June 2010

June 2010

PrideFest GUIDE 2010 GROWING AMERICAN YOUTH PROFESSIONAL BY DAY, DIVA BY NIGHT

Complimentary Copy

This issue is dedicated to

‘ n THiS ISSUE

9 15 21 29 33

The State of Gay: Chess or Checkers?

Growing American Youth: Thriving at 30!

Professional by Day, Diva by Night To be Accepted or Not to be: Gay India Scene & Styling

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Volume 11, Issue 6 Index Darin Slyman – Publisher/Editor vitalvoicemag@gmail.com Tess Tulley – Director of Business Affairs tesstulley@thevitalvoice.com Jeff Kapfer – Art Director design@thevitalvoice.com Colin Murphy – Senior Writer/Web Editor colin_murphy@sbcglobal.com R. Lee Bond – Associate Editor RLeeBond@gmail.com Drew Baumgartner – Marketing/Vital VISION Dbaumgartner05@gmail.com CONTACT Vital VOICE Magazine 4579 Laclede Avenue #268 Saint Louis, MO 63108 VitalVOICEmag@gmail.com 314.256.1196

Contributors Colin Murphy – Writer R. Lee Bond – Writer Amanda Wichern – Writer Anna Forder – Writer Richard Nichols – Photography Steve Lay – Photography John Elkins – Photography Scott Lokitz – Photography ADVISORY BOARD William A. Donius Thom Halter Colin Murphy Jay Perez Pam Schneider Kellie Trivers Sharon Tucci

ONLINE thevitalvoice.com facebook.com/VitalVOICE twitter.com/VitalVOICEmag youtube.com/TheVitalVISION ADVERTISING Tesstulley@thevitalvoice.com 314.256.1196 (office) Cover models Arnes Camo Carissa Sweigart James Moore Lakisha Jackson Rickey Raymond Quevreaux Jr. Samantha Benack Siren Design by Darin Slyman Photography by John Elkins

Dear

TEAM

Friends, We at Vital VOICE Omni-media are so honored to be the official presenting media sponsor for PrideFest St. Louis 2010. We are proud to bring you the 2010 PrideFest St. Louis Guide inside our June issue. It’s been several years since the PrideFest St. Louis Guide was produced in St. Louis. This year’s PrideFest is going to be spectacular and we look forward to seeing you all there. Don’t forget on June 23rd Pi Pizzeria (In the Loop) and Vital VOICE will kick off Pride week with an awesome event appropriately named CELEBRATE. Please join us as we celebrate PrideFest, the LGBT community and YOU! Happy PRIDE!

Darin Slyman Publisher

The Vital VOICE team Darin Slyman – Publisher/Editor in Chief Vitalvoicemag@gmail.com Tess Tulley – Director of Business Affairs Tesstulley@thevitalvoice.com Drew Baumgartner – Marketing/Vital Vision Dbaumgartner@gmail.com Colin Murphy – Senior Writer/Web Editor Colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net Kristen Goodman – Pride Liaison kristen.pridestl@gmail.com Jeff Kapfer – Art Director Design@thevitalvoice.com Richard Nichols – Photography Ranichols1@yahoo.com Dieta Pepsi – Hostess/Vital Vision Vitalvoicemag@gmail.com R. Lee Bond – Associate Editor Rleebond@gmail.com

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The State of Gay:

Chess or Checkers?

Written by Lee Bond Photography by Steve Ley Special Thanks to The Wine Press

The Internet and other social technologies are exponentially expanding and integrating the world as we know it. Yet people and groups seem to be increasingly more divided and disbanded. While not exclusively an LGBT conundrum (have you seen, for instance, the state of the Republican Party?), it certainly isn’t immune from it either. If there’s no glue to bind a gestalt, it could end up diluting the impact of its messages — it’s akin to playing checkers in a world where chess is the game.

On the eve of PrideFest 2010, a symbol of cohesion and unity, we at the Vital VOICE thought it apropos to host a political panel discussion to figure out the ingredients of this glue. We assembled a panel comprised of individuals within the LGBT community who represent the gamut of opinions and political identities. After a little wine courtesy of the Wine Press in the CWE, we sat down and hashed it out. Tally-ho!

Last month the first major case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act was argued in the Massachusetts Federal District Court. The case is predicted to eventually end up before the Supreme Court, but due to its conservative makeup, LGBTers and lawyers alike fear the Court won’t be sympathetic to their case.

Thus, at best, the Court will reject writ of certiorari or, worse, rule against the plaintiffs, effectively nullifying the entire movement.

“The Court is not going to accept the case,” says Albert Anglin, a Republican and a member of the Tea Party. He believes the Court will defer back to the states, where he thinks the issue of marriage belongs anyway.

John Mancuso, a member of the Board of Governors and the Political Cochairman for the HRC in St. Louis, agrees with Albert’s premise, but adds, “The Court historically does get involved when they see confliction and confusion in the laws between the states where there’s a lot of disparity.” John, however, doesn’t believe the LGBT community has arrived at this critical mass point yet.

“We need to have a couple more states, a couple more controversies with divorce or the kids, etc. to push [the Court] over the edge. Otherwise we’d lose in the Court today.”

Ed Reggi, a recently married activist and an acclaimed actor, agrees and chimes in, “The Proposition 8 case out of California, for example — if [the Court] doesn’t take it, that would be great because it’ll go to the Ninth District of Appeal, where we know we’ll win, and what it will do is create ten states in the western hemisphere that will actually have to overturn their respective marriage amendments.”

For Jason Potts, a Republican graduate from SLU who has worked in the White House, the debate on same-sex marriage has become a battle over semantics. “It all comes down to the word ‘marriage,’” maintains Jason.

He believes that it would behoove the LGBT community to whittle away around the edges of partnership rights instead of going after the beating heart. “I think you would see a lot more traditionally conservative people open to [civil] unions, equal benefits, etc.” suggests Jason.

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But after the 2008 election, a leader seemed to have emerged...

Many LGBTers saw the election of President Obama as a harbinger of, well, hope and change — friends in high places, so to speak. Since then, however, there’s been a slow build up of acrimony and disappointment with Obama vis-à-vis LGBT policies. Many think he’s reneging on his campaigning promises and not moving fast enough. Perhaps the real crux of this sentiment hinges on whether Obama is a reactionary or calculating president.

Ed is withholding judgment for now, but believes the Bush administration’s Augean stable is a uniquely difficult mess to clean up. “He’s been dealt an unusually challenging hand and I don’t want to be naïve or bold to think that there’s nothing going on — it’s a bigger office than I can even imagine.”

But Albert isn’t buying it. He thinks Obama’s myopic vision for the LGBT community is tantamount to “putting a Band-Aid on a gushing wound.” Albert asserts, “He’s a reactionary president — definitely a checkers player.”

Obama’s handling of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy is a particular source of angst among LGBTers. Understandably, people in the community demand that Obama end DADT immediately. Notwithstanding its odiousness, is immediate repeal really a wise move?

“Within the military itself you have many people who come from small towns and perhaps have radical viewpoints,” says Jason.

“Will it ultimately be repealed? Yes. Will it — and should it — take awhile? Yes.” John asserts, “I don’t think the average person understands the complicated mechanics that happens behind the scenes.” Indeed the process of a congressional repeal — which is the strongest type of repeal — is fraught with political theater and formalities.

Remember the healthcare debacle? ‘Nuff said.

John states that “the timeline and complexity to get these things accomplished is extremely long” and not to expect DADT’s repeal until at least September or October.

Changing deep-seated definitions (like that of marriage) is difficult and may be painfully slow, but there’s hope in other issues that are more within reach. Hospital visitation rights, for instance, were recently altered to include LGBT couples. Less controversial changes in hate crime statutes, anti-bullying laws, same-sex spousal battering laws, the repeal of DADT, etc. dissipate homophobic attitudes and ultimately help pave the way for more radical change.

If any agreement between the panelists exists, it’s to be empathetic toward others’ viewpoints. John offers, “What we are not good at is learning to speak to people in their terms.

We always convince people to go our way on our terms.

We don’t look or come at it from ways they understand.

Sometimes we need to step back and look at the big picture from another perspective.”

Progress is indeed a fickle lover. But it’s all just a game of chess — sometimes you need to sacrifice a few pawns and knights and even a queen (pun intended) to reach checkmate.

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Written by Colin Murphy – Senior Writer Photography by Scott Emanuel

Happy Pride everyone!

As this year’s parade rolls by, the contingent from Growing American Youth will invariably receive one of the loudest receptions. The support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth 21-and-under celebrates 30-years in The Lou this month.

So as a former alumnus of the organization, let me lead the cheer—you all are doing us proud!

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Being a teenager is tough—and for LGBT teens this fact rings doubly true. But today’s youth are embracing visibility on a level never seen before. Sure, those of us who came before helped pave the road—but the current generation has seized the wheel with vigor. Whether forming Gay/Straight Student Alliances at area schools or taking their same sex date to prom; today’s LGBT youth are quickly shattering the prism through which our community is viewed.

In late 1979 a member of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) recognized that there was a complete lack of information or any legitimate activities for Gateway City LGBT youth.

Accordingly, he obtained permission from the church’s Board of Directors to organize a social support group.

When the group first met at the church; a Victorian three-story house on Waterman in the Central West End, they didn’t have a name and the meetings were quite small. In early 1980 the group took the name “Pride” and the late Bill Cordes, who would play an instrumental role in the organization’s success over the next 20-years, came on board as sponsor. But the church was uncomfortable with some older people hanging around the group and organizers quickly changed the name to “Under 21 Group.”

Few liked the name; so in June 1980, members voted and “Growing American Youth” was born.

While the format of the youth group has changed throughout the years to suit the needs of its current members, it has remained a constant in our community. It is a safe-haven for our young people and continues to produce generations of well-adjusted and productive LGBT community members.

I first discovered Growing American Youth my senior year of high school. I’d known I was gay since before junior high and sadly, started experimenting at far-too-young of an age. Luckily in 1989 someone did me the favor of talking to me instead of just taking me home. I’ll never forget his words—“You need to take your happy butt to Our World Too and talk to Bill Cordes.”

Our World Too was St. Louis’ gay bookstore. It sat next to Magnolia’s on Vandeventer and was owned and operated by Bill from 1987-

1999. I can’t begin to tell you the level of love and affection I have for that man—he changed my life. There was never a stupid question you could ask him, and believe me, I had plenty. Bill opened my eyes to the possibility and power of community—he gave me books to read and I quickly became a student of queer history.

All of these things have remained a constant in my life. Still the greatest gift he gave me was entry into Growing American Youth.

In 1989/90 the group met in the basement of the old MCC Church on Dolman. The neighborhood may have been rundown, but seemed like the grandest place on earth. There, I had found my tribe—peers just like me and together we discovered ourselves, our community and each other.

Back then sneaking into your first gay bar was the right of passage— the Internet was still a government secret, and there were no gay coffee houses or 18-and-up nights at the clubs. It seemed all we had was West End Coffee, the Hampton “Gay Denny’s” and the safety of our group—but that was more than enough.

I remember interviewing Bill for Vital VOICE shortly before he died; we both got such a kick out of it. I’ll share a bit of what he said: “Our community is our home. Let it become a shambles, ignore it and it will not shelter you when you need it. Put in the necessary maintenance and it can be something from which you can draw support, friendship, love and much more. Community quite literally has made such a huge difference in so many peoples’ lives—often giving them the means to survive.”

Indeed, Growing American Youth has given our young people not only the means to survive—but to thrive. I still see a few of the peers from my class and not surprisingly, we are all active within the LGBT community. That’s a testament to Bill and Growing American Youth. And given the strides the present generation has made—there’s no telling of the heights our community will reach.

The 30th anniversary of Growing American Youth will be celebrated on Friday October 22 with an event at The Palladium with additional activities throughout the weekend. For more information check out growingamericanyouth.org.

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BEYOND XY:

Four Photographers Explore the Masculine Continuum

Trix ROSEN

David VANCE

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June 26 - August 7, 2010

Join Us for the Free Opening Night Reception Saturday, June 26, 7-10 PM On view at PHD Gallery are four photographers from across the U.S. and Canada whose work explores the diverse and changing meaning of “maleness,� masculinity, gender, and gender identity.

BEYOND XY: features works by celebrated transmale photographer Loren Cameron (San Francisco), Alberta College of Art and Design graduate Joshua McVeity (Calgary), documentary photographer/ journalist Trix Rosen (New York), & widely published fashion photographer David Vance (Miami).

Each artist photographs the male nude from a decidedly personal perspective, alternately reinforcing, blurring, or shattering conventional boundaries about masculinity & the defining characteristics of male identity in contemporary culture.

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This is Your PRIDE!

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

Alex Waldbart Florist Andrew Baumgartner Attitudes Nightclub Bar 5 Boxers and Briefs Darin Slyman Diane Smith Erney’s 32

Tess Tulley Fair Weather Foods Paul Mitchell The Grey Fox The Fox Hole School, St. Louis Hummel’s Pub Production Support The Stratford Inn Just John TransHaven Services Little Picasso Urban SAGE Mad Art Gallery Vital VOICE Sam’s Club Chesterfield MoKaBe’s Scott Lokitz Papa Johns

Pride St. Louis Board of Directors and Volunteers Ellen Vanscoy, Parade Director Tyler Hill, President Michael Rogers, Vice President Jessie Johancen, Director of Merchandise Amanda Overman, Secretary Ethan Barnett, Director of Athletics Debbie Smith, Treasurer Tristan DiMarco, First Aid Coordinator Ted Cwikowski, Director of Development Matthew Smith, Director of Volunteers Princeton Makavelli, Security Coordinator Lauren Rapp, Director of Outreach Jimmy Walsh, Interpreter Coordinator Brittain Cagle, Director of Communication Kristen Goodman, Pride Guide Liaison Terry Cameron, Director of Food Vendors

PrideFest 2010 Tower Grove Park St. Louis, MO Dear PrideFest Attendees: Welcome to the 31st anniversary of St. Louis LGBT PrideFest. What started as a small gathering has grown into one of the largest festivals in the Midwest region, as people from all facets of the community come together to celebrate Pride weekend.

The mission of Pride St. Louis is to foster and understanding and tolerance of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community by raising awareness through educational programs and events with the ultimate goal of achieving unity and harmony. I commend those who have lobbied and advocated for equal rights despite gender, religion, race, or sexual orientation.

The theme of PrideFest St. Louis 2010 is “Living Geen – Better Together” which represents Pride’s efforts to make the festival one of the most ecofriendly and sustainable festivals in the Midwest region, a laudable and worthy goal that our City truly appreciates.

We ish you a most wonderful celebration this weekend here in the city of St. Louis.

Sincerely

Francis G. Slay Mayor, City of St. Louis

Dear Fellow Community, I am extremely honored to welcome you to St. Louis’ 31st annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride Festival. For over three decades, countless volunteers have joined together to produce this annual weekend-long festival to celebrate the diversity and unity within our community. This year we expect a record-breaking turnout in beautiful and historic Tower Grove Park.

For PrideFest 2010 we have chosen the theme “Living Green – Better Together” to highlight a three-year plan to green PrideFest with the help and guidance of St. Louis Earth Day and Replenish The Earth. Our ultimate goal is to produce the greenest festival of our size in the entire Midwest region.

I would like to welcome back our presenting sponsor, Miller Lite, for being so supportive of Pride St. Louis and our community.

This year you may recognize some familiar sponsors, such as MasterCard and Verizon Wireless and notice new sponsors such as MetLife and Walgreens. We are also pleased to recognize our official host hotel and sponsor, Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites for their support. It is up to all of us to stand behind these companies that support our community and its goals.

I am happy to announce that we are working with the Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender Community Center of Metropolitan St. Louis to produce “Out at the Ballpark” with the St. Louis Cardinals.

This endeavor not only brings our community together, but it also reaches out to our straight allies, increasing our visibility within the population as a whole.

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On a personal note, I would like to send a sincere thank you to all of the volunteers that give their time to produce PrideFest, especially those serving on the Board of Directors. They have made my first term as president of this 31-year-old organization a very joyful experience, and I look forward to serving them and the LGBT community as a whole for years to come.

I would also like to thank the Vital VOICE team for their hard work and service to Pride St. Louis. Your support has meant so much to us, and I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with this publication.

To celebrate our diversity and unity, we have chosen to appoint a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Grand Marshal to lead the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 27th. These four individuals are inspiring leaders, and I thank them for their efforts within our community.

I invite each of you to celebrate with your brothers and sisters within the LGBT community and our allies. Please enjoy the informational and merchant booths, food and beverages, and stellar entertainment line up. Without you, “pride” is simply a rainbow flag and an idea.

It is you that breathes the life into the Pride movement, and you share that energy with over 85,000 Festival and Parade attendees each year. Thank you for celebrating with us.

Tyler R. Hill President, Pride St. Louis, Inc.

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Welcome

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Written by Anna C. Forder

Of all the colors of the Pride flag, green will be the most prominent this year at Pride St. Louis. Pride organizers sought to make this year’s festival not only more attendee friendly, but also more earth friendly, a festival of which the community can be proud.

Going green is not simply a trend; it’s a way of life intended to lessen humans’ negative impact on the environment. And holding a truly green Pride goes well beyond simply recycling.

Recycling at last year’s Pride totaled an amazing 1.6 tons. This year’s program, provided by St. Louis Earth Day and Replenish The Earth, will be even more extensive, but recycling is just the tip of the iceberg.

The theme this year is “Living Green - Better Together,” and organizers are working toward making Pride St. Louis one of the greenest festivals in the country.

Vendors have been restricted from using environmentally unfriendly Styrofoam in favor of recyclable containers. Vendors also have been asked to limit paper waste by replacing handouts with reusable freebies.

Official PrideFest merchandise also has been revamped. The traditional PrideFest logo T-shirt will be only one of many choices this year, including Ringer T’s, V-Neck T’s, Military-Style Hats, Aluminum Water Bottles, Reusable Tote Bags and Stainless Steel Dog Tags. All of these eco-friendly selections are made of organic, recyclable and/or eco-conscious materials, and many were printed locally.

Pride St. Louis organizers hope to lay the groundwork this year for future green efforts. Next year’s Pride will include composting waste and requiring vendors to use only recyclable disposables.

Pride cannot be truly green, however, if participants do not make environmentally friendly choices themselves, including using public transportation whenever possible. This also will give walkers, cyclists and bus patrons, a chance to explore the shops and businesses along South Grand and Morganford.

Pride 2010 will be even more connected to the Tower Grove community with the subtraction of the fence that surrounded last year’s festivities. Pride organizers took into account the comments and feedback from the community, and decided to eliminate the fence. The fencing, however, was an attempt to control the bringing of liquor into the park, which is illegal. In the absence of the fence, Pride organizers hope attendees will be responsible about following alcohol laws.

Don’t panic, though. Alcohol will still flow freely. There will be more beer vendors inside the park to help accommodate the growing crowds. Attendance is expected to be up from 85,000 people last year to an amazing 90,000 in 2010, maintaining St. Louis’s reputation as the biggest Pride festival in the Midwest.

In addition to better alcohol accommodations, attendees can expect a better selection of food vendors, including vegetarian options (Lesbians, breathe a sigh of relief).

The athletic and ambitious Pride-goers also can revel in the addition of an event in nearby Lafayette Park. The St. Louis Frontrunners are sponsoring a 5K run / one mile walk Saturday, June 26 at 8am. The event is to benefit Growing American Youth, an LGBTQ group for out teens. For more information visit, stlouisfrontrunners.org/pride5k/ Sports fans also will have their day in the sun this year at Busch Stadium. Pride St. Louis and the Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender Community Center of Metropolitan St. Louis are sponsoring an event at the Cardinals game Sept. 18, 2010.

“Out at the Ballpark” is part of the growing LGBT presence in the mainstream.

This new event epitomizes the idea of being visible and proud in the larger St. Louis community.

More events, more beer, better food and more eco-consciousness can be summed up into one thing: a better PrideFest in 2010.

A native of Washington, MO., Christine Elbert knows the importance of community. She is currently a Mortgage banker for USA Mortgage in the City office and prior to that, worked for the family Pontiac, Buick and GMC dealership for 20-years.

Christine is a Board member of the Tower Grove Business Association and Council member of Rockhaven Ecozoic Center. Her involvement in the LGBT community includes working with Wired Womyn in the 1990s; with Joan Lipkin and That Uppity Theatre Company and being Emcee of the “L Word” party for the Human Rights Campaign.

Proud to be in recovery for over 22-years, Christine appreciates both her biological and chosen family members.

She cites amazing teachers in her life; women like Kathy and Mo of MoKaBe’s and most especially, a woman named Star.

“She was there through my crazy teenage stuff, saw me through my coming out process and still introduces me as her first kid,” Elbert said. “This has now become a term I use for some of the amazing younger men and women I’m lucky enough to have as part of my life—the ones who become tribe, who become family.”

Colin Murphy. Gay

Born in St. Louis, Colin Murphy has been a part of the Gateway City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community since 1990. He has been a well-respected voice in LGBT media for over 18-years and is Senior Writer/Web Editor for Vital VOICE magazine.

A prolific scribe, Colin has written countless stories on our region’s prismatic community and his op-ed, “1 Out of 10 Ain’t Bad!” is one of the longest running columns in St. Louis.

Through his writing or hands-on activism, Colin has been intimately involved in the fight for LGBT equality and against HIV/AIDS. He is an avid gay history buff and has collaborated with the St. Louis Lesbian and Gay Archives at UMSL and The St. Louis Gay History Project.

Colin has previously written for The Show Me Guide, TWISL, Kolours, Missouri Pride, and Slam! magazine. He is a member of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, The Vital VOICE Advisory Board; and a former Vice President of The Late Knights of Pythias, a now defunct LGBT philanthropic organization based in St. Louis. Colin currently lives in O’Fallon, IL. with his husband, Kurt whom he legally married in Iowa on March 12.

Blue. Bisexual

Muriel Lynn “Blue” Jones is the Executive Director of The Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender Community Center of Metropolitan St. Louis in addition to being an accomplished performing artist.

Parade Grand Marshals

Christine Elbert. Lesbian

She has been an activist for 20-years and has been advocating around bi-issues for 16-years. Blue has given workshops and spoken at events and panels nationally, including Creating Change—The Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s annual conference.

Knowing the severe harm that the issue can cause individuals along with a community as a whole, Blue continues to work toward bi-visibility both here and across the country.

She would like to give honor and recognition to The Bisexual Alliance of St. Louis (BASL) and its past and present leaders for their 15-years of hard work.

“They have changed the lives of so many bi people through the years and continue to do so to this day,” said Blue.

Michelle Smith. Transgender

Michelle Smith has been supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community for over 5 years.

She is president of the Boeing Association of Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender Employees and Friends (BEAGLES) Affinity Group; a leader and former office-holder for the St Louis Gender Foundation; a former Secretary for Pride St Louis, with whom she still volunteers; and is a co-founder of TransHaven Missouri.

Michelle began working at a National Level in 2008 with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates—the largest and most effective national, non-profit organization dedicated to achieving workplace equality for LGBT employees and professionals. She is a co-chair on Out & Equal’s Transgender Advisory Committee which provides guidance on transgender issues.

In 2009, she joined a group of LGBT corporate leaders to form an Out & Equal Regional Affiliate to bring Out & Equal’s mission and programs closer to home. In February the regional affiliate sponsored an LGBT Diversity Leadership Training course to representatives of Boeing, Monsanto, Pfizer, MasterCard, Hallmark, Johnson&Johnson, Pepsi and others.

Michelle has also co-presented workshops on transgender transitions for the Boeing Company at Out & Equal’s Annual Workplace Summit.

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Education Connection- seminars, panels, and local dignitaries Youth Outpost- for youth 13-20 Family Fun Court- for families and kids up to 12 SAGE Oasis- for older adults TransHaven- promoting transgender awareness

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V

Stupp Center Commitment Ceremony Saturday 3pm

Outreach & Education Tent Schedule Sunday June 27 1:30 – 5 Elected & Government Officials Legislative Update GREEN is part of PRIDE Flag We are Fabulous Ballroom History Lesson Black Pride & Rustin’s Place

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PRIDE Grounds Blessing Ceremony Professional Diversity Wheels of Queerdom Anti-Violence Issues Married, Partnered or Single Media Forum Gay Marriage Equality Health Reform OUT in Government My Union is Gay Friendly Wheel of Queerdom

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Saturday June 26 11:30 – 5

Proudly sponsored by Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites, Alex Waldbart Florist, Barefoot Wine, Scott Lokitz Photography, and Sam’s Club Chesterfield

Saturday, June 26th

Morganford Pet Parade Hosted by the Tower Grove Business Association morganfordpetparade.com

DANCE PAVILLION SCHEDULE Noon – 7 Hugs vs. Tracy Harris Gee Bee Scotty Mac Landyn Cade Charlie Buttons The Creep vs. Puff -n-Stuff

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Pride Idol Winners – Nikki Sweets & Katie Summers Grave Dolls CHARIS Gateway Men’s Chorus Awkward Moment Anti Gravity Commitment Ceremony Located at the Stupp Center

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Josh Zuckerman

4:00

Pride St. Louis Royalty Court

5:00

Audio Viral

6:00

Jen Foster Dieta Pepsi

Noon 1:00 2:00

7:00

Jennifer Holliday This Tony-Award winning actress

and Grammy-Award winning singer is best known for the Dreamgirls showstopper “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” myspace.com/thejenniferholliday

Sunday June 27th DANCE PAVILLION SCHEDULE Noon – 7 Dino vs. Luan vs. Kevin Brock Trevor Matthews Anthony Hann Shea Marie super conductor Proudly sponsored by Masterbeat Production Support Services Urban Lounge

Noon

Pride Parade South Grand Ave

St. Louis’ 2nd Largest Parade with 100+ entries and thousands of spectators

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Pride Idol Winners – Shaun Hudson & Earl Jones

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Crystal Waters This Philadelphia-born pop-dance singer/songrwriter is famous for many hits including “100% Pure Love” theoneandonlycrystalwaters.com

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Summer Osborne and Band

4:45

Josh Duffy

5:00 6:00

Michelle McCausland Pride Parade Awards Eric & the Adams

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Drag Review

PrideFest St. Louis Emcees

Saturday, June 26th. Noon – 7:00. Main Stage – Dieta Pepsi & Trish Busch Sunday, June 27th. Noon – 2:00. Pride Parade – Darin Slyman. Noon – 7:00. Main Stage – Michelle McCausland

Royalty

Pride Sable Sinclair

Lindsey Phoenix

Sable Sinclair is the newest entertainer to capture the title of Queen of Pride. She has been a performer in the St. Louis area for over 15 years and has worked in almost every bar or nightclub during that time. Sable was a cast member at the Complex Nightclub for 12 years, including four as show hostess.

Lindsey has been part of the St. Louis LGBT community since July 2007. She moved to St. Louis from Springfield, MO., to attend SLU School of Law, where she earned her J.D. with concentrations in Civil and Criminal Litigation this spring. While attending school full-time, Lindsey has held three internships at local law firms and worked at SLU’s Legal Clinic to provide legal services to St. Louisans in need. In her last semester, she was the proud recipient of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys’ Milton F. Napier Award for Excellence and Potential in Litigation.

Queen of Pride

Winning Queen of Pride was a complete shock for Sable— she has not been in a pageant in over 10 years. She has previously won many titles, including Miss Missouri New Comer America and Miss Mid Missouri America; however, she holds Queen of Pride 2010 nearest to her heart.

Sable thanks Hummel’s Pub, The Loading Zone and all of her family, friends and fans for allowing this aging performer to still have and bring value to any stage that’s in front of her. A special thanks to Steve, Chad, the James’, Brad, Lee; and The Golden Girls, Rick and Randy for believing in her when she did not believe in herself.

Sable would like everyone to place a little focus on LGBT—Living Green, Better Together—and remember: this is your pride; you will only get out of it what you put into it, so don’t F-CK it UP!

Cyller

King of Pride Cyller has been doing the art of male impersonation for over 2 years. He currently holds the title of Mr. Novaks 2010 and was recently crowned your King of Pride 2010.

He can best be described as a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. His performances are filled with a variety of musical talent. You can see him do anything from Keith Urban, Nickelback and Michael Buble—all the way to ICP. Cyller is a proud supporter of the community and all its local flair. He frequents many great local restaurants, shops, as well as our local breweries. He is a known regular at the Historic Soulard Farmers Market and feels it is of the utmost importance to support our local farmers. Cyller is honored to be your King of Pride 2010 and is looking forward to the next year as King. So—if you see him out having a beer or riding his bike through Tower Grove Park, stop by and say hello; he’d love to hear from you.

Ms. Pride

Along with her dedication to practicing criminal defense, Lindsey’s commitment to the LGBT community shows. She was the co-chair of SLU Law’s Diversity Council as well as President of the GayStraight Alliance, the OutLaws, where she’s worked to bridge the gap between Saint Louis University and the LGBT community.

Lindsey began bartending at Novaks Bar and Grill in 2007; earned the Novaks award for Community Service in 2008 and remains a proud member of the Novaks family. She strives to maintain the perfect balance between work and play—which is why she’s proud to represent such a dedicated and inspiring community that knows how to have a good time!

Savion Simpson Black Mr. Pride

Savion is honored to serve his community as Mr. Pride St. Louis 2010. As an entertainer and leader in the LGBT community, Savion wishes to build on the legacy that has preceded him. His mission is to bring the community, its people, and the city of STL together.

“With hard work and the new spirit set in stone by Pride St. Louis President, Tyler Hill and the entire Pride St. Louis committee, we will strive for nothing but excellence and a great Pridefest 2010,” he said.

As an entertainer, Savion has captured myriad titles, including Mr. National Entertainer of the Year 2008, Mr. Ebony Pride 2005, Mr. Mid South Pride 2008, Mr. Missouri USofA 2002, and Mr. Independence Place 2010.

The 31-year old St. Louis native enjoys giving back to the community through entertainment and outreach and his talents can be seen regularly at his home bar, Attitudes Nightclub where he is both show director and faithful cast member.

MetLife celebrates Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.

MetLife celebrates Gay Pride this and every month, saluting the diversity and rich tapestry of our customers, partners and employees. Call your local representative who is dedicated to providing the GLBT community with financial education and products to meet their needs.

Jon Shigemura Financial Services Representative 1350 Timberlake Manor Parkway, Suite 230 Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 736-3363 jshigemura@metlife.com Darrell Grant Financial Services Representative 1350 Timberlake Manor Parkway, Suite 230 Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 736-3326 dgrant2@metlife.com

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Written by Colin Murphy – Senior Writer Photography by Richard Nichols Special Thanks to The Great Frame Up

Drag is expensive-and tips alone don’t pay the bills. Accordingly, there is a private side to our city’s marquee of female impersonators. While we enjoy their illusionary artistry and onstage antics late into the night; -for many of them, it is a second job. Come morning, with faces scrubbed and feet sore from an evening in heels, these multifaceted individuals report to their day jobs. Indeed they are; Professional by Day and Diva by Night!

Michael Klataske

US Bank Corporate Services Financial Support As Jade Sinclair, Michael Klataske can tear most any Madonna song up; but after the makeup comes off in the wee hours of the morning, the performer steps into another material world—that of finance.

Soon after graduating from Quincy University, the Illinois native followed a budding relationship to Delaware where he used knowledge obtained from several accounting courses to enter a position in banking, the state’s leading employment industry.

Klataske found he excelled in the field and soon became the Senior Accounting Clerk responsible for high profile cases. He also assigned work to and assisted the junior team members.

In 2001 the pull of home won-out and Klataske returned to the Midwest to build a new life in St. Louis.

The following year he was hired by US Bank and has been with the company ever since.

As a Financial Analyst, Klataske monitors spending and analyzes actual and anticipated spend against the financial budget to determine any future financial risks or opportunities. He is also instrumental in developing the annual financial budget and provides financial analysis for the corporate banking operations group, among other departments.

While some are aware of his orientation, few are aware of his evening career, or the accomplishments he has achieved.

“I work with many senior managers at the bank,” said Klataske of his employer that offers domestic partnership benefits to both he and his partner of over 5-years. “We don’t get too personal. They appear to accept my orientation, and some have met my partner, Jay. I think that in itself is great. I don’t know how they would react to Jade.”

Klataske performs as Jade throughout the week, and can be seen each Monday at the Bastille in Soulard. On the weekends, he hosts two shows a month near his hometown in Quincy, IL in addition to many St. Louis establishments. His alter ego has won a myriad of titles including Miss Gay Missouri 2007, Miss Gay Heart of America 2008 and Miss Gay Midwest 2009. Klataske was also a top ten finalist at Miss Gay America 2009 and is currently pageant promoter for Miss Gay St. Louis, Miss Gay St. Louis Newcomer and Miss Gay Illinois America.

Michael McKinley Team Manager, EAN Services

As the reigning Miss Gay Missouri 2009-2010, Erica Foxx brings a sense of old Hollywood glamour to stages throughout the state. But the man behind the makeup is Michael McKinley—and his “daytime drag” is a tailored suit and tie.

Since 2006 the Decatur, IL native has worked for EAN Services, LLC (better known as Enterprise Rent-a-Car) and is presently Team Manager for Roadside Assistance. McKinley’s day consists of managing not only his team of 19 agents, but also being available to the entire department of about 160.

McKinley supervises and checks for spikes in call volume and manages employee timecards and attendance in addition to measuring employee performance and publishing those on a weekly basis.

Listening to phone calls via a headset at his desk, McKinley grades employees’ calls on a set of standards and grades the notes they make on customer’s accounts. He also provides monthly feedback to his agents and is responsible for writing annual reviews on their performance.

That said, instilling a friendly atmosphere is equally important to McKinley.

“I may be their boss, but I can still laugh and have a good time,” he said.

McKinley particularly enjoys interviewing prospective agents as Enterprise takes great care in seeing that only the “best of the best” make it through the door.

As Erica Foxx, McKinley has been ubiquitous on the St. Louis drag scene since moving here in 1989. Affectionately referred to as “Tippy” by friends and fans alike, the cabaret performer has won many previous titles, including both Missouri and Midwest Entertainer of the Year.

On stage, the veteran performer is refined and regularly dazzles audiences with a spot-on illusion of Judy Garland or playing the coquettish minx.

McKinley presently spends evenings and weekends traveling the state as Missouri’s “Symbol of Excellence.” He will relinquish the title of Miss Gay Missouri on July 25 in Springfield.

23

Leon A. Braxton, Jr. Sr. Mortgage Loan Specialist Doering Mortgage Corporation

On stage, Leon Braxton, Jr. creates the illusion of the irreverent and funny, Dieta Pepsi.

But behind the larger-than-life persona lies an accomplished professional with a love for numbers.

Braxton has been in and around the financial industry his entire life whether raking leaves for a dollar in his boyhood Kansas City neighborhood or as president of both the Math and Business Clubs in high school.

An alumnus of Drury University in Springfield, MO, Braxton graduated with honors in Business Administration and Finance and was also treasurer and then president of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Upon graduation, Braxton left his job as a Junior Accountant at Boatmen’s National Bank and made the move to St. Louis where he started his professional mortgage career with Citicorp Mortgage. During his 12-year employment, Braxton won several awards including Citicorp’s top Service Excellence Award.

Braxton has also worked for Boatmen’s National Bank of St. Louis, Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corporation and Coral Mortgage Bankers Corp. Currently he is a Senior Mortgage Loan Specialist with Doering Mortgage Corp. located in Chesterfield Valley.

As Dieta Pepsi, Braxton has applied the same dedication to the art of female illusion since 1987.

He remains one of Missouri’s most decorated female impersonators having collected a trophy case of titles throughout the big four systems. Placing in the top five at Miss Gay America on multiple occasions, Braxton is the only entertainer from St. Louis to place in the top five in three national contests in one year. Upon retiring from competition, he had captured every statewide female impersonation title in Missouri.

A former Miss Gay Missouri 1991, the entertainer has hosted St. Louis Pridefest for the past 18-years, enjoyed success as a standup comic and continues to perform in local theater productions. He currently hosts HOMO BINGO at Just John’s on Monday nights and regularly shines in “The Dieta Pepsi Variety Show” and the “Super Sunday Show” on weekends at the Complex.

Joie DiMercurio & Michael Shreves Enchanting Embellishments

As Tumara Mahorning and Michelle McCausland, Joie DiMercurio and Michael Shreves have been sisters on stage and in show casts since the early 1990s.

What’s more, the creative professionals continue their collaboration beyond the spotlight as the men behind Enchanting Embellishments (12133 Manchester Road) in Des Peres.

Opening its doors in October 2009, Enchanting Embellishments is the duo’s new boutique and interior design firm. The shop offers “unique gifts for unique people”—items not typically found in The Lou from specialty gifts and collectibles to high-end clothing and baby items.

DiMercurio and Shreves have been designing locally for over 20-years in the residential and commercial sectors. Offering in-home consultations at reasonable prices, they each bring their own strengths to projects both large and small. True to form, the St. Louis natives who are accredited in the fine arts pride themselves on thinking outside of the box and avoiding the “cookie cutter” look.

From floral arrangements and furniture to window treatments and multiple room makeovers, DiMercurio and Shreves have been making their mark with unique designs and a whimsical touch. Indeed, their creativity mirrors their successes on stage with careers spanning three decades, respectively.

“Every drag person finds their sister in life,” said DiMercurio “People say we’re a lot alike.”

DiMercurio’s Mahorning is a former national title holder (Miss Continental Plus 2000) and top five finalist at Miss Gay America. He is also a former Miss Gay Missouri 1992 and owner/promoter of the storied pageant. As McCausland, Shreves has held numerous titles including Missouri and Midwest Entertainer of the Year and Miss Missouri Continental Elite. Shreves is also responsible for successfully challenging the one-time city ordinance that banned men from dressing in drag. The duo performs regularly at the Grey Fox and their individual talents and on stage chemistry has earned them a legion of fans.

25

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To To be be accepted accepted or or not not to to be: be:

Gay India Written by Amanda Wichern In a country over 7,700 miles away from the Gateway city, an LGBT community faces many obstacles of acceptance that the American culture has conquered throughout the years. In India there is much ignorance outside of the metropolitan areas that are not even fully aware of the LGBT community.

expecting the same in return after they are married with a family of their own.

Gay India

Just recently in July 2009 the Delhi High Court in India decided that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was in violation of the right to life and liberty and equality guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

Put in effect in 1860 Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalized any sexual act “against the order of nature.”

LGBT ignorance vs. LGBT knowledge In Indian cities like Mumbai—formerly known as Bombay—with a population of approximately 14 million, society is only somewhat educated on the LGBT community. The acceptance of the homosexual male and the lesbian community differs in the culture.

“For a while straight people were completely ignorant on the whole community, said Rohan Tribhuwan who was born and raised in Mumbai. “The community had to be underground and closed in. In the city the culture finally caught up. It is only recently gained knowledge in India. I feel that there would have been many more obstacles growing up had I not been from a metropolitan setting.”

It is more acceptable to be part of the LGBT community in metropolitan areas than in rural India. The education and knowledge of the community lies within the walls of the larger cities.

“Indian culture is a very close-knit of family values,” said Ashwin Upabhya who was also born and raised in Mumbai. “In India people live with their parents and take care of their parents. The parents literally spend all of their money raising and educating their kids to bring them up.

Marriage is such a pressure in India that in spite of being gay, I know 20 to 30 people who got married just because they were pressured by their parents.”

give their blessing to the couple.

“People believe that the Hijras bless from the heart and when they curse you, they curse you from the heart,” Upabhya said.

The hijra community uses their power of fear to their advantage in the streets. They are known to beg for money on the streets, and they usually get it. If they are denied money it is common for the hijras to pull down their pants in order to show off what the society fears most.

Tribhuwan shared that it is better to slowly come out to close family and friends in India in order to sway from bombarding them with news that will make them uncomfortable.

“It’s like they say ‘if you don’t give me money than I am going to show you what you don’t want to see,’” Upabhya said.

“People are scared of the Hijra community.”

The Hijras of India

Although the bullying tactics of the hijras may work here and there on the streets they lack any respect from the rest of the Indian society. They are feared and loathed as the cursers of the country that make money by begging and prostituting themselves on the streets.

Aside from the lack of knowledge, there is also what is known as a third gender in India, hijras. The male members of this religious community experience their gender identity as females. The Hijras of India are not categorized as men or women, but based on sexual impotence functioning as a third gender and worship two Hindu gods Bahuchara Mata, the Mother Goddess, and Shiva.

The hijras are also known as eunuchs in the Indian society. They share this name due to the castration that takes place within the community.

The Hijras of India are feared by society. It is believed that the hijras are able to put a curse on one’s heart.

Family pressure

“Nobody wants to take a curse from a Hijra because they believe that if they say something bad to you it is certainly going to happen,” shared Upabhya.

In the Indian culture family is very important.

Parents spend their lives raising their kids

Although the hijras are feared they are asked to come to weddings in order to

“The Hijra community in India is completely disrespected,” Upabhya added.

“It’s so unfortunate that they have to make their living by asking for alms by begging,” Tribhuwan said. “It has been like that for generations. The community is looked down upon and not accepted.”

Even though the hijra community has very little in common with lesbians and gays, Indian people often have a difficult time differentiating the two communities.

Because of this, many members of the LGBT community feel the hijras contribute to an overall negative reputation of Gay India.

“There is still a section of the society that is so ignorant they can not distinguish between the gay community and the eunuchs,” Tribhuwan said.

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Last year over 80,000 people attended PrideFest St. Louis to celebrate the prismatic and diverse LGBT community. PrideFest has become the Largest PRIDE in the Midwest and it is all due to you, our amazing community. This year it is projected draw over 90,0000 people for the June 26th and 27th festival.

Photography by Scott Lokitz

33

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