOUIS

With service to over 500 destinations nationwide, our welcoming onboard environment is just as important as our beautiful views, great food and extra leg room. Traveling with Amtrak allows you to relax and embrace the moment.

速

The Missouri River Runner provides service to St. Louis from Kansas City; and Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle provide service to St. Louis from Chicago. 速

速

速

Visit AmtrakRideWithPride.com

Amtrak, Enjoy the journey, Lincoln Service, Missouri River Runner, and Texas Eagle are registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

8

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

9

6 locations, one near you | 800.230.plan (7526) | www.plannedparenthood.org/stlouis

10

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

STL

Proud to support the LGBT community.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

11

THE JIM HOEFER AWARD: Th Jim Hoefer Award is presented to an organization that best exemplifies The wh what it means to serve St. Louis’ LGBT Community Founded in 1977, the St. Louis chapter of PFLAG is one of the oldest in the country.

Fo The T Th h founders, both families who had LGBT children, desired a safe place where they could meet and discuss the feelings and emotions of a child coming out to th ttheir th h parents. They started meetings in each others’ homes, and when the group b be e became larger, moved to a meeting room at Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. Although m members are mostly moms and dads, other supportive family members attend on o n a regular basis as well as friends who want to make a difference. LGBT comm munity members also attend and appreciate the special acceptance of their cariing in n parents. PFLAG St. Charles spearheaded the area’s newest pride celebration wi w i Pride St. Charles on May 30. In 2014, PFLAG St. Charles boasted the largest with co contingent of any PFLAG chapter in Missouri when they marched in the St. Louis P Pr r PrideFest Parade.

THE CHUCK CHARLESTON AWARD: Th Chuck Charleston Award is presented to a former member of Pride St. LouThe is who has dedicated themselves and extraordinary amount of energy to ensurin ing that the pride movement is further strengthened through their work both in th the community and certainly on behalf of Pride St. Louis.

Ch Carroll served on the “St. Louis Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration ComChad mittee” throughout the 1980s and 1990s and later became Vice President and m Director of Festival Operations, but remains active in the community far beyond Di his pride service. Chad and his husband, Terry Laupp, are the founders of the hi popular St. Louis Balloon Brigade and have helped raised tens of thousands of po dollars for PAWS or Pets Are Wonderful Support. Chad also proudly participates do in myriad community functions, including Dining out for Life, St. Louis Mardi Gras, International Mr. Leather; and along with Laupp, produces the annual Mr. MisIn souri Leather contest. Chad was the recipient of the Chuck Charleston Award in so 2012 and is proud to be a visible and active voice and support for the community 20 as whole.

12

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

THE LISA WAGAMAN LIFETIME COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD:

The Lisa Wagaman Lifetime Community Service Award is presented to an individual who has spent much of their life to further the pride movement and LGBT causes.

For 18 years, James Ramey led the creation, production and support of all LGBT production and activities for Anheuser-Busch. Many, both locally and nationally, would argue that his influence on commercial culture advanced the LGBT rights movement by leaps and bounds. In 1999, he created the campaign “Be Yourself, Make it a Bud Light” depicting two men holding hands that was released by Pride St. Louis, EXP and Slam! magazines. This became AB’s single largest consumer response in history – positive and negative (to date). Hundreds of LGBT programs were blessed with Ramey’s focus and support including Pride St. Louis and this support was monumental to the national LGBT movement, which we are experiencing today. His slogan mirrors AB’s slogan, “Making friends is our business” - and it’s been his!

I am incredibly humbled and honored to have been selected by Pride St. Louis for their distinguished Lisa Wagaman Lifetime Community Service Award.

I have been so very fortunate throughout my life to have had the opportunities that I have had. Although, I do believe our greatest successes have a lot to do with our own actions but more our ability to recognize opportunity and our successes are also greatly influenced by the luck of being in the right place at the right time. That is my story.

I came out as a 34 year old man in 1994. I was already working for Anheuser-Busch and through a fortuitous move from Information Systems to Marketing began dabbling with my first experiences in LGBT marketing. I had fortunately began working with some amazing mentors in the LGBT Charitable and Media Organizations scene by bringing AB along as an event and organization sponsor. I learned so much from these brilliant men and women who imparted to me the criticalness of our plight and the urgency of our fight for Equality. It was those connections that would push me upward in my work for Equality.

In 1998, I was brought to Corporate and tasked with creating a Department and Programs in support of AB’s marketing efforts to the LGBT Consumer.

As a Bud Light Brand team member, I set the tenor and tone for all that we did along the way. Almost immediately I was catapulted into the fire as I was instrumental in concepting and executing what would become the very first “Same Sex Contact Ad” in the US to print “Pride Parader”.

You might remember the stir it created as it was run in the St. Louis Post Dispatch for its debut. There is a long and wonderfully detailed story here all by itself! But, it was on this battle hill that I formulated my core

belief that I was a gay man first and foremost, and that on my eventual departure from AB, a gay man I would still be! Therefore, every decision and act I took for the company had to respect not only me, but my community!

Over the next 17 years, as Manager of LGBT Marketing, in addition to managing A/B’s broad National and Grassroots marketing efforts, under my tenure of LGBT Marketing, I influenced the addition of “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Identity” to their written non-discrimination policy, adding same sex Domestic Partner Benefits Corporately, I founded A/B’s LGBT Employee Resource Group, EAGLE and pushed the company to a 100% rating on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index rating, twice.

I am very proud of these accomplishments within AB, but mostly, I am proud of having aided our Community in our battle for Equality! Our work together has brought us to this nexus of Freedom and Equality!

And with the acceptance of this award I will tell you, I remain the luckiest man in Babylon to have been even a part of this change and so very much look forward to the work we will do in the future!

Thank you to all of the wonderful men and women with which I have worked in the St. Louis LGBT Community. You have given me so much wisdom, friendship and loyalty. This day would have never come without each and every one of you! And thank you St. Louis Pride for finding my efforts worthy of your recognition. We have changed the World!!!

- James Ramey pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

13

Local Pride.

Community Proud.

If you think we only offer discounts, you’re missing out.

From pursuing your ideal second career to budgeting to buying a second home, living your best life is all about making your dreams work for you. If you don’t think Real Possibilities when you think AARP, then you don’t know “aarp.”

Visit our AARP in St. Louis exhibit space and enjoy acoustical entertainment, a wine garden, and access to ample seating to view the St. Louis Pridefest Parade.

Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.

14

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS WHEN WE COME TOGETHER. When we come together for a common purpose, we build on the strength and creativity of our diverse talents and backgrounds to open doors of opportunity and success. Boeing is proud to support its local communities in coming together to create a stronger whole.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

15

FIFTH THIRD BANK PROUDLY SUPPORTS PRIDE ST. LOUIS. A strong community creates a bond between us all. It fosters friendship, respect and well-being.

And most importantly, we accomplish more together. No one understands this better than we do.

That’s why we’re proud to support PRIDE St. Louis.

Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

16

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

17

LOLA VON ELLA

1 pm - 5 pm Bud Light Entertainment Stage

ADORE DELANO

5 pm - 9 pm Bud Light Entertainment Stage

TAJMA STETSON

2 pm - 6 pm Monsanto Entertainment Stage

SATURDAY EMCEES SATURDAY

Bud Light Entertainment Stage

Kim Massie

Lola Von Ella (Emcee) Pride Idol Winner - (Audience Choice) - Kevin Halinar Pride Idol Winner - (Judges Choice) - Matt Schulze CHARIS Women’s Chorus Gateway Men’s Chorus 2015 Pride Royalty Review (Current Royalty- 2015) Lola Von Ella Live Band Performance Anti-Gravity Bella and Lily Kim Massie Mary Griffin Adore Delano Dev

1:00 PM 1:15 PM 1:30 PM 1:45 PM 2:15 PM 3:00 PM 3:45 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:45 PM 8:00 PM

Monsanto Entertainment Stage

Dev

18

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

Mary Griffin

pridestl.org

Dawn Weber and the Electro Funk Melissa Neels Band Vigil and Thieves Middle Class Fashion

2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

LATRICE ROYALE

2 pm – 5 pm Bud Light Entertainment Stage

MICHELLE MICH C ELLE MCCA CAUSLAND AUS SLAND 5 pm – 7 pm Bud Light Entertainment Stage

TRIXIE LARUE

2 pm - 4 pm Monsanto Entertainment Stage

SUMMER SUMM SU MM MER RO OSBORNE SBORNE N NE

4 pm - 6 pm Monsanto Entertainment Stage

SUNDAY EMCEES SUNDAY

Bud Light Entertainment Stage 2:00 PM 2:15 PM 2:45 PM 3:45 PM 4:15 PM 4:45 PM 5:00 PM 5:15 PM 6:00 PM 6:15 PM

Pride Dignitaries and Proclamations LaTrice Royale (Emcee) Hank and Cupcakes Pride Royalty Drag Review (Former Pride Royalty) Wells Fargo Advisers Pride Parade Awards Hank & Cupcakes Anti-Gravity Michelle McCausland (Emcee Performance) David Hernandez Pride Board Swag Toss LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes

Monsanto Entertainment Stage 2:00 PM 2:45 PM 3:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:30 PM

Electric South Side Jen Norman All Mixed Up Super Majik Robots Summer Osborne

Bella and Lily David Hernandez

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

19

Families come in all shapes and sizes So do our plans. They come with features to fit your needs. See how we offer support to families just like yours.

Visit www.AetnaLGBT.com to learn more.

Š2015 Aetna Inc. Plans are offered by Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

2015050

20

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

21

WE SERVE

EVERYONE ONLY! WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE INTERFAITH ALLIANCE AND THEIR CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM & EQUALITY FOR ALL. TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT, PLEASE VISIT WWW.MGBWHOME.COM.

22

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

PLAZA FRONTENAC I 314.447.7005 I MGBWHOME.COM

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

23

Quest Diagnostics Presents Emcee

ADORE DELANO Sat. 6/27, 5-9 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage Qu Quest Diagnostics proudly prestic ti ents en Adore Delano who will emcee and entertain at the Prideen Fest Bud Light EnterFe tainment Stage on Satta urday, June 27 from ur 5-9 p.m. The RuPaul’s 5Drag Race Season 6 Dr finalist (and American fin Idol alum) promises Id an infectious performance that will not m be forgotten. ssoon so o “Willam calls me a cat with rabies when I perform so maybe just to give everyone rabies and to have so much fun,” says the 25-year-old self proclaimed drag princess of her performance.

Adore’s first album “Til Death Do Us Party” proved a fan pleasing electro-pop romp and peaked at #1 on the iTunes charts and #58 on the Billboard charts.

Currently finishing up a sophomore offering, the siren says expect a different feel with this album.

“The new album that I’m working on is really, really dark and more serious,” Adore explains. “It’s talking about the stuff that I actually went through last year and it completely inspired me and I took the beauty out of the tragedy of life. It’s going to be really cool - just darker and more serious.”

Indeed, the Drag Racer has been busy since placing in the top three at last year’s finale with a whirlwind Battle of the Seasons Tour and solo gigs far and wide. Still, pride performances have a special place in Adore’s heart.

“Pride means so many things,” says Adore. “It means unity and love and liberation and strength. And it means vodka!”

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

24

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

DAVID HERNANDEZ

Sun. 6/28, 5:15 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage Am American Idol’s David Hernandez brings hi his uber hot set to the Pr PrideFest Bud Light En Entertainment Stage at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 just in time for Ju his (yet to be titled) hi new album. n ne “I’m going to bring “I I’ high energy fun to the h hi sstage,” says the sexy st Season 7 finalist. “I Se want everyone to feel wa like they are watching lik an awesome concert that uplifts and helps them let go of anything negative this past year has brought. Also to celebrate how far the world has come in this fight for equality.”

No stranger to pride stages across the country, the out singer with the crisp, soul-strewn vocals appreciates each city’s celebration of LGBT community and individuality.

“I’ve done quite a few pride’s in various cities,” Hernandez explains. “Never the same city twice so I have to say each experience feels like a new one for me. The people are different wherever I go but I will say the overall feel is happy and energetic.”

Hernandez credits his AI experience with getting to show the world his talent and hopefully changing some lives: “music has that ability,” he says.

“Pride to me is being who you are without apology while accepting other people’s differences in return,” he concludes. “Life is too short for hatred and negativity. The world needs to take a deep breath and just live!! Be proud of how far we have come and work hard and what more we can achieve.”

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

DEV

Sat. 6/27, 8 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage

HANK & CUPCAKES

Sun. 6/28, 2:45 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage

Lo Angeles rapper, Los singer and songwriter si DEV (aka Devin Tailes) DE brings her electric br dance-oriented sound da to the PrideFest Bud Light Entertainment Li Stage on Saturday, St June 27 at 8 p.m.

Ju “[It’s] a really fun high “[ energy set mixed with en some new songs, and so some old songs hopeso fully everyone loves fu and remembers,” exan plains the Billboard Hot 100 artist.

“It’s a little pop mixed with electronic, mixed with a bunch of other weird vibes,” DEV continues. “I really like making sure my music is balanced with just enough sassiness as it is with vulnerability.”

DEV has enjoyed critical acclaim with her 2011 album “The Night the Sun Came Up” and 2014 EP “Bittersweet July” and relishes the summer slate of pride performances.

“Performing at pride celebrations is unlike any other gig,” she says. “You can really feel everyone’s fun and loving energy. I always have such a good time. Pride’s are my favorite shows of the year.”

The California native has been passionate about the LGBT community for as long as she can remember, crediting her parents with that early world view. She sees PrideFest as a perfect time to celebrate the great strides in equality.

“It means freedom. It means love,” DEV concludes. “It’s a time we all can come together and celebrate each other as people regardless of anything. It’s a very authentic celebration complete with good music and good drinks!

It’s my favorite!”

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

Si Simmering sexuality and an irresistible dance pulse are the da running themes when ru Hank & Cupcakes take Ha the PrideFest Bud th Light Entertainment Li Stage on Sunday, June St 28 for their 2:45 p.m. set. se “We have a brand new “W show with songs fresh sh off our new record of “CA$H 4 GOLD,”” say “C the Brooklyn based th couple who hail from Tel Aviv, Israel and Melbourne, Australia, respectively. “We have insane amounts of energy which we can’t wait to share with you all!”

The duo credits their unique name to notorious Charles ‘Hank’ Bukowski and one of his lovers ‘Cupcakes’ and their sound - a coalescence of rock without guitars and pop without synthesizers.

“We are a duo consisting of only bass and drums so even though our songs are poppy and dancy and sometimes punky and rocky, the live show takes on a raw edgy and unique twist,” they explain.

But funny names and funky tunes aside, the longtime advocates for social justice take their participation at PrideFest seriously.

“The show is part of a movement advocating change,” say Hank & Cupcakes. “We’re big supporters of gay rights and are repulsed by political forces trying to discriminate and diminish these rights. We are PROUD to be part of PrideFest! Also, obviously everyone’s better dressed.”

“For us pride is to know who we are and not be afraid to show it,” they continue. “To believe in ourselves and our journey even when others don’t, and to love ourselves even when we don’t feel it.”

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

25

KIM MASSIE

LATRICE ROYAL

Sat. 6/27, 6 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage

Sun. 6/28, 2:15-4:15 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage

St Louis’ own Kim St. Massie returns to M PrideFest on Saturday, Pr June 27 to fill the Bud Ju Light Entertainment Li Stage with her widely St anticipated, soul-stiran ring set. rin Massie earned a loyal M LGBT following early LG in her career and is one of the most recogon nizable vocalists in the ni Midwest. The truth is M - whether it be blues, rock, pop, country, gospel or R&B – there is little the singer hasn’t mastered for her vocal arsenal.

“I have a passion for what I do, I love what I do and I love music so I don’t let that limit me,” Massie told #Boom Magazine. “...When you come to my show you’re going to get a little bit of everything because there is a multitude of different folk out there and some may not just like blues or jazz.”

Massie has been a longtime supporter of Pride St. Louis, performing at festival and other events. In fact, the diva feels a real kinship with her LGBT audience.

“Being out there and seeing the diversity – just like I want to be appreciated for who and what I am – so do they,” she went on to tell #Boom. “I’ve been a big woman all my life and there’s a stereotype there. So I’m among folks who I am sure have been looked upon for this, that, or the other and it’s too bad we still have to deal with that but I think little by little we’re changing things and those stereotypes.

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

Emcee

Th The large and in charge; the luscious ch and lovely Latrice an Royale takes over the Ro PrideFest Bud Light Pr Entertainment Stage En on Sunday, June 28 from 2:15-4:15 p.m. fro and the RuPaul’s Drag an Ra Race Season 4 finalist plans pl to turn the party!

“I’m “I’ a high energy, feel-good fe diva; I’m an old ol school girl,” explains pl Latrice. “I like to do old school house music that really gets the crowd going and I’ve gotta take ‘em to church, honey. You’ve gotta get some hallelujah in your life.”

The California native has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years and not surprisingly, Pride season is the busiest time of year.

“It starts around February because of the different regions around the country where it gets warm,” says Latrice. “And some other places in the south go all the way into October. So it’s a pretty long season and we’re quite busy and we try to get to as many as we can, but it’s a competitive market and I love it.”

Candid and homespun, Latrice is getting ready to share her story and the stories of others in the new documentary “Gays in Prison.”

“I have a special and deep compassion for pride festivals and celebrating pride,” concludes Latrice. “I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t have my gay community behind me and they really came to me and supported me when I was down and out.”

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

26

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

LEANN RIMES

THE HOT HOUSE SESSIONS

Sun. 6/28, 6:15 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage

Fri. 6/26, 9-11:30 p.m.

Bud Light Entertainment Stage

G Grammy and Academy of Country Mue ssic Award winning artist LeAnn Rimes a ccloses out PrideFest 2015 with a 6:15 p.m.

2 sshowstopper on Sunday, June 28 on the d Bud Light EntertainB ment Stage promism ing a side of her you in just might not expect. ju ““It’s a big love fest, I tthink,” the Billboard cchart topper explains of pride performances. “The audience is just so affirmed - just free. It’s a really fun show. I’ll be doing a lot of the remixes off of my last remix record “Dance Like You Don’t Give a...” (Insert a certain word there.)”

Fresh off her sensational performance at the White Party in Palm Springs, the country diva says she enjoys a special relationship with the gay men in her life.

“I don’t remember when I didn’t know about LGBT issues,” she explains “I’ve been a supporter for a very long time... I’ve been surrounded by some incredible, incredible men and I have to say that my life has been very blessed because of them.”

Having performed on stages across the globe, LeAnn admits there’s something special about performing for her LGBT fans.

“I walked off stage and said, I want to do more of that whatever that was! Because it was just an energy I never experienced before,” recalls LeAnn. “I think the biggest gift you can give yourself and the most “aha” moment is to really feel comfortable being you and be proud of that,” she adds.

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

T The Hot House Sesssions will kick off the ffirst-ever Friday night PrideFest event as P rrevelers bask in the glow of rainbow lit g landmarks. The local la house/jazz infusion h ccollective reunites for tthe first time in six yyears and looks forward to the celebraw ttion. energy as ““Our ffriends is fantastic and our enthusiasm to play is off the charts,” says celebrated DJ and HHS co-founder Alexis Tucci. “We have all continued to perfect our craft in the interim and it will be fun to see all of that talent explode on stage for pride.”

Tucci, along with ex-husband Chris Hansen will be bringing the heat with her newest collection of dance tunes and his electrifying percussion. The duo will be reunited with Jeff Lash on Vibes and Kasimu Taylor on trumpet.

“We’ll probably do a version of “enfuego suite” which we recorded on our EP in 2003,” Tucci explains. “It embodies the soul of St. Louis while bringing a high energy swing to a Latin House groove.”

Having performed in the LGBT community for as long as they can remember, the group is thrilled to kick off the first Friday night event at festival.

“I want every person in this city to be proud of who they are regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or how society projects their beliefs on others,” says Tucci. “I want our community to walk proudly in such diversity... PrideFest creates an open forum for those freedoms and both myself and The Hot House Sessions are honored to be a part of such a wonderful event.”

Check out www.boom.lgbt for the expanded interview.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

27

Givin’ it up for free since 1977!

Proud Sponsor of

www.RiverfrontTimes.com 28

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

29

IN ST. LOUIS

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

JAGERUSA

Jägermeister® Liqueur, Imported by Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc., New Rochelle, NY

30

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

Quest Diagnostics supports Pride everywhere. Š 2015 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved. 04/2015

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

31

PINE

GATE 2

RESTRICTED

PrideFest '15 June 26-27-28 Downtown St. Louis

Team St. Louis ATHLETE'S VILLAGE

KEY - PRIDE ST. LOUIS 2015 ENTRY PLAZAS

POLICE/MEDIC ATM

www.pridestl.org

MONSANTO STAGE

RESTROOMS

<<< 134 69 AARP 78 44 141 35 119 126 43 16 140 28 Aspen 76 23 138 26 122 144 49 135 38 66 81 75 145 149 105 108-112 29

32

testing

THE HIVE under 25 area

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 111213

Friday, June 26 - 4:30pm - 11:30pm Saturday, June 27 - 11am - 9:30pm Sunday, June 28 - 11am - 7:30pm Parade Sunday at 12 Noon

GATE 8

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

151 90 106 50 B 32 Crave 15 129 77 54 146 46 37 39 63 79 61 59 33 117 24 130 89 96 21 92-94 100 128 34 98 Jamba

53

57

5

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

COOLING

Clay Cooley Toyota - Sponsor Club St. Louis Coffee Cartel - Sponsor Compton Heights Christian Church Conley's Shaved Ice - Food Crave Beauty Academy Department of Veterans Affairs/VA Stl Health Diversity Awareness Partnership Domino's Pizza - Food Doorways Encompass /Monsanto - Sponsor Ethical Society of St. Louis Eunique Boutique Even Chance Pit Bull Advocacy Fanmats Fat Boy Fried - Food FCKH8 Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Fit n Tan Flesner Wentzel LLC Gateway Men's Chorus Gateway Pet Guardians Glad Rags Hannibal Convention Visitor's Henry Plumbing Human Rights Campaign Hustler Hollywood IDK Events It Works Global J-Wo Designs, LLC Jamba Juice - Sponsor

CH

29

WINE GARDEN

RY TO HIS JECT O AARP PR PICNIC TABLES E SAGE

BLEACHERS

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS GRAND Parade Route Sunday 12 Noon Start <<< # Boom Magazine / Hilary for Am - Sponsor A&Z BBQ - Food AARP in St. Louis - Sponsor Abby's Best - Food ACLU of Missouri AETNA - Sponsor Ah Yeah Unlimited ALIVE Magazine Always Spring Alzheimer's Association American Foundation Suicide Prevention AMTRAK - Sponsor ArtBySamuel Aspen Spas - Sponsor Bailey's Restaurant BandTogether St. Louis Barnes-Jewish Hospital - Sponsor Bath Planet of St. Louis BathFitter BOEING Employee and Friends - Sponsor Bounce Back Sports, LLC Brandonview - Gallery Luxury Apt - Sponsor Bridgeway Behavioral Health Burger 809 - Food C & C Fair Weather Foods - Food Calle Flores (Mexican Street) - Food CenterPointe Hospital - Sponsor Chaos Emporium CheapTRX City of St. Louis Health Dept Clarity Street Realty

52

56

ROCK WALL36 37 38 39 40 41 4

00 01 02 03

EXPLORE STL

DUMPSTERS

GATE 1

5

1 05

5 45

d5

50

0c

5 0b

N. 15TH

BEER BOOTH LIQUOR BOOTH

FOOD BOOTH RESTROOMS

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

WINE SODA & WATER

VENDOR

95 70 118 120 41 99 123 147 86 51 127 87 107 62 132 65 53 42 58 113 139 97 104 125 64 131 88 14 103 31 Pride

MAR

Jamsjewels Joanie's Pizzeria - Fo Joyce Factory Direct Just for Skin Karma Crafts Karma Crafts KB Designs Kingdom House Lafayette Park Unite Law Office of Sarah Leaf Filter North, Inc LGBT Counseling Stl/ Lions Den Adult Supe Mary Mac Creations MasterCard - Spon Mediteranean Cuisin MetroEast Pride of S Metropolitan Commu Midtown Home Impro Midwest Kettle Corn Missouri Lottery Mitzvahs Are For Eve Mr. Nice Guy Mr. White's Vapors Mustache Mikes St. L Nestle Purina PetC Oppenheimer & Co. I Paraquid, Inc. Passion Parties Planned Parenthood Pride Socks

80 81 82

ood

d Metho Church N. Swatosh c. / RAVEN STL erstore

nsor e - Food Southwestern Illinois unity Church Greater Stl ovements - Food - Sponsor eryone

Louis Italian Ice - Food Care Co - Sponsor nc.

d

Shuttles Sh ttlt

30 27 Ring Bell 142 150 50 D 74 68 82 47 73 72 84 50 C 17 116 52 58 C 3 40 4-13 121 56 19 58 B 25 115 48 80 20 60

TAXI STAND

Friday 4:30 PM 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146

SPONSOR BOOTHS 122 123 124 125 126 127

Parade Route

Prime Timers St. Louis PROMO Punkins Concessions Quest Diagnostics - Sponsor Readings Real Time Pain Relief - Jennifer Presson Red Apron - Food Romero's Concessions - Food Romero's Concessions - Food Safe Connections Shack Pappy's BBQ - Food Shaub's Treats - Food Simple Expressions Soka Gokkai International USA Southern Illinois Univeristy Edwardsville St. Louis Animal Rights Team St. Louis Black Gay & Lesbian Pride St. Louis Celebrant Association St. Louis City Center Hotel St. Louis City Republican Central Committee St. Louis Conv&Visitor's Comm - Sponsor St. Louis Effort for Aids St. Louis Frontrunners St. Louis Jewish Communities St. Louis Office for Dev Disability Resources St. Stanislaus Kostka Church State Farm Steps Alano Club Steve's Meat Shop - Food STL OnSite Sunspace of Greater St. Louis

113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121

PICNIC TABLES

KET <<<

Bud Light Island

USBG

N. 13TH

N. 14TH

61 62 63 64 65 66 67

73 74 75 76 77 78 79

108 109 110 111 112

WTPC Crave GATE 7

68 69 70 71 72

FOOD COURT

Bud Light Main Stage

Bud Light Garden Experience

Merchandise

147

Jamba Pride Socks

95 96 97 INFO

QUILT

CHILDREN'S AREA

Ring bell

88 89 90 91 92 93 94

PICNIC TABLES

Art & Crafts

83 84 85 86 87

pod

GATE 6

114 143 71 57 91 55 147 124 67 137 USBG 45 83 85 1 2 136 Verizon 18 36 0 WTPC 50 101-102 133-133b 22 Y98

149 150

<<<

PICNIC

Parade Judges

128 129 130 131 132 133 133b

Jamba 147 148 Red Bull TABLES Firetruck

balloon brigade (Sunday 2 PM)

GATE 5

Dance DJ

TUCKER

11 AM Saturday

HESTNUT

9 30 31 32 33 34 35

RESTROOMS

Volunteer HQ

Aspen

2 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Bud Light VIP Experience

103 104 105 106 107

58b 58c 58 59 60

Lambda Car Club

98 99 100 101 102

SOLDIER'S MEMORIAL

testing

pride1

PRIDE ST. LOUIS adm adm

GATE 4

RESTROOMS

dry1 ice

mb pride2 com

GATE 3

RESTRICTED

151 CITY HALL - Saturday 1 PM Marriage/Commitment Ceremony

Taba-Co Blitz Tania Interian Agency, State Farm - Sponsor Taste of Romeo's - Food Team St. Louis The Art Institute of St. Louis The Ishaya Foundation The Names Project Metro St. Louis The Pride Pages Tivanov Catering - Food U.S. Bank - Sponsor U.S. Bartenders Guild Craft Cocktail Booth Union Avenue/Liberation/Web Groves Christian United Church of Christ Open & Affir Univeristy United Methodist Church University of Missouri St. Louis US Peace Corps USA Mortgage- Sponsor Verizon Wireless - Sponsor Veteran's for Peace Walgreens Wash U School of Contraceptive Choice Center We the People Clothing Welcoming Catholic Communities Welk Resorts Wells Fargo Advisors/Out & Equal - Sponsor Westminster Press: Queer Prints & Crafts Y98 - Sponsor

Dennis Gorg, Board Development Pride St. Louis, Inc Marty Zuniga, Public Relations Matt Harper, President Wolf Smith, Volunteers Ethan Barnett, Vice President Steve Zeiger, Operations Jason Morgan, Secretary Eliot McDaniel Christopher Smith, Treasurer Mitch Perry-Cox, Friday Night Todd Alan, Sponsorship Leon Braxton, Outreach Ellen Vanscoy, Parade

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

33

34

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

35

S I U L O ST.

E D I PR ry, Maadera, CA

ponsibly. our wiines res Please ennjoy

36

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

ex-Goliath Wine Š 2015 HRM Re

Howard Meyer, A Man of Complex Ambition

O J On January 4 4, 2015 2015, the h St. S Louis L i LGBT community lost Howard Meyer following his valiant battle with cancer.

He was one of our community’s greatest champions; a business leader, philanthropist and friend.

Howard, 61, was larger than life possessing a personality that equaled his generous heart. He was the longtime owner of The Complex (formerly Angles) on Chouteau, a staple of St. Louis LGBT nightlife which operated from Dec. 1989 - July 2011. In the age of the large warehouse clubs, the many manifestations of the Complex reigned supreme providing a gathering spot and playground for three generations of LGBTers.

But Howard was more than just a bar owner. Heavily involved in city, state and federal politics he served as an openly gay 6th Ward Democratic Committee member and hosted countless fundraisers starring governors, senators and presidential candidates. Indeed, Howard had his finger on the pulse of local politics. What’s more, there were few LGBT non-profits whose Board he did not sit on throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Howard also served as the longtime LGBT liaison to Mayor Francis G. Slay through two terms and was a former HIV/AIDS liaison to Slay and helped to control 25-percent of the City Health Department’s budget.

Generous to a fault, there was nary a LGBT cause that Howard couldn’t be counted on to get behind from Team Saint Louis to PROMO - but it was his HIV/AIDS charity work that he valued most. The recipient of many honors over the years, he was given the 1994 Felton T. Day Award and 2013 Lisa Wagaman Lifetime Achieve-

ment Award from Pride St. Louis, Inc. Raised in North County, Howard graduated from high school in the small town of Bowling Green, Mo. before returning with his family to the St. Louis area. Throughout the 1970s, he enjoyed a successful career in the hotel, restaurant and bar business all the while exploring the fledgling gay community. The avid city dweller went on to enjoy a second career in real estate and insurance prior to opening The Complex.

Howard’s involvement in local politics began with the Lions Club in Oakville where he became involved in several races including Harriet Woods’ bid for U.S. Senate.

In a 2003 interview, he admitted that it was the tragic death of Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan in late 2000 that proved the catalyst for his infectious political activism.

Carnahan, his son, and a top aide were killed in a plane crash after leaving a fundraiser at Howard’s home amid a heated race to unseat Republican John Ashcroft in the U.S. Senate. (Although deceased, Carnahan went on to win the race and his wife Jean served in his stead.)

“It was the governor’s party at my house the night that he passed 40 minutes after leaving my doorway that really kind of propelled me,” Howard said in 2003. “I believe so firmly in his and his family’s values of good government. Mel would always say, ‘good government.’

It’s not about this, it’s not about this, it’s about getting people involved in good government.”

For further reading, check out www.boom.lgbt

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

37

PRPRID PPRIDE RID RIDE RIIDE IDDE DE SStSt.tt. LoLouis Lou LLoui ouis ouis

Watch for our team of talented photographers during Pride Fest:

Mark Moore

Scott Lokitz

John Flack

38

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

速

PINNACLE RAINBOW SHERBET SUNRISE 2 parts Pinnacle速 Rainbow Sherbet Vodka 1 part Orange Juice 1 part Cranberry Juice Garnish recommendation: Orange Wheel Build in order over ice in a highball glass.

Garnish with an orange wheel.

THE ONLY VODKA WITH OVER 40 PLAYFUL FLAVORS For more recipes, visit www.pinnaclevodka.com

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 115267

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

39

St. Louis Metro Trans Umbrella Group

By Trans for Trans

What does it mean to be transgender?

• • • • • •

40

Trans or transgender is an umbrella term which encompasses all who do not conform to the gender binary and/or their assigned gender.

Sexual orientation is different from gender identity.

Sexual orientation defines who you want to go to sleep with while gender identity defines who you want to go to sleep as.

Gender Identity is how someone identifies their own gender.

Gender Expression refers to how a person expresses their gender.

Identity and expression are not always congruent.

There have been a number of different examples of trans people in the media recently. It is important to remember that their stories are unique to them.

Not all trans people’s life experiences are the same.

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

Photo courtesy of itspronouncedmetrosexual.com

Why should you support the trans community?

How can you be an ally to the community?

•

•

• •

Trans individuals are ten times more likely than the general population to attempt to commit suicide.

Trans people, especially trans women of color, are at a disproportionately higher risk of facing violence and murder Over a dozen trans and queer people of color have been murdered or have committed suicide since the start of the year.

Lamar “Goddess” Edwards, Lamia Beard, Ty Underwood, Yazmin Vash Payne, Taja DeJesus, Penny Proud, Bri Golec, Kristina Gomez Reinwald, Sumaya Ysl, Vanessa Santillan, Mya Hall, Zander Mahaffey, Sam Taub, and more...

What is MTUG?

An ally is a person who actively works to break down systems of oppression.

How to be an ally to the Trans community: • • • • • • •

Advocate for Trans people.

Get involved in the community.

Educate yourself and others.

Support Trans individuals and organizations.

Support laws and policies that are trans-inclusive.

Always use their preferred name/pronoun/gender, or avoid using specific references at all. If you don’t know…ask politely!

Before asking specific questions, always seek permission from the individual.

The St. Louis Metro Trans Umbrella Group attempts to bring together the transgender community and works to promote education, visibility, and equality in the region.

We provide a number of support groups for the local trans community: • • • •

The Locker Room - trans masculine FemSpec - trans feminine Expression Spectrum - gender nonconforming QTPOC - queer and trans people of color

We also host educational and awareness events to increase visibility and drive towards equality.

• • •

Monthly trans town halls Rallies and vigils for Transgender Day of Remembrance and when our brothers and sisters are lost.

Trans 101, 102, and 103 trainings available upon request for individuals and businesses.

www.stlmetrotrans.com www.facebook.com/metrotransumbrellagroup metrotransumbrellagroup@gmail.com (314) 270-2155 pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

41

The Dr Pepper Snapple Group is a proud sponsor of the 2015 PrideFest.

Proud to support the Pride St. Louis Scholarship Fund.

More than $5 BILLION has been raised for education in our great state thanks to players like you.

Every ticket helps improve students and schools across Missouri, so every play is a win.

Play It Forward.

You’re excited to play.

They’re excited to learn.

42

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

43

44

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

“Stop Hitting Yourself,” A Look Into Violence in Queer* Communities

By Wolf Smith In n cas case se yo you ou haven’t he heard, ea arrd tthe he L he Lesbian, essbi b an n G Gay, ay B Bisexual, Trans*, Queer/Questioning and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) Communities face discrimination on a nearly constant basis in this society. We have to fight to survive, both figuratively and literally, in a struggle with ‘mainstream’ culture. Our Queer* brothers and sisters and gender non-conforming siblings continue to be killed for disclosing their sexuality or gender identity.

That is the reality. But what I find most troubling does not come from the ‘mainstream,’ but instead comes from each other.

Nearly one-half of all people reading this article have or will experience some kind of sexual or domestic violence in their lifetime. Some of you might never call your experiences violence, and many of you will try to deny it, or repress it. But that is the truth. In a study of LGBTQ+ folks in St. Louis in 2013, one half of all participants had experienced sexual or domestic violence at the hands of a current or former romantic partner [See Below]. We are one of the highest risk groups for sexual and domestic violence, so why are we not talking about it?

make advertisements of perfect, monogamous couples holding hands. We tell society that our number one priority is marriage. As a result, we silence ourselves on the painful issues that matter. We tell survivors not to come out about their experiences of violence, because that would be ‘airing our dirty laundry.’ When we try to make ourselves look as pure as a wedding dress, we forget all the hard work and pain that leads us up to that point and beyond.

Shame. We can’t blame straight, cisgender people for this one, folks. This is the one problem that almost all of us contribute to every day. Whether it is the way we talk about men having to always be strong and dominant. Or that bottoms must be feminine and weak. Or that no woman would hurt another woman like that. Or that we talk too much about violence. Or that Trans* and Queer and Bisexual people don’t really exist. We are ashamed that we are the victim. We are ashamed that we are the perpetrators.

Fear. We are afraid of this violence in the same way children are afraid of the boogeyman. We fear that talking about it will make it somehow more real. That maybe if we just close our eyes and pull up the covers it will just go away. But it won’t. No real problem has ever been truly fixed by remaining silent. We must have these conversations.

So you may find yourself thinking about what we can do to change this, and the answer is both more simple and more complicated than you might expect: talk about it. Confront people when they make jokes about rape or relationship violence. Talk to your friends about what this violence looks like. Ask your lover(s) if what you are doing feels good, because sex is about more than just you. But if someone tells you about their experience(s), close your mouth, open your mind, and listen.

Stigma. As a community trying so hard to appear like everybody else, we are held to higher standards. We

To find out more or to get involved in the fight against violence, go to stlavp.org. pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

45

46

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

47

“I Am Here”

By Leon A. Braxton, Jr.

So iit’s t’ss be t’ been e a little over 2 yyears ea s ssince ears in nce e I ffound oun out that I was Intersex. A person who is Intersex is someone who is biologically neither 100 percent male or female.

This may be caused by a mixture of male and female genitalia, or ambiguous genitalia, or it may be that they have an unusual combination of chromosomes.

At first I was shocked, but then I realized it made all the sense in the world. I have always felt something about me was different. I never really felt masculine.

I actually feel more feminine. Friends and I joke that I am a woman with a man’s name. Once during a visit to Betty Jean Kerr’s Peoples Health Clinic the nurse actually said “So your name is Leon. That’s unusual for a woman to have a man’s name.” Long story short, I had to educate her on what it meant to be Intersex.

She had a lot of questions. I am sure you all do too.

Also she had a tremendous amount of misinformation or “myths”. I am sure you all do too. So let me see if I can try and debunk a few of them: Myth #1: Intersex is diagnosed at birth I am living proof that this is not true. I was 52 years old when I received my Intersex diagnosis. Granted Intersex conditions can primarily be sighted at birth with a mixture of genitalia or ambiguous genitalia but in some cases such as mine, an unusual combination of chromosomes, it can be during puberty or later in adult life.

Myth #2: Intersex = Transgender Many people think that Intersex people are also Trans48

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

gender. This is one of the biggest myths that I have encountered.

People always ask k me if if I am Transitioning T iti i and d I say no. Many Intersex people do Transition, often because of the shame and ridicule from society. Intersex individuals are always asked to “pick a sex.” Transgender is the state of one’s gender identity or gender expression not matching one’s birth sex. Transgender is mental while Intersex is biological.

I also have been asked if Intersex are not Transgender then why are they included with Trans*. Simply Trans* is an umbrella term that refers to all of the identities within the gender identity spectrum. There’s a ton of diversity in the different identities there, but we often group them all together. To keep this simple I won’t list all the different gender variations at this time.

I’ll save that for another article. To reiterate, Trans (without the asterisk) refers to Trans men and Trans women, while Trans* refers to various identities within the gender spectrum.

Myth #3: Intersex = Hermaphrodite This is probably the hardest myth to debunk because it is very complicated. Very rarely are Intersex individuals “True” Hermaphrodites. A “True” Hermaphrodite is reserved for the extremely rare cases where both ovarian and testicular tissue are present. A majority of Intersex are Pseudo-hermaphrodites. A Pseudo-

hermaphrodite is the condition in which a person is born with primary sex characteristics of one sex but develops the secondary sexual characteristics that are different from what would be expected on the basis of the gonadal tissue. Secondary sex characteristics are features that appear during puberty in humans. In my case, my Y chromosome did its job during fetal development. But at puberty, my higher estrogen levels took the lead.

I should add that the term Hermaphrodite is considered offensive by many Intersex. The term Hermaphrodite is considered to be misleading and stigmatizing. I, on the other hand, have chose to embrace my pseudo-hermaphroditism and do not find it offense. As a matter of fact, I have a T-shirt that says “Hermie” and often refer to myself as one.

Myth #4: Intersex = Gay Surprisingly, most Intersex are heterosexuals. You have to remember that Intersex is a gender identity/ sex, not a sexual orientation. Most people get this confused. I am an Intersex who is Homosexual. I know an Intersex who is heterosexual and married but does not openly discuss it again due to threat of shame, ridicule and endless questions. They have not even told their families. Most heterosexuals are diagnosed Intersex when there are reproductive difficulties.

Myth #5: There is no such thing as “The Intersex Movement” Historically Intersex has been largely invisible to many people mainly due to the veil of secrecy and shame that many Intersex people feel. Admittedly, we are years behind the current Trans Visibility Movement, but with such literary works as Middlesex, which was an Oprah Book Club Selection, and None of the Above, Intersex characters being introduced on House, Grey’s Anatomy and MTV’s Faking It, and the advocacy work of Organization Intersex International, Accord Alliance and Inter/Act Youth that veil has been lifted.

My goal in writing this piece about busting “Intersex Myths” is that I hope I have helped people develop a better understanding of Intersex. Education is our best weapon in this fight against intolerance. Our movement is just getting started but hopefully in a few years all the secrecy, shame and ridicule will have disappeared. I am Out! I am Proud! I am Intersex! pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

49

WE WANT YOU! Make ake a differ diffe erre e ence nce ea and contribute contribute.

Pride St. Louis, Inc is an all volunteer unteer organization. Everything Everyth you see is assembled by volunteers year-round.

Join a Co ommittee Toda ay! www.PrideSTL.org g

or email dennis.gorg@Pridestl.org

50

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

MORE

FUN VALUE VARIETY

We are proud supporters of the LGBTQ community, not only during Pride, but every day of the year. We celebrate love, respect, equality, and we have fun doing it! Join the fun before, during or after Pridefest 2015.

877.450.7711 | LUMIEREPLACE.COM | 999 NORTH SECOND STREET, ST. LOUIS, MO 63102 Void for persons ineligible to game or excluded from Lumière Place Casino for any reason. Must be age 21 or older to gamble. Gambling problem? Call 1-888-BETSOFF. ©2015 Tropicana St. Louis, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

51

52

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pride In My Own Colorsâ&#x20AC;?

By Jordan Victorian The first time I saw a pride parade was here in St. Louis. It was the summer after my first year of college at Washington University and a group of students and staff from the university were walking together. Before coming to the city I doubt I would have ever imagined being so out and publicly visible about my identities. However, the year before had been one of great personal growth. Having found a loving and supportive community of LGBTQ students and staff allowed me to be much more comfortable being openly queer.

So here I was walking down Market Street as Saint Louisans lined the streets and cheered. My eyes were peeled for familiar faces behind the barricades. Surrounded by bright rainbow colors, pinks, and purples, I felt at peace. Yet what I did not and could not have known was what would happen a little over a month later in early August. A black boy like and unlike myself in so many ways would be walking down the middle of a road toward his own home. Michael Brown would be killed in a police encounter, and a firestorm of fury, love, and activism would become more visible around St. Louis and the entire nation in response.

As a black queer person it is impossible for me to separate my racial identity from my queer identity, particularly having explored these identities deeply in such a historic period for St. Louis. When I realized that my university offered classes on queer history I jumped at the chance. I learned of the issues that gay, trans, and gender non-conforming people were up against: lack of positive representations forced invisibility, criminalization, police brutality, and more. Yet

as struck by the fact that these are all learning this I was issues faced by black and African-American people in the United States. In fact, many of the people who stood up, spoke out, and fought back at the Stonewall Uprising and various other queer riots before then were people of color. Even today, queer people are highly present on the front lines of many protests and demonstrations in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Activism and civil disobedience is core to queer history, often coming in response to state violence and police brutality. Particularly as a black and queer person I stand at intersections of movements for LGBTQ equality, gender equality, and racial justice.

In my own involvement in demonstrations I saw many of my LGBTQ friends participating in the movement.

As queer students, students of colors, and allies attending an elite, predominately-white institution, Washington University students have continued an American tradition of student organizing. It has been a challenging, but rewarding experience to educate myself in such a comprehensive way, becoming more connected with this city and its inhabitants in ways that many of my peers may not. As I finish a long school year, halfway done with my undergraduate experience, I am excited for the summer ahead. Working with Pride St. Louis, I will have an opportunity to be a part of a highly visible and impactful organization. I will also be working toward inclusivity among St. Louis anti-violence programs. It makes me happy to be able to work toward justice for the many communities I am a part of. pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

53

Join Macy’s as we Cele ebrrate Familly + Frie ends + Love + Liffe + Equa ality y + Resspect

We are proud to join the parade across America in honor of National Pride Month.

We think it’s really something to celebrate.

Plus, shop the Human Rights Campaign Outpost at Select Macy’s stores throughout the month on June and 100% of your purchase will go towards the fight for LGBTQ equality.

FOR MORE DETAILS

visit MACYS.COM/CELEBRATE

54

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

55

Downtown: A Proud History

By Steven L. Brawley, Founder, St. Louis LGBT History Project When PrideFest moved downtown three years ago, it was celebrated as a historic event. However, downtown has always played an important role in St. Louis’ LGBT history.

In the late 19th century, St. Louis was America’s fourth largest city with a bustling downtown offering robust commerce and risqué entertainment. It provided an urban oasis for women and men who lived in the “shadows” to blend in. One of these “shadow” people we know only by his pseudonym of Claude Hartland. In 1899, this thirty-year old gay man arrived in St. Louis from a small farming community. In his 1901 book, The Story of a Life (the first known autobiography by a self-described homosexual in America), Hartland describes his adventures in downtown St. Louis:

“I was not fitted for manual labor of any sort, and while walking about the streets wondering what to do, a sign, “Ladies Tailoring,” on a window, caught my attention. I knew that I had not forgotten how to sew, so I boldly entered and asked for work. It was during the busy season, and help being scarce, I was taken on one half-days trial, at the end of which time I was employed.

Soon after this, I met a young man one evening on the corner of Sixth and Olive Streets, who was affected as I am and we knew each other at sight. I spent that night at his house and we had a most delightful time. He was gentle, refined and very interesting, and we soon became fast friends...

I soon met several men in a social way, but so far had fallen in love with none...

One Sunday evening, while seated in the Columbia Theatre watching the show, a man came in and took the seat beside me. He was very handsome and had a sweet, fascinating face, yet I could see that he had been drinking heavily.

He soon began a conversation with me, and I found his voice as sweet and interesting as his face. We continued in conversation, and when the show was over, we were not far from being in love with each other.”

56

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

In addition to Hartland’s first-hand da account, c ount the St cc St. t Louis LGBT History Project has documented several LGBT historic sites in the downtown area. While enjoying PrideFest, take a moment to envision the important role downtown played in the lives of St. Louis’ LGBT foremothers and fathers.

• 4th and Lucas (former Belcher Bath House, noted for gay male cruising, 1950s-1970s) • 4th and Market (former McLean Building, site of gay sex scandal, 1895) • 4th and Walnut (former Southern Hotel, site of gay murder, 1885) • 6th and Pine St. (former Entre Nous gay bar, 1940s) • 7th and Clark (former St. Louis Medical College, attended by lesbian sculptor Harriet Hosmer, 1840s) • 111 N. 7th (Wainright Building, designed by Louis Sullivan – scholarly debate as possibly being gay) • 16 N. 9th St. (former Uncle John’s gay bar, 1940s) • 510 Locust (former Mercantile Library Hall, site of Oscar Wilde lecture, 1882) • Locust and Broadway (former Hurst’s Hotel, site of gay suicide, 1882) • 1820 Market (Union Station, noted for gay male cruising, 1940s) • 1200 Market (City Hall - LGBT supportive legislation, same sex unions conducted) • Riverfront (former “Little Bohemia” area known as a hangout for artistic/creative types, 1940s)

Please stop by the St. Louis LGBT History Project’s annual exhibit (see PrideFest map) to experience this year’s special display celebrating the important legacy of St. Louis’ lesbian community. Learn more about the Project at www.stlouislgbthistory.com

Charlie Davis was the proprietor of Charlie’s Lounge, 719 N. 6th in downtown St. Louis in the 1970s. Although a sharp businessman, he was best known as “Lady Charles” a well-respected female impersonator who would mentor and guide young drag queens aspiring to rise through the ranks of St. Louis’ gay entertainment scene. (courtesy St. Louis LGBT History Project)

The visit of Oscar Wilde, the famed Irish writer, poet and satirist to St. Louis in October 1882 caused quite a stir. His celebrity was widely covered and the fascination with the openly gay man was reported in all the major newspapers of the day. He stayed at the Southern Hotel and lectured at the Mercantile Library.

Bob Martin operated gay bars in the downtown area for decades. His last bar was located in today’s Drury Inn at Union Station downtown. The bar was multi-level entertainment complex featuring leathermen and drag queens alike. It also conveniently housed a bath house.

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

57

presents

side s how St. Louis Pride Week 2015

40055544 Chhoouteau AAvve..,, Sainntt LLo Lou oouuiss,, MO 66333111100 ww w ww w w..reehhabsttlll.c w .ccoom

WEDNESDAY at 9PM Rehabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Pride Variety Contest

33111444.6 ..666555222.3 .3377700000

THURSDAY at 9PM under the big top Rough Trader Fashion Show

SATURDAY at 8PM Freakshow Blacklight Dance & Foam Party Dueling djs

2 0 15 58

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

ehabbSSSTTL RReha cebook..ccom//Reh faaceb

pridestl.org

FRIDAY at 9PM Cirque de So Gay Divas of the Grove

SUNDAY at 5PM curtain call The Ultraviolets free food

p U e Com

and see me sometime

Come to the ‘Lou and enjoy the view - of what’s on your plate and beyond your table. One weekend isn’t enough to sample our cutting edge kitchen creativity, which means you Mae have to come back out to the city that The Advocate called “…one of the gayest cities in America.”

Check out our impressive packages at explorestlouis.com/LGBT

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

59

Saint Louis LGBT PrideFest Pride St. Louis, Inc. would like to thank the following for their amazing support and commitment to our LGBT community.

Presenting Sponsors

â&#x201E;˘

Sponsors

60

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

ON TH

E

D AY

GO

R E C Y CL

G IN

S T. L O I S E A R T H U

Special thanks to Amy’s Corner Bakery Artic Ice Bob Westerholt Bombers Hideaway #Boom Magazine Brown Dog Networks Brown Smith Wallace Byerly RV Cameron Catering Chad Carroll Chad Fox Chef Bill Courtney Chipotle Cielo Cinema St. Louis City of St. Louis Mayor’s Office City of St. Louis, Ann Chance Cocktails Are Go! Coffee Cartel Colin Lovett Colin Murphy County / Yellow Cab

Dan Stoner Dr. Lynnea Magnuson Downtown St. Louis Partnership FEDEX Kinkos Gamlin Restaurant Group Growing American Youth Honorable Mayor Fancis Slay Ironman Sound Industries It’s In Print Jeromy Ruot Jilly’s Cupcakes Jim Weckman John Oberkramer Lambda Car Club Metro Transit Metro Trans Umbrella Group Meyers Grove Michelle McCausland Miss Leon’s Southern Style Nick Barnes Pasta House Company Park Avenue Coffee

Peabody Opera House Pi Restaurants Pinnacle Entertainment Restaurant Depot SAGE Siam Sonja Bechel St. Charles PFLAG St. Louis City Streets Department St. Louis Frontrunners St. Louis LGBT History Project St. Louis Post Dispatch St. Louis Science Center’sJohn S. McDonnell Planetairum St. Louis Taxi Commission Sub Zero Vodka Bar Team St. Louis The Names Project The Stage at KDHX Tumara Mahorning US Bank Vivianos on the Hill

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

61

We all deserve a place to belong

For Wells Fargo Advisors, diversity is more than a strategic goal and a core value for our firm — it’s the driving force behind our commitment and appreciation for different ideas, perspectives, and people.

Because we’re committed to hiring LGBT team members and nurturing their careers, providing special care and services for LGBT clients, and doing business with LGBT vendors and suppliers, we’ve been consistently recognized as a leading LGBT employer: • Wells Fargo ranks # 1 in DiversityInc’s 2015 Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees • Wells Fargo has scored a perfect 100% in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for 12 years in a row To learn more about our firm and career opportunities, visit wellsfargoadvisors.com.

We are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of PrideFest 2015.

Investment and Insurance Products: X NOT FDIC Insured X NO Bank Guarantee X MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo recognizes and values the diversity of its employees, customers, and business partners. Wells Fargo is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2015 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0515-00377 [96509b]

62

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

pridestl.org

pridestl.org

PRIDE GUIDE 2015

63

At Monsanto, a diverse and inclusive culture helps fuel our innovation. We are proud of our LGBT community and are excited to be part of PrideFest again this year!

DISCOVER.MONSANTO.COM