25 20 644 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/733b2f2153340c0152c8ddfe54b6ed5d.jpg 06b85fa3864a1cd9fb22b85f79874359 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/f877c3716f55d1351dd0b5dc72bdb505.pdf cbaefc1fc50913638b9cd20f6f15b445 PDF Text Text ~nty one years ago was a world that many young people never k~ew or could comprehend. No openly gay person had been elected to public office in Oklahoma. Organizations advocating equality for GLBT Oklahomans were few and far less influential. Only 3 years earlier our Oklahoma Legislature had passed legislation (later ruled unconstitutional by the Federal court system) that would prohibit a public school teacher from even making a positive statement about the GLBT community in a classroom. Equality for GLBT people was hardly discussed, and gay marriage even more remote. Politicians could (and did) make hateful statements about our community without any fear that someone would challenge their remarks. (sorry Sally, you came along too late) ~ganizers of this year’s Tulsa Pride Celebration are promising the public that this year’s events will be anything but boring. Nate Black, one of the co-chairs says the changes are intended to breathe a new sense of excitement into the Pride observance and to help promote the revitalization of downtown. It may not look the same, but organizers promise that Tulsa Pride 2008 will be just as incredible of a celebration as ever. Spanning over two weeks, with an event almost every evening, Tulsa Pride 2008 has something for everyone. "There will be some differences, but the spirit of the celebration is the same. It is still going to be a joyful, invigorating experience that xvill spark the same sense of pride and freedom in our community," ride Tutso PI IDE ?008 ��2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �walk or drag yourself to Tulsa Pride 2008 By Joey De It may not look the same, but organizers promise that Tulsa Pride 2008 is a series of events you won’t want to miss. "We have our three anchor events: the gala, the parade and block party, and the picnic," explains Pride co-chair Nate Black. "There ~vill be some differences from the past, but the spirit of Tulsa Pride is as vibrant as ever." Here is a brief look at the events of Tulsa Pride 2008. For a complete listing, maps and details, visit www.tulsapride.org May 30 - "Sisters in Song" concert at All Souls Unitarian Church. May 31- Wear your rainbow attire and enjoy a day at America’s favorite zoo with your friends and family. Tnat night, join the Equality Gala and celebrate the GLBT community at Cain’s Ballroom. Jun. 1 - Rev. Barney McLaughlin and members of Tulsa’s faith community will be hosting "Spiritual Equality," an interfaith service at Bethany Christian Church. Jun. 2 - Join PFLAG at the Circle Cinema for a free screening of "Anyone and Everyone," a film about families struggling to accept their GLBT youth. Jun. 4 - Cheer the Drillers to victory and enjoy an old-fashioned ballpark picnic. Tickets must be bought in advance. That evening, Lochran Theatre’s "He&vig and the Angry Inch," opens. The show will play at various locations through the 15th. Jun. 5 - Enjoy the works of 60 artists at "More Color," a one-night ex~hibition at the Equality Center. Jun. 6 - Open Arms Youth Project Fashion Show. Jun. 7 - Dine at the OkEq Family Taco Dinner benefiting PFLAG, then join the Pride Parade and Block Party, with two stages of entertainment. Youth Services of Tulsa will be hosting a concert in their Coffee House for those under 21 and child care will be available for those under 12 at the Equality Center. Jun. 8 - Texas Hold’era at the Equality Center. Jun. 10 - Leather and Fetish fashion show at the Equality Center. Jun. 11 - Join the "Gender Avengers" for an evening of monologues and plays addressing transgender issues. Jun. 12 - Learn about raising kids in a diverse world at the Downtown Library. Speakers will be available and books attacked for their "inappropriate" messages will be displayed. Jun. 13 - Screen "The ~A’ Word," a film with no audio or subtitles, about 10 deaf lesbians. Jun. 14 - Walce up early for the YST fun run before the Equality Festival at Centennial Park on 6th and Peoria! www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 3 ��OKC P DE EEKEND AN EVENT TRULY ’COMING OF AGE" By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ It can be hard to fathom, but OKC Pride is now 21. Had the event been a child born 21 years ago, that person would now be ready to legally enjoy the bars. Instead a spirit of human determination was born in rocky Oklahoma soil, with the joyful trappings that come with living in the Bible Belt’s buckle, q-his beginning came to Oklahoma through the brave organization of about a dozen people. As Paul Thompson recAls, "We didfft know if there wotdd be 10 people marching or a hundred." The Ku Klux Klan had promised to meet the marchers when they came over the N.W. 39th Street hill with hostile confrontation. When around 400 marchers came over the hill, the Klansmen waiting in Safeway’s (now Homeland) parking lot promptly left the scene, and a proud tradition began. It was a world that many young people never knew or could comprehend. No openly gay person had been elected to public office in Oklahoma. Organizations advocating equality for GLBT Oklahomans were few and far less influential. Only 3 years earlier our Oklahoma Legislature had passed legislation (later ruled unconstitutional by the Federal court system) that would prohibit a public school teacher from even making a positive statement about the GLBT community in a classroom. Equality for GLBT people was hardly discussed, and gay marriage even more remote. Politicians could (and did) make hateful statements about our community without any fear that someone would challenge their remarks. (sorry Sally, you came along too late) Today the Pride Festival and Parade truly showcases the theme by showing how far we’ve come. Festival booths not only feature openly gay public office holders (now even on the State level with the appointment of Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth), but also gay political organizations of Democrats and Republicans, as well as straight politicians & parties who are proud to speak out for us and seek our vote. Social organizations (from rodeo to softball), and religious www.ozarksstar.com groups bring us all together in glamorous diversity. There are countless more business organizations proud to seek out the gay community to make a buck. Last but not least, nothing compares to the mosaic of the GLBT community and their friends, people from all walks of life together in Pride. EVENTS: June 14 Saturday OKC Pride at the Zoo 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. For the first time there will be a gay day at the Oklahoma City Zoo. It will be a great way to begin the week’s festivities with family and/or friends. There is information about a special reduced rate inside every OKC Pride Participation Packet, so come out, enjoy the day and wish the animals a good week too! June 15 Sunday OKC Pride Day of Worship Cathedral of Hope & Church of the Open Arms ( both UCC) will be planning special worship celebrations to commemorate Pride Week. If you have felt left out or excluded from worship, these churches are ready to welcome you just as you are. June 20- OKC Pride Parade Now moved to Friday evening stepping off at 7 p.m. the route is unchanged. Beginning at Memorial Park ( N.W. 36th & Classen) it proceeds north on Classen two blocks north ofN.W. 39th Street, turns around on Classen and then proceeds west on N.W. 39th. Our Grand Marshall will be Joe Salmonese, the chair of the national Human Rights Campaign. Preceding the Parade will be a Strip Show ( signifying the N.W. 39th Street Strip) featuring some of our wildest and finest entertainers. Then the crowd cheers on as the parade’s first arrivals enjoy the finest climax ever enjoyed at any event. As the Parade concludes those in the mood will be ready to party, giving new meaning to a wild weekend while remembering how Pride brings us together. Still at Oklahoma Cit)?s Memorial Park at N.W. "36th & Classen, the Festival will run from noon until 10 p.m. Saturday June 21, and from noon until 5 p.m. June 22 Sunday. There will be many booths featuring organizations you can learn from or even consider joining, as well as endless types of merchandise. There will be entertainment as well Following the Festival conclusion at 5 p.m. Sunday, Church of the Open Arms has their Annual Pride Ice Cream Social, which will featuring the Therapy Sisters in concert. There’s no better way to cool off, enjoy the fun & music and recap the xveekend. This is an event you don’t want to miss, it’s there for all of us. For more infornaation pick up a Pride Guide at your favorite clubs, " or check out the website at wwv.okcpride. com DBAT Celebrates Pride by Hosting a Diversity Job Fair TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Diversity Business Association of Tulsa (DBAT), a program of Oklahomans for Equality, is hosting a Diversity Job Fair on June 13th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. The event, being held at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Downtown Tulsa, will bring together lgbt job seekers and lgbt-friendly employers in a safe and comfortable environment, allowing for open dialogue and alleviating fears of discrimination. The Diversity Job Fair offers a unique opportunity for diversity-conscious employers to access the wealth of skilled and talented members of the lgbt community. Additionally, job seekers are given an unprecedented connection to companies that are lgbtfriendly. F~r more information or if your company is interested in participating in the job fair, contact Susan Hartman at dbat@okeq.org or call 918-698-2977. June 21- 22 OKC Pride Festival the STAR 5 �By David Benkof Should gay-rights advances be put on hold until all LGBT people can be included? On this question, the position held by the most prominent voices in the gay community is so inconsistent it borders on incoherent. Last year, most leading gay-rights organizations rejected the advice of congressional experts including Rep. Barney Frank (DMass.) and pushed for an unlikely-to-pass version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that included gender identity. \Vc~hen the broader bill was replaced with an ENDA that covered only sexual orientation, hundreds of gay and lesbian groups lobbied Congress to vote "no" on what was the most important piece of gayrights legislation in a decade. Indeed, seven Democrats who had previously been reliable votes for pro-gay bills opposed ENDA because it did not include protections for transgender people. LGBT activists defended this stance in a variety of ways, but the basic argument xvas that no part of the community should gain civil rights at the expense of other parts. Of course, had that been the approach of voting-rights activists after the Civil War, African-Americans would have forfeited the vote until women gained suffrage a halfcentury later - and they, in turn, may have been asked to wait for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 before gaining the right to vote. In any event, supporters of what became known as "United ENDA" characterized their position as a principled one, believing that LGB rights without T rights were worse than no rights at all, and that (Evita show tune be damned) politics is not "the art of the possible." This pose is simply unsustainable, as an examination of transgender military inclusion shows. The Web sites of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; the Human Rights Campaign; Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays; and many other groups 6 the STAR advocate for an ENDA that includes gender identity, but the T is glaringly missing when it comes to military issues. ~nese organizations push for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to serve openly in the armed forces, but don’t lobby on behalf of transgender people who want to serve their country. They certainly don’t insist that any repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT) be linked to equality for transgender servicemembers. There are only three ways LGBT organizations can react to this imbalance with any sort of integrity: One, they could refuse to support the repeal of DADT unless it is accompanied by a new policy that prohibits the military from discriminating on the basis of gender identity. Two, they could admit that their ENDA strategy was wrong and agree to accept an LGB-only workplace bill until such time as the votes are there to pass a more inclusive ENDA. Three, they could articulate pub!icly and precisely why discrimination against transgender people in the military is more legitimate than private-sector discrimination against them - and why it is more legitimate than discrimination against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals in the military. I would certainly prefer the second solution, but I could respect the other two approaches. My hunch, though, is that none of these stances will be adopted. The status quo is strong evidence that the "United ENDA" stance is not primarily about political principles. It’s about the internal power dynamics in the LGBT community, which have caused gay leaders to draw the line at an inclusive ENDA. No such mobilization has taken place over transgender people in the military, so there has been no perceived need for an ultimatum on that issue. Yet. David Benkof was a longtime gay columnist, historian, and entrepreneur (as David Bianco). He is openly bisexual, but as an Orthodox Jew he is guided by Jewish law in the areas ofsexvtality andfamily life. He can be reached at DavidBenkof@aol.com. www.ozarksstar.com �F~E BEER & HOT DO~ For a Family’s Dinner brought by the neighbors after the Death of Bettsie. Be sure to look on the bottom of the dish to see what neighbor brought it! Original Mo~,ie will be shown @ 7 pm dUl-h’~g dim-let. Ist Eplsede of Series will be shown immediately fo!!o~d.ug $10 D~nat~n to OG~,A inc]ludes ~nner ~$1GNING www.ozarksstar.com Meet and Greet Leslie Jordan - From Sordid Lives, Will & Grace My Trip Down The :PINK CARPET the STAR 7 �@ Coming of e ~ulsa PRIDE ar~ 2008 ONE NIGHT ONLY ThuP~day, June 5, 2008, 5:G0prn to 9:0~m atthe Dennis R. Nell Equali~ C~nt~r, Corner of 4th and Keno~, dov~ov,~ Tuls~ the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Directed by David Gatigan Oklahoma City June 8, 2008 at 8pro wv~v.ozarksstar.com the 8TAP, 9 �interview Interview by Victor Gorin eslie Jordan arrived in this world during 1955 in the Heartland of the Bible Belt, born and grown up in Chattanooga,Tennessee.. AI[ho@ ~rowing up was ~ostly nor easy, he made le~nonade o[it of lemons and marie his experiences work for him, taking a bus to HoIly~vood and never looking back. His credits are coundess, with app~ces on TV shows too numerous m men- tion them but in~ih&ag Reba and Will and Grace(which garnered him an E . Re is an accomplished playwright with his first success Like a Dog on Linoleum" followed by Hysterical B redness and other Southern Tragedies. Among his film successes i~’thd camp} dassic ’Sordid I[ives" (where he portrayed the drag que~ Brother Boy), which will be a n~w ~ series o£ LOGO ~ning July 23. His new book, "My, Trip down the P~ ~t:’ is 7h~ Slory of his life with his @s dd downs, tragedies, ~ es and tri~phs, and the story o~a flamboyant ~ who has ~y found hirrisel£ He is portr~iying his life ~lSo in a one man play of the same title in Olda~oma ~it~ June 8, for this is a must re~d and a must see. He shares his thoug~is with ~E LESHE: Well I v,~as the Pips Printing guy, and t also was the elevator operator that took people to Ha~bu}ger Hell in a Taco Bel! co~ercial, i was the ~h~ck Full of Nuts coit~e boy, a]l kinds of commercials. ~ ~ ~ 10 the,STAR www.ozarksstar.com �ma$~e that possible. ~CTOR~ g,q~.en does your new book COme *utJune 3~ and Iamso which is Ga~ ~cOholigm and RddiC’ : are some gay" activists wh6 feei that fl~bSya~t gay characters in the ueenS hinder the s{~u~le answer to Ilow iS tr~sggn: : and see me, I promise the STAR tl �Dracula of Free Speech, Kirk Humphreys, Pdses From the Po litica Grave by James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY) Just as the mythic Dracula of Transylvania came back from the dead to spread horror among the peasants, so has the flesh-and-blood Kirk Humphreys come back from the politically dead to fling his homophobic horror in the hall~ of Oklahoma City’s public schools. In 1997, a fundamentalist censorship group ponied up with an Oklahoma County judge willing to make an informal ruling that the "Tin Drum" was child pornography and that copies of it could be seized in Oklahoma County wherever it could be found whether in private homes or public libraries. Reborn in the blood of his religion and bred in the desiccated dessert of intolerance, Kirk Humphreys was recently appointed by the Oklahoma City School Board to fill the position of chair until an election is held in February, 2009. Despite the facts that the film had been released in 1979, received major film awards, and not anyone prior to Humphreys had made a legal claim of obscenity against the film, Humphreys again smelled blood and was hot on the trail of what he thought would surely be a victory for fundamentalist decency. ~hinking that the cross of his religion would trump all blasphemers and dissolve the First and Fourth Amendments he encouraged the court case to proceed. Coming above ground with his first public election to the Putnam City school Board in 1987, he rose to bigger things as mayor of OKC in 1998. He resigned during his second term to run for U. S. Senate which he lost to Dr. Tom Coburn, 25% to 61%. Settling back into his businessman’s grave of multiple real estate dealings, one would have thought that we had heard the last of Mr. Humphreys. So why the concern regarding his reappearance? During his time as Mayor of OKC, he was the driving force behind the 2001 attempt to prevent Cimarron Alliance, a GLBT advocacy group, from exercising their First Amendment right to free speech with the display of banners promoting gay/lesbian equality. However, the shining light of Federal District Court Judge Robin Cauthron, exorcised the demon of Humphreys and as she ruled in favor of Cimarron Alliance and enjoined the City Council from interfering with Cimarron’s banner display on the utility poles. Hitherto the sacred utility poles had been the exclusive marketplace for hetero organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, rodeos, and other civic clubs. Did I mention the earlier "Tin Drum" video law suit? 12 the STAR Federal District Court Judge Ralph ~hompson, however, found that the film is not child pornography, and went on to criticize that the County Judge, Richard Freeman, had made a serious error in judgment pertaining to what constitutes pornography and allowing the OKC police, carte blanche, to search homes and businesses without a warrant. Both of the lost lawsuits backed by Kirk Humphreys cost hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in expenses and attorney fees which resulted in higher property taxes. ¯hough the "Tin Drum" adventure was publicly lead by former District Attorney Bob Macy, as mayor and the boss of the OKC police chief, I feel that Humphreys was certainly in the loop and should have had more sense and better advise in calling off the figurative police dogs. If the past is prologue, I think we can expect some more Humphreys hauntings at the expense of the Oklahoma City taxpayers. It’s been shown that the Constitution, its Bill of Rights, and especially the First Amendment, if applied in time, can counter the poisonous vapors that waft from Humphreys. �Wockner News Service Congress’ highest-ranking vet calls f.or DADT repeal Carly Simon: ’I don’t consider myself" to be not gay WASHINGTON, DC __ U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., whose military rank was the highest of any veteran now in Congress, has urged fellow lawmakers to join him in repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that bars open gays from the military. Sestak’s comments came at the Equality Forum, an annual GLBT conference and festival in Philadelphia. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), which would repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and allow GLB personnel to serve openly, has 142 co-sponsors in total. "Veterans like Adm. Sestak, who have dedicated their lives to serving this country, are leading the movement in Congress to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," said Aubrey Sarvis of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "These lawmakers agree with senior military officers, including former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:John Shalikashvili and retired Army Maj. Gen. Vance Coleman, that when it comes to defusing IEDs, tending to injured troops, deciphering enemy codes and flying reconnaissance missions -- sexual orientation is irrelevant. Seventy-nine percent of the American people agree with them and it is time that Congress finally repeal this law." A version of the measure, known as ENDA, that protects sexual orientation but not gender identity has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is pending in the Senate. In an interview published May 1 in the San Francisco gay weeldy Bay Area Reporter, ’70s pop-music legend Carly Simon said, "I don’t consider myself to be not gay." The double-negative quasi-coming-out occurred when interviewer Gregg Shapiro inquired: "After speaking with you this morning, I’m going to be interviewing Cyndi Lauper regarding her True Colors tour, which features gay and straight artists performing to raise money for the Human Rights Campaign and other LGBT organizations. I’m wondering if Cyndi called you and asked you to be a part of the True Colors tour, might you get involved?" Simon replied: "Well, the part that I could be involved in is the gay and lesbian part. The part that would be hard for me is to commit to a tour because I’m not very comfortable being onstage. But the part that would be easiest for me would be singing on behalf of all of us. I don’t consider myself to be not gay." Shapiro responded: "Wow! Well, it’s great to have you as part of the family." "Thank you!" Simon said. "I mean, I’ve enlarged all of my possibilities. There are a lot of extremely personal stories to tell about that, but we won’t go into that right now. Let’s just say that it just depends upon who I’m with." www.ozarksstar.com Frank: Transgender people were terrible lobbyists Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, DMass., says transgender people did a terrible job of lobbying for inclusion in the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Sestak, a three-star admiral who spent 31 years in the Navy, is one of 17 congressional veterans co-sponsoring the repeal bill. "It is easy for me to see why Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell should be repealed," Sestak said May 3. "Once you have served in war and faced danger with a gay service member, how can you come home and say gay people should not enjoy equal rights?" Attempts to contact Simon through her publicist, record label and MySpace page were unsuccessful as of press time. "I’ve never seen a worse job of lobbying done by the transgender community," Frank told the Oregon gay newspaper Just Out in its May 2 issue. "They seem to think that all they had to do was to get the gay and lesbian community to say ’OK.’ I think they thought that this was a train, and that they were a car on the train." "I said to them, ’You’ve got to work this, you’ve got to lobby people.’ They did a terrible job of lobbying, and so we didn’t have the votes," Frank said. First ot3enlv legislator dle Illinois Larry McKeon, Illinois’ first openly gay and first openly HIV-positive state legislator, died May 13 of a severe stroke. He was 63. McKeon represented a district of Chicago’s North Side in the state House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007. An Army veteran and former cop, McKeon also served as Mayor Richard M. Daley’s liaison to the GLBT community prior to his election to public office. McKeon retired last year, citing health issues related to HIV and cancer. ........ More U. S. News page 27 the STAR 13 �recently confessed to the fact that she attracts gays like a moth to a light, hall the men that like me are gay, k’~ ~e. I have a really strong gaydar. I do love gay men though,~ Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres are planning to marD: Ellen has said she is "thrilled" at the r~ing by the California supreme court to overturn the state’s ban on gay marri~e. True Co .ors pP g Alexander Payne "Hung" Up at HBO Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Payne (for Sideways, not his litde-usedbut-stilbcredit-getting screer~ptay for I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry) has a new pro’ect9 up his ste~we. And it~ about what’s in one man’s pants. Hung, a comedy pilot on track at HBO, will be Payne’s [IW-directing debut, from a script by Dmitry Lip~n. creator of%e Riches. ~md the subiect matter? What happens when a~l average, middle-aged basketbal! coach learns how to put his exceptionally large’~- penis to better ~e. NO actor has signed on yet to play the gifted guy, but casting is scheduled m begi n soon. If picked up for series, it will be, a; the very least, the first show" of its k5nd. But wi!I there be a Boogie Nights-style revea! shot? Or will it remain a mysteiT? Either way, expect a big deal to made about this one. STAR Cyndi LaUper~ colors are brighter than ever. F~li~Wing [tie Success of last year’s landmark tofir, Latimer is back to help the Human Ri~ts Campaign, theS~ue Colors Fund of StOnewall C~r~i-nuni~? Foundation, PFLa~G and the Centertink Network of BLGT community cemers. Holb~voodactress edl3 ship only the closet. of Foster, 45, is believed to have called offher relationship with movie producer Cydney Bernard after a series of arguments. The couple were together for 14 years and have two children ~x;~om Fosrer g~ve birth to and Bernard adopted, according to the British Daily Mail tabloid. Famous for just wanting to have fun, Lau per will be bringing her tour to the Zoo Amphitheater in Oklahoma City on Jun. 23. Joining Cyndi wilt be The B-52s, joan J~tr ~d The Blackhearts, ~mdy Belt of Erasure. Margaret Cho and Girl tn A Coma. *~ ....... with host Cars on rvresslev, for ticket" tmormarion or a full list ofto[,r dates, visit ~"~,.~,,, truecolorstour corn " " www.ozarksstar.com �Pt~oto by: Bill Gaddis The fo owing is getting hot out. Tulsa’s wonderful sprir~g ,h, as played out. Here are a coupl~ tips I d like {o pass along that may add to your summer enjoyment of vino..F,irstly, for white win~S, you know/get ern ~ld! And as the~e Wines warm up in your glass, the fruit flavors open Up to~. I really like this gradual experience. Many times, we finish a bottle so fast when sharing with friends that we don’t even notice. For red wines, put a chill on ’era as well. NOT too c.o, ld but just cool enough so that you’re not drinking warm glug. Remember, room temperatu~’e can mean a whole different thing during the summer. Proper stem ware can also make a big difference this time of year. Riedel glasses are among the best althougt~ not recommended poolside. Here are some wines for both red & white lovers. Calistoga Cellars Chardonnay 2006 This vintage was just released in ket. If you liked the ’05, this will really hit the mark. It’s li beautifully balanced mix of ripe pear and the wine is medium bodied soft finish. A favodte of l visit McGilrs on 21rst St. Vincent Pouilly-Fuisse in several This Pouilly-Fuisse areas belonging to th~ oak barrels The wine is created by Jean-Jac( owner of the Made-Antoicelebrated Chateau "). nette Vincent make a He blends the White flowwell balanced ers are on t finish. I first discovered s wine over at 1740/wine bar on Boston n~ear 18th. This Chardonnay from France i~ quite good. Michel Picard Vouvray This is Chenin Blanc from the Loi of France. Fresh aromas of apricot & on the nose and the finish is fruity and~~ slightly off dry. Enjoy this from with me,is that include shellfish to desserts like apple pies with vanilla ice cream. Ochoa Garnacha Rose 2006 This Rose wine is made entirely from Grenache grapes. The color of is a result of the short maceration period that helps to maintain the fragrant aromas and fresh flavors. A well structured Spanish wine with plenty of well-rounded fruit and balanced acidity. Food pairings include pasta, salads and vegetables. Produtorri del Barbaresco 2004 I had a chance to visit this winery when I was northern Italy. The grape is Nebbiolo and it’s one of the most important wine grape varieties of Italy’s Piedmont region. Flavors of violets, tar, cherries, truffles, tobacco & prunes come to mind. Although ~ ut the tannins, these producers make their wines more their youth. This bottle is also affordable and has received high acclaim from wine critics. Serious meat oriented pastas would go well with this wine. Toad 2006 This ;I, comes ~ where Zinf~ long h offering i~ ~ Sirah. It~!a really great Cacophony Zinfandel Hollow Zinfandel ppellation les thdve upon the nights. This new 20% Petit & jammy wine that’s a :e~.for barbecued meats. :i~va/Sparkling wine NV. Th~ rfclude; 50% Macabeo, 15% Xarelolo. This iJwhat you may be used ne or U S sparkling :he Spanish create a : old world version from wine is quite affordable pleasantly surprise you. ~s ~s a good wine to fall back on as you ;lebrate the summer months. ~ And as always, I say go to your favorite wine shop, ask questions and purchase a bottle or two. Share some food & wine with friends and check this out for yourself. Mr. D also hosts wine & food events known in town as the Wine Tulsa. References include: the ABC’s of wine by James Laube/wv,rw.WineS pec~ator.co m www.FoodandWine.com www.Wikipedia.org is.~grape can take years to age and www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 �9t8.585,5898 ® 800.585,5101 West 7th Street (corner 7th & Boulder Ave) ® Tulsa, Ok 74t 19 16 theSTAR e www.q plazatulsa.com June 2008 �TW’s-AFAB Catering �by Donald Pile and Ray Williams LUNA VISTA B & B aJmost knocked us over. At night we saw more stars in the sky than we ever see here in the Midwest. "Morltezuma’s Castle" There are fabulous places to visit and there are "beyond Fabulous" places to visit. Luna Vista in Rimrock, Arizona is such a place. Driving out to California on a recent trip we were guests of Kala (pronounced Calla is in Calla Lily) and her husband Frank at their "beyond Fabulous" Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast. Located just about 20 miles southeast of Sedona and just about 3 miles offthe Interstate, this has to be one of the finest and most unusual places that we have been. However to get there you get off the pavement and drive about three miles around curvy hilly, rocky and treacherous gravel and dirt roads to make your arrival. But after arriving, it is ~vorth the trip. After making the last turn you are aghast when you see this place. It is like you have arrived at the Ponderosa! Kala and Frank were residents of the East Coast and after 9111 they decided that it was time for a major move. They purchased the property in Rimrock, remodeled, repaired, built on, put in a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and many more additions and finally opened their new B and B in February, 2004 and it has been an instant success ever since. We stayed in the Don Diego (Zorro) suite. Our bathroom was 18 feet by 20 feet and included our own Jacuzzi. Our shower was 6 feet by 8 feet and included a steam room and a double vanity, bidet and every kind of amenity that you would possibly want. Our linens were 400-threat count Egyptian cotton and of course they were ironed before putting them on the beds! Oh! Did we mention that they have heated towel racks in the bathroom? Each room came with a DVDITFIVHS, CD player, etc. A bottle of wine is in every room for the guests. The grounds are fabulous. They are very pet-friendly and even have a dog run and a horse run should you care to bring your horse. Not into driving? Then use their helicopter pad and fly right in! They serve a full-course breakfast every day and on Sundays’ a full brunch. And we are not talking a muffin and coffee, but a full sit-down breakfast with wanes, breakfast steak, eggs, potatoes, etc. Nothing is left out. Guests have the full run of the house and property including an office where you can check your e-mails and work online if need be. But the most important thing about Luna Vista are the owners, KALA AND FRANK. Nxey genuinely care about their guests and cater to their every need. Tney love life and it shows. In all of our travels, they are the most sincere, heartwarming and friendly people that we have ever met. On our last night there, Kala and Frank hosted a party in our honor and invited severn of their neighbors and area antiques dealers. They fixed enough food for an entire army. Everyone was so interesting in their own way. The woman The moment that Kala opened the door to welcome us in, we I~IEW that we were going in for a big treat and we were! She is dive, animated, professional, entertaining and a great hostess. Frank ALWAYS has a smile on his face and is very excited about everything. Together they make a great team and we know that they will be in the bed and breakfast business for many years. They can’t help it if they were born straight! It happens in the best of families. Everyone is welcome at Luna Vista and we do mean everybody! We stayed there for three days and didn’t even want to go anywhere else. However one day we did drive over to Montezuma’s Castle and on to Montezumgs Lake which was extremely interesting. But the red enjoyment was taking advantage of the Luna Vista B and B and the many amenities it has to offer. It is located on 16 acres and you can take a long hike through the woods and river area. The flowers were blooming everywhere. The sights and aromas 18 theSTAR Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast www.ozarksstar.com �Les residents want Wockner News Wire Nxree residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have filed suit in an attempt to reclaim the word "lesbian" and stop the group Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece (OLKE) from using it. Gay women are believed to have adopted the word in memory of Sappho, a poet who lived on the island in the sixth century B.C. and wrote about love between women. Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast next door to them bakes fantastic desserts and another neighbor is a spiritual advisor and yet another creams beautiful "cactus" lamps and objects. She presented us xvith one of her creations. The next time you really xvant to get away from everything and truly have a memorable experience, book yoursdf a xveek at the "beyond fabulous" Luna Vista. Their website is: wxvxv.lunavistabandb.com or call 800-611-4788. They have been featured in many travel publications from coast to coast. To get to Rimrock either fly into Flags{aff or Phoenix, rent an auto and drive. That is unless you’re already driving, then just drive on Interstate 17 and take the 293 Exit. The plaintiffs claim the alleged theft of "lesbian" from the island’s residents amounts to "psychological and moral rape." An OLKE spokeswoman called the case "ridiculous" but an Athens court will hear the matter on June 10. Quotable Quotes Cuba’s parliament is studying proposals to legalize same-sex unions and give gay couples the benefits that people in traditional marriages enjoy. "The freedom of sexual choice and gender identity are exercises in equality and social justice," said Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro,. We stayed xvith them on a return trip from California and our "beyond fabnlous" experiences continued while staying there. We don’t make many promises, but trust us on this one, we promise that you will have one of the finest and most enjoyable weeks of your life xvith Kala and Frank. Alxvays remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! Get the STAR delivered to your home or office. 12 issues only $33.95. Send Check or Money Order to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Seepage 29for order blank. www.ozarksstar.corn ~}~eSTAR t9 �of Town B~ A~&’~w Colli~ W-eekend Getaways from Portland, Oregon with a marionberry vinaigreue. For more sophisticated fare, book a table at the Gower Street Bistro, which presents creative regional dishes, such as pan-seared sea scallops with roaste&cre~ corn, eNgplant, and tJancetta. You might spend the mornings in Cannon Beach strolling along the sand, admiring the many geological formations just Offshore, such as the famous, 237-~bot-tall Haystack Rocla Do as locals do and grab a cup of delicious java at Sleepy Mgnk C~ff?e Roasters (alofig with £ ~hick sli~e ofch0~latechip pumpkin bread)before you Set Out[ %nture south of Cannori Beach and youll pass throt~ Oswald West S~te Park, which is laced with hiking trails that weave through 01d-gro~f0rest; leading down tO the ~ch. End your day in fianky itS, with its quirlg, cafes and galleri~i perhaps enjoying a glass of Oregon wine at Vino, a snaz~ little Wine bar that also ser~e~ plate~ of delici0u] chkrcuterie and cheeSe. Between Manzanita and CannOn Beach in tiny Arch Cape, the gay-owned Ocean Point Inn comprises three oceanfront suites with chic, contempo~ furnishings, fiatscreen TVs, and gas fireplaces. Guests can enjoy a ~de range of treatments at the inn’s spa. It’s one of the most romantic accommodations along the coast. I-5} Within 30 miles of Portland, in Oregon’s verdant Willamette Valley; you’ll find some of the leading wineries in ~e United States - the area ha~ become Oregon’s Gannon Beach o~rs some ofthe best sunset-viewing on the West Coast. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Hip and cosmopolitan Portland continues to emerge as a popular urban vacation destination for gay" and lesbian travelers, thanks in part to its stellar restaurant scene, liberal social climate, and artsy personalit~: But another major draw of this charmed city is its proxmaity to so many breathtakingly beautiful places that make perfect two- to three-day getaways. In an afternoon’s drive, you can explore the rugged Oregon Coast, tile lush Willamette Valley wine country, or the high desert outdoor recreation mecca of Bend. Here’s a look at three ideal weekend getaways from the Portland area, all of them centered on communities with an increasing number of gay-owned or gay-friendly accommodations and restaurants. especially renowned for iris pinot noirs. If you have only a day to tour the region, focus your efforts a~ound the rural, hilly Yamhill area, home to such esteemed vineyards as Willakenzie, Penner,Ash, and Adelsheim. Just a short drive south, in the Dundee Hills. standouts include Archery Summit, Sokot Blosser, and Domaine Serene. ~ese are among dozens of wineries with tasting rooms open m the public. ~Ihis part of the valley abounds with excellent restaurants, too. An intimate spot serving relatively affordable French fare, Cuvee sits along the quiet main drag of tiny Carlton and is a fine place to end a day ofwine-t~asting. Among the several stellar restauvamts in Dundee, check out Tina’s, a bustling bistro that features creative American fare emphasizing ingredients from r delicious dish is the seared halibut local cheeks with diced "Ihere tic and rooms, each with a As vou Camaon Beach and Manzanita (a 90-minute drive via U.S. 26) From downtown Pordand, U.S. 26 leads west over the dramatic Coast Mountains to northern Oregon’s spectacular and relatively macrowded coast, a highlight of which is dapper Cannon Beach, a low-keyed munity set along a striking stretch of beach. Quite a few gays and lesbians (including Pordand-based filmmaker Gus Van Zant) own or rent summer homes here or in nearby beach towns, such as funk)" Manzauita and upscale Gearhart. The quieter south end of Cannon Beach. known as Tolovana Park. has a slightly more artsy feel. Here you might spend the night at the delightful Inn at Cannon Beach, a tasteful complex of contemporar5 two-srory cottages that open around a central courtyard with fragrant flower gardens and Adirondack chairs. Itk steps from the beach, and next door to’the Warren House Pub. a casual, gay-friendly spot that brews its own excellent beer and serves tast7 comfort food, such as grilled pankocrusted oysters, and house-smoked-salmon salad 20 f~eSTAR gene. Here scene of any Oregon city with parks ~nd ri~:e vci~ opportunities for recreation. A attraction is the Owen Ros~ Garden, where more than d Nearb); a former chicken-processing plant houses the Fifth Street Market, now a complex of fascinati~ shops and enticing restaurants, mclu&ng one of the regions best dining choices, Marche. Here you can ry such memorable fare as 0yen-roasted local mussels with a saffron-cream, and smoked pork chops with rhubarb chum~ From April through De~emher, check out the neaiby Saturday Market, Where ente~iners pei~form and close to 200 artisans, farmers, and cooks sell their wares. www.ozarksstar.com �OAXACA RESTAURANT Sed0na, Arizona Pronounced (Wa-ha&a) this Mexican restaurant in Sedona offers exciting food. With breath-taking scenery and beautiful views from their rooftop cantina, Oaxaca has earned it’s title "Local Secret/Big Find" by Travelocity.com. Tnis old world stTle Mexican restaurant is located in Uptown Sedona and offers casual dining with an extensive menu with a taste of every palate. Carl Butler, the owner and a registered dietitian has created a delicious menu with a healthy approach. Oaxaca serves up heart healthy, reduced fat and low cholesterol recipes which are full of flavo!! Oaxaca serves a wide range of Mexican, Southwest, American and Vegetarian dishes with authentic favorites Such as fajitas and chile rellenos. It is no wonder why people have been dining there for years and years and many people drive out of their way when traveling, just to dine there! You certainly will have a wonderful dining experience, enjoying the exciting flavors of their food and looking at the fabulous mountain scenery. q-hey are open daily: 10:30 AM to 9 PM. Happy hour: 3 PM to 6 PM. Breakfast buffet: Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AiM to 10:30 AM. q-hey are located at 321 North Highway 89A in Sedona, Arizona. .............................. CHILE RELLENOS Next Page theSTAR 21 �di i g° New art exhibit feat rOkEq Cdebrates ing artist Dennis Olson Ca i£ornia Ru ing £or at the Dennis Ro Neill Marriage Equa ity Equality Center TULSA, OK (PR) - May 15, 2008 __ Today, in a 4-3 decision, the California State Supreme Court ruled in favor of full marriage equality for same-sex couples. The decision follows lawsuits by fifteen couples who challenged the constitutionality of the state’s marriage ban. TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 5-9pm, Thursday, June 5, 2008, for the opening of their June exhibit, paintings by Oklahoma City resident Dennis Olson. This event will correlate with the onenight-only Tulsa Pride "More Color" art show featuring works by sixty artists. Dennis Olson’s exhibit will remain up through the month of June, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Imsbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Quotable Quotes "I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling." California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: 22 theSTAR "This historic decision is a victory for fairness and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of loving, committed couples and their families in California," said Justice Waidner, Oklahomans for Equality Executive Director. "We continue to work and hope for the day when families in every state have the basic protections that come with marriage." A growing number of states provide recognition of same-sex relationships. Including California, eight states plus the District of Columbia allow couples to marry or confer rights and benefits similar to marriage. However, the Defense of Marriage Act still prohibits the Federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages approved in individual states. In November, Californians vote on a ballot initiative to amend the state constitution by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. If passed, this constitutional amendment would overturn the California Supreme Court’s ruling. "Many Americans believe that marriage equality will be a reality in their lifetimes," noted Waidner. "Organizations in every corner of this country are working hard to achieve the kanerican dream of equality and justice for all. We are all inspired by the California marriage decision and look forward to the day when every American in every state and territory will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by marrying the person they love." w~v.ozarksstar.com �Sound of Music Headlines Lyric’s 2008 Stammer Season OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) __ Tickets for Lyric Theatre’s 2008 summer season of musicals are now on sale. Lyric "Iheatre, Oklahoma’s premiere professional theatre company, proudly continues its 46-year tradition of producing stellar Broadway-style shows for the people of Oklahoma. Lyric’s four summer season productions will be held at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. From June 24th through 28th, Lyric will open the season with The Sound of Music, presented for the first time on the Civic Center stage. This timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein family classic tells the story of Maria, a young, spirited, would-be nun who is appointed as governess for the seven children of a widowed sea captain. Lyric’s next production, Swing!, will run from July 8th through 12th. Swing! is a celebration of the music and dance phenomenon that swept the nation in the ’30s and ’40s. This all-singing, all-dancing evening of music features over thirty incredible numbers guaranteed to put audiences "in the mood!" Lyric will bring a beloved movie musical to the stage from July 22nd through 26th. Set in Oregon in 1850, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers is the fresh, wholesome tale of Adam Pontipee and his unkempt, burly brothers who kidnap six townswomen for the winter in hopes of finding love and companionship. Their well-meaning, but hilarious shenanigans of courtship are played out in boisterous song and dance. Seven Brides For Seven Brothers will feature Broadway performers Elisa Van Duyne as Milly and Jim Sorensen as Adam. (rated G) Concluding Lyric’s 2008 summer season is a modern musical hit, Urinetown, the Musical, fresh off the Broadway stage. The title might give off the impression that the play is about nothing more than a town that indulges itself in bathroom related humor. In reality, Urinetown, the Musical, written by Greg Kotis, a New York playwright who specializes in socially relevant comedies, is a hilarious melodrama about a town plagued by drought. In a mad attempt to regulate ,#cater consumption, the government forces www.ozarksstar.com its citizens to use pay-per-use amenities, monopolized by the Urine Good Company. Urinetown satirizes corporate and political greed, the idealism of rebellion, and also spoofs on the art of musical theatre itself, all set to a score bursting with a big Broadway sound. "Urinetown ~von the 2002 Tony Award for Best Original Score and is lauded on Broadway as one of the smartest, most comical musicals of this century;" explains Nick Demos, Lyric’s Artistic Director. There is nothing offensive about it, other than an unattractive title!" Urinetown plays from August 5th through 9th, and guarantees a unique night of unprecedented laughter. (rated PG) Single tickets to all Civic Center productions start at $27. Four-Show Season Ticket packages are also still available and start at just $80, as are the Three-Show Family Packages which include The Sound of Music, Swing!, and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. For more info visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com or call (405) 524-9312. TOM KOVACH MAKES HISTORY WINNING A SEAT ON NOR_MAN’S CITY COUNCIL By Victor Gorin NORMAN, OK__ Tom Kovach, an out gay Democrat was elected to the Norman City Council representing Ward 2 in a runoff against political consultant Chebon Marshall. The race began running against 2 opponents, Mr. Marshall and Michael McKee. Although Chebon Marshall got the most votes, he did not get a majority of the total votes. Mr. Kovach was in second place, so as per Oklahoma election law, this resulted in a runoff election. Although vastly outspent, Mr. Kovach made up for this with hard work and determination, and making known his stands on issues to make the city better. As he puts it, " Throughout the campaign we stuck mainly to the issues, which were mainly public safety and storm water." His efforts won the endorsement of both the Sierra Club and the Norman Homeowner’s Alliance. Photo: Tom Kovach by Victor Gorin designed to turn conservative voters against him close to the election named him as endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats ( explaining for those who didn’t know that it was a gay rights organization within the Democratic Party), and a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (both true). Despite this distraction from the issues, his sincerity and practical message carried him to victory. He has lived in Norman over 40 years, much of that in Ward 2. His partner of over 10 years, Will Weir, is also an activist volunteer with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, P-Flag, GLSEN, and helping people with disabilities. Mr. Weir won Norman’s Human Pdghts Award in 2007. Tom made history being Oklahoma’s 3rd openly gay elected public official The last 2 were Oklahoma State Representative A1 McAffrey (Democrat District 88, elected 2006) and Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth (Democrat District 1, first elected 2002). The first was Dr. David also elected to the Norman City Council in 2001, who Tom remembers as "Someone who stood up for many issues which are now being considered by a more progressive city council, and we owe a lot to him" As for his future he is optimistic, stating that" I have been active in the city, spe~ng before the city council many times. N~ey know me well, and I think we have a good working relationship. I look forward to working with the seasoned members of the council, and look forward to working with Mayor (Cindy) Rosenthal." There was rumor mongering about his sexual orientation, and a literature drop {:h®$TAR 23 �Photo’s by Victor G. & Jud / G. @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City @Club Majestic, Tulsa 24 @ Angles, Oklahoma City @ Steve’s Hideawa t, Tulsa @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa @ The Copa, Oklahoma City @ Finishline, Oklahoma City �By Greg Steele Club Rachael n downtown Jade Esteban portraying his one man play Inns III, The Gay and Lesbian History of the Wodd at OKC’s Indiv dual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery Laura Belmonte, President Oklahomans for Equality and OKC Pride Publicity Coordinator Michael Cich at the 2008 LGBT Leadership Summit hosted by Cimarron Alliance Oklahoma ( Reverend Lo rce his friend Alex with their friends at May P-Flag Meeting. www.ozarksstar.com Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Male Co-Chair Paul Thompson Gay ’Star Trek’ actor George Takei is to marry his partner Brad Altman in California congratulates Reverend Loyce Newton-Edwards on her ordination as a UCC minister at Church of the Open Arms. ~ �Swimsuit C01tect 0n Men From Mensuas _Mensuas announces their 2008 Swimsuit Collection for Men fiaturing swimwear by Bask#, Mensuas, IV2N Bodywear and Timoteo. Jvat in time for sumrne~ these new swimsuits are great for t,6e beach or laying by the i)ool. TAMPA, FL 0)RWEB) __ Mensuas announces their 2008 Swimsuit Collection for Men featuring swimsuits by Baskit, Mensuas, N2N Bodyxvear and Timoteo. Just in time for summer, these nexv sxvimsuits are great for the beach or laying by the pool Timeoteo Swim Bikini Mensuas has carried N2N Bod),wear swimsuits for several years. The N2N Bodywear 2008 Sxvimsuits include the Catalina Competitor, Corona Competitor, Cosmo Competitor and the X-Poser. The new and daring designs xvill sure to get you noticed at the beach. Mensuas has team up xvith Tulio to create the exciting nexv Mensua~ Swim Bikini in four new styles for 2008. Modeled by Levi Poulter, these unique swimsuit designs represent a bold and exciting trend in mens sxvimxvear. Mensuas new operations center is located in the suburbs of Tampa, F1. The new operations center allows customers orders to be processed faster and alloxv the Baskit Orange Lucky 7 3.5" Swim Bikini California Muscle Capri Blue Swim Teaser q-hong availability of more future products at their website. Our customer’s satisfaction with the products they order and the amount of time it takes to receive their order is number one priority at Menuas. Mensuas wants to become number one shopping source for customers to order their underwear and sxvimwear for themselves or for the man in their life. ages. All packages shipped discreetly to our customers to ensure privacy. Mensuas is offering their customers a 10% discount on their next order, please enter promotion code undies08 at checkout and receive the 10% discount on your order total excluding shipping charges. Website: www.mensuas.com Mensuas always offer free shipping on all orders totaling $25.00 or more for US and Canada customers. We offer great international shipping rates. All orders received by 3:00 PM EST are shipped the same business day by USPS regular mail. All items shipped from Mensuas are tracked from the Post Office to ensure customers packages can be traced in case of lost or mishandled pack Mensuas Swim Bikini Timeoteo Swim Bikini 26 t~~eSTAR California Muscle Dolce Swim Brief www.ozarksstar.com �Judy Shepard, executive director of the Foundation, said, "Wearing the Erase Hate pendant is a great way for people to express how they feel and promote the values of understanding, compassion and acceptance that were so important to Matthew," Adding, "It has been ten years since the death of my son. Although we can not replace Matthew, we can join together to help spread the message of erasing hate." K ight will i;i M tthew hepard Foundation ~ h~i~ kick off National GayPride month with a symbolic dusk commitment ceremony at the faamed West Hollywood hotspot, The Abbey. At 8pm, couples from aroufid the nation will "tie the knot" in an event officiated by the Mayor of West Holly~vood and witnessed by Judy Shepard. Couples will be wearing the Matthew Shepard Erase Hate pendant courtesy of Love and Pride jewehy designer, Udi Behr. Love and Pride is the first online jewelry destination for people who believe in equality, diversity and tolerance for all. www.!oveandpride.com Behr created the Erase Hate pendant for Judy Shepard, in memory of her son, Matthew Shepard, who was the victim of a brutal anti-gay hate crime in rural Wyoming ten years ago. His murder brought national attention to the issue of hate crime legislation and was a watershed moment in the fight for gay civil rights. Behr remarks, "A public commitment ceremony is a great way to join together and strengthen our two messages; ’Celebrating Love’ and ’Erasing Hate.’" 100% of net proceeds from sales of the pendant assist the Matthew Shepard Foundation. v~’~v.ozarkssta r.com The parade lineup will start at 10 AM on Meadow Street, next to the Arvest Bank. Parade will start promptly at 12 Noon. A brief Pride rally will be held at the end of the parade in the V/alton Arts Center Parking Lot. Mayor Jeffrey Prang comments, "The City of West Hollywood supports marriage equality and continues to work hard for changes in California law." Adding, "We will not stop fighting for our rights as no government can prevent us from loving whom we choose." For more details, float and or speaker applications, please go to NWA Pride’s web site at www.nwapride.org. Volunteers still needed! World renowned recording artist Steve Oliver will perform the classic ceremonial march Pachelbel Canon in D major. "A Star Studded Night" Gala in Fayettevillle CEREMONY REGISTRATION FORM: www.MatthewShepard.org/GetMarried WEST HOLL,,~Y~VO,OD, CA (,P,R) __ On June 4, 2008i !G)~atomy star T.R. bicycles, vehicles and especially this election year, proudly wave rainbow and American flags. PRIDE PARADE OF NW" ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE AR (PR) __ NWA PRIDE announces the 2nd Annual NWA PRIDE PARADE, A Celebration of Diversity and Community, will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Parade organizers invite GLBTs aald Straight allies to come together in solidarity in support of equal rights for all. It is NWA Pride’s great pleasure to honor Chris Harmon as this year’s Grand Marshal. Chris has been an unsung hero as founder of the NWA POSITIVE LINKS BUDDY PROGRAM and is currently a board member of the NWA GLBT Community Center. The Buddy Program provides information and much needed peer-to-peer support for people living with HIV and AIDS. Chris and Program volunteers maintain a food bank, make personal visits, help with chores, transportation and provide many other resources for 1Mng a positive life. Parade participants and spectators are encouraged to be artistic, have fun and show your pride. (Kid friendly and appropriate for public locations) Paint your face, wear costumes, dress up your pets, horses, FAYETTEVILLE, AR (PR) __ The NXX/A GLBT Community Center will host their 2nd Annual Fund Raising Gala "A Star Studded Night" on Friday, June 27 at the Clarion Inn located at 1255 S. Shiloh Drive in Fayetteville. The Ball Room ~vill be delightfully decorated resembling the glitz and glamor of a Hollywood party. Gala Guests’ will enjoy the fun and excitement of a "night among the stars" as guests become our Celebrities in an evening filled with great food, dancing and music provided by Dance Enhance Entertainment. The evening will begin with a lavish Prime Rib, Chicken or Vegetarian Buffet entree as well as silent auctions and special speakers which include the Rev. Lowell Grisham of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Shawn Coker the Chairperson of The NWA Diversity Council and Vice President of Diversity Business Practices of Tyson Foods. Throughout the evening guests’ will be casting their vote for the "Star of the Night" Award which will be given to the person who raises the most money through a $1 ballot. Advance tickets for the event are $50 each or $400 per table of 8 and may be purchased on-line at http:/Avww.nwaglbtcc.org or by calling 1-888-361-9222 or in person at Tymythy’s Hair Salon located at 130 E. Poplar St. Suite B in Fayetteville. Tickets will not be available at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. and a Cash Cocktail bar will be open throughout the night. Formal Attire or Celebrity Costumes are recommended. th÷STAR 27 �by Jack Fertig June 2008 "Take bo~d risks, Aquarius!" Everyone is being just a bit too fabulous for words! Mercury is retrograde, so his alignment with Venus and the Sun is a bit more like a collision of verbosity and overaffected efforts at charm. Mars in Leo is feeding the frenzy. Remember Lucy and Ethel at charm school? It’s that kind of week! ARIES (Narch 20 -April 19): Baby wants to play, but you are atypically given more to talk than action now. Chatty word games and rambling are not usually your style, but go with it for now. Don’t be afraid to look silly. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Buying or tossing out household items could easily be a mistake. Instead try rearranging things and seeing them in a new light. This is a great time to locate problems in domestic finances, but solving them should wait a few weeks. GEMINI (May 2t - Jun.e 20): You’re going to trip over your tongue no matter what you’re talking about. Best to keep it light, nonconfrontational, and all in good humor so you can laugh with your friends over your own malapropisms and faux pas. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 o December 21}): Misunderstandings with your partner actually open new doors that could improve your relationship. Explore new pleasures and possibilities together. If anything seems disappointing, you might want to try again a few weeks later. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Anyone playing around should make regular visits to the clinic. When was your last time? If you have a clean bill of health, you can have a great time practicing any erotic techniques you’d like to develop. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Be creative! Be daring! Take bold risks and be willing to fall down and look utterly ridiculous. A good pratfall can be endearing, helping to improve your partnership orto find a good candidate for one. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): You have the housecleaning energy and lack of focus typical of a speed freak. Try to concentrate on one specific task or goal at a time. You’ll soon be dissatisfied with the results, but that’s OK. Housework always needs redoing! CANCER (June 21- Ju~y 22): Hide the plastic, and keep the cash out of reach. Any urge to display your good taste is best done as tasteful restraint - and no, that doesn’t mean buying handcuffs that match the bedposts! Take time out with someone you value most. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Everyone says you look fabulous - and you do! You’re all cranked up, looking and thinking three steps ahead, but are you really three steps ahead going in the right direction? Check with friends who care about more than looking fabulous. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Someone behind the scenes offers to help you up the ladder. Some secrets may be revealed in the process, but that can also work in your favor. Everyone’s screwing up some these days, but your mistakes - and the way you handle them - look good! LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You could charm anyone into believing your stories and arguments, even if they contain mistakes. Leave room for later revisions! Better just to radiate charm and energy; save the important facts for later. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Seems everybody wants a taste of what you’ve got! If you do play around, none of it will be secret. You could get a reputation as a great lover, but what would your boss and your partner say? METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! 28 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com �Support those who support us. DOWNTOWN PLAZA of TULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS P. O. BOX 3158 Eure "ka Springs, AR 72631 479-253-2555 www.diversitypride.com EXPRESSIONS Comm Fellowshi 311 S Klein Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73108 405-761-1878 www.myspace.com/expressionsokc HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747~5466 Certified Public Accountant ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesclub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.ctubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE 11730 E. 11TH Tulsa, OK 918-437-0449 Open Sun- Sat 2pm to 2am THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com www.ozarksstar.com SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM MCC of the LIVING SPRING 17 Hk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 ~’xw,wv.c21 goldcastle.com OK JAZZ HALL OF FAME 111E. lstSt Tulsa, OK 918-596-1001 www.okjazz.org CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 TOLBERT THEATER 400 W. Sheridan Oklahoma City, OK 405-297-2264 www.tickets.com GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn 9 8-835-?887 DALLAS CVB Dallas, TX www.winatrip.glbtdallas.com OKC PRIDE, INC PO BOX 60296 Oklahoma City, OK 73146 www.okcpride.org OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY 621 E 4th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918-743-4297 www.okeq.org Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or rnoneyorder to: OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT 2015 -B S. Lakewood Tulsa, OK 74112 918-838-7104 www. openarmsproject.org OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 The STAR PO Box 581718 Tulsa, OK 74158-1718 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: Address: City:. KING OF MASSAGE In or Out Calls Oklahoma City, OK 405-314-3898 JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 St: Zip:. Phone: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: theSTAR �Chuck Breckenridge ~ether buying or selling I’)). work hard for your[ 30 tB÷STAR ................... www.ozarksstar.com ��We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or promiscuous behavior in a positive light in our public schools. We oppose the erosion of our military readiness through openly practicing hornosexuals serving in the military We oppose the promotion of homosexuality, the elimination of laws against sodomy, and the granting of minority protection or special status to any person based upon sexua~ preference or llfestyb choice. We are committed to equal treatment of all service members and believe all patriotic Americans should be allowed to serve our country without discrimination, persecution or violence. We support legislation barring workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. We support the full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits and protections for these families. Taken from current platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties of Oklahoma. �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document ~nty one years ago was a world that many young people never k~ew or could comprehend. No openly gay person had been elected to public office in Oklahoma. Organizations advocating equality for GLBT Oklahomans were few and far less influential. Only 3 years earlier our Oklahoma Legislature had passed legislation (later ruled unconstitutional by the Federal court system) that would prohibit a public school teacher from even making a positive statement about the GLBT community in a classroom. Equality for GLBT people was hardly discussed, and gay marriage even more remote. Politicians could (and did) make hateful statements about our community without any fear that someone would challenge their remarks. (sorry Sally, you came along too late) ride ~ganizers of this year’s Tulsa Pride Celebration are promising the public that this year’s events will be anything but boring. Nate Black, one of the co-chairs says the changes are intended to breathe a new sense of excitement into the Pride observance and to help promote the revitalization of downtown. It may not look the same, but organizers promise that Tulsa Pride 2008 will be just as incredible of a celebration as ever. Spanning over two weeks, with an event almost every evening, Tulsa Pride 2008 has something for everyone. "There will be some differences, but the spirit of the celebration is the same. It is still going to be a joyful, invigorating experience that xvill spark the same sense of pride and freedom in our community," Tutso PI IDE ?008 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com walk or drag yourselfto Tulsa Pride 2008 By Joey De It may not look the same, but organizers promise that Tulsa Pride 2008 is a series of events you won’t want to miss. "We have our three anchor events: the gala, the parade and block party, and the picnic," explains Pride co-chair Nate Black. "There ~vill be some differences from the past, but the spirit ofTulsa Pride is as vibrant as ever." Here is a brief look at the events ofTulsa Pride 2008. For a complete listing, maps and details, visit www.tulsapride.org May 30 - "Sisters in Song" concert at All Souls Unitarian Church. May 31- Wear your rainbow attire and enjoy a day at America’s favorite zoo with your friends and family. Tnat night, join the Equality Gala and celebrate the GLBT community at Cain’s Ballroom. Jun. 1 - Rev. Barney McLaughlin and members ofTulsa’s faith community will be hosting "Spiritual Equality," an interfaith service at Bethany Christian Church. Jun. 2 - Join PFLAG at the Circle Cinema for a free screening of "Anyone and Everyone," a film about families struggling to accept their GLBT youth. Jun. 4 - Cheer the Drillers to victory and enjoy an old-fashioned ballpark picnic. Tickets must be bought in advance. That evening, Lochran Theatre’s "He&vig and the Angry Inch," opens. The show will play at various locations through the 15th. Jun. 5 - Enjoy the works of 60 artists at "More Color," a one-night ex~hibition at the Equality Center. Jun. 6 - Open Arms Youth Project Fashion Show. Jun. 7 - Dine at the OkEq Family Taco Dinner benefiting PFLAG, then join the Pride Parade and Block Party, with two stages of entertainment. Youth Services ofTulsa will be hosting a concert in their Coffee House for those under 21 and child care will be available for those under 12 at the Equality Center. Jun. 8 - Texas Hold’era at the Equality Center. Jun. 10 - Leather and Fetish fashion show at the Equality Center. Jun. 11 - Join the "Gender Avengers" for an evening of monologues and plays addressing transgender issues. Jun. 12 - Learn about raising kids in a diverse world at the Downtown Library. Speakers will be available and books attacked for their "inappropriate" messages will be displayed. Jun. 13 - Screen "The ~A’ Word," a film with no audio or subtitles, about 10 deaf lesbians. Jun. 14 - Walce up early for the YST fun run before the Equality Festival at Centennial Park on 6th and Peoria! www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 3 OKC P DE EEKEND AN EVENT TRULY ’COMING OF AGE" By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ It can be hard to fathom, but OKC Pride is now 21. Had the event been a child born 21 years ago, that person would now be ready to legally enjoy the bars. Instead a spirit of human determination was born in rocky Oklahoma soil, with the joyful trappings that come with living in the Bible Belt’s buckle, q-his beginning came to Oklahoma through the brave organization of about a dozen people. As Paul Thompson recAls, "We didfft know if there wotdd be 10 people marching or a hundred." The Ku Klux Klan had promised to meet the marchers when they came over the N.W. 39th Street hill with hostile confrontation. When around 400 marchers came over the hill, the Klansmen waiting in Safeway’s (now Homeland) parking lot promptly left the scene, and a proud tradition began. It was a world that many young people never knew or could comprehend. No openly gay person had been elected to public office in Oklahoma. Organizations advocating equality for GLBT Oklahomans were few and far less influential. Only 3 years earlier our Oklahoma Legislature had passed legislation (later ruled unconstitutional by the Federal court system) that would prohibit a public school teacher from even making a positive statement about the GLBT community in a classroom. Equality for GLBT people was hardly discussed, and gay marriage even more remote. Politicians could (and did) make hateful statements about our community without any fear that someone would challenge their remarks. (sorry Sally, you came along too late) Today the Pride Festival and Parade truly showcases the theme by showing how far we’ve come. Festival booths not only feature openly gay public office holders (now even on the State level with the appointment of Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth), but also gay political organizations of Democrats and Republicans, as well as straight politicians & parties who are proud to speak out for us and seek our vote. Social organizations (from rodeo to softball), and religious groups bring us all together in glamorous diversity. There are countless more business organizations proud to seek out the gay community to make a buck. Last but not least, nothing compares to the mosaic of the GLBT community and their friends, people from all walks of life together in Pride. EVENTS: June 14 Saturday OKC Pride at the Zoo 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. For the first time there will be a gay day at the Oklahoma City Zoo. It will be a great way to begin the week’s festivities with family and/or friends. There is information about a special reduced rate inside every OKC Pride Participation Packet, so come out, enjoy the day and wish the animals a good week too! June 15 Sunday OKC Pride Day ofWorship Cathedral of Hope & Church of the Open Arms ( both UCC) will be planning special worship celebrations to commemorate Pride Week. Ifyou have felt left out or excluded from worship, these churches are ready to welcome you just as you are. June 20- OKC Pride Parade Now moved to Friday evening stepping off at 7 p.m. the route is unchanged. Beginning at Memorial Park ( N.W. 36th & Classen) it proceeds north on Classen two blocks north ofN.W. 39th Street, turns around on Classen and then proceeds west on N.W. 39th. Our Grand Marshall will be Joe Salmonese, the chair of the national Human Rights Campaign. Preceding the Parade will be a Strip Show ( signifying the N.W. 39th Street Strip) featuring some of our wildest and finest entertainers. Then the crowd cheers on as the parade’s first arrivals enjoy the finest climax ever enjoyed at any event. As the Parade concludes those in the mood will be ready to party, giving new meaning to a wild weekend while remembering how Pride brings us together. June 21- 22 OKC Pride Festival Still at Oklahoma Cit)?s Memorial Park at N.W. "36th & Classen, the Festival will run from noon until 10 p.m. Saturday June 21, and from noon until 5 p.m. June 22 Sunday. There will be many booths featuring organizations you can learn from or even consider joining, as well as endless types of merchandise. There will be entertainment as well Following the Festival conclusion at 5 p.m. Sunday, Church of the Open Arms has their Annual Pride Ice Cream Social, which will featuring the Therapy Sisters in concert. There’s no better way to cool off, enjoy the fun & music and recap the xveekend. This is an event you don’t want to miss, it’s there for all of us. For more infornaation pick up a Pride Guide at your favorite clubs, " or check out the website at wwv.okcpride. com DBAT Celebrates Pride by Hosting a Diversity Job Fair TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Diversity Business Association ofTulsa (DBAT), a program of Oklahomans for Equality, is hosting a Diversity Job Fair on June 13th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. The event, being held at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Downtown Tulsa, will bring together lgbt job seekers and lgbt-friendly employers in a safe and comfortable environment, allowing for open dialogue and alleviating fears of discrimination. The Diversity Job Fair offers a unique opportunity for diversity-conscious employers to access the wealth of skilled and talented members of the lgbt community. Additionally, job seekers are given an unprecedented connection to companies that are lgbtfriendly. F~r more information or if your company is interested in participating in the job fair, contact Susan Hartman at dbat@okeq.org or call 918-698-2977. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 By David Benkof Should gay-rights advances be put on hold until all LGBT people can be included? On this question, the position held by the most prominent voices in the gay community is so inconsistent it borders on incoherent. Last year, most leading gay-rights organizations rejected the advice of congressional experts including Rep. Barney Frank (DMass.) and pushed for an unlikely-to-pass version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that included gender identity. \Vc~hen the broader bill was replaced with an ENDA that covered only sexual orientation, hundreds of gay and lesbian groups lobbied Congress to vote "no" on what was the most important piece of gayrights legislation in a decade. Indeed, seven Democrats who had previously been reliable votes for pro-gay bills opposed ENDA because it did not include protections for transgender people. LGBT activists defended this stance in a variety of ways, but the basic argument xvas that no part of the community should gain civil rights at the expense of other parts. Of course, had that been the approach of voting-rights activists after the Civil War, African-Americans would have forfeited the vote until women gained suffrage a halfcentury later - and they, in turn, may have been asked to wait for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 before gaining the right to vote. In any event, supporters ofwhat became known as "United ENDA" characterized their position as a principled one, believing that LGB rights without T rights were worse than no rights at all, and that (Evita show tune be damned) politics is not "the art of the possible." This pose is simply unsustainable, as an examination of transgender military inclusion shows. The Web sites of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; the Human Rights Campaign; Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays; and many other groups advocate for an ENDA that includes gender identity, but the T is glaringly missing when it comes to military issues. ~nese organizations push for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to serve openly in the armed forces, but don’t lobby on behalf of transgender people who want to serve their country. They certainly don’t insist that any repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT) be linked to equality for transgender servicemembers. There are only three ways LGBT organizations can react to this imbalance with any sort of integrity: One, they could refuse to support the repeal ofDADT unless it is accompanied by a new policy that prohibits the military from discriminating on the basis of gender identity. Two, they could admit that their ENDA strategy was wrong and agree to accept an LGB-only workplace bill until such time as the votes are there to pass a more inclusive ENDA. Three, they could articulate pub!icly and precisely why discrimination against transgender people in the military is more legitimate than private-sector discrimination against them - and why it is more legitimate than discrimination against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals in the military. I would certainly prefer the second solution, but I could respect the other two approaches. My hunch, though, is that none of these stances will be adopted. The status quo is strong evidence that the "United ENDA" stance is not primarily about political principles. It’s about the internal power dynamics in the LGBT community, which have caused gay leaders to draw the line at an inclusive ENDA. No such mobilization has taken place over transgender people in the military, so there has been no perceived need for an ultimatum on that issue. Yet. David Benkofwas a longtime gay columnist, historian, and entrepreneur (as David Bianco). He is openly bisexual, but as an OrthodoxJew he is guided byJewish law in the areas ofsexvtality andfamily life. He can be reached at DavidBenkof@aol.com. 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com F~E BEER & HOT DO~ For a Family’s Dinner brought by the neighbors after the Death of Bettsie. Be sure to look on the bottom ofthe dish to see what neighbor brought it! Original Mo~,ie will be shown @ 7 pm dUl-h’~g dim-let. Ist Eplsede of Series will be shown immediately fo!!o~d.ug $10 D~nat~n to OG~,A inc]ludes ~nner ~$1GNING Meet and Greet Leslie Jordan - From Sordid Lives, Will & Grace My Trip Down The :PINK CARPET www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 @ Coming of e ~ulsa PRIDE ar~ 2008 ONE NIGHT ONLY ThuP~day, June 5, 2008, 5:G0prn to 9:0~m atthe Dennis R. Nell Equali~ C~nt~r, Corner of 4th and Keno~, dov~ov,~ Tuls~ the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Directed by David Gatigan Oklahoma City June 8, 2008 at 8pro wv~v.ozarksstar.com the 8TAP, 9 interview Interview by Victor Gorin eslie Jordan arrived in this world during 1955 in the Heartland of the Bible Belt, born and grown up in Chattanooga,Tennessee.. AI- [ho@ ~rowing up was ~ostly nor easy, he made le~nonade o[it of lemons and marie his experiences work for him, taking a bus to HoIly~ vood and never looking back. His credits are coundess, with app~ces on TV shows too numerous m mention them but in~ih&ag Reba and Will and Grace(which garnered him an E . Re is an accomplished playwright with his first success Like a Dog on Linoleum" followed by Hysterical B redness and other Southern Tragedies. Among his film successes i~’thd camp} dassic ’Sordid I[ives" (where he portrayed the drag que~ Brother Boy), which will be a n~w~series o£ LOGO ~ningJuly 23. His new book, "My, Trip down the P~~t:’ is 7h~ Slory of his life with his @s dd downs, tragedies, ~ es and tri~phs, and the story o~a flamboyant ~who has ~yfound hirrisel£ He is portr~iying his life ~lSo in a one man play of the same title in Olda~oma ~it~ June 8, for this is a must re~d and a must see. He shares his thoug~is with~E LESHE: Well I v,~as the Pips Printing guy, and t also was the elevator operator that took people to Ha~bu}ger Hell in a Taco Bel! co~ercial, i was the ~h~ck Full of Nuts coit~e boy, a]l kinds of commercials. ~ ~ ~ 10 the,STAR www.ozarksstar.com ma$~e that possible. ~CTOR~ g,q~.en does your new book COme *utJune 3~ and Iamso which is Ga~ ~cOholigm and RddiC’ : are some gay" activists wh6 feei that fl~bSya~t gay characters in the ueenS hinder the s{~u~le answer to Ilow iS tr~sggn: : and see me, I promise the STAR tl Dracula ofFree Speech, Kirk Humphreys, Pdses From the Po litica Grave by James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY) Just as the mythic Dracula ofTransylvania came back from the dead to spread horror among the peasants, so has the flesh-and-blood Kirk Humphreys come back from the politically dead to fling his homophobic horror in the hall~ of Oklahoma City’s public schools. Reborn in the blood of his religion and bred in the desiccated dessert of intolerance, Kirk Humphreys was recently appointed by the Oklahoma City School Board to fill the position of chair until an election is held in February, 2009. Coming above ground with his first public election to the Putnam City school Board in 1987, he rose to bigger things as mayor ofOKC in 1998. He resigned during his second term to run for U. S. Senate which he lost to Dr. Tom Coburn, 25% to 61%. Settling back into his businessman’s grave of multiple real estate dealings, one would have thought that we had heard the last of Mr. Humphreys. So why the concern regarding his reappearance? During his time as Mayor of OKC, he was the driving force behind the 2001 attempt to prevent Cimarron Alliance, a GLBT advocacy group, from exercising their First Amendment right to free speech with the display of banners promoting gay/lesbian equality. However, the shining light of Federal District Court Judge Robin Cauthron, exorcised the demon of Humphreys and as she ruled in favor of Cimarron Alliance and enjoined the City Council from interfering with Cimarron’s banner display on the utility poles. Hitherto the sacred utility poles had been the exclusive marketplace for hetero organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, rodeos, and other civic clubs. Did I mention the earlier "Tin Drum" video law suit? 12 the STAR In 1997, a fundamentalist censorship group ponied up with an Oklahoma County judge willing to make an informal ruling that the "Tin Drum" was child pornography and that copies of it could be seized in Oklahoma County wherever it could be found whether in private homes or public libraries. Despite the facts that the film had been released in 1979, received major film awards, and not anyone prior to Humphreys had made a legal claim of obscenity against the film, Humphreys again smelled blood and was hot on the trail ofwhat he thought would surely be a victory for fundamentalist decency. ~hinking that the cross of his religion would trump all blasphemers and dissolve the First and Fourth Amendments he encouraged the court case to proceed. Federal District Court Judge Ralph ~hompson, however, found that the film is not child pornography, and went on to criticize that the County Judge, Richard Freeman, had made a serious error in judgment pertaining to what constitutes pornography and allowing the OKC police, carte blanche, to search homes and businesses without a warrant. Both of the lost lawsuits backed by Kirk Humphreys cost hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in expenses and attorney fees which resulted in higher property taxes. ¯hough the "Tin Drum" adventure was publicly lead by former District Attorney Bob Macy, as mayor and the boss of the OKC police chief, I feel that Humphreys was certainly in the loop and should have had more sense and better advise in calling off the figurative police dogs. If the past is prologue, I think we can expect some more Humphreys hauntings at the expense of the Oklahoma City taxpayers. It’s been shown that the Constitution, its Bill of Rights, and especially the First Amendment, if applied in time, can counter the poisonous vapors that waft from Humphreys. Wockner News Service Congress’ highest-ranking vet calls f.or DADT repeal WASHINGTON, DC __ U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., whose military rank was the highest of any veteran now in Congress, has urged fellow lawmakers to join him in repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that bars open gays from the military. Sestak, a three-star admiral who spent 31 years in the Navy, is one of 17 congressional veterans co-sponsoring the repeal bill. "It is easy for me to see why Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell should be repealed," Sestak said May 3. "Once you have served in war and faced danger with a gay service member, how can you come home and say gay people should not enjoy equal rights?" Sestak’s comments came at the Equality Forum, an annual GLBT conference and festival in Philadelphia. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), which would repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and allow GLB personnel to serve openly, has 142 co-sponsors in total. "Veterans like Adm. Sestak, who have dedicated their lives to serving this country, are leading the movement in Congress to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," said Aubrey Sarvis of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "These lawmakers agree with senior military officers, including former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:John Shalikashvili and retired Army Maj. Gen. Vance Coleman, that when it comes to defusing IEDs, tending to injured troops, deciphering enemy codes and flying reconnaissance missions -- sexual orientation is irrelevant. Seventy-nine percent of the American people agree with them and it is time that Congress finally repeal this law." Carly Simon: ’I don’t consider myself"to be not gay In an interview published May 1 in the San Francisco gay weeldy Bay Area Reporter, ’70s pop-music legend Carly Simon said, "I don’t consider myself to be not gay." The double-negative quasi-coming-out occurred when interviewer Gregg Shapiro inquired: "After speaking with you this morning, I’m going to be interviewing Cyndi Lauper regarding her True Colors tour, which features gay and straight artists performing to raise money for the Human Rights Campaign and other LGBT organizations. I’m wondering if Cyndi called you and asked you to be a part of the True Colors tour, might you get involved?" Simon replied: "Well, the part that I could be involved in is the gay and lesbian part. The part that would be hard for me is to commit to a tour because I’m not very comfortable being onstage. But the part that would be easiest for me would be singing on behalf of all of us. I don’t consider myself to be not gay." Shapiro responded: "Wow! Well, it’s great to have you as part of the family." "Thank you!" Simon said. "I mean, I’ve enlarged all of my possibilities. There are a lot of extremely personal stories to tell about that, but we won’t go into that right now. Let’s just say that it just depends upon who I’m with." Attempts to contact Simon through her publicist, record label and MySpace page were unsuccessful as of press time. Frank: Transgender people were terrible lobbyists Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, DMass., says transgender people did a terrible job of lobbying for inclusion in the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. A version of the measure, known as ENDA, that protects sexual orientation but not gender identity has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is pending in the Senate. "I’ve never seen a worse job of lobbying done by the transgender community," Frank told the Oregon gay newspaper Just Out in its May 2 issue. "They seem to think that all they had to do was to get the gay and lesbian community to say ’OK.’ I think they thought that this was a train, and that they were a car on the train." "I said to them, ’You’ve got to work this, you’ve got to lobby people.’ They did a terrible job of lobbying, and so we didn’t have the votes," Frank said. First ot3enlv Illinois legislator dle Larry McKeon, Illinois’ first openly gay and first openly HIV-positive state legislator, died May 13 of a severe stroke. He was 63. McKeon represented a district of Chicago’s North Side in the state House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007. An Army veteran and former cop, McKeon also served as Mayor Richard M. Daley’s liaison to the GLBT community prior to his election to public office. McKeon retired last year, citing health issues related to HIV and cancer. ........More U. S. News page 27 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 recently confessed to the fact that she attracts gays like a moth to a light, hall the men that like me are gay, k’~ ~e. I have a really strong gaydar. I do love gay men though,~ Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres are planning to marD: Ellen has said she is "thrilled" at the r~ing by the California supreme court to overturn the state’s ban on gay marri~e. Alexander Payne "Hung" Up at HBO Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Payne (for Sideways, not his litde-usedbut- stilbcredit-getting screer~ptay for I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry) has a new pro’ect9 up his ste~we. And it~ about what’s in one man’s pants. Hung, a comedy pilot on track at HBO, will be Payne’s [IW-directing debut, from a script by Dmitry Lip~n. creator of%e Riches. ~md the subiect matter? What happens when a~l average, middle-aged basketbal! coach learns how to put his exceptionally large’~- penis to better ~e. NO actor has signed on yet to play the gifted guy, but casting is scheduled m begi n soon. If picked up for series, it will be, a; the very least, the first show" of its k5nd. But wi!I there be a Boogie Nights-style revea! shot? Or will it remain a mysteiT? Either way, expect a big deal to made about this one. Holb~voodactress edl3 ship only the closet. of True Co .ors pP g Cyndi LaUper~ colors are brighter than ever. F~li~Wing [tie Success of last year’s landmark tofir, Latimer is back to help the Human Ri~ts Campaign, theS~ue Colors Fund of StOnewall C~r~i-nuni~? Foundation, PFLa~G and the Centertink Network ofBLGT community cemers. Famous for just wanting to have fun, Lau per will be bringing her tour to the Zoo Amphitheater in Oklahoma City on Jun. 23. Joining Cyndi wilt be The B-52s, joan J~tr ~d The Blackhearts, ~mdy Belt of STAR www.ozarksstar.com Foster, 45, is believed to have called offher Erasure. Margaret Cho and Girl tn A Coma. relationship with movie producer Cydney with host Carson r*v~ ressl.ev,.f.or.tic.ket." t.mor- Bernard after a series of arguments. The marion or a full list ofto[,r dates, visit ~~",.~,,, couple were together for 14 years and have truecolorstour corn two children ~x;~om Fosrer g~ve birth to and " " Bernard adopted, according to the British Daily Mail tabloid. Pt~oto by: Bill Gaddis getting hot out. Tulsa’s wonderful sprir~g ,h,as played out. Here are a coupl~ tips I d like {o pass along that may add to your summer enjoyment of vino..F,irstly, for white win~S, you know/get ern ~ld! And as the~e Wines warm up in your glass, the fruit flavors open Up to~. I really like this gradual experience. Many times, we finish a bottle so fast when sharing with friends that we don’t even notice. For red wines, put a chill on ’era as well. NOT too c.o,ld but just cool enough so that you’re not drinking warm glug. Remember, room temperatu~’ e can mean a whole different thing during the summer. Proper stem ware can also make a big difference this time of year. Riedel glasses are among the best althougt~ not recommended poolside. Here are some wines for both red & white lovers. www.ozarksstar.com The fo owing is Calistoga Cellars Chardonnay 2006 This vintage was just released in ket. If you liked the ’05, this will really hit the mark. It’s li beautifully balanced mix of ripe pear and the wine is medium bodied soft finish. A favodte of l visit McGilrs on 21rst St. Vincent Pouilly-Fuisse This Pouilly-Fuisse in several areas belonging to th~ The wine is created by Jean-Jac( celebrated Chateau nette Vincent He blends the well balanced ers are on t finish. I first discovered s wine over at 1740/wine bar on Boston n~ear 18th. This Chardonnay from France i~ quite good. Michel Picard Vouvray This is Chenin Blanc from the Loi of France. Fresh aromas of apricot & on the nose and the finish is fruity and~~ slightly off dry. Enjoy this from with me,is that include shellfish to desserts like apple pies with vanilla ice cream. oak barrels owner of the Made-Antoi- "). make a White flow- Ochoa Garnacha Rose 2006 This Rose wine is made entirely from Grenache grapes. The color of is a result of the short maceration period that helps to maintain the fragrant aromas and fresh flavors. A well structured Spanish wine with plenty of well-rounded fruit and balanced acidity. Food pairings include pasta, salads and vegetables. ut the tannins, these producers make their wines more their youth. This bottle is also affordable and has received high acclaim from wine critics. Serious meat oriented pastas would go well with this wine. Toad Cacophony Zinfandel 2006 This ;I, Hollow Zinfandel comes ~ ppellation where Zinf~ les thdve upon the long h nights. This new offering i~ ~ 20% Petit Sirah. It~!a really great & jammy wine that’s a :e~.for barbecued meats. :i~va/Sparkling wine NV. Th~ rfclude; 50% Macabeo, ~ 15% Xarelolo. This iJwhat you may be used ne or U S sparkling :he Spanish create a : old world version from wine is quite affordable pleasantly surprise you. ~s ~s a good wine to fall back on as you ;lebrate the summer months. And as always, I say go to your favorite wine shop, ask questions and purchase a bottle or two. Share some food & wine with friends and check this out for yourself. Produtorri del Barbaresco 2004 I had a chance to visit this winery when I was northern Italy. The grape is Nebbiolo and it’s one of the most important wine grape varieties of Italy’s Piedmont region. Flavors of violets, tar, cherries, truffles, tobacco & prunes come to mind. Although ~is.~grape can take years to age and Mr. D also hosts wine & food events known in town as the Wine Tulsa. References include: the ABC’s of wine by James Laube/wv,rw.WineSpec~ator.com www.FoodandWine.com www.Wikipedia.org the STAR 15 9t8.585,5898 ® 800.585,5101 West 7th Street (corner 7th & Boulder Ave) ® Tulsa, Ok 74t 19 e www.q plazatulsa.com 16 theSTAR June 2008 TW’s-AFAB Catering by Donald Pile and Ray Williams LUNA VISTA B & B "Morltezuma’s Castle" aJmost knocked us over. At night we saw more stars in the sky than we ever see here in the Midwest. There are fabulous places to visit and there are "beyond Fabulous" places to visit. Luna Vista in Rimrock, Arizona is such a place. Driving out to California on a recent trip we were guests of Kala (pronounced Calla is in Calla Lily) and her husband Frank at their "beyond Fabulous" Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast. Located just about 20 miles southeast of Sedona and just about 3 miles offthe Interstate, this has to be one of the finest and most unusual places that we have been. However to get there you get off the pavement and drive about three miles around curvy hilly, rocky and treacherous gravel and dirt roads to make your arrival. But after arriving, it is ~vorth the trip. After making the last turn you are aghast when you see this place. It is like you have arrived at the Ponderosa! Kala and Frank were residents of the East Coast and after 9111 they decided that it was time for a major move. They purchased the property in Rimrock, remodeled, repaired, built on, put in a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and many more additions and finally opened their new B and B in February, 2004 and it has been an instant success ever since. We stayed in the Don Diego (Zorro) suite. Our bathroom was 18 feet by 20 feet and included our own Jacuzzi. Our shower was 6 feet by 8 feet and included a steam room and a double vanity, bidet and every kind of amenity that you would possibly want. Our linens were 400-threat count Egyptian cotton and of course they were ironed before putting them on the beds! Oh! Did we mention that they have heated towel racks in the bathroom? Each room came with a DVDITFIVHS, CD player, etc. A bottle of wine is in every room for the guests. The grounds are fabulous. They are very pet-friendly and even have a dog run and a horse run should you care to bring your horse. Not into driving? Then use their helicopter pad and fly right in! They serve a full-course breakfast every day and on Sundays’ a full brunch. And we are not talking a muffin and coffee, but a full sit-down breakfast with wanes, breakfast steak, eggs, potatoes, etc. Nothing is left out. Guests have the full run of the house and property including an office where you can check your e-mails and work online if need be. But the most important thing about Luna Vista are the owners, KALA AND FRANK. Nxey genuinely care about their guests and cater to their every need. Tney love life and it shows. In all of our travels, they are the most sincere, heartwarming and friendly people that we have ever met. On our last night there, Kala and Frank hosted a party in our honor and invited severn of their neighbors and area antiques dealers. They fixed enough food for an entire army. Everyone was so interesting in their own way. The woman The moment that Kala opened the door to welcome us in, we I~IEW that we were going in for a big treat and we were! She is dive, animated, professional, entertaining and a great hostess. Frank ALWAYS has a smile on his face and is very excited about everything. Together they make a great team and we know that they will be in the bed and breakfast business for many years. They can’t help it if they were born straight! It happens in the best of families. Everyone is welcome at Luna Vista and we do mean everybody! We stayed there for three days and didn’t even want to go anywhere else. However one day we did drive over to Montezuma’s Castle and on to Montezumgs Lake which was extremely interesting. But the red enjoyment was taking advantage of the Luna Vista B and B and the many amenities it has to offer. It is located on 16 acres and you can take a long hike through the woods and river area. The flowers were blooming everywhere. The sights and aromas Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast 18 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast next door to them bakes fantastic desserts and another neighbor is a spiritual advisor and yet another creams beautiful "cactus" lamps and objects. She presented us xvith one of her creations. The next time you really xvant to get away from everything and truly have a memorable experience, book yoursdf a xveek at the "beyond fabulous" Luna Vista. Their website is: wxvxv.lunavistabandb.com or call 800-611-4788. They have been featured in many travel publications from coast to coast. To get to Rimrock either fly into Flags{aff or Phoenix, rent an auto and drive. That is unless you’re already driving, then just drive on Interstate 17 and take the 293 Exit. We stayed xvith them on a return trip from California and our "beyond fabnlous" experiences continued while staying there. We don’t make many promises, but trust us on this one, we promise that you will have one of the finest and most enjoyable weeks of your life xvith Kala and Frank. Alxvays remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! Get the STAR delivered to your home or office. 12 issues only $33.95. Send Check or Money Order to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Seepage 29for order blank. Les residents want Wockner News Wire Nxree residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have filed suit in an attempt to reclaim the word "lesbian" and stop the group Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece (OLKE) from using it. Gay women are believed to have adopted the word in memory of Sappho, a poet who lived on the island in the sixth century B.C. and wrote about love between women. The plaintiffs claim the alleged theft of "lesbian" from the island’s residents amounts to "psychological and moral rape." An OLKE spokeswoman called the case "ridiculous" but an Athens court will hear the matter on June 10. Quotable Quotes Cuba’s parliament is studying proposals to legalize same-sex unions and give gay couples the benefits that people in traditional marriages enjoy. "The freedom of sexual choice and gender identity are exercises in equality and social justice," said Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro,. www.ozarksstar.corn ~}~eSTAR t9 of Town B~ A~&’~w Colli~ W-eekend Getaways from Portland, Oregon Oregon’s Gannon Beach o~rs some ofthe best sunset-viewing on the West Coast. (Photo by Andrew Collins) with a marionberry vinaigreue. For more sophisticated fare, book a table at the Gower Street Bistro, which presents creative regional dishes, such as pan-seared sea scallops with roaste&cre~ corn, eNgplant, and tJancetta. You might spend the mornings in Cannon Beach strolling along the sand, admiring the many geological formations just Offshore, such as the famous, 237-~bot-tall Haystack Rocla Do as locals do and grab a cup ofdelicious java at Sleepy Mgnk C~ff?e Roasters (alofig with £ ~hick sli~e ofch0~latechip pumpkin bread)before you Set Out[ %nture south of Cannori Beach and youll pass throt~ Oswald West S~te Park, which is laced with hiking trails that weave through 01d-gro~f0rest; leading down tO the ~ch. End your day in fianky itS, with its quirlg, cafes and galleri~i perhaps enjoying a glass of Oregon wine at Vino, a snaz~ little Wine bar that also ser~e~ plate~ of delici0u] chkrcuterie and cheeSe. Between Manzanita and CannOn Beach in tiny Arch Cape, the gay-owned Ocean Point Inn comprises three oceanfront suites with chic, contempo~ furnishings, fiatscreen TVs, and gas fireplaces. Guests can enjoy a ~de range oftreatments at the inn’s spa. It’s one of the most romantic accommodations along the coast. I-5} Within 30 miles of Portland, in Oregon’s verdant Willamette Valley; you’ll find some ofthe leading wineries in ~e United States - the area ha~ become especially renowned for iris pinot noirs. Ifyou have only a day to tour the region, focus your efforts a~ound the rural, hilly Yamhill area, home to such esteemed vineyards as Willakenzie, Penner,Ash, and Adelsheim. Just a short drive south, in the Dundee Hills. standouts include Archery Summit, Sokot Blosser, and Domaine Serene. ~ese are among dozens ofwineries with tasting rooms open m the public. Hip and cosmopolitan Portland continues to emerge as a popular urban vacation destination for gay" and lesbian travelers, thanks in part to its stellar restaurant scene, liberal social climate, and artsy personalit~: But another major draw of this charmed city is its proxmaity to so many breathtakingly beautiful places that make perfect two- to three-day getaways. In an afternoon’s drive, you can explore the rugged Oregon Coast, tile lush Willamette Valley wine country, or the high desert outdoor recreation mecca of Bend. Here’s a look at three ideal weekend getaways from the Portland area, all of them centered on communities with an increasing number of gay-owned or gay-friendly accommodations and restaurants. Camaon Beach and Manzanita (a 90-minute drive via U.S. 26) ~Ihis part of the valley abounds with excellent restaurants, too. An intimate spot serving relatively affordable French fare, Cuvee sits along the quiet main drag oftiny Carlton and is a fine place to end a day ofwine-t~asting. Among the several stellar restauvamts in Dundee, check out Tina’s, a bustling bistro that features creative American fare emphasizing ingredients from local r delicious dish is the seared halibut cheeks with diced "Ihere tic and rooms, each with a As vou From downtown Pordand, U.S. 26 leads west over the dramatic Coast Mountains to northern Oregon’s spectacular and relatively macrowded coast, a highlight ofwhich is dapper Cannon Beach, a low-keyed munity set along a striking stretch of beach. Quite a few gays and lesbians (including Pordand-based filmmaker Gus Van Zant) own or rent summer homes here or in nearby beach towns, such as funk)" Manzauita and upscale Gearhart. The quieter south end of Cannon Beach. known as Tolovana Park. has a slightly more artsy feel. Here you might spend the night at the delightful Inn at Cannon Beach, a tasteful complex of contemporar5 two-srory cottages that open around a central courtyard with fragrant flower gardens and Adirondack chairs. Itk steps from the beach, and next door to’the Warren House Pub. a casual, gay-friendly spot that brews its own excellent beer and serves tast7 comfort food, such as grilled pankocrusted oysters, and house-smoked-salmon salad gene. Here scene of any Oregon city with parks ~nd ri~:e vci~ opportunities for recreation. A attraction is the Owen Ros~ Garden, where more than d Nearb); a former chicken-processing plant houses the Fifth Street Market, now a complex of fascinati~ shops and enticing restaurants, mclu&ng one of the regions best dining choices, Marche. Here you can ry such memorable fare as 0yen-roasted local mussels with a saffron-cream, and smoked pork chops with rhubarb chum~ From April through De~emher, check out the neaiby Saturday Market, Where ente~iners pei~form and close to 200 artisans, farmers, and cooks sell their wares. 20 f~eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com OAXACA RESTAURANT Sed0na, Arizona Pronounced (Wa-ha&a) this Mexican restaurant in Sedona offers exciting food. With breath-taking scenery and beautiful views from their rooftop cantina, Oaxaca has earned it’s title "Local Secret/Big Find" by Travelocity.com. Tnis old world stTle Mexican restaurant is located in Uptown Sedona and offers casual dining with an extensive menu with a taste of every palate. Carl Butler, the owner and a registered dietitian has created a delicious menu with a healthy approach. Oaxaca serves up heart healthy, reduced fat and low cholesterol recipes which are full of flavo!! Oaxaca serves a wide range of Mexican, Southwest, American and Vegetarian dishes with authentic favorites Such as fajitas and chile rellenos. It is no wonder why people have been dining there for years and years and many people drive out of their way when traveling, just to dine there! You certainly will have a wonderful dining experience, enjoying the exciting flavors of their food and looking at the fabulous mountain scenery. q-hey are open daily: 10:30 AM to 9 PM. Happy hour: 3 PM to 6 PM. Breakfast buffet: Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AiM to 10:30 AM. q-hey are located at 321 North Highway 89A in Sedona, Arizona. .............................. CHILE RELLENOS Next Page theSTAR 21 di i g° New art exhibit feat ring artist Dennis Olson at the Dennis Ro Neill Equality Center TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 5-9pm, Thursday, June 5, 2008, for the opening of their June exhibit, paintings by Oklahoma City resident Dennis Olson. This event will correlate with the onenight- only Tulsa Pride "More Color" art show featuring works by sixty artists. Dennis Olson’s exhibit will remain up through the month ofJune, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Imsbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Quotable Quotes "I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling." California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: OkEq Cdebrates Ca i£ornia Ru ing £or Marriage Equa ity TULSA, OK (PR) - May 15, 2008 __ Today, in a 4-3 decision, the California State Supreme Court ruled in favor of full marriage equality for same-sex couples. The decision follows lawsuits by fifteen couples who challenged the constitutionality of the state’s marriage ban. "This historic decision is a victory for fairness and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of loving, committed couples and their families in California," said Justice Waidner, Oklahomans for Equality Executive Director. "We continue to work and hope for the day when families in every state have the basic protections that come with marriage." A growing number of states provide recognition of same-sex relationships. Including California, eight states plus the District of Columbia allow couples to marry or confer rights and benefits similar to marriage. However, the Defense of Marriage Act still prohibits the Federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages approved in individual states. In November, Californians vote on a ballot initiative to amend the state constitution by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. If passed, this constitutional amendment would overturn the California Supreme Court’s ruling. "Many Americans believe that marriage equality will be a reality in their lifetimes," noted Waidner. "Organizations in every corner of this country are working hard to achieve the kanerican dream of equality and justice for all. We are all inspired by the California marriage decision and look forward to the day when every American in every state and territory will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by marrying the person they love." 22 theSTAR w~v.ozarksstar.com Sound ofMusic Headlines Lyric’s 2008 Stammer Season OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) __ Tickets for Lyric Theatre’s 2008 summer season of musicals are now on sale. Lyric "Iheatre, Oklahoma’s premiere professional theatre company, proudly continues its 46-year tradition of producing stellar Broadway-style shows for the people of Oklahoma. Lyric’s four summer season productions will be held at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. From June 24th through 28th, Lyric will open the season with The Sound of Music, presented for the first time on the Civic Center stage. This timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein family classic tells the story of Maria, a young, spirited, would-be nun who is appointed as governess for the seven children of a widowed sea captain. Lyric’s next production, Swing!, will run from July 8th through 12th. Swing! is a celebration of the music and dance phenomenon that swept the nation in the ’30s and ’40s. This all-singing, all-dancing evening of music features over thirty incredible numbers guaranteed to put audiences "in the mood!" Lyric will bring a beloved movie musical to the stage from July 22nd through 26th. Set in Oregon in 1850, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers is the fresh, wholesome tale ofAdam Pontipee and his unkempt, burly brothers who kidnap six townswomen for the winter in hopes of finding love and companionship. Their well-meaning, but hilarious shenanigans of courtship are played out in boisterous song and dance. Seven Brides For Seven Brothers will feature Broadway performers Elisa Van Duyne as Milly and Jim Sorensen as Adam. (rated G) Concluding Lyric’s 2008 summer season is a modern musical hit, Urinetown, the Musical, fresh off the Broadway stage. The title might give off the impression that the play is about nothing more than a town that indulges itself in bathroom related humor. In reality, Urinetown, the Musical, written by Greg Kotis, a New York playwright who specializes in socially relevant comedies, is a hilarious melodrama about a town plagued by drought. In a mad attempt to regulate ,#cater consumption, the government forces its citizens to use pay-per-use amenities, monopolized by the Urine Good Company. Urinetown satirizes corporate and political greed, the idealism of rebellion, and also spoofs on the art of musical theatre itself, all set to a score bursting with a big Broadway sound. "Urinetown ~von the 2002 Tony Award for Best Original Score and is lauded on Broadway as one of the smartest, most comical musicals of this century;" explains Nick Demos, Lyric’s Artistic Director. There is nothing offensive about it, other than an unattractive title!" Urinetown plays from August 5th through 9th, and guarantees a unique night of unprecedented laughter. (rated PG) Single tickets to all Civic Center productions start at $27. Four-Show Season Ticket packages are also still available and start at just $80, as are the Three-Show Family Packages which include The Sound of Music, Swing!, and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. For more info visit www.lyrictheatreokc. com or call (405) 524-9312. TOM KOVACH MAKES HISTORY WINNING A SEAT ON NOR_MAN’S CITY COUNCIL By Victor Gorin NORMAN, OK__ Tom Kovach, an out gay Democrat was elected to the Norman City Council representing Ward 2 in a runoff against political consultant Chebon Marshall. The race began running against 2 opponents, Mr. Marshall and Michael McKee. Although Chebon Marshall got the most votes, he did not get a majority of the total votes. Mr. Kovach was in second place, so as per Oklahoma election law, this resulted in a runoff election. Although vastly outspent, Mr. Kovach made up for this with hard work and determination, and making known his stands on issues to make the city better. As he puts it, " Throughout the campaign we stuck mainly to the issues, which were mainly public safety and storm water." His efforts won the endorsement of both the Sierra Club and the Norman Homeowner’s Alliance. There was rumor mongering about his sexual orientation, and a literature drop Photo: Tom Kovach by Victor Gorin designed to turn conservative voters against him close to the election named him as endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats ( explaining for those who didn’t know that it was a gay rights organization within the Democratic Party), and a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (both true). Despite this distraction from the issues, his sincerity and practical message carried him to victory. He has lived in Norman over 40 years, much of that in Ward 2. His partner of over 10 years, Will Weir, is also an activist volunteer with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, P-Flag, GLSEN, and helping people with disabilities. Mr. Weir won Norman’s Human Pdghts Award in 2007. Tom made history being Oklahoma’s 3rd openly gay elected public official The last 2 were Oklahoma State Representative A1 McAffrey (Democrat District 88, elected 2006) and Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth (Democrat District 1, first elected 2002). The first was Dr. David also elected to the Norman City Council in 2001, who Tom remembers as "Someone who stood up for many issues which are now being considered by a more progressive city council, and we owe a lot to him" As for his future he is optimistic, stating that" I have been active in the city, spe~ng before the city council many times. N~ey know me well, and I think we have a good working relationship. I look forward to working with the seasoned members of the council, and look forward to working with Mayor (Cindy) Rosenthal." www.ozarksstar.com {:h®$TAR 23 Photo’s by Victor G. & Jud / G. @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City @Club Majestic, Tulsa @ Steve’s Hideawa t, Tulsa @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa @ The Copa, Oklahoma City 24 @Angles, Oklahoma City @ Finishline, Oklahoma City By Greg Steele Club Rachael n downtown Jade Esteban portraying his one man play Inns III, The Gay and Lesbian History of the Wodd at OKC’s Indiv dual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery Laura Belmonte, President Oklahomans for Equality and OKC Pride Publicity Coordinator Michael Cich at the 2008 LGBT Leadership Summit hosted by Cimarron Alliance Oklahoma ( Reverend Lo rce his friend Alex with their friends at May P-Flag Meeting. Gay ’Star Trek’ actor George Takei is to marry his partner Brad Altman in California Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Male Co-Chair Paul Thompson congratulates Reverend Loyce Newton-Edwards on her ordination as a UCC minister at Church of the Open Arms. www.ozarksstar.com ~ Swimsuit C01tect 0n Men From Mensuas _Mensuas announces their 2008 Swimsuit Collectionfor Menfiaturing swimwear by Bask#, Mensuas, IV2N Bodywear and Timoteo. Jvat in timefor sumrne~ these new swimsuits are great for t,6e beach or laying by the i)ool. TAMPA, FL 0)RWEB) __ Mensuas announces their 2008 Swimsuit Collection for Men featuring swimsuits by Baskit, Mensuas, N2N Bodyxvear and Timoteo. Just in time for summer, these nexv sxvimsuits are great for the beach or laying by the pool Timeoteo Swim Bikini Mensuas has carried N2N Bod),wear swimsuits for several years. The N2N Bodywear 2008 Sxvimsuits include the Catalina Competitor, Corona Competitor, Cosmo Competitor and the X-Poser. The new and daring designs xvill sure to get you noticed at the beach. Mensuas has team up xvith Tulio to create the exciting nexv Mensua~ Swim Bikini in four new styles for 2008. Modeled by Levi Poulter, these unique swimsuit designs represent a bold and exciting trend in mens sxvimxvear. Mensuas new operations center is located in the suburbs of Tampa, F1. The new operations center allows customers orders to be processed faster and alloxv the California Muscle Capri Blue Swim Teaser q-hong availability of more future products at their website. Our customer’s satisfaction with the products they order and the amount of time it takes to receive their order is number one priority at Menuas. Mensuas wants to become number one shopping source for customers to order their underwear and sxvimwear for themselves or for the man in their life. Mensuas always offer free shipping on all orders totaling $25.00 or more for US and Canada customers. We offer great international shipping rates. All orders received by 3:00 PM EST are shipped the same business day by USPS regular mail. All items shipped from Mensuas are tracked from the Post Office to ensure customers packages can be traced in case of lost or mishandled pack Baskit Orange Lucky 7 3.5" Swim Bikini ages. All packages shipped discreetly to our customers to ensure privacy. Mensuas is offering their customers a 10% discount on their next order, please enter promotion code undies08 at checkout and receive the 10% discount on your order total excluding shipping charges. Website: www.mensuas.com Mensuas Swim Bikini Timeoteo Swim Bikini California Muscle Dolce Swim Brief 26 t~~eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com WEST HOLL,,~Y~VO,OD, CA (,P,R) __ On June 4, 2008i !G)~atomy star T.R. K ight will i;i M tthew hepard Foundation ~ h~i~ kick off National Gay- Pride month with a symbolic dusk commitment ceremony at the faamed West Hollywood hotspot, The Abbey. At 8pm, couples from aroufid the nation will "tie the knot" in an event officiated by the Mayor ofWest Holly~vood and witnessed by Judy Shepard. Couples will be wearing the Matthew Shepard Erase Hate pendant courtesy of Love and Pride jewehy designer, Udi Behr. Love and Pride is the first online jewelry destination for people who believe in equality, diversity and tolerance for all. www.!oveandpride.com Behr created the Erase Hate pendant for Judy Shepard, in memory of her son, Matthew Shepard, who was the victim of a brutal anti-gay hate crime in rural Wyoming ten years ago. His murder brought national attention to the issue of hate crime legislation and was a watershed moment in the fight for gay civil rights. Behr remarks, "A public commitment ceremony is a great way to join together and strengthen our two messages; ’Celebrating Love’ and ’Erasing Hate.’" 100% of net proceeds from sales of the pendant assist the Matthew Shepard Foundation. v~’~v.ozarksstar.com Judy Shepard, executive director of the Foundation, said, "Wearing the Erase Hate pendant is a great way for people to express how they feel and promote the values of understanding, compassion and acceptance that were so important to Matthew," Adding, "It has been ten years since the death of my son. Although we can not replace Matthew, we can join together to help spread the message of erasing hate." Mayor Jeffrey Prang comments, "The City of West Hollywood supports marriage equality and continues to work hard for changes in California law." Adding, "We will not stop fighting for our rights as no government can prevent us from loving whom we choose." World renowned recording artist Steve Oliver will perform the classic ceremonial march Pachelbel Canon in D major. CEREMONY REGISTRATION FORM: www.MatthewShepard.org/GetMarried PRIDE PARADE OF NW"ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE AR (PR) __ NWA PRIDE announces the 2nd Annual NWA PRIDE PARADE, A Celebration of Diversity and Community, will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Parade organizers invite GLBTs aald Straight allies to come together in solidarity in support of equal rights for all. It is NWA Pride’s great pleasure to honor Chris Harmon as this year’s Grand Marshal. Chris has been an unsung hero as founder of the NWA POSITIVE LINKS BUDDY PROGRAM and is currently a board member of the NWA GLBT Community Center. The Buddy Program provides information and much needed peer-to-peer support for people living with HIV and AIDS. Chris and Program volunteers maintain a food bank, make personal visits, help with chores, transportation and provide many other resources for 1Mng a positive life. Parade participants and spectators are encouraged to be artistic, have fun and show your pride. (Kid friendly and appropriate for public locations) Paint your face, wear costumes, dress up your pets, horses, bicycles, vehicles and especially this election year, proudly wave rainbow and American flags. The parade lineup will start at 10 AM on Meadow Street, next to the Arvest Bank. Parade will start promptly at 12 Noon. A brief Pride rally will be held at the end of the parade in the V/alton Arts Center Parking Lot. For more details, float and or speaker applications, please go to NWA Pride’s web site at www.nwapride.org. Volunteers still needed! "A Star Studded Night" Gala in Fayettevillle FAYETTEVILLE, AR (PR) __ The NXX/A GLBT Community Center will host their 2nd Annual Fund Raising Gala "A Star Studded Night" on Friday, June 27 at the Clarion Inn located at 1255 S. Shiloh Drive in Fayetteville. The Ball Room ~vill be delightfully decorated resembling the glitz and glamor of a Hollywood party. Gala Guests’ will enjoy the fun and excitement of a "night among the stars" as guests become our Celebrities in an evening filled with great food, dancing and music provided by Dance Enhance Entertainment. The evening will begin with a lavish Prime Rib, Chicken or Vegetarian Buffet entree as well as silent auctions and special speakers which include the Rev. Lowell Grisham of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Shawn Coker the Chairperson ofThe NWA Diversity Council and Vice President of Diversity Business Practices ofTyson Foods. Throughout the evening guests’ will be casting their vote for the "Star of the Night" Award which will be given to the person who raises the most money through a $1 ballot. Advance tickets for the event are $50 each or $400 per table of 8 and may be purchased on-line at http:/Avww.nwaglbtcc.org or by calling 1-888-361-9222 or in person at Tymythy’s Hair Salon located at 130 E. Poplar St. Suite B in Fayetteville. Tickets will not be available at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. and a Cash Cocktail bar will be open throughout the night. Formal Attire or Celebrity Costumes are recommended. th÷STAR 27 by Jack Fertig June 2008 "Take bo~d risks, Aquarius!" Everyone is being just a bit too fabulous for words! Mercury is retrograde, so his alignment with Venus and the Sun is a bit more like a collision of verbosity and overaffected efforts at charm. Mars in Leo is feeding the frenzy. Remember Lucy and Ethel at charm school? It’s that kind of week! ARIES (Narch 20 -April 19): Baby wants to play, but you are atypically given more to talk than action now. Chatty word games and rambling are not usually your style, but go with it for now. Don’t be afraid to look silly. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Buying or tossing out household items could easily be a mistake. Instead try rearranging things and seeing them in a new light. This is a great time to locate problems in domestic finances, but solving them should wait a few weeks. GEMINI (May 2t - Jun.e 20): You’re going to trip over your tongue no matter what you’re talking about. Best to keep it light, nonconfrontational, and all in good humor so you can laugh with your friends over your own malapropisms and faux pas. CANCER (June 21- Ju~y 22): Hide the plastic, and keep the cash out of reach. Any urge to display your good taste is best done as tasteful restraint - and no, that doesn’t mean buying handcuffs that match the bedposts! Take time out with someone you value most. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Everyone says you look fabulous - and you do! You’re all cranked up, looking and thinking three steps ahead, but are you really three steps ahead going in the right direction? Check with friends who care about more than looking fabulous. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Someone behind the scenes offers to help you up the ladder. Some secrets may be revealed in the process, but that can also work in your favor. Everyone’s screwing up some these days, but your mistakes - and the way you handle them - look good! LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You could charm anyone into believing your stories and arguments, even if they contain mistakes. Leave room for later revisions! Better just to radiate charm and energy; save the important facts for later. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Seems everybody wants a taste of what you’ve got! If you do play around, none of it will be secret. You could get a reputation as a great lover, but what would your boss and your partner say? SAGITTARIUS (November 22 o December 21}): Misunderstandings with your partner actually open new doors that could improve your relationship. Explore new pleasures and possibilities together. If anything seems disappointing, you might want to try again a few weeks later. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Anyone playing around should make regular visits to the clinic. When was your last time? If you have a clean bill of health, you can have a great time practicing any erotic techniques you’d like to develop. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Be creative! Be daring! Take bold risks and be willing to fall down and look utterly ridiculous. A good pratfall can be endearing, helping to improve your partnership orto find a good candidate for one. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): You have the housecleaning energy and lack of focus typical of a speed freak. Try to concentrate on one specific task or goal at a time. You’ll soon be dissatisfied with the results, but that’s OK. Housework always needs redoing! METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! 28 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com DOWNTOWN PLAZA ofTULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747~5466 Certified Public Accountant ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesclub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.ctubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE 11730 E. 11TH Tulsa, OK 918-437-0449 Open Sun- Sat 2pm to 2am THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com Support those who support us. DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS P. O. BOX 3158 Eure"ka Springs, AR 72631 479-253-2555 www.diversitypride.com EXPRESSIONS Comm Fellowshi 311 S Klein Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73108 405-761-1878 www.myspace.com/expressionsokc HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM MCC of the LIVING SPRING 17 Hk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 ~’xw,wv.c21 goldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com OKJAZZ HALL OF FAME 111E. lstSt Tulsa, OK 918-596-1001 www.okjazz.org TOLBERT THEATER 400 W. Sheridan Oklahoma City, OK 405-297-2264 www.tickets.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn DALLAS CVB Dallas, TX www.winatrip.glbtdallas.com 9 8-835-?887 OKC PRIDE, INC PO BOX 60296 Oklahoma City, OK 73146 www.okcpride.org OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY 621 E 4th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918-743-4297 www.okeq.org OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT 2015 -B S. Lakewood Tulsa, OK 74112 918-838-7104 www. openarmsproject.org OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 KING OF MASSAGE In or Out Calls Oklahoma City, OK 405-314-3898 JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or rnoneyorder to: NAME: Address: City:. Phone: The STAR PO Box 581718 Tulsa, OK 74158-1718 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) St: Zip:. Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: www.ozarksstar.com theSTAR Chuck Breckenridge ~ether buying or selling I’)). work hard for your[ ................... 30 tB÷STAR www.ozarksstar.com We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or promiscuous behavior in a positive light in our public schools. We oppose the erosion of our military readiness through openly practicing hornosexuals serving in the military We oppose the promotion of homosexuality, the elimination of laws against sodomy, and the granting of minority protection or special status to any person based upon sexua~ preference or llfestyb choice. We are committed to equal treatment of all service members and believe all patriotic Americans should be allowed to serve our country without discrimination, persecution or violence. We support legislation barring workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. We support the full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits and protections for these families. Taken from current platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties of Oklahoma. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2008] The Star Magazine, June 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 6 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 01, 2008 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwestern Missouri Western Arkansas Southeastern Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Charles (Chaz) Ward Victor Gorin Greg Steele James Nimmo Joey D. Romeo San Vicente Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Judy G. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, May 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 5 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/250 The Star Magazine, July 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 7 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/247 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/248 After Dark Barney Frank Bars Carly Simon DADT Repeal Dennis Olson dining Don't Ask Don't Tell ENDA horoscope Joe Sestak Larry McKeon Lesbos Leslie Jordan Lyric Theatre marriage equality MCC church military inclusion Night club Paparazzi on the Prowl pride Parade Qscopes Quotable Quotes Star Advertisers Star Scene starclassifieds swimsuits Tom Kovach TR Knight travel wine https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/a918105ab6adf69713364d2fce7d8fe6.jpg 897cdc4b95d5e02e0ab111a32bc1d143 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/820049079019edbbc4699ae60584c413.pdf a000a4191d62824a2816c51d7099c84b PDF Text Text 2008 A new " for Pride By Joey De By Joey De If you have lived in Tulsa for more than twenty minutes, you knmv that there is an impenetrable force-field separating the city. Most Tulsans call it Forty-First Street. Enter the Downtown Plaza Hotel, on 7th & Boulder, who for the first time in recent memory provided Tulsa Pride an official "host" hotel. Photo: Equality Festival at Tulsa’s New Centennial Park Sometimes change can be difficult, however, despite months of complaints and apocalyptic predictions about the many "firsts" at Tulsa Pride 2008, it seems that the only people who had difficulties were the protesters. For the first time in the celebration’s history, the protesters were present for only a minimal time during the Pride Parade and completely absent from the Diversity picnic. "2008 was a },ear of dramatic change," says Nate Black, one of the event’s cochairs. "However thanks to the dedication of a strong group of volunteers, all the changes to this year’s events were possible. It would not have been possible without each and every person who helped." Black especially credited his co-chairs Kristi Freeman and Toby Jenkins with making the pieces fit together. "Kristi has an incredible ability to assess and foresee needs and coordinate logistics. The fact that everything worked smoothly to host thousands of people at our events xvas a testament to her abilities." "The fact that ~hlsa Pride is able to remain free to the public is proof of Toby’s dedication to these events, which on the low end cost over $30,000. Under his leadership, we were able to, for the first time, secure the majority of our sponsorships long before the events even took place," says Black. .......... Continued page-5 Staying at a hotel room for your own city’s Pride ,nay seem a little excessive, but for a South-Tulsan, it made perfect sense. Having a place downtown to call "home" for the weekend saved time and even money on the celebration’s two largest weekends. Anyone who has ever been to a Pride observance knows that three things are true. It will be hot. You will be sweaty. You xvill be drinking. All three of those can combine to impede a "proper" Pride celebration, but with the convenience of the Downtown Plaza Hotel’s location, neither was an issue. Through taking advantage of the special Pride Rate offered by the hotel, it was effortless to enjoy the day (or early evenings) festivities, .......... Continued page-5 ��1- 80 0o535 oAI DS (2437) Ok ahoraa s H~VIST~ 2 the STAR ww~v.ozarksstar.com �Dear Editor: I thought I would add something to the political cartoon in the June 2008 Star. Presently I live in Oklahoma City, and much to my surprise have done so for the last 14 years. Originally from Boston I make an annual trip home each Christmas to see family and friends and make a quick pilgrimage to the haunts I was familiar with before leaving Boston in the mid 80’s. This pilgrimage consists of walking the city to see what is still around that I was familiar with, and perhaps who is still around that I can remember. On my most recent trip I was a little saddened to see many places that meant a lot to me are no longer around, or have been so renovated for so different a use that they are unrecognizable. As is my custom, on this outing I stopped in at every gay bar I could remember, or find, and had drinks and conversations with the bartenders. Most of the old bars are gone, as are the people. Politics begins in the bars in Boston, and gay politics was no exception. The civil rights fought for and won began with many bar patrons and owners, and in the process of getting what they were after, the bar owners found that with acceptance came a lesser need for the safety of an exclusively gay bar with the occasional straight patron. In conjunction with this the price of living in the city has made any gay ghetto prohibitive, making it necessary for what vcould have been the denizens of such an area to move into the suburbs for affordable housing with the side effect of showing the majority of the state that Gay people were pretty normal, and not the screaming stereotypes that isolation seemed to promote. Gay people were seen as responsible people and not the party animals who spent most of their lives going to bars to dance the night away and returning home each night with a different sex partner. They turned out to be people so normal that marriage did not seem to be such an improbable thing. The ultimate goal of gay gights is equality, and that means normalcy for most. Just as straights have their outlets out of the mainstream, so do gay people. But both do have their mainstreams. The gay bars still around are nostalgia for us older gentlemen who want some of the past preserved for our visits back, or who may feel more comfortable in one because life had not been all that kind to us, with just a bit of the specialty shop aura to them. Most have become very mixed, while some have become the corner bar, the lodge for men and women of like minds to talk freely among their own, but doing it willingly as opposed to necessarily. The lesser the need for exclusively gay bars, the more success can be claimed by the gay community. Joe Quigley Oklahoma City www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �DOWNTOWN PLAZA HOTEL cont. TULSA PRIDE continued then quickly retreat to air-conditioning and a cold shower. This was especially useful following the parade and block party, According to estimates provided by the Tulsa Police Department, this year’s Pride Parade and Block Party have become the largest events of their kind in Downtown Tulsa. Police estimate that there were a combined 18,000 people between the two events. just before visiting the bar,s. Adding to the convenience was the hotel s on-call shuttle. With less then a ten minute wait each time it was needed, the shuttle allowed guests to leave their cars and avoid parking headaches, expensive gas and more importantly, DUIs. Many parade-goers were excited about the new evening-format, celebrating with glow sticks and sparklers. Some of the floats even stepped into the spirit embracing christmas lights and disco balls. Most route walkers were simply excited over the fact that they no longer had the sun beating down on them and that the trek was much flatter. The hotel is currently undergoing a complete restoration, with every room being completely renovated to sport an almost TUqnspired blue and gold color scheme. Furnished with antique-style pieces, the rooms of the Downtown Plaza Hotel are uncluttered, yet comfortable and quaint. Pride guests noticed a little construction "dust" in the form of the occasional minor malfunction and missing carpet outside the elevator, however found their problems fixed quickly and courteously with a simple call to the front desk. Following the parade, the block party centered around the Equality Center came into its own, maintaining a crowd until the scheduled end at midnight. Following the event, most of the area bars reported record capacity crowds as the party continued through the evening. The following weekend at Centennial Park, the only thing to be missed was the heat and mud at the former location. For many pride-goers, this event was the first time they had visited the new Tulsa centerpiece. Most fell in love with its picturesque setting and more importantly abundant shade. According to TPD estimates, 12,000 people visited the Diversity Picnic, which according to organizers was represented by a steady flow of people through out the day. The forty-plus booths at this year’s picnic xvere the most diverse in memory, representing non-profit service organizations such as HOPE Testing Clinic, Fortune 500 companies such as Best Buy and the traditional array of Rainbow Retailers. Picnickers enjoyed the live entertainment that took the stage off and on through out the day, while kids entertained themselves on the inflatable games and climbing wall. Okay, the kids weren’t the only ones enjoying the inflatable games. The handsdown hit of the picnic was the water slide that both kids and adults rode repeatedly. w~,~N.ozarksstar.com Perhaps the most enjoyed aspect of While the three major pride attractions could be considered a successful spl!t, many attendees expressed a desire for the events to be recombined onto one weekend. A common complaint: "I didn’t know what weekend to tell my friends to come. They couldn’t take off work both weekends or afford the gas to come twice." Black reacts to such criticism openly. "There were a lot of changes this year. Some things went very well; some things didn’t go as well as we had hoped. We are going to take what we learned, listen to the feed back we receive and then will make the appropriate changes for next year." As for now, Black and the rest of the Tulsa Pride Committee are happy to place Tulsa Pride 2008 in the history books as a success, with a rejuvenated event positioned to grow in the years to come. Downtown Plaza Lobby the Downtown Plaza Hotel by some pride guests was their retreat to the New York City-eque second story outdoor pool. Tucked quietly between the rooftops of dmvntown Tulsa, the pool was quiet, clean, and theperfect place to prepare for, or recover from the festivities. Staying at the Downtown Plaza Hotel gives celebrating Tulsa Pride a new feel. For those from Tulsa, it creates an enjoyable mini-vacation, while those who travel enjoy its close proximity to the Pride events and Downtown night life. Either way, whether from in or out of town, it always feels good to stay where "family" is welcome. the STAR 5 �The Phantom Standard Joey De For Marni Raab, playing the role of Christine in the legendary musical "The Phantom of the Opera," is the fulfillment of a long time dream. "I started ~vith this show as an understudy in 2001," recalls Raab, ~vho has played the role for the past seven years internationally. "I was then promoted to performing two shmvs a week, and then when on tour six." Although it may seem odd to plan alternating actresses to play a role, Raab explains it as "just good business sense." "The show is long and Christine is onstage for almost all of it," says Raab, who notes that there is only one scene in the almost three hour show in which her character doesn’t appear. "The people they hire to play Christine are ingdnues," says Raab, who continues "They put big, heavy costumes on them, and then thrmv them around. I wind up falling and running then falling again, a lot. It’s just better to schedule somebody as a second principal then to never kno~ving when your lead will be out." "The Phantom of the Opera," is Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ hit musical about Raab’s character, Christine, and her admirer/kidnapper, ~ll~e Phantom. "He’s a maniac, a monster, disfigured and he’s a murderer," describes Raab, "but he is also a poet, an architect and a brilliant composer." Diversity Business Association of Tulsa 6 the STAR Christine on the other hand, is a young lady on the verge of adulthood, says Raab. "She was been raised by her violinist father, educated and probably traveled the world, which was rare then." Raab explains that her character is lonely and looking for a way in life when the brilliant, yet creepy Phantom enters her life as a mentor. Unfortunately, Christine’s’ childhood acquaintance Raoul re-enters her life at the same time, completing a love triangle that entangles the three. "She must choose between the passionate genius who has a horrible disfigurement and has been led down the wrong path, and the nice guy." When asked how the show has endured, Raab believes that "The Phantom," offers something for everyone to react to. "I have done the show across Canada, the US and Asia, and every audience reacts differently. There are lavish sets, pyrotechnics and elaborate costumes. It’s ornate, it’s majestic and at the heart it’s a love story." Helping to ensure the quality of "The Phantom" experience, Raab says that every production of the show must meet the highest standards. "Audiences demand a certain standard," says Raab," but the producers insist on it. If you xvant to produce the show, you must have the seal of approval from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hal Prince and al! of the people associated with the original. This way the show you see (in Tulsa) is the same as what people in New York and on the West End are seeing." Raab says that there is also a standard the performers in the show must live up to. "It is humbling and an honor to be in this show, and I know I have big shoes to fill. It has been around for so long, audiences feel a sense of ownership in it, making it even more important to see it done right. You (the performers) have a responsibility to keep the show in shape and do it justice." According to Raab, the performers have help from standard’s directors, who guide their performances to prevent serious character infractions. "We dodt have the luxury of’finding’ our characters," the actress explains. "It takes a different skill set to step into a role that has been established and place our marks on it as artists." If you have not yet experienced "The Phantom," the show will be at the Tulsa PAC through July 13. Visit www.myticketoffice.corn for ticketing information. Quotable Quotes Scientists at the Karolinska Institute studied brain scans of 90 gay and straight men and women, and found that the size of the two symmetrical halves of the brains of gay men more closely resembled those of straight women than they did straight men, while the brains of homosexual women were asymmetrical like those of straight men. www.ozarksstar.com �Open Daily = High Noon www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �17 West 7th Street (corner 7~ & Boulder Ave) Tulsa, Ok 74119 R~tions: 918~5~98 e 800~5,5101 www.downtown plazatulsa:com 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �JULY 2008 the STAR 9 �Oklahoma City Museum o£Art Presents Roman Art £rom the Louvre perfume bottles, and cosmetics are examined within the greater context of the role of women in the Roman Empire. Other topics addressed include the art of Roman portraiture; the Boscoreale treasure; and Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli and the Maritime Theater. Final U.S. venue for rare ancient works from the Louvre’s esteemed collection OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ The Otdahoma City Museum of Art wil! be the final North American venue for Roman Art from the Louvre, June 19 through October 12, 2008. Tile seventeen-~veek exhibition, so large it will occupy the Museum’s ground floor special exhibition gallery and the eight second floor galleries of the Museum, will feature 184 works, some weighing more than 6,000 pounds. An unprecedented exhibition of ancient masterworks, drawn from the Louvre’s unparalleled collection, it provides a rare and historic opportunity for Oklahoma audiences to view these magnificent works, many of which have not been seen by the public in decades and most of which have never traveled to the United States. Furthermore, many of the objects in the exhibition have recently been restored, bringing to light their original beauty and strength of expression. The portrait busts of anonymous men, women, and children featured in "The Roman Citizen" reveal the styles and fashions popular during the Roman Empire. Clothing, hairstyles, jewelry and other accessories, 10 the STAR Voter registration applications may be submitted at any time. However, a valid application must be received at a motor license agency or a designated voter registration agency, or postmarked (if submitted by mail), more than 24 days prior to an election in order for the applicant to participate in that election. Deadlines for submitting valid voter registration applications prior to the 2008 statewide elections are as follows: Primary Hection Friday, July 4 - Registration Deadline Tuesday, July 29 - Election Runoff Primary Election Friday, August 1 - Registration Deadline Tuesday, August 26 - Hection General Election Frida); October 10 - Registration Deadline Tuesday, November 4 - Election CHANGES IN POLITICAL AFFILIATION Changes in political affiliation may not be made during the period from June ! through August 31, inclusive, in any even-numbered year. The last day on which a change in political affiliation can be made before the closed period is May 31; the first day on which a change in political affiliation can be made after the closed period is September 1. "The Louvre, thanks to Napoleon’s megalomaniac interest in the glories of Ancient Rome, has one of the finest collections of Roman art outside of Italy," said Hardy George, Ph.D., chief curator at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. "The exhibition of sculpture, jewelry, mosaics, and frescos will be scrupulously arranged in a thematic manner that will certainly be visually and aesthetically pleasing as well as historically informative." The exhibition examines the manifestations of Roman public and private life through an exploration of several themes, including religion, urbanism, war, imperial expansion, funerary practices, intellectual life, and family. Roman Art from the Louvre shows the full range of Roman artistry and taste, juxtaposing "official" art with more modest, private works. VOTER REGISTRATION Roman Art from the Louvre was organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Musde du Louvre. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. American Federation of Arts: The AFA is a nonprofit institution that organizes art exhibitions for presentation in museums around the ~vorld, publishes exhibition catalogues, and develops educational materials and programs. For more information on the AFA, please visit www.afaweb.org. OTHER IMPORTANT DATES Last day to request absentee ballot for July 29 Primary Election \Vednesday, July 23 Vote early at your County Hection Board office Friday, July 25, 8 AM - 6 PM Saturda); July 26, 8 AM - 1 PM Monday, July 28, 8 AiVl - 6 PM Candidate Filing for federal, state, legislative and county offices June 2 - 4 vavw.ok, gov/-elections/index.html www.ozarksstar.com �Congressman Frank: Why John McCain Is \Vdrong for the LGBT Community WASHINGTON, DC __ In the May edition of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT newsletter, Democratic Congressman Barney Frank makes the case for why electing John McCain would be a step backward for the LGBT community. Frank, a member of Congress representing Massachusetts since 1981, has long been an outspoken civil rights advocate and a vocal member of the LGBT community. While McCain has tried to portray himself as a "maverick" and a "moderate," Congress: man Frank makes it clear that on LGBT rights, like so many issues, McCain offers a third Bush term. ~-he following are excerpts of Congressman Frank’s article: "With one exception, the relevance of which Senator McCain himself is rapidly diminishing, John McCain’s record is completely opposed to our efforts to combat prejudice and gain legal equality... "He has of course made it clear that he will support constitutional Amendments banning marriage at the state level, including in his mvn state of Arizona, and he regretted the fact that Arizona rejected such an amendment... "In every other area, McCain has a consistent voting record against our efforts. In 1996, the only time the Senate voted on the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, McCain was one of those who voted no. He has also consistently voted against extending hate crimes protection to gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals... "This apparently reflects the prejudiced view that he expressed in 1993 when he was helping block President Clinton’s effort when he said on February 4th, as recorded in the Congressional Record, "The issue of allowing open gay lifestyles in the military is completely different from the kind of www.ozarksstar.com changes taking place in civil life ... Homosexuality is a behavioral trait, unlike skin color... "In addition to strongly opposing same-sex marriage, suggesting that he could modify his opposition to a federal constitutional amendment banning states like Massachusetts from adopting same-sex marriage, voting against ENDA, consistently opposing hate crimes coverage for us, and being recorded against every other effort in the Senate to give us fair treatment, Senator McCain also promised if he becomes president to reduce those protections we have been able to achieve at the Supreme Court level. He has noted his admiration for those justices who have consistently voted against any efforts by GLBT people to establish any right to legal equality, for example Chief Justice Rehnquist, a dissenter in the Lawrence v. Texas case, in which the sodomy laws against gay and lesbian people were stricken. "Given the alignment of Supreme Court Justices, and their ages, it is virtually certain that if John McCain is president, he will appoint justices who will overturn the Lawrence decision and the leading Supreme Court opponent of fair treatment for gay and lesbian people, Antonin Scalia ~vill gain alhes from McCmns appolntme ts. Community Peopte living 50t c (3) b~on Profit ()rganization Our House, Too offers a vadety of activities for PeoPle who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIM+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. the STAR 1t �~W By Donald Pile and Ray Williams MY TRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET for Will & Grace in 2006, but Leslie also is a gifted writer and playwright. He wrote and starred in the autobiographical play, LOST IN THE PERSHING POIINT HOTEL, which was also made into a motion picture. He has appeared in dozens of TV shows including The Fall Guy, Murphy Brown, Newhart, Ski Patrol, Lois & Clark "The New Adventures of Superman", Reba, Wings, The Pretender, Dharma and Gregg, Ellen, Caroline and the City, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Nash Bridges, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Judging Amy, George Lopez, Boston Legal, Ugly Betty and Hidden Palms to name just a few. Leslie Jordan, the wonderful talented actor, comedian, writer and playwright has just come out with his new book, MY TRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET which is a fabulously funny and interesting biography of Leslie’s life, so far. We are fortunate that we met Leslie a few years ago and saw his opening performance of"Like A Dog On Linoleum" in West Hollywood. He played to sell out audiences every night, and now in his new book, he brings his life to readers throughout the nation to peruse. What began as a smal! boy growing up in Tennessee and thru his different trials and tribulations he now is one of the top actors/entertainers in the country. Leslie has written a brutally honest story of his life and tells about all of it, warts and all, from his alcoholism, addiction to drugs, street hustlers and everything in between. The greatest thing is that he has been able to overcome most all of his demons (he has now been sober for over 10 years). Most people who write biographies like to kinda forget the bad times and only tell about the good times. Not Leslie! He deals with every aspect of his life and takes the readers through everything. Yes, Leslie Jordan does have a ministry and that ministry is to be fun, funny, exciting and to bring happiness to the world. There is enough grief and misery in the world as it is. He brings a breath of fresh air wherever he goes. It is so nice reading a real biography where the author tells it just as it was and is and lets the readers get to know him personally. This should be a "must read" for all high school students, both gay and straight. It is an honest and compelling story of one person’s struggle with himself and the world around him, and he won! Leslie Jordan certainly deserves all the awards and accolades that he receives. MY TRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET is one of the funniest yet heart-felt books that we have ever read. Leslie Jordan is real ! and in today’s world that is really something to say! Leslie Jordan is not like Paul Lynde, he is not like Truman Capote, he is not like anybody else. He is simply himself and that is what makes him so great. After reading this book we can understand why his one man performances are sell outs! We can’t wait for the sequel to this book! We URGE all of our readers to rush out and purchase a copy of this book. Leslie Jordan is taking his "act" on the road again and will be coming to a city near you with an exciting one man performance and to sign his book. Check out his website, www. thelesliejordan.com for updates. "Love, light to you, Leslie and the very best!" Donald Pile and Ray Williarm, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. Proud members ofthe IGLTA. You can Most people only know of Leslie either from the movie, Sordid Lives or from his guest appearances on Will & Grace. He was nominated and won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series 12 the STAR email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www, hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers ~vw.ozarksstar.com �Wockner News Service Two California counties Massachusetts governots ’d aughter comes rebel against marriage out ruling County clerks in California’s Kern and Butte counties have stopped performing all marriages so as not to have to marry gay couples. Katherine Patrick, daughter of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, came out publicly as a lesbian June 12 in an interview with the Boston gay newspaper Bay Windows. In Kern County, where Bakersfield is located, Clerk Ann Barnett announced her decision after county lawyers told her she could not marry straight couples but refuse to marry gay couples. Officially, she said the move stemmed from a lack ofstaffand space to meet the anticipated demand for weddings. "We... wanted people to know that it’s not only something that we accept, but it’s something that we’re very proud of," Katherine, 18, said. But in an e-mail sent to the conservative legal group Alliance Defense Fund and obtained by the Bakersfield Californian newspaper, Barnett’s office wrote: "Our question is, now that the Supreme Court has refused to stay its decision, will Alliance Defense Fund defend the County Clerk if she ceases performing all marriage ceremonies .... We fully expect to be sued and our own counsel is not being of help.’" "It was the easiest coming out experience that anyone could possibly have," Katherine said. In Butte County, north of Sacramento, County Clerk Candace Grubbs cited money problems in announcing her decision. ~:he county’s largest city is Chico, population 87,OO0. But the president of the California Association of Clerks and Elected Officials, Contra Costa County Clerk Steve Weir, said the money excuse makes no sense. He told the San Francisco Chronicle that counties make money from selling marriage licenses and performing weddings. Kern and Butte counties still have to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but counties are not required to also offer wedding ceremonies, though most do as a courtesy and because it brings in income. She said she came out to her parents in July 2007, just before a picnic by the pool at their home in the Berkshires. First lady Diane Patrick called that event "a nonevent in the sense that there wasn’t any tension." "I was just happy for her that she knew who she was and that she was comfortable with who she was," she said. Gov. Patrick told Bay Windows, "I think when Katherine started to memorize all the episodes of The L Word, there was some hint that maybe she was sending us." Big gay gro,ups: Do marry; don t sue Leading national gay organizations have issued a strongly worded advisory al! but demanding that same-sex couples who visit California to get married not file any lawsuits seeking recognition of their marriages in their home states. The document also strongly urges married same-sex couples not to sue for federal recognition of their marriages. The lengthy document was issued June 10 by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the National Center for Lesbian www.ozarksstar.com Rights, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, Equality Federation, Freedom To Marry, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Don’t go suing right away," the groups said. "Most lawsuits will likely set us all back." "One thing couples shouldn’t do is just sue the federal government or, if they are from other states, go sue their home state or their employer to recognize their marriage or open up the health plan," the advisory continued. "Pushing the federal government before we have a critical mass of states recognizing same-sex relationships or suing in states where the courts aren’t ready is likely to get us bad rulings. Bad rulings will make it much more difficult for us to win marriage, and will certainly make it take much longer." The full document can be accessed on the ACLU’s Web site at tinyurl.com/66z8kq. N.Y. governor sued over gay-marriage decision Five state lawmakers and the right-wing legal group Alliance Defense Fund sued New York Gov. David Paterson on June 3, hoping to block his order that state agencies must recognize same-sex marriages entered into in places where they are legal. The suit claims that only the Legislature can redefine marriage and seeks an injunction halting implementation of the order. Paterson has said he merely complied with a recent court decision that found that a community college could not deny benefits to the wife of a female employee -- the couple married in Canada -- because New York policy recognizes marriages performed outside the state. Same-sex marriage is allowed in Belgium, California, Canada, Denmark, Massachusetts, the Netherlands, South Africa and Spain. ........ More U. S. News page 23 the STAR 13 �~e~LInside Hol~ood, reports on new Reese Witherspoon and Ben Stiller Get Secretive ~hen if you dofft get to know what it is. movie proiecr, and the reason for all the hush ator, Cameron Crowe. Crowe is known t tong as he cm~, and this one is no exception. Witherspoon and Ben Stiller, and it’s a romantic bytes, the presence of seem like the most promising. ~they mean that as Etizabethtown. So the rum re is tentatively bright. For now, Dan Butler to Karl Rove: I Love You What happens when political strategist? 7he consequences of such a strange ~ comedy from writer-director Dan Butler, _Kad Rove: I Love as Bulldog on Frasier, Butler stars in this seifa depressed careerist actor in 2004, creating a one man show about President Bush’s to goal? The win-win scenario of both swaying the above the tide for once. The Hollywood/D.( producer, screenwri ~er, director, and star, and audiences can makes the tihn-festivai circuit rounds, starting tight about now. 14 the STAR �The fellewing ,case EarthQ~ke Zin ’05 Chards & must try. Zinfandel, Petit Sirah & Carignanel the 2006 Ner~ Mi~o (Italian for "mixed black") is deep filackish-burgundy colored with a nose o~ dried herbs, pepper and leather. This deii~ious "field blend" styled wine has flavors 6f pomegranate, black fruits and figs with a hint medium to full of spice, bodied firm tannins, a long, lush finish/ Italian food, spicy Orin Swift Cedars The the It’s rare and : pepper and tobacco wild berry, with some flavors. A hint suggests that will This see it, The Phillips brothers pride th~mselves farming on quality. Their efforts competitions. with lots zing and flavor. Earthq brands under wine ’Heavenly rig~ht now, though critics say it next 5 - 7 ),ears. to find so if you of the better values, to be a vastly superior fbr Zinfandel. This wine, some Petite Sirak, Merlot, and Grenache blended in/exhibits ruby color. There is a sweet nose of peppery black cherry and raspberry, liqueur intermixed with spring flowers earth. The wine is medium to full-bodied. Wine critic Robert Parker gave this one Points. Petite Sirah, Charbono and St offering is best from 2009 through 20 Ravenswood Napa Zin ’05 97% Zinfandel, 3% Carignane. Heasing bright, ripe plum flavors with a fine tannin structure. This xvine has a lingering finish tha’ tastes of raspberries, doves and vanilla. Opolo Mountain Zin ’05 If you are one of those who believe bigger is better, read on. Appropriately named for its bountiful bouquet of fruit as well as where the grapes are grown, this full-bodied Zinfandd has plenty of ripe black cherry, plum and spice and is framed by soft tannins and balanced acidity. i Mr. D also hosts wine & food events known in town as the Wine Enthusiasts Tulsa. References include: the ABC’s of wine by James Laube/www.WineSpectator.com ’,,~##¢.Fooda ndWine.com www.Wikipedia.org Z A P www.zinfandel.org �Members from ever) VOTE For Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth & Co. 16 t~$TAR 25 club flag SSIL~’s HOT Cowboys, Let’s Rodeo! www.ozarksstar.¢om �downtown Tulsa. JULY 2008 Author Clara Nipper 0fTulga-Her new book, Femme Noir, has received num~ro~ rave reviews and was nominated for 2 Lambda Lite~ rds~ Her story backdrop is in Tulsa a~ the time 6f~h~ i921 rac~ riots, about a lesbian murder mystery featuring a hardcore black woman named Nora who finds h~rself ii~,estigating her friend’s murder, the STAR t 7 �by Donald Pile and Ray Williams WEST HOLL OOD, CALIFOrnIA 90069 Special praise needs to be given to Steve Nycklemoe who is the Director of Operations. He has done an outstanding job in putting this exhibit together. Actually it is one of the finest exhibits that we have seen in our travels. We strongly urge all of our readers to visit this museum. Be sure to visit at least one of the major movie studios while you are in West Hollywood. Steve Nycklemoe & Ray \Villiams Well, the zip code just about explains almost everything about West Hollywood! What else can be said except that it is fun and exciting and ? There is so much to see and do and not enough time. For those of you who have never been there, \Hest Hollywood which is known as "WEHO" is located between Los Angeles and Beverly Hills and the main street is Santa Monica Blvd. which is filled with gay flags, restaurants, bars and shops. At night time it is filled with thousands of people partying. The HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM is located in the historic Max Factor building at 1660 North Highland Avenue just a few blocks east of the Kodak Center in downtown Hollywood. They have over 10,000 showbiz treasures. When we were there, they had a special exhibit of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia including many of the dresses that she wore in her movies. You can see the chair where Hizabeth Taylor sat in the movie Cleopatra, view Cary Grant’s vintage Rolls Royce, Elvis Presley’s favorite bathrobe, Rocky’s boxing gloves and Indiana Jones’ whip. As you enter the beautiful Art Deco building you walk directly in to the exquisite lobby with it’s original art deco lighting fixtures, show cases and architectural moldings. There are displays of original Max Factor cosmetics and ads. Browse the different make up rooms where each has a different color mode It is truly like stepping back into old Hollywood when it was at it’s peak. There are several floors of exciting exhibits to see. Actually one could spend a whole day there and not see everything. Downstairs they have the original prison setting of Hannibal in Silence of the Lambs. They have really worked at making this one of the finest museums in the country. Anybody and everybody who is even remotely interested in movies should visit this museum. Their hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday thru Sunday. Be sure to check out their website at: www.thehollywoodmuseum.com. 18 th÷$TAR We attended the world premier play, BOISE USA by the extremely talented playwright, Gene Franklin Smith and masterly directed by Arturo Castillo. BOISE USA is a character-driven drama about gay persecution in Boise, Idaho in the 1950’s. The writing is superb! The casting is perfect! Every actor is sensational. The audience is mesmerized by all of this. Hopefully it will go to Broadway in the near future as everybody needs to experience this splendid drama. We had the good fortune of meeting Gene Franklin Smith and he is an incredibly talented playwright. We can only hope that he continues writing for many years to come. It has been playing to rave reviews. It is presently showing at the Matrix Theater at 7657 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. There are of course dozens and dozens of museums and galleries to visit in greater Los Angeles. As always is the case when we travel ..... too many things to see and do, and not enough time. We did have "lunch with Holly Woodlawff’ one afternoon. She was one of the Andy Warhol actresses who now lives in West Hollywood and we visited with the Countess Alexis who is one of the great Divas of all times who was also associated with Andy Warhol in New York City and was in several movies. One day we visited the new Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing. This is an incredible high-rise apartment housing project for "seasoned" gays and lesbian on a fixed income. Complete ~vith a swimming pool, library room, gym room and a social room this facility offers a safe and secure place for "seasoned" gays and lesbians to live. There are literally hundreds of restaurants in the greater Los Angles Area. Our favorites was the ABBEY which is a huge restaurant and bar right in downtown West HoltFwcood. The TASTE restaurant is also a great place that we would strongly recommend. Excellent food and service as well as ambiance at these bars. For breakfast or lunch we enjoy the French Market restaurant. There are dozens and dozens of bars in West Hollywood and on weekends there are usually long lines waiting to get in. Drink prices at most of these bars are astronomical! For our readers in the Midwest, be ready for a shock. It is nothing to pay $10 to $15 for a drink and we mean just for a regular bourbon and coke or screwdriver. We are not talking call drinks either! With gas hovering around $5.00 a gallon and drinks priced that high and with the cost of housing, it does take lots of money to have a good time. ~.ozarksstar.com �Due to a variety of social stigmas statistically they have a higher risk profile than their heterosexual counterparts. Realizing this, Tulsa Project Woman will hold an educational seminar during the Breast Impressions art show, to further promote breast cancer awareness through the communit): Opening Night of the Gallery showing will be July 3, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th Street, in downtown Tulsa. Refreshments will be provided by Panera Bread, Godiva Chocolate, and Escargot’s. Many of the artists and breast cancer survivor models will be in attendance to meet those who visit. The show will continue through July until the 28th, Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tulsa Project Woman will also host a dessert reception and private showing of the Breast Impressions Exhibit and then a Breast Health Education seminar on Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm. This seminar will include information on Breast Cancer Prevention, How to do a Self Breast Exam and the Tulsa Project Woman. The Abbey Restaurant and Bar We stayed at the San Vicente Inn which is just 1/2 block from Santa Monica Blvd. It is a totally gay resort that has recently been sold and is now in the process of being completely remodeled. It is the most convenient place to stay since you can walk almost everywhere, and if you want to go anywhere else you catch the bus. The staffis one of the friendliest around. You can contact Judi Grove, founder of Breast Impressions at 918691-3874 for more information about the Equality Center gallery showing, or the upcoming Gala and Auction for the benefit of Tulsa Project Woman. NOTE: Seepage 22for 7he Abbey’s Tn~ffte Macaroni & Cheese recipe. Oklahomans for Equality and Breast Impressions of Tulsa team up to raise breast cancer awareness. Breast Impressions "Beauty beyond Breast Cancer" Art on Display TULSA, OK (PR) __ For the second year Breast Impressions breast cast art will be on display at the Oklahomans for Equality Dennis R. Nell! Equality Center gallery through the month of July. Only breast cancer survivors have been cast in plaster this year, and local artists have turned the castings into stunning examples of each survivor’s incredible journey through breast cancer¯ The art displayed will be auctioned at the Breast Impressions Annual Gala for the benefit of Tulsa Project Woman, Inc. on October 3, 2008. But the Equality Center "Beauty beyond Breast Cancer" show allows Oklahomans to see and experience he inspiration through each survivor s story. Breast Impressions is honored to display the work at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center gallery because of the higher risk for developing breast cancer among lesbians and bisexual women. www.ozarksstar.corn theSTAR 19 �of Town By Andrew Collins Nashville, Tennessee :was �good idea). The s~ae �THE ABBEY FOOD &B£ By Donald Pile & Ray \vq’illiams The Abbey Food and Bar is located at 692 North Robertson just 1/2 block south of Santa Monica Blvd. It has been around quite a few years and it is one of the wonderful restaurants/bars that just keeps getting better year after year after year. David Cooley is the master at the art of work and play. Over the past 15+ years, his creation, The Abbey Food and Bar, has grown from a small, West Hollywood coffeehouse to one of the most popular hotspots in the country. Locals, tourists and celebrities alike all flock to The Abbey for its infamous Martinis as well as its stunning, open-air ambiance and truly relaxed elegance. In May 2006, Cooley and The Abbey entered an entirely new and exciting phase in its partnership with the Los Angeles-based SBE, which has fast become one of the pivotal players in the Los Angeles nightlife and restaurant scene. Armed with the expertise, infrastructure and corporate reach of SBE, The Abbey is beginning its biggest expansion to date - reproducing the signature Abbey experience in selected cities nationwide. While no specific locations have been finalized for national expansion, Cooley and SBE are exploring locations where The Abbey’s open-air concept would work best, including Miami’s South Beach, Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Las Vegas and Phoenix. So now you have the background on the Abbey but you MUST dine and drink there. It is where it is all happening in West Hollywood and everyone who is anyone goes there. Hizabeth Taylor made a rare appearance there last month to a cheering crowd. When we dined there, everything was great...the service, the ambiance and the food was spectacular! We had the finest pork chops that we have ever had! The mac and cheese with truffles were to die for! There are dozens and dozens of restaurants to dine at in West Hollywood and this is certainly one of the finest. Check out their exciting menu on line at their website, http://www.abbeyfoodandbar.com/ 22 tbeSTAR w~wv.ozarksstar.com �Ca iforni s will vote on same-sex marriage They’re gonna vote on whether you are a full American. Anti-gay activists have succeeded in qualifying an initiative for the Nov. 4 ballot to amend the California Constitution to undo the state Supreme Court’s recent ruling that opened marriage to same-sex couples. The ruling takes effect, and the weddings begin, on June 16 at 5 p.m. The activists had to submit 694,354 valid petition signatures to qualify the initiative for a vote. They submitted 1,120,801 and, on June 2, Secretary of State Debra Bowen said a spot-check of 3 percent of the signatures found that a high enough percentage of them ,vere valid to extrapolate that the threshold would be met if all t. 1 million were checked. Tne amendment will state: "Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The latest poll on the issue, a respected California Field Poll released May 28, found that 51 percent of registered California voters support same-sex marriage, 42 percent oppose it and 7 percent have no opinion. The poll found that 54 percent oppose amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage, 40 percent favor an amendment and 6 percent have no opinion. The biggest support for same-sex marriage came from younger voters, Democrats, liberals, nonreligious people and residents of the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County. The strongest opposition came from older people, Republicans, conservatives, bornagain Christians, Protestants and residents of the Central Valley and Southern California counties apart from L.A. County. Observers predict that the battle may be won or lost in the populous Southern California counties of Orange and San Diego. Women (53 percent) polled more supportive than men (48 percent) with 8 percent www.ozarksstar.corn of each having no opinion and the rest opposed. A majority of respondents up to age 49 favored sane-sex marriage, while a majority of people over age 50 opposed it. Kansas CoupJe Does IDO. By Greg Steele The poll questioned 1,052 voters and had a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points. Obama cdebrates gay pride Presidential candidate Barack Obama said June 6 that his campaign is actively participating in more than 60 gay pride events this summer, as detailed at pride.barackobama. com/pridemonth. "I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season," Obama said in a statement. "It’s time to live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. Let’s enact federal civil rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and protect workers against discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Let’s repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country. Let’s treat the relationships and the families of LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. "Generations of LGBT Americans, at once ordinary and extraordinary, have made possible this moment in our history. With leadership and hard work, we can fulfill the promise of equality for all," Obama said. Quotable Quotes Obama told reporters "the Republicans helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned down the people who actually committed 9-11." He said Osama bin Laden is still at large in part because of their failed strategies. Photo: Donald Pile, Larry IVard, Riverside County, (Palm Springs) CA County Clerk and oj~ciating the wedding and Ray Williams. PALM SPRINGS, CA __ Donald Pile and Ray Williams long time friends and columnists for The Star exchanged legal vows in Palm Springs, CA on June 17, 2008. The couple drove from West Hollywood, where they were vacationing, to Palm Springs for the ceremony. The Star talked with them about the historic occasion. "We stopped by Palm Springs early this morning and were married", Donald told us. "Mel Haber, owner of the famous Melwn’S Restaurant in Palm Springs was a witness. He is a dear straight friend of ours. The other witness was our good friend, Stefan Hemming who owns the Liberace Estate. We were very cool about the whole thing until the Clerk said, "In as much as Donald and Raymond have thus consented together in marriage, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of California as a Commissioner of Civil Marriage for the County of Riverside (Palm Springs, CA), I now pronounce you to be united in marriage". "It was a small wedding as we didn’t have much time. When we walked out the front door of the county court house, we were crying and shouting". After 37 years we have never been more in love with each other. We are just sad for the gays and lesbians in other parts of the country who do not have the opportunity to get married". th÷STAR 23 ....... �Photo’s by Victor G. & Judy G. @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City @Club Majestic, Tulsa 24 @ Angles, Oklahoma City @ The Copa, Oklahoma City @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa @ Steve’s Hideaway, Tulsa @ Finishline, Oklahoma City �June 6, O~n~ YoUth Center conducted the r annua F~hi~ ~: ,Th~ ~h~ was hosted by 106.9 s Chase and OK:: There were different artists in Pride Prade These ad es are hay ng tooooo~ ~bh fun www.ozarksstar.com �CaIJaway CD Romanticizes Man to Man AL RE-ELECTED D STRICT 88 By Victor Gorin Keith Taggart congratulates State Representative AI McAflgrey at a fundraiser for Jim Roth at the "You Ain’t Woman Enough’To Take My Man", a gay man is telling a woman, drag queen or possible a transvestite, that she isn’t woman enough to take his boyfriend. The title song "darn it, Baby, That’s Love" highlights the collection. Clay and his partner, Ty Lewis sing it as a duet with passion and love. Other song selections that will get you in the mood include "I’ve Grown Ac:customed To Your Face", "All ~e Man That I Need", "Never Loved A Man Before", and "Come In From The Rain" In the past 20 years Callaway managed to find love, work somewhat in the shadows of "the industry" (as in, behind the scenes) in Los Angeles, New York, Sweden, Dominican Republic and all points in between, boomeranged through Nashville and came to live in Hilo, Hawaii. It was here that the muse again came to him. "Hawaii is so full of music and incredible voices that I found my self facing this love I have to sing out loud and once again I felt in love with the audience, and they seemed to like me too", Clay says. "I moved to LA at 19 to finish college at ¯ LMU, that was pretty much it for singing and performing aside from high school chores and the occasional opportunity to dress up in a chicken suit. (But that’s another story.) LA was a big eye-opener, as it would be for anyone let alone a young gay guy from south Arkansas. I began to write songs and performing at lots of fun places on the Sunset Strip and beyond. Carlos & 26 th÷STAR Charlie’s, often hosted by Joan Rivers, The Rose Tatoo, the Palomino Club and other "interesting" places. All the while making a living working in television production as a production assistant and slowly moving up that food chain. Life was good, met a few cute guys along the way and a few hot messes as well. It came a time in my early 20% I was taking voice lessons with Bob Garrett and we ended up writing a couple of songs together. On my web site, I have included a demo of one of those songs from over 20 years ago for a sneak peek at one that will be resurrected for my next album. I can’t sing that high anymore, but it’s a look back to a day tong past." "Then a fire in my apartment building left me homeless and sent me back to stay with my family in Arkansas for the summer to regroup. In some ways I felt defeated, but got chosen to direct the summer musical at the community theater, the South Arkansas Arts Center, and while in my home town, met the love of my life, Ty. He had been there most of his and my life, but we had never met." Gay Chicago Magazine says "On his debut album, Callaway takes love songs many written by men and popularized by women then turns them on end by singing them in his distinctive vocal style to other men. It’s a creative approach that can make for some rather interesting word play. " You can purchase the CD online at: www. cdbaby.com/cd/daycallaway residence of Mike McLain & Richard Ogden. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma’s first openly gay legislator, Al McAffrey was re-elected to represent District 88 of central Oklahoma City. He was first elected in 2006. At the close of the filing period June 4 there was only one opponent, 27 year old Dominique Block, who was running as an Independent. His candidacy was challenged by the McAffrey campaign on the grounds that he had not been registered as an Independent for 6 months prior to the filing period, and the Oklahoma State Election Board determined he was not eligible. As there was no other opposition, Al McAffrey was automatically re-elected to of~ce. Al welcomes this opportunity stating," It’s a great feeling to know my constituents have faith in me, and by their support I’ll be able to serve them for two more years." Quotable Quotes The Tonight Show host, Jay Leno decided to make an appearance in support of the recent legalization of gay marriage by California’s Supreme Court. "He said that he is from Massachusetts and that the sky did not fall in their state when marriage equality became the law of the land there," a rep for the event said. www.ozarksstar.com �NATIONAL NEWS Task Force Action Ftmd applauds New York Assembly £or historic vote on transgender rights WASHINGTON, DC (PR) __ The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds the New York Assembly’s passage today of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). The bill, which passed by a 102-33 vote, now moves to the state Senate. The measure seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations and would add gender identity or expression to the state’s hate crimes law. New York extended protections on the basis of sexual orientation in 2002 and the Task Force has worked with the Empire State Pride Agenda, legislators and community activists since then to amend the law to add gender identity or expression protections, including by helping draft GENDA. Among the other contributions the Task Force made to this effort was a convening of transgender and allied activists in 2006 at a training in Albany to provide leaders with skills for how to build coalitions in support of this bill, and a Power Summit training on Long Island in December 2007 that attracted more than 100 activists who were taught how to lobby their legislators and build grassroots support for the bill. If the bill passes the Senate, Gov. David Paterson is expected to sign it and New York would become the 13th state to explicitly ban discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Currently, 39 percent of the country’s population is covered by such a local or state law. Statement by Rea Carey, Acting Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund "This is a very exciting victory for the people of New York, particularly transgender people. Legislation of this sort is not only responsible public policy, it also shows the nation that New York is unafraid to join the ranks of states that value all of their citizens, including those who are transgender or who express their gender in ways that reflect the broad and beautiful spectrum of humanity. www.ozarksstar.com "We congratulate the leadership of Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, the many transgender leaders and allies in New York, and our partner, Empire State Pride Agenda, for this important victory. We now call on the leaders of the New York Senate to bring this bill to the floor so that protections fbr transgender people and others in New York are not delayed another day." Libertarian Party selects Bob Barr.as 2008 presidential Noway adopts gaymarriage law OSLO (AFP) -- Norway’s parliament on Wednesday adopted a new marriage law that allows homosexuals to marry and adopt children and permits lesbians to be artificially inseminated. After a heated debate, the members of parliament adopted the text by a vote of 84 to 41. nominee Former Congressman plans to take the White House as Libertarian candidate The three centre-left coalition parties in power and two opposition parties, the Conservatives and the Liberals, voted largely in favour of the law, while the Christian Democrats and the far-right Progress Party voted against it. Norway thus became the sixth country in the world to grant homosexuals the right to marry on an equal footing with heterosexuals, according to Norwegian television TV2. "This decision is of an importance comparable to universal suffrage and our law on parity," Labour Party rapporteur Gunn Karin Gjul said during the debate. DENVER, CO (PR) __ The Libertarian Party has nominated former Congressman Bob Barr as its candidate for president for the 2008 election. "I’m sure we will emerge here with the strongest ticket in the history of the Libertarian Party," Barr stated in his victory speech shortly after being selected as the Party’s nominee. "I want everybody to remember that we only have 163 days to win this election. We cannot waste one single day." More than 650 Libertarian delegates met in Denver from May 22 tilt the 26 for the 2008 Libertarian National Convention. After six rounds of voting Sunday afternoon, Barr was selected as the Party’s presidential nominee. The Libertarian Party is America’s third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.LP.org. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom. The most controversial part of the law is that which gives lesbians the right to be artificially inseminated. The sperm donor must be identified so that the child can seek out his or her biological father at the age of 18. Outside the parliament, a handful of opponents protested with posters reading "Have fathers become superfluous?" and "Parliament has no mandate to change the laws of nature." Among other things, the new legislation replaces a so-called "partnership law" adopted in 1993 xvhich gave Norwegian homosexuals the right to civil unions. Health care workers who do not want to perform artificial inseminations on lesbians because of their personal convictions will not be under any obligation to carry out the procedure. The new law is expected to enter into force at the end of this year or eatly next year. Homosexuality was illegal until 1972 in Norway, a country which has since become one of the most liberal in the world in the field. ~÷STAR 27 �by Jack Fertig July 2008 "Nalke like a tourist, Pisces!" With Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Eris all in mutual aspect, efforts at wit and charm are subverted by excessive impulses and eagerness to take offense. Still, it’s a good time to hash out friendly disagreements or to take up arts or crafts projects. ¯ ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Before speaking up, try to remember some bit of wisdom from a wise old woman, probably your grandmother or a teacher from early childhood. Her insight could smooth out the rough edges, turning your initial ideas from disastrous to helpful. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You may be overly invested in a set goal that isn’t as realistic as it originally seemed. We all need to revise plans now and then. Be practical, not stubborn! Discuss it with friends, and take time alone to reconsider priorities. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You may be trying too hard to get ahead and to organize people you see as "your team." Stand back, think about what’s really important, and listen carefully to your friends and their aims. Communication is the key to cooperation. SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Disruptions at home can make you cranky and argumentative. Looking for sex to blow off steam may prove more frustrating than helpful. Competitive games - especially those that test communications skills (Scrabble, Charades, Pictionary) - are probably better for releasing tension. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Keep your focus right in front of your nose. Accidents are just waiting to happen; being overloaded and distracted only encourages them! Teamwork is helpful, if you can resist the urge to get drawn into turf battles. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February t8): The cost of fun can be a lot higher than expected. Be inventive (you can manage that!), and have a great time on the cheap. Debates over aesthetics may seem more heated than they should be, but welcome the arguments for potential inspiration. PISCES (February t9 - March 19): Feeling like a stranger at home isn’t fun, but it can fuel the creative juices. Get playful, make like a tourist, and let someone take you to places you’d never go on your own. Take a more objective, outsider’s stance in community politics. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Arguments that seem to come out of nowhere are really about your hidden doubts and fears. Expert opinions can help set your mind at ease. Try exploring some artistic medium or musical style that wouldn’t normally interest you. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Your own ideas of sexual politics could shake up your corner of the GLBT community, which can stimulate new thinking. Discussion points that come from the heart will go over better than battle cries that sound like P.C. cliches. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Flirtations and sexual politics can complicate relations with bosses and colleagues. Acknowledging sexual tension may help to dispel it, but that doesn’t always work. Think deeply and far ahead before trying it. Discuss any problems at your job with friends who work elsewhere. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Cooperation is usually more productive in the long run than competition is. Both have their place, but your eager ambitions may blind you to better opportunities. Careful listening can turn rivals into allies. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Sexual experimentation is fine in principle; just be careful that you don’t land in a bad situation. Think ahead and be cautious! Be clear about health risks, discuss at length what you really want, and look before you leap. MCC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES IRev Steve "IF. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, IVlO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Mieal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring t7 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PMi Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! 28 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com �Support those who support us. DOWNTOWN PLAZ__A of TULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com EXPRESSIONS Comm Fellowship 311 S Klein Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73108 405-761-1878 www.myspace.com/expressionsokc CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 www.c2 lgoldcastle.com HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIWSTD Hotline CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesdub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: wv~v.gaybradyheightstulsa.com MCC of the LMNG SPRING 17 Hk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn OPENAR/vlS YOUTH PROJECT 2015 -B S. Lakewood Tulsa, OK 74112 918-838-7104 www. openarmsproject.org DALLAS CVB Dallas, TX www.winatrip.glbtdallas.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com The STAR PO Box 581718 Tulsa, OK 74158-1718 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE 11730 E. llTH Tulsa, OK 918-437-0449 Open Sun- Sat 2pm to 2am 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com www.ozarksstar.com Knformation OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.dubmajestictulsa.com THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK For { vertisin NAME: Address: City:. KING OF MASSAGE In or Out Calls Oklahoma City, OK 405-314-3898 JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 9!8-743-8636 St: Zip:, Phone: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: theSTAR �Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Vghether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. KING OF MASSAGE Great Touch Man to Man Futl Bodj Massage 2 hands or 4 hands available (405) 3{4o3898 Now Hiring Male & Female 30 t~eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com ��We believe that homosexuality is not a genetic trait but a chosen lifestyle. We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or promiscuous behavior in a positive light in our public schools. We oppose the erosion of our military readiness through openly_ practicing homosexuals serving in the military We oppose the promotion of homosexuality, the elimination of laws against sodomy, and the granting of minority protection or special status to any person based upon sexual preference or lifestyle choice. If the Republican message of hate and division doesn’t represent you, then join us and vote Democrati’c in support of what we stand for: LIBERTY, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, PROUDLY INCLUDING THE GLBT COMMUNITY. I~’ol~V~ln ~o~e$~ Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair I~ Asbe~’ry~ Oklahoma Democratic Party Vice Chair Undu Sru~’ ~’~ Oklahoma State Democratic Party Treasurer ¢~’~o g~’d~ Oklahoma State Field Director Democratic National Commiffee, Fifth District Chair 3~ ~o~’~ Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner A~ ~{~’e~ Oklahoma State Representative District 88 gob ~.e~o~ our friend who’s straight but not narrow Taken from current platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties of Oklahoma. �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document By Joey De 2008 A new " for Pride By Joey De Ifyou have lived in Tulsa for more than twenty minutes, you knmv that there is an impenetrable force-field separating the city. Most Tulsans call it Forty-First Street. Photo: Equality Festival at Tulsa’s New Centennial Park Sometimes change can be difficult, however, despite months of complaints and apocalyptic predictions about the many "firsts" at Tulsa Pride 2008, it seems that the only people who had difficulties were the protesters. For the first time in the celebration’s history, the protesters were present for only a minimal time during the Pride Parade and completely absent from the Diversity picnic. "2008 was a },ear of dramatic change," says Nate Black, one of the event’s cochairs. "However thanks to the dedication of a strong group of volunteers, all the changes to this year’s events were possible. It would not have been possible without each and every person who helped." Black especially credited his co-chairs Kristi Freeman and Toby Jenkins with making the pieces fit together. "Kristi has an incredible ability to assess and foresee needs and coordinate logistics. The fact that everything worked smoothly to host thousands of people at our events xvas a testament to her abilities." "The fact that ~hlsa Pride is able to remain free to the public is proof of Toby’s dedication to these events, which on the low end cost over $30,000. Under his leadership, we were able to, for the first time, secure the majority of our sponsorships long before the events even took place," says Black. .......... Continued page-5 Enter the Downtown Plaza Hotel, on 7th & Boulder, who for the first time in recent memory provided Tulsa Pride an official "host" hotel. Staying at a hotel room for your own city’s Pride ,nay seem a little excessive, but for a South-Tulsan, it made perfect sense. Having a place downtown to call "home" for the weekend saved time and even money on the celebration’s two largest weekends. Anyone who has ever been to a Pride observance knows that three things are true. It will be hot. You will be sweaty. You xvill be drinking. All three of those can combine to impede a "proper" Pride celebration, but with the convenience of the Downtown Plaza Hotel’s location, neither was an issue. Through taking advantage of the special Pride Rate offered by the hotel, it was effortless to enjoy the day (or early evenings) festivities, ..........Continued page-5 1-800o535oAIDS (2437) Ok ahoraa s H~VIST~ 2 the STAR ww~v.ozarksstar.com Dear Editor: I thought I would add something to the political cartoon in the June 2008 Star. Presently I live in Oklahoma City, and much to my surprise have done so for the last 14 years. Originally from Boston I make an annual trip home each Christmas to see family and friends and make a quick pilgrimage to the haunts I was familiar with before leaving Boston in the mid 80’s. This pilgrimage consists ofwalking the city to see what is still around that I was familiar with, and perhaps who is still around that I can remember. On my most recent trip I was a little saddened to see many places that meant a lot to me are no longer around, or have been so renovated for so different a use that they are unrecognizable. As is my custom, on this outing I stopped in at every gay bar I could remember, or find, and had drinks and conversations with the bartenders. Most of the old bars are gone, as are the people. Politics begins in the bars in Boston, and gay politics was no exception. The civil rights fought for and won began with many bar patrons and owners, and in the process of getting what they were after, the bar owners found that with acceptance came a lesser need for the safety of an exclusively gay bar with the occasional straight patron. In conjunction with this the price of living in the city has made any gay ghetto prohibitive, making it necessary for what vcould have been the denizens of such an area to move into the suburbs for affordable housing with the side effect of showing the majority of the state that Gay people were pretty normal, and not the screaming stereotypes that isolation seemed to promote. Gay people were seen as responsible people and not the party animals who spent most of their lives going to bars to dance the night away and returning home each night with a different sex partner. They turned out to be people so normal that marriage did not seem to be such an improbable thing. The ultimate goal of gay gights is equality, and that means normalcy for most. Just as straights have their outlets out of the mainstream, so do gay people. But both do have their mainstreams. The gay bars still around are nostalgia for us older gentlemen who want some of the past preserved for our visits back, or who may feel more comfortable in one because life had not been all that kind to us, with just a bit of the specialty shop aura to them. Most have become very mixed, while some have become the corner bar, the lodge for men and women of like minds to talk freely among their own, but doing it willingly as opposed to necessarily. The lesser the need for exclusively gay bars, the more success can be claimed by the gay community. Joe Quigley Oklahoma City www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com TULSA PRIDE continued According to estimates provided by the Tulsa Police Department, this year’s Pride Parade and Block Party have become the largest events of their kind in Downtown Tulsa. Police estimate that there were a combined 18,000 people between the two events. Many parade-goers were excited about the new evening-format, celebrating with glow sticks and sparklers. Some of the floats even stepped into the spirit embracing christmas lights and disco balls. Most route walkers were simply excited over the fact that they no longer had the sun beating down on them and that the trek was much flatter. Following the parade, the block party centered around the Equality Center came into its own, maintaining a crowd until the scheduled end at midnight. Following the event, most of the area bars reported record capacity crowds as the party continued through the evening. The following weekend at Centennial Park, the only thing to be missed was the heat and mud at the former location. For many pride-goers, this event was the first time they had visited the new Tulsa centerpiece. Most fell in love with its picturesque setting and more importantly abundant shade. According to TPD estimates, 12,000 people visited the Diversity Picnic, which according to organizers was represented by a steady flow of people through out the day. The forty-plus booths at this year’s picnic xvere the most diverse in memory, representing non-profit service organizations such as HOPE Testing Clinic, Fortune 500 companies such as Best Buy and the traditional array of Rainbow Retailers. Picnickers enjoyed the live entertainment that took the stage off and on through out the day, while kids entertained themselves on the inflatable games and climbing wall. Okay, the kids weren’t the only ones enjoying the inflatable games. The handsdown hit of the picnic was the water slide that both kids and adults rode repeatedly. While the three major pride attractions could be considered a successful spl!t, many attendees expressed a desire for the events to be recombined onto one weekend. A common complaint: "I didn’t know what weekend to tell my friends to come. They couldn’t take off work both weekends or afford the gas to come twice." Black reacts to such criticism openly. "There were a lot of changes this year. Some things went very well; some things didn’t go as well as we had hoped. We are going to take what we learned, listen to the feed back we receive and then will make the appropriate changes for next year." As for now, Black and the rest of the Tulsa Pride Committee are happy to place Tulsa Pride 2008 in the history books as a success, with a rejuvenated event positioned to grow in the years to come. DOWNTOWN PLAZA HOTEL cont. then quickly retreat to air-conditioning and a cold shower. This was especially useful following the parade and block party, just before visiting the bar,s. Adding to the convenience was the hotel s on-call shuttle. With less then a ten minute wait each time it was needed, the shuttle allowed guests to leave their cars and avoid parking headaches, expensive gas and more importantly, DUIs. The hotel is currently undergoing a complete restoration, with every room being completely renovated to sport an almost TUqnspired blue and gold color scheme. Furnished with antique-style pieces, the rooms of the Downtown Plaza Hotel are uncluttered, yet comfortable and quaint. Pride guests noticed a little construction "dust" in the form of the occasional minor malfunction and missing carpet outside the elevator, however found their problems fixed quickly and courteously with a simple call to the front desk. Perhaps the most enjoyed aspect of Downtown Plaza Lobby the Downtown Plaza Hotel by some pride guests was their retreat to the New York City-eque second story outdoor pool. Tucked quietly between the rooftops of dmvntown Tulsa, the pool was quiet, clean, and theperfect place to prepare for, or recover from the festivities. Staying at the Downtown Plaza Hotel gives celebrating Tulsa Pride a new feel. For those from Tulsa, it creates an enjoyable mini-vacation, while those who travel enjoy its close proximity to the Pride events and Downtown night life. Either way, whether from in or out of town, it always feels good to stay where "family" is welcome. w~,~N.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 Diversity Business Association of Tulsa The Phantom Standard Joey De For Marni Raab, playing the role of Christine in the legendary musical "The Phantom of the Opera," is the fulfillment of a long time dream. "I started ~vith this show as an understudy in 2001," recalls Raab, ~vho has played the role for the past seven years internationally. "I was then promoted to performing two shmvs a week, and then when on tour six." Although it may seem odd to plan alternating actresses to play a role, Raab explains it as "just good business sense." "The show is long and Christine is onstage for almost all of it," says Raab, who notes that there is only one scene in the almost three hour show in which her character doesn’t appear. "The people they hire to play Christine are ingdnues," says Raab, who continues "They put big, heavy costumes on them, and then thrmv them around. I wind up falling and running then falling again, a lot. It’s just better to schedule somebody as a second principal then to never kno~ving when your lead will be out." "The Phantom of the Opera," is Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ hit musical about Raab’s character, Christine, and her admirer/kidnapper, ~ll~e Phantom. "He’s a maniac, a monster, disfigured and he’s a murderer," describes Raab, "but he is also a poet, an architect and a brilliant composer." Christine on the other hand, is a young lady on the verge of adulthood, says Raab. "She was been raised by her violinist father, educated and probably traveled the world, which was rare then." Raab explains that her character is lonely and looking for a way in life when the brilliant, yet creepy Phantom enters her life as a mentor. Unfortunately, Christine’s’ childhood acquaintance Raoul re-enters her life at the same time, completing a love triangle that entangles the three. "She must choose between the passionate genius who has a horrible disfigurement and has been led down the wrong path, and the nice guy." When asked how the show has endured, Raab believes that "The Phantom," offers something for everyone to react to. "I have done the show across Canada, the US and Asia, and every audience reacts differently. There are lavish sets, pyrotechnics and elaborate costumes. It’s ornate, it’s majestic and at the heart it’s a love story." Helping to ensure the quality of "The Phantom" experience, Raab says that every production of the show must meet the highest standards. "Audiences demand a certain standard," says Raab," but the producers insist on it. If you xvant to produce the show, you must have the seal of approval from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hal Prince and al! of the people associated with the original. This way the show you see (in Tulsa) is the same as what people in New York and on the West End are seeing." Raab says that there is also a standard the performers in the show must live up to. "It is humbling and an honor to be in this show, and I know I have big shoes to fill. It has been around for so long, audiences feel a sense of ownership in it, making it even more important to see it done right. You (the performers) have a responsibility to keep the show in shape and do it justice." According to Raab, the performers have help from standard’s directors, who guide their performances to prevent serious character infractions. "We dodt have the luxury of’finding’ our characters," the actress explains. "It takes a different skill set to step into a role that has been established and place our marks on it as artists." If you have not yet experienced "The Phantom," the show will be at the Tulsa PAC through July 13. Visit www.myticketoffice. corn for ticketing information. Quotable Quotes Scientists at the Karolinska Institute studied brain scans of 90 gay and straight men and women, and found that the size of the two symmetrical halves of the brains of gay men more closely resembled those of straight women than they did straight men, while the brains of homosexual women were asymmetrical like those of straight men. 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Open Daily = High Noon www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 17 West 7th Street (corner 7~ & Boulder Ave) Tulsa, Ok 74119 R~tions: 918~5~98 e 800~5,5101 www.downtownplazatulsa:com 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com JULY 2008 the STAR 9 Oklahoma City Museum o£Art Presents Roman Art £rom the Louvre Final U.S. venue for rare ancient works from the Louvre’s esteemed collection OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ The Otdahoma City Museum ofArt wil! be the final North American venue for Roman Art from the Louvre, June 19 through October 12, 2008. Tile seventeen-~veek exhibition, so large it will occupy the Museum’s ground floor special exhibition gallery and the eight second floor galleries of the Museum, will feature 184 works, some weighing more than 6,000 pounds. An unprecedented exhibition of ancient masterworks, drawn from the Louvre’s unparalleled collection, it provides a rare and historic opportunity for Oklahoma audiences to view these magnificent works, many of which have not been seen by the public in decades and most of which have never traveled to the United States. Furthermore, many of the objects in the exhibition have recently been restored, bringing to light their original beauty and strength of expression. "The Louvre, thanks to Napoleon’s megalomaniac interest in the glories ofAncient Rome, has one of the finest collections of Roman art outside of Italy," said Hardy George, Ph.D., chief curator at the Oklahoma City Museum ofArt. "The exhibition of sculpture, jewelry, mosaics, and frescos will be scrupulously arranged in a thematic manner that will certainly be visually and aesthetically pleasing as well as historically informative." The exhibition examines the manifestations of Roman public and private life through an exploration of several themes, including religion, urbanism, war, imperial expansion, funerary practices, intellectual life, and family. Roman Art from the Louvre shows the full range of Roman artistry and taste, juxtaposing "official" art with more modest, private works. The portrait busts of anonymous men, women, and children featured in "The Roman Citizen" reveal the styles and fashions popular during the Roman Empire. Clothing, hairstyles, jewelry and other accessories, perfume bottles, and cosmetics are examined within the greater context of the role of women in the Roman Empire. Other topics addressed include the art of Roman portraiture; the Boscoreale treasure; and Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli and the Maritime Theater. Roman Art from the Louvre was organized by the American Federation ofArts and the Musde du Louvre. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. American Federation ofArts: The AFA is a nonprofit institution that organizes art exhibitions for presentation in museums around the ~vorld, publishes exhibition catalogues, and develops educational materials and programs. For more information on the AFA, please visit www.afaweb.org. VOTER REGISTRATION Voter registration applications may be submitted at any time. However, a valid application must be received at a motor license agency or a designated voter registration agency, or postmarked (if submitted by mail), more than 24 days prior to an election in order for the applicant to participate in that election. Deadlines for submitting valid voter registration applications prior to the 2008 statewide elections are as follows: Primary Hection Friday, July 4 - Registration Deadline Tuesday, July 29 - Election Runoff Primary Election Friday, August 1 - Registration Deadline Tuesday, August 26 - Hection General Election Frida); October 10 - Registration Deadline Tuesday, November 4 - Election CHANGES IN POLITICAL AFFILIATION Changes in political affiliation may not be made during the period from June ! through August 31, inclusive, in any even-numbered year. The last day on which a change in political affiliation can be made before the closed period is May 31; the first day on which a change in political affiliation can be made after the closed period is September 1. OTHER IMPORTANT DATES Last day to request absentee ballot for July 29 Primary Election \Vednesday, July 23 Vote early at your County Hection Board office Friday, July 25, 8 AM - 6 PM Saturda); July 26, 8 AM - 1 PM Monday, July 28, 8 AiVl - 6 PM Candidate Filing for federal, state, legislative and county offices June 2 - 4 vavw.ok, gov/-elections/index.html 10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Congressman Frank: WhyJohn McCain Is \Vdrong for the LGBT Community WASHINGTON, DC __ In the May edition of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT newsletter, Democratic Congressman Barney Frank makes the case for why electing John McCain would be a step backward for the LGBT community. Frank, a member of Congress representing Massachusetts since 1981, has long been an outspoken civil rights advocate and a vocal member of the LGBT community. While McCain has tried to portray himself as a "maverick" and a "moderate," Congress: man Frank makes it clear that on LGBT rights, like so many issues, McCain offers a third Bush term. ~-he following are excerpts of Congressman Frank’s article: changes taking place in civil life ... Homosexuality is a behavioral trait, unlike skin color... "With one exception, the relevance of which Senator McCain himself is rapidly diminishing, John McCain’s record is completely opposed to our efforts to combat prejudice and gain legal equality... "He has of course made it clear that he will support constitutional Amendments banning marriage at the state level, including in his mvn state ofArizona, and he regretted the fact that Arizona rejected such an amendment... "In every other area, McCain has a consistent voting record against our efforts. In 1996, the only time the Senate voted on the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, McCain was one of those who voted no. He has also consistently voted against extending hate crimes protection to gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals... "This apparently reflects the prejudiced view that he expressed in 1993 when he was helping block President Clinton’s effort when he said on February 4th, as recorded in the Congressional Record, "The issue of allowing open gay lifestyles in the military is completely different from the kind of "In addition to strongly opposing same-sex marriage, suggesting that he could modify his opposition to a federal constitutional amendment banning states like Massachusetts from adopting same-sex marriage, voting against ENDA, consistently opposing hate crimes coverage for us, and being recorded against every other effort in the Senate to give us fair treatment, Senator McCain also promised if he becomes president to reduce those protections we have been able to achieve at the Supreme Court level. He has noted his admiration for those justices who have consistently voted against any efforts by GLBT people to establish any right to legal equality, for example ChiefJustice Rehnquist, a dissenter in the Lawrence v. Texas case, in which the sodomy laws against gay and lesbian people were stricken. "Given the alignment of Supreme Court Justices, and their ages, it is virtually certain that ifJohn McCain is president, he will appoint justices who will overturn the Lawrence decision and the leading Supreme Court opponent of fair treatment for gay and lesbian people, Antonin Scalia ~vill gain alhes from McCmns appolntme ts. Community Peopte living 50t c (3) b~on Profit ()rganization Our House, Too offers a vadety of activities for PeoPle who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIM+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 1t ~W By Donald Pile and Ray Williams MY TRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET for Will & Grace in 2006, but Leslie also is a gifted writer and playwright. He wrote and starred in the autobiographical play, LOST IN THE PERSHING POIINT HOTEL, which was also made into a motion picture. He has appeared in dozens ofTV shows including The Fall Guy, Murphy Brown, Newhart, Ski Patrol, Lois & Clark "The New Adventures of Superman", Reba, Wings, The Pretender, Dharma and Gregg, Ellen, Caroline and the City, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Nash Bridges, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Judging Amy, George Lopez, Boston Legal, Ugly Betty and Hidden Palms to name just a few. Leslie Jordan, the wonderful talented actor, comedian, writer and playwright has just come out with his new book, MYTRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET which is a fabulously funny and interesting biography of Leslie’s life, so far. We are fortunate that we met Leslie a few years ago and saw his opening performance of"Like A Dog On Linoleum" in West Hollywood. He played to sell out audiences every night, and now in his new book, he brings his life to readers throughout the nation to peruse. What began as a smal! boy growing up in Tennessee and thru his different trials and tribulations he now is one of the top actors/entertainers in the country. Leslie has written a brutally honest story of his life and tells about all of it, warts and all, from his alcoholism, addiction to drugs, street hustlers and everything in between. The greatest thing is that he has been able to overcome most all of his demons (he has now been sober for over 10 years). Most people who write biographies like to kinda forget the bad times and only tell about the good times. Not Leslie! He deals with every aspect of his life and takes the readers through everything. Most people only know of Leslie either from the movie, Sordid Lives or from his guest appearances on Will & Grace. He was nominated and won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Yes, Leslie Jordan does have a ministry and that ministry is to be fun, funny, exciting and to bring happiness to the world. There is enough grief and misery in the world as it is. He brings a breath of fresh air wherever he goes. It is so nice reading a real biography where the author tells it just as it was and is and lets the readers get to know him personally. This should be a "must read" for all high school students, both gay and straight. It is an honest and compelling story of one person’s struggle with himself and the world around him, and he won! Leslie Jordan certainly deserves all the awards and accolades that he receives. MYTRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET is one of the funniest yet heart-felt books that we have ever read. Leslie Jordan is real ! and in today’s world that is really something to say! Leslie Jordan is not like Paul Lynde, he is not like Truman Capote, he is not like anybody else. He is simply himself and that is what makes him so great. After reading this book we can understand why his one man performances are sell outs! We can’t wait for the sequel to this book! We URGE all of our readers to rush out and purchase a copy of this book. Leslie Jordan is taking his "act" on the road again and will be coming to a city near you with an exciting one man performance and to sign his book. Check out his website, www. thelesliejordan.com for updates. "Love, light to you, Leslie and the very best!" Donald Pile and Ray Williarm, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who writefor gaypublicationsfrom Coast to Coast. Proud members ofthe IGLTA. You can email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www,hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers 12 the STAR ~vw.ozarksstar.com Wockner News Service Two California counties rebel against marriage ruling County clerks in California’s Kern and Butte counties have stopped performing all marriages so as not to have to marry gay couples. In Kern County, where Bakersfield is located, Clerk Ann Barnett announced her decision after county lawyers told her she could not marry straight couples but refuse to marry gay couples. Officially, she said the move stemmed from a lack ofstaffand space to meet the anticipated demand for weddings. But in an e-mail sent to the conservative legal group Alliance Defense Fund and obtained by the Bakersfield Californian newspaper, Barnett’s office wrote: "Our question is, now that the Supreme Court has refused to stay its decision, will Alliance Defense Fund defend the County Clerk if she ceases performing all marriage ceremonies.... We fully expect to be sued and our own counsel is not being of help.’" In Butte County, north of Sacramento, County Clerk Candace Grubbs cited money problems in announcing her decision. ~:he county’s largest city is Chico, population 87,OO0. But the president of the California Association of Clerks and Elected Officials, Contra Costa County Clerk Steve Weir, said the money excuse makes no sense. He told the San Francisco Chronicle that counties make money from selling marriage licenses and performing weddings. Kern and Butte counties still have to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but counties are not required to also offer wedding ceremonies, though most do as a courtesy and because it brings in income. Massachusetts governot’sdaughter comes out Katherine Patrick, daughter of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, came out publicly as a lesbian June 12 in an interview with the Boston gay newspaper Bay Windows. "We... wanted people to know that it’s not only something that we accept, but it’s something that we’re very proud of," Katherine, 18, said. She said she came out to her parents in July 2007, just before a picnic by the pool at their home in the Berkshires. "It was the easiest coming out experience that anyone could possibly have," Katherine said. First lady Diane Patrick called that event "a nonevent in the sense that there wasn’t any tension." "I was just happy for her that she knew who she was and that she was comfortable with who she was," she said. Gov. Patrick told Bay Windows, "I think when Katherine started to memorize all the episodes ofThe L Word, there was some hint that maybe she was sending us." Big gay gro,ups: Do marry; dont sue Leading national gay organizations have issued a strongly worded advisory al! but demanding that same-sex couples who visit California to get married not file any lawsuits seeking recognition of their marriages in their home states. The document also strongly urges married same-sex couples not to sue for federal recognition of their marriages. The lengthy document was issued June 10 by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, Equality Federation, Freedom To Marry, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Don’t go suing right away," the groups said. "Most lawsuits will likely set us all back." "One thing couples shouldn’t do is just sue the federal government or, if they are from other states, go sue their home state or their employer to recognize their marriage or open up the health plan," the advisory continued. "Pushing the federal government before we have a critical mass of states recognizing same-sex relationships or suing in states where the courts aren’t ready is likely to get us bad rulings. Bad rulings will make it much more difficult for us to win marriage, and will certainly make it take much longer." The full document can be accessed on the ACLU’s Web site at tinyurl.com/66z8kq. N.Y. governor sued over gay-marriage decision Five state lawmakers and the right-wing legal group Alliance Defense Fund sued New York Gov. David Paterson on June 3, hoping to block his order that state agencies must recognize same-sex marriages entered into in places where they are legal. The suit claims that only the Legislature can redefine marriage and seeks an injunction halting implementation of the order. Paterson has said he merely complied with a recent court decision that found that a community college could not deny benefits to the wife of a female employee -- the couple married in Canada -- because New York policy recognizes marriages performed outside the state. Same-sex marriage is allowed in Belgium, California, Canada, Denmark, Massachusetts, the Netherlands, South Africa and Spain. ........More U. S. News page 23 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 ~e~LInside Hol~ood, reports on new Reese Witherspoon and Ben Stiller Get Secretive ~hen ifyou dofft get to know what it is. movie proiecr, and the reason for all the hush ator, Cameron Crowe. Crowe is known t tong as he cm~, and this one is no exception. Witherspoon and Ben Stiller, and it’s a romantic bytes, the presence of seem like the most promising. ~they mean that as Etizabethtown. So the rum re is tentatively bright. For now, Dan Butler to Karl Rove: I Love You What happens when political strategist? 7he consequences of such a strange ~ comedy from writer-director Dan Butler, _Kad Rove: I Love as Bulldog on Frasier, Butler stars in this seifa depressed careerist actor in 2004, creating a one man show about President Bush’s to goal? The win-win scenario of both swaying the above the tide for once. The Hollywood/D.( producer, screenwri ~er, director, and star, and audiences can makes the tihn-festivai circuit rounds, starting tight about now. 14 the STAR The fellewing EarthQ~ke Zin ’05 The Phillips brothers pride th~mselves farming on quality. Their efforts competitions. with lots zing and flavor. Earthq brands under Chards & must try. Orin Swift Cedars The wine ’Heavenly It’s rare and : pepper and tobacco wild berry, with some flavors. Ahint suggests that Petite Sirah, Charbono and St offering is best from 2009 through 20 Ravenswood Napa Zin ’05 97% Zinfandel, 3% Carignane. Heasing bright, ripe plum flavors with a fine tannin structure. This xvine has a lingering finish tha’ tastes ofraspberries, doves and vanilla. Opolo Mountain Zin ’05 Ifyou are one of those who believe bigger is better, read on. Appropriately named for its bountiful bouquet offruit as well as where the grapes are grown, this full-bodied Zinfandd has plenty ofripe black cherry, plum and spice and is framed by soft tannins and balanced acidity. ,case Zinfandel, Petit Sirah & Carignanel the 2006 Ner~ Mi~o (Italian for "mixed black") is deep filackish-burgundy colored with a nose o~ dried herbs, pepper and leather. This deii~ious "field blend" styled wine has flavors 6f pomegranate, black fruits and figs with a hint of spice, medium to full bodied firm tannins, a long, lush finish/ Italian food, spicy the rig~ht now, though critics say it will next 5 - 7 ),ears. This to find so if you see it, of the better values, to be a vastly superior fbr Zinfandel. This wine, some Petite Sirak, Merlot, and Grenache blended in/exhibits ruby color. There is a sweet nose of peppery black cherry and raspberry, liqueur intermixed with spring flowers earth. The wine is medium to full-bodied. Wine critic Robert Parker gave this one Points. Mr. D also hosts wine & food events i known in town as the Wine Enthusiasts Tulsa. References include: the ABC’s of wine by James Laube/www.WineSpectator.com ’,,~##¢.FoodandWine.com www.Wikipedia.org Z A P www.zinfandel.org Members from ever) 25 club flag VOTE For Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth & Co. 16 t~$TAR SSIL~’s HOT Cowboys, Let’s Rodeo! www.ozarksstar.¢om JULY 2008 downtown Tulsa. Author Clara Nipper 0fTulga-Her new book, Femme Noir, has received num~ro~ rave reviews and was nominated for 2 Lambda Lite~ rds~ Her story backdrop is in Tulsa a~ the time 6f~h~ i921 rac~ riots, about a lesbian murder mystery featuring a hardcore black woman named Nora who finds h~rself ii~,estigating her friend’s murder, the STAR t 7 by Donald Pile and Ray Williams WEST HOLL OOD, CALIFOrnIA 90069 Special praise needs to be given to Steve Nycklemoe who is the Director of Operations. He has done an outstanding job in putting this exhibit together. Actually it is one of the finest exhibits that we have seen in our travels. We strongly urge all of our readers to visit this museum. Steve Nycklemoe & Ray \Villiams Well, the zip code just about explains almost everything about West Hollywood! What else can be said except that it is fun and exciting and ? There is so much to see and do and not enough time. For those of you who have never been there, \Hest Hollywood which is known as "WEHO" is located between Los Angeles and Beverly Hills and the main street is Santa Monica Blvd. which is filled with gay flags, restaurants, bars and shops. At night time it is filled with thousands of people partying. The HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM is located in the historic Max Factor building at 1660 North Highland Avenue just a few blocks east of the Kodak Center in downtown Hollywood. They have over 10,000 showbiz treasures. When we were there, they had a special exhibit of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia including many of the dresses that she wore in her movies. You can see the chair where Hizabeth Taylor sat in the movie Cleopatra, view Cary Grant’s vintage Rolls Royce, Elvis Presley’s favorite bathrobe, Rocky’s boxing gloves and Indiana Jones’ whip. As you enter the beautiful Art Deco building you walk directly in to the exquisite lobby with it’s original art deco lighting fixtures, show cases and architectural moldings. There are displays of original Max Factor cosmetics and ads. Browse the different make up rooms where each has a different color mode It is truly like stepping back into old Hollywood when it was at it’s peak. There are several floors of exciting exhibits to see. Actually one could spend a whole day there and not see everything. Downstairs they have the original prison setting of Hannibal in Silence of the Lambs. They have really worked at making this one of the finest museums in the country. Anybody and everybody who is even remotely interested in movies should visit this museum. Their hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday thru Sunday. Be sure to check out their website at: www.thehollywoodmuseum.com. Be sure to visit at least one of the major movie studios while you are in West Hollywood. We attended the world premier play, BOISE USA by the extremely talented playwright, Gene Franklin Smith and masterly directed by Arturo Castillo. BOISE USA is a character-driven drama about gay persecution in Boise, Idaho in the 1950’s. The writing is superb! The casting is perfect! Every actor is sensational. The audience is mesmerized by all of this. Hopefully it will go to Broadway in the near future as everybody needs to experience this splendid drama. We had the good fortune of meeting Gene Franklin Smith and he is an incredibly talented playwright. We can only hope that he continues writing for many years to come. It has been playing to rave reviews. It is presently showing at the Matrix Theater at 7657 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. There are of course dozens and dozens of museums and galleries to visit in greater Los Angeles. As always is the case when we travel..... too many things to see and do, and not enough time. We did have "lunch with Holly Woodlawff’ one afternoon. She was one of the Andy Warhol actresses who now lives in West Hollywood and we visited with the Countess Alexis who is one of the great Divas of all times who was also associated with Andy Warhol in New York City and was in several movies. One day we visited the new Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing. This is an incredible high-rise apartment housing project for "seasoned" gays and lesbian on a fixed income. Complete ~vith a swimming pool, library room, gym room and a social room this facility offers a safe and secure place for "seasoned" gays and lesbians to live. There are literally hundreds of restaurants in the greater Los Angles Area. Our favorites was the ABBEY which is a huge restaurant and bar right in downtown West HoltFwcood. The TASTE restaurant is also a great place that we would strongly recommend. Excellent food and service as well as ambiance at these bars. For breakfast or lunch we enjoy the French Market restaurant. There are dozens and dozens of bars in West Hollywood and on weekends there are usually long lines waiting to get in. Drink prices at most of these bars are astronomical! For our readers in the Midwest, be ready for a shock. It is nothing to pay $10 to $15 for a drink and we mean just for a regular bourbon and coke or screwdriver. We are not talking call drinks either! With gas hovering around $5.00 a gallon and drinks priced that high and with the cost of housing, it does take lots of money to have a good time. 18 th÷$TAR ~.ozarksstar.com The Abbey Restaurant and Bar We stayed at the San Vicente Inn which is just 1/2 block from Santa Monica Blvd. It is a totally gay resort that has recently been sold and is now in the process of being completely remodeled. It is the most convenient place to stay since you can walk almost everywhere, and if you want to go anywhere else you catch the bus. The staffis one of the friendliest around. NOTE: Seepage 22for 7he Abbey’s Tn~ffte Macaroni & Cheese recipe. Oklahomans for Equality and Breast Impressions ofTulsa team up to raise breast cancer awareness. Breast Impressions "Beauty beyond Breast Cancer" Art on Display TULSA, OK (PR) __ For the second year Breast Impressions breast cast art will be on display at the Oklahomans for Equality Dennis R. Nell! Equality Center gallery through the month ofJuly. Only breast cancer survivors have been cast in plaster this year, and local artists have turned the castings into stunning examples of each survivor’s incredible journey through breast cancer¯ The art displayed will be auctioned at the Breast Impressions Annual Gala for the benefit ofTulsa Project Woman, Inc. on October 3, 2008. But the Equality Center "Beauty beyond Breast Cancer" show allows Oklahomans to see and experience he inspiration through each survivor s story. Breast Impressions is honored to display the work at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center gallery because of the higher risk for developing breast cancer among lesbians and bisexual women. www.ozarksstar.corn Due to a variety of social stigmas statistically they have a higher risk profile than their heterosexual counterparts. Realizing this, Tulsa Project Woman will hold an educational seminar during the Breast Impressions art show, to further promote breast cancer awareness through the communit): Opening Night of the Gallery showing will be July 3, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th Street, in downtown Tulsa. Refreshments will be provided by Panera Bread, Godiva Chocolate, and Escargot’s. Many of the artists and breast cancer survivor models will be in attendance to meet those who visit. The show will continue through July until the 28th, Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tulsa Project Woman will also host a dessert reception and private showing of the Breast Impressions Exhibit and then a Breast Health Education seminar on Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm. This seminar will include information on Breast Cancer Prevention, How to do a Self Breast Exam and the Tulsa Project Woman. You can contact Judi Grove, founder of Breast Impressions at 918- 691-3874 for more information about the Equality Center gallery showing, or the upcoming Gala and Auction for the benefit ofTulsa Project Woman. theSTAR 19 of Town By Andrew Collins Nashville, Tennessee :was good idea). The s~ae THEABBEY FOOD &B£ By Donald Pile & Ray \vq’illiams The Abbey Food and Bar is located at 692 North Robertson just 1/2 block south of Santa Monica Blvd. It has been around quite a few years and it is one of the wonderful restaurants/bars that just keeps getting better year after year after year. David Cooley is the master at the art ofwork and play. Over the past 15+ years, his creation, The Abbey Food and Bar, has grown from a small, West Hollywood coffeehouse to one of the most popular hotspots in the country. Locals, tourists and celebrities alike all flock to The Abbey for its infamous Martinis as well as its stunning, open-air ambiance and truly relaxed elegance. In May 2006, Cooley and The Abbey entered an entirely new and exciting phase in its partnership with the Los Angeles-based SBE, which has fast become one of the pivotal players in the Los Angeles nightlife and restaurant scene. Armed with the expertise, infrastructure and corporate reach of SBE, The Abbey is beginning its biggest expansion to date - reproducing the signature Abbey experience in selected cities nationwide. While no specific locations have been finalized for national expansion, Cooley and SBE are exploring locations where The Abbey’s open-air concept would work best, including Miami’s South Beach, Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Las Vegas and Phoenix. So now you have the background on the Abbey but you MUST dine and drink there. It is where it is all happening in West Hollywood and everyone who is anyone goes there. Hizabeth Taylor made a rare appearance there last month to a cheering crowd. When we dined there, everything was great...the service, the ambiance and the food was spectacular! We had the finest pork chops that we have ever had! The mac and cheese with truffles were to die for! There are dozens and dozens of restaurants to dine at in West Hollywood and this is certainly one of the finest. Check out their exciting menu on line at their website, http://www.abbeyfoodandbar.com/ 22 tbeSTAR w~wv.ozarksstar.com Ca iforni s will vote on same-sex marriage They’re gonna vote on whether you are a full American. Anti-gay activists have succeeded in qualifying an initiative for the Nov. 4 ballot to amend the California Constitution to undo the state Supreme Court’s recent ruling that opened marriage to same-sex couples. The ruling takes effect, and the weddings begin, on June 16 at 5 p.m. The activists had to submit 694,354 valid petition signatures to qualify the initiative for a vote. They submitted 1,120,801 and, on June 2, Secretary of State Debra Bowen said a spot-check of 3 percent of the signatures found that a high enough percentage of them ,vere valid to extrapolate that the threshold would be met if all t. 1 million were checked. Tne amendment will state: "Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The latest poll on the issue, a respected California Field Poll released May 28, found that 51 percent of registered California voters support same-sex marriage, 42 percent oppose it and 7 percent have no opinion. The poll found that 54 percent oppose amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage, 40 percent favor an amendment and 6 percent have no opinion. The biggest support for same-sex marriage came from younger voters, Democrats, liberals, nonreligious people and residents of the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County. The strongest opposition came from older people, Republicans, conservatives, bornagain Christians, Protestants and residents of the Central Valley and Southern California counties apart from L.A. County. Observers predict that the battle may be won or lost in the populous Southern California counties of Orange and San Diego. Women (53 percent) polled more supportive than men (48 percent) with 8 percent of each having no opinion and the rest opposed. A majority of respondents up to age 49 favored sane-sex marriage, while a majority of people over age 50 opposed it. The poll questioned 1,052 voters and had a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points. Obama cdebrates gay pride Presidential candidate Barack Obama said June 6 that his campaign is actively participating in more than 60 gay pride events this summer, as detailed at pride.barackobama. com/pridemonth. "I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season," Obama said in a statement. "It’s time to live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. Let’s enact federal civil rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and protect workers against discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Let’s repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country. Let’s treat the relationships and the families ofLGBT Americans with full equality under the law. "Generations ofLGBT Americans, at once ordinary and extraordinary, have made possible this moment in our history. With leadership and hard work, we can fulfill the promise of equality for all," Obama said. Quotable Quotes Obama told reporters "the Republicans helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned down the people who actually committed 9-11." He said Osama bin Laden is still at large in part because of their failed strategies. Kansas CoupJe Does IDO. By Greg Steele Photo: Donald Pile, Larry IVard, Riverside County, (Palm Springs) CA County Clerk and oj~ciating the wedding and Ray Williams. PALM SPRINGS, CA __ Donald Pile and Ray Williams long time friends and columnists for The Star exchanged legal vows in Palm Springs, CA on June 17, 2008. The couple drove from West Hollywood, where they were vacationing, to Palm Springs for the ceremony. The Star talked with them about the historic occasion. "We stopped by Palm Springs early this morning and were married", Donald told us. "Mel Haber, owner of the famous Melwn’S Restaurant in Palm Springs was a witness. He is a dear straight friend of ours. The other witness was our good friend, Stefan Hemming who owns the Liberace Estate. We were very cool about the whole thing until the Clerk said, "In as much as ....... Donald and Raymond have thus consented together in marriage, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of California as a Commissioner of Civil Marriage for the County of Riverside (Palm Springs, CA), I now pronounce you to be united in marriage". "It was a small wedding as we didn’t have much time. When we walked out the front door of the county court house, we were crying and shouting". After 37 years we have never been more in love with each other. We are just sad for the gays and lesbians in other parts of the country who do not have the opportunity to get married". www.ozarksstar.corn th÷STAR 23 Photo’s by Victor G. & Judy G. @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City @Club Majestic, Tulsa @ The Copa, Oklahoma City @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa @ Steve’s Hideaway, Tulsa 24 @Angles, Oklahoma City @ Finishline, Oklahoma City June 6, O~n~YoUth Center conducted the r annua F~hi~~: ,Th~ ~h~ was hosted by 106.9 s Chase and OK:: There were different artists in Pride Prade These ad es are hay ng tooooo~ ~bh fun www.ozarksstar.com CaIJaway CD Romanticizes Man to Man AL RE-ELECTED D STRICT 88 "You Ain’t Woman Enough’To Take My Man", a gay man is telling a woman, drag queen or possible a transvestite, that she isn’t woman enough to take his boyfriend. The title song "darn it, Baby, That’s Love" highlights the collection. Clay and his partner, Ty Lewis sing it as a duet with passion and love. Other song selections that will get you in the mood include "I’ve Grown Ac- :customed To Your Face", "All ~e Man That I Need", "Never Loved A Man Before", and "Come In From The Rain" In the past 20 years Callaway managed to find love, work somewhat in the shadows of "the industry" (as in, behind the scenes) in Los Angeles, New York, Sweden, Dominican Republic and all points in between, boomeranged through Nashville and came to live in Hilo, Hawaii. It was here that the muse again came to him. "Hawaii is so full of music and incredible voices that I found my self facing this love I have to sing out loud and once again I felt in love with the audience, and they seemed to like me too", Clay says. Charlie’s, often hosted by Joan Rivers, The Rose Tatoo, the Palomino Club and other "interesting" places. All the while making a living working in television production as a production assistant and slowly moving up that food chain. Life was good, met a few cute guys along the way and a few hot messes as well. It came a time in my early 20% I was taking voice lessons with Bob Garrett and we ended up writing a couple of songs together. On my web site, I have included a demo of one of those songs from over 20 years ago for a sneak peek at one that will be resurrected for my next album. I can’t sing that high anymore, but it’s a look back to a day tong past." "Then a fire in my apartment building left me homeless and sent me back to stay with my family in Arkansas for the summer to regroup. In some ways I felt defeated, but got chosen to direct the summer musical at the community theater, the South Arkansas Arts Center, and while in my home town, met the love of my life, Ty. He had been there most of his and my life, but we had never met." "I moved to LA at 19 to finish college at ¯ LMU, that was pretty much it for singing and performing aside from high school chores and the occasional opportunity to dress up in a chicken suit. (But that’s another story.) LA was a big eye-opener, as it would be for anyone let alone a young gay guy from south Arkansas. I began to write songs and performing at lots of fun places on the Sunset Strip and beyond. Carlos & Gay Chicago Magazine says "On his debut album, Callaway takes love songs many written by men and popularized by women then turns them on end by singing them in his distinctive vocal style to other men. It’s a creative approach that can make for some rather interesting word play. " You can purchase the CD online at: www. cdbaby.com/cd/daycallaway By Victor Gorin Keith Taggart congratulates State Representative AI McAflgrey at a fundraiser for Jim Roth at the residence of Mike McLain & Richard Ogden. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma’s first openly gay legislator, Al McAffrey was re-elected to represent District 88 of central Oklahoma City. He was first elected in 2006. At the close of the filing period June 4 there was only one opponent, 27 year old Dominique Block, who was running as an Independent. His candidacy was challenged by the McAffrey campaign on the grounds that he had not been registered as an Independent for 6 months prior to the filing period, and the Oklahoma State Election Board determined he was not eligible. As there was no other opposition, Al McAffrey was automatically re-elected to of~ce. Al welcomes this opportunity stating," It’s a great feeling to know my constituents have faith in me, and by their support I’ll be able to serve them for two more years." Quotable Quotes The Tonight Show host, Jay Leno decided to make an appearance in support of the recent legalization of gay marriage by California’s Supreme Court. "He said that he is from Massachusetts and that the sky did not fall in their state when marriage equality became the law of the land there," a rep for the event said. 26 th÷STAR www.ozarksstar.com NATIONAL NEWS Task Force Action Ftmd applauds New York Assembly £or historic vote on transgender rights "We congratulate the leadership ofAssemblyman Richard Gottfried, the many transgender leaders and allies in New York, and our partner, Empire State Pride Agenda, for this important victory. We now call on the leaders of the New York Senate to bring this bill to the floor so that protections fbr transgender people and others in New York are not delayed another day." Noway adopts gaymarriage law OSLO (AFP) -- Norway’s parliament on Wednesday adopted a new marriage law that allows homosexuals to marry and adopt children and permits lesbians to be artificially inseminated. WASHINGTON, DC (PR) __ The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds the New York Assembly’s passage today of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). The bill, which passed by a 102-33 vote, now moves to the state Senate. The measure seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations and would add gender identity or expression to the state’s hate crimes law. New York extended protections on the basis of sexual orientation in 2002 and the Task Force has worked with the Empire State Pride Agenda, legislators and community activists since then to amend the law to add gender identity or expression protections, including by helping draft GENDA. Among the other contributions the Task Force made to this effort was a convening of transgender and allied activists in 2006 at a training in Albany to provide leaders with skills for how to build coalitions in support of this bill, and a Power Summit training on Long Island in December 2007 that attracted more than 100 activists who were taught how to lobby their legislators and build grassroots support for the bill. If the bill passes the Senate, Gov. David Paterson is expected to sign it and New York would become the 13th state to explicitly ban discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Currently, 39 percent of the country’s population is covered by such a local or state law. Statement by Rea Carey, Acting Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund "This is a very exciting victory for the people ofNew York, particularly transgender people. Legislation of this sort is not only responsible public policy, it also shows the nation that New York is unafraid to join the ranks of states that value all of their citizens, including those who are transgender or who express their gender in ways that reflect the broad and beautiful spectrum of humanity. www.ozarksstar.com Libertarian Party selects Bob Barr.as 2008 presidential nominee Former Congressman plans to take the White House as Libertarian candidate DENVER, CO (PR) __ The Libertarian Party has nominated former Congressman Bob Barr as its candidate for president for the 2008 election. "I’m sure we will emerge here with the strongest ticket in the history of the Libertarian Party," Barr stated in his victory speech shortly after being selected as the Party’s nominee. "I want everybody to remember that we only have 163 days to win this election. We cannot waste one single day." More than 650 Libertarian delegates met in Denver from May 22 tilt the 26 for the 2008 Libertarian National Convention. After six rounds of voting Sunday afternoon, Barr was selected as the Party’s presidential nominee. The Libertarian Party is America’s third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.LP.org. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom. After a heated debate, the members of parliament adopted the text by a vote of 84 to 41. The three centre-left coalition parties in power and two opposition parties, the Conservatives and the Liberals, voted largely in favour of the law, while the Christian Democrats and the far-right Progress Party voted against it. Norway thus became the sixth country in the world to grant homosexuals the right to marry on an equal footing with heterosexuals, according to Norwegian television TV2. "This decision is of an importance comparable to universal suffrage and our law on parity," Labour Party rapporteur Gunn Karin Gjul said during the debate. The most controversial part of the law is that which gives lesbians the right to be artificially inseminated. The sperm donor must be identified so that the child can seek out his or her biological father at the age of 18. Outside the parliament, a handful of opponents protested with posters reading "Have fathers become superfluous?" and "Parliament has no mandate to change the laws of nature." Among other things, the new legislation replaces a so-called "partnership law" adopted in 1993 xvhich gave Norwegian homosexuals the right to civil unions. Health care workers who do not want to perform artificial inseminations on lesbians because of their personal convictions will not be under any obligation to carry out the procedure. The new law is expected to enter into force at the end of this year or eatly next year. Homosexuality was illegal until 1972 in Norway, a country which has since become one of the most liberal in the world in the field. ~÷STAR 27 by Jack Fertig July 2008 "Nalke like a tourist, Pisces!" With Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Eris all in mutual aspect, efforts at wit and charm are subverted by excessive impulses and eagerness to take offense. Still, it’s a good time to hash out friendly disagreements or to take up arts or crafts projects. ¯ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Before speaking up, try to remember some bit of wisdom from a wise old woman, probably your grandmother or a teacher from early childhood. Her insight could smooth out the rough edges, turning your initial ideas from disastrous to helpful. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You may be overly invested in a set goal that isn’t as realistic as it originally seemed. We all need to revise plans now and then. Be practical, not stubborn! Discuss it with friends, and take time alone to reconsider priorities. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You may be trying too hard to get ahead and to organize people you see as "your team." Stand back, think about what’s really important, and listen carefully to your friends and their aims. Communication is the key to cooperation. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Arguments that seem to come out of nowhere are really about your hidden doubts and fears. Expert opinions can help set your mind at ease. Try exploring some artistic medium or musical style that wouldn’t normally interest you. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Your own ideas of sexual politics could shake up your corner of the GLBT community, which can stimulate new thinking. Discussion points that come from the heart will go over better than battle cries that sound like P.C. cliches. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Flirtations and sexual politics can complicate relations with bosses and colleagues. Acknowledging sexual tension may help to dispel it, but that doesn’t always work. Think deeply and far ahead before trying it. Discuss any problems at your job with friends who work elsewhere. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Cooperation is usually more productive in the long run than competition is. Both have their place, but your eager ambitions may blind you to better opportunities. Careful listening can turn rivals into allies. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Sexual experimentation is fine in principle; just be careful that you don’t land in a bad situation. Think ahead and be cautious! Be clear about health risks, discuss at length what you really want, and look before you leap. 28 theSTAR SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Disruptions at home can make you cranky and argumentative. Looking for sex to blow off steam may prove more frustrating than helpful. Competitive games - especially those that test communications skills (Scrabble, Charades, Pictionary) - are probably better for releasing tension. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Keep your focus right in front of your nose. Accidents are just waiting to happen; being overloaded and distracted only encourages them! Teamwork is helpful, if you can resist the urge to get drawn into turf battles. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February t8): The cost of fun can be a lot higher than expected. Be inventive (you can manage that!), and have a great time on the cheap. Debates over aesthetics may seem more heated than they should be, but welcome the arguments for potential inspiration. PISCES (February t9 - March 19): Feeling like a stranger at home isn’t fun, but it can fuel the creative juices. Get playful, make like a tourist, and let someone take you to places you’d never go on your own. Take a more objective, outsider’s stance in community politics. MCC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES IRev Steve "IF. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, IVlO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Mieal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring t7 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PMi Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! www.ozarksstar.com Support those who support us. DOWNTOWN PLAZ__A ofTULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant ANGLES 2117 NW39th St. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesdub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.dubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE 11730 E. llTH Tulsa, OK 918-437-0449 Open Sun- Sat 2pm to 2am THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com EXPRESSIONS Comm Fellowship 311 S Klein Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73108 405-761-1878 www.myspace.com/expressionsokc HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIWSTD Hotline SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM MCC of the LMNG SPRING 17 Hk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm OPENAR/vlS YOUTH PROJECT 2015 -B S. Lakewood Tulsa, OK 74112 918-838-7104 www. openarmsproject.org OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 KING OF MASSAGE In or Out Calls Oklahoma City, OK 405-314-3898 JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 9!8-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NWEXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 www.c2 lgoldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: wv~v.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn For { vertisin Knformation DALLAS CVB Dallas, TX www.winatrip.glbtdallas.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: NAME: Address: City:. Phone: The STAR PO Box 581718 Tulsa, OK 74158-1718 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) St: Zip:, Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: www.ozarksstar.com theSTAR Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Vghether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. KING OF MASSAGE Great Touch Man to Man Futl Bodj Massage 2 hands or 4 hands available (405) 3{4o3898 Now Hiring Male & Female 30 t~eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com We believe that homosexuality is not a genetic trait but a chosen lifestyle. We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or promiscuous behavior in a positive light in our public schools. We oppose the erosion of our military readiness through openly_ practicing homosexuals serving in the military We oppose the promotion of homosexuality, the elimination of laws against sodomy, and the granting of minority protection or special status to any person based upon sexual preference or lifestyle choice. If the Republican message of hate and division doesn’t represent you, then join us and vote Democrati’c in support of what we stand for: LIBERTY, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, PROUDLY INCLUDING THE GLBT COMMUNITY. I~’ol~V~ln ~o~e$~ Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair I~ Asbe~’ry~ Oklahoma Democratic Party Vice Chair Undu Sru~’ ~’~ Oklahoma State Democratic Party Treasurer ¢~’~o g~’d~ Oklahoma State Field Director Democratic National Commiffee, Fifth District Chair 3~ ~o~’~ Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner A~ ~{~’e~ Oklahoma State Representative District 88 gob ~.e~o~ our friend who’s straight but not narrow Taken from current platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties of Oklahoma. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2008] The Star Magazine, July 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 7 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 01, 2008 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwestern Missouri Western Arkansas Southeastern Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Charles (Chaz) Ward Victor Gorin Greg Steele James Nimmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Romeo San Vicente Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Judy G. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, June 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 6 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/248 Metro Star. August 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 8 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/198 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/247 After Dark Al McAffrey Bob Bar Deval Patrick horoscopes Katherine Patrick Leslie Jordan marriage equality mixology Night club Obama Oklahoma City Museum of Art Our House Paparazzi on the Prowl pride Parade project runway Quotable Quotes recipes Star Advertisers star classified Star Scene The National Gay and Task Force The Phantom of the Opera Too travel wine https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/be0ae56e7062acd8c024758acee9e450.jpg 45f01a058dc724e3b2f96696dfc13337 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/106bd8d97ee140cad2981c547d629591.pdf 8f8be49a6dcbded09162ea9d9b5d96d5 PDF Text Text l!li!ll!lllllllllilillllll IIII!lllllllllllllllllll I!illillilllli!illllilill IIiiIIIIIIIIIIlillllllll il!l,ll!llllillllillllllill III!1111111!11111111111111 iI!llll!lllllilillllllll lit~ II r ~ I �Royal GreCnCountrg Barony o~: dll Oklahoma pr~ent~s 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.cor~ �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �¯he Colors of Living", featuring giclee prints of the digital art of Tulsa artist Dennis R. Scott. ~O ONL~HOMA HATE CRII~flE Gay community outraged over Steven Domer slaying. NEW: Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on new projects for Sarah Jessica Parker and Dan Butler. November 21,1999 fine last grand Queen) Flamboyant author Quentin Crisp dies in Manchester, England. Tulsa’s Downtown Plaza Hotel openly welcomes GLBT. Gay Travelers: 6,000 Mile Trip Out of Town: Key West Dining In or OUT FIITHESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: 4 the STAR Downtown Tulsa www.ozarksstar.com �"If you are elected President, what concrete steps would you take to overturn ’Don’t As~, Don’t Tell ?’" Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY): I strongly believe that anyone who has the courage, strength, and valor to serve our country should be able to do so. We are at war and our top generals are warning that America’s military is stretched to the breaking point, yet we have a policy that dismisses good people from our ranks. Even service members with critical skills such as Arabic language skills are being discharged because they are gay. Senior retired military officials who can speak freely say this law does not serve our national security interests. These same military leaders are confident that repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell won’t lessen standards of behavior or lower morale. As President, I will work with high-profile military leaders, such as former Joint Chiefs chairman John M. Shalikashviii and Retired Lieutenant General Claffdia Kennedy, the first woman to achieve the rank of three-star general in the Army, who have called for repeal of the law. I will stand with soldiers like retired Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American soldier to be seriously wounded in Iraq, and retired Army Sgt. Jose Zuniga, former Army Soldier of the Year, who are shining examples of why this law no longer makes sense. Over the last seven years in the Senate, and as a member of the Armed Services Committee, I have built relationships with members of Congress and senior military officials through my work on the Armed Services Committee. When I am President, I will bring this strength and experience to bear to end this outdated and outmoded policy. w~,-w.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 �Denounces TULSA, OK (P/R) __ Oklahomans for Equality expresses its outrage at the recent murder of Steven Domer. "gge extend condolences to his family and friends. This senseless tragedy highlights the urgent need for federal and state hate crimes legislation protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) people. On October 26th, Steven Domer, a 62-yearold gay man, was abducted from NW 39th Street near Pennsylvania Avenue in Oklahoma City. On November 4th, his body was found in rura! McClain County. His hands were tied with duct tape and a wire hanger was wrapped around his neck. The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner concluded that Domer died of asphyxiation and ruled his death a homicide. On November 28, Darrell Madden, a self-prodaimed white supremacist, was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in relation to Domer’s death. Prosecutors believe that Madden targeted Domer as part of an initiation rite of the Aryan Brotherhood. Inorder to secure a "patch," the white supremacist group demands that its members commit an act of violence against an African American, Jew, homosexual, or any other person declared "an enemy." Although Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and other law enforcement officials believe that anti-gay bias was a motivating factor in Domer’s murder, they cannot prosecute Madden under Oklahoma’s hate crimes law because the statute does not cover sexual orientation. Oklahoma is one of only 17 states whose hate crimes laws do not protect LGBT citizens. Most state hate crime laws enhance the penalties for bias-motivated crimes. On December 4, Representative Al McAf’frey (D-Oklahoma City) announced his intention to introduce a bill expanding the state’s hate crime law to include sexual orientation and gender. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Local Law Enforcement Hate 6 the STAR Crimes Prevention Act/Matthew Shepard Act giving the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. This bill will soon be voted upon in the U.S. Senate. As legislators consider passage of these historic state and national laws, Oklahomans for Equality will be working with its allies in the LGBT and allied community in educational and advocaW efforts. Hate Crimes Amendment Removed rom Dept o£De£ense Con erence Report WASHINGTON, DC (P/R DEC 6TH) __ ~Ibday, House-Senate conferees confirmed that the Matthew Shepard Act, which had passed the Senate as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill, would be removed from the final version of the bill. This announcement was made after House Leadership’s whipping the vote count on the conference report concluded there were not enough votes for passage of the bill if it included the hate crimes provision. "Today’s decision is deeply disappointing, especially given the historic passage of hate crimes legislation through both Houses of Congress this year. After more than ten years and several successful bipartisan votes, it is heartbreaking to fall short this dose to the finish line," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. "However, we are not giving up on efforts to find another legislative vehicle, in the second half of this Congress, to move the Matthew Shepard Act." The Human Rights Campaign has been a chief advocate of hate crimes legislation for over a decade. On November 14th, HRC sent an e-mail to all Capitol Hill offices urging the retention of hate crimes legislation in the Department of Defense Authorization conference report. Additionally, HRC organized and signed onto a coalition letter www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �"At Century 21 Gold Cas#e our BEST properties are our PEOPL~ Gny men and le~btans fac~ many special ta~ situations, whether single or a~ 3627 NW Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 73112 Let us help with your TAX Prep! (918) 747-5466 405.840.2t06 www.c21 goldcastie.com Pmu~l~t ~¢r~lng Tulm ~ OKC’s GLBT comm~mitl~ ~lnc~ 1982 Chuck Bmckenddge 918-706~1887 Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �eyes ofm~ artist driven to create impressions of the beauty which sttcrounds him. "’l-he Colors of Living’ a digital art exhibit at Dennis R. Neill Equality Center The exhibit w’dl remain up through the month of January and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dermis R. Nedl Equality Center is located at 621 E. dth St., in downtown Tulsa. More info c~a be found on the web at okeq.org. ’Ihis monthly event is hosted by Okiahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexmal & Tra~sgender (LGBT) individuals and f~mihes through advoca~, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis IL Neig Equality Center. Tulsa artist Dennis IL Scotx TULSA, OK~ The Dennis IL Neili Equality Center ar~ gallery wi[[ host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-gpm, ~aursday, January 3, 2008, for the opening oflts January exhibit "The Colors of Living", featu ~mg giclee prints of the digital ~trt of Tulsa ~tist Dermis IL Scott. Scott has been creating his digital art for the list three years. His work is unlike most digital or computer art. His style is unique. His arc is totally his own..., his ovca~ way of seelng life, his own way of depicOng that which he sees. Whether one might call Scott’s art abstract, impressionistic, or surreal is of little concern to Scott. Through his art he invites the viewer, the art lover or even the mere observer, to take a chance, as he has in creating his art. Taking a chance is what ~rtists do. Vie~,Cm g Scott’s art is seeing his subjects as he sees them, through the Art byTulsa artist Dennis IL Scott the STAR 9 �THE ALUES ES SLAY By Victor Gorin recently released convicts, Madden having served time at Jess Dunn Correctional Center for impersonating a police officer and obtaining money by false pretense. Quails had been released from the Dick Conner Correctional facility in Hominy for a 2001 burglary conviction. It was speculated that Mr. Domer’s murder may have been a gang rite of passage. The murder has garnered national attention, somewhat reminiscent of the murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming in !998.A press conference was held at Church of the Open Arms December 4, followed by a candlelight vigil in the parking lot of Angles that evening. The press conference and vigil were Photo: Steven Domer OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ The Oklahoma gay community and their allies have been outraged and saddened by the murder of Steven Domer, a 62 },ear old Oklahoma City man believed to have been targeted primarily because he was gay. On October 26, he had driven a friend home from the N.W. 39th street gay bar district, then returned to the area, and was last seen at the car wash there, an area well known for male prostitution. He was seen by a witness to be talking to two young men. His body and burned out car were found near 1-35 and Ladd road north of Purcell November 4. Oklahoma County prosecutors have charged Darrell Madden with Domer’s murder. Madden, a white supremacist who was arrested in McLain County for an attempted carjacking, is also charged in McLain County with the murder of the Brad Qualls, the other man believed to be seen talking with Steven Domer the night he disappeared. Quails was found shot to death November 8 at an Ardmore apartment complex. Madden & Qua.lls have been identified as members of the United Aryan Brotherhood, a xvhite supremacist group which recruits many of their members in prisons. Both were 10 the STAR attended by the Reverend Harry Knox, the Faith Community Director of the Human Rights Campaign, a national GLBT rights political group. As he puts it," Oklahoma is one of only 17 states that do not protect GLBT citizens through hate crimes legislation." Objections to hate crimes legislation have come from religious fundamentalist groups who claim they would not be able to preach against homosexual behavior should this legislation become law. Harry Knox clarified that this type of speech is protected the 1st Amendment of the US. Constitution, and to say otherwise is " to tell a lie unworthy of ministers of the gospe! of Jesus Christ." He pointed out that "people are dying in Oklahoma, and GLBT people are wondering when their pastors will speak out for justice. Steven Domer’s voice cries out for justice, asking pastors for whom do they work, the people or for God?" Richard Ogden, an attorney who chairs the Cimarron Alliance Foundation also spoke, stating that" In Oklahoma and across our nation there is a climate of intolerance, and a tolerance of intolerance. This has to stop. When we in Oklahoma have passed laws that basically say that gays and lesbians are second class citizens, we create an environment that licenses this type of behavior. " Although this was a brutal murder that was obviously motivated because the victim was gay, Darrell Madden could not be charged with a hate crime because Federal and Oklahoma hate crimes laws do not cover sexual orientation. Legislation was introduced this year in Congress to amend Federal Hate Crimes laws to include sexual orientation by Senator Edward Kennedy D-Massachusetts, but was dropped when it became dear that it would not pass the House. On the state level State Representative Al McA_ffrey, Oklahoma’s first and only openly gay legislator, has stated that he will introduce legislation to amend Oklahoma Hate Crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender. This is supported by both Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Mr. McAffrey did state that he realized he will probably be facing an uphill battle in the legislature. Clarifying the point that some conservatives make, that Hate Crimes laws elevate gay people to a special status, he affirmed that ifa group of gay men attacked a straight man ,vith baseball bats, targeting him for his sexual orientation, they would also be guilty of a hate crime under this legislation. Reverend Dr. Kathy McCallie, pastor of Church of the Open Arms-United Church of Christ, pointed out that this crime was not an isolated incident, stating that "there xvill be a day when GLBT persons can freely be themselves and enjoy the safety equality and respect that’s due to every member of the human family, but today is not that day. On October 26 when Steve Domer was brutally murdered, we were each violated. " ~w.ozarksstar.com �on the loose Wiads House Providing A Sa£e P lace For 20 By Greg Steele By Victor Gorin Photo Left to Right:Jennifer Bates, Asley Ozan, Linda Duke Miranda Ray will be performing in the Kris Kohl Show New Years Eve At the Jones’n Club Downtown Plasza Hotel. Doxvntoxvn Plaza Hotel Tulsa General Managers Jay Wilks and Debbie McCraw. Miss Gay Tulsa America, Melody Michaels at the BOO. OKLAHO!VIA CITY, OK __ Thanks to a caring community, Winds House of Oklahoma City was able to raise over $2500 at a gala fundraiser December 7th. For over 20 years the Winds have provided a safe place to stay for those living with HIV and their families, serving as transitional housing until they are able to re-enter the general community. The home provides referrals and assistance for disability income, food stamps, Section 8 housing etc. Donatons are always needed and can be sent to \Vinds House OKC, P.O. Box 12185 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73157. Miss Gay Oklahoma US of A 2008, Samantha West at the Copa .... Acid-tongued talk-show host and out lesbian Rosie O’Donnell, who famously dashed with Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View," and the big clash with Donald Trump announced on her bloc that talks to give her a prime-time show on MSNBC had fallen apart. New York Songstress Rachael Sage and an adoring fan in Tulsa. www.ozarksstar.com Attorney Richard Ogden, Chair of Cimarron Alliance Foundation, the Reverend Harry KnoxFaith Community Director of the Human Rights Campaign, and the Reverend Loyce Newton-Ed,#cards at Hate Crimes press conference in OKC. the STAR 11 ��DEEP INSIDE HOLLYVc’OOD SAMANTHA CAPTU ,S MISS GAY OKLAHOMA US OF A TITLE Loaves and Fishes Bar uet a Huge By Victor Gorin By Victor Gorin Photo Left to Right: Former Miss Gay Oklahoma Kitty Bob Aimes, Matthew Heath Fitzgerald, Sonja Martinez, John Beebe & Debbie Davie Shades of Rex Lee As Lloyd, Jeremy Piven’s assistant on Entourage, gay actor Rex Lee has carved out a hilarious niche for himself. His character stuck around and gained a higher profile thanks to Lee’s wicked comic timing and popularity with fans. Soon, though, he’ll jump from the small to the big screen, appearing in the independent feature Shades of Ray. A seriocomic romance, Shades stars Chuck main man ZachatT Levi as Ray, a mixedrace, American-born son of a Pakistani father and Caucasian mother. As his parents separate and his father moves in with him, Ray must deal with his own romantic and racial issues. Sounds heartfelt and sincere, but Romeo’s guessing that Lee’s job will be to pop up from time to time with just the right punchline for an awkward moment. As HBO audiences know, he’s an expert at that. Romeo San Vicente is still waiting patiently for the all-musical edition of "The McLaughlin Group. "He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood @qsyndicate.com. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ It was a festive evening at the Habana Inn December 9th xvhen the title for the nexv Miss Gay Oklahoma US of A was passed on to Samantha West, a 26 ),ear old Tulsan among the performers at Nexv Age Renegades, The 1st alternate xvas Londenn Raine, xvith 2nd alternate Jozlyn Welch. The xvinner and I st alternate are eligible to compete in the national competition which will be held in Dallas May 20-23 of next year. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ On December 3-4 the 17th annual Loaves and Fishes Banquet came together at the Copa for a fabulous evening of fundraising for a good cause. Featuring entertainers John Beebe, Sonja Martinez,Debbie Davie, Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald and former Miss Gay Oklahoma Kitty Bob Aimes, the event raised over $7200. Loaves and Fishes, a program of Catholic Charities, provides meals to homebound people living with HIV. Directed by Ms Judy Reilly, once again the community came together for a proud tradition of caring. Passing on the fide was Alexis Nicole Whitney, who made history with the pageant not just with her doe, but living proof that nothing can stand in the xvay of talent and determination. As she puts it, "People should see my blindness the same I do. I don’t see it as a handicap, but as an obstacle I have overcome." That she did, not only capturing the Oklahoma title but also was one of the top 12 finalists at the national competition. Our girls do us proud! Please Join Us Feb. 10, 2008, 10:00 p.m. @ 39th and Penn OKC, OK. For information call Nikki Start @ 580 216 2715 or 1 866 906 1133 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 �by Liz I-Iighleyman November 21, 1999 (%e last grand Queen): Flamboyant author Quentin Crisp dies in Manchester, England. himself with various jobs, induding graphic artist, xvindow dresser, tap-dance instructor, and hustler. He adopted a new moniker and a flamboyant, effeminate style that included flowing scarves, platform shoes, dyed hair, and makeup. He was "not merely a self-confessed homosexual, but a self-evident one," he would later say, describing himself as "a blithe spirit reveling in androgynous anarchy." The death of author and raconteur Quentin Crisp at the end of the 20th century represented the passing of one of the last grand queens of a bygone era. Crisp, originally named Denis Charles Pratt, xvas born on Christmas Day in 1908 in the London suburb of Sutton, the youngest child of a "middle-class, middle-brow" family. Always considered a sissy, he later said he could never remember not being tormented by his father, siblings, and schoolmates. Crisp studied journalism and art in London, and in his early 20s began hanging out with hip young gay men in Soho, supporting 14 the STAR Openly gay and gender-variant at a time when homosexuality was highly stigmatized and sex between men was illegal, Crisp was frequently attacked by strangers in the streets and harassed by police. During World War II, he was exempted from military service due to his homosexuality, and instead embarked upon a career as a nude model at a government-funded art school. Crisp did not gain widespread notoriety until his 60s, with the publication of his autobiography, The Naked Civil Servant (1968), one of the first unapologetic contemporary accounts of gay life. Although the book was well-received, it was the 1975 television movie version starring John Hurt that brought Crisp instant fame. Crisp began appearing on talk shows and created a successful one-man theatrical performance. He took his show to Ne~v York City in 1978, fell in love with America, and decided to immigrate a few years later, settling into a notoriously sloppy one-room apartment in a seedy neighborhood on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Crisp became a fixture of the city’s celebrity scene, growing increasingly famous just for being himself. "If I have a talent for anything," he said, "it is not for doing but for being." He wrote a column for the New York Native newspaper and film criticism for Christopher Street magazine, and published several more books, including How to Become a Virgin (1981) and Manners from Heaven: A Divine Guide to Good Behavior (1984). He also appeared in a number of movies and documentaries, most notably as Queen Elizabeth I in Orlando (1993). Though he socialized in queer social circles, Crisp was unsympathetic to the gay rights movement and held attitudes many younger activists regarded as homophobic. "I don’t think you can really be proud of being gay because it isn’t something you’ve done," he once said. "You can only be proud of not being ashamed." He eschewed identity politics and queer separatism, and thought loud demands only led to backlash. Crisp persisted in referring to homosexuality as an illness, and he caused a furor when he told the London Times in 1997 that he thought it would be acceptable for a woman to abort a fetus carrying a hypothetical gay gene. "You could have children who are naturally suited to society," he later explained. "They would be happy." He also once opined that the gay community’s obsession with AIDS was a fad, and advised, "If you want to be sure you won’t have AIDS, don’t have sex with anyone." .................... Continued page 27 vwvw.ozarksstar.com �The nose can intrigue you or turn off about a wine. Smell is the wine taster. Much is taste comes through you don’t believe it, t or a meal - the next head cold. Aging the wine in oak es of vanilla, almonds. Extended lend a toasty scents as variable as leather to roses The aroma of ~ ! and the closely related Mergrape~for e×ampie, often reminds of cedar wood and pine needles led with a ood fruit smell reminis- 2005 miner call to France: www.wunsch-mann.fr Many grapes aromas: Zinfandel often Pinot Noir, the fine may recall ~ may Chenin and, smell www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 �TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD By Donald Pile and Ray Williams gaytravelers@aol.com Now everything IS okay in Oklahoma! The gay community and gay travelers to Tulsa now have a place where they are made to feel VERY WELCOME! We stayed there a couple of weeks ago and it was wonderfull. "l-he rooms are spacious and the staff is extremely friendly and professional. ~-he renovations are not finished yet, however we know that when it is completed that it will be the finest hotel in Tulsa. We stayed in the Premier Suite which was on a scale of one to ten, a 15 ! It featured a living room with pull out queen sleeper sofa, a 36 inch TV and DVD Player. Ceiling to floor (and wall to wall windows) for a spectacular view of the city. A large King bedroom with extra pillows, a 25 inch TV in the bedroom and dub chair and ottoman. Two full bathrooms and a kitchenette/dining area with coffee maker, fridge/microwave and a snack basket, microwave popcorn and cookies with bottled water. ~he Downtown Plaza Hotel of Tulsa was built in 1966 as the first downtown hotel in Tulsa to offer modern conveniences. Shortly afterwards it was a Holiday Inn, then a Ramada Inn, then as the Great Western Hotel. In July, 2007 it was sold to the Chisholm Properties, Ltd. and they renamed it back to it’s original name, "Downtown Plaza Hotel of Tulsa". The Chisholm Properties Ltd. the STAR owns other fine hotels in Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. It is located at 17 West 7th Street in the heart of the beautiful historica] financial and entertainment district of Tulsa. They are directly adjacent to the world famous Petroleum Club. It rises 14 stories above the City and is currendy undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. A VERY extensive renovation is now underway however they do have at this time, over 70 rooms for their guests. Their plan is for the renovations to be completed by May, 2008 and have over 200 rooms when completed. The new look for the hotel is based on modern boutique style hotels that are now found across the country and Europe. Queen, Deluxe King, Executive King, Executive King Junior Suite or the Premier King Suite. Each suite has a Fridge/Micro in the kitchenette. Their prices are extremely down to earth and much less than the other dmvntown hotels. The hotel is within a short walking distance to Tulsa’s Convention Center, the New The PAC (Performing Center, Tulsa Tech and many buildings and landmarks. ; the many amenities are: floors, business weddings & receptions, air~ort shuttle free Cherokee Casino [ wireless Internet, covered parking, guest laundry ~n site), fax & copy service. Their service includes 43 channels, 3 4 ESPN channels, i Nick, Food Network and r more. The Downtown Plaza equipped with a Fitness Center their guests, including strength and cardio equipment. Lounge around their outdoor pool and catch some rays, secluded by the urban environment of Tulsa’s rooftops. Just inside the poolside seating area is The Jones’N Club, a full bar with a pool table and live music. Conference, meeting and banquet rooms are available to accommodate groups of 10 to 250 guests. .............. Continued page 27 The hotel has a variety of rooms and suites to choose, from a Deluxe Double w~w~,.ozarksstar.com �More on Camp La Casa Sena - Santa Fe, New Mexico see page 22. ���From the upper sundeck at the Oasis men’s resort, guests enjoy panoramic views ofKey West’s Historic District. (Photo by Andrew Collins) For a seasonal tourist town, Key West has plenty to offer when it comes to dining and nightlife. Few places draw more raves for outstanding food than Alice’s Key West, where chef Alice Weingarten serves some of the most inventive food in town, including delicious smoked-salmon Benedict at breakfast. A departure from Key West’s predominant laid-back tropical look, Square One is a sophisticated restaurant with white table linen and fine china. The regionally inspired Continental cuisine includes escargot baked in a crepe with fresh spinach, garlic, feta, and a tomato beurre blanc. It’s a top choice for a romar~.tic evening. One of the better Italian restaurants in town, and also one of the gayest, La Trattoria has two dining rooms - the smaller one romantic and intimate, the larger better for groups of friends. The straightforward cooking draws high praise for such tasty creations as local shrimp sauteed with garlic, fresh tomatoes, and herbes de Provence in a white wine, lemon, and butter sauce. One of Dural Street’s true places to be seen, Mangoes brims with colorful sorts. The composed salads, pastas, and grills - all with nouvelle Florida touches - are commendable. Consider rib eye steak Caribe (pan-charred with tamarind steak sauce and yucca). Seven Fish, which occupies an old luncheonette and has a sleek, sophisticated interior, serves seafood-oriented bistro fare, such as crab and shiitake mushroom ravioli. The slogan at Mangia Mangia is "pasta to the people," a philosophy reflected by the many varieties of heavenly homemade pasta, all fairly priced. The painstakingly preserved building has a lovely, quiet garden and redbrick patio in back. You’ll need luck and persistence most nights to get a seat at Camille’s, a small storefront bistro, but the friendly vibe and downhome comfort food are worth the trouble. Expect good salads and sandwiches, such as Philly cheese steak, and delicious pancakes for breakfast. Key West: Where To Play, Eat, and Stay famous gay resort towns, Key West has always stood out for its sheer embrace of total relaxation. This laid-back tropical island in the Caribbean, closer to Cuba than to mainland Florida, is without pretensions. People rarely worry about what time it is, dress is casual and colorful, and the party scene is friendly and easygoing. Key West is neither fancy nor especially urbane - it’s just a great place to laze in a deck chair on a bougainvillea-choked lanai, browse for beachwear and souvenirs along the main drag, Duval Street, or relax on a restaurant patio noshing on raw oysters and sipping mango iced tea or mojitos. 20 the STAR For arguably the best sandwiches and wraps on the island, try Lobo’s - the oyster roll with cheddar, bacon, and basil tartar sauce is a stand-out. H Siboney is a zero-atmosphere eatery - _the_ place in town for humble, stick-to-your-ribs Cuban fare. Rickety tables are set with plastic tablecloths and paper napkins. Try such Havana specialties as conch chowder, garlic chicken, stuffed shrimp and crabs, platanos (plantains), and a sweet flan to top it off. As for traditional Cuban sandwiches, tiny 5 Brothers Grocery - on a side street in the historic district - serves the best around. Much of the gay social activity in Key West takes place at resorts, some of which provide refreshments and snacks to guests during the afternoon and early evening. A handful of properties have bars open to the public, among them Pearl’s Rainbow, the town’s only guest house exclusively for women, and the ultra-cruisy, all-male Island House, which also has an excellent restaurant. Most the town’s gay bars are along Duval Street. Here, the La-Te-Da guest house has a poolside bar, an intimate piano bar, and the Treetop Cabaret Lounge upstairs. Down a few blocks, the New Orleansinspired Bourbon Street Pub is a cheery place with a small bar up front with cocktail tables, a larger outdoor bar in back (along with a lively pool area and hot tub), and video screens galore. Many nights you can catch awful (but still entertaining) drag shows on the stage in back. The same owners run the lovably raffish 801 Bar, Key www.ozarksstar.com �West’s definitive neighborhood hangout since the 1970s. There’s almost always a crowd of gossipy locals around the bar. The adjacent One Saloon caters mostly to leather-and-Levi’s types and is reached through 801’s back door. Aqua Nightclub is best lmown for its raucous drag shows, which are headlined by the in-house drag troupe, the Aquanettes. This lively place also has strippers some nights, an impressive dance floor with high-tech laser-and-sound shows,’ and a cozy video bar. Key West has a number of inns that cater either exclusively or predominandy to the gay market. One of the best is Alexander’s, a long-popular gay resort with the relatively unusual policy of being both clothing-optional and welcoming to both women and men. This makes Alexander’s ideal for gay guys traveling with lesbian friends, or for any queer vacationers who enjoy a mixed-gender atmosphere. The effect is that the mood around the pool and hot mb tends to be less cruisy than at single-gender resorts. Aromatic tropical flowers, sundecks, rattan and wicker furnishings, and sparkling tiled bathrooms impart Alexander’s with a classy but casual look. Also welcoming of both women and men but drawing a predominantly male crowd, Big Ruby’s is less than a block from Dural Street, hidden behind high walls from noise and street traffic. The grounds feature towering palm trees and fragrant flowers, and an abundance of sundecks. Rooms are warm, contemporary, spotless, and full of light - all have TVIVCRs, mini-refrigerators, A/C, and ceiling fans. A complimentary full breakfast is included. As for the staff, you won’t find a more professional bunch of guys in Key West. all-male property with a somewhat cruisy vibe is the New Orleans Guest House, an attractive compound that’s above the Bourbon Street Pub, right in the center of the Dural Street action. Rooms are well-outfitted and attractively decorated, and rates moderately priced. Known as the Rainbow House until new owners took over a several years ago, the 38-room Pearl’s Rainbow is Key \Vest’s only resort that’s exclusive to women. Rooms are nicely done, with rattan and wicker furniture, pastel-hued walls, large TVs, and refrigerators. Many different configurations are available, from simple budget-oriented units set away from the noise of the pools and decks, to more spacious rooms doser to the action, some with kitchenettes or separate sitting areas. The resort encompasses several buildings, including some cute cottages that once provided housing for the workers of a cigar factory that formerly occupied the main building. There are two heated pools, spacious sundecks, and lots of opportunity to chat with other guests. This is a wonderful hideaway, whether you’re looking to make new friends or enjoy a litde peace and quiet with your honey. Most of the town’s men’s resorts are along Fleming Street, the Historic District’s main drag. Here you’ll find Equator, which has plush rooms with contemporary Caribbean-influenced furniture. Designer fabrics, feather pillows with comforters, Mediterranean-tile floors, large closets, and excellent sound insulation add to the comfort of each unit. The tradeoff is that the Equator’s grounds, although nicely landscaped, are smaller than at some of its competitors; there’s a compact pool and an oversize Jacuzzi tub. For years the sprawling Island House - a former cigar factory on the eastern edge of the Historic District - was synonymous with sex, sleaze, and shabbiness. It’s still synonymous with sex. But, happily, new owners have completely rebuilt the place, hired friendly and competent staff, and created lovely rooms with high-quality furnishings (all have VCR/TVs, refrigerators, safes, and plttsh linens). If you’re seeking a steamy ambience but also first-rate accommodations and a safe, friendly environment, the Island House is your dream come true. Amenities, all of them available 24 hours, include heated pool, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, gym, sauna, steam room, and erotic-male-video lounge. The largest gay resort in town comprises three distinct properties - the Oasis, Coral Tree Inn, and Coconut Grove - operated by the same management. This highly social, all-male compound has rooms available in a variety of configurations and prices. The Coconut Grove is the fanciest of the three, having been completely gutted and redone following a fire in 2006 - it now has some of the cushiest accommodations in town. Next door, the Oasis has less pricey but still attractive rooms and beautiful grounds. Across the street, the Coral Tree has simpler but more affordable rooms. Guests are free to enjoy the grounds of all three properties. Another www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 �by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast La Casa Sena - Santa Fe, New Mexico W’e have been dining at La Casa Sena in Santa Fe for over 25 years and it just keeps getting better. Located right downtown, it is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed restaurants in the Southwest. Not only is the food some of the most delicious you’ll ever taste, the wine list is among the finest in the country. Whether dining inside or out on the patio, you are in for a real treat! "l-he ambiance, the food, the setting ...... everything is fabulous! La Casa Sena occupies a fine old haciendastyle adobe complex and means "the Sena House." q-he Sena family was one of the oldest and most notable in Santa Fe. q-he founder of the family, Bernadino de Sena, was an orphan from Mexico City who traveled to Santa Fe in 1693. In the early 1980% the ravages of rime finally began to take a toll on the hacienda. Art dealer, Gerald Peters purchased the historic building and extensively renovated it without making any architectural changes. The restoration succeeded in keeping the historic ambiance and integrity of the Sena Plaza intact. 22 the STAR Th-he Southwestern cuisine served at La Casa Sena draws on the rich history of the region. Th-heir distinctive red chile is grown for the restaurant near Dixon, on the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. The harsh weather there means that this local product is not plentifi~ and, because the restaurant purchases virtually the entire crop, it is unlikely that this chile will be tasted anywhere else in the world. They are located right off the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe at 125 East Palace. q-heir dinner hours are Sunday thru Thursday: 5:30 - 10:00 PM and Friday & Saturday: 5:30 - 10:00 PM. Lunch: 11:30 _A!vl - 3:00 PM Monday thru Saturday and 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Sundays www.ozarksstar.com �People Wi h A D$ City Resident Ray Prewitt aooept New I ovie SANTA FE, NM (P/R) __ Oklahoma City resident, Ray Prewitt, will take on the role of"Owen" in the Jim Sheridan helmed "Brothers" for Relativity Media. The film stars Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Tobey Macguire. LITTLE ROCK, ARK __ Republican Presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee once advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general public, opposed increased federal funding in the search for a cure and said homosexuality could "pose a dangerous public health risk." As a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 1992, Huckabee answered 229 questions submitted to him by The Associated Press. Besides a quarantine, Huckabee suggested that Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies. "If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague," Huckabee wrote. Shooting began last week on this remake of Susanne Bier’s Danish-language war drama which centers on a man, (Maguire) who is sent to fight in Afghanistan while his black-sheep brother (Gyllenhaal) cares for his wife (Portman) and child. Prewitt, who recently appeared in Carpenter Square’s "Sordid Lives", is best known as the producer of "Call Us Crazy: The Anne Heche Monologues" which achieved theatrical cult status in Los Angeles featuring stars like Edie McClurg, Alex Borstein, Megyn Price, and Scott Thompson. This is Prewitt’s second time to share the screen with Portman since " 2000. "Where the Heart Is" .in "I think the government’s role should not be involved in personal habits. When you defend freedom, you defend freedom of choice, and you can’t be picking and choosing how people use those freedoms...whether it’s personal behavior or economic behavior, I want people to have freedom of choice," Paul asserted. He believes the constitution says such issues should be left to the states to decide, and ira state chooses to legalize marijuana, cocaine, heroin and/or prostitution, so be it. Presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 �Chaz & Victor ��Twenty-eight retired generals and admirals released a letter Friday urging Congress to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military, according to "l-he New York Times. The letter cites information showing that 65,000 gay men and lesbians are currently serving in the military and that there are more than 1 million gay and lesbian veterans who have "served our nation honorably." By Ronald Blake ~have been indulging myself lately with the finer aspects of food and beverage. I have acquiesced with my body’s cravings for rectangular chocolate delights that are known to the masses as Snickers, Three Musketeers, and Whatchamacallits. I have given in to the luscious temptations of the all-powerful supreme pizza with its smothering array of toppings and guilt. I have even fallen prey to the hypnotic sexual commercial suggestions of the beer and booze barons of this fair land. Yes, I have been greedily imbibing the works of the great fermentation experts such as Adolph Coors and August Busch. How can I possibly engage in such extreme epicurean behavior and still manage to put on my jeans without a forced smile? Of course I will disclose the many and varied means by which I make this feasible. Each day I lace up my sneakers and head out on a seven mile romp through my neighborhood streets and enjoy the festively adorned homes. This provides me the opportunity to dear my mind and breathe in all those particulates from city living. It also affords me the chance to count the expanse of calories I burn off: in the process. I usually get credit for 800 calories each day from this physical activity mode. I am that guy who finds the parking space on the periphery of the mall parking lot. ~llais is not a forced choice in response to all the holiday shoppers. I actively seek out the spot that is closer to the frontage road than the stores’ entrances. This gives me the excellent opportunity to partake in the lost art of walking somewhere. Chalk up another couple hundred calories burned in a week’s time. Every other day I don my favorite ripped Guns N Roses T-shirt and my faded periwinkle Russell Athletic shorts and ease into 26 the STAR my workout roudne. I set my bicep, quadriceps, and triceps muscles into a sweet synergistic syncopation. I dedicate thirty minutes for every session and I am proudly able to record several hundred singed calories for that day’s effort. Some of my other calorie consuming moments has involved the firm scolding of my car and leaving him alone in the garage while I set out down the block to get the mail. I have often abandoned the comforts of my plush settee and even ignored the puppy dog eyes from my cuddly ottoman so that I could walk around the living room while discoursing with the likes of my Aunt Chilada on the telephone. Friends have even chided me for spending disproportionate time with the steps and hand railings of building stairwells than with the numbered buttons and "The Girl from Ipanema" music from elevators. Thankfully for me, these mundane activities afford me a cornucopia of numerous extra burned calories. I am able to consume more of the Food Network creations than the average Punch and Judy because of my lifestyle. My gourmand way of life would soon dissipate if I would slink into the slothful practices of most of my fellow brethren. Free will gives you that chance to change it all starting today. I could certainly use some company on those lonely stairwells! This health and fitness column is brought to you by that guy who likes to count the times people say the phrase "you know" in their conversations. That gny is Ron Blake and he can be unwrapped at www.goblakefitness.com Creating Community for People living with H V/A1DS A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HtV+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. ~wtw.ozarksstar.com �Q~UENTIN CRISP DOWn, TOWN PLAZA DERAILED HATE CRIMES Indeed, Crisp was celibate for the latter half of his life. When sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer asked him what he thought about sex, he said he thought it was a mistake. He was also cynical about love, saying he didfft really understand it, and he never had an enduring romantic relationship. ~e hotel is the ONLY Tulsa hotel that is openly caters to everybody! The Lounge at the Downtown Plaza will start in January hosting Ms. Kris Kohl and will present a drag show every other Friday. They will also be hosting a Broadway touring company during the summer of 2008. Chisholm Properties, Ltd. has a complete non-discrimination policy to cover, Age, Religion, Nationality, Race, SF~VUAL ORIENTATION, Disability, Veteran Status and other individuals as protected by Federal, State and Locals Laws. sent to the Chairman and Ranking Members of the Armed Services Committees urging them to retain the Hate Crimes amendment as part of the conference report. Timed to correspond with Members returning from the Thanksgiving recess, on November 28th, HRC launched a nationwide action alert to all of its members urging immediate grassroots action to Members of Congress. Had he lived in a different era, Crisp might have identified as transgender rather than gay. "I believe I was born unfit for the world not because of anything to do with sex, but because of gender," he told one interviewer. "I have always felt like a woman born into a man’s body. Had I the money or the opportunity early in life, I would certainly have had a sex change." Though his work brought in a fair amount of money, Crisp lived a spartan existence, subsisting on hors d’oeuvres and champagne at parties. With a "lust for small talk," he held court at a local diner and devoted time to answering phone calls, letters, and e-mails from friends and strangers alike. He loved being the center of attention, and rarely turned down an opportunity to be interviewed or photographed. In his final years, though beset by health problems, he nevertheless continued to travel and perform. Crisp died of a heart attack in Manchester, England, in November 1999, just a month shy of his 91st birthday. The General Manager, Jay Wilks is a former flight attendant instructor and former owner of a small specialized aircraft charter tour company, award winning fit and art shop and an upscale gay magazine that was distributed in 7 States in the Southeast. The Assistant General Manager, Debbie McCraw is a former schoolteacher, Texas ranch foreman, homemaker and mother. With all of their combined hidden talents we KNOW that they will make a success in this new venture. Both Jay and Debbie are two of the nicest, friendliest and professional people that you would ever want to meet. They truly care about their guests and want them to have a very pleasant time while staying at the hotel. The front desk staff as well as the housekeeping staff are very friendly and professional. While some may find his flamboyant style and effeminate mannerisms embarrassingly stereotypical today, Crisp is remembered for being himself- and paying the price - at a time when few others dared to do so. Though he avoided organized LGBT activism, his entire life was a demonstration of gay and transgender empowerment. Next time you are going to be in Tulsa be sure to check out their website at www. downtownplazatulsa.com or give them a call at 800.585.5101 for reservations. Their local number is 918.585.5898. Or for those people living in Tulsa who are wanting to rent a conference or party site, give them a call. For further reading: Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! Bailey, Paul, ed. 2000. The Stately Homo: A Celebration of the Life of Quentin Crisp (Bantam). Crisp, Quentin. 1996. Resident Alien: The New York Diaries (HarperCollins). www, ozarksstar.corn TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers The House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592) in May with a strong bipartisan vote of 237-180. The Senate approved the nearly identical Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105) as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill on a voice vote after a 60-39 cloture vote. Inclusion of the hate crimes provision in the final version of the bill fell victim in the House to challenges from opponents of hate crimes as well as unrelated concerns regarding Iraq-related provisions of the bill. The hate crimes veto threat issued by the White House and organized opposition by House Republican Leadership cost significant numbers of votes on the right. Iraq-related provisions that many progressive Democrats opposed cost votes on the left. Moderate Democrats, many of whom voted for the hate crimes bill in May, did not want to test the President’s veto threat and risk a delay in increased pay for military personnel. ’All of these factors resulted in insufficient votes to secure passage of the bill with the hate crimes provision. 2~he Matthew Shepard Act gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias motivated violence by providing the Department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The legislation also provides the Justice Department ,vith the ability to aid state and local jurisdictions either by lending assistance or, where local authorities are unwilling or unable, by taking the lead in investigations and prosecutions of violent crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury that were motivated by bias. The Act also makes grants available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers, or to assist in state and !ocal investigations and prosecutions of bias motivated crimes. the STAR 27 �Just as the sun spends a month of every year in each sign, Jupiter, in his 12-year cycle, spends about a full year in each sign. Fresh into Capricorn, he will help to build up organizations and bureaucracy. The coming year will be a big one for the mature look, leather, and bondage. This week’s horoscope will be valid through the year! ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Socialize with important folks. Those doors are wide open to you. Looking respectable and conservative will help you get ahead. Even in the most buttoned-up crowd, people know the power of appearance. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): If you have unfinished school business or want to go for a degree, sign up for those classes! Otherwise, delve into ancient philosophies or go traveling to historical, even archaeological places on your own initiative. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Not that you need the help, but your sexual magnetism is charging up. Trying to look young will not help. Maturity, experience, and authority all work in your favor. If you’ve been wanting to explore leather and kink, this is the time for it! SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): This should be a very lucky year for you for money - investments, lottery tickets, new businesses - but, it’s also "easy come, easy go." A conservative attitude and long-range perspective will prove most profitable. Consult an astrologer with your full birth chart before taking any big chances! CAPRICORN (December 21 o January 19): You’re in for a spell of good luck. Just be yourself and you’re sure to get ahead. There’s no point in being shy. Go for any opportunity that feels right. Further education and travel can serve you especially well. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Blessings will come to you in disguise. If life gets hard, the troubles can easily be made into a springboard to tremendous luck. Volunteer work with venerable charities will prove advantageous in the meantime. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Social opportunities will open up for you more easily if you "work the system" and follow conservative, conventional methods. Hobnob with "important people," but what’s "important" is subjective. Of course, those who don’t look or think like you can be important, too! CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Look toward formalizing an existing relationship or refining your criteria for one. Not only can you afford to be picky, but holding out for what you really want in your partnership will help you get it. C® LEO (July 23 - August 22): Any skin growths or bone or joint inflammations should be checked quickly, but in general your health should be good. Luck at work should improve. Look forward to promotions and be willing to take a risk to get them. METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Spirit of Chdst MCC VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Some people think creativity is about mad inspiration. You know it’s about hard work. Your hard work can pay off big - probably more in terms of personal growth, but there could be money, toot LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Researching your roots, taking time with older relatives, or spending time with community elders will give you a better sense not only of your background and foundations, but also of where you’re going. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your mind needs stimulation and novelty, and you’re a bit more loquacious than usual. Be careful with that! Developing new skills, perhaps learning a new language, will open doors and help keep you focused and out of trouble. 28 the STAR 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! www.ozarksstar.com �DOWNTOWN PLAZ,~_ of TULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VAY Oldahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.corn KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant DREXEL ONTHE PARKAPTS. 3041NW41ST Oklahoma City, OK 405-946-0588 SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.dubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 www.realacceptance.com OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 www.c2 lgoldcastle.com HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM GAY BRADY HHGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gayb radyheightstulsa.com MCC of the LIVING SPRING 17 Hk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn ANGLES 2117NW39thSt. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesdub.com NA!vlE: NW ARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG City: 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com www.ozarksstar.com St: __Zip: Phone: GLENPOOL FLOWERS 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK www.glenpoolflowers.com BAMBOO LOUNGE Address: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: 29 �Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. N~X/Arkansas GLBT Communiv! Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG e-mail: EditorialCartoon@c 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �YOU [] ~f one were to make a list of even after he became ~vorld-famous. the world’s favorite composers, Setbacks like these could have despite his relatively recent vintage finished a lesser man. Instead, they Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky would inibrmed his work, which remains be on it. After all, he composed some of the best loved in history. Swan Lake, which is perhaps the Yet kids still confuse Tchaikovsky with a nasal spasm. most famous ballet Why? Because the arts are slowly of all time. And but surely being eliminated from there can’t be more than a handful of some Peter llyich Tchaikot,sky endured many setbacks, not the l~st of which was a blind barber today’s schools, even though a F,g. 1 Pollen hke Tcha&o~sky’s compo~mon Romeo and Juhet ballet companies that don’t perform majority of parents The Nutcracker every Christmas. music and drama and dance and Indeed, this great Romantic composer should be so immortalized. As a young man, he pursued a career in art make their kids believe better students and better people. ’Rrm~nc music at enormous personal risk and against h~s To help reverse this disturbing father’s advice. His mild temperament combined with trend, or for more information his tendency to work too hard left him with inmmnia, about the benefits of arts education, visit us at debilitating headaches and hallucinations. On top of that, AmericansForTheArts.org. Or else Tchaikovsky could Tchaikovsky’s composition teacher never liked his work, seem like just another casualty of allergy season. www.ozarksstar.com recomrarwd~d daily allouur~ce of art, the STAR 31 �Reservations: 918.585.5898 ÷ 800.585.5101 Where you can be YOU" pee" ~oo~l ~oo~ ~ow=n f / 17 West 7th Street (corner 7th & Boulder Ave) e Tulsa, Ok 74119 ¢ www.downtownplazatulsa.com / �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document Royal GreCnCountrg Barony o~: dll Oklahoma pr~ent~s 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.cor~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 ¯he Colors of Living", featuring giclee prints of the digital art ofTulsa artist Dennis R. Scott. ~O ONL~HOMA HATE CRII~flE Gay community outraged over Steven Domer slaying. NEW: Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on new projects for Sarah Jessica Parker and Dan Butler. November 21,1999 fine last grand Queen) Flamboyant author Quentin Crisp dies in Manchester, England. Tulsa’s Downtown Plaza Hotel openly welcomes GLBT. Gay Travelers: 6,000 Mile Trip Out of Town: Key West Dining In or OUT FIITHESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: 4 the STAR Downtown Tulsa www.ozarksstar.com "Ifyou are elected President, what concrete steps would you take to overturn ’Don’t As~, Don’t Tell ?’" Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY): I strongly believe that anyone who has the courage, strength, and valor to serve our country should be able to do so. We are at war and our top generals are warning that America’s military is stretched to the breaking point, yet we have a policy that dismisses good people from our ranks. Even service members with critical skills such as Arabic language skills are being discharged because they are gay. Senior retired military officials who can speak freely say this law does not serve our national security interests. These same military leaders are confident that repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell won’t lessen standards of behavior or lower morale. As President, I will work with high-profile military leaders, such as former Joint Chiefs chairman John M. Shalikashviii and Retired Lieutenant General Claffdia Kennedy, the first woman to achieve the rank of three-star general in the Army, who have called for repeal of the law. I will stand with soldiers like retired Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American soldier to be seriously wounded in Iraq, and retired Army Sgt. Jose Zuniga, former Army Soldier of the Year, who are shining examples of why this law no longer makes sense. Over the last seven years in the Senate, and as a member of the Armed Services Committee, I have built relationships with members of Congress and senior military officials through my work on the Armed Services Committee. When I am President, I will bring this strength and experience to bear to end this outdated and outmoded policy. w~,-w.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 Denounces TULSA, OK (P/R) __ Oklahomans for Equality expresses its outrage at the recent murder of Steven Domer. "gge extend condolences to his family and friends. This senseless tragedy highlights the urgent need for federal and state hate crimes legislation protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) people. On October 26th, Steven Domer, a 62-yearold gay man, was abducted from NW 39th Street near Pennsylvania Avenue in Oklahoma City. On November 4th, his body was found in rura! McClain County. His hands were tied with duct tape and a wire hanger was wrapped around his neck. The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner concluded that Domer died of asphyxiation and ruled his death a homicide. On November 28, Darrell Madden, a self-prodaimed white supremacist, was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in relation to Domer’s death. Prosecutors believe that Madden targeted Domer as part of an initiation rite of the Aryan Brotherhood. Inorder to secure a "patch," the white supremacist group demands that its members commit an act of violence against an African American, Jew, homosexual, or any other person declared "an enemy." Although Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and other law enforcement officials believe that anti-gay bias was a motivating factor in Domer’s murder, they cannot prosecute Madden under Oklahoma’s hate crimes law because the statute does not cover sexual orientation. Oklahoma is one of only 17 states whose hate crimes laws do not protect LGBT citizens. Most state hate crime laws enhance the penalties for bias-motivated crimes. On December 4, Representative Al McAf’- frey (D-Oklahoma City) announced his intention to introduce a bill expanding the state’s hate crime law to include sexual orientation and gender. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act/Matthew Shepard Act giving the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. This bill will soon be voted upon in the U.S. Senate. As legislators consider passage of these historic state and national laws, Oklahomans for Equality will be working with its allies in the LGBT and allied community in educational and advocaW efforts. Hate Crimes Amendment Removed rom Dept o£De£ense Con erence Report WASHINGTON, DC (P/R DEC 6TH) __ ~Ibday, House-Senate conferees confirmed that the Matthew Shepard Act, which had passed the Senate as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill, would be removed from the final version of the bill. This announcement was made after House Leadership’s whipping the vote count on the conference report concluded there were not enough votes for passage of the bill if it included the hate crimes provision. "Today’s decision is deeply disappointing, especially given the historic passage of hate crimes legislation through both Houses of Congress this year. After more than ten years and several successful bipartisan votes, it is heartbreaking to fall short this dose to the finish line," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. "However, we are not giving up on efforts to find another legislative vehicle, in the second half of this Congress, to move the Matthew Shepard Act." The Human Rights Campaign has been a chief advocate of hate crimes legislation for over a decade. On November 14th, HRC sent an e-mail to all Capitol Hill offices urging the retention of hate crimes legislation in the Department of Defense Authorization conference report. Additionally, HRC organized and signed onto a coalition letter 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 Gny men and le~btansfac~ many special ta~ situations, whether single or a~ Let us help with yourTAX Prep! (918) 747-5466 Pmu~l~t ~¢r~lng Tulm ~ OKC’s GLBT comm~mitl~ ~lnc~ 1982 Chuck Bmckenddge 918-706~1887 "At Century 21 Gold Cas#e our BEST properties are ourPEOPL~ 3627 NW Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405.840.2t06 www.c21 goldcastie.com Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com "’l-he Colors ofLiving’ a digital art exhibit at Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Tulsa artist Dennis IL Scotx eyes ofm~ artist driven to create impressions of the beauty which sttcrounds him. The exhibit w’dl remain up through the month ofJanuary and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dermis R. Nedl Equality Center is located at 621 E. dth St., in downtown Tulsa. More info c~a be found on the web at okeq.org. ’Ihis monthly event is hosted by Okiahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexmal & Tra~sgender (LGBT) individuals and f~mihes through advoca~, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis IL Neig Equality Center. TULSA, OK~The Dennis IL Neili Equality Center ar~ gallery wi[[ host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-gpm, ~aursday, January 3, 2008, for the opening oflts January exhibit "The Colors of Living", featu~mg giclee prints of the digital ~trt ofTulsa ~tist Dermis IL Scott. Scott has been creating his digital art for the list three years. His work is unlike most digital or computer art. His style is unique. His arc is totally his own..., his ovca~ way of seelng life, his own way of depicOng that which he sees. Whether one might call Scott’s art abstract, impressionistic, or surreal is of little concern to Scott. Through his art he invites the viewer, the art lover or even the mere observer, to take a chance, as he has in creating his art. Taking a chance is what ~rtists do. Vie~,Cmg Scott’s art is seeing his subjects as he sees them, through the Art byTulsa artist Dennis IL Scott the STAR 9 ES SLAY By Victor Gorin recently released convicts, Madden having served time at Jess Dunn Correctional Center for impersonating a police officer and obtaining money by false pretense. Quails had been released from the Dick Conner Correctional facility in Hominy for a 2001 burglary conviction. It was speculated that Mr. Domer’s murder may have been a gang rite of passage. The murder has garnered national attention, somewhat reminiscent of the murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming in !998.A press conference was held at Church of the Open Arms December 4, followed by a candlelight vigil in the parking lot ofAngles that evening. The press conference and vigil were Photo: Steven Domer OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ The Oklahoma gay community and their allies have been outraged and saddened by the murder of Steven Domer, a 62 },ear old Oklahoma City man believed to have been targeted primarily because he was gay. On October 26, he had driven a friend home from the N.W. 39th street gay bar district, then returned to the area, and was last seen at the car wash there, an area well known for male prostitution. He was seen by a witness to be talking to two young men. His body and burned out car were found near 1-35 and Ladd road north of Purcell November 4. Oklahoma County prosecutors have charged Darrell Madden with Domer’s murder. Madden, a white supremacist who was arrested in McLain County for an attempted carjacking, is also charged in McLain County with the murder of the Brad Qualls, the other man believed to be seen talking with Steven Domer the night he disappeared. Quails was found shot to death November 8 at an Ardmore apartment complex. Madden & Qua.lls have been identified as members of the United Aryan Brotherhood, a xvhite supremacist group which recruits many of their members in prisons. Both were 10 the STAR attended by the Reverend Harry Knox, the Faith Community Director of the Human Rights Campaign, a national GLBT rights political group. As he puts it," Oklahoma is one of only 17 states that do not protect GLBT citizens through hate crimes legislation." Objections to hate crimes legislation have come from religious fundamentalist groups who claim they would not be able to preach against homosexual behavior should this legislation become law. Harry Knox clarified that this type of speech is protected the 1st Amendment of the US. Constitution, and to say otherwise is " to tell a lie unworthy of ministers of the gospe! ofJesus Christ." He THE ALUES pointed out that "people are dying in Oklahoma, and GLBT people are wondering when their pastors will speak out for justice. Steven Domer’s voice cries out for justice, asking pastors for whom do they work, the people or for God?" Richard Ogden, an attorney who chairs the Cimarron Alliance Foundation also spoke, stating that" In Oklahoma and across our nation there is a climate of intolerance, and a tolerance of intolerance. This has to stop. When we in Oklahoma have passed laws that basically say that gays and lesbians are second class citizens, we create an environment that licenses this type of behavior. " Although this was a brutal murder that was obviously motivated because the victim was gay, Darrell Madden could not be charged with a hate crime because Federal and Oklahoma hate crimes laws do not cover sexual orientation. Legislation was introduced this year in Congress to amend Federal Hate Crimes laws to include sexual orientation by Senator Edward Kennedy D-Massachusetts, but was dropped when it became dear that it would not pass the House. On the state level State Representative Al McA_ffrey, Oklahoma’s first and only openly gay legislator, has stated that he will introduce legislation to amend Oklahoma Hate Crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender. This is supported by both Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Mr. McAffrey did state that he realized he will probably be facing an uphill battle in the legislature. Clarifying the point that some conservatives make, that Hate Crimes laws elevate gay people to a special status, he affirmed that ifa group of gay men attacked a straight man ,vith baseball bats, targeting him for his sexual orientation, they would also be guilty of a hate crime under this legislation. Reverend Dr. Kathy McCallie, pastor of Church of the Open Arms-United Church of Christ, pointed out that this crime was not an isolated incident, stating that "there xvill be a day when GLBT persons can freely be themselves and enjoy the safety equality and respect that’s due to every member of the human family, but today is not that day. On October 26 when Steve Domer was brutally murdered, we were each violated. " ~w.ozarksstar.com By Greg Steele on the loose Wiads House ProvidingA Sa£e P lace For 20 By Victor Gorin Miranda Ray will be performing in the Kris Kohl Show New Years Eve At the Jones’n Club Downtown Plasza Hotel. Doxvntoxvn Plaza Hotel Tulsa General Managers Jay Wilks and Debbie Mc- Craw. Miss Gay Tulsa America, Melody Michaels at the BOO. Miss Gay Oklahoma US ofA 2008, Samantha West at the Copa.... Photo Left to Right:Jennifer Bates, Asley Ozan, Linda Duke OKLAHO!VIA CITY, OK __ Thanks to a caring community, Winds House of Oklahoma City was able to raise over $2500 at a gala fundraiser December 7th. For over 20 years the Winds have provided a safe place to stay for those living with HIV and their families, serving as transitional housing until they are able to re-enter the general community. The home provides referrals and assistance for disability income, food stamps, Section 8 housing etc. Donatons are always needed and can be sent to \Vinds House OKC, P.O. Box 12185 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73157. Acid-tongued talk-show host and out lesbian Rosie O’Donnell, who famously dashed with Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View," and the big clash with Donald Trump announced on her bloc that talks to give her a prime-time show on MSNBC had fallen apart. New York Songstress Rachael Sage and an adoring fan in Tulsa. www.ozarksstar.com Attorney Richard Ogden, Chair of Cimarron Alliance Foundation, the Reverend Harry Knox- Faith Community Director of the Human Rights Campaign, and the Reverend Loyce Newton-Ed- ,#cards at Hate Crimes press conference in OKC. the STAR 11 DEEP INSIDE HOLLYVc’OOD Shades of Rex Lee As Lloyd, Jeremy Piven’s assistant on Entourage, gay actor Rex Lee has carved out a hilarious niche for himself. His character stuck around and gained a higher profile thanks to Lee’s wicked comic timing and popularity with fans. Soon, though, he’ll jump from the small to the big screen, appearing in the independent feature Shades of Ray. A seriocomic romance, Shades stars Chuck main man ZachatT Levi as Ray, a mixedrace, American-born son of a Pakistani father and Caucasian mother. As his parents separate and his father moves in with him, Ray must deal with his own romantic and racial issues. Sounds heartfelt and sincere, but Romeo’s guessing that Lee’s job will be to pop up from time to time with just the right punchline for an awkward moment. As HBO audiences know, he’s an expert at that. Romeo San Vicente is still waitingpatientlyfor the all-musical edition of "The McLaughlin Group. "He can be reached care ofthispublication or at DeepInsideHollywood @qsyndicate.com. www.ozarksstar.com SAMANTHA CAPTU ,S MISS GAY OKLAHOMA US OF A TITLE By Victor Gorin Loaves and Fishes Bar uet a Huge By Victor Gorin Photo Left to Right: Former Miss Gay Oklahoma Kitty Bob Aimes, Matthew Heath Fitzgerald, Sonja Martinez, John Beebe & Debbie Davie OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ It was a festive evening at the Habana Inn December 9th xvhen the title for the nexv Miss Gay Oklahoma US of A was passed on to Samantha West, a 26 ),ear old Tulsan among the performers at Nexv Age Renegades, The 1st alternate xvas Londenn Raine, xvith 2nd alternate Jozlyn Welch. The xvinner and I st alternate are eligible to compete in the national competition which will be held in Dallas May 20-23 of next year. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ On December 3-4 the 17th annual Loaves and Fishes Banquet came together at the Copa for a fabulous evening of fundraising for a good cause. Featuring entertainers John Beebe, Sonja Martinez,Debbie Davie, Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald and former Miss Gay Oklahoma Kitty Bob Aimes, the event raised over $7200. Loaves and Fishes, a program of Catholic Charities, provides meals to homebound people living with HIV. Directed by Ms Judy Reilly, once again the community came together for a proud tradition of caring. Passing on the fide was Alexis Nicole Whitney, who made history with the pageant not just with her doe, but living proof that nothing can stand in the xvay of talent and determination. As she puts it, "People should see my blindness the same I do. I don’t see it as a handicap, but as an obstacle I have overcome." That she did, not only capturing the Oklahoma title but also was one of the top 12 finalists at the national competition. Our girls do us proud! Please Join Us Feb. 10, 2008, 10:00 p.m. @ 39th and Penn OKC, OK. For information call Nikki Start @ 580 216 2715 or 1 866 906 1133 the STAR 13 by Liz I-Iighleyman November 21, 1999 (%e last grand Queen): Flamboyant author Quentin Crisp dies in Manchester, England. The death of author and raconteur Quentin Crisp at the end of the 20th century represented the passing of one of the last grand queens of a bygone era. Crisp, originally named Denis Charles Pratt, xvas born on Christmas Day in 1908 in the London suburb of Sutton, the youngest child of a "middle-class, middle-brow" family. Always considered a sissy, he later said he could never remember not being tormented by his father, siblings, and schoolmates. Crisp studied journalism and art in London, and in his early 20s began hanging out with hip young gay men in Soho, supporting himself with various jobs, induding graphic artist, xvindow dresser, tap-dance instructor, and hustler. He adopted a new moniker and a flamboyant, effeminate style that included flowing scarves, platform shoes, dyed hair, and makeup. He was "not merely a self-confessed homosexual, but a self-evident one," he would later say, describing himself as "a blithe spirit reveling in androgynous anarchy." Openly gay and gender-variant at a time when homosexuality was highly stigmatized and sex between men was illegal, Crisp was frequently attacked by strangers in the streets and harassed by police. During World War II, he was exempted from military service due to his homosexuality, and instead embarked upon a career as a nude model at a government-funded art school. Crisp did not gain widespread notoriety until his 60s, with the publication of his autobiography, The Naked Civil Servant (1968), one of the first unapologetic contemporary accounts of gay life. Although the book was well-received, it was the 1975 television movie version starring John Hurt that brought Crisp instant fame. Crisp began appearing on talk shows and created a successful one-man theatrical performance. He took his show to Ne~v York City in 1978, fell in love with America, and decided to immigrate a few years later, settling into a notoriously sloppy one-room apartment in a seedy neighborhood on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Crisp became a fixture of the city’s celebrity scene, growing increasingly famous just for being himself. "If I have a talent for anything," he said, "it is not for doing but for being." He wrote a column for the New York Native newspaper and film criticism for Christopher Street magazine, and published several more books, including How to Become a Virgin (1981) and Manners from Heaven: A Divine Guide to Good Behavior (1984). He also appeared in a number of movies and documentaries, most notably as Queen Elizabeth I in Orlando (1993). Though he socialized in queer social circles, Crisp was unsympathetic to the gay rights movement and held attitudes many younger activists regarded as homophobic. "I don’t think you can really be proud of being gay because it isn’t something you’ve done," he once said. "You can only be proud of not being ashamed." He eschewed identity politics and queer separatism, and thought loud demands only led to backlash. Crisp persisted in referring to homosexuality as an illness, and he caused a furor when he told the London Times in 1997 that he thought it would be acceptable for a woman to abort a fetus carrying a hypothetical gay gene. "You could have children who are naturally suited to society," he later explained. "They would be happy." He also once opined that the gay community’s obsession with AIDS was a fad, and advised, "Ifyou want to be sure you won’t have AIDS, don’t have sex with anyone." ....................Continued page 27 14 the STAR vwvw.ozarksstar.com The nose can intrigue you or turn off about a wine. Smell is the wine taster. Much is taste comes through you don’t believe it, t or a meal - the next head cold. Aging the wine in oak es of vanilla, almonds. Extended lend a toasty scents as variable as leather to roses Many grapes aromas: Zinfandel often Pinot Noir, the fine may recall ~ may Chenin and, smell The aroma of ~ ! and the closely related Mergrape~ for e×ampie, often reminds of cedar wood and pine needles led with a ood fruit smell reminiscall to miner France: www.wunsch-mann.fr 2005 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD By Donald Pile and Ray Williams gaytravelers@aol.com Now everything IS okay in Oklahoma! The gay community and gay travelers to Tulsa now have a place where they are made to feel VERY WELCOME! We stayed there a couple of weeks ago and it was wonderfull. "l-he rooms are spacious and the staff is extremely friendly and professional. ~-he renovations are not finished yet, however we know that when it is completed that it will be the finest hotel in Tulsa. We stayed in the Premier Suite which was on a scale of one to ten, a 15 ! It featured a living room with pull out queen sleeper sofa, a 36 inch TV and DVD Player. Ceiling to floor (and wall to wall windows) for a spectacular view of the city. A large King bedroom with extra pillows, a 25 inch TV in the bedroom and dub chair and ottoman. Two full bathrooms and a kitchenette/dining area with coffee maker, fridge/microwave and a snack basket, microwave popcorn and cookies with bottled water. ~he Downtown Plaza Hotel ofTulsa was built in 1966 as the first downtown hotel in Tulsa to offer modern conveniences. Shortly afterwards it was a Holiday Inn, then a Ramada Inn, then as the Great Western Hotel. In July, 2007 it was sold to the Chisholm Properties, Ltd. and they renamed it back to it’s original name, "Downtown Plaza Hotel ofTulsa". The Chisholm Properties Ltd. the STAR owns other fine hotels in Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. It is located at 17 West 7th Street in the heart of the beautiful historica] financial and entertainment district ofTulsa. They are directly adjacent to the world famous Petroleum Club. It rises 14 stories above the City and is currendy undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. A VERY extensive renovation is now underway however they do have at this time, over 70 rooms for their guests. Their plan is for the renovations to be completed by May, 2008 and have over 200 rooms when completed. The new look for the hotel is based on modern boutique style hotels that are now found across the country and Europe. The hotel has a variety of rooms and suites to choose, from a Deluxe Double Queen, Deluxe King, Executive King, Executive King Junior Suite or the Premier King Suite. Each suite has a Fridge/Micro in the kitchenette. Their prices are extremely down to earth and much less than the other dmvntown hotels. The hotel is within a short walking distance to Tulsa’s Convention Center, the New The PAC (Performing Center, Tulsa Tech and many buildings and landmarks. ; the many amenities are: floors, business weddings & receptions, air- ~ort shuttle free Cherokee Casino [ wireless Internet, covered parking, guest laundry ~n site), fax & copy service. Their service includes 43 channels, 3 4 ESPN channels, i Nick, Food Network and r more. The Downtown Plaza equipped with a Fitness Center their guests, including strength and cardio equipment. Lounge around their outdoor pool and catch some rays, secluded by the urban environment ofTulsa’s rooftops. Just inside the poolside seating area is The Jones’N Club, a full bar with a pool table and live music. Conference, meeting and banquet rooms are available to accommodate groups of 10 to 250 guests. ..............Continued page 27 w~w~,.ozarksstar.com More on Camp La Casa Sena - Santa Fe, New Mexico see page 22. From the upper sundeck at the Oasis men’s resort, guests enjoypanoramic views ofKey West’s Historic District. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Key West: Where To Play, Eat, and Stay famous gay resort towns, Key West has always stood out for its sheer embrace of total relaxation. This laid-back tropical island in the Caribbean, closer to Cuba than to mainland Florida, is without pretensions. People rarely worry about what time it is, dress is casual and colorful, and the party scene is friendly and easygoing. Key West is neither fancy nor especially urbane - it’s just a great place to laze in a deck chair on a bougainvillea-choked lanai, browse for beachwear and souvenirs along the main drag, Duval Street, or relax on a restaurant patio noshing on raw oysters and sipping mango iced tea or mojitos. For a seasonal tourist town, Key West has plenty to offer when it comes to dining and nightlife. Few places draw more raves for outstanding food than Alice’s Key West, where chefAlice Weingarten serves some of the most inventive food in town, including delicious smoked-salmon Benedict at breakfast. A departure from Key West’s predominant laid-back tropical look, Square One is a sophisticated restaurant with white table linen and fine china. The regionally inspired Continental cuisine includes escargot baked in a crepe with fresh spinach, garlic, feta, and a tomato beurre blanc. It’s a top choice for a romar~.tic evening. One of the better Italian restaurants in town, and also one of the gayest, La Trattoria has two dining rooms - the smaller one romantic and intimate, the larger better for groups of friends. The straightforward cooking draws high praise for such tasty creations as local shrimp sauteed with garlic, fresh tomatoes, and herbes de Provence in a white wine, lemon, and butter sauce. One of Dural Street’s true places to be seen, Mangoes brims with colorful sorts. The composed salads, pastas, and grills - all with nouvelle Florida touches - are commendable. Consider rib eye steak Caribe (pan-charred with tamarind steak sauce and yucca). Seven Fish, which occupies an old luncheonette and has a sleek, sophisticated interior, serves seafood-oriented bistro fare, such as crab and shiitake mushroom ravioli. The slogan at Mangia Mangia is "pasta to the people," a philosophy reflected by the many varieties of heavenly homemade pasta, all fairly priced. The painstakingly preserved building has a lovely, quiet garden and redbrick patio in back. You’ll need luck and persistence most nights to get a seat at Camille’s, a small storefront bistro, but the friendly vibe and downhome comfort food are worth the trouble. Expect good salads and sandwiches, such as Philly cheese steak, and delicious pancakes for breakfast. For arguably the best sandwiches and wraps on the island, try Lobo’s - the oyster roll with cheddar, bacon, and basil tartar sauce is a stand-out. H Siboney is a zero-atmosphere eatery - _the_ place in town for humble, stick-to-your-ribs Cuban fare. Rickety tables are set with plastic tablecloths and paper napkins. Try such Havana specialties as conch chowder, garlic chicken, stuffed shrimp and crabs, platanos (plantains), and a sweet flan to top it off. As for traditional Cuban sandwiches, tiny 5 Brothers Grocery - on a side street in the historic district - serves the best around. Much of the gay social activity in Key West takes place at resorts, some ofwhich provide refreshments and snacks to guests during the afternoon and early evening. A handful of properties have bars open to the public, among them Pearl’s Rainbow, the town’s only guest house exclusively for women, and the ultra-cruisy, all-male Island House, which also has an excellent restaurant. Most the town’s gay bars are along Duval Street. Here, the La-Te-Da guest house has a poolside bar, an intimate piano bar, and the Treetop Cabaret Lounge upstairs. Down a few blocks, the New Orleansinspired Bourbon Street Pub is a cheery place with a small bar up front with cocktail tables, a larger outdoor bar in back (along with a lively pool area and hot tub), and video screens galore. Many nights you can catch awful (but still entertaining) drag shows on the stage in back. The same owners run the lovably raffish 801 Bar, Key 20 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com West’s definitive neighborhood hangout since the 1970s. There’s almost always a crowd of gossipy locals around the bar. The adjacent One Saloon caters mostly to leather-and-Levi’s types and is reached through 801’s back door. Aqua Nightclub is best lmown for its raucous drag shows, which are headlined by the in-house drag troupe, the Aquanettes. This lively place also has strippers some nights, an impressive dance floor with high-tech laser-and-sound shows,’ and a cozy video bar. Key West has a number of inns that cater either exclusively or predominandy to the gay market. One of the best is Alexander’s, a long-popular gay resort with the relatively unusual policy of being both clothing-optional and welcoming to both women and men. This makes Alexander’s ideal for gay guys traveling with lesbian friends, or for any queer vacationers who enjoy a mixed-gender atmosphere. The effect is that the mood around the pool and hot mb tends to be less cruisy than at single-gender resorts. Aromatic tropical flowers, sundecks, rattan and wicker furnishings, and sparkling tiled bathrooms impart Alexander’s with a classy but casual look. Also welcoming of both women and men but drawing a predominantly male crowd, Big Ruby’s is less than a block from Dural Street, hidden behind high walls from noise and street traffic. The grounds feature towering palm trees and fragrant flowers, and an abundance of sundecks. Rooms are warm, contemporary, spotless, and full of light - all have TVIVCRs, mini-refrigerators, A/C, and ceiling fans. A complimentary full breakfast is included. As for the staff, you won’t find a more professional bunch of guys in Key West. Most of the town’s men’s resorts are along Fleming Street, the Historic District’s main drag. Here you’ll find Equator, which has plush rooms with contemporary Caribbean-influenced furniture. Designer fabrics, feather pillows with comforters, Mediterranean-tile floors, large closets, and excellent sound insulation add to the comfort of each unit. The tradeoff is that the Equator’s grounds, although nicely landscaped, are smaller than at some of its competitors; there’s a compact pool and an oversize Jacuzzi tub. For years the sprawling Island House - a former cigar factory on the eastern edge of the Historic District - was synonymous with sex, sleaze, and shabbiness. It’s still synonymous with sex. But, happily, new owners have completely rebuilt the place, hired friendly and competent staff, and created lovely rooms with high-quality furnishings (all have VCR/TVs, refrigerators, safes, and plttsh linens). If you’re seeking a steamy ambience but also first-rate accommodations and a safe, friendly environment, the Island House is your dream come true. Amenities, all of them available 24 hours, include heated pool, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, gym, sauna, steam room, and erotic-male-video lounge. The largest gay resort in town comprises three distinct properties - the Oasis, Coral Tree Inn, and Coconut Grove - operated by the same management. This highly social, all-male compound has rooms available in a variety of configurations and prices. The Coconut Grove is the fanciest of the three, having been completely gutted and redone following a fire in 2006 - it now has some of the cushiest accommodations in town. Next door, the Oasis has less pricey but still attractive rooms and beautiful grounds. Across the street, the Coral Tree has simpler but more affordable rooms. Guests are free to enjoy the grounds of all three properties. Another all-male property with a somewhat cruisy vibe is the New Orleans Guest House, an attractive compound that’s above the Bourbon Street Pub, right in the center of the Dural Street action. Rooms are well-outfitted and attractively decorated, and rates moderately priced. Known as the Rainbow House until new owners took over a several years ago, the 38-room Pearl’s Rainbow is Key \Vest’s only resort that’s exclusive to women. Rooms are nicely done, with rattan and wicker furniture, pastel-hued walls, large TVs, and refrigerators. Many different configurations are available, from simple budget-oriented units set away from the noise of the pools and decks, to more spacious rooms doser to the action, some with kitchenettes or separate sitting areas. The resort encompasses several buildings, including some cute cottages that once provided housing for the workers of a cigar factory that formerly occupied the main building. There are two heated pools, spacious sundecks, and lots of opportunity to chat with other guests. This is a wonderful hideaway, whether you’re looking to make new friends or enjoy a litde peace and quiet with your honey. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast La Casa Sena - Santa Fe, New Mexico W’e have been dining at La Casa Sena in Santa Fe for over 25 years and it just keeps getting better. Located right downtown, it is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed restaurants in the Southwest. Not only is the food some of the most delicious you’ll ever taste, the wine list is among the finest in the country. Whether dining inside or out on the patio, you are in for a real treat! "l-he ambiance, the food, the setting...... everything is fabulous! La Casa Sena occupies a fine old haciendastyle adobe complex and means "the Sena House." q-he Sena family was one of the oldest and most notable in Santa Fe. q-he founder of the family, Bernadino de Sena, was an orphan from Mexico City who traveled to Santa Fe in 1693. In the early 1980% the ravages of rime finally began to take a toll on the hacienda. Art dealer, Gerald Peters purchased the historic building and extensively renovated it without making any architectural changes. The restoration succeeded in keeping the historic ambiance and integrity of the Sena Plaza intact. Th-he Southwestern cuisine served at La Casa Sena draws on the rich history of the region. Th-heir distinctive red chile is grown for the restaurant near Dixon, on the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. The harsh weather there means that this local product is not plentifi~ and, because the restaurant purchases virtually the entire crop, it is unlikely that this chile will be tasted anywhere else in the world. They are located right off the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe at 125 East Palace. q-heir dinner hours are Sunday thru Thursday: 5:30 - 10:00 PM and Friday & Saturday: 5:30 - 10:00 PM. Lunch: 11:30 _A!vl - 3:00 PM Monday thru Saturday and 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Sundays 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com People Wi h A D$ LITTLE ROCK, ARK __ Republican Presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee once advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general public, opposed increased federal funding in the search for a cure and said homosexuality could "pose a dangerous public health risk." As a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 1992, Huckabee answered 229 questions submitted to him by The Associated Press. Besides a quarantine, Huckabee suggested that Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies. "If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague," Huckabee wrote. City Resident Ray Prewitt aooept New I ovie SANTA FE, NM (P/R) __ Oklahoma City resident, Ray Prewitt, will take on the role of"Owen" in the Jim Sheridan helmed "Brothers" for Relativity Media. The film stars Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Tobey Macguire. Shooting began last week on this remake of Susanne Bier’s Danish-language war drama which centers on a man, (Maguire) who is sent to fight in Afghanistan while his black-sheep brother (Gyllenhaal) cares for his wife (Portman) and child. Prewitt, who recently appeared in Carpenter Square’s "Sordid Lives", is best known as the producer of "Call Us Crazy: The Anne Heche Monologues" which achieved theatrical cult status in Los Angeles featuring stars like Edie McClurg, Alex Borstein, Megyn Price, and Scott Thompson. This is Prewitt’s second time to share the screen with Portman since "Where the Heart Is" .i"n 2000. "I think the government’s role should not be involved in personal habits. When you defend freedom, you defend freedom of choice, and you can’t be picking and choosing how people use those freedoms...whether it’s personal behavior or economic behavior, I want people to have freedom of choice," Paul asserted. He believes the constitution says such issues should be left to the states to decide, and ira state chooses to legalize marijuana, cocaine, heroin and/or prostitution, so be it. Presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 Chaz & Victor By Ronald Blake Twenty-eight retired generals and admirals released a letter Friday urging Congress to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military, according to "l-he New York Times. The letter cites information showing that 65,000 gay men and lesbians are currently serving in the military and that there are more than 1 million gay and lesbian veterans who have "served our nation honorably." ~have been indulging myself lately with the finer aspects of food and beverage. I have acquiesced with my body’s cravings for rectangular chocolate delights that are known to the masses as Snickers, Three Musketeers, and Whatchamacallits. I have given in to the luscious temptations of the all-powerful supreme pizza with its smothering array of toppings and guilt. I have even fallen prey to the hypnotic sexual commercial suggestions of the beer and booze barons of this fair land. Yes, I have been greedily imbibing the works of the great fermentation experts such as Adolph Coors and August Busch. How can I possibly engage in such extreme epicurean behavior and still manage to put on my jeans without a forced smile? Ofcourse I will disclose the many and varied means by which I make this feasible. Each day I lace up my sneakers and head out on a seven mile romp through my neighborhood streets and enjoy the festively adorned homes. This provides me the opportunity to dear my mind and breathe in all those particulates from city living. It also affords me the chance to count the expanse of calories I burn off: in the process. I usually get credit for 800 calories each day from this physical activity mode. I am that guy who finds the parking space on the periphery of the mall parking lot. ~llais is not a forced choice in response to all the holiday shoppers. I actively seek out the spot that is closer to the frontage road than the stores’ entrances. This gives me the excellent opportunity to partake in the lost art ofwalking somewhere. Chalk up another couple hundred calories burned in a week’s time. Every other day I don my favorite ripped Guns N Roses T-shirt and my faded periwinkle Russell Athletic shorts and ease into 26 the STAR my workout roudne. I set my bicep, quadriceps, and triceps muscles into a sweet synergistic syncopation. I dedicate thirty minutes for every session and I am proudly able to record several hundred singed calories for that day’s effort. Some ofmy other calorie consuming moments has involved the firm scolding of my car and leaving him alone in the garage while I set out down the block to get the mail. I have often abandoned the comforts ofmy plush settee and even ignored the puppy dog eyes from my cuddly ottoman so that I could walk around the living room while discoursing with the likes ofmy Aunt Chilada on the telephone. Friends have even chided me for spending disproportionate time with the steps and hand railings of building stairwells than with the numbered buttons and "The Girl from Ipanema" music from elevators. Thankfully for me, these mundane activities afford me a cornucopia of numerous extra burned calories. I am able to consume more of the Food Network creations than the average Punch and Judy because of my lifestyle. My gourmand way of life would soon dissipate if I would slink into the slothful practices of most ofmy fellow brethren. Free will gives you that chance to change it all starting today. I could certainly use some company on those lonely stairwells! This health and fitness column is brought to you by that guy who likes to count the times people say the phrase "you know" in their conversations. That gny is Ron Blake and he can be unwrapped at www.goblakefitness. com Creating Community for People living with H V/A1DS A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HtV+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. ~wtw.ozarksstar.com Q~UENTIN CRISP DOWn,TOWN PLAZA DERAILED HATE CRIMES Indeed, Crisp was celibate for the latter half of his life. When sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer asked him what he thought about sex, he said he thought it was a mistake. He was also cynical about love, saying he didfft really understand it, and he never had an enduring romantic relationship. Had he lived in a different era, Crisp might have identified as transgender rather than gay. "I believe I was born unfit for the world not because of anything to do with sex, but because of gender," he told one interviewer. "I have always felt like a woman born into a man’s body. Had I the money or the opportunity early in life, I would certainly have had a sex change." Though his work brought in a fair amount of money, Crisp lived a spartan existence, subsisting on hors d’oeuvres and champagne at parties. With a "lust for small talk," he held court at a local diner and devoted time to answering phone calls, letters, and e-mails from friends and strangers alike. He loved being the center of attention, and rarely turned down an opportunity to be interviewed or photographed. In his final years, though beset by health problems, he nevertheless continued to travel and perform. Crisp died of a heart attack in Manchester, England, in November 1999, just a month shy of his 91st birthday. While some may find his flamboyant style and effeminate mannerisms embarrassingly stereotypical today, Crisp is remembered for being himself- and paying the price - at a time when few others dared to do so. Though he avoided organized LGBT activism, his entire life was a demonstration of gay and transgender empowerment. For further reading: Bailey, Paul, ed. 2000. The Stately Homo: A Celebration of the Life of Quentin Crisp (Bantam). Crisp, Quentin. 1996. Resident Alien: The New York Diaries (HarperCollins). ~e hotel is the ONLY Tulsa hotel that is openly caters to everybody! The Lounge at the Downtown Plaza will start in January hosting Ms. Kris Kohl and will present a drag show every other Friday. They will also be hosting a Broadway touring company during the summer of 2008. Chisholm Properties, Ltd. has a complete non-discrimination policy to cover, Age, Religion, Nationality, Race, SF~VUAL ORIENTATION, Disability, Veteran Status and other individuals as protected by Federal, State and Locals Laws. The General Manager, Jay Wilks is a former flight attendant instructor and former owner of a small specialized aircraft charter tour company, award winning fit and art shop and an upscale gay magazine that was distributed in 7 States in the Southeast. The Assistant General Manager, Debbie McCraw is a former schoolteacher, Texas ranch foreman, homemaker and mother. With all of their combined hidden talents we KNOW that they will make a success in this new venture. Both Jay and Debbie are two of the nicest, friendliest and professional people that you would ever want to meet. They truly care about their guests and want them to have a very pleasant time while staying at the hotel. The front desk staff as well as the housekeeping staff are very friendly and professional. Next time you are going to be in Tulsa be sure to check out their website at www. downtownplazatulsa.com or give them a call at 800.585.5101 for reservations. Their local number is 918.585.5898. Or for those people living in Tulsa who are wanting to rent a conference or party site, give them a call. Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at: gaytravelers@ aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers sent to the Chairman and Ranking Members of the Armed Services Committees urging them to retain the Hate Crimes amendment as part of the conference report. Timed to correspond with Members returning from the Thanksgiving recess, on November 28th, HRC launched a nationwide action alert to all of its members urging immediate grassroots action to Members of Congress. The House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592) in May with a strong bipartisan vote of 237-180. The Senate approved the nearly identical Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105) as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill on a voice vote after a 60-39 cloture vote. Inclusion of the hate crimes provision in the final version of the bill fell victim in the House to challenges from opponents of hate crimes as well as unrelated concerns regarding Iraq-related provisions of the bill. The hate crimes veto threat issued by the White House and organized opposition by House Republican Leadership cost significant numbers of votes on the right. Iraq-related provisions that many progressive Democrats opposed cost votes on the left. Moderate Democrats, many ofwhom voted for the hate crimes bill in May, did not want to test the President’s veto threat and risk a delay in increased pay for military personnel. ’All of these factors resulted in insufficient votes to secure passage of the bill with the hate crimes provision. 2~he Matthew Shepard Act gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias motivated violence by providing the Department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The legislation also provides the Justice Department ,vith the ability to aid state and local jurisdictions either by lending assistance or, where local authorities are unwilling or unable, by taking the lead in investigations and prosecutions of violent crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury that were motivated by bias. The Act also makes grants available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers, or to assist in state and !ocal investigations and prosecutions of bias motivated crimes. www,ozarksstar.corn the STAR 27 Just as the sun spends a month of every year in each sign, Jupiter, in his 12-year cycle, spends about a full year in each sign. Fresh into Capricorn, he will help to build up organizations and bureaucracy. The coming year will be a big one for the mature look, leather, and bondage. This week’s horoscope will be valid through the year! ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Socialize with important folks. Those doors are wide open to you. Looking respectable and conservative will help you get ahead. Even in the most buttoned-up crowd, people know the power of appearance. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): If you have unfinished school business or want to go for a degree, sign up for those classes! Otherwise, delve into ancient philosophies or go traveling to historical, even archaeological places on your own initiative. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Not that you need the help, but your sexual magnetism is charging up. Trying to look young will not help. Maturity, experience, and authority all work in your favor. If you’ve been wanting to explore leather and kink, this is the time for it! CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Look toward formalizing an existing relationship or refining your criteria for one. Not only can you afford to be picky, but holding out for what you really want in your partnership will help you get it. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Any skin growths or bone or joint inflammations should be checked quickly, but in general your health should be good. Luck at work should improve. Look forward to promotions and be willing to take a risk to get them. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Some people think creativity is about mad inspiration. You know it’s about hard work. Your hard work can pay off big - probably more in terms of personal growth, but there could be money, toot LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Researching your roots, taking time with older relatives, or spending time with community elders will give you a better sense not only of your background and foundations, but also of where you’re going. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your mind needs stimulation and novelty, and you’re a bit more loquacious than usual. Be careful with that! Developing new skills, perhaps learning a new language, will open doors and help keep you focused and out of trouble. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): This should be a very lucky year for you for money - investments, lottery tickets, new businesses - but, it’s also "easy come, easy go." A conservative attitude and long-range perspective will prove most profitable. Consult an astrologer with your full birth chart before taking any big chances! CAPRICORN (December 21 o January 19): You’re in for a spell of good luck. Just be yourself and you’re sure to get ahead. There’s no point in being shy. Go for any opportunity that feels right. Further education and travel can serve you especially well. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Blessings will come to you in disguise. If life gets hard, the troubles can easily be made into a springboard to tremendous luck. Volunteer work with venerable charities will prove advantageous in the meantime. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Social opportunities will open up for you more easily if you "work the system" and follow conservative, conventional methods. Hobnob with "important people," but what’s "important" is subjective. Of course, those who don’t look or think like you can be important, too! C® METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Spirit of Chdst MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! 28 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com DOWNTOWN PLAZ,~_ ofTULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VAY Oldahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.corn KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant DREXEL ONTHE PARKAPTS. 3041NW41ST Oklahoma City, OK 405-946-0588 SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NWEXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 www.c2 lgoldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HHGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn ANGLES 2117NW39thSt. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesdub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com www.ozarksstar.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.dubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 www.realacceptance.com OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM MCC of the LIVING SPRING 17 Hk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm NWARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG GLENPOOL FLOWERS 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK www.glenpoolflowers.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NA!vlE: Address: City: St:__Zip: Phone: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: 29 Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. N~X/Arkansas GLBT Communiv! Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG e-mail: EditorialCartoon@c 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com YOU [] F,g. 1 Pollen hke Tcha&o~sky’s compo~mon Romeo and Juhet ~f one were to make a list of the world’s favorite composers, despite his relatively recent vintage Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky would be on it. After all, he composed Swan Lake, which is perhaps the most famous ballet of all time. And there can’t be more than a handful of ballet companies that don’t perform The Nutcracker every Christmas. Indeed, this great Romantic composer should be so immortalized. As a young man, he pursued a career in music at enormous personal risk and against h~s father’s advice. His mild temperament combined with his tendency to work too hard left him with inmmnia, debilitating headaches and hallucinations. On top of that, Tchaikovsky’s composition teacher never liked his work, Peter llyich Tchaikot,sky endured many setbacks, not the l~st of which was a blind barber even after he became ~vorld-famous. Setbacks like these could have finished a lesser man. Instead, they inibrmed his work, which remains some of the best loved in history. Yet some kids still confuse Tchaikovsky with a nasal spasm. Why? Because the arts are slowly but surely being eliminated from today’s schools, even though a majority of parents believe music and drama and dance and art make their kids better students and better people. To help reverse this disturbing ’Rrm~nc trend, or for more information recomrarwd~d daily allouur~ce of art, about the benefits of arts education, visit us at AmericansForTheArts.org. Or else Tchaikovsky could seem like just another casualty of allergy season. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 Reservations: 918.585.5898 ÷ 800.585.5101 Where you can be YOU" pee" ~oo~l ~oo~ ~ow=n f 17 West 7th Street (corner 7th & Boulder Ave) e Tulsa, Ok 74119 ¢ www.downtownplazatulsa.com Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2008] The Star Magazine, January 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 1 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 01, 2008 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Type The nature or genre of the resource magaine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwestern Missouri Western Arkansas Southeastern Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Greg Steele Paul Wortman James Ninmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Romeo San Vicente Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blak Ray Williams Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Chaz Ward Victor Gorin Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, December 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 12 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/204 The Star Magazine, February 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 2 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/245 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/246 AIDS anti-gay violence art cartoons classifieds crime denouncement Deep Inside Hollywood Dennis R. Scott Don't Ask Don't Tell Downtown Plaza Hotel-Tulsa fitness hate crime health Hillary Clinton HIV/AIDs horoscopes Loeves and Fishes Melody Michaels Mike Huckabee Miranda Ray Miss Gay Oklahoma New Year Our House Past Out Q Scopes Quentin Crisp Quotable Quotes Ray Prewitt Samantha West Star Advertisers Star Scene Steven Domer Syphilis testing Tchaiovsky The Colors of Living Too travel Winds House https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/aab490c2335f60d2d1e55a19c2e4595e.jpg 2780adbe6231a9bb9684aba76e8a4a9e https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/c64f38e4af7372c2f5ec5dff5ea8afc9.pdf 0c00542c1bd30dfacdc734d945b231d6 PDF Text Text �Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & D~VERSE market. Cal~ STAR ADVERTiSiNG today. (918}835o7887 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �OKLAHOMA PR£SIDENTIAL PRIMARY FEBRUARY 5 MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT By Victor Gorin Photo: ~ctor Gorin registering Thomas Bishop to vote in OKC If you are registered as a Republican or Democrat in Oklahoma, soon it will be time to cast your vote to select your party favorite for our next president. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and your polling place is on your voter card. You may vote early from 8 a.m. unti! 6 p.m. Friday February 1 and Monday February 4, and from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday February 2. Call your local election board for your early voting site. If you have lost your voter card, you may still vote if you are registered, and this you can find out by calling your local election board, who can also provide your polling place. In Oklahoma County that number is 713-1515, Tulsa County 596 5787. Although they appear on the Democratic ballot, 2 candidates have dropped from the race, Bill Richardson and Christopher Dodd. On the Republican ballot, Tom Tancredo appears on the ballot even though he has dropped from the race. Independent voters cannot vote for a presidential candidate in this Oklahoma election. However, you may have school board races that you can vote for, so be sure to check that out. Vote February 5 and make our voice heard. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �SAINT VA~N~’~ The origin and history of Saint Valentine’s A Night in the Palace of Versailles, Barony of all Oklahoma crowns 1st Czar & Czarina. Dennis R. Neill Equality Center presents art by Jessica Newman. ~ DEEP ~S~D~: HOLL~OOD NEW: Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on new projects for Paul Rudd and Nathan Lane. Through his dedication and courage, black gay anti-apartheid activist Simon Tseko Nkoli played a key role in the fight for GLBT liberation and human rights for people with HIV/AIDS. Devre Jackson reviews Cabernet Sauvignon. ~ ~ C~AO TRAVEL Gay Travelers: Oklahoma City Out of Town: Savannah, GA Dining In or OUT Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Czar I Philtip Parker & Czarina I Kris Cherri Kohl 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �JoNin Gay & Lesbian Center To Ho d VNentines Fundraiser Valentine’s Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel’was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. The good Saint Valentine (photo above) was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius I1. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, around the year 270. At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom indeed, to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed.The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine’s Day for the celebration of this new feast. So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the com~ year, arose in this way. www.ozarksstar.com ... JOPLIN, MO (P/R) __ In support of equal civil marriage for gays and lesbians and "Freedom To Marry Week", the Joplin Gay and Lesbian Center invites the GLBT community to a Valentines reception and dance February 14th, 2008 7:00 pm to 1:30 am. The event will be held at Groove Lounge, 2331 East 7th Street in Joplin. Dance to the music of the house DJ, enjoy a Wedding Cake and cash bar. A $5.00 donation per person at the door will go to support the Joplin Gay and Lesbian Center. For more information contact Director Lee McDaniel 417-622-7821 or email gaylesbiancenter@gmail.com Website www.mYspace.com/gaylesbiancenter Recognized by Keller Williams ,- For outstanding achievement 2005 and 2006 Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 REALIOr~ V/hether buying or selling I’ll work hardforyou. ~, the STAR 5 �Acceptance o£GAYS and LESBIANS In addition to loosing weight is he getting a homo-friendly face-lift? OKLAHO/vlA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma City Mayor Cornett proclaims an official day for Ellen DeGeneres’s birthday and this is coming from a man who previously never meet a gay man or woman he liked. Well, I have a bridge in Brooklyn, too. \Vhen it’s Cornett’s political agenda being advanced then he’s comfortable ~vith appearing on the famous lesbian Ellen DeGeneres’s TV show as he did on January !7th. Could his self-serving appearance also have anything to do with the National Conference of Mayors having their 2010 annual meeting in OKC? Is he trying to get a homo-friendly face-lift as well as lose weight in order to make himself more attractive for re-election? Did his failed attempt at running for Congress show him the error of his ways or just point him to another snake-oil strategy? Now, in order to show that Mayor Cornett is exercising all his Christian sincerity of turning the other cheek, will he propose a human rights commission with legal force that can be approved by the City Council so that cases of gay/lesbian harassment and discrimination can be handled with respect and the intention of making life better for all of OKC’s taxpaying citizens? I’m not a Christian and I’ve turned both of my cheeks, upper and lower, for the last time to self-serving politicians who use gay people for their own ends and then dispose of them like a fast food clam shell. Just How Vulgar W- ll a Desperate Candidate Get? OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Not wanting to get too explicit about basic human sexual techniques, I can’t help notice that so much of human disagreement at a low level of public conversation comes down to either analogous or physical illustrations of body penetration in a sexual context. We’ve seen with Mike Huckabee, a man who wants to lead one of the most powerful countries in the world, that he’s willing to stoop to a tow level of vernacular public language in order to attract the flat-earth variety of voter who believes in a geo-centric 6,000 year-old earth. His remarks about putting a flag pole where the sun doesn’t shine regarding the South Carolina Confederate flag controversy is one example. The instance of Huckabee’s rallying mantras is a perfect example that he, suffused with the self-reflecting love of his self-constructed Jay-sus, is not immune, rather he uses it ki~owingly to inflame his redneck followers to greater heights of cooperation in their own submission to the destructive force of religion. Yes, human power can operate at the lowest level of human respect for those ,vho disagree with us and the fastest way to connect with many people is to graphically use the example of rape towards the perceived enemy. A frustrated Vice-president Dick Cheney used the same tactic in referring to Senator Patrick Leahy with a vulgar act of self-stimulation in the Senate chamber. Just as violent rape of women by men is described as an attempt at power, with nothing to do with lust, so is the use of sexual penetration by antagonists used to inculcate their ideas of power and superiority at the basest level of human society. A thinking voter should reject such a candidate immediately. 6 the STAR ~wv.ozarksstar.com �Ask About Our Suites WV~N.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �ince 1982 Ms. Kris Kohl in the "Painted Ladies" Show Friday, February’ 15th & 29th, @lOpm. Cover charge $5.00 single, $8.00 per Couple. Mention this ad and receive 1 FREE drink coupon per room. t 7 West 7th Street 8 the STAR & Boulder Ave) ® Tulsa, Ok 74119 e plazatulsa. om www.ozarksstar.com �byJoeyDe TULSA, OK __ Playing dress up may be child’s play, but for the Royal Green Country Barony of All of Oklahoma, it is a welcomed break to hours of hard work. A member of the International Imperial Court System, the RGCBAO is a philanthropic organization with a government system and titles inspired by Victorian alty. In an Adornment Ceremony at the Holiday Inn Select in Tulsa on Jan. 12, the RGCBAO crowned their first Czar and Czarina, Phillip Parker and Kris Cherri Kohl (respectively). A non-partisan organization, the Royal Green Country Barony of All Oklahoma seeks to further the mission of the International Court System by uniting not only the gay community, but the entire community of Oklahoma, gay and straight, regardless of ethnicity or other discriminating factors. ~he barony works to raise funds for charitable causes and work for equality within the realm it covers. Photo Above: Czar I Phillip Parker & Czarina I Kris Cherri Kohl Lynn Whitley. Additionally was the Crown Grand Marquis Roger Francis and Crown Grand Marquesa Dominique La Rue. Also acclaimed as a key founder was Christian Cherri O’Donely Vaughn LaFleur Dior. Entertainment for the evening was provided by entertainers from across Oklahoma and beyond, q-his included the cast of "Twisted Theatre," Tim Conroy, Catia Lee Love, Empress The Lovely Suzanne, Empress Syren Vaughn, Empress Victoria Weston, Matthew Heath Fitzgerald, Tabitha Taylor, Rebbeca Tucker and Leonard Jenkins. To begin the evening, Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas, welcomed Oklahoma into the international family and described what they had "gotten themselves into." "You see all this (pageantry) and wonder about it, remember it’s all in camp. We may call each other Barons and Baronesses, but we are all equals," began the matriarch, who explained the organization’s preStonewall San Francisco founding. She described the court system as one of the oldest and largest organizations in GLBT history. "When a gay man, Jose, declared that he wanted to be called an ’Empress’ after being crowned the queen of the Tavern Guild’s drag ball, he didn’t know what he started at the time." w~v.ozarksstar.com Through out the course of the evening, many other individuals who contributed to the founding of the RGCBAO were recognized, as well as those who have assumed leadership positions in the organization. This included the Privy Counsel (Board of Directors) comprised of Deb Starnes, Jim Ray, Scot Brown, Marc Acuff, and Through all the dresses and crowns, the evening assumed a sense of decorum, but through the words of those on stage, it maintained a level of fun and frivolity that turned it into a true celebration. By the end of the evening, the Royal Green Country Barony of Oklahoma had demonstrated that they knew how to have a good time, but had made it clear they were ready to begin the hard work of providing leadership to and creating unity among the citizens of their relm. the STAR 9 �By Donald Pile and Pray Williams q-his is a "must read" for gay men all over the country. You will laugh at nearly every page! Robert knows exacdy what his readers want to hear and he writes in such a great way. He writes openly what many of us say behind our backs. One of our favorite parts of the book is when he talks about "prespeaking", as in, "Dinner. That is where we should go" and "Glad for you! That is what I am." Days after reading this, we are still catching ourselves "prespeaking". Hopefully we and our friends will get tired of it eventually but it is fun for a while. We don’t know if his family and friends are still speaking to him or not but they should be happy that he loves them so much that he can be so open and flank about them. He would indeed be a good friend of have. Hopefully we will get to meet him sometime in the near future. He left some extra copies of his book at the Grand Resort for guests to read and everyone can’t wait to get their hands on his book. We promise that you will laugh your head off:page after page after page. " Surrounded by Insanity" by Robert A. Hofmann We have just read a new book, "Surrounded by Insanity" by Robert A. Hofmann and it is one of those books that once you begin reading it, you won’t want to put it down until you have completely finished. It is absolutely hilarious! It is a biographical story of the author’s experiences thru his life with his early childhood and growing up with friends and family. Robert grew up in New Jersey and what a wild and crazy and wonderful life he has had. Between his family and his friends, he guides the reader thru many exciting episodes of his life. It is wickedly bitchy and hilarious! Everyone in Robert’s life so far is a participant in this wonderfully funny and provocative story of his life. It begins with his birth and goes thru two years ago when he was staying at the wonderful Grand Resort in Ft. Lauderdale when Hurricane Wilma hit in 2006 leaving everybody without power for several days. 10 the STAR "Surrounded by Insanity" is published by Publish America and may be purchased through all major bookstores (if they don’t have it in stock, they’ll order it for you) or from www.amazon.com or www.publishamerica.com. We didn’t ~vant the book to end but thankfully, Robert is already in the process of coming out with his second book. As Robert says, " I live in fabulous, flaming, freakin" New Jersey. Woo-hoo. I am an attorney by day, writer by evening, superhero in the bedroom." Just keep up the great writing Robert! CLUB MAJESTIC TULSA TO HOST MR. OKLAHOMA CONTINENTAL 2008 PAGEANT By Greg Steele TULSA, OK __ Hot bodies and great talent will be the main course at Club Majestic Friday February 15th at 9pro. The show will feature an all male contest with guest entertainment from across the country. The feature entertainer will be Rasean Montrese Mr. Continental Nationals 2007 and hosted by Danielle Hunter Miss Continental Elite Nationals 2007. In addition to the contestant line up an impressive array of talent will be on stage to make your Friday Night at Club Majestic an evening to remember. Mr. Oklahoma 2007 Sevion Simpson, Mr. 2006 Nationals Simba Hall, Miss Oklahoma Continental 2007 Adrianna and introducing Mr. 2005 Nationals Tony DeSario. Club Majestic is located at 124 N. Boston in the Brady Arts District. 2-he latest on Britney Spears is that she is in training to become a high profile lesbian, being coached by famous lesbian convert Ellen DeGeneres. DeGeneres told the website www.thespoof.com "Britney is making great progress. I have every confidence she will make an excellent lesbian in time" www.ozarksstar, com �essica Newman art e hibit at Dennis R. Neill Equality Center (TULSA, OK (P/R) __ "~e Dennis R. Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Tnursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-9pm, "lhursday, February 7, 2008, for the opening of it’s February exhibit, featuring oil paintings and fine drawings by artist Jessica Newman. Newman, born in California in 1985, has been a resident of Tulsa since the age of 10. Jessica started drawing at a very young age, and really became involved in art during high school, when she took her first art class in the ninth grade. ~his is where she was introduced to a variety of art supplies, and began experimenting with different media. Since graduating high school in 2003, she has continued studying art in college, and plans on graduating as an art major. Jessica has always been fascinated by the human body, which is the theme of most of her work. She currently works with pencil, watercolors, and oil paints, but charcoal is her medium of choice. Her art has been shown at the Mayfest Youth Gallery, as well as at the Blue Dome Arts Festival. The exhibit will remain up through the month of February, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Cente~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 �SIDE De~ Inside ;~otlywoo4 rqo~ on n~w projects for Paul Rudd and Nathan ~ane. Nathan Lane Casts Swing Vote Hds acting up a storm on Broa&vay right now with Laurie Met~f in the new D~vid Mamet play, November, but stage fixture Nathan Me will be back on the big screen this new year, too, with a role in the ensemble comedy Swing ~v~te. Starring Kevin Cosmer ~ a low-achieving, apolitic~l American citizen, tl~ movie concerns a presidentia! election that hinges entirely on Cosmer’s not-entirelywelMnformed vote and the n~tional ch~os that results from it. L~ne will co-star, along with Definis Hopper, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, George Lopez, Mare Winningham, *~Vi!lie Nelson, and politiCal comment~)or A~ianna Hut~ngton ~s herse!£ Already wrapp~[, the film - if audiences vote for it v~ith their ticket dollars - could find itselfincieasing poll turnoutsSBut not likely, Paul Rudd You, Man ~rotagonists express- signal the beginning t of heterosexual male intimacy? movie, I love by Judd Apatow (v¢hose willingness to "go in films like The Obiect of " " well documented), the best he considers close enough to fill. as the poor spring, here’s t Larry: Like ransamerican Love ready for Transamerican Love a 36-year-old ~ with an Girl). Addams will ~ of men competing to date her formerly male body. Contrast About Miriam, on which told about Miriam’s transgender a bold step for the reality televicomic Alec Mapa wilt host the show by gay cable channel Logo. The in 2008. 12 the STAR www.ozarksstar, corn �DEEP INSXDE HOLLYWOOD Choosing America’s Prom Q een Lesbian Musician Julie Schurr to Perform in Eureka Springs, Fayetteville and New Orleans. For further evidence that pop culture is now dominated by entertainment designed for the High School Musical demographic, !ook no further than Americas Pro Queen. ABC Family has given the go-ahead for the new series that will pit a group of high school-aged young women against each other in the quest to be the fairest prom queen of them all. The contestants will reside in a mansion and compete in challenges that will show if they’ve got what it takes to wear a tiara in public and vcave at less popular people; then they’ll stay or go based on viewer votes. But Romeo has one complaint: in an era when young men are routinely making the news after being voted prom queen at their school, why no boys allowed? Romeo San Vicente - while in high school, mind you - wa~" very popular with his share ofpmm kings. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com. Regional MCC CMr&es Perform An Act ©fKin&ess In Tulsa JOPLIN, MO G/R) __ MCC United in Tulsa, OK was visited by Diva’s xvith Chain Saws as members of MCC of the Living Springs, Eureka Sprh~gs, AR and Spirit of Christ MCC; Joplin, MO arrived Saturday morning the 12th of January ready to work. MCC United has been dealing with damage on their property since an early, December ice storm devastated the area. There were still damaged trees that needed to be reduced to manageable size and trees that were potentially dangerous if not removed. Together with members of MCC United and their Pastor, Rev Carolyn Mobley the three churches xvere able to make short work of the remaining damage control and clean-up. Spirit of Christ MCC literally closed their doors and moved their worship to a program Rev Steve ca~s: "Faith in Action." "We are an oddity in MCC Churches in that we xvorship on Saturday mornings. As it is, we are ~knoxvn to replace worsNp with taking on Acts of Random Kindness to show what we believe is primary for us. As Christ served all people in need.., so should xve." Rev. Urie also pastors MCC of the Living Spring in Eureka Springs, AR and when he shared the needs he immediately received e-mails saying xve are going with you." We were totally blessed inasmuch as we had four chain saxvs in action, limbs fal~ng and people picking up the grounds with no injuries and everyone home safely. The group was blessed with a xvonderful lunch provided by MCC United and a musical Thank You provided in song by Rev. Carolyn. Across Regional boundaries and State Lines xve can all work together serving God by serving each other. www.ozarksstar.com EUREKA SPRINGS, AR __ Growing up, Julie Schurr never heard music that might have made life a little bit easier for a lesbian girl being raised in the strictly-proscribed constraints of a religiously conservative community and home. In fact, she wasn’t supposed to be listening to music at all. She wasn’t supposed to know what a lesbian was. Let alone BE one. An original creation, Julie Schurr’s fusion of musical styling and technique is all her own: Indierockbitchfolk. She’s been showcasing it to her fans in St. Imuis and Detroit, winning loyal converts. Now that she’s finished her degree & produced a full-length album, she just can’t imagine any other career path. So it’s a good thing that album sales are steadily rising and venues keep opening their doors. Julie will be out on tour and finishing up her 2nd album, which is planned for release in early 2008. Julie Schurr has headlined Pride and Coming Out day celebrations around the country and has been featured on Curvemag.com and in the Advocate. Her two hour performance will include acoustic music from her current album as well as her unique style of audience participation and comedy. Show tour locations listed below. Eureka Springs, Arkansas Feb 9 2008 10:00P Lumberyard Bar and Grille Baton Rouge, Louisiana Feb 15 2008 8:00P Hound Dog’s - Time TBA Fayetteville, Arkansas Feb 10 2008 8:30P Common Grounds New Orleans, Louisiana Feb 16 2008 9:30P Station 8801 More information on Julie can be found online at: www.julieschurr. corn or www.myspace.com/julieschurr. the STAR 13 �by Liz Highleyraan Past Out, which 100"ks at the life of South l frican gay activist Simon Nk01i, W-ho was Simon Nko li ? Soweto student uprising in the summer of 1976, he joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), the ~AaCrican National Congress (ANC), and the United Democratic Front (UDF). Fellow COSAS members debated removing him from his position of regional secretary when his sexual orientation became known, but a large majority ultimately voted in his favor. Long a~vare of his same-sex attractions, Nkoli began his first serious relationship at age 19, with a white bus driver. After Nkoli revealed this to his mother, she sent him to a series of local healers, a Christian priest, and finally a psychologist, who turned out to be gay himself and advised the lovers to live together - even if Nkoli had to pose as his partner’s servant to evade racial segregation laws. In his early 20s, after coming out in an interview with a black newspaper, Nkoli joined the newly formed Gay Association of South Africa (GASA), which consisted mostly of middle-class white men. Resolutely apolitical, the group resisted Nkoli’s requests to hold social events at nonsegregated venues, leading him to form the Saturday Group, the country’s first black gay organization, in 1984. Around the same time, amid growing racial discord, Nkoli stepped up his anti-apartheid activism, helping organize a tenant rent strike in the town of Delmas. Charged with killing a man by throwing a rock during a protest, Nkoli was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned. Along with 21 other black activist leaders, he was tried in 1986 for the capital crimes of subversion, conspiracy, and treason. hrough his dedication and courage, black gay antiapartheid activist Simon Tseko Nkoli played a key role in the fight for GLBT liberation and human rights for people with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Nkoli was born in Soweto in November 1957. He spent part of his childhood living with his grandparents, tenant farmers on a white estate, before moving to Sebokeng township to join his mother and stepfather. Nkoli became an anti-apartheid activist at a young age. After multiple arrests for civil disobedience, including participation in the 14 the STAR While in prison awaiting trial, Nkoli revealed his homosexuality to his co-defendants - ANC and UDF members who would later hold high-level positions in the post-apartheid government - and they came to respect and support him as a gay man. "This country wilt never protect the rights of its gay and lesbian citizens unless we stand up and fight - even when it makes us unpopular with our own comrades," he later wrote. Nkoli came out more publicly during the trial, when he used his attendance at a GASA meeting as an alibi to counter claims that he had been present at a clandestine political meeting. In 1988, the charges against him were dropped and he was released. During his imprisonment, Nkoli became a cause celebre for gay rights activists around the world, but he received minimal support from the accomodationist GASA. This stance led the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) to suspend GASA for its failure to condemn apartheid, and the latter group soon collapsed. After his release, Nkoli co-founded the Gay and Lesbian Organization of the \vgitwatersrand - the country’s first genuinely integrated GLBT organization - and later the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality (now the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project). "I am black and I am gay," he proclaimed at the first South African Pride march in 1990. "I cannot separate the two parts of me into secondary or primary struggle. They will be all one struggle." Nkoli traveled widely speaking about the situation in his country, served as an ILGA board member representing Africa, and earned numerous honors for his work. Nkoli’s anti-apartheid activism and ties with movement leaders proved instrumental in winning the ANC’s support for gay rights. In 1994, he met with Nelson Mandela, whose election as president marked the end of the apartheid era. As the newly integrated country crafted its constitution, Nkoli lobbied for sexual orientation to be included in its anti-discrimination provisions, and also argued for repeal of sodomy laws. In 1996, South Africa became the first country to include explicit constitutional protection for GLBT people. A decade later, in fulfillment of a court mandate based on the constitution, the South African parliament legalized same-sex marriage. Yet even as the gay movement gained strength and the apartheid regime crumbled, the AIDS epidemic reached crisis proportions in the 1990s, reintensifying racism and homophobia. Having been diagnosed with HIV himself (likely contracted in prison), Nkoli turned his focus to AIDS activism, co-founding groups including the Positive African Men’s Project and the Township AIDS Project. As the decade wore on, Nkoli experienced increasing bouts of ill health; he died of an AiDS-related infection on November 30, 1998, in the company of his long-time partner, Roderick Sharp. Though Nkoli himself was not able to benefit from effective new HIV drugs, his work for universal treatment access inspired fellow gay and anti-apartheid activist Zackie Achmat to form the Treatment Action Campaign, which today is widely regarded as the strongest AIDS activist group in the world. www.ozarksstar.com �DNC ELECTS R£CORD NUMBER OF LGBT MEMBERS TO 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CON NTION STANDING COMMITTEES Appointments Reflect Strength, Diversity and Energy of Democratic Party DENVER, CO (P/R) __ The Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) unanimously elected DNC Chairman Howard Dean’s nominations for the Chairs and members of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing Committees, including a record number of openly LGBT members. Dean’s LGBT appointments include Dr. Marjorie Hill of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis organization in New York, Diego Sanchez from AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, State Representative Patricia Todd of Alabama, and Ingrid Duran of Virginia to serve on the Platform Committee, along with Claire Lucas and Evan Low of California to the Rules Committee and Bob Rogan of Vermont to the Credentials Committee. In addition to appointing a record number of LGBT standing committee members, Dean was also the first DNC chair to appoint a member of the transgender community to a Convention committee. The Standing Committees of the Convention are responsible for reviewing Convention business and formulating recommendations for consideration by Convention delegates. The Executive Committee’s vote took place during the panel’s recent meeting in Denver, site of the four-day Convention in August. "The record turnout and enthusiasm we’ve seen for our Democratic candidates is a clear sign that Americans trust Democrats to bring much needed change to our country," said Governor Dean. "These outstanding leaders reflect the great strength, diversity and energy of the Democratic Party, and I’m confident their efforts will ensure our Convention in Denver is reflective of our shared values and our nominee’s vision for America." The elections included the Chairs and 25 Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) www.ozarksstar.com members of the three Convention Standing Committees: Credentials, Platform and Rules. Each committee has a total of 186 members. An additional 161 members elected by each of the states’ and territories’ Convention delegations wil! join Governor Dean’s appointments to the committees later this spring. For a full list of and biographical information on the Chairs and PLEO members from each Standing Committee, visit http:llwww.demconvention.comlalstandingcommittees.pdf. Credentials Committee The Credentials Committee is charged with coordinating issues around the selection of delegates and alternates to the Convention and will likely meet in the summer. The committee will issue a report that is the first official item of business at the Convention. Platform Committee The Platform Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a proposed National Platform for approval at the Convention. After conducting hearings and forums to collect testimony on issues and policies to potentially include in the platform, the committee is likely to meet sometime in July. Rttles Committee The Rules Committee is responsible for proposing the Permanent Rules for the Convention, adopting the proposed Convention agenda and making recommendations for permanent Convention officers - all addressed as the second official item of business at the Convention. The committee will meet sometime in August, prior to the Convention. Huckabee ir ks gay sex to bestiality, abortion to slavery WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Republican presidential hopeful and former Baptist pastor Mike Huckabee linked gay sex to bestiality and abortion to slavery in an interview Thursday, explaining why, if elected, he would try to amend the constitution. "Marriage has ... as long as there’s been human history, meant a man and a woman in a relationship for life. Once we change that definition, then where does it go from there?" he asked in an interview with online "Beliefnet" magazine. "Well, I don’t think that’s a radical view, to say we’re going to affirm marriage. I think the radical view is to say that we’re going to change the definition of marriage so that it can mean two men, two women, a man and three women, a man and a child, a man and animal," he added. "The Bible was not written to be amended. The Constitution was," he said, announcing his intention to amend the document if he were to be elected president in November to ban abortion and establish that life begins at the moment of conception. Leaving it up to individual states to outlaw abortion within their own borders is not enough, he said. "That’s again the logic of the Civil War -- that slavery could be okay in Georgia but not okay in Massachusetts. Obviously we’d today say, ’Well, that’s nonsense. Slavery is wrong, period. It can’t be right somewhere and wrong somewhere else.’ Same with abortion," Huckabee said. Huckabee won the Iowa Republican caucuses earlier this month, the first contest in the race for each party’s nomination to run for the White House. He is in second place behind Arizona Senator John McCain in opinion polls for Saturday’s primaries in South Carolina. the STAR 15 �Brief history Cabernet Sauvignon, like all noble wine grape varieties, is of the species VitiS ~inifera, and genetic studies in 1997 indicated it is the result of a cross between Cabemet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon is most directly associated with the wines of Bdrdeaux~ and especially those of its Left Ba~k, which ncludes the top tier appellations of St.-Estephe, Pauillac, St.-Julien; and Margaux, among others. It makes Up the majority portion of the blends of all of the Grand Cru wines of the 1855 classification. In Bordeaux, blending is comm0n With ! !e other allowable varietals: Merlot, cabe~ et Franc, Pettlt Verdot, and Malbec. Cabal ~et Sauvignon is also cultivated in other ~i~i as in France, notably LanguedocTRousillor and has great acclaim the wodd Over. .... pe-t attack brain ce Is an .... p. des , , which ...... u, ~.~ par[ or wna[ causes Alzne~mer s. in snort wewine enthusiasts can enjoy drinking to our good health. ........... var e a ol s nc on Cabemet Sauvignon has a well defined ~rnrn~a In Old ~J~rld wine~ n~rficularlv those made n Bordeaux th s s charac¯ tensed by a smel I of blackcurrant, cedar and spice. New Wodd wines of this grape are more often dominated by aromas of ~ oak, pepper and earth. smell of m wines made in most characterrm-climate examples is of t wine. ~ne. Cabs ~eese5 s ton, " ’ the lower Yakima Valley. In late 2006, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology published the result of studies conducted at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine that showed the beneficial relationship of Cabernet Sauvignon in reducing the dsk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The stud trol, a compound found reduce levels of amyloid beta the BTAR Magnificen~Wine COmpany House Wine Columbia ~/alley 05 wwwlMagnificentVVine,com Cabemet Sauvignon 54% Medot 30% Syrah 11Yo, Mabec3% Franc2~{~ Grea"~ ble naana - - for~nepnce -" "" ~ d t -eat . ’ [’snar oD Cono Sur Cab/Carmenere Chile ’06 v~zw.ConoSur.com This organic wine offers a robust, fruit- filled nose of raspberry & plum The palate reveals a flaVorfu nutty taste and has a long finish. Dadoush Duet Napa ’04 ~.dadoush.com rings California is after BOrdeaux as the wodd’s largest grower of Cabemet Sauvignon. This grape is found mostly in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. In Calif6mi~, the area of Cabemet Sauvignon planting doubled in the 1990s. As in Bordeaux, it is often blended with Franc to produce wo At heady $10 a bottlel ddnks like a cab twice the coSL Thi~ Cabernet presents itse f with a nose Of bourbon-soake~ Cherries with a finish of chbcotate and Cedar. A blend of Cabemet and Shiraz Enticing aromas of blackberry with a coffee bean and a finish Of nutmeg & white pepper best descdbe this wine, Irony Cabernet Napa ’03 w~w.lronyWine. om This is a b0ld and complex wine, which reflects the melding Of ~nique ~haractedstics from pdme vineyards in Sever&l different Napa appellations. Tobacco Cocoa and bright red berry characters make this a red wine to ~njoy. And as always, I say go to your favodte wine shop, ask qdestion~ and p~rchase a bottle or two. Share Some food & wine with friends and check it out for yourself. Complex aromas from hazelnut finish. cassis clove/ Mr. D als0 hosts wine & food events as the Wine Enthusiasts of Tulsa, :~ww.ozarksstar.com ��by Donald Pile and Ray CITyo In our travels to both the East Coast and the West Coast everyone alwa:ys asks the same question to us. V?here ro par .ry in the Midwest? we a!ways tell them the best two places to part? areTuAsa and Oklahoma City. It is hard for most people on both coast to believe, but unless you have been there you certainly wit! not believe that in the Bible belt of OHahoma is this fabulous gay mecca. month we told you about Tulsa and this month we ~2e telling you about Oklahon~a City. We have been going to Oklahoma City to party for over 25 veals. "Ihe HABAN~ INN Resort has been a gay resort for over 25 years. It is the Midwest’s largest at! gay resort. A two story complex with ov& 175 rooms, most of which tS_ce one of the two swimming pools. The rooms are spacious and vmT inexpensive. It is a totally gay resort. Lush tropical plants and trees surround the poo! areas. Gays fron-t all over the midwest as well as both coasts have been going there for years, and it is busy 7 days a week, not juston weekends. Lounge around the pool area and you are sure ~o meet that "someone specia!". They are located 2200 NW 39rh Expressway and their toll free number is 1.800.988.2221. Within the resort complex they have a wonderful restaurant ...... Gushers whmh has a great ambiance and serves dehc i ous fioo d , and is reasonable priced. "Itae restaurant overlooks one of the pod areas so you cim enjoy the bovs frolicking in the pool as you are dining. They also offe~ sandwich~s, soups, salads, pastas and appetizers, add a breakfast menu is available on weekends. There are three bars in the Habana Inn complex which are completely different. COPA is a dance, disco and drag bar. WeeNy they have male dancers, drag shows and comedians. FINISHLtNE is a c0untrylwestern bar with plenty of countiT dancing. ~t~is is the place to se~ the real cowboys and cowgirls in action. THE LEDO is ~ quiet piano bar. All the bartenders are super friendly and they all kn~w h~w to make out of towners feel right at home. The owner of the bars and restaurant is to be commended for his outstanding job ¯ . i [ ,~ ! ’ ! i, , Within a block of the Habana Inn resort you wilt find about 4 more gay bars c~tering to different tastes. A major grocery store is just one block away as are several other restaurants. A cab ride from the akport costs less than $20.00. The HABANA INN resort is located one blo& west of the intersection of Penn and interstate 1-44 and is easy to find. Plus. there are a lot of siOits to see in Oklahoma City, The Cowboy Hail of Fame has artifacts !otsofoil the west is do things like this. Just a couple doors away from the Habana Inn is ANGLES ar 21 t7 N.\V. 39th St.. Their website is: w~,~w.anglesclub. corn Also in the resort is J UNGLE RED, an adult gift shop with magazines, videos, cards, gifts, leather, Pride items plus a lot of decorative items for the home. 18 the STAR For more ~ habanainn.com and ma’s Gay Website: ww~.ozarksstar.com ?dways remember to have fun when ratk to everyone! �ju~st simply pe~ection t00% of pecial "TI~KS" ’!egance in dining. by Donald Pile and Ray Williams dodt skimp on gets around and emails from our readers asking if ONLY sto ALWAYS have a about~ m be one that we have ever seen! ’gqth ~a Wetl as travelers all time however. A ger-a-way~ check i~ out the Inn at 410, w~:410.com have the most um~sua! and exciting, and B. ~eit rooms world! the closest gay" t this a used condom under the The Vi!lag~ St. and you just cannot Steve owns the Gaslight a long broken And in Palm 4 they also seem to be some Metwn’s Restaurant, ~vw.inglesideinn.com www.ozarkssiar.com .... Con~ued page 23 the STAR 19 �Downtown Savannah) historic district is abundant with fine shops and restaurants, including the innovative Sapphire Grill, one of the city’s top eateries. (P,6oto by Andrew Collins) of gay-friendly shops and restaurants. Downtown Savannah’s shopping scene continues to evolve from traditional to fashion-forward - a Marc by Marc Jacobs flagship store opened here in April 2007, and many contemporary boutiques and art galleries now line the city’s oak-shaded streets. Near City Market, you’ll find the gay disco, Club One, which is the performing home of The Lady Chablis, who figured so prominently in The Book, as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is commonly referred to by locals. Plenty of folks come to Savannah to seek out the sites that were brought to life in this mesmerizing tale (although it is nonfiction, The Book reads like a delicious novel). Of partictflar note is the privately owned Mercer House, in which Midnight’s central figure, antiques dealer Jim Williams, shot and killed his young lover, Danny Hansford, in 1981 (the question of whether Williams fired in self-defense or as a calculated act of murder is debated to this day). Georgi After years of lagging behind nearby Charleston in popularity, historic Savannah soared to new heights in the ’90s and remains one of the nation’s hottest destinations. Much of the city’s renaissance had do to with the staggering popularity of John Berendt’s best-seller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, whose droll yet salacious account of Savannah society propelled the city into a gay hotspot almost overnight. The jewel of Georgia’s lazily enchanting seacoast, Savannah was founded in 1733 by British General James Oglethorpe, who designed the perfect grid of streets and grassy tree-shaded squares for which this city of 130,000 is still famous. Savannah prospered as a silk exporter during its first century, before developing into one of the world’s major cotton suppliers. Much of downtown consists of elaborate brick and stucco Victorian buildings built following an 1820 fire that destroyed many of the city’s beautiful wood-frame Colonial homes. Had General Sherman not spared Savannah during his notorious and destructive "March to the Sea," most of these Victorian structures would also have been burned. Begin your explorations of the city inside the restored 1860s rail terminal that houses both the Savannah Visitor Information Center and the Savannah History Museum. This complex is at the southwestern edge of historic downtown. From here it’s a short walk north to City Market, a three-block pedestrian mall with a handful 20 the STAR Its literary fame - or notoriety - notwithstanding, Savannah still rivals any Southern destination for its bedazzled and meticulously restored house museums. If you have time for only one, visit the Owens-Thomas House, a splendid 1819 Regency mansion built by renowned British architect William Jay. Nearby is the Isaiah Davenport House, an 1815 Federal beauty. To see a fine collection of classical sculpture and Impressionist painting, visit the Telfair Mansion and Art Museum, a memorable 1818 structure in its own right. In 2006, the museum expanded with the construction of the striking newJepson Center for the Arts, which added more galleries and exhibition space. At the north end of the historic district, the city’s riverfront is lined with a stately row of restored cotton warehouses - now containing a slew of touristy businesses - and a cobbled lane that’s sits a full flight of steps below the rest of the city. The best time to appreciate it and the views of the bridge and freighters chugging along the Savannah River is in the morning, when you’ll encounter few crowds. One great way to explore downtown and get some advice on the local gay scene is to take a guided walk with knowledgeable local Jonathan Stalcup, who runs Architectural Tours of Savannah. For dining, avoid most of the mediocre eateries by the river and stick to one of the several local favorites, virtually all of them gayfriendly. One of the most famous restaurants in the South, Elizabeth on 37th specializes in subtly sublime regional cooking, www.ozarksstar.com �such as sesame-almond-crusted grouper with peanut sauce; and grilled rack of lamb with corn pudding, stewed okra, and tomatoes. Sexy and sophisticated Sapphire Grill serves some exciting and innovative contemporary American fare - consider the jumbo lump crab cake ,vith lemon curd, green-zebra tomatoes, and red chard. A bit more affordable, chic It Pasticcio presents contempora~7 Northern Italian cuisine - try the grilled gorgonzola-crusted filet mignon with a potato-pancetta gratin. Olde Pink House is one of those Savannah traditions that everybody should experience at least once - fine Continental fare with regional twists, like black grouper stuffed xvith blue crab and a Vidalia onion sauce, is served. Garibaldi’s, in an 1870s firehouse, prepares simple but very good Italian fare, such as pesto shrimp with angel hair pasta. For either lunch or dinner, the trendy City Market Cafe is a dependable choice, serving delicious wild mushroom, blue cheese, and prosciutto salad, as well as terrific thin-crust pizzas. The only GLBT-exclusive B&B in Savannah, 912 Barnard is also one of the least expensive. This dramatic yellow turn-of-the-century house has been handsomely restored to its original splendor, with antiques and authentic colors that convey the ambience of the city. A fully restored 1889 sea captain’s house that once belonged to one of Savannah’s wealthiest merchants, the Azalea Inn is quite gay-friendly. All rooms are configured and decorated differently; and each has a gas fireplace; two have whirlpool tubs, and two have balconies. For the most memorable accommodations, however, look to the gay-friendly Mansion on Forsyth Park, which offers some of finest digs in town. This stylish mini-resort beside verdant Forsyth Park contains 126 rooms with smart, contemporary furnishings, plus a top-notch spa, a cooking school, two cool bars, an art gallery, and the highly regarded 700 Drayton Restaurant. Opened in 2005, the hotel offers further evidence of Savannah’s gradual shift from a bastion of Old South gentility to a beacon of New South panache and It’s touristy, but fans of Food Network TV star Paula Deen won’t want to pass up a chance to dine at her downtown Savannah restaurant, ~lhe Lady & Sons, known for its down-home Southern cuisine. An elegant basement space with a youthful, see-and-be-seen following, Jazz’d Tapas Bar is perfect for late-night snacking - recommended fare include potato-leek frittata with fig chutney, and citrus-ginger-glazed shrimp-and-scallops skewers. ~he lesbian-owned Firefly Cafe serves affordable American fare, including plenty of fresh veggie dishes. ~l-his dapper spot overlooks Troup Square and is especially popular for brunch (try the Savannah eggs Benedict topped with fresh crab meat). For post-club noshing, check out Sushi Zen, a hip and gay-popular Asian restaurant with a convivial vibe. ~he bar staff and regulars in Savannah’s bars are friendly and forward. Although some locals shun the touristy and cavernous Club One, it’s one of the most impressive clubs in the Southeast, and it can be fun when ~lhe Lady Chablis is performing. Other options include Chuck’s, a friendly locals joint near the river that draws a mixed bunch; and Blaine’s Back Door Bar, a casual cruise and dance lounge that also has a dell serving pretty tasty sandwiches and pizza. Not gay per se, Venus de Milo is a sexy and sophisticated wine bar with a welcoming, bohemian vibe - it’s just west of City Market. Down along the riverfront, gay-friendly Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub is popular early in the evening for Irish music, food, and drink. With the recent rise in gay tourism, Savannah’s grand old hotels have become increasingly hospitable to visiting same-sex couples. Among the city’s many classic luxury inns, the Ballastone Inn is renowned for its gracious hospitality and over-the-top, lavish rooms. The four-story 1838 mansion sits along one of the prettiest streets in the city. A mid-19th-century inn with an expansive landscaped courtyard, the Eliza Thompson House and its grand guest rooms look much as you might imagine they did when cotton was king of Savannah. Original heart-pine floors and period antiques impart a romantic ambience, and yet rooms have comfortable, modern amenities, especially the bathrooms. Rooms at the Foley House Inn contain antiques and Oriental rugs; many overlook Chippewa Square and have massive two-person Jacuzzis. Of affordable chain properties, the Comfort Suites Historic District is clean, pleasantly furnished, and a short walk from City Market. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 �TA-BOO’ RESTAURANT Palm Beach, Florida .[Ldocated on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida, TA-BOO’ is a real treat! Stretching four fabulous blocks from South Ocean Blvd. to Cocoanut Row on Palm Beach island, Worth Avenue is one of the world’s most exclusive shopping districts. q-he Avenue boasts a sumptuous mix of more than 200 world-famous specialty shops, posh department stores, gourmet restaurants and art galleries. It is like the Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. A coat and tie (or ascot) is of course necessary even at lunch time. TA-BOO’ has been in business for over 60 years. It has the classic ambiance of a private gentlemen’s club brightened by Palm Beach’s smart set, it atmosphere is both comfortable and busding all at the same time. Slowly spinning ceiling fans, tropical fishtail palms and leafy dangling porthos vines frame a mural of an ocean vita, complete with Miznetresque terra-cotta rooftops in the foreground. Down a terra-cotta pathway, the long bar is an Avenue tradition for a variety of patrons - from the burger and beer set to those with an affinity for a rack of lamb and a little Veuve Clicquot! A soothing marine 22 the STAR aquarium illuminates the bar’s neighboring bistro. Their menu covers the basics, from comfort food to top-notch cuisine. If you’re dining for lunch, start with the sushi-quality carpaccio of tuna or try the ever-popular warm grilled chicken and pears salad. Dinner is all about Maine Lobster, white Dover sole meuniere, crispy roast mahogany duck and linguine with lump crab. Dessert is a MUST, partictflarly the signature "Ta-boo’ lust", a sinful concoction of coconut cream filling and whipped cream atop a walnut cookie crust. \re always dine there at least once when we are in Florida and it does just keep getting better everytime! Owners Franklyn DeMarco and Nancy Sharigan are regular hosts. You never know what famous celebrities you will be dining with. We particularly enjoy their Swordfish. strai= glass. Serve. Lunch is served from 11:30 AM to 5 PM and dinner is served from 5 PM to 10 PM weekdays and from 5 PM to 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Sunday Brunch is served till 3 PM. They are located at 221 Worth Avenue and for reservations call: (561) 835-3500. www.ozarksstar.com �GAY TR_&VELERS: having a lot of financial problems as they at first were going to open mid-summer, then in the fall and now they don’t know if they will open or not. We booked an accommodation and in Denver a couple of years ago and when we got to the destination, we found that it was simply a condo unit with two bedrooms and the guy rented out one of the bedrooms! In South Dakota, we booked a reservation and when arriving, the owner gave up HIS bedroom for us and then he slept on the sofa! Sometimes restaurants can also be a complete disaster. From being dirty, to rude servers, to bad food and service, it can always be interesting to say the least. But if you are not happy with a restaurant ..... LEAVE ! We have ~valked out of dozens of restaurants. If there is one problem, then usually a second problem develops and before you know it you are in a mess up to your ears, so why not just leave before it gets worse? The worst thing we hate to hear from a server, is "Don’t give me a hard time, I had a bad night last night". Who cares if the server had a bad night? They are there to "SERVE YOU" with a smile and with a professional attitude. We have at times paged the manager and requested that another server wait on us and we explain fully why. There are a lot of excellent servers in restaurants but we just simply won’t accept bad service. If the food you ordered is not good nor cooked properly, quietly and gently tell your server the problem. Bartenders can really be a pain in the ass sometimes. One bartender in Seattle doesn’t like to wait on people sitting at the bar. Rather, you have to go to his station, order and get your drinks and then return to your bar stoo!. How crazy is that? We have had bartenders that didn’t even know how to make a screwdriver! Most likely they didn’t know how to make a Bourbon and 7 either! Other bartenders are eating or smoking while trying to wait on you. We simply tell them that ~vhen they are thru eating or thru with their smoke break, then they can take our order. If a bartender is behind the bar and smoking and serving us, we explain exactly why we are not leaving a tip! Fortunately more and more states are becoming non-smoking and that takes care of the problems. Having said this, we have found that most bartenders are friendly, fun, wonderful and professional and our hats off to all of them! They enjoy what they are doing and make great tips. Websites can often be deceiving and indeed sometimes they are! \Vhenever possible and especially when booking accommodations, it is smart to check around to see if you kmow anybody that has actually stayed there. As far as restaurants or bars, it is easier to just walk out if there is a problem. You pay good money and you expect your money’s worth. Most accommodations, restaurants and bars are run very professional. Their staff is professional and courteous and friendly. Don’t you just love it when your traveling At least one overnight stay by a non-resident Rank Destination Percent who visited in the last 12 months 1 New York City, NY 16.0% 2 Las Vegas, NV 14.3% 3 San Francisco, CA 12.9% 4 Los Angeles/\Vest Hollywood, CA 11.9% 5 Ft. Lauderdale/Wilton Manors, FL 10.5% 6 Palm Springs, CA 10.1% 7 Chicago, IL 9.2% 8 San Diego, CA 8.8% 9 Washington, DC 8.6% 10 Miami/South Beach, FL (tie) 8.2% 10 Orlando, FL (tie) 8.2% "Community Marketing’s studies are unique in the tourism industry," McHugh said. "Other studies try to rank gay friendliness or popularity, but this study actually quantifies the bottom line: Where did gay and lesbian consumers go and spend their money?" Most-Visited International DestinationsRank Destination Percent who visited in the last 12 months 1 London 8.4% 2 Puerto Vallarta 7.6% 3 Paris 6.2% 4 Vancouver 6.1% 5 Montreal 5.9% 6 Toronto 5.6% 7 US Virgin Islands 5.1% 8 Cancun 5.0% 9 Puerto Rico 4.8% 10 Rome 4.7% Respondents indicated that they chose leisure destinations because friends recommended them, they offer unique attractions, and are known for their gay-friendliness. "Clearl),, when destinations show gay and lesbian visitors a good time, that is the best advertising investment they can make," said McHugh. "Word of mouth marketing is very powerful among the gay and lesbian community. It’s not enough to slap a rainbow on an ad and call it a day. The most successful destinations ~vork with their tourism and hospitality partners to earn that kind of loyalty and referral. This is accomplished through education, training, and offering a genuinely gay-welcoming social and political atmosphere." and everything goes smoothly? But once in a while it doesn’t and you have a choice to make ........... either accept it or do something about it. And it is YOUR choice! Life is to short to settle on anything less than fabulous! Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol. com/gaytravelers www.ozarksstar.com Ouotab e Quotes "Gayest Democratic convention ever? A record 16 percent of delegates to the Democratic National Committee’s platform committee for the Denver convention are LGBT", says Howard Dean. The STAR 23 ���By Ronald Blake Exercise can make you bigger, stronger, and faster. These are the obvious results from a fertile regimen of physical activity. There are other benefits from exercise that are sure to have the neighbors stand up and take notice. Exercise can stimulate new growth of neurons and even help you to keep the neurons that you possess. Neurons are those little things in your body that transport messages throughout your legs, arms, torso, and head. They are good to have around if you yearn to communicate and learn. This comes as good news to those of you who destroyed countless neurons in your previous existence as an irresponsible college student ~vith that degree in undecided. There is hope for you debaucherous mongrels and physical activity is certainly one answer. Faster reaction times can be attributed to exercise. You will be able to hit baseballs thrown at ninety-five miles per hour. You will be able to dodge bullets from Tony Soprano’s goombahs. You will be able to more effectively bob and weave through the one-two combination of Oscar DeLaHoya. You might even be able to negotiate better in traffic on the 666 Freeway on your route to work on Mondays. Can I get an "amen" to more effective reaction times due to running, walking, and double-dutching? Mental challenges become mere child’s play in response to the dashing good looks of Mr. Exercise. Yes, exercise has been known to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Even Albert Einstein was spotted riding bicycles and frolicking along the ocean during his sojourn on this planet. These physical exertions were rumored to have led to his great theories on relativity. You might just settle for solving the complexities of a Rubik’s cube or that set of instructions on putting your barbecue grill together. 26 the STAR Your memory can behold the effects of a good physical fitness program. There is a site in your brain called the hippo campus that can enlarge in mass and reap the goodness of jumping jacks and other means of physical activities. This enlargement of the hippo campus translates into better memory and possibly the ability to treat Alzheimer’s patients. ~aink of all the time you waste trying to recall where you placed your cell phone, keys, black socks, or W2 form from work. Start using that wasted time on exercise that will jump start that short-term memory compartment. Your mood can be positively impacted by the release of neurotrophins. These chemicals are released when you decide to participate in an active lifestyle. They rush into your system and make you feel happy and vivacious. Consider reaching for your roller blades instead of that sleeve of Girl Scout mints to turn that frown upside down the next time you are grumpy. Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows everywhere will be your reward. If we all reconvene in another five years, it is quite likely that ongoing research will show even more benefits of the brain and exercise combination. Keep sweating to the oldies with Richard Simmons and know that good things will always follow. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. This column is brought to you by that guy who prefers to frame a collage of one dollar bills instead of framing that replica of"Starry Night" from Michaels. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be reached www. goblakefitness.com. �erupts in Auso Jesus 9 ay SYDNEY (AFP) -- Australian church leaders have condemned a play shortly to open in Sydney depicting Jesus as a gay man who is seduced by Judas, a report said Sunday. INTE ATIONAL GAY SC ENPLAY CONTEST- 10th ANNIVERSARY Apart from the relations between Jesus and Judas, the play also features Jesus conducting a gay marriage between two apostles. HOLLYWOOD, CA (PR) __ The ONE IN TEN SCREENPLAY CONTEST, a screenplay contest dedicated to the positive portrayal of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trangender and queer individuals in film, celebrates it’s 10th anniversary in 2008. Entries are nmv being accepted online and are limited to the first 300 for 2008. Executive Director, David Jensen, "We are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary and are looking at a record number of entries this year. We are continually amazed with the quality of talent that comes through the door year after year." Jensen continues, "\Ve receive entries from around the globe and Hollywood is taking notice in a very big way. Many of our past winners are now hard working screenwriters" The play’s director Leigh Rowney, who claims to be a Christian, accepted the play would offend some Christians but said he was keen to provoke debate about Christianity. The ONE IN TEN SCREENPLAY CONTEST has gained respect and notoriety from Hollywood studios, agents and producers. Entries for 2008 are being accepted online at: www.OnelnTenScreenplayContest.com "I wanted this play in the hands of a Christian person like myself to give it dignity but still open it up to answering questions about Christianity as a faith system," Rowney was quoted saying. Prizes for 2008 include cash, industry exposure and merchandise. The 2008 One In Ten Screenplay Contest is sponsored by: Cherub Productions, Final Draft Inc., scr(i)pt magazine, www.inktip.com, www. TopFilmFestivals.com, www.ScreenplayContests.com and Jungle Software. Xhe play, named Corpus Christi, is due to open next month as part of the city’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney’s SunHerald newspaper reported. A senior Sydney churchman called the play "historical nonsense". "It is deliberately, not innocently, offensive and they’re obviously having a laugh about it," Robert Forsyth, Anglican bishop of South Sydney, was quoted saying. Playwright Terrence McNally, who is gay, received death threats when the work was performed in the United States, the newspaper said. The submission deadline for 2008 ONE IN TEN SCREENPLAY CONTEST is September 1, 2008. Entry forms are available online through the contest website: www.OnelnTenScreenplayContest.com. Entry forms may also be obtained through the mail by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to: CHERUB PRODUCTIONS One In Ten Screenplay Contest Post Office Box 540 Boulder, Colorado 80306 (303) 629-3072 www.screenplaycontests.com E-mai!: Cherubfilm@aol.com www.ozarksstar.com Community for People living with 50! c (~) Non P~ofi[ Orga~ation Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HtV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. Quotable Quotes More than 90 percent of gays and lesbians vote in U.S. presidential elections, compared to 64 percent of straight citizens. Queer folk are twice as likely as straight folk to vote in midterm elections. Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI), a leading LGBT market research company. the STAR 27 �As Mercury lines up with the Sun in Aquarius, everyone is a bit more know-it-all and too damn clever for his or her own good. Try to be adaptive, open-minded, and a good listener, and you will be much smarter - however discreetly - than the people voicing their grand ideas. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Friends who seem relentless in urging you on are actually doing you a favor. You’re capable of more than you realize. Going it alone would weaken you. Let them help you, and you’ll go far! TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Question authority, but pay attention to what those in power say. Expert advice needs some expansion and clarification, and asking for that will prove advantageous. Asking questions doesn’t make you look foolish, but not asking them when you should will! SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Insisting that you’re right only exposes more glaringly where you’re wrong. Try to keep an open mind, and remember what basic principles are really important. Adapt with new conditions and new ideas to keep up! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Adaptability is not only an enduring value, it is one of your sign’s best attributes. New ideas that seem to be an affront to your sensibilities can prove very helpful, and will eventually affirm the values they seem to attack. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): You’re getting a birthday bolt of fabulosity in which anything could happen, and you’ll make sure it will. Thrive on the attention, but take a little time out to charge your batteries. Let yourself be surprised. Really surprised. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Working behind the scenes, especially in a charitable effort, will be to your advantage. The political connections will be obvious, but there will be more surprising benefit!! GEMINI (May 21 - Jun~ 20): You’re itching for a power struggle. Playing it out in the bedroom can release that energy so your uppity impulses don’t make trouble for you at work. Or focus and harness that energy more deliberately at work, if you can! CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your mouth is running way ahead of your brain and your good sense. Try to stick to places where a lack of inhibition and tasteful restraint can work to your favor. Anywhere else, slow down and think about what you’re saying. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Your partner - in life or in the moment - will offer some kinky new possibilities, expanding your erotic horizons. If your sweetie is drawing a blank in that department, start talking about tattoos and body art. Just discussing it should stimulate the imagination. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): New approaches at work can make your job more productive and enjoyable. You have some great ideas, but don’t be so insistent on doing things your own way. Colleagues will offer surprising inspiration. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): A new approach to your favorite sport or hobby can make it a lot more fun and/or creative. Ask yourself how Morn or Granny would approach it, whether you choose to follow that example or take a diametrically opposite approach. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): If you can manage to have some fun with your family, you’ll be amazed at what secrets will be revealed in the process. Stand your ground gently in arguments, agreeing to disagree, and even more will come out! MC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! 28 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �DOWNTOWN PLAZA of TULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 x~wv.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 susanlhar tman@gmail.com JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESS\grAy Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 vcww.c21 goldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesclub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com www.ozarksstar.corn CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.clubmajestictutsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW" 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 www.realacceptance.com OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1 st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 MCC of the LIVING SPRING 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pro NW ARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WWW..NWAGLBTCC.ORG (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: Address: City:. St: Zip: Phone: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: 29 �\Vc’hether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. ~.~kansas GLBT Community Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC. ORG 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �:hart \~;’.lLam ShakcsFea~;:. ,she ,~. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 �°Aid � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & D~VERSE market. Cal~ STAR ADVERTiSiNG today. (918}835o7887 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com OKLAHOMA PR£SIDENTIAL PRIMARY FEBRUARY 5 MAKE YOURVOTE COUNT By Victor Gorin Photo: ~ctor Gorin registering Thomas Bishop to vote in OKC Ifyou are registered as a Republican or Democrat in Oklahoma, soon it will be time to cast your vote to select your party favorite for our next president. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and your polling place is on your voter card. You may vote early from 8 a.m. unti! 6 p.m. Friday February 1 and Monday February 4, and from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday February 2. Call your local election board for your early voting site. Ifyou have lost your voter card, you may still vote if you are registered, and this you can find out by calling your local election board, who can also provide your polling place. In Oklahoma County that number is 713-1515, Tulsa County 596 5787. Although they appear on the Democratic ballot, 2 candidates have dropped from the race, Bill Richardson and Christopher Dodd. On the Republican ballot, Tom Tancredo appears on the ballot even though he has dropped from the race. Independent voters cannot vote for a presidential candidate in this Oklahoma election. However, you may have school board races that you can vote for, so be sure to check that out. Vote February 5 and make our voice heard. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 SAINT VA~N~’~ The origin and history ofSaint Valentine’s A Night in the Palace ofVersailles, Barony of all Oklahoma crowns 1st Czar & Czarina. Dennis R. Neill Equality Center presents art by Jessica Newman. ~ DEEP ~S~D~: HOLL~OOD NEW: Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on new projects for Paul Rudd and Nathan Lane. Through his dedication and courage, black gay anti-apartheid activist Simon Tseko Nkoli played a key role in the fight for GLBT liberation and human rights for people with HIV/AIDS. Devre Jackson reviews Cabernet Sauvignon. ~~ C~AO TRAVEL Gay Travelers: Oklahoma City Out of Town: Savannah, GA Dining In or OUT Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Czar I Philtip Parker & Czarina I Kris Cherri Kohl 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Valentine’s Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel’was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. The good Saint Valentine (photo above) was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius I1. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, around the year 270. At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom indeed, to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed.The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine’s Day for the celebration of this new feast. So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the com- ~year, arose in this way. ..... ~, www.ozarksstar.com JoNin Gay & Lesbian Center To Ho d VNentines Fundraiser JOPLIN, MO (P/R) __ In support of equal civil marriage for gays and lesbians and "Freedom To Marry Week", the Joplin Gay and Lesbian Center invites the GLBT community to a Valentines reception and dance February 14th, 2008 7:00 pm to 1:30 am. The event will be held at Groove Lounge, 2331 East 7th Street in Joplin. Dance to the music of the house DJ, enjoy a Wedding Cake and cash bar. A $5.00 donation per person at the door will go to support the Joplin Gay and Lesbian Center. For more information contact Director Lee McDaniel 417-622-7821 or email gaylesbiancenter@gmail.com Website www.mYspace.com/gaylesbiancenter Recognized by Keller Williams ,- For outstanding achievement 2005 and 2006 Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 REALIOr~ V/hether buying or selling I’ll work hardforyou. the STAR 5 Acceptance o£GAYS and LESBIANS In addition to loosing weight is he getting a homo-friendly face-lift? OKLAHO/vlA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma City Mayor Cornett proclaims an official day for Ellen DeGeneres’s birthday and this is coming from a man who previously never meet a gay man or woman he liked. Well, I have a bridge in Brooklyn, too. \Vhen it’s Cornett’s political agenda being advanced then he’s comfortable ~vith appearing on the famous lesbian Ellen DeGeneres’s TV show as he did on January !7th. Could his self-serving appearance also have anything to do with the National Conference of Mayors having their 2010 annual meeting in OKC? Is he trying to get a homo-friendly face-lift as well as lose weight in order to make himself more attractive for re-election? Did his failed attempt at running for Congress show him the error of his ways or just point him to another snake-oil strategy? Now, in order to show that Mayor Cornett is exercising all his Christian sincerity of turning the other cheek, will he propose a human rights commission with legal force that can be approved by the City Council so that cases of gay/lesbian harassment and discrimination can be handled with respect and the intention of making life better for all of OKC’s taxpaying citizens? I’m not a Christian and I’ve turned both of my cheeks, upper and lower, for the last time to self-serving politicians who use gay people for their own ends and then dispose of them like a fast food clam shell. Just How Vulgar W- ll a Desperate Candidate Get? OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Not wanting to get too explicit about basic human sexual techniques, I can’t help notice that so much of human disagreement at a low level of public conversation comes down to either analogous or physical illustrations of body penetration in a sexual context. We’ve seen with Mike Huckabee, a man who wants to lead one of the most powerful countries in the world, that he’s willing to stoop to a tow level of vernacular public language in order to attract the flat-earth variety of voter who believes in a geo-centric 6,000 year-old earth. His remarks about putting a flag pole where the sun doesn’t shine regarding the South Carolina Confederate flag controversy is one example. The instance of Huckabee’s rallying mantras is a perfect example that he, suffused with the self-reflecting love of his self-constructed Jay-sus, is not immune, rather he uses it ki~owingly to inflame his redneck followers to greater heights of cooperation in their own submission to the destructive force of religion. Yes, human power can operate at the lowest level of human respect for those ,vho disagree with us and the fastest way to connect with many people is to graphically use the example of rape towards the perceived enemy. A frustrated Vice-president Dick Cheney used the same tactic in referring to Senator Patrick Leahy with a vulgar act of self-stimulation in the Senate chamber. Just as violent rape ofwomen by men is described as an attempt at power, with nothing to do with lust, so is the use of sexual penetration by antagonists used to inculcate their ideas of power and superiority at the basest level of human society. A thinking voter should reject such a candidate immediately. 6 the STAR ~wv.ozarksstar.com AskAbout Our Suites WV~N.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 ince 1982 Ms. Kris Kohl in the "Painted Ladies" Show Friday, February’ 15th & 29th, @lOpm. Cover charge $5.00 single, $8.00 per Couple. Mention this ad and receive 1 FREE drink coupon per room. t 7 West 7th Street 8 the STAR & Boulder Ave) ® Tulsa, Ok 74119 e plazatulsa.€om www.ozarksstar.com byJoeyDe TULSA, OK __ Playing dress up may be child’s play, but for the Royal Green Country Barony ofAll of Oklahoma, it is a welcomed break to hours of hard work. A member of the International Imperial Court System, the RGCBAO is a philanthropic organization with a government system and titles inspired by Victorian alty. In an Adornment Ceremony at the Holiday Inn Select in Tulsa on Jan. 12, the RGCBAO crowned their first Czar and Czarina, Phillip Parker and Kris Cherri Kohl (respectively). A non-partisan organization, the Royal Green Country Barony of All Oklahoma seeks to further the mission of the International Court System by uniting not only the gay community, but the entire community of Oklahoma, gay and straight, regardless of ethnicity or other discriminating factors. ~he barony works to raise funds for charitable causes and work for equality within the realm it covers. To begin the evening, Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas, welcomed Oklahoma into the international family and described what they had "gotten themselves into." "You see all this (pageantry) and wonder about it, remember it’s all in camp. We may call each other Barons and Baronesses, but we are all equals," began the matriarch, who explained the organization’s pre- Stonewall San Francisco founding. She described the court system as one of the oldest and largest organizations in GLBT history. "When a gay man, Jose, declared that he wanted to be called an ’Empress’ after being crowned the queen of the Tavern Guild’s drag ball, he didn’t know what he started at the time." Through out the course of the evening, many other individuals who contributed to the founding of the RGCBAO were recognized, as well as those who have assumed leadership positions in the organization. This included the Privy Counsel (Board of Directors) comprised of Deb Starnes, Jim Ray, Scot Brown, Marc Acuff, and Photo Above: Czar IPhillip Parker & Czarina I Kris Cherri Kohl Lynn Whitley. Additionally was the Crown Grand Marquis Roger Francis and Crown Grand Marquesa Dominique La Rue. Also acclaimed as a key founder was Christian Cherri O’Donely Vaughn LaFleur Dior. Entertainment for the evening was provided by entertainers from across Oklahoma and beyond, q-his included the cast of "Twisted Theatre," Tim Conroy, Catia Lee Love, Empress The Lovely Suzanne, Empress Syren Vaughn, Empress Victoria Weston, Matthew Heath Fitzgerald, Tabitha Taylor, Rebbeca Tucker and Leonard Jenkins. Through all the dresses and crowns, the evening assumed a sense of decorum, but through the words of those on stage, it maintained a level of fun and frivolity that turned it into a true celebration. By the end of the evening, the Royal Green Country Barony of Oklahoma had demonstrated that they knew how to have a good time, but had made it clear they were ready to begin the hard work of providing leadership to and creating unity among the citizens of their relm. w~v.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 By Donald Pile and Pray Williams " Surrounded by Insanity" by Robert A. Hofmann We have just read a new book, "Surrounded by Insanity" by Robert A. Hofmann and it is one of those books that once you begin reading it, you won’t want to put it down until you have completely finished. It is absolutely hilarious! It is a biographical story of the author’s experiences thru his life with his early childhood and growing up with friends and family. Robert grew up in New Jersey and what a wild and crazy and wonderful life he has had. Between his family and his friends, he guides the reader thru many exciting episodes of his life. It is wickedly bitchy and hilarious! Everyone in Robert’s life so far is a participant in this wonderfully funny and provocative story of his life. It begins with his birth and goes thru two years ago when he was staying at the wonderful Grand Resort in Ft. Lauderdale when Hurricane Wilma hit in 2006 leaving everybody without power for several days. q-his is a "must read" for gay men all over the country. You will laugh at nearly every page! Robert knows exacdy what his readers want to hear and he writes in such a great way. He writes openly what many of us say behind our backs. One of our favorite parts of the book is when he talks about "prespeaking", as in, "Dinner. That is where we should go" and "Glad for you! That is what I am." Days after reading this, we are still catching ourselves "prespeaking". Hopefully we and our friends will get tired of it eventually but it is fun for a while. We don’t know if his family and friends are still speaking to him or not but they should be happy that he loves them so much that he can be so open and flank about them. He would indeed be a good friend of have. Hopefully we will get to meet him sometime in the near future. He left some extra copies of his book at the Grand Resort for guests to read and everyone can’t wait to get their hands on his book. We promise that you will laugh your head off:page after page after page. "Surrounded by Insanity" is published by Publish America and may be purchased through all major bookstores (if they don’t have it in stock, they’ll order it for you) or from www.amazon.com or www.publishamerica. com. We didn’t ~vant the book to end but thankfully, Robert is already in the process of coming out with his second book. As Robert says, " I live in fabulous, flaming, freakin" New Jersey. Woo-hoo. I am an attorney by day, writer by evening, superhero in the bedroom." Just keep up the great writing Robert! CLUB MAJESTIC TULSA TO HOST MR. OKLAHOMA CONTINENTAL 2008 PAGEANT By Greg Steele TULSA, OK __ Hot bodies and great talent will be the main course at Club Majestic Friday February 15th at 9pro. The show will feature an all male contest with guest entertainment from across the country. The feature entertainer will be Rasean Montrese Mr. Continental Nationals 2007 and hosted by Danielle Hunter Miss Continental Elite Nationals 2007. In addition to the contestant line up an impressive array of talent will be on stage to make your Friday Night at Club Majestic an evening to remember. Mr. Oklahoma 2007 Sevion Simpson, Mr. 2006 Nationals Simba Hall, Miss Oklahoma Continental 2007 Adrianna and introducing Mr. 2005 Nationals Tony DeSario. Club Majestic is located at 124 N. Boston in the Brady Arts District. 2-he latest on Britney Spears is that she is in training to become a high profile lesbian, being coached by famous lesbian convert Ellen DeGeneres. DeGeneres told the website www.thespoof.com "Britney is making great progress. I have every confidence she will make an excellent lesbian in time" 10 the STAR www.ozarksstar,com essica Newman art e hibit at Dennis R. Neill Equality Center (TULSA, OK (P/R) __ "~e Dennis R. Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Tnursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-9pm, "lhursday, February 7, 2008, for the opening of it’s February exhibit, featuring oil paintings and fine drawings by artist Jessica Newman. Newman, born in California in 1985, has been a resident ofTulsa since the age of 10. Jessica started drawing at a very young age, and really became involved in art during high school, when she took her first art class in the ninth grade. ~his is where she was introduced to a variety of art supplies, and began experimenting with different media. Since graduating high school in 2003, she has continued studying art in college, and plans on graduating as an art major. Jessica has always been fascinated by the human body, which is the theme of most of her work. She currently works with pencil, watercolors, and oil paints, but charcoal is her medium of choice. Her art has been shown at the Mayfest Youth Gallery, as well as at the Blue Dome Arts Festival. The exhibit will remain up through the month of February, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rightsfor Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Cente~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 SIDE De~ Inside ;~otlywoo4 rqo~ on n~wprojectsfor PaulRuddand Nathan ~ane. Nathan Lane Casts Swing Vote Hds acting up a storm on Broa&vay right now with Laurie Met~f in the new D~vid Mamet play, November, but stage fixture Nathan Mewill be back on the big screen this new year, too, with a role in the ensemble comedy Swing ~v~te. Starring Kevin Cosmer ~ a low-achieving, apolitic~l American citizen, tl~ movie concerns a presidentia! election that hinges entirely on Cosmer’s not-entirelywelMnformed vote and the n~tional ch~os that results from it. L~ne will co-star, along with Definis Hopper, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, George Lopez, Mare Winningham, *~Vi!lie Nelson, and politiCal comment~)or A~ianna Hut~ngton ~s herse!£ Already wrapp~[, the film - if audiences vote for it v~ith their ticket dollars - could find itselfincieasing poll turnoutsSBut not likely, Paul Rudd You, Man ~rotagonists express- - signal the beginning t ofheterosexual male intimacy? movie, I love by Judd Apatow (v¢hose willingness to "go in films like The Obiect of " " well documented), the best he considers close enough to fill. as the poor spring, here’s t Larry: Like ransamerican Love ready for Transamerican Love a 36-year-old ~ with an Girl). Addams will ~ of men competing to date her formerly male body. Contrast About Miriam, on which told about Miriam’s transgender a bold step for the reality televicomic Alec Mapa wilt host the show by gay cable channel Logo. The in 2008. 12 the STAR www.ozarksstar, corn DEEP INSXDE HOLLYWOOD Choosing America’s Prom Q een For further evidence that pop culture is now dominated by entertainment designed for the High School Musical demographic, !ook no further than Americas Pro Queen. ABC Family has given the go-ahead for the new series that will pit a group of high school-aged young women against each other in the quest to be the fairest prom queen of them all. The contestants will reside in a mansion and compete in challenges that will show if they’ve got what it takes to wear a tiara in public and vcave at less popular people; then they’ll stay or go based on viewer votes. But Romeo has one complaint: in an era when young men are routinely making the news after being voted prom queen at their school, why no boys allowed? Lesbian Musician Julie Schurr to Perform in Eureka Springs, Fayetteville and New Orleans. Romeo San Vicente - while in high school, mindyou - wa~" very popular with his share ofpmm kings. He can be reached care ofthis publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com. Regional MCC CMr&es Perform An Act ©fKin&ess In Tulsa JOPLIN, MO G/R) __ MCC United in Tulsa, OK was visited by Diva’s xvith Chain Saws as members of MCC of the Living Springs, Eureka Sprh~gs, AR and Spirit of Christ MCC; Joplin, MO arrived Saturday morning the 12th of January ready to work. MCC United has been dealing with damage on their property since an early, December ice storm devastated the area. There were still damaged trees that needed to be reduced to manageable size and trees that were potentially dangerous if not removed. Together with members of MCC United and their Pastor, Rev Carolyn Mobley the three churches xvere able to make short work of the remaining damage control and clean-up. Spirit of Christ MCC literally closed their doors and moved their worship to a program Rev Steve ca~s: "Faith in Action." "We are an oddity in MCC Churches in that we xvorship on Saturday mornings. As it is, we are ~knoxvn to replace worsNp with taking on Acts of Random Kindness to show what we believe is primary for us. As Christ served all people in need.., so should xve." Rev. Urie also pastors MCC of the Living Spring in Eureka Springs, AR and when he shared the needs he immediately received e-mails saying xve are going with you." We were totally blessed inasmuch as we had four chain saxvs in action, limbs fal~ng and people picking up the grounds with no injuries and everyone home safely. The group was blessed with a xvonderful lunch provided by MCC United and a musical Thank You provided in song by Rev. Carolyn. Across Regional boundaries and State Lines xve can all work together serving God by serving each other. EUREKA SPRINGS, AR __ Growing up, Julie Schurr never heard music that might have made life a little bit easier for a lesbian girl being raised in the strictly-proscribed constraints of a religiously conservative community and home. In fact, she wasn’t supposed to be listening to music at all. She wasn’t supposed to know what a lesbian was. Let alone BE one. An original creation, Julie Schurr’s fusion of musical styling and technique is all her own: Indierockbitchfolk. She’s been showcasing it to her fans in St. Imuis and Detroit, winning loyal converts. Now that she’s finished her degree & produced a full-length album, she just can’t imagine any other career path. So it’s a good thing that album sales are steadily rising and venues keep opening their doors. Julie will be out on tour and finishing up her 2nd album, which is planned for release in early 2008. Julie Schurr has headlined Pride and Coming Out day celebrations around the country and has been featured on Curvemag.com and in the Advocate. Her two hour performance will include acoustic music from her current album as well as her unique style of audience participation and comedy. Show tour locations listed below. Eureka Springs, Arkansas Baton Rouge, Louisiana Feb 9 2008 10:00P Feb 15 2008 8:00P Lumberyard Bar and Grille Hound Dog’s - Time TBA Fayetteville, Arkansas Feb 10 2008 8:30P Common Grounds New Orleans, Louisiana Feb 16 2008 9:30P Station 8801 More information on Julie can be found online at: www.julieschurr. corn or www.myspace.com/julieschurr. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 by Liz Highleyraan Past Out, which 100"ks at the life of South l frican gay activist Simon Nk01i, W-ho was Simon Nko li ? Soweto student uprising in the summer of 1976, he joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), the ~AaCrican National Congress (ANC), and the United Democratic Front (UDF). Fellow COSAS members debated removing him from his position of regional secretary when his sexual orientation became known, but a large majority ultimately voted in his favor. Long a~vare of his same-sex attractions, Nkoli began his first serious relationship at age 19, with a white bus driver. After Nkoli revealed this to his mother, she sent him to a series of local healers, a Christian priest, and finally a psychologist, who turned out to be gay himself and advised the lovers to live together - even if Nkoli had to pose as his partner’s servant to evade racial segregation laws. stance led the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) to suspend GASA for its failure to condemn apartheid, and the latter group soon collapsed. After his release, Nkoli co-founded the Gay and Lesbian Organization of the \vgitwatersrand - the country’s first genuinely integrated GLBT organization - and later the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality (now the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project). "I am black and I am gay," he proclaimed at the first South African Pride march in 1990. "I cannot separate the two parts ofme into secondary or primary struggle. They will be all one struggle." Nkoli traveled widely speaking about the situation in his country, served as an ILGA board member representing Africa, and earned numerous honors for his work. hrough his dedication and courage, black gay antiapartheid activist Simon Tseko Nkoli played a key role in the fight for GLBT liberation and human rights for people with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Nkoli was born in Soweto in November 1957. He spent part of his childhood living with his grandparents, tenant farmers on a white estate, before moving to Sebokeng township to join his mother and stepfather. Nkoli became an anti-apartheid activist at a young age. After multiple arrests for civil disobedience, including participation in the 14 the STAR In his early 20s, after coming out in an interview with a black newspaper, Nkoli joined the newly formed Gay Association of South Africa (GASA), which consisted mostly of middle-class white men. Resolutely apolitical, the group resisted Nkoli’s requests to hold social events at nonsegregated venues, leading him to form the Saturday Group, the country’s first black gay organization, in 1984. Around the same time, amid growing racial discord, Nkoli stepped up his anti-apartheid activism, helping organize a tenant rent strike in the town of Delmas. Charged with killing a man by throwing a rock during a protest, Nkoli was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned. Along with 21 other black activist leaders, he was tried in 1986 for the capital crimes of subversion, conspiracy, and treason. While in prison awaiting trial, Nkoli revealed his homosexuality to his co-defendants - ANC and UDF members who would later hold high-level positions in the post-apartheid government - and they came to respect and support him as a gay man. "This country wilt never protect the rights of its gay and lesbian citizens unless we stand up and fight - even when it makes us unpopular with our own comrades," he later wrote. Nkoli came out more publicly during the trial, when he used his attendance at a GASA meeting as an alibi to counter claims that he had been present at a clandestine political meeting. In 1988, the charges against him were dropped and he was released. During his imprisonment, Nkoli became a cause celebre for gay rights activists around the world, but he received minimal support from the accomodationist GASA. This Nkoli’s anti-apartheid activism and ties with movement leaders proved instrumental in winning the ANC’s support for gay rights. In 1994, he met with Nelson Mandela, whose election as president marked the end of the apartheid era. As the newly integrated country crafted its constitution, Nkoli lobbied for sexual orientation to be included in its anti-discrimination provisions, and also argued for repeal of sodomy laws. In 1996, South Africa became the first country to include explicit constitutional protection for GLBT people. A decade later, in fulfillment of a court mandate based on the constitution, the South African parliament legalized same-sex marriage. Yet even as the gay movement gained strength and the apartheid regime crumbled, the AIDS epidemic reached crisis proportions in the 1990s, reintensifying racism and homophobia. Having been diagnosed with HIV himself (likely contracted in prison), Nkoli turned his focus to AIDS activism, co-founding groups including the Positive African Men’s Project and the Township AIDS Project. As the decade wore on, Nkoli experienced increasing bouts of ill health; he died of an AiDS-related infection on November 30, 1998, in the company of his long-time partner, Roderick Sharp. Though Nkoli himself was not able to benefit from effective new HIV drugs, his work for universal treatment access inspired fellow gay and anti-apartheid activist Zackie Achmat to form the Treatment Action Campaign, which today is widely regarded as the strongest AIDS activist group in the world. www.ozarksstar.com DNC ELECTS R£CORD NUMBER OF LGBT MEMBERS TO 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CON NTION STANDING COMMITTEES Appointments Reflect Strength, Diversity and Energy ofDemocratic Party DENVER, CO (P/R) __ The Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) unanimously elected DNC Chairman Howard Dean’s nominations for the Chairs and members of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Standing Committees, including a record number of openly LGBT members. Dean’s LGBT appointments include Dr. Marjorie Hill of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis organization in New York, Diego Sanchez from AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, State Representative Patricia Todd ofAlabama, and Ingrid Duran ofVirginia to serve on the Platform Committee, along with Claire Lucas and Evan Low of California to the Rules Committee and Bob Rogan of Vermont to the Credentials Committee. In addition to appointing a record number of LGBT standing committee members, Dean was also the first DNC chair to appoint a member of the transgender community to a Convention committee. The Standing Committees of the Convention are responsible for reviewing Convention business and formulating recommendations for consideration by Convention delegates. The Executive Committee’s vote took place during the panel’s recent meeting in Denver, site of the four-day Convention in August. "The record turnout and enthusiasm we’ve seen for our Democratic candidates is a clear sign that Americans trust Democrats to bring much needed change to our country," said Governor Dean. "These outstanding leaders reflect the great strength, diversity and energy of the Democratic Party, and I’m confident their efforts will ensure our Convention in Denver is reflective of our shared values and our nominee’s vision for America." The elections included the Chairs and 25 Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) members of the three Convention Standing Committees: Credentials, Platform and Rules. Each committee has a total of 186 members. An additional 161 members elected by each of the states’ and territories’ Convention delegations wil! join Governor Dean’s appointments to the committees later this spring. For a full list of and biographical information on the Chairs and PLEO members from each Standing Committee, visit http:llwww.demconvention.comlalstandingcommittees. pdf. Credentials Committee The Credentials Committee is charged with coordinating issues around the selection of delegates and alternates to the Convention and will likely meet in the summer. The committee will issue a report that is the first official item of business at the Convention. Platform Committee The Platform Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a proposed National Platform for approval at the Convention. After conducting hearings and forums to collect testimony on issues and policies to potentially include in the platform, the committee is likely to meet sometime in July. Rttles Committee The Rules Committee is responsible for proposing the Permanent Rules for the Convention, adopting the proposed Convention agenda and making recommendations for permanent Convention officers - all addressed as the second official item of business at the Convention. The committee will meet sometime in August, prior to the Convention. Huckabee ir ks gay sex to bestiality, abortion to slavery WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Republican presidential hopeful and former Baptist pastor Mike Huckabee linked gay sex to bestiality and abortion to slavery in an interview Thursday, explaining why, if elected, he would try to amend the constitution. "Marriage has ... as long as there’s been human history, meant a man and a woman in a relationship for life. Once we change that definition, then where does it go from there?" he asked in an interview with online "Beliefnet" magazine. "Well, I don’t think that’s a radical view, to say we’re going to affirm marriage. I think the radical view is to say that we’re going to change the definition of marriage so that it can mean two men, two women, a man and three women, a man and a child, a man and animal," he added. "The Bible was not written to be amended. The Constitution was," he said, announcing his intention to amend the document if he were to be elected president in November to ban abortion and establish that life begins at the moment of conception. Leaving it up to individual states to outlaw abortion within their own borders is not enough, he said. "That’s again the logic of the Civil War -- that slavery could be okay in Georgia but not okay in Massachusetts. Obviously we’d today say, ’Well, that’s nonsense. Slavery is wrong, period. It can’t be right somewhere and wrong somewhere else.’ Same with abortion," Huckabee said. Huckabee won the Iowa Republican caucuses earlier this month, the first contest in the race for each party’s nomination to run for the White House. He is in second place behind Arizona Senator John McCain in opinion polls for Saturday’s primaries in South Carolina. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 Brief history Cabernet Sauvignon, like all noble wine grape varieties, is of the species VitiS ~inifera, and genetic studies in 1997 indicated it is the result of a cross between Cabemet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon is most directly associated with the wines of Bdrdeaux~ and especially those of its Left Ba~k, which ncludes the top tier appellations of St.-Estephe, Pauillac, St.-Julien; and Margaux, among others. It makes Up the majority portion of the blends of all of the Grand Cru wines of the 1855 classification. In Bordeaux, blending is comm0n With ! !e other allowable varietals: Merlot, cabe~ et Franc, Pettlt Verdot, and Malbec. Cabal ~et Sauvignon is also cultivated in other ~i~i as in France, notably LanguedocTRousillor and has great acclaim the wodd Over. .... California is after BOrdeaux as the wodd’s largest grower of Cabemet Sauvignon. This grape is found mostly in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. In Calif6mi~, the area of Cabemet Sauvignon planting doubled in the 1990s. As in Bordeaux, it is often blended with Franc to produce wo ton, " ’ the lower Yakima Valley. In late 2006, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology published the result of studies conducted at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine that showed the beneficial relationship of Cabernet Sauvignon in reducing the dsk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The stud trol, a compound found reduce levels of amyloid beta pe-t des which attack brain ce Is an.... At heady $10 a bottlel ddnks like a cab twice p. , ,, ...... u, ~.~ the coSL Thi~ Cabernet presents itse f with a par[ or wna[ causes Alzne~mer s. in snort nose Of bourbon-soake~ Cherries with a finish of wewine enthusiasts can enjoy drinking to chbcotate and Cedar. our good health. ........... Magnificen~Wine COmpany House Wine Columvar e a ol s nc on bia ~/alley 05 wwwlMagnificentVVine,com Cabemet Sauvignon has a well defined ~rnrn~a In Old ~J~rld wine~ n~rficularlv Cabemet Sauvignon 54% Medot 30% Syrah those made n Bordeaux th s s charac- 11Yo, Mabec3% Franc2~{~ ¯ Grea" ble - - f -- " "" ~ d t -eat I ~ naana or~nepnce [’snar oD . tensed by a smel of blackcurrant, cedar ’ and spice. New Wodd wines of this grape Cono Sur Cab/Carmenere Chile ’06 are more often dominated by aromas of v~zw.ConoSur.com ~ oak, pepper and earth. smell of This organic wine offers a robust, fruit- filled m wines made in nose of raspberry & plum most character- The palate reveals a flaVorfu nutty taste and rm-climate examples is has a long finish. rings of t wine. ~ne. Cabs ~eese5 s Dadoush Duet Napa ’04 ~.dadoush.com A blend of Cabemet and Shiraz Enticing aromas of blackberry with a coffee bean and a finish Of nutmeg & white pepper best descdbe this wine, Irony Cabernet Napa ’03 w~w.lronyWine.€om This is a b0ld and complex wine, which reflects the melding Of ~nique ~haractedstics from pdme vineyards in Sever&l different Napa appellations. Tobacco Cocoa and bright red berry characters make this a red wine to ~njoy. And as always, I say go to your favodte wine shop, ask qdestion~ and p~rchase a bottle or two. Share Some food & wine with friends and check it out for yourself. Complex aromas from hazelnut finish. cassis clove/ Mr. D als0 hosts wine & food events as the Wine Enthusiasts of Tulsa, the BTAR :~ww.ozarksstar.com by Donald Pile and Ray CITyo In our travels to both the East Coast and the West Coast everyone alwa:ys asks the same question to us. V?here ro par.ry in the Midwest? we a!ways tell them the best two places to part? areTuAsa and Oklahoma City. It is hard for most people on both coast to believe, but unless you have been there you certainly wit! not believe that in the Bible belt ofOHahoma is this fabulous gay mecca. month we told you about Tulsa and this month we ~2e telling you about Oklahon~a City. We have been going to Oklahoma City to party for over 25 veals. "Ihe HABAN~ INN Resort has been a gay resort for over 25 years. It is the Midwest’s largest at! gay resort. A two story complex with ov& 175 rooms, most ofwhich tS_ce one of the two swimming pools. The rooms are spacious and vmT inexpensive. It is a totally gay resort. Lush tropical plants and trees surround the poo! areas. Gays fron-t all over the midwest as well as both coasts have been going there for years, and it is busy 7 days a week, not juston weekends. Lounge around the pool area and you are sure ~o meet that "someone specia!". They are located 2200 NW 39rh Expressway and their toll free number is 1.800.988.2221. Within a block of the Habana Inn resort you wilt find about 4 more gay bars c~tering to different tastes. A major grocery store is just one block away as are several other restaurants. A cab ride from the akport costs less one blo& west of the intersection of Penn and interstate 1-44 and is easy to find. Within the resort complex they have a wonderful restaurant than $20.00. The ......i fi d HABANA INN Gushers whmh has a great ambiance and serves dehc ous oo , and is reasonable priced. "Itae restaurant overlooks one of the pod resort is located areas so you cim enjoy the bovs frolicking in the pool as you are dining. They also offe~ sandwich~s, soups, salads, pastas and appetizers, add a breakfast menu is available on weekends. There are three bars in the Habana Inn complex which are completely different. COPA is a dance, disco and drag bar. WeeNy they have male dancers, drag shows and comedians. FINISHLtNE Plus. there are is a c0untrylwestern bar with plenty of countiT dancing. ~t~is is the a lot of siOits to place to se~ the real cowboys and cowgirls in action. THE LEDO is see in Oklahoma ~ quiet piano bar. All the bartenders are super friendly and they all City, The Cowboy kn~w h~w to make out of towners feel right at home. The owner of Hail of Fame has the bars and restaurant is to be commended for his outstanding job artifacts ,~ ! ’ ! , i, i [ ¯ . !otsofoil the west is do things like this. Just a couple doors away from the Habana Inn is ANGLES ar 21 t7 N.\V. 39th St.. Their website is: w~,~w.anglesclub. For more ~ corn habanainn.com and Also in the resort is J UNGLE RED, an adult gift shop with magazines, videos, cards, gifts, leather, Pride items plus a lot of decorative items for the home. ma’s Gay Website: ww~.ozarksstar.com ?dways remember to have fun when ratk to everyone! 18 the STAR by Donald Pile and Ray Williams ONLY sto ger-a-way~ check i~ out the Inn at 410, w~:410.com have the most um~sua! and exciting, and B. ~eit rooms world! The Vi!lag~ St. and you just cannot Steve owns the Gaslight a long And in Palm Metwn’s Restaurant, ~vw.inglesideinn.com www.ozarkssiar.com some ju~st simply pe~ection t00% of pecial "TI~KS" ’!egance in dining. dodt skimp on gets around and emails from our readers asking if ALWAYS have a about~ m be one that we have ever seen! ’gqth ~a Wetl as travelers all time however. A the closest gay" t this a used condom under the ....Con~ued page 23 broken 4 they also seem to be the STAR 19 Downtown Savannah) historic district is abundant withfine shops and restaurants, including the innovative Sapphire Grill, one ofthe city’s top eateries. (P,6oto by Andrew Collins) Georgi After years of lagging behind nearby Charleston in popularity, historic Savannah soared to new heights in the ’90s and remains one of the nation’s hottest destinations. Much of the city’s renaissance had do to with the staggering popularity ofJohn Berendt’s best-seller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, whose droll yet salacious account of Savannah society propelled the city into a gay hotspot almost overnight. The jewel of Georgia’s lazily enchanting seacoast, Savannah was founded in 1733 by British General James Oglethorpe, who designed the perfect grid of streets and grassy tree-shaded squares for which this city of 130,000 is still famous. Savannah prospered as a silk exporter during its first century, before developing into one of the world’s major cotton suppliers. Much of downtown consists of elaborate brick and stucco Victorian buildings built following an 1820 fire that destroyed many of the city’s beautiful wood-frame Colonial homes. Had General Sherman not spared Savannah during his notorious and destructive "March to the Sea," most of these Victorian structures would also have been burned. Begin your explorations of the city inside the restored 1860s rail terminal that houses both the Savannah Visitor Information Center and the Savannah History Museum. This complex is at the southwestern edge of historic downtown. From here it’s a short walk north to City Market, a three-block pedestrian mall with a handful of gay-friendly shops and restaurants. Downtown Savannah’s shopping scene continues to evolve from traditional to fashion-forward - a Marc by Marc Jacobs flagship store opened here in April 2007, and many contemporary boutiques and art galleries now line the city’s oak-shaded streets. Near City Market, you’ll find the gay disco, Club One, which is the performing home ofThe Lady Chablis, who figured so prominently in The Book, as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is commonly referred to by locals. Plenty of folks come to Savannah to seek out the sites that were brought to life in this mesmerizing tale (although it is nonfiction, The Book reads like a delicious novel). Ofpartictflar note is the privately owned Mercer House, in which Midnight’s central figure, antiques dealer Jim Williams, shot and killed his young lover, Danny Hansford, in 1981 (the question of whether Williams fired in self-defense or as a calculated act of murder is debated to this day). Its literary fame - or notoriety - notwithstanding, Savannah still rivals any Southern destination for its bedazzled and meticulously restored house museums. Ifyou have time for only one, visit the Owens-Thomas House, a splendid 1819 Regency mansion built by renowned British architect William Jay. Nearby is the Isaiah Davenport House, an 1815 Federal beauty. To see a fine collection of classical sculpture and Impressionist painting, visit the Telfair Mansion and Art Museum, a memorable 1818 structure in its own right. In 2006, the museum expanded with the construction of the striking newJepson Center for the Arts, which added more galleries and exhibition space. At the north end of the historic district, the city’s riverfront is lined with a stately row of restored cotton warehouses - now containing a slew of touristy businesses - and a cobbled lane that’s sits a full flight of steps below the rest of the city. The best time to appreciate it and the views of the bridge and freighters chugging along the Savannah River is in the morning, when you’ll encounter few crowds. One great way to explore downtown and get some advice on the local gay scene is to take a guided walk with knowledgeable local Jonathan Stalcup, who runs Architectural Tours of Savannah. For dining, avoid most of the mediocre eateries by the river and stick to one of the several local favorites, virtually all of them gayfriendly. One of the most famous restaurants in the South, Elizabeth on 37th specializes in subtly sublime regional cooking, 20 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com such as sesame-almond-crusted grouper with peanut sauce; and grilled rack of lamb with corn pudding, stewed okra, and tomatoes. Sexy and sophisticated Sapphire Grill serves some exciting and innovative contemporary American fare - consider the jumbo lump crab cake ,vith lemon curd, green-zebra tomatoes, and red chard. A bit more affordable, chic It Pasticcio presents contempora~7 Northern Italian cuisine - try the grilled gorgonzola-crusted filet mignon with a potato-pancetta gratin. Olde Pink House is one of those Savannah traditions that everybody should experience at least once - fine Continental fare with regional twists, like black grouper stuffed xvith blue crab and a Vidalia onion sauce, is served. Garibaldi’s, in an 1870s firehouse, prepares simple but very good Italian fare, such as pesto shrimp with angel hair pasta. For either lunch or dinner, the trendy City Market Cafe is a dependable choice, serving delicious wild mushroom, blue cheese, and prosciutto salad, as well as terrific thin-crust pizzas. It’s touristy, but fans of Food Network TV star Paula Deen won’t want to pass up a chance to dine at her downtown Savannah restaurant, ~lhe Lady & Sons, known for its down-home Southern cuisine. An elegant basement space with a youthful, see-and-be-seen following, Jazz’d Tapas Bar is perfect for late-night snacking - recommended fare include potato-leek frittata with fig chutney, and citrus-ginger- glazed shrimp-and-scallops skewers. ~he lesbian-owned Firefly Cafe serves affordable American fare, including plenty of fresh veggie dishes. ~l-his dapper spot overlooks Troup Square and is especially popular for brunch (try the Savannah eggs Benedict topped with fresh crab meat). For post-club noshing, check out Sushi Zen, a hip and gay-popular Asian restaurant with a convivial vibe. ~he bar staff and regulars in Savannah’s bars are friendly and forward. Although some locals shun the touristy and cavernous Club One, it’s one of the most impressive clubs in the Southeast, and it can be fun when ~lhe Lady Chablis is performing. Other options include Chuck’s, a friendly locals joint near the river that draws a mixed bunch; and Blaine’s Back Door Bar, a casual cruise and dance lounge that also has a dell serving pretty tasty sandwiches and pizza. Not gay per se, Venus de Milo is a sexy and sophisticated wine bar with a welcoming, bohemian vibe - it’s just west of City Market. Down along the riverfront, gay-friendly Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub is popular early in the evening for Irish music, food, and drink. With the recent rise in gay tourism, Savannah’s grand old hotels have become increasingly hospitable to visiting same-sex couples. Among the city’s many classic luxury inns, the Ballastone Inn is renowned for its gracious hospitality and over-the-top, lavish rooms. The four-story 1838 mansion sits along one of the prettiest streets in the city. A mid-19th-century inn with an expansive landscaped courtyard, the Eliza Thompson House and its grand guest rooms look much as you might imagine they did when cotton was king of Savannah. Original heart-pine floors and period antiques impart a romantic ambience, and yet rooms have comfortable, modern amenities, especially the bathrooms. Rooms at the Foley House Inn contain antiques and Oriental rugs; many overlook Chippewa Square and have massive two-person Jacuzzis. Of affordable chain properties, the Comfort Suites Historic District is clean, pleasantly furnished, and a short walk from City Market. The only GLBT-exclusive B&B in Savannah, 912 Barnard is also one of the least expensive. This dramatic yellow turn-of-the-century house has been handsomely restored to its original splendor, with antiques and authentic colors that convey the ambience of the city. A fully restored 1889 sea captain’s house that once belonged to one of Savannah’s wealthiest merchants, the Azalea Inn is quite gay-friendly. All rooms are configured and decorated differently; and each has a gas fireplace; two have whirlpool tubs, and two have balconies. For the most memorable accommodations, however, look to the gay-friendly Mansion on Forsyth Park, which offers some of finest digs in town. This stylish mini-resort beside verdant Forsyth Park contains 126 rooms with smart, contemporary furnishings, plus a top-notch spa, a cooking school, two cool bars, an art gallery, and the highly regarded 700 Drayton Restaurant. Opened in 2005, the hotel offers further evidence of Savannah’s gradual shift from a bastion of Old South gentility to a beacon ofNew South panache and www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 TA-BOO’ RESTAURANT Palm Beach, Florida .[Ldocated on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida, TA-BOO’ is a real treat! Stretching four fabulous blocks from South Ocean Blvd. to Cocoanut Row on Palm Beach island, Worth Avenue is one of the world’s most exclusive shopping districts. q-he Avenue boasts a sumptuous mix of more than 200 world-famous specialty shops, posh department stores, gourmet restaurants and art galleries. It is like the Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. A coat and tie (or ascot) is of course necessary even at lunch time. TA-BOO’ has been in business for over 60 years. It has the classic ambiance of a private gentlemen’s club brightened by Palm Beach’s smart set, it atmosphere is both comfortable and busding all at the same time. Slowly spinning ceiling fans, tropical fishtail palms and leafy dangling porthos vines frame a mural of an ocean vita, complete with Miznetresque terra-cotta rooftops in the foreground. Down a terra-cotta pathway, the long bar is an Avenue tradition for a variety of patrons - from the burger and beer set to those with an affinity for a rack of lamb and a little Veuve Clicquot! A soothing marine aquarium illuminates the bar’s neighboring bistro. Their menu covers the basics, from comfort food to top-notch cuisine. If you’re dining for lunch, start with the sushi-quality carpaccio of tuna or try the ever-popular warm grilled chicken and pears salad. Dinner is all about Maine Lobster, white Dover sole meuniere, crispy roast mahogany duck and linguine with lump crab. Dessert is a MUST, partictflarly the signature "Ta-boo’ lust", a sinful concoction of coconut cream filling and whipped cream atop a walnut cookie crust. \re always dine there at least once when we are in Florida and it does just keep getting better everytime! Owners Franklyn DeMarco and Nancy Sharigan are regular hosts. You never know what famous celebrities you will be dining with. We particularly enjoy their Swordfish. Lunch is served from 11:30 AM to 5 PM and dinner is served from 5 PM to 10 PM weekdays and from 5 PM to 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Sunday Brunch is served till 3 PM. They are located at 221 Worth Avenue and for reservations call: (561) 835-3500. strai= glass. Serve. 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com GAY TR_&VELERS: having a lot of financial problems as they at first were going to open mid-summer, then in the fall and now they don’t know if they will open or not. We booked an accommodation and in Denver a couple of years ago and when we got to the destination, we found that it was simply a condo unit with two bedrooms and the guy rented out one of the bedrooms! In South Dakota, we booked a reservation and when arriving, the owner gave up HIS bedroom for us and then he slept on the sofa! Sometimes restaurants can also be a complete disaster. From being dirty, to rude servers, to bad food and service, it can always be interesting to say the least. But ifyou are not happy with a restaurant..... LEAVE ! We have ~valked out of dozens of restaurants. If there is one problem, then usually a second problem develops and before you know it you are in a mess up to your ears, so why not just leave before it gets worse? The worst thing we hate to hear from a server, is "Don’t give me a hard time, I had a bad night last night". Who cares if the server had a bad night? They are there to "SERVE YOU" with a smile and with a professional attitude. We have at times paged the manager and requested that another server wait on us and we explain fully why. There are a lot of excellent servers in restaurants but we just simply won’t accept bad service. If the food you ordered is not good nor cooked properly, quietly and gently tell your server the problem. Bartenders can really be a pain in the ass sometimes. One bartender in Seattle doesn’t like to wait on people sitting at the bar. Rather, you have to go to his station, order and get your drinks and then return to your bar stoo!. How crazy is that? We have had bartenders that didn’t even know how to make a screwdriver! Most likely they didn’t know how to make a Bourbon and 7 either! Other bartenders are eating or smoking while trying to wait on you. We simply tell them that ~vhen they are thru eating or thru with their smoke break, then they can take our order. If a bartender is behind the bar and smoking and serving us, we explain exactly why we are not leaving a tip! Fortunately more and more states are becoming non-smoking and that takes care of the problems. Having said this, we have found that most bartenders are friendly, fun, wonderful and professional and our hats off to all of them! They enjoy what they are doing and make great tips. Websites can often be deceiving and indeed sometimes they are! \Vhenever possible and especially when booking accommodations, it is smart to check around to see ifyou kmow anybody that has actually stayed there. As far as restaurants or bars, it is easier to just walk out if there is a problem. You pay good money and you expect your money’s worth. Most accommodations, restaurants and bars are run very professional. Their staff is professional and courteous and friendly. Don’t you just love it when your traveling and everything goes smoothly? But once in a while it doesn’t and you have a choice to make........... either accept it or do something about it. And it is YOUR choice! Life is to short to settle on anything less than fabulous! Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol. com/gaytravelers At least one overnight stay by a non-resident Rank Destination Percent who visited in the last 12 months 1 New York City, NY 16.0% 2 Las Vegas, NV 14.3% 3 San Francisco, CA 12.9% 4 Los Angeles/\Vest Hollywood, CA 11.9% 5 Ft. Lauderdale/Wilton Manors, FL 10.5% 6 Palm Springs, CA 10.1% 7 Chicago, IL 9.2% 8 San Diego, CA 8.8% 9 Washington, DC 8.6% 10 Miami/South Beach, FL (tie) 8.2% 10 Orlando, FL (tie) 8.2% "Community Marketing’s studies are unique in the tourism industry," McHugh said. "Other studies try to rank gay friendliness or popularity, but this study actually quantifies the bottom line: Where did gay and lesbian consumers go and spend their money?" Most-Visited International DestinationsRank Destination Percent who visited in the last 12 months 1 London 8.4% 2 Puerto Vallarta 7.6% 3 Paris 6.2% 4 Vancouver 6.1% 5 Montreal 5.9% 6 Toronto 5.6% 7 US Virgin Islands 5.1% 8 Cancun 5.0% 9 Puerto Rico 4.8% 10 Rome 4.7% Respondents indicated that they chose leisure destinations because friends recommended them, they offer unique attractions, and are known for their gay-friendliness. "Clearl),, when destinations show gay and lesbian visitors a good time, that is the best advertising investment they can make," said McHugh. "Word of mouth marketing is very powerful among the gay and lesbian community. It’s not enough to slap a rainbow on an ad and call it a day. The most successful destinations ~vork with their tourism and hospitality partners to earn that kind of loyalty and referral. This is accomplished through education, training, and offering a genuinely gay-welcoming social and political atmosphere." Ouotab e Quotes "Gayest Democratic convention ever? A record 16 percent of delegates to the Democratic National Committee’s platform committee for the Denver convention are LGBT", says Howard Dean. www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 By Ronald Blake Exercise can make you bigger, stronger, and faster. These are the obvious results from a fertile regimen of physical activity. There are other benefits from exercise that are sure to have the neighbors stand up and take notice. Exercise can stimulate new growth of neurons and even help you to keep the neurons that you possess. Neurons are those little things in your body that transport messages throughout your legs, arms, torso, and head. They are good to have around if you yearn to communicate and learn. This comes as good news to those of you who destroyed countless neurons in your previous existence as an irresponsible college student ~vith that degree in undecided. There is hope for you debaucherous mongrels and physical activity is certainly one answer. Faster reaction times can be attributed to exercise. You will be able to hit baseballs thrown at ninety-five miles per hour. You will be able to dodge bullets from Tony Soprano’s goombahs. You will be able to more effectively bob and weave through the one-two combination of Oscar DeLaHoya. You might even be able to negotiate better in traffic on the 666 Freeway on your route to work on Mondays. Can I get an "amen" to more effective reaction times due to running, walking, and double-dutching? Mental challenges become mere child’s play in response to the dashing good looks of Mr. Exercise. Yes, exercise has been known to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Even Albert Einstein was spotted riding bicycles and frolicking along the ocean during his sojourn on this planet. These physical exertions were rumored to have led to his great theories on relativity. You might just settle for solving the complexities of a Rubik’s cube or that set of instructions on putting your barbecue grill together. 26 the STAR Your memory can behold the effects of a good physical fitness program. There is a site in your brain called the hippo campus that can enlarge in mass and reap the goodness of jumping jacks and other means of physical activities. This enlargement of the hippo campus translates into better memory and possibly the ability to treat Alzheimer’s patients. ~aink of all the time you waste trying to recall where you placed your cell phone, keys, black socks, or W2 form from work. Start using that wasted time on exercise that will jump start that short-term memory compartment. Your mood can be positively impacted by the release of neurotrophins. These chemicals are released when you decide to participate in an active lifestyle. They rush into your system and make you feel happy and vivacious. Consider reaching for your roller blades instead of that sleeve of Girl Scout mints to turn that frown upside down the next time you are grumpy. Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows everywhere will be your reward. Ifwe all reconvene in another five years, it is quite likely that ongoing research will show even more benefits of the brain and exercise combination. Keep sweating to the oldies with Richard Simmons and know that good things will always follow. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. This column is brought to you by that guy who prefers to frame a collage of one dollar bills instead of framing that replica of"Starry Night" from Michaels. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be reached www. goblakefitness.com. erupts in Auso Jesus 9 ay SYDNEY (AFP) -- Australian church leaders have condemned a play shortly to open in Sydney depicting Jesus as a gay man who is seduced by Judas, a report said Sunday. Xhe play, named Corpus Christi, is due to open next month as part of the city’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney’s Sun- Herald newspaper reported. A senior Sydney churchman called the play "historical nonsense". "It is deliberately, not innocently, offensive and they’re obviously having a laugh about it," Robert Forsyth, Anglican bishop of South Sydney, was quoted saying. Apart from the relations between Jesus and Judas, the play also features Jesus conducting a gay marriage between two apostles. The play’s director Leigh Rowney, who claims to be a Christian, accepted the play would offend some Christians but said he was keen to provoke debate about Christianity. "I wanted this play in the hands of a Christian person like myself to give it dignity but still open it up to answering questions about Christianity as a faith system," Rowney was quoted saying. Playwright Terrence McNally, who is gay, received death threats when the work was performed in the United States, the newspaper said. INTE ATIONAL GAY SC ENPLAY CONTEST- 10th ANNIVERSARY HOLLYWOOD, CA (PR) __ The ONE IN TEN SCREENPLAY CONTEST, a screenplay contest dedicated to the positive portrayal of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trangender and queer individuals in film, celebrates it’s 10th anniversary in 2008. Entries are nmv being accepted online and are limited to the first 300 for 2008. Executive Director, David Jensen, "We are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary and are looking at a record number of entries this year. We are continually amazed with the quality of talent that comes through the door year after year." Jensen continues, "\Ve receive entries from around the globe and Hollywood is taking notice in a very big way. Many of our past winners are now hard working screenwriters" The ONE IN TEN SCREENPLAY CONTEST has gained respect and notoriety from Hollywood studios, agents and producers. Entries for 2008 are being accepted online at: www.OnelnTenScreenplayContest.com Prizes for 2008 include cash, industry exposure and merchandise. The 2008 One In Ten Screenplay Contest is sponsored by: Cherub Productions, Final Draft Inc., scr(i)pt magazine, www.inktip.com, www. TopFilmFestivals.com, www.Screenplay- Contests.com and Jungle Software. The submission deadline for 2008 ONE IN TEN SCREENPLAY CONTEST is September 1, 2008. Entry forms are available online through the contest website: www.OnelnTenScreenplayContest.com. Entry forms may also be obtained through the mail by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to: CHERUB PRODUCTIONS One In Ten Screenplay Contest Post Office Box 540 Boulder, Colorado 80306 (303) 629-3072 www.screenplaycontests.com E-mai!: Cherubfilm@aol.com Community for People living with 50! c (~) Non P~ofi[ Orga~ation Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HtV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. Quotable Quotes More than 90 percent of gays and lesbians vote in U.S. presidential elections, compared to 64 percent of straight citizens. Queer folk are twice as likely as straight folk to vote in midterm elections. Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI), a leading LGBT market research company. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 27 As Mercury lines up with the Sun in Aquarius, everyone is a bit more know-it-all and too damn clever for his or her own good. Try to be adaptive, open-minded, and a good listener, and you will be much smarter - however discreetly - than the people voicing their grand ideas. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Friends who seem relentless in urging you on are actually doing you a favor. You’re capable of more than you realize. Going it alone would weaken you. Let them help you, and you’ll go far! TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Question authority, but pay attention to what those in power say. Expert advice needs some expansion and clarification, and asking for that will prove advantageous. Asking questions doesn’t make you look foolish, but not asking them when you should will! GEMINI (May 21 - Jun~ 20): You’re itching for a power struggle. Playing it out in the bedroom can release that energy so your uppity impulses don’t make trouble for you at work. Or focus and harness that energy more deliberately at work, if you can! CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your mouth is running way ahead of your brain and your good sense. Try to stick to places where a lack of inhibition and tasteful restraint can work to your favor. Anywhere else, slow down and think about what you’re saying. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Your partner - in life or in the moment - will offer some kinky new possibilities, expanding your erotic horizons. If your sweetie is drawing a blank in that department, start talking about tattoos and body art. Just discussing it should stimulate the imagination. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): New approaches at work can make your job more productive and enjoyable. You have some great ideas, but don’t be so insistent on doing things your own way. Colleagues will offer surprising inspiration. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): A new approach to your favorite sport or hobby can make it a lot more fun and/or creative. Ask yourself how Morn or Granny would approach it, whether you choose to follow that example or take a diametrically opposite approach. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): If you can manage to have some fun with your family, you’ll be amazed at what secrets will be revealed in the process. Stand your ground gently in arguments, agreeing to disagree, and even more will come out! 28 the STAR SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Insisting that you’re right only exposes more glaringly where you’re wrong. Try to keep an open mind, and remember what basic principles are really important. Adapt with new conditions and new ideas to keep up! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Adaptability is not only an enduring value, it is one of your sign’s best attributes. New ideas that seem to be an affront to your sensibilities can prove very helpful, and will eventually affirm the values they seem to attack. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): You’re getting a birthday bolt of fabulosity in which anything could happen, and you’ll make sure it will. Thrive on the attention, but take a little time out to charge your batteries. Let yourself be surprised. Really surprised. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Working behind the scenes, especially in a charitable effort, will be to your advantage. The political connections will be obvious, but there will be more surprising benefit!! MC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! www.ozarksstar.com DOWNTOWN PLAZA ofTULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 x~wv.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 susanlhartman@gmail.com JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESS\grAy Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 vcww.c21 goldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.clubmajestictutsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW" 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 www.realacceptance.com OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM MCC of the LIVING SPRING 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pro NWARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WWW..NWAGLBTCC.ORG ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK www.anglesclub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1 st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: Address: City:. St: Zip: Phone: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: www.ozarksstar.corn 29 \Vc’hether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. ~.~kansas GLBT Community Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com :hart \~;’.lLam ShakcsFea~;:. ,she ,~. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 °Aid Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2008] The Star Magazine, February 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 2 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 01, 2008 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwestern Missouri Western Arkansas Southeastern Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Charles Ward Victor Gorin Greg Steele Paul Wortman James Nimmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Romeo san Vicente Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, January 1, 2008; Volume 5 Issue 1 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/246 The Star Magazine, March 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 3 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/249 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/245 art Book review Club Majestic Cornett Deep Inside Hollywood fitness Gay Screenplay contest health HIV/AIDs testing horoscopes Jessica Newman Joplin Gay & Lesbian center MCC church Mike Huckabee mixology Ms. Oklahoma Continental Our House Past Out Q Scopes Quotable Quotes Star Advertisers star classified Surrounded by Insanity Too travel Valentine's Day Virginia Woolf https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2fb2209e3e1cae984a20e51ed8c45792.jpg 36dffe1a710d2521ca5d924dc3681179 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/c84cc81c2ec9b7199eb8c883804f7ce3.pdf 412eb87f38d447b23c5bec3947ad6a67 PDF Text Text ESTABLISHED 2003 www.ozarksstar.com "The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation." "1 honestly think it’s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam. They have infiltrated City Councils. They are after your 2 year olds for indoctrination." State Representative, District 84, Sally Kern. Compiled by Star staff Photo: Rally at Memorial Park Oklahoma City. ¯hese sentiments expressed by State Representative Sally Kern were taped at a Republican gathering who had invited her to speak on what some term the homosexual agenda. The tape was given to the Victory Fund, a national gay & lesbian political activist group and placed on ¥outube, where it has now been heard by over 1,000,000 people. It has garnered international attention with responses that have overwhelmed Youtube, and to say that the lines of communication with Ms. Kern were jammed would be a classic understatement. Ellen Degeneres was not surprised when she tried to contact Sally Kern after playing the youtube video on her show and couldn’t even leave a message. Although the audience was obviously not in agreement with Sally, Ellen appealed to Miss Kern on the air, stating that she wanted to talk to her, that she obviously had some misinformation. Although some responses received by Ms Kern were supportive, the vast majority were not, and many were threatening and are being investigated by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. At a Press Conference at the Church of the Open Arms March 11, Cimarron Alliance President Richard Ogden, among many others, denounced Ms. Kern’s remarks and stated that she should apologize or be censured by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. As he put it, "These are hateful words that can result in hateful actions, This is about accountability, not freedom of expression." It was pointed out that only 3 months APRIL 2008 earlier, Stephen Domer of Oklahoma City was murdered because he was gay. So far Ms. Kern has refused to apologize and the Speaker of the House, Republican Chris Benge of Tulsa, has stated he will not call for Ms. Kern to be censured. However Governor Brad Henry stated that he advised her to "Think before you speak. Oklahomans have love and tolerance for all people. I don’t think this rhetoric represents Oklahoma." P-Flag of Oklahoma has asked for a meeting with her, but has gotten no response. Her statement that the gay community was a bigger threat than terrorism or Islam drew fire from both military personnel and Oklahoma’s Muslim community. At the Church press conference Richard Ogden pointed out that one of the four people on United Airlines Flight 93 who overpowered the hijackers who were heading the airliner to the White House, Mark Bingham, was gay. Another speaker at the conference, Jerre B. Fine, a Air Force veteran, stated that she was honored to serve her country and that Sally Kern’s comments that gays were a bigger threat than terrorism or Islam, and were a cancer in the toe of society were very hurtful on a personal level. She pointed out that "I served my country dutifully and honorably for 6 years of my life. We need protection not only from outside forces trying to destroy America, but also we need protection from within from people like Sally Kern." On March 14 there was a rally at Memorial Park featuring signs along Classen Boulevard encouraging rush hour travelers to honk to show opposition to Representative Kern’s remarks. The event got extensive television coverage, and featured many community leaders. Most important of all was that the responses from OKC’s commuters were overwhelmingly supportive. In a recent Tulsa World poll, the question was: Would you sign the petition to have Sally Kern removed from office? .............. Continued PAGE 5 ��®MISS GAY TULSA PAGEANT April 25th 10prn. Featuring - Miss Gay Tulsa America - Melody Micheals and Miss Gay Oklahoma Lindsey Paige. for more information email: information@downtownplazatulsa.com 2 the STAR vwvw.ozarksstar.com �1 DS (2437) Recognized by Keller Williams For outstanding achievement 2005 and 2006 R~ALTY Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 REALTOI~ Whether buying or selling I’ll work hardforyo~ Get the STAR delivered to your home or office. 12 issues only $33.95. Send Check or Money Order to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Seepage 29for order blank. ,J www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �APRIL, State News continues on page 6, 9, 11 and 23 LGBT History looks at the life of Tallulah Bankahead, Actress Movies, TV, Stage and Radio World Briefs By Rex Wockner Wockner News Service ~ DEEP ~INSIDE HOLLYWOOD Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on new projects for George Clooney and Simon ~ WiNE Devre Jackson reviews wines of Northem Italy. Beer-Battered Onion Rings from Bob & Jim’s Care, Greycliff, Montana. Gay Travelers: Bus Trips & Tours Out of Town: Chicago STAR SCENE Snapshots from around the State. Paparazzi on page 25 FITNESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Photo byVictor Gorin 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Embrace the Passior o£ the Prom. Pride Prom 2008 makes comeback to PAC By Joey De TULSA, OK__ When the sun sets April 19, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center will heat up with the passion of Spain as the University of Tulsa’s Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay and Transgender alliance present Pride Prom 2008, "Bailamos!" The event, which has called the PAC home for three years, offers BLGT youth and their friends the opportunity to celebrate the prom season with their chosen date. ’~A lot of BLGT youth can’t take the prom date of their choice (to their high school’s prom), this is an opportunity to express themselves freely," says Steven Hulford, one of the organization’s leaders. For the TU-BLGTA, Pride Prom is a way to give back to the community and make memories for BLGTA youth, regardless of if they are TU students or not. "We are in or eighth year of doing this event," says Hulford. "Each year it has grown from being in the Great Hall of the Allen Chapman Activity Center (a building on campus), to what it is now." According to Hulford, this year’s Spanish theme was picked from a long list of ideas. "We wanted to do something completely different from what we had done in the past," he says noting previous themes of Hollywood and water. "We’re calling it ’Bailamos’ because the literal translation is ’we dance’." At the event, Hulford says youth can expect all the food, music and fun of a traditional high school prom. In addition, attendees will have access to a "Resource Row," that will feature organizations who provide quality services to BLGT youth. Beginning at 7:30, the event runs until 11:00 and does not require formal dress. "The only things we don’t allow are torn jeans and shorts, other than that people are welcome to dress how they feel comfortable. www.ozarksstar.com People have come in formal prom attire and have come in polo shirts and slacks," explains Mr. Hulford. Tickets for Pride Prom 2008 are $10 in advance at www.myticketoffice.com and $12 at the door. For information on sponsorship and branding opportunities, contact the group’s advisor, Nancy Eggen at 918.744.9182. SOONER STATE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION HOLDS OKLAHOMA CITY TOURNAMENT Leroy Cobb & Laurie Proole MC’s at Angles Furndraiser for Sooner State Softball 26 teams ( 21 men’s, 5 women’s) came together at Boomtown Field and the Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City March 15-16 to enjoy the comraderie of softball competition. Now in its 5th year, the Sooner State Softball Association offers the GLBT community the opportunity to show off their skills or learn the game among friends. According to SSSA Commissioner Leroy Comp, it also provides a way "to see some great softball." The SSSA is part of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, a confederation of GLBT athletic teams in both the United States and Canada. New players are always welcome, so if you’d like to try your hand, call Mr.Comp and (405) 408 2533 or e-mail him at cutupok@aol.com. FRONT PAGE CONTINUED: Yes: 129 No: 86 I don’t know: 6 The results of this question represent the opinions of 221 people with the following demographic profile: Oklahomans: 80.5 % Male: 127 Female: 94 In response to Kern’s statement that Eureka Springs City Council was controlled by gays. A press statement was issued by the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce and the straight Mayor, Dani Joy: "Since its founding in 1879, Eureka Springs has been and remains welcoming to all visitors and residents without regard to their race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. It is our hope that all people would aspire to this ideal. Because of the timeless beauty of our architecture and landscape, the friendliness of our citizens and our welcoming attitude toward all visitors, we remain a destination for people from all walks of life. Eureka Springs will remain a city eager to provide all visitors a fulfilling vacation experience." Mayor Dani Joy" Oklahomans have spoken out, we’ve demonstrated, protested, sent letters and email to our elected officials, and have gained international attention. Media from around the world has covered the embarrassing tirade of Rep. Kern. This international spodight may be to our advantage. Our activist groups have experienced an influx of out of state contributions since the stoW broke. We’ve gotten the attention of national and international advocacy organizations. We have discovered many new main stream allies in Oklahoma. The House and Senate leadership may allow the five hate crimes bills currently before them to receive full consideratioia. There is a positive side to this degrading display of (Shame on Sally) Most importantly we have the right to vote, and Sally was voted into office. Come November and in future elections know your candidate before you mark that spot on the ballot. It could make an important difference in our future. the STAR 5 �editor Dear Editor, When is enough, really enough? We have been reading and watching the national news about Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, saying "gay agenda is a greater threat to America than terrorism." Although we do not live in Oldahoma, we have been visiting your great state for over 30 years. We are extremely concerned when a public official such as an elected State Representative makes such remarks. ¯his is really nothing short of a "hate crime" in itselfl It is one thing for a regular citizen of the country to make remarks such as this but when a public official says it, then it is obviously crossing the line. As gay and lesbian citizens of the United States, we have as much right as anybody else to expect full citizenship. When people such as Ms. Kern spews her hatred to the people of Oklahoma it is WRONG ! It propels hatred in schools, churches and throughout the entire community. Many years ago we took on Anita Bryant for her anti-homosexual drive and we won! So, our dear brothers and sisters in Oklahoma ............. have you had enough? Gays and Lesbians throughout the country are fighting for their rights and each and every individual gay and lesbian person in each state must do their part. We cannot suggest an action to take against Ms. Kern however we feel very strongly that action MUST BE TAKEN in whatever form necessary. Whether a full stage sit-in, a recall of her government seat in your State House or whatever. ..... something NEEDS TO BE DONE AND NOW~ Many years have passed since we just stood on the sidelines and took whatever was handed to us, and we never, want to return to those days. We are extremely proud of the progress that gays and lesbians have made. Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa have a very vibrant gay and lesbian community, much more so than most cities around the country their size. So instead of just bitching and moaning and groaning about Mrs. Kern, we wish all the gays and lesbians in Oklahoma the best success with this matter. Cordially, Donald Pile and Ray Williams 6 the STAR OkEq Den,o.unces Rep. Sally Kem’s Ant oGay Tirade TULSA, OK (PR) __Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) deplores the sentiments expressed by Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) in a YouTube video now generating a firestorm. National and local media outlets are closely covering the controversy sparked by Kern’s claim that homosexuality is "the biggest threat that our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam." In a triple play of intolerance, Rep. Kern offends lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans, thousands of women and men defending the United States from terrorist attacks, and Muslims worldwide. Yet, she remains completely unapologetic, citing her right to freedom of speech and claiming, "I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will." Rep. Kern’s legislative track record belies her remarks. In 2006, Rep. Kern sponsored legislation that xvould have denied funding to public libraries that refused to segregate books addressing LGBT themes. Rep. Kern has repeatedly used her public office to demonize LGBT Oklahomans and to attempt to deny them the exact same civil liberties she now defends so passionately. This is the height of hypocrisy. "OkEq firmly supports Rep. Kern’s constitutional tight to express her viexvs, but vociferously objects to the actions she takes to prevent LGBT Oklahomans from attaining justice and equality. When elected officials use their power to defame entire categories of people, they abuse the freedom of speech embedded in the First Amendment and violate their responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their constituents," asserts Justice Waidner, OkEq Executive Director. OkEq calls upon the many fair-minded members of the Oklahoma legislature to condemn Rep. Kern’s comments and to pass immediately a state hate crimes law that encompasses sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. We ask for the House and Senate leadership to allow the five hate crimes bills currently before them to receive full consideration on the floor. www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �4815 S. Harvard Gay men and lesbians face many special tax situations, whether single or as couples. Proudly serving Tulsa & OKC’s GLBT communities since 1982 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �TULSA, OK (PR) __ Health Outreach Prevention Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.) celebrated its 10th anniversar~ Xgrednesday, March 12, 2008. Invited guests and honorees celebrated at the Dennis R. Nell Fxtuality Center, a long-time community partner where H.O.P.E.’s services began in 1996. The evening included hors d’ oeuvres and recognized key individuals who have been instrumental in the growth and success of the organization. "H.O.P.E. provides a vita! service in the fight against HIV by testing those at risk and also educating the community on safer sex practices. By virtue of their HIV testing being free and anonymous, people at risk can more easily know their status and help stop the transmission of HIV," stated Stephen Eberle, advisory board and 10th Anniversary committee member. In recognition of H.O.P.E.’s 10th Anniversary, the following people and organizations received recognition for the significant impact they have had on the agency since its inception: Ms. Kristi Frisbie, Mr. Jeremy Simmons, the Oklahoma State Department of Health HIWSTD Division, Ms. Janie Nicklas and the Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership Grants Committee, Tulsa CARES, Community of Hope Church, Ms. Debi Sanditen, Dr. Damon Baker, and Oklahomans for Equality. Health Outreach Prevention Education (H.O.P.E.) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that has served Tulsa and surrounding communities since 1998. H.O.P.E. is proud to be recognized as one of the largest and most comprehensive health promotion facilities in Oklahoma, and is the only free, anonymous HIV testing site in a 23-county area. H.O.P.E. also operates the statewide HIWsexually transmitted disease (STD) resource hotline and conducts a variety of targeted outreach efforts focusing on men, women, and under served populations. H.O.P.E. also offers free and low-cost Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing and education services. H.O.P.E. provides a comfortable place for people to learn their health status and can connect clients to a variety of medical and social support services. H.O.EE. is supported in part by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, as well as various private foundations, including the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, the Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership, the MAC AIDS Fund, and the George B. Kaiser Family Foundation. Raising awareness of HIV/AIDS remains vitally important, as the infection rate remains steady every year in the United States. Young people and minorities are disproportionately affected, but HIV does not discriminate. By knowing your status, you are better able to protect yourself and others. Prevention education and testing are keys to decreasing the stigma and infection rate of HIV. For more information about HIV or sexually transmitted infections, call the Oklahoma HIWSTD Resource Hotline, 1-800-535-MDS (2437). www.ozarksstar.com RESERVE YOUR SPAOE HOW Deadline Thursday IViay t 5th Serving the Oklahoma GLBT community since 2003. the STAR 9 �by Liz Highteyman Past Out, which looks at the life 0fTallulah Bankhead, Actress Movies, TV;, Stage and Radio, Breakthrough acting success eluded Banld~ead in New York, and in 1923 she moved to London on the advice of an astrologer. There, she quickly achieved fame, especially among young working-class women. Over the next eight years she appeared in two dozen \VC-est End plays, which were wildly popular with fans, if not always acclaimed by critics. Documents declassified in 2000 revealed that the British intelligence service investigated her - groundlessly, it turned out - for allegedly seducing a group of Eton schoolboys. Bankhead earned considerable income, but spent profligately; by the end of the decade, she was broke and accepted a contract offer from Paramount Studios. In Hollywood, she hosted parties at her mansion that were said to have "no boundaries," and she attended shindigs at lesbian actress Alia Nazimova’s lavish Garden of Allah estate. An emergency hysterectomy due to advanced gonorrhea did little to curb her omnivorous sexual appetite. "My daddy warned me about men and booze," she famously quipped, "but he never mentioned a word about women and cocaine." Bankhead had flings with Gary Cooper and - allegedly - with Marlene Dieterich, but Greta Garbo apparently spurned her advances. Upon meeting Joan Crawford, who was then married to Douglas Fairbanks Jr., she remarked, "I’ve had an affair with your husband. You’ll be next." Though Bankhead often bragged about her sexual conquests, many believed she exaggerated for the sake of publicity. Indeed, her comments suggested that she did not particularly enjoy sex. "The conventional position makes me claustrophobic," she once said, "and the others give me a stiff neck or lockjaw." Regarding Bankhead’s orientation, long-time companion Patsy Kelly - one of the first actresses to come out as a lesbian - said it "mostly it depended on Tallulah’s mood...When she’d get caught up with a man, she’d go quite hetero on us." Who was Tallu]lah Bankhead ? cades after her heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, self-described "ambisextrous" stage and screen star Tallulah Bankhead is as famous for her bad-girl antics as for her acting talent. e ~ Bankhead was born to a prominent political family in Huntsville, Ala., on January 31, probably in !903 (the year is subject to debate); her mother died shortly thereafter from childbirth complications. Seeking to keep his two unruly daughters out of trouble, her father, a U.S. Congressman, sent them to convent schools, but these proved conducive venues for Bankhead’s first sexual experiences with other girls. Though plump and plain as a child, Bankhead blossomed as an adolescent; at age 15, she won a movie magazine beauty contest with a prize of a small film role. Chaperoned by an aunt, she took up residence at the Mgonquin Hotel in New York City, a favored haunt of the Broadway elite. There, Bankhead was seduced by renowned actress Eva Le Gallienne and met Estelle Winwood, an older English actress who would become a life-long friend and sometime lover. Bankhead also counted among her liaisons British student Napier Alington and jazz great Billie Holiday, but she turned down a casting couch invitation from John Barrymore. 10 the STAR Bankhead married once, to actor John Emery in 1937, but they divorced four years later with no children. She then bought an estate in West&ester County, where she lived for extended periods with Winwood and with Kelly. She also surrounded herself with numerous pets and her "caddies" - young men who mixed her drinks, lit her constant cigarettes, and sometimes provided sexual services. Follmving in her father’s footsteps, she became increasing involved in politics, campaigning for Democratic candidates and supporting both anti-Nazi and anti-Communist causes. Bankhead disliked movie acting, and her larger-than-life style ~vas better suited to the stage than the screen. After making several unsuccessful Hollywood films, she returned to acting on Broadway and with national touring companies, receiving critical acclaim for her performances in The Little Foxes (1939) and The Skin of Our Teeth (1942). Though bitterly disappointed at being passed over for the role ofScarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, she still took on occasional movie projects, including her most famous role as a shipwrecked journalist in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat (1944). In the early 1950s, Bantdxead emceed The Big Show, a popular variety program on NBC Radio; when radio gave way to television, she appeared as a guest on shows such as The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. She also starred in a one-woman Las Vegas nightclub act and wrote a best-selling autobiography. But as Bankhead aged, her www.ozarksstar.com �years of hard drinking and drug use caught up with her, and she became a caricature of her former self. Many of her gay male fans failed to take her efforts seriously, laughing through her performance as Blanche DuBois in a 1956 revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. Before her death from pneumonia in 1968, Bankhead’s final roles were intentionally absurd, induding turns as a demented mother in the British horror flick Fanatic (1965) - retitled Die! Die! My Darling! in the United States - and as the Black Widow on the Batman television series. When producer William Dozier explained his vision for the latter role, she reportedly replied, "Don’t talk to me about camp, dahling, I invented it!" For further reading: Bret, David. 1997. Tallulah Bankhead: A Scandalous Life (Robson Books). Lobenthal, Joe. 2004. Tallulah! The Life and Times of a Leading Lady (HarperCollins). McLellan, Diana. 2000. The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood (Robson Books). OK Mozart Festvai Announces 24th Season, June 13=21 TULSA, OK (PR) __ Tourism is a growing industry in Oklahoma, and the OK Mozart International Festival continues to enhance dais growth by attracting visitors to Bartlesville each June for one of the state’s most renowned cultural events. From June 13-21, the Festival’s 24th season promises to delight audiences from across the state and country with an outstanding array of concert artists and world-class musicians and performances, ranging from classical concerts to Jazz and everything in between. The line-up of renowned guest artists includes Mark O’Connor, Barry Douglas, Anne-Marie McDermott, Frederica yon Stade, Branford Marsalis, Peter Nero, and Ben Vereen. Plus, the New York Theatre Ballet is performing Sleeping Beauty. www.ozarksstar.com Amici New York, the Festival’s beloved orchestra-in-residence, returns as it has each year since the Festival’s founding in 1985. These musicians are soloists in their own right and perform in many of the most prestigious ensembles throughout the year. Paul Neubauer, music director, returns with his All-Star Chamber Ensemble featuring members of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. This year’s Festival will celebrate four great American composers: George Gershwin, Elliott Carter, Charles Wuorinen and Joan Tower, according to Neubauer. 3rd. To order, call 918.336.9800, visit www. okmozart.com or in person at 500A South Dewey, Bartlesville. The Festival is made possible in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council and many corporate and individual patrons. The OK Mozart Festival is a member of Green Country Marketing Assn., one of 11 multi-county organizations working with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the Oklahoma Travel Industry Assn. and the other 10 multi-county associations to promote the state tourism industry. "We will also have Mozart,Tchalkovsky and Jimi Hendrix. Please join us for an exhilarating OK Mozart Festival." According to Scott Black, executive director, the 2008 festival offers some positive changes, including three series of entertainment options for the major concerts, money-saving ticket packages and many new and free Showcase events. These events, usually during non-concert hours, offer tours, historical talks, childreffs activities, luncheons and performances. "The 2008 Festival marks our 24th season of offering an internationally recognized event that puts Northeast Oklahoma on the map alongside larger cities that host similar summer festivals--San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Aspen," Black said. Most concerts take place in the Bartlesville Community Center concert hall, acdaimed for its near-perfect acoustics. Inside the Community Hall, the Moz-Art Gallery and OKM Gift Shop provide shopping pleasure for visitors. An exquisite on-site restaurant, Cafd Mozart, offers delicious three-course dinners and delightful lunches. The all-time favorite Woolaroc Outdoor Concert, taking place on June 20 at the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, features Amici New York with conductor’ Michael Krajewski. Nestled on the shores of a tranquil lake, this concert under the stars provides a relaxing, fun way to enjoy beautiful music. When darkness falls, a spectacular finale of fireworks lights the sky, signaling an end to the unforgettable evening. Season tickets and packages are available now with general sales beginning March Creating Community for People iving with H ViA DS 50t c (3) Non Profit Orgauization Our House, Too offers a vadety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail harrismmjr@yahoo.com. the STAR 11 �Gay arid Gray r g: Cor cerr s SAN FRANCISCO, CA__ More than 70% of lesbian and gay and respondents over age 40 reported concerns about losing the ability to care for themselves in a recent study conducted by Community Marketing, Inc. The majority also feared becoming sick or disabled, being dependent on others, and outliving their savings. When asked which resources they would rely on for long-term financial and social care as they age, less than 8% of respondents said they would place significant reliance on long-term care insurance, leaving us to wonder how prepared lesbians and gay men are for the kinds of health issues that often come with old age. Respondents placed the most emphasis on: Health care insurance: 22% Medicare: 20% Personal savings: 19% Social Security: 16% 65% of respondents expect for provide care to a partner sometime in the future, 44% for a parent, and 34% for a friend. However, respondents were less certain of who would care for them - 59% said a partner would be there to help care for them, 29% a friend, and 20% no one. Research Shows Growing Old a Concern for Many Lesbians and Gay Mot A significant 20% of gay male and 38% of lesbian respondents over age 40 have children Oust 4% of gay men and 12% of lesbians reported the children to be under age 18). Sometimes it is easy forget how many gay-boomers had children before they came out, and some gays and lesbians will be able to rely on their children for care. The majority of respondents have completed a Living Will and the majority have a Power of Attorney, but less than 50% have completed an Estate Will or set up a Living Trust. (Hospitals often require a visiting partner to present a living ~ in order to enter his or her partner’s hospital room.) 49% of respondents said they are at least fairly confident that they would be treated with dignity and respect by medical personnel, but 19% expressed concerns that they have little confidence in this being the case. Some views of retirement and old age are much more positive. Respondents look forward to: traveling (79%), having more time for personal interests (74°/0), and peace and relaxation (60%). In addition, lesbians were more likely to report looking forward to spending more time with friends and family than gay men. 12 the STAR DEMOGRAPHICS of this "over 40" study: The median age is 52. 69% of respondents are male, 30% female, and 1% transgen der. More than 96% of respondents identified as gay or lesbian. The remainder identified their sexual orientation as bisexual, queer or questioning. 53% of respondents reported that they are completely out. However, 15% are somewhat or not very out. The median respondent in all age categories reported plans to retire at age 62. The vast majority of respondents over age 62 have already retired. 73% of respondents have a college degree. 33% of female respondents and 46% of male respondents are single or do not live with a significant other. Lesbians are more likely to be partnered than gay men. The majority own single family homes. www.ozarksstar.com �By’ Rex Wockner Wockner News Service iranian fears e×ecution if sent home Mehdi Kazemi fears he’l! be executed if the United Kingdom forces him to return to Iran. Kazemi went to London to study in 2005 and Iranian officials later arrested his boyfriend, Parham, charged him with sodomy and executed him, according to Kazemi’s father. Kazemi then sought asylum in Britain but was rejected. In 2006, he then fled to the Netherlands, which detained him and is nmv preparing to return him to the UK. The UK had been planning to send Kazemi back to Iran ~vhen he returned to British soil but, on March 13, following extensive media coverage and political pressure, the Home Office agreed to review his case one more time before forcing him to go home. "The Iranian authorities have found out that I am a homosexual and they are looking for me," Kazemi said in a recent letter to UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. tn a statement given to activist groups, Kazemi elaborated: "Around [the] end of April 2006, my uncle called me again and informed me that my father had informed him that the authorities had executed Parham and that I must not return to Iran as the authorities would do the same to me .... Parham was charged with the crime of being homosexual and was executed." According to Kazemi’s father, Parham named Mehdi as his lover prior to his execution. Leading British gay activist Peter Tatchell commented: "The Home Office decision to deport Mehdi back to Iran is shameful and reckless .... Gay men in Iran are hanged from public cranes using the barbari method of slow strangulation." Tatchell said the UK government is "callous and more interested in cutting asylum w~w.ozarksstar.com numbers than in ensuring a fair, just and compassionate asylum system." Britain’s Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association also has taken up Kazemi’s cause, saying that "deporting gay and lesbian people to Iran is akin to deporting Jews back to Nazi Germany." Meanwhile, The Independent reported March 7 that an Iranian lesbian who fled to Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death by stoning also is at risk of being sent home. Pegaah Emambakhsh, 40, issued a statement March 6 saying: "I will never, never go back. If I do I know I will die." Emambakhsh’s asylum claim was rebuffed by the Court of Appeal in February. She now plans to ask the High Court to review the case. Iran is known to have executed several teens and men accused of engaging in sodomy, although in nearly all the cases that have been publicized in recent years the individuals were accused of other crimes as well, such as rape. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has said it suspects that other charges often are tacked onto sodomy cases to prevent the public outrage that would accompany executions carried out solely for the crime of consensual adult gay sex. The group also has said it believes executions solely for gay sex are taking place .out of the public eye. "Our suspicions [are] that their current practice really is to rid society of lesbians and gay men," the organization said last year. Human Rights Watch, on the other hand, has said it cannot fully document any executions in Iran in recent years carried out solely for the crime of consensual adult gay sex. Last September, during a speech at Columbia University in New York City, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was asked about the nation’s treatment of gay people. He responded: "We in Iran -- we in Iran, firstly, we don’t have hamjensbaz [a derogatory term for homosexuals meaning people with loose morals who chase people of the same gender for sexual pleasure] like you have in your country. In our country, there is no such a thing. In Iran, such a thing does not -- in Iran, in Iran, absolutely such a thing doe not exist as a phenomenon. I don’t know who told you otherwise." ILGA conference canceled The International Lesbian and Gay Association has canceled its 24th World Conference which was to take place in Quebec City, Canada, May 14 to 18. "A recent site visit] confirmed the impressions of the current lack of preparedness at this late date and the lack of funding necessary for the conference to take place," ILGA’s board co-chairs said in a statement. The primary lo.cal organizer was the Coalition gale et lesbienne du Qudbec. ILGA did not reschedule the conference but did put out "a formal call for new proposals from ILGA member organizations for hosting the world conference later this year." It gave interested parties less than a month to submit proposals. The board said any local organizer must take on partial responsibility for paying for the gathering. "ILGA does not have the capacity to fully fund the conference," the co-chairs said. "The local hosts have in the past fundraised for resources, especially to bring scholars from the Global South." ILGA is a 30-year-old federation of more than 600 GLBT organizations and associated members, such as city governments, from 90 countries. ............ Continued PAGE 27 the STAR 13 �Until he crossed over to the PG-13 Law and Order SVU, Chris Metoni was most notorious for gay sex scenes ~uad full- frontal nudity Deep ~nside Hol!~,wooeL repora¢ on new projeHrsjbr George Cloon~ and Simon Callow. Clooney Is Fantastic Mr. Fox 2?~hat’s the connection bevween the Coen Brothers’ dark, violent No Country for Old Men and the upcoming animated family feature Xhe Fantastic Mr. Fox? Besides Coen collaborator George Ctooney in the starring voice role, that would be gay superproducer Scott Rudin, the man whose recent Oscar acceptance speech included a loving thank you to his ~artner (which was then s~rangely excised from the A~demyk o~cial transcript). Rudin tends to go where the hits are, ~d this ~es Anderson-directed, Ctooney and Care Blanchett-voiced feature, abou~ a quick-witted fox and three unpleasant f~rmers t~,in~ to do him in, looks like a sure!re holiday hit..~d in this instance, hohday means Christmas of 2009. But not to worD~ C!ooney has Burn ~ter Read in~ {the next one from the Coens) arriv ing during the interim. OZ. And now Meloni is set,t,’o become even more family-friendl): He 1! star in Gym Teacher: Th~ Movie ~o{ Nickelodeon £s a down’on’his-luck coaCh wing dinated thi., be a ment - art teacher Mr. sircom, will a obsessive ~he movie Black about a with~ the film and this time with (slightly) ~,. u,.ll, a dark drama about a woman with a compulsive need to pull out her own hair one strand at k tirile (sounds like Todd Haynes’ Safei but Creepier), ~vill star not 0nly the legendary ~ren Black (Nashvillei but also musician Rickie Lee Jones. No word yet on when the movie will be, ready for an audience, but ifArcher~ firs~ f?ature is any indication, ir will be one ~at audiences wofft soon forget. American audiences remember him best as the joy~ttlly ~a.)[ heat attack victim who put the "funerN in Four XWeddings and a Funeral. BUt now gay" Brit character actor Simon Callow gets his own wedding, , even if it is something of an odd one. Hes starring in the recen@ wrapped Chemical We~lding, about a shy p;cofessor who manages to bring legendary occult figure Aleister Crowl~ back to life. And if that plot weren’t oddball enough, there’s the ~lm’s linefig. e" it was co-written by Bruce Dickinson, a name metal fans will know as the teader of the hugely successful rockers Iron Maiden. ~e sure-to-be-destined-for-cult-status film is due for release later this year. No ~v,ord yet on whether Or not Iron Maidens songs will hog the soundtrack spotlight. George Clooney www.ozarksstar.com �Reds Moccagatta Barbaresco 1999, 2000 Produttori Del Barbaresco 1999, 2000 Poderi Colla Pinot Noir 2006 A few years backl I had the opportunity to visit friends in northern Italy. We spent our time in the Piedmont region in a small town called Alba. Piedmont, in Italian, means at the foot of the mountain, he main grape grown there is the distinished Nebbiolo, which is the base for the med Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara (Barbera and Dolcetto) among others. Also popular is Barbera from Alba & Asti. Barolos are dch, rose-scented wines, robust and tannic, capable of (and often requiring) long aging. Ur~fortunat~ly they are often prohibitively expensive. Barbaresco, made to be drunk earlier than Barolos, can be the more affordable choice, ~u Another Piedmont creation that achieved worldwide fame is the Vermouth, which was first created by Benedetto Carpano in his wine shop n~ar the Tudn Stock Exchange. The classic American Martini cocktail takes its name from the most known Italian producer of dry vermouth, Martini & Rossi. Piedmont was one of the first Italian regions to embrace the industrial revolution and in 1899 the automotive giant Fiat (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) was established there, I thought rd shed some light on the wines from this part of the wodd. You can always dig deeper by checking out my reference links. Piemonte is also known fol~ its Gorgonzola, Castelmagn0, (a local blue Cheese), zabaione, vinegar, d~e and ri¢otto dishes; wild game, and braised meat dishes, such as Bollito Mist0, a sf[ew of four to five different meats. Milan, the large the namesake ~ dip food, usualt beaten eggS, tl Saut~ it in butte known for its ri( sauces~ post rn saffron~ pumpki asparag;Js~ ~au panett(~ne. city of Lombardia, is ~ilanese; meaning tO -iin pieces of meat, into br~adcrumbs, and then .ombardiais also well ~nd dsotto dishes, cream c~eese course, Use of aVi01i, (tortelli di zucca), ge,freshwater fish and Farnese Montepulciano 2006 Whites Bongiovanni Arneis 2006 Masi/Masianco Pino Grigio/Verduzzo 2006 Marchetti Verdicchio 2006 And as always, I say go to your favorite wine shop, ask questions and purchase a bottle or two. Share some food & wine with friends and check this out for yourself. The Veneto is atso an important w ne region, highlighted by So&re, Bardolino; Pr~secco, (sparkling wine), Valpolioella and the flagship Ar~rone. Veneto~ being on the ~aSt, naturally braces deligl~ts from the sea. All kinds of seafood ar~ relished here. But the Veneto is quite diverse culinadly speaking. It is also renowned for its v~getables~ grains and meat as welt. Risot{o, especially from Vialone Nano rice, and polenta are staples. ¯ Common Vegetables include winter squash, radicchio, asparagus, beans, and other legumes. Friuli, the north-eastern most region of Italy is hallmarked by Austrian; Hungarian, Slovenian and Croatian influences. These include but are not limited to Viennese. ._~tww.ozark~star.co_ ~..................... Mr. D also hosts wine & food events known in town as the Wine Enthusiasts of Tulsa. References include: WineSpectator.com FoodandWine.com Wikipedia.org WineCountry.it Masi.it Farnese-vini.com allrecipes.com/Howto/Italian-Wine-CountryPiedmont ��Cozume| Join our gay and lesbian group aboard Carnival Conquest~ as we set sail from Galveston and call on the beautiful ports in Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. There is no better way to celebrate Halloween than aboard a funship with Gayribbean Cruises. We offer: Our fantastic Halloween Costume Party, Nightly Mixers and SO MUCH MORE ! Book eedy and save. Ask how to receive $75 shipboard credit! call for complete details. Ratea aad =valhbiRty axe ~ubjec¢ to change without noti e. "Ihis is not an alLgay cruise. Ship ~try: Panama For information & Reservations www.GayribbeanCruises.com NCarnrval. �by Donald Pile and Ray Williams Actually a bus trip isn’t all that bad, especially when you are traveling with other fun people. Although ,ve have never taken a bus trip across the country (and dofft think that we ever would) we have a lot of friends who have and enjoyed it greatly. We have taken several "day bus trips" from San Francisco, Las Vegas and on the east coast and all of them were quite interesting. From Las Vegas we took the bus trip to Hoover Dam and to the smaller casino cities of Laughlin. These bus trips were extremely inexpensive in that they drop you offat a couple of casinos and assume that you will gamble a lot. Most of them even throw in flee lunch and dinner and drinks. Sometimes they even thro~v in an afternoon show. Most all of the people that go to Las Vegas are truly a different breed and aren’t interested in taking bus tours and we have found that the ones who do are more enjoyable and interesting to talk with. In San Francisco it is just so much easier taking a bus trip to either the Wine Country or down to Carmel and Monterey and Pebble Beach. They drop you off right in the center of town and pick you up at the same location a couple of hours later. You certainly don’t have any parking problems as when you drive there, and a bus trip to the Wine Country gives you a much better opportunity to taste all the different wines without having to worry about a DUI while drive back to San Francisco. On the east coast we have taken "day bus trips" in Boston, New York City, Washington, D. C. and Philadelphia. Being such histori- 18 th÷$TAR cal cities this is a great way to really get to see everything. Parking in large cities is such a challenge and the buses seem to always have their own parking areas close to whatever attraction you are going. Even smaller cities like Savannah, Georgia offers extremely interesting bus tours around the city. But if you’re really up to it, then take a bus tour all across the country. They stop every evening at the designation lodging facility and you’re on your own until the next morning. You don’t have to dine or socialize with anybody other than your own choosing. Check out your local Sunday newspapers in the travel section and they usually have ads for these bus tours. Small towns that have casino gambling are always having specials. We have seen ads where you pay $50.00 up front for a 5 day bus tour which includes your traveling, hotels, food and drinks and shows! Plus, you get the $50.00 back in gaming money at the casino. You can’t stay at home that cheap! Some people enjoy taking bus trips down to Mexico which certainly saves the hassle of driving your own automobile across the border and you certainly are in a position to feel safer. Most bus companies are regulated rather stringently, and especially when driving to Mexico you need to feel safe. ..................... Continued page 27 www.ozarksstar.com �INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL ASSOCIATION and FUNMAPS, COM By Donald Pile and Kay Williams IGLTA is the world’s leading travel trade association committed to gro,ving and enhancing its member’s gay and lesbian tourism business through education, promotion and networking. You can search, contact and utilize their members around the world for all your travel needs. Whether you are looking for a gay travel business in your local city/town or a tour around the world, their members understand your travel needs. By going to their website, www.iglta.com you can search through their entire database of gay and straight IGLTA members to find just what you are looking for. Founded in 1983 with 25 founding members, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) is today a 1000 plus member strong and growing organization of gay, lesbian and community friendly travel professionals. IGLTA members represent both retailers and suppliers as well as travel columnists like ourselves. They represent travel agencies, tour operators, resorts, hotels, motels, Bed and Breakfasts, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies, local tourist offices, regional and national tourist boards and the travel media. John Tanze!l is the Executive Director and their international headquarters is located at 915 Middle River Drive, Suite #306, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Their toll-free telephone number is: 1-800-448-8550. In May 2008, IGLTA will take Sin City by storm! From April 30 until May 4, 2008, Las Vegas will host the Annual Convention of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. The host hotel is the Flamingo. That website is: http://www.iglta.orglconvention/and that website is your one stop shop. Here is where you will find updates, registration information, hotel and air information as well as anything else you could possibly want to learn about this one of a kind event. Among the many workshops that will be taking place are: Vegas Adventures, How to Buy/Sell Unique Destinations, How to Access the Gay and Lesbian www.ozarksstar.corn Market, Internet Marketing, L World - Why Lesbians may be your best customers, Gay Comfort Hotel Programs, Marketing Strategies for Staying Competitive in the Gay & Lesbian Tourism Market, Unique destinations for Gay & Lesbian Travel, Teaming Up with Gay and Lesbian Events, Guerilla Marketing and Hotel/Bed and Breakfast trends. Legendary author Armistead Maupin will be our keynote speaker for the event. There will also be a National Trade Show in conjunction with the Convention. Anxong the many National sponsors of the IGLTA are:Airlines, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Center, MGM-MIRAGE, Canada Tourism Commission, Wyndam Hotels and Resorts, HARRAH’S, AIG Travel Insurance, Alamo Car Rentals, National Car Rentals, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Macy’s Department Stores, Ottawa Tourism Center, Marriott Hotels and Resorts and this is only a portion of the national sponsors. If you go to their website you can check out their list of activities and the calendar of events. They list over a dozen every month all around the ~vorld. OutWest Global Adventures is one of our favorites. Check out their website at www.outwestadventures. com. or email them at: info@outwestadventures.corn and their phone number is 800-743-0458. They schedules all over the world. feature a "places to see" page and great maps of each city so that you can find your way around easily. They have brochures on the following cities: Asbury Park, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Austin, Baltimore, Banff/Jasper, Boston, Brooklyn, Calgary, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Edmonton, Fire Island, Ft. Lauderdale, Halifax, Houston, Jacksonville, Key West, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Long Island, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Miami and Miami Beach, Minneapolis, Montreal, Myrtle Beach, Napa Valley, New Hope, New Orleans, New York City, Niagara, Okanagan Valley, Orange County, Orlando, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Provincetown, Quebec City, Rehoboth Beach, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Saskatoon, Seattle, Sonoma County/Russian River, South Dakota, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Washington D.C., Whistler and Wilton Manors. Hopefully in the near future they will come out with a funmap brochure for Missouri featuring Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and Joplin. Funmap brochures can be picked up free at hundreds of bars around the country and you can also check them out on line at www.funmaps.com. Their maps are the most circulated gay publication in the world, with 3.5 million users every year. FUNMAPS.com is the leading authority for gays and lesbians visiting anywhere in the United States and Canada. They have yearly "funmap brochures" on all of the major cites in the country. They have been publishing their brochures for over 25 years. Alan Beck is the publisher and lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We were fortunate to be his guests at his lovely estate there. His life-partner Nick is a wonderful person and they had a house guest, Norma from the Northeast who was a delight. Alan is one of the most charming gentlemen that we have ever met. The brochures feature accommodations, restaurants/cafes, night life and shopping. Their funmaps brochures also ~heSTAR t9 �Matsuya serves excellent sushi and Japanese fare, including such knock-’out starters as deep-fried chicl~en wings and whitefish with smelt roe. Although many imitators have opened nearby, Mia Francesca remains the best place in the neighborhood for sophisticated but simple Northern Italian fare. You could survive solely- on the flaky, freshly baked cinnanmn rolls that accompany every" meat at the hallowed Swedish diner Ann Sather, which has several gay-popular locations. Chicago Diner, and serves that �A swank, smoke-free lounge known for its colorful cocktails and slick crowd, Minibar opened somewhat recently and has become a favorite affer~work spot. A circuit-boy favorite on weekends, Circuit pulses with a feverish tate-ni~t dance crowd even at midweek, when Latin nights are a hit. °l~ne stylish Berlin disco draws a decidedly fiankier and more alternative crowd than most of the preppy haunts in Lakeview. Nearby Spin is an eclectic gay club with an alla~es crowd and fun dance music. Charlie’s brinas in fans ofcountry~ffestern music, while the Gentry on Halsted is ~ Boystown branch of downtowffsppo ular piano bar, favored for happy hour and later for live cabaret. Leather-and-Levi’s types cruise the Cell Block. Steamworks Chicago is a popular, clean, well-run sauna - it’s one of the nicest such facilities in the country. cheese, and a ranow-smoky sauce. One of the most talked-ab0ut new eateries in the area, Anteprima turns out superb modern Italian fare and has a wan’. dining room with pressed-tin ceilings and a s~.~ded patio in back. Don’t pass up the grilled quail marinated in honey with balsan~ic vinegar and pancetta. A lively and atmospheric bistro with a decidedly queer following, Tomboy serves tempting fare like pan-seared duck with crimini mushrooms mid a port glaze, T’S is a friendly, gay-popular restaurant and bar - it s a favorite lesbian date spot, known for healthful American food. ~hste of Heaven Baker), is a great pick for delectable breakfasts and lunches, plus iCresh-baked snacks throughout the day - the flied-egg sandwiches and peaches-and-cream French toast are favorites in the morning. Ano~er wonderful spot to satisfy your sugar fix is Sweet Occasions, which serves some of the thickest and richest ice cream in the city, plus fantast,c cupcakes, cherry cobbler, and homemade fudge. It’s hard not to love this old-fashioned parlor with ice-cream sundaes named for the seven deadly sins. The "Lust" (a chipotle brownie topped with cinnamon ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and red hots) may leave you lusting t~br another trip to these two charming Chicago neighborhoods ..... www.ozarksstar.com {5eSTAR 21 �our entire lives! "17hey were crispy, tender and extremely delicious. We naturally had to get their recipe to share with our readers. After lunch we had some of their home-made apple pie which was great, but not as great as the onion rings. If you’re ever in that part of the country, be sure and stop by and dine there. They have no phone, no address with just a small sign in front but you can’t miss it as it is the only restaurant in town. We asked our waitress who owned the restaurant and she said, "Bob & Jim’. She had ,vorked there for over 3 years and had never met them. Rather strange, but as long as they make extraordinary onion rings, we don’t care. BOB & IIM’S CAFE So, when you’r traveling, you never know what you might find. Sometimes it turns out good and sometimes it turns out bad, but just keep on "truckin". Greydiff, Montana We love to dine at fine restaurants around the country but sometimes we hit upon a little diner that looks as though it is just the "perfect" place to stop. Last fall on our driving trip back from Seattle, Washington we were driving thru Montana around noonish and we were both getting hungry so we decided to pull into the next to~vn and get something to eat. Lo and behold the next town in Montana was Greycliff, a town of about 450 people (if you count the two of us). Really not much there except it is right on the Interstate. When we walked into the only restaurant in town, they KNEW that we were not from their fair town, or even that we were from Montana! All eyes were upon us. The last time that anyone in the restaurant had ever seen that many diamond rings was when they went to their local Walmart! We were the only ones there that didn’t wear cowboy hats, blue jeans, cowboy boots or bib overalls. We really thought about turning right around and walking back to our auto, but decided to stay. Our waitress was rather like Flo from the TV series, ALICE with a rather shrieking voice but pleasant. We had been dining for the past two weeks on west coast seafood so decided to try something a little more middle American so we ordered a chicken flied steak lunch. Our waitress, whose real name was Minnie May suggested that we also order the onion rings which she said were the best in the entire State of Montana. We almost didn’t order them but she kept insisting so ~ve did. To our pleasant surprise, they were some of the finest onion rings that we have ever had in 22 th~STAR Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. www.ozarksstar.com �XANDER, CAPTURES MR GAY US ofA MI 2008 TITLE AT ANGLES By Victor Gorin OkJahomans for Equa] ity opens new exhibit featuring artist Amie Montedoro at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-theartist reception from 6-9pm, Thursday, April 3, 2008, for the opening of it’s April exhibit, paintings by Amie Montedoro. Winners Xander & 1 st runnerup Owen McCord OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ A new facet of pageantry was introduced to Oklahoma when the first contest for male impersonation was held in Oklahoma City March 12-15. q-he national competition for this new division of the US of A system, Mr Gay US of A, concluded at Angles with the crowning of Xander of Tennessee with 1st alternate Owen McCord of Atlanta, Georgia. This new contest is owned by the first Mr. Gay US ofA MI, the famous Gage Gatlin and his partner Brenda Quayle. Mr.Gatlin wowed the audience with a style that even made some gay men swoon, talent garnered from years of experience beginning in Jacksonville, Florida. Gage and Brenda have made their home in Tulsa, having begun this contest in August of this year. Mr.Gatlin has gone into retirement, however he will still perform for large charity events. They are looking forward to next year’s contest, which will feature contestants winning preliminary or regional contests, of which there are already 10 planned. ~wvw.ozarksstar.com Montedoro’s art is a refreshing look at the beauty of women who have taken charge of their own sexuality. The feminine form, as the perfect balance between the sacred and the profane, embodies the duplicity that is woman; as Madonna, as Whore. The eldest daughter of accomplished architect and educator Richard Montedoro (Norman, Ok.), Amie has been taught from a young age the importance of self expression. A tactile artist, Amie prefers to create her art not with brushes or tools; rather she uses her fingers to apply all but the most intricate of details and finishing touches. From concept to creation, Amie uses traditional techniques along with the relationship garnered from having her hands actually create the form and emotion of women who are sexually comfortable, capable, and liberated. The exhibit will remain up through the month of April, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Ttflsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Kern Responds to Activist Criticisms OKI~A_HOMA CITY, OK (PR) __State Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) issued the following statement in response to the criticisms of homosexual activists who have objected to a recent speech she gave on their efforts to promote their agenda at both the federal and state level. "To put this simply, as a Christian I believe homosexuality is not moral. Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views and my fellow Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues. "In recent years homosexual activists have begun to aggressively promote their agenda through the political process, often providing substantial financing to candidates who agree with their views, including many running for state legislative races. National publications such as Time, The Atlantic and USA Today have noted that trend. That is their right, just as it is my right to voice opposition to their agenda, which I have been asked to do at several public forums in recent months. That’s what democracy is all about. It appears some homosexual activists believe only one group is allowed a voice in this debate. I disagree. ’~k vigorous debate on an issue is not ’hate speech’ - it’s free speech. I have made clear my opposition to the agenda of homosexual activists, but I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will. The fact that many gay rights activists claim anyone opposing their agenda is engaging in ’hate speech’ says more about them than me. "Most Oklahomans are socially conservative and believe marriage is a sacred institution, the union of one man and one woman, and that the traditional family is worth protecting and preserving. When I campaigned for office, I promised my constituents to stand up for those values, and I do not apologize for keeping my word." theSTAR 23 ���By Ronald Blake By the time you read this, the Academy Awards gadabouts will be looking forward to next year’s red carpet faux pas. You will likely have listened ad nauseam to the incessant prattling of that sham fashion critic Joan Rivers. You will probably be joining the droves of lemmings to rent the Oscar winning movies at the corner Blockbuster. I will now beseech your participation for my health version of the body’s Academy Awards. I promise to shut up when the music starts to play. The winner for best editing goes to the reticular activating system, or the RAS as it is known to the medical snobs, q-his system was responsible for filtering all the unnecessary dreck that made its way to your brain during the past year. It decided what was important for you to pay attention to. It concluded that 99% of the sensory input that approached your cerebral cortex was to be ignored. Without this RAS, you would likely have been bombarded with an overload of drab detail all around you. The kind of overload you would experience while on the drug LSD, which does temporarily disable the RAS. The winner for best supporting role goes to the diaphragm. This veteran provided enough action and drama for five hysterical queens. It was capable of providing sufficient pressure change in your thoracic cavity to send blood soaring happily back to the heart on many an occasion. It has so ardently allowed you to give that much needed extra push while grunting and groaning on the toilet. It was even so 26 theSTAR chivalrous to accompany you to the health club and save you from muscle tears during your heavy lifting exercises. The best makeup award is presented to the circulatory system for its presentation of the numerous bruises that you displayed to the world. These hematomas are more than just clotted blood masses and it is long overdue that the Academy finally recognizes these purveyors of black and blue marks. They maintained their iridescent beauty until the body naturally reabsorbed the escaped blood that clotted just beneath the skin’s surface. There were many nonainees for great body parts and their exciting roles. With all due respect to the aforementioned winners, the body does function as a whole and winning team. Keep learning about your anatomy and physiology. This knowledge is what will keep you healthy and prepare you for the recipient of the lifetime achievement award. This column is brought to you by that guy who frequendy and sophomorically ordered Whopper sandwiches while in the McDonald’s drive-throughs in his carefree youth. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be castigated at www.goblakefimess.com. The best leading role goes to the lungs. This organ is usually secondary to the perennial favorites such as the heart, brain, or the stomach. This year the voters spoke and showed the world that nobody puts the lungs in a corner. This tour de force has provided the heart with all its oxygen which in turn has provided the properly conditioned blood for your brain’s processing of your impure thoughts and the stomach’s digesting of those roast beef sandwiches ladled with horsey sauce. The best director goes to the adrenaline. This litde behemoth was responsible for preparing all your body parts for that fight or flight reaction when you came face to face with that curmudgeonly pit bull in the park. Audience members cheered furiously when you chose the flight version and outpaced the Hound of the Baskervilles and then leapt that six foot brick wall to the safety of those hydrangea bushes on the other side. Only a capable director could cajole you out of your slothful ways to negotiate that feat. www.ozarksstar.com �GAY TRAVELERS: Almost al! the bus tours allow their passengers to take their own food with them and if you are careful and not out in the open about it, you can take your own liquor for a 5 o’clock drink or two. We know several people who have taken a bus tour from California to Alaska and they all say that it was splendid. Buses nowadays are not like yesterday. They are all extremely comfortable with air-cushioned suspension. They of course all have restrooms on board and they make frequent stops for dining and shopping. On the longer tours they usually have a host/hostess traveling with you to answer any and all questions. Sometimes in one’s life it just makes more sense to take a bus tour rather than driving your own automobile. If this is something that might be in your future plans we highly suggest that perhaps you might start offwith just a day trip and see how you like it and then progress to a longer one. There are a lot of single people taking these bus tours so for the single people out there, you don’t need to feel alone when traveling. We have made good acquaintances on our day tours that we took several years ago and still keep in touch with them. Bus tours are not for everybody but perhaps it might be something to look into for your future travel plans. And speaking of Las Vegas, "Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas" is coming up July 3rd thru the 6th. This wil! be their 2nd year of presenting the Gay Days & Nights. Presenting sponsor Cirque du Soleil will be featuring special events and discounts throughout the Gay Days & Nights July 3-6, to showcase their Las Vegas productions. Attendees of Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas will have an opportunity to see any or all of the shows combined with invitationonly special events, drawings and incentives planned for each night including LOVE at Mirage, KA at MGM Grand, ZUMANITY at New-York Hote! & Casino and Mystere at Treasure Island. PARIS Hotel & Casino is the host accommodations and you can check them out at Parislasvegas.com. For more information check their website at http://www.gaydaysandnights.com/. Also when going to Las Vegas be sure and check out http://www.lasvegaspride.org/. Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! ~,wvw.ozarksstar.com British gays f~ght b{ood ban A new British group called Bloodban is seeking to overturn the nation’s ban on blood donation by non-celibate gay men, the BBC reported March 7. Organizers are circulating a petition that they plan to deliver to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The National Blood Service believes gay men are too high-risk because of the short gap between one’s getting infected with HIV and when the virus can be detected by a blood test. Bloodban says people should be excluded based on their lifestyle, not because of their membership in a particular social group. ~e activists propose that gay men be banned as donors only if they have had unprotected sex in the past 18 months. israeli bashers sent to prison Four Jerusalem gay-bashers were sent to prison for two to eight years March 6 by the Tel Aviv District Court, Ynetnews reported. Typically, the bashers used a decoy cruiser to pick up men seeking sex with men at Tel Aviv’s old central bus station. Once in the victim’s car, the decoy would direct him to another location where the other bashers joined in beating, stripping and robbing the victim. Two other men have been indicted for nearly identical crimes at Jerusalem’s central bus station. In one case, one of the bashers bit off a portion of one victim’s ear, Ynet said. Netherlands plans legalization of park sex People having sex in the park xvill be expected to do so only after dark and out of public viexv. They also must not leave condoms lying about. Meanxvhile, the police institute’s National Diversity Expertise Center is advising other cities to follow Amsterdam’s lead. It said legalizing park sex would help protect gay men from queer-bashers. The Amsterdam branch of the Dutch national gay group COC (now knoxvn only by its formal initials) xvelcomed the nexvs. "Cruising is something belonging to all times and banning it does not work anyway," said chairman Dennis Boutkan. "They do it surreptitiously and mostly without others being annoyed by it. By agreeing on rules of behavior, safety can be increased." Spanish gay-marriage PIVt wins reelection Spanish voters re-elected Prime Minister Josd Luis Rodrlguez Zapatero on March 9, apparently unperturbed that he made Spain one of only six nations that grant gay couples access to full marriage. Zapatero’s Socialist party took 43.7 percent of the vote, besting the conservative Popular Party, which grabbed 40.1 percent. Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa and the U.S. state of Massachusetts also have opened up ordinary marriage to same-sex couples. SGYrdneff. GLBT Mardi as Picks Gayest Song Ever. S~qDNEY, AU __ ABBA’s Dancing Queen, which has been ranked by visitors to Australia’s SameSame.com.au website as the gayest song of all time in a list compiled to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. It will no longer be illegal to have sex in Amsterdam’s Vondel Park under regulations set to take effect later this year, De Telegraaf reported March 7. The Village People’s YMCA came in second, followed by Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive. "Why should we try to maintain something that is actually impossible to maintain, which also causes little bother for others and, for a certain group, actually signifies much pleasure?" asked Oud-Zuid district Alderman Paul van Grieken. "The list was compi]ed in the lead-up to the 30th Anniversary of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to look back on the catalogue of popular music to decide which of them are truly worthy to be labelled a camp classic," SameSame.com.au said. th÷STAR 27 �by Jack Fertig April 2008 "Recharge your batteries, Taurus!" Venus entering Aries provides a challenging spark to the profound re-evaluations of responsibility being raised by Pluto and Saturn. Be patient, take the long view, and rise to the challenge of seeing how your impulses can be harnessed to deep and necessary changes. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Venus is in your sign, and it’s a great time for a makeover. Looking good professionally is more important than just looking gorgeous, so freshen up your work as well as your appearance. Looking good in lieu of accomplishment will fool no one. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Allow yourself time to be alone. Recharge your batteries; take time to think about important issues, to organize hobbies or crafts, or to look more critically at some of your creative efforts. When you need fresh air, do some volunteer work. GEMINi (May 21 - June.20): Throwing yourself into some community efforts will bdng you to unanticipated challenges. You can overcome them, but will have to re-evaluate how you network with others, and how you support and use community structures. SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 o December 20): You could accomplish a great deal, earning fame and fortune. The creative impulse that should feed such progress is more likely to be a distraction. Harnessing that power productively is challenging. Don’t give in to impulse. Structure and discipline are now your best bet. CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Suddenly focusing on what you value about your home and tribe, you can become very assertive and defensive. Try to take a longer view, asserting the value of your clan as part of a larger community or humanity, not distinct from it. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): To become even more comfortable with your deepest, most private feelings about sex and/or death, you need to challenge yourself to examine these most irrational mysteries with some logic. Find someone with whom you can discuss your secret feelings. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): The fault is probably not with your partner and friends, but in what you imagine - wrongly - to be their chief assets. Try to see what they offer and what you offer to them in a new light, one that will improve all your relationships. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Making useful connections may feel cynical. The truth is, you tend to be a little too romantic and shouldn’t be shy about basing relationships on something practical. Focus your urge to edit on yourself; others rarely appreciate it. LEO (July 23 .- August 22): You’re suddenly impatient to make your mark in a new territory. Stop and think. Rather than wasting this energy in some egoistic indulgence, you can apply your skills to present your most valued ideas and talents. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Be bold and daring. Traits you’ve experienced as liabilities can prove very advantageous if you try playing with them - perhaps in dark, subversive ways. Erotic role play can unlock power where you thought you were weak. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Nice people can argue nicely. Assert your points respectfully and hear your partner - or your opponent - out. Be open to new perspectives on cherished traditions. Some long-accepted history als0 needs a fresh look. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): You’re itching to make some much-needed innovations at work. As good as. your ideas are, be sure to discuss any plans with colleagues, and not just for diplomacy’s sake. You can learn from their ideas and improve upon your own improvements. METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve 3". Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Spdngs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! 28 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com �tis÷ s Support those who support us, DOWNTOWN PLAZA of TULSA 17 \Vest 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 v~vw.realacceptance.com HABANA INN 2200 bD,v4 39TH F~XPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 susanlhartman@gmail.com ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK x~vw.anglesclub.com BkaMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.clubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VgAy Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 v~vw.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com www.ozarksstar.com HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline GUSHER’S RESTAURMNT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn GAYRIBBEAN CRUISES www.gayribbeancruises.com 877-560-8318 SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM MCC of the HVING SPRING 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT 2015 -B S. Lakewood Tulsa, OK 74112 918-838-7104 www. openarmsproject.org JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphoms@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 www.c2 lgoldcastle.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: ¯he STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAlVlE: Address: CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com St: Zip: Phone: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: th÷STAR 29 �Keller Williams Realty Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. ,REALACCEPTANCE,COM mdaekfinitio,n..; the cos,int [Re f,gr m,,ost to..... e a amerence llves of.u...s, oT (~Lt~l Teens in Oklahoma.) You can help our teens. Support Open Arms Youth Project. For more Info: www. openarmsproject.org 30 t5eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com ��drugs +, HIL.~ Learn ~t~he Link �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document ESTABLISHED 2003 www.ozarksstar.com APRIL 2008 "The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation." "1 honestly think it’s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam. They have infiltrated City Councils. They are after your 2 year olds for indoctrination." State Representative, District 84, Sally Kern. Compiled by Star staff Photo: Rally at Memorial Park Oklahoma City. ¯hese sentiments expressed by State Representative Sally Kern were taped at a Republican gathering who had invited her to speak on what some term the homosexual agenda. The tape was given to the Victory Fund, a national gay & lesbian political activist group and placed on ¥outube, where it has now been heard by over 1,000,000 people. It has garnered international attention with responses that have overwhelmed Youtube, and to say that the lines of communication with Ms. Kern were jammed would be a classic understatement. Ellen Degeneres was not surprised when she tried to contact Sally Kern after playing the youtube video on her show and couldn’t even leave a message. Although the audience was obviously not in agreement with Sally, Ellen appealed to Miss Kern on the air, stating that she wanted to talk to her, that she obviously had some misinformation. Although some responses received by Ms Kern were supportive, the vast majority were not, and many were threatening and are being investigated by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. At a Press Conference at the Church of the Open Arms March 11, Cimarron Alliance President Richard Ogden, among many others, denounced Ms. Kern’s remarks and stated that she should apologize or be censured by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. As he put it, "These are hateful words that can result in hateful actions, This is about accountability, not freedom of expression." It was pointed out that only 3 months earlier, Stephen Domer of Oklahoma City was murdered because he was gay. So far Ms. Kern has refused to apologize and the Speaker of the House, Republican Chris Benge ofTulsa, has stated he will not call for Ms. Kern to be censured. However Governor Brad Henry stated that he advised her to "Think before you speak. Oklahomans have love and tolerance for all people. I don’t think this rhetoric represents Oklahoma." P-Flag of Oklahoma has asked for a meeting with her, but has gotten no response. Her statement that the gay community was a bigger threat than terrorism or Islam drew fire from both military personnel and Oklahoma’s Muslim community. At the Church press conference Richard Ogden pointed out that one of the four people on United Airlines Flight 93 who overpowered the hijackers who were heading the airliner to the White House, Mark Bingham, was gay. Another speaker at the conference, Jerre B. Fine, a Air Force veteran, stated that she was honored to serve her country and that Sally Kern’s comments that gays were a bigger threat than terrorism or Islam, and were a cancer in the toe of society were very hurtful on a personal level. She pointed out that "I served my country dutifully and honorably for 6 years of my life. We need protection not only from outside forces trying to destroy America, but also we need protection from within from people like Sally Kern." On March 14 there was a rally at Memorial Park featuring signs along Classen Boulevard encouraging rush hour travelers to honk to show opposition to Representative Kern’s remarks. The event got extensive television coverage, and featured many community leaders. Most important of all was that the responses from OKC’s commuters were overwhelmingly supportive. In a recent Tulsa World poll, the question was: Would you sign the petition to have Sally Kern removed from office? ..............Continued PAGE 5 ®MISS GAY TULSA PAGEANT April 25th 10prn. Featuring - Miss Gay Tulsa America - Melody Micheals and Miss Gay Oklahoma Lindsey Paige. for more information email: information@downtownplazatulsa.com 2 the STAR vwvw.ozarksstar.com 1 DS (2437) Recognized by Keller Williams For outstanding achievement 2005 and 2006 R~ALTY Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 REALTOI~ Whether buying or selling I’ll work hardforyo~ Get the STAR delivered to your home or office. 12 issues only $33.95. Send Check or Money Order to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Seepage 29for order blank. ,J www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 APRIL, State News continues on page 6, 9, 11 and 23 LGBT History looks at the life ofTallulah Bankahead, Actress Movies, TV, Stage and Radio World Briefs By Rex Wockner - Wockner News Service ~DEEP ~INSIDE HOLLYWOOD Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on new projects for George Clooney and Simon ~WiNE Devre Jackson reviews wines of Northem Italy. Beer-Battered Onion Rings from Bob & Jim’s Care, Greycliff, Montana. Gay Travelers: Bus Trips & Tours Out of Town: Chicago STAR SCENE Snapshots from around the State. Paparazzi on page 25 FITNESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Photo byVictor Gorin 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Embrace the Passior o£ the Prom. Pride Prom 2008 makes comeback to PAC By Joey De TULSA, OK__ When the sun sets April 19, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center will heat up with the passion of Spain as the University ofTulsa’s Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay and Transgender alliance present Pride Prom 2008, "Bailamos!" The event, which has called the PAC home for three years, offers BLGT youth and their friends the opportunity to celebrate the prom season with their chosen date. ’~A lot of BLGT youth can’t take the prom date of their choice (to their high school’s prom), this is an opportunity to express themselves freely," says Steven Hulford, one of the organization’s leaders. For the TU-BLGTA, Pride Prom is a way to give back to the community and make memories for BLGTA youth, regardless of if they are TU students or not. "We are in or eighth year of doing this event," says Hulford. "Each year it has grown from being in the Great Hall of the Allen Chapman Activity Center (a building on campus), to what it is now." According to Hulford, this year’s Spanish theme was picked from a long list of ideas. "We wanted to do something completely different from what we had done in the past," he says noting previous themes of Hollywood and water. "We’re calling it ’Bailamos’ because the literal translation is ’we dance’." At the event, Hulford says youth can expect all the food, music and fun of a traditional high school prom. In addition, attendees will have access to a "Resource Row," that will feature organizations who provide quality services to BLGT youth. Beginning at 7:30, the event runs until 11:00 and does not require formal dress. "The only things we don’t allow are torn jeans and shorts, other than that people are welcome to dress how they feel comfortable. People have come in formal prom attire and have come in polo shirts and slacks," explains Mr. Hulford. Tickets for Pride Prom 2008 are $10 in advance at www.myticketoffice.com and $12 at the door. For information on sponsorship and branding opportunities, contact the group’s advisor, Nancy Eggen at 918.744.9182. SOONER STATE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION HOLDS OKLAHOMA CITY TOURNAMENT Leroy Cobb & Laurie Proole MC’s at Angles Furndraiser for Sooner State Softball 26 teams ( 21 men’s, 5 women’s) came together at Boomtown Field and the Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City March 15-16 to enjoy the comraderie of softball competition. Now in its 5th year, the Sooner State Softball Association offers the GLBT community the opportunity to show off their skills or learn the game among friends. According to SSSA Commissioner Leroy Comp, it also provides a way "to see some great softball." The SSSA is part of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, a confederation of GLBT athletic teams in both the United States and Canada. New players are always welcome, so if you’d like to try your hand, call Mr.Comp and (405) 408 2533 or e-mail him at cutupok@aol.com. FRONT PAGE CONTINUED: Yes: 129 No: 86 I don’t know: 6 The results of this question represent the opinions of 221 people with the following demographic profile: Oklahomans: 80.5 % Male: 127 Female: 94 In response to Kern’s statement that Eureka Springs City Council was controlled by gays. A press statement was issued by the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce and the straight Mayor, Dani Joy: "Since its founding in 1879, Eureka Springs has been and remains welcoming to all visitors and residents without regard to their race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. It is our hope that all people would aspire to this ideal. Because of the timeless beauty of our architecture and landscape, the friendliness of our citizens and our welcoming attitude toward all visitors, we remain a destination for people from all walks of life. Eureka Springs will remain a city eager to provide all visitors a fulfilling vacation experience." Mayor Dani Joy" Oklahomans have spoken out, we’ve demonstrated, protested, sent letters and email to our elected officials, and have gained international attention. Media from around the world has covered the embarrassing tirade of Rep. Kern. This international spodight may be to our advantage. Our activist groups have experienced an influx of out of state contributions since the stoW broke. We’ve gotten the attention of national and international advocacy organizations. We have discovered many new main stream allies in Oklahoma. The House and Senate leadership may allow the five hate crimes bills currently before them to receive full consideratioia. There is a positive side to this degrading display of (Shame on Sally) Most importantly we have the right to vote, and Sally was voted into office. Come November and in future elections know your candidate before you mark that spot on the ballot. It could make an important difference in our future. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 editor Dear Editor, When is enough, really enough? We have been reading and watching the national news about Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, saying "gay agenda is a greater threat to America than terrorism." Although we do not live in Oldahoma, we have been visiting your great state for over 30 years. We are extremely concerned when a public official such as an elected State Representative makes such remarks. ¯his is really nothing short of a "hate crime" in itselfl It is one thing for a regular citizen of the country to make remarks such as this but when a public official says it, then it is obviously crossing the line. As gay and lesbian citizens of the United States, we have as much right as anybody else to expect full citizenship. When people such as Ms. Kern spews her hatred to the people of Oklahoma it is WRONG ! It propels hatred in schools, churches and throughout the entire community. Many years ago we took on Anita Bryant for her anti-homosexual drive and we won! So, our dear brothers and sisters in Oklahoma............. have you had enough? Gays and Lesbians throughout the country are fighting for their rights and each and every individual gay and lesbian person in each state must do their part. We cannot suggest an action to take against Ms. Kern however we feel very strongly that action MUST BE TAKEN in whatever form necessary. Whether a full stage sit-in, a recall of her government seat in your State House or whatever. ..... something NEEDS TO BE DONE AND NOW~ Many years have passed since we just stood on the sidelines and took whatever was handed to us, and we never, want to return to those days. We are extremely proud of the progress that gays and lesbians have made. Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa have a very vibrant gay and lesbian community, much more so than most cities around the country their size. OkEq Den,o.unces Rep. Sally Kem’s Ant oGay Tirade TULSA, OK (PR) __Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) deplores the sentiments expressed by Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) in a YouTube video now generating a firestorm. National and local media outlets are closely covering the controversy sparked by Kern’s claim that homosexuality is "the biggest threat that our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam." In a triple play of intolerance, Rep. Kern offends lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans, thousands of women and men defending the United States from terrorist attacks, and Muslims worldwide. Yet, she remains completely unapologetic, citing her right to freedom of speech and claiming, "I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will." Rep. Kern’s legislative track record belies her remarks. In 2006, Rep. Kern sponsored legislation that xvould have denied funding to public libraries that refused to segregate books addressing LGBT themes. Rep. Kern has repeatedly used her public office to demonize LGBT Oklahomans and to attempt to deny them the exact same civil liberties she now defends so passionately. This is the height of hypocrisy. "OkEq firmly supports Rep. Kern’s constitutional tight to express her viexvs, but vociferously objects to the actions she takes to prevent LGBT Oklahomans from attaining justice and equality. When elected officials use their power to defame entire categories of people, they abuse the freedom of speech embedded in the First Amendment and violate their responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their constituents," asserts Justice Waidner, OkEq Executive Director. So instead of just bitching and moaning and groaning about Mrs. Kern, we wish all the gays and lesbians in Oklahoma the best success with this matter. Cordially, Donald Pile and Ray Williams OkEq calls upon the many fair-minded members of the Oklahoma legislature to condemn Rep. Kern’s comments and to pass immediately a state hate crimes law that encompasses sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. We ask for the House and Senate leadership to allow the five hate crimes bills currently before them to receive full consideration on the floor. 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 4815 S. Harvard Gay men and lesbiansface many special tax situations, whether single or as couples. Proudly serving Tulsa & OKC’s GLBT communities since 1982 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com TULSA, OK (PR) __ Health Outreach Prevention Education, Inc. (H.O.P.E.) celebrated its 10th anniversar~ Xgrednesday, March 12, 2008. Invited guests and honorees celebrated at the Dennis R. Nell Fxtuality Center, a long-time community partner where H.O.P.E.’s services began in 1996. The evening included hors d’ oeuvres and recognized key individuals who have been instrumental in the growth and success of the organization. "H.O.P.E. provides a vita! service in the fight against HIV by testing those at risk and also educating the community on safer sex practices. By virtue of their HIV testing being free and anonymous, people at risk can more easily know their status and help stop the transmission of HIV," stated Stephen Eberle, advisory board and 10th Anniversary committee member. In recognition of H.O.P.E.’s 10th Anniversary, the following people and organizations received recognition for the significant impact they have had on the agency since its inception: Ms. Kristi Frisbie, Mr. Jeremy Simmons, the Oklahoma State Department of Health HIWSTD Division, Ms. Janie Nicklas and the Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership Grants Committee, Tulsa CARES, Community of Hope Church, Ms. Debi Sanditen, Dr. Damon Baker, and Oklahomans for Equality. Health Outreach Prevention Education (H.O.P.E.) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that has served Tulsa and surrounding communities since 1998. H.O.P.E. is proud to be recognized as one of the largest and most comprehensive health promotion facilities in Oklahoma, and is the only free, anonymous HIV testing site in a 23-county area. H.O.P.E. also operates the statewide HIWsexually transmitted disease (STD) resource hotline and conducts a variety of targeted outreach efforts focusing on men, women, and under served populations. H.O.P.E. also offers free and low-cost Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing and education services. H.O.P.E. provides a comfortable place for people to learn their health status and can connect clients to a variety of medical and social support services. H.O.EE. is supported in part by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, as well as various private foundations, including the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, the Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership, the MAC AIDS Fund, and the George B. Kaiser Family Foundation. Raising awareness of HIV/AIDS remains vitally important, as the infection rate remains steady every year in the United States. Young people and minorities are disproportionately affected, but HIV does not discriminate. By knowing your status, you are better able to protect yourself and others. Prevention education and testing are keys to decreasing the stigma and infection rate of HIV. For more information about HIV or sexually transmitted infections, call the Oklahoma HIWSTD Resource Hotline, 1-800-535-MDS (2437). RESERVE YOUR SPAOE HOW Deadline Thursday IViay t 5th Serving the Oklahoma GLBT community since 2003. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 by Liz Highteyman Past Out, which looks at the life 0fTallulah Bankhead, Actress Movies, TV;, Stage and Radio, Who was Tallu]lah Bankhead? ~ecades after her heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, self-described "ambisextrous" stage and screen star Tallulah Bankhead is as famous for her bad-girl antics as for her acting talent. Bankhead was born to a prominent political family in Huntsville, Ala., on January 31, probably in !903 (the year is subject to debate); her mother died shortly thereafter from childbirth complications. Seeking to keep his two unruly daughters out of trouble, her father, a U.S. Congressman, sent them to convent schools, but these proved conducive venues for Bankhead’s first sexual experiences with other girls. Though plump and plain as a child, Bankhead blossomed as an adolescent; at age 15, she won a movie magazine beauty contest with a prize of a small film role. Chaperoned by an aunt, she took up residence at the Mgonquin Hotel in New York City, a favored haunt of the Broadway elite. There, Bankhead was seduced by renowned actress Eva Le Gallienne and met Estelle Winwood, an older English actress who would become a life-long friend and sometime lover. Bankhead also counted among her liaisons British student Napier Alington and jazz great Billie Holiday, but she turned down a casting couch invitation from John Barrymore. Breakthrough acting success eluded Banld~ead in New York, and in 1923 she moved to London on the advice of an astrologer. There, she quickly achieved fame, especially among young working-class women. Over the next eight years she appeared in two dozen \VC-est End plays, which were wildly popular with fans, if not always acclaimed by critics. Documents declassified in 2000 revealed that the British intelligence service investigated her - groundlessly, it turned out - for allegedly seducing a group of Eton schoolboys. Bankhead earned considerable income, but spent profligately; by the end of the decade, she was broke and accepted a contract offer from Paramount Studios. In Hollywood, she hosted parties at her mansion that were said to have "no boundaries," and she attended shindigs at lesbian actress Alia Nazimova’s lavish Garden ofAllah estate. An emergency hysterectomy due to advanced gonorrhea did little to curb her omnivorous sexual appetite. "My daddy warned me about men and booze," she famously quipped, "but he never mentioned a word about women and cocaine." Bankhead had flings with Gary Cooper and - allegedly - with Marlene Dieterich, but Greta Garbo apparently spurned her advances. Upon meeting Joan Crawford, who was then married to Douglas Fairbanks Jr., she remarked, "I’ve had an affair with your husband. You’ll be next." Though Bankhead often bragged about her sexual conquests, many believed she exaggerated for the sake of publicity. Indeed, her comments suggested that she did not particularly enjoy sex. "The conventional position makes me claustrophobic," she once said, "and the others give me a stiff neck or lockjaw." Regarding Bankhead’s orientation, long-time companion Patsy Kelly - one of the first actresses to come out as a lesbian - said it "mostly it depended on Tallulah’s mood...When she’d get caught up with a man, she’d go quite hetero on us." Bankhead married once, to actor John Emery in 1937, but they divorced four years later with no children. She then bought an estate in West&ester County, where she lived for extended periods with Winwood and with Kelly. She also surrounded herself with numerous pets and her "caddies" - young men who mixed her drinks, lit her constant cigarettes, and sometimes provided sexual services. Follmving in her father’s footsteps, she became increasing involved in politics, campaigning for Democratic candidates and supporting both anti-Nazi and anti-Communist causes. Bankhead disliked movie acting, and her larger-than-life style ~vas better suited to the stage than the screen. After making several unsuccessful Hollywood films, she returned to acting on Broadway and with national touring companies, receiving critical acclaim for her performances in The Little Foxes (1939) and The Skin of Our Teeth (1942). Though bitterly disappointed at being passed over for the role ofScarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, she still took on occasional movie projects, including her most famous role as a shipwrecked journalist in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat (1944). In the early 1950s, Bantdxead emceed The Big Show, a popular variety program on NBC Radio; when radio gave way to television, she appeared as a guest on shows such as The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. She also starred in a one-woman Las Vegas nightclub act and wrote a best-selling autobiography. But as Bankhead aged, her 10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com years of hard drinking and drug use caught up with her, and she became a caricature of her former self. Many of her gay male fans failed to take her efforts seriously, laughing through her performance as Blanche Du- Bois in a 1956 revival ofA Streetcar Named Desire. Before her death from pneumonia in 1968, Bankhead’s final roles were intentionally absurd, induding turns as a demented mother in the British horror flick Fanatic (1965) - retitled Die! Die! My Darling! in the United States - and as the Black Widow on the Batman television series. When producer William Dozier explained his vision for the latter role, she reportedly replied, "Don’t talk to me about camp, dahling, I invented it!" For further reading: Bret, David. 1997. Tallulah Bankhead: A Scandalous Life (Robson Books). Lobenthal, Joe. 2004. Tallulah! The Life and Times of a Leading Lady (HarperCollins). McLellan, Diana. 2000. The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood (Robson Books). OK Mozart Festvai Announces 24th Season, June 13=21 TULSA, OK (PR) __ Tourism is a growing industry in Oklahoma, and the OK Mozart International Festival continues to enhance dais growth by attracting visitors to Bartlesville each June for one of the state’s most renowned cultural events. From June 13-21, the Festival’s 24th season promises to delight audiences from across the state and country with an outstanding array of concert artists and world-class musicians and performances, ranging from classical concerts to Jazz and everything in between. The line-up of renowned guest artists includes Mark O’Connor, Barry Douglas, Anne-Marie McDermott, Frederica yon Stade, Branford Marsalis, Peter Nero, and Ben Vereen. Plus, the New York Theatre Ballet is performing Sleeping Beauty. Amici New York, the Festival’s beloved orchestra-in-residence, returns as it has each year since the Festival’s founding in 1985. These musicians are soloists in their own right and perform in many of the most prestigious ensembles throughout the year. Paul Neubauer, music director, returns with his All-Star Chamber Ensemble featuring members ofThe Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. This year’s Festival will celebrate four great American composers: George Gershwin, Elliott Carter, Charles Wuorinen and Joan Tower, according to Neubauer. "We will also have Mozart,Tchalkovsky and Jimi Hendrix. Please join us for an exhilarating OK Mozart Festival." According to Scott Black, executive director, the 2008 festival offers some positive changes, including three series of entertainment options for the major concerts, money-saving ticket packages and many new and free Showcase events. These events, usually during non-concert hours, offer tours, historical talks, childreffs activities, luncheons and performances. "The 2008 Festival marks our 24th season of offering an internationally recognized event that puts Northeast Oklahoma on the map alongside larger cities that host similar summer festivals--San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Aspen," Black said. Most concerts take place in the Bartlesville Community Center concert hall, acdaimed for its near-perfect acoustics. Inside the Community Hall, the Moz-Art Gallery and OKM Gift Shop provide shopping pleasure for visitors. An exquisite on-site restaurant, Cafd Mozart, offers delicious three-course dinners and delightful lunches. The all-time favorite Woolaroc Outdoor Concert, taking place on June 20 at the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, features Amici New York with conductor’ Michael Krajewski. Nestled on the shores of a tranquil lake, this concert under the stars provides a relaxing, fun way to enjoy beautiful music. When darkness falls, a spectacular finale of fireworks lights the sky, signaling an end to the unforgettable evening. Season tickets and packages are available now with general sales beginning March 3rd. To order, call 918.336.9800, visit www. okmozart.com or in person at 500A South Dewey, Bartlesville. The Festival is made possible in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council and many corporate and individual patrons. The OK Mozart Festival is a member of Green Country Marketing Assn., one of 11 multi-county organizations working with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the Oklahoma Travel Industry Assn. and the other 10 multi-county associations to promote the state tourism industry. Creating Community for People iving with H ViA DS 50t c (3) Non Profit Orgauization Our House, Too offers a vadety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail harrismmjr@yahoo.com. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 Gay arid Gray r g: Cor cerr s SAN FRANCISCO, CA__ More than 70% of lesbian and gay and respondents over age 40 reported concerns about losing the ability to care for themselves in a recent study conducted by Community Marketing, Inc. The majority also feared becoming sick or disabled, being dependent on others, and outliving their savings. When asked which resources they would rely on for long-term financial and social care as they age, less than 8% of respondents said they would place significant reliance on long-term care insurance, leaving us to wonder how prepared lesbians and gay men are for the kinds of health issues that often come with old age. Respondents placed the most emphasis on: Health care insurance: 22% Medicare: 20% Personal savings: 19% Social Security: 16% 65% of respondents expect for provide care to a partner sometime in the future, 44% for a parent, and 34% for a friend. However, respondents were less certain ofwho would care for them - 59% said a partner would be there to help care for them, 29% a friend, and 20% no one. Research Shows Growing Old a Concernfor Many Lesbians and Gay Mot A significant 20% of gay male and 38% of lesbian respondents over age 40 have children Oust 4% of gay men and 12% of lesbians reported the children to be under age 18). Sometimes it is easy forget how many gay-boomers had children before they came out, and some gays and lesbians will be able to rely on their children for care. The majority of respondents have completed a Living Will and the majority have a Power of Attorney, but less than 50% have completed an Estate Will or set up a Living Trust. (Hospitals often require a visiting partner to present a living~in order to enter his or her partner’s hospital room.) 49% of respondents said they are at least fairly confident that they would be treated with dignity and respect by medical personnel, but 19% expressed concerns that they have little confidence in this being the case. Some views of retirement and old age are much more positive. Respondents look forward to: traveling (79%), having more time for personal interests (74°/0), and peace and relaxation (60%). In addition, lesbians were more likely to report looking forward to spending more time with friends and family than gay men. DEMOGRAPHICS of this "over 40" study: The median age is 52. 69% of respondents are male, 30% female, and 1% transgen der. More than 96% of respondents identified as gay or lesbian. The remainder identified their sexual orientation as bisexual, queer or questioning. 53% of respondents reported that they are completely out. However, 15% are somewhat or not very out. The median respondent in all age categories reported plans to retire at age 62. The vast majority of respondents over age 62 have already retired. 73% of respondents have a college degree. 33% of female respondents and 46% of male respondents are single or do not live with a significant other. Lesbians are more likely to be partnered than gay men. The majority own single family homes. 12 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com By’ Rex Wockner Wockner News Service iranian fears e×ecution if sent home Mehdi Kazemi fears he’l! be executed if the United Kingdom forces him to return to Iran. Kazemi went to London to study in 2005 and Iranian officials later arrested his boyfriend, Parham, charged him with sodomy and executed him, according to Kazemi’s father. Kazemi then sought asylum in Britain but was rejected. In 2006, he then fled to the Netherlands, which detained him and is nmv preparing to return him to the UK. The UK had been planning to send Kazemi back to Iran ~vhen he returned to British soil but, on March 13, following extensive media coverage and political pressure, the Home Office agreed to review his case one more time before forcing him to go home. "The Iranian authorities have found out that I am a homosexual and they are looking for me," Kazemi said in a recent letter to UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. tn a statement given to activist groups, Kazemi elaborated: "Around [the] end of April 2006, my uncle called me again and informed me that my father had informed him that the authorities had executed Parham and that I must not return to Iran as the authorities would do the same to me.... Parham was charged with the crime of being homosexual and was executed." According to Kazemi’s father, Parham named Mehdi as his lover prior to his execution. Leading British gay activist Peter Tatchell commented: "The Home Office decision to deport Mehdi back to Iran is shameful and reckless.... Gay men in Iran are hanged from public cranes using the barbari method of slow strangulation." Tatchell said the UK government is "callous and more interested in cutting asylum numbers than in ensuring a fair, just and compassionate asylum system." Britain’s Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association also has taken up Kazemi’s cause, saying that "deporting gay and lesbian people to Iran is akin to deporting Jews back to Nazi Germany." Meanwhile, The Independent reported March 7 that an Iranian lesbian who fled to Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death by stoning also is at risk of being sent home. Pegaah Emambakhsh, 40, issued a statement March 6 saying: "I will never, never go back. If I do I know I will die." Emambakhsh’s asylum claim was rebuffed by the Court ofAppeal in February. She now plans to ask the High Court to review the case. Iran is known to have executed several teens and men accused of engaging in sodomy, although in nearly all the cases that have been publicized in recent years the individuals were accused of other crimes as well, such as rape. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has said it suspects that other charges often are tacked onto sodomy cases to prevent the public outrage that would accompany executions carried out solely for the crime of consensual adult gay sex. The group also has said it believes executions solely for gay sex are taking place .out of the public eye. "Our suspicions [are] that their current practice really is to rid society of lesbians and gay men," the organization said last year. Human Rights Watch, on the other hand, has said it cannot fully document any executions in Iran in recent years carried out solely for the crime of consensual adult gay sex. Last September, during a speech at Columbia University in New York City, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was asked about the nation’s treatment of gay people. He responded: "We in Iran -- we in Iran, firstly, we don’t have hamjensbaz [a derogatory term for homosexuals meaning people with loose morals who chase people of the same gender for sexual pleasure] like you have in your country. In our country, there is no such a thing. In Iran, such a thing does not -- in Iran, in Iran, absolutely such a thing doe not exist as a phenomenon. I don’t know who told you otherwise." ILGA conference canceled The International Lesbian and Gay Association has canceled its 24th World Conference which was to take place in Quebec City, Canada, May 14 to 18. "A recent site visit] confirmed the impressions of the current lack of preparedness at this late date and the lack of funding necessary for the conference to take place," ILGA’s board co-chairs said in a statement. The primary lo.cal organizer was the Coalition gale et lesbienne du Qudbec. ILGA did not reschedule the conference but did put out "a formal call for new proposals from ILGA member organizations for hosting the world conference later this year." It gave interested parties less than a month to submit proposals. The board said any local organizer must take on partial responsibility for paying for the gathering. "ILGA does not have the capacity to fully fund the conference," the co-chairs said. "The local hosts have in the past fundraised for resources, especially to bring scholars from the Global South." ILGA is a 30-year-old federation of more than 600 GLBT organizations and associated members, such as city governments, from 90 countries. ............Continued PAGE 27 w~w.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 Deep ~nside Hol!~,wooeL repora¢ on newprojeHrsjbr George Cloon~ and Simon Callow. Until he crossed over to the PG-13 Law and Order SVU, Chris Metoni was most notorious for gay sex scenes ~uad fullfrontal nudity OZ. And now Meloni is set,t,’o become even more family-friendl): He 1! star in Gym Teacher: Th~ Movie ~o{ Nickelodeon £s a down’on’his-luck coaCh wing Clooney Is Fantastic Mr. Fox 2?~hat’s the connection bevween the Coen Brothers’ ment - dark, violent No Country for Old Men and the upcoming animated family feature Xhe Fantastic Mr. Fox? Besides Coen collaborator George Ctooney in the starring voice role, that would be gay superproducer Scott Rudin, the man whose recent Oscar acceptance speech included a loving thank you to his ~artner (which was then s~rangely excised from the A~demyk o~cial transcript). Rudin tends to go where the hits are, ~d this ~es Anderson-directed, Ctooney and Care Blanchett-voiced feature, abou~ a quick-witted fox and three unpleasant f~rmers t~,in~ to do him in, looks like a sure!re holiday hit..~d in this instance, hohday means Christmas of 2009. But not to worD~ C!ooney has Burn ~ter Read in~ {the next one from the Coens) arriv ing during the interim. dinated thi., be a art teacher Mr. sircom, will a obsessive ~he movie Black about a with~ the film and this time with (slightly) ~,.u,.ll, a dark drama about a woman with a compulsive need to pull out her own hair one strand at k tirile (sounds like Todd Haynes’ Safei but Creepier), ~vill star not 0nly the legendary ~ren Black (Nashvillei but also musician Rickie Lee Jones. No word yet on when the movie will be, ready for an audience, but ifArcher~ firs~ f?ature is any indication, ir will be one ~at audiences wofft soon forget. American audiences remember him best as the joy~ttlly ~a.)[ heat attack victim who put the "funerN in Four XWeddings and a Funeral. BUt now gay" Brit character actor Simon Callow gets his own wedding, , even if it is something of an odd one. Hes starring in the recen@ wrapped Chemical We~lding, about a shy p;cofessor who manages to bring legendary occult figure Aleister Crowl~ back to life. And if that plot weren’t oddball enough, there’s the ~lm’s line e" it was co-written by Bruce fig. Dickinson, a name metal fans will know as the teader of the hugely successful rockers Iron Maiden. ~e sure-to-be-destined- for-cult-status film is due for release later this year. No ~v,ord yet on whether Or not Iron Maidens songs will hog the soundtrack spotlight. George Clooney www.ozarksstar.com A few years backl I had the opportunity to Piemonte is also known fol~ its Gorgonvisit friends in northern Italy. We spent our zola, Castelmagn0, (a local blue Cheese), time in the Piedmont region in a small town zabaione, vinegar, d~e and ri¢otto dishes; called Alba. Piedmont, in Italian, means at wild game, and braised meat dishes, such the foot of the mountain, as Bollito Mist0, a sf[ew of four to five different meats. ~uhe main grape grown there is the distinished Nebbiolo, which is the base for the Milan, the large city of Lombardia, is med Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara the namesake ~ ~ilanese; meaning tO (Barbera and Dolcetto) among others. Also dip food, usualt -iin pieces of meat, into popular is Barbera from Alba & Asti. Baro- beaten eggS, tl br~adcrumbs, and then los are dch, rose-scented wines, robust Saut~ it in butte .ombardiais also well and tannic, capable of (and often requiring) known for its ri( ~nd dsotto dishes, cream long aging. Ur~fortunat~ly they are often sauces~ post rn c~eese course, Use of prohibitively expensive. Barbaresco, made saffron~ pumpki aVi01i, (tortelli di zucca), to be drunk earlier than Barolos, can be asparag;Js~ ~au ge,freshwater fish and the more affordable choice, panett(~ne. Another Piedmont creation that achieved The Veneto is atso an important w ne worldwide fame is the Vermouth, which region, highlighted by So&re, Bardolino; was first created by Benedetto Carpano Pr~secco, (sparkling wine), Valpolioella in his wine shop n~ar the Tudn Stock and the flagship Ar~rone. Exchange. The classic American Martini cocktail takes its name from the most Veneto~ being on the ~aSt, naturally known Italian producer of dry vermouth, braces deligl~ts from the sea. All kinds of Martini & Rossi. seafood ar~ relished here. But the Veneto is quite diverse culinadly speaking. It is Piedmont was one of the first Italian also renowned for its v~getables~ grains regions to embrace the industrial revolu- and meat as welt. Risot{o, especially from tion and in 1899 the automotive giant Fiat Vialone Nano rice, and polenta are staples. (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) was Common Vegetables include winter ¯ established there, squash, radicchio, asparagus, beans, and other legumes. I thought rd shed some light on the wines from this part of the wodd. You can always Friuli, the north-eastern most region of dig deeper by checking out my reference Italy is hallmarked by Austrian; Hungarian, links. Slovenian and Croatian influences. These include but are not limited to Viennese. Reds Moccagatta Barbaresco 1999, 2000 Produttori Del Barbaresco 1999, 2000 Poderi Colla Pinot Noir 2006 Farnese Montepulciano 2006 Whites Bongiovanni Arneis 2006 Masi/Masianco Pino Grigio/Verduzzo 2006 Marchetti Verdicchio 2006 And as always, I say go to your favorite wine shop, ask questions and purchase a bottle or two. Share some food & wine with friends and check this out for yourself. Mr. D also hosts wine & food events known in town as the Wine Enthusiasts of Tulsa. References include: WineSpectator.com FoodandWine.com Wikipedia.org WineCountry.it Masi.it Farnese-vini.com allrecipes.com/Howto/Italian-Wine-Country- Piedmont ._~tww.ozark~star.co_~..................... Cozume| Join our gay and lesbian group aboard Carnival Conquest~ as we set sail from Galveston and call on the beautiful ports in Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. There is no better way to celebrate Halloween than aboard a funship with Gayribbean Cruises. We offer: Our fantastic Halloween Costume Party, Nightly Mixers and SO MUCH MORE ! Book eedy and save. Ask how to receive $75 shipboard credit! call for complete details. Ratea aad =valhbiRty axe ~ubjec¢ to change without noti€e. "Ihis is not an alLgay cruise. Ship ~try: Panama For information & Reservations www.GayribbeanCruises.com NCarnrval. by Donald Pile and Ray Williams Actually a bus trip isn’t all that bad, especially when you are traveling with other fun people. Although ,ve have never taken a bus trip across the country (and dofft think that we ever would) we have a lot of friends who have and enjoyed it greatly. We have taken several "day bus trips" from San Francisco, Las Vegas and on the east coast and all of them were quite interesting. From Las Vegas we took the bus trip to Hoover Dam and to the smaller casino cities of Laughlin. These bus trips were extremely inexpensive in that they drop you offat a couple of casinos and assume that you will gamble a lot. Most of them even throw in flee lunch and dinner and drinks. Sometimes they even thro~v in an afternoon show. Most all of the people that go to Las Vegas are truly a different breed and aren’t interested in taking bus tours and we have found that the ones who do are more enjoyable and interesting to talk with. In San Francisco it is just so much easier taking a bus trip to either the Wine Country or down to Carmel and Monterey and Pebble Beach. They drop you off right in the center of town and pick you up at the same location a couple of hours later. You certainly don’t have any parking problems as when you drive there, and a bus trip to the Wine Country gives you a much better opportunity to taste all the different wines without having to worry about a DUI while drive back to San Francisco. On the east coast we have taken "day bus trips" in Boston, New York City, Washington, D. C. and Philadelphia. Being such historical cities this is a great way to really get to see everything. Parking in large cities is such a challenge and the buses seem to always have their own parking areas close to whatever attraction you are going. Even smaller cities like Savannah, Georgia offers extremely interesting bus tours around the city. But if you’re really up to it, then take a bus tour all across the country. They stop every evening at the designation lodging facility and you’re on your own until the next morning. You don’t have to dine or socialize with anybody other than your own choosing. Check out your local Sunday newspapers in the travel section and they usually have ads for these bus tours. Small towns that have casino gambling are always having specials. We have seen ads where you pay $50.00 up front for a 5 day bus tour which includes your traveling, hotels, food and drinks and shows! Plus, you get the $50.00 back in gaming money at the casino. You can’t stay at home that cheap! Some people enjoy taking bus trips down to Mexico which certainly saves the hassle of driving your own automobile across the border and you certainly are in a position to feel safer. Most bus companies are regulated rather stringently, and especially when driving to Mexico you need to feel safe. .....................Continued page 27 18 th÷$TAR www.ozarksstar.com INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL ASSOCIATION and FUNMAPS, COM By Donald Pile and Kay Williams IGLTA is the world’s leading travel trade association committed to gro,ving and enhancing its member’s gay and lesbian tourism business through education, promotion and networking. You can search, contact and utilize their members around the world for all your travel needs. Whether you are looking for a gay travel business in your local city/town or a tour around the world, their members understand your travel needs. By going to their website, www.iglta.com you can search through their entire database of gay and straight IGLTA members to find just what you are looking for. Founded in 1983 with 25 founding members, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) is today a 1000 plus member strong and growing organization of gay, lesbian and community friendly travel professionals. IGLTA members represent both retailers and suppliers as well as travel columnists like ourselves. They represent travel agencies, tour operators, resorts, hotels, motels, Bed and Breakfasts, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies, local tourist offices, regional and national tourist boards and the travel media. John Tanze!l is the Executive Director and their international headquarters is located at 915 Middle River Drive, Suite #306, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Their toll-free telephone number is: 1-800-448-8550. In May 2008, IGLTA will take Sin City by storm! From April 30 until May 4, 2008, Las Vegas will host the Annual Convention of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. The host hotel is the Flamingo. That website is: http://www.iglta.orglconvention/ and that website is your one stop shop. Here is where you will find updates, registration information, hotel and air information as well as anything else you could possibly want to learn about this one of a kind event. Among the many workshops that will be taking place are: Vegas Adventures, How to Buy/Sell Unique Destinations, How to Access the Gay and Lesbian Market, Internet Marketing, L World - Why Lesbians may be your best customers, Gay Comfort Hotel Programs, Marketing Strategies for Staying Competitive in the Gay & Lesbian Tourism Market, Unique destinations for Gay & Lesbian Travel, Teaming Up with Gay and Lesbian Events, Guerilla Marketing and Hotel/Bed and Breakfast trends. Legendary author Armistead Maupin will be our keynote speaker for the event. There will also be a National Trade Show in conjunction with the Convention. Anxong the many National sponsors of the IGLTA are:Airlines, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Center, MGM-MIRAGE, Canada Tourism Commission, Wyndam Hotels and Resorts, HARRAH’S, AIG Travel Insurance, Alamo Car Rentals, National Car Rentals, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Macy’s Department Stores, Ottawa Tourism Center, Marriott Hotels and Resorts and this is only a portion of the national sponsors. If you go to their website you can check out their list of activities and the calendar of events. They list over a dozen every month all around the ~vorld. OutWest Global Adventures is one of our favorites. Check out their website at www.outwestadventures. com. or email them at: info@outwestadventures. corn and their phone number is 800-743-0458. They schedules all over the world. FUNMAPS.com is the leading authority for gays and lesbians visiting anywhere in the United States and Canada. They have yearly "funmap brochures" on all of the major cites in the country. They have been publishing their brochures for over 25 years. Alan Beck is the publisher and lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We were fortunate to be his guests at his lovely estate there. His life-partner Nick is a wonderful person and they had a house guest, Norma from the Northeast who was a delight. Alan is one of the most charming gentlemen that we have ever met. The brochures feature accommodations, restaurants/cafes, night life and shopping. Their funmaps brochures also feature a "places to see" page and great maps of each city so that you can find your way around easily. They have brochures on the following cities: Asbury Park, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Austin, Baltimore, Banff/Jasper, Boston, Brooklyn, Calgary, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Edmonton, Fire Island, Ft. Lauderdale, Halifax, Houston, Jacksonville, Key West, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Long Island, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Miami and Miami Beach, Minneapolis, Montreal, Myrtle Beach, Napa Valley, New Hope, New Orleans, New York City, Niagara, Okanagan Valley, Orange County, Orlando, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Provincetown, Quebec City, Rehoboth Beach, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Saskatoon, Seattle, Sonoma County/Russian River, South Dakota, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Washington D.C., Whistler and Wilton Manors. Hopefully in the near future they will come out with a funmap brochure for Missouri featuring Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and Joplin. Funmap brochures can be picked up free at hundreds of bars around the country and you can also check them out on line at www.funmaps.com. Their maps are the most circulated gay publication in the world, with 3.5 million users every year. www.ozarksstar.corn ~heSTAR t9 Matsuya serves excellent sushi and Japanese fare, including such knock-’out starters as deep-fried chicl~en wings and whitefish with smelt roe. Although many imitators have opened nearby, Mia Francesca remains the best place in the neighborhood for sophisticated but simple Northern Italian fare. You could survive solely- on the flaky, freshly baked cinnanmn rolls that accompany every" meat at the hallowed Swedish diner Ann Sather, which has several gay-popular locations. Chicago Diner, and serves that A swank, smoke-free lounge known for its colorful cocktails and slick crowd, Minibar opened somewhat recently and has become a favorite affer~work spot. A circuit-boy favorite on weekends, Circuit pulses with a feverish tate-ni~t dance crowd even at midweek, when Latin nights are a hit. °l~ne stylish Berlin disco draws a decidedly fiankier and more alternative crowd than most of the preppy haunts in Lakeview. Nearby Spin is an eclectic gay club with an alla~ es crowd and fun dance music. Charlie’s brinas in fans ofcountry- ~ffestern music, while the Gentry on Halsted is ~ Boystown branch ofdowntowffsppoular piano bar, favored for happy hour and later for live cabaret. Leather-and-Levi’s types cruise the Cell Block. Steamworks Chicago is a popular, clean, well-run sauna - it’s one of the nicest such facilities in the country. cheese, and a ranow-smoky sauce. One of the most talked-ab0ut new eateries in the area, Anteprima turns out superb modern Italian fare and has a wan’. dining room with pressed-tin ceilings and a s~.~ded patio in back. Don’t pass up the grilled quail marinated in honey with balsan~ic vinegar and pancetta. A lively and atmospheric bistro with a decidedly queer following, Tomboy serves tempting fare like pan-seared duck with crimini mushrooms mid a port glaze, T’S is a friendly, gay-popular restaurant and bar - it s a favorite lesbian date spot, known for healthful American food. ~hste of Heaven Baker), is a great pick for delectable breakfasts and lunches, plus iCresh-baked snacks throughout the day - the flied-egg sandwiches and peaches-and-cream French toast are favorites in the morning. Ano~er wonderful spot to satisfy your sugar fix is Sweet Occasions, which serves some of the thickest and richest ice cream in the city, plus fantast,c cupcakes, cherry cobbler, and homemade fudge. It’s hard not to love this old-fashioned parlor with ice-cream sundaes named for the seven deadly sins. The "Lust" (a chipotle brownie topped with cinnamon ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and red hots) may leave you lusting t~br another trip to these two charming Chicago neighborhoods..... www.ozarksstar.com {5eSTAR 21 our entire lives! "17hey were crispy, tender and extremely delicious. We naturally had to get their recipe to share with our readers. After lunch we had some of their home-made apple pie which was great, but not as great as the onion rings. If you’re ever in that part of the country, be sure and stop by and dine there. They have no phone, no address with just a small sign in front but you can’t miss it as it is the only restaurant in town. We asked our waitress who owned the restaurant and she said, "Bob & Jim’. She had ,vorked there for over 3 years and had never met them. Rather strange, but as long as they make extraordinary onion rings, we don’t care. BOB &IIM’S CAFE Greydiff, Montana So, when you’r traveling, you never know what you might find. Sometimes it turns out good and sometimes it turns out bad, but just keep on "truckin". We love to dine at fine restaurants around the country but sometimes we hit upon a little diner that looks as though it is just the "perfect" place to stop. Last fall on our driving trip back from Seattle, Washington we were driving thru Montana around noonish and we were both getting hungry so we decided to pull into the next to~vn and get something to eat. Lo and behold the next town in Montana was Greycliff, a town of about 450 people (if you count the two of us). Really not much there except it is right on the Interstate. When we walked into the only restaurant in town, they KNEW that we were not from their fair town, or even that we were from Montana! All eyes were upon us. The last time that anyone in the restaurant had ever seen that many diamond rings was when they went to their local Walmart! We were the only ones there that didn’t wear cowboy hats, blue jeans, cowboy boots or bib overalls. We really thought about turning right around and walking back to our auto, but decided to stay. Our waitress was rather like Flo from the TV series, ALICE with a rather shrieking voice but pleasant. We had been dining for the past two weeks on west coast seafood so decided to try something a little more middle American so we ordered a chicken flied steak lunch. Our waitress, whose real name was Minnie May suggested that we also order the onion rings which she said were the best in the entire State of Montana. We almost didn’t order them but she kept insisting so ~ve did. To our pleasant surprise, they were some of the finest onion rings that we have ever had in Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. 22 th~STAR www.ozarksstar.com XANDER, CAPTURES MR GAY US ofA MI 2008 TITLE AT ANGLES By Victor Gorin Winners Xander & 1 st runnerup Owen McCord OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ A new facet of pageantry was introduced to Oklahoma when the first contest for male impersonation was held in Oklahoma City March 12-15. q-he national competition for this new division of the US ofA system, Mr Gay US ofA, concluded at Angles with the crowning ofXander ofTennessee with 1st alternate Owen McCord ofAtlanta, Georgia. This new contest is owned by the first Mr. Gay US ofA MI, the famous Gage Gatlin and his partner Brenda Quayle. Mr.Gatlin wowed the audience with a style that even made some gay men swoon, talent garnered from years of experience beginning in Jacksonville, Florida. Gage and Brenda have made their home in Tulsa, having begun this contest in August of this year. Mr.Gatlin has gone into retirement, however he will still perform for large charity events. They are looking forward to next year’s contest, which will feature contestants winning preliminary or regional contests, of which there are already 10 planned. OkJahomans for Equa] - ity opens new exhibit featuring artist Amie Montedoro at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-theartist reception from 6-9pm, Thursday, April 3, 2008, for the opening of it’s April exhibit, paintings by Amie Montedoro. Montedoro’s art is a refreshing look at the beauty ofwomen who have taken charge of their own sexuality. The feminine form, as the perfect balance between the sacred and the profane, embodies the duplicity that is woman; as Madonna, as Whore. The eldest daughter of accomplished architect and educator Richard Montedoro (Norman, Ok.), Amie has been taught from a young age the importance of self expression. A tactile artist, Amie prefers to create her art not with brushes or tools; rather she uses her fingers to apply all but the most intricate of details and finishing touches. From concept to creation, Amie uses traditional techniques along with the relationship garnered from having her hands actually create the form and emotion of women who are sexually comfortable, capable, and liberated. The exhibit will remain up through the month ofApril, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Ttflsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Kern Responds to Activist Criticisms OKI~A_HOMA CITY, OK (PR) __State Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) issued the following statement in response to the criticisms of homosexual activists who have objected to a recent speech she gave on their efforts to promote their agenda at both the federal and state level. "To put this simply, as a Christian I believe homosexuality is not moral. Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views and my fellow Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues. "In recent years homosexual activists have begun to aggressively promote their agenda through the political process, often providing substantial financing to candidates who agree with their views, including many running for state legislative races. National publications such as Time, The Atlantic and USA Today have noted that trend. That is their right, just as it is my right to voice opposition to their agenda, which I have been asked to do at several public forums in recent months. That’s what democracy is all about. It appears some homosexual activists believe only one group is allowed a voice in this debate. I disagree. ’~k vigorous debate on an issue is not ’hate speech’ - it’s free speech. I have made clear my opposition to the agenda of homosexual activists, but I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will. The fact that many gay rights activists claim anyone opposing their agenda is engaging in ’hate speech’ says more about them than me. "Most Oklahomans are socially conservative and believe marriage is a sacred institution, the union of one man and one woman, and that the traditional family is worth protecting and preserving. When I campaigned for office, I promised my constituents to stand up for those values, and I do not apologize for keeping my word." ~wvw.ozarksstar.com theSTAR 23 By Ronald Blake Bythe time you read this, the Academy Awards gadabouts will be looking forward to next year’s red carpet faux pas. You will likely have listened ad nauseam to the incessant prattling of that sham fashion critic Joan Rivers. You will probably be joining the droves of lemmings to rent the Oscar winning movies at the corner Blockbuster. I will now beseech your participation for my health version of the body’s Academy Awards. I promise to shut up when the music starts to play. The winner for best editing goes to the reticular activating system, or the RAS as it is known to the medical snobs, q-his system was responsible for filtering all the unnecessary dreck that made its way to your brain during the past year. It decided what was important for you to pay attention to. It concluded that 99% of the sensory input that approached your cerebral cortex was to be ignored. Without this RAS, you would likely have been bombarded with an overload of drab detail all around you. The kind of overload you would experience while on the drug LSD, which does temporarily disable the RAS. The winner for best supporting role goes to the diaphragm. This veteran provided enough action and drama for five hysterical queens. It was capable of providing sufficient pressure change in your thoracic cavity to send blood soaring happily back to the heart on many an occasion. It has so ardently allowed you to give that much needed extra push while grunting and groaning on the toilet. It was even so chivalrous to accompany you to the health club and save you from muscle tears during your heavy lifting exercises. The best makeup award is presented to the circulatory system for its presentation of the numerous bruises that you displayed to the world. These hematomas are more than just clotted blood masses and it is long overdue that the Academy finally recognizes these purveyors of black and blue marks. They maintained their iridescent beauty until the body naturally reabsorbed the escaped blood that clotted just beneath the skin’s surface. The best leading role goes to the lungs. This organ is usually secondary to the perennial favorites such as the heart, brain, or the stomach. This year the voters spoke and showed the world that nobody puts the lungs in a corner. This tour de force has provided the heart with all its oxygen which in turn has provided the properly conditioned blood for your brain’s processing of your impure thoughts and the stomach’s digesting of those roast beef sandwiches ladled with horsey sauce. The best director goes to the adrenaline. This litde behemoth was responsible for preparing all your body parts for that fight or flight reaction when you came face to face with that curmudgeonly pit bull in the park. Audience members cheered furiously when you chose the flight version and outpaced the Hound of the Baskervilles and then leapt that six foot brick wall to the safety of those hydrangea bushes on the other side. Only a capable director could cajole you out of your slothful ways to negotiate that feat. There were many nonainees for great body parts and their exciting roles. With all due respect to the aforementioned winners, the body does function as a whole and winning team. Keep learning about your anatomy and physiology. This knowledge is what will keep you healthy and prepare you for the recipient of the lifetime achievement award. This column is brought to you by that guy who frequendy and sophomorically ordered Whopper sandwiches while in the McDonald’s drive-throughs in his carefree youth. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be castigated at www.goblakefimess.com. 26 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com GAY TRAVELERS: Almost al! the bus tours allow their passengers to take their own food with them and ifyou are careful and not out in the open about it, you can take your own liquor for a 5 o’clock drink or two. We know several people who have taken a bus tour from California to Alaska and they all say that it was splendid. Buses nowadays are not like yesterday. They are all extremely comfortable with air-cushioned suspension. They of course all have restrooms on board and they make frequent stops for dining and shopping. On the longer tours they usually have a host/hostess traveling with you to answer any and all questions. Sometimes in one’s life it just makes more sense to take a bus tour rather than driving your own automobile. If this is something that might be in your future plans we highly suggest that perhaps you might start offwith just a day trip and see how you like it and then progress to a longer one. There are a lot of single people taking these bus tours so for the single people out there, you don’t need to feel alone when traveling. We have made good acquaintances on our day tours that we took several years ago and still keep in touch with them. Bus tours are not for everybody but perhaps it might be something to look into for your future travel plans. And speaking of Las Vegas, "Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas" is coming up July 3rd thru the 6th. This wil! be their 2nd year of presenting the Gay Days & Nights. Presenting sponsor Cirque du Soleil will be featuring special events and discounts throughout the Gay Days & Nights July 3-6, to showcase their Las Vegas productions. Attendees of Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas will have an opportunity to see any or all of the shows combined with invitationonly special events, drawings and incentives planned for each night including LOVE at Mirage, KA at MGM Grand, ZUMANITY at New-York Hote! & Casino and Mystere at Treasure Island. PARIS Hotel & Casino is the host accommodations and you can check them out at Parislasvegas.com. For more information check their website at http://www.gaydaysandnights.com/. Also when going to Las Vegas be sure and check out http://www.lasvegaspride.org/. Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! British gays f~ght b{ood ban A new British group called Bloodban is seeking to overturn the nation’s ban on blood donation by non-celibate gay men, the BBC reported March 7. Organizers are circulating a petition that they plan to deliver to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The National Blood Service believes gay men are too high-risk because of the short gap between one’s getting infected with HIV and when the virus can be detected by a blood test. Bloodban says people should be excluded based on their lifestyle, not because of their membership in a particular social group. ~e activists propose that gay men be banned as donors only if they have had unprotected sex in the past 18 months. israeli bashers sent to prison Four Jerusalem gay-bashers were sent to prison for two to eight years March 6 by the Tel Aviv District Court, Ynetnews reported. Typically, the bashers used a decoy cruiser to pick up men seeking sex with men at Tel Aviv’s old central bus station. Once in the victim’s car, the decoy would direct him to another location where the other bashers joined in beating, stripping and robbing the victim. Two other men have been indicted for nearly identical crimes at Jerusalem’s central bus station. In one case, one of the bashers bit off a portion of one victim’s ear, Ynet said. Netherlands plans legalization of park sex It will no longer be illegal to have sex in Amsterdam’s Vondel Park under regulations set to take effect later this year, De Telegraaf reported March 7. "Why should we try to maintain something that is actually impossible to maintain, which also causes little bother for others and, for a certain group, actually signifies much pleasure?" asked Oud-Zuid district Alderman Paul van Grieken. People having sex in the park xvill be expected to do so only after dark and out of public viexv. They also must not leave condoms lying about. Meanxvhile, the police institute’s National Diversity Expertise Center is advising other cities to follow Amsterdam’s lead. It said legalizing park sex would help protect gay men from queer-bashers. The Amsterdam branch of the Dutch national gay group COC (now knoxvn only by its formal initials) xvelcomed the nexvs. "Cruising is something belonging to all times and banning it does not work anyway," said chairman Dennis Boutkan. "They do it surreptitiously and mostly without others being annoyed by it. By agreeing on rules of behavior, safety can be increased." Spanish gay-marriage PIVt wins reelection Spanish voters re-elected Prime Minister Josd Luis Rodrlguez Zapatero on March 9, apparently unperturbed that he made Spain one of only six nations that grant gay couples access to full marriage. Zapatero’s Socialist party took 43.7 percent of the vote, besting the conservative Popular Party, which grabbed 40.1 percent. Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa and the U.S. state of Massachusetts also have opened up ordinary marriage to same-sex couples. SGYrdneff. GLBT Mardi as Picks Gayest Song Ever. S~qDNEY, AU __ ABBA’s Dancing Queen, which has been ranked by visitors to Australia’s SameSame.com.au website as the gayest song of all time in a list compiled to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The Village People’s YMCA came in second, followed by Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive. "The list was compi]ed in the lead-up to the 30th Anniversary of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to look back on the catalogue of popular music to decide which of them are truly worthy to be labelled a camp classic," SameSame.com.au said. ~,wvw.ozarksstar.com th÷STAR 27 by Jack Fertig April 2008 "Recharge your batteries, Taurus!" Venus entering Aries provides a challenging spark to the profound re-evaluations of responsibility being raised by Pluto and Saturn. Be patient, take the long view, and rise to the challenge of seeing how your impulses can be harnessed to deep and necessary changes. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Venus is in your sign, and it’s a great time for a makeover. Looking good professionally is more important than just looking gorgeous, so freshen up your work as well as your appearance. Looking good in lieu of accomplishment will fool no one. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Allow yourself time to be alone. Recharge your batteries; take time to think about important issues, to organize hobbies or crafts, or to look more critically at some of your creative efforts. When you need fresh air, do some volunteer work. GEMINi (May 21 - June.20): Throwing yourself into some community efforts will bdng you to unanticipated challenges. You can overcome them, but will have to re-evaluate how you network with others, and how you support and use community structures. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Making useful connections may feel cynical. The truth is, you tend to be a little too romantic and shouldn’t be shy about basing relationships on something practical. Focus your urge to edit on yourself; others rarely appreciate it. LEO (July 23 .- August 22): You’re suddenly impatient to make your mark in a new territory. Stop and think. Rather than wasting this energy in some egoistic indulgence, you can apply your skills to present your most valued ideas and talents. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Be bold and daring. Traits you’ve experienced as liabilities can prove very advantageous if you try playing with them - perhaps in dark, subversive ways. Erotic role play can unlock power where you thought you were weak. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Nice people can argue nicely. Assert your points respectfully and hear your partner - or your opponent - out. Be open to new perspectives on cherished traditions. Some long-accepted history als0 needs a fresh look. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): You’re itching to make some much-needed innovations at work. As good as. your ideas are, be sure to discuss any plans with colleagues, and not just for diplomacy’s sake. You can learn from their ideas and improve upon your own improvements. 28 theSTAR SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 o December 20): You could accomplish a great deal, earning fame and fortune. The creative impulse that should feed such progress is more likely to be a distraction. Harnessing that power productively is challenging. Don’t give in to impulse. Structure and discipline are now your best bet. CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Suddenly focusing on what you value about your home and tribe, you can become very assertive and defensive. Try to take a longer view, asserting the value of your clan as part of a larger community or humanity, not distinct from it. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): To become even more comfortable with your deepest, most private feelings about sex and/or death, you need to challenge yourself to examine these most irrational mysteries with some logic. Find someone with whom you can discuss your secret feelings. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): The fault is probably not with your partner and friends, but in what you imagine - wrongly - to be their chief assets. Try to see what they offer and what you offer to them in a new light, one that will improve all your relationships. METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve 3". Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM MCC of the Living Spring 17 Elk Street Eureka Spdngs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! www.ozarksstar.com tis÷ s Support those who support us, DOWNTOWN PLAZA ofTULSA 17 \Vest 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 www.downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 bD,v4 39TH F~XPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com KELLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 susanlhartman@gmail.com ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK x~vw.anglesclub.com BkaMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.clubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VgAy Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 v~vw.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 v~vw.realacceptance.com OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM MCC of the HVING SPRING 17 Elk Street Eureka Springs, AR 72632 479-253-9337 Worship Sundays 6pm OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT 2015 -B S. Lakewood Tulsa, OK 74112 918-838-7104 www. openarmsproject.org JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphoms@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 www.c2 lgoldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURMNT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn GAYRIBBEAN CRUISES www.gayribbeancruises.com 877-560-8318 Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: ¯he STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAlVlE: Address: St: Zip: Phone: Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: www.ozarksstar.com th÷STAR 29 Keller Williams Realty Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. ,REALACCEPTANCE,COM mdaekfinitio,n..; the cos,t f,gr m,,ost of.u...s, to..... e a amerence in [Re llves oT (~Lt~l Teens in Oklahoma.) You can help our teens. Support Open Arms Youth Project. For more Info: www. openarmsproject.org 30 t5eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com drugs +, HIL.~ Learn ~t~he Link Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2008] The Star Magazine, April 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 4 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 01, 2008 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwestern Missouri Western Arkansas Southeastern Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Charles (Chaz) Ward Victor Gorin Greg Steele James Nimmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Romeo San Vicente Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Jack Fertig Li Highleyman Devre Jackson Judy G. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, March 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 3 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/249 The Star Magazine, May 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 5 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/250 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/244 After Dark Amie Montedoro Bailamos Bars Deep Inside Hollywood demographics fitness health HIV/AIDs testing HOPE HOPE 10 year anniversary horoscopes Iran-execution LGBT history Mardi Gras mixology Mozart Festival Night clubs Our House paparazzi Past Out Q Scopes Sally Kern Star Advertisers Star classifieds Star Scene Too travel https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2bff2a76c797c03b97759a28d4de8741.jpg 3f5f432ac56a627693978eb103ddf68a https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/c9fd578a4bc89e0a1e36c5b23554be24.pdf ba59ebfa3ba5042e99b1f72143c36cc0 PDF Text Text ��������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document 4 the STAR M HEART TO HEART Acting Straight! The way gay men have a tendency to worship the heterosexual image. In white culture, it's the whole Abercrombie model obsession. In the African-American culture, thev call them homothugs. · •• LESBIAN NOTIONS Social Change Calling: "Part of what you do as a member of a community is rake care of others," Carey, 39, told me." A retrospective ofLGBT History. Last month "August 25, 1984 (22 years ago this week): Author Truman Capote dies in Los Angeles. Gay Travelers "East Coast or Wesr Coast?" & "West Hollywood" Out of Town "Houston, Texas" .. ASK UNCLE MIKEY DEAR UNCLE: I caught my boyfriend at a local park with another man. I had my suspensions, and followed him to find him doing a trick in the bathroom. I was so appalled, INDEX Heart to Heart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 6 Lesbian Notions ................................. 10 Inspiring Fitness. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 12 Entertainment. .................... . Past Out. .............................. . Tulsa GLBT Center News. . ...... . Star Scene ............ . Uncie Mikey ........... . The Bistro .............. . C!assifieds .. STAR DiSTRiBUTION: 15 . ..... .26 . ...... 27 ... 28 29 .......... 30 .31 OKLAriOMA C1TY •TULSA• LAvVTON • MCALESTER ' !:NiD ' LITTLE ROCK * FAYETTEVILLE FT SMITH • EUREKA SPRINGS • HOT SPRiNGS • BENTONVILLE ' ROGERS * K.ANSAS C!W SPRINGFIELD• jQPL!N" BRANSON AREA.* WiCHffA • PITTSBURG • JUNCTION CTr' TULSA GAY COUPLE IS ALLOWED EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION BY OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION. By Greg Steele TULSA, 0 K__Memoriai Day weekend 2006 Matt Brumley and Michael Oaks traveled to Barnstable, Massachusetts from Tulsa and were legally married as a same sex couple under the laws of the state of Massachusetts. Of course we all know same sex mariiage is banned in the state of Oklahoma. In last months (August 2006) issue of the STAR we reported on Matt and Michaels marriage and their quest to transfer an automobile title from Matt to Michael. The state iaw allows married couples to transfer or add a spouse to a title without paying excise tax. In this case the tax was $244. TI1e couple decided to take the Tax Commission to task and presented their legal marriage license to a tag agency at 17th and Harvard. The agency employee told them the State of Oklahoma did not recognize gay marriage and they would have to pay the excise tax. A friend then advise them to try another agency. An agency employee at 91st and Sheridan checked with the tax commission and the titled was issued. The couple was determined by the tax commission w be family and the excise tax was waived. As the STAR went w press last month Michael and Matt were anxiously waiting for the original tide to arrive in the mail. Hoping the state had not disailowed the family exemption. The next day Mact called and told us rhey had received the certificate of tide from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The foll.owing is the tax Jaw regarding exemptions. Article 710:60-7 - 2. HExcise tax is levied on e--,.:ery transfer of legal O'\vnership unless a specific tax exemption applies. ()nly transfers made "'V?ithout consideration bet\Veen husband and wife or parent and child or vice versa, are exempt. A Fam.ily i\ffidavit (Forn-1 794) tnust be included \vith the other supporting documentation and is to be attached to the nde document." :i\.fatt and ~vfichael did fiie the 1\Jfida">J,.-it and presented a copy of their n!farriage I..icense as a supporting document. * ( 1 Gold Castle "At Centu,y 21 Gold Castle our BEST properties are our PEOPLE' )7 4301 NW 63rd, Suite 100 lahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 -5 Proudly serving ]Ulsa & ()I(.C1s (;t,B'l'"' co1nmunities since '198 the STAR 5 "Acting Straight" I recently watched rhe first season of the hit Logo series Noah's Arc on DVD. Whiie I doubt there are any Emmy nominations in the show's near future, it's really sweet and entertaining. I coum myself among its fans now. One of che things that most impressed me was the way it didn't shy away from tackling tough subjects with unflinching honesty. One of the mpics raised was the way gay men have a tendency to worship the heterosexual image. In whire culture, it's the whole Abercrombie model obsession. In the AfricanAmerican culture, they cali them homothugs. That got me thinking about how ofi:en I used to date a guy who could easily have been described as straight acting. By his nature, he was very masculine: liked guns and cars, played in a death-metai band, and always dressed in a sloppy-casual style that was as far from the typical "gay styie" as you co~id get. He had a sweet, sensitive side, but he viewed it as more of a weakness than anything. On more than one occasion, I heard him make extremely homophobic remarks. It alwavs bothered me, but I was still struggling with finding my own ide"utity at the time, so I never made an issue of it. After we broke up, I remember him telling me about a time when he was om with a group of his straight friends, none of whom knew he was gay, and they started assaulting a couple of obviously oay • . t,. guys. He couidn't understand why I found the situation so disturbing. Eventua!iy, I came to realize that he was extremely self-hating. Going into the military and having to crawl even deeper into the closet certainly didn't help. Today, he's dating a woman even though he's rold me he still considers himself gay. He's taking acting straight to a whole new level. I think a big part of his issue is chat he'!i never fit societv's idea of what it means to be gay. He could never be somebody's.girlfriend. Of course, you and I know thac not every gay man has to fit the stereotype, but his fear was that if people knew he was gay, they would assume he did. He was always afraid people would judge him as someching he wasn't. Obviousiv, we can't biame all his issues on societv. He's responsible for his ov:;n actions, and the general pubiic is ch~nging as quickly as it can. These things take time. However, the gay community has to share in the blame. We've accepted the idea that rhere's a specific code of conduce that makes one gay or straight. So many gay people are caughr up in negative image ideas. Some feel they have to act a certain way in order I hear someone gay use the expression "straight-acting" co describe another gay man. The more I thought about it, the more offensive it became. I'm sure I've been guilty of using it in ,he past, but more recently, I've come to realize iust how damaging th~ term can be both ~vithin and outside the LGBT community. By continuing to embrace phrases like to be gay -- you have to worship lvfadonna, call all your guy friends "girlfriend," and sleep around as much as possibie. Hey, if that's who vou reallv are,then great! You stra· -acting, we're be you. 'Th~ proble1~ is, I've seen so manv young gay guys just coming out embrace these rraits simply because they've been led to believe that's what being gay means. How does one even act straight? Is there ., • ' i - .... pe, -,,_,,,uating the idea that there is a proper way to act gay. On the flip side, I've also seen many gay guvs who are so busv trving to emulate he~erosexuals rhat tl~ey ;tart rn resem ,heir one prescnoect way to oe necerosexuai; And why wouid a gay person eve,1 wane ro act straight' Possibly because the flip side of acting sc:·aighc w·ouid be acting gay. Ask your average foe on the street v,hat it means to act crav and you~re likely to ge~ a laundry list of gay stereotypes: !irn; ~rist, lispJ obsession with appearance1 Aan1boyant. and efferninate. rnavbc v:ith r H • in , . ,.. ,. , ,. ... ., , _, a rev.r you goj gins thro\vn 1n tor good 1neasure. lJo I know any gay peoph: who fit rhat description" Sure. But l knov, even more w1' 10 d on) L 111 1e trutuh ,1 s th, ere are as n1any ,;,rays re act gay as tn' cre arc to act straight. It's the stereotypes rhat scare son1e people, though. more flamboyant brothers. I hate ro hear a gay man say something iike, ·'I can't stand £Jamey guys:' That's just as homophobic as Fred Phelps picketing a gay funeral with a "God Hates Fags .. sign. Again} I want to stress that jf you~re naturally inclined to be fi~n1i~ ain::: or, masculine, then rur; ,.~ith i(! I don't believe there's anything rnore treeing than accepting \Vho you reaHy are. I have a close friend v,;ho foughc for years against his desire to be a drag queen. 'X'hen -r>/ve first n1et him, he ... vas struggling to tone do\vn his fiarnboyant nature for the sake of his straight friends. C)ver the course of the. last fi~\\' years, he stopped trying to be something he V/asn't and c::nntinued next page 6 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents Heart to Heart simoly allowed the real him to shine thr~ugh. Today, he's happier than ever, and he didn't lose a single friend in the process. In fact, all his friends have been 100 percent supportive. The idea that there is only one way to be gay is extremely damaging, not just for those of us already free from the closet, but for those who haven't come out as well. Here's the catch-22: The more non-stereotypical gay people who come out, the more the stereotypes will be debunked, but the very ones V:I{o need to come out in order to do this mav be afraid to come out because they don't fe~l they fit the stereotypes. By continuing to embrace phrases like straight-acting, we're perpetuating the idea that there is a proper way to act gay. The truth is you can't act gay or straight. The words only describe what gender you're attracted to, and how do you act as if you're attracted to the opposite sex? So let's get rid of the mindset that there is a particular way to be gay or straight. If we want society to accept us as we are, we have to accept each other first. We have to realize thar v:e come in ail shapes and sizes, colors and creeds. We range from magnificently masculine to fabulously feminine, and everything in-between: There is no one way to "act gay," so let's celebrate all of the many colors that make up our rainbow flag. We need to stop acting like anything, and just be who we -are. Quotable Quotes 'Tm not even aware that I'm famous until people remind me. I wake up every single day and I have my life, and it's pretty normal. I drhie myself to work. I don't get driven rn w-ork; I don't have a chef that makes me breakfast in the morning. I don't think that I'm fu.mous until I come hen:: and it's like, 'Oh, that's right.' Even then, this is my job.'' Ellen DeGen.cres to The Advocate:, Photo by Victor Gorin; Left to right Jennifer Seal Democrat running for State House District 85, Al McAffery, Linda Gray Murphy and Krith Smith. Oklahoma to get first openly gay legislator Third "red state" to elect its first openly gay lawmaker this year. by Denis Dison Washington DC - Al McAffrey is poised to become the first openly gay member of the Oklahoma state legislature after winning his Democratic primary Tuesday night to represent District 88 in the Oklahoma Srare House. He faces no Republican opposirion in the general election in November. ]he win in Oklahoma comes on the heels of significant milestones for rhe LGBT community in red states this year, including the election of Patricia Todd to the state house in Alabama, and the election of Karhy Webb to the state house in Arkansas. Both Victory Fund-endorsed candidates won their Democratic primaries and are unopposed in . ,. ..... . d 'b ... rhe general election. 1odd an Web w11! becon1e their states' first-ever openly gay elected officials. ''Ars ... .vin is more proof that what fair-tninded Americans car~ about most are issues that directly affect their lives/' said Chuck Wolfe, President and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. "2006 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year for the Victory Fund. Smart, qualified LGBT candidates, backed by our national network of donors, are proving that we can add voices for equality everywhere," Wolfe added. McAffrey, 58, is a member of the Choctaw Nation, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a formec policeman, a father and a grandfather. He was endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which helped raise thousands of dollars to fund his campaign. Victory endorsee Jim Roth, an incumbent who sits on the Oklahoma Counrv Commission, was unopposed in his prim~ry race. Rhonda Rudd:a Victory candidate seeking the Democratic nomination to represent Discrict 46 in the Oklahoma State Senate, lost her race to a Democratic Party insider. The Gav & Lesbian Victory Fund provides strategi~, technical and fin~cial support w openly LGBT candidates and officials. It's the only narional organization soldy committed to increasing the number of openiy LGBT public officiais at federal, state and local levels of government. Victory is the nation's largest LGBT political action committee. In 15 years, Victory has helped the number of openly LGBT officials in the U.S. grow from 49 to more than 300. For more information, visit w"'..vw.victoryfund. org. * theSTAR 7 20tli}1.nniv 8 theSTAR IVERSITY FESTIVAL FOR us and ABOUT us! Con,e 1J1t•Y, shop and p,ay In HISTORIC ~ureka Springs, Ark•n••s, Voted one or •THE 100 Bl!ST SMALL ART TOWNS*I Find them something truly UNZQUE1'or the holidays! PLUS •••• dance•, concen,,, and ot:her pride •n,antal Lesbian Notions by Libby Post SEPTEMBER 2006 Social Change lling A poker player. A mom. A dedicated LGBT activist. A top-notch not-for-profit executive. · These are just a few of the ways you can describe Rea Carey, the deputy executive director at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. From Carey's peispective, how she defines herself is quite clear. "Part of what you do as a member of a community is take care of others," Carey, 39, told me. "In many ways, I can't imagine whar else I'd be doing other than work that somehow makes change." Creating change - while also the name of the Task Force's annual confab of LGBT activists - is Carey's calling. It is what fuels her commitment to LGBT issues and the work she does at the Task Force. It all started at home in Denver, Colo. She was influenced earlv on by her politically active parents and the politicos who would find their way into her living room - people like Pat Schroeder and Gary Hart, who, at the time, Carey thought, were about 20 years old. "They were actually older. They were young Democrats getting elected," she said. "It lefc an imprint on me that people can get elected and do good for their community." Coming out at 16, at the very beginning of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, jump-started Carey's activism. "I was affecred by HIV in a very personal way - a numbei of my friends were getting infected. But politically and intellectually, I was impacted by the broader group of thinkers who were writing for Gay Community Ne~ (GCN) and Outlook," said Carey. Published out of Boston, GCN was one of the country's first gay papers and was national in iis scope. Outlook was a quarterly journal that began publishing shortly after the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. While neither is still around, they are both heralded in LGBT journalism circles for their ground-breaking work Not finding a "definabie community" in l 980s Denver, Carey went to college where she was guaranteed one - Smith College in Northampton, Mass. Northampton has, in the oast, been calied Lesbianville in various mainstr;am media. ' After graduation, Carey ended up in the nation's caoitaL "I had frie~ds i? D.C. I 'Nas j;st going ~o sray a few years. '1 ended up never leaving. 10 the STAR After 17 years of working with a host of advocacy and not-for-profit organizations - with a brief hiatus to get a Master's in public administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government - Carev found herself as a consultant for ~he Task Force. - , "I have always loved rhe Task Force. I just love the values, the work, and the longevity. I was consulting with them, Matt [Foreman, the group's executive director] came on board, and I truly enjoyed working with him," she explained. "After a whiie, we both agreed it would be great if I came on as deputy executive director." That happened in February of 2004, and Carey couldn't be happier. She and Foreman work hand-in-hand running the Task Force. "He's a New Yorker, but we're both from the West," she said. "We work in partnership - Matt is the more public face, but I really enjoy the internally focused and strategic work." Carey has overseen some tremendous growth at the Task Force in her two-year tenure. "If what we wanted to do was heip create political power for the community from the ground up, we needed two new program departments," she explained. In addition to rhe Policy Institute, which serves as an LGBT think tank, and the Organizing and Training department, the Task Force's two new departments are Public Policy & Government Affuirs and Movement Building. The public policy department is not just about monitoring legislation, but about getting federal resources and funds flowing to locai LGBT organizations, she explained. Along with that work, the movement building initiative brings the Task Force's expertise to the local level. "\Xle've always been focused on the grassroots, and now we're able to provide resources and give attention to the state and local organizations and ro the infrastructure of the movement." To start, the Task Force is working with five statewide groups in Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Washington, and Kentucky. "Over time, we'll hone the model to benefit other srare organizations." Carey may seem to be married to her work, but in reality she's in a committed relationship with Margaret Conway, a DOB Worldwide executive who creates advocacy campaigns. They met at a lesbian poker game 12 years ago, have been together for six, and are raising a daughter. 'Tm both proud and lucky to have been at the right place at the right time to be able to participate in one of this country's key social justice movements," she said. "The ability to actually live the values that I grew up with, that I got from my parents and my community, is what I certainly hope we pass along to our daughter.' If her daughter is anything like her, I'm sure Carey has a budding activist on her hands. Mica Barnes Headlines 1st Summer Diversi Pride in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. By Carlotta Carlisle Photo: Mica Barnes by Nancy Wood EUREKA SPRlNGS, AR_The first Eureka Springs Summer Diversity Weekend was held August 3rd-5th. With ;;he Summer event, Eureka Springs now boast four diversity weekends a year. The Valentines Dance in February, Spring and Fall Diversity celebrations are heid in April and November. Diversity Pride Events produced Micah Barnes from Toronto, Canada, vocalisdrecording artist/composer, for a concert at the historic Auditorium. And made the Diversity Bears happy with comic Bobaloo, from Los _Angeles. Other v,rcekend activities included n1en's and women1s pool parties, Yards & 13.rds of:{ard Sales:- the first annual City-Wide Silent Auction, Diversity Camp ()ut, an lJgliest Dresser c:ontest Golden ()ldie.s and other dances, and other events geared tov1ard the gibt con1munity and their straight ailies. * OKLAHOMA CITY TO HOST INTERNATIONAL GAY BOWLING· ORGANIZTION TOURNAMENT AND CONVENTION. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The OKCiassic Bowling Association is pleased to announce that Oklahoma Citv will be the host citv for the International Gay Bowling Organi~tion's (IGBO) 2007 Mid-Year Tournament and Convention. The event will be held November 7-12, 2007. Members of the OKClassic Bowling Association committee traveled to Calgary, Alberta, Canada in November of 2005 to presem its bid to host this annual event. The committee hosted a well-received hospitality suite on Timrsday night. Early Friday afternoon, the commirtee presented a singing slideshow bid presentation to the governing board ofIGBO. The presentation was greeted with rousing applause and an immediate vote to accept the bid as presented. IGBO is the world's largest GLBT sports organization with over 170 member leagues and over 60 member tournaments. OKClassic has hosted one ofIGBO's largest and most-respected tournaments for over 16 years and has donated over $100,000 to local charities in the process. Oklahoma City hosted IGBO's 1994 Annual Tournament and Convention. The com!nittee has begun the extensh·e preparations required to host this event. I: is expected that 600-800 people from all over the world will attend this even:. in addition to the bowling events, the committee will host 4 days of IGBO i:msiness meetings, many hospitaiit} and social eYents, and a display of panels of ~he AIDS quilt. Tl:e event culminate:~ :n an elaborate awa:ds banquet on Sunday eYening. ~fhe theme for the tournan1ent and con,. vention is "fr:erything's Going MY \X'ay''. Host hotel for the event will be The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites at 63rd & Robm~on. l{ost bo"-.vling centers ,vill be 1-ieritagc L.anes at 122nd & Penn and 'X7indsor L,ancs at 23rd & J\1eridiarl. ·rne banquet ~rte \Vill be 1•h,;, e:-rkc R - m ... RP•'Y'li-- ttr:n 1) ~·1~ 1. ......... Jll .... 00.a.,.. .. at ..... ~ .. ._ ... ...11~.u'.~. l 3Jt\. ivlore 1nfor1nation about the tournarncnt * Creating Community for ,, Peopie living HI \Vith IQ('\ I \) A ;01 r ,,J,,'1 "Nor: Prorr1t r1 .. g.0 111· "a-uion ...... V .,- ...... \ i .L' .1... -- ~ .. V-1. (t L· Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to heip combat the social isolation that manv of our I people live through each and everydav. We provide a Toiletrv and House- , J hold Pantry for those who are HlV+ and or iiving with AIDS vvho cannot afford to purchase these items for themseives. We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us bv ohone 918-585-9552 or e.. maii / l • harr1c:mmirt,:;,v~hon t'Drn I• • lV,, ,, f •;! ~J ""'-'. V, -..,i~ , t l, the STAR 11 s I sit here listening to the Pet Shop Boys Go West, I contemplate the proper way to begin this inaugural fitness column for the STAR. It should begin with an introduction of mvsel£ Mv name is Ron Blake and I am a personal fitness trainer/ow~er for Blake Fitness in Phoenix, Arizona~ I have been training individuals for ten years in Indiana, Illinois, California, and now the Grand Canyon State. My favorite color is blue, my favorite movie is Rear Window. and mv favorite beer is Stella Artois. OK, so enough with the form~lities. Go to my website at www.blakefitness. com and I'm sure I can bore you with more minutia. Now that I have your atrention, let's get on with it. So how do I NOW begin? The same way that I've always done it with everything in life and especially my fitness training. le starts with levity and fun. The key to life is to enjoy that very thing .. .life. How to do that? Fun. Fun with moderate doses of responsibility. As a fimess trainer, my job is to encourage you to take responsibility for your life. Maybe not quire to the degree of your friendly neighborhood preacher who pounds the pulpit and proclaims all homosexuals doomed to kiss the conflagration of hell because of their evil and irresponsible ways. i'm a kinder, gentler more compassionate kind of fitness trainer. At least that's what they taught me whe;1 I was still a straight boy in college. 1hen I saw the light when I ran into this self-absorbed fitness enthusiast who converted me into a rainbow flag-waving, Prada dressing exi:rovert and taught me that I too could earn a free waster ifl could just convert three breeder boys to the dark side. No more tangent ;:houghts or digressions. }bis is a fitness column and I've got.a save you heathens from your licentiou$ and hedonistic lifes,yies. So as I was saying ... any fimess program you embrace shouid iirvolve fun. Yeah, 1.-vorking out does involve hard work and dedication. We aii know that. It shouid also be something you look forward to and get excited about. Otherwise, why do it. Bur yes there is hard work involved and I v,ould be remiss ifI didn't mention that. .After all I come from a corn-fed lvfichvestern bac!r~round that is engrained with a great -μ1ork ethic. 'Why else do you think fcllo\v ·12 the STAR Hoosiers like David Letterman, Orville Redenbacher, Kurt Vonnegut, and Michael Jackson would be so successful. During my ten years of training clients and coaching high school athietes, I have stressed one thing and that is for them to simply enjoy the ride as each day passes. In many ways I feel like an entertainer who tries to regale my clients with the lighter side of life. Fitness training should be a method of escaping the harsh realities of the daily grind. It makes a perfect opportunity to channel any frustrations or aggressions in an appropriate manner. I have informed my clients that they mighr not have control over what goes ◊n in iife but that they certainly have the power to control what goes on in their lives. This control should be used when deciding the who and where of your workout. First who will you workout with. Choose someone who will motivate vou, make you laugh, and validate the quality person that you are. Choose so~eone who is reliable, trustworthy, and goal-oriented. Choose someone who will help you change your life for the better. Then where will you work out? Choose someplace that has pretty curtains, Tiffany lamps, and leather recumbent sofas. What? I'm just being a smanass. It's not really my cup o' tea but hey if it works for you then do it! You need to choose a piace that fits your scyle and personality and a place that will allow you to have fun during your workout sessions. Find that place where vou can adjust the radio to any station and any volume: Find that place where you can take off your shirt and walk around flexing in front of the mirrors like you would at your favorite gay haunt on a Saturday night. Find someplace that is relaxed and understanding. We ail want results when we begin a fitness routine. It just doesn't need to be approached as a dreaded task. You have the power. You have the control. You can have fun. Two of my favorite motivational sayings that I give to my clients are from Victor Borge and Mary Pettibone Poole respectively: "Laughter is the shortest distance between rwo people" and "He who laughs, lasts." * I've pia gay ors also they sta wouldr· McGee· 'Yelvet September 16th 2006:.,. aid Llve'atTHE ~~ · riieOeBarge & Kr.i's September 17th 2006: (Tulsa, O!dahonia) Sep;eniber 23rd 2006: (MaA!ester, Oklahom ©ctobcr 6th 2006:. (Oklalicima City) 13 ast Out by Liz Highleyman SEPTEMBER 2006 Summary : Past Out is a retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Each installment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. Who was Truman Capote? Author Truman Capote, who popularized the genre of creative nonfiction, was as well-known for his open homosexuaiity and his extravagant social life as he was for his writing. Truman Streckfus Persons was born September 30. 1924, in t,Jew Orleans. As a young boy, he was sent to live with his mother's relatives in rural Monroeville, Ala., while his parents divorced. He moved to New York City at about age 10 to llve with his mother and her new husband, Cuban businessman Joseph Capote. 'Though highly intelligem, Capote despised school and dropped out at age 17 ro take a job as a copy boy at the New Yorker. He never attended college, believing that "either one was or wasn't a writer, and no combination of professors could influence the outcome." Capote's first major published work, the short story "Miriam," which appeared in _lvfademoise!!e_ in 1945, won an 0. Henry Award and led to a book contract with Random House. By chis time, he had already adopted a flamboyant style - _New Yorker_ colleague Brendan Gill recalled him "sweeping through the corridors of the magazine in a black opera cape, his long golden hair falling to his shoulders" - and a penchant for social climbing. Capote's first book, _ Other Voices, Other Rooms (1948), was a semi-autobiographical novel about his chi!dhood in Alabama. 'Though controversia! ~or its dep:ctions of ,ape, transvestism, and homosexuality, the boqk was a smash hit. Equally sensational was the photograph on che book jacket, ·,vhich showed the handsome young author reclining in a ianguorons pose with a come-hither expression. Capote's work rcflecrc<l a mix of Somhern whimsy and New York Citv. so1•h:··ti,"1t:or rrc">'hg wl•a, ,..,:,,,.1bom~, Dulre, _. ,I .. -' J.:')~ ~~~ . .l »} - ,a.!. J. , ,tl .,. .._.1._~l.r . u.,. .,\.. ~ characterized as "the quintessential hon1osexual v,riting style of the 1950s and 1960s." Many people were rahn with Capote's boyish charm, including several high~socicr;,r n1atrons v.:ho acted as benefactors . .:In those days 'Trun1an vvas about the best con1panion you could ,vant." recalled feUtPN author I'cnnessee \Villiams. HI-le bad not turned n1aliciousiy birchy.'1 Capote had one of his firsr serious: a professor of literature :-H Srnith 14 the STAR met Jack Dunphy, a working-class writer. 'Jhe two men shared a nonexclusive partnership for neariy 40 years, living togerhe:· in Sicily in the l 950s, and later residing in two separate houses on the same property in the Hamptons on Long Island. After returning from Europe, Capote puolishec one of his bestknown worl.-_s, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958), ·.vhich reiated :he adventures of free-spirited Holiy Golightly. He was not happy with the 196 i film adaptation, starring i\ucirey Hepbur:1, which toned down the language and made the male lead heterosexual. In 1959, Capote began work on In Coici Blood, a story about the murder of a rural Kansas farm family. which he researched with the help of his childhood friend, author Harper Lee. 'Though the work - serialized in the New Yorker in 1965 and published as;; book the following year - was hugely popular, some critics charged that Capote became too emotionaliy involved with the alleged killers, yet failed to adequately aid their defense because he required their execution as a dramatic denouemem ro his tale. In Cold Biood brought Capote even more fame and considerable fortune. To celebrate, he hosted a Black and White Ball at New York's Plaza Hotel in November 1966, which many considered to be the social event of the era. Despite his success, Capote began drinking heavily and asing drugs in rhe late l 960s. A fixture on the television talk-show circuit, he established himself as a catty queen spreading scandalous gossip about old friends and benefactors. During these years. he began work on what he hoped wouid be his Proustian magnum opus, A . nswcred Prayers. The book was never completed, but a few inscaliments appeared in Esquire in the mid-l 970s. His mean-spirited portrayals of the rich and famous earned him rhe nick;;ame "the Tinv Terror,'' and he was shunned by his former high-society friencis. ' W'ith the waning of his youthful good looks, Capo:e became a caricarure of his former self. During a falling out with Dunphy in the 1970s, he began frequenting New York City bathhouses, picking up working-ciass men many years his junior. Ioward the end of the decade, however, he entered drug and alcohol rehabilitation and reconciled with Dunphy. Adopted into Andy Warhol's circle, Capote became a habitue at Studio 54 and revived his career by writing for Warhoi's Interview magazine. His last collection of short stories, Music for Chameleons (1980), was again a bestsdler. In his final years, Capote becan-:.e increasingiy jealous and paranoid, accusing fellow authors of appropriating his sr1ie ai;.d compiaining bitterly aoout what he viewed as inadeqt,ate recogni,ion of his work. He conrir.ued to drink and use drugs, his health cic,eriorated, and he grew increasing!:,' reclusive. r-ie died of liver disease ;ma drug intoxication on August 25, l 984. Despite his downfali, Capote largely fulfilied his dr,~am,. "l \.Vas not ineant to vvork in an office/' he said in a 1978 intcrviclv. ,;I ahvays knew that I ,.vanted to be a \-vritcr and that J vlan1.ed to he rich and fan1ous." For further reading: Clarke, Gerald. 1988. __ Capme: A Biography_ Davis. Deborah. 2006. Parn· of the (~enturv: 'The Fabulous ofTruman (:apote J.nd His Biack•~an.d-\{7hitt' Ball_ Piin1pton, George. 1997 _·rrurnan In \~(!hich \!ariou~ FricndsJ I~nernies .. Acquaintance;;, and lent (Doub!eday). Photo: The new community center coming soon. Sign of the Times: A Decade of Growth at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center The sign wasn't flashv - it was vinvl. No lights,~no neon, no iv screens .. '. just vinyl with rhe words Gav Communitv Center printed on it. Ti:affic,came to a cr~nching hair. Some drivers honked in support. Crcarive individuals voiced loud opinions some good, some not so good. Others took a different approach. Eviction. A simple vinyl sign that caused the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center to move 3 rimes in its firsr decade, also broughr a community togcrher to realize a dream for rhe second time. The fast dream had come true ia October 1996, vvhcn Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) opened the original ''Pride Center'' at 38th & Peoria. 'Ihe 2nd-floor space in an unassuming building quickly became crowded with of~ ferings for all in rhc comn1unity. Ihe ne,v rni1lenniun1, and the fight over that vinyl sign, brought a n1ove to 21st and Memorial, and a ne,v nanu: the 'Ihisa Gay Comrnunit:{ Services Center. J\ sign •,1;ent up, but only the initial~ GLBT were permine<l by the landlord despite agreeing eariier to aliow the vvords Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender. n Four years of an abbreviated still the no".v narned TUlsa Community Center moved to an improved space ac 5545 E 41st Street in Highland Plaza - with plans to light up a sign. Those pians yet again came to a halt as a third landlord in ten years, despite rental agreements, refused to approve even the initials GLBT on an exterior sign. Ihese objections were a sign of the times that showed discrimination was still alive. But, the unintended consequence was a community more focused and galvanized than ever before. The sign that caused cars to crash also set into motion a community determined to take a dream to the next level - an owned Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual & Transgender Community Cemer with a sign that proudly said so. That first vinyl sign will have a permanent home in the soon-to-open Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual & Transgender Community Center at 621 E 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. A new sign thac will light up the East Village will also be a beacon to the entire region. 'Die sign of this time will proudly announce the GLBT & allied communitv has fully arrived, has a permanent home ;nd will keep a permanent presence. A Growing Community A Big Home 1he Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 E 41st Street, is filled with what the sign (inside the window) says community. The Community Resource Kiosk, the PRIDE Store, the Family Room, che Commons, Health Testing, the Nancy McDonald Rainbow Librarv a11d the David Bohnett CvberCenter ar~ some of communiry-orie~ ted programs inside the Center. Now in just over 3,000 square feet, the new downtown Center, at 18,000 square feet, will allow growth for a!l in the community. the over 20 TOHR programs and most importantly - provide growth for you, your friends & family and for all of Oklahoma and surrounding states. In its l 0th Anniversarv year of 2006, the Tulsa GLBT Commu~icy Center has seen a 317% growth in traffic. The move to the 6th largest GLBT Community Center in the nation comes none too soon as visitor number l 0,000 - for just this year, will soon walk through the doors. The growing list of community groups utilizing the: Center will soon find an extra 15,000 squaxe feet to serve ~~~:gr~=i~;:~::1 ~~::;1~~:i~e~~:grams ar~ of the lifespan of GLBT persons and their families. The GLBT & allied community will enjoy bigger and better facilities available for social events, seminars, weddings, meetings, private events ... the list is nearly endless. While the Tulsa GLBT Community Center prepares to move this Fall, the current Center at 5545 E 41st Street remains active and open Monday through Saturday, 3:00-9:00 PM. The David Bohnett CyberCenter, with 10 flat-screen computer stations, welcomes over 300 people a month. HIV Testing, Tuesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM and Saturdays from 4 PM to 7 PM, is the only place in the area to get a free 20-minute result HIV test. The PRIDE Store, with the area's largest selection of rainbow merchandise, has the best values in town. The Tulsa GLBT Information Line at 918.743.GAYS (4297), your source for nightclub locations, business information and medical, legai, counseling, etc. referrals, has experienced a 503% increase in calls over the past year. The social activities through the Center also hit a high note this Fall. Two big events, Out on the Town & the TO HR Annual Meeting, highlight the month of September. Out on the Town with Dinner & DIVAS You don't always get it this good. Start the evening in downtown Tulsa at Tsunami Sushi. The famed entrees and intriguing interior of the trend-setting downtown restaurant begins a night Out on the Town with Dinner & DNAS on Sarurday, September 9, 2006. After dinner, rhe expected SRO crowd will walk down the block to enjoy rhe DIVAS 2006 concerr ar the Tuisa Performing Arts Center (PAC). This year's concert is produced by local talent Rebecca Ungerman and promises ro be a nighr to remember. 'Ihe evening will include an a!I-srar line-up, showcasing Rebecca Ungermann, Cindy Cain, John Sawyer, Pam Van Dyke-Crosby, Christy Hanewinkel, .Annie Ellicott, lvfary Cogan, Heather RichettoRumly, Debbie Zanerhaft ,md Meredith '~eger. Tulsa World fashion columnist Jason Ashley \Xrighr and Fox 23 anchor Chera Kirniko will co~host the evening ,vith heart fi.lied humor. DIVAS 2006 benefits H.O.P.E. (Health Outreach, Prevention and Education) and provides necessary resou.rces to.co~,:~~u~ the fight against HJV/i\J[)S and other ::i 1 D's. the STAR 15 Lesbian poised to become Missouri's first openly gay state Senator. by Denis Dison Washington DC -August 9, 2006 - Jolie Justus will likely become the first openly gay state senator in Missouri history after winning her Democratic primary Tuesday night. Justus will face a Republican opponent in November, but the district is considered a safe one for Democrats. "In Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and now Missouri, excellent candidates are winning historic races. Jolie's win is a testament to her courage, commitment and skill, but it also confirms that fairminded voters everywhere care more about good government than they do about whether their representatives are gay or lesbian," said Chuck Wolfe, President and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which raised money for Justus' campaign from its national donor network. Other breakthrough Victory Fund-supported candidates this year include: Patricia Todd-The first openly gay elected official in Alabama history Kathy Webb-The first openly gay elected official in Arkansas history Al McAffrey-The first openly gay state legislator in Oklahoma history Jolie would join Victory endorsee Jeanette Mott-Oxford, who won easiiy won her primary to retain her seat in the Missouri Srate House. In other election news last night, Allen Thornell, who was vying for a seat in the Georgia State House, narrowly lost his runoff election for the Democratic primary. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly LGBT candidates and officials. It's the only national organization solely committed to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials at federal, state and local levels of government. Victory is the nation's largest LGBT poiitical aciion committee and one of the nation's largest non-connected PACs. In 15 years, Victory has helped the number of openly LGBT officials grow from 49 to more than 300. So far in 2006 the Victory Fund has endorsed 64 candidates. * REGISTER NOW! Registration Deadline for the November 7th General Election is October 13. 1 6 the STAR www. □ ZARKSSTAR.C □ M ~ by Donald Pile & Ray Williams est Hollywood (nicknamed WEHO) is proud to be the hip and happening center of gay and lesbian life in Los Angeles. Since its incorporation in 1984, the City of West Hollywood has continued to be recognized as a leading community in gay and lesbian rights. Visitors are assured of welcoming restaurants and bars, interesting special events and comfortable hotel stays. And the zip code for West Hollywood is 90069 ! AU of West Hollywood's hotels are open and inviting to gay and lesbian travelers. San Vicente Inn/Resort.is an exclusive all-gay property with private. clothing optional, tropical .Rama.de.Plaza West Hollywood We have stayed at the Ramada Plaza seve~ I times and it is in the center of everything. Just park your auto there all-suit Le Montrose Suite. Hotel, Pare Suite Hotel are within ce of "The Boulevard.• Out very favorite place to stay was tlie SECRET GARDEN Bed and Break.fast, just a sl:H:>rt block Noi:th of Sunset Boulevard at the foofof the Hollywood Hills. The owner, Bilbao! is one of the nicest, most d giving people that we have ever ':'.:.,.: .......... Continued page-19 ~~0?~~ &:irfl ~~.· ~ TRAVEL by Donald Pile and Ray Williams "East Coast or West Coast?" Ir seems as though most of the gays and lesbians living in the Midwest have a definite opinion on which coast they prefer. Borh coasts have so much to offer. \Xie enjoy both coasts and get to both regularly ..... Florida for January, Califrirnia for April and September and New York and New England .,ometimc in between. California of courn: takes up most of the West Coast except for \'iiashingron and Oregon which has their own gay agenda and it i, :!bsolurcly beaucifol there. All three Scares on the West coast arc cxm: mcly gay-friendly. And there i, such a div<.:r,ity of things to do on che West coast whether your into huscle-busrie of the big cirie, iike San Diego, Los Angele-, and San Fran..:i,co or enjoy the quicrness and rhe beaury of Palm l,prings as well a, the Sunes of \'11/ashington and Oregon. '!he weather in Southern California i, of course always great and even up the coast as far as San Francisco, the winters are extremclv mild. We have spent the Holidays in San Francisco and it is quit<.: warm. Further North into Washington and Oregon it is much cooler in tht Wint<.'.r. One of rhese davs we want w take a three week trip driving all the way from Scarrie. Washington down w San Diego which is nearly J 300 mib. One time we did drii:c from San hanciscn to Los Angeb which is only a 400 mile drive and hy the time we stopped and vi~ited even-thing it took w, "i days! hut wcli worth it. Driving i; the ONLY W,1)" to travel if vou h:ne the time. Driving dow1, from San rL1nci\co you first ,·isir th<: hisroric tO\V!l of !\:lont.crcy, Pchbil' Beach, ( :~~n1h:l and do;vn diru the Ltbulous ( .a .. ;rk·, S~t!: Sin1con to S.u1t~! Barbar~~ and then on to ;\Ldibu, Los ~\ng<..:1:>. L,iguna ~uH.1 Pn l(l ~~!ll J )icgo .. J he :11:iior h1ghvv·a~:~· v,-hi,_h !~, jght Oil the (P<l:--! i:-, hrc·ath-tak!nf, 'Ih,_T,__' ::EC ;0!1s t)f tiH .. ' \V;t\ Hut ilLn -~•Jl!ll' pr:.•i,.:r r 1'.cl'>I o;r•,t \V~~r_•:h ... ·: it j,. Il::·id~i. the liddL.- :\rLPr >-~L'\',' i\frcr leaving Florida, drive ro .S;::.v~!nn~d1, (;eorgia frH a grand tin1c as it is ~uch ::1 historical tO\Vn and the seuing f<.>r the book and n1ovic, .\1idnigh, In 1 he Carden Of C,iud And h·il. For rho,r s(> inclined, then Iv!yrdc Beach, .\(1u1h c:arolina is ~~nother good pi~tcc to Yisir. Be sure 10 visit sornc of the oid c:~\'il \\:'~1r 1nt!\cun1s \vhilc your driving up the coasr:. \firgini~~ Beach is ahYavs fun. -r~kc ,1bnur 3 dav~ ro visit \vashington D.C:. One of rh~ hc~c i.hing, c1bom that citr is ·chat :1lmost cv~rnhing i:, FREE1 The mt,,eum~, arr n!leri<:,. ,1;1d hiswricai sigl1ts arc -~lil frc--~. 0 "lhen hit ~ew York Ci!\". but park vour .mw in one of the surrounding cirie, about 60 miics' ;W.'a;, at one of the parking int, and then take the commuter train into the Cir,-. Aim of churchc, that is close to 1hr commuter train, have gat<.:d. ixukinv lots during '- ~ 0 the wc,·k very inexpensive. New York Cit)" is NOT a place w be driving your auto. After Yl'll !ca1-c New York City then drive thru the scenic wonckrs of the New Engbnd State,. Everything in New England i, extremely gay friendly and ,·er,- historical. You crn so easily get wrapped up in American history. Either end your journev in P-Town or Ogunquit- Maine. Both wwm arc cnn:mcly gar and pl('.11r:,.· o( gay acconirllodation:-; arc found 1h~T,:, So ·.vhcthcr your .w l·.ast ( :oast pcr,on ,,r" \X:nt ( :oa,t perrnn, rake ofr thi~ )UJ11!11er and experience ne,v adventures, make nnv friends and come back lO !he i\lidwcst with a HL'\V pcr:-.pccriv<: on life. \Ve find it tot;1)h amuini; how many people we mecr from the Midwest when tr,1vcling to either coast. Sadh· to say hur borh coasts arc ;nuch · more gay-friencllr tbn here in the Midwest. ,\nd of course several Stares on both coasr~ arc now t<l[aily smoke free. California, Florida, Maine and many pans of New York have ~in ()rdinance against s1noking in JI1)' public place iucluding bars. And the great thins is that the bars arc more popular no\v than the;· ever \Vere. SLClll'.-i ~1~ though p:.:oplc h:1d '.\topped going to th.: bars for only one reason and rh~~t i:; .so tht:.\~ \von!d Jh)! have to ()U! ~:p .,,:i1h rhe \Jl10~~ ... - in the h:1L\. ><P\V. ain:o·< Jil of the l~:lr> ari: ! ,;Jc:-.'->\\·(: I:ccd t;:kc tl [l,_-,_-,o:i fr( 1rn hdtL ,~·n~t:-:t_;.,_ GAY TRAVELERS West Hollywood: !twas like living in "Old Hollywood" whenever we stayed there. However Raymond has now semi-rerired and now resides in PalmSprings. We wish him well. The heart of the gay and iesbian communiry is Sama Monica Boulevard. "The Boulevard" is a pedestrian-friendly street, lined with cafes, shops and clubs. Traveiers wiil meet friendly people and experience an ever-present fun, party-like atmosphere. Arriving in West Hollywood is arriving in the epicenter of the trends that define LA. Of course, the definition of trends in the ciry is never complete without the hot restaurant scene in hip West Hollywood. With LA's greatest and most celebrity-frequented hotspots, restaurants like Mortons, Ago, Lucques and Katana anchor an impressive number of fine and casual din[ng establishments. Experience the tastes celebrities and the rich and famous have known for years. In 1.9 square-miles, West Hollywood opens the doors to kitchens from ail over the world. From quick 'n' casual drive-ups, to some of' the hippest restaurants in LA: West Hollywood's 120+ restaura:ns guarantee chat you'il never go co bed h1;ngry. Party as the partiers do and the "real" party is always in West Hollywood. 'X'hether on weeknights and always on weekends, a steady flow of hipsters and party people flood into the hippest, most fun-spiriced dry around. famous hotspots like Skybar and Standard Lounge, !1ot to mention LAs iive music scene on the Sunset Strip welcome the night right. On Santa Ivfonica Boulevard the party gets red-hot at legendary clubs like Rage, Mickey's and Here Lounge. Shopping is a sport in West Hollywood and with some of the "hautc-esr" comure and sryiish pickings in interior design and art, you are in for a mighty fine "work-our''. From Hermes to Valentino. Anna Sui to Halston, to the rock star garb at Maxfield and Royal Order, this city drops the pretense and shows you ro che latest trends you could only expect from the most stylish place in LA. Nowhere is looking and feeling good more important than in West Hoilywood, where Holiywood's leading men, models, actors and stressed industry types flock to che endiess selection of health dubs and spas for pampering and conditioning. Famous spots like Lulur, Ole Henri;c.sen FaceiBody, and Kinara provide some of the best known spa treatments in the world, while a:nlctic facilities iike Equinox and Angel City Gym provide the '.ares, and greatest in physical conditionlng. Check in a,1d cl~eck out the re'.axa:ion rhat awaits you. And for Art and Cuicure there is the 1k,ors Circle ·n1eacrc. Archirecrure & Design i\fosetun, Coast Playhouse, Globe Playhoi:se, Lee Strasbcrg Thea'.re Mu<cun,, MAK Center for Arr and ?-,rchirccturc and rhe Pacific De~ign Center. And of course don·r miss rhe Getty Museum just a frw miles \Xfes, of\X,'est Holivwcod anci the: \viesemhal j\fu,et:m of":i)Jlernnce ,·mici; h,.:s a ;pecia] section jusr for gays/lesbians. ~TRAVEL You Bv direct!v into lAX lnternacionai Airpon, take a shutr!~ to West I-J:oilv,..,,C:od and vou don't ever have r~ bother with an auto. EVERYTHI:.-~G is right there. They cio have wonderful pu6iic transportation if you wam to venture out for the day but everything is right there! Ir is a place that we certainly would nor wane to b·e bur is a fantastic place to visit. We always have a great time whenever we go there. And of course the Movie Studios offers great tours, Beverly Hilis and the fabulous shopping centers are a must do. It is just FUN and 1:ABULOUS! There are simply way to many bars and restaurants for us to suggest you try. Just walk up and down Sama Monica Boulevard and look for yourself. There are dozens of weekly gay newspapers on the street corners with ads for all the businesses inciuc!ing daiiy specials at bars and restaurants. Always have a great time when traveling, meet new and exciting people and TALK TO EVERYONE! For more information on traveling email Donald and Ray at gaytraveiers@ aol.com or visit their webpage ar: http:/ /www.hometown. aoi.com/gaycravelers. heaith outreach prevention education, inc. 1-800-535 IDS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(S) .. Free nonjudgmental HIV testing, inciuding the 20 minute OraQuick Test. KNOW YOUR STATUS * Free Syphiilis screening at the GLBT Community Center on Tuesdays from 6-Bpm H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic Mens Outreach Program In Tulsa at (918) 812-7045 Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine i9 America's fourth-largest city, Housron has developed into a worldclass center of culture, dining, and style. (Photo by Andrew Collins) by Andrew Collins Houston, Texas cosmopolitan city that biends Western and Southern heritage and style, Houston has been one of America's great boomtowns of the past decade. Its once staid, business- oriented downtown has become a trendy district of restaurants, dubs, shops, condos, and hip hotels, along with an architecturally stunning baseball stadium. Other central Houston neighborhoods, inciuding gay-popular Montrose and up-and-coming Midtown, have also seen big changes fur the better, helping to turn the nation's fourth-largest city into a lively and downright stylish getaway. Houston acts as a cultural capital bridging the South and Southwest, with some of the best museums in the country. Cultural highlights include the Men)! Collection, wid: wor~ by Warhol, Leger, and Picasso in a space designed in 1987 by Renze Piano. Within walking distance are the Menil Collection's Cy Twombly Gallery, plus rwo independent faci!ides: the Rothko Chapel, which contains 14 large-scale Mark Rothko paintings commissioned for the chapel and a peacefui reflecting pool and plaza; and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, which showcases nvo 13th-century frescoes re$cued from ,var-torn Cyprus. Many of the city's engaging attracdons iie in the Museum District. south of downtown, anchored by lush Hermann Park. Don't miss the Museum of Fine Arts, with its concentration of Impressionist, as well as Itaiian and Spanish R.enaissance, pieces. The Contc1nporary Arts Museum hosts reputable temporary exhibitions. And the ciry·s I:--Ioiocaust Museun1 has changing exhibits (v,1hich sometiines touch on the persecution of gays and lesbians) as we!i as a permanent display that includes artifacts and personal effects recovered from a Polish concentration camp. At the northern tip of Hermann Park iies the Houston Museum of Natural Science, one of the nation's most-visited museums. Check out the Burke Baker Planetarium, which has a 25,000-square-foot tropical rain forest complete with butterflies. (No joke: Spray Calvin Klein's Obsession on your shoulder and the butterflies won't leave you alone!) Houston's gay scene is centered in Montrose, an artractive neighborhood a couple of miles southwest of downtown, with a mix of early 20th-century homes and conages and several newer pockets of condos and apartments. At the epicenter, where Westheimer Road crosses Montrose Boulevard, you're within walking distance of countless gay bars and gay-friendly restaurants. As you head farther west along \Vestheimer, you'll pass a number of antiques shops and funky boutiques. Consider taking a break from shopping with a meal at the homey Empire Cafe, which is set inside a converted vintage service station and offers splendid pizzas, hearty frittatas, and such breakfast ueats as hot polenta with honey-cream and toasted almonds. Anorher exce!lent nearby option is Diedrich Coffeehouse, a spacious cafe with sunny seating areas and a shaded patio. Montrose has dozens of other great eateries. Acclaimed chef l,1onica Pope, one of the Southwest's culinary stars, brings great cooking to the masses at T' afia, a sleek space on the eastern edge of the neighborhood, where you might feast on such creative, globally inspired fare as yellowfin tuna with coconut chutney, or buffalo rib-eye steak with a tamarind glaze. With an ebullient, festive atmosphere but a serious menu, La Strada serves fine, upscale Italian fare at dinner, including a signature Italian paella. R~ggles Gri!le is highly popular with the queer community, famous for its Sunday brunches and delicious Southwestern-meets-Mediterranean food. Mark's is an upscale hot spot in a deconsecrated church, serving appropriately nonconformist fare like bourbon-glazed pork tenderloin wirh moiasses, glazed yams, and ginger-apple compote. Mo Mong, a spare-looking haunt known for great Vietnamese food, happens also to be a favorite spot for cocktails (especially sake martinis on Wednesdays) among queers in the know. For stellar, upscale regional Mexican cuisine, book a table at the hip and high-ceilinged restaurant, Hugo's. Steps from the Montrose bar strip, Baba Yegas sprawls with sunny dining rooms and shaded decks, which are constantly abuzz wirh charter and gossip. Decent burgers, many veggie items, and other light dishes are served. Barnaby's is a ctC\vn-home diner with a tn:s gay following and consistently good, filling fare. And Katz's Deli serves astonishingly large sandwiches, savory soups, and heavenly cheesecakes in a handsome dining room that's open 'round the dock. \:vhile Momrose has pienty of gn:at gay-popular eateries, downtown Houston is where a nurnber of top chefs are operating these days. Among the neighborhood's most acclaimed din;ng options, Solero serves delicious tap~ts in a sexy environment; and Bank (at the Hotel IC~Ot',.~) presents the iefined~ ethereai, Asian-tinted French cuislne of fan1ed chefJean,-Georges 'v:':}ngerichten. Berrveen do\vrno1.vn and JY1ontrose~ the city~s lviidto·..vn neighborhood ha.s one of the hottest 20 Arkansas & Oklahoma ·s most read GLBT Magazine real-estate markets in the country, as this once virtually deserted area booms with new condos and town homes. Cool restaurants are popping up, too, such as Farrago, a dapper bistro serving creative pizzas, affordable pastas and burgers, and wonderful weekend brunch fu.re. A more upscale but stiil moderately priced option is Gravitas. 1his slick, beautifully designed space is known for its terrific wine list and tantalizing American bistro cuisine - rhe roasted Texas quail with sweet corn and applewoodsmoked bacon is heavenly. Houston has a tremendous number of gay bars and clubs. Here are some of the more popular options: Extremely friendly and therefore a great place to go if you're new in town, Brazos River Bottom (BRB) is a good-sized country-western bar with two-stepping and line-dancing some nights. Chances is one of the city's more lesbianoriented hangouts, with dancing (both to pop and country-western music) and a super-friendly, low-keyed crowd. J.R.'s - like its sister bars in Dallas and Denver - is a quintessential stand-and-mode! bar with attractive Southwestern-inspired decor and a fabulous patio. Nearly next door, Blur Bar is a large new space with a packed dance floor and a big pario. The Montrose Mining Co. draws a mix of bears, Levi's-and-leather guys, and regular Joes into its dark and cruisy confines. And Sourh Beach is the favorite warehouse-style dance club in the heart of Montrose, with dancing and music into the wee hours. Also pulsing nearly all night long, Rich's is an industrial- looking downtown dance club. The hip video lounge I,1eteor has extremely popular happy hours and fun karaoke Sundays. Guava Lamp has live entertainment some nights, great martinis, an array of video screens, and music at decibels that allow conversation (and, of course, cruising). Regulars at Club 1415, a !aid-back dance bar, love to mingle on the spacious patio. A popular neighborhood bar among the city's over-35 gay folks, Decades is also one of the friendlier hangouts in town. The more hard-core of the city's leather bars, Ripcord is a fairly typical such hangout, with the traditional black decor and dim lighting. Houston's hotel scene has truly blossomed in recent years. Right in the heart of !vfomrose, you'll find a rerrific, affordable, first-class accommodation, the Lovett Inn, which draws a mostly gay and lesbian crowd. 'There are 12 rooms and suites, some in the historic main house - the former residence of a one-time Houston mayor - and others in separate ombuildings set abour the attractive grounds (which include a pool and hoc tub). A longtime favorite is in the Houstonian Hotel, an opulent old-world property in the upscale Post Oak section of the city. Om toward the ritzy Galleria Mall, the trendy Hotel Derek is a super-sleek propeny done in bold colors with dramatic contemporary furniture. Among dov,'lltown properties,. the swanky Hotel ICON occupies the historic Union Nationai Bank Building. 111e stunning rooms in this boutique property have rhe ambience of a decadent Parisian flat, wirh vibrant red drapes, plush bedding, and high-end toHerries. Although it's not especially gay, the restauram·s nber-cool ':V11iskey Bar is a favorite downtown spot for cocktails - e".\,ren if you~re not staying at the hotet consider • ' •. I • I d ' . . . ~av1ng 1nart1.?1s 1ierer as you observe tne ramanc renaissance that 1s downtown Houston Houston, Texas the nations 4t.11 largest city. Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine 21 CENTER NEWS: Out on the Town with Dinner & DIVAS begins at 6:00 PM at Tsunami Sushi, 309 East 2nd, followed bv DIVAS 2006 at 8:00 PM at the Tulsa PAC. Please call TOHR at 918.743. GAYS by September 6th to reserve your spot for a night Out on rhe Town. TOHR Annual Meeting It's been an exciting and busy year for Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). A building, the permanent home for the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, has been bought, is being renovated and will open in October. TOHR has partnered with Tulsa PFLAG & OYP to plan and make "Diversity Celebration - Tulsa PRIDE!" bigger and better - your input and ideas can help take it to the next level. The Center has visited Tuisa PRIDE and OKC Pride and will soon bring the rainbow to Southeastern Oklahoma during McPride on September 23rd, 11 AM to 5 PM in Chadick Park in McAlesrer, OK (log onto mcpride.org for more information). We're also implementing a strategic plan and a marketing initiative that will change Tulsa and Oklahoma for the better. You can help make it happen with your support and attending the TOHRAnnual Meeting. The TO HR Annual Meeting is Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 E 41st Street. The State of the Organization, the Year in Review report and Board of Director elections are planned, as well as celebratory drinks and refreshments marking the last official TOHR function in a leased location. As always, it's FREE. Join us Thursday, September 28th, 7:00 PM at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center at 5545 E 41st Street in Highland Plaza Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $26.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Slngle Copies $3.00 per issue) City: ________ St: ___ Zip: _ _ Check enclosed--~ Money Order Start Date:-------~ 22 the STAR Li le Rock Capi Elects Its Boa I Pride For 2007 LITTLE ROCK, AR~ Link Rock Capital Pride (formerly known as Little Rock Gay and Lesbian Pride) electeci its new Board for the 2007 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006 anci ending june 30, 2007. The new officers for 2006/2007 are: President - David W Quinn Vice Presidem - Barb Kampbe!l. Treasurer Chad Allen Secrerarv Toe Lafountaine Board Me~bers-Janis Walters and Joy Evans Little Rock Capital Pride was founded in 2005 by omgoing Board President and Founder, John House, The success ofLirde Rock Capital Pride has been through the hard work of the "All Volumed' working membership, community support and its Board. \X'e iook forward to seeing you at our 3rd Annual Little Rock Capital Pride Celebration June 3, 2007. The board is also pleased to announce that Capital Pride 200: will be held June 3rd at rhe River Market Amphitheatre from 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. Capital Pride has been heid for the past two years ar .AJisop Park and the new venue ,'✓as selected to accommodate the growth in attendance the evenr has enjoyed. Little Rock Capital Pride Board President, David W. Quinn stated, "We are very excited to host our third annual Capital Pride at the River lv1arket. We feel the new venue will allow us-rn continue to grow the event, attract more ~ponsors, garner more vendors and provide better entertainment. Little Rock Capital Pride is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to hosr events that honor the history and diversity of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) individuals in the State of Arkansas and surrounding areas and create unity within the GLBT community and its allies by providing sociai support and enhancing awareness of the past and present contributions of GLBT individuals through community activities and services, induding an annual Pride event. * Northwest Arkansas GLBT Commu- Center Receive's First Corporate Donation. BENTOI'~VILLE, AR _ ·'We received a donation check from Wal Man this week. !tis our "Fim" corporate donation. It wiil go ~t~:::'.-1\::;;~~1~:r~:,~~:~:~~~~~~::::1: ~~:,~(1~:;_munity Tne l'1ortir'\<vest Arkansas <,.;ay} Lesbian, Bisexu~11 and 'Thtnsgendered c:ommunit;r' (:enter is a group of like-n1inded individuals '\Vho have come toger.her to create a nonprofit (;LBl- ,.,.,,.,""''"'"' Center of 1"Jorthwest .Arkansas. For n1ore inforn1ation go to: Congratulations K'rli Adams Miss Gay Oklahoma America Salutations Kittens, a weltered Uncle corning to you straight from the summer best describe as, hotter than a Twink painted in body glitter wearing only a thong! Take my word for it Kictens, he was as hot as they come, no pun intended. My goodness this heat has been enough to drive a queen mad, not that it would be a far haul mind you. As we sail into hopefully a cooling off period in che monrh of September, let us see what intrigues the minds of my faithful Queers this month, besides yours rruly. Dearest Uncle Mikey, I have a friend at school that i wrote to you abour. I have had this amazing crush on him for a while, and until now thought that he was a great guy. He aliowed me a momentary pleasure after which he quit talking to me altogethei. I mean he made me fed just cheap and used. Am I a slut? Kissing and telling Dearest Teliing, Kitten, I got steamier details our of Clinton's memoirs. What a let down; now I need a drink. If you are going to dish, make sure you include the steamy details of your campus copulation. To your question, was ic done in taste? I mean one can give twenty blowjobs, but if done with styie, and taste, one is simply a giver, nor a slut. TI1is is my story and I am sticking to it! Smooches- Mikey Dearest Uncle Mikey, • .. My partner gets mad at me when I indulge myself in satisf1ing myself through masturbation. He feels I am taking away from our lovemaking when I am not always in the mood. I never used to really enjoy i:, now I enjoy doing it seYeral times a week. I even tried on day at work b a stall, but that is a different storv. Is it a bad thing_whe~ you are in a relationship? , Mambo or one Dearest Mambo, Ah, masrnrbadon, Americas second pasi: time event. Kitten, it is nor a bad ace as long as you are not attempting co buy cards and flov,-ers for Mr. Righcy. You can even incorporate this little past rime into your lovemaking. Allow your partner to watch, whiie you pu t ~n a steamy s>n ow rr or mI • m. ~1 am sure you w1•1 1 n,~ nct• th• ;.s qm•t e satisfying as him. Fantasy is a ma,ior role in most n1en~s sexual 26 theSTAR drive. Reassure him that this is not about something lacking, simply adding to. More importantly, you skip the work story and leave me hanging like a low rider? Have I taught you all nothing? I swear, I am going to need a warm shower after this momh's selection. Dear Mikey: I am a twenty two year oid lesbian living in a community where homosexuals are not accepted. I am unable to meet any females living my iifestyle, leaving me very lonely, what should I do? Uno-les Kitten, Sister soldier, welcome to life in the mid-west. I would suggest that you look for the Martha jailbird's tour, which I hear is done by lesbians Inc, but you know how rumors get started. You must surround yourselfbv others in vour life scyle. Easier said than done-mavbe worth the' effort- defi~ntly. Fou~ out of five lesbians currentl/livi;1g in the Midwest agree. Mind you darling those are the same proud members of the secret fingei society heard about in lesbian campouts everywhere! Smooches-Uncle Dearest Mikey, Did you find Tiddles? Curious kitty lover Dearest Curious, Kitten, you do care. Yes, I found that cranked up ungrateful kitty hoped up on catnip, hooking up with the neighbor hood pussies. I mean really, all I ask is a note, is that so much! Tiddles the o-reat mv . t, ; ass, more like Tidd.Jes the Josey goosey. (Stern looks at Tiddles) Dear uncle Mikey, I caught my boyfriend at a local park with another man. I had my suspensions, and followed him to find him doing a trick in the bathroom. I was so appalled, yet froze unable to formulate words. Now, I do not know weather I should break it off or accept his apology. W'hat do )'OU think? Looking at loneliness' Dearest Looking: Indulge me fur a moment. I hope you do!1't find chis question brazen however, could your frozen state maybe been caused by a sudden lack ofblooci flow possibly. I mean honestly Kitten; we ail have been there. ! mea!l I am simply looking ac causation in your search for truth. Some of my greatest moments have been porn out of what I like to :efer to as, Dear :nches moments. Kitten, we live what we allow ourselves to live. You and on;y you can decide if ,his bathroom iover is ;ight fo~ vou. Personallv, I sav e~iov the little tart while you get read:y to BBD '.bi~er better deal) his ;orry ;tali iovin' v.rays. Safely of course, you don't \Vant to take away any critter.st not on a leash: Smooches-Uncle , , Well Kittens, like a trick in the night, I n1ust make a run for it. ?\iv fi1ithful pool boy is due shortly and I have not vet waxed. What we do to i~ok good for our men. Until next tirne kittens remember this, Uve HtC as if y(}U a~c the hottest trick at the bathhouse, rnake then1 V/ork for it! Got a question for ljncie? Write to hin1 at unciemikey4you({paol.corn Smooches'. lJncle }Aikey and (tired) 'fiddles too * JOIN US FOR McPride's 2nd Annual Family Picnic Saturday September 23rd 11 AM to 5PM Chadick Park 6th and Delware, McAlester Oklahoma. Organizations Resen,e your display table now. Contact paul@mcpride.org Food and Drink vendors Contact Elizabeth @ 918- 423-7015 www.mcpride.org Marinated Pork Loin with Wild 3-4Ib pork lion 1 cup orange juice 1 cup pineapple juice 1/2 cup brown sugar marinate pork overnight 4cups wild rice 1 cup chopped oranges/pineapples/ raisins 1 cup orange marmalade Grill pork lion on hot grill for about 1 hour or internal temp reaches165. In a large sauce pan cook wild rice, after cooked and chopped fruit in a small pan heat marmaiade over low heat. Place 1 cup of rice on plate. Slice pork lion at a angle place about 4 slices on top of rice and drizzle with orange marmalade. A delicious Pomegranate Martini will go very well with this main course. Comments or suggestions email Chef John at: chefjohnp@cox .net Here is a martini recipe that goes well with pork, chicken, salads, etc ... or just fun alone I Serve these to your guests in fun martini glasses that are properly chilled and you will impress them all. Remember when entertaining to have fun with it and your gathering will go very well and everyone wiii have a great time. Enjoy I POMEGRANATE MARTINI (2 OZ) ABSOLUTE CITRON VODKA (2 OZ) POMEGRANATE JUICE (1 OZ) CONTREAU LIQUOR SPLASH OF 7-UP FRESH SQUEEZE OF LEMON 1 . Chill a martini glass with ice and water. 2. Combine al! ingredients '..Vith ice in shaker (except 7-up) and shake well. 3. Strain into martini glass and add splash of 7-up, garnish with a fresh lemon twist. CELEBRATE September With A Cool Drink! Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine 27 Q Scopes by Jack Fertig SEPTEMBER 2006 "Patience, Aries!" That dreary Neptune-Saturn uμ~;u;:,ition is getting activated again, this time by ercury in Virgo, offering hope that the muddle and mystery will come into critical focus. Then Mercury squares Pluto, brin · any new ideas or rationalizations into the spotlig t to be challenged or enshrined. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Pessimism is weighing on you heavily, and friends' assurances seem to backfire. The future is what you make of it, so take care of your health and keep your mind on your work. Patience, love! Every little step forward counts. TAURUS (April 20 ~ May 20): With a sense of uncertainty at work, you're inclined to retreat into your nest, but mere cocooning offers little satisfaction. Creative projects at home can make you more generaliy confident of challenges at work - and eager for challenges in bed! GEMINI (May 21 M June 20): Messages from Mama or anyone back home can help resolve the problems you're struggling with. Shutting up and listening can help, too. Don't let ideals get in the way of reality, but let reality clarify those ideals! CANCER. (June 21 00 July 22): Organizing bills and accounts and/or baiancing your checkbook will hone your mind toward a better understanding of your priorities, both material and otherwise. That clarity couid improve your sex life! Still, be careful to avoid accidents and needless arguments. LEO (July 23 * August 22): Arguments over money come out of your rigidity and your partner's uncertainty. Even so, financial discussions can push you to loosen up a bit and give your baby a little more security. Gambling and investments now are sure losses. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Worrying too much about guarding a secret can be the surest way to reveal it. Put your mind elsewhere, especially on health matters. A checkup now can nip something serious in the bud. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Efforts to ioosen up some of your more conservative associates are sure to backfire. Try instead to be sensitive to and meet their wishes, even if you take them in an entirely new direction. SCORPIO (October 23 m November 21}: Friends - and especially colleagues - can help you work through the longrunning muddle at home and stress at work that feed into each other. If their suggestions seem a bit off, use them as a starting point for new and better ideas. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 00 December 20): Arguments are coming toward you and out of you more easily than usual, and you had a head start! Accept advice from someone whose authority you respect, and keep your rebellious streak focused on productive battles. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Clever suggestions from an unlikely source can help you improve your sex life. But they may also challenge some of your erotic values and ideals - perhaps even open unpleasant memories and hidden fears, and through those, untapped strength. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): To pep up your sex life, move it to the bathroom. The shower may be the best place to start. There are other possibilities, but once you're near the piumbing, it's up to you and your partner! PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Worries about your health may drive you to a doctor, and a timely checkup is always worthwhile. But a day at a spa with your partner may be just as good. Any health advice from your baby is especially valuable now, too! SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST .MCC SPONSORS Testing appointment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 SA.TCRDAY Service 9:30.:\l\.J Yot1r I11vited to our (~on1munitr Din11er E.,.rerv \XTed. 6prn just $4.00. No one is turned away: 28 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (4 NWA GLBT Ctr - - - www.nwaglbtcc.org- - - - - - 9-586-1062 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Event - - - - - - - - - - - - - -www.diversitypride.com A Byrd's Eye View- - - - - 36 N. Main- - - - - - - - -479-253-0200 Caribe Restaurante- - - 309 W VanBuren- - - - -479-253-8102 Henri's - - - - - - - 19 1/2 Spring St - - - - - - - - - - - -479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - - 105 E VanBuren- - - - - -479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- - - - 888-582-8464 Spexton- - - - - - - 17B Spring Street - - - - - - - - -479-981-6060 Tiki Torch- - - - - - - - 75 S. Main Street- - - - - - - - -479-253-2305 Tradewinds Lodge 141 W. VanBuren- - - - - - - - - 800-242-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Common Ground Restaurant- - - 412 W. Dixon - 479-442-3515 Condom Sense - - - - - - - 418 W. Dickson- - - - - -4 79-444-6228 Curry's Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-521-0009 Passages - - - - - -930 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-442-5845 Pride Street Live- - 523 W. Poplar St-- - - - - - - - - - 479-587-0557 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave-- - - - - - - - - - - -479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- - - - - - -1004 1 /2 Garrison Ave- - - - - - - 4 79-783-9988 Red Rock City- - -917 N. "A" St. - - - - - - - - - - - - - 479-242-2489 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jesters Lounge - - - - 1010 E. Grand Ave - - - - - - - 501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - - - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - - - - - - - -501-66427 44 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.dsra.org Discovery- - - - - 1 021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - - - - - - -501-666-6900 Sidetracks - - - 415 Main St- -North LR.- - - - - - - -501-244-0444 The Factory - : - - - 412 Louisiana St.- - - - - - - - - 501-372-3070 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club- - - - - - 384 Grant Ave. - - - - - -785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.- 1701 S. Broadway- - - - - - - - - - - -620-231-0938 River of Life Church.- - 1709 N. Walnut- - - - - - - - -Service 11 AM Kansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40- - - 3201 S. Hillside- - - - - 316-682-5494 Priscilla's- - - - - 6143 W Kellogg Dr- - - - - - - - - - 316-942-1244 Club Glacier- - - - - - - - - 2828 E. 31st South- - - - 31.6-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E. 20th. - - - - - -Sat Service-9:30AM Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street inn- - - -www.40thstreetinn.com- - - - - -816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Blvd -- - - - - -816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs www.hydeskc.com - 816-561-1010 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -816-561-0625 Missouri, Lampe (417) KOKOMO Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -417-779-5084 Missouri, Springfield (417} The Edge- - - - - 424 Boonville Ave- - - - - - - - - - - 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical- - - - •· - - - -417-869-3978 Martha's Vineyard- - - 219 VV Olive - - - - - - - • - - 417-864-4572 Missouri, Springfield (417) Priscilla's - - - 19HI S Glenstone - - - - - - - - - -417-881-8444 Ronisuz Place- - -821 College- - - - - - - - - - - -417-864-0036 Rumors - --1109 E. Commercial- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books- - - -104 Sunset - - - - - - - - - - - - 580-242-6838 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - -4810-A West Garriott- - - - - - - 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) lngrids Bookstore- - - - -1124 NW Cache Rd- - - - -580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester McPride- - - - - - - - - - POBox 1515, - - - - - McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) American Crossroads B&B - POBox 270642- - - - - -405-495-1111 Boom Room- - - - - - 2807 NW 36th St- -- - - - - - - -405-601-7200 Border's Books- - - - - - 3209 NW Expressway- -- - - 405-848-2667 Club Rox- - - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy- - - - - - -405-947-2351 Christie's Toy Box- - - - -3126 N. May Ave - - - - - - 405-946-4438 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave- - - - - - - -405-672-6459 Hollywood Hotel- - - 3535 NW 39th Exp - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club - - - - - - - 1221 NW 50th- - - - - - - - - - - - 405-843-1722 Partners- - - - - - 2805 NW 36th St - - - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Pec's- - - - - - - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expw - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - 615 E. Memorial- - - - - - - - - - - 405-755-8600 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St- - - - - - - - - - 405-525-5165 Rudy's Place-- - - - -3535 NW39th Expw- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Phoenix Rising - - - - 2120 NW 39th St- - - - -- - - -405-601-3711 The Park- - - - - - - - 2125 NW 39th St - - - - - - - - -405-528-4690 The Rockies- - - 3201 N. May Ave - - - - - - - - - 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Tramps- - - - - - - - - - - -2201 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - - -405-521-9888 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge- - - -7204 E. Pine - -- - - - - - - - - -918-836-8700 Border's Book Store- - - 2740 E. 21st- - - - - - - - - - - 918-712-9955 Border's Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale - - - - - - - - - - 918-494-2665 Club 209 - - - - - - - 209 N. Boulder - - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-9494 Club Majestic- - - - - 124 N. Boston - - - - - - 918-584-9494 Club Maverick- - 822 S. Sheridan - - - - - - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks -- - - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - - - - - - - - -918-834-1051 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 5545 E. 41st- - - - - - - - - - 918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge- - - - - 11730 E. 11th- - - - - - - - -918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic- - - - - - - 3540 E. 31st- - - - - - - - - - - 918-749-8378 Jazz's Lounge- - - - - - 426 S. Memorial - - - - - - - - - 918-836-8544 Midtown- - - - - - - - - - 319 E. 3rd- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-3112 Nite Spot - -- - - - - -3007 E. Admiral Pl - - - -- - - - - - 918-834-3007 Our House, Too - - - -203 N Nogales Ave- - - -- - - - -918-585-9552 Prisciila's - - - - - - - - -7925 E. 41st- - - - - - - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla's - - - - - - - 5634 W. Skelly - - - - - - - - - - - 918-446-6336 Priscilla's - - - - - - - 11344 E 11th - - - - -- - - - - - - -918-438-4224 Priscilla's - - - - - - - - - 2333 E. ?1st- - - - - -- - - - - - -918-499-1661 Renegades- - - - - - - - 1649 S. Main - - - - - - - - - - - 918-585-3405 Rob's Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- - - - - - - - 918-627-1505 St. Michaels Aliey- - - - - -3324-L E 31st- - - - - - - 918-7 45-9998 Sterling & Co. Salon- - -1606 E.15th St.- - - - - - - 918-742-9999 Tulsa CARES- - - - 3507 E. Admiral Pi- - - - - - - - - - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Eagle- - - - -1338 E. 3rd - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -918-592-1188 TNTs - - - - - - - - - 21i4 S. Memorial- - - - - - - - - - 918-660-0856 Yeliow-Brick-Rd- - - - - - - 2630 E. 15ih- - - - - - - - - - 918-293-0304 · :&osfuiss of Orgaoizitldtrl1'1irttrrtgJo p.istl'Jll!ite FREE e;opies of the STAR; contact us at 918;8J5:its&7,9aiifto4' - ®ll -'•fii 'br eiμail; 9i.a,."icsstar@sbc lobaLnet DIVERSITY COALITION Seeks Pff event coordinator for annual festival and parade 918-587-7222 eberlon.734@gmail.com 12th page classified CALL FOR RATES 91 B.B3S.78B7 11730 E. 11th - Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 Wed. Talent Show with Bobby Page, 11PM Open Tues-Sun 2pm-2am Check out our new Patio! OPPORTUNITY ADVERTIS,NG BALES REPRESENTATIVE F'OR WICHITA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS gualificarions to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Get results with STAR Classifieds! 1 bed apts-remodeled $495/month $300 Security Deposite 1 FREE MONTH Metro Properties 405-232-1236 405-627 -8087 ** OPEN AUDITIONS FOR MALE DANCERS.** Saturday's 5pm. Must be available to dance Sunday's. Compensation plus tips for successful candidates. 31 PANGA BAR&GRILL Sunday Champagne Brunch All you can eat soup and salad bar llam-2pm Monday & Tuesday Well Martinis $2.50 4pm-7pm Dinner new menu items from 4pm - 11 pm Friday & Saturday After Hours Dining 12am-3am New menu starting on September I. 2006. Bar favorites, restaurant favorites and many new items for vour enjoyment pleasure. - --F'~•:';''+<~~'~ ;::- ~- ""' ~· ,,,.,., , ,.,,,, ,.,,,,,, \ PEC'S A LEATHER/LEVI BAR Mon Thur, 7pm-9pm wear your leather and get your well drinks for $2.50 Sun -Thur, 7pm-2am Fri and Sat, 4pm-2am RUDY'S PLACE PIANO BAR Rudy's Place is a non-smoking establisthment Eariy for cocktails, late for a night cap. Live entertainment Wed, Fri and Sat. CLUB ROX HOLLYWOOD IDOL Wednesday Nights with Taylor Brayns Sign up at 9:30pm, Starts at 10pm VIXENS Saturday Nights with Shantel Mandalay atl0pm ALISON SCOTT SHOW Friday, Sept 8 at 9:30pm BARBIE'S BOOTS AND BRIEFS Every Thursday. Signup at 10:00 P.M. and Show at 11:00 P.M. $50.00 First Price and $25.00 Second Prize in CASH. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, September 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 9 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 01, 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn John Patrick Michael Dee Kay Massey Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Victor Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Ronald Blake Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, August 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 8 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/224 The Star Magazine, October 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 10 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/242 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/243 Advice Column Al McAffrey Bamboo Lounge Bitter Girls Chelsea Boys Club Majestic Comic Strips Diversity Pride Ewan McGregor fitness Heart to Heart HIV/AIDs HOPE International Gay Bowling Organization Jolie Justus K'rli Adams Lesbian Notions Little Rock Capital Pride Mica Barnes Miss Gay Oklahoma Oklahoma Tax Commission Our House Past Out Pomegranate Martini Q Scopes Quotable Quotes recipes Snakes on a Train Star business center star classified Star Distributors Star entertainment Star Scene Star travel The Night Listener Too Truman Capote Tulsa Community Center Uncle Mikey Walmart https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/3606d446a128edc1e22445fb1018fdb3.jpg ade86e8efdac34dbfc792e048a4b85a7 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/794df62bcf7175f9e841fabe5ca9d90f.pdf cad8e29777e52185f3d966f17f06ee8c PDF Text Text ��������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document 2 the STAR C) .. -rohcr 2oncthe STAR (Jcrohc-r 2006 3 The STAR is published by Star Media, Ltd. 5103 S. Sheridan,# 153 Tulsa, OK 74145-7627 ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net www.ozarksstar.com Editor in Chief, C. D. Ward Contributing Writers: Greg Steele, Josh Aterovis, Douglas Glenn, John Patrick, Michael Dee, Kay Massey, Paul Wortman, Carlotta Carlisle, Victor Gorin, Greg Gatewood Columnist: Libby Post, Andrew Collins, Donald Pile, Ray Williams, Michael Hinzman, Jack Fertig, Liz Highleyman Photography: Chaz Ward, Victor Gorin. Advertising: Tulsa Office - - - - - - - - -918-835-7887 or Email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net (Tulsa Metro) Michael Leach- - - - - 918-640-2049 (Oklahoma City Metro) Vicior Gorin 405-947-2048 (Northwest Arkansas) Kay Massey- 4 79-586-1062 National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Deadline for ali advertising, articles and payment is the 18th of each month for the next months issue. Subscriptions 12 issues $26.95 / singles $3.00 Check or Money Order The Ozarks Star or the Star is published & distrii:nucd mm1thiy as a c0Jlu11unity service by Star !vfrdi.1, Ltd .. Publica.tion of the name-: photograph or likcnc,;s of any pcr,on, husint·s,; or org~nization in this publication is not rn be construed as .1ny indication of sexual orieotarion or prefcrtncc., <.:f 5uc:h per!-0:-1, businc~s or organi1ation. - t)pinions expressed by cnlumni-,t.'i, J.dn.:rtiscr:. or Lt:ttt:r:.t 10 the Editor arc n,·H nece~,;,~riiy rh{.'. opinion of'Ihc ()z~Hks Sue ir.-. staff. th~ puhlisher \Jr ir's advertiser~- Content of :1Jn~ni~crncnt-" and anid~s arc tb.: soi~ rcspvnsibi!iry of dtc s1dnTti~cr ,1nd /n: author. The P1iillish~r o( thL ();;.1rk.-. Sur or ~c~r rc~~rvc:; d1t riJ;ht to refuse advertising nuteriai fr>r .u;y rc:,!~on ;vh,at .so c:cc 'ihc ();;arks Sur or ~t.tr anJ all lik;_·no::.s.;-c-;. '11<.:rc of :u,.: .sol 1• 0f Srar l\kdi.1, Lt.d. :\H rn:Ht:ri::l CU}')Tig,h~ 2006 S:,r. Designed with Pride, Prinkd in Ok!ahom:1, l'',A JON THE COVER J1r:: Verraros, Americar :do! 1 00 LESBIAN NOTIONS Banning Books by Intelligent Design: ''in the filrn. I-Titler Youth re,:dcd in ra~sacking the school ~1nd thought nothing of throv;ing ac1dc111k frccdo1n into th~ fire·' Of) OUT In ARKANSAS New! Lots of news from the Adzansas GLBT Communitv. BOO BASH for Capitol Pride at Sidetracks. Summer OiV(:rsitT \Y/eekend. EUREKA' 00 PAST OUT A rttrnspecrive of LG BT History. 1728: .Notorious transvestite Chevalier d'Eo11 is bom in Burgundy, Fmnce. OD CIAO TRAVEL Gav Travelers '·\'{'dcomc to Arizona'' Otit of Town "Vmcotffer, BC" £)(3 ASK UNCLE MIKEY !\1ikc\' rcco\·crs frorn a Ion: afE1ir of epic prop~nion~. I n1c,ff1 ,vhc\V, that tna;1 \v.is juq too n1uch. It ,,·~1s likl' being at the l)(~ and trying lO take th~n extra dip, knn\v!ng your body, just ,n)uldn't h~u:dic it. INDEX T.O.H.R. in The News Lesbian Notions ... People OUT in lvkansas .. Past Out Tulsa GLBT Ce:·ite:- !\Jews. Dining In Star Scene Uncie ... 6 .10 II . 15 r' Gold Castle "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST properties are our PEOPLE" 4301 NW 63rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 c21 goldcastle.com Let us he '• ( 18) 7 -5 Proud~y serving 1Ulsa &:: ()1<(:'s GL.B1~ C!.Jrnmunities since 1982 6 the STAR. Isa Mayor Kathy ylor pond es . H. R. ncerns. TULSA, OK_ Laura Belmonte, President, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights rook the initiative in expressing tne concerns of the GLBT communities exclusion of civil rights protections in Tulsa. The following is Dr. Belmonte's letter to Mayor Taylor and :he Mayor's response. Dear Mayor Taylor: I am writing in regard to your call for Tulsans to extol the virtues of our city in an effort to generate national interest in our amenities and opportunities. While ! agree entirely with your faith in Tulsa, I would also like to discuss a much-deserved negative aspect of Tulsa's reputation. Many thoughtful citizens think our city is doomed if it does not take steps to protect and celebrate its diversity. This is particularly true in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community. By some indices, Oklahoma ranks 45th in the nation in terms of inclusion and civil rights protections for gay people. While Manford and Oklahoma County have amended their non-discrimination ordinances to encompass sexual orientation, Tulsa has not taken this vital step despite the fact that the city's Human Rights Commission first began recommending such a change in 1975. As you undoubtedly know. GLBT people are an integral element of this city. We own dozens of businesses and employ thousands of people. We are doctors. lawyers, teachers, firefighters, poiice officers, and every other occupation under the sun. Eighty-six percent of Fortune 500 companies now explicitly protect their GLBT employees. Despite widespread and iegitimate concern for the city's economic future, Tulsa has refused to join over 300 cites across the United States including Cincinnati and Salt Lake City who have expanded their non-discrimination policies to ensure that sexual minorities are judged solely on their merits as employees, tenants, and customers. in my capacity as a piOfessoi at Okiahoma State University, I have seen dozens of extremely promising gay people flee our state or refuse job offers mainly because of the region's reputation as a stronghold of intolerance. These individuals include a Rhodes Scholar nominee, two Goldwater Fellows, and Ph.D.s from universities including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. These are precisely the type of professionais we must keep in and draw to Tulsa if we are to buiid the city to which we aspire. You have broad support in the GLBT community and we very much hope you ,vii! rectify this giaring flaw in fabric of our city . Sincereiy, Laura .A... Belmonte. Ph.D President. Tu!sa Oklahomans for Human Rights Chair. Say No to Hate Coa!ition respo;Jsf.' SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI AIDS WALK. 9:00 arn Photo: Al McAffrey and Kayne Gillaspie by Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA STONEWALL DEMOCRATS FUNDRAISER OKI.AHO!v1A CITY, OK_ September 7, a verv successful fundraiser for the Okiahoma Sto~cwall Democrats \Vas held at the home Al l,fcAffrey, who was recently elected as a State Representative for State House District 88. Mr. McAJfrey 's election made history as he is tl1e first openly gay person to be elected to the Oklahoma Legislature. Pictured witl1 Al is celebrity guest Kayne Gillaspie, who also did our state proud on Bravo's reality TV show Project Runway. * HERLAND ANNOUNCES FALL RETREAT OKLAHO1v1A CITY, OK_1he womyn of Herland have scheduled cheir Fall Retreat for the weekend of October 27, 28 and 29. This year it will be held at Eufala State Park and .;,iii feature a costume contest, sports activities, a potluck dinner and a concert featuring O~hi, a special drummer from Washington srate. Heriand's Spring and Fall Retreats have been held since 1985,and that function of Herland is their only activity that is for women only. For over 20 years women have enjoyed this celebration of empowerment and feilowship. One can register for the Retreat on!ine at v,v.-v,.herlandsisters.org or caii (405l 521 9696. * Photo by: Scott Asi1ton Jim Verraros, Actor, Recording Artist Scheduled To Attend OUT-OK-5 Film Festival. TULSA, OK_Jim Verraros, American Idol Finalist, recording artist of the hit recording "Rol!ercoaster" and star of the award winning movie, "Eating Out" is scheduled to appear in Tulsa and Oklahoma City for the Out OK Film Festival. One of the featured. fiims to show is the sequei to Eating Out, called Sloppy Seconds. Jim was cast to return as Kyle in a leading role. Jim ,von the hearts all across America as a featured performer on the 2002 American Idols Live Tour, but his popularity really soared after he came "out" in The Advocare in January 2003. Jim's young fans, both gay and straight, nor only embraced the disclosure, bm verily celebrated it, p~oudly signaling the broader acceptance of gays among the next generation. In addition to "Eat\ng Out-2: Sioppy Seconds'' The Oklahoma GLBT International Film Festival opens with Srewart Wade's deiightfui!v romamic comedv of errors, ·'ro· r::--Fii f)ATL''' 'W; h ·1· ·{,_,; " peri'o•· .. -.,..,, .a. t' -.. ,, ... , _,_ ~ .L . .1.Ld ll~J...-.,.OuS .tJ. ~'• rnances from -\Xlilson Cruz So-(~alled Lif.~, J'-.Joah:-s lire), ()scar-norninatcd Sally Kirkland, Jonathan Silvt.~nnan, ninede's recn singing sensation I)cborah C;ibson, and Jonathan Bray. -n1e l::estival runs ()ctnbcr] 1-15~ 22 (l-i1ls:1) and C)ctober 19-~21 (()klahon1a also be in "'"'"""''" the STAR 7 Tulsa's Kris Kohl Host's Bryan hite Benefit Show. by Greg Steele Photo: "Cowboy Crooner" Matthew Heath Fitzgerald. TULSA, OK_On September 17th, Kris Kohl brought out his top guns to the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa and raised dose to $500 for the Bryan White AIDS Fund. Special Guest Entertainers induded Marthevf I-ieath Fit-zgerald n Oklahoma's Cov1boy c.:roonern, ~frudy Tyler '' The First Miss Gay Oklahoma Emeritus". Mona Lon .Miss 8 the STAR Bamboo 2006", Singer's Sam and Lester, Clog Dancer Jay Whiteside and many other great performers. All donated their time and talent to this very worthy charity. The OSU Internal Medicine Speciality Services Department in Tulsa is one of five State non-profit organizations that administer the Bryan White Aids fund. They cover 37 Counties in Oklahoma. With 150 new patients lase year, administraror Midge Elliot told che STAR in an interview that they are expecting many more for this year. "45% are minority and 35% are from rural area's. We help with medical, medicine, dental, transportation and other necessities as funds wiil allow." she said. " Our mission is to ensure rhac persons living with HIViAIDS in Eastern Oklahoma have access to high quality, comprehensive primary medical care, specialty care, and care coordination services delivered through OSU-COM's uniquely meaningful, compassionate and state-of-;:he-art programs and providers in one accessibie location". The Federal Health Resources Adminiscration manages the Ryan White Aids Fund and distributes to Oklahoma, who in turn allocates the money to the state's five approved organizations based on the number of patients in their care. Both the Health Resources Adminiscration and the State of Oklahoma's grants have been reduced drasticaliv since che Bush Administration cut funds to Brvan White Fund. "Our funds are flat and we are depending on the fund raising effom of organizations and individuals to keep our door's open," Elliot told us. For more information er how to give a tax deductible contribution direcc!y to OSU Internal Medicine Speciality Services contact Midge Eiiiot at 918-382-3507. The clinic is located at 635 West 11th street, east of the Tulsa ]legional Hospitai in Tulsa. }yfore 1--:JhotoS_frorn the Ben~:fir Shou1 in ST..4.R Scene-page 24-25 \Vlvw.ozarksstar.com by Libby Post OCTOBER 2006 Banning Books Intelligent Design One of the movies I rented when I got my first VCR (actually, it was a SONY Beta recorder - remember those?) was Julia. The story was based on a chapter from Lillian Hellman's memoir Pentimento. 1l1e title character was a childhood friend of Hellman's who became a leader in the resistance to Hitler's reign of persecution, censorship, and murder. The scene that has srayed with me all these years is the massive bonfire in the courtyard of a European university. Not a typical coilege celebratory bonfire, this conflagration was composed of books and papers from the school's library and the offices of its academics. In the film, Hitler Youth reveled in ransacking the school and thought nothing of throwing academic freedom into the fire. \'v'hen one of the professors tried to get in their way, he was thrown over a railing and killed. Today we have our own version of Hitler's reign of terror on academic freedom and thought. It's the radical Christian right's persistent crusade to ban books from public and school libraries, and its unfathomable drive to integrate "intelligent design" into our children's classrooms. The list of examples is endless. just check out the ,,\merican Librar, Association's website (www.aia.;>rg), the section about their annual "Banned Books Weck" (Sept. 23-30), to get an incredible sampling of the stupidity going on in today's schools and libraries. In Tacoma, Wash., the school district banned _The Geography Club_, a gay-themed book about high school bullying and tolerance, because paren-.:s complained that the protagonist, a gay teen, hooked up with another <1ueer student oniine and that they e,;enrnally met face to face. Tacom;; Schoel Supcrintendcn: Patti Banks wici rl1e two p:.rcms '.d10 rec1uested the borJk be removed from the school library, "\X'c ·:rnnt to send a strong, cor:sistem message to all our studcn':s that meet:Jmr ii:di\0 iduals :ia the Imcrnet ;s e~tremelv :ugh-risk behaY:or. To the ~xtent that this book might contradict cha:: ~essage, I ha,T determined it should not be jn our libraries, in spite of other positivc aspecrs a strong :anriharassmcnt thcrne).'' Gee thanks, Patti. \"ou'H buckle to the concerns of t\.VO parents \vhilc dcpri.,,_--ing hundreds of srudcnts of the book1s real message ~· that bullying and harassing L(;B'T' students isn't acceptable. Jn response; the book\, author~ Brent f'~larringcr, ~~vho hails fron1 T'acon1a~ said, ~•1·hc reason gay teen~ arc dra,vn to the Internet is that's a safe place u; explore their identity \Vithout harassed or builicd. lt\ ironic n1y boc,k_ 1.1.-ould be pulled for this reason~ cuntrib uung to rh1s 10 ttle STAR Parents Protecting the Minds of Chiidren. "Il1is Fayetteville, Ark.based site explains that it doesn't want to pull books from ,he shelves, just give parents control over what their kids can read. While these folks have a problem with any book that deals openly with sexuality, hetero or homo, all you have to do is click through the site and you'll see just how obsessed they are with books that paint a positive picture of LG BT lives. The bottom line for them is rather succinct. In big bold letters, the site deciares, "For those who didn't already know, now you know what Diversity Means!!! The promotion ;f the homosexual agenda!!:" If banning books wasn't enough for radical Christian righr parents, they also want to integrate intelligent design (ID) imo biology curricula al! over the country. No, inteliigent design isn't a new show on HGT\~ It's the push to bring creationism back to our schools - teaching that the world started with Adam and Eve (cenainiy not Adam and Steve) and that Darwin's Theory of Evolution is a theory and never proven. 'The drive for intelligent design lost some steam when, after the Dover, Pa., school board instituted it, a U.S. District Court judge threw it our. In handing down his decision, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones Iii wrote that "overwhelming evidence at rriai established that ID is a religious view, a mere re-labeling of creationism, and not a scientific theory." Jones found intelligent design failed as a scientific theory because it can't be tested. Lucky for Dover's students, their parents found that the school board failed as citizen educators and voted all the members who supported ID out of office last year. Despite the ruling and the rout, bills to mandate ID as part of a state's biology curricula continue to be introduced. In Ol<lahoma, a bill has passed the state Assembly and now heads to the state Senate. A leading radical Christian right wing nut, New York State Assemblyman Dan Hooker (who thankfolly is not running for re-election - instead he's serving his country in Iraq) is the soie sponsor of an ID bill. Since the state Assembly is controlled by the Democrats, the bill will go absolutely nowhere. If only that were true for the rest of Hooker's compatriots across the coun;ry, who have found our library sheh·es ;md our school rooms to be 2-venues for their unique brand of censorship. Like ~he Hitler Youth who burned those books in Julia, the radical Chriscian right also thinks ii: has God on its sicie. * Berland Fall Womya.'s Retreat Eufaula State Park Fri.-Sun .. , October 27-29, 2006 Visit v;•.vw.heriandsisters.org fur cornp!ete de~ils· and a registration form. For m~e retreat info, ca!! Laura at (405) 602-1538. Berland Si•ter Resource" 2312 NIN 39th St., OKC, OK 73112 Open Saturdays trom 1~Spm (405) 521-9696 \'V\V\v.ozarksstar.corn MICHAEL HINZMAN, aka "UNCLE MIKEY" Michael Hinzman, author, columnist, and student oflife, joined rhe Ozarks STAR family in November 2004. This issue makes his 24th 'Ask Uncle Mikev" column published in the STAR. Uncle ~Aikey is our longest consecutive running non-syndicated column. As one of rhe most popular with our readers, we thought vou would eniov meeting the man behinci rhe big hat. ' , Michael hails from the middle-beit of Ohio, where Michael continues his efforts to bring humor and comic relief to ,he community. Michael's goal and passion. second only w his career in medidne. is :hat of being a celebrated author. His goal became a reality in May of 2005 with the publication of his first novel ''l)rago1nir,'~ available at n1ost rnajor book retailers. 1v1ichael pushes to succeed in the ,vodd of \\Titers. Published through several -venues, Iv1ichael's ~.. .v orks arc in onlinc publications as -.,veil as in print. ::!~~=:jii~~~:::~~e~:~!~11::.!;1 !D SCYCta! ;;~:rs lifestyle. Lv1ichacl ha:;; been as he continues his ""\JJ;,,.}~f•rg VJO!~cL; to(• rain his reader:-: ,virh an''","'"-'"'"''.,, following. " I love to make others laugh, think, and in general look at life through a different perspective." Michael is continuing his education in the Psychology and Nursing fields. Michael is a current member of the Alpha Beta Gamma's National Honor Society. It is Michael's experience and twisted view of life's issues ;:hat enables Michael to laugh at life's trials faced by those in rhe GLBT community. Michael supports the community throughout manv ch,uitable oudets. An active sponsor ~f the Life Share Program, \'!ichad has volunteered his time in order to promore the much-needed demand for blood donations. 1vfichael also works with various charities such as local food banks, Aids events: youth n1.cntoring, and the specific field deaiing "vith disabled n1en1ber~ of the memallv retarded poouiadon. .Michael has worked 'with the me~ta!iy ii! since 199 J , as 'Nell the medically fragile and rnentally retarded. }.,:fichael encourages others to back to the con1n1unity bringing .._:t:s._, ~A ;1il.._ lJre.:1.king U.cJ\-01. When Michael has down time, he joins his loving partner Daryl, currently celebrating their sixth year together. Michael is the proud father of five beautiful children from his brief, yet productive, time in the heterosexual community. Family time is spent camping, boating; as well enjoying many, other family oriented activities. Full time fathers raising their three eldest children, Mikayla, Michael and Jacob, while the exwife raises the two youngest; proving that amilies of diversity can and do succeed. oined in their extended family circle by Vicky, AKA-Namn, inspired by her endless contribution and inspirational intelligence. Michael continues to demonstrate that life does not end with the dreaded passing of the Twinky- T wenties. Michael, a 34 year old, enjoys the pursuits of happiness in all aspects oflife. Michael's firm belief; that ones only limit is ones own will and imagination, as seen in his continuous uest. Finding life better in the second half after surviving his own 20 something drama affliction, common• ly known as the dubbers. Michael also utiiizes his character, Uncle Mikev, in charitv events withil~ the comdiunity, in order to bring awareness to gay issues; equal rights, aids benefits, and the staggering homeless popuiation within the gay yomh of America. 'The editor of the S'l;\R congratuiates ]\1ichaci on his 24th issue of 'Ask Uncle M:kel and extends a huge ''Thank You for your unwavering support.'' Feedback can be sent to f.!ichael at \vordsbyr~ i~e(~>ao).c~m,: tv1i~hael \\:elcorne! :ny and :tll feedback Jrorn his readers ana to!kr, vers and critics alike. the STAR 11 NW Arkansas GLBT Communi Center Granted Non Profit Status. BENTONVILLE, AR_On August 9th, 2006, the Northwest Arkansas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trangendered Community Center, Inc. in Bentonville, Arkansas was granted 501/c)3 Non Profir tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue service. This action was retroactive to May 16, 2006. 1he NWA GLBT Community Center recognizes rhe need in Northwest Arkansas to: CONNECT: Unite and organize a GLBT community that is fragmemed and often times disconnected. SUPPORT: Cultivate a healthy and thriving community for NWA GLBTs. PROTECT: Ensure the safety, civil righrs and liberties of all NWA GLBTs. EDUCATE: Bring awareness and education to al! NWA community members. INVOLVE: Create fun and exciting community events and activities for NWA GLBTs. CENTRALIZE: Establish a brick and mortar GLBT Community Center in NW A. The website for the NWA GLBT Communiry Center can be viewed at: www.nwaglbtcc.org Tax deductible donations may be sent to the N\VA GLBT Community Center at: PO Box 1161 Bentonviile, Ar 72712-116L om1" ng once ut" and JONATHAN STIERS, COLLEEN JAMESON SPIUNGDALE, AR~ Coleen comes from Massachusetts to Arkansas on her Midwest Tour. She is a voice for social justice. and has a soundtrack for social'activism. You'li be cmem.:n~d bv her skillful biend of up-beat rhythm guitar and thought-provoki1.lg Her music brings poiitical issues to light in an accessible and poetic way. !vfore than jmr another acoustic crooner. Colleen jameson :s the real deal: the p<;crry of life's sorrcJ\VS set against the 1nelody of litC's joys. Colleen not only sings about social justice, she has n1ade it her profession. Working in snelters and with ur,dcr-sen·ed popuhtiom. C:oHeen writes about real issues our of her O\"-'f1 ,,,,,,,.,,,.,,,-.·• Jonathan is a t~orth,vest A.rkansas entertainer that has been :~:!c01~~; f~: :~:1~~~11:~:~:1;; ::~lomplished j ;,::;itl~;1;;,\J;~;d, (:I)~ w1-hc Player & The Pawn" V./3.S part of the official c;L:\.l\.1) "VIP bag that each attendee received, 'The event v,,ras held on 10th in San Francisco: f'~cver having an)''" fc;rrnal plays car and sdll docs nor: read sheet nn1sic, ]t 12 the STAR. when jonathan bought an old, beaten-up, wooden up,ight, that he started to compose music and lyrics of his own. Jonathan was fearnred in the August issue of Celebrate Arkansas magazine. Enjoy an Exciting Revue of Artistic Talem for National COMING OUT Dav suggested donation is $5.00 ar the door All proceeds benefit the N\Y/A GLBT Communiry Center PO Box 1161 Bentonville, AR 72712 W\,w.rrwaglbtcc.org Concert is \Y/ednesday October 11, 200.6 6:00 pm Jones Center Auditorium &Chapel, 922 East Emma, Springdale, Arkansas. nsas aveA By Jeremy Pena ew iters ome October is going to be the start of something spectacuiar for GLBT writers in Arkansas. A new group for GLBT writers is forming rnd aH writers from all genres are welcome ro join in. We wcicome all wrirers, published and non-published. From fiction writers to poets, songwriters to writers iooking for ideas of where to begin. 'TI1e focus of the group is for socializing with other writers and discussing various genres and writing styles, to support \'.Titer; in the GLBT community with any necessary information needed with regards to pubiishing their works, and sharing our works wirh each other. Each month there will be a focus on a specific genre ranging from fiction to poetry. We will be focusing on novel writing in October to prepare for a month-long event in November. Nation,;! Novel Writing 1Vlonth will begin No\·ember l and end at midnight November 31. Check out rhe websitewww.NaNo\VriMo.org for more dernils and updates. Sign-ups for the event begin in October. You will also find writing prompts each month focusing on our ~opic for i:hc month on our group sire. 'The first writing prompr is on the site to ge, re,;dy for our first gathering. We wili also be focusing 0!1 writing for various publications in the area and possibly raking on some addition.al n::sponsibiiitic:- to the ( :ommunity Center newsletter in the future. A.nyonc interested can find more inforn1arion and join the group on our yahoo groups site at http:/ /groups.yahoo.con1/groups/AJlGl. BTWRITES. --I11cn: .. .,,;ill be two n1eetings in ()ctober and ,veekiy n1ecrings in Novernber to support rhc participants in this noYel c·\t<.:nt. lv1ectrin1t.:: s and h.1cations -..viil he posted on calendar on rhe group sire and rcn1indcrs ~Nill be sent via c-rnail to group 1nern.bers. ·\:,:te look f(>r\vard to v.., nrL< you at our and your Capitol Pride Boo Bash Halloween Fund-Raiser LITTLE ROCK, AR_Sidetracks bar will host Boo Bash, a Halloween- themed fund-raising event to benefit Little Rock Capital Pride on October 28th. Festivities will include prize drawings, costume contesrs, drink specials and a silent auction of items donated by many area businesses and groups. According to Kamrin Dodd, fund-raising chair for LRCP, "Sidetracks is well-known for its ghost sightings and other-worldly occurrences which makes it the perfect location for our Halloween event. We look forward to a fun evening that will help support Capital Pride." NWA Ghost Connection which recently investigated Sidetracks states, "the building was originally the home of two businesses; a dirt-floored bar and a brothel. The bar was so dangerous and rough, it was off limits to the military. The brothel, run by a woman named Miss Birdie, was a popular night spot due to the building's location near the railroads. Early in the l 920's, rhe brothel became the site of an unfortunate murder. A patron from the bar next door had fallen in love with one of Miss Birdie's "employees," a 13-year-old girl named Anastasia. When another man told the love-srruck patron that he had just "been with" Anastasia, he stormed Birdie's ·establishment and searched out Anastasia. Upon finding her, he slit her throat, tossed her body over the baicony, and escaped out the window. 1his murder was the demise of Birdie's, causing the establishmem to close. In 1923, the building became the home of a mortuary. The undertaker used the building's basement for all of his embalming procedures. According ro legend, when the mortuary closed, the undertaker left all his equipment, ?.nd who knows what else in the basement. During prohibition, the building housed a "newspaper stand"; a cover for selling illegal liquors and beer. In an ironic turn of events, rhe love struck patron who killed Anastasia years earlier was murdered at the same location. He had his throat slit after getting into an argumem with another man. According to Phiilip. the O\V!ler of Sidetracks, there have been several noted paranormal occurrences since he took over. They have wic1cssed anyd1ing from water running, lights flickering: and objects moving arot1:id the bar. On one occasion, a glass shelf containing crystal stemware feil :o the floor, shattering the crystal. The 5hdf however. did no: break. Witnesses have seen the break.er box opening and closing repeai:ediy, and occasionally the computer turns itself on, typing aE som of icners and figures on the screen. Phillip believes the ghosts of 1\nastasia and her love-stricken murderer stiii haunr Sidetracks to this day.n Little }lock (:apit:a.l Pride (http:/ h.vv.,.,vJirderockcapitalpride.org/ ) is a 501 3 non-profit organization ,nhose rnission is ro host events that honor the history a~d diversity of Gav. Lesbian) Bisexual and Tfansgender · individuals i;1 the s;~;te of .A.rkansas and sur! Oun<l~.ug J.t.~a:, 1Jud. r...r,.,,~ttc wirhi:1 the GLB'l" commun~ty :u,d its allies by providing sociaJ support and enhancing ;nvareness of the past an~1~:~~,~~:::, :J~~t~!,~;:~~::~~ i~~~!i!~' ;~~~;,~::~l~;~;;~!~ri~~rnl; rkansas & Oklahoma~s tnost read GLBT Magazine FALL DIVERSITY WEEKEND NOV 3-5, 2006. "THE FIRST DIVERSITY ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL" This Fall is going to be a little different in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. There are some new and intriguing events. DIVERSITY COMEDY SHOW at the historic AUDITORIUM By presenting a lesbian and gay man comic, once again Diversity Pride Events hopes to entertain and unite our community. We can't release the names yet, but DPE is very excited to have drawn such talented and uplifting performers to the Ozarks region. Tickets will soon be available online at DiversityPride.com FIRST 'Ti-Talk' "Everything you wanted to know about... the 'T' & T in GLBTI (Transgender, Transsexual and lntersex)., ... but _ were afraid to ask!" All glbti and pflag welcome. This is the first of an ongoing series of "Talks" to educate and socialize within our community. Plans for future talks will be fur, and about, Bisexuals, Lesbians, Gay men. ''It's amazing how much we really don't know about each other, savs Diversitv Pride Events, Deborah Rose. We are fortunate to hav~ some wo;1derful people who have volunteered to guide these talks and to foster a greater understanding of the true diversity and size of our community. God was far more creative than peopie ~ealize!" · DIVERSITY BIKERS Charity 'POKER RUN' & 'SHOWN' SHINE' 1he Diversity Bikers 'Show N' Shine' will start at 12:30 PM at Roadway Inn. Bikes will be judged in two categories, Best in Show and Best 'Pride Dressed'. 1l1ere will be a First Place and Run- ' ner-up in each category. This will be the first Diversity Bikers Charity 'Poker Run', A portion of the proceeds, along with stuffed animals andior cash donations will be sent for Toys for Kids of deployed service members to heip out with the holidays. BEAR COMIC BOBALOO: COMING BACK Bobaloo wowed the Diversity Bears this past Summer Diversity 'X'eekend and fell in love with the Eureka Sp;:ings communit'/. So, Diversity Pride Events has brought him back ro "jolly things up around Eureka" and MC the 'GO-GO GUY & GA[ Dance Comest at the 'Golden Oldies' Dance & Cabaret at Caribc\ on Saturday Nighr afrer rhc shov: at the AUD. And by the v...;ay~ you~H see son1e red cans around to\\-'H to collect donations for those Kids of deployed service rnembers. I"\Jo n1atter v:here you stand poiiticaHy, re1~,e~ber it's for rhe kids. So, dig into your pocket and get rid of rhat loose change for a s•Neet cause (and loose bills are weico::nc Sho,v rhen1 our con1,munity has a big heart! COt-~TA{~]~ Ii'•JF(): [)I'✓ E!tsrr·~y PRJI)E EVEt,rrs Deborah Rose 479-253-2555 dcbor1i:1@:divcrsitypride.corn tile STAR Summary : Past Out is a retrospect:i,·e of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT hiswry. Each installment brings the past to life by exploring rhe diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. 1728: Notorious transvestite Chevalier d'Eon is born in Burgundy, France. Who was Chevalier d'Eon? Chevalier d'Eon, an 18th-century spy and diplomat who inspired sexologist Havelock Ellis to coin the term "eonism" for crossdressing, was the subject of much spernlation about his gender both during his lifetime and in the decades since his death. Charles Eon de Beaumont was born in the Burgundy region of France in October 1728, the child of an attornev and a noblewoman. In a ghostwritten l 779 autobiogrnphy, d'Eon claimed he was born a girl, but was passed off as a boy in order to ~suage his father's grici over a son who !1ad dieci. and to c!a;m an inhe~.tancc de,ignated for a male heir. -'Mv father wanted m~ to become a bad boy and my mother wanted me rn becom:: a good girl,'. he wrote. Later researchers say he was born male. but his mother often dressed hi.rn as a girl. An excellent student, d'Eon graduated in 17 49 from (~c•Hege J\1azarin in Paris} where :::~~!i::j :::;~;':~:c:(~(;;~:~~~::::~~~~;:::: !:; rhc city's fiscal deparrrnent and a.s a royal censor. 'I hough slender and sorr1e\vhat delicate in appearance, there is Hrdc indication that d'Eon \Vas regarded as particularly 14 the STAR effeminate as a young aduh. D'Eon joined a secret network of spies working for King Louis XV, and in~ i 7 56, the king sent him on a mission to re-esrablish an alliance with Empress Elisabeth of Russia against the rival Hapsburg monarchy. It was widely rumored that d'Eon disguised himself as a woman to win the empress's confidence (according to one version, the king hit upon the idea after mistaking a cross-dressed d'Eon for a !adv at a masquerade ball); there is little c~ntemporary evidence, however, ro support this tale. In the early i 760s, d'Eon returned to France and became a captain of the dragoons, a light cavalry regiment. After he was wounded in battle toward the end of the Seven Years' War, he was awarded the Cross of Saint-Louis and given the rank of Chevalier. D'Eon then wem: to London, where he worked as a diplomatic minister. During this time. he enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, amassed a large librar:\ and cemented his connections bestowing gifts from his family's vineyards. Scandal ensued a few years later when d'Eon, fearing that he w;;s about to be rcn1oved frotn his position by a new an1bassad. or; clain1ed in a letter to the king that the ambassador had atten1ptcd dn1n an<J kidnaD hirn: he :1is~}' published :.t book. of secret diplon1aric correspondence, \vhich led ro his exile in England. bv ✓ large sums that d'Eon was really a woman, or. alternarivelv, undoubtedlv a man; still others though; he was a hen~aphrodite. In 1777, an English court entered the fray to settle a bet, ruling that d'Eon was a woman; rhe judge, disgusted at having to deal with such a case, said he wished he cot.id m,ike both parties lose. More recently, biographer Gary Kates posited :hat d'Eon rebvemeci himself as a woman afcer he had made political enemies in high places and gotten himself deeply in debt. For his part. d'Eon seemed to relish the confusion, sometimes claiming to have been bori: male, sometimes female. After iiving with his mother for a time at the family estate in Tonnerre, d'Eon returned to England in 1785. He embraced Cnristianit: y and, according to Kates, seemed to regard living as a woman as a for:n of "moral purification." D'Eon never married. and there is no record or· any sexuai relations11ips wirh either women or men. Alt;.,<'ugh d'E;n continued to dress as a woman, Iflos: reoorts suggest he did not pass vcrv convind112.iv. lv1ember of Parliament Ho~ace \Yia!pol~, nored that "her hands and arms see;11 not to have participated oc the change of sexes, but are fitter to carry.~ chair than a fun."' Added nobiem;;.n James Boswell, "She appeared rn me a man in woman's clothes." In 1796. d'Eon w2s seriously wounded in a fencing match. Aithough an amopsy after his death in }vfa\· 1810 revealed ihat d'Eon was a bi~logically normal maie, he has ncverthdess rce1ained a subject of considerabic fascination: Was d'Eon a uansgender woman who spent half her life as a man. or a ~an who 5JY.:nt half his life as a \.vorn.an? For further reading: [fEon de Bcaun1onr~ c:haries (2001). 'Jhc fv1aiden of 'fonncrrc: 'Ihc \/icissitudcs of rhe (~hevalicr and ;.,,. the c:hcvalien: I-<:atcs, (;ary. 1995, 200]. a "'•~?on1an: /\. ~Ede of Political ::ll1(1 Photo: The new community center coming soon. October National GLBT History Month Each June, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and allied community ceiebrares our pride and diversity. It is a time for parades and parties to celebrate ourseives, our accomplishments and the adv«nccs towards GLBT cquaiity. Each October, we again cdebrate our communitv · bur from a historical perspective. Octobe; is recognized as GLBT History Month. In 1979, the first National Marci1 on \Vashington for Lesbian & Gay Rights rook place. Tens of thousands of G LBT individuals and families crov:ded the nation's front yard, the National Mail, to demand equality: In 1987, another March on \'vashingwn occurred on October l i th. The day is now recognized as Nation .. ! Corning Out Day. 'Jhesc arc the m;.in reasons whv Oc~ober was chosen as GLBT History i,1omh. . ()kL1horna bas a rich and varied historv of the GLBT & ;;,llied community. In 1980, :1 sn1ail group of people concerned about human rights and equaiitv for (;LB~r ()klahornans found~d ()klal1ornans for ~:~~f :m~~::::.i1Ii·~~:~;(f EI 1:,:if In the 1980's~ll)li.R. advent of HIV/AIDS, TOHR sent a medical professional to health conferences to remrn and advise the community on the transmission of the virus. TOHR then opened Northeast Oklahoma's first anonymous HIV Testing Clinic, becoming a state leader in HIV/AIDS testing and education. In 1998, H.O.P.E. (Health Outreach, Prevention and Education) became a separate organization, allowing both H.O.P.E. and TOHR to focus on their respective areas. The new millennium broualu rapid arowth t> t> for TO HR. Individual support expanded programming and communitv involvement. TOHR began its capitctl campaign, "The Pyramid Project" in late 2000 while being honored as ~n "OutGiving InCommunity" host site for 200 l. "OutGiving" allowed continued growth in education and outreach as TOHR hosted the Denver-based Gill Foundation's resource and community building program. In 2001, TOHR was · selected as a "FastTrack" program, setting a foundation for further growth to take the community to the next level. TOHR opened the first Tulsa GLBT Community Center in October 1996. 1he Center quickly became a community gathedng spot with social and support groups, the PRIDE Store, the Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library, TV lounges and more. Two locations later, the Tulsa GLBT Communitv Center is now located at 5545 E 41st Stree( in Highland Plaza. Open Monday through Saturday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the Center is growing in nearly every direction and will welcome visitor number 10,000 for the year by December. The Tulsa GLBT Communitv Center is also home to the Tulsa GLBT Hi;wry Project. Begun in 2002, the Tulsa GLBT Hiswrv Projecr uncovers, preserves and presents, the rich contributions of Gav, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendcr peopie ~,ithin the state of Oklahoma. As we continue to fight for a future society that more opcniy accepts diversity and extends equal rights to all, the sacrifices., contributions and dedication of the GLBT community and its many SUD· porters can be understood and apo;ccia;:ed thr?ugh a:1 i?'portant source ofi~spiration a n<t kno,v!edge. ·ro celebrate (;I.Jrr I-Iistorv J\.,1onth, T'C)HR and the 'Ih!sa GLBI' Hist;ry Project are ~~;;;c:;~~! ~;~~;;~ f~1~:rj;;J::~~:~:~~ !il~- "Center C:inen1a" 1he ()ctober c:~ruer <:inetna line up of fi!nls includes fi!rn:i covering the historical momems, places and people of the GLBT & allied community. First up is "The Times of Harvev Miik" ~n Friday, October 6th at 7:00 Plvf. The film highiights the life and tragic death of the "Mayor of Castro'' - Harvey Milk, the first openly gay member of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors who was assassinated by Dan White. Next up on the list is "Stonewall" on Friday, October 13th at 7:00 PM. "Stonewall" chronicles the events leading up the famous riots commonly referred to as the beginning of the modern GLBT rights movement. 1he history of Fire Island is documented next on Frid;y, October 20th with "When Ocean Meets Skv." 1he film traces the history of the gay e1{clave and how it became the social hotspot of the Northeast. Last, but cerrainlv not least, is the classic "Rocky Horror Picture Show." The cult-classic shows at 7:00 PM on Friday, October 27th - just in time for the unofficial national gay holiday of Halloween. AIDS Walk 2006 Tulsa The history of the GLBT & allied community has b~en greatly affected by HIV/AIDS. Each year, the community comes together to remember those lost while continuina h . t> t e struggle to end this terrible disease. All in the area who want to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and help meet the needs for HIV prevention and care, are encouraged to participate in AIDS Walk Tulsa 2006 on Saturday, October 7 th. The festivities begin at 9:00 AM at Veterans Park, 1875 S Boulder, with the walk stepping off at 9:45 Alv1. Refreshments and awards will be presented to rhe top individuals and teams following the 2-miie walk. Tulsa's 14th annual walk raises funds to supporr direct HIV/ AIDS services in Tulsa and receives matching funds from a National AIDS Challenge Grant. The Tbisa AIDS Walk is a pro{~cc of the Community Service Co~:nci! or rv'r eater ~1· i .l ls a, :,'-l-l 1v' er sponsors are th. e Gay & Lesbian Fund forTuisa and Starbucks Coffee. Bronze sponsors arc (:iao, Baby!~ Evan Tayior Photography, MAC AlDS {und, 1'viiss Jackson's Nenvork-I. Ti1lsa PFLA..C; andTul.sa Oklahomans for Human Right~ CTC)HR). Please visit 1.v\V\'l.aids\vaiktul~a. :i:! 1 ;~'./~~;information ;.nd to sign up for OUT OK 5 Film Festival ,:.:untiu.,ul page-16 the STAR 15 (20Z)GREY (1 OZ) .... ·.. . . .• . . .· .. (1 OZ) CHAMBORG LIQUOR (1/2 OZ) HALFc$ HAL;F . FRESH RASPBERRIES 1. Chill a martini glass with ice· and water. 2. Combin.e ali ingredients.with lee in shaker and shake Y~ry .well. · · · 3. · Strai.n int<> martini gla~s and g~rnisti with a fresti raspberiy. . YUMMY! l 6 the STAR OUT OK FILM FESTIVAL OUT OK, the longest-running GLBT film festivai in Oklahoma returns for another outrageous year of celluloid fun. From October 11-22, OUT OK unleashes firstrun, independem, gay movies in Tulsa and Oklahoma CitY. In addition to the verv popuiar ABSOLUT RUBY RED Cock.tail Parties, OUT OK is proud to announce CLUB 209's "In Concert with FUNNY KINDA GUY", following the screening of the riveting Scottish documentary of the same name. Direct from Scotland, Simon, a post-op trans person will serenade us with his tender, jazz /folk -inspired tunes, which have captured the Glasgow music and dub scene by storm. With more tears and more tears of joy, OUT OK is evolving, growing, and expanding. There are more screening days, more movies, and more beautiful actors and ralented filmmakers. OUT OK opens with Stewart Wade's delightfuily romantic comedy of errors, COFFEE DATE. As a practicai joke, gorgeous straigh~ man, Todd, is sent on a biind date with hard and hot gay man, Kelly. With hilarious performances from Wilson Cruz (Mv So-Called Life, Noah's Arc), Oscar-nomi~ated Sallv Kirkland (Anna, Bruce Almighty), Jona~han Silverman (Weekend at Bernie's, Death Becomes Her), nineties teen singing sensation Deborah Gibson, and Jonathan Bray (King of Queens, The Practice), dating will never be the same. Director and actors will be in attendance. Arguably the first gay sequel, writer/director Q.Allan Brocka returns with EATING OUT 2: SLOPPY SECONDS. Direcror Phillip J. Bartell re-introduces Brocka's zany cast of hot sex kittens, Gwen and Tiffani, man-whore Marc, awkward gay boy Kyle Oim Verraros -American Idol I). and a hot bubbling menu of All-American beef and succulem slabs of Grade-A man. To win the bulging hearr ofTroy (Marco Dapper), the new hunk in town, Kyle pretends ro be straight, only to find himself joining the campus ex-gay support group and landing a vivacious girlfriend. Kyle's ex-boyfriend, ~-..farc (Brett Chukerman) is horrified at the plan and decides to pursue Troy with his own tactics. Ivfore raucous. More raunchy. More mouth-watering fun. Fine-dining at· its dirtiest-best! Actors will be in attendance. For more information on OUT OK. please visit wv,rw.out-ok.com or contact Phiiip Au at 9 l 8.682A654, ext. 3 or pau@ out-ok.com * www. □ ZARKSSTAR.C □ M ~TRAVEL @~ ~[ti)@J!ill~~ by Donald Pile and Ray Williams "WELCOME TO ARIZONA" A colorful tapestry of culrures - from Hispanic and Native American to the legendary Wild West - is woven throughout southern Arizona, a land that thrived under the flags ofboch Spain and Mexico before becoming part of the U.S. South of Flagstaff in the beautiful Verde Valley area of north central Arizona, Sedona including Jerome and Prescott is red rock country. Many gay men and lesbians - once they experience the friendly atmosphere and small town charm of Sedona - decide to relocate here permanently. Women will find numerous lesbian-owned accommodations. Although Arizona is a landlocked state, its desert dwellers cool off in the warm waters of the state's many iakes. In fact, Arizona boasts one of the highest rates of boat ownership in che nation. Home to che world-famous London Bridge, Lake Havasu is both a water lover's paradise and a desert lover's dream. More than 400 miles of stunning coasdine offers exceptional water sports, including fishing and skiing, kayaking, jet-skiing and houseboating. 1he western region of the Seate can be amazing. Northern Arizona is the Southwest at its best. It is a photographer's paradise, a shopper's delight, a hiker's exploration, a history buff's treasure trove of cultures and a boater's bonanza. Although only a matter of hours from Phoenix deserts. Northern Ariz~ma can be a world away in dimace. With elevations up to n:ore than 12.000 feet. If vou have never visited the Grand Canvon. ir trulv is one cf the wo:iders of America. Stay at the historic f] ·i~n·ar c.,;c nii::lu. 'lh, sccnic beauty is beyond description. If you ,ire h:mh0 cno~:gh to ukc the mule excursion to the bottom. then bv all !1H.:ans de ,o. Or!1- erwise jus~ stay at rhe hotel and have a drink. look 0L.r t11c wi!1d0".\' and ~-icw rhe scenery_ \'(le have been to ali five areas and alw«y; l:aH a ;·::n: ime. AE auto is an absolute :VfUST when visitini:: ;\;-i:wn,i :tr.d he: St;RE a1:d keep plenty of gas in ,·ot:r ,ankl h I, t:!11:c: le·, abk I'()\" n'an•, 0-"V owned· Band B's ~lv-r,• -r,· ;11 4ri"()Jl'.' nl,., d-,:-· 01, ! ~ • •>} b<.t,/ ~ ~A ,al.,.,,..., ,1_...., ! _a•'• ,_{ t ~-·• -~,.....,~ • that arc cxtrcrneiy gay-friendly. Even in the ~tnaH 1cv.-n~, gJ~- iifr· i:cvenn,, vherc. Among our favorite places to stay in Arizona arc: LUNA VISTA B And B in Rimrock (just South of Sedona) Kala and Frank are two of the most wonderful people in the wori<l .. http:/ /www.iunavistabandb. com/ An utterly "beyond FABULOUS experience s~aying there. The ROYAL ELIZABETH B and B in Tucson is wonderful. Jeff and Chuck know how to keep their guests returning year after vear. http:/ /www.royalelizabeth.com/ and "The Casa de San Pedro in Hereford is great: Karl and Patrick have done a wonderful job. http:/ /www.bedandbirds.com/ In Phoenix, there are literaliy dozens uf gay bars to choose from so just check out your bar guides before going. Whatever yom into, there is perfect bar just for you: There is a very strong gay community in Arizona and some of the resources can be found by going ro these: http:/ /v1'ww.azpride.orgi. http:/ /www. prescottpridecenter.com/ , http:/ /www, cochise-pride.net/ , http:/ /www.flagstaffpride. org/ and http:/ /wwv,. tucsonpride. com/ Their local gay newspaper is a great source for information: http:/ hvww, echomag.com/, Always remember to haYe a good time when traveling and TALK TO EVERYBODY ! And, "don't cry because it's over, SMILE because it happened and you were a part of it! * "ESSENTIAL INFORMATION WHEN TRAVELING" by Donald Pile and R:;y Williams ~lfavcling is incant to be fi.111. exciting and interesting, and if you do vour homework ahead ,)f tl:nc it can keep :;Pu ;~,)m gett;:1g into ,rouble in so many vvays. Flyins has ,l~v,ays :1ecn a prob\tm and it of course has gotrcn rnuch ,vorse since 9/11. If you are Hying sornc\ t·hcrc you just rI.i\VI--: to reaiize th~u you arc ill the rncrcr of the airiin,:: '~?herhe, c:d,m:d. car:cc;ed o~ whatever d·,crc is i;CTl-iTNC ti1.1~ vou can do about i! 'Jhen:forc. take 1 bouk . .:;·,,s,·.vnrd puzzlc. 1nag<l.zine, playing card~ or vlhatcver and ju.st ;,go \-Vith rhc flo\v,- ~....jo nt:ed to get upset o,:cr !->On1cthing d1~1t ~;ou have ab:-,oiurely no cnrurol ov::1a-Yd!ing and and get ring up.,cz i:-- jusr not :1n option_ /iirpurt food i~ v~:r;--- expensive and not ~dl rhat goqd :-,n tJkc ,dong .-;na1..:k~ or even a ~.u1d\vich ti) l'~U. For n1on: requeq 18 the STAR Arkansa:,; 8. Ok!21;oma's most read GLST lv/agazine Gay Travelers: an emergency aisle seat. Don't sit in rhe front of the emergency aisle or in front of the bulkhead where seai:s may nor recline. If your luggage gets lost or your flight is canceled, then complain RIGHT AWAY! Don't wait a couple of days afterwards to complain. Know how you are going to get into a city before arriving at the airport. Mose ~ities ha\·e wonderful bus service into their downtown area but some don't. So be sure to find out BEFORE you get there. Otherwise a taxi ride an be terribly expensive. Of course anorher aiternative is ro rem an auto. If you are renting an auto for your trip, be sure and book it online as there is a tremendous savings by booking on line rather than calling their 800 number. Always double check to see if your auto insurance covers your rental auto. If not, almost all Gold and Platinum Visa and Master Cards cover the insurance. Always opt om for filling your own gas thank when returning the auto to the rental office. And if at all possible, NEVER rent an auto at the airport. You will get stuck ~ith extra taxes that is imposed there. If you are driving check with your auto club, (AAA, Costco, American Express or whatever) and they will send you free maps and coupons for your travels. Needless to say, if you are driving. NEVER have liquor in your auto. Lock it in the trunk! A~ we have mentioned in previous columns, NEVER let a botcl/ motel/ resort make a copy o!.' your ciriver's license when you check in. NEVER! Be happy to show them your l.D. bur never let them make a copy of it. With that copy of your driver's license and your credit card information any employee has ;:he means and in• formation to pass along to anyone who wants to steal your identity. This i5 ger:ting to be a real problem with hotels and motels. Just ask to speak to the manage: on dt1ty and explain why you will be bppy co show them your I.D. Howeve:, you will not iet them make a copy r· 0. It. If you ,vane to go to bars, find our where they are located before vou rake off on vour travels. Find the exact locations and hours for :he bars. The mo;e pre-planning you do the better things will work for you: trip. \'X,'hether you're going :o be in a city for iust one day or a week or more, plan ahead and make a scheduie before you lem:c home. :\luseums, galleries ;md shops are closed different days or the week. Always purchase :i local newspaper \vhen you get into a city. They wii: usually have a full foting of things m do and e,·en sp{.'.cials at local restaurants Spc:iking of restamai1ts, it 1s always much less expensive re dine late in che afrernoon ,!r l::mch menu prices rat.hc:r than a couple of hoc.rs late: at dinf!er time. Alwavs remember the "special of the dav'' no ione:-er rncans th~t the ,Price is lo'-;;¥cr. i\hvays ask ho\v tnxi.Ch iris .. It's Y()'i_rR money ~'.1 don't frci embarrassed about asking the pnce. \\/e _r\.LSfA :{S pal· for on our trips \vith a credit card. 'Then \vhcn ~.rour l;ill,comes in, Pl/\·- -rI-fE r:tJLL ,:\1vI()L7NT l By :;,;;~:~c\::: l: ;r~;l:~;~;~~c~;;::~ ct:;;: }::~~.f;r:t:1:::t ~:: ~-~::o~;;,\; \1j1en a busi~1cs~ charges 50 cents or eve:n a dolbr to use your credit card. cannot leiJlly do this ::nd •~vhen this docs happen~ call your credit card ct ,rnpany irrnncdiatcly and rhcY ~. ., :iH rcin1bur:-e you and fik ~TRAVEL One time our bill showed oniy a total when we got our receipt. When we go: home and checked our credit card account on !ine, we found thev had made a mistake and h,,d overcharged an even $1,000.00 to.our bill. With a phone call to our credit card company it was taken care of immediatelv. h was just an honest mistake but it was a mistake. It is very wise co' take cw~ different credit cards with you when traveling. Alwavs have fun when rraveiing, meet new people, see new things an'd taste new food so that when you rerurn home you can honestly say that you had a great time. Otherwise it is just money wasted. Whether rraveling across rhe country or merely a few miles away, traveling can be fun and exciting. Just don\ go imo the city with the attitude of"Here I am. What do you have for me?" Everything about your cravels is not going co be perfect so don't dweil on it. There weather, the bars or the restal!rants might not be what you expected so go to another bar or another resrauran:. Lite is too short to stay someplace not to your liking. For informadon about traveling e,nail Donaid and Ray at gayrravclers@ aol.com or visit their webpage at: hn:p:/ lwww.::ometown.ao1. com/ gayrravelers. Gold Castle "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST properties are our PEOPLE" 4301 NW 63rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 .c21 goldcastle.com the STAt~ 10 j ,_; One of the most beautiful cities in lvonh America, Vancouver is a progressive, dynamic, and gay-popular vacation destination. (Photo by john Sinai, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver) October 2006 by Andrew Collins Vancouver, British Columbia In V,noo""'• one of tl,, wodd', mos, smnning does, yon an kayak in English Bay in rhe morning before skiing down Grouse Mountain later that afternoon - indeed, few cities offer better access to the great outdoors. The city's glimmering. postmodern city center anchors a peninsula jutting into the rippling Strait of Georgia, irs shoreline sculp,ed by bays and inlets. From just about anywhere on this peninsula, you're within walking distance of two beaches, leafy Stanley Park, the ultra-gay Davie Village district, and several similariy diverring neighborhoods. It's for ail these reasons that VancouYer - whid: is aiso in a country that has legaiized same-sex marriage - has emerged as one'{)f ~he most wonderful gay destinations in the world. For Americans, visiting Vancouver :s quite easy. 'The city is just a three-hour drive north of Seattle, and it aiso has direct flights from nutnerous U.S. cities. just keep in Inind that in a couple of years; you ,vill be required to show a valid passport Vi;hen crossing the border (right !HW,, technically. you can get by with a driver·, license but if you don't have a passport. you're likely to be pulh:d aside and questioned thoroughly). Pi.lso keep in rnind that the lJ.S. dollar has becon1e increasingly ,veak agajnst the C:anadian doilar in recent years {US$ I equaled CAi'~$ l. l l as of mid-Septcmb(:f 2!106). ~o iravding to Vancouver isn't quite the bargain it ~1.vas a couple of years ago. StHL overalL it's less expensive than New "'Yorkl S;Jn Franc1scoJ London: and many other place::- of .,,.,a,,w,~ popularity. Vancouver is a highly progressive place - feminists, lesbians, and gays piay a prominent role in local politics, have helped rejuvenate several flagging neighborhoods, and support a compact but potent restauram and club scene. The West End, which abuts Downtown and was a prostitution-ridden eyesore in ;:he 1980s, is ;:he city's main gay commercial and residential sector. You'll find most of the gay nightlife and social scene along a roughly eight-block stretch of Davie Street known as Davie Village. Farther north, Davie intersects with another lively strip of cool shops and restaurants, Denman Street. At this intersection, you're just steps from sparkling English Bay Beach, a fine spot to catch a few rays on a warm afternoon. Davie Viliage is a terrific neighborhood for eating and bar-hopping. Bin 941 exemplifies the growing popularity of tapas-styie restaurants in Vancouver. Try the mussels steamed ,vith habanero chi!es. kafir-lime leaf, and cypress-honey lager, and enjoy a local vimage from the fabulous wine list. The campy and affordable Cafe Luxy serves humongous portions of pasta, and nearby Hamburger 1v1ary's is a fun, !ate-night bet for burgers, fries, and diner fare. Near where Davie meets Denman, you can sample inventive Pacific Northwestern cuisine at the Raincit'/ Grill, where dishes like grilled bison strip loin wirh lentil-and-braised-rib ragout await you. Grab an espresso nearby at gay-popuiar Delany's or up the street at Melriches, which is just around the corner from the acclaimed queer book and gift shop, Little Sisters. Later in the evening, check out Davie Street's gay bars, the most popular being Celebrities and the Odyssey, which both draw young, stylish crowds. Both spots pull their share oflesbians, but Celebrities is the more diverse of the two. 'The Odvssey has a festive patio and a great little dance floor. Other fun drinki~g spots along.Davie include Oasis (an attractively decorated piano cabaret and resrnurant), Pumpjack (a neighborhood pub with a leather-and-Levi's vibe), 1181 (an ultra-chichi martini lounge drawing a well-coiffed crowd), Fountainhead Pub (a fun sports bar with a great patio), and Numbers (a lovably dive-y cruise bar with three levels). If you're looking for action, drop by one of the city's popular bathhouses. F212 Steam or M2M Playspace. 1hc latter is part of the saucy (but quite affordable) Fahrenheit Hotel, a men's sex-plex with privare rooms and a steamy vibe (there are rooms on one floor that are geared more toward guests who want to keep their clothes on and get a good night's sleep). 1here are severai gay-friendiy bed-and-breakfasts and ho,ds in the neighborhood, the upscale West End Guest House being among the best, wii:h its beautifullv decorated Edwardian rooms. Another luxurious B&B that's highly appealing is O'Canada House, whose rooms have spacious tile b:.,fa and TVs with VCRs. A bit less prlcey but ,till with ample charm, handsome furnishings, friendiy hosts, and a great location near Davie Village, Ndson House has six inviting guest rooms. You'll find 195 spJci<Hs. contemporary s:.:ites with full kitchens and moderate rates at the Sandman Suites, a popuhr fuliseriice hotd right in the heart of Davie Village ame:iirie, include the popular Moxie's Grill restama:u, a spa, and a fitness cenrer. If v(n/rc on a budget~ the Inn at False C:reck Qualitr Hotel is a repu~ :-,;1~·1·,.~ d,.... ... ,,i alI()'d'1·0· 1',c• ---n' ai1·, ,')pt;O-P n,-, the ,,r-l.,.e (~.F-D-;:~,,',r> 1/ii1'•1cr{"' ~ t,(,.u" ,_...,, ,_!Ji l (,. ._ ~ ~ . > ~i ... ~ ~/ .. ,._ ... us~- , .... ·~ .,_ ~~ ,;._b_, Just steps fron1 the ~WC-st End discover the beautiful, rugged Stanley Park, \.vhich occupies a peninsula of 1T101T than 1,000 un~ spoiicd acres of lush greenery, fi)rcsts of cedar ~1nd [)oug!as fir. sandy beaches, and panorarnic n1aritfrne vistas. 20 Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT A1agazme From here it's a short drive to North Vancouver, home to Grouse Mountain ski area. For a great photo-op, stop by the nearby 450- foot-long Capilano Suspension Bridge, which swings gently (for the most part) 230 feet above the river below it. Back in the city center, you'll find some of the city's best upscale shopping along Robson Street, and you can enjoy a more historic aspect of Vancouver by wandering through Gastown, the site of Canada's transcontinental railroad terminus. The neighborhood boomed throughout the late 1800s, foundered by the middle of this century, and became a model for urban restoration in the '60s and '70s. Today you can stroll along Gastown's main cobbled thoroughfare, Water Street, past dozens of somewhat touristy shops and restaurants. Just a few blocks from Davie Village you'll find Yaletown, where Vancouver's fine-arts-and-fashion elite have converted dozens of early 20th-century warehouses into chic restaurants, galleries, and shops (including the stellar gourmet food market, Urban Fare, an excellent place to pick up picnic supplies). This hip district is also home to the city's coolest hotel, the Opus, which also happens to be one of North America's most gay-friendly addresses. 1his swank yet unpretentious property with 96 rooms and suites is a favorite haunt of visiting celebrities, who appreciate the super-efficient staff: boldly designed rooms, and cool lobby lounge. Don't miss the hotel's sensibly chic restaurant, Elixir, a postmodern vision of a Parisian bistro noted for its brunches (try the duck hash with poached eggs and sourdough bread) and superb contemporary cuisine, including a knockout pan-roasted halibut with wild mushrooms and trufflemarjoram sauce. Another cool Yalctown address for sophisticated chow and memorable people-watching is Blue Water Cafe, whose speciaities include a sampler of f0tir ceviches with salmon, halibut, rnna, and scallops, and a wonderful entree of local sablefish caramelized with soy and sake. A block away, slick Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar can be forgiven for its slightly pretentious and gimmicky ambience, because this plays turns out delicious food, including tequila lamb satay with lime-mint glaze, and spaghetti with truffles and Kobe meatballs. From Yaletown, you can catch a water taxi to Granville Island, once the shipping and processing center for the city's logging industry, and now yer another successful urban renovation with a mammoth public market and many galleries and artisrs' studios. It's a 15-minm:e drive east of the citv cemer to Commercial Drive, a neighborhood thai:'s been reborn in i:he past decade as the cit/s lesbian hub. Here you'll find several v,roman-owned shops, including \X!omyn's 'Ware, the definite source: for women's sex coys, lube, and fetish ',Near. Most afternoons anci evening:,;, you'll see cute dvkes passing time at the neighborhood's several shabby-chic coffeeho'uses. lhis is aiso a great area for affordable, he;,Jthfui cuisine. Exceilent options indude globallv inspired Stella's Tap & Tapas Bar and Havana, a grea, source for' deli~ious Larin-inf;sed far~. Finally, if you're looking for some outside fun on a sunny day? rnake i:he 20-minute drive to \\'est Vancouver to 'Wreck Beach, which is right by the campus of the l}niversity of British Colun1bia. l'-lot especia!iy sandy or accessible (you must hike down a steep l 00-foot trail), it's the cit}'~'s only more-or-less sanctioned nude beach (at ieast the illegalig.r of Jetting it all hang out is overlooked by authorities). -n1c south end of""Wreck Beach (to get there ~Yilol.,v the for trail vvww. ozarksstar: com number 6) is predominantly gay, and depending on your vantage point, the views from this secluded swath of sand can be amazing, whether you're admiring nature - or naturists. * health ouu-eaoh pmvention educaflon7 Inc. 1-800-535-AIDS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline ' '>, >>: ' ' ' ,_,. ', ✓ * Free nonjudgmenhlf HlVtesting, inclt1ding the 20 rniJiule OraQwg)( fest.. . . • Free SyphiHis screening at thi:J GLBT Center on Tuesdays from tJ.;Bpm H.O.P~E. Te-1ing Clinic MensOutreach Program In Tulsa at (918) s1i..;7045 the STAR 21 he reamhelmet ould Emily Post pprove? -- Recently, the CBS News \Vebsite posed the following hypothetical scenario and question: "Strangers on a Plane: The stranger sitting next ro you on a plane ieans over to reads your magazine, takes off his shoes and socks, or keeps chatting when all you want to do is nap. The guy in front of you cranks his seat all the way back, while th: k!~ behind you kicks your seat. What's a polite passenger to do'. ... (PRWEB) September 12, 2006 -- Recent!v, the CBS News Website posed the f<:!lowing hypothetical scenario.and question: "Strangers on a Plane: l11e stranger sitting next to you on a plane leans over ro reads your magazine, takes off his shoes and socks, or keeps chat~ i'.1g when all you want to do is nap. The guy in front of you cranks n1s seat all the way back. while the kid behind you kicks vour seat. What"s a polite passenger to do? ... " · Reporter Tracy Smith, aided by travel journalist Val D'Elia of TravelWlth Val.com, offered some solutions on the Qune 24, 2006) Sawrday Early Show. Val, who has endured her share of annoying strangers on a plane, suggested that one solution to che problem was ~o make use of the Dreamhclmet. Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $26.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorcler to: Ozarks S1.l\R 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) 22 the STAR Although the report suggested no specific reasons, it appears that average air travelers of today are less likely to resemble Beaver Cleaver and_family or Mr. Rogers, and more closely fit the profile of soccer hooligans and players, or rapper wannabes and entourage. The upshot is tha::, chances are, your fellow air passengers wi!l exhibit less manners and grosser social graces than those of an eadier epoch, when people sought the advice of Emily Post. A changed view of air travel, from being something awesome and novel, like going on a grear adventure, to being commonplace, like riding the bus, may be partly to blame fur more hang-ioose social behavior aboard. It also may be true that che average American really does exhibit less well-mannered behavior, in any situation, than his parents did. On an airplane, you are a sort of captive participam. Situations can occur at any time from which you might wish to make a gracefui exit. So how can a Dreamhelmet save you from this kind of uncomfortable social dilemma? , The Dreamhelmer is a combination sleep-mask pillow that blocks !ighr and mufHes sound. It has sound-blocking foam sewed into the pilk,w portion which covers the ears. The Drcamhelmer allows its user to iean against the plane window or seatback (or uave!incr companion's shoulder) and fa!] asleep. The pillow portion offer; s:rne neck support. Secrer pockets located near the temple hide money, valuables, foidable reading glasses, soft foam earpl~1gs (provided), or an alarm watch so as not to oversleep. Putting on your Dreamhelmet is like hanging out a ''Do Not Disturb" sign. It is a polite, but effective, wav to let others know you have retreated into your own space, no longer want to communicate, and do want peace and quiet. It is not necessarv to do or sav anything rude to anyone. It not only works for Val, b~r we think i; is also what Emily Post would have done. Dre:1mhelmet lets you sleep by blocking light with a generous sleep mask and cradling your head in a soft cotton sound-blocking pillow. Many amactive fabrics please all tastes. Dreamhelmets cost $29.95 plus $4.95 posrage The direct 24 hour telephone order number is (888i918-5630. More OUT in Arkansas A gay reading group forms, "LITERARY PRIDE" by Amos Lassen LITTLE ROCK, AR_Two years ago a group of gay men met and organized "The Oscar Wilde Reading Group" which had several sessions and then became defunct. When I moved to Little Rock after Katrina, I tried to find a sense of communitv and whiie at Wordsworth and Company Books, I noticed the ;nnouncement about the reading group. I called and went to the next meeting. Little did I know then, that this meeting was to be the last of the Oscar Wilde group. I was determined that this was not going to happen. After rwo unsuccessful attempts to get a group together, I finally decided to hit the bars, the coffee shops and the bookstores and posted an announcement of a new group to be formed. We finally met in June--only 2 members of "Oscar Wilde' and a bevy of new faces set up our organizational framework. Our first two meetings saw us outgrow our meeting place at Sufficient Grounds in Hillcrest. So we established the name "Literary Pride" and for our third meeting we moved into one of the member's homes. 'We began our reading with "Grief" by Andrew Hollerana book that explains that by grieving we are keeping alive the memory of those we have loved and lost. Our second book was ".My Lives" An Autobiography by Edmund White, a tell ali no hoies barred life story of the pre-eminent gay writer alive today as he took us on a whirlwind tour of his life as an out gay man. Each member has the opportunity to choose a book and the choice simply alternates from person to person. Reviews of new books appear regularly at littlerockpride.com. 1be beauty of Literary Pride is that the group is completely independent of everything else and aside from enjoying reading, we also enjoy getting together and just talking. Friendships have been made and the excitement that each meeting generates is exciting. The books we read are mainiy just a jumping off point to rhe discussions of matters that affect gay life today. It is such a wonderful feeling for us to come toged1er with the sole purpose being our enjoyment of being together. This year Literary Pride will participate in the Arkansas Literary Festival. For the first time, gay literature will be part of the festival and we are presently working to bring authors imo Arkansas for the festival. We have just received word that one of the finest gay authors writing today will honor us by attending the Festival. ANDREW HOLLERAN, author of the gay classic "Dancer from the Dance'' as well as "Nights in Aruba" and "'The Beauty of Men". lhe group is open to anyone ( regardless of sex:uaI orientation and gender) who wishes to participate. The only expense you may have is the price of the book and members get a discount at a iocal bookstore. 'Xie are looking forward w a greac year of activity. More information can be gained by dropping me a line at alassenamos@ yahoo.com. Membershio is alwavs ooen and we look forward to ~vekoming a!L • , ' * "San Francisco searcher Discovers atment ImmuneS Infected roundbre ng Stren hen terns in HIVt1. ents " Study Featured in Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes August issue and Presented at 16th International Worid AIDS Congress TORONTO, CANADA_Micronutrient supplementation increases CD4 count in HIV-infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HA.ART), according to a study published in the August 15th issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. These results were presented at the 2006 World AIDS Conference in Toronto on August 14th. The study, authored by Jon D. Kaiser, M.D., demonstrates tl1at the patients adding a micronuuient supplement while taking HA.ART are able to increase their CD4 cell count by 24%, compared to no change in the placebo group. CD4 cells act ro protect the body against viral, fungal, and protozoal infections. When an individual is HIV-infected, the virus continually kills CD4 cells. Over time, the body is unable to replace the lost cells and their number declines, making the body more susceptible to infections. With twenty years of HIV treatment experience, Dr. Kaiser has investigated many antioxidant combinations. "There have been several recent clinical trials which show HIV-infected patients who begin to take micronutrient supplements have improved clinical outcomes,'' said Dr. Kaiser. "This most recem study proves to the medical community that micronutrient supplementation holds significant promise as a vital part of standard medical creatment for people with HIV/AIDS." Success of antiviral therapy ro date has been limited by a wide range of debilitating side effects. The micronutrient supplement tested was also shown to decrease one of the common side effects of antiviral therapy, peripheral neuropathy, by 42% compared to a 33°10 decline in the placebo group. "!he abiiity of this micronutrient formula ro strengthen the immune systems of people wirh HIV/AIDS - at substantiallv lower cost than tl1at of anti'...,iral medication could potentially stabilize the health of millions of people in the developing world until access to antiretroviral medications improves. Co-authors indude Adriana M. Campa, Ph.D., Joseph P. Ondercin, PA-C, Gifford S. Leoung, I,1.D., Richard F. Piess. Ph.D., and Jvfarianna K. Baum. Ph.D. The scudv was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb. TheSTAR 23 Salutation kittens and loyal love slaves! This mooch Uncle Mikey recovers from a love affair of epic proportions. I mean whew, that man was just too much. It was iike being at the DQ and trying to take that extra dip, knowing your body, just wouldn't handle it. I mean; it just was not right. While appealing, some mountains just are not meant to be climbed. Sadly, I had to cut chat stallion ioose, sending him back into the wild. I hope he does not do any damage; ralk about putting your eye out. I bet the censors arc just on the edge of their seats. I guess, I do sound a little like a prom date gone bad. That man of substantial lovin' made more of an impression than I realized. Kitcens, I tried, really I did. You just cannot gee a twelve in a size ten; I don'c care how you work it. Uncle Mikey here once more to spread his wisdom, thought provoking views, and midnight iove to those who qualify. Yes, like a true timeless treasure, Uncle is on the scene looking out for those in Queerdom. Let's get to it as my eighth husband wouid say, the romantically challenged to say the lease, But I digress. Dear Uncle },1ikey, I am an older gay man with 2 children. Because, I take care of myself, most people do not realize my children are in college. At my oldesr son's lase cdllege break, he brought home one of his frat brothers. His friend was a Greek god and I could not stop acting iike a high school girl around him. I chink he was enjoying the attention and was flirting with me by the end of the first day. Because I was so bothered by this beautiful young man, I could not sleep. Around 2:00 AM in the morning. I recreated to the kitchen to try to drown my sexual frustration in some orange sherbec. 'When I turned around from the freezer, there was my soP:s friend in nothing but his birthday suit. I was so shocked; (dropped the sherbet on the floor. He chuckled and told me that it was all right that my son had told him all about me and that's why he was there. he wanted to be with an older man that looked as good as I did. I couid no longer concroi mvseif and p!ay·ed out mv ~ildesr famasv ,t A / ,- right there in the kitchent with my son asleep upstairs! 26 theSTAR I have never done anything like this before and am feeling tremendously guilty for my lack of seif-control. I am also flattered because of having a 23 year old come onto me. I am feeling like a troll! Unde Mikey help! How do I handle this flood of emotions? Scarcer Troll Dearest ST: Darling, troll, I think not. Greek Gods would not mingie; I see the start of a player extraordinaire. As for the sleeping lamb. this is not an issue; all were consenting, and aware. I imagine some more than others however, that is just the icing the way I see it. Enjoy and cherish the memory of your fling in the night, it shall keep you warm on those blustery winter eves. Smooches-Mikey · Honey, Uncle can tell you from personal experience, a Twink in the twilight can keep those batteries charged for a forcnighr. Oh my nerves, I must have another drink before we go on. I hope chat houseboy of mine has those batteries charged by now. Dear Uncle Mikey, Mv bovfriend has friends who like to partv. He has asked me what I ~ould think about attending a sex p;rty., where we would not intermingle; simply perform rhe act in front of each other .. He thinks this would be hoc, while I think I would be too self-conscious to enjoy it. Should I do it, as he says it is my duty? Sexually confused Dearest confused, Confused, about what to wear? Kitten, some are bold and risk takers. The proposal could have been worse, however the decision remains solely yours. You must decide what you are comfortable with, making it know you are not going to participate in something you do nor want. Often couples will find themselves at the road, where the desires divide the mind. It is important to find a common ground, where both desires addressed respectfully, allow personal growth and majority. Dear Uncle Mikey, Do you know of any really good sex positions? Young-one Dear Young one, Do you know of any bad ones? Smooches-Mikey \'veil Kittens, I must take my ieave hmvever before I do remember chis; Uncle's law in the sexu;l behavior- Harm none do what ye wiii, do it well and thee wiil gee rhy fill. Safety comes before the deed; wrap that meat before pumping chat steed. Smooches-Uncle Mikey and Tiddles too! Write to 1Jncic !vHkey at uncien1ikey4you@ao!.co1n \¥ith those quandaries you dare not ask anyone else, take it to the gay guru! * "The Laramie Project" A Play About The Affect of Mathew Shepard's Death. INDEPENDENCE, KS_"The Laramie Project," rhe ground-breaking drama by Mo'ises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Project, will be performed by the William Ing~ Center for the Arts Theatre Department at Independence Community College, Independence, Kansas. Featuring an all-student cast, "The Laramie Project" runs 1hursday through Saturday Oct. 12-14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the William Inge 'Theatre at ICC. The Inge TI1eatre and the ICC is campus is located south of the town of Independence. From Main and I 0th Streets, proceed on South I 0th Street for two miles and turn right on Road 58. The thearre and campus is on the right. Scats mav be reserved by calling (620) 332-5492 and tickets will be hdd at the box office for patrons until 20 minutes prior to curtain, after which they are released for general sale, Seating is general admission. Tickets are $6 general admission. "The Laramie Project'' premiered in 2000 and is the moving drama about the residents of Laramie, Wyoming, and what rhey went through following the 1998 murder of Mathew Shepard, a gay college student. Director is Perer Ellenstein, artistic director of the Wiiliam Inge Cencer for the Arts. Independence, Kansas, is located at the iunction of Highways 75 and 160 in south~ ast Kansas. It is located 90 miles north of Tulsa, 90 miles west of Joplin, 120 miies south of Kansas City, and 120 miles southeast of""Wichita. The 2006-07 Mainstage seawn li1:: ICC ' · · ! 0 piays COfitlOUe Wlt 1 t1h._ e L•• 0 .n....1 C-d jv .. ..f 1u1 °~· - Servant of Two \fasrers" Dec 7 - i 0 :md the , 1 HT mus1ca1 r f appy E--;,d ,· • on ertola_ no re':-'.-.l:-"• and Kurt Weill, March 15-18, 20<F. lhc I(:C theater dcpartn1cnt b noted as one of the outstanding r,;vo-year college thean:r p·~ograms in th~ tvtid,vest. Spring 2006 ~ ... ,,dua:rPs were accepted for transfer to lb~ Bo;to~ Conser:,axory, E1n.crson c:ol- ,''° g---· '•.. ""•p-hens c·O 1b1t •.g•c~. •..: tn r..1... .11.~ ,.. e r... t...,;,.1,a. ...., a. . 5, i..j, ,S-ch~;;i:;f th~ Arts~ Fo~ rnore inforn1ation: ,v,.:ii1,v.ingecenter.org * Gay & Lesbian History Month celebrated at Missouri State University SPRINGFIELD, MO_Dudng October, Gay & Lesbian History Month wiil ~e . celebrated on the Missouri State Umvermy Springfield campus. Events are planned for the celebration, including a reception honoring the second birrhdav of OLGA (Ozarks Lesbian & Gav Ar~hives), a discussion of health issues aff~cti~g gay men ~nd le~bians, an ~~plor~tion or how the M1ssoun State pub11e affaus mission with its emphasis on communiry building encourages or discourages mino~iry inclusion, and an "out on campus" in wl11ch students, staff, and faculty discuss life at Missouri State for openly gay people. With the inauguration of a new administradon at Missouri State, gay people are hopeful that this year's program will be supported campus wide. Holly B:ggett, History Professor and President ot Lambda Alliance, one of the co-sponsoring organizadons, said that she hopes 1',1issouri State will adopc a new attitude toward gay peopl_e. "1here is a sense for many reasons havmg to do with diversiry, hiring and accreditation. mainstreaming the University, and just common sense, that the Administration is now encourai:dng gay men and lesbians to be visible and\o play an active role on campus." In addition to rhe Lambda Alliance which advocates fair treatment for gay and lesbian neoole ar MSU, Gay & Lesbian History }.fo~th is sponsored by the MSU History Departmem, and the MSU College of Humanities and P:1biic Affairs. ·r·h•·o«o·l, r:"}' & I "Sbi;,n History Month, .l -~ ....._!-,._1 •-_,~,, ~>,- r •• r rhe U1;iversicv is folfiliing irs goai of seiking ;; produce civil and educated citizens in a metropolitan co1n1nunity. I=or rnore infr1nnation contact Holly Pn.:sidcnt. Oifce; 417-836-5206 Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT ,i.,fagazine Phone Home campaign! WASHINGTON. DC_h's a campaign to mobiiize fair-minded people everywhere in the fight against the anti-~_GBT co~stitutional amendments that will be on tl1e November ballot in eight states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and \'?isconsin. If vou come from or know anyone in any of th;se states and surely you do then you can take action today. Just go to the campaign \Y/eb site, ww~w. PhoneHome2006.org, where you'll find all the tools you need to quickly and easily contact vour relatives, friends, classmates and for~er co-workers in these states and cell them vou need them to do the right thing on N~v. 7. You can also donate to the state campaigns through this site. * Creating Community for Peopie living with HIV/AIDS ()ur House. Too offers a variety of activities for people v:ho are HI\/+ and or living 'Nith A.IDS to heip combat the social isolation that rnany of our dE;f ~;~~}if ~::~1=ti:~;e ~~;~~- and or Hving v.tith ,A.JDS "Nho cannot afford to ourchase these iteff:s for thernseh1~s. VVe invite anyone ;,vho •Nould !Ike to voiunteer or provicit? fi~. nanciai assistance to piease contact us by phone 918--585-9552 or harrisrnmjrt@yahoo.corn Q Scopes by Jack Fertig OCTOBER 2006 "Don't argue, Leo - entertain!" Mars is already a bit weakened and lacking focus in Libra, although normally that sign makes him a better team player. As he trines Neptune in Aquarius, hedonistic indulgences come easily, but directed, productive activity is harder. Yoga, martial arts, or other activities tied to balancing spirit will help. ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Your partner wants to spend more time alone with you, but you're feeling more openly social. There's time for both; be considerate of your partner. If you're single and looking. try a sporting event. Having some friends along could help the search. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Lately, you've been uncertain about what you want to be when you grow up. You can take some satisfaction that your current job - and especially your ability to work with others - will eventually help you find your way to the top. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Try out new and different entertainments. Iranian movies? Dervish performances? Kinky experiments you haven't gotten around to yet? Something with a spiritual twist will be most interesting. Be very open to new possibilities as they offer themselves. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Never mind the bedroom - take the fun to the kitchen! There you can imagine brilliant new uses foi some of the utensils, and find great ingredients for fun. If you don't have privacy there, pack a picnic basket! LEO (July 23 -August 22): The more forcefully you express your points. the more illogical they seem to others. If you can argue effectively a!ong emotional lines, using a dramatic style, your lack of logic may not matter. Better yet, don't argue. Just entertain! VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Watch out for nervous tension over any problem, especially money. Nothing will be solved now. but you can get a sense of how to be more effective working with others, which wiil he!p in the long run. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You're unusually energetic and playfui these days. Be cautious: know your own !imits and those of your playmates. You're sure to stumble over them anyway, so just be careful that nobody gets hurt and that necessary apologies are madei SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Either as a longterm project or just for a few hours. make your bathroom into a place of elegant pleasure where you can enjoy a long, hot, relaxing soak. That's always a healing divertissement, and now it's an absolute necessity! SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): You have a sudden burst of energy for either social activity or politics; stick with the social. !n politics you'll oniy wreak confusion now. But at other occasions, your whimsical touch should prove a huge asset! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): You need reassurance about where you're going in life and why. A little confusion is good if it opens you to deeper understanding. Talk with your boss - or a professional - about your goals and your purpose. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): You're craving adventure, but what kind? Let it be an adventure in trust. Try to give up being a control queen long enough to let a friend iead you somewhere entirely new. That doesn't necessarily mean sex, but don't rule it out! PISCES (February 19 - March 19): One fish is swimming toward mad !ust, the other toward quiet retreat. Invite your sexiest friend(s) to an erotic retreat where you car.i alternate games of strip Twister with meditation, massage, and shared baths. SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appointmcm 4 '. 7-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 jopbn, fvio 64803 '...." .. \[1. .•.r,.T.l_ :: ·RD.,-1..!:. \.. . ·vi · 1,~,,_·,~· ,.1..'. JCe,. _.9 ·h ")(,\j ,r,\ d7. .. ''l 28 Advet1ising in the STAR is just good business cents. Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr - - - www.nwaglbtcc.org- - - - - --479-586-1062 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479} Diversity Pride Event - - - - - - - - - - - - -www.diversitypride.com A Byrd's Eye View- - - - 36 N. Main- - - - - - - - - -479-253-0200 Caribe Restaurante- - - - 309 W Van Buren- - - - - -479-253-8102 Henri's - - - - - - - 19 1i2 Spring St - - - - - - - - - - - -479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - - 105 E VanBuren- - - - - -479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- - - - 888-582-8464 Spexton- - - - - - - - 178 Spring Street - - - - - - - - -479-981-6060 Tiki Torch- - - - - - - - 75 S. Main Street- - - - - - - -479-253-2305 Tradewinds Lodge -141 W. VanBuren- - - - - - - - - 800-242-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Common Ground Restaurant- - - 412 W. Dixon - 479-442-3515 Condom Sense - - - - - - - - 418 W. Dickson- - - - - -4 79-444-6228 Curry's Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-521-0009 Passages - - - - -930 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-442-5845 Pride Street Live- - 523 W. Poplar St-- - - - - - - - - - 4 79-587-0557 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave-- - - - - - - - - - - -479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- - - - - - -1004 1 /2 Garrison Ave- - - - - - - 4 79-783-9988 Red Rock City - - -917 N. "A" St. - - - - - - - - - - - - 479-242-2489 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jesters Lounge - - - - 1010 E. Grand Ave - - - - - - - 501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - - - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - - - - - - -501-6642744 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.dsra.org Discovery- - - - - 1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - - - - - - -501-666-6900 Sidetracks - - - 415 Main St- -North LR.- - - - - - - -501-244-0444 The Factory - : - - - - 412 Louisiana St.- - - - - - - - 501-372-3070 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club- - - - - - 384 Grant Ave. - - - - - - - - -785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.- -1701 S. Broadway- - - - - - - - - - - - - -620-231-0938 River of Life Church.- -1709 N. Walnut- - - - - - - - -Service 11AM Kansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40- - - - - 3201 S. Hillside- - - - - 316-682-5494 Priscilla's- - - - - 6143 W Kellogg Dr- - - - - - - - - 316-942-1244 Ciub Giacier- - - - - - - - - 2828 E. 31st South- - - - - 316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - - - - - -Sat Service-9:30AM Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn- - -www.40thstreetinn.com- - - - - -816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Blvd - - - - - -816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs - \A.'\Nw.hydeskc.com - 816-561-1010 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - - - - - - - - - - - - -816-561-0625 Missouri, Lampe (417) KOKOMO Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-779-5084 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- - - - - 424 Boonville Ave- - - - - -- - - - - - 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical- - - - - - - - -417-869-3978 Martha's Vineyard- - 219 W Olive - - - - - - - - - - - 417-864-4572 Missouri, Springfield (417) Ronisuz Place- - --821 College- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -417-864-0036 Rumors - --1109 E. Commercial- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books- - - -104 Sunset - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 580-242-6838 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - -4810-A West Garriott- - - - - - - 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) lngrids Bookstore- - - - -1124 NW Cache Rd- - - - - -580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester McPride- - - - - - - - - - - POBox 1515, - - - - - McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) American Crossroads B&B - POBox 270642- - - - - -405-495-1111 Blue Dog Liquor- - - - - - -4015 N. Penn - - - - - - - - -405-606-7000 Boom Room- - - - - - - 2807 NW 36th St- -- - - - - - - -405-601-7200 Border's Books- - - - - - 3209 NW Expressway- -- - - 405-848-2667 CD Warehouse- - - - - - 4001 N. Penn - - - - - - - - - - 405-525-7766 Club Rox- - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Christie's Toy Box- - - - -3126 N. May Ave - - - - - - - 405-946-4438 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave- - - - - - -405-672-6459 Hollywood Hotel- - - - 3535 NW 39th Exp - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club - - - - - - -1221 NW 50th- - - - - - - - - - - -405-843-1722 Naughty But Nice - - - - 3121 SW 29th St- - - - - - - -405-681-5044 Partners- - - - - - - - - 2805 NW 36th St - - - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Pec's- - - - - - - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expw - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St- - - - - - - - - - - 405-525-5165 Rudy's Place-- - - - -3535 NW39th Expw- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Phoenix Rising - - - - 2120 NW 39th St- - - - -- - - - - -405-601-3711 The Park- - - - - - - - 2125 NW 39th St - - - - - - - - - -405-528-4690 The Rockies- - - - - - 3201 N. May Ave - - - - - - - - - 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Tramps- - - - - - - - - - - -2201 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - - -405-521-9888 Ziggy's- - - - - - - - - - - - 4005 N. Penn- - - - - - - - - - -405-521-9999 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge- - - -7204 E. Pine - - -- - - - - - - - - -918-836-8700 Border's Book Store- - - 2740 E. 21st- - - - - - - - - - - 918-712-9955 Border's Book Store - - - 8015 S, Ya!e - - - - - - - - - - 918-494-2665 Club 209 - - - - - - - 209 N. Boulder - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-9494 Club Majestic- - - - - - - 124 N. Boston - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-9494 Club Maverick- - - - - 822 S. Sheridan - - - - - - - - - -9i8-835-3301 Dreamland Bks -- - - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - - - - - - - - -918-834-1051 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 5545 E. 41st- - - - - - - - - - 918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge- - - 11730 E. 11th- - - - - - - - - -918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic- - - - - - - 3540 E. 31st- - - - - - - - - - - - 918-749-8378 Jazz's Lounge- - - - - - 426 S. Memorial - - - - - - - - - 918-836-8544 Midtown- - - - - - - - - - 319 E. 3rd- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-3112 Nite Spot - -- - - - - -3007 E. Admiral Pl - - - -- - - - - - 918-834-3007 Openarms Youth Projt- - - 2015 S. Lakewood- - - - -918-838-7104 Our House, Too - - - -203 N Nogaies Ave- - - -- - - - -918-585-9552 Priscma·s - - - - - - - - -7925 E 41st- - - - - - - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscii!a's - - - - - - - - 5634 W. Ske!iy- - - - - - - - - - - 918-446-6336 Priscilla's - - - - - - - 1134,1 E. 11th - - - - -918-438-4224 Priscii!a's - - - - - - - - - 2333 E. ?1st- - - - -- - - - - ~918-499-1661 Renegades- - - - - - - 1649 S. Main - - - - - - - - - - 918-585-3405 Rob's Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- - - - - - - 918-627-1505 St Michaels Aliev- - - - - -3324-L E 31st- - - - - - - 918-7 45-9998 Sterling & Co. Sa!on- - -1606 E.15t!l St.-· - - - - - - 918-742-9999 Titan's Lounge - - 6373-C E 31st St- - - - - - 9rn-836-0299 Tulsa CARES· - - - 3507 E. Admira! Pl- - • - - - - - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library•• - - 400 Civic Center• - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle· - • - -1338 E. 3rd • - •· - • - - - • - - - -918-592-1188 TNT's - - - - - - • 2114 S. Memcriai- - • - - •· - • - 918-660-0856 YeHow-Brick-Rd- - 2630 E. 15th- - - - - - c, - 918-293-0304 \\~~;~i#~~~:,?~:'.f?;~~¥#~,~?~~ .~i~~~~g,t~?:,~listdbutt\ ~1r~.E ~1:>pJes of ,d:t .~Ti~R, .. contact us at 91 itS35;7887 9anito 4pm mon - fri or email: ozaiksstar@sbcglobaLnet 29 GA•~•t>a 'I'itlsa's GAIBSTNdghborhood' New and Historic Homes forS~le and Rent. GREAT HISTORIC APARTiMENTS & FLATS TOOi. . . Walk to Brady Arts District, Shovis, Restaurants, Parks, Glubs}Ba:rs .. Shops. On the Edge of D:Ovintowri. For more info Go to: www.gaybtadyheightstiJlsa.com 1st Annual Gala Celebration "Linking Togei:her as One" Friday, Deceinber 15th, 2006 7:00 P.1'.1. Clarion Inn Favettevi!le 1255 So. Shiloh, Fayetteville AR 72701 , ' For more informacion: w-~"w'.NWAGLBTCC.ORG Nj55 lorch Tulsa USofA October 27th, 2006 Openarms Youth Project Calling all Contestants Entry fee $50.00 Official Prelim. to Miss Oklahoma USofA info@openarmsproject.org CHECK OUT UNIQUE EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS www.diversitypride.com and www.eurekapride.com ,',,' ' ' ~ Full Boqy, Sport;, .f-lot .Stone ** Hand .c. u. rd F... Q..o tiScr.·.u .b s ,arid·Weekends ' : ' " '::·,'. ', :: '. ,,,;'" ,,. ', . Call for an:app<intment and rates. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR OKLAHOMA, KANSAS MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS qualifications ro ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 CONGRA-rOLA'flONS! 1-r•s GAY! Get results with STAR Classifieds! NGA BAR.&GRILL Sunday Champaqne Brunch All you can eat soup and salad bar l lam-2pm $8.99 Monday & Tuesday Well Martinis $2.50 4pm-7pm Best Prime Rib in Town' Friday & Saturday Nights Bar favorites, restaurant favorites and many new items for your enjoyment pleasure NEW WINTER RATES - $45• * Plus tax, excludes suites ,.; - ' \ 1 PEC'S A LEATHER/LEVI BAR CLOSED MONDAYS Sun 7pm - 2am, Tues-Thurs 7pm-9pm wear your leather and get your well drinks for $2.50 Sun Thur, 7pm-2am Fri and Sat, 4pm-2am RUDY'S PLACE PIANO BAR Rudy's Place is a non-smoking establisthment Early for cocktails. late for a night cap CLUB ROX CLOSED MONDAY SIZZLIN' SUNDAYS With Whitney Paige HOLLYWOOD IDOL Wednesday Nights with Taylor Brayns Sign up at 9:30pm, Starts at 10pm Finals Audience Votes (the more people you bring the more votes you get) VIXENS Saturday Nights with Shantel Mandalay at l 0pm ALISON SCOTT SHOW Friday. Oct. I >th & 27th at 9:30pm MISS HOLLYWOOD US OF A Sunday Novei11ber J 2. 2006 I st Prize: $1,000.00 PLUS $500.00 credit towards Kayne Original Gown Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, October 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 10 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 01, 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn John Patrick Michael Dee Kay Massey Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Victor Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinsman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, September 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 9 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/243 The Star Magazine, November 1, 20006; Volume 3, Issue 11 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/241 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/242 Advice Bitter Girl Bryan White AIDs Fund Chelsea Boys Comic Strips Gay and Lesbian History Month Herland HIV research HIV/AIDs testing Jim Verraros Kathy Taylor Kris Kohl Lesbian Notions Literary Pride MCC McWillie Chambers Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats OUT in Arkansas OUT of the Womb Out OK Film Festival Past Out Q Scopes star classified Star Distributors Star Scene The Laramie Project travel Tulsa Community Center Uncle Mikey https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/b9c9a6279512a7a10048d90d650483d2.jpg ccf67a476d394d378caa36f5bfb2fc4a https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/1ac048af6377978fa39ed58c5c85b213.pdf 2262c39edbaef673db3eeb5b909bc695 PDF Text Text ��������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document =========. The STAR is published by Star Media, Ltd. 5103 S. Sheridan,# 153 Tuisa, OK 74145-7627 ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net www.ozarksstar.com Editor in Chiei, C. D. Ward Contributing Writers: Greg Steele, Josh Aterovis, Douglas Glenn, John Patrick, Michael Dee, Kay Massey, Paul Wortman, Carlotta Carlisle, Victor Gorin, Greg Gatewood Columnist: Libby Post, Andrew Collins, Donald Pile, Ray Williams. Michael Hinzman. Jack Fertig, Liz Highleyman Photography: Chaz Ward, Victor Gorin, Advertising: Tulsa Office - - - - - - - -918-835-7887 or Email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net (Tulsa Metro) Michael Leach- - - - - 918-640-2049 (Oklahoma City Metro) Victor Gorin 405-947-2048 (Northwest Arkansas) Kay Massey- 479-273-2808 National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Deadline for all advertising, articles and payment is the 18th of each month for the next months issue. Subscriptions 12 issues $26.95 / singles $3.00 Check or Money Order '!he Oz.irks Sr.tr or the Star is published & dimibutcd monthly as a communitY ser;ice bv Star Medil, Ltd .. Publication of the name, pho~ogclph o; iikcnc.':>s of any p~rson. business or organization in this publica:t~on i:; no:· co be conscru~d a.~ any indication of sexual oricnration or preferences of 5uch person, bu1,jncss or org-ani1atioe. Opinions cxpres5cJ by culumnis:.s, ~idvcrri~crs or Lener,,,: ro rhc Editor arc nor necc5s,1rily the opiniun of 'fhr Ozarks Star. frs staff, rhi.! publisher nr it's Jdvariscrs. Content of .1dverriscmcnrs and ~uticlcs .1rt the suic r<:spunsibiiity of chc advertiser 3.nd /or author. '1ht: Pubii5hrr of t!{c ()n.rk.\ ·s~ar or Srar reserve:~ rhc right ro refuse a<lvcnising nutl..'.rlai f~_~ir ,1!1;' rta.1,on v,·hat so ever. 'Ih<..· ()z.3.rks Sur or Star ~nd all !ikc:ltS:)<:s ~h{:rt of arc sole oropt"rtics of Star hicd!,1. Lrd. All m:Hrr!~tl (<) copyrigh~ 2006 chc ()zarb S:ar. Designed Hith Pride, Printed in Oklahoma, l'SA N THE COVER Jud Shepard, Mother of Matthew 0 0 JUDY SHEPARD SPEAKS '·If vou don't vote, you can't bitch.' TI1a~'s what my son: Matthew, used to sav. Afrer he t~1rned 18, one of the first th.ings he did when he moved to :! ntw location was register to vore. Of) OUT In ARKANSAS New! Lots of news from the Arkansas GLBT Community. First Openly GLBT Srnte Official. FALL Diversity Weekend, EUREKA! 00 PAST OUT A rctrosoectivc ofLGBT Historv. \'v'ho was Da,phne du Maurier? . 0.z.7 CIAO TRAVEL G ay '1r. rave1I ers "(a'a nta I·'c , N1' vI, " Out of Town "Cosu Rica·· f)(3 ASK UNCLE MIKEY Can you n.:aliy get an STD ju~t h\ _:.:,1·. - ing ~on1eonc head? \\'r,rried Can rou re::l]y a,;k th:'t quc,u,,n \\·itl1 ~t head? INDEX 3,000 Walk For Aids .... Judy Shepard Speaks .. OUT in Arkansas ... Past Out. ..... Tulsa GLBT Center Ne"Ns Ciao Tra,;e!. .. Lesb;an Notiors. Oklahoma·s Adoption i __ ;:iv 1 Star S:::ene. Uncle Mikey inspiring Fitness :-ioroscopes Distr:buto:·s Cartoc:.ns C!asslfleds In the la~t i:-isuc chc article on the Rvan 'X'hitl· lkndit Shih\,\\<: inadn: ncntl-.- :bn! the· 11:lill': Bn·,11: \\!hit,. :\11 "hvio,,,, rrnr 1 ha1 v:c on-rlookcd. 6 12 14 -----,.. Gold Castle "At Centwy 21 Gold Castle our BEST propei1ies are our PEOPLE' 4301 NW 63rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 .c21 goldcastle.com (iay !lle/1 and le<·/,fc:ns (:ice many special tax ,·ifuutions. ,1·hcrher single nr as u,upies. Let us help! (918) 7 6 Phew;by Joe KirK 3,000 Walk for Awareness and Funds at AIDS Walk of Oklahoma Ci , Proceeds Total $50,000 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK_.\n unprecedented .\000 peop;c wa!k<:d on Sunday, Ocwber !sr fil!· a hcald1icr Oklahoma in the 2006 AIDS \X'alk of Okkhc;•na Cir-. Parricip:rnt, from greater ()klahon1a C:iry and hcyonJ \valkc<.f ro raise ;nvarcnc:-:s a1~d funds for d1e treatment and pn:n:ntion of j,-jj\,'i AiDS. '.'rocceJs toulcd S"i0,000, which included spomorsi1ip, and doi::u;on\ b!·ought rn the AIDS Walk. ·111(: fdDS \X'aik of Okbhoma City will c!isrribure these funds in the (o;-m of grants on \X'orld AIDS Day, December 1st, t(> qualifrin;2. local HIV/ A! I )S non-prnfit organizations. To download a gram ap;)!icati'ln, go to \\Ww.aidswalkokc.org. Funds arc still criticallr n-:cdcd and 0;1 he :1,adc ,ml inc ::t www. aidswalkokc.org. For more inforna,ion en donarins w the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma Ci,y, pica,-: comact Board Prcs'dcnr Linda Larason at ,HJ'i/5~0-•i83"i. Startling statistics- - 1iAOIJ Oldaho1:1an, a:c rnrrunlr living ·.vi:h HIV/,.;I:)S. his :rn:nbc:r doc, IhH inckdc incli·:iduaL ,die ;,re inkucd bm ,:n;:\\'.ll'<.'. of their inb:.:tion. - I":- ,o 2-,-vc;:r .,\\, rn,1kv up the larg,··,! numk·•· o,· ! I I\' in(ccc inn, in (he \\'<Hid. Tl s Tl Because every one deserves a chance Placing retired racing Greyhounds into loving homes throughout Oklahoma, NW Arkansas, SW Missouri and North Central Texas ,r' fo1111/Greyhound riur)"t· , S. ~ ,lon \· ~11· ·✓ 0q Foster - Adopt - Support - Teach 401 N. FbrkSlreet-Serrrde, a< 74868-(405) 303- VNNY.fasthound.org Visit our website or contact us for more information Jessica Lantagne President 405-623-8390 Nikki Ortman Vice President 405-833-5455 Paul Oratowski Treasurer 405-205-79 35 jessica@fasthound.org Nikki@fasthound.org paul@fasthound.org w, Do It Dlffsrsnt In Eunk1 Springs, Ark1n1s1/ CffAltlTY 'Poll:1rR11n' 'Show 'n Shin&' in DIVERSITY WEEKEND the Nov 3.5, 200a Ozarks! A BOBALOO! 71Jt go1I of the 011w An11u11 Dlver,ity Arts & Crafts Fest/vii Is to lr.1pirc1, 111pport 1ad promote 1rt tll1t SPECIFICALLY REFLECTS tht $8nsibiiitl,s ind uptritnce, of G1ys, Lesbl1nt; Binxuaf,, Tr,ns & lntersu and their 1triight friends and famlliu. We wish to 1mcour1gt artl1ts of ALL 1ex111I orient,tions and ger.dtr Identities to pruent their perspective of of our 11111/tl-cult11ra!, rac/11 and ethnic div,rsity, through their art. As th/1 fettlv,1 gmw, over the years, w11 hope to m,ke evall,bie ,rt, & cr,fts th1t wt/I ,peak to and about our community ind to educ.ts and celebr,te th• t!11t dl'lt11it, of our live,i Gai!ttifl li'ld/or thou /;, need of exhibit 1p1ct, ple,,e s,nd ,n em1fl to info@dlver,ltypriduom {EXH!Bff in the subject line} or caii 479-253,2555 ASAP! www.ozarksstar.com health outreach prevention education, Inc. 1-800-535-AIDS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline H.O.P.E. Test Meris outreti In Tulsa at {91 the STAR 9 Oklahoma Greyhound Ad tion Group Expands Service To Arkansas, Missouri & Texas. SEi\!I?'-~OLE, OK_ Fasthound Greyhound Adoption is pleased to announce their expanded service area. In addition to piacing Retired Racing Greyhounds throughout Oklahoma our service area now includes North·,vcsr Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and North Cemra! Texas. Severai years ago when my liic partner Ed befriended a coworker we met her Greyhound Dance who was s0.vcet, gentle, calm and affect'.onate. When ~e decided rhar a Greyhound ":'a~ right for_ us, Dance'; mom suggestea tnat we might want to put through CHJr application for adoption under {)nly one of our narncs as the president of the group ,;vas unlikely to approve the application if \VC put it under both our natnes. i"-~aturally \1.:-e and adopted our group ln .\ustin~ ,.r~{. \Xie then dtcidt'd to start our (A\"T1 ': 1<""• 11R1' a service \\~here the everyone 10 the STAR Photo: "Monty", is adoprable. adopt one of these wonderful, loving canine companions as a family unit without prejudice. We have had great success in Oklahoma and want to bring this same service to our neighbors in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas. The Fasthound board members Jessica Lantagne, Nikki Ortman and myself Paui Oratowski have more than 15 years combined experience in the foster and adoption placement of retired Racing Greyhounds. Visit our website at www.fasthound.org w see our available greyhounds and learn more abom us and our adoption process. * UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST KANSASiOKLAHO: tv1A CONFERENCE VO l ES TO AFFIR..i\1 MARRIAGE EQUALIIT by Victor Gorin OKIAHOt,1A CITY, OK_In keeping with their longtime stand of support of equalitv for GLBT people, the delegates of the National Svnod of the United Church of Christ Cor~ference in 2005 voted to pass a resolution .stating that the UCC Church supports marriag~ e9ua!ity induding same sex n1arriage, and advocates for governnH~nts to do so as well. While this policy Ivas widely supported through uc:c:~ it did generarc son1c controversyl and \vhen the Kansas/Oklahoma Regional Conference vvas held in \X/ichira the follov..ring September a stnaH rural l}(=C C~hurch from Litdc l\.iver, Kansas introduced a resolution that the i(a11sas/()klahonia ,.,...,,,.~,,._ the national poiicy of tJ(~(~ approving sarnc- sex ma.rriagc. -]11is had been tabled f0r further consideraric~n, but v1ouid l)e voted on at th.e Meanwhile rhe controversv imensified, and the Little River UCC,sent ietters to all the Kansas and Oklahoma l:CC churches, urging them to withhold money from the national lJCC as a form of economic pressure to make them change their policy. In response to this, affirming churches in Okiaho~ a and Kansas made special fundraising efforrs ro not only maintain their level of support for the national UCC, but actually to increase rheir offering. In Oklahoma City a joint fundraiser concert involving UCC's Church of the Open Arms, Cathedral of Hope and Mayflower Congregational Church raised over $8000, and together with the other affirming churches of Oklahoma and Kansas over $18,000 of additional money was brough.: ro the Kansas/ Oklahoma UCC Conference as a show of suppon for the national UCC stand. When the vote was called at the Regional Conference as to whether they would support the national policy of UCC, it was affirmed by a vote over 75% in favor. UCC has an impressive history of supporting GLBT equaiity, and was the first mainstream congregarion to ordain an openly gay minister, Bill Johnson, in 1972. He was present at rhe 2006 Kansas/Oklahoma UCC Conference as a srrong show of his support. .A.s pastor of the Church of rhe Open Arms UCC of Okiahoma City Kathy McCallie commented,"UCC has a long history of being in rhe forefront of the gay righrs movement which includes marriage equality, and UCC also advocates change for marriage equality from government as wdl, so this was an affirming event for this region." * Spirit of Christ MCC Joplin Celebrate's Ninth Anniversary. JOPU~-.i, MO~"As we cdebme our Ninth Anniversarl in a ciP..- v,rhcre we were told nine years ;go that ;,ve could not and would not survive, yet nine years later here we are." Said Pastor Urie. ~pirit of Christ i\1CC serves the greater Joplin; lv·f() area and surrounding com~ r ~ • • cl' ,1 r> ~ i'..1 r· 1nun1ucs sprea 1ng rne \J00d 1"lews or Jesus (:hrist not only in vvord but in service, taHcing the talk and ,valking the waik. Over the la;t nine years Spirit of C::hrist fv!CC has no~"l{l been rhe longest surviving (;JL/B/ 'J/S organization in JopHn . Cln;tinuetl fh1ge-23 www.ozarKsstar.com ur By Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard and b:erntive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation "If you don't vote, you can't bitch." That's what my son, Matthew, used w say. After he turned 18, one of the first things he did when he moved to a new location was register to vote. He understood that the righr to vote was also a privilege, a responsibility and a chance to be heard. \Y/hen Matthew was beaten to death in 1998, anti-gay hate stole Matthew's right to vote. Today, the Matthew Shepard Foundation and I arc asking you to vote with him in mind this November. In the eight years since Matthew was murdered, l have traveled around rhe coumry speaking to millions of people including over a million college sttidents - about rhe importance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights issues ,md hare-crimes 1e gis 1a tion. 0 ne tvu mg t.h at ha s struc.k me aga·m and aga·m 1·s tn' e 1a cr1:: of political involvement within the community. Polis suggesr that numbers for voter registration and voter participation within the LGBT community are shockingiy low. The Matthew Shepard Foundation is undertaking an aggressive ''Get-Out-the-Vote" campaign this year to bring attention ro this issue and to promore an increase in voter participation by LGBT people and aliies. But what I really wanr to ask those in rhe community who are not registered or v;ho have not voted recendy is: what rhe heck are you thinking?! At a time when the stakes have never been higher and LGBT issues arc once again - in the fOrefront of the n1cdja and being rr1anipulated to have a potentially negative impact on our co1nn1unity. this lack of in'i.rolvetnenr is totally unacceptable. "~ primarily· politicai tactic utilized throughout the nation by people •.vho oppose L(;B~r civii rights .,Nas tapping into ho1nophobic fears and directly targeting ;~l~::~,~;;:::.~::.'til~J!~~~t:i?i~i:;;;:;:{;:;:., ·wake up, people: ;.ve arc under arrack! ln the current election and the elections that sure that r:hc voice of the LGB'T' ;jnd allied wwvv.ozarksstar.com - in all of its about the issues and t!!e candidates a:,d reach out to oar friencis and families and l:!et them involved as well. We need to i10ld each other accountable ~hen it coJnes to voting and, of cou;:se, we also need to hold those who are elected accoumable. If we al!ov, ourselves and each other to remain immobilized by apathy or pessimism, what we are really doing is colluding wi:h those who oppose us. Friends don't let friends not vo!e. -There is an old maxim that goes, "If you're not part of the soiution, then you're pan of the problem." From my perspective, if you don't vote, you become in you~ passivity a part of the hate. So what do you need to do to become pan: of the solution? There are five tasks that vou can do that -.vi!l make a differe11ce: one, REGISTER to vote; CV:,o, LEARN the issues - find out what candidates wam to do for you-and to you; three, PASS IT ON, educare your family, friends and business associa,es about the issues affecting rhe LGBT community today and encourage them to use their vote; four, actually VOTE in the election; and five, no ma.:rer who is elected, STAY INVOLVED and hold your elected officials accountable. You can go to our website ww-.v.MatthewShepard.org/Vote for more information and to PLEDGE to vote this November 7 ,h. Matthew's wallet always contained his voter registration card. He took his responsibility seriously. I,fa,thew will neve~ vote again. Today, I am asking you to vore for him. Use your voice. Iv1ake a difference for this generation and the: next. * RESEARCH REFUTES ~1YTH OF GAY THREAT TO CHILDREN A study released today (http:/ /\w;w.i:1ternariom.lordcr.org/scandal_ response.html) refutes charges made by the religious right in response to the Congressm:m Fo'.ey scandal that homosexuals are significantly more inclined to moiest chiiciren than heterosexuals. According to author Mark E. Pietrzyk, a number of conservative religious groups have issued papers claiming that gay mc1:_ pose - a highly disproportionate thrc,H to child:·en, citing a number or scientific studies t<J support their claims. However, when one examines the studies cited in these p;;pers, one finds that the religious right has engaged in a serim:s. distor:(<m of the work~ 01: od1ers. 1he sdentis;:s ,d10 authored the studies made co suci1 clam, about homosexuais posing a grearer threat to children, and in f3.ct in 1nany cases argued the opposite. !n addidon, n1anv in rhe l,(h ....: ~~;;,~,t~f ~:~i ~~:~~al~r:;,1~:l~r~!l~;~:g!~~~ ;~~~);!;1~11~'.~y crodi~;:11 traditional norn1s of sexual behavior. !-Io\vever, out rhat the ,;slippery slopt.t is basec! on the false p•rernis<.: that the I)rotection of children is a long-standing part of the recently cornc un- ~ier assault as a re~u!t of the approved of • t • • tn aiJuit-rnu1or the STAR 11 I i I Arkansas Elects First Openly GLBT State Official. by Joe Lafountaine --------------' LITTLE ROCK, AR_History was made in the May 23rd primary victory for Kathy Webb in the race for Arkansas State Representative District 37 (Little Rock). Unopposed in the general election, Kathy will be sworn in on January 8, 2007 as the first openly GLBT elected official in Arkansas. Kathy has served as president of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Arkansas, as a board member of the Arkansas Hospitality Association and as an active volunteer for the Arkansas Foodbank Network. She has also been national secretary for the National Organization for Women (NOW') and founding president of the Chicago Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. . Kathy received endorsements from The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, The Stonewail Democrats, l11c Victory Fund, ACORN, SEIU, AFL-CIO, Arkansas Realtors PAC, AR Business and Professional Women PAC and many local civic and business ieaders. As a smallbusiness owner (Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Some Restaurant) and volunteer, Kathy \Y/ebb is a proven leader who works tirelessly and effectively for the good of her community. Her experience, her commitment to solving problems, and her passion for improving the quality oflife for all Arkansans will serve District 37 well. ~~aulu1gittht1J ffir.crtinyn 12 the STAR * 'lbe STAR staff wishes you a safe and happy 1banksgiving TT ! • I .-io11aay. Fort Smith Readies For New Night Club. by Greg Steele FORT SMITH, AR_Diana },filler and Leann Caugnman weil known in the Fort Smith club scene, are anxiousi:v waiting on their club license for the new Kiub XLR8. Diana said in an interview, "We decided to go ahead and open Klub XLR8 with all the regular events, performers, dances, DJ's, ·etc ... everything but the alcohol. We are acmally classified as a "juice bar and grill" for now, hoping shortly ro be able to classify ourselves as a 'private club.' Ajd10ugh We are opening without alcohol, we wiil continue ro remain a 21 and above business, due to smoking being allowed inside.'' "Loca,ed in the old Ciub 1022 buiiding at i022 Dodson Ave., the faci!i;:ies have been complerelv renovated in$ide and out with a lot of heart and soul placed int~ the building. We have plans for several fund-raisers for different organizations/charities. dqg shows, in-house pageants, live dj's, theme dance/parties, dance comests, live bands, Karaoke, pool wurnamcnts, and holida;,' dinners. The buiiding h .. s great sound, and a 32 foot projection screen that will run during opening hours playing dance videos ,~nd graphic animations." Said Miller. For more information contan Diana at 479-7 82-9578 or visi~ ,he website: wv.w.klubXLR8.com * LittleRockPride.Com Celebrates 1 Year Online. LITTLE ROCK, AR_LinieRockPridc.com celebrated its one vear anniversary Oc;:ober 14, 2006. · u! v,ras told by several people t.vhen I sran:ed the \Y/eb~irc that nobod.y had been able to succeed v.1ith this idea for Dion: than ont year,10 , saic! Barb Kampbc;l, founder and owner of Li:tieRockPridc.com. "I was not a,vare ~f other efforts \Vhen I had rhc idea and ran \vith it despite some negativity about pasr failures from others. \VC've rr1ade it a year and are sti11 going strong!'' l,usiness in this state \Vill have a listing in the choicc1 ynu choose tc~ support thern fir:;t. vvv;w.ozarksstar.com F· DIVERS! END NOV 3-5, 2006 Eureka Springs EUREKA SPRINGS, AR_This Fall is going to be a little different in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. TI1ere are some new and intriguing evems. Al'U'S IN THE OZARKS WITH SABRINA MATTHEWS?! During FALL Diversity Weekend will be the first 'LOL!' Diversity Comedy Concert starring ANT and SABRINA MATTHEWS at the historic 'AUD' IN Eureka Springs, Arkansas. One performance only, on Saturday night Nov 4th at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm Hyper, irreverent, and downright fabulous, ANT has steadily climbed the comedy hill to become one of America's most successful comedians of our time. A regular guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and 1he Tyra Banks show, ANT is the oniy comedian w appear on all four seasons ofNBC's hit series Last Comic Standing. Ct:rrentlv he is the host ofVH I's juggernaut Celebrity Fit Club and stars in rhc LOGO series, "U.S. of ANT." See his hit stand-up DVD, '~-\~T: America's Ready" and comedy CD "Follow my asi' Sabrina Matthews ( vhoto left) is an openly i~bian cor:1ic who relares the absurd in everyday life 11: a witry anecdotal. style. "Sabr:na's brand of comedy is infectious, says afi:erel~ len.co1nj and she Hregularly dra\vs out big laughs fron1 both gay and straight audiences." Her hi!arlou~ half~hotir comedv special~ ~~Con1edy Centr~l Presents Sabrina Jvfatthe\vs'· \Vas a hit and catch her nn the L()(;() C:f:il\Nl'-JEL. She is a star of WW't✓.ozarksstar.com the 2006 hit documentary, "Laughing Matters More!" and made her television acting debut in ''America's .!'v1ost Wanted". (Yes, reaily.) By presenting ANT and SABRINA, Diversity Pride Events once again hopes to both entertain and unite our community. DPE is very excited to have drawn such taiemed and uplifting performers to the Ozarks region. Tickets are available online at DiversityPride.com until Sunday 10-29-06, and then only at the door one hour before show time. BOBALOO IS BACK! 'Early Dinner Show' Los Angeles comic Bobaloo, originally a mid-west boy, wowed the Diversity Bears and their friends this past Summer Diversity Weekend, and he also fell in love with the Eureka Springs community. So, Diversity Pride Events has brought him back to "jolly things up around Eureka". He ·will perform in a new 'Early Dinner Show' at the Lumberyard on Saturday at 5pm to 6pm, but suggest you come early because 4pm diners get preferential seating for his Show! $5 cover DIVERSITY BIKERS Charitv 'POKER RUN' & 'SHOWN' SHINE' A portion of the pro~eeds to benefit Children of Deployed Service Members. The Diversitv Bikers 'Show N' Shine' will start at 12:30 PM at Roadway Inn. Bikes will be judged in two categories, Best in Show and Best 'Pride Dressed'. There will be a First Place and Runner-up in each category. Then there will be the first Diversity Bikers Charity 'Poker Run'. Entry fee is $10, pius at least one stuffed animal.. · · · " * AAA~.nsas pplauds ational Coming ut Dav., '' Concert By Teresa Qag) Goodrich SPRINGDALE, AR_There are rwo kind of musicians in the world, those that plav music and those that make music. \'ve had the joy of hearing. rw'o such makers of music at the Jones Center for Families in Springdaie Arkansas on October 1 l rh, National Coming Our Day. The concert, organized by the N\VA GLBT Community Center brought Colleen Jameson down from Iowa as pan of her Midwest 1our. A cotnbination of angeiic voice, delightful acoustic guitar and outspoken comn1entary made for a socially upiifting perfonnance. She has also expressed a ·wish to \~isit the area again. Northvvest Arkansas1 ovvT1, Jonathan Stiers derful voice along ,vith truly vers:1tiie playing. ()ne concert attendee ·\vas heard to con11ncrn: th;,n scerned as if rhc:- muslc just came flo~Ning out of his finger$."' !-Je possesses a true fOr the piano. -.~·here vvas hope e:pressed for rnorc events of this type the concert attendees, the STAR '!3 Summan· : Past Out is a retrospective of key mo1~ems, personalities, and subjects in LGBT historv. Each installment brings the past to life b}; exploring the diversity of the gay past and irs impact on the queer present. stander, when she was still a teenager. Her first novei, 1he Loving Spirit, appeared in 1931; this was followed by Jamaica Inn. in 1936, which brought he, criticai acclaim and financial success. In rhe summer of 1932, du Maurier married Frederick "Bov" Browning, a rnilitarv officer 11 ·years her senior who h;d sought her out after admiring her work. Du Maurier was ill-suited to the life of a traditional military wife, howe,-er, and she hired a nanny to care for the couple's son and two daughters. After several years, ,he family moved to Cornwall, living in a l 7th-ce1:tury mansion that served as a mociel for Manderley, the setting of her bes:known novel, Rebecca (1938). Photo: Tttdith An!Urson as Afrs. Danvers and Joan Fontaine as the sec;nd Afo. de Winter in rh~ film adaptation o_f Daphne du Du Maurier and Browning spent considerable time apart as he rose to the rank of iiemenant general and commanded the Bii,ish First Airborne Division during Worid Who was Daphne du Maurier? Bisexual author Daphne du i\.faurier, best known today through film adaptations of her work, helped define the gotbic romance genre of literature. \V'hile other writers of her era were dealing wirh subjects such as alienation, religion, Marxism, and World War Ii, du Maurier, wrote professor Richard Kelly, "produced 'old-fashioned' novels wid: straightforward narratives that appealed to a popular audience·s love of fantasy, ad·,,enture, sexuality. and mysrery." Du Maurier was born May 13, 1907. man artistic family in Loncion. Her morher was an actress. h~r father. Gerald. was a theater manage~ and famous actor, and her grandfather, George, was a wc!1'-known au:hor and cartoonist for Punch magazine. Du Maurier and her two sists:rs haci a-privileged and permissive upbringing, educated privately at hon1e and at schools in London and Paris. An avid reader, she enjoyed creating in1aginary worlds, often featuring a rnale alter-ego she dubbed Hthc boy in the box.'' Her farnily\ hoiiday home in Cornw2.ll ;vouid later becornc the setting for n1uch of her best worlc short stories in his 14 the STAR War II. 1he couple remained married t:ntil Browning died in i 965. Although she reportedly had a crush on a female teacher while studying in Paris, ciu 1\1aurier's sapphic tendencies - which she !·efcrred to as "Venetian" - came to the fore in midlife. In the late i 9405, she became infatuated with Ellen Doubleday, the wife of her Americ:,n publisher, who did not reciprocate her affections. ·'I glory in my Ve1{ke, when I am in a Ve!lice mood, and foro-et it when I am not,'' ciu l',1aurier wrote in : letter to Doubleday. "'111e only chip is the dreary knowicdgc that there can never be Venic~ with you." Soon thereafter, du Maur:e embarked on a relationship with stage and film ac~re;;s , (~errrude L~nvrcncc, who had co-starred 1u10 h,1d -,p affair vvirh her father ·vcar::; eadier; i~;r ;:i:tionship with La•,vren'~e continued ~:7;~~r:~; c0~~::c:~:;~\1i::;;:;::•"~~i~~~rD,, . , b , d. t , J: >,~ :1nd r;::~:;;~ d~:~ :~: /:::t~~:~:.~·-:Hmti2G!Vc \vord that begins \Vith 'L :, [)u fvlaurier pioneered the often f;aturing fi:rnale and eictnents of the ,:_pvpJ.:: f•an:v,ri her she is best knosvr1 ro n1odern Judicncc~; n;frtd Hit ..... hi:.,o.:(k', .. n:r adaptations of Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, and her'short ,wry: "1h: Birds" (from her 1952 coEection, The Appie Tree). "foough some critics have intcrnreted rhe relationship ber-' teen Reoecca -the dead former wife of the narrator's wealtl1y older husband - a1°d !:er i~oi:sekeepe,, Mr.s. Danve,s, as lesbian, biog;- apher Nica lrnerbach claims that Rebecca's "gre-a trespass 1. s r:ot lo v.m g women Io ut laughing at men.'' Over ,he course of her five-decade career, ciu Maurier wrote more than 25 books, among them fa~1iiv hismries and biographies (including on; of her father). Her story about Ganymede. the beautiful adolescent lover or the god Zeus, ,!ppears in an American anthology of gay short fiction (In Another Parr of the Forest, 1994). Her memoir. Growiag Pains, published when she was 70, chronicl~d oniv the vears ieading up to her marriage. She decliu'eci to pen a fo!low-up, tdling an interviewe;, "All I can s.ty is t:1at I had a very happy macied life and have a delightful family .. .! dor;°r iike books which are fuil of name-dropping." Even as her fame grew, du Mamier - who in 1969 was named a Dame of the British Empire in recognition of her iiterary achievements - became more reclusive, ,hough she maintained contact w:th her two sisters, both lesbians, and their fomaie parrners. She spent h. er fi na1 y ears 1.1 1 ,,-~-, orn~val"l a,I one. save for her dogs. "Here was the treedom I desired, iong sought-for, nor yet known," she wrote in V,mishing Cornwall (1967). "Freedom to vi,ite, ~o ,;alk, to wander, freedom to climb :1il!s, to pull a boat, to be alone.'' She diec! :here in Apri: 1989, a month shy of her 82nd birthday, and h::r ashes wen;'. ,,cattered c,ver ,he cliffs near h,:r home. Forf!trther readingi Auerbach, Nina. 1999. Daphne Du '.vlaurkr: Hau;::cci Heiress_ 1993. l)aphne du of Vl\/VVv.ozarksstar.corn Photo: The new community center coming soon. BE THE CHANGE with YOUR VOTE My vote doesn'r count. Voting is too hard. I work all day. I don't have rime. I don't know anything about the candidates. I don't know where to vote. It's out of the way. These are ail excases - and, not to criticize anyone, but pretty bad excuses. Why? • In the last ciection, two Tulsa-area Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) friendly candidates both won their respecth ·e races with a margin ofless than 25 votes. Your vote cioes count - especially for our allies hoping to make a difference. • A.ccording to statistics, the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual electorate (Transgender vo,ers are not yet measured in exit polling) constitute as much as 9%1 of v~oters in large citiesi nearly 4'}o in the suburbs and 2.3% in rural .1.reas. Those numbers indicate rhe GLBT & allied coinrnunity can be a serious force to contend with in local, state and national clection.s. ~ In Okb.bon1a~ you vote by dra,ving a Hnc. Just con1picte the !ittle arro11.v. Paper and prn provided. Polis are open fron.1 7:00 ;'\}l! to 7:00 PlvL '{ou can vot~ on rhe 'l:.vay to lVork} during a break or afrer vvork on the - if you do ·1.vork from 7 to you time-off to \\'V,.r\v. ozarksstar. com Your vote can be the beginning of change for the GLBT & allied community. You can be part of that serious force to be ~eckoned with when you make an informed vote. How can you do that? How can you get informed of the candidates and issues? It's simple - just go to www.tohr.org. You and your family and friends can log onto www. tohr.org, go to the Advocacy Page and get linked to the candidates and learn what they stand for and what they might possibly do if in office (stay calm, it's not all bad). You'll also be able link to sites to learn where you vote and much more ... simply log onto www.tohr.org, get informed, and be part of the change for GLBT equality when you GO VOTE! The TOHR Workout Over 150 community volunteers, donating 5,000 hours of volunteer work, have helped improve the new Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Tne TOHR Workout, aka Weekend Workdays, with pulse-pounding drilling and calorieroasting hammering, has certainly paid off for volunteers, and the results are obvious at the new Tulsa GLBT Community Center. On Saturday and Sunday, November 4th & 5th, beginning at 10:00 AM each day, you have rhe opporruniry to join the masses shaking their booties, enjoy free brunch/ lunch and drinks, and help finish the occupancy- related renovarions for the permanent Tulsa GLBT Community Center. The new Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) Communiry Cenrer is nearing compietion of the first phase of renovations and improvements. Located ii~ the growing East End at 621 E 4th Street in dmvntown Tulsa, rhe new Center now ha~ an operational fire-suppression syscem and accessibie restrooms, whiie rhe new elevawr and chair-lift will soon be complered. Ductwork has been reconfigured, ~Id flooring has been removed, new walls have been constructed and others have been taken down thanks to the work of con1n1.unity ·volunteers. '\Ve'd Hke to thank AH Souls Unitarian Church, the Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay &. Transgender Association (BLGTA.) of the l)niversity of'Tulsa, Ekklesia the c;ather,ing, Sexual ()rientation f)iversity i\ssocia•tion (SODA) of Oklahoma State Univer5i£":';l, Sooner Srate Rodeo /tssociation Tulsa Area Primetimers (TAPT), Tulsa Dungeon Society (TDS), and Young Professionals (YP) for their time and talents to help improve the new Tulsa GLBT Community Center. Thank you - and we hope to see you on Saturday and Sunday, November 4th and 5th at the new Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 621 E 4th Stree;: for the TOHR Workout. YOUR ODDS ARE GOOD TO WIN $10,000 Your odds of winning big at a casino? Slim. Your odds of winning the lottery? Even slimmer. Your odds of winning $10,000 with The Great Divide? l in 1,000. What would you do with $10,000? Take a vacation? Pay off bills? Surprise someone with a romantic get-a-way? Support the community? Just imagine what $10,000 could do for you. ]be Great Divide is just that - a great divide of $20,000 - split between the winner and Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Righcs (TOHR). Proceeds support the communityoriented programs ofTOHR, including the Tulsa GLBT Community Cemer, the Tulsa GLBT Information Line (918.743.GAYS), the Community Resource Kiosk ... in ail, over 20 programs for rhe GLBT & allied community. Only 1,000 tickets have been printed, so your odds are 1 in 1,000 ... greater if you buy 2 or more ticke,s ... and ar only $20.00 a ticker, you can't afford to pass t:p these odds to win S!0,000. Simply srop by the folsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 E 41 st Street in Highland Plaza to purchase your tickets. ]be Ti.1lsa GLBT CommunitY Center b oocn 3:00 PM ' ' to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday. For more information on 1he Grear Divide, the 'Tlllsa GLB1 ... Cornn1unity (:enter and aH the c:ommunity~oriented progran1s of.Tulsa Oklahoinans for f--Iurnan Rights CTOHRL please visit 1~vv.. r vv.tohr.org or call ~) 18.743. (·~, A, re 14.., ')'7\ - "-.J,1 .IJ ~\ L-:, I}, the STAR 15 Hate stole my right to vote 8 years ago. Don't waste your right to vote on November 7th. H)l AL!TY 1 6 the STAR Pledge to Vote on Matthew's behalf at www.MatthewShepard.orgNote REGISTER! LEARN! PASS IT ON! VOTE!!' STAY INVOLVED! www.ozarksstar.com @ ~~ ~ - , > ,I" -~'.. ~ ~ !" yo,u hav -·""' F ,, . , NOW ! ,. ther~clriivihg back horn • ,. ' • '1,.,....· flying, fly into Alb -· drive 55•miles necessacy;iit sea.,level and > ••• ,. ,.,,,_ ~ 1;2,oqo feeL~~ '. i •• · .Jlotels;_ri:iotels, -a .t· restaurants and a · - ther 5;690 r - . ' t :fUR0UOIS ~ ~ .. ,' . " ... _. ... , has .:.1,0 01ff .. .., 1'lt' .nute walk to t former estate ,. itter Bynr:ier ( 1881-1968 obert Huritwho lived the ii his death. if you are not ngs of Bynner, then ase some of hi ~ TRAVEL by Donald Pile and Ray Williams "SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO" Each morning they serYe an expanded continental breakfast in the dining room including fresh baked pastry and bread from their ovens. A complimentary evening social hour brings al! the guests together for a lively chat. 'l11is B and B is extremely srraight-friendiy and we met a lot of very interesting people during our stay. Neil and Francine from San Jose, California were particularly "delightful" to talk with. 1he Inn of the Turquoise Bear is located at 342 E. Buena Vista Street. Their toll free number is: 800-396-4104. Check out their website ac: www.rnrauoisebear.com and their email is: bluebear@ newmexico.com ·rh~ hom are ful! of knowledge on where to dine, where to shop and where to go for short d,!y trips. With their hospitality, this is the O:t\"LY place to stay when visiting Sama Fe. From the moment you step into the Inn of the Turquoise Bear you will immediately fall in lm·e with Santa Fe and rhe surrounding area. 'Il1c Inn and the owners will mesmerize you into a worid far away from what you are used to. You can have complete peace and solitude, reading ,! book. photographing or chatting with the other guests. We have been visiting Sama Fe fr)r 25 :-:ears :md can't wait to return each time. 'lhc gay bar scene seems to change almost yearly there. We always ..-:njoy rhe har at the Inn of the Anasazi which is located right on rhc Plaza. "Iherc have ;;.!ways been several iocal gays there. "There arc several places that arc on the "must see" list when visiting S:,nca Fe. rir;t there is the "Plaza" which is the downtown area. Daring from the city's founding in 1610, rhe Plaza has always been the social and cul rural heart of the city. Old churches dating back ro 350 years with their architecture is;;. must see. Dozens of art museums including t:1c newly built George O'K:._:effe Museum can take days to ·1isit. From fin<: dining to open-air casual. the city is a hub of creative chefs an<l innovative cuisint. \Y/e ;tlways rake ·':_i-9· trips·· when visiting S,mra h: wnic:1 rakes about 3 to ij bou:·.,. \\'c·s: on the: Jen,ez ;\founraii: Ti-aii where you \Vili see rhc ruins of an ~!ncient c!vilization, Indian pueblos and the collapsed crater of a long.-donnanr voic:u10. i'~ordnve.st to (~corgia O'Keeffe cou!Hrv you will ~cc where she lived :he 1acrer par! of her life. A. trip up >~onh to 'E1os ,vh~r~· you t.tkc the "high') road to gt't there and return nn the '"in-.\·· Jp~cr,t,llc highw,!y :·en:ming to Santa Fe. ·!he ·'high')road takc5- vou duu rhc tin,· Yiliagcs of (~hirnayo, 'Trucha.s. J.,as ·1·rarn 1t1a\ anc! Pcnasco. If vcn; onh: have one da1.,: to go , • ,' ,! ; ._ sighr-,eciag. he SURE and take' chi, uip. '!hc mnumair:s. v,,J[,::,,, ai:d the uude ·,illagcs an: cx[r<:•ncly imcrcs;i:,g. 'ihcre arc zJ,o day trip~ to the Fa.<.t ~1~ \VCI! a, thr.: trip South !)11 the "Ilirquoisc 'rrail. 18 the STAR Besides operating the Inn, Robert and Ralph are extremely busy. 1hey also own the Santa Fe Soap Company. All of their bath products contain namra] :ngredients derived from native plants that grow in the deserts and mountains of the American Southwest They make wonderful holiday gifts. Check our their website at: WV;W. samafesoap.com Check out the )Jew Mexico website at: www.newmexico.org and the Sama Fe website at: \VWW.santafe.org. Always remember to have fun when traveiing, meet new peopie and talk ro everyone! The Inn of the Turquoise Bear, Sama Fe, New Mexico The Inn of the Turquoise Bear, Santa Fe, New Mexico www.ozarksstar.com "TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD'' "Good Bye (Gay) Key West, Florida" By Donald Pile and Ray Williams e hate to be the bearer of bad news, but gay Key \Vest is no more. For oYer 60 years Key \'fest was one of the major gay meccas in the United States. Thousands and thousands of gays and lesbians trekked down to Key West every year, many of them several times a year. 1here were dozens of gay resorts and gay B and B's. The wi:ole town was either gay or extremely gay-friendly. Drag queens, leather guys and gals, wanna be cowboys and cowgiris could walk down the streets hanci ii~ hand and did! 1here were always lots gay bars ooen till ali hours of the n;orning. Gay artists, writers, composers and entertainers purchased second homes there. It was always just a fun place to get away_ to, where people could just be themselves without having to ever look over their shoulder. \'•le have been there several times and it was aiways a very fun and exciting expe~ience. Bur, alas, the parry is over. First the cruise ships began landing there with hundred, and hundreds of straight families and ,heir children coming in for the dar Souvenir shops were plentiful as well as ordinary dining piaccs inc!udi1:g fast food restaurants, and they kepr co~1ing and kept coming. 'Then some of rhe straight tourists decided to spend th~ nigbt or several nights. 1l1e mega hotels saw the light rather quickly and began buying up prof!en:y. \:vithin the past nvo or ~hree vcars rhev have purchased over a third of the small g_ay B and B s m l( ev \"res;. A11d rh;:,v arp buvinP' up n1ore and rnore! ....(. :ondos are be- _._.,_ ,; . ~• ~ ~ -~ ..., / . -... . ,, . 0 ' ... • ' I J ing built where rhe,e gua:nt lmk B and B s ,.vere 10careo. vvww.ozarksstar.com ~TRAVEL gone and gone forever: The local people, boti1 gay ~nd straight were really eccentric and fun ~o ,,vatch. Now it is almost Eke Disneyland with dozens and dozens of peopie lined up at the iocal \'v'endy's downtown and people waiting in line to see the Ripley's Believe It o: Not museum. We realiy never thought that :bis would ever happen to Key West. We thought rha.: it would forever be the gay mecca in the United States, but at ieasr we wiil still have Palm Springs, Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco and P-town. But, beware of what is also happening in If vou have never been to Key \X1est, we STRONGLY urge you to o-o ,either this year or next year because it is changing so quickly 0 h I . ·1• I 1 that if vou wait too muc onger !t w1 1 on y oe a remnant o,C w h. at it was. ·It WAS Wonderful!, Exciting!, Different! and FUN! To get to Key West from the Midwest the easiest way is to fly directiy into t. Laudert than iami and Iv 30 miles r~her Nor.:h. .expensive in orida, and rive down Key West ich will e spccracur. Your cross ver dozens fbridges n your way Key West d there are p ency of stopping places to rake phorographs. Now, at Kev West you will have ro put up with a iot more straight tourists but it will still be worth the trip to taste the flavor and enjoy the sigh~s and sounds of Key \Vest. For questions about gay traveiing, email Donald and Ray at: gaytravelers@aol.com or Yisir tbeir webpage at: htrp:v,,vw.hometown. aol.com/ gayrraveiers. \i( HE F( )R US' NOVEMBER -:'TH the STAR 19 The hor springs at luxurious Tabacon Grand Spa & Thermal Resort are a relaxing pl.ace ro whil.e away an afternoon. (Photo b_y Andrew Collins November 2006 by Andre\v Collins 10 DAYS IN COSTA RICA Verdant, moumainous, and unspeakabiy beautiful, Costa Rica might just be the gay-friendliest nation in Latin America. In fact, Cosra Ricans are resoluteiy cheerfui and helpful toward all visirors. This small tropical country, which lies about 1,300 miles due south of the Florida panhandle, makes for a diverting vacation locale - it's close enough to the United States for a long weekend visit, but has enough to see and do to keep travelers entertained for a couple of weeks. Accommodations that enthusiastically welcome gays and lesbians abound in Costa Rica's most appealing destinations, and there are active gay scenes in the capital city of San Jose and the resort rnwn of Quepos, which hugs the central Pacific $horeiine. As you plan a trip here, factor in how you intend to get around (renting a car, flying, or taking buses). and whether you're seeking rest and relaxation, outdoorsy adventures, gay nightclubs and r::sorts, or somt combination. Or better yet, ase the following l 0-day itinerary of Costa Rica's must-s::'.e areas. Spend your first couple of nights right in San lose, which is 20-miI;tlte drive fro~1 the airport, V✓here you ~an rent a car. flica~s capital city has a handflli of attractions, plus sornc excellent restaurant~ and lively gay nightclubs, such as La .:\vispa and La Iv1et~ ro. It~s also hornc to se .., /eral gay-oriented accom1nodations. includ~· ing the outstanding C:oiours R.esort. 'shich is in a saf~, residcnt:ia] neighborhood on rhe ,vest side of the and bcautifui Sab,1na Park. 'This handsomely furnished 20 the STAR Coionial-style prooerty has rooms in many sizes and configurations, fro!11 cozy standards to lavish suites complete with full kitchens and private terraces. Guests enjoy e2sy 2ccess to a pool, secluded garden hor mb, and inviting bar and lounge where 2 foll breaHast is served each morning. The professional staff goes out or its way to ensure everybody's comfort anci can suggest plemy of things to see and do around town. O,her worthy, gay-friendly oprions in Sanjose include Hotel Kekoldi (which also has an outpost in Quepos) and the Canyon House, and there's a perfectly nice and handy Hampton Inn right by the airport. Days 3, 4, and 5: Arena! From San Jose, it can rake anywhere from three to six hours to drive to the Arena! region. The most scenic bm longest route entails a zigzagging drive through the viliages of Grecia, Sarchi (known for its many stores seliing hand-crafted furnirure), Naranjo, Zarcero, and Ciudad Quesada. The terrain along here is alpine in places, reminiscent of Switzerlanci, and on many days you'li drive litera!ly through the clouds. Anchoring rhe region is Mr. Arcnal, a live volcano that mosr nights puts on an amazing show as its spits fiery rivers of giowing lava down its flanks. Countless hotels, lodges, and inns line the main road ,hat curYes beneath rhe volcano - the most luxurious lodging is Tabacon Grand Spa & 1bermal Resort. Here you'll find beautifu! iy decorated rooms, most of which afford views of the volcano. And guests receive unlimited use of the hot springs, which consist of myriad natural soaking pools, a full-service spa offering heavenly treatments, a pool and swim-up bar, and a restaurant overlooking all rhe action. Even if you don'r stav at Tabacon, consider spending a day soaking in the hot springs. Other good lodging options in the Arena! region include Hotel La Mansio;1 Inn and Arena! Lodge. Be sure to spend one e.-ening in the nearest large town, La Fortun2, ~\·hich is home to some fun (straight) bars and enjoyable restaurants, including Vagabondo, an excdlent pizzeria, and Restau~ante Luigi, an annospheric restauram that serves delicious filer mignon flambecd tableside. Arena! makes a great base for all ki:1ds of outdoorsy activities, from guided hikes near the base of rhe voicano to ;:ip-line canopy tours high abo\'C the ucc tops (on these votfre strapp,:d into a !1arne;s that ·'zips" along a series ef lines connec:ing tree :o tree). You can also visit the ncarbv ivionteverdc (:loud For~st Biological Ileserve. [,Jiuncrous outfittc~s in the area offer just about every kind of excur,. sion and. activirv. I)ays 6, ---; . and 8: (-2_uepos and tv1anud 1\ntonio l.P"PYP j\f[T1 '.fl iu::i,f:qg ,v,~st rl1r~ r:y~,-i rl"I•'>$" frin,--,-e-· ~.--•, •- ,~-; ••••- _,: azure Lake .A.renal and eventuaUy :.... . ~,,~ :- "-"-',1'',"-,,'c 0.... .1 .. ··,:•:;.f~/-, !.:., -h~::~-~-- <,d ,,._,. ..a ~,.~-.-.·,.,l,,,,1-L.:~.(-".-:-. of'fiLaran. ]hen he1d south rcnvard 1hc coast to the funky village of q 1!:rJ• :_: rh•- lv1anucl /1.ntonin l'Jational V.f\lil\v.ozarksstar.com Along the narrow, highland road that twists for a few miles between Quepos and the national park, you'll find a slew of attractive inns and restaurants, many of them with panoramic ocean views. One short stretch contains severai gay-popular accommodations, the most inviting of which is Big Ruby's La Plantacion (the owners also have resorts in Key West, Paris, and southern France). Here at this luxuriant, clothing-optional resort, you'll find stunningly furnished rooms with tile floors and large bathrooms, cable TV with DVD players, and breathtaking grounds laced with gardens and streams. There's also a full three-bedroom house with its own pool and ocean views. The other gay accommodations nearby, all of them highly recommended, are Hotel Villa Roca (which underwent a major renovation in early fali 2006), Hotel Casa Blanca, and Hotel Kekoldi, but virtually e;ery properry in town is gay-friendly. At Manuel Antonio National Park and the adjacent beach, there's great nature-watching - you'il sometimes spy playful white-faced monkeys cavorting in the trees just behind the sand. There's also a secrion of beach that's particularly popular with gay sun-bunnies - it's a little hard to find this section, which becomes inaccessible for a couple of hours at high tide each day, but any local can give you directions. You'li usualiy find plenty of gay folks along the main beach, too. There are a handful of excellent restaurants along the main road, most wirhin walking distance of the gay hotels. These include Barba Roja and Bambujam, which both serve creative and contemporary seafood, and Aqua Azul, a casual, open-air bar and cafe with great burgers and mahimahi sandwiches. After dining, plan to have drinks and watch the sunser ar the rooftop Tutu bar, which draws a largely gay crowd. Or for serious dancing, head down the road into the town of Quepos, where the Arco Iris disco pulses into the wee hours and attracts a mixed, although mostly hetero, bunch. Days 9 and 10: Central Highlands On your ninth day, drive back up the coast from Quepos and ascend the winding but scenic highway into the Central Highlands region, just west of San Jose. Here the air is crisper and cooler than down along the coast, as the attractive hill towns west of San Jose rise ro elevations of 3,000 to 4,000 feet. Amactions include Zoo Ave (a ,.vonderful animal preserve where injured or abandoned animals are rehabiiitated), La Guacima Bmterfly Farm, Irazu Voicano crater lake, and Poas Volcano. /1.n excellent place ::o spend your final nigh1: (or even two nights) is Vista del Valle, a luxurious small im, perched awesomely on the edge of spectacular Rio Grande Canyon. Mainstream but gayfriendly, "Vista del \lalle has econo1ny-111inded roorns in the n1ain house as ,veil as a series of fitncier? self--contained cottages set along a network of 1neandering - rnost have private decks overiooking the canyon. In evening~ the inn serves a cotnmendable :::1;h:i:~;t;,tt~:1::~yon. dining room, which is cantiievered l;~:0'~,~~~~~~~:~t i~~11i!!:horo~:;~ ;~t;~i~!,altern;::t~,~ of a 1 0-n1inute drive ffon1 the airport. 'This rel~xing tOrmer has St:'{er.1 furnished roo1ns and sits amid '-NVVW.ozarksstar.corn fragrant gardens; several larger units have kitchens, fireplaces, and patios. 1he owners are tremendously helpful and offer excellent advice on touring nearby attractions. Both of these are such loveiy properties that you may feel inspired to postpone your return Bight home and hang around for a few more days, soaking up the fresh air and endearing personality of this charmed country. Photo: White-faced (capuchin) monkeys frequently cavort in the trees behind the beach in Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park. (Photo by Andrew Collins) the STAR 21 Ii !I Ii NOVEMBER 2006 "HEALING THE WORLD" to start a world relief agency based in the LGBT communir1- It was a good thing he listened. In rhe p:m two years, the o::ganization has raised ove!' $1 million for huma:1itarian aid and medical £~fft' supplies in this country and abroad, from mostly $: 00 and $200 contribu.:ions. In 2005, R\Y/F raised $390,000 for Katrina re!ief and sent $250,000 to the victims of che mmami that hit Indonesia. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans last September, my partner Lynn and I were transfixed by the images on television - the death and destruction, the despair and heartbreak. We knew we wanted to send money, bur didn't want to use the uadirional relief route of the American Red Cross - we still had questions abom how they managed the massive amount of money they raised after 9/11. Then I received an e-maii from the Human Rights Campaign about helping. There was a link to a group called the Rainbow World Fund (v-rww.rainbowfund.org). I clicked through and, to my surprise, I found the website for the LGBT community's oniy world relief agencv. We were all too happv m make our $250 comribution th;ough RWE Right up from: they told us the money would go to America's Second 'Harvest to provide food for the foiks in the Crescent City who lost everything. Luckiiy for us, we could go on with our lives. A few '.V:c:eks later, W,c received a hand-written thank-you note from Jeff Cotter, the fellow who thought up R';QF. I was impressed with roday's technology and fast pace, hand-written thank-you notes from nor-for-profits have gone by the 'Nayside, except when they1re to major donors. i\nd one $250 gift does nor a major donor make. So, I dcc;ded to check out the RWF and have a chat with Cottec 1\ social " 1orker f0r about ! 5 years, Cotter said he just v.rasn\ fulfilled professionally. ''I wanted to do something I had never dor1t before. I 1..vantcd to have a positive in1pact on the planet and people/ the San Prancisco~based c:ortcr told me in a phone interview. ;;I put those ideas out to the universe and let then-1 go."' l\ f~;•.1v rpont-hs iatff, C'o ... rpr S'11<1, 1,_j,: ,yrpn i""1f1Pf voitP f'r)i(i Pim 22 the STAR Coner just returned from a relief trip to Gu:.ltemaia Viith 15 KWF volunteers plus two American nuns who served as their guides. The group broughr $250,000 worth of medical supplies HIV, hea•r, and diabetes medications; antibiotics; antifungal cream; hypodermic needles; and other goods - to villages throughout the coumry. In addition to 1,650 lbs. of supplies, RWF aiso brought benveen 500 and 600 stuffed animals to brighten the lives of children, and it made direcr cash grants to an orphan«ge, a school, a medical clinic, and OASIS, the coumry's only LGBT organizatio:1. "We gave OASIS $5,000, and we also brought down 2,000 condoms," said Cotter. "This was our third humanitarian trip to Guatemaia - it's differem from other Central Amer:can countries oecause 50 percem of the population is indigenous, and it encapsuiates the developing world." Through its work, R\X'F is also pre<enting ~he LGBT communi:v to the world. "Our first priority is to heir those who need it, but a by-product is changing how people se; rhe LGBT community," said Cotter. "]be Fund is a way of putting our highest vaiues - love, kindness, and compassion - to wo:·k, and of providing a platform fo~ our concern and caring rn be seen and he.ud around :he world." Cotter told me that when he approached /unerica's Second Harvest, the group was thrilied to coliaborate. According ro Cotter, America's Second Harvesr has quire a few gays :md lesbians working a, irs Chicago headquarters. lbe same can't be ,aid for some of R\'VFs other "s;;aight" philanthropic partners. Cotter said those other organizations understand thar R\'VF helps them in more than one way. ''Making them more conscious, helpi1:g th<?m explo;·c LGBT issues, :m area they haven', rhought abom before wciL rhat's also pan of their mission in helping to heal the worid,'' said Corn:r. "And now, the organizations \\re "\/Vork with are out about \Vorking ,vith the L(~B1 .. comtnunity, v.rith us - rhey don 1: n1akc a secret about it in any \V~1y.)1 (~otter is still \Vorking as a psychiatric social -..vorkcr thrct days ,veck - he docsn\ dra'\.v a salary frorn the llainbo,v \Xlcirld Fund. "\Xie want to give LC BT dollars the speak.'' a iot nf people~ '-Vbilc at the san1e rirne to the LC; lfr (~.otter and real differeno.: in the lives of 'lV'NVv.ozarksstar.c:orn MCCJoplin &om page-IO The church is active in all Metropolitan Community Church's ministries taking a Social Justice stand on issues that affect our community including ethical and equal medical care for all people, antidiscrimination, AJDS awareness, prevention and treatment, and equality in marriage. Sharing a progressive Christianity by creating an open and welcoming community of faith where people from all faith walks can join in praise and worship. Providing a witness of God's love to all people and following the scriptures in providing for the love of God, the love of self and the love of neighbor as the core of our being. The pastor, Rev. Steve T. Urie was ordained by Metropolitan Community Churches on Juiy 20, 2005 after completing his MCC Intensives in 2002 at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkley , CA . He was one of the founding members of the church and has continued to be an acdve communiry leader. The church celebrared with a Pot-Luck attended bv Rev. Carolvn Moblev currendv serving in Tulsa, OK ,'members,ofUniry ~f Joplin, members from MCC of the Living Spring in Eureka Springs , AR. It received numerous accoiades from throughout the country and around the world from MCC leadership and sister churches. * klahoma's ntigay doption Invalidation Law 'It's dangerous and appa · thm: state of ficials seek to jeopardize t safet;1 and well being of children in Oklahoma. ' DENVER, CO October 17, 2006_ In papers filed in court today, Lambda Legal argued that the U. S. Con~t of Appeais should affirm a lower court rniing that Oklahoma's amigay Adopricm Invalidation Law is unconstitutional. "It's dangerous and appalling that state of. ficials seek to jeopardize the safety and well being of children in (Jklahoma," said Ken Upton~ Senior Sraff ..A .ttorney in Latnbda Legal1s South (:entrai Regional ()ffice and lead attorney on the case. qiht Adoption www.ozarksstar.com Invalidation Law threatens the welfare of children and their parents because it forbids agents of the State such as police, heaith officials, and child welfare officials from recognizing these families, and it doesn't even consider who would protect these children if the State severs the ties between parent and child." U.S. Districr Judge Robin Cauthron wrote in her decision released in May that, "The very fact that the adoptions h~ve occurred is evidence that a court of law has found the adoptions to be in the best interests of the children ... To now attempt to strip a child of one of his or her parents seems far removed from the statute's purpose and therefore from Defendants'asserted important government objective." The Adoption Invalidation Law, hastily passed at the end of the 2004 Oklahoma legislative session, said that Oklahoma "shall not recognize an adoption by more than one individual of the same sex from any other srate or foreign jurisdiction." Lambda Legal argued rhat the law was unconstitutional based on the United States Constitution's guarantees of equal protection, due process and righr to travel, as well as rhe mandates of the Full Faith and Credit Clause. The lower court found that the statute indeed violated che United States Constitution by singling out a specific group for discrimination and upheld all of Lambda Legal's ocher claims, except the right to travel. T11e Court dismissed the ciaims of Lambda Legal clients Ed Swaya and Greg Hampel, because the Court found that the statute did not harm them since the State of Oklahoma granted the couple a birth certificate for their adopted daughter listing the two men as her parents prior ro the passage of the law ;,nd they did nor face immediate harm. Orai argumrnts in rhe case v,ill be heard in rhe Unired States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver on Jvfonday, :--fovember U. Ken Upton, Senio:· Sratf At~orney in Lambda Legai's South Central Regionai Office in f?allas is Lambda Le?al's lead at~orney ~;: the case. He is JOtned by Lambda Legal Sta.ff Attorney, Brian Chase. and cooperating attorney Sandy lngrahan1 of Ingraham & Associates. PL.L.(:. in l\1cLoud. Oklaho1na. -rhe c:asc is Finstuen et al V. Edmondson et (2 OZ) SKY VODKA (1 OZ) GODIVA LIQUOR (1 OZ) CRANBERRY (1 TSP) C (1/2 OZ) CHILL 1 . Chi!! a martini glasses with ice and water. 2. Add all ingredients (except Champagne) with ice in shaker and iet stand a fuli minute. 3. Shake for a fuli minute. 4. Strain into the chilled martini glasses. 5. Top the glasses with Champagne. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU l TheSTAR 23 Salutations and welcome to a blustery November addition of Uncle Mikey, man of meat! Uncle prepares for a winter feast. Break out the minks. and let's be on our way. This month uncle received the most intriguing of letters, a straight man confused, while a gay man cant seem to stop obsessing over his stylist. Mmmm it sound like a full moon kittens. Dear Uncle Mikey, I have one for you. ~"1}' friend came to my job-site as a referral, looking for a new job. I felt good about getting him a job, and being able to help. Now, I am in shock as to the realization who this man really is. He was flirting with the trainer, who is a screaming queen. I thought well ok play your cards, I feel ya so far. However, this £lining became a past time, as I watched this man allow himself to be seduced, and basically had an affair with the trainer to ensure he not only was hired, but goc a promotion into a new program. I am telling you I was flabbergasted, and shocked. This man is straight, what is worse he has a girlfriend at home. Am I the only man lefr who believes morals count for something? Needless to say, he dumped this man iike a bad habit, and is in my opinion trying to convince himself that it never happened? Should I call him on his iack of character, or is this the new trend, sex for hire? Dazed by his blaze Dearest Daze, After reading your letter, my faithful houseboy had to help me off the floor, as I attempted to restrain myself from the sheer force of humor. I found here. Kitten, men have been seducing secretaries since :he first piece of wpod s;;t at a desk. It is almost refreshing that now, a)Jparendy, the straight world is even shifting to those Queens in power. I guess he found our that vou really do have to kneel before a queen, eh1 You think that is rough kitten, you should have seen my interviewing process, my boys cara their positions while learning a few new ones. Smooches-i'vlikev I)ear Uncle, I am so over size queens. Just because I don't have a 12 inch monster in my pants docs nnt make me a b;;d !over, why arc men so crazed about size? Kitten., I assure: "!,T;u not all of us arc size queens, as 1 have $aid before. S()n1er.in1cs s1zc can be a roadblock in the tunnel of kn"c. 26 the STAR allowing ali to score here. Length, girth, endurance, originality, determination and of course-presemation. I assure you, I am an equal opportunfry lover. I ha~·e e,·en acted as a reference if it was a performance to remember, Oh believe me we talk, and ,..-e talk a lot. Do not gee down about your tool; u~e it to create a masterpiece. Smooches-1'fikev Dear Uncle, I have been friends with my best friend for ten years. He and I have enjoyed many pursuits together while chasing men. Now, he has been secretly chasing a female, and what is ,vorse he is pulling away from me. He told me just the other day that he thinks he is tired of the whole gay scene? Squeeze me? Now. we are a scene, and not a lifestyle, and God gi,·en birthright to chase the cock? I don't know what is going on with him, but I am not about to let him go wondering off into the straight world, just because it would be easier. \'•/hat should I do? Chasing-( Dearest chasing, Kitten, first of aii you ha,·e to realize that your friend is a mature adult and can make his own choice. If he wams to leave behind his life, (as you so delicately put i,) cock chasing, than my darling this is his and his alone to make. I mean, seriously is there a full moon or something. Now we ha,·e a gay man coming out of the closet as straight. I a;k you what will be next, straight men giving us fashion advicd (Oh look -Delicious I made a funnv!. Darling, it sounds like you ~eed to find some C of your own {c; take your mind of vou; friends' confusion, and allo~v him time to fi!!d himself. I understand going from flannel to silk, but the reverse, ooh my nervd Smooches-~Iikey Dear Uncle Mikey, Can you really get an STD iust by giving someone head? Worried Can you realiy ask that question with a head? *Warning- This 1\vink does not come with accessories. j\[ay be hazardous to vour healtn. If you hear the sound of Congo upoc the unzipping of said T\vink- Run Bitch Run 1 \X .. ow, I need a cirink after that' ~:fjkev, I sa,\: }-our Ficturc in last month's issue Gn yoci; y<u are .~ handsome guy, and funny'. ;\re you ever going to be out our \Vay? I '\VOuld krvc to n1ccr you in pcrson- Mikcyfan :viikcyfan, Srnooches- \Xlw.r\, a Gur1 to do'. I~ rhat an official inYite? You are not rciarion of s-v:irn-fan arc snicker ~njckcr that is about a1J the rjrnt 1 ha;,-e. Re1ncn1bcr this, it i:not the s1zc of the tO\VtT~ nor the circun1ferenc<: r,f the panunereri . . , H J~ not ClTn n1c of the . " . . .- H 1s about styic, pertorn1ancc, anct * \.'VWw.ozarksstar.com use it, to help us However, most o this non-frothy such drinks as t of these other azing, and to wash , clean citv, and co c;iifomia lease shouid healthy. t enough oi instead choose and beer. Ali great as iong as f the water. TI1e 1t 8 glasses of wave shown as many ans are at least mildly n reasons of fatigue during the that expb:ns some of why we gh time a, work. 'That and a little ~v1ondays. Only a 2% drop in r can create hazy shore-term meme with simple math, and difficuicy on the comourer screen or a That makes ~ense considering man brain is 95% water, biood er, the iu:1gs arc 90% ·water, and muscles are 75~{:i water. \X,'ater is a great mineral which helps prevent many conditions. What condition might that oe Fitness Guy Ron? Well I'm glad you asked! \"later can help prevent kidney stones and it can also help lesson the chance for devdopbg bladder, kidney, and u~inarv :race infections. ·rhere has also been a six year study of 20,000 hea!thy men and women ages 38-100 from the May l, 2002 American Journal of Epider::iology. This study found that women who drank more than five giasses _of .., vatcr \Vere 41 '}0 iess likeiy to die frorn a heart attack during the study than these who drank k:ss than nvo glasses. The prorcctivc effects of drinking water ,vere even rnorc profi)und and n1uch better in rnen. ,;Xlhat does this tel1 you? WATER IS GOOD FOR YOC. -n1ere are nu1nerous fiictors that affect your ,vater needs. You 1.vi!! need to n1odify )tour fluid intake based on the f(.,li<)v1ing fi1ctors: exercise, environn1ent, illnesses; and health conditions, -Exercise: jf you exercise or engage in an:1/ physical then you \viH need wwvv.ozarksstar.com During exe. such as ever replenishing not Ief rhirst alreadv be deh thirsty~ If your sweating then: spores drink to electrolytes. drink more water. you doing reading drinking your that time to ask glass of water. just zaps your Oftentimes, we water we lose th summer. Do heat'. Higher incrcasc;d uri ingwhich loss ✓ -Illness and Hea!ch Conditions: Certain signs and symptoms of illnesses such as vomiting, fever, and diarrhea can cause your body to lose extra fluids. Even that pesky miid dehydration can make you more susceptible ro viruses. Water can be quite a powerful weapon in the battle against colds a1:d other maladies. \Xiarer can also act as a natural appetite suopressanc so developing good wate~· drinki~g habits c:.m pay tremendous dividends in yom healthy weight main~enance. Water can help the body digest and absorb vitamins and :rnrrients in addition to aiding the kidneys and liver by carrying av1ay \Vaste frorn tb.~"v, h<c, o,\,f. v/ a Wat"\..,-~: r- an ."_V' ."_f ~ help. Jre,.n vou ~ .... "-'r ✓ regulac Oh God! Novv I'm going to sound like the conversation at my grandmmher's pinochle tab]c. But water does trulv help prevent constipation by adding bulk to, swo!s ,,nd more fluid to the colon. Tne "end" result is sofrer and easier bowel mon:ments. 1\.nd \vho doesn\ vvant that? ore thing before I give you some s. You don't need to drink bottled an drink the tap water. If you cold me 20 years ago that water ? .00 per glass I would have 'mon peopie, it's water! There erous studies that have water is every bit as good er. It's these corporations and Avenue marketing schemes ded our thinking on this. era! years ago, I drank m Budapest bathrooms and g fine (despite what my friends Line: Drink water and it's okay ater. Just drink water! he first thing in the morning. f slumber equals dehydration. ntainer on hand throughur desk, in the car, at e. Bring out the fine crystal erously pour che water. ing is a iot more fun to drink with · cy glassware. -Grab some fruits and veggies. Most of these are aimost all water content. 'lliis can give you some variety. -And as always- HAVE FUN! Let me know your questions, comments, and ideas ac blake.fitness@yahoo.com. FACT: In the 2004 presidential eiection 71 million eligible voters did not vote. Shame on us. the STAR 27 "Use your charm wisely, Aries!" The Sun is aligned with Venus in Scorpio, turning up everyone's seductive charm and susceptibility. Both planets are trine to Uranus, opening amazing possibilities. Cleverly used, this magnetism can lead to opportunities and insights that could change your life. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Your seductive charm is working far better than you expect. Use it sparingly and wisely; it could land you into situations you hadn't gambled on. Secrets that come to light may include long-hidden talents. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Getting out into a new and different milieu - preferably someplace with a spiritual and/ or political focus - and making new friends offers a chance to meet a wonderful new partner, or to revitalize an existing relationship. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): If looking sexy is part of your work, you're bound to succeed. If it's not, you may have to work extra hard to behave yourself and stay focused on the task at hand. Of course, this, too, is a sure route to success. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Playful efforts to tease out ideas can lead to profound discussions, perhaps even arguments. Keep it friendly and principled and you can learn - and teach - a lot more than you expected to. You'll need a very open mind to take it all in! LEO (July 23 -August 22): Fix an aphrodisiac supper for the one you desire. The setting counts more than menu, although some classic stand-bys like oysters will signai your intentions. Make sure your boudoir is as eiegantly prepared as the table! VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Risque limericks, weli-honed epigrams, or other outre witticisms will shock others into taking notice of you. Your partnei - or your favorite candidate for thatposition - will be properly impressed, and you wiil be happily. "improperly·· rewarded. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Take care '?f finances now - next week wouid be disastrous! You·re more resourcefu! than usual now, making this the time not only to evaluate material assets. but to develop useful skills for doing so. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your sexy charm is now at its height, opening doors for a!I kinds of fun and games. You're irresistible, and not just sexually. Engage people at other levels. Be creatively flirtatious, and see what opportunities that generates for you. 28 the STAR SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Carve out a special place in your home for meditation. It would seem that the point is to get grounded - but not quite. The space will open energy for you in a way that will be centering - freeing you from roots, not attaching you to them. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Any time spent with friends will unlock secrets, either yours or theirs, and that will be necessary for social or political success. Have some secrets that you can reveal safely to protect those you want to keep hidden. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): When tempted to confront an authority figure, try instead to engage that person diplomatically and find ways to co-operate. More than you would imagine, your charm wil! get you ahead and open doors to resources. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Explore any new, exotic art or beauty. The more you can identify with it and fee! it as a part of you, the more it - or he or she? - can show you parts of yourself you never knew existed. · SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS 2902 20th PO Box 4711 Joplin. i\[o 648!)3 S~KftTRI)1\Y Scr\--ice 9:3()/\.\'l ..Y. TcJus ln:vited to our C:on11nur1it\' l)inner 61)rr1 1ust S4.00. T'~<J ()rH: ls turned vvWW.ozarksstar.com 30 the STAR HE:'S 91::E:N L-iVIN1 N 'THIS BU!L-O!NG INC!': 'THE: 195015. t'L-L- SE:1' HE: 001::SN'TPAY MOi:lE: THAN 1./00 81./CKS A MONT'H '.vww.joanhi!tynet I Vv'vvvv.ozarksstar.com 1st Annual Gala Celebration "Linking Together as One" Friday, December 15th, 2006 7:00 P.M. Clarion Inn - Fayetteville 1255 So. Shiloh, Fayetteville, AR 72701 For more information: WV.'\XZN~✓AGLBTCC.ORG www.ozarksstar.com Luxury Townhouses FOR RENT, Pine & E.72nd St Area, TULSA 2 bed/1.5 baths/washerdryer/ hookup/prvt patio/2 car garage, no pets. $525/month + Deposit Call: Patty (918)724-6475 or Mark (918)724-1960 CHECK our QNIQUE EUREKA: SJ?:R:INGS, -',, ' ARrfANSA$ . www.diversifypride~com and · . ww.w.eurekapride.com * Full Body, Sports, Hot Stone * Hand and Foot Scrubs * In-House Clinic * Days, Evenings and Weekends Call for an appointment and rates. 918-857-2805 Mike Lewis AKA "Morgan" A iongtime Bartender at the Finishline in Oklahoma City passed away on the morning of October 6, 2006. Morgan was very well know and loved by the GLBT community. the STJ\R 31 B N A R & RILL Sunday Champaqne Brunch All you can eat soup and salad bar 11 am-2pm $8.99 Monday & Tuesday Well Martinis $2.50 4pm-7pm Best Prime Rib in Town: Friday & Saturday Nights Bar favorites. restaurant favorites and man:, new items for your enjoyment pleasure NEW WINTER RATES - $45• * Plus tax, excludes suites I r .... - :~~;~,~~ p 'S A LEATHER/LEVI BAR CLOSED MO:'IDAYS Sun 7pm - 2am. Tues-Thur:. 7pm-9prn wear your h::Hhcr and get your wd! drink:- fc,r :<?.50 Sun Thur. 7pm-2am R Fri and Sat. 4pm-2am DY'S PL CE PIANO BAR Rudy ·s Place is a non-smukin!_:'. e~tablisthmcnt Early for cocktails. latc- t'or a night cap CL BR X CLOSED MONDAY SIZZLIN' SUNDAYS With Whitney Paige VIXENS Saturday i--;ighh \\ ith Silan1ci \landala) at I Op1n J\USON SCOTT SHOW MISS HOLLYWOOD US Of A Sunday Nowrnher 12. 20!)h I si Prize: .'i, 1.000.00 PLLiS 5500.flO crcdn tcn\·ard" haync Original Gown i .at•st~~~ r, J' P1. • Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, November 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 11 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 01. 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn John Patrick Michael Dee Kay Massey Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Victor Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, October 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 10 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/242 The Star Magazine, December 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 12 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/225 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/241 3000 walk for AIDs Advice Column cartoons classifieds Distributers fitness horoscopes Judy Shepard Kathy Webb Lesbian Notions marriage equality MCC church molestation molestation myth National Coming Out Day Oklahoma Adoption law OUT in Arkansas Past Out Q Scopes Star Scene travel Tulsa GLBT center news Uncle Mikey https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/4c8319e0447c1ec74875b926bf62cdef.jpg 91d5b89d12182a6e579f2bb58991f1c1 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/11fd65a0e77b5d0dff4bbc3746c85e58.pdf 4319c8af04e54ca91707cf4faa90fc62 PDF Text Text �������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document ,Ur • LS .. n ona ale Scott · row,· Man.:aging Broker Mc raw Davisson ew:art, R.ealtors • 1 Langley, Oklahoma s:cottCrow.mcgr,awok.com 918.782.3211 the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. The most important direct-action you can do is vote. Local and state elections are this r, with many close ttles to be fought by our strongest allies. In rtnership with the nal Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community Centers, the Tulsa GLBT Community Center annouces Promote the Vote. This program seeks to enhance the advocacy and organizing capacity of GLBT community centers by creating a visible, vocal and voting constituency. More importantly, it gives voice and power to the members of the GLBT community who are often made to feel invisible and powerless. Primaries are fast-approaching with local and state supporters of the GLBT community in close contests. If you aren't registered to vote - do it today. You can get registered to vote at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 E 41 st Street in Highland Plaza. It's simple to do, the form is very short and we'll even send it in for you. Stop by today and r ter to vote in one easy step - then vote in every e action. It's important for you and future generations. ACLU ASK FOR DISMISSAL OF REV. LONNIE LATHAM'S CASE February 1, 2006 The American Civil Liberties Union filed a friend-of-the-court brief toda}'. urging an Oklahoma court to dismiss charges against a Soulhern · minister who was arrestea for soliciting private sex another male. 'The Supreme Court has made it crystal clear that, when it comes to their sex lives, ults are free to do whatever the 8 Bell, Executive Director of th klahoma. "Accordin to the police report, Rev. Latham did nothing more tha e another man to his hotel room for consensual sex. It is not a crime merely to invite someone to have completely lawful sex. If it were otherwise, every bar in the state may as well shut its doors." The Reverend Dr. Lonnie Latham was arrested on January ~. 2006,_ on the misdemeanor cha of "Off!:3ring to Engage m an Act of ice ne a ma! ted r back to otel room for oral sex. It is not alleged that Latham offered money in exchange for the sex act. The brief filed toda in the District Court of Oklahoma Coun argues , arges should be dismissed against because non-commercial sex between consentate is a constitutional! ACLU it is a violation s free speech guarantee for the state to criminal that is mereiy an invitation to engage in lawful Latham's arrest. which generated a s· of media attention, forced him to resig as a board member of the Baptist Generai Okiahoma. ut of To~n MARCH 2006 by Andrew Collins lbuquerque, New exico Q,Jt<::, Mexico's largest city, set dramatically at the base of the soaring Sandia Mountains, makes a great - and affordable - base for exploring the rest of the Land of Enchantment. Albuquerque lies just 60 miles south of Santa Fe and within an afternoon's drive of countless Indian pueblos, beautiful hiking and biking spots, and challenging ski areas. The "Duke City" (named for the city's founder, the Duke of Alburquerque - the first "r" was later dropped) enjoys a sunny, mild climate, and it's home to New Mexico's only gay bars as well as a handful of gay-owned B&Bs and restaurants. And thr9.ughout 2006, Albuquerque celebrates its tricentennial with dozens of performances, events, and museum instaliations that trace its rich and vibrant history. Albuquerque's once dull downtown has undergone an ambitious revitalization in recent years, with loads of new shops, restaurants, and bars along or near the main drag, Central Avenue between 2nd and 8th streets, and also along parallel Gold Avenue. From here, it's a five-minute drive to historic Old Town, which was laid out in 1706 and contains Albuquerque's earliest buiiding, the San Felipe de Neri Church, which fronts the serene, tree-shaded Plaza. The wares for sale at the more than 200 crafts and art galleries and boutiques in the area run the gamut from fine to kitschy, and a few very good restaurants are nearby. For an offbeat experience, step inside the small but venomous American International Rattlesnake Museum, which contains the world's largest assemblage of live rattlers. Within a short stroll of Old Town you'll find a handful of the city's most prominent attractions, including the recently expanded Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, which houses an astounding collection of Spanish Colonial artifacts, plus traditional and contemporary regional art. Exhibits on geology, volcanoes, and dinosaurs await you across the street at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Also check out the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Zoo, and Rio Grande Botanic Garden. It's just a short drive from Old Town to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center as well as the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico, both of which have exhibits, cafes, and performances related to their respective cultures. Much of Albuquerque's gay scene is focused in the retro-hip Nob Hill neighborhood, a short drive east of downtown along Historic Route 66 (Central Avenue), which glows with the neon signs of coffeehouses. bars, greasyspoon diners, galleries, and boutiques selling everything from cool home-furnishings to campy giftsCentral Avenue fringes the southern edge of the University of New Mexico (UNM), whose noteworthy attractions include the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology and the University Art Maseum. The city sprawls a bit, and you need a car to venture out to some of the worthwhile outlying attractions. On the west side of town, visit Petroglyph National Monument to view some 25,000 rock drawings inscribed as far back as a thousand years ago along the 17-mile-long West Mesa escarpment. Drive east across town into the city's lofty foothills for a chance to ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to the crest of the 10,600-foot Sandia Mountains. The 2.7-mile ride is the longest aerial tramway in the world. At the top are observation decks, hiking trails, a visitor's center. and the High Finance Restaurant. On the north side of Albuquerque, you'll find the giamorous new Sandia Casino resort, which in addition to extensive gaming areas contains one of the city's best restaurants (Bien Shur, on the resort's rooftop), a brandnew luxury hotel and spa, and a golf course of considerable acclaim. The casino is close to Bailoon Fiesta Park, home to New Mexico's most famous festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This colorful hot-air balloon gathering - the world"s largest - takes place the first two weeks in October. At any time of year you can visit the park's AndersonAbruzzo international Balloon Museum, which opened in fall 2005. There are also a number of outfitters throughout Albuquerque offering hot-air balloon rides year-round; one of the most reliable is Rainbow Ryders. Albuquerque's already very good dining scene has improved dramatically just in the past few years. in the downtown area, don't miss gay-popu!ar Artichoke Cafe for first-rate Continental cooking in a romantic yet casual ambience. Thai Crystal is one of the city's top Asian restaurants, while the cozy Goid Street Gaffe serves up some of the ........ Continued next page. . Atw:efflsingin lfi~ STAIR/sjustgood business cents. Page6 Out of Town best breakfasts around, plus iight lunch and dinner fare, designer coffees, and delicious desserts. When in Old Town, book a table at elegant Ambrozia Cafe & Wine Bar, known for its quirky and inventive dishes, such as duck meatloaf with truffted cream corn, and lobster corn dogs with chipotle ketchup. In Nob Hill, the swanky Zinc Wine Bar and Bis~ro serves a memorable Sunday jazz brunch and terrific French-inspired dinner fare - try the crisp uck-confit egg rolls or mango creme brulee. Next door, y Fish serves tasty proof that it's possible to find super-fresh and creatively rendered sushi right in the heart of the des~rt. Talented chef Jennifer James is one of the leading new culinary stars of the Southwest, and you can sample her deftly prepared food at Graze, which specializes in affordable tapas-style small plates (she also owns the more formal Restaurant Jennifer James, a few miles north). Across the street, the upscale Gruet Steak House is run by the city's acclaimed Gruet Winery, which produces S?me ?f the nation's most respected champagne-style sparkling wines as well as commendable pinot noirs and chardonnays. Pre-clubbing gays and straights mix it ~ sophisticate~ Martini Grille which is lauded as much its tasty Amencan fare as fbr the fancy drinks served up in the schnazzy cocktail bar. Hang out among UNM students and other local hipsters at II Vicino, which serves out-of-this-world wood-fired pizzas and filling calzones, plus a nice array of leafy dinner- size salads. Try El Patio for some of the most authentic (and fiery) New Mexican cooking in town - be sure to sit on the tree-shaded The no-frills Frontier Restaurant is a 24/7 institution for its breakfast burritos and heavenly cinnamon buns - it's a real scene after the clubs close. Another must-do in Albuquerque is coffee and dessert at Flying Star, a bakery, restaurant, coffeehouse, and wine bar all rolled into one, with five locations around town, the gavest and coolest in Nob Hill and downtown. Among Albuquerque's six gay nightspots, Pulse draws th gest and wildest bunch for cruising and dancing stive patio and compact but fierce dance floor. Fans of line-dancing and two-stepping head to sprawling Sidewinders Ranch, which is owned by the same folks as Sidewinders in Palm Springs. Low-keyed Exhale (formerly Renea's} is the only lesbian bar in the state, although it pulls in of guys, too. The expansive Albuquerque Mining ers to a diverse crowd with its several bars, small dance area, and full volleyball court. The Albuquerque Social Ciub, a garden-variety video bar across the street from Pulse, attracts a fairly local following; guests are pennitted in this private club but must purchase a "membership" ( one year). The parking lot at Foxes ith beat-up pickup trucks, hints rish, and horny guys inside. main entertainment ue's lodging landscape is domin hotels, you'll find some distinctive historic properties and art-filled B&Bs, too. the latter, the beautifully restored Mauger Esta sits within easy walkin distance of downtown and Old Town. Anne Victorian has an ornate exterior, period antiques, wallpapers, and fabrics. Another property is Hacienda Antigua, a f ,ldadc>be hacienda northwest of downtown, filled with claw-foot tubs, wood carvings and Indian art, and beehive-shape kiva-style fireplaces. the historic La p grand dame, opened in 1939 by Conrad Hilton (who honeymooned here with Zsa Zsa Gabor). It's a stunning 10-story hotel in the heart of downtown. A few blocks west, the art deco Hotel Biue has simple but affordable rooms and a great location, making it one of the city's best bargains. Of the city's chain properties, the 17-story Albuquerque Marriott is a commendable, upscale choice with great views of the mountains. It's close to two shopping malls and a short drive from gay nightlife. And a 20-minute drive north of Albuauerque in the town of Bernalillo, the posh Hyatt Regency Tamaya offers the most lavish accommodations in the region. Amenities at this 500-acre resort on the. ~anta Ana Pueblo include a world-class spa, horseback riding, tennis, golf, superb restaurants, and ca_sino gaming. If you're looking for sumptuous Palm Springs-style glamour in the laid-back Duke City, look no further than this stunning resort, the perfect place to celebrate an ultra-romantic Southwest getaway. The Little Black Book Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (www.balloonfiesta. com). Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau (505-842-9918 or 800-284-2282, www.itsatrip.org; www.albuquerque300. or deta que Tncentennial events). Al uerque 1 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 505-881- 6800 or 800-334-208 , www.marriott.com). uerque Mining Co. (7209 Central Ave. NE, 505-255- que Social Club (4021 Central Ave. NE, 505-255- Cafe & Wine Bar (108 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 560). (424 Central Ave. 5-243-0200). 5 Central Ave., N 232-3474). arvard St. SE, 50 ' Flying tar 2 Centr;3I Ave. S 633; also downtown at 723 Silver Ave. SW 99). Foxes Lounge (8521 Central Av 5-3060). Graze (3128 Central Ave. SE, 50 . Frontier Restaurant (Cornell Dr. SE and Cen al Ave. SE, 505-266-0550). Gold Street Gaffe (218 Gold Ave. SW, 505-765-1633). Gruet Steak House (3201 Central Ave. NE, 505-256- WINE). Hacienda Antigua (6708 Tierra Dr. NW, 505-345- 5399 or 800/201-2986, www.hac~ier1da;ar ua). Hotel Blue (717 Central Ave. NW, 505-9 2400 or 877- 878-4868 www.thehotelblue.com). 9462). · Bernalillo, 505- att.com ). also 11225 t. NW. 505-242- 05 . , - __ 755 or -725-2477, WWW. . NW, 505-343-1554). 1-25 at Tramway Blvd., 505-796-7500 or .sandiacasino.com J. nch (8900 Central Ave. :::;E, 505-275-1616). 09 Gold Ave. SW. 505-244- and Bistro (3009 Central A . . 505-254- Dive April WE DO IT DIFFERENT in Eureka Springs, Arkansas! At our hlatoric Auditorium • For GLBT• & their Stra Pals to I (ov•r .,. to ral•• our •plrlt• an e th• Ozarlc• hlll• with lau11hter and GAYETYI TICKETS ONLINE - LIMITED SEATING/ Plus more events TBAI For DIVERSITY info & Diversity health outreach prevention education, Inc. 1-800-535-AI DS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline YOURSELF PROTECT YOl.:IR.PARTNER(S) * Free nonjudgmental HIV testing,· including the 20 minute OraQuick Test. * Free Sypht1/is screening at .the GLBT Community Centeron Tuesdaysf'roin 6-8pm H~O.P.E. :resting Clinic ; Mens·Outreach'P ..... In Tulsa at (918) . PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA or gays wanting to travel in the United States there are main gay cities, Palm Spri , California and Ft. le, Florida. Both cities ve a huge gay populah are extremely gay friendly. Both have at least f dozen gay resorts to stay and plenty of gay restaurants, bars and shops. n this column we will tell you about Palm Springs, Caliomia. It is located about 120 miles East of Los Angeles. hen flying in from the f:Aidwest or_ East you _can ei~her . y directly into Palm Springs or fly into Ontario, California hich is less expensive and is only about 50 miles \J\'est_ f Palm Springs. Since you will need to rent an auto It will ve you money to fly to Ontario. weather in Palm ngs is beautiful all r around except if you 't like weather over 100 grees then it is best not July and August. we love the dry heat we love going there in he summer when it is hot. ecember thru April it is very pleasant there. e dozens of gay stay however our is the TERORT (www.ter) and located st of downtown Palm Canyon toll free phone is: 1-866-837-7996. and hosts, Tom nd Doug Sems are of the best -'<'hen it to knowing how to their guests. he Terrazzo Resort has 12 guest rooms surrounding heated swimming pool, (clothing optional) of course, · · and tropical gardens. The resort has s that includes the finest of linens, dial phones, Lar TV, DVD, VCR CD player, indiclimate control, speed Internet access, pre- Judith Jackson bath amenities and wonderful soft oiquet robes for their guests. All rooms comes with a · , refrigerator, wet bar, hair dryer, iron and ironing rd. Don't have your lap top with you? Don't worry. you check your emails in their guest services room. Comentary breakfast is served each momin_g outside at _the . A complimentary gourmet lunch Is served daily lside. Complimentary beverages and snacks are available throughout the day. In addition to their Resort they also have a condoiapartment just a few blocks from the Resort which can rented on a monthly basis. Guests renting that can take full advantage of the Resort amenities including pool, etc. This is truly a fabulous resort for the gay traveler. It is the only gay resort in Palm Springs that we recommend. As we travel around the country we have noticed that many owners hire managers and that in itself can be a major problem. Tom and Doug are the owners AND managers and they control everything themselves to insure that each guest gets full attention. And full attention to every detail is what you at the Terrazzo. They have received many award and citations for their hi ality of service and accommodations. Tom and Doug ve their work and what they are doing and it shows! Be sure to check out their web site. Downtown is just a few short blocks from the Terrazz<? and is filled with major shopping, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and even an Indian Casino. They have about a doz bars in Palm Springs and they run the range from piano bars, disco bars and just about any type of bar you are looking for. The one great thing about staying in a major gay city is that the bars are always busy! And we do mean ALWAYS! So even if you are kinda shy you won't have any problems meeti someo~e in Springs. o left Melvyn' aurant) There is so much to see and do in Palm Springs. Lots of museums to visit, great restaurants and tons of ·ng to do. UST SEE is the FABULOUS PALM SPRINGS FOLLIES located downtown at 128 So. Palm Canyon Drive. It is a Las Vegas type show with singing, dancing and plenty of laughter. What makes the show so fabulous is that all the performers are over 55 and they are GREAT! There are numemus performing arts centers around the city and plenty of concerts to go to. There are dozens and dozens of restaurants in Palm Springs. After many years of going there our very favorite 1s still Melvyn's Restaurant located in the Ingleside Inn just a couple b!ocks West of downtown at 200 W. Ramon. It is just like stepping back to "Old Hollvwood". The food, the service and the atmosphere is PERF CT! Mel Haber, the owner knows how to keep h:s guests coming back year after year. According to Life Styles of the. Ric. and Famous it is rated one of the 10 best and we certainly agree! Continued next page: the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. Page 10 GAY TRAVELERS: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest vertical cable in the country and the view from the top is magnificent. Take your lunch with you and dine right in the mountains. Other options for Palm Spri are hiking, tennis or sightseeing in the Joshua National , the Living Desert or visiting the local Indian grounds. But of course the main reason to go to Palm Springs is for the people! And what a FABULOUS collection of friends we have made there over the years. Our best to Stefan, Millie, Jerry, Jim, Tyke and Wayne! Check out www.palmspringsgay.com before making your travel plans. For more information about traveling, email Donald and Ray at gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers. Willie Nelson Releases New Gay Cowboy Song. NASHVILLE, TN_Willie Nelson released his new song titled "Cowboys Are Secretly, Frequently (Fond Of Each Other)" on Valentines Day February 14th 2006. Are Secretly, Frequently (Fond Of Each Other)" wa in 1981 by Texas-born, NYC resident musician/ songwriter Ned Sublette, long before gay cowboys were the current topic of conversation. Nelson recorded the song last ar during an iTunes Originals session at his Perdernales, io. This is the first time Nelson's version has been released. Dolly Parton did a song for "Transamerica," Emmylou Harris cut a track for "Brokeback Mountain" and Willie Nelson released a gay Valentine's song. Is country the new gay genre? HIV positive participants, spectators to be welcomed into United States during the 2006 Chicago Gay Games 'Designated Event Status· clears U.S. entrance restrictions SAN FRANCISCO A U.S. federal blanket waiver has been approved allowing non-U.S. citizens living with HIV/ AIDS to travel to the United States to participate in or attend the Gay Games 2006. The Federation of Gay Games (FGG), an~ Chicago Ga~es, Inc. (CGI), announced today that the waiver comes with federal approval of Designated Event Status for Gay Games VII Sports & Cultural Festival set for 15-22 July 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. "Many people with HIV/AIDS and other life-affecting health issues have competed and set Masters-division records at past Gay Games, and we are happy that all participants from outside the United States once again will be able to travel freely to attend the Gay Games this summer," said Kathleen Webster, co-president of the international Federation of Gay Games. HIV positive p · · nts and attendees of Gay Games VII can now a a sin B-2 travel visa from their local U.S. consulate. isa, valid 8-28 July 2006, will be issued on a special form instead of being placed permanently in the person·s passport. "Achieving Designated Event Status demonstrates our dedication to the Gay Games principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™ and to our mission adfor full acceptance and recognition of all LGBT said Brian McGuinness, Gay Games Chicago Executive Director. "We are grateful to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (DIL) and the many CGI and FGG board, staff, volunteers and allies for helping us meet this important commitment to the HIV community." Information regarding procedures on how to apply for the B-2 visa at U.S. consulates in different countries will be available shortly on the FGG Web site at \~":N';N-~aygames. com) and the Chicago Gay Games eb site (www. gaygameschicago . .erg). For additionai information, lease contact Aimee Pine at the ~hi Ga~es, Inc. o,ffic:esat (773) 907-2006 or by email at mee.pme@gaygameschicago.org. Grand Opening ai Fort Smith's Newest Night Club. RED ROCK CITY By Bunky Walters The pizza delivery guy walked in just after 8 p.m. amid droningeleictnic drills, a symphony of cell phones and frenetic atter. But like an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," everything was hammered, painted and plu in by midnight for the grand opening of Red Rock C Fort Smith's newest party venue, at 917 N. A St. · At 10 p.m., music was already blasting in beat to the din of finishing touches being made inside the historic two-story building with a red stone walls - hence the name of the club. It's attractive yet calm exterior was in sharp contrast, though, to the play pin being created inside. Leading the whip-quick renovation was owner Andv Osburn, who stayed cool as Crystal throughout the evening. Osburn, by the way, also owns Kinkead's, just a couple blocks away at 1004 ½ Garrison Ave. When he wasn't lending a hand or answering his cell phone, Osburn paused occasionally in the VIP lounge near the cool metal grate-floored DJ booth, ave the dance floor. By 11 p.m., some of his friend s and Kansas City had arrived, and they made themselves at home in the lounge, which was decorated with leather chairs and ottomans situated around a large, wide-screen TV. Roses and orchids were another elegant touch to the room. Out the lounge door several steps away was the upstairs bar area, which has a dance floor, as well. It was packed with le by 11 :30 p.m., slinging back beer and sipping them up alongside buttery nipple and cocksucker shots were bartenders in black dress shirts, with the word "Rockers'; spelled out in red on each one. Not long after midnight, a voice on the mic invited folks to "shake their tail feathers." They promptly obliged, spilling down the confetti-carpetted stairs to the new dance floor. The anced to everything from Salt 'n' Pepa to Depeche ,de, s1~oc1tina b,oots and scuttling about to the rhythm of the pounding bass. Every now and then, there were quick whooshes from the fog machine, blanketing the crowded dance floor. And it mig~t hav~ been chilly outside,. but it didn't keep a obv1ol!s gym _memberships from whipping o d shaking their bottoms under the dazzling disco lights of the club's exposed rafters. Not that but I had a ball and a half that night OK, two. te the nail-biting push of the midnight deadline, the club threw a flawless party. And I have no doubt they'!i continue to send folks in Fort Smith · and sweating to awesome beats and fabulous for many, many weekends to come. Speaking of coming, you should. Red Rock City is open 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and 6 p.m.-midnight Sunday. · , either call (479) 242-CITY or visit _GLBT Magazine. . Page 1.2 .. NINTH ANNUAL RED RIBBON GALA, SET FOR TULSA MARCH 11, 2006. Above left to right: Kim Wood -Chairperson RRG, Shane Carter - Channel 2 Meteorologist and Master of Ceremonies, Pat Chernicky- President Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. TULSA, OK_Aa in the past, a sea of red wili encompass distinguished guests and friends of Tulsa C.A.R.E.'s RRG, as they arrive at one of Tulsa's most elegant and worthwhile affairs. Again this year, the event will be held at Southern Hills Country Club on Saturday, March 11th. Set in an atmosphere that only Southern Hills can create, the room will be ablaze with fabulous flower arrangements created by board member Toni Garner. Kim Wood, Gala Chairperson and Peter Walter, realtor extraordinaire, Gala Honorary Chairperson wiil welcome guests to a feast for the senses that will include the finest cuisine by Southern Hills Chef Devin Levine, complimented by fine wines. A portion of the festivities wili include both a silent and live auction offering stellar iist of antiques, furniture, original artwork, masterfully created jewelry, private dinner parties, special inteiest classes to name a few. A new feature this year, a special raffle of fine jewelry created by Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. board member Susan Sadler, wi!I be held during the event. Ali attending are encouraged to "just wear red" ... the color of AIDS awareness and a symbol of compassion for those affected by the disease. The Red Ribbon Gala is the largest fundraising activity for Tulsa C.A.R.E.S (Center for AIDS Resources, Education and Support). Ani:i, this year the event has received a tremendous "kick off'' for 2006 with the generous grant from the George Kaiser Famiiy Foundation and Bank of Oklahoma Foundation as Presenting Sponsor. A United Way agency, Tuisa C.A.R.E.S has been in existence since 1991. Executive Director , Sharon Thoeie, credits the generosity of the board members and donors of the difference they make for some of the community's most needy members. She states: "the best part of the Red Ribbon Gala is that it supports the ongoing efforts of Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. to provide a safe haven for low-income men, women and children with HIV/AIDS throughout northeastern Oklahoma. 2 marks the 15th anniversary of providing support services to the individuals no one wanted to serve. Without the proceeds from the Red Ribbon Gala our ability to provide these crucial services would cease." Board President, Patricia Chernickv, adds: "the RRG is not only a fabulous evening of food, fun and friends, but the money raised from the event provides the organization with the financial resources to serve over 450 individuals. HIV does not affect o up of people, it affects us all." RRG Chairperson, Kim also contributes: "A tremendous op · is provided through the RRG to provide support to Isa CARES so that the organization can continue to provide the services for those patients and families affected by the devastating disease." The Red Ribbon Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. with flowing red cocktails, stimulating conversation and a Ii silent auction and raffle. Dinner foilows at 7:30 p.m. w live auction commencing around 9:00 p.m. Dancing to music provided by "The Hero Factor" will begin at 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $150.00 per person. Sponsorship packages and reservations for priority seating are available. For more information, contact Bruce Lewis at (918) 834-4194. PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PRESENTS MIXED BAG ON HIV/AIDS WASHINGTON - President Bush's budget proposal, released yesterday, presents a mixed bag on HIV/AIDS, with modest funding increases in care and treatment programs, additional cuts in Medicaid and a dangerous increase in abstinence-only programs that keep thorough, scientific information out of the hands of those who need it most. "For the sake of hundreds of thousands of Americans living with HIV and AIDS, we can and we must do more," said Human Rights Campaign President joe Solmonese. "We welcome the president's attention to the critical needs facing HIV/AIDS programs, yet the new funding does not make up for the years of shortcomings and huge proposed cuts that may harm beneficiaries in other areas." The largest proposed HIV/AIDS increase is for the president's $188 million domestic AIDS initiative, with money split between the Ryan White CARE Act and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We need a comprehensive and targeted strategy to combat this virus - particularly in at-risk communities and among people of color," said Soimonese. "Attention to this continually growing trend is long overdue." There are more African Americans among new AIDS cases, people estimated to be living with AIDS and H!V-reiated deaths than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Continued .. Aids Budget-page 23 IN RESPONSE 1'0 YOUR. PERSONAL AD LOOKING FOR. SOMEONE WMO CAN11' S1"AND GAYS AND LES&IANS. I L Fl E - ' Oklahoma City ur 5th Anniversary 3 Days of Quality Workshops, Vendors, Great Piains Olympus Contests, Cigar Smoker, Saints and Sinners Costume Contest, Many Free Prizes, Play Parties, other Social Activities, NLA-1 AGM and as always, a surprise or two! Only $125 if registered by April 21 ! Group Discounts for 6 or more! Vendor Market is FREE and Open to the Public www. ibalfire .com the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. Page 14 I & THE BOYS Pack'em In At Club Maverick! by Greg Steele TULSA, OK_ Mary, Schellye, Brenda, Paula, & Valerie known as Tulsa's Moodswing Band certainly have the art of entertaining down pat. With st guitarist Betsy Smittle and the Boys, Brad in, Mark Dodson, Eric Daughtery, and Mike Busby, entertained a standing room only crowd at Tulsa's Club Maverick on January 27th. Just another example of the talent we in Oklahoma are fortunate enough to have in our GLBTA community. A five piece all female band, Moodswing has been together for two years. They have played at many events including Tulsa Pride Picnic, OKC Pride Picnic, Tulsa's Mayfest, The Women's Music Festival in Dripping Springs, Texas, the Sooner State Rodeo in Tulsa and Diversity Pride · Fall Festivai in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. And continue to draw big crowds at Oklahoma City and Tulsa nightclubs. They are currently working on their 2nd CD and hope to release it this summer. Their 1st CD "Moodswing" was cut two years ago. The boys were fantastic! Si · a variety of songs, delighted the crowd with their ta ent dUiing the band intermission. A very professional group and a wonderfully entertaining evening. Is there a Shelter agent for you? Call today to learn more about our services. Serving the community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866)208-9480 gtainte helterinsurance.com Auto - Home - Life - Business Crystal Meth.u The Satanic Brew Crippling the Gay Communi By jimmy pa!mieri Crystal Meth ... The Satanic Brew Crippling the Gay Community Meth, Tina, speed, chalk, ice, rock, glass are all street names for the dnJa meth amphetamine. This noxious recipe of chemica s, that may include, but are not limited to. ephedrine, crystai drain cieaner, bleach, battery acid and nail poiish remover, among others, has the capability of destroying lives more quickly than any iilicit drug currently availabie. It is so addicting to some, that after the first try, so strong is the craving to use again, that all else becomes secondary. Seek Shelter Today! • urn Sales Associate ION DOLL.AR PRODUCER" 8)49~2252 .3Tl tc,1 (918,)491-~?t ' '.,.· ", •, ', ,·',' , Crystal meth has taken a strong hold on the gay and iesbian community, with a particular ven ance on gay males for a variety of reasons. The of meth make the user less inhibited, and more euphoric in mindset. This is particularly enticing to gay men, who may have been admonished by their families, not accepted by their peers at school, or have not fit into what even their own community deems acceptable. Society has continually isolated s and lesbians, leaving many with the desire or need into some type of adopted crowd or fa1 Meth is sadly, the common thread among many of the enfranchised. Meth a!so has the distinct capability of making men more libidinous, thereby making their feelings of inhibitions ali the more exaggerated. This has created a devastating paralle! between meth addiction, and HIV infection. www.Tulullaverlck.co111 9111 a Sllarldan, Tulsa, OK 918.aaL3301 THE T ith Sp iai Gu t E CEE John Pendal lnternatio I r. Leather 2003 Fri, Sat, & Sun March :I. 7th - :I.9th Fri - 10pm Meat & Greet @ Club Maverick Sat - 1.0pm Contest @ Club Maverick Sun - :1:l:30am Victory Brunch@ Metro Diner A History of Violence Anti-gay violence is on the rise -- not just in the U.S., but all over the world. !"- Swt:dish we~site lists 129 well-known gay individuals, 1~cluding pr(!minent actors, musicians, broadcasters, politicians and priests, and calls for their death. Despite having one of the world's toughest laws against the promotion of hate, Sweden's _chief prosecutor says he is powerless to shut down the site because it frames its death threats in the form of Biblical quotes. Britain is in the midst of a homophobic crime wave that has esc~lated to the PC?int that police have urged the LGBT ?ommurnty to u~e _caution when going out. A young man m Londonderry 1s rn danger of losing his eye after a recent attack, and it wasn't the first time he'd been assaulted. A g~y couf?le_ near London almost lost their home, and pos~ 1bly th_eir life, w~en they discovered someone had pushed 1nc~nd1ary maten~I through their mail slot, starting a fire in their hallw~y. Fortunately, they were able to extinguish the nre before 1t spread. In another incident a lesbian couple was pelted with snowballs that had sto~es and broken glass embedded in them. Police say they believe there have been dozens of other cases throughout the country that have gone unreported. Officials believe that the number of homophobic attacks on has increased with the publicity over civil partnerships, ich became legal in December. In_ New Bedford, Massachusetts, a community about 50 miles south of Boston, a violent attack rocked a lar gay club. A young man, 18 year old Jacot1 RcJbic struck a customer in the head with a hatchet before shoo two others. As I'm writing this, Robida is still on the run ile his victims remain in the hospital -- one in critical condition. When police searched Robida's room, they discovered Nazi a. The teen is being sought on charges of attempt murder, assault and civil-rights violations. What is behi~d this.increase in homophobic violence? Almost certainly, as the British officials stated it's due to increased publicity as gay rights issues have taken center stage in countries all over the worid. It's nothi new. Mankind h_~s a hist?ry of violence. especially concerns ~ trad1t1~:mally do~ntr?~d~n group trying to claim equality. During the 60 s c1v1I nghts movement it was violence ag~in~t blacks. '.he ignorant always resort to violence when their status quo 1s threatened. When the people the bigot has always demeaned and reviled suddenlv dare to stand up for themselves and demand rights, the bigot will lash out. It's no surprise th~ big~ts are worked up right now. Gay are one of tne biggest issues in the world right now. ng almost every state and country around the globe. Almost every political race is influenced by gay rights, and barely a day goes by when you don't see some LGBT-related story in the media. !n Canada_'s recent e_lec~ion, gay marriage was a crucial issue. Dun_ng campaigning, qonservative leader Stephen Harper claimed that overturning Canada's equal marriage law would be one of his first priorities. The Tory Party did win the election, but the results were less about rights than a country unwilling to trust a scandal-ridde ral ;. Fortunately, with a minority government even smaller he Liberals before them, the Conservatives will most likely be unable to change the marriage law. Continuing his homophobic policies, President Bush renewed his attack on gay families in his recent State of the Union Address. Addres · a joint session of Congress the p~esident said that "ma ericans, especially parents, still have deep concerns about the direction of our culture and the health of our most basic institutions. They are ' concerned about unethical conduct by public officials. and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage." "Trying to draw comparisons between the reprehensible ~cts of ~nethic~I politicians with fair and independent Judges 1s both ridiculous and wrong," said Joe Solmonese. president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). · Not is it ridiculous, but by continually demonizing gay and ian families, President Bush and other outspoken ns fan the flames of hatred. if someone like Jacob a already believes that gays are evil sinners then hearing the president make antigay statements only confirms that belief in his mind. The crusading Religious t, with their fire and brimstone wailing, will I fL1rtt1er rce those feelings. If he is already unbalan or prone to violence, it's just a matter of time before that hate will build to the point that it erupts into violence. What can we do to stem the tide of violence? There's an old proverb that says something along the lines of "in order to avoid repeating history, we have to learn from the past." If there's anything we can learn from the Black civil rights movement, it's that we have to keep fighting for equality. We can't let fear defeat us. We have to stand up against the bigots and hatemongers and demand our rights. So how do we do that? Vote! One of the easiest we can do to make a difference is elect fair-minded, p ressive officials. The only way to stop the homophobic cians is to get them out of office. Support gay-positive legislation and defeat antigay measur~ s. Many st~~E:~ are brin9i gay i~sues to the polls. We caf'! t afford to sit 1dly oy while ant1gay forces muster !heir troops with military precision. State after state is passmg same-sex marriage bans while other states struggle to P'.3Ss.antidiscrimination laws. Our opponents are well-organized and we!i-funded, so that makes it all the more important that we pay attention, spread the word. and vote Also don't be afraid to contact your representatives and let the~ ~now your feelings_ o~ important issu~s. As HRC president Joe _Solmones_e sa1_? rn,.reterence to the ~tt~cks at the gay bar rn MassacnuseLts, When a man walKs rnto a bar, asks Continued next page HEART TO HEART if it's a gay bar and starts shooting, there couldn't be any more glaringly obvious and enraging example that we need uniform hate crimes law and that Congress has stubbornly failed to act." Come out and speak up! This is perhaps the hardest, yet most important thing we can do as gay men and women. Coming out is a powerful statement that has been proven to change hearts and minds again and again. If you're already out, speak up. If your friends, family, and coworkers don't understand how these issues affect you, then how can they care? The mor o know and understand how homophobia adversely s their loved ones, the more allies we'll have on our side. I don't believe we are doomed to repeat history -- not if we can learn from the past and work together to create a better future. In 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love." That message is as true today as it was then. Let's learn from our history and move forward in love. The views expressed in this column are my opinions only. You don't have to agree with them. I just ask that you read them \vith an open heart and mind. Isa's ouncil ak en's horale oncert eason 2006 "A Musical Feast" Thursday, May 11 Friday, May 12@ 8 PM Saturday, May 13 @ 8 PM "Summer in the City" Friday, August 25 @ 8 PM Saturday, August 26 @ 8 PM Williams Theater Tulsa Performing Arts Center For more information and ticket sa!es cai! (918) 748-3888 or go to: www.counciloak.org Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $26.95 v.rill be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: , Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: _____________ _ ,~,ddress: ________________ _ City: ________ St: __ .Zip: ____ _ Phone: _________ _ Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: ______ _ FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing the last Sunday of each month b::tween 5PM and 6PM. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sundav Service 6PM Your Invited to our Communitv Dinner Everv \'(Ted. 0 ,.,. _\ ..._,. t _ d -· 6-pm Just ~4.0li. No one 1s curne awav. . Lesbian Notions by Libby Post MARCH 2006 "STRANGE BEDFELLOWS" The Bush administration's homophobia has gone international. At the United Nations recently, the United States joined with some of the most repressive governments to deny two international LGBT gro vernmental organization (NGO) observer status it comes to marginalizing the LGBT community, this administration will cozy up with anyone. Administration buddies like the American Family Association and Focus on the Family have been joined on the international scene by countries such as China, Zimbabwe, and Iran. Yes, you read that right - Iran. We may demonize that country publicly, but when it comes to privacy issues, George is a political whore. He'll become political bedfellows with anyone - an individual, an organization, or, in this case, a country he considers our sworn enemy - to further his radical°Christian right crusade against the LGBT community. Who would have been hurt if the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians (LBL) were allowed to speak for the LGBT community at the United Natio.ns' Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which advises the international organization on economic and social issues? After all, there are 634 NGOs affiliated with ECOSOC. We're talking about groups like the Humane Society, the American Jewish Congress, and Greenpeace. But we're also talking ab like Focus on the Family, Feminists for Life of ica, the National Right to Life Education Trust Fund, and the Alliance for Marriage. I think it would only be fair tq balance out some of the homophobic political perspectives inherent in some of these organizations with a few LGBT voices But instead of a fair hearing - which ali othei NGOs who have requested representation have gotten - ILGA's and LBL's requests were summarily dismissed without any discussion. The dismissal, which was done by the ECOSOC NGO committee, happened after ILGA and LBL went through the rather exhausting process that got them to the point where they could even ask for a hearing. All of this was preceded by the behind-the-scenes maneuvering of Egypt and the Organization of Islamic Conferences to exclude the two groups. Rosanna Flamer Caldera, co-secretary general of ILGA, which ents a worldwide network of more than 400 LGBT zations, considers the exclusion "a clear violation of due process and an attempt to discriminate against LGBT NGOs on procedural grounds." Some may shrug their shoulders at the U.S. actions. But as 40 LGBT and LGBT-allied organizations pointed out to Secietary of State Condoleezza Rice in a Jan. 25 letter, the United States voted yes when the entire ECOSOC body voted in 2002 to include ILGA as an NGO. The groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Human Rights Watch, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National Black Justice Coalition, asked Rice if it was now our country's policy to "oppose consultative status for all organizations working to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people." If it is, this flies in the face of the State Department's own reporting on severe human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The department's 2004 report on Iran chronicled the executions of men. Its report on Zimbabwe noted that President Ro Mugabe has consistently denounced gays and lesbians, blaming them for "Africa's ills." So the question begs to be answered - how can the United States recognize human rights atrocities against LGBT people in other countries, yet refuse to give those who are repressed a voice in bringing that repression to light? We were more than happy to give voice to the Chinese students in Tiananmen Square who bristled against the yoke of that country's communist regime. Today, we're all about building democracy in Iraq. But let LGB stand up and speak for themselves? Never. And how make sure LGBT people won't be heard? We get into bed with our political enemies. If ever there was a situation that shows how morally bankrupt this administration is, this is it. I don't think Condi's written a response yet. But this year, there will be two great opportunities for the international LGBT community to respond for ourselves and shed light on the United States' complicity. ILGA's next world conference will be in Geneva from March 27-April 3, the same time the U.N. Commission on Human Rights will be in that city, and where the Commission's on-going discussion about sexual orientation and human rights is sure to continue. Later, in the summer, some 2,000 LGBT activists from around the globe will converge in Montreal from July 26-29 for the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, which is sponsored by OutGames, an international LGBT sporting event that takes place right after the conference. "Our ultimate goal with this conference is to adopt what we're calling the 'Montreal Declaration,' an unequivocal affirmation that LGBT right are human rights," said Louise Roy, CEO of the conference and OutGames. "Once passed, we will do everything in our power to bring that resolution to the United Nations." It may be easy for our administration to ignore the events in Geneva. But when thousands of LGBT folks g miles north of our border, it wili be a bit more d turn a blind eye to the injustices we face each and every day and our collective resolve to stop them. Or, at least, it should be. EDITOR'S NOTE: One of Libby Post's firms, OutMarketing. biz, has been retained by Outgames Montreal 2006 to coordinate the event's United States' public relations activities. This column expresses her opinion and not that of her clients. The 0zar1<s STAR since 2003 ast Out by Liz Highleyman MARCH 2006 Summary : Past Our is a retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT historv. Each , ' installment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. February 1976 (30 years ago this month): British figure kater John Curry wins an Olympic gold medal. y is figure skating s As the most artisti etic events, figure skating is ely believed to be teeming with gay men - and, indeed, of the most renowned elite male skaters have been ·sexual. But the sport's fey reputation is I to the perceived gender nonconformity ants. It is impossible to know now whether early champion ater~ such as Jackson Haines, a ballet dancer by training o pioneered the modern artistic form of figure skating in 1860s, were queer. Lorrie Kim, creator of the Rainbow website, has compiled a list of 20 elite gay male skatrs, but only a few publicly revealed their sexuality while ey were champion contenders. American Ronnie Robertson, the 1956 Olympic silver edalist, was exposed as his former coach Mi- Kirby, in a memoir the of Robertson's (2000). The "Nureyev of the Ice, reat Britain's John reportedly made a little-noticed announcement that e was press conference shortly before winning e 19 c gold medal. The bronze medalist that r, Toller ston of Canada. mentioned affairs with men and women in his two- · :ihi,es; during 1973 World Championships, , he was se- Czech skater Ondrej Nepela, who went on to best red Cranston and win the title. In 1992, another was next after Cu come out during his competitive career; Hali ikely holds re skater to appear Fallen ngtime nadian champion Brian Orser was out when ex-boyfriend filed a palimony lawsuit. The best-known queer figure skater, Rudy Galindo - who "an openly gay trailer-trash ached the highest levels of pairs skating then-partner, Kristi Yamaguchi, when she decided on singles competition. After several years of , ances, a bout with alcohol and drug and the loss of his brother and two coaches to alindo went on to win the 1996 U.S. Nationals. his own HIV diagnosis and the cement of both Galindo has reoeatedlv challe, conservative rid - for example: performing to "Somewhere ainbov( and a medley of Village People songs, ueer ehte male skaters have included U.S. naRobert Wagenhoffer (who had long-term mmantic relationships with former junior champion Billy Lawe and professional show skater Sylvain Beauregard) champion ice dancer and choreographer Rob McCall, ' 1978-80 Canadian national champion Brian Pockar and former Dutch n~tional champion Edward van Campen; all but Beauregara and van Campen died of AIDS. Galindo once estimated that 98 percent of elite male skaters are ~traight. But "in the real trenches of show skating," according to openly gay skater Christopher Nolan, "guys are out all over the place." Many male figure skaters have described the harassment they received for pursing a sport considered to be queer. In reaction, skaters such as Kurt Browning, Philippe Candeloro, and Elvis Stojko emphasized a macho image and athletic .style !n the 199~s; others, including three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss, regularly show off their wives and children. Current U.S. national champion and top Olympic contender Johnny Weir has tripped the gaydar of many with his flamboyant outfits and effeminate mannerisms, though he has yet to explicitly state his sexual orientation. Despite its queer reputation, the skating establishment has long mandated strict gender roles. Although things have come a long way since officials at the 1920 Olympics scolded Theresa Weld for performing an "uni ke" jump some judges still look askance at male skate o do too' many spins and spirals. So strict are the gender conventions that pie gold and bronze medalists Katarin mas provoked shock by performing in nontraditional costumes such as knee breeches and full-length leotards, p~ompting t~e spo.rt's st governing body, the International Skating Union (I to institute a rule that female competitors must wear skirts that cover their derrieres. While male skaters are often assumed to be gay, the sport's requisite femini renders queer women invisible. There are no openly le or bisexual women skaters among the elite ranks, though some of today's female champion contenders are so young that it may be premature to speculate about their sexuality. But a number of queer women participate in nonelite adult competition. including International Gay Figure Skating Union cofounder Laura Moore, who started skating at age 32 after divorcing her husband and coming out as a lesbian. Ironically, no sport emphasizes the appearance of hete~osexuality more tha~ competitive pair skating and ice dancing. The ISU regulation that teams must consist of "a man and a lady" has caused grief for elite skaters who wish to perform with same-sex partners. The ISU does not sanction events that do not adhere to its rules, but the inter nati?nal_ Ice Skating Institute and son:ie national governing ~odIes, _includ I S1:ateis Figure Skating Associat; on and offer sanctions or waivers for the Gay Games and similar events. "[T]he thrili of seeing a, op,enly gay pair team h_as nothi do with triple jumps," said Moore, who won tne 1994 y Games ice dance competition with her partner, Linda Carney. For further reading: Brennan, Christine. 1996, _Inside Edge: A Revealing Journey into the Secret World of Figure Skating_ (Anchor), Galindo, Rudy, and Eric Marcus. 1997. Icebreaker: The Autobiography of Rudy Galindo_ (Pocket Books). Rainbow Ice - http://www.plover.com/rainbowice/ Page22 CITY LIFE: 1930s and 1940s and their successors with 68 works by artists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro S ros as well as related works by Luis Nishizawa and Gu r Gerzso. Mexican Masters expresses the hopes, desires, idealism, and culture of early twentieth-century Mexico through its artists. From the Mexican Revolution and Spanish Civil War to the Second World War, violent revolution and dramatic social change-both nationally and internationally-shaped the ideals of Mexico and its people. The Carrillo Gil Collection was molded by these principles, and the works it includes portray not only the artists' reactions to revolution, depression, and industrialization, as well as the impact of religion and need for social reform, but also the collector's. Mexican Masters pays humble recognition to Mexico's violence, war, and suffering, the United States Depression, and the artists' subsequent impression of inhumanity in an industrialized nation. For more information visit okcmoa.com. AIDS BUDGET: Among the president's proposals: Medicaid - our nation's largest provider of HIV/AIDS treatment and care - would face cuts of $5 billion over five years and $12 billion over 10 years, forcing those trimmed from Medicaid rolls to seek care through programs that are already overextended and under-funded. also pro cutting $15 million Nationa Institutes of Health and increases abstinence-only education funding by $28 million. State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs would receive $70 million under the president's plan to ease the waiting lists IDS program would receive a welcomed increase of $14 million et this is short of what is necessary to meet s needs. rge Congress to edicaid instead of weaken it, and put sound science over ideology in educational programs," added Solmonese. 1/12TH PAGE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE in the CALL FOR RATES 91 B.B35.7B87 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service. Advice Column! Kittens, as the whirlwind month of love has once more blown its course, Let us wipe the proverbial love awav from our chin, and move forward. Uncle spent most of the mont~ exhausted\y entertaining. A man briefly touched me; so briefly, uncle did not realize he had already reached the climatic point in the relationship. Alas Uncle finding himself once more on the hunt while looking for a aood man. Leaving me asking the uestion, how can someone be so bootylecious and such ty at the same time? Hmm I have to ponder that for a while. After seeing the much taiked about "Brokeback", Uncle f?und himself_ inspired to take riding lessons. After a positively productive week at the horse farm, while working with the trainer, Uncle has joined country riders everywhere. It took sweat, and teacs. One must be dedicated while working to achiev:3 ~ goal. ! have decided that next month, I may graduate to ndmg a horse. You know what they say Rome was not built in a day, baby steps! ' This mon~h Uncle has received several letters asking abo~t ~e~mg revenge on a lover's betrayal. Well, Kittens, Uncie Is Just shocked. A ay man, after revenge; it is just n?.t donea€l Snicker s · Kittens, taking the higher road w1il always allow you to mature into a well rounded. wonderfully developed, lo · responsible adult. Uncle ·encourages g~od karma, as w spiritual and personal growth. That said, karma helps those who help themselves. This month i dedicate my words of wisdom to a!I those ~ho h?ve found tha~ strange strap under the bed, hidden ooots m the closet, text message from the blonde Twink in the gym, who despite his physically delicious self, cant not seem to manage a sentence stiUcture. Since Uncle has given you pearls, let's get to the good stuff. The following is an actual list of carefully planned out exercises in revenge which uncle has used over the years. I am sure the men who each were carefully inspired by, will have a mo~ent of ~ecall whi!e reading a bit of their own history here m Uncles corner m Queerdom. Each one primed for specific levels of revenge. Kittens, a side dish served best when cold, I believe I feel a bitte; wind blowing in as we speak, bundle up kittens, it is going to be a rather frosty month of march. 12) Sleep with his best friends. Expected, yet sucker punch in the gut. 11) Take your self-shopping with his credit cards buying yourself that well deserved, while also delicious, little outfit you have always wanted. You have earned it. I mean the time on your knees alone warrants it. 10) Delivering a message to his co-workers that the clinic calla~ '.3nd you ~eed to speak to him _urgently, allowing all gossIpmg hags m ear shot to hear this, will defiantly deliver a certain message. 9) Informing the mother out of concern, of a horrible drug problem. Of course, this being the reason you have to leave him. • 8) Did I mention sleep with his closets and dearest friends? Oh, come now don't look at me that way. You have been eyeing them all along anyway. 7) Donate the bulk of his wardrobe to a nearby good will. Charity begins at home. 6) During conversations of the extreme vibe of hostility he is receiving from you, serve him a delicious cup of ex-lax cappuccino. This will allow for a few moments of him-time he so truly needs. 5) Go on Jerry and tell it all, going for the Emmy , for betrayed love interest. 4) Enter local hook up site under his name, hooking up with t~e _troll of all trolls,_ inviting h!m over unexpected by said vIctIm of course. Kitten, helping others is important. 3) Ciean the oven with his favorite label, leavina it in a pot on the stove. Cleanliness is next to cherliness. ~ 2) Announce to all of your friends, your inability of coping with on more night of his constant weeping after sex. ~) Deliver his t~ings, in a. box to his job with a note saymg good-bye, makmg sure his favorite sex toys are leaking onto the reception desk! Well there, it is in a nutshell. All is fair in love and revenae Kittens, I would wear a cup, this could be a full contact ~ sport d~pendinQ on the players involved. Those of you ?etermmed against bette~ advice, to foll~w this vengeful Journey, now have your flight plan. Sock !t and rock it, until the cockcrows, or feels your wrath, whichever one comes first. Until next time, smooches from your favorite guru, and Tlddles too! The Ozarks $TAR'slnce 20f)3 ·. Do Gays Have a Choice? Whether homosexuality is a genetic redisposition or a product of environmental factors haE; be,en hotly debated for the past several decades. The heart of the matter is: Does a person have a choice about his or her sexuality? Science att~mpts to answer this compelling question in the feature article "Do Gays Have a Choice?" in the February/March issue of Scientific American Mind. New York, NY (PRWEB) - Whether homosexuality is a genetic predisposition or a product of environmental factors has been hotly debated for the past several decades. The he~rt of the matter is: Does a person have a choice about his or her sexuality? Science atte answer this com · g question in the feature article ays Have a Cho . " in the February/March issue of Scientific American Mind. In addition to learning the science behind the matter, one may take the test and find out "How Gay Are You?" on Scientific American Mind's Web site (www.sciammind. com). According to the article's author, Robert Epstein, a Harvard- trained PhD, sexual orientation is not a black or white matter; rather, he concludes that sexuality falls on a continuum with heterosexuality and homosexuality at opposite ends. People may be attracted to members of both sexes b · determined by both genetics and their environment. n explains that genes determine wh~re '!"~ start but society exerts tremendous pressure on the md1v1dual to conform. Because the majority of people are "straight," most of us become heterosexual. The article also discusses the possibility of an individual changi sexual orientation. Whereas some people have as,serted that genes alone determine sexual orientation and that changing from gay to straight is not possible, others ha ued that homosexuality is a learned behavior and th 10ic:e.Epi;tein V11r,tes that changing orientation is possible for people whose sexuality lies toward the middle of the Sexual Orientation Continuum, but for most gay people such a switch would be very difficult if not impossible. "Do Gays Have a Choice?" presents a new school of thought that an individual's sexual orientation is not black or white, straight or gay. Instead an individual's sexual orientation falls along a continuum. To take the sexual orientation quiz visit http://www.sciammind. com, which will be available on Feb. 2, 2006 1 / 1 2TH PAGE CLASSiF"IED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F'□ R RATES 9 1 B.S35.78B7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcgiobaLnet Irish Soda Bread 1 cup curants 2 cups unbleached flour 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 3/4 teaspoon caraway seed 1 /4 teaspoon salt 1 cup nonfat yogurt 1 cup nonfat milk Heat oven to 375 degrees, soak curants in hot water for about 5 minutes and drain. In a large mixing bowl, mix both flours, baking soda, baking powder, caraway seed, salt and curants, mix well. In a separate bowl mix yogurt plus milk until smooth, slowly add wet ingredients to the dry mixture until we\l blended. Flour hands and divide dough into 2 !oafs, slightly flatten dou onto a non stick baki sheet a~out 8 inches. across. a X on top of each , bake for about 30-35 minutes or untii you can tap on it and it sounds hollow, and serve warm. lip: Serve with French Onion Soup, it's great! HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY! Q Scopes by Jack Fertig MARCH 2006 "Pay your debts, Aquarius!" Mercury turning retrograde in Pisces spreads confusion, and he's squaring Pluto. This makes people dig in their heels, insisting they are right (which is usually wrong), or it challenges cooler heads to do research. Venus in Capricorn eases the stress; do your best to be mature and serene. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Avoid silly arguments by focusing on your own problems and cleaning out your baggage. The right balance of humility and confidence and support from a woman in charge will help you get ahead. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Dares, challenges, and temptations from friends should be considered very carefully, if at all. Better to rely on your usual common sense. If you're hu for a new experience, check out local museums or a fore film. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): If you must make any public presentations, double-check every detail, and be prepared to handle any screw-ups with good humor. If you come under attack, look for underlying motives. You could charm an apparent enemy into becoming a very good friend. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You're better off listening to disputes than participating in them - unless you really want intense criticism. Still, arguments could be educational, and being very open-minded will make you look mighty attractive. LEO (July 23 -August 22): Refresh yourself on safe-sex information and techniques. Make sure to get the info first! Other fun and games are especially risky now. Be very careful of any sort of sporting injury. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Don't argue with your partner about probl~ms around the home. Take a creative approach and suggest constructive solutions, even if they're only only a temporary fix. Or agree to start analyzing problems so they can be solved later. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Most accidents happen around the house, but home looks more like your safety zone now. Still, be careful, and even more so out on the streets. Stay focused when you drive. Don't let problems distract you! SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21 ): A creative biock could have · e repercussions. Write a letter to a sister or aunt - or no·t yc,u have one, and even if you don't maii. it. The exercise o writing wili help you to focus on whatever is hanging you up right now. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Your natural reaction to problems at home is to stand firm and counterattack. Resist that impulse. Shopping, preferably with housemates, actually helps! Think ahead about what you need, and take your time looking for it. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Although small disasters abound, do your best to maintain a calm, mature demeanor. Every problem has a solution. Track each one to its roots; consult with whomever you must. The clean-up process will uncover new strengths, and annoyances may then prove blessings in disguise. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Dig up receipts and records, but let any real work on your taxes wait until late March. Trying to collect on debts from friends can be even more contentious than usual. Let that wait, too! Paying your own debts will save a lot of trouble. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Be careful of what you say and where you say it. Your mouth could get you into trouble with the boss or other authorities. Letting off steam and preparing important arguments with friends will help. But avoid those arguments unless they are absolutely necessary! You cm :find. oopk-5 c-f ti:...:: S 'J'A Ji :i r rh er.e -1 .mm:!li AR"'AN:'" .... ~ ICA.N!'tA;t Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride EYem - www.diversitypride.com A Byrd's Eye Vie..- 36 N. Main- -479-253-0200 CaribeRcstaurante- -309 W VanBuren-- 253-8102 Henri's- - -19 1 /2 Spring St - - - 479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill-105 E VanBuren- -253-0400 MCC Linng Spring - - 870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Condom Sense - -418 W. Dickson- -479-444-6228 Curry's Video 612 N. College Ave- 479-521-0009 Passages 930 N. College Ave- - 479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 S. Block Ave- -479-444-6100 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave- - 479-783-9988 Red Rock City - - 917 N. "N' St. 479-242-2489 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jesrers Lounge 1010 E. Grand Ave -501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - - -1021 Jessie Rd- - -501-664-2744 Diamond Stare Rodeo Assoc.- - • v.-v.-w.dsra.org Discovery- 1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - • - -501-666-6900 Sidetracks - 415 Main St - -N. L.R.- 501-244-0444 The Factory -412 Louisiana St.- - - - - -501-372-3070 Kansas,•Pittsburg (620) PSu-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway- 620-231-0938 Kansas, Wichita (316) Our FantaS\'- 3201 S. Hiliside- -316-682-5494 Missouri, Ava Catus Canyon Campground - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- 716 S. Main - - - - . 417-62'7-9035 MCC Spirit of Chris,-2902 E 20th, - -Sun-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816) Missie B's- -805 W 39th St- - 816-561-0625 Missouri, Lampe KOKQ]'.fO Campg~ound- - - • - - - 417-779-5084 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boonvilie P•.ve- - - • - --417-83;-4?!)') GLO Comm. Ctr- - -5i8 E. Commerical- 369-3978 Liquors & Kid,ers- -i i09 E. Commerciai- 873-2225 Martha's Vineyard- 2'.9 W Olive -417 -864-4572 Priscilla's - - -1918 S. Gkcstone .. 417-881-8444 Oz Bar - 504 E. Commercial - Ronisuz Place- --821 College- 4F-831-900l Oklahoma, Lawton riangles- - 29 SW "D" Ave- - 580-351-0620 Oklahoma, McAlester fcPride- - - - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) merican Crossroads B¾B - POBox 270642-495-1111 om Room- 2807 NW 36th Sr- - 405-601-7200 lub Rox- - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy - 405-947-2351 risties Toy Box- 3126 N. May Ave - - 4 05-946-4438 stern Ave Video- 1105 S Eastern Ave- 405-672-6459 inish Line -2200 NW 39th fapwy- - 405-525-0730 ushers Restaurant-2200 NW 39Exp - -4 05-525-0730 ollywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex- - - 405-947-2351 abana Inn - 2200 NW 39th Exp- -405-528-2221 1221 NW SOth- - - - 405-843-1722 2200 NW Expwy- - - -405-524-5733 armers- - -2805 NW 36th St - - - 405-942-2199 riscilla's- 615 E. Memorial - - - - - -405-755-8600 d Rock North-2240 NW39th St- - - -405-525-5165 - - 2120 NW' 39th St --405-521-9533 405-528-4690 e Rockies-• -3201 N. May Ave - - - 403-947-9361 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) amboo Lounge- 7204 E. Pine -918-836-8700 order's Book Store-2740 E. 21st- - 918-712-9955 order's Book Store -8015 S. Yale -918-494-2665 lub Majestic- - 124 N. Boston - - - - - 918-584-9494 lub 1faverick- 822 S. Sheridan -918-835-3301 - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - - 834-1051 ire Bookstore --814 S. Sheridan- - 918-838-85113 ,z's Lounge- - 426 S. Memorial- 319 E. 3rd- : -3007 E. Admi:al Pl ;iscilla's - - - 7925 E. 41 st - - · scilla's - 5634 \X'. Skc:Jy - risdla's - --1134 E. 11th - 918-743-4297 - -918-437-0449 -918-7 49-8378 -918-836-8544 - 918-584-3112 -- 918-834-3007 - - 918-627 -4884 -918-446-6336 918-438-4224 riscilla'~ 2333 E. 71 st - - - - -- -918-499-166 i negades- - - - 1649 S. Main 918-585-3405 b's Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- 918-627 -1505 ;,,Isa CARE~- -3507 E. Admiral Pl- 918-834-4194 c1isa Eag:e- - - - - i 338 E. 3rd - - - 918-592-1188 : 1T\ - . - - 2i14 S Memoriai- - - - - 918-660-0856 Jexton Jcwdrv - - -15 E. Brady 918-829-0824 trier Ne\VS Stand- 1 N, Le,vis- ~ -918-592-0767 'ellow-Bricic-Rd- -2630 E. 15,h- - 918-293-031'.i Yellow Brick Road 2630 E. 15th St, Tulsa, OK 918-293-0304 Yes Munchkins, Kevie is back as Manager! Po.ol Tournament- Mondays Dart Tournament- Thursdays Now Servitig Chimay Ale 5.00 LEASE ft.1 bed room Elect. 66th and Aprox 1800 sq ft 2 replace Sheridan Area sales price $128.000 Possible lease purchase. · Night Club for saleAprox 2500 sq ft. plus small house and large•storage building 11th mingo area Tracy 918-625"6377 Keller Williams I p 3007 E. ADMIRAL PLACE. TULSA, OK ~~- Llve Music March 17th, King Fish Band, NO COVER 50 cent. pool tables. Shuffle Board. 918.834.3007 Open Sunday @ 12:00 Noon Open Monday-Saturday 11 am HIDEAWAY 11730 E. 11th Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 now 12noon to 2am ed Monday. MAGICAL MASSAGE Located in NW Oklahoma City Full body deep tissue massage. Call Mark 405-949-1991 Experience Total Relaxation EMPLOYMENT □ PP □ RTUNITY ADVERT,BINC3 BALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR WICHITA, OKLAHOMA CITY, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS guaiifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74i45 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, May 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 5 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 01, 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn Bunkey Walters John Patrick Michael Dee Paul Wortman Carlott Carlisle Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Chaz Ward Vicor Gorin Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, April 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 4 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/223 The Star Magazine, June 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 6 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/229 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/240 A Day at the Legislature A Night Out Advice Column Alabama Lemonade Bamboo Lounge Bar BQ Pork Loin Bitter Girl Chelsea Boys Christopher Cabaldon classifieds Club Majestic Comic Strips Gay and Lesbian travelers Gayco Show Great Plains Rodeo Heart to Heart HIV testing HOPE Lesbian Notions Past Out Q Scopes Red Ribbon Star business center Star Distributors Star entertainment Star Scene travel Tulsa Rough Riders Uncle Mikey https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/add271e8a2fd3d96a06c548388ed29dc.jpg 905a5370e5391a8069bda28d98cfd935 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2dc94699de93bed65557c27da47e22fb.pdf 868e70db4a82c8c2581c541f0dff185f PDF Text Text ��������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document ,Ur • LS .. n ona ale Scott · row,· Man.:aging Broker Mc raw Davisson ew:art, R.ealtors • 1 Langley, Oklahoma s:cottCrow.mcgr,awok.com 918.782.3211 the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. The most important direct-action you can do is vote. Local and state elections are this r, with many close ttles to be fought by our strongest allies. In rtnership with the nal Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community Centers, the Tulsa GLBT Community Center annouces Promote the Vote. This program seeks to enhance the advocacy and organizing capacity of GLBT community centers by creating a visible, vocal and voting constituency. More importantly, it gives voice and power to the members of the GLBT community who are often made to feel invisible and powerless. Primaries are fast-approaching with local and state supporters of the GLBT community in close contests. If you aren't registered to vote - do it today. You can get registered to vote at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 E 41 st Street in Highland Plaza. It's simple to do, the form is very short and we'll even send it in for you. Stop by today and r ter to vote in one easy step - then vote in every e action. It's important for you and future generations. ACLU ASK FOR DISMISSAL OF REV. LONNIE LATHAM'S CASE February 1, 2006 The American Civil Liberties Union filed a friend-of-the-court brief toda}'. urging an Oklahoma court to dismiss charges against a Soulhern · minister who was arrestea for soliciting private sex another male. 'The Supreme Court has made it crystal clear that, when it comes to their sex lives, ults are free to do whatever the 8 Bell, Executive Director of th klahoma. "Accordin to the police report, Rev. Latham did nothing more tha e another man to his hotel room for consensual sex. It is not a crime merely to invite someone to have completely lawful sex. If it were otherwise, every bar in the state may as well shut its doors." The Reverend Dr. Lonnie Latham was arrested on January ~. 2006,_ on the misdemeanor cha of "Off!:3ring to Engage m an Act of ice ne a ma! ted r back to otel room for oral sex. It is not alleged that Latham offered money in exchange for the sex act. The brief filed toda in the District Court of Oklahoma Coun argues , arges should be dismissed against because non-commercial sex between consentate is a constitutional! ACLU it is a violation s free speech guarantee for the state to criminal that is mereiy an invitation to engage in lawful Latham's arrest. which generated a s· of media attention, forced him to resig as a board member of the Baptist Generai Okiahoma. ut of To~n MARCH 2006 by Andrew Collins lbuquerque, New exico Q,Jt<::, Mexico's largest city, set dramatically at the base of the soaring Sandia Mountains, makes a great - and affordable - base for exploring the rest of the Land of Enchantment. Albuquerque lies just 60 miles south of Santa Fe and within an afternoon's drive of countless Indian pueblos, beautiful hiking and biking spots, and challenging ski areas. The "Duke City" (named for the city's founder, the Duke of Alburquerque - the first "r" was later dropped) enjoys a sunny, mild climate, and it's home to New Mexico's only gay bars as well as a handful of gay-owned B&Bs and restaurants. And thr9.ughout 2006, Albuquerque celebrates its tricentennial with dozens of performances, events, and museum instaliations that trace its rich and vibrant history. Albuquerque's once dull downtown has undergone an ambitious revitalization in recent years, with loads of new shops, restaurants, and bars along or near the main drag, Central Avenue between 2nd and 8th streets, and also along parallel Gold Avenue. From here, it's a five-minute drive to historic Old Town, which was laid out in 1706 and contains Albuquerque's earliest buiiding, the San Felipe de Neri Church, which fronts the serene, tree-shaded Plaza. The wares for sale at the more than 200 crafts and art galleries and boutiques in the area run the gamut from fine to kitschy, and a few very good restaurants are nearby. For an offbeat experience, step inside the small but venomous American International Rattlesnake Museum, which contains the world's largest assemblage of live rattlers. Within a short stroll of Old Town you'll find a handful of the city's most prominent attractions, including the recently expanded Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, which houses an astounding collection of Spanish Colonial artifacts, plus traditional and contemporary regional art. Exhibits on geology, volcanoes, and dinosaurs await you across the street at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Also check out the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Zoo, and Rio Grande Botanic Garden. It's just a short drive from Old Town to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center as well as the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico, both of which have exhibits, cafes, and performances related to their respective cultures. Much of Albuquerque's gay scene is focused in the retro-hip Nob Hill neighborhood, a short drive east of downtown along Historic Route 66 (Central Avenue), which glows with the neon signs of coffeehouses. bars, greasyspoon diners, galleries, and boutiques selling everything from cool home-furnishings to campy giftsCentral Avenue fringes the southern edge of the University of New Mexico (UNM), whose noteworthy attractions include the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology and the University Art Maseum. The city sprawls a bit, and you need a car to venture out to some of the worthwhile outlying attractions. On the west side of town, visit Petroglyph National Monument to view some 25,000 rock drawings inscribed as far back as a thousand years ago along the 17-mile-long West Mesa escarpment. Drive east across town into the city's lofty foothills for a chance to ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to the crest of the 10,600-foot Sandia Mountains. The 2.7-mile ride is the longest aerial tramway in the world. At the top are observation decks, hiking trails, a visitor's center. and the High Finance Restaurant. On the north side of Albuquerque, you'll find the giamorous new Sandia Casino resort, which in addition to extensive gaming areas contains one of the city's best restaurants (Bien Shur, on the resort's rooftop), a brandnew luxury hotel and spa, and a golf course of considerable acclaim. The casino is close to Bailoon Fiesta Park, home to New Mexico's most famous festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This colorful hot-air balloon gathering - the world"s largest - takes place the first two weeks in October. At any time of year you can visit the park's AndersonAbruzzo international Balloon Museum, which opened in fall 2005. There are also a number of outfitters throughout Albuquerque offering hot-air balloon rides year-round; one of the most reliable is Rainbow Ryders. Albuquerque's already very good dining scene has improved dramatically just in the past few years. in the downtown area, don't miss gay-popu!ar Artichoke Cafe for first-rate Continental cooking in a romantic yet casual ambience. Thai Crystal is one of the city's top Asian restaurants, while the cozy Goid Street Gaffe serves up some of the ........ Continued next page. . Atw:efflsingin lfi~ STAIR/sjustgood business cents. Page6 Out of Town best breakfasts around, plus iight lunch and dinner fare, designer coffees, and delicious desserts. When in Old Town, book a table at elegant Ambrozia Cafe & Wine Bar, known for its quirky and inventive dishes, such as duck meatloaf with truffted cream corn, and lobster corn dogs with chipotle ketchup. In Nob Hill, the swanky Zinc Wine Bar and Bis~ro serves a memorable Sunday jazz brunch and terrific French-inspired dinner fare - try the crisp uck-confit egg rolls or mango creme brulee. Next door, y Fish serves tasty proof that it's possible to find super-fresh and creatively rendered sushi right in the heart of the des~rt. Talented chef Jennifer James is one of the leading new culinary stars of the Southwest, and you can sample her deftly prepared food at Graze, which specializes in affordable tapas-style small plates (she also owns the more formal Restaurant Jennifer James, a few miles north). Across the street, the upscale Gruet Steak House is run by the city's acclaimed Gruet Winery, which produces S?me ?f the nation's most respected champagne-style sparkling wines as well as commendable pinot noirs and chardonnays. Pre-clubbing gays and straights mix it ~ sophisticate~ Martini Grille which is lauded as much its tasty Amencan fare as fbr the fancy drinks served up in the schnazzy cocktail bar. Hang out among UNM students and other local hipsters at II Vicino, which serves out-of-this-world wood-fired pizzas and filling calzones, plus a nice array of leafy dinner- size salads. Try El Patio for some of the most authentic (and fiery) New Mexican cooking in town - be sure to sit on the tree-shaded The no-frills Frontier Restaurant is a 24/7 institution for its breakfast burritos and heavenly cinnamon buns - it's a real scene after the clubs close. Another must-do in Albuquerque is coffee and dessert at Flying Star, a bakery, restaurant, coffeehouse, and wine bar all rolled into one, with five locations around town, the gavest and coolest in Nob Hill and downtown. Among Albuquerque's six gay nightspots, Pulse draws th gest and wildest bunch for cruising and dancing stive patio and compact but fierce dance floor. Fans of line-dancing and two-stepping head to sprawling Sidewinders Ranch, which is owned by the same folks as Sidewinders in Palm Springs. Low-keyed Exhale (formerly Renea's} is the only lesbian bar in the state, although it pulls in of guys, too. The expansive Albuquerque Mining ers to a diverse crowd with its several bars, small dance area, and full volleyball court. The Albuquerque Social Ciub, a garden-variety video bar across the street from Pulse, attracts a fairly local following; guests are pennitted in this private club but must purchase a "membership" ( one year). The parking lot at Foxes ith beat-up pickup trucks, hints rish, and horny guys inside. main entertainment ue's lodging landscape is domin hotels, you'll find some distinctive historic properties and art-filled B&Bs, too. the latter, the beautifully restored Mauger Esta sits within easy walkin distance of downtown and Old Town. Anne Victorian has an ornate exterior, period antiques, wallpapers, and fabrics. Another property is Hacienda Antigua, a f ,ldadc>be hacienda northwest of downtown, filled with claw-foot tubs, wood carvings and Indian art, and beehive-shape kiva-style fireplaces. the historic La p grand dame, opened in 1939 by Conrad Hilton (who honeymooned here with Zsa Zsa Gabor). It's a stunning 10-story hotel in the heart of downtown. A few blocks west, the art deco Hotel Biue has simple but affordable rooms and a great location, making it one of the city's best bargains. Of the city's chain properties, the 17-story Albuquerque Marriott is a commendable, upscale choice with great views of the mountains. It's close to two shopping malls and a short drive from gay nightlife. And a 20-minute drive north of Albuauerque in the town of Bernalillo, the posh Hyatt Regency Tamaya offers the most lavish accommodations in the region. Amenities at this 500-acre resort on the. ~anta Ana Pueblo include a world-class spa, horseback riding, tennis, golf, superb restaurants, and ca_sino gaming. If you're looking for sumptuous Palm Springs-style glamour in the laid-back Duke City, look no further than this stunning resort, the perfect place to celebrate an ultra-romantic Southwest getaway. The Little Black Book Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (www.balloonfiesta. com). Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau (505-842-9918 or 800-284-2282, www.itsatrip.org; www.albuquerque300. or deta que Tncentennial events). Al uerque 1 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 505-881- 6800 or 800-334-208 , www.marriott.com). uerque Mining Co. (7209 Central Ave. NE, 505-255- que Social Club (4021 Central Ave. NE, 505-255- Cafe & Wine Bar (108 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 560). (424 Central Ave. 5-243-0200). 5 Central Ave., N 232-3474). arvard St. SE, 50 ' Flying tar 2 Centr;3I Ave. S 633; also downtown at 723 Silver Ave. SW 99). Foxes Lounge (8521 Central Av 5-3060). Graze (3128 Central Ave. SE, 50 . Frontier Restaurant (Cornell Dr. SE and Cen al Ave. SE, 505-266-0550). Gold Street Gaffe (218 Gold Ave. SW, 505-765-1633). Gruet Steak House (3201 Central Ave. NE, 505-256- WINE). Hacienda Antigua (6708 Tierra Dr. NW, 505-345- 5399 or 800/201-2986, www.hac~ier1da;ar ua). Hotel Blue (717 Central Ave. NW, 505-9 2400 or 877- 878-4868 www.thehotelblue.com). 9462). · Bernalillo, 505- att.com ). also 11225 t. NW. 505-242- 05 . , - __ 755 or -725-2477, WWW. . NW, 505-343-1554). 1-25 at Tramway Blvd., 505-796-7500 or .sandiacasino.com J. nch (8900 Central Ave. :::;E, 505-275-1616). 09 Gold Ave. SW. 505-244- and Bistro (3009 Central A . . 505-254- Dive April WE DO IT DIFFERENT in Eureka Springs, Arkansas! At our hlatoric Auditorium • For GLBT• & their Stra Pals to I (ov•r .,. to ral•• our •plrlt• an e th• Ozarlc• hlll• with lau11hter and GAYETYI TICKETS ONLINE - LIMITED SEATING/ Plus more events TBAI For DIVERSITY info & Diversity health outreach prevention education, Inc. 1-800-535-AI DS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline YOURSELF PROTECT YOl.:IR.PARTNER(S) * Free nonjudgmental HIV testing,· including the 20 minute OraQuick Test. * Free Sypht1/is screening at .the GLBT Community Centeron Tuesdaysf'roin 6-8pm H~O.P.E. :resting Clinic ; Mens·Outreach'P ..... In Tulsa at (918) . PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA or gays wanting to travel in the United States there are main gay cities, Palm Spri , California and Ft. le, Florida. Both cities ve a huge gay populah are extremely gay friendly. Both have at least f dozen gay resorts to stay and plenty of gay restaurants, bars and shops. n this column we will tell you about Palm Springs, Caliomia. It is located about 120 miles East of Los Angeles. hen flying in from the f:Aidwest or_ East you _can ei~her . y directly into Palm Springs or fly into Ontario, California hich is less expensive and is only about 50 miles \J\'est_ f Palm Springs. Since you will need to rent an auto It will ve you money to fly to Ontario. weather in Palm ngs is beautiful all r around except if you 't like weather over 100 grees then it is best not July and August. we love the dry heat we love going there in he summer when it is hot. ecember thru April it is very pleasant there. e dozens of gay stay however our is the TERORT (www.ter) and located st of downtown Palm Canyon toll free phone is: 1-866-837-7996. and hosts, Tom nd Doug Sems are of the best -'<'hen it to knowing how to their guests. he Terrazzo Resort has 12 guest rooms surrounding heated swimming pool, (clothing optional) of course, · · and tropical gardens. The resort has s that includes the finest of linens, dial phones, Lar TV, DVD, VCR CD player, indiclimate control, speed Internet access, pre- Judith Jackson bath amenities and wonderful soft oiquet robes for their guests. All rooms comes with a · , refrigerator, wet bar, hair dryer, iron and ironing rd. Don't have your lap top with you? Don't worry. you check your emails in their guest services room. Comentary breakfast is served each momin_g outside at _the . A complimentary gourmet lunch Is served daily lside. Complimentary beverages and snacks are available throughout the day. In addition to their Resort they also have a condoiapartment just a few blocks from the Resort which can rented on a monthly basis. Guests renting that can take full advantage of the Resort amenities including pool, etc. This is truly a fabulous resort for the gay traveler. It is the only gay resort in Palm Springs that we recommend. As we travel around the country we have noticed that many owners hire managers and that in itself can be a major problem. Tom and Doug are the owners AND managers and they control everything themselves to insure that each guest gets full attention. And full attention to every detail is what you at the Terrazzo. They have received many award and citations for their hi ality of service and accommodations. Tom and Doug ve their work and what they are doing and it shows! Be sure to check out their web site. Downtown is just a few short blocks from the Terrazz<? and is filled with major shopping, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and even an Indian Casino. They have about a doz bars in Palm Springs and they run the range from piano bars, disco bars and just about any type of bar you are looking for. The one great thing about staying in a major gay city is that the bars are always busy! And we do mean ALWAYS! So even if you are kinda shy you won't have any problems meeti someo~e in Springs. o left Melvyn' aurant) There is so much to see and do in Palm Springs. Lots of museums to visit, great restaurants and tons of ·ng to do. UST SEE is the FABULOUS PALM SPRINGS FOLLIES located downtown at 128 So. Palm Canyon Drive. It is a Las Vegas type show with singing, dancing and plenty of laughter. What makes the show so fabulous is that all the performers are over 55 and they are GREAT! There are numemus performing arts centers around the city and plenty of concerts to go to. There are dozens and dozens of restaurants in Palm Springs. After many years of going there our very favorite 1s still Melvyn's Restaurant located in the Ingleside Inn just a couple b!ocks West of downtown at 200 W. Ramon. It is just like stepping back to "Old Hollvwood". The food, the service and the atmosphere is PERF CT! Mel Haber, the owner knows how to keep h:s guests coming back year after year. According to Life Styles of the. Ric. and Famous it is rated one of the 10 best and we certainly agree! Continued next page: the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. Page 10 GAY TRAVELERS: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest vertical cable in the country and the view from the top is magnificent. Take your lunch with you and dine right in the mountains. Other options for Palm Spri are hiking, tennis or sightseeing in the Joshua National , the Living Desert or visiting the local Indian grounds. But of course the main reason to go to Palm Springs is for the people! And what a FABULOUS collection of friends we have made there over the years. Our best to Stefan, Millie, Jerry, Jim, Tyke and Wayne! Check out www.palmspringsgay.com before making your travel plans. For more information about traveling, email Donald and Ray at gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers. Willie Nelson Releases New Gay Cowboy Song. NASHVILLE, TN_Willie Nelson released his new song titled "Cowboys Are Secretly, Frequently (Fond Of Each Other)" on Valentines Day February 14th 2006. Are Secretly, Frequently (Fond Of Each Other)" wa in 1981 by Texas-born, NYC resident musician/ songwriter Ned Sublette, long before gay cowboys were the current topic of conversation. Nelson recorded the song last ar during an iTunes Originals session at his Perdernales, io. This is the first time Nelson's version has been released. Dolly Parton did a song for "Transamerica," Emmylou Harris cut a track for "Brokeback Mountain" and Willie Nelson released a gay Valentine's song. Is country the new gay genre? HIV positive participants, spectators to be welcomed into United States during the 2006 Chicago Gay Games 'Designated Event Status· clears U.S. entrance restrictions SAN FRANCISCO A U.S. federal blanket waiver has been approved allowing non-U.S. citizens living with HIV/ AIDS to travel to the United States to participate in or attend the Gay Games 2006. The Federation of Gay Games (FGG), an~ Chicago Ga~es, Inc. (CGI), announced today that the waiver comes with federal approval of Designated Event Status for Gay Games VII Sports & Cultural Festival set for 15-22 July 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. "Many people with HIV/AIDS and other life-affecting health issues have competed and set Masters-division records at past Gay Games, and we are happy that all participants from outside the United States once again will be able to travel freely to attend the Gay Games this summer," said Kathleen Webster, co-president of the international Federation of Gay Games. HIV positive p · · nts and attendees of Gay Games VII can now a a sin B-2 travel visa from their local U.S. consulate. isa, valid 8-28 July 2006, will be issued on a special form instead of being placed permanently in the person·s passport. "Achieving Designated Event Status demonstrates our dedication to the Gay Games principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™ and to our mission adfor full acceptance and recognition of all LGBT said Brian McGuinness, Gay Games Chicago Executive Director. "We are grateful to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (DIL) and the many CGI and FGG board, staff, volunteers and allies for helping us meet this important commitment to the HIV community." Information regarding procedures on how to apply for the B-2 visa at U.S. consulates in different countries will be available shortly on the FGG Web site at \~":N';N-~aygames. com) and the Chicago Gay Games eb site (www. gaygameschicago . .erg). For additionai information, lease contact Aimee Pine at the ~hi Ga~es, Inc. o,ffic:esat (773) 907-2006 or by email at mee.pme@gaygameschicago.org. Grand Opening ai Fort Smith's Newest Night Club. RED ROCK CITY By Bunky Walters The pizza delivery guy walked in just after 8 p.m. amid droningeleictnic drills, a symphony of cell phones and frenetic atter. But like an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," everything was hammered, painted and plu in by midnight for the grand opening of Red Rock C Fort Smith's newest party venue, at 917 N. A St. · At 10 p.m., music was already blasting in beat to the din of finishing touches being made inside the historic two-story building with a red stone walls - hence the name of the club. It's attractive yet calm exterior was in sharp contrast, though, to the play pin being created inside. Leading the whip-quick renovation was owner Andv Osburn, who stayed cool as Crystal throughout the evening. Osburn, by the way, also owns Kinkead's, just a couple blocks away at 1004 ½ Garrison Ave. When he wasn't lending a hand or answering his cell phone, Osburn paused occasionally in the VIP lounge near the cool metal grate-floored DJ booth, ave the dance floor. By 11 p.m., some of his friend s and Kansas City had arrived, and they made themselves at home in the lounge, which was decorated with leather chairs and ottomans situated around a large, wide-screen TV. Roses and orchids were another elegant touch to the room. Out the lounge door several steps away was the upstairs bar area, which has a dance floor, as well. It was packed with le by 11 :30 p.m., slinging back beer and sipping them up alongside buttery nipple and cocksucker shots were bartenders in black dress shirts, with the word "Rockers'; spelled out in red on each one. Not long after midnight, a voice on the mic invited folks to "shake their tail feathers." They promptly obliged, spilling down the confetti-carpetted stairs to the new dance floor. The anced to everything from Salt 'n' Pepa to Depeche ,de, s1~oc1tina b,oots and scuttling about to the rhythm of the pounding bass. Every now and then, there were quick whooshes from the fog machine, blanketing the crowded dance floor. And it mig~t hav~ been chilly outside,. but it didn't keep a obv1ol!s gym _memberships from whipping o d shaking their bottoms under the dazzling disco lights of the club's exposed rafters. Not that but I had a ball and a half that night OK, two. te the nail-biting push of the midnight deadline, the club threw a flawless party. And I have no doubt they'!i continue to send folks in Fort Smith · and sweating to awesome beats and fabulous for many, many weekends to come. Speaking of coming, you should. Red Rock City is open 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and 6 p.m.-midnight Sunday. · , either call (479) 242-CITY or visit _GLBT Magazine. . Page 1.2 .. NINTH ANNUAL RED RIBBON GALA, SET FOR TULSA MARCH 11, 2006. Above left to right: Kim Wood -Chairperson RRG, Shane Carter - Channel 2 Meteorologist and Master of Ceremonies, Pat Chernicky- President Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. TULSA, OK_Aa in the past, a sea of red wili encompass distinguished guests and friends of Tulsa C.A.R.E.'s RRG, as they arrive at one of Tulsa's most elegant and worthwhile affairs. Again this year, the event will be held at Southern Hills Country Club on Saturday, March 11th. Set in an atmosphere that only Southern Hills can create, the room will be ablaze with fabulous flower arrangements created by board member Toni Garner. Kim Wood, Gala Chairperson and Peter Walter, realtor extraordinaire, Gala Honorary Chairperson wiil welcome guests to a feast for the senses that will include the finest cuisine by Southern Hills Chef Devin Levine, complimented by fine wines. A portion of the festivities wili include both a silent and live auction offering stellar iist of antiques, furniture, original artwork, masterfully created jewelry, private dinner parties, special inteiest classes to name a few. A new feature this year, a special raffle of fine jewelry created by Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. board member Susan Sadler, wi!I be held during the event. Ali attending are encouraged to "just wear red" ... the color of AIDS awareness and a symbol of compassion for those affected by the disease. The Red Ribbon Gala is the largest fundraising activity for Tulsa C.A.R.E.S (Center for AIDS Resources, Education and Support). Ani:i, this year the event has received a tremendous "kick off'' for 2006 with the generous grant from the George Kaiser Famiiy Foundation and Bank of Oklahoma Foundation as Presenting Sponsor. A United Way agency, Tuisa C.A.R.E.S has been in existence since 1991. Executive Director , Sharon Thoeie, credits the generosity of the board members and donors of the difference they make for some of the community's most needy members. She states: "the best part of the Red Ribbon Gala is that it supports the ongoing efforts of Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. to provide a safe haven for low-income men, women and children with HIV/AIDS throughout northeastern Oklahoma. 2 marks the 15th anniversary of providing support services to the individuals no one wanted to serve. Without the proceeds from the Red Ribbon Gala our ability to provide these crucial services would cease." Board President, Patricia Chernickv, adds: "the RRG is not only a fabulous evening of food, fun and friends, but the money raised from the event provides the organization with the financial resources to serve over 450 individuals. HIV does not affect o up of people, it affects us all." RRG Chairperson, Kim also contributes: "A tremendous op · is provided through the RRG to provide support to Isa CARES so that the organization can continue to provide the services for those patients and families affected by the devastating disease." The Red Ribbon Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. with flowing red cocktails, stimulating conversation and a Ii silent auction and raffle. Dinner foilows at 7:30 p.m. w live auction commencing around 9:00 p.m. Dancing to music provided by "The Hero Factor" will begin at 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $150.00 per person. Sponsorship packages and reservations for priority seating are available. For more information, contact Bruce Lewis at (918) 834-4194. PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PRESENTS MIXED BAG ON HIV/AIDS WASHINGTON - President Bush's budget proposal, released yesterday, presents a mixed bag on HIV/AIDS, with modest funding increases in care and treatment programs, additional cuts in Medicaid and a dangerous increase in abstinence-only programs that keep thorough, scientific information out of the hands of those who need it most. "For the sake of hundreds of thousands of Americans living with HIV and AIDS, we can and we must do more," said Human Rights Campaign President joe Solmonese. "We welcome the president's attention to the critical needs facing HIV/AIDS programs, yet the new funding does not make up for the years of shortcomings and huge proposed cuts that may harm beneficiaries in other areas." The largest proposed HIV/AIDS increase is for the president's $188 million domestic AIDS initiative, with money split between the Ryan White CARE Act and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We need a comprehensive and targeted strategy to combat this virus - particularly in at-risk communities and among people of color," said Soimonese. "Attention to this continually growing trend is long overdue." There are more African Americans among new AIDS cases, people estimated to be living with AIDS and H!V-reiated deaths than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Continued .. Aids Budget-page 23 IN RESPONSE 1'0 YOUR. PERSONAL AD LOOKING FOR. SOMEONE WMO CAN11' S1"AND GAYS AND LES&IANS. I L Fl E - ' Oklahoma City ur 5th Anniversary 3 Days of Quality Workshops, Vendors, Great Piains Olympus Contests, Cigar Smoker, Saints and Sinners Costume Contest, Many Free Prizes, Play Parties, other Social Activities, NLA-1 AGM and as always, a surprise or two! Only $125 if registered by April 21 ! Group Discounts for 6 or more! Vendor Market is FREE and Open to the Public www. ibalfire .com the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. Page 14 I & THE BOYS Pack'em In At Club Maverick! by Greg Steele TULSA, OK_ Mary, Schellye, Brenda, Paula, & Valerie known as Tulsa's Moodswing Band certainly have the art of entertaining down pat. With st guitarist Betsy Smittle and the Boys, Brad in, Mark Dodson, Eric Daughtery, and Mike Busby, entertained a standing room only crowd at Tulsa's Club Maverick on January 27th. Just another example of the talent we in Oklahoma are fortunate enough to have in our GLBTA community. A five piece all female band, Moodswing has been together for two years. They have played at many events including Tulsa Pride Picnic, OKC Pride Picnic, Tulsa's Mayfest, The Women's Music Festival in Dripping Springs, Texas, the Sooner State Rodeo in Tulsa and Diversity Pride · Fall Festivai in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. And continue to draw big crowds at Oklahoma City and Tulsa nightclubs. They are currently working on their 2nd CD and hope to release it this summer. Their 1st CD "Moodswing" was cut two years ago. The boys were fantastic! Si · a variety of songs, delighted the crowd with their ta ent dUiing the band intermission. A very professional group and a wonderfully entertaining evening. Is there a Shelter agent for you? Call today to learn more about our services. Serving the community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866)208-9480 gtainte helterinsurance.com Auto - Home - Life - Business Crystal Meth.u The Satanic Brew Crippling the Gay Communi By jimmy pa!mieri Crystal Meth ... The Satanic Brew Crippling the Gay Community Meth, Tina, speed, chalk, ice, rock, glass are all street names for the dnJa meth amphetamine. This noxious recipe of chemica s, that may include, but are not limited to. ephedrine, crystai drain cieaner, bleach, battery acid and nail poiish remover, among others, has the capability of destroying lives more quickly than any iilicit drug currently availabie. It is so addicting to some, that after the first try, so strong is the craving to use again, that all else becomes secondary. Seek Shelter Today! • urn Sales Associate ION DOLL.AR PRODUCER" 8)49~2252 .3Tl tc,1 (918,)491-~?t ' '.,.· ", •, ', ,·',' , Crystal meth has taken a strong hold on the gay and iesbian community, with a particular ven ance on gay males for a variety of reasons. The of meth make the user less inhibited, and more euphoric in mindset. This is particularly enticing to gay men, who may have been admonished by their families, not accepted by their peers at school, or have not fit into what even their own community deems acceptable. Society has continually isolated s and lesbians, leaving many with the desire or need into some type of adopted crowd or fa1 Meth is sadly, the common thread among many of the enfranchised. Meth a!so has the distinct capability of making men more libidinous, thereby making their feelings of inhibitions ali the more exaggerated. This has created a devastating paralle! between meth addiction, and HIV infection. www.Tulullaverlck.co111 9111 a Sllarldan, Tulsa, OK 918.aaL3301 THE T ith Sp iai Gu t E CEE John Pendal lnternatio I r. Leather 2003 Fri, Sat, & Sun March :I. 7th - :I.9th Fri - 10pm Meat & Greet @ Club Maverick Sat - 1.0pm Contest @ Club Maverick Sun - :1:l:30am Victory Brunch@ Metro Diner A History of Violence Anti-gay violence is on the rise -- not just in the U.S., but all over the world. !"- Swt:dish we~site lists 129 well-known gay individuals, 1~cluding pr(!minent actors, musicians, broadcasters, politicians and priests, and calls for their death. Despite having one of the world's toughest laws against the promotion of hate, Sweden's _chief prosecutor says he is powerless to shut down the site because it frames its death threats in the form of Biblical quotes. Britain is in the midst of a homophobic crime wave that has esc~lated to the PC?int that police have urged the LGBT ?ommurnty to u~e _caution when going out. A young man m Londonderry 1s rn danger of losing his eye after a recent attack, and it wasn't the first time he'd been assaulted. A g~y couf?le_ near London almost lost their home, and pos~ 1bly th_eir life, w~en they discovered someone had pushed 1nc~nd1ary maten~I through their mail slot, starting a fire in their hallw~y. Fortunately, they were able to extinguish the nre before 1t spread. In another incident a lesbian couple was pelted with snowballs that had sto~es and broken glass embedded in them. Police say they believe there have been dozens of other cases throughout the country that have gone unreported. Officials believe that the number of homophobic attacks on has increased with the publicity over civil partnerships, ich became legal in December. In_ New Bedford, Massachusetts, a community about 50 miles south of Boston, a violent attack rocked a lar gay club. A young man, 18 year old Jacot1 RcJbic struck a customer in the head with a hatchet before shoo two others. As I'm writing this, Robida is still on the run ile his victims remain in the hospital -- one in critical condition. When police searched Robida's room, they discovered Nazi a. The teen is being sought on charges of attempt murder, assault and civil-rights violations. What is behi~d this.increase in homophobic violence? Almost certainly, as the British officials stated it's due to increased publicity as gay rights issues have taken center stage in countries all over the worid. It's nothi new. Mankind h_~s a hist?ry of violence. especially concerns ~ trad1t1~:mally do~ntr?~d~n group trying to claim equality. During the 60 s c1v1I nghts movement it was violence ag~in~t blacks. '.he ignorant always resort to violence when their status quo 1s threatened. When the people the bigot has always demeaned and reviled suddenlv dare to stand up for themselves and demand rights, the bigot will lash out. It's no surprise th~ big~ts are worked up right now. Gay are one of tne biggest issues in the world right now. ng almost every state and country around the globe. Almost every political race is influenced by gay rights, and barely a day goes by when you don't see some LGBT-related story in the media. !n Canada_'s recent e_lec~ion, gay marriage was a crucial issue. Dun_ng campaigning, qonservative leader Stephen Harper claimed that overturning Canada's equal marriage law would be one of his first priorities. The Tory Party did win the election, but the results were less about rights than a country unwilling to trust a scandal-ridde ral ;. Fortunately, with a minority government even smaller he Liberals before them, the Conservatives will most likely be unable to change the marriage law. Continuing his homophobic policies, President Bush renewed his attack on gay families in his recent State of the Union Address. Addres · a joint session of Congress the p~esident said that "ma ericans, especially parents, still have deep concerns about the direction of our culture and the health of our most basic institutions. They are ' concerned about unethical conduct by public officials. and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage." "Trying to draw comparisons between the reprehensible ~cts of ~nethic~I politicians with fair and independent Judges 1s both ridiculous and wrong," said Joe Solmonese. president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). · Not is it ridiculous, but by continually demonizing gay and ian families, President Bush and other outspoken ns fan the flames of hatred. if someone like Jacob a already believes that gays are evil sinners then hearing the president make antigay statements only confirms that belief in his mind. The crusading Religious t, with their fire and brimstone wailing, will I fL1rtt1er rce those feelings. If he is already unbalan or prone to violence, it's just a matter of time before that hate will build to the point that it erupts into violence. What can we do to stem the tide of violence? There's an old proverb that says something along the lines of "in order to avoid repeating history, we have to learn from the past." If there's anything we can learn from the Black civil rights movement, it's that we have to keep fighting for equality. We can't let fear defeat us. We have to stand up against the bigots and hatemongers and demand our rights. So how do we do that? Vote! One of the easiest we can do to make a difference is elect fair-minded, p ressive officials. The only way to stop the homophobic cians is to get them out of office. Support gay-positive legislation and defeat antigay measur~ s. Many st~~E:~ are brin9i gay i~sues to the polls. We caf'! t afford to sit 1dly oy while ant1gay forces muster !heir troops with military precision. State after state is passmg same-sex marriage bans while other states struggle to P'.3Ss.antidiscrimination laws. Our opponents are well-organized and we!i-funded, so that makes it all the more important that we pay attention, spread the word. and vote Also don't be afraid to contact your representatives and let the~ ~now your feelings_ o~ important issu~s. As HRC president Joe _Solmones_e sa1_? rn,.reterence to the ~tt~cks at the gay bar rn MassacnuseLts, When a man walKs rnto a bar, asks Continued next page HEART TO HEART if it's a gay bar and starts shooting, there couldn't be any more glaringly obvious and enraging example that we need uniform hate crimes law and that Congress has stubbornly failed to act." Come out and speak up! This is perhaps the hardest, yet most important thing we can do as gay men and women. Coming out is a powerful statement that has been proven to change hearts and minds again and again. If you're already out, speak up. If your friends, family, and coworkers don't understand how these issues affect you, then how can they care? The mor o know and understand how homophobia adversely s their loved ones, the more allies we'll have on our side. I don't believe we are doomed to repeat history -- not if we can learn from the past and work together to create a better future. In 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love." That message is as true today as it was then. Let's learn from our history and move forward in love. The views expressed in this column are my opinions only. You don't have to agree with them. I just ask that you read them \vith an open heart and mind. Isa's ouncil ak en's horale oncert eason 2006 "A Musical Feast" Thursday, May 11 Friday, May 12@ 8 PM Saturday, May 13 @ 8 PM "Summer in the City" Friday, August 25 @ 8 PM Saturday, August 26 @ 8 PM Williams Theater Tulsa Performing Arts Center For more information and ticket sa!es cai! (918) 748-3888 or go to: www.counciloak.org Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $26.95 v.rill be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: , Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: _____________ _ ,~,ddress: ________________ _ City: ________ St: __ .Zip: ____ _ Phone: _________ _ Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: ______ _ FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing the last Sunday of each month b::tween 5PM and 6PM. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sundav Service 6PM Your Invited to our Communitv Dinner Everv \'(Ted. 0 ,.,. _\ ..._,. t _ d -· 6-pm Just ~4.0li. No one 1s curne awav. . Lesbian Notions by Libby Post MARCH 2006 "STRANGE BEDFELLOWS" The Bush administration's homophobia has gone international. At the United Nations recently, the United States joined with some of the most repressive governments to deny two international LGBT gro vernmental organization (NGO) observer status it comes to marginalizing the LGBT community, this administration will cozy up with anyone. Administration buddies like the American Family Association and Focus on the Family have been joined on the international scene by countries such as China, Zimbabwe, and Iran. Yes, you read that right - Iran. We may demonize that country publicly, but when it comes to privacy issues, George is a political whore. He'll become political bedfellows with anyone - an individual, an organization, or, in this case, a country he considers our sworn enemy - to further his radical°Christian right crusade against the LGBT community. Who would have been hurt if the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians (LBL) were allowed to speak for the LGBT community at the United Natio.ns' Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which advises the international organization on economic and social issues? After all, there are 634 NGOs affiliated with ECOSOC. We're talking about groups like the Humane Society, the American Jewish Congress, and Greenpeace. But we're also talking ab like Focus on the Family, Feminists for Life of ica, the National Right to Life Education Trust Fund, and the Alliance for Marriage. I think it would only be fair tq balance out some of the homophobic political perspectives inherent in some of these organizations with a few LGBT voices But instead of a fair hearing - which ali othei NGOs who have requested representation have gotten - ILGA's and LBL's requests were summarily dismissed without any discussion. The dismissal, which was done by the ECOSOC NGO committee, happened after ILGA and LBL went through the rather exhausting process that got them to the point where they could even ask for a hearing. All of this was preceded by the behind-the-scenes maneuvering of Egypt and the Organization of Islamic Conferences to exclude the two groups. Rosanna Flamer Caldera, co-secretary general of ILGA, which ents a worldwide network of more than 400 LGBT zations, considers the exclusion "a clear violation of due process and an attempt to discriminate against LGBT NGOs on procedural grounds." Some may shrug their shoulders at the U.S. actions. But as 40 LGBT and LGBT-allied organizations pointed out to Secietary of State Condoleezza Rice in a Jan. 25 letter, the United States voted yes when the entire ECOSOC body voted in 2002 to include ILGA as an NGO. The groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Human Rights Watch, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National Black Justice Coalition, asked Rice if it was now our country's policy to "oppose consultative status for all organizations working to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people." If it is, this flies in the face of the State Department's own reporting on severe human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The department's 2004 report on Iran chronicled the executions of men. Its report on Zimbabwe noted that President Ro Mugabe has consistently denounced gays and lesbians, blaming them for "Africa's ills." So the question begs to be answered - how can the United States recognize human rights atrocities against LGBT people in other countries, yet refuse to give those who are repressed a voice in bringing that repression to light? We were more than happy to give voice to the Chinese students in Tiananmen Square who bristled against the yoke of that country's communist regime. Today, we're all about building democracy in Iraq. But let LGB stand up and speak for themselves? Never. And how make sure LGBT people won't be heard? We get into bed with our political enemies. If ever there was a situation that shows how morally bankrupt this administration is, this is it. I don't think Condi's written a response yet. But this year, there will be two great opportunities for the international LGBT community to respond for ourselves and shed light on the United States' complicity. ILGA's next world conference will be in Geneva from March 27-April 3, the same time the U.N. Commission on Human Rights will be in that city, and where the Commission's on-going discussion about sexual orientation and human rights is sure to continue. Later, in the summer, some 2,000 LGBT activists from around the globe will converge in Montreal from July 26-29 for the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, which is sponsored by OutGames, an international LGBT sporting event that takes place right after the conference. "Our ultimate goal with this conference is to adopt what we're calling the 'Montreal Declaration,' an unequivocal affirmation that LGBT right are human rights," said Louise Roy, CEO of the conference and OutGames. "Once passed, we will do everything in our power to bring that resolution to the United Nations." It may be easy for our administration to ignore the events in Geneva. But when thousands of LGBT folks g miles north of our border, it wili be a bit more d turn a blind eye to the injustices we face each and every day and our collective resolve to stop them. Or, at least, it should be. EDITOR'S NOTE: One of Libby Post's firms, OutMarketing. biz, has been retained by Outgames Montreal 2006 to coordinate the event's United States' public relations activities. This column expresses her opinion and not that of her clients. The 0zar1<s STAR since 2003 ast Out by Liz Highleyman MARCH 2006 Summary : Past Our is a retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT historv. Each , ' installment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. February 1976 (30 years ago this month): British figure kater John Curry wins an Olympic gold medal. y is figure skating s As the most artisti etic events, figure skating is ely believed to be teeming with gay men - and, indeed, of the most renowned elite male skaters have been ·sexual. But the sport's fey reputation is I to the perceived gender nonconformity ants. It is impossible to know now whether early champion ater~ such as Jackson Haines, a ballet dancer by training o pioneered the modern artistic form of figure skating in 1860s, were queer. Lorrie Kim, creator of the Rainbow website, has compiled a list of 20 elite gay male skatrs, but only a few publicly revealed their sexuality while ey were champion contenders. American Ronnie Robertson, the 1956 Olympic silver edalist, was exposed as his former coach Mi- Kirby, in a memoir the of Robertson's (2000). The "Nureyev of the Ice, reat Britain's John reportedly made a little-noticed announcement that e was press conference shortly before winning e 19 c gold medal. The bronze medalist that r, Toller ston of Canada. mentioned affairs with men and women in his two- · :ihi,es; during 1973 World Championships, , he was se- Czech skater Ondrej Nepela, who went on to best red Cranston and win the title. In 1992, another was next after Cu come out during his competitive career; Hali ikely holds re skater to appear Fallen ngtime nadian champion Brian Orser was out when ex-boyfriend filed a palimony lawsuit. The best-known queer figure skater, Rudy Galindo - who "an openly gay trailer-trash ached the highest levels of pairs skating then-partner, Kristi Yamaguchi, when she decided on singles competition. After several years of , ances, a bout with alcohol and drug and the loss of his brother and two coaches to alindo went on to win the 1996 U.S. Nationals. his own HIV diagnosis and the cement of both Galindo has reoeatedlv challe, conservative rid - for example: performing to "Somewhere ainbov( and a medley of Village People songs, ueer ehte male skaters have included U.S. naRobert Wagenhoffer (who had long-term mmantic relationships with former junior champion Billy Lawe and professional show skater Sylvain Beauregard) champion ice dancer and choreographer Rob McCall, ' 1978-80 Canadian national champion Brian Pockar and former Dutch n~tional champion Edward van Campen; all but Beauregara and van Campen died of AIDS. Galindo once estimated that 98 percent of elite male skaters are ~traight. But "in the real trenches of show skating," according to openly gay skater Christopher Nolan, "guys are out all over the place." Many male figure skaters have described the harassment they received for pursing a sport considered to be queer. In reaction, skaters such as Kurt Browning, Philippe Candeloro, and Elvis Stojko emphasized a macho image and athletic .style !n the 199~s; others, including three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss, regularly show off their wives and children. Current U.S. national champion and top Olympic contender Johnny Weir has tripped the gaydar of many with his flamboyant outfits and effeminate mannerisms, though he has yet to explicitly state his sexual orientation. Despite its queer reputation, the skating establishment has long mandated strict gender roles. Although things have come a long way since officials at the 1920 Olympics scolded Theresa Weld for performing an "uni ke" jump some judges still look askance at male skate o do too' many spins and spirals. So strict are the gender conventions that pie gold and bronze medalists Katarin mas provoked shock by performing in nontraditional costumes such as knee breeches and full-length leotards, p~ompting t~e spo.rt's st governing body, the International Skating Union (I to institute a rule that female competitors must wear skirts that cover their derrieres. While male skaters are often assumed to be gay, the sport's requisite femini renders queer women invisible. There are no openly le or bisexual women skaters among the elite ranks, though some of today's female champion contenders are so young that it may be premature to speculate about their sexuality. But a number of queer women participate in nonelite adult competition. including International Gay Figure Skating Union cofounder Laura Moore, who started skating at age 32 after divorcing her husband and coming out as a lesbian. Ironically, no sport emphasizes the appearance of hete~osexuality more tha~ competitive pair skating and ice dancing. The ISU regulation that teams must consist of "a man and a lady" has caused grief for elite skaters who wish to perform with same-sex partners. The ISU does not sanction events that do not adhere to its rules, but the inter nati?nal_ Ice Skating Institute and son:ie national governing ~odIes, _includ I S1:ateis Figure Skating Associat; on and offer sanctions or waivers for the Gay Games and similar events. "[T]he thrili of seeing a, op,enly gay pair team h_as nothi do with triple jumps," said Moore, who won tne 1994 y Games ice dance competition with her partner, Linda Carney. For further reading: Brennan, Christine. 1996, _Inside Edge: A Revealing Journey into the Secret World of Figure Skating_ (Anchor), Galindo, Rudy, and Eric Marcus. 1997. Icebreaker: The Autobiography of Rudy Galindo_ (Pocket Books). Rainbow Ice - http://www.plover.com/rainbowice/ Page22 CITY LIFE: 1930s and 1940s and their successors with 68 works by artists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro S ros as well as related works by Luis Nishizawa and Gu r Gerzso. Mexican Masters expresses the hopes, desires, idealism, and culture of early twentieth-century Mexico through its artists. From the Mexican Revolution and Spanish Civil War to the Second World War, violent revolution and dramatic social change-both nationally and internationally-shaped the ideals of Mexico and its people. The Carrillo Gil Collection was molded by these principles, and the works it includes portray not only the artists' reactions to revolution, depression, and industrialization, as well as the impact of religion and need for social reform, but also the collector's. Mexican Masters pays humble recognition to Mexico's violence, war, and suffering, the United States Depression, and the artists' subsequent impression of inhumanity in an industrialized nation. For more information visit okcmoa.com. AIDS BUDGET: Among the president's proposals: Medicaid - our nation's largest provider of HIV/AIDS treatment and care - would face cuts of $5 billion over five years and $12 billion over 10 years, forcing those trimmed from Medicaid rolls to seek care through programs that are already overextended and under-funded. also pro cutting $15 million Nationa Institutes of Health and increases abstinence-only education funding by $28 million. State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs would receive $70 million under the president's plan to ease the waiting lists IDS program would receive a welcomed increase of $14 million et this is short of what is necessary to meet s needs. rge Congress to edicaid instead of weaken it, and put sound science over ideology in educational programs," added Solmonese. 1/12TH PAGE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE in the CALL FOR RATES 91 B.B35.7B87 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service. Advice Column! Kittens, as the whirlwind month of love has once more blown its course, Let us wipe the proverbial love awav from our chin, and move forward. Uncle spent most of the mont~ exhausted\y entertaining. A man briefly touched me; so briefly, uncle did not realize he had already reached the climatic point in the relationship. Alas Uncle finding himself once more on the hunt while looking for a aood man. Leaving me asking the uestion, how can someone be so bootylecious and such ty at the same time? Hmm I have to ponder that for a while. After seeing the much taiked about "Brokeback", Uncle f?und himself_ inspired to take riding lessons. After a positively productive week at the horse farm, while working with the trainer, Uncle has joined country riders everywhere. It took sweat, and teacs. One must be dedicated while working to achiev:3 ~ goal. ! have decided that next month, I may graduate to ndmg a horse. You know what they say Rome was not built in a day, baby steps! ' This mon~h Uncle has received several letters asking abo~t ~e~mg revenge on a lover's betrayal. Well, Kittens, Uncie Is Just shocked. A ay man, after revenge; it is just n?.t donea€l Snicker s · Kittens, taking the higher road w1il always allow you to mature into a well rounded. wonderfully developed, lo · responsible adult. Uncle ·encourages g~od karma, as w spiritual and personal growth. That said, karma helps those who help themselves. This month i dedicate my words of wisdom to a!I those ~ho h?ve found tha~ strange strap under the bed, hidden ooots m the closet, text message from the blonde Twink in the gym, who despite his physically delicious self, cant not seem to manage a sentence stiUcture. Since Uncle has given you pearls, let's get to the good stuff. The following is an actual list of carefully planned out exercises in revenge which uncle has used over the years. I am sure the men who each were carefully inspired by, will have a mo~ent of ~ecall whi!e reading a bit of their own history here m Uncles corner m Queerdom. Each one primed for specific levels of revenge. Kittens, a side dish served best when cold, I believe I feel a bitte; wind blowing in as we speak, bundle up kittens, it is going to be a rather frosty month of march. 12) Sleep with his best friends. Expected, yet sucker punch in the gut. 11) Take your self-shopping with his credit cards buying yourself that well deserved, while also delicious, little outfit you have always wanted. You have earned it. I mean the time on your knees alone warrants it. 10) Delivering a message to his co-workers that the clinic calla~ '.3nd you ~eed to speak to him _urgently, allowing all gossIpmg hags m ear shot to hear this, will defiantly deliver a certain message. 9) Informing the mother out of concern, of a horrible drug problem. Of course, this being the reason you have to leave him. • 8) Did I mention sleep with his closets and dearest friends? Oh, come now don't look at me that way. You have been eyeing them all along anyway. 7) Donate the bulk of his wardrobe to a nearby good will. Charity begins at home. 6) During conversations of the extreme vibe of hostility he is receiving from you, serve him a delicious cup of ex-lax cappuccino. This will allow for a few moments of him-time he so truly needs. 5) Go on Jerry and tell it all, going for the Emmy , for betrayed love interest. 4) Enter local hook up site under his name, hooking up with t~e _troll of all trolls,_ inviting h!m over unexpected by said vIctIm of course. Kitten, helping others is important. 3) Ciean the oven with his favorite label, leavina it in a pot on the stove. Cleanliness is next to cherliness. ~ 2) Announce to all of your friends, your inability of coping with on more night of his constant weeping after sex. ~) Deliver his t~ings, in a. box to his job with a note saymg good-bye, makmg sure his favorite sex toys are leaking onto the reception desk! Well there, it is in a nutshell. All is fair in love and revenae Kittens, I would wear a cup, this could be a full contact ~ sport d~pendinQ on the players involved. Those of you ?etermmed against bette~ advice, to foll~w this vengeful Journey, now have your flight plan. Sock !t and rock it, until the cockcrows, or feels your wrath, whichever one comes first. Until next time, smooches from your favorite guru, and Tlddles too! The Ozarks $TAR'slnce 20f)3 ·. Do Gays Have a Choice? Whether homosexuality is a genetic redisposition or a product of environmental factors haE; be,en hotly debated for the past several decades. The heart of the matter is: Does a person have a choice about his or her sexuality? Science att~mpts to answer this compelling question in the feature article "Do Gays Have a Choice?" in the February/March issue of Scientific American Mind. New York, NY (PRWEB) - Whether homosexuality is a genetic predisposition or a product of environmental factors has been hotly debated for the past several decades. The he~rt of the matter is: Does a person have a choice about his or her sexuality? Science atte answer this com · g question in the feature article ays Have a Cho . " in the February/March issue of Scientific American Mind. In addition to learning the science behind the matter, one may take the test and find out "How Gay Are You?" on Scientific American Mind's Web site (www.sciammind. com). According to the article's author, Robert Epstein, a Harvard- trained PhD, sexual orientation is not a black or white matter; rather, he concludes that sexuality falls on a continuum with heterosexuality and homosexuality at opposite ends. People may be attracted to members of both sexes b · determined by both genetics and their environment. n explains that genes determine wh~re '!"~ start but society exerts tremendous pressure on the md1v1dual to conform. Because the majority of people are "straight," most of us become heterosexual. The article also discusses the possibility of an individual changi sexual orientation. Whereas some people have as,serted that genes alone determine sexual orientation and that changing from gay to straight is not possible, others ha ued that homosexuality is a learned behavior and th 10ic:e.Epi;tein V11r,tes that changing orientation is possible for people whose sexuality lies toward the middle of the Sexual Orientation Continuum, but for most gay people such a switch would be very difficult if not impossible. "Do Gays Have a Choice?" presents a new school of thought that an individual's sexual orientation is not black or white, straight or gay. Instead an individual's sexual orientation falls along a continuum. To take the sexual orientation quiz visit http://www.sciammind. com, which will be available on Feb. 2, 2006 1 / 1 2TH PAGE CLASSiF"IED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F'□ R RATES 9 1 B.S35.78B7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcgiobaLnet Irish Soda Bread 1 cup curants 2 cups unbleached flour 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 3/4 teaspoon caraway seed 1 /4 teaspoon salt 1 cup nonfat yogurt 1 cup nonfat milk Heat oven to 375 degrees, soak curants in hot water for about 5 minutes and drain. In a large mixing bowl, mix both flours, baking soda, baking powder, caraway seed, salt and curants, mix well. In a separate bowl mix yogurt plus milk until smooth, slowly add wet ingredients to the dry mixture until we\l blended. Flour hands and divide dough into 2 !oafs, slightly flatten dou onto a non stick baki sheet a~out 8 inches. across. a X on top of each , bake for about 30-35 minutes or untii you can tap on it and it sounds hollow, and serve warm. lip: Serve with French Onion Soup, it's great! HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY! Q Scopes by Jack Fertig MARCH 2006 "Pay your debts, Aquarius!" Mercury turning retrograde in Pisces spreads confusion, and he's squaring Pluto. This makes people dig in their heels, insisting they are right (which is usually wrong), or it challenges cooler heads to do research. Venus in Capricorn eases the stress; do your best to be mature and serene. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Avoid silly arguments by focusing on your own problems and cleaning out your baggage. The right balance of humility and confidence and support from a woman in charge will help you get ahead. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Dares, challenges, and temptations from friends should be considered very carefully, if at all. Better to rely on your usual common sense. If you're hu for a new experience, check out local museums or a fore film. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): If you must make any public presentations, double-check every detail, and be prepared to handle any screw-ups with good humor. If you come under attack, look for underlying motives. You could charm an apparent enemy into becoming a very good friend. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You're better off listening to disputes than participating in them - unless you really want intense criticism. Still, arguments could be educational, and being very open-minded will make you look mighty attractive. LEO (July 23 -August 22): Refresh yourself on safe-sex information and techniques. Make sure to get the info first! Other fun and games are especially risky now. Be very careful of any sort of sporting injury. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Don't argue with your partner about probl~ms around the home. Take a creative approach and suggest constructive solutions, even if they're only only a temporary fix. Or agree to start analyzing problems so they can be solved later. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Most accidents happen around the house, but home looks more like your safety zone now. Still, be careful, and even more so out on the streets. Stay focused when you drive. Don't let problems distract you! SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21 ): A creative biock could have · e repercussions. Write a letter to a sister or aunt - or no·t yc,u have one, and even if you don't maii. it. The exercise o writing wili help you to focus on whatever is hanging you up right now. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Your natural reaction to problems at home is to stand firm and counterattack. Resist that impulse. Shopping, preferably with housemates, actually helps! Think ahead about what you need, and take your time looking for it. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Although small disasters abound, do your best to maintain a calm, mature demeanor. Every problem has a solution. Track each one to its roots; consult with whomever you must. The clean-up process will uncover new strengths, and annoyances may then prove blessings in disguise. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Dig up receipts and records, but let any real work on your taxes wait until late March. Trying to collect on debts from friends can be even more contentious than usual. Let that wait, too! Paying your own debts will save a lot of trouble. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Be careful of what you say and where you say it. Your mouth could get you into trouble with the boss or other authorities. Letting off steam and preparing important arguments with friends will help. But avoid those arguments unless they are absolutely necessary! 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Gkcstone .. 417-881-8444 Oz Bar - 504 E. Commercial - Ronisuz Place- --821 College- 4F-831-900l Oklahoma, Lawton riangles- - 29 SW "D" Ave- - 580-351-0620 Oklahoma, McAlester fcPride- - - - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) merican Crossroads B¾B - POBox 270642-495-1111 om Room- 2807 NW 36th Sr- - 405-601-7200 lub Rox- - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy - 405-947-2351 risties Toy Box- 3126 N. May Ave - - 4 05-946-4438 stern Ave Video- 1105 S Eastern Ave- 405-672-6459 inish Line -2200 NW 39th fapwy- - 405-525-0730 ushers Restaurant-2200 NW 39Exp - -4 05-525-0730 ollywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex- - - 405-947-2351 abana Inn - 2200 NW 39th Exp- -405-528-2221 1221 NW SOth- - - - 405-843-1722 2200 NW Expwy- - - -405-524-5733 armers- - -2805 NW 36th St - - - 405-942-2199 riscilla's- 615 E. Memorial - - - - - -405-755-8600 d Rock North-2240 NW39th St- - - -405-525-5165 - - 2120 NW' 39th St --405-521-9533 405-528-4690 e Rockies-• -3201 N. May Ave - - - 403-947-9361 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) amboo Lounge- 7204 E. Pine -918-836-8700 order's Book Store-2740 E. 21st- - 918-712-9955 order's Book Store -8015 S. Yale -918-494-2665 lub Majestic- - 124 N. Boston - - - - - 918-584-9494 lub 1faverick- 822 S. Sheridan -918-835-3301 - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - - 834-1051 ire Bookstore --814 S. Sheridan- - 918-838-85113 ,z's Lounge- - 426 S. Memorial- 319 E. 3rd- : -3007 E. Admi:al Pl ;iscilla's - - - 7925 E. 41 st - - · scilla's - 5634 \X'. Skc:Jy - risdla's - --1134 E. 11th - 918-743-4297 - -918-437-0449 -918-7 49-8378 -918-836-8544 - 918-584-3112 -- 918-834-3007 - - 918-627 -4884 -918-446-6336 918-438-4224 riscilla'~ 2333 E. 71 st - - - - -- -918-499-166 i negades- - - - 1649 S. Main 918-585-3405 b's Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- 918-627 -1505 ;,,Isa CARE~- -3507 E. Admiral Pl- 918-834-4194 c1isa Eag:e- - - - - i 338 E. 3rd - - - 918-592-1188 : 1T\ - . - - 2i14 S Memoriai- - - - - 918-660-0856 Jexton Jcwdrv - - -15 E. Brady 918-829-0824 trier Ne\VS Stand- 1 N, Le,vis- ~ -918-592-0767 'ellow-Bricic-Rd- -2630 E. 15,h- - 918-293-031'.i Yellow Brick Road 2630 E. 15th St, Tulsa, OK 918-293-0304 Yes Munchkins, Kevie is back as Manager! Po.ol Tournament- Mondays Dart Tournament- Thursdays Now Servitig Chimay Ale 5.00 LEASE ft.1 bed room Elect. 66th and Aprox 1800 sq ft 2 replace Sheridan Area sales price $128.000 Possible lease purchase. · Night Club for saleAprox 2500 sq ft. plus small house and large•storage building 11th mingo area Tracy 918-625"6377 Keller Williams I p 3007 E. ADMIRAL PLACE. TULSA, OK ~~- Llve Music March 17th, King Fish Band, NO COVER 50 cent. pool tables. Shuffle Board. 918.834.3007 Open Sunday @ 12:00 Noon Open Monday-Saturday 11 am HIDEAWAY 11730 E. 11th Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 now 12noon to 2am ed Monday. MAGICAL MASSAGE Located in NW Oklahoma City Full body deep tissue massage. Call Mark 405-949-1991 Experience Total Relaxation EMPLOYMENT □ PP □ RTUNITY ADVERT,BINC3 BALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR WICHITA, OKLAHOMA CITY, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS guaiifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74i45 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, March 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 3 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 01, 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd. Tulsa, OK. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Bunky Walters John Patrick Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Libby Post Andrew Collin Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Andrew Hicks Chaz Ward Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, February 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 2 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/2https://history.okeq.org/items/show/23926 The Star Magazine, April 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 4 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/223 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/239 A Couple of Guys Advice Column AIDS American Civil Liberties Union Bitter Girl budget Business and organizations cartoons Choice City Life classifieds Club Majestic Club Maverick Crystal Meth Fat Cat's Gay Games Gay Oscar Night Heart to Heart HIV Irish Soda Bread Lesbian Notions Medicaid Cuts Mr. Right Past Out Q Scope Red Ribbon Star entertainment Star Scene Uncle Mikey vacation violence Willie Nelson https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/053aed28888defcd37c9ddaaa6443882.jpg 15cd6958befd6ef5d13043ed41062330 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/8dbbb33fe9d546552ee7cc8b4b2d6b57.pdf 4fff70c1bab4245d3f1e590230feb801 PDF Text Text ���� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Diversity Celebration Interfaith Service Program Subject The topic of the resource Pride 2003 Description An account of the resource Program from 2003's Diversity Celebration Interfaith Service Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 8, 2003 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Program Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Pride 2003 Interfaith Service 2003 Diversity Celebration 2003 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/dde6d3f5e243ff56019e79cc541bcd8f.png 3246402a7ff61a47dc7f13cd04aa5896 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/fbe697bdfc2b49747e7d80e857801a61.pdf a84e2c8e6fc44986176785b560fd58bb PDF Text Text � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Sign on for the World! Subject The topic of the resource Pride 2003 Description An account of the resource Advertisement from Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights soliciting signatures to feature in an ad in the Tulsa World calling for equal protections for LGBTQ folk in the City of Tulsa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2003 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Advertisement Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Pride 2003 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/ed6aa7b1edb964ea3dd339ec3cb2b31e.png f4b77cb93a46791037d35870a2047559 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/970c6cfd36449fd2f5a659c4d1f187d7.pdf 7b8f76a65c30ef629f7e564d5e11dc47 PDF Text Text �������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] The Torch Volume 1 Issue 4 Subject The topic of the resource Pride 2003 Description An account of the resource Newsletter created and distributed by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights. Covers issues relating to gay life in Tulsa. This issue mainly focusses on upcoming Pride celebrations. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Summer 2003 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Pride 2003 Diversity Celebration 2003 Sodomy laws James C. Hormel Stonewall https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/c31b66215d19fec52093635284e536e5.png 1628e2658178443fa576302202dedfac https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/5b0cb22c740d2a90ff7bde486b5b6d5b.pdf 819464b5f91db9a7edf8ea4df1587248 PDF Text Text � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Jim Verraros at Tulsa Pride Subject The topic of the resource Pride 2003 Description An account of the resource Flier advertising American Idol contestant Jim Verraros as grand marshal of Tulsa's 2003 Pride Parade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 14, 2003 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Flier Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Pride 2003 Pride Parade 2003 Diversity Festival 2003 Jim Verraros https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/984b2ddd7bca6589b2c7199e18f8dd7a.png 8bcdb4cd25100a0cf61718dcd5546d0e https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/b37f38bb72177ee91774dae5fef942d1.pdf 3a8276fe37a0ef11ab8a0fd56be8d03f PDF Text Text � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Pride Schedule of Events Subject The topic of the resource Pride 2003 Description An account of the resource Schedule of events for 2003's Pride celebrations. Includes dinners, interfaith service, art exhibits, film screenings, concert, parade, and festival. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 6-14, 2003 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Handout Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Pride 2003 Diversity Celebration 2003 Kick-Off Spaghetti Dinner Paragraph 175 Interfaith Service Art Exhibit and Silent Auction Daddy and Papa Council Oak Men's Chorale Diversity Gala 2003 Tulsa Pride Parade 2003 Tulsa Pride Festival 2003 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/adfb94be1aa7b9e0db819a46456d1bd2.jpg 6adb773497756f46669e86cce7ccca20 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/4bfcb0d1b43a2abfc0b17c449e79825f.pdf 4e78cd608e7c1960940d0e9eae47a0d1 PDF Text Text ��������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. 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Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document Little Rock, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Fayetteville, Sprmgfield, Conway au, • • • • ~ct!} CCfufil@ STA.R Tra, Familv Pride Spaghetti Dinner Friday, June 2 @ 6 PM Fellowship Congregational Church UCC Gav Dav@the zoo Saturday, June 3@ 11 AM - 3 PM Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum wcocancert Saturday, June 3 @ 8 PM Fellowship Congregational Church UCC Interfaith Senice Sunday, June 4 @ 4 PM All Souls Unitarian Church Fish Can't Flv Monday, June 5 @ 7:30 PM Circle Theatre East Village Art Show -Tuesday, June 6 @ 5 - 9 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center Dressed to a T Wednesday, June 7 @ 7 PM OpenArms Youth Project Singing with Pride Thursday, June 8 @ 7 PM Tuisa Central Library Diversitv Gala 2006 Friday, June 9 @ 6 PM Gilcrease Museum Tulsa GLBT Pride Parade Saturday, June 10@ 11 AM Cherry St. to Main St. to Veterans Park Tulsa GLBT Pride Saturday, June 10@ 12 PM Veterans Park 187 5 S Boulder Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. 3 l I I I I I II ii I Iff,l ( 1 ) -5 6 Proudly serving Tulsa & OKC's GLBT cornmu,1ir;cs since 1982 4 Arkansas & Oklahoma's Most Read GLBT Magazine. Deadly Silence We've all heard it before, but have you e-ver really stopped to think how true it is? In so many cases, silence can be literally lethal. Think about unreported abuse, an o-,erlooked cry for help, an ignored genocide. In the Darfur region of Sudan, a human tragedy is taking place and there has been precious little said or done about it. So far, that silence has taken 400,000 lives. How did it get to this point? In 2003, warfare broke out in the African nation when two loosely allied rebel groups attacked militarv installations. \X'hile these atta~ks were quickly followed by peace ag~eements, brokered by the Cnited States, the government funded militia groups called the "Janjaweed" to eliminate those considered disloyal to the S!.!danese government. Over the next three years, the rest of the world has largely ignored the atrocities committeci by the government-sanctioned Janjaweec:. Thus far, according to reports by the World Food Program, the United Nations, and the Coalition for International Justice, 3.5 million people are now hungry, 2.5 million have been displaced due to violence, and 400,000 people have died in Darfur. Rape has become one of the most common ,vavs to artack the women ar,d children of Darfur, once they have be;n driven from their homes. Now, the threat of famine is dosing in or, the already desperate people of Darfur. Meanwhile, the government of Sudan does nothing ~o stop the genocide. Many Janjaweed have been integrated into the army and police. No one has been charged with any crime, and their actions are not being challenged. There remains a state of total impunity. In 2005, the United Nations finaEy took action ag~.inst Sudan, referring the situation to the International Criminal Court. Howe-;er, nothing more has happened since chat m!!e, and tb:: US nas ~raved scraogeiy siient for a country tha;: daims to stand against :yrarn{y and injustice. Our media has said very litt:e about th.c conflict, :md it hasn't bee:1 a high priority for our go;,ernmem, although Ccmgre,s is considering humanitarian and peacekeeoing funcling. The silence has indeed been deadly. ,. ' · " That silence wiU be ending on Sundav, 1\pril 30~ ho~:.le\~er. /\ R.alh: to Stop Genoc:de is planr{eJ for 2 4:30 pm on rhe National J\.J:;il between 3rd and 4th Streets in front of the I.JS (~apttoL S01nc of the speakers scheduled to appear at the rally jnclude Barack ()barna, Nancy Pelosi, (;eorge (]ooncy, Russell Si1nn1ons~ l(\\a~si ~lfume, and many more. Il1e e,.7ent is intended ro dnr,.\' attention to the critical ~iri1arion in I)arfut- ()rganiz•.::rs are expecting hundreds of thousands to ;1ttend, after ()prah \"'Cinfrey rhe raUy on her talk sho\1--. This bre~king o~ the silence is only the !1rst step, however. We must continue to pmh President Bush and ::he internati(mai community to take the steps necessary to end the genocide and builci a lasting peace. What does ali this ha,·e to do ,,·ith gay issues? Personally, I believe the LGBT community should be acti,·e in this battle. After all, who knows more abour the poisonous effects of silence tl1an us? \Y/e\·e been forced into silence for centuries, and the results have often been fatal. \\?e'l'. never know how m~ny gay and iesbian people chose to end ti1eir lives rather tnan continue living in the dark silence of tl:e closet. How many more haYe been killed directly because of their refusal to stay quiet? · I1:_ fact, we kno\J: so much about tl1e subject, ~en years ago a group ot college students started :he National Day of Silence to protest rhe silence most gav students and teachers are forced into, and the ignored history and contributions of LGBT people. The students refused to speak for an entire ciay. The evem quickly grew from year to year. On Wednesday, April 26, 2006, ten vears after the Dav of Silence began, an estimated 500.000 students.at 4000 colleges · and high schools participated. Ir has become the largest student-led protest in historv. How does it work) Participants usually wear red shirrs, often stickers identifying ,hem as participants, :me! always hand our papers called speaking cards, which explain why they are not speaking. The card~ read: "Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Dav of Silence, a national vouth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexu~l and transgender peopie and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step to\vard fighring these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing todav. What are you going to do to end the silence?" ·· · Whiic things have certainly improved for LGBT teens, even in the ten years since the Nationai Da\· of Silence srarted, we still cannot afford to be silent. The co~servaci\·e antigay forces are hard at work to drive us back into ~ne closer. In fact, last year, they began a program called the Day of Truth. lJnjike the National Dav of Silence, the Christian organizers of the Day of Truth encour~ge their par:icipants to speak out -- against the gay and lesbian students and their aiiies. Their goal is to "coumer the promotion of the homosexuai agenda anci express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspecfr;c." Strate611cally, the Day of Truth i$ heid the daY after the Dav of Silence and, as of this year. has become an a,nnual e\"ent. Their participants arc also encouraged to \Vear t-shirts and pass out cards. 'rheirs reads: HJ arn speaking the 'Truth to break the silence. Silence ~;~~::e~;::":,-r:::~1ac::;;::;.~~:~-~~t::::i:~t,::>~~::i:i:~::;~~~By proclaiming the 1'ruth in hurts \Vill be halted~ hearts ,vill be healed~ and hves ....-viH be s~P'lccL'~ ironic that that silence is not freedo1n .. but a constraJnr -- an the missed the point of the Day of Silence. tbc in their nJsh tr) R V Advertising in the SIAR is just good busine,.5s cents. Heart to Heart The good news is, as the Day of Silence continues to grow, I firmly believe our opposition ,vill fail. Sometimes it takes a ·while for justice and equality to take hold, bm: in the end, it alrr,ost always does. It can only happen when enough people refuse to remain silem. One voice crying in the \vilderness is easily overlooked. Many yoices raised together are much harder to ignore. Speak up. Speak out. Silence is deadly. * This is an official Reportable Health Information and Notification in Oklahoma (RHINO) Health Alert Network Advisory ercen ge O ~asesTnlYfSIDnTuTsa'" Reaches 91% The Oklahoma State Departmeni of Health (OSDH), HIV/STD Service, continues to identify an Increased number of syphilis cases in Tulsa County among men who have sex with men (MSM). From January 1 to March 10, 2006, 11 early syphilis cases were identified in Tulsa County. Of those cases, 10 (91 %) occurred in MSM. In addition, Tulsa Couniy likely will see an increase In the annual number of Syphilis cases for the second vear in a row. In 2005, Tulsa County reported 14 cases of which 8 (57%) were In MSM and in 2004, 13 cases of which 7 (54%) were In MSM. 65% of cases diagnosed with syphilis were co-infected with HIV. This increased activity in the MSM population of Tulsa County continues to be a significant concern for public health officials and suggests a continued demographic shift in the populations most at risk for developing syphilis in Oklahoma. Early detection and treatment prevents further damage syphilis may cause to the body and may also reduce the risk for HIV transmission. Consequently, persons at high risk need to be aware and seek testing. Risk factors Include having multiple sexual partners, using intravenous drugs, having sex without barrier protection, and being infected with HIV. Health care providers should consider expandIng their screening and prevention efforts particularly among the MSM population. Prompt reporting by providers to the Oklahoma State Department of Health is essential in preventing further spread of syphilis. Since January 1, 2006, six of the eleven (55%) new early syphilis cases have been identified through OSDH's contact investigation. Early syphilis cases can be treated with single doses of Benz:athine penicillin, which is avaiiable at the Tulsa Health Deoartmeni. Health care providers may contact.the OSDH HIV/STD Service at (405) 271-4636. Quotable Quotes Tom Reilly a Democratic candidate for Massachusetts governor, initialiy opposed gay marriage, but later became a supporter. saying he has seen that the samesex unions have not hurt the State More than 7,000 gay couples have wed in Massachusetts since same-sex marriages 1Nere aliowed beginning in May 2004. TheSTAR 7 8 Sanctioned Events "Pride First Night" Monday, June 19th Featuring the comedy of Danny McWilliams, Doors open at 6pm, Dinner at 7, show at 8 at the Copa - $35 with Silent Auction - Proceeds go to OKC Pride. Sponsored by Oklahoma Leather Guard. Leather Pride Night Friday, june 23 Phoenix Rising Sponsored by NLA-OKC -, Herland Sisters Picnic Saturday, June 24 5 pm at Herland standout Pride Festival Saturday, June 24, noon - 10 pm 25 Featured Band - Betsy and The Edge, 8 pm Sunday, June 25, noon - 5 pm Large Children's Play Area, Two Stages of Live Entertainment, PRIDE IDOL Contest on Saturday, Dog Contest Sunday, Great Food, Refreshing Beverages, a Host of Pride Items! Parade Step-Off Sunday, 5 pm www.OKCPride.com Sponsors as of May 10 ~' A!! rights reserved. OKC Pride, !nc copyright 2006 Advertising in the ST,4R is just good business cents. ooloun Be seen with the STAR. Advertise with us! 9 Lesbian Notions by Libby Post JUNE 2006 "Do The Paoerwork" The man who sat across from me was good-looking and in his mid-30s a corporate type who was crying as he ate his bagel. Almost six momhs after losing his 41-year-old partner, Rich Janulis, to a bad heart, Jim Salengo's pain is paipable. I couldn't keep from welling up myseif. They had been together for 13 years. They owned a house together. Rich, who worked at the New York State AIDS Institute, listed Jim as his domestic partner so that the latter could o-et health insurance from the state while between jobs. . b Thev, had built a life that was full of friends, family, , and fabulous times together. Thev had even taken the steps necessary to protect each other in the event one of them would die. Thev took the steps but never completed the journey. The day Ri~h died, none of the paperw-ork the v.rills, the power~ of attorney, the medical proxies had been signed. In the eyes of the law,Jim didn't exist as Rich's partner. Through Jim's tears came the anger he has felt for the past six months. He's not angry with Ri.ch for dying; he's angry because, despite 13 years together, their relationship wasn't valued by anyone or anything "official." Because Rich died at home, the police had to be called. "They asked me if I was his roommate," Jim told me. "I told them, 'No, we're partners.' \Vhen I read the police report, it said roommate." Jim's tear_;,; fl.owed. Then it was dme to determine who was Rich's next of kin - because the legal paperwork bad never been completed, the designation went to Rich's mocher, who told Jim not to ,vorn;, she would make sure he got what he deserved. If 't-v1om thought Jim dc'>er,cd hcarta~hc, pain, guilt, confusion, and frustration,, ";v/cll, she made good <)11 her word. Instead of ::;~r:;;~J;,::~ ~tl:~~s~l;n;):~~1~:;~;);~J:~o:c;i~~:~ti~~~~ back pay and unpaid vacation. She also just left him tv/isting 1n the \Vlnd crnot1onally. has been clearheaded She 10 the STAR Comptroller's office whicl~ would be distributing what the state owed Rich would be a sympathetic ear. ,-1is resourceful as a \voman on a mission can be, Jackie worked the svstem, and those funds went to the ~state and not to the m;ther. Since Jackie was appointed by the court as the estate's co-executor, there's some hope Jim will get what he reallv deserves - the same benefits and respect rhat ;,, heter-osexuai'survivor would have gotten in a similar scenario. ~ Much more complex and internecine than there's space for in rhis column, the story comes back to Jim, who continues to wipe his eyes in between bites. He tells me of their best friends from Massachusetts two gay men who \Vere planning a big wedding with Rich and Jim as their best men. They called it off. It just wouldn't be the wedding they had hoped for \Vithout both Rich and Jim to share in the special day. He looked at me and asked why. \X'hy has it been so difficuit for him to be seen as Rich's legal partner? \X'hy have he and Jackie had to jump through hoops? \X'hy aren't our relationships valued? We all know the answers to those questions, and so did he. He wanted to know what he could -do with his anger. I rold him he could be a poster child for the same-~ex marriage fight. "Maybe it's time to get involved," i1e said. Jim's story is the story of so many in the lesbian and gay community. Together for years, we never take the rime to put our affairs in order. We think "nothing is going to happen," and we figure we can cake care or it next month, after we get back from vacation, after Christmas, when we find a supportive attorney, when we have the time. \'fell I sav there's no rime like the present. If vou love each othe~ ancr'are in it for the long haul, do yours;lf a favor - get the paperv..-ork done. As the community continues to grow and we get older, having all the iega! and estate-planning work compiet~ is essential if we are going to protect each other. If you own a home together, make sure both cf your names arc on the deed. Luckily for Jim, both his and Rich's names were. Othcnvise, he could have los: the house Sit down with your partner and have the discussion -· \vho gets what in the event either of you die. :\fak:: sure part::1crs ~xc listed as beneficiaries on pensions and !ifc insurance poiicies, Do the research needed in your state to rnakc sure ~rrangen1cnts are iron-clad. Candidates: Jim Roth Candidate for Oklahoma County Commission Jim Roth is running for re-election for the position of Oklahoma County Commissioner for the 1st District, for which he was first elected in 2002. He was the first openly gay candidate to be elected to public office ir, Oklahoma Coumy,Jim has served as the President of the National Association of Civil County Attorneys, and is the only person in Oklahoma County hisrory to serve as a board member of the Nati~nal Association of Counties. He is also a member of several other professional and civic organizations including the Oklahoma, Kansas and American Bar Associations, Kiwanis Club, Rotary International, and the Chamber of Commerce in Choctaw, 1\fidwest Citv and the Capitol area. · \X'hile in office Jim has had many accomplishments. Jim, along with other members of county government, implemented a nondiscrimination policy for Oklahoma Coumy employees tha.: incl~des gays and lesbians. · Jim is also fighting to prevent Oklahoma County Public Libraries from deleting gay themed books from their shelves. He co-chaired a committee that brought the United States Holocaust 1-fuseum's traveling exhibit, The Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, to O~Jahoma City. In addition he also sanctioned a five year road and bridge construction program that ,vill repair infrastructure ,vithin his discric:, and while his predecessor only got one direction District One has built 8. Looking to the future, Jim has begun an initiative program, CURE (County Urban Rivitilization Effort) which \vill heip increase home o,vnership by first time home buyers. Jim has also ·worked tirelessly to assist our senior citizens and ensure their golden years. Jim's reputation as a person of integrity, honesty, trustworthiness and professionalism has garnered support from his constituents. His positi,·e attitude and deep-rooted values add to his success as a commissioner. The Victory Fund is proud to support Jim in his re-election effort. Help Jim continue his effective and positiYe fight for equality and a better Oklahoma County. Individuals interested in helping Jim Roth win in 2006 may contact the Campaign at: roth4commissioner@cox.net or go online at ·wwV1.roth4commissioner.com * Oncourse f ark & reakfast jOO ]Seni:on f)lvd. Kansas City, Mo 6+12+ 816-2Jl-1196 health outreach prevention educationr Inc. 1-800-535 IDS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline . ·• .PROJtCT YOURSELF .·. AAOTECTYQU~.F'ARTNER(S) ,,,' IV testing, including the 20 · screening at t'1e GtBi Community sda -from (j.1fuw. . . . ··•· .¥8 VF'· · Jt.o . .,~e. Testing Glinic llef'JS Oetrec1cll 'Program · In Tulsa at {918) 812-7845 concoursepa1rkbb@ 1 al.net Grand Victoria Historic No Check Us Qut! & I{egister- f~~ Starlif?;ht Theatre tickets lust t\/4inutes -- K'r- . ~ roudly accept the f~) Call for rates, weekend specials, or extended stay arrangements VvWV·✓-CONCOUK5LFAR.i(5AND5-COM the STAR 11 WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign's fight against the Federal Marriage Amendment hit full swing this week as the date for the Senate vote approaches. With a vote scheduled the week of June 5, HRC launched an ad campaign in press targeting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, urged more than 250,000 fair-minded Americans to act against the amendment, released an online video aimed at encouraging action by highlighting the radical right's discriminatory campaign and continues to lead the Coalition Against Discrimination in the Constitution, a coalition of more than 120 groups in fighting the amendment. "This June the right wing will attempt w make GLBT people second-class citizens forever. Fight the Federal Marriage },mendment. Scheduled Vote June 5." With ads set to run as soon as this week, the campaign features ads in ar least 26 publica- The e-mail Action Alert, titled ''Countdown Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco), San Francisco Bay Times, Seattle Gay News, Washington Blade. to the Vote," begins: "In five weeks, the United States Senate will decide whether or not to make gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans second-class citizens in our nation's Constitution. Where do your senators stand? "One month and counting until the Senate wastes more time on singling out a group of Americans for discrimination. The time to act is now and every day to the vote," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Our ads and posteard campaign are just pieces of the puzzle M1..;, .. .1utiite-,-..~ ... -.,;it•oe--..OIML lllo\lUIIA/ila-tNll•NT.--'--"90 THE RIGHT WING "As early as June 5, d-1e Senate will vote on the discriminatory Federal Marriage Amendment in an attempt to write discrimination into the Constitution. The Human Righrs Campaign has launched an aggressive campaign to stop them. Click here to take action now .... ...iw_oW_w.J ___ t,;p,,b WILL ATTEMPT TO MAKE --•-~.rt.~\l!Qt•ia~btiliof•tbt bl•....._, GLBT PE PLE "Despite the fact that the American people want Congress to focus on skyrocketing gas prices, the war in Iraq, and health care, -,,,. H_, R,g•i, Cor.pojg• • ~ ""c.-. Hli and -.c:rca tbe~ln l'IQltff 1w ~Mir• _l _ ,,..111-IIIINIIIIOH••:ht SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS v.a. Ctai,1(1:~ 8t.c ..,_ Qlllll' do 11 .-.:-. ,ott. tt U)QON Jo~ t.)W'JO'M....,,.,_i:i,ta#ld "Pf--t.,..~u..,..,__..,..,......,, •ntmpC to PA Olll;ftlllil'.-,10., lrJtio .,.._~IQll'l. 2)AI.I.RT~ tri.fllldltMdflp,ly'1o N ~ •Ad• !h•mloWIMl~a....a, 311'110111 rr IN°" - 1\,ad,J"1 E-~-i'>"' t~ QC of,_. to ~,-.r IIVH ~-...,_WI Cot,gt._ W.-:iiot ye# oppci,allio,, ¥ 20l/2:2 .. 4!21, 'IOIJR.V-Ill Cllrnc.1.1 HUMAN RIGHTS . right-wing leaders in in motivating fairminded Americans to take action against the amendment. While we're on Capitol Hill day in and day out lobbying against any www.hrc.org SCHEDULED VOTE JUNE 5 ; Congress continue t0 pursue a discriminatory anti-GLBT agenda. Prompted by anti-gay Senator Rick Samorum. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced his intention t0 force a vote on the so-called Federal !vfar:iage Amendment during the week of hme effort to put discriminatibn in our Constitution, it's vitai that oack home aH fair-mincied Americans are doing their part to make their voices heard." The online video features clips of anti-gay rhemric from President Bush. Sens. Ri~k · Samorum and John Cornyn, the Rev. Pat Robertson anci Bill O'Reillv. among 'Ot~1er~. in reference to the amendmern and a:;ks viewers to go to HRCs website to fight back. View tne video. The print ad includes a of Sens. !lick Santorum and l~iU Frist \dth the foHo\ving text: 12 the STAR rions in two dozen cities acro~s the nation, including: Tne Advocate (nationwide). Southern Voice (Atlanta), Bay Window~ (New England), Q Notes ;,Charlotte, N.C.), Windy City Times (Chicago), Outl•Jok News (Columbus), Dalias Voice, ()uc Front (Denver), Bct\'vcen the lines (Detroit) .. Houston \ 7oice, Frontiers (Los Angeles), Lavender :Viagazine (Minneapolis/ St. Paul), Gay i'-~c\vs (1'-..Je .. \,v York), Ne,,; York Blade, Orange County Blade, \J?a.tennark (()rlando)~ Bottom t,inc (Palm Springs), Philadelphia c;ay ~~e\VS, J::cho {)?hoenix/Tucson)~Just Chn land), Q Salt Lake, Pillar & L,esb1an l~inics 5. _-'\moag the grassroots efforts :n which the e-maii asks s;,ipporters w participate is a campai1:-,rn asking indi0:iduals to sig,1 pr>stcards that. the Human Rights Campaign will hand-deb·er to senators and representati.-es asking then1 to vote no on the Federai lVfar·~ riage :\mcndment. The Human Right, Campaign a;so continues to lead the efforts of the (:oalirion Discrimination 11.1 the a coalition (Jf rr1orc tl1an 120 civil crvi! 1iberties; labor and nrganizations d1at are to defeat the a1nen<.1rrn.:.nt. * ast Out by Liz Highle:1nan JUNE 2006 Summary : Pasr Out is a retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Each installment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. Who was Aileen Wuornos? Despite her grisly crimes, Aileen Wuornos branded bv the media as a lesbian serial killer garnered sympathy from som~ due to her tragic life and her futile quest for love. I 11 1989, \X'uornos found a new ,vay to ob:ain money killing and robbing middle-aged men who pickd ner up for sex along highway I-75. She first mardered eiectronics-shop owner Richard Mallorv in December, shooting him multiple ti~es ,vith a .22-caliber pis~o~. O;·er several months in 1990, she killed at least nve more men, including a sausage salesman, a police officer, and a missionary. On July 4, \vuornos and ~vfoore ran off the road in a stolen car oelonging co one of the dead men; they flea on foot, but were identified by witnesses. Police traced the women through motel receipts, a bloody handprint on the abandoned car, and thumbprints Wuornos lefr on file when selling victims' belongings at pawnshops. Two detectives cornered \'vuornos on Jan. 9, 1991, at a Port Orange biker bar called the Last Resort and arrested her on an outstanding warrant. The next day, authorities located Moore, who was visiting her sister in Pennsylvania. She agreed to coopera.:e, persuading \X'uornos to confess to the murders during taped telephone conversations. r-Ioore never contacted \X!uornos in prison, and ~he las;: rime they saw each other was when Ivfoore testified against ',Y,Iu ornos l. !l court. \'<7uornos' arrest set off a media circus. Within two weeks, she and her first attorney had sold movie rights co her storv, while three leading investigators in the case were also negotiating with Hollywood. After hearing about Wuornos on the news, a born-again Christian woman, Arlene Pralle, said Jesus told her to contact Wuornos in prison. Praile appeared on talk shows pleading on Wuornos' behalf, and eventually legaily adopted her. Wuornos was born Feb. 29, 1956, in Rochester, Mich. Her father, whom she never knew, was a convicted child molester who hung himself in prison. Her teenage mother abandoned Wuornos and her older brother, leaving them in the care of their maternal grandparents. Subject to emotional and physical abuse, W'uornos beca!De sexually. active at an early age, trad- ..----------------------- Wuomos initially claimed ail the killings ·.vere ing sex for money, cigarettes, and done in self-defense. In particular, she said drugs. At age 14, she gave birth to Mallory had raped, sodomized, and tortured a baby whom she was forced to put her. A.x her January 1992 trial, however, her up for adoption. Her grandmother testimony was inconsistent and prosecudied soon after, and Wuornos tors cast doubt on her credibility. She was dropped out of school, left home, found guilty and sentenced to death, despite and began eking out a living as a expert testimony that she was mentallv ill. In prostitute. the months ahead, she pleaded guilty ;)r no comest to five other murders. It was nor until the following November that an investigative reporter reYealecl that Mallorv had served time for vioieat ~cxual assault. \'i/uornos was arrested repeatedly for violations such as drunk driving, assault, and theft, once holding up a convenience store clad only in a bikini. When her brother died of cancer in 1976, Wuornos received a $10,000 life insurance payment, which she soon squandered. She was married briefly to a wealthy elderly man, but h~ had the m;rriage annulled due to her abusive behavior. By age 20, she had settled in Florida, ,vherc si·,c crmtinuec! to commi:: increasin.e:lv serious crimes under a varierv of :iliases. In the sun11ner of 1986, \\i/uornos - kncAvn a~ I~ee - 1net Moore at a Daytona gay bar. !vfoore, then 24, had left her hon1~ town 111 Ohio due w friction with he;- iamih· on:r her sexuality_ 'Though \X'\1ornos did not consider herseif ~ lesbian, the tv?o ~vorn- :;,:;:~Jt:~,::;;J~~i 1~:t ,~:~a;:;1~::·;~5c~!~~:::i:a~1::~i;;~:;~:~::1 ' fiv~ years: W:.:ornos regarded ~1oorc a, her wift~ ~nd ~..-., ".,.,,,, her as best she could \Vith earnjngs frcnn prostitution. biographer~ue Russell~ wil1c real driYtng force in L,ee}s life \:vasn't 14 the STAR Afrcr nearly a decade on death roVJ, Wuo;:nos sought to end her appeals. She dropped her earlier clairns of sc:f-defense, writing :n a 2001 :ettcr tc, the Florida Supreme C,;ur::""I'm oac \ 1/ho seriously hates hurnan life and ,.vould kill ;!gain.'' She died bv icthal injection 0:1 Ocr. 9, 2002. ·n:,Jut~u;.~:~;;t~::t~~~:!:~i,:/;~~ ;~;:~1~;~B~1 ;:;~:~~~~) 1 ;:: 1:Yr~:1~~~~r. of rjme 11~~:~~:::' :i;:~1~.~~;·~ti):2~~~:t::~1:~:~:~:~ ;~:~;;,:~ ~:~;~;~l though 1nost r1f ht:r had been ~,J/ith rncn. Some defcnd·- cr~ n1aintaln that '(fuornos \1 .. +:1s a Ylctirn r)f her abusiv-c chHdhood, predator}- ,.,-~,-,,,, __ ,, rnedia~ and an uniust legal system. ()rhher 1.~ain search for lo-,,.~c. Phom: Cast of the Bobby Page Sho,,, Steve's Hideaway, Tulsa Bene£tSJlo'Ys;;!5ag~an;,J~und-rai$er's,,thcs~·gitls w6rlc their 1:footie · · · · · · .. · · · · · · · bt:.t the , r·,\\"' six Iser «.. ~ .. beautiful with each rl.i· ,, ,',, ,',' ',' •/'</:',., ' 'i'p' ,:: ,,,, :,,:, \\:~:-'",;",:~ Wener~ 111 Okiahoma·~t2Ull}~' fabulous divli's. So okk yorirlocai Girl muJio~ist. cOmmunity.· Orleans, .. ·· thebrag For the past fo,.Jr years. and support td tb support our 'fi'''" ~. "' •-1 .,, .. ,,,.. ,;:,, ',,,•' N ",·:·,•.,',',l,>",,/h' '"·1 l·,:i 1 ~ '~/~ .!~~~~ fO~p~~ .tP~ ~9il?Ffll~-~~~~.·.~.e; ;~B~~~-· s1:1p,vs.1n O~at,o·nj~. :(:ity~ ·~lS~t a~.~·: f}a~~ .·9}1~.~~~>"'p¢?t~~r~~tee · ~Lie aCcurat.j. dUc 'ti,. t~~trurri~.I?v-e gOr..a:.1)~2<!iChe ':t.Ji1 ·.dori~f have a BAMBOO LOUNGE: Kriss Kohl and friends the 3rd Sunday of each month at 8pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Caria Lee Lo\·e on Sunday's 10pm. .\liss Oklahoma Continental Pageant June 2nd 9pm. STEVE'S HIDEAWAY: The Bobby Page Open Talent Show \'\;ednesday's 10:30pm RENEGADES: Tabitha TaylC>r, Caria Lee Lcwe, Liberty Leigh check wiri1 Ciub Renegades for dates and times. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK BOOM ROOM: J\lis~ Ginger Lamar, Sunday's 10:30 PM. CLUB ROX: The ;\lison Scott Sho,;,; 2nd Saturday each momh, 9:30 P:vl, Shantei MandDclay Show follows. !\Iiss Arnold Lee l)resents, !st and 3rc! Sunday's each month, 7:30 PivL Hilo CLUB: The Tony Sinclair Drai! Show, EYery Frida\· 10:30 PM. LAWTON, OK TRIANGLES: Vicki('. Dillard, Isabe!ia V,,:1eartier, l\Iici1a Eriks and Kia Paige, Every Friciay and Saturday 11:30 PM drag time. Be y Smi le Forms ew Band pc:·?:·crn1cd hLr ia3t ,1.-ith the grc•up ar (Jub :rvia ... ,~ericks 'fuisa on ?viay 19th. liets\~\ nc\v band \\.·iH be ·'"13ets\- and 'The -rh~ hand 1ncff;bcrs are~ of course. Bcrsy on •.. - ocals and bas::- guitilr~ for \\\nonn;1) on Yoc2!'.'1 .c1nd nounccd. 'The frJnncd Juth.' uf fun and the STAR 15 AUG 4, 5 & 6 2006 FRI SAT SUN DIVERSITY WEEKEND " Eureka Springs, AR Calling All DORIS DAY & ROCK HUDSON LOOK-A-LIKES! cash prizes! • MK . tl>'.A. Jtf£! . . Ya/I Gotta Wear somtJ PINK on SAT Night! ea . w. S uctions! and Annual Pool Party • BBQ aea'r-cuii:or1ii1y CONTEST S d nee & social o d! Donna Summer! Hd fr,a co••11a#ty PILLOW FIGHT/ DJ's JANE & MARY KING & Guest SINGERSt PLUS MORE EVENTS TBA! & DiversityPride Tulsa's Diversity Gala 2006 TULSA OK IMAGINE the most elegnnt party, set in the 1920's in the beautiful Osage Hiils of Tulsa. for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) celebritries from around the world. Well, that is what Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) will be hosting Friday, June 9, 2006 at the Gilcrease Museum. The evening will in part serve to recognize State Senator Bernest Cain for his lifelong commitment to protecting the human rights of ail peop! of Oklahoma. Senator Cain will be receiving TOHR's Lifetime Achievement Award, a special honor for those wt-io have provided ongoing leadership and support in the GtBT & allied community. Lynn Jones, retired Major with the Tuisa Pol!ce, as thi~ . year's event chair and Nancy and Or. Joseph_ Mc£?ona,a ~s Honorary chairs, would love to welcome you to this grana evening. The evening benefits the community programs and services of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights. Twenty-six years ago. a smali group of individuals started an organization seeking equality for gays and lesbians. Thanks to you and others, TOHR has grown into the largest and oldest GLBT organization in the state of Oklahoma. Thls year. 2006, will find us in the permanent TOHR-owned Tulsa Glenpool Flowe~ GP Gifts Earl Wheeler 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL {3275) Floral Arrangements For .•\I! Occasions & Hoiidays Serving the Tulsa Metro Area for over 21 Years with PRIDE! CUSTOM DECORATING * HOLIDAY SPECIALS prders by 12noon guaranteed same day delivery. Your order is treated with the upmost confidentiaiity. GLBT Community Center, an 18,000 square foot facility at 4th & Kenosha in Tulsa's East Village, within walking distance to downtown and the Brady Arts District - all vibrant urban spaces. TOHR will provide even more community-oriented services in the new Tulsa GLBT Community Center. Director Greg Gatewood, Oklahoma's only full-time GLBT advocate, with the help of an ever-increasing number of volunteers, supervises over 20 programs i~cluding the Tu_lsa G_LBT Community Center (the Center). The Center 1s on track to welcome over 10,000 individuals this year. The Tulsa GLBT Information Line fields over 3,000 calls annually while the Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library now has over 4,000 GLBT titles on the shelves. The David Bohnett CyberCenter, with 10 on-line computers, provides free internet access and computer use to over 250 people per month. The expanded Center wiil allow for additional programs and iarger events to serve not only the GLBT & allied c~mmunitv, but the entire Tulsa metro area. The expandea Center will include leased retail space, creating the potentiai for a GLBT neighborhood - something our community has been seeking for years. •'imaaine." You can reserve a table for your friends and family or business associates. as weil as indi~~dual se~ts here. Please feei free to cail 918.743.4297 With questions or for more information, 16 ~4dverlising in the ST4R is just good business cents. CHICAGO: HOST GAY GAMES New Asian Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide - page 22 The Caribbean, Homo-Phobia In Paradise! By Douglas Glenn With e,·eryone traveling these days one would think chat most everyplace would be very gay-friendly ..... or at least one would think that would be the case. Most small foreign countries have travel as their main source of revenue. They like to fill up their hotels, bars, restaurants and shops with American tourists. Did anyone read the Time magazine article a few weeks ago calling Jamaica the "most homophobic place on Earth"? According to Rebecca Schiefer of the United States based Human Right Watch, ''.Jamaica is the worst any of us has ever seen". Not only is Jamaica homophobic but nearby Islands of St. Maarten and the Bahamas have had their fair share of gay bashing. If this were just an isolated event we might look upon it differently but it seems as though the governments of these Islands are absolutely doing nothing about it. 0~ April 6, two CBS Nev,'!) employees were attacked and severely beate2. by a group of men on the Cario::)ean island of St. Maarten where they were vac:,tioning in what is described at as homophobic attack. WFOR television in I',fiami reports tbat Richard Jefferson, a senior prod~ccr for che CBS Nightly News and his friend R::an Smith a prociucer-researcher for 48 Hours were attacked as they left a pcpular bar after an altercation with the men earlier that night inside the dub. The :mackc:rs allegedly hurled homophobic insults at the two and they were beaten ,vith a tire iron. Both n1en were rns?ed to a iocai ho:piraL ~eff:r_S')D susta.1.qect severe cuts on the baci( ot hts head and his lov~1er back. Smith suffered a 18 fractured skull and possible neurological damage. Io Jamaica, Jamaican Aids activists, Steve Harvey, an openly gay man was abductive from his home and police reported his body was found miles away in a wooded area with gun shots ro his head and back. In ~hssau, Bahamas the Bahamian government banned Brokeback Moutain from showing in theaters. The Rainbow Alliance, a gay rights group, called the ban a "farce," and said most Bahamians reject the idea that a "small group of appointed individuals ? can provide the moral compass for the entire country.'' All Americans need to be protected when traveling, not only gays a;;d lesbians but everyone. ·'\/./e have a right to travel in a safe environment, after all this is the 21st centu::y! Life is too • short te> take a chance on going somewhere vour not wanted. Gays and lesbians simply need to take their travel doHars elsewhere. There are reallv pientr of places ri211t here in the !Jni:ed St;tes t~> tra~·d wher~: we can enjoy ourselves without being haras$ed. If you really need to go to an Island, then Ha· :~~:5~v~:::~;1~~t:~;,::~~!e;~/,~~c;·~~!~J~;;;n bars~ restaurancs as \vell a$ gay and lesbh1n accomn1odations including several Bed and Breakfasts. Gays cerrainly don)t haYe to to go on vacation 1:his year but it the STAR, TRAVEL SECTION won't be Jamaica or St. Maartens or the Bahamas! I want to have a stress-free travel vacation and don't ,vant to !rn,·e to worrY about anything! · * Which islands are gay-friendly Planet OUT TtaYel Columnist Kenneth Kiesnoski reporrs, while a chain of gayfriendly island destinations encircles tl1e globe, there has traditionailv been one missing link any Caribbean isie. That is, until now. Despite a welJ-deser·,:ed reputation for entrenched homophobia, frequent discrimination against gay citizens, and even open hostility to gay and lesbian travelers, there are signs that at least a handful of Caribbean destinations are changing their tunes. Gay-friendly-isn Caribbean: Whether prompted by economic consider· ations or internal or external pressures -- or, in some cases, ail three -- island nations such as St. Lucia, the Netherlands Antilles and the Cayman Islands arc, if not openlv courting gay travelers, at least chalie~ging reputations for rampant homopi1obia. The U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico, St. Croix and the GS Virgin Islands still offer the closest approximations of gay life in the Caribbean. Caribbean travel veteran Alan Chastanet, o-wner of S,. Lucia's Coco Resorts and vice president of the island's hotel and tourist board, said that as far as he and his hospita;ity colleagues are concerned. homosexualitv is a "non-issue." But even in hospitable Ca~ ribbcan island destinations. gay-specific or gay-exciusive resorts and nightiife tend tu be thin on the grcund, save perhaps in Puerto Rican metropolis San Juan. f-fere are a fe\1/ of the report card grades from Ed Sah·ato and Ke'r,neth Kie~noski Caribbean travel ,,Titer. St. Barts: /\- St. Kitts/Ncv1s: B-· Puerto Rico: 137 Cayn1an Islands: c: + Curac,:ao: B+ S~. L:cia: C + (;uadcloupc: B Lvlartinique: J) ~\rnh~~· FL Br~ti~~h c;rcnada: C ~ llil ffi:©[&Y~~ by Donald Pile and Ray Williams "CAMPING IT UP" "Camping it up" got a whole new meaning after we discovered the CAlvIPIT OUTDOOR RESORT in Fennville, Michigan, just 7 miles south of Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan. It is about a 2 hour drive from Chicago and is just a couple miles from Lake Michigan. Campit is the :tvfidwest's largest and nicest gay and l outdoor resort. Campit was establis 40 years ago and bec;me a gay and lesbian campground 27 years ago. The currem owners, Sally Howard and :Michael O'Connor purchased rhe campground in 2000. To clarify things, :tvfichael ;s a wonderful gay man and his business partner Sally is a wonderful lesbian. They are excellent hands-on owners. The owners KNOW how to treat their guests and that is the reason their guests keep coming back year afi:er year after year. The owners are constantly making new and exciting changes including remodeling to the Outdoor Resort. They added a privacy fence all around and another 3 dozen camping sires ha-:;e been aclded. A couple of years ago they added a large swimming pool, bath house and recreation hall. Campit Campground is completely secluded from the rest of the world and you could easily stay there for days without ever leaving che grounds. But if you wish to, the gay villages of Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan are just 7 miles north where there are numerous gay businesses including antiques shops, gift ships, gay bars, a fitness cemer and gay restaurants. Campit Campground is composed of RV and tent sites. In addition to tl1e Bunkhouse Bed and Breakfast you can rent a log cabin or a traiier. There are total of over 50 "seasonal" RV, trailer and tent sites. The Band B has 5 rooms, air-conditioning and serves a contintntal breakfast. Guests choosing to stay in the Bunkhouse B and B have ful] use of the campground facilities. In addition there is a iog cabin that is available f~; renting. There are more than 23 acres of wooded and open areas, a bath house with toilets and showers. ~rails and a piayground. They have an "adult's only" policy except on "Family Pride \\:'eek". They are special tenting areas for nudists, women. leather, etc. They have a camp store with snacks, beer, firewood, ice and propane. The Campit is PERFECfL Y SPOTLESS! You won't find any trash, bottles or beer cans thrown around the grnunds. AU of a:he guests ::hink of this as r:heir second home. Can yeu possibly think rJi a better way to have a great vacation than ro g'l to :m all gay and lesbian campground resort? Getting back ,o nature? Buiklmg a campfire, roasting marsh mellow~? Snug- Yvith yGnr lo·ver in a tent under the stars? Isn't that romantic? TRAVEL Taking a hike in the woods? Swimming at their huge pooi or sun~ bathing? Even it you were not really into camping this would make an ideal alternative for your next trip. \X'hen we toured the campground it was unbelievable how many people were there. Hundreds! Everyone was so Eriendiy. There is truly a camaraderie going on there between all the guests. Many of them are "seasonal" guests that park their RV's and trailers all year long and come only on weekends from miles away and many of their guests comes from Detroit, Chicago and Indiana as well as ocher States. They have special theme weeks each summer including Summer \X:'omen's Weekend, Bears in the Woods, Commitment Ceremony, Leather weekend, Seasonal Gardening/ Landscaping, Family pride week and of course their famous Christmas in Juiy weekend. The summers on Lake :Michigan are exo:emely cool and at night you will neeci a blanket. Since this is a private resort, membershio is mandatorv. However memberships can be purchased fo~ as little as ${0.00 a year. The~ have over 3200 members! Sally and Michael have put the emphasis on their guests, making them feel like a family. The guests are what it's all about. How many .times have you stayed at a resort or ho:el only to be treated like a number? Not here! le is like a close-knit fum:ly. It is the friendliest place that we've ever been. All of the guests enjoy being around other people. It is certainly not a bar-like atmosphere where everyone just stands around looking at each other. Everyone here TALKS wich everyone and interacts. The personality of the owners and staff of course play a large pan in all of this. As most of our readers know, we are NOT "campers in the ·woods" however the next time we go co Saugatuck/Douglas, }\fichigan in the summer we will certainiy stay ar thei:: Bunkhouse B and B or in one of their log cabins. The Campit is open from mid-April chru October. Their roll free telephone number is: 877-CAlvfPIT 1. Check om their website at: ,v,vw.campitresort.com or email ::hem at reservacions@campitresort. com. On a personal note, we recommend the CAi\IPIT very highly. Everything is done the ngn.t way there. The owners arc extremely professional and conduct tl1eir busmesf in the righ, '-CW. Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine 19 b:-he Gay Games are expected to draw more than 11,000 participants land countless more spectators to the vibrant city of Chicago in July. Chicago: Host of ames II. ay For one week beginning on July i 5, Chicago will host what has become rme of the most prominent gay and lesbian gatherings in the worid, the Gay Games, which are expected to draw more than 1 1.,000 participants and countless more specta.:ors. America's i:hirdlarges: city. Chicago has become one of rhe top gay destinations in the country, known for its cxception,cl museums, restaurants, hotels, arcnitecture, and performing ar.:s. Even i[ you're in to·.\·n primariiy to play in or '.v:itch tl:e Games, try to sec aside at least an afternoon to visit a fe,v il:ey attracrions in the Loop, :he central business district ,hat ccmains Chic,gc's most notev.ortny mu~et1:ns and archtectural mauels, including the k~•.•iathan ;\farshaii Field & Co. department store, the Chicago Architecture Foundaticn Shop and Tim;- Center (which gives ex.cellcnt waikmg tours). and Grant Park. Don't miss the superb Art Imrjn:,:: of <:hicago, \vhosc a~tonishingly cotnprehensive collection spans ~~~;c~::::1t;~ :~;~it;::::_ ;~1~):.:;~~:~i: ii:\1~(,;s:)~1:E~:;::r~~1:1i~i~!~;~.;;· {)ther (;rant Park tnusts include the John (1. Shedd 1\quariurn and the sirniiariy hurnongous Field Ivluscutn f)f T'.Jatural 1-listory. I~orth of the J.,OOf\ you'll find a collcctit.n1 of lively and eclectic neighborhood~ - sorne nch •:.,:ith_ and others kncnvn for shopp1ng and fancy ;ipartmtnts and hotels In R.i•.Tr f,Jc.,rth~ l\1icb1~an ATenuc rhe ?v1agnificent i\1i1c) cornparcs \Vith the finest ~-\1ncrica.n ;ind I:uropr:~;.u1 shopping districts. Still f:1rthcr north hnci 1 l~!OO-acre Lin.cn]n P::u:k, \vbich ha~ St:\-cn;J n1t1scu. 1ns ;;~ \vcH as the sn1all but arts and ofthcat ane1 Chicago's gayest neighborhoods, Lake·.'iew and 1\ndersonville, lie '.vell north of dowmown and pulse with hip shops, see-anci-beseen restaurants, and chic iounges and clubs. In hopping Lakeview, J\Iatsuya sen-es excellent sushi and Japanese fare, includine- such knock~out ,tarrers as deep-fried chicken ,vings a~d whitefi~h with smelt roe. Although many imitators have opened nearby, \Iia Francesca remains the best place in the neighborhood for sophisticated but simple Northern Italian fare. HB is a cozy spot that features the crearive dowr~home cookin' of the Food Network's much-loved "Hearty Boys," Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith. X/0 is a s,vanky newcomer that serves up a tantalizing three-course champagne brunch, plus such innova.:ive crearions as grilled short ribs with Vietnamese cabbage salad, and seared sea scallops with pumpkin dumplings. ~!oxie is a trendy place for tasty tapas, designer cocktails, and great people-watching it draws a mix of the neighborhood's gay and straight folks. You could survive solely on the flaky, freshiy baked cinnamon rolls tnat accompany every meal at the haliowed Swedish diner Ann Sather, which ha~ several gay-popular locations. Athietes seeking healthy food should head for the Chicago Diner, which specializes in creative vegan and vegetarian fare and serves delicious baked goods. An attracti;-e little Thai restauram where the rice and noodie dishes are delicious and cheap,Joy's Noodles serves a terrific ginger chicken with a iragram bean sauce. If you're a jaya junkie, keep in mi!1d that the cozy Lai;:cvie,\· outpost of the Caribou Coffee chain is known ioca!iy as "Cari-bo," and "Queeribou" tlia, snould cell you all you :1eed to know about the crowd. Boys' Town is the heart of the city's gay-male nightlife scene. The guppie bar Roscoe's is practically a Chicago institution, fun for dancing and cruising any night of the week. A 6:iuy 5'Uzzling Bud longnecks and another sipping cosmos can feel right at home cogether at Cocktail, an intimate storefront bar where friends often meet up before heading out to larger clubs. Chicago's classic standand- model ,.cideo bar, SideTrack has plenty of rooms for mingling. Hydrate is one of the hippest gay bars in town, great for after-work ccc;.,_taiis or late-night dancing and cruising. A swank, smoke-free lounge k:10'.\'n :or its colorful cocktails and slick crowd, ivtinibar orened in fall 2005 and has become a favorite after-work spot. A circuit-bov fr.,orite on \Veekends, Circuit pulses with a feverish late-nigh~ dance crmni c•:en at midweek, ·.vhen ! ,atin nights are a hit. T1~~ srdish Berlin disco draws a decidedlr fonkic:- a;d mor..: altcrnati·n::- cro\vd than most of the preppy haunts in J,,ake-vie\\ ... ~carby Spin is an eclectic gay ciub \vith an aU-Jges crO\\,.d and fun oance rnus1c C:hadic':--: brings 1n fan5 c>f cou:ntry-\vcstcrn n1usic, \,vhilc the Gent:r\' ;~:r IIaJ~,ed is ,, B(::s~~~~;~-~~l~:~~;;1:1~fS~~::·:~:~v:r,~~i:~:~k!~~~o Con1tTiodities Exchange~ check out the ab(>Ut this -I ~C:\-l's types cruise the C:cH Block. l'~orth of Boys' 'To\1/n friendliest and rnost diverse bars, 20 Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine restaurant, Tweet, which is known for its festive brunch and for tasty organic fare. Another fun Uptown hangout is the Crew Bar, which draws sports fans (there are 16 televisions airing big games) and serves delicious food, too One of the granddaddies of Chicago clubs, the Jeffrey Pub anchors the South Shore African-American gay community. In the artsy, alternative Bucktown and Wicker Park neighborhoods, virtually all of the area's smoky, hipster-infested bars draw a share of the lavender set, especially the Rainbo Club, a favorite of art students, rockers, and slackers. Cafe Absinthe draws a grunge-y bunch but ranks among Chicago's most esteemed neighborhood eateries. Francophiles swear that Le Bouchon cooks up tl1e most authentic French bistro fare this side of the Atlantic. For delicious Cuban and Latin American food, book a table at kicky and gay-popular Cafe Bolero. And head to hip del Toro for tasty, relatively affordable Spanish tapas in an snazzy space v,;:ith Art Nouveau-inspired decor. Funky Andersonville is the heart of the lesbian scene as well as just being an all-around-cool neighborhood with a fast-emerging dining repurarion. A lively and atmospheric bistro with a decidedly queer following, Tomboy serves tempting fare like pan-seared duck with crimini mushrooms and a port glaze. T's is a friendly, gay-popular restaurant and bar - its Retro '80s Women's Night on Tuesdays is a hit. You could spend the whole night at Star Gaze, the neighborhood's top lesbian club, which serves dinner and also has DJs on weekends, lesbian comedy and live-music nights, and a convivial beer garden. And there's Atmosphere, a lively Andersonville dance bar and lounge with a mixed gay male and lesbian crowd. The neighborhood also has a few men's (mostly hard-core) leather bars, such as the Chicago Eagle, which is attached to a bathhouse and decorated like a motorcycle garage. If you have a place in your heart for fitted jocks and Tom of Finland drawings, don't miss the city's Leather Archives and Museum, which is packed \I.1th erotica, fashion, and fascinating memorabilia from various international leather contests. Until recently, standard chain hotels dominated the lodging landscape in Chicago, but quite a few hip hoteis have opened in the past several years, including three run by the gay-friendly Kimpton group: the French deco-inspired Hotel Monaco, the stylish and musically themed Hotel Allegro, and the swell-elegant Hotel Burnham, which is sec in the histodc 1894 cast-iron Reliance Building. The superb Atwood Cafe occupies the ground floor. Another option that offers style and luxury plus a fun attirude is the Hard Rock Hotel, which is se~ inside the landmark 4(Lsrory Carbide and Carbon Building, a fashionable property that's also home to the popular China Griil. lip near Boys' ·ro\l/11 there are fev:cr lodging options., but an excellent resource 1s the gay-friendly ':'~eighborhood Inns group, which runs a trio of boutique hotels ~wid1 charming roo1ns and great locariom, City Suites sits along busy Belmom Avenue, closest to the dming and club action, ~vhHe the more ron1anric f,1a1estic and ~ 7illo\-vs hotels are set along peaceful resldential streets a fe\\~ blocks from the accion. The city also has a handful of great inns and B&Bs, including the gay~o,;vned Flemish f1ousc of Chicago, :.i restored 1890s ro\v house with fiye handsomelv furnished bedrooms in the tony r:old ('1:v1~: 1· ne1g11!),xJ-,o,:x1 Ultimately, the Gay Games will provide a wonderful opportunity for Chicago to show off its world-class attractions, and for travelers to get w know - or become reacquainted with - the great "City by the Lake." * Arkansas & Okiahoma's most read GLBT A4agazine 21 I 1· ! New Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide To Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia_The l.'topia Guide to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, launched in late April, is the first such guide for the three countries, said Utopia Guides editor John Goss. 'We are simply shining a light on an aspect of society that exists in every country around the globe, but one that has been mostlv in the shadows here in Asia," Goss told The Associated Press via e-mail from the Thai capital, Bangkok, where l'topia Guides is based. The first e,:er travel guide to gay and lesbian life in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. A speciai seccion of the book highlights groups, clubs, and businesses that are especially welcoming for women. Enjoy hundreds of san·y comments and recommendacions from local Utopians and gay travelers alike. The Utopia Guide to Singapore, I'vfaiaysia & Indonesia offers a landmark first iook at Southeast Asia's vibrant gay and lesbian scene. Although there are many unigue a!tracttons for the gay and lesbian travel in Asia, the following travel advisory is listed on Utopia Guide's web-site. Advisory: Gay life in Malaysia, as in other Asian countries, is blossoming despite conservative religion-based discrimination and outdated colonial-era laws. Former Deputy Prime :Minister, Aff,var Ibrahim, was famously removed from office by a ~rumped-up sodomy conviction that was reversed by Malaysia's high court in 2004. Muslims, both locai and visitors, are also subiecr to religious law which may (though rarely does) punish gay or lesbian sexual activity with flogging and male trans,·estism with imprisonment. Even though religious law does not apply to non-.Muslims, Isiam is the state religion under Malaysia's constitution and thas homosexuai citizens face official discrimination. Police may arrest any person (Muslim or not) for sex in a pubiic place .;i.e. cruise spots), so visirors are well-advised to respect Malaysian law and customs while they are guests in the count:y. Having said that, police generall;· have not de:ained forfigners ciuring raids on :ocal gay businesses, focusing instead on ethnic Maiay customers, almost 1 orJ\ n of ·.vhom are considered :t,foslim a: birth by :a,,·. For more information go to: ,vww .. utopia~asia.com * 22 the STAR rs akrast )OO 5enton . ansas C,t.9, Mo 6+ l 2 + 816-231-! 196 concoursepark.bb@ bal.net Grand Victorian s1:9le in KC's Historic · NorthE_ast ~ & egister for S Theatre tickets fZiverdance 6/)o Dr. Doolittle 7/1+ c;rease 7/28 Rent 8/18 Hairspra~ 9/22. Ga_y owned and we proudi_y accept the DECAKD Call for rates, weekend specials, or extended stay arrangements WWW.CONCOUR.SE.F AR.K5AND5.COM In Kansas City HYDES K Gym & Guesthouse 816.561.1010 www.hydeskc.com www.40thstreetinn.com The STAR since 2003 FREE HOME DELIVERY 5 Mile Service Area 918. 734.6847 tmai\ lrrol>o~aol.c.om COMING SOON! ,,,i{d 6l'ldseed 23 .y urn Sales Associate ION DOLLAR PRODUCER" ce: (918) 496-2252 625-6377 fax (918)491-6351 5555 E. 71st SL, Sldk 9102 Tlllu,, OK 74136 b,dq,e,,daa.Member Brolter_ Have a great birthday on June 4th from Stan, Terry, Loren, Chaz and ail your friends at the BOO! Salutations ... Kittensl Uncle Mikey here with the Queer Yiew. Summer is upon us. It is time once again for a more meaningful social season. The ·white parties, raves, and galas, ,vhat wil1 I wear kittens? I hope that my imported baby gamr swimsuit is ready in time. I know what vou are thinicing, but he gaye his life willingly. Now for the mailbag'. Dear Uncie i\likey, I ha,·e been seeing this guy for some time now and though 1 really like him, I do not see a future for us. He wants to settle down and I do not want to settle for anything less than fabulous, fast and flirty. I have asked him to join me in rhe party know!l as my life, but he wm not even try. I think that men were meant to single their earthly pleasures. Should I just drop him, or continue to sway him my ,vav? Hopeless Sex Da·wg Dearest Pooch,· Unlcasheci, Kitten it sounds as if the two of you are oil and water. You should respect yourself as weil your man and tell him, your true imentions, so that he will realize he is not going to change you, as he obviously must fee!. This will a1lo·.\· him to search for a meaningful relationship, whilst you concur your next boo:y-cal:. Smooches, U:1cle Mikey HeyBigM, I think \'OU are :,o fonny \vith you:- advice. Howe\·er, you seem to ride the· fence \Vith mu;· advic~, Sometimes ,·::)U sav it is ok to play and then other tin1es you act as though you are for the monogamy thang. What gi\·es) \X'here do nm stand on this i~:::ue, Just curious Dearest Cufrms, How did v(•u knov.c thn called i,. err l 1~1ca!l me. Big \.i? An.:: ,;ou a ~t~~~ i:::· ~~~!';tb:~:at7:,t:~~~~~~:~;~~r~;~~;: t~i~~c;_ ~~;;_'.~~a;ti;ecs Queerdon1 ,,,.hen you ,vcrc but a men.:: drip on your daddy'~ leg. lincle lives his life his O\V!l rules and an~:.:;,1,rers t() no one, Tn oti1er· ,vords .. until B1g !vfikey inv·ites vou rn-erJ the ;Joor. ·\X'c'H caH SmotJches. T.Jncie 26 the STAR Dear Cncle, My friends are giving me crap because I have dropped out of college. I ,vas tired of school and don't see why I should even iirijsh ,vhen I am making a killing as a bar entertainer/stripper. When I'm in my g-scring, th; older ~en just fling their money ar me. I don't feel that college is for e,uybody and :hink my time is better in the field rather than studying abo:it it. \'<'hat do you ~hink? • The Tv,inkstcr Dear Twinkstcr, Kitten, you might ·want to come from under that disco ball to hear this. \•?hilst the reward of youth mighr be favoring you now, realize this to shall pass. The skin does wrinkle; the •;ouch does fade, and ves - young 1)layer, time will trump your spade! Falling back on tha~ college degree does not sound so bad when you think about it. I mean I suppose even rhe retirement gay villas need some form of entertainment, rhough I fear the dollars v.1.ll siow, and ~he change ·,,,jll jingle the bails. I would suggest tha;: you give some serious thought to this matter, whilst you are shaking that monev-maker. Smooches, Uncle Mikey Dear Uncle, \\'.'hat do vou think about Gav cruises? Are :hey really •,vorti1 it=' I am thinki~g abou;: going on ~ne, our am re!ucram to spend chat kind of money, only .:o have a bad time. What do you think? Man on a cruise Dearest Kitten, All aboard! Kinen, Uncle has seen his si1are of sunsets over the horizon through the waves of the watery front. I can honestly say I ne,;er had a bad one yet. I ha\·c had my share of loved shipmates; hell, I have even had a fe\v seamen. I would suggest that if you have never been, you go prepared, and ready ro party dl the ships whore blows ashore1 Smooches Uncle Dear .i\fikev, Can you h~ve too much pride? I have a friend who is a walking rainbow parade. They see him coming from a mile away: l iusc don't see why someone neecis to make everything a gay issue. I mean that oniy gives the straight v.:-orki ammunition at our community. Righti;POV Dear lligh:y, There is a reas,m whr rigbty is :ighcy and lefty i:, looser One can ne,;cr !,ave enm:gh pride. As far as gi,0:ng ammunition, this ;s a ~~:i;;:ti/J;~~i<~:>~ fc::l~,}j:;~js~~~i;:;,~ tl~c;!~;~ ~;::;~!!:~ t!:~;l;:se (;then;~ icss you rake their Yery funda1nental freed()m 4'";.vay. In other \'•.:ords tighty, and let the sun shine on those pasty of vours. 1 tis sun1n1er - t\Yinks for l 1ncle \X'cH kitt::ns thai .• ,~Jout\;:f~1pb t,p ~:.~~~ :._f:.sicn v, :.,h \UL11 {~uee·n- J(itr-en~\ loYt one another, and rer:nernber in bulk. Grilled Rosemary Chicken w/ Drunken Mushrooms. 1 Whole fryer chicken. 6 large portabello mushrooms. 3/4 cup white wine. 1 /2 stick of butter. 1 teaspoon rosemary (Prefer Fresh) 1 /2 teaspoon lemon pepper. Fire up the grill, split chicken in half, melt butter in saucepan, baste chicken with butter. Mix spices together and season the chicken. Take a strip of foil and make a packet, chop mushrooms into quarters, place into packet and pour wine over mushrooms, set on the grill. Cook chicken for about 25 minutes or when temp ieaches 165 degrees. Remove chicken and mushrooms. In a large plate, plate both chicken halves, pour mushrooms and wine on top and serve. "CELEBRATE GAY PRIDE 2006" We have worked hard & we're not going back! How about a drink recipe this month that is light and refreshing. Made with chardonnay this goes very well with poultry and pastas. You can mix up a whole Pitcher for get togethers and be all set for Enjoy this one for laid back evenings at home with good friends. WHITE WINE COOLER (4 oz) Chardonnay (4 oz) 7-Up (1/2 oz) Pineapple juice (1/2 oz) Grapefruit juice (1/2 oz) Lime juice 1, Mix all of the above and stir well with ice 2. Pour into a highball glass. 3. Garnish with a fresh lime wheel. SUPER SIZE YOUR PRIDE CELEBRATION THIS JUNE ! Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine 27 Q Scopes by Jack Fertig JUNE 2006 "Review your budget, Pisces!" Venus just entered Taurus, drawing our attention to sensuality and comfort. Soft and comfy is in, and shock value is out - or so says Venus. But the Sun is in Gemini aspecting Jupiter in Scorpio, drawing out secrets and offering titillation. Ideally, it's time to invite some friends over for a cozy evening with an early John Waters movie. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Trying new looks on impulse is fun, but now shop for quality you can count on. Your wit is turning quite wicked, sure to get you into a steamy situation or just hot water. A time and a place for everything, love! TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Thrift shops serving charities hold hidden treasures for you. Economy is good, and may be difficult to discuss with your partner, but the two of you need to sort out financial issues. Just outline the situation now, and answers will come later. GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Bringing treats or favors to a meeting is obviously manipulative, but it works, especially now. Don't bother being coy or discreet. Joke about it and put your aims up front. Honest manipulation works better than subterfuge. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your reputation is strong, but it wouldn't hurt to focus on appearances. Charity work opens opportunities for pleasure. That doesn't mean mercy sex! People who share your passions for improving the world can share ottier passions as wel!. LEO (Juiy 23 ® August 22): You are very persuasive now, more through gentle charm than the force or logic of your arguments. New friends can shake up your perceptions of who is "family." Be flexibie and open to that lesson! VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Your erotic sensuality, usually underrated, comes to the foie now and could become quite a topic of discussion! SUil, it's not what you want to hear about over the water cooler. Pay attention. and keep the talk at work focused to your advantage. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Little arguments or critiques easily get under your skin and dig up very deep issues. Accept the chalienge to deal with them constructively. Now is the time to iron out any problems in your relationship and/or strengthen any commitments. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Good health habits and exercise regimens started now will be easier to maintain. Results come in time, although slowly. Good safe-sex habits will come in handy! Erotic adventures will offer interesting challenges, so don't be shy. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Listen for hidden motives, but be careful you don't go over the edge into paranoia. A romantic retreat or an artistic, constructive outlet will help you stay grounded and keep perspectiye. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Your instincts for teamwork are unusually sharp now. Trust your intuition, but be very flexible and accommodating in the actual task at hand. Reward your efforts with cozy comforts and homey treats. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Playful impulses at work should be sublimated to creative labors. You're being watched more than you know, and your actions can be easily misinterpreted. Don't explain your efforts unless asked, but allow every opportunity to be asked! PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Your ethnic roots are showing. Affecting the accent of your forebears could be very seductive or lead you into an interesting exchange of ideas. Review your budget and financial plans. 28 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. Arkansas, Bentonville (479) NWA GLBT Ctr - PO Box 1161 Bentonville-72712--479-586-1062 Arkansas, Eureka Springs 9) Diversity Pride Event - - - - - - - - - - - -www.d ersitypride.com A Byrd's Eye View- - - - - 36 N. Main- - - - - - - - - -479-253-0200 Caribe Restaurante- - - - 309 W VanBuren- - - - -479-253-8102 Henri's - - - - - - 19 1/2 Spring St - - - - - - - - - - -479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - - 105 E VanBuren- - - - - -479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- - - - 888-582-8464 Spexton- - - - - - - 17B Spring Street - - - - - - - -918-829-0824 Tiki Torch- - - - - - - - 75 S. Main Street- - - - - - - - -479-253-2305 Tradewinds Lodge -141 W. VanBuren- - - - - - - 800-243-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Common Ground Restaurant- - - 412 W. Dixon - - 479-442-3515 Condom Sense - - - - - - - 418 W. Dickson- - - - - -479-444-6228 Curry's Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-521-0009 Passages - - - - - -930 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - -479-442-5845 Pride Street Live- - 523 W. Poplar St-- - - - - - - - - - 4 79-587 -0557 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave-- - - - - - - - - - -4 79-587-9512 • Arkansas, Fort Smith (479j Kinkeads- - - - - - -1004 1 /2 Garrison Ave- - - - - - - 4 79-783-9988 Red Rock City - - -917 N. "A" St. - - - - - - - - - - - - - 479-242-2489 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jesters Lounge - - - 1010 E. Grand Ave - - - - - - - 501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - - - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - - - - - - - -501-6642744 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.dsra.org Discovery- - - - - 1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - - - - - - - -501-666-6900 Sidetrncks - - - 415 Main St - -North LR- - - - - - - -501-244-0444 The Factory - - - - - - 412 Louisiana St.- - - - - - - - - 501-372-3070 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club- - - - - - 384 Grant Ave. - - - - - - - - -785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway- - - - - - - - - - - - -620-231-0938 River of Life Church.- - 1709 N. Walnut- - - - - - - - -Service 11 AM Kansas, Wichita (316) Our FantasyiSouth40- - - - - 3201 S. Hillside- - - - - 316-682-5494 Priscilla's- - - - - 6143 W Kellogg Dr- - - - - - - - - - - 316-942-1244 Club Glaciei- - - - - - - - 2828 E. 31st South- - - - - 316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- - - - - - - 716 S. Main - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -417-627-9035 MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - - - - - - - - - - - -- - Sun-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn- - - -www.40thstreetinn.com- - - - - -816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Blvd -- - - - - -816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs -www.hydeskc.com - 816-561-1010 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -816-561-0625 Missouri; Lampe (417) KOKOMO Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-779-5084 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- - - - 424 Boonville Ave- - - - - -- - - - - - 417-831-4 700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical- - - -417-869-3978 Martha's Vineyard- - - 219 'N Olive - - - - - - - - 417-864-4572 Missouri, Springfield (417) Priscilia's - - - - 1918-S Glenstone - - - - - - - - - - -417-881-8444 Ronisuz P!ace- - --821 College- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -417-864-0036 Rumors - --1109 E. Commercial- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books- - - -104 Sunset - - - - - - - - - - - - - 580-242-6838 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - -4810-A West Garriott- - - - - - - 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Triangles- - - - - - - - - -29 SW "D" Ave - - - - - - - - - 580-351-0620 lngrids Bookstoie- - - - - 1124 NW Cache Rd- - - - - -580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester McPride- - - - - - - - - - - POBox 1515, - - - - McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) American Crossroads B&B - POBox 270642- - - - - -405-495-1111 Boom Room- - - - - 2807 NW 36th St- -- - - - - - - -405-601-7200 Border's Books- - - - 3209 NW Expressway- -- - - 405-848-2667 Club Rox- - - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Christie's Toy Box- - - - -3126 N. May Ave - - - - - - - 405-946-4438 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave- - - - - - - -405-672-6459 Fat Cat Bingo- - - - - - 3130 N. May Ave - - - - - - - - -405-942-8875 Hollywood Hotel- - - - 3535 NW 39th Exp - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club - - - - - - - 1221 NW 50th- - - - - - - - - - - - 405-843-1722 Partners- - - - - - - - - 2805 NW 36th St - - - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Pec's- - - - - - - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expw - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - 615 E. Memorial- - - - - - - - - - - 405-755-8600 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St- - - - - - - - - - - 405-525-5165 Rudy's Place-- - - - -3535 NW39th Expw- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Phoenix Rising - - - - 2120 NW 39th St- - - - -- - - - - -405-601-3711 The Park- - - - - - - - 2125 NW 39th St - - - - - - - - - -405-528-4690 The Rockies- - - - - 3201 N. May Ave - - - - - - - - 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill & Bar- - 3535 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Tramps- - - - - - - - - - -2201 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - -405-521-9888 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) · Bamboo Lounge- - -7204 E. Pine - - -- - - - - - - - - -918-836-8700 Border's Book Store- - - 2740 E. 21st- - - - - - - - - - - 918-712-9955 Borde;'s Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale - - - - - - - - - - 918-494-2665 Club 209 - - - - - - 209 N. Boulder - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-9494 Club Majestic- - - - - - - 124 N. Boston - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-9494 Club Maverick- - - - - 822 S. Sheridan - - - - - - - - - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks -- - - 8807 E. Admiral P! - - - - - - - - -918-83.1.-1051 Elite Bookstore - - - - -814 S. Sheridan- - - - - - - - - - 918-838-8503 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 5545 E. 41st- - - - - - - - - - - - 918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge- - - - - 11730 E. 11th- - - - - - - - - -918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic- - - - - - - 3540 E. 31st - - - - - - - - - - - - 918-749-8378 Jazz's Lounge- - - - - - 426 S. Memorial - - - - - - - 918-836-8544 Midtown- - - - - - - - - - 319 E. 3rd- - - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-3112 Nite Spot - -- - - - - -3007 E. Admiral Pl - - - -- - - - - - 918-834-3007 Priscma·s - . - - - - - - -7925 E. 41st- - - - - - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Prisci!ia·s - - - - - - - - 5634 W. Skeiiy - - - - - - - - 918-446-6336 Prisci!ia s - - - - - - - -11344 E. 11th - - - - -- - - - - -918-438-4224 Pr:sciJla's - - - - - - - - - 2333 E. 71st- - - - -- - - - - - -918-499-1667 Renegades- - - - - - 1649 S. Main - - - - - - - - - 918-585-3405 Rob1s Records- - -2909 S; Sheridan Rd- - ,. ,. - - - - - 918-627-~1505 Tulsa CARES- - - - 3507 E Admiral Pl- - - - - - - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Eagle- - - - -1338 E. 3rd - - - - TNTs •· - •· - - - 2114 S. Memorial- \Vhittier News Stand- - , N. lewis- - - - •· •· - - •· Yellow-Brick-Rd- - - - 2630 E 15th- - - ·· - - -- - 918-660-0856 - - - 918-592-0767 - 918-293-0304 ,9~~~tl~~S ~van~gt~ 'd.iSttibute ,~'~, toP,i~~. Of th~ ~Ti,,R, 1~,~~5;7887 9am to 4pm n1on - fri-or email: ozar-ksstar@sbcg!obal.11et 29 30 BABY, AH COUI-DN'T BE:1-IENE: WE:1-1-, OF COUl-tSE: I WANNA SUPPORT SKY. AND I THINK 11"5 A PE:RFE:CT JOB FOR HIM! AS WE: 80TH KNOW, HE:'S NE:VE'R HAD ANY PROBI-E:M ~y GI.EN HANSON and ALLAN NEUWiR'fl-t IT v.'HE:N YOU AGRE: TO SKY'S NI.IOI: SKY, I KNOW YOU'RE: GONNA BE: A ;:'ABllf.OllS INST!-tUCiOR! YOU JUST HAVE' TO SE:ND OUT THAT NATUAAI-, WONDE:RFUIE: NE:RGY OF YOURS, KE:SP BRE:ATHING, AND DON', WORRY--111-1- BE: RIGHT HE'RE: THROUGH THE: v.'1-1O!.-!: Cl-ASS. DOING YOGA IN NL/DE. Be Seen With The Star I i'OOK MY 5110!?6 o;,F. I ME:AN, l'M PA YING FOR THIS Cl-ASS ... IT'S MY CHOICE TO Night club for sale Aprox 3000 sq. fr. occupancy around 200 has storage building and small house on the propenv. $210.000 Great entertaining home on 15th street by fair Grounds 4 bedroom 1.5 baths Large Sunroom with !0 person Hot Tub Hard wood floors crown molding Large ~aster Bedroom Aprox. 2050 sq. ft. House is li:.e :1ew. $159.500 3 Bedtoom 2 Bath 2 Living 2 Car Totally Updated in South Tuisa 58th Sheridan area For Sale or Lease $145.000 or $1,200 per month Rental. 3 Bedroom 2 Bath 2 L:ving 2 Car with Pool 58th Place and Sheridan aprox 1850 sq. ft. $140.500 Conclo"s for rent 66th and Peoria area ! Bedroom 1 Bath with small Den SS00.00 Fireplace cover parking montn pius eclectic. Condo'·s for rent 66th and Peona area 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Fireplace covered parking $550.00 plus eicGric. Tracy Whyburn Keller Williams Realtors 496-2252 Cell 625-6377 12th page classified CALL FOR RATES 91 B.B3S.78B7 11730 E. 11th - Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 OPEN AUDITIONS FOR 1'L'\LE DANCERS EVERY \X'ED. 10:30PM Congratulations to our own Bobby 1st runner up in Miss T of America. Open Tues-Sun 2pm-2am Closed on Monday' S OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISING BALES REPRESENTATIVE F'OR WICHITA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcgiobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Get results with STAR Classifieds! by David Evenings & Weekends In Studio or Out Calls Credit Cards Accepted ( 405) 830-3679 ssified CALL FOR RATES 91 B .. B35.7B87 31 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, June 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 6 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 01, 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn Bunky Walters John Patrick Michael Dee Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle, Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Chaz Victor Gorin Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, May 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 5 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/240 The Star Magazine, July 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 7 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/228 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/229 Advice Column Betsy Smittle Caribbean Club Majestic Comic Strips Diversity celebration Diversity Gala Federal Marriage Amendment Gay and Lesbian travel Gay Games Grilled Rosemary Chicken w/ Drunken Mushrooms H.O.P.E Heart to Heart homophobia Island Hospital-ity Jim Roth Lesbian Notions Night clubs Past Out Q Scopes Quotable Quotes Star business center star classified Star Distributors Star entertainment Star Scene Star travel syphilis Tulsa Pride Uncle Mikey vacation White Wine Cooler https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/df46b0b6350819e0539ea3d9b4718e1f.jpg 409eb6e6fa72b2d593d6aca46efd01f7 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/64a224f15f6b4b4ac4ed428f8666b2dc.pdf db29791b0f530020f1b86a8bf4d4d91f PDF Text Text ��������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document 4 CONGRATULATIONS To Our Tulsa Pride Festival Give-A-Way WINNERS! TULSA, OK_ \Xlhat a rantastic turn out for Tulsa Pride held June 10, 2006. In spite of the sweltering heat thouFands turned out to celebrate Tulsa's "Pride Not Prejudice" Festival. Thanks to th& hundreds who stopped by the STAR booth to say hello and to those who entered our Pride Give-A-Way drawing. The $40.00 Gift Certificate donated by Earl Wheeler of Glenpool Flowers and Gifts in Glenpool, OK who has served the Tulsa Metro area for 22 years went to Tom Votaw of Tulsa. A 540.00 Gift Certificate from St. Michael's Alley Restaurant, a wonderful dining experience located at 3324L E. 31st Street in Tulsa was won by Da\·id Bryan of Tulsa. The RCA DVD Player contribution from Michael Leach and the STAR went ro Aaron Christensen of Tulsa. Thank you 1ficnael for all your help and contributions. Ralph Smith's name was drawn for the free 1 year subscription ;:o the STAR. * ( 1 ) - 6 l2roudly serving 1UJsa & OKCls (Jl.,B''f communities since 198 Arkansas & Oklahoma's Most Read GLBT Magazine. Stonwall Responds to lnhofe · "No Gay" Claims (\'.\'edm.:sday,June -::, 200:j) "As you see here, and I think this is maybe the most important prop we'll have during the entire debate, my wife and I have been married 47 years. We have 20 kids and grandkids. I'm really proud to say that in the recorded history of our family, we've never had a divorce or any kind of homosexual relationship." -United States Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) "Championing family values means more than repeating rhetoric. It means that we must value ail members of the American family," said Jo Wyrick, NSD Interim Executive Director. "I remember being taught by scripture that love is kind, it does not boast. Unfortunately, the Senator's words were nor kind and through his boasting, Senator Inhofe has further demonstrated that Republicans are choosing to only offer political rhetoric designed to appease campaign donors rather than serve to actually secure the stability of the family." Senator Inhofe made his statements late yesterday on the floor of the United States Senate as pan of a Republican effort to lobby public opinion on the issue of the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) which the Senate will vote on today. The measure is expected to fail, and is opposed by the majority of Americans according to recent opinion polls. Tnis is not the first time tha~ Senator Inhofe i:tas issued aggressive anti-gay srarements from the Senate. In 2004, the Republican from Oklahoma made it clear to reporters that he ·.,ouid never hire an openly-gay Republican. Responding to allegations rhat a member of his staff was g:w, Senator Inhofe toid the C:iicagc Trib~.ne that the allegations were fab:e since he wouldn'~ hire a gay applicant .a due to the possibility of a conflict of agenda.'' J\i2ny prornioent Republicans have been noted t(J include openly-gay members of their imn1ediate family including 1/ice and Alan Keyes. the STAR 5 What Does Pride Mean to You? Every June, the debate begins: Is Gay Pride still imponant? Do we need the parades and festivals? Is a month to celebrate homosexualitv really necessary? Many claim that these public dispiays of all thi~gs ga)· do more· harm than good. Yet, in these times of widespread, government-sanctioned homophobia, pride events are more popular rhan ever. What gives? The simple answer may be that pride is empowering. Many gays and lesbians feel isolated in a heterosexual world, bur pride eYents remind rhem that the\· are far from alone. Being surrounded by thousands of other p~ople like them is an affirming feeling. The answer really isn't that simple, rhough. The truth is pride means different thine:s ro different people. Pride doesn't last for only one monrh a vear ~and it isn't always about waYing a rainbow flag. \'l~'ith this in mind, I decided to inte~iew four young, openly gay men. The conversarions were informal and far from scientific, but I discovered some interesting similarities in their answer~. Ley came out between the ages of 13 and 14, Brandon at 14, Matt at 15, andJonarhan at 17. All four boys reported that thefd always ;ust know rhev were gav from their earliest memories. "I ngured J • V 0 something was different around fifth grade," Ley explained, "but didn't put a word ro it umil sixth or sevenrh grade, and didn'! accept that it really applied to me unril eighth grade.'' Their experiences are far from unique. According to Caitlin Ryan, director of adolescent health initiative~ at San Francisco State Universirv, who is conducting a long-term study of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths and their families, the average age for coming out is dropping at a rapid rate. For many years, most gay men came out between the ages of 19 and 23. Some srndics report that age has dropped ro 14, and it's getting younger ail tl>e time. A recent Time Magazine article offered more insight. Forty vears ago, most gay males said they knew :hey were gay at age 14. Mal? teens today say they've known since they were at least 10 years old. What bro ugh~ about tJ::iis drastic drop? Experts disagrez on_ t~e details, but most agree it's a resuit of incrca5ed exposure. K;cts are aware of what it means to be gay much car:ier today ti1an m d:e past. That means, as Ley described, they are able to put a name to their feelings of being differe<J~ at rou!1ger ages. :\fatt said he had labeled himself ··gav'' by the time he was 10. Still, e"',rcn in his case "lvherc he had no quahns about gay, it rook him five vcars to come out \'\fhy th<: delay? E,\'en though kids are ccnning to terms '\.Vith their sexuality a.t n1uch :~,:~~~: :::~, (:~,:~:;: t::!~onside/~h: 1 ;i!:::;~:~e,:/f it's s~;;:n~:r and fan1ily., thlnk ho\\' rnuch harder it is for a young teen. ,..rhc prospect of getting kicked our of your horne ar t".vel .. \,~t· or thirteen i~:. rnuch more young "! was just sick of holding the secret in;' Matt told me. "It felt like a giant weight on my shoulders that was constantly forcing me to lie and cheat the people I loved. I finally cold myself that people's opinion of me might change, but only for the better. The friends that I might iose (which happened ro be none, rhankfully), would nor be missed because they obviously did not love me in the way that I loved them.'' Jonathan, who brags he was almost kicked out of first ~ade for kissing a boy, came out for similar reasons he wanted to be honest with his friends about who he was dating. "I didn't want to be someone who couldn't be happy about a date and giggle with my friends because I wasn't out. I wamed rhem to cheer me on, and tell me that it ,vas gonna be fun, and ask me questions about the guy." Brandon boiled it all down to a simple: "It just felt right." The key to each of these boys coming out at such an early age was pride. They were confident enough in who they were to share that with those around them. W1rnt I found most interesting, however, was the way pride :neant something slightly different to each of them. To Ley, it meant not being scared ro be who you are. for Brandon, being proud meant standing up for a worthy cause. To him. pride was more about celebrating our accomplishments and looking forward to where we want w be. Jonathan took a more personal approach. "Pride means living life - with all its obstacles and hardship and stereotypes and still have the abil.itv to look in the mirror and tell yourself that you're still here. No· matter who vou love or what brand of clothing you use to define yourself, nothi~g can change you. You are you -- and if I can say that to myself, that's pride." Matt's response perhaps best sums up the changing attitudes about pride. "Pride, for me, is a very important thing. No matter what asoect it is, you have ro be proud of who you are. If they had an' "Americ~n Mutt" Pride Month, or a "Brown Hair and Brown Eves" Pride Month, I'd be out waving my flag. Gay Pride Month i/no different. It's ;us;: another aspect of myself, a tiny portion of ·Nhat makes me unique. r\ lot of peopie don't see the necessiry of gav pri~11 e b ecausc 1· r t,s e1' rh er too out t h ere (.t o o queeny, •, oo " g ay " , wi1atever), or it's not necessary because throwing a rainbow flag around doern't accomplish anything. Bu~ being proud of who you a:e is1,'t nccessarilv about proactively accorr:plishing something. h's about letting the public know that you are happy with yourself aad cvernl:ing about \"<>u. But it's not reaiiy about other peop:e I'm 1Jro,~d of ·:,,.+10 I a~. reg-ardless oi h<Jw others feel. Cnfortunatdy, I\·~ become ·-:en· mud; rer:10.-ed from a lot of the "traditioaal'' gay pnde. l no longer attend the meetings of the Pride 1\lliance at my ... nor d\) I 1;articioate in the Pride Parades. lt's not that Pm no longer proud -- l;elt I'~ here and I'rn queer, baby! Ifs much more ab(;{Jt the fiicr that rm at a po1nt in 1ny life .., vhere rm trying to ~:~);:~:;n other ~::~:.~c;:~~:dl~;:s;:~·r!:Y:~:~ll:,!;}~t;~~;v~~~~ ::~ ;;~~ ,.. 0 Advettising in the STAR is just good business cents. Heart to Heart Pride means many things to different people. The parades and festivals are still meaningful to many, while others prefer a more personal approach. \Vhatever it means to you, find a way to celebrate it! * Tulsa Rough Riders Fundraise For AIDS. TULSA, OK_Tulsa Rough Riders through various fund-raising events during ;:he month of June raised $236.00 for charity. The events proceeds will be given to St. Joseph Residence organization of Tulsa. St. Joseph Residence is an assisted living cemer for low income people living with AIDS. The group presented the proceeds to the Director of St. Joseph Residence during Pride Month 2006. Tulsa Rough Riders recently presented "colors" to the Tulsa Eagle, making it the "HOME" bar for the club. \'fay to go RoughRiders!!!! "Homophobia is a crime," An estimated 2.4 miliion peopie took to the streets of Sao Paulo (wer :he weeicenci to celebra:e the Brazilian city's 10th annua] Gay Pride paracie, the Associated Pres~ reported. l~he thetne for this year's event \Vas ''J:iomophobia i~ a ,. to highiight propo,ed anti-discrin1ination la~.vs. Discritnination is still widespread across Brazil. Eighty-enc Brazilians '\Vere ki!led 1a~t ';:,7ear because of their sexual orientation} activ'"ists say, Proposed la,;;vs vlou]d aHo\v san1e-sex civil uni~ns throughout Brazil; are nu\1,~ permitted ortly in the southernmost state of Rio CJrande do Sul. Salt Lake City Police Set Up Recruiting Booth at Gay Pride Event. by Tonya Papanikolas SALT LAKE CI1Y, UT_From baton-like performers to floats that encouraged wlerance, the Gay Pride parade was a colorful affair. "The parade is a chance for people to get up and express who they are in a very public way." Law enforcement agencies were there not tO keep the crowd under control, rather they used the festival as a recruiting wol. For severai years now, police officers and gay community members have joined together to work on a public safety committee that addresses issues of understanding between the two groups, but this is the first time police agencies have formally recruited at a Gay Pride event. Police officers told us they've traditionally been weak in recruiting from the gay and lesbian community and they want this community w feel comfortable with law enforcement. To do that, they say gay, lesbian, bisexual and cransgender people need to be represented. The Gav Pride Festival ar the Citv and County ·building boasted music, food and a lot of different vendors. This year, police officers wanted a booth. Capt. Kyle Jones, Salt Lake Police Department: "The iirsr purpose is to let the gay and lesbian communitV know that police departmen~ s in this valley are gay-friendly. Our :,econci purpose is to do some recruiting." Seven different police departments and dispatch centers sent representatives to give out information and talk t0 people about iobs manv in the g·;r,1 and lesbian community have traditionaliy·;b\ed av.-:-ay from or feit ~ locked out of. Brian Reeder: ''The police force, it's gener~ lly somethi?g y::;u don~t _fe~l is frien~ly rt) the gay< and 1esb1an populanon. But tney seern to be. S<J that7s a Capt.. Kyie Jones: "I think t'.1ere's an impression that police officers are homophobic. Years ago that may have been the case, but it's not tl1e case now.'' The booth drew a lot of people curious to see what police were doing there. Todd Crane: "I think it's awesome. I think we need to have more community im-olvement with the police." Others were truiy interested in law enforcement jobs. Terry Reid: "I'd apply. I'd apply for a dispatcher." Brian Reeder: "Now that I know they're willing to openly accept gay and lesbian people, it's definitely a career option I wouldn't rule out." Terry Reid: "I applaud them. That's great. That is great. I think we need to break down these walls and get diversity" The police departments say the more gay and lesbian officers they have working for them, the more the gay community will feel its issues are represented. Police want ro send a clear message. Capt.. Kyle Jones: "We don't care about who you are or who your partner is. We care about, can you do good police work?" The festival coordinator said that the Gay Pride movement began in New York in 1969 when gay people got fed up with police harassment in bars and started rioting and fighting back. So, he said to haYe officers here at the Festival this year sho-ws how far the reiationship has come. * Quotable Quotes In ]\iash-,-ille, 16 billboards went up \Vtth this quote: '-(Jay and lesbian people have families, and their families should haYe protections, v.rhether by marriage or civil union. :\ constitmionai amendment banning sarne~sex marriages is a forrn of g;.1y bashing, and it '\Vou}d do ar all ro ntotect traditional marriages."' ...... . Coretta Scott King 2004 theSTAR 7 Con atulation to andy Cayne, MISS OKLAHOMi\ CONTINENTAL 2006-20070 by Greg Steele Photo's by Chaz ; .::::::/ ,:, 0;.f)6ti~·}J~ . TULSA, OK_Held at Club Majestic in Tulsa, OK, this years · · Miss Oklahoma Continental pagaent wasn't just another · drag show. With the Eiffel Tower as a back drop, the show . had a definite Gay Parisian theme. The opening number · displayed more feathered ladies than the Moulin Rouge. .. It was quite spectacular! The five contestants competed · in four categories. Talent, Swimwear, Evening Gown and Question-Answer. Kandy . · Cayne, a native Tulsan residing in Dallas, TX swept three of · the four catego- . ries with Mendigan !man Star winning a well deserved talent · trophy. Mendigan Iman Star from Arkan- . sas won First Alternate. Second Alternate winner was Mya Mokha · Iman from Oklahoma. A special award was given to Tulsa's own Miss G~y Oklahoma America 2006, Tabitha Tayior for the best show production, an episode of Twisted Theatre. · Billed as the most fascinating pageant in Oklahoma, the Miss Oklahoma Continental Pageant is open to contestants from all states to compete. Contestants in this years show hailed from Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. The pageant is a franchise of JF Enterprises of Chicago Illinois and is in it's 27th year. Oklahoma Continental is owned and operated by promoters James and Monica Freeman of Tulsa. If you missed this years show it will be avaiiable on DVD soon. The 2004 and 2005 pageants are currently available on DVD and can be purchased through the website listed below, Previous years Oklahoma Continental winners were: Miss & Mr. Oklahoma Continental 2005 - 2006 Ebony Hall - Daniel Xavier Miss Oklahoma Continental P!us 2004-2005 Domonique Daniels, For more information visit the Miss Oklahoma Continental website at: www.okcontinental.etechsolution.ca Ph,;t;J L.·fL w Right. ;'\[iss Oklahoma r:cntmental 2005 !fall, ~\f1,, ( lldai1om:, Conrinentii 2006 "Kandy Cavne'·, ,'\,f1s, Continentai 0i2.::ionaL 21;!1!, "Dunani(pe Shappelle" NE DI SPRING FIE ION FOR MO. PRIDE. By Kay Massey Springfield Pride Block Party, Photo by Teresa Goodrich. BENTONVIILE, AR~The Northwest Arkansas (N\X'A) GLBT Community Center, a newly formed community outreach organization in Bentonville/Rogers, decorated their van for the drive from Rogers, AR to Springfield, MO on June 18th to prove their community pride, as ,;veil as to advertise Springfie!d1s Pride Festival tl1at ended pride week "'Nith a bang . .l\. Block Par~y was staged on Commercial street which is also the location of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of the Ozarks (GLO). The event was well attended by over 2,000 people. There were drag Icing and queen shows all day long. Some of the speakers addressing the crowd were the Mayor of Springfield Thomas J.. Carlson and Midge Potts, a transsexual running for US Congressional seat in Missouri's 7th district against Roy Blunt, as well as many others. 'While all of the action was going on in the street, inside the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of the Ozarks (GLO) a silent auction was being held to financially support the Center. Another fund raiser earlier in the week for the GLO Center, by Queen City Cab3:tet. Queen City Cabaret brought in $8,000 for the community center. The money will be used for the organization's operating expenses. The GLO Center took over the Annual Pride festival recentiy after ShoMeMoPride, the previous organizer, went defunct and turned the Festival over to the GLO Center. The GLO Center and Springfield MO Pride coordinated efforts to put on one heck of a show this year in support of Springfieid Pride. NWA GLBT Community center had a large banner for e,eryone in attendance to sign as a pledge of suppor: to t,'Je GLO Center for the nexr 12 months. The banner was filled ',virh signatures by attendees throughout the day and \Vas presented to the centers nev.r Director Bill Harmon by Kay Mas$ey and CaroI Ri,;crs, Co-Directors of the NWA GLBT Commi.:.nity Center, at the end of the event. The banner ~~vill hang inside of the GLl) (:enter until next :fear's Pride Event as a reminder of Pride 1n Springfield, and as a pledge of support tcJ the GL() CenteL Be seen with the SIAR, Advertise with us! 9 Lesbian Notions by Libby Post JULY 2006 TWO Is Better Than, "Won"! If Wayne Besen has his way, the "ex-gay" myth will be no more. The author of Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth_ launched a new organization recently, Truth Wins Out (f\X'O), at the National Press Club in \'vashington, D.C Named as a direct challenge to the Love Won Out conferences sponsored by Focus on the Family, 1WO's mission is to expose the lies and deceit of the "ex-gay" movement and to strip the Radical Christian Right of its "love the sinner, hate the sin" facade. "The ex-gay ministry is the heart and the Achilles heel of the Christian Right," Besen told me in a recent interview. "They use these ministries - like Exodus International to shield their hate. By [TWO] showing the ex-gay movement for what it really is, the Christian Right wiil have to return to fire and brimstone. We want Americans to know this is a hoax like selling swampland to senior citizens in Florida. Right now it's a monologue, and they're doing all the talking. We're going to make our ,·oices heard to the American people loud and clear." With the White House in the pocket of the Radical Christian Right, the rhetoric of "ex-gayness" has become a GOP political truth. \'vhen Bush held his press conference in early June to push for the Marriage Protection Amendment, which would codifv discrimination into the U.S. Constitution, Alan Chambers, Exoclus' president, and Randy Thomas, its director of membership, stood by his side. Their presence increased and solidified the political capital of their lies and deception. In a press release issued after being invited to the Wnite House but before tl1e oress evem;,Chamoers said, "The lives of thousands of former homosexuals, like me, verifv that homosexualitv is not an immutable trait, therefore marriag; is not a civii right r~ be casuaily granted to any group who demands it. Nor is it a rdationai right of passage w Ix: awarded to those demonstrating a comrnitted, emotionai bond. t;bmatdy. tbs debate is about nothing !es, than tile preservation of future gcnerations.H ~' 01;1~one needs' :. ~o 1l et ('' • . • • 'd' r .. ~nam.bers 1n o~ a secret - \Ve~ve: bec~1 a~ 1ng to tuture generations tor qu1te some nme no\V :and haYe r:.1.1sed son1e ~:,;:71~ek:1:s·s:~:;:>;;~~;l:::e:;,;;~~:~\ 1~J1 ;(:~ !'.:;;~~:~:t:l~:~d that deny gays and lesbian$ \vho are out and proud the abiJity to \Valk do,vn the aisle? Belie\'(' rnc., I7rn for him Ch·1rnber~; i:.:: one of those folks \vhosc I,,(;J~T re;.-okc iong ag<;, 10 the STAR card I'd h,ri.'c liked to But it seems to me that Chambers is realh- it!St a cioseted bisexual clearly, he can do it with men and wom~:1, - and that's his prerogacive, But by telling gay men and lesbians that we can enjoy "freedom from homosexuality through the puv.rer of Jesus Cl:rist:' and bv making a political crusade our of it, he has crossed ~t proYerbia: line in the sand and needs to be met '.vith equal ferocity. TWO and Besen are definitely up w that task. "I think we need to get a lot more aggressive in tl1e movement,'' said Besen. "\Ve hai.e a tendency to ignore the attacks under the premise of raking tl1e high road. I think our community is fed up with being swift-boated [a referen,ce to how John Kerry's campaign was sabotaged bv Republican operatives who claimed to be Viet Nam vets and undermined the senator's war record]. "TWO is the group that will fight back. We'll make sure our community cannot be collectively character-assassinated," said Besen. "\Ve wam to be rhe war room for our movement to resnond to the Radical Right." • Right now, TWO is just Besen and some volunteers \vho soend their rime researching and gathering the information they ~vill need to continue to debunk rhe fallacy of ex-gayness. He intends to move the operation to Washington, D.C., bur keep his-present Miami office so he can maintain what he calls "the Florida turnpike connection" between T\"(10 and Exodus' headquarters in Orlando. Not wanting to become an LGBT organizational behemoth, 1WO still needs to be supported by rhe community go to www.truthwinsout. org, watch some of the unbelievable video clips of "ex-gay," born-again therapist Richard Cohen, and then click on "contribute" and do the right thing. "Truth Wins Out will put a laser-like focus on this issue things will happen because we cause them to." Spoken like a man who believes in the poy;er of the LGBT community a power that still has not been fully realized, but with Besen's help will stop the insanity of people nati!1g themselves because of whom they love. When tl:at happem, then love and truth reallv do win! · * OKLAHOMA JULY 25TH DIVERSITY EEKEND Eureka Springs, Arkansas Aug 4-6, 2006 Swiss, Holiday Resort No Surprises Staying with , , , Rodeway Inn Ozarks Family Owned! Great Sunday - Thursday Rates • Visitors center and area attraction ticket center • jacuzzi king rooms for two • On-site weddings and wedding packages ® Close to restaurants and attractions • Small pets allowed • Family reunions • Ozark Mountain Motorcycle Tours of popular area destinations • Picnic and barbecue area • Group rates and package plans • Church group packages available • Friendliest atmosphere in Eureka Springs • Family owned and operated• Trolley stop• Free tanning bed for guests • Continental breakfast • Meeting room to hold 80 with full kitchen • On-site massage therapy center • Guest laundry • Center of all attractions Call for toil free reservations: 1-8 - 4 P.O. Box 430 • Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632 479-253-9501 www.eurekaspringsresort.com the STAR 11 th" ampa~ n New Epidemic NEW YORK, NY_On rhe discovery of AIDS 25th anniversary in June, the gay community is grappling with a new epidemic a dramatic increase in the use of what many consider to be the most dangerous drug in the United Stares Crystal Meth. In an effort to combat abuse of this highly addictive drug, New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (the Center) announced the launch · of a new ad campaign with the message: "Silence= Meth." The phrase "Silence=Meth'' is a slightly modified but equally haunting reinterpretation of ACT UP's famous "Silence=Death" campaign during the 1980s AIDS crisis, when posters bearing the words "Silence=Death'' were plastered throughout New York City. The posters became a wakeup call to action for those most vulnerable to AIDS - gay and bisexual men. "Twenty-five years ago our community refused to be siiem about AIDS," said Richard Burns, Executive Director of r;1e Center. 'Just as the ACT UP caippa;gn a;erted tl1e gav community to AIDS in the 1980s and ✓ ✓ 90s, the Ce;:iter's 'Silence=Meth' campaign will focus attention on the danger of Crystal Meth and what the entire community mt.st do to he'.p prevent abuse and addiction to ,his drug." 1\ffecting all races, age~ and sexual onent:.1~ cions, <:rystal IV1eth is a po\\.·erful rnood •alteriag stimulant that has been ~weeping through com1nunitics across the United States" In Niarch 2006, (~ongrcss passed the (~ombat r"letharnphctamine 1\ct, ,..vhich restricts the sale nf nver--the-courner coJd and cant pseu<loephcdrinc~ an 12 the STAR med to illegally manufacture Crysta! Meth. Although seizures of "Moonshine Metn" labs ha,-e slowed slightly under the new law, the drug still holds a right grip on many commwtities across the country including New York's community of gay and bisexual men. "The ACT UP ads put our government on notice that the gay and lesbia!1 communir:,· would no longer tolerate its silence on the devastation of AIDS. Today, we need to keep talking within our community about hm01 co address rhc impact of meth use and we also need to hold government accountable for giving us the necessary resources to effectively implement meth prevention and ,reatment," said Barbara Warren, the Center's Director for Organizarional Development, Planning and Research. "Crvstal fvieth nor only affects the user, but eve;vone in the user's iife friends, family, cow~rkers, community and society. No one can afford to be sile:1t about Me:h." "The 25-year separation of rbe t\vo campai<' ns is panic;.;.larlv relevant because the epidemic; are so ci~>sely connected;· Burns said. ''The relationship between Crysta! ;\!eth and HIV/AIDS has become clearer o;·er the past fevv years with studies showing that Crvstal Meth u~ers are :11ore likely w engage· in unsafe sex and that f1 IV-:___positive n,1:.::n are 1nore likely to use: c:rystaJ ,~..,,feth." In a 2006 survey of gay and bisexual 1ncn in approxitnatcly one in four indicated the use of C:rystal ~feth in the period of srx r11onth$ pnor to tlie assessn-1(~nt In a "~.,, •. ,n,• 0 In addition to its counseling services, the Center has addressed the Crystal Meth crisis through its community forums, education campaigns, public polic~ advocacy efforts, and independent research. Congress demonstrated in 2005 its support of tr..e Center by allocating federal funds for the expansion and enhancement of the Center's Crystal J\Ieth prevention and counseling programs. The announcement of the "Silence=Jvfeili" campaign came just before June's National Gay Pride Month - an event marked by the annual parade through New York City on the last Sunday of the month. * New Nutrient-Based Approach Shows Promise Against Deadly Bird Flu Symptoms Clinician and Researcher Dr. Tim Guilford is investigating a promising new treatment for bird flu, which has potential for substantially reducing the mortality rate associated with H5N1 infections. Dr. Guilford explains his strategy in layman's terms during interview with Dr. Shoshana Zimmennan of Bird Flu Beacon. Los Altos, CA (PRWEB) June 6, 2006 -One of the main causes of concern about HSNl Avian Influenza (bird flu) is that approximately 1/2 of the confirmed cases have died. Experts attribute this mortality rate to an unfortunate immune response called a "cytokine storm." This ofte:1 fatai side-effect is triggered when a virus gets past ~he frontline defenses and rhe immune system over-reacts. Dr. Guilford iikei;s this occurrence to urban v,1arfare, in \Vhich the ,veapon:.-; used to take our the enemy also inflict hca·v}~ civilian casualties. •~"Without instructions tc back <Jff, the immune system not only destroys the virus but the tissues around the virus, causing such acute respiratory distress (/tR~DS) that the i1ninunc sysrcrn can readily kill the infected indi\tidual as ..._-,,.~eJi as the ,-irus.'~ the process in sorne\vhat more ciinlcai tern1s, l)L (;uilford says~ '~In pan- Continued next page . .. Your Health: TNF (tumor necrosis factor) from immune and epithelial cells to help kill the virus. However, the virus produces a protein that causes the energy producing mitochondria of the cell, located in the cell's nucleus, to become suddenly sensitized to TNF. This causes the mitochondria to break down and release substances that trigger rapid cellular death. While fighting a virus, excessive TNF can simultaneously attack cellular membranes and inrercellular biochemical machinery. When enough of these mechanisms are compromised in the lungs, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) occurs, and it is ARDS that can lead to death from bird flu." Dr. Guilford notes the need to both strengthen the body's frontline defenses and to inhibit the damaging effects of a largescale release of cytokines. He points out, "There is accumulating e,--idence indicating TNF is modulated by antioxidants in normal tissues, especially the antioxidant called reduced glutathione. People \¥1.th acute respiratorv distress svndrome have been test~d to be low in reduced Rlutathione in lung fluid.'' ~ These findings have put Dr. Guilford onto the trail of a potentially effective treatmem for the disastrous effects of HSN1 infection. He is currently investigating the use of liposomal encapsulated reduced glutath.ione to maintain normal glutathione levels. He says, "Medical research w date has previously focused primarily on stopping replication and proliferation. However, if glucathione can be shown in clinical studies ro modulate the cytokine storm, it will prove to be an effective and inexpemive approach to dealing with virai infect.ions. Currently we have ver: few medical tools for the cvt;kine storm. , and tbs approach appears promising." · * Photos Needed for World AIDS D Remembrance Service OKLAHOMA CITY, OK_\Y/o:dd AIDS l)ay P~men1brance Service v1iU be held Thursda); 1'1overnber 30, 2006 at l\1avflo'..ver Congregational Church 3901 N\:\' 6.3rd Street, Oldahoma City, OK 73116. There ,;viU be a reception foUo,.,-ving the service. or colleague of yours has died of AIDS, please send a photograph(s) of this special person in a jpeg or TIF format to the following e-mail address to be added to this presentation: patta1@cox.net For more information about this presentation, please e-mail Pat Hernandez at patta1@cox.net. Startling statistics- - Nearly 5,000 Oklal1omans are currently living witl1 HIV/ AIDS. This number d~es not include those individuals who are infected but unaware of their infection. - 15- to 24-year olds make up the largest number of HIV infect.ions in the world. - African Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV: thev account for 33% of total AIDS cases in the U.S., while comprising only 11 % of the U.S. population. Approximately 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV/ AIDS. - More tnan 25 mill.ion people ,vith HIV/ AIDS have died since the first AIDS cases were identified in 1981. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent.ion (CDC) estimate that more than one mill.ion people in the U.S. are living with HIV infect.ion, one-quarter of whom are una,vare of heir infection. Join our efforts for a healthier Oklahoma. For more information about World AIDS Day and how you can become involved, go to ,vww.aidswalkokc.org. * MISSOURI AUGUSTBTH COMMENTARY by Michael Dee '.'Different strokes for different folks'' is· the old .saying that my grandmother used to teli me sometimes. This is.altfine and dandy but if you do want to be all that diff ercnt then you have to stiffer. the consequences. You can wear any kind of hairstyle that you want but if you can't find a decent job due to your hairstyle then perhaps you need. to re-evaluate your self The same thing about clothing .What employer wants to hire · somebody who doesn't fit into .their idea of what they Wa.D;t t:hen: company to· represent. The same widigoing out to din!"lei: or to a · bar. . t:hing to weai: to a' Jot Of QUVS • ·.· . and gals:wea~gWetnto H:te··oars: ~r one . . . :r for. mpubμci us: ·most , . . . yrhor~~;!;~~tt l:Ioestb dress shabbv. . . . . ·• · . . . ~~. · t'waiit 'to fort·to. thetitselves lbl)kS~er. ' ... ·.. ... ) .. ,;'.: I doti't care if vour · dragor"dr~ir' · .best. As a ma in ieath(ll' and E~~r notice • · feans? It nsed ~e .t~ :go to th gr<:at I ~~;..is· o noticed that . ~ndlooks HOT!' Wh, .. in the Mid:w:est? · ,', ,,', ' ;,'' ::>, ', ,;',~i' ,,,,':',:< ,,: »;'};to wnnts to go t.o a hru: and see a burich of ~!eazy q..~ssedpeople withbasebill d:ps on (and sometipies bac'.kwa!i:ls) . .Guess .. thattlicy ~e ttving · · ·. , · · Well, th~y are ~otl enough reputation the .,,.ray it is without us · contributfo£ to it more. Be nroua of who , ',' ':' '. i: ..-. 'j:. '1./", ,,,'~y ,,', ''.',',,"t:" :>>,;' ';::., ' you are anct maxe tne Dest out of lite.. Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine * 13 ast Out by Liz Highleyman JULY 2006 Summary : Past Out is a retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Each installment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay pasr and its impact on the queer ptesent. How queer was the Weimar era in Germany? The era of ti1e \X'eimar Republic (1918-1933) ,vitnessed a flourishing of the arts, liberalization of sociai attitudes, and the emergence of a vibrant queer culture in Berlir. and other German cities. But a conservative backlash, economic depression, and the rise of the Nazi regime reYersed this progress after little more than a decade. Like much of Earope, Germany was devastated by \X'orld \Var I. Hungry for peace and cager for change, the country ousred the monarchy of Kaiser \Vilhelm II in November 1918 and instituted a parliamcman· democracy led b:i the Socialists. The following year, the legislature drafted a ne,v comtiturion granting gender and class equality, prirncy rights, and indi\·idual liberries such as freedom of speech and assembiy. Thus beg;m an era of rcmarirnble artistic and intellec.:ual ferment. The realms of literature, drama, music, architecture, and ,he new medium of iilm expioded. Philosophy and political theory enjoyed a renaissance as weil. and medicine and science flourished, with new advances in fields ranging from psychology to physics. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, a:1d transgender people were in the thick of these de,·eiopme!lts. By this rime, G~rn{any already had the strongest gay righ,s mm·emcnt in the worid. In 1897, Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld and ethers had founded the Scientific ffomanitaria!1 Commit:ec the first:-c\·er i10me,sexrn,; rights group devoted to ~eform of Paragraph 1 the (;cnnan ]a\v criminalizing sex ben.veen men. In 1919, Hirschfeld opened the imtirnte for Sexual Science in Ber~i:1, which h(,used i library, rnuseu;n, .1:1d c;inic. The mcvemc!·:t \Vas even large (~nough t<, have internal schis1ns: 1\dolf Brand's Gemeinsc!uft dcr Eigenrn (Comm;;nitv •.if Seif-( hvners), tot;ndcd in 1903, cckbratcd :~;;sculmc culture a~d rejected Hi;·schfdd'~ medicaiizcd Yicrr of hon1osexuality. c;ay social life fiouri~~hcd dunng the 1920~. \X>'hilc there v;ere hubs of activity in cities such as :\.lunich, and (:olognc'.} Berlin ",.l?as \Virhout doubt rbc center of cp.1ecr culture. ;\nracted by the heady attnosphere ,c1nd a ">;~vcak currency that n1ade li\~ing relatively cheap, gay::: and lesbians flocked to the capital frorn across (;ennany and around the \vorld. one --•en""''''' there ~~\~ere 35!\000 gay men 14 the STAR pher Isherwood's Goodi)yc to Berlin (1 ?39\ \vhich inspired the play and film _Cabaret_. Berlin boasted dozens of g:1y, lesbian, and transvestite nightclubs, leading Hieschfc1l'd to note thar "Cranians [his term for homosexuals] }ia;-e been $Ceo arri,·ing frcm the depths o: the provinces weeping rears of JG,· ,,t the sight nf rhis spectacle." Manv sue!: Yenues ·.,ere concentrateci in the Schoneberl! and Nollend~ rfpiatz neighborhoods, which ,emain centers elf g,~y lire today. One of these, the Eldorado :~ightc!ub on :;\fotzstrn,se, sported large signs over the entrance announcing "\·ou've ;:()und it1" and "It's OK Herc!'' In addition, there were numer<ms cafes, bathhouses, fetish clubs, bookstores, theaters, anci hotels rn,,m- op::::ated D\' gay entrepreneurs as well as an c:stimateci 2,00() male, pr~1srimtcs. · Lesbian and bisexual '.':omen ,,·ere acfr,c in mixed-gender homosexual organizatiom such as the League for H .. 1man Rights, ac' well as in the burgeoning \,·omen's mo\·ement, '.wirkicg for cduca!ional reform and the right to employment o .. :tside the l;<!me. B:; one estimate, there were some 50 lesbian \Tm1es and organizations in Berlin, including bars often frequented by burch/ t'em:ne couples - salons, bowling clubs, and li-,-ing collecti-,es. Se0:cn'il well-kn,rwn lesbian literary figures called t!:e city home, 1Ecluding w:iter Christa \'('insloe (author of the noYei that .._,:as r.he basis of the Elm \fa[dchen in Cniform) and American joumaiist Don rhy Thompson. The new press fo:edorn enc<ll!ragec rhe cstablishn:em of some 3(1 queer iiternry and political publicatioGs, ,d1ich were sold Oj)enly on newsstands and boasted a combiced circulation in the millions. Among these \.Vere Branci\, Der Eigene (One's Own1 thought to be the first-eYer gay mag .. zinc - Die freundsd:aft (Fncmisbr:), Die Insel (fbe Island), Frnucnliebe ,.1.Xomen's LmT), a,1d Garconne. But many Germans, disturbed b,· the era's cuh,ral chan(.'.es and economic h;rciships. yearned for a ;eturn t,J uad:tiona! -.-ah;cs. Religious conservatives decried si1ifting gender roles and pcrcei-.:.:d \ ices ,uch as homosexuality, pornography, and abortion. "'T'hc nation's problems were blamed on Communists, f c·x,, feminists, and hcmosexuals. · · Adolf Hitler exploited these fears and preiudices to consolidate his political power, aided by factionalism on ,he left. He was appointed chance!lor in January 1933, a:1d the staged Retch~tag tire the folkr, ving momh pro;·1ded a pretext for su,pcndin,',': ci·:•il hbcrtlcs. Ir: Iv1ay, the Inscitute for Sexuai Science was ,ackcd ard its :rnnerials burned bv right-wing: youth. Homosexual pabhcations ,,ere banned and venues \Vere shurtert:d; the F~ldorado ~,.vas conYcrted into a Kazi propaganda ccn:er. In l 935~ Paragraph 175 \vas strcngtl1\.~ned. An cstin1atcd 5J)00 to ~5,(~(!0 a~cu:ed ho1n,?~cxual r:1cn ,·vcre sent tn conccntrauon carnps. /\mid this ciltnate ot tear and an untt)ld nun1.ber of gutcr grated to safer ccn.uurirst or con-H11ittcd suicide. Yanishcd into a srili greater s Brief s Possible" HAIR SUIT EXHIBIT by Steve of Oklahoma. ELECTION REMINDERS Bv Victor Gorin In order to vote in the upcoming July 25 Oklahoma Primary election, you must be registered to vote bv JL,ne 30. If you are registering by mail your card must be postmarked that day or sooner. Oklahoma has a closed primary system, so Democrats can only vote for the Democratic candidates, and Republicans may only vote for Republican candidates in that election to choose their respective nominees for the General Election. Within Oklahoma County there are 2 GLBT candidates running for office in the Primary Election on the Democratic side, Rhonda Rudd for State Senate District 46 and Al McAffrey for State House District 88. If there are runoff elections, they will happen August 22. In order to vote in tha:: election you must be registered by July 28. In order to vote in the November 7 General Election you must be registered by October 13. Remember that you can register at any county election board or tag agency in Oklahoma, and other locations as well. Registration has never been easier, and after registration you \\'ill receive your voting card in the mail which will have your polling place on it.. If you have been convicted of a felony you can still register ro vote if you are not serving time either in lockup, probation or parole (off paper). Other than that, you only need to be a US citizen ,vho has attained 18 years of age or will turn 18 before the next election. If you are already registered, you don't need to register again unless you have moved or haven't voted for 4 years. If you have moved since you last voted and registration is still open you may register for your new address, or you can vote in your last polling place and register for your new address at thi1t time. Remember that within the same county voting system you cannot change your party affiiiacion bet'.veen June l and August 31. Also be aware that if y.:,u register Independent, you belong to no party and will not be abie w v(ne in primary elections. If in doubt caJJ your county elec-• rion board :and can confirm your status. /tiso remen1ber that even if registration is closed before an election, you may rnaiJ or n..1rn in a voter application card and -...-ote in elections foHow~ing the one \'{lith each state\v-ide tJt co1nes before those elections you may Yote at your Election Board H a.n1. until 6 p.1r1. 1 the next day Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the following Monday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Polls are open on election days for 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Other assistance is available in the form o!' absentee voting and other forms of speciai assistance if that is needed. Your participation is vital, especially ,vith the current political climate in America. Please exercise your right and duty to vote. * Creating Community for People living with HIV/AIDS Non Profit (}rganization Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for peop!e who are HIV+ and or living 'Nlth AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry fur those who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS 'Nho cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. We invite anyone V✓ho wouid iike to voiunteer or provide fi .. nancial assistance to piease contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail hanismmjr@yahoo.com. the STAR 15 / By Greg Steeie Micah Barnes JULY2006 Singer, Musician, \/'✓ riter Micah Barnes to headline "Summer Diversity Weekend" in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. EUREKA SPRINGS, AR_lf you missed the Spring Diversity Festival in Eureka Springs with the GAYCO show, this is another great opportunity to get out of town and enjoy some fantastic entertainment, good food or just relax for a very fun weekend. The Summer Diversity Weekend kicks off August 4th and runs through the 6th. Micah Barnes will headline the weekend with a performance at the Old Auditorium in downtown Eureka Springs, Sat. August 5th. The LA Weekly said Barnes is ·'Bowie meets Brecht in a dark alley". The Bay Area Reporter rote "Barnes' vocals combine the dramatics Freddie Mercury, the passion of Eddie Vedder, the mournfulness of Morrissey with the sweetness of Micheal Stipe". "Micah Barnes eludes all the musical cliches. His lyrics, often dryly comic, are a product of his quick intelligence, a mischievous sense of humour, and a bubbling show biz savvy." - The Globe and Mail. For more information and updates on Diversity Weekend go to: www.diversitypride.com or www.eurekapride.com Tulsa's "PRIDE NOT PREJUDICE" GLBT Festival, A Musical Success! TULSA, OK_What a line up of entertainment at Tulsa's Pride Festival or: June 10th. The talent was awesome. exceeding rnost performances that I've paid to see! Th;s years entertainers will be a hard act to follow for next years troops. Tulsa·s Tabitha Tayior (photo at right) 'tv1iss Gay Okiahoma Ame~ica' is a sor:gstress we ca:i a!i be proud of. A tremendous entertainer· Fro,n r'oon to five o ciock they sang and p!ayed in unbearable heat ~rhe Council Oaks VVornens Chorale. Council Oaks lv1ens c:11t>· cale, !v1ary King1 iviark [)odson and rnany CJthers ,,11; io 1.:;11~ei tairh-jc'. a:12 crovvci ~ ~ ANCHORAGE,ALASKA by Donald Pile & Ray Williams ay men's resorts seem to be everywhere and it is often very hard to find a resort that is strictly for Lesbians. We have found two really great ones and they are located on both ends of the country. For Lesbians wanting to get a way from it all and travel we highly suggest these two places. PEARL'S RAINBOW, the Distinctive Resort for Women in Key West, Florida, offers the perfect escape from the everyday world for lesbians and gay-friendly women. Just two blocks from the southernmost point in the continental United States, they offer guesthouse ambience, bed & breakfast chann, and resort amenities in a collection of historic, renovated buildings set amid tropical landscaping . . . ... . . . . . .. . . . Continued page-18 Out on Vacation "LESBIAN RESORTS" Photo: Pearl's Rainbow Lesbian Resort And their superb staff will make vour vacation unforge~table. The,' offer 38.rooms and suites in their 5 historic buildings. They have 2 heated swimming pools and 2 outdoor hot ~ubs. The extensive sunny and shady decks. The Strand Restaurant serves breakfast daiiy with Brunch on Sunday and Chef Lisa's Dinner in the Strand on weekend e,0enings. Tl:ev also ha,·e Pearl's Patio which is :heir outside poois1de bar and grili. Their :ooms range from the simple re the debxe, 2E v.,ith features you'd expect in any hotel. Thick, thirst;towe,~ and quality tropical t(Jiictries pamper ycu. 1\ C()mplirr1entary light continental breakfast starts yuur tnorning, and fuli cooked breakfasts are al~~o a"',.,~ailable daily. J\ .. poolside bar 18 pools rejuvenate you. Hot cubs melt your cares away. Chef Lisa Haas prepares breakfast in The Strand restaurant, and dinner on Friday and Saturday e·.,enings featuring her eclectic island cuisine. All in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere just for women. They are located at 525 United Scree;: Key West, Florida 33040. Their toll free ;;umber is (800) 749-6696 and their website is: V>'WW. pearlsrainbo\\,com. To get to Key \X,'est, iris best to fly into Ft. Lauderdale (rather than rvliami) and then rent an amo and take off for a fabulous scenic (and scarv) drive thru all the Keys until you finallv K~v West. After arriving in Key \'{fest, park you~ auto and you can walk anywhere in town. On the West Coast, try the Casitas Laquita in Palm Springs. Owned by Denise Roberson and Joanna Funaro, this ~vomen's resort is wonderful. Once you enter the gate you are in a different world of peace and tranquility. It is located on 12 acres of private spiritual grounds. The mountain views are truly breathtaking'. They have several choices of accommodations including casitas or one and two bedroom suites. Photo: Casitas Laquita in Palm Springs the SIAR, TRAVEL SECTION Ail accommodations comes with T\~ phone, a Full kitchen and data ports so vou can check your email or surf the web. The rooms are decorated with tribal arcifacts and each room is different and it would reallv be hard to decide which to s!ay in. Everything here is spotlesslv clean. They have a total of 15 ditlerent ;ccommodations m choose from. Our favorite was the one bedroom suite with its own prirnte backyard for your own personal use or for your guests. Doreen is the manager when the owners are out of tO\vn and she is EXCEPTIONAL! She is a real dear! For more informacion about Casitas Laquitas, check out their website at:www.casitaslaquirn.com. Their toll free number is 877-203-3410. And when in Palm Springs, BE SURE and dine at ~feb:yn's Restaurant located in the Ingeleside Inn just west of downtown. The owner, Mel Haber and his srnff are extremely gayilesbian friendlv. For all of our Lesbians sisters, we HIGHLY recommend these tv,ro resort~ where vou will feel VERY comfortable and retu;n home with memories forever! The staff of both of these resorts will be more than happy to give you any and all information O!l what is happening in the towns. For any questions about gay traveling, email Donald and Ray at gaytravelers@ aol.con1 or 'l .. ~isit their \1,rebpage at: http:// \V\l/Vv: hometown.aol. com/ gaytravelers 0 ~ 1m ill©oo~~ by Donald Pile and Ray Williams "Dania Beach, Florida" Visit the "New and Exciting" Dania Beach, Florida ,vhich is a GREAT alternative to Ft. Lauderdale and South Beach and just minu~es from either. Reiax and party in Dania Beach and enjoy their small town atmosphere. Dania Beach is fast becoming THE place to stav in Southea~t Florida and for gays the LIBERIT SUITES is the ONLY place ~o stay! Dania Beach locateci right on the Atlantic Ocean is a wonderful geta- way for people living in the Midwest. It is just a close drive ~o Ft. Lauderdale or to South Beacn but much iess expensive than either. The city of only 28,000 is extremely gay friendly and filled with lots of antiques and gift shops. With its ideal location, warm and sunny climate and wide range of ameniries and attracrions, the Greater Dania Beach area has something for evervone. Situated between' Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood, Dania Beach is minutes from class arc museums, con- certs, plays, festivals, and other cultura'. events. Professional sports ranging from football to hockey to rodeo are also readily avail;ble. DaniJ Beach itself hosts a Jai Alai fronton, a local perfor~,i~g arts theater, a natural hisron· museum and rhe IGFi'>.Fishing Hallo~· fame. Dania Beach is int:ernationaJJv kno,vn for its marine industrr l\1annas, · reoair and storage facifaics, prominent shipbuilding compan,::s. a!1d d;ckage for crnioe lines and other vessels are found all o·:er Dania Beach'$ numerom waterways and canal~. Port Everglade~. which spans over 2100 acres and occupic, part of Hoih'wood, Dania Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, i~ (;!H: ,he 11;1.tio:1's ;:cp ,eaport:0, ~:t:~e~~:(~:·!~~:a~~~~:-T.~~~:::t;i\::~:~~~~;~:(:~~?:/~:~;;:,;:~;l~;~t( lfl I)an1a Beach area plays ho~t to the largc~t nautlcal SY,iap shop, the Dania ?vfarine Flea \'iarket. ~TRAVEL Thanks to Joseph Van Eron and Jack Zimmerman who own the Libert\· Apartments & Garden Suites, it h:as even gotten more gayfriendiv. These two e-entle!rcen ha-;e literally turned the enrire cir, a:ound in it's th.inki;;g a, far as a gay tourist center. The Libert, Suites is locared at 1501 and across the street at 1500 S. \v'. Seco~d Avenue w~1ich is just one block \'fest of :he main rughway thru the center_ of to':vn. It is the pe~frct p~ace for gays ,in the Midwest to go to relax and haYe a great nme. \X-e get so urea of "simple rooms" when ,ve travel. But at the Liberty Suites, all rooms are aparcmen:s complete with kitchens, full size refrigerators, ovens, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, cooking utensils and complete with desk, linens, china, housewares and anything eise oossible that vou wo'.l!d need. The bedrooms are huge and so are tlle living ro~rns and they are decorated beautifully. Just fly or drive dm.vn and you can move right in for a week, a month or e. Your suitcase l of bathing suits is all you need. Every apartment mes with your wn private teiene and Cable VCR. For than wl:at t accommoons charge a simple mat the u can get a huge apartment for less than that! Grocery and liquor stores are within walking distance. We always go to the fresh produce market~ and buy the freshest grapefruits and ora:1ges. Since almost e:erybody in Florida loves to walk, 1t ts about a mile from che beach and what .1 ;vonderful walk it is. And most important, the Liberty Suites is pet friendiy so bring your pets wifi~ you. Did we mention about their off street parking?_Dici ~ve mentio,. their on-site laundry facilitiesr _l(,e and Jack r:.ave cione C\'ervthin_g perfect S() that you \Vill ha~,,rc a \-ery relaxed and carefree stay. \X'e baYe staved at the Liberty Suite5 fo~ i:he past fe,,.' years and it iust keq)$ e;~mng better :;ni lx:tter The grea;:est thing is that you ;;~,~~;1;~:~~~;;7~1::::: ;::~;'ri:r.::::::~~ii::'.l!.'.:i'.:~~::: ~c~";-;/>t:~:·a I2: ~~'.:i~~:~;i~,~~~,:~:;~ ~~'. ~;,~~~;~a~e;~e;,l~::1 :~:~/:~:;:.~::at~ ~;~e ti~:.i~:~~~~r~~:~~ ~1~~!~~;~:·~~;,~~,~~;,::,:;_<,_~,:;:t: ,ibm~-1 ;:::::e;e!~:~7s i\1 pL1cc to lire 1.vher; ;nv:1y fron1 hornc'·. Joe and Jack ..... ,. .... C(J~·rr1·--~l:r1:I) page 22 Arkansas & Oklahoma s most read GLBT Magazine 19 Photo below; A view of one of the several glaciers you'E see while traveling on the Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery Train. (Photo by Andrew Collins) July 2006 by Andrew Collins Anchorage, Alaska Although it's a bit less than a century old, Anchorage has deveioped into Alaska's largest city, with a population of about 260,000. It's also an excellent jumping-off point for countless adventures into the surrounding wilderness, from sea kavaking in Prince William Sound to hiking at Denali National Park to skiing at i\lveska Prince Resort in nearby Girdwood. But don't overlook the city itself, a lively cultural hub v.'ith great shopping and dining and immediate access to tl1e great outdoors. It's also the heart of the state's relativelv nascent but increasingly Yisibie gay scene. Summer is the most popular time to come, ·.vhen Anchorage abounds with flowers in private and public gardens as well as in wi!1dow boxes and hanging baskets on porches. The sun ri~e~ around 4:30 in the morning and doesn't set again umil almost midnignt, allowing for ample time eacl: day to ~ec the sight~. But snowsports Eans and bargain-seekers migh1 wane to consider 2 winter ,·isit, when hotel rates drop precipitouslv along ,.vid1 temperatures (expecr January highs tif about 2G to 25 degr::c:s, Ycrsu,; 60- to 65- degree high~ in July). J\.nchoragc -...von't likely dazzle you~ dcAvnto\vn '\Vas largely destroyed aunng a mar:sive 1964 ca:thquake, and much c,f the reconstru~ tion leaves a lot to be desired aesthetically. But it's nonctheiess ;h~u~:;~~;::~ ~;:t::::t~~~~~~ t~,:;ed:~t~:;~:tj !\la~ka ~~~~~;1!or J\nchoragc Syrnphony ()rchestra~ 1\nchoragc ()pcra, and J\laska Chamber Singer~ 'The A.nchorage Ivfuscurn of }1istory and J\rt is a \vorld-class facil\ Vith an extensive tro,te of art and artifacts th~n trace the of the region perform2nces. UF '""hrcugh th<~ rr-c,rl:•rr- ·1,;n. ·\n,J the /\.. hi.ska you can learn abcjut rbc state's csbii)ir·,s rki-:;.:r•.: v;d .::en11n:lf"-. and Anchorage has long drawn outdoorsy types, as there are plenty of ways to get your blood pounding ,vithin city limits, and you're also ,vithin driving distance of many great destinations for recreation and nature-watching. You can hike miles of trails at Chugach Staie Park, which fringes the city and extends for some 60 miles into rhe wilderness to the south, offering climbs to numerous peaks with elevations as high as 8,000 feet. Another grea~ venue is Eagle River Narure Center, which offers hikes, naturalist programs, and bird-watching outings among many o~her activities that showcase the region's abundant flora and fauna. And that's just scratching the surface don't overlook the Alaska Zoo (an excellent place to see black bears up close) and the Alaska Botanical Gardens. From a culinary standpoint, Anchorage has truly blossomed of late. There are certain foods that appear routinely on area menus, parricularly reindeer (often in the form of sausage), eik, and other area game along with plenty of local seafood, from wild salmon to raw ovsters to fresh berries. Kincaid Grill has been a pioneer in creatIYe r~gional dining, as chef Al Levinsohn is constantly coming up with excitine: new takes on Alaskan cuisine, from Kodiak scallops sen-ed with a;; Asian ponzu sauce and stir-fried veggies to roasted balibut Nicoise with olive tapenade. Another top choice is Sack's, a slick contemporary dining room filled ,vith modern art and ser-·ing such inno·,ative creations as pan-seared New Zealand rack of lamb ·.vith blueberry-port demig!ace. Grab a table along the sidewalk in good weather. You'll find sophisticated contemporary cuisine at Mick's at the Inlet, including a knockout elk chop ,vith goat cheese brioche pudding, Bearnaise sauce, and a berry relish, and roasted skatefish wing with blood oranges, fennel, chives, and olive oil. Drop by Cafe Savannah, a cool little capas restaurant and wine bar with authentic Spanish cooking, for the likes of Portobello mushrooms stuffed with chorizo and Manchego cheese, and calamari with lemon-garlic aioli. For a light meal and great people-watching and mingling, check our Glacier Brewhouse, which is known as much for its delicious house-brewed oatmeal stout and red-currant Iambic beer as for tastv comfort food, such as seared ahi runa and Thai chicken pizza. Ga-;-friendlv Sassafras Coffeehouse is a fine spot for a ligh! meal, coffee. and ·free wireless Internet - it's right across the street from Nord;trom's, by downtown's 5th Avenue Ma!L Try the rurkey-bacon- avocado wrap. ;\Jso a block from the mail, Cyrano's Theatre Company cc)mprises a performance space, arty bookstore, and pctic cafe (calied Twig's) ,;vhere you can grab a chicken-pecan salad or a ci.;p ()f seafood chowder. The ,.heater p:oduces ,;.,ell-acted piavs throughou: the y;car and has a strong gay following. The queer nightlife scene 1s limired ~~f ~~;;,:Eif £~:v!~i~!;~;::i::~:::::~'.:'.:,:~:~:;.1.~, male-oriented and cruisy Raven~ ,vh.ich is JUST arc,uncl the corner. I"herc arc several accomrnodations here that 1narkct to gay n,:1wr~, among 1hem the i\laskan Leopard B&~~-;:;,1,:.::;t~~)i~:~sc: crepes and sourdough \t,~affies arc a1r1ong the and delicious breakfasts for \1/hich the inn bas a 20 Arkansas & Oklahoma ·s mo.st read GLBT Magazine loyal following, and the owners can also organize a wide range of wildlife tours throughout the surrounding area. Just on the edge of downtov;n, the gay-owned \X'ildflower Inn contains three guest rooms wit!:: sophisticated but comfy furnishings, including a beautiful J\ifission-style bed in one and TV /VCRs in all of them (plus Wi-Fi throughout r.he house). It's a great choice if you want to be within wa!bng distance of museums, restaurants, and nightlife. Another highly popular gay-owned property downtown is the Copper \X'hale Inn, an urbane late-1930s house (a rare survivor of the '64 quake) with 15 rooms, most of them affording panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and Cook Inlet. Of larger mainstream properties, one of the most luxurious is the Marriott i\.nchorage Downtown. This airy, contemporary high-rise offers dramatic views of the distant wilderness but also affords easy access to local sights and restaurants. You can make a number of excellent day trips or short overnights from Anchorage. One of tne best full-service resorts in Alaska is the luxurious ,'\lyeska Prince Resort, in the small village of Girdwood, a 45-minute drive south of the city. In winter, it's the state's top venue for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snow-tubing, and sledding. You can also take the aerial tram up to ;\ft. Alyeska, ·.vhich has a restaurant at the top. In summer, you can book a tandem paragliding ride off the rop of the mountain. Anorher option is the two-and-a-half-hour drive m Seward, a slightly gritty old fishing town on the Kenai Peninsula. It's gradually developed into a popu.iar cruise port and leisure destination, thanks to its proximity to aarure and also the Alaska Sealife Center, a marine-life research facility where visitors can observe the habitats of 2,000-pound Sre!lar sea lions, diving puffins, and dancing King crabs, among other creatures native to this region. Just outside of Seward, you can visit Exit Glacier - in facr, you can practically drive your car right up to the edge, as it's the most accessible glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, which encompasses more than 900 sguare miles. From the parking area it's a flat 15- minute hike to the foot of the glacier. where you can get some great up<lose pnotograph~ of this hulking, slowly retreating mass of ice. Downtown Se,;rnrd has a handful of restaurants and som·e1ur shops, mostly aiong 3rd and ~th .JTem,es. anci the community also has plenty of tour oper,,tors offe:ing kayaking trips, fligh::seeing excursions, and sailing ad\'cntures. Perhaps the n1ost dramatic ,,vay to get ar<)und the region, especially if you're a fan of "Vintage trains1 is to book {:>ne of the popular sightseeing runs on the Alaska Railroad. There are extensive wurs lasting frotn t\VO to 10 days through the J)eoali National Park's backcountry and up into the /\.retie Cjrcic, as \veU as easy day trips that depart ,Anchorage :ind take you through rugged Chugach Forest, past soar .. ing glaciers and 3cross \vildHo,ver-stre~v.;n meado\vs. f'vfany of these trains ha~.re giass-dome alloYving incredible photo ops. These coiorfu1 jaunts n;1rratcd by experienced naturalists offer the perfect chance to Arkansas & Okiahoma 's most ;ead GLBT Magazine 21 GAY TRAVELERS: are true gay icons in the community and they deserve e~·ery bi~ of recognition that they get. They have both worked extremely hard ar building up Dania Beach and the whole communiq-, both gay and straight, are so proud of them. So the next time you are ready to take off for a week or more, check out the Liberty Suites at: http:/ f,,vww.LibertySuites.com. Their toll free telephone number is 877-927-0090 and their fax number is 954-342-8944 or you can email them at: JJ@LibertySuites. com * Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $26.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) Check e!'ldosed Money Order Start Date: 22 the STAR Travel Plans by Dougias Glenn As much as I like ;:o talk to a real person it just doesn't pay anymore to do so. Take booking flight for instance. When I callee! my favorite airlines recently to book a flignt I was told rhat if I booked on line there would be no charge but if I did book over the phone that there \Vould be a $10.00 charge. And this was the airline company I was talking with! Talk about a rip-off! They want me to fly with them, give them my hard earned money but then they \Vant ro charge me for calling them and purchasing a ticke~! Well, needless to say, I DID go on-line and book the flight and saved myself S10.00. However it really irritated me to no end to ha\·e to do that. \'\'hen I did go on line I was amazed at the different prices for different times of the day. First and last flights of the day \\:ere iess expensive and flying in the middle of the week (Tuesday, \\'.'ednesday and Thursday) had cheaper rates also. Saturdays seerns ~o have cheaper rates also. But forget about flying out :\1onday morrijng or Friday afternoons as that is \vhen ail tbe businessmen do there traveling. I have found to always book directly \vith the airlines rather than going thru a second source such 2.s a booking site. linles~ you read the small print you wind up paying services charges that completely wipes any savings tha, you think that you arc getting. When I was going traveling overseas I sometimes use a m,vcl agency but they also charge anymore. \Vhat happen.ed t0 sen-ice? A good \veb• site to check out for best air fares and that is: http:/ iairconsumer. ost.dot.gov / publications /bestfare.htm It used to be that flying was so much fun but now it is such a hassle, with parents and their children screaming and yelling and shoving and pushing and well, guess you kinda get mv drift. Now it is a total nightmare to just get a seat. But, since other than d,+,ing that is the only alter:1afr1e I just ha,,e to grin and bear it. I alwa;·:, taKe a good book or a couple of good magazines to read because you never know when there might oe a delay. (Jood luck v1ith your flight'. * Earl Wheeler 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) Serving the Tu!sa Metro Area for over 21 Years with PRIDE! CUSTOM DECORATING* HOLIDAY SPECIALS ~rders by 12noon guaranteed same day delivery. F'R!!:E HOM!!: OEt.lVERY 5 Mi!e Service Area 918.734.6847 11mail lrrol>ol:8aol.t0m Your order is treated with the upmost confidentiality. nd 111lxed. and 6a,~ed. JVLld 6ltzdseed ite:,:1-.00 73:j,f~ · TheSTAR 23 Salutations Kittens--Uncle Mikey here fresh from the pages of yet another fabulous pride season, and what a season it is. Ende Mikey is hurriedly gathering his second wind in time for the fourth. I would like to rhank the many men who made this season so enjoyable, and will be sending out thank vou notes accordingly. To all those tasty treats ready for the independence celebration- heyyy! Dear Uncle Mikey, My boyfriend and I attended pride as a couple this year for the first time. We agreed that we were building a monogamous relationship which went straight out the window two hours into it. He acted as if I were keeping him from having a good time and then we got into a fight in the middle of the after pride events. I feel as though this is a sign and that he is not that serious about me after all. He ended up in our suite with another man, and asked me to join as if there was nothing going on. What's the deal, am I wrong to think he crossed a line? Pride drama Dearest Pride-drama, Kitten, Uncle feels your pain but aliow me a moment to giYe you another POV Even the ~ost -.veil intentio!l men in the world can fall Drey to the OYer abundant bou:;r,c at a oride event. Fact: He oro~ght his game home to shire wi:h his beloved, which oi:rvious!:, suppor~s a lack of coRJmi.:nicacion here. \'fhat man is going ,o bring home a trick- Unle~s he i$ simply a drama seeker, this action tells r:1e tnere needs to be more cohc~iYe communication. Kitten, I couid nor help but catch that mu didn't teE the nory o+ rejecting this blunder, feeEng that it was a night tc remember for all., not thac 1 am judging. I \Vouid rnost assuredly address this J~sue ho,;_1f·e·\"er, if it \Vere me~ 1 \Vould haYe taken pictures for our anniversary a]bu1n, Smooches- t :. Mikey Dear l]ncle l\1ikey~ ~v~t~;::;l~~::;~t:e!~;;i;:1 1:~.~;~}~;~s:~L:::c;/;~;:~,c;~~~:i1r!:,.-:~~'.1 :nforgettable places. f-le \1.ras passionate, attentive, grv'ing, intense sexy and sc; romantic he absolutely rook 1ny breath. L.ooking into hi5 eye:::. 1 feit alive. ;lnd :as if \VC \\~ere S(•tne h.o\v C(:.innected. J feH 26 the STAR name, and do not know where to 6nd him. I don't'k.now ,vhat to do? My friends think I am making it up, but this man took me mind body and soul. What can I do? Lookjng for Gabe Dearest Looking, Kitten, you have fallen pray ro '.vhat Cncle c,;lls, rhe goiden-boot1·call. The hottest, sweatiest, most passion you have ever felt before as in your fe,·erish adolescem dreams. Hown·cr, this was a one time shot-~ao pun intended. You have to except this and move on holding this night as cherished moment in time. Kitten, I have known this occurrence before. Uncle had a friend we will call Steve, well Steve hGoked up with a one name woeder who rook him w such pas$ionate heights he acruaHy cried recalling the night t0 me. He became obsessed wicl1 finding this trick in the night while losing site cf realty. He neglected his job, his friends, his entire existence became a search for this man of many orgasms. It was so sad, we tried e~;crything including an intervention, when we realized ,ve lost him to this unknown sende~ of passions embrace. \'?ell, iong story short, be lost nis jobs, ignored his friends, his apartment! Kitten, it was rent comrolleci., I swear it brings a tear to my eye still yet. 3'foral: Kitten, if this man is meant to be than he shall return, i10we\ ·er do not get hung up no matter ho\;• nung he was. I ,et it go while moving forward chalking the nig!:t up for what it was, a wonderfu: Golden-booty-call, you shali tell generations to come Queerdom. Kitten, it is better to ha,-e hit that than to neYer ha,:e known it at all! Smooches-U. Ivlikey Uncle :,Iikey, Is a threeso~e with your brother-in-law and boyfriend wrong? Seriously considering it. Dearest considering, Not with the right lighting and mocivation. Bon appetite! Ki~tens- A quick noteworthy mome::11:. Look ~o the right of Uncles corner here. Al! I can say is yummy! Hey john and Paul...A delicious recipe for a tasty meal, a sweet drink to wash it down and !wo cute d , h - . . d 11 csserts, ,v at a recipe 1n eea: Kittens, Uncle mus, once mo:-e take m,· leave, (1uicker than a trick dot,:n the fire escape. I have to send n1y faithful house-boy to get Cacies buli-; deln-er•, of Gatorade. [ swear sm~1mer heat has such an effect <)11 lJncle. S01ne say sununcr furt~ I say summer ioYe. lJncle \\~ant~ to remir1d one and aH to piay safe during the stunmer sizzic. Remember to iove yourself, and luve one another; se':~:-cral times a day if you ~. .v ;,inr to get really gc,od! I-iappy fourth (}uccrdorn--1 salure yc,u, in more \vays than one. Sn1ooches l]ncle :vljkey and 'Tiddics too. * 10 Large Potatoes. 1 cup chopped Celery. 1 cup chopped red onion. 1/2 cup chopped sweet pickles. 4 Boiled Eggs. 1/2 cup Real Mayonnaise. 1/2 cup Ha!f & Half cream. 1 Tablespoon Season Salt. 1/2 Tablespoon White Pepper. In a large pot boil potatoes until tender. Rinse with cold water, peel potatoes and cut into cubes. In a large bowl add potatoes, seasoning, mayonnaise and cream. Mix very weil, then add celery, onions, pickles, Mix together boiled eggs then add to bowl. Chill for about 2 hours and serve. "HAVE A GREAT 4TH of JULY" This months recipe is a delicious martini. Serve these up some evening for a nice cocktail hour (or 2 or 3). Jazz r music goes very well with martinis so I suggest a little Diana Krall on the stereo and you'll have a great and enjoyable LEMON DROP MARTINI (6 parts) Absolute Citron Vodka (2 dashes) Dry Vermouth Fresh Lemon Granulated Sugar 1 Rim a chilled martini glass with sugar. 2. Combine Vodka, Vermouth and fresh squeeze of !emon with ice in shaker and shake well. 3. Strain into martini glass and garnish with a !emon twist 4. EN,JOY !!! HAVE A SAFE JULY 4TH CELEBRATION! Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine 27 Scopes by Jack Fertig JULY 2006 "Be ready for adventure, Cancer!" Mars opposing Neptune makes chemical overindulgence easy and dangerous, especially when you're showing off. Venus in Gemini encourages flirtations, but she's square Uranus in Pisces, so confused signals can build false expectations. Or maybe you reaily do want more than you admit. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): You can't win in games or investments now, but you can have lots of fun with the former if you aim for idealistic benefits rather than mere victory. Idealism in community service will make you a winner in ways no game can match. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Trying to look good at work will backfire. Just do your job and let accomplishment speak for itself. Calling in o!d debts could yield some happy surprises. It's also a great time for new pen pals or oniine contacts. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You're suddenly looking awfully good, and you can use that for promotions or raises. Take pride in your listening skills and flexibility, and stay out of arguments! Anything you say will be held against you. CANCER (June 21 00 July 22): No insurance or real estate deais for you this week! Sex mixed with booze or drngs is a dangerous combo - isn't it better when you're really all there? Be ready for adventure in both flesh and spirit. The world is opening to you in new ways. LEO (July 23 $ August 22): Your adoration of the limelight is annoying your co-star and aggravating misunderstandings. Humility is your best feature, when you can manage it. Discretion and social service wiil prove surprisingly beneficial to your-sex life. V!RGO (August 23 - September 22): Calm down, meditate, and re!ax your fraglle nerves. Work is going better than it seems. and you're sure to get noticed with some support from your colleagues. Even if you're having some awful snafus, others will understand and forgive. LIBRA (September 23 00 October 22): You're ready for adventure, but it could easily be a misadventure, and that's a drag. Focus that urge for innovation at work where it's more likely to make you shine. ~ SCORPIO (October 23 00 November 21): Past or present issues with your parents seem especially complex now and can creep into dealings with authority figures. Sexual role play can shed some iight on those dynamics. Otherwise, the boss isn't your mommy or daddy, and vice versa. Stay present in the moment. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 $ December 20): You're especially prone to exaggerate now and overwhelm people with stories. Keep the truth clean and simple, but freely regale your friends with wild yarns and jokes. Your spin on legends and folk tales can be surprisingly seductive. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Your sexual charm is strong, but has to be played carefully. Knowing the right time and place for it is the trick. Your current attack of klutziness may actually help a bit, giving you an endearing, vulnerable quality. AQUARIUS (January 20 $ February 18): Your partner's wishes are much clearer than yours. That's making you feel put down, but you just need to articulate. Sing out, Louise! Pleasures that seem indulgently expensive are really accessible if you budget and plan. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Be careful of hubris. Fall back on your usual modesty at work. Fun and games at home are where you now excel and can crow shamelessly. Surprise some friends with new recipes and afterdinner entertainments. ., < SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing the last Sunday of each month between SP},f and 6PM. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4'11 Jc)plin, :\.fo 64803 Sunday Sernce 6P\1 Wed. 28 Advertising in the STAR is Just good business cents. Arkansas, Bentonville (479) NWA GLBT Ctr - - - - www.nwaglbtcc.org- - - - - - --479-586-1062 Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Event - - - - - - - - - - - - - -www. ersitypride.com A Byrd's Eye View- - - - - 36 N. Main- - - - - - - - - -479-253-0200 Caribe Restaurante- - - - 309 W VanBuren- - - - -479-253-8102 Henri's - - - - - - -19 1/2 Spring St - - - - - - - - - - - -479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - - 105 E VanBuren- - - - - -479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- - - 888-582-8464 Spexton- - - - - - - - 17B Spring Street - - - - - - - - -918-829-0824 Tiki Torch- - - - - - - - 75 S. Main Street- - - - - - - - -479-253-2305 Tradewinds Lodge -141 W. YanBuren- - - - - - - - - 800-242-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Common Ground Restaurant- - - 412 W. Dixon - -479-442-3515 Condom Sense - - - - - - - - 418 W. Dickson- - - - - -4 79-444-6228 Curry's Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-521-0009 Passages - - - - - -930 N. College Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-442-5845 Pride Street Live- - 523 W. Poplar St-- - - - - - - - - - 479-587-0557 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave-- - - - - - - - - - -479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- - - - - - -1004 1i2 Garrison Ave- - - - - - - 479-783-9988 Red Rock City - - -917 N. "A" St. - - - - - - - - - - - - 479-242-2489 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jesters Lounge - - - - 1010 E. Grand Ave - - - - - - - 501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - - - -1021 Jessie Rd- - - - - - - - - - - - -501-6642744 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.dsra.org Discovery- - - - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - - - - - - -501-666-6900 Sidetracks - - - 415 Main St - -North L.R.- - - - - - - -501-244-0444 The Factory- - - - - - 412 Louisiana St.- - - - - - - - - 501-372-3070 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club- - - - - 384 Grant Ave. - - - - - - - - -785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway- - - - - - - - - - - - -620-231-0938 River of Life Church.- - 1709 N. Walnut- - - - - - - -Service 11AM Kansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40- - - - - 3201 S. Hillside- - - - - 316-682-5494 Priscilla's- - - - - 6143 W Ke!iogg Dr- - - - - - - - - - - 316-942-1244 Club Glacier- - - - - - - - - 2828 E. 31st South- - - - - 316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- - - - - - - 716 S. Main - - - - - - - - - - - - - -417-627-9035 MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - - - - - - - - - - - -- - Sun-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816} 40th Street Inn- - - -www.40thstreetinn.com- - - - - -816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Blvd -- - - - -816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs - 1.-N.w.hydeskc.com - 816-56H010 Missie B's- - - -805 W 39th St- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -816-561-0625 Missouri, Lampe (417) KOKOMO Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-779-5084 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- - - - 424 Boonv!HeAve- - - - - - - - - - -417-83i-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical- - - - - - - -417-869-3978 Martha's Vineyard- - - 219 W Oiive .. - -- - - - - - - - - 417-864-4572 Missouri, Springfield (417) Priscilla's - - - - 1918-S Glenstone - - - - - - - - - - - -417-881-8444 Ronisuz Place- - --821 College- - - - - - - - - - - - - -417-864-0036 Rumors - --1109 E. Commercial- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books- - - -104 Sunset - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 580-242-6838 Prisciiia's- - - - - - - - -4810-A West Garriott- - - - - - - 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Triangies- - - - - - - - - - -29 SW "D" Ave - - - - - - - - 580-351-0620 ingrids Bookstore- - - - - 1124 NW Cache Rd- - - - - -580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester McPride- - - - - - - - - - - POBox 1515, - - - - - McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) American Crossroads B&B - POBox 270642- - - - - -405-495-1111 Boom Room- - - - - - - 2807 NW 36th St- -- - - - - - - -405-601-7200 Border's Books- - - - - 3209 NW Expressway- -- - - 405-848-2667 Club Rox- - - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Christie's Toy Box- - - -3126 N. May Ave - - - - - - -405-946-4438 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave- - - - - - - -405-672-6459 Fat Cat Bingo- - - - - - 3130 N. May Ave - - - - - - - - -405-942-8875 Hollywood Hotel- - - - 3535 NW 39th Exp - - - - -405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club - - - - - - - 1221 NW 50th- - - - - - - - - 405-843-1722 Partners- - - - - - - - - 2805 NW 36th St - - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Pec's- - - - - - - - - - -3535 NW 39th Expw - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - 615 E. Memorial- - - - - - - - - - - 405-755-8600 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St- - - - - - - - - - - 405-525-5165 Rudy's P!ace-- - - - -3535 NW39th Expw- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Phoenix Rising - - - - 2120 NW 39th St- - - - -- - - - -405-601-3711 The Park- - - - - - - - 2125 NW 39th St - - - - - - - - - -405-528-4690 The Rockies- - - - - - 3201 N. May Ave - - - - - - - - - 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Tramps- - - - - - - - - - - -2201 NW 39th-- - - - - - - - - -405-521-9888 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge- - - -7204 E. Pine - - -- - - - - - - - -918-836-8700 Border's Book Store- - 2740 E. 21st- - - - - - - - - - 918-712-9955 Border's Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale - - - - - - - - - - 918-494-2665 Club 209 - - - - - - - 209 N. Boulder - - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-9494 Club Majestic- - - - - - - 124 N. Boston - - - - - - - - 918-58'i-9494 Ciub Maverick- - - - - 822 S. Sheridan - - - - - - - - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks -- - - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - - - - - - -918-834-1051 Elite Bookstore - - - - -814 S. Sheridan- - - - - - - - - 918-838-8503 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 5545 E. 41 st- - - - - - - - - - - 918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge- - - - - 11730 E. 11th- - - - - - - - - -918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic- - - - - - - 3540 E. 31st- - - - - - - - - - - - 918-749-8378 Jazz·s Lounge- - - - - - 426 S. Memorial - - - - - - - - - 918-836-8544 Midtown- - - - - - - - - - 319 E. 3rd- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 918-584-3112 Nite Spot - -- - - - - -3007 E. Admiral Pl - - - -- - - - - - 918-834-3007 Our House, Too - - - -203 N Nogales Ave- - - -- - - - -918-585-9552 Prisci!la's - - - - - - - -7925 E. 41st- - - - - - - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla's - - - - ·· - - 5634 W. Skelly- - - - - - - - - - 918-446-6336 Priscilla's - - - - - - - 11344 E. 11th - - - - -- - - - - - - -918-438-4224 Priscilla's - - - - - - - - - 2333 E. ?1st- - - - - -- - - - - - -918-499-1661 Renegades- - - - - - - - 1649 S. Main - - - - - - - - - - - 918-585-3405 Rob's Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- - - - - - - 918-627-1505 Sterling & Co. Saion- - -1606 E.15th St- - - - - - - - - 918-742-9999 Tulsa CARES- - - - 3507 E. Admiral Pi.- - - - - - - - - - 9"18-834-4194 Tuisa Eagie- - - - -1338 E 3rd - - - - - - - - - - - - -918-592-1188 TNT's - - - - - - - 2114 S. Memoriai- - - - - - - 918-660-0856 Whittier News Stand- - 1 N. Lewis- - - - - - •· - - - - 918-592-0767 ~le!iO\\f-Brick-Rd- - - - - - - 2630 E. 15th~ - - - - - - ~ ~ 918-293-0304 ute FREE copies of the ST:.A,.R. -.· email: oxarksstar@sbcglobal.net 30 •v 6f.Et.t HAN;!.Ofll ·~" AU.AN N6UWiltTH NATHAN WAITS TO ME:E:T i<ICHARO FOi< A SATUl<DAY t..UNCH DATE: ... 't)l:'-AR PA-<'f?ot-15, ,MJo1"1-\CR' Yic..TiM oF Ri,,;i NG Ff,oM"'r',s:, C.AFi O L-AY HAS C:..tOS~P i-rs PooR'S'' -(tlAMt<S f'oR Yo'-'FZ, ,,, BuSiN~$. rH.t'F, 15 >'OVR FAVt.V.'." Y ARE: TURNING OUR GAY UPPER WE:ST 910 OSHKOSH' OU Be Seen VVith The Star OH, NH!i-E, YOU ANO RUBEN WE:R!: AWAY HAViNG TONS OF GROVP SEX ON THAT M!:01- T!:RRAN!:AN CRUISi:: Night club for sale Aprox 3000 sq. ft. occupancy around 200 has storage building and small hou,e on the property. S210.000 Great entertaining home on 15th street by fair Grounds 4 bedroom 1.5 baths Large Su:uoom with 10 person Hot Tub Hard wood floors crown moiding L'1-rge Master Bedroom Aprox. 2050 sq. 5:. House is like new. $159.500 3 Bedroom 2 Bath 2 Edng 2 Car To~ally Up· dated in South Tulsa 58,b Sheridan area For Sale or Lease $145.000 or $1,200 per month Rental. 3 Bedroom 2 Bath 2 Livi,ig 2 Car with Pool 58th Place and Sheridan aprox 1850 sq. ft. $140.500 Condo"s for rem 66th and Peoria area 1 Bedroom I Bath with small Dea $500.00 Fireplace cover parking month plus eclectic. Condo"s for rent 66th and Peoria area 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Fireplace co,·ercd parking S550.00 plus eiectric. Tracy Whyburn Keller Williams Realtors 496-2252 Cell 625-6377 NWA GLBT CENTER The Northwest Arkansas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center is a group of !Ike-minded individuals who have come together to create a nonprofit GLBT Community Center in Northwest Arkansas. www.nwaglbtcc.org 11730 E. 11th - Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 Wed. Showtime with Bobby e, Miss Tulsa of America Special Guest 10:30PM Open Tues-Sun 2pm-2am Closed on Monday's OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISINl3 SALES REPRESENTATIVE F'OR WICHITA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Get results with STAR Classifieds! ,',',', ','' ,,,'" ,.,. ports, Hot Stone oqtScrubs liriic ·· ... ··. ings an,:f We:~kends Oklahoma City business owner and beloved community friend Gil Ray passed away peacefully on Friday June 16th at 3:42 AM after a long illness. He had requested cremation. 31 , , , , ,, " ~, ,..,..,.,~_,,_,._~,,~'fi'i,•i("•'ff•..-.-•H ...... ,.._,,.,,,11•"ll'~lo•"""""•'••.,..,.,◄~·-.1 __ ,, •• ,,,.._,..,_ • ..,-• .,.~ ......... .: • ..,.~ ... ._...,¥,.,,..,._,...,_,~,,,.,..,_..,..,___..~ ... I JEXPllit:S:) ~OHOLIC BEVERAGE LAWS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION) ~ 1■ 111 I I 111111 11111 ■111111 ( UCENSli NO. C :id 4 j2 ".,rj i ·1 ! I I I 11 II I I I I EFFECTIVE Oo/ 11./2006 j. } I I I I I I I i \ LICENSEFEE ;4,riO.Q.; 4 I I 111111 I 1111 I I I 1 I I I I Ill I I Ill I I I l I Ii I I I • • • lJ I II I I I I Ii DIii 11111 Ill ■ID 111111 11111 I i ,,--ISSIIED TO: J PRl:MISE: 1 riULLV'..JOGO HUHL AND SUllt:S .S535 NOirft!WtST 39nt ull~HJMA ~ITV, JK 751!2 ' MAll.lN<i: J5J:J .Wl<TiHJESi ~;'}fH OKL,'.\HtJHi\ C HV,_;,;_ . tJK /Sll2 ____________ LEWI:i 1:WR,.;ICK GROUP I NC • 1 11 ( ) STA1E crOOAtOMA. • Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, July 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 7 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 01, 2006 Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn John Patrick Micheal Dee Kay Massey Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Micheal Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Chaz Ward Victor Gorin Teresa Goodrich Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, June 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 6 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/229 The Star Magazine, August 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 8 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/224 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/228 Advice Column AIDS Avian Influenza Bamboo Lounge Bitter Girl Chelsea Boys Comic Strips Crystal Meth Happy Family health Heart to Heart HIV/AIDs homophobia Kandy Cayne Lemon Drop Martini Lesbian Notions Miss Oklahoma Continental Momma's Summer Potato Salad One Big Past Out Pride Not Prejudice Festival Primary Election Q Scope Quotable Quotes star classified Star Distributors Star entertainment Star travel The Star Scene Tulsa Pride Festival Uncle Mikey vacation World AIDS day https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/7e62147d1ef12d2ef3452f3d1244ddcb.jpg a073bb24c0afc100d73e5cb123f7b05e https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/be92ffffc6b299f694cd956dbe3f4df8.pdf d43ff5f9547bf3c3190d8bc89ef17b2d PDF Text Text �������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document Sco,tt Crow, lVlanag.ing .. 0'£u~ker ~CG·raw Davisson ;Stewa,rt, Realtors. - - 1 Langley, Oklahoma ScottCrow.:tttcg;raw.ok.con1 91B.782.3211 · Quality web newsprfat at affordable prices 405-478-4009 • 6725 N. Mir--a.rna.rBlvd. Okla City, OK 73111 Fading by Carlotta Carlisle omance way? When was the last time you went on a date without having sex with your date? Have you or do you read romance books, such as Harlequin-style gay romance novels from Romentics gay romances? Has gay life become just sex, disco and sex? Where have the days gone when you dressed to the hilt and went to a nice dimly lit restaurant with your partner or date, listen to some soft music and looked into the eyes of the person across the table and said, whow you are beautiful? It seems to me gay life has become fast food, weird cloths, drugs, loud music and sex, sex, sex! Now some may say, that sounds like fun, that's the life. When was the last time you sent your partner flowers for no special ocqision, but to say I love you? Tulsa is strategically situated in an area that has close access to beautiful iakes, mountains, smali romantic towns like Eureka Springs, AR. Cities with totally gay restaurants and lodging such as, Kansas City, Dallas, Oklahoma City. Many weekend get-a-ways at our door steps. There are severai all gay camp grounds for those who want to get back to nature. There are numerous places to just go be romantic with your partner. With valentines coming in February and spring just around the comer why not make a date, get those fine threads out of moth balls, step out and do some star gazing and iots of smooching. Get the candles out, put on the white table c!oth, by some flowers and invite your favorite man or women over for a intimate dinner and suck some face. Whow! I'm in the mood now. olitics of tal eth A non-profit executive, governmentalemployee, financial advisor, travel agent, student, fashion designer - what these gay men have•in common is a knowledge of pain, obsession, despair, degradation, and finally freedom from the one element that connects their stories: crystal meth use. Dr. Ken Cimino reveals the intimate and horrifying nature of math abuse and presents ten inspiring true life dramas of math use and recovery in The Politics of Crystal Meth: <;;ay Men Share Rersonal Stories of Addiction and Recovery (www.gayitics.com). He describes the many reasons why gay men use methamphetarilines, from gay oppression to homophobia to building self.esteem to HIV issues. From addiction to resolution, he then shares ten personal and motivating stories of meth use and recovery. In The Politics of Crystal Meth, experts such as Kathy Rebak, Walter Odets and Lucianq Colonna talk about issues and problems created by gay men who use meth. · .~ .. Gay men addicts bear a social stigma that straight men · don't, for example, making it hard for them to admit their addiction and seek treatment. The Politics of Crystal Meth also answers the difficult questions, "Am I an addict?" and "T;c>'.whom do I turn?" It describes the principles of the n1ost successful treatment programs and lists the experts currently bringing help to gay men who have meth and.other addiction problems. The Politics of Crystal Meth will educate you, possibly scare you, and.alert you to math addiction as experienced by ordinary, respectable, average gay men. Whether you think you may be an addict, know someone or IQve someone who is, or work with gay addicts, this book offers self he!p through understanding and support. Dr. Kenneth Cimino has written for numerous publications including Advocate.com, GFN and CBS Marketwatch. His first non-fiction manuscript, Gay Assimilation: The Group Consciousness of Gay Conservatives, is forthcoming next year. He is a graduate of Claremont Graduate University with a Ph.D. in Political Science and also has a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Quotable Quotes "When people show you who they are, believe them the first time ............. .. MAYA ANGELOU Reconsiders, dve ise in ay By Ross von Matzke o. ill edia Dearborn, Ml_ Representatives for the Ford Motor Co. have announced advertisements featuring the company's eight vehicle brands will ryn in gay publications, responding to complaints from gay rights groups when Jaguar and Land Rover pulled their spots. In a letter addressed to the groups, Ford said not only will it resume buying corporate ads featuring Land Rover and Jaguar, it will begin advertising Ford's other brands in gay-:themed publications as well. In the past, Ford had not purchased advertisements for the Ford, Mercury and Lincoln brands in gay-oriented publications. "I think we're back in gear with Ford," Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, said Thursday. "They responded to each of the concerns we raised in a positive way. It's a great outcome." Last week, Ford cited a need to cut marketing costs as its primary reason for pulling Jaguar and Land Rover ads from several gay publications in 2006. The announcement came days after the conservative American Family Association announced it had reached an agreement with Ford and declared victory. In May, the AFA threatened Foid with a boycott because it objected to the automaker extending partner benefits to gay employees and because Ford supported gay events and advertised in gay publlcations. Ford officials denied that pressure from the AFA had any effect on their decision. But gay groups questioned the timing of the ad Withdrawals and the decision by the American Family Association to cail off the boycott. On Wednesday, Ford wrote the gay rights groups that the luxury brands "made a business decision about their media plans and it wouid be inconsistent with the way we manage our business to direct them to do otherwise." Instead, Ford pledged to run corporate ads in the publications that would include its full lineup. "It is my hope that this will remove any ambiguity about Ford's desire to advertise to ail important audiences and put this particular issue to rest," wrote Joe continued page-10 Out of Town Sydney has emerged in recent years as one of the world capitals of inventive dining - there are great restaurants all over town. For a truly special occasion, few restaurants in Australia deliver more ·wow• factor than Rockpool, a temple of creative modem Australian (aka "Mod Oz") cuisine, where you might sample such innovate fare as stir-fried squid and King prawns with squid-ink noodles, smoked bacon, tomatoes, chilies, and coriander. Another must for gourmands is Altitude, which sits atop the ritzy Shangri-La Hotel (on the 36th floor), affording unrivaled views of Sydney Harbour and serving stellar Mod Oz fare. For more casual dining and drinking, stop by one of the city's quintessentially old-school pubs, such as the warm and festive Lord Nelson Hotel, which serves a nice array of ales arid lagers as well as superb Aussie wines and tasty pub food. And for incredibly delicious Thai•food, look to Sailors Thai, an elegant restaurant on one of the Rocks' busiest streets. If Asian cuisine il3your weaknes.s1 you've come to the right city. For the ultimate experience, venture a bit farther east into the Surry Hills n.eighborhood to Bniy;Kwong, an intimate restaurant wher~. international · Kylie Kwong dreams up magically modem takes on Cantonese food. In the heart of the main gay district, for inexpensive, homestyle food, drop byfaid-back Betty:!> Soup Kitchen, which is known for its huge, meal-size bov.,iin:if soup, from lentil to gazpacho, .plus simple pastas and,hQmemade desserts. The Grumpy Baker is a cute coffeehouse with delicious :baked goods and a typically delicious-looking clientele, too. On Taylor Square, Lure Fish Cafe and Oyster Bar serves up some of the best chow i.n the area. It's a hip space with clean lines and minimalist decor. Wok on ll)n and Don Don are side-by-side cheap and handy Asian restaurants, the first specializing in noodle bowls and the second in sushi. Nearby in trendy Paddington, Toko Sushi on Oxford turns out some of the most inventive sushi in town, in an uber-trendy dining room. In the up-and-coming Inner West part of Sydney, the Newtown and Glebe neighborhoods have become popular for funky shopping and ethnic dining. Great dining spots in these districts include Kilimanjaro for inexpensive, delicious African fare; Sumalee for tasty Thai treats; and lku Kitchen for vegetarian victuals. Sydney has a number of inviiing accommodations, most of them downtown, which is either a pleasant 20-minute walk or a relatively qllick cab ride from Oxford Street. Directly facing Sydney Harbour, you'll find the stunning Park Hyatt, a fourstory hotel with unbelievably cushy rooms, round-the-clock butler service, and a loyal celeb following. If you get a chance, eat iunch in the hotel's open~air dining room overlooking the harbor and opera house. Up tM street, The Establishment, run by Aussie design guru Justin Hemmes, turns heads with its 33 super-stylish rooms and chic public spaces, such as Tank nightclub, Est restaurant, and Sushi e cafe. For the ultimate in style, book one of the sleek rooms at the W Hotel Sydney, where Russell Crowe is said to have an apartment. There aren't too many accommodations right along Oxford Street, but one iove!y and relatively affordable option is Sullivans Hotei, just east of Darlinghurst in Paddington. This intimate and friendly property has 64 reasonably priced rooms plus a pool and exercise room. Right on Hyde Park, there's the Sheraton on the Park, a thoroughly upscale lodging with about 550 sleek rooms and a great health club, pool, and spa. If you're seeking a little extra leg room, try the nearby Southern Cross Suites, whose spacious and relatively affordable.- studio rooms have kitchenettes. Another smart Darlinghurst option is the Medusa, which has just 18 rooms, col.ors and mod furnishings. . . downt9.wn Sydney but right by the ocean, consider staying arDiyi:I Hotel, which is in Coogee Beach and just steps from the sand.This intimate 14-room hotel is done in cool blacks and w~it,es with striking modem furniture. In fact,·even if you don'tovemight out in this direction, at least plan a bi:iefexcursion. Sydney's fashionable seaside neighborhoods h~ve loads of character plus intriguing shops and restaurants. ·· · :.:: ·· You might plan to watch the.sun set from Bondi Beach's hottest restaurant, lcebergS'; a futuristic, glass-walled cantina overlooking the ocean and'serving·such memorable Mod Oz fare as char-grilled quail with gni,pe salad, and smoked eel with creme fraiche, arugala, and horseradish. The dessert of vanilla panna cotta with chocolate sauce and chestnut honey is a marvelous way to finish off a perfect Sydney evening. Tli.~ llitle Black Book . (the country code for Australia is 61) Altitude (Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland St'., 02/9250-6123). ARQ (16 Flin:aers St, 02/9380-8700, www.arqsydriey.com.:m). Bank Hotel (324 King St., 02/9557-1692). Betty's Soup Kitchen (84 Oxford St., 02/9 .. Kwong (355 Crown St., 02/9332- 3300). BridgeCJi~lt~ 4-"c7777, www.bridgeclimb.com). Colombian Hotd,(Gxford .and Crown Sts., 02/9360-2151). Dive Hotel (234 Aiden St., 02/9665-5538, www.divehotel.com.au). Don· Don (80 Oxford_ St.; 02/9331-3544). The Establishment (5 Bridge La.! 02/9240-3100; ~.esfahlishmenthotel.com). Exchange Hotel (34-44 Oxford St., 02/9331-1936). Grumpy Baker (151 Oxford St., 02/9380-4177). Icebergs (1 Notts Ave., 02/9365-9000). Iku )(itchen (25A Glebe Point Rd., 02/9692-8720). Imperial Hotel (35 Erskineville Rd., 02/9519-9899). Kilimanjaro (280 King St., 02/ 9557-4565). Kinsclas Hotel (383-387 Bourke St., 02/9331-3100). Lord Nelson Hotel (Kent and Argy:leSts.; 02/9251-1532). Lure Fish Cafe and Oyster Bar (381 Bourke St., 'J'.aylor Square, 02/9361- 3366). Manacle (b~sement .of Taylor Square Hotel, 1 Flinders St., 02/9331-2950). Medusa (267 Darlinghurst Rd., 02/9331-1000 www.medusa:com'.au). Midnight Shift' (85 Oxford St., 02/9360- 4319). Newrown Hotel (King and Watkins Sts., 02/9557-1329). Oxford Hotel (134 Oxford St., 02/9~~1-3467). Pm Hyatt (J Hickson Rd., 02/9241-1234, · · · om). Rockpool (107 George St., 02/9 . . (106 George St., 02/9251-2466). Sheraton on the P.aik(t61 Elizabeth St, 02/ 9286-6000, www.sheraton.com/syd · · · ,,· · · · · s (Wentworth and Goulbnrn Sts., . Stonewall Hotel (175 Oxford St., 02/936Q-1963). S~s Hotel (21 Oxford St., 02/ 9361-0211, www.sullivans.com.au). Sumalee (324 King St., 02/9565- 1730). Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mildi Gras (www.mardigras.org.au). Toko Sushi on Oxford (362 Oxford St., 02/9380-7001). W Hotel Sydney (6 Cooper Wharf Rd., 02/9331-9000, www.whotels.com). Wok on Inn (80 Oxford St., 02/9332-4554). oo,n To Eurelm. S~s. Amensas $ GET ROMA.NT/Cl C.O.U.J.U.8.I, ~sPEEO-DATING'PARTYI . ~MIMOSA BRUNCH'/ VALBJITllfB'8 DDIKBR • DAJICE AtleNI,_.,,. CMilU' ~ye.- DINE W/11{ YOIIR COIIIIIJNITY BEFORE THE DANCE! ... DMCII ...... CM,' If~,_, ............ For detalla & other DIVERSITY Info: lurekaPrlde.oom and To Buren Sprinqs. ArR8DS8.S '~ GET ROMANTIC! COUPWI SIIOLEJI 'SPEED-DATING'PARTY! "MIMOSA BRUNCH'/ VALBRTJKB'S DllflDtR & DAWCB At loNJ ,-votHt, CARIBE' Raaurante y C.mina DINE WITH YOUR COMMiJNJTY BEFORE THE DANCEi IPII DAJICR • 1aTIIIWII ClllafN' to 1i,d,y1, 11111/ I At our hl9torks Auclltorlu• A bpbtrlcal ooalHly troupe, ,..,,,.,, to ,.,.. o•r -,, db lavfllNr a11 For detalla & other DIVERSITY Info: EurekaPrlde.com and ACLU Urges Arkansas Supreme Court to Uphold Ruling Overturning Anti-Gay Foster Care Ban LITTLE ROCK - Joined by an array of national child advocacy organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union.flied a brief.today asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to uphold an ear1ier court decision striking down a state regulation that banned gay people and anyone living in a household with a gay adult from being foster parents in the state,: The trial court had found that living with gay or lesbian parents doesn't hann children. "This anti-gay foster parenting ban goes against the recommendation of every major ctiildren!s health and welfare organization in the.country," said Rita Sklar, Executive Director of the ACLU of Arkansas. •These experts understand all too well how this policy hurts the many children in Arkansas in need of safe, stable homes: The la\1/suit was flied against the state in 1999 on behalf . of four prospective foster parents. In addition to today's brief from th.a ACLU, several other groups have submitted friend-of-the-court briefs in the case, including the Child Welfare League of America, the National Association of Social Workers and its Arkansas chapter, and the American Psychological Association. ·one thing that the proponents.of this policy can't seem to explain is, 'How do they expect the state to find homes for the children in Arkansas who need foster care when you diminish the already small pool of potential parents?'" said Rob Woro11off, a program manager with the Child Welfare League of America. "Policymakers should heed the advice of the child welfare professionals who know that the best way to meet the needs of foster children is to assess all prospective parents on a caseby- case basis: Four friend-of-the-court briefs, representing a broad range of support for ending the foster care ban, were flied today in support of the ACLU's lawsuit. These included: A brief signed by the Child Welfare League of America and the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute explaining how all major child welfare organizations oppose categorical bans like the one in Arkansas because they deprive child.ran of.qualffied caregivers. A brief signed by the American Psychological Association, the Arkansas Psychological Association, and the National Association of Social Workers and its Arkansas chapter detailing over two decades of social science research showing that gay people·are equally capable parents who raise healthy children and that these facts are well-established and accepted in the scientific community. A brief from an assortment of Arkansas law professors and religious leaders explaining ttiat basing government discrimination against a group of people on nothing but moral disapproval is not a legitimate basis for the government to disadvantage a group and that different religious groups have diverse moral views about lesbian and gay people. SENATE APPROVES MEDICAID CUTS, HARMS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS LIVING WITH HIV/ AIDS 'On HIV and AIDS, Congress handed over authority to extremists with the potential to hann thousands of Americans,' said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. December 21, 2005 WASHINGTON- Tl)is morning in a vote of 50 to 50, with Vice President D.ick Cheney casting the tie-breaking vote, the U.S. Senate approved the budget reconciliation conference report containing billions in cuts to Medicaid that put at risk the lives of hundred of thousands of Americans living with HIV/AIDS; however, due to a Democratic point of or:c1er, the conference report will now be sent back to the H9(Jse of Representatives. The budget package permits new premiums and deductibles, and higher cost-sharing on Medicaid beneficiaries who already find themselves on the edge of being able to seek quality care and treatment for their HIV/AIDS. Medicaid is the nation's largest payer of HIV/AIDS care. ·on HIV and AIDS, Congress handed over authority to extremistswith the potential to hann thousands of Americans," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese."lt is unacceptable to pull tlie rug out from under hundreds of thousands of our neighbors living with HIV/AIDS and simply say your government is not there for you. We should be focusing on ways to improve these programs, not shoving them onto the cutting room floor." A provision in the Senate's version of the reconciliation bill was stripped out in conference that would have given some states the option to extend Medicaid coverage through a demonstration program to chiidless adults with HIV who are currently ineligible for Medicaid until they develop AIDS. Currently, the law requires that all Medicaid beneficiaries be treated fair1y and have access to all of the medically necessary Medicaid services their state provides. The budget reconciliation package changes current law to provide new "flexibility" to states by allowing states to discriminate against groups of Medicaid beneficiaries. States will now be allowed to provide more services to some beneficiaries than others, based on political or arbitrary considerations - instead of relying on the professional judgments of health care providers about the necessity of Medicaid services. What Republicans Have Accomplished for the Gay Community! Dear Editor: Many Gay activists mockingly ask an important question that is rarely answered honestly in the gay press. · What have Log C_abin Republicans accomplished with their loyalty to the GOP? In the evolution of gay rights, the Republican Party has proven capable of making a place at the table for gay people, and stopping or opposing destructive legislation toward gay people, In 197 4, conservative GOP icon Ronald Regan opposed a California state amendment to outlaw the firing of homosexuals in public schools. The amendment failed with Reagan's help. Had toe amendment passed, it would be legal to fire any public school employee for being gay. In his retirement, the 1964 GOP Presidential nominee Barry Goldwater spoke out in support of gays in the military. ''Yqu don't have to be straight to shoot straight," he famously said. In 1996, Presidential Republican nominee Rol:>ert Dole returned a $25,000.00 contribution check to the Log Cabin Repuglicans. For several years now, Robert Dole now gives an annual $25,000.00 personal check to a New York-based disability group for PWAs. The Massachusetts Supreme Court majority in support of gay marriage was made up ENTIRELY of Republican appointees to the bench who were appointed by Republican governors. A fact that has little or no prominence in gay media coverage. Why? Does it not fit into the bias of many gay writers? Passage of the Connecticut civil unions law was primarily l~d by Republican Governor Jodi Rell. Across the country most gay writers were very muted in underscoring the Republican Governor's partisan identity. In Ohio,,the Republican Governor, GOP Attorney Generai, GOP U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Mike Dewine and the C9lumbus area GOP Congresswoman Deborah Pryce- the fourth ianking Republican in the U.S. House all publicly opposed state amendments to outlaw gay marriage. State Legislators in Michigan, Kansas, Minnesota, and Idaho opposed for the record amendments denying gay marriage. None of the gay friendly Republicans were defeated for re-election. Severai Republican Congresspersons from South and Centrai Florida voted to support federal hate crimes legisiation; repeal "Don't Ask.Don't Tell"; and have received local awards for their efforts in AIDS advocacy. At the same time,-traditional gay activists need to realize that not all is well in the Democratic Party of Inclusion. John Kerry pollsters determined that 45% of his voters voted AGAINST gay marriage, including 60+ percent of Hispanics, African-Americans and labor union households - pillars of the Democratic Party. Gay activists must not allow themselves to be uninformed ideologues: all venomous emotion, and little substantive research knowledge except for ghetto propaganda. Nor can they make themselves feel better by pretending that gay legislation can pass without GOP support. Historical land mark legislation requires large numbers of votes from both parties: · Gay Democrats, get a grip. Get the facts Bob Ruyack & Matthew Tsien Florida Gold Coast Log cabin Republicans atrimony! "Can you believe it?" Spence said. By Cam Lindquist "Yes I can believe it. You are always telling me about some conquest or another. This is a small town ... now hu~_h, some~ne might hear you," I replied. "But that 1s crazy. There are only two hundred or so people here. Half of them must be family. co-workers straight, or lesbians. So when you take them out the fact ~h~t I have slept with fifty two guys here is amazing. That 1s Irk~, more than half of the gay men in this room right now. Spence seemed amazed and proud of himself all at the same time. ":ine Spene~. Hush now, his momma could be right behind you talking smack at her son's wedding. You think knowing how many of the guests you slept with is how she wants to remember today?" I said. "Oh quit being such a granny, Cam. Besides, no one can hear ~s, we are whispering. Anyway, I have slept with the bnde and the groom so either one of their Mommas can chew on that piecE:' of fatback!" Spence was silent, for now, but the smug look of satisfaction plastered across his face was not going anywhere. Spence's notched headboard wasn't the onlv drama that came up at the nuptials of Hugh and Barry.' Hugh and Barry are two British blokes who met in London almost fifteen years ago. They crossed "The Pond" and the Mason-Dixon Line almost five years ago when Barry's employer asked him to become the director of ?pera~ions .ova~ th~ir U~ distribution. Three years ago Lhey_ a,most cahed 1t qu,ts but therapy was cheaper than moving all of Hugh's stuff back to the UK. So several months of couples counseling and many boxes of tissues iater (for crying oniy since the therapist was one of the guys Barry, Hugh, and Spence hadn't slept with) Barrv and Hugh professed their undying love for each other' and promised eternal monogamy. T~is was a disappointment to many, many gay men in our httle town. Barry and Hugh had the most open of open relationships. If you didn't mind, they didn't mind. They were both extraordinarily gorgeous, smart, witty, and the accents usually sealed the deal. They threw ~uge partie~ that even prudes like myself had a great time attending. And after I went home along with all the other guys who didn't "do orgies" the party raged on - no pun intended. But our little town in the South had to say goodbye to those days well over a year ago. And after they hit the • " year mark of fidelity they wanted to do it the old fas~ioned way. So they planned a shindig, ball-andchain- style, complete with matching tuxes and a white wedding cake. . _The drama all around us was people whispering and going on about how these two would never make it. Even some of their fellow countrymen and -women were hovering around the punch bowl at the reception placing be~s on everything from which bloke would stray first to which one would end up with their seaside home. B~t ironically: it was neither Spence nor the couple's gossip-worthy history that stole the show; it was Barry's you~ger bm_ther Bart. Bartwas a beefier, more rugged version of his older, more refined sibling. While his brother was tall, lean and looked like an International male model, Bart was .about three inches shy and twenty pounds heavier than Barry. But it looked good on him and every guy in the place thought so. Bart didn't seem too friendly at first. But•after several trips to the punch bowl his frown flipped upside down. He bec~me ~he_life of the party, floating from group to group, flexing his biceps for attentive groups of queens who oohhed and aahhed! I think he even let a few of the drag queens grab his butt to prove he had the best rear in the whole place. Of course the sisterhood agreed wholeheartedly. Barry and Hugh found his behavior quite amusing. He was the best man and gave a heartfelt, lovingly supp?rtive speech a~out love, their parents, and years of happiness. The dancing began and as I listened to Spence halfheartedly, I noticed my eye candy had been gone for a while. Less than five minutes later he reappeared, John Travolta style, on the dance floor -sliding across the floor , on his knees. Then he got up and twirled his jacket off ,. · trying to toss it to one of his adoring fans but it didn't make it because it appeared to be caught on his cufflink. He shook and swung, completely loosing his suave ?O's king of the disco tech air in exchange for a delusional schizophrenic who's off his mads thing. Finally the attached garments came undone. The "cufflink" in que~tion actually turned out to be a tiny pair of pink panties. The whole room was silent, even the music had stopped because the Dj had been waiting to restart it when Bart regained his composure. Bart stood iooking at continued page-23 HA~PY NEW'YEARI . . . - ' Welcome to a new year of possit)iHties and wonders for you and your garde.n. Your probably thinking it's ten degrees and she'stalking about gardening? True, butto ensur,e your garden comes back with strength ana (lJatLtrify itne~ds, there are a few musts, even when the;ter:rip~ ytailt to keep you inside. First thing first. Trim your bush! Prune deciduous shrubsfor i(ijtial shape and for restoration. Also prune deciduous shrubs that flower on new shoots. Prune bush roses, inpluding hybrid teas, floribundas and miniatures, repeat flowering roses and china, bourbon and portland old roses. You may have a huge bud, but who can see the blossom for the bush? Preve.nt snow damage to conifers by brushing it off immediateiy or tying the plant with twine Oi panty hose, you know you have a pair or two, to preserve the shape in heavy snow areas. Don't forget the vines. Prune established climbers and wall shiubs that flower on the current seasons shoots. Thin overgrown clematis and cut back. Check supports and renew them if necessary. Finish planting containerized and container grown shrubs. Give them an initial pruning after planting and stake if needed. Cut back hardy grasses an.d l;>amboos that have been ieft over winter to the ground before they start into growth. And the list goes on. With aii that done if your sitting looking out the window at the baron trees and dormant iawn, there is a fix for the gardening goddess who must have blossoms all year. Take it from a girl with huge forced bulbs, that's right forced bulbs, you know like paperwhites, tulips, hyacinth, and daffodiis to name a few. All you need is a groovy container that is water tight . a few stones, pebbles, marbles, rocks or whatevei it takes to keep your bulbs up and sunlight. You can find most of these easily at your local garden center quite cheap this time of year. Simply place the rooting end of the bulb into the water supported by the contents. Keep in a sunny window and before you know it you will have beautiful indoor blooms to help keep the winter blues away. Don't forget our woodland friends this season, as they also bring something to the winter garden by the way of flight and song. Keeping bird feeders, whether seed or suet, will bring hours of enjoyment for you and much needed nourishment for them. Water is also a welcome treat when temps fall below fre~zing. So put out water whenever possible for our·winged friends. No I didn't mean fairies. Auntie is a busy girl forcing her bulbs and trimming bushes and all, so until next time, and remember, in these cold temps the only difference between pink and purple is your grip. See ya in the dirt! ''You can lead a hor-to-culture, but you can't make her think" ~o FlowezS ~Gifts Earl Wheeler 437 E.141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL {3275) the Tulsa Metro tvea for i:11er 21 Years with PRIDE! CUSTOM DECORATING * HOLIDAY SPEOALS Congratulations to Elton John and David Furnish who were married in a civil ceremony in the royal town of Windsor December 21, 2005. The long time couple of twelve years tied the knot at Guildhall, the same building where heir-to-the throne Britain's Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles this year. Elton had married once before to a women Renata Blauelin 1984. They separated and divorced in 1988. He was engaged once before to Linda Woodrow in the ?O's, but nothing came of it. He tried to get out of it, and even tried suicide. That is where the song, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", came from. He has no children. New Travel Company for Women Launches with 2006 Slate of Cruises and Tours Press Release: Exploring the Emerald Shores of Turkey with a marine archaeoiogist, watching the sun set over Capri and sipping Limoncello on a culinary cruise or teeing off at St. Andrew's with an LPGA tour.ing pro. 12 Muses, a New York-based travel venture catering to lesbians and open-minded women, announces a maiden year line-up of five women-only itineraries to these destinations and more~ Margo Mallar, a travei-industry veteran who has spent more than a dozen years leading small-ship educationai cruises for alumni and cultural groups, founded the company to provide intimate travel experiences to women who want both physical comforts and intellectual stimulation. The five programs for 2006 include a Culinary Cruise to Southern Italy and Sicily in April, the Greek Isles in late May/Early June, Golfing in Scotland in July, Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest in September and Southern Turkev in November. Cruises accommodate up to 34 passengers who will interact with a powerhouse line-up of guest lecturers including women's studies pioneer Lillian Faderman, poet Honor Moore, marriage historian Stephanie Coontz and LPGA touring pro Patty Rizzo, who accompany groups offering their insights and observations. The rates for 12 Muses cruises and land programs range from $3595:-5295 per person; ten percent of the proceeds of three of the trips go to support the efforts of the Pride Foundation, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The company has also released a CD entitled 12 Muses, Live from the Drylongso, a collection of 12 singersongwriters including Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Mary Gauthier, Jennifer Kimball and Grammy-nominee Bill Morrissey, the proceeds of which go to benefit New England Equality organizations. For more information, check out the website at www.12Muses.com or call 1 866-926 MUSE. The Ozarks STAR since 2003 Will Show in Tulsa? 'TIJLSA,OK _ Confiding reports where everywhere surrounding the opening of "Brokeback Mountain• in Tulsa and if AMC Southroads 20 would allow it to be shown here. The rumor mill had the movie opening Dec:ember 9th. Then the movie was canceled because of content. The Star reported in our December issue the movie would be opening in San Francisco, Chicago and New York on,oecember 3rd. At that time there was not a release date for Tulsa. • The ST AR contacted Senior Manager of the the~ter complex Troy Sagaser and he graciously responded with this comnieht. 'We were originally told. wee.ks ago that we would be tentatively opening Brokeback Mountain on 12/9, but since then, Focus Features decided to go into this platform release, pushing off the date. At this time, we don't know what the date might be. It could be as early as 12/16, or as late as mid".'January, depending on how Focus Features wants to roll it out. The movie exhibitors, like AMC Theatres, have no say on how this is done; it is solely up to the distributor on dates that their fiim opens. The idea that AMC Southroads 20 was thinking about not playing it because of its subject matter or content is not true at all. We have played several gay-theme films over the years, and we have hosted a portion of the Out OK Film Festival for the last three years. We (and I) have avidly supported and played hundreds of independent fiims that show several different points of view. After this explanation, I certainly hope that you will not think ill of me, AMC Southroads 20, or AMC Theatres as a whole Troy Sagaser has beenfarifastic with the Tulsa GLBT community. He has brought many GLBT related movies here. Sagaser evidently has no problem with communicating with the GLBT press and in. a communique dated December 15th Troy updated us with a possible opening date for Tulsa. •we have heard from Focus Features that we will tentatively be opening the film on February 3rd• Considering how well the film did this past weekend at the few theatres it played in, I personally wouldn't be surprised if it opened earlier than that". KRISS KOHL •. " AN OKLAHOMA LEGEND by Greg Steele . TULSA, OK_ Thirty :years of entertaining the Oklahoma · · · GLBT community and the four states · region.A female illusionist, Kriss Kohl is also known for his tireless fundraising efforts.for non-profit organizations who benefit people with ,HIV and AIDS.•Knss has the ability to stage a show equal to, or exceed most 'female impersonator 'productions we are exposed to in the GLBT community. . . It's not just another drag show! As a Diva amo; . he can ~ring together the best entertainer's available in our area. Star's like Tabitha Taylor, Matthew Heath Fitzgerald, Catia Lee Love just to name a few. Former owner of the old Playmor Club and Miss Okia.homa USofA 1999, Kriss has earned the respect of his piers and fans aiike and just keeps on running! Be sure and catch his show at the Bamboo Lounge Tu!sa every 3rd Sunday of the month, 8pm. You won't be disappointed. Serving the community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866)208-9480 gtainte helterinsuranee.com Auto - Home - Life - au.tness Seek ShelerTodayl urn · lation Both winners will be repiesenting Oklahoma at.the Mis~ Gay USofA PageanNn Dallas in May of 2006. The. pageant was held in Oklahoma City at the Copa on December 11-12. Category Winners were: Interview • Victoria. Weston, Evening Gown. Isabella Vancartier, Talent- Kirsten Grey, Contestants * # 1 • Raven DclRay • repre11enting Lawton USofA. # 2 • Rhapsody DeMilJe • repretenting N.E. Oklahoma USofA /I 3 • Kirsten Grey• representing Capitol City USofA ii 4 • Jodyn Welch• representing COPA USofA II 5 • Bobby Page • representing Tulsa USofA Ii 6 • Aurora LeKohl • representing N.E. Oklahoma USofA II 7 • Mya Mokka • representing Capitol City USofA # 8 • Josie Lee • representing OYP Oklahoma USofA If 9 • Baija T. Towers• representing Tulsa USofA #10 • Sama Kovalinskiy • representing OYP Oklahoma USofA 111 · Adrianna • representing Oklahoma City USofA #12 • Lace.y St. James•. representing COPA USofA N13 • Lacie Dawn • representin,. Sooner States USofA 11-4 • Taylor Bryan's * representing MidWcmrn Plains USofA 115. Isabella Vancartier • representing Lawton USofA #16 * Victoria Weston• rep:esendng Oklahoma City USofA PromotenrRagfin Productions of Dallas, Texas. For more information visit: MrW ITUJHlQ/$ a omausofa,com Few ave. "Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship• Enterprise, Its five year mission to explore sfralJ!J~ new worlds, to seek out new life, and new civilizatic,ns, to boldly go where no man has gone befbre ... " Almost forty years ago; acto·r George Takai v.ras a part of something gi1>llndbreaking. He was cast as Mr. Si.Jiu on the beloved original Star Trek series. With a racially diverse cast, the show tackled difficult issues such as racism and. intolerance, and even featured TV's first interracial Jdss. It was challenging sJuff for the '60s. George Ta~f:3f is still tackling difficult issues. He recently made . .headlines in the national news when he came out p4bUcly at age 68. In an interview with Frontiers, a biweekly gay and lesbian Web magazine, Mr. Takai talked openly c1bout his 18-year relationship with his partner Brad Altman. Technically, Mr. Takai wasri't really coming out, since he has made public appearances with his partner in the past, but he was making a very public statement to the press for the first time. •rve been 'open,•· Takai said in his interview, "but I have not talked to the press: He described it as a process, •more like a long, long walk through what began as a narrow corridor that starts to widen.· Just days before Mr. Takei's interview was published, another prominent celebrity came out, WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes. Considered by many to be the greatest female basketball player in history, Swoopes has been named the WNBA's Most Valuable Player a recordbreaking three times, and helped lead her team, the Houston Comets, to win four National Championships in a row-something no other team has ever done. She was also the first female athlete to have a Nike shoe named for her. By coming out on Good Morning America in late October, Swoopes added another first to her list She became the first major athlete to come out at the pinnacle of a career in a pro team sport. She decided to come out because she was tired of hiding who she was and lying about her seven-year relationship with partner Alisa "Scotty" Scott, a former assistant coach for the Comets. "I feel there's been a huge weight that's been taken off my shoulders," Swoopes told the Advocate in a recent interview, "and I feel I can inhale, I can exhale: · These celebrity •outingsa are significant for more than just the headlines or the future Jeopardy questions they will surely inspire. I have a confession. I'm addicted to Fark.com. Fark is an irreverent community news website that allows readers to comment on stories collected from around the world. When I heard about Swoopes and Takei coming out, I was eager to read the forums to gauge reactions. For the most part, those posting were supportive of both, but there was one sentiment that kept popping up that caught my attention. As one farker put it, ·why do homosexuals feel the need to tell everyone they are homosexual? I don't know of any hetero's who make press announcements that they are straight. I mean really. Who caresr On the one hand, you could take this as a positive sign. Besides the fact that there's no need foi a straight person to •come out" since we live in a predominantly heterocentrist worid where most people are assumed to be straight, this person obviously considered the news of a celebrity coming out as a nonevent. That implies that he or she views being gay as completely normai, or at least not newsworthy. Unfortunately, many do not share that view, which is exactly why it's so important for celebrities to keep coming out publicly. As evidenced by the anti-gay backlash that has spread across the US and world in recent months, gays and lesbians are not yet accepted. We are far from equal. We do not share the same rights as our HEART TO HEART heterosexual counterparts. Our relationships are not recognized in most of the country. Our families are not valued or respected. Every time a celebrity comes out, it helps put a face on gay rights. One of the reasons George Takei came out was Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in California. When the Governator vetoed that bill, he wasn't just taking marriage right away from a bunch of faceless queers, he was denying Mr. Sulu the opportunity to have his relationship legally recognized as equal to that of heterosexuals'. Openly gay and lesbian celebrities serve as ambassadors to the straight world. The more people who come out, the more chances there are that someone will relate to at least one of them-something that could make a difference in how they think about gay rights. It's great that Ellen DeGeneres and Melissa Etheridge are out, but while Ellen's everyman humor and Melissa's recent victory over breast cancer have made each of them more relatable to many, not everyone can identify with these women. As Sheryl Swoopes said in her interview, " ... I was trying to figure out what gay AfricanAmerican woman has come out and can represent the gay African~American community. And I can't really think of one." L.ikewise, there are very few out Asian-Americans. GeorgeTakei joins a very short list consisting of actors BO Wong and Alec Mapa. We need more closeted celebrities to come out in every field-actors, musicians, politicians, athletes-and of every race. Of course, celebrities aren't the only ambassadors, and they shoulgn't be expected to shoulder the entire burden. While it's grectt when someone famous reveals that they are gay, oftentimes, knowing someone personally will make an even bigger impact. It's one thing to deny Rosie, Ellen, or George Takai the right to get married, it's something else entirely when it's your best friend, coworker, or relative. Maybe one day the sexuality of celebrities really won't be an issue. Maybe stars won't have to come out because they'll never have been in the closet in the first place. Maybe it really won't matter wha der they love. That is what we're all working for, er all. Unfortunately, we're not there yet-as the fact that Congress is once again considering an anti-gay federal marriage amendment proves. In the meantime, we welcome Sheryl Swoopes and George Takei with open arms, thank them for having the courage to do what so many fear, and we will keep fighting for the rights that we are unjustly denied. We wiB continue our mission to change the world, to seek equal lives and better civilizations, to boldly go where few have gone before ... The views expressed in this column are my opinions only. You don't have to agree with them. I just ask that you read them with an <YfJen heart and mind. Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $26.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelo he 1st of each month. Complete the orm below and send with a check or moneyorder to: Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: ______________ _ Address: _______________ _ City: _______ St: ___ Zip: ___ _ Phone: ________ _ Check endosed Money Order Start Date: ______ _ FREE HIVTESTING, NO NEEDLES! SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing the last Sunday of each month between 5PM and 6PM. 2902 E. 20tn St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sunday Service 6PM Your Invited to our Community_ Dinner !,very _Wed. just $4.U0. No one ts tum away. Lesbian Notions by Libby Post JANUARY 2006 "Today's McCarthys" awfew weeks back I went to see Good Night and Good Luck. George Clooney's excellent film about how Edward R. Murrow, who set the standard for what journalism could be, brought down U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his anticommunist witch hunts. · It all happened in 1953 and 1954. After years of McCarthy accusing everyone - including President Eisenhower - of being a communist or a sympathizer, Murrow and his boys at CBS said enough was enough .. They exposed McCarthy by showing him in action. McCarthy's rants and raves in his Senate subcommittee hearings were broadcast on television, and within months his reign of terror on freedom of thought was over. So much has changed in the 50 or so years since those witch hunts, yet so much has also stayed the same. The need to scapegoat one group for the problems in our country and our society has not gone away. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is today's Communist Party. We're not necessarily accused of a wholesale takeover of the U.S. government. Instead, we're blamed and scapegoated for everything today's McCarthys see wrong with our culture. Did you know that our community is responsible for ruining heterosexual marriage, or that we've destroyed the family because we have kids, or that we are to blame for every youth that comes out as 14, 15, or 16, if not younger? Today's McCarthys are Donald Wildman and James Dobson and their organizations, the American Famiiy Association and Focus on the Family. They are Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, members of the clergy who use their positions to demonize us. They are Baylor University and Seton Hall University, religiously affiliated schools, which purge gay aiumni, faculty, staff, and students. Today's McCarthys are Kari Rove and George Bush, who used our desire to marry to hoodwink the nation and re-elect a poiitically and morally bankrupt administration. They are the Pope and his cardinals with their new directive against gay priests. They are the high school principals who confiscate the student newspaper simply because there was an ad for a LGBT support group or an article about LGBT students. Today's McCarthys are all around us, and some of their witch hunts are like McCarthy's - threatening to expose and purge - and some have taken on new and unusual forms. For a good old-fashioned witch hunt against the LGBT community, you don't have to look any further than the military. Its tactics are straight out of the McCarthy playbook - exploit someone you know to be gay, and get them to name names. The military has "don't ask, don't tel!" to hide behind, but now that we're at war, the amount of LGBT purging has dropped precipitously. But don't for a minute think they actually want us. If it were feasible, they would continue their LGBT witch hunts with fervor. Then there's the witch hunt of harassment that has gone on unchecked at Penn State University for years. It seems the school's women's basketball coach, Rene Portland, really hates lesbians. This might be an "I think she doth protest too much" situation, but nonetheless Portland's rants and raves over the years have effectively either kept the lesbians on her squad deep in the closet or purged them. But she went too far and kept accusing a straight player, Jennifer Harris, of being a dyke. Harris in turn has gone public and filed a suit with Pennsylvania's Human Rights Commission. Her actions gave other former players the courage to speak about their experiences as well. But Portland is still the coach, and her reign of terror against lesbians continues. And then there's the witch hunt that doesn't look like a witch hunt. Instead of purging us from this year's White House Conference on Aging, the administration simply refused to let us participate. Once every 10 years, aging experts gather for this· conference to meet, present papers, and make recommendations to the president and Congress on national aging policies. The last conference took place during the Clinton administration, and while our concerns never made it into any resolutions, at least there was discussion. But Bush ar;Jd his people even refuse to entertain that we exist and that there are issues specific to us as an aging population. A haif century ago, Murrow had the guts to stand up to McCarthy's demagoguery. Fifty years later, there may not be one person in the mainstream media willing to foilow in Murrow's footsteps and expose the sham and shame of today's McCarthies, but, thankfully, there are plenty of us in the LGBT community who are. anadian ou ules roup x Legal. December 22, 2005 OTTAWA "Consensual conduct behind code-locked doors canhardly be supposed to jeopardize a society as vigorous and tolerant as Canadian society," said the opinion of the seven-to-two majority, written by Chief ~fl Justice Beverley Mclachlin. ·~ The decision does not affect laws against prostitution because no money changed hands among the adults having sex. Group sex among consenting adults is neither prostitution nor a threat to society; the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Wednesday as it lifted a ban on socalled "swingers" clubs or gay bathhouses. The court was reviewing an appeal by Jean-Paul Labaye, who ran the L'Orage (Thunderstorm) club. He had been convicted in 1999 of running a "bawdy house" - defined as a place where prostifl.1tion or acts of public indecency took place. Labaye - who is still running L'Orage despite his earlier conviction - said he was relieved, and would now go ahead with a new venture with backing from a group of Florida investors. "We hope clients will be more calm. This will probably lead the way to a good future," he told reporters, saying he was looking at adding a Jacuzzi and a swimming pool. . Labaye said he had a6out 2,000 regular clients who paid around C$20 ($17) a year for a membership card. The high court threw out Labaye's conviction and affirmed the Kouri decision. "Entry to the club and participation in the activities were voluntary. No one was forced to do anything or watch anything. No one was paid for sex," Mclachlin wrote in reference to the Labaye case. In indecency cases, Canadian courts have traditionally probed whether the acts in question "breached the rules of conduct necessary for the proper functioning of society". The Supreme Court ruled that from now on, judges should pay more attention to whether society would be actively harmed. · lfGPN -to OE1" MIDDLE 1'MERICA 1b SSE. '-'SROKE&ACK MOUN,-AIN" ast ut by Liz Highleyman JANUARY 2006 Summary : Past Out is a retrospective of key moments, .personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Each installment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. (104 years ago this month): Bisexual screen legend Marlene Dietrich is born in Berlin. Who was Marlene Dietrich? Marlene Dietrich, one of the premier stars of Hollywood's Golden Era, was infamous for her masculine dress and her numerous affairs with both women and men. Unlike many of the screen and stage divas beloved by gay men, Dietrich was queer in her own· right. Maria Magdalene Dietrich was · · · born December 27, 1901, to a bourgeois family in suburban Berlin; she adopted the name "Marlene" as a young girl. One of her earliest romantic relationships was reportedly with a female music teacher at her all-girls high school. Forced to give up playing violin due to a hand injury, in 1921 Dietrich enrolled in a drama school run by renowned director Max Reinhardt. Taking small roles in stage plays and films, she immersed herself in the decadent Weimar-era Berlin social scene. At ·age 22, she married director's assistant Rudolf Sieber; she gave birth to her oniy child the following year. After director Josef von Sternberg saw her in a cabaret performance, he cast the thenobscure actress to star in Germany's first major sound film, Der Blaue Engle (The Blue Angel). Dietrich's iconic portrayal of Lola Lola - a cabaret singer who seduces a repressed professor with oerformance of "~ailing in Love Again" - catapu her to fame. On the day of the film's German debut in April 1930, she departed for the United States to accept an offer from Paramount Studios, which positioned her as a rival to Swedish glamour queen Greta Garbo. In her American debut, Morocco (1930), Dietrich donned a white tailcoat and top hat and kissed a woman on the lips. That "masculine attitude" would increase her charm, van St~rnberg later explained. "I didn't only want to show a lesbian scene, but Marlene's own special sexuality." Though fondly remembered for this androgynous role, she mostly played femmes fatales - often prostitutes - in movies such as Shanghai Express (1932) and _Blond Venus (1932). By the mid-1930s, she was the most highly paid actress of her day. Off screen, Dietrich lived up to her image as an independent, sexually liberated woman. Remarked British critic Kenneth Tynan, "Marlene's masculinity appeals to women and her sexuality to men." Indeed, though she remained married to Sieber until his death in 1976, Dietrich had numerous affairs with both sexes. "In Europe it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman," she once said. "We make love with anyone we find attractive." Dietrich's many male lovers - documented or rumored - included Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Yul Brynner, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway, General George Patton, and both President John F. Kennedy and his father, Joseph. But according to her daughter and biographer, Maria Riva, Dietrich was seeking romance and companionship, and didn't enjoy sex for its own sake. As such, she reportedly had a special fondness for men who were impotent (such as writer Erich Maria Remarque) or queer (like Maurice Chevalier and Noel Coward). Dietrich was part of a group of lesbian and bisexual Hollywood women referred to as the •sewing circle." Her female lovers reportedly included actresses Tallulah Bankhead and Claudette Colbert, chanteuse Edith Piaf. and French author Colette. In the · · 1930s, Dietrich had an unusually .open relationship with SpanishCuban writer Mercedes de Acosta, after de Acosta was dumped by Garbo. Many have speculated on .the possibility of a sexual liaison between Dietrich and Garbo, both of whom - somewhat implausibly, given the incestuous nature of their circle - denied they had ever met before 1945. Former Washington Post society columnist Diana Mclellan, for one, asserts that the two women had a brief affair in 1925 while working together on an obscure flim, The Joyless Street. But in a 2002 interview, Riva toid The Advocate "No matter how much your readers might wish it we;e so Dietrich never had a relationship with Garbo." ' .... continued next a e. The Ozarks STAR since 2f}f}$. Past Out: After parting ways with van Sternberg in the mid-1930s, Dietrich switched to more comic roles, including saloon hostess Frenchy in the Jimmy Stewart Western _Destry Rides Again_ (1939). Having become a U.S. citizen in 1937, she rejected an invita~ion from Adolf Hitler to return to Germany during World War II to make . propaganda films (and perhaps to be his mistress), opting instead to entertain American Gls near the front lines in Europe and North Africa. While some Germans long regarded her as a traitor, she called this "the only important work I've ever done.". . Dn1wing on her USO experience, Dietrich embarked on a career as a cabaret singer in the 1950s, performing in Las Vegas, on Broadway, and at venues throughout the world for the nexttwp decades. In the 1970s, she began drinking heavily, suffered several o.n-stage accidents, and started overusing pain medication. After breaking her leg in 1975, s.he finally retired. Unable to maintain her glamorous-image, she thereafter lived a secluded life in her, Paris apartment (although sl)e wrote hundreds of lette115 and spent thousands of dollars on phone calls). Dietriclidied in her sleep in 1992 and was buried next to her rnother in Berlin. Far from ruin reer, Dietrich's gender".' bending . ed to ner: allure; H - as mucfr.as her Jfnqrogyridus atilte .: helped change society)iJmage of femininity. .· ..... ,, . . . For·turther readlfig: . ·, ·; ~ '::<,·., Bach, Steven. 2000. · Marlene Dietrich: Life and Legend~ (Da Oapo ). - McLellan,.Diana;2000. _The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood_ (St.'Martin's Press). Riva, Maria. 199A. _Marlene Dietrich_ (Ballantine). Ford: Laymon, .Ford's group vice president for c9rporate human resources. · · A spokesman for the American Family Association said the group. had no c.o.mment on Ford's reversal. The group owns 200 radio stations under the American Family Radio name and claims more than q million supporters. Last month, the association canceled its boycott after meeting with Ford officials and dealers. A dealer who attended the meeting said he initiated the summit because he. and other Ford dealers in the South feared that a boycott would hurt sales. Gay Matrimony the pink panties a bit confused, as if he didn't know where they came from. Then a huge gasp of embarrassment followed by footsteps racing away came from the caterf ng table as a cute college girl ran off covering her face. in shame. Bart's reaction was a "oh yeh, that is where I got these" grunt which he promptly followed by discarding t.hem with the jacket. Though by now no one caught either one. The entire room laughed out loud.hysterically and Bart was unmoved by the reaction. A~ .. the music played he began dancing. Within .a few moments everyone else returned to what they had Ileen c:fping.,. . Everyone except.tfi~ 91,,t}tmen who had been salivating over Bart, all dissipated throughout the room . knowing he was straight, good looking, and accepting wasn't enough to overshadow the reality of the. situation. Yes, you may grab his posterior or his. bicep, but it is the cute browneyed girl who ends up in the coat closet with him! Not that I blame them at all. Doesn't everyone do the same thing? Somet~ing is shiny, intriguing, or interesting until the reality of the situation slaps us in the face. Like having a crush on the foreman of a building crew that you pass everyday on your way to work until that fateful Friday morning when a stop light catches you and you catch him picking his nose. Or that Land Rover you really, really want until you find out a bulb for the headlight, which you can only get at the dealer, is sixty eight dollars. Because nothing and no one in life is reaily perfect. Everything has a catch, a string. or a flaw. You either realize you love the flaws as part of the whole package or move on and find a deal that fits you better. The ironic thing is that those who choose to move on find themselves continuaily at this crossroads, having to choose ... again and again. But, as Barry and Hugh discovered the secret to real happiness is to stop running and choose to iove what you have and cherish the one you are with. So as my grandfather used to say, "play the hand you were dealt, my friend." After all, in poker isn't a true that two pairs beat a straight? January 1 , STAR Is on . the streets. 8 15 22 29 9 10 16 17 23 24 30 31 11 12 13 14 18 19 20 21 Deadline for February STAR 25 26 February2] 28 STAR ship date to 4 states Advice Column! January 2006 Hello Queerdom! Welcome 2006 ... It will be a new year of the fabulousness Queer. Yes Kittens, Uncle rocked in the New Year on the waves of fabulousness with a Twink and a wink. It was a record setting time. Uncle arrived on the stroke of midnight ready to blow in the New Year. I assure you my date, Blake Worthington, was ever so grateful. The Doctor's have assured me that he will make a full recovery. He should regain the use of his legs soon. Uncle made his night most memorable to say the least. Dear Uncle Mikey, My New Year's.pate was a man i met online. I thought .we were ready to meet face-to-face. It was a night of love and lust. We danced, laughed, and had a wonderful time. I thought, Finally, i have met someone worth meeting. A someone that wiH hang around longer than the tricks that i have met in the past. I was looking for something more. Now, after all is said and done he has avoided me by not answering his phone or my emails. i am at a lost. I don't know what went wrong. What should !do? Lost in Love Dearest Kitten. What went wrong is that you were ordering off the wrong menu. While Internet iove has sprung upon us all like wild flowers in the mist, it is not without the old· fashioned risk of meeting outside of cyber-land. It sounds as though your midnight lovin was just that. Sorry but your Prince Charming was really your Midnight Minuteman. Kitten it is easy to get caught up in the moment of the world ~lebration, feeling the new unknown time at hand, of a new year. Allowing oneself to be carried away ever so blindly into the arms of false love. Uncle would cherish the night of the whirlwind romance and leave it at that. Do not become this poor misguided man's stalking reminder that he drank from the forbidden fruits. Celebrate the fact that in that moment you felt the passion of a special time and utilize that goodness to fuel your search for Prince Charming. Kitten, love will find a way, if you allow fate to guide your heart. Smooches Mikey I swear Kittens; it is as if my words run as ,a fountain of pure inspiration. If I was not a modest soul, I might point that fact out! Dear Uncle Mikey, Is sex wrorig if you are almost related? Cousin in Love Kitten, like your short letter, I found myself shortly hearing banjos in. th~ Bdyot.l. Uncle is just afraid of that question! Almost nothing has ever proved to be an uneasy topic for Uncle. It is all or nothing and in this case, unless you-know how to play a banjo, Uncle would have to say to leave whatever devilish ideas of kissir,g cousins you have going on, in that dangerous fork in the road. Turn back now, while you can still hold your head up at family reunions. Talk about a near miss, Aunt Pearl would never stand the shock kitten. Smooches Uncle Dear Mikey, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A WOMEN I HAVE BEEN SEEING FOR A FEW MONTHS. She has literary come into my life like a storm. She says she loves my daughte, and wants to be a family. However, she is jobless, and makes minimal effort to find a new one. She sits on my couch, while I go to work, and than acts like it is too much to pick up my daughter from school for me, I am having serious doubts about her intentions. However, it is also nice again having a companion for myself. Am I just being narcotic here? Looking for Mrs. Right Dearest Kitten, You words convey such an innocent, if not perhaps ignorant view. It seems that if ms. Couch potato, was even half as worried about the relationship as you, she would at the very least, happily help out in any way she could. I think you better watch your food stamps with this one. It is easy to convince oneself it is better to live with irritable circumstances, verse a cold bed. I mean Kitten, if Uncle met a man, who thought he wouid move Continued next a e .. ......... . Ask Uncle Mikey: onto my couch with his jobless wonder well, kitten, the laughter would be heard around the world. Throw this one back, and find one worthy of you and your daughter. It is better to love the employed, than suffer the trail of debt the homeless wonder will create for you. Smooches-Uncle Well Kittens, Uncle shall take his leave once more. Queerdom remember, sometimes love.is not enough. Do not settle for someone out of desperate reasoning. Accept someone equally fabulous while worthy of your love. Also, a footnote, it helps if. you do not swim in the same gene pool, kittens. Smooches Uncle Mikey and Tiddles too! Want more of Mikey? Visit Mikey's comer at www.askunclemikey.com. Free/ande w.J1ter Michael Hinzman, joining communities throughou{Queerclom ... NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR .CALL F'CR RATES 91 B.B:35.7Bl;S7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and 1tUst in Affordable Advertising Service. "Fiesta Pa Dip" 2 pounds ground Italian Sausage or hamburger meat. 1 can cream of mushroom soup. 1 can cream of chicken soup. 1 large jar Pace Picante sauce (medium or hot) 1 small'white onion chopped. 1 bell peppei chopped. 1 small tomato chopped. 1/2.ppund Velveeta cheese. 3-4 green onions chopped. Salt and pepper to taste. Brown meat in large sauce pan over medium heat, pour off excess fat, add cream of mushroom and chicken soup (do not add milk). Add 1/2 jar picante sauce, white onion, bell peppers and tomatoes: You may add more picante sauce if the sauce is to thick. Cook about 10-15 minutes, then add veiveeta cheese and simmer until cheese is melted. Pour dip into a crock pot on low to keep warm. serve warm. Serve with tortilia chips and pita bread. Chef john wishes you a Fabuious Food Year 20061 Seo es by Jack Fertig • J JANUARY 2006 ··"Try a different approach, Capricorn!" · With the Sun in Capricorn, of course we focus on goals and improvements in the new year. The Sun in harmony with Jupiter and Mars gives your resolutions some extra dedication and momentum. Some of them just might make it this year! ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Sex and shopping are especially d1str1:1cting. Focus instead on human and material resources that can help you get ahead. Your reputation is at stake now. Your sexual reputation is already made, so focus on the professional. TAURUS (April 20- May 20): Usually your charm lies in your beauty and sensuality. With that as a given, reach out beyond your sexuality and be willing to embrace new ideas. The latter is a bit of a challenge, but you'll find the stretch exhilarating. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Sex releases stress, but what's causing the stress? If questions of sexual integrity, values, and self-worth are at the root om, acting out will only feed a cycle of tension. Now is a great time to clarify those issues! CANCER,(June 21- July 22): Adapt your current efforts to serve your long-range purpose. Invite and graciously accept any critical support. Your partner - even a partner du jour - brings luck and feeds creativity. Welcome any and all suggestions! LEO (July 23 -August 22): Work, work, work ... It's the key to success, so keep your nose to the grindstone. Your inner reserves and inherited talents will come to the fore if you apply yourself. Your efforts are better seen and appreciated than you know. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Get into some good debates, or if you're too shy, just listen. New ideas will open your brain and your heart to new possibilities. The more you open up, the more you - and others - will realize how much you have to offer. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): It's hard to teli what's important for you personally, and what social concerns you need to address. Ask yourself how Mother would solve the dilemma. If that doesn't provide the answer, it wiH at least serve as a springboard. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21 ): Don't be afraid of arguments. It's an ideal time to take on the tough issues in your personai ielationships. Be willing to let go of your present stance so you can be open to deeper truths and stronger partnerships. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Worries, doubts, and general fretting undermine your health. Regular meditation helps, as does a spa retreat. Focus on priorities and values. Decide what matters in your life, and your worries will evaporate. CAPRICORN (December 21 · January 19): The more you find pleasure in your efforts now, the more you will see the rewards down the road. If you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong. Try a different approach! AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Demands at home and at work are taxing, but the real work you need to do is internal.. Take a little time out to be clear about your motivations, fears, dreams, assumptions, and habits, and your tasks will be much easier. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Peace-loving, open-minded Pisces is now some other fish - a barracuda with a s~rong opinion, or a shark in an argument.Good quarrels are not about who's right or wrong, but about learning from the other person! You can find copies of the STAR at these 4 states business & organizations. ARKANSAS KANSAS Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Event - - :www.diversitypride.com A Byrd's Eye View7 - 36 N. M~n- - - -479-253-0200 CaribcRestaurante~ -309 W VanBuren-- 253-8102 Henri's-·· -19 tf~ SpringSt. - - - - - 479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&:<irili-i OS E VanBuren-253-0400 MCC Living Spring .: - - - - • - - • - - - 870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Condom Sense, - c.;4,18 W. Dickson- -479-444-6228 Curry's Vjdeo :. - 612iN. College Ave- 479-521 70009 P11.ss11.ges - ~ 930 Nd:Zollege Ave- - - - 479-442-5845 · Arkansas, 'Fort Smith (479) Club 1022 -'·-'1022 D6dsori Ave. - - - - 479-782-1845 Kinkeads-1004112.furri~~nAve~ 479-783-9988 ;\r~11n1as, Hot Springs (501) Jesters Lounge: : 1J)10 E. Gnmd Ave -501-624-5455 Arkansa_s, Little Rock (501) Back Strc~t - - - ~1021 Tessie Rd- -- - - - -501-664-2744 Diamond State ~;cji;~·,6.ss6~:- - - - - www.dsra.org Dis~overy- - - 102tfessit- Rd- -- - - - - -501-666-6900 Sidetracks - 4151iairi Sti -N: LR.- 501-244-0444 The Factory - -412 L:misiJtnJtSt- - - - - .srJl-372-3070 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) River of Life Church - 1709 N Walnut - -11AM PSU-QSA- - 17oi'·S. Broadway- - - - 620-231-0938 Kansas, Wichita (316) Club Glacier - - 2828 E. 31st South - 316-612-9331 J's Lounge - - - - • 513 .E. Central - - - 316-262-1363 Our Fantasy- - - - 3201 S. Hillside- - -316-682-5494 The Otberside- - -447 N. St Francis- - 316-262-7825 Shatai - - - - - - - - 4000 S. Broadway- - 316-522--2028 Sidestrect Mens Bu -1106 S. Pattie-~ -316-267-0324 South 40 - - - - - 3201 S. Hillside - - -316-682-5494 Trends Bar - -1507 S. Pawnee-• - 316-262-453(' Missouri, Ava Cams Canyon Campground - - - - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- - - 716 S. Main - - - - - - - -417-627-9035 MCC Spirit of Chrisc-2902 E 20th, - - -Sun-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816) Buddie~ · - · - 37 15 Main St - - - 816-561-2600 Club NV - - 220 Admiral Blvd- - 816-421-NVKC DB Warehouse- 1915 Mai11 St- - -816-471-1575 Missie B's- - - -8()5 \X'. 39th St·. - -- - 816-561-0625 Sidestreet Bar - -413 E. 3rd- - - - 816-531-1775 Sidddck5 Saloon - - 3707 .'.fain St- 816- 931-1430 Missouri, Lampe KOKOMO Campground • - - - Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boonville Ave- - - - --417-831-4 700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercial-873-2225 Manha's Vineyard- 219 W Olive - 417-864-4572 Priscilla's - - - - 1918 S. Glenstone Oz Bu - 504 E. Commercial Ronisuz Place- --821 College- - - - Rumor5 --1109 E. Commercial- - - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, McAlester McPride- · - - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Boom Room- 2807 NW 36th St- - - - -405-601-7200 Club Rox- - -3535 NW 39th Expwy. 405-947-2351 Criscies Toy Box- - 3126 N. May Ave - 405-946-4438 Finish Line - -2200 NW 39th Expwy- - 405-525_-0730 · Gushers RestJturant-2200 NW 39Exp405-525-0730 HollywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habana Inn - 2200 NW 39th Exp- 405-528-2221 Hi-Lo Club - - 1221 NW SOth- - -405-843-1"22 Jungle Reds - 2200 NW Expwy- . - 405-524-5733 Partners- - - -2805 NW 36th St - - - - - 405-942-2199 Pri5cilla's- 615 E. Memorial- - - - -405-755-8600 Red Rock North-2240 NW39th StSisters- - - - · 2120 NW 39th St - - The Rockies- -3201 N. May Ave 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill & Bar- 3535 NW 39th-- 405-947-2351 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge- 7204 E. Pine - - -- - - 918-836-8700 Club Majestic- - 124 N. Boston - - - - 918-584-9494 Club MJtverick:- - 822 S. Sheridan -918-835-3301 DreJtmland Bies -- - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - -834-1051 Elite Bookstore --814 S. Sheridan- - End Up Club- - - 424 S. MemorialGLBT Comm. Ctr- -5545 E. 41st- - Hideaway Lounge-11730 E. 11th- Midtown- - - 319 E. 3rd- Nite Spot -3007 E. Admiral Pl Priscilla's - - 7925 E. 41st - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla's - - - 5634 W. Skelly Priscilla's - - - -11344 E. , 1th - - - -- - -918-438-4224 Priscill11.'s 2333 E. 71st - -918-499-1661 Renegades- - - - 1649 S. Main 918-585-3405 Tulsa CARES- -3507 E. Admiral Pi- - 918-834-4;94 Tulsa Eagle- - - - -1338 E. 3rd - 918-592.-1188 TNT's - - - - 2114 S. Memorial- - - - -918-660-0856 Underguy.com - - -15 E. Brady Whirtier News Stand- - 1 N. Lewis-~- eliow-Brick-Rd- - -2630 E. 15th- - TOU &Lunch £C.IAL'5 HIDEAWAY 11730 E. 11th - Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 1 /1 .2TH PAGE CLASSl.;IED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR C~LL F'OR RATE:S · 91 B.B35.78B7 or etnail: ozarkss Delivering Quality, CHECK OUT. l,INIQ(Ji:>; .. EUREKA sp" ,,,G;s,. ARKAN OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISING SALE~ REPREBE:NTATIVE , F'OR WICHiTA, OKLAHOMA CITY, TULSA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, January 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 1 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 01, 2006 Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward Greg Steele Josh Aterovis John Patrick Matt Brooks Steve T. Urie L.H. Garey Carlotta Carlisle Libby Post Paula Martinac Andrew Collins Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Chaz Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, December 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 12 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/216 The Star Magazine, February 1, 2005; Volume 3, Issue 2 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/227 advertisement Anti Gay Foster Care Ban Arkansas Supreme Court Aunt Mattie Brokeback Mountain Business and organizations cartoons Corralled Cruises Crystal Meth Elton John Fiesta Party Dip Ford Motor Co. Gardening Tips Gay Matrimony Group Sex Heart to Heart HIV/AIDs Kirsten Grey Kriss Kohl Lesbian Notions Medicaid Cuts Miss Oklahoma Past Out Q Scope Quotable Quotes Short Stories Star Scene Uncle Mikey vacation https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/d81268b4532043d3033810b59185b509.jpg 38272b932f20257bad24e3c5a837710a https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/e5e34eb01c62b0a420aaebcb503252f0.pdf 9955487f200d97828a32dec15c570b0b PDF Text Text ��������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document 'VilJJJtines Day. February 14th 'Hiitot¥ of St;Valentines Day ,... · · · page~11 fierfifer .GLBT Magazine." ,:,/>\'::,~·:, ,, '\,\,\,'.", ', ,, ,·<·' ' , lenp wets Earl Wheeler 43 7 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL {3275) Serving the Tulsa Metro Area for over 21 Years with PRIDE! CUSTOM DECORATING * HOLIDAY SPECIALS rs by 12noon guaranteed same day delivery. Your order is treated with the upmost confidentiality. NOW OPEN y - Sunday 12noon Closed Monday's alent Sho by Page E ed.10:30 ur ran a e - - lS n on cale IW£S cott c raw .row, anagi• ng roKer avisson · tewart, Realtors • • 1 Langley, Oklahoma ScottCrow.mcgrawok.com 918.782.3211 •'"-,:. FEBRUARY, 20 □ 6 ©Copyright 2006 Publisher Star Media, Ltd. The STAR 5103 S. Sheridan,# 153 Tulsa, OK 74145-7627 ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net www.ozarksstar.com Editor in Chief C. D. Ward Contributing Writers: Greg Steele, josh Aterovis John Patrick, Matt Brooks. Paul Wortman, Carlotta Carlisle Columnist: Libby Post, Paula Martinac, Andrew Collins, Donald Pile, Ray Williams, Michael Hinzman, Jack Fertig, Liz Highleyman, Andrew Hicks Photography: byChaz Advertising: Tulsa Office - - - • • • • • -918-835-7887 or Email: ozarksstar@sbcgloba!.net National Advertising Representative Rlvendel! Media (212) 242-6863 · .. ·. Deadline for all advertising, articles and payment is the 20th of · · each month for the next months issue. Subscriptions 12 issues $26.95 / singles $3.00 Check or Money Order The Ozarks Star or the Star is p;;biished & distributed monthly as a community · Ltd. of Joplin, Missouri. Publication of the name, photograph business or organization in this publication is not to be conall'Oed. as any indication of sexual orientatlcn or preferences of such person, bul!fM:113 or organization. Opj,nloos expressed by columnists, advertisers or Letters to the Editor are not nooe~sarily the opinion of The Ozarks Star, its staff. the publisher or it's advertisers. C~o~nt of advertisements and articles are the sole responsibi'.iiy of the advertiser and /Qr;aiilhor. The Publisher of the Ozarks Star or Star reserves the right to refuse advertising material for any reason what so ever. The Ozarks Star or Star and ail likenesses there of are sole properties of Sta, Madia, Ltd. Al! material ii; copyright 2008 the Ozarks S(a;. Daily Specials ? s a week 6 •. ~yA the STAR, Okiahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. Page4 2005 A RECORD YEAR FOR GA LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER STATE LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES 'The road has potholes but equality is on the horizon,' said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. WASHINGTON - Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans scored big wins in 2005, according to a new report from the Human Rights Campaign. The report "Equality from State to State: GLBT Americans and State Legislation 2005" details record-setting and historic state legislation affecting the GLBT community over the past year. "The road has potholes but equality is on the horizon," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "This report proves that as the national conversation over equality continues, Americans come down on the side of fairness." More state anti-discrimination bills passed in 2005 than in any other year. Eleven bills were passed in state legislatures that established or strengthened statewide anti-discrimination protections for the GLBT community. While last year, 13 states amended their constitutions to ban the protections and responsibilities of marriage for same-sex couples, this year 15 states defeated attempts to write discrimination into their state constitutions. Another two states are likely to defeat marriage amendments before the year ends. "Last year saw same-sex couples and their families disgracefully used as a political wedge issue," said Solmonese. "When the fog of divisive politics recedes, the real stories emerge of hard-working GLBT Americans seeking equality and fairness wins." California b.ecame the first state ever to pass a bill to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples this year. Unfortunately Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed this important legislation. Another historic milestone occurred in Connecticut as well, where the instituted civil unions to provide statelevel rights and responsibilities to long-term, committed same-sex couples. The bill was signed by the state's Republican governor, Jodi Rell. Maryland and Colorado became the ninth and 10th states to include gender identity and expression, and the 30th and 31st states to include sexual orientation in their hate crimes laws. Again, both bills became law under the states' Republican governors. "The tremendous progress we've seen crosses party lines and proves fairness need not have partisan boundaries," said Solmonese. HRC partners with statewide GLBT advocacy groups across the country to advance pro-equality legislation and beat back attacks on our families. In 2005, HRC provided more than $820,000 directly to state organizations, ballot campaigns and other work in the states in addition to drafting bills, testifying in statehouses, activating our members and providing strategic assistance. "Until every state treats its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens with dignity, respect and equality under the law, our work as a community will not be done," added Solmonese. FEBRUARY 2006 by Andrew Collins n oming Back to Louisiana Just months after Hurricane Katrina wroughc severe damage upon New Orie.ans, many of the city's neighborhoods have sprung back to life, including Uptown 's Magazine Street. (Photo by Andrew Collins) azed out the plane window on the final approach into Louis Armstron New Orleans lnterna I Airport, the suburb er, and I immediate d thousands roofs. Kenner lies several miles west of New Orleans, and it was largely spared the full brunt of ust's devastating H cane Katrina. But even this far west, roug 100 days after the rm, protective blue tarps covered the roofs of thousands of homes beneath me. Still, I also saw neon restaurant signs, cars speeding al Veterans Boulevard, airport hotels with full ing lots, and plenty of ene of America's most dynamic, and gay ities. New Orleans looked w atso very much alive. I had flown in for a quick four-day visit, because I'm about to update and revise my guidebook Moon Handbooks New Oileans, which actually covers all of southern Louisiana. I pianned one night in St Tammany Parish (aka New Orleans North Shore, because of its iocation on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain), which sustained major Katrina damage especialiy in the easternmost town of Slide!i. Then I set aside a night to visit Lake Charles, at the opposite end of the state, which was pummeled by Hurricane Rita just 25 days after Katrina. And finally, I saved my last two nights for New Orleans. Before ! get into the specifics, let me assure anyone who ioves visiting Louisiana: Hurricane Katrina may have itself.forever altered the appearance and even personality of New Orleans, but the city's tourism-driven neighborhoods - the French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny, Uptown, the Garden Distiict, and the Central Business District - have already bounced back with admirable, in some cases amazing, vigor. The city is absolutely ready for visitors - hundreds of hotels and B&Bs, restaurants, shops, bars, and even quite a few attractions are up and running, and dozens reopen each day. And if you're interested in the rest of southern Louisiana, Baton Rouge and Lafayette were spared by the storms, Lake Charies has almost fully rebounded, and St. Tammany Parish is also making rapid headway. Now for the specifics, as of December 2005: Hurricane Katrina leveled the greatest wind and storm damage upon eastern New Orleans, and as I drove east devastation is unbelievable. from Faubourg Marigny into the adjacent (and historic) Bywater neighborhood, I noticed a dramatic difference in the severity of damage. The floods that resulted from levee breaks caused untold damage to all of eastern New Orleans, but flooding also destroyed huge swaths of the city north of 1-10. I spent a full afternoon driving through the worst of the flooddamaged areas, and the magnitude of The perception seems to be that New Orleans' poorest neighborhoods received the heaviest damage, and the upscale ones were mostly spared, but this is a vast oversimplification. In reality, the parts of the city that have been decimated are largely residential, but they include lower-income, middle-class, and upscaie areas, and they encompass ali races. What this means for visitors is that, indeed, the parts of New Orleans you're probably most familiar with are the parts now in the best shape" i sti!I noticed plenty of moderate to miid hurricane damage in the French Quarter, Uptown, and other prominent tourist-oriented areas, but most of the worst messes had been cleaned up. indeed, the citv has even olanned a scaled-down but stiil ambitious Mardi Gras celebration for the last week of February (Mardi Gras Tuesday falls on the 28th). For details on this event log on to www.mardigrasneworieans.com, an exceilent resource . ., .... continued nex page Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. Out of Town Understandably, plenty of visitors to the city are curious to learn about Katrina's wiath, and in December, Grny Line New Orleans began offering a "Hurricane Katrina - America's Worst Catastrophe" bus tour. This is not some ghoulish romp exploiting the misery of others. Many Gray Line employees lost their homes to the hurricane, and the company is taking a sensitive approach to these tours, which aim to educate visitors about the storm, and the region's vanishing coastline, controversial levee system, and oil and gas pipelines. As for the city's fabled gay scene, most bars are up and running, drawing plenty of big crowds. Famed bars like Bourbon Pub, Cafe Lafitte in Exile, Oz, and Good Friends are packed with revelers these days, and the lovably raffish Clover Grill diner, long a fixture in the gay community, had resumed 8 a.m.-to-mldnight hours as of this writing. Other great gay-popular restaurants, such as Marigny Brasserie, Peristyle, Bayona, and Elizabeth's are serving up the same tantalizing New Orleans fare they weie before Katrina. And Rue de la Course coffeehouse is still a favOiite spot for a cup of java. Finding a place to stay in town is becoming increasingly easier, as more hoteis reopen, and fewer properties are booked solid with relief workers. Gaypopular mainstream hotels such as Hotel Monteleone, International House, the Royal Sonesta, and the Renaissance Arts Hotel (to name a few) have resumed operations and have widespread room availability. Another excellent option is to book a room at one of the city's many gay-friendly B&Bs and inns. During my two nights, I stayed at the delightful Elysian Fields Inn. Owners Leigh and Jim Crawford bought the inn in summer 2005, and despite missing revenue during a nearly threemonth closure and losing their beautiful sundeck to a fallen tree, these folks have done a commendable job reopening the inn and welcoming guests. Leigh and Jim are gradually filling this handsome inn with music memorabilia and local artwork. Other great gay-friendly lodging choices include the historic Rathbone Inn, the cozy Arts B&B, and the funky Fourteen Fifteen Creole Gardens. The North Shore of New Orleans, which consists largely of St. Tammany Parish, has made a valiant comeback, although parts of the town of Slidell will have to be entirely rebuiit. The artsy community of Covington, with its downtown of galleries, cafes, and cool shops, looks better than ever. in nearby Abita Springs, Longbranch had been slated to open the day after Katrina hit and still managed a heroic September 16th opening. It's quickly developed a reputation as one of the state's hottest culinary venues, thanks to young star chefs Slade and Allison Vines-Rushing. Most of the state's Plantation Country (along the Mississippi River) and Cajun Country were spared severe storm damage and are going strong, including the bustling city of Lafayette. Lake Charles, although it sustained plenty of wind and water damage from Hurricane Rita, looks good. The city did iose one of its top casinos, Harrah's, indefinitely. But the L'Auberge du Lac casino resort. which opened to much fanfare in 2005, has set a new standard for gaming properties in the Gulf. This Vegas-style stunner overlooks Lake Chailes, has severai excellent restaurants, and draws plenty of top-name entertainers. And although Lake Charles doesn't have a tremendous reputation as a gay destination, the city does have several "family"-owned businesses. You can dance and mingle at the gay disco, Crystal's. And you can enjoy a gi0at dinner at gay-popular Pujo Street Cafe & Market, whose owners also operate Aunt Ruby's B&B, a charming bed-andbreakfast. Lake Charles is very much a city on the up, and as it sits right along 1-10 between New Orleans and Houston, it makes a great stopovei on any road trip through southem Louisiana. What does the future hold for New Orleans and other storm-damaged parts of the state? Right now, if you ask 100 locals, you'll probably get 100 different answers. Many speculate that New Orleans will never be quite the convention destination and business powerhouse it was before the storm, nor will the population mturn in fu!I. But as a leisure destination, and one of the nation's fabled gay getaways, the city's future looks good. There will be obstacles to be sure, but New Orleans' inimitable spirit and its tolerance of the unusual and the unexpected will sureiy make it a wonderful vacation destination for decades to come. In ef ense of Broke back f; ounta1n By Josh Aterovis You might find it strange that I would be defending a movie that has been almost universally lauded by mainstream critics and has been a surprising box office smash, even in rural areas. The film has been called "groundbreaking", "landmark", and "unforgettable", and it's raking in the awards - including the Golden Globe for Best Picture. It's on the fast track to bring home a few Oscars as well. So why does Brokeback Mountain need defending? I've noticed a phenomenon over the years that you may have noticed as well. Some people just don't want to like something everyone else likes. They have to be different. They like to feel they are somehow superior to the general public. I've seen people who once championed an underground band suddenly lose interest when the band becomes successful. "They sold out," is the usual lame excuse. Then there are those who love a TV show until it climbs into the top ten in the Nielson ratings, ihen suddenly, all they can do is find fault with it. It seems they only want to root for the underdog. If something becomes too popular, you can almost guarantee a backlash. That backlash has begun for Brokeback Mountain, but surprisingly, it's not coming from the mainstream press. The most virulent criticism isn't even coming from the Christian press. It's coming from the very people who would have been crying from the rooftops if this movie hadn't been well-received - the LGBT press. In recent weeks, I've seen a raft of negative reviews surfacing, almost all of them from gay movie critics. So what's their beef? Some have griped that they're tired of hearing the movie and its actors described as brave. Let's be honest here. It was brave. No matter what we wish the world was like, we're in a BushCo controlled America right now, currently featuring a walloping good anti-gay backlash. It was brave for these two young heterosexual leading men to make a movie about gay love. It would be wonderful if we were living in a world where Ennis Del Mar was just another role, but realistically, we're not. It was brave o(Heath Ledger to take the'role and devote himself so wholly to the character. He deserves all the awards that come his way. There have been a host of other complaints - everything from the slow pace to the perceived lack of chemistry between the leads - but from what I can gather, it all boils down to the fact that the movie doesn't have a happy ending. Have they read the book? The movie is based on a short story written by Annie Proulx and first pubiished in The New Yorker. The story is set in the herding country of Wyoming and opens in 1963, a time before the word gay was even used in the mainstream and cowboys certainly weren't supposed to love other cowboys. The filmmaker. director Ang Lee, could not be true to the story he was telling and have a happy ending. It's a tragedy, and while it isn't a true story, it certainiy reflects many people's real experiences. Soon after the movie opened, I heard from a dear friend of ours who has lived in Texas -and in the closet- all his life. He grew up on a ranch during the decades in which Brokeback Mountain is set. He had been to see the movie and it had affected him deeply. It was a haunting reminder of his youth, or as he put it "the pre-Stonewall era when so many of us [like the characters] were forced to build our closets during a period when hate crime laws were not even thought about." You know what? I think most of the criticism stems from a lack of understanding about that period, the preStonewall era. Recently, on a discussion list for LGBT authors, someone posted one of these negative reviews. A lively debate sprung up, and eventually the discussion came around to the fact that far too many gay people know nothing of the struggle gays faced in the 60s and ?Os. Author Lori L. Lake stated it best when she wrote, "It seems a sad fact that once a battle has been won or changes made, the descendants of those who made sacrifices and fought so hard do not always know of the cost or the facts. Often the historical repercussions are completely lost on a new generation. Some young women nowadays have no clue about the struggle for rights that women had to go ihrough for most of the 20th century. Young blacks are often amazingly unaware of much of the civil rights movement. And both gays and lesbians have been known to look at me and say things like, 'Yeah, that Stonewall stuff ... everyone talks about it, but I really don't get what happened.' In defense of those in 'minority' groups who do not know their own history, I would have to say that it's all made more complicated by the fact that it's not like the mainstream does much to promote the knowledge. It's left to us to try to find out about the past and make sure we don't have to repeat it." And that's where I think Brokeback Mountain can be invaluable. This film simultaneously shows us how far we've come as a society ... and how far we still have left to go. Yes, in most areas of the U.S., gay and lesbian couples can live openly, but there are still many areas where homophobia rules supreme - and I'm not just talking about geographic areas. Think about professional sports or the military. Many states have already passed or are in the process of passing same-sex marriage bans, and even our president advocates a Federal ban on gay marriage. What I think Brokeback Mountain portrays very clearly is the to!I homophobia takes on gay men and women. We can use this film as a teaching tool to help people understand our past and ensure our future. You have to be a very cold person to waik out of the theater after seeing this movie and not feel affected. It has the potential to change hearts and minds, but we can't just sit back and hope it accomplishes this on its own. We need to get out there and talk about how homophobia has affected our lives. We've all had our Brokeb·ack Mountains in our lives. Some of us have overcome them - we climbed to the top and we've seen the Promised Land - and some have been dashed against the rocky slopes. Each and every one of these stories is important. They make up the grand and beautifui quilt that is the LGBT community and, for that matter, America In the end, what one thinks about Brokeback Mountain, !ike any movie or book or television show, is nothing more continued page-17 CREATING YOUR OWN BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN With all the wonderful "hype" about the new movie, Brokeback Mountain, perhaps it's time to head for the .hills and mountains and do some "cowboying". Perhaps you too can find your "Jack or Ennis" except not have it finish as it did in the movie! Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico and even Texas would be great places to begin. Most of the major cities in these States have western/cowboy bars and on weekends they are a "hopin and a dancin". As we all know there are two types of cowboys ... the drug store type and the real type. The real types can be found at rodeos and on the ranches far from the city life. A great place to start would be to go to the Cheyenne, Wyoming Frontier Days Rodeo which is billed as the "Grandaddy of them all". We were there several years ago and they do have hundreds of real cowboys that attend the event. Cheyenne is a rather small city so you either need to book a room far in advanced or camp out at one of the local campgrounds. This year it will be held July 21 thru the 30th. It all began in 1897 and just keeps getting bigger year after year. You can check for information at: http:// www.cfdrodeo.com/. Wyoming is one of the very few States that does not have any gay bars but during the big rodeo days, everything and anything goes! The International Gay Rodeo Association, ( http://www.igra.com/) is a great website to start looking for individual State rodeos. Gay Rodeo had its beginnings in 1976 at the National Reno Gay Rodeo in Nevada. Over the next eight years local rodeo associations were formed in Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona. In 1985, these four Gay Rodeo Associations along with Oklahoma founded the IGRA. From these beginnings, the IGRA has spread the Rodeo spirit across the United States and into Canada. Through a Convention of its Member Associations, the IGRA has evolved a code of fellowship and good sportsmanship including the provision of standardized rules and resources for the production of rodeo events. IGRA-sanctloned rodeos are hosted by local associations each year and culminate in an IGRA Finals Rodeo where the top 20 contestants in each event compete for the title of IGRA International Champion. The IGRA has expanded its enrichment activities to include social Country & Western activities. Throughout the year, the regional associations sponsor dance competitions in preparation for the IGRA's annual International Dance Competition featuring the best men and women dancers from across the country, The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association, http://www.okgayrodeo.com/ just completed their 20th Annual Great Piains Rodeo last May and they are the 3rd largest rodeo with the IGRA association. Congratulations to them! The Texas Gay Rodeo Association (http:// www.texasgayrodeo.org/) will have their Cowtown Rodeo March 3 thru the 5th. For Colorado check out their website at: http://www.cgra.net/ For New Mexico, check out www.nmgra.com/. For Arizona go to: http:// www.agra-phx.com/ and for Nevada go to: http:// www.ngra.com/. And the Missouri Gay Rodeo's website is: http://mgra.us/ Here are some dates for the different gay rodeos coming up for 2006. Road Runner Region,,! Rodeo Phoenix, Arizona -January 13 - l 5, IGR:\ University L:,s V cgas - February 1:' 19, Cowtown Rode(> Fort \'(/orrh, Texas - !vfarch 3 5, Sunshine Stampede Fort Lauderdale, Florida April 7 - 9, Rodeo in The Rock Little Rock, Arkansas - J\prii 28 30, Greatc:r San Diego Rodeo Lakeside, C\ :\pril 28 30, Gate,vay Regional Rodeo St. Louis, Missouri May 5 - 7, Heartland Rodeo Omaha, Nebraska - May 20 - 21, Great Plains Rodeo - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma May 26 28. Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo - Dem·er, Colorado Julv 7 9, Zia Regional Rodeo • Albuquerque, l\;;\1 - ,i\ugust 18 • 20, MGRA Show i\ic Stare Rodeo l'.ama, City, September l 3, Bay Arca Ga\' Rode<> San Frnnci,co, Cf\ - September IS • I - , Bighorn Rodeo - LJs Vegas. -"c,:ada - ()ctobcr 6 - 8, So, whether you like to participate or just watch this might be something new to do this year. And, you just might meet your new Jack or Ennis! And always check out www.purpleroofs.com to find the finest and best in gay owned and gay-friendly accommodations, Always have fun when traveling and for any questions on travel, email Donald and Ray at gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http:/www,hometown.ao!.com/ gaytrave!ers the STAR Oklahoma's Premie" GLBT Magazine Page ~o The History of Saint Valentine's Day Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the childrnn lasted an entire year, and often.they would fall in love and wouid I a t e r marry.Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their ioves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. · The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed.The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do away with the pagan eiement in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February; the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's Day for the celebration of this new feast. · So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose in this way. co,nin I To Eurella Sprin~s. Arllansas s GET ROMANTIC! ,6 COUPLES/ Surprise your true lovel SINGLES! Find your true love?! $SPEED-DATING'PARTYI 1MIMOSA BRUNCH'/ VALENTINE'S DINNER & DANCE At local favorite CAR/BE' Restaurante y Cantina DINE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY BEFORE THE DANCEi 8PM DANCE ~ 'Golden Oldies' to Today's Hits/ I Diversity Weekend April 7-9, 2006 ! At our historic Auditorium A hysterical comedy troupe, born from "Second City" members in Chicago/ They are determined to raise our spirits and shake the Ozarks hills with laughter and gayetyl For details & other DIVERSITY info: EurekaPride.com and DiversityPr' RSVP Vacations Introduces RSViP, the First Rewards and Loyal Program Exclusively for Gay and Lesbian Travelers. Minneapolis, MN,_RSVP Vacations, the leading presenter of gay and lesbian travel events, proudly announces the first frequent traveler program designed for LGBT travelers. RSViP rewards guests with points based both on the dollar value of their travel packages as well as the number of RSVP cruises, land tours and resort vacations they have taken. Guests redeem points for upgrades and free cabins on future sailings. Most revolutionary is the RSViP program's Refer-a-Friend feature. Frequent travelers who refer a first-time guest to RSVP Vacations earn the same number of points as their referral. The full RSViP program launched on November 15, 2005. Membership levels are based on the number of vacations a guest has taken with RSVP since January 2002. Exciting member benefits range from priority notice of new events at the Bronze level to celebrity cocktail parties, concierge service. and members-only travel opportunities at the Platinum level. Fu!I details of the program can be found at www.rsvpvacations.com, where 500 free bonus points are available for signing up for your RSViP number. "The RSViP program is unprecedented," said Thomas Roth, President of Community Marketing, Inc., a San Francisco-based gay market research and communications firm. "I commend RSVP, the original gay vacation specialists, for retaining the competitive edge in this increasingly competitive marketplace." Roth also applauded the research that shaped this new program. "RSVP asked and listened to their customers, and RSViP is the result. Earning loyalty is perhaps the single most important element in successful LGBT marketing, and this new RSViP program takes the industry to a whole new level." "RSVP has consistently been an innovator in the field of gay and lesbian travel," said Paul Figlmiller, RSVP's President. "RSViP is designed to recognize the thousands of loyal guests who travel with us year after year and reward them when they bring their friends along. I hope it inspires new guests to discover the unique camaraderie and exceptional service of an RSVP event." About RSVP Vacations - Established in 1985, RSVP was the originator of the gay and lesbian cruise concept, and offers distinctive travel packages designed for gay and lesbian travelers. More than 80,000 men and women have participated in RSVP's big and small ship cruises, riverboat cruises, land tours, and resort vacations. Destinations in 2006 will include the Caribbean, Central America, the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Ireland, Mexico, Tahiti, Peru, and Thailand. RSVP has offices in Minneapolis, MN and London and is available through travel agencies. ay at the Legis ahoma ure Sponsored by PFLAG Oklahoma by Greg Steele Tulsa, OK_After several date changes, Nancy McDonald has announced a new date of May 9th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. "The Capitol has been reserved for our Day at the Legislature", McDonald said in a recent communique. Tweive tables have been reserved and GLBT groups, yout groups. HIV/AIDS groups are encouraged to attend and bring materiai. Council Oaks Mens Chorale is expected to entertain, food and drink will be available. Estimated cost is $20 - $25 per Chapter. The purpose of the lobby is to give legislators and opportunity to learn more about the GLBT community. Group leaders wili aiso be meeting with state senators and representatives. For more information contact Nancy at: Nancymcdo@aol.com Tu!sa PFLAG meets every 2nd Monday of each month at Feiiowship Congregational Church. located at 29th and Harvard. on the street just south of Bra urn's. Program time is 7:30pm, social time 6:45pm. More information is available on their website: www.pflagtulsa.org Iha STAR, Oklahoma's Pmmier GLBT Magazine. Get Your Best Easter Bonnet Out and Go To Washington! WASHINGTON_ Outrageous bonnets and dresses may not be ail that gets attention this Easter, when thousands of children including those with same-sex parents wil! gather on the White House lawn for the annual Easter Egg Roll. A group of gay rights organizations is urging gay and lesbian parents to join the Aprii 17 event, to highlight the similarities between themselves and heterosexual families. While the event is months away, the potential participation of gay famiiies has already garnered White House attention. Sponsored by The Family Prlde Coalition. rial: ew pill bests standa I regimen From PlanetOut Net\vork: A new once-a-day HIV antiretroviral pill does a better job of suppressing the virus, restoring immune function and preserving body shape than the common treatment of Sustiva plus Combivir, according to findings published in the jan.19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers found the new pil!, which combines Viread, Emtriva and Sustiva, did a better job in a three-year study of HIV-infected subiects in reducing their viral load and increasing CD4 celi counts without being as toxic to patients as the combination of Sustiva and Combivir. The finding is the first to show that one combination regimen is superior to the other for initial HIV infection treatment. Gilead, which produces Viread and Emtriva, funded the study. rne 0zsr1<ss.i1AR sinc:e 2003 · 10 eys to by Deepak Chopra, M.D. Provided by: Chopra Blog app1• ness Physical well being is inseparable from emotional well being. Happy people are healthy people. The wisdom traditions of the world tell us that happiness does not depend on what you have, but on who you are. As we begin the new year, it may be worthwhile to reflect on what really creates happiness in us. The following ten keys, gleaned from the wisdom traditions, may give us some insight. Listen to your body's wisdom, which expresses itself through signals of comfort and discomfort. When choosing a certain behavior, ask your body, "How do you feel about this?" If your body sends a signal of physical or emotional distress, watch out. If your body sends a signal of comfort and eagerness, proceed. Live in the present, for it is the only moment you have. Keep your attention on what is here and now; look for the fullness in every moment. Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it, and then let it go. The present is as it should be. It reflects infinite laws of Nature that have brought you this exact thought, this exact physical response. This moment is as it is because the universe is as it is. Don't struggle against the infinite scheme of things; instead, be at one with it. Take time to be silent, to meditate, to quiet the internal dialogue. In moments of silence, realize that you are recontacting your source of pure awareness. Pay attention to your inner life so that you can be guided by intuition rather than externally imposed interpretations of what is or isn't good for you. Relinquish your need for external approval. You alone are the judge of your worth, and your goa! is to discover infinite worth in vourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. There is great freedom in this realization. When you find yourself reacting with anger or opposition to any person or circumstance, realize that you are only struggling with yourself. Putting up resistance is the response of defenses created by old hurts. When you relinquish this anger, you wi!I be healing yourself and cooperating with the flow of the universe. Know that the world "out there" reflects your reality "in here." The people you react to most strongly, whether with love or hate, are projections of your inner world. What you most hate is what you most deny in yourself. What you most love is what you most wish for in yourself. Use the mirror of relationships to guide your evolution. The goal is total self-knowledge. When you achieve that, what you most want will automatically be there, and what you most dislike will disappear. Shed the burden of judgment - you will feel much lighter. Judgment imposes right and wrong on situations that just are. Everything can be understood and forgiven, but when you judge, you cut off understanding and shut down the process of learning to love. In judging others, you reflect your lack of self-acceptance. Remember that every person you forgive adds to your self-love. Don't contaminate your body with toxins, either through food, drink, or toxic emotions. Your body is more than a life-support system. It is the vehicle that will carry you on the journey of your evolution. The heaith of every cell directly contributes to your state of well being, because every cell is a point of awareness within the field of awareness that is you. Replace fear-motivated behavior with love-motivated behavior. Fear is the product of memory, which dwells in the past. Remembering what hurt us before, we direct our energies toward making certain that an oid hurt will not repeat itself. But trying to impose the past on the present will never wipe out the threat of being hurt. That happens only when you find the security of your own being, which is love. Motivated by the truth inside you, you can face any threat because your inner strength is invulnerable to fear. Understand that the physical world is just a mirror of a deeper intelligence. Intelligence is the invisible organizer of all matter and energy, and since a portion of this intelligence resides in you, you share in the organizing power of the cosmos. Because you are inseparably linked to everything, you cannot afford to foul the planet's air and water. But at a deeper level, you cannot afford to live with a toxic mind, because every thought makes an impression on the whole field of intelligence. Living in balance and purity is the highest good for you and the Earth. THE L WORD: THE THIRD SEASON SOUNDTRACK Silver Labelffommy Boy Entertainmeni Release Date: January 24, 2006 Ecleciic, Exclusive New Songs Enrich Show's Third Season Soundtrack Just as "The L Word" lights up over 6 million screens weekly with its cast of vibrant. vivacious and vital characters, so. do the show's soundtrack albums fire up the iPods and CD players of loyal fans. Working closely with Tommy Boy Entertainment executive and Silver Lab~I co-founder, Rosie Lopez, the show's creator Ilene Chaiken delivers yet another smart, sensuous and soulful soundtrack, 'The L Word: The Third Season." The two-CD set - which includes a sixteen page booklet - embraces twenty-foUi songs by a cherry-picked roster of stellar lesbian and lesbifriendly artists, deftly incorporating a refreshing variety of genres: folk, electro, country, soul, pop. classical. NOTE: "The L Word: The Third Season" premiers January 8 and airs through the end of March! TULSA TIME AT THE BOO! by Paul Wortman TULSA, OK_Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald took the stage Friday night December 16th at the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa with a show opener of "Living on Tulsa Time". He was fantastic as always and the crowed agreed with roaring applause. Oklahoma's cowboy crooner filled the house with his country music and exceptional good looks. This was his first performance at the Boo, but has performed at Tulsa's Club Mavericks, Renegades and Club Majestic. You can catch his show in Oklahoma City at Club Rox and the Boom Room. He performed three sets with such hits as "All Jacked Up'', "Who's your Daddy" and brought down the house with "Live Like You Were Dying" Matthew also did a melody of Cher hits and was fabulous. Also performing their hearts out were his special guests, Kris Kohl (our own Tulsa diva) bringing in the holiday season with "Silver Bells" and Tiffany Adams from Oklahoma City, who was hilarious with his costume's. Both were in full holiday spirit and made the evening very festive. All three made for a wonderful night of entertainment. Matthew resides in Krebs, Oklahoma with his partner Jason. He has entertained the gay community for many years and recorded three CD's. They can be purchased from his website, www.matthewheath-fitzgeraid.com. Is there a Shelter agent WO for you? Call today to learn more about our services. www.shelterinsurance.com Inc Serving the community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866)208-9480 gtainte shelterinsurance.com Auto - Home - Life - Business Seek Shelter T odai 0 hyburn Sales Associate ION DOLLAR PRODUCER" e: (918) 496-2252 625-6377 fax (918)491-6351 5555 E. 71st St, Suite 9102 Tulsa, OK 74136 n Independent Member Broker tliti'ST,/{R is',just good business cents. , -I I To .Eurel2a Sprinqs. Arbansas $ GET ROMANTIC! COUPLES! SINGLESf 'SPEED-DAT/NG'PARTY! 'MIMOSA BRUNCH'! VALENTINE'S DINNER 81 DANCE At local favorite CAR/BE' Restaurante y Cantina DINE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY BEFORE THE DANCEi 8PM DANCE ,. 1Golden Oldies' to Today's Hits/ p I Diversity Weekend April 7-9, 2006 ! At our historic Auditorium A hysterical comedy troupe, born from "Second City" members in Chicago/ They are determined to raise our spirits and shake the Ozarks hills with laughter and gayetyl For details & other DiVERSITY info: EurekaPride.com and Divers Brokeback Mountain: than personal opinion. I left the theater deeply moved. I felt almost overwhelmed with sadness for the !ives of the two men portrayed on screen. but I also felt a sense of thankfulness and hope. i was thankful for how far we've come, that I am ab!e to openly live my life with partner Jon, and i was hopeful that we might one day even be able to get married legally. As i write this column, e-mails are streaming into my inbox with news about a Maryland Judge striking down the State's gay marriage ban. in her decision, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Brooke Murdock wrote that "while tradition and societal va!ues are important," they're not enough to justify a discriminatory iaw. Whiie the appeals process will last for at least a year, and I'm sure there will be a renewed call fo, a constitutional amendment and cries of activist judges, it stili gives me a sense of hope that we are progressing. Maybe one day, we'll iook back at Brokeback !vfcuntain and wonder what all the fuss was about. Battle of the Sexes Men are from Mars, women are from Venus. We've all heard this little gem, implying that men and women are just inherently different, and that difference extends beyond mere plumbing. It's almost like we're from different planets. Gay men have often bridged that gap io form close relationships with straight women, but that gulf still tends to exist between gay men and lesbians. Why is that? Why can't we all just get along? I think it was worse in past generations. The women had their hangouts and organizations, the men had theirs, and rarely did the twain meet. I do see improvements, especially in the younger generations, but I still see separation as well. That division bothers me. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is a gay-friendly beach resort not far from where Jon and I live. We go there quite often, especially during the summer. The last few times we've gone to bars there, though, I couldn't help but notice they targeted very specific groups. We went to see a good friend's band, Red Letter Day, play at the Frogg Pond a couple months ago. The Frogg Pond tends to be somewhat of a mixed crowd, but it's known as a lesbian bar and that was the primary clientele. Our last trip to Rehoboth, we went to see a friend perform in a drag pageant at Cloud 9. We saw a lot more dresses there, but they were all on men. The boys far outnumbered the few women present. Lesbians have been a big part of our life. In fact, we've always had more lesbian friends than gay male friends. I even wrote a tongue-in-cheek column once about why lesbians make better friends than gay men. That's why it bothers me that there are few places we can go as a group and none of us feel at least a little out of place. These days, our circle of friends tends to be very diverse. As I was.Jooking at pictures from our New Year's Eve party, it ieally struck me what a varied bunch we are. We had gay men, lesbians, and straight people; couples and singletons; young and old - all mixing and mingiing and having a ball. Jon and I value this diversity; each and every person brings something unique to our lives. ! can't imagine it any other way. This is maybe why I can't understand the tendency for people to separate themseives into neat, homogenized segments, where everyone in their immediate circle looks and thinks just like them. I get it that some people like to be around others who are like them - birds of a feather and all that - but I think sometimes, we carry it too far. Over and over, I notice that, at least in the area in which we live, our diverse group is pretty unique. Most of the cliques and circles I see others form tend to be almost all-male or all-female. This separatist attitude is even affecting the way we talk and write. I recently read an article about the increasing use of the phrase "gays and lesbians" in the media. It used to be that the word "gay" was an umbrella term that included both gay men and women. Some women, however, felt that "gay" had come to be more associated with men and felt that "lesbian" needed to be included as well. Why? Do we really need more divisions within our community? Why are we so divided? To discover one possible reason behind our separatism, we may have to look back at oui LGBT history. According to an article on glbtq.com, which bills itself as an encyclopedia of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer culture, lesbian feminists decided to create spaces over which they themselves had autonomy after encountering misogynistic attitudes and practices in the gay liberation movement and antilesbian discrimination in the women's liberation movement. These lesbian separatists subscribed to a "radical feminist" philosophy that views gender difference in terms of essentialism. Unlike the liberal feminisfs of the mainstream women's movement, who argued that gender was a social construction, lesbian separatists contended that the differences between men and women are rooted in nature. Thus, women naturally possessed a female energy characterized by its warmth, nurturing, and pacifist qualities. On the other hand, due to their male energy, men were hard-wired to be aggressive, competitive, and destructive. Because men could not, or would not, ever change their ways, lesbian separatists believed that it was necessary for women to exclude them from their lives. Could these beliefs and attitudes still linger today? I'm sure they do, at least in some circles. I suspect, however, that today's separatism is less about deliberate exclusion based on sex and more about maintaining the status quo. This is the way we've done things for decades and no one wants to rock the boat. Well, i say it's time to iock the boat. It's time gay men and women come together as one. Now, more than ever, we need to be united. Our opponents are working together to ensure we do not receive equal rights. Even the most disparate groups have joined forces to keep us from enjoying equal protection under the !aw, marriage rights, Oi even something as simple as the right to visit our sick or dying partners in the hospital. Surely, we have much more in common than these fundamentai, conservative religious groups. We certainly have more to lose. We will never win equality unless we learn how to work together toward our common goal. Continued next page HEART TO HEART It's not just about gays and lesbians, either. We also need to embrace and accept our bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. LGBT needs to be more than just a ubiquitous acronym. We need to stand together against our common enemy - bigotry and hatred. Yes, obviously men and women are different. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that. But I think it's high time we stop obsessing over our differences and focus on our commonalities instead. The first step will be to end the separatism. Who will take the first step? How about you? Don't wait for someone else. What about me, you ask? I'm thinking about calling up some of my lesbian friends this weekend and heading out to the Frogg Pond and Cloud 9. It's time to break down some barriers. The views expressed in this column are my opinions only. You don't have to agree with them. I just ask that you read them with an open heart and mind. By Marc Shoffman PinkNews.co.uk The Los Angeles Police Department has become the first law enforcement group to sponsor the Gay Games after announcing its support for next summer's competition in Chicago. At least 12 officers have signed up to compete in the 2006 Gay Games VII and plan on wearing their police uniforms during the opening ceremony, scheduled for July 15. The LAPD wili also be using the games as a recruitment drive. Officer Michael Jolicoeur, who oversees the department's gay and lesbian recruitment said: 'There are two messages, we are hiring and they can be whoever they are, no matter what that is." Events wili include tennis, squash, racquetbail, diving, water polo and wrestling. Meanwhile the games, which aie open to anyone, have already started courting controversy with gmups threatening to boycott sponsors. The 2006 Gay Games VII in Chicago is expected to bring more than 100,000 people and millions of dollars in tourist revenue to the city. Federation of Gay Games co-president Robert Mantaci said: "Progress in Chicago is on track with more sponsors, thousands of athletes already registered, and. for the first time, television coverage of a Gay Games." Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $26.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd .. #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAi.v1E: _______________ _ Address: _______________ _ City: ________ St: ___ Zip: ___ _ Phone: ________ _ Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: ______ _ FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES! SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Tes ting the last Sunday of each month betwee:1 5PM and 6P1L 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 41 11 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sundav Serv1ce 6PI\1 four Invited to_ our Conymunit:;. Dinner Every .Wed. 6pm ;ust $4.u0. No one is turned away. The;Otatks S:TAR.sinca 2003 Page 19 . ' Lesbian Notions i by Libby Post ! 1 FEBRUARY 2006 "My Generation, Your Generation" ... lillilillililailoiliiiiliiioi.._ ..... _____ _ I had my first LGBT generation gap encounter about 20 years ago. I was at a lesbian bar in New York City. I looked around and didn't see anyone who looked like me. No longer were jeans, button-down shirts, and vests the lesbian fashion statement. These younger dykes were in stiletto heels, designer clothes, and makeup. "Lipstick lesbians," I thought, shook my head, and tried to make the best of it. I dismissed them as apolitical, only interested in being social, live-for-the-next-dance-party gay girls. What can I say? I was young. But they were younger. As I've gotten older and hopefully a little wiser, I've come to appreciate lipstick lesbians - who, by the way, aren't always younger lesbians. Thirteen years older than me, my partner, Lynn, wears makeup; I have to admit it's one of the things that drew me to her. But beyond that, her almost never leaving the house without at least a little lipstick and powder has helped me to appreciate the diversity of the lesbian community - young, middle-aged, and senior, we all have something to bring to the table. Recognizing we all have something of value as members of the LGBT community regardless of our age is at the crux of the very real generation gap our community is experiencing today. On one hand, an LGBT generation gap is one more indicator that we really aren't any different than our straight counterparts. Just as there has been a gulf in understanding between straight generations, there is one between and among our various generations. On the other hand, an LGBT generation gap speaks to much more pressing issues than what today's LGBT fashion trends. The Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS), based at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Oust a stone's thmw from Lesbianville, a!so known as Northampton), says we must overcome specific communication challenges in order for all of us in the LGBT community - across the spectrum of age - to work together for positive change. In the December 2005 edition of _Angles_, the lnstitute's policy journal, Glenda M Russell, Ph.D., and Janis S. Bohan, Ph.D., detailed their findings in an article entitled "The Gay Generation Gap: Communicating Across the LGBT Generational Divide." Not surprisingly, they found that LGBT adults tend to project their own experiences and beliefs onto our youth, and that our youth think they've got all the answers. The researchers singled out gay proms as one of the ways us aider folks have projected our wants and desires on our youth. These events, they say, seem to be designed to meet the needs of the adult organizers who missed their own proms, rather than the needs of today's LGBT youth. One event was billed as 'The Night You Never Had,'' and when a group of teens was asked about their same-sex prom, one teen said the highlight of the evening was seeing a newly out lesbian teacher dancing with her life partner. One of the other things we adults tend to do is to presume that LGBT youth have been victimized. This is not to say there isn't a lot of harassment of LGBT students in our schools, but all you've got to do is read the story of Kerry Pacer, the Advocate's Person of the Year, to see how things have changed for our youth. Here's a lesbian teen who took on her small, rural hometown of Cleveland. Ga., and won. · The gay-straight alliance (GSA) Kerry started has since been disbanded because the school board suspended all extracurricular activity - presumably because of the GSA - but Kerry has gotten her whole rural community talking about LGBT issues. Kerry became a very real face of the LGBT youth in her town, where everyone knows everyone. Her organizing brought Fred Phelps to town. After his hate-filled visit, the local church leaders were forced to rethink their abject homophobia, and her classmates their own prejudices. Her sense of purpose and drive is summed up in the Advocate article when she says, "I have to do this for the people that come behind me and the people that can't do it.'' Kerry has set an example for her LGBT generation and those that follow. She has also shown us veterans of LGBT activism that our youth can stand up to the bullies and the homophobes in a way that creates positive change for all ofus. The IGLSS study also detailed LGBT youth's role in our community's generation gap. Kerry's actions show us how our youth, who have grown up with a different LGBT reality (_Will and Grace, Queer Eye, same-sex marriage debate, civil unions - you get the picture), can bring a fresh perspective to the challenges the community faces. They may be less bound by what we think works, but they also don't necessarily have the historical perspective, relevant experience, and access to resources that LGBT adults have. Of course, they think, as all youth do, that the world started when they became conscious of their surroundings and that older people meddle. When LGBT aduits and youth work together. talk together, and move forward together while valuing each other's experiences and opinions, a true bridae can be built. What this study shows, what Kerry's achievements show, and what the work of anyone who has done organizing in the LGBT community shows is that ciear, respectful, inclusive communication is the key to breaking down this generation gap and moving our community forward. Page20 ... year event organizers wiil welcome g .. play ball and dance the night away. . •· .bas.eball ouffit and come to play h.ard . fec1tur~s.prizei;, food and fun. Tiokets · aHheTulsa GLBT Community Center around the city $15 Advance and $20 Altf.i€f the Sleeping Beauty is an enchanting choreographed by Russian Marius Petipa, who worked · Tchail<pvi5,ky:. Tchail<ovsky he compg~ed the bctllet hi , his benefactress; Mme. poetic, s~ in~pir~tidn~I to c ..... ··by .it.# w'ijen it was. finisfiecfin. 3,000 rubles and a bonus of 2 .. -_ ,:·.. . /··- ·-- ,. such an excellent ut b ,. ) Liz Highleyman FEBRUARY 2006 Summary : Past Out is a retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Each installment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. What was Germany's Paragraph 175? In eff~ct to~ ~or~ than a century, Germany's Paragraph 175, which cnminahzed homosexual activity between men, sent thousands to their deaths and ruined the lives of countless others. In 1871. King Wilhelm I instituted a new penal code after unifying several kingdoms to create the country of Germany. Taken from the old 1794 Prussian code. Paragraph 175 made "unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex or by humans with animals" punishable by imprisonment; the law never applied to women. Paragraph 175 was repeatedly debated by legislators and opposed by early gay rights pioneers such as Karl Heinrich Ulrichs and Magnus Hirschfeld. Arguing that homosexuals should not be punished for their innate nat~re, Hirschfeld gathered 6,000 petition signatures against the law. In early 1898, Social Democratic Party leader August Babel introduced a repeal measure before the Reichstag, but it failed by a large margin. During the Weimar Republic era, a burgeoning queer subculture developed in Berlin and other German cities. Yet even during the "roaring '20s," some 1,000 men were arrested under Paragraph 175 each year. In 1929. a Reichstag judiciary. committee recommended liberalizaton of the iaw, but the changes were still pending when Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in January 1933. Espousing traditional values and exploiting the oub!ic's existing prejudices and fear of social change, Hitler soon ?onsolidated his poiitica! control. According to the Nazi ideology of ~ationalism and racial superiority, homosexuality was a symptom of decadence and a danger to the state because it did not lead to procreation. But the Nazis' homosociai cult of masculinity attracted considera~!e su~picion. A?cusations of homosexuality were empioyed in turf batties between various Nazi factions, and were used by political opponents to discredit the regime. Hitler banned homosexual organizations, ordered the closure of nig~tclubs that catered to gay men, 1esbians. and transvestites, and haited the sale of publications with h?_mophile or sexual content. The regime encouraged c1t1zens to denounce suspected homosexuals, cultivated a network of informants, and forced arrested men to name others. An untold number of queer men and women went into hi?ing, entered sham marriages, emigrated to safer countries, or committed suicide. In June 1935, the Nazis imposed a stricter version of Paragraph 175, subjecting any man who "commits lewd and lascivious acts with another male," or "permits himself to be abused" for such acts, to 10 years of penal servitude. In section 175a, the revised law defined forced sex sex with a dependent or subordinate, sex with a youth ~nder age 21, and prostitution as "severe lewdness " while sect!_on 175b prohibited bestiality. Previously,' "unnatural acts· had usually been interpreted as anal or oral intercourse, but the revision prohibited any type of homoerotic interaction. In the ensuing years, convictions for homosexuality increased ten-fold, reaching a peak of more t~an 8,500 in 1938, and an estimated 100,000 during the entire Nazi era. . While m~st men convicted of homosexuality were held m regular prisons, others - especially repeat offenders - were remanded to "preventive custody." Some received reduced sentences if they agreed to undeigo castration. B one estimate, between 5,000 and 15,000 men accused of h?mosexuali_ty were sent to concentration camps,.where about two-thirds died. In the camps, these men were marked with the letter "A," a bla?k dot, the number "175," or a pink triangle. They were subJected to harsh conditions, including forced labor in quarries and munitions factories. Former inmate Heinz H~ger iater_told how he was made to watch a young gay prisoner being tortured by drunken SS guards. who sodomized him with a broomstick. Pierre Seei' saw his lover Jo ripped to shreds by dogs. Some "175ers" were used in medical experiments, including infection with typhus fever and implantation of testosterone capsules to "reverse hormonal polarity." In April 1945, Allied forces defeated the Nazi regime, but the ordeal was not over for men charged with homosexuality. The Allied Military Government sent some to regular prisons, while others were freed and later rearrested. In 1950, East Germany reverted back to the pre- 1935 version of Paragraph 175, and the law was eliminated in 1988. West Germany retained the Nazi version untii 1969; the law was revised in 1973 to criminalize only sex with minors under age 18. Paragraph 175 was voided entirely on March 10, 1994, when East an West German laws were reconci_led following reunification. For many years following World War 11, homosexual ~urvivors of the Nazi regime remained invisible, largely oecause homosexuality was still iliegal. Not only weie thev d~nied reparations, but many found it difficult to obtain jobs with Paragraph 175 convictions on their record. With the success of the gay rights movement in the 1980s and 1990s, however, some survivors began to speak out and demand justice. On May 17, 2002, the German parliament pardon~d all men convicted under Paragraph 175 during the Nazi era - of whom only a handful were still alive - but ieft intact an equal number of convictions imposed betwee; 1946 and 1969. .... continued rio:xt page. The Ozarks STAR since 2003 Past Out: "I suspect that some people prefer to remain silent forever, afraid to stir up the hideous memories," Pierre Seel said a few years before his death in November 2005 at age 82. "As for myself, after decades of silence, I have made up my mind to speak, to accuse, to bear witness." For further information: Epstein, Rob, and Jeffrey Friedman. 2000 (documentary). _Paragraph 175_ (Telling Pictures). Heger, Heinz. 1980, 1994. _ The Men with the Pink Triangle: The True, Life-and-Death Story of Homosexuals in the Nazi Death Camps_ (Alyson). Grau, Gunter, and Claudia Schoppmann (eds). 1995. _Hidden Holocaust?: Gay and Lesbian Persecution in Germany, 1933-1945_ (Cassell). United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933-1945." Online exhibit at www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/hsx. , '<< •" ' As Valentine's Day approaches we begin to plan that special surprise for that special someone (or to find that special someone). This months recipe is perfect for a quite romantic evening. It worked well on my fifth husband and I have · the bling to prove it! It's pink, festive and a bit tropical, a perfect seduction specimen for a fun evening with that heart throb. Try popping an old classic movie into the .... DVD and sipping this love potion with some tasty snacks.! You may be amazed at the results. · VALENTINE COLADA 1 1./2 oz. dark rum 1 oz. cream of coconut 2 oz. pineapple juice 1 oz. cranberry juice • 1. Fill mixing glass with ice . .. 2. Add rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and cranberry ewell. r into a highball glass filled with ice and garnish • with a cheny. Fort.he virgin version, simply leave out the rum. But .· ·don't expect the same results. · Love and cheers to all. Have a very successfui and happy Valentine's Day. Photo's by Chaz Advice Column! February 2006 Salutations Kittens Once more too Unc!e Mikey's take on all things Queer. February here again, bringing us another chance at being a twinkle in that someone's special eye, this Valentines Day. While some believe in saying it with roses, Uncle has aiways been fond of unconventional tokens of affection. A bouquet of flavored lubes and massage oils always brought a iittle warmth my way. Yes, however you choose to say I love you, or what was your name again, whatever the case may be, Tis the month of lovin'. Let's see what others have on their mind this chilly February. Dear Uncle Mikey. I am seriously thinking of asking the man I have been with for a year now to marry me. I know a lot of guys do not think even a commitment ceremony means much since we lack the rights as those in the straight world; however. I truly am in love with this man. He has brought so much into my life, and I am ready to settle down and spend my life with him alone. How should I pop the question? Ready to Pop Dearest Jiffy, Kitten, have you come to the right place. You know you just would not believe how many times I have used that line. The key to a successful proposal is romance. This is a serious question in which you want to convey the intense love and commitment you hold for this person. Personalize the moment with an activity you two share, making it an unforgettable moment in time, one the two of you will always share. Most of all do convey the love you have in your heart for him. Ali other matters will fall into place. Smooches_ Uncle Mikey Uncles third husband popped at the bathhouse. Imagine my surprise in the shower room, when he handed me that shiny steel ring. That was a night, I will never forget. I asked the gentleman I was entertaining in that moment to hold the ring while I rewarded that man of mine. It was a night the three of us never did forget. I swear I get all misty just thinking of it. Uncle Mikey, I am twenty-four years old and an avid fan of the rodeo. I want to work the circuit one day. However, none of my friends shares my lust for the pastime and they give me a hard time for it. I do not care for club hoping or the typical gay lifestyle. How can I show them the pride and adventure of this lifestyle? Rodeo boy Dear Rodeo Boy, Kitten, the rodeo is an adventuresome good time.-You cannot allow others to dictate your likes and dislikes. Sometimes a man must stand-alone for what he desires or believes in. If you want them to except your choices, than you must have a solid conviction, which will magnify your confidence through inner self. Uncle has loved many a cowboy in his time, and yes, Virginia the south will rise again! Saddle up young one its rodeo time. Smooches Uncle Mikey Uncle Mikey, I feei like no one in the gay world understands me. I am looking for someone to share my life. I want someone who can find contentment in loving only one. I have been hurt so many times, and so many men have walked over me using me as their doormat. I do not think there are truly any monogamous men left in the world, no wonder the straight world sees us the way they do. We bring it on ourselves. Am I the only one seeing this? Tired of being gay Dear Zinfandel, Darling, may I offer you some serious to go with that Wine? Sweetheart and I say this with all of the love in Uncles heart, (taxes and fees not included. Excluded in some states), you have to stop sounding like such a victim if you truly want people to stop treating you as though.! mean just by the time I finished your words; I was ready to sleep with your best friend and steal your escalade. Sometimes we must heip ourselves before we can look or expect others to see us for who we really are beneath the emotional mess we have allowed ourselves to become. Of course, uncle means you by us. as I am too fabulous to aliow victimization here. It sounds as if you seriously need a makeover. Also, one last matter. Kitten, we are not being gay. We are gay, don't allow . ... comim,ed next page. The Ozarks STAR since 2003 Page26 Ask Uncle Mikey: self-loathing to become the next cross you carry. Smooches- Uncle Mikey Well Kittens, I fear I have just exhausted myself. i must refresh, maybe have a twinky or two. You know, I am a manabectic. It is important prescribed by my personal physician of love, that I keep my romantic strength up. Yea, that is it. Proving my love for Queerdom one man at a time-Next! Smooches Uncle Mikey and Tiddles too! Want more of Mikey? Visit Mikey's corner at www.askunclemikey.com. Freelance writer Michael Hinzman, joining communities throughout Queerdom. .. 1 / 1 2TH PAGE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN City Life: THE STAR CALL FOR RATES 9 1 B.B3 S.7B87 or email: m:arksstar(cvsbcglobal.nct Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service. To Be Or Not To Be Oklahoma City Theater company presents Shakespear's twisted comedy A Midsummer Nights Dream running through Fe_bruary 19th• Catch performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday's at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm. Shakespeare's comedy about two couples in love with the wrong partners, and how they are finally brought together rightly, thanks in part to the bungiing work of Puck, Shakespeare's famous mischievous fairy. Chaos abounds in this most famous of Shakespeare plays. For more information and ticket prices check out http://www.okctheatrecompany.org/ Valentine Dinner for Two "Shrimp Pilaf Florentine" 1 tablespoon olive oil. 1 small red bell pepper chopped. 3 green onions chopped. 2 cloves of garlic chopped 1 1 /2 cups ORZO 2 teaspoons fresh dill weed. 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel. 1/2 teaspoon salt. 1 can chicken broth. 1 cup water. 2 cups shredded spinach. 10 oz frozen cooked shrimp, thaw and remove tails. 1i4 cup fresh grated Romano cheese. Heat oil over medium heat, add bell peppers, onions and garlic until ·vegetables are tender. Stir in past, dill weed, lemon pee! chicken i::imti~ and water. Heat to boiling, :·educe heat. cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes unti\ pasta :s tender. Stir in sr::inacl1 and snrinm. Cook 2-3 rn;nutes :i,ore Plate it 2nd spri,·1<:!e 'ii!th Romano cheese. Serve with ;.i\vocado r1alves. Tf,e Ozarks STAR .since Q Scopes by Jack Fertig FEBRUARY 2006 ''Trust your instincts, Aries!" The Jupiter-Neptune square of late January continues until April 6. That opens us to philosophical mysteries and intuitive knowledge. It also invites ill-considered experiments with drugs, and codependent excess. This week, the Sun and Mercury conjoin Neptune, offering some clarity on how you can make these next few months more positive. ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Are friends taking advantage of you - or vice versa? There is a difference between "benefits" and exploitation! In a generally confusing period, this is the time to trust your instincts. Difficult actions should be taken right now. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Relationships with colleagues are going to be tricky for a while, and you may easily be taken advantage of. Now is your time to be clear about what you want and what you can rightfully expect. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You can't win any arguments now, but you can heed the arguments of others to see where your own reasoning could stand improvement. Ideals need not be rational, but how you spell them out must be. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): The stars promise fantasy sex - but is it your dreams coming true, or just all in your dreams? Being openly playful with your partner is easy - up to a point - but you need to articulate your secret desires if you want them to be fulfilled! LEO (July 23 - August 22): The next few months are generally confusing with regard to your relationships. Family traditions offer insights, but there will be more confusion along the way. What you learn right now in this moment of clarity can help you through the upcoming muddle. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): The rest of this winter sees you being very vulnerable to infections - anything from sniffles on up. Be careful whom you play with and how! Now is the time to see where your weak spots are and how to care for yourself better. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Can you afford your amusements? This is the time to get creative and figure out more economicai pieasures. Harness your talents, and your fun need not seem extravagant. it could even prove lucrative. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21 ): Family problems loom large. First question: Who (or what) really is your "family"? Second question: Why? Those aren·t easy to answer, but this week offers clear insights to start working from. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): A door to the Twilight Zone has opened in your brain, and will be around until April. If you need help coping, ask a Pisces friend. Now is the time to articulate things that wil! at other times be very hard to express. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): This is the time to clear through any financial muddle. The next few months are going to be a monetary maze, so get what insights you can right now. They will help you get through the rest of it. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Who are you? What are you? You're used to others wondering, but now _you're_ in a season of quandary. New insights and answers this week will open up more questions, but they'll be better questions than the ones you're struggling with now. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Inside your head is a dangerous place for you to be, even at the best of times. Now there's a light in that darkness. What you figure out now may be key to solving the next few months of relative confusion. You can find copies of the STAR at these 4 states business & organizations. ARKANSAS KANSAS OKLAHOMA Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride EYem - - www.diversitypride.com A Byrd's fa·e View- - 36 N. Main- -479-253-02(10 CaribeRestaurante- -309 \X' VanBuren-- 253-8102 Henri's- -19 1 /2 Spring St - 4-;9.253.5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill-105 E VanBuren- -253-0400 MCC Lidng Spring - - 870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Condom Sense - -418 \'C Dickson- -479-444-6228 Curry's Video 612 N. College :\ve- 479-521-0009 Pass~ges 930 N. College Ave- - - - - - 479-442-5845 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinke2ds- 1004 1/2 Garrison A,·e- 479-783-9988 Red Rock Citv 917 K "A'" St. 479-242-2489 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) _Jesters Lounge 1010 E. Grand :\vc -501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street -lll21 Jessie Rd- Diatnond Srntc Roden As.soc.Discovery- - i021 Jessie Rd- - - -5( 11-664-2744 \·n\~,v.dsra.org - -50 i -666-6900 Sidetracks - 415 ~lam St -k LR.- Slll-244-0444 The Factory -'112 Louisiana St.- -501-372-3070 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Bro3dway- - Kansas, Wichita (316) Club Glacier 2828 E. 31st Sc,mh 316-612-9331 J's Lounge - 513 E. Central 316-262-1363 Our Fantas;·- - - - 3201 S, Hillside- - -316-682-5-,94 The Otherside- -447 N. St Francis- - 316-262-7825 Sharai 4000 S. Broacl\1.:ay- - .316-522--2028 Sidcstreet I\lens Bar -1106 S. Pattie- - -316-267-0324 South 4(1 - 3201 S. Hillside -'16-682-5494 Trends Bar - -15(17 S. Pawnee- - - ::' I 6-262-<l53C Missouri, Ava CanJs C,!:1yon Catnpgrc,und Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- 716S.i\iain Missouri, Kansas Ci~ (816} Missouri, Lampe K( )K( ):,.1() C::,mpJ!rnund # .. MISSOURI Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boom·ille A,·e- - --417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercial-8-:'3-2225 il!arrha's Vineyard- 219 \X" Olh-e - 417-864-4572 Priscilla's - - 1918 S. Glenstone 417-881-8444 Oz Bar - 504 E. Commercial - - - - 417-831-9001 Ronisuz Place- - --821 College- - - - - - -417-864-0036 Rumors - --1109 E. Commercial- - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, McAlester J\!cPride- - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Boom Room- 2807 NW 36th St- - - - -405-601-7200 Club Rox- -3535 N\X" 39th Expwy - 405-947-2351 Cristies Toy Box- 3126 N. May Ave - 405-946-4438 Finish Linc -2200 N\X' 39th Expwy- - 405-525-0730 G,1shcrs Restaurant-2200 N\X' 39Exp405-525-0730 HolkwoodHotel- 3535 t'I\X' 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habana Inn - 2200 !'l\\" 39th Exp- - 405-528-2221 Hi-Lo Club - 122! N\X' SOrh- -405-843-1722 Juni!k Red$ - - - 2200 NW" Expwy- 405-524-5733 P.:rrncrs- - -2805 N\X" 36th St 405-942-2199 Priscilb's- 615 E. Memorial -405-755-8600 Red Rock North-2240 N\X'39th St- - -405-525-5165 Sisters- - 2120 N\'\' 39th St - - - - -405-521-9533 The Rockies- - -32!11 N. May Ave - - - 405-947-9361 Top.mg.1 Grill & Bar- 3535 NW 39th-- 405-947-2351 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge- 7204 E. Pine - - -- 918-836-8700 Club :\lajc<tic- 124 N. Boston 918-584-9494 Club Ma,·crick- 822 $. Sheridan - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks - 8807 E. Admiral Pl -834-1051 Eii1e Bookstore --814 S. Sheridan- - 918-838-8503 GLBT Comn1. Ctr- -5545 E. 41st- - I lidn.,·ay Lounge-11730 E. 11th- \lidtov;n- 319 E. 3rd- N1te Spot - -3(,l)7 E. Admirnl Pi Pnscilla·, -,925 E. 41st 5634 \X Skdh· P:tiscilla's - -11344 F·:. ti th 918-743-4297 -918-'137-0449 918-584-3112 918-834-30()7 -9 i 8-627-4884 - - -918-446-63<1, -9 l 8--!38-422'1 -9 18--199-1661 1649 S. \lain - - - - 9i8-585-3405 Ti.l!',a EagkT::'..: T\ i~3B F. 3rd 21 ;.j S. ~lc,n::rial- - - J18-"J2-l !B8 -918-660-0856 918-829-0824 918-203-0304 Business or Organizations wishing to distribute FREE copies of the STAR, contact us at 918.835.7887 9am to 4pm mon - fri or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Page29 ti"FS . . ·Qrhood STEVE'S HIDEAWAY 11730 E. 11th· Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 now 12noon to 2am d Monday. ••••••,wa•-,... ~a•f e 7240 East Pine - TULSA, OK 918.836.9777 open 6am to 2pm mon - sat. Breakfast & Lunch ~y OU~ DAILY 'b'P€:.C.IN...'b 9re.at home.st1\e. food. I E 3007 E. ADMIRAL PLACE. TULSA, OK ~da!t. 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D SPACE •i,.i1:1~ AVAILABLE '' ' ' ' ,,: ,,, .,, ''' "·,',,•' . ,, IN THE IN THE: STAR STAR CALL FOR RATES C:Al.!,:: f,~¢,lfi'·'.~T,!;S: 91 B.B35.78B7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service . • 1/1:i,f.J;:l;P~~E:: CLASSIFIED AD 11,::.;Jei Jaw AVAILABLE ·• .::•t~THE · •,sfAR CALL. F.EJR ,RATES ~- -~ ,_ .'',' i '_,' ' :- ',,_-\} :_\' ;·, ·,'' ' .91 s.J33S:7as7 or email: ozatksstar@sbcglobaI.net Delivering Qua!ILY, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service. Get results with STAR Classifieds! EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR WICHiTA, OKLAHOMA C!TY, TULSA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS qualirications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail co: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tub, OK 74145 Page PAGE 32 THE STAR FEBRUARY 2006 dve ising Sales epresentatives Successful andidates will be: * Self motivated * * ut going anized Part-time and full-time positions available. Applicants should have reliable transportation Candidates should forward their resume to: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or 5103 S. Sheridan Rd, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 T H E Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, February 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 2 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 01, 2006 Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward Greg Steele Josh Asterovis John Patrick Matt Brooks Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Libby Post Paula Martinac Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Andrew Hicks Chaz Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, January 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 1 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/227 The Star Magazine, March 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 3 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/239 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/226 10 keys to happiness A Couple of Guys Bamboo Lounge Battle of the Sexes Bitter Girl Brokeback Mountain Business and organizations Cartoon Christopher Meloni classifieds Club Majestic Gay Games Heart to Heart HIV regimen HIV/AIDs Jake Gyllenhaal Lesbian Notions Past Out Q Scope Shrimp Pilaf Florentine Star Scene Uncle Mikey vacation Valentine Colada Valentine's Day https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/1d83dd312b49dd3e9bc3a48f8d62741c.jpg 627a3bb469150bff9de1fce15aff2133 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/9ffdd433544ea0d5ea7ac58a9b3e2770.pdf 381e7de93626e21c6ab81a48621030cb PDF Text Text �������������������������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document This issue of the STAR marks a milestone not only for our magazine, but for GLBT news publications as well. We have seen five regional community papers come and go since ou; inception, most only in publication for a few months. Weil, this month is our 3rd Anniversary issue. With the beginning of our fourth year January 2007, we plan to make some changes, add new features and continue to bring you our readers, local, national and world news that affects the GLBT community. A new feature in this issue is our "AFTER DARK" calendar which list events and special function announcements from our advertisers. A good reason to keep the STAR on your coffee table all month. The Star was launched in December 2003 in Joplin, Missouri. Our first issue was a digest size black and white GLBT news and information magazine of just twelve pages. Our first printing was under 1000 copies and distributed to Joplin, Springfield, Fayetteville and Tulsa. Needless to say, the Ozarks STAR had a very meager beginning with just three advertisers. I have worked very hard the past 3 years to make this magazine a vlabie source of community information, news and entertainment. Our readers are traveling the region to places that were unknown when we began. I have personally made many wonderful new friendships and acquaintances because of this magazine. You are sincerely appreciated. A big KUDOS to the efforts of our contributing writers Donald Pile. RayWilliams, Michael Hinzman, Paul Wortman, John Patrick, Greg Gatewood, Victor Gorin, Josh Aterovls, Steve Urie and many others who have kept us informed and entertained. Also to our sales agents Michael Leach, Victor Gorin, Devre Jackson and Kay Massey who have contributed tremendousiy to our success. Last but not least a big thank you to our advertisers and readers. WE'VE COME A LONG WAN BABY! Sincerely, C. D. Ward Publisher/Editor in Chief 'tlvv-...,.ozarksstar.com Dear Chaz: We notice that your publication, (The Star) is approaching its 3rd Anniversary and we are very proud of you. You have brought to the Midwest a very intelligent and professional gay publicarion that is now one of the main gay/lesbian publication in the tv1idwest. Long are the days when so many gay pubiications were merely "sleaze rags" Your content, articles and columns keeps everyone abreast about events in the state, the Midwest, the country and the world! As we travel around the country, we always take extra copies of the STAR with us to show other gays and they are amazed at the quality of your publication. Congratulations on your 3rd Anniversary and we wish you continued success with your splendid work for many, many years to come. We are very honored to be a small part of your success. Respecdul!y, Donald Piie Ray Williams .',<,<\',:·,,,'\/;,, ·. I.lei us help! (91 ) - 6 the STAR 3 4 the STAR Victor Gorin interview with newly elected 2nd term Oklahoma County Commisioner Jim Roth. Election 2006 By Joe Solmonese. HRC President. Solmonese examines the effects of the 2006 election on the GLBT community. litfi HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA'S We did some shopping for you! Something unique, something cheap and some bling. Travelers "Savannah, GA" 0 of Town "Fort Lauderdale" Uncle Mikey finds a Twink that wants co be fabulous, while a queen ponders the afterlife. INDEX An Interview with Jim Roth ..... 6 Book Review. . . . . . . . . . . ... 11 OUT in Arkansas ........... 12 Past Out. ................. 14 Tulsa GLBT Centei News ..... 15 Holiday Gift Idea's. . . . ... 16 Ciao Travel. . . . ........... 17 Lesbian Notions. . . . . . 22 Star Scene. . . . . . ..... 24 Uncle Mikey. . . .. 26 After Dark . . . . .. 27 Horoscopes.. . .......... 28 Distributors. . . . 29 Cartoons. . . . . . . ...... 30 Classifieds. . 31 STAR DISTRIBUTION: Jolie Justice in Lesbian Notions "Christmas in November''- page 22 Progressive Church Shakes Up Norhwest Arkansas. - page 12 -~•,!!,.~.!';'!~.-. History of gay motorcycle clubs in ~~pi\ST ()lIT~~ - page 14 OKLAHOMA C!TY .. TULSA"' LAV'/TON ~ t-.,lCA.lESTER ~ EiHD • UTTLE ROCK" NORTH LITTLE ROOK., FAYETTEVILLE i' FT SMITH " EUREKA SPRINGS • HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE ~ ROGERS ~ KANSAS CITY~ SPRlNGF!ELD ",JOPUN " BRA~JSON AREA:!, VVlCHlTA,.. PiTTSBURG • JUNCTION CITY \/'.f'vvvv.ozarksstar.corn AN INTERVIEW WITH OKLAHOMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERJIM ROTH. By Victor Gorin Phoro: Left Viaor Gorin and Jim Roth In 2002, Jim Roth ran againsr anti-gay incumbent Beverly Hodges in the race for Oklahoma County Commissioner of District One, and become Oklahoma's first op~nly gay county commissioner. . He made the most of rhis opportunity to do an excellent job in this position, winning the respect of Oklahoma County voters from many walks oflife. This year his Republican opponent, Dave Mehlhaff, waged one of the most single issue, anti gay campaigns ever, and yet Jim was re-elected. Now he shares with us how ir's been, and the vision he has for che future Victor: Well Commissioner, you ran a very strong and imeresting campaign that always looked successful, but did you still feel a sense of relief when it was over? Jim: Absolutely. You never know until the last vote is counted. \ve felt confident, we worked hard, but we didn't want to take anything for granted. Victor: Wdl, I'm sure you feel much better now. What do you feel were the major factors.~hat made your victory so resounding? Jim: Two things--First and foremost was our job performance. We worked very hard and deiivered on what we promised, anci I don't chink anyone has ever done better in District 1. Second, my opponent's bigotry was rejected by a great number of people that I think arc tired of that mean spirited side of politic;. l think people realized from his approach rhat he had lirde to offer. 1/ictor: Truly over the past 4 years, v.rhen one considers the duties of v;hat a county cotnn1issioner is supposed to do, you have a record you can be proud of, including a balanced budget. Jim: 1hat's right. Although all 3 discricts of ()kiahon1a (~ounty get tht: sa1ne a111ount of n1oney for roads, I have the 1nf)St road n1ileage 6 the STAR and still was the only one wirh a baianced budget. The pubiic in my district is now driving over 54 miles of new road and 8 new bridges with safer conditions. !vfy predecessor, Beverly Hodges, only built 1 bridge during her term. Victor: You were instrumental during 2004 in impiementing and keeping, despite a repeai attempt, a poiicy of nondiscrimination for Oklahoma County employees that indudes sexual orientation. Even now iI is the only government protection pertaining to sexual orientation in the state of Oklahoma. Jim: I serve this office with the premise char all peopie deserve respect and dignity, and a public employment simation, of all places, should be free of discrimination of any kind. We changed the current policy to expand coverage in 3 areas, physical disabiliry, political affiliation, and sexual orientation. I worked w implement this policy for 3 reasons, to protect taxpayers from liability from officials doing stupid things, attracting talent, and because it's the right thing to do. Victor: What do you hope do accomplish during your next term? Our district is on a great rrajectory of improvement with a very aggressive road and bridge program, a number of major projecrs. We are also bringing a focus to senior citizens issues. Vie have to be sure that we are that safety net so that their golden years are truly that. Also I want to work on issues co help our memally ill in this county so that they aren'r kept in the county jail without treatment. Victor: Do you have future aspirations after .:his term of office? Jim: Not right now, bur maybe in future years rhere will be something I'll feel challenged w try. Victor: \V'e!l, you obviousiy won the confidence of the voters in Oklahoma County. Besr wishes and looking forward to four more years! * Two Night Tulsa Event Benefit For Tulsa Cares Food Pantry. By Greg Steele TULSA, OK_Billed as Tulsa's Social Event of rhe year, the Bamboo Lounge staged a two night benefit show hosted by Kris Kohl. The 5th annual Miss Bamboo Pageant was held on Saturday November 18th and the following night with Kris Kohl's show, The Bamboo & Faces Present "REMEMBER OUR FAMILY". The two night extravaganza packed the nighrc'.ub both nights and raised do;;:: ro $500.00 for the Food Pantry. The Miss Bamboo Pageant histed by Terry Hood and Stan Smith dub co-owners is only one event out of 111any that the couple stage each vear to benefit non-profit organizations in the Tiilsa area. 'The out g~ing ~1iss Ba1nboo 2006. Mona Lott n:iuctandy reiinquishcd her crown to Miss Bamboo 2007, Holly Rose, a newcomer to the scene. Holly Rose campaigned extensiv~!y v.lith her slogan "!es 'Time For l1 l'~c",,v Generationn and sources say her ,veaithy husband donated quite a sun1 to her success. lvfona Lott, J\.-1:iss Bamboo 2006 in a rage l~Jf despair crov,rned herself "E1npress of the Ban1boo'1 \Vhich amounrs to nothing bur a cheap ploy to 1nainrain royal sratus in her aging state! P.._ great time vva.s had by all and for a very gcJod cause. Photo on page 25. v1v,.;•.v,ozarksstar.com Worl Dece i /-,, . i l_r,,,CJlj}OOtJ o/1'f.o0 ,-L--/o1~, Lr:i !,•~ R~"L p/'~_?-/r: -1 )j •'ThYJJ (Jr)g} ~ uikiff@ L1JJ'@:~?Jff i;J Y'ailif1 ORDERS BY 12NOON GUARANTEED S,'l.J,lE DAY DELIVERY Glenpool Cleaners (inside Glenpool 1.'i,:w:-crsl 91S-29r-3275 Wear the Red Ribbon on Dece111ber 1st. Show th<: ,xorld ,-'.)ll c:rc that HIVi AIDS is srill among us ,rnd du, people, including manv ,·nuns people, arc cv<:!i nov.' getting inf~•t'tcd. Let rhosc afF(·c(cd knO\\' that you undcLStand .. 1nd support thcn1 and the: figbt ~1gainst l-lI\/"f 1\I [)S. HAP C 3rd l (/ from all your pals in Eureka Springs, Arkansas ,\~ Amber Bock Sun--Thurs 1 pm---Midnight~ Fri ,-Sat 1 prrl~,,._ 2am :·,:~:, t..· .2..c,,1., N.- ., M~ a·..1J s/:}--·iV -•~p.. -:,.~ on 'h1p. New Tulsa Organization For Diversity Business DBAT Means Business TULSA, OK_Business is all abom connections and growth, and the newly formed Diversity Business Association ofTulsa (DBAT), a program supported by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), is working to help GLBT business owners and professionals in green country form those connections and succeed in today's competitive marketplace. DBAT's mission is to provide a forum to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business and professional community and its allies for ,he purpose of networking. professional development, creating increased visibility and strengthening relationships among business and professional community members. The group meets monthly for the purpose of networking, development and quarterly workshops as well. Socials are being planned for next year. D BAT membership is an affordable investment at $30.00 annually for individuals and $50.00 annually for~ business entity. Members receive: A copy of the annual business guide with inclusion of a business listing and advertising opportunities within the business guide. DBAT Newsletter TOHR Membership Reduced fee at quarterly workshops A listing on the DBAT web site and banner advertising opportunities. Join us and connec, with other locai GLBT business owners and professionals within your community. For 1hform,1tion contact Susan Hartman at 918-274-1699 or through e-mail at slr:artrnan@cox.aer. * Wear the Red Ribbon on December 1st. Show the world you care that I-flV/;\I!)S is still a111ong us and that people, inc:iuding rhen1 ::tnd tht against 10 the STAR Oklahoma Ci Couple Exchange Vo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK_Paula Schonauer & Pam Trotter were united in a Holy Union ceremony on the lovely grounds of the Backdoor Coffeeshop October 7, their wedding officiated by the Reverend Scott Jones of the Oklahoma City Cathedral of Hope Church. Paula is an Oklahoma City police officer and Pam is a floral designer. Together they reside in Oklahoma City. * Tulsa Group Forms Womens Supper Club. TULSA, OK_Heather Hartman and a group of other iadies have formed a new club calied "LesDine Supper Club ofTulsa''. Heather told us, "We meet the first Friday of every month at Tulsa-area restaurants at 7 PM. For December we will be eating at Jamil's Steakhouse, and in January we will be eating at Caz's Chowhouse. For information, peopie can emaii Lesdinesupperclub@ yahoo.com or visit v,ww.myspace.com/lcsdinesupperc! ub . LesDine is for lesbianidentified women in NE Oklahoma who like to socialize and eat good food. \,X,'e have been meeting for 6 month, now and have had a great turn-om. Peopk are finding out via ~ord-of-mou.t:h ancf thru -.lahoof chat groups. Last n1onth \VC had 26 \von1cn attend. The New Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2007 By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY~James Hollingwood captured the tide of Oklahoma's new fvfr. Leather at Oklahoma City's Pho~nix Rising October 21, It was a festive occasion emceed by California titleholder Mark tvfalon who kept the evening lively and entertaining with earchv humor, and even treated us to his musical prowess with h1s priceless rendition of a Shirley Bassey dassic, "Dildos are Forever." Attended bv;;. capacitv crowd of leather folk and th~ir friends,' the contest featured not only entenainmcnt but also education and wonhwhile fundraising, the highlight of which was the raffling of;; Garth Brooks \Yiorld Tour Jacket that will be autographed by the man himself. Proceeds for that raffie went to Tulsa's Open Arms Youth Project. David Tempie~on won the tide of First Runnerup, and the reigning currelt Mr.Leather, James Dean Scudder ofTi,is:,, passed the tide on to Mr.Hollingwood. James wiil go on to con1petc in the lntcrnationai l\-1r. Leather Comest held in Cbicago during the Memorial Day Weekend. l() the cornrnunity Jarocs. had this to say/' J fCci very honored that n1y peers have honored n1c 1:1vith the ti tie of ()kiahon1a ~vir Leather, and l \vill do rny unnost to support the leather comrnunitics of'Tu!sa~ ()klahorna (~ity and statevvide. I ;:1111 looking fon.vard to the Jntcrnational lV1r. Leather contcsc but 1 an1 still in ~hock, letting this vvin sir1k in. /tgain I say I ~un. honored that the cornrnu•~ has supported rne in rhis vvay A Face in the Crowd celebrates the and challenges of those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The book, "A Face in the Crowd: Expressions of Gay Life in America," edited by John Peterson and Martin Bedogne, presents a diverse group of people living their lives filled with iove, hope, and happiness as well as fear and oppression. Highlighting stories and profiles of gay men and women who share tales of families and challenges, "A Face in the Crowd" poignantly illustrates that gay life in North America does not fit a single stereotype. Sponsored by the Matthew Shepard Foundation, ''A Face in the Crowd" seeks to educate and empower today's youth w actively take part in developing solutions to problems that are rooted in ignorance and hatred. In the book's introduction, Judy Shepard, whose son, Matthew, was the Yicdm of a gav hate crime, convevs, "A Face in the Crowd is a reflection of Matthew's dreams. He id1ew that judging people bdc,re knov;ing chem was rhe loss of an opportunity." "A Face in rhe Crowd" can be ordered di,ectly from the ;\1atthcw Shepard Foti!ldation, which will be signed by Judy Shepard and includes the benefo: single "W'hat Matters" by Randi Driscoll. 'Ihe mission of the ?vfanhew Shepard Foundation is w support divcrsirv programs in education and ;o help youth organizatio;1s es.:ablish · environments where young people can fed safe and be themselves. The goal of rhc !vfatthe,v Shepard Foundation is to replace hate ,vith d ,. . . d .. . . ,. . un erstanct1ng, compassion an acceptance. t-·or n1orc 1r1torn1at1on ;~~:,~;t~~:;~~;;~_Shepard Foundarion, visit their ·website: www.mar- John Peterson created rhe initial concept for"~,\ 1:;ace in the (~rtnvcr· and further developed and published the book to rr1eet the goals and tnission of the ?viatthew Foundation. orders and discounts on group saies arc availabic through the pubHsher. For rnon~ inforn1<.,tion~ visit d1(:ir •.vcbsirc at corn . .., ,,..,_,w,.ozark.sstar.corn Election 2006 By Joe Solmonese, HRC President Tuesday was a watershed moment for our comrnunity. A wave of pro-equality candidates was swept into office, from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale and from Minneapolis to Tucson, and are now the majority in the United States House and Senate. To date, 93 percent ofHRC-endorsed candidates have won their races (210 of225), with a handful of races still pending. Perhaps most exciting of all, we had a first-ever win against a discriminatory, anti-GLBT constitutionai amendment. While we had heartbreaking losses in seven states, with a near-win in South Dakota, Arizona made history this week by defeating a ban on domestic partnerships. We salute everyone who worked to defeat these discriminarory measures and we especially congratulate Arizona Together for its successful campaign to defeat that state's discriminatory initiative. HRC was proud to play a role in helping to achieve this historic victory. Steve May, co-chair of Arizona Together, had this to say about HRC's help in the campaign: "When we first got started, no national organization thought we could win ... except HRC. They believed in us and we thank them so much." \Ve have an incredible slate of amazing trailblazers coming to Washington - people like Congressman-Elect Harry Mitcheli, Senator- Elect Amy Klobuchar and Senaror-Elect Sherrod Brown. We fought to get them elected, and now they wil! fight for us. Congress promises to be much friendlier now that bigots like Rick Santorum are gone. With your help, we raised more than $375.000 for Santorum's opponent, Bob Casey, and spent an additionai $200,000 to mobilize hundreds of volunteers to guarantee Santorum's defeat. It paid off. Here is what Senator-Elect Casey had to say about us: "HRC got behind my campaign early and has been a tremendous help. The energy and commitment they put behind our campaign was exrraordinary. I iook forward to working with HRC's incredible staff and membership, especially to advance hare crimes legislation in the Senate." All over tht country, anti-GLBT candidare$ and campaign tac.:ic, were rejected by vorers. Scapegoating and anacking GLBT Amc:ricans is no longer a winning campaign strategy. At least 21 Houst: n1embers --~vith O percent votine: records on (;LB1-- issues ~,,vili not be returning to ·wa.~hingron, and in the Senate, five Fcderai Marriage A~ 1 .. 11 t r;.or i •,r•• .... nn,e1ia1nen. suppo, ...... s .. c,.,, , h.e ,•r b,'d, <•- .,.fo ,r ,-~n· t...• ih,..., .. .~-1d-·,.v, ... ,~ "•' . ..... Other races aiso mark in1pon::ant shifts in the debate about our relationships. Supporters of fuH marriage equality \von the governorships oft~c .. N ~{ork and 1v1assachusetts, and Jodi Rell ;vas rcst}undingiy re-elected governor of Con.necticut: after signing ~~ civil union~ bilL Furthern1orel no candidate in f'1ev<l Jersey, or '"''·"''•"'·,. in rhc country for that 1nar:t:erl appears r,,1 ha•le suffered from the f~c;;v Supre111e Court's decision requiring and benefits Progressive Church Shakes Up Northwest Arkansas. by Kay Massey BENTONVILLE, AR_ Amid the conservative religious congregations in Northwest Arkansas, an entrepreneurial deacon is offering something ... a iittle different for Gays, Lesbians and their allies. In July 2006, the Rev. Roger Joslin moved to Bentonville from Los Angeles to start the Episcopalian Community of Bentonville. Roger is a native Texan, receiving both a BA and an MA from the University ofTexas at Austin. He did additional graduate work in International Relations at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. After working for many years in the architectural woodwork business, Roger graduated from the Episcopal 1beological Seminarv of the Southwest in Austin Texas in 2005 ·.vith a Masters of Divinity degree. Roger's bhck o:.nfic .md white clerical collar mm heads wi11:rever he goes, and for now, he's everywhere. His mission is dear: Find a diverse group of people ~o form an Episcopal congregation with radical hospitality at its core. Joslin hopes :o offer a progressiv..: aiternative to other churches in the ilrca. HI think it 1.vill "vork here in t'Jorth\vest 1\rkansas/J he said of the radical hospjrality, which focuse5 on meeting p;:<ople':, physical and spiritual needs. <iit's a ·very friendly place.'' ~❖7hile h:1s been treated ,vell here~ he's not sure the reception \Vouid he as ~narn1 for a black, hon1oscxual or 12 the STA.R poor person. "Ours is the kind of church where everyone is welcome," he said. That focus must start from the beginning. Rather than creating a core group of white, middleclass people, then expanding the group, Joslin wants to start wirh a mixed core group from the beginning. That is exactly what he has done so far. One of the local group members says, "What makes this really special is that we arc defining what we feel our church needs to be about. We're all accepting, that's very important, that ali backgrounds arc welcome, all types of people, ro be very hospitable and community- oriented." Joslin's church-planting plans are moving quickly. The plan is to create small groups of roughly 12 adults until the total reaches about 300 people, which could take about a year, Joslin said. Currendv ·there are 4 groups of adults that meet weekly, a "Walk and Talk" group for exercising and meditating adulr.s, and a group of children who are exploring the "Godly Play" progran1. Roger stresses that a person need nor be an Episcopai ro parricipate in any of the groups. Study is designed for people of any faith. 'Ihere are people from all backgrnunds involved in the groups. These are truly diverse groups of people on a spirimai journey rogei:her. Roger is continuously seek;ng out Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendcred group and individuals in the area. hoping to welcome :hem into the fold. "Many have been raised in churches and have hj_d devout upbringings~ yet most churches have reiected themn, Jos_Hn said,-_ Gay's and Lcsb~a1:s arc an integral part ot our groups, anct tt1e soon to be church. l\1any are already attending the "\Ycekly meetings and becorning invoived t)!,~r?~:~~:~a~~~11~~~1:;;~:;:;;(~ Benwr; other Episcopal churches in rhe area there is a church in Henton ··~Lz. progressive Episcopaiian church interprets the Bible in terms of context and in light of the times, he said. He believes fundamentalists interpret the Bibic rno literally. The Episcopalian church has liturgical services like a Carhoiic Church, bu: Masses and Sunday Communion ser✓ices - Eucharists - arc in English, Joslin said. The Diocese of Arkansas has been rhinking about a church in Bentonville fOi about 15 years. Joslin seems rhe perfect fit. "I have a strong enrreprcneurial bent," he said. "I do like to create and start things. 'This is abour creation." After many years of being involved with the Church, Joslin was ordained as a Deacon in May 2006. He will be ordained as an Episcopal Priest on December 2, 2006 at St. Paul's Episcopal; Church in Fayetteviiic, Ar. Roger is aiso rhe author of Running the Spiritual Path: A Runner's Guide to Breathing, Meditating, and Exploring the Prayerful Dimension of the Sport. He wrote the book while a seminarian. He continues w run and write in Arkansas as a dimension of his spiritual practice. He is a ,'creran of several marathons and thousands of miles of solitary running on trails and back roads throughout the United States. Rev. Joslin's book emerged from a running journal he maintained over the course of the iast decade. Many years of meditation pr:1.ctice, punctuated wfth the nurturing rnlitude of periodic visits to numerous retreat cemcrs ~nd monasteries, led the author, quite naturally, to combine his love for running with his spiritual search. Roger is borh an experienced ,cacher and a:1 engaging speaker and is ;;!ways eager to tab, on the rask of avvakcning a wider audicnc,· ~o the value of spiriruai pracrict. For n1orc infonnation about the ,-,,,,,,,,u,_,.., c=o1n1nunity of Benton C:ounry, contacr the IZcv. R,ngcr Joslin at 4?9-1~26-1 ')() j or rogcrioslin@sbcg1obal.net . V'l\-VV·J_ozarksstar.corn The show went on and on and on .... and oh, how we loved it! ByD. Norman EUREKA SPRINGS_AR~On Saturday November 4, 2006 during FALL Diversity Weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, ANT and Sabrina tvfatthews flew in from Los Angeles, California to headline Diversity Pride Events' first 'LOL Dive;:sity Comedy' Show and simply awed everyone at rhc Al.JD! Sabrina kjcked ofF the evening ddighting the very diverse crowd of Glbti, straigi~t fricncis and allies. Both men and women were laughing and nodding chcir heads in agreement at her hiiarious observations of our lives. Her humor was down to earth and true to life, covering everything from skim. p1.,rses, pets, job interviews and of course, love lives. By the time she left the stage, you feit like she v1as one of your pals. ANT hit stage in an incredible spar~ling Hight suit covered with rhinestones, setting the pace for a high energy non-stop ride to hysterical bughre~. His jokes had u:; roar;ng, and he was at his absolute bes: ribbing and n•·,.,..,, .. ,, .. ,, v,itb ,he audience. He pulled people up on stage gettiag thrn1 to say and do things that had us failing out of our seats and ('l:~tn ht~ ~cerncd an1azed at the quirky Siories he brought out of Eurckans and her 'Vishors. He told us he just had to use sorne of then1 ¥h:i-<~:•: Tl '>Vf" r"•~rtf~riranro •·n ,..h,::. "fon1oht 'hov.1 .i ,C_rs.,. {J"'-,. l•-•~. :h,.. .._._ '"' L, ,._., . •t,c" ...__, ,. ,vith Jay Leno us he and rhanked us for i\nt i1rvited Sabrina to and the audience- can1c w,l,fr-•l'i.ozarksstar.com tne cen1ctery to end. He toid h fun toe, stop. con-1plin1ented stand-up. their ap~ It ''--Vas Conservative Christian Group Boycott almart. By Staff Reporter Donald E. \Vildmon, Fotmder and Chairman of American Family Association, a Tupeio, MS conserntive Christian organization ordered a mass-emailing to about 3 million recipients, on November 9, 2006. The petition was circulated because of Walmart's support of GLBT organizations and GLBT equality in the workplace. W'almart recently donated SS000 to N\'1/l\ GLBT Community Center in Bentonville, AR. Below is the communication sem to \'1/almart byWildmon. Dear President Scott, This will let you know that I will not be shopping at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club on the Friday or Saturday following Thanksgiving. Your decision to financially support groups promoting homosexual marriage is very unfortunate. You could have remained neutral but decided to join the battle on the side of homosexuai activist organizations. With great disappointment, I will help spread the word to my friends and family about your decision. * t GoldC8stle "At Century 21 Gold Castie our •. BEST properties are our PEOPLE'' 4301 NW 63rd, Suite 100 pklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 the STAR 13 Summary: Past Out is a rerrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Each instailment brings the past to life by exploring the diversity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. Photo: Madon Brando in The W'ild One (1953) November 1954 (52 years ago last month): The Saytrs motorcycle club is founded in Los Angeles. What is the historv of gay motorcvde clubs? · ,i Motorcvcle dubs, a ~ainsrav <,f gav culture since rh~ 19'i0s, ushered in ; ne; brand of queer masculinity and gave rise to today', leather.1SM co:wnunity. Motorcyck culture 1:merged in the ·united States in the l 920~ and i 930.,, ofteE revolving around racing, ,viih enthusiasts "'Nho forn1ed ciubs and vvore distinctive unifonns and "colors.:,~ The popularity of n1otorcycles grev; <luring \~1orld War JI - as n1otorcyclists \vere regarded as son1ething of a n1odern-day cavalry ~ and cheap n1ilitary surplus becamt: available after the 1.var. lJpon leaving n1i1itary si:rvicc in the late 1940s, n1any gay 1ncn in port cities 14 the STAR ra,her than returning to their hometowns. Just as the Hell's Angels were purpon:ediy started by furmer bomber pilots and pararroopers unwilling to settle into mainstream life, gay men aiso sought an alternative. "Only in the swashbuckling motorcycle culture,'' argues author Guy Baldwin, were they abie to retain the ''easy camaraderie. the stress and thrill of real risk raking, and the 111ascu!ine sexuality that they had kno1.vn during their n1ilitary da:rs." (;ay and straight n1cn alike einbraced the irnage of the outLnv biker as a frcc~spirired rebel, as r.:xen1piified by the Marlon Brande, fi!n1 The Wild ()ne inspired by an infirnous riot at a n1ororcycie con1lcntion in Hollister, in 1947, The first gay motorcycle dub in the United States was the Satyrs, founded in Los Angeles in 1954; the second, Oedipus, was an offshoot started in 1958. The eariiest Norrhern California club was the \Y/ariocks, founded in 1960, fo!!owed by the California Motorcycle Club (CMC). By the mid-1960s, San Francisco's Somh of Market district had become a hotbed of the gay motorcycle scene, home to clubs such as the Constantines and the Barbary Coasters. While California - with irs climate conducive to year-round riding - continued to host the greatest concentration of gay motorcycle clubs, similar groups cropped up around the country, including, in 1963, the Second City Motorcyde Club in Chicago, an early hub of rhe gay ieather scene. 1he Empire City Motorcycle Club of New York City, founded rhe following year, claims to be the oldest ongoing GLBT organization east of the Rockies. Gav motorcycle culture also crossed over to Eu~ope, starting with London's 69 Club. As motorcycle clubs grew more numerous, they formed imerdub organizations such as rhe Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council. , Gay motorcycle clubs provided an outlet for socialization · and often for sex. The earlv biker scene was closely allied with the <;m;rging "Old Guard" lea;her/SM culture, and the clubs watering holes became some of the first leather bars. Stylized biker gear became a son of uniform for a segment of rhe gay community, feamring engineer boors, crotchless black ieather chaps (designed by D.L. Sterling in 1960), and military- style caps. The look - which caught on even among men wbo had never sat astride a motorcycle - was embodied by e:av artis, fom of Finland s characters. Pere; Berlin in the movie _Nighrs in Black Le:nher (1973), ana' ("1l enn J1'u ~g.h es o f t he d.i. sco group t he VilL,ge Peopie. ~vfotorcycle club outings. known as runs, typically involved n1anly activities such as can1ping trips. But \vhilc bikers esche·.,vcd ;:~~ era. their ever~;:,·~~'.:!~:::::;~:•;~~~~ pageantry and can1p of a different sort) including drag shov.-'s. Events such as the annual (]v!(~ (~arnival becainc popular even arnong nonbikers, and n1any n1en organized their social H·ves around annu;-11 runs such as vvw~lv. ozarkssta r. corn Photo: lhe new community center coming soon. Community Celebrations ]he end of a year brings things we all usualiy like par.:ies, gathering wirh friends and family, once-;,-year food and drink - celebrations of all kinds. This year is no differem. Special events, holiday dinners, and concem fili foe momh of December on the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexuai, Ti:ansgender (GLBT) and allied Community Calendar. A month full of acrivities begins in Tulsa on Friday, December 1, 2006. 'w'ith the theme, "Stop AIDS: Keep Ihe Promise," the annual Wori<l AIDS Day Interfaith Service remembers those losr r; HIV/ AIDS while renewing o~ir cornmiunent to stop HIV/AIDS. The candlclighr service, scheduied for 7:00 P?vf ar All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S Peoria, v.1iU f(~ature rhe n1usic of Council C>ak Iv1cn's Chorale ((~(}fv1C) and guest speakers Dr. 1v1clanie Spector and Iarnara LcBak~ l\ssistant lviinister of/\H Souls lJni-· tarian Church. !'~ext up on the 'fulsa (~01nn1uniry C:alendar is the [)inner on Monday; l)eccn1ber 11th. ]he annual din~ ner features the presentation of the S..,·J?/t!"~J .:~wards an.d the rnusic of the \Y/or:nen of (:ouncil ()ale A. 6:30 PJv{ reception kicks c:fF the at feilcnvship (:ongregationai 2~100 S I-1t1rYard. ~111e ~u 7:00 Pivt fr:atnn.:~ holiday entree~: and harn1 drinks and r:~srive table~ ~V\.vvv.ozarksstar.corn side, or dessert. You'll wam to arrive early as over 200 individuals, coupies and families are expected for this annuai event co-sponsored by Tulsa PFLAG and TOHR. Music of A Snowv Starlit Nie-ht. the annual COMC Holiday Cone~(, will thriE you with seasonal fa;orites, as well as new ~unes to warm your heart. SRO crowds are expected for the performances on December 12th, 15(h & 16th, 8:00 P1v1 each night at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S Peoria in Tulsa. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center will celebrate the end of the leased space era with the 41st Finale on Sunday, December 17, 2006. The evening, featuring a free concert, free food and drinks, and door prizes will be the last event held in the current Center at 5545 E 41st Streei:. Ihe 41st Finale features the music of recording-artist Amy 5(einberg of Orlando, Florida. With irreverent humor and crafty intelligence, Amy uses her original music to promote tolerance, openness and diversity. Combining a sassy sensibility and loquacious socio-political and spiritual awareness, Amy brings forth a fresh and solid energy. The winner of several honors, including Songwriter of the Year from the Songwrirer Showcases of the Year and Best Individual Performer bv the Orlando lvlusic Awards, Amv tours ;u over the countrv. Notable sho~s include performances ~ith Ani Defranco, Alix Oison, Lisa Loeb, Melissa Ferrick, Meredith Brooks and Vonda Shepard, as well as many others. Classically trained on the piano since age 4, with a degree in rheaue (from studies at Boston Conservatory, American Musical and Dramatic Academy and ?\.farvmount Manhattan) and sclf-t;ught on the guitar, Amys shows display ,.viid!y inaovative musicality combined with extraordinary perfonnance skills to create an arousing ;~nviron1nent like none other. 'Ihen1cs ~f her 1nusic include sexuality, ,von1an po~,ver, ~-·.: 1 j~·h•.~.".!~~~.-. , ~~:~b~~.~1s~!~,o~1 1 .. ~d love. ·nie audience . ~-: .. :~ ~;_:;:; ;::-.:. t -· _, ~.. sings along, an(1 laughs untH they cry. a soul-shifting and original n,.r,nnn nt,t "..V,dlt tu rniss this FR .. EE concert 1.vith 1be 41st Finale marks the last day the Tulsa GLBT Community Center will be open before we pack-up, move-our and re-open in the new location in downtown Tulsa! The Tulsa GLBT Communitv Center will close on December 18, 2006. and remain closed through the end of the year. During this time, we'll be packing up the last items, loading up the moving trucks and heading to the permanent location of the Tulsa GLBT Community Center at 621 E 4th Street. We'll then re-open in January, celebrating the Oklahoma-Centennial year of 2007 - in a new, permanent home for the Tulsa GLBT & allied community. 1itlsa Okiahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) seeks equal rights for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances and the operation of the Tulsa GLBT Community Cmter. Creating Community for People living vvith HIV/AIDS Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HP✓+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. ·we provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIV+ and or lh:ing ,,,;Ith AJDS \•Vho cannot afford to purchase these items for themsei\.res. \/Ve invite anyone \,vho vvould Hke to \1olunteer or provide fi-nanciai assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-•rnaH harrismrnjr@y·ahoo.corn. \,•. . ._ _________________ / the STAR 15 BOOK: i<A FACE IN THE CROWD" Mart Fore Introduction 132 pages (150+ images) · 12" x 12" ISBN:. Price: $24.95 ~\. ngle "What Matand a personal mesISBN 0-9719618- Can be purchased at any major bookstore, Prospect Publishing: www.prospectpublishing. com or www.matthewshepard.org 1 6 the STAR Give a subscription rn the STAR. 12 issue $29.95. Check or Money Order to: Ozar~s STAR 5103 S Sheridan Rd #i53 Tt:!sa, CK 7 4145 ping for you! ng Unique, Something eap and some Bling. "6-Stripe" Stainless Steel and Gold Ring Handcrafted stainless steel ring by Spexton. Wide brushed finish band with 22k gold stripe inlay. Sizes 5-15. Arrives gift-boxed. Order on line at .spexton.com or 479-981-6060 "Baked, Hammered" Wrist Band Coior & Depth. Handcrafted stainless steel cuff by Spexton. This wide cuff features hammered edges and a.baked surface adding depth and color. The cuff can be bent open or closed, but choose your wrist size and they will shape it for you. Arrives gift-boxed. www.spexton.com or 479-981-6060 $259.00 Product Dimensions: 3/4 Inch Wide ssaoce Marines with perieoce. Nooe are profesSome of tnc hottest hunks in the i\Iarine CorJJs are posing for the America's Heroes 2007 Calendar to raise money for •.vounded service members and their families. Sergea::it Rodolfo "Rud/' Reyes, and 9 other !T!ember, of the elite Reconnaissance ?\farincs arc lea1/: ng \\:omen pantin,2; and :nen wanting ,o enlist. 1◄ hc rcn 1nen ~vho p()~e in rhe :-\rnerica:s f-Icrncs 200--:- c:alendar arc all current or fonner models (but they could be!) So move o,·er Matthew McCooaughey ;;nd Patrick Dempsey, "sexiest men ali..-e'', you ma,· nave some stiff competition. SKl:: G1-00C,1 Pnce: S14.Ci9 Freedom ls Not Free (Not-Profit) Tel: 858-847-9999 \V\V\\•:freedomisnotfree.com 1n fo@freedomisootfree.com www.ozarksstar.com 1 cups 1/2 stic er (melted) 3 eggs (beaten) 3/4 cup light Karo Corn syrup 1 tsp. salt 1/2 cup pecans (chopped) 1 /2 cup milk chocolate chips 2 Tbs. Bourbon -mix pecans, choco1ate chips and bourbon and let soak for 1 /2 hour. stirring occasional1y. -blend meited outter into sugar unti: fully irtegrated. -add beaten eggs and biend. -add corn syrup and sait and blend ful 1y -fold in pecan/chip mixtJre. -pour into pie shei! with edges crimped (we nake an old fashioned Crisco pie crust for '.his recipe. but you can use ...vhatever ;::ie :.:rust you 11refer to rna~e \ -bake at 350 for approximately 45 minutes unti center o: pie rises and c0acks. -let coo!. best se~ved slightly v,a:n: with eith0r f,esi· whipped cream or vaniiia :ce crean: enjcy1 ~TRAVEL by Donald Piie and Ray Williams "SAVANNAH, GA" Savannah, Georgia (better known as Savannah GA) is one of the most historical cities in che country dating back to it's founding by General James E, Ogiethorpe in 1733, It has a wealth of history and archircccure that few American cities can match. Savannah has managed to prcscrvc it', Southern Colonial grace and charm. The ciry's many rich, green parks are blooming legacies of che brilliance of it's founder. \¼'hat was already a remarkable city was re-invenc,d when our friend John Berendr, che author wrote his fabulous book, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEi\! OF GOOD AND EVIL about iifr in Savannah a frw years ago. John Berendt's book takes the reader through all che very colorfi.d characters in the town, in particular with the late Jim \Villiams, the gay amiqt!Cs dealer who was said to have shot and killed · his lrnsder/lover. He owned the house that fonnerlv wa:, owned by the song writer Johnny Mercer. Clint Eastwood later made the book into a wonderfol moYic by the same name .. SaYannah sito on the Atlantic Ocean and has a population of about 140,000. "fouri,t, Hock to the city to cake adYantagc of all the historical and architectural highlight,. Savannah i, known :1, the QUEE:-,.,.: CITY of rhc Snuth, \vhcr~ you enter ,ome<me's home, d1l' FIRST thing t!\l'\' ask i, "\\'hat cio vou w:mt w drink?'' Everyone there is t·xtrcn1cl:· h<lspi1ablc. [\,...: I Iisi<ni-.. i'>i:-itrict of \;1_•:annah i~ buzzing \Vith crcatiYiry) ~HI \~',:~:.~;/:::j :\\~;lJ~:;~l.'\tl:~~j~,:::~)t:\\~~:'/;~;\''.\'.~:;· ::;~l:~:::i~!;\;:l\;'._,,_, \Vith .).h':ii1il:ih ~~nLt tilO\'C there to li":t' in or!C or rh\.· oldc:-it ... :iti..:s in , \111cr1c1 :1 site oi' !11:1nv L1n1lHt> H~z:~·ohllin11~HT &· ( ~ivli \\1ar B~lt., ' . Uc:-. }-lund_rcd~ o( int;,.Tl'.,tirq; ~it,_·s :_(1 sec includ;:-., tnon: :h;~c t\'.'cIH~n1onu1n'-'! lI-'. p~nkl,, l ]i.stnri;,.· 1-•lornc,'l) ( 'hurchc:-i & i:(;rt;, :<~nion.;~ 1-li;-;tc:·ic l :tr~liin;,1rk l )i~tr(c! in 1hc t "\,;\. n1ixcd Cr<)\\·d and Blaine·~ Backd, )1 B,!r, l :i l :, p,_ ,,:,, St. 1~ rn< }re , )f _: Cf0\V(1. ,\il th~ h: an: extrt:1nch· fun and fricndh'. Tk:; LOVL their tour ists in Sav,tnnah, ~rhcrc arc 22 original p:lrk:::. in do\,·nto\\·n ~J;·.u; · g1ganuc n1t ,~:---. draped u:,ks ,.nd surrounded i)\" statch· hornc:-- :1:·1t.i husinc;,:~(·~< '['his 1s :; great .. ,\·aJking" lU\\'O \•.:hen: c\·cry, )thcr hlnck~ ukc~ you into :u1othcr ir11ercsting and hi~torical aspect o( the cny. Ye 1u '.\·ill :iced td ~pend three or r-our day--: to ukt: tn c·-.;cryihing:. ~fht: hnn1c tqur"- :,n: r:.:.dl~- cxccptic;naL Special pbcc:-, t1 i ,:isit slv)~;ld include the i\1erccr ! louse whcrc the \ruic.JUC~ l)c,1lcr, Jirn \\-iili:l!H'.', ii\-cd, t !le ( h\·cn-T~1Pin,l~ hou~c. ! c::1uh I ).1\-cnp{ 1n l iou~;: Jnd t!h: (;n.:l'.n.\ L-iurii:1 I h)us1~-. The {:It'. ccn1ctcnc-~ ;~re "TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD" "Carlos Fernandez on Bravo TV's TOP CHEF" By Donald Pile and Ray Williams In our travels all over the country we are so fortunate in that we meet so many wonderful and exciting people. A few years ago in Florida we met Carios Fernandez and Chuck Smith who are life partners and co-owners of the Hi-LIFE CAFE which is a very upscale restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. It is located at 3000 North Federal Highway. Chuck Smith who is the excellent host of the restaurant and his partner Carlos Fernandez, the extremely talented Chef opened the restaurant 11 years ago and they have developed a very strong following of devoted follmvers over the years. \Vhen we were there last time they were celebrati~g their 10th Anniversary of the Hi-Lit~ Cafe. rlheir hours are Tuesday-'Thursday 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, Friday & Saturday, 5:30 PM - 11 PM and Sunday, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Their website is: www.hilifecafe. com. After laying in rhe sun all day at the beach and before heading off for the night to party, be sure and dine there. You won't be sorr1. It is a must-do for almost all the gay tourists that goes to Ft. Lauderdale. www.ozarksstar.com Carlos is a fantastic Che£ Actually he is now on the top rated Bravo TV sho\v; TOP CHEF! Filmed in Los Angeles he is one of 15 chefs from ail over the country that was chosen to be on the shmv. It airs on \'v'ednesdav nights on Bravo. Stay tuned to see just how far he gees on the show One Chef is eliminated each ,veek. The TOP CHEF a.: the end receives $100,000.00l It's ahv,l\'s g-- reat to see a .g..,,.,. av_, coup- le own a business together. \'fc (,_ wiil be down in Ft. Lauderdale at the season's finale and what a grand pany it will be if he gets the top prize: He will alwavs be our Number 1 Top Chef in Florida! l ,ast January ,vhen ,ve were 111 Ft. Lauderdale we presented Chuck and Carlos with a special crystal plate engr:r.. cd with gold to help them ceiebrate their 10th c\nni,:ersar:, of the Hi-Life. the ST/\R 19 Fringing the ocean, Starwood Hotels' glimorous and gay-friendly Adantic resort has been a key feature of Fort Lauderdale's stunning redevelopment. (Photo ~y Andrew Collim) December 2006 by Andrew Collins Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdaie, which has transformed itself into Florida's leading gay vacation destination over rhe past decade, continues to turn heads with the spectacular redevelopment of its stunning beachfrom. 1his neighborhood with a number of gay resorts has seen - or will soon see - the opening of several upscale, gay-friendly hotels, include the Adamic, the St. Regis, the W Hotel, and the Trump International. New bars, restaurants, and attractions also continue to open throughout the city and in the neighboring community of Wilton Manors, helping to make the region a vibrant and exciting gay destination year-round. In deciding where to stay in Fort Lauderdale, consider whether you'd prefer a gay, dor.~ing-optional resort or a ia:ger mainstream provertv. Among the latrer is the charming Riverside HoteL set ;lo~g f;shionable Las Olas Boulevard. Ih; natty 1936 property recendy complered a stunning, multimillion-dollar makeover. ~nw first of Starwood Hotels' snazzy new beac:1front properties to open here, rhe dashing Atlantic offers ucobHructed ocean views from the majority of its spacious, airy rooms, aII of them with Bose CD-stereos, lovely patios, and small kitchens. Starwood's St. Regis, with a mid-December 2006 opening, is even more sumprnous: Jviost roon1s overlook the ocean or Intracoastal \XlarerwayJ and they con1c "'Nith such deluxe perks as burler service~ a f3.buious spa, and leather furniture. Starwood·s next big project, th..: W Hord Fort Ltudcrdale, is expected to open in [)ecember 2007. LL..:: ~ay resorts, the upscale pro1=1erty that I .... :1uderdale's gro\vth into a iT1ajor and it continues hotels. Perks hen.: ]ndudt' 20 the STAR and beer, CD players and VCRs in many units, glass-brick showers with high-end bath amenities, and dedicated top-notch service. Guests can relax all day around the stunning pool with a waterfall and fiber-optic lighting. There are several other fine upscale resorts of comparable repute, including Pineapple Point, a handsome l 930s spread that has the grace and st:yie of a Caribbean plantation. and the Flamingo Resor;:, opened by the former direcwr of Paris' famous Ritz hotel; it resembles a luxury boudque hotei on an exclusive British West Indies isle, with its hand-carved dark-wood furniture and sumptuous linens. Relatively new owners have continued ro upgrade the reson: with improved furnishings and amenides. The more reasonably priced Eiysium Resort, just 200 yards from the beach, has p::rfectly comfortable rooms. Here you'll always find friendly guys lounging on the expansive sundeck, with its hot tub, hammock, and tropical bar - there are nvo heated pools. Even the simplest rooms at nearby Villa Venice are warm and attractive, with refrigerarnrs and microwaves. With its friendly staff and an extensive pool area where breakfast is served, the resort draws an energetic fun-in-the-sun bunch. The similarly priced Worthington Guest House ranks among the cruisier resorts in town, wi,h a playful vibe and attractive grounds for sunning and swimming au naturale. 1he same owners opened the neighboring Alcazar Resort in 2006, also featuring a frisky ambience and lovely rooms. Mode:ateiy priced Coconut Cove, just a short walk from the beach, is another reliable choice in the neighborhood. The gav-resort scene in Fort Lauderdale is constantly evolving, with rrend/new properties opening seemingly every few months, and oider ones receiving massive makeovers. A great example of the latter is the elegam Nev, Zealand House, which was vin:ually rebuilt in 2003; now its sleek rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD/CD piayers, cordless phones, and Wi-Fi. Orhcr highly recommended properties include the Grand Resort, whose urbane decorative scheme contrasts markedly with the tropical beachy ambience of Fon Lauderdale beach; it's one of the few gay iodgings with a gym. With about 30 rooms, the Schubert Resort, fashioned out of a rerro-cool l 950s hotel compound, affords a similar level of opuience and alluring facilities, including a cafc with a full bar. Although it's set a shon drive inland from the beach, the Coral Reef Guest House is a worthwhile option thanks to its attractive g.1rdens, massage offerings, and eight cheerfdly furnis'."!cci, reasonably priced rooms. One of the dosest resorts to the mar:y gay bar, and restaurants in Wiiton ~Aanors, Cabanas Guest House appeab w social butterflies, with its l 0-man Jacuzzi and eight-man aroma,herapy steam room. The posh rooms h~tvc goose-dov~rn con1fcH·ters~ Wi-I:i, and (=I)ifviP3 players. Fort Lauderdaic is les~ about sightseeing than ~v1iami or ()rlando - people come hnc ro relax in rhe sun :-u•~"''""-· and shop. This latter activity you can enjoy at the fiuncd Sawgrass J\.-iills J\r1a1L whosr more than .300 designer outlets include l)onna Karan) Saks, Ann 'riy1or; and ()r stroll along Las_ 1 _;:~];:;_"_,,:, •• J-\ 1~.'-,bich •~.~.. ~~_;:,:~r: 1 •~_:, 1 :: \",'ith fashion boutiques and __ .~ ..,__ --" c__ -~ ~ --- and around 1-vatcr, and then: are sightseeing cruises, and :-;ailing rnany <)f the local :Jccornrnodations ,vork closely outfitters, But if you do have a hanker-- of }\rt Fort I..,auderdaic vvt.lvvv.ozark.sstar.corn is also a great place to while away the occasional rainy afternoon. It's known for its first-rate collection of works by leading American impressionist painter Wiliiam Giackens. The city's dining scene continues ro evolve. For creative contemporary cuisine, it's hard to beat stylish Mark's Las Olas, which has a chic decor and A-list clientele. Perhaps the hottest venue in town is Johnny V, helmed by celeb chef Johnny Vinczencz - at this hip Las Olas restaurant you might try ancho-cinnamon-grilled pork t~nderioin or corn-dusted yellowtail snapper with smoked-pepper relish. At the Atlantic hotel, Trina has become a favorite for its signature Trinatini cocktails (with vodka, lavender syrup, and pomegranate and lemon juices), such tempting Mediterranean-inspired fare as Moroccan chicken pizza and tagine-baked grouper with almond couscous, and the awesome ocean views. Or consider one of Fort Lauderdale's several gay faves, such as HiLife, a homey bistro with delicious, sensibly priced pastas, salads, and seafood and poultry grills - try the grilled bacon-wrapped jalapenos stuffed with shrimp and cheese. Kitchenetta Tratroria serves some of the best Italian food in rhe region, including knockout ricotra cheesecake for dessert. A favorite piano cabaret in Wilton Manors, Tropics offers above-average Continental fare, such as a prosciutto-pocket starrer - a pastry stuffed with prosciutro, apples, walnuts, and mozzarella. \v'ilton Manors is also home to Rosie's, a former Hamburger Mary's restaurant that's still a convivial spot for casual pub fare and socializing, and Galanga, known for its outstanding sushi and weil-prepared Thai food. For dessert, coffee, and wine, or delicious sandwiches during the day, be sure to stop by breezy and hip Stork's Bakery. There's also a Stork's on Las Olas Boulevard, from which you can book a romantic gondola tour along rhe Himmarshee Canal. A great, relatively new addition to Wilton Manors is the Naked Grape, a handsome iittle wine bar with light food and live music most nights as well as a nice selection of microbrew beers to go along with the vino. Fort Lauderdale pulses with gay bars. If you're in the mood to cut loose at a big-time warehouse disco, head to rhe Coliseum, a glitzy megaclub with a variety of parties and theme nights. The elegant China White nightclub has a number oflively parties throughout the week, and has become quite famous for its giant elephant sculpture and distinctive leopard-prim carpets and lavish Buddha ~tatuary. Learher bars like the hard-edged Sr.eel lounge and dance dub and the dungeoncsque Ramrod, with its Tom of Finland artwork, always dra1.,v big crcn,vds. BHfs Fiiling Station is a quintessential neighbor~ hood hangout and home t0 one of the city's top happy hours, especially an1ong the 35~and-older cro-\vd. \Xfilton Manors, a l 5-111inute drive fro!n the beach resorts, has several appealing nightspots, . ' •. ~ l 1 ., ~~ 1nclu~1ng a te\~l n:at_cate: ne.a:11r to r'ort .T.. _,au•~ erd' a. .1. _ e•-s CO!lS•H ' .1era• bI. e over-)0 gay populatton. ln th1s latter group, (_,hardees, a restaurant and lounge: is queen of the hill; its nightly piano cabaret is always hie Sidelines Sports Bar dra"'.,v-s a great 1nix of folks to shoot and vilatch sports on T\1~ and the lesbian-popular i-...Jev1 J\.,1oon~ a neighborhood joint -.~vith great on Vr'eekends, (:lub \AJV\.n.v~ozarksstar.com Boom, Elements, and Georgie's Alibi are slick, happening video bars nearby, ali three of them good places to meet locals and converse with friends. There's something for everybody in this constantly growing gay resort community. Photo: White-faced (capuchin) monkeys frequently cavort in the trees behind the beach in Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park. (Photo by Andrew Collins) the STAR 21 DECEMBER 2006 "CHRISTMAS IN NOVEMBER" Jolie Justus, newly elected member of the Missouri state Sena,e I'm still a lirrle dazed - I was up pretty late on election night - but I'm cerrainiy not confused. And neither is rhe country. No longer content to be sv.-ayed by the politics ~f fear and hare, 1 middle Americans came our in record numbers lasr Tuesday ana shoured from the rooftops - "We want change!" And change is what they got. President Bush and the Republican Party have been put on notice. The Democrats have raken control of the U.S. House of RepresentatiYes, a change that was 12 years in the making. And the improbable is no-w reality - both Montana and Virginia have turned blue, giving the U.S. Senate to the Democrats as we!L "I11e election is welcome news certainly for us tried-and-true Dems, but also for rhe lesbian and gay commc:nity. i'fothing was more satisf1ing than to see Rick "man on dog" Sar,torum, one of Pennsylvania's two Republican U.S. senators, become history. Santorum is one of the most disgustingly homophobic elected officials of ail time. He's been a wp Bush apologist, who carried the radical Christian right's warer, and he w:11 now be replaced by Bob Casey, the son of a forn1er Pennsylvania governor. lust as sweet as Santorum\ exit from office is the fact that his chief ~f staff and coinn1unications director, Robert T'raynham, an openly gay Af'rican-i\meric:m man, wiH soon b~ om of,,. jo~. L for one, don't kno,v hovv 'Tfaynham can get up in the morning knov✓1ng he helped elect and put ·\vords in the ffiouth of one of this counrry:s biggest gay~haters. '•X'hen you look at the cndors~:rricnts 1nade the l-!11n1an :Rights C:an1pajgnt '\VC did pretty ·w·elL ()f !-1R..C:'s 231 endorsecs, 208 22 the STAR won, while only 16 losr. (At press time, seven races were still undecided.'! \Y/hen vou break down the numbers, rhere were 18 senators, 179 ~embers ~f r:he House, and 11 governors elected ,vho purportedly support our issues. Of the 51 key Congressional and Gubernatorial races tha.: HRC identified, 15 candidares ,von in the House, and nine were successfui in the Senate. HRC's president, Joe Soimonese, told me the day after the election that his group's top priorii:ies were thre<:' Senate races - Casey in Pennsylvania, Sherrod Brown in Ohio, and Amy Klobuchar in Minnesota. All three won. But HRC's strategy went beyond those top races. "The greatest hope for our community resred in our ability to be a powerful polirical force in key races and do ir in a way ,ha;: people felt our oresence," said Solmonese. "We iooked within those states, and as a 'national organization, considered what else we could do in each of them to effect change for our community.'' In Minnesota, HRC pm: considerable resources into the state bod1 raising and spending money to organize the community and impact the race. Klobuchar beat her Republican challenger, Mark Ken:1edy, in an open race with 58 percent of rhe vote. Tim \Y/a!z, a Democ,r_at endorsed by HRC, defeated an incumbent U.S. Congressma;:i, Gil Gutknecht; and furthermore, according to HRC's website, thar state's legislature will have a "fair-minded majority in 2007 .'' ]be Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDNJ did a bit of its own election analvsis and concluded that all the co-sponsors of the bill to repeal "Do;1't Ask, Don't Tell" who sought re-~lection were successful except for one outstanding race in Connecticut. SLDN also said that no one was thrown out of office for supporting the repeal, and that, according to a recent Gailup poll, nearly four in f.ve Americans support gays and lesbian serving openly in the milh:ary. Perhaps with the new Congression;,J leadership and rhe polii:ically expedient exit of Secretary of Dei:ense Donald Rumsfeld, we'll actually see some movement on rhis issue. The military is already hardpressed to Eli its quotas, so not letting us serve is just plai1: sn:pid. Unfortunately, all but one of the same-sex marriage bans passed. i\rizona turned away from hatred and dcfca!ed its anti-gay-marriage baliot measure, and Sourh Dako,a's vote was surprisingiy verv dose - 52 percent for, 48 percent against. Virginia passed its measare, but not after a long, hard fight and the organizing of a terrific coalirion that \Vill hopefnlly continue ro battle for our rights. ,.;v~hile n1uch attention has been placed on the national scene. 1..ve can\ forget that politics is aiso local, and that 1.ve did pretty ~~vell on that levei, too. v,.11,v,N, ozark.sstar. corn performed charitable work, sponsorino holiday toy drives for children and fi.u~draisers that originally assisred injured riders and iater helped people ·with AIDS. While early gay motorcycle clubs were men-only, some lesbian~ also embraced the lifestyle, forming women's clubs such as the Moving Violations in Boston (19851 and the Sirens in New York Citv 0986): The m_ost well-known queer wo.men motorcyclJSts are the Dykes on Bikes. 1he original group, which rode in the 1976 San F~ancisco Pride parade, became a nonprofit offici~lly known as the Women's Mororcycle Contmgent. After the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office twice rejected the oroup's application - claiming the word "dyk~" w;s derogatory and vulgar it finally registered the name 'Dykes on Bikes" in 2005. Over the years, the nature of queer motorcycle culture has changed. With the advent of gay liberation in the iate 1960s, m.my men no longer felt the need for secretive fraternal organizations, and liberal activisrs rejected the hierarchy anci militarism of the early clubs. In the 1980s, rhe AIDS epidemic devastated the gay male motorcycle com~unity. With the emergence of groups specifically devoted rn leather/SM, motorcycle riding and fetish sexuality diverged as, accor~ing to Bald"".in. ~ome .serious riders were embarrassed by the irotic visibiliry of the kinky crowd." · w'hile motorcycle dubs no longer plav as prominent a role in rhe gav world, the cuiture continues to thrive, 2~1d new dubs emerge, such as the Stonewall Kniohts in -Ft. L aua' erd a l' e and t I1 e '1--,:"va•l iers o~°- New Orleans, both founded '11 2002. Mirroring trends in the larger GLBT comnumitY, many of today's motorcycic dubs wclcon;e members of all genders and scxuai orientations. In the words of ,he organizc:s of the annual Queer Biker Invasior; of Dead~ Valley~ being queer is "a state of n1ind~ and vou know if it fits you." ' For further information: Baidwin, Guy. 1993. ~~fies ~!hat (Daedaius). Bloom, Scott, 2005. Satyrs iv10torcycie (]ub _ Guggenheirn iv1usetu11. 1998. fvianhi: 'The Biker Book _ . w-NW.ozarksstar.corn All in all. HRC flexed its political muscle in unprecedented ways. We invested more than $5 million in these elections and mobilized our more than 650,000 members and supporters to participate in campaigns and to rnte. We placed 84 staffers in 30 races in more than 18 states and we sent 22 HRC Youth College campaign workers all over the country. We also dramatically expanded our field operations this election cycle, playing key roles in coordinated progressive efforts and helping fair-minded leaders take back the New Hampshire state House and Senate, the Iowa House and Senate, the Indiana House, the Minnesota House, the Oregon House and the Michigan House. \'i/e were literally on the front lines in dozens of states. (For a more extensive analysis on what HRC accomplished, check our HRC ":ice President David Smith's insider postelection analysis memo here:http:/ /www.hrc. org/election2006/) With a new fair-minded leadership in both the United Srates House and Senate, the Federal Marriage Amendment is dead! And we look forward to working strategically · with our allies on the Hill to build momentum and support for passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and making hate crimes protections the law of the land. A truly exciting new chapter of GLBT history is beginning. I ~vant to offer a very special thanks to all ot you. Your ongoing belief in rhe work we ?o made these historic vicrories possible. Your contributions, the time vou rnok to volunteer and your participation in HRC evems and HRC-endorsed campaigns are the reasons we were able to secure a more pro-equality 11 Orh Congress and Senate. I feel very iucky to work with such a talented team at HRC ar;d, as I rravei around rhe cmmtrv, I am inspired bv vour commirm~nr to our ·rn.arch t<Y,,;ard full ;quaiitv. i·h~pe ~· · vou will rake some time to ~deb~atc o~r ~.,vins. because it trulv is a ne½~ dav for the (;LR1. con1n1unity ;nd for our c~untry. * ((3 OZ)GREY GOOSE voott\ (1 OZ) CHAMBORD (1/2 OZ) PINEAPPLE JUICE.:___. ~~ 1. Chill a martini glasses with ice and water. 2. Add aii ingredients with ice in shaker 3. Shake well. 4. Strain into the chilied martini glasses. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ! TheSTAR 23 Salutations Kittens and welcome to Uncle's corner of the world once again. Like a friend with benefits, Uncle shall continue to provide enjoyment to all that seek. Uncle Mikey finds a Twink that wants to be fabulous, while a queen ponders the afteriife. Never a dull moment in Uncle's corner, Kittens. Dear Uncle Mikey, Wby does everyone think that just because you are deeper than a basket of hair products. you are a drag? I am so sick of this plastic existence, where the most important matter of discussion is where the next piece of ass is coming from. Can't we just pretend there is more to life than just a selfserving int~rest? Seeking Depth Dearest SD, Kitten, it takes all kinds to keep this world turning. I agree with your plight of mind-candy. It was just this morning kittens that Uncle, while sitting on the balcony. was pondering real life issues affecting us ail. Ifl wear my blonde wig to the winter carnival, will the queens forgive me? Yes, Kitten as you can see, Uncle Mikey is a twin soul; one seeking fun while the other is seeking wisdom. Maybe I should call Ru! Smooches, Uncle Mikey Dear Uncle, I am beginning to wo,,der what comes in the afterlife. I am dating a man of the church, who is in const211t deniai. He lies to himself, his wife, and his church. I sit there, 01;. the sidelines in love, with a man who cannot even walk with me in the light of day. I am wondering if there really is anything after this !if-:. I mean, every day we hear from those in the church who are noth:ng more thar, :mpostors living a life oflies. What is to come? Seeing the jaded gates '\ Dearest Jade. Kitten, I understmd t:hc bbrn::d iine between iife's happiness and moments fillt:d wit!1 a fairhfoi search. I myself recall my first love, which happened to be a priest, at« locai parish. He was the man who taught me passion, romance, and commitment. A romance that gave uncie Mikey the first taste oflo,·e and pass1on i,1 the southern skyway. It was the toughest break up of my life. 'That vear was such a time of change for Uncle, the break up wi.:h Father Flanagan and starting rniddlc schooi ail in one year. It was rough but taught 1ne to be strong to say the lease Smooches, Uncle [)ear lJnde fvfikcy, 1-io~~l do you tell someone you just want a booty call so they do not uy to get aU hon1cn1akcr on your ass? Booty-Boy 26 theSTAR You could say something like, ·'Booty; parry of one!" Keep it simple young player. Uncle Uncle Mikey, I am surviving a breakup after ren years ofioving th:: s;ime and onl, man. Now I find mvsdf in a world that has chane.ed in that de;::ade of bliss. 1he men are so m{believably outrageous about tl1eir ways and desires. I fear time has passed me ieaving me to remai!1 alone. I just do not know how to be "so'' out there as it seems co be the protocol. Am I just destined to be alone? Party of One Dearest One, Poor love, iife is on a fast tr2ck rhac ;::an oe a bit unnerving at first. Uncle has watched the times change, ar!d fads co;ne ;;nd go. \veicome to the drive through of the booty age. wl1ere or.ce we had to seek out iove in midnight hidden embraces, we now can't walk a park mile without rripping over someone's throbbing desire. 111at reminds me of a walk Uncle took the ocher dav, Kittens. This man was absolutclv Matthew fine! Well he approached ·me with his! Oh sorry One! Uncle.got lost in the moment. Back to rhe issue at hand! Kitten, buy a new ,vardrobe, and don a new look. Tnen hit the town. Just think of the wonders tbat wait. Kitten, this too shall pass, pd! up a ~cat to Twink :If]. and enjoy the new found,freedom! Smooches Uncle Uncle Mikey, Do you think it iS, wro~f ro ask a_ coapi~ to have a th,eesome, when you're related ro one of tnem, tb(:y an: JUSt so not. Looking for family .:ime Kitten, I swear I am hearing banjos again. Let us step out of the trailer court when looking for a hook up - shall we Darling? Remember there are branches on the Famiiv Tree for a reason. Smooches Mikey · Uncie Mikey, ' What do you tell a friend who is really getting to be: mer weight and chinking they are still hot? I do not icnow what he sees when he looks in the mirror, but people are talking. He jt!st seems no; :o care anymore. He never works out anymore, and he eats anything ar;d evcryrh;ng. l am almost embarrassed of him. What c,m I do; Friend of chubby A fdl-iength mirror v,ith overhead lighting should do the cick. " Smooches r,1ikey •Disclaimer - Looking at: oneself in a full-length rnirrnr \vich overhead lighting may be hazardous to :{ou heahh. l}nck rccornnH:nds having a good stifF one before doing this. \Ou do not ,varn to go into shock. Be afraid be very afraid. (~onsult a queen near Unde discovered an overhead mirror JS you has been there ev,:r since! look best v.ri,Hc looking J.t yoursdf fron1 ( 1!: ,r( ?fr ;),cn ... k, 1'.Jccdkss to say lJnde tJnde is out of sight once nHHe, Until rnake of itJ so and. -i Hlct!es too. v-rvi\N.ozarksstar,corn FRIDAY December 1 THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6.6-12 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm PEC'S: .\faie Dan~m, 9pm SATURDAY December 2 THE ROCKIES: OGRA Benefit Shew 8:30gm TH~ COPA: Maie D:rncers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfas: Buffet 1 arn.~.3:30am THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 PEC'S: Male Dancers, 9pm SUNDAY December 3 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Fr~e Brunch 2pm, Danc~rs 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Caria Lee Love Show 10pm THE CO!'A: Raci,ac! Erikks Show 10:30pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 MONDAY December4 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9om THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm TUESDAY December 5 PEC'S: Well cirinks 2.50 from 7-9pm ,vcar lc•thcr. THE COPA: Stip-Off Contest 12am THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm WEDNESDAY December 6 BAMBOO LOUNGE: K:uaoke 9pm. PEC'S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7-9om wear lcad:er. • TNT'S: Karaoke 9pm THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament l 0pm THE ROCKlES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm THURSDAY December 7 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show ,viRachad Erikks :!,;at=;i:t;:;~ drink~ 2.50 from 7•9pm THE COP~-'\.: ()pen Taienr ~NiShcrnoanc ~I~;~~;i~};/~f~:~ fotm,amcn, lGp:li LEDO: Kari-,Okic host. Pancho 9orr: THE ROCKJE..5: Beer Bust 'lpm~7pm FRIDAY December 8 TBJ::. COPA: t .. {a!c l)ancers 9prn THE ROCKIES: Beer Busr 1-6.6-12 CLUB ROX: Alison Scott. 9:30pm PEC'S: ~\1Jlc l)~u1ccrs, 9pm wNw.ozarksstar.com SATURDAY December 9 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm PEC'S: Maie Dar!cers, 9pm GUSHERS: Lare Niehr Breakfast Buffe, lam-3:30am ,. THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 SUNDAY December 10 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAjESTiC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: R;,;.chad Erikks Show i0:30om THE 'ROCKIES: Beer Bu!t 1-6,6-12 MONDAY December 11 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm TUESDAY. December Ii PEC'S: Wdl drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Seip-Off Contest 12am THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm WEDNESDAY December 13 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm PEC'S: Wei! cl.inks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. TNT'S: Karaoke 9om. THE COPA· Variety Show i0:30pm FiNISHLINE: Dart Tourn;smem 10pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bun 4pm-7pm THURSDAY December 14 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks PEC'S: Wdl dri:-.ks 2.50 from 7-9om wear leather. · THE COPA: Open Talem w/Shcmoanc Somemore ! 0:30pm FiNISHLINE: 6an ·fouroamcm 10L>m LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9p::; THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm FRIDAY December 15 CLUB MAJESTIC: Majestic Kings Show 10pm. ·· Tl-iE COPA; J-..1:ak Dancers 9prn THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 PEC'S: Male l)ancers, 9prn SATURDAY December 16 -rNT's: fundraiscr for Susln c; Komen BreEr Cm1e<::r Foundation, l0;)m Tl-IE COPA: ~1:.tlt l)311e.:-rs 9i,m GCSHERS: 1..1,a larn-J:30am Brcakf1st Buffer PECtS: fvfa.k D.1n-..:cc . c;t,,,·,. THE RC)CKIES: Beer Bust l-6;6 .. 12 SUNDAY December 17 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pm Kris Kohl Show 8pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 MONDAY December 18 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm TUESDAY December 19 PEC'S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7 - 9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Sc;p-Off Comest Midnight. THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm WEDNESDAY December 20 BA..\fBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm PEC'S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7- 9pm wear leather. JNT'S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show I 0:30pm FINISHLINE: DanTournament 10pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm THURSDAY December 21 CLUB MAJESTIC: Taienc Show w/Rachad Erikks PECS: Wdl drinks 2.50 fcOJ:: 7-90::, wear leathe,. · THE COPA: Open 'Ialmr wiShemo;;.nc Somemore i 0:30pm FJNISHUNE: Darr ·1ournamcnc l (1pm LEDO: Kari-Okk host Pancho 9om THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm~7pm FRIDAY D«.ember 22 THE COPA: Maie Dancers 9pm PEC'S: lvfoJe I)ancers, 9pm THE ROCKiES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 CLUB ROX: Alison Scott Show9:30pm SATURDAY ~mber 23 TNT?s: Chrisrn1as P.anv. Raffle Benefit for Childrcns f·iospitaL· 1-HE COPA: t.. ..i alc I)anccrs 9pm GUSHERS: Luc l"J.ighr Bre:1kfasr Bufl{:1 J aJ11-3:30am PEC'S; :v1ak Dancers, 9prr: THE ROCKIES: Beer Bmt i--6.6-12 SUNDAY December 24 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm. Dancers 4om CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Sh°'" 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Caria Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 MONDAY December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY BAMBOO LOUNGE: Christmas Din: icr Se:-vcd 3pm. Karaoke 9pm. THE ROCKIES: Beer Buse 4pm-7pm TUESDAY December 26 PEC'S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7- 9pm wc;;.r leather. THE COPA: Seip-Off Comest Midnight. THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust ,ipm-7pm WEDNESDAY December 27 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm PEC'S: Wdl drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm ·wear leather. TNT'S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: VarietJ Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dare Toarnament l 0pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm THURSDAY December 28 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wi Rachael Erikks PEC':".: Weil drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm v;car buher. THE COPA: Open Taicn, w/Shemoane Somcmorc 10:300::1 FINISHLINE: Darr Tournamcn~ I 0pm LEDO; Kari-Okie host. Pancho 9pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm FRIDAY December 29 THE COPA: ?,fale Dancer,; 9pm PEC'S: Male Dancers, 9pm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 1-6,6-12 SATURDAY December 30 Buffer Lan-3:30am PEC'S: \faie l);u1et:rs, tJpm THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust i-6,6-12 SUNDAY December 31 t'1£~1YEARS E'✓-E E'IERY()l~E P1\R1-IES!'. }i()i~LYWOO[: HOTEL: Ddarnore, f\1a!c Dan.:e Revm.:. aHy i{ncnvn Surprise SiJ)gr.:r. the STi\R 27 "Welcome criticism, Gemini!"" Venus aligns with Pluto (yes, to astrologers he's still a planet!) drawing us to erotic confrontation and artistic or financial challenges. Both planets trine Saturn in Leo, grounding us to more secure personalities or others without a need to prove themselves. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Embrace new adventures like your life depends on it. The quality of your life depends on a catalytic change; familiar pleasures aren't cutting it. Don't be afraid of a challenge. There's more to fear if you don't go for a big one! TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Review your mortgage or debts to see if you can get a better deal. New erotic opportunities will push your boundaries and rouse parental or cuitural voices - all the better to face them down and be free. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): If you want perfection, it's best to work on yourself, not your partner! Even efforts at self-improvement may come off as annoying to others. Perhaps that's a clue to how you realiy need to adapt. Welcome supportive criticism. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Be careful of your health, especially when it comes to erotic and culinary indulgences that could affect your liver. Hard work sustains you - up to a point. Overwork is very dangerous. Know your limits and err on the side of caution. LEO (July 23 - August 22): You need some recreation to steel yourself against life's challenges. Some light, fluffy _divertissements_ will not do the trick, but a powerful creative or athletic challenge is needed to provide the required release and reinforcement. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Famiiy or roommates will drive you mad if given half a chance. Take time out and away from them to be centered and clear on your own priorities. Then you can stand your ground with unwavering assurance. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Your nOimally famous diplomacy seems to be on vacation. Despite your best efforts, you tend to come across as forceful and locked onto an immutabie goal. That can be good in the right time and place, but use your forcefulness wisely! SCORPIO (October 23 w November 21 ): Having a crisis of values is just a process of maturing. How you face and resoive it is more important than the crisis itself. Your approach to the problem will be on view and couid affect your career. 28 the STAR SAGITTARIUS (November 22 ® December 20): You could seduce almost anyone you want now. The trick may be keeping away those you don't want. !f you really want to turn the seduction up, a mature, slightly exotic look will work for you. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Erotic dreams (nightmares?) are suddenly very vivid. They may shake up familiar patterns, but isn't that a!i for the better? Embrace the challenges and someone, perhaps with more experience, who can share them with you. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): You love a good debate, now more than ever. You are especially sure of yourself, but learning is bettei than conquest. The greater victory would be in keeping an open mind and respecting whatever authority your opponent may have. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Hard work now can have transformative effects on your career. Expend some effort, but don't push too hard, to make sure your accomplishments are noticed. Standing up to the boss may be necessary. Be calm and open to criticism while holding firm when you know you're right. SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST J\{CC SPONSORS Testing appoimme:1: 417-529-8.d.80. 2902 E. 20th St.. PO Box 4711 Joplin. I\fo 64803 SA1TRDKY Service 9:?ll:\~\f Your lnYited to our Cornmunin· Dinner w·cd 6pm iust $4.00. No one is rurned a-.:.JJav.~ Vv\'-Nrozarksstar.com rokeback (''B (verb) to brokeback; the act of affection between two men in pubiic. Best done while wearing cowboy hats. ex. "Aww, look, they're brokebacking. Isn't. that cute?" Celebri.Vom rn ("sel-EB-ra-vom") (noun) fast acting \ 1 .,_ 1 new diet pill; very ' ,,.__ :; o,-:. 1 -c_.; /. Popu ar t ./ ""',:. all h / . ~ 0 t c youn p, , · ; , - blonde, anorexic ::: O - and bulimic / 1 \' Hollywood starlets. w.vw,joanh!lty.net 30 the STAR (verb) to hatch; sentenced azenly cheating on your income taxes. Also see: fat, hairv; naked prison bitch. •rovtan (adjective) the act of being evil, porcine, and manipulative. ex. "Jed, that pig's done gone all karlrovian on us. Better go git th' gun! onna("ma (verb) to madonna; technical term used in the magazine industry for digitally retouching the hell out of deeply wrinkled faces of middle-aged ceiebrities. wv.,w.ozarksstar.com ~ NW Arkansas GLBT Communit.y, Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: WWWNWAGLBTCC.ORG r--------- i V.'\VW.ozarksstar.com Jay Whiteside 918.902.1461 Tulsa Metro PROFESSIONAL SERVICE JJall fqr: an -appointment tmd rates. ;,'; i :';'",•, 9~1: .. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISINC3 SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR OKLAHOMA, KANSAS MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #~53 Tulsa, OK 74145 the STAR N B R RILL Sunday Champagne Brunch All you can eat soup and salad bar 1 lam-2pm $8.99 Monday & Tuesday Well Martinis $2.50 4pm-7 pm Best Prime Rib in Town' Friday & Saturday Nights Bar fa\orites. restaurant favorites and many !lC\Y item~ for your enjoyment pleasure NEW WINTER RATES - $45• ,:, Plus tax. excludes suites '1 I· ,- ' -,,.,r ~ i j' , . p 'S A LEATHER/LEVI BAR CLOSED MONDAYS Sun 7pm - 2am, Tues-Thurs 7pm-9pm wear your leather and get your well drinks for $2.50 Sun - Thur. 7pm-2am R Fri and Sat. 4pm-2am 'S PL CE PIANO BAR Rudy's Place is a non-smoking establisthment Early for cocktails, late for a night cap NEWYEAR$ EVE R Delamore, Male Dance VJ:y-.Known , .'Surprise Sin"ger. CLUB CLOSED MONDAY SIZZLIN' SUNDAYS With Whitney Paige ALISON SCOTT SHOW December 8th & December 22nd 9:30pm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] The Star Magazine, December 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 12 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 01, 2006 Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008). This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit. This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn John Patrick Michael Dee Kay Massey Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Victor Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael Hinzmn Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Chaz Ward Victor Gorin Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Southwest Missouri Western Arkansas Southeast Kansas Eastern Oklahoma The United States of America (50 states) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazine, November 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 11 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/241 The Star Magazine, January 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 1 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/206 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/225 Advice Column Bamboo Lounge Bitter Girl books Border Activity Chelsea Boys classifieds Comic Strips Diversity Business Association gay motorcycle clubs HIV testing Holiday Gift Ideas horoscopes Jim Roth Lesbian Notions LesDine Supper Club of Tulsa marriage MCC church Miss Bamboo Pageant mixology Mr. Leather Our House Q Scopes Red Ribbon Star Advertisers Star Distributors Star Scene Too travel Tulsa GLBT community center news Uncle Mikey Walmart