DECEMBER 2012 MetroEast NEWS by Daniel McCree Foundation

December 2012 Presented by: The Daniel McCree Foundation

Happy Holidays 2012

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

ABOUT US MetroEast News is an outreach project of the Daniel McCree Foundation.

Our vision and mission is to provide timely information and events to the entire Southern Illinois Region. We seek to be a voice for those who are traditionally not heard. (READ MORE) Southern Illinois Pride History (READ MORE)

Editor: Colby Kluthe Graphic Design: Jason Brooks Director: Daniel McCree Foundation

Contributors: Mickey Johnson (Carbondale) History & Southern Illinois News Tess Farnham (Belleville) Liberal Arts & Education Susan Spit-Fire Lively (Belleville)

Performing Arts & Spoken Word Aaron Phillip Ruiz (Swansea) Autumn Pickard (St. Louis) Special Features from Daniel McCree (1979-2007)

Common Resources: PFLAG- Belleville IL Chapter St. Louis Gay History Project TransHaven & Belleville Transgender & Friends LGBT Center of St. Louis Metro East Pride of Soutwestern Illinois (MEPSI) L.A.G.O.S.I Equality Illinois & Carbonale Pride, MCC Paducah & Paducah Pride Jennifer Shaw P.C.

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Thanks to everyone for a great 2012! Our Sponsors have made this publication possible! (Click to become a Sponsor for $30)

INTRODUCTION I must admit to you that the past month has been one of lack-luster inspiration, and in fact for the first time in nearly 5 years i have not kept our facebook updated as often and am still having the challenge to muster the inspiration for the December issue of MetroEast NEWS. Nonetheless, I find myself firmly in the grasp of winter and nearly halfway thru the month and simply playing catch-up to what usually happens here at the closing of the year.

Here is my personal advocacy for World AIDS Day 2012: The Ezekiel Project ministry at MCC of Greater St. Louis has a collection of people lost to HIV/AIDS over the years, and unfortunately not all of them are named and known This collection is located at 1919 S. Broadway in St. Louis, and the process of identifying these individuals is underway. If you attend or visit MCCGSL in the near future please take a moment to visit the table located in the sacred space to help them in adding these names or adding your loved one to this area. What I am reminding myself of is the simple blessing that I am here to continue to write to you, and the understanding that others out there may actually expect some of our traditions to go onward. So humbly I take on that my own inspiration is not ever what it has been about. Its about you who follow us and of course that which Danny held in his heart as important. So in my final thoughts for this months issue, I invite our sponsors who have not renewed to do so, and invite anyone who would like to take part in the creation of this publication to contact me for details and opportunities at MetroEast NEWS. . As the editor MetroEast NEWS, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We seek to be a voice for those who traditionally are not heard.â&#x20AC;? The Daniel McCree Foundation advocates for Suicide Prevention as well as outreach in the areas of HIV/AIDS awareness. Sincerely,

Colby Kluthe

YOU MAY BE A LIFELINE OF HOPE You can help improve suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth in your state, city or town by joining the Trevor Ambassadors or Trevor NextGen near you.

Click here to get involved. Trevor Lifeline Counselors The Trevor Lifeline (1.866.488.7386) is the only 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Trevor Lifeline counselors answer calls from young people in the U.S. who are struggling with a myriad of issues surrounding their sexual orientation, gender identity, coming out, family and relationship troubles, bullying, depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness and suicide. Trevor Lifeline Counselors are empathetic, non-judgmental, and care genuinely about the safety of our callers.

Support our Mission & Projects

IntheLyfe St. Louis Benefit December 20TH IntheLyfe St. Louis Benefit NOVEMBER 10TH at Big Moe's Audrey AP Pearson

InTheLyfe St. Louis- 2nd Annual Feeding The Village for Christmas Dinner and Winter Items Give Away December 20 at 5:30pm Christ Church Cathedral in Saint Louis, Missouri

2012 DIRECTORY SPONSORS “BUY LOCAL OR BYE LOCAL”

J.Brooks Digital “The Premier Graphics in the Metro East Region”

www. SmartChoiceSTL.com

Bethel United Church of Christ (Cahokia, IL) 2200 Camp Jackson Road, Cahokia, Illinois 62206 (Just off Interstate 255,Cahokia Exit 13) Sunday Morning Worship at 10:00 am. “Smart Solutions for Web Development”

Pastor: Rev. Carol Shanks (618) 939-4835 www.CahokiaUCC.org

PFLAGPractical Solutions For All Aspects of Family Law 201 Hillsboro Avenue | Suite A | Edwardsville | Illinois | 62025

Belleville

618.655.0555 | Fax 618.655.9460

www.JaShawLaw.com ONE SAINT LOUIS www.OneSaintLouis.org (314) 241-1114 info@onesaintlouis.org

www.bellevilleilpflag.com Meets the first Thursday Of the month 6:30PM FIND THEM ON FACEBOOK

www.LGBTCounselingSTL.com MAP OUR LOCATION

About LGBT Counseling St. Louis LGBT Counseling St. Louis strictly adheres to the primary mision of the social work profession which is to "enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty," LGBT Counseling St. Louis & Equality Illinois are proud sponsors of MetroEast NEWS

Authenticating your relationship. Protecting your family. Sivia Business & Legal Services gives you the personal attention that your relationship needs. We offer personalized service for you, your family, your relationship and your business. We assist you with the unique barriers that same-sex couples face in several areas. We assist our clients in estate planning and power of attorney matters to give each partner more rights in the even of tragedy. We also handle family law issues -- dissolution of relationship, adoption, custody actions, and name change petitions. We also assist clients with cohabitation agreements and contracts to outline the legal obligation of each partner in the relationship.

Committed to the Community Sivia Business & Legal Services, P.C. started in June 2006 when the founder, Todd Sivia, decided that his clients desired an attorney that is not only committed to the practice of law, but also committed to the community. Mr. Sivia created a firm to serve businesses and family in a variety of areas of law, focusing on asset protection. Since then, the firm has grown, not only in size, but as a member of the community. Our staff is active in the Ed/Glen Chamber of Commerce, SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business), Rotary, and a variety of community projcts and organizations in and around Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Alton, Illinois. Mr. Sivia is a member of the Metro East Landlord Association and Metro East Real Estate & Investors Association. The attorneys also stay up-to-date on the law through a variety of legal associations such as the Illinois, Missouri, and Madison County Bar Associations, and Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association. We'll listen for your needs and give you the best counsel to meet them. Todd Sivia, Attorney-At-Law Mr. Sivia maintains a significant asset protection practice. He assists his clients in their estate planning and general business needs, including drafting wills and trusts, representing clients in multiple matters. Read More

2012 DIRECTORY SPONSORS

TransHaven

www.transhaven.org

TransHaven serves the advocacy needs of the Transgender Communities of Missouri and St. Louis Region.

Tessilu Studio offers mixed media artwork by commission

Become a sponsor or add your upcoming event

SEVEN RESTAURANT ANd LOUNGE

“A bold Hot-spot Where Everyone is Welcome. “ www.sevenrestaurantandlounge.com Free-flow Poetry & Live Music Venue

SAGE Metro St. Louis SAGE of Metro St.Louis provides services and advocacy to LGBT older adults. They are located in the Tower Grove Manor Building on South Grand.

www.SageMetroSTL.org

St. Louis Gender Foundation www.stlouisgenderfoundation.org 314-607-4163 info@stlgf.org Founded 25 years ago, the St. Louis Gender Foundation strives to provide a safe place for people to explore their gender differences. We do this through our monthly meetings and group outings. Gender Foundation meetings provide our members an opportunity to network with other individuals exploring similar feelings and provide educational programs from experts in the fields of interest to our members.

Bethel Ucc church 618-939-4835

www.cahokiaucc.org Rev. Carol Shanks

Worship Services - Sunday 10 am We are one of two official Open and Affirming Congregations of the United Church of Christ in southern Illinois.

NIGHTLIFE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS BUBBY & SISSY's (ALTON)

602 Belle St., Alton; Tel. 618.465.4775

Spirits Bar and Lounge

(Alton)

300 State Street, Alton 618-463-5555

Club Escapade

(BELLEVILLE)

133 W. Main 62220

SEVEN RESTAURANT ANd LOUNGE

“A bold Hot-spot Where Everyone is Welcome. “ 7 South High Street Belleville, Illinois 62220

www.sevenrestaurantandlounge.com Free-flow Poetry & Live Music Venue METRO EAST PRIDE OF SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS

CARBONDALE two 13 213 East Main St., Carbondale, Illinois 62901 (Formerly known as Club TRAZ)

ALTON Bubby & Sissy’s (ALTON)

REGIONWIDE NIGHTCLUBS & VENUES

Atomic Cowboy - 4140 Manchester

Erney's 32 - 4200 Manchester Ave.,

Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

St. Louis, MO 63110

Korners - 7109 S. Broadway, St. Attitudes - 4100 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Grey Fox - 3503 S. Spring, St. Louis,

Louis, MO 63111

MO 63116

Magnolia's Bar - 5 S. Vandeventer, Spirit’s Bar & Lounge – 300 State Street (Alton)

Hummel's on Broadway - 7101 S.

St. Louis, MO

Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63111

Martha’s Vineyard – 219 W. Olive, Bad Dog Bar & Grill - 3960

Hamburger Mary’s 3037 Olive St.

Springfield, MO 65802

Choteau Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Louis, Mo 63103

Bastille Soulard - 1027 Russell

Independence Place - 5 S.

Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

Henderson St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Missie B's - 805 W. 39th, Kansas City,

Meyer’s Grove – 4510 Manchester Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104

Big Moe’s – 1042 Tower Grove , St. Louis, MO 63110

MO 64112

JJ's Clubhouse - 3858 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63110

Bubby & Sissy's - 602 Belle St., Alton, IL 62002

Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Just John's - 4112 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Boxers N Briefs - 55 Four Corners Lane, Centreville, IL 62206

Novak's Bar & Grill - 4121 Premium Lounge - 4199 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Club Escapade - 133 W. Main St., Belleville, IL 62220

Clementine's - 2001 Menard St., St. Louis, MO 63104

CHICAGO REGIONAL MAP

SEVEN RESTURANT AND LOUNGE 7 S. High Street, Belleville,IL 62220

Irenes Cabaret – 124 North 5th Street Quincy, IL 62301

Rehab Bar & Grill - 4054 Chouteau Ave.

SKYBAR (Carbondale) SIUC Campus Arena

UNSUNG HEROES- Rainbow Cafe Rainbow Cafe is a safe and welcoming center for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, or questioning youth & their friends in Carbondale Illinois. Mission The Rainbow Café mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for youth who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, or questioning their orientation, and their friends, by creating a space in which they are affirmed and offered non-judgmental support and access to personal, community, and spiritual resources. Description Located in Carbondale, Il., Rainbow Café provides a safe and welcoming environment for youth who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, or questioning their orientation, and their friends, by creating a space in which they are affirmed and offered non-judgmental support and access to personal, community, and spiritual resources.

(618) 521-2328

 

8609 Giant City Road Carbondale, Illinois 62901 www.RainbowCafe.Org

Peace & Blessing Bee upon each of you! Colby Kluthe, Executive Director- Daniel McCree Foundation Emily Smith, St. Louis Regional Director danielmccreeorg@gmail.com www.DanielMcCree.Org

BellevillePride~MetroEast NEWS

Monday, October 1, 2012

"Scrambled Eggs and Love" by: Daniel McCree "Scrambled Eggs and Love" by: Daniel McCree (an excerpt from Aids Daze - 2005)

Scrambled eggs and love were available day and night. My schedule was my own. I painted. I put into emotion into everything I did. My nodes are proof that I did wrong, no contest. I made my bed I’ll lye in it, only now, no bed, just a couch. A lovely couch in a lovely room with a lovely view and no touch. My blood is warm and I want more am I a loser or a winner? 100704 i’m in a crazy mans denali, we are both to good for this world, or may have been at one point. I’m more selfish than my good sense tells me is allowed. I make comment after comment that corners me in. feelings come and go. My love is spit on then validated. i’m asking for forgiveness and sympathy, ask me for love and i will give it to you. That's Glierre for you.

READ MORE: Daniel's WORDS

j.brooks Digital The official graphics of MetroEast NEWS

MetroEast NEWS is produced by the Daniel McCree Foundation, an Illinois Charitable Trust Managing Editor: Colby Kluthe Emily Smith, St. Louis Regional Director Daniel McCree Foundation Contributing Writers: Mickey Johnson (Carbondale) History & Southern Illinois News Tess Farnham (Belleville) Liberal Arts & Education Susan Spit-Fire Lively (East St. Louis/ Belleville) Aaron Phillip Ruiz (Swansea) Autumn Pickard (St. Louis) Graphics Editor: Jason Brooks

A sincere Thanks to Each and Everyone for your support! We look forward to serving you in the coming year!

BandTogether Holiday Concert! December 22 at 8:00pm The 560 Music Center in University City, Missouri

Christmas Party Extravaganza December 22 at 8:00pm Club Escapade Inc in Belleville, Illinois

Gateway Men's Chorus presents: HOLIDAY! December 14 at 8:00pm The 560 Music Center in University City, Missouri

Q & A Christmas Meet Up

Event

for Q&A: Alliance for Gender and Sexual Diversity (SWIC)

We will meet up at the City Museum entrance at 6 pm. City Museum, St Louis, MO 701 North 15th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

We need to go as a group to get the discount where of $6 per person. We need at least 10 people confirmed going to get the discount, other wise the admission is $10 per person. If you can provide a ride please offer. Also, if you want to invite LGBTQA- friendly friends not in Q & A, you may.

Upcoming EVENTS Featured Articles More about the Digital Directory We invite any small business owners and non-profit organizations & Fan Pages to join us as a sponsor for our upcoming DIGITAL DIRECTORY and monthly news publication. Our publications have enjoyed more than 33,000 readers since our first edition came out in June. For the ad rate of $30.00 you can join us as a sponsor. Sponsor Listings include company logo, and link to your contact information and website. AFTER DECEMBER 1st-- the Ad rate will be adjusted to $30 so dont delay and become a sponsor today. BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQI COMMUNITY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

ALL ORDERS ONLINE We gladly accept VISA/MC/AMEX or Paypal. REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS at http://bellevillepride.weebly.com/sponsors1.html ($30.00)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SPONSOR?? Any business, non-profit or public FAN PAGE located within the St. Louis or Southern Illinois Region.

The TG Contra… What is Pride and Where should it be held By: Colby Kluthe, Editor- MetroEast NEWS Pride Celebrations in St. Louis is not only a longstanding tradition but also among the nations largest pride festivals boasting more than 100,000 visitors in recent years. As a community advocate and as someone who has served in leadership capacity with pride organizations (Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinios) I have a unique understanding about decision-making and forces which will undoubtedly stir up controversy among community supporters, business owners, and government powers that be. I was in no way surprised at the recent announcement by Pride St. Louis Inc. plans to move the festival to Soldier’s Memorial in downtown, uprooting its decade long tradition of a festival in Tower Grove Park. I also remember as a youngster when the festival had a “long held tradtion” of being in the central west end neighborhood, which at the time was the epicenter of the LGBT community. In 2012 It is also very clear we are no longer a community which is centered in one neighborhood. The move to downtown was an option I heard was coming several years ago, and from my own perspective it was a move I actually expected to take place last year. Nonetheless we who call St. Louis home find ourselves in a struggle between what we find most comforting and familiar and the natural angst about the upcoming move to downtown. I know that regardless of the location of Pride in 2013, our community will once again come together to exemplify the very best of who we are and take the opportunity to share it with our traditions both respected and growing into the future. The community outrage and dialogue is very much a part of the vitality of Pride and citizen input and leadership will be needed regardless of whether the festival is held in Tower Grove or any other location. Pride was never about the location, but rather coming together as a family and celebrating all of who we are as a community. Tower Grove Park has served us well in years past and while I wholeheartedly support efforts to keep it there, I would be lacking my own convictions if I did not call it as I have always seen PridefestTower Grove. Ready—Here GOES! Pridefest Tower Grove has always been difficult to find parking or access using Metrolink service. But most obvious to anyone who hasn’t attended a streetscape festival (As downtown would be) Tower Grove Park creates an environment of social “clicks” that to an outsider would almost appear we have a segregated festival. This group over here, and that group over there, and festival goers who are generally bunched up with those they already know. It has been my observation that this tendency always follows the same path, despite concerted efforts in planning and redesigning the festival grounds in recent years. I have said for many years that St. Louis pride is perhaps the most segregated pride in the nation—an opportunity that a new venue offers our community to frankly get to know each other again for the first time.

The other and I think final point I want to make about this controversy is that as someone who helped establish a pride festival tradition in a more conservative community than the City of St. Louis, I cannot tell you how many times we heard from civic leaders “wouldn’t you be more comfortable in a park” was to me only a way of saying “we would be more comfortable if you ‘gays’ were isolated in a park rather than our streets where ‘non-gays’ have to see you. Now I am being a bit exaggerated in my words but the point remains, and the time has come for our festival to “Come Out” to our city.

Artwork by: Tim Gehner

We no longer need 120 acres of land in which to hide, and standing shoulder to shoulder on our city’s most prominent festival grounds is not only an opportunity but a responsibility we have to one another and to the next generation of allies and queers in the Gateway City. We must take our place and hold our heads high as we parade wherever the festival is held. Here is where I think I stand in this debacle… I support Pride St. Louis and the need to move downtown, However I also recognize that participation for todays small business has decreased in recent years due to the large amount of money it takes to become a vendor at Pride St. Louis. Too many business owners do not have hundreds or in many cases thousands of dollars it takes to simply put an advertisement in the Pride Pages and be a participant in the festival each year. Therefore I wholeheartedly support the grassroots movement underway to hopefully make pride more accessible to more than the major corporations that fund and support Pride St. Louis. I hope that Pride festivals of the future can find room for all players big and small, and an environment that fosters both unity and inclusion of all people. I acknowledge that Pride St. Louis has a long history of serving the needs and growth of the festival and maintained an event free of charge for all to enjoy. I hope the 2013 board of directors can lead our community forward into the future in a manner which all participants feel both valued and accomadated. Send Comments to: danielmccreeorg@gmail.com MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT: http://www.facebook.com/KeepPrideInTowerGrove Tower Grove Pride Organizational Dinner January 6, 2013 at 5:00pm 28

TOVA TOUR 2013~! JAN 11-13 I will be traveling to 3 states, 3 amazing clubs, 3 AMAZING SHOWS! TERRE HAUTE IN ~ Jan 11 at Zim Marss with Keisha Von Lord , QUINCY IL~ Jan 12 at ST LOUIS MO~ Jan 13

Irenes Cabaret Nightclub,

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