26 20 644 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/0c8df105d73cb6996da784dabcad6623.jpg 95236ac6539ae57d128911a29cb5e611 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/60f94ba1cf602f7b825dc951e5dbbaf3.pdf c78acfa197947304180821d86bac8076 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 lahoma's most read GLBT Magazine ~M@M~ ~@@@ ~@ ~[3@ ~~ 2114 S. Memorial Dr. * Tulsa, OK * 918.660.0856 2 the STAR, Ceiebrating our 3rd Year 2006. ontents 06 HEART TO HEART It ain't easy being green. Or blind. Or gay. Let's work together to make it a little easier on all of us. I O LESBIAN NOTIONS Tennessee Burning! Used to be that cross burnings were the KKK's calling card against African Americans. Now cross burnings have a different use. 14 PAST OUT A retrospective of LGBT History. This month "How queer is science fiction?" I 7 CIAO TRAVEL Gay Travelers "OGUNQUIT, 1-1AINE" & Out of Town "Philadelphia" 4 INDEX Heart to Heart .......... 6 Lesbian Notions ..... 10 People ................... 12 Past Out... .............. 14 Entertainment... ..... 16 Ciao Travel. ........... 17 Star Scene ............ 24 Uncle Mikey .......... 26 The Bistro ............. 27 Horoscopes ........... 28 Distributors ............ 29 Cartoons ................ 30 Classifieds ............. 31 (}av men and lesbians face .... ~, , ', , ,,, , ' situations, whether single oras couples. Let us help! I ( 1 ) 7 -5 6 ,4rkansas & Ok/ahoma1s 1\Aost Read GLBT ftAagazine :Executive Director, y ru::1d Lesbian Task Force YORK, NY_I never expected New ,~ court to rule for us o:1 marriage, solid legal reasons, New York the first tier for marriage test remember task 10 years ago of from going to court to ,en I read the stimmary Friday momtha- c the state constitution doesn't the recognition of same-sex mar- . I expected the body of the decision to b~ scholarly and well-reasoned, I also · · · · it :would express sympathy for · hardships gay · couples face and that it would ~ge die Legislature to act to add, tcss these jnjustices ... :\<Boy, ~was ! ~n& The o~inion w~s m~re ,. ·· poorly.wtitten, illogical and 10sultmg · · · • d;. it was olainlv homoohoppme ex~mple'of .th~ failur; of . . alitgedlf thinking straight people ,• .. · futbis·case judges - to grasp that we .... f:tfe:fiilly andemially.liwnan.· Sentences like: :Ji::?,· .. :., .ii::a~~~t:i~<;e sQgg~;t that a · ·· · his or in n cd they can ult of acci.dent or {the inajonty of the New ·Yoi1c.Court6f Appeals sb:ould feel the rest of their lives. * F AGAIN! NOW BY THE US HOUSE OF REPRESNTATIVES WASHINGTON,July 18 _Right-wing zealots are coming up empty-handed when they aim to push discrimination into our nation's Constimrion. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment bv an.o-vcrwhelmiog margin. With 187 Repres;ntatives v~tiog agl!,lllst the FMA, the extremists pushing the amendment fell far short of tl;tc two.:tliirds ~ajority needed co write discrimination 1nto th; Constitution. You and thousands.of committed Human Rights Campaign §tipporters.have spoken up time and time again, urging our elected officials to stand on the side of equality and fairness. Together, bur work to combat discrirrunatlon.has' made a difference. ive .. nalGay "Task Force "Once ag~ii, a bipartisan bloc has soundly rejecteq · stimtional iunenclment . . . . gay Americans andt:hcir families:.In spite of intense to getdris . . . . the House-just as.it failed in the Senate. Clearly, thet:e's· no· traction itl this issue. . . . ''We i::o . Leader Nancy Pelosi, Min y Hoyer and the entire minority leadership, and especially Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Jei:!,'old Nadler, James McGo~ern and Barney Fr,-..nk for their work in otgaoizix.ig oppositi~n to this,am,~qd.ment. as well as all r.l}e others wno stood up ,, : , , ,' -> ,i , ,'' : ~' 1 - ' ' ·-· for our community ana our tamtl1es. "We hone this vote today will be the basis for a w~rjqng majority iri Congress to press forn"ll.rd on basic fairness for lesbian, gay, · bisexual and transgender people, including protection from bate crimes and disc~nation and access to the same protect:J.ons enjoyed by all other families. "Finally, as we move beyond yet another sound defeat of this un-American proposal, we hope all members of Congress and the American people think hard about. what truly is at stake here: Denying one · group of Americans the family recogni- . rion granted to others would r~erse the . . course of our nation's history oi: expanding equal rights. It would condemn one group • to a lesser citizenship and deny them the · social support our society has c<;>nsttucted to help families and children flourish. Gay and Ie'°sbian families need and deserve the. kind of protection and support we currently· extend to other families. Let's start acknowledging that truth. Let's start talki~g abo'.1tfrj . and let's start doing it because it 1s the right · thing to do." Creating Community for People iiving with Our House. Too offers a variety of activities for peopie \A/ho are HI\/+ and or living vvith' AIDS to help cornbat the social lsoiat!on that rnany of our dE;f ;1;,~~.!:1o~~~1~1=ti::~:s~I~· and or !!v!ng \.V!th ,A.!OS \.tvho cannot afford to purchase these !ten1s for themselves . ..,/Ve invite anyone \Vho \Vouid like to voiunteer or provide fi·nanciai assistance to piease contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail harrisrnrnjr,gyahoo_co!T1. the STAR 5 It Ain't Easy Being Green It ain't easy being green. The plaintive lament of Kermit the Frog became this year's theme at the annual meeting of Blind Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual People, BFLAG for short. The message was one of selfacceptance, but the group is also fighting for another kind of acceptance: inclusion in the gay is to provide for the betterment of the lives of those who are visually impaired and who are lesbian, gay, bisexuai or transgender. Specifically, they're working to help blind gay people integrate into society. "LGBT disabled individuals have the same problems as straight disabled individuals," reports BFLAG president Butch Arnold. "Sometimes we're totally accepted but, more often than not, we're assumed to be different and are not accepted on an even playing field. With the closet factor added to the mix, disabled people, especially those who are visually impaired or blind, have major problems fitting in or simply being accepted by other LGBT individuals. This makes socializing difficult under many normal LGBT circumstances." Jason Perry, vice president of BFLAG and a law student at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, agrees that handicapped people are often excluded from gay culture. 'There's a fear, number one, of just 'Goodness, what do we do?"' Perry explained. "The task iooks so monumental. The second issue is just logistical. A lot of gay bars aren't handicapped accessible." So how do we work together to change that? The first step, everyone agrees, is education. "Once a visually impaired or blind individual gets to be known, most barriers tend to disappear,'' Arnold asserted. •Educating the general public helps immensely with the acceptance of all disabled people." Perry advocates integration. "I'm a firm believer in getting blind gay people out in the community, in both the gay and straight community, because if community. Many people with disabilities feel isoiated from society, but gay people with disabilities often face further challenges. It ain't easy being green. Or blind. you put a human face on what the problems are, you help connect the discussion. The issue becomes tangible now. It's something people can relate to." ;The LGBT community is not reaily inclusive when it comes to the disabled," says Ken, a41-year-oid blind gay man. "While that's not a problem Or gay, Let's work together to make it a little easier on all of us. "Disabled individuals don't bite and our disabilities are not contagious," stressed Arnold. "People need to get to know us. As a visually impaired exclusive to the gay community, it is made worse with their fixation on beauty and perl'ection. A disability, no matter what it is, makes you imperfect." BFLAG started out as an inforrna! support group for people who are gay and blind. They first met in 1996 at the nationa! convention of the American Council of the Blind (ACB). it was the first of several annual meetings, with attendance continuing to grow year by year. The group became an official affiliate of the ACS in 2000. They've grown from a handful of attendees to about 150 active members Today, BFLAG states on their Vv'ebsite that their purpose individual, I'm often perceived to be a snob when I don't see someone wave or make eve contact with me. If i don't know a person is attempting to communicate with me, I can't respond. I have iost several potential friends because of this. We al! must !earn to communicate better and simply do more communicating." Perry reiterated the importance of eye contact and body ianguage, especialiy in American gay culture. He reported that he found it easier to meet people in other countries because it seemed they valued conversation over the complex system of eye contact and flirting used in the US. (:ontinued next page 6 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. Heart to Heart "Everyone must realize thai visually impaired and blind people simply can't communicate with body language and such," Arnold pointed out. "We still say and feel the same things, but many of us simply can't communicate in a visual manner." Another unique challenge is transportation. "Mobility seems to be of paramount importance," Perry said. "My friends like to go places and I don't drive, of course." Then there's the common stereotype that, as Ken put it, "disabled people are not thought to be sexual." Perry added, "Whenever I hang out at a gay bar, particularly if I've never been there before and people don't know me, a lot of times people look at me as a casual friend, but not much else." BFLAG is working hard to educate the LGBT community. This year alone, four cities saw a BFLAG contingent march in their pride parade: Baltimore, MD; Tulsa, OK; Houston, TX; and Washington, D.C. BFLAG helped organize a gay pride event in Columbus, OH, and they've also been accive in Katrina relief efforts doing everything from providing housing to collecting food and supplies. BFLAG is also reaching out to visually impaired LGBT people. They are currently working on organizing affiliate chapters in Baltimore, Houston, and Columbus. Arnold hopes that there will be even more group,s formed in the next couple years. They're also hoping to expand the website (www.bflag.org) and produce a radio web show. It's not just up to BFLAG, however. LGBT organizations and individuals need to be more proactive in reaching om to our disabled brothers and sisters. More bars and clubs need to be handicapped accessible. If you see a blind person at a bar, stare a conversation with them. If you know a blind person, invite him or her along the next time you're going out. Most importantly, let's not forget ::hat blind :ncn and woman have the same feelings, needs, and desires as anyone else. "We're just people," Ken :nsists. "I can accept it if I'm :10t liked fo: my personality, bat it ticks me off when someone won't talk to me just because I'm blind.'" It ain't easy being green. Or blind. Or gay. Let's work together to make it a little easier on all of us. * c Pride Announces 2nd nnual Family Picnic. by Carlotta Carlisie McALESTER, OK_McPride, a McAlester based non-profit GLBTA organization who's mission is to create a support group and provide help for the GLBT community of Southeast Oklahoma as well as heterosexual allies v;,ill be hosting the 2nd annual McPride Family Picnic on Saturday, September 23rd, 11 am to 5pm at Chadick Park, 6th and Delaware in McAlester. In addition to picnic space there will be space available for all pro GLBTA organizations to sell or display thier resources. This space must be reserved in advance. Sign up forms are available at www.mcpride. org or contact pau!@mcpride.org for more information. A donation is requested for this space. This event is a great opportunity for the GLBTA community of Oklahoma and Western Arkansas to get out and meer new people and show your support for this Southeastern Oklahoma organization. Although McAlester is a relitively small town there is a vibrant GLBT community in the Lake Eufaula area. Food and drink vendors are also invited and shouid contact Elizabeth at 918-423-7015 * Quotable Quotes A.rka?Jsas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Friday he hopes the Legisiature considers reimpos~ ing a ban on gay foster parems, struck down a day earlier by the state Supreme Court. Arkansas G,n-. Mike Huckabee said !:n.e state high court was more concer:1ed abom looking out for gay couples than foster chjldren. arm Yery disappointed that the court seems more interested in v,,rhat's good for gay couples than \vhat's good for children needing foster care," Huckabee said through his spokes"..voman ,,;-\Jice Ste\·vart. a diffaren~• ct Oklahoma I E JOiN US FOR McPride's 2nd Annual Family Picnic Saturday September 23rd 11AM to 5PM Chadick Park 6th and Delware, McAlester Oklahoma. Organizations Reserve your display table now. Contact paul@mcpride.org Food and Drink vendors Contact Elizabeth @ 918- 423-7015 www.mcpride.org McPride"' PO Box 1515, f\.~ci\iester, OK 74502 the STAR 7 DVD Review n Legend of Jackie Curtis" Donald Pile and Ray Williams We have run across one of the most interesting and touching biographies that we have seen in years! SUPERSTAR In a Housedress is a biography of the late Jackie Curtis of New York City. It is both a lmok and a DVD. Buv the book and the DVD comes with it. Everyone should order one and you can order so easily at amazon.com. Craig B. Highberger the writer/ director was a close friend of the late Jackie Curtis and he has produced a very touching biography/ documentary. The critics LOVE it! "Bright and entertaining'' writes Stephen Holden of the New York Times. "Bitchy, catt:y, moving and hilarious" writes the New York Magazine. Jackie Curtis was a poet, a playwright, and an Andy Warhol Superstar. He lived and the STAR . ;, '· I .,/ performed ... sometimes as a man, sometimes as a woman, but .ALWAYS performed! We think that the Village Voice summed it up best when they wrote, "A fabulouslv fond and entertainjng tribute." The DVD has so many wonderful and delightful imen·iews with such noted personalities as actor Paul Ambrose; Penny Arcade the performance artist; Harvey Fiersrein; Joe Franklin, the TV legend; Silvia Miles, actress; the extra-ordinary photographer, Jack lvfitchell; Michael Musto, entertainment journalise; Holly Woodland, superstar herself; Lily Tomlin; and our -very dear friend, the Countess Alexis Del Lago, artist and STAR ! who now resides in West Hollyv.rood. We always see her when we are in California. She is indeed the last of a dying breed of ELEGANT personalities. Director/writer Craig Highberger has touched on so many wonderful aspects of Jackie's life and the many interesting people around him. Craig was a close friend of Jackie's from 1972 until Jackie's death in 1985. This biography is certainly a true labor of love and it shows. Craig and his partner Andy of over 30 years lives in Ohio. Craig is coming out with a new biography on the life of photographer Jack Mitchell. We can't wait to see that one. If you want to read and see a DVD about a very interesting and colorful character then run out and· buy SUP ERST AR In a Housedress. You can check out th~ biography at: http:/ /www.jackiecurtis.com/ and · Craig's new project on Jack !vfitchell at http:/ /www. jackmitchellmovie.com/ Congratulations to Craig on not only one but great biographies. · Photo above: Coumess Alexis ol Arkansas (501) 525-12 or Toll Free 1-800-537-3714 www.carpetcleanersofarkansas.com COMPLETE CARPET CARE ADDfflONAI.. SERVICES • PET ODOR REMOVAL • CARPET PROTECTION • CARPET REPAIRS • RESTRETCHlNG • UPHOLSTERY CLEANING • PRESSURE WASHING I • ORIENTAL RUG CLEANING • QUICK DRY • - L--~~~~!~~~! ______ .-. NWA GLBT Community Center To Host Picnic BENTC)N1/ILLI~~ ,\R. _ ]]1e i'-~\X./\ c;LB-i·· (~canrnanity (:enter \vill ho]d a HMeet and c;reet'' event 12th from noon to 4pm at :tvlcCinre Park in Lo\veH. ~.Jc(]ur<:: Park 1::- across tb.e street frorn the Lowell Elemcntan· Schoc,L It -xill be BYOP (Bring your Ow:~ Picnic) and there \viH b:..: ::1 :n·2jlable. fyfc(]ure Park 1~~ an excel• ~ s l ,r t lent p1aygrounc1 tor tne MISSOURI AUGUST 8TH Be seen with the STAR, Advertise with us! 9 Lesbian Notions by Libby Post AUGUST 2006 Tennessee Burning Used to be that cross burnings were the KKK's calling card against African Americans. Now cross burnings have a different use. Just ask Brandon Waters. He and his partner, Brian Harmon, were having a quiet evening at home on Thursday, June 29, when Waters iooked out a window and saw a 7-foot cross burning on the front lawn of his Athens, Tenn., home. They rushed out and doused the fire. In the morning, they went back out to videotape the remains. On one of the bricks used to prop up the cross was scrawled "Better Leave Now Fags." Waters called the Meigs County sheriff's department, which started an investigation and cailed in the FBI to see if the incident would be considered a hate crime under federal statute. The feds said no, because under the federal hate crimes law, there is no provision for crimes against gays, lesbians, or the transgendered. Clearly, Sheriff Walter Hickman isn't familiar with the law - the nation's or his own state's. Tennessee has a hate crimes law that _does_ cover sexual orientation. "Why did they call in the FBI when they should have called in the state?" Waters asked me rhetorically in a recent interview. •·something doesn't sound right. It seems like the police are not taking it very seriously." ! couldn't agree more. Even though hate crimes against the LGBT community decreased siightly in 2005, the anti-LGBT rhetoric that characterizes this nation's political debate sends a clear message that we are and should continue to be seen as second-class citizens who don ·t deserve full protection under the law. According to the 2005 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, the number of anti-LGBT hate crime incidents fell 13 percent from 2004, and the number of victims who were tracked fell neariy at the same rate - 12 percent The number of offenders. however, decreased only half that rate, by 6 percent. This paltry decrease. says the report. "signals a truiy retrograde environment in which years of progress resuiting in 10 the STAR fewer people willing to violently act out anti-LGBT bias has been substantially reversed. With respect to hate-related violence, we are in fact 'back to the future."' That's certainly true for Waters and Harmon. "We've had many incidents with people yelling at us - fags, queers. I can't even sit out on my porch," said Waters. Clearly, there's no reason for him to have any faith in the local sheriff's department. "I feel like they're just blowing us off. This is not the first incident I've reported to the police." Waters had a hit-and-run with one of the local "yellers." "When one of the policemen took the report, I told him my name. He asked, 'How do you spell Brandon? Brandony?' I was born and raised here, they all know me." With local law enforcement not taking any of these incidents seriously, Waters says he is fearful for his life. He and Harmon have left their home and moved in with Waters' mother. "I have been waking up in the middle of the night, having nightmares and smelling smoke that's not there," said Waters. "I'm really depressed. I just feel like my civil rights have been violated, like the police are oot doing what they're supposed to do, and I really don't know who to turn to." Despite all this, Waters is willing to fight. His family has no resources to hire a lawyer, but he is willing to "pursue this as far as I can take it." if there was ever a case where nationai organizations could and shouid come in as knights in shining armor, this is it. To my mind, this is a perfect opportunity for Lambda Legal or the ACLU Lesbian and Gay Rights Project to make their iegal presence known in Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's home state. With both sides gearing up for what will no doubt be a bruising campaign over the state's proposed Amendment 1, which seeks to ban same-sex marriage, the Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign should work side by side with the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) to turn this hate crime around to the LGBT community's political advantage. Not doing so would certainly be an opportunity lost! In fact, TEP is now organizing a "Vote No on 1" campaign against the amendment. !t's time for us to play hardball. Why not use the image of a burning cross and the story of discrimination expeiienced by these two men who just want to iive their lives to underscore the need for marriage equaiity in Tennessee? i guarantee you that if the radical Christian right in Tennessee had visual ad copy like this to use to further its antisame- sex-marriage agenda, it would certainly use it. Newly ed's Test klahoma Tax ommission. Photo: Matt and Afichae! at the Cape Cod Wedding Ceremony. TULSA, OK_ Like most married couples in Oklahoma, Matt Brumley and Michaei Oaks struggle everyday: they struggle with the bills, with the children, and with the State of Oklahoma. But Matt and Michael's struggles are different in many respects to other married couples in Oklahoma: they are married to one another. While they hold a marriage certificate from the state of Massachusetts, they are not recognized by the State of Oklahoma. Until Tuesday. The pair decided the family needed a new car to accommodate both Matt and Michael's new jobs. Inevitably, paperwork needed to be dealt with, and that included going to the tag agency. When they produced their marriage license, the State of Oklahoma waived the state excise tax on the title of their car - a tax usually waived for family members. They met at their former jobs, as empioyees of St. Michaels Alley in 2001. Both had children when they met. Daniel, 11, and Lillian, 6, live with Man and Michael. As a family, ,hey take Daniel and Lillian on fumilv trips. The fumilv relishes holidavs as time to spend with their kids. · · , "I like decorating for the holidays," Matt said. "I love having fun with the kids.r They have struggled in the pasr five years, like aH couples do. They occasionally found working together frustrating, but they managed to overcome those difficulties. "V.10 11 '; e got to 1o e _a~ goo ct' coup1i e ,.~r, y~u :-vorK1 togct'n e: an~d: ~,,~ ve together and not klll each other1 said Kasey Cunun1ns~ a !'ormer coworker of the couple. 'Td kill my husband if I ,vorke:d with him. On l',1emorial Dav weekend, l',fatt and Michaei traveled to the East Coast. During th~ir trip, they traveled to Barnstable, Massachusetts to tie the knot. First, they flew into Providence, and drove to Newport, R.I. They stayed at ,Rivera Beach Resor:. After checking into the resort, the two performed a "tes: rm:" of Ihe trip to where they would marry. 1he next day, they of course - had ro stop to buy a oattery charger for their cell phone. After which, they saw the sites in Plymorh, Salem, and Boston. Finally rhe next day they went to the village of Barnstable. They were then referred to the town of Barnstable; they were referred back to a judge in the village of Barnstable, who would grant a waiver for the marriage. Once they received the waiver, they went back to the town of Barnstable, which issued the marriage license. "The whole process rook about four hours," Michael said. "The lady was so helpful," Matt said. "She ran her butt off for us." Although their families were not present, they did gather at .:he ceremony in Juiy. This time around, about 90 family and friends joined Matt and Michael v,hen they exchanged vows. The Reverend Diane Varner officiated. In addition to attending, Marr and Michael's friends also macie sure things ran smoothly with the ceremony. One friend, Susan Johnston, catered the evem. The wedding was a prototype for future enterprises; Johnston and the couple plan to he!p others in planning their weddings. Although the pair lived together for quite a whiie before marrying, rhey are still making preparations and attending to family business. Recently, both made the decision to pursue different jobs. 1he transition is a little bumpy, but with the addition of a new car, that transition has become that much e:~sier. The couple decided ::o add Michael to rhe title of the old car, and this task required the tag agency. When they went to th1: first tag agency-" 17th and Harv:nd - tag agen;,:}' employees wuald add Michael to rhe tide, but d1cy \vould be required to pay the stare excise tax) vvhich ,vas $244. f~Jo.,,vever., the st3te ~.;;a!ves the fee fi)r family members. !viatt explained I'vfichacl -...vas his husband, ;;.nd tht the state does not recognize n1arriage. ()n advice the couple then tra_·,.,weled to t<:ig agency at 9isr and Sheridan. 'Ihe employees' response \Vas different. vvere asked fiJr their rlbey vvere rc~ld •·w,:e advised sht: -:.:vould ntx'd to STAR 11 Josh ■ rov1s Artist, Author, Columnist. From the Editor: As recognition for the 18th "Heart to Heart" column published in the STAR, we wanted to introduce the author to you. The Aterovis column has become one of the most popuiar with our readers and hits on many issues important to our community. 'rhe honesty, sensitivity and hard truth style in which josh covei's the subject matter in each Heart to Heart issue fits weil with the philosophy our magazine. This young man of 20 something, is dedicated to the never ending equality and everyday struggle of GLBT people. The evidence 1s in his writing. Josh Aterovis, a twenty-something artist-author, was born and bred on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and lives there with his husband. Jon. Aterovis is a Latin pseudonym meaning "black sheep." Whenever anyone asked Josh what he wanted to be vvhen he grevv up, he aiways said an author. it got him plenty of strange looks. but he never really expected it to come true: 12 the STAR it was just one of those things a kid says. In 1999, Josh's wishful dream became reality when he began to write a story and post it on the Internet. Bleeding Hearts resonated deeply with readers, who encouraged him to seek publication. In 2001, the story was published by Renaissance Alliance Publishing, !nc. Named the Best Whodunit of 2002 by the Stonewall Society, Bleeding Hearts became the first book in the Ki!iian Kendall mystery series. Reap the Whirlwind, his second book featuring amateur sleuth Killian Kendall, was published in May of 2003 and the Stonewall Society promptly awarded it the Best Whodunit of the year. Josh has completed five books in the series and is currently working on a rewrite and edit of All Lost Things, the third book on the Killian Kendall series. He has won numerous awards for his writing and for his web site, which also features his well-received art gallery. "In addition to my writing, my primary income is through my artwork. I work in transparent watercolor. I paint in the purist form. Sorry to disappoint, but that doesn't mean I paint in the nude. It means I don't use any white paint. Any white areas you see in a painting are the white of the paper. I do take commissions, which means if you don't see-what you want, tell me and I'll paint it just for you." Josh wrote. In August of 2003, Josh and Jon publicly celebrated their commitment with a wedding ceremony. it is not yet recognized by the state of Mary!and or the United States of America, but they live in the hope that one day it will be fully legal. Thank you Josh for your contribution to the STAR and for the eighteenth issue of "Heart to Hearf, on the not much talked about issues confronting disabied LGBT people. ast Out by Liz Highleyn:an AUGUST 2006 Summary : Past Out is a retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT hiscory. Each installment brings the past to life by exploring the diwrsity of the gay past and its impact on the queer present. How queer is science fiction? A few well-kno\;·n science fiction '.vtiters are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgcndered, and many who are not han: included queer themes in their work. For GLBT and strai,,ht authors aiii<.e, the C genre lends itself to exploration of new possibilities in the realms of sexuality, gender, and intimate relationships. Science ficrim, is ofren stereotyped as a genre for "geekr'' straigh~ men, and indeeci, much of the ,.vork has historically been sexist and i1omophoi)ic. Among the first stories to portray horroscxuality sympatheticaUy was Theodore Sturgeon's "The \X'orid WclJ Lost" (! 953), ·.;,·hich featared a gay male alien couple \Vho land on a represfr;e Planet Earth. \X;ith the ci,·ii rights mo,:ement and sexua; ~evo!uti()n •)f the 1960s and 1970s, science fiction began to boldly explore sex,.iaiity and gender. ;\JO[ed (jUCer authors who started writing during this period include Samuel D:c!an}~ Joanna Ru,s, and Octavia Butler (who died in Februan' 2006), all of whom received science fiction's i1ighe,t awards, the Hugo anci Nebula. Russ was among several feminist writers of :l:e era who exp!ored futuristic sepa!atis~ societies witi~out men, a~ in "When It Ch;.nged" (197 2) and Ti1c Female Man (1 Lcsb!an author Marion Zimmer Bradiey recalled that an agent introduced her to the Daughters of Bilitis after detecting hints of sarnc-sex croticisn1 in her science fiction and fantasy; i11 the 195th; and 196Us} she ,vro(e f,,c~r the group\ rnagazinc, 'The I ,,adder, ,1nd authored lesbian pulp ficrjon. _Arthur C:. C]arkc, one of the fathers of tht: genre, neady can1c ot1t in a 1986 Playbuy i11tcr,-ie\v; \J~~hen directly asked if he \Va~ gay, ho'-1,,,-evcr, he replied that he \\:\lS cheerful.'" and i\1ciissa Scott. \\Titers farnous for other Fenres havt· also dabbled in science fi(tion, Fellce Picano and Katherine \.1_ I::orre~;t~ ~,,.l·hosc ftatured 14 the STAR norm. In other cases, the tables are turned on heterosexuality: In joe Haldeman'~ The Foren:r War (197 4), for exam1:!c, sr:aigh: time-tra.-elers return to Earth ;1fter an interplanetary war, only t0 discm·er that homosexuality is no'.v the norm due '" m·crpc>pularion and they are considered perverts. Gay male rdarions!1ips haYe fascinated the straig!1t women authors of ''olash" fiction, who envision liaisons bet\vec:: ch,ssic characters such as Captain Kirk and ;\fr. Speck from Star Trek. ;\!any authors have explored various a!ternariYe reiariu:1ship srr~JCtL:res, such as the multi-partner marriages in Robe::t A. Heinleh's S~r«nger in a Strange Land (1961). "Geniuses and superge,1:uses always make their o,vn rules on sex as on e\~erything: else," a Hein;ein character says in Friday (1982). Gender nriance is also an enduring morif in science fiction; the Jame~ A. Tiptree Award (named after the pseudonym of author Alice Sheldon) was created for science fictio;; ur fanusy that ex;nncls or explores understandings of gender. Sex ci1;111ge is a common theme, either permanent or back-and-forth as the :nood s:rikes. Lrsula Le Gui:i's The Lefr Haed of Darkness tl 969) features ;, race of mutated humans who are i1,>ngcndered except d,:ring brief mating periods '.vhen they randomh· take on the sexual charac!erisrics of males or females; Le Gi.iin later said d:e regretted he: failure of ,magination in omitting same-sc:x reh,rionships. In Delany's Troub!e on Tritc-n (1976), a maci1<> !nan p:.u'.~ucs an unattainable woman in a sexuaily egalirnriaa society, at>d later ends up as a woman searci;ing for the kind of man he '>nee xas. .\Iany works feature aliens ·.vith more than t·.vc sexes, such as lsaac Asimrx,'s The Gods Themsel-ves (! 972). In Scott's Shadow :vla:1 (1995), most advanced ·.vorlds recognize fiyc lntr.an sexes, but individuals on the isolated plar:et Harn arc forced to live a~ either male o;· female. ,\fany autl1ors have explored teciu~olof,rical inno•:ations in the realms of sex and reproduction. As early as 1932, Aldous Huxley's Braye New \'{iorld portrayed a high-tech society m ·xhicr1 babies y,:ere grown in bottles in factories. Cloning anci parthenogenesis allm,· humans to abandon sexuai reproduction as in Charlotte Perkins Giiman's Berland (1915), about an all-fema:e utopia - ,ind inevitably proc:uce talcs of individua:s having sex \.,,;th them~eh·es. Time travel alkrHs charac~ers to go backwar(::, or fonvarl:s in time, often having sex with their ancestors or dcscendcnts. 1\urhors have alsc cn-n~ioned cross-breeding be0.veen species; in BL!tler's ''Blo()cichild" 11984), for example, a ma:e human is impregnated an insc:ct-Ekc alien. Several authors have explored s:,1do1nasochisn1 or the sex trade of the future. I)elany included an interspecies gay bathhouse sce:ie in , __ Stars in lv!y Pock:c-t Like (Jrains of Sand (1984), \vbiic Storrn c:onsrantinc's F1crn1ctech (]991) featured a ~\£rec~ tc, ha-ve his body \1.·itb 1nultiple ~ex nrgart~, /'1.uthor and editor >,;icob (irifhrh has \1,,Tlncn th:tt tjLlfl' rcaclers different fu.:e:ristic or dcnv:n1:-::tratt: their Photo: The new community center coming soon. The Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, 5545 E 41 st Srreet in Highland Plaza, is the place to be this August as events, acti:,ities and concerts keep pace wit!: the heat of Summer. The highlight of August is the Summer Concert @ the Center featuring Amy Steinberg of Orlando, Florida. l\. veteran of performing with Ani DcFranco, Lisa Loeb and many others, Amy visits the Tulsa GLBT Communitv Center on Sundav, August 13. 2006. Am}· takes the stage a(7:00 PM. A cionation or SS :o $i0 is requested at the door. The Community Resource Kiosk is filled with infor1nadQn on comtnunir-v organizarions, health issues and businej~es tl1at support the GI.BT & allied communicv. FREE 20-minute HI\r rests are available t:~7"erv Tuesd,ay (6 t:i 8_ P:\t) an~ Saturday (4 t;, 7 PM). lt you·re hunting for bu1nper stickers~ je,Nelry, fla!:,tS, "'"vindsocks, item~ and more you'U find them at the Pride Store. The David Bohnctt ,.:vith 10 flat-panel co1nputer stations is FRJ~l~ for you to chat \vith friends, finish that research paper or sin1ply surf the \vcb, 'The f,,fcf)onald Rainbo\V w;{ 1 s libraries of its kind in the Midwest - all FREE to check-out. You can learn more about all the above by caliing the Tulsa GLBT Information Line at 918.743.GAYS (429'). twentySomething, a social group for young adults, the newest addition to the Tulsa GLBT Community Center and the future of the communitv, meets on the 2nd Monday of th.e month at 7:00 P.M. The group joins the community at the PFLAG Family Picnic on Monday, August 14th at Whiteside Park, 41 st and Pittsburg !between Harvard and Yale). The Tulsa Arca Prime-Timers, for mature men and their admirers, meet at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Gender Outreach, a social and support group for Transgendcr & Intersex individuals and their friends, meet even· \X'ednesdav of the month at 7:30 PM. Lockers and · changing rooms are provided for your pnvacy. The Tulsa Two-Spirit Society, a NativeAmerican GLBT group, meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Tulsa GLBT Community Cemer. Thursdays bring the Lesbians of Tuisa to the Center for a rciaxing evening of socializing. Kick back and visit \Vith friends or inakc nc\v ones, surf the ,v-eb or catch a movie. The last Thursday of the month is the ~rC)HR_ Board of Directors n1ecting. ()pen to the public, the meetings gi,;c you rhc -=>pportunity to become n1ore invob.,,-ed 1;virh tht.: cornmunity, proYiding ·vision for the future. -You're fabulous ~ and you ha·ve 1he chance to przy,;.~e it .., :vith r7J\.B! Friday i\ftern{)OD 11ridge is your chance to sbo\\1 your skills :lnd 1neet other;; in the senior~·--------·-···--· (:ards and refreshments arc ,1, ailalJle for :11; Kick your weekend off in style with Center Cinema every Friday evening. The FREE GLBT films are shown on a 65" HDTV, gi,·ing you the opportunity ro get up close and personal ,vith the scars. Action kicks in!o high gear on Saturdays and Sundavs. The I st Saturday of the momh welcomes the Tulsa U~iform & Leather Seekers Association (f.U.L.S.A.). The Board of Directors of TU.LS.A meets at 4:00 PM while the general membership meets at 5:00 PM. The Tulsa Deaf GLBT Group meets quarterly at the Tulsa GLBT Communitv Center on Saturdays. Look for a new videophone at the Center soon, providing another opportunity to get and stay connected to the community and your family and friends. Dinner and entertainment are featured during Ol3T on the Town on the 2nd Saturday of the month. You can join the communin· for an evening of fun whether it's a night ;t the theatre to a night of bowling. Faith piays an important role for many in the community. Ekklesia rhe Gathering, featuring worship and song in a living-room setting, meets every Sunday at 10:30 AM at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. TOHR welcomes all in the community to visit and enjoy the Tulsa GLBT Com~unity Center, 5545 E 41 st Street in Highland Plaza. Your Center is open Monday through Saturday, 3:00 PM 9:00 PM. Log onto www.tohr.org to learn more of whar's going on at the Center, the additional programs of TOHR and to sign up for free TOHR cncws and Advocac,· Flashes. MISSOURI AUGUSTBTH the STAR 15 TL;LSA, OK_ If rnu caught Bets,· and the Band in ( )kLlhonu Cin·'s Pride h:stival performing their first gig as Bersr and the Edge, \·uu kn<N: the music sizzled tn match the HOT weather! Some Blues, a little Rock and a whole !1Jt of Countrr made the show a roaring success. to a delighted crowd. Thri\·ing from Tulsa, ( )klahoma. Bctsr Smittle is most we!! knmn1 f1 ,r the ::; years she toured worldwide exclusffeh· with brother Ganh Brooks. She performed on Saturdm· \light Li\·c,J;n Leno and mam· ocher 0'.BC speci:ils. Orhcr artists that hare depended l)t1 Bet s\·'s numerous musical rakrns arc: Gus Hardin, 1\1111 Bell and Phoontz and Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks & Dunn). Her own album released in [ lJ(J4 on the !\orthSr,uth/ ;\,! antic label Bets\ "Rough r\mund tht: Edgt:s'·. ,ms criticalli· accbimed worldwide. Betsy's fa·,r,rite n·cnt in her career \vas ha,-ing her O\\'rl float a1 the i 9<14 i\lacr's Da\· P,!ra,k. BcLs~· is far frorn tr~;in.~ t, J ndc her brother's ~hin L!ib. :--;he i> ,l ruggedly in dependent Lid: dct ... -n~1in1-:d t() car\·c ;t career nt. he;-, J\\'!l. Like li:t lebrother (_!;1r;h, it i\ 1l1l- \Urcnor (l( Bl·l~r\ \-{)ict.- :ii:~t '-l'!;s: l:c:.:r ;ir•;tr1 • !lHi~ic:,tn ::nd ~it:,1.~cr i~\ tTi\h::-., :L·r .,-, ,:c·t. b;t:.; i)t:t.'t: c- •uq,:tr-__ -d ·ur b(HI-hr!_·;irh :-,;, ,ur11.! - ·1 H, ,:1::ic R.1'.;:: :tnd AND THE dge B, Greg Steele grmds. teases and demands in all the right places. She rocks out as few women or men can and when she murccrs on.:r tht: fade of the song Draggin' it Back say ing, "Drag ir back om· hea' honey, bring it back to mama,'' you know thar she means it1 ;\nwme who apprcciares a gut:-:,· female mice will LO\'!-: Bcts\·1 ::inct' t'.n· ,1gc of S. ~!tc hcL:,!!J !1~_:r f:t1.nily'--: ,i!uspcl uri ,~ip :tnd ,~rh:. : hr, \l,tEh{)ur her childh, :r ;d Bili Guinn is :1 na,i,c of Tulsa OK ,md has been playing the gunar since r:hc age of I 2. l ic is J product of ::ccing the J-k,1tk-s on J-:d ::-:ulliY,:r1 and knC\,· rhc \\"ouk! he ;! gu!r:H· player fro!n rhat point on, Pla\·intr in ,·:ulous locai bands since he \\.a'.' I-~ he grc\\. up cxp(Jscd to The Beatles, Rolling :-;1oncs. Cn:arn,Jimi Hendrix. (rosh\·, Sti!b. '.',ash. & Young etc. y.;hcn thl'!r n1u:.:ic \\·as fresh on ~;Jr1\1 \lcJst of hi~~ teen years ,,·ere spen1 in front of :1 rccnrd pb\·cr \\·lth his guitar h:tnging out ch< 1rd:-: and copyjng lyric:-: for hi~ hand'.-,: tu pla:· :-:o:rll· of the grcatcsr rock and roll in his.tor\·. ~ TRAVEL by Donald Pile and Ray Williams "OGUNQUIT, MAINE" . gunquit, Maine is an artsy resort village (located 66 miles north of Boston) that has been welcoming gay and lesbian visitors and their families for over 100 years. Ogunquit has three miles of white sandy beaches, dance clubs and restaurants for every taste and budget. In summer and even winter, there is always plenty to see and do! We will begin with the lodging. Gay and locally owned gay Guesthouses, Inns and B&B's offer a variety of choices and values for the gay traveler. Whether you're looking for an exquisite luxurious suite, condo rental, or an affordable summer vacation at an in town B&B close to the beach - Ogunquit Maine has it all! We stay at Moon Over Maine Bed and Breakfast (Photo right) which is located at 22 Berwick Road. It is located in the center of town just a block from the nightclubs, shopping, restaurants and a 5 minute walk to the beach. It features al! private baths, oalcony rooms, par~ing. cable, dvd/vcr, refrigerators, ale, iight breakfast and an outdoor hot tub. John. the owner is extremely friendly and can give you any tips or suggestions about the area. It is in an oid New England house and is just wonderful. Their toll free 1umber is Cail 800.851.6837 and you can check out their website at: http://www. rnoonovermaine.com. There are numerous other gay ownea B and B's in the area ana you can check them ai! tnd il:c :irc,t (;!-(er:-: ~'nr!c' 1;( the h·.:s;;'. .'.tHil],it ·ri1c j t,;y) l· 1:-rrL:r~ \];n:1n:,c 1dcntitic~. thi~ ,( ~!!,.: bcttt-r !~nn\\-~~ :-:!1, :trc.1-: ic. 1~1t· l :1itcd :'it.l!t5. ·rhr;.,·c ~ndc~ 1-1f hc:u.ni(~d \\·hue ~.incit." hc~ich. r~ttl·d a:; on~·:;; iishinF. Dock Square i, as cute a wwri square as one will find in ~cw England. Tber:.:: is an exccilent seicction or· restaurants and it's ()nly 20 minutes awa\·. The Kittery Outlets arc just !5 minut~s aw~y, with l2(; different stor:.::s, including Banana Rcpui)lic. Calvin Klein: DK,\;Y and The Gap. Ir· pu like LL Bean, the Frceoorr Outlets l arc about an hrmr ~orrh. 1\ short walk from downtown is Perkins ~on:, which is rmc of our ,·cry fan>rite places. Ir is a quaint New Engi.rnd co,-c -_,.-ith bu,n,, shopping and wonderful restaurants. \X'e arc alwa\·s thinking ,hat Jessica S.n-age from Murder She \Xfrote is going n, be waH~ing around the corner at am· giYen rime. ,\ walk along the cliffs with dramatic views of the ocean the i\!arginal \X·;y srart,. on Shore Road. From the center of ~own it's just _a t:ew block, to the Sparhawk Motel. The Marginal Way srarts behmc! rhe 5parh;;wk. You'!! see a iittle sign on the left side of the street that sa,·s ·'Marginal \\'ay" and has an arrow. 1\s you follow the path, be rnrc w look at the Sparhawk's flower gardens. They haye an incredible number of flowers, and each type is labeled! The Marginal Way speaks for itself. It has beautiful views of the ocean and the rocky cliffs. t ,·arious points so ou can sit and enjoy e beauty'. It's a worth noting. plicably, each ne has the name f a virrue printed nit. The Marginal y ends at Perkins ve. When we are Ogunquit we walk e Marginal Way very morning and Nightlife in the . . . smali town of Oguoc] LHt !S rcaliv 5pccracu!ar to say the ;east. In this sleepy Little town (,nc could univ imagine one tiny Ettlc bar, but you are in for a grand surpri:-::d 1~1.·crythjng is nghr do\vntO\\>-n and you can \Valk from any .1cco1nrnodation lo do\'-'l1tO\\.~n. ~rhc Front Porch Piano Bar at 9 · Shor-..'. Ro;:HJ ha:,;; been in business for O\~Cr 20 vears. Their \Vebsite 1s http:, /\\'YV\\:.thcfronrporch.ncr. 'Their cafc is open for l.,unch & l)lnncr day:-; a ..._,:eek '\vith a late night rncnu a;·ailablc. Piano LPU'.'((c open ~ d:ffs fr01°: 0lpn~ :iil ~ .im. h ,,id S,:rv1Cc now available up~I;lir~. \ 11<..:0).: >;.;:n~:r rcccndy tt1ok ,JYcr and fron1 all reports he is :1 F:\Bl · L< 1l 'S ]: ;h at tiic Front Porch! 'The ~IaincStreet Bar is 11 •catcd _it l 3 1 :-;~>u:b \lai:1 ~trccr (Route l; ;n do\vnto,vn ()gunquit. 'l'hcir \\-t:hs.t!c i:~: , -.-~.,. ~ .. -• · , - l)J·-~ · K 1('; J: 1,, '.',j,i, !in .. i ::l~'(::·:,'.:i:::c{;~1t1r~1~~;~;~~·;,;t,.l~d;;.:il .\L1inc:--;:tc~·t > rttY\\' ~>;,u1 ;U . l·cAP_lrine: I Route 1 18 )Arkansas & Okiahorna ·s rno.st read GLBT i\t1agazu1e GAY TRAVELERS: W'e have been to both of these wonderful bars and they are indeed wonderful! John Lane's Ogunquit Playhouse is one of Soutnern Maine's most important cultural landmarb and ·will celebrate 74 years of Broadway at the Beach in 2006. Opening in 1933, the work and vision of Walter and Maude Hartwig brought an outstanding, star-studded performing ans company tG Ogunquit. Continuing this tradition for aimost five decades, John Lane, owner and producer of ~he Playhouse, sought to pwvide his audience with the finest professional theatre in our region. In doing so, he successfully placed the playhouse on the narionai cultural map. The Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation, formed in 1995, is now the proud owner and trustee of the Playhouse. This year the;: are featuring BEEHIVE, Andrea McArdie in CABARffl~ Sally S:ruthers in HELLO DOLLY, Leslie Uggams in CINDERELLA and MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Their website is http://www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. There are dozeas of small res~aurants in and around Ogunquit and most all of them are iocaliy mvned. fr is a sea lovers delight! If you are im:o sea food you wiil ha,·e a marvelous time. We have been going ,o 0 6TUnCjuit for se,,eral years and it just keeps getting better and be0ter and be,ter. It is far better than Ptown, Fire Island or any of the other gay resort places in New England. We just can't wait to return. For more information on. Ogunquit go to: http:/ /www.gayogunc1uit.com. This column is warmly dedicated to our dear friend Crystlli Chandelier who lives near Ogunquit. He just happens to be one of the most sincere, honest and fun people that we have met in oμr tra·;e!s and SO ELEGANT ! We are so l:!appy that he has found the LOVE of his life. * WHAT OUR READERS ARE SAYING! We enjoyed reading your travel article about Dania Beach in the STAR July 2006 issue, you were right on point. it is all that you say and much more. We discovered Liberty Suites a couple of years ago & wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else. The accommodations are fabuious and the guys are just great. We have been looking for a home in Dania Beach and plan to retire there. By the way, ladies are also welcome at Liberty Suites. Jack & Joe are the best!!!!!!! Annie & Shorty health outreach prevention a<fucatlon, inc. 1-800-535-AIDS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(SJ * Free nonjudgmental HIV testing, including the 20 minute OraQuick Test KNOW YOUR STATUS • Free Syphiflis screening at the GLBT Community Center on Tuesdays from 6-8pm H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic Mens Outreach Program In Tulsa at (918) 812-7045 Arkansas & Oklahoma ·s most read GLBT Magazine 19 Photo: A view up Broad Street (aka "the Avenue of the Arts'') toward Philadelphia's distinctive City Hall. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Philadelphia o city in the United States played a more critical role in the nation's founding than Philadelphia, and this progressive metropolis of about 1.5 million people has also been a pioneer in gay and lesbian rights. The Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force, formed in 1978, guided passage of the 1982 Philadelphia Fair Practices Act, one of the country's earliest gay civii rights measures, and countless other gay-positive laws and policies have been passed or implemented since tl1en. Additionally, the city's office of tourism was one of the first to enthusiastically court gay and lesbian visitors. But apart from a warm welcome, what else about the "City of Brm:herlv Love" makes it ideal for a summercime·•visit? Here's a list of just a fe'.v notable things to see or do, chronicied in no particular order, that make Philad~lphia so appealing: 1. Rittenhouse Square Park City-planning guru Jane Jacobs called this tiny patch of paradise tl1e most successful urban park in the United States; indeed, Rit~ enhouse Square is picturesque, socially diverse, highly sak and 1argdy unsullied by post-\'forld War II ,irchitecrurc. Off the Square•~ southeast comer is the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, -;vhere Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, and Ned Rorem studied, as well as the Philadelphia .i\,rt 1\Jiiance, -.;,.vhich presents outstanding exhibits and art sho\vs The square is also the site of the gay-friendly Rittenhouse Hotel, a sumptuous 98-room property that hosted the cast of the movie _Pbladelphia_ during filming. Rooms here are downright ca·:ernous, averaging more than 500 square feet, and all have iarge windows framing the park or the city's dramatic skyline. A short walk from the square, romantic Astral Plane has been a favorite gay-date restaurant since it opened in 1973 (it's also drawn such fab celebs as Bette 1,fidler, Liza Minnelli, Barry Maniiow, and Tommv Tune). From the eclectic menu you might choose slow-roasted pork shank ,vith asiago potatoes, or grilled scallops ,vith lemongrass-and-ginger butter. It's the perfect spot for a special dinner. 2. Clubbing in the Gayborhood The city's compact gay district, nicknamed the Gayborhood, contains the bulk of the Philadelphia's gay bars as well as quite a few gay-popular shops, restaurants, and hotels. It's right in the center of downtown, about as convenient to attractions, transportation, and entertainment as any gay neighborhood in America. Highlights include the city's premier lesbian club, Sisters, a three-floor establishment with a restaurant and disco, and long-running \X'oody's, a youthful video bar that pulis in a mostly male, some\Vhat cruisy, stand-and-model crowd. The ultra-swank Bump Lounge offers a more cosmopolitan ambience and is a great piace to chat witl1 friends, sip martinis, and dine on fine contemporary cuisine. Serious revelers head to Pure, the city's top gay warehouse disco. Tavern on Camac is a charming gay piano bar, with a cozy restaurant in the basement. Other friendly options in the neighborhood include Uncles, popular with players on Philly's lesbian and gay softball teams; 12th _l\.ir Command, a cavernous cruise bar with fun drag shows and dance parties; and the Venture Inn, tl1e oldest gay bar in town, set in a historic cavern. There are plenty of places to stay nearby. Particularly charming and well-priced, the gay-owned Alexander Inn is a fine boutique hotel right in the center of the action. The 48 rooms have a contemporary look with sleek furnishings and muted tones - other bonu;es include satellite TY, Wi-Fi, and Continental breakfast buffet. Practically across from Woody's, the Holiday Inn Express ,\fidtown has well-kept rooms and reasonable prices. Another excellent choice that's just steps from gay nightlife is the upscale Doubletret: Philadelphia, a handsome, contemporary high-rise whose rooms afford superb city views. Tne hotel is a blocK away fro;n tl1e Kimmel Center for the Performing .Arts, a magniticem 5-year-olci space designed by seminal architect Rafael Vinoly. 3. Brunch at the White Dog There's nothing more rciaxing on a sunny weekend mornini! or afternoon '.ban .. enjuying brunch :it a lin:l~· w,taurant with g;ear food and, ideally, some outside seating. Near the campus of the lipjversity of Pennsy+vania, the gay-popular YXlhite Dog Cafe fits the bill perfectly. This bric-a-brae-filled eatery set in t¾rce adjacent \ 1ictorian to,vn houses ser ..... ·es such delicious brunch fare as lemontnascarpone pancakes '\i/ith raspberry--n1aple syrup, and biack-pcpper- seared organic beef salad -."vith crurnbled blue cheese and balsamic "tinaigrette. i\Jso keep in mind that /\stral Plane restaurant~ mentioned above~ scrYes a t,:::rrific brunch on .- ....... -·······-········(=ont1nucd next page: 20 Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine 4. Cheesesteaks at Geno's or Pat's It mav sound a bit cliched to search out a cheesesteak in this citv that's, famous for them. But you're here - and you may as well h;ve a bite of Philadelphia's quintessential treat. Many connoisseurs favor two neighboring joints a bit south of downtown, Geno's and Pat's (of course, plenty of ardent critics deride these two places as rourist traps and prefer other holes-in-the-wall around town). Pat's is said to have invented this delicacy in 1930 - the restaurant serves 'em slathered with Cheez Whiz ~d fried onions, and the steak is finely chopped. Across the street at Geno's, the steaks are not shredded, and instead of Cheez Whiz, they come topped with provolone. Which one is better? You be the judge. 5. The Philadelphia Museum of Art One of the nation's most esteemed art institutions, the Philadelphia Museum of Art sits within a dramatic Greek Revival building amid 10 landscaped acres. Standouts in the permanent collection include contemporary masterpieces by Picasso, Braque, and Matisse as well as works by a number of post-World War II artists. The outstanding Marcel Duchamp collection includes renditions of his _Nude Descending a Staircase_ (fhe "nude," people often overlook, is male). Check out the fine collection of photos and paintings by gay artist Thomas Eakins of young, virile men crewing and boating on the nearby Schuylldll River. There's also an excellent display on Shaker furniture. And that's just scratching the surface. The museum is adjacent to lushly landscaped Fairmount Park, which straddles the Schuylkill River and comprises nearly 9,000 acres of picturesque gardens, walkways, and bildng and bridle paths, plus about a dozen historic (mostly Colonial} mansions, which are open to the public. 6. Reading Terminal Market For a century; the more than 80 stalls at the cavernous Reading Terminal Market have sold tantalizing, market-fresh foods, ranging from local oroduce to international dishes from around the world. There are (oo many great dining options to mention, but try not to miss the regionai Mexican fare at 12th Street Cantina, the ddi items at Saiumeria, Amish treats at Beiler's Bakery, ice cream at Bassetts, the Pennsylvania Dutch breakfasts at Dutch Eating Place, Italian hoagies at Carm~ds, and heavenly mac-and-cheese a, Delilah's. But wherever vou end uD eating, you won': go wrong - around every corner yo~'ll see, s:~eli, and have the cnance to taste delicio'.ls food. 7. Independence National Historic Park Even if you're not a big history buff, you can't visit Philadelphia and not soak up at ieast a whiff or ;:wo of the city's amazingly rich heritage. The Old Ci:y neighborhood con:aim the bulk of :he pre- 1800s attractions, most them centered around Independence National Historical Park, which celebrates the verr birth of our nation. Most famous is the Liberty Beil Pavilion. si:e of America's be!o,·ed and cracked 2,000-pound bell. Although commonly thought to have played a significant role in Colonial history, the Jjberty Bell actually rose to prominence during the 1830s as a symbol of the n1ovement to abolish slavery. Nearby Independence Hall is where the Second Continental Congress met in 1775, the Dec!aration of Independence "·as adopted in 177 6, the Articles of Confederation ,;verc signed in 1778, and the Constitution was adopted in 1787. It \,;as also tl1e site of the cirr's first major civil rights· demonstrations (which included the co1:c~rns of lesbians and gays). The list of important sights within the park goes on and on - you could easily spend a full day here. 8. Giovanni's Room In an age when independent bookstores are struggling to keep their doors open, this wonderful GLBT bookswre that's been going strong since 1973 is a true marvel. The homey two-floor shop on the edge of the Gayborhood has hundreds of queer titles plus a wealth of (Woody's has long been one of Philadelphia's hottest gay bars. Photo by Andrew Collins) feminist works. There are several community bulletin boards, a \Vidc range of periodicals, and a handful of skin mag,, too. The staff is extremely helpful and has a real knack for finding out-of-print, import, or hard-:o-find titles. 9. Coffee Kiatch ;\rguably .the ~ayeft j;,.va )oin_t_ in tuwn~_Yillage Coffrc House anchors the (_7ayborhooc1, otrertng carte1ne add1cts a cozy 1ntc:rior space as ,veil .as a ;=harniing cncl(:sed pa_ti:> tha: c~vc~ioo~~~ a .. borhood garden. 1~{ere you can $1p spec1aJty dnnks (n1ao~: \\~uJ1. Fair 1·radc coffee beans\ cute patrons, and nosh on cr,okics, cheesecake, and tasty sand-.xichcs. 1\ short v.walk a~;vay, the has been a fix.ture in the 'hood fur insist is the best apple ~~!!~~;: i~~; t~:::::~ ,~~;;\;::t:~~•.,·,d1v0 , and plenty of coffee ~1nd tea drink·~. [t\ the bc:sr \V!-1.ile a,1.·a,,- ~a af. C· ;l( _;{z, Liuie BhKk Book: Cr;ntzrmed page 22. Arkansas & Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine Want the STAR delivered to vour 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 wirh a check or monevorder to: Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) Phone: ___________ _ Check enclosed 1V1oney Order ~tart Uate: _________ _ 22 the STAR Commission would accent Matt and .Michael as family. 1he empioyee then checked with the Commission. The couple called the next morning, anci ,hey paid $32.50 for the ovmer transfer title fee and administrative costs. The State of Oklahoma had waived 1 • me excise tax. \Vhile Matt and Michael are excited about the situation, ;:hey are uncertain abour what h means. They realize legally, their marriage is only recognized in Massachusetts. But this fact raises questions for the couple, those of family rights and recognition. Both have chosen to share their experience with others; with Johnsron, the trio plans to help other gay and lesbian families come together by offering wedding pianning. They are both ordained ministers, and Michael also offers therapy of the soul and counseling. For more information, please go to rhe couples' myspace page at http:/ /www.myspace.com/equal_luv. "All should have the right ro experience die joy and happiness that :Michael and I have experienced," lvian said. "We wane to nelp them do that." As this issue of the STAR goes to press Matt and !vlichael are anxiously waiting for the original auro title to arrive in the mail. Hoping the state did not disallow the family exemption. * 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) Metro Area for over 21 Years with PRID ORATING * HOLIDAY SPECIAL ame day delivery. Your order is treated with the upmost confidentiality. DIVERSITY WEEKEND Eureka Springs, Arkansas Aug 4-6, 2006 FREE HOME DELIVERY 5 Mile Se.vice Area 918. 734.6847 email lrrol:>o~~aol.,om COMING SOON! 11Jlld 6Lzdseed Salutations Kittens' \X'elcomc once more to an unruly addition of Vncle. Uncle :,like\· suffin:d another faiJulo,1s fourth. This year Uncle was on a mission to enio:,· the !oYe of the community, and 2J! I can ~ay is '.vhew - Uncle enjo\'i.:<l the Joye of the communitv! Au1:,>1.1st is blowing in like a bitter qu.:cn <1t the cad of her reign forced to release her crown. Cn6e prepares fot the cclebratio:1 of Fall. Linde has agreed robe th!: speaker at ~cveral celestial e\·ents this year. Cnclc's left ·vonckring if my thong sbmld be more in the earth tones for the c,·ents, I shall se<.'.k m:,· fashion guru just to be sure. Dear l.inc!e Mikey, My boyfriend and i have bcec rogether ffJr several years now. \'</hile we age. I expected changes to take pkcc, howe,·cr :10t to ~he point where I am embarrassed to be seen \\'ith him. liis fashion se:1se ha5 just been absence for some time no'.v, bur he is really being ro scare me. He has been adorning tragic r;utfits rhis season of the sun. I love him, ho\,'eYer not his blataEt disregard for g;.y fashion. Hu\· can I te1l him about thi~ issue without seemin~ like a birch? Li,·ing wirh a ia~hion ·.vasrela:1d. Deare$t F\'( Bitcn away bttd:! Ir is not only :-·,,ur dut}, bur abo rnur obligation to queers everrtvhcrc. \X?c arc not kno\1.-n in society for n1any positiYc attributes~ hcr\VCYe'r our i1npeccable taste and style happens to be 1no~:.r recognized. \'Ct: 1nust readily ln\~asion of bad taste. I ha\T: strict orders ft1r thcn1 to if (]1er forbid~ I eYcr louse mv fashion sen.st·. l kno\1: \vhat you arc thinking~ it could neYer happen! _Darling I have seen rn<n·e then one: 1night think,. 1 rncan the bad don1 couid choke a horse. Stn<.lochcs-l}nc!e ])ear lJncle \likey. !\Iv fficnd ha5 been 26 the STAR a 1on:h f< n· this jf he can con1c out Dearest Closeted L.oYc. Ir is all about mu Eve. Your kner screams self-serving motives. Ki,:ten, if ,·ou trah· hav; fce!ings for this man ,hen you first need to realize d1ac you :nust decide if you are v:illing to s:and supporti\·cly by, whilst he makes his way through the \Valk-in. You haYe your way with him if he so agrees after the emotional task at hand. Besides, sex is alway~ better with a bit of drama in the recipe. Smooches-Cncle Mike,· Dear Cncle, 1 ha\"C been seeing this guy for several months no\,: The orher day while in che shuwer, I noticed t;1at he has some kind of sores on h1s genital area. I was too embarrassed ro point this our to him. ! am now worried and do not kno·,,· about continuing a physical relationship with him, as i am afraid he mighr have some kind of STD or something, what should I do? Looking for the free clinic Dea~est Kitten, While I sir here holding your lertcr with my old sa!aci tongs, ] find myself cGnfuscd. Kmen, if Uncle l\likey c;-er suspecred, I would have an agent form ,he CDC cxamimng my little playmate. Ler me put ir simpler, CSI ain't got nothing on me, w'1en I was done with the black ligh, search, I would ~now what I was dealmg with. Cncle does not play when it comes to safecy. i\n old \vise queen once told rr.e, "If ym1 hear the drums of the Congo e<;ming from a tricks pants, its tune to reach out and wuch your own self." Good luck to you and rnur enchamed member. Smooches Hand shakes, Unck 1,!ikcy Dea:: C ncle :vlikey, Would you da,e your ex-boyfriend's new ex; Kitten, Shon and sweet. That reminds Uncle of his 6t!. husbanci. Ok, back on track why haggle? Date them both'. Smooches Dear Uncle, I am having an affair \,;th my mo:her's boyfriend. I know ,-;hat you're ti1inking. but j, was an innocent night with too much drink. My feelings for him !um: deepened. however I ca;rnot deal with what I am dQing. Should I walk a•.v,iy for hl'.r, or sbo.;ld I tcii her, rhat we are going to be rogethcr? Am I gcing to hell) I ,,uvin' \fotn's i\ian D:.:arcst Jean, l ~.vanred to kt you knO\\~ your rcscr~:arion is confirmed and rhat you ,v!Jl be ;ibk· ro get the stnoking ~cction, ~or only is the ans\vcr to your question yts1 it is undoubtedly yes, in a gasoline Speedo. What planer arc you living on? .\.for~l rnuch? Thar poor \VOt11en birthed you ,vhi1c also giving you the bl'.st year.s of her •;..,·astcd Efc. \'ou in turn take her rnaa, •~vho '\Vou!d be your Step i)addy. \'fell !10'\V, l kno\v that l)eliverancc is 1nore than an urban legend. l(irten, sec;~ proft'ssional help, and that docs not rnean sleep \\"ith your Unde'. rncrnber fatnily reunions arc not the Snuthern version of Bob tdls you'. lJntii ne:•:t tirne. P.S. * Asparagus Stuffed Dover Sole. 4 Fillets of Sole 1 Bunch of fresh Asparagus 3 TBLSP Real Butter 3 TBLSP Flour 2 Containers Heavy Cream 1 Container Plain Yogurt ½ TBLSP Dry Dill ½ Cup Real Butter ½ TBLSP Lemon Zest Preheat oven to 375 degrees Cut off ends of Asparagus and roil five spikes in each fillet and lay in a shallow pan. In a heavy saucepan melt 3TBLSP butter and add flour to make roux, add cream, and cook until thickened. Add yogurt, dil!, and lemon zest, while simmering adds ½ cup butter. Once done, pour over sole in pan, baked 15-20 minutes (until asparagus is tender). Plate so!e, pour extra sauce on top and garnish with sprig of rosemary to serve. "UNTIL NEXT MONTH, STAY COOL!" This months recipe is a twist on a summer classic. Have an outdoor party with appetizers and pretty cocktails instead of the same old bar-b-que and beer. You can find seasonal plastic glasses in fun colors for a festive gathering. Serve up this recipe for a good time. Enjoy ! SUMMER MELON MARGARITA (2 OZ) SKY VODKA (1 OZ) MIDORI LIQUEUR (1/2 OZ) TR!PLE SEC (1/2 OZ) SWEET & SOUR Fresh LIME JUICE 1. Chilled a martini giass. 2. Combine all ingredients with ice in shaker and shake very weiL 3. Strain into martini glass and garnish with A fresh lime wheel. CELEBRATE The Long Hot Summer With A Cool Drink! Arkansas & Okiahoma's most read GLBT Magazine Q Scopes by Jack Fertig AUGUST 2006 "Stick to a budget, Libra!"" Sun in Leo squaring Jupiter in Scorpio shows flamboyance, generosity, and libido all cranked up high. Venus in Cancer quincunx Neptune in Aquarius boosts generosity, but dulls judgment in favor of the easiest option. ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Your playfulness can easily get the better of you. Be careful! Getting out of a situation is a lot harder than getting into it. Some community work may channel that energy more safely. . TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Stay home as much as you can, playing with your partner or a good partner-prospect. Work, on the other hand, requires a serious hand and some finesse. Listen for hidden agendas, and be only as conciliatory as you need to be. GEMINI (May 21 * June 20): Showing off, or feeling you need to prove yourself, can lead to spectacular accidents. Stay focused on the job at hand! Arguments over money come too easily, and you're both wrong. Shelve those issues until next week, at least. CANCER (June 21 a July 22): Being as sexy as you are right now can get expensive. Be clever and resourceful instead of extravagant. Getting high opens you to dangerous risks. A clear head and a steady hand are better fun anyway. LEO (july 23 * August 22): Your birthday bash will be all the more fabulous if.jt's a bit more intimate and takes place at home. Think quality, not quantity. In an even cozier setting, you and your love can open up to deeper sharing that can change your relationship. VIRGO (August 23 * September 22): Rosy notions about where you'd like to be in the future clash with current frustrations in your work. You need to adjust both ends of the problem. Meditation and in-depth conversations with a trusted friend can help. LIBRA (September 23 • October 22): Charm and creativity can further your goals. Focus. which comes on!y with difficulty nov,1, 1Nou!d a!so heip. Set aside some money for frivoious games or shopaholic indulgences - but stick to the budget! SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Blowing your own horn will look overbearing, but it's no time to be shy either. Your work speaks loudly and clearly for itself. Distant older relatives can shed light on family mysteries, but will you like what you learn? SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): You are not to be trusted with other people's secrets now. Better to explore your own and share the deepest and darkest ones with a counselor or teacher who can help you work them out - or play them out - with an anonymous trick in a different town. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): It's time to reevaluate the whole "friends with benefits" business. What's really important to you in any relationship, especially your primary partnership? It's too easy to lose track of values right now. Let your partner remind you of what's really important! AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): You're a bit fuzzy in your self-perception. And, although work offers some comfort, it doesn't give you any more certainty. Cooperation, now more than ever, is the key to success. Developing culinary skills can also bring clarity . PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Creative efforts heip to draw out your inner demons. Dealing with those demons remains a challenge, but you're up for it. Your inner conflicts can make you touchy and argumentative. Don't shy away from debate, but stay focused on what the disputes are really about! , < SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appoinrment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 joplin, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30Aiv1 28 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (4 NWA GLBT Ctr - - - - www.nwaglbtcc.org- - - - - 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 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. Coliege Ave- - - - - - - - - -479-442-5845 P;ide 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- - - - - - 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 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. Wainut- - - - - - - -Service 11AM Kansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40- - - - - 3201 S. Hillside- - - - - 316-682-5494 Priscilla's- - - - - 6143 W Kellogg D;- - - - - - - - - - - 316-942-1244 Club Glacier- - - - - - - - 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 !nn- - - -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 Boonvil!e Ave- - - .. -- - ........ 417-831-4700 GLO Comm Ctr- - -518 E. Commerica!- - - - .. - - --417-869-3978 Martha's Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive - - - .... - - .. - 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 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 8&8 - 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 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 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 Nita Spot· -- - - - - -3007 E. Admirai Pi - - - -- - - - - - 918-834-3007 Our House, Too - - - -203 N Nogales Ave- - - - - - - -918-585-9552 Priscilla's - - - - - - - - -7925 E. 41st- - - - - - - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla's - - - - - - - - 5634 W. Skelly - - - - - - - - - - - 918-446-6336 Priscilia'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 Allev- - - - - -3324-L E 3ist- - - - - - - - 918-745-9998 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 - - - - - - - - - 2114 S. Memorial- - - - - - - - - 918-660-0856 Whittier News Stand- - 1 N. Lewis- - - - - - - - - - 918-592-0767 Yellow-Brick-Rd- - - - - - - 2630 E. 15th- - - - - - - ·· ·· - 918-293-0304 30 Gt.ttJ HAIC,OH '#M AUAN NWllliITTH Gay Marriage, .. SO NOW THE: GCN''f IS -ri:zYING -ro i<E:Wl-!lre THI! CONS'fl1U'flON AGAIN AND 01./rt.AW GAY MAl<l<IAGE: .•• WHY SHOUl.-0 Y,,'f. N!:!:D -ro ASK P!::l<M!SSION Of' S'fl<AIGH'f SOCl!:'fY 'TO G!:i Ml\1<1'11!:Df:" WHO Al<E: T'H/iY'TO .JUDGE: THE: VAl.-101-rY OF OUR 1.:!:f..A 'flONSHIPS!:" l Gl'l!:W UP WITH AN l'fAf..lAN MO-rHE:R WHO WAS Pl-ANNIN' MY ,\IE:ODING SINCE: THE: DAY I WAS 801'1N •.• SO IT 'TOOK Mi:: A WHIL-!: 'TO GE:'f OVl,l'I MY FEAR OF WE:OOiNGS! su-r I KNE:W I WANreo -ro BE: WITH THIS FOi.: THE: RE:S'f OF MY f..lFc: •.. I i ---------, r-we WE:N'f AH!:AD AN' Gar H/'f'CHl:0/ OF COURSE: I WAN, MY BROTJ-1!:1'1 ,o B!: HAPPY •.• BU'f 10 BE: HONEST, I THINK GOO Cl'IE:AT!:D MARl'l!AGE: AS A GACREC> UNION BE:'TWEE;N A MAN AND A 1-\-0MAN. OOGMA, IFJCATlO AND f..!:S ~'ARl'IY! TOTH!: 'flONO /~lf:fCDMPl!ri'/ 1Wif c.«i$,-l'T 1:-'IJO',•✓ ADA~Tl-l!~ABDUT -\OV!2NAf..l~M, 11,;e. {:;E!:r-l U'>l~l'1Hi5.A t.(W6 Tl11;, 1.l!:.S5 Be Seen With The Star NWA GLBT CENTER The Northwest Arkansas Gay, Lesbian, Blsexuai and Transgendered Community Center is a group of like-minded individuals who have come together to create a nonprofit GLBT Community Center in Northwest Arkansas. www.nwaglbtcc.org 12th page classified CALL F' □ R RATES 91 B.B35.78B7 11730 E. 11th Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 Wed. Talent Show with Bobby Page, 11PM Girls Nite Out w/Kris Kohl Sun August 13th 10PM Open Tues-Sun 2pm-2am Check out our new Patio! CHECK OUT UNIQUE EUREKA.SPRINGS, AR.KANSAS www.diversitypride.com and www.eurekapride.com EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR WICHITA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS gualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net o: maii to: 5103 S. Sheridan, # 153 Tulsa, OK 74145 ' '',',', ' ; C~L:L r-OR RATES 9lta.S:35.7E1B7 Get resuits with STAR Classifieds! LICENSED ·MASSAGE Tulsa, OK * Full Body, Sports, Hot Stone * Hand and Foot Scrabs * In-House Clinic * Days, Evenings and Weekends Cali for an appointment and rates. 918-857-2805 HAPPY BIRTHDAY STANLY SMITH AUGUST BTH - L . IL Jay Whiteside 918.902.1461 Tulsa Metro PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ** OPEN AUDITIONS FOR MALE DANCERS.** Saturday's 5pm. Must be available to dance Sunday's. Compensation plus tips for successful candidates. 31 D 'T RRY ... hat happens at Hollywood stays at Hollywoodl POOL HOURS 10AM - llPM POOL PASS So A OAi' AL'1 D t:35 A MONTH SAT HOT DOGS 2PM"6PM 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, August 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 8 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 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 Greg Steele Josh Aterovis Douglas Glenn John Patrick Michael Dee Kay Massey Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlile Victor Gorin Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ray Williams Michael 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, July 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 7 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/228 The Star Magazine, September 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 9 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/243 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/224 Advice Column Asparagus stuffed dover sole Bamboo Lounge Bitter Girl Book/DVD Review Chelsea Boys Club Majestic Comic Strips Family Picnic Heart to Heart HIV/AIDs Lesbian Notions marriage equality Matt Foreman Oklahoma Tax Commission Our House Out of the Line of Fire Past Out politics Q Scopes Quotable Quotes recipes Shantel Mandalay Star business center star classified Star Distributors Star entertainment Star Scene Summer Melon Margarita Too travel Tulsa Community Center Uncle Mikey https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/542facc2f8f58ff9f34ef8d6800cd880.jpg c0624236680e4eb7b21d1904b207cb3a https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/a28b0cfed9db2dcc1ee9d2af32017721.pdf 44dbe60b1d290b15c52995ef224d48d1 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 cover photo eu Lou - 0 ~ CG!'f1&1111JiiJ:'1Jfi_,.,,t'ii'tl'-Nl . ~ i3 ~~ lnsideij this Issue o 35 YEARS OF ll.QV.6 ..... page-21 "I don't give a your religious were elected to u constitution.'' Read it in Heart to Heart ..... ~[& in the s-n this month, comic " Chelsea Boy• ............. page-30 · ::- $1.1n-4:oo ~l'oddy Mary _ 1.75 L9ngn~fks . · :~ Mon-1.50 Longnecks ::- 'tues-1.50 Longo.eeks ::- ·w ed.:4.50 Blasters .50 Draw· ::- Thurs-Ladies Night 1.00 Longnecks C. O· m e. b y & m e· e· t . 0 u r s f . t a f UT n • n on ,, cale Scott Crow, lVlanaging Broker lVlcGraw Davisson. Stewart, :Realtors 1 Langley, Oklahoma Sco1:1:Crow.mcgrawok.com 918.782.3211 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. n a~sbians"4fce maftV situations, whetlier sin 3 4 Come Lay an Egg \vith us on Easter! Egg f-Iunt Sunday April 16th. 2630 E. 15th St. Tulsa, OK 918.293.0304 MONDAYS: Pool Tournament THURSDAY: Dart Tournament 6.50 Chimay Ale 1.50 Longnecks Every Sunday. the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. Oral Roberts Universit sends mixed mess gays: "We love you do not come onto our campus" SOULFORCE PRESS RELEASE: March 20, 2006 TULSA, OK - The frigid air in Oklahoma was symbolic of the welcome Oral Roberts University extended to the Soulforce Equality Riders today, after repeated refusals for dialogue with ORU officials resulted in more than 25 police officers waiting at the entrance of the school. Before the Riders were even allowed off the bus, a member of the Oral Roberts police force and an officer from the Tulsa Police Department entered the bus to talk with them. Summing up the school's response to the Ride and to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, the Oral Roberts University officer told the Riders, "We love you all; do not come onto our campus." Speaking to media before leading the group to trespass onto campus, Equality Ride co-director Jacob Reitan said, "Colleges teach history, it is time for them to start reflecting on what history has done to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The time for this conversation has come. We have a group of people who care enough to at least try, and Oral Roberts does not want to welcome them." ................... Continued page-16 F'REE HOME OELIVl!:RY 5 Mile Service Area 918. 734.6847 .tmail lrrol>o~~ao\.(.Om COMING SOON! Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine mixed and 6a,,;ed 111ild biulseed 72 Hours in San Francisco San Francisco may just be the most talked-about and dynamic gay and lesbian destination in the world. But with so much to see and do, how do you make the most of a short visit to the City by the Bay? You'll want to soak up the culture of cool neighborhoods like the Castro and the Mission. You can't leave without glimpsing the must-see attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the beautifully redesigned de Young Museum. And then there are the incredible restaurants, serving everything from fresh-harvested oysters to bountiful organic salads to decadent chocolate desserts. Here's one approach to enjoying a long weekend in San Francisco, ideal for both first-time and repeat visitors. You might begin by purchasing a San Francisco CityPass, which you can order online before you go. The pass, which costs $42 per person, provides free admission to several of the city's most prominent attractions as well as seven days of unlimited travel on the Cable Car and Muni bus and train network (a $24 value in itself) and sightseeing boat excursions on the city's Blue and Gold Fleet. Friday Night Hayes Valley, a central neighborhood that's easily reached from downtown or the Castro, has several fun, low-keyed restaurants, perfect for your first evening in town. One of the best is Cafe Delle Stelle, which serves superb, reasonably inexpensive lt~lian fare. Although you could survive on the rich Tuscan bread that comes w!th your meal, you'li want to sample the delicious homemade pastas and traditionai Italian dishes, ranging from polenta with roasted portobello mushrooms to roasted pumpkin ravioli with sage butter. From here it's a 15-minute walk to the Castro, where you can check out the dozens of lively gay bars and clubs, including such neighborhood faves as the bustling and youthful Cafe, the sleek and intimate Bar on Castro, the laid-back and friendly Pilsner Inn, and the festive Metro, which has a large balcony that's perfect for people-watching. Or if you're walking back toward downtown, you can peek inside one of the bars that still line Po!k Street, a longtime gay-nightlife hub in the '?Os and '80s that has only a few nightspots left these days. Good bets include the Cinch Saloon, a mellow neighborhood joint, and N'Touch, which is especially popular among Asian-American men and their admirers. Saturday In the morning, head to the Castro to explore this famous gay neighborhood during daylight hours. The best way to learn of the area's rich history is by taking a walking tour with Kathy Amendola, of Cruisin' the Castro Historical & Cultural Walking Tours. Amendola leads visitors past the Pink Triangle Park & Memorial, the residence of slain gay icon Harvey Milk, and the ornate and historic Castro Theatre - there's also a break for lunch at Firewood Cafe, a very good local restaurant. The tours leave at 1 0 a.m. and are also offered Tuesday through Friday. After the tour, set aside some time for shopping. The Castro has grown up over the past decade as a sophisticated retail neighborhood, with everything from high-end clothiers and boutiques (such as Diesel and Brand X Antiques) to adult gift and bookshops with saucy names like Auto Erotica and Castro Gulch. Then walk (about 30 minutes) or take Muni over to lush Golden Gate Park to visit the de Young Museum, which received a stunning makeover in 2005 and now has a distinctive copper exterior and a dramatic 145-foot observation tower that looms high above the park's leafy trees. Spectacular collections of American paintings and sculptures, African art, and textiles fill this beautiful building. Saturday Night The Mission District is a great neighborhood for dinner, with the Slow Club ranking among the top picks. Here in this dark, seductive space you might order the juicy burger slathered in balsamic-marinated onions, or a crispy-crust pizza topped with montasio cheese, oyster mushrooms, leeks. and thyme. Limon is another superb choice, serving kicky Latin fusion fare and tangy sangria. If you're up for nighttime fun, you can always head back to the Castro, but the Mission is also home to the best lesbian hangout in the city, the Lexington Club. Or If you're a serious clubber, take a cab to the trendy SoMa neighborhood, 6 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. Out of Town where you'll find the famed Stud disco as well as raunchy fetish and leather bars like the lovably sleazy Hole in the Wall Saloon and the rough-and-tumble Eagle Tavern, which brings in live bands many evenings. Sunday Walk or take Muni northeast along Market Street for a leisurely late breakfast or early lunch at the Ferry Building Marketplace, a gorgeous 1898 former transportation hub that was converted a few years ago into fabulous food shops and restaurants (there's also a farmers market held on the grounds on Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., spring through fall). Order a tender ahi burger and garlic fries at Taylor's Refresher, before devouring a few scoops of Scharffen Berger Chocolate gelato at Ciao Bella. Next, take Muni along the Embarcadero to Pier 41. This is a touristy part of the city, adjoining Fisherman's Wharf and its slew of annoyingly kitschy shops, but from Pier 41 you can use your CityPass to take a free one-hour Blue & Gold Fleet boat tour of San Francisco Bay. This is the quickest and easiest, and arguably the most interesting, way to get a sense of why San Francisco ranks among the most beautiful cities in the world. These narrated tours pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, by the tony towns of Sausalito and Tiburon, and around the infamous former prison, Alcatraz. Sunday Night Head to one of the Castro's hottest gay-date spots, Catch, which serves addictive trench fries tossed with Parmesan cheese and white-truffle oil as well as a dandy grilled monkfish with herb-mushroom risotto. But save room for a dessert of Valrhona Chocolate molten cake with toffee ice cream and almond butter across the street at 2223, which also has a fine list of after-dinner cognacs, ports, and liqueurs. This lively, handsome restaurant is also a great place for dinner. Monday Depending on the exact time of your departure, you can set aside Monday to check out a neighborhood you hadn't sufficient time to explore, such as SoMa, home to outstanding San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Or perhaps spend a little time browsing Macy's, Gump's, or any of the hundreds of fine shops around Union Square. You can break for lunch at the super-cruisy Wolfgang Puck Express Cafe in the cellar at Macy's or enjoy a more substantial meal at Town Hall, a superb contemporary American restaurant set inside a vintage SoMa warehouse, where you might sample duck-confit enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, or a poached-shrimp club sandwich with bacon and heirloom tomatoes. Where to Stay A splendidly restored 1909 Edwardian mansion straddling the Castro and Mission neighborhoods, Parker House is the Castro's most spectacular inn. Guests make considerable use of the lavish public areas and appreciate the antiques, rich fabrics, and modern conveniences (WiFi, voicemail) in the 21 sun-filled rooms. Paths wind through · extensive gardens and lawns. A more affordable Castro option is the Willows Inn, whose 12 cozy, warmly furnished rooms share four bathrooms and four separate shower rooms but have all the other charms and comforts you'd expect of a far pricier small hotel. Both properties draw a mix of lesbians and gay men. If you'd prefer to stay downtown, consider booking a room at one of the several hotels run by the gay-friendly Kimpton or Joie de Vivre hotel chains. Favorite Kimpton properties include the richly furnished Serrano Hotel, which is decorated in Moroccan and Spanish style, and the more moderately priced Hotel Triton, a hip and whimsical property that's also one of the most eco-friendly hotels in the country. Joie de Vivre has hotels in all prices ranges, from the bargain- priced Commodore Hotel, whose basic but pieasant rooms come with Aveda bath products and deco-inspired furnishings, to the ultra-chic Hotel Vitale, which opened in 2005 across from the Ferry Building Marketplace and is best-known for its nifty Panoramic Suites, with 180-degree views of San Francisco Bay. A mid-priced option that's noteworthy for its stellar Cortez restaurant and stvlish contemporary interior, Joie de Vivre's Hotel Adagio occupies a restored 16-story building just up the street from the high-end shopping of Union Square. !n this city known for its swank and sumptuous hotels, the biggest challenge you may face during a three-day visit is finding the motivation to leave your cushy guest room. The Little Black Book Baron Castro (456 Castro St., 415-626-7220). The Cafe (2367 Market St., 415-861-3846). Cafe Delle Stelle (395 Hayes St., 415-252-1110). Catch (2362 Market St., 415-431-5000). Cinch Saloon (1723 Polk St., 415-776-4162). Commodore Hotel (825 Sutter St., 415-923-6800 or 800-338-6848, www.jdvhospitality. com). Cruisin' the Castro Historical & Cultural Walking Tours (415- 550-8110, www.webcastro.com/castrotours). de Young Museum (Golden Gate Park, 415-863-3330, www.deyoungmuseum.org). Eagle Tavern (398 12th St., 415-626-0880). Ferry Building Marketplace (Embarcadero at Market St., www.ferrybuildingmarketplace. com). Hole in the Wall Saloon (289 8th St., 415-431-4695). Hotel Adagio (550 Geary St., 415-775-5000 or 800-228-8830, www. jdvhospitality.com). Hotel Triton (342 Grant St., 415-394-0500 or 800-800-1299, www.hoteitriton.comJ. Hotei Vitale (8 Mission St., 415-278-3700 or 888-890-8688, www.hotelvitale.com). Lexington Club (3464 19th St., 415-863-2052). Limon (524 Valencia St., 415-252-0918). Metro (3600 16th St., 415-703-9750). N'Touch (1548 Polk St., 415-441-8413). Parker House (520 Church St., 415-621-3222 or 888-520-7275, www.parkerguesthouse.com ). Pilsner inn (225 Church St., 415-621-7058). San Francisco CityPass (888-330-5008, www.citypass.com). San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau (reservation service, 888-782-9673; www. sfvisitor.org). Serrano Hotei (405 Taylor St, 866-289-6561. www. serranohoteLcom). Siow Club (250i Mariposa St., 415-241-9390). Stud (399 9th St.. 415-252-7883). Town Hall (342 Howard St, 415-908-3900). 2223 (2223 Market St., 415-431-0692). Willows Inn (710 14th St., 415-431-4770 or 800-431-0277. www.willowssf. com). Wolfgang Puck Express Cafe (Macy's Union Square. 170 O'Farrell St., 415-296-4858). the STAR, Celebrating our 3rd Year 2006. 7 8 snack r 7204 E. Pine Tulsa, OK Corndogs COLDEST BEER IN TULSA! Open 12Noon to 2am Daily. ATTN WOMEN/ ET A l>OLLAR FOR EVERY Y M N YOU BRING TO 6AYCOI N ■W IIV■NTS ADD■DI PRID -:Y 1r1t RI 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 weddiDgs 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 toll free reservations: 1- 8- 2-8464 P.O. Box 430 • Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632 479-253-9501 www.eurekaspringsresort.com Advertising in the STAR is Just good business cents. ' 1r· 7204 E@ Pine - Tulsa, OK 1 Ill 0 Oklahoma's Oldest Gay Bar (come check out our new system) .,/-~ ! £vtr'f "Dunda'{ A Bamboo Lounge Tulsa Tradition ncldrive:ies~ ihan one mile and your into Ft. lauderdalEJ; iii~· ·> port is the EASIEST airport in the U.S to fly out of. Or you can do like we do and just dri there. · There are dozens of gay resorts in Ft. Lauderdale but very favorite is the GRAND RESORT ANO SPA which is located just steps away from the beach. It is the largest men's resort on Fort Lauderdale Beach and the finest. one! They are beyond a doubt tfie .. number one preference for the discerning gay traveler accustomed to fine travel destinations worldwide. Their multilingual staff is ready to assist you in whatever your plans are. The Grand offers spacious, super cl~,1::m accommodations featuring cable TV, VCR's, DVD's, Hi-Fi CD Music Systems, Voice Mail, irons .. • and ironing boards, safes, hairdryer, refrigerator, gourmet !7;,, pan ' and coffeemaker. Accommodations have ;l},. lnterrfet access .. They offer a wide .. · . . . . ..... . guest room, deluxe guest room, deluxejur:i~or suite; deluxe one b~droom, deluxe · · · · .wise the . . and truly care about theirgue$; The·entire staff of.the Grandis the same way. We simply have never hadsuch a. wonderful experience at any resort that we have stayed in. EVERY staff member cares about the guests and are super friendly and hospitable. Why can't all resorts operate in this manner? While we were staying there in January one of the guests was involved in a minor auto accident. He had forgot to take his wallet with ID with him. He called the Resort and one of the staff went to his room, got his wallet and ID and drove it to him. Talk about service! We have stayed there several times and it just keeps getting better and better each time we stay there. has a 30 foot fountain splashing in can. soak in their 10 man Jacuzzi. view~urideck for sunbathing. On to 7 PM join in their Social Hour . chips and salsa on Fridays and wine and cti~ese on Saturday. This js a great way to meet all the gti$st~L Tlieftl;ts alwa · of social activity going .· . . · .. · . .. her guests and meeting people atttlE!;beach IJ)any of their guests never leave·the property, except fo(lcinch and dinner. We alwaYt,,rn,eet such fun, interesting, wonderful and fab . . · we stay there. Many of their guests have. ·arthe Grand many times and would never think of §laYi!}g anywhere else .. When you have found the best, \liby;:look any fi}rther? • 4,. Tiley have aw sp~¢iality faci .m anicures an ·. calming, nurturing and are constantly bei techniques. J.D. G has been a licensed expertise in Swedis. ~ ,., Re-Education and Trigger . a licensed Esthetician, J. D. aiso specializes in a number of body treatments that includes body wraps, scrubs, waxing and faoials. Besides taking advantage of the Spa ourseives we have talked with dozens of people who have taken advantage of the Spa and everyone of them said that it was the finest that they have ever been to. You do not need to be a guest of the Resort to make an appointment at the Spa. When you get hungry, there is only one place in town that we highly recommend and that is the HI-LIFE CAFE. Chef Carlos Fernandez and Host Chuck Smith have created this fabulous restaurant that features a truly great dining experience in a unique atmosphere. Located at 3000 North Federal Highway, they serve dinner nightly, Tuesday thru Sunday and are closed on Monday. They recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary for their restaurant and they have a huge loyal following who KNOW that they are the best restaurant in the city. Check out their website at: www.hilifecafe.com. Chuck and Carlos are two of the nicest and most sincere men that you would ever want to meet. Their entree selections are Salmon, Crab cakes, Chicken, Pork Osso Bucco, Duck, Steaks and they always have wonderful specials of the day. They also have a Pre- · Theatre Price Fixe Menu. (Photo right ''The Beautiful Grand Resort. 'JTheir dessert offerings are tremendous but we prefer their Southern Derby Pecan Pie which is to die for! Visitors to Ft. Lauderdale have been coming here for that past 10 years. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations. Their phone number is: 954-563-1395. We GUARANTEE that you will love this restaurant! We GUARANTEE IT! No Ft. Lauderdale is complete there. trip to unless you dine Okay, so your accommodations and dining experiences are taken care of in Ft. Lauderdale, now it's time to either head for the beach and lay in the sun or to the bars to party. From the GRAND RESORT just walk two very short blocks and you are right at the beach. Walk about another 4 blocks South and you will be at Sebastian Beach which is the Gay Beach where you will encounter hundreds of other gay men in ali shapes, sizes, ages and ? What a way to spend your morning or afternoon! Downtown Ft. Lauderdale is iust a few blocks away from the Grand and they have lovely· and interesting shops to visit there. Lots of touristy things abound in Ft. Lauderdale. Just pick up some of the many packets, magazines and brochures at the front desk of your resort. Always read a copy of the local newspaper in the Club Room at the Grand to see the many entertainment and cultural activities going on. So now you ready to go to the bars and party. There are dozens of gay bars in Ft Lauderdale. Way too many to talk about in one column so we will basically just tell you what kind of bars there are. Into Leather? Well, they have a couple of leather bars that you need to check out: Ramrod's and the Jackhammer. They have great piano bars including the Tropics and Dudes. Our very favorite piano entertainers in Ft. Lauderdale are Tony and Gloria who are a piano/guitar duo. They entertain at both the Tropics and Dudes bars. And be sure and pick up a copy of their latest CD. There are plenty of strip bars if you are into that. Lots of neighborhood bars and plenty of dance/disco bars are found there. HOT SPOTS magazine has been publishing their fine magazine weekly in Ft. Lauderdale for years and it is a MUST to read to find out where all the gay bars are located and what their schedules are. Before you go to Ft. Lauderdale check out Hot Spots at: www.hotspotsmagazine. com . And be sure to read Rich's Corner which is in each and every issue of HOT SPOTS. Rich is a great writer and keeps up on what is happening. Our very favorite entertainer in Ft. Lauderdale is AUNTIE MAME who is the best of the best. Such a dear person. She. is OUTRAGEOUS! which is the way that drag queens should be! Fun, funny and always a very caring person is what Mame is. You can check her out at: www.auntiemame.biz So, next time your bored and wanting to go someplace, why not call the Grand Resort and Spa in Ft. Lauderdale and book a few days with them. We promise you that you will have fun, Fun and more FUN! That is the ONLY place to stay in Ft. Lauderdale and don't forget to dine at the HiLife! Chuck and Carlos are the best. Quotable Quotes "For me, 'Brokeback' isn't rebellious at a/i. It's a ve,y ordinary movie. Peopie call it groundbreaking or what not. It puts a lot of pressure on me. But I didn't feel this way when I was making the movie. This is the way gays are. It's just that they have been distorted. When two people are in love and are scared, that's the way they are." ............... . Oscar winning director- Ang Lee the STAR 11 ly pie Diving Champion reg Louganis Co-Host "100 Champions" ay ames Benefit at Soldier Field Olympic Gold Medalist becomes International Gay Games Ambassador Chicago, IL - Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis will serve as co-host of "A Night of 100 Champions," a gala to benefit the Chicago 2006 Gay Games. Scheduled for Saturday, 22 April 2006, the event will honor top U.S and international sports legends and top artists at the Cadillac Club at Soldier Field. Louganis also will join the "Gay Games Ambassadors," an international group of prominent individuals supporting the goals and principles of the quadrennial Gay Games. Ambassadors include Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Bean, Billie Jean King and many other notable celebrities. Greg Louganis will travel to Chicago to co-host "A Night of 100 Champions," the first of two events at Soldier Field's Cadillac Club the weekend of 22-23 April 2006. More than 100 individuals and organizations will be honored for achievement in sports, culture and support of the GLBT community. The event will include a silent auction, awards presentation, VIP cocktail reception, celebrity concert, and dancing on multiple stages. The next morning, Sunday, 23 April, the Cadillac Club will again be the site of "Breakfast with Champions." A brunch buffet with entertainment will be followed by an intimate Meet the Champions Panel Discussion hosted by a surprise guest celebrity with the opportunity for questions from the audience and autograph signing, Tickets are $75 for "A Night of 100 Champions," $65 for "Breakfast with Champions" or $125 for both events. Patron Tables of Thn are available at $1,500, $2,500 and $5,000 levels, each offering a VIP Reception, preferred seating and benefits according to donation levels. Sponsorship levels starting at $10,000 provide upgrades to premiere seating. distinctive recognition opportunities, and specially crafted sponsorship packages. Ticket and sponsorship information jS available at v1ww. GayGamesChicago. org About Greg Louganis Greg Louganis is more than just an Olympic Champion -- he stands out as an exceptional human being who has led an extraordinary life. Greg's introduction to the world of diving was at the age of ten, when he first began competing. By age 16 he had won his first Olympic medal, a silver, on the platform in the 1976 Olympics. In 1984, at age 24, he became the first man ln 56 years to win two Olympic gold medals in diving by winning both the platform and springboard events. In 1986, Greg · won both the platform and springboard events at the Championships. Two years later at the 1988 Olympics, competing against divers half his age, and despite a near disastrous injury during a dive, he became the first man to win double gold medals for diving in two consecutive Olympics. Louganis' connection to the Gay Games is a special one. He used the occa.sion of the 1994 Gay Games in New York to first publicly acknowledge his sexuality and his status as HIV itive. More recently he served as the narrator of the y Games documentary, "Take the Flame," by filmmaker David Secter (2005). "We continue to be amazed at the life of this extraordinary man," said Kathleen Webster, co-president of the international Federation of Gay Games. "He has been a staunch supporter of the Gay Games for more than a decade and we are grateful for his continued support as the Gay Games returns to U S. for the first time in 12 years.·· 12 the STAR Oi<lahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. IS DEMOCRAT KATHY TAYLOR THE CANDIDATE OF CHOICE FOR TULSA'S GLBT COMMUNITY? YOU DECIDE. From the STAR Editor: Kathy Taylor for Tulsa Mayor website ask this question for Tulsa voters. "How can I make your life better?" The STAR's answer was. Bring equal rights to all people in Tulsa including the GLBT community. And we posed this question. Question: Are you seeking the Gay/Lesbian vote in Tulsa? The following is the response we received from her staff. 'Thank you for your message. Kathy Taylor believes in diversity and in equal rights -- she has built a 25-year career on those values. She doesn't ask her employees about their personal lives, their political affiliation, their religion ... You get the idea. Kathy Taylor hires people based on their ability to do a job and she treats everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve. She will be the same woman if elected Tulsa's mayor. I hope you'll help make that happen by voting for Kathy Taylor for Mayor on April 4." Lesbian crowned college King. FREDERICK, MD. -- Hood College is reviewing its homecoming rules after a lesbian was crowned king, a college official said. Jennifer Jones, the 21-year-old senior who beat out three men for the ciOwn, said it was a positive step for the private liberal arts college. "It is cool that Hood allows people to be themseives," Jones said. "If people didn't want me to be king, they wouldn't have nominated me and voted for me:· More than two weeks after Jones was crowned, criticism and praise were still rippling through the 2, 100-student campus in western Maryland. Santo Provenzano, 21, who competed for king, said Jones· selection made the event seem like a joke. "It discourages guys from wanting to take part in the future," Tulsa r. Leather 2006 nd The inner Is! Photo left: winner "Tulsa Mr. Leather 2006" James Hollingswood. Right: Jay Whiteside, 1st Runner Up. by Greg Steele TULSA, OK_ Tulsa Mr. Leather contest climaxed on Saturday March 18th at Club Maverick with James Hollingswood coming out on top. James will now advance to the Oklahoma Mr. Leather contest to be held in October. The Okla- · homa Mr. Leather organization is franchise of "International Mr. Leather" headquartered in Chicago. Title holders must be present at as many community functions as possible and must represent "Leather" in a positive manner throughout the community. They must promote unity, camaraderie, brother/sister hood. Winners must also actively participate in at least 3 charity benefits during the next 12 months. The group heid a meet and greet party on Friday March 17th and ended their weekend event with a Sunday brunch at the Metro Diner, Tulsa. The STAR since 2003 13 14 I L Fl E - ' Oklahoma City ur 5th Anniversary 3 Days of Quality Workshops, Vendors, Great Plains Olympus Contests, Cigar Smoker, Saints and Sinners Costume Contest, Many Free Prizes, Play Parties, other Social Activities, N LA-I 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.TribalFire KC.com the STAR, It's your community, we deliver it. ''A hysterical GLBT comedy troupe born from members of Chicago's famous "SEC D CITY". They are determined to raise our spirits and make the Ozarks hills shake with laughter with a show GLBTs and their straight friends & families can enjoy together!" EUREKA SPRINGS, AR._Diversity Pride Events is proud to present GAY-CO as part of our commitment to produce quality events for GLBTs (gays, lesbians, bisexuals a der) and their Allies. This comedy show will e Spring Diversity Weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, April 7-9. On Saturday April 8, there will be two performances of GAY-CO at a 2pm Matinee and at 7:30pm at the historic Auditorium. GayCo Productions is a notfor- profit theatre ensemble that specializes in creating sketch-comedy revues based on gay/lesbian themes. An award winning ensemble that was established in 1996 as The "Second City's" first lesbigay and straight outreach program. Ed Garza, former Administrative Director of The "Second City'' Train- Ing Center, brought together nine performfrom the training center was to be c!n experimental workshop. Irreverent spirit is just one reason why Rob Chambers, executive director of The Second City Training Center, counts himself a fan. "Given the current political and social climate, I can't wait to see what they come up with ... 11 he says of the company that can put its comedy chops next to those of more esta names. GayCo is no less funny than, say, the cast on the Second City main stage. They've amassed an ever-growing fan base since their debut in 1996. HI think they really touched on something that was needed," Chambers says. Additional events during Diversity Weekend include a 'GOLDEN OLDIES' Dance & Socia! featuring dance hits from the 1940's to present day, an 'OVER 16' Diversity Dance, sponsored by Eureka Kid and another local charity, and a DIVERSITY BIKERS 'Show 'n Shine'. A WELCOME MIXER, co-sponsored by Diversity Pride Events and Eureka Pride, with a Raffle to benefit the Food Bank, will be held Friday night from 7pm - 9pm. And other local businesses will be nouncing many events. See Eureka Pride. ureka Springs, sas prides on it's diverpecially on ity Weeks, GLBTand LAG visitors me from all the world to ittle village e heart of. activither attractions, ants geared toward i Along with 0thvents invites you to visit Eureka year rou on FALL, SPRING, SUMMER & VALENTIN WEEKENDS for concerts, dances & other Pride Events. D.P.E. is committed to producing and supporting quality events for GLBTs (Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgender) and Parents, Friends, Families of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAGs) ... of ALL ages to enjoy together! "Our mission is to create intelligent and thought-provoking sketch comedy based on Gay and Lesbian themes that will entertain, educate and/or enlighten our audience." For more information go to: www.diversitypride.com or www.gayco.net The STAR since 2003 The Riders stood off campus hoping that the university administration would have a change of heart: but when the time came to attempt to have a conversation, their hopes were met . with handcuffs. While the arrests were taking place, fellow Riders waited across the street holding portraits of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who committed suicide or were killed because of religious messages that portrayed them as sick and sinful. In all, eight individuals were arrested when they attempted to gain entrance to the campus -- 6 Equality Riders and 2 community members. Moving across police lines toward the school's massive sculpture of praying hands, they carried Bibles and quoted scripture passages that reflected why they felt called to talk with students at Oral Roberts about ending the school's policy of religion-based discrimination against LGBT people. Speaking about why she felt motivated to be arrested, Jessie Sullivan said, "I had seriously considered going to Oral Roberts for college; but when I came to campus to visit I did not feel welcome. It was that unease that made me feel as if I should make a statement about why colleges should be welcoming to everyone, because we are all one in Christ. God loves 1:1s wholly for who we are." Several Orai Roberts students have contacted Riders by email and phone to try to set up meetings and dialogue off campus. ORU students have stated that the university has blocked the Soulforce web site from web browsers of resident students. Nathan Bengtson, one of the Riders in charge of the Oral Roberts Univeisity stop, has vowed to find ways to reach out to students regardless of the administration's tactics. "We've met obstacles at every school we've visited so far; and in every instance we have found ways to dialogue with students. It is time for this issue to be discussed." y ur1JL Sales Associate ION DOLLAR PRODUCER" ffice: (918) 496-2252 625-6377 fax (918)491-6351 · . . 91.02 ".ilS6 t-!,3-". ',, . . . . 16 Advertising in the STAR is just good business cents. 8l6-231-1196 concoursepa ;oo _5enton _5lvd. Kansas Cit_y, Mo 6+12+ Ga,Y owned and operated we proudl,Y accept the . FKIDE.CAKD fl ook now for Memorial Dag Weekend and tht! Gag/ ride Festival!! t-ANY ONE sta_ying in April will be entered to WIN Depeche Mode Tix!! Just inutes h-om most KC ttractions L ven the little ones will sleep well with us! Call for rates, weekend specials, or exten 437E. 141st Street Glent,,ool, OK 7 4033 918.291.EARL (3275) Serving the Tulsa Metro Area for over 21 Years with PRIDE! CUSTOM DECORATING * HOLIDAY SPECIALS prders by 12noon guaranteed same day delivery. Don't forget Momma for Easter! Floral Arrangements For All Occasions & Holidays Your order is treated with the upmost confidentiality Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine. 17 The Cancer of Fundamentalism What is going on with the world right now? When did hate become so acceptable? It's getting to the point where reading the news is almost too depressing to handle -and that's just the mainstream news. God forbid I should check the LGBT news outlets. For a while, in the 90s, it felt like things were looking up. There were progressive governments in place in many countries, and bigotry and discrimination were largely seen as bad things. Then all that changed. You can pretty much pinpoint the exact day: December 14, 1999, when the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 in favor of Bush and stopped the Florida recount. It was all downhill from there. When Bush became president, the Fundamentalist Christian Right took power. Bigotry and discrimination went from being negative qualities to presidential policy. As Episcopal priest and former Republican Senator John C. Danforth said in a 2005 editorial for The New York Times, "Republicans have transformed our [the Republican] party into the political arm of conservative Christians." Danforth went on to say, 'The problem is not with people or churches that are politically active. It is with a party that has gone so far in adopting a sectarian agenda that it has become the political extension of a religious movement." In other words, the United States is fast becoming a theocracy. The danger with fundamentalism, whether we're talking about Christians or Mus!ims, is that they aren't content to simply believe a cer'tain way; they feel they have to force their beliefs on everyone else as well. You must believe the way they do or eise. That would be bad enough if they simply ranted and raved and protested at funerals, but when they start controlling politics to the point that they are legislating their personal beliefs, the reai trouble begins. Need examples? Look no farther than the Federal Marriage Amendment, or any one of the myriad states following suit. As of February 16, 2006, thirteen states had constitutional amendments pending that would limit or prohibit same-sex marriage and/or other forms of reiationship recognition. Six other states had approved such amendments and were awaiting ratification by voters. My own home state of Maryland is one of those with antigay legislation pending. Last month, state Democrats outmaneuvered Republicans in the House to kill a proposed amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state. A few weeks later, the Republicans bounced back with another version that would permit civil unions while prohibiting marriage. This week, during testimony advising the proposed amendment be dropped, Republican Senator Nancy Jacobs interrupted American University constitutional law professor James Raskin to assert, "As I read Biblical principles, marriage was intended, ordained and started by God - that is my belief. For me, this is an issue solely based on religious principals." Well golly gee, Ms. Jacobs, ever hear of something called separation of church and state? I don't really give a rat's ass what your religious beliefs are. You were elected to uphold the Constitution, not your interpretation of the Bible. This is the part that always gets me. Why should your religion be more valid than say Judaism? Or for that matter, why should your version of Christianity be more valid than any other? After all, not all Christians are opposed to gay rights. If legislating based on personal beliefs is okay, then what if a Jehovah's Witness was elected? They don't believe in celebrating birthdays or exchanging gifts at Christmas. Imagine the national outcry if they introduced legislation outlawing birthday parties and Christmas piesents. The Fundies would be right at the forefront, once again raising their ridiculous "War on Christmas" banners. My point is, while it's unreasonable to expect that an elected official's personal faith will have no influence on their decision making process, it should never come before Constitutional law. Moral codes are variable and, despite what Conservatives would like to believe, no one belief system has a lock on the Truth. There is no basis under civil law that can legitimately be used to outlaw same-sex marriage. Historical precedent wasn't good enough for woman's rights, black rights, or interracial marriage, and it's not good enough for gay rights, either. The only argument they have is based on religion, and the fact is that's not valid. Fundamentalism is like a cancer. It's eating away at the United States, and, just like cancer, we can't afford to ignore it. It's not going to simply go away. We have to cut it out in order to start healing. Yes, damage has been done, but none of it is irieparable. It's not too late, but we have to wake up and start fighting back. We have to get the slaves to the Fundies out of office. !t won't be easy, especially in the South. They've been slowly entrenching themselves there for decades now. The Conservative Christian movement controls many Senators and (~ontinued ncxr page 18 the STAR, Oklahoma's Premier GLBT Magazine. HEART TO HEART Representatives, contributing millions to their campaigns. They are well-organized in getting the votes, using the pulpit to spread their propaganda. It's high time we organized against them, and it's finally starting to happen. Many states have formed strong LGBT political lobbyist groups in the last few years. These groups are at long last getting the LGBT community and our allies together. If you're not already involved in one of these groups, or at the very .least on their mailing list, what are you waiting for? 'Tm not political" is no longer an acceptable excuse. This is about more than politics. The cancer is spreading and if we don't do something soon, it will be too late. Now that many states have won their war against gay marriage, the Fundies are encouraged. They're moving on to bigger and better things. Their newest issue is gay adoption and, currently, there are 16 states addressing differing levels of restriction. First marriage, then adoption. It doesn't take much imagination to see where this is leading. We can put a stop to it, however, by electing fair-minded men and women as our senators, representatives, governors, mayors, and, yes, president. 2006 is a midterm election year. It could very well set the tone for the next presidential election. Be sure to know your candidates, get involved, and most importantly, get out there and vote! It's the only way to stop the cancer of Fundamentalism. health outreach prevention education, Inc. 1-800-535-AI DS (2437) Oklahoma's HIV/STD Hotline PRO PROTECT YOUR PARTl\l~R(S) * Free nonjudgmental HIV testing, inoiudirig ffie '20 minute OraQuick Test. * Free Syphillis screening at the GLBT Comrrlunlty Center on Tuesdays from 6-Bpm H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic Mens 01Jtreach Progra,n In Tulsa at(918) 812-7045 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) NAME: _______________ _ Address: _______________ _ City: ________ St: ___ Zip:. ____ _ Phone: ________ _ Check enclosed Money Order Starr Date: ______ _ FREE HIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing the last Sunday of each month benveen 5PM and 6PM. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sunday Seffice 6PM Your Invited to our Communitv Dinner Every \Xled. 6pm just $4.00. No one 1s turned away. The STAR since 2003 19 I Lesbian Notions by Libby Post APRIL 2006 "JUSTIFY OUR LOVE" Leah Crask and Teresa Weeks met like many lesbians meet - through some friends. One of Teresa's friends actually asked Leah out first. But, as the saying goes, love always finds a way, and now Leah and Teresa are happily ensconced in their San Francisco home with a 9-month-old son. When San Fran's mayor, Gavin Newsom, decided it was only fair for lesbians and gay to marry, Leah and Teresa walked through the doors of City Hall and took their vows on March 1, 2004. · "Getting married was a huge difference," said Leah. "All of a sudden my parents acknowledged that, 'Oh, you're gonna be together forever.'" Leah and Teresa's marital bliss did not last that long, but they didn't break up. By the end of the month, the California Supreme Court enjoined Newsom from granting any more marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and nullified the 4,000 or so same-sex marriages that took place while those licenses were being granted. Instead of being legally married, Leah and Teresa only have their domestic partner registration to prove the validity of their relationship. Not to be taken lightly, having domestic partner laws are better than not having them, but just imagine how hurtful it must have been for Leah, Teresa, and the thousands of other couples who one day celebrated the love they always knew to be true and the next day were told, "Sorry, you really don't count." According to a new ~dy entitled "I Do, But I Can't: The Impact of Marriage Denial on the Mental Health and Sexual Citizenship of Lesbians and Gay Men in the United States," being denied marriage rights has had a tremendous negative impact on our mental heaith and well-being. Whiie we have creatively taken the "defining our own family structure'' situation firmly in hand, the study found that our inability to marry creates "the mental distress of second-class citizenship." The "I Do, But I Can't" study is co-authored by Gilbert Herdt, Ph.D., an anthropologist and director of the National Sexuality Resource Center at San Francisco State University, and Robert Kertzner, M.D., a practicing psychiatrist who is also an adjunct associate research scientist in Coiumbia University's Department of Psychiatry. When it comes time for the Christian Right to try to discredit the study, the authors' academic pedigrees should give the findings some insulation. So what did Herdt and Kertzner find? When comparing married straights to unmarried straights, they found that married individuals have better mental health, more emotional support, less psychological distress, and lower rates of psychiatric disorder than unmarried folks. They found that hetero social networks support marriage. A case study in rural Oregon showed how married hets can comfortably rely on their churches, local schools, and neighborhood visibility to secure or enhance jobs, form political alliances. and access social support such as childcare. A same-sex couple iesiding in the same town was shut out of these opportunities because ... they weren't a straight, married couple. When looking solely at gay and lesbian couples, the study found, among many things, that the lack of legally recognized marriage may cause couples not to value their relationships as legitimate expressions of commitment and "intimate sexual citizenship." Not being able to marry also deprives many of us of social and family support. According to Herdt and Kertzner, having this type of support counteracts stress and social isolation. Remember, Leah's parents didn't consider her relationship with Teresa as real until they got married. While Leah and Teresa's legal marriage may be null and void, they haven't fallen victim to devaluing their relationship. Yet, they do struggle every day with having to prove to the world that they are in a committed, loving relationship. Leah became pregnant with Caden after their marriage was voided. When it came time to make sure their son's birth certificate listed both of them. Leah pre-packed their domestic partner certificate so she had it when her delivery time came. "It's usually not the first thing you think of when you go into labor," she said. When it actually came time to fill out the certificate, the state hadn't kept up with its own legislative changes, and the birth certificate still said mom and dad. "There was no appropriate form to recognize a domestic partner on a birth certificate." said Teresa. Leah was surprised that they had to cmss out "mother and father" and put down "parent 1 and parent 2." But, in order to guarantee that Teresa is iegally Caden's parent, they are going through the second-parent adoption process. Teresa pointed out that if a married couple had to go to a sperm bank in order to conceive, the husband wouldn't have to go through this process, even though he is not genetically related to the child. "It's a little hard to swaliow that we have to go through a different process that's more invasive and more expensive," said Teresa. "It's painful to have to adopt your own child." But the pain is even deeper. "It's always, 'Is your relationship enough?' 'Can you prove it enough?"' 20 The Ozarks STAR since 2003 ast Out by Liz Highleyman APRIL 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 John Preston? Author John Preston is perhaps best known for creating the archetypal leatherman, Mr. Benson, but he was also a pioneering gay rights activist. Born Dec. 11, 1945, Preston grew up in Medfield, Mass. He discovered the gay community as a teenager, escaping as often as possible to Harvard Square in Boston to purchase physique magazines, and visiting the gay resort of Provincetown. After graduating from high school in 1963, Preston moved to Chicago to attend Lake Forest College. He became involved in civil rights activism, traveling to Alabama as a freedom rider and tutoring students in Chicago's slums. Having moved to Boston in 1969 in search of a gay community, Preston chose to "come out with a vengeance" after an early lover committed suicide. After this, Preston moved to Minneapolis, where he co-founded Gay House ( one of the first gay community centers) and Gay Community Services. He was also a progressive Christian activist, serving as a member of the National Council of Churches' Task Force on Gay People in the Church; though he aspired to become an Episcopal priest, he abandoned the idea due to what he saw as the '<hurch's hypocrisy concerning homosexuality. · In the mid-1970s, Preston moved to Los Angeles, where he was hired as editor of the national gay publication, The Advocate_, a position he held for about a year. in a quest to become "the ultimate gay man," he then worked as a hustler in San Francisco before moving to New York City in 1978, where he immersed himself in the S/M underworld. He later recalled that his first bondage scene was with a New Jersey state trooper who tied him to a tree in a deserted nature preserve. In his East Viliage basement apartment, Preston wrote his best-known work, a short story featuring the imperious master Aristotle Benson and his slave Jamie. He submitted the story to _Drummer_ magazine, and soon received a call from the publisher asking if he could turn it into a serialized novel. "Mr. Benson" first appeared in the May 1979 issue, and before long fans were eagerly awaiting each new installment. To the surprise of many, Preston left New York's bustling gay scene a year later, donning oxford-cloth shirts and loafers and settling into small-town life in Portland, Maine, where he could often be found walking his dog, Vlad the Impaler. He had moved to Portland with his lover and slave, Jason Klein, but Klein soon returned to San Francisco: he died not long after as a result of an autoerotic asphyxiation accident. Due to the success of his Mr. Benson stories (published as a book in 1983), Preston himself was cast into the role of the archetypal Topman. But he eventually grew apart from the leather scene, which he felt had been "overtaken by sightseers." He later acknowledged that in writing about that world, he helped popularize it. "Once the gates were open, the mystique began to erode," he wrote. "Leathersex has gone the way of all politics, it's lost its edge." In 1987, Preston, who had become a safer sex educator, learned that he himself was HIV-positive. Dismaye_d at the diagnosis, he could barely write for more than a year, but then went on to edit _Personal Dispatches: Writers Confront AIDS_ (1989). "I certainly found my own imagination rightly constricted by the idea of a deadly virus that was spread by sexual intercourse," he wrote. Preston brought sex writing into the realm of serious gay literature, always resisting pressure to recast his pornography as "erotica": 'The only difference is that erotica is the stuff bought by rich people; pornography is what the rest of us buy," he said. But while much of Preston's work was devoted to sex, he wrote widely in other genres, including a 1984 novel, _Franny, the Queen of Provincetown_, a series of adventure tales featuring gay undercover ex-Marine Alex Kane, and a syndicated column about gay life in Maine. He also edited numerous anthologies, including _Hometowns: Gay Men Write About Where They Belong_ (1991) and _ Sister and Brother: Lesbians and Gay Men Write about Their Lives Together_ (1994, with Joan Nestle). He regularly attended the annual OutWrite conference, was an active member of the National Writers Union, and mentored younger writers. His 1984 collection, I Once Had a Master and Other Tales of Erotic Love_, was among the works confiscated at the border by Canadian customs; he supported the iawsuit of Vancouver's Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium, but died before he could testify at the 1994 Canadian Supreme Court trial. Though quite i!I from complications of AIDS, Preston continued working on his final two anthologies from his hospital bed. He died at his home in Portland on April 28. 1994. A decade after his death, Preston's impact on the leather world endures - in the words of columnist Jack Rinella, "He gave it existence in the minds of thousands of readers, gave image to the dreams we all thought and to the men for whom we searched. 22 Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine What puzzles me about this whole thin with Fred Phelps in a, Kansas by DOUGLAS GLENN I get really get disgusted when I read or see in the news about the idiot, Fred Phelps in Topeka who does all of these bizarre things that he does in the name of "Christianity". He has been around for a long time and has caused so much havoc in the world and especially in Topeka, Kansas where he lives. We all need to know who our enemies are and he is indeed one of the worst. Even thou his website is total garbage you need to go to it once in a while just to see what kind of hate he is spewing: www.godhatesfags.com. After reading all the crap that he is putting out, then go to www.godhatesfredphelps.com to get another version of exactly what he is doing. The one thing that really irks me is that when he used to picket gay funerals the local and State governments just stood by and watched and wouldn't do anything about it. Only when he began to picket the funerals of American soldiers coming back from the war in Iraq did the local and State governments finally step in and hurriedly enacted laws keeping him at a great distance at funerals. It's great that they finally enacted this law but why didn't they do it before now? We have made a LOT of progress in these past few years and I do mean a LOT! But we need to continue the progress each and every day. In many parts of the country, being "gay" is just a part of life. Even in many cities here in the Midwest gays lives in the suburbs and have no problems with being gay at all: The teaching profession which used to be a no-no for gays now has an open door policy for "out'' gay teachers and they do not encounter any problems. Seems as thou it is just in the major cities in the Midwest that things are really changing and fast for gay equality. Just like being black or Jew, almost any minority still faces problems all the time. Will this ever change? I would certainly like to think so but am afraid that we are still a long way off. Sure gays can "pass" whereas blacks cannot. Jews used to change their last names to "pass" and it worked. But who wants to "pass" anymore? I certainly don't! I am a single gay white male and proud of who I am. I honestly believe that if there is a God, that God made me the way that I am. Why shouldn't I be proud of who I am? Is the cup half empty or half full? Each individual must make that decision for themselves. I have taiked with many older gay men in the community and they are amazed how open it is to be gay now. Their dreams of long ago has arrived and they are proud of what they did to encourage it. I just hope that in the next few years that it will be completely different than it is now. But we do have a lot of straight allies in our community who along with us are fighting for our rights. Always piaise them for what they are doing. We need them and they are so nice to help us. The STAR since 2003 23 Rs Salutations and welcome once more to sluts "R" us, err something like that. This month Cncle Mikey recovers from a love affair of epic proportions. I mean whew, that man was just too much. It was like being at rhe DQ and trying to take that extra dip, knowing your body. just won't handle it. I mean; it just was not right. While appealing, some mountains just are not meant to be climbed. Sadly, I had ro cur that stallion loose, sending him back into the wild. I hope he does not do any damage; talk about putting your eye out. I bet the censors are 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. Kittens, I tried, really I did. You just can't get a twelve in a size ten; I don't care how you work ir. Dear Uncle Mikey, At the college I attend, I have met, well kind of mer, this man. He is in some of my classes and all I can say is he is fine. He makes me perk up every time I see him. I have seen him with several females, assuming that he is straight. To teil you the truth that just makes the attraction stronger. I want him only for a short rime. These are my college years, I'm supposed to experiment. So, should I just get him drunk so ne can eqjoy my tale!.'lts? I realiy want this guy, so bad I have been ignoring the' guys who would giadly enjoy my company. What should I do? Frat-boy-lecious Dear Kitten, A.K.A. butter, you kaow what you want, and I would even say, you have already greased the Kegger nozzles, awaiting your frat boy knight. Uncle cautions howeYt:r, as though some straight wayward boys may let pu play~ some may not. Ob' who are .,,·e kidding, order rum a pizza and seal the deal. A straigh: colJege boy is like a walking drive through; you can have it your \Vay, if there is a good supply of beer and pizza. That's Amour' Smooches-Michac Uncle Mikey, I think my boyfriend of ten years has been seeing someone on the side. I have no real proof per say, just a nagging feeling in my gut. Sex has become strained, and I figured it was just because we had become so routine in our ways. I now see him acting like he is getting ready for a hook up though he tells me, working late, going on errands, ect. I do not want to be one of those jealous types, questioning every move. I also do not want to be living with someone else who is living with everybody. Know what I mean? What would you do? Suspecting in Ohio Dearest Suspecting, Kitten, I tell this repeatedly. If they are not getting ir at home, they are getting it somewhere. Via, liaison, hand-to-hand combat, somewhere, a man is a man after all. Secondly, if you feel something is amiss than more likely than not, there is. I would sit your man down and confront him with you feelings, prepared to hear whatever it is awaiting for you. Communication can be taken for granted after being with someone for a while, though never does the importance change in any relationship. He may be wondering why you rwo are not doing the bunny mambo across the front lawn anymore. Take ir a step at a time, as anything and anyone worth having is worth working for. Smooches-'Mikey Dear :Mikey, Where did your site go? I really enjoyed it and miss going there every week. A fan of Mikey's Kitten, You have touched me; moreover, I am willing to touch back. Kitten, The world is not ready for an entire corner of Mikey, lets break them in slowly shall we? Smooches- :Mikey Dear Uncle Mikey, My friends all give me a hard time telling me that I am stuck in the eighties. While, this is a joke to some, it is a way of life for me. I belong to that rime, style, and music. It was a rime that meant something more than found in the hallow music and style of today. Bring back the eighties'. Mrs. Garret's boy Dearest Kitten, Gimme-a-break! A virgin you are not, while time has turned and the beat goes on. You must accept the, facts of life, if you really want to enjoy tne good-times. This is a serious condition even if spoken through ca::eless whispers. Hanging on to the past can only prevent you from seeing the new and exciting rimes of today. You may be missing opportunity if you are looking behind yot.:. If you want to :1ear anyone say, I want your sex, ~han you must nip it in ci1e bud ;o to speak. Like a prayer, I send you good thoughts. Let go and let Cheri ... Smooches-Mikey Get with it, don't you wish your Guri was Hot like me? Yes, Kittens, Uncle Mikey is time:ess, whi!s~ my flame shall lead yet another generations of young queers evernvhere. \'{'ell Kittens, I guess that is all the time for this month. Until next, time. Smooches-l'ncle Mikey 26 The STAR since 2003 Easter Blackberry Wine Cake 1 White cake mix 1 pkg (3oz) Royal Blackberry gelatin. 4 Eggs. 1 cooking oil. 1 lackberry wine (use real blackberry wrne, not blackberry flavored.) 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine dry cake mix an latin, add eggs, oil and wine. Beat mixer on low speed until moistened, then beat on Medium speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Grease and heavily flour a Sundt cake pan. Sprinkle pecan pieces in bottom of pan. Pour in batter and bake 45 to 50 minutes. Make aze while cake is baking. When cake is done, take from oven and pour f glaze over warm cake while still in pan. Let cool 30 minutes, turn cake out of pan. Add more powdered sugar glaze until thickened and pour glaze over cake. GLAZE 1 Cup powdered sugar. 1/3 cup butter or oleo. 1/2 cup blackberry wine. ~~to all. ... and it's time for a spring party. The April drink is a punch to make for Sunday Brunch or any get together. It's fruity delicious with the taste of passion fruit and raspberries. Mix up a pitcher full and enjoy. PASSION FRUIT PUNCH 1 oz. Parrot Bay Passion Fruit Rum 1/2 oz Chambord 2 oz Orange Juice 2 oz Cranberry Juice 2 oz Pineapple Juice Fill tall glass with ice. Add all ingredients. Garnish with lime, orange and cherry. Oklahoma's most read GLBT Magazine 27 QSco by Jack Fertig APRIL 2006 "Write polemics, Aries!"" es Mars opposing Pluto boosts stamina and determination, but also raises tempers and belligerence. With Mars in Gemini and Pluto in Sagittarius, it's more bark than bite. Keep longrange goals in mind, and you can achieve almost anything. Venus entering Pisces doesn't help you focus, but she does bring more accommodation and gentleness. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Write polemics, take up a challenging study, or do whatever you can to keep your hyper- charged brain productive and out of useless arguments that will quickly get very nasty. This is an ideal time to go in drag as Ann Coulter. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Your sweetness and sensitivity will boost your image and your career. Tangling with banks, insurance, or tax offices is not a good idea right now. Tangling with someone who knows how to talk dirty is a much better option. GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Although you believe in ideals of sweetness and light, you are too tempted to get down and dirty in the trenches. That makes for vicious arguments, but fantastic, passionate sex. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Worry can make you sick. Calm your mind and strengthen your body with some gentle physical activity, such as hiking or tai chi - or sex. Dancing is also helpful, and it makes you especially sexy. LEO (July 23 -August 22): The fun just doesn't stop. Yo~ may want to apply that energy to some artistic brilliance - if you can figure out what to do. The one you love offers great inspiration, but no focus. If you can pick a goal and stick with it, you can shifle! VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Try to find purpose and elegance in whatever task is at hand. This will calm your furiously busy brain and help keep you out of trouble. The boss may appreciate some of your ideas, but not nearly all of them! LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Despite your i.ntention to make things agreeable, your sense of justice can push you to be very provocative. Sometimes that's necessary, but now you tend to go overboard. Try to think of life more as a creative game than as a struggle. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21 ): Although your sex drive is especially high, thinking distracts from doing. What are the actual value and cost of erotic fun? Traditional ideals may offer grounding or confusion, but need to be dealt with at some level. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Arguments with your parlner are hard to avoid. Poetry, music, movies, and arl all offer pleasant diversion. Just having it out and clearing the air may be the better course, and the make-up sex should be terrific! CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Remember that your strength is in advancing carefully. Sudden frantic bursts of activity threaten to undennine your work and your health. Stay focused on your goals and don't get ahead of yourself! AQUARIUS (January 20- February 18): Harebrained schemes are screaming for you to invest your time and money. Put time into pleasure and future hopes, but guard your money carefully! When friends let you down, remember they are only human. 28 Adverlising in the STAR is just good business cents. Arkansas, Eureka Springs 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 - - - - - - - - - - -4 79-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - 105 E VanBuren- - - - - -479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fa etteville (479) Condom Sense - - - - - - 4 . 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 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 - - - - 101 O 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 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- - - - - 316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava Catus Canyon Campground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's---- --716S.Main- -------------417-627-9035 MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - - - - - - - - - - - -- Sun-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816) Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -816-561-0625 Concourse Park B&B - 300 Benton Blvd -- - - - -816-231-1196 Missouri, Lampe 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 Liquors & Kickers- - - - - 1109 E. Commercial- - - - --417-873-2225 Martha's Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive - - - - - - - - - - 417-864-4572 Priscilia's - - - -1918 S. Gienstone - - - - - - - - - - -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, Enid Hastings Books- - - -1_04 Sunset - - - - - - - - - - - - 580-242-6838 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - -4810-A West Garriott- - - - - - - 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton Triangles- - - - - 29 SW "D" Ave- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 580-351-0620 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 Club Rox- - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy- - - - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Cristies 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 Finish Line - - - - - - - 2200 NW 39th Expwy- - - 405-525-2900 Gushers Restaurant- - - - 2200 NW 39Exp - - - - - - -405-525-0730 HollywoodHotel- - - - 3535 NW 39th Ex- - - - - - - - - -405-947-2351 Habana Inn - - - - - - 2200 NW 39th Exp- - - - - - - -405-528-2221 Hi-lo Club - - - - - - - 1221 NW 50th- - - - - - - - - - - - 405-843-1722 Jungle Reds - - - - - -2200 NW Expwy- - - - - - - - - - -405-524-5733 Partners- - - - - - - - - 2805 NW 36th St - - - - - - - - - -405-942-2199 Priscilla's- - - - - - - - 615 E. Memorial- - - - - - - - - 405-755-8600 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St- - - - - - - - - - 405-525-5165 Sisters- - - - - - - - - - 2120 NW 39th St- - - - -- - - - -405-521-9533 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 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 - - - - - - - 7 - -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. 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 Pi - - - - - - - - - 918-834-3007 Priscilla's - - - - - - - - -7925 E. 41 st- - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla's - - - - - - - 5634 W. Skelly - - - - - - - - - - - 918-446-6336 Priscilla's - - - - - - - 11344 E. 11th - - - - -- - - - - - - -918-438-4224 Prisciila's - - - - - - - - 2333 E. ?1st- - - - - -- - - - - -918-499-1661 Renegades- - - - - - - - 1649 S. Main - - - - - 918-585-3405 Rob's Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- - - - - - - - - 918-627-1505 Tulsa CARES- - - 3507 E. Admiral Pl- - - - - - - - - - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Eagle- - - - -1338 E. 3rd - - - - - - - - - - - - - -918-592-1188 TNT's - - - - - - - - 2114 S. Memorial- - - - - - - - - - - 918-660-0856 Whittier News Stand- - 1 N. Lewis- - - - - - - - - - - - 918-592-0767 Yellow-Brick-Rd- - - - - - 2630 E. 15th- - - - - - - - - - 918-293-0304 TULSA EAGLE 1338 E 3rd, Tulsa, OK 918-592-1188 * Leather, Levi, Fetish * Hottest Local Men * Karaoke Wensday 1 0pm * Male Dancers Fri & Sat * Members Party Every Sun 6pm PROPERTY FOR SALE OR LEASE Condo for rent 980 Sq ft.1 bed room plus den $500. pius Elect. 66th and Peoria House for rent or sale Aprox 1800 sq ft 2 bedroom 2.5 baths 2 I replace $900.00 Month plus Sheridan Area sales price $128.000 Possible lease purchase. FOR SALE: 6711 E 58th Pl. 3 Bed 2 Bath 2 Living Swimming Pool $140.500 Tracy 918-625-6377 Keller Williams 3007 E. ADMIRAL PLACE. TULSA, OK LADIES NITE 1.25 LONGNECKS 3- 8 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 open 12noon to 2am C,osed Monday. Get results with STAR Classifieds! * Full Body, ~ports, Hot Stone *- Hand and Foot Scrubs * In-House Clinic * Day~, Evenings and Weekends Call for an appointment and rates. 918~857-2805 MAGICAL MASSAGE Located in NW Oklahoma City Full body deep tissue massage. Call Mark 405-949-1991 Experience Total Relaxation Jay Whiteside 918.902.1461 Tulsa Metro PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 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, April 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 4 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 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 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 Ward 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, March 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 3 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/239 The Star Magazine, May 1, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 4 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/240 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/223 Advice Column Bamboo Lounge Bitter Girl Cartoon Chelsea Boys classifieds Club Majestic Club Maverick Comics Distributers Easter Blackberry Wine Cake Fred Phelps Fundamentalism Gay Games Greg Louganis H.O.P.E Heart to Heart John Preston Kathy Taylor Lesbian Notions Mr. Leather Oral Roberts University Out of Service Passion Fruit Punch Past Out Q Scopes Soulforce Equality Riders Star entertainment Star Scene The Gay Travelers Uncle Mikey vacation https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/1453e09b8524b3f446859b0b3d845442.jpg 65c3b7764a6caca1809f866458f3a56a https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/b913661c9cd978fc896085ea9e4c8edc.pdf 1dfb0d2e13624011bbb7682629a7c3cd 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 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 FREE Ooe:hundred people protested outside the Iranian Embassy in London 11 August 2005 coinciding with simultaneous US· and European , protests against !rans tyrannical, homophobic, misogynistic and . fundamentalist regime. . · . We cooqcililn the execution of two teenage boys in Iran on charges !fi.volving hOtQosexual acts. One of them was a minor at the time of !-Js · . ; lioth were minors when they commitrcd. t&ifr offences. OutRage! ~s ah end•k> the death penalty. We express o_ur soliijarity with Iranians · democracy and human rights, said protester Aaron Saeed, LGBT human rights group OutRagc!, f five simultaneous iocernational Dublin. Sao Francisco, Paris and · st Irans use of the death penalty and i , gay and bisextial peopje. don protesters were membem of LGBT, 5oda!ittt and human · n left-wingen, exiles and asylum seekers; induding an brother was executed and his body dragged ------ . . Openly Gay Candidc,te to run for Tulsa Mayor's 0ft:ie::e.! ... Wouldn't those headline_s .send a few heads into a Linda Blare spin~arofo:id? . But wouidn't it be a pro · · r ill of us if it were true? With the 2006 Tulsa City efectionf ·•· . coming tip, why haven't_ openlycgJLJ arid lesbian candidates voiced in ,.·, · running for elective office? I · are many qualified peopl~ in,, gay community that would mainstream good ole hors . for their money. Could be, we haven't enough or ignored enough we just don't give a daJ?O content with our third d,ass. We do have the right to vot~, . • many of the GLBT .cornmunity,arf~ot registered or just donlt vote becaustw~ have no representation. · • •: · The GLBT community of the ci Tulsa and Tulsa County deserve represented by someone who fo; equality. A son ' .. be who they are ancl ... intimidated by Ottf,l many solid citizeru;, who are qualified,.ti:> . We encourage then{ torstand up and say to all who will li~nf;f!J am a gay citizen and I am running £of the· office of Mayor for the City oftr\jl~a'.'' ............. AMEN! C D. Ward/ Editor in Chief National Gay and lesbian Task Force study finds that Social Security privatization will dlsproportlonately harm lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans 'Social Security privatization is a gamble with the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders. It is a gamble our community simply cannot afford. · -National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 The National Gay and Lesbian Task :Force released a report today that finds that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans will be disproportionately harmed by President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security. According to Selling Us Short: How Social Security Privatization Will Affect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans, LGBT Americans, on average, have lower incomes than their heterosexual counterparts, which translates into lower Social Security benefits when they retire. In addition, same-sex couples are not eligible for Social Security's spousal and survivor benefits provisions, making the LGBT community disproportionately vulnerable to the benefit cuts and risks inherent to the president's plan. 'There is a widespread myth that gay people are economically advantaged compared to heterosexuals. U.S. Census data and other national surveys indicate the opposite. In fact, gay and bisexual men earn anywhere from 13 percent to 32 percent less than heterosexual men," said Sean Cahill, director of the Task Force's Policy Institute, which published the study. "If we earn less, we receive a lower Social Security payment in retirement. Any proposals that cut retirement benefits will dis ·onately hui;t gay people." Us Short finds that LGBT people of color, in particular, face an income disadvantage that ieads to lower Social Security benefits. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, black same-sex couples earn roughly $2,000 to $9,000 less in median annual household income than black married opposite-sex couples, and Hispanic same-sex couples earn roughly $1,000 to $4,000 less in median annual household income than Hispanic married opposite-sex couples. Discriminatory government policies, meanwhile, place gay people in an even more economically disadvantaged position, increasing the critical need to maintain the economic safety net Social Security is intended to provide. "Gay people have to report domestic partner health insurance as income to the IRS, but married spouses don't have to report their health coverage as income," explained Cahill. "Gay people can't inherit their partner's pension plan, while a heterosexual widow or widower can be a beneficiary. Not only do we earn less, we are 1ess able to keep what we earn. These are among the many inequities that make same-sex couples particularly vulnerable to cutbacks in Social Security benefits." Added Many Hu, author of the report: "The federal Defense of Marriage Act continues to deny same-sex couples access to more than 1,000 federal benefits and protections of marriage that opposite-sex married couples currently receive, including Social Security spousal and survivor benefits. Even though LGBT Americans pay in to the Social Security system at the same rate as evervone else, our families and children receive fewer benefits, often in times of crisis. If Social Security is to be changed, it shouid be changed so that all families are treated fairly." "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are more likely to age alone and iess likely to have children than their hete:tpse,cual counterparts," said Amber Hollibaugh, the Nationai Gay and Lesbian Task Force's senior strategist and specialist on LGBT elders. "This, coupled with a lower rate of earning makes them particularly reliant on Social Security." Selling Us Short finds that LGBT elders could be negatively ..... cont pg-8 Page 5 SEPTEMBER 2005 by Andrew Collins "Off Beat Washington, D.C." It's sometimes difficult to think of America's capital as quirky. This is the land of buttoned-down politicos and staffers, stately and somber monuments, dignified oldworld hotels, and mahogany-paneled restaurants. It's a city of grand traditions and regal architecture, and with a discernibly preppy personality. But if you dig a bit beneath Washington's surface, you can easily discover a city with a surprisingly high funk factor, from its several hip (and gay-popular) boutique hotels to tour operators that allow you to see the city from perspectives you've probably never imagined. If it's been a while since you visited D.C., or you're mired in the habit of visiting the same old museums, bars, and neighborhoods, try thinking outside the box the next time you're headed to Washington. Here are just a handful of ways to get in touch with the city's offbeat attractions. _ Learn to be a better spy._ You haven't seen D.C.'s weird side until you've spent an afternoon touring the International Spy Museum,. which offers an intriguing glimpse into the secret world of espionage. Permanent exhibits offer an eye-opening introduction to the art of professional espionage, display dozens of spy gadgets, and consider the challenges secret agents face in today's topsy-turvy world. _ Kayak your way through the capital._ , Here's a novel way to explore Washington and admire its monuments: Rent a kayak from Jack's Boathouse in the tony Georgetown neighborhood, and paddle your way along the historic Potomac River. You can stop and admire the greenery on little-visited Roosevelt Island, enjoy close views of the infamous Watergate building and stunning Llncoln and Washington memorials, and watch herons and cormorants fly across the water. Jack's provides instruction and equipment, and when you're finished with your adventure, you can return to Georgetown and spend some time checking out the neighborhood's slew of upscale shops and fine restaurants. _ Stay at snazzy hotel._ The San Francisco~based Kimpton Group has six ultra-chic boutique properties in the District. Kimpton's dashing Hotel Rouge sits just off classy Embassy Row, an easy walk from gay nightlife on: R. Street, and contains 137 spacious rooms bathed in reds and yellows and a swanky lounge serving such memorable co4tails a:s the Madonna (Cuervo, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, and fresh orange ru;id lii:o;e juices). Near up-and-coming Lo~ Circle, the pop-art-inspired Ho~.}lelli:- '\VOWS · · with bold colors (lime-green honor bars, orange-porcelain bathio~m,,flxtures; · . blue settees and ottomans); a, few rooms are outfitted with bunk htrds, making this the ideal locale for a crazy slumber party • .Other D.C. Kimptons iAclud~ the Hotel Madera and Topaz Hotel, both near way-gay Dupont Circle; tn,e .Hotel George, near Capitoi Hill; and the Hotel Monaco, which is downtown. . . Typical in all the Kimpton properties, in addition to stylish .decor and personalized service, are minibars stocked with fun snacks (from Bugles to Pop Rocks), Aveda bath products, flaMcreen TVs, free high-speed Internet, cordless phones, and evening wine receptions - all of these hotels are pet-friendly, too . ........ continued next page. Page 6 Out of Town _ Catch a Nats game._ After more than a 30-year absence, major-league baseball returned to Washington in 2005 with the Nationals, formerly Montreal's beleaguered Expos. For now they play in frumpy RFK Stadium (plans are underway for a brandnew stadium, which should open in the next few years), but the Nats have been playing great baseball thus far and drawing huge crowds. So you're not a baseball fan and can't see the fun in watching a Nationals game? You obviously haven't yet seen talented (and hunky) rookie outfielder Ryan Church in uniform. _Nosh someplace new._ Washington's long-revered dining scene keeps improving thanks to the bevy of admirable new restaurants that have opened here in recent years. On Capitol Hill, within walking distance of several gay bars, Sonoma has brought superbly crafted contemporary American fare and a dazzling wine list to this upand- coming neighborhood. Try a sampling of fine cheeses with a glass of pinot noir, or opt for something more substantial, like cedar-plank wild salmon with white beans and pancetta-leek compote. Another great see-and-be-seen option that also happens to serve outstanding food, Zaytinya opened in 2002 and remains trendy as ever. This downtown favorite serves dozens of Middle Eastern-inspired mezes (similar to tapas), such as scallops with yogurt-dill sauce, seared lamb chops with rosemary syrup, and olive oil-marinated baby eggplant stuffed with walnuts and tomatoes. The snazzy David Greggory RestauLounge has a strong following with the city's queer community and presents stellar Mediterranean fare, such as truffle-scented pizza with three cheeses and roasted garlic, and seared halibut with braised fennel, ,spaghetti squash, and shellfish stew. Another gay fave, the fabulous pub-grub cnain Hamburger Mary's dishes up plenty' of attitude plus great food at its Washington branch. The - hefty ground-beef patties are legendary try the Blue Boy (topped with bleu cheese and bacon).'Finally, for an all-out magicai dining experien:ce, book a tabie at CityZen, inside Wasnington's newest iuxury hotel, the exquisite Mandarin Oriental. Inventive standouts like pantoasted squab with pumpkin, baby leeks, and cinnamon jus, and chestnut soup infused with quince and chopped ham have made CityZen and its star chef, Eric Ziebold, famous. _ Make a detour to Alexandria. Just 6 miles down the Potomac River from Washington, the historic city of Alexandria, Va., beckons with a beautifully maintained Old Town historic district and loads of enchanting shops and charming restaurants. Area highlights include Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House, Alexandria's Black History Museum, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and the newly opened U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Museum, where you can learn about all kinds of inventions, from the computer mouse to the helicopter. Be sure to wander off the beaten path a bit to the up-and-coming DelRay neighborhood, where Mt. Vernon Avenue is lined with independently owned boutiques and funky cafes. Don't miss businesses like Eight Hands Round (for smart antiques and contemporary home furnishings), Eclectic Nature (for cool garden gadgets and gifts), Del Ray Dreamery (for addictive Wisconsin-style frozen custard), and Monroe's (for delicious regional American and Italian cooking). _ Cruise D.C.'s coolest gay bar. In the rapidly gentrifying Logan Circle neighborhood, Halo definitely has the slickest look of any gay bar in town. The futuristic second-floor space with a backlit bar stocked with premium liquor draws a well-dressed, eclectic crowd of men and women of all ages. Grab a seat in one of the cushy lounge chairs, listen to the mod pop tunes, and soak up the smoke-free ambience. Browse the stalls and catch breakfast at Eastern Market. Just a fow block; beyond the U.S. Capitol building you'll find the wonderfully coiorful Eastern Market, whose food hall abounds with enticing vendors selling everything from artisanal cheeses to fresh-caught Maryland seafood. You can also enjoy a fabulous down-home meal at Market Lunch, a greasy-spoon diner serving tantalizing blueberry pancakes and crab cakes Benedict. Additional draws include a Page 7 SOCIAL SECURITY from pg-5 affected by privatization. By 2030, the estimated population of LGBT seniors will range from two to eight million. LGBT elders may be especially dependent on public services for the elderly, including Social Security, because they may be without the same familv support systems as heterosexual seni~rs. "It is would be wrong to support privatization in exchange for opening a portion of Social Security to same-sex couples while overlooking the fact that marriage equality - which the Bush administration vehemently opposes would guarantee all Social Security benefits to all same-sex couples. We are unwilling to trade illusory benefits against the benefits and rights of other Americans," said National Gav and Lesbian Task Force Executive· Director Matt Foreman. Cherokee lesbians face new legal hurdle Ann Rostow, PlanetOut Network Thursday, August 11, 2005 Two Cherokee women are again under legal assault because of their marriage, just days after winning a victory before the tribe's highest court, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal in Tulsa, Okla. Dawn McKinley and Kathy Reynolds obtained a legal marriage certificate from tribal authorities last year. They married in May of 2004, but before thev had a chance to register their marriage with a lower tribal court clerk, a local attorney, Todd Hembree, stepped in with a challenge. Aided bv the National Center for Lesbian Rights, McKinley and Reynolds argued that Hembree lacked standing to contest their marriage. In .the interim, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted to define marriage as a union of a man and a woman, guaranteeing that same-sex couples in the furore could not obtain a marriage certificate to begin with, let · alone register a marriage with the coui:~. Obtaining a marriage certificate in Cherokee law is the equivalent of obtaining a marriage license in the U.S. system. After a ceremony is held, marriage licenses are signed by the officiating party and filed with the appropriate state office. Last week, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal ruled that Hembree indeed lacked standing to intervene in the marriage procedures, stating that he "has failed to show that he will suffer individualized harm" as a result of the lesbian union. On Tuesday, members of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council acted preemptively to block the couple from again trying to file their certificate, petitioning the high court to issue a declaratory judgment confirming that the law against same-sex marriage applies retroactively to the McKinley-Reynolds wedding. According to the Tahlequah Daily Press, the petition was signed by eight of the 15 council members. The members also asked the court to issue a temporary injunction preventing the lower court from accepting the women's paperwork, insisting that the Cherokee Nation will suffer irreparable harm if the documents are allowed to be submitted, and possibly accepted, by the court. · "Those of us listed on the petition believe we were in a situation where we could do one of two things," said member Audra Smoke-Conner. "We could either sit back and wait to see if the couple tried to file the certificate, and if they did, wonder whether the court clerk would accept it. Or, we could act swiftly to block the filing of the certificate." rt for Marriage Equal Rises ain Gaywire Release: New York, NY (August 5, 2005): A recent national poll, released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center, reports that support for marriage equality is at its highest point since July 2003. For the first time, a majority of Americans (53%) are in favor of legal recognition for lesbian and gay couples that would offer many of the same rights and responsibilities as non- gay married couples, while support for ending discrimination in marriage itself has "rebounded" and continues to grow. In a shift from some of the dips in the past few months, fully 35% of Americans said they support ending discrimination in marriage and allowing committed same-sex couples to marry, while only 53% oppose. "This is exactly what the right wing is afraid of," said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, the gay and non-gav partnership working to win marriage ' equality nationwide. "If we stick with the conversation and persist in engaging the non-gay public on marriage equality, the public will move to fairness." ''People have had a year of legal marriage in Massachusetts to see how ending marriage discrimination helps gay and lesbian families and hurts no one," continued Wolfson, author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry, which was recently re-released in paperback by Simon &. Schuster. "The long-term trend in Atμerica's civil rights discussion, including this recent rebound of public ~upti9.,:t for marriage equality, which follows the ferment and barrage of the past several months, demonstrates the pO'~'.~t;of engaging the public and showing t.Kem the realitv of marriage equality, fail:i~r than rightwing rhetoric and scare tactics. When it comes to opening h~~s. ~d minds on fairness and reaching the middle, seeing is, in fact, believing.•,.~·~·- - According to the Pew poll, support for the freedom to marry, as well as for civil union and other steps toward marriage itself, has also increased among most religious groups, especially among white evangelical Protestants, from 26% in December 2004 to 35% today. Polling results show a continuing decline (from 35% in August 2004 to 29% today) in support for a constitutional amendment to permanently exclude lesbian and gay couples, and their families, from the rights, responsibilities, and protections of marriage. Freedom to Marry is the gay and nongay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Launched in 2003, Freedom to Marry is headed by Evan Wolfson, nationally recognized as a central "architect of the marriage equality movement." Freedom to Marry guides and focuses this social justice movement on a natiomvide level, serving as a strategy and support center for national, state, and local partners, a catalyst that drives and shapes the national debate on marriage equality, and an alliance-builder fostering support from non-gay allies. Some Marriage History 1948: Perez v. Llppold - Despite public opposition, the California Supreme Court became the first state high court to declare a ban on interracial marriage unconstitutional. 1965: Griswold v. Connecticut - invalidated a Connecticut law prohibiting the use of contraception by married couples. 1967: Loving v. Virginia - U.S. Supreme Court overturned laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Polls showed 70 percent opposed. " 1971: Baker v. Nelson - (Minnesota) The · first case for ending discrimination in marriage is brought in the United States. 1993: Baehr v. Lewin - In a landmark ...... continued page 12 Page 9 Page 14 Serving our community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois & Colorado This Is Shelter Country. Here in our community you will find Shelter Agent Greg Tainter. We're proud to serve this community and our customers. Call today and ask about our services. Auto -Home Life Business Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866) 208-9480 gtainter@shelterinsurance.com www.shclterinsurancc.com to3pm closed sundays. Subscribe to the S Want the STAR delivered to your home or office? 12 issues for $27.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Just complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 NAME: ___________ _ Address:. ___________ City: _____ St:_Zip: _ _ Phone: ------- Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: ---- N ..... .r.-... If"\ ..... N.... ...... ] tll .u£ ""O V (I) 0 N ... ""O V (I) 0 N ] (I) 0 0 Page 15 •Momma always 'said, Don't say you don't like it until you've tried it!" BAKED CRABMEAT SPREAD 2 tbs. Butter 1 I 4 cup Sliced green onion 1/2 cup Chopped red bell pepper 1 Garlic Clove - minced 2 tbs. Flour 1 / 4 tsp. Black pepper 1 cup Mille 1/4 cup Fresh grated parmesan cheese 3/4 cup Fresh crabmeat 2 oz Shredded cheddar cheese Heat oven to 350F. Grease 9 inch pie pan. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper, onions and garlic. Cook till tender. Stir in flour and pepper. Cook about 1 minute. Gradually add milk until mixture boils. Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese. Fold in crabmeat. Pour mixture in pie pan. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts. Serve with toasted pita bread or your favorite cracker. TIP: Want it spicy - add a chopped jalepeno pepper. Chef john Patrick grew 11p in an Italian /amiiv and !of.led to watch his mother cook. She' ' inspired him to attend culinary school Che( John's most recent position was with Desen Oaks Country Club in OKC and now resides in T11/s4. FREE HIV TFSTING,NO NEEDLES! SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sunday Service 6PM conjunction with AIDS Project of the ks, MCC Joplin offers free HIV Sunday of each month d 6PM, For your onvenience you can also call 206-6179 for appointment. We use the Ora-sure ethod which does not -iequire the use of edles and we offer i::'omplete nfidentialify. You ni'afalso request oklers on AIDS for People of Faith ugh the PO Box listed above. Spirit of Christ MCC Jopli,i "Serving A Healthier CommHnity" Page 16 Page 17 Saturday, September 24, 2005 FORT SMITH TURN-A-BOUT 2005 WE'RE DOIN~ IT ALL FOR YOU AT ~LUB 1022! 1022 Dodson Avenu:e,,c ,cc,,.- C--: -L- .--.- B- ---Op-en- F-rid-ay- & -Sa-tur-da-y Fort Smith, AR 72901 1I .-. ..-a ..-a 9 PM until 5 AM (479) 782-1845 ..., ...-. ....-. www.club1022.com ;·ij,,~lity web newsprint at affordable prices 405..:478-4009 ~ 6725 N. Miramar Blvd, Okla City, OK 73111 Rodney Burgamy www.c21goldcastle.com 405.840.2106 Joe Brennan Page 18 The Post-G Debate Openly gay writer David Leavitt, author of The Lost Language of Cranes, stirred up quite the maelstrom with his recent opinion piece in The New York. Times. In his column, Leavitt posited the idea that gay books and bookstores are a relic of the past, no longer needed by or relevant to today's LGBT community. He writes, "More and more, gay fiction is giving way to post-gay fiction: novels and stories whose authors, rather than making a character's homosexuality the fulcrum on which the plot turns, either take it for granted, look a_t it as part of something larger or ignore it altogether." He goes on to claim that gay novels and bookscores are, in fact, "obsolete." Needless to say, that didn't go over well with gay bookstore owners. They countered that LGBT bookstores are very much still needed, that while major chains like Barnes and Noble or Bord~rs may carry gay titles, they don't have the vast selection of a gay bookstore nor does their staff have the familiarity and knowledge of those books. As Kim Brinster, manager of the Oscar Wilde Bookshop in New York City wrote, "My staff and I coun: ourselves very lucky ;:o encounter people throughout the day from all over the world and our own country wno come through the store and are happy to be in a place where we read the books we seH, know where to find them, know what to recommend and take the rime to be helpfu!." Leavitt's opinion and the follow-up from Brinster sparked quite the debate on Rainbow Readership, an online LGBT book group to which I belong. Some agreed wholeheartedly with Leavitt while others argued vehemently in defense of gay bookstores. Some argue that gay culture has changed, and because of that, our books have changed as well. As gays and lesbians become more accepted and increasingly mainstreamed, our books no longer have to focus so much on being gay. For many, it's just not the issue it once was, so books about coming out or accepting your sexuality are not as needed. The new "post-gay novel" is about someone who just happens to be gay. His or her sexuality is not the central focus of the story. Whether gay or post-gay, LGBT authors are currently experiencing a level of acceptance we've never seen before. Gay romance authors and reai-life partners Scott Pomfret and Scott Whittier (better known as ~ are enjoying scads of mainstream press, getting interviews and articles in everything from the New Yor~ Times to the Boston Herald. Brem Harciogs:r, author of the bestselling Young Adult novel b and irs sequd The Oak, has enjoyed mainstream success and recognitio[! for his nm·els. Two of the five finalists for this vear's Booker Prize were gay-themed nove"is, The Master by Colm Toibin and The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst, which actually won. There's no doubt that some gay novels are generating interest and sales, and in turn, finding shelf space in mainstream bookstores. Unfortunately, these success srories are the exceptions, not the rule. For every Brent Barringer there are ten more authors whose books will probably never find their way onto a shelf at Barnes and Nob!e - no: because qf.any lack of talen~, but simpiy bec;ause they're not on B&N's radar. You can, however, find them all at your neiM\;>orhood LGBT bookstore. · , .. So what does an author like Brem Hartinger, someone who has experienced mainstream success with his books, think about tne need for gay. bookstores? "Independent booksellers discover "smaller" books, or idiosvncratic ones, or ........... continued next pai,_e - Page 19 HEART TO HEART ones with less obvious media hooks," he explained. "They are not confined by corporate business plans, which see everything in terms of the bottom line, and which, frankly, want to dumb everything down for as mass an audience as possible. Independent bookstores are the HBO and Showtime of the literary world: they're willing to take chances on far more risky offerings. "Gay bookstores do this same thing for gay books, which are almost by definition "small" books, because they target a niche audience. It's true that it's now possible to find the higher-profile gay books in some chain and non-gay independent bookstores these days, and I think that's great. But the market niche is so small that gay titles are not something the chains or online booksellers are ever going to really champion. There's just no big bucks in it. And what about the niche-within-theniche fringe gay titles? Forget 'em. The chains will almost completely ignore anything about transgender folks, or bi folks, or leather dykes, or radical fairies. "My first novel, Geography Club, had a publicity budget of zero. It broke out because gay and other independent booksellers read it, preordered it, and pushed it aggressively. As more and more people read it and wanted it, word filtered out ro the chains. But I give all the credit to the independents for getting the ball rolling in the first place. "I don't fear the closing of gay bookstores because of the loss of a safe community space, or the ending of an era. I fear the closing of gay bookstores because it might very well make gay books more generic, less diverse, and just plain worse." I can remember the first time I walked into the Lambda Rising store in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It was an amazingly affirming experience for a young, recently-out gay boy. To see all those books and rainbows in one place like that was almost overwhelming, but at the same time, I felt a part of something bigger. Sure, there are some people who don't "need" that experience, but there are many who do. For those who are out and have grown comfortable with who they are, or for the growing segment of kids who don't have to come out because they're already comfortable with who they are, maybe gay bookstores and books about "being gay" aren't needed. But let's not forget the many thousands of people, kids and adults alike, who are not out or who are dealing with their sexuality. There are plenty of people for whom a LGBT bookstore is still an affirming and comforting place. Not to mention those who just like shopping in a safe environment where they can ask questions and get recommendations from a knowledgeable staff. Books about "being g:i.y'' are still needed. That's not to say that I don't enjoy books about someone who just happens to be gay, but I also enjoy books about coming out. I don't think it has to· be either/ or. We still need gay bookstores for a variety of reasons, but especially to insure the continued quality and diversity of our books - whether gay or post-gay - so get out there and support your local LGBT bookstore! Buy-In ancl 25 cent draws! all your ,-quests. Doors Open at 8 PM. Page 21 ut by iz Highleyman ______ ..._ _____ ,....._ Sufnmttry;:· Past Out is a .retrospective ·. of key moments,. · and subjects"inLGBrt h~to,&: Each .. . installmen ·· ':'Mt:tt>life by exf?lori . . .. ;6f ih~gaypast and.its• impact ori:;~e'queerjn:eseht.. prosp.tuteflfec~u~6 tlfey,:ia'illdti?rge · other jol5s. l'The Tcnaerlofa was Jm:o as the place Jo go for sex, · , and late-night fun," · · schol~r Di. Susan. Stty:k~ · e others had l:lie freedo · · · · · · · · thb transgeilder 'worn· Turk Street was · Tenderloin's transge. "Turk Sa#t was o .recalled Amanda· S · · the ro! I-Iotel, .~aywar girls" wi A'.t tiie co . between tricks 'and take tcmpor11ry.s refuge from the violence they faced on the streets. "Compton's was a great place to meet," said Tamara Ching, who, like St. Jaymes, was a frequent patron. "It was our own little fairyland." · By 1966, San Francisco had a wellestablished homophile community that included the Daughters of. Bilitis, the Tavern Guild, the Society for Individual Rights, and the Council on Religion and th~ Homosexual. While these gay and lesbian organizations had had some success in .reducing police harassment of gay bars and had made inroads into the city's political establishlnent, the street que~ns and.disadvantaged queer youth were largely left out of the picture. In response, the. youth - with. the help of progressive niinisttrs fro,m Glide Memorial Methodist Cliurcb'. ~ formed i .radical guecr group called Vanguard, wliicb held. its. meetings at Compton?s. ·. In the spmig;9f 1966, new nianageineti~ at Compton's began to disco~ageth · · · ·· ~fyoung queens and hustlers,. · y and often monev - s~arid ,. t:B.cse for transgcnder rights; "There was a lot of .......... contintieil ne:trpage Page 23 joy after it happened," recalled St. Jaymes. "A lot of people went to jail, but I don't give a damn. It needed to happen." Following the alteration, Compton's began closing earlier and its business never fully recovered; it was replaced by a porn shop in 1972. But the event proved to be a turning point for the local transgender community. In the wake of the riot, the police began leaving the queens alone, and a sergeant in the department, Elliot Blackstone, helped get the laws against cross-dressing changed. A new network of social services was established, including city-funded health clinics. The city began issuing new ID cards reflecting transgender women's preferred gender, enabling them to enroll in school and get jobs. A variety of social changes came together in the late 1960s to set the stage for the Compton's Cafeteria altercation and. the later Stonewall riots, including the civil rights movement, urban renewal, the antiwar movement, and the rise of youth counterculture. At about the same time, the new availability of sex reassignment surgery in the United States and a better understanding of transsexualism pioneered by Dr. Harry Benjamin, who had an office near the Tenderloin.- gave transgender people new hope for a brighter future. "Gender itself became a form of politics," argues Stryker. The riot at Compton's was "part of the same social upheaval that gave us unisex fashions, glam rock, gay liberation, and radical feminism." For further information: Carter, David. 2004. _Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution_ (St. Martin's). Gay and Lesbian Historical Society. 1998. "MTF Transge1lcler Activism in the Tenderloin and Bevond, 1966-1973: Commentarv and I~t~ew with Elliot Blackstone!' _GLQ:'/4.),urnal of Lesbian and Gay Studi.cs_. Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 349-372. Stryker, Susan and SiJ:vJ=ro:ian, Victor. 2005. _Screaming QuC;,fn.i;.:. The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria,.,..,(fiim). International Metropolitan Churches Denomination (MCC) Condemns Expulsion of New Orleans Church Group From Roman Catholic facility News Release: August 12,2005 New Orleans - An intern;nu Christian church group hm~ ,t, voice to the current contron : • surrounding a decision by 1.h: ,-:: 11,:u, Catholic Archdiocese of Ne,\ ( :11 kano 'u evict a predominantly-gay d,•:r from meeting at a Roman 1 , • hospice. Despite a signed rental le?""· the facilities, Metropolitan 1 Church of Greater New Ork:i::' (MCCGNO) was evicted bY _Archdiocese because the sm:d: , 1 •.1,•:1: group believes in same-sex •n,rP '::•:. The Reverend Dr. Troy D i'::r, , Moderator of Metropolitan i ,, !',·,:n;,,,. Churches, a Christian denon,1n with churches in 23 countric:, 1 i"' parent denomination of MU , : ··,i ; said, "I am saddened that dK Archdiocese is expelling the n:n t lease-holding congregation, n,:-: 'r• church building, but from ;,n \ DS hospice. They are sending a du,· to people with HIV that the Er:;,u,, Catholic Church welcomes yrn! or dying person, but not as, a loving person. We've grown church that will condescend 1;, ~•:- but not have the simple cou•·t,,: marry us." "In fact, this is the contirnv'.:•,;, pattern of hostility against ga:c• .rnd lesbians by the }\rchdiocese," ,tkkd Perry. "In 1973, in the afternu:1, ,h,.: Upstairs Fire in which 12 nwd"r'. Metropolitan Community Church·, died, the Archdiocese refused , , the doors of any Roman Cath• Church for us to hold memon.,' services." Perry was not the only !\,I( 3 ,, 11,1,·: to speak out on the controvn .\ The Reverend Jim Mituhk:, D:,,:,;t, ,r of I..caciership Development and Seminary Relations for the ,\iC' denomination, added, "Here i,; \, , another act of overt hostility :1• .1H1<c ,c!i ···········-•·····'ontinut!d page-27 Page24 _Libby Post is the founding chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda and a political commentator on public radio, on the Web, and in print media. Lesbian Notions by Libby Post SEPTEMBER 2005 Walk Like a Girl In all of my 47 years, I've never forgotten that day in sixth grade. During recess, a group of girls, whom I considered my friends, were determined to make me walk like a girl. It was 1970. I was a self-avowed tomboy. The Stonewall riots may have been already happened, but I didn't know from gay, straight, or anything in bertveen - I was 12. But it seems mv friends knew better. · They said I walked like a boy, carried my books like a bov, dressed like a bov. Thev · were trying to change who I was. Who, as it happens, I ;tiU am. It was one ~f the , most devastating events of my young life. I broke down in class after recess. Thankfully, my teacher took my fri~ds to task and not me. I can only imagine the pain of 16-year-oid Zach Stark when his parents, not his peers, were the ones telling him. he didn't walk the right way. Zach is a young gay triari who created a small tidal wave with a blog entry that said he was being sent by Mom and Dad to a "we can make you nor gay" camp run by Love in Action International. He wrote that his parents "tell me that there is something psychologically wrong with me ... I'm a big screw up to them ... who isn't on the path God wants me to be on. So I'm sitting here in tears ... and I can't help it." Love in Action's website (www.loveinaction.org) is clear about what was in store for Zach. The group's goal is to erase Zach's realit'j. Under the heading of '~Exploring the Homosexual Myth," I read the following: "There is no such creation as a 'gay' or 'homosexual' person. There is only homosexual attraction and behavior; accordingly, there can be no change for a sexual identity that never existed in the first place." Love in Action's rhetoric mirrors that of groups like Exodus, one of the first exgay organizations to tout the psychobabble of repararive therapy (the practice of trying to alter one's sexual orientation), and Focus on the Family's "Love Won Out" conferences. What these groups believ~ is that acting on same-se~ attraction is just a behavioral problem, and with reparative therapy and finding the love of Christ, all can be cured. Who are they kidding? No reputable therapist or medical pr today buys this hogwash. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association, the n Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association have all agreed that reparariv~ therapy does not work and is harmful to the mental and physical health of lesbians and gay me.a.. But more frightening is the political traction the "ex-gay" mo:v,ement has achieved. Just as the Christian Right's antigay agenda has been absorbed as fact by the majorit\' of Republican elected officials and policy-makers, the fiction of ex-gay policies h;s · wound its way into our schools. Consider this. Maryiand's Montgomery County p:.::b!ic sci.10ols wanted to develop a health curriculum that provided pos:tivt; information for LGBT studems. Once the word got out about the new curriculum, a group calJed PFOX, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (how original), went to court saying the school district was "denigrating" ex~gays. Bad enough that the school district '.Vas providing its srudents with oositive information, but what got PFOX's knickers in a ~ea! tw:sc was that the stud~ms were Lesbian Notions given a list of LGBT positive re~gious groups such as Dignity, More Light Presbyterians, and Lutherans Concerned. PFOX sued to make sure churches teaching that homosexuality is wrong would be included in the curriculum. Their suit accused the school board of "an irrational phobia of the ex-gay community" and said that it "urges censorship of ex-gay materials i1:- 01:11' schools." Astoundingly, U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams agreed with PFOX. Well, I'm sure the folks at Montgomery County schools attempted to do what professional educators do. They sought out information that would help their students, information that has been supported by credible organizations with good reputations. I'll bet they didn't even know there was an ex-gay "community." And that's because there isn't one. All this ex-gay rhetoric and action is just another front for the Christian Right's constant bombardment of our right to exist, let alone gain th_e_ rights aJ?.d responsibilities of other c1t1zens. This suit is just another.example ofthe lengths to which the right will g~ to support their rhetoric that there 1s a "war on Christianity" in this country. But the realitv is this - for kids like Zach, despite his, parents' efforts, his sexual orientation is his sexual orientation. No amount of reparative therapy is going to make Zach walk a different path in life. He knows he's gay and doesn't have a problem with it. Perhaps it's his parents who need some therapy - to accept their son and love him the way he is. Quotable Quotes "Any time you get four or five really strong women doing desperate, dastardly things, I think gay men get a big kick out of it. The moment you put a woman in an evening gown mowing the lawn, it's just gay." - "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherrv to AP Television News, July 16. The show received 15 Emmy nominations this year, more than any show except 'Will & Grace," which received the same number. Out of Town w~ekend farmers market, a Saturday arts and crafts fair, and a Sunday flea market. See Washington by Segway._ - In case you haven't yet laid eyes on one of these quirky yet ingenious contraptions, a Segway Human Transporter is a two-wheel, sel~- . balancing, personal transportation device that moves according to the way you move. Lean forward, it zooms ahead. Lean back sharply, and it stops. City Segway Tours offers incredibly fun fourhour sightseeing excursions through the District. These efficient little machines are remarkably easy to use, and the company's amiable staff gives everyb~dy a helpful training session prior to settm? off. Just keep in mind that passersby will find you and your group of fellow Segway-ers more interesting than most of the city's sights - be prepared to pose for plenty of pictures. When you're riding around on a Segway, you become one of Washington, D.C.'s, most offbeat attractions. The Little Black Book Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association (703-838-4200 or 800-388- 9119, www.funsideofthepotomac.com). City Segway Tours (877-SEG-TOUR, www.citysegwaytours.com). CityZen (Mandarin Oriental Washington, 1330 Maryland Ave., 202-787-6006). David Greggory RestauLounge (2030 M St. NW, 202-872-8700). Eastern Market (7th St. and North Carolina Ave., www.easternmarket.net). Halo (1435 P St. NW, 202-797-9730). Hamburger Mary's (1337 14th St. NW, 202-232- 7010). International Spy Museum (800 F St., 202-EYE-SPY-U .or 866- SPYMUSEUM, www.spymuseum.org). Jack's Boathouse (3500 K St., 202-337- -9642, www.jacksboathouse.com). Kimpton Hotels (800/KIMPTON, www.kimptonhotels.com). Washington Nationals (http:// washington.nationals.mlb.com). Sonoma (223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, 202-333- 2912). Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation (202-789-7000, www.washington.org). Zaytinya (701 9th St. NW, 202-638-0800). Page 25 Page26 Ask Uncle Mikey Advice Column! SEPTEMBER 2005 Well hello kittens-welcome back to uncle Mikey's corner. Uncle spent this week attempting to spend some much needed quality time with delicious. As you all know, he is skillful, yet remains in need of training. The drink factor Kittens, if you are .. going to be my boy, than you damn well better be able to handle a drink order, as Liz would say. His drinks leaves uncle feeling like a sour puss. Lets hope t..hat boy gets it right, or else uncle ·will be forced to vote him off the island. Dear Uncle Mikey, My best friend is a female, who is divorced and has one child. We have been friends since high school more than ten years now. We have never let anything cC>me in-between our friendship, until now. I have tried to help her since she is a single mom. She has a spoiled rotten child, who torments anybody who comes within ten feet of him. He lies, whines, and in general aggravates and brings nothing but drama. She is completely blind to his behavior. I do not know how much more I will be able to take from this monster. I am really afraid this demon child will ruin our friendship. Any thoughts? Friend of Sam. Dear fom, Kitten, I am afraid you are in a most difficult .position. If you address this issue as you have here, I am sure you will lose your friend. Uncle has learned through the years you do not mess with their young, they will eat you alive. If you seriously want to stick it out, than I would suggest genuine and compassionate communication about her spawn of Satan. You must remember the feelings and bond of motherhood. Good luck-Uncle Uncle Mikey thought of children years ago when he was with his second husband, who adored the little ankle bitters. However, I tried and tried, yet could not accessorize a little darling for my own. Alas Mr. Tiddles shall be uncles only child. Until they come out with a fashionable model of child who can mix a martini the way uncle likes it that is. Uncle Mikey, I have been with my partner now for six years. When we got together, we were like twins sharing the same interest. As time has progressed in our relationship, he has become more. feminine in character, while he continues to become more of a flamer every year. We joke about it but deep down, I wish he could cut back a little of the dramatics in his personality. How can I tell him this without hurting his feelings? Burned by the flame. Dearest Burned, Kitten, I would think about this wisely before discussing this. Your partner obviously has achieved the comfort in your relationship where he feels he is truly able to be himself. As individuals go we all age different while evolving into our own. Allow the light of his flame to light your way through your journey, remembering that he is still the man you feel in love with. Smooches-Uncle Uncle Mikey docs sex on the first date make me a slut? Curiously guilty Dearest Guilty, ............................... continued next page Page 27 Only if you do it right puddin. Sex on the second date with multiple partners, now were talking. Smooches-Uncle Mikey, I have a secret, which I feel it is time to tell. I have been sleeping with the mister at our church now for some time. He has been my youth minister for sometime now, and my feelings for him have grown. I told him I loved him and he tells me that he is guilty of misleading me, and insist we pray together to be delivered. Well, I pray but I pray that he will come to his senses and be with me, and just except that, he is gay. He always comes back for more, and I am sure he loves me, and just confused. I believe in fighting for what I want, however feel like I am wrong somehow. What would you do? The minister's boy Kitten, I have not smoked for ten years, now comes this future porn epic. Hold on I need to get this damn thing lit. Assuming all players here are old enough to be playing, uncle give you props. I think you misunderstood their line about brotherly love kitten. I can feel the shifting in the land of right wing everywhere. He is confused, you are picking men up in church and he is confused? Seriously kitten, if you love him than only you can decide if this is healthy for you. Chances are that he will never overcome his guilt, and remain in his double-minded ways, leaving you to sit in the pew of no sex. Uncle encourages to remember the old saying. If you love, someone set them free, and if they return they were yours, if not, get out while the getting is good! Kitten, I will pray and ask mother Cher to be with you. Smooches-Uncle Well Kittens, that was better than chocolate. Uncle shall take this time to wrap up yet another session of here in unclesaTM comer of Queerdom. Kittens as you go, remember this. Judge not lest you are in f.i.bulous form to do sol Smooches Uncle Mikey and Tiddles tool Unck Mileey is 1t ch1tr1tcter from Fru'4nu writer Mich1tel Hinzman. Mich.ul has hem writing/or ten years. Utilizing his stsuim, and life expmmct to hdp others in his community, through humor and sound advia. Mich1tel applied his study oj psychology and cre.tive writing, as well his o:tmsive badtground in menu! health Dirn:t e1tre to bring a new styk and 1tpproach to helping others. Michael's other works e1tn be 'Uie'llled at 'W'Wfll.gaylinkcontent.com. · MCC from page-23 affirming gay people. I doubt the Archdiocese would expel a congregation affiliated with the United Church of Christ or the Episcopal Church, qoth of which accommodate the blessing of samesex unions. It's time to stop using religion as a mask for prejudice against gay people." Mitulski, a long-time AIDS activist, added, "As a person living with HIV/ AIDS, let me say loud and clear: If the Roman Catholic Church won't honor our weddings, don't insult us by offering to conduct our funerals." Perry, who has championed ecumenical relations and who met Pope Benedict XV1 - then Cardinal Ratzingcr - at the Bilateral Dialogue held during Pope John Paul H's visit to Columbia, South Carolina in 1987, said, "This type of decision contradicts the Roman Catholic Church's own commitment. In 1987, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops published its own statement, The Many Faces of AIDS, and addressed the stigma too often associated with people with HIV/ AIDS. The statement said, "Made in God's image and likeness, every human person is of inestimable worth. All human life is sacred, and its dignity must be respected and protected." The Archbishop of New Orleans should apply these same principles of respect and protection to the congregii.tion of MCC of Greater New Orleans, which includes people living with HIV/ AIDS." "We send our love and prayers and support to the Reverend Dexter Brecht, senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Greater New Orleans, and to all of the congregii.tion there," said Perry. "This action by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese is yet another reminder that the important work of Metropolitan Community Churches is not yet done," Perry said of the predominantly-gay Christian denomination. "I am challenging our brothers and sisters in other faith communities around New Orleans to receive a special offering this Sunday to help Metropolitan Community Church of Greater New Orleans iocate and move into a permanent worship space. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith in New Orleans need to know they have a permanent space in which to worship in openness and authenticity, and free from the prejudice and whims of homophobic bishops." --------- Page 28 Below: Mahmoud Asgari (16} and Ayaz Marhoni (18} were hanged in Eda/at {Justice) Square in the city of Mashhad, in north east Iran, on 19 July 2005. Some reports say the youths were hanged for gay sex. The Iranian government claims they were hanged for the rape of a 13 year old boy, reports Ramzi Isalam of the LGBT human rights group OutRage!. Fact: Iran executes lesbians and gays. The Iranian government has executed 4,000 homosexuals since 1979, according to estimates in the rnid-1990s by the exiled Iranian gay rights group, Human. Fact: The Iranian government often pins false charges on the victims of its murderous policies in order to discredit them and discourage public protests. "We are not prepared to give the violently homophobic Iranian government the benefit of the doubt. It has previously lied to justify public executions. In any case, the death penalty is a disproportionate punishment. It is barbaric and should be abolished," added Mr Isalam. "OutRage!s sources for this story include clandestine gay and lesbian activists inside Iran, members of the democratic and left Iranian opposition, and the websites of government-sanctioned news agencies in Iran," added Aaron Saeed of OutRage! The Islamic fundamentalist regime in Iran enforces Sharia law, which dictates the death penalty for gay sex: variously including hanging, stoning, beheading or dropping from a high place like a tall building or cliff-top. The teenagers admitted to having gay sex, probably under torture, but claimed in their defence that their crime was common and they were not aware it was punishable by death. . Prior to their execution, the teenagers were held in prison for 14 months and severelv beaten with 228 lashes. Th~ir length of detention suggests that they committed the so-called offences more than a year earlier, when Mahmoud was 15 and Ayaz was 17. In other words, both youths were minors at the time of the offence. Ruhollah Rezazadeh, the lawyer of the youngest boy (16), had appealed that he was too young to be executed and that the court should take into account his tender age. He was quoted by the IRIN news agency as saying that "the judiciary had trampled on its own laws, explaining that the Iranian courts usually commute death sentences on children to five year jail." Despite his pleas, the Supreme Court in Tehran ordered Mahmoud to be hanged. Under the Iranian penal code, girls as young as nine and boys as young as 15 can be hanged. "Three other young gay Iranians are being hunted by the police in connection with the same so-called crime. They have gone into hiding and cannot be found. If caught, they v,-ill probably also face execution," said Mr Saeed. The allegation of rape may be a trumped up charge to undtrmine public sympathy for the youths. The Iranian regime often resorts to smears and false allegations to discredit people it has executed and to undermine human rights campaigns, continued OutRage! campaign coordinator, Brett Lock It couid be that the 13 year oid was a wii!ing participant but that Iranian law (like :he laws of many western nations) deems that no person aged 13 is capable of sexual consent and that therefore even consensual sexual contact is automatically deemed in law to be stamtory rape. The use of rorture is routine in Iran .. These tw~ boys were violently abused in prison, receiving more than 200 lashes. .. .. continued next page I I l I I 1 I I 1 i Page 29 Iran execution continued: Iran is a fascist-style tyranny based on a fundamentalist version of Islam. We join with progressive Muslims to denounce the fundamentalists and to support democratic and left Iranians striving to topple the Ayatollahs. OutRagel wholeheartedly supports the struggle of the Iranian people to overthrow clerical tyranny and to secure democracy and human rights. _ Without an end to the fundamentalist regime, there can never be justice for LGBT people, women, trade unionists and minority religions and nationalities in Iran. 'The lack of liberai and left support for the victims of the Iranian tvrannv is truly shocking. We deplore the- abse~ce of international solidarity with Iranians fighting for freedom," concluded Mr Lock. ------------ Quotable Quotes ''In Spain, where 90 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, the church came out swinging against [marriage] rights for gays, using the familiar line ·that gay marriage imperils the traditional institution of marriage. This has always been a difficult argument to follow logically: Assuming that marriage is the binding of two people in a committed relationship, possibly to create a family, gay marriage adds to the institution. Even granting most religions' insistence that the two people must be of different genders, gay marriage does nothing to discourage or belittle heterosexual unions." - Los Angeles Times editorial, July 6. "I want our government, which has presided over many positive changes for gay people here in the U.K. - an equal age of consent, partnership rights, the abolition of the rightly reviled Clause 28 - to ensure that ending violations of gay people's fundamental human rights around the world becomes an explicit issue in its diplomatic relations with other countries. I strongly believe that when thousands of us refuse to look away and stay silent we make a difference to what politicians do and say." - Eiton John writing in England's The Observer, July 3. · Chula Vista Mayor Out of the Closet! "I've considered myself pretty out since about 1999 but I thought this was an occasion to put any questions to rest. . .. In my life since 1999 I've been very honest and open about who I am. And it's certainly not everything I am, but it's an important part of who I am, and certainly if Pride isn't the venue to be overtly out, I don't know what is .... It's something that I'm very comfortable with and something that I'm very matterof- fact about, and I think that's what you saw here tonight." - Chula Vista, Calif., Mayor Steve Padilla to this column after coming out at a Gay Pride. rally in San Diego, July 29. Chula Vista - a San Diego suburb with 230,000 people is now the second-largest city in America with an openly gay mayor, after San Diego itself. Providence, R.I., is next in line. 1 /STH PAGE CLASSIF"IED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F'□ R RATES 91 B.B35.78B7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service. . :Cer11ury 21 Gold Castle: ;Philanthropy at its Finest OKLAHOMA CITY_Rodney Burgamy an.cl Jo~ Brennap. owners of Century 21 Gold C::astle, ~ve. two offices in the Oklah<Sfu~ Citv Metro area. As owners of the agency iliey have not onlv successfully developed a thriving business with outstanding customer service, but have also . built a reputation for corporate phil~Iitb.ropy that is being recognized beyon4 th.e stllte's borders. Wh~i} you meet both Rodney and Joe, the. fifst things you notice are the bright smiles and generous nature. They both are true.southern gentleman whose cnmrpltrii5rif to their clients is only matched ~y. their . commitment to serving their comih:iiitity. · That commitment is demonstra,tfcF.in;/their long~time supporr of Easter Se~ <G>kfahoma. Founded , Easter Seals Okfahom. . 'on is to enhance the quality o(htb for children and adults with disabilities so they may live with equality, dignity and independence. In eighty yea1;s · of operati~n, o;er 1.5 million Oklahomans have ieceived seeyicc;s ran~ryg fwm'. scliq~J ~cr.eenin~.~ .· · outpatient.sμigeiic,s and ptJ!t;hlttcs of· · Ea:s¢r S~s < .. an on~site Chila Dcvelopmeht Center .~ad :AdJJit'E>il.v . Centet-hot\1,,of which are niti~n:hlii recognizcil 'Fhis is the only Intergenerational Care Facility in the state to receive recognitions for both programs. Easter Seals Oklahoma is a United Way of Central Oklahoma Member Agency. As partners at the national level, Centurv 21 has raised millions of dollars each y~ for Easter Seals. This tradition has remained strong in the twelve years that Gold Castle has been in business--each year striving to top the previous year's goal. Last year, Century 21 Gold Castle raised thousands of dollars for Easter Seals Oklahoma-placing them among the top Century 21 Agencies in the region. They were also honored at this year's Easter Seals Oklahoma Annual Meeting for their long-time supRort of the organization's efforts. . Gold Castle has found a variety of exciting ways to raise money and awareness. of Easter Seals. They've had casino nights, supported golf tournaments and purchased a table at Easter Seals Oklahoma's annual "A Blast from the Past" event. However, the mosf creative way Gold Castle supports Easter Seals is through cell phones. They donate $1 for every voicemail message ltft on their cell phones. With a busyreal estate of:fice-:-those dollars add up qajckly! Burgamy stated,. "We· 3!e so proud fo be affiliated with. Easter: Seals Oklahoma. They do such good work· providing services for Oklahomans with disabilities. There' ~e' ii,d· many people in need throughout p.Jl! <:otpmuriij:y-:I really encourage p{qple to get involved and support Eastii S~als' efforts!" For more informatiin:. about Centurv 21 ~oid Castle, c ·~ · ' · ey Butg~y, Broker, at (405) Marketing Page32 Page 33 Seo es by Jack Fertig SEPTEMBER 2005 "Be honest, Leo!" ~atum is in Leo quiocunx to U;anus in Pisces until Oct. 7. Expect twitches in religious institutions pointing to big changes in a few years. Clashes between tender egos and spiritual insights will hit home. Mercury is in Virgo aspectiog those slower planets, triggering arguments that can sharpen insight into these issues. ARIES (Much 20 - April 19): Take some friends to church - or synagogue, or mosque, or whatever religious institution you grew up with. The point is not to convert them, but to get insights into your own background and baggage. What you least like hearing will prove most helpful. T~URUS (April 20 - May 20): Arguing with the boss can be chalked up to fragile egos. Yours is the only one you can keep in check. What would your parents say? And how would you like to respond? Get that out of the way before handling the boss. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Arguments are almost inevitable now. Almost. Worries about money (or self-worth?) are the underlying triggers. Make sure you're able to have someone - preferably an older sibling or a "sister' - with whom you can discuss those issues. CANCER Q'uoe 21 - July 22): Sexual issues are up for you. Remember you have nothing to prove, and buying new toys_ or fetish-wear won't help. If getting old ts part of the problem, then being mature and taking charge is the answer. LEO Q'uly 23 - August 22): We all have inner doubts and fears, and nobody's perfect. What you really hate is that imperfection is true of you, too. Be honest and open with your partner or a trusted friend. Not admitting your flaws will magnify them and make you intolerable. VIB.GO(Augi;ist 23 - September 22): Good friends can help settle your doubts and worries, but also may confirm some of them. As bad as things may be, your worries just magnify the problems. You need a reality check. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Being too creative at work can come across as flaky or threatening to your superiors. Keep communications open, and welcome constructive criticism from colleagues. Any entertainments or morale-boosters you devise now should be kept simple. SCORPIO (October 23 November 21): Challenged by new ideas? Retreating into traditional beliefs will not help. That's what "fundamentalism" is! Better to accept the challenge. Arguing with a teacher can help both of you to learn, but stay respectful. SAGITIARIUS (November 22 December 20): Pushing bevond vour familiar sexual limits is OK, but 'be very careful! Confused signals can get you into dangerous situations. In any new kinky activities, make sure to be clear about safewords, proper instructions, etc. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Working on new erotic techniques could open questions about person;! morality and responsibility. Your partner could goad you or be a drag; there 1MiJI be some discomfort either way. Communication, though an effort, remains the answer always. AQUARIUS Q'anuary 20 - February 18): Sweetly listen to anything your partner ( or a close friend) has to say about cleaning up your act. You don't have to agree or follow the advice, but at least consider it. It could catalyze a better approach. PISCES (February 19 - March 1g): Showing off in sports or at the gym is sure to get you hurt. Maintain a moderate level of activity. If you need to show off, focus on your artistic insights and your ability to e~ress things beyond most people's itnagiph1gs. Jack Fertig bas,been fllorking as a JJrofesional astro/j,ger since 1977 and is a founding mem'lkr of tlie Association for Astrological Networking. You can find copies of the STAR at these 4 states business & oigani:zations. ARKANBAB ICANBAB MIBBDURI DICLAHDMA Arkansas, Enreka Springs Divenity Pride Events - • www.diversitypride.com MCC Uving Spring - - - - - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Studio 716- -716 W. Sycamore- - - - 479-571-1300 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- 10041/2 Garrison Ave- 479-783-9988 Club 1022 - -1022 Dodson Ave. - - - - 479-782-1845 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Our House Lounge • 660 E. Grand Ave- -624-6868 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street- - - :1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - 501-664-2744 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - -www.dsra.org Di1covety- - 1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - 501-666-6900 The Factory - -412 Louisiana St.- - - - -501-372-3070 Kansas, Pittsburg {620) River of Ufe Church - 1709 N Walnut - -1 fAM PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway- - - - 620-231-0938 Kan1a1, Wichita (316) Club Glader - 2828 E. 31st South - - 316-612-9331 J', Lounge - - - - - 513 E. Central - 316-262-1363 Our Fantasy- - • - • 3201 S. Hillside- - -316-682-5494 The Otherside- - -447 N. St Francis- 316-262-7825 Shatai - - - - - - - 4000 S. Broadway- 316-522--2028 Sidestreet Mens Bar -1106 S. Pattie- -316-267-0324 South 40 - - - - - 3201 S. Hillside - - - - -316-682-5494 Trends Bar - - -1507 S. Pawnee- - - - - 316-262-4530 That G.ty Group, W.S.U. - - - - - -- 316-978-7010 Missouri, Ava 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) Buddies - - - - - - 3715 Main St- - - - 816-561-2600 Club NV - - - - 220 Admiral Blvd- - 816-421-NVKC DB Warehouse- -- 1915 M1in St- - - -816-471-1575 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - - - 816-561-0625 Side&tteet Bar - - - -413 E. 3rd-• - - - - 816-531-1775 Sidekicks Saloon - - 3707 Maii;l St- - 816- 931-1430 MJN~uri(Lampe KOKOMO Campground- - - .: -. .: .417-779-5084 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boonville Ave- - - - - --417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 Liquors & Kid.cers- -1109 E. Commercial-873-2225 Martha's Vineyard- 219 W Olive - - - 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 McPride- - - - - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City ( 405) Boom Room- 2807 NW 36th St- - - - -405-601-7200 Club Rox- - - -3535 NW 39tb. Expwy - 405-947-2351 Finish Une -2200 NW 39th Expwy- - 405-525-0730 Gu6hera Restaurant-2200 NW 39Exp405-525-0730 HoilywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habana Inn - 2200 NW 39th Exp- - 405-528-2221 Hi-Lo Oub - 1221 NW 50th- - - -405-843-1722 Jungle Reds - - - 2200 NW Expwy- - - 405-524-5733 Partners- - - -2805 NW 36th St - - - - - 405-942-2199 Piece To Remember-2131 NW 39th- -405-528-2223 Priscilla's- 615 E. Memorw - - - - - - - -405-755-8600 Red Rock North-2240 NW39th St- - -405-525-5165 Sisters- - - - 2120 NW 39th St- - - - - -405-521-9533 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 Maverick- - 822 S. Sheridan - - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bb -- - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - -834-1051 Elite Boobtore --814 S. Sheridan- - - 918-838-8503 End Up Club- - - 424 S. Memorial- c -918-836-2480 Flamingos Qub- - -7915 E. 21st St - - -918-622-6339 GI.BT Comm. Ctr- -5545 E.41st- - - - 918-743-4297 The Detour- - - - • 7944 E. 2ht - - - - - - 918-270-2428 Club Majestic- - 124 N. Bonon - - - - - 918-584-9494 Renegades- - - - 1649 S. ~ - - - 918-585-3405 Prisc:illa's - - - - 792_5 E. 41st - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla's - 563~ V/. Skelly - - - - -918-446-6336 Pri~dna•, - - - -113# E. 11th - - - - -- - -918-43.8-4224 Priscilla's - - 2333 E. 7bt - - -' - -918-499-1661 Tulia CARES- -3507 E. Admital Pi- - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Eagle- - • - -1338 E. 3rd- - - - - - - 9i8-592-1188 TNT's - - - - 2114 S. Memorial- - - - - 918-660-0856 Undeiguy.com • • -15 ~- Brady- - - - - 918-829-0824 Whittier News S~-- i 'N. Lewis- - 91g.592.0767 Yellow-Brick-Rd-· -2630 E. 15th- - - - 918-293-0304 Outlets wishing to distribute FREE copies of the STAR, contact us at 918.835.7887 9am to 4pm mon - fri or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Page 37 cART □□ N "Bitter Girl" cARTooN "A Couple of Guys" A Couple of guys• .- ., .. ,,:Sr~ ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE FOR WICHITA, OKLAHOMA CITY, TULSA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS email qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net .. or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153' · Tulsa, OK 74145 91 B.B35};7ElB7 email: ozarksstat@§bcglobal.net Quality, Value;0 Itib!grity and Advertising Service. l /BTH PAGE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F'CR RATES 91 B.B35.78B7 . or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quallty, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service . • ' :.:J.'t: NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F'CR RATES 91 B.B3~.7B87 or email: ozarksst:a;@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, ~lue! Integrity and Th.Jst in Affordable Advertising Service. , ,,,,."•."" •'::cJ.i/:t'':'.:f •," >.' PAGE 40 THE STAR SEPTEMBER 200S :j, 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 [2005] The Star Magazine, September 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 09 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 01, 2005 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 John Patrick Libby Post Andrew Collins Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman, Chaz Ward 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, August 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 8 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/215 The Star Magazine, October 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 9 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/221 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/222 Bitter Girl Cartoon Cherokee lesbians gay execution gay mayor Heart to Heart Iran execution Lesbian Notions local advertisement marriage equality Past Out Q Scopes Quotable Quotes Star Scene Uncle Mikey vacation https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2b311a27d186a02d02b9dbf2689e12b1.jpg c3a8099328f4ed8c7773939d9bddc8f6 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/d9d2ddd6813fbf684c59e5129a22ec72.pdf 22a62a0f43baa841a183b57deb1dfd6d 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 I 1HE APP ALLING SILENCE Io last months editoriai I encouraged men and women within our communitv and the GLBT allied communicv to sta~d up to the challenge of elective .~ffice in the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County. 1bis month's "Heart to Heart" column expands on the purpose of tlie subject and the reason it is so importmt for us as a minority group of people. . . I hope everyone who picks up a copy of this issue of the STAR will take rime to read the Josh Aterovis article (page 18), become concerned and discuss the issue with your friends, relatives; coworkers and anyone who wil(li~ten. Silence will not bring equai rights! Below is an exsert from the column that hopefully wilt peek your interest enough to read his enlightening article. "'It's up to us and our allies to change. We must elect fair-mi . women who will fight for equalify in our legislative halls. We must encourage and support those politicians who are ffri'ving to protect and improve the lives of all minorities. We need to applaud those vrave · · ,, and groups who stand up ina.tion and bigotry. Most importandy, we need to make our voices heard. Speak u-p for what ywoue believe appalling silence. We . rd to allow · · foundea on prejudice to go • And for the GLBT and Allied business owners a good start may be to join the newly re-organized "Tulsa Rainbow Business Organization'' TuRBO. 918.743.4297. CD. Ward /Editor in Chief 1 Massachusetts Anti-Marriage Am@ndment Defeated!! National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Lauds Efforts of State and Local Leaders WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hailed today's defeat of a proposed Massachusetts constitutional amendment seeking to ban same-sex marriage and create civil unions. The measure was defeated today by a vote of 157 to 39 by the state Legislature meeting in a joint constitutional convention, having passed the body in March, 2004 bv a vote of 105-92. Had it passed tod;y, it would have been on the statewide ballot in November, 2006. "Today's vote proves that dogged grassroots organizing can change legislative votes" said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "MassEqualiry and its campaign director Marty Rouse have done an extraordinary job and we are very proud to be on-the-ground partners with them in preserving marriage equality in the one state where it now exists." "The reality of thousands of our marriages in Massachusetts showed the utter fallacy of our opponents' arguments and dire · predictions," Foreman said. "Not on!v did the crops not wither, the Red Sox wo~ the World Series and the Patriots took the Super Bowl." "This victory is especially sweet. The Legislature's resounding defeat of the meanspirited amendment to strip away our right ~o marry af:u:ms and echoes the courageous stand of our state's Supreme judicial Court. In its Goodridge decision, the Court conferred full recognition of our famiiies' human dignity and goodness and today, our Legislature agreed," said Cambridge resident Sue Hyde, a longtime Task Force staffer and CG-founder and board member of MassEquaiity. Lambda Legal Offers Assistance to LGBT Survivors of Hurricane Katrina Who Experience Discrimination - Launches Toll- Free Hotline NEW YORK, September 12, 2005 - Today Lambda Legal announced plans for outreach to LGBT survivors of Hurricane Katrina who may experience discrimination in services provided by relief agencies because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status. "Tragedy does not discriminate and neither should relief agencies," said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal. "In our experience during the aftermath of September 11, LGBT people face compounded difficulties because on top of the disaster they face discrimination when it comes to recognizing their relationships, leading to even more hardship at the worst moment imaginable." Lambda Legal is reaching out to a vari~ty of agencies, including gay and lesbian centers near the area impacted by the. hurricane and around the country, asking them to distribute a flier outlining forms of discrimination gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people or people with HIV · ence after disasters. Lambda L unched a toll free hotline {866-542-8336} for use by displaced LGBT people to reach the organization's Legal Help Desk. Lambda Legal staff from the organization's South Central Regional Office, located in Dallas, are also working with LGBT community leaders in Houston, where much of New Orleans' gay community is temporarily assembling. Please contact us if you or people you know are being: * Kept out of or been mistreated bv a shelter or other facilitv,; because of '"J ou~• sexual orientation, gender identitv or HTV . ✓ i status. .. ........ Conunued pg-9 Page 5 "Pl conside Travel Gui Once the mining and Pittsburgh ha · cent , ed software de pollution ha eradicated, a industrial sit attractions. The integrate populati theaters films an alternati Out of Town which celebrates the life of the late pop art icon, who grew up in nearby Oakland. Created inside an eight-story 1911 warehouse, the museum contains more than 4.000 works and is an outstanding,· engaging, and often very funnv museum, laid out with abundant co~r=nentary on Warhol's life (and his homosexuality). Close by are the Carnegie Science Center, the National Aviary, and the Mattress Facto1:7, known for its provocative, larger-than-life . installations created by visiting artists m residence. South of downtown, the city rises sharply above the Monongahela River tow~rd Mt. Washington, a workaday neighborhood with spectacular :iews of downtown. Ride up the slope via the historic Monongahela Incline, which . leads to a viewing platform and a small museum. A short drive east is the bohemian South Side, a repository of funky shops, galleries, and eateries that once anchored Pittsburgh's Lithuanian and Polish communities. Still farther east of downtown, Oakland was built from the gobs of money aenerated during Pittsburgh's b . industrial heydav and today contains hospitals, unive;siries, and ·high-tech firms. Forbes and 5th avenues anchor the Universitv of Pittsburgh and formidably endowed, Carnegie Mellon University campuses. Be sure to visit the C~rnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, which contain well-conceived architectural and decorative arts exhibits, a cache of artifacts from ancient Egypt, and the nation's third-largest dinosaur coliecdon. Nearby Schenley Park, ideal for 'a stroll. is anchored by the 1893 Phipps ca'nservatory, comprising 13 rooms of exotic flora. East of Oakland is Shadyside, a gentrified patch of neatly kep: yards and attractive old homes, many ot them gayowned. Ellswor~h Avenue (around the 5800 block) has several gay-popular eateries and businesses, and more chichi Walnut Street (along the 5500 block) holds mid- to high-end chain stores. It's a short drive east to Clayton, the former estate of industrialist Henry Clay Frick ir now consists of a magnificent mansion and other historic outbuildiogs,inciuding rhe Frick Art and HiHorical Center, which has an outstanding collection of European m·aster paintings. If you're looking for a bite t0 eat, head b;ck w the Strip to dine at Kaya, part of Pittsburgh's extremely "familyfriendly" Big Burrito restaurant grou~ .. Kaya presents creative Caribbe~n fooa tn a noisv but fun warehouse settmg. There are se~eral other great Big Burrito hangouts around town, among them Soba Lounge, a Pan-Asian fave in Shadyside, and Casbah, ai: elegant but whimsical spot in East Liberty specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. Off the lobbv of the Downtown Courtyard Marri~tt, Sonoma Grille presents innovative Wine Co:1ntry-_ inspired food, along with an mcredible vino list. It's a great place to take a special date. On Mt. Washin~ton, consider the Monterey Bay Ftsh Grotto, whose contemporary seafood fare (like macadamia-crusted sea bass) draws almost as many "wows" as the knockout skyline views. The South Side has plenty of great restaurants, among them City Grill, a hallowed burger joint where the juicy patties are hardwood-grilled in_ an oldfashioned coal-fired oven. A btt more refined and romantic, Le Pommier Bistro serves exceptional but reasonably priced country French fare. Nearby, swelldegant Tuscany Cafe _ a cross. betw~en. a java joint and a cocktail bar 1s a fa,•onte spot for people-watching. Known simply as the "Big O" by the students and locals who pig out here, Oakland's Original Hot Dog Shop doles out huge portions of greasy food - french fries hot dogs the size of full-grown dachshunds at rock-bottom prices. Shadyside's quintessentially queer video lounge and cafe, 5801 is a hip but friendly place for cocktails, good homestyle cooking, and great conversanon. For a hearty breakfast or lunch, pop inside the friendly Square Cafe, a homey neighborhood spot in the ~verse Regent Square neighborhood s~rvmg hefty sandwiches. omelets, Be,gtan waffles, and buttermilk ·pancakes. In up-and-coming Lawrenceville, Ray's Marlin Beach Bar and Grill serves a ,.vide range of imponed and microbrewed beers plus Caribbeaninspired seafood and creative coi:nfort fare, from chicken potpie to stutfed meat loaf. .. ,.continued pg28 Page 7 HISTORIC HOUSE HATE CRIMES PASSES One step closer to protections for GLBT Americans. September 14, 2005 WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act by an overwhelming 223 to 199 bipartisan vote, taking a historic step toward giving law enforcement the tools they need to enforce and prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. The measure was passed as an amendment to H.R. 3132, the "Children's Safety Act." "Hate crimes send a message of fear and Congress answered with a powerful law enforcement tool," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. 'We must ensure that some of the most heinous crimes are fully prosecuted and enforced. Members of the House, Democrats and Republicans alike, historically signaled todav that local law enforcement officials dese~e the tools this bill would provide toward fighting the scourge of hate crimes." "Every American child deserves the strongest protections from some of this country's most horrifying crimes," said Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard and HRC board member. "The House of Representatives answered our call today by passing a bill that would give law enforcement officials important crime-fighting tools. This makes families stronger. It makes America stronger." Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.; John Conyers Jr., D-Mich.; Christopher Shays, R-Conn.; and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.; are the lead sponsors of the original bill, which would add actuai or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to federal hate crime laws. It would give grants to the states to help prosecute these crimes and allow federal assistance in cases where needed to fully prosecute hate crimes. The measure enjoys strong bipartisan support and is endorsed by more than 175 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, including; the National Sheriffs' Association, Inttrnacional Association of Chiefs of Police, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and many others. Poll after poll continues to show that the American public supports hate crimes legislation inclusive of sexual orientation, including a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in November 2001 showing that 73 percent of Americans supporting hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation and a Lake Snell Perry & Associates poll in August 2002 showing chat 68 percent of likely voters support hate crimes laws for transgender Americans. AIDS Alliance, Katrina AIDS Alliance Emergency Fund Ths fund will support the emergency needs of families and young people living with HIV/ AIDS served by Ryan White CARE Act Title IV programs in Louisiana and Mississippi. These emergency funds will be disbursed directly through local programs. Money raised through the Katrina AIDS Alliance Emergency Fund is being distributed to Ryan White CARE Act Title IV clinics and programs in the affected areas to meet emergency needs of women, children, youth, and families living with HIV and AIDS. This inciudes programs and clinics in J.(arrinadevastated areas, as w::11 as programs that are absorbing displaced individuals and families needing care. About 8,000 peopie with HIV and AIDS who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina now face the massive challenge of trying to manage their disease without their doctors, their clinics and their support systems. For more Info go to: www.aids-alliance.org/ Page 8 * Denied access to needed HIV medications or care * Denied help, services or the ability to assert legal nghts because you are ( or were) in a same-sex relationship and not married * Kept from your or other family members, or denied the ability to take action on their behalf because you don't have a formal legal relationship * Asked to provide documents to prove your relationship or ownership of property when married people are not * Turned away or mistreated by a private or public relief agency based on religious views about LGBT or HIV-affected people * Mistreated in temporary or permanent foster care * Denied the right to handle the affairs of a deceased loved one "If individuals or couples within the LGBT or HIV community are denied services because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status, I encourage them to call one of our help desks around the countrv " Cathcart said. · ' · Lambda Legal Help Desk Numbers: Toll Free Hotline 866-542-8336 South Central Regional Office (Dallas): . 214-219-8585 Southern Regional Office (Atlanta): 404-897-1880 National Headquarters (New York): 212-809-8585 Midwest Regional Office (Chicago): 312- 663-4413 Western Regional Office (Los Angeles): 213-382-7600 A printable flier is available by following the link on the homepage at www.iambdalegal.org. Lisa Hardaway 212-809-8585 ext.266; Cell: 402-369-2104 Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. HOUSE COMMITTEE VOTES TO RESTORE PROTECTIONS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS 'Members of Congress are fighting for more than 2 million federal workers while a Bush appointee tries to chisel away at protections,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese. Sept. 15, 2005 WASHINGTON - Legislation that would clarify existing law to ensure protections from anti-gay discrimination in the federal workplace was passed today by a unanimous voice vote in the House Government Reform Committee. Introduced by Reps. Henry Waxman, DCalif., and Chris Shays, R-Conn., the Clarification of Federal Employment Protections Act became necessary after President Bush's appointee at the Office of Special Counsel began rolling back protections in existence since the Carter administration. "Members of Congress are fighting for more than 2 million federal workers while a Bush appointee tries to chisel away at protections," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "This measure would halt the rollback of a law preventing anti-gay discrimination that has existed for three decades. Today's vote was an important step toward restoring these critical protections. Our thanks extend to Representatives Henry Waxman, Chris Shavs and Tom Davis for their leadership.;' For more than two decades, a federai statute, the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, has been interpreted to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace for federal empioyees. Special Counsel Scott Bloch. who heads one of the federai agencies · responsible for investigating and settling claims of workplace discrimination, claimed at a Senate hearing in May tl:at he lacks authority to investigate or ac;: on continued page-32 Page 9 September 14 * October 23, 2005 The Cimarron Alliance Foundation. in partnership with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other communit"f, civic and religious•baacd orgaoaations is pleased to bring to Okiaboma City an exhibition on the Holocaust unique to Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Holocaust ExbiQition • offered FREE to the pubiic - began Wednesday, Sq,tcmber 14 and will remain through Satmday, October 23, 2005, in downtQwo Oklahoml City at Untitled (ArtSpace], t NE 3rd Street. The gallery hours for the exhibition will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11am to 4pm; Friday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 1 pm m 4pm. For more information go tawww.OKHolocaustExhibition.org. I I It's alJ liappe1:1ing at lhfi Ba.mlwi1 .l m1t fut· Yott! Open i 2noon fo 2am daily Page 1 l iversity de ents We D<iit ti For GLBTa &. PPLAGa EureRa Sprinqs. Adzansas Nov 4, s.&. 6 It will be RAINING . ... MEN, WOMEN & BEARS/ .Earl mheeler . 437 E. 141st Streiit Glenpool, OK 74Ql:3.. · .-, 918.291.EARL(3275) iscill <fu.nli OKC,OK Priscilla's 615 E Memorial (405) 755-8600 Springfield, MO TLC Priscilla's 1918 S. Glenstone (417) 881-8444 Tulsa, OK Priscilla's 7925 E 41st (918) 627-4884 Tulsa, OK Priscilla's 5634 W. Skelly (918) 446-6336 Tulsa, OK Priscilla's 11344 E. 11th (918) 438-4224 Tulsa, OK Priscil!a's 2333 E. 71st (918) 499-1661 Page 13 Mister Sunshine State: Gage Gatlyn, I wins Mr. Gay USA, FMI Gage Gatlyn, Master Illusionist, a native of Jacksonville, Florida traveled to Hickory North Carolina Labor Day weekend to compete in National Pageant, Mr. Gay USA, FMI (For Male Impersonators). Gage Gatlyn qualified for USA, FMI in the Mr. NC, USA Preliminary. After 3 scressfoi , yet funfilled days at Club Cabaret, he was named the new Mr. Gav USA, FMl 2006, and was rhe winner of every category. His 1st Runner up is Cord Long of Michigan and 2nd Runner up is Devin Dame of Ohio. The title was turned over by Chase Thompson of Oklahoma. The Competition included 17 contestants from 9 different states, and they brought IT! It was hiswry in the making for USA, FMI. Mr. Gay USA just celebrated 20 years of the Gay pageantry system. When asked if she planed to be traveling this year now that she holds a USA Title, Gage replied, "I plan on entertaining at every preliminary for Mr. Gay USA, FMI, and even prelims and National Pageants of other categories of USA Unlimited Pageantry System. To show the rest of the Nation that Drag Kings are not what they used to be. The standards ha,e changed and we are on the road to sharing a stage with our sisters on a regular basis:i: not just on Drag King nights. Some of us work just as hard and go through just as much to make the illusion on that stage, therefore we deserve the opportunity to be seen". Gage Gatlyn will be performing at Ben's Club 1022, Fort Smith, Saturday, November 12th! For more information and schedule go to www.gagegatlyn.boilingpoint.us Marsha Stevens in J lin Oct. 1st Famous for her song, "For Those Tears I Died" Stevens became the first (and as of 2002, the only) major singer in the contemporary Christian music subculture to identify herself publicly .ts a lesbian ..... Christian Century Magazine has said that Stevens bec~me "conservative Christianj~/s worst nightmare a Jesus-loving, Biblebeiieving, God-fearing lesbian Chrisrian." Marsha will be performing at MCC _Toplin 6pm Oct 1st. Page 15 "'Momma always said; Don't say you don't lilie it until you've tried it!" FALL SPICY SALMON 2 cups Brown Sugar 1/2 tsp Salt 1 tbsp Cumin 1 tbsp Chili Powder 1/2 tsp Thyme 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper 1/2 tsp White Pepper Mix all ingredients together and set aside. 4 12-16 oz Salmon Filets (1/4-1/2 inch thick) 1 cup Bro~n Mustard 2 tbsp Cream Horse Radish Sauce Take brown sugar mixture and rub gently over both sides of Salmon filets. These may be cooked 2 wavs. Preferablv grilled or broiled in an ove~. If grilling, ' cook for 15-20 minutes. If broiling, cook for 10-12 minutes (about 165 deg internally) Mix brown mustard and horse radish sauce together. Lightly brush on filets during the last five minutes of cooking. Save enough to serve on the side. Serve fish over Spanish Rice of Rice Pilaf. Hint: Serve with a nice Merlot TESTil'iG,~O NEEDTu~!. sPirur•oii CHR1ST. MCC SPONSORS 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 47.11 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sunday Service 6PM conjunction with AIDS Project of the ks, MCC Joplin offers fr~e HIV g the last Sunday of each month een 5PM and 6PM. For your nvenience you can also call 206-6179 for appointment. We use the Ora~sure ethod which does not require the use of and we offer complete nfidentiality. You may :1lso request oklets on AIDS for People of Faith rough the PO Box listed above. Spirit of Christ MCC Joplin "Seroing A Healthier Community" Page 16 Mary Mary Quite Contrary, How does your garden growl What makes a garden? So powerful are the impressions made by flowers and foliage, it is tempting to think of the_ garden as essentially a place in which plants grow. Gardens are, however, first and foremost for people whose preferences and requirements can be very different. You might relish the idea of honing your garde~ng s½:ills and making a special collection ot plants. But creating a pleasant, low maintenance setting for outd_o_or !ivin~ is an equally legitimate amb1t1on. At its most rewarding, a garden is a highly personal creation, one that happily reconciles your idea of what is best for vou with the potential of the are; that is available. The way you want to use the garden area affects the way vou organize the space within it; boundaries. This will be reflected in the relative weight given to hard landscaping, such as paving, walls, the planted areas, or soft iandscaping. I pr~fer it hard!, but a little soft is also enjoyable, but if, for example, vou want the garden to be an outd~or room for entertaining, you will probablf need a large area of paving or decking. If your passion is plants or you want to grow fruits or vegetables, you might make do with narrow paths crisscrossing planted ~rea~. A pond may be high on your list tf you wish to attract wildlife into your property. Once you have thought through how you want to use your garden and how to best exploit the site you can start planning how you want it to look. In the following months we will explore °:ore aspects of gardening, plant vanety, maintenance and tips fo~ a number of problem's that may anse. October is the month for mums and pansies. My personal favorite variety of chrysanthemum is "Salmon Faire;' a beautiful florists mum with pompom shaped salmon pink flowerheads, 1 1 / 2 inches across in late autumn. Pansies come in a large variety of colors and are an excellent choice for fall winter or spring color. Pansies will winter in our region quite well although snow will bring on a dormant period. They prefer well drained soil and will take full sun in cool temperatures. So, if anyone calls you a pansy, just say THANK YOU! And on that note it's time to close for now. I hope you will enjoy the columns but remember ........ .. "Yo,u mcaank lead a bar-to-culture, but you cant e her think" Till next time, see you in the dirt. Page 17 Josh Aterovis, Author Opinions Founded on Prejudice The great Scottish judge and literarv critic Francis J effrev once said · "Opinions fo~ndel on prejudi~e are always sustained with the greatest of violence." He was most likely referring to the ferocity of a verbal argument, but his sentiment holds true in every sense of the word violence. As lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues have come to the forefront on an international scale, organized attacks and violence against the LGBT communitv has increased exponentially. , Several countries saw ·violence erupt at their Pride events this year. In July, Erik Shkapars, the executive direcwr Latvia's capital Riga, canceled the city's pride celebration, but a judge ruled that the parade could go on. When several dozen brave gays and lesbians showed up to march through the cemer of the cicy demanding justice for sexual minori<iP< they found themselves vastly ·--~, outnumbered by anri-gay demonstrators. The protes::s turned violence when the anti-gay crowd began throwiDg rotten eggs and insults, and scuffles with the police broke out. A similar scene played out in Poland a month earlier when more than 2500 people marched through the streets of Warsaw in defian£.Lof the city's mayor; who had also canceled all gay pride celebrations. Once again, eggs and insults were tossed, bur that time, marchers were physically attacked by protestors. Things got even uglier at Jerusalem's pride parade. More than a thousand protestors threw bottles of urine and bags of feces at marchers. Three people were stabbed in a series of attacked by religious extremist. In Australia, the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby reports that Violence and harassment against gays and lesbians in Victoria is increasing to "unacceptably high levels." According to Human Rights First; in France, violent hate crimes against gay men more than doubled from 2002 to 2003. Even in Canada, where gay marriage was recently legalized, violence against gays and lesbians has increased. Criminologist and author Doug Janoff says violence against homosexuals in Canada is more "frenzied" and intense than that perpetrated against other victims of violent crime. Unfortunately, the U.S. is at the forefront of anti-gay attacks. This summer was an especially violent one for the LGBT community. In July alCl!le, there were four separate LGBT-related arson attacks around the country. On July 9, a gay-friendly United Church of Christ congregation in Middlebrook, Virginia was damaged in a fire set after the arsonist wrote a message on the exterior of the church calling its members sinners. Two weeks later, the only gay club in Fayetteville, Arkansas was torched for the second time in iess than a month. Studio 716 was destroved by the second blaze. A week later, a gay club in Brownsville, Texas was gurted by fire. Then, just davs ia;:er. a Florida couple were the victims ~f a targeted hate crime when their home was set ablaze and "Die Fag" was spray painted on their front steps. It was a violent summer for gays in New York City as well. There were neariy one hundred attacks on gays in the City this summer. In June and 1uly alone there were 85 viole~t hate cri~e~ Continued next page: Page 18 HEART TO HEART against NYC gays and the number rose almost ~aily in August. According to the Ant1-V1olence Project, hate crime against gays were about 6% above average in 2004. . In fact, violence against gays is on the nse. on a natio_n.al level. According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs' _annuai report released in April, reported anti-gay violence rose 4% between 2003 and 2004. Included in the rise in incidents for the year was an 11 % increase in anti-LG BT ~urders. In 2003, NCA VP's report on hate violence detailed a 26% increase in anti-LGBT violence. "This year's report has to be viewed as a follow-up ro our report from a year a~o," Clarence Patton, acting executive director of the NCA VP said. "In the last edition of this report it became all too clear that with respect to violence the nation's LGBT communities had ' entered a very new, :i.nd very dangerous era in which all of us were under attack at levels not seen in recent vears." So what is at the root of this increased hatred and violence against LGBT peopl~? Certainly, it is partially the resu_lt of increased visibility. Violent attacks Jumped dramatically following the Supreme Court's decision striking down sodomy laws and Massachusetts's allowing s~me-sex couples to marry. They cono_nued to rise as many states passed antt-gay ballot initiatives. the President repeatedly called for ~ cons?tutional amendment banning gay marnage, and the LGBT communitt foun~ itself ~eing used as a wedge is;ue by Right-Wmg politicians during the 2004 eiection process. Some believe it's even more insidious than mere exposure, however. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force lay the blame on conservative religious groups. "The literal blood of the thousands of gay people physically wounded b·, hate during 2004 is on the hands of jerry Falwell, James Dobson, Tony Perkins and_ so m~y others who spe-~ hate fo; p~msan ¥am and personal enrichment," said NGLTF Executive Director Mat Foreman. He codd be right S~dies have concluded that polincal hate-dnven messages have been directly connected to violence a=inst gav and 1 b . 1 b- , es tan peop,e. Constant hate speech from r~l~g10us leaders demonizing gays and lesbians musr have the same effect. E-..-ery time Falwell, Dobson. Robertson, or Phelps denou~ce gavs as sinners, they are so-wing the seeds ~f bigotry and reinforcing the prejudice many already feel towards LGBT people. T~e most recent example of this came rn wake of the devastation of Katrina .• ~n evangelical Christian group that calls itself Repent America made a public statement blaming the hurricane on gays. "Although the loss of lives is deeply saddening, this act of God destroyed a wicked citv." director ·Michael Marcavage said: When will this cvcle of hate and viol.ence end? Only ~hen good people begm _ to stand up and fight back against the bigotry and intolerance. As Dr. ~artin Luther King Jr. once wrote, "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appa~ng silence of the good people." Its up to us and our allies to bring about change. We must elecr fairminded men_ and women who will fight for equality m our legislative halls. We mu~t. encourage and support those poli~c1ans who are striving to protect and 1mprove the lives of all minorities. We need to applaud those brave religious leaders and groups who stand up and denounce discrimination and bigotry. Most importantly, we need to make our voices heard. Speak up for what you believe is right. Do not b~come a part of the appalling silence. We cannot afford to allow those opinion founded on prejudice to go unchallenged. Th~ ~iews expressed in this column are my opinion~ only. :You don't have to agree with them. I jUSt ask that you read them with an open heart and mind. Page 19 Serving our community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma. Illinois & Colorado This Is Shelter Country. Here in our community you will find Shelter Agent,_ Greg Tainter. We're proud to serv<N:his community and our customers. <::all today and ask about our services. ANtO • Ho,m: • Life • Business Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Ttl: (886) 208-9480 gtainter@shelterinsurance.com www.shelterinsurance.com Page 20 10% off with this ad! Pagt" 21 ut by Highleyman OCTOBER 2005 Summary : Past Out is a retrospective of key momen_ts, personalities, and subjects in L<JBT history. Each installment brings the past to life lry exploring the div&sity of the gtt:y past and its impact on the queer present. What is the ,history of the . Metropolitan Community Church? Because they have often experienced homophobia in their religions of origin, LGBT people have formed lesbian and gay groups within specific denominations, as well as an entirely • new LGBT religious organization, the• Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). MCC was founded by the Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry, a defrocked Protestant minister. Perry was licensed as a Baptist preacher when he was 15, married at age 18, and became a pastor in two different Pentecostal churches. In the early 1960s, he came put as gay, leading to a. divorce from his :wife and dismissal from the ministry. At age 27, after having attempted suicide following a failed love affair with a man, Perry realized that God loved .him as he was, and felt called to start a new church to serve the gay community. Perry held the first MCC service in the living room of his suburban Los Angeles home on Oct. 6, 1968. Twelve people attended, including friends and a few individuals who had seen an ad in _ The Advocate_, then a local gay newspaper. Perry's first sermon, "Be True to You," was inspired by Polonius' advice to his son in _Hamlet_. The church expanded rapidly, and within a few I)J.Onths had outgrown Perry's living room. The budding congregation first m.oved to a theater in Hollywood, theri. bought and refurbished a dilapidated building. Soon, MCC congregations began to spring up in other cities, including Chicago, Honolulu, San Diego, and San Francisco. In 1972, two dozen affiliates were· formally organized as the Univ.ersal · Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, with Perry serving as moderator .. The fellowship has since grown to nltply 300 congregations comprising sbme 43,000 members - in 48 states and more than 20 countries. Not everyone was happy about the new church's success .. In 1973, the Los Angeles congregation's recently dedicated building was burned down, the first of some 20 arsons and fire-bombings at MCC churches. Later that same vear, a fire at a New Orleans gay bar us~d for MCC services claimed the. lives ,of 32 people, including the pastor and nearly half the congregation. Perry always,intended that MCC should be an ecumenical Christian church, and {tom its first days it attracted people frpm diverse religious backgrounds. Drawing upon Pentecostal, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and other .. malnline Protestant traditions; MCC . retains many tenets of Christian doc:trine, but promotes a reading of the Bible :that accepts gay people. "Jesus never orice . mentioned or condemned : · homosexuality,:' wrqte Pe:1;tt. "Jesus spent a lot of time talking-about Iov~ - and that's something that's missingjti both the rhetoric and actions of an~y; religious,. groups." A few congregations have taken . · · ·. . the fello_;;;hip's ecw:neni~in • tp -~ n~vi levd; San Francisco's MCC .. Bills itself as. "a home for queer sp· · · · the first to .hold Since the clergy and Jay members'h~ve ta~en an active role in the LGBT civiVrights . movement. Tlie original MCC. was oom in the midst of a · · of police harassment of gay . Angeles, which resulted in the arrest of one of Perry's close friends'. In ·March 1977, • Perry was among the first gay and lcsqi~ leaders to meet with White House staff.·· In 1981, MCC Toronto's.pastor, the Rev._ Brent Hawkes, held a month-long fast to protest that city's raids on gay bathhouses, and in 1987 Perry was among the. LGBT leaders arrested during a ma$S civil disobedience outside the Supreme Court to protest the _Bowers vs. Hardwick_ sodomy ruling . .. cont-next pg. From the outset, MCC has recognized the validity of gay and lesbian relationships, and has played a key role in the ongoing struggle for same-sex marriage. Perry conducted MCC's first same-sex union ceremony just months after the church's first rn'eeting, and in 1970 filed the first-ever lawsuit demanding that the state of California recognize same-sex marriages. In conjunction with the marches on Washington in 1987, 1993, and 2000, Perry conducted mass commitment ceremonies for thousands of same-sex couples. In January 2001, MCC Toronto's Hawkes performed a wedding for a gay and a lesbian couple following the ancient tradition of banns, under which marriages may legally be performed without a license if the intent to marrv is announced in advance and no one obf ects. Although Ontario authorities refused to record the marriages, the action set in motion a series of lawsuits that legalized same-sex marriage throughout most of Canada. When Perry founded MCC, he expected that mainline churches would change their teachings about homosexuality, and that gay people would then "go home" to their own denominations. As it happened, the failure of other denominations to fully embrace LGBT people ensured MCC's survival, and MCC's success, in turn, helped spur some other religious institutions to re-examine their views concerning homosexuality. While debate still rages within several denominations over issues such as the blessing of samesex unions and the role of LGBT clergy, MCC continues to provide a welcoming spiritual home for thousands of LGBT people throughout the worid. For further reading: Perrv. Troy. 1972, 1987. _ The Lord Is My Shepherd and He Knows I'm Gay _ (Liberty Press). Perry, Troy, and Thomas Swicegood. 1990. Don't Be Afraid Anymore: The Storv ;;f Reverend Troy Perry and the Met~opolitan Commu~ity Chu:ches~ (St. Martin's). Page 23 Page 24 _Libby Post is the founding chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda and a politicai commentator on pubiic radio, on the Web, and in print media. Lesbian Notions by Libby Post SEPTEMBER 2005 Is That a Promise or a , Threat? ! Repent America, yet another Christian Right we-take-the-Bible-as-literal-fact group, reveis in its belief that Hurricane Katrina was God's vengeance on New Orleans, a city, according to the group's website, that "had its doors wide open to the public celebration of sin." They're referring to "Southern Decadence," an annual end-of-summer extravaganza that, before Katrina hit, was slated to bring in o,'er $100 million in tourism dollars to New Orleans' business communiry. That $100 million is part of what has become the· $640 billion lesbian and gay market in this country. While smail compared to what the lesbian and gay market is worth nationaily, $100 million spent in any city isn't anything to sneeze at. The gay dollar is strong in all 50 states and getting stronger, much to the chagrin of those, like the folks at Repent America, who blame us for everything that in their view is not Christian and right. Citing moral authority over corporate America, :he Christian Right has long tried to keep businesses from supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) kick-starred various Christian Right-based embargos with their boycott of Disney in 1997. SBC, along \vith the American Family Association (AF A) and Focus on the Family, contended that the roof on the house the mouse built provided shelter for the wrong type of people us. All three accused Disney of pursuing a "homosexual agenda" in providing domesticpartner benefits to employees and permitting Gay Days at their parks. Eight years later, the Christian Right gave up. Plain and simple - it didn't work. Disney thrived despite the boycott. Besides, I'm sure it was getting difficult for young Southern Baptists to expiain to their kids why they couldn't go to see Mickey and Donald. But the Magic Kingdom ·was only the beginning. Bush's re-election gave the Christian Right a shot of adrenaline, and it's got;:en savvier about intimidating business in this country. Instead of calling for an outright boycott, it just threatens one - maybe the threats are more effective tnan the real thing. As fast as you could say "economic sanctions,'' the _A.FA went after Procter and Gamble for supporting gay rights legislation in Cincinnati last fall. P&G underestimated the frenetic response of AFA members - they're said to have mobilized 400,000 people througnout ;:he country •o sign boycott pledges to pressure the corporate giant. In the long nm, some heads rolied at P&G, and gay ad dollars dried up. It will be interesting to see if Crest or Tide is advertised during _ Will and Grace_ or _Queer Eye_ thi~ season. Concerned Women for America (CWA), another Christian Right front group, has targeted Starbucks. It seems the java king has various quotes pnnted on its ubiquitous green-and-white cups a~ part of its "T'he W'ay I See It" series One of the quotes is from Armistead r-.faupin. author of __ Tales of the City_ The quote reads "My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it so bng. I surrendered my vomh to the people T feared \-:.:hen T could ha Ye been our there hJYing so1ncone. l)on ~t make that Lesbian Notions mistake yourself. Life's ;:oo damn short." CW A should take a lesson from Maupin - life is to~J damn short and they should be worrying about qumes on coffee cups. But, aias, it is the group's calling to uphold biblical teachings and thus organize against all things gay. . Need a vacation from all this Christian Right craziness? Go to the City of Brotheriy Love which, by the way, is ,vhere Repent America is headquartered - and you'll find thev actuallv want us there. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation spent S1 ~illion on an ad campaign to lure lesbian and gay tourists to the ·citv. It worked. After a 14-month campaign, the group found that we came, we saw, a~d we spent! In fact, it seems we spend more money when we stay overnight than our straight counterparts do. For every dollar that was spent to get us to the city, the city's tourism coffers realized S153 - that's quite a return on investment. So what are corporate America and the small-business community to do? Does would-be moral authority trump the American Dream of making a profit? In the long run, we ;re a capitalist nation, and money talks. Maybe it's time to bring our the "Gay Money" rubber stamps from our memorabilia shoeboxes and start using them again. Perhaps the next time you go to Starbucks you should let them know you're a member of the LGBT community and you appreciate their support. When the Christian Right threatens a boycott, write the corporate execs and tell them not to capitulate. When you travel with your partner, send a clear message to the hoteiier or B&B and book a room with a queen-or king-size bed, not two doubles. They may not know you're queer when you book, but they'll certainly know it when you check in! \'{ie're worth $640 billion a vear in this coumry. Let's show corporate America and the small-business community just how green the rainbow flag can be. By doing so, we can help them ward off the likes of the Christian Right and reclaim the moral high ground. IGNA.Tt.1:ltE PUBlISHl Quality web newsprint at affordable prices 405-478-4009 • 6725 N. Miramar Blvd. Okla City. OK 73111 Page 25 Rsk o Advice Column! October 2005 Salutations everyw-!iere Kittens. Uncle Mikey once more on the s\;ene. You know, as the recent developments in ou~\southern states occurred, Uncle has found himself pondering, how our wonderful country shall recover from the terrible effects, of the real storm in our country, simply called Bush. Between that and trying to get my damn nails to dry evenly, a thought occurred to me, Gay men have been saying it for years, No more Bush! Uncle Mikey: I have been having this affair for six months. My boyfriend does not suspect a thing. He thinks I a.m working a lot of overtime and he trusts me. I feel crappy, but sexually, I was bored. Now, the man I have been seeing is demanding more and threatening to tell my boyfriend if I do not give him what he wants. I don't want to lose my boyfriend. I just do not know how to get myself out of this one? Help! Lost Lover Dearest Lover: Kitten, Uncle must tell you, we reap ~ha.t we sow darling and I am afraid there is no wa.y out of this without feeling the wrath of scorned love. The mature thing to do would be to tdl your boyfriend what you have been up to. Devote yourself to him, and making it anew, deal with this home wrecker as one. However, know this, once you and your lover have made it through this turmoil of <lea.ling with Mr. Fata.I attraction, you a.re next on the agenda. If you are serious a.bout earning back the trust, you are going to have to take your medicine. Good Luck Uncle Kittens I have said it before and it stands true. Broken trust and love can be ~ended with only the sincerest seeker. It is not a.n easy road however, one that you can find redemption. You could also find a bunny in the p()t, so be warned. Uncle knows the role of being betrayed, with husband number three, who held an insatiable appetite for the delicacy of twinkalecious. Uncle, after buying himself a complete new wardrobe, assured him the price is never bargain rates with this queen. He wa.s able to manage his wondering eyes after that. The poor duck, did not know someone could do such damage armed only with a gold card! Dear Uncle: I am so sick of gay people acting self-absorbed. It is no wonder why people think we are such shallow people when most of them are. Why arc they? I am sorry Kitten. Uncle caught his reflection in this new hat, which would make Lady Kitty envious. Maybe I can ponder this later for you, after my tanning session maybe. I must remember to give Sue Lee, a faithful hat-girl, a raise. Smooches-Uncle Dear Uncle: Why do lesbians have such a mean streak in them? I have two friends and '\\c-henever we go out, it is like walking on eggshells because they fight more than anyone I have ever seen. I am almost over getting together with them at all. I fear where their dramatics might lead with me in the middle. The Dike's friend Dear Dike's Friend: This is something Uncle has pondered, and in all truth, I think this is merely Page 26 Ask Uncle Mikey: good spirited foreplay. In truth, though many may want to deny it, they arc oassionate creatures. Kitten; think about ~ group of gay men at a dub. Eave you ever seen a group of more .:han five gay men get together without som~cme's flame igniting? I did not think SC;. Li've and let live. Encourage the two to healthy physical activity in orcier to sooth some of those pent up passions. Maybe skydiving, I hear that bush diving is almost a sport in itself; that is if its done right. Dear uncle: My friend is a walking-breathing penis. I mean he has no thoughts above the waste. I have watched him sleep v.'ith more men than I can count. I mean he has at 26 years old, never had a relationship that lasted longer than orgasm. Brian is his hero from QAF, and he thinks his lifestyle is all right. I keep telling him that one day he is going to be sorry for his behavior. How can I help him see he needs something more in his life? Plaver's friend Dearest Kitten: First things first, does he have a brother? Ok I am som· Uncle must have drifted the~c for a m~ment. Kitten, do I detect a hint of jealousy in your words? Alternatively, is it more that the item, which is really fueling your desire, is just that? Mavbe vou think vou are the one to tame this ~ild stallio~. Uncle says go for it, show him the benefits of homemade desert in bed on a rniny day. Smooches-Uncle Kittens, live and let live, do we ha-,e to continue to go over this. As long as someone is open and honest with his or her playmates, there is no harm in this lifestyle. Playing safely and responsible, is simply a choice. We are not all meant for domestication; remember that! Smooches Unde Mikey and Ticidles too! Want more of Mikey? Visit Mikey's comer at www.askunclemikey.com. Freelance writer Michael Hinzman, joining communities throughout Queerdom ... New York's Gay Penguins Split Up (and one turns straight) By Benjamin Cohen NEW YORK_One of New York's mo~t famous gay couples has split up. Silo and Roy two male chinstrap penguins have been living together as husband and husband for the past six years. Since their relationship began, the pair have successfully hatched and raised an adopted chick, after they tried to incubate a rock. They also inspired six other gay penguin couples at New York's Central Park Zoo. However, when Scrappy, a single femaie arrived from Sea World Zoo in San Diego, Silo's eye went wondering and he moved out of his and Roy's nest and moved in with Scrappy. Quotable Quotes "I nromise mv audience at least one J , shocking gay scene this year. People will ,vrite about thi~ once I'm done \Vith it.'.f' "Desperate Housewives" creator 1viarc Cherrv ro Oc1t mag:izinc, September 1ssue. Page 27 Out of Town '·,"-, Probably the most popular of the downtown gay bars, Pegasus is a see-andbe- seen dance-and-video lounge that's especiaily popular for after-work cocktails. The sprawling Pittsburgh Eagle, in a barren industrial neighborhood a 10-minute drive north of downtown, draws huge crowds for dancing on weekends. Donny's Place is a lively· country-western dance bar with a pool hall drawing a mixed-gender crowd. Downstairs, there's a guy-oriented basement nook known as Leather Central. Trendy types head to True Cafe and Bartini, a snazzy lounge on the North Side that exudes sophistication. Fans of karaoke, pool, and videos congregate at Images, an unpretentious and friendly downtown spot, as well as the nearby Liberty A venue Saloon, which serves tasty pub fare, too. The low-keyed Reai Luck Cafe sits a short walk from the music clubs and restaurants in the Strip and draws a mix of women and men. Among accommodations, you can'{ beat either the location or the swank decor of the Westin Convention Center, which sits near Liberty Avenue's gay nightlife and the Strip's rescaurams and markets. But for sheer history, check into the old-world Omni William Penn, a 1916 beauty in the heart of downtown. The excellent, mid-priced Courtyard Marriott chain has two fine Pittsburgh properties. In the Cultural District, the Courtyard Marriott Pittsburgh Downtown occupies four adjacent historic buildings. A few miles east, the Courtyard Marriott Shadyside/Oakland is close to gay-popular shopping and dining along Liberty and Ellsworth avenues. A delightful South Side urban retreat, the Victorian Morning Glory Inn is filled with memorable touches, from an 1890 grand piano in the music room to lateafternoon wine that you can enjoy on a shaded terrace. Rooms have fine antiques, tasteful fabrics, and luxe marble baths. Another gay-friendly option, the Arbors Bed & Breakfast occuoies a handsome 19th-century house o;;. 2 pastoral acres. Rooms have cable TV with VCRs, refrigerators, and unfussy but e!F-gant furnishings. On the North Side, the Priory is a highly romantic inn created out of a comrcrted 1888 home for traveling Benedictine monks and an 1852 German Catholic church. Filled with Victorian antiques and oozing character, the inn has a welltrained staff committed to first-rate service. Best of all, it's just a five-minute walk from the wonderful Warhol Museum. The iconoclastic pop artist probably would have approved of Pittsburgh's most gay-popular inn occupying a former house of worship. The Little Black Book Arbors Bed & Breakfast (745 Maginn St., 412-231-4643, www.arborsbnb.com). Cafe Zao (649 Penn Ave., 412-325-7007). Casbah (229 S. Highland Ave., 412-661- 5656). City Grill (2019 E. Carson St., 412-481-6868). Courtyard Marriott Pittsburgh Downtown (945 Penn Ave., 412-434-5551, www.courtyardpittsburghdowntowo.com). Courtyard Marriott Shadyside/ Oakland (5308 Liberty Ave., 412-683-3113, www.courtyardshadyside.com). Donny's Place (1226 Herron Ave., 412-682-9869). 5801 (5801 Ellsworth Ave., 412-661- 5600). Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau (877-LOVE-PGH, www.visitpittsburgh.com). Images (965 Libertv Ave., 412-391-9990). Kaya (2000 Small~an St., 412-261-6565). Liberty Avenue Saloon (941 Liberty Ave., 412- 338-1533). Monterey Bay Fish Grotto (1411 Grandview Ave., 412-481-4114). Morning Glory Inn (2119 Sarah St., 412- 431-1707, www.morningglorybedandbreakfast.com). Omni William Penn (530 William Penn PL, 412-281-7100 or 800-THE-OMNI, www.omnihotels.com). Original Hot Dog Shop (3901 Forbes Ave., 412-687- 8327). Pegasus (818 Liberty Ave., 412- 281-2131). Pittsburgh Eagle (1740 Eckert St., 412-766-7222). Pittsburgh International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (412-232-3277, www.piigff.org). Le Pommier Bistro (2104 E. Carson St., 412-431-1901). The Priory (614. Pressley St., 412-231-3338, www.thepriory.com). Ray's Marlin Beach Bar and Grill (5121 Butler St., 412-781-6771). Real Luck Cafe (1519 Penn Ave., 412-566-8988). Soba Lounge (5847 Ellsworth Ave., 412-362- 5656). Sonoma Grille (947 Penn Ave., 412-697-1336). Square Cafe (1137 S. Braddock Ave., 412-244-8002). Page 28 Minister Fired provide witness that Mr. Urie has very high women, gay and straight have offered to standards and morals completing his job with integrity and honesty" Kenneth T: a straight man who helped Mr. Urie with classes stated, "I may not approve of Mr. Urie's life-style but justice is justice and this is wrong. Never at anytime did Mr. Urie conduct himself other than professionally in the classes I assisted with.'' "My concern is that at 55 years of age and having been out since my 20's that this could happen at this rime of my life. I never thought a system that employees so many people of alternate life-styles would in fact use this as justification. This system has an antidiscrimination policy based on sexuai orientation clause in their handbook yet does nothing to protect it's staff members against being held to a double standard." " I encourage evervone to understand that they DO NOT have protection under the law as long as we remain second class citizens. We MUST work in every state and at the ·Federal level to obtain the protection that every citizen should have in housing, business, marriage and the workplace." "No one should ever be caught off guard or surprised when discriminatory actions take place as long as we are without the same protections others have. It couid happen t0 you." Urie said. "Don't be surprised, yes they can do it." Rev. Urie has ministered the all affirming. predominantly GLBT Christian church in Joplin for 8 years and has worked tirelessly to improve lives, to bring together the gay and lesbian community in Southwest Missouri. I have known Rev. Steve Urie for several vears, have attended his services and ha.;e seen first hand the charity and giving in this man, from his heart. And to my knowledge he has never drawn a salary from the church. The community, church and it's members are his life and a fulltime job in it's own. Yet he was dedicated to his teaching position with Freeman Health Care Systems. This man does not deserve to be stepped on by anyone and especially by a company that does riot enforce it's non-discrimination policy with members of our community. Steve has been unemployed since the 8'h of August and is unable to get a job until this is cleared up with the Board of Nursing. Anyone wanting to help with the legal expenses for Mr. Urie can send contributions to: Urie Legal Fund, c/o P.O. Box 4711, Joplin, MO 64803 It's a good time for our community to give back to someone who has given so much to us. Page 29 Federal Workers certain claims of sexual orientation -------. discrimination from federal employees. Liverpool to Back Building of Gay arter In April 2004, the White House released the following statement: "Longstanding federal policy prohibits discrimination against federal employees based on sexual orientation. . . . President Bush expects federal agencies ro enforce this policy and to ensure that all federal employees are protected from unfair discrimination at work." "From national park rangers to emergency personnel, federal employees fill important roles in American society. The last thing they should have to worry about is a bureaucrat in Washington rolling back their employment protections," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Our work continues as we fight for these critical protections, including strongly advocating for an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that protects every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender American from workplace discrimination." The Clarification of Federal Employment Protections Act was introduced June 30, 2005, by Reps. Henrv Waxman, D-Calif., Chris Shays, R-Co~n., Steny Hoyer, D-Md.; Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Mark Foley, R-Fla.; Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.; Eliot Engei, DN .Y.; Danny Davis, D-Ill.; and Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz. Quotable Quotes "If George W. Bush gets one more Supreme Court appointment, then a very important decision, the Lawrence decision, which says it was unconstitutional to prosecute two consenting men having sex in their bedroom that would be overturned. Tohn Roberts would overturn that. You have Bush talking about how Scalia - virulent homophobe ~ is such a good model for him." Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to the Seattle Gay News, July 29. By Ross van Metzke LIVERPOOL, UK - The Liverpool City Council voted unanimously Monday to back the idea of creating a gay quarter in the already liberal city. The ambitious plan was first put before the council earlier this month. Now that the plan has received full council support, the city planning department has announced it will begin to map out the neighborhood's boundaries and ~ on a plan to attract gay businesses to the area. This marks the first time an LGBT village has been specifically created by an act of a city council. In most cities, gay neighborhoods have historically sprung up on their own, usually as the result of several gay foc1.1sed businesses opening or a boom in the real estate market .. In Liverpool, the village will be planned out with a strip for businesses and an area for housing surrounding it. The group ofpeople who proposed the plan said they did so out of a sense that Liverpool needed a strong unified LGBT community to economically help. develop its decaying central core. Although Liverpool has its fair share of gay bars and clubs; they are currently spread throughout the area .. With no village as a focal point, Liverpool has yet to host its own gay pride celebration. Council members said they would look to neighboring city Manchester as a guide. Manchester has one of the most vibrant gay communities in Europe and annually attracts thousands of LGBT visitors from around the world. "We hope to get moving on it very quickly and we want to talk to- businesses who are already gay-friendly and. also the gay community to get their ideas and ;uggestions about the way forward," councilor Peter Millea said, according to 365gay.com. "Liverpool has always had gay-friendly bars, but they have never worked together as part of a strategy." Page 32 r 1 1 .1 ! I j the STAR delivered to your home or office? ues for $24.95 will be mailed in a envelope the 1st of each month. te the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: Ozarks STAR 5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153 J\tlsa, OK 74145 NAME: ___________ _ Address:. ____________ City:. _____ St:_Zip:. _ _ Phone: ______ _ Check enclosed __ Money Order Start Date: ____ _ £11 ACI', 1'0UOHENING PENAL'flES FORA~ CONVICl'EI) OF ACRIME AGAfNS1' ACHILD. Page 33 Page 34 See es by Jack Fertig OCTOBER 2005 "Meditate, Aquarius!" ------.__,.. ,, .. After a series of stressful quincunxes, ,quares, and oppositions, we finally get some easy aspects! The Sun in Libra, trine Neptune in Aquarius, focuses on new takes on social and humanitarian ideals. Mercury conjunct Jupiter in Libra, semi-sextile Venus in Scorpio, opens the gates of erotic charm. Keep prophylactics handy. Whether you're scouting for boys or girls, be prepared! ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Reiax and enjoy the company of the one you love, or audition candidates for that role. Explore any sexual desires you've been shy about expressing, and talk dreamily about your ideals and hopes for the future. TAURUS (Aprii 20 - May 20): If you have any problems with co-workers, this is an excellent time to work them out. Your boss will be very sympathetic to any suggestions you have, but may not really understand them. Be very clear! GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You're · more playful and jocular than usual these days, and you could go over the top at work. Behave! You're especially open to new ideas. If there's any type of art you "don't quite get," now's the time to give it another try. CANCER Oune 21 - July 22): Your home could become Party Central now. Invite some people over, whether for a tasteful dinner or more erotic entertainments. Be careful with intoxicants. A good wine wfrh dinner is lovely. Harder drugs at a play party are not pretty! LEO Ouly 23 - August 22): Your charms are as seductive as they are poetic. If you work on the poetry of them, everything - and everyone - around you wiU faII into place. Siblings (despite some initial resistance) and neighbors are more cooperative than usual. VIRGO (August 23 September 22):Money flies into your pockets, but leaves just as easily if you let it. Review your budget for health and hygiene. A close friend should ha-ve some good money-saving tips. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): ,\fercury and Jupiter lined up in your sign make you dangerously open and expressive. You could let some valuabie - o/ passionate - secret slip. Go ahead and let passion out. Y ou'l! win any games you play for fun, but don't gamble away your money! SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Those dark, secret depths you're so famous for are suddenly very open and accessible - for you, at least. A little getav.•ay with a confidante can help you to gain great insights. Family religious traditions pro,-ide some insight as well. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 December 20): Cultivating social comacts now wiil pay off pretty quickly. Offering help behind the scenes, as well as rolling up your siceves and deaning up wherever needed, will gee you on the fast track to key positions. CAPRICORN (December 21 January 19): Chat up the boss or anyone else who can help you get ahead. A mysteriQUs female colleague should be helpful. Be open and honest about money troubles, and your forthright attitude will pay om AQUARIUS Ganuary 20 - February 18): Meditation can clear the fog you're experiencing. Then your philosophicai farsightedness will help you see what career moves to make now. A female (and/or femme) superior will help you focus on planning. PISCES (Febn;ary 19 - March 19): Sexually, you can get whatever you want (and nearly whomever you want) now. However, it will not come with discreet privacy. People wili talk! Whether that amou:1ts to good publicity or a tawdry scandal is up to you. Jack Fertig has been working as a profe,sional t15trologer since 1977 and is a f01mding member of the Association for Astrological ,Vetworking. I 1 I I I I I I I j 1 ,4., I l 1 You can find copies of the STAR at these 4 sr,.res business & organb:{tion.s. ARKANSAS ICANBAB Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Event ~ ~ www.diversitypride.com MCC Lli;-',.ng 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 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Club 1022 - - 1022 Dodson Ave. - - - - 479-782-1845 Kinkeads- 1004 1/2 G:u-rison Ave- 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 - - - 917 N. "A" St - - - -479-?82-9578 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jesters Lounge - - 1010 E. Grand Ave -501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street- - - -1021 Jessie Ril- -- - 501-664-2744 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - -www.dsra.org Disco...-ery- - - - 1021 Jessie Rd- - - - -501-666-6900 Sidetraclc5 - 415 Main St - -!'>!. LR.- 501-244-0444 The Factory -412 Louisiana St.- - -50!-372-30]0 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) River of Life Church 1709 N Walnut - -llAM PSU-QSA.- -1701.S. Broadway- - 620-231-0938 Kansas, Wichita (316) Club Giacier - 2828 E. 31st South 316-612-9331 J's Lounge 513 E. Central - - 316-262-1363 Our Fantllsy- 3201 S. Hillside- -316-682-5494 The Otherside- -447 N. St Francis- 316-262-7825 Shatai - - - - - - - 4000 S. Broadway- 316-522--2028 Sidcstreet Mens Bar -1106 S. Pattie- -316-267-0324 South 40 - - - - - 3201 S. Hillside - - - - -316-682-5494 Trends Bar - - -1507 S. Pawnee- - - - - 316-262-4530 Missouri, Ava Catus Canyon Campground - ·_ - . 41""-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- - 716 S. Main - - - - - - - -417-627-9035 MCC Spirit of Christ-2902 E 20th, - - -Sn:i-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816) Buddies - - • - - • • 3715 .Main St- - - 8i6-561-2600 Club NV - - - 220 Admiral Blvd- 816-421-NVKC DB Warehou~e- -- 1915 Main St- - -816-471-1575 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - - -· - 816-561-0625 Sidcstreet Bar - -413 E. 3rd-· - • - 816-531-1775 Siddricks Saloon - 3707 Main Si-• 816- 931-1430 Missouri, Lampe KOKOMO Campground· - - - · - 417-779-5084 MISSOURI OKLAHOMA Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boonville Ave- --417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercia!-873-2225 Martha's Vineyard- 219 W Olive - . - 417-864-4572 Priscilla's - - - - 1918 S. Glcnstone - - - 417-881-8444 Oz Bar 504 E. Commercial - - - - - - 41?-831-9001 Ronisuz Place- --821 College- -417-864-0036 Rumors --1109 E. Commercial- - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, McAlester McPride- - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK '.'4502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Boom Room- 2807 NW 36th Sr- - - - -405-601-7200 Club Rox- - - -3535 NW 39th Expwy 405-947-2351 Finish Line - -2200 NW 39th Expwy- 405-525-0730 Gushers Rem.urant-2200 ~W 39Exp405-525-0730 HollywoodHotci- 3535 NW 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habana Tnn 2200 NW 39th Exo- - - 405-528-2221 Hi-Lo Club - 1221 NW SOth- - - -405-843-1?22 Jungle Reds - - • 2200 NW Exp·;-.ry- 405-524-5733 Partners- - - -2805 NW 36th St 405-942-2199 Prisdlia"s- 615 E. Memorial - - - - - . -405-755-8600 Red Rock Nonh-2240 NW39th St- -405-525-5165 Sisters-·· - 2120 NW 39th St -405-52.i-9533 The Rockles- - -3201 N. May Ave - , 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill & Ba:- 3535 NW 39th-- 405-947-2351 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) B:i.mboo Lounge- 7204 E. Pine - - -- - 918-836-8700 Club :\faverick- 822 S. Sheridan - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks 8807 E. Admiral Pl - -834-1051 Elite Bockstore --814 S. Sheridan- 918-838-8503 End Up Club- - - 424.S . .Memorial- - -918-836-2480 Flamingos Club- - -7915 E. 21st St - -918-622-6339 GLBT Comm .. Cti- -5545 E. 41st- - 918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge-11730 E. 11:h- - - - -918-437-0449 Dewu:- - - -?944 E. 21st - • - - - - • • - 918-270-2428 Cbb Majesric- - 124 N. Bosron - - 918-584-9494 Renegades- - - - 1649 S. Main - - - - - - 918-585-3405 Priscilla's - - - - - 7925 E. 41st- - . - -918-627-4884 Priscilia'5 563,1 W. Skelly - - - - -918-446-6336 P:iscilia's - 2333 E. 71st - · -918-499-1661 The Asylum - 1737 S. Memorial Dr• -918-622-2565 Tulsa CARES- -3507 E. Admiral Pl- 918-834-4194 Tulsa Eagle-- - -1338 E. 3rd - - - - - 918-592-1186 TNT's • 2114 S. Memorilli- -918-660-0856 Underguy.com - -15 E. Brady - 918-829-0824 \~·bittier News Srand- 1 N. Lewis- - 918-592~0767 .. Yellow-Brick-Rd- - ~.2630 E. 15th- - - 918-293-0304 Outlets wishing to distribute FREE copies of the ST AR, contact us at 918.83 5. 7887 9am to 4pm mon • fri or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobaLnet Page 37 cART □□ N "Bitter Giri" Page 38 cART □ oN "A Couple of Guys" A Couple of guys• i?~~~ •Old School• r ') I I I I I :., JOIN THE STAR TEAM! ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE F"OR WICHITA, OKLAHOMA CITY, TULSA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS email qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F"OR RATES 91 B.BBS.7887 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service. SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F"OR RATES 91 B.B35.7B87 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service. 1 /BTH PAl3E CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F'OR RATES 91 B.B35.7B87 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Affordable Advertising Service .. 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 [2005] The Star Magazine, October 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 10 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 01, 2005 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 C.D. Ward Josh Aterovis Chef John Patrick Matt Brooks 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 PDF Online text 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, September 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 9 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/222 The Star Magazine, November 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 11 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/220 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/221 A Couple of Gay Guys Advice AIDs alliance anti marriage Bitter Girl Cartoon Fall Spicy Salmon hate crimes Heart to Heart hurricane katrina Lesbian Notions liverpool local advertisement Marsha Stevens Mr. Sunshine State Past Out penguins Q Scopes Quotable Quotes religion sexual discrimination Star Scene Uncle Mikey vacation https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/015fa44afde2a916349c2982940c5e30.jpg e2e30a32d990eea49fc557c4118ccc47 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/9e4d20eaab2e34e0e08d2c63d0384688.pdf 94fbe63abdb287da3de6c97e93e4de2e 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 iiiis 109 E.Comm . Springfield, Mo 65803 417-873-2225 HearTheRumots·J~orn Scott Crow,, Managipg; M~Graw Da~isson. Stew 800. 0.3210 Langley, Oklahoma . ScottCrow~mcgrawok.com 918.782.3211 I J Diversity Pride Weekend EUREKA SPRINGS by Greg Steele EUREKA SPRINGS, AR_Rainbow flags will be flying high over Eureka Springs, Arkansas the weekend of November 4th- 6th. Diversity Pride Events owners Deborah Rose and partner have organized a weekend shindig for everyone. Rose said "It will be raining guys, gals and bears". Fall Diversity Weekend is just one of many events organized throughout rhe year by Deborah's group and other producers. Spring Diversity Pride Weekend, April 7-8 2006 and the fantastic Valenrines Dinner and Dance February 17-18 2006 are just a few getawa:y dates to plan for. Highlights of the upcoming weekend will include something for the girls, CRAVE DJ Kiki Fri & Sat. at Caribe Restaurant and Cantina. Collide with JD Bryan for the guys, GO GO Guy and Gal Dance Contest with cash prizes. Then rhere's Diversity Bears events with Bears, Beer & BBQ at Foresr Hill Restaurant. Moodswing Band will be belting out some Country Western Retro at Shawbee's Big Dawg Saloon 9pm Fri & Sat. For those wanna be crooners there's a Diversity Open Mic/Talent search contest Friday and Saturday. Drag Kings and Drag Queens, what else could you ask for! The fabulous Robbie Walker and many other performers · will be out to entertain you. You may even run into IRIS. For schedule's and more information on Diversity Pride Events weekend, check out the website at (www.diversitypride.com). Also (www.eurekasprings.com/ alternative) for lodging and other points of interest such as shopping, shopping, shopping. And don't forget Eureka Springs has some of the best restaurants in the region. It will be a biast off weekend in this little gay friendlv city nestled in the Ozark Mountains. Drive carefully. Page 3 QJ~ttttksgining irtttitt!JS by Greg Steele With all the outing of gay pen~ . ins, sheep, dogs and other species, is tere a possibility there are gay . ~ turkeys? How would you know./: you were eating one of our. own. l mean the poor critters are Just. herded into the slaughter pen,. h!1111andy killed, I presume, plm;keo and whisked off to Walmart. I. for one will be asking the Walmart meat lady 'f turkey was gay! I refuse to 1 mv . "r-!1 bak~, fry, barbecue or boil a "=Y member. We assume that all turkeys are hetero, and it's OK to bake or fry t a homophobic betero turkey, but ec ., h d what if your turkey was etero an gay friendly? This outing of animals and now fowl is just not rig~t. It raises so . many questions and create~ ~o many problems and it's Thanksgtvmg ~o.r god sake. Where are the Fowl Rights people when you need them! Have a Great Holiday! Citing Dangers Posed By Antigay 'Sodomy Laws', Lambda Legal Voices Concern Over Supreme Court Nominee Harriet Miers's Answers to Gay Rights Survey Lambda Legal fought in the courts for five ye.trs to overturn the Texas "Homosexual Conduct" law. We therefore find it very troubling that Ms. Miers would twice assert that the law should stand rather ihan be repealed (New York, October 4, 2005) - Statement from Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director for Lambda Legal regarding a survey Supreme Court Nominee Harriet Miers answered on gay rights while she was a candidate for Dallas City Council. "Harrier Miers's written answers, while a candidate for Dallas City Council, to a number of questions about the rights of gays and lesbians merit very close scrutiny. We would hope that the general proposition that gay people deserve the same civil rights as everybody else isn't controversial. We nonetheless take note that Ms. Miers agreed with the proposition in 1989. What we find particularly troubling, though, is her contradictory statement that the Texas "Homosexual Conduct" law which made it a crime for gay people to engage in sexual intimacy that was completely legal for heterosexuals should not be repealed. As Justice Sandra Day O'Connor pointed out in her concurring opinion in Lawrence v. Texas, this law unjustiy discriminated against gay people. Lambda Legal fought in the courts for five years to overturn the Texas "Homos;xual Conduct" law. Two of our clients were led handcuffed from one of their apartments in the middle of the night and jailed as a result of it. We therefore find it very troubling that Ms. Miers would twice assert that the law should stand rather than be repealed. "This new evidence makes it even more important that Harriet Miers's nomination be subjected to rigorous scrutiny during the Sena~e confirmation process. We do not believe that her statements in 1989 alone decide whether she is qualified to a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. At the same rime, we firmly believe that a nominee is qualified only if she demonstrates the necessary legal intellect, experience and judicial temperament as well as a clear commitment to fairness and equality for all Americans. Ms. Miers's support for a criminal law that openly discriminated against gay people calls into serious question whether she possesses this commitment. The upcoming Senate confirmation hearings will provide the nominee with the opportunity to discuss her current thinking and demonstrate whether she is committed to fairness and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and all other Americans." FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN GLBT SERIES 'NOAH'S ARC' PROVIDES IMPORTANT VISIBILITY WASHINGTON - In collaboration with Logo, the Human Rights Campaign is sponsoring a six city sneak preview tour of "Noah's Arc," the first African-American gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender series. The Washington, D.C., preview takes place at 8 p.m. today in HRC's Equality Forum /RS.YE). · "We're proud to be promoting a show that finally gives visibility to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender African-Americans," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "We should all have the opportunity to see ourselves in our media." "The Human Rights Campaign's support from the beginning of this show has really helped bring it to life," said show creator Patrick Ian Polk. "These sneak previews represent anotner seep m the partnership we began more than a year ago.'" "This is a historic moment not only for the African-American GLBT community, but for the whoie GLBT community," say Chris Wagely, marketing manage! for Logo.Other sponsors include the Black AIDS Institute, Comcast and Di!ectTV The series will premiere on Logo Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005. A sneak pre,;iew took place la~: night in New York C:ty. All previews except for the OUT!'lest preview are free of charge. Additionai previews wiH take place: Page S Jackson Hole ahd Telluride _Jackson Hole, Wyoming~ Just south of Grand Teton National Park, in one of the most remote and dra~aticall· scenic patches of the American West, Jackson Hole feels e~ual, parts , h y · •·· ' chic On the surface it's less cutesv and overoeve10ped man down- ome ana cowooy • '. , ' .. h · d many upscale Rockies ski resorts, but you'll still fina plenty of ,ony s ops, inns, an restaurants. n •. li 12 mil northwest of Toe ski area, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, actuauj es • es .. th• bustling town of Jackson. The resort area is surrounded by T~ton Vhlllage, a~ att..r. active duster of re. sorts, restaurants, · d s· · -rer1ate t e resort s and con os. k:lers apy ~ challenging and beautifully kept terrain. Page 6 Out of Town Half of the 111 trails are expert, and 40 percent of them intermediate. A dozen lifts serve the 2,500 acres of skiing, and the vertical drop of 4,139 is the greatest of any ski area in the nation. Among Teton Village accommodations, consider the cushv Snake River Lodge, an inviting 88-r~om hotel that's home to one of the region's top resraurams, GameFish (where you might sample port-marinated elk chops with appie cider sauce), as well as the magnificent Avanyu Spa. The lodge also rents out 46 adjacent condos. Another excellent option, Teton Village Lodge also lies at the base of the ski resort and consists of 80 upscale rental condos, many with full kitchens, gas fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs. No trip to Teton Village is complete without a visit to the Mangy Moose, a rollicking tavern and live-music dub that draws both regionally and nationally known talents and serves up delicious buffalo burgers, pizzas, and barbecue ribs. This is one of the world's quintessential apres-ski hangouts. In the town of T ackson itself, vou'll find a number of ieat restaurants: plus a good many spots to buy everything from high-end cowboy wear to top-of-the-line ski gear. Enjoy a casual meal and some top-notch lagers and stouts at Snake River Brewing. Rendezvous Bistro serves such delectable contemporary fare as smoked swordfish carpaccio and steak tanare. And set inside· a vintage house downtown, the Blue Lion presents huge portions of tasry Western favorites, such as fresh-caught Idaho red trout and grilled elk tenderloin. Among downtown accommodations, the historic Won Hotel exudes charm, with its imposing 1940s T;:ido:.:-style facade and richly furnished rooms, pius the convivia: Sfrver Dollar Bar and Grill. Head up into the hills just west of town to reach one of the \'vest's premier resorts, Amangani, an ultra-op~lent mouncaimop spread whose 40 paiati2l suites start at $700 11ighth in season. Massive windows lool~ o~t across Teton Pass from this elegant sandstone-andredwood building. Even if you don't stay here, drop by for a meal at The Grill or cocktails at the zinc-top bar. From either Teton· Villal"e or the C' to'l..vn of Jackson, it's a relatively short and easy drive north into Grand Teton National Park, and from there it's just about 45 miles up to the southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park. To reach Jackson, your best bet is to fly right into Jackson Hole Airport, which has service from several major airlines, including American, Delta, Northwest, and United. Otherwise, it's a long drive to Jackson from the nearest major cities (300 miles from Salt Lake, 520 miles from Denver). _Telluride, Colorado_ Telluride is really two communities in one. There's the historic and extremely charming original town, which sits nestled in a deep gorge at the base of some of the finest ski terrain in the West. And then there's the more modern Mountain Village, which you can reach either by driving 8 miles west and then north of town or via a free gondola trip up the mountainside (the ride takes 13 minutes). Telluride ski season begins around Thanksgiving and runs through early April; the area consists of 84 trails, evenly balanced between advanced and intermediate runs, with a smaller but still considerable number of beginner slopes, and there's a vertical drop of some 3,500 feet, with the area's peak elevation at 12,260. Skiers can navigate the mountain via 16 lifts (more than half of them highspeed) and dine at some 55 ski-in/ ski-out restaurants. This is truly a world-class facility. Telluride Gay Ski Week was begun in 2004 and has rapidly developed an enthusiastic following. In 2006 it runs from February 26 through March 5, and it coincides with the Telluride AIDS Benefit, which is the recipient of the week's proceeds. Festivities include a variety of parties, from an outdoor tubing shir:dig co an indoor pool-andJacuzzi romp. The week culminates on Oscar Night, so the final party includes a fabulous viev,-ing of the Academy Awards. One thing downtown Telluride has pient:y of is superb restaurants, the best of them helmed by iocai chef superstar, Jake Linzinmeir. His latest creation, which opened in December 2004, is Chair 8, in the Camel's Garden Hotel, at continued page-28 Page 7 Bold New Ads Aired to Oppose Texas Anti-Marriage Amendment Houston same-sex couples and families speak from the heart about why marriage matters HOUSTON, Oct. 12 - The Vote Against the Amendment Campaign, a project of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, today announced the release of seven broadcast commercials in opposition to Proposition 2, a proposed amendment to the Texas constitution that would prohibit any legal recognition of same-sex relationships. The measure will be on the ballot on November 8. The seven television spots, which begin airing today, feature several Houston gay and lesbian families talking about their love and the need for, and importance of, marriage equality. While there have been many television ads opposing state anti-marriage constitutional amendments over the last few vears, this new series is the first time sam;-sex couples have spoken directly about why marriage matters. "These groundbreaking ads will introduce Houston voters to their gay and lesbian neighbors and underscore that this constitutional amendment will hurt real people and real families," said National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Director of Organizing & Training Dave Fleischer. "We think it is important to speak to voters openly and honestly about our lives and relationships. When voters know who we are, many more of them see the need for marriage equality for gay families and consider standing with us on the issue." "It is imperative that Houstonians understand the negative impact this amendment will have on our Eves and our families," said Rev. Carolyn Mobley and Adrain Bowie, who appear in one of the commercials. "We are not second-clas$ citizens, and we need the same rcso~rces and rights availabie ro heterosexual couples to protect our fan1iiies. 1 • According to the U.S. Census, there are 9,784 same-sex couples in the Houston metropolitan area, with a total of 42,912 same-sex couples in the st.ate of Texas. The greater Houston metro area ranks 44th out of the 331 metropolitan areas defined bv the Census nationwide. The Vote Against the Amendment Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force are working in partnership with the coalition of state and local groups in Texas that are part of the No Nonsense in November campaign. "Our opponents have vastly greater resources at their disposal and are relying on myths and fear-mongering to hurt Texas families. We appreciate the work of the Task Force to show the truth about who we are," said Glen Maxey, the No Nonsense in November campaign manager. Proposition 2, which will be decided on November 8, prohibits marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex families. The Task Force has committed significant resources to helping the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community educate voters about the detrimental impact of these divisive amendments. This commitment inciudes training, voter identification, organizing key communities, as well as significant financial assistance. To date, 18 states have amended their state constitutions to preclude the recognition of same-sex marriage, with most of the amendments also forbidding any legal recognition of same-sex families. Quotable Quotes "1 think the opponents of gay marriage really fall into two categories. A smail group of peopie just don't like gay oeople. If you don't like one, you don't like two. It's geometric. The larger percentage are people who are generally supportive of equal rights, as they have been in Massachusetts, but hear these predictions that it's going to be socially very chaotic, and they figure, why take the chance?" - Gav U.S. Rep Barney Frank, D-Mass., to the \feilesley {Mass.] ·ro~,.vnsman. Page 8 Know The Law, Then You Decide! OUJI-CR 8-25 DEFENSE OF ENTRAPMENT - REQUIREMENTS Where a person has no previous intent or purpose to violate the law, but is induced or persuaded by law enforcement officers to commit a crime, he/ she is entitled to the defense of entrapment, because the law as a matter of policy forbids a conviction in such a case. On the other hand, where a person already has the readiness and willingness to break the law, the mere fact that a police officer provides what appears to be a &vorable opportunity is no defense. If you should find from the evidence that, before anything at all occurred respecting the alleged offense involved in this case, the defendant was ready and willing to commit a crime such as that charged in the information whenever opportunity was offered and the police merely offered the opportunity, the defendant is not entitled to the defense of entrapment. If, on the other hand, you should find that the defendant had no previous intent or purpose to commit any offense of the character here charged, and did so onlv because he/ she was induced or persuaded by some agent of the police, then the government has seduced an innocent person, and the defense of entrapment is a good defense. Committee Comments This instruction is substantially similar to that approved by the Court of Criminal Appeals in Robinson v. State, 1973 OK CR 152, 507 P.2d 1296. . overruled on other grounds, Mclnt~rjf v. State, 1976 OK CR 226, 112, 554 P.2d 837, 841. Entrapment occurs when the planning and volitional conduct associated with an offense are entire!, the products of an officer or a person acting under the direction of an officer, and the officer or his agent procures the c~m~ssion of the offense by a person who, buc for the artifice of the officer, Kiddie v. State, 1977 OK CR 301, 574 P.2d 1042; Dupree v. State, 1973 OK CR 53, 506 P.2d 974; McCan v. State, 1967 OK CR 222, 435 P.2d 419; Riddle v. State, 1962 OK CR 98, 374 P.2d 634; Crosbie v. State, 1958 OK CR 78, 330 P.2d 602; Savage v. State, 1956 OK CR 112, 304 P.2d 344; Bayouth v. State, 1956 OK CR 26, 294 P.2d 856; Lee v. State, 66 Okl. Cr. 399, 92 P.2d 621 (1939). See also Jacobson v. United States, 503 U.S. 540, 554 (prosecution was required to offer evidence of defendant's predisposition to violate the !aw independent of the government's acts and bevond a reasonable doubt). Merely furnishing the defendant with an opportunity to commit a crime is not entrapment. Hunnicutt v. State, 1988 OK CR 91, ,r 3, 755 P.2d 105, 107-08. The defense of entrapment is not available unless the officer or the person acting under his direction first suggested perpetration of the criminal act, or lured or persuaded the defendant to partake of the criminal conduct. Stevens v. State, 51 Okl. Cr. 451, 2 P.2d 282 (1931); Warren v. State, 35 Okl. Cr. 430, 251 P. 101 (1926). The court has analyzed the availabilirv of the entrapment defense as follows: O~e who is instigated, induced, or lured bv officer of law or other person, for · purposes of prosecution, into commission of crime which he had otherwise no intention of committing may avail himself of the defense of entrapment. Principle of entrapment places no limitation on right of officers to obtain evidence of any crime originating in mind of a~orher; and an officer may, when acting in good faith with view to detecting crime. make use of deception, tricker}~ or artifice. Robinson, supra, 1973 OK CR 152, ,i 11, 507 P.2d at 1299 (citations omitted; emphasis in original), overruled on burden of proof, Mclnturjf v. State, 1976 OK CR 226, 1 12, 554 P.2d 837, 841. Continued page-29 Page 9 iversity de Events We Do'It t! Por GLBT.s & PFLAGs Eureka Sprinqs. Adzansas No It. will be .RAINING . ... MEN,. WOMEN~, BEARS/ . www.DiversityPride.com Call for G Games Poster Artists **VII** GAY GAME'S. CHICAGO 2006 CHICAGO, IL_ The Gay Games in Chicago won't just be for athletes, performers and their fans. True to its motto of inclusion, the Gay Games will give also give creative artists an opportunity ---m!i to showcase ti½.eir talents. Chicago Games, Inc. (CGI), the organizers of the July 15 to 22, 2006 Gay Games VII Sports & Cultural Festival, has issued a Call for Artists to submit designs for a series of commemorative Gay Games posters. Selected designs will be printed in a limited series on museum quality paper and distributed to help raise visibility and. funds for the Chicago event. The Gay Games Arts Committee will select winning artwork from designs submitted by 15 November 2005. The selection committee will be chaired by well-known Chicago artist Bob Klunk and Chicago artist, writer and poet CC Carter. The winning artists will each receive 50 artist proofs of their completed poster and the designs will be featured on the Gay Games Chicago website at www.gaygameschicago.org. Artists should submit artwork in the highest resolution possible on CD-ROM by 15 November 2005 to: Poster Art Contest. Gav Games VII, 4753 N. Br~ad<N;y, Suite 602, Chicago, IL 60640. All artwork submitted will be the property of Chicago Games, Inc. to be used in promotions, sales and all other uses. No original artwork will be returned. Artists will be required to sign a release granting use of the artwork. Specifications/Rules Final printed poster artwork will be 18" wide by 24" high. The logos of Gay Games VII and our Global Sponsors, along with text continued page-3 5 Page 12 OKC,OK Priscilla's 615 E Memorial (405) 755-8600 Springfield, MO TLC Priscilla's 1918 S. Glenstone (417) 881-8444 Tulsa, OK Priscilla's 7925 E 41st (918) 627-4884 Tulsa, OK Prisciila's 5634 W. Skelly (918) 446-6336 Tulsa, OK Priscilla's 11344 E. 11th (918) 438-4224 Tuisa, OK Priscilla's 2333 E. 71st (918) 499-1661 Page 13 to2pm Music, These Girls It All! A 5 piece all female band, Moodswing has been together for one and half 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 and the Sooner State Rodeo in Tulsa. And have proven to draw huge crowds at many Tulsa and Oklahoma City nightclubs. Current members are: Brenda Bobbit has been entertaining since the tender age of 3. At 12, she played with her father & Jimmy Dallas in Kansas City. She performed in the Fender's theater in Branson, played in concerts with Jo Clark & the Fog_gy River Bovs to name a few. Her hero 1s Dottie &i.mbo. Her life long dream is to iam with Dorrie someday. · Paula Gokey Raised in Bowling Green, Ohio. She started playing drums when she was 13. She also plays guitar and writes poetry. One of her poems has even been published. She loves to practice playing her drums and sometimes will spend 5 hours listening & practicing totally lost in the music. She will blow vou awav when she plavs the drums. She ~ay be ~mall, but great· things do come in small packages. Schellve James is a singer/songwriter and plays ,rhythm guitar. Scheliye is an entertainer. She has great stage presence. She joined the school band at age 10 & played drums. But don't ask her to play them now. She says it's been too long. Her favorite artists are Sting & Lisa Marie Preslev. She is a Cartoonist, Portrait artist & wa; an OSU Graphic Design Girl Illustrator. Mary King is a singer/ songwriter 2nd plays guitar. She first st:1rted singing at :1ge 7. (She was frosty the snowman) Alw:1ys shy and quiet growing up until the 7th grade when her music teacher w:1s walking past all the choir members listening to them sing. Her teacher talked her into singing ll solo in district contest and the rest is history. Marv was in love with music &om th:1t point on. She received 13 first place medals in either solos or ensembles from the 7th grade thru the rest of high school. She :1lso received outstanding vocal music student in the 9th grade. Valerie Meador was born and raised near Roanoke, VA. She started our playing drums and singing in her family's gospel group at the age of 8. Valerie's family (The Jimmy Me:1dor Family) consisted of Mom & D:1d and two older sisters. They recorded their first album wl::en Valerie was 9 ye:1rs old. Since then, she h2s played with several other groups a:.d has played on several recordings. Valerie's musica! background comes primarily from her Dad. Vaierie says, "My dad could ha,'c been a Bill Monroe." Don't miss Moodswing's next concert at the Diversity Pride Events weekend Coumry /Retro dance in Eureka Springs. November 4th & 5th at Shawbee's. For booking information contact Mary King 918-955-5890 Page 15 / COME OUT; COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE! by Reverend Steve T. Urie JOPLIN, MO_ What an event ~d in Joplin, Missouri! October. 12, 200.'.l saw the beginning of an amazmg growth for, our community. The Straight and Gay Alliance of Missouri Southern State University successfully held its first "Coming Out Event" on campus. Although a close vote, the campus . organization known as ~AG~ received permission from the uruvers1ty to hold the event. With booths on the campus oval located in the center of the campus, approval to use part of the li~r~ and use of the Mills Anderson Cnmmal Justice Center auditorium the event was an enormous success. A success first for the fact it even happened. Secondly for the organization representing the students and off campus organizations including PR?MO (the Personal Rights of Missounans . _ organization that is our communmes political arm), AIDS Project o_f the Ozarks, Alternatives Counseling Associates, and Spirit of Christ Metropolitan Community Ch~rch coming together as a commuruty. Several businesses provided products for ~ raffle, students sold rainbow bead key chams and cookies while Spirit of Christ MCC received donated CD's from Marsha Stevens and Shawn Thomas for the raffle and for sale. Both of these very talented performers are indeed people of faith but also part of our G/L/B/T community setting the example that 1f you make up your mind to be who you are ... you can in fact accomplish great things. Finally this was a success for a surprisingly nonaggressive response from the student body and community at large toward the event. The event was covered by the Joplin Globe and two local television stations including KOAM. Workshops during the day incl~ded "Pink Triangles" by H. James Megmley, PhD. From Alternatives Counseling Associates and the House of Hope in Chattanooga; "Coining Out as a P7rson of Faith" by Reverend. Steve T. Une pastor of Spirit of Christ MCC with. a predominantly G/L/B/T .con~~egauon; "Coming out... the Expenence by Daniel Boyer, Jr. representing SAGA and a fourth workshop by H. James Mcginley on "A .Transgendered Path." Students and faculty from all walks of life and sexual orientations visited the booths and attended the workshops with a positive response and show of support. Only one student walked up to the church table and asked "What about Leviticus?" The response from one of the church members was simply, "God loves evervone." The student simply walked away. No protest, no name calling, only open dialogue. . Several- people signed statements g?mg to our State Senators and Representatives encouraging them to support legal rights for all Missourians. - As a person of faith, a gay male and a Joplinite I was proud of this ende~vor and the fact that the students, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, Transgendered came together to start a proc~ss loo~ missing in our local commur~1ty. I_t 1s difficult to come out to fam1ly, friends and associates as a person of an alternate sexual orientation but what a lot of people don't understand is ~tha_t i.t is ?ften difficult to come out as a Lhnsuan. ln both situations you never know the response. Many youth. ~oday qu.estion and wonder for somethmg deeper. Recently at the General Conference of Metropolitan Community Ch1:1-rches the youth and young aduits brought up an interesting issue. "Why would we want to be Christians? Christians are mean!" Out of the mouths of babes and such innocence this is a challe!'lge for people of all faiths. The answer is found in the simplicity of their response when ask continued page-32 1 , Page ,o A TisketA TasketA Girl And Her Basket. Once upon a rime in a land far away, I was considered quite a blossom. But as years have passed the fruit has ripened on the vine and the root has matured. Is this a bad thing or a blessing ? Is youth better than experience and wisdom, or knowing what you want? I think we must consider assessing what you have at the stage your at. So, before you can draw up a realistic plan for your life as well as your garden, you need to make a proper assessment of your site. It is a good idea to spend some time over this. You need to get an impression of whar the garden is like at different rimes of the day - which parts get the most sun; how much shade is cast and where. If at all possible, it is worth waiting to see what different seasons of the year do so that you discover the warmest and coldest corners, it's wettest and windiest spots. Every plot has it's good and bad points yours may be very small, have impoverished soil or be on steep sloping ground but a challenging site can be the making .of an interesting and highly individual garden. In the light of what you discover, you may fmd yourself abandoning preconceived ideas of your ideal garden or at least adopting them to suit the scale and condition of your own particular plot. It's a matter of size. There are various ways of making the best of the space in your garden no matter how small or large the site. Large sites are often best treated as a series's of compartments, the partitions formed by hedges and other screening devices. Vistas, focal points and the occasional surprise. Many small gardens are rich in possibilities despite the limitations of size. Concealing the boundaries by planting around the edges and "borrowing" the trees and shrubs of neighboring gardens help to create a sense of space. The shape of the site is just as important as it's area and has implications for the way the garden is designed. On a long and narrow site of the kind common in suburban areas, a straight path running from end to end is likely to draw the eye immediately to the fore boundary, making the garden look smaller than it really is. The broad spaciousness of a wide garden along the front of a house will often be welcome and might be designed ·with organic shapes and flowing lines. Well, with all this innuendo, I've just about worn out my good "writing" hand, so lets go on to the plants of November. This month picks are large and bountifol at your local markets, yes it's bulbs, bulbs, bulbs. The bigger the bette:: I say. There's nothing better than the feel of mature bulbs cupped in your hand before being thrust imo the ground. Here are a few basics, Tulips, Daffodils, Liiies. Let's start with Tulips, or shall we tip toe? Lending unrivaled brilliance to the spring borders, there are several different groups of tulips that can provide color from late winter to late spring, either as annual bedding or as groups in borders. continued page-32 Page 17 Josh Aterovis, Author Saving the World One Party at a Time One of our closest friends recemlv said to me, "You know, I always read your column, and I enjoy it, b;t it's been pretty heavy lately. I miss your fluffy pieces.'' I thought about it and realized that mv columns have tended a bit toward the doom-and-gloom variety of late. I've found it hard to focus on the bright side when every week things seem to get just a little worse for the LGBT movement. The truth is, however, I firmly believe that what is going on in the U.S. and all around the world for that matter - is just the swing of the cultural pendulum. It's a cycle we've seen before. When things seem to be progressing jus;: a little too far for the social conservative to handle, they fight back. In the end, though, what is right and fair always wins out. The pendulum will swing back Once it does, it'll never swing this far again. \X,'hy do I believe this with such conviction? Because I see it piaying out all around me. Even with all the hatemongering going on right now even with all the bigotry being spewed from pulpits under the guise of religious teaching, even with all the anti-gay rhetoric masquerading as political platforms, even with the President of the United States openly working to ensure that gays and lesbians remain second-class citizens - we're making progress. Just a generation ago, it would have been unthinkable for gays and lesbians to live openly the way so many of us do today. Fifty years ago, the police routinely raided gay bars and arrested gay men, lesbians, and drag queens for no other crime other than being in a gay bar. Lives were destroyed simply by having the arrest report printed in the paper. Today, 31 states have hate crime laws that include sexual orientation, while ten also include gender identity. Those same newspapers that once outed innocent men and women now run announcements for same-sex unions. Just twenty years ago, not a single state had laws protecting its LGBT citizens from discrimination. Today, sixteen states have some form of anti-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation. Just five years ago, it was unthinkable that gays and lesbians couid get married in the U.S., and now Massachusetts has samesex marriage, Connecticut and Vermont have civil unions, and California, DC, Hawaii, Maine, and New Jersey have domestic partner laws. We still-have a ways to go before we reach full equality, but we have undeniably made progress. Everything I just described above is law, and as we all know, laws can be repealed. In fact, the Far Right is working hard to fight many of those same laws I just wrote about. But here's the thing. They can fight it as hard as they want, but they're fighting a losing battle. Attitudes are changing, and that's something no amount of hate-filled propaganda can reverse. ~'hy are attitudes changing? Some of i: can be attributed to the laws, perhaps. It might make people confront their beliefs and prejudices. We can probably thank Will & Grace for some of it. Studies have proven that positive portrayals of gay characters on ;:devision affect people's feelings towards gays and lesbians. For the most part, though, I think we can be grateful for those who live their lives openly. continued next page Page 18 HEART TO HEART Jon and I live very openly. We often eat out together, we shop together, we go everywhere together. We just bought a house and we were together at every step of the process, from the first viewing to the signing of the paperwork ( oh, so much paperwork ... ). Not one~ have we experienced any open discrimination. In fact, it's usually just the opposite. We've found m~st people are surprisingly accepting if you give them the chance. w-e've been very open with our new neighbors, introducing each other as partners, and we've been welcomed into the neighborhood with open arms. At our recent housewarming partv, l looked around at the 30 or so people who had come out to wish us happiness in our new home and I saw a great diversity. It was an interesting mix of straight and gay, young and old, men and women, black and white. There were straight couples, lesbian couples, gay _couples, and singles both gay and straight. Many of Jon's coworkers came. Even my younger sister and her husband were there. . Sev:eral of our neighbors also came, tncludmg an older couple who live across the street. He plays kevboard for a local Christian quartet. He'; been playing for years, decades even. He told us he lost a dear friend when Ray Charles passed away last year. He and his charming wife w~te among the first people to welcome us to the street, and have even had us over to their house alreadv. Last week. as we sat in their living roo~, they subtlv let us know that they were accepting ;f our relationship. The word "gay" was i;i.~ver used, but thev made themselves perfectly clear. · · . Another person at the housewarming was a woman who just had her first book published at the age of 81. I had interviewed her recently for the local newspaper and we became friends in the r,.rocess. After meeting with her several tunes, I invited her to the party. She made a comment about looking fom-ard to. ~<;eting my wife. I'd spoken often with ner about Jon, but it hadn't sunk in that Jon was a man. I gently corrected her and she seemed surprised. I wasn't ~ure if she would still come to the party, out sure enough, there she was at our door with a bottle of wine. As we chatted later that evening, she told me that she'd picked up my book at the library. "I'm really enjoying it," she told me. "It's been a real education." My sister is a very conservative Republican Christian. On the surface, we couldn't be more different, but she has always been supportive of my relationship with Jon. For a while, she was the onlv one who accepted Jon as a, member of our family. Jon and I love to entertain and we often throw l:uge, rather lavish parties. This was the first one my sister and her husband have attended. She called me after the party and said, "You know, l was looking around at evervone there, and they didn't look like thei all belonged there, but they all seemed to be having fun. It was cool." In many ways, that's· what it's :ill about. I like to think th:.t, in our small wav we're making a difference. Parties and g~;-togethers may seem frivolous, but we're changing hearts and minds ... and attitudes. People who may_ not _oth_erwise be exposed to gays and lesbians In tneir daily lives meet them in person, socialize with them, and realize we're no different from anyone else. As more and more attitudes change, so will the laws. Eventually, a generation from now, maybe sooner, people will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about. I'll be an old man by then, telling stories to wide-eved disbelieving youngsters about th; b;d old days when gays were openly discriminated against ... and I'll proudly tell them about our parr in the revolution - saving the world one party at a time. Th~ 7:iews expressed in this column are my ofzmons only. You tUJn't have to agree with tJJem. I just ask that you read them with an open heart. and mind. Page 19 Serving our community in Mis::ouri, Arkan,:as, Oklahoma, Illinois & Colorado This Is Shelter Country. Herc in out: community you will find Shdtl'.r ,\gem Greg Tainter. \'i7e'rt proud to serve this community aa<l our cuscomcrs. Call today and ask about our service:-:. Auto -Home -Life - Business Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866) 208-9480 gtainter@shelterinsurance.com www.shcltcrinsurance.com fl Tulsa's Social Event of the Year. by Greg Steele November 22, 2005 TULSA, OK_The limousines lined up outside the Bamboo Lounge waiting to unload the their cargo of Scar':;. The red carpet was in place and the show was about to begin. Bamboo owner~ Terry and Stan were overcome with joy with the return of the coveted Miss Bamboo Crown. The precious jeweled trophy had mysteriously disappea1:ed ten month:~ ago and had just been returned via p1:ivatc courier. Reliable sources had tht: jewels travding the world with a disgruntled looser of tht: 2005 pageant. But the priceless crown had been returned and everyone was elated. The show· could go on! All pageant proceeds were donated to TULSA CARES. This years event raised over $400. Fundraising veteran and MC of the show, Kris Kohl, works drclessiy year round raising funds for variou:, nonprofit organization in Tulsa who benefit people with HP✓ and AIDS. (More photo's p,tge-30) Among the many stars and dignitaries in attendance, where crooners Pat LaMorte and Matthew Heath Fitzgerald. Matthew entertained and graciously donated one o bis freshly discarded jock strap for auction, it brought $100. What a jester' .:\ funtastic evening and all for a good c:ms,~. Big appiause fc;r Stan, Terry, Kris and all the fabulous entertainers. campaign to boycott the state. by Ut Organizations ranging from the American Mathematical Society to the U.S. Conference of Mayors cancelled conf~rences in Colorado. Aspen vowed to con_ttnue enforcing its civil rights ordmance, and Telluride passed a similar measure in defiance of the new state law. z Highleyman NOVEMBER 2005 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 _ Romer v. Evans ? The U.S. Supreme Court has a mixed record when it comes to LGBT civil right~. The court upheld state sodomy laws m the 1986 _Bowers v. Hardwick case, but reversed itself with the 2003 - _Lawrence v. Texas_ decision. Whil~ it permitted a private organization to e~clude ~y members in the _Boy Scouts 01 America v. Dale_ case in 2000, the court ruled that states may not ban antidi~crimination laws that protect gay and bisexual people in its 1996 _Romer v. Ev~s_ ruling, the outcome of a long legal battle over Colorado's Amendment 2 ballot initiative. A conservative state with liberal enc.laves, _Co~or~do'_s first law against anttgay discnmtnatton was instituted by the .resort town of Aspen in 1977, ~unng ~ dec~de that saw numerous gay rtghts :ictones ~cross the country. . Followmg the rtse of the religious right in_ ~he 1980s, however, a group called C1t1zens for Family Values introduced an a°:endment that wouid prevent state agenctes, municipalities, or school districts from enacting laws or policies whereby "homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices or relationships" would constitute th- ' b . C as~s for "any minority status, quota preterences, protected status, or claim of discrimination." Although polls predicted the initiative was headed for defeat, voters passed Amendment 2 in November 1992 by a margin of 53 to 47 percent. The outcome set off a flurry ;f protest and a A coalition spearheaded bv Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a laws~t ~gainst Amendment 2, arguing that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In January 1993, Judge Jef~ey Ba~ess ruled i~ their favor, issuing an m1unct100 preventtng the initiative from taking effect. "For the judge to suggest that a ... skewed sense of moralitv is not a basis for denying rights to gays ~d lesbians - I've been waiting to hear that all of my life," exclaimed Richard Evans, a former staff mem?er of Denver's Agency for Huma~ Rights and Community Relations who signed on as lead plaintiff in the suit. Also joining as plaintiffs were the Boulder Valley School District; the cities of Denver, Boulder, and Aspen; tennis star Martina Navratilova; and six other individuals. Colorado Governor Rov Romer - who personally opposed the am~ndment - and Attorney General Gale Norton filed an appe'.11~ arguing ~at Amendmenf 2 merely prohibited granttng gays "special rights." In July 1993, the Colorado Supreme Co~rt uphdd Judge Bayless' ruling, statmg that. the amendment, ''bars gay men, lesbta~s, an~ bi~exuals from having an effecove voice m govemmentai affairs." After a second failed appeal to the Colorado high court, the state asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case Since the Supreme Court reverses m~st appeals it hears, its decision to accept the case worried gay rights advocates a; thev prepared for oral arguments scheduled for October 1995. As part of his law firm's pro bono legal work,_John G. Roberts Jr. - who was named Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in September 2005 - assisted the plaintiffs' attornevs bv playing the role of a conserv;tive ·justice 10 a practice mock trial. · On May 20, 1996, the Supreme Court ruled by a 6-3 margin that Amendment 2 .................................. continued. next page. was unconstitutional, declaring that "a state cannot so deem a class of person a stranger to its laws." Writing for the court's majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy rejected Colorado's contention that the state had a legitimate government interest in excluding homosexual and bisexual people from legal protection, suggesting the effort was motivated by "a bare desire to harm a politically unpopular group." Justice Antonin Scalia Goined by thenChief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Clarence Thomas) strongly dissented, claiming that Amendment 2 was "a modest attempt by seemingly tolerant Coloradans to preserve traditional sexual mores against the efforts of a politically powerful minority." Evoking the culture war, he expressed outrage that the court's ruling "places the prestige of this institution behind the proposition that opposition to homosexuality is as reprehensible as racial or religious bias.'· The groundbreaking decision was rhe first time in American history that the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of LGBT citizens. According to Lambda Legal attorney Ruth Harlow, the ruling coming 10 years after _Bowers_ set a new precedent that helped LGBT plaintiffs prevail in countless ensuing civil rights and family law cases. "Now, the presumption in most judges' minds is that constitutional claims on behalf of lesbians and gay men have legicimacy, and that the government bears the burden of justifying its antigay actions," she wrote in 1997. \X,'hile _Romer_ stymied a wave of attempts to overturn local antidiscrimination laws, conservatives soon shifted their focus to same-sex marriage, culminating in the passage oc 11 ballot initiatives against gay marriage in November 2004. Gi-ven the changes in the Supreme Court's composition in 2005, the queer comm'.lni~y anxiously awaits the high court's next move in the arena of LGBT civil rights. For further reading: Murdoch, Joyce, anci Deb Price. 2(:01. _Courting Justice: Gay Men and Lesbians ,. the Supreme Court _ (Basic Books). Page 23 Page24 e Pride .Agenda and a ntator on public radio, d in print media. Lesbian Notions by Libby Post NOVEMBER 2005 Which way Did They Go, George, Which Way Did They Go ? Poor George. First, the man who really calls the shots at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Karl Rove, had to go into hiding. Remember? This past summer he'd been implicated for exposing the name of Valerie Plame, the covert CIA agent who also happens to be the wife of former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who criticized the administration over Iraq. Then Katrina hit New Orleans and the bankrupt morality of Bush cronyism was brought front and center. Michael Brown, the incompetent whom Bush picked to head FE.MA (now considered the Feeble Emergency Mimagcment .Agericy), acted out Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" routine as a one-inan play while thousands of poor, mostly African-American, New Orleans residents lost everything. 'I'hen Tom DcLay, the House Majority Leader and Bush hatchet man on the Hill, was indicted - not once, but twice, for campaign fraud and money laundering. As a fellow Texan, DcLay has built a political operation in the Longhorn State that has served George well, but that appears to be a matchstick structure soon to go up in flames. Then George needs to come up with a new Supreme, and in order to maintain the gender balance (well, ~e gender configuration) at the Court, he nominates Hartiet Miers, the White House counsel whose lack of judicial record (she's only been a lawyer, not a ju~) has Bush's base up in arms. The conservative cadte who anointed George the savior of the right expects him to dance its dance and sdccr a Court nominee who will vote to strike down _Roe v. Wade_, block any gay rights laws, and turn back the legal hands of time in this country. Other than being a born-again, Miers, for the most part, is a blank slate, and that's not OK for folks who want a guarantee that their brand of strict conservative, constructionist constitutionality will be the order of the day. Poor George. It's all starting to fall apart. What's a guy who hasn't had an original thought in his life and who surrounds himseif with syncophantic yes-men and women to do? He's losing his friends. He's losing bis credibility. He's losing his grip on his political base. He's losing the public relations war. He's losing any claim to a positive presidential legacy. But his losses do not necessarily translate into gains for the iesbian and gay community. Sure, it's great that individually we can walk around with a "we told you so" attitude. I, for one, am proud that I still have my Kerry-Edwards bumper sticker on my car. But how far can that really take us? How can we, as a community and a potentially powerful political force, capitalize on the crumbling of the conservative coalition? First, we need to expose their politics as a sham. Katrina showed us that compassionate conservatism is an oxymoron. While the right has formed anrigay coalitions with black clergy throughout the country, those same clergy woke up the day after Katrina to see a government they supported refusing and unable to help their own people. Perhaps this is the right time for LGBT groups throughout the ............................................ continued next page. Lesbian Notions country to reach out to their local Africa;_-American clergy to build new bridges and work together to help our domestic refugees down south. . . . . Second, we need to raise the v1S1bility of LGBT groups throughout the country to show the compassion and concern we've routinely shown for people affected by disasters. From AID~ to ?/11 to Katrina, the LGBT community did not sit on its hands and wait to be told what to do. We're well aware of the need to do something, to make change - after all if we don't do things for ourselves, n~ one is going to do it for us. . . Thankfullv our action is just not hm1ted to doing f~r ourselves - we underst~nd that we need to bring our compasston and concern beyond the borders of our gay ghettos and to~ch the lives of anvone anvwhere m need. , Third ~e need to make it clear, over and over' again, that we're here, we'.re_ queer, and we ain't goi?g away. Thi~ is no time to seek refuge m a closet. We need to be clear about who our families are who our children are. We need to wo~k on the midterm elections, side by side with folks who share common goals, and defeat those in the House and Senate whose politics are not only dangerous to us, but deleterious to the nation. We need to run for office as well. Openly gay elected officials do make a difference. Having a seat at the table beats knocking on the door anytime. And, yes, we may just need to march on Washington as well. If we do all this and work together, we may be able 1:0 show George and his cronies which way to go - out the door. liewsprint at affonlabfe prices 405-478-4009 • 6725N. Miramar Blvd. Okla City, OK 73111 25 Rsk November 2005 Salutations and welcome to Uncle's comer once more. Uncle here, coming to you on location. I am soaking in the garden tub, whilst my ever faithful boy Delicious dick-tates, my every word. Say hello delicious, Oh I am just teasing Kitten. He is terribly shy, unless it is in a dark alley somewhere, and than the boy is a tramp. Well, a quick look at the latest in the world, while I enjoy these simply calming bubbles of mine. Freedom of speech took a U-tum during an ugly widdle run in, via the straight world. I guess they are not even safe from their own .kittens. What is this wodd coming to when just the right wing mentality gets someone· thrown off an airplane, for offending someone? I mean, if that is the case, I would t:'!,ck up frequent walking miles, as some of my playful wardrobe includes fun summer T's, which well, lets just say, could kill a nun at twenty feet. Still, is it not a right tci wear what we want? Did not the founding fathers pave the road for our freedom to· speil our minds? I guess,.the error of Bush is ringing in more than just natural disasters. Well, a~ we all can see, "gay" has become the fad of iast year. Seen as mainstream media attempts to once again, push our characters and causes from site, under the rug we go. It is sad when whom you sleep with is just so last year. Uncle would think that sexuality would be the last thing to become a fad. I wonder how the breeders would feel if we were to tell them, they no longer could breed, as it is just so fifteen agol Get the point sister? Before uncle's water loses its steam, let us see what seekers in Queerdom have brought me this week. This week Uncle received a special treat from Straightdom. It seems even the straight boys are curious about Uncle's corner. Uncle Mikey, I have decided to come out of the second closet so to speak. I have chosen to accept the fact that I am not a man, but women trapped in a gay mans body. I have decided to utilize my trust, in order to have the operation. I am however nervous about telling my mother, who took a very long time to accept I was gay. She finally realized I would not change, and now, I fear this may be too much for her. My father passed away a few years ago, · and she and I, are the only family we have in the world. Should I just stay the way I am for her sake? What should I do? Well Kitten, Uncle has thought about this and here is what I offer. You show up to dinner wearing her mommy's best string of pearls, evening gown and poof, probiem solved. You now have your trust, her trust, and your freedom, to become whoever your widdle heart desires. Ok, that was just wrong, smile kitten, uncle jest with you. Uncle suggest that you get a support system, in which to build the strength and backing this kind of transformation will demand, in order for you to brave the possibility of rough waters ahead. However, bear in mind, you never know, mothers love can overcome a lot more than given credit. Personally, I have always fancied finding myself trapped by a gay mans body; Oh' wait you said trapped in didn.i'™t you. Well, kitten, as uncle says, be you, the reai you, and allow others to deal with their own baggage claims. Good luck, and let me know how it ail turns out. Smooches-Uncle Page26 Ask Uncle Mikey: Mikey, I am a straight guy who does not mind homosexuals being who they are. I have a friend who came out to me a couple of years ago. We were able to remain friends, as I think of him as my best friend. However, there is a problem. He gets weird when he drinks around me. He starts kidding around with me, like he would like to sleep with me, but he knows I am not that way. I feel like he is disrespecting me though I try every way to respect his life choices. How can I get that point across to him? Friend of Dorothy's friend Kitten, Your letter arrived just in the dick of time. I was just about to reform, before your letter arrived giving us permission, whew-close call. Silly boy, Cute thougha : you do know that widdle handle aged you, as well went out ages ago. Communicate the very words you have expressed here. Maybe he is unaware of his offensive behavior, while meaning no harm. Gay men is general are more in touch with their emotions, which at times can be affectionate in an absolute harmless manor. If your friend is truly a friend, he will graciously except your concerns and correct the behavior. Meanwhile, welcome to Uncles corner, please feel free to take your pants off and stav. awhile. Snicker.. snicker. I am a stinker. Well Kittens, just as my bubbles are quickly dissipating, I too must take my leave. Until next time, remember; Uncle welcomes any who can abide by the rule of one; One society, one equality! 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 ... Quotable Quotes "Touether it is a process, this act of b - coming out. But in corning our, we tree ourseives and take power away from those who would push us down"-~ Dr. H. james Menginley at the "Coming Out Ev~m" SMSU Campus Oct 12,2005 "Momma always said, Don't say you don'; like it until you've tried it!" OYSTER STUFFING 1 cup Chopped celery 1/2 cup Chopped onion 1 /2 cup Butter 1 tbsp Sage 1/2 tsp Black pepper 8 cups Dried bread cubes (white & pumpernickel) 1 pint Shucked oysters 1 - 1-12 cups Chicken broth In a medium saucepan, combine butter, celery & onions. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Chop oysters and add to mixture. Cook an additional 3 minutes, set aside. In a large mixing bowl. combine bread cubes, sage and pepper. Add oyster mixture. Add 1 cup chicken broth and mix slowly. For more moist stuffing add additional broth. Pour mixture into a 13x9x2 pan. Heat in oven at 350 degres for 15-20 minutes. HINT: Let bread set out overnight, then cut into cubes. You may also add 4 chopped boiled eggs to stuffing mixture. 27 Out of Town the base of Chairlift No. 8. In this retrohip '70s-inspired space (complete with shag carpeting and disco-ball lighting), you might sample such avant-garde takes on American comfon fare as "PB&J" sandwiches (slathered with roasted-pecan butter, fig jelly, and foie gras), and lobster-and-Brie fondue. Other cool Linzinmeir restaurants include Excelsior Cafe for contemporary Italian cooking; and the Blue Point Grill, which serves todie- for steaks, chops, and seafood (as well as cocktails in the adjacent, swanky Noir Bar). · Downtown Telluride has a bunch of great accommodations, among them Camel's Garden Hotel, an intimate resort hotel at the base of one of the main chairlifts, with handsome modern rooms, Italian-marble bathrooms with oversized tubs, and a sumptuous full-service spa. For a more authentic slice of historic Telluride, book a room at the courtly New Sheridan Hotel, a redbrick 1890s property with 32 Victorian-inspired rooms, a first-rate steak restaurant, and one of the coolest bars in the area. Mountain Village lacks character but has astounding views and offers some fine accommodations, such as the Wyndham Peaks Resort, which is home to the Golden Door Spa and abounds with many other fine amenities. Or consider ;taying at the classy Mountain Lodge at Telluride, which comprises 86 well-outfitted rooms and suites as well as 10 larger log-and-stone cabins. To reach Telluride, you have a variety of options, although like Jackson, this is a fairly remote part of the country, so flying makes the most sense. Llttle Telluride Regional Airport has direct service on Great Lakes Airlines (affiliated with United) from Denver, and on America West Airlines from Phoenix, but this facility tends to get snowed in fairly often. Another good option is to fly into Montrose (a 75-minute drive), which has direct flights from Denver, Houston, Newark, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago. As for driving, Telluride is 290 miles from Albuquerque, 360 miles from Denver, and 410 miles from Salt Lake City. Of course, both Jackson Hole and Telluride have much to offer, so if vou can possibly find the time, consider, spending haif your vacation in one town, half in the other. It's a 550-rnilc drive between the two towns, but there are plenty of photo ops along the way. And it's hard to imagine a more stylish and exciting way to spend a week or two this winter than to vacation in both of these wonderful communities. The Little Black Book Jackson Hole: Amangani (1535 N. East Butte Rd., 307- 734-7333 or 877-734-7333, www.amangani.com). Blue Lion (160 N. Millward St., 307-733-3912). Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce (307-733- 3316, www.jacksonholechambcr.com). Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (307-733- 2292 or 888-DEEP-SNO, www.jacksonholc.com). Mangy Moose (feton Village, 307-733-4913). Rendezvous Bistro (380 S. Broadway, 307-739-1100). Snake River Brewing (265 S. Millward St., 307-739-2337). Snake River Lodge (Teton Village, 866-975- ROCK, www.snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com). Teton Village Lodge (Teton Village, 307- 734--7111 or 800-801-6615, www.destinationrockies.com). Wort Hotel (Glenwood and Broadway, 307- '733-2190 or 800-322-2727, www.worthotel.com). Telluride: Blue Point Grill (123 S. Oak St., 970-728- 8862). Camel's Garden Hotel (250 W. San Juan Ave., 970-728-9300 or 888-772- 2635, www.camelsgarden.com). Chair 8 (250 San Juan Ave., 970-728-8887). Excelsior Cafe (200 W. Colorado Ave., 970-728-4250). Telluride Ski Resort (800- 778-8581, www.te!lurideskiresort.com). Mountain Lodge at Telluride (457 Mountain Village Blvd., 970-369-5000 or 866-368-6867, www.destinationrockies.comj. New Sheridan Hotel (231 W. Colorado Ave., 970-728-4351 or 800-200-1891, ,vww.newsheridan.com). Wyndham Peaks Resort (136 Country Club Dr., 970-728-6800 or 800-WYNDHAM, www.wyndham.com). Page 28 Entrapment: Where the evidence indicates that entr.apmcnt may have occurred, the ~s~ue conccmfug the existence of the reqws1te mental st:2tc to commit the crime charged is reserved to the jury. SL.gel v. Suu, 1988 OK CR 284, 19, 766 P.2d 355,357 f'A question of cnmpment is generally one for the jury, rather than for the court."); Ryttns v. State, 1966 OK CR 153, 420 P.2d 556. The Court of Criminal Appeals discussed the defense of sentencing entrapment in Leech v. Stttte, 2003 OK CR 4, 66 P.3d 987, and pointed out how OUJI-CR 8-25 should be modified .if the defense of sentencing entrapment has· been raised. It stated: In a case where sufficient evidence is presented to raise the issue of sentence entrapment, tliis langwagc must be modified to make it clear to the jury that the issue is whether or not the defendant, although intending to commit a lesser offense, has been cntr.apped into committing a greater offense. If the defendant had no previous intent to commit the greater crime or did not become rcady,and willing to commit a greater crime during the course of the transaction, even though predisposed to commit the lesser crime, then a finding that law enforcement agents committed sentencing. entrapment would require that the defendant be found not guilty of the greater crime, and guilty of the lesser offense. 2003. OK CR 4,110, 66 P.3d at 990. OUJI-CR 8-26 DEFENSE OF ENTRAPMENT - BURDEN OF PROOF It is the burden of the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that n.o entrapment occurred. If you find that the State has failed to sustain th?,t · burden, then the defendant must be found not guilty. Committee Comments: Since entrapme;nt is an affirmative defense, the obligation to produce evidence sufficient to raise the defense remains with the defendant, uniess the evidence adduced by the prosecution has raised the issue. If the defendant fails to present any evidence that tends to prove that entrapment occurred, or if the defendant's evidence is insufficient as a matter of law, the issue of entrapment is not presented and no instruction should be given. If the defendant presents sufficient evidence to raise the defense of entrapment, or if the defense is raised by the prosecution, an instruction must be given in order to apprise the jurors of the defendant's theory of the case. Once the defense of entrapment is properly raised, the burden of proving the nonexistence of the defense and the predisposition of the defendant rests on the State, and the jury must be so instructed. Mclntur/J v. Suite, 554 P.2d 837 (Oki. Cr. 1976); Striplin v. State, 499 P.2d 446 (Oki. Cr. 1972). Note that Watson v. Stttte, 382 P.2d 449 (Oki. Cr. 1962) and Robinson v. Stttte, 507 P.2d 1296 · (Oki. Cr. 1973), were specifically overruled on the issue of burden of proof by Mcinturff, suprtt. No instructions concerning the defendant's burden to come forward with evidence, or the question of whether the defendant has presented sufficient evidence to warrant an instruction, arc included because these matters pertain to questions of law and of trial procedure, both of which arc beyond the legitimate concern of the jurors. Quotable Quotes "I have a brother and a sister who arc gay. And they always were, they didn't switch or change or anything. They alwavs were like that. They were born like that. I'm just for human rights, and that's part of it. It's nobody's damn business what people do. If people would just keep dicir damn noses out of everybody else's business, that would be a good place to start. Just treat _ everybody the same and shut up. •H Do l sound bitter?" - Roseanne to the Palm Springs gay publication The Bottom Line. Page 29 Aunt Mattie: Grown in fertile, well drained soil in sun with shelter from strong winds. Plant bulbs, 4:6 inches deep in late summer or autumn:·1n our region just before first frost. Daffodils, with thousands to choose from there are daffodils (narcissus) to suit any border and they can also be natucilized in grass. Careful selection will providi;.,.color from late winter to late spring. Plant bulbs at three to five times their own depth in autumn, in sun or partial shade in moist, fertile, well drained soil. Dead head faded flowers, but after flowering leave the foliage in place for at least six· weeks. lilies ate usually tall-growing and bear showy often fragrant summer flowers, occasionally in autumn. Grow in w~ll drained soil and a sunny position. Plant bulbs in early autumn to depth of two or three times· their size on a bed of course sand to ensure good drainage. • Well talk about drained, I'm done! So always remember, "You can lead a hor-to-culture, but you can't make her think" Till next time, see. you in the dirt. 1 /BTt-:t PA13E CLASSIFIED .A:D • • ,:✓ SPACE NOW. AVAILABLE· 1N THE STAR CALL F"CR RATES 91 B.B35.78B7 or email: aza~ksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and lh.Jst in Affordable AdYertising Service. Rev. Steve Urie what they wanted for themselves to which they responded simply, ''We want to follow Jesus!" Just this week talking with high school students and students on campus this same issue was raised with the same response. Yes as Dr. H. James Mcginley and I commented individually arid together it is a process, this act of coming out. But in coming out, we free ourselves and take power away from those who would push us down. Now more than ever we need to have more of this dialogue, more of these events putting faces to who we are. Letting our families, friends and associates know that we are here and we expect to be treated .equally without threat of prejudice from anyone, including our government. Dr. Mcginley encouraged the formation of positive support groups for all generations of queer people and stressed the importance of it needing to be more than just the gay bar down the road. May each of you set yourselves free! Take the power away from those who seek to silence you or to beat you down. Take the first step; we are here to help you; .. Be Freel Rf!fl. Sfe.ui T. Urie is the j1dStcr of Spirit of Christ MCC in Joplin, MissoNri. .A member chMrch of Metropoliun C'1mm•nity Chffrd,es with 2JO crmgreg,tticns 11round the fllOrfil.: Tbe cb#rch jNSt cdebrdtai its eight 1t4r 11nnit.'m4ry ,nd is 411 it/firming ch#rch for people of alJ faith fl14lks, mewl .md CNitMr,I diwnitia ,1nd btts a sp«i4J. o#t.TNd, to the G/L/B/T co~mMnity .. FREE.HIVTFSTING, NO~EDLES! SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing the last Sunday of each month between 5PM and 6PM. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sunday Service 6PM Your Invited to our Communi Dinner Every Wed. No one· Page32 Subscribe to the STAR Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $24.95 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 NAME: ___________ _ Address:, ____________ City:. _____ .St:_Zip: _ _ Phone:. ______ _ Check enclosed __ Money Order Start Date: ___ _ Page 33 Page 34 Seo es VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Communications go awry chis week. At home, it's especially easy to gee locked ~nto needless disputes. If you dig in your heels, you'll find yourself in quicksand. Be ready to reiterate and clarify to save trouble. by Jack Fertig OCTOBER 2005 "Switch gears, Gemini!" ~-•. , .. ,,,,. Three very difficult squares dominate this week: Sarurn square Sun (dissatisfaction and frail egos); Mercun' square Uranus (loose lips and , provocation); and Mars square Neptune (overindulgence and recklessness). If you want to turn this terrible trio to vour advantage, work hard, think ahead, and be sensitive to others. ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Think carefully about your priorities, but if you expect others to share them, arguments will ensue. Plav with a few new erotic kinks, but if y-◊u act like you have something to prove, someone couid get _hurt! TAURUS ~Aprii 20 May 20): Communicate! Your efforts at work are 111isunderstood, so stay in close contact with your boss to keep your work on track. If you think your work at home is unappreciated, tell your partner that you feel taken for granted. The apology could be tremendousiy sexy! GEMINI (May 21 June 20): Arguments at work come way too easily. A meditative time-out can help, and remember that yes, the boss is the boss! S,virch chose gears; instead of running your mouth, keep your ears and brain busy instead. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Our community is riddled with sexual peer pressure, ',vhic:1 is always stupid and is now especiaily da:1gerous. Ditto booze and drngs. Remember: "To thine own ,elf be t;:.ue." Stay close to your own ~ore values; do what's healthy and right for ,·ou_! LEO (ju!y 23 August 22): Home is where your controi issues are. How much of chat did you get from your parents? Be very careful to keep communication with colieagues clear. Sex play restores balance, but accidents are likely nm.-. Be very careful. LIBRA (September 23 October 22): Friends and money don't mix at all now. Dutch treat is good. Curb your erotic impulses; weil, at least be careful! You're wide open for all kinds of accidents. Think ahead, but not coo far. SCORPIO (October 23 November 21): Stand up for credit when it's due, and share it with your mentors. Exaggerated pride and false modesty both lead to disaster. If in doubt, lean toward modesty. Advice on investments should be politely ignored. SAGITTARIUS <November 22 December 20): Ac~idencs are jumping out at everybody, and you're a favorite target for those gremlins. At home, be careful to keep electricity and water far aoart. · Any retreat, even quiet meditatio~, will help you stay out of trouble. CAPRICORN (December 21 January 19): Your sexual expertise is a well-kept secret - until now! Admit nothing, deny nothing. If rumors get way out of hand, just laugh, shake your head like it's all news to you, and invite whomever you like ro find out fur themselves. AQUARIUS Qanuary 20 - February 18): Keep your finances to yourself. Either side of a loan can get you into trouble. You have enough confusion aiready, especially at home. Avoid domestic arguments, but pay close attention so you know what you're agreeing to! PISCES (February 19 - March 19): There are no secrets now. Your own business is out where everyone can see it. Grace and humor can keep you above scandaL A proper response is always, "Who said _what_? My goodnessi" Jade Fertig has been working as a professionai astrologer since 1977 and is a founding member of the Association for Astrological Networking. I I Gay Games Posters listings of some of our business sponsors, will appear on the final product. Artists may incorporate placement of these logos in their submitted design, or they may leave a 2" high space at the bottom of their design for logo placement by CGI. Artists may choose to use the Gay G2.mcs VII logo in their design. The logo may not be modified. Piease review the Logo Acceptable Use Guidelines available onlinc at www.gaygameschicago.orgiyourhosti logo.php. For specifications on proper use of the logo of the Federation of Gay Games contact info@gaygameschicago.org. Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival will take place July 15 to 22, 2006. Over 12,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. The wceklong event will include band, chcerleading and colour guard performances, chorus, an ancillary arts festival, and a series of communityorganised social events and parties. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, the lakefront home stadium of American-style football's Chicago Bears. Closing ceremony will be 22 July at Wrigley Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, located in the heart of Chicago's largest LGBT neighbourhood. For the first time, the Gay Games in Chicago will receive widespread television coverage on the Q Television Network. Early sponsors of Gay Games VII indude PlanetOut/ Gay.com; Q Television Network; Walgreens; Orbitz; Sydney New Mardi Gras; McKnight Kurland Baccelli; Human Rights Campaign; M~te, Genre, Pink and Girlfriends Magazines; Windy City Media Group; and more than 80 business sponsors. You can find copies of the STAR at these 4 states business & organizations. ARKANSAS KANSAS MISSOURI OKLAHOMA Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Event ~ ~ WWV{.diveisitypride.com MCC Llving Spring -870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteviile (479) Condom Sense - - -418 W. Dickson- -479-444-6228 Currv's Video 612 N. College Ave- 479-521-0009 Arkansas, Fort Smith ( 479) Club 1022 1022 Dodson Ave. 479-782-1845 Kinkeads- 1004 1 /2 Garrison Ase- - 479-783-9988 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jesters Lounge - 1010 E. Grand Ave -501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - -1021 Jessie Rd- - -501-664-2744 Diamond St>tc Rodeo Assoc.- - - www.dsra.org Discovery- - - 1021 Jes~ie Rd- - - -501-666-6900 Sidetraclr.s - - 415 Mam St - -N. L.R.- 501-244-0444 The Factory -412 Louisian:t St.- - -501-372-3070 Kansas, Pittsburg ( 620) River of Life Church 1709 N Walnut - -1 lAM PSU-QSA- - 1701 S. Broadway- - - 620-231-0938 Kansas, Wichita (316) Club Glacier - - 2828 E. 31st South 316-612-933! j's Lounge - - - 513 E. Central - - 316-262-1363 Our Fanmy- - - - 3201 S. Hillside- - -316-682-5494 The Otherside- - -447 N. St Francis- 316-262-7825 Shatai - - 4000 S. Broadwoy- - 316-522--2028 Sidestreet Mens Bar -1106 S. Pattie- - -316-267-0324 South 40 - 3201 S. Hillside - - -316-682-5494 Trends Bar - - -150" S. Pawnee- - - - 316-262-4530 Missouri, Ava Catus Canyon Ca:npground - - - - - 417-683-9199 Miuouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- - 716 S. Main - - - - 4i7-627-9035 MCC Sp•nt of Christ-2902 E 20th, - -Sun-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816) Bud-::lics - - - · - - 3715 l,fain St - - 816-56i-2600 Club NV - 220 Admiral B!vd- 816-421-NVKC DB W:irchouse- 1915 .'.fafo St- Mis5ic B' ,- -8fl5 \\. 39th St- - - - Sidcstrcct B~r - ~413 E. 3rd- - -816-471-15:5 · 816-561-0625 - - 816-531-1775 Sid~kick~ S;;loon - - 3707 :,Iain St- - 816- 931-i430 Missouri, Lampe - - 417-779-5084 Missonri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boonville Ave- - - --417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commeric2l- -869-3978 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercial-873-2225 Martha's Viney2rd- 219 W Olive - - 417-864-4572 Priscilla'5 - 1918 S. Glenstone - - 417-881-8μ4 Oz Bar 504 E. Commercial- - - - - 417-831-9001 Ronisuz Place-• --821 College- - · - -417-864-0036 Rumors --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 Fini$h Line - -2200 NW 39th Expwy- 405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant-2200 NW 39Exp405-525-0730 Ho!lywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habana Inn - 2200 NW 39th Exp- 405-528-2221 Hi-Lo Club - 1221 NW SOth- - -405-843-1722 Jungle Reds - 2200 NW Expwy- - 405-524-5733 Partners- - -2805 NW 36th St - - - 405-942-2199 Priscilla's- 615 E. Memorial -405-755-8600 Red Rock North-2240 NW39th St- -405-525-5165 Sisters- 2120 NW 39th St - • -405-521-9533 The Rockies- -3201 N. May /\.ve - - 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 Ma,erick- - 822 S. Sheridan -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks 8807 E. Admiral Pl -834-1051 Elite Bookstore --814 S. Sheridan- 918-838-8503 End Up Ciub- 424 S. Memorial- - -918-836-2480 GLBT Comm. Ctr- -5545 E. 41st- - - 918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge-11730 E. 11th- - - -918-437-0449 Nite Spot - - -3007 E. Admiral Pl 918-834-3007 Priscilla's - - - 7925 E. 41st - -918-627-4884 PrisciUa's - 5634 W. Skelly - - -918-446-6336 Prisci!la's - - - -1 1344 E. 11th· - - - -- -918-438-4224 Priscilla's - - 2333 E. 71st - -918-499-1661 Renegades- - - 1649 S. Ma.in - - - • _918-585-3405 Tuisa CARES- -3507 E. Admiral Pi- 918-834-4194 Tulsa Eagle-• .;3~3 E. 3rd- - - - - 918-592-1188 TNT's - - - 2114 S. t .. {emorial- -918-660-0856 Vnderguy.com - - -15 E. Brady - 918-829-0824 \~"hittier News Stand- 1 N. LCwis~ - 918-592-0767 Yeilow-Brkk-Rd·· - -2630 E. 15th• - 918-293-0304 Outlets wishing to distribute FREE copies of the ST AR, contact us at 918.835.7887 9am to 4pm mon. fri or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Page 37 cARTooN "Bitter Girl" Page 38 cARTooN "A Couple of Guys" A Couple . ofguys• ~13t~ I l 1 I I I I l ! j ,I, I .. 918.834.3007 PlleriL,t~n~ajr:saturday 11 am ,, .;, CLOSED SUNDAY HIDEAWAY 11730 E. lfth ~ Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 now C ••••••,w••:t.... ~a•f e 7240 East Pine - TULSA, OK 918.836.9777 open 6am to 2pm mon - sat. Breakfast & Lunch , ,;,1 ·: .. •--:~".:,; 1 /BTH PAGE. ct::.A.sst.FIED AD SPACE NOW .AVAILABLE IN 'T;t;IE STAR CALL FCIR' ~ATES 91 8~835.7887, or email: oza~~star@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and 1hist in Atfordable Advertising Ser,:vice. PAGE 40 THE STAR NOVEMBER. 2005 It's all hapJ>tming at the Bamboo Just for You! Open 12noon to 2am daiiy 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 [2005] The Star Magazine, November 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 11 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 01, 2005 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 John Patrick Matt Brooks Steve T. Urie 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 PDF Online text 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, October 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 10 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/221 The Star Magazine, December 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 12 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/216 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/220 A Couple of Guys acceptance Advice anti marriage amendment Bitter Girl Cartoon Diversity entrapment Eureka Springs going courting Heart to Heart Lesbian Notions local advertisement National news Past Out Q Scopes Quotabe Quotes religion Star Scene Thanksgiving Uncle Mikey vacation https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/92927820e396e4169036521fcdd12a1a.jpg f1cf9fd545dbff9599754715b516df04 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/03c32577792cb4c86ed7abfdd7bb684b.pdf be5ee8ad94ddfebb1d10265e78576237 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 VOLUME 2, ISSUE S MAY 200!5 FREE Green. Country will have a _Pride Parade 2005. With lots of ium9.r1 floating ~round T-Town &peculating Tulsa would not organize a parade this year, New TOHR and GLBT Center Oircct<>r; Greg Gatewood a11urcd the STAR 1'~a•a Diversity Pride Feativa.l and Parade will h1tppeo. With Gatewood coordinating die festival events and Rick Martin 1111 coordin,ator of the parade, the many volunteer', and the efforts of PPL.AG, OYP and TOHR Tulsa should have a pride celebration like no other. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human rights (fOHR) will celebrate it's 25th anniversary with this yea.rs events. TOHR sponsors the GLBT Center in Tulia and if you haven't visited the center, check it out. A newly dedicated David Bobnett Cybercenter donated by .the David Boboett Foundation ia very imprcnivc. Along with the 10 IBM workstations many other improvement! arc happening at the center including expanded community meeting rooms. Visit jhe website for more info www.tob.r.org Tulsa's first Gayfl',ride event was in 1981 and was primuily picnic gatherings in a bar parking lot. The fitat plll'llde was held in 1999 and became national new, because of opposition from the Tulsa City Council Tulsa you have come a long way baby! For Pride week cvcot11 schedule sec page 12. Page 2 AV/$.- Page 3 NWA'S ONLY GAY OWNED AND STAFFED DANCE Ci.UBI Sunday May 29th. 2005 $300 Grand Prize $150 1st Alternate Sponsorship to Miss Gay Arkansas America $50 Emry Fee Must be 21 years of age KARAOKE WEDNESDAYS PLASTIC THURSDAY DANCE PARTYEVEFtY THURSDAY! . . . .. . . . . . GQ 80 BOYS EVERY FRIDAY & SATUFtOAY NIQHTJ , NWAJS BEST DRAG SHOW I l I ji I 4 I ■ ~, EVERY SUNDAY NlGHT! Wed -Sun 9pm - 2am 716 W. Sycamore. F~ille AR 479-571-1300 www.studio716.net Kansas Votes NO Same Sex Marriage! April 5, 2005 - Washington, DC. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force condemned today's 70% to 30% vote (with 72% of th~ precincts reporting) by Kansans in favor of a constitutional amendment banning the recognition of same sex marriages and other, more limited forms of partner recognition. The Task Force said it was dismayed by the continued, widespread silence and inaction of so many faith and political leaders and people of good will in response to the wave of anti-gay organizing that continues to sweep the country. With today's vote, Kansas becomes the 18th state to amend its conscitution to preclude the recognition of same-sex marriage. Ten of the 18 amendments, including that of Kansas, seek to preclude the recognition of other forms of relationships, such as domestic partnerships and civil unions. Four states adopted amendments prior to 2004 - Alaska, Hawaii, Nebraska, and Nevada. It is possible that another 12 to 14 states will have sllnilar measures on the ballot between 'no~ and 2008. The marriage amcndtnerit failed in the City of Lawrence (home of the U°!versity of Kansas) by a luge margin, lostng in 35 of the Cit:is~.:1:9,.piecincts and tying in 3. The . by :which it carried in Shawnee. (where the state's largest qgf · · . ted) was smaller than (Shawnee County/Topeka;· %). Page 5 a 0 20 5 Friday June 3rd Doors@ 8pm Featuring: Miss Continental 2004 ERICAANDRBWS I TulsaOK . Continental 2004 ANTONIO EDWARDS Mr. Contlmmtal 2003 RAY MATTHEWS Hostedby: Canada Conlinentll Pins 2004 TAIMAHALL UEDANIEI.S, per .COlll . Page 6 Tulsa's 1st Gay Rodeo Smooth as Silk! April 12, 2005 by Greg Steele TULSA, OK. .. Since October of 1976, the first Gay Rodeo in Reno, Nevada, 25 Gay Rodeo Associations have sprung up across the United States and Canada and comprise the 'International/ Gay Rodeo Association, IGRA. Gay Rodeo's are hefd through out the year with a National Final's to buckle and crown the season. Men and Women from across the US and Canada compete for points to have the honor of an invitation to the National Finals. Out of hundreds who compete, only the top 20 point winner's from each competition category will be invited. It's a rough ridden, steer bustin, serious event each year for these dedicated gay men and women who compete in rodeo competition. The Gay Rodeo has become an important part of the LGBT community. Those who organize and stage the events year after year work night and day to bring you the best show possible and the Sooner State Rodeo Association SSRA, showed there stuff in Tulsa this year with a grand rodeo, a hell of a good time and great entertainment. The 2005 season ends in Dallas with the Texas Gay Rodeo Association, TGRA and the IGRA National Final's November 10-13, 2005 in Dallas, Texas. This will be the grand finally to a big year for IGRA. Fan's from across the US, Canada and around the globe will converge on Dallas. It's the big event of the year for contestants and rodeo follower's. Rodeo lovers come in campers, motor homes, limo's, buses and. some just ride their broncos. They come to party hard , enjoy entertainment and the thrill of the action. If you have never· been to a_ IGRA rodeo, you've missed a good dose of ou,r ~estem · heritagi::. So, saddle up guys _ and _gal~, get on.out to see :sqme real cowb9ys & cowgirls. · Kansas Gay Rodeo Association, KGRA Rodeo Wichi~ is the nex( competition' scheduled for May 13-15, www.kgra.us Following KG-RA will be the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Assoc. OGRA in Oklahoma City on May 27-29. www.okgayrodeo.com Mood Swing perf.onnu1e;at . Rodeo in Tulsa's new Livestock~~ Page 7 124.N.·Boston: ,.. ·Tulsa, OK ,... 918.584.9494 Tht.rsday Nights - Rachael Erikks - l'vlGA 2004 ~~ l~IJg-.ts - Catia Lee Love - MGA 2000 Thursday and S(nday - 18 to enter; 21 to drink Friday ~d_$.atl.rday_Dance Party-- 21 to enter 9 p till 2 ~ - Thu-sday - Sunday nights KGRA, Rodeo Wichita 2005 Buckles UP! Press Release: WICHITA, KS _KGRA will be hosting Rodeo Wichita '05 on May 14 - 15, 2005 which is part of the Bud Light Rodeo Series. Contestants from Oklahoma, Texas, Arhnsas, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado as well as distant states will compete for cash and the coveted Buckle. There are 14 events each day that male and females compete in. The rough stock events like Bull Riding and Steer Wrestling will test the skills of each cowgirl and cowboy contestant. There are horse speed events like Pole Bending, Barrel Racing and "drag" events like Goat Dressing which involves 2 team members racing to put underwear on a goat. You won't want to miss the Wtld Drag Race, contestants in heels! The rodeo is held in the indoor Mattox Arena in Derby, Kansas with vendor & concession space under the Big Top (a 40' x 80' Tent). KGRA will donate a portion of the profits to a charity to be named by our Grand Marshal. Our Grand Marshal for this year is Linn Copeland, owner of the Fantasy / South 40 Complex in Wichita. Linn is a founding member of KGRA and continues to be very supportive. KGRA is one of 25 nonprofit organizations in the USA & Canada that operate under the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) guidelines. Visit the KGRA web site www.kgra.us it has all the activities listed with times for the rodeo. You can also contact us Page 9 91 ■ . ■ :18•■ 70Q www. ■ AM ■ CJCIL0IJNIIIETUL■A.CCIM Join Us For the BIG.BASH! Memorial Day Weekend M 28th, 29th, 30th Page 10 MAY 2005 by Andrew Collins "BARCELONA, SPAIN" Even though Barcelona routinely receives plenty of great press, it's still vastly underrated, given just how much the city has to offer. This is a world-class metropolis, and specifically a premier gay and lesbian destination, especially as Spain's government prepares to legalize gay marriage by the end of 2005. Like Sao Francisco and Sydney, Barcelona combines the sophistication of a bustling, urbane, and progressive city with mesmerizing natural and physical beauty. Its many other ass.ets include superb contemporary cuisine, stunning architecture spanning many centuries, friendly and approachable citizens, fashionable shopping, copious hip gay cafes and nightclubs, excellent public transpomtion, reasonable prices (compared with much of Europe), and a temperate, sunny climate. Perched on the Mediterranean Sea in northeastern Spain, this stately city of 1.5 million fringes the foothills of the Pyrenees. Barcelona is eminently walkable, and if you stay anywhere near the gay area, you're within walking distance of most city attractions. Cabs are also plentiful, affordable, and easy to hail from the street, and the city has an efficient and clean metro system. It's also a &idy accessible place for English-spealring visitors, as the vast majority of the city's residents speak at least some English. Barcelona's mother tongue, Cat2.lan, is still widely used, and many business names and signs are expressed in Catalan, but nearly everybody in Barcelona also speaks Castilian Spanish (the national language). Additionally, Barcelona is quite safe, but for the same problems with pickpockets and petty thievery that p~e a number of European cities; violent crime is exceedingly rare. Probably Barcelona's most striking feature, elaborate _Modemista_ architecture dominates much of the city. The architect most associated with Barcelona, Antoni Gaudi, lived here from the 1870s until his sudden death (he was rim over by a streetcar) in 1926. Definitely plan to tour his masterpiece, Sagrada Familia, which looms high over the Barcelona skyline and can be seen from virrually anywhere. Gaudi began work on this spectacular skyscraping cathedral in 1883, but it's not expected to be finished until 2015. You can also admire many of his works by strolling through the Ei:z:ample neighborhood (especially along ritzy Passcig de Gracia, famous for fine shopping), and also up to Park Guell, the most enchanting pule in the city, replete with fairytale-like Gaudi spires, mosaic sculptures, staircases, and he~clies. The Ei:z:ample extends from the city center up into the hilly residenrilll ~~cighborhoods of interior Barcelona. Developers laid out this regal neighborhood of wide boulevards in the early 19th century, and Gaudi is just one of the fine architects who left his mark on the area. The small section of the neighborhood nearest the Universitat plaza, sometimes nicknamed the "Gai:z:ample," contains the bulk of the city's gay cafe and bar culture. To find these places, just stroll along the handful of blocks intersected by Gran Via and stretching from the Urgdl to the Universitat metro stops. From Universitat you can walk just a few blocks east to the city's most prominent central square, Placa Cataiunya, which is surrounded by department stores and hoteis. From here,· the city's famed La Rambla leads down to the waterfront. This broad tree-lined boulevard. make, for an engaging strol!, but it's also the most touristy section of the city, rife with overpriced and unexceptional restaurants and shops. Barcciona's waterfront and harbor (Port Vell) received a major facelift prior to the city's hosting of the Summer Oiympics in 1992, and the entire shoreline has continued to improve and develop ever since, with fine beaches, restaurants, shops, and marinas . ........ cont. pg-21 ] I I I I I I I I ! Page 11 Overexposure to Dancers can. lead to vision problems ... ~rut?! . . . . JIii ' ' : ' •• < Cold ,Beer Hot Bods - Strong Drinks 1 424 S. Memorial, Tulsa ii' (~118) 836-2480 21 AND QJER a ONE D~INK MINlt.UM a CLOSED TUESDAYaWWW.ENJUPCLUB.COM >~'181 .~μrgamy lgoldcasl1e,aim 5.840;2106 Joe Brennan Office Licensed in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois & Colorado www.shelterinsurance.com This Is Shelter Country. Here in our community you will find Shelter Agent Greg Tainter. We're proud to serve this community and our customers. Call today and ask about our services. Life-Worker's Comp.-Home-Auto-Farm-Business Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Post Office Box 339 Eureka, Missouri 63025 Tel: (636) 938-5500 Fax: (636) 938-3539 4815 South Harvard Ave., Suite 424 Tulsa, OK 74135-3068 Serving the tax and accounting needs of the Phone: (918) 747-5466 Email: KellyKirbyCPA@sbcglobal.net GLBT CommdLity since 1982 and ■venlna- a 'Week Also Open Holidays KEHN Page 15 Wichita's Gay Communi Will Parade Into The 21st Century Press Release: WICHITA, KS_On June 26, 2005, Wichita's gay community will hold it's first Pride Parade in more than five years. Lineup for the parade will begin at 1:30pm, .v-ith the parade kicking off at 2:00pm. After suffering a devastating loss with the Marriage Amendment, on April 5th, a number of us decided it's rime for a party!!! If you would like to join us for the first Pride Parade of the new century, in Wichita, then get a carload together, and we "'rill save some room for you in the lineup. The parade route will run from Central and Waco, to Central and St. Francis, with a Post-Parade Party at the finish line, featuring Parade Awards, speakers, music, food and drinks, t-shirts, and much more!!! If you would like to enter a float or car in the parade, please contact Mike Bevier at 316-207-1717. The registration feds $10 if paid before May 22nd, and $20 after May 23rd. The registration deadline is June 22, 2005. Walkers are free and encouraged to join in the Pride fun. So bring along your family, friends, co-workers, pets, all are welcome. Volunteers are greatly needed and even more greatly appreciated. Kansas is seriously behind the rimes, and we could sure.use some help bringing this state, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century. FREE HIV TFSTING,NO NEEDLFS ! SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 In conjunction with AIDS Project of the Ozarks, MCC Joplin offers free HIV testing the last Sunday of each month between 5PM and 6PM. For your convenience you can also call 206-6179 for an appointment. We use the Ora-sure method which does not require the use of needles and we offer complete confidentiality. You may also request Booklets on AIDS for People of Faith • through the PO Box listed above. Spirit of Christ MCC Joplin "Serving A Healthier C-Ommllnity" Page 16 Star Scene I J j ut for a Hero In 1984, Bonnie Tyler sang "I need a hero" in her smash bit "Holding Out for a Hero." The song was resui:rected last year for the s~undtrack of Shrek 2. Its message of despen1.tion is one many of us can relate to these days, especially thoJe. of us in the LGBT collltllunity. We need heroes now more than ever. Perhaps it was this lon~g that led to the claim that our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, was gay. In ~s recentlv released b,oo~ The Intimate World' of AbrabarJJ, Lincoln, Dr. C.A.. Tripp makes his case that President Lincoln was in &ct .a homosexual. He uses letters and co~temporary: .~econd-, hand accounts to•support·bis assertion:, .. but even bis most. ardent supporters have to admit that, far t:be·most part; the bt!lk of bis evidence is .circumst2ntial at best. I have to adtnit I'm more than a· little uncomforbble ~th. this whole situation. To me, it smacki ,;;f celebrity outing. I'm not trying to say; that .Lincoln was straight. I'm sii;ni?ly saying that I don't really think it's i!J? to us. to make that designation for him, especially considering the fetms "homosexual" or "gay'' hadn't even .been invented yet in that context. It's presuo;iptuous of us to assume that, were he alive today, Lincoln would choose to identify himself as homosexual. Are we th~ desperate for gay heroes that we have to for~e the designation on dead statesmen?' That's not to say I don't understand the need for someone to look up to. Dr. Tripp's goal was admirable. _Gay youth are especially hungry for an idol, and as much as I eniov Sir Elton's talent, let's face it - he's, h, ardly a role mod e1' . We don't need to invent gay heroes, though. Why bother when we have plenty who were openly and proudly gay? . The Equality Forum 1s an annual event whose goal is to promote understanding of the impact of .. homophobia on individuals, fam~es and society, and advance LGBT equality. Each year, the Forum highlights a. different nation. This year's focus 1s a National Celebration in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the historic first public gay and lesbian d.emonstration in front of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia on July 4, 1965. The Celebration will salute those pioneers and honor our LGBT . luminaries with' a special program titled "40 Years, 40 Heroes." The week-long Cd~b,ration will culminate on Sunday, May 1, with a full schedule of events. Several screenings are planned for "Gay Pioneers," a docwrientuy about the start of the ~y and lesbian' civil rights mov~ment. .The documentary was produced by ~quality Forum in collaboration with WHYY / PBS and was ll21llep. "Best of the:. Y w'' by The A.dvo'<:ate. R.oundtal:M i:liscussions featuring honorees sucli as Byan Wolfson Kate K~ndall, ~tt Foreman, ' · ·· · · · 13ui:iey'Frank, and . ulcd . thr·. · e Gfu.iton 0 . '• . th will be pa,mcifouing m the tribute to e 40 Heroes · which will beJollowed by a 1 meet~arig,-~eet with the honorees in the "Giy Icons Pavilion." Bishop. Gene_ Robinson will be leading .an 1nterfitlth service in the afteriiooti. The finale will be a concert at Independence Hall headlined by Cyndi Latiper. All. events are free. . Over eigl:lty n,1:ional ~ ititema~onal GLBT organi2ations. were· 10Volve1 .~ nominating the 40. Heroes. The cntcna required thad:Qe no~ee .had to haye made bis. or p~r ~ontpbutton bet:ll!C~~ 1965 and . . . . deceasecl, LGBT, . . . . ... , The nominations were th~ subt;n1~tdl to a selection committee, which na'trowcd the list to forty, then Equality Forum's Board of. Directors approved the final nominations. The end result is a satisfyingly diverse collection of activists, role models, and leaders . ......... continued next page Page 19 "This is an impressive list from Bayard Rustin to Barney Frank, MTV to Melissa Etheridge, Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin to Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell, Larry Kramer to Andrew Sullivan," stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. "In honoring these Heroes we acknowledge the paths they• have paved for our equality." Some of the names may be familiar to you. Who doesn't know who Ellen DeGeneres or Melissa Etheridge is? Less well-known are people like Bayard Rustin. He was a personal friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., helped organize the National Demonstration at the Lincoln Memorial that defined the African-American Civil Rights struggle, and was a life-long advocate for gay rights. Have you heard of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin? They were the first same-sex couple married in the United States at a ceremony in San Francisco on February 12, 2004. They were presented Women of Courage Awards by the National Organization for Women and their book Lesbian/Woman was named one of the twenty most influential women's books of the past twenty years by Publisher's Weekly. Or what about Tim Gill? He's one of only two openly gay individuals on the Forbes 400 list and an active philanthropist who provides millions of dollars annually to LGBT and HIV/ AIDS organizations. Then there's Leonard Matlovich, the first service member to fight discrimination against gays and lesbians in the United States military. His headstone reads. ''When I was in the military, they gave :me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one." These are only a few of the forty individuals being recognized for their contributions. Obviously, we don't have to look far to find role models. The problem lies in educating our community, especially our young people, about these heroes. We're_ living in times when our government and a very vocal segment of our society are actively opposed to anything remotely homosexual. Teachers can lose their jobs for simply telling their students they are gay or lesbian. How can we expect them · to teach about our gay heroes? No, until things change, it's up to us to spread the word. Equality Forum is to be applauded for their efforts to educate and acknowledge those who came before and made a difference. While we're recognizing the contributions of our community's notables, let's not forget the everyday heroes. The gay moms and dads who struggle every day to raise their children in a culture that tells them their family i:, of less worth than those of heterosexuals. They, too, are heroes. The brave men and women who live their lives openly and proudly even in the "Red States." They, too, are heroes. The soldiers forced to serve in silence due to government discrimination. They, too, are heroes. The fearless teenagers who come out in school despite the very real threat of harassment and bigotry. They, too, are heroes. Every act of courage, whether recognized by history or unseen by the world. moves us closer to equality. We don't ·have to hold out for our gay heroes. They're all around. We just have to learn to recognize them. Quotable Quotes "I really relate to the gay issue because of the marijuana issue. Because what Democrats are saying to gay people - which is basically, 'Oh, what do you care if it's just getting dvil unions? It's basically the same thing as marriage - just shut up and take it!' that's basically what people say to me about pot-smoking. They say, 'Bill, what do vou care so much if it's illegal? You can ~ways step outside the restaurant after dinner, I've seen you do it a hundred times, and smoke your joint in the allev.' And my answer to both of them is 'Fuck you.' You go outside after dinner and drink your brandy in the allev. You call whatever is going on under your roof a 'civil union."' -1V talk-show host Bill Maher to The Advocate, Feb. 15. Page 20 Ask Uncle Mikey Advice Column! May 2005 Salutations, Uncle here bringing you another in-depth look into all tings queer. Uncle is counting down the days until pride kittens. Celebrating that light which shines so bright from our community. Yes, uncle is gearing up, stocking up on supplies, while, preparing to endure endless parties, parades, and celebrations. Uncle spends the weeks after recouping from his yearly twist with the cause kittens. I am a giver however, so do not fret, you may just catch a glimpse of uncle if you look carefully. I will be the one dancing on the poll, L--------------' doing the sacred dance of the queenly, like the queens before me. Yes, I shall uphold tradition and vow to party until uncles proverbial bottom gives out. While, we dream of the celebrations which await us, allow us to see what queer seekers have brought uncles way this month. Dear uncle Mikey . I have made a mess with my friendship concerning my best friend. We have been friends forever, sharing almost everything. We have lived together now for three years since we graduated collage, and have seen the good and bad times go by us both. Well, we were at home last weekend, and we both being between mates right now, were drinking our sorrows away. He is straight and I gay. Though many said it would never work, it has been heaven, and I have depended on this friendship to get me through a lot. Well, I was drunk and horny, two combos which have proven dangerous for me in the past. I lent in to him placing my hand on his goods, and attempting to kiss him. I don't even know why I did it. He .has been distant and I fear he is thinking of moving out while, he is reading more into this than there reaOy is. I mean yes he is hot, and I wished on occasion, however, do not truly desire anything more than the best friend he has been to me. How can I convince him this was nothing more than a drunken weakness in my stupid lonely state? Seriously sorry Dearest Sorry, Kitten, alas, this is a most serious issues, with consequences, which you may find are inevitable. You broke his trust, and boundaries; which, are not so easily mended. You have to give him time to deal with your actions. He is probably feeling betrayed by you, since you are his best friend, knowing his sexuality, went ahead and broke that trust. You may very well wind up looking for a flat mate sooner than you dreamed. Uncle suggests giving him space, while, maybe writing a letter from your heart. Allow him to deal with this in his time, and see where this goes. It is. difficuit to come back from broken trust; however, determined one can overcome. So, hold in there, and just hope for the best and prepare for the worst as they say. It is his decision to make, and you will have to except the consequences of your actions. Uncle also suggests you reconsider drinking habits, which get you into troubie. Good luck- Uncle Dear Uncle Mikey: Dear Uncle: Why are so many gay men so uptight? It seems that drama rolls whenever there are more than two queers in one place. Does everything have to be a scandal? The normal guy i l f Page 21 Dearest Normal, Kitten, this is an easy one. Gay men are fabulous beings, which by design alone attract creativity, colorful surroundings, and of course, diversity in its finest. We do not look to some threepiece suite with a bad haircut, to dictate our life for us. We are ,what many only dream of being. We enjoy life, and the moment fate allows us. This however has a most plaguing side effect, and that is simply known; as drama. When you have, as many beautifully diverse people, as our community; New ideas springing fourth, life passions being realized, and of course the unique ability to stand in a world of repression, while, remaining true to yourself. There is bound to be some backlash, and that is drama .. So, do not judge so quickly my young one, Smooches-Uncle Drama is like anything else in life. Too much can push someone over the edge, while too little, can leave one in a bleak existence at best. The drama lets you know you are alive. So, enjoy it, while keeping it rightfully in check. Well Kittens, it seems our time has come. Uncle sends warm mav kisses out to all of his wonderful Kitt~ns. Remember this: He, who does not ask permission to exist, remains true to himself. While, the others will ask for the rest of life, for a ship, which will never come. Sink or swim baby, I got my thong! Smooches Uncle Mikey and Tiddles too! Uncle Mikey is a character from Fru&.na: writer Michael Hinzman. Michael has mm 'Writing for ten years. Utilizing his studies, and life experienCJ! to hdp others in his community, through humor and sound advice. Michael applied his study of prychology and creative 'Writing, as well his extensive brtckground in menu/ hMith Dirn:r caTI! to bring a new style and approach whelping others. Mich11.d's other works can be vieTDed at W'W'W.gaylinkcontent.com. Out of Town from pg-10 It's a great area for a warm-weather stroll, especially during the day, when you can admire the sea. To find the gayest section of beachfront, head to the Barceloneta neighborhood Gust west of the Olympic Port) and follow it as far west as you can go, not far from the Sant Sebastia cable-car tower. When you've had enough of the beach, hop on the cable car, which offers stunning views of the city and harbor and deposits you right on the edge of Montjuic, a verdant and hilly park. that's an absolute highlight of any visit to Barcelona. In the park, you can take funiculars (small aerial trams) up to its highest point, where Montjuic Castle (now a military museum but for many years a fortress and prison) stands sentry over the city. Or you can stroll through the park's lower regions to explore the lush botanical gitrdens and the wonderful Fundado Miro, the art museum dedicated to modern Spanish master Joan l\,fuo. Another area where you should try to spend at least one full afternoon is Barcelona's centrally located Old City, which feels nothing at all like the rest of the city, with its extremely narrow lanes and meticulo*sly preserved medieval architecture. This neighborhood dates to the city's Roman origins and contains several key landmarks, from the magnificent cathedral to the city history museum. If you have a bit of a foot fetish, check: out the quirky Museu de! Calcat, an entire museum dedicated to the history of shoes. In the neighboring (and also ancient) Born and Sant Pere districts, you'll find the Museu Picasso, whose thoroughly contemporary and stark interior contrasts dramatically with the building's medieval exterior. Exhibits here focus heavily on Pablo Picasso's early years, so if you're looking for his most &mous works, you may be disappointed. Fans of haute couru.re must not miss the neighborhood's Museu Textil, whose collections date back many centuries but include pienty of fashions from the past century, including some donated by chichi Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga.. Just a bit farther east, Puc de ia Ciutadeila is a delightful spot for a walk: (it's not uncommon to see the occasional same-sex couple meandering about the gardens); it also contains the city's zoo and natural history museum. On your way to the park, drop by the small but fascinating Museu de la Xocolata, which contains amazingly rendered contin11ed pg-26 c as been writing for the ~y and lesbian press for more than 20 years. She served for three years as the co-chair of the board of directors of New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, where she founded a groundbreaking reading series called "In Our Own Write." Lesbian Notions by Paula Martinac MAY 2005 Making History In a few weeks, anybody who's anybody in the lesbian and gii.y movement will be headed for Philadelphia to commemorate "the 40th anniversary of the GLBT dvil rights movement," as the celebration's official website (www.equalityforum.com) bills the event. You may be scratching your head now and saying, "Fortieth anniversary? Philadelphia? I could have sworn the Stonewall rebellion took place in New York City in 1969." And indeed, it did. However, an event that is much less known but still of enormous significance to the LGBT movement took place four years _before_ Stonewall. On July 4, 1965, in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a group of gay men and lesbians _____________ ;...,it staged what appears to have been the first public protest on behalf of gay civil rights. Each year on Independence Day for the next four years, the protestors held a demonstration at the same spot, called the "Annual ~eminder." N~w, just a couple of months shy of the actual anniversary, those lesbian and gay pioneers will be acknowledged with a star-studded celebration. . The P~d~hia demonstration was notably different from Stonewall - peaceful, qwct, and with 1ts own dress code of suits and ties for men and dresses and heels for women. They marched in an orderly circle carrying signs with, messages such as "Homosexual Citizens Want the Right to Make Their Maximum Contribution to Society." Still, as longtime gay activist Frank Kameny correctly notes, those conservatively dressed, law-abiding protestors "created the mindset for the expression of dissent" that made the Stonewall rebellion possible. Equality Foru.m's description of the anniversary celebration makes the distinction between the two historic events even clearer, with the stress in Philadelphia on "GLBT civil rights," as opposed to the "GLBT liberation" that arose from Stonewall. And that's been the split in our movement since the 1960s, continuing in some ~easure to the present day. Tho_se activists who have pushed primarily for "gay civil righ~s" have been more moderate and centrist in their approach to our movement, seeking to fit gay people into the overall fabric of American life. On the other hand, those who have pressed for "gay liberation" have often been in favor of more sweeping change of U.S. institutions and policy. It's noteworthy that we're commemorating the Philadelphia demonstration at this particular point in our politicii life as a movement, when maay of us arc indeed much closer to the suited activists of 1965 than to the queer rioters of Stonewall. We have l~rge national organizations in Washington and New York that hold glitzy fundraiscrs. A lot. of us name marriage and the right to serve openly in the military among our concerns - hardly the goals of take-to-the-streets radicals. Some of us even vote Republican. And a number of us have the disposabie income to spend on a jaunt to Philadelphia to venerate our past. Significantly, the May 1 event promises to be quite commercial, with a conformist public face. It's not eyeo being held on the _acrual_ anniversary of the demonstration, but i_n conjunction with the city's PrideFest of entertainment and parties. Among the conttnued next page 1 Page 23 many side-events taking place is a dinner honoring gay-friendly corporate giant IBM. So if. celebrating our marketability or the conservative tum our movement has tak~o isn't for you, the Philadelphia celebration probably isn't either. I myself won't be attending. At the same time, Equality Forum should be commended for a couple of importll.nt things that will come out of this event. First is the fact that Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) will d~dica~e a marker from the Pennsylvania Histoncal and Museum Commission to note the s~ot of the Philadelphia , . dc:m<>ostratl()n. This in itself is cause for celeb~tion, since there are so few amgible remnants of the lesbian, and gay past. To attempting to document LGBT historic sites in a book called The Queerest/P:~ces_, t f~und tha~ sadly, ~y buil~ assoC11lted with our moveme1# ~ere .no longer extllot. What's· more, his.t<>ric house museums connected , to &mous queers - like Walt Whitman, , for cx:unple - are often deeply "closeted" about their &inous inhabitants. A number o~ gay-related sit~s, especially in Sao Francisco, have attained city status as landmarks; but our only "out" national historic site remains the Stonewall Ion which .got its official designation unde; the Clinton administration. Now, having a state recognize the lesbian and gay movement - with a marker near the spot ~e Declaration of Independence was signed, no less - is of enormous significance, particularly .in this conservative political climate. A Statement by The Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches On The Elevation of Cardinal Ratzinger to the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church April 19, 2005 , In 1987, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, then Yic~-:Moderator of Metropolitan Commumty Churches, and I met Cardi.rial_ Ratzingcr at the Bilateral :q~oguc held during Pope John Paul II's VlSltJci Columbia, South Carolina. , A,t that time, we were filled with h<;>pc that the relatively new Pope John Paul II. would usher in a new era of ,, · . God's gay, lesbian, bisexual . . . transgendcr children. That did not hap·'-en. , , ~ ', ,, . In recent days, we h_eld out hope that ~. ~~~n of a new Pope would now Bnng greater openness and acceptance to the Roman Catholic Church. With today's election, that did not happen. In fact, over the past three decades Cardinal Ratziogcr has served as the ' author_ of many of the Roman Catholic Church's policies that embody overt hostility to LGBT people and preclude womeil from full participation in the life of the Church. We share a deep sadness that one of the world's most homophobic religious leaders has been elevated to the papacy, and regret that his policies will continue to <icvalμe the rich spiritual gifts of , LGBT people and women of faith. . Second, the Philadelphia celebration will,. I hope, help make people aware that lesbwis and gay men have lived and · straggled for their rights in places other than Greenwich Village and the Castro Since so man~ of us don't live in gay · ghetto:es, but m suburbs and small towns making our human faces visible is a huge' part of the work that our movement is now doing across the country. , _.- My &ith teaches ttiat aU people can change, so my prayers today are that the c;yes 9f Cardinal Ratzingcr _. now Pope ~c=dict :XVI - will be opened to the umgue giftedness and blessing that LGBT ~people can be to the Church. And my ~rar,crs_ today are with my brothers and sisters m the Roman Catholic Church and those ~ose lives will be harined by c~h policies that treat LGBT people with less than unconditional acceptance and dignity. P 25 Ids rne www.HearTheRumors.com pagc-26 Out of Town from pg-21 miniature sculptw:cs and dioramas made cntirdy of chocolate (and no, you can't nibble on them, as thcy'i:c safely ensconced within glass display cases). Not far from the Old City, the up-and-coming Raval district contains the distinctive (and huge) Richard Meier-designed Muscu d' Art Contcmporani de Barcelona (MACBA), which houses an esteemed collection of contemporary art. Gty Barcdomans pursue clubbing and bar-hopping with great vigor. Some good bets in the Eixamplc indudc Ambar, Sweet; and Z:dta's, the last being a bit darker and cruisier than the others. Ambar is fun because it has seveml. pool tables in back, and Sweet is brightly lit and contemporary, drawing a fashion-conscious crowd. D-Mer is the main lesbian hangout; although women have a notable presence at virtually all of the predominantly male bars. The outrageous La Diva presents wild c:lriig'ahows along with pretty tasty food. Dietrich might just be the hippest gay bar in.~,with a spotlighted garden and a courtly interior. Both inen ~d women frcqnent this spot; with .an especially strong under-30 contingent. Bi-level Punto BCN. is light and open, drawing the biggest crowds early in th~ evening. And to you fans of leather and Levi's, felat not - Batcdona has its own very popular Eagle. Among larger daqce clubs, the sexually ch'1'ge<l Metro appeals to cruisy guys, owing to its muc ofdarlt rooms offthc dance floor. And then there ~c the three pulsing.Arena nightclubs - Ar~ Clasoic, .A,r~ Madre, lllld Arena VIP - wftlch all get going a bit aftct midnight and throb until nearly 6 a.m, On Fridays, Saturdays,. and Sunday, anybody who love$ dariciμg and muscular men should head to Salvation: · . For a memotablc meal, drop by trendy Porquesi, where you mightJ:rr.cod with lime, coriander, tomato, and olive .. oil. The food is reasonably priced (the colorful cocktails more expensive), and there's a separate lounge filled with white beds and pillows; Friendly La Monyos is a cute and .ttendy cafe serving bandadc and ,alt cod crepes, apple and walnut aalad, and risotto with parmcaan and cmcd ham. You can enjoy an absolutely delicious meal and also b~c a fine mukct of Spanish gow:met wines, olive oils, jams, and chocolate, at Origcns 99.9o/e, which celebrates all things culinary· and Cataian. Snack on rabbit braised in chocolate, cod tripe with snails, and other regional ,pecialtics. Simple and hearty Cuban-inspired Spanish &re, including great roast chicken and black beans, is served at Cubaneo. Irreverent Iurantia, a snazzy little cafe drawing an artsy bunch, serves inexpensive pub &re, including a ground-beef patty known as the "Fuck Mac Burger." The restalltllilt Castto has a gay following - it turns out fine Continental fare at dinner. Tapas are more a Madrid ttadirion than a Barcelona one, but the city does have some excellent restaurants specializing in these small plates of snacks, including Celler de Tapas, a handsome space with clean lines and several tables along the sidewalk. Crab salad, marinated octopus, and anchovies with garlic stand out on the lengthy menu. To satisfy your sweet tooth, pop inside La Valenciana, an old-fuhioncd cafe that serves exceptional gdato,, coffees, and cakes. Barcdona has a wealth of charming accommodlltiona, from inexpensive gay gueathouses to. some genuinely enchanting historic palaces, such as the gorgeous Hotel Balmes and the citf s true grandc dame, the ultra-luxuricius Hote~'Majcstic, which anchors the Ei:a:amplc's main shopping dtsg. Right on the edge of the gay area, the sixfloor Hotel Calcdonian has pleasant rooms (some with terraces overlooking the street) ar/,d friendly prices, a~ around 90 euroa. Nearby, the mic;l-priccd Hotel Hl0 Univenitii.t has a convenient location • it's clos~ to La Rambla, too. Free high-speed Internet and a hip restaurant add to the appeal. · • Tops among gay and lesbian places, the 66- room Hotd Axd ia an uber-cool boutique property with futuristic minimalist rooms and a terrific, helpful staff. The hotd's swish restaurant; bathed in black and cranbctty-red, ~cries such creative fare as cardamom-dusted '~o'nifish and watermdon soup with a dash of rum. On Wednesday nights the Axel throWll a big bash on its roof deck - it's a favorite place for gay locals and guests of the hotd to mingle. Ho1tal Que Til ranb among the bc11t gay budget opttons; it's on the edge of the gay uca and contain, artful, simple room, with hand-painted mural• and auper-low rate■ • Another excellent choice, Frimda Ban:~na ~cupica an elegant penthouse apartment with du:ee brightly famished ~oma and three big tcrmces affording great city Yiewa. 'Thia smartly furnished guesthouge with a young, amiable ataff ia one of aevc:rai top-notch gay accommodations to open in re<:ent yean, a trend that reflects Barcelona's continued 1111cccs1 u one of the vot:!d'• hottest queer destinations. Page27 Seo by Jack Fertig MAY 2005 es "See foreign films, Leo!" Saturn is quincunx to Pluto for a month, which presents irritating challenges to making deep adjustments. Mercury is briefly aspecting both, offering ideas and messages on how to use those challenges. It's a great time for research projects, especially in history, genealogy, and archaeology. ARIES (Much 20 - April 19): Normally, problems at horn~ should be solved there, .but solutions are now coming from as far away as possible. Find a foreign and/ or philosophical fount of wisdom to offer new insights. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Words lie heavily on your tongue - but what really needs•saying? Take some time out for meditation or another introspective focus. That will just make you sexier, so take time to play too and then who needs _ words_ on your tongue? GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Loans to or from friends will only make trouble later. Get by on what you have and let others do the same! You're especially forceful and persuasive now, so you shouldn't have trouble sticking to your guns - and that will earn you great respect. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Working too hard could make the boss suspicious that you're after his or her job. The two of you are due for a talk about your duties and about how to work more effectively. Relax effectively, too! Stress from overwork can be dangerous. LEO (July 23 - August 22): You're getting into arguments too easily. Instead, try to confront what's really bothering you. Pick from a list of foreign films - for entertainment, yes, but also for a clue to what is really working your nerves. VIRGO (August 23 September 22): Power struggles are more easily won on your home turf. Getting all involved in your work space or usual hang-out is OK, but nothing wins them over like a home-cooked meal - or at least coffee and treats at your place. IJBRA (September 23 - October 22): Asserting your authority in any matter will only create more problems than it solves. Simply and concisely spelling out the facts of the matter at hand will demonstrate your mastery of the situation. Remember, _what's_ right is more important than _who's_ right. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Do.mestic arguments largely boil down to problems around work and money. Cut through the emotional drama and get to practical issues. The real trick is to respect everyone's emotions in the process. SAGITI'ARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Ever-lucky Saj! While Saturn is giving everyone else headaches, he's malcing you the queen (OK, Butch or the king~ of leather and fetishes. Just don't be too assertive about it. Your natural confidence is quite enough. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Relationships feel especially problematic now. Working it out together is ideal, but a time-out may be in order. Whether family traditions arc a source of the problem or offer wise insight, digging around your roots will help. AQUARIUS (JanulltY 20 - February 18): If something is bothering your tummy, it's likely to be from the weight of something you need to get off your chest. Even if there are repercussions, difficult adjustments are better than the sntus quo. Sing out; Louise! PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Your profound creativity is blocked now. Diverting your attention to work, especially on money matters, will help .. Balancing your checkbook or reviewing the household budget is fine, but doing similar tasks at work is better. Jack Fertig has been worleing as a professional astrofuger since 1977 and is a founding member of the Association for Astro/ogic4l Networking. He can be reached for consultations at 415-864- 8302, through his website 11.t http://'Wf1J'W.st4rjack.com Page 28 Four States Community Directory -Bars- NightclubsArkansas, Fayetteville (479) Studio 716- -716 W. Sycunore- 479-571-130 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- 1004 1/2 Ganison Ave- -479-783-9988 Club 1022 - -1022 Dodson.Ave. - - - -479-782-1845 Arkansas, Bot Springs (501) Club One Eleven- - - 111 Garden St- - - - -620-4111 Our House Lounge - 660 E. Grand Ave- -624-6868 Arkaa1as, Little Rock (501) Back Street- - - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - 501-664-2744 Discovery- - - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - 501-666-6900 The Factory -412 Louisiana St.- - - - -501-372-3070 Kansas, Wichita (316) J's Lounge - - - - 513 E. Central - - 316-262-1363 Our Pant:uy- - - - - 3201 S. Hillside- - -316-682-5494 The Comer- -- - - 3210 E. Osie - - - 316-683-9781 The Othenide- - -447 N. St Pt11t1cis- - 316-262-7825 Shat:tl - - - - - - - - 4000 S. Broadway- - 316-522--2028 Sidestreet Mens Bar -1106 S. Pattie- -316-267-0324 South 40 - - - - 3201 S. Hillside - - - -316-682-5494 Trend, Bar - -1507 S. Pawnee- - 316-262-4530 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's• • • • 716 S. Main•••••• -417-627-9035 Missouri, Kansas City (816) Buddies - - - - - - 3715 Main St - - - - 816-561-2600 Belle Stu's- - - - 1321 Grand Ave- - - -816-421-1288 Club NV - - - - 220 .Admintl Blvd- - 816-421-NVKC DB Warehouse- -- 1915 Main St- - - -816-471-1575 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - - - - - 816--561-0625 Sidestreet Bar - - - -413 E. 3rd-.- - - - - 816-531-1775 Sidekicb Saloon - - 3707 Main St- - 816- 931-1430 Mlssowri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boonville Ave- - - - - --417-831-4700 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercial-873-2225 Martha's Vineyard- 219 W Olive - -417-864-4572 Oz Bar• 504 E. Commercial••••• -417-831-9001 Ronisuz Place- - --821 College- - - - - - -417-864-Q036 Rumon • -1109 E. Commercial- - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Boom Room- 2807 NW 36th St- - - - - -405-601-7200 Club Rox• - - -3535 NW 39th &pwy - 405-947-2351 Copa- - - - - - - -2200 NW 39th Expwy- -405-525-0730 Pimh Line - -2200 NW 39th Expwy- - 405-525-0730 Hi-Lo Club - - 1221 NW 50th- - - -405-843-1722 Lido- - - - - - - -2200 NW 39th Expwy- 405-525-0730 Partners- - - - -2805 NW 36th St - - - - - 405-942-2199 Siatus- - - - - - 2120 NW 39th St - - - - -405-521-9533 The Rockies- -3201 N. May Ave - - - - 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill &: Bar- 3535 NW 39;:h-405-947-235, Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge- 7204 E. Pine• - -- 918-836-8700 Club Maverick- - 822 S. Sheridan - 918-835-3301 End Up Club- - - 424 S. Memorial- 918-836-2480 The Detour- - - - -7944 E. 21st - - - - 918-270-2428 Club Majestic- - 124 N. Boston - - - 918-584-9494 Renegades- - 1649 S. Main• - - - - 918-585-3405 Pb.y-Mor-Club- 1737 S. Memorial - - 918-838-9792 Tulsa Eagle- -1338 E. 3rd- - - - - - 918-592-1188 TNT's - - - - 2114 S. Memorial- - - - 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd- -2630 E. 15th- - 918-293-0304 -Restaurants- Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Gushers Restaurant-2200 NW 39Exp405-525-0730 Ingrids Kitchen- -3701 N. Youngs- -405-946-8444 Topanga Grill&: Bar- 3535 NW 39th--405-947-2351 -LodgingMbsouri, Joplin (417) Fairfield Inn by Marriott- - - 417-624-7800 Missouri, Ava Catus Canyon Campground - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Lampe KOKOMO Campground-- - -417-779-5084 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) HollywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex-405-947-2351 Habana Inn 2200 NW 39th Exp- - -405-528-2221 -OrganizationsArkansas, Avoca Natural State Naturists- - - - - - - - - -479-451-8066 Arkansas, Eureka Springs MCC living Spring- - - - - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Arkansans for Human Rights-www.arhr.org Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - -www.dsra.org Stonewitll Democratic Club--www.sdcar.org Kansas, Pittsburg {620) River of Life Church - 1709 N Walnut - -11.AM PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway- - - - 620-231-0938 Kansas, Wichita {316) HOA-Mens Chorus - - - - - - - - - - - 316-618-0684 That Gay Group, W.S.U. - - - - - - - - - 316-978-7010 Kansas Gay Rodeo Assoc- - - - - www.lcgra.us Missouri, Joplin ( 417} MCC Spirit of Christ-2902 E 20th, - - - • 6pm UCCFP--204 N. Jackson Ave, - - - -10:30AM Aids Project Ozarks- 513 Kentucky- 417-624-5788 Missouri Gay Rodeo Assoc • - - - - www.mgra.us Page 29 Missouri, Springfield ( 417) fuunbow Christian Ch-837 W. Madison- 866-6206 Unitarian Univmalist Church - - 417-833-2723 APO- - - 1901 E. Bennett, suite D- 417-881-1900 ShowMe MO Pride - - - - - - - - - - --417-864-4459 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 PFLAG-Springfidd- - - - - - - - - -417-889-1059 PROMO SW MO- promoswmo@hotmail.com Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Cathedral of Hope- 600 NW 13th St- 232-HOPE The Center- 2135 NW 39th St. - - 405-524-6000 NLA-Tribal Fire - - - - - - - - www.tribalfueokc.com OGRA- - - - - - - - - - - www.okgayrodeo.com Oklahoma, McAlester McPride- - - -POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) GLBT Comm. Ctr- -5545 E. 41st- - - - 918-743-4297 H.O.P.E. - - -- 2545 S. Yale- - - - - - 918-834-8378 MCC United- -1623 N. Maplewood- -918-838-1715 SSRA · - - - · - · - - • - www.soouerstaterodeo.com TOHR- - - - PO Box 2687, Tulsa, OK 74101 Tulsa CARES- -3507 E. Admiral Pl- - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Rough Riders- -www.tulsaroughriders.com -Business ServicesArkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Events - - www.diversitypride.com EurcbPride- • - - - - - - - - - ~.eurekapride.com Kansas, Wichita Total Massage- - · - - · Kenn- - - - - - . 316-204-0111 Missouri, Eureka Shelter Insurance- --Greg Tainter• 636-938-5500 Missouri, Joplin (417) Charles Burt Realtors-Vicki Bronson-- -434-0077 Office Max- -440 Rangeline Rd- - - 417-623-1007 Missouri, Springfield (417) Priscilla's - • • • 1918 S. Glenstone - -417-881-8H4 Oklahoma, Broken Arrow Spas N Such- - 808 N. 15th· - - --918-258-7727 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Century21 - -4301 NW 63rd #100 - 405- 840-2106 Jungle Reds - - - 2200 NW Expwy- - 405-524-5733 Piece To Remember-2131 NW 39th- -405-528-2223 Priscilla's- 615 E. Memorial - - - 405-755-8600 Oklahoma, Tulsa {918) Elite Bookstore --814 S. Sheridan- - - - 918-838-8503 Kelly Kirby, CPA- 4815 S Harvard- - 918-747-5466 Undcrgi:cy:.com - · -15 E. Brady- - -918-829-0824 Priscilla(s - - · - - 7925 E. 41st - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla'.r- · · - 5634 W. Skelly - - - ·-918-446-6336 Priscilla;s,• - • -11344 E. 11th - - - - - 918-438-4224 Priscilli~ • - • - 2333 E. 71st - - • • - - 918-499-1661 Page 31 Page 30 cARTooN "A Couple of Guys" Inn Segth -1-316-522-1880 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 [2005] The Star Magazine, May 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 05 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 01, 2005 Subject The topic of the resource https://history.okeq.org/items/show/178 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 Michael Dee Douglas Glenn Steve T. Urie Paula Martinac Romeo San Vicente Andrew Collins Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Chaz Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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 Southeast Kansas Western Arkansas 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, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 2 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/178 The Star Magazine, July 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 7 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/217 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/219 Advice gay rodeo Heart to Heart Lesbian Notions Miss Gay Layetteville pride festival Q Scopes Quotable Quotes religion same sex marriage-Kansas Spain Star Scene Uncle Mikey https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/a5466894be9f8e6028b22a065642bb43.jpg 73498dae0a0cbe0ec93efd6c664a6dee https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/08ebddd49039c0c3e3c8658f882cdc1b.pdf 8efc7a5d9bf16546bc1fcb6a520d40c1 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 Periodical 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 [2005] The Star, June 01, 2005; Vol. 02, Issue 06 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 01, 2005 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2019.003.018 Subject The topic of the resource "A Four states LGBT community magazine" Description An account of the resource News, entertainment, and advice toward LGBT community Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Star Media, Ltd Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Star Media, Ltd; Joplin, Missouri Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource C.D. Ward, Greg Steele, Josh Aterovis, Michael Dee, Douglas Glenn, Steve T. Urie, Paula Martinac, Romeo San Vicente, Andrew Collins, Michael Hinzman, Jack Fertig, Chaz Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/d7a2016c796ec0959d774ac28cf5be63.jpg 79215605b557736708c28b85de0aaaea https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/119af72fbd0966aaba4068e081dcbb8c.pdf 65498a08dc2439b9ecc9f5b8bfa38b6f 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 rlty and Trust in Advertising Service. JULY 2005 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7 FREE Page 2 Page 3 The July, 2005 issue of the STAR marks our 19th printing, 1-1/2 years in publication and have never missed a distribution deadline. I wanted to point this fact out because of a few nay-sayers who thought we wouldn't exist in July,2005. With that said here are a few changes and additions effective with this issue. . Our new monthly column, "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. Another new cartoon, "Bitter Girl" just for the ladies will be a monthly addition. STAR of the month (page-3) will be a trial feature spotlighting a four statesirresistible hunk! Surely we will find 12 of these sexy guys for the up coming year! With all the human rights issues surrounding the GLBT community, we have decided to allocate a three page section, but not limited too, to address equal rights on a national level. The "Advertisers Index" (page 35) will give you our readers, a quick reference to find that business in the four states region that may carry a product or service you want. The index ·will conveniently point you to the· advertisers ad page. Advertising means you are · invited to visit the advertiser. Wnere can you find a copy of me STAR? Just look on page 36 to find a distribu'toi' in your area. Thao.ks to ali for your support over·this past year and a half and be assured we are here to stay. C.D. \'{'ardiEditor National Gay and Lesbian Task Force denounces U.S. Senate confirmation of William Pryor Jr. to the federal bench 'Pryor has repeatedly proven he is an ideological tyrant of the highest order' -Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman WASHINGTON, June 9 The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force denounced the u.S. Senate's confirmation today of former Alabama Attorney General William H. Pryor Jr. to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. "Pryor has repeatedly proven he is an ideological tyrant of the highest order," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gav and Lesbian Task Force. "Pryor's ~xtremist views may resonate with the outer fringes, but· they have no place on the federal bench. This is an American travesty." Foreman said Pryor ha'd compiled a "mind-boggling record of hostility toward the rights of ordinary Americans, and may be the most demonstrably anti.gay judge ever nominated to a federal appeals court." A few examples: @ In his capacity as deputy attorney general of Alabama, Pryor co-authored an amicus brief supporting Colorado's anti-gay ballot initiative in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Romer v. Evans. • As Alabama attorney general, Pryor wrore an amicus brief defending Texas' anti-gay sodomy law in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Lawrence v. Texas. Pryor sought to deny gay people equal protection under the law, including upholding tne imprisonment of gay men and iesbians for expressing their human ~exuality in the privacy of their own nomes. @ While temporarily sitting on the Eleventh Circuit via a recess appointment by President George W. Bush, Pryor cast the deciding vote upholding Florida's ban on adoption by gay men and lesbians. • Pryor calls the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade as "the worst abomination of constitutional law in our history." "It is widely recognized that Pryor is a right-wing zealot who is unfit to judge," said Foreman. "His hostility toward a vast range of Americans and fundamental rights and freedoms is as astounding as it is disturbing." New Report Love Won Out, Details One of James Dobson's Most Harmful Anti-Gay Ministries at Focus on the Family So-called "ex-gay" conferences target lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and tear families apart "'Love Won Out' is one of the most harmful programs sponsored by James Dobson 's organization," said Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Their speakers are nothing more than snake oil salesman peddling pernicious and discredited theories about how parents can 'prevent' homosexuality in their children. It is homophobia, not love, that wins out at these conferences." New York: May 4, 2005 - A new repor: released todav bv the National Gav and Lesbian Task· F;rce Policy Institute titled, A Report from "Love Won Out: Addressing, Understanding, and continued pg-8 You'llfi~d lo,w.s of hip cafes and restaurants in Melbo11me's fanky Fitzroy neighborhood, JULY 2005 by Andrew Collins "Melbourne, Australia" Nearly all gay North Americans who make it to Australia end up spending time in Sydney, but relatively few ever make it to the n:i.tion's mecca for culture, Melbourne. This city of roughly 4 million cl:i.ims an am:i.zing theater scene, a vast range of first-rate live-music venues, highly regarded art museums and galieries, and cutting-edge events (including late January's Midsumma Festival, which showcases visual and performing arts; February's Melbourne Fashion Festival; March's Queen Fiim Festival; and November's Fringe Festival). In terms of gay-friendliness, this· city of vibrant, lively neighborhoods ranks among the most progressive and inviting places on the pl:i.net. And hey, it's also home to Kylie Minogue _:i.nd_ Dame Edna, two queer icons. . . . Food lovers extol Melbourne's wealth of fine restaurants, known p~cularly for excellent ethnic fare (from ltali:i.n to Asian). Java addicts will find that coffeehouses arc jusc as popular here as they are in Seattle or Toronto, and oenophiies appreciate the city's love of fine wines, which is evident in the great selections at both affordable and high-end restaurwts. The city also cl:i.ims several cool boutique hotels, a wide range of bars and discos. that host weekly gay parties, and a smaller but still potent suppiy of nightspots that glow pink seven nights a week. • Melbourne is less a singular destination than a collection of distinctive neighborhoods, all of them connected quite handilv bv a clean and efficient system of trams and buses. Rath~r th:i.n focusing on the ~ity's partic~la; attractions and gay-oriented businessei, .h~re's an introduction to the city by way of its ench:i.nting neighborhoods. Keep in mind th~~ -~though you'll find a gay scene in sever:i.l parts of town, the neighborhoods south o_f the. 1'.atta River tend to b~ known more for fashion :i.nd glitz, while those north of the nver tend _more toward funkiness and countcrculturalism. Also note that "hote!" in Australia can refer to anything from a pub to a disco to an act.ual lodging (perhaps with a bar or disco); except where overnight accommodations are mentioned, :assume that all the "hotels" in. this articie are nightspots. Central Melbourne The citv's courtly business district contains soaring skyscrapers, tree-lined streets, and many of Melbour~e's cultural attractions. Downtown's most distinctive feature is its many "lancways," Iitrle alleys lined with impossfoly cure tearooms, boutiques, bars, and cafes. Some of them lead into enclosed arcades, where you'll find more of the same. There's plenty of great shopping to be had in Central Melbourne, ::specially on Collins and Little Collins streets, which are lined with shops specializing in haute couture and fine jewelry, and Bourke Street, where you'll find ali the le;;ding department stores, such as Myer and David Jones. Downtown contains ::hc,we:iith of the city's top accommodations, including such stellar luxury options as the phenomenally cushy Park Hyatt Melbourne and ,he luxe Le Meri~i::~ at Rialto. Also consider staying at the Metropolican Hotel, an uber-chic bou::iquc property with sleek decor. Head to Federation Square, an architecti.:railv dramatic complex containing the Australian Centre for the Moving Im;ge (it shows arty films, often with gay themes). The compound also Page 7 contains the sexy restaurant Chocolate Buddha, which serves sophisticated but affordable Pan-Asian cuisine. Another memorable downtown dining option is Ezard at Adelphi, helmed by celeb chef Teague Ezard, a ch:i.mpion of modern Aussie cooking. Just across the Yarra River, the glitzy Southgate district is dominated by modern skyscupcrs containing dozens of upscale shops and restaurants, including the well-regarded Pure South, where you might sample slow-roasted wild duck with parsnipand- vanilla puree, and a caramelized fig-port reduction. This part of town is a real culinary hotspot. Head a bit east of Southgate, along the river, and you'll come to the lush Royal Botani Gardens, which make for some of the city's best strolling. St. Kilda One of the hippest neighborhoods around, St. Kilda developed as a swank seaside resort during the 19th century, fell on grim rimes during the mid-20th century, and has truly blossomed again over the past couple of decades. These days this colorful neighborhood is loaded with fun shops and c:i.fes and anchored by Luna Park, a Coney Island-like bc:i.chsidc amusement park overlooking Port Phillip Bay. The St. Kilda Esplanade runs along the waterfront and is a terrific pl:i.ce for a walk or jog don't miss the arts and crafts market hdd here on Sundays. There arc two main drags worth scoping out: Right along Fitzroy Street, you'll find a slew of trendy h:i.ngouts and shops. C:i.fc Di Susio serves superb Italian fooci in a romantic setting - it's a great special-occasion pick. Around the corner, I1 Fornaio is a terrific little post-industriai space serving up espresso drinks and delicious bre:i.kfast and lunch fare, along with toothsome sweets. Consider staying next door at the 40-:mom Prince of Wales Hotel, which is one of the coolest and gay-friendliest properties in the city, with h:p contempor:i.ry rooms. There's also great dining here at Circa, and a natty bar that draws a fashionable bunch. Aithough }e's a bit bland-looking, the nearby Novotel St. Kilda has a terrific location right on St. Kilda's Esplanade and has reasonable rares. Another good bet is perhaps the slickest backpackers' hosrel in the country, Base, a contemporary building with a red-glass facade and surprisingly comfy rooms. The other area for great window-shopping and dining is Acland Street. Sample the wonderful seafood fare at Ciaypots, which also has a branch in Collingwood, and then try nearby 7 Apples for sensational gelati in a city tl1at's known for it. Down the block near the Esplanade, Soul Mama is famous for its fantastic, world-beat vegetarian fare and enormous deserts. This snazzy place with wonderful water views, too. Just a little east of St. Kilda, the rapidly gentrifying Balaclava neighborhood has several groovy cafes · and restaurants, including gay-popular Boccone, a smart, minimalist trattoria where you might sample salmon carpaccio with ruby grapefruit and basil salad. And don't miss Glick's, a Jewish bakery famous for its bagels. pastries, latkes, and chopped herring salad. A hip breakfast and lunch spot with a sunny patio, Las serves such tantalizing fare as pancakes with blackberry coulis and mint. In the same area, on Saturday evenings you'll find great drag shows and dancing :i.t the Greyhound Hotel. Prahran and South Yarra The stylish Prahran precinct has arguably the highest concentration of gav-oriemed businesses in the city, most of them clus~ered around the in:ersection of Com:nercial Roaci and Chapel Street. Drop by the gay bookstore, Hares and Hyenas, for a browse. And cion't miss strolling through Prahran Market, which pulses wi;;h gourmet food and produce s.:alls :i.nd can get quite cr.:r;sy, especially on weekend mornings. The neighborhood's favorite gay clubs arc Diva, known for its campy drag shows; Xchange Hotel, v.·hich draws a cruisy, sta~dand- model bunch m ........ continued page-28 / Page 8 NATIONAL ISSUES CONTINUED: Preventing Homosexuality," provides a first-hand account of an anti-gay conference that took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota in September 2004. The report's authors, Jyl J. Josephson, an Associate Professor at Rutgers University-Newark, and Cynthia Burack, an Associate Professor at Ohio State University, detail the theories and world views espoused by the presenters and "ex-gay'' leaders who spoke at the conference, one of at least four such conferences sponsored annually by Focus on the Family around the country. Among the key observations highlighted in the report is the claim that homosexuality is caused by a lack of "appropriate or fulfilling" relationships between a child and his or her same-sex parent. One speaker, who first said that parents should not be blamed as the principle source of homosexuality in their children, went on to warn that mothers who are "doormats," • "manipulative," "domineering," and "selfconsumed," can cause their· daughters to become lesbians. "It would be shocking for most Americans to see the way that conference presenters claim to be champions of the family while they blame parents for making their children gay or lesbian," said Cynthia Burack, one of the report's co-authors. "As a researcher and university professor, I am amazed that ex-gay 'experts' continue to use discredited psychology to explain the origin of homosexuality and that they continue to stigmatize gender-atypical behavior," continued Burack. "Telling parents that they must force their children to conform t0 gender stereotypes to keep them from becoming gay is hurtful to both parents and children." One of the most disturbing observations detailed in the report is that a number of conference a.:tendees appeared to be parents accompanying their young teenage children, presumably to help "prevent" them from becoming gay. The outreach of "Love Won Out" to youth is exemplified by a picture of a young teenager on the ministry's website with a confused and sad _expression, placed right next to the ohrase. "A dvnamic one-dav conferenc: addre'ssing, underst~ndiog and preventing homosexuality." - "As the mother of a gay child, I was particularly heartbroken to see these parents and their children attending this conference," said Jyl Josephson, report co-author. "What impact does it have on a young teenager to hear such rejection from his or her parents and people who claim to be representatives of God?" continued Josephson. "One speaker even claimed that if a genetic basis for homosexuality were discovered it would still be a violation of God's will. Frankly, this message to young people is immoral and I have seen first hand the gteat harm that it causes to vulnerable children and youth." "The pastors, clergy, and lay leaders of the Task Force's National Religious Leadership Roundtable have witnessed the negative impact of Focus on the Family's so-called exgay or conversion therapy ministry. Ex-gay ministries are groups that llttempt to change people's sexual orientation because of conservative religious beliefs that say homosexuality is a sin. In their funding and promotion of these so-called ex-gay ministries, Focus on the Family is destroying families and the faith of young people." Richard Lindsay, spokesperson, Religious Leadership Roundtllble. iversity ide ents We Do It t! For GLBTs & PPLAGs Eureba Springs, as Valentine's, Spring & Fall Dances - Concerts 00 BEARS! Plus other Pride Eve11ts! - And Watch Out Far Nore TS de.com Page 9 NATIONAL ISSUES CONTINUED: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to President Bush: "If it's good for the Baltics and Russia, what about here at home?" - Matt F-0reman, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Speaking in Latvia on the 60th anmvc:su,; of the end of \X1\'flI, George Bush lectured , Russia and Vladimir Putin, saying, ''The promise of democracv is fo!fil!cd b,· ciinoritv rights, and equai iusti~c under the r;ilc of la,..._;, and an inclusive socictv in whicb even· person belongs!' · ' Mr. President, you support amending the U.S. and state constitutions ro depri,:c a minority gay peopie of :i right rl:e majority takes for granted and sees as funda1;:;ental, namely marriage. You oppose giving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans equal protections ueder tile iaw from discrimination in employment, housing, a:1d public accommodations. Your administuaon has relentlessly sought t<) exclmic even the words 'gay,' 'lesbi:111,' 'bisexuai,' and 'transgender' from any federnl fonding initiative. So, the questio:1 is, 'If minorir;· rights, cciu,,l justice under the law, and inclusiw. arc good for the Ba!tics and Russia . why !101 here at home?"' RYAN WHITE CARE ACT FUNDING IS IN.AD1EOUATE IN FIGHT AGAINST IV/ AIDS 'Shortchanging the fight against HIV/AIDS threatens the lives of millions of American men, women and children,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese. WASHINGTON The Human Righ1:s Campaign expressed deep disappointmenr at the d~cision bv a House subcommittee to flat-fund rhe Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emerg~ncy Act and other critical federai HIV/ }dDS programs. "Shortchanging the fighr ag:1insr i,J.J\/ All)S threatens the lives of rnillions of :\merican men, wcn1c::1 and chiidrcn." said HRC President !oe Sol:nonese. , ·•HT,.j, •.. f'l\·,1,r,·)s v,,. !t.h.>UL g1y1ng -1 i. ,. J /\ 1 prograrns the resources they need~ ,ve'H continue to sec adverse i1nJ)acts to those n1ost at risk: coinrnunirics of color~ vouno· peo()lc, gay anci bisexua'. m~:; anl' ,vomen.'' In approving the flat-funding le,·els, a subcommittee on rhe }Jousc 1\ppro!)tiations Committee provided no increase for most <,f rhc programs in the CARE Act with the exception of one program, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. However, ADAP, which prnv1des HIV-related presc:ipti,m drnl!S to those withm.it access tu basic HIV ,! treatment, w«s increased by only S10 million faliing "ar shor: of the funding needed to support rhe crisis conditions this program faces. Despite the insufficient fundi:1g levels for these criricai programs, tbc appropriations subcommittee disappointingly increased funding for abstincnce-umii-marriage programs by $11 miilion oveall. "1\1.bstinence-~untii-marriage programs are based on bad science. Gooc: science telis us more is needed for the programs the l.. I ousc is shurtchang-in!. .. Cleadv •. - ,,,., 0 ,,, pohttcs ts gettlng in the ,vav of science~]) added Soimonesc ''Ti0 is i,s~e cannot be vie,ved in a Yacuurn. ·rhe Ilvan \Xlhite (·•Rr. . , ~i'"i r,, /\.ct ts a prayer of last resort. Because ~:t'edicaid cuts arc forcing n1ore Americam into Ryan Whrtc CARE Act programs, shcrcchanging this program will have a devastating effec;:." ., The Ry,;n White CARE Act is the largest single source of pubiic funds (exduding Medicaid) that ~rears people wii:h HIV/ AIDS in the Unitec! Srntes. First enacted in 1. 990, the bipartisan piece of legislation supports a \Vide range of community-bas~ci scr.rices, including~ prirnary and home health care'.' case managen1eot.., substance abuse treattnent and mental health services and nutritional and hc,using services. / Page 11 ~ ,4a) Page 12 It wasn't lust Another Drag Show. It was BIG TIME SHOWTIME! Oklahoma Co!ltinentaJ is open to contestants from all states to compete and wi[ now have four major events annually, Miss OK Continental, MR. OK Contine!1tal, :t.riss OK Continental Elite, Miss OK Continen:al Plus. The Oklahoma pageant is a franchise of JF Enterprises in Chicago Illinois, and is in its 26th year. OK Continental is the only pageants with its own trademark, owned and operated by James & Monica Freeman of Tulsa . . Miss OK. Continental PLUS is coming up on ~'.'"""7--:--"'""".:--":"':"=~'"""'.'~-----.....;._..:-._--~ Friday November 18th at Club Majestic in Tulsa. Visit their '---------------~---------_;;.,-". :w:ebsite for more nrin<":nt:tl 2005/20% EBONY HALL, Mr OK Con:inental 2005/2006 r. DANIEL XAVIER, Mr Continental e~rional ANTONIO EDWARDS By Greg Steele June 3, 2005 TULSA, OK_You may have thought you were in a Las Vegas or Hollywood snow bar. The sparkle, glamour, evening gowns, tuxedo's and some of the best talent to grace the Tulsa GLBT scene in decades. It was 1:he 2nd annual 1'1iss Oklahoma Con~inental Pageant and a new attraction this year the "Mr. Oklahoma Continemal " title. Okiahoma Continental is the fastest growing pageant in Oklahoma, and is also called the most fascinating in the state. The first Mr. Oklahoma Continental, Daniel Xavier (residing in San Antonio TX) placed 1st Alternate it the Mr Continental Nationals last year. I\fiss F:bony Hall captured the 1\1:iss Oklahoma Continental crown and has held many other titles. Lady Hall resides in Tuisa. information on 1.10 comino- events. 1st Alternate Mr. Oklahoma Continental 2005i2006 the "Oklahoma Cowboy Crooner" Matthew Hearh-Ffrzgeraid. Page 13 Serving our community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois & Colorado This Is Shelter Country. Here in our community you will find Shelter Agent Greg Tainter. We're proud to serve this community and our customers. Call today and ask about our services. Auto · Home - Life- Business Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866) 208-9480 gtainter@sheltelinsurance.com · Earl Wheeler 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 ·~ 918.291EARL (3275) over 21 Years with PRIDE!· HOLIDAY SPECIALS "Divas & More" by Greg Steele TULSA, OK_The team of Ginger Lamar and Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald have the formula for serious entertainment. Ginger, a legend on rhe Oklahoma drag circuit has been performing for her loyal fans since 1969 and keeps on dishing it out to packed audiences. Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald known as the "Oklahoma Cowboy Crooner" can belt out a song that will make you quiver. Performing throughout Oklahoma and Texas. Matthew was recently named first runner up in the Mr. Oklahoma Continental Pageant held at Club Majestic in Tulsa. You can catch their show "Divas & More" at Club Rox located in the Hollywood Hotel Oklahoma City, Saturday July 2, 2005. Show time is 10:30pm and each first Saturday of the month. No Cover Charge. Ginger & Matthew will return to Tulsa on Saturday, July 16th 2005 at Tulsa's Renegades Club. Matthew will also be performing at Club Maverick in Tulsa on July 23rd 2005 for the "Christmas In July" fund-raiser. In Fort Smith you may want to check out Master Illusionist Gage Gatlin performing July 16th at Club 1022. Gage currently hold more reigning titles than any ocher Male Impersonator. If male dancers are your cup of tea! Then head over to Tulsa's End Up Ciub for nightly entertainment from some of the hottest jocks in the area. And of course every Sunday at the Bamboo Lounge in Tulsa. The men are hot and guarantee not to disappoint you. Don't miss the Fabulous Rachaei Sage in Tulsa for r,vo nights July 8 at the Mercury Lounge 1 0pm and will be performing at the Bamboo Lounge Sarurdav Juiy 9th, 9pm. / Page 16 Rachael ge Performing at the Mercury Lounge 18th & Boston - Tulsa, OK July 8th, 1 0pm & The Bamboo Lounge 7204 E. Pine ':" Tulsa, OK July 9th, 9pm JOIN THE STAR TEAM! ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE F'OR WICHITA, OKLAHOMA CITY, TYLSA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS email qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 1 /BTH PAC:IE CLASSIF"IED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F"CR RATES 91 B.B35.78B7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Advertising Service. 1 /BTH PAC:IE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F"CR RATES 91 B.B:35.7B87 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Service. /_,/ //., />;~, /:>:,;✓:---/ ;;~~ it:;: /~;:;>/> ///; ' /// / // ,;/ ,/.., // /: /.·· / FREE HIV TESTINGfNO NEEDLES! SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 In conjunction with AIDS Project of the Ozarks, MCC Joplin offers free HIV testing the last Sunday of each month between 5PM and 6PM. For your convenience you c:m also call 206-6179 for an appointment. We use the Ora-sure method which does not require the use o,: needles and we offer complete confidentiality. You may also request Booklets on AIDS for People of Faith through the PO Box listed above. Spirit of Christ MCC Joplin "Serf.Jing A Healthier Community" Page 17 The r'oot·s back 011, The Beer is st,11 cold and the guys are waiting. 8-Ball Thandays at11PN at&PN aad l 424 South Memorial, Tulsa JX> (918) 836-2480 oo 21 and over Closed T\fesday oo 1 drink minimum to enter . 405~478-4009 • 6725 N;/Mi.rarnai;Bivd Okla City OK 73111 Rodn,ey Burgamy www.c2lgoldca5!ie.com 405.840.2106 Joe Brennan Page !8 The Importance of Pride! June is Gay Pride Month. The month of June was chosen to honor the Sconewall Riocs that occurred in 1969, the first time gay peopie fought back p;:;ysically against poiice harassment and entrapment. The riots invoived 300 g?Y men, lesbians, and drag queens. This • · historic evem sparked the modern LGBT equaiity movement throughou: the world, bringing LGBT people cogether like ne,er before. The following year, on the anniversary of the Riots, the newh· organized gay, community held a mar~h to commemorate ti1e event. More than 30 years la::er, ;:his small but significant gathering has evoh'ed into Gay Pride Month, a celebration of freedom and support for gay, lesbian, bisexuai, and trnnsgender peopk Chances are you won't be hearing any proclamations or statemen~s in honor of ~his event from toe White House. However, you probably wiil hear so:neone saying chat gay pride celebrations are a passe concept. Tha;: it's silly to be proud c;f being ga/because i~'s like being proud to have brown eyes it's something you have no control over. Ivlaybe you\7e even said or thought the sanH~ thing yourself. 1\io~v I'm the first to insist that everyone has the right to their O\vn opinions, but I don't necessarily agree ,~ith that i.dea. · Pride is important. I understand the concei,t that \Ve should be proud of "vho .,;e are rather than "\\that \\~e are, lJnfortunatcly, not everyone i~ able to do ::bat rii1t away. I think it's great when people arc secure enough to s~mp:.y be proud of accepting themseives, but I do think "gay pride" nas its place especially for young gay kids or people first corning out. It's a ceeci o: many oppressed minorities (thi:1k Black Pride, or Girl Power). It take~ something that is tradi:ionally demeaned and makes it somethi!lg pmverfuL It makei; it easier to accept being gay if it's something to be proud of versus something to be ashamed of. \X'hen I was first coming out, I wore rainbow Pride neckiaces all tne rime. I ne,·er !err home without one. I grew up :n an extremeiy conservative religious family, never knmving a singie openly gay person. For me, as it is for many from rural areas or religious upbringings, being gay wasn't something to be proud of. These necklaces were a physical link ro a community to which I didn't feel I folly be:onged yet. I wanted to belong, but I was stiil searching for mv identitv, which at the time ·was almost ~onsumed by the fact t::iat I was gay. Wearing that necklace, that symbol of pride, of belonging, aliowed me to be proud of something I was still coming to terms with. It helped me to be proed of \Vhat l was: a 6ray man. As I became more comforrable with who I was, I found I didn't need to const;n:iy announce the fact chat I was gay. Being gay no longer defined me as a person. It was mereiy a p:ut of my sum totai. My pride shifted from what I was to who I was but I needed that first srep. I had to accept be:ng gay before I could become a whoie person. J'hat's why I think g3y pt·ide is ~rill extremely important maybe now more th~n ever. The LGBT community is under attack. \'Y/c've gained visibility, but '".,vith Yisibility con1cs increased attention} and the attention has led to increased persecution .. \Y,/e~vc been bit ,vith a barrage of :antigay n1cssagcs frorn the president to Congn::.-s to our churches in recent yc,ars. 1l•cre is an abundance of negafrv<: inforn1ation around out on cbe r11ainstrcaff1 media~ the rnes~agcs an: cotning through loud and clear. Gay pc~)p!e ::1rc sinners. (;ay people do not deserve the sm11e .............. contt.n uect' next page. Page 19 rights a:: others. Gay families are less vai11· d t I~ an " tram, .ti.o.n aI f am1·11· es. "· It's okay to discrimina:e against minorit:es. Hate · is acceptable ·when it's targeted at those y;rithout rights. \'ve need to counter those messages with the truth, and one of the ways we can do that is through Pride. Imagine, for a minute, a young gay child. Maybe he doesn't even know he's gay yet, or maybe he's just starting to realize his attraction for other boys. Maybe he only understands chat he is different. He's being inundated with negative information on a daily basis: from the government, from school, from church, and maybe even from his parents. Where are the positive messages? Now imagine a closeted young lesbian in the rural South. Maybe she's crapped in an unhappy marriage, maybe she's maintaining that she hasn't met the "right man" yet, or maybe she just fears the rejection of her family. She's just hoping desperately to escape, but doesn't feel she has any options. Where is her hope? The Far Right would like us to live in shame, fear, and silence. Pride celebrations defy them in a powerful and positive way. By making ourselves visible and celebrating who we are, we're sending a dear message co both our critics and impressionable minds. \'('c're here, we're q~ecr, and ,,,e're not going anywhere! To me, Gay Pride Month is less about those of us who are already out and more about those who have vet to make tbat sten It's a powerfui statcme~t, but the best parr';s, we get to have fun while making it! Gay Pride events are being pl:umed all across the co,mtty and world, but you don'c hayc to join one of the large planned galas. You can .make a statement right where you are. Richard D. Mohr, author of The Long Arc of justice: Lesbian and Ga'V Marriaoe ,,. . ., 6, Eqttatity, and Rights, relates this story in his book. "The town I live in is girded by cornfields and good o!' boys. It's nowhere near large enough to support a gay pride parade the last weekend in June, when cities across America commemorate with parades the so-called Stonewall Riots that launched the modern lesbian and gay rights movement in 1969. The town's gay men and lesbians do something at once more radical and more ordinary than that. We have a gay contingent in the town's all-American Fourth of July parade. The parade draws in crowds from all of the county and much of the rest of east-central Illinois. Last year, a purple parade banner streamed by the crowds reading 'Lesbian and Gay Pride.' I saw a little girl, maybe fiYe, lean over co her father and ask, 'Daddy, what does pride mean?' Apparently she knew what lesbian and gay meant." Whether vou do it in the citv or in the country, i~ a Red state or Blue state. as part of a large celebration or a small · act of defiance, get out there and show vour pride! It's important. Quotable Quotes When asked by the Fort Worth Star Telegram how he would tell gay and lesbian veterans of combat in Iraq that they cannot come home and get married, he replied, "Texans made a decision about marriage, and if there's a state that has more lenient views than Texas, then maybe that's a better place for them to live." __ Texas Gov. Rick Perry Page 22 by 1z Highleyman JULY 2005 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 is the history of Queer Nation? The activist group Queer Nation evolved as the gay and lesbian movemen~ confronted the scourge of AIDS, the rise of the religious right, arid changing notions of identity. Though s;1ort-lived, Queer Nation made a :asting impact on the movement and the language it uses to describe itself. Queer Nation was born in New '::' ork City in the spring of 1990. The idea for the group is said to have hatched at an ACT UP meeting, and Queer Nation made its first public appearance at an April demonstration against antigay ·violence. But the new face of queer activism burst onto the national radar with an inflammatory broadsheet distributed at the citv's Gav Pride parade that June. , , The four-page broadsheet - "published anonymously by queers" proclaimed "Queers Read This" on the front .;.nd "! Hate Straights" on the back. "Until I can enjov the same freedom of moveme~t ,and sexuality as straights, their privilege must stop and it must be given over to me and my queer sisters and brothers," the diatribe read. "Straight people will not do this vobntarily and so they must be forced into it .. .Terrorized into it. .. Rights are not given, they are taken, by force if necessary ... Straight people are your ene1ny. "Queers Read This" was phorocopied, passed from hand to hand, faxed, and mailed across the ,ountrv. A Queer Nation chapter soon formed· in San Francisco, follow;d by groups in other major cities. With a considerable overlap in membership, Queer Nation adopted· ACT UP's sense of urgency and its theatrical spirit. Like ACT UP, Queer Nation was a leaderless network of autonomous chapters, in turn made up of ad hoc working groups. By the summer of 1991, there were chapters in some 40 cities, including conservative locales such as Des Moines and Salt Lake City. "Our strength lies in our numbers, our diversity, and in our public and proud contempt for the closet," read the group's mission statement. With its slogan, "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!," Queer Nation came to be seen as the shock troops of the movement. Popular actions included the Suburban Homosexual Outreach Project (same-sex kiss-ins at shopping malls) ~nd Queer Nights Out (invasions of straight bars and other venues). Queer Nation protested everything from gay bashing and the 1991 Gulf War to the censorship of queer art and negative portrayals of lesbian and bisexual women in the film _Basic Instinct_, while promoting queerpositive sex education and defending abortion clinics alongside pro-choice activists. Its Urban Redecoration Committees ensured that the group's brightly colored stickers and postecs featuring declarations of queer pride and sometimes sexually explicit images adorned telephone poles, subway cars, and activists' leather jackets from coast to coast. The uncompromising message of "Queers Read This!" and Queer Nation's in-your-face tactics re-ignited an old debate within the LGBT community over the merits of radicalism versus reformism. "Being queer means leading a different sort of life," the broadshee: declared. "It's not about the mainstream, profit margins, patriotism, patriarchy or beingassimilated." In an article in the Winter 1991 issue of the now-defunct nacional magazine _ Out/Look_, Alan Berube and Jeffrey Escoffier wrote that the group's "new culture is slick, quick, anarchic, transgressive, ironic ... If they manage not to blow up in contradiction or get bogged down in the process, they may lead the way to ne\v forms of activism for the 1990s." ............... continued next page Page 23 Queer Nation did blow up, but still managed to influence ti:ie course of LGBT activism. The group's very name embodied its contradictory goals of achieving di\·ersity while solidifying a dis~inct idemiry that sometimes bordered on separatism. Members frequently debated wl:-io belonged under the "queer" umbrella. Queer Nation generaliy embraced bisexuals and transgendered people, and took pains t<J emphasize inclusion of people of co:or and all classes; there was more controversy, however, about whether the term could encompass radical heterosexuals. As much as a sexual orientation, "queer" came to denote sexpositivity, pride in being an outsider, righteous anger, and a determination to fight back. Bm: some felt that Queer Nation really oniy welcomed the young and hip, and that its members were a new generation of clones. The group was also accused of emphasizing style O\"er substance - ½"hat Escoffier called a "politics of symbolic gestures" and failing to engage in the difficult work of long-term organizing. By 1993, Queer Nation was largely moribund. Just as the in-your-face activism of the Gay Liberation Front in che eariy 1970s was followed by an "insider" strategy in the 1980s, the radical activism of ACT UP, Queer Nation, and the Lesbian Avengers gave way to more mainstream activism focused on inclusion in the military and same-sex marriage. But Queer Nation nevertheless made a lasting impact on the movement. The once-shocking term "queer" has become de rigueur, and gay and lesbian groups now include bisexual and transgender people as a matter of course. In the ·;:ords of former Nacional Gay and Lesbian Task Force director Tor:e Osborn, "Queer Nation forced us to deal wir.h issues relating to gender, violence'.' and visibility that pushed our movement fot"\vard." Minister Denounces President Bush's 'Compassionate Homophobia' '77Jere is nothing Cliristian about discrimination.' Rev. Steven Baines On J unc 21, Pre:,id<:n: Bush addressed the Southern Baptist (~onvention at its annual 1nccting in ~"2:!s1r,~illc, ·renn. Pra:sing the co1i,-e:1tio~1's support for 1he Federal ivlatri,,[;C :\mend,nent, the president said: ;,Somhem B,tptists are practicing compt:ssion by defending the family and rhe s,m-ed instit!aion of marriage." Reverend Steven Baines, an elder in the Discipics of Christ and member c>f the Natiornd G,1y and Lcsbi:m Ta~k Force ~atic,na] Religious Leadership Roundtable rt:spo:1ds with the foliowing statement: "As an eider in the Christian Cirnrch (Discip~es of Christ) and a fonnGr Southern Baptist minister, I am disappointcl that ti1e president and leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention continue t(> p::csent their discrimination against :csb:an, ga:,, bisexual and transgcndcr J\1r1cricans 1n the guise of compas:,ion. "The preside:1t·s speed, faiicd to cxpl:J.te how a Federal tvtarriagc i\tncndment that wouid block tho:1:,amls of i\mcr:can families fmm the prnccci.ions they neecl for :heir stabilitv ,111,! ~ccurity car: be seen as an act of co1npas~ion; just as the Sou:hern Baptist Convem;on has faikd r.o e~piain how supp:>tting this d,~cr1m1nat10n contributes to tts Christ:an ,•:itn,:<~ There i,; Christian about dlscrirr,in=-ttinn. r,pp•~p~~~~cd J1rH ;;-; tLc frn1n<h1 ti<)n 1+1c J-{ebn::\-.- and (:hristian president Page24 Creator: Paula Martinac has been writing for the gay and lesbian press for more than 20 years. She served for three years as the co-chair of me board of directors of New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, where she founded a groundbreaking reading series cal!ed "In Our Own Write." Lesbian Notions by Paula Martinac JULY 2005 Hold the Marching Orders In a recent op-ed in the _ Washington Blade_, organizer Robin Tyler made an appeal for a fifth LGBT March on Washington to take place before the 2008 election, "demanding all ~mr civil rights." I understand her anger with the climate that's been set by Washington; gay people are indeed, as she put it, "under siege." But before we take up the call for another showy, star-studded event in the nation's capital, we should consider where queer money and energy could besr be used at this time of right-wing hegemony. I believe that the stra~egy of holding national LGBT marches should be put on indefinite hold, and that we would be better served as a community to shift increasingly more of our resources to local demonstrations and organizing. I've perrnna!lv attended two of t!1e four national marches for LGBT rights that have take~ place ;ince 1979. The 1987 demonstration was a somber event the devastating sight of so many queer people with photos pinned to their T-shirts of friends and lo,;ers who'd succumbed to AIDS is still a vivid memory for me. The chillv. overcast day reflected the mood of our community perfectly. In me one photo I ha;e of myself ~t that march, I'm sitting down wearily with my head in my hands. Six years later, the day of the 1993 march was bright and sunny; Bill Clinton had just taken office with the promise of ending me gay military ban, and many of us believed we could actually see a ray of hope. In fact, me march had more of the air of a party than a poiitical march. And although it was a iot of fun, it was still a bit pointless for those of us who wanted something more substantial than the color and glitz of a Pride celebration. Like many omers in our community, I sat out the march in 2000, which had been dictated by a few national organizations that never bothered to consult local gay organizers about whether another D.C. get-together was really a good idea. Later, the so-called "Millennium March" was fraught with financial scandal, as tens of thousands of dollars mvsteriouslv went missing from its coffers. Have w~ learned 'anyming as a movement in the five years since then, particularly gi·:en the devastating results of the 2004 election? '· .Hopefully, we know now mat mere's much truth to the old maxim about all politics being locai. That's not to say that our nationai gay groups snould close up shop. But a corporate-sponsored party in Washington - starring, as Tyler s4ggests, gay icons like Cher, Madonna, and Barbra Streisand, no less! - couldn't adequately address the serious challenges our community faces. Just think about it: Do you see me American Family Association wasting energy anci time hosting an antigay blow-oi:t on the Washington Mall, starring, say, Pat Boone and Bo Derek? No, the AFA is too busy organizing locally focused actions like its "Meet at Citv Ha.:l" event for a "morn~ rebirth" of me country, calling on local religious groups and. congregations to spread rhe word. Indeed, the right has been so successful in its antigay campaign because it has honed its local and Internet organizing skills to precision. How do you suppose they routinely manage to garner alf those signatures ro get antigay initiatives on ballots across the count::y? Page 25 Our CY,Vn major organizations !i'.,c: the Human Rights Carr:paign and the National Gav and Lesbian Task Force have been c;Jrrect, then, tc begin chanp_eiing more and mo:c c,f their energies and resources mto shori!1g up our state and local efforts. Ai:d c,·en one national sraffer taken :mt of commission to plan a \X'ashington e\·ent and i.: would, of course, take many more than one would be one staffer too many. Tyler reasons that a national march would. be important for demonstrating our "strong and united presence.'' But there are many other ways to sho•;;r queer strength and resolve. (I won't go imo "united," which I think, given the diversity of our community, is an unattainable goal.) For example, a single day of demonstrations in the capitals of states that have antigay laws on the books or anti-marriage-rights bills pending would be far more effect;ve than a party ,vith Babs on the Mall (e,·en if she sang "People" jus: for us). Remember that there arc still a lot of foiks ou;: there who think gay people don't exist or shouidn't live - anywhere but San Francisco and New York. Jus~ recently, Gov. Ricic Perry (R-Texas) had the audacity to suggest that returning gay veterans of the Iraq war might be happier vacating his stare if tney don't approve of its laws. How much more effective it is, ti1en, to fight 'phobes like that on their own turf not by gamering in D.C., when al1 me politicos have left for the weeicend. :; ~'~~"ii tue, 1111:eg . ~i, ',;{,'{~if~~rtfsirig:Servire. .. ,//,-/·>:)/(C/~::,, Quotable Quotes "l thinic we'ye alreaci·; won (the samesex marriage batt:e]. /\nd that's a hard thin!! to remember, because it's really a scary time. Bur ,vhen you look at ,vhat l1as happened in the gay-rights movement in the last 36-37 years, we have progressed further, in a shorter period of time, than any civil-rights movement in the history of the planet, and there's bound to be a backlash .... Uppity people get uppity and get excited and get organized and there's a backlash. But I trulv believe mat we have so profoundly' impacted the generation behind us that we'ye already ;,on. \Y.'e just don't know it yet." "Queer as Folk's" Peter Paige (Emmett) to the Sr. Louis gay newspaper The Vital Voice, May 13. Joplin Couple To Host First Annual Christmas in July Pa JOPLIN, MO_Tom Walton and Tim Baker tne host and creators of the annual Christmas open house parry to benefit "Aids Project of 6e Ozarks" (APO) has announced their first "Christmas in July Bar-B-Que". The event will be at me coup:es home in Joplin on Sunday July 17th, i 2:00 noon. Guest are requested to briag nonpe~ishabie items, mainly paper goods, bleach and detergents. Ail donations will go to benefit APO members. "Wim all the cuts in benefits to people with AIDS, donations have never been more important than noy;r" said Tim Baker. The decision by a House subcommittee to flat-fund the Ryan Wr:ite Comprehensive AIDS Resour~es Emergency ~;\ct and other federal HIV/ AIDS programs, more help from the private sector is critical. Fur an invitacion or to drop off your contributions call 1·101 or 'Torn at 417-396-0474, Page26 Ask Uncle Mikey Advice Column! JULY 2005 Salurntions to all of my loyal kictens en:rywhere.This month Uncle has been just over run with a!l the excitemem of pride kittens. You know they asked uncle to serve as a judge in a pageant competition going on to celebrate pride while, crowing diversities finest. Uncle was drawn back imo the days gone by; Uncles pageant days. Straight men only think hey know blood sport. You cannot imagine the true body called pageant. I teli you those Queens work it as if they own it and you. Yes, uncle dealt with some trifling Queens however, emerged victorious. Face it sisters, in the end there can only be one. You have never in vou.r life saw the levels of absolute disdain, which, pours from a runner up. I swear at ~ne competition, I kno•,v I heard music from the omen coming from behind the dressing room door. I have· also been equaliy dividing my time to my new houseboy, while craining this young kitten to become a great mans man. This young one now before me shows a lot of possibility. Uncle misses Delight, however realize nothing last forever. Delicious has been able to jump in '.Vithout looking back. I will tell you the buns on that boy, inst scream-Hot dog. Uncle none::heless has remembered his own policy of not sampling the helps me!lu of love. Whilst Uncle Recalls days gone by, let us see what seekers seek this month. Dear Uncle: I am one of t:\vo children born to my parems both of which are gay. My sister and I have chis odd relationship, in which, I wish I could escape. She has always had better grades, better friends, everything overall has been better for her. My parents e:ven accepted her sexuality, while treated me as if I was a mistake. They never loved me. I have the opportunity of moving away with some friends, which would allow me my escape. I haYc no~ told her yet as it is difficult as were all we have. Our parents both gone now, leaves us depending soleiy on one another for family support. Am I wrong for wanting my own life, away from my family shadows? Distant brother Dear distant: Well baby Jane; it's all ai:>out you from the sounds of things. It is hard enough to find chosen familv in the world ~o cali loved ones. I would suggest that you attempt to try to keep a relationship, even if a ~ong distance one with your sister. Who knows kitten vo;.. may need a kidnev one dav. You know they sav jealousy is crueler than the g;a;e Kitt~n; you may w;nt to thi;1k about that fo; a '\~hiie bef~re making your choice. Uncle might also suggest seeing a [professional for what sounds like- a luggage rack fuH of baggage. Kitten, life is too short to hold grudges. Let go and let Cherl l(ittens life i::: hard enough without dragging baggage around. Life is not always easy, however, there is one thing true. Life is what you make of it. You can either enjoy life while, balancing the negative occurrences. Aiternatively, you can give in and allow the negative to rule you. In which case you shall send your life being a negative I'\Jancy. Dear Uncle Mikey: I ,vaf. ha,·ing sex ·.vith my partner the <Jther night, when he shocked me with is bei1avior We are not mto kinky stuff, just good old-fashioned sex. When he toid me Page 27 to slap him, I thought he was joking. Than in a passionate plea, he insisted that I slap him. I did it however, felt strangely afterwards. When it was all said and done, he acted no different from before. Is this normal for men to pick up new habits? Should I be worried here? I am afraid he may show up with a black mask and whip soon, what should I do? Seriously Confused Dear SC: Kitten, I would not raise the alarm just yet. This could be something he heard of, or simply had the urge to try. It is not uncommon, especially in a committed relationship for people to want to try new things. I would keep open discussion on the needs of both parties if you fear certain behavioral movements in the bedroom. Smooches-Uncle Uncle Mikey not only believes in creative _expression in the bedroom, however is an active promoter. Uncles bedroom accessories include and are not limited to the following. Smoke machine, laser machine, mirrors for every angle. You know, I have seen some of my best moments in those mirrors. Maintaining a happy healthy sexual relationship takes dedication, creativity, and of course Glitter! Well Kittens-ks that time again. Uncle has to get ready for the nights events. Remember while enjoying this pride season, we have a lot to be proud of. Our community is made up of some of the most diverse, genuine, loving people in the world. Most of which uncle has loved on a one to one basis. Continue the spirit kittens, and be safe. Remember; Love thy neighbor, especially if he is Hot! Smooches Uncle Mikey and Tiddles too! Undt! Mikey is a character from Freeiance 'WTiter Michat!l Hinzman. Michat!l h.u b«n writing/or ten years. Utilizing bis st1IIUl!s, and life t!Xprntm« to bdp othttrS in bis commHnity, through humor and sound ad'Uice. Mich4eJ applied bis stlldy of prycbolvgy and creative writing, 11.S 1«il his extensive b.ultground in mtmul health Dim:t can to bring a new st:,lc and approach to helping otkrs. Michael's other works can be vit!Wl!ti at 'fl1'WU!.gayiinkcontent.com. Bamboo owner's donate mini cvcle back to Tulsa Rough Riders. , Press Release: June 15, 2005 TULSA, OK_Tulsa Rough Rider would like to thank Club Maverick for letting us have our club night on June 11, 2005 Gay pride weekend at the club, it was a great success. We would also like to thank everyone who participated and purchased Raffle tickets. Stan and Terry owners of the Bamboo Lounge won the Mini Chopper that was given away and they have graciously donated it back to the Rough Riders to Raffle again on August 13 2005 at the Rough Riders next club night at the Bamboo at 1 0:00pm till ? All the proceeds from the Chopper will be donated to Hope Clinic. The August 10th chili night at the Bamboo will also be the Rough Riders One year anniversary celebration and will be a night to remember. Lots of surprises and some out of control fun. Quotable Quotes "My stepdaughter is gay. She and her partner have been together in Chicago for 10 years; they have a wonderful relationship. I adore her. She's been my stepdaughter since she was 9, so we have a ,.·ery good family relationship." Golden Girl Betty White to San Diego', Gay & Lesbian Times, May 12. Page 28 Oi.t o/Town- continued from pg-7 watch videos and mingle; and the Market Hotel, the city's top late-night gay disco. Amid several offbeat shops and eateries around the intersection of Greville and Izett streers. check out Candv Bar, which serves light f~od and hosrs a gay parry on Sunday nights. . Just amble up Chapel Street from Prahran to South Y arra to find some of the most fashionable clothing and design shopping in the city, plus a slew of wny restaurants. Collingwood, Richmond, and Abbotsford North of the river and Central Melbourne, you'll find happening restaurants and swish lounges cropping up in Collingwood, especially around rhe junction of Smith and Gertrude streets. On Thursdays, the Q+A party at the Builders .,"1rm Hotel draws a see-and-be-seen set of mostly under- 35 gay guys. Continue a bit east of the neighborhood into the rough-and-rumble Richmond and Abbotsford areas, and you'll find several top gav hangouts,including the Glasshouse Hotel, a fab lesbian club thar's especially popular on Sarurdavs. and the Peel, a youthful video bar and dis~o- that draws plent'J of young guys on the make. Leather-and-Le~·i's types favor the rollicking Laird Hotel. Trade, a cozy gay pub, draws an eclectic, mostly male neighborhood crowd. Head ro the Star Hotel or DT's Hotel for crazy drag shows, which are arguably as beloved in Australia as anywhere in the world; and for steamier action, you'd be hard-pressed (so to speak) to find a better-kept and cleaner bathhouse than Wet on Weliington. Fitzroy In Fitzrov. the intersection of Brunswick and lohnston '~treets marks one of Melbourne's hipster meccas, buzzing with tapas and flamenco bars, Asian restaurants, wackv coffeehouses, and off-kilter bout1cmes and ;hops selling curring-edge anci retro clothing, underground mus:c, and e,ery imaginable kinci of gift and knickknack. Mos' piaces are hidden behind ,:intage bdding$ wit:1 ir.tentionally distressed facades, nrod~cing a some,.vhat shabby-chic look. • Among the dozens of intriguing eater:cs along here. consider Red Tongue Caie, a ch;c, contemoorary space that's equal parts 1ncimat; and· seductive; Fitz Cafe, a han~;somc <pot w•th a nieasant sidnvaik terrace and ;~;:;t globail~ inspired food; or the affordable Polly Bar, \vhich serves up delicious small plates, ranging from barbecue venison to gnocchi. Carlton Just west of Fitzroy lies Melbourne's imp;essive Little Italy neighborhood, Car!ron. The main drag, Lygon Street, contains scores of great restaurants and gourmet shops. Try Ti Amo, an old-world trattoria, for such classics as lamb osso buco. And definitely don't leave Carlton without ~topping for gelati or pastries at Brunetti. And that's just a sampling of the great neighborhoods in this underrated ciry. Yes, it's a long way to Australia, and Sydney deserves attention, but don't come all this way without spending at least a few days in Melbourne, one of the world's great gayfriendlv metropolises. The Little Black Book (the country code for Australia is 61) Base (17 Carlisle St., 3-9536-6109). Boccone (2"'7 Carlisle St., 03-9527-9223). Brunetti (194- 204 Faradav St., 3-9347-2801). Cafe Di Stasio (31 Fitzroy, St., 3-9529-3999). Candy Bar (162 Greville St., 3-9529-6566). Chocolate Buddha (Federation Square, Flinders and Swanston Sts., 3- 9, 654-5688). Ciaypots (213 Barkly St., 3-9:-,34-1?-8'.->) · Diva /153 Commerciai Rd., 3-9824-2800t DT's Hotel .(164 Church St., 3-9428-5724). Ezard at Adelphi (187 Flinders L:a., 3-9639-6811 ). Fitz C:,fe :357 Bruns\':ick Sc.. 3-9417-5794). Giasshouse Hotel (51-55 Gipps St., 3-9419-4748). Glick's (330 Carlisle St., 03-9527-2198). Greyhound Hotel (1 Brighton Rd., 3-9534-4189). II Fornaio (2 Acland St., 03- 9534-2922;. Laird Hotel (149 Gipps Sc., 3-9417- 2832,. 1,:,; Chicas (Carlisle St., 03-9531-3699). Le Meridien at Rialto (495 Collins St., 3-9620-91111. Market Hotel (143 Commercial Rd., 3-9826-0933). M.eibourne Visitors Centre (Flinders and Swanston Sts., 3-9658-9658, www.thatsme!bourne.com.au). Metropolitan Hotel (263 Wi!liam St., 3-9670-1385). Novote! St. Kild:. (14-16 The Esplan2de, 3-9525- 5522). Park Hyatt Melbourne (1 Parliament Sq., 3- 9224-1234). The Peel (113 Wellington St., 3-9419- 4762). Poliy Bar (401 Brunswick St., 3-9419-6539:,. Prin~e of W:i.les Hotel (2 Acland St., 3-9536-1111). Pure South (Shop GR2, River Level, Southgate, 3-9699-4600~. Q+ A party (Builders tum Eo.ei, Gertrud~ and Grove Sts .• _3-9419-0818). Red Tongue Cafe (275 Brunswick St., 3-94i5-92.i4j. 7 Apples (75 Acland St., 3-9537-3633:,. So'1i l\.fam;i !St. Kiida Scabachs. 10-18 Jacb. Blvd., St. Kilda. 3- ~525-3338). Star Hotel (176 Hoddle St .• 3-9417- 2(,%,. Ti Ame (303 :,ygun St .. 3-9347-5759). Tou;~stn Vio:ori~'s gay/lesbian website (http:// visitmeibourne.com/ g.ytr~vel). Trade (9 Ped St.~ 3- 9417-6700). w~: on \'(icliingtcn (162 Wellington St., 03~9419-20101 Xch;;.nge Eotei (119 Com1nercial Rd-, 3-9867-5144). Hollywood Events Center Opens with "NIGHT OF STARS" by Greg Steele June 18, 2005 OKLAHOMA CITY_ Leona Layne emcee, opened the star studded show to a oacked house of 300 plus. The elusions of Tina Turner, Judy Garland, Diana Ross, Nancy Sinatra, Cher, Bet Midler and special guest's belted out everyone's favorite tune to a delighted audience and raised over $1,100 for RAIN Oklahoma. RAIN Oklahoma, a nonprofit, regional AIDS Intercommunity Network, and is located in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton. The Events Center is located in the Hoilr.vood Hotel and Suites anci has been a iong awaited project of Lee Burrus the complex General Manager. \Y/itt a capacity of 400, the evem center is availabie for banquets, conventions, pageants, parties and other functions. The center has a large stage with great lighting, a dressing area and a dance floor. Food and bar service are also available in the center from Topanga Ba1: and Grill. The i/!11-.<ion of Judy Garland at the opening of Hollywood £,vents Center, Oklahoma City. The cemer is a beautifui new addirion to Oklahom~ City's GLBT community facilities and to our region. For booking information contact Lee Burrus, Generai Manager, 405-()4--2351. f Page 33 STAR Scene Photo's by Chaz I Seo by Jack Fertig JULY 2005 es "Keep a journal, Scorpio!" Three weeks ago, Venus was square Jupiter and ttine Uranus; now the Sun is in the same position. Try to imagine Fidel Castro imitating Isadora Duncan, and you'll get the general picture. Where you experienced charming stimulation three weeks ago, you're now likely to find egoistic assertion. Channel that energy constructively, if you can! ARIES (.March 20 - April 19): Just as Louis XIV declared, "L' etat, c' est moi," so may you be overidentifying as the avatar of your community's concerns. Put your ego aside and be strong enough to accept criticism as a key to real growth. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Teamwork has been a big issue lately. All your recent efforts do not make vou enough of an expert to tell other~ what to do. Better to use your charm to elicit advice from your colleagues. GEMINI (May 21 June 20): Stay focused on what's important in the long run, and on strategies for the furore. That focus should help you curb your playful, provocative streak, which is usually great fun, but is sure to get you into big trouble now. CANCER Oune 21 July 22): You can be Queen of the F***ing Universe at your birthday party, but otherwise your self-absorption ain't pretty. Affect the humble grace and charm of an immigrant or a profoundly religious grandmother. If neither of your grannies fits the bill, make one up" LEO (July 23 - August 22): Stop, think, and breathe. People ignore your demands for attention, so tune in to. quiet, selfcontained intensity. Meditate and focus on what you want to say; speak with your beautifully dramatic eyes and save your mouth for more intimate expressions:. VIRGO (August 23 September 22): Try not to obsess about money. Focus instead on what values and resources you can offer others. If you have any doubts in those departments, any son of teamwork or volunteer effort will bring out your ralents. LIBRA (September 23 October 22): Your instincts for teamwork are sure to get you ahead. The trick is to make others look good, which you usually do well. You're too eager for recognition now. The more you share the credit, the more you'll achieve in the long run. SCORPIO (October 23 November 21): Keep a dream journal handy. Meditate. Those deeper thoughts, images, and memories all provide a wealth of material to open up new artistic and philosophical directions. And a journal makes the darker, scarier stuff easier to handle, too! SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): The stars are boosting your sexual confidence - as if you needed any more! That charisma can be enjoyed at a purely erotic level, or it can be sublimated into community work. They're not mutually exclusive - do some good, and you can get done good! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Opportunities for promotion can get you in over your head. Trust in your improvisational skills and you should be able to talk your way out of any. situation; exploit that ability now while you can. AQUARIUS Oanuary 20 - February 18): Arguments can get expensive or lead you to fundamental questions of philosophical values. Save some money and re-examine your dogmas. Budgeting and exercise help focus your mind in those directions. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Remember three weeks ago when you were irresistible? Well, now you're indomitable - unless you _ want_ to be a kinky bottom! Whatever - or whomever - you want, go get 'em, tigerfish! Jack Fertig has been working as a professional astrologer since 1977 and is a founding member of the Association for Astrological Networking. r t l l I I I I -J7 Page-20 Page:-2 - - ~. 7 l~~ge-10 . Page.:.nf· - - - - - - - I?age;-17 . Pa.ge/~2 Page'-14 You can find copies of the STAR at these 4 states business & organizations. ARKANSAS KANSAS Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Events - - w1vw.diversitypride.com MCC Llving Spring - - - · -870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479} Studio 716- -716 W. Syco.more- - - '179-571 130 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave- - 479-783-9988 Club 1022 - -1022 Dodson A·,e - 479-782-1845 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Our House Lounge 660 E. Gro.nd Ave- -624-6868 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - - -1021 jessie Rd- 501-654-27 44 Dio.mond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - -'\\rww.dsra.org Discovery- - - 1021 Jessie Rd- - - 501-656-6900 The Factory -412 Louisiwa St.- - - - -501-372-307(1 Kansas, Pittsburg {620) River of Ufe Church - 1709 N W2lnu: -11AM PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway- - 620-231-0938 Kansas, Wichita (316) Club Glacier J's Lounge - Our Fo.ntasy- 2828 E. 31st South - 3:6-612-9331 - 513 E. Central - - 3i6-262-1363 • 3201 S. Hillside- -316-682-5494 The Otherside- -447 N. St Francis- 316-262-7825 Shatlli - 4000 S. Broad·;1a;;- 316-522--2028 Sidestreet Men5 Bar -1106 S. P2ttie- - -316-267-0324 South 40 - 3201 S. Hiliside -316-682-5494 Trends Bar - -1507 S. Pawnee- That Gay Group, W.S.U. - Missouri, Ava 316-262-4530 316-978-7010 Catus Canyon Campground - - - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- - - - 716 S. Main - - - - - - - - - '117-627-9035 MCC Spirit of Christ-2902 E 20th, - - -Sun-6pm Missouri, Kansas City (816) Buddies - - - • - • 3715 Ma:n St -- 816-561-2600 Club l'.'V - 220 Admiral Blvd- 816-421-NVKC DB Wo.renouse- 1915 Main St- -816-47 1-1575 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - 816-561-0625 Sidestreet Ba.r • -- -413 E. 3rd-- - - - 816-531-1775 Sidekicks So.loon - - 3707 Main St- 816- 931-i430 Missouri, Lampe KOKOMO Campground-----· --417-779-5084 MIBS □ URI OKLAHOMA Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- A24 Boonvilie A.ve- --417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercial-873-2225 Mo.rtha's Vine;:ard- 219 W Olive - - 417-864-4572 Prisci:Ja's - 1918 S. Glenstone - - 417-881-8444 Oz Bo.r 504 E. Commercial Ronist:z Pl:ice- --821 College- 417-831-9001 - - -417-864-0036 Rumors - --1109 E. Commercial- - - 417-873-2225 Oklahoma, McAlester McP:ide- - - - - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Boom Room- 2807 KW 36th St- - -405-601-7200 Club Ro,:- -3535 NW 39th Expwy 405-947-2351 Finish Line - -22C10 NW 39th Expwy- - 405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant-2200 NW 39E:xp405-525-0730 HollywoodHote:- 3535 NW 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habo.na Inn 2200 NW 39,h Ex!J• - - 405-528-2221 Hi-Lo Cub - 1221 N\Y/ SOth- - -405-843-1722 Jung;e Reds Partners- . - 2200 NW fapwy- - 405-524-5733 -2805 NW 36th St - - 405-942-2199 Piece To Remember-2i31 NW 39th- -405-528-2223 P!:sdla's- 615 E. Memorial -405-755-8600 Sisters- - - - . - 2120 NW 39th St - - -A-05-521-9533 TI:e Rcc;;ies- -320: N. May Ave - - 405-947-9361 Topanga GriiJ & Bar- 3535 NW 39th-- 405-947-2351 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge- 7204 E. P'ne - - 91?-836-8700 Club Mo.vcrick- - 822 S. Snerida:' - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks -- 8807 E. Admir:1.i Pl - -834-1051 Elit~ Bookstore --814 S. Sheridan- 918-838-8503 End Up Club- - - c.24 S. Memorial- - -918-836-2480 Flamingos Ciuo- • -7915 E. 21st St - - -9 I 8-622-6339 GLBT Comm. Ctr- -5545 E. 415:. - - • 918-743-4297 The De:our- - - -794A- E. 21st - - - - - • 918-270-2428 Club Majestic- - 124 J\i. Boston - · 918-584-9494 Renegades- - 1649 S. Main - - - - - - 918-585-3405 Prisciila's - - • 7925 E. 41st - -918-627-4884 Pr::scilb's - - 5634 W. Skelly - - - - -918-446-6336 Pri~cilla's • - -11344 E. i ith - - -- - -918-438-4224 Prisdib's - - 2333 E. 71st - - - -- - -918-499-1661 Tub• CARES- -3507 E Admir~i Pi- . 918-83·+-4194 Tulsa E~gk- - -1338 E, 3rd - - • - 918-592-1188 TNT's- - 21 i 4 S. Memorio.1- • •· - 918-660-0856 Undcrguy,corn - - -15 E. Bra~y 9 l 8-829-0824 \vhitticr l'Jev.rs Stand- - 1 :t.J. ]n,is- - 918~592-0767 Ydkr.v-Brick-Rd- -2630 E. 15th- - - 918-293-0304 Outlets wishing to distribute I<'REE copies of the ST AR, contact us at 918.835.7887 9am to 4pm mon - fri or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Page 37 I NEw cART □□ N "Bitter Girl" I I PASE 40 THE STAR JULY 2005 to 3pm closed sundays. 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 [2005] The Star Magazine, July 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 07 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 01, 2005 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 Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Douglas Glenn Michael Dee Steve T. Urie Paula Martinac Chaz C.D. Ward Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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, May 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 5 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/219 The Star Magazine, August 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 8 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/215 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/217 Advice AIDS anti gay Bitter Girl Cartoon Drag Show family HIV Lesbian Notions local advertisement Past Out Pride Q Scopes Quotable Quotes religion Ryan White care Act Star Scene Uncle Mikey vacation https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/e4119b2328f41e2a2ec3e97c0d6d5a75.jpg ce9118f8aac0a672355ab56dd086fccd https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/6f410db8e09af6201d107a657800860c.pdf 434e77c1072474fa9c66992e25eec450 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 Grand Lake L ti iris Scott Crow, Managing Broker . McGraw D.avisson Stewart, Realtors 800.460.3210 Langley, Oklahoma ScottCrow.mcgrawok.com 918.782.3211 Page 3 Sooner State Rodeo Association (SSRA) Announces Gifting Ceremony. TULSA, OK_Sooner State Rodeo Association has scheduled a Gifting Ceremony on Saturday, December 17th From 10:30pm until 11 :30pm at Club Mavericks - 822 S. Sheridan Rd., Tulsa, OK. Tulsa's own IGRA Sanctioned Gay Rodeo Association had their first TTown Rodeo in April of 2005. It is customary for Gay Rodeo Associations to distribute some of the proceeds of their rodeo to Community Organizations. SSRA will present $4250.00 to the following non-profit organizations in the Tulsa area. Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership t0 receive a donation of $500.00 to assist towards all of the amazing work they do for a myriad of Tulsa's GLBT community organizations. Our House Too to receive a donation of $250.00 to assist towards all of the great work the organization does for the Tulsa GLBT community in need. · Green Country AIDS Coalition to receive a donation of $250.00 to help support efforts toward HIV testing, counseling and referrals for the Rural Northeastern Oklahoma Area. St Jerome's Parish Church to receive a donation of $500.00 to thank them for all of thier kind assistance to the Sooner State Rodeo Association and to help support the community assistance and outreach for which St Jerome's has become known. Pyramid Project to receive a donation of $500.00 to help support the purchase and rennovation of the new Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center. Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to receive $2250 from the fundraising efforts of Mr. SSRA 2005 Jonathan Brown. Page 4 Erosion Media Launches Gay Political Blog Brent Hartinger, 1fichael Jensen, and Sarah W am comment on The Big Gay "Picture. (PRWEB) November 17, 2005 - There are gay blogs, and there are political blogs, but until now there hasn't been much in the way of exclusively gay political blogs. That changes with the arrival of The Big Gay Picture (www.biggaypicrure.com), a new blog from Erosion Media, creator of the popular websites, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, AllGayNews.com, and FakeGayNews.com "Most blogs are all over the place," says author and activist Brent Hartinger, one of The Big Gay Picture's three main writers. "But we are a gay political blog. Because we're targeted, we can be comprehensive." According t0 Hartinger, the blog will feature interviews with both GLBT leaders and opponents, ongoing commentary, and updates on local and national gay political news. "We really are giving the big gay picture!" Hartinger says. Along with Hartinger, the blog will feature daily postings from Sarah Warn, editor of AfterEllen.com, and novelist and activist Michael Jensen. "Any blog is a reflection of the personalities involved in writing it," Warn says. "And by God, we definitely have personalityl We can be pointed, funny, impassioned, and sarcasticsometimes all at the same rime." Finally, according to Jensen, Tne Big Gay Picture is also a community forum. "Unlike most blogs, The Big Gay Picture allows users to prominently post their own commentary and analysis," Jensen says. "We've only just debuted, and things are already quite live~yl" NORTH CAROLINA BAPTISTS SEND INTOLERANT MESSAGE TO CONGREGANTS 'The church should be a beacon, not a barricade,' said the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Harry Knox. WASHINGTON - The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina sent a message of intolerance to its churches and congregants yesterday in passing a resolution to expel any member church that "knowingly affirms, approves or endorses homosexual behavior." "The church should be a beacon, not a barricade," said Harry Knox, director of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's religion and faith programs. "Gay parishioners contribute in meaningful ways to their local churches and communities and the convention should focus on love and compassion, not finding ways to demean. and marginalize the faithful." The North Carolina Baptists' decision comes as several other Southern Baptist institutions have taken intolerant stances on gay issues. This week the Georgia Baptist Convention voted t0 sever ties to Mercer Universitv one of the denomination's ~!<lest and largest educational institutions - because school administrators refused to condemn a student group's observance of National Coming Out Day. Additionally in Texas, Baptist-affiliated Bavlor Universitv dismissed a Baylor alumnus from ~he business school's advisorv board because he is gay. ' "Instead of welcoming an open dialogue, these actions are designed to cut off any intellectuai or spirituai debate," said Knox. "God gave us intellect so we would use it, no:: cut ourselves off from those who disagree with us." DECEMBER 2005 by Andrew Coilins Page 6 Out of Town W'ine-touring in this part of the state is great fun because staff at most tasting rooms are friendlier and more laid-back than in touristy areas. You can typically spend plenty of time asking questions_ about what you're sampling. The reg10n excels in just about every common U.S. wine varietal, but zinfandels, pinot noirs, and chardonnays are especially notable in these parts. A favorite winery of gay visitors is the slightly campy Clautiere Vineyard, which describes its own festive tasting room as "Edward Scissorhands meets the Mad Hatter at the Moulin Rouge." A few other great w-ineries in Paso include the prestigious J. Lohr Vineyards, the hip Justin Winery, and the intimate but outstanding Peachy Canyon Winery, which produces one of the top zinfandels around. One of the larger vineyards that's worth a visit is SLO's Tolosa Winery, which provides visitors with excellent self-guided winery tours and produces some superb pinot noirs and syrahs, too. Also check out charming Baileyana, set inside a ,-intage former schoolhouse and turning out fantastic pinot noir. For more information on specific wineries, check out the useful websites of San Luis Obispo Vintners (www.slowine.com) and the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association (www.pasowine.com), both of which provide details on wineries open for tours as well as great dining and lodging recommendations. Apart from winery-hopping, one of the great things to do in this part of California is to drive along the gorgeous coastline fringed by the famed Highway 1. The must-see attraction along this stretch is Hearst Castle, the legendary San Simeon retreat built bv media magna~e William Randolph Hearst, who commissioned Bay Area architect Julia Morgan to de;ign it. Morgan collaborated with her boss for some 25 years to build this 150-room ~o~mtaintop S'.:langri La filled with priceless mostlv Mediterranean antiqui .. i~s. It's ~ow operated by the California state park system and open to visito:s for fascinating tours. Famous guests at the castle during its heyday in.eluded numerous Holiywood stars, among them Erroi Flynn, who ,vas supposedly kicked out for brea~ng one or two of Hearst's house rules, like those against excessive alcohol consumption and unmarried guests sharing a bed. It's been speculated that the never-married Julia Morgan (1872-1957), who designed some 700 buildings during her life, was a lesbian, bur very little is actually known of her personal life. Unquestionably, however, she's one of the nation's premier ~ if relatively unsung architects. If you really want to get to know the heart and soul of San Luis Obispo, attend the fabulous Thursday-night farmer's market, which is much more than a mere gathering of produce-sellers. A big chunk of downtown's main thoroughfare, Higuera Street, is turned into a pedestrian zone, and local restaurants serve up everything from delicious bruschetta to smoky barbecue ribs. It's really a festival of sorts, and a great time to people-watch and mingle with both visitors and locals. For dining in downtown SLO, check out the Park Restaurant for some of the freshest and most innovate Californiastvle cuisine in the region, or Blue for its o~tstanding wine list and heavenly grilled salmon. At trendy Novo, you'll find eclectic food with Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin American twists try the Sri Lankan cashew-and-butternut-squash currv or the Moroccan lamb satay with · min~ 'chutney. Rudolph's Coffee & Tea is a lively and gay-popular java joint downtown, and Metro Cafe can be counted on for great saiads, soups, and baked goods. Or head south of SLO to popular, if touristy, Pismo Beach for a feast of tasty seafood at the Cracked Crab. Downtown Paso Robles is set around a lovely, shaded city square lined with several excellent restaurants, among them Villa Creek and Berry Hill Bistro. For lighter fare, pop inside Odyssey World Cafe, which serves a terrific grilled tuna rice bowi and fantastic sandwiches, such as baked brie over artichoke hearts with masted almonds. Sample delicious Italian food at Buona Tavola, which also has a branch in downtown San Luis Obispo. Parts of SLO County bear an awfully strong resemblance to Northern Italy, esoecially around the grounds of Villa T~scana: a Tuscan-inspired \"ilia that offers some of the most luxurious B&B Continued page-12 Page 7 Gifts &rlWheeler 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 ,, 918.291.EARL {3275) Serving the Tulsa Metro Area for over 21 Years with PRIDE! CUSTOM DECORATING * HOLIDAY SPEOALS orders by 12noon guaranteed same da-, clJ\iv"'f. Tulsa Stonewall Now Necessary! TULSA, OK_As most gay men and women living in Tulsa now know, the Tulsa Police Department began a series of unending assaults on the gay clubs here. Beginning in August of this year, the TPD have entered gay bars with the force of Storm Troopers, assailing the rights of gay men and women who are attempting to enjoy what gay life there is in Tulsa. Police have demanded identification from individuals not remotely involved in any illegal actions, and once they call them in through the NCIC service, arrest anyone with warrants and arrest a few on public drunk charges without a breathalizer test. I wonder how may times this happens at the elite straight bars in Tulsa? God help you if you were born gay and try to live peaceable here. On June 28, 1969 the modern gay rights movement began in Greenwich Village, NYC when the Stonewall gay bar was raided and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community decided to revolt. The rest is history. It is time for the disjointed gay community in Tulsa to unite and begin to fight for our civil rights. We need a united front to demand from our city and county government and Tulsa Police. parity with other citizens and clubs, gay or not. The Tulsa Police have achieved what they sought to do-make gay citizens who choose to go to gay bars, stay home, resulting in the clubs struggling to stay open. The Tulsa gay community is avoiding the bars in fear of arrest for being out and gay. Go to any gay bar in Tulsa and yo:; will see that business is down, the bartenders will tell you the same thing A common scenario is for the police to swarm in on a bar, usually handcuff what appears to be a person they are actua]y hunting and then paralyze the remainder of the patrons advising them they need to produce their ID, stand still and not move until told further what to do. Further, based on what they consider proper behavior, they will handcuff anyone who remotely appears to be touching another person, even when fully clothed and begin harassing that person as to their behavior. I personally watched as this occurred. Two people were handcuffed who were fully clothed and merely talking to each other. AftC;r verbal cruel harassment, they were un-cuffed and allowed to leave. Why would anyone want to go back to more of the same? Are the police trying to push everyone back into the alley's and parks? It would seem that the gay community needs to ban together to begin a determined response when these illegal activities happen. Maybe we should raise a clenched fist when they arrive to signify our solidarity. Maybe a sit in by the patrons and let them drag us through the publicity raised by the voluminous arrest! Gay people of course would rather hit their mother than be arrested and subject to more public humiliation than is thrust on them each day in Tulsa. The gay community should begin to be politicaily active in Tulsa County. To the extent that the Tulsa Police Department is able to continue to harass gay people unfettered, it will not stop. To the extent the gay community continues to not be united, the police will win. More effort and meetings among the bar owners and GLBT organizations need to become more forceful and demanding with the powers in our city. We must remember in this so called bible belt mecca of Tulsa and all of Okl.ahoma. the general public couldn't care iess about gay rights, an aosent unified effort to secure civil rights to foll equality, nothing wiil change We mus: stop it. The TPD enjoy it and nave no plans to cease. Tney are happy we are staying home and quivering. A strategic plan outline is needed OO\V to deal \vith rhe heavy arm of the law, so that gay people can enioy a night out vvithout looking o ..v er their shoulder for the handcuffs, Page 11 Out of Town accommodations in the region. The stucco mansion surrounded by sunny stone piazzas contains several airy guestrooms with high timber-beamed ceilings and sumptuous appointments and from every window you see vinevards in all directions. A superb breakfast as well as afternoon wine and cheese are included. For a truly rejuvenating vacation experience, book a stay at the gayfriendly Sycamore Mineral Springs, a beautifullv situated spa resort nestled beneath d leafy hillside within easy hiking distance of the ocean. The upscale rooms here come in a variety of configurations (some with kitchens and large sitting areas), and most have private outdoor hot tubs. But the amenities are the real treats here: tubs bubbling with healing mineral waters, a labyrinth path, stunning hiking traiis, and a spa where you can book a variety of soothing massage, skincare, and medicinal treatments. Be sure to enjoy a meal in die exceptional restaurant, where you might sample such refined fare as seared quail with polenta, pine nuts, gorgonzola, and pomegranates. Another excellent lodging option, especially if you want to be near the coast and Hearst Castle, is Moonstone Hotel Properties, a small but growing group of distinctive hotels based in the coastal community of Cambria. Moonstone has about a half-dozen hotels right in town as well as properties in Monterey, Yosemite, and central Oregon, and the company has made it a kev focus in recent years to market enthusiastically to the gay and lesbian market. The Moonstone properties in Cambria come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and with a few different settings, but they share a few common themes: attractive, upscale rooms; grounds abundant ;ith incredibiy lush gardens and meadows; and friendly, easygoing staff. Several of the hotds are pet-friendiy, too. If you want to be on a verdant hillside above town, choose the elegant Cambria Pines Lodge, which consists of several outbuildings and cabins and has one of the town's top restaurants, known for i:s healthful, organic-inspired cuisine. Right down along ;:he shoreline, rhe Blue Dolphin Inn, Sea Coast Lodge, Sea Otter Inn, Sand Pebbles Inn, and Pelican Suites are terrific hotels set right across from Moonstone Beach. And if you're looking to save a little money, choose the economical Creekside Inn, a nicely decorated motor lodge in the heart of Cambria's festive village, steps from shops and restaurants. Wherever vou choose to stay in San Luis Obispo County, you're close to some of the nation's top wine-touring and most inspired scenery. See it now before SLO's pace quickens, and it becomes every bit as popular as Napa and Sonoma Countv. Fortunately, much of the countrvside ~ this part of California ha; been permanently protected from development, so San Lui~ Obispo Countv will likely look every btt as beautiful in the future as it does now. The Little Black Book Baiicyana (5828 Orcutt Rd., San Luis Obispo, 805-269-8200, www.bailcyana.com). Berry Hill Bistro (1114 Pinc St .. Paso Robles, 805- 238-3929). Blue (998 Mo~tcrcy St., San Luis Obispo, 805-783-1135). Buona Tavol:l. (943 Spring St., Paso Robles, 805-545-8000; also 1037 Montcrev St., San Luis Obispo, 805-545- 8000). Clauri;rc Vineyard (1340 Penman Springs Rd., Paso Robics, 805-237-3789, www.clautierc.com). Cracked Crab (7~1 Price St., Pismo Beach, 805-773-2722). J. Lohr Vineyards (6169 Airport Rd., Paso Robles, 805-239-8900, www.jlohr.com). Justin Winery (11680 Chimney Rock Rd., Paso Robles, 805- 237-4149 or 800-726-0049, www.justinwinc.com). Metro Cafe (892 M.mh St., San Luis Obispo, 805-783-2022). Moonstone Hotel Properties (800/966-6490, www.moonsronehotcls.com/ gay). Novo (726 Higuera St., S:rn Luis Obispo, 805-543-3986). Odyssey Worid Cafe (1214 Pine St., Paso Robles. 805-237-75i6). Park Restaurant (1819 Osos St., San Luis Obispo, 805-545-0000J. Peachy Canyon Winery (1480 W. Bethel Rd., Paso Robies, 805-239-1918, ·www. pcachyca~yon.com). Rudolph's Coffee & Tea (670 Higuera St., San Luis Obis?o, 805-543- 4902). San Luis Obispo Visitors & Conference Bu:eau (805-541-8000 or 800-634- 14i 4, ww-w<.sanluisobispocoun:,y.com). Svcamorc Mineral Sp:ings (1215 Aviia Beach Dr., Avila Be;;.ch, 805-595-7302 or 800-234- 5831, wn.v-·~.sycamoresprings.com). Page 12 "Is this the winter of my discontent"' Oh yes boys and girls it is that time, time for cards, the lists, the guest, the gifts, family friends, food parties, events, travel, weather, stress, guilt, anxiety, ya ya ya! What a workout it's become, this month called December. Well Auntie has the cure. Just say no to retail. Go back to your gardening roots and work from there. Naturally there's nothing better than a gift of labor and love from your own garden. Just look around, from berries, hollies and evergreens to perennial foliage, leaves, dried grasses and of course HERBS. Auntie does love her herb and heres just a couple of easy ways to piease this holiday season. Oils and vinegars. One way to preserve the flavor of fresh (or store bought) herbs is to steep them in oil or vinegar, which may be used ror cooking. or in salad dressings. This works well for a number of herbs such as french tarragon, oregano, rhyme, and lavendec To make flavored oil, fill a clear glass jar with sprigs or leaves of fresh herbs, pour over a good flavoriess oil, like sunflower and seal. Leave the jar in a sunny spot for cwo weeks, shake or stir every day. Strain and bottle, adding a new sprig of the herb as identification as well as decoration. Dried peppers, such as banana, cyan, etc. are also great to use by themselves or mixed with herbs. In unusual bottles or jars with a bit of ribbon and a hand printed label. These make excellent gifts, hand grown and made by you. But don't forget about the uses of dried herbs. Air-drying is the easiest way of preserving most herbs. Spread out sprigs, leaves, flowers or seed heads in a single layer on a rack and leave in a warm airy space to dry. Alternatively tie sprigs in small bunches and hang upside down in a warm, dry but not to sunny - spot. The drying process should take no more than 48 hours. Crush the leaves thoroughly between your hands and store them in airtight dark glass or ceramic containers (clear glass will make them fade quickly.) Using several small unique jars or containers makes for another great gift idea with a personal touch. Dried rosemary, thyme, lavender and sage left tightly bundled together create a fragrant appeal for the most domestic of goddesses. Let's not forget the tried and true hostess gift that everyone enjoys. Oh yes the poinsettia, with brilliant colors and varieties you can't go wrong with this proven Christmas winner. Just be careful not to expose them to cold temperatures, even for a few minutes or so cm possible damage the entire plant. So lets not leave it in the car when we stop at the bar first for a before party pick me up, OK? So run my little children, spread the joy and love throughout the season, it's time to grow so until next year, I wish you all a merry Christmas, happy holidays and a most harvested new year. And don't forget. ''You can lead a hor-to-culture, but you can't make her think.,, Page 13 T-Town Rodeo To Host Awards Ceremony Press Release: November 21, 2005 TULSA,OK_Sooner State Rodeo Association - Northeastern Oklahoma's own Gay Rodeo Association, will hold a New Year's Eve pre-party on December 31st, 2005 at the Parish Church of Saint jerome's, 205 W. King St. in The Brady Heights Historic District Oust north of Downtown in Gay Brady Heights). The event will be a Cowboy and Cowgirl Mixer with a short Comestant Recognition and Award Ceremony. The Event will run from 7pm til 10pm and is open to the public; a big part of this event is geared toward a new membership drive and renewing of existing memberships. You do not have to be a cowboy or cowgirl to be a part of Sooner State Rodeo Association - membership in the Sooner State Rodeo Association in only $15.00 for an Associate :Membership, $20.00 for a General Membership and $25.00 for a Commercial Memb;rship. Drop by and meet the SSRA Posse, Have a shot of Red Eye and some grub. Scott Johnson, SSRA president for 2006 says, "Our focus this vear will be to increase and develop the ro'embership base and to organize work toward the TTown Rodeo in 2007". In spring of 2005 Tulsa's Sooner State Rodeo Association put together it's first International Gay Rodeo Association Sanctioned Rodeo; billed as the T-Town Rodeo it brought contestants from across the nation and added to Tulsa's stature in the Gay Rodeo Circuit. Plans are now in the works for a T-Town Rodeo 2007. You can get more information about Sooner State Rodeo Association at www.soonerstaterodeo.com. 109 E. Commercial Street Springfield, Mo 65803 417-873-2225 HearTheRumors.com Page 14 The Years Most Anticipated Movie Is Here "Love Is A Force Of Nature" Brokeback Mountain opening in Chicago, San Francisco and New York December 3, 2005. A raw, powerful story of two young men, a Wyoming ranch hand and a rodeo cowboy, who meet in the summer of 1963 sheepherding in the harsh, high grasslands of contemporary Wyoming and form an unorthodox vet life-long bondby turns ecstatic, bitter and conflicted. The new film from Academy Awardnominated director Ang Lee. An epic love story set against the sweeping vistas of Wyoming and Texas, Brokeback Mountain tells the story of nvo young men a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy who meet in tne summer of 1963, a~d unexpectedly forge a iifelong connection, one whose complications, joys and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of l.ove. Ennis and Jack, two cowbovs who fall in love. As others have touch~d on, Brokeback Mountain is so much more than merely a "gay cowboy movie". It perfectly cap~res what true, unbridled love is all about and this love transcends any issues of sexualitv or gender. "Love is a force of nature". , Unfortunately for many people and indeed the protagonists of our story, society doesn't always view it that way. Kudos to Ang Lee who has not shied away from the material at all. This adaptation stay; true to the original shore story and the two lead actors fit the roles perfectly. Ledger and Gyllenhaal give incredibly strong performances .but the supporting cast shouldn't be overiooked work ail around and with Mr Ang Lee's vision they have created an anything a,vay, you are going to be 1nnv,ed b:,t this one. Staring Heath Ledger, jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hatl.1a,;av. Micheiie \~filii an1s. ~ , Page 15 This Is Shelter Country. Here in our community you will find Shelter Agent Greg Tainter. We're proud to serve this community and our customers. CalJ today aod ask about our services. Auto -Home - Life -BH-~iness Greg W. Tainter. LUTCF Tel:(166)M-9480 gtainlef@shelerinsur.llce.com Healing the Family There are some fortunate souls whom upon coming out, find their families to ' be completely accepting and understanding. And then there are the rest of us. Our families panic, weep, wail, pull away, and in some cases, outright reject us. A few years ago, if someone had told me that my partner and I would one day be preparing a meal in our home for our parents, I would have laughed. Yet, I recently found myself in that very situation. The journey to that point was not an easy one for any of us. Almost everyone in my family is a conservative evangelical Christian. Needless to say, when I came out, it caused quite a stir. I viv:idiy remember the family gathering together to prav over me in an attempt to drive o;t these evil influences. Yes, my family had an exorcism to rid me of the gay demons. Obviously, it didn't work. Next, thev decided I should try one of the ex-gay "ministries." They helpfolly provided me with all kinds of information about Exodus. I flat-out refused. Then they suggested counseling. I agreed to that, but only on my terms. I would not go to a biased anti-gay Christian counselor. That turned out to be a very good decision since it helped me fully realize there was nothing ',nong with me, and in the long run, helped my family as well. For a while after that, they backed off My family tends to suffer from SOS, or Severe Ostrich Syndrome. That's the tendency to ignore something you don't like by sticking your head in the sand and hoping it will just go away on its own. I've noticed many Southern families suffer from this disorder. For a while, I wasn't dating anyone and wasn't really that invohred with my family, so it became easy for them to ignore the fact that I was gay. That changed when I started dating Jon. When we decided to move in together, it became impossible to ignore. I got a call from my mother soon after I broke the news to them. My mother asked point-blank if Jon and I were "lovers." I told her yes, to which she responded that the family didn't approve and could not condone that "lifestyle." As calmly as I could, I told her that I wasn't looking for their approval and I didn't need them to condone my choices. I went on to say that Jon was an important part of my life and if they wanted to continue being a part of it as well, they would have to deal with that. I didn't speak to them for about a month. and then one afternoon I got another ~all from my mother ' inviting Jon and I over for dinner. That first night was decidedly awkward, and it stayed that way for a while. I refused to attend any family function to which Jon wasn't welcome, so there were many more uncomfortable moments. For a while, the only people who w:ould even speak to Jon at gettogethers were my parents and my younger sister. We didn't give up, though, and gradually, more of my siblings began to come around. It was a slow process, and I'm .still not as close to most of my brothers as I once was. but we've come a long way. My paren~s have been especially accepting as they've come to know and love Joo. Jon's family, while similar in some aspects, was a different situation. Jon was raised as a Reformed Jew. He grew up attending a shul with gay and lesbian Rabbis. He had every reason to expect his family to be accepting, and his younger brother was from the very beginning. When Jon came out to him, his initial reaction was simpiv, "Okav. Cool." Jon's mother, on the ~ther h;nd, Continued next page Page 18 HEART TO HEART had a harder time with the news. Her first reaction was to rather hvstericallv blame the fall of Greece and Rome on· homosexuality. She refused to have anything to do with me, and was furious at Jon for hiding this from her. Once again, there was no sudden change of heart, but rather a gradual acceptance. She lives farther away than my parents, so we saw her less often, but when we did see her, we were almost always together for Jon's or her birthday, when Jon graduated from college, etc. I did a painting for her of her cat, who she dearly loved. Over time, she began to ask how I was when thev talked on the phone. When Jon and I decided we wanted to buy a home, she, being a real estate agent, wanted to be involved. She traveled back and forth several times as we looked at homes and found one we loved. She stayed with us at our old house and we spent more time together. The weekend we closed on the house and moved in, I spent more time alone with Jon's mom than I did with Jon. We actually had a chance to bond. A few weeks after we'd moved in, Jon's mom came down for the weekend just to see what progress we'd made. That Saturday, my parents came over because my dad was planning to help us with some minor plumbing problems. As these things have a tendency to do, the small project turned into an entire day spent under the sink. While Jon, my father, and I spent the afternoon between the kitchen and the hardware store, our moms bonded while watching a homeimprovement marathon on HGTV. Later that evening, the sink fixed, Jon and I cooked dinner for our parents. As we all sat around the table eating and laughing, it suddenly hit me that our families were heaied. I had to fight back tears as I looked around. I never would have expected to see the scene before me. It wasn't because of anything in particular that we did. We didn't forcefeed them any scientific smdies or drag them to PFLAG meetings. That may have worked for other families, bu: what worked for ours was simply Jiving our lives openly and honestly. They co;.;ldn't help but see our love for one another and realize that there was nothing diny or wrong about it. Maybe it took a wi1iie. but the wounds did heal. This past week I was talking to my mom about Thanksgiving plans. It's an annual tradition for my very large family to gather together for a huge, homecooked meal. The past two years, Jon and I have spent Thanksgiving with his mom and brother since they don't have a large family to share it with. Last time, though, I promised my family we'd spend the holiday with them this year. When Mom told me no plans had been made yet, I found myself impulsively offering to host the family dinner at our house. It made sense, since we have more space than any of my other siblings that live locally. It wasn't until after I hung up that I wondered just what I'd gotten myself imo. Between my three brother and two sisters, I have nineteen nieces and nephews - and white living room furniture. After I broke the news to Jon and he calmed me down, we decided it would be a good thing. We also decided to invite his mom and brother, too. We don't yet know if thev will come, but if thev do, it '.Vill be the first time both of our families have been together. I know it will be an emotional and perhaps somewhat awkward time, but I'm looking forward to it. It will be the next step in healing our family. 1he 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. FREE HIVTESTING, NO NEEDLES I SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing the last Sunday of each month between 5PM and 6PM. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 Sunday Service 6PM Your Invited to our Communitv Dinne: _Every ~ed. 6pm just $4.00. No one 1s turned away. Page 19 Lesbian Notions by Libby Post DECEMBER 2005 Freedom To Think Getting a good education was always paramount in my house. Neither of my parents went to college, but _The New York Times_ was daily reading, and my brother and I were promised a college education they could afford. That meant going to one of the 64 State University of New York campuses. I eventually got both my degrees from the Universitv at Albany; my brother received his fro~ Stony Brook and Binghamton. Io the post-'60s college environment that both my brother and I enjoyed, there was open debate on mvriad issues - debate that was fostered by ; · commitment to new and different ideas respect for a broad range of opinions, ' and recognition that if we didn't learn and grow, we would shrivel and die. This is the way it was and still is on many campuses, but not so at some schools that have religious affiliations. Schools affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention have made the news regarding their reluctance to embrace ideas outside their narrow biblical interpretations. At Bavlor Universitv in Waco, Texas, 25-year-~ld Matt Bass had his full scholarship to divinity school revoked after he came out. When the school's student newspaper endorsed gay marriage, Baylor's president rebuked it. After all Bavior's school policy states that no s~de~t publication's editorial should "attack the basic tenets of Christian theology or of Christian morality'' - so much for freedom of the student press. After learning that 1983 graduate Tim Smith, who is on the universitv's School of Business advisory panel, wa; gay, Baylor told Smith that he could no i.onger serve and was no longer welcome. Tb.is was after Smith personally donated over $65,000 to the school and raised an additional $60,000 to establish an academic scholarship. I guess gav monev doesn't talk at Baylor. • · Nor does a good cup of java. Once Baylor learned that an Armistead Maupin quote was on Starbucks' coffee cups as part of the company's campaign to highlight quotes from famous people, the school ordered the Starbucks on campus to get rid of all its cups. Even if a Baptist-affiliated school wanted to do ~e right thing and be welcoming, the vanous state Baptist Conventions are not above holding the schools they support financially hostage. Recently, the North Carolina Baptist State Convention threatened to pull nearly $1 million in funding to that state's Mars Hill College if it approved Open Doors, a campus LGBT group. Money won out - the group was not recognized. But the Baptists aren't alone. An associate dean at Catholic Seton Hall University in New Jersey was demoted after he publicly criticized the church's aotigay position in his local newspaper. W. King Mott wrote a letter to the _Newark Star-Ledger_ assailing the church for its new policy banning gar men as priests, and for making gay pnests scapegoats in the child sex-abuse scandal. His big mistake, according to the school's dean, was identifying himself as a Seton Hall administrator. After working there for seven years, Mott thought of Seton Hall as an institution of higher learning that valued free ' expression of ideas. Unfortunately for Mott, that freedom of thought has to be within certain parameters - this time, the teachings of the Catholic Church. If you want to be a doctor and go the New York Medical College (NYMC), a private Catholic school affiliated with the Archdiocese of New York and located in Westchester, you have to tow its religious line as well. The school revoked the charter of its LGBT student group after it changed its name from Student Heip to NYMC Lesbian Gav Bisexual and Tmosgender People in Medicine - it said that the group wanted to "promote the lifestyle of GLBT people, [which is] in conflict with the standards and vaiues of the College." A statement issued bv Dean Dr. Ralph O'Connell said, "It ;as clear that the organization and its leader would advocate and promote activities inconsistent with the· values of NYMC." ~ould those activities be teaching Continued next page. Page 20 Lesbian Notions: safe-sex or promoting free and unfettered access to reproductive health care? Are coffee cups really so subversive that they pose a threat to Christian teachings? Is speaking one's mind about victimizing gays grounds for demotion? These are all valid questions - but ones that will never be given the full rigor of academic discussion and debate at Baylor, Seton Hall, Mars Hill, or NYMC. At these campuses, the freedom to think has been replaced with the freedom to not think out loud. Page 21 ut by Liz Highleyman DECEMBER 2005 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 Harvey Milk? Harvey Milk's shift from closeted businessman to radical firebrand to political insider mirrored the trajectory ~f the gay rights movement during his hfe. Though his time in office was short he is remembered as one of the most ' important gay icons of all time. Milk was born May 22, 1930, in Woodmere, Long Island. Although he began having sexual experiences with men in parks and theaters in his earlv teens, he presented a conventional , appearance and was a popular high school athlete. After graduating from the New York State College for Teachers, Milk enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. · After leaving the Navv in 1955 Milk taught high school mathe~atics, ' coached basketball, and enjoyed a cozy domestic life with sometime hustler Joe Campbell (later immortalized as the "Sugar Plum Fairy" in Lou Reed's song "Walk on the Wild Side"l. But Milk soon tired of teaching and its requirement for strict secrecy about his sexuality, and he went to w~rk as a Wall Street financial analyst. Possessed of both a voracious sexual appetite and a yearning for romance, Milk had a penchant for attractive. often troubled men many years his iuni~r. After his relationship with c;mpbell, Milk took ~P w!th _young activist Craig Rodwell. Next, he became involved with stage manager Jack McKinley, whointroduced him to the bohemian Greenwich Village aiternative thea::er crowd. Milk soon eschewed his buttoneddown ways, adopting a hippie style and liberal political views. In 1972, Milk and his new lover. Scott Smith, moved to San Francisco. where they opened a camera shop on ·Castro Street, in what was then a working-class Irish neighborhood. Milk aot involved in politics, making alliances :-ith labor unions, seniors, and the city's Chinese community. He formed the Castro Village Association (a gay business alliance) and founded the Castro Street Fair. Milk ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1973, following in the footsteps of drag impresario Jose Sarria, who, two decades earlier, had been the first gay man to vie for the office. Rejected by established gay leaders who preferred to cultivate straight political allies, Milk built his base on grassroots support. After losing that election, Milk cut off his ponytail, traded his jeans for business suits, and swore off marijuana and bathhouses. Positioning himself as a champion of neighborhoods and against downtown deveiopers, Miik ran unsuccessfully for supervisor again in 1975 and for state assembly the following year. He rode the wave of militant gay activism in the wake of Anita Brvant's Save Our Children campaign, and: took the lead in opposing California's failed Briggs Initiative, which would have barred homosexuals from ceaching in public schools. .Milk finally won a supervisor seat in November 1977, becoming the first openly gay man to win a major political office in the Unired States. (Lesbian Elaine Noble had been elected stat~ representative in Massachusetts in 197 4.) Yet despite his political success, Milk's personal and financial life was in disarrav. He was deeply in debt and had to close his f~linEf_ camera business. He had broken up with ::,m1th and taken a new young iover, Jack Lira, who was given to embarrassing drunken scenes at public functions and who committed suicide in 1978. Milk's first legislative proposai was a gay antidiscrimination ordinance, which the supervisors passed with one dissenting vote that of conservari;;e ex-cop Dan \X'hite, who had been elected on .... continued next page. Page 22 Past Out: a traditional values platform. Citing financial hardship, White resigned his board seat in the fall of 1978 but soon decided he wanted it back.' At the urging of Milk, Mayor George Moscone declined to reappoint White, who had often provided the swing vote to block progressive legislation. On the morning of November 27, 1978, White snuck in through a side window at Citv Hall, shot Moscone at close range, th~n marched down the hall and pumped five bullets into Milk. Coming just a week after the mass suicide of Jim Jones' People's Temple (which had been based in San Francisco), the assassinations threw the city into further ~u~moil. That night, thousands of people Jomed a candlelight march from the Castro to City Hall. On May 21 of the following year White was convicted on two cou~ts ~f voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to less than eight years in prison, after his attorneys employed the "Twinkie defense," arguing that he was mentallv i~paired due to eating junk food. Th~ city's gay community exploded in rage, shattering the windows of Citv Hall and torching police cruisers in wh~t came to be known as the White Night Riot. Later that evening, the police retaliated, invading the Castro with nightsticks swinging. In 1984, White was released on parole; the next year he committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. Having frequently received death threats, Milk had prepared a taped will suggesting who should succeed him (including Harry Britt, whom new mayor Dianne Feinstein appointed as his replacement). "If a bullet should enter my brain," he said in the message, "let that bullet destroy every closet door." At his memorial service, Milk's lesbian aide, Anne Kronenberg, read a poem she found in his desk: "I can be killed with ease/ I can be cut right down/ But I cannot fall back into mv closet .. .I am too many/ I am all of us." , For further information: Epstein, Rob, and Richard Schmeichen. I 984. _ The Times of Harvey Milk rNew Yorker Vuleo). · - ' Shilts, Randy. i 982. _ The 1\Jayor of Castro Street_ (St. Martin's Press). Page 23 Dear Uncle Mikey: Rsk 1 Advice Column! December 2005 Salutations Kittens, Uncle here bringing the latest in all things Queer. Another Holiday season is upon us, while Uncle makes ready for his annual wet jock contest. Yes, Uncle celebrates the season slightly different from the average Queer. You should see my Christmas tree, it could sway several priest at the very site. I have the twenty-five Twinks of Christmas dawning my tree. Yes, it shall be a very Marv Christmas this vear. Let's see what Queer seekers · bring me this se;son. I am not prepared again to join in my familise dysfunctional seasonal celebration. I am not allowed to bring any one with me, as they remain homophobic. I have decided to be on my own this year, but am feeling down, as this will be the first year I have not been with my family during the holidays. I love them however; can not deal with this years dysfunctional holiday bash. I am really finding myself depressed about all of this and am not the typical depressed person. Should I just go and ignore the fact they refuse to let me be myself. I mean it does not really matter that I am gay, but being single during the holidays is a bummer. Any thoughts here? Seasonally sad Dearest Sad: Kitten, you are right as many people suffer from seasonal depression during these holiday times. It is not in any way your fault that your family can't see the errors in their ways. You are the wonderful creature you are meant to be and it is solelv their loss. Uncle, would advise you not to sit aro~d and allow these feelings of sadri:ess to set in. Get invoived in the community, and create a family of your own, which will love and support you just the way you are. Besides, isn't it about time you celebrate the season Queer style? This too shall pass young one. Holiday smooches-Uncle Mikey Many people in the GLTB ~ommunity are left on their own during a season which, in its basic form has been used to segregate our people while judging our lifestyle and choices. This is however not the seasonal meaning and true spirit of the season. Do not allow ignorance to leave you feeling sad, celebrate your life, ind our community this year by joining in with others as fabulous as you. Believe me there will be no long faces at Uncles corner this year. Tis the seaso~ of brotherly love and Uncle has a lot of Love to go around. Christmas thongs for everyone! Dear Uncle Mikey: The guy I have been seeing is so bcredibiy full of himself. He is also selfish in so many ways, while loving in others. I feel like he is truly a good guy deep·inside, however needs reality checks, in the way he disregards my feelings. I need a way to show him just how it feels to be disregarded. Any suggestions Guru? Tired of being Dissed Dearest Dissed, Kitten, Unde knows of what you speak. Allow me to share with you just how I handled one man, which while in my life, did not know who Uncle truly was, as he did not see the force he was dealing with, until Uncle gave him a lesson ·in consideration. Uncle dated him whilst in a gray area of my life. He acted as if he was Gods gift, little did he know I was the one true Queen in the piace. So after dealing Continued next page: · • Page '26 Ask Uncle Mikey: with his antics, and rudeness on several occasions, I decided it was time to give back a little. I set up a romantic interlude, which of course he took for granted, thinking he was doing Uncle a favor. Can you imagine, Uncle, please? Poor widdle puddin did not stand a chance. After whining and dining the fool, it was time for the romantic interlude to heat up. While in the midst of our widdle physical romp, Uncle decided he had a craving for pizza. To his shock, Uncle hipped out a cell phone never missing a beat, and ordered a pizza. Never stopping mind you, after watching his eyes, I could see his dismay in Uncles lack of concern and interest in the event before him. I however, being the Queen I am took it to another level as I answered my call waiting. Discussing a shopping trip a friend of mine had made that day. Needless to say, it was a most humbling experience for the widdle one. Uncle knew it was not his prince before him, however wanted to s·end him back to Queerdom humbled, and more concerned for the next one ro call him lover. Try it and see if it does not bring Romeo back to earth. Kittens, life are a series of lessons, and teacher is in! Well, that is about all of the time I have this month. Kittens, celebrate the season pride style this year, celebrating Queer life. Reach out and touch someone this season providing holiday Yule time loving for all. Merry Christmas Kittens, your forever humbled servant Uncle Mikey and Tiddles too. See you next year, you fabulous Queer! Smooches uncle Mikey and Tiddies too! Want more of Mikey? Visit Mikey's corner at www.askunclemikey.com. Freelance writer Michael Hinzman, joining communities throughout Queerdom ... with wild rice stuffing and Southern Comfort sauce Sauce: 1-1/2 cups brown sugar. 1/2 cup Southern Comfort. 1 cup orange juice. 1 cup pineapple juice. 1 /2 lemon squeezed. 1 / 8th teaspoon cinnamon Mix all together and simmer for 45 min., then set a side. Stuffing: 2 cups cooked wild rice. 1/2 green bell pepper 1/2 red bell pepper. 1 large Shittake Mushroom chopped. 1 / 4th cup chopped white onion. 1 I 8th teaspoon rosemary. :Mix all together and set a side. Preheat oven to 375 degree- take 4 large Quail Breast stuff each breast with a 1/2 cup of rice stuffing. Tooth pick the ends to hold mixture in Place breast side up, meit 3 tablespoons of butter and lightly brush the breast. Place in a 9X12 baking dish, lightly season with ground rosemary. Bake for 45 minutes or until internal temp of 165 degrees. Remove from oven. Drizzle SC sauce on pla~e and place Quail !.n center, remove toothpicks, drizzle more sauce on top, garnish with a sprig of rosemary. Tip: Serve with Red Wine. HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ail my great friends._________ Page 27 / Scopes ;'Explore new ideas, Pisces!" Ma.rs is in Taurus, which is good for getting things done - but he's inflexible. Now opposing Jupiter in Scorpio, he is open to seeing the deeper effects of his efforts, but he's still relentless. While these planets are aspecting Uranus in Pisces, it's a great time to consider options and improvements in both methods and purpose. ARIES (March 20 - April 19): There's no end to sexual opportunities now. Although you're the sign that most wants instant gratification - and there's lots to be had - you also want something deeper and more important. Stop, think, and hold out for what you really want. .. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You've been feeling stuck lately. With a little courage and willingness to confront your partner, you can release that blockage productively. Advice from friends will prove helpful, even if it only provokes you to think of different ideas. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You can get an awful lot accomplished. Just remember that when "staying on track," you have to consider that the track has some surprise twists. Be adaptable and solicit input from anyone with more authority, whether by position or experience. CANCER (lune 21 - July 22): You're being a bit of a control queen these days. Well ... a bit more than usual. Be open to giving and getting suggestions - especially getting. Don't be too fixed on your goals; there are better possibilities for the open-minded. LEO (luly 23 - August 22): Be confident, and wherever you find opposition to your goais, consider what your opponents have to say. They have some good ideas that will prove helpful to you. If you can find common ground to work together, all the better. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Never mind the "tall, dark stranger." A stocky, ruddy stranger is more likely to enter your life now. If you meet such a hottie, offer verbal challenges - dares, riddles, mysteries - to start what could become a very intriguing affair. LIBRA (September 23 October 22): You're sexual dynamite now. You could do what you want with almost anyone. Don't let enthusiasm make you forget what's important in life - sexually and otherwise. Keep your head clear and your sex safe! SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): You have a clear advantage over partners and opponents. You could take ruthless advantage, or engage them playfully, finding creative solutions to conflict and new opportunities for brilliant teamwork. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Problems you've been having with work will soon clear up. Real progress is a week or two off, but revelations and insights now will help you get back on track. Imagine what your wackiest old relative would suggest. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Sensual explorations open.up new sexual horizons. Discussion with a confidant should lead you through some confusion and surprises if you are to find any real clarity. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Any money troubles can point to bigger problems (and towards solutions as well!) regarding how deeply engrained family patterns may be holding you back from your career goals. Answers don't come easily now, but at least questions are getting dearer. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Explore new ideas and philosophies enthusiastically. But if you try expressing those new ideas, you'll sound like vou're channeling Edward Said via Gracie· Allen. If you can let having fun be more important than being convincing, that's not so bad. Page 28 You can find oopf.es of the STA.Rat these 4 atat.es buainess & organizations. Arkansas, Eureka Sprin&s Diversity Pride Event - - www.diverllityprido.com MCC Ll,-ing Spring - - - • - - - - - - - -870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteville ( 479) Condom Sense. - -418 W. Dicluon- -479-444-6228 Curry's Video - - 612 N. College Ave- 479-521-0009 Passages - - 930 N. College Ave- - - - • 479-442-5845 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Club 1022 - - 1022 Dod,on Ave. - - - • 479-782-1845 Kinkead!- 1004 1/2 G.lrrison Ave- - - 479-783-9988 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Jeiter11 Lounge - - 1010 E. Grand Ave - -501-624-5455 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street- - - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - -501-664-2744 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - - www.dsra.org Discovery- - • 1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - -501~666-6900 Sidetracks - - 415 Ma.in St - -N. LR- 501-244-0444 The Factory - -412 Louisiana St.- - - - - -501-372-3070 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) River of Llfe Church - 1709 N Walnut - -11.AM PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway- - - - 620-231-0938 Kan1as, 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 Otheraide- -447 N. St Francis- - 316-262-7825 Shami• - - - - - - - 4000 S. Broadway- - 316-522--2028 Sidestreet Mens Bar -1106 S. Pattie- - -316-267-0324 South 40 - - - - - 3201 S. Hillside• - - -316-682-5494 Trends Bar - • - -1507 S. Pawnee- - - - - 316-262-4530 Missouri, Ava 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) Buddies - - - - - - - 3715 Main St-· - - 816-561-2600 Club NV - - - - 220 Admiral Blvd- 816-421-NVKC DB Warehouse- -- 1915 Main St- - - -816-471-1575 Mis5ie B'5- - • -805 W. 39th St- - - - -- - 816-561-0625 Sidestteet Bar - - -413 E. 3rd- - - - - - 816-531-1775 Sidekicks Saloon - - 3707 Main St- - 816- 931-1430 Missouri, Lampe KOKOMO Campground - - - - - - - - - - 417-779-5084 MIDSDUR:t DICL.AHDMA Missouri, Springfield ( 417) The Edge- -424 Boomille Ave- - - - - --417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercial.873-2225 Martha's Vineyard- 219 W Olive - - - 417-864-4572 Priscilla's - - 1918 S. Glenstoue - - - 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 McPride- - - - POBox 1515, McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) Boom Room- 2807 NW 36th St- -- - - -405-601-7200 Qub Rox• - -3535 NW 39th Expwy - 405-947-2351 Cristies Toy Box- - 3126 N. May Ave - 405-946-4438 Finish Line - -2200 NW 39th Expv;y- 405-525-0730 Gmhers Restaurant-2200 NW 39Exp405-525-0730 HollywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habana Inn - 2200 NW 39th Exp- 4-05-528-2221 Hi-Lo Club - - 1221 NW SOth- - - -4-05-843-1722 Jungle Reds - - - 2200 NW Expwy- - 405-524•5733 Partnet11- - - - -2805 NW 36th St - - - - 405-942-2199 Priscilla's- 615 E. Memorial - -405-755-8600 Red Rocle North-2240 NW39th St- -405-525-5165 Sisters- - - - - - 2120 NW 39th St - - - -405-521-9533 The Roclciei- - -3201 N. May Ave - - 4-05-947-9361 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 Qub Maverick- - 822 S. Sheridan -918-835-3301 Dreamland Bies - 8807 E. Admiral Pl - -834-1051 Elite Boolutore --814 S. Sheridan- - - 918-838-8503 End Up Club• - - 424 S. Memorial- -918-836-2480 GLBT Comm. Ctr- -5545 E. 41st- - - 918-743-4297 Hideaway Loungc-11730 E. 11th- - -918-437-0449 Midtown- - - -319 E. 3rd- - - - - 918-584-3112 Nitc Spot - - -3007 E. Admiral Pl - - - 918-834-3007 Priscilla's - - - - - 7925 E. 41st- - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla's - - 5634 W. Skelly -918-446-6336 Priscilla's - - - -11344 E. 11th - - - - -- -918-438A224 Priscilla's - - - - 2333 E. 7bt - - -918-499-i 661 Renegades- - - - 1649 S. Main - 918-585-3405 Tulsa CARES- -3507 E. Admiral Pi- - 918-834-4194 Tuisa Eagle- - - - -1338 E. 3rd - 918-592-i188 TNT's - - - 2114 S. Memorial- - -918-660-0856 Uodeiguy.com - - -15 E. Brady - - - - - 918-829-0824 Whittier News S12t1d- 1 N. Lewis- 918-592-0767 Yellow-Brick-Rd- - -2630 E. 15th- - 918-293-0304 Outlets wishing to distribute FREE copies of the STAR, Page 29 contact us at 918.835.7887 9am to 4pm mon - fri or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobai.net Page 30 f I bltterglrl Oq•yndlaate.aom 3007 E. ADMIRAL PLACE. TULSA, OK TIJESDA Y'S LADIES NITE 8pm TO CLOSE 1.25 LONG NECKS DRAGS WELCOME 918.834.3007 Open Monday-Saturday 11 am CLOSED SUNDAY 7240 East Pine - TULSA, OK 918.836.9777 open 6am to 2pm mon - sat. Breakfast & Lunch HIDEAWAY 11730 E. 11th - Tulsa, OK 918.437.0449 4pm to 2am Monday. Page 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 [2005] The Star Magazine, December 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 12 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 01, 2005 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/216 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 Libby Post Paula Martinac Andrew Collins Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Chaz Purdy Art Co. Nancy Wood Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text Language A language of the resource English 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, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 11 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/220 The Star Magazine, January 1, 2005; Volume 3, Issue 1 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/227 Type The nature or genre of the resource magazine A Couple of Guys acceptance Christmas Quail recipe family gay clubs Harvey Milk Heart to Heart intolerance Lesbian Notions Past Out Q Scope religion Star Scene T-Town Rodeo The Big Gay Picture Uncle Mikey vacation World AIDS day https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2c536b0482e3462edd608cc20f9ad9fc.jpg a072202aa42960b83d2291b3d0b337de https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/6c4a2d334406538574e84f8d0a9add3e.pdf bb46df8f0a96a2399137d71aacf6579a 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 Delivering Quality; Affordability, 'ue, Integrity and Trust in Advertising Service. THE !TfS YOUR COMMUNITY, WE DELIVER ITl, AUGUST 2005 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8 FREE Page 2 L tingand .on a" nd" Ml,S Scott C.row, Managing Broker McGraw Davisson Stewart, Realtors 1-866-527-7755 Grand Lake, Oklahoma. ScottCrow.rfic:grawok.com Tulsa Oklahoma City Little Rock . Fayetteville- } · Fort Smith .... )'..] springfi~icf ., · · Joplin Kansas Ci Witchita Page 3 Fire Destroys Gay Bar. When a friend suffers a loss we feel that loss ourselves and want to reach out and do something to help ease the pain. Such is the feeling we at the STAR have for Kelly Crissman and his staff at Studio 716 in Fayetteville. On Saturday July 16th during the early morning hours Studio 716 was· broken -into and set fire by an· arson. The Club was a total loss. Crissman said the investigation had ruled out ii#e·•crime as a motive. He and investigatotJ 0slispect the arson may have been a disgrifo.tled exemployee and would not .i:Oriiment further on that possibility. • "The building owner pilμlS to rebuild the space and Studio 716 \Vilh:eopen in the same location bigger aifd ;better than before, we aren't sure abqilt,the time. frame for the reopening. y, take months for construction .. ·. . efurbishing the club" said Crissman.. . ... · Studio 716 had been iri: btisiiiess for over 2 years and was F~yett~e's only gay club. .· .. Kelly Crissman, a big!} .erpfil~ leader in the Fayetteville q.1;~;:tc't1~niunity was the major sponsor of the dities··2nd annual Gay Pride Events ancl Pai;lde this .year. With NW Arkansas's struggle with gay rights and homopl:iobia in the area, Crissman has be~n a voke and activist in efforts to unite riot only the GLBT community but the main stream population as well. We applaud Kelly and his su for making a difference in our .. .. . nit-y and look forward to a new Studib 716. C.D. Ward/Editor HISTORIC CHURCH RESOLUTION EMBRACES ALL FAMILIES 'The United Church of Christ is sending a powerful and historic message that all families should be loved and cherished,' said HR C President Joe Solmonese July 4, 2005 WASHINGTON - The General Synod of the 1.3 million member United Church of Christ today approved a historic resolution endorsing marriage equality for same-sex couples at its biennial meeting in Atlanta. Approval of the resolution makes the United Church of Christ the largest Christian denomination to endorse marriage for same- sex couples. The Human Rights Campaign's new Director of Religion and Faith Programs, Harry Knox, a United Church of Christ member was in Atlanta for the vote. Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement today: " The United Church of Christ is sending a powerful and historic message that all families should be loved and cherished. The United Church of Christ took an important step forward today. Its call for full equality in all spheres of American life will be remembered and honored by future generations. The marriage resolution is a beacon to millions of people of faith worldwide that &milies are strengthened with love but weakened by discrimination. While marriage equality under the law should never impress houses of worship into recognizing unions between same-sex couples, we hope more and more peopie of faith demonstrate important values of understanding and fair-mindedness." Marriage in Canada A bill granting full marriage equality to same-sex couples in Canada became law on July 20, 2005. Marriage licenses are now available to same-sex couples nationwide. Since marriage laws in Canada do not have residency requirements, same-sex couples who travel from the United States to Canada could also get married there. Canadian marriage for U.S. couples. It is unclear whether the U.S. government will recognize the legitimacy of Canadian marriages between same-sex couples who return to the United States and try to exercise their rights, such as filing joint income taxes or claiming Social Security survivor benefits. The Human Rights Campaign suggests checking with an attorney to get legal advice about your situation before deciding to marry in Canada. Couples should also read the marriage advisory issued by the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual and ttansgender legal organizations on this topic. Legal requirements. Io British Columbia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and · Yukon Territory, applicants .for a marriage license must be 19 or older. In Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan, they must be 18 or older. In Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon Territory, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period between when the marriage license is issued and when the ceremony can be performed. Quebec has a 20-day waiting period, while Nova Scotia has a five-day waiting period. Newfoundland & Labrador have a fourday waiting period between the application and the issuance of the license and an additional four-day waiting period between the issuance of the license and the marriage. There is a one-year residency requirement for divorce in Canada, so couples thinking about getting married there should take that into consideration. Page 6 AUGUST 2005 by Andrew Collins "Magical Retreats of the Southwest" When you're choosing a romantic place to stay in the rugged Southwest, where you're ~ever far from sweeping desert or mountain vistas, it's ~ometimes .hard. to dec:de wheth.e_r to ;hoose a room with a dazzling interior, or one with a dazzling view. Ot course,. 1t _YOU re lucky, you'll find a charming place to stay that offers plenty of dazzle :ns1de and out. Here's a sdecticin of gay-friendly country inns and ranches located 1n some of the Southwest's most breathtakingly beautiful areas, from the red-rock terrain around Moab, Ut:lh, and Sedona, Ariz., to the verdant countryside of the Texas Hill Country, to the evergreen-studded mountafos of northern New Mexico. All of the accommodations mentioned welcome a mixed gay/straight clientele, and a few are lesbian- or gay-owned. El Portal - Sedona, Arizona . Nestled amid the spectacular red-rock canyons, buttes, and mesas of Sedona, about two hours north of Phoenix and two hours south of the Grand Canyon, El Portal which. opened in summer 2003 - has quickly earned a reputation as one of .the premier small lodgings in the Southwest. What sets this elegant 12-room_ property ap,ar.t from other new constructions is the care that owners Steve and C:onrue . , .afic10naaos of Arts and €rafts design, took to build El Portal exactly in period s . . The Arts and Crafts movement which flourished around the tum of the 20th century, emphasized fine ctaft;manship, clean lines, organic furnishin~ arid archite:tu~e, and natural materials: This intimate gem of a hotel features reclaimed oak and Jumper bearils, Utah river rocks, art nouveau stained glass, and actual Tiffany, Roycroft, and Stickley furnishings. . . Stylish though it is, El Portal is a low-keyed place where guests mingle each . evening over complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres in the ho~ey lobby. Food, m fact, is a big part of any visit here - a full breakfast, where you . might sample blueberry buttermilk pancakes with blueberry-cinnamon compote an~ coconut butter, is included. And an elaborate prix-fixe dinner ~$45 per person) ts served on Saturday nights, presented to the sound of live classicai guitar musi_c. . Rooms are oversized and indrvidually decorated; most have ternfic views of. the red-rock mountains nearby, and many have firepiaces and private patios. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and high-speed Internet. Guests also have use of the gym, pool, and spa at the luxury Los Abrigados ~esort, which. is just next door. A rarity among small, posh retrears: El Portal Sedona 1s pet-foendiy. Lodge at Creekside - Wimberley, Texas . _ .. · little Wimberiey mav not be especially famous outside ot Texas, but thls picturesque village in th:, he~~ o! Hill Country ha,s a lot going for i:, incI,u~ing a lush setting on the Blanco River. In !ess than an hour s dnve from Austill ana ~an Antonio, has a bounty of art galleries and charming boutiques, and is close to gte2t. rafting, hiking., swimming, and fishing. It's also close to one of the state's most scenic Page 7 Out of Town drives, the so-called Devil's Backbone (Hwy. 32), a winding ridge-top road offering brilliant vistas of the rolling countryside. This popular arts enclave is also home to one of the state's most charming gayfriendly country inns, the Lodge at Creekside, an upscale 6-acre compound consisting of eight nattily furnished cabins, a two-room suite, and a threebedroom house; all units are outfitted with jetted tubs and wood-burning stoves. A big, hearty breakfast is served in the main dining rooms, but there's a much more romantic option: your breakfast delivered right to your cabin in the morning, packed inside a charming wicker basket (the lodge also serves gourmet dinners by prior arrangement). This place may be rustic, but it's definitely not without modern conveniences - cabins have private phones, VCRs, microwaves and refrigerators, and wireless high-speed Internet. Outdoorsy types enjoy the property's location along crystal-clear Cypress Creek, a lovely spot to dip your toes in the water. Culture vultures like that it's onlv a quarter-mile walk to Wimberley's quaint town square, where you'll find cafes, shops, Wimberley Glassworks (where .you can see talented glass blowers at work and buy their artful finished creations), and the Corral Outdoor Theater, which shows movies all summer long. Mayor's House B&B - Moab, Utah A hub of mountain-biking, hiking, outdoor photography, and off-road driving, Moab is also the closest town to stunning Arches and Canyonlands national parks, both of which are famous for their fantastic red-rock formations. The town of about 6,000 residents lies a little more than four hours southeast of Salt Lake City, seven hours northeast of Las Vegas, seven hours northwest of Albuquerque, and six hours west of Denver. Although it's in a relatively rural part of conservative Utah, the townis also comparatively progressive and quite gay-friendly. . . . The Mavor's House B&B, whtch 1s gay-owned, ;its on the east edge of town, within walking distance of several restaurants and shops. The pace at this casual and contemporary five-room inn is ~low and easy, and there are several cheery spots where guests can relax and mingle, including a large, open gatheri~g room and an expansive deck surroundmg a big swimming pool. Rates here start at just $80, for t..he cozy but pleasant J\1iner's Room, but even the huge Master Suite - with its own private entrance off the main deck is a fine value at $130 nightly. Friends traveling together can also book the Bunkhouse, an 1,100-square-foot cottage that can sleep up to eight guests; it has a kitchenette, large-screen TV, and DVD player. Rancho de San Juan• Espanola, New Mexico Although this supremely elegant hideaway is technically located in rather mundane Espanola, it's actually a good 10 miles north of the downtown area, set at the foot of Black Mesa, in the Ojo Caliente River Valley. It's within easy driving distance of Abiquiu's magnificent red-rock cliffs, which so inspired Georgia O'Keeffe. Northern New Mex:ic~'s artistic and cultural hubs, Santa Fe and Taos, are also each within an hour's drive. This completely secluded mini-resort, New Mexico's only member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel group, sits along a 225-acre spread and consists of 17 posh casitas and suites. Many rooms have kiva (beehive-shaped) fireplaces, which are typical of New Mexico adobe houses. The Black Mesa Suite has French doors opening onto a private patio, and the Buena Vista Suite has a massive bay window affording astounding views of the Jemez Mountains. Although Rancho de San Juan is a good distance from most dining options, the inn has its own exceptional prix-fu::e restaurant, serving outstanding contemporary American fare. The restaurant is open to nonguests, too, bv advance reservation. Guests can also opt f~r in-suite spa services, wirh options ranging from Swedish massage to an herbal mineral bath. One of the most unusual draws here is an intricatelv carved sandstone shrine up a short trail behind the property. Buiit into a cliff, the shrine consists of several cathedralinspired chambers with v:.ulted ceilings and tall windows - it's a wonderful place to catch your bi:eatn and admire the stunning New Mexico countryside. continued page-28 Page 8 NATIONAL ISSUES CONTINUED: International Marriage Rights Canada. A bill granting full marriage equality to same-sex couples in Canada ~ecame law on July 20, 2005. Marriage licenses are now available to same-sex couples nationwide. Belgium. Belgium, which passed its law Jan. 30, 2003, recognizes same-sex couples equally in tax, inheritance and other marriage benefits but stops short of allowing same-sex married couples to adopt children together. The law stipulates that only couples from countries that allow same-sex marriages can be married under the law. The Netherlands. The Netherlands ' which in 2001 became the first country to extend marriage rights to same-sex • couples, gives such couples exactly the same rights as heterosexual couples, including in tax, inheritance and adoption rights. The law requires that at least one member of the couple be a Dutch national or live in the Netherlands. Spain. The Spanish Parliament approved legis~ation on June 29, 2005 legalizing marnage for same-sex couples in the country. Under the law, gay and lesbian parents would also be permitted to adopt children. The law went into effect on July 3, 2005. OREGON SENATE TAKES HISTORIC STEP TOW ARD EQUALITY "Simple fairness means the same rights, protections and responsibilities for everyone," said HRC President Joe Solmonese WASHINGTON - The Oregon Senate made history today by passing SB 1000 - a bill that would grant critical rights and protections to same-sex coupies and their children as well as ban discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. "Simple fairness means the same rights, protections and responsibilities for everyone," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "By passing this import-ant legislation, the Oregon Senate has said that every family needs the same rights and protections and that no one should face discrimination simply because of who they are. These are American values that should be enshrined in our laws." HRC is working closely with Basic Rights Oregon - the statewide GLBT advocacy group - on a coordinated grassroots strategy for the passage of the civil union and anti-discrimination bill. This effort has included on-the-ground staff support and generating constituent contacts to legislators. "The Senate's historic vote today reflects the values of an overwhelming majority of Oregonians who believe that discrimination against gay and lesbian people and their families is wrong," said Roey Thorpe, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon. "Now is the time for Oregon to take this historic vote one step further by not only condemning discrimination, but prohibiting it in the law." The bill will now move to the House where a "reciprocal benefits" bill has been introduced that only grants a· few rights to couples and does not address discrimination protections tnat are a critical part of SB1000. "Fair-minded leaders must ensure that protections are not Handed out piecemeal," said Solmonese. "Given Nike's historic support; Gov. Kulongoski's steadfast backing, and endorsements from business and religious leaders from across the state, the legislature should hasten the passage of SB1000." Oregon voters passed a constitutional amendment in November exclU:ding same-sex couples from marriage, but did not deal with the issue of civil unions. "Supporters of the amendment argued that the legisiature should consider civil. unions for same-sex couples," said Solmonese. "It is time for them to make good on their word." Page 9 NATIONAL ISSUES CONTINUED: MCC Responds To Religiously-Inspired Anti-Gay Stabbing Attack At Jerusalem Gay Pride Event From: The Reverend Dr .. Troy D. Perry Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches July 5, 2005 Along with people around the world, I am horrified at the religiously-inspired attack that injured three marchers in Jerusalem's Gay Pride Parade. This violent incident is yet another reminder that homophobia in our world is often motivated by religious intolerance and religious fundamentalism. The attacker who stabbed the marchers was quoted as saying, "I came to murder in the name of God." It is worth noting that this attack did not happen in a vacuum. Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious fundamentalists both in Israel and the U.S. have carried out an unrelenting months-long campaign to vilify and demonize gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. They have attempted to impose their narrow religious views at the expense of the basic human rights of LGBT people. I call upon Israeli authorities to investigate beyond the lone attacker. Religious leaders .who have misused their spiritual authority to inspire violence and hatred against LGBT people must.be held accountable for theii; role in fomenting and inciting this incident. I am deeply saddened that anti-gay religious leaders have twisted a positive spiritual message of love for God's diverse creation into a hate-filled message far removed from the deep, genuine spirituality of faith, hope and love for all of God's creation. Today, I join with people of goodwill around the globe in sending my prayers to the three victims of this horrific attach, and to the LGBT community in Jerusalem, whose parade of love, pride, and equality was met with.hatred and ·violence. I call upon all faith communities to reject negative spirituality that demonizes those who are different and that invariably leads t0 division and pain, and to redouble our prayers for an end to homophobia in our world REV. PERRY'S FAREWELL SERMON HIGHLIGHTS MINISTRY THAT POSITIVELY CHANGED LIVES 'Reverend Perry's ministry has healed and brought hope to countless souls,' said HR.C's Harry Knox. WASHINGTON - As the Rev. Elder Troy Perry, moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, preaches his final sermon as moderator this evening, the Human Rights Campaign expressed gratitude for the reverend's ministry. Perry will give the sermon to the denomination's 2005 General Conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. "Reverend Perry's ministry has healed and brought hope to countless souls," said Harry Knox, director of the HRC Foundation Religion and Faith Program. "It's appropriate that his triumphal last message of hope to the denomination he - founded will be delivered at the same time Canada celebrates marriage equality. Troy and the UFMCC were pioneers in the work to bring equal rights to samesex couples and have worked tirelessly to see it become a realitv. When Revere~d Perry started the chu;ch in 1968, he broke ground that is bearing glorious fruit today. His was the first voice I ever heard proclaiming God's unconditional love for lesbian, gay, bisexual and rransgender Christians like me. Reverend Perry laid down the foundation for the work we are all doing now to amplify the voices of clergy and lay people who believe in justice for LGBT folks. Mav his retirement be as rich and rewardin'g for him as his gifts of ministry have been for others." - ... a Labo . · LE· ·... Page 11 Watch For Dur Neat Liue Concert COM I NG SOON! Page 12 ,.• Dolt t! For GLBTs & PPLAGs Eurell11 Springs, Arllansas '\:,,'• ,,,,' ,,".,, , H.!i»" 4, 5 & 6 FALL DIVERSITY WEEKEND ,',,,\ "'; • ,•✓ Boys Can Sing SopranQ, ,<says Genal?rPAC ~Texas Mlisic AsJociatiori. Plav~ the Same Old Tune: Discriminati~n~ WASHINGTON DC, Ouly 7,2005) Mikliael Rawls, a rising Texas high school. senior, won't be performing before music college recruiters next school year. He won't even have the chance to audition for an elite ensemble of Texas high school singers. The Texas Music Educators Association eliminated tl:μs possibility for Rawls when they rejected his audition request: for a soprano position, which is traditionally a girls' part. "The Texas music association is denying this young man of his right ro equal opportunity to try out for the choir and develop his musical talents. And it's not because he. doesn't sing well - it's because he is a boy," said Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (Gender PAC). The music association began prohibiting boys from singing soprano or alto, and girls from tenor or bass two years ago, according to the local · television news station, KXAS-TV. The association, which claims to offer quality musical experiences for students and to cultivate universal appreciation and lifetime involvement in music, has taken a step backward by denying Rawls the chance to capitalize on his strengths and talents. Rawls, who sings in an octave and a half higher than most boys his ag~, has earned several distinctions for his singing including first place as a soprano in the University Interscholastic r.eague's competition for two consecQtive years. He hopes to pursue a joint 'degree in vocal performance and liberal arts from the New England Conservatory and Harvard University after high school graduation. Rawls often a part called . wiis ; popular wonienwe group~:l'.t vias: · , when times until an it about 60 years ago. tdaay men can be found singing coui:ttert,enor in music schools across. the countrv. . " , "., "Music education, like all education. should be about helping young people - realize their full poteriti:il and achieve their dreams. Discrimination against male or female students is just plain wrong," said Lindsay Bond, · GenderPAC's Youth Program Coordinator. The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) works to end discrimination and violence caused by gender stereotypes. Visit us at www.gpac.org contact: 202-462-6610 Page 13 Serving our community in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois & Colorado This Is Shelter Country. Here in our community you will find Shelter Agent Greg Tainter. We're proud to serve this community and our customers. Call codav and ask about our services. Auto -Home - Life Business Greg W. Tainter, LUTCF Tel: (866) 208-9480 gtainter@shelterinsurance.com the BAMBOO LOUNGE, TULSA TULSA, 0 K_ The Bamboo Lounge inaugurated their new outdoor stage with the fabulous Rachael Sage in concert Saturday evening July 9th to a delighted and packed house. The 2004 Independent Music Award \'finner was in Tulsa promoting her new CD "Ballad$ & Burlesc1ue'' Self-produced by S:ige and mixed by Kevin Killen (Kate Bush, Elvis Costello. ~\late Cohn), Ballads & Buriesque features ten tracks of "rich vocals, sparkling piano and yearning poetry" Tli\iE OL'T NY. "Sage is the music world's best kept secret'. Q i\11\G:\Zlls.JE. "BALLADS & Bl1RLESQUE" is Rachael's 6th album release and can be purchased at Barnes & Nobie or Borders stores in Tulsa or. the four States Region. Rachael Sage is truly a renaissance performer. Self-taught on the piano from age 5, she went on to stuck at The School of American Ballet in her adolescence. She later earned a degree in Drama from Stanford l'niYcrsity. Following a one-year stint with New York Cit\''s renowned Actors Studio. she redi,co,·ered her passion for music and took the l'sie\,. York Cit\ li,·c mmic ~cene br storm. Sonja & Friends at the Hollywood Hotel, OKC Sonja ~Iartinez ha~ been entcrutining in the Oklahonn Cir, area f<,r m:im· ,-c,,r'., and is considered on<: nf C)kL1hc,!na\ hcsi kept secret~! Joined 1n, ~li\..'cna ~nc:1rs, J(Jhn Bcbcc, D:::hbic Da·,1c: Jnd <>n·:h(>\' (~rooncr i\Lnd'"!c'X J-jcath Fit1gcrald. thi~ c\·cnt \\·ill hbw 1·0~: :,\,-,,·.-.. \ nw~t ,cci ,\n r•~ycning \'virh S,)nja ii.: 1:ricnd~ .~1 t~h: Hollywood, OKC -tth Dinnt:r -rt;l _,nd ;civ·wt!'lll' S:.'1 1l'l'i'- !,,,. Rescn;atir)n~: (:~d~: ~~o,::,_tf--!~H~:;:-; ! . ~~uni.: \t.:ill ,d~n b;; pcrfonr:~t:~~ :1! P:1r:nt·r:-: / ·it:L 111 < )kbh(,tr.:\ Cit'. "n I rid.n \u-.:m• '.'1: loc~Ht'(: ~tt ~2~~( 15 :~\\' 3<~t h Michelle Mayfield "This Women Really Rocks" Singer, Song \\'riter i\liche!le Mayfield ,,ntcd m the ,1~e c,f 3 playing for friends ar:d t·:1mih·. ·'Pat Bcnarar was m,· firs, :n::ior (;1tkcnc:: and still is w this day. As :1 youn.~ in1prc~sionablc fctnale it \Vas so im:nrtant 'o hct\'t a role mode! -.,·ith sue!: ,, ,!I, ,n? ·,, ,ice. presence. and attimde; it L,,.i " :11'1j<;, imp;,ct on \,·bcre l am to::la\· ~l'.-- ;1 ~1ngcr, sonbn,!,·riree~. ;_\fichelle pc:-1·, ,r:n-:- in and :,round , \ufti::. Da'.!as, 1 hu,,on .rnd ,,ill b-.: rcckin a, CLUB l 022 ;r, i'"n S:n;d:, _\R on Sa1:~1r'.:laY \u::..~·J~t ,~-th. 5~10,\·tin1c 11 :30P:i\L Page 16 JOIN THE STAR TEAM! ADVERTISING Rl!:PRl!:SENTATIVE F"OR WICHITA, OKLAHOMA CITY, TULSA, MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS email qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! SMITII AUGUST 8TH HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 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Memorial, Tulsa "' (918) 836-2480 21 ANDOVER a ONEDRINKMINIMUMD CLOSEDTUESDAYDWWW.ENDUPCLUB.COM -: i: :'· . ,. 405-478-4009 • 6725 N. Miramar Blvd. Okla City, OK 73111 Rodney Burgamy www.c21goldc:astJe.oom 405.840.2106 Joe Brennan It's official: We're homeowners,; Well, almost official. Our settl~fueridiite ; and the big move is about a month away, but everything is looking good. It's all happened so quickly my head .is still spinning. Our own.home .... It's a big step - put ohe mC>te, ap.d more same-sex couples · ·· · · · According to the 2000 64% of gay couples owned houses. up from 52% in 1990. However, compared to the straight world, that number is si:ill a bit low: 78% of heterosexual married couples own homes. "Discrimination may be one factor in that, but vou could think of other reasons ;hy that might occur," said Gary J. Gates, a research associate at the Pooulation Studies Center of the Urban ln;titute in Washington, D.C. Gays and lesbians tend to live in more urban areas where housing costs are higher and rental properties are more available. That's not to discount discrimination. An HRC article on homeownership reports that many gay couples have faced discrimination while shopping for a home - and Federal law offors no protection. The Fair Housing Act (fitle VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, financing of, or other housingrelated transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability, but it does not protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This discrimination could take several forms. Some couples were turned down for housing simply because they were gay. Others have been told they cannot put both partners' names on a homeowner's insurance policy, which is important to do if both partners share ownership of the home. And still other couples have been discriminated against when filing a claim as some insurance companies have attempted to refuse claims or cancel policies on the grounds that the owners are •~unrelated." · · While there are no Federal· protections, fourteen states. artd the y.Dfatrict bf Columbia have paisel:lliws that provide civil rights protections including protection from discrimination in housing for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. They are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New . hii: . . :0, oil dtid Wisconsin. df those, only California, Minnesota, New Mexico and Rhode Island include protection for transgender . peopie. It1 a~<#;ioli, ther~ .·ru:~ .?:1P:~.~'l:han · 240:local, ·thaep;oJi,ibtt· of these also der ck-'with vour local go . i~formation. Even if you',refortui:~te enough to live in one of these states or municipalities, you'm.a'fnot be protected from all forms of discrimination. For example, while Maryland prohibits discrimination in housing, gay couples still face an unfair transfer and recordation tax. This past legislative session, a bill was passed that would have eliminated what is called the "gay tax" on homeownership by exempting · committed same-sex couples from .the taxes involved in transferring the title of a home owned bv one member of a couple into both· members' names. The Republican governor, Robert Ehrlich, ........... Continued next page Page 19 HEART TO HEART vetoed the bill, along with another that ,vould have created a statewide a registry of life partners granting eleven rights dealing with health care and end-of-life arrangement~, most of ,vhich cannot be achieved through ac!Yance direcri,-e, power of attorney, or will. But what if, like Jon and I, you decide to make the leap to homeownership in the face of discrimination. What should you be looking for? #1: Gay or Gay-friendly Realtor Your first step will be to find a gay or gay-friendly iealtor. You want someone who will understand vour circumstances and lifescyle. This may be easier than you think, th;nks to the s~rvices of online · referral services like GayRealEstate.com or HomeLounge.com. Our agent, while straight, was not narrow. He treated· us like any other young couple searching for their first home. #2: Your Dream House Once you have a realtor, be sure to tell him or her exactly what you are looking for. Don't be afraid to be specific, but also be realistic. If you have a list of twenty things you're looking for in a house, what are the chances of finding one with all twenty? You may have to decide what vou can and can't live without. For' instance, Jon and I wanted an older, two-story house with a big backyard for entertaining, preferably in the councrv. Unfortunatelv, there wasn't much that ,fit that description that fell within our price range. When we were shown the house we ended up making an offer on, it was perfect except for the fact that it wasn't in the country. We decided tl1at the gorgeous hardwood floors outweighed the in-town setting. #3: Location, Location, Location Wbe1, \'OU find a house vou like, be sure to lo<;k into the location: Will it be a safe area for a gay couple to live in? Get a crime report from the police department (or online if it's available). Talk to your potential neighbors. Educate yourself about the area. More and more gay couples are moving out of traditionally gay neighborhoods. We were a little wary of the area our house was located in ... until we talked to the neighbors. A fifteen minute conversation with the lady next door really eased our minds. #4: Protection Once you've found the right home in the right neighborhood, don't forget to get the right protections. There is much complicated, additional legal work required to ensure the survivorship rights of both partners in the event of breakup or death. I know, this isn't what you want to be thinking about in the midst of such a joyous occasion, but you need to plan ahead for all possibilities. In addition to certain title provisions, other legal documents may be needed. Be sure to consult an agent experienced in such areas, or find a good attorney knowledgeable in LGBT law. Now that all that's out of the way, it's time to stare planning your housewarming party. Be sure to im·ite everyone you know. You get more presents that way. 124:N. Boston - ·Tulsa, OK - 918.584.9494 Thu-sday Nights .., Rachael Erlkks - MGA 2004 &nc::lay Ni~ts - Catla Lee Love - MG)\ 2000 1!11trsday and Sunday - 18 to enter; 21 :to drink . Friday andSaturday DanceParty- 21 to enter 9 p till 2 a .;, Ulu'-sdav - SUnday nights Sunday Ni~ come enjoy tie anlcs of Caia Lee lave, Molcaa Monroe, Kandy Kain, Iman Seal ..t guests. Thuraday Nighls Racheal Emks 10ail'S it up for a pork chop on Talent Search Tharsday•s. Cengraeulalions to T abilha Taylor - Mss Day Oklahoma America 201Jj Page 21 omentics Author's Scott & Scott Scott was scoping the boys on the dance floor. Scott was looking for friends that fortunately never showed up. One glance led to another, and soon they were shouting over the booming sounds of the latest dance remi.""t. "Scott'' "What? I'm Scott'' "Scott" "What?" "Vodka tonic." "No! What? Me, too!" And we found even more things in common: Fireplaces and red wine. Mountains and lakes and sunrises over the ocean. A cup of coffee and a morning full of writing. It was a good start, and now a few years later, we're still together. Prom our place in Boston to California wine country, from St. Croix to Bourbon Sttcet to Key West. We've been all over, weathered a .few storms, and come away convinced othet gay men share our love for romance. And we want to share .it with you. A common name. A common dttam. A common love. That's what Romentics is all about. .. .......... continued pagt.•29 Page 22 ast Out by Liz Highleyman AUGUST 2005 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. July 1865 (140 years ago this month): Military surgeon Dr. James "Miranda" Barry dies in London, England. Who was Dr. James "Miranda'' Barry? Dr. James Barry was a celebrated military surgeon and medical reformer whose sex and gender identity ,vere the subject of much specuiarion both during his life and after his death. To this day. it is not known whether Barry was a cransgender man, a person with an intersex condition, or a woman who cross-dressed in order to follow her dreams. Barry is thought co have been born around 1795, but little is known about the exact circumstances of his birth and early life. Even his original name is uncertain; some researchers believe it was Miranda Stuart or Margaret Bulkley. Barry is said to have been raised by a single mother and supported by a circle of bohemians and radicals who were friends of his uncle, the Irisn painter James Barry. Among chem were the Earl of Buchan (David Erskine), an early proponent of women's rights, and the Venezuelan revolutionary General Francisco de Miranda, who encouraged Barry to dress as a boy and enro;I at ~he University of Edinburgh IVfcdical Schooi as a young teenager. Barry graduated in l 812; today, he is regarded by many as che first woman e,·er to h"\-c rccei\·ed a unin:rsity medical degree. He then did an apprenticeship in London with renowned phvsician Sir Astley Cooper. Despite having a delicate phvsiguc and being barely five feet mil, Barry joined the British Army around 1813 as a hospital assistant. He served in several oyerseas posts, arriving in Cape Tuwn, Sonth Africa (then a British coiony), around 1816. Though he often bucked his superiors as he sought to improve local health conditions, he quickly rose through the ranks and was named medical inspector. He became known for his talent as a surgeon, and is credited with performing the first successful Cesarean section using modern Western techniques. With his delicate features, red-dyed hair, flamboyant outfits, and high-heeled shoes, Barry developed a reputation as a dandy. Writer Charles Dickens once described him as "uniciue in appearance and eccentric in manner," while another contemporary said he was "completely devoid of all the outward signs of manly Yiriiity." Among his peculiar habirs, it was noted that Barry would only undress in complete privacy. He also became known for his short temper and lack of diplomacy. While his quarrelsome manner frequently got him into trouble, Barry usually escaped serious consequences due to his medicai skills and his friendships with higher-ups. Although flirtatious with the ladies, Barry was rumored co be homosexual, and he fought at least one duel to defend his honor. Around 1820, Barry entered into a close relationship - and quite likely a love affair - with Cape Town Governor Lord Charles Somerset. The two were accused of llOdomy, after which the governor was recalled to London and the young doctor temporarily left the cape for parts unknown - some say to conceal a pregnancy, although another theory holds that Barry lived briefly as a woman with Somerset in Britain. · Barry resurfaced in South Africa, where he remained until 1828. He then went on co serve in several island posts, including Mauritius, Jamaica, St. Helena, ti1e West Indies, Malta, a:1d Corfu. It i~ rumored that once, while Barry was suffering from yellow fever, a doctor discovered his birth sex, b~c Barry swore him to secrecy. In 1857, Barry - by now promoted to continued next page: Page 23 Inspector General of Army Hospitais was posted to Canada, a move he disliked due to the cold climate. Two years 'later, after a bout of influenza, he was pressured into retirement and returned to London, accompanied as usual by his Jamaican manservant and a poodle named Psyche. Barry died in London during a dysentery epidemic in July 1865. Although he had asked to be "buried in his bed sheets without further inspection," a nurse or maid preparing the body dairned Bariy was a .woman and had stretch• marks indicating a past pregnancy. 14:is. ,8octor, however; said he thought Barry might be "an imperfectly developed man," .Aftet his death, Barry's sex continued to provoke controversy. An article in the A .... · :!Z~· . ,2lJ.d:. . it had bvious all along that Barry was a woman: "the physique, absence of hair, the voice, all pointed in one way, and the petulance of temper, the unreasoning impulsiveness, the fondness for pets were in the same dii: ";And 81 in '.baiJ.cet~ an bla. .. • . . encl/ of ·Bliri:y's said he > nev~'-~'c:if"tlie5is}ight~st suspicion of h~r sex."·. :, . .. · . 1'{qtc •t han(ir c,eo:tizj, later,; :Baa:j's •.. "reil'.' sex: remains a .tiiystcfy'. Bu,t, asks Harvard literature professor Marjorie Garber, "If a person lives hi.a or her life. consistently undet a gc:ncle,r'ili~ntiiy' .• different froth. tjut rey:i;al,.~d 1# ·.· •. . ... . anatomicaFfu:spectioti after·death; what is the force of that 'reality'?" For farther reading: . Holmes, Rachel. 2003. _Scanty Particulars:. The Scandalous Life and Astonishing Secret of Queen Victoria's Most Eminent Military Doctor_ (Random House). Rose, ]:one. -1977. _The .Perfect Gentleman: The Remarkable Llfe of Dr. James Miranda Barry_ (Hutchinson). · Spain's first gay ma. e. Two Spanish men have become the first gay couple to be married since a new law allowing same-sex marriages. July 11, 2005 MADRID_ Emilio Menendez, a Spaniard, and Carlos Baturin German, from the US, tied the knot at a ceremony ju~t outsfde Madrid . ':r'he-co1.1f?le,have bs~ . . er fqr.30 years • . •. .. • . O .. • C • • • • 'saicl: "Today :we 'are even niore a family." Spain)s yt~_:third E}lfbJ>e~ m.tion, after the Netherlands. a0<f,Belgium, to legalise samc:~:sc:x marriages.' ':fhe law allo~s ~y couples to adopt children. The wedding ceremony in the town o; Tre_s .C::~ti)s ~~· 11. fa'911y friends and 'journalists . 11 as Pedro Zerolo, the governing Socialist Party's top official for social issues. State television showed footage of the couple smiling and displaying their wedding · Spain's lower house of plirliafuf'.nt yoted)n favour of the bill 60 30}llile, •• ~.ove~g its rejectjon by.the.upper ::?~~i;sE::~. •,° J:Vd"a"k the · ¥adrid:raD:y:;~s~ the l>ilPl5~~a.it was um on !luJ!iiul to. th~ ~Ji. Jiliego. ~ m2gazine Btiiz, May 13. · Page 24 _Libby Post is the founding chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda and a political commentator on public radio, on the Web, and in print media. OK, I admit it. Lesbian Notions by Libby Post AUGUST 2005 Bye, Bye B.I ?• When I saw the "Gay, Straight or Lying? Bisexuality Revisited" headline in _The New York Times_, my die-hard "how-could-awoman- who-has-experienced-the-wonder-ofmaking- love-with-another-woman-ever-goback- to-men" dyke heart skipped a beat. But then, seconds later, liberal guilt set in and I read the article. The reporter, Benedict Carey, writes about a new joint study from Northwestern University and Toronto's Center for Addiction and Mental Health that "casts doubt on whether true bisexuality exists, at least in men." Described as "the largest of several small reports" (are the researchers having a "size" problem here?), the study used a tiny test group of 101 young adult men whose sexual identity roughly broke down in thirds 33 said they were bi, 30 said they were straight, and 38 said they were gay. A penile plethysmograph, also known as a PPG in the sex research world, was used to measure "genital arousal patterns in response to sexual images of men and women.". The article didn't detail how the PPG was attached - I'll leave that to your active imaginations. Wl:iat thej found, however, was that, as expected, the straight guys got it up for the images of women, and the gay guys did the same for men. The unexpected finding was that three-quarters of the self-identified bi guys responded only to the images of men. And from these results the conclusion was made that bisexuality, at least ·in men, does not really exist. Now, the response to. the article, the headline in particular, has been vociferous. Tue _Times_ has. been flooded with. letters to the editor tanging from: scientific to sarcastic. . . . . . . . . ·. Stanford biology professor Dr. Joan Roughgarden:wrote, "In the 300 or more known vertebrate sp'c::cies with natural homosexuality, all combine heterosexual with homosexual relations. Humans are. not likely to differ in this. regard ... 11he data in the article show that 20 percent of the pool having ·s.lUDl!-'SCX relatiqns do identify as bisexual. These people surely aren't all lying. Instead, ·psychologists should add a fourth possibility to their list: namely, that they are wrong.'' Catherine Gaffney from that city of brotherly love,· Philadelphia, wrote, "If our sexual preference were best detected by who [sic] we look at in pornography, wouldn't pretty much everyone be attracted to mildly unattractive peopie who live on the West Coast, and lack acting talent?" (I wonder if there will be an organized response from adult film makers to this one.) The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) have both galvanized their forces. GLAAD found the headline to be sensationalistic and derogatory. They even asked the _Times_ to change the header on their online edition. The answer was no. GLAAD wants folks to write more letters fo the editor. NGLTF's Matt Foreman was "stunned that _The New York Times_ Science section would carry such a .shoddy, sensationalistic and downright insulting story" that equates sexual orientation with sexual arousal. The article "defames the truth in the lives and loves of millions of bisexual men. The Times should be ashamed." A .................. continued next page - - Page 25 plethora of information regarding bisexuality, the study's inaccuracies, and suggested action can be found at www.ngltf.org. While the die-hard dyke heart says one thing, the rational thought process that inhibits my brain suggests that, absent all the sex-role stereotyping that permeates our society, we'd probably break down on the following scale - 10 percent of us would be either exclusively hetero or homo (that includes us lesbians), and the rest of us would revel in sexual fluidity. Clearly, our culture is anything but devoid of sex-role stereotypes and the presumption of heterosexism, so this isn't likely to happen. But the question that really concerns me is not whether bisexuality exists but why there isn't a stronger, independent bisexual movement with political clout of its own. The messages of bisexuals and transfolks can get lost and overlooked when we're all included under the ubiquitous LGBT political umbrella. I understand that while some of the issues that bisexuals face are the same for lesbians and gays, some are different. I understand that the transgender community must grapple with both sexual and gender orientation. But I also understand political reality and how too many messages crowd each other out. Just look at John Kerry's failed bid for president. With a smorsgasbord of "messages," his campaign never had a dear and coherent one. What happened? He lost. While each of our singular communities has its own organizations, perhaps those of us with greater resources can help those who don't. It is vital to work in coalition when the issue calls for it and to maintain our singular identities. Wouldn't it be more effective if each of us - the lesbian and gay community, the bisexual community, and the transgendcr community - had our own strong political identity, so that when we do work together we truly are greater than the sum of our parts? If this were the case, -_The New Yark Times_ might never have equated bisexuality with lying . 1 /STH PAGE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F"CR RATES 91 B.B35.7B87 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Advertising Service. 1 /BTH PAGE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F"CR RATES 91 B.B35.78B7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Advertising Service. 1 /BTH PAGE CLASSIFIED AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE STAR CALL F"CR RATES 91B.B35.78B7 or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net Delivering Quality, Value, Integrity and Trust in Advertising Service. Page26 Dear uncle: Ask Uncle Mikey Advice Column! AUGUST 2005 Well Kittens, Welcome back to Uncles comer in Queerdom. Uncle exhaustively rejoins you from the thirtv twioks of pride. Another season of bringing lo,;e to the masses. Uncle is proud to say not only did he manage better than some twinks I could mention However, went on to give the big bang of the season on the fourth. While eyes were glued to . the skv this Fourth of July, let:i™s just say that uncle ~as enjoying another big bang, and what a bang it was. I think I will give that boy five stars kittens. I am so over sex. I have been dating several men for a few months. Not one of them is a good lay, and I am beginning to think sex is just hype. I mean is there no one out there that can keep up with me? · Looking for more Dearest Looking: . . Well, well, well, look at you Kitten. Fully loaded with ~11 the a_ccessories lt seems. You know, maybe you are right. My advice darling; move mto a single flat,_ and h~ve at it. Since yo.; obviously have way too much skill for Queerdom, do the right thmgGo do yourself. Smooches uncle Mikey Hey Mike: . . How do you know if someone is truly in love when love JS nothing more th:t11 _an agreement? I mean it is not an actual condition. People fool themselves mto believmg they love someone until it goes bad, than it gets ugly. 'Why bother. True to one Dear True: . Utilizing my years of experience, I detect that you are a betrayed lesbian finding hers~f bitter. Uncle has been around the block sister; now close the mouth, as you know I am right. Love is a beautiful thing in which the lucky inhibitor of loves embrace finds joys untold. True love can conquer all, as long as you have the right equipment. Uncle s~~sts that you _forget about tl:ie wicker furniture she stole and move on with it already. Chalk 1t up to experience and open your heart, before you find yourself sitting at a table for one, in the romance department. Smooches-uncle Mikey . . Well, what in Chers name is going on out there? I think the heat J~ gettmg t? the inhibitors of Queerdom. Come on Kittens, put on a happy face. and !f you can t, well drink until you can. You are ruining a perfectly good b~zz, I have g?mg on over here. Suck it up already. No~ you delicious, I was speaking to my ,K1~tens. ?ue:tuncle should not use the v01ce type anymore, as the boy could ha.re nurt hims ..... t lunging for it as he did. Dear Uncle: . . I am having issues with my panner of twenty years. He is acting as if life Is over. He never wants to see our friends, go out and in honesty, have sex anymore. He puts around the house, aod garden, acting as if life does not ~:rists an~more. I a~ not ready to quit. I want to travel, and spend our retired years haVJng fun. He acts as 1f we are already in the ground. What do I do? Concerned partner Dearest CP: ............ continued next page Page27 Kitten, you know the obvious here, as checking for depression, seeking outside help to ensure the health of your partner's mental health. However, I suspect that this is not what you seek from uncle. Therefore, here is uncles advice. Hire a Greek God! Find yourself the most delectable houseboy you can find, insisting that he wear only a Gstriog to work. Go on living and if he chooses to be a sour puss than let him to it. However, I am sure once he sees that you do not care to join him in his ways, he will rethink this and find himself out of the gray mist, which he has landed. Be strong, and makes sure that the houseboy wears a generous coating of oil. What? I was speaking of Skin protection Kitten. Smooches-Uncle Mikey Kittens as partners, the worst thing we can do is join our loved one in their pity of despair. As harsh as it may sound, sometimes they need to be reminded that life will move forward. If they choose not to join in, they may lose out. Tough love kitten. It is the best gift you can give someone suffering from the pity party syndrome. Allow them to realize their folly and than welcome, them back into the game of life. However, if they suffer from serious depression or some other mental health issue. Seek: professional intervention, and offer them support. Love is a two way street, and you should support them through the good and the bad. Besides, you can always go out after visiting hours Kittens snicker, snicker I am a bad boy, somebody should spank me. Well Kittens, that about wraps up this edition of the queer life with your humble guide. I must take my leave once more and make ready for this evenings a.ffa.k As Uncle sees the end of pride tricks, he is reminded all good things must end. Remember this as you make your way out there in Queerdom. The right lube can make the difference between Twiok-a-licious, and Twink:-a-sore-ass Smooches Uncle Mikey and Tiddles too! Unck M,leey is 11. chitr11.cter from FrttLsn« writer Mich.ul Hinzm,m. Michael h,u Mn 'Writingfor ten ye,frs. Utilizing bis muiies, 11.nd lift experience to bdp others in bis community, through humor 11.nd so#nd itdwce. Mic1Md. 4J!Plied bis stlldy of prycbology 11nd cmitfoe UTriting, itS t«JJ bis c:tmsifJt! b,,degro"nd in mental be,f/ti, Dim:t ure to bring 11. neu, styk 11.nd llf!PTO,u;h to helping others. Michael's other worlts un be 1Jie-wed at fl1fl1'Cll.g,rylinkcontent.com. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center "A VISIBLE PRESENCE" The Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Traosgender (GLBT) Community Center is a home for our community. It's very presence is a visible reminder to Tulsans of the important role GLBT individuals, families and friends play in our community. Inside the center the wildly popular David Bohnett CyberCenter with 10 flat-panel workstations outfitted with the latest technology allows you to surf the web, finish that school paper or chat with friends across the nation. The Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library has over 3,000 titles for you to check-out and over 300 FREE movies. The "Family" Room has PlayStation 2 and board games or sit back, relax and watch 1V on a large screen TV complete with Showtime, HBO and more. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center is the place to meet friends, make new friends and get involved with your community. The Tulsa GI.BT Community Center is located in mid-town at 5545 E 41 st Street in Highland Plaza. Regular hours are: Tuesday - Thursday: 6:00 · PM Friday & Saturday: 3:00 PM Sundays: 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM 9:00 PM 9:00 PM Quotable Quotes "Bush hates press conferences because he can't speak extemporaneously and can't form a complete sentence without mashing up the language like a 5-ycar-old on Ritalin and can't express a nuaoced multifaceted idea to save his life aod somewhere deep down in his bowels, he knows it, and he knows we know it, aod it makes him mumble and stutter and secretly pray every moment to his angry righteous God he could be somewhere else, anywhere else, like sittin' on the back porch in Te:xas eatin' ribs and dreamin' 'bout baseball." - SFGate.com columnist Mark Morford, June 3. Page 28 The Little Black Book El Portal (95 Portal La., Sedona, AZ, 928-203-9405 or 800-313-0017, www .innsedona.com). Lodge at Creekside (310 Mill Race Ln., Wimberley, TX, 512-847-8922 or 800- 267-3925, www.acountryinn.com). Mayor's House B&B (505 Rosetree La., Moitb, 435-259-6015 or 888-791-2345, www.mayorshouse.com). Rancho de San Juan (U.S. 285, 10 miles north of Espanola, 505-753-6818, www.ranchodesanjuan.com). Fort Smi_th's Oldest Gay Bar Has New Owner. Press Release July 5, 2005 FORT SMITH, AR_ Western Arkansas oldest gay club, Kinkeads Fort Smith has changed ownership and plans many new, exciting feature's in the months ahead. "Kinkeads served it's first drink 11 years ago and has slowly transformed into the show and dance bar it is today", said new owner Andy Osburn. Currently some of the regular events include wet boxer short contests, Show Cast Troupe entertainment from professionals, Miss Up & Coming a monthly talent search for drag want-a-be's, Kickin Karaoke a weekly entertaining event. Osburn, a native eastern Oklahoman began as a dancer in Tulsa's Club Top's. He later worked with a dance group "Male Order Revue" and clubs throughout Oklahoma and the U.S. Andy is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and maintains his other career working with his family in real estate deveiopment. Kinkeads, located downtown Fort Smith, 1004 1/2 Garrison and is open Tues-Fri 6pm to 1am, Sat 6pm to 12rnidnight. For more information vi5it the website: v.rww.kirbykinkeads.com Ten signs you are dating a Drama Queen1111 ■ By Michael Hinzman 10) When you go out, he insists that you drop him in front of the destination, so that he may make his grand entrance ... 9) He refers to you as his stalker. 8) His prep work for an outing could give "Tammy-Faye" a run for her money. 7) You leave the man for seconds only ,;hen upon your return; you find him sobbing to the cute bartender; how he was abandoned by love. 6) He has two yippee dogs named Muffy and Princess. 5) He insists on referring to your member to his friends as -Thor. .. God of Love. 4) He insists "Queer eye" was his idea. 3) When an ex-lover savs hello at the club, he calls you a slut while speed dialing his pack of queens.(fhat are standing not ten feet away) 2) He refers to his dinner parties as a production. (Directors chair included on set) Au'd the number one way you can tell you are dating a drama queen; After sex, he insists you complete a scorecard, complete with a grading curve ... Quotable Quotes "Texam ha·:e made a decision about marriage, and if there is some other state that h;.s a more lenient -.;iew than Texas then maybe that's a better place for them [gays] to live." Texas Gov. Rick Perry as he signed a resolution to amend the Texas Constitution to ban same-sex marriages, at Calvary Christan Academy in Fort Wo.rch, June 5. Voters are expected to approve the amendment in November. Page 29 Scott & Scott Continued TIS GAYROMANCE LINE Press Release: Boston-based Romentics announced the June 15 publication of "Hot Sauce" by Warner Books. "Hot Sauce" is the latest in the Romentics series of Harlequin-style romance novels for gay men-and the first gay romance published by a major publisher. On June 12, 2005, the NY Times Magazine featured Romentics in a multi-page article that hailed Romentics in these terms: This Oz is a brave new world of the gay male romance novel, a world where there are never cowards, only condoms; each of the heroes · · · · · · has a brain, even if it takes until the end of the story fur one of them to use · it; and the abs, if not tin, most likely resemble iron. . "Romehtics is• the first line o(gay romance novels: and 'Hot Sauce;· is the first-ever samesex marriage novel-that's one big happily ever after," said Romentics author Scott Whittier. 'We're proud to join forces with Warner Books to give gay men worldwide the chance to read, and dream, about true love." "Gay marriage here in Massachusetts is a major victory," added co-author Scott Pomfret, "but writing about it in another great American institution-the romance novel-is a cultural victory that crosses stllte borders." "Entertaining, effervescent ... [Hot Sauce] is fan, fast-moving, fairy tale stombuilt for the softhearted gay bea Publishers Weekly "Romentics are nor your mother's romance novels," continued Pomfret. " 'Hot Sauce' is a romance with testosterone-more action, fights, sex scenes, hunky heroes and gay drama. Romentics are for today's contemporary gay man." Set in Boston, "Hot Sauce" is a romantic romp between celebrity chef Brad Drake and the impossibly handsome fashion designer and club impresario Troy Boston. Even as Brad and Troy consider tying the knot, their romance threatens to come unraveled at the hands of Troy's old flame, bleachblond pretty boy Aria Shakespeare. When the action turns red-hot and tempers flare, it takes a wild ride from Boston's high society to the Bermuda triangle and back to keep the passions burning. Is it a recipe for romance or a recipe for disaster? Scott&Scott wrote the book on gay romanceliterally. Founded in Boston in · 2003 at the height of the debate over same-sex marriage in Massachusetts and dubbed "the new romantics" by the Boston · Globe, Romentics '.has brought together for the :first time the :number-one ,market for paperback fiction (romance) and the buying power of the lucrative gay market. Indeed, Romentics authors Pomfret and Whittier are real-life lovers, whose own tale could fill the pages of a romance novel. From out of the closet to all the unique elements of gay cuiture, Romencics follows a not-so-straight path to happily ever after. For info on all the Romentics novels, contact Scott&Scott (http:/ /www.romentics.com) Page32 American and Whispered Gay Resolve in Iraq Political Commentary By: Matthew V eritas Tsien It can probably be assumed that most gay people are opposed the War on Terror because most gays are Democrats; although one out of four gay voters are consistently Republican and election analysis of national campaigns in the past 25 years show that a gay crossover vote will once or twice a decade result in the GOP getting solidly over 40 percent of the aggregate gay vote, thus splitting our community's vote (Whenever the GOP gets over 40 percent of the gay vote, gay editors and activists never want to admit it, but I digress). " Over the past several months many gay readers of my column have written to me from across the country saying we shouldn't be concerned about democracy and freedom in the Middle East because all of these Arab states are homophobic. But to some gays that may be one of the very reasons why we would be willing to fight for democracy and pluralism in the Middle East. Do we not .care about persecuted Ar;ib and I;lainic gays as we promulgate the faulty Vietnam analogy? Here in South Florida the gay electorate is overwhelmingly anti-war and often seer:ri's to be hoping for the worst even at the expense of the young American soldiers who defend our freedom: to .be expressive about our gayness and pursue domestic goals that would expand our rights to be included in the mainstream of' American society. Such anti-war gays are foolish and ungrateful .to o.ur y.oung soidiers. Many oppose the War on Tertor because :Mr. Bush concludes that state legislatures rather than the courts should determine the legality of gay marriage. Yet such an anti-war stance is not likely to expand our universe of supporters for gay marriage if we are seen as a community that wants to undermine the war effort. While gays seem to oppose Mr. Bush on the war by a 3-1 margin, I found in my conversations prior to the 2004 election day that with enough disarming coaxing you can get gays to admit in whispered tones that they supported Mr. Bush primarily because of his actions in guiding the war and his response to 9-11. As I used to say to people, "Bush is going to get the "whisper vote in the gay community"; and sure enough Mr. Bush did get over one million gay people to vote for him in 2004 just as he did in 2000 according to exit polls done by the New York Times. And there is no guarantee that all gay voters will be attracted to a Democratic Party whose lawyers and activists seem more concerned about the rights of prisoner of war terrorists and Saddam Hussein, not to mention illegal immigrants and career criminals, as · opposed to the rights of ordinary citizens. Since the gay community is not universally tied to one party the following piece of news will likely appeal to pro-war gays who support Mr. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Bad news hit Abu Musab al Zarqawi on June 28. Most Americans, it -seems, want to keep U.S. forces in Iraq until civil order is. restored, whico 62 percent believe won't happen for several years. A significailt. majority. even want to increase the size of the U.S. presence or keep it about the same. With the Iraq war in its third year ...:_ and with America having been in a state of war since October 2001 - this new Washington Post-ABC poll is an encouraging indication about the patience and resolve of the American people. The past few weeks have seen politicians and pundits cherry picking whichever bad poll seems to serve their political ends. And they can easily do it again with this one. For example, the poll found that most Americans do not believe the Bush administration's claims that the insurgency is losing. In fact, what a majority of Americans (53 ......... continued next page Page 33 percent) do believe, according to the poll, is that the power of rhe insurgency is staying about the same (and 22 percent say it's weaker). Critics may also point to the finding that a bare majority of Americans (51 percent) consider the Iraq war to be a mistake, even though the very same poll found that 52 percent believe it has contributed to the longterm safety of the United States (a 5- point increase since early June). Every single one of these findings can top the headline of a newspaper, only to lea,e readers \Vith a distorted view of what's really going on. (Gay publishers of weeklies promote the same distortion in their community). Pollster Gerry Daly, who runs the Web site dalythoughts.com, makes an important observation regarding how phrasing a question can yield different results. He compares a recent Gallup poll, which found that a majority of Americans (51 percent) believe the United States should set a timerable for removing troops from Iraq, to the PostABC poll, which found that 58 percent of Americans believe we should keep our forces there until civil order is restored. Either can be used to support a particular side of the debate, but what do they actually say about the American people? Mr. Daly thinks the public has yet to form a coherent opinion of the question of troop pullout and that the "political battle is· still winnable for either side." That sounds about right. It's important to note, however, that the Post-ABC poll included the phrase "even if [keeping U.S. Forces in Iraq] means continued U.S. military casualties." That's essentially the heart of the matter, and 60 percent of Americans are still committed to victorv. Progress in Iraq ~ continue to wax and wane, as we rightly mourn each new casualty. But, underneath it all, Americans seem prepared to see the war to a successful conclusion and among those Americans are more gay people than the Gay Left would want to admit. Gay editors, publishers and activists do a disservice to our young soldiers and gay patriotic citizens when they suppress or ridicule knowledge or ___ expression of support of the war by gay people and try to portray the gay community as monolithically opposed to Mr. B:ish and the War on Terror, and even portray George W. Bush as an international terrorist. Matthew Veritas Tsien Florida Gold Coast Log Cabin Republicans '0e writer is a former Air Force Captain at Tm~er AFB, Oklahoma and Director of Presuient Ronald Reagan's lobbying organization in Washington, D. C. He also taught political science at Tulsa junior College and served on the Tulsa County Human Rights Commission during 1986- 87. The Pink Triangle The Pink Triangle was used by the Nazis to signify homosexuals. Although, homosexuals were only one of the groups targeted for extermination, it is unfortunately, the group that history often excludes .. The Pink Triangle defies anyone to deny history. In 1935 Hitler revised the German Law, Paragraph 175, prohibiting homosexualiry, by including kissing, embracing, and gay fantasies as well as sexual acrs. Convicted offenders- an estimated 25,000 from 1937 to 1939, were sent to prison and later transferred to concentration camps. They were to be sterilized, most often by castration. Hitler changed his policy on homosexuality to include death in 1942. A yellow Star of David under a superimposed Pink Triangle represented Gay Jewish prisoners- by the social hierarchy, the lowest of all prisoners. Seo es by Jack Fertig AUGUST 2005 ''Play doctor, Pisces!" Mercury retrograding past the Sun in Leo is so Norma Desmond: arrogant miscommunications, plans gone awry, and that great line, ''We didn't need words. We had faces!" Neptune opposes them, feedin:g confusion. Jupiter and Venus offer some harmony, but in weaker aspects. You may charm your way out of trouble, with some effort. Don't schedule anything too tightly, and be ready to forgive screw-ups you may need such mercy yourselfl ARIES (Much 20 - April 19): Right now you can't win at anything, but don't let that stop you from playing for funsies. Well, you could be lucky in love, especially at a gym or a spa, if you can, manage to be humble and self-critical. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Domestic squabbles feed worries about. your reputation and opportunities for advancement. One has nothing to do with the other, unless you make it a selffulfilling prophecy. Artsy-crafts~ activities help you keep perspective. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Stay home and have fun with family or close friends. Going out and expressing your opinions will just get you into trouble. If_ you really need adventure, get a forctgn or surrealist film, perhaps one by Cocteau or Jodorowsky. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Erotic adventures beckon, but will lead to trouble. Keeping bu,y around your home and .in the community will offer better opportunities for fun and provide helpful perspectives on crirrent money troubles. LEO OuJ.y 2~ - August ~: Be modest and sclf.,.ef&cing. Well, do your best. Expect.rude sw:priscs from your p:umer. Your big mouth. could orily make 1t worse. If you need to get something off your chest. write it as poetry and share it with a friend. VIRGO (August 23 September 22): Your dreams should be especially interesting now and may even offer lucrative inspirations. Minor illnesses could be warnings of far worse ahead - unless you nip them in the bud. Nothing's too small to merit looking into! LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Doing good is its own reward, but charity performed now will earn all kinds of extra points. If that's why you're doing it, your motivation will be called into question, so be sure to do something that your heart is really into. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Involve colleagues in efforts to reorganize at work. This may seem to create problems, but actually will uncover already existing problems. Your boss may need some extra convincing, so have your evidence ready! SAGITIARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Apologies and selfcorrection will actually help you shine at work. Despite a bit of confusion in the short run, the humility and honesty of the process will earn you great respect. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Watch out for power struggles at work. Your natural · flair for analyzing such games will help you unravel nasty little schemes and appear heroic in your solutions. Erotic temptations carry hidden costs. Don't let your libido hijack your brain! AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): One would expect arguments to diminish sexual passions, but nowadays your love of debate could land you in thrilling situations! Yield points in intellectual combat, and you could win on the field of love. PISCES (February 19 - Mardi 19): Pay close attention to your health. Moderate exercise - review and revise your routines! - and spas are helpful. Meditation is especially good for you now. If you don't need a doctor, play doctor! Jack Fertig has b«n working as a professional 11Strologer since 1977 and is a fo1mding member of the Assocwtion for Astrological Networking. You can find copies of the STA.Rat these 4 stat.es business & organtzations. ARKANSAS KANSAS Arkansas, Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Events - - www.diversitypride.com MCC Living Spring - - - -870-253-9337 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Studio 716- -716 W. Sycamore- - - 479-571-130 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads- 10041/2 Garrison Ave- - 479-783-9988 Club 1022 - -1022 Dodson Ave. - - - -479-782-1845 Arkansas, Hot Springs (501) Our House Lounge 660 E. Grand Ave- -624-6868 Arkansas, Little Rock (501) Back Street - -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - 501-664-2744 Diamond State Rodeo Assoc.- - - - -www.dsra.org Discovery- -1021 Jessie Rd- -- - - - - 501-666-6900 The Factory -412 Louisiana St.- -501-372-3070 Kansas, Pittsburg {620) River of Life Church 1709 N Walnut -MAM PSU-QSA.- - 1701 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 Fantuy- - - 3201 S. Hillside- -316-682-5494 The Otherside- -447 N. St Francis- 316-262-7825 Shatai 4000 S. Broadway- 316-522--2028 Sidestreet Mens Bar -1106 S. Pattie- -316-267-0324 South 40 - - - 3201 S. Hillside -316-682-5494 Trends Bar - -1507 S. Pawnee- 316-262-4530 That G.ly Group, W.S.U. - -- 316-978-7010 Missouri, Ava Catus Canyon Campground- - - - 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Ree's- - - - 716 S. Main - - - - - - - - 417-627-9035 MCC Spirit of Chrisr-2902 E 20th, - -Sun-6pm M111ouri, Kansas City (816) Buddies - - - - - 3715 Main St - - 816-561-2600 Club N-V - - - 220 Admiral Blvd- - 816-421-NVKC DB Warehouse- -- 1915 Maio St- - - -816-471-1575 Missie B's- - - -805 W. 39th St- - 816-561-0625 Sidestreet Bar - - - -413 E. 3rd- - - - - 816-531-1775 Sidekicks Saloon - - 3707 Main St- - 8!6- 931-1430 Missouri, Lampe KOKOMO Campground--- - - 417-779-5084 MISSOURI DKLAHDMA M111ouri, Springfield (417) The Edge- -424 Boonville Ave- - - - - --417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- -518 E. Commerical- -869-3978 Liquors & Kickers- -1109 E. Commercial-873-2225 Martha's Vineyard- 219 W Olive - - - 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 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 Finish Line - -2200 NW 39th Ex:p'-"1'· - 405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant-2200 NW 39Exp405-525-0730 HollywoodHotel- 3535 NW 39th Ex- 405-947-2351 Habana Ion - 2200 NW 39th Exp- - - 405-528-2221 Hi-Lo Club - - 1221 NW SOth- - -405-843-1722 Jungle Red, - - - 2200 NW Expwy- - - 405-524-5733 Partners- - - -2805 NW 36th St - - - - 405-942-2199 Piece To Remembcr-2131 NW 39th- -405-528-2223 Priscilla's- 615 E. Memorial - - - - - -405-755-8600 Red Rocle. North-2240 NW39th St- - --405-525-5165 Sii:ters- - - - - 2120 NW 39th St- - - - -405-521-9533 The Rockies- - -3201 N. May Ave - - - - 405-947-9361 Topanga Grill & Bu- 3535 NW 39th-- 405-947-2351 Oklahoma, Tulia (918) Bamboo Lounge- 7204 E. Pine - - -- - : 918-836-8700 Club Maverick:- - 822 S. Sheridan - - -918-835-3301 Dreamland Blu -- 8807 E. Admiral Pl - -834-1051 FJite Boobtore -814 S. Sheridan- - - 918-838-8503 End Up Club- - - 424 S. Memorial- - -918-836-2480 Flamingos Club- - -7915 E. 21st St - - -918-622-6339 GLBT Comm. Ctr- -5545 E. -4-lst- - - - 918-743-4297 The Detour- - - - -7944 E. 21st- - - - - - 918-270-2428 Club Majestic- - 124 N. Boston - - - - 918-584-9494 Renegades- - - 1649 S. Main- - - - - - - 918-585-3405 Priscilla's - - - - - 7925 E. 41st - - - - - - -918-627-4884 Priscilla', - - - - 5634 W. Slcelly - - - - -918-446-6336 Priscilla's - - - -11344 E. 11th - - - - - - -918-438-4224 Priscilla's - - - 2333 E. 71st - - - a -- - -918-499-1661 Tulsa CARES- -3507 E. Admiral Pl- - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Eagle- - - - -1338 E. 3rd- - - - - - - 918-592-1188 TNT's - - - - 2114 S. Memorial- - - - - 918-660-0856 Undcrguy.com - - -15 B. Brady - - - - - 918-829-0824 Whittier News Stand- - 1 N. Lewis- - 918-592-0767 Yellow-Brick-Rd- - -2630 E. 15th- - - - 918-293-0304 Outlets wishing to distrlbute FREE copies of the STAR, contact us at 918.835.7887 9am to 4pm mon - fri or email: ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net J I 1 'I Page 37 NEW cART □□ N "Bitter Girl" blttergir10 Page 39 '124 N. Boston- - Tulsa OK·~· 918 . .58;i;g494. · .. , .. •·.···· ,. ' ... . -.! . . . . ·.···.•;·. T:owts.oay Night$ - Rachael Erikks MGP{z0()4 :·swndc1yNights CatiaLee Love MGA2Q06 "Ttll:frsday .and Suriday - 18-ta enter; 2 Ltci Mrink · · · · · d Satutday Dance ;Party ..:. 21, to .enter ' 9:tltill 2 a .. ·fh4r$dav: ~ Sunday nights .... .Suiid,ay: Nights come .. ergaf ie antics of Catia b~laye;Mokaa K.. a ·n·'·d y··· ·Ka·i n, lifian;~Sitbl.and guests. Thu~d~y·Nights Racheal Emks tiatf{itup for a pork chop. orrTalent Search Thursdaf s; Congratulations to T abilha Taylor. - Miss Oay Oklahoma America ·2005 PAGE 40 CABARET SHOW Shanel and Friends Saturday Aupt 2ott' Show Time Midnight THE STAR EVENTS DAWGDA.YSOF RH> saturday August 20th 9:00 AM.CLUB 1022 All Bl(es Welcome AUGUST 200S ICHEUE MAYRlll> Direct from Austin( Saturday August 2'11' Show Time 11 :30 PM www.micheliemayfietd.com w.~u DO/H~ IT Alt FOR YOU AT~,,,. ton, 1022 Dodson AWN.Mt C: L ... El Open Friday a Saturday fort Smith, AR 72901 - ----- 9 PM until 5 AM (◄79) 782-1845 'II C. ~ ~ www.club1022.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 [2005] The Star Magazine, August 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 08 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 01, 2005 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 Michael Dee Douglas Glenn 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 PDF Online text Language A language of the resource English 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, July 1, 2004; Volume 2, Issue 7 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/217 The Star Magazine, September 1, 2005; Volume 2, Issue 9 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/222 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/222 acceptance advertisement Advice Bamboo Lounge Bitter Girl Cartoon equality fire gay bar gay bar fire Hollywood Hotel home owning Lesbian Notions marriage equality National news Q Scopes Quotable Quotes Scott & Scott Spain-Gay marriage Star Scene The Pink Triangle Uncle Mikey vacation https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/14ec1b9dd25dcc6bde36908ab0108198.jpg aa8eb2daf434cd3f5ed45d6669c2b982 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/d50ec4fb7c387a28a8bcf2495466e7f2.pdf 20fe6bcfe5415b937c36e3b5b1f84344 PDF Text Text �2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �~ G~.~T $1URVII~Y 88.6% of combined Gays and Lesbians voted in the 2004 Presidential Hection. For the 2006 Mid-Term Hection 81.7% combined Gay and Lesbian readers voted. HRC and NGLTF comment on the history making GLBT Forum August 9th on LOGO TV. Finley, a heterosexual woman and the best known of the four, was renowned for smearing chocolate on her naked body to represent the degrad.ation of women. The Chardonnay grape variety is a classic white wine grape grown all around the world. The original fame of Chardonnay comes from its success in the region of France. Gay Travelers: USA Gay Landmarks Out of Town: Russian River, CA Dining In or OUT L.ESB~AN NOTIONS GLBT Forum revue: I have to hand it to Mike Gravel though. He referred to "the gays" twice, but used the word "gay" 10 times! F~TNESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. STAR DISTRIBUTION: ON THE COVER: GLBT Forum Participants 4 the STAR OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY www.ozarksstar.corn �Ne t E ecdon could be decided by Gays and Lesbians San Francisco-based Community Marketing Inc. conducted a nationwide survey earlier this year that the STAR and you, our readers took part. The study found an astounding 92% of gay male respondents (92.5%) reported that they voted in the 2004 presidential election with nearly 84% (83.8%) reporting that they voted in the mid-term election in 2006. Results for lesbians were similar with nearly 91% (90.7%) of lesbian respondents reporting that they voted in the 2004 presidentia! election and 78% reporting that they voted in the mid-term election in 2006. In comparison, media reports estimate that 64% of the general population voted in the 2004 presidential election and just 40% of the general population voted in the 2006 mid-term election. Results of the STAR survey, readers were slightly lower with 88.6% of combined Gays and Lesbians voting in the 2004 Presidential Election. For the 2006 MidTerm Election 81.7% combined Gay and Lesbian readers voted. In comparison to the general population that is still an impressive difference for GLBT Oklahomans and the region. Among the results from the STAR survey we found interesting was on the question, "Importance of Gay Marriage" only 30% of our readers thought it was the most important issue. While 57.6% settled for Domestic Partnership and/or_civil union recognition. 12.3% felt there were more important GLBT issues. In the STAR "Commentary" this issue, James Nimmo addresses the question of " How We Should Address the Gay and Lesbian Community" This is what our survey found on the same question. 38.6% said "Gay & Lesbian", 35% said "GLBT", 19.9% "LGBT", 17% "Gay Men or Worneft’ and 12.3% suggested "Alternative". I thank our readers for the great response we had for the STAR in this very important survey of our community. We will be publishing more results in coming issues. Sincerely, Charles (Chaz) Ward www.ozarksstar.com New National Survey Shows Gays and Lesbians Outpace U.S. Average in Voting Participation Respondents: Homosexuality I4/71l Still Be a Divisive Issue in Ten Yeats SAN FRANCISCO, CA A new national survey reveals that gay and lesbian consumers are far more likely to have voted in the last presidential and midterm elections than the population in general. Significant numbers of both gay men and lesbians also donated to a political party in the past year. The survey also found that despite significant social and political progress over the past decade, majorities of both gays and lesbians believe homosexuality will remain a "divisive" issue in ten years. The survey results are included in the Gay Consumer IndexTM and Lesbian Consumer IndexTM, precedent-setting national surveys of more than 12,000 gay Americans and 10,000 lesbian Americans conducted by Community Marketing Inc. in spring 2007 and set to be released later this month. "The results of the Gay Consumer Index and Lesbian Consumer Index demonstrate that the political parties would be smart to pay attention to the issues that mean the most to gay and lesbian voters," declared Tom Roth, president of Community Marketing Inc. "We have far more at stake than the average voter and we’re therefore far more engaged in the political process." Slighdy more than 31 percent of lesbian respondents (31.1%) reported that they made a financial contribution to a political party in the past twelve months. Forty percent (40.1%) of gay male respondents reported that they made a financial contribution m a politica! party in the past twelve months. And finally, large majorities of gay male and lesbian respondents agreed with the statement that "homosexuality will still be a divisive issue in the USA in 10 years." A new national survey reveals that gay and lesbian consumers are far more likely to have voted in the last presidential and midterm elections than the population in general. Significant numbers of both gay men and lesbians also donated to a political party in the past year. The survey also found that despite significant social and political progress over the past decade, majorities of both gays and lesbians believe homosexuality will remain a "divisive" issue in ten years. The survey results are included in the Gay Consumer IndexTM and Lesbian Consumer IndexTM, precedent-setting national surveys of more than 12,000 gay Americans and 10,000 lesbian Americans conducted by Community Marketing Inc. in spring 2007 and set to be released later this month. "The results of the Gay Consumer Index and Lesbian Consumer Index studies demonstrate that the political parties would be smart to pay attention to the issues that mean the most to gay and lesbian voters," declared Tom Roth, president of Community Marketing Inc. "We have far more at stake than the average voter and we’re therefore far more engaged in the political process." More than 92% of gay male respondents (92.5%) reported that they voted in the 2004 presidential election with nearly 84% (83.8%) reporting that they voted in the mid-term election in 2006. Results for lesbians were similar with nearly 91% (90.7%) of lesbian respondents reporting that they voted in the 2004 presidential election and 78% reporting that they voted in the midterm election in 2006. In comparison, media reports estimate that 64% of the general population voted in the 2004 presidential election and just 40% of the general population voted in the 2006 mid-term election. Slightly more than 31 percent of lesbian respondents (31.1%) reported that they made a financial contribution to a political party in the past twelve months. Forty percent (40.1%) of gay male respondents reported that they made a financial contribution to a political party in the past twelve months. And finally, large majorities of gay male and lesbian respondents agreed with the statement that "homosexuality will still be a divisive issue in the USA in 10 years." Community Marketing, Inc., founded in 1992, is the global leader in gay and lesbian market research, strategies and communications. More info: www. CommunityMarketinglnc.com Rivendell Media, Inc., America’s leading gay and lesbian media placement firm, co produced the Gay TM Consumer Index" and Lesbian Consumer Index studies, which were sponsored, in part, by Absolut. More info: www.RivendellMedia.co m the STAR 5 �I before E excep after C. L be£ore G excep Be£ore B ? How Equallity by Jim Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ A few days ago I was in an email exchange with some gay guys and the thread was about the spelling of our orientational moniker/acronym commonly used as a short hand to describe us in the media. Is it LGBT or GLBT? And there’s even LGBTQi which resembles a row on the computer keyboard. There was even the suggestion of SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) but say it out loud and it sounds like an adjective some of us could use to name the after effects of sexual exertion rather than sexual orientation. This year our 2007 Oklahoma City Parade was prefixed with GLBTI, which again, said out loud, sounds like a word for insincerity. Why should any particular letter come before the other? With my tongue, GLBT comes out easier than LGBT with a more defined rhythm, but I’m just referring to ease of speech; being a musician I’m attuned to that anyway. We often hear the phrase "men and women" but we also hear "ladies and gentlemen." Why do we say "salt and pepper" and not the other way round? Knife and fork, birds and bees, paper and pencil? for their own gender-emotionally, romantically, and erotically--are referred to as gay, period. A~ I going to get hate mail from the women because I would drop the "lesbian" term? I could just as easily expand my dream world and drop the "gay" word altogether and let people have their sexual expression without hang-ups about words and the straight-world permission or opprobrium these red-flag words convey. This is what ,ve had, etymologically, before the prudo-pseudo-scientific "advances" of the Victorian era, when the word "homosexual" was invented. Before that time sex between men was plain sodomy, sex between women was just affection. Even farther back in some societies, sex between older and younger men was the transmission of the spirit and continuation of the life force which enabled young men to become leaders and progenitors in their tribes. The female will ALWAYS be superior anyway. It’s possible for them to conceive by parthenogenesis--no male required! But of course, the gay orientation is not about sexual reproduction as our enemies and two State Supreme Court decisions from 2006 would have us believe. Gayness is about having the right to privacy to exercise our affectional and emotional bonds as we like with consenting adults. Gayness is about having the same rights as any other man or woman who has chosen opposite-gender marriage or co-habitation, with or without progeny. Unless we exert with growing force our birth-right entitlement to equality, we’re going to be seen by our enemies as insincere. I would like to spell my orientation like this: AMERICAN. Well, I think our equality movement IS about exertion and certainly NOT about insincerity. And why should we develop these sensitivities about spellings and acronyms? In my dream world (not to be confused with my fantasy world) people with a yen 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �w~ev.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �GINGER ~MAR Recognized by Keller Williams For outstanding achievement 2005 and 2006 and Stephanie DeBarse l~A LTY Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 REALTOI~ Susan Leah Whether buying or selling I’ll work hardforyou. "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST properties are our PEOPLE’ 4301 NW 63rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 www.c21goldcastle.com Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Cal~ STAR ADVlERT~S~NG today. 8)835o7887 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �OKLAI OMAN W’INNER OF THE LIFETIME COMMITMENT AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL STONEW-ALL DEMOCRATS "Gay People Aren’t Broken, and They Don’t Need Fixing" he came out to us at the age of 36. Today he is an attorney in Washington D,C., and we have attended functions together of the Stonewall Democrats, but at the time we had no idea. He’d had an outstanding background. In high school he had been Student Body President & an Eagle Scout, and later served in the air force as a flight instructor before becoming an attorney. Although it was a surprise, we told him it didn’t bother us. We also adopted a young gay man, Eli Moque Grayson, who is now living in California and is an interior designer. He’s worked on some distinguished homes including the late Bob Hope. VICTOR: The Mary Lou Lemon Humanitarian Award, given by the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, is named after your late wife. Obviously she was a great friend and inspiration. How long were you married? BOB’. 52 years and 2 days. We had met at a high school get together on Lake Fryor near Perry ton. She was a beautiful, blonde blue eyed woman, and I had lots of competitors. We got married when we were both in college, I attended Oklahoma A&M ( now OSU) and she was at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma.. We had a wonderful life, raised wonderful children, and she was a champion for equality for everyone. VICTOR: You later had gotten involved with P-Flag? Photo: Bob Lemon wit/~ daughter Robyn Lemon Sellers This year’s winner was Oklahoma’s own Bob Lemon, a longtime friend of the GLBT community and overal! champion for progressive causes. No stranger to honors, this year he also received the Irene Tyson Award from the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. He’s the proud dad of 5 grown children (Del, Jim, Robyn, Chrys & Hi Moque). The contributions and support he has given the GLBT community are truly too numerous to list here, but now he shares some of his reflections about what it means to him as well BOB: Yes, we had gotten involved and been to their national meetings. When I was on the board of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Perryton, which I thought was a liberal church, I had made a motion to allow P-Flag to meet at our church, as did many others groups. That motion got a few minutes of discussion before it was voted down, 35-1, and I was the dissenting vote. Our efforts to change their attitudes were unsuccessful. Soon after that we left that church." VICTOR: You joined Mayflower UCC when you moved to Oklahoma City in 2000. BOB: We attended a few times and fell in love with it, beginning when we read their" open and affirming" statement. Not all churches then were so accepting. as us. INTERVIEW By Victor Gorin VICTOR: You are a longtime champion of equality for the GLBT community. What got you started on that path? VICTOR: What is hardest for older people to give up their prejudices? ........................ Continued page-23 BOB: My first real awareness of this issue happened when we were at a convention of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kansas City during 1977. Mary Lou and I learned of a minister who was forced to resign from his church because his son was gay. We were living in Perryton Texas then, and very loyal to our church and our denomination. In 1979 at another convention in St. Louis, Mary Lou and I attended a workshop on homosexuality. It was headed by a medical doctor from Oklahoma University who maintained that gayness was not a choice, that they were "naturally that way." Throughout the years we read a great deal about gay history and equality. VICTOR: Later on it touched your own family. BOB: Our interest really peaked when 1993 when Mary Lou and I learned, to our complete surprise, that our son Chris was gay when ~wvw.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 9 �Uo So Court o£Appeals Upholds Decision Striking Down Oklahoma’s Adop, on InvM dat on Law in Lawsuit Brought by L bda LegM ’The Adoption Invalidation Law was reckless legislation that jeopardized the safety and well being of children and undermined parents’ rights.’ DENVER, CO__ August 3, 2007 -- In a 35-page decision, a panel of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit rejected the Oklahoma Department of Health’s challenge to a lower court decision striking down an Oklahoma law so.extreme that it threatened to make children adopted by same-sex couples in other states legal orphans when the families are in Oklahoma. The ruling is important not only in Oklahoma, but also to families across the United States, including in Seattle and Houston, home to two of the families who joined in the suit. "Today’s decision supports the lower court’s finding that same-sex couples who choose to adopt are entitled under the U.S. Constitution to have their relationships with their children respected in every state," said Ken Upton, Senior StaffAttorney in Lambda Legal’s South Central Regional Office and lead attorney on the case. "N~e Adoption Invalidation Law was reckless legislation that jeopardized the safety and well-being of children and undermined parents’ rights." Although the governor and attorney general were content to abide by the lower court’s finding, the Oklahoma Commissioner of Health sought review of a part of the judgment that required the Department of Health to issue an amended birth certificate to the adopted child of a same-sex couple that accurately reflected both women as the child’s legal parents. The Court rejected the challenge and affirmed the judgment requiring issuance of a proper birth certificate. In doing so, the 10th Circuit panel also agreed with Lambda Legal that the law violated the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 10 the STAR In the opinion released today, U. S. Senior Circuit Judge David M. Ebel wrote, "final adoption orders by a state court of competent jurisdiction are judgments that must be given full faith and credit under the Constitution by every other state in the nation. Because the Oklahoma statute at issue categorically rejects a class of out-of-state adoption decrees, it violates the Full Faith and Credit Clause." The Adoption Invalidation Law, hastily passed at the end of the 2004 Oklahoma legislative session, had said that Oklahoma "shall not recognize an adoption by more than one individual of the same sex from any other state or foreign jurisdiction." Lambda Legal argued that the law was unconstitutional based on the United States Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process, as ~vell as the mandates of the Full Faith and Credit Clause. Today’s decision leaves intact a decision by the U.S. Court for the Western District of Oklahoma that agreed with these challenges and held that the statute indeed violates the United States Constitution by singling out a specific group. Neither the governor nor the attorney general of Oklahoma challenged the trial court’s decision that struck down the antigay Adoption Invalidation Law. The appellate court’s decision also requires the Oklahoma Department of Health to issue a birth certificate to the daughter of a samesex couple in Oklahoma accurately listing the names of both parents. In addition to same-sex couples raising children in Oklahoma, the ruling benefits samesex couples and their families in other states, including two of the couples who brought suit, Heather Finstuen and Anne Magro, now living in Houston, and Ed Swaya and Greg Hampel of Seattle, by ensuring they can travel in Oklahoma without fear their children will be rendered legal orphans. Ken Upton, Senior StaffAttorney in Lambda Legal’s South Central Regional Office in Dallas, is lead attorney on the case, with assistance from Senior StaffAttorney Brian Chase. Sandy Ingraham of Ingraham & Associates, EL.L.C. in McLoud, Oklahoma, served as cooperating attorney in Finstuen et al v. Edmondson et al. Tulsa GLBT leader addresses new AIDS/ Americorp volunteers By Joey De To most people, leaving town only a week after starting a new job would be a nightmare. To Oklahomans for Equality’s new Interim Executive Director Justice Waidner, it was an opportunity to give back to a program that she feels changed her life and began a life career in service. Waidner, who assumed her new role at OKEq on Aug. 1, addressed the latest teams of National Aids Fund/Americorp members just a few days later in Washington, DC on Aug. 11. The teams, who traveled from seven cities around the nation, including Tulsa, were undergoing their annual "preservice" training before beginning their year of HIV/AIDS related service. A two-term alumnus of the Americorp program, Waidner took the opporttlnity to share with the group the gravity of the realities they will face, as well as the humanity of service. "The opportunity to serve our communities in this fashion through educating people about this insidious disease and supporting those living with it truly is an awesome life changing gift," said Waidner. Using her personal stories about engaging drifter youths, befriending an HIV-positire eight year old and having to give her first positive test result, \Vgaidner spoke deeply and personally to the group to prepare them for the year ahead. "You will educate, fight inequality, challenge stigma, support, rise up, be present, and stand on the side of social justice. You will be changed and make change," she emphasized. W’aidner was later asked to administer the Americorp Oath of Service to the group, officially marking the end of their training and the beginning of their one year service commitment. "You are my version of gels in America,’" she remarked just shortly before. For information about the National AIDS fund or the Americorp program visit www.aidsfund.org. www.ozarksstar.com �STATEMENT FROM HUMAN GHTS CAMPAIGN ON DEMOCRATIC P SIDENTIAL FORUM WASHINGTON, DC __ On August 9, 2007, the Democratic presidential candidates took part in a national forum on issues facing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, sponsored jointly by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Logo. The following is a statement by Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese on the event: "This was an important night in the fight for equality for GLBT Americans. We pulled the curtain back a bit and gave all Americans a deeper look inside the candidates’ core beliefs about the issues that affect our community. From repealing ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ supporting equal employment rights, providing full funding for the HIV/AIDS epidemic, to eliminating the Defense of Marriage Act, these candidates went on record and committed to fighting for equality in all sectors of our society. Unfortunately, we have more work to do. The overwhelming majority of the candidates do not support marriage equality. While we heard very strong commitments to civil unions and equality in federa! rights and benefits, their reasons for opposing equality in civil marriage tonight became even less clear. Over the course of the presidential campaign, we will continue to ask these questions and demand real answers from the candidates who appeared -- and from those who didn’t show up. The next president must be committed to not only doing what’s achievable, but also what’s right." The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. Great, now say it on the stump. "Slll good and some great, but now we need all the candidates --particularly the f~ontrunners -- to take a standfor us on the stump, in j~ont ofall audiwaces. " Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. WASHINGTON, DC__ The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates, except for Sens. Joe Biden and Christopher Dodd, addressed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues at a forum aired Augkust 9th on the Logo cable channel. Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. discrimination and hate violence, repealing ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and rights for our families. In 2004, at a similar forum also organized by our friends at the Human Rights Campaign, Democratic presidential candidates said the same thing. ’Tkll good and some great, but now we need all the candidates, particularly the frontrunners, to take a stand for us on the stump, in front of all audiences. The Republican side hasn’t given up using gay people for political gain and most of the Republican candidates bash us everpvhere they go. But so far, the Democratic frontrunners rarely talk about us except at our events, such as tonight, or when asked a specific question, and even then, they tend to freeze up. "That’s got to stop. We challenge the Democratic frontrunners to step from behind the lavender curtain and consistently, unapologetically speak for our fundamental humanity everywhere they go. "On behalf of our national community, we want to thank Joe Solmonese, Melissa Etheridge, Jonathan Capehart and Margaret Carlson for pressing the candidates on key issues, including marriage equality." McPride Family Picnic in Chadick Park, McAl[ester -Saturday, September 22nd, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. MCALESTER, OK(PR)__McPride is hosting the Third Annual Family Picnic, Saturday, September 22nd at Chadick Park, McMester, OK (6th and Delaware), from 11 a.m. until 5p.m. for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, allied (GLBTA) and interested people. The picnic wil! feature speakers, singers, games, booths of information and fun for all people - gay and straight alike. Come out for an afternoon of fun and heart warming experiences. (Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed in Chadick Park.) Living up to our mission, we believe it is important to create an opportunity for GLBTA people to be visible and to share our pride in who we are, express the love and acceptance of our families, create an opportunity to meet and get to know us. You have an opportunity to be involved on many levels in this great event. Plan to attend, be a sponsoring organization/church, a supporter, an entertainer, or a volunteer. Help make this picnic a bigger success than last year’s! Table space is available for pro-GLBTA groups who would like to display and/or sell resources at the picnic. Space must be reserved in advance. Contact Paul at 918-329-7820 or www.mcpride.org more information. "It’s great that tonight the 2008 Democratic candidates reiterated their support for many issues critical to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, like long-stalled protections from www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 �WHERE THE DE OC TBC CANDidATES STAN An analysis of the candidates’ questionnaires on issues of concern to the GLBT community Federal Recognition of State-Level Same-Sex Unions 1 Supports recognition by the federal government of a state’s legal recognition of same-sex couples for purposes of fe.deral benefits and tax treatment HUMA~q RIGHTS CAMPAIGN~ 4- ENDA Supports passage of a federal bill prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity Hate Crimes Supports passage of a federal bill that gives authority to the federal government to investigate and prosecute violent crimes motivated by bias against the victim because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability Same-Sex IVlarriage Supports allowing civil marriage rights for same-sex couples Civil Unions Supports civil unions for same-sex couples Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples Supports extending federal benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities to same-sex couples and their children provided the partnership meets certain federal standards of commitment and mutuality of interest Coverage Under the FIVILA Supports expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover domestic partners and their children Access to Survivor Benefits Supports paying survivor benefits to the same-sex partners of gay and lesbian people 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �+ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ + ÷ + union b~¢~n c~-~e m~ a~qd eaa woma~ ~ husb~.nd a~d ~e~ and the word !s~ase referson~to~a~~esex~,~ !s:a~sbar’,d ~a www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 �August 1990 (17 years ago last month): The National Endowment for the Arts rejects an appeal from four artists who 10st funding due to the controversial content of their work. Who were the NEA Four? he "NEA Four" - a gay man, a bisexual man, a lesbian, and a heterosexual feminist - played a prominent role in the culture wars of the late 1980s and early 1990s, when they challenged the withdrawal of their funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and a decency clause imposed on grant recipients. Founded in 1965, the NEA was mandated to consider cultural diversity in its funding decisions. But by the mid-1980s, public support for the arts was threatened by an increasingly conservative political climate. In 1989, Republican la~vmakers and religious right groups launched a campaign against what they deemed morally objectionable art. Opponents ~vere particularly incensed that NEA funds had indirectly supported the work of Robert Mapplethorpe - renowned for his homoerotic and sadomasochistic images - and Andres Serrano, who photographed a crucifix in a jar of urine. During a time of moral panic about homosexuality and AIDS, conservative columnist Patrick Buchanan, among others, saw public funding of controversial art as a key battleground in a "culture war" against traditional values. At the behest of Rep. Dick Armey (R-Texas), more than 100 legislators signed a letter to NEA chair John Frohnmayer threatening to withhold federal support if the agency continued to fund "morally reprehensible trash." In the fall of 1989, Congress passed an amendment - introduced by Republican North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms - barring the use of federal money to support work that could be considered obscene, induding "depictions of sadomasochism, homoeroticism, the sexual exploitation of children, or individuals engaged in sex acts." Following a vociferous debate, Congress reauthorized the NEA in 1990, but added a provision that the agency must consider not 14 the STAR only artistic merit, but also "general standams of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs of the American public." In June of that year, citing the new clause and "certain political realities," Frohnmayer rejected grants to four solo performance artists - Karen Finley, Holly Hughes, John Fleck, and Tim Miller - that had been unanimously recommended by a peer review panel. Finley, a heterosexual woman and the best known of the four, was renowned for smearing chocolate on her naked body to represent the degradation of women. Hughes (a lesbian and former anti-porn feminist), Fleck (a gay man whose act included urinating onstage - but not, as accused, on a Bible), and Miller (a bisexual AIDS activist) all included explicit homosexual themes in their work. In addition to the NEA Four, conservatives also objected to federal funding for Marion Riggs’ film about the black gay experience, Tongues Untied (1989), the GLBT film company Frameline, and the work of Ron Athey, an HIV-positive artist who incorporated ritual body raodification and bloodletting into his performances. Civil libertarians and queer activists reacted with outrage to the encroachment on freedom of expression, but little support came from the straight left or the mainstream arts establishment, because, as Hughes explained, "anxieties about sexuality, the body, and race are not just anxieties of the right, they are anxieties also of downtown artists." After the NEA rejected their request for an appeal in August 1990, the four defunded artists - with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights - filed a lawsuit in federal court demanding reinstatement of their grants and rescinding of the NEA’s decency provision, arguing that the guidelines were vague and unconstitutional. In 1992, federal district judge Wallace Tashima ruled in their favor; the government, he said, does not have "free rein to impose whatever content restrictions it chooses," since "the right of artists to challenge conventional wisdom and values is a cornerstone of artistic and academic freedom." Four years later, the Ninth Circuit Court upheld Tashima’s ruling. The NEA Four won a settlement reinstating their original grants and awarding legal costs, but the Clinton administration appealed the lower court decision regarding the decency clause. In June 1998, the Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 8 to 1 that Congress has wide latitude to set spending priorities. Wrote Justice Antonin Scalia, "Avant-garde artistes...remain entirely free to epater la bourgeoisie [shock the middle class]; they are merely deprived of the additional satisfaction of having the bourgeoisie taxed to pay for it." However, the sole dissenting justice, David Souter, said that the law carried "a significant power to chill artistic production and display." Mthough the original NEA implementation language stated that it was the government’s proper role "to help create and sustain not only a climate encouraging freedom of thought, imagination, and inquiry, but also the material conditions facilitating the release of this creative talent," the NEA Four case illustrated a shift in public support for the arts. In 1996, Congress cut the agency’s budget from a high of more than $170 million to less then $100 million, and the NEA ceased funding individual performance artists; legislators increased the budget in subsequent years, but never to its former level. Perhaps an even more profound outcome was the chilling effect it had on artists. "There’s enormous commercial pressure to be more mainstream," said Hughes. ’’A lot of the counter-cultural edge has really disappeared." For further reading: Bolton, Richard (editor). 1992. Culture W-ars: Documents from the Recent Controversies in the Arts (Ne~v Press). Brenson, Michael. 2001. Visionaries and Outcasts: The NEA, Congress, and the Place of the Visual Arts in America (New Press). Wallis, Brian, Marianne Weems, and Philip Yenawine (editors). 1999. Art Matters: How the Culture Wars Changed America (Ne~v York University Press). www.ozarksstar.com �In Memoriam EUREI’CA_ SPPdNGS, AR~55 antique dealers from 14 different states will converge on this Ozark town November 17 and 18 for the 19th Annual Eureka Springs Fall Antique Show and Sale. A special Wine & Cheese Preview will be held on Friday, November 16, 5:30-7 p.m. The popular yearly event will be held at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center, Hwy. 62 West. This is one of the ldckoffevents for the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Attendees will pay $10 for this first chance at the antiques brought by dealers from around the country. This fee covers all days. Regular show hours on Saturday are 10 am to 6 pm and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Admission price for this event is $ 2.50, good for both days. This well-attended show not only draws dealers from many states, it also brings customers fi’om as many as 23 different states. "By now, most antique lovers around this part of the country know that the third weekend in November and the third weekend in March are devoted to antiques here in Eureka Springs," according to Jane Baker. She and her husband, Dave, are show managers. "This is our 19th fall show and it looks to be better than ever," she added. For more information on the festival, contact Dave or Jane Baker at 479-253-7551 or bakerdj@cox.net. For details on Eureka Springs tourism, call 1-866-947-4387 or go online at www.eurekasprings.org. Michael Shane White 1971 - 2007 TULSA, OK __ Michael Shane White of Tulsa, born July 2, 1971 passed away August !3th, 2007 after a long fight with cancer. He is survived by his partner Jackie Hickey, father Chester and wife Barbara White of Sapulpa. His mother Roxanna Porter of Otdahoma City and sister Stephanie White of Choctaw, OK. Shane enjoyed his friends, family, traveling and tending the garden he and Jackie grew. He especially loved early morning walks in the garden when the roses and hibiscus were in bloom. Shane will be truly missed by his loving family and friends. 8 parts lemon (Absolute is good) 1 teaspoon Grand 1 teaspoon fresh lime Lemon twist Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled co£ktail glass and garnish on fwist. ~ ~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 ��~ fresh ~pper, ring of raw mp. martini and head chef deveined-can desired best pper )er powder over medium heat. ice, pepper, paprika, shrimp parsley, immediatel4 rice-bohemio-and a green ice jalapeno pepcan in mexican , Puerto Vallarta see �of Oz with see Donald Pile and Ray Williams ; red velvet sears and you besides seein hal ~ndmarks. ay Landmarks? Below is a list of some of our favorites: ueen ~travaganzas the Greenwich Village in New York was located a 53 Christopher Street. On from an overdose June she was buried and a wake byher gay" fans at the Stonewall Inn in New York. In the lr~ of2~ JMe the police decided to raid the StonewaJl. ~he tl ri0ts were a series o£violent conflicts between the New ps of gays rd mt began during the early anc ~ :l laste~t for ;evera~ da ~’s. AlsD called t~e , : 28~ rStonewalt, the clash was a watershed [I , as gay people had never large numbers to forcibly resist police. was vac.oait and closed for most of the in the early e. in New York is named after Milk, HARVEY M] San Francisco have set off mc earlier and D, but the seeds were in place much" (founded by Phillis Lyon )KSTO~, 15 Christopher ile’w ¯ Out of the ashes, Ztub was formed. Francisco. Be~bre mid dancing dwarves, br pushing [he envelope. ht ~n gay pride ~vhen it transparent windows on street side.. in the heart of the Castor district this COMMUNI~ CHURCH, 8714 Santa Mon24 countries. church in the world. Founded giving ¯ without undermining St. in New York City*. %e world s first gay and lesbian bookshop, it has been shop opene its ~oors fo of a store that Street, a block of the chain bookstores, is: www.oscarwiI- 429 Castro St, in San Francisco (photo 922, the Castro Theatre is San Francisco’s ........................ Continued n~t page www.ozarksstar.com �prawns served with a mango whittle white dipping sauce, Cherty Cola Caribbean BBQ Ribs, Chicken Satan; Cordon Bleu and a grilled Cornish hen with a orange tequila mad brandy sauce. They also serve t}esh steamed mussels euro style with whittle wine and chicken broth to name a few. ~q~eir grilled red snapper with Spa~> ish rice is to die for. N~ev even serve the best Itali~ meatloaf with twice baked potato this side of New York Cib" and Cajun friend chicken, baked ziti pasta and the best veggie burgers in the u,fiverse made ~r0m scratch fbr you vegetarian lovers. Care Bohemio has been written up i~ the New YorkTimes Sunday travel section. It is quite the gay travelers ~nner stop when in Puerto Valtarta. Reservations are re£0mmended on high ~eason Nov-April as they only have 17 tables. You can email as well lbr reservations at ca_febohemio@hotmail, corn or call when in town at 322-t34-2436. Chris and Sol hope to open a Care Bohemio in the near future in fabulous Palm Springs CA, Both are wonderful guys and good friends of ours. We wish them GRF~aiT SUCCESS! by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast HEMIO, Puerto Val~arta, Mexdco 127 Rodolfb Gomez is located in the roman?uerto Vallarta. Mexico, one block from the Dia de los leach axed located next to the San Marino Hotel. It’s locagay bars are located. former owners of the md B in San Francisco 3ened Care Bohemio 5 several years and have San Francisco. Sol is has created a fabulous inmrnational menu with a a~ veiT aflbrdable prices. "Ihey have a popular , hours daily from 5-7 and 11-midnight with 3ecials where drinks are 2 for 1 all iuesoays are tini "thesdays where martinis ¯ long. Wednesdays are also popular with their 2 is served al fresco outdoor dining under a large mango tables complete your bohemian experience is a memorable $10. American dollars - yes you heard ght! and all meals include at no extra cost homemade chips salsa- a cup of their famous soup of the day and fresh bread. not frozen and all desserts are made on the no pre-mixes 85% of their clients are repeat customers. Some of their dishes include Shrimp Coco Mango, jumbo coconut www.ozarksstar.com LOS N. Schrader Boulevard in Los _Angeles. ~Ihe first gay community center in the country began in 197t, It is the largest gay C0mmunivy center in the United States. MASSACHUSETTS SUPreME COURZ John Adams Court[, house, One Pemberton Square in B0S{0n. ~& the debate over marriage continues today, rhh Supreme Judici~ Court of Massachusetts took a big Step by becoming the first State to legalize same-sex marriage in May of 2004. landmar~ and it is a marvelous Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! the STAR 19 �I~orbel, one of the Russian River’s top wineries, offers tours of the property and also has a superb gourmet deli that’s perfect for picking up picnic supplies and light lunches. (Photo by Andrew Collins) chocolates. And Wayne Skata Jewelry & Antiques carries some of the most intriguing decorative items and household gifts around. Wine-tasting is a top pastime in these parts, and a great way to begin your explorations is by consulting with David DeVries and John Haggard, two knowledgeable and friendly experts on local wine who operate Sophie’s Cellars, a wonderful little wine and cheese shop in Monte Rio. These guys can recommend and make introductions for you at several high-quality, lesser-known vineyards, some that aren’t otherwise open to the public. Nestled in the redwood-shaded western reaches of Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley is one of Northern California’s most relaxing and gay-friendly weekend getaways. Although the area is occasionally ravaged by wintertime floods, it offers cool and typically sunny weather much of the year, especially in summer. The area comprises the towns of Guerneville, Forestville, Monte Rio, and - where the river empties into the Pacific - Jenner. Gay folks have been weekending here for more than three decades, and the area has always been a terrific spot for camping, canoeing, hiking, and simply relaxing amid peaceful and picturesque surroundings. More recently, the eastern reaches of the area have blossomed into a hub of superb wineries. Although a steady influx of well-heeled San Francisco professionals has given the Russian River a slightly more polished sensibility in recent years, Guerneville and its neighboring communities still look and feel unpretentious - even a bit raffish - compared with such swanky Wine Country towns as Healdsburg and Rutherford. This is a spot where flannel shirts and jeans are 20 the STAR as much in vogue as designer wear. Life here moves at a snail’s pace, and that’s how most locals prefer it. The river defines not only the community’s personality but also the region’s geography. It’s a threat, to be sure, but it’s also the reason devotees love the area. Perhaps the leading activities in summer are floating for several miles down the river on inner tubes and embarking on one of the popular canoe expeditions offered by Burke’s Canoes. For a spectacular hike, drive a few miles north of town to 800-acre Armstrong \Voods, home to some of the tallest and oldest trees in northern California. If you’re hit with a rainy day, fear not: Downtown Guerneville holds an increasingly intriguing selection of shops. Possibilities include the Five & Dime, with its old-fashioned candy section and offbeat gifts; Stone’s River Feed, a whimsically stocked pet-supplies store; River Reader, a quirky bookshop with a GLBT section; and Kings & Q~eens, which stocks cool vintage threads. At Hemp & Chocolat, you can pick up - you guessed it - hemp clothing and accessories, along with gorgeous handmade If you’re out exploring on your own, the best winery-hopping plan is to drive east of Guerneville on River Road. Just outside of town, stop at Korbel Champagne Cellars, which is headquartered in a century-old, creeper-covered brick building. The facility’s Korbel Dell and Microbrewery is a delightful spot to grab lunch - it serves superb panini sandwiches (try the one with salami, Brie, tapenade, roasted peppers, and greens), prepared salads, and fresh-baked sweets, and there’s seating on a !ovely tree-shaded deck. Continue along River Road and make a left onto Westside Road, following this toward Healdsburg. Over the next several miles, you’ll encounter one exceptional winery after another - best bets include Gary Farrell, Porter Creek (amazing pinot noirs), Davis Bynum, Hop Kiln, and Roshambo. Alternatively, explore the wine-growing region south of the river. Fine vineyards in the towns of Forestville, Graton, and Windsor include Joseph Swan, La Crema, DeLoach, Topolos, and Hanna. Many businesses and accommodations in the area distribute free "Russian River Wine Road" brochures and maps, which can help you plot your oenophilic journey - or log on to www.wineroad. com to see the maps there. Where there’s great wine, there’s great food, and Guerneville has gradually improved as a culinary destination in recent years. Charizma Wine Lounge and Dell is a relatively new spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine-tasting, and live jazz some nights. Sophisticated but well-priced options include a baked Petrole sole with mango-jasmine rice, baby beans, and blue mussels, and the smoked-ham and provolone sandwich with ............. Continued next page www.ozarksstar.com �peach-and-onion barbecue sauce. Cape Fear cafe is another very good lunch source - it’s in a small complex of historic buildings a scenic 15minute drive south of Guerneville. When it’s a good old-fashioned burger you’re after, drop by gay-owned Bob N’ Boy in downto~vn Guerneville. Chase down your burgers, hot dogs, and fries with Red Hook beer. Grab breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon espresso snack at the Coffee Bazaar, just offthe main drag along Armstrong Woods Road. The sunny little cafe with free Wi-Fi has wonderfully hearty soups and sand~viches, egg dishes, cakes, cookies, and similarly enticing treats. In Forestville, you’ll find a couple of the region’s best restaurants, including Mosaic Restaurant and Wine Lounge, which serves first-rate contemporary American fare, and the famed Farmhouse Inn, Restaurant, and Spa, which has garnered all kinds of awards and kudos for its innovative cuisine. A typically delicious dish here is the plate of seared pork medallions with caramelized onions, black Mission figs, and parmesan polenta. Other gay-popular accommodations of note include the long-running Russian River Resort (aka the Triple R), a highly social spot with clean and comfy motel-style rooms that received a top-notch makeover in 2006. A rustic but neatly maintained compound of 1920s cottages, the pet-friendy Fern Grove is another highly recommended establishment - many of the knotty-pine units have fireplaces. You don’t often find a predominantly gay resort owned by a straight couple, bui the reasonably priced, beautifully situated Highlands Resort is just that. Friendly innkeepers Ken and Lynette, who know all there is to know about the region, operate this rambling 3-acre spread tucked beneath the boughs ofto~vering redwood trees. Accommodations are set in a series of secluded, nicely appointed cabins, many of them with fireplaces, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. It’s a peacefu! spot (no TVs or phones in the rooms), and nudity is permitted around the pool and hot tub. When you’re truly looking to get away from it all, this compound, just a five-minute walk up the hill from downtown Guerneville, makes the perfect escape. With dinner out of the way, don’t overlook Guerneville’s gay nightlife. Some of the restaurants in these parts have lounges or bars popular with the GLBT crowd, and then there are a couple of self-standing bars. One spot that’s friendly with men and women, old and young, is the Rainbow Cattle Company, a former gambling hall, which draws a genial, outgoing bunch, many of whom tumble in after 11 for a nightcap...or two...or seven. Across the street is Club Yamagata, a space that’s gone through a few incarnations over the years and was known until recently as Liquid Sky. It opened in June 2007 as a hip, mixed gay/straight lounge serving everything from fancy sake-infused cocktails to green teas, smoothies, and appetizers. The Asian-themed spot offers a departure from Guerneville’s somewhat predictable scene. Another good bet is the Triple R Bar at the Russian River Resort, xvhich is home to a pool bar, video lounge, and piano cabaret. The live entertainment and several chatty bartenders are sure to keep everybody’s spirits up. The Russian River has a number of gay-popular accommodations, the most romantic being the posh yet unpretentious Applewood Inn and Restaurant, which is a few minutes’ drive south of downtown Guerneville. Half of the elegant rooms are in the main 1922 Mission Revival house; the others are in a newer building done in the same style. All are loaded with antiques and have European down comforters, and many have hot tubs and fireplaces. Applewood also contains the best restaurant in the area, serving such stellar Mediterranean-influenced victuals as braised rabbit with potato gnocchi, bacon, and English peas. Recently purchased by helpful and enthusiastic couple Dana Murphy and Brian Siewert, the former Ridenhour Inn received a top-tobottom makeover in 2006 and has emerged as the dapper Sonoma Orchid. This sunny yellow farmhouse set high on a bluffalong River Road (very near the Westside Road wineries) has a hot tub in back, six guest rooms in the main house, and four more contemporary and private units in a separate cottage (some of these have fireplaces). Welcoming of kids as well as pets, the Sonoma Orchid is nonetheless a peaceful, romantic hideaway- a terrific addition to the Russian River’s gay-friendly lodging landscape. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 �Campaign Memo Lesbian Notions, at the HRC/Logo Democratic candidates’fot~m. After watching the Human Rights Campaign/Logo presidential forum, I decided a memo to the LGBT handlers, counselors, and advisers to the candidates was in order. Memo to LGBT Candidate Advisers: Thanks for making sure your candidate was at the forum, but I think some of them needed a bit more prep time. I took the liberty of perusing the forum transcripts, and, honestly, each of the candidates needs help with his or her language. In the approximately 15 minutes each candidate had on screen, the actual use of the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender was at a minimum. Barack Obama said "LGBT" five times, "gays and lesbians" three, added "transgender" once, and said "gay" twice in the same sentence - "they’ve got gay friends, they’ve got gay family members." John Edwards said "lesbian and gay couples" three times, Dennis Kucinich said "gay" once, Bill Richardson said "gay and lesbian" four times, and Hi!lary Clinton said "gay" and "LGBT" one time each. I have to hand it to Mike Gravel though. He referred to "the gays" twice, but used the word "gay" 10 times! It might be old-fashioned of me, but I gauge a candidate’s comfort with our community with her or his ability to actually say the words. It’s one of my litmus tests. You need to prep your candidates better - when they’re addressing an audience filled with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, they need to say the words. In essence, they need to speak directly to us - not use euphemisms, with which the evening’s forum was rife. A few specific, well-placed references to us would have worked wonders for Obama when he spoke somewhat aw~vardly about civil unions. He said, "I am a strong supporter of not a weak version of civil unions, but of a strong version, in which the rights that are conferred at the federal level to persons of- you know, who are part of the same-sex union are compatible." 22 the STAR Now wouldn’t it have been better if the "Rock Star" candidate - as he was referred to at the forum - said the following? "I am a strong supporter of civil unions where all the federal rights, privileges, and responsibilities are conveyed to lesbian and gay couples." Short, sweet, and to the point. Edwards needs to know that it’s OK to say "lesbian and gay youth" or "LGBT youth." It doesn’t mean you’re recruiting for our side. He was eloquent when speaking about the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center and the work it does for our homeless youth, but a few references to the specific population he was talking about would have served him well. He pondered "All she needs to do is say "LGBT" or "le.sbian and gay" a tew more times, and more of us will be eating out of her hand, thanking her for the crumbs while she consumes the cake." that "without that place [the LA Center], where would these - where would these young people go?" How much stronger, how much more emotional would it have been if he said, "Where would our LGBT youth go?" Edwards also needs a little help saying "transgender" and "transition." In answering a question regarding Susan Stanton, the transgender city manager of Largo, Fla., who lost her job after transitioning, Edwards couldn’t say "transgender." He talked about "going through what they’re going through." When referring back to the question during his closing remarks, he spoke of Stanton’s firing as a case of discrimination based on sexual orientation - wrong! She was fired because of gender identity. All I can say about Kucinich is that if he really wants to be taken seriously, he’s got to tone down the love! Sure, he’s great on our issues, supports same-sex marriage and everything else we want. He may be "evolved," as the forum’s emcee, Margaret Carlson, suggested, but honestly he sounded like a flake - not someone who is presidential. Didn’t anyone prep Richardson at all? We appreciate his record - his calling a special session just to get a domestic-partner bill passed (which didn’t happen). But to not understand a simple question on whether or not being gay is a choice is just politically stupid. His take on "don’t ask, don’t tell," however, was good. "When you have an America that is asking men and women to fight and die, the last thing you need to do is give them a lecture on sexual orientation." Right you are. And then there was Clinton - as slick and smooth as ever. Her answer about opposing same-sex marriage was brilliant: "Well, I prefer to think of it as being very positive about civil unions." She’s taken a cue from Bill - triangulate, triangulate, triangulate. She’s put her own spin on the issue of civil unions, leaving anyone who disagrees with her on it looking like the odd person out. All she needs to do is say "LGBT" or "lesbian and gay" a fe,v more times, and more of us will be eating out of her hand, thanking her for the crumbs while she consumes the cake. Then there’s Gravel. Too bad he’s not electable. He had the LGBT rhetoric down, but it was a little strange when he kept referring to "the gays" who support him - the gays in New York, the gays in San Francisco, the gays in Alaska. I found his honesty about the political scene refreshing and wish he hadn’t left elected office some 25 years ago. We need him in the Senate now more than ever. So there you have it. There may not be another national forum on LGBT issues in the 2008 election, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get your candidates talking the talk so that one of them can walk the walk to the Capitol on January 20, 2009. www.ozarksstar.corn �BOB LEMON INTERVIEW CONT. BOB: I think it’s just that they were brought up that way, and I think that young people today are much less anti-gay than people of my generation. Much of the hate was fueled by tactics such as those used by Karl Rove and the Bush administration, and by anti-gay state questions on ballots during the 2004 elections that were designed to elect conservatives. People like me, straight but not narrow, need to support organizations such as Cimarron Alliance, P-Flag and other groups. This are more straight people involved now. That’s a good trend and I love it. I say this to straight people who believe in democracy, equality and ful! rights for the gay community, come out of your closets! They need to proudly and publicly show themselves as supporters. Someday we will see a mass shift of public opinion. VICTOR: What about the upcoming Oklahoma County Commissioner Race for District One? BOB: I think we need to support Willa Johnson September 11, I believe she would fulfill that office in the Roth tradition. When he held that office, Jim Roth did many wonderful things for Oklahoma County and the GLBT community. He’s a fine public servant, and I’ll be disappointed ifI don’t see him be a governor or president someday. VICTOR: I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Overall are you optimistic about 2008? BOB: Very optimistic. If our opponents attempt to put wedge issues on the ballot such as gay marriage or other gay rights issues to further their causes I don’t think it will work, or at least not as well, because people are becoming more reasonable and fair minded. My hat is off to the Jim Roths and Al McAffreys out there, because they are paving the way for a better future. Fair minded people, along with the gay community need to keep up their efforts helping good candidates and encouraging good voters. VICTOR: Well, thanks for sharing with us, and we can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done and all that we know you’ll do. It will always inspire our community to do better. BOOM BOOM ROOM MAY BE DOOMED. LAGUNA BEACH, CA In less than three weeks, venerable Laguna Beach, Calif., gay club the Boom Boom Room will shut its doors forever unless a buyer comes to its rescue. Jim Roth receives Hero of Hope _Award from the Cathedral of Hope UCC By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma Corperation Commisioner Jim Roth received the 2007 Hero of Hope Award from Oklahoma City’s Cathedral of Hope UCC Church, an award given for commitment, hardwork and dedication towards a better future for the GLBT community. As the Reverend Scott Jones put it, "Jim received the award because in his very person he embodies the breaking of barriers and creating new possibilities for the future." He was elected in 2002 as an openl~ gay ,nan to the office of Oklahoma County Commissioner District 1, and then reelected in 2006, recognized for outstanding performance in that position. He left that seat this year, appointed by Governor Brad Henry to fill a vacated position on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The property’s ownm; Steven Udvar-Hazy, and the operators of the Boom Boom Room and the adjoining Coast Inn were apparently unable to reach an agreement to keep the bar, restaurant and hotel open beyond the coming Labor Day weekend, according to an open letter from preservation group Save the Boom! Udvar-Hazy wants to demolish the property to make way for a larger hotel. Save the Boom! is campaigning to find a buyer who will keep the 60-year-old establishment afloat. The group began its campaign in 2006, gathering 6,000 signatures in three months to preserve the gay institution. A nearby Laguna gay landmark, the Woody’s on the Beach restaurant, closed in February. (The Advocate) Oommuni y Peop ÷ iving with V!A DS Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with A!DS 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 harrismmjr@ya hoo,com. www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 ���Who would you want as your guardian angel? Whom do you secretly admire? What was the happiest year of your life? ntrospection is defined as an examination of one’s own feelings and thoughts according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary. Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. This greater happiness can help you follow the yellow brick road to better health. I will present dozens of questions for you to contemplate. Get ready to challenge yourself to a smorgasbord of self-discovery. For best results, I recommend you answer honestly Pinocchio. What bad habit do you enjoy the most? What is the largest amount of money you have found? When was the last time you dreamed you were falling? What is the most expensive car you have driven? What movie character do you most resemble? Would you like to live in the future or the past? Have you ever watched someone die in person? What photograph of you is most revealing? What is the angriest moment you have ever experienced? Who is most jealous of you? Are you more of a voyeur or an exhibitionist? What secret will you take to your grave? What person do you trust the most? What is the longest span you’ve gone without sex? When do you feel most relaxed? How do you want to die? Whit whom have you had the best sex? Who has influenced you the most? What has been your proudest moment? What is your earliest childhood memory? What is your greatest fear? \re’hen did you last cry during a movie? What have you always wanted to do but haven’t? Where did you experience your greatest happiness? When did you last lie? What are your pet peeves? These questions should be .just the beginning. Sit down and make a bigger list if you’d like. Knowledge is power. The more you know about yourself, the better equipped you’ll be to go out and face the world. Introspection is just like a massage or a relaxing spell in the hot tub. You’ll feel like a million bucks after this exercise. It is free and you have not a dime to lose. Question #1 is waiting for you in the lobby. Good luck! Who are you most intimidated by? Have you ever considered suicide? What part of your body would you like to replace? This column is brought to you by that guy Ron Blake who has been known to urinate on his shirt and then wrap it around his head to stay coo! when he is out of water and stranded in the desert. Learn more about the little bugger at www.goblakefitness.com. When did you first feel sexual? Whom have you most wanted to hurt? Have you ever driven your car naked? 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �STONE\VALL ENDORSES WILLA JOHNSON FOR DISTRICT 1. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK P/R__ The executive committee of Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats voted unanimously on Friday August 17th, to endorie Willa Johnson, the Democratic Party nominee for Oklahoma County Commissioner, District 1. KELLY & JACQ ELINE CARTER S COTT TWO LIVES UNITED MIDWEST CITY, OK __ Kelly and Jacqueline Carter Scott exchanged vows at their Holy Union held on August 11, 2007 at a friend’s home in Midwest City. "l-here were 82 people in attendance with their friends and family. The wedding was conducted by the Reverend Toby Jenkins with Ekklesia Church of Tulsa, followed by feasting, fellowship and fun dancing under the stars with DJ Victorola. Xhey will reside in Oklahoma City. Jacqueline is an RN working with Integris Hospital, and Kelly is the Director of Administration for the Center for Positive Change, an OKC mental health facility. With the endorsement, Stonewall also appropriated $500 for a donation to her campaign fund. "Willa has been a steadfast supporter of human rights and of LGBT issues throughout her years on the Oklahoma City Council, and has pledged to continue that support if elected to the county level," said Steve VanHook, male co-chair of Oklahoma Stonewall. "We urge the entire LGBT community of Oklahoma County to support Willa with donations and volunteer work during this very short campaign, regardless of party affiliation. She will be facing a Republican opponent who already has an established record of homophobia and bigotry toward the LGBT community. We owe it to ourselves to help Willa’s campaign as much as possible," VanHook said. Oklahoma Stonewall is one of over 90 chapters and affiliated dubs of National Stonewall Democrats, and is a recognized federation within the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Quotable Quotes A study by South African sdentists said Wednesday there was no evidence that foods such as garlic and beetroot were a substitute for AIDS medicine, disputing claims by the country’s health minister. An Idaho inmate who castrated herself with a disposable razor blade after prison officials refused to treat her for gender identity disorder should have female hormone therapy paid for by the state, a federal judge said. Cimarron A!liance Foundation Awarded Capacity Building Grant P/R August 22, 2007 OKI.__AHOMA CITY, OK __ The Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) has awarded a grant to the Cimarron Alliance Foundation (CAF) to support the hiring of a consultant to create a fundraising and financial development plan. The grant presentation is scheduled 10:00 am this Saturday August 25th, 2007 prior to a financial development board retreat funded by this generous grant. Gayle Farley, OCCF Program Coordinator will present the grant to CAF chair, Richard Ogden, and the CAF Board of Directors. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the metropolitan area’s non-profit public charity, was founded in 1969 to work with individuals to meet the charitable needs of the community through development and administration of permanent endowment funds for non-profit organizations and other charities. Through its Community Program Grants, the OCCF funds, initiates and leads programs that benefit the community in the area of arts, education, health and human services, beautification and community development. The Cimarron Alliance Foundation, an Oklahoma non-profit educational foundation, was created in 1997 to support equality toward "A Fair and Just Oklahoma’. Cimarron has heightened its fundraising efforts to support a series of educational and charitable programs aimed at promoting fairness and impartiality to all people. The CAF Mission : "To support educational efforts that increase personal self-esteem, promote public enlightenment and advanced equality for LGBT Oklahomans". For further information about these organizations visit: http://www.occf.org or http://www.cimarronalliance.org Dr. Robert G. Crummie, a volunteer "Doctor of the Day" in Raleigh, is in trouble for more than urging electric shock therapy for gay people. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 27 �Mars in Gemini is loosening lips, and, squaring Uranus, he will have us all blurting out things we’ll wish we hadn’t! Keep your ears open and your mouth shut - or otherwise occupied. Venus is in Leo, so taking pride in taste and discretion can save you lots of trouble. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): To avoid blurting out secrets and betraying trust, let it all be about you! Hold the spotlight and dazzle your friends with your charm and playfulness. If you do get time alone, some creative writing and journaling can offer surprising insights. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Resisting the impulse to spend can be hard, but stay within a budget. Friends will egg you on to some fabulous purchase that you’ll regret. What would Mother say? In this case, she’d probably be right. SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Arguments, especially at home, are likely to go badly for you. Artistic and literary diversions will help keep you out of trouble. Those from the lands of your family background can provide surprising insights. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Showing off and learning new sexual techniques can prove very educational for all involved. But are you communicating anything in your love-making besides physical prowess? Take time out to talk about real intimacy, not just erotic gymnastics. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): What you value in your relationships cannot be sufficiently expressed with money and gifts. Efforts to do so now will just prove awkward and expensive. A gesture of affection - a hug, a kiss, or a kind word - is still best. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): You’re full of surprises even you don’t know about. Conversations with your family can expose talents that will prove helpful at work. Be sure to discuss family medical history. What you learn now could save you lots of grief. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your mouth is even more dangerous than usual. Whether you want it or not, you have the ear of bosses and authorities. Running your ideas by a sister first will help you make them more presentable. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Occupy your mind to keep your mouth out of trouble. Visit museums and art-house films, and keep the discussion impersonal, discussing aesthetics instead of mutual acquaintances. Whatever you say will be heard far and wide! LEO (July 23 - August 22): Talking about sex could actually keep you out of trouble, as then you won’t be gossiping about friends. Even better than discussing sex, continue your research on different techniques and styles~ You’ll have plenty of opportunity! VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Your partner will quickly tire of your complaints about work, and your workplace is no place to kvetch about your love life! Hiding out could be your best bet, even with your partner exploring nonverbal communication. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You can enjoy great popularity now, either for your savage wit or for your valuable community service. The latter will also offer you surprising inspirations. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): OK, you’re hot; we all know you’re hot; and worst of all, you know you’re hot. Now relax and try to have fun without needing to prove anything. You can’t play anyone else’s instrument while you’re tooting your own horn. MCC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve 3". Uric 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 ~wvw.ozarksstar.com �Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org ......... 888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events 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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Tiki Torch75 S. Main Street. - -479-253-2305 Tradewinds Lodge - 141 W. VanBuren 800-242-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Condom Sense 418 W. Dickson ...... -479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave .......... -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center- - - 479-251-1922 Passages ...... 930 N. College Ave-479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave ............. 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads....... 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave.- ...... 479-782-6969 Klub XLR8 ...... 1022 Dodson Ave ...........479-782-9578 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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave 501-375-8580 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club ...... 384 GrantAve. 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 Club Glacier- ........ 2828 E. 31st South ...... 316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground ................. 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Fantasy2331 E 7th St- ....... -417-626-7275 MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - ....... Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn ....www.40thstreetinn.com ....... 816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton BIvd 816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs - www.hydeskc.com - - 816-56t-t010 Missie B’s .... 805 W. 39th St. -816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge ..... 424 Boonville Ave ............. 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr-- -518 E. Commericat. 417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub .... 504 E. Commerical ......... 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive -4!7-864-4572 Ronisuz Place .... 821 College417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books .... 104 Sunset - 580-242-6838 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Ingrids Bookstore ..... 1124 NW Cache Rd ...... 580-353-1488 Oklahoma, I~,~cAlester (918) 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 Christie’s Toy Box ..... 3126 N. May Ave ....... 405-946-4438 Church of Open Arms ...... 3131 N. Penn ...... 405-525-9555 Copa -2200 NW 39th Exp ........ 405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave ....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy....... -405-525-9200 First Amendment Tatoo Shop- - - 2135 NW 39th - - -405-604-391! Gushers Restaurant..... 2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........ 2200 NW 39th Exp 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources .... 2312 NW 39th St--405-521-9696 H i-Lo Club 1221 NW 50th 405-843-1722 Jungle Reds ....... 2200 NW Expwy405-524-5733 Ledo ............. 2200 NW Expw~j405-525-0730 Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ........ 405-681-5044 Partners ......... 2805 NW 36th St ..........405-942-2199 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St. 405-525-5165 Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St...........405-601-3711 The Park2125 NW 39th St -405-528-4690 The Patio ........ 3201 N. May Ave 405-917-1663 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. Yale - 918-494-2665 Circle Cinema ...... 10 S. Lewis ............. 918-592-3456 Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder .... 918-584-9944 Club Majestic....... 124 N. Boston 918-584-9494 Club Maverick ..... 822 S. Sheridan -918-835-3301 Cosmo Deli & Bar- - 6746 S. Memorial 918-459-0497 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI -918-834-1051 Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street. .918-743-4297 Hideaway Cocktail Lounge- - - 11730 E. 11th ...... 918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic ....... 3540 E. 31st918-749-8378 Midtown319 E. 3rd- - 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood ..... 918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave .918-585-9552 Renegades. 1649 S. Main 918-585-3405 Sappho’s 816 S. Sheridan Rd ........ 918-836-8992 Tulsa CARES .... 3507 E. Admiral P!918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center---- 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle ..... 1338 E. 3rd ....918-592-1188 TNT’s 2114 S. Memorial918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd ....... 2630 E. 15th .......... 918-293-0304 �Keller Will~ams Realty Ch~ck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. ~ Arkansas GLBT Community Center " Linking " " Togeth e~"as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 3O the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 �� 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 www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 ~ G~.~T $1URVII~Y 88.6% of combined Gays and Lesbians voted in the 2004 Presidential Hection. For the 2006 Mid-Term Hection 81.7% combined Gay and Lesbian readers voted. HRC and NGLTF comment on the history making GLBT Forum August 9th on LOGO TV. Finley, a heterosexual woman and the best known of the four, was renowned for smearing chocolate on her naked body to represent the degrad.ation ofwomen. The Chardonnay grape variety is a classic white wine grape grown all around the world. The original fame of Chardonnay comes from its success in the region of France. Gay Travelers: USA Gay Landmarks Out of Town: Russian River, CA Dining In or OUT L.ESB~AN NOTIONS GLBT Forum revue: I have to hand it to Mike Gravel though. He referred to "the gays" twice, but used the word "gay" 10 times! F~TNESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: GLBT Forum Participants 4 the STAR STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY www.ozarksstar.corn Ne t E ecdon could be decided by Gays and Lesbians San Francisco-based Community Marketing Inc. conducted a nationwide survey earlier this year that the STAR and you, our readers took part. The study found an astounding 92% of gay male respondents (92.5%) reported that they voted in the 2004 presidential election with nearly 84% (83.8%) reporting that they voted in the mid-term election in 2006. Results for lesbians were similar with nearly 91% (90.7%) of lesbian respondents reporting that they voted in the 2004 presidentia! election and 78% reporting that they voted in the mid-term election in 2006. In comparison, media reports estimate that 64% of the general population voted in the 2004 presidential election and just 40% of the general population voted in the 2006 mid-term election. Results of the STAR survey, readers were slightly lower with 88.6% of combined Gays and Lesbians voting in the 2004 Presidential Election. For the 2006 Mid- Term Election 81.7% combined Gay and Lesbian readers voted. In comparison to the general population that is still an impressive difference for GLBT Oklahomans and the region. Among the results from the STAR survey we found interesting was on the question, "Importance of Gay Marriage" only 30% of our readers thought it was the most important issue. While 57.6% settled for Domestic Partnership and/or_civil union recognition. 12.3% felt there were more important GLBT issues. In the STAR "Commentary" this issue, James Nimmo addresses the question of " How We Should Address the Gay and Lesbian Community" This is what our survey found on the same question. 38.6% said "Gay & Lesbian", 35% said "GLBT", 19.9% "LGBT", 17% "Gay Men or Worneft’ and 12.3% suggested "Alternative". I thank our readers for the great response we had for the STAR in this very important survey of our community. We will be publishing more results in coming issues. Sincerely, Charles (Chaz) Ward www.ozarksstar.com New National Survey Shows Gays and Lesbians Outpace U.S. Average in Voting Participation Respondents: Homosexuality I4/71l Still Be a Divisive Issue in Ten Yeats SAN FRANCISCO, CA A new national survey reveals that gay and lesbian consumers are far more likely to have voted in the last presidential and midterm elections than the population in general. Significant numbers of both gay men and lesbians also donated to a political party in the past year. The survey also found that despite significant social and political progress over the past decade, majorities of both gays and lesbians believe homosexuality will remain a "divisive" issue in ten years. The survey results are included in the Gay Consumer IndexTM and Lesbian Consumer IndexTM, precedent-setting national surveys of more than 12,000 gay Americans and 10,000 lesbian Americans conducted by Community Marketing Inc. in spring 2007 and set to be released later this month. "The results of the Gay Consumer Index and Lesbian Consumer Index demonstrate that the political parties would be smart to pay attention to the issues that mean the most to gay and lesbian voters," declared Tom Roth, president of Community Marketing Inc. "We have far more at stake than the average voter and we’re therefore far more engaged in the political process." Slighdy more than 31 percent of lesbian respondents (31.1%) reported that they made a financial contribution to a political party in the past twelve months. Forty percent (40.1%) of gay male respondents reported that they made a financial contribution m a politica! party in the past twelve months. And finally, large majorities of gay male and lesbian respondents agreed with the statement that "homosexuality will still be a divisive issue in the USA in 10 years." A new national survey reveals that gay and lesbian consumers are far more likely to have voted in the last presidential and midterm elections than the population in general. Significant numbers of both gay men and lesbians also donated to a political party in the past year. The survey also found that despite significant social and political progress over the past decade, majorities of both gays and lesbians believe homosexuality will remain a "divisive" issue in ten years. The survey results are included in the Gay Consumer IndexTM and Lesbian Consumer IndexTM, precedent-setting national surveys of more than 12,000 gay Americans and 10,000 lesbian Americans conducted by Community Marketing Inc. in spring 2007 and set to be released later this month. "The results of the Gay Consumer Index and Lesbian Consumer Index studies demonstrate that the political parties would be smart to pay attention to the issues that mean the most to gay and lesbian voters," declared Tom Roth, president of Community Marketing Inc. "We have far more at stake than the average voter and we’re therefore far more engaged in the political process." More than 92% of gay male respondents (92.5%) reported that they voted in the 2004 presidential election with nearly 84% (83.8%) reporting that they voted in the mid-term election in 2006. Results for lesbians were similar with nearly 91% (90.7%) of lesbian respondents reporting that they voted in the 2004 presidential election and 78% reporting that they voted in the midterm election in 2006. In comparison, media reports estimate that 64% of the general population voted in the 2004 presidential election and just 40% of the general population voted in the 2006 mid-term election. Slightly more than 31 percent of lesbian respondents (31.1%) reported that they made a financial contribution to a political party in the past twelve months. Forty percent (40.1%) of gay male respondents reported that they made a financial contribution to a political party in the past twelve months. And finally, large majorities of gay male and lesbian respondents agreed with the statement that "homosexuality will still be a divisive issue in the USA in 10 years." Community Marketing, Inc., founded in 1992, is the global leader in gay and lesbian market research, strategies and communications. More info: www. CommunityMarketinglnc.com Rivendell Media, Inc., America’s leading gay and lesbian media placement firm, co produced the Gay Consumer Index" and Lesbian Consumer Index TM studies, which were sponsored, in part, by Absolut. More info: www.RivendellMedia.com the STAR 5 I before E excep after C. L be£ore G excep Be£ore B? How Equallity by Jim Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ A few days ago I was in an email exchange with some gay guys and the thread was about the spelling of our orientational moniker/acronym commonly used as a short hand to describe us in the media. Is it LGBT or GLBT? And there’s even LGBTQi which resembles a row on the computer keyboard. There was even the suggestion ofSOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) but say it out loud and it sounds like an adjective some of us could use to name the after effects of sexual exertion rather than sexual orientation. This year our 2007 Oklahoma City Parade was prefixed with GLBTI, which again, said out loud, sounds like a word for insincerity. Why should any particular letter come before the other? With my tongue, GLBT comes out easier than LGBT with a more defined rhythm, but I’m just referring to ease of speech; being a musician I’m attuned to that anyway. We often hear the phrase "men and women" but we also hear "ladies and gentlemen." Why do we say "salt and pepper" and not the other way round? Knife and fork, birds and bees, paper and pencil? Well, I think our equality movement IS about exertion and certainly NOT about insincerity. for their own gender-emotionally, romantically, and erotically--are referred to as gay, period. A~ I going to get hate mail from the women because I would drop the "lesbian" term? I could just as easily expand my dream world and drop the "gay" word altogether and let people have their sexual expression without hang-ups about words and the straight-world permission or opprobrium these red-flag words convey. This is what ,ve had, etymologically, before the prudo-pseudo-scientific "advances" of the Victorian era, when the word "homosexual" was invented. Before that time sex between men was plain sodomy, sex between women was just affection. Even farther back in some societies, sex between older and younger men was the transmission of the spirit and continuation of the life force which enabled young men to become leaders and progenitors in their tribes. The female will ALWAYS be superior anyway. It’s possible for them to conceive by parthenogenesis--no male required! But of course, the gay orientation is not about sexual reproduction as our enemies and two State Supreme Court decisions from 2006 would have us believe. Gayness is about having the right to privacy to exercise our affectional and emotional bonds as we like with consenting adults. Gayness is about having the same rights as any other man or woman who has chosen opposite-gender marriage or co-habitation, with or without progeny. Unless we exert with growing force our birth-right entitlement to equality, we’re going to be seen by our enemies as insincere. I would like to spell my orientation like this: AMERICAN. And why should we develop these sensitivities about spellings and acronyms? In my dream world (not to be confused with my fantasy world) people with a yen 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com w~ev.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 Recognized by Keller Williams For outstanding achievement 2005 and 2006 l~A LTY Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 REALTOI~ Whether buying or selling I’ll work hardforyou. "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST properties are our PEOPLE’ 4301 NW 63rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 8 the STAR 405.840.2106 www.c21goldcastle.com GINGER ~MAR and Stephanie DeBarse Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald Susan Leah Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Cal~ STAR ADVlERT~S~NG today. 8)835o7887 www.ozarksstar.com OKLAI OMAN W’INNER OF THE LIFETIME COMMITMENT AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL STONEW-ALL DEMOCRATS "Gay People Aren’t Broken, and They Don’t Need Fixing" Photo: Bob Lemon wit/~ daughter Robyn Lemon Sellers This year’s winner was Oklahoma’s own Bob Lemon, a longtime friend of the GLBT community and overal! champion for progressive causes. No stranger to honors, this year he also received the Irene Tyson Award from the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. He’s the proud dad of 5 grown children (Del, Jim, Robyn, Chrys & Hi Moque). The contributions and support he has given the GLBT community are truly too numerous to list here, but now he shares some of his reflections about what it means to him as well as us. INTERVIEW By Victor Gorin VICTOR: You are a longtime champion of equality for the GLBT community. What got you started on that path? BOB: My first real awareness of this issue happened when we were at a convention of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kansas City during 1977. Mary Lou and I learned of a minister who was forced to resign from his church because his son was gay. We were living in Perryton Texas then, and very loyal to our church and our denomination. In 1979 at another convention in St. Louis, Mary Lou and I attended a workshop on homosexuality. It was headed by a medical doctor from Oklahoma University who maintained that gayness was not a choice, that they were "naturally that way." Throughout the years we read a great deal about gay history and equality. VICTOR: Later on it touched your own family. BOB: Our interest really peaked when 1993 when Mary Lou and I learned, to our complete surprise, that our son Chris was gay when ~wvw.ozarksstar.corn he came out to us at the age of 36. Today he is an attorney in Washington D,C., and we have attended functions together of the Stonewall Democrats, but at the time we had no idea. He’d had an outstanding background. In high school he had been Student Body President & an Eagle Scout, and later served in the air force as a flight instructor before becoming an attorney. Although it was a surprise, we told him it didn’t bother us. We also adopted a young gay man, Eli Moque Grayson, who is now living in California and is an interior designer. He’s worked on some distinguished homes including the late Bob Hope. VICTOR: The Mary Lou Lemon Humanitarian Award, given by the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, is named after your late wife. Obviously she was a great friend and inspiration. How long were you married? BOB’. 52 years and 2 days. We had met at a high school get together on Lake Fryor near Perry ton. She was a beautiful, blonde blue eyed woman, and I had lots of competitors. We got married when we were both in college, I attended Oklahoma A&M ( now OSU) and she was at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma.. We had a wonderful life, raised wonderful children, and she was a champion for equality for everyone. VICTOR: You later had gotten involved with P-Flag? BOB: Yes, we had gotten involved and been to their national meetings. When I was on the board of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Perryton, which I thought was a liberal church, I had made a motion to allow P-Flag to meet at our church, as did many others groups. That motion got a few minutes of discussion before it was voted down, 35-1, and I was the dissenting vote. Our efforts to change their attitudes were unsuccessful. Soon after that we left that church." VICTOR: You joined Mayflower UCC when you moved to Oklahoma City in 2000. BOB: We attended a few times and fell in love with it, beginning when we read their" open and affirming" statement. Not all churches then were so accepting. VICTOR: What is hardest for older people to give up their prejudices? ........................Continued page-23 the STAR 9 Uo So Court o£Appeals Upholds Decision Striking Down Oklahoma’s Adop, on InvM dat on Law in Lawsuit Brought by L bda LegM ’The Adoption Invalidation Law was reckless legislation that jeopardized the safety and well being of children and undermined parents’ rights.’ DENVER, CO__ August 3, 2007 -- In a 35-page decision, a panel of the U. S. Court ofAppeals for the 10th Circuit rejected the Oklahoma Department of Health’s challenge to a lower court decision striking down an Oklahoma law so.extreme that it threatened to make children adopted by same-sex couples in other states legal orphans when the families are in Oklahoma. The ruling is important not only in Oklahoma, but also to families across the United States, including in Seattle and Houston, home to two of the families who joined in the suit. "Today’s decision supports the lower court’s finding that same-sex couples who choose to adopt are entitled under the U.S. Constitution to have their relationships with their children respected in every state," said Ken Upton, Senior StaffAttorney in Lambda Legal’s South Central Regional Office and lead attorney on the case. "N~e Adoption Invalidation Law was reckless legislation that jeopardized the safety and well-being of children and undermined parents’ rights." Although the governor and attorney general were content to abide by the lower court’s finding, the Oklahoma Commissioner of Health sought review of a part of the judgment that required the Department of Health to issue an amended birth certificate to the adopted child of a same-sex couple that accurately reflected both women as the child’s legal parents. The Court rejected the challenge and affirmed the judgment requiring issuance of a proper birth certificate. In doing so, the 10th Circuit panel also agreed with Lambda Legal that the law violated the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In the opinion released today, U. S. Senior Circuit Judge David M. Ebel wrote, "final adoption orders by a state court of competent jurisdiction are judgments that must be given full faith and credit under the Constitution by every other state in the nation. Because the Oklahoma statute at issue categorically rejects a class of out-of-state adoption decrees, it violates the Full Faith and Credit Clause." The Adoption Invalidation Law, hastily passed at the end of the 2004 Oklahoma legislative session, had said that Oklahoma "shall not recognize an adoption by more than one individual of the same sex from any other state or foreign jurisdiction." Lambda Legal argued that the law was unconstitutional based on the United States Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process, as ~vell as the mandates of the Full Faith and Credit Clause. Today’s decision leaves intact a decision by the U.S. Court for the Western District of Oklahoma that agreed with these challenges and held that the statute indeed violates the United States Constitution by singling out a specific group. Neither the governor nor the attorney general of Oklahoma challenged the trial court’s decision that struck down the antigay Adoption Invalidation Law. The appellate court’s decision also requires the Oklahoma Department of Health to issue a birth certificate to the daughter of a samesex couple in Oklahoma accurately listing the names of both parents. In addition to same-sex couples raising children in Oklahoma, the ruling benefits samesex couples and their families in other states, including two of the couples who brought suit, Heather Finstuen and Anne Magro, now living in Houston, and Ed Swaya and Greg Hampel of Seattle, by ensuring they can travel in Oklahoma without fear their children will be rendered legal orphans. Ken Upton, Senior StaffAttorney in Lambda Legal’s South Central Regional Office in Dallas, is lead attorney on the case, with assistance from Senior StaffAttorney Brian Chase. Sandy Ingraham of Ingraham & Associates, EL.L.C. in McLoud, Oklahoma, served as cooperating attorney in Finstuen et al v. Edmondson et al. Tulsa GLBT leader addresses new AIDS/ Americorp volunteers By Joey De To most people, leaving town only a week after starting a new job would be a nightmare. To Oklahomans for Equality’s new Interim Executive Director Justice Waidner, it was an opportunity to give back to a program that she feels changed her life and began a life career in service. Waidner, who assumed her new role at OKEq on Aug. 1, addressed the latest teams of National Aids Fund/Americorp members just a few days later in Washington, DC on Aug. 11. The teams, who traveled from seven cities around the nation, including Tulsa, were undergoing their annual "preservice" training before beginning their year of HIV/AIDS related service. A two-term alumnus of the Americorp program, Waidner took the opporttlnity to share with the group the gravity of the realities they will face, as well as the humanity of service. "The opportunity to serve our communities in this fashion through educating people about this insidious disease and supporting those living with it truly is an awesome life changing gift," said Waidner. Using her personal stories about engaging drifter youths, befriending an HIV-positire eight year old and having to give her first positive test result, \Vgaidner spoke deeply and personally to the group to prepare them for the year ahead. "You will educate, fight inequality, challenge stigma, support, rise up, be present, and stand on the side of social justice. You will be changed and make change," she emphasized. W’aidner was later asked to administer the Americorp Oath of Service to the group, officially marking the end of their training and the beginning of their one year service commitment. "You are my version of gels in America,’" she remarked just shortly before. For information about the National AIDS fund or the Americorp program visit www.aidsfund.org. 10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com STATEMENT FROM HUMAN GHTS CAMPAIGN ON DEMOCRATIC P SIDENTIAL FORUM WASHINGTON, DC __ On August 9, 2007, the Democratic presidential candidates took part in a national forum on issues facing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, sponsored jointly by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Logo. The following is a statement by Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese on the event: "This was an important night in the fight for equality for GLBT Americans. We pulled the curtain back a bit and gave all Americans a deeper look inside the candidates’ core beliefs about the issues that affect our community. From repealing ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ supporting equal employment rights, providing full funding for the HIV/AIDS epidemic, to eliminating the Defense of Marriage Act, these candidates went on record and committed to fighting for equality in all sectors of our society. Unfortunately, we have more work to do. The overwhelming majority of the candidates do not support marriage equality. While we heard very strong commitments to civil unions and equality in federa! rights and benefits, their reasons for opposing equality in civil marriage tonight became even less clear. Over the course of the presidential campaign, we will continue to ask these questions and demand real answers from the candidates who appeared -- and from those who didn’t show up. The next president must be committed to not only doing what’s achievable, but also what’s right." The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. Great, now say it on the stump. "Slllgood andsome great, but now we need all the candidates --particularly thef~ontrunners -- to take a standfor us on the stump, inj~ont ofall audiwaces. " Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. WASHINGTON, DC__ The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates, except for Sens. Joe Biden and Christopher Dodd, addressed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues at a forum aired Augkust 9th on the Logo cable channel. Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. "It’s great that tonight the 2008 Democratic candidates reiterated their support for many issues critical to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, like long-stalled protections from discrimination and hate violence, repealing ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and rights for our families. In 2004, at a similar forum also organized by our friends at the Human Rights Campaign, Democratic presidential candidates said the same thing. ’Tkll good and some great, but now we need all the candidates, particularly the frontrunners, to take a stand for us on the stump, in front of all audiences. The Republican side hasn’t given up using gay people for political gain and most of the Republican candidates bash us everpvhere they go. But so far, the Democratic frontrunners rarely talk about us except at our events, such as tonight, or when asked a specific question, and even then, they tend to freeze up. "That’s got to stop. We challenge the Democratic frontrunners to step from behind the lavender curtain and consistently, unapologetically speak for our fundamental humanity everywhere they go. "On behalf of our national community, we want to thank Joe Solmonese, Melissa Etheridge, Jonathan Capehart and Margaret Carlson for pressing the candidates on key issues, including marriage equality." McPride Family Picnic in Chadick Park, McAl[ester -Saturday, September 22nd, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. MCALESTER, OK(PR)__McPride is hosting the Third Annual Family Picnic, Saturday, September 22nd at Chadick Park, McMester, OK (6th and Delaware), from 11 a.m. until 5p.m. for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, allied (GLBTA) and interested people. The picnic wil! feature speakers, singers, games, booths of information and fun for all people - gay and straight alike. Come out for an afternoon of fun and heart warming experiences. (Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed in Chadick Park.) Living up to our mission, we believe it is important to create an opportunity for GLBTA people to be visible and to share our pride in who we are, express the love and acceptance of our families, create an opportunity to meet and get to know us. You have an opportunity to be involved on many levels in this great event. Plan to attend, be a sponsoring organization/church, a supporter, an entertainer, or a volunteer. Help make this picnic a bigger success than last year’s! Table space is available for pro-GLBTA groups who would like to display and/or sell resources at the picnic. Space must be reserved in advance. Contact Paul at 918-329-7820 or www.mcpride.org more information. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 WHERE THE DE OC TBC CANDidATES STAN An analysis of the candidates’ questionnaires on issues of concern to the GLBT community HUMA~q RIGHTS CAMPAIGN~ Federal Recognition of State-Level Same-Sex Unions 1 Supports recognition by the federal government of a state’s legal recognition of same-sex couples for purposes of fe.deral benefits and tax treatment ENDA Supports passage of a federal bill prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity Hate Crimes Supports passage of a federal bill that gives authority to the federal government to investigate and prosecute violent crimes motivated by bias against the victim because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability Same-Sex IVlarriage Supports allowing civil marriage rights for same-sex couples Civil Unions Supports civil unions for same-sex couples Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples Supports extending federal benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities to same-sex couples and their children provided the partnership meets certain federal standards of commitment and mutuality of interest Coverage Under the FIVILA Supports expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover domestic partners and their children Access to Survivor Benefits Supports paying survivor benefits to the same-sex partners of gay and lesbian people 2 the STAR 4- www.ozarksstar.com + ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ + ÷ + € union b~¢~n c~-~e m~ a~qd eaa woma~ ~husb~.nd a~d ~e~ and the word !s~ase referson~to~a~~esex~,~ !s:a~sbar’,d ~a www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 August 1990 (17 years ago last month): The National Endowment for the Arts rejects an appeal from four artists who 10st funding due to the controversial content of their work. Who were the NEA Four? he "NEA Four" - a gay man, a bisexual man, a lesbian, and a heterosexual feminist - played a prominent role in the culture wars of the late 1980s and early 1990s, when they challenged the withdrawal of their funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and a decency clause imposed on grant recipients. Founded in 1965, the NEA was mandated to consider cultural diversity in its funding decisions. But by the mid-1980s, public support for the arts was threatened by an increasingly conservative political climate. In 1989, Republican la~vmakers and religious right groups launched a campaign against what they deemed morally objectionable art. Opponents ~vere particularly incensed that NEA funds had indirectly supported the work of Robert Mapplethorpe - renowned for his homoerotic and sadomasochistic images - and Andres Serrano, who photographed a crucifix in a jar of urine. During a time of moral panic about homosexuality and AIDS, conservative columnist Patrick Buchanan, among others, saw public funding of controversial art as a key battleground in a "culture war" against traditional values. At the behest of Rep. Dick Armey (R-Texas), more than 100 legislators signed a letter to NEA chair John Frohnmayer threatening to withhold federal support if the agency continued to fund "morally reprehensible trash." In the fall of 1989, Congress passed an amendment - introduced by Republican North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms - barring the use of federal money to support work that could be considered obscene, induding "depictions of sadomasochism, homoeroticism, the sexual exploitation of children, or individuals engaged in sex acts." Following a vociferous debate, Congress reauthorized the NEA in 1990, but added a provision that the agency must consider not only artistic merit, but also "general standams of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs of the American public." In June of that year, citing the new clause and "certain political realities," Frohnmayer rejected grants to four solo performance artists - Karen Finley, Holly Hughes, John Fleck, and Tim Miller - that had been unanimously recommended by a peer review panel. Finley, a heterosexual woman and the best known of the four, was renowned for smearing chocolate on her naked body to represent the degradation ofwomen. Hughes (a lesbian and former anti-porn feminist), Fleck (a gay man whose act included urinating onstage - but not, as accused, on a Bible), and Miller (a bisexual AIDS activist) all included explicit homosexual themes in their work. In addition to the NEA Four, conservatives also objected to federal funding for Marion Riggs’ film about the black gay experience, Tongues Untied (1989), the GLBT film company Frameline, and the work of Ron Athey, an HIV-positive artist who incorporated ritual body raodification and bloodletting into his performances. Civil libertarians and queer activists reacted with outrage to the encroachment on freedom of expression, but little support came from the straight left or the mainstream arts establishment, because, as Hughes explained, "anxieties about sexuality, the body, and race are not just anxieties of the right, they are anxieties also of downtown artists." After the NEA rejected their request for an appeal in August 1990, the four defunded artists - with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights - filed a lawsuit in federal court demanding reinstatement of their grants and rescinding of the NEA’s decency provision, arguing that the guidelines were vague and unconstitutional. In 1992, federal district judge Wallace Tashima ruled in their favor; the government, he said, does not have "free rein to impose whatever content restrictions it chooses," since "the right of artists to challenge conventional wisdom and values is a cornerstone of artistic and academic freedom." Four years later, the Ninth Circuit Court upheld Tashima’s ruling. The NEA Four won a settlement reinstating their original grants and awarding legal costs, but the Clinton administration appealed the lower court decision regarding the decency clause. In June 1998, the Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 8 to 1 that Congress has wide latitude to set spending priorities. Wrote Justice Antonin Scalia, "Avant-garde artistes...remain entirely free to epater la bourgeoisie [shock the middle class]; they are merely deprived of the additional satisfaction of having the bourgeoisie taxed to pay for it." However, the sole dissenting justice, David Souter, said that the law carried "a significant power to chill artistic production and display." Mthough the original NEA implementation language stated that it was the government’s proper role "to help create and sustain not only a climate encouraging freedom of thought, imagination, and inquiry, but also the material conditions facilitating the release of this creative talent," the NEA Four case illustrated a shift in public support for the arts. In 1996, Congress cut the agency’s budget from a high of more than $170 million to less then $100 million, and the NEA ceased funding individual performance artists; legislators increased the budget in subsequent years, but never to its former level. Perhaps an even more profound outcome was the chilling effect it had on artists. "There’s enormous commercial pressure to be more mainstream," said Hughes. ’’A lot of the counter-cultural edge has really disappeared." For further reading: Bolton, Richard (editor). 1992. Culture W-ars: Documents from the Recent Controversies in the Arts (Ne~v Press). Brenson, Michael. 2001. Visionaries and Outcasts: The NEA, Congress, and the Place of the Visual Arts in America (New Press). Wallis, Brian, Marianne Weems, and Philip Yenawine (editors). 1999. Art Matters: How the Culture Wars Changed America (Ne~v York University Press). 14 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com EUREI’CA_ SPPdNGS, AR~55 antique dealers from 14 different states will converge on this Ozark town November 17 and 18 for the 19th Annual Eureka Springs Fall Antique Show and Sale. A special Wine & Cheese Preview will be held on Friday, November 16, 5:30-7 p.m. The popular yearly event will be held at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center, Hwy. 62 West. This is one of the ldckoffevents for the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Attendees will pay $10 for this first chance at the antiques brought by dealers from around the country. This fee covers all days. Regular show hours on Saturday are 10 am to 6 pm and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Admission price for this event is $ 2.50, good for both days. This well-attended show not only draws dealers from many states, it also brings customers fi’om as many as 23 different states. "By now, most antique lovers around this part of the country know that the third weekend in November and the third weekend in March are devoted to antiques here in Eureka Springs," according to Jane Baker. She and her husband, Dave, are show managers. "This is our 19th fall show and it looks to be better than ever," she added. For more information on the festival, contact Dave or Jane Baker at 479-253-7551 or bakerdj@cox.net. For details on Eureka Springs tourism, call 1-866-947-4387 or go online at www.eurekasprings.org. In Memoriam Michael Shane White 1971 - 2007 TULSA, OK __ Michael Shane White ofTulsa, born July 2, 1971 passed away August !3th, 2007 after a long fight with cancer. He is survived by his partner Jackie Hickey, father Chester and wife Barbara White of Sapulpa. His mother Roxanna Porter of Otdahoma City and sister Stephanie White of Choctaw, OK. Shane enjoyed his friends, family, traveling and tending the garden he and Jackie grew. He especially loved early morning walks in the garden when the roses and hibiscus were in bloom. Shane will be truly missed by his loving family and friends. 8 parts lemon (Absolute is good) 1 teaspoon Grand 1 teaspoon fresh lime Lemon twist Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled co£ktail glass and garnish on fwist. ~ ~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 desired ~ fresh ~pper, ring of raw mp. martini and head chef deveined-can best pper )er powder immediatel4 over medium heat. ice, pepper, paprika, shrimp parsley, rice-bohemio-and a green can in mexican ice jalapeno pep- , Puerto Vallarta see Donald Pile and Ray Williams you besides seein hal ~ndmarks. ay Landmarks? Below is a list ofsome of our favorites: the Greenwich Village in New York was located a 53 Christopher Street. On from an overdose HARVEY M] June she was buried and a wake byher gay" fans at the Stonewall Inn in New York. In the lr~ of2~ JMe the police decided to raid the StonewaJl. ~he tl ri0ts were a series o£violent conflicts between the New ~ anc ps of gays rd mt began during the early , : 28~ :l laste~t for ;evera~ da ~’s. AlsD called t~e [I rStonewalt, the clash was a watershed , as gay people had never large numbers to forcibly resist police. was vac.oait and closed for most of the in the early have set off mc earlier and D, ile’w Ztub was formed. ¯ Out of the ashes, Francisco. Be~bre mid dancing dwarves, br pushing [he envelope. ht ~n gay pride ~vhen it transparent windows on street side.. in the heart of the Castor district St. in New York City*. %e world s first gay and lesbian bookshop, it has been see of Oz with ; red velvet sears and ueen ~travaganzas e. in New York is named after Milk, San Francisco but the seeds were in place much" (founded by Phillis Lyon )KSTO~, 15 Christopher this shop opene COMMUNI~ CHURCH, 8714 Santa Mon- its ~oors fo 24 countries. church in the world. Founded giving ¯ without undermining of a store that Street, a block of the chain bookstores, is: www.oscarwiI- 429 Castro St, in San Francisco (photo ........................Continued n~t page 922, the Castro Theatre is San Francisco’s www.ozarksstar.com prawns served with a mango whittle white dipping sauce, Cherty Cola Caribbean BBQ Ribs, Chicken Satan; Cordon Bleu and a grilled Cornish hen with a orange tequila mad brandy sauce. They also serve t}esh steamed mussels euro style with whittle wine and chicken broth to name a few. ~q~eir grilled red snapper with Spa~> ish rice is to die for. N~ev even serve the best Itali~ meatloaf with twice baked potato this side ofNew York Cib" and Cajun friend chicken, baked ziti pasta and the best veggie burgers in the u,fiverse made ~r0m scratch fbr you vegetarian lovers. Care Bohemio has been written up i~ the New YorkTimes Sunday travel section. It is quite the gay travelers ~nner stop when in Puerto Valtarta. Reservations are re£0mmended on high ~eason Nov-April as they only have 17 tables. You can email as well lbr reservations at ca_febohemio@hotmail, corn or call when in town at 322-t34-2436. Chris and Sol hope to open a Care Bohemio in the near future in fabulous Palm Springs CA, Both are wonderful guys and good friends of ours. We wish them GRF~aiT SUCCESS! by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast HEMIO, Puerto Val~arta, Mexdco 127 Rodolfb Gomez is located in the roman- ?uerto Vallarta. Mexico, one block from the Dia de los leach axed located next to the San Marino Hotel. It’s locagay bars are located. former owners of the md B in San Francisco 3ened Care Bohemio 5 several years and have San Francisco. Sol is LOS has created a fabulous inmrnational menu with a a~ veiT aflbrdable prices. "Ihey have a popular , hours daily from 5-7 and 11-midnight with 3ecials where drinks are 2 for 1 all N. Schrader Boulevard in Los _Angeles. ~Ihe first gay community center in the country began in 197t, It is the largest gay C0mmunivy center in the United States. iuesoays are tini "thesdays where martinis ¯ long. Wednesdays are also popular with their 2 is served al fresco outdoor dining under a large mango tables complete MASSACHUSETTS SUPreME COURZ John Adams Court[, house, One Pemberton Square in B0S{0n. ~& the debate over marriage continues today, rhh Supreme Judici~ Court of Massachusetts took a big Step by becoming the first State to legalize same-sex marriage in May of 2004. landmar~ and it is a marvelous your bohemian experience is a memorable $10. American dollars - yes you heard Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and ght! and all meals include at no extra cost homemade chips talk to everyone! salsa- a cup of their famous soup of the day and fresh bread. not frozen and all desserts are made on the no pre-mixes 85% of their clients are repeat customers. Some of their dishes include Shrimp Coco Mango, jumbo coconut www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 19 I~orbel, one ofthe Russian River’s top wineries, offers tours oftheproperty and also has a superb gourmet deli that’s perfectforpicking up picnic supplies and light lunches. (Photo by Andrew Collins) chocolates. And Wayne Skata Jewelry & Antiques carries some of the most intriguing decorative items and household gifts around. Nestled in the redwood-shaded western reaches of Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley is one of Northern California’s most relaxing and gay-friendly weekend getaways. Although the area is occasionally ravaged by wintertime floods, it offers cool and typically sunny weather much of the year, especially in summer. The area comprises the towns of Guerneville, Forestville, Monte Rio, and - where the river empties into the Pacific - Jenner. Gay folks have been weekending here for more than three decades, and the area has always been a terrific spot for camping, canoeing, hiking, and simply relaxing amid peaceful and picturesque surroundings. More recently, the eastern reaches of the area have blossomed into a hub of superb wineries. Although a steady influx of well-heeled San Francisco professionals has given the Russian River a slightly more polished sensibility in recent years, Guerneville and its neighboring communities still look and feel unpretentious - even a bit raffish - compared with such swanky Wine Country towns as Healdsburg and Rutherford. This is a spot where flannel shirts and jeans are 20 the STAR as much in vogue as designer wear. Life here moves at a snail’s pace, and that’s how most locals prefer it. The river defines not only the community’s personality but also the region’s geography. It’s a threat, to be sure, but it’s also the reason devotees love the area. Perhaps the leading activities in summer are floating for several miles down the river on inner tubes and embarking on one ofthe popular canoe expeditions offered by Burke’s Canoes. For a spectacular hike, drive a few miles north of town to 800-acre Armstrong \Voods, home to some of the tallest and oldest trees in northern California. Ifyou’re hit with a rainy day, fear not: Downtown Guerneville holds an increasingly intriguing selection of shops. Possibilities include the Five & Dime, with its old-fashioned candy section and offbeat gifts; Stone’s River Feed, a whimsically stocked pet-supplies store; River Reader, a quirky bookshop with a GLBT section; and Kings & Q~eens, which stocks cool vintage threads. At Hemp & Chocolat, you can pick up - you guessed it - hemp clothing and accessories, along with gorgeous handmade Wine-tasting is a top pastime in these parts, and a great way to begin your explorations is by consulting with David DeVries and John Haggard, two knowledgeable and friendly experts on local wine who operate Sophie’s Cellars, a wonderful little wine and cheese shop in Monte Rio. These guys can recommend and make introductions for you at several high-quality, lesser-known vineyards, some that aren’t otherwise open to the public. If you’re out exploring on your own, the best winery-hopping plan is to drive east of Guerneville on River Road. Just outside of town, stop at Korbel Champagne Cellars, which is headquartered in a century-old, creeper-covered brick building. The facility’s Korbel Dell and Microbrewery is a delightful spot to grab lunch - it serves superb panini sandwiches (try the one with salami, Brie, tapenade, roasted peppers, and greens), prepared salads, and fresh-baked sweets, and there’s seating on a !ovely tree-shaded deck. Continue along River Road and make a left onto Westside Road, following this toward Healdsburg. Over the next several miles, you’ll encounter one exceptional winery after another - best bets include Gary Farrell, Porter Creek (amazing pinot noirs), Davis Bynum, Hop Kiln, and Roshambo. Alternatively, explore the wine-growing region south of the river. Fine vineyards in the towns of Forestville, Graton, and Windsor include Joseph Swan, La Crema, DeLoach, Topolos, and Hanna. Many businesses and accommodations in the area distribute free "Russian River Wine Road" brochures and maps, which can help you plot your oenophilic journey - or log on to www.wineroad. com to see the maps there. Where there’s great wine, there’s great food, and Guerneville has gradually improved as a culinary destination in recent years. Charizma Wine Lounge and Dell is a relatively new spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine-tasting, and live jazz some nights. Sophisticated but well-priced options include a baked Petrole sole with mango-jasmine rice, baby beans, and blue mussels, and the smoked-ham and provolone sandwich with .............Continued next page www.ozarksstar.com peach-and-onion barbecue sauce. Cape Fear cafe is another very good lunch source - it’s in a small complex ofhistoric buildings a scenic 15- minute drive south of Guerneville. When it’s a good old-fashioned burger you’re after, drop by gay-owned Bob N’ Boy in downto~vn Guerneville. Chase down your burgers, hot dogs, and fries with Red Hook beer. Grab breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon espresso snack at the Coffee Bazaar, just offthe main drag along Armstrong Woods Road. The sunny little cafe with free Wi-Fi has wonderfully hearty soups and sand~viches, egg dishes, cakes, cookies, and similarly enticing treats. In Forestville, you’ll find a couple ofthe region’s best restaurants, including Mosaic Restaurant and Wine Lounge, which serves first-rate contemporary American fare, and the famed Farmhouse Inn, Restaurant, and Spa, which has garnered all kinds ofawards and kudos for its innovative cuisine. A typically delicious dish here is the plate ofseared pork medallions with caramelized onions, black Mission figs, and parmesan polenta. With dinner out ofthe way, don’t overlook Guerneville’s gay nightlife. Some ofthe restaurants in these parts have lounges or bars popular with the GLBT crowd, and then there are a couple ofself-standing bars. One spot that’s friendly with men and women, old and young, is the Rainbow Cattle Company, a former gambling hall, which draws a genial, outgoing bunch, many ofwhom tumble in after 11 for a nightcap... or two...or seven. Across the street is Club Yamagata, a space that’s gone through a few incarnations over the years and was known until recently as Liquid Sky. It opened in June 2007 as a hip, mixed gay/straight lounge serving everything from fancy sake-infused cocktails to green teas, smoothies, and appetizers. The Asian-themed spot offers a departure from Guerneville’s somewhat predictable scene. Another good bet is the Triple R Bar at the Russian River Resort, xvhich is home to a pool bar, video lounge, and piano cabaret. The live entertainment and several chatty bartenders are sure to keep everybody’s spirits up. The Russian River has a number ofgay-popular accommodations, the most romantic being the posh yet unpretentious Applewood Inn and Restaurant, which is a few minutes’ drive south ofdowntown Guerneville. Half of the elegant rooms are in the main 1922 Mission Revival house; the others are in a newer building done in the same style. All are loaded with antiques and have European down comforters, and many have hot tubs and fireplaces. Applewood also contains the best restaurant in the area, serving such stellar Mediterranean-influenced victuals as braised rabbit with potato gnocchi, bacon, and English peas. Recently purchased by helpful and enthusiastic couple Dana Murphy and Brian Siewert, the former Ridenhour Inn received a top-tobottom makeover in 2006 and has emerged as the dapper Sonoma Orchid. This sunny yellow farmhouse set high on a bluffalong River Road (very near the Westside Road wineries) has a hot tub in back, six guest rooms in the main house, and four more contemporary and private units in a separate cottage (some of these have fireplaces). Welcoming ofkids as well as pets, the Sonoma Orchid is nonetheless a peaceful, romantic hideaway- a terrific addition to the Russian River’s gay-friendly lodging landscape. Other gay-popular accommodations ofnote include the long-running Russian River Resort (aka the Triple R), a highly social spot with clean and comfy motel-style rooms that received a top-notch makeover in 2006. A rustic but neatly maintained compound of 1920s cottages, the pet-friendy Fern Grove is another highly recommended establishment - many of the knotty-pine units have fireplaces. You don’t often find a predominantly gay resort owned by a straight couple, bui the reasonably priced, beautifully situated Highlands Resort is just that. Friendly innkeepers Ken and Lynette, who know all there is to know about the region, operate this rambling 3-acre spread tucked beneath the boughs ofto~vering redwood trees. Accommodations are set in a series ofsecluded, nicely appointed cabins, many of them with fireplaces, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. It’s a peacefu! spot (no TVs or phones in the rooms), and nudity is permitted around the pool and hot tub. When you’re truly looking to get away from it all, this compound, just a five-minute walk up the hill from downtown Guerneville, makes the perfect escape. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 Campaign Memo Lesbian Notions, at the HRC/Logo Democratic candidates’fot~m. After watching the Human Rights Campaign/ Logo presidential forum, I decided a memo to the LGBT handlers, counselors, and advisers to the candidates was in order. Memo to LGBT Candidate Advisers: Thanks for making sure your candidate was at the forum, but I think some of them needed a bit more prep time. I took the liberty of perusing the forum transcripts, and, honestly, each of the candidates needs help with his or her language. In the approximately 15 minutes each candidate had on screen, the actual use of the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender was at a minimum. Barack Obama said "LGBT" five times, "gays and lesbians" three, added "transgender" once, and said "gay" twice in the same sentence - "they’ve got gay friends, they’ve got gay family members." John Edwards said "lesbian and gay couples" three times, Dennis Kucinich said "gay" once, Bill Richardson said "gay and lesbian" four times, and Hi!lary Clinton said "gay" and "LGBT" one time each. I have to hand it to Mike Gravel though. He referred to "the gays" twice, but used the word "gay" 10 times! It might be old-fashioned of me, but I gauge a candidate’s comfort with our community with her or his ability to actually say the words. It’s one of my litmus tests. You need to prep your candidates better - when they’re addressing an audience filled with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, they need to say the words. In essence, they need to speak directly to us - not use euphemisms, with which the evening’s forum was rife. A few specific, well-placed references to us would have worked wonders for Obama when he spoke somewhat aw~vardly about civil unions. He said, "I am a strong supporter of not a weak version of civil unions, but of a strong version, in which the rights that are conferred at the federal level to persons of- you know, who are part of the same-sex union are compatible." 22 the STAR Now wouldn’t it have been better if the "Rock Star" candidate - as he was referred to at the forum - said the following? "I am a strong supporter of civil unions where all the federal rights, privileges, and responsibilities are conveyed to lesbian and gay couples." Short, sweet, and to the point. Edwards needs to know that it’s OK to say "lesbian and gay youth" or "LGBT youth." It doesn’t mean you’re recruiting for our side. He was eloquent when speaking about the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center and the work it does for our homeless youth, but a few references to the specific population he was talking about would have served him well. He pondered "All she needs to do is say "LGBT" or "le.sbian and gay" a tew more times, and more of us will be eating out of her hand, thanking her for the crumbs while she consumes the cake." that "without that place [the LA Center], where would these - where would these young people go?" How much stronger, how much more emotional would it have been if he said, "Where would our LGBT youth go?" Edwards also needs a little help saying "transgender" and "transition." In answering a question regarding Susan Stanton, the transgender city manager of Largo, Fla., who lost her job after transitioning, Edwards couldn’t say "transgender." He talked about "going through what they’re going through." When referring back to the question during his closing remarks, he spoke of Stanton’s firing as a case of discrimination based on sexual orientation - wrong! She was fired because of gender identity. All I can say about Kucinich is that if he really wants to be taken seriously, he’s got to tone down the love! Sure, he’s great on our issues, supports same-sex marriage and everything else we want. He may be "evolved," as the forum’s emcee, Margaret Carlson, suggested, but honestly he sounded like a flake - not someone who is presidential. Didn’t anyone prep Richardson at all? We appreciate his record - his calling a special session just to get a domestic-partner bill passed (which didn’t happen). But to not understand a simple question on whether or not being gay is a choice is just politically stupid. His take on "don’t ask, don’t tell," however, was good. "When you have an America that is asking men and women to fight and die, the last thing you need to do is give them a lecture on sexual orientation." Right you are. And then there was Clinton - as slick and smooth as ever. Her answer about opposing same-sex marriage was brilliant: "Well, I prefer to think of it as being very positive about civil unions." She’s taken a cue from Bill - triangulate, triangulate, triangulate. She’s put her own spin on the issue of civil unions, leaving anyone who disagrees with her on it looking like the odd person out. All she needs to do is say "LGBT" or "lesbian and gay" a fe,v more times, and more of us will be eating out of her hand, thanking her for the crumbs while she consumes the cake. Then there’s Gravel. Too bad he’s not electable. He had the LGBT rhetoric down, but it was a little strange when he kept referring to "the gays" who support him - the gays in New York, the gays in San Francisco, the gays in Alaska. I found his honesty about the political scene refreshing and wish he hadn’t left elected office some 25 years ago. We need him in the Senate now more than ever. So there you have it. There may not be another national forum on LGBT issues in the 2008 election, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get your candidates talking the talk so that one of them can walk the walk to the Capitol on January 20, 2009. www.ozarksstar.corn BOB LEMON INTERVIEW CONT. BOB: I think it’s just that they were brought up that way, and I think that young people today are much less anti-gay than people of my generation. Much of the hate was fueled by tactics such as those used by Karl Rove and the Bush administration, and by anti-gay state questions on ballots during the 2004 elections that were designed to elect conservatives. People like me, straight but not narrow, need to support organizations such as Cimarron Alliance, P-Flag and other groups. This are more straight people involved now. That’s a good trend and I love it. I say this to straight people who believe in democracy, equality and ful! rights for the gay community, come out of your closets! They need to proudly and publicly show themselves as supporters. Someday we will see a mass shift of public opinion. VICTOR: What about the upcoming Oklahoma County Commissioner Race for District One? BOB: I think we need to support Willa Johnson September 11, I believe she would fulfill that office in the Roth tradition. When he held that office, Jim Roth did many wonderful things for Oklahoma County and the GLBT community. He’s a fine public servant, and I’ll be disappointed ifI don’t see him be a governor or president someday. VICTOR: I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Overall are you optimistic about 2008? BOB: Very optimistic. If our opponents attempt to put wedge issues on the ballot such as gay marriage or other gay rights issues to further their causes I don’t think it will work, or at least not as well, because people are becoming more reasonable and fair minded. My hat is off to the Jim Roths and Al McAffreys out there, because they are paving the way for a better future. Fair minded people, along with the gay community need to keep up their efforts helping good candidates and encouraging good voters. VICTOR: Well, thanks for sharing with us, and we can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done and all that we know you’ll do. It will always inspire our community to do better. BOOM BOOM ROOM MAY BE DOOMED. LAGUNA BEACH, CA In less than three weeks, venerable Laguna Beach, Calif., gay club the Boom Boom Room will shut its doors forever unless a buyer comes to its rescue. The property’s ownm; Steven Udvar-Hazy, and the operators of the Boom Boom Room and the adjoining Coast Inn were apparently unable to reach an agreement to keep the bar, restaurant and hotel open beyond the coming Labor Day weekend, according to an open letter from preservation group Save the Boom! Udvar-Hazy wants to demolish the property to make way for a larger hotel. Save the Boom! is campaigning to find a buyer who will keep the 60-year-old establishment afloat. The group began its campaign in 2006, gathering 6,000 signatures in three months to preserve the gay institution. A nearby Laguna gay landmark, the Woody’s on the Beach restaurant, closed in February. (The Advocate) www.ozarksstar.com Jim Roth receives Hero ofHope _Award from the Cathedral of Hope UCC By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma Corperation Commisioner Jim Roth received the 2007 Hero of Hope Award from Oklahoma City’s Cathedral of Hope UCC Church, an award given for commitment, hardwork and dedication towards a better future for the GLBT community. As the Reverend Scott Jones put it, "Jim received the award because in his very person he embodies the breaking of barriers and creating new possibilities for the future." He was elected in 2002 as an openl~ gay ,nan to the office of Oklahoma County Commissioner District 1, and then reelected in 2006, recognized for outstanding performance in that position. He left that seat this year, appointed by Governor Brad Henry to fill a vacated position on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Oommuni y Peop ÷ iving with V!A DS Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with A!DS 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 harrismmjr@yahoo,com. The STAR 23 ntrospection is defined as an examination of one’s own feelings and thoughts according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary. Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. This greater happiness can help you follow the yellow brick road to better health. I will present dozens of questions for you to contemplate. Get ready to challenge yourself to a smorgasbord of self-discovery. For best results, I recommend you answer honestly Pinocchio. What is the angriest moment you have ever experienced? Are you more of a voyeur or an exhibitionist? What person do you trust the most? When do you feel most relaxed? Whit whom have you had the best sex? What has been your proudest moment? What is your greatest fear? What have you always wanted to do but haven’t? Where did you experience your greatest happiness? When did you last lie? What are your pet peeves? Who are you most intimidated by? Have you ever considered suicide? What part of your body would you like to replace? When did you first feel sexual? Whom have you most wanted to hurt? Have you ever driven your car naked? Who would you want as your guardian angel? Whom do you secretly admire? What was the happiest year of your life? What bad habit do you enjoy the most? What is the largest amount of money you have found? When was the last time you dreamed you were falling? What is the most expensive car you have driven? What movie character do you most resemble? Would you like to live in the future or the past? Have you ever watched someone die in person? What photograph of you is most revealing? Who is most jealous of you? What secret will you take to your grave? What is the longest span you’ve gone without sex? How do you want to die? Who has influenced you the most? What is your earliest childhood memory? \re’hen did you last cry during a movie? These questions should be .just the beginning. Sit down and make a bigger list if you’d like. Knowledge is power. The more you know about yourself, the better equipped you’ll be to go out and face the world. Introspection is just like a massage or a relaxing spell in the hot tub. You’ll feel like a million bucks after this exercise. It is free and you have not a dime to lose. Question #1 is waiting for you in the lobby. Good luck! This column is brought to you by that guy Ron Blake who has been known to urinate on his shirt and then wrap it around his head to stay coo! when he is out of water and stranded in the desert. Learn more about the little bugger at www.goblakefitness.com. 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com KELLY &JACQ ELINE CARTER SCOTT TWO LIVES UNITED MIDWEST CITY, OK __ Kelly and Jacqueline Carter Scott exchanged vows at their Holy Union held on August 11, 2007 at a friend’s home in Midwest City. "l-here were 82 people in attendance with their friends and family. The wedding was conducted by the Reverend Toby Jenkins with Ekklesia Church ofTulsa, followed by feasting, fellowship and fun dancing under the stars with DJ Victorola. Xhey will reside in Oklahoma City. Jacqueline is an RN working with Integris Hospital, and Kelly is the Director ofAdministration for the Center for Positive Change, an OKC mental health facility. STONE\VALL ENDORSES WILLA JOHNSON FOR DISTRICT 1. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK P/R__ The executive committee of Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats voted unanimously on Friday August 17th, to endorie Willa Johnson, the Democratic Party nominee for Oklahoma County Commissioner, District 1. With the endorsement, Stonewall also appropriated $500 for a donation to her campaign fund. "Willa has been a steadfast supporter of human rights and ofLGBT issues throughout her years on the Oklahoma City Council, and has pledged to continue that support if elected to the county level," said Steve VanHook, male co-chair of Oklahoma Stonewall. "We urge the entire LGBT community of Oklahoma County to support Willa with donations and volunteer work during this very short campaign, regardless of party affiliation. She will be facing a Republican opponent who already has an established record of homophobia and bigotry toward the LGBT community. We owe it to ourselves to help Willa’s campaign as much as possible," VanHook said. Oklahoma Stonewall is one of over 90 chapters and affiliated dubs of National Stonewall Democrats, and is a recognized federation within the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Quotable Quotes A study by South African sdentists said Wednesday there was no evidence that foods such as garlic and beetroot were a substitute for AIDS medicine, disputing claims by the country’s health minister. An Idaho inmate who castrated herselfwith a disposable razor blade after prison officials refused to treat her for gender identity disorder should have female hormone therapy paid for by the state, a federal judge said. Dr. Robert G. Crummie, a volunteer "Doctor of the Day" in Raleigh, is in trouble for more than urging electric shock therapy for gay people. Cimarron A!liance Foundation Awarded Capacity Building Grant P/R August 22, 2007 OKI.__AHOMA CITY, OK __ The Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) has awarded a grant to the Cimarron Alliance Foundation (CAF) to support the hiring of a consultant to create a fundraising and financial development plan. The grant presentation is scheduled 10:00 am this Saturday August 25th, 2007 prior to a financial development board retreat funded by this generous grant. Gayle Farley, OCCF Program Coordinator will present the grant to CAF chair, Richard Ogden, and the CAF Board of Directors. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the metropolitan area’s non-profit public charity, was founded in 1969 to work with individuals to meet the charitable needs of the community through development and administration of permanent endowment funds for non-profit organizations and other charities. Through its Community Program Grants, the OCCF funds, initiates and leads programs that benefit the community in the area of arts, education, health and human services, beautification and community development. The Cimarron Alliance Foundation, an Oklahoma non-profit educational foundation, was created in 1997 to support equality toward "A Fair and Just Oklahoma’. Cimarron has heightened its fundraising efforts to support a series of educational and charitable programs aimed at promoting fairness and impartiality to all people. The CAF Mission : "To support educational efforts that increase personal self-esteem, promote public enlightenment and advanced equality for LGBT Oklahomans". For further information about these organizations visit: http://www.occf.org or http://www.cimarronalliance.org www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 27 Mars in Gemini is loosening lips, and, squaring Uranus, he will have us all blurting out things we’ll wish we hadn’t! Keep your ears open and your mouth shut - or otherwise occupied. Venus is in Leo, so taking pride in taste and discretion can save you lots of trouble. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): To avoid blurting out secrets and betraying trust, let it all be about you! Hold the spotlight and dazzle your friends with your charm and playfulness. If you do get time alone, some creative writing and journaling can offer surprising insights. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Resisting the impulse to spend can be hard, but stay within a budget. Friends will egg you on to some fabulous purchase that you’ll regret. What would Mother say? In this case, she’d probably be right. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your mouth is even more dangerous than usual. Whether you want it or not, you have the ear of bosses and authorities. Running your ideas by a sister first will help you make them more presentable. SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Arguments, especially at home, are likely to go badly for you. Artistic and literary diversions will help keep you out of trouble. Those from the lands of your family background can provide surprising insights. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Showing off and learning new sexual techniques can prove very educational for all involved. But are you communicating anything in your love-making besides physical prowess? Take time out to talk about real intimacy, not just erotic gymnastics. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): What you value in your relationships cannot be sufficiently expressed with money and gifts. Efforts to do so now will just prove awkward and expensive. A gesture of affection - a hug, a kiss, or a kind word - is still best. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): You’re full of surprises even you don’t know about. Conversations with your family can expose talents that will prove helpful at work. Be sure to discuss family medical history. What you learn now could save you lots of grief. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Occupy your mind to keep your mouth out of trouble. Visit museums and art-house films, and keep the discussion impersonal, discussing aesthetics instead of mutual acquaintances. Whatever you say will be heard far and wide! LEO (July 23 - August 22): Talking about sex could actually keep you out of trouble, as then you won’t be gossiping about friends. Even better than discussing sex, continue your research on different techniques and styles~ You’ll have plenty of opportunity! VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Your partner will quickly tire of your complaints about work, and your workplace is no place to kvetch about your love life! Hiding out could be your best bet, even with your partner exploring nonverbal communication. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You can enjoy great popularity now, either for your savage wit or for your valuable community service. The latter will also offer you surprising inspirations. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): OK, you’re hot; we all know you’re hot; and worst of all, you know you’re hot. Now relax and try to have fun without needing to prove anything. You can’t play anyone else’s instrument while you’re tooting your own horn. 28 the STAR MCC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve 3". Uric 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! ~wvw.ozarksstar.com Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org.........888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events 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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Tiki Torch- 75 S. Main Street. - -479-253-2305 Tradewinds Lodge - 141 W. VanBuren 800-242-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Condom Sense 418 W. Dickson...... -479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave.......... -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center- - - - 479-251-1922 Passages ......930 N. College Ave- -479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave............. 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads.......1004 1/2 Garrison Ave.- ...... 479-782-6969 Klub XLR8 ......1022 Dodson Ave...........479-782-9578 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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave 501-375-8580 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club...... 384 GrantAve. 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 Club Glacier- ........ 2828 E. 31st South......316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground ................. 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) Fantasy- 2331 E 7th St- ....... -417-626-7275 MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - .......Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn....www.40thstreetinn.com.......816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton BIvd 816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs - www.hydeskc.com - - 816-56t-t010 Missie B’s....805 W. 39th St. -816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge..... 424 Boonville Ave............. 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr-- -518 E. Commericat. 417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub.... 504 E. Commerical......... 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive -4!7-864-4572 Ronisuz Place....821 College- 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books....104 Sunset - - 580-242-6838 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Ingrids Bookstore..... 1124 NW Cache Rd......580-353-1488 Oklahoma, I~,~cAlester (918) 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 Christie’s Toy Box.....3126 N. May Ave ....... 405-946-4438 Church of Open Arms......3131 N. Penn...... 405-525-9555 Copa -2200 NW 39th Exp........405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy....... -405-525-9200 First Amendment Tatoo Shop- - - 2135 NW 39th - - -405-604-391! Gushers Restaurant.....2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........2200 NW 39th Exp 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St--405-521-9696 Hi-Lo Club 1221 NW 50th 405-843-1722 Jungle Reds .......2200 NW Expwy- 405-524-5733 Ledo.............2200 NW Expw~j- 405-525-0730 Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ........405-681-5044 Partners......... 2805 NW 36th St ..........405-942-2199 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St. 405-525-5165 Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St...........405-601-3711 The Park- 2125 NW 39th St -405-528-4690 The Patio........ 3201 N. May Ave 405-917-1663 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. Yale - - 918-494-2665 Circle Cinema...... 10 S. Lewis............. 918-592-3456 Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder .... 918-584-9944 Club Majestic....... 124 N. Boston 918-584-9494 Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan -918-835-3301 Cosmo Deli & Bar- - 6746 S. Memorial 918-459-0497 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI -918-834-1051 Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street. .918-743-4297 Hideaway Cocktail Lounge- - - 11730 E. 11th......918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st- 918-749-8378 Midtown- 319 E. 3rd- - - 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood.....918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave .918-585-9552 Renegades. 1649 S. Main 918-585-3405 Sappho’s 816 S. Sheridan Rd........ 918-836-8992 Tulsa CARES.... 3507 E. Admiral P!- 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center---- 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle.....1338 E. 3rd....918-592-1188 TNT’s 2114 S. Memorial- 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd....... 2630 E. 15th.......... 918-293-0304 Keller Will~ams Realty Ch~ck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. ~Arkansas GLBT Community Center "Li"nki"ng Togethe~"as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 3O the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, September 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 9 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 01, 2007 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 Jeanne Flanigan Paul Wortman James Nimmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald, Blake Ray Williams Jack Fetig LIz Highleyman Devre Jackson Michael Leach Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text Language A language of the resource English 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) 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, August 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 8 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/203 The Star Magazine, October 1, 2007; Volume 4, issue 10 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/212 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/213 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/3356806c2182fe3249f316b72609c2b4.jpg 7634dc1bdf8e8b3252a44e3e8ccc1061 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/aa6ef9275e1a20d930fd5f8e5b7b61dd.pdf 4e9ec75b662993a6bafea9ee0fe5f5e0 PDF Text Text �1 (2437) Oklahoma’s HIV/$TD Hottine PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PAR (S) Center on Tuesdays from 6-Spin H.O.RE. Testing ~er~s Outreach Prograr~ tn Tulsa at (9t8) 812~7045 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Local and Regional O cials Featured The New Advocate. By Steve VanHook OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Xhe new 40th Anniversary Issue of Xhe Advocate features six gay and lesbian elected officials in an article entitled "Great American Lives: The Trailblazers". Oklahoma’s A! McAffrey, Arkansas’ Kathy Webb, and Alabama’s Patricia Todd, state representatives all, are joined by Guy Padgett, former mayor of Casper, Wyoming, State Senator and progressive Democrat Jolie Justus of Missouri, and Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez. The article and photos begin on Page 78 of the September 25th, 2007, issue, written by Paul Florez in NYC and Padraie Wheeler. In an introduction to the article with the heading "Doing It For Ourselves", the authors write: "After decades of pounding on the walls of government, fighting to be heard, gays and lesbians have finally secured positions inside those walls. There are currently more than 370 openly gay elected officials natiomvide, with at least 100 more expected to run in 2008. Meet six trailblazers who ran as openly gay candidates and won---in red states, no less." The piece on McAffrey reads: "Al McAffrey, 59, has lived a life of service. Before becoming a legislator, he had careers in both the Navy and the Oklahoma City Police Department. McAffrey said his sexuality wasn’t a central issue during his race for the District 88 seat in the Oklahoma State House, but that changed one day when he knocked on the door of a house displaying his opponent’s sign on the front lawn. "The guy said, ’I have only one question to ask you: Are you gay?’" recalls McAffrey. "And I thought, Oh, shit, how am I going to answer this? Well, I’m a pretty point-blank guy, so I said, ’Yeah, I’m gay. Does that mean you’re not going to vote for me?’ He looked at me and said, ’No, I am going to vote for you, because you’re honest." "The man tood down the opponent’s sign right there and then. Step it up to fight AIDS By Joey De TULSA, OK __ Lace up your walking shoes and head to Veterans Park Sat. Oct. 6 to join the fight against MDS. The fifteenth annual walk will step offat 9 a.m. from the park located at 21st street and Boulder avenue. The two mile route will take walkers along Riverside to 31st and then return to Veterans Park. Funds raised by the Tulsa AIDS walk go directly to supporting Tulsa’s National AIDS Fund Americorp team. The five person team provides prevention, testing and outreach services through out the Tulsa community. Tulsa is one of the few cities in the country that ........... Continued page 13 wvcw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �STATE SENATOR ANDREW RICE ANNOUNCES HIS RUN FOR U.S. SENATE Indigo Girls descend on Tulsa at the Historic Cains Ballroom. The Advocate - the oldest continuously published U.S. gay periodical still in existence - has chronicled the history and culture of the LGBT community for 40 years. Ever simply smell a wine before you taste it? What does it smell like to you? Check out the color too. fl~ c,Ao T~V~Gay Travelers: Colorado Out of Town: Samta Fe. NM Dining In or OUT Maybe it’s my age - 50 is just around the corner (oy!). Maybe it’s because I’ve been in a relationship since I was 18 (mind you, that means serial monogamy F~T~ESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS ON THE COVER: Indigo Girls 4 the STAR CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY ~.~v.ozarksstar.com �STATE SENATOR ANDREWANNOUNCES HIS RUN FOR U.S. SENATE By Victor Gorin He stated, "Robert S. Kerr, Henry Bellmon and David Boren had a trait in common that they were able to find common ground and get things done for our state when it needed to be done. I think that’s something I can do as a proud Democrat and know where my line in the sand is." Referring to skepticism some people have due to his youth, Andrew pointed out that Oklahoma has a long history of younger candidates who have been elected, including Don Nickles, who was younger than Andrew when he was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1980. "The experience that we talk about with politics, there’s a lot of that experience I don’t want. Being beholden to special interests, getting stuck in your ways, being a career politician, being inflexible and not able to see things from another viewpoint, that’s the experience that has taken us down the wrong road in his country. " OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ QUOTE: "I’m humble as I go through this. I want the people of the state to get to know me, I want to know what their aspirations are, the things they want to see reformed. " Longtime LGBT ally Andrew Rice announced through press conferences & fundraisers that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by James Inhofe. Together with his wife Apple and their 2 sons, Parker & Noah, he let Oklahomans know where he stands and why he wanted the job. He currently holds the seat for State Senate District 46, elected to that position in 2006. That seat was previous held by Bernest Cain, who likewise was a staunch ally of the GLBT community as well as many other progressive causes but~ had to leave office due to term limits. ~,~rw.ozarksstar.corn At his press conference at the Oklahoma State Democratic Party Headquarters, he touched on many issues facing our country and how he wanted to make a difference, including global xvarming, national security, fiscal responsibility, and a major lack of trust Americans feel for their government. As he puts it: The incumbent, James Inhofe, was first elected to the U.S. Senate seat in 1994 with a special election when David Boren left the office to take the presidency of Oklahoma University He was re-elected to a full term in 1996 and again in 2002. He has become well known for extreme rightwing positions, including opposition to gay rights, total support our military involvement in Iraq, opposition to any minimum wage increase or support for organized labor, and calling global warming "a hoax." "It’s pretty remarkable the amount of disgruntlement, and really the lack of faith Andrew closed by pointing out that he people have in government. I think they wants to give Oklahomans an option if they feel a lot of anxiety not only because of the want a change. complexities we deal with like terrorism and . the health care crisis, but even basic good government practices." He stressed that his life experiences, especially his work in an evenly divided Oklahoma State Senate had given him the know-how of how to work with Republicans and yet stick to his principles. the STAR 5 �Democrats Need Negative Resuks in traq. Dear Editor: The national Democratic Congressional leadership believes failure by our troops in Iraq the central front in the War on Terror is essential for them to win elections in 2008, and that any positive sign of progress in Iraq is simply a "problem" for them. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, driven by polls and politics, declared "This war is lost," even before the President’s new strategy began. Reid also has bragged, "We’re going to pick up Senate seats as a result of this war." And Democrat House Majority Whip James Ctyburn said that a positive report in September from General Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker would be "a real big problem for us (Democrats)." Meaning the Democrats’ desire for an arbitrary troop withdrawal and their party’s 2008 electoral fortunes would be in jeopardy if our troops succeed. Is it aW wonder that the new Democratic controlled Congress has far lower approval ratings than the President? Let’s not forget that there are thousands of gay and lesbian troops fighting the M Queda terrorists in Iraq; courageously risking their lives against a violent worldwide ideology that has no regard for the lives of gay people in the Middle East or any where else in the world. These gay and lesbian soldiers from our community are true American heroes and deserve our unwavering patriotic respect. It is unconscionable that Democrat leaders, and many gay activists, are hoping for our troops to fail so their part,i can gain a political advantage. And it is unacceptable that the leading Democrat presidential contenders, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, both claim to support our troops yet voted against providing them with the resources to sustain their mission and keep them safe. Respectfully submitted, Matthew Veritas Tsien Former Air Force Executive Officer Low-maintenance bait for entrapment ? Dear Readers, Not being one who has ever solicited anonymous, or even well-known, sexual liaisons in public settings, I wasn’t aware of the Larry Craig foot-tapping dance which seems so imitative of certain insects that tap on leaves and stems to communicate either territorial limits or a need for mating. Thanks to Senator Craig America has received a birds-and-bees nature lore lesson hitherto known only to a relatively few wildlife specialists. But I do know there is a wafting of sexual pheromones in public par~ after dark at certain locations in Oklahoma City (OKC), Will Rogers Park being one of them. I recently attended a neighborhood political event at Will Rogers Park that, after I had helped pack up the event, found me walking back to my car after dark at 8:30pm. I had parked at the botanical greenhouse thinking the event I was attending was located in that area. ............................ Continued page 15 America’s national security should not be kicked around like a political football by the Far Left in Gay America. Many gays believe winning the War on Terror is vital to our country’s national security. 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �wY~w.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �Re~gnized by Keller Williams For outstanding ad~levernent 2005 and 2006 Chuck Breckenddge 918-706-1887 405.840.2106 MLS. OCTOBER 11, 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington and ~ ur~ting of ~he AIOS Quilt on the Na~al MS]I OCTOBER 11, 2007 National Comir~ Out Day Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �AFTER 25 YEARS THE ANGLES OKC TORCH IS PASSED ON OK]~AHOMA CITY, OK When A~gles opened in Augast of 1982 it was a great beginning that made its mark in history, ql~e club had an tmustml beginning when Scott Wdion applied for a gquor license for what was presented to be "CottonEyed Joe’s,~ a country dmaee b~r. When they opened as a gay disco named Angles, problems quickly began.. The club and thei~ customers were subjected to a vigorous campaign of police harassment, with officers frequendy raiding the club, citing them for bogus violations, along with ~rresring customers ~md sometimes beating them as well Boy George, the Wcathergirls ("It’s Rainhag Men), Dead or Alive, Jermifer Holhday, Divine, Paul Lekakis, Gloria Gaynor, Viola Wigs & celebrated their 19th anniversarg with Bonnie Pointer.lt was a memorable occasion when comedienne Joan Rivers enjoyed a portrayal of hersehc performed by the late Amii Dyshea. Their Turnabout Shows (where their employees got in deag) benefited AIDS charities aad becanae honored traditions for our community Love of Last Resort Much of our local talent was bolstered as well, including diva~ including Ghager hamar, Raahad Erikks, and the dynamic duo of Parr] & Tuna Melt (Tuna better known internarionaBy as cBef Ruby Ann Boxcar with patty her sister Donna Sue). Countless pageants were held there, with most of the past Miss Gay Oklahoma’s crowned there. The club also garnered respect from the straight community as well, gaining so much of their patronage that Angles was voted OKC’S Best Dance Club ha the Oklahoma Gazette several times, as well as the Best Gay Bar many times as well. ............... Cont~ued page 27 Angles fought baclq keeping track of the incidents, including badge & tag numbers as well as the police officers havolved, ~ad threatened to sue the city. A deal was forged with the city where Angles was awarded one dollar in damages plus some of the legal ll~s, and the City agreed to cease harassing the dub and their customers. The story made national news, and also w~s the major story of the first issue of the Gayly Oldahom~a in October of 1983. It £so proved to be a major turning point, with club ovmers of the ~ea having a good relationship with the police, and the overall climate changhag. Other gay bars followed as well as other buxinesses catering to the GLBT commuuiry, with many people remembering this courageous stand that was a major factor making it possible. Throughout the 80’S and 90’s Angles became a showcase & the In place to be, replacing the Free Spirit as OKC’S premier gay d~nce spot. Disco divas from that time remember world class DJ’S including the late Michael Tchekerades (fondly knovm as Checkers). Angles hosted major entertainers including www, ozarksstancom the STAR 9 �LINDSAY PAIGE TAKES THE CROWN By Victor Gorin Oklahomans for Equality opens "Out of the Closet: A T-Shirt Retrospective" at Dennis R. Neill Equality Center gallery TULSA, OK (PR)__ Toe Dennis IL Negl Equahty Center art gallery will host its monthly meet-the-artist reception from 6-9pro, qTaursday, October 4, 2007, for the opening of its October exhibit, "Out of the Closet". qqae show will be a retrospective of LGBT diemed T-Shins, a private collection of former gifx-shop owner Tom Neal, The displayed shirts, both regional aa~d international, wig offer a gfo~apse L~to the history of the gay rights movement as seen through T-Shirt design. The opening reception wg! be catered by donation from Brother’s Pizza Depot. q~e exhibit will remain up through die month of October, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pro. The Dennis K Neig Equality Center is located ar 62I E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa, More info can be found of die web at okeq.org. Tlxls monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian= Gay, Bisexual & Transg~nder (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, agiances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neifi Equality Photo ~ Victor Gorin, Left Melody Michaels, Right Lindsay Paige OKLAHOMA C!’YY, OK __ The iudges had the work cut out for them they }udged the wildly talented contestants at the Copa August 22-23, but Lindsay Paige survived the comperifion of some of Oklahoma most talented divas to capture the title of Miss Gay Oklahoma for 2007. Having won the distinction of I st alternate last year, her reaction upon hearhag her name as the winner clearly was ruth of heaven. The first alternate was Melody Michaels, a performer well known in Oklahoma City for her shows with Kitty Bob ALines and Ginger Lamar at the Boom. Tncy wl]l go to Memphis to compete for the crown of Miss Gay Ainerica October 17-21. Willa Johnson Wins Oklahoma Count Commissioner District One. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK With the conclusion of die special crat Willa Johnson, ~von handily wirh 54% of the vote over arch 2007 Miss America Lauren Nelson Headlines AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City OKLAHOMA CI~ (PR) __ Oklahoma’s own Lauren Nelson, who is the reigning 2007 Miss America, wi~ serve as the Grand Marshag of the upcoming MDS xYSalk of Oklahoma City. The Walk will take place o~ StmdaB September 30 at the Myriad Bormaical Gardens. Registration and festivities begin at 12:30pmfoliowed by a 2:00pm step off. There is no fee to walk in this important community event, which builds awareness and f~nds each year for die treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS i~ the greater Oklahoma City area. Southwes~ Ah-lines has generously donated two roundtrip aidine tickets to any Southwest Airlines desrSnation in the Continental U.S. to be raffled offat the Walk. Ra~e tickets are only $1 each and may be purchased either at the AIDS Walk on September 30, or by contacting Lfoda Larason at 405/570-4835. One need not be Ms.Johnson has served on the Oklahoma City Councg for Ward 7 since 1993. In her position she acted cnnsistendy in support of issues concerning the GLBT comnmdity, voting in support of an ordinate prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, opposed banning the GLBT banners during Gay Pride Month, and she opposed die abolition of the Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission. She has become well k~own for her outspoken opposition to discrimination. 10 the STAR Form your Walk team now and bring your donations to the 2007 MDS Walk of Oklahoma City. Visit www.aidswalkokc, org for more information. �.s DesCend By Leda Dowlearn worth watching. The Girls’ -warm up band, 3FiveHuman out of Atlanta, was a good rocking start. By the time they were finished the expectant energy of the crowd was at a ftenzy. Then the roar, suddenly the Gifts were there before us, guitars in motion, singing "Pendulum Swinger" (sure hope Hilary Clinton does adopt this as her theme song but she’d probably be too afraid to swing this far left). After that, it was song after song after song with hardly a break in between except to change guitars and grab a mandolin, banjo or harmonica. One thing I realized early on was that the Girls were not into stage presence. We heard a little banter about getting lost in Tulsa, enjoying the old YMCA, and their bassett hound on the bus but that was about it. Perhaps in a nod to location Amy Ray had on a western cowgirl shirt. But overall, the Girls were there to do their songs. Photo by Leda Dowlearn TULSA, OK __ On September 13th the Indigo Girls, icons of the feminist folk./rock music scene, descended on Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa to the full-house, floor-stomping adoration of a mostly lesbian crowd. The day the Girls came to my part of the universe I was in a closet (not my usual place) replacing a water heater thinking about the amazing fact that I had tickets to finally, that day, see these two demi-goddesses in the flesh after slavishly worshiping their musical personas for the past twenty years. In between hot and cold water pipes I was fantasizing about all the questions I’d love to ask them say should we run into each other in the bathroom or something Next step: I called Cain’s Ballroom and invoked the power of the media to get someone’s attention and, bless their hearts, an hour later I was talking with the Girls’ publicity" agent who said she’d see what she could do to set something up after sound check. That was enough for me. \VC’ater heater be damned, my partner and I hightailed it out of Northwest Arkansas headed for Tulsa town four hours early. Well, the bubble burst shortly after we hit the outskirts of Tulsa when their publicity agent had to tell me it was a no go on the interview. I was a little too late with my request and the Girls turned me down. That was okay, though, I still had my camera, two tickets and the evening was before us. This was my first visit to Cain’s Ballroom but I was up on their history after a review of their website. The feel of the place was cool, the line at the bar was friendly and the gathering crowd was well www.ozarksstar.com Okay, that was the Nirvana part and maybe I should stop there. It was more than enough. But in retrospect, that time of second thoughts that comes to you over coffee at Denny’s after your ears have stopped ringing, this die hard fan has some things to say that may or may not be more than I should be asking of the Girls, but here it goes anyway. Yeah, I got some great pictures and I heard some great songs. But they were all delivered to me in one big load of too much sound and too much rock without letting the songs that really needed to roll just roll. Can you Girls not trust that your audience is sophisticated enough to hear you on many levels? After all, yours is a mostly lesbian crowd. Emotional roller coasters are no problem for us. You can take us up and down so relax a little with that. Amy, yeah, you’re a rocker and you’re a star. No question in my mind that many of your songs are destined to be classics. You’re my Dylan, you’re my Springsteen. Rock on but know we love your slow songs, too, and I really, really wanted to hear "Three County Highway," "Nueva Senorita," or "Moment of Forgiveness." Emily, you’re brilliant with your lyrics and your melodies but you look like you don’t want to be in the circus anymore. You’re Baez, you’re Mitchell in your roots. But is it possible for Mitchell and Springsteen to share the same stage without each doing serious damage to the other’s genre and landing musically somewhere in the "upper echelons of mediocrity" as you have said yourself in "You and Me of the !0,000 Wars." Amy is ready and willing to jump into the chaos of rock and her songs have the energy and intensity it demands. She proved this brilliantly in her show stopper versions of "Rock And Roll Heaven’s ............... Continued page 23 the STAR 11 �31 iCONS SELECTED FOR GLBT HISTORY MONTH 2007 Alexander the Great, Billie Jean King, Leonardo da ~nci, Bessie Smith, Cary Grant among Icons Equality Forum produced 30-second biographical videos on each Icon, which will be broadcast daily on here! and Logo television networks throughout October, and will be streamed on major GLBT Web sites. Comcast will air a 30-second television PSA. Equality Forum launched GLBT History Month in 2006, and is patterned after Black and Vgomen’s History Months. tn its initial year, GLBT History Month reached over 500,000 individuals. GLBT History Month 2007 Icons: PHILADELPHIA, PA __ Equality Forum, an international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, announced 31 Icons to be featured during GLBT History Month in October. ~he 31 Icons achieved success within their respective fields of endeavor, were national heroes or advanced GLBT civil rights. "The GLBT community has been uniquely disadvantaged by not being taught its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions," said Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. "GLBT History Month helps teach our unacknowledged history, provides role models and celebrates contributions made by GLBT individuals to our country and internationally." The Icon videos are available for free for the Web sites of nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and corporate entities, through the inclusion of HTML code provided at wwv.glbtHistoryMonth.com. The Icon video is automatically updated each day. A free graphically-designed downloadable biography, bibliography and other educational resources for each Icon are available at www. glbtHistoryMonth.com. The 31 Icons from 2006 can also be found on the Web site. October 1: Leonard Bernstein (Composer) October 2: Annie Leibovitz (Photographer) October 3: Angela Davis (Civil Rights Activist) October 4: Alexander the Great (Military Commander) October 5: Billie Jean King (Athlete) October 6: Pedro Almodovar (Writer/Director) October 7: Bessie Smith (Singer) October 8: Klaus Wowereit (Politician) October 9: Susan Sontag (Author/ Commentator) October 10: Gore Vidal (Author) October 11: Lily Tomlin (Actor) October 12: Peter Gomes (Theologian) October 13: Mary Edwards Walker (Surgeon) October 14: Frederick II (Monarch) October 15: Virginia Uribe (Educator) October t 6: Frank Kameny (Gay Pioneer) October 17: Nancy Mahon (Philanthropy Advocate) October 18: David Hockney (Painter) October 19: Audre Lorde (Author) October 20: Cary Grant (Actor) October 21: Rende Richards (Transgender Pioneer) October 22: Sherry Harris (Politician) October 23: John Maynard Keynes (Economist) October 24: Gertrude Stein (Author) October 25: Zhou Dan (Chinese Gay Pioneer) October 26: Carolyn Bertozzi (Scientist) October 27: Cole Porter (Songwriter) October 28: John McNeill (Theologian) October 29: Florence Nightingale (Health Care Advocate) October 30: Billy Sipple (Hero) October 31: Leonardo da Vinci (Artist/Inventor/Scientist) ABOUT EQUALITY FORUM Equality Forum solicited nominations from leaders of national and international GLBT organizations. Nominees were evaluated by GLBT History Month Co-Chairs Rev. Nancy Wilson, Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, and Prof. Kenji Yoshino, Deputy Dean for Intellectual Life at Yale Law School. Equality Forum’s Board of Directors approved the final slate of 31 Icons. 12 the STAR Equality Forum is a national and international nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum develops high-impact educational content in the form of documentary films, history projects, innovative initiatives and the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum. www.equalityforum.com www.ozarksstar.com �Playwright!Actor Jerry Rabus a Back OKC with "Love Of Last Resoi-t If you’re a gay guy trapped for three years done on an abandoned and deserted sex resort, what could be better than having the man of your dreams wash up ashore? It’s a love story "waiting to happen.., or... is it? That’s the whole premise of "Love of Last Resort." Josh, played by author Jerry Rabushka, has been living alone on an uncharted South Pacific isle for quite some time. No electricity, no running water, no man for company. How does he do it? Easy! He consults back issues of Martha Stewart Living, follows the instructions, and can make anything he needs, usually in three easy steps. If you’re lost and alone, this is a very very good thing! Along with that, he changes personality on a regular basis. "It hurts to admit your entire persona has to be thrown out," he says. "But it’s all very ’Martha.’ You just make it out of what you got." Matt (played by Scott Mueller) couldn’t be any more opposite. An escapee from an "all gay cruise," he winds up beached on Josh’s island, pining after a man back from home, rebuffing Josh every step of the way. ’Of course you love me," he’ll say. "I’m the only choice you have." You can do some really cool stuff when you’re alone on an island. You can be whoever you want to be. You can see your island as a prison or an opportunity. Josh uses the island to escape; Matt isn’t sure he wants to escape, and he isn’t sure he can love Josh until he finds out who the "real Josh" is. "Matt’s a perfect foil to Josh," says Scott Mueller. "He wants to love, he wants m be in love, but he’s afraid to give up anything to do it. And like a lot of people, he tends to punish the man in front of him for the sins of the one who came before." As time goes by, though, Matt becomes more intrigued by Martha’s ingenuity and Josh’s world of fake TV shows. Come "watch" their interview with Gloria, a porn star with a very descriptive last name, a gaymarriage soap opera, and of course a bit of fun with a pair of handcuffs. vw,’w.ozarksstar.com Love Of Last Resort premiered in West Hollywood, CA, and has since played in St. Louis and Springfield, MO, with a production at Tulsa’s Nightingale Theater in January 2006. For this production, Rabushka has re-written the play with a more comedic outlook and added several cool new songs. "I always like coming to OKC," he says. "We keep coming back because we have a lot of support here and enthusiastic responses, plus the folks at the IAO Gallery are great!" Rabushka, with his company Ragged Blade, of St. Louis, MO, has previously been to the IAO with Somebody Else’s Life, Woofl. The Road Show, and Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew, which starred nationally known gay solo artist Jade Esteban Estrada. Love Of Last Resort book & music by Jerry Rabushka starring Jerry Rabushka & Scott Nicholas Mueller October 12 & 13 at 8 PM IAO Gallery www.iaogallery.org 811 North Broadway, Oklahoma City Tickets: $!0; $5 students & seniors for show info/reservations please call 314280-1035, for directions or other local info please call IAO at 405-232-6060 for more information please visit www. raggedbtade.com AIDS WALK TULSA Continued has supported a team ever since the beginning of the National AIDS fund/Americorp program. According to the Janice Nicktas, the team’s coordinator, the fimdraising goal for this year’s event is $25,000. Nicklas says the event is open to anybody who wishes to participate and says that no level of support, financial or in spirit is too small. In fact, the organizer says that there are volunteer portunities for those wishing to be a part of the event, but unable to make the trek. To register or for more information visit www.aidswalktulsa.org. Credit cards and cash donations are accepted. the STAR 13 �September 1967 (40 yearn ago l st month): The Advocate publishes its first issue, What is the history of qhe Advocate? T he Advocate - the oldest continuously published U.S. gay periodical still in exfistence - has chronicled the history and culture of the LGBT commtmity for 40 yews. Udce many of the eadiest Ametic~n gay organizations, qqae Advocate_ was born in Los Angeles. It began as the newsletter of Person£ Rights in Defense’and Education (PRIDE), a gay liberation group formed after police raided the local Black Ca~ bar. In the summer of 1967, Richard Mit~h (alia Dick Michaels) - a writer for a chemical industry journal - his lover Bill Rau (aka Bill Rand), and Sam Winston hatched a plan to turn the newilerter into a gay newspaper. Dubbed the Los Angeles Advocate. it debuted in September with a print run of 500 copies, produced at night in a print shop in the basement of ABC Studios, where Rau worked. Mirth renamed it Advocate in 1969, and h became the first American gay news publication with a nationwide distribution, In 1974, Mitch sold "Die Advocate ~ millionaire investment banker David Goodstein for $350,000. After taking over, Goodstein - a se[f-descrlbed "practicing capitalist" who hated street protests and had frequent rtm ins with movement activists - fired most of the staff and writers, considering them too le ft-~ving. According to one columnist, Goodstein said he wanted the paper to appeal to "the upwardly mobile homosexual who has a home in the hills, drives a luxury car, and orders alcohol by brand." Within a year, Goodstein moved _q~e Advocate_ to the San Francisco suburb of San Maleo and liired journalist John Preston as editor. He adopted a magazine format and "desle~zified" the publication by moving the sexually explicit personal ads to the back, and event uafly into a pull-out section. by Robert McQueen, formerly of the Salt Lake Tribune. Scandalized by McQue~’s officials came to The Advocate haadqu~rters beefed up the paper’s cultttral coverage from and Pat Califia’s ’%dvocate Adviser" column. By 1968, internal dissension led to the dissolution of PRIDE, ~nd Mitch ~rr~rged to purchase the newspaper for $1. Initially, the publication focused on local news, covering police nfisconduct mad gay liberation demonstrations. But it also added pieces on Hoflywood celebrities a~ad columns such as "Body Buddy" (fitness) and "Cooking with Atmtie LOu." Short on leshi~a content, the paper often featured scantily dad men on its covers and included a popular personal-ad section called "Trader Dizk?’ Mirth preferred to feature de,n-cut activists like the Rev. Troy Perry of the Metropolitan Cor~mauniry Church, rather than fiippie radicals llke Morris Kight, a co-founder of the Los Angeles Gay Liberation Front. In a bid to make the paper more professional, Mirth hired Rob Cole, formerly of the Dallas Times Herald, as news editor. As gay men and lesbians around the country began to look tu the paper for information, 14 ~eSTAR in 1984, Goodstein moved _The Advocate_ back to Southern California. Shortly before he died of cancer the following year, he sold it to Orange County businessman Niles Merton. After McQueens resignat’on, he magazine went through a series of thorttenured editors and struggled to stay afloat. In i990, under new ethtor Richard Rouilard, the magazine added "lesbian" to the masthead. Yet even as he oversaw a remm to advocacy iournalism, Rouilard favored splashy covers featuring attractive straight male stars and divas such as Madonn~ gay community was flush with disposable cash, The Advocate’s advertising revenues rose, rescuing it from the brink of foaancial insolvenc)~ ha 1992, with a new editor and publisher, the magazine underwent another redesign, this time spinning off the sex ads into a separate pubfication. In 1996, the magazine hired its first female editor in chief, Judy Wieder, In 2000, The Advocate’s p~ent company, Liberation Publications Inc. (LPI) - which had previously acquired book publisher Alyson Publications - purchased rival gay magazine Out, as well as HIV Plus. LH and gay Web compmay PlanetOut announced plans to merge, prompting critics to warn of an impending LGBT media monopo!~ That merger was called off, but in 2005 PlanetOut purchased LH for $31 million. Even as PkinetOut faced a financial crisis in early 2007, The Advocate continued to gain new subscribers. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, it came out of the closet, doing away with the "privacy wrap" that had previously shrouded the magazine. "The Advocate’s decision might seem like a trivial matter... but it stands for something far greater: the increasing acceptance and visibility of gay people in public fife,~ wrote gay journalist James Kirchick, As a key public voice of the gay communi~ Toe Advocate has been a frequent tzrget of criticism over the years. Many decried its thi~ away ~om militant politics and its increasing emphasis on entertainment and lifestyle content, while others thought the magazine was too commercial and catered to affluent white gay men. Yet 40 yeats after its founding, The Advocate remains the "periodical of record" that mainstream journalists, politicians, and business leaders ram to for informarion about the LGBT community. For further reading: Faderman, Li[fi~a, ~nd Stunt Timmons. 2006. Gay L-A. (Basic Books). Straitmatter, Rodgar. 1995. Unspeakable: The Rise of the Gay and Lesbian Press in America (Faber & Failer). Thompson, Mark (editor). 1994. _Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate History of the Gay and Lesbian Movement_ (St. Martin’s Press). �Letters cor~tirmed from pg 6 After finding the event I realized I should have parked by the amphitheater instead. I didn’t want to walk back and move my car after finally finding the event as I felt no qualms about walking in the dark after the event was finished. The picnic pavilions had security lights that came on as darkness set in and there were utility poles with lights that came on around the amphitheater, but as t walked back towards the greenhouse parking lot down by the arboretum I noticed that the street lights, even though there are many of them and they couldn’t ALL be malfunctioning, were turned off--all of them. It occurred to me that these lights were turned off intentionally to encourage the lewd sort of behavior that results in brownie-point arrests for the police department, fines for the city’s coffers, and humiliation and other negative social effects for those arrested such as job or housing loss, and registering as a sex offender on publicly available websites. Is the darkness a passive policy of enticement purposely engineered by OKC city government? Is the darkness being used as a low-maintenance bait for entrapment? If the city was really interested in reducing lewd behavior in public parks wouldn’t the lights be on throughout the night? Xghy weren’t al! those sensors operational? If street lights can come on automatically in residential neighborhoods to promote safety shouldn’t they also be effective in public areas where unwelcome behavior is tmown to occur? Shouldn’t those lights be turned on not only to discourage alleged lewd behavior, but also to lessen the threat of vandalism? There were about three or four cars within a stone’s throw of mine and as I was loading my trunk another car pulled in and an individual got out and walked away from the parking lot. I could see another person sitting in a car outlined by the flashing burglar alarm light on the dashboard, as if the occupant were a summer lightening bug signaling for a mate. I’m no fan of toilet trollers or lover’s lane Lotharios of either orientation. As a repressed minority in the USA and a target of brimstone-eating Bible bangers we gay people need to do better. When we W~. oza rkssta r. CO m achieve the ful! recognition of our citizenship, then like most straights who are observed in public sexual congress, we’ll be given a warning and told to move on without the victimization that comes from Puritan policymakers. CHAEL SAGE TURNS TO TULSA’S BAMBOO LOUNGE° I thank GOPer Senator Craig, a 62-year old man from Idaho, responsible for running several successful election campaigns, for showing the USA what responsibility he can be trusted with. If one is old enough for sexual activity, one should have the responsibility to do it in private. James Nimmo TMsa’s OkEq Library Catalog now online! TULSA, OK( OkEq E-news) ~The Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library catalog can now be accessed online! Visit www.librarything.com/profile/OkEq to browse our collection, search by keyword, read reviews on Amazon, and more! Photo by: Kevin Abosch About the library: Thousands of LGBT tides and exquisite glass art line the walls of the Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library in the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Open during Equality Center hours (Monday through Saturday, 3pro to 9pro), the library has titles available for leisure reading, research, discussion groups, and as a resource for local students when writing on LGBT issues. Books are available for free check-out for the community. A mainstay of the Equality Center since its founding in t996, the Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library was named in their honor in the Spring of 1999. Nancy is Past National President of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), President of PFLAG Tulsa, has testified before the US Congress on GLBT issues and was the inaugural recipient of the OkEq Lifetime Achievement Award. TULSA, OK __ Direct fi’om New York Rachael Sage will return to the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa for an exclusive concert on November 10th, 9 pm. Ms. Sage made her first appearance at the Bamboo in 2005. East Village songstress, poet and multi-media maven Rachael Sage has been making gutsy pop music in one form or another since she was three years old. Her latest offering of "lovely and literate folk-pop-rock" (The Village Voice), THE BLISTERING SUN, is devoted to the topics of vision, clarit}; and facing life head on. A self-taught pianist who honed her skills listening to her parents’ doo-wop, Broadway and Beatles album collections, Rachael debuted her first original material for a captive audience of kindergarten students one fateful afternoon before their ballet teacher arrived and broke up the party. "When I started," she says, " t was writing a lot of music that sounded like Elton John - if he’d been a nice Jewish girl from a long line of Russian cantors." By junior high school, Sage’s dancing abilities had landed her a spot at the prestigious School of American Ballet; but it was really the music she was hearing in and out of class that intrigued her the most. the STAR 15 ��CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM PiE �as we~ as bars. photo op. ~]~a~ goodness we get a |or of space on our digital ~mera disc! Colorado which was the MO~ °’Homophobic." State in the Union until very recently does not have a lot of gay accommodations but he~ is a list of fine most impotent ones arotmd the State. ElyrIas \g~stern Guest House at t655 E. 47th Avenue in Denver, v,xvw.irmtravels.com/ usatco/rdewgh.html Mountain Sage Lnn, 553 ~: Etl-&orn Ave., Estes Park, -,~w~,~v.mountainsageinn.coral Platte River Cabins, 16525 Pine Valley Rd., CoIfax Ave, Denver is a city ofwondedht restaurants all over the dr): Like Chicago, Denver has so many to choose from i~ all ~-pes of menus. Denver has lots of little communities within the city. The arts and museums are great as well as the shopping ~e other main city in the state is Colorado Springs which just has two bars,, Club Qat 3430 No, Academr Blvd. and the Underground at t !0 No. Ne;~ada,~ Ave, For a city tl{at so many religious nu s and conservatives it is a wonder that there are ant gay bars there at all. But Colorado Springs has a great Pride Fest every )mar a~ their downtown Ciw Park. 18 the STAR ww~.ozarksstar.com �TRAV S day, October 14, 2007 Brady Heights abuts the Brady Arts District and ties on North Denver and North Cheyenne ~venues. The tour wilt start at !2 under twelve. Ti&ets will be available until 4pro the day of the event and the tour ends at 5pm! Advance tict~ets are ava[ilable at www.bradyheigrhts,org. ProCeeds will benefit community projects the Brady Heig~hts Neighborhood Association. patio bar, From crab ca~es, Me:dcan E~ Rolls, Quesadilla, Barbecue Pvibbies or Sout}xwestern Steak Salad you wilt find a fttl menu. ~lhey have been in business over 25 years. Check out their website at: the STAR t9 �The Cowgirl restaurant is a papular and gay-fi’iendly spotfor barbecue, burgers, beer, and blues. (Photo by Andrew Cdlins) One of the region’s greatest lures is the fantastic, sunny weather - Santa Fe and north-central New Mexico enjoy beautiful weather year-round. Summer tends to be the busiest time for a Santa Fe visit - this is opera season as well as a time when many prominent festivals and art markets take place. But a fall or winter visit yields fewer crowds, cool and crisp temperatures, and still plenty to see and do - plus rates tend to be lower at hotels, which are among the priciest in the Southwest. Many of the city’s attractions are right in the center of town. Here you can take a walk around the Plaza; check out the numerous shops and cafes; admire the city’s adobe-dad Pueblo Revival, Spanish Colonial, and Victorian buildings; or stop by the circa-1610 Palace of the Governors, a state history museum set inside the nation’s oldest public building. There are several museums nearby, dealing mostly with art (such as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which has a terrific restaurant). If you’re a die-hard museum explorer, make the short drive (or bus ride) up the Old Santa Fe Trail to Museum Hill, a complex of outstanding cultural attractions, the highlight being the Museum of International Folk Art. The newer Museum of Spanish Colonial Art is another top draw. If you’d rather spend most of your time outside, saunter up Canyon Road, a narrow, winding lane of historic adobe bungalows containing some of the most prestigious art galleries in the Southwest. Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet above sea level, dinging to the lower slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and offering an enchanting blend of Rocky Mountain and high desert living. ~12ais scenic city is politically progressive, abundant with museums and galleries, renowned for its distinctive adobe architecture, overflowing with sophisticated inns and restaurants, and ideal for outdoors enthusiasts. You won’t find much in the way of gay nightlife, but if you’re planning a romantic vacation with your significant other, Santa Fe may just have everything else you’re seeking. Even better, if you’re starting to think about retirement options, northern New Mexico’s "City Different" may be worth scouting out as a potential future home. In November 2005, RainbowVision Properties opened a GLBT retirement community on the south side of town, billing itself the first such full-scale endeavor of its kind (the company has plans for additional communities in Palm Springs, the San Francisco suburbs, and Vancouver). ~he 13-acre compound geared toward the 50-and-over set is worth checking out even if you’re not thinking of buying here - it’s home to the Silver Starlight Lounge and Cabaret, which is open to the public and is Santa Fe’s only gay nightlife option. It’s actually quite popular with folks of all ages, especially for early evening cocktails. 20 the STAR There’s spectacular hiking all around Santa Fe, but if you have time for just one ramble, head to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, which is about a 45-minute drive south of town, toward Albuquerque. This 2-mile, moderately steep hike passes through a narrow, dramatic box canyon and then rises up to a lofty promontory affording panoramic views of the mountains and mesas. The monument is named for the bizarre rock formations that rise high out of one end of the canyon and look a bit like sandstone tepees. If you’re visiting between December and April, bring your skis with you, or rent some in town. Ski Santa, which is about 15 miles northeast of downtown, offers 44 trails of rugged, beautifully groomed trails. If you have trouble believing New Mexico offers much in the way of winter sports, consider that the ski area receives an average of 240 inches of snox~all annually. This is a first-rate facility, albeit not quite as famous or as demanding as Taos Ski Valley, which is just a two-hour drive north. However you get your exercise, whether hiking, skiing, or strolling among art galleries, you’re sure to work up an appetite in these parts, especially given the city’s high altitude, which can tax your system if you’re not used to it. Fortunately, this is a city with no shortage of terrific restaurants. Serving some of the most authentic New Mexican fare in town, the Shed is an excellent choice. The setting inside a 1692 adobe is ideal for sampling such local favorites as green-chile stew with pork and potatoes, and red-chile enchiladas. Or drop by I1 Vicino, an inexpensive, gay-friendly pizza place serving delicious thin-crust pies topped with gourmet ingredients, microbrewed beers, and a cheerful courtyard. www.ozarksstar.com �A favorite spot for brunch is the fabulous Care Pasqual’s, where you might sample buttermilk biscuits with sage-bacon graW, homemade sausage, and poached eggs. More sophisticated and substantial fare appears on the dinner menu - try the organic-chicken mole at dinner. You’ll find a couple of the city’s top restaurants along charming Canyon Road, including such high-end standouts as the Compound and Geronimo, as well as the popular tapas option, E1 Farol. Also specializing in smaller plates, downtown’s La Boca turns out such exemplary fare as Moroccan-grilled shrimp with sweet-pea-basil puree, and seared ahi tuna with Manchego-white-bean hash. If you’ve had your fill of New Mexican cuisine, head to the first-rate Kasasoba for exquisite Japanese food. And for casual, affordable, yet creative American chow, don’t miss these two gay favorites, the Cowgirl (great for barbecue, and with a big patio), or Harry’s Roadhouse a short drive south of the city - not terribly far from Silver Starlight Lounge. Harry’s is especially popular for its house-made ¯ desserts and potent margaritas. Santa Fe abounds with appealing accommodations, including a few gay-owned B&Bs and inns. One nice thing about B&Bs in northern New Mexico is that they typically comprise a small compound of casitas (adobe-style cottages) or a cluster of rooms with separate entrances, thereby affording plenty of privacy. Among the longestrunning and most enjoyable such properties is the lesbian-owned Triangle Inn, which comprises nine casitas and lies about 15 miles north of downtown. Units have lovely southwestern furnishings, VCRs, CD stereos, and kitchenettes, and many can sleep four. The Triangle draws mostly gay folks, whereas the other gay-owned B&Bs in Santa Fe cater to a mixed crowd. If you’re looking to stay in the heart of downtown, try E1 Farolito, a collection of airy casitas with fireplaces, striking Mexican and Southwestern furniture, and original art and photography. The Inn of the Turquoise Bear occupies the rambling Spanish-Pueblo Revival estate ofWitter Bynner, a gay poet and socialite of the 1920s and ’30s who threw lavish parties here that drew the likes ofWilla Cather, Errol Flynn, W.H. Auden, and Stephen Spender. It’s a warm and inviting inn surrounded by secret gardens and run by friendly hosts. Among mainstream, luxury accommodations, it’s hard to beat the over-the-top-luxurious Inn of the Five Graces, which is in the heart of the city center and consists of 22 opulently appointed casitas, all done with elaborate Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian antiques and decorative arts. Service here is arguably the best in town, and guests can also enjoy lunch at the cozy on-site cafe or dinner at the adjacent Pink Adobe, a famous old Santa Fe restaurant that the Five Graces management bought and refurbished in summer 2007. Another excellent upscale choice, the 57-room Inn of the Anasazi sits steps from the Plaza, its rooms outfitted with kiva fireplaces (common in Santa Fe, they’re shaped a bit like beehive ovens), handwoven fabrics, organic toiletries, and four-poster beds. An ambitious makeover in 2006 has given it a fresh look, and the hotel’s restaurant serves some of the most creative contemporary Southwestern fare in the state. Some additional downtown properties worth checking out include the upscale but well-priced Inn on the Alameda, with bright and airy rooms and a location handy for ~.ozarksstar.com Canyon Road gallery-hopping; and the mid-priced Inn of the Governors, a rambling hotel two blocks from the Plaza. Many rooms here have wood-burning fireplaces. Whether you’re alone or with your honey, it’s always fun to end a day of hiking or skiing with a soak in one of the outdoor hot tubs at Ten Thousand Waves, a gay-popular Japanese-style spa in the foothills on the east side of town. It’s a memorable spot for star-gazing. For the ultimate away-from-it-all vacation, book an overnight stay in one ofTen Thousand Waves’ smartly appointed luxury casitas, and watch your stresses melt away. �Charting Our Future? Lesbian Notions, about social networking websites for queers. Maybe it’s my age - 50 is just around the corner (oy!). Maybe it’s because I’ve been in a relationship since I was 18 (mind you, that means serial monogamy with four different women). Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time on the Web at work. Whatever the reason, I’ve not spent too much time on any social networking site - lesbian, gay, or straight. Well, a recent study shows I’m alone! According to a January 2007 Harris Interactive/Witeck-Combs poll, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals use social networking sites more than straight people do. You can find us at MySpace 33 percent of the time we’re online, and at Facebook or Friendster 11 percent. But these aren’t sites just for us, and, as we all know, we like to go to places just for us, both in real time and in virtual worlds. At least four social networking sites specifically catering to the LGBT community launched this year - Glee, Olivia.com/connect, Socialbutter, and OurChart. Then there are these sites specifically for gay men (the names say it all) - Bigjock, Manjam, and Lovetastic. Now for us dykes who watch The L Word, we know where OurChart.com comes from. In the show’s first season, the engaging, alt-radio DJ and sometimes over-the-top lover of whomever she’s with, Mice, started an online chart to track the "relationships" - from one-night stands to the U-Haul on the second dates - of herself and her circle of friends and acquaintances. Over the past four seasons, it has been an on-again/offagain plot line, exploding - or perhaps I should say crashing - in season four, because of the exploits of lesbian sexual predator Poppy. Anyway, some of the girls in front and in back of the camera at The L Word decided to bring the chart into our lives 24/7 by launching OurChart.com, a social networking site just for us. According to a description on the site, "us" includes "lesbians, dykes, queer girls, gay women, high femmes, butches, drag kings, bois, transwomen, and transmen - however we define 22 the STAR ~urselves. On OurChart, you can connect yourself via friendships and relationships ~o the wide world encompassing all these people and more." L Word executive producer Ilene Chaiken is OurChart’s CEO, and her partners in the ~enture are Jennifer Beals, who plays Bette, Kate Moennig, who plays Shane, and, not ~urprisingly, Leisha Hailey, who portrays the ~oncept s ong,nator, M~ce. ~Recendy, I had the chance to chat with Lisa ~Parrish, whose blog, "The Hookup," appears ~laily on the site. She explained how it all ~wor-ks. "! love it," said Parrish. "It’s really fun to be part of a community. I do my blog three times a day. The first thing i do after it goes live overnight is...check to see what people are saying.. You sign up and create your own profile, and then your own chart by adding friends. The chart is, of course, digitally created with your photo at the center, which is then connected visually and virtually with photos of your friends. "I love it," said Parrish. "It’s really fun to be part of a community. I do my blog three times a day. The first thing I do after it goes live overnight is...check to see what people are saying...OurChart is a fun way of giving people a chance to meet each other, mingle, and talk about things they have in common." It wasn’t a happy ending - Grandma had died several years before, but at least the woman had some closure. OurChart is also bringing some original Web-based programraing to a computer screen near you. It has recently launched a shiny called Girl Trash, which, according to Parrish, is a "lesbian pulp-fiction-style noir thriller." It is a series of short Web-isodes of an L.A. girl gang careening through the seedier side of the city. Not necessarily my cinematic - albeit on a very small screen - choice, but it is written and directed by veteran L Word and movie director Angela Robinson. She also brought us D.E.B.S. and Herbie: Fully Loaded. Like it or not, Girl Trash shows us what is so great about the Web - the ability to create, be seen and scrutinized, and create again. But getting back to OurChart’s chart, Parrish told me, "One of the key differences about OurChart is that it’s about friends, networking, colleagues...not about people who slept together." Damn! But don’t despair. Parrish explained they’re adding a feature called "Friends+" that can chart anything from a fling to being involved for 10 years to being lifelong partners. "It’s really important to point out that friends won’t be able to be added to "Friends+" without the individual’s permission," said Parrish. "You couldn’t say you slept with Leisha Halley without her permission." Does Mice ask permission? Parrish told me a heartwarming story about a woman in the States who wrote in to OurChart about her grandmother. It seems that Grandma lived in Germany, and the writer had lost touch. She asked if it was possible for anyone in the area to check up on her grandmother’s whereabouts. Someone did. www.ozarksstar.com �INDIGO GIRLS Continued Gate" and "Tether." Amy, when you’re playing solo with a tight back up band (3FiveHuman came back out and did a great job rocking with the Girls) let it rip. But Amy, from one southern girl to another, hold off: on the tabasco when Emily is with you and pass that Girl a little honey. Okay, while I am at it, here’s another request: please use your position up there on stage to tell us something of your take on reality and world events. I know we can get on your website (wv~w.indigogirls.com) and read your notes and watch your podcasts and that is great. Few performers have as much interaction as that with their fans. But the live stage is a powerful medium in and of itself for communication and transforming the world. Now back to my original pondering. Do I demand too much of two brilliant musicians who seem to be conveying to their audience that they just want to sing their songs and play their music with no intellectual interaction with their audience or each other about any of it? I don’t know. I wanted to hear from them outside their lyrics, brilliant as they are. I wanted to hear the big picture of what is going on in the world as they see it. I mean, I can hardly afford to get off the farm once a year. I need to hear from someone who sees it all. What is their take on it all? \gho do they endorse for 2008? What do they want from us? What is the revolution of the next 10 years? Should transgendered women be allowed in at Michigan? Do their songs ever end up meaning more to them than they meant to say in the first place? Are they ever confused by their own lyrics? Is the Goddess channeling through them? Have we truly already been saved Emily? And finally, maybe every lesbian in Georgia knows the answer to this one but I am in the dark: were you two ever girlfriends? It doesn’t really matter on that last one. I know from their songs that they have a real love for each other and I know from the fact that I have every CD they ever recorded that I love them and that they will have my devotion forever. Sing on, play on, and know you are on your way to rock and roll Heaven and you take us there with you but please, Girls, as long as you’re live on stage and we are live in the audience, open up a little and talk to us about it all. We’re listening. www, ozarksstar.com Divas pack the for HOPE By Joey De TULSA, OK __ Nobody likes a diva, but for Tulsa based H.O.RE. testing clinic, there are several Divas that they can’t help but love. For the sixth year, several of Tulsa’s greatest performers, led by Queen Diva Rebecca Ungerman, came together to produce HOPE’s largest annual fundraiser "Divas Live ." Held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, this year’s event shattered previous records. "In our budget, we have to raise around $80,000 that is not subsidized by grant funds. This year, ’Divas’ will conservatively be around $50,000 of that," says Kate Neary-Pounds, HOPE’s Executive Director (Exact totals for the evening were not available at the time of the interview). "These funds literally go to keep the doors open." Neary- Pounds explains that the event is critical because the organization does not receive funds from groups such as United \ray. "In 2006 the Department of Health had a massive funding cut and programs such as our quick tests and 24 hour STD hotline were in jeopardy. Fortunately, we received a grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation to keep the hotline open, but the funds from the show go to help pay for everything else," Neary-Pounds explains. Ungerman, who has been involved with the show for several years is ovetwhelmed by the public’s response and embracement of the event. "We have had to turn people away at the door the last two years. It’s great. I remember the first year we did it and we were excited that we raised $1,200 and could buy desks," Ungerman explains. A large contributor to the evening’s success has been the healthy growth of the auctions. "We grossed $25,000 from our auctions. A large part of that is the addition of Jay Litchfield to the formula. We’re very lucky to have him on board." Ungerman says that they are looking at ways to expand the event, but not sure what form it will take. "The PAC has been wonderful to us all these years, but have to look at how we are going to change and grow. We don’t have a clue what those changes are going to look like yet, but this is a year round planning process." If you xvoald like more information about HOPE’s services or to make a contribution, visit their xvebsite at www.hopetesting.org or ca~ 749-TEST. HRC Coming Out Kits NOW- AVAILABLE for National Coming Out Day 2007. Get ready to "Talk About It" on October 11, NCOD ! The theme for National Coming Out Day 2007 will be Talk About It, continuing the slogan and branding that the national program has been building since 2005. National Coming Out Day is a time to celebrate openness and honesty whether you came out 20 minutes ago, or 20 years ago this is a time for all Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight supportive people to Talk About It with friends, family and coworkers. Coming Out Day Kits include: Resource Guides to Coming Out Straight Guides to GLBT Americans Transgender Coming Out Guides Poster, Balloons and HRC Stickers And everything else you’ll need to celebrate living openly! To order your kit, please visit: www.hrc.org/comingoutkits This year will also mark an important hallmark as National Coming Out Day, falls on the 20th anniversary of the 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington, and the unfurling of the MDS Quilt on the National Mall. The very first National Coming Out Day was celebrated a year to the day later as a way of continuing the spirit of openness, honesty and visibility that the March and the MDS Quilt presentation inspired. The STAR 23 ���WOW EXCELLENT FINE THANKS NICE GLOWING BRILLIANT SUPER ~here will not be a lot of thinking involved in today’s health and fitness column. I have been advised by my colleague Jebediah to make this an easy and happy "thing" to read. He also wants to help you look forward to your hard exercising routines. Jebedial~ is a first grader at Grover Cleveland Elementary and he came ui~ with the theme for this week’s fitness incentive. Jebby, as he is called by his contemporaries, wants you to grab a pen and paper and write a positive or happy word each time you finish a workout or exercise routine. Keep it in a place you can see every day. He thinks that people will be excited about working out if they know there will be a compilation of fun and happy words they can look at after the hard work. I like the concept and I have been given permission to use it. The Rocky Road Baskin Robbins double scoop cone consulting fee was well worth the advice from Jebby. Here are some of my recent happy thoughts Peter Pan .... HAPPY SMILING GOOD WELL REFR£SHED FANTASTIC YES SUNSHINE AWESOME SMASHING PRETTY BRIGHT GORGEOUS BEAMING HANDSOME BEAUTIFUL FIT DELICIOUS REJUVENATED GREAT ALIVE JOY PEACEFUL SERENE I am already looking forward to tomorrow’s happy consonant and vowel combination. It is the little things in life that can help us all get by and can help you with your health and fitness regimens. Keep it simple Simon ..... or rather Jebby! This bit of health and fitness advice brought to you by the guy who has been kid-tested and mother approved. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be unearthed at www. goblakefitness.com. VERY WELL. 2. LET AND MINUTE. 4. STRMN IN 2 CHILLED MARTINI GLASSES. 5. TOP WITH ATEASPOON OF WHIPPED CREAM AND CINNAMON STICK. 6. CUDDLE UP "WITH SO,LEONE SPECIAL AND EN|OY. HAPPY HALLOWE COOL 26 the STAR wwa,.ozarksstar.com �ANGLES OKC Continued As times changed and business declined, the club began operating only on weekends, and later opened monthly for special events. After being on the market for several months, the dub was sold to Nick Post, owner of the bars of the Habana Inn ( Copa, Finishline Ledo & Gushers Restaurant). Preceding the sale was a farewell party August 25 followed by a tea dance the next day for partiers who had made Angles what it was, before the club passed into a new destiny. Interview xgrith The New Owner of Angles, Nick Post. Victor: Well, finally now is it is done deal right? Post: It’s a done deal. We had inspections, licenses, which had all cleared by September 1. Victor: You now own Angles, the building, the business & the name? Post: Yes, and the website too, and the phone number is the same. Victor: What spurred your interest in wanting acquire Angles? Nick: Well two months ago I’d have probably said I didn’t have any interest in acquiring it. It just happened all of the sudden, when a customer had heard Scott (Wilson) was interested in selling Angles and I ought to check into it. I met with him, made a dea!, signed a contact, and the deal closed. Victor: Business had been slow at Angles for a long time before it closed. How do you feel you can avoid the problems they had, to build the business back up? Nick: In the beginning we’re probably only going to be open on Fridays and Saturdays. I want Angles to find its own niche, I’m not looking for Angles to take business from the Copa or the Finishline. I want it so people can walk back and forth, not have to stand in line. Angles will be different than the Copa, but we’re not yet sure what that will be. By the first of the year we hope we’l! know ~vhat niche it should have. Copa will continue to have shows, it’s set up to be a showbar, although Angles may handle large pageants or special events. wvwv.ozarksstar.com Victor: So when wil! Angles have their grand re-opening? will be that people can walk back and forth and enjoy both places. Nick: We’re not certain yet, but it will be before Halloween. I’m truly excited about what we can offer with the Habana and the 39tb Street Strip, and I think Scott and Donny set the standards for the clubs on the Strip, and I’m proud to be there. I also recognize that they helped make possible what we have now, when I actually had a call from a captain of the police department for this area, asking if there had been any trouble from police officers, were they professional cordial, etc. I was glad to be able to tell them that they do act correctly, and they know we run good clubs here. Victor: You’ve been in the bar business quite a while. When did you first acquire the Copa, along with the Finishline, Ledo and Gushers Restaurant? Nick: It was October of 2007 when I bought them from Lee Burrus. They were already successful, but I think their continued success is largely due to the tremendous staff we have. We have over 40 people working hard here, changing things, bringing in new ideas, keep it different all the time. I think that’s the biggest factor in our success. Victor: Well we wish you success in carrying on what the Pmgles has always been, and will mean in the future. Victor: Out of sheer curiosity, what did you do before you wound up in the bar business? Nick: I was in real estate from the time I was 19 years old. I started working with Abide, and when Truman Miller sold Abide I went ,vith him into commercial development. I then did mergers and acquisitions with Charles Bazzzarian. When he went to prison I was out of a job, so Lee Burrus offered me one here. Although we thought it would be temporary, I worked for Lee for 6 years. I had never been in the bar business, or ever thought I would be. Victor: That’s quite a change. How did you adapt? That is about as much like an apple and an orange as you can get. Nick: I think it’s easier to go from a conventional job to the bar business than it would be the other xvay around. I started in the office, started managing on Mondays, later on weekends, and it ~vent from there. Victor: Do you anticipate much straight patronage? Nick: Straight people have always been welcome in my bars if they act right. Our goal is to let people know that they are welcome, but in our gays clubs they are on our turfi Victor: How have you handled the many rumors about the change? Nick: Well there have been many, but one rumor we can put to rest is that the purchase of Angles has nothing to do with my other bars or the Habana Inn. I still have many years left on my lease at the Habana, and the Seikels (Habana’s owners) have no interest in selling the hotel. The only change Creating Community for People living with HW/A DS A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization 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 hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. the STAR 27 �Even sweetness and light can be excessive. With the Sun and Venus in a long, difficult aspect - and in each other’s signs - overdoing the good stuff comes way too easily and can leave us feeling sunburned and saccharine. ARIES (~,~arch 2(} -Apri~ 19): Does your partner want to take the lead or to follow? Baby does want to play, but may be a pushy bottom. (There’s another kind?) Be very clear about who’s really running the show, especially if it’s not stated. TAURUS (Apri~ 20 - ~aay 20): Be very careful of your diet, especially your sugar intake. If there’s any diabetes in your family, get yourself checked out. Resist the urge to decorate, or look at what’s behind it. Is it a distraction from more figurative "housecleaning"? GEM~Ni (~lay 21 - Jmle 29): Write, paint, compose your heart out. It’s all dreck, even if your friends tell you it’s fabulous. They’re just being nice. Later on, when your critical faculties return, something good could come out of all the fertilizer you’re excreting now. SAGITTARIUS/November 22 - December 20}: Your friends know how outspoken you are, and how you love to argue - excuse me - "exchange new ideas." Your current enthusiasm will charm some people and scare others off. You may want to be careful about whom you push into either category. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January t9): You are now exuding pure sexuality. Horny, jaded, or anywhere in between, you are radiating sex. At work, that can cause trouble. Do your best to sublimate that energy and/or enjoy it in the appropriate time and place. AQUARIUS (January 29 - February !8}: You want adventure, but not solo. You and your partner want different things, but are too eager to appease each other, and that satisfies nobody. Find a common ground where you can both be a little selfish and have a great time. P~SCES (February 19 - ~aarch 19): You don’t need to show off or work on your erotic expertise - but why pass up the fun? Finding eager partners is not a problem. Limiting yourself to an appropriate partner may be! CANCER (June 2t - Ju~y 22): Sure, you want your home to be utterly gorgeous. Risking the rent or mortgage by spending a wad on decoration is a bit counterproductive. Get creative with what you have, or raise money selling off old clutter. LEO (Ju~y 23 - August 22): You could easily be too charming, tempting others to doubt your sincerity. Just be your natural, sweet self. That’s already a lot for many people to handle! Cultivate modesty, and remember: The flower charms the bee without effort. WRGO (August 23 - September 22): Being helpful with your insight and suggestions seems a charming idea to you, but others may find it meddlesome. Ask if you can offer help before you actually do. Better yet, put yourself in their shoes, and invite critical support. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22}: Your political talents are already working overtime for you. It would be much too easy to overplay your hand. Sit back, pay attention, and move lightly. Before you offer anything, let them want it! SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your instincts are better than good for making connections with superiors at work or getting on the right side of any authority figure. In fact, you may be a bit overenthusiastic and pushy. Where’s that discreet, subtle Scorpion we love so well? METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. U~ie Spiri ol Chris tViCC 2g02 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 DaV! 28 the STAR www.ozarksstar.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 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 ~wcw.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 Pd~STAURANT 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 CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.clubmajestictulsa.com www.ozarksstar.corn FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 N~V 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\rAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com TNT’S 2114 S. MEMORIAL DR. Tulsa, OK 918-660-056 Open Wed- Fri 6pm, Sat 8pm DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 wvcw.realacceptance.com HERLAND SISTER’S 2312 N~V 39th St Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-521-9696 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 $29.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: ¯ne 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 6pm NW ARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 W~W~.NWAG LBTCC. ORG (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: Address: City:. Phone: DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS 479-253-2555 Eureka Springs, AR www.diversitypride.com Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: St: Zip: �Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. NW Arkansas GLBT Communig- Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �mad~ and sc{ence And more an iu yot~r-k www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 �;:’ I:he rr, sg � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document 1 (2437) Oklahoma’s HIV/$TD Hottine PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PAR (S) Center on Tuesdays from 6-Spin H.O.RE. Testing ~er~s Outreach Prograr~ tn Tulsa at (9t8) 812~7045 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Local and Regional O cials Featured The New Advocate. By Steve VanHook OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Xhe new 40th Anniversary Issue of Xhe Advocate features six gay and lesbian elected officials in an article entitled "Great American Lives: The Trailblazers". Oklahoma’s A! McAffrey, Arkansas’ Kathy Webb, and Alabama’s Patricia Todd, state representatives all, are joined by Guy Padgett, former mayor of Casper, Wyoming, State Senator and progressive Democrat Jolie Justus of Missouri, and Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez. The article and photos begin on Page 78 of the September 25th, 2007, issue, written by Paul Florez in NYC and Padraie Wheeler. In an introduction to the article with the heading "Doing It For Ourselves", the authors write: "After decades of pounding on the walls of government, fighting to be heard, gays and lesbians have finally secured positions inside those walls. There are currently more than 370 openly gay elected officials natiomvide, with at least 100 more expected to run in 2008. Meet six trailblazers who ran as openly gay candidates and won---in red states, no less." The piece on McAffrey reads: "Al McAffrey, 59, has lived a life of service. Before becoming a legislator, he had careers in both the Navy and the Oklahoma City Police Department. McAffrey said his sexuality wasn’t a central issue during his race for the District 88 seat in the Oklahoma State House, but that changed one day when he knocked on the door of a house displaying his opponent’s sign on the front lawn. "The guy said, ’I have only one question to ask you: Are you gay?’" recalls McAffrey. "And I thought, Oh, shit, how am I going to answer this? Well, I’m a pretty point-blank guy, so I said, ’Yeah, I’m gay. Does that mean you’re not going to vote for me?’ He looked at me and said, ’No, I am going to vote for you, because you’re honest." "The man tood down the opponent’s sign right there and then. Step it up to fight AIDS By Joey De TULSA, OK __ Lace up your walking shoes and head to Veterans Park Sat. Oct. 6 to join the fight against MDS. The fifteenth annual walk will step offat 9 a.m. from the park located at 21st street and Boulder avenue. The two mile route will take walkers along Riverside to 31st and then return to Veterans Park. Funds raised by the Tulsa AIDS walk go directly to supporting Tulsa’s National AIDS Fund Americorp team. The five person team provides prevention, testing and outreach services through out the Tulsa community. Tulsa is one of the few cities in the country that ...........Continued page 13 wvcw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 STATE SENATORANDREW RICE ANNOUNCES HIS RUN FOR U.S. SENATE Indigo Girls descend on Tulsa at the Historic Cains Ballroom. The Advocate - the oldest continuously published U.S. gay periodical still in existence - has chronicled the history and culture of the LGBT community for 40 years. Ever simply smell a wine before you taste it? What does it smell like to you? Check out the color too. fl~ c,Ao T~V~- Gay Travelers: Colorado Out of Town: Samta Fe. NM Dining In or OUT Maybe it’s my age - 50 is just around the corner (oy!). Maybe it’s because I’ve been in a relationship since I was 18 (mind you, that means serial monogamy F~T~ESS Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Indigo Girls 4 the STAR STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY ~.~v.ozarksstar.com STATE SENATOR ANDREWANNOUNCES HIS RUN FOR U.S. SENATE By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ QUOTE: "I’m humble as I go through this. I want the people of the state to get to know me, I want to know what their aspirations are, the things they want to see reformed. " Longtime LGBT ally Andrew Rice announced through press conferences & fundraisers that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by James Inhofe. Together with his wife Apple and their 2 sons, Parker & Noah, he let Oklahomans know where he stands and why he wanted the job. He currently holds the seat for State Senate District 46, elected to that position in 2006. That seat was previous held by Bernest Cain, who likewise was a staunch ally of the GLBT community as well as many other progressive causes but~ had to leave office due to term limits. ~,~rw.ozarksstar.corn At his press conference at the Oklahoma State Democratic Party Headquarters, he touched on many issues facing our country and how he wanted to make a difference, including global xvarming, national security, fiscal responsibility, and a major lack of trust Americans feel for their government. As he puts it: "It’s pretty remarkable the amount of disgruntlement, and really the lack of faith people have in government. I think they feel a lot of anxiety not only because of the complexities we deal with like terrorism and . the health care crisis, but even basic good government practices." He stressed that his life experiences, especially his work in an evenly divided Oklahoma State Senate had given him the know-how of how to work with Republicans and yet stick to his principles. He stated, "Robert S. Kerr, Henry Bellmon and David Boren had a trait in common that they were able to find common ground and get things done for our state when it needed to be done. I think that’s something I can do as a proud Democrat and know where my line in the sand is." Referring to skepticism some people have due to his youth, Andrew pointed out that Oklahoma has a long history of younger candidates who have been elected, including Don Nickles, who was younger than Andrew when he was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1980. "The experience that we talk about with politics, there’s a lot of that experience I don’t want. Being beholden to special interests, getting stuck in your ways, being a career politician, being inflexible and not able to see things from another viewpoint, that’s the experience that has taken us down the wrong road in his country. " The incumbent, James Inhofe, was first elected to the U.S. Senate seat in 1994 with a special election when David Boren left the office to take the presidency of Oklahoma University He was re-elected to a full term in 1996 and again in 2002. He has become well known for extreme rightwing positions, including opposition to gay rights, total support our military involvement in Iraq, opposition to any minimum wage increase or support for organized labor, and calling global warming "a hoax." Andrew closed by pointing out that he wants to give Oklahomans an option if they want a change. the STAR 5 Democrats Need Negative Resuks in traq. Dear Editor: The national Democratic Congressional leadership believes failure by our troops in Iraq the central front in the War on Terror is essential for them to win elections in 2008, and that any positive sign of progress in Iraq is simply a "problem" for them. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, driven by polls and politics, declared "This war is lost," even before the President’s new strategy began. Reid also has bragged, "We’re going to pick up Senate seats as a result of this war." And Democrat House Majority Whip James Ctyburn said that a positive report in September from General Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker would be "a real big problem for us (Democrats)." Meaning the Democrats’ desire for an arbitrary troop withdrawal and their party’s 2008 electoral fortunes would be in jeopardy if our troops succeed. Is it aW wonder that the new Democratic controlled Congress has far lower approval ratings than the President? Let’s not forget that there are thousands of gay and lesbian troops fighting the M Queda terrorists in Iraq; courageously risking their lives against a violent worldwide ideology that has no regard for the lives of gay people in the Middle East or any where else in the world. These gay and lesbian soldiers from our community are true American heroes and deserve our unwavering patriotic respect. America’s national security should not be kicked around like a political football by the Far Left in Gay America. Many gays believe winning the War on Terror is vital to our country’s national security. It is unconscionable that Democrat leaders, and many gay activists, are hoping for our troops to fail so their part,i can gain a political advantage. And it is unacceptable that the leading Democrat presidential contenders, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, both claim to support our troops yet voted against providing them with the resources to sustain their mission and keep them safe. Respectfully submitted, Matthew Veritas Tsien Former Air Force Executive Officer Low-maintenance bait for entrapment ? Dear Readers, Not being one who has ever solicited anonymous, or even well-known, sexual liaisons in public settings, I wasn’t aware of the Larry Craig foot-tapping dance which seems so imitative of certain insects that tap on leaves and stems to communicate either territorial limits or a need for mating. Thanks to Senator Craig America has received a birds-and-bees nature lore lesson hitherto known only to a relatively few wildlife specialists. But I do know there is a wafting of sexual pheromones in public par~ after dark at certain locations in Oklahoma City (OKC), Will Rogers Park being one of them. I recently attended a neighborhood political event at Will Rogers Park that, after I had helped pack up the event, found me walking back to my car after dark at 8:30pm. I had parked at the botanical greenhouse thinking the event I was attending was located in that area. ............................Continued page 15 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com wY~w.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 Re~gnized by Keller Williams For outstanding ad~levernent 2005 and 2006 Chuck Breckenddge 918-706-1887 OCTOBER 11, 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington and~ ur~ting of ~he AIOS Quilt on the Na~al MS]I OCTOBER 11, 2007 National Comir~ Out Day 405.840.2106 MLS. Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com AFTER 25 YEARS THE ANGLES OKC TORCH IS PASSED ON OK]~AHOMA CITY, OK When A~gles opened in Augast of 1982 it was a great beginning that made its mark in history, ql~e club had an tmustml beginning when Scott Wdion applied for a gquor license for what was presented to be "Cotton- Eyed Joe’s,~ a country dmaee b~r. When they opened as a gay disco named Angles, problems quickly began.. The club and thei~ customers were subjected to a vigorous campaign of police harassment, with officers frequendy raiding the club, citing them for bogus violations, along with ~rresring customers ~md sometimes beating them as well Angles fought baclq keeping track of the incidents, including badge & tag numbers as well as the police officers havolved, ~ad threatened to sue the city. A deal was forged with the city where Angles was awarded one dollar in damages plus some of the legal ll~s, and the City agreed to cease harassing the dub and their customers. The story made national news, and also w~s the major story of the first issue of the Gayly Oldahom~ a in October of 1983. It £so proved to be a major turning point, with club ovmers of the ~ea having a good relationship with the police, and the overall climate changhag. Other gay bars followed as well as other buxinesses catering to the GLBT commuuiry, with many people remembering this courageous stand that was a major factor making it possible. Throughout the 80’S and 90’s Angles became a showcase & the In place to be, replacing the Free Spirit as OKC’S premier gay d~nce spot. Disco divas from that time remember world class DJ’S including the late Michael Tchekerades (fondly knovm as Checkers). Angles hosted major entertainers including Boy George, the Wcathergirls ("It’s Rainhag Men), Dead or Alive, Jermifer Holhday,Divine, Paul Lekakis, Gloria Gaynor, Viola Wigs & celebrated their 19th anniversarg with Bonnie Pointer.lt was a memorable occasion when comedienne Joan Rivers enjoyed a portrayal ofhersehc performed by the late Amii Dyshea. Their Turnabout Shows (where their employees got in deag) benefited AIDS charities aad becanae honored traditions for our community Much of our local talent was bolstered as well, including diva~ including Ghager hamar, Raahad Erikks, and the dynamic duo of Parr] & Tuna Melt (Tuna better known internarionaBy as cBef Ruby Ann Boxcar with patty her sister Donna Sue). Countless pageants were held there, with most of the past Miss Gay Oklahoma’s crowned there. The club also garnered respect from the straight community as well, gaining so much of their patronage that Angles was voted OKC’S Best Dance Club ha the Oklahoma Gazette several times, as well as the Best Gay Bar many times as well. ...............Cont~ued page 27 Love of Last Resort www,ozarksstancom the STAR 9 LINDSAY PAIGE TAKES THE CROWN By Victor Gorin Photo ~ Victor Gorin, Left Melody Michaels, Right Lindsay Paige OKLAHOMA C!’YY, OK __ The iudges had the work cut out for them they }udged the wildly talented contestants at the Copa August 22-23, but Lindsay Paige survived the comperifion of some of Oklahoma most talented divas to capture the title of Miss Gay Oklahoma for 2007. Having won the distinction of I st alternate last year, her reaction upon hearhag her name as the winner clearly was ruth of heaven. The first alternate was Melody Michaels, a performer well known in Oklahoma City for her shows with Kitty Bob ALines and Ginger Lamar at the Boom. Tncy wl]l go to Memphis to compete for the crown of Miss Gay Ainerica October 17-21. Willa Johnson Wins Oklahoma Count Commissioner District One. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK With the conclusion of die special crat Willa Johnson, ~von handily wirh 54% of the vote over arch Ms.Johnson has served on the Oklahoma City Councg for Ward 7 since 1993. In her position she acted cnnsistendy in support of issues concerning the GLBT comnmdity, voting in support of an ordinate prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, opposed banning the GLBT banners during Gay Pride Month, and she opposed die abolition of the Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission. She has become well k~own for her outspoken opposition to discrimination. 10 the STAR Oklahomans for Equality opens "Out ofthe Closet: A T-Shirt Retrospective" at Dennis R. Neill Equality Center gallery TULSA, OK (PR)__ Toe Dennis IL Negl Equahty Center art gallery will host its monthly meet-the-artist reception from 6-9pro, qTaursday, October 4, 2007, for the opening of its October exhibit, "Out of the Closet". qqae show will be a retrospective of LGBT diemed T-Shins, a private collection of former gifx-shop owner Tom Neal, The displayed shirts, both regional aa~d international, wig offer a gfo~apse L~to the history of the gay rights movement as seen through T-Shirt design. The opening reception wg! be catered by donation from Brother’s Pizza Depot. q~e exhibit will remain up through die month of October, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pro. The Dennis K Neig Equality Center is located ar 62I E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa, More info can be found of die web at okeq.org. Tlxls monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian= Gay, Bisexual & Transg~nder (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, agiances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neifi Equality 2007 Miss America Lauren Nelson Headlines AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City OKLAHOMA CI~ (PR) __ Oklahoma’s own Lauren Nelson, who is the reigning 2007 Miss America, wi~ serve as the Grand Marshag of the upcoming MDS xYSalk of Oklahoma City. The Walk will take place o~ StmdaB September 30 at the Myriad Bormaical Gardens. Registration and festivities begin at 12:30pmfoliowed by a 2:00pm step off. There is no fee to walk in this important community event, which builds awareness and f~nds each year for die treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS i~ the greater Oklahoma City area. Southwes~ Ah-lines has generously donated two roundtrip aidine tickets to any Southwest Airlines desrSnation in the Continental U.S. to be raffled offat the Walk. Ra~e tickets are only $1 each and may be purchased either at the AIDS Walk on September 30, or by contacting Lfoda Larason at 405/570-4835. One need not be Form your Walk team now and bring your donations to the 2007 MDS Walk of Oklahoma City. Visit www.aidswalkokc, org for more information. Photo by Leda Dowlearn .s DesCend By Leda Dowlearn worth watching. The Girls’ -warm up band, 3FiveHuman out ofAtlanta, was a good rocking start. By the time they were finished the expectant energy of the crowd was at a ftenzy. Then the roar, suddenly the Gifts were there before us, guitars in motion, singing "Pendulum Swinger" (sure hope Hilary Clinton does adopt this as her theme song but she’d probably be too afraid to swing this far left). After that, it was song after song after song with hardly a break in between except to change guitars and grab a mandolin, banjo or harmonica. One thing I realized early on was that the Girls were not into stage presence. We heard a little banter about getting lost in Tulsa, enjoying the old YMCA, and their bassett hound on the bus but that was about it. Perhaps in a nod to location Amy Ray had on a western cowgirl shirt. But overall, the Girls were there to do their songs. TULSA, OK __ On September 13th the Indigo Girls, icons of the feminist folk./rock music scene, descended on Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa to the full-house, floor-stomping adoration of a mostly lesbian crowd. The day the Girls came to my part of the universe I was in a closet (not my usual place) replacing a water heater thinking about the amazing fact that I had tickets to finally, that day, see these two demi-goddesses in the flesh after slavishly worshiping their musical personas for the past twenty years. In between hot and cold water pipes I was fantasizing about all the questions I’d love to ask them say should we run into each other in the bathroom or something Next step: I called Cain’s Ballroom and invoked the power of the media to get someone’s attention and, bless their hearts, an hour later I was talking with the Girls’ publicity" agent who said she’d see what she could do to set something up after sound check. That was enough for me. \VC’ater heater be damned, my partner and I hightailed it out of Northwest Arkansas headed for Tulsa town four hours early. Well, the bubble burst shortly after we hit the outskirts ofTulsa when their publicity agent had to tell me it was a no go on the interview. I was a little too late with my request and the Girls turned me down. That was okay, though, I still had my camera, two tickets and the evening was before us. This was my first visit to Cain’s Ballroom but I was up on their history after a review of their website. The feel of the place was cool, the line at the bar was friendly and the gathering crowd was well Okay, that was the Nirvana part and maybe I should stop there. It was more than enough. But in retrospect, that time of second thoughts that comes to you over coffee at Denny’s after your ears have stopped ringing, this die hard fan has some things to say that may or may not be more than I should be asking of the Girls, but here it goes anyway. Yeah, I got some great pictures and I heard some great songs. But they were all delivered to me in one big load of too much sound and too much rock without letting the songs that really needed to roll just roll. Can you Girls not trust that your audience is sophisticated enough to hear you on many levels? After all, yours is a mostly lesbian crowd. Emotional roller coasters are no problem for us. You can take us up and down so relax a little with that. Amy, yeah, you’re a rocker and you’re a star. No question in my mind that many of your songs are destined to be classics. You’re my Dylan, you’re my Springsteen. Rock on but know we love your slow songs, too, and I really, really wanted to hear "Three County Highway," "Nueva Senorita," or "Moment of Forgiveness." Emily, you’re brilliant with your lyrics and your melodies but you look like you don’t want to be in the circus anymore. You’re Baez, you’re Mitchell in your roots. But is it possible for Mitchell and Springsteen to share the same stage without each doing serious damage to the other’s genre and landing musically somewhere in the "upper echelons of mediocrity" as you have said yourself in "You and Me of the !0,000 Wars." Amy is ready and willing to jump into the chaos of rock and her songs have the energy and intensity it demands. She proved this brilliantly in her show stopper versions of "Rock And Roll Heaven’s ...............Continued page 23 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 31 iCONS SELECTED FOR GLBT HISTORYMONTH 2007 Alexander the Great, BillieJean King, Leonardo da ~nci, Bessie Smith, Cary Grant among Icons PHILADELPHIA, PA __ Equality Forum, an international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, announced 31 Icons to be featured during GLBT History Month in October. ~he 31 Icons achieved success within their respective fields of endeavor, were national heroes or advanced GLBT civil rights. "The GLBT community has been uniquely disadvantaged by not being taught its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions," said Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. "GLBT History Month helps teach our unacknowledged history, provides role models and celebrates contributions made by GLBT individuals to our country and internationally." The Icon videos are available for free for the Web sites of nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and corporate entities, through the inclusion ofHTML code provided at wwv.glbtHistoryMonth. com. The Icon video is automatically updated each day. A free graphically-designed downloadable biography, bibliography and other educational resources for each Icon are available at www. glbtHistoryMonth.com. The 31 Icons from 2006 can also be found on the Web site. Equality Forum solicited nominations from leaders of national and international GLBT organizations. Nominees were evaluated by GLBT History Month Co-Chairs Rev. Nancy Wilson, Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, and Prof. Kenji Yoshino, Deputy Dean for Intellectual Life at Yale Law School. Equality Forum’s Board of Directors approved the final slate of 31 Icons. 12 the STAR Equality Forum produced 30-second biographical videos on each Icon, which will be broadcast daily on here! and Logo television networks throughout October, and will be streamed on major GLBT Web sites. Comcast will air a 30-second television PSA. Equality Forum launched GLBT History Month in 2006, and is patterned after Black and Vgomen’s History Months. tn its initial year, GLBT History Month reached over 500,000 individuals. GLBT History Month 2007 Icons: October 1: Leonard Bernstein (Composer) October 2: Annie Leibovitz (Photographer) October 3: Angela Davis (Civil Rights Activist) October 4: Alexander the Great (Military Commander) October 5: Billie Jean King (Athlete) October 6: Pedro Almodovar (Writer/Director) October 7: Bessie Smith (Singer) October 8: Klaus Wowereit (Politician) October 9: Susan Sontag (Author/ Commentator) October 10: Gore Vidal (Author) October 11: Lily Tomlin (Actor) October 12: Peter Gomes (Theologian) October 13: Mary Edwards Walker (Surgeon) October 14: Frederick II (Monarch) October 15: Virginia Uribe (Educator) October t 6: Frank Kameny (Gay Pioneer) October 17: Nancy Mahon (Philanthropy Advocate) October 18: David Hockney (Painter) October 19: Audre Lorde (Author) October 20: Cary Grant (Actor) October 21: Rende Richards (Transgender Pioneer) October 22: Sherry Harris (Politician) October 23: John Maynard Keynes (Economist) October 24: Gertrude Stein (Author) October 25: Pioneer) October 26: tist) October 27: October 28: October 29: October 30: October 31: Zhou Dan (Chinese Gay Carolyn Bertozzi (Scien- Cole Porter (Songwriter) John McNeill (Theologian) Florence Nightingale (Health Care Advocate) Billy Sipple (Hero) Leonardo da Vinci (Artist/Inventor/Scientist) ABOUT EQUALITY FORUM Equality Forum is a national and international nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum develops high-impact educational content in the form of documentary films, history projects, innovative initiatives and the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum. www.equalityforum.com www.ozarksstar.com vw,’w.ozarksstar.com Playwright!ActorJerry Rabus a Back OKC with "Love OfLast Resoi-t If you’re a gay guy trapped for three years done on an abandoned and deserted sex resort, what could be better than having the man of your dreams wash up ashore? It’s a love story "waiting to happen.., or... is it? That’s the whole premise of "Love of Last Resort." Josh, played by author Jerry Rabushka, has been living alone on an uncharted South Pacific isle for quite some time. No electricity, no running water, no man for company. How does he do it? Easy! He consults back issues of Martha Stewart Living, follows the instructions, and can make anything he needs, usually in three easy steps. If you’re lost and alone, this is a very very good thing! Along with that, he changes personality on a regular basis. "It hurts to admit your entire persona has to be thrown out," he says. "But it’s all very ’Martha.’ You just make it out of what you got." Matt (played by Scott Mueller) couldn’t be any more opposite. An escapee from an "all gay cruise," he winds up beached on Josh’s island, pining after a man back from home, rebuffing Josh every step of the way. ’Of course you love me," he’ll say. "I’m the only choice you have." You can do some really cool stuffwhen you’re alone on an island. You can be whoever you want to be. You can see your island as a prison or an opportunity. Josh uses the island to escape; Matt isn’t sure he wants to escape, and he isn’t sure he can love Josh until he finds out who the "real Josh" is. "Matt’s a perfect foil to Josh," says Scott Mueller. "He wants to love, he wants m be in love, but he’s afraid to give up anything to do it. And like a lot of people, he tends to punish the man in front ofhim for the sins of the one who came before." As time goes by, though, Matt becomes more intrigued by Martha’s ingenuity and Josh’s world of fake TV shows. Come "watch" their interview with Gloria, a porn star with a very descriptive last name, a gaymarriage soap opera, and of course a bit of fun with a pair of handcuffs. Love OfLast Resort premiered in West Hollywood, CA, and has since played in St. Louis and Springfield, MO, with a production at Tulsa’s Nightingale Theater in January 2006. For this production, Rabushka has re-written the play with a more comedic outlook and added several cool new songs. "I always like coming to OKC," he says. "We keep coming back because we have a lot of support here and enthusiastic responses, plus the folks at the IAO Gallery are great!" Rabushka, with his company Ragged Blade, of St. Louis, MO, has previously been to the IAO with Somebody Else’s Life, Woofl. The Road Show, and Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew, which starred nationally known gay solo artist Jade Esteban Estrada. Love OfLast Resort book & music by Jerry Rabushka starring Jerry Rabushka & Scott Nicholas Mueller October 12 & 13 at 8 PM IAO Gallery www.iaogallery.org 811 North Broadway, Oklahoma City Tickets: $!0; $5 students & seniors for show info/reservations please call 314- 280-1035, for directions or other local info please call IAO at 405-232-6060 for more information please visit www. raggedbtade.com AIDS WALK TULSA Continued has supported a team ever since the beginning of the National AIDS fund/Americorp program. According to the Janice Nicktas, the team’s coordinator, the fimdraising goal for this year’s event is $25,000. Nicklas says the event is open to anybody who wishes to participate and says that no level of support, financial or in spirit is too small. In fact, the organizer says that there are volunteer portunities for those wishing to be a part of the event, but unable to make the trek. To register or for more information visit www.aidswalktulsa.org. Credit cards and cash donations are accepted. the STAR 13 September 1967 (40 yearn ago l st month): The Mirth renamed it Advocate in 1969, and h became the first American gay news Advocate publishes its first issue, publication with a nationwide distribution, off the sex ads into a separate pubfication. In 1996, the magazine hired its first female editor in chief, Judy Wieder, What is the history of qhe Advocate? T he Advocate - the oldest continuously published U.S. gay periodical still in exfistence - has chronicled the history and culture of the LGBT commtmity for 40 yews. Udce many of the eadiest Ametic~n gay organizations, qqae Advocate_ was born in Los Angeles. It began as the newsletter of Person£ Rights in Defense’and Education (PRIDE), a gay liberation group formed after police raided the local Black Ca~ bar. In the summer of 1967, Richard Mit~h (alia Dick Michaels) - a writer for a chemical industry journal - his lover Bill Rau (aka Bill Rand), and Sam Winston hatched a plan to turn the newilerter into a gay newspaper. Dubbed the Los Angeles Advocate. it debuted in September with a print run of 500 copies, produced at night in a print shop in the basement ofABC Studios, where Rau worked. By 1968, internal dissension led to the dissolution of PRIDE, ~nd Mitch ~rr~rged to purchase the newspaper for $1. Initially, the publication focused on local news, covering police nfisconduct mad gay liberation demonstrations. But it also added pieces on Hoflywood celebrities a~ad columns such as "Body Buddy" (fitness) and "Cooking with Atmtie LOu." Short on leshi~a content, the paper often featured scantily dad men on its covers and included a popular personal-ad section called "Trader Dizk?’ Mirth preferred to feature de,n-cut activists like the Rev. Troy Perry of the Metropolitan Cor~mauniry Church, rather than fiippie radicals llke Morris Kight, a co-founder of the Los Angeles Gay Liberation Front. In a bid to make the paper more professional, Mirth hired Rob Cole, formerly of the Dallas Times Herald, as news editor. As gay men and lesbians around the country began to look tu the paper for information, 14 ~eSTAR In 1974, Mitch sold "Die Advocate ~ millionaire investment banker David Goodstein for $350,000. After taking over, Goodstein - a se[f-descrlbed "practicing capitalist" who hated street protests and had frequent rtm ins with movement activists - fired most of the staff and writers, considering them too le ft-~ving. According to one columnist, Goodstein said he wanted the paper to appeal to "the upwardly mobile homosexual who has a home in the hills, drives a luxury car, and orders alcohol by brand." Within a year, Goodstein moved _q~e Advocate_ to the San Francisco suburb of San Maleo and liired journalist John Preston as editor. He adopted a magazine format and "desle~zified" the publication by moving the sexually explicit personal ads to the back, and eventuafly into a pull-out section. by Robert McQueen, formerly of the Salt Lake Tribune. Scandalized by McQue~’s officials came to The Advocate haadqu~rters beefed up the paper’s cultttral coverage from and Pat Califia’s ’%dvocate Adviser" column. in 1984, Goodstein moved _The Advocate_ back to Southern California. Shortly before he died of cancer the following year, he sold it to Orange County businessman Niles Merton. After McQueens resignat’on, he magazine went through a series of thorttenured editors and struggled to stay afloat. In i990, under new ethtor Richard Rouilard, the magazine added "lesbian" to the masthead. Yet even as he oversaw a remm to advocacy iournalism, Rouilard favored splashy covers featuring attractive straight male stars and divas such as Madonn~ gay community was flush with disposable cash, The Advocate’s advertising revenues rose, rescuing it from the brink of foaancial insolvenc)~ ha 1992, with a new editor and publisher, the magazine underwent another redesign, this time spinning In 2000, The Advocate’s p~ent company, Liberation Publications Inc. (LPI) - which had previously acquired book publisher Alyson Publications - purchased rival gay magazine Out, as well as HIV Plus. LH and gay Web compmay PlanetOut announced plans to merge, prompting critics to warn of an impending LGBT media monopo!~ That merger was called off, but in 2005 Planet- Out purchased LH for $31 million. Even as PkinetOut faced a financial crisis in early 2007, The Advocate continued to gain new subscribers. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, it came out of the closet, doing away with the "privacy wrap" that had previously shrouded the magazine. "The Advocate’s decision might seem like a trivial matter... but it stands for something far greater: the increasing acceptance and visibility of gay people in public fife,~ wrote gay journalist James Kirchick, As a key public voice of the gay communi~ Toe Advocate has been a frequent tzrget of criticism over the years. Many decried its thi~ away ~om militant politics and its increasing emphasis on entertainment and lifestyle content, while others thought the magazine was too commercial and catered to affluent white gay men. Yet 40 yeats after its founding, The Advocate remains the "periodical of record" that mainstream journalists, politicians, and business leaders ram to for informarion about the LGBT community. For further reading: Faderman, Li[fi~a, ~nd Stunt Timmons. 2006. Gay L-A. (Basic Books). Straitmatter, Rodgar. 1995. Unspeakable: The Rise of the Gay and Lesbian Press in America (Faber & Failer). Thompson, Mark (editor). 1994. _Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate History of the Gay and Lesbian Movement_ (St. Martin’s Press). Letters cor~tirmed from pg 6 After finding the event I realized I should have parked by the amphitheater instead. I didn’t want to walk back and move my car after finally finding the event as I felt no qualms about walking in the dark after the event was finished. The picnic pavilions had security lights that came on as darkness set in and there were utility poles with lights that came on around the amphitheater, but as t walked back towards the greenhouse parking lot down by the arboretum I noticed that the street lights, even though there are many of them and they couldn’t ALL be malfunctioning, were turned off--all of them. achieve the ful! recognition of our citizenship, then like most straights who are observed in public sexual congress, we’ll be given a warning and told to move on without the victimization that comes from Puritan policymakers. I thank GOPer Senator Craig, a 62-year old man from Idaho, responsible for running several successful election campaigns, for showing the USA what responsibility he can be trusted with. If one is old enough for sexual activity, one should have the responsibility to do it in private. James Nimmo CHAEL SAGE TURNS TO TULSA’S BAMBOO LOUNGE° It occurred to me that these lights were turned off intentionally to encourage the lewd sort of behavior that results in brownie-point arrests for the police department, fines for the city’s coffers, and humiliation and other negative social effects for those arrested such as job or housing loss, and registering as a sex offender on publicly available websites. Is the darkness a passive policy of enticement purposely engineered by OKC city government? Is the darkness being used as a low-maintenance bait for entrapment? If the city was really interested in reducing lewd behavior in public parks wouldn’t the lights be on throughout the night? Xghy weren’t al! those sensors operational? If street lights can come on automatically in residential neighborhoods to promote safety shouldn’t they also be effective in public areas where unwelcome behavior is tmown to occur? Shouldn’t those lights be turned on not only to discourage alleged lewd behavior, but also to lessen the threat of vandalism? There were about three or four cars within a stone’s throw of mine and as I was loading my trunk another car pulled in and an individual got out and walked away from the parking lot. I could see another person sitting in a car outlined by the flashing burglar alarm light on the dashboard, as if the occupant were a summer lightening bug signaling for a mate. I’m no fan of toilet trollers or lover’s lane Lotharios of either orientation. As a repressed minority in the USA and a target of brimstone-eating Bible bangers we gay people need to do better. When we TMsa’s OkEq Library Catalog now online! TULSA, OK( OkEq E-news) ~The Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library catalog can now be accessed online! Visit www.librarything. com/profile/OkEq to browse our collection, search by keyword, read reviews on Amazon, and more! About the library: Thousands ofLGBT tides and exquisite glass art line the walls of the Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library in the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Open during Equality Center hours (Monday through Saturday, 3pro to 9pro), the library has titles available for leisure reading, research, discussion groups, and as a resource for local students when writing on LGBT issues. Books are available for free check-out for the community. A mainstay of the Equality Center since its founding in t996, the Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library was named in their honor in the Spring of 1999. Nancy is Past National President of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), President of PFLAG Tulsa, has testified before the US Congress on GLBT issues and was the inaugural recipient of the OkEq Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo by: Kevin Abosch TULSA, OK __ Direct fi’om New York Rachael Sage will return to the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa for an exclusive concert on November 10th, 9 pm. Ms. Sage made her first appearance at the Bamboo in 2005. East Village songstress, poet and multi-media maven Rachael Sage has been making gutsy pop music in one form or another since she was three years old. Her latest offering of "lovely and literate folk-pop-rock" (The Village Voice), THE BLISTERING SUN, is devoted to the topics of vision, clarit}; and facing life head on. A self-taught pianist who honed her skills listening to her parents’ doo-wop, Broadway and Beatles album collections, Rachael debuted her first original material for a captive audience of kindergarten students one fateful afternoon before their ballet teacher arrived and broke up the party. "When I started," she says, " t was writing a lot of music that sounded like Elton John - if he’d been a nice Jewish girl from a long line of Russian cantors." By junior high school, Sage’s dancing abilities had landed her a spot at the prestigious School ofAmerican Ballet; but it was really the music she was hearing in and out of class that intrigued her the most. W~.ozarksstar.COm the STAR 15 CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM PiE as we~ as bars. photo op. ~]~a~ goodness we get a |or of space on our digital ~mera disc! Colorado which was the MO~ °’Homophobic." State in the Union until very recently does not have a lot of gay accommodations but he~ is a list of fine most impotent ones arotmd the State. ElyrIas \g~stern Guest House at t655 E. 47th Avenue in Denver, v,xvw.irmtravels.com/ usatco/rdewgh.html Mountain Sage Lnn, 553 ~: Etl-&orn Ave., Estes Park, -,~w~,~v.mountainsageinn. coral Platte River Cabins, 16525 Pine Valley Rd., CoIfax Ave, Denver is a city ofwondedht restaurants all over the dr): Like Chicago, Denver has so many to choose from i~ all ~-pes ofmenus. Denver has lots of little communities within the city. The arts and museums are great as well as the shopping ~e other main city in the state is Colorado Springs which just has two bars,, Club Qat 3430 No, Academr Blvd. and the Underground at t !0 No. Ne;~ada,~ Ave, For a city tl{at so many religious nu s and conservatives it is a wonder that there are ant gay bars there at all. But Colorado Springs has a great Pride Fest every )mar a~ their downtown Ciw Park. 18 the STAR ww~.ozarksstar.com TRAV S day, October 14, 2007 Brady Heights abuts the Brady Arts District and ties on North Denver and North Cheyenne ~venues. The tour wilt start at !2 under twelve. Ti&ets will be available until 4pro the day of the event and the tour ends at 5pm! Advance tict~ets are ava[ilable at www.bradyheigrhts,org. ProCeeds will benefit community projects the Brady Heig~hts Neighborhood Association. patio bar, From crab ca~es, Me:dcan E~ Rolls, Quesadilla, Barbecue Pvibbies or Sout}xwestern Steak Salad you wilt find a fttl menu. ~lhey have been in business over 25 years. Check out their website at: the STAR t9 The Cowgirl restaurant is a papular andgay-fi’iendly spotfor barbecue, burgers, beer, and blues. (Photo by Andrew Cdlins) Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet above sea level, dinging to the lower slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and offering an enchanting blend of Rocky Mountain and high desert living. ~12ais scenic city is politically progressive, abundant with museums and galleries, renowned for its distinctive adobe architecture, overflowing with sophisticated inns and restaurants, and ideal for outdoors enthusiasts. You won’t find much in the way of gay nightlife, but if you’re planning a romantic vacation with your significant other, Santa Fe may just have everything else you’re seeking. Even better, if you’re starting to think about retirement options, northern New Mexico’s "City Different" may be worth scouting out as a potential future home. In November 2005, RainbowVision Properties opened a GLBT retirement community on the south side of town, billing itself the first such full-scale endeavor of its kind (the company has plans for additional communities in Palm Springs, the San Francisco suburbs, and Vancouver). ~he 13-acre compound geared toward the 50-and-over set is worth checking out even if you’re not thinking of buying here - it’s home to the Silver Starlight Lounge and Cabaret, which is open to the public and is Santa Fe’s only gay nightlife option. It’s actually quite popular with folks of all ages, especially for early evening cocktails. 20 the STAR One of the region’s greatest lures is the fantastic, sunny weather - Santa Fe and north-central New Mexico enjoy beautiful weather year-round. Summer tends to be the busiest time for a Santa Fe visit - this is opera season as well as a time when many prominent festivals and art markets take place. But a fall or winter visit yields fewer crowds, cool and crisp temperatures, and still plenty to see and do - plus rates tend to be lower at hotels, which are among the priciest in the Southwest. Many of the city’s attractions are right in the center of town. Here you can take a walk around the Plaza; check out the numerous shops and cafes; admire the city’s adobe-dad Pueblo Revival, Spanish Colonial, and Victorian buildings; or stop by the circa-1610 Palace of the Governors, a state history museum set inside the nation’s oldest public building. There are several museums nearby, dealing mostly with art (such as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which has a terrific restaurant). If you’re a die-hard museum explorer, make the short drive (or bus ride) up the Old Santa Fe Trail to Museum Hill, a complex of outstanding cultural attractions, the highlight being the Museum of International Folk Art. The newer Museum of Spanish Colonial Art is another top draw. If you’d rather spend most of your time outside, saunter up Canyon Road, a narrow, winding lane of historic adobe bungalows containing some of the most prestigious art galleries in the Southwest. There’s spectacular hiking all around Santa Fe, but if you have time for just one ramble, head to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, which is about a 45-minute drive south of town, toward Albuquerque. This 2-mile, moderately steep hike passes through a narrow, dramatic box canyon and then rises up to a lofty promontory affording panoramic views of the mountains and mesas. The monument is named for the bizarre rock formations that rise high out of one end of the canyon and look a bit like sandstone tepees. If you’re visiting between December and April, bring your skis with you, or rent some in town. Ski Santa, which is about 15 miles northeast of downtown, offers 44 trails of rugged, beautifully groomed trails. If you have trouble believing New Mexico offers much in the way ofwinter sports, consider that the ski area receives an average of 240 inches of snox~all annually. This is a first-rate facility, albeit not quite as famous or as demanding as Taos Ski Valley, which is just a two-hour drive north. However you get your exercise, whether hiking, skiing, or strolling among art galleries, you’re sure to work up an appetite in these parts, especially given the city’s high altitude, which can tax your system if you’re not used to it. Fortunately, this is a city with no shortage of terrific restaurants. Serving some of the most authentic New Mexican fare in town, the Shed is an excellent choice. The setting inside a 1692 adobe is ideal for sampling such local favorites as green-chile stew with pork and potatoes, and red-chile enchiladas. Or drop by I1 Vicino, an inexpensive, gay-friendly pizza place serving delicious thin-crust pies topped with gourmet ingredients, microbrewed beers, and a cheerful courtyard. www.ozarksstar.com A favorite spot for brunch is the fabulous Care Pasqual’s, where you might sample buttermilk biscuits with sage-bacon graW, homemade sausage, and poached eggs. More sophisticated and substantial fare appears on the dinner menu - try the organic-chicken mole at dinner. You’ll find a couple of the city’s top restaurants along charming Canyon Road, including such high-end standouts as the Compound and Geronimo, as well as the popular tapas option, E1 Farol. Also specializing in smaller plates, downtown’s La Boca turns out such exemplary fare as Moroccan-grilled shrimp with sweet-pea-basil puree, and seared ahi tuna with Manchego-white-bean hash. If you’ve had your fill ofNew Mexican cuisine, head to the first-rate Kasasoba for exquisite Japanese food. And for casual, affordable, yet creative American chow, don’t miss these two gay favorites, the Cowgirl (great for barbecue, and with a big patio), or Harry’s Roadhouse a short drive south of the city - not terribly far from Silver Starlight Lounge. Harry’s is especially popular for its house-made ¯ desserts and potent margaritas. Santa Fe abounds with appealing accommodations, including a few gay-owned B&Bs and inns. One nice thing about B&Bs in northern New Mexico is that they typically comprise a small compound of casitas (adobe-style cottages) or a cluster of rooms with separate entrances, thereby affording plenty of privacy. Among the longestrunning and most enjoyable such properties is the lesbian-owned Triangle Inn, which comprises nine casitas and lies about 15 miles north of downtown. Units have lovely southwestern furnishings, VCRs, CD stereos, and kitchenettes, and many can sleep four. The Triangle draws mostly gay folks, whereas the other gay-owned B&Bs in Santa Fe cater to a mixed crowd. If you’re looking to stay in the heart of downtown, try E1 Farolito, a collection of airy casitas with fireplaces, striking Mexican and Southwestern furniture, and original art and photography. The Inn of the Turquoise Bear occupies the rambling Spanish-Pueblo Revival estate ofWitter Bynner, a gay poet and socialite of the 1920s and ’30s who threw lavish parties here that drew the likes ofWilla Cather, Errol Flynn, W.H. Auden, and Stephen Spender. It’s a warm and inviting inn surrounded by secret gardens and run by friendly hosts. Among mainstream, luxury accommodations, it’s hard to beat the over-the-top-luxurious Inn of the Five Graces, which is in the heart of the city center and consists of 22 opulently appointed casitas, all done with elaborate Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian antiques and decorative arts. Service here is arguably the best in town, and guests can also enjoy lunch at the cozy on-site cafe or dinner at the adjacent Pink Adobe, a famous old Santa Fe restaurant that the Five Graces management bought and refurbished in summer 2007. Another excellent upscale choice, the 57-room Inn of the Anasazi sits steps from the Plaza, its rooms outfitted with kiva fireplaces (common in Santa Fe, they’re shaped a bit like beehive ovens), handwoven fabrics, organic toiletries, and four-poster beds. An ambitious makeover in 2006 has given it a fresh look, and the hotel’s restaurant serves some of the most creative contemporary Southwestern fare in the state. Some additional downtown properties worth checking out include the upscale but well-priced Inn on the Alameda, with bright and airy rooms and a location handy for Canyon Road gallery-hopping; and the mid-priced Inn of the Governors, a rambling hotel two blocks from the Plaza. Many rooms here have wood-burning fireplaces. Whether you’re alone or with your honey, it’s always fun to end a day of hiking or skiing with a soak in one of the outdoor hot tubs at Ten Thousand Waves, a gay-popular Japanese-style spa in the foothills on the east side of town. It’s a memorable spot for star-gazing. For the ultimate away-from-it-all vacation, book an overnight stay in one ofTen Thousand Waves’ smartly appointed luxury casitas, and watch your stresses melt away. ~.ozarksstar.com Charting Our Future? Lesbian Notions, about social networking websitesfor queers. Maybe it’s my age - 50 is just around the corner (oy!). Maybe it’s because I’ve been in a relationship since I was 18 (mind you, that means serial monogamy with four different women). Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time on the Web at work. Whatever the reason, I’ve not spent too much time on any social networking site - lesbian, gay, or straight. Well, a recent study shows I’m alone! According to a January 2007 Harris Interactive/ Witeck-Combs poll, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals use social networking sites more than straight people do. You can find us at MySpace 33 percent of the time we’re online, and at Facebook or Friendster 11 percent. But these aren’t sites just for us, and, as we all know, we like to go to places just for us, both in real time and in virtual worlds. At least four social networking sites specifically catering to the LGBT community launched this year - Glee, Olivia.com/connect, Socialbutter, and OurChart. Then there are these sites specifically for gay men (the names say it all) - Bigjock, Manjam, and Lovetastic. ~urselves. On OurChart, you can connect yourself via friendships and relationships ~o the wide world encompassing all these people and more." L Word executive producer Ilene Chaiken is OurChart’s CEO, and her partners in the ~enture are Jennifer Beals, who plays Bette, Kate Moennig, who plays Shane, and, not ~urprisingly, Leisha Hailey, who portrays the ~oncept s ong,nator, M~ce. ~Recendy, I had the chance to chat with Lisa ~Parrish, whose blog, "The Hookup," appears ~laily on the site. She explained how it all ~wor-ks. "! love it," said Parrish. "It’s really fun to be part of a community. I do my blog three times a day. The first thing i do after it goes live overnight is...check to see what people are saying.. Now for us dykes who watch The L Word, we know where OurChart.com comes from. In the show’s first season, the engaging, alt-radio DJ and sometimes over-the-top lover ofwhomever she’s with, Mice, started an online chart to track the "relationships" - from one-night stands to the U-Haul on the second dates - of herself and her circle of friends and acquaintances. Over the past four seasons, it has been an on-again/offagain plot line, exploding - or perhaps I should say crashing - in season four, because of the exploits of lesbian sexual predator Poppy. Anyway, some of the girls in front and in back of the camera at The L Word decided to bring the chart into our lives 24/7 by launching OurChart.com, a social networking site just for us. According to a description on the site, "us" includes "lesbians, dykes, queer girls, gay women, high femmes, butches, drag kings, bois, transwomen, and transmen - however we define 22 the STAR You sign up and create your own profile, and then your own chart by adding friends. The chart is, of course, digitally created with your photo at the center, which is then connected visually and virtually with photos of your friends. "I love it," said Parrish. "It’s really fun to be part of a community. I do my blog three times a day. The first thing I do after it goes live overnight is...check to see what people are saying...OurChart is a fun way of giving people a chance to meet each other, mingle, and talk about things they have in common." Parrish told me a heartwarming story about a woman in the States who wrote in to Our- Chart about her grandmother. It seems that Grandma lived in Germany, and the writer had lost touch. She asked if it was possible for anyone in the area to check up on her grandmother’s whereabouts. Someone did. It wasn’t a happy ending - Grandma had died several years before, but at least the woman had some closure. OurChart is also bringing some original Web-based programraing to a computer screen near you. It has recently launched a shiny called Girl Trash, which, according to Parrish, is a "lesbian pulp-fiction-style noir thriller." It is a series of short Web-isodes of an L.A. girl gang careening through the seedier side of the city. Not necessarily my cinematic - albeit on a very small screen - choice, but it is written and directed by veteran L Word and movie director Angela Robinson. She also brought us D.E.B.S. and Herbie: Fully Loaded. Like it or not, Girl Trash shows us what is so great about the Web - the ability to create, be seen and scrutinized, and create again. But getting back to OurChart’s chart, Parrish told me, "One of the key differences about OurChart is that it’s about friends, networking, colleagues...not about people who slept together." Damn! But don’t despair. Parrish explained they’re adding a feature called "Friends+" that can chart anything from a fling to being involved for 10 years to being lifelong partners. "It’s really important to point out that friends won’t be able to be added to "Friends+" without the individual’s permission," said Parrish. "You couldn’t say you slept with Leisha Halley without her permission." Does Mice ask permission? www.ozarksstar.com INDIGO GIRLS Continued Gate" and "Tether." Amy, when you’re playing solo with a tight back up band (3Five- Human came back out and did a great job rocking with the Girls) let it rip. But Amy, from one southern girl to another, hold off: on the tabasco when Emily is with you and pass that Girl a little honey. Okay, while I am at it, here’s another request: please use your position up there on stage to tell us something of your take on reality and world events. I know we can get on your website (wv~w.indigogirls.com) and read your notes and watch your podcasts and that is great. Few performers have as much interaction as that with their fans. But the live stage is a powerful medium in and of itself for communication and transforming the world. Now back to my original pondering. Do I demand too much of two brilliant musicians who seem to be conveying to their audience that they just want to sing their songs and play their music with no intellectual interaction with their audience or each other about any of it? I don’t know. I wanted to hear from them outside their lyrics, brilliant as they are. I wanted to hear the big picture of what is going on in the world as they see it. I mean, I can hardly afford to get off the farm once a year. I need to hear from someone who sees it all. What is their take on it all? \gho do they endorse for 2008? What do they want from us? What is the revolution of the next 10 years? Should transgendered women be allowed in at Michigan? Do their songs ever end up meaning more to them than they meant to say in the first place? Are they ever confused by their own lyrics? Is the Goddess channeling through them? Have we truly already been saved Emily? And finally, maybe every lesbian in Georgia knows the answer to this one but I am in the dark: were you two ever girlfriends? It doesn’t really matter on that last one. I know from their songs that they have a real love for each other and I know from the fact that I have every CD they ever recorded that I love them and that they will have my devotion forever. Sing on, play on, and know you are on your way to rock and roll Heaven and you take us there with you but please, Girls, as long as you’re live on stage and we are live in the audience, open up a little and talk to us about it all. We’re listening. Divas pack the for HOPE By Joey De TULSA, OK __ Nobody likes a diva, but for Tulsa based H.O.RE. testing clinic, there are several Divas that they can’t help but love. For the sixth year, several ofTulsa’s greatest performers, led by Queen Diva Rebecca Ungerman, came together to produce HOPE’s largest annual fundraiser "Divas Live." Held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, this year’s event shattered previous records. "In our budget, we have to raise around $80,000 that is not subsidized by grant funds. This year, ’Divas’ will conservatively be around $50,000 of that," says Kate Neary-Pounds, HOPE’s Executive Director (Exact totals for the evening were not available at the time of the interview). "These funds literally go to keep the doors open." Neary- Pounds explains that the event is critical because the organization does not receive funds from groups such as United \ray. "In 2006 the Department of Health had a massive funding cut and programs such as our quick tests and 24 hour STD hotline were in jeopardy. Fortunately, we received a grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation to keep the hotline open, but the funds from the show go to help pay for everything else," Neary-Pounds explains. Ungerman, who has been involved with the show for several years is ovetwhelmed by the public’s response and embracement of the event. "We have had to turn people away at the door the last two years. It’s great. I remember the first year we did it and we were excited that we raised $1,200 and could buy desks," Ungerman explains. A large contributor to the evening’s success has been the healthy growth of the auctions. "We grossed $25,000 from our auctions. A large part of that is the addition ofJay Litchfield to the formula. We’re very lucky to have him on board." Ungerman says that they are looking at ways to expand the event, but not sure what form it will take. "The PAC has been wonderful to us all these years, but have to look at how we are going to change and grow. We don’t have a clue what those changes are going to look like yet, but this is a year round planning process." If you xvoald like more information about HOPE’s services or to make a contribution, visit their xvebsite at www.hopetesting. org or ca~ 749-TEST. HRC Coming Out Kits NOW-AVAILABLE for National Coming Out Day 2007. Get ready to "Talk About It" on October 11, NCOD! The theme for National Coming Out Day 2007 will be Talk About It, continuing the slogan and branding that the national program has been building since 2005. National Coming Out Day is a time to celebrate openness and honesty whether you came out 20 minutes ago, or 20 years ago this is a time for all Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight supportive people to Talk About It with friends, family and coworkers. Coming Out Day Kits include: Resource Guides to Coming Out Straight Guides to GLBT Americans Transgender Coming Out Guides Poster, Balloons and HRC Stickers And everything else you’ll need to celebrate living openly! To order your kit, please visit: www.hrc.org/comingoutkits This year will also mark an important hallmark as National Coming Out Day, falls on the 20th anniversary of the 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington, and the unfurling of the MDS Quilt on the National Mall. The very first National Coming Out Day was celebrated a year to the day later as a way of continuing the spirit of openness, honesty and visibility that the March and the MDS Quilt presentation inspired. www,ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 ~here will not be a lot of thinking involved in today’s health and fitness column. I have been advised by my colleague Jebediah to make this an easy and happy "thing" to read. He also wants to help you look forward to your hard exercising routines. Jebedial~ is a first grader at Grover Cleveland Elementary and he came ui~ with the theme for this week’s fitness incentive. Jebby, as he is called by his contemporaries, wants you to grab a pen and paper and write a positive or happy word each time you finish a workout or exercise routine. Keep it in a place you can see every day. He thinks that people will be excited about working out if they know there will be a compilation of fun and happy words they can look at after the hard work. I like the concept and I have been given permission to use it. The Rocky Road Baskin Robbins double scoop cone consulting fee was well worth the advice from Jebby. Here are some of my recent happy thoughts Peter Pan .... HAPPY SMILING GOOD WELL REFR£SHED FANTASTIC YES SUNSHINE AWESOME COOL 26 the STAR WOW EXCELLENT FINE THANKS NICE GLOWING BRILLIANT SUPER SMASHING PRETTY BRIGHT GORGEOUS BEAMING HANDSOME BEAUTIFUL FIT DELICIOUS REJUVENATED GREAT ALIVE JOY PEACEFUL SERENE I am already looking forward to tomorrow’s happy consonant and vowel combination. It is the little things in life that can help us all get by and can help you with your health and fitness regimens. Keep it simple Simon.....or rather Jebby! This bit of health and fitness advice brought to you by the guy who has been kid-tested and mother approved. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be unearthed at www. goblakefitness.com. VERY WELL. 2. LET AND MINUTE. 4. STRMN IN 2 CHILLED MARTINI GLASSES. 5. TOP WITH ATEASPOON OF WHIPPED CREAM AND CINNAMON STICK. 6. CUDDLE UP "WITH SO,LEONE SPECIAL AND EN|OY. HAPPY HALLOWE wwa,.ozarksstar.com ANGLES OKC Continued As times changed and business declined, the club began operating only on weekends, and later opened monthly for special events. After being on the market for several months, the dub was sold to Nick Post, owner of the bars of the Habana Inn ( Copa, Finishline Ledo & Gushers Restaurant). Preceding the sale was a farewell party August 25 followed by a tea dance the next day for partiers who had made Angles what it was, before the club passed into a new destiny. Interview xgrith The New Owner ofAngles, Nick Post. Victor: Well, finally now is it is done deal right? Post: It’s a done deal. We had inspections, licenses, which had all cleared by September 1. Victor: You now own Angles, the building, the business & the name? Post: Yes, and the website too, and the phone number is the same. Victor: What spurred your interest in wanting acquire Angles? Nick: Well two months ago I’d have probably said I didn’t have any interest in acquiring it. It just happened all of the sudden, when a customer had heard Scott (Wilson) was interested in selling Angles and I ought to check into it. I met with him, made a dea!, signed a contact, and the deal closed. Victor: Business had been slow at Angles for a long time before it closed. How do you feel you can avoid the problems they had, to build the business back up? Nick: In the beginning we’re probably only going to be open on Fridays and Saturdays. I want Angles to find its own niche, I’m not looking for Angles to take business from the Copa or the Finishline. I want it so people can walk back and forth, not have to stand in line. Angles will be different than the Copa, but we’re not yet sure what that will be. By the first of the year we hope we’l! know ~vhat niche it should have. Copa will continue to have shows, it’s set up to be a showbar, although Angles may handle large pageants or special events. wvwv.ozarksstar.com Victor: So when wil! Angles have their grand re-opening? Nick: We’re not certain yet, but it will be before Halloween. Victor: You’ve been in the bar business quite a while. When did you first acquire the Copa, along with the Finishline, Ledo and Gushers Restaurant? Nick: It was October of 2007 when I bought them from Lee Burrus. They were already successful, but I think their continued success is largely due to the tremendous staff we have. We have over 40 people working hard here, changing things, bringing in new ideas, keep it different all the time. I think that’s the biggest factor in our success. Victor: Out of sheer curiosity, what did you do before you wound up in the bar business? Nick: I was in real estate from the time I was 19 years old. I started working with Abide, and when Truman Miller sold Abide I went ,vith him into commercial development. I then did mergers and acquisitions with Charles Bazzzarian. When he went to prison I was out of a job, so Lee Burrus offered me one here. Although we thought it would be temporary, I worked for Lee for 6 years. I had never been in the bar business, or ever thought I would be. Victor: That’s quite a change. How did you adapt? That is about as much like an apple and an orange as you can get. Nick: I think it’s easier to go from a conventional job to the bar business than it would be the other xvay around. I started in the office, started managing on Mondays, later on weekends, and it ~vent from there. Victor: Do you anticipate much straight patronage? Nick: Straight people have always been welcome in my bars if they act right. Our goal is to let people know that they are welcome, but in our gays clubs they are on our turfi Victor: How have you handled the many rumors about the change? Nick: Well there have been many, but one rumor we can put to rest is that the purchase ofAngles has nothing to do with my other bars or the Habana Inn. I still have many years left on my lease at the Habana, and the Seikels (Habana’s owners) have no interest in selling the hotel. The only change will be that people can walk back and forth and enjoy both places. I’m truly excited about what we can offer with the Habana and the 39tb Street Strip, and I think Scott and Donny set the standards for the clubs on the Strip, and I’m proud to be there. I also recognize that they helped make possible what we have now, when I actually had a call from a captain of the police department for this area, asking if there had been any trouble from police officers, were they professional cordial, etc. I was glad to be able to tell them that they do act correctly, and they know we run good clubs here. Victor: Well we wish you success in carrying on what the Pmgles has always been, and will mean in the future. Creating Community for People living with HW/A DS A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization 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 hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. the STAR 27 Even sweetness and light can be excessive. With the Sun and Venus in a long, difficult aspect - and in each other’s signs - overdoing the good stuff comes way too easily and can leave us feeling sunburned and saccharine. ARIES (~,~arch 2(} -Apri~ 19): Does your partner want to take the lead or to follow? Baby does want to play, but may be a pushy bottom. (There’s another kind?) Be very clear about who’s really running the show, especially if it’s not stated. TAURUS (Apri~ 20 - ~aay 20): Be very careful of your diet, especially your sugar intake. If there’s any diabetes in your family, get yourself checked out. Resist the urge to decorate, or look at what’s behind it. Is it a distraction from more figurative "housecleaning"? GEM~Ni (~lay 21 - Jmle 29): Write, paint, compose your heart out. It’s all dreck, even if your friends tell you it’s fabulous. They’re just being nice. Later on, when your critical faculties return, something good could come out of all the fertilizer you’re excreting now. CANCER (June 2t - Ju~y 22): Sure, you want your home to be utterly gorgeous. Risking the rent or mortgage by spending a wad on decoration is a bit counterproductive. Get creative with what you have, or raise money selling off old clutter. LEO (Ju~y 23 - August 22): You could easily be too charming, tempting others to doubt your sincerity. Just be your natural, sweet self. That’s already a lot for many people to handle! Cultivate modesty, and remember: The flower charms the bee without effort. WRGO (August 23 - September 22): Being helpful with your insight and suggestions seems a charming idea to you, but others may find it meddlesome. Ask if you can offer help before you actually do. Better yet, put yourself in their shoes, and invite critical support. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22}: Your political talents are already working overtime for you. It would be much too easy to overplay your hand. Sit back, pay attention, and move lightly. Before you offer anything, let them want it! SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your instincts are better than good for making connections with superiors at work or getting on the right side of any authority figure. In fact, you may be a bit overenthusiastic and pushy. Where’s that discreet, subtle Scorpion we love so well? 28 the STAR SAGITTARIUS/November 22 - December 20}: Your friends know how outspoken you are, and how you love to argue - excuse me - "exchange new ideas." Your current enthusiasm will charm some people and scare others off. You may want to be careful about whom you push into either category. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January t9): You are now exuding pure sexuality. Horny, jaded, or anywhere in between, you are radiating sex. At work, that can cause trouble. Do your best to sublimate that energy and/or enjoy it in the appropriate time and place. AQUARIUS (January 29 - February !8}: You want adventure, but not solo. You and your partner want different things, but are too eager to appease each other, and that satisfies nobody. Find a common ground where you can both be a little selfish and have a great time. P~SCES (February 19 - ~aarch 19): You don’t need to show off or work on your erotic expertise - but why pass up the fun? Finding eager partners is not a problem. Limiting yourself to an appropriate partner may be! METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. U~ie Spiri ol Chris tViCC 2g02 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 DaV! www.ozarksstar.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 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 ~wcw.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 Pd~STAURANT 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 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 N~V 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\rAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com TNT’S 2114 S. MEMORIAL DR. Tulsa, OK 918-660-056 Open Wed- Fri 6pm, Sat 8pm DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR 211 S. Garnett Tulsa, OK 74128 wvcw.realacceptance.com HERLAND SISTER’S 2312 N~V 39th St Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-521-9696 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 6pm NWARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 W~W~.NWAGLBTCC.ORG DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS 479-253-2555 Eureka Springs, AR www.diversitypride.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $29.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: ¯ne 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 Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. NWArkansas GLBT Communig- Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com mad~ and sc{ence And more an iu yot~r-k www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 ;:’ I:he rr, sg 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, October 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 10 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 01, 2007 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 Jeanne Flanigan Paul Wortman James Nimmo Joey D. Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Michael Leach Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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) 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, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 9 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/213 The Star Magazine, November 1, 2007; Volume 4, issue 11 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/211 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/212 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/983c37a58cc9eb63ee764f8c9ae250c2.jpg 52e9ffb1d524c1834418f5ddf4ad3259 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/27d2d7f880e623a428f671f56c0f22dc.pdf 39b32e3fdd455b9fc74bf63f93f54d50 PDF Text Text Happy Thanksgiving STATEHOOD DAY San Francisco & Austin, Texas �West 7th Street (corner 7th & Bolder Ave) o Tulsa, Ok 74t t 9 o www.downtownplazatulsa~com Reservations: 918.585.5998 ® 800.585.5101 Where you can b YOU" 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �{ LOCAL Real Men Fry Turkeys and International Gay Bowling hits OKC. Oklahoma’s Centennial Kicks off in our first Capitol, Guthrie. October 1930 (77 years ago last month) Sociologist Laud Humphreys is born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Pinot Noir is one of the oldest vine grape varieties known. This grape has been cultivated in Burgundy since the 1st century AD. Rachael Sage Talks with the STAR before her performap,ce in Tulsa. Gay Travelers: San Francisco Out of Town: Austin, Texas Dining In or OUT Lesbian Notions, an interview with Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council. Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. In the interview with Nick Post, the new owner of Angles, we incorrectly stated due to a typo that he had acquired the Finishline, Copa, Ledo and Gushers in 2007. It was actually 2000. We regret the error. STAR DISTRIBUTION: ON THE COVER: Deborah Harry & Rachael Sage 4 the STAR OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * NEW ORLEANS * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY www.ozarksstar.com �R÷a By Greg Steele With all the outing of gay penguins, sheep, dogs and other species, is there a possibility there are gay turkeys? How would you know if you were eating one of our own? I mean the poor critters are just herded into the slaughter pen, humanely killed, I presume, plucked and whisked off to Walmart. I for one will be asking the Walmart meat lady if my turkey was gay! I refuse to bake, fry, barbecue or boil a family member. We assume that all turkeys are hetero, and it’s OK to bake or fry ect., a homophobic hetero turkey, but what if your turkey was hetero and gay friendly? This outing of animals and now fowl is just not right. It raises so many questions and creates so many problems and it’s Thanksgiving for God’s sake. Where are the Fowl Rights people when you need them! Have a Great Holiday! INTERNATIONAL GAY BOWLING TOURNAMENT AND CONVENTION ROLLS INTO OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (P/R) __ Oklahoma City wilt be hosting the International Gay Bowling Organization’s (IGBO) 2007 Mid-Year Tournament and Convention, November 7-12, 2007. This event will cap offtwo years of preparation by the OKClassic Bowling Association as it welcomes bmvlers from al! over the United States and Canada. IGBO is the world’s largest GLBT sports organization with over 170 member leagues and over 60 member tournaments. OKClassic has hosted one of IGBO’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 convention activities will be held at The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites on NW 63rd & Robinson. IGBO’s Board of Directors, Regional. Representatives, and league and tournament representatives from around the world will conduct various business meetings at the ......................................... Continuedpa~,e- 27 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 �breaking the law? Doesn’t this suggestion smell strongly of Nazism and other totalitarian creeds such as one-child China? rocre tior Uber AlOes OK~.AHOMA CITY, OK__ Who would have thought that the successful union of a spermatozoa and an ovum would be a taxpaying citizen’s certification of citizenship. ¯he highest court of the state of Maryland has recently joined New York and Washington state in ruling that because same-gendered people can’t procreate they can not be married in the same way that opposite-gendered people can. Reading between the lines it seems straight people who have the corresponding slot A and tab B are automatically entitled to the approximately 1,400 Federal and state benefits that accrue with state-sponsored marriage. I always thought that paying taxes made one a citizen. Odd, that even though I have no children, I’m still required to pay school taxes. Additionally, I pay a sales tax to help pay for municipal structures such as sports arenas that I will never use, my gasoline taxes are used to pave roads which I’ll never drive on, and my library taxes will pay for books which H1 never read. IfI were a God-fearing, Bible-banging GOP straight man truly interested in the precepts of the great Creator who knows all things and requires the institution of marriage to be solely and soulfully about procreation I would legislate for the fol!owing policy to be instituted. A provisional license would be issued following a medical examination to determine the gender and procreative viability of the man and woman applying. Should one applicant fai! this examination in either part no license from the state would be allowed. In addition the failing partner would be required to register on a publicly available website to insure against fraud and redundancy. Opposite gendered married couples that do not procreate vcithin three years of their marriage will have that marriage annulled. And now, at least in Maryland, New York and Washington-- I have to pony up with a wife and child in order to be a REAL citizen? Paying taxes isn’t enough? If a procreative impediment, other than self-induced conditions, develops after the issuance of the provisional license as ~vell as after the issuance of the final license, the marriage would be allowed to continue. I’m glad these anti-gay judicial decisions are finally exposing the hypocrisy of our socalled civil society where the First Amendment defense of the separation of secular and sacred is being ignored and willfully convoluted in order to perpetuate the ideas of religious supremacy, the power of the penis, and the submissiveness of the vagina. Should there be a stillbirth or death within one year of the birth of a living child, an extension of one year would allowed for each subsequent stillbirth or early death. Such extensions would continue until the natural menopausal advancement occurs with the woman. The man is considered to be fertile for life. Since when was being the father or mother of a child necessary to prove one’s citizenship? Is that really the case? As the balance scale of Lady Justice is replaced with a cudgel, and her blindfold exchanged for binoculars it would do for us all, gay or straight, to reassess just what makes a civil society. Don’t we all know married straights who have never had biological children? Are their marriages in danger of being repudiated in those states that have ruled procreation as a necessary possibility for a complete marriage? Are childless marriages 6 the STAR AS our American society devolves into a seriously reality-adverse Gulag of religiously based proscriptions against equality, and as the "demos" is removed from Democracy and replaced with "theos", I’ve written a proposed bill that someone like Trent "gays have Heptomania" Lott, Larry ’Tm not gay" Craig, David "diaper" Vitter, or Jim "no gays in my family" Inhofe wil! take up on the floor of Congress. wxvw.ozarksstar.corn �~’wvw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �Recognized by Keller Williams For outsLandlng achievement 2005 and 2006 3627 NW Expressway Chuck Sreckenridge 918-706-1887 405.840.2106 TESTING CLINIC hea]t~ ow~each prevention education, inc. 1-800-535-AIDS (2437) Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(S) ¯ Frse nonjudgmental HIV ~esting, including the 20 minute OraQuick TesL KNOW YOUR STATUS *Free Syphillis screening at th~ GLBT Community Center on Tuesdays from 6-Spin H,O,P.E. Testing Clinic Mens Outreach Program In Tulsa at (918) 812-7045 8 the STAR Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 �AID S WALK OKC STOP HATE N THE HALLWAYS R~MEMBEIUNG THOSE PASSED ON, WORKING TO WA~ocDS A BETTER FUTURE. A BULLYNG CONFERENCE THAT NADE By Victor Gorin H STORY By Victor Gorin OKLAHOIVlA CITY, OK __ On October 11 history was made in Oklahoma. Although there had been numerous conferences and seminars about school safety in the past, there had always been something conspicuously missing, and to one group of victims, along with their friends and families, it was obvious. It was students harassed because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. Photo:Joe @dgle); OKC sc~ool teacher and political activist with Miss America Lauren Nelson OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Keeping up a proud tradition begun in 1998, the Oklahoma City AIDS Walk was held again on Sunday, September 29 as usual sponsored and supported by a wide variety of groups & people from all walks of life to help those living with HIV, prevention and education, as well as remembering those passed on. ~his year the occasion was honored as Miss America, Oklahoma’s own Lauren Nelson, headlined as this year’s Grand Marshall. This year’s walk raised over $60,000. The Walk benefits the AIDS Support Program/Winds House, RAIN (Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network), Guiding Right, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma-HIV/AIDS Legal Resource Project, Northern Lights Alternatives, Other Options Inc, Planned Parenthood of Oklahoma & Red Rock North. Currently over 6000 Oklahomans are living with HIV or AIDS. OKC MDS Walk President Danny Morgan looked to the future with his statement, "We are really excited over the increase in attendance and money raised over last year, and we’re looking forward to an even bigger event with yet more money raised for the valuable work that our agencies do in the Oklahoma City area." 10 the STAR The Stop Hate in the Hallways Conference was held at the Springlake Metro Tech Campus, organized by Cimarron Alliance and co-sponsored by numerous organizations. The conference was attended by over 300 people, among them teachers, school administrators, law enforcement, and other people from all walks of life throughout Oklahoma. As one of the organizers, OKC Councilperson Ann Simank pointed out, " I think the conference is addressing many issues that should have been addressed years and years ago. The whole goal is for the attendees today to obtain some real knowledge and tools to take back to their communities so that they’ll be able to make children safer and feel better, to feel accepted." The conference explored the price society pays for school bullying. Victims of bullying are less likely to go on to college, many even drop out of high school to escape abuse, thus doing serious damage to their careers. School districts have been successfiAly sued when harassment was deliberately allowed, and tragedies have resulted that have made schools less safe. The keynote speaker was Kevin Jennings, the founder and national director of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network), which works to educate the public and school systems about the problems faced by students harassed due to sexual orientation. A former teacher himself, he pointed out that a generic policy prohibiting bullying" is no more valuable than no policy at all. Gay students likelihood of skipping school is when they see themselves specifically mentioned in the policy, among race, religion, color, and so on". He also pointed out that it has been shown that schools that have a policy specifically protecting students from harassment due to sexual orientation have a lower incidence of bullying overall. On a positive note, he stated that among parents surveyed almost 83% support school policies protecting students from bullying due to real or perceived sexual orientation, even 77% of those parents identified as born again Christians. Although there are many differences of opinion, the overall consensus of parents is that they want their children’s schools to be safe. He compared the threats & opposition of fundamentalist parents opposing a policy of this protection to be "like a dog on the other side of a door that is really a chihuahua. " There was discussion about the Oklahoma City School District, which last year posted on their website the upcoming Student Handbook, which included among the categories protected from bullying & harassment "sexual orientation," then mysteriously pulled those words two days later. Despite numerous appeals by many diverse speakers and groups, the Oklahoma City School Board has yet to give any reply as to why this happened, or why there is no policy protecting OKC students from this category of harassment to this day. To attend the conference, personnel from the OKC school systera had to take personal time off from their jobs. In closing Richard Odgen, President of Cimarron Alliance had some optimism in saying, "I think this will not be the end of this discussion, but the beginning. We’re hopeful that in the years to come that rather than the State Secretary of Education saying ’ I’m too busy’ she wil! be here. Rather than a lack of support from largest school district in the state, there will be a policy of sending teachers to the conference. We’re letting people know, we are going to talk about it, it isn’t right that that these hot topics aren’t discussed, in fact that is why the), must be discussed. " ~.ozarksstar.com �Deborah Harry per£orm At T sa’s Historic Brady eater TULSA, OK (P/R) __ The Dennis 1L Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly meet-the-artist reception from 69pm, Thursday, November 1, 2007, for the opening of its November exhibit, "Schizo", works by artist Patrick Uva. Uva comes to Tulsa via New York City where he studied art at City College of New York. Since moving to his new home, Patrick has created a prolific collection of new paintings and sculpture. His new shmv "SCHIZO" was inspired by the auditory hallucinations he struggles with every day. "I wanted to express my struggle with the voices, but also the idea of collective freedom. I have this ’built-in’ collective consciousness so I wanted to show how individual awareness affects humanity as a whole. Patrick uses vibrant colors, fabric, dirt, sand and even cigarette ash within the confines of a skewed geometry to produce art that is at once violent, harmonious, haunting and ioy6 l. The exhibit will remain up through the month of November, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pm. 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 Center. Cdebrate 1st Arm versary Oklahoma’s Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) will be celebrating their first year as a chapter of the national organization with a special free barbecue dinner November 1. The social event is for members only and their friends, including many Democrats who have been invited. It is also an event geared toward welcoming potential new members. "We are going to throw a nice dinner party for our members and friends, to celebrate the fact we completed the requirements of our national committee for full chapter status," said Tim O’Herin, president of the group. LCR is the nation’s largest organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It has state chapters nationwide, a full-time staff in \Vashington, DC, and a Federal political action committee. "Although LCR of Oklahoma has been active in the gay community for about three years, this is our first year as a recognized chapter," he said. The party is by invitation only, and will be held in a member’s home in the south Edmond, North Oklahoma City area. The barbecue dinner is being provided by Head Country Barbecue of Ponca City. Dinner will be at 7:30 PM., with a one hour cocktail hour at 6:30 PM. "We encourage any gay man or lesbian who is a Republican, or supports our goals, to contact us for details about the dinner," he said. "Since it is being held at a private residence, we will not publicize the exact details of its location, but anyone who is interested in attending can contact us for further information," O’Herin said. TULSA, OK (P/R) __ The lead singer for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Blondie, Deborah Harry is performing at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater on Tuesday November 27th. The ultimate pop-rock, new wave diva, Debbie Harry set the mold, incorporating everything she learned from culture pioneers like Andy Warhot, Giorgio Moroder and Fab Five Freddy into her fashion, look and, particularly, sound. With Blondie, she and Chris Stein brought the worlds of disco and rock together with "Heart of Glass", "Dreaming", "The Tide Is High", and "Call Me" and broke ground by combining hiphop and pop on "Rapture." As a solo artist, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards co-produced her first release Koo Koo in 1981. She continues to defy expectations with such genre-busting efforts as "French Kissing in t~he U.S.A.," "Rush Rush," "Rain", ’[Atomic", and "The Jam Was Moving." Before there was Madonna and Gwen Stefani, Debbie Harry was rock’s reigning blonde pin-up icon, and both are quick to acknowledge her inspiration, as are countless female (and male) rockers who have since formed bands. On the heels of her sixth solo album "Necessary Evil", Deborah Harry will be performing live at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater Tuesday November 27th, 2007. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29, $39 & $49. at www.bradytheater.com, Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater at 105 West Brady, or by calling the Brady Theater Ticket Office at (918) 58-BRADY (27239). .................... Continued page 27 www.ozarksstar.corn the ST.~R 11 �Y÷a GUTHRIE, OK__ The Guthrie Centennial Committee, in coordination with the Oklahoma State Centennial Commission, is proud to present a major state celebration in Guthrie, Oklahoma on November 16, 2007. This State Holiday celebrates the 100 Year Proclamation of Oklahoma Statehood by President Theodore Roosevelt on November 16, 1907. Guthrie, as Oklahoma’s First State Capital, will host historical re-enactments of the statehood proclamation, the swearing-in of Oklahoma’s First Governor, Cliarles Haskell, and the symbolic wedding of Oklahoma Territory with Indian Territory. These re-enactments will be held at the historic Carnegie Library in Guthrie, where they actually occurred in 1907. At 12 Noon, a historic parade will be held, just as occurred in 1907, and will retrace the route from the Scottish Rite Temple to Mineral Wells Park. 12 the STAR ! This historic parade will include major university marching bands such as the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Langston University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Centennial All Star Band. In addition, marching bands from Logan County high schools will also perform. of these crowds will be enormous. City planning is ongoing throughout 2007 to anticipate and deal with crowds. Many volunteers from the Guthrie and Logan County communities, and from the region, will assist in making a historic day for visitors. At Mineral Wells Park, a barbeque will be held with the identical menu which occurred a century ago...barbeque, bread, a pickle, coffee and lemonade. Other events and entertainment venues will also be held throughout the downtown area during the day. Residents are being encouraged to wear early 1900 "Period Dress" for the Statehood Day events. Victorian, Edwardian, and Western dress is encouraged but not required. Visitors to Guthrie are also welcome to wear period attire. Lodging and dining referrals may be found through the Chamber of Commerce at 405-282-1947. Historic Pollard Inn at 405-282-1000 The Guthrie Bed & Breakfast Association through v~.guthriebb.com Sleep Inn at 405-260-1400 With the large anticipated crowds, visitors may desire to bring personal or picnic lunches. State and national dignitaries will be in Guthrie, to participate in the reenactments, and in the parade. The President of the United States has been invited to be in Guthrie also on this day. The City of Guthrie has been advised that between 75,000 and 100, 000 visitors may attend events on this historic day. As a small city, the challenge Lodging, dining, other details: w~wv.ozarksstar.com �PlanetOu InCo Sells RSVP Vacations SAN FRANCISCO, CA (PRNewswireFirstCall __PlanetOut inc., the leading media and entertainment company exclusively focused on the gay and lesbian market, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Atlantis Events, Inc. for Atlantis to acquire RSVP Vacations. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on or about October 24, 2007. The sale will not affect RSVP’s scheduled itinerary, nor will it affect current passenger bookings. "We are extremely pleased that RSVP wil! become part of the Atlantis family," said Karen Magee, chief executive officer, PlanetOut Inc. "Atlantis plans to preserve RSVP’s distinct brand, enabling Atlantis to expand the audience it serves by taking advantage of RSVP’s unique positioning within the LGBT community. We believe this combination also will be a real positive for RSVP’S customers and business partners. It really is a perfect match and we’re looking forward to expanding and extending our marketing relationship with Atlantis." "From a corporate perspective, we believe this transaction demonstrates to our shareholders that we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to leverage our strengths by simplifying our business model and emphasizing our core competencies," added Magee. "We are focused on ensuring that we are in the best position to realize our full potential as the leading media and entertainment company exclusively serving the LGBT market, while also strengthening our balance sheet." Magee also pointed out that the sale of RSVP reflects PlanetOut’s strategy of shifting its business to a model which has advertising revenue at its core, and draws strength from the company’s powerful, iconic media brands. Quot bBe Quotes The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Alabama’s ban on the sale of sex toys, ending a nine-year legal battle and sending a warning to store owners to clean off their shelves. Sherri Williams, owner of Pleasures stores in Huntsville and Decatur, said she was disappointed, but plans to sue again on First Amendment free speech grounds. "My motto has been ’They are going to have to pry this vibrator from my cold, dead hand.’ I refuse to give up," she said. George Takei gets own asteroid: "I am now a heavenly body,’, says the out gay actor of Asteroid 1994 GT9’s official renaming in honor of his long "Star Trek" service. George Takei already had a place among the stars in the minds of millions of"Star Trek" fans. Now he’s taking up permanent residence as the namesake of the asteroid formerly known as the 1994 GTg. The asteroid, located between Mars and Jupiter, has been renamed 7307 Takei in honor of the actor, who is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original "Star Trek" series. "I think the opponents of gay marriage really fall into two categories. A small group of people just don’t like gay people. If you don’t like one, you don’t like two. It’s geometric. The larger percentage are people who are generally supportive of equal rights, as they have been in Massachusetts, but hear these predictions that it’s going to be socially very chaotic, and they figure, why take the chance?" -Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to the Wellesley [Mass.] Townsman. Photo: Presenting the Carl Albert Award to Mr. Lemon (right) is fim Frasier, a Tulsa Stonezoall Democrat OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ On October 20 at the Oklahoma State Democratic Party’s annual Carl Albert Dinner, Bob Lemon received the Carl Albert Award along with the late State Senator Keith Leftwich. Mr.Lemon, who describes himself as "straight but not narrow," is an active member of the Oldahoma StonewaB Democrats and a generous supporter of many causes of the GLBT community. Quotable Quotes Opponents of Oregon’s new same-sex domestic partnership law failed to turn in enough valid signatures to block the measure that takes effect Jan. 1, 2008. "We’re thrilled to bring Atlantis and RSVP together into the same family for the first time," said Rich Campbell, chief executive officer of Atlantis. "The two companies are stronger together than they are apart, and taken together demonstrate the strength and vitality of the gay travel market." www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 13 �October 1930 (77 yeas ago this month): Sociologist Laud I-tumphreys is born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. was ONahoman Lau d Humphreys? aud I-Iumphreys’ 1970 book, Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places, presented a landmark ethnographic study of men who cruise for anonymous sex in public bathrooms - a topic that remains relevant to this day. Robert Allan Humphreys was born October 16, 1930, in Chickasha, Okla., the son of a conservative member of the state House of Representatives. After graduating from college in Colorado Springs, Humphreys earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1955 and was ordained an Episcopal priest (at which time he adopted the name "Laud"). He married his wife Nancy at age 30, and the couple had two children. Humphreys’ involvement in black civil rights and antiwar activism in the 1960s garnered attention from the FBI and angered prominent members of his various congregations. After he was dismissed from a parish post in Wichita, Kan., he enrolled in graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis to study socio!ogy and crimino!ogy. Possibly motivated both by the discovery that his deceased father led a secret homosexual life and by struggles with his own sexuali~ Humphreys decided to study men who seek sex in public toilets, or "tearooms." Though Humphreys claimed he was a "watch queen," or a voyeur who acted as a lookout, many suspect he was a more direct participant. Humphreys recorded the license plate numbers of more than 100 men he observed having sex - mainly fellatio - in the bathrooms of a city park, used these to track down their addresses, and later visited their homes in disguise, posing as a public health interviewer. ~ne subjects never knew they were part of a study, much less gave their consent. 14 the STAR Humphreys’ Ph.D. dissertation, published as Tearoom Trade in !970, detailed the steps involved in the homosexual public sex ritual - positioning, signaling, maneuvering, contracting, foreplay, and the payoff- as well as the intricate back-and-forth as men gauged one another’s interest. As such, he concluded, it was highly unlikely that an unwitting straight man would be molested or pestered for sex. Though the men went to great lengths to avoid both arrest arid violence from uninterested heterosexuals, police used the cruising code for entrapment. "W-hen a homosexual takes a seat in the adjacent commode and starts tapping his foot, the decoy will tap back," Humphreys wrote. Humphreys found that just over half the men he studied were married, 38 percent did not consider themselves either homosexual or bisexual, and only !4 percent were openly gay. They came from diverse races and socioeconomic classes and were generally similar to "normal" heterosexual men, except that the cruisers tended to be politica~y and socially conservative pillars of their community. "In donning the breastplate of righteousness," Humphreys wrote, "the covert deviant assumes a protective shield of superpropriety." Humphreys’ dissertation caused an immediate furor. ~Pne university chancellor sought to have his degree revoked for abetting felonies, sociology colleaDles criticized his dishonest research methods, and some gay activists regarded the study as an embarrassment - though it shored up the argument that since homosexual cruisers bothered no one else, bathroom busts were a waste of resources. Nevertheless, _Tearoom Trade won the prestigious C. Wright Mills award from the Society for the Study of Social Problems. In 1972, Humphreys was hired as a professor of sociology and criminal justice at Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. - a contract he negotiated from a jail cell where he was serving time for invading a draft board office and smashing a portrait of Richard Nixon. He came out publicly at the 1974 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association as part of a panel discussion in which he also outed Edward Sagarin (who had written the groundbrea~ng Tlxe Homosexual in ka~aerica under the name Donald Webster CoW in 1951, but had since grown critica! of the gay movement). Humphreys went on to co-found the Sociologists’ Gay (now LGBT) Caucus. By the mid- !970s, Humphreys’ scholarly productivity had declined, and he began to shirk his academic responsibilities. In 1980, he left his wife, moved in with a male protege, started a private counseling practice, and became increasingly involved with the Los Angeles gay community. In his later years, he returned to the ministry, serving people with AIDS. A heavy smoker, he died of lung cancer at the age of 58. The ethics of Humphreys’ study are still widely debated. Along with other questionable research in various fields, it helped usher in strong informed consent requirements and institutional review boards to protect research participants. But his work has undergone reconsideration in recent years. None of his subjects were actually harmed (Humphreys kept their information under lock and key), and some commentators have suggested that much of the initial furor was motivated more by distaste for the topic than true concern for the subjects. Further, information about public sex cultures proved invaluable in devising AIDS prevention strategies, and partidpantobserver research with an advocacy" angle became more acceptable. Almost four decades after its publication, Tearoom Trade remains the definitive guide to homosexual toilet sex. Despite a much larger GLBT community, many more venues for meeting, and pervasive sex on the Internet, anonymous sex in public places shows no sign of dissipating among gay or non-gay-identified men. For further reading: Galliher, John, W’ayne Brekhaus, and David Keys. 2004. Laud Humphreys: Prophet of Homosexuality and Sociology (University of Wisconsin). Horowitz, Irving. 2003. Tributes: Personal Reflections on a Century of Social Research (Transaction Publishers). Schacht, Steven. 2004. Moving Beyond the ControversT: Remembering the Many Contributions of Laud Humphreys to Sociology and the Study of Sexuality. International Journal o-fSociolo{~y and Social Policy (Vol. 24; special issue on Humpnreys). ~w.ozarksstar.com �A briefhiSlory ofthe grape Pinot Noir comes from all over world. It’s grown in many coun including: France, Argent Austria (called burgunder), (Sp&tburgunder), (Pinot Nero Zealand, "Dole" when the United States, gundac). Pinot Noir is a difficult with. The plant is A parent plant can wildly different ~erry size ar even flavor. Cabernet I genetically individual clones Noir has www.ozarksstar.corn inot Noirgoes l~hrough a range of langes as it matures. A young wine will fruity characteristics including: raspberry and strawberry. it ages earthiness, smoke Chardonnay in sparIon in Cal 4. Jayer-Glf Hautes Cot Burgundy 5. Etude Carneros ’05 California 6 Raptor Ridge Willamette Valley ’05 0~egon And as always, I say go to your favorite the STAR 15 �On Saturday night November I0 & Cat Stevens. Of course I heard Isreali folk music when I was at Temple, Tulsans "W~II have an opportunity to hear one of America’s greatest songrcesses, a remalkable artist with her own eclectic brand of modern folk music with her own unique twist. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut and growing up as a talented prodigy, she studied at the American School of Ballet, went on to earn a drama degree at Stanford Universi~ founded her own MPress Record label, racked up a repertoire of discography, and has even written & performed nasionally known TV commerai£s. She has toured extensively in both the United States and Europe. Described by Judy Collins as great glfx...an incredible talent and beauty," the shares her thoughts, hopes and aspirations with us. STAR: Glad to have you with us, we’re delighted you’re coming m Oklahoma. Have you been here before? MS SAGE: I have, I played there a couple of years ago at your Tulsa Pride Festival. STAR: How would you describe your unique brand of music? MS. SAGE: I would tend to call my music arc-pop, which kind of btingr in some of the pop music that I listened to growing up from the 50s, 60s and 70s and some of the classical music I heard as a ballerina. STAR: As a record coflector myself I was intrigaed with some of the music that influenced you growing up, like the records your parents had of Broadway shows, the Beades ¯nd the do-wop artists of the 60s. MS. SAGE; Certainly the Beades, a lot of classical music, and Broadway musicals. In the 70s a best friend tttrned me on to a lot of folk ardsts like Carole King, James Taylor 1 6 the STAR STAR: Did the music you hear at your synagogue have a big influence on your style? MS.SAGE: Mosdy the Temple music made me love to sing. Tae cultural aspects of tynagugue exposed me to a lot of music, a lot of minor keys & beautifid melodies, another area that showed me how music can bring people together. MS.SAGE: Well, I was always into music, sounding music out on the piano by ear when I was about 2 ½ years old. Actually the first Broadly show I saw was Ok~homa, and when I gut home I would try to play the score by ear. I gut into dance, which was a good part of my muaiol education a~ well. STAR: You had written and performed for some nationally known TV commercials. What are some that we might remember? MS. SAGE: I did one for Gillette, ~nd another one for Cwstal L 7 or 8 years ~ inside you, takes you away, Crystal Light, 5 different STAR: I love it! What influences your music most of nil today? �SPINNAKER CRAB CAKES Ingredients: 1 pinch white pepper a bowl with crab meat may<:~rt~i~ eggs, chives and season- low heat. Slowly now or they WJI! ~l to bum. Ser~e with a side of mayonnaise into which a few dl~p~ of fresh lemon juice and �TRAVE L by Donald Pite and Ray Williams SAN FRANCISCO AND "THE CASTRO" ~e have just returned froio the beauttfial "City by the Bay~ and it is tr~y as wonderful, exciting alld lnagl~ificellt as ever. For some strange re~.son it kad been 6 years shace we were last there and we used to go once a year, but we got involved with othes places to visit instead, but we were so happy to visit San Frmlcisco again. \Ve find it am~iog how many gays around the country have never been to gan Francisco so we will start of by saying that Saa Frmacisco is the city ~uxd "]he Castro" is the gay district in Sm~ Frmacisco which is filled with lots of great restaurants, shops and of course plenty of bars. "!bns of bars so whatever you ~re into you will be sure to find a bar just for you! "The Cusrco" has been around for y~ a~d years. All up ~nd dco~n the Castro d~strict ~re gay ttags waving e,mrywhere ~d the largest one is just as you step offthe pubic transportation system and you are laced with the largest gay ttag that we ins and a public email statina, available 2417. And in addition you have access to their refrigerator and mlcro-wave. They care about their guests! Just wish that more B and B’s were as considerate and caring. Why ~xor stay where you are partying? Be sure ~nd check out both of these B and B’s before making a trip to San Francisco. Shopping for gifts, clothing, decorating items or even groceries are all within a couple bIoch area of the Castro. T~e res~aura~*rs axe a~ individu.tlly owned and off&s a wide ~ango of menus. A~xd of course by s tayla~g at the Village House you ~e right i~ tlm middle of everyth~g ~d can w~kk everywhe~[ and a wondert~ c~mmunity room located t~ght at the front which overlooks the mreet where you c~n watch hmtdreds of gays w~k b?; 18 the STAR ~en there is San Francisco i~sel£ What a beaurifu[ dty and of art work, museums, down,town shopping on Union Squaxe. Chinatown is just a few bhicl~ from downtown and you certainly don’t want to miss the shopping and food there, From downtown take one of the cable cars to Fisherman’s Wharf alld Pier 39 to see all die ��The gay section of Hippie Hollow Park is a favorite Austin kangout on weekend afternoons. (Photo by Andrew Collins) in this part of the dty), and the H~apton Irm and Suites, an attractive, reasonably priced mid-rise opened a few years ago. Across the river, within walking distance of downtown, you’ll find another excellent todging base, the retro-trendy South Congress district, home to the devedy restored Austin Motel. Many rooms at dais quirky slice of ’50s-style Americana have tile floors, kitchenet tes, Jacuzai rubs, and kidney shaped patios. There’s an on-site Mexican restaurant, El Sol y La Luna, that turns out fiery, kich-ass huevos rancheros and carne asada. A few blocks away, the swankier Hotel San Jose is another old motor court that’s been given a postmodern, mlnlmalist makeover. The spacious courtyard suites are downright posh (and pricey), but a simpler though soil snazzy room with a shared bath runs for under $100 nighd)~ Entertain g~ests in the hotel’s scene-y iounga-cum-coffechouse. OI~ Friday, your first night in town, decompress ~tfter your flight or car ride with a rel~xh~g, informal meal at one of the city’s well-regarded purveyors of Tex-Mex, such as Guero’s or Manuel’s. A former feed store that’s now a fabulous taqueria, Guero’s serves some of the best Mexic~m f~re in central Texas - flora standard but ar tl~ly seasoned tamales to more innovative creations like marinated grilled pork on a corn tortilla with onions, cilantro, mad fresh pineapple. Fancier than most oFabe Mexican testaments in town, M~nuel’s is a sleek, deco-inspired space i~ the Warehouse District with a sassy little bar in back. Try some of the more innovative creations, fike corn-battered colossal thdmp with a poblano-chile c~rn, or pork enchiladas in a velvety mole sauce. Austin, Texas Fast-growing Aastin has been one of America’s most talked about cities over the past decade, having not o~ly increased its population by nearly 50 percent but also solidified its [eputation as an ultracool place ro live and visit. The fact that Austin is oppressively hot for a few months each summer is about its only maior negative. A~ auctman approaches, however, Austin cools off again ~nd this means the city’s myd~ad cafes, lounges, music dubs, and gay hangouts sizzle with activit~ If yoffve been to this lefr leaning - especially by Texas standards - city before, say five or more yeaxs ago, you may have trouble recoguiaing it. The downtown landscape has been transformed by recendy constructed office and hotel towers, and a fantastic new air port makes traveling here a breeze. Here’s a recipe for enjoying the perfect three-day weekend in this upbeat, welcoming metropolis. Consider staying in the forty downtown Warehouse District, with its bounty of both gay and gay-friendly bars as wdl as hip restau rants and offbeat boutiques. Worthy recommendatiorts include the most glamorous hotd in town, the Intercontinental Stephen E Austin. an opulent 16-stoty beauty with marne baths, 1920s era furnishings, mad twice-daily maid service. Perfectly appealing yet less pricey downtown alternatives include the Radisson Town Lake, whgse rooms face the scenic Colorado River (known as Tow~ Lake 20 the STAR Al~er your meal. it’s time to check out at least a couple of Austin’s inviting gay bars - it’s a topsy-turvy scene in these parts, with one or two bars coming and going seemingly every year. But you can consistendy count on there being roughly a half dozen gay bars downtown, mosdy concentrated in the Warehouse Distticr. Worthwhile options on Fridays include the relatively new Rain on 4th, which opened in the Warehouse District in 2006, and has a kively deck out back, a cozy bifliards bar up front, and a mldssize dance b~r iu file middle; and Chadie’s, the city’s oldest gay bar, which fies in the shadows of the state capitol building. Go-go boys perform inside, ~nd there’s a spacious deck in back. If you’re looking to keep it mellow your first night, have an ~er-dlnner cocktail, fruit smoothie, or espresso drink at the stylJth Halcyon Coffeehouse and Lounge, a hlpster-i~fested, gay friendly bengout across the street from Rain on Rise a~*d shine on Saturday morning with breakfast at one of Austin’s more eccentric nosh pits, Magnolia Crate, which has branches along South Congress Avenue ~aad also just west of downtown on Lake Austin Boulevard. The delicious, filling breakfast specialties range from the "Solar Landscape" (seasoned grilled potatoes, red onions, and ham topped with queso ~nd chipotle sauce) to hefty gingerbread pancakes bursting with blueber ties. Very dose to the South Congress neighborhood, you can take to the outdoors and work offsome calories with a stroll through beautiful 350-acre Zilber Park, a fine spot to tan your hide on sunny days. The park’s spting-fed Barton Springs Pool, a popular and enormous swimming hule, remains an invigorating 68 degrees year-round, so bring along a swimsuit if the weather’s nice. �Austin’s best outdoor attraction, however, is Hippie Hollow Park, which hugs the shores of stunning Lake Travis, about a 30-minute drive west of town. This is the region’s only official clothing-optional sunbathing spot. The gay section, which draws substantial crowds on just about any day with temperatures above 65 degrees, lies at the very end of the pathway that leads from the parking lot. On weekend afternoons you’ll often see pleasure boats packed with cute guys docked just offshore. Break for refreshments with a meal at the Oasis, a massive outdoor compound set high on a bluff overlooking the lake and Hippie Hollow - it’s a short drive from the park. The mediocre Mexican food at Oasis won’t win any culinary awards, but the views and the potent margaritas make this a winner. On your way back into town, treat yourself to some truly heavenly ice cream at Amy’s, a shrine to fattening dairy treats. Mexican vanilla, pumpkin cheesecake, and honeyed brandy are a few poptflar flavors at this local chain with outposts in several handy locations, induding South Congress Avenue and 6th Street downtown. If you still have a litde time left, stroll among the cool antiques, homefurnishings, and second-hand clothing shops a!ong South Congress Avenue and also in the Warehouse District. Spend your final afternoon in town exploring the leafy 357-acre campus of the University of Texas, whose attractions include the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum and the Texas Memorial Museum, which has exhibits on state history and local flora and fauna. UT’s Blanton Museum of Art is well-regarded for its collections of Renaissance paintings as well as modern Latin American art. Guadalupe Street, known along its border with LIT as "the Drag," is a haven of alternative culture as well as the place to shop for locally made arts and crafts, Longhorn memorabilia, and other offbeat goods. On your final night in Austin, you might go all out with a highticket dinner at one of the city’s most sophisticated restaurants, such as dark and sexy Jeffrey’s, which has the polish of a big-city supper dub and a clientele that ranges from celebs to politicos. The lamb T-bone with spinach-parmesan souffle and onion-mint confit is a typically sublime dish. Don’t miss the white-chocolate parfait with brandied cherries and pistachios i~or dessert - a memorable ending to a great Austin weekend. Saturday-night dinner options are many. Stick with the Warehouse District for the best people-watching, plus proximity to gay nightlife. Excellent dining bets include Kenichi, a mod, happening place where pretty young things hobnob over superbly rendered Japanese cuisine. At nearby Malaga, you can savor plate after plate of terrific tapas, such as braised beef short ribs in Riojo vdne. It’s a dramatic space with tall brick walls and marble tables, and there’s Latin music most nights. Saturday is Austin’s big night for gay revelry. Rain on 4th and Charlie’s remain popular options, but this is also the best night to check out Rain’s neighbor, Oilcan Harry’s, which has been a £xture in the city for years. This always-packed stand-and-model bar attracts a hot collegiate crowd. There are a couple of bar areas, a patio in back, and a good (loud) sound system serving the tiny but pulsing dance floor. Austin’s many queer country-western fans head to the nearby Rainbow Cattle Co., where they two-step and line-dance below a sea of wagon wheels and Wild West artifacts. If you’re into leather, head to the Chain Drive, which cultivates a bearish and rugged ambience. The city also has dozens of clubs and lounges hosting bands and singers of just about every ilk, making Austin one of the nation’s top cities for live music. Just stroll through the Warehouse District, especially along East 6th Street, and listen for the sounds of music to your liking. In Austin, nobody cares much about looks, labels, and agendas - you’ll be made to feel welcome most anywhere. Sunday morning offers a fresh opportunity to sample one of Austin’s great brunch or lunch spots - depending on how late you sleep in. A favorite of the gay community, Katz Dell is renowned for its half-pound sandwiches - the grilled three-cheese with tomatoes is especially good. Another enjoyable option is the South Congress Cafe, a handsome space known for such toothsome brunch treats as duck-and-oyster gumbo, and a luscious carrot cake French toast. ~,~twv.ozarksstar, com 72% of gays and lesbians prefer to buy from companies that advertise to them directly. (Source: Harris/Witeck-Combs) Brand loyal, 89% of gays and lesbians are highly likely to seek out brands that advertise to them; the majority are willing to pay a premium for quality products and services. (Source: Simmons) the STAR 21 �by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast lae Spinnaker Restaurant, On San Francisco Bay The Spinnaker Restaurant in downtown Sausalito, California is one of our very favorite restaurants in the country. We have dined there many times over the years and it just keeps getting better and better. Chef Phil Collins has been there since 1982 and Jeff Scharosch the General Manager has been there since 1994. q-hey do a remarkable job and it shows! "l-he Spinnaker Restaurant has panoramic views of the Sausalito waterfront, San Francisco skyline, Angel Island, Belvedere, Alcatraz, & the Bay Bridge. Floor to ceiling glass walls enable guests the chance to enjoy the scenery from every angle in the dining room, which is built on piers directly over the water. The view is unrivaled and is the best in the San Francisco Bay Area. Located in beautiful historic Sausalito, The Spinnaker is just a short drive from the Golden Gate Bridge. The stunning view is only surpassed by our extensive menu, featuring the freshest seafood & finest ingredients. You can also take the Ferry or bus service to Sausalito and it is just a 5 minute walk from either terminals to the restaurant. For over 47 years they have been treating guests to the finest in seafood and pasta. q-hey are open everyday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Their menus offers something for everyone, with fresh seafood, pasta, steak, chicken, & vegetarian options. Seafood highlights include the Mixed Seafood Grill, Spinnaker Paella, Pacific Mahi Saut~ 22 the STAR with Crab & Brie, Grilled Lobster Tail, & Petrale Filet with a Crouton & Macadamia nut crust. Our pasta selections include Penne with Grilled Chicken, Four-Cheese Ravioli with Walnut Alfredo or Pesto Sauce, & Fettuccini with Crab. They also offer Petite New York Steak or Filet Mignon with Cabernet Bordelaise, Piquant Chicken Breasts Saute, & Braised Chicken Breasts in a Champagne reduction. Vegetarians can choose from an array of salads, Pasta Primavera, Bruschetta, Cheese Quesadilla, or Baked Brie with Roast Garlic. If you wish to dine for lunch, they also offer many delighttiff sandwiches including the Crab, Shrimp & Avocado Club, Club House Sandwich, & The Spinnaker Hamburger. For those with a sweet tooth, their desserts will surely hit the spot. Cr~me Brule, Berry Trifle, Warm Apple Tart with Vanilla Bean Gelato, & Hot Fudge Sundae axe just a few of their sinful selections. They also have a huge wine selection and banquet facilities are available for special events and parties. Valet parking is available. Be sure and check their website at: www.thespinnaker.com No trip to San Francisco would be complete without dining at Spinnaker’s! www.ozarksstar.corn �A Family Affair Lesbian Notions, an interview with Jennifer Chrisle~ executive director ofthe Family Equality Council No good deed goes unpunished. That is certainly the case for Michael Gregg Valdez and Michael Oberg, who took in the four young children of Valdez’s niece. The niece asked the couple to take care of her children while she dealt with some drug-related criminal matters. Already parenting Valdez’s biological daughter, Michael and Gregg, as Valdez in known, are more than happy to provide a stable, loving home until the children’s mother is ready to do the same. The problem is they live in Utah, where two unmarried people cohabitating cannot serve as foster or adoptive parents. The state’s Division of Children and Family Services asked the courts to take the children away from the two men so they could be placed in foster homes more to the state’s liking - married, heterosexual households. Instead of handing custody to the state, the court took custody of the kids and then turned around and granted Gregg temporary custody. For now, the four will stay together. This is just the type of situation that fuels the passion of Jennifer Chrisler, the executive director of the Family Equality Council. You may have knmvn the organization as Family Pride - the name was recently changed to reflect their purpose of achieving family equality for all loving families. "Mike and Gregg’s willingness to open their homes and hearts highlights ~vhat is best about families - love, commitment, strength, and support," Chrisler told me recently. "Utah’s law regarding placement of foster care children is not good public policy, nor is it good for children." Ballot initiatives banning gay adoption and fostering may well raise their ugly heads in the 2008 presidential race - although when that tactic was used in 2004, it didn’t gain much traction. However, according to Chrisler, Arkansas is likely to mount a ballot initiative that in the long run will just hurt kids in need of loving homes. www.ozarksstar.com And in Texas, the state is proposing spending close to $3 million to investigate current foster parents. If any of the parents are found to be LGBT, the kids will be yanked from the homes. Chrisler has been working to protect those kids and their LGBT families since Apri! of 2005, when she came to the Council, then located in Washington, D.C., after serving as a fundraising consultant for political campaigns and LGBT organizations in Massachusetts. She and her spouse, Cheryl Jacques (yes, the same Cheryl Jacques who helmed the Human Rights Campaign for a brief and shining moment) recently moved Remember the Easter Egg Roll at the White House, where LGBT families wore rainbow leis and received national media attention? That was thanks to FEC. back to the Bay State with their 5-year-old fraternal twins, Tim and Tom. The organization moved with them, and is now headquartered in Boston. ’Tm a mother. I’m raising my kids in a world where our families don’t have what they need to keep each other strong and protected," she noted. "Kids spend a lot of time explaining who their families are, and I’d like that to stop." In the little more than two years that Chrisler has been at FEC, she has transformed the organization into a political powerhouse. Remember the Easter Egg Roll at the White House, where LGBT families wore rainbow leis and received national media attention? That was thanks to FEC. When James Dobson from Focus on the Family wrote a hatefiA op-ed in _Time Magazine_ about Mary Cheney’s pregnancy, FEC pressured the conservative weekly to run a counterpoint piece entitled "Two Mommies or Two Daddies Will Do Fine, Thanks," authored by Chrisler. The piece focused on the inequity of Virginia state law - where Cheney and her partner, Heather Poe, live with their son - and how Poe is without any legal parental rights. "Some of the pressing issues we face are marriage equality and uniform parenting laws," said Chrisler. "We need laws that recognize the complicated and creative ways our families are created. Issues such as surrogacy, sperm donors, and divorce create legal complications. It would be nice to have a uniform law to protect our families." A community organizer at heart, Chrisler understands that she can’t be the only one out there speaking on behalf of family equality. Through OUTspoken Families, the organization’s national speakers bureau, more than 1,000 people in 39 states, D.C., one U.S. territory, and three foreign countries have been trained to speak out on family equality issues. "We’re training people to be advocates for themselves, their families, friends, and people they care about at every level of their life, from responding to a comment in an elevator to speaking to the PTA," said Chrisler. "We have a lot of people raising the issue of family equality at lots of different levels...we’re working to change the hearts and minds of straight people we come into contact with." Changing those hearts and minds means changing the way LGBT families live. Many of us no longer have to live in the shadows, afraid that someone will find out that our kids have two mommies or two daddies. But for those who do, FEC and Chrisler work to change laws, make schools safer, and create a national LGBT family movement that can no longer be ignored. The STAR 23 �Diversityl~ ��calls himself GUILT. Your coworkers needle you about missing the retirement party for Nallely in the claims department. The decision is dear. You can always hit the weights tomorrow at the gym. Thursday dawns on you and what knave could be lurking to derail your plans today? Out of the bushes and over the grassy knoll are fired two shots. They are in the form of two tickets to that sold-out Erasure concert. No way! Get out! Andy Bell is in town and you’ve got your daws on some front row seats. You know every song and every lyric. That arm and chest workout can be shelved until tomorrow! ~ho are your greatest enemies? Luke Skywalker batded the respiratory challenged scoundrel Darth Vader. Superman played chess games with the Mensa maniac Lex Luthor. Batman and Robin were vexed with the likes of the Joker when they weren’t exploring the depths of their’batcaves. You and I have much worse enemies to ward off. These foes rear their ugly heads daily and seek to divert us from our health and fitness goals. The Bangles rendition of Manic Monday starts us heading through a sea of procrastination and fitness evasion. There is the Monday happy hour and 2-4-1 drinks the rest of the night at your favorite watering hole. This double headed monster lures you from your daily workout with promises of sweet intoxication and the aroma of tangy mouth-watering boneless buffalo wings. This enemy gets extra fire power during October, November, and December ~vith Monday night football. Resistance is futile. Tuesday night should be your cardiovascular workout on the elliptical machine. However, that new television lineup on NBC isn’t going to watch itself. It took scores of actors, directors, producers, grips, and cameramen many weeks to compile "Must See TV". You could just TIVO it all and catch up some other night. You would then be terrifyingly ignorant around the water cooler the next morning. That’s too dangerous to chance. Bad guys win again! It’s hump day and you’ll get back on that fitness wagon that you fell off of earlier in the week. I smell a conjunction though. BUT.... the guy in shipping and receiving is requesting your attendance at his birthday bonanza at the Hoo-Ha Lounge. The enemy here 26 the STAR What a concert! You have a hoarse voice but at least it’s Friday. Oh no! It’s Friday! There’s no way you can hit the gym tonight. Everybody who’s anybody will be at that new dub in downtown. Those hot DJ’s from KGAY will be handing out free T-shirts and selling $1 shooters for charity. You have all weekend offwork and you can surely make up for missed workout time then. After all Scarlet, tomorrow is another day. Quotable Quotes Uganda’s leading Muslim cleric has proposed to President Yoweri Museveni that gays be rounded up and marooned on an island in Lake Victoria unti! they die. Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje told reporters of his plan following a much publicized meeting with Museveni. "I asked President Museveni to get us an island on Lake Victoria and we take these homosexuals and they die out there," Mubajje told a news conference. "If they die there then we shall have no more homosexuals in the country." Saturday brings bright skies and temperatures in the low 90’s. The phone rings and it’s the boys. They’re heading for the lake with the boat, sunscreen, and a cooler stocked full of barley pops. There is no way you can miss this. I know you’ve said it before. But this has just been an unusual week. You really will get back on track soon. Right? Sunday comes and you can probably write your own defeat against an evil enemy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Stay strong against the dark side. With some discipline and some proper planning, you can keep a workout routine. Know what is important and stay focused. Tomorrow is always the busiest day of the year. Don’t let it be that way. Take charge today! ~is column is brought to you by that guy who likes to stomp his feet in bathroom stalls JUST for attention. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be reached at www.goblakefirness.com. Creating Community for People iving with H P4iAt DS A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization 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 IMng 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 �R~chad Sage continued: Log Cabin Ref)ublicans continued: MS. SAGE: So very many independent artists actually, because the bulk of my listening time is spent evaluating and listening to music independent artists are sending me at my record label, MPress Records. Oldahomds LCR is one of the newest organizations in OkAahoma dedicated to promoting gay rights. During the past three years it has been active and present at most gay public events, including gay pride celebrations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and McAAester. ’,We do compilations which benefit charity called New Arrivals, we’ve released 2 so far and are working on a third. It’s a great opportunity to hear all kinds of independent music, spanning the range of folk, rock, alternative pop. I think that more inspires than influences me. I try to find my own voice continually, which I have found is a never ending process. As far as mainstream artists I always look forward to the next record from Fiona Apple, and Rufus Wainwright is one of my very favorite artists. I also like Coldplay, U2, and I still pull out my Carole King records, am I’m looking forward to an upcoming new Mark Cohn album. STAR: What kinds of audiences do you mainly appeal to now? MS. SAGE: Actually there are several, that’s one of the fun things of starting out at a young age. There is the folk world, the alternative college listeners xvhich are ever changing, a younger set and also those in their 40s 50s and beyond from the coffeehouse scene. I love to play at Pride festivals every summer, about 10 or 15 every year. Of course the GLBT community is a wonderfid and supportive audience. As a matter of fact, we’re about to pul! into Provincetown where we will be playing a gig for Women’s Week. STAR: ~his tour promotes your newest CD The Blistering Sun, what inspired the title? MS.SAGE: It’s a lyric from one of the songs of the album, "Surprise" which was written for my sister’s wedding years ago. It came out almost a year ago, and I’m almost ready to bring out another one in the spring of 2008 called Chandelier. The Blistering Sun is really about self-determination, coming to that place where you are true to yourself, a process and lesson that really never ends. ST/MR: Anything special you’d like to say to the music lovers of Tulsa? MS. SAGE: Just that I’m really excited to come back, it’s been quite a few years. I can’t wait-it’ll be fun! STAR-Looking forward to it, i’ll see you at the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa. www.ozarksstar.com "I believe the positive changes we need to make in America for gay rights can best be made when both major political parties are confronted with the reality of its gay members," O’Herin said. "This is espedally true of the Republican Party." For further details contact O’Herin at OKLOGCABIN@aol.com, or call 405-9450368. (IGBO) Continued: hotel. Holiday Inn will also host the registration suite, hospitality suite, many social events and a display of panels of the AIDS quilt. The tournament activities will be held at Heritage Lanes at 122nd & Penn and Windsor Lanes at NW 23rd & Meridian. Single and doubles bowling events will be held at Heritage Lanes and the team and Scratch Masters events will be held at Windsor Lanes. Management and staff at both centers are excited about hosting this special event. The weekend will wrap up with a gala awards ceremony to be held in the Sam Noble Special Events Center inside the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on Sunday evening. This remarkable room will host a catered meal, special presentations by the IGBO Board of Directors, rousing entertainment by Lyric Theatre and the announcement of the winners of the tournament. The tournament will coincide directly with the state of Oklahoma’s Centennial cdebration. We hope our guests will take time to enjoy the city as it steps into its second century of growth and excitement. Please extend a hearty Oklahoma welcome to our guests as they visit our city for this special event! More information about IGBO can be found at www.igbo.org. More information about IGBO Mid-Year 2007 in Oklahoma City can be found at www.igbomy2007.org. MCC Jopt r , Ce eBrates 10th Anniversary JOPLIN, MO (P/R) __Spirit of Christ MCC cdebrates ten year of service to the greater Joplin, MO area. This church was started in 1996 in the home of our pastor, Rev. Steve Urie. During the last ten years we have survived in a community where our own GLBT people said we would not survive. We have fed hundreds for the holidays, work closely with our local office of AIDS Project of the Ozarks, have been a sanctuary for students dismissed for being GLBT, and have a food program available for everyone. Just this year Spirit of Christ MCC joined with MCC of the Living Spring to support the Domestic Partnership Registry in Eureka Springs, AR. We continue our concert series with such talented artists as Marsha Stevens, Terry Lee Ousley~ Shawn Thomas and Sam Sampson. During our celebration Marsha Stevens, Sam Sampson, Rev. Carolyn Mobley from Tulsa, Rev Kurt Krieger from Kansas City and friends from Eureka Springs, AR were all present. We are a member church of MCC Churches. As a church made up of people from all walks of life, all economic classes, every gender, and a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. This rich heritage is our greatest blessing, because it brings the whole rainbow of Gods creation together under the same roof. It also presents our greatest challenge as we always strive to reflect this rich diversity in our ministry, programs and services. Spirit of Christ MCC has spent ten years focusing on the needs of our community through acts of kindness while standing for the justice that should be available to all people. Our church is open to all people and while celebrating the traditional church we recognize our God is not in a box. That realization is what frees us and all who worship with us. Find an MCC in your area: in Eureka Springs, AR visit MCC of the Living Spring at 17 Elk Street Sundays at 6PM; in Tulsa, OK visit MCC United at 1623 Maplewood Sundays at 11AM; in Kansas City, MO visit Spirit of Hope MCC at 3801 Wyandotte Sundays at 10:15AM and in Joplin, MO visit Spirit of Christ MCC at 2902 E 20th Street Saturdays at 10:00 AM. the STAR 27 �Venus enters her own sign, Libra, helping us all to be more accommodating, artistic, and gracious. And more manipulative? Venus may not be to blame on her own. The Sun is in Scorpio squaring Neptune, inflating our desires and blurring boundaries. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Teamwork comes more easily now, so work on those skills! Erotic tension between you and a good friend needs expression and clarification. Acting on it could be a mistake, but maybe.not. Discussing it is necessary, and probably quite sufficient. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Explore new ways to play and create with others, and find satisfaction there for now. Work is likely to be frustrated by confusion with close associates. Rethinking your goals could help. Express feelings and hunches clearly, and check them out before acting on them. SAGITTARJUS (November 22 - December 20): This is the time to curry favor with your superiors. Avoid gossip and subterfuge. Simply refuse to listen or to participate. As juicy as the dish may be, it will only get you into trouble. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Forget the "tall, dark stranger." Flirt instead with the foreign cutie with dimples - you’ll be luckier in international affairs. But you’re less lucky now with finances. See where those sails need trimming, but wait another week to readjust plans. AQUARIUS (January 20 o February 18): Be very careful who you flirt with. You could seduce almost anyone you like, but you may find your erotic adventures complicating your professional life. At least be very clear about who you are and what you want to do. PISCES (February 19 - Niarch 19): Falling in love comes too easily to you, but ride that warm current now, either basking in the adoration of your partner, or enjoying an amour du jour. Foreign mystical philosophies have a special appeal; follow your instincts, and you may gain terrific insights. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Mend fences with family members or roommates. Be _very_ careful about safe sex! The most exotic and unusual bugs are looking for you. If there’s no spiritual fulfillment in your work, find a way to work it into your exercise. (Yoga? Haikido?) CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your seductive powers are now at their height. You are perhaps a little too sexy and playful, and that could get you into trouble. But just as you can talk your way into anything now, you can almost always talk your way out, too. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Domestic disputes are nearly inevitable now. A drink or a shopping escapade seems to be the easiest way to ameliorate the problem - but drinking only makes it worse, and shopping is just a diversion. Still, a diversion could help! METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Some advice from your partner or another close friend could help you to improve your looks or to feel better about yourself. Appearances count, but go deeper and discuss health issues that you normally wouldn’t. 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at t0:00 AM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Enjoy quiet, meditative music and art. A private retreat will give you room to explore your own aesthetics without being influenced by others. Go to a museum or show on your own, and never mind what others like. MCC of the Living Spring SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your social charms are strong now, but what you want for others may not be what they care for. Explaining your goals may come off a bit too strong, so first ask others what they want. 28 the STAR 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 of TULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5998 www.downtownplazat ulsa.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 DREXEL ONTHE PARKAPTS. 3041NW41ST Oklahoma City, OK 405-946-0588 BRADY THEATER 105 W Brady Tulsa, OK 918-582-7339 www.bradytheater.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918-584-9494 www.dubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2~00 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VAY 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 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 HIV/STD Hodine 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.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.anglesdub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 www.bambooloungetulsa.com www.ozarksstar.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $29.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: 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 6pm (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: NW ARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WWNVdNWAGLBTCC.ORG Address: City: Phone: DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS 479-253-2555 Eureka Springs, AR www.diversitypride.com Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: St: Zip:. �V/hether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. t~ ~~sas GLBT Communi~- Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 V!W~.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �w~’~,’.ozarkssta r.co m the STAR 31 �Nov. 2 Event Center Special Guests 7 p.m. Jon Hoadley National Stonewal Democrats A1 McAffrey lim Roth Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Featuring Scott, Shannen Porter, DeFawna DeLay Kelly Moore, & Melody Michaels unforgettable evening drink & en~em $30 ~mnual Membership Admission ~-’~ Oklahoma Democrats "The LGBTStonewall Voice of the Democratic Party~ � 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 Happy Thanksgiving STATEHOOD DAY San Francisco & Austin, Texas West 7th Street (corner 7th & Bolder Ave) o Tulsa, Ok 74t t 9 o www.downtownplazatulsa~com Reservations: 918.585.5998 ® 800.585.5101 Where you can b YOU" 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 { LOCAL Real Men Fry Turkeys and International Gay Bowling hits OKC. Oklahoma’s Centennial Kicks off in our first Capitol, Guthrie. October 1930 (77 years ago last month) Sociologist Laud Humphreys is born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Pinot Noir is one of the oldest vine grape varieties known. This grape has been cultivated in Burgundy since the 1st century AD. Rachael Sage Talks with the STAR before her performap,ce in Tulsa. Gay Travelers: San Francisco Out of Town: Austin, Texas Dining In or OUT Lesbian Notions, an interview with Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council. Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Deborah Harry & Rachael Sage 4 the STAR In the interview with Nick Post, the new owner of Angles, we incorrectly stated due to a typo that he had acquired the Finishline, Copa, Ledo and Gushers in 2007. It was actually 2000. We regret the error. STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * NEW ORLEANS * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY www.ozarksstar.com R÷a By Greg Steele With all the outing of gay penguins, sheep, dogs and other species, is there a possibility there are gay turkeys? How would you know if you were eating one of our own? I mean the poor critters are just herded into the slaughter pen, humanely killed, I presume, plucked and whisked off to Walmart. I for one will be asking the Walmart meat lady if my turkey was gay! I refuse to bake, fry, barbecue or boil a family member. We assume that all turkeys are hetero, and it’s OK to bake or fry ect., a homophobic hetero turkey, but what if your turkey was hetero and gay friendly? This outing of animals and now fowl is just not right. It raises so many questions and creates so many problems and it’s Thanksgiving for God’s sake. Where are the Fowl Rights people when you need them! Have a Great Holiday! INTERNATIONAL GAY BOWLING TOURNAMENT AND CONVENTION ROLLS INTO OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (P/R) __ Oklahoma City wilt be hosting the International Gay Bowling Organization’s (IGBO) 2007 Mid-Year Tournament and Convention, November 7-12, 2007. This event will cap offtwo years of preparation by the OKClassic Bowling Association as it welcomes bmvlers from al! over the United States and Canada. IGBO is the world’s largest GLBT sports organization with over 170 member leagues and over 60 member tournaments. OKClassic has hosted one of IGBO’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 convention activities will be held at The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites on NW 63rd & Robinson. IGBO’s Board of Directors, Regional. Representatives, and league and tournament representatives from around the world will conduct various business meetings at the ......................................... Continuedpa~,e- 27 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 rocre tior Uber AlOes OK~.AHOMA CITY, OK__ Who would have thought that the successful union of a spermatozoa and an ovum would be a taxpaying citizen’s certification of citizenship. ¯he highest court of the state of Maryland has recently joined New York and Washington state in ruling that because same-gendered people can’t procreate they can not be married in the same way that opposite-gendered people can. Reading between the lines it seems straight people who have the corresponding slot A and tab B are automatically entitled to the approximately 1,400 Federal and state benefits that accrue with state-sponsored marriage. I always thought that paying taxes made one a citizen. Odd, that even though I have no children, I’m still required to pay school taxes. Additionally, I pay a sales tax to help pay for municipal structures such as sports arenas that I will never use, my gasoline taxes are used to pave roads which I’ll never drive on, and my library taxes will pay for books which H1 never read. And now, at least in Maryland, New York and Washington-- I have to pony up with a wife and child in order to be a REAL citizen? Paying taxes isn’t enough? I’m glad these anti-gay judicial decisions are finally exposing the hypocrisy of our socalled civil society where the First Amendment defense of the separation of secular and sacred is being ignored and willfully convoluted in order to perpetuate the ideas of religious supremacy, the power of the penis, and the submissiveness of the vagina. Since when was being the father or mother of a child necessary to prove one’s citizenship? Is that really the case? Don’t we all know married straights who have never had biological children? Are their marriages in danger of being repudiated in those states that have ruled procreation as a necessary possibility for a complete marriage? Are childless marriages breaking the law? Doesn’t this suggestion smell strongly ofNazism and other totalitarian creeds such as one-child China? AS our American society devolves into a seriously reality-adverse Gulag of religiously based proscriptions against equality, and as the "demos" is removed from Democracy and replaced with "theos", I’ve written a proposed bill that someone like Trent "gays have Heptomania" Lott, Larry ’Tm not gay" Craig, David "diaper" Vitter, or Jim "no gays in my family" Inhofe wil! take up on the floor of Congress. IfI were a God-fearing, Bible-banging GOP straight man truly interested in the precepts of the great Creator who knows all things and requires the institution of marriage to be solely and soulfully about procreation I would legislate for the fol!owing policy to be instituted. A provisional license would be issued following a medical examination to determine the gender and procreative viability of the man and woman applying. Should one applicant fai! this examination in either part no license from the state would be allowed. In addition the failing partner would be required to register on a publicly available website to insure against fraud and redundancy. Opposite gendered married couples that do not procreate vcithin three years of their marriage will have that marriage annulled. If a procreative impediment, other than self-induced conditions, develops after the issuance of the provisional license as ~vell as after the issuance of the final license, the marriage would be allowed to continue. Should there be a stillbirth or death within one year of the birth of a living child, an extension of one year would allowed for each subsequent stillbirth or early death. Such extensions would continue until the natural menopausal advancement occurs with the woman. The man is considered to be fertile for life. As the balance scale of Lady Justice is replaced with a cudgel, and her blindfold exchanged for binoculars it would do for us all, gay or straight, to reassess just what makes a civil society. 6 the STAR wxvw.ozarksstar.corn ~’wvw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 Recognized by Keller Williams For outsLandlng achievement 2005 and 2006 Chuck Sreckenridge 918-706-1887 3627 NW Expressway 405.840.2106 TESTING CLINIC hea]t~ ow~each prevention education, inc. 1-800-535-AIDS (2437) Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(S) ¯ Frse nonjudgmental HIV ~esting, including the 20 minute OraQuick TesL KNOW YOUR STATUS *Free Syphillis screening at th~ GLBTCommunity Center on Tuesdays from 6-Spin H,O,P.E. Testing Clinic Mens Outreach Program In Tulsa at (918) 812-7045 Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 AIDS WALK OKC R~MEMBEIUNG THOSEPASSED ON, WORKING TOWA~ocDSABETTER FUTURE. By Victor Gorin Photo:Joe @dgle); OKCsc~ool teacher and political activist with Miss America Lauren Nelson OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Keeping up a proud tradition begun in 1998, the Oklahoma City AIDS Walk was held again on Sunday, September 29 as usual sponsored and supported by a wide variety of groups & people from all walks of life to help those living with HIV, prevention and education, as well as remembering those passed on. ~his year the occasion was honored as Miss America, Oklahoma’s own Lauren Nelson, headlined as this year’s Grand Marshall. This year’s walk raised over $60,000. The Walk benefits the AIDS Support Program/Winds House, RAIN (Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network), Guiding Right, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma-HIV/AIDS Legal Resource Project, Northern Lights Alternatives, Other Options Inc, Planned Parenthood of Oklahoma & Red Rock North. Currently over 6000 Oklahomans are living with HIV or AIDS. OKC MDS Walk President Danny Morgan looked to the future with his statement, "We are really excited over the increase in attendance and money raised over last year, and we’re looking forward to an even bigger event with yet more money raised for the valuable work that our agencies do in the Oklahoma City area." STOP HATE N THE HALLWAYS A BULLYNG CONFERENCE THAT NADE H STORY By Victor Gorin OKLAHOIVlA CITY, OK __ On October 11 history was made in Oklahoma. Although there had been numerous conferences and seminars about school safety in the past, there had always been something conspicuously missing, and to one group of victims, along with their friends and families, it was obvious. It was students harassed because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. The Stop Hate in the Hallways Conference was held at the Springlake Metro Tech Campus, organized by Cimarron Alliance and co-sponsored by numerous organizations. The conference was attended by over 300 people, among them teachers, school administrators, law enforcement, and other people from all walks of life throughout Oklahoma. As one of the organizers, OKC Councilperson Ann Simank pointed out, " I think the conference is addressing many issues that should have been addressed years and years ago. The whole goal is for the attendees today to obtain some real knowledge and tools to take back to their communities so that they’ll be able to make children safer and feel better, to feel accepted." The conference explored the price society pays for school bullying. Victims of bullying are less likely to go on to college, many even drop out of high school to escape abuse, thus doing serious damage to their careers. School districts have been successfiAly sued when harassment was deliberately allowed, and tragedies have resulted that have made schools less safe. The keynote speaker was Kevin Jennings, the founder and national director of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network), which works to educate the public and school systems about the problems faced by students harassed due to sexual orientation. A former teacher himself, he pointed out that a generic policy prohibiting bullying" is no more valuable than no policy at all. Gay students likelihood of skipping school is when they see themselves specifically mentioned in the policy, among race, religion, color, and so on". He also pointed out that it has been shown that schools that have a policy specifically protecting students from harassment due to sexual orientation have a lower incidence of bullying overall. On a positive note, he stated that among parents surveyed almost 83% support school policies protecting students from bullying due to real or perceived sexual orientation, even 77% of those parents identified as born again Christians. Although there are many differences of opinion, the overall consensus of parents is that they want their children’s schools to be safe. He compared the threats & opposition of fundamentalist parents opposing a policy of this protection to be "like a dog on the other side of a door that is really a chihuahua. " There was discussion about the Oklahoma City School District, which last year posted on their website the upcoming Student Handbook, which included among the categories protected from bullying & harassment "sexual orientation," then mysteriously pulled those words two days later. Despite numerous appeals by many diverse speakers and groups, the Oklahoma City School Board has yet to give any reply as to why this happened, or why there is no policy protecting OKC students from this category of harassment to this day. To attend the conference, personnel from the OKC school systera had to take personal time off from their jobs. In closing Richard Odgen, President of Cimarron Alliance had some optimism in saying, "I think this will not be the end of this discussion, but the beginning. We’re hopeful that in the years to come that rather than the State Secretary of Education saying ’ I’m too busy’ she wil! be here. Rather than a lack of support from largest school district in the state, there will be a policy of sending teachers to the conference. We’re letting people know, we are going to talk about it, it isn’t right that that these hot topics aren’t discussed, in fact that is why the), must be discussed. " 10 the STAR ~.ozarksstar.com TULSA, OK (P/R) __ The Dennis 1L Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly meet-the-artist reception from 6- 9pm, Thursday, November 1, 2007, for the opening of its November exhibit, "Schizo", works by artist Patrick Uva. Uva comes to Tulsa via New York City where he studied art at City College ofNew York. Since moving to his new home, Patrick has created a prolific collection of new paintings and sculpture. His new shmv "SCHIZO" was inspired by the auditory hallucinations he struggles with every day. "I wanted to express my struggle with the voices, but also the idea of collective freedom. I have this ’built-in’ collective consciousness so I wanted to show how individual awareness affects humanity as a whole. Patrick uses vibrant colors, fabric, dirt, sand and even cigarette ash within the confines of a skewed geometry to produce art that is at once violent, harmonious, haunting and ioy6 l. The exhibit will remain up through the month of November, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pm. 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 Center. Cdebrate 1st Arm versary Oklahoma’s Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) will be celebrating their first year as a chapter of the national organization with a special free barbecue dinner November 1. The social event is for members only and their friends, including many Democrats who have been invited. It is also an event geared toward welcoming potential new members. "We are going to throw a nice dinner party for our members and friends, to celebrate the fact we completed the requirements of our national committee for full chapter status," said Tim O’Herin, president of the group. LCR is the nation’s largest organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It has state chapters nationwide, a full-time staff in \Vashington, DC, and a Federal political action committee. "Although LCR of Oklahoma has been active in the gay community for about three years, this is our first year as a recognized chapter," he said. The party is by invitation only, and will be held in a member’s home in the south Edmond, North Oklahoma City area. The barbecue dinner is being provided by Head Country Barbecue of Ponca City. Dinner will be at 7:30 PM., with a one hour cocktail hour at 6:30 PM. "We encourage any gay man or lesbian who is a Republican, or supports our goals, to contact us for details about the dinner," he said. "Since it is being held at a private residence, we will not publicize the exact details of its location, but anyone who is interested in attending can contact us for further information," O’Herin said. ....................Continued page 27 Deborah Harry per£orm At T sa’s Historic Brady eater TULSA, OK (P/R) __ The lead singer for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Blondie, Deborah Harry is performing at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater on Tuesday November 27th. The ultimate pop-rock, new wave diva, Debbie Harry set the mold, incorporating everything she learned from culture pioneers like Andy Warhot, Giorgio Moroder and Fab Five Freddy into her fashion, look and, particularly, sound. With Blondie, she and Chris Stein brought the worlds of disco and rock together with "Heart of Glass", "Dreaming", "The Tide Is High", and "Call Me" and broke ground by combining hiphop and pop on "Rapture." As a solo artist, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards co-produced her first release Koo Koo in 1981. She continues to defy expectations with such genre-busting efforts as "French Kissing in t~he U.S.A.," "Rush Rush," "Rain", ’[Atomic", and "The Jam Was Moving." Before there was Madonna and Gwen Stefani, Debbie Harry was rock’s reigning blonde pin-up icon, and both are quick to acknowledge her inspiration, as are countless female (and male) rockers who have since formed bands. On the heels of her sixth solo album "Necessary Evil", Deborah Harry will be performing live at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater Tuesday November 27th, 2007. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29, $39 & $49. at www.bradytheater.com, Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater at 105 West Brady, or by calling the Brady Theater Ticket Office at (918) 58-BRADY (27239). www.ozarksstar.corn the ST.~R 11 Y÷a ! GUTHRIE, OK__ The Guthrie Centennial Committee, in coordination with the Oklahoma State Centennial Commission, is proud to present a major state celebration in Guthrie, Oklahoma on November 16, 2007. This State Holiday celebrates the 100 Year Proclamation of Oklahoma Statehood by President Theodore Roosevelt on November 16, 1907. Guthrie, as Oklahoma’s First State Capital, will host historical re-enactments of the statehood proclamation, the swearing- in of Oklahoma’s First Governor, Cliarles Haskell, and the symbolic wedding of Oklahoma Territory with Indian Territory. These re-enactments will be held at the historic Carnegie Library in Guthrie, where they actually occurred in 1907. At 12 Noon, a historic parade will be held, just as occurred in 1907, and will retrace the route from the Scottish Rite Temple to Mineral Wells Park. This historic parade will include major university marching bands such as the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Langston University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Centennial All Star Band. In addition, marching bands from Logan County high schools will also perform. At Mineral Wells Park, a barbeque will be held with the identical menu which occurred a century ago...barbeque, bread, a pickle, coffee and lemonade. Other events and entertainment venues will also be held throughout the downtown area during the day. State and national dignitaries will be in Guthrie, to participate in the reenactments, and in the parade. The President of the United States has been invited to be in Guthrie also on this day. The City of Guthrie has been advised that between 75,000 and 100, 000 visitors may attend events on this historic day. As a small city, the challenge of these crowds will be enormous. City planning is ongoing throughout 2007 to anticipate and deal with crowds. Many volunteers from the Guthrie and Logan County communities, and from the region, will assist in making a historic day for visitors. Lodging, dining, other details: Residents are being encouraged to wear early 1900 "Period Dress" for the Statehood Day events. Victorian, Edwardian, and Western dress is encouraged but not required. Visitors to Guthrie are also welcome to wear period attire. Lodging and dining referrals may be found through the Chamber of Commerce at 405-282-1947. Historic Pollard Inn at 405-282-1000 The Guthrie Bed & Breakfast Association through v~.guthriebb.com Sleep Inn at 405-260-1400 With the large anticipated crowds, visitors may desire to bring personal or picnic lunches. 12 the STAR w~wv.ozarksstar.com PlanetOu InCo Sells RSVP Vacations SAN FRANCISCO, CA (PRNewswire- FirstCall __PlanetOut inc., the leading media and entertainment company exclusively focused on the gay and lesbian market, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Atlantis Events, Inc. for Atlantis to acquire RSVP Vacations. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on or about October 24, 2007. The sale will not affect RSVP’s scheduled itinerary, nor will it affect current passenger bookings. "We are extremely pleased that RSVP wil! become part of the Atlantis family," said Karen Magee, chief executive officer, Planet- Out Inc. "Atlantis plans to preserve RSVP’s distinct brand, enabling Atlantis to expand the audience it serves by taking advantage of RSVP’s unique positioning within the LGBT community. We believe this combination also will be a real positive for RSVP’S customers and business partners. It really is a perfect match and we’re looking forward to expanding and extending our marketing relationship with Atlantis." "From a corporate perspective, we believe this transaction demonstrates to our shareholders that we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to leverage our strengths by simplifying our business model and emphasizing our core competencies," added Magee. "We are focused on ensuring that we are in the best position to realize our full potential as the leading media and entertainment company exclusively serving the LGBT market, while also strengthening our balance sheet." Magee also pointed out that the sale of RSVP reflects PlanetOut’s strategy of shifting its business to a model which has advertising revenue at its core, and draws strength from the company’s powerful, iconic media brands. Quot bBe Quotes The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Alabama’s ban on the sale of sex toys, ending a nine-year legal battle and sending a warning to store owners to clean off their shelves. Sherri Williams, owner of Pleasures stores in Huntsville and Decatur, said she was disappointed, but plans to sue again on First Amendment free speech grounds. "My motto has been ’They are going to have to pry this vibrator from my cold, dead hand.’ I refuse to give up," she said. George Takei gets own asteroid: "I am now a heavenly body,’, says the out gay actor ofAsteroid 1994 GT9’s official renaming in honor of his long "Star Trek" service. George Takei already had a place among the stars in the minds of millions of"Star Trek" fans. Now he’s taking up permanent residence as the namesake of the asteroid formerly known as the 1994 GTg. The asteroid, located between Mars and Jupiter, has been renamed 7307 Takei in honor of the actor, who is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original "Star Trek" series. "I think the opponents of gay marriage really fall into two categories. A small group of people just don’t like gay people. If you don’t like one, you don’t like two. It’s geometric. The larger percentage are people who are generally supportive of equal rights, as they have been in Massachusetts, but hear these predictions that it’s going to be socially very chaotic, and they figure, why take the chance?" -- Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to the Wellesley [Mass.] Townsman. Photo: Presenting the CarlAlbertAward to Mr. Lemon (right) isfim Frasier, a Tulsa Stonezoall Democrat OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ On October 20 at the Oklahoma State Democratic Party’s annual Carl Albert Dinner, Bob Lemon received the Carl Albert Award along with the late State Senator Keith Leftwich. Mr.Lemon, who describes himself as "straight but not narrow," is an active member of the Oldahoma StonewaB Democrats and a generous supporter of many causes of the GLBT community. Quotable Quotes Opponents of Oregon’s new same-sex domestic partnership law failed to turn in enough valid signatures to block the measure that takes effect Jan. 1, 2008. "We’re thrilled to bring Atlantis and RSVP together into the same family for the first time," said Rich Campbell, chief executive officer ofAtlantis. "The two companies are stronger together than they are apart, and taken together demonstrate the strength and vitality of the gay travel market." www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 13 October 1930 (77 yeas ago this month): Sociologist Laud I-tumphreys is born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. was ONahoman Lau d Humphreys? aud I-Iumphreys’ 1970 book, Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places, presented a landmark ethnographic study of men who cruise for anonymous sex in public bathrooms - a topic that remains relevant to this day. Robert Allan Humphreys was born October 16, 1930, in Chickasha, Okla., the son of a conservative member of the state House of Representatives. After graduating from college in Colorado Springs, Humphreys earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1955 and was ordained an Episcopal priest (at which time he adopted the name "Laud"). He married his wife Nancy at age 30, and the couple had two children. Humphreys’ involvement in black civil rights and antiwar activism in the 1960s garnered attention from the FBI and angered prominent members of his various congregations. After he was dismissed from a parish post in Wichita, Kan., he enrolled in graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis to study socio!ogy and crimino!- ogy. Possibly motivated both by the discovery that his deceased father led a secret homosexual life and by struggles with his own sexuali~ Humphreys decided to study men who seek sex in public toilets, or "tearooms." Though Humphreys claimed he was a "watch queen," or a voyeur who acted as a lookout, many suspect he was a more direct participant. Humphreys recorded the license plate numbers of more than 100 men he observed having sex - mainly fellatio - in the bathrooms of a city park, used these to track down their addresses, and later visited their homes in disguise, posing as a public health interviewer. ~ne subjects never knew they were part of a study, much less gave their consent. Humphreys’ Ph.D. dissertation, published as Tearoom Trade in !970, detailed the steps involved in the homosexual public sex ritual - positioning, signaling, maneuvering, contracting, foreplay, and the payoff- as well as the intricate back-and-forth as men gauged one another’s interest. As such, he concluded, it was highly unlikely that an unwitting straight man would be molested or pestered for sex. Though the men went to great lengths to avoid both arrest arid violence from uninterested heterosexuals, police used the cruising code for entrapment. "W-hen a homosexual takes a seat in the adjacent commode and starts tapping his foot, the decoy will tap back," Humphreys wrote. Humphreys found that just over half the men he studied were married, 38 percent did not consider themselves either homosexual or bisexual, and only !4 percent were openly gay. They came from diverse races and socioeconomic classes and were generally similar to "normal" heterosexual men, except that the cruisers tended to be politica~ y and socially conservative pillars of their community. "In donning the breastplate of righteousness," Humphreys wrote, "the covert deviant assumes a protective shield of superpropriety." Humphreys’ dissertation caused an immediate furor. ~Pne university chancellor sought to have his degree revoked for abetting felonies, sociology colleaDles criticized his dishonest research methods, and some gay activists regarded the study as an embarrassment - though it shored up the argument that since homosexual cruisers bothered no one else, bathroom busts were a waste of resources. Nevertheless, _Tearoom Trade won the prestigious C. Wright Mills award from the Society for the Study of Social Problems. In 1972, Humphreys was hired as a professor of sociology and criminal justice at Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. - a contract he negotiated from a jail cell where he was serving time for invading a draft board office and smashing a portrait of Richard Nixon. He came out publicly at the 1974 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association as part of a panel discussion in which he also outed Edward Sagarin (who had written the groundbrea~ng Tlxe Homosexual in ka~aerica under the name Donald Webster CoW in 1951, but had since grown critica! of the gay movement). Humphreys went on to co-found the Sociologists’ Gay (now LGBT) Caucus. By the mid- !970s, Humphreys’ scholarly productivity had declined, and he began to shirk his academic responsibilities. In 1980, he left his wife, moved in with a male protege, started a private counseling practice, and became increasingly involved with the Los Angeles gay community. In his later years, he returned to the ministry, serving people with AIDS. A heavy smoker, he died of lung cancer at the age of 58. The ethics of Humphreys’ study are still widely debated. Along with other questionable research in various fields, it helped usher in strong informed consent requirements and institutional review boards to protect research participants. But his work has undergone reconsideration in recent years. None of his subjects were actually harmed (Humphreys kept their information under lock and key), and some commentators have suggested that much of the initial furor was motivated more by distaste for the topic than true concern for the subjects. Further, information about public sex cultures proved invaluable in devising AIDS prevention strategies, and partidpantobserver research with an advocacy" angle became more acceptable. Almost four decades after its publication, Tearoom Trade remains the definitive guide to homosexual toilet sex. Despite a much larger GLBT community, many more venues for meeting, and pervasive sex on the Internet, anonymous sex in public places shows no sign of dissipating among gay or non-gay-identified men. For further reading: Galliher, John, W’ayne Brekhaus, and David Keys. 2004. Laud Humphreys: Prophet of Homosexuality and Sociology (University of Wisconsin). Horowitz, Irving. 2003. Tributes: Personal Reflections on a Century of Social Research (Transaction Publishers). Schacht, Steven. 2004. Moving Beyond the ControversT: Remembering the Many Contributions of Laud Humphreys to Sociology and the Study of Sexuality. International Journal o-fSociolo{~y and Social Policy (Vol. 24; special issue on Humpnreys). 14 the STAR ~w.ozarksstar.com AbriefhiSlory ofthe grape Pinot Noir comes from all over world. It’s grown in many coun including: France, Argent Austria (called burgunder), (Sp&tburgunder), (Pinot Nero Zealand, "Dole" when the United States, gundac). Pinot Noir is a difficult with. The plant is A parent plant can wildly different ~erry size ar even flavor. Cabernet I genetically individual clones Noir has it ages earthiness, smoke Chardonnay in spar- Ion in inot Noirgoes l~hrough a range of langes as it matures. A young wine will fruity characteristics including: Cal raspberry and strawberry. 4. Jayer-Glf Hautes Cot Burgundy 5. Etude Carneros ’05 California 6 Raptor Ridge Willamette Valley ’05 0~egon And as always, I say go to your favorite www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 15 OnSaturday night November I0 Tulsans "W~II have an opportunity to hear one ofAmerica’s greatest songrcesses, a remalkable artist with her own eclectic brand of modern folk music with her own unique twist. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut and growing up as a talented prodigy, she studied at the American School of Ballet, went on to earn a drama degree at Stanford Universi~ founded her own MPress Record label, racked up a repertoire of discography, and has even written & performed nasionally known TV commerai£s. She has toured extensively in both the United States and Europe. Described by Judy Collins as great glfx...an incredible talent and beauty," the shares her thoughts, hopes and aspirations with us. STAR: Glad to have you with us, we’re delighted you’re coming m Oklahoma. Have you been here before? MS SAGE: I have, I played there a couple of years ago at your Tulsa Pride Festival. STAR: How would you describe your unique brand of music? MS. SAGE: I would tend to call my music arc-pop, which kind of btingr in some of the pop music that I listened to growing up from the 50s, 60s and 70s and some of the classical music I heard as a ballerina. STAR: As a record coflector myself I was intrigaed with some of the music that influenced you growing up, like the records your parents had of Broadway shows, the Beades ¯nd the do-wop artists of the 60s. MS. SAGE; Certainly the Beades, a lot of classical music, and Broadway musicals. In the 70s a best friend tttrned me on to a lot of folk ardsts like Carole King, James Taylor 1 6 the STAR & Cat Stevens. Of course I heard Isreali folk music when I was at Temple, STAR: Did the music you hear at your synagogue have a big influence on your style? MS.SAGE: Mosdy the Temple music made me love to sing. Tae cultural aspects of tynagugue exposed me to a lot of music, a lot of minor keys & beautifid melodies, another area that showed me how music can bring people together. MS.SAGE: Well, I was always into music, sounding music out on the piano by ear when I was about 2 ½ years old. Actually the first Broadly show I saw was Ok~homa, and when I gut home I would try to play the score by ear. I gut into dance, which was a good part ofmy muaiol education a~ well. STAR: You had written and performed for some nationally known TV commercials. What are some that we might remember? MS. SAGE: I did one for Gillette, ~nd another one for Cwstal L 7 or 8 years ~ inside you, takes you away, Crystal Light, 5 different STAR: I love it! What influences your music most of nil today? SPINNAKER CRAB CAKES Ingredients: 1 pinch white pepper a bowl with crab meat may<:~rt~i~ eggs, chives and seasonlow heat. Slowly now or they WJI! ~l to bum. Ser~e with a side of mayonnaise into which a few dl~p~ of fresh lemon juice and TRAVEL by Donald Pite and Ray Williams SAN FRANCISCO AND "THE CASTRO" ~ehave just returned froio the beauttfial "City by the Bay~ and it is tr~y as wonderful, exciting alld lnagl~ificellt as ever. For some strange re~.son it kad been 6 years shace we were last there and we used to go once a year, but we got involved with othes places to visit instead, but we were so happy to visit San Frmlcisco again. \Ve find it am~iog how many gays around the country have never been to gan Francisco so we will start of by saying that Saa Frmacisco is the city ~uxd "]he Castro" is the gay district in Sm~ Frmacisco which is filled with lots of great restaurants, shops and ofcourse plenty of bars. "!bns of bars so whatever you ~re into you will be sure to find a bar just for you! "The Cusrco" has been around for y~ a~d years. All up ~nd dco~n the Castro d~strict ~re gay ttags waving e,mrywhere ~d the largest one is just as you step offthe pubic transportation system and you are laced with the largest gay ttag that we and a wondert~ c~mmunity room located t~ght at the front which overlooks the mreet where you c~n watch hmtdreds ofgays w~k b?; 18 the STAR ins and a public email statina, available 2417. And in addition you have access to their refrigerator and mlcro-wave. They care about their guests! Just wish that more B and B’s were as considerate and caring. Why ~xor stay where you are partying? Be sure ~nd check out both of these B and B’s before making a trip to San Francisco. Shopping for gifts, clothing, decorating items or even groceries are all within a couple bIoch area of the Castro. T~e res~aura~*rs axe a~ individu.tlly owned and off&s a wide ~ango of menus. A~xd of course by s tayla~g at the Village House you ~e right i~ tlm middle of everyth~g ~d can w~kk everywhe~[ ~en there is San Francisco i~sel£ What a beaurifu[ dty and of art work, museums, down,town shopping on Union Squaxe. Chinatown is just a few bhicl~ from downtown and you certainly don’t want to miss the shopping and food there, From downtown take one of the cable cars to Fisherman’s Wharf alld Pier 39 to see all die The gay section ofHippie Hollow Park is afavorite Austin kangout on weekend afternoons. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Austin, Texas Fast-growing Aastin has been one ofAmerica’s most talked about cities over the past decade, having not o~ly increased its population by nearly 50 percent but also solidified its [eputation as an ultracool place ro live and visit. The fact that Austin is oppressively hot for a few months each summer is about its only maior negative. A~ auctman approaches, however, Austin cools off again ~nd this means the city’s myd~ad cafes, lounges, music dubs, and gay hangouts sizzle with activit~ If yoffve been to this lefr leaning - especially by Texas standards - city before, say five or more yeaxs ago, you may have trouble recoguiaing it. The downtown landscape has been transformed by recendy constructed office and hotel towers, and a fantastic new air port makes traveling here a breeze. Here’s a recipe for enjoying the perfect three-day weekend in this upbeat, welcoming metropolis. Consider staying in the forty downtown Warehouse District, with its bounty of both gay and gay-friendly bars as wdl as hip restau rants and offbeat boutiques. Worthy recommendatiorts include the most glamorous hotd in town, the Intercontinental Stephen E Austin. an opulent 16-stoty beauty with marne baths, 1920s era furnishings, mad twice-daily maid service. Perfectly appealing yet less pricey downtown alternatives include the Radisson Town Lake, whgse rooms face the scenic Colorado River (known as Tow~ Lake 20 the STAR in this part of the dty), and the H~apton Irm and Suites, an attractive, reasonably priced mid-rise opened a few years ago. Across the river, within walking distance of downtown, you’ll find another excellent todging base, the retro-trendy South Congress district, home to the devedy restored Austin Motel. Many rooms at dais quirky slice of ’50s-style Americana have tile floors, kitchenettes, Jacuzai rubs, and kidney shaped patios. There’s an on-site Mexican restaurant, El Sol y La Luna, that turns out fiery, kich-ass huevos rancheros and carne asada. A few blocks away, the swankier Hotel San Jose is another old motor court that’s been given a postmodern, mlnlmalist makeover. The spacious courtyard suites are downright posh (and pricey), but a simpler though soil snazzy room with a shared bath runs for under $100 nighd)~ Entertain g~ests in the hotel’s scene-y iounga-cum-coffechouse. OI~ Friday, your first night in town, decompress ~tfter your flight or car ride with a rel~xh~g, informal meal at one of the city’s well-regarded purveyors ofTex-Mex, such as Guero’s or Manuel’s. A former feed store that’s now a fabulous taqueria, Guero’s serves some of the best Mexic~m f~re in central Texas - flora standard but artl~ly seasoned tamales to more innovative creations like marinated grilled pork on a corn tortilla with onions, cilantro, mad fresh pineapple. Fancier than most oFabe Mexican testaments in town, M~nuel’s is a sleek, deco-inspired space i~ the Warehouse District with a sassy little bar in back. Try some of the more innovative creations, fike corn-battered colossal thdmp with a poblano-chile c~rn, or pork enchiladas in a velvety mole sauce. Al~er your meal. it’s time to check out at least a couple ofAustin’s inviting gay bars - it’s a topsy-turvy scene in these parts, with one or two bars coming and going seemingly every year. But you can consistendy count on there being roughly a half dozen gay bars downtown, mosdy concentrated in the Warehouse Distticr. Worthwhile options on Fridays include the relatively new Rain on 4th, which opened in the Warehouse District in 2006, and has a kively deck out back, a cozy bifliards bar up front, and a mldssize dance b~r iu file middle; and Chadie’s, the city’s oldest gay bar, which fies in the shadows of the state capitol building. Go-go boys perform inside, ~nd there’s a spacious deck in back. If you’re looking to keep it mellow your first night, have an ~er-dlnner cocktail, fruit smoothie, or espresso drink at the stylJth Halcyon Coffeehouse and Lounge, a hlpster-i~fested, gay friendly bengout across the street from Rain on Rise a~*d shine on Saturday morning with breakfast at one ofAustin’s more eccentric nosh pits, Magnolia Crate, which has branches along South Congress Avenue ~aad also just west of downtown on Lake Austin Boulevard. The delicious, filling breakfast specialties range from the "Solar Landscape" (seasoned grilled potatoes, red onions, and ham topped with queso ~nd chipotle sauce) to hefty gingerbread pancakes bursting with blueberties. Very dose to the South Congress neighborhood, you can take to the outdoors and work offsome calories with a stroll through beautiful 350-acre Zilber Park, a fine spot to tan your hide on sunny days. The park’s spting-fed Barton Springs Pool, a popular and enormous swimming hule, remains an invigorating 68 degrees year-round, so bring along a swimsuit if the weather’s nice. Austin’s best outdoor attraction, however, is Hippie Hollow Park, which hugs the shores of stunning Lake Travis, about a 30-minute drive west of town. This is the region’s only official clothing-optional sunbathing spot. The gay section, which draws substantial crowds on just about any day with temperatures above 65 degrees, lies at the very end of the pathway that leads from the parking lot. On weekend afternoons you’ll often see pleasure boats packed with cute guys docked just offshore. Break for refreshments with a meal at the Oasis, a massive outdoor compound set high on a bluff overlooking the lake and Hippie Hollow - it’s a short drive from the park. The mediocre Mexican food at Oasis won’t win any culinary awards, but the views and the potent margaritas make this a winner. On your way back into town, treat yourself to some truly heavenly ice cream at Amy’s, a shrine to fattening dairy treats. Mexican vanilla, pumpkin cheesecake, and honeyed brandy are a few poptflar flavors at this local chain with outposts in several handy locations, induding South Congress Avenue and 6th Street downtown. If you still have a litde time left, stroll among the cool antiques, homefurnishings, and second-hand clothing shops a!ong South Congress Avenue and also in the Warehouse District. Saturday-night dinner options are many. Stick with the Warehouse District for the best people-watching, plus proximity to gay nightlife. Excellent dining bets include Kenichi, a mod, happening place where pretty young things hobnob over superbly rendered Japanese cuisine. At nearby Malaga, you can savor plate after plate of terrific tapas, such as braised beef short ribs in Riojo vdne. It’s a dramatic space with tall brick walls and marble tables, and there’s Latin music most nights. Saturday is Austin’s big night for gay revelry. Rain on 4th and Charlie’s remain popular options, but this is also the best night to check out Rain’s neighbor, Oilcan Harry’s, which has been a £xture in the city for years. This always-packed stand-and-model bar attracts a hot collegiate crowd. There are a couple of bar areas, a patio in back, and a good (loud) sound system serving the tiny but pulsing dance floor. Austin’s many queer country-western fans head to the nearby Rainbow Cattle Co., where they two-step and line-dance below a sea ofwagon wheels and Wild West artifacts. If you’re into leather, head to the Chain Drive, which cultivates a bearish and rugged ambience. The city also has dozens of clubs and lounges hosting bands and singers ofjust about every ilk, making Austin one of the nation’s top cities for live music. Just stroll through the Warehouse District, especially along East 6th Street, and listen for the sounds of music to your liking. In Austin, nobody cares much about looks, labels, and agendas - you’ll be made to feel welcome most anywhere. Sunday morning offers a fresh opportunity to sample one ofAustin’s great brunch or lunch spots - depending on how late you sleep in. A favorite of the gay community, Katz Dell is renowned for its half-pound sandwiches - the grilled three-cheese with tomatoes is especially good. Another enjoyable option is the South Congress Cafe, a handsome space known for such toothsome brunch treats as duck-and-oyster gumbo, and a luscious carrot cake French toast. Spend your final afternoon in town exploring the leafy 357-acre campus of the University ofTexas, whose attractions include the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum and the Texas Memorial Museum, which has exhibits on state history and local flora and fauna. UT’s Blanton Museum ofArt is well-regarded for its collections of Renaissance paintings as well as modern Latin American art. Guadalupe Street, known along its border with LIT as "the Drag," is a haven of alternative culture as well as the place to shop for locally made arts and crafts, Longhorn memorabilia, and other offbeat goods. On your final night in Austin, you might go all out with a highticket dinner at one of the city’s most sophisticated restaurants, such as dark and sexy Jeffrey’s, which has the polish of a big-city supper dub and a clientele that ranges from celebs to politicos. The lamb T-bone with spinach-parmesan souffle and onion-mint confit is a typically sublime dish. Don’t miss the white-chocolate parfait with brandied cherries and pistachios i~or dessert - a memorable ending to a great Austin weekend. 72% of gays and lesbians prefer to buy from companies that advertise to them directly. (Source: Harris/Witeck-Combs) Brand loyal, 89% of gays and lesbians are highly likely to seek out brands that advertise to them; the majority are willing to pay a premium for quality products and services. (Source: Simmons) ~,~twv.ozarksstar,com the STAR 21 by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast lae Spinnaker Restaurant, On San Francisco Bay The Spinnaker Restaurant in downtown Sausalito, California is one of our very favorite restaurants in the country. We have dined there many times over the years and it just keeps getting better and better. Chef Phil Collins has been there since 1982 and Jeff Scharosch the General Manager has been there since 1994. q-hey do a remarkable job and it shows! "l-he Spinnaker Restaurant has panoramic views of the Sausalito waterfront, San Francisco skyline, Angel Island, Belvedere, Alcatraz, & the Bay Bridge. Floor to ceiling glass walls enable guests the chance to enjoy the scenery from every angle in the dining room, which is built on piers directly over the water. The view is unrivaled and is the best in the San Francisco Bay Area. Located in beautiful historic Sausalito, The Spinnaker is just a short drive from the Golden Gate Bridge. The stunning view is only surpassed by our extensive menu, featuring the freshest seafood & finest ingredients. You can also take the Ferry or bus service to Sausalito and it is just a 5 minute walk from either terminals to the restaurant. For over 47 years they have been treating guests to the finest in seafood and pasta. q-hey are open everyday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Their menus offers something for everyone, with fresh seafood, pasta, steak, chicken, & vegetarian options. Seafood highlights include the Mixed Seafood Grill, Spinnaker Paella, Pacific Mahi Saut~ with Crab & Brie, Grilled Lobster Tail, & Petrale Filet with a Crouton & Macadamia nut crust. Our pasta selections include Penne with Grilled Chicken, Four-Cheese Ravioli with Walnut Alfredo or Pesto Sauce, & Fettuccini with Crab. They also offer Petite New York Steak or Filet Mignon with Cabernet Bordelaise, Piquant Chicken Breasts Saute, & Braised Chicken Breasts in a Champagne reduction. Vegetarians can choose from an array of salads, Pasta Primavera, Bruschetta, Cheese Quesadilla, or Baked Brie with Roast Garlic. If you wish to dine for lunch, they also offer many delighttiff sandwiches including the Crab, Shrimp & Avocado Club, Club House Sandwich, & The Spinnaker Hamburger. For those with a sweet tooth, their desserts will surely hit the spot. Cr~me Brule, Berry Trifle, Warm Apple Tart with Vanilla Bean Gelato, & Hot Fudge Sundae axe just a few of their sinful selections. They also have a huge wine selection and banquet facilities are available for special events and parties. Valet parking is available. Be sure and check their website at: www.thespinnaker.com No trip to San Francisco would be complete without dining at Spinnaker’s! 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.corn A Family Affair Lesbian Notions, an interview with Jennifer Chrisle~ executive director ofthe Family Equality Council No good deed goes unpunished. That is certainly the case for Michael Gregg Valdez and Michael Oberg, who took in the four young children ofValdez’s niece. The niece asked the couple to take care of her children while she dealt with some drug-related criminal matters. Already parenting Valdez’s biological daughter, Michael and Gregg, as Valdez in known, are more than happy to provide a stable, loving home until the children’s mother is ready to do the same. The problem is they live in Utah, where two unmarried people cohabitating cannot serve as foster or adoptive parents. And in Texas, the state is proposing spending close to $3 million to investigate current foster parents. If any of the parents are found to be LGBT, the kids will be yanked from the homes. Chrisler has been working to protect those kids and their LGBT families since Apri! of 2005, when she came to the Council, then located in Washington, D.C., after serving as a fundraising consultant for political campaigns and LGBT organizations in Massachusetts. She and her spouse, Cheryl Jacques (yes, the same Cheryl Jacques who helmed the Human Rights Campaign for a brief and shining moment) recently moved The state’s Division of Children and Family Services asked the courts to take the children away from the two men so they could be placed in foster homes more to the state’s liking - married, heterosexual households. Instead of handing custody to the state, the court took custody of the kids and then turned around and granted Gregg temporary custody. For now, the four will stay together. Remember the Easter Egg Roll at the White House, where LGBT families wore rainbow leis and received national media attention? That was thanks to FEC. This is just the type of situation that fuels the passion ofJennifer Chrisler, the executive director of the Family Equality Council. You may have knmvn the organization as Family Pride - the name was recently changed to reflect their purpose of achieving family equality for all loving families. "Mike and Gregg’s willingness to open their homes and hearts highlights ~vhat is best about families - love, commitment, strength, and support," Chrisler told me recently. "Utah’s law regarding placement of foster care children is not good public policy, nor is it good for children." Ballot initiatives banning gay adoption and fostering may well raise their ugly heads in the 2008 presidential race - although when that tactic was used in 2004, it didn’t gain much traction. However, according to Chrisler, Arkansas is likely to mount a ballot initiative that in the long run will just hurt kids in need of loving homes. back to the Bay State with their 5-year-old fraternal twins, Tim and Tom. The organization moved with them, and is now headquartered in Boston. ’Tm a mother. I’m raising my kids in a world where our families don’t have what they need to keep each other strong and protected," she noted. "Kids spend a lot of time explaining who their families are, and I’d like that to stop." In the little more than two years that Chrisler has been at FEC, she has transformed the organization into a political powerhouse. Remember the Easter Egg Roll at the White House, where LGBT families wore rainbow leis and received national media attention? That was thanks to FEC. When James Dobson from Focus on the Family wrote a hatefiA op-ed in _Time Magazine_ about Mary Cheney’s pregnancy, FEC pressured the conservative weekly to run a counterpoint piece entitled "Two Mommies or Two Daddies Will Do Fine, Thanks," authored by Chrisler. The piece focused on the inequity ofVirginia state law - where Cheney and her partner, Heather Poe, live with their son - and how Poe is without any legal parental rights. "Some of the pressing issues we face are marriage equality and uniform parenting laws," said Chrisler. "We need laws that recognize the complicated and creative ways our families are created. Issues such as surrogacy, sperm donors, and divorce create legal complications. It would be nice to have a uniform law to protect our families." A community organizer at heart, Chrisler understands that she can’t be the only one out there speaking on behalf of family equality. Through OUTspoken Families, the organization’s national speakers bureau, more than 1,000 people in 39 states, D.C., one U.S. territory, and three foreign countries have been trained to speak out on family equality issues. "We’re training people to be advocates for themselves, their families, friends, and people they care about at every level of their life, from responding to a comment in an elevator to speaking to the PTA," said Chrisler. "We have a lot of people raising the issue of family equality at lots of different levels...we’re working to change the hearts and minds of straight people we come into contact with." Changing those hearts and minds means changing the way LGBT families live. Many of us no longer have to live in the shadows, afraid that someone will find out that our kids have two mommies or two daddies. But for those who do, FEC and Chrisler work to change laws, make schools safer, and create a national LGBT family movement that can no longer be ignored. www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 Diversityl~ ~ho are your greatest enemies? Luke Skywalker batded the respiratory challenged scoundrel Darth Vader. Superman played chess games with the Mensa maniac Lex Luthor. Batman and Robin were vexed with the likes of the Joker when they weren’t exploring the depths of their’batcaves. You and I have much worse enemies to ward off. These foes rear their ugly heads daily and seek to divert us from our health and fitness goals. The Bangles rendition of Manic Monday starts us heading through a sea of procrastination and fitness evasion. There is the Monday happy hour and 2-4-1 drinks the rest of the night at your favorite watering hole. This double headed monster lures you from your daily workout with promises of sweet intoxication and the aroma of tangy mouth-watering boneless buffalo wings. This enemy gets extra fire power during October, November, and December ~vith Monday night football. Resistance is futile. Tuesday night should be your cardiovascular workout on the elliptical machine. However, that new television lineup on NBC isn’t going to watch itself. It took scores of actors, directors, producers, grips, and cameramen many weeks to compile "Must See TV". You could just TIVO it all and catch up some other night. You would then be terrifyingly ignorant around the water cooler the next morning. That’s too dangerous to chance. Bad guys win again! It’s hump day and you’ll get back on that fitness wagon that you fell off of earlier in the week. I smell a conjunction though. BUT.... the guy in shipping and receiving is requesting your attendance at his birthday bonanza at the Hoo-Ha Lounge. The enemy here 26 the STAR calls himself GUILT. Your coworkers needle you about missing the retirement party for Nallely in the claims department. The decision is dear. You can always hit the weights tomorrow at the gym. Thursday dawns on you and what knave could be lurking to derail your plans today? Out of the bushes and over the grassy knoll are fired two shots. They are in the form of two tickets to that sold-out Erasure concert. No way! Get out! Andy Bell is in town and you’ve got your daws on some front row seats. You know every song and every lyric. That arm and chest workout can be shelved until tomorrow! What a concert! You have a hoarse voice but at least it’s Friday. Oh no! It’s Friday! There’s no way you can hit the gym tonight. Everybody who’s anybody will be at that new dub in downtown. Those hot DJ’s from KGAY will be handing out free T-shirts and selling $1 shooters for charity. You have all weekend offwork and you can surely make up for missed workout time then. After all Scarlet, tomorrow is another day. Saturday brings bright skies and temperatures in the low 90’s. The phone rings and it’s the boys. They’re heading for the lake with the boat, sunscreen, and a cooler stocked full of barley pops. There is no way you can miss this. I know you’ve said it before. But this has just been an unusual week. You really will get back on track soon. Right? Sunday comes and you can probably write your own defeat against an evil enemy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Stay strong against the dark side. With some discipline and some proper planning, you can keep a workout routine. Know what is important and stay focused. Tomorrow is always the busiest day of the year. Don’t let it be that way. Take charge today! ~is column is brought to you by that guy who likes to stomp hisfeet in bathroom stallsJUST for attention. Thatguy is Ron Blake and he can be reached at www.goblakefirness.com. Quotable Quotes Uganda’s leading Muslim cleric has proposed to President Yoweri Museveni that gays be rounded up and marooned on an island in Lake Victoria unti! they die. Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje told reporters of his plan following a much publicized meeting with Museveni. "I asked President Museveni to get us an island on Lake Victoria and we take these homosexuals and they die out there," Mubajje told a news conference. "If they die there then we shall have no more homosexuals in the country." Creating Community for People iving with HP4iAtDS A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization 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 IMng 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 R~chad Sage continued: MS. SAGE: So very many independent artists actually, because the bulk of my listening time is spent evaluating and listening to music independent artists are sending me at my record label, MPress Records. ’,We do compilations which benefit charity called New Arrivals, we’ve released 2 so far and are working on a third. It’s a great opportunity to hear all kinds of independent music, spanning the range of folk, rock, alternative pop. I think that more inspires than influences me. I try to find my own voice continually, which I have found is a never ending process. As far as mainstream artists I always look forward to the next record from Fiona Apple, and Rufus Wainwright is one ofmy very favorite artists. I also like Coldplay, U2, and I still pull out my Carole King records, am I’m looking forward to an upcoming new Mark Cohn album. STAR: What kinds of audiences do you mainly appeal to now? MS. SAGE: Actually there are several, that’s one of the fun things of starting out at a young age. There is the folk world, the alternative college listeners xvhich are ever changing, a younger set and also those in their 40s 50s and beyond from the coffeehouse scene. I love to play at Pride festivals every summer, about 10 or 15 every year. Of course the GLBT community is a wonderfid and supportive audience. As a matter of fact, we’re about to pul! into Provincetown where we will be playing a gig for Women’s Week. STAR: ~his tour promotes your newest CD The Blistering Sun, what inspired the title? MS.SAGE: It’s a lyric from one of the songs of the album, "Surprise" which was written for my sister’s wedding years ago. It came out almost a year ago, and I’m almost ready to bring out another one in the spring of 2008 called Chandelier. The Blistering Sun is really about self-determination, coming to that place where you are true to yourself, a process and lesson that really never ends. ST/MR: Anything special you’d like to say to the music lovers ofTulsa? MS. SAGE: Just that I’m really excited to come back, it’s been quite a few years. I can’t wait-it’ll be fun! STAR-Looking forward to it, i’ll see you at the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa. www.ozarksstar.com Log Cabin Ref)ublicans continued: Oldahomds LCR is one of the newest organizations in OkAahoma dedicated to promoting gay rights. During the past three years it has been active and present at most gay public events, including gay pride celebrations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and McAAester. "I believe the positive changes we need to make in America for gay rights can best be made when both major political parties are confronted with the reality of its gay members," O’Herin said. "This is espedally true of the Republican Party." For further details contact O’Herin at OKLOGCABIN@aol.com, or call 405-945- 0368. (IGBO) Continued: hotel. Holiday Inn will also host the registration suite, hospitality suite, many social events and a display of panels of the AIDS quilt. The tournament activities will be held at Heritage Lanes at 122nd & Penn and Windsor Lanes at NW 23rd & Meridian. Single and doubles bowling events will be held at Heritage Lanes and the team and Scratch Masters events will be held at Windsor Lanes. Management and staff at both centers are excited about hosting this special event. The weekend will wrap up with a gala awards ceremony to be held in the Sam Noble Special Events Center inside the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on Sunday evening. This remarkable room will host a catered meal, special presentations by the IGBO Board of Directors, rousing entertainment by Lyric Theatre and the announcement of the winners of the tournament. The tournament will coincide directly with the state of Oklahoma’s Centennial cdebration. We hope our guests will take time to enjoy the city as it steps into its second century of growth and excitement. Please extend a hearty Oklahoma welcome to our guests as they visit our city for this special event! More information about IGBO can be found at www.igbo.org. More information about IGBO Mid-Year 2007 in Oklahoma City can be found at www.igbomy2007.org. MCCJopt r , Ce eBrates 10th Anniversary JOPLIN, MO (P/R) __Spirit of Christ MCC cdebrates ten year of service to the greater Joplin, MO area. This church was started in 1996 in the home of our pastor, Rev. Steve Urie. During the last ten years we have survived in a community where our own GLBT people said we would not survive. We have fed hundreds for the holidays, work closely with our local office ofAIDS Project of the Ozarks, have been a sanctuary for students dismissed for being GLBT, and have a food program available for everyone. Just this year Spirit of Christ MCC joined with MCC of the Living Spring to support the Domestic Partnership Registry in Eureka Springs, AR. We continue our concert series with such talented artists as Marsha Stevens, Terry Lee Ousley~ Shawn Thomas and Sam Sampson. During our celebration Marsha Stevens, Sam Sampson, Rev. Carolyn Mobley from Tulsa, Rev Kurt Krieger from Kansas City and friends from Eureka Springs, AR were all present. We are a member church ofMCC Churches. As a church made up of people from all walks of life, all economic classes, every gender, and a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. This rich heritage is our greatest blessing, because it brings the whole rainbow of Gods creation together under the same roof. It also presents our greatest challenge as we always strive to reflect this rich diversity in our ministry, programs and services. Spirit of Christ MCC has spent ten years focusing on the needs of our community through acts of kindness while standing for the justice that should be available to all people. Our church is open to all people and while celebrating the traditional church we recognize our God is not in a box. That realization is what frees us and all who worship with us. Find an MCC in your area: in Eureka Springs, AR visit MCC of the Living Spring at 17 Elk Street Sundays at 6PM; in Tulsa, OK visit MCC United at 1623 Maplewood Sundays at 11AM; in Kansas City, MO visit Spirit of Hope MCC at 3801 Wyandotte Sundays at 10:15AM and in Joplin, MO visit Spirit of Christ MCC at 2902 E 20th Street Saturdays at 10:00 AM. the STAR 27 Venus enters her own sign, Libra, helping us all to be more accommodating, artistic, and gracious. And more manipulative? Venus may not be to blame on her own. The Sun is in Scorpio squaring Neptune, inflating our desires and blurring boundaries. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Teamwork comes more easily now, so work on those skills! Erotic tension between you and a good friend needs expression and clarification. Acting on it could be a mistake, but maybe.not. Discussing it is necessary, and probably quite sufficient. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Explore new ways to play and create with others, and find satisfaction there for now. Work is likely to be frustrated by confusion with close associates. Rethinking your goals could help. Express feelings and hunches clearly, and check them out before acting on them. SAGITTARJUS (November 22 - December 20): This is the time to curry favor with your superiors. Avoid gossip and subterfuge. Simply refuse to listen or to participate. As juicy as the dish may be, it will only get you into trouble. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Forget the "tall, dark stranger." Flirt instead with the foreign cutie with dimples - you’ll be luckier in international affairs. But you’re less lucky now with finances. See where those sails need trimming, but wait another week to readjust plans. AQUARIUS (January 20 o February 18): Be very careful who you flirt with. You could seduce almost anyone you like, but you may find your erotic adventures complicating your professional life. At least be very clear about who you are and what you want to do. PISCES (February 19 - Niarch 19): Falling in love comes too easily to you, but ride that warm current now, either basking in the adoration of your partner, or enjoying an amour du jour. Foreign mystical philosophies have a special appeal; follow your instincts, and you may gain terrific insights. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Mend fences with family members or roommates. Be _very_ careful about safe sex! The most exotic and unusual bugs are looking for you. If there’s no spiritual fulfillment in your work, find a way to work it into your exercise. (Yoga? Haikido?) CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your seductive powers are now at their height. You are perhaps a little too sexy and playful, and that could get you into trouble. But just as you can talk your way into anything now, you can almost always talk your way out, too. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Domestic disputes are nearly inevitable now. A drink or a shopping escapade seems to be the easiest way to ameliorate the problem - but drinking only makes it worse, and shopping is just a diversion. Still, a diversion could help! VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Some advice from your partner or another close friend could help you to improve your looks or to feel better about yourself. Appearances count, but go deeper and discuss health issues that you normally wouldn’t. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Enjoy quiet, meditative music and art. A private retreat will give you room to explore your own aesthetics without being influenced by others. Go to a museum or show on your own, and never mind what others like. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your social charms are strong now, but what you want for others may not be what they care for. Explaining your goals may come off a bit too strong, so first ask others what they want. 28 the STAR METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Saturdays at t0:00 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 918-585-5998 www.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 DREXEL ONTHE PARKAPTS. 3041NW41ST Oklahoma City, OK 405-946-0588 BRADYTHEATER 105 WBrady Tulsa, OK 918-582-7339 www.bradytheater.com 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 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 2117 NW 39th St. 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 2~00 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VAY 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 Hodine 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 6pm NWARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WWNVdNWAGLBTCC.ORG DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS 479-253-2555 Eureka Springs, AR www.diversitypride.com Want the STAR delivered to your home or business? 12 issues for $29.95 will be mailed in a sealed envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form below and send with a check or moneyorder to: 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: V/hether buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. t~~~sas GLBT Communi~- Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 V!W~.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com w~’~,’.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 Nov. 2 Event Center Special Guests 7 p.m. Jon Hoadley National Stonewal Democrats lim Roth Oklahoma Corporation A1 McAffrey Commissioner Featuring Scott, Shannen Porter, DeFawna DeLay Kelly Moore, & Melody Michaels unforgettable evening drink &en~em $30 ~mnual Membership Admission ~-’~ Okla"hThoemLGaBTSVtooicenoefwthealDlemDoecrmaticoPcarrtay~ts 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, November 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 11 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 01, 2007 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 Charles (Chaz) Ward Victor Gorin Jeanne Flanigan Paul Wortman James Nimmo Joey D. Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake, Ray Williams Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Michael Leach Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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) 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, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 10 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/212 The Star Magazine, December 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 12 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/204 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/211 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/24f35005b283cb1940200b4d35f92861.jpg 79c4723716568adcf1cc4c752788d3f6 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/84b49e0c90fd49a1b1bf148aee94c7d8.pdf b8824d333f01dcb34beb5df063d27217 PDF Text Text The �2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �:Survey in history, an(i help emonstrats the growing Power in Our Pri(leo Everyone who completes the survey by May 15, 2007 will be entered into a drawing to win one of FOUR free airline tickets from/to any of the participating airline’s destinations in the 48 continental U.S. States, plus Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Restrictions apply. Please take the survey today, and tell your friends! Tremendous strides toward full equality have been achieved by our communities over the past decade. There’s Power in Our Pride. Power to make a difference: Gay and lesbian survey studies have opened doors (and minds) in leading corporations and organizations, which in turn have recognized the value of their LGBT employees through the establishment of equal hiring policies and domestic partner benefits. This has been a catalyst, leading to sweeping changes in political and social inclusivity. Demographic reports also influence marketing investment. Virtually absent until recently, we now see a growing variety of products and services represented in gay media, celebrating our diversity. Ads keep LGBT publications and websites in business, serving their communities with independent news and information. Beyond simply advertising, though, these companies support us in many ways, including sponsoring community events and funding community-based charities in order to earn our loyalty. Taking an annual pulse on market trends through surveys helps demonstrate the LGBT community’s growing power, and influences positive change. We respect your privacy. All personal survey data is held confidentially by Community Marketing, Inc., an independent marketI research and communications firm based in San Francisco (founded 1992, and proudly 100% gay-owned and -operated) and will not be so d to third parties or used for marketing purposes. Thank you! www.CommunityiVlarketinglnc.com ® 2007 Community Marketing, Inc., 594 Castro St. #834, San Francisco CA 94114 USA www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �~.DV~CACY Activists Launch Statewide LGBT Advocacy Efforts. CAF Host OHahoma Summit 2007 OkJahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart from District 2, a practicing public homophobe, was formally arraigned earlier this month. 4© PAST OUT The murder of gay sailor Allen Schindler in October 1992 contributed to a national debate about GLBT people in the military that remains unresolved to this day. Let’s Rodeo Oklahoma - page 6 Mr, C~ntinental 2006 Gay Travelers "Indianapolis, Indiana Out of Town " Denver, Colorado" ~ D~V~N$~ITY Wl~l~l~ND Good, clean, Christian fun...is not the way to describe the "Gayco" comedy show that took the stage of Eureka Springs’ Auditorium during the spring Diversity xXi’eekend. Simba R. Hal! at Club Majestic Tulsa - page 15 GLBT Summit .............. 5 Let’s Rodeo ............... 6 James Nimo .............. 11 OUT in Arkansas ........... 12 Past Out .................. 14 The Wine Rack ............. 16 Ciao Travel ................ 17 Lesbian Notions ............ 22 Star Scene ................ 24 After Dark ................ 27 Horoscopes ............... 28 Distributors ............... 29 Cartoons .................. 30 Classifieds ................ 31 DISTRIBUTION: Fine Dining at Hotel Bel Air - page 17 )KLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA * WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �¢ ARRON ALLIANCE FOUNDAo T ON (CAF) HO$1" OKLAHOMA LGBT LEADERSHIP 2007 By Jeanne Flanigan Community Partners were OKC Community Foundation, Respect Diversity Foundation, Herland Sister Resources, Winds House, P-FLAG OKC and Norman, North Care Mental Health Center, Cathedral of Hope, Progressive Alliance, DBA Metro, Central Oklahoma Prime Timers, Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, Hard News Online, OKC Pride, Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, Oklahomans for Equality, OSU Sexual Orientation Diversity Association (SODA), OCU Gay and Lesbian Law Student Association, Log Cabin Republicans of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, OKC Chrysalis Education Affirmation Network, ACLU of Oklahoma, AIDS Walk OKC, Heartstrong, the Trevor Project, Central Oklahoma Human Rights Alliance, and OU GLBT & Friends. For more information contact the Cimarron Alliance Foundation, website www.cimarronalliance.org, e mail RCO@lawokc.com or telephone (405) 495 9300. Photo:Josh Hammers, Paul 7horn?son male co-chair Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, Mike McLain u~ith Hardnezvs Online. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Cimarron Alliance Foundation (CAF) hosted the Oklahoma LGBT Leadership Summit at the beautiful Ron Norick Downtown Library Saturday, April 14 with over 140 attending representing 33 organizations. The conference featured local presenters in the areas of politics, education, and the issues of the LGBT community, women, seniors, Pride events, religion, health and organizational processes and development in 18 breakout sessions. CAF was able to tackle this huge project with the help of 27 Community Partners and a National Sponsor, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Breakfast and lunch were served, allowing participants an opportunity to meet and greet others and net-work with other organizations. Several people from Tulsa attended, sharing with OKC their success with the recent opening of their Dennis R. Nell Equality Center and other projects. There were attendees from other places as well, as far axvay as Tennessee and Wyoming. Official greetings were extended from Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, OKC City Council members Sam Bowman and Ann Simank, State Senators Connie Johnson & Andrew Rice, and Oklahoma State Representative Al McAffrey. CAF President Richard Ogden and DBA (Diversity Business Association) President Monty Milburn facilitated the opening and closing sessions, geared to open discussion and responses to the education presented. A survey was gathered to assess the conference and to guide planning to make the next one even more responsive to community needs and desires. www.ozarksstar.com Activists Launch Statewide LG Advocacy By Laura Belmonte TULSA, OK__On March 24-25th, activists from across Oklahoma gathered at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center to formulate plans for statewide LGBT advocacy efforts. Sponsored by Oklahomans for Equality, the Creation Weekend meetings were facilitated by Toni Broaddus, Executive Director of the Equality Federation, Mickey Maclntyre of Real Change Partners, and Jeremy Pittman, Deputy National Field Director for the Human Rights Campaign. The Gill Foundation provided financial support. Representatives from several organizations including the Cimarron Alliance, H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic, OSU’s SODA (Sexual Orientation Diversity Association), Tulsa C.A.R.E.S., and RAIN attended. Throughout the meetings activists discussed their hopes and expectations of statewide LGBT organizing. They identified longrange political goals including non-discrimination in housing and employment, relationship recognition, safe schools, hospital visitation rights for same-sex partners, and hate crimes laws that include sexual orientation and gender expression. They also discussed possible strategies for statewide coalition-building, lobbying, voter registration and education, and electing LGBT and LGBT-friendly public officials throughout Oklahoma. A steering committee to direct these efforts is currently being formed. Interested organizations and activists are urged to participate and can contact Laura Belmonte, president of Oklahomans for Equality, at center@okeq.org for more information. For complete video coverage of Creation Weekend, see http://okgnn.net/ the STAR 5 �DBAT Hosts First Business After Hours by Suzan Hartman TULSA, OK__Business is built on relationships and what better time to start developing those relationships than during Tulsa Pride 2007! The Diversity Business Association of Tulsa, a program of Oklahomans for Equality, will host their first Business After Hours event on Thursday, June 7 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Business After Hours offers excellent networking opportunities for area glbt business owners and professionals. All members of the business community are invited to attend and refreshments will be provided. There is no cost so join us at this wonderful social gettogether and make new contacts or to get reacquainted xvith former contacts. DBAT provides a forum to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business and professional community and its allies for the purpose of networking, professional development, creating increased visibility and strengthening relationships among business and professional community members. We’re the heart of LGBT networking and business growth. We support. We lead. We promote professional development, business diversity and personal enrichment - so get involved today! For more information contact Susan Hartman at slhartman@cox.net or 918274-1699. GET READY [:OR THE 22nd ANNUAL GREAT PLAINS RODEO By Greg Steele OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__One of the longest running and largest of Gay Rodeo Organizations in the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) system, Oklahoma’s Great Plains Rodeo will kick offa fun filled weekend May 25 through May 27th 2007. The event will be held in Oklahoma City at State Fair Park, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd. Registration will be Friday 6pm to 9pm at State Fair Park Barn 3. Rodeo performance’s will begin Saturday morning 8am with the Grand Entry around noon. The event will wind down with the awards ceremony 8pm in Barn 3. Over $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. The 2007 Rodeo has added money for Bull Riding, Bronc Riding, Steer Riding, Calf Roping on Foot, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Barrels, Poles and Flags will only be awarded to the top three place winners for combined scores Saturday and Sunday. Awards will also include Saddles for Top Men and Women Roping and Speed Events. The host hotel is Hollywood H~tel and Suites, 3535 NW 39th OKC, OK 73112 405-947-2351. Events Schedule ......... Continued page-23 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �8 the STAR ww~.ozarksstar.com �Tulsa Pride United for Equality June 2 - lent Outdoor Living Mitchell Savage Smith Hid-(:entury Nodern Gem Home of Rex Ball and Stephen Edwards Iplewood Secret ~3arden Home o1: Harcy Smitl~ Welcl~ Pride Festival Saturday June 9th at Veteran’s Park - 18th & Main in Downtown Tulsa 11:00 AM -5:00 PM Over 15,000 expected to attend! Parade begins 10:00 AM - 15th & Utica to LGBT Pride FestivalVeterans Park presented by oklahomans for equality (OkEq) 621 E 4th Street* Tulsa, OK wwN.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 �LoPA~GE by Hr. Continental 2006 S~MBA HALL & Special gues~: SANTANA & TRIXIE DELUXXE CAYNE wihh Zsane’ Braxton, Ebony Hall, Krystal DeKanter, Bobby Paige !21 to dria~k www.OKContinental.com No Video Recording "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST prope~ies are our PEOPLU’ 4301 NW fi3rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2t06 www. c21 goldcastle.com 10 the STAR w~v, ozarksstar.com �Commissioner Brent Rinehart’s a Piece of.olToast, (his future, that is) By James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart from District 2, a practicing public homophobe, was formally arraigned earlier this month for serious Oklahoma campaign law violations (ten by my count) ranging from perjury and filing false campaign reports to accepting illegal contributions from third parties and conspiracy against the state during his campaign in 2004. According to Attorney-General Drew Edmondsoffs office Rinehart, and his campaign manager Tim Pope (Pope, a former state legislator who carried a gun in his boot on to the floor of the House because he said gay, were after him, he was also found guilty of illegal campaign telemarketing in March for calls directed against Commissioner Jim Roth) are charged in Oklahoma Count), District Court with one count of conspiracy against the state, two counts of money laundering and three counts of knowingly accepting a contribution to a political candidate through an intermediary or conduit with unlawful intent. Additionally, Rinehart faces four counts of perjury. group letter the same day, as Rinehart’s arraignment in which they promised to maintain character and integrity in the face of these serious allegations of misconduct by Rinehart. In his defense, Mr.. Rinehart has spoken of a personal vendetta being directed against him by the Attorney-General and the "good ’ole boy" system he claims is responsible for his predicament. At a press conference Rinehart (Phonto right) said, "I will continue to serve the public despite the good old boy demands that I abandon public office. I look forward to my day in court where the facts ~vill reveal that I am innocent of the politically motivated charges made by Drew Edmondson." Run-of-the-mill political shenanigans you might yawn, but stay with me. Does the "good ’ole boy" system include the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation which did the ground work for the indictments? Does it also include the OK County District Attorney David Prater who, on April 11, 2007, made the legal determination that there is no current law which can remove Rinehart from office under only allegations of wrongdoing Prater concluded that conviction must first be found in court concluded DA Prater. If you’re LGBT or an ally, you know that Mr.. Rinehart, only just past the half-way mark in his first term, is finally getting his comeuppance as a public figure. From day one of his term he has ragged on Commissioner Jim Roth, District 1, for advancing what Rinehart thinks is the much talked about but seldom seen, "gay agenda". It’s so easy to tease Rinehart as he leaves himself so wide open, and his delusions are indeed grand. In an interview with TV-4 he said (and I paraphrase) "the good ’ole boys want to get me, want to get me, right now, want to get me, take me down, because they know one day I’ll be governor." Why does Rinehart think he’s had a look at the "gay agenda"? I haven’t seen it and I’ve paid lots of dues in time and money. Does Rinehart know somebody I don’t? Does he have a secret handshake? He seems to walk and talk in the normal way. These words are nearly verbatim, repetitions included. His mantra of referring to the "good ’ole boys" so often makes me think no one played with him as a child. He still feels like an outsider. He prides himself on his role as a maverick yet he has nothing constructive to show for it. He never learned to socialize and he’s carrying this grudge even now as he digs his hole of seclusion ever deeper. The only gay agenda I’ve seen is my own: to be treated under law in the same way as any other tax-paying citizen, irrespective of my sexual orientation, and according to my own observance of existing law. I’m paying the same fare as a straight man; I expect the same first-class ticket. In January 2005 Rinehart was one of 3 on the Oklahoma County, Budget Board (al! 8 county elected officials) who voted to rescind Oklahoma County’s policy of non discrimination for County employees that incudes sexual orientation. (The repeal efforts failed) There have been numerous articles in the Oklahoma City media about Rinehart being unable to work effectively with the other OK Count), officeholders. All the County elected officials issued a Who would have thought he wanted to be governor? Would such a mark of victory expunge the feelings of exclusion from his psyche? Does he need something bigger than a county commissioner’s office to assuage his private demons? Personally, I can hardly wait for Rinehart’s days in judicial court as well as the court of public opinion. Even should he be found not guilt), I doubt if the voters of District 2 will want to continue Rinehart’s employment for another term as commissioner. Challengers from all political viewpoints now have a good lead time to establishing themselves with the voters of District 2. \Vho wants stale toast to represent them at the County office? www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 �Eureka Diversity Rains Supreme Going a step further than hand holding, organizers arranged a public display of affection in the town’s Basin Park, during which a young lesbian proposed to her partner. by Joey De As a living memorial to a lost friend of one Diversity Pride Committee member, the weekend featured a "Recovery in Pride" forum hosted by Mr. Marty Perry, the CEO of The Pride Institute. Followed by a self-help style meeting, the forum allowed participants to discuss how their sexuality may have influenced substance abuse or support healthy ways for them to overcome it. EUREKa, SPRINGS, AR~If Disney Land is the happiest place on earth, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, must be a close second. Nesded in the Ozarks, an hour away from Branson, MO, Eureka has made its name as a tourist destination with its eclectic array of nick-nack shops, historical architecture and southern hospitality. The community’s dozen-plus annual festivals help to attract a diverse crowd of visitors from across the country, including the ’iGaylien beings" who landed there from Apr. 13 - 15. Coinciding on the same weekend with Eureka’s annual UFO convention (yes, you read right), the Spring Diversity celebration welcomed beings of all.types to inhabit the streets of the quiet town. Although attendance was significantly reduced due to weather through out the region, visitors came from as far away as Ohio to explore the streets of Eureka Springs. As laid back as the town itself, Diversity Pride offered a mix of events designed to appeal to couples who are past the up-allnight party phase of their life and to those who still don’t go down until the sun comes up (take it as you will). Many of the events showcased the town itself, spotlighting the forty five gay owned restaurants, dubs and businesses. Locals happily hosted tours of the area, diversity meals and spiritual events for the mostly 28-35 crowd who braved the rain, snow and ice. Advertised as a "Diversity Pride" festival, the weekend was more about embracing diversity than it was celebrating pride. With no major central event such as an all day picnic or parade, visitors were more integrated through out the community then at most Prides, where celebrants flock to one location. Although there was a visible show of pride in rainbow feathered boas and flags, the refreshing attraction of the weekend was its lack of spectacle. "It’s nice to be able to come to a town where you feel like you’re the ’norm’" expressed one gaylian visiting from St. Louis. "It’s refreshing to see people walking around holding their partner’s hand on the street." 12 the STAR evening when the younger crowd to finally show it’s face. Although inhibited by a lack of sunshine, the 2007 Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Celebration followed through with a promise made to all of its visitors. All beings were welcome. De For visitots who did not Good, clean, ..is not way to describe "Gayco" comedy the of Eureka Auditoduring the i Diversity par- in organized events, the shops of Eureka opened their doors, with many offering a "family discount." leries, jewelers and a puppet shop welcomed were browsing, buying and in some cases trying to escape the rain. ticipate Highlighting the weekend for visitors of all ages ~vas the return appearance of Chicago’s "Gayco" show, who offered two performances in the town’s historic "Auditorium." The group, who specializes in improvisational comedy offered a master’s workshop for visitors and even posed for pictures with gaylians after their show. For those who grew tired of shopping (or the endless up-hill walking) the bars of Eureka provided an impressive array of entertainment choices for a town its size. Whether visiting Henri’s, Jack’s Place or Chelsea’s for live music, Karaokeing with "Tiny" at Uncle Tuckers; or dancing the night away at The Tiki Torch, the liquor flowed and the good times rolled into the Following the success of the ’ appearance last year, Organizers of diversity weekend brought the troupe back to tackle pressing issues in the gay world such as marriage, don’t ask don’t tell, adoption and coming out. With a well articulated mix of low and high brow humor, the seven Gayco players entertained audiences with their unique blend of improvisational and sketch comedy. Originating as a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender outreach project of the legendary Second City Comedy Club in Chicago, Gayco has been entertaining communities across the nation for almost eleven years. "Second City saw us as a one maybe two show outreach to the GLBT community," says Andy Eninger, one of the group’s founders. According to the performer, although there is no formal relationship between the two groups, they maintain a close working friendship. "We outgrew them, and they xvanted us to spin off and do our own thing, but they still watch us closely." Continued page-26 www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 �Who was Allen Schindler? As word spread that Schindler was gay and discharge proceedings were underway, the abuse increased. "It scares me a little," he wrote. "You never know who would want to injure me or cease my existence." By late October, the Belleau Wood had reached Sasebo and Schindler’s confinement had ended. He began frequenting local bars, where he met a group of gay American entertainers, including dancer Eric Underwood, whom he told about the harassment. The murder of gay sailor Allen Schindler in October 1992 contributed to a national debate about GLBT people in the military that remains unresolved to this day. Schindler was born in December 1969 and grew up in Chicago Heights, Ill. A mediocre student, he joined the Navy right out of high school to obtain G.I. Bill money to attend veterinary school. He was first stationed in San Diego, where he frequented gay clubs and found a boyfriend. In 1991, he fulfilled his dream of serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway, a ship with a relatively tolerant atmosphere. But after the Midway was decommissioned a year later, he was reassigned to the USS Belleau Wood, which had a reputation for a rough and rowdy crew. Schindler and other sailors suspected of being gay xvere routinely called "faggots" and shoved as they walked the ship’s halls. One night in September 1992, as the ship was en route from San Diego to Sasebo, Japan, Schindler, a radioman, broadcast an unauthorized message, "2-Q-T-2-B-S-T-R8" ("too cute to be straight"), which led to a month-long disciplinary confinement. Soon thereafter, he admitted to commanding officers that he was gay: Though aware that the disclosure would likely lead to his discharge, Schindler nevertheless felt a sense of relief: "If you can’t be yourself, then who are you?" he wrote in his diary. 14 the STAR On the night of Oct. 27, after spending the evening drinking, two of Schindler’s shipmates, Terry Helvey and Charles Vins, followed him into a public bathroom in a park near the base. Helvey began to beat and kick Schindler, with Vins also joining in; Helvey finished off the attack by stomping on Schindler’s throat. As the assailants fled, wimesses arriving on the scene summoned the Shore Patrol, and medics tried to revive Schindler without success. The pathologist who conducted the autopsy reported that Schindler’s injuries were "similar to a highspeed auto accident or a low-speed aircraft accident." His face was beaten so badly that his mother could only identify him by tattoos on his arms. Helvey and Vins were identified by wimesses and arrested the next morning. As Helvey was being led awa); he told a shipmate, "The bastard deserved it." Vins received a quick court-martial and was sentenced to just four months in exchange for testimony against Helvey. The incident received little press coverage until Underwood and his associates wrote a letter to several publications exposing the antigay harassment Schindler had faced. The military newspaper pacific Stars and Stripes printed the lettel; and a reporter from the paper investigated the story, but the Navy tried to cover up the nature of the killing, going so far as to leak a rumor that Schindler and Helvey were gay lovers who had had a falling out. Gay activists raised a furor over the murder, at a time when the issue of gays in the military was high on the national agenda due to Bill Clinton’s campaign promise to lift the ban on GLBT service members. Michael Petrelis of Queer Nation - who vowed to make Schindler the "gay Rodney King" organized a press conference at the Pentagon in December. Friends and supporters held a memorial in San Diego, while the Human Rights Campaign flew Schindler’s mother, Dorothy Hajdys, to Washington to speak at a candlelight vigil. Hajdys, a fundamentalist Christian who initially had trouble accepting that her son was gay; became an unlikely activist for GLBT civil rights. "If you would have told me I would have been at the March on Washington standing before a million people and being seen all over the world, I would have told you you were nuts," she later told an interviewer. Schindler’s killing remained front-page news throughout the spring of 1993. In May, Helvey was court-martialed in Japan, with his defense focusing on his abusive childhood and use of steroids. He admitted the crime, first claiming that Schindler had made a sexual advance in the bathroom and later saying that he found homosexuals "disgusting, sick, and scary." The incident never would have happened, he added, if gays weren’t allowed to join the military. Helvey pleaded guilty to murder with intent to commit great bodily harm, thereby avoiding the death penalty for premeditated murder. In 2002, Hajdys and gay activists successfully opposed his parole, and he continues to serve a life sentence at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Schindler put an individual face on the debate about gays in the military, with both sides pointing to his murder to justify their positions. In November 1993, President Clinton signed the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy into law, after Congress and the Pentagon opposed lifting the ban. According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network more than 10,000 men and women have been discharged from the armed forces since the policy went into effect. www.ozarksstar.com �Simba Ro Ha l To Host Miss Oklahoma Cor dnenta At Club Majestic Tulsa. TULSA, OK__Simba R. Hall is a creation and alter ego of LeSean D. Lewis. Simba was introduced to the field of pageantry in 2001 at Mr. and Miss Renaissance in Atlanta, GA. A good friend had heard him sing in the professional arena and needed some vocals to back his poetry. When Simba hit the stage, he was mesmerized. From there, he went to compete for Mr. Liberty, Mr. Renaissance, Mr. Duval, and Mr. Continental. He captured the title of Mr. Renaissance in 2004. This was followed by his win of Mr. Duval 2005 hosted in Jacksonville, FL. Simba R. Hall has always wanted to give back to his gay community. With this in mind, he used Renaissance as a platform to form the King’s Alliance. The King’s Alliance is a compilation of all the male representatives holding National titles. ~Pney perform a National show every year called M.E.N.S. (Male Entertainers of National Systems) Night. They donate all proceeds to a non-profit organization. Over the past three years they have raised over $4000. ~xis was recognized by the elite system that he now represents, Mr. Continental. It took Simba three times to capture this title. Each time he stood in the top five next to the winners, Ray Matthews and Tony Desario. \~qxen Simba won, he started using his popularity throughout the community, adding more benefit shows and fundraisers. He started a couple’s night which 7will feature duets from the kings and queens representing National titles. This is to be held at the Baton in June. He also had a Continental Christmas in Atlanta that raised over $3500 for Child Kind, an organization that cares for terminally ill children. Simba wants to be remembered for bringing the community to the forefront and showing the world that being gay is just a preference. \re are just as human as the next individual. Simba is also working on an album that ~vill be available in the fall. At the current time he is touring the US as Mr. Continental where he receives raves reviews and standing ovations. Simba Hall will Host the Miss Oklahoma Continental on Friday May 25th at Club Majestic in Tulsa at 8pm. This will be the fourth Miss Competition in Oklahoma produced by Monica Freeman. w~v.ozarksstar.com THE AUSTK LIAN BEE GEES SHOW at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater TULSA, OK___Having received nothing less than fantastic reviews, "The Australian BEE GEES Show" is coming to Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater on Friday May 4th. Ttxe house lights fade slowly and there is a cheer of excitement, then a brief moment of anticipation. It begins with a single bass note, then a chime that dances around the room, a whisper of strings, a stab of brass and percussion, a flash of light and the image flickers to life. "The Australian BEE GEES Show" is a multi-media concert event with the state-of-the-art sound, superb lighting and giant screens, featuring video clips, live camera images and stunning graphics. "The Australian BEE GEES Show" has captured the look, the sound and the personality that defines one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history. The show is presented from a contemporary perspective and has evolved to become the definitive live celebration of four decades of wonderful music written by the Brothers Gibb. Ten years in the making, a lot have been said about "The Australian BEE GEES Show", including some kind words from one of the Brothers Gibb’s niece, Deborah McLane, "When I first saw the show I had high expectations of what the performance would be like, those boys did more than exceed my expectations. I was completely moved by their harmonies and the way they perfected the whole Bee Gees image. This is the most outstanding Bee Gees tribute show I have experienced." For one night only, experience the magic, "The Australian ~BEE GEES Show." In concert at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater Friday May 4th, 2007. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets cost $27.50 and $32.50 and went on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday March 26th at www.bradytheater.com, w~vw. etix.com, Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater at 105 West Brady, or by calling the Brady Theater Ticket Office at (918) 582-7239. the STAR 15 ��Tuna Soup with Orange and Avocado Fresh tuna meat is easy to overcook and can sometimes be disappointingly dry and chewy, but in this juicy mixture it stays succulent and delicious. Ingredients: 2 - 3 tbls. Olive Oil 2 Onions (peeled, halved, and very thinly sliced) 2 Garlic Cloves (peeled and finely chopped) 1 tspn. Ground Cumin Pinch of Cinnamon 2 tspn. Chopped Fresh Parsley Finely Grated Zest and Juice of 1 Lime 2/3 cup Orange Juice 1 1/4 Fresh Tuna Steaks (cut into 3/4 inch cubes) 1 3/4 qts. Fish Stock Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper 6 Large Tomatoes (cut into short pieces) 2 firm but Ripe Avocados (peeled, pitted) 40 oz. Sugar Snap Peas or Green Beans (cut into neat cubes) Sprigs of Fresh Flat-Leafed Parsley (for garnish) Procedure: 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and gently fry until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and gently fry for 2 minutes. 2. Add the cumin, cinnamon, parsley, lime zest and Juice, orange juice, tuna, stock, and a little salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 15 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, soak the tomatoes in boiling ~vater for several minutes until the skin xvill peel easily away. Cut away the hard cores and chop the flesh. Add to the pan ~vith the sugar snap peas or beans. Simmer for 4-5 minutes. 4. Just before serving the soup, stir the avocado cubes into the pan. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley. Serves: 6 More on the Hotel Bel Air, page 1.19. ��"TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOL by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast HOTEL BEL-AIR 70! Stone Cmnyon Road Los Fmgeles; nitelv the most "~e dining room at the Hotel BeI-Mr is, ~vithout doubt, the most romcamc restaurants on, the planet, and one beautiful ! We dine As it is terribly expensive, we always order consists of a lovely Salad, soup of the day" mad finger sandwiches. And this costs $3~3.00! bur W~rth every pelmy o~it. ~¢~rwiOzarksstar:com �Phe drag-themed Petticoat Bruncheon at Bump & Grind is one ofDenver’s best excuses to get out of bed on weekwnd mo,~vings. (Photo by Andrew Collins) The Capitol Hill neighborhood, which extends east from the Capitol building, is where many of the city’s GLBT residents live. On sunny days, check out lovely Cheesman Park and the nearby the Denver Botanic Garden. If you’re keen on shopping, head a few miles southeast of downtown to the Cherry Creek area, where you’ll find numerous opportunities for browsing and bargain-hunting at upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North. Tnese two premier shopping destinations contain a mix of top chain and independent stores. In the evening, try out one of the neighborhood’s fine restaurants, such as trendy Ocean, a haute seafood eatery, or North, which serves exceptional modern Italian fare. By Andrew Collins Denver has long been one of the country’s great centers of lesbian and gay culture. The GLBT community here is highly visible - socially, professionally, and politically - and gay-friendly restaurants, bars, hotels, and other businesses are easy to find in a number of prominent neighborhoods. With several new or expanded high-profile museums, easy access to skiing and hiking, a sunny climate, and relative affordability compared with other big urban centers, the Mile High City makes for a highly appealing vacation destination, whether for a couple of days or a full week .of exploration. The city’s bustling, modern downtown skyline is dominated by soaring skyscrapers. Here you can wander along 16th Street, a popular pedestrian mall filled with mostly upscale chain shops. Or explore artsy Larimar Square, a restored Victorian block of hip boutiques and cafes - be sure to check out the Market at Larimer Square, a coffeehouse-bakery-deli where a cool crowd enjoys mocha lattes, hearty breakfast burritos, and hefty pastrami sandwiches. Larimar Square marks the edge of dapper LoDo, which began as the city’s shipping 20 the STAR and retail center in the late 19th century. As recently as the 1980s, however, the neighborhood had been reduced to slums and abandoned brick warehouses. LoDo’s comeback began v,;hen artists started converting these classic redbrick buildings into galleries and studios. A flood of restaurants, coffeehouses, and shops followed, as did stately Coors Field, home to baseball’s Colorado Rockies. You can easily spend a few hours exploring this attractive district, perhaps dropping by the Tattered Cover, one of the country’s most beloved independent bookstores, which has an outstanding GLBT section. Another retail must is Rockmount Ranch Wear, a circa-1940s outlet for authentic Western shirts, belts, hats, and bolo ties - this is the very shop that provided those down-home sexy shirts worn by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain. South of downtown you’ll find Capitol Hill, which is anchored on one end by the giltdomed State Capitol building. It overlooks a grassy mall surrounded by the Colorado History Museum and the spectacular Denver Art Museum, which underwent a dramatic expansion and redesign in 2005. Dining is one area where Denver has truly come into its own in recent years. If you’re a serious foodie, sample one of the restaurants run by Denver’s acclaimed expert on innovative Mexican cuisine, Richard Sandoval. Best bets include Tamayo, near lively Larimer Square, and trendy Zengo, a boldly decorated space just north of LoDo, where Sandoval fuses the best of Asian and Latin cuisine, serving everything from sushi to ceviche. A good bet for dining in LoDo is Vesta, which operates on a quirky premise: you choose three sauces (perhaps pistachio-mint or grilled onion jam) for dipping with whatever entree you choose, from grilled venison to harissa-roasted half chicken. You’ll find simpler fare at Dixon’s Downtown Grill, a nice choice for fish-and-chips and bluecheese burgers, and the festive Wynkoop Brewing Company, which serves the best green chile stew in town, plus a wide range of handcrafted beers. Near Larimer Square, chic Rioja serves creative, world-beat cuisine, such as Dungeness crab-and-shiso spring rolls, and grilled maple-cured pork chops with Calvados sauce. Favorite restaurants on Capitol Hill include I1 Vicino, which turns out creative pizzas and salads along with microbrewed ales, and Sparrow, a convivial neighborhood spot serving such inventive regional American fare as pumpkin-chicken served with pancetta risotto, sage, and cider. The local java chain Diedrich’s Coffee has a particularly gay-popular branch in Capitol Hill, too. www.ozarksstar.com �The city has some great places for breakfast fare, including the gay lave Racine’s, which is open late and serves three meals daily. For amazingly tasty pancakes, head to Snooze, an offbeat storefront space near Coors Field where you might start the morning offwith pineapple-upside~down pancakes or vanilla-almond oatmeal brulee. On weekend mornings, don’t miss the legendary drag brunch, called Petticoat Bruncheon, held at Bump & Grind, a colorful bakery and care. One of city’s great strengths is its cultural scene, with maW of the top events held at the esteemed, high-tech Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA), the second-largest such space in the nation (trailing only New York City’s Lincoln Center). tt comprises several performance venues and hosts everything from nationally touring musicals to acclaimed opera. Before a performance, plan to have dinner at DCPA’s top restaurant, Kevin Taylor’s. In this elegant basement space, sample such creative fare as Black Angus carpaccio with white-truffle oil, or charbroiled Colorado lamb chops with braised lentils and black olive jus. Denver has a friendly, eclectic gay nightlife, with a pleasing mix of hip cocktail lounges, pulsing dance clubs, and friendly neighborhood bars. One of the most popular hangouts is J.R.’s, an upscale, bi-level video bar in Capitol Hill that hosts such entertaining events as gong show karaoke and Broadway musical sing-alongs. Nearby Charlie’s is a famously fun country-western club with line-dancing and two-stepping, plus a restaurant serving decent American fare. The Denver Detour is a mostly lesbian-oriented hangout that’s popular early in the evening for happy hour cocktails - it’s right by the State Capitol. Other good women’s options include tHERe Denver, a lesbian-owned coffeehouse and lounge, and Ms. C’s, a long-running lesbian dance club a 20-minute drive east of downtown. whimsical, retro-fabulous hotel that looks like something out of an Austin Powers movie. Each floor of guestrooms is themed differently - rooms on the eighth level have a sci-fi look, while those on the 12th are done with a get-your-groove-on dance-floor theme. Moderate rates, VW Bug-shaped alarm clocks, and a cool eatery called the Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar are among the Curtis’ many charms. If you want to be close to the fabulous shopping of Cherry Creek, consider booking a room at the posh JW Marriott Denver, a contemporary 11-stoW hotel whose cushy accommodations have 32-inch flat-screen TVs, DVD/CD players, marble-and-granite bathrooms, and plush bedding with custom duvets and linens. The sterling service is another plus. One of the most romantic options is the gay-owned Capitol Hill Mansion B&B, a stately Queen Anne Victorian on an attractive residential street. Owners Jay Hadley and Carl Schmidt serve a lavish full breakfast each morning as wel! as refreshments and snacks in the afternoon; guests enjoy such pleasing amenities as free Wi-Fi and fresh flowers in every room, and gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and private balconies in the top units. In the same neighborhood, the gay-friendly Castle Marne B&B offers similarly cushy, antiquesfilled rooms. The imposing 1889 building is one of Denver’s most distinctive houses, with its elaborate turrets and stonework. Probably no Denver hotel is more famous than the prestigious Brown Palace Hote! & Spa, which has hosted such dignitaries as Teddy Roosevelt and Sun Yat-sen during its 115-year tenure. Even if you don’t have a chance to stay in one of the hotel’s lavish rooms, consider dropping by for the daily afternoon high tea or evening cocktails in the famed Atrium Lobby, or for the decadent Dom Perignon brunch held in Ellyngton’s Restaurant on Sunday mornings. Just south of Capitol Hill, the South Broadway area has several notable locals joints, including B.J.’s Carousel, which has its own volleyball court and a casual restaurant. You’ll find a somewhat cruisy bunch at the Compound, a low-attitude dance club that’s popular with everyone from collegiate hipsters to middle-aged bears. The Triangle, for the serious leather crowd, has a big after-hours following and a notoriously frisky basement. And Boyztown is one of the better places in town to watch strippers strut their stuff. Weekends are the best time to check out Denver’s most happening gay nightclub, the always-packed Tracks Denver, a massive warehouse disco with two pulsing dance floors, one spinning the latest club music, the other featuring classic tunes from the ’70s and ’80s. Denver has a number of memorable gay-friendly hotels. The swanky, pet-friendly Hotel Monaco is a top choice for its hip, Parisian-inspired aesthetic and remarkably friendly and helpful service. Vibrant, stylish decor and quirk), in-room touches, such as animal-print robes and pet goldfish, make this downtown boutique property a fan favorite. The on-site restaurant, Panzano, serves firstrate contemporary Italian fare. A new kid on the block that’s earned praise for its stylish look as well as its location across from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Curtis opened early in 2007 and looks like just another high-rise from the exterior. But inside you’ll discover a www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 �MAY 2007 Gay LoA. All the Way One of the perks of being a "nationally syndicated columnist," which is my newest personal brand, is getting books in the mail to review. If only that was totally true. When it comes to the relationship between the community and the notorious LAPD...well, let’s just say it wasn’t a Hollywood love story. As the latest volume slipped out of its padded envelope, I saw "sexual outlaws, power politics, and lipstick lesbians" set in small caps across the middle of the cover. Mmmmm, this book is for me. Gay L.A.: A History of,.. (insert those three descriptors that caught my attention here), written by award-winning historians Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons, turns on its ear the notion that the lesbian and gay movement started in any one particular city. "The LAPD in the years after WW~I and into the 1960s was really particularly vicious in regard to lesbians and gay men," Faderman told me in a recent interview. "The police hired Hollywood rejects - handsome young men looking to break into the movie industry - who would then go to the places gay men cruised, hang out, strike up conversations, and then the handcuffs would come out, and the gays would be arrested." L.A.’s gay roots go way beygnd the emergence of Hollywood in the 1920s. We need to go all the way back before California was a state, before we were even a nation, and we find the raale native Americans who inhabited these lands to be quite fluid in their sexuality. California’s name came from Hernan Cortes, the explorer who discovered the tract of land now lmown as the Golden State. It seems that Cortes was taken with the 15th-century "protolesbian tale," as the authors put it, about a mythical isle called California, where Queen Califia lived among strong, butch women. Just like in the Amazonia legend, Califia’s women "waged bloody war on other lands, killing most of the males but carrying a few so that they might copuJate with them for the sake of procreation." For some reason, Cortes put that myth together with this new land and wrote "California" across the map of what was to become North America. The name stuck, but the legend - like those of most who come and go in this town known for making legends - faded into obscurity until Faderman and Timmons connected their gay dots. It wasn’t until Hollywood happened, with its star-making quality, that L.A. and gay really started to become synonymous. We flocked to this city of creativity and makebelieve because we could do just that - create and make believe we could be whatever we 22 the STAR It wasn’t only gay men who were victim~ized by the cops. "Butch women had a hard time, too," said Faderman. "They were very often arrested for ’masquerading.’" \Vghat is this "masquerading"? Being butch and dressing that ~vay. It seems that there was a laxv on the books, in response to how outrageous the puritanical city fathers thought things were getting, that men couldn’t be seen in public in women’s clothes, and women couldn’t don men’s clothes either. Reading this, I was disgusted by how those we pay taxes to for protection - in a city, the police, for the nation, the armed forces - victimize our community. While "don’t ask, don’t tell" is still in place, the LAPD has changed its tune to some degree. Now they’re recruiting us to their ranks - us meaning lesbians and gays; transgender people need not apply. "The West Hollywood sheriff’s department really wants lesbian and gay folks," explained Faderman. "But on the other hand, I read about a trans person who supported herself by prostitution. The police would take her in the back alley practically every night and rape her." As someone who grew up in L.A., Faderman seems to be particularly proud of the lesbian and gay firsts of her native city. Honestly, these were things I never knew. I always considered Stonewall to be the "start" - that is, after all, what we celebrate every June. In 1947, for example, the first lesbian magazine, Vice Versa, was started in L.A. A few years later, the Mattachine Society was born - the child of Harry Hay. Ten years before the Stonewall Riots, drag queens and hustlers in downtown L.A. took to the streets to protest the LAPD’s consistent harassment of them at their hangout, Cooper Donuts. In 1968, Troy Perry founded the first gay church, the Metropolitan Community Church, and in ’71 lesbian and gay Jews had a welcoming place to worship at the nation’s first gay synagogue, Beth Chaim Chadashim. "With L.A., there were all these incredible firsts," said Faderman. "It’s sort of incredible that no one has observed that before, and no one has tried to make a history out of it." Until now, that is. This book is a great read that is both entertaining and educational. The nonfiction addict that I am, Gay L.A. gave me my fix of facts and fun that kept me turning the pages. I really xvanted to kmow what happened next. I can’t wait until we all write the next chapters as we continue to tear down the barriers to our freedom. www.ozarksstar.com �Rodeo Schedule Thursday, May 24, 2007, from 9pm till ?, The Great Plains Rodeo Kick off Party, featuring the current royalty and all former royalty we can encourage to attend, at the Finishline. Friday, May 25, 2007, from 6pm till 9pm, The Great Plains Rodeo Registration Party, featuring contestant registration, a silent auction, and a fundraiser shiny, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 3. Saturday, May 26, 2007, from 8am till ?, Rodeo events with grand entry around noonish at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 6. Tickets are $10.00. Saturday, May 26, 2007, from 6:30pm till 9pm, The Texas Tea Party, featuring the IGRA Royalty, The Texas Royalty and the Oklahoma Royalty, and others, at the COPA. Sunday, May 27, 2007, from 8am till ?, Rodeo events with grand entry around noonish at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 6. Tickets are $10.00. Sunday, May 27, 2007, from 8pm till ?, Rodeo awards ceremony, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 3. BBQ Dinner $10 per plate advance purchase by end grand entry Sunday see any OGRA royalty member or Officer. Jays ModelAgency Talent Search ~ Males 18 to 21 Jays Model Agency is Seeking New Faces for our 2007 Online Gallery of Artistic Nude, Casual& Formal Wear Models. We Pay Our Models $300 to $500 Call Today (405) 946-5297 See Our Display Ads in Frest~rn~: & Men Magaaine You’re guaranteed a fun filled and exciting weekend at Oklahoma’s largest Gay Rodeo. Tickets can be purchased at the gate. For more information go to: www.ogra.net or call 405-290-8779 Creating Community for Peop ÷ :ving with H~ViAIDS 50t c (3) Non Profit Organizatio,:t Our House, Too offers a vadoty 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 ha rrismmjr@yahoo.com. www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 ��www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 25 �GAYCO From page 12 With seven players at their Eureka appearance, the troupe delivered a performance that would make the raunchiest of comedians and the driest of analysts proud. Opening their show with a stirring anthem of "gay recruitment" the comedians set the precedent that over the next hour and a half nothing, not even death, would be sacred. DBA METRO OKC PRIDE EVENT A SUCCESS By Jeanne Flanigan Blending lesbian issues and gay issues, the comedy of Gayco had a little something for everybody. Whether it was a widower admitting her secret love for her best friend or the gay man dating the barely eighteen year old, the situations that Gayco created were as real as the performers themselves (even though it may take a few years to see "Baby Time Share" become a reality). ’%V4e like to take hot topics of the day, but also what is going on in our lives," explains Eninger. "Sometimes we’ll have a sketch completely written and sometimes we’ll just improvise it. We use the ensemble to improve each idea and make it better." Eninger says that thanks to the unique backgrounds of each of the core cast members and their crew of artistic associates, that the show is able to have such a wide ranging appeal. "A lot of people in the comedy and improvisational tend to have a broad background, most everyone has some kind of theatrical training and has worked with some kind of improvisational group. You add on to that having a broad based understanding of things like politics, anth.ropology and cultural references to make your jokes as on top of your intelligence as possible." "We all (the cast) have an activist streak in us," Eninger continues, "we all have a message we want to get across that’s paramount, but we’re also not afraid to get a little low brow. Gay people like that too. It’s nice to show a human scene with a couple and just flip to show something like ’Club Uranus.’" During the show, the Gayco Performers were not the only ones who had fun on stage. Participants from an improvisational workshop held the day before xvere invited to become a part of the act. According to the group, one of their favorite parts of touring is reaching out to the communities they visit to help aspiring performers (or those wbo just want to do it for fun) learn a little bit more about their craft. If and when Gayco will returns to Eureka Springs is not yet known, but for the group that travels the world, Diversity Pride is a favorite stop. Be sure not to miss them if you have the chance. 26 the STAR event. Drag Queen Bingo, benefiting Our House Too sponsored by Regional Aids Funds Ameri-Corp and the Cains. An annual event in Tulsa, this years theme will be "Tulsa’s Dream Girls Present Motown", the 60’s remember. Local celebrities will be performing and a show stopping appearance by Tulsa King Ty West. The event will be hosted by Kris Kohl, a veteran performer of 31 years. Twenty additional fantastic female impersonators will be entertaining you. Prizes for Bingo and door give-a ways have been donated by local business and associations. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now, Milton Harris 918-585-9552. All proceeds will benefit Our House Too a Tulsa area aids outreach activity center. Photo by I~ctor Gorin: Left to Right, Reverend Scott Jones of Cathedral ofHope Drag Emcee Ivana Deville, Jeanne Flaniagn. A LANDMAP K GONE OKLAHOMA CITY, OK~Xhe Diversity Business Association of Metro OKC hosted the Second Annual Silent Auction and Benefit for OKC Pride on March 29 at the Copa. Nick Post and his staff provided a banquet buffet, a festive ambience, and space for 6 locations throughout the club for auction items. The auction included approximately 60 items, ranging from original art to tools and electronics. The benefit made over $7000 for the OKC Pride Festival and Parade, which is celebrating their 20th Anniversary in June. By Victor Gorin This time the event raised over twice as much as it did last year, thanks largely to entertainers Alison Scott, Lady Spencer, and the magnificent Ivana Deville. Three large items were raffled off, with several generous people buying over 100 tickets each. The club was filled to capacity with many DBA members, a!ong with other movers and shakers of the community. DBA Metro meets twice monthly for networking and educational opportunities. For more information !og on to www.dbametro.org. Drag Queen Bingo _At Cains Ballroom, Tu]lsa. By Randy Vineyard TULSA, OK__On May 4th the Cains Ballroom will play host to yet another historic \Vho Remembers the Free Spirit? OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Maybe it wasn’t so long ago, or maybe longer ago than some of us might xvant to admit, when OKC’s most fabulous place to dance and party was the Free Spirit. Located at 3121 N. Classen, originally an Episcopalian Church, it first changed to an upscale restaurant called Dino’s Steak & Spaghetti before it became the Free Spirit disco in 1977, owned by Steve Sixbey & managed by Michael Tarr. Affectionately nicknamed "the Spirit"( and its regulars "Spirit Queens") it became the "in" place to be featuring cutting edge dance music, some of Oklahoma’s early fabulous pageants, and even appearances by major artists including Sylvester & Disco Tex/Sex-o-Lets. In 1982 the club became Jazzy’s, a straight club with a predominantly black clientele. It changed back to the gay focused Free Spirit again in 1984, competing head on with Angles which had just opened in 1982, and the war began as to who would be OKC’s premier gay dance dub. The partiers !oved the battle, which resulted in all you could drink for $5 on Fridays and Saturdays at both venues, but the Free Spirit finally capitulated in August of 1984. Again going through a series of straight ventures, it emerged again as a gay club in 1986 renamed "~he Bar," even though it was still referred to as "the Spirit." ~hat venture failed as well, and after a long run as the straight club" Infinity" it made a few more changes before finally closing the doors for good. The building sat abandoned for many years before finally being demolished in March of this year. "Now a vacant lot with a future unforeseen at this time, memories of that place will always inspire priceless memories for some of us to treasure and pass on. www.ozarksstar.com �MO THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest 12am BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm "~DNESDAY May 2 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest 12am BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament !0pro THURSDBX May 24 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wt Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Varie9" Show 10:30pro THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore t0:30pm FINISHHNE: Dart Tournament I0pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Varlet7 Shmv 10:30pro THURSDAY May3 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro THE COPA: \4trieiy Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show ~v/Rachad Erikks \ May [25 THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight. THE COPA: Open Talent wtShemoane Somemore 10:30pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host. Pancho 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wtRachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent wlShe~noane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm THE COPA: Mate Dancers 9pro SATU LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro May5 GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachaet Erikks CLUB MAJESTIC: /vlajestic Kings Show 10pm. THE COPA: Open Talent wlShemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHHNE: Dart ~bumament 10pm OGRA: RODEO. OKC THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am SUN 27 OGRA: RODEO, OKC BAMBOO LOUNGE: Brunch 2pro BIG Memorial Cookout. CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm "H-IE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch LUB b~JESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: P, achael Erikks Show 10:30pm THE COPA: Varieq, Show 10:30pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro SUN CLUB NL&JESTIC: Miss Oklal~oma Continental 2007 - Doors open 8pro OGRA: RODEO, OKC BA!vIBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THURSDAY M~v 17 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9prn THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am MEMORIAL DAY THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro, THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Kris Kohl Show 8pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm DAY May 30 THE COPA: gariety Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachael Erildcs BA~MBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. www, ozarksstar.com THE COPA: Open Talent wlShemoane Somemore 10:30pro HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm After Dark is a free service to ou~ advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser to inform the STAR in writing of updates, additions or discontinued events, q’he STAR is not responsible for accurac): the STAR 27 �"Doodle, Capricorn!" Mercury aligned with the Sun in Taurus makes us stubbornly attached to our ideas. Both orbs clashing with Pluto bring those ideas under harsh scrutiny. Arguments are inevitable but offer chances to learn. ARIES (~arch 20 -April 19): Holding fast to your principles doesn’t require arguing with everyone who disagrees with you. Better to challenge yourself and see if your ideals are strong enough to encompass more than just the ideas you’re comfortable with. TAURUS (April 21) - May 21)): Little disagreements can feel like major personal attacks. Try to shrug them off and relax. A little sexual exploration can take the edge off, although that might also feel like a challenge. Still, it should be a challenge you can rise to! GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)): An erotic retreat with your partner can relieve pressures that are making you feel paranoid. Even if you (~an’t get away, stop imagining hostile agendas behind every conversation. Meditation or a dream journal can help unravel what’s really bothering you. SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 o December 20): Safe sex is as important now as ever. Your health is extremely vulnerable right now, especially in erotic situations, but also while you’re at work or exercising. Re-examine your habits at work, working out, and "working it." There’s always room for improvement! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Your efforts at playful repartee may seem a bit artificial, as if you’re trying to hide something that is bothering you. At an unconscious level, you probably are. Doodling, humming, or singing in free association can help provide clues to what’s behind the banter. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): How far do your ambitions and dreams lead you away from the comfort of family or tribe? And how far away do you really need to go? Those questions seem important now. The answers are not comfortable, but neither are they final. PISCES (February 19 - Nlarch 19): The stronger your opinions, the more they’ll be challenged. Do some homework to back up your arguments. You may even learn something that wil! push you to grow and change. Remember, it’s only resistance to change that makes it difficult. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your long-range vision may cause clashes with colleagues who are locked into accomplishing the task at hand. Helpful as your ideas may be, arguing about them won’t help. Bite your lip, go with the flow, and save your inspirations for later. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Eager to get ahead, you may be pushing too hard. Sit back a bit, strategize, and try to cultivate finesse. Getting into everyone’s face about your brilliance is counter-productive. Let your creativity speak for itself. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Being terribly certain in your ideas can put you at odds with your family or your community. It may well be that you have something important to tell them, but you need to listen in order to be heard. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): The more you struggle against scandal, the more it grows. A bemused response - "Mercy! Who’s telling such silly stories?" - wilt help facilitate a quick change of subject. Or you may prefer a smug, quiet smile that enhances a wicked mystique. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): If you’re partnered, arguments are nearly inevitable for you, with money being the likely trigger. If you’re single, your feistiness will make or break the interest of a potential mate. Arguments now can foreshadow a bigger struggle in six weeks. FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appointment 41%529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our COITIITIUI~ty Dinner Every Wed. 6pm just $4.00. No one is turned away. 28 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Arkansas, Bentonviile/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org ......... 888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events - 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 !/2 Spring St ............. 479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - - 105 E VanBuren ....... 479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 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. VanBuren800-242-1615 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 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center- ............... 479-251-1922 Passages ...... 930 N. College Ave479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave. 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads ....... 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave ........ 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 ...... 1022 Dodson Ave- - 479-782-9578 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-~--- 102! Jessie Rd-501-666-6900 Sidetracks--- 415 Main St--North L.R. 501-244-0444 The Factory ...... 412 Louisiana St.- 501-372-3070 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave ......... 501-375-8580 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 Club Glacier- ........ 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 Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn ....w~w.40thstreetinn.com ....... 816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton BIvd ........ 816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs -www.hydeskc.com - - 816-561-! 010 Missie B’s .... 805 W. 39th St- ............... 816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge ..... 424 Boonville Ave417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr---518 E. Commerical417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub .... 504 E. Commerical. 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive -417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place .... 821 College ............... 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books .... 104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s ........ -4810-A West Garriott- ...... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Ingrids Bookstore ..... 1124 NW Cache Rd...... 580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (9~i8) 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 St405-601-7200 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 Church of Open Arms ...... 3131 N. Penn ...... 405-525-9555 Copa.2200 NW 39th Exp ........405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave ........ -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy........ 405-525-9200 Gushers Restaurant..... 2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn -2200 NW 39th Exp ....... 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St--405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel .... 3535 NW 39th Exp ....... -405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th-405-843-1722 Jungle Reds ....... 2200 NW Expwy -405-524-5733 .2200 NW Expwy........ -405-525-0730 LedoNaughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ....... -405-681-5044 Partners. 2805 NW 36th St -405-942-2199 -3535 NW 39th Expw ........405-947-2351 Pec’sPriscilla’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 Patio 3201N. MayAve ......... 405-917-1663 Topanga Grill & Bar- --3535 NW39th -405-917-1663 Tramps-2201NW39th. -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, 21st918-712-9955 Border’s Book Store--- 8015 S. Yale 918-494-2665 Circle Cinema ...... !0 S. Lewis--918-592-3456 Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder 918-584-9944 Club Majestic ....... 124 N. Boston 918-584-9494 Club Maverick ..... 822 S. Sheridan 918-835-3301 Cosmo Deli & Bar- - 6746 S. Memorial -918-459-0497 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI .918-834-1051 Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street ........ -918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge ..... 11730 E. 11th 918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st ---918-749-8378 Midtown 319 E. 3rd918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood ..... 918-838-7104 Our House, Too .... 203 N Nogales Ave. -918-585-9552 Priscilla’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. 71st-918-499-1661 Renegades ........ 1649 S. Main -- 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd ......... 918-627-1505 Sappho’s ...... ~ - 6373-C E 31st St918-836-0299 Tulsa CARES .... 3507 E. Admiral PI - - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle ..... 1338 E. 3rd ................ 918-592-1188 TNT’s ......... 2114 S. Memorial- - 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd ....... 2630 E. 15th 918-293-0304 �AT A POWNTOWN CHUB, :20 MINUTES hATeR_.- bitter girl email: bittergid@qsyndicate.com 30 the STAR www.joanhilty.net www.ozarksstar.com �NW Arkansas GLBT CommuniW Center 1st furnished or "Lin-ldng Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG N.W. Oklahoma City gay male residence. Attached ½ bath access to full bath. Laundry facilities available, cable TV. $275 per month all bills paid with 12 month lease. Employed person only, references required Call (405) 521 2131 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 �� 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 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com :Survey in history, an(i help emonstrats the growing Power in Our Pri(leo Everyone who completes the survey by May 15, 2007 will be entered into a drawing to win one of FOUR free airline tickets from/to any of the participating airline’s destinations in the 48 continental U.S. States, plus Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Restrictions apply. Please take the survey today, and tell your friends! Tremendous strides toward full equality have been achieved by our communities over the past decade. There’s Power in Our Pride. Power to make a difference: Gay and lesbian survey studies have opened doors (and minds) in leading corporations and organizations, which in turn have recognized the value of their LGBT employees through the establishment of equal hiring policies and domestic partner benefits. This has been a catalyst, leading to sweeping changes in political and social inclusivity. Demographic reports also influence marketing investment. Virtually absent until recently, we now see a growing variety of products and services represented in gay media, celebrating our diversity. Ads keep LGBT publications and websites in business, serving their communities with independent news and information. Beyond simply advertising, though, these companies support us in many ways, including sponsoring community events and funding community-based charities in order to earn our loyalty. Taking an annual pulse on market trends through surveys helps demonstrate the LGBT community’s growing power, and influences positive change. We respect your privacy. All personal survey data is held confidentially by Community Marketing, Inc., an independent marketI research and communications firm based in San Francisco (founded 1992, and proudly 100% gay-owned and -operated) and will not be so d to third parties or used for marketing purposes. Thank you! www.CommunityiVlarketinglnc.com ® 2007 Community Marketing, Inc., 594 Castro St. #834, San Francisco CA 94114 USA www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 ~.DV~CACY Activists Launch Statewide LGBT Advocacy Efforts. CAF Host OHahoma Summit 2007 OkJahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart from District 2, a practicing public homophobe, was formally arraigned earlier this month. 4© PAST OUT The murder of gay sailor Allen Schindler in October 1992 contributed to a national debate about GLBT people in the military that remains unresolved to this day. Gay Travelers "Indianapolis, Indiana Out of Town " Denver, Colorado" ~ D~V~N$~ITY Wl~l~l~ND Good, clean, Christian fun...is not the way to describe the "Gayco" comedy show that took the stage of Eureka Springs’ Auditorium during the spring Diversity xXi’eekend. GLBT Summit..............5 Let’s Rodeo ...............6 James Nimo .............. 11 OUT in Arkansas........... 12 Past Out.................. 14 The Wine Rack............. 16 Ciao Travel ................ 17 Lesbian Notions............ 22 Star Scene................ 24 After Dark ................ 27 Horoscopes............... 28 Distributors............... 29 Cartoons..................30 Classifieds................ 31 Let’s Rodeo Oklahoma - page 6 Mr, C~ntinental 2006 Simba R. Hal! at Club Majestic Tulsa - page 15 DISTRIBUTION: Fine Dining at Hotel Bel Air - page 17 )KLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA * WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com ¢ ARRON ALLIANCE FOUNDAo T ON (CAF) HO$1" OKLAHOMA LGBT LEADERSHIP 2007 By Jeanne Flanigan Photo:Josh Hammers, Paul 7horn?son male co-chair Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, Mike McLain u~ith Hardnezvs Online. Community Partners were OKC Community Foundation, Respect Diversity Foundation, Herland Sister Resources, Winds House, P-FLAG OKC and Norman, North Care Mental Health Center, Cathedral of Hope, Progressive Alliance, DBA Metro, Central Oklahoma Prime Timers, Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, Hard News Online, OKC Pride, Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, Oklahomans for Equality, OSU Sexual Orientation Diversity Association (SODA), OCU Gay and Lesbian Law Student Association, Log Cabin Republicans of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, OKC Chrysalis Education Affirmation Network, ACLU of Oklahoma, AIDS Walk OKC, Heartstrong, the Trevor Project, Central Oklahoma Human Rights Alliance, and OU GLBT & Friends. For more information contact the Cimarron Alliance Foundation, website www.cimarronalliance.org, e mail RCO@lawokc.com or telephone (405) 495 9300. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Cimarron Alliance Foundation (CAF) hosted the Oklahoma LGBT Leadership Summit at the beautiful Ron Norick Downtown Library Saturday, April 14 with over 140 attending representing 33 organizations. The conference featured local presenters in the areas of politics, education, and the issues of the LGBT community, women, seniors, Pride events, religion, health and organizational processes and development in 18 breakout sessions. CAF was able to tackle this huge project with the help of 27 Community Partners and a National Sponsor, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Breakfast and lunch were served, allowing participants an opportunity to meet and greet others and net-work with other organizations. Several people from Tulsa attended, sharing with OKC their success with the recent opening of their Dennis R. Nell Equality Center and other projects. There were attendees from other places as well, as far axvay as Tennessee and Wyoming. Official greetings were extended from Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, OKC City Council members Sam Bowman and Ann Simank, State Senators Connie Johnson & Andrew Rice, and Oklahoma State Representative Al McAffrey. CAF President Richard Ogden and DBA (Diversity Business Association) President Monty Milburn facilitated the opening and closing sessions, geared to open discussion and responses to the education presented. A survey was gathered to assess the conference and to guide planning to make the next one even more responsive to community needs and desires. Activists Launch Statewide LG Advocacy By Laura Belmonte TULSA, OK__On March 24-25th, activists from across Oklahoma gathered at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center to formulate plans for statewide LGBT advocacy efforts. Sponsored by Oklahomans for Equality, the Creation Weekend meetings were facilitated by Toni Broaddus, Executive Director of the Equality Federation, Mickey Maclntyre of Real Change Partners, and Jeremy Pittman, Deputy National Field Director for the Human Rights Campaign. The Gill Foundation provided financial support. Representatives from several organizations including the Cimarron Alliance, H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic, OSU’s SODA (Sexual Orientation Diversity Association), Tulsa C.A.R.E.S., and RAIN attended. Throughout the meetings activists discussed their hopes and expectations of statewide LGBT organizing. They identified longrange political goals including non-discrimination in housing and employment, relationship recognition, safe schools, hospital visitation rights for same-sex partners, and hate crimes laws that include sexual orientation and gender expression. They also discussed possible strategies for statewide coalition-building, lobbying, voter registration and education, and electing LGBT and LGBT-friendly public officials throughout Oklahoma. A steering committee to direct these efforts is currently being formed. Interested organizations and activists are urged to participate and can contact Laura Belmonte, president of Oklahomans for Equality, at center@okeq.org for more information. For complete video coverage of Creation Weekend, see http://okgnn.net/ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 DBAT Hosts First Business After Hours by Suzan Hartman TULSA, OK__Business is built on relationships and what better time to start developing those relationships than during Tulsa Pride 2007! The Diversity Business Association ofTulsa, a program of Oklahomans for Equality, will host their first Business After Hours event on Thursday, June 7 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Business After Hours offers excellent networking opportunities for area glbt business owners and professionals. All members of the business community are invited to attend and refreshments will be provided. There is no cost so join us at this wonderful social gettogether and make new contacts or to get reacquainted xvith former contacts. DBAT provides a forum to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business and professional community and its allies for the purpose of networking, professional development, creating increased visibility and strengthening relationships among business and professional community members. We’re the heart of LGBT networking and business growth. We support. We lead. We promote professional development, business diversity and personal enrichment - so get involved today! For more information contact Susan Hartman at slhartman@cox.net or 918- 274-1699. GET READY [:OR THE 22nd ANNUAL GREAT PLAINS RODEO By Greg Steele OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__One of the longest running and largest of Gay Rodeo Organizations in the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) system, Oklahoma’s Great Plains Rodeo will kick offa fun filled weekend May 25 through May 27th 2007. The event will be held in Oklahoma City at State Fair Park, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd. Registration will be Friday 6pm to 9pm at State Fair Park Barn 3. Rodeo performance’s will begin Saturday morning 8am with the Grand Entry around noon. The event will wind down with the awards ceremony 8pm in Barn 3. Over $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. The 2007 Rodeo has added money for Bull Riding, Bronc Riding, Steer Riding, Calf Roping on Foot, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Barrels, Poles and Flags will only be awarded to the top three place winners for combined scores Saturday and Sunday. Awards will also include Saddles for Top Men and Women Roping and Speed Events. The host hotel is Hollywood H~tel and Suites, 3535 NW 39th OKC, OK 73112 405-947-2351. Events Schedule .........Continued page-23 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 8 the STAR ww~.ozarksstar.com Tulsa Pride United for Equality June 2 - Pride Festival Saturday June 9th at Veteran’s Park - 18th & Main in Downtown Tulsa 11:00 AM -5:00 PM Over 15,000 expected to attend! Parade begins 10:00 AM - 15th & Utica to LGBT Pride Festival- Veterans Park presented by oklahomans for equality (OkEq) 621 E 4th Street* Tulsa, OK lent Outdoor Living Mitchell Savage Smith Hid-(:entury Nodern Gem Home of Rex Ball and Stephen Edwards Iplewood Secret ~3arden Home o1: Harcy Smitl~ Welcl~ wwN.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 LoPA~GE by Hr. Continental 2006 S~MBA HALL & Special gues~: SANTANA & TRIXIE DELUXXE CAYNE wihh Zsane’ Braxton, Ebony Hall, Krystal DeKanter, Bobby Paige !21 to dria~k www.OKContinental.com No Video Recording "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST prope~ies are our PEOPLU’ 4301 NW fi3rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 10 the STAR 405.840.2t06 www. c21 goldcastle.com w~v,ozarksstar.com Commissioner Brent Rinehart’s a Piece of.olToast, (his future, that is) By James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart from District 2, a practicing public homophobe, was formally arraigned earlier this month for serious Oklahoma campaign law violations (ten by my count) ranging from perjury and filing false campaign reports to accepting illegal contributions from third parties and conspiracy against the state during his campaign in 2004. According to Attorney-General Drew Edmondsoffs office Rinehart, and his campaign manager Tim Pope (Pope, a former state legislator who carried a gun in his boot on to the floor of the House because he said gay, were after him, he was also found guilty of illegal campaign telemarketing in March for calls directed against Commissioner Jim Roth) are charged in Oklahoma Count), District Court with one count of conspiracy against the state, two counts of money laundering and three counts of knowingly accepting a contribution to a political candidate through an intermediary or conduit with unlawful intent. Additionally, Rinehart faces four counts of perjury. Run-of-the-mill political shenanigans you might yawn, but stay with me. If you’re LGBT or an ally, you know that Mr.. Rinehart, only just past the half-way mark in his first term, is finally getting his comeuppance as a public figure. From day one of his term he has ragged on Commissioner Jim Roth, District 1, for advancing what Rinehart thinks is the much talked about but seldom seen, "gay agenda". Why does Rinehart think he’s had a look at the "gay agenda"? I haven’t seen it and I’ve paid lots of dues in time and money. Does Rinehart know somebody I don’t? Does he have a secret handshake? He seems to walk and talk in the normal way. The only gay agenda I’ve seen is my own: to be treated under law in the same way as any other tax-paying citizen, irrespective ofmy sexual orientation, and according to my own observance of existing law. I’m paying the same fare as a straight man; I expect the same first-class ticket. In January 2005 Rinehart was one of 3 on the Oklahoma County, Budget Board (al! 8 county elected officials) who voted to rescind Oklahoma County’s policy of non discrimination for County employees that incudes sexual orientation. (The repeal efforts failed) There have been numerous articles in the Oklahoma City media about Rinehart being unable to work effectively with the other OK Count), officeholders. All the County elected officials issued a group letter the same day, as Rinehart’s arraignment in which they promised to maintain character and integrity in the face of these serious allegations of misconduct by Rinehart. In his defense, Mr.. Rinehart has spoken of a personal vendetta being directed against him by the Attorney-General and the "good ’ole boy" system he claims is responsible for his predicament. At a press conference Rinehart (Phonto right) said, "I will continue to serve the public despite the good old boy demands that I abandon public office. I look forward to my day in court where the facts ~vill reveal that I am innocent of the politically motivated charges made by Drew Edmondson." Does the "good ’ole boy" system include the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation which did the ground work for the indictments? Does it also include the OK County District Attorney David Prater who, on April 11, 2007, made the legal determination that there is no current law which can remove Rinehart from office under only allegations of wrongdoing Prater concluded that conviction must first be found in court concluded DA Prater. It’s so easy to tease Rinehart as he leaves himself so wide open, and his delusions are indeed grand. In an interview with TV-4 he said (and I paraphrase) "the good ’ole boys want to get me, want to get me, right now, want to get me, take me down, because they know one day I’ll be governor." These words are nearly verbatim, repetitions included. His mantra of referring to the "good ’ole boys" so often makes me think no one played with him as a child. He still feels like an outsider. He prides himself on his role as a maverick yet he has nothing constructive to show for it. He never learned to socialize and he’s carrying this grudge even now as he digs his hole of seclusion ever deeper. Who would have thought he wanted to be governor? Would such a mark of victory expunge the feelings of exclusion from his psyche? Does he need something bigger than a county commissioner’s office to assuage his private demons? Personally, I can hardly wait for Rinehart’s days in judicial court as well as the court of public opinion. Even should he be found not guilt), I doubt if the voters of District 2 will want to continue Rinehart’s employment for another term as commissioner. Challengers from all political viewpoints now have a good lead time to establishing themselves with the voters of District 2. \Vho wants stale toast to represent them at the County office? www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 Eureka Diversity Rains Supreme by Joey De EUREKa, SPRINGS, AR~IfDisney Land is the happiest place on earth, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, must be a close second. Nesded in the Ozarks, an hour away from Branson, MO, Eureka has made its name as a tourist destination with its eclectic array of nick-nack shops, historical architecture and southern hospitality. The community’s dozen-plus annual festivals help to attract a diverse crowd of visitors from across the country, including the ’iGaylien beings" who landed there from Apr. 13 - 15. Going a step further than hand holding, organizers arranged a public display of affection in the town’s Basin Park, during which a young lesbian proposed to her partner. As a living memorial to a lost friend of one Diversity Pride Committee member, the weekend featured a "Recovery in Pride" forum hosted by Mr. Marty Perry, the CEO of The Pride Institute. Followed by a self-help style meeting, the forum allowed participants to discuss how their sexuality may have influenced substance abuse or support healthy ways for them to overcome it. evening when the younger crowd to finally show it’s face. Although inhibited by a lack of sunshine, the 2007 Eureka Springs Diversity Pride Celebration followed through with a promise made to all of its visitors. All beings were welcome. Coinciding on the same weekend with Eureka’s annual UFO convention (yes, you read right), the Spring Diversity celebra- For tion welcomed beings of all.types to inhabit visithe streets of the quiet town. Although tots attendance was significantly reduced due who to weather through out the region, visitors did not came from as far away as Ohio to explore the streets of Eureka Springs. As laid back as the town itself, Diversity Pride offered a mix of events designed to appeal to couples who are past the up-allnight party phase of their life and to those who still don’t go down until the sun comes up (take it as you will). Many of the events showcased the town itself, spotlighting the forty five gay owned restaurants, dubs and businesses. Locals happily hosted tours of the area, diversity meals and spiritual events for the mostly 28-35 crowd who braved the rain, snow and ice. Advertised as a "Diversity Pride" festival, the weekend was more about embracing diversity than it was celebrating pride. With no major central event such as an all day picnic or parade, visitors were more integrated through out the community then at most Prides, where celebrants flock to one location. Although there was a visible show of pride in rainbow feathered boas and flags, the refreshing attraction of the weekend was its lack of spectacle. "It’s nice to be able to come to a town where you feel like you’re the ’norm’" expressed one gaylian visiting from St. Louis. "It’s refreshing to see people walking around holding their partner’s hand on the street." 12 the STAR participate in organized events, the shops of Eureka opened their doors, with many offering a "family discount." leries, jewelers and a puppet shop welcomed were browsing, buying and in some cases trying to escape the rain. Highlighting the weekend for visitors of all ages ~vas the return appearance of Chicago’s "Gayco" show, who offered two performances in the town’s historic "Auditorium." The group, who specializes in improvisational comedy offered a master’s workshop for visitors and even posed for pictures with gaylians after their show. For those who grew tired of shopping (or the endless up-hill walking) the bars of Eureka provided an impressive array of entertainment choices for a town its size. Whether visiting Henri’s, Jack’s Place or Chelsea’s for live music, Karaokeing with "Tiny" at Uncle Tuckers; or dancing the night away at The Tiki Torch, the liquor flowed and the good times rolled into the De Good, clean, ..is not way to describe "Gayco" comedy the of Eureka Auditoduring the i Diversity Following the success of the ’ appearance last year, Organizers of diversity weekend brought the troupe back to tackle pressing issues in the gay world such as marriage, don’t ask don’t tell, adoption and coming out. With a well articulated mix of low and high brow humor, the seven Gayco players entertained audiences with their unique blend of improvisational and sketch comedy. Originating as a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender outreach project of the legendary Second City Comedy Club in Chicago, Gayco has been entertaining communities across the nation for almost eleven years. "Second City saw us as a one maybe two show outreach to the GLBT community," says Andy Eninger, one of the group’s founders. According to the performer, although there is no formal relationship between the two groups, they maintain a close working friendship. "We outgrew them, and they xvanted us to spin off and do our own thing, but they still watch us closely." Continued page-26 www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 Who was Allen Schindler? The murder of gay sailor Allen Schindler in October 1992 contributed to a national debate about GLBT people in the military that remains unresolved to this day. Schindler was born in December 1969 and grew up in Chicago Heights, Ill. A mediocre student, he joined the Navy right out of high school to obtain G.I. Bill money to attend veterinary school. He was first stationed in San Diego, where he frequented gay clubs and found a boyfriend. In 1991, he fulfilled his dream of serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway, a ship with a relatively tolerant atmosphere. But after the Midway was decommissioned a year later, he was reassigned to the USS Belleau Wood, which had a reputation for a rough and rowdy crew. Schindler and other sailors suspected of being gay xvere routinely called "faggots" and shoved as they walked the ship’s halls. One night in September 1992, as the ship was en route from San Diego to Sasebo, Japan, Schindler, a radioman, broadcast an unauthorized message, "2-Q-T-2-B-S-T-R- 8" ("too cute to be straight"), which led to a month-long disciplinary confinement. Soon thereafter, he admitted to commanding officers that he was gay: Though aware that the disclosure would likely lead to his discharge, Schindler nevertheless felt a sense of relief: "Ifyou can’t be yourself, then who are you?" he wrote in his diary. 14 the STAR As word spread that Schindler was gay and discharge proceedings were underway, the abuse increased. "It scares me a little," he wrote. "You never know who would want to injure me or cease my existence." By late October, the Belleau Wood had reached Sasebo and Schindler’s confinement had ended. He began frequenting local bars, where he met a group of gay American entertainers, including dancer Eric Underwood, whom he told about the harassment. On the night of Oct. 27, after spending the evening drinking, two of Schindler’s shipmates, Terry Helvey and Charles Vins, followed him into a public bathroom in a park near the base. Helvey began to beat and kick Schindler, with Vins also joining in; Helvey finished off the attack by stomping on Schindler’s throat. As the assailants fled, wimesses arriving on the scene summoned the Shore Patrol, and medics tried to revive Schindler without success. The pathologist who conducted the autopsy reported that Schindler’s injuries were "similar to a highspeed auto accident or a low-speed aircraft accident." His face was beaten so badly that his mother could only identify him by tattoos on his arms. Helvey and Vins were identified by wimesses and arrested the next morning. As Helvey was being led awa); he told a shipmate, "The bastard deserved it." Vins received a quick court-martial and was sentenced to just four months in exchange for testimony against Helvey. The incident received little press coverage until Underwood and his associates wrote a letter to several publications exposing the antigay harassment Schindler had faced. The military newspaper pacific Stars and Stripes printed the lettel; and a reporter from the paper investigated the story, but the Navy tried to cover up the nature of the killing, going so far as to leak a rumor that Schindler and Helvey were gay lovers who had had a falling out. Gay activists raised a furor over the murder, at a time when the issue of gays in the military was high on the national agenda due to Bill Clinton’s campaign promise to lift the ban on GLBT service members. Michael Petrelis of Queer Nation - who vowed to make Schindler the "gay Rodney King" - organized a press conference at the Pentagon in December. Friends and supporters held a memorial in San Diego, while the Human Rights Campaign flew Schindler’s mother, Dorothy Hajdys, to Washington to speak at a candlelight vigil. Hajdys, a fundamentalist Christian who initially had trouble accepting that her son was gay; became an unlikely activist for GLBT civil rights. "If you would have told me I would have been at the March on Washington standing before a million people and being seen all over the world, I would have told you you were nuts," she later told an interviewer. Schindler’s killing remained front-page news throughout the spring of 1993. In May, Helvey was court-martialed in Japan, with his defense focusing on his abusive childhood and use of steroids. He admitted the crime, first claiming that Schindler had made a sexual advance in the bathroom and later saying that he found homosexuals "disgusting, sick, and scary." The incident never would have happened, he added, if gays weren’t allowed to join the military. Helvey pleaded guilty to murder with intent to commit great bodily harm, thereby avoiding the death penalty for premeditated murder. In 2002, Hajdys and gay activists successfully opposed his parole, and he continues to serve a life sentence at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Schindler put an individual face on the debate about gays in the military, with both sides pointing to his murder to justify their positions. In November 1993, President Clinton signed the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy into law, after Congress and the Pentagon opposed lifting the ban. According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network more than 10,000 men and women have been discharged from the armed forces since the policy went into effect. www.ozarksstar.com Simba Ro Ha l To Host Miss Oklahoma Cor dnenta At Club Majestic Tulsa. TULSA, OK__Simba R. Hall is a creation and alter ego of LeSean D. Lewis. Simba was introduced to the field of pageantry in 2001 at Mr. and Miss Renaissance in Atlanta, GA. A good friend had heard him sing in the professional arena and needed some vocals to back his poetry. When Simba hit the stage, he was mesmerized. From there, he went to compete for Mr. Liberty, Mr. Renaissance, Mr. Duval, and Mr. Continental. He captured the title of Mr. Renaissance in 2004. This was followed by his win of Mr. Duval 2005 hosted in Jacksonville, FL. Simba R. Hall has always wanted to give back to his gay community. With this in mind, he used Renaissance as a platform to form the King’s Alliance. The King’s Alliance is a compilation of all the male representatives holding National titles. ~Pney perform a National show every year called M.E.N.S. (Male Entertainers of National Systems) Night. They donate all proceeds to a non-profit organization. Over the past three years they have raised over $4000. ~xis was recognized by the elite system that he now represents, Mr. Continental. It took Simba three times to capture this title. Each time he stood in the top five next to the winners, Ray Matthews and Tony Desario. \~qxen Simba won, he started using his popularity throughout the community, adding more benefit shows and fundraisers. He started a couple’s night which 7will feature duets from the kings and queens representing National titles. This is to be held at the Baton in June. He also had a Continental Christmas in Atlanta that raised over $3500 for Child Kind, an organization that cares for terminally ill children. Simba wants to be remembered for bringing the community to the forefront and showing the world that being gay is just a preference. \re are just as human as the next individual. Simba is also working on an album that ~vill be available in the fall. At the current time he is touring the US as Mr. Continental where he receives raves reviews and standing ovations. Simba Hall will Host the Miss Oklahoma Continental on Friday May 25th at Club Majestic in Tulsa at 8pm. This will be the fourth Miss Competition in Oklahoma produced by Monica Freeman. THE AUSTK LIAN BEE GEES SHOW at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater TULSA, OK___Having received nothing less than fantastic reviews, "The Australian BEE GEES Show" is coming to Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater on Friday May 4th. Ttxe house lights fade slowly and there is a cheer of excitement, then a brief moment of anticipation. It begins with a single bass note, then a chime that dances around the room, a whisper of strings, a stab of brass and percussion, a flash of light and the image flickers to life. "The Australian BEE GEES Show" is a multi-media concert event with the state-of-the-art sound, superb lighting and giant screens, featuring video clips, live camera images and stunning graphics. "The Australian BEE GEES Show" has captured the look, the sound and the personality that defines one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history. The show is presented from a contemporary perspective and has evolved to become the definitive live celebration of four decades of wonderful music written by the Brothers Gibb. Ten years in the making, a lot have been said about "The Australian BEE GEES Show", including some kind words from one of the Brothers Gibb’s niece, Deborah McLane, "When I first saw the show I had high expectations of what the performance would be like, those boys did more than exceed my expectations. I was completely moved by their harmonies and the way they perfected the whole Bee Gees image. This is the most outstanding Bee Gees tribute show I have experienced." For one night only, experience the magic, "The Australian ~BEE GEES Show." In concert at Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater Friday May 4th, 2007. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets cost $27.50 and $32.50 and went on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday March 26th at www.bradytheater.com, w~vw. etix.com, Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater at 105 West Brady, or by calling the Brady Theater Ticket Office at (918) 582-7239. w~v.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 Tuna Soup with Orange and Avocado Fresh tuna meat is easy to overcook and can sometimes be disappointingly dry and chewy, but in this juicy mixture it stays succulent and delicious. Ingredients: 2 - 3 tbls. Olive Oil 2 Onions (peeled, halved, and very thinly sliced) 2 Garlic Cloves (peeled and finely chopped) 1 tspn. Ground Cumin Pinch of Cinnamon 2 tspn. Chopped Fresh Parsley Finely Grated Zest and Juice of 1 Lime 2/3 cup Orange Juice 1 1/4 Fresh Tuna Steaks (cut into 3/4 inch cubes) 1 3/4 qts. Fish Stock Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper 6 Large Tomatoes (cut into short pieces) 2 firm but Ripe Avocados (peeled, pitted) 40 oz. Sugar Snap Peas or Green Beans (cut into neat cubes) Sprigs of Fresh Flat-Leafed Parsley (for garnish) Procedure: 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and gently fry until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and gently fry for 2 minutes. 2. Add the cumin, cinnamon, parsley, lime zest and Juice, orange juice, tuna, stock, and a little salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 15 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, soak the tomatoes in boiling ~vater for several minutes until the skin xvill peel easily away. Cut away the hard cores and chop the flesh. Add to the pan ~vith the sugar snap peas or beans. Simmer for 4-5 minutes. 4. Just before serving the soup, stir the avocado cubes into the pan. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley. Serves: 6 More on the Hotel Bel Air, page 1.19. "TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOL by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast HOTEL BEL-AIR 70! Stone Cmnyon Road Los Fmgeles; "~e dining room at the Hotel BeI-Mr is, ~vithout doubt, the most romcamc restaurants on, the planet, and one beautiful ! We dine As it is terribly expensive, we always order consists of a lovely Salad, soup of the day" mad finger sandwiches. And this costs $3~3.00! bur W~rth every pelmy o~it. nitelv the most ~¢~rwiOzarksstar:com Phe drag-themed Petticoat Bruncheon at Bump & Grind is one ofDenver’s best excuses to get out ofbed on weekwnd mo,~vings. (Photo by Andrew Collins) By Andrew Collins Denver has long been one of the country’s great centers of lesbian and gay culture. The GLBT community here is highly visible - socially, professionally, and politically - and gay-friendly restaurants, bars, hotels, and other businesses are easy to find in a number of prominent neighborhoods. With several new or expanded high-profile museums, easy access to skiing and hiking, a sunny climate, and relative affordability compared with other big urban centers, the Mile High City makes for a highly appealing vacation destination, whether for a couple of days or a full week .of exploration. The city’s bustling, modern downtown skyline is dominated by soaring skyscrapers. Here you can wander along 16th Street, a popular pedestrian mall filled with mostly upscale chain shops. Or explore artsy Larimar Square, a restored Victorian block of hip boutiques and cafes - be sure to check out the Market at Larimer Square, a coffeehouse- bakery-deli where a cool crowd enjoys mocha lattes, hearty breakfast burritos, and hefty pastrami sandwiches. Larimar Square marks the edge of dapper LoDo, which began as the city’s shipping 20 the STAR and retail center in the late 19th century. As recently as the 1980s, however, the neighborhood had been reduced to slums and abandoned brick warehouses. LoDo’s comeback began v,;hen artists started converting these classic redbrick buildings into galleries and studios. A flood of restaurants, coffeehouses, and shops followed, as did stately Coors Field, home to baseball’s Colorado Rockies. You can easily spend a few hours exploring this attractive district, perhaps dropping by the Tattered Cover, one of the country’s most beloved independent bookstores, which has an outstanding GLBT section. Another retail must is Rockmount Ranch Wear, a circa-1940s outlet for authentic Western shirts, belts, hats, and bolo ties - this is the very shop that provided those down-home sexy shirts worn by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain. South of downtown you’ll find Capitol Hill, which is anchored on one end by the giltdomed State Capitol building. It overlooks a grassy mall surrounded by the Colorado History Museum and the spectacular Denver Art Museum, which underwent a dramatic expansion and redesign in 2005. The Capitol Hill neighborhood, which extends east from the Capitol building, is where many of the city’s GLBT residents live. On sunny days, check out lovely Cheesman Park and the nearby the Denver Botanic Garden. If you’re keen on shopping, head a few miles southeast of downtown to the Cherry Creek area, where you’ll find numerous opportunities for browsing and bargain-hunting at upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North. Tnese two premier shopping destinations contain a mix of top chain and independent stores. In the evening, try out one of the neighborhood’s fine restaurants, such as trendy Ocean, a haute seafood eatery, or North, which serves exceptional modern Italian fare. Dining is one area where Denver has truly come into its own in recent years. If you’re a serious foodie, sample one of the restaurants run by Denver’s acclaimed expert on innovative Mexican cuisine, Richard Sandoval. Best bets include Tamayo, near lively Larimer Square, and trendy Zengo, a boldly decorated space just north of LoDo, where Sandoval fuses the best ofAsian and Latin cuisine, serving everything from sushi to ceviche. A good bet for dining in LoDo is Vesta, which operates on a quirky premise: you choose three sauces (perhaps pistachio-mint or grilled onion jam) for dipping with whatever entree you choose, from grilled venison to harissa-roasted half chicken. You’ll find simpler fare at Dixon’s Downtown Grill, a nice choice for fish-and-chips and bluecheese burgers, and the festive Wynkoop Brewing Company, which serves the best green chile stew in town, plus a wide range of handcrafted beers. Near Larimer Square, chic Rioja serves creative, world-beat cuisine, such as Dungeness crab-and-shiso spring rolls, and grilled maple-cured pork chops with Calvados sauce. Favorite restaurants on Capitol Hill include I1 Vicino, which turns out creative pizzas and salads along with microbrewed ales, and Sparrow, a convivial neighborhood spot serving such inventive regional American fare as pumpkin-chicken served with pancetta risotto, sage, and cider. The local java chain Diedrich’s Coffee has a particularly gay-popular branch in Capitol Hill, too. www.ozarksstar.com The city has some great places for breakfast fare, including the gay lave Racine’s, which is open late and serves three meals daily. For amazingly tasty pancakes, head to Snooze, an offbeat storefront space near Coors Field where you might start the morning offwith pineapple-upside~down pancakes or vanilla-almond oatmeal brulee. On weekend mornings, don’t miss the legendary drag brunch, called Petticoat Bruncheon, held at Bump & Grind, a colorful bakery and care. One of city’s great strengths is its cultural scene, with maW of the top events held at the esteemed, high-tech Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA), the second-largest such space in the nation (trailing only New York City’s Lincoln Center). tt comprises several performance venues and hosts everything from nationally touring musicals to acclaimed opera. Before a performance, plan to have dinner at DCPA’s top restaurant, Kevin Taylor’s. In this elegant basement space, sample such creative fare as Black Angus carpaccio with white-truffle oil, or charbroiled Colorado lamb chops with braised lentils and black olive jus. Denver has a friendly, eclectic gay nightlife, with a pleasing mix of hip cocktail lounges, pulsing dance clubs, and friendly neighborhood bars. One of the most popular hangouts is J.R.’s, an upscale, bi-level video bar in Capitol Hill that hosts such entertaining events as gong show karaoke and Broadway musical sing-alongs. Nearby Charlie’s is a famously fun country-western club with line-dancing and two-stepping, plus a restaurant serving decent American fare. The Denver Detour is a mostly lesbian-oriented hangout that’s popular early in the evening for happy hour cocktails - it’s right by the State Capitol. Other good women’s options include tHERe Denver, a lesbian-owned coffeehouse and lounge, and Ms. C’s, a long-running lesbian dance club a 20-minute drive east of downtown. Just south of Capitol Hill, the South Broadway area has several notable locals joints, including B.J.’s Carousel, which has its own volleyball court and a casual restaurant. You’ll find a somewhat cruisy bunch at the Compound, a low-attitude dance club that’s popular with everyone from collegiate hipsters to middle-aged bears. The Triangle, for the serious leather crowd, has a big after-hours following and a notoriously frisky basement. And Boyztown is one of the better places in town to watch strippers strut their stuff. Weekends are the best time to check out Denver’s most happening gay nightclub, the always-packed Tracks Denver, a massive warehouse disco with two pulsing dance floors, one spinning the latest club music, the other featuring classic tunes from the ’70s and ’80s. Denver has a number of memorable gay-friendly hotels. The swanky, pet-friendly Hotel Monaco is a top choice for its hip, Parisian-inspired aesthetic and remarkably friendly and helpful service. Vibrant, stylish decor and quirk), in-room touches, such as animal-print robes and pet goldfish, make this downtown boutique property a fan favorite. The on-site restaurant, Panzano, serves firstrate contemporary Italian fare. A new kid on the block that’s earned praise for its stylish look as well as its location across from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Curtis opened early in 2007 and looks like just another high-rise from the exterior. But inside you’ll discover a www.ozarksstar.com whimsical, retro-fabulous hotel that looks like something out of an Austin Powers movie. Each floor of guestrooms is themed differently - rooms on the eighth level have a sci-fi look, while those on the 12th are done with a get-your-groove-on dance-floor theme. Moderate rates, VW Bug-shaped alarm clocks, and a cool eatery called the Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar are among the Curtis’ many charms. If you want to be close to the fabulous shopping of Cherry Creek, consider booking a room at the posh JW Marriott Denver, a contemporary 11-stoW hotel whose cushy accommodations have 32-inch flat-screen TVs, DVD/CD players, marble-and-granite bathrooms, and plush bedding with custom duvets and linens. The sterling service is another plus. One of the most romantic options is the gay-owned Capitol Hill Mansion B&B, a stately Queen Anne Victorian on an attractive residential street. Owners Jay Hadley and Carl Schmidt serve a lavish full breakfast each morning as wel! as refreshments and snacks in the afternoon; guests enjoy such pleasing amenities as free Wi-Fi and fresh flowers in every room, and gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and private balconies in the top units. In the same neighborhood, the gay-friendly Castle Marne B&B offers similarly cushy, antiquesfilled rooms. The imposing 1889 building is one of Denver’s most distinctive houses, with its elaborate turrets and stonework. Probably no Denver hotel is more famous than the prestigious Brown Palace Hote! & Spa, which has hosted such dignitaries as Teddy Roosevelt and Sun Yat-sen during its 115-year tenure. Even if you don’t have a chance to stay in one of the hotel’s lavish rooms, consider dropping by for the daily afternoon high tea or evening cocktails in the famed Atrium Lobby, or for the decadent Dom Perignon brunch held in Ellyngton’s Restaurant on Sunday mornings. the STAR 21 MAY 2007 Gay LoA. All the One of the perks of being a "nationally syndicated columnist," which is my newest personal brand, is getting books in the mail to review. As the latest volume slipped out of its padded envelope, I saw "sexual outlaws, power politics, and lipstick lesbians" set in small caps across the middle of the cover. Mmmmm, this book is for me. Gay L.A.: A History of,.. (insert those three descriptors that caught my attention here), written by award-winning historians Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons, turns on its ear the notion that the lesbian and gay movement started in any one particular city. L.A.’s gay roots go way beygnd the emergence of Hollywood in the 1920s. We need to go all the way back before California was a state, before we were even a nation, and we find the raale native Americans who inhabited these lands to be quite fluid in their sexuality. California’s name came from Hernan Cortes, the explorer who discovered the tract of land now lmown as the Golden State. It seems that Cortes was taken with the 15th-century "protolesbian tale," as the authors put it, about a mythical isle called California, where Queen Califia lived among strong, butch women. Just like in the Amazonia legend, Califia’s women "waged bloody war on other lands, killing most of the males but carrying a few so that they might copuJate with them for the sake of procreation." For some reason, Cortes put that myth together with this new land and wrote "California" across the map of what was to become North America. The name stuck, but the legend - like those of most who come and go in this town known for making legends - faded into obscurity until Faderman and Timmons connected their gay dots. It wasn’t until Hollywood happened, with its star-making quality, that L.A. and gay really started to become synonymous. We flocked to this city of creativity and makebelieve because we could do just that - create and make believe we could be whatever we Way If only that was totally true. When it comes to the relationship between the community and the notorious LAPD...well, let’s just say it wasn’t a Hollywood love story. "The LAPD in the years after WW~I and into the 1960s was really particularly vicious in regard to lesbians and gay men," Faderman told me in a recent interview. "The police hired Hollywood rejects - handsome young men looking to break into the movie industry - who would then go to the places gay men cruised, hang out, strike up conversations, and then the handcuffs would come out, and the gays would be arrested." It wasn’t only gay men who were victim~- ized by the cops. "Butch women had a hard time, too," said Faderman. "They were very often arrested for ’masquerading.’" \Vghat is this "masquerading"? Being butch and dressing that ~vay. It seems that there was a laxv on the books, in response to how outrageous the puritanical city fathers thought things were getting, that men couldn’t be seen in public in women’s clothes, and women couldn’t don men’s clothes either. Reading this, I was disgusted by how those we pay taxes to for protection - in a city, the police, for the nation, the armed forces - victimize our community. While "don’t ask, don’t tell" is still in place, the LAPD has changed its tune to some degree. Now they’re recruiting us to their ranks - us meaning lesbians and gays; transgender people need not apply. "The West Hollywood sheriff’s department really wants lesbian and gay folks," explained Faderman. "But on the other hand, I read about a trans person who supported herself by prostitution. The police would take her in the back alley practically every night and rape her." As someone who grew up in L.A., Faderman seems to be particularly proud of the lesbian and gay firsts of her native city. Honestly, these were things I never knew. I always considered Stonewall to be the "start" - that is, after all, what we celebrate every June. In 1947, for example, the first lesbian magazine, Vice Versa, was started in L.A. A few years later, the Mattachine Society was born - the child of Harry Hay. Ten years before the Stonewall Riots, drag queens and hustlers in downtown L.A. took to the streets to protest the LAPD’s consistent harassment of them at their hangout, Cooper Donuts. In 1968, Troy Perry founded the first gay church, the Metropolitan Community Church, and in ’71 lesbian and gay Jews had a welcoming place to worship at the nation’s first gay synagogue, Beth Chaim Chadashim. "With L.A., there were all these incredible firsts," said Faderman. "It’s sort of incredible that no one has observed that before, and no one has tried to make a history out of it." Until now, that is. This book is a great read that is both entertaining and educational. The nonfiction addict that I am, Gay L.A. gave me my fix of facts and fun that kept me turning the pages. I really xvanted to kmow what happened next. I can’t wait until we all write the next chapters as we continue to tear down the barriers to our freedom. 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Rodeo Schedule Thursday, May 24, 2007, from 9pm till ?, The Great Plains Rodeo Kick off Party, featuring the current royalty and all former royalty we can encourage to attend, at the Finishline. Friday, May 25, 2007, from 6pm till 9pm, The Great Plains Rodeo Registration Party, featuring contestant registration, a silent auction, and a fundraiser shiny, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 3. Saturday, May 26, 2007, from 8am till ?, Rodeo events with grand entry around noonish at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 6. Tickets are $10.00. Saturday, May 26, 2007, from 6:30pm till 9pm, The Texas Tea Party, featuring the IGRA Royalty, The Texas Royalty and the Oklahoma Royalty, and others, at the COPA. Sunday, May 27, 2007, from 8am till ?, Rodeo events with grand entry around noonish at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 6. Tickets are $10.00. Sunday, May 27, 2007, from 8pm till ?, Rodeo awards ceremony, at the Oklahoma State Fair Park Barn 3. BBQ Dinner $10 per plate advance purchase by end grand entry Sunday see any OGRA royalty member or Officer. You’re guaranteed a fun filled and exciting weekend at Oklahoma’s largest Gay Rodeo. Tickets can be purchased at the gate. For more information go to: www.ogra.net or call 405-290-8779 Jays ModelAgency Talent Search ~ Males 18 to 21 Jays Model Agency is Seeking New Faces for our 2007 Online Gallery ofArtistic Nude, Casual& Formal Wear Models. We Pay Our Models $300 to $500 Call Today (405) 946-5297 See Our Display Ads in Frest~rn~: & Men Magaaine Creating Community for Peop ÷ :ving with H~ViAIDS 50t c (3) Non Profit Organizatio,:t Our House, Too offers a vadoty 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 23 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 25 GAYCO From page 12 With seven players at their Eureka appearance, the troupe delivered a performance that would make the raunchiest of comedians and the driest of analysts proud. Opening their show with a stirring anthem of "gay recruitment" the comedians set the precedent that over the next hour and a half nothing, not even death, would be sacred. Blending lesbian issues and gay issues, the comedy of Gayco had a little something for everybody. Whether it was a widower admitting her secret love for her best friend or the gay man dating the barely eighteen year old, the situations that Gayco created were as real as the performers themselves (even though it may take a few years to see "Baby Time Share" become a reality). ’%V4e like to take hot topics of the day, but also what is going on in our lives," explains Eninger. "Sometimes we’ll have a sketch completely written and sometimes we’ll just improvise it. We use the ensemble to improve each idea and make it better." Eninger says that thanks to the unique backgrounds of each of the core cast members and their crew of artistic associates, that the show is able to have such a wide ranging appeal. "A lot of people in the comedy and improvisational tend to have a broad background, most everyone has some kind of theatrical training and has worked with some kind of improvisational group. You add on to that having a broad based understanding of things like politics, anth. ropology and cultural references to make your jokes as on top of your intelligence as possible." "We all (the cast) have an activist streak in us," Eninger continues, "we all have a message we want to get across that’s paramount, but we’re also not afraid to get a little low brow. Gay people like that too. It’s nice to show a human scene with a couple and just flip to show something like ’Club Uranus.’" During the show, the Gayco Performers were not the only ones who had fun on stage. Participants from an improvisational workshop held the day before xvere invited to become a part of the act. According to the group, one of their favorite parts of touring is reaching out to the communities they visit to help aspiring performers (or those wbo just want to do it for fun) learn a little bit more about their craft. If and when Gayco will returns to Eureka Springs is not yet known, but for the group that travels the world, Diversity Pride is a favorite stop. Be sure not to miss them if you have the chance. 26 the STAR DBA METRO OKC PRIDE EVENT A SUCCESS By Jeanne Flanigan Photo by I~ctor Gorin: Left to Right, Reverend ScottJones ofCathedral ofHope Drag Emcee Ivana Deville, Jeanne Flaniagn. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK~Xhe Diversity Business Association of Metro OKC hosted the Second Annual Silent Auction and Benefit for OKC Pride on March 29 at the Copa. Nick Post and his staff provided a banquet buffet, a festive ambience, and space for 6 locations throughout the club for auction items. The auction included approximately 60 items, ranging from original art to tools and electronics. The benefit made over $7000 for the OKC Pride Festival and Parade, which is celebrating their 20th Anniversary in June. This time the event raised over twice as much as it did last year, thanks largely to entertainers Alison Scott, Lady Spencer, and the magnificent Ivana Deville. Three large items were raffled off, with several generous people buying over 100 tickets each. The club was filled to capacity with many DBA members, a!ong with other movers and shakers of the community. DBA Metro meets twice monthly for networking and educational opportunities. For more information !og on to www.dbametro.org. Drag Queen Bingo _At Cains Ballroom, Tu]lsa. By Randy Vineyard TULSA, OK__On May 4th the Cains Ballroom will play host to yet another historic event. Drag Queen Bingo, benefiting Our House Too sponsored by Regional Aids Funds Ameri-Corp and the Cains. An annual event in Tulsa, this years theme will be "Tulsa’s Dream Girls Present Motown", the 60’s remember. Local celebrities will be performing and a show stopping appearance by Tulsa King Ty West. The event will be hosted by Kris Kohl, a veteran performer of 31 years. Twenty additional fantastic female impersonators will be entertaining you. Prizes for Bingo and door give-a ways have been donated by local business and associations. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now, Milton Harris 918-585-9552. All proceeds will benefit Our House Too a Tulsa area aids outreach activity center. A LANDMAP K GONE \Vho Remembers the Free Spirit? By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Maybe it wasn’t so long ago, or maybe longer ago than some of us might xvant to admit, when OKC’s most fabulous place to dance and party was the Free Spirit. Located at 3121 N. Classen, originally an Episcopalian Church, it first changed to an upscale restaurant called Dino’s Steak & Spaghetti before it became the Free Spirit disco in 1977, owned by Steve Sixbey & managed by Michael Tarr. Affectionately nicknamed "the Spirit"( and its regulars "Spirit Queens") it became the "in" place to be featuring cutting edge dance music, some of Oklahoma’s early fabulous pageants, and even appearances by major artists including Sylvester & Disco Tex/Sex-o-Lets. In 1982 the club became Jazzy’s, a straight club with a predominantly black clientele. It changed back to the gay focused Free Spirit again in 1984, competing head on with Angles which had just opened in 1982, and the war began as to who would be OKC’s premier gay dance dub. The partiers !oved the battle, which resulted in all you could drink for $5 on Fridays and Saturdays at both venues, but the Free Spirit finally capitulated in August of 1984. Again going through a series of straight ventures, it emerged again as a gay club in 1986 renamed "~he Bar," even though it was still referred to as "the Spirit." ~hat venture failed as well, and after a long run as the straight club" Infinity" it made a few more changes before finally closing the doors for good. The building sat abandoned for many years before finally being demolished in March of this year. "Now a vacant lot with a future unforeseen at this time, memories of that place will always inspire priceless memories for some of us to treasure and pass on. www.ozarksstar.com THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest 12am MO BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm "~DNESDAY May 2 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Varie9" Show 10:30pro FINISHHNE: Dart Tournament I0pm THURSDAY May3 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show ~v/Rachad Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent wtShemoane Somemore 10:30pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host. Pancho 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm THE COPA: Mate Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest 12am BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro THE COPA: Varlet7 Shmv 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wtRachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent wlShe~noane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro SATU May5 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9prn GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am SUN THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro CLUB MAJESTIC: /vlajestic Kings Show 10pm. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch LUB b~JESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet THE COPA: P,achael Erikks Show lam-3:30am 10:30pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight. BA!vIBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE COPA: Varieq, Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro THURSDAY M~v 17 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachaet Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent wlShemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHHNE: Dart ~bumament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro THE COPA: \4trieiy Show 10:30pro HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament !0pro THURSDBX May 24 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wt Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore t0:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro \ May [25 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro CLUB NL&JESTIC: Miss Oklal~oma Continental 2007 - Doors open 8pro OGRA: RODEO, OKC OGRA: RODEO. OKC THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am SUN 27 OGRA: RODEO, OKC BAMBOO LOUNGE: Brunch 2pro BIG Memorial Cookout. CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm "H-IE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm MEMORIAL DAY BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro, THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest lam-3:30am Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Kris Kohl Show 8pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm DAY May 30 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE COPA: gariety Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm www,ozarksstar.com BA~MBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachael Erildcs THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. After Dark is a free service to ou~ advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser to inform the STAR in writing of updates, additions or discontinued events, q’he STAR is not responsible for accurac): THE COPA: Open Talent wlShemoane Somemore 10:30pro HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm the STAR 27 "Doodle, Capricorn!" Mercury aligned with the Sun in Taurus makes us stubbornly attached to our ideas. Both orbs clashing with Pluto bring those ideas under harsh scrutiny. Arguments are inevitable but offer chances to learn. ARIES (~arch 20 -April 19): Holding fast to your principles doesn’t require arguing with everyone who disagrees with you. Better to challenge yourself and see if your ideals are strong enough to encompass more than just the ideas you’re comfortable with. TAURUS (April 21) - May 21)): Little disagreements can feel like major personal attacks. Try to shrug them off and relax. A little sexual exploration can take the edge off, although that might also feel like a challenge. Still, it should be a challenge you can rise to! GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)): An erotic retreat with your partner can relieve pressures that are making you feel paranoid. Even if you (~an’t get away, stop imagining hostile agendas behind every conversation. Meditation or a dream journal can help unravel what’s really bothering you. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your long-range vision may cause clashes with colleagues who are locked into accomplishing the task at hand. Helpful as your ideas may be, arguing about them won’t help. Bite your lip, go with the flow, and save your inspirations for later. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Eager to get ahead, you may be pushing too hard. Sit back a bit, strategize, and try to cultivate finesse. Getting into everyone’s face about your brilliance is counter-productive. Let your creativity speak for itself. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Being terribly certain in your ideas can put you at odds with your family or your community. It may well be that you have something important to tell them, but you need to listen in order to be heard. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): The more you struggle against scandal, the more it grows. A bemused response - "Mercy! Who’s telling such silly stories?" - wilt help facilitate a quick change of subject. Or you may prefer a smug, quiet smile that enhances a wicked mystique. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): If you’re partnered, arguments are nearly inevitable for you, with money being the likely trigger. If you’re single, your feistiness will make or break the interest of a potential mate. Arguments now can foreshadow a bigger struggle in six weeks. 28 the STAR SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 o December 20): Safe sex is as important now as ever. Your health is extremely vulnerable right now, especially in erotic situations, but also while you’re at work or exercising. Re-examine your habits at work, working out, and "working it." There’s always room for improvement! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Your efforts at playful repartee may seem a bit artificial, as if you’re trying to hide something that is bothering you. At an unconscious level, you probably are. Doodling, humming, or singing in free association can help provide clues to what’s behind the banter. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): How far do your ambitions and dreams lead you away from the comfort of family or tribe? And how far away do you really need to go? Those questions seem important now. The answers are not comfortable, but neither are they final. PISCES (February 19 - Nlarch 19): The stronger your opinions, the more they’ll be challenged. Do some homework to back up your arguments. You may even learn something that wil! push you to grow and change. Remember, it’s only resistance to change that makes it difficult. FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appointment 41%529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our COITIITIUI~ty Dinner Every Wed. 6pm just $4.00. No one is turned away. www.ozarksstar.com Arkansas, Bentonviile/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org.........888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events - 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 !/2 Spring St ............. 479-253-5795 Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - - 105 E VanBuren....... 479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 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.......479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- - -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center- ............... 479-251-1922 Passages ......930 N. College Ave- 479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave. 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads.......1004 1/2 Garrison Ave........ 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 ......1022 Dodson Ave- - - 479-782-9578 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-~--- 102! Jessie Rd- -501-666-6900 Sidetracks--- 415 Main St--North L.R. 501-244-0444 The Factory ...... 412 Louisiana St.- - 501-372-3070 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave......... 501-375-8580 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 Club Glacier- ........ 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 Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn....w~w.40thstreetinn.com.......816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton BIvd ........ 816-231-1196 Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs -www.hydeskc.com - - 816-561-! 010 Missie B’s....805 W. 39th St- ...............816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge..... 424 Boonville Ave- 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr---518 E. Commerical- 417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub.... 504 E. Commerical. 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive -417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place....821 College............... 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books.... 104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s........ -4810-A West Garriott- ...... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Ingrids Bookstore..... 1124 NW Cache Rd......580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (9~i8) 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 Church of Open Arms......3131 N. Penn...... 405-525-9555 Copa- .2200 NW 39th Exp........405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave........ -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy........405-525-9200 Gushers Restaurant.....2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn -2200 NW 39th Exp....... 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St--405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel.... 3535 NW 39th Exp ....... -405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th- Jungle Reds .......2200 NW Expwy Ledo- .2200 NW Expwy........ Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ....... Partners. 2805 NW 36th St Pec’s- -3535 NW 39th Expw ........ Priscilla’s........ 615 E. Memorial- Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St.......... Rudy’s Place......3535 NW39th Expw........ Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St- The Park 2125 NW 39th St The Patio Topanga Grill & Bar- Tramps- Ziggy’s- -405-843-1722 -405-524-5733 -405-525-0730 -405-681-5044 -405-942-2199 405-947-2351 -405-755-8600 -405-525-5165 -405-947-2351 -405-601-3711 -405-528-4690 3201N. MayAve ......... 405-917-1663 --3535 NW39th -405-917-1663 -2201NW39th. -405-521-9888 -4005 N. Penn- -405-521-9999 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge....7204 E. Pine Border’s Book Store- - - 2740 E, 21st- Border’s Book Store--- 8015 S. Yale Circle Cinema...... !0 S. Lewis- Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder - Club Majestic....... 124 N. Boston Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan Cosmo Deli & Bar- - 6746 S. Memorial Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street........ Hideaway Lounge..... 11730 E. 11th HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st Midtown 319 E. 3rd- 918-836-8700 918-712-9955 918-494-2665 --918-592-3456 918-584-9944 918-584-9494 918-835-3301 -918-459-0497 .918-834-1051 -918-743-4297 918-437-0449 ---918-749-8378 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood.....918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave. -918-585-9552 Priscilla’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. 71st- -918-499-1661 Renegades........ 1649 S. Main -- 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd......... 918-627-1505 Sappho’s...... ~ - 6373-C E 31st St- 918-836-0299 Tulsa CARES.... 3507 E. Admiral PI - - 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle.....1338 E. 3rd ................918-592-1188 TNT’s ......... 2114 S. Memorial- - - 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd....... 2630 E. 15th 918-293-0304 AT A POWNTOWN CHUB, :20 MINUTES hATeR_.- bitter girl email: bittergid@qsyndicate.com 30 the STAR www.joanhilty.net www.ozarksstar.com NWArkansas GLBT CommuniW Center "Lin-ldng Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG 1st furnished or N.W. Oklahoma City gay male residence. Attached ½ bath access to full bath. Laundry facilities available, cable TV. $275 per month all bills paid with 12 month lease. Employed person only, references required Call (405) 521 2131 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, May 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 5 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 01, 2007 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 Jeanne Flanigan Joey D. Paul Wortman James Nimmo Victor Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19 Relation A related resource The Star Magazie, April 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 4 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/202 The Star Magazine, June 1, 2007; Volume 4, issue 6 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/208 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/210 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/c6bd8d30f946cbb8a5f183612933fede.jpg cb24f0560cf9c0f801223ac6bf225a00 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/4e4d0a3d9ab12726c0e453fa0d8f69f9.pdf 7a27ada0399707a79debeec279e8cbed PDF Text Text i �2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Oklahoma’s Discriminatory Laws Prohibit Same Gender Couples The Pdght To Marry. TULSA, OK___On Valentine’s Day, February 14th three same sex couples and approximately 20 supporters marched peacefully through the Tulsa County Courthouse to the second floor licens!~g counter. Each couple in turn asked for a marriage license application. Court Clerk Sally Howe Smith politely presented the application. Once the form was completed the clerk then asked for identification and after a quick review said: "I notice by your I.D. that you are of the same gender. The State of Oklahoma does not allow same gender marriages, therefore.I must decline your application." Photo: Three same gender couples cut the wedding cake that was adorned with two brides toget,§er and two grooms at a reception in the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center: NEW JERSEY GAY COUPLE8 G NTED UR ON UCENSE. (AP) Hundreds of gay couples were granted the same legal rights, if not the title, as married couples Monday as New Jersey became the third state to offer civil unions. More than a dozen other couples applied for licenses for ceremonies later in the week. The civil unions, which 6ffer the legal benefits but not the title of marriage, were granted automatically to hundreds of gay New Jersdy couples who had previously been joined in civil unions or married in other states or nations. Photo: ~vo women ask for a marriage license application at the 7ffdsa Count. court house. The three couples, referred to as "The Love Warriors", walked quietly away from the counter after each where refused a license. The group then boarded a shuttle bus which took them back to the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center where a wedding reception had been prepared. Two brides and two grooms gdorned the wedding cake. Oklahomans for Equality, lead by their tPresident Laura Belmonte, sponsored the demonstration and was held on Valentine’s day in celebration of the 10th anniversary of"Freedom to Marry Week". The goal of the demonstration was to bring awareness to the 1049 benefits allowed opposite sex couples who are legally married in the State of Oklahoma and a call for marriage equality for Oklahoma same gender couples. "It is an equal rights issue", said Belmonte. Oklahomans for Equality is a non-profit organization committed to securing equality for Oklahoma GLBT citizens as well as all Oklahomans. They are now located in their new permanent home inside the Equality Center 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa, celebrated it’s grand opening February 14-18. In honor of the organizations founder Dennis R. Neill the building was named the "Dennis R. Neil Equality Center". v~vw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �A national report titled Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness. "Epidemic" is a strong word to use, but in this case it’s justified. GLBT Homeless Youth - page 5 Lily Tomlin to appear at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center March 18th. African-American comedian Jackie "Moms" Mabley - dubbed "the funniest woman in the world" Gay Travelers "Tucson Arizona’’ Otit of Town "Budget Getaxvays " This month Uncle Mikey recovers from a love affair of epic proportions. I mean whew, that man was just too much. It was like being at the DQ and trying to take that extra dip GLBT Homeless ............ 5 Lily Tomlin ................ 10 OUT in Arkansas ........... 12 Stage .................... 11 Past Out .................. 14 Leslie Jordan ............. 15 The Wine Rack ............. 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: The STAR Interview with Lily Tomlin - page 10 Gay Leslie Jordan to Host 10th Annual Red Ribbon Gala on March 10. -page 15 OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LA~Xq-ON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVtLLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA * WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR ~,vw.ozarksstar.com �LGBT Youth Homelessness: A National Disgrace By Jason Cianciotto piece of federal legislation that directs funding and programming guidelines to homeless youth service providers nationwide, the Congressional Research Service released its own report on youth homelessness in the US. Their report did not include a single mention of LGBT youth. If Congress’s own research arm is unwilling or unable to acknowledge this epidemic, how can we expect our elected officials to address it? I think part of the answer lies in supporting and replicating the successful efforts of service providers and activists at the grassroots level. For example, there’s the street outreach program and drop-in center developed by the Ruth Ellis Center, which predominandy serves LGBT youth of color in Detroit, Mich., and the transitional living program run by Green Chimneys in New York City, which provides safe and supportive housing for LGBT homeless youth for 18 months while preparing them for in&pendent living. Urban Peak in Denver, Colorado has developed specific guidelines for creating a safe space for transgender homeless youth in shelters, given their unique needs and experiences. Photo:Jason Cianciotto The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, in collaboration with the National Coalition for the Homeless, released a national report today titled Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness. "Epidemic" is a strong word to use, but in this case it’s justified. Because most homeless youth service providers are not LGBT-specific, our report also highlights the success While approximately, 3 to 5 percent of the total U.S. population identifies as gay or lesbian, our review of the available academic and professional literature found that an estimated 20 to 40 percent of the up to 1.6 million youth who run away or are homeless each year identify as LGBT. In other words, LGBT youth are grossly overrepresented in the homeless youth population. The report goes into great detail about why LGBT youth are becoming homeless, their experiences on the streets, and the pervasive harassment and discrimination they experience at many homeless service providers. Just as important are the model service practices and policy recommendations also included in the report, which if implemented nationwide would help to curb this epidemic and truly make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable youth. Several weeks ago, I received what is perhaps the greatest example of the hard work ahead of us as we use this report to educate politicians, policymakers and service providers. In anticipation of the 2008 renewal of the Runaway, Homeless and Missing Children Protection Act (RHMCPA), the primary www.ozarksstar.com of Ozone House, in Ann Arbor, Mich., an organization that serves all homeless youth but has specifically striven to create an LGBT-safe space. Waltham House in Massachusetts has even developed a program that has provided LGBT cultural competency training to over 2,000 employees at the state Department of Social Services. While the programs highlighted in our report may be the exception today, they are replicable anywhere in the country. Indeed, one of our critical aims and hopes is that service providers and social service agencies will see this report as a wake-up call to the crisis of homelessness among LGBT youth. Some may already work with this population and learn from one of our contributors about how to enrich an existing program. Others might know they need to reach out to LGBT youth but need additional guidance on how to do so. Continued page-23 the STAR 5 �Oklahoma Activist Named to Board of National Stonewall Democrats Oklahoma Chapter MaiFltains Strong Presence on National Board By James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats (~x~9.0kstonewall.org) announced today that activist and poht~cal consultant Linda Gray Murphy of Oklahoma City has been named to the Board of Directors for National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) (,wvw:stonewalldemocrats.org). She will begin a two-year term in March as a delegate from Region 6, representing Iowa, Missouri, A~kansas, Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Her election continues the strong presence that Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats (OSD) has had on the national board for the last three years, beginning with the late activist and lobbyist Keith Smith. Ms. Murphy and Mr. Smith, both Yellow Dog Democrats, were close allies in advocating for the betterment of Oklahoma’s citizens through work in many progressive issues such as equality for gay people, women’s health dare, and the environment. Ms. Murphy is well kmown throughout Oklahoma and Texas for her work with political campaigns and progressive causes, with her latest victory being the election of A1 McAffrey to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. She serves as executive director and spokesperson for WorkAng Families Project (wvwv.workingfamiliesproject. corn), a statewide organization to increase the minimum wage and improve the lives of all Oklahomans. Membership growth in Stonewall Democrats, the only ga~ lesbian, bisexual and transgender organization recognized by the National Democratic Party, has prompted recent expansion of Region 6 representation on the NSD board from three to five delegates. Ms. Murphy will join Olga Hernandez of San Antonio as female delegates. Four candidates will vie for the three remaining positions. They include incumbent national board members Jesse Garcia and Buck Massey, both of Texas, and two Oklahoma City men, Steve VanHook and Colin Raley. VanHook has served OSD as interim co-chair since early December. The lowest vote-getter in February’s regional elections is expected to be named an alternate delegate, attending when a regular delegate cannot. Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, with nearly 200 current members, is constitutionally recognized as an active dub of the Oklahoma Democratic Party (www.okdemocrats.org) with a voting seat on the state party’s governing Central Committee. The Stonewall organization is dedicated to achieving ful! equality for America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens, and its members work in campaigns and raise money for both openly gay and gay-friendly Democratic candidates at all levels of government. 6 the STAR w~rw.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �PRELIM TO MiSS GAY OKLAHOMA AMERICA April 4, 2007 10:00 PM @The Copa, OKC OK CONTESTANT INQUIRES CALL MARK OR JAMES (NIKKI STARR) (580) 216-2715 must be 21 yrs old to enter 8 the STAR colt5294@yahoo.com www.ozarksstar.com �pancakes ~nd, just trying to g~t book, music ~. lyrics by Jerry Rabushka (of Somebody ~Ise~s Life) WOOFI wags Oklahoma~t TULSA: March 2~3, 8:00pro Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. 4th St, Reservations: 918-633-8666 OK. CtTY: March 23~24, 8:00 P~ IAO Galle~: 81! N. Broadway Re~ations: 314-280-1035 Dir~ions: 40~232~060 ~e~: $10; ~5.~ s~dent~senio~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 �Evenin Coming Interview by: Victor Gorin An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin is a nostalgic and warm presentation of Lily’s "greatest hits," with more than a dozen of her famous characters, including the precocious six-year-old Edith Ann; the irascible telephone operator, Ernestine; the aging beauty adviser, Madame Lupe; Lucille, the rubber addict; prim Judith Beasley from Calumet City, Indiana; and Lily’s most profound character, Trudy, the street lady who starred in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. THE INTERVIEW: VICTOR: Well hello Lily, and welcome to Oklahoma. When did you last perform here? LILY: Many years ago, it must have been in the 70s. VICTOR: Your entertainment career has spanned over 4 decades, and a lot of changes have happened in show business. What major changes have you noticed and what has stayed the same? LILY: Well, it’s all in how you approach it, what your own sensibility is, whatever you think is funny and how you deal with it, matter of nuance and style. Certainly a lot of barriers have been knocked dmvn. I can remember when the word "ass" said on network TV was unheard of. VICTOR: Well it was a different world when you began viewing corned}; when you favorites included Lucille Ball & Jean Carroll, the first female standup comic on the Ed Sullivan Shiny. When you started college to study medicine, was that just to be practical when you really wanted to be in entertainment? LILY: (laughs) I was just a blue collar kid who grew up in inner city Detroit. I mean you were supposed to be serious about getting a job, a career. Being a doctor seemed like a very noble thing to aspire to, and there was quite a reverence for doctors in those days. In my neighborhood though, 10 the STAR we were grateful if boys didn’t wind up in the slammer or girls didn’t get pregnant. VICTOR: Well, you managed to avoid both. Among your many personas, my true favorite was the telephone operator Ernestine, who won you a Grammy Award for a comedy album. She became part of our culture, and as a former long distance operator myself, you can see why she’s dear to me. LILY: While I had never been an actual telephone operator, I did march in a picket line with the operators in 1971 during a strike in San Francisco. The Communications \gorkers of,4anerica awarded me a "Cracked Bell Award" for standing with them. I owe everything to Ernestine, and she knows it! She’s like a real person to me, and like people such as Bette Davis, she’s one everybody tries to imitate. VICTOR: Back in Ernestine’s day, did you ever think there would be shows like "Will and Grace"? LILY: No probably not. It’s kind of evolutionary. Hlen having the success she has had is remarkable, and a whole generation has grown up with that support and knowledge. I can relate, I was in the middle. I knew of performers in the 40s and 50s who were suppressed, repressed & oppressed. VICTOR: I loved your role in the movie "9 to 5" which, although a comedy, really depicted the issues of working people. Can you see workers and the gay communit-y coming together for positive change, particularly in the political area? LILY: Any groups working for change are usually coming from an outsider status, so they can align themselves with others who are disenfranchised so that opens doors for everybody. I might also add that I’d like a new president! ........................... Continued lvage 13 www.ozarksstar.com �Coming to Tulsa and Oklahoma City. By Staff Reporter ST LOUIS, MO__Ragged Blade presents "Woof, The Road Show," a two man minimusical with Zach Jett & Jerry Rabushka. Book, lyrics & music by Jerry Rabushka A script that keeps changing, and love that keeps threatening to cross from on stage to back stage, and lots of silly jokes. Woofl is a mini-musical about dogs, pancakes, and just trying to get some. Don’t you just hate it when you’re trying to make out and there’s a dog panting at your feet? Woofl Adam and Jon are touring a show. A gay romance, come to think, that Adam wrote without realizing he’d have to deal ~vith an acting partner who keeps trying to make it happen in real life. If that’s not bad enough.., a group of frustrated writers (not to mention the Wednesday Mah Jongg club) keep xvorkshopping the play and our poor actors never know what’s in the script from one show to the next. Oh, and then there’s... Woody. You know, that "hot" stage hand who took up a career in theater so he could sleep with touring actors. He’s had his way with Jon and Adam... so they like each other to think. Poor Woody, he meets his demise more often than Kenny in South Park. What happens when he goes to an Annie cast party? It’s too scary to mention. Can they ever transfer the on stage love to back stage.., even if there’s a clause in the contract that forbids it? It’s an unusual play with dry humor, a bit of a vaudeville style, and some great fun. JERRY RABUSHKA is a St. Louis based writer, composer, actor, and director and a co-founder of Ragged Blade productions, a company that produces original theatre and also produces touring artists. Rabushka has won awards for several plays including The Checkpoint, Kiss of Death, and Empty Closets; he received the Director’s Award For Outstanding Service (to the GLBT www.ozarksstar.corn theater community) at the 2006 National Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival (Columbus, OH). He’s had about 80 scripts of various lengths published by Brooklyn Publishers, Odessa, TX. His solo piano CD "Piano 362" was nominated for "Outstanding Instrumental Recording" by NYC based Outmusic in 2003. ZACH JETT is a St. Louis area actor & singer who has performed in a number of musicals and is currently in his third show with Ragged Blade. "Jett’s experience shows through his command of the stage, his vocal ability, and how well he looks in a dog collar," says critic Tamitra Williford, KDHX Radio, St. Louis. RAGGED BLADE has been to Tulsa and OKC with Rabushka’s one-man show "Somebody Else’s Life." The Nightingale Theatre also produced his play Love of Last Resort in 2006. His play "Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew," commissioned by award winning performer, recording artist & Comedy Central personality Jade Esteban Estrada, premiered at the IAO Gallery February 16 & 17, 2007. Woofl The Road Show will be in Tulsa March 2-3, 8 PM Nightingale Theater 1416 E. 4th St. (at Peoria) TULSA, OK, 74120 Info/Reservations for TULSA: 918-6338666 March 23-24, 8 PM, IAO Gallery 811 N. Broadway, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73102 Info/Reservations for OKC: 314-280-1035. Directions 405-232-6060 Admission for both: $10; $5 students/seniors. For more information please visit www. raggedblade.com the STAR 11 �/ a 41; GAYLIEN \VEEY ND" SPRING DIVERSITY \VEEKEND April 13-15, 2007 EUR£KA SPRINGS, AR~Spring Diversity is falling on the same weekend as the annual UFO Conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Many visitors asked for Diversity Weekend to be delayed one week, so they could be home with their families for Easter. On Saturday night, everyone is encouraged to dress in Gaylien themed costumes and artists ~vill be available to create one of a kind Face Art just for you. Eureka will be filled with festive Gayliens and you may just win a prize! Deborah Rose with Diversity Pride Events Productions, proudly announces the return of the popular "GAYCO gang", a hysterical comedy troupe born from members of Chicago’s famous "SECOND CITY". Last Spring’s production was a big hit. ~lere will be 2 performances, a 2pm Matinee and 7:30pm evening show. (Ticket info available online) And YOU could be on stage with GAYCO! By taking a special workshop on Friday 14pm with GAYCO coaches, class members will have the option to perform Saturday in an improv/sketch on stage with GAYCO! Experienced or non-experienced, the class will be loads of fun and your friends will be amazed to see you on stage at the showi Must RSVP and pre-pay online. 12 the STAR There will be DPE’s "DIVERSITY BIKERS" contests and Poker Run. Our golden oldies dance, newly named "RETRO DANCE & CABARET" at Caribe’s Restaurante y Cantina, featuring the fabulous Mary King from Oklahoma, DJing and singing, plus invited guest singers. It’s not just a dance, it’s a social! (Emaii us your requests for your favorite dance hits now, so Mary will have time to get them) Don’t forget to drop in to the "PRINCESS WELCOME MIXER" at Caribe’s always on Friday night 7 to 9pro to mix and mingle with Gayco cast members, locals and visitors. Be sure to pick up a copy of the DIVERSITY GUIDE and get the scoop on Eureka and weekend happenings. Of course there will be many more events sponsored by others, great shopping, dining and that great sense of freedom and friendliness that blows through Eureka! More details will be posted as soon as confirmed. Be sure to keep checking Diversitypride. corn for updates. CONTACT DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS Deborah Rose 479-253-2555 Email: deborah@diversitypride.corn Web: http://xvwxv.diversitypride.com Community for People living D8 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 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 �LILY TOMLIN INTERVIEW: By Strengthening Your Business VICTOR: I’m with you there. But focusing on you, since you’ve been involved with almost every form of media there is, what are your goals now and where is your career going? LILY: I like to keep my hand in by performing live, and I do and 40 or 50 concerts a year. I have a part in a new HBO series, "Twelve Miles of Bad Roads," a comedy drama series where I play a matriarch of a very rich Dallas real estate family. Mary Kay Place plays my sister, Leslie Jordan is my cousin Kenny, and I deal with 3 out of control loaded ldds. TULSA, OK__Diversity Business Association of Tulsa, a program of Oklahomans for Equality, is off and running! Join us at our monthly meeting, held the first Thursday of each month at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. DBAT provides a forum to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business and professional community and its allies for the purpose of networking, professional development, creating increased visibility and strengthening relationships among business and professional community members. VICTOR: Sounds like a load of fun! LILY: We hope it will be, and it will go on the air next year. I also ¯ have a part in an upcoming movie, ’The Walker,’ so I’m always looking for new opportunities. VICTOR: Well ~ve certainly wish you luck, and we welcome the opportunity to see your performance in Tulsa. Tomlin has remained at the top of her game for almost 40 years, winning six Emmys, two Tonys, a Grammy and two Peabody Awards. She was a favorite of the late great director Robert Altman, appearing in several of his movies, including her Academy Awardnominated role in Nashville and with Meryl Streep as a countrywestern sister act in Altman’s final film A Prairie Home Companion. She was equally unforgettable in 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton, in Big Business with Bette Midler, and as an eccentric rich woman whose soul invades Steve Martin’s body in All of Me. In 2003, she received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. It will be a night of cerebral comedy vcoven among Lily’s affectionate reminiscences about her childhood in the Midwest. March 18th at 7 p.m. Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chapman Music Hall. Tickets can be purchased online at www.MyTicketoffice.com or by phone at 918 596 7111. Networking is key to business and a cornerstone of the DBAT mission. The DBAT business network fosters a sharing of information, ideas, and contacts and so strengthens and expands our businesses, careers and our community. Additionally, the Professional Development Programs offered by DBAT at our monthly meeting enables members to access information and resources that are important to the growth, promotion, and visibility of their businesses. DBAT’s 2007 agenda includes a number of events, most exciting of which is the Diversity Business Expo and the distribution of the new Pride Business Directory planned for June. A presence on the web is also in the works as well as community workshops and socials. Get Involved! Get Connected! Join DBAT today and learn, participate and lead in the most dynamic business climate in the LGBT community. For more information on membership, including the many benefits, contact Susan Hartman at slhartman@cox.net or 918-274-1699. TWO F RST’$ FOR TULSA’S; LEATHER BAR By Michael Leach TULSA, OK The Tulsa Eagle recently had its First Fundraiser and performance by a female impersonator all in the same night. On, Saturday, Jan. 20th the current Mr. Tulsa Eagle 2006, Mr. Jay Whiteside had a fundraiser and celebrated his birthday by presenting a Benefit for the HOPE Testing Clinic. Hosted by Miss Kimbefly Foxx and Mr. Jay Whiteside, there was live entertainment and many comedy numbers by Mr. Jay and Clogger Bill. The Benefit included a silent auction, with many items donated by Coral West, Priscillas, Tulsa Rough Riders and the support of T.U.L.S.A. and the Driller Bears. A grand total of $615.00,was raised for the HOPE Testing Clinic, and Mr. Tulsa Eagle presented the money to HOPE Testing Clinic the following Wednesday. Many thanks for all the support and help by all the organizations that made this Fundraiser a success, and also gave Jay a wonderful 54th birthday celebration. wvo,v.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 �was ]ackAe "Morns" Mabley? African-American comedian Jackie "Moms" Mabley - dubbed "the funniest woman in the world" - was known for her ribald humor about young men, but her personal relationships were often with women. The great-granddaughter of a slave and one of 12 children, Mabley was born Loretta Mary Aiken in March 1894 (some historians say 1897) in Brevard, N.C. When she was 11, her father, a businessman and volunteer firefighter, was killed when his fire truck exploded. Not long thereafter, her mother died after she was hit by a mail truck one Christmas morning. By the time she turned 13, Mabley had been raped twice - first by an older black man and later by a white sheriff- which resulted in two pregnancies; the babies were put up for adoption. In her early teens, at the urgleft home and moved to a m~msters family. Before show, beginning as a sing.er to comedy. While traveling performing for black audiwith fellow entertainer Jack daughter. To allay the embarabout her stage career, she own. "He took a lot off me, his name," she said in a 1974 nickname "Moms" for the younger performers. ing of her grandmother, Mabley Cleveland, where she lived with long, she joined a minstrel and dancer but soon turning the vaudeville "chitlin circuit" ences, she began a relationship Mabley, and the couple had a rassment of one of her brothers adopted Mabley’s name as her so the least I could do was take interview. She later earned the maternal role she took with a solo stand-up comedian, and African-American woman to do vaudeville couple, Butterbeans and Susie, saw Mabley’s show in Texas and invited her to join them. She was soon performing at legendary Harlem venues, including the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom, sharing the bill with jazz greats such as Count Basle and Duke Ellington. Mabley began performing as is widely regarded as the first so. In 1921, a well-known During the Harlem Renaissance, Mabley was part of a circle of black vaudeville performers and jazz and blues musicians known or believed to have been gay, lesbian, or bisexual, including Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Mabel Hampton, Bessie Smith, and Ma Rainey. Although she had relationships with women - and sometimes let slip innuendos about affairs with both women and men - Mabley was not publicly open about her sexuality. As the Depression put a halt to the Roaring ’20s, Mabley became one of the most sought-after black performers. In 1931, she co-wrote a Broadway play, _Fast and Furious: A Colored Revue in 37 Scenes_, with author Zora Neale Hurston. Starting in the late 1930s, Mabley began performing at the Apollo "l~eater; over two decades, she became the club’s most frequently featured act, and at the height of her career she was earning $10,000 per week. the black circuit - Mabley broke through the color barrier and gained considerable mainstream success, likely because white audiences found her frumpy character nonthreatening despite her biting wit and edgy themes. By this time an actual toothless old woman, Mabley performed at large venues such as the Chicago Playboy Club and Carnegie Hall, recorded some two dozen comedy albums (becoming Billboard’s highest-ranking female comedian), and made numerous appearances on television variety shows hosted by the likes ofMerv Grit~n, Bill Cosby, and the Smothers Brothers. Mabley continued working until the end of her life, starring in the film _Amazing Grace_ (1974) - in which she plays a fed-up elderly woman who becomes a community organizer and takes on Baltimore’s political establishment - the year before her death in ~/hite Plains, N.Y., on May 23, 1975. Though surprisingly unknown to contemporary audiences, Mabtey had a profound influence and served as a rote model for countless comedians, especially African Americans and women. In the words of author Mel Watkins, Mabley’s work "foreshadowed the shift to direct social commentary" that became a mainstay of comedy by the late 1950s, and "anticipated the assertive sexual humor unveiled by female stand-up comics in the eighties." For further reading: Gomez, Jewelle. 1993. Forty-Three Septembers (Firebrand). Watkins, Mel. 1999. On the Real Side: A History of African-American Comedy from Slavery to Chris Rock (Lawrence Hill Books). Williams, Elsie. 1991. "Morns Mabley and the Afro-~nerican Comic Performance." In \Vomen’s Comic Visions, ed. June Sochen (Wayne State University Press). Well before she became an old woraan herself, Mabley developed her signature character, a ribald granny dressed in a housedress, slippers, and a floppy hat (inspired, she said, by her own grandmother). Delivered in a characteristic raspy voice, her brand of humor tended toward social satire, often addressing the hardships of poverty and racism. While she may have preferred women in her personal life, Mabley became known for her jokes about pursuing young men, coupled with her disdain for old ones and their attempts to wield control over women. "There ain’t nothing an old man can do for me except bring me a message from a young one," she famously quipped In her 60s - unlike most performers on 14 the STAR ~.,.ozarksstar.com �Leslie Jordan to Host l Oth Annua Red Ribbon Gala on March "~xe best part about the Red Ribbon Gala is that is supports the ongoing efforts of Tulsa C.A.R.E.S.," Pat Chernicky, event co-chair said. "For 15 years, Tulsa CARES has been providing support services to the individuals no one has wanted to serve. Without the proceeds from the Red Ribbon Gala our ability to provide these crucial services would cease." A United Way agency, Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. provides a variety of services including professional case management and mental health counseling, food pantry and nutrition services, financial help with rent and utilities, plus information and resources to help family members. "The Red Ribbon Gala 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 500 individuals a year," Robert Coffey, co-chair and board president said. "This event is one of Tulsa’s most elegant, yet worthwhile affairs. HIV does not affect a special group of people; it doesn’t discriminate, it affects all of us." For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Bruce Lewis at (918) 834-4194 or brucel@tulsacares.org TULSA, OK__With the date set, the menu selected and the talent chosen, the 10th Annual Red Ribbon Gala is set to be a remarkable evening for all who attend. The Master of Ceremonies is none other than Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan, who is best known for his roles on Will & Grace, Boston Legal and Reba. Jordan is currently filming the HBO pilot "12 Miles of Bad Road "with Lily Tomlin and Mary Kay Place and staring in the new CW show "Hidden Palms." ~l-he local band, Hero Factor, will provide the musical entertainment for the fun-filled evening and this year’s honorary chair is Suzanne Warren. The Red Ribbon Gala will be held in the recently completed Grand Ballroom at Southern Hills Country Club, 2636 E. 61st Street, on Saturday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. The event is the largest fundraiser for Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. (Center for AIDS Resources, Education and Support), an organization that provides social services for low-income men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS throughout northeastern Oklahoma. This year’s Red Ribbon Gala will be a delight to the senses as a fabulous red martini bar will accompany the beautiful floral arrangements created by board member Toni Garner. The fun-filled evening will include a live and silent auction offering amazing vacation packages, private dinner parties, stellar antiques, flowers for a year, one-of-a-kind paintings from Patrick Gordon and Matt Moffett and original cuff links created by board member Susan Sadler. www.ozarksstar.com 1.-800o535oNDS (2437) Oklahoma’s H~V/STD HerOine ~Preocupado con V.I.H~ en su comunidad? maestro salud quien pueda trabajar el tiempo eompleto/un examinador dei V.LH. quie~ es bilingtie con espafiol v ingles Ventajas fantastieas! Causas fantasticas! Pot favor llama 918.749.8378 Conoee su eslado...Haee un dii~reneia the STAR 15 �nder We are always looking for a bargain and it’s hard to know sometimes which ,,vines are the best buys. Well we hope to shed some light on this for those of you who want to bring a good wine to a dinner party or to share with friends. We all want quality taste with out breaking the bank. There IS a difference between cheap and inexpensive. None of us are born with an infinite knowledge of wine and we all have to start somewhere. I think of myself as one of the kings when it comes to finding quality/low budget wines. I enjoy visiting the ,,vine shops here in Tulsa and I have found some really cool bottles ofvino. Check these out! ~he reds Terrazas (Argentina) Malbec, Cabernet The wines from this vineyard always seem to be well balanced and fruit fo~vard. A Mano ( Italy ) Primitivo Thought to have been of the Zinfandel lineage and every vintage consistently rates very highly. Black Opal ( Australia ) Cab/Merlot This label has come down in price recently and all the verietals they produce are not only a good bargain but the taste is right in the pocket. for those who like ABC white wines (anything but Chardonnay). Pepperwood Grove Viognier This is one of my favorites. The next step up for this grape by other vineyards is about 2 or 3 times the price and that doesn’t mean that they will taste any better. Pepperwood Grove Riesling This is a new-comer to the P G stable. This label just recently started distributing this varietal. Again, a true value. ’ ¯ Schlink Haus ( Germany ) Riesting: Kabinet A fruit forward wine/not too sweet. Pilar Box White This wine is a mixture of 3 grape varietals Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho. Give this one a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the flavor. Marquis de la Tour/Sparkling wine France A truly great find/good balance of fruit forwardness & bubbles. As I always suggest, go and visit your local wine shop. See your retail specialist and ask questions. If you’re so inclined, share some bottles with friends over dinner! Bon Appetit! Cline Cellars Red Truck This vineyard is better ka~own for bigger budget wines and this one is a good sipping wine to share at social gatherings and the like. Bitch Grenache ( Australia ) This is a newbie in this market from the land down under. The Aussies seem to do quite well with this grape. This one is highly rated. Good sipping wine/not just with food. Pepperwood Grove Old Vine Zinfandel This, like nearly all of the wines under this label, gives you real big bang for the buck because these verticals so closely resemble the flavor and body of more expensive wines without tasting as low in quality as they’re priced. The old vine Zin is quite exceptional and will hold up strongly next to other Zin’s 2 or 3 times the money. Marchesi Di Barolo Barbera D’alba This is a new discovery for me. It comes highly recommended by a well know local retail wine buyer. I visited this wine-growing region in Italy. The wines from this part of the world are quite good. This grape not only pairs well xvith foods but after it’s been open for a while, it seems to take on a rich more flavorful state. ¯he whites Fazi Battaglia Verdicchio This wine from one of Italy’s oldest wine-making families is quite a find. The grape is found only in this part of the world and it’s great the -~TA~ Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & D~VERSE market. Call STAR ADVERT~SING today. www.ozarksstar.com �-TIRAMISUIngredients: 6 Egg Yolks 6 ounces Sugar 2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract 8 ounces Mascarpone Cheese 1 Cup Manufacturing Cream 2 Cups Strong Expresso Coffee 2 Cup Packages of Lady Fingers 2 Tsp. Cocoa Powder For Dusting In a mixing bowl, add yolks, sugar and vanilla. Beat until foaming. Add mascarpone and beat until creamy and smooth. Whip cream to soft peaks. Carefully fold whipped cream into egg yolk mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes. Place espresso in shallow bowl and quickly dip lady fingers into espresso. Place lady fingers on towel lined baking sheets to absorb excess espresso. Using individual molds or a 3 inch deep baking dish (for self-serve dessert buffets) spread a layer of cream mixture on the bottom of mold, then the espresso dipped lady fingers. Repeat this until you reach top of the mold making sure you smooth cream mixture with a spatula. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Dust with cocoa powder just before serving. Serve with vanilla or chocolate sauce. More on ChefCelestin6 Drago and DRAGO pag, 1.9. ��Her ~ Jus~ surpasses expectations." This j alike since 1991, winning: Owner Cele,~tino Drago, top 5 Italian restaurams in by Drago and executed by the late. Brenr Saville, Drago radiates Understated, casual elegance. tL~ven is a multi menu mi artist behind Deer that Southern California has to offer. Raven. "Ihey are located at 2628 \Vitshire Blvd. in Santa fornia, %eir telephone number for reservations is 310-828q585. "Iheir hours are/£~londav thru Friday 11:30 Ab! to 3 PM for lunc 5:30 PM m 11:00 PM ~or dinner ai~d Sunday, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. 2628 Wilshire Blvd. artwork. com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR �One of the most exciting and colo~l ways to experience North-Central New Mexico is by taking a hot-air balloon ride over the Rio Grande. (Photo byAndrew Collins) rugged Pacific Coast. Accommodations tend to be rustic, which fits xvith the region’s verdant setting, and restaurants favor simpler and less expensive fare than what you’ll find in the swankier eastern reaches of Sonoma County, where most of the areas wineries are located. If you and your honey love wine-tasting, hiking, and canoeing together, the Russian River is ideal. Salt Spring Island, British Columbia MARCH 2007 By Andrew Collins People often tell me they haven’t gone on a vacation in the past six months or year - sometimes longer - because they can’t afford to travel. This is especially true of singles, who anticipate higher costs without a partner to share expenses. True enough, there are a number of cities out there with prohibitively high hotel rates. But there are also quite a few lively and enchanting gay-popular destinations that can be enjoyed on a relatively tight budget, especially if you visit during slower times of the year. Here’s a rundown of 10 terrific destinations for budget-minded gay travelers. The first five are ideally suited for couples; the next five are great choices if you’re unattached. Traveling with your mate? Provincetown, Massachusetts Although Provincetown is a great place to meet singles during the busy and pricey summer high season, the rest of the year is perfect for couples seeking romance. And because prices fall off significantly after Labor Day and even more dramatically in winter, it’s a destination that can work for almost any budget. After the summer crowds have subsided, Provincetown is a quiet and low-keyed retreat. Its remote location, seemingly at the end of the earth, imbues this scenic beach town with an air of seclusion. It can be awfully romantic here in the fall, or even winter, when you’re cozied up in a quiet inn. Even the most luxurious guesthouses often drop their off-season rates to well below $100 nightly. Salt Spring Island is a stunning, hilly little gem off the east coast of Vancouver Island, ~vithin an afternoon’s combined ferry/car trip from the cities of Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle. There has long been a strong lesbian and - and to a somewhat lesser degree - gay male presence on this island of artist studios, great beaches, and picturesque mountain-biking and kayaking. Several B&Bs here are either gay-owned or quite queer-friendly, and it’s very easy to find a room for under $100. North-Central New Mexico North-Central New Mexico makes for the perfect weeklong romantic adventure. You can divide your time among a tiny, alluring village (Tats), a midsize city with some fun places to dance and eat out (Albuquerque), and a hybrid of the two (Santa Fe) - it takes about 60 minutes to drive between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and 90 minutes between Santa Fe and Taos. Santa Fe is the priciest of the three communities, so you might want to base your overnight operations primarily in Albuquerque and Taos, which each have myriad accommodations under $100 nightly, from gay-friendly B&Bs to funky retro-hip motels. Even in Santa Fe, however, you can find some appealing places to stay that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. There are also scenic campgrounds set around the area and, wherever you awaken, it’ll be to views of the region’s spectacular Sangre de Cristo and Sandia mountains. Although plenty of fancy upscale restaurants have opened in these parts in recent years, it’s still easy to eat cheaply at local - and often excellent - hangouts serving burgers and blue-corn enchiladas. Etrreka Springs, Arkansas Russian River, California Gay residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area have long favored this snug, woodsy riverresort area in western Sonoma County, midway between the fabled Wine Country and the 20 the STAR A curious hilltop village in the heart of Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a favorite getaway of both conservative www.ozarksstar.com �Christians and gay people. How these two seemingly at-odds factions vacation together So peacefully is anybody’s guess, but they do. It helps that most of the queer folk tend to stay in the historic, renovated, and downright bargain-priced Victorian inns closer to the center of town, while religious groups favor the properties on the main roads leading in and out of the village. The downtown has blossomed in recent years with a growing number of antiques shops and galleries, and the restaurant scene is sophisticated while still providing great value. Despite the many gay-owned businesses here, this isn’t a nightlife mecca. Eureka Springs is definitely BYOB - bring your own bedmate. Single and looking? Chicago, Illinois Vibrant and friendly low-attitude bars and clubs and a slew of cheap but delicious dining destinations entice impecunious gay travelers to the nation’s third-largest city, a world-class destination by aW measure. Beaches, lakeshore parks, and funky budget-friendly neighborhoods like \Vicker Park, Bucktown, and Andersonville add to the lure of this easy-on-the-pocket city. Downtown business-oriented hotels can be costly, but you’ll find a handful of small, reasonably priced motels, hotels, and inns to the north, in or near the city’s gaypopular Lakeview neighborhood. Chicago’s glorious skyline is free to admire. To see even more, the Chicago Transit Authority (www. transitchicago.com) visitor passes provide unlimited CTA transportation for one to five days, allowing you to save your dollars for more meaningful expenses. Montreal, Quebec For U.S. travelers, Canada is less of a bargain than it was five years ago, as the Canadian dollar has gained considerable strength against U.S. currency. Still, Montreal can be a steal, with numerous gay-friendly hotels and inns charging as little as $50 or $60 per night. This fun-loving city is a great destination for bar-hoppers - the singles scene is frisky and sexy, and sultry gay saunas dot the landscape, appealing to guys of all ages and tastes. The city also has dozens of affordable cafes and coffeehouses, many of them in the hip Gay Village. Sacramento, California California’s underrated capital is, to be frank, a dark-horse candidate as one of the nation’s top gay singles destinations, but keep an open mind. The city is within a two-hour drive of much pricier places, including San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country, and yet here you can easily find rooms for under $100 nightly. Sacramento boasts a vibrant (if not particularly conspicuous) gay community that is remarkably friendly and diverse in age - it’s a pretty easy place to meet the locals. The dining scene here is excellent, and accommodations range from the gay-owned and upscale Inn at Parkside and Hartley House Inn to a slew of cheap and comfortable chain motels right in the center of the city, within walking distance of the several fun bars, coffeehouses, and restaurants. Austin, Texas Queer Austin folks like to say that they live in the "un-Texas" Texas, a land of green rolling hills, beautiful lakes and rivers, a progressive populace, and an urbane alternative arts and music scene. As Austin has boomed with dot-comers and entrepreneurs in recent years, its costs have risen, but it’s still a good value, especially when it comes to dining out - Austin has scads of superb restaurants in all price categories. The bar scene is compact and the crowds friendly, and the presence of the University of Texas adds a youthful edge. There’s a great gay swimming and sunning hole, Hippie Hollow, just west of the city - a free and friendly spot to cruise and make new friends. Pordand, Oregon Like Austin, funky Portland has received plenty of attention and an influx of newcomers in recent years, but it’s still a scaled-down, user-friendly city that offers much of the culture, attitude, and excitement of Seattle and San Francisco at a fraction of the price. The midsize metropolis sits on the pretty Willamette River. Foodies recognize it as one of America’s great gourmet bargains, and fans of historic hotels and inns appreciate the reasonable rates offered at several excellent properties within walking distance of the gay bars along Stark Street. The feminist scene here is one of America’s most pronounced, making this a potentially excellent vacation spot if you’re a single lesbian hoping to find a like-minded soul. www.ozarksstar.com the ,STAR 21 �MARCH 2007 Are We There Yet? By the time we actually get to vote for our next president, the majority of,aanericans may feel like little children in the back seat of the c~ir asking Mommy and Daddy, "Are we there yet?" The furious nature in which politicos from both sides of the aisle are jockeying, posturing, and pontificating is sure to bring a whiplash effect to the voters - in the long run, the 2008 presidential election will just be a pain in the neck, and we’ll vote for the candidate who gives us the best political pain killers. But who will those two final candidates be? Do we, as a high-voter turnout community, have a real chance to impact the nominee of the Democratic Party? After all, the overwhelming majority of us vote that way. Well, if you live in the states where the Democratic primaries are held in January and February of 2008, then yes - your votes will count toward the Democrats’ pick. As the political calendar shapes up, it seems that 20 Democratic caucuses and primaries will almost definitely be held by February 28, 2008, ~vith a majority taking place on what us political junkies call "Super Tuesday" - February 5. The new wrinkle in this schedule is that powerhouse states such as California, Florida, and New Jersey are toying with the idea of moving up their primaries to the first Tuesday in Februar); as ~vell. (As of press time, it looked like California’s bill to move its primary date was on the fast track to Arnold’s desk for signature.) If that’s the case, everything ~vill be over but the shouting - whoever comes out the victor on Super Tuesday 2008 will be the Democratic nominee. What I’ve been wondering about is the differences on our issues among all the Democratic candidates. That’s a big enough chunk of votes to swing a primary race. Bajko says the primary candidates in states with large numbers of LGBT voters will have to address issues such as repealing "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," gay adoptions, and civil unions vs. marriage. It’s during the primaries that the proverbial wheat ~vill be separated from the chaf~: None of the three leading candidates support same-sex marriage. It’s how they handle the issue and the honesty with which they speak that will sway us. For some reason, Tim Russert, the moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, has been routinely asking presidential aspirants how they feel about same-sex marriage. When John Edwards appeared, he was honest about his struggle. He didn’t just reel off the standard pablum about civil unions. He spoke honestly about his Southern Baptist roots, but also his desire to be fair to all. I could respect that. Hillary’s position on our unions is "evolving" - as strategic a political answer as they come - but she, as well as the rest of the Democratic gang, oppose a federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and hate-crimes legislation. Most of them also want to repeal "Don"t Ask, Don’t Tell." Try as I might, I can’t find a thing about Obama’s position on this. But he has made one viewpoint abundantly clear - living free from discrimination is a human right, but being able to marry whomever you want is not. It’s a shame Obama can’t make the connection between our right to love and his parents’. His father was from Kenya, his mother a white woman from Kansas. In a pre-Loving v. Virginia United States (the 1967 Supreme Court case that struck down bans on mixed-race marriage), their marriage was illegal in many states across the land. With 21 months to go before we actually get to vote, we’re going to see and hear a lot more hyperbole and posturing. I only hope that "Are we there yet?" doesn’t turn into "Been there, done that" - leaving many of us too bored to actually get out and vote. EDITOR’S NOTE: In her next installment, Libby Post will look at the Republican presidential hopefuls. The actual number of candidates is so fluid that I won’t even venture a guess. But we do know who the main contenders are - U.S. Senators Hiltary Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (ILL) and former U.S. Senator John Edwards (N.C.). Following them are two more U.S. senators, Joe Biden (Del.) and Christopher Dodd (Conn.); two governors, Bill Richardson (N.M.) and Tom Vilsack (Iowa); one retired U.S. army general, Wesley Clark; a lone member of the House of Representatives, Dennis Kucinich (Ohio); and one African-American preacher, Al Sharpton. Most of them have campaign websites. All but Clinton’s detail their positions on the major issues, but none speak specifically about LGBT concerns. Honestly, that’s not too surprising. The general election is going to won or lost on Iraq, health care, the economy, and quite possibly global warming. However, the primaries in some states may well be won or lost on our issues, based on how big of a voter turn-out we can provide. According to an article by Matthew Bajko in San Francisco’s Bay Area Reporter, California’s electorate is 10 to 11 percent LGBT. 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �0p÷ a ms Ye th Preiect addresses the r eeds of Tu sa’s homeless youth, by Tim Gillean event. "While there, a young man walked in stating that he "was looking for his friends, he lingered, even a~er realizing they were not there. Over the next hour as the discussion continued, while we were doing our work, he revealed that he was homeless and someone had told him that Openarms could help. He took a chance that someone would be there and came by. His "ChristiaN’ mother had kicked him out because he is Gay. Our work continues. LGBT Homeless from page-5 Photo by Chaz: Youth groz~ at T~dsa’s Openarms Youth Project. Openarms has been addressing the needs of homeless youth in the Tulsa area for five years. By offering a safe haven for GLBTQyouth, and in fact all youth ages 14-21, Openarms has become the resource in Tulsa for these youth. A transitional living program has been the hope and dream of the Openarms board for many years. During the fours years that Openarms has been in operation, this past summer was the busiest period for youth homelessness. Within a two week period last summer Openarms was assisting six youth who had come to the youth center for help. To have that many homeless youth at one time is very unusual and something that the volunteers at Openarms hope can be prevented by early intervention. Through a net~vork of volunteers and networking with other agencies all of the youth were placed in a private home or public facility where their needs could be addressed without the extra feeling of desperation that homelessness brings. Openarms experience shows that most of the public facilities in Tulsa are not really prepared to address the issues that a homeless teen may face, and even less capable of dealing with a GLBT youth who might turn up at their facilities. Many of the shelters in Tulsa where assistance is available require the person to attend some type of religious ceremony to continue to access service. These services can be particularly terrifying to a youth who was just kicked out of their home because their parents won’t accept their sexuality based on their own religious biases. By providing a safe space where these youth are accepted for who they are, just as they are, Openarms is able to connect with them and find what their most pressing needs are. Openarms then begins to address those needs and help the youth develop in to a fully participating citizen. Openarms can provide education assistance, job assistance, food, housing and counseling for these youth. Most important of all it is a place ~vhere they can be with people who are like themselves working towards the same goals. All youth have the desire to succeed if provided with the necessary tools to do so and an understanding adult to help mentor them into their full potential. While Openarms continues to seek funding for a transitional living program, the support of the local community through unrestricted giving is the most effective way to help. Openarms Youth Project Inc. may be contacted at 918-838-7104 or through their website at www.openarmsproject.org. We are always glad to give tours of the facility located at 2015 South Lakewood, please call for an appointment or times of operation. One hour after writing this article for the Star, we went to the youth center to work on some lighting changes and furniture rearrangement for the upcoming Saturday evening wwvv.ozarksstar.corn While there is clearly more that can be .done at the grassroots level, in the end it is not enough to beat this epidemic without additional funding and support at the federal level. The president’s budget was released last month and Congress will begin work on the FY2008 budget and appropriations bills. The Task Force is recommending $140 million in FY2008 for the RHMCPA, a significant increase over its current $103 million allocation but Congress needs to do more. When the law is reauthorized in 2008 it needs to specifically address the needs of LGBT homeless youth and ensure that all homeless youth services organizations receiving federal funds are trained and capable of providing safe and culturally competent services to their LGBT clients. It is important that our allies in Congress insist that this pivotal piece of legislation accurately acknowledges and addresses the reality of youth homelessness in America -- nationwide, LGBT youth are grossly overrepresented in a system ill-equipped to meet their needs, and that simply must change. Jason Cianciotto is the research director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute. The STAR 23 ��www.ozarksstar.com the STAR, 25 �errands, ect. I do not want to be one of those jealous types, questioning every move. I also do not want to be living with someone else who is living with everybody. Know what I mean? \~q~at would you do? Suspecting in Ohio Salutations and welcome once more to sluts "R" us, err something like that. This month Uncle Mikey recovers from a love affair of epic proportions. I mean whe~a; that man was just too much. It was like being at the DQ and trying to take that extra dip, knowing your body, just won’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 that stallion loose, sending him back into the ~vild. I hope he does not do any damage; talk about putting your eye out. I bet the censors are 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. Kittens, I tried, really I did. You just can’t get a twelve in a size ten; I don’t care hmv you work it. Dear Uncle Mikey, At the college I attend, I have met, well kind of met, this man. He is in some of my classes and all I can say is he is fine. He makes me perk up every time I see him. I have seen him with several females, assuming that he is straight. To tell you the truth that just makes the attraction stronger. I want him only for a short time. These are my, college years, I’m supposed to experiment. So, should I just get him drunk so he can enjoy my talents? I really xvant this guy, so bad I have been ignoring the guys who would gladly enjoy my company. What should I do? Frat-boy-lecious A.K.A. butter, you know what you want, and I would even say, you have already greased the kegger nozzles, awaiting your fiat boy knight. Uncle cautions however, as though some straight wayward boys may let you play, some may not. Oh’ who are we kidding, order him a pizza and seal the deal. A straight college boy is like a walking drive through; you can have it your way, if there is a good supply of beer and pizza. That’s Amour’ Smooches-Michael Dearest Suspecting, Kitten, I te!l this repeatedly. If they are not getting it at home, they are getting it some~vhere. Via, liaison, hand-to-hand combat, somewhere, a man is a man after all. Secondly, if you feel something is amiss than more likely than not, there is. I would sit your man down and confront him with you feelings, prepared to hear whatever it is awaiting for you. Communication can be taken for granted after being with someone for a while, though never does the importance change in any relationship. He may be wondering why you two are not doing the bunny mambo across the front lawn anymore. Take it a step at a time, as anything and anyone xvorth having is worth working for. Smooches-Mikey Dear Mikey, Where did your site go? I really enjoyed it and miss going there every week. A fan of Mikey’s Kitten, You have touched me; moreovm; I am willing to touch back. Kitten, The world is not ready for an entire corner of Mikey, lets break them in slowly shall we? Smooches- Mikey Dear Uncle Mikey, My friends all give me a hard time telling me that I am stuck in the eighties. While; this is a joke to some, it is a way of life for me. I belong to that time, style, and music. It was a time that meant something more than found in the hollow music and style of today. Bring back the eighties! Mrs.. Garret’s boy Dearest Kitten, Gimme-a-break! A virgin you are not, while time has turned and the beat goes on. You must accept the, facts of life, if you really want to enjoy the good-times. This is a serious condition even if spoken through careless whispers. Hanging on to the past can only prevent you from seeing the new and exciting times of today. You may be missing opportunity if you are looking behind you. If you want to hear anyone say, I want your sex, than you must nip it in the bud so to speak. Like a prayer, I send you good thoughts. Let go and let Cher! ...Smooches-Mikey Get with it, don’t you wish your Gurl was Hot like me? Yes, Kittens, Uncle Mikey is timeless, whilst my flame shall lead yet another generations of young queers everywhere. Well Kittens, I guess that is all the time for this month. Until next, time. Smooches-Uncle Mikey Uncle Mikey, I think my boyfriend of ten years has been seeing someone on the side. I have no real proof per say, just a nagging feeling in my gut. Sex has become strained, and I figured it was just because we had become so routine in our ways. I now see him acting like he is getting ready for a hook up though he tells me, working late, going on 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �FRIDAY March 16 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show ~vlRachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro CLUB iVlAJESTIC: Majestic Kings Shmv 10pro. CLUB ROX: Mison Scott Shm~:30pm ~O G~LERY- OKC ~OO~ ~e Roa&how rch 10 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffer I am-3:30am THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEA~,VAY: Male Dancers, 9pro IAO GALLERY- OKC WhOOfl ~’he Roadshow 8pm NIGHTINGGALE THEATER-Tulsa WhOOfl "i’he Roadshow 8pro S SAT THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am NIGHTINGGALE HEATER-Tulsa \VhOOfl "Ihe Roadshow 8pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4prn CLUB !vtAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro SUNDAY Mzrch IR BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro Kris Kohl Show8 m. ~UB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Lily Tomlin 7pm. BAMBOO LOLFNGEi Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pro MONDAY March 19 BAMBOO LOUNGE: RED PARTY! Karaoke 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: DartTournament 10pro TUESDAY March 6 THE COPA: Strip-OffContesr 12am biarch 20 ?WEDNESDAY March ~ THE COPA: Strip-OffComest Midnight. WEDNES 21 THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro THURSDAY HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wt RachaeI Erikks 9 THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro THE COPA: Variety Shiny 10:30pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Kaaoke 9pro WEDNESDAY March 7 THURS BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm 7~ THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight. MO M TUES BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. ~DNESDAY March 14 March25 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm CLUB b,£&JESTIC: Cada Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Eril&s Show 10:30pro www.ozarksstar.com HID~WAY: Male Dancers, 9pro SATURDAY March 17 FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament I 0pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro ~HE CbPAi M~ D~n~er~ 9pro THURSDAY March 22 THURSDAY March 15 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Shoxv w/ Rachael Erikks CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w!Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro TULSA P.A.C. CHAPMAN HALL: Les Folies Russes 7pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro FI~JDAY March 30 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm SAT ~ch 31[ THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet l am-3:30am After Dark is a free service ro our advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser m inform the STAR in writing of updates, additions or discontinued events. The STAR is not responsible for accurac): the STAR 27 �"Clean house, Virgo!" The Saturn-Neptune opposition, which inflates everyone’s sense of doom and despair, is getting a break as Jupiter offers liberating insights. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Stuck in the same old routine with your friends? You could suggest something new and different. Better yet, just go ahead and try out whatever interests you. Let them tag along or not. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Domestic duties and uncertainty at work have you in a crazy, confusing tug-of-war. Even if you can’t really escape your problems, a diversion - preferably a crazy, wildly erotic adventure - will help clear the mind and give you a creative perspective. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Listen to arguments; only say enough to draw out new opinions. Trying to win debates will only backfire; getting n.ew information and perspectives will prove immensely enriching, not just intellectually, but also to your relationship. CANCER (June 2t - July 22): It’s not unusual for erotic ideals to be at odds with practical concerns, but you’re feeling that tension acutely now. Attending to your own health or seeking opportunities at work may seem a diversion from that, but at least you’ll find some resolution to the conflict there. SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): You really can’t stay out of arguments now, so just don’t take them too seriously. You will flub some basic details and facts and undermine your own assertions. Provoking discussion and learning from your mistakes are good, too. CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Sex and money are typical sources of worry. Problems, however real, are much smaller than they seem. Stop fretting, pull back, relax, and meditate - or take a hike. Getting perspective is half the battle - and, sensibly, it should be the first half! AQUARIUS (January 20 - ~ebruary 18): If you meet your "perfect love" now, it could be a disastrous mistake. Run as fast and far as you can. Even indulging in mere lust is an invitation to horrible diseases. Existing relationships need work, too, but at least there is hope with some help from your friends. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Work, work, work! Take time out only to meditate, charge your batteries, and eat and exercise, of course. Trust your instincts, take cues from your dreams, and apply your deepest resources to the tasks at hand. Success is within reach, but only if you make a serious effort. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Uncertainty about your partnership can make you cranky and controlling, which only makes things worse. Look for new ways to play together. A trip abroad would be ideal, but on such short notice a foreign film, festival, or art show is probably more feasible. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Home is rarely a safe haven from illness and accidents. But cleaning house, purging clutter, and organizing what’s left will make it safer. Getting family to help, or turning up old family treasures, will offer revelations. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Discuss political or social strategies with close friends, or better yet, a sibling. On your own, you’re too likely to make awkward gaffes. Lady Luck seems to be against you now, but you’ll score big in the larger game for being a good sport. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Hidden treasure in your home? Or some enriching family lore from your mother? Something should turn up that may seem to provoke a professional challenge but will actually help you clear that hurdle. 28 the STAR SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appointment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., POBox 4711 Jop~n, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our Community Dinner Every Wed. 6pm just $4.00. No one is turned away. www.ozarksstar.com �Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org -888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. w~vw.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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Spexton ........ 17B Spring Street 479-981-6060 Tiki Torch -479-253-2305 75 S. Main Street Tradewinds Lodge - 141 W. VanBuren 800-242-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Common Ground Restaurant--- 412 W. Dixon --- 479-442-35!5 Condom Sense 418 W. Dickson ....... 479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center 479-000-0000 Passages ...... 930 N. College Ave-479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads ....... 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave ........ 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 ...... 1022 Dodson Ave479-782-9578 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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave ......... 501-375-8580 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club ...... 384 Grant Ave. - ......... 785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. BroadwayRiver of Life Church.- - 1709 N. Walnut- 620-231-0938 -Service 11AM 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 ...... 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 Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PC Box 4383, zip 64803--417-622-7821 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 - ~rvv.hydeskc.com - - 816-561-1010 Missie B’s .... 805 W. 39th St ................ 816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge ..... 424 Boonvitle Ave417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub .... 504 E. Commerical. 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive ............ 417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place .... 821 College417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books .... 104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s ........ -4810-A West Garriott....... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lav4on (580) Ingrids Bookstore ..... 1124 NW Cache Rd ...... 580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (918) McPridePOBox 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 Church of Open Arms ...... 3131 N. Penn ...... 405-525-9555 Copa -2200 NW 39th Exp ....... -405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave ....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy........405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant- .... 2200 NW 39Exp - - -’- - - 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........ 2200 NW 39th Exp 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources .... 2312 NW 39th St- -405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel .... 3535 NW 39th Exp ....... -405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club 1221 NW 50th 405-843-1722 Jungle Reds ....... 2200 NW Expwy 405-524-5733 Ledo -2200 NW Expwy405-525-0730 Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ....... -405-681-5044 Partners ......... 2805 NW 36th St - 405-942-2199 Pec’s-3535 NW 39th Expw ....... -405-947-2351 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St405-525-5165 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. MayAve 405-917-1663 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. Yale 918-494-2665 Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder- 918-584-9944 Club Majestic....... 124 N. Boston ....... - - - 918-584-9494 Club Maverick- .... 822 S. Sheridan .918-835-3301 Cosmo Dell & Bar - - 6746 S. Memorial -918-459-0497 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI -918-834-1051 Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street ........ -918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge ..... 11730 E. 11th ....... - - -918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic ....... 3540 E. 31st ............ 918-749-8378 Midtown .......... 319 E. 3rd918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood ..... 918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave. -918-585-9552 Priscilla’s -7925 E. 41st- ............ 918-627-4884 Priscilla’s 5634 W. Skelly 9!8-446-6336 Priscilla’s ........ 11344 E. 11th ............. 918-438-4224 Priscilla’s 2333 E. 71st--918-499-1661 Renegades ........ 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd .......... 918-627-1505 Sappho’s ......... 6373-C E 31st St9!8-836-0299 Tulsa CARES .... 3507 E. Admiral PI .......... 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle ..... 1338 E. 3rd ................ 918-592-1188 TNT’s - - 2114 S. Memorial918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd ....... 2630 E. 15th 918-293-0304 �YOU OKAY~ bitter girl 1 email: b tten:jirl@qsyndicate,com 30 the STAR www.joanhilty,net www.ozarksstar.com �EMPLOYMENT nPPDF~TM NITY ADVE~;~TI SI NI:3 SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR OKLAHOMA~ MISSOURI KANSAS OR A R F,J:~.N SAS qualifications to oza~ksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 �� 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 i 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Oklahoma’s Discriminatory Laws Prohibit Same Gender Couples The Pdght To Marry. TULSA, OK___On Valentine’s Day, February 14th three same sex couples and approximately 20 supporters marched peacefully through the Tulsa County Courthouse to the second floor licens!~g counter. Each couple in turn asked for a marriage license application. Court Clerk Sally Howe Smith politely presented the application. Once the form was completed the clerk then asked for identification and after a quick review said: "I notice by your I.D. that you are of the same gender. The State of Oklahoma does not allow same gender marriages, therefore.I must decline your application." Photo: ~vo women askfor a marriage license application at the 7ffdsa Count. court house. Photo: Three same gender couples cut the wedding cake that was adorned with two brides toget,§er and two grooms at a reception in the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center: NEW JERSEY GAY COUPLE8 G NTED UR ON UCENSE. (AP) Hundreds of gay couples were granted the same legal rights, if not the title, as married couples Monday as New Jersey became the third state to offer civil unions. More than a dozen other couples applied for licenses for ceremonies later in the week. The civil unions, which 6ffer the legal benefits but not the title of marriage, were granted automatically to hundreds of gay New Jersdy couples who had previously been joined in civil unions or married in other states or nations. The three couples, referred to as "The Love Warriors", walked quietly away from the counter after each where refused a license. The group then boarded a shuttle bus which took them back to the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center where a wedding reception had been prepared. Two brides and two grooms gdorned the wedding cake. Oklahomans for Equality, lead by their tPresident Laura Belmonte, sponsored the demonstration and was held on Valentine’s day in celebration of the 10th anniversary of"Freedom to Marry Week". The goal of the demonstration was to bring awareness to the 1049 benefits allowed opposite sex couples who are legally married in the State of Oklahoma and a call for marriage equality for Oklahoma same gender couples. "It is an equal rights issue", said Belmonte. Oklahomans for Equality is a non-profit organization committed to securing equality for Oklahoma GLBT citizens as well as all Oklahomans. They are now located in their new permanent home inside the Equality Center 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa, celebrated it’s grand opening February 14-18. In honor of the organizations founder Dennis R. Neill the building was named the "Dennis R. Neil Equality Center". v~vw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 A national report titled Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness. "Epidemic" is a strong word to use, but in this case it’s justified. Lily Tomlin to appear at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center March 18th. GLBT Homeless Youth - page 5 African-American comedian Jackie "Moms" Mabley - dubbed "the funniest woman in the world" Gay Travelers "Tucson Arizona’’ Otit of Town "Budget Getaxvays " This month Uncle Mikey recovers from a love affair of epic proportions. I mean whew, that man was just too much. It was like being at the DQand trying to take that extra dip The STAR Interview with Lily Tomlin - page 10 GLBT Homeless............ 5 Lily Tomlin ................ 10 OUT in Arkansas........... 12 Stage.................... 11 Past Out.................. 14 Leslie Jordan ............. 15 The Wine Rack............. 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: Gay Leslie Jordan to Host 10th Annual Red Ribbon Gala on March 10. -page 15 OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA * LA~Xq-ON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVtLLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA * WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR ~,vw.ozarksstar.com LGBT Youth Homelessness: A National Disgrace By Jason Cianciotto piece of federal legislation that directs funding and programming guidelines to homeless youth service providers nationwide, the Congressional Research Service released its own report on youth homelessness in the US. Their report did not include a single mention of LGBT youth. If Congress’s own research arm is unwilling or unable to acknowledge this epidemic, how can we expect our elected officials to address it? I think part of the answer lies in supporting and replicating the successful efforts of service providers and activists at the grassroots level. Photo:Jason Cianciotto The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, in collaboration with the National Coalition for the Homeless, released a national report today titled Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness. "Epidemic" is a strong word to use, but in this case it’s justified. While approximately, 3 to 5 percent of the total U.S. population identifies as gay or lesbian, our review of the available academic and professional literature found that an estimated 20 to 40 percent of the up to 1.6 million youth who run away or are homeless each year identify as LGBT. In other words, LGBT youth are grossly overrepresented in the homeless youth population. The report goes into great detail about why LGBT youth are becoming homeless, their experiences on the streets, and the pervasive harassment and discrimination they experience at many homeless service providers. Just as important are the model service practices and policy recommendations also included in the report, which if implemented nationwide would help to curb this epidemic and truly make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable youth. Several weeks ago, I received what is perhaps the greatest example of the hard work ahead of us as we use this report to educate politicians, policymakers and service providers. In anticipation of the 2008 renewal of the Runaway, Homeless and Missing Children Protection Act (RHMCPA), the primary For example, there’s the street outreach program and drop-in center developed by the Ruth Ellis Center, which predominandy serves LGBT youth of color in Detroit, Mich., and the transitional living program run by Green Chimneys in New York City, which provides safe and supportive housing for LGBT homeless youth for 18 months while preparing them for in&pendent living. Urban Peak in Denver, Colorado has developed specific guidelines for creating a safe space for transgender homeless youth in shelters, given their unique needs and experiences. Because most homeless youth service providers are not LGBT-specific, our report also highlights the success of Ozone House, in Ann Arbor, Mich., an organization that serves all homeless youth but has specifically striven to create an LGBT-safe space. Waltham House in Massachusetts has even developed a program that has provided LGBT cultural competency training to over 2,000 employees at the state Department of Social Services. While the programs highlighted in our report may be the exception today, they are replicable anywhere in the country. Indeed, one of our critical aims and hopes is that service providers and social service agencies will see this report as a wake-up call to the crisis of homelessness among LGBT youth. Some may already work with this population and learn from one of our contributors about how to enrich an existing program. Others might know they need to reach out to LGBT youth but need additional guidance on how to do so. Continued page-23 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 Oklahoma Activist Named to Board of National Stonewall Democrats Oklahoma Chapter MaiFltains Strong Presence on National Board By James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats (~x~9.0kstonewall.org) announced today that activist and poht~cal consultant Linda Gray Murphy of Oklahoma City has been named to the Board of Directors for National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) (,wvw:stonewalldemocrats.org). She will begin a two-year term in March as a delegate from Region 6, representing Iowa, Missouri, A~kansas, Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Her election continues the strong presence that Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats (OSD) has had on the national board for the last three years, beginning with the late activist and lobbyist Keith Smith. Ms. Murphy and Mr. Smith, both Yellow Dog Democrats, were close allies in advocating for the betterment of Oklahoma’s citizens through work in many progressive issues such as equality for gay people, women’s health dare, and the environment. Ms. Murphy is well kmown throughout Oklahoma and Texas for her work with political campaigns and progressive causes, with her latest victory being the election ofA1 McAffrey to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. She serves as executive director and spokesperson for WorkAng Families Project (wvwv.workingfamiliesproject. corn), a statewide organization to increase the minimum wage and improve the lives of all Oklahomans. Membership growth in Stonewall Democrats, the only ga~ lesbian, bisexual and transgender organization recognized by the National Democratic Party, has prompted recent expansion of Region 6 representation on the NSD board from three to five delegates. Ms. Murphy will join Olga Hernandez of San Antonio as female delegates. Four candidates will vie for the three remaining positions. They include incumbent national board members Jesse Garcia and Buck Massey, both ofTexas, and two Oklahoma City men, Steve VanHook and Colin Raley. VanHook has served OSD as interim co-chair since early December. The lowest vote-getter in February’s regional elections is expected to be named an alternate delegate, attending when a regular delegate cannot. Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, with nearly 200 current members, is constitutionally recognized as an active dub of the Oklahoma Democratic Party (www.okdemocrats.org) with a voting seat on the state party’s governing Central Committee. The Stonewall organization is dedicated to achieving ful! equality for America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens, and its members work in campaigns and raise money for both openly gay and gay-friendly Democratic candidates at all levels of government. 6 the STAR w~rw.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 PRELIM TO MiSS GAY OKLAHOMA AMERICA April 4, 2007 10:00 PM @The Copa, OKC OK CONTESTANT INQUIRES CALL MARK ORJAMES (NIKKI STARR) (580) 216-2715 must be 21 yrs old to enter colt5294@yahoo.com 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com pancakes ~nd, just trying to g~t book, music ~. lyrics by Jerry Rabushka (of Somebody ~Ise~s Life) WOOFI wags Oklahoma~t TULSA: March 2~3, 8:00pro Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. 4th St, Reservations: 918-633-8666 OK. CtTY: March 23~24, 8:00 P~ IAO Galle~: 81! N. Broadway Re~ations: 314-280-1035 Dir~ions: 40~232~060 ~e~: $10; ~5.~ s~dent~senio~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 10 the STAR Evenin Coming Interview by: Victor Gorin An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin is a nostalgic and warm presentation of Lily’s "greatest hits," with more than a dozen of her famous characters, including the precocious six-year-old Edith Ann; the irascible telephone operator, Ernestine; the aging beauty adviser, Madame Lupe; Lucille, the rubber addict; prim Judith Beasley from Calumet City, Indiana; and Lily’s most profound character, Trudy, the street lady who starred in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. THE INTERVIEW: VICTOR: Well hello Lily, and welcome to Oklahoma. When did you last perform here? LILY: Many years ago, it must have been in the 70s. VICTOR: Your entertainment career has spanned over 4 decades, and a lot of changes have happened in show business. What major changes have you noticed and what has stayed the same? LILY: Well, it’s all in how you approach it, what your own sensibility is, whatever you think is funny and how you deal with it, matter of nuance and style. Certainly a lot of barriers have been knocked dmvn. I can remember when the word "ass" said on network TV was unheard of. VICTOR: Well it was a different world when you began viewing corned}; when you favorites included Lucille Ball & Jean Carroll, the first female standup comic on the Ed Sullivan Shiny. When you started college to study medicine, was that just to be practical when you really wanted to be in entertainment? LILY: (laughs) I was just a blue collar kid who grew up in inner city Detroit. I mean you were supposed to be serious about getting a job, a career. Being a doctor seemed like a very noble thing to aspire to, and there was quite a reverence for doctors in those days. In my neighborhood though, we were grateful if boys didn’t wind up in the slammer or girls didn’t get pregnant. VICTOR: Well, you managed to avoid both. Among your many personas, my true favorite was the telephone operator Ernestine, who won you a Grammy Award for a comedy album. She became part of our culture, and as a former long distance operator myself, you can see why she’s dear to me. LILY: While I had never been an actual telephone operator, I did march in a picket line with the operators in 1971 during a strike in San Francisco. The Communications \gorkers of,4anerica awarded me a "Cracked Bell Award" for standing with them. I owe everything to Ernestine, and she knows it! She’s like a real person to me, and like people such as Bette Davis, she’s one everybody tries to imitate. VICTOR: Back in Ernestine’s day, did you ever think there would be shows like "Will and Grace"? LILY: No probably not. It’s kind of evolutionary. Hlen having the success she has had is remarkable, and a whole generation has grown up with that support and knowledge. I can relate, I was in the middle. I knew of performers in the 40s and 50s who were suppressed, repressed & oppressed. VICTOR: I loved your role in the movie "9 to 5" which, although a comedy, really depicted the issues of working people. Can you see workers and the gay communit-y coming together for positive change, particularly in the political area? LILY: Any groups working for change are usually coming from an outsider status, so they can align themselves with others who are disenfranchised so that opens doors for everybody. I might also add that I’d like a new president! ........................... Continuedlvage 13 www.ozarksstar.com Coming to Tulsa and Oklahoma City. By Staff Reporter ST LOUIS, MO__Ragged Blade presents "Woof, The Road Show," a two man minimusical with Zach Jett & Jerry Rabushka. Book, lyrics & music by Jerry Rabushka A script that keeps changing, and love that keeps threatening to cross from on stage to back stage, and lots of silly jokes. Woofl is a mini-musical about dogs, pancakes, and just trying to get some. Don’t you just hate it when you’re trying to make out and there’s a dog panting at your feet? Woofl Adam and Jon are touring a show. A gay romance, come to think, that Adam wrote without realizing he’d have to deal ~vith an acting partner who keeps trying to make it happen in real life. If that’s not bad enough.., a group of frustrated writers (not to mention the Wednesday Mah Jongg club) keep xvorkshopping the play and our poor actors never know what’s in the script from one show to the next. Oh, and then there’s... Woody. You know, that "hot" stage hand who took up a career in theater so he could sleep with touring actors. He’s had his way with Jon and Adam... so they like each other to think. Poor Woody, he meets his demise more often than Kenny in South Park. What happens when he goes to an Annie cast party? It’s too scary to mention. Can they ever transfer the on stage love to back stage.., even if there’s a clause in the contract that forbids it? It’s an unusual play with dry humor, a bit of a vaudeville style, and some great fun. JERRY RABUSHKA is a St. Louis based writer, composer, actor, and director and a co-founder of Ragged Blade productions, a company that produces original theatre and also produces touring artists. Rabushka has won awards for several plays including The Checkpoint, Kiss of Death, and Empty Closets; he received the Director’s Award For Outstanding Service (to the GLBT theater community) at the 2006 National Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival (Columbus, OH). He’s had about 80 scripts of various lengths published by Brooklyn Publishers, Odessa, TX. His solo piano CD "Piano 362" was nominated for "Outstanding Instrumental Recording" by NYC based Outmusic in 2003. ZACH JETT is a St. Louis area actor & singer who has performed in a number of musicals and is currently in his third show with Ragged Blade. "Jett’s experience shows through his command of the stage, his vocal ability, and how well he looks in a dog collar," says critic Tamitra Williford, KDHX Radio, St. Louis. RAGGED BLADE has been to Tulsa and OKC with Rabushka’s one-man show "Somebody Else’s Life." The Nightingale Theatre also produced his play Love of Last Resort in 2006. His play "Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew," commissioned by award winning performer, recording artist & Comedy Central personality Jade Esteban Estrada, premiered at the IAO Gallery February 16 & 17, 2007. Woofl The Road Show will be in Tulsa March 2-3, 8 PM Nightingale Theater 1416 E. 4th St. (at Peoria) TULSA, OK, 74120 Info/Reservations for TULSA: 918-633- 8666 March 23-24, 8 PM, IAO Gallery 811 N. Broadway, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73102 Info/Reservations for OKC: 314-280-1035. Directions 405-232-6060 Admission for both: $10; $5 students/seniors. For more information please visit www. raggedblade.com www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 11 / a 41;GAYLIEN \VEEY ND" SPRING DIVERSITY \VEEKEND April 13-15, 2007 EUR£KA SPRINGS, AR~Spring Diversity is falling on the same weekend as the annual UFO Conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Many visitors asked for Diversity Weekend to be delayed one week, so they could be home with their families for Easter. On Saturday night, everyone is encouraged to dress in Gaylien themed costumes and artists ~vill be available to create one of a kind Face Art just for you. Eureka will be filled with festive Gayliens and you may just win a prize! Deborah Rose with Diversity Pride Events Productions, proudly announces the return of the popular "GAYCO gang", a hysterical comedy troupe born from members of Chicago’s famous "SECOND CITY". Last Spring’s production was a big hit. ~lere will be 2 performances, a 2pm Matinee and 7:30pm evening show. (Ticket info available online) And YOU could be on stage with GAYCO! By taking a special workshop on Friday 1- 4pm with GAYCO coaches, class members will have the option to perform Saturday in an improv/sketch on stage with GAYCO! Experienced or non-experienced, the class will be loads of fun and your friends will be amazed to see you on stage at the showi Must RSVP and pre-pay online. There will be DPE’s "DIVERSITY BIKERS" contests and Poker Run. Our golden oldies dance, newly named "RETRO DANCE & CABARET" at Caribe’s Restaurante y Cantina, featuring the fabulous Mary King from Oklahoma, DJing and singing, plus invited guest singers. It’s not just a dance, it’s a social! (Emaii us your requests for your favorite dance hits now, so Mary will have time to get them) Don’t forget to drop in to the "PRINCESS WELCOME MIXER" at Caribe’s always on Friday night 7 to 9pro to mix and mingle with Gayco cast members, locals and visitors. Be sure to pick up a copy of the DIVERSITY GUIDE and get the scoop on Eureka and weekend happenings. Of course there will be many more events sponsored by others, great shopping, dining and that great sense of freedom and friendliness that blows through Eureka! More details will be posted as soon as confirmed. Be sure to keep checking Diversitypride. corn for updates. CONTACT DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS Deborah Rose 479-253-2555 Email: deborah@diversitypride.corn Web: http://xvwxv.diversitypride.com Community for People living D8 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 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, 12 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com LILY TOMLIN INTERVIEW: VICTOR: I’m with you there. But focusing on you, since you’ve been involved with almost every form of media there is, what are your goals now and where is your career going? LILY: I like to keep my hand in by performing live, and I do and 40 or 50 concerts a year. I have a part in a new HBO series, "Twelve Miles of Bad Roads," a comedy drama series where I play a matriarch of a very rich Dallas real estate family. Mary Kay Place plays my sister, Leslie Jordan is my cousin Kenny, and I deal with 3 out of control loaded ldds. VICTOR: Sounds like a load of fun! LILY: We hope it will be, and it will go on the air next year. I also ¯ have a part in an upcoming movie, ’The Walker,’ so I’m always looking for new opportunities. VICTOR: Well ~ve certainly wish you luck, and we welcome the opportunity to see your performance in Tulsa. Tomlin has remained at the top of her game for almost 40 years, winning six Emmys, two Tonys, a Grammy and two Peabody Awards. She was a favorite of the late great director Robert Altman, appearing in several of his movies, including her Academy Awardnominated role in Nashville and with Meryl Streep as a countrywestern sister act in Altman’s final film A Prairie Home Companion. She was equally unforgettable in 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton, in Big Business with Bette Midler, and as an eccentric rich woman whose soul invades Steve Martin’s body in All of Me. In 2003, she received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. It will be a night of cerebral comedy vcoven among Lily’s affectionate reminiscences about her childhood in the Midwest. March 18th at 7 p.m. Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chapman Music Hall. Tickets can be purchased online at www.MyTicketoffice. com or by phone at 918 596 7111. By Strengthening Your Business TULSA, OK__Diversity Business Association ofTulsa, a program of Oklahomans for Equality, is off and running! Join us at our monthly meeting, held the first Thursday of each month at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. DBAT provides a forum to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business and professional community and its allies for the purpose of networking, professional development, creating increased visibility and strengthening relationships among business and professional community members. Networking is key to business and a cornerstone of the DBAT mission. The DBAT business network fosters a sharing of information, ideas, and contacts and so strengthens and expands our businesses, careers and our community. Additionally, the Professional Development Programs offered by DBAT at our monthly meeting enables members to access information and resources that are important to the growth, promotion, and visibility of their businesses. DBAT’s 2007 agenda includes a number of events, most exciting of which is the Diversity Business Expo and the distribution of the new Pride Business Directory planned for June. A presence on the web is also in the works as well as community workshops and socials. Get Involved! Get Connected! Join DBAT today and learn, participate and lead in the most dynamic business climate in the LGBT community. For more information on membership, including the many benefits, contact Susan Hartman at slhartman@cox.net or 918-274-1699. TWO F RST’$ FOR TULSA’S; LEATHER BAR By Michael Leach TULSA, OK The Tulsa Eagle recently had its First Fundraiser and performance by a female impersonator all in the same night. On, Saturday, Jan. 20th the current Mr. Tulsa Eagle 2006, Mr. Jay Whiteside had a fundraiser and celebrated his birthday by presenting a Benefit for the HOPE Testing Clinic. Hosted by Miss Kimbefly Foxx and Mr. Jay Whiteside, there was live entertainment and many comedy numbers by Mr. Jay and Clogger Bill. The Benefit included a silent auction, with many items donated by Coral West, Priscillas, Tulsa Rough Riders and the support of T.U.L.S.A. and the Driller Bears. A grand total of $615.00,was raised for the HOPE Testing Clinic, and Mr. Tulsa Eagle presented the money to HOPE Testing Clinic the following Wednesday. Many thanks for all the support and help by all the organizations that made this Fundraiser a success, and also gave Jay a wonderful 54th birthday celebration. wvo,v.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 was ]ackAe "Morns" Mabley? African-American comedian Jackie "Moms" Mabley - dubbed "the funniest woman in the world" - was known for her ribald humor about young men, but her personal relationships were often with women. The great-granddaughter of a slave and one of 12 children, Mabley was born Loretta Mary Aiken in March 1894 (some historians say 1897) in Brevard, N.C. When she was 11, her father, a businessman and volunteer firefighter, was killed when his fire truck exploded. Not long thereafter, her mother died after she was hit by a mail truck one Christmas morning. By the time she turned 13, Mabley had been raped twice - first by an older black man and later by a white sheriff- which resulted in two pregnancies; the babies were put up for adoption. In her early teens, at the urgleft home and moved to a m~msters family. Before show, beginning as a sing.er to comedy. While traveling performing for black audiwith fellow entertainer Jack daughter. To allay the embarabout her stage career, she own. "He took a lot off me, his name," she said in a 1974 nickname "Moms" for the younger performers. Mabley began performing as is widely regarded as the first so. In 1921, a well-known ing of her grandmother, Mabley Cleveland, where she lived with long, she joined a minstrel and dancer but soon turning the vaudeville "chitlin circuit" ences, she began a relationship Mabley, and the couple had a rassment of one of her brothers adopted Mabley’s name as her so the least I could do was take interview. She later earned the maternal role she took with a solo stand-up comedian, and African-American woman to do vaudeville couple, Butterbeans and Susie, saw Mabley’s show in Texas and invited her to join them. She was soon performing at legendary Harlem venues, including the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom, sharing the bill with jazz greats such as Count Basle and Duke Ellington. the black circuit - Mabley broke through the color barrier and gained considerable mainstream success, likely because white audiences found her frumpy character nonthreatening despite her biting wit and edgy themes. By this time an actual toothless old woman, Mabley performed at large venues such as the Chicago Playboy Club and Carnegie Hall, recorded some two dozen comedy albums (becoming Billboard’s highest- ranking female comedian), and made numerous appearances on television variety shows hosted by the likes ofMerv Grit~n, Bill Cosby, and the Smothers Brothers. Mabley continued working until the end of her life, starring in the film _Amazing Grace_ (1974) - in which she plays a fed-up elderly woman who becomes a community organizer and takes on Baltimore’s political establishment - the year before her death in ~/hite Plains, N.Y., on May 23, 1975. Though surprisingly unknown to contemporary audiences, Mabtey had a profound influence and served as a rote model for countless comedians, especially African Americans and women. In the words of author Mel Watkins, Mabley’s work "foreshadowed the shift to direct social commentary" that became a mainstay of comedy by the late 1950s, and "anticipated the assertive sexual humor unveiled by female stand-up comics in the eighties." For further reading: Gomez, Jewelle. 1993. Forty-Three Septembers (Firebrand). During the Harlem Renaissance, Mabley was part of a circle of black vaudeville performers and jazz and blues musicians known or believed to have been gay, lesbian, or bisexual, including Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Mabel Hampton, Bessie Smith, and Ma Rainey. Although she had relationships with women - and sometimes let slip innuendos about affairs with both women and men - Mabley was not publicly open about her sexuality. As the Depression put a halt to the Roaring ’20s, Mabley became one of the most sought-after black performers. In 1931, she co-wrote a Broadway play, _Fast and Furious: A Colored Revue in 37 Scenes_, with author Zora Neale Hurston. Starting in the late 1930s, Mabley began performing at the Apollo "l~eater; over two decades, she became the club’s most frequently featured act, and at the height of her career she was earning $10,000 per week. Watkins, Mel. 1999. On the Real Side: A History ofAfrican-American Comedy from Slavery to Chris Rock (Lawrence Hill Books). Williams, Elsie. 1991. "Morns Mabley and the Afro-~nerican Comic Performance." In \Vomen’s Comic Visions, ed. June Sochen (Wayne State University Press). Well before she became an old woraan herself, Mabley developed her signature character, a ribald granny dressed in a housedress, slippers, and a floppy hat (inspired, she said, by her own grandmother). Delivered in a characteristic raspy voice, her brand of humor tended toward social satire, often addressing the hardships of poverty and racism. While she may have preferred women in her personal life, Mabley became known for her jokes about pursuing young men, coupled with her disdain for old ones and their attempts to wield control over women. "There ain’t nothing an old man can do for me except bring me a message from a young one," she famously quipped In her 60s - unlike most performers on 14 the STAR ~.,.ozarksstar.com Leslie Jordan to Host l Oth Annua Red Ribbon Gala on March TULSA, OK__With the date set, the menu selected and the talent chosen, the 10th Annual Red Ribbon Gala is set to be a remarkable evening for all who attend. The Master of Ceremonies is none other than Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan, who is best known for his roles on Will & Grace, Boston Legal and Reba. Jordan is currently filming the HBO pilot "12 Miles of Bad Road "with Lily Tomlin and Mary Kay Place and staring in the new CW show "Hidden Palms." ~l-he local band, Hero Factor, will provide the musical entertainment for the fun-filled evening and this year’s honorary chair is Suzanne Warren. The Red Ribbon Gala will be held in the recently completed Grand Ballroom at Southern Hills Country Club, 2636 E. 61st Street, on Saturday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. The event is the largest fundraiser for Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. (Center for AIDS Resources, Education and Support), an organization that provides social services for low-income men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS throughout northeastern Oklahoma. This year’s Red Ribbon Gala will be a delight to the senses as a fabulous red martini bar will accompany the beautiful floral arrangements created by board member Toni Garner. The fun-filled evening will include a live and silent auction offering amazing vacation packages, private dinner parties, stellar antiques, flowers for a year, one-of-a-kind paintings from Patrick Gordon and Matt Moffett and original cuff links created by board member Susan Sadler. www.ozarksstar.com "~xe best part about the Red Ribbon Gala is that is supports the ongoing efforts ofTulsa C.A.R.E.S.," Pat Chernicky, event co-chair said. "For 15 years, Tulsa CARES has been providing support services to the individuals no one has wanted to serve. Without the proceeds from the Red Ribbon Gala our ability to provide these crucial services would cease." A United Way agency, Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. provides a variety of services including professional case management and mental health counseling, food pantry and nutrition services, financial help with rent and utilities, plus information and resources to help family members. "The Red Ribbon Gala 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 500 individuals a year," Robert Coffey, co-chair and board president said. "This event is one ofTulsa’s most elegant, yet worthwhile affairs. HIV does not affect a special group of people; it doesn’t discriminate, it affects all of us." For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Bruce Lewis at (918) 834-4194 or brucel@tulsacares.org 1.-800o535oNDS (2437) Oklahoma’s H~V/STD HerOine ~Preocupado con V.I.H~ en su comunidad? maestro salud quien pueda trabajar el tiempo eompleto/un examinador dei V.LH. quie~ es bilingtie con espafiol v ingles Ventajas fantastieas! Causas fantasticas! Pot favor llama 918.749.8378 Conoee su eslado...Haee un dii~reneia the STAR 15 nder We are always looking for a bargain and it’s hard to know sometimes which ,,vines are the best buys. Well we hope to shed some light on this for those of you who want to bring a good wine to a dinner party or to share with friends. We all want quality taste with out breaking the bank. There IS a difference between cheap and inexpensive. None of us are born with an infinite knowledge of wine and we all have to start somewhere. I think of myself as one of the kings when it comes to finding quality/low budget wines. I enjoy visiting the ,,vine shops here in Tulsa and I have found some really cool bottles ofvino. Check these out! for those who like ABC white wines (anything but Chardonnay). Pepperwood Grove Viognier This is one ofmy favorites. The next step up for this grape by other vineyards is about 2 or 3 times the price and that doesn’t mean that they will taste any better. Pepperwood Grove Riesling This is a new-comer to the P G stable. This label just recently started distributing this varietal. Again, a true value. ’ ¯ Schlink Haus ( Germany ) Riesting: Kabinet A fruit forward wine/not too sweet. ~he reds Terrazas (Argentina) Malbec, Cabernet The wines from this vineyard always seem to be well balanced and fruit fo~vard. A Mano ( Italy ) Primitivo Thought to have been of the Zinfandel lineage and every vintage consistently rates very highly. Black Opal ( Australia ) Cab/Merlot This label has come down in price recently and all the verietals they produce are not only a good bargain but the taste is right in the pocket. Pilar Box White This wine is a mixture of 3 grape varietals Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho. Give this one a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the flavor. Marquis de la Tour/Sparkling wine France A truly great find/good balance of fruit forwardness & bubbles. As I always suggest, go and visit your local wine shop. See your retail specialist and ask questions. If you’re so inclined, share some bottles with friends over dinner! Bon Appetit! Cline Cellars Red Truck This vineyard is better ka~own for bigger budget wines and this one is a good sipping wine to share at social gatherings and the like. Bitch Grenache ( Australia ) This is a newbie in this market from the land down under. The Aussies seem to do quite well with this grape. This one is highly rated. Good sipping wine/not just with food. Pepperwood Grove Old Vine Zinfandel This, like nearly all of the wines under this label, gives you real big bang for the buck because these verticals so closely resemble the flavor and body of more expensive wines without tasting as low in quality as they’re priced. The old vine Zin is quite exceptional and will hold up strongly next to other Zin’s 2 or 3 times the money. Marchesi Di Barolo Barbera D’alba This is a new discovery for me. It comes highly recommended by a well know local retail wine buyer. I visited this wine-growing region in Italy. The wines from this part of the world are quite good. This grape not only pairs well xvith foods but after it’s been open for a while, it seems to take on a rich more flavorful state. ¯he whites Fazi Battaglia Verdicchio This wine from one of Italy’s oldest wine-making families is quite a find. The grape is found only in this part of the world and it’s great Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & D~VERSE market. Call STAR ADVERT~SING today. the -~TA~ www.ozarksstar.com -TIRAMISUIngredients: 6 Egg Yolks 6 ounces Sugar 2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract 8 ounces Mascarpone Cheese 1 Cup Manufacturing Cream 2 Cups Strong Expresso Coffee 2 Cup Packages of Lady Fingers 2 Tsp. Cocoa Powder For Dusting In a mixing bowl, add yolks, sugar and vanilla. Beat until foaming. Add mascarpone and beat until creamy and smooth. Whip cream to soft peaks. Carefully fold whipped cream into egg yolk mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes. Place espresso in shallow bowl and quickly dip lady fingers into espresso. Place lady fingers on towel lined baking sheets to absorb excess espresso. Using individual molds or a 3 inch deep baking dish (for self-serve dessert buffets) spread a layer of cream mixture on the bottom of mold, then the espresso dipped lady fingers. Repeat this until you reach top of the mold making sure you smooth cream mixture with a spatula. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Dust with cocoa powder just before serving. Serve with vanilla or chocolate sauce. More on ChefCelestin6 Drago and DRAGO pag, 1.9. Her ~ Jus~ surpasses expectations." This j alike since 1991, winning: Owner Cele,~tino Drago, top 5 Italian restaurams in by Drago and executed by the late. Brenr Saville, Drago radiates Understated, casual elegance. menu mi tL~ven is a multi that Southern California has to offer. artist behind Deer Raven. "Ihey are located at 2628 \Vitshire Blvd. in Santa fornia, %eir telephone number for reservations is 310-828q585. "Iheir hours are/£~londav thru Friday 11:30 Ab! to 3 PM for lunc 5:30 PM m 11:00 PM ~or dinner ai~d Sunday, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. 2628 Wilshire Blvd. com artwork. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR One ofthe most exciting and colo~l ways to experience North-CentralNew Mexico is by taking a hot-air balloon ride over the Rio Grande. (Photo byAndrew Collins) MARCH 2007 By Andrew Collins People often tell me they haven’t gone on a vacation in the past six months or year - sometimes longer - because they can’t afford to travel. This is especially true of singles, who anticipate higher costs without a partner to share expenses. True enough, there are a number of cities out there with prohibitively high hotel rates. But there are also quite a few lively and enchanting gay-popular destinations that can be enjoyed on a relatively tight budget, especially if you visit during slower times of the year. Here’s a rundown of 10 terrific destinations for budget-minded gay travelers. The first five are ideally suited for couples; the next five are great choices if you’re unattached. Traveling with your mate? Provincetown, Massachusetts Although Provincetown is a great place to meet singles during the busy and pricey summer high season, the rest of the year is perfect for couples seeking romance. And because prices fall off significantly after Labor Day and even more dramatically in winter, it’s a destination that can work for almost any budget. After the summer crowds have subsided, Provincetown is a quiet and low-keyed retreat. Its remote location, seemingly at the end of the earth, imbues this scenic beach town with an air of seclusion. It can be awfully romantic here in the fall, or even winter, when you’re cozied up in a quiet inn. Even the most luxurious guesthouses often drop their off-season rates to well below $100 nightly. Russian River, California Gay residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area have long favored this snug, woodsy riverresort area in western Sonoma County, midway between the fabled Wine Country and the rugged Pacific Coast. Accommodations tend to be rustic, which fits xvith the region’s verdant setting, and restaurants favor simpler and less expensive fare than what you’ll find in the swankier eastern reaches of Sonoma County, where most of the areas wineries are located. Ifyou and your honey love wine-tasting, hiking, and canoeing together, the Russian River is ideal. Salt Spring Island, British Columbia Salt Spring Island is a stunning, hilly little gem off the east coast of Vancouver Island, ~vithin an afternoon’s combined ferry/car trip from the cities ofVancouver, Victoria, and Seattle. There has long been a strong lesbian and - and to a somewhat lesser degree - gay male presence on this island of artist studios, great beaches, and picturesque mountain-biking and kayaking. Several B&Bs here are either gay-owned or quite queer-friendly, and it’s very easy to find a room for under $100. North-Central New Mexico North-Central New Mexico makes for the perfect weeklong romantic adventure. You can divide your time among a tiny, alluring village (Tats), a midsize city with some fun places to dance and eat out (Albuquerque), and a hybrid of the two (Santa Fe) - it takes about 60 minutes to drive between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and 90 minutes between Santa Fe and Taos. Santa Fe is the priciest of the three communities, so you might want to base your overnight operations primarily in Albuquerque and Taos, which each have myriad accommodations under $100 nightly, from gay-friendly B&Bs to funky retro-hip motels. Even in Santa Fe, however, you can find some appealing places to stay that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. There are also scenic campgrounds set around the area and, wherever you awaken, it’ll be to views of the region’s spectacular Sangre de Cristo and Sandia mountains. Although plenty of fancy upscale restaurants have opened in these parts in recent years, it’s still easy to eat cheaply at local - and often excellent - hangouts serving burgers and blue-corn enchiladas. Etrreka Springs, Arkansas A curious hilltop village in the heart of Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a favorite getaway of both conservative 20 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Christians and gay people. How these two seemingly at-odds factions vacation together So peacefully is anybody’s guess, but they do. It helps that most of the queer folk tend to stay in the historic, renovated, and downright bargain-priced Victorian inns closer to the center of town, while religious groups favor the properties on the main roads leading in and out of the village. The downtown has blossomed in recent years with a growing number of antiques shops and galleries, and the restaurant scene is sophisticated while still providing great value. Despite the many gay-owned businesses here, this isn’t a nightlife mecca. Eureka Springs is definitely BYOB - bring your own bedmate. Single and looking? Chicago, Illinois Vibrant and friendly low-attitude bars and clubs and a slew of cheap but delicious dining destinations entice impecunious gay travelers to the nation’s third-largest city, a world-class destination by aW measure. Beaches, lakeshore parks, and funky budget-friendly neighborhoods like \Vicker Park, Bucktown, and Andersonville add to the lure of this easy-on-the-pocket city. Downtown business-oriented hotels can be costly, but you’ll find a handful of small, reasonably priced motels, hotels, and inns to the north, in or near the city’s gaypopular Lakeview neighborhood. Chicago’s glorious skyline is free to admire. To see even more, the Chicago Transit Authority (www. transitchicago.com) visitor passes provide unlimited CTA transportation for one to five days, allowing you to save your dollars for more meaningful expenses. Austin, Texas Queer Austin folks like to say that they live in the "un-Texas" Texas, a land of green rolling hills, beautiful lakes and rivers, a progressive populace, and an urbane alternative arts and music scene. As Austin has boomed with dot-comers and entrepreneurs in recent years, its costs have risen, but it’s still a good value, especially when it comes to dining out - Austin has scads of superb restaurants in all price categories. The bar scene is compact and the crowds friendly, and the presence of the University ofTexas adds a youthful edge. There’s a great gay swimming and sunning hole, Hippie Hollow, just west of the city - a free and friendly spot to cruise and make new friends. Pordand, Oregon Like Austin, funky Portland has received plenty of attention and an influx of newcomers in recent years, but it’s still a scaled-down, user-friendly city that offers much of the culture, attitude, and excitement of Seattle and San Francisco at a fraction of the price. The midsize metropolis sits on the pretty Willamette River. Foodies recognize it as one ofAmerica’s great gourmet bargains, and fans of historic hotels and inns appreciate the reasonable rates offered at several excellent properties within walking distance of the gay bars along Stark Street. The feminist scene here is one ofAmerica’s most pronounced, making this a potentially excellent vacation spot if you’re a single lesbian hoping to find a like-minded soul. Montreal, Quebec For U.S. travelers, Canada is less of a bargain than it was five years ago, as the Canadian dollar has gained considerable strength against U.S. currency. Still, Montreal can be a steal, with numerous gay-friendly hotels and inns charging as little as $50 or $60 per night. This fun-loving city is a great destination for bar-hoppers - the singles scene is frisky and sexy, and sultry gay saunas dot the landscape, appealing to guys of all ages and tastes. The city also has dozens of affordable cafes and coffeehouses, many of them in the hip Gay Village. Sacramento, California California’s underrated capital is, to be frank, a dark-horse candidate as one of the nation’s top gay singles destinations, but keep an open mind. The city is within a two-hour drive of much pricier places, including San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country, and yet here you can easily find rooms for under $100 nightly. Sacramento boasts a vibrant (if not particularly conspicuous) gay community that is remarkably friendly and diverse in age - it’s a pretty easy place to meet the locals. The dining scene here is excellent, and accommodations range from the gay-owned and upscale Inn at Parkside and Hartley House Inn to a slew of cheap and comfortable chain motels right in the center of the city, within walking distance of the several fun bars, coffeehouses, and restaurants. www.ozarksstar.com the ,STAR 21 MARCH 2007 Are We There Yet? By the time we actually get to vote for our next president, the majority of,aanericans may feel like little children in the back seat of the c~ir asking Mommy and Daddy, "Are we there yet?" The furious nature in which politicos from both sides of the aisle are jockeying, posturing, and pontificating is sure to bring a whiplash effect to the voters - in the long run, the 2008 presidential election will just be a pain in the neck, and we’ll vote for the candidate who gives us the best political pain killers. But who will those two final candidates be? Do we, as a high-voter turnout community, have a real chance to impact the nominee of the Democratic Party? After all, the overwhelming majority of us vote that way. Well, if you live in the states where the Democratic primaries are held in January and February of 2008, then yes - your votes will count toward the Democrats’ pick. As the political calendar shapes up, it seems that 20 Democratic caucuses and primaries will almost definitely be held by February 28, 2008, ~vith a majority taking place on what us political junkies call "Super Tuesday" - February 5. The new wrinkle in this schedule is that powerhouse states such as California, Florida, and New Jersey are toying with the idea of moving up their primaries to the first Tuesday in Februar); as ~vell. (As of press time, it looked like California’s bill to move its primary date was on the fast track to Arnold’s desk for signature.) That’s a big enough chunk of votes to swing a primary race. Bajko says the primary candidates in states with large numbers ofLGBT voters will have to address issues such as repealing "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," gay adoptions, and civil unions vs. marriage. It’s during the primaries that the proverbial wheat ~vill be separated from the chaf~: None of the three leading candidates support same-sex marriage. It’s how they handle the issue and the honesty with which they speak that will sway us. For some reason, Tim Russert, the moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, has been routinely asking presidential aspirants how they feel about same-sex marriage. When John Edwards appeared, he was honest about his struggle. He didn’t just reel off the standard pablum about civil unions. He spoke honestly about his Southern Baptist roots, but also his desire to be fair to all. I could respect that. Hillary’s position on our unions is "evolving" - as strategic a political answer as they come - but she, as well as the rest of the Democratic gang, oppose a federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and hate-crimes legislation. Most of them also want to repeal "Don"t Ask, Don’t Tell." Try as I might, I can’t find a thing about Obama’s position on this. But he has made one viewpoint abundantly clear - living free from discrimination is a human right, but being able to marry whomever you want is not. It’s a shame Obama can’t make the connection between our right to love and his parents’. His father was from Kenya, his mother a white woman from Kansas. In a pre-Loving v. Virginia United States (the 1967 Supreme Court case that struck down bans on mixed-race marriage), their marriage was illegal in many states across the land. If that’s the case, everything ~vill be over but the shouting - whoever comes out the victor on Super Tuesday 2008 will be the Democratic nominee. What I’ve been wondering about is the differences on our issues among all the Democratic candidates. The actual number of candidates is so fluid that I won’t even venture a guess. But we do know who the main contenders are - U.S. Senators Hiltary Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (ILL) and former U.S. Senator John Edwards (N.C.). Following them are two more U.S. senators, Joe Biden (Del.) and Christopher Dodd (Conn.); two governors, Bill Richardson (N.M.) and Tom Vilsack (Iowa); one retired U.S. army general, Wesley Clark; a lone member of the House of Representatives, Dennis Kucinich (Ohio); and one African-American preacher, Al Sharpton. With 21 months to go before we actually get to vote, we’re going to see and hear a lot more hyperbole and posturing. I only hope that "Are we there yet?" doesn’t turn into "Been there, done that" - leaving many of us too bored to actually get out and vote. EDITOR’S NOTE: In her next installment, Libby Post will look at the Republican presidential hopefuls. Most of them have campaign websites. All but Clinton’s detail their positions on the major issues, but none speak specifically about LGBT concerns. Honestly, that’s not too surprising. The general election is going to won or lost on Iraq, health care, the economy, and quite possibly global warming. However, the primaries in some states may well be won or lost on our issues, based on how big of a voter turn-out we can provide. According to an article by Matthew Bajko in San Francisco’s Bay Area Reporter, California’s electorate is 10 to 11 percent LGBT. 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com 0p÷ a ms Ye th Preiect addresses the r eeds of Tu sa’s homeless youth, by Tim Gillean Photo by Chaz: Youth groz~ at T~dsa’s Openarms Youth Project. event. "While there, a young man walked in stating that he "was looking for his friends, he lingered, even a~er realizing they were not there. Over the next hour as the discussion continued, while we were doing our work, he revealed that he was homeless and someone had told him that Openarms could help. He took a chance that someone would be there and came by. His "ChristiaN’ mother had kicked him out because he is Gay. Our work continues. LGBT Homeless from page-5 Openarms has been addressing the needs of homeless youth in the Tulsa area for five years. By offering a safe haven for GLBTQyouth, and in fact all youth ages 14-21, Openarms has become the resource in Tulsa for these youth. A transitional living program has been the hope and dream of the Openarms board for many years. During the fours years that Openarms has been in operation, this past summer was the busiest period for youth homelessness. Within a two week period last summer Openarms was assisting six youth who had come to the youth center for help. To have that many homeless youth at one time is very unusual and something that the volunteers at Openarms hope can be prevented by early intervention. Through a net~vork of volunteers and networking with other agencies all of the youth were placed in a private home or public facility where their needs could be addressed without the extra feeling of desperation that homelessness brings. Openarms experience shows that most of the public facilities in Tulsa are not really prepared to address the issues that a homeless teen may face, and even less capable of dealing with a GLBT youth who might turn up at their facilities. Many of the shelters in Tulsa where assistance is available require the person to attend some type of religious ceremony to continue to access service. These services can be particularly terrifying to a youth who was just kicked out of their home because their parents won’t accept their sexuality based on their own religious biases. By providing a safe space where these youth are accepted for who they are, just as they are, Openarms is able to connect with them and find what their most pressing needs are. Openarms then begins to address those needs and help the youth develop in to a fully participating citizen. Openarms can provide education assistance, job assistance, food, housing and counseling for these youth. Most important of all it is a place ~vhere they can be with people who are like themselves working towards the same goals. All youth have the desire to succeed if provided with the necessary tools to do so and an understanding adult to help mentor them into their full potential. While Openarms continues to seek funding for a transitional living program, the support of the local community through unrestricted giving is the most effective way to help. Openarms Youth Project Inc. may be contacted at 918-838-7104 or through their website at www.openarmsproject.org. We are always glad to give tours of the facility located at 2015 South Lakewood, please call for an appointment or times of operation. One hour after writing this article for the Star, we went to the youth center to work on some lighting changes and furniture rearrangement for the upcoming Saturday evening While there is clearly more that can be .done at the grassroots level, in the end it is not enough to beat this epidemic without additional funding and support at the federal level. The president’s budget was released last month and Congress will begin work on the FY2008 budget and appropriations bills. The Task Force is recommending $140 million in FY2008 for the RHMCPA, a significant increase over its current $103 million allocation but Congress needs to do more. When the law is reauthorized in 2008 it needs to specifically address the needs of LGBT homeless youth and ensure that all homeless youth services organizations receiving federal funds are trained and capable of providing safe and culturally competent services to their LGBT clients. It is important that our allies in Congress insist that this pivotal piece of legislation accurately acknowledges and addresses the reality of youth homelessness in America -- nationwide, LGBT youth are grossly overrepresented in a system ill-equipped to meet their needs, and that simply must change. Jason Cianciotto is the research director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute. wwvv.ozarksstar.corn The STAR 23 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR, 25 Salutations and welcome once more to sluts "R" us, err something like that. This month Uncle Mikey recovers from a love affair of epic proportions. I mean whe~a; that man was just too much. It was like being at the DQand trying to take that extra dip, knowing your body, just won’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 that stallion loose, sending him back into the ~vild. I hope he does not do any damage; talk about putting your eye out. I bet the censors are 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. Kittens, I tried, really I did. You just can’t get a twelve in a size ten; I don’t care hmv you work it. Dear Uncle Mikey, At the college I attend, I have met, well kind of met, this man. He is in some of my classes and all I can say is he is fine. He makes me perk up every time I see him. I have seen him with several females, assuming that he is straight. To tell you the truth that just makes the attraction stronger. I want him only for a short time. These are my, college years, I’m supposed to experiment. So, should I just get him drunk so he can enjoy my talents? I really xvant this guy, so bad I have been ignoring the guys who would gladly enjoy my company. What should I do? Frat-boy-lecious A.K.A. butter, you know what you want, and I would even say, you have already greased the kegger nozzles, awaiting your fiat boy knight. Uncle cautions however, as though some straight wayward boys may let you play, some may not. Oh’ who are we kidding, order him a pizza and seal the deal. A straight college boy is like a walking drive through; you can have it your way, if there is a good supply of beer and pizza. That’s Amour’ Smooches-Michael errands, ect. I do not want to be one of those jealous types, questioning every move. I also do not want to be living with someone else who is living with everybody. Know what I mean? \~q~at would you do? Suspecting in Ohio Dearest Suspecting, Kitten, I te!l this repeatedly. If they are not getting it at home, they are getting it some~vhere. Via, liaison, hand-to-hand combat, somewhere, a man is a man after all. Secondly, if you feel something is amiss than more likely than not, there is. I would sit your man down and confront him with you feelings, prepared to hear whatever it is awaiting for you. Communication can be taken for granted after being with someone for a while, though never does the importance change in any relationship. He may be wondering why you two are not doing the bunny mambo across the front lawn anymore. Take it a step at a time, as anything and anyone xvorth having is worth working for. Smooches-Mikey Dear Mikey, Where did your site go? I really enjoyed it and miss going there every week. A fan of Mikey’s Kitten, You have touched me; moreovm; I am willing to touch back. Kitten, The world is not ready for an entire corner of Mikey, lets break them in slowly shall we? Smooches- Mikey Dear Uncle Mikey, My friends all give me a hard time telling me that I am stuck in the eighties. While; this is a joke to some, it is a way of life for me. I belong to that time, style, and music. It was a time that meant something more than found in the hollow music and style of today. Bring back the eighties! Mrs.. Garret’s boy Dearest Kitten, Gimme-a-break! A virgin you are not, while time has turned and the beat goes on. You must accept the, facts of life, if you really want to enjoy the good-times. This is a serious condition even if spoken through careless whispers. Hanging on to the past can only prevent you from seeing the new and exciting times of today. You may be missing opportunity if you are looking behind you. If you want to hear anyone say, I want your sex, than you must nip it in the bud so to speak. Like a prayer, I send you good thoughts. Let go and let Cher! ...Smooches-Mikey Get with it, don’t you wish your Gurl was Hot like me? Yes, Kittens, Uncle Mikey is timeless, whilst my flame shall lead yet another generations ofyoung queers everywhere. Well Kittens, I guess that is all the time for this month. Until next, time. Smooches-Uncle Mikey Uncle Mikey, I think my boyfriend of ten years has been seeing someone on the side. I have no real proof per say, just a nagging feeling in my gut. Sex has become strained, and I figured it was just because we had become so routine in our ways. I now see him acting like he is getting ready for a hook up though he tells me, working late, going on 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show ~vlRachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament I 0pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm NIGHTINGGALE THEATER-Tulsa WhOOfl "i’he Roadshow 8pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro CLUB iVlAJESTIC: Majestic Kings Shmv 10pro. rch 10 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am SAT THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am NIGHTINGGALE HEATER-Tulsa \VhOOfl "Ihe Roadshow 8pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4prn CLUB !vtAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro BAMBOO LOLFNGEi Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Eril&s Show 10:30pro MO BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm TUESDAY March 6 THE COPA: Strip-OffContesr 12am WEDNESDAY March 7 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm THURS CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight. ~DNESDAYMarch 14 BAMBOO LOUNGE: RED PARTY! Karaoke 9pro THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: DartTournament 10pro THURSDAY March 15 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w!Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro FRIDAY March 16 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro ~HE CbPAiM~ D~n~er~ 9pro CLUB ROX: Mison Scott Shm~:30pm HID~WAY: Male Dancers, 9pro ~O G~LERY- OKC ~OO~ ~e Roa&how SATURDAY March 17 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffer I am-3:30am SUNDAY Mzrch IR BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro Kris Kohl Show- THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEA~,VAY: Male Dancers, 9pro IAO GALLERY- OKC WhOOfl ~’he Roadshow 8pm S March25 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm CLUB b,£&JESTIC: Cada Lee Love Show 10pro 8 m. ~UB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Lily Tomlin 7pm. MONDAY March 19 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. biarch 20 THE COPA: Strip-OffComest Midnight. M BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. TUES 7~ THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. ?WEDNESDAY March~ BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro THE COPA: Variety Shiny 10:30pro HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro WEDNES 21 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Kaaoke 9pro THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro HNISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro THURSDAY March 22 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Shoxv w/ Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm TULSA P.A.C. CHAPMAN HALL: Les Folies Russes 7pm THURSDAY 9 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wt RachaeI Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro FI~JDAY March 30 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro SAT ~ch 31[ THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet l am-3:30am After Dark is a free service ro our advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser m inform the STAR in www.ozarksstar.com writing of updates, additions or discontinued events. The STAR is not responsible for accurac): the STAR 27 "Clean house, Virgo!" The Saturn-Neptune opposition, which inflates everyone’s sense of doom and despair, is getting a break as Jupiter offers liberating insights. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Stuck in the same old routine with your friends? You could suggest something new and different. Better yet, just go ahead and try out whatever interests you. Let them tag along or not. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Domestic duties and uncertainty at work have you in a crazy, confusing tug-of-war. Even if you can’t really escape your problems, a diversion - preferably a crazy, wildly erotic adventure - will help clear the mind and give you a creative perspective. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Listen to arguments; only say enough to draw out new opinions. Trying to win debates will only backfire; getting n.ew information and perspectives will prove immensely enriching, not just intellectually, but also to your relationship. CANCER (June 2t - July 22): It’s not unusual for erotic ideals to be at odds with practical concerns, but you’re feeling that tension acutely now. Attending to your own health or seeking opportunities at work may seem a diversion from that, but at least you’ll find some resolution to the conflict there. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Uncertainty about your partnership can make you cranky and controlling, which only makes things worse. Look for new ways to play together. A trip abroad would be ideal, but on such short notice a foreign film, festival, or art show is probably more feasible. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Home is rarely a safe haven from illness and accidents. But cleaning house, purging clutter, and organizing what’s left will make it safer. Getting family to help, or turning up old family treasures, will offer revelations. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Discuss political or social strategies with close friends, or better yet, a sibling. On your own, you’re too likely to make awkward gaffes. Lady Luck seems to be against you now, but you’ll score big in the larger game for being a good sport. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Hidden treasure in your home? Or some enriching family lore from your mother? Something should turn up that may seem to provoke a professional challenge but will actually help you clear that hurdle. 28 the STAR SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): You really can’t stay out of arguments now, so just don’t take them too seriously. You will flub some basic details and facts and undermine your own assertions. Provoking discussion and learning from your mistakes are good, too. CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Sex and money are typical sources of worry. Problems, however real, are much smaller than they seem. Stop fretting, pull back, relax, and meditate - or take a hike. Getting perspective is half the battle - and, sensibly, it should be the first half! AQUARIUS (January 20 - ~ebruary 18): If you meet your "perfect love" now, it could be a disastrous mistake. Run as fast and far as you can. Even indulging in mere lust is an invitation to horrible diseases. Existing relationships need work, too, but at least there is hope with some help from your friends. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Work, work, work! Take time out only to meditate, charge your batteries, and eat and exercise, of course. Trust your instincts, take cues from your dreams, and apply your deepest resources to the tasks at hand. Success is within reach, but only if you make a serious effort. SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appointment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., POBox 4711 Jop~n, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our Community Dinner Every Wed. 6pm just $4.00. No one is turned away. www.ozarksstar.com Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org -888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. w~vw.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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 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 --- 479-442-35!5 Condom Sense 418 W. Dickson.......479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- - -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center 479-000-0000 Passages ......930 N. College Ave- -479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads.......1004 1/2 Garrison Ave........ 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 ......1022 Dodson Ave- 479-782-9578 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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave......... 501-375-8580 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 Club Glacier- ........ 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 Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PC Box 4383, zip 64803--417-622-7821 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 - ~rvv.hydeskc.com - - 816-561-1010 Missie B’s....805 W. 39th St................816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge..... 424 Boonvitle Ave- 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical- 417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub.... 504 E. Commerical. 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive ............417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place....821 College- 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books....104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s........ -4810-A West Garriott....... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lav4on (580) Ingrids Bookstore..... 1124 NW Cache Rd......580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (918) 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 Church of Open Arms......3131 N. Penn...... 405-525-9555 Copa -2200 NW 39th Exp....... -405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy........405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant- ....2200 NW 39Exp - - -’- - - 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........2200 NW 39th Exp Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St- Hollywood Hotel.... 3535 NW 39th Exp ....... Hi-Lo Club 1221 NW 50th Jungle Reds .......2200 NW Expwy Ledo -2200 NW Expwy- Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ....... Partners......... 2805 NW 36th St - - Pec’s- -3535 NW 39th Expw ....... Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St- Rudy’s Place......3535 NW39th Expw........ Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St.......... The Park........ 2125 NW 39th St The Rockies...... 3201 N. MayAve - Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th Tramps............2201 NW 39th Ziggy’s. 4005 N. Penn. 405-528-2221 -405-521-9696 -405-947-2351 405-843-1722 405-524-5733 405-525-0730 -405-681-5044 405-942-2199 -405-947-2351 405-525-5165 -405-947-2351 -405-601-3711 -405-528-4690 405-917-1663 405-947-2351 -405-521-9888 -405-521-9999 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge....7204 E. Pine Border’s Book Store--- 2740 E. 21st. Border’s Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder- - Club Majestic....... 124 N. Boston ....... Club Maverick- .... 822 S. Sheridan Cosmo Dell & Bar - - 6746 S. Memorial Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street........ Hideaway Lounge..... 11730 E. 11th....... 918-836-8700 918-712-9955 918-494-2665 918-584-9944 - - - 918-584-9494 .918-835-3301 -918-459-0497 -918-834-1051 -918-743-4297 - - -918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st ............ 918-749-8378 Midtown.......... 319 E. 3rd- 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood.....918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave. -918-585-9552 Priscilla’s -7925 E. 41st- ............918-627-4884 Priscilla’s 5634 W. Skelly - 9!8-446-6336 Priscilla’s ........ 11344 E. 11th .............918-438-4224 Priscilla’s 2333 E. 71st-- -918-499-1661 Renegades........ 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd.......... 918-627-1505 Sappho’s......... 6373-C E 31st St- 9!8-836-0299 Tulsa CARES.... 3507 E. Admiral PI.......... 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle.....1338 E. 3rd ................918-592-1188 TNT’s - - 2114 S. Memorial- 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd....... 2630 E. 15th 918-293-0304 bitter girl 1 YOU OKAY~ email: b tten:jirl@qsyndicate,com 30 the STAR www.joanhilty,net www.ozarksstar.com EMPLOYMENT nPPDF~TM NITY ADVE~;~TI SI NI:3 SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR OKLAHOMA~ KANSAS MISSOURI OR ARF,J:~.N SAS qualifications to oza~ksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, March 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 3 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 01, 2007 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 Jeanne Flanigan Douglas Glenn Michael Dee Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Victor Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig LizHighleyman Devre Jackson Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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) 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, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 2 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/205 The Star Magazine, April 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 4 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/202 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/209 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2892c7067a15c7831ba49b6d5cf1195a.jpg 2ef525ccbc2c38f11b54593dd000c2c5 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/64bca32d87b018efcff3bca88e0cd4d2.pdf 096ea0deb8da92fe37170209ba933ba2 PDF Text Text �2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY*TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID* LITTLE ROCK* NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN ¯ WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �OKLAHOMA COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM ROTH APPOINTED TO THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION Exclusive by Victor Gorin to complete his term which expires in 2010. Commissioner Roth hopes that the work of preparing the county’s 2008 budget will be completed by the time he leaves office. As specified in the Oklahoma Constitution, as an appointee to a statewide office, he must run in the next general election to fill the balance of Ms. Bode’s unexpired term, which also ends in 2010. If elected, he plans to run for re-election for a full six year term at that time. He will be serving on the Corporation Commission with Republicans Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud. A giant step up from his county commissioner position, he stated that he fully understands the challenges of this statewide office. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK___’Tm grateful to Governor Henry for his vote of confidence, I’m grateful to for the public that has employed me these past years, and I look forward to making a difference for the state of Oklahoma." On May 14 Governor Brad Henry appointed Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to succeed Commissioner Denise Bode, who is resigning her seat for a job in the private sector. The Corporation Commission functions in Oklahoma state government to regulate telecommunications, utilities, the oil & gas industry & transportation providers. It consists of 3 commissioners elected statewide that serve 6 year terms. As the Governor stated, "Jim Roth has the intellect, the integrity and the dedication to public service needed to be an outstanding Corporation Commissioner." When he was elected to be Oklahoma County Commissioner of District 1 in 2002, he was the second openly gay elected official in Oklahoma. Despite a rough campaign where his opposition, the incumbent Republican Beverly Hodges, played the antigay card to the max, he still won based on a campaign of efficient, trustworthy county government that would serve all the citizens www.ozarksstar.com of the district. After his victory he and his stafffound that his predecessor had left the office with the computers crashed, files shredded, and a card with men in drag that said, "Don we now our gay apparel" that gave new meaning to the concept of sore losing. Despite this rock), welcome he gained the confidence of the district’s voters, achieving a balanced budget and getting 8 new bridges built in his district during his first term while the previous commissioner had built only one. He also was able to get Oklahoma County to adopt an employment nondiscrimination policy for their employees that protects them from discrimination based on sexual orientation, the first and only such government policy in Oklahoma. His job performance won the respect and support not only of the GLBT community and traditionally progressive groups, but also a surprising number of conservative Republicans. This showed clearly when he ran for a second term in 2006 and his opposition, Republican David Mehlhaff, ran a campaign almost entirely based on anti-gay rhetoric, and he still won handily ~ith 63% of the vote. He will retain his office until May 31. Unless she declines the position his chief deputy, Linda Simpson, will serve in his place pending the outcome from a special election that will be set by Governor Henry " I spent the last 3 weeks doing my due diligence exploring the position, finding out if it was something I could make a positive impact with. I also explored the idea about leaving a job that I loved and a county that relies on me. My partner (Worth Ross), my family and I all discussed my original intentions for public service, and that is to change people’s lives for the better, and we , decided that if the governor were to offer it this would be a tremendous opportunity to do that higher goal of helping change people’s lives for the better across the state. " "As for my skill sets, I feel I would be up to the challenge, "I feel that in the last 5 years I have learned a lot of what it takes to be successful as a member ofa 3 member board, pushing for progressive change even in contentious, difficult environments. My record for being fair and honest made me a good candidate in the governor’s eyes for that statewide position. Beyond that I would say that it is a huge honor to be able to take an oath to serve the state of Oklahoma just as I have felt it an honor to serve Oklahoma County". And as for the challenge of his upcoming statewide election? "I have always approached public service based on job performance, I work hard, I work long hours to make a difference. That will be my same strategy, that in the next year and a half that I will work so hard for the public that given the chance to rehire me, I hope they say yes." the STAR 5 �Dear Editor, Thank you for publishing information about the recent $24-miltion class action settlement with EMD Serono, the maker of AIDS -wasting drug Serostim. The lawsuit had alleged that EMD Serono promoted the use of an unapproved medical device that improperly diagnosed people as having AIDS wasting; provided doctors with travel stipends in exchange for their agreement to prescribe Serostim; and marketed the drug for uses that were not approved by the FDA. The U.S. Attorney in charge of a government case against EMD Serono asserted that "nearly 85% of prescriptions written for Serostim ~vere not medically necessary." It is important that anyone who paid for any of the cost of Serostim know that they may be eligible to receive a payment from this settlement. The deadline to make a claim is approaching fast! Claims must be submitted by June 19th, 2007. Claims forms and more information are available at www.serostimsettlement.com. Thank you, Mark D. Snyder Prescription Access Litigation www.prescriptionaccess.org Dear Editor barbarism many people would prefer to humanist progress. In that same light, our gay equality--despite some advancement in the area of civil unions and civil equality for same gendered couples--can be canceled by a Supreme Court decision should it decide that unanimity of a legislature is never to be had, and therefore, the law must bow to the least common denominator of human reason: bigotry. This is the logic that was used by the Supreme Court in denying any allowance for the health or life of the mother in the case of an abortion after consultation with the patient and her medical professional. The Court said that because the legislatures have a "right" to pass laws, and even should those laws be passed in contradiction to scientific fact, the ignorance shown by the law must be upheld. This reasoning is driven by religious fear and not sound jurisprudence. Let’s remember the slogan from a prior presidential election: "It’s the Supreme Court, Stupid!", and vote accordingly in November 2008 for the enforcement of the Constitution and not the Bible. James Nimmo Oklahoma City, OK I’m concerned about the takeover of my country by the Alice-in-Wonderland anti-Democratic nature of the religious far right. It’s my contention that fundie religious observance and stridency are a brake on natural human progress and diversity. As we’ve seen with the latest Supreme Court decision on privacy and women’s bodies, the opinions of six lower courts, logic, precedence, and rule of law are put aside when the observance of these important elements in human civilization would run counter to the biblical 6 the STAR w~wv.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 ��SATURDAY ,JUNE 23, 2007 THE JAZZ DEPOT ’lST AND CiNCINNATi OKLAHOMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME Creating U~ity Throu~ab Music FREE VVW’W.OEJAZ7-ORG ’A t Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST "¸ properties are our PEOPLE’ 430t NW 63rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 www, c21goldcastle.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 �Old homa Stonewa l Democra,s The LGBT Voice of the Democratic Party Stonewall Democrats Work to Raise Awareness that LGBT Democrats Care and We VOTE! We Seek Equality and Human Rights for ALL People from within the oMv Political Party that Endorses LGBT Inclusiveness at All Levels ofPolitics and Governmen~ Help us elect Democrats who will welcome YOU into their campaigns, their lives, and their offic!s! We’re Proud of Oklahoma Stonewall Members ~State Corporatwn Commissioner dim Roth ~State Representative Al McAffrey ~State Senator Andrew Rice (Congratulations on the new baby, SenatorO Join us at wwwook~tonewallo~rg 10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Pinkie and the Snakeshokers, Sa~rday Evening Come check out the improvements made to the festival as we~l as the many interactive activities such as Pride Idol, Pet Contest, Return of the Children’s Area, Two Stages of Entertainment plus a DJ Tent, Food, Shopping, Historical Exhibits, Karaoke ClMARRON m www.ozarksstar.com Q g a zi n e,,~ the STAR 11 �Unprecedented series of" gains coast tO coas for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people ’The tide is clearly shifting.’ Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force WASHINGTON, May9 " ~{~007 state legislative season has b~ ~{ ~ost productive in the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights movement and, as a result, for the first time more than half the U.S. population will live in jurisdictions that outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, according to an analysis of Census data and current laws released today by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. In addition, nearly 40 percent of the population wilt now live in jurisdictions that protect transgender people from discrimination -- a sevenfold increase since 2000, and one-fifth of all Americans will live in states that offer same-sex couples broad rights under state law, more than an eightfold increase since 2004. The Task Force said the 2006 elections and years of dogged work at the grassroots level were responsible for the surge in legislation. "This is a historic and long-overdue milestone. At long last, a majority of Americans will now live in jurisdictions that protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "As important, protections for transgender people and broad rights for same-sex couples are surging from coast to coast. We still have a very long way to go, but the tide is clearly shifting." Nondiscrimination Protections Surge Since Jan. 1, 2007, the legislatures in four states -- an all-time high -- have passed nondiscrimination laws. Three of those states -- Iowa, Oregon and Colorado -moved to extend protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and the Vermont Legislature passed a bill amending its existing nondiscrimination laws to include transgender people. As a result, the t2 the STAR percentage of the U.S. population living in jurisdictions protecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people from discrimination will rise to 52 percent, crossing the halfway mark for the first time. The laws of Iowa, Oregon and Vermont prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, among other categories; Colorado’s law covers employment only. I7 Oregon GoT. Ted Kulongoski is scheduled to sign his state’s ............... bill into law today; the governors in the other three states nondiscrimination laws covering gender have pledged to sign their bills into law. identity/expression grew 32 percentage Protections for Transgender People Growing Rapidly When the four state discrimination taws go into effect, 37 percent of the population will live in jurisdictions that protect transgender people from discrimination. Protections for transgender people have grmvn much more quickly over the last decade than those for lesbian, gay and bisexual people because of a commitment of the LGBT movement to insist that transgender people be included in new nondiscrimination laws and to go back and add protections for transgender people to existing sexual orientation-only laws. Since 2000, the percentage of the population living in jurisdictions with nondiscrimination laws covering sexual orientation grew 14 percentage points (from 38 percent to 52 percent). During the same period, the percentage of the population living in jurisdictions with points (from 5 percent to 37 percent), more than five times the rate of growth for sexual orientation protections. The "Eask Force created and staffed its Transgender Civil Rights Project in 2001 with the goal of increasing the number of transgender-protective discrimination laws. Since the project’s inception, the proportion of the population covered by transgenderinclusive laws has increased from 6 percent to 37 percent. "It’s clear that legislators recognize that transgender people face widespread discrimination and deserve the same protections as other minorities," said Foreman. "The common wisdom used to be that including protections for transgender people would kill a bill -- that’s obviously not the case." Foreman noted that last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed a hate crimes bill containing explicit protections ................... Continued next page www.ozarksstar.com �for transgender people by a vote of 237-180 and that this year the Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA) was amended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. There is widespread expectation that both houses of Congress will take up ENDA before the end of the calendar year. Gains in Broad State Protections for SameSex Couples Over the last five months (December through April), legislatures in three states New Jersey, New Hampshire and Oregon passed laws granting same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded married couples under state law through civil unions or domestic partnerships. As in the nondiscrimination arena, this is more states taking such action than in any previous state legislative season. As a result, onefifth (20 percent) of the U.S. population will live in states that offer broad rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples. (Other jurisdictions, including \Vashington state, Hawaii and the District of Columbia, have passed laws that give significant but not comprehensive rights to domestic partners. These jurisdictions are not included in the calculations.) Five years ago (in 2002) just one state, Vermont, ~vith 0.2 percent of the population, offered broad protections to same-sex couples. When the bills passed this session take effect, seven states (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon and Vermont), with 20 percent of the population, will offer broad protections to same-sex couples. The Task Force said Oregon’s new law was a particularly satisfying turnaround from 2004, when voters approved a constitutional amendment banning the recognition of same-sex marriage by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent, the narrowest margin among the 13 states voting on anti-marriage measures that year. The Task Force donated nearly $900,000 in cash in the attempt to defeat the amendment and sent 10 organizers to help staff the campaign. "While the 2004 loss really hurt, it’s now clear that our campaign really did convince people that all families deserve broad protections and relationship rights," said Thalia www.ozarksstar.com Zepatos, director of the Task Force’s Organizing & Training Department. Zepatos, who played a major role in fighting every anti-LGBT measure in Oregon since 1988, will attend today’s bill-signing ceremony in Salem, Ore. 2006 Elections and Years of Grassroots Work Credited with Surge in Protections The results of the 2006 election played a pivotal role in four (Colorado, Iowa, Ne~v Hampshire and Oregon) of the six states passing nondiscrimination or family protection laws since December, the Task Force said. Before the November elections, Democrats held control of both houses of the state legislatures in three of the states taking pro-LGBT action: Vermont, Colorado and New Jersey. As a result of the November elections, however, Democrats picked up control of both houses in the other three states: Iowa, Oregon and New Hampshire. Before the elections in Iowa, the Senate was evenly divided and the House was Republican-dominated; in Oregon, Democrats controlled the Senate and Republicans controlled the House; in New Hampshire, both houses were controlled by Republicans. In Co!orado, Democrats strengthened their control of the Legislature, and Democrat William Ritter succeeded Republican William Owens as governor, who had twice vetoed the nondiscrimination bill. Although it took Democratic control to move the bills, each passed with Republican support (although Colorado’s employment nondiscrimination bill passed with only one Republican voting for it). The Task Force stressed that while the change in party control was an essentia! factor in moving bills this year, grassroots activism over many years made it possible for legislators to vote on the pro-LGBT measures. In Oregon, for example, activists had been pushing a nondiscrimination law for nearly 30 years, and work on the comprehensive domestic partnership law began immediately after the 2004 election. Similarly, the LGBT community in Vermont has been pushing to include protections for transgender people for eight years, and New Hampshire’s civil union law is a direct result of marriage equality organizing by the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. "These bills would have never passed without the dogged work of state and local leaders and organizations over many, many years," Foreman said. "Our national community owes them all its respect and gratitude." Since Jan. 1, the legislatures of all 50 states have been in session. As of May 8, 29 legislatures remain in session. The change in control of the state legislatures was due to Democratic gains nationwide, as well as specific work to elect pro-LGBT state legislators spearheaded by Colorado philanthropist Tim Gill. "The lesson here? What a difference an election makes!" said Foreman. In Oregon in 2006, then-House Speaker Karen Minnis was singularly responsible for blocking nondiscrimination and family recognition legislation bills. With Democrats taking control of that chamber, Minnis has since lost her leadership position. the STAR 13 �young and old, gathered in sister-brotherhood, while others spoke for us inside. We held our signs aloft, talked, laughed, and waited for the Counci!’s final vote. From an open window, two of our elders signaled victory and we roared with joy in our hearts! We hugged each other, we cried and fett" as ONE community. It was a wondrous evening!" -- Marie Howard, age 73, retired teacher By D. Rose "As a gay father and spouse raising two children, I see this action by the Council as a major step in the ongoing process of attaining equal rights for citizens that are unduly discriminated against. For couples who can’t otherwise be married or have a Civil Union, the Registry will give us a small way to publicly recognize and help solidify our loving families. And for some couples fortunate to work for an employer that offers Domestic Partner benefits, it will help them attain much needed spousal benefits." -- JT Williams, Arkansas "Eureka shows us LOVE is for everybody!" -- Joney Harper Photo: Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Wilson. EUREKA SPRINGS, AR~"Zhis is a monumental occasion for our town," proclaimed Mayor Dani Wilson. "I am so incredibly proud that our c0uncil has had the courage to stand for equality for all." She concluded, "It reinforces the fact that Eureka Springs was founded upon equality, inclusion, and love for all, and still holds those principals true today." Diversity thrives in a Victorian village wedged in the rocky Ozarks hills. On May 14, 2007, Eureka Springs, Arkansas added another jewel to her crown with the passing of the Domestic Partnership Registry, standing in the company of many astute cities choosing to push aside religious oppression to progress equality for all couples. For many, the benefits of the Registry may be more symbolic in nature, but it is a monumental step toward enlightenment. "Who does DP benefit? Any adult couple who, for whatever reason, chooses not to legally marry or who, because of antiquated and discriminatory laws, can not legally marry. Every woman, man and child in Eureka Springs, in Arkansas and in the rest of the nation. Anything that inches those who have been disenfranchised and marginalized closer to full citizenship, emancipation and equality under the law is a benefit for society." -- Michael Walsh "As a mother of a deceased gay man, my first thought was Robert would love this. My second, he would be so proud of his mother for standing in for him to celebrate the life he fought so hard for. EQUALITY! Parents’ love never dies, but grows because he/she is your child as well as God’s." - Jude Murphy For more details about ordinance 2052, go to www.Diversitypride.com Center for Artistic Revolution Blog BENTONVILLE, AR The father of two teenage boys has asked city Officials to fine the Bentonville Public Library for keeping The Whole Lesbian Sex Book by Felice Newman on the open shelves where his sons could find it. Earl Adams said his 14and 16-year-old sons discovered the book in January while browsing for literature on military academies and were "greatly disturbed," causing "many sleepless nights in our house." Adams wants the city to pay him $10,000 per child, the maximum allowed under Arkansas obscenity law. "God was speaking to my heart that day and helped me find the words that proved successful in removing this book from the shelf," Adams said in the April 20 Springdale Morning News. City Attorney Camille Thompson said the book was not pornographic and Adams has no "valid legal concern." After receiving his original complaint, the library advisory board voted April 3 to remove the book from circulation and look for a similar, less graphic resource for the open stacks. "I thought we had a very intelligent I almost want to say high-minded--discussion about the book," said board member, George Spence. Library Director Cindy Suter said that she disagreed with Adams’s conclusion that having Newman’s book in the library follows an "immoral social agenda," adding, "My focus was to develop an inclusive collection and not an exclusive collection." "In the parking lot outside of City Hall, an amazing combination of people: gay, straight, mothers, fathers, nurses, teachers, 14 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com ��Anal PAP Smear For Men, Ana.1 Cancer Prevenuon SAN FRANCISCO, CA If you have followed the news, you’ve heard about advances in preventing cancers caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). The Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine for women and girls th~lt is expected to prevent up to 70 percent of cervical cancers caused by HPV. Unfortunately, there have been fewer advances in prevention and education for gay and bisexual men who face alarmingly high rates of another cancer caused by HPV, anal cancer. Most men and women who are sexually active acquire HPV at some point. Most HPV infections don’t cause cancer~, but some do. Rates of anal cancer among gay and bisexual men are 35 times greater than the general population -- comparable to rates of cervical cancer in women before routine Pap smear screening for cervical precancerous cells. HIV-positive men and women are even more susceptible, with HIV-positive men a staggering 80 times more at risk. Anal cancer rates have doubled in the last 10 years and are expected to continue rising. Black gay and bisexual men have seen the sharpest increase and have lower survival rates. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 4,650 people in the United States will be diagnosed with anal cancer this year and 690 people will die from it. Early detection of precancerous cells can save hundreds of lives each year and spare thousands of people from radiation therapy, chemotherapy and a lifetime of painful side 4ffects. The good news is that anal cancer is potentially preventable and highly curable. An anal Pap smear is an inexpensive and relatively painless screening procedure that can detect abnormal cells. A follow-up exam, which includes a high-resolution anoscopy, helps determine whether abnormal cells are precancerous. Specialists believe that treating anal precancerous cells, often through a simple in-office procedure, can prevent anal cancer. Despite the experience of specialists, these potential preventive measures are not part of routine care for those at risk. One reason 1 {5 the STAR is a disturbing lack of large-scale studies and research funding on anal cancer prevention. Without these studies, policymakers and medical associations are hesitant to recommend preventive measures. In contrast, cervical Pap smears became part of women’s health care before conclusive studies were published, yielding an 80 percent reduction in cervical cancer. Another reason that preventive measures are not in place is the limited number of providers trained in high-resolution anoscopy (HRA). Further, if pre-cancers are detected through the procedure, no guidelines exist for optimal treatment. This potentially preventable cancer is needlessly advancing among thousands of Americans each year. Some specialists are screening for and treating anal pre-cancers, but without randomized clinical studies, it hasn’t been proven that these measures prevent anal cancer. Required studies are in the planning stages and will take years to conduct. The STOP AIDS Project, a San Franciscobased community project that works to prevent the transmission of HIV among gay and bisexual men, supports evidence-based standards of care. However, until standards of care are implemented, something needs to be done. STOP AIDS advocates that policymakers and medical associations support and fund research on anal-cancer prevention, including the efficacy of HPV vaccines in males. In anticipation of published guidelines, a health-care infrastructure should be developed that includes provider training. Policymakers should also consider piloting screening programs to collect data and determine efficacy and feasibility. Gay and bisexual men and those with HIV should talk with their health-care providers about their risk for anal cance.r and HPV. Men can decrease their risk for HPV by using condoms. Those at risk should consider getting an anal Pap smear annually if they are HIV-positive or every two to three years if they are HIV-negative. At minimum, they should have a rectal exam to detect abnormal growths. Also, men at risk can !ower their risk by stopping smoking, because smoking is a risk factor for developing anal cancer. Men at risk can advance prevention efforts by volunteering for clinical trials or advocating for research funding and health insurance coverage. Additionally, providers can Seek training in preventive anal cancer procedures. The San Francisco Department of Public Health STD Control Branch and STOP AIDS are convening an expert panel to evaluate existing data on anal cancer and develop recommendations. Last month, New York’s MDS Institute became the first Department of Public Health in the nation to publish such recommendations. Other organizations, counties and states should follow this lead. Dr. Joel Palefsky is a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Jen Hecht, Jason Riggs and Michael Scarce are staff members of STOP ,adDS Project, an HIV prevention and health promotion organization for gay; bisexual and transgender men. For more information visit www.stopaids.org and www.analcancerinfo.ucsf.edu/ Doctors in Bay Area, San Francisco are encouraging ga), men to have pap smears, after a significant increase in cases of anal cancer. In the United States, the number of people diagnosed with anal cancer has increased by close to forty percent since 1996. This is in contrast to the overall increase of cancer diagnoses of just one percent. Although the cancer can be easily treated, 660 people died ftom the disease last year, with over 4,500 new cases. Doctor Joel Palefsky, Director of the Anal Neoplasia Clinic at the University of California, spoke of how anal pap smears could detect legions before becoming malignant. "We haven’t proven it yet, but we believe that we are likely to be preventing anal cancer." Although women are more likely to be diagnosed with anal cancer, gay men and those who are HIV positive are also at risk. It is now believed that 35 out of every 100,000 gay men in the United States has anal cancer. A report is currently being prepared on the introduction and promotion of pap smears for gay men. www.ozarksstar.com �You want to be healthy. Go to bed and Try to mix and match these hues with the d’cor of your boudoir and serenade yourself into a lullaby. sleep on it. Sleep is a great way to maintain your health and it’s not that complicated. You just need to sleep. So, why is that everyone seems to get so little of it? People are always rushing about. There’s the nine to five job. There’s the one hour commute. There’s the grocery shopping. There’s always something that seems to eat away at your precious sleep time. Let me give you some good reasons to make room for the pillmv and mattress. First, you just simply need to make the time for sleep. The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep. This is a priority and you need to allocate a period of your day ~vhen you can accomplish this. If you can’t schedule it then you are doing too much during your daily routine. Cornell psychology professor James B. Maas provided research that shows that if you get less than eight hours of sleep per night, you are operating impaired; and your alertness, productivity, creativity, and general health are all affected. The body is able to restore itself during REM sleep. ~lis is when the body can process the emotional moments of the day through dream imagery. ~is explains why I have such a hard time sleeping after watching movies like The Grudge, White Noise, or Gigli. The brain tries to interpret and process this information so that we can forget and then move on for a new day. Some people tell me that they need to do as much as possible while they are alive. They tell me that there will be plenty of time to sleep when they’re knocking on heaven’s door. True but why not try to get as much quality out of your awake time as possible? Proper sleep equates to much more energetic and productive awake time. I opt for quality in lieu of quantity. "Goodnight, you princes Of Maine. You Kings of New England." Ron Blake is a personal fitness trainer and owner of Blake Fitness in Phoenix. He can be reached at 480-241-5651 or blake.fitness@ yahoo.com. Owasso Community heatre’ Season Opens. OWASSO, OK__The O~vasso Community Theatre’s Season "It’s All About Family" will be opening on June 22, 2007 with a musical production of Ruthless! directed by Bruce Lewis. Season Tickets for all five shows are now available from the contacts listed below, and cost $25.00 for access to all four shows which include the mysterious Arsenic and Old Lace, the heartwarming Cheaper By The Dozen, and the entertaining Babes in Toyland. For further questions, please contact: Tammy Quick, tammylq@cox.net, (918) 851-3830 Bruce Lewis, brucel@tulsacares.org, (918) 906-8992 It becomes easier to fall asleep when you get in a routine. Watch the nine o’clock news each night and then head off to the bedroom. Notice I said head off to the bedroom. That would mean that you were watching the news in another room. Very good! The bedroom is just for sleeping and occasionally some carnal indulgences. Keep the television and DVDs out of this sacred slumber sanctuary. The more you associate this part of the house with somnolence, the easier it will be become to fall asleep quickly when your head hits the pillow. Don’t engage in disruptive activities just before being summoned by the sandman. Headbangers ball, a cup of joe, a row with your partner, and a tintinnabulary tango are bad ideas. Soothing music, non-caffeinated drinks, and a rendezvous with your favorite book are great ideas. Make your bed as comfortable and appealing as possible. There are certain colors that have that hypnotic effect on individuals. Green coos peace and serenity and helps lower the heart rate. It is a great comforter and stress reliever. Blue entices you to fantasize and daydream. Its cerulean effects cause the brain to emit tranquilizing hormones. Purple has the capacity to pacify frayed nerves and slow muscle activity. Pink just has a way with calm, cool, and collective. www,ozarksstar.com the 8TAR �OK .AHOMA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK MOVING TO THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (OSP), Oklahoma’s premiere classical theater, announced at the Myriad Botanical Gardens that beginning in 2007 and beyond, it will stage its summer seasons in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. The inaugural 2007 season will kick-off June 14 and continue through Sept. 1. It will be staged on the Myriad Botanical Gardens Water Stage, which the Myriad Gardens Foundation (MGF) in a partnership with OSP will renovate. OSP has partnered with the MGF to raise private funds for the renovation. Improvements will include new sound and lighting, seating and a stage structure. The renovated theater will add a new premiere venue to doxvntown Oklahoma City and will be available for other bookings when OSP is not in residence. OSP has also moved its offices to Stage Center in Oklahoma City’s Arts District. The 2007 Summer Season opens June 14 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by Cyrano de Bergerac and Macbeth. The final summer performance will be September 1. The announcement came on the day that OSP’s three-year lease with the Myriad Gardens Authority and the City of Oklahoma City for use of the \rater Stage was unanimously approved by the Oklahoma City Council. It had previously been unanimously approved by the OSP Board of Directors and the Myriad Gardens Authority. This approval represents the culmination of a process that began in the spring of 2005, when OSP’S stage in Edmond’s Hafer Park was burned down for a second time. Because of that tragedy, OSP staged its summer seasons the past two years at the University of Central Oklahoma. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park 2006 Season "The Temioest at Stage Center" Photo Subjects: Left: Holly McNatt (Miranda) and Rig/st: J. Shane McClure (Prospero). Photo by: Andrea NotTis O’Meara. The past 22 summer seasons have been staged in the City of Edmond. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park traditionally mounts a summer season consisting of three plays; a winter season of one play, which is traditionally performed at Stage Center in downtown Oklahoma City; a production of A Christmas Carol, which will remain at the University of Central Oklahoma; and statewide touring productions year-around. Educational outreach is also a core part of OSP’S mission. OSP is supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, Allied Arts, Chesapeake Energy, OG&E, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, the Kirkpatrick Foundation, the Inasmuch Foundation, and is in alliance with the University of Central Oklahoma’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Arts. For more information, visit www.oklahomashakespeare.com. Thi~ drink ! Yummy 1½ oz. Vodka 1 oz. Creme de Banana 1 oz. Dark Creme de Cacao ½ oz. Light cream Pour ingredients into mixini~ glass. Add ice, shake and strain into your Martini Gl~ss. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park was founded in 1985 by current Artistic Director Kathryn McGill and the late Jack 1 8 the BTAR www.ozarksstar.com �cabaret-style entertainment, billed with the show "Trial By Jury." "Jury," a one act Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta is about a philandering man who cheats on his intended and gets sued for breach of promise. An equally badly behaved judge presides over the case, and, you can guess the rest. By Joey De The boys are back in town, and for the 2007 Light Opera Oklahoma season, they’re behaving badly, beginning Jun. 15. All four shows have rotating schedules which can be found at wvw.tulsapac.com or at www.lightoperaok.org. For ticket information visit www.myticketoffice.com. Presented as a repertory festival and in conjunction with the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust’s Summerstage festival, the 2007 LOOK season features a classic, a contemporary and countess, in addition to three cabaret performances. "We select our shows and obtain rights about a year and a half to two years in advance," says Eric Gibson, artistic director of LOOK. "Then we take a look at the shows and if we can, hopefully find a theme or a common element to tie them all together." This year’s presentation of bad boys are Meredith Willsoffs "The Music Man," the dark opera/musical "Sweeney Todd" and the more light hearted operetta "Naughty Marietta." Kicking off the festival Jun. 13 and running through Jul. 8 is "The Music Man," a golden age musical about Professor Harold Hill, the most charming of con artists, and his descent upon River City, Iowa. Hill convinces the town’s youth that they are in so much terrible trouble the only way to keep them safe is to introduce the boys to music and join a band. The con’s plan includes getting unwitting parents to buy instruments and band uniforms and then skipping town with the proceeds. The plan hits a snag when Harold falls in love with the local librarian Marian Paroo. Resistant at first, Marian sees Harold transform the citizens of River City into exhilarated, musically challenged people. "This show’s a classic," says Gibson, "High schools everywhere do it, but rarely is it performed ’right,’ with professional talent." Following the feel-good frivolities of Music Man will be a trip to the dark side xvith Stephen Sondheim’s "Sweeney Todd," about the wrongfully imprisoned barber, Benjamin Barker. Barker, who returns to London to reclaim his life and reunite with www.ozarksstar.com his wife and daughter, finds that his judge has taken his wife and child, and swears revenge. Known on the streets as Sweeney Todd, Barker kills a street mountebank who recognizes him, and makes it that much more easy for him to kill anyone who gets in his revengeful way. His accomplice Mrs. Lovett, a fledgling pastry cook, has the brilliant idea of popping Todd’s victims into meat pies, boosting her own sagging business. Although it is a more contemporary piece of musical theatre, Gibson says that Sweeney Todd is very operatic, and is in fact performed frequently in opera houses throughout the United States. Rounding out the main stage season for LOOK is a light hearted return to the operettas that the company was built on. Although it is not Gilbert and Sullivan, as many have come to expect from the troupe, "~xe Naughty Marietta" is full of the same wit and charm that makes light opera fun. The show, which opens June 28, tells of the escape of the Countess D’Altena of Italy. D’Altena finds herself on a ship bound for New Orleans, but once there must escape the pirate Bras Pique. To join her in these escapades, Marietta enlists the aid of Captain Dick Warrington, a ranger in the US Army. They quickly fall in love and in order to foil the plot of Bras Pique, they enlist the aid of a French fop, marionettes, a jilted lover and many others! Through out the season, LOOK will also be offering three intimate evenings of LANG & LOVETT CONCERT COHING TO OKC AND TULSA TULLSA, OK Musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, Lyle Lovett, together with K.d. Lang is in concert at Oklahoma City’s ZOO Ampitheater Saturday July 7th and in Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater on Sunday July 8th, 2007. By breaking the rules and experimenting with music, each has earned a cult following around the world with a modern, eccentric sound coupled with literate, witty lyrics. K.d. Lang was inspired, at an early age, by the music of country western diva, Patsy Cline, and released a string of albums with a decidedly country flair enjoying moderate success in both sales and airplay. It was not, however, until the release of"Ing~nue" that K.d. Lang hit it big. Hailed as her "crossover" album, critics praised her work even as her country fans were feeling alienated. Lang further removed herself from her country/western fame by publicly declaring her lesbianism, shortly after the album’s release. �the 8TAR www.ozarksstar.com ��down and T;ad.K TO EVERYBODY! When harurally,, no one knOws y0u; s~ it is YOUR responsibility to start a conversation, that was in ��The colorful gutchart Gardens rank among !~ctoria’s most memorable at~actions. (Photo by Andrew Collins) around the city and its environs by car. A favorite excursion is so-called Marine Drive - not the name of any one street but a scenic coastal circuit extending from Ogden Point, which is southwest of the Inner Harbour, to Cadboro Bay. Victoria and the surrounding area are also idea! for outdoorsy activities - in fact, it’s been named Canada’s fittest city, owing to the high percentage of residents who regularly participate in outdoor recreation. Favorite activities include diving, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. A number of local outfitters lead tours through nearby old-growth forests, up rugged mountain peaks, and on whale-watching expeditions - visit Tourism Victoria’s helpful website (www.tourismvictoria.com) for a full list of providers. Dignified, historic, studded with parks, and packed with some of the nation’s most notable cultural attractions, Victoria offers the perfect recipe for a short getaway in western Canada - it’s also easily reached from Vancouver or Seattle by way of regular ferry service. At the southern tip of Vancouver Island, this leafy capital of British Columbia has also become a popular spot for gay honeymoons and weddings since Canada legalized same-sex marriage in 2005. Great Britain’s first colony on the Pacific Coast of North America, Victoria was established in 1849 as a trading outpost. By the end of the century, when the now much larger city of Vancouver was still a mere blip on the radar, Victoria had become B.C.’s capital. The city remains an important political center, but tourists definitely butter the bread these days. The formal, lmndon-inspired Parliament buildings and the Fairmont Empress Hotel edge the harbor, set against a commanding backdrop of snowcapped mountains. With its tow skyline, downtown is compact and user-friendly, and fine shopping and care-hopping abound. The south end of the Inner Harbour contains Victoria’s provincial government buildings as well as the imposing Fairmont Empress Hotel, which is famous not only as a place to stay but for its regal afternoon high teas. Few museums in Canada are more fascinating than the Royal British Columbia Museum, whose artifacts and exhibits document life 12,000 years ago in xvhat is now Western Canada. Around the corner, the Crystal Garden Conservatory contains more than 65 endangered species that make their home in this re-created tropical forest. just south of here, off Douglas Street, the 185-acre Beacon Hill Park is typically filled with joggers, strollers, and sun-worshipers soaking up the atmosphere and the floral aroma. Nearby you can visit the Carr House, which affords a glimpse into the life of British Columbia’s most beloved painter, Emily Cart. Walk 15 minutes or drive a short way east of downtown along Fort Street, which is lined for several blocks with fine antiques shops, to reach one of B.C.’s greatest house-museums, Craigdarroch Castle. From the top (fifth) floor you’re treated to outstanding views of the city. Just west is the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, one of the top art museums in Western Canada. Once you’ve exhausted Victoria on foot, consider tooling Victoria lies at the southern tip of the Saanich Peninsula, a fertile strip of land dotted with family farms and a growing number of esteemed wineries. It’s worth spending an afternoon exploring this region, whose most famous attraction is Butchart Gardens, a half-hour northwest of the city. The Butchart family made its fortune manufacturing cement in the late 19th century; when they finished mining their quarry, they transformed it into this magnificent collection of gardens. Among the 55 acres you’ll see every imaginable flower, and there are concerts as well as Saturday-night fireworks displays in July and August. From Butchart, there are several wineries within an easy drive. As you motor around the countryside, keep an eye out for farm stands and roadside markets, many of them selling fresh jams, baked goods, flowers, and produce. They often operate on an honor system - pick out your goods, and leave behind payment. Wineries of particular note include Marley Farm, a family-run establishment that specializes in some quite unusual fruit wines, including kiwi, pear, loganberry, and quince varieties. You’re apt to see sheep and horses wandering the 5-acre grounds. Tiny Chalet Estate Vineyard is well-regarded for its high-quality, unfiltered vintages, from syrahs to viogniers. Where there are wineries, there are virtually always wonderful restaurants, and Victoria is no exception. Probably the most gaypopular of the city’s up-market restaurants, Cafe Brio is a sophisticated little chef-owned ........ Continued next page. vwvw.ozarksstar.com �bistro that’s an absolute delight for romantic, intimate meals. The contemporary West Coast cuisine has Tuscan overtones - you might start with crispy roasted sweetbreads with poached rhubarb, followed by tomato-and-molasses-braised lamb shank with fresh-mintpotato gnocchi. For some of the best modern Italian food in town, including fantastic wood-fired pizzas with such creative toppings as smoked ahi tuna and marinated artichokes, dine at I1 Terrazzo, whose airy dining room resembles a cloistered courtyard. It’s steps from the diverting shopping along Johnson Street and features one of the city’s best wine lists. been refitted into a distinctive all-suites accommodation. Groups of friends traveling together will find Swans a bargain - up to six people can easily fit into its huge rooms. Each has a dining nook, a patio or a terrace, and many have skylights. There’s a microbrewery and an excellent restaurant, Wild Saffron Bistro, on the premises. Also worth consideration is the Magnolia Hotel and Spa, a snazzy and modern boutique hotel with a first-rate spa and a great location in the Inner Harbour neighborhood. Rooms receive plenty of sunlight, with their floor-to-ceiling windows and views of downtown and the waterfront. With a memorable setting inside a former schoolhouse in Canada’s oldest Chinatown, Brasserie I2Ecole is the domain of talented chefowner Sean Brennan, who utilizes local produce in his innovative regional fare, such as local trout with escarole and Jerusalem artichokes. Well-seasoned, imaginatively prepared vegetarian fare is the specialty at Re-Bar Modern Food, an offbeat spot on downtown’s Bastion Square, where you might dine on shiitake-tofu potstickers or Thai coconut-cashew prawn curry. If you’d rather stay out in the country, but still within striking distance of Victoria, consider booking into the swank yet low-keyed Sooke Harbour House, which is a 45-minute drive away. This is the ultimate luxury hideaway, complete with 28 imaginatively decorated rooms, many with views of Washington’s Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There’s also a splendid restaurant serving fantastic four- and seven-course dinners, complete with wine-pairing options. One signature dish is the trio of garden-inspired sorbets (which might include quince-lemon-verbena or rhubarb-fennel). Indeed, this perfectly tended inn is surrounded by some of Vancouver Island’s most beautiful gardens - a night or two here will leave you totally refreshed and relaxed. For lighter dining and snacking, grab a latte or cappuccino at gaypopular Bean Around the World Coffee, a Chinatown java joint that uses organic coffee beans. Or nosh on eggs Benedict, hefty burgers, and other short-order fare at Rosie’s Diner, a downtown cafe with a festive ’50s-inspired retro look. The city’s sizable Asian community ensures a wealth of first-rate Chinese, Thai, and Japanese restaurants. For sensational Tixai fare, try Siam Thai. Victoria is by no means a major hub for gay nightlife, but it does have a couple of friendly; laid-back gay hangouts. There’s the " popular (at least on weekends) dance club, Hush, as well as Prism Lounge, a basement space with fun drag shows and karaoke nights. The two bars lie within a short ,valk of one another, on the north side of downtown. You might find the ambience and vibe a bit hipper and more upbeat at some of Victoria mainstream but perfectly ’ gay-friendly social spots, such as the ornately decorated Temple Bar, known for its extensive lists of wines and martinis. Other good bets include Lucky Bar, a convivial beer hall set inside a historic building, and the Mint, a vaguely New Age-y space with Tibetan and .Nepalese food, and DJ music and dancing many evenings. In Victoria, there’s no fancier lodging in town than the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This 1908 Edwardian hostelry is the most sumptuous grand dan~e on Vancouver Island, and its Empress Room is a superb restaurant. Newer rooms are larger than those in the original section but keep with the hotel’s tradition. Celeb spotting is not uncommon. The hotel is also notable for its beautifully decorated Bengal Lounge, which serves traditional Indian cuisine in an oldworld Colonial ambience. Abigail’s Hotel is a great bet, in part for its enviable location - it’s at the end of a quiet, residential lane, yet it’s just three blocks from the Inner Harbour. The 23-room gayfriendly, hotel consists of two Tudor-style buildings, one with more traditional decor, and the other with more modern-feeling units. Many of the accommodations have wood-burning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, and rates include an extensive full breakfast (enjoy it on the sunny patio, overlooking the English gardens, when the weather is cooperating). Set inside a former warehouse near Victoria’s Market Square and within ,valking distance of downtown attractions, Swans Hotel has www.ozarksstar.corn the ~TAF~ ~. 5 �GAY TRAVELERS from page-22 town for th~ weekend. Later in the day we did meet some ~vonderful people at the bar and they invited us to a big party that they were having the next day. The Dallas businessman lost out on a lot! "TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD" by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast We make friends wherever we go, both gay and straight. Most people enjoy talking ~vith other people but sometimes you just have to make the first move. For us, we enjoy traveling to see interesting and new places, try new food, enjoy the sights and sounds of an area unknown to us but it is the people that we meet that are our real memories. We hear from way too many of our readers who return from their vacation and say that they didn’t have a good time, that they didn’t meet anyone and no one talked to them. Well, you cafft just go and sit like a bump on a log. Remember the immortal words of Auntie Marne, ""Life is a banquet and most people are starving to death". Don’t be one of those people! Have good safe fun when traveling, enjoy life and TALK TO EVERYONE. Harry Caray’s Restaurant, Chicago We have been so fortunate in our travels to meet authors, poets, writers, entertainers, movie and TV actors. We get invited to a lot of parties in Hollywood, New York, Chicago, Florida and everywhere we go only because we make the first move and talk to everybody. Life is just too short to do it any other way. 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 \Vi!liams, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. You can email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers Diversity Business Association of Tulsa Hosts First DBAT After Hours During Tulsa Pride Week TULSA, OK A vital aspect ofDBAT partidpation is the opportunity to meet with and learn from other LGBT business owners and professionals. Such an opportunity is offered through DBAT After Hours, our own version of a business after hours event. Join us for June’s DBAT After Hours and network in an informal atmosphere, make new contacts or to get reacquainted with former contacts. Nibbles and beverages provided. DBAT After Hours Thursday, June 7th 7:00 - 9:00 pm Dennis R. Neill Equality Center 621 E. 4th Street, Downtown Tulsa 26 the STAR Harry Caray’s, named for the late, renowned baseball announcer, has become one of the most nationally recognized restaurant groups in the Midwest. Opened on October 23, 1987, this legendary Italian Steakhouse serves the finest prime, aged steaks and chops in a truly warm "Chicago" atmosphere. The friendly, energetic atmosphere embodies the amiable personality of the restaurant’s namesake. The combination of mahogany paneling, white tablecloths and a veritable museum of baseball history creates a warm and casual elegance. It is located at 33 W. Kinzie in downtown Chicago. They are open for lunch, Monday thru Saturday from 11:30 to 3:00. They are open for dinner Monday thru Thursday from 5:00 to 10:30 and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 11:00. Sunday they are open from 4 to 10 and their bar is open everyday from 11:30 to closing. The food served here is steak and Italian. The price range is from the $10’s to the $30’s per meal. Service is great. Each server is personable and enthusiastic. There is also a bar on one side of the restaurant with plenty of TVs. They also have a second location at the O’Hare International Center, 10233 West Higgins Road in Rosemont, Ill. In August 2007, Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group will open it’s third Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in Lombard, Ill. And although it is not an Italian Steakhouse, Harry Caray’s Seventh Inning Stretch premiered in 2001 and is the largest restaurant and bar at Chicago’s Midway Airport. This restaurant is ideal for travelers looking to take a delicious sandwich to go or those who have a short respite while waiting for their flight. We have always enjoyed our meals and had a great dining experience at Harry Caray’s. w~v.ozarksstar.com �JUNE 2007 ExpoSing Hate World Congress ofFami/ies, a gathering thatfocused on "naturalfamilies. " No longer content with the obscene political and monetary profits they realize in the United States, the radical Christian right is now exporting its number one product - homoph0bia - to Europe. A few thousand zealots from the United States and other countries converged on Warsaw, Poland’s Palace of Culture and Science in mid-May for the World Congress of Families, a gathering that focused on "natural families." "Natural families"? Just more spin - another euphemism for degrading LGBT families. These folks only consider assembly-line-produced families using eggs and sperm - introduced to one another through that old heterosexual standb); the missionary position, engaged in by a married, heterosexual couple - to be the real thing when it comes to producing progeny. How hateful of our -kids and our f,mailies. But let’s face it - hate is all these folks know, even though they couch it all in "Jesus’ love." The usual cast of radical Christian right characters was on hand for this particular love-to-hate fest. James Dobson from Focus on the Family was joined by folks from the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America, the Family Research Council, the Helcitage Foundation, and the Discover), Institute, which isn’t about designing good, intelligent television programs, but instead about programming youth to believe in intelligent design. The World Congress was organized by a group I hadn’t heard of - the Howard Center for Family, Religion, and Society, whose president, Allan Carlson, declared, "The cultural battle has gone international. The American religious right, instead of being isolationist, has in fact gone global." 7his is a government that does nothing to stop sldnheads and other nationalistic groups from targeting its LGBT citizens. This is a government that is tailor-made to be the only elected Western European ally of America’s radical Christian right. So what canoe out of this love-to-hate lest? Poland’s education minister, Roman Giertych, a leader in the country’s right-wing League of Polish Families party - who also happens to be a Deputy Prime Minister - became the politico celebre as he told the group that combating the "propagation of homosexuality" was just "something I have to do." His remarks were echoed by Polish President Lech Kaczynski Rallying around the homophobic flagpole, World Congress participants cheered at the news that the Polish government would not be cowed by the European Union, which has warned Poland that its antigay policies might cost the country its voting rights. They listened to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hlen Sauerbrey bring greetings from W and thank the Howard Center "for all of their hard work in organizing this wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon the family and its vital role in society." No question that the current administration stands firmly alongside homophobic repression. They heard Ben Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund say, "Marriage will be destroyed by making all relationships equal," and Brigham Young law professor Lynn Wardle chime in with, "Legalizing samesex marriage will drain marriage of its social meaning." They also came together to embrace the "natural family manifesto." I think it’s kind of funny that a gathering in a former Communist country attended by those who hate Communism would support something called a "manifesto." But yes, there is a manifesto. It encourages mothers to stay home and have many children. It fervently opposes LGBT people and abortion in a single breath. Oh, joy. But what about their destination? Why Poland? Why not Rome, to be near their buddy, the pope? Or Nigeria, where Archbishop Peter Akinola is masterminding a homophobic schism within the Anglican Church? Nope, they chose Poland because of its state-sponsored homophobia. I’m not talking about the run-of-the-mill "we ~von’t pass a probill gay bill if our lives depended on it" homophobia. This is a government that bans Pride celebrations, speaks openly about purging "homosexual propaganda’’ from the country, refuses to recognize the rights of lesbians and gays, and is now considering a bill that would make it illegal for any teacher in any classroom, public or private, to discuss homosexuality, LGBT rights, or safe-sex practices, "It is not enough to stop public recognition of ’gay marriage,’ nor to oppose ’safe-sex education’ in the public schools, nor to ban partialbirth abortion, nor to create ’covenant’ marriages. Victory for the natural family will come only as we change the terms of the debate." If changing the terms of debate means the wholesale exporting of hate, they’ve offto a good start. I just wish folks would stop bwing it here in the States. An endnote of worth: While all this homophobia is defining Poland to the LGBT world, Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz Walz defied the country’s president and ultra-right-wing organizations by letting a Pride parade take place in her city on May 19. More than 5,000 marched amid bystanders who waved and were generally supportive. The bill would bar LGBT organizations from schools, and lesbian or gay teachers who come out would automatically be fired. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 27 �May 1920 (87 years ago this month): Erotic A~-tist Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland) is born in Kaarina, Finland. Who was Tom of Finland? The erotic art ofTouko Laaksonen - better known as Tom of Finland - shaped the erotic fantasies of countless gay men and helped redefine the popular image of male homosexuality. Laaksonen was born May 8, 1920, in Kaarina, a rural village in southwest Finland. Both his parents were schoolteachers, and he developed an early appreciation for art and music. Aware of his same-sex attractions from a young age, he created homoerotic drawings - often featuring farm boys and laborers - for his own enjoyment. At age 19, Laaksonen moved to Helsinki to attend art school, but was soon drafted into the Finnish army, which allied with Nazi Germany to fight the Soviet Union in World War II. Serving as a lieutenant, he began having sex with fellow soldiers and developed a fetish for men in uniform, which he reflected in his drawings. After the war, Laaksonen completed his art degree and studied piano at the Sibelius Institute. By day, he worked as a commercial graphic artist, then played the piano at cafes and private parties in the evenings. Feeling little affinity for the flamboyant and effeminate men who frequented Helsinki’s homosexual venues, he traveled often and became familiar with the gay leather scenes in several European cities. In 1953, while cruising in a Helsinki park, Laaksonen met his sole long-term romantic partner, a dancer named Veli (whose last name is not publicly known); their relationship endured until Veil’s death from cancer nearly 30 years later. Photo’s courtsey of: www.eroticartcollection.com 28 the STAR Encouraged by friends, Laaksonen submitted some of his sketches to the Los Angeles-based bodybuilding magazine _Physique Pictorial_. Publisher Bob Mizer was impressed enough to feature a drawing of a lumberjack on the cover of the spring 1957 issue, dubbing the artist "Tom of Finland." In 1973, Laaksonen had his first public exhibition in Hamburg, Germany, and was able to quit his job at an advertising agency and live offhis art. In 1978, he visited Los Angeles for his first U.S. exhibition, where met Durk Dehner, who became his friend and manager; after Veli’s death in 1981, Laaksonen split his time between Los Angeles and Helsinki. Laaksonen is credited with introducing the masculine homosexual into gay, and eventually mainstream, culture. His drawings of stereotypically macho men - bikers, cowboys, cops, sailors - were almost photographic in their detail, but grew increasingly idealistic in their portrayal of perfect male specimens with protruding nipples, exaggerated bubble butts, and enormous penises. As censorship laws loosened, his drawings also became more sexually explicit. He was among the first artists to portray manly men engaging in joyous, guilt-free sex; even his sadomasochistic scenes had a playful aspect. "I work very hard to make sure that the men I draw having sex are proud men having happy sex," he once declared. According to author Ron Suresha, "Tom of Finland’s visions of happy, masculine, loving men projected forth from the collective unconscious of gay men’s liberation and increasingly, through the second half of the 20th century, defined much of its erotic substance and style." Indeed, Laaksonen’s work helped bring the underground leather culture to light, and the "Castro clone" look - black leather jacket, cap, moustache - became a new gay stereotype. But Laaksonen’s work was not without controversy. Some critics accused him of harboring an affinity for Nazis, though he disavowed fascism and racism. In the ! 970s and 1980s, his work was caught up in gay and lesbian community debates about pornography and sadomasochism, as well as the charge that his idealized images were impossible for real men to live up to. For his part, Laaksonen maintained that his work reflected his own erotic sensibilities, not a .......... Continued next laage www.ozarksstar.com �Tom of Finland continued: larger politica! statement. "If I don’t have an erection when I’m doing a drawing," he said, "I know it’s no good." As his work grew more popular, Laaksonen became an international celebrity. His images spawned an industry, and in 1979 he and Dehner co-founded the Tom of Finland Company. In addition to several books of collected works, Laaksonen produced a multi-volume series of comics featuring Kake the leatherman and did private commissions (including a revisioning of Michelangelo’s David for Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli). "Tom’s men" became cultural icons and inspired many imitations, including the "Tom Girls" series by punk artist G.B. Jones. Today, his work is included in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Ne~v York Museum of Modern Art and Finland’s Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum. The Tom of Finland Foundation, initially founded in 1984 to preserve Laaksonen’s work, now offers a "safe haven" for all erotic art. Laaksonen continued to frequent the leather and dance club scenes well into his 60s. Diagnosed with emphysema in 1988, he was forced to cut back on his travel, but continued to draw. In 1991, his life and work were chronicled in the documentary Daddy and the Muscle Academy. In November of the same year, he died of a stroke in Helsinki. "I know my little ’dirty drawings’ are never going to hang in the main salons of the Louvre," Laaksonen said shortly before his death. "But it ~votfld be nice if...our world learns to accept all the different ways of loving. Then maybe I could have a place in one of the smaller side rooms." For further information: Hooven, E Valentine. 1994. Tom of Finland: His Life and Times (St. Martin’s Press). Pohjola, Ilppo. 3.992. Daddy and the Muscle Academy_ (documentary film). Ramakers, Micha. 2000. Dirty Pictures: Tom of Finland, Masculinity, and Homosexuality (St. Martin’s Press). www.ozarksstar.com OKLAHOMA ACTIV ST, KE TH Bo SMITH HONORED By James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Stonewall Democrats (OKSD) posthomously have presented the 2007 Mary Lou Lemon Humanitarian Award to Keith B. Smith, the well-known and effective professional lobbyist and activist who died suddenly in November, 2006. A memorial service was held on December 1 in the Oklahoma Capitol Rotunda. Mr. Smith’s tireless advocacy for gay equality and other progressive issues was legendary. His ideas and techniques live on in the many grassroots activists who continue to push back the stultifying limits of the ignorant and bigoted. No Oklahoma legislator, however recalcitrant in thinking, was immune to Mr. Smith’s wit, charm, and stunning strategies at passing progressive legislation. The award is named for the late Mary Lou Lemon, matriarch of a prominent Oklahoma Democratic family, who believed fervently in an American society free from discrimination directed at minorities, especially gay and lesbian citizens. It has been presented formally at the Activist Hall of Fame Dinner on Saturday, May 19, during the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention. Previous award recipients have been Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, and Governor David and Rhonda Walters. OK Stonewall Democrats ( www.okstonewall.org) is a constitutional club of the Oklahoma Democratic Party and a chapter of National Stonewall Democrats, Washington, DC (www.stonewalldemocrats.org) NEW GALLUP POLL SHOWS 68 PERCENT OF AMERICANS SUPPORT HATE CRIMES BILL BEFORE CONGRESS Poll Shows Overwhelming Support Includes Majority ofRepublicans, Conservatives, and Religious Voters WASHINGTON, DC_. A new national poll conducted by Gallup shows an overwhelming support of the American people for passage of federal hate crimes legislation currently being considered in Congress. The poll, conducted on May !0-13, shmvs that 68 percent of all Americans believe that current federal hate crime laws should be expanded to include "sexual orientation, gender and gender identity." Even more impressive is that this support cuts across partisan, ideological and religious lines with a majority of each of those demographic groups supporting the legislation. "This new national poll continues to reiterate how incredibly out-of-touch rightwing organizations are with the will of the American people and underscores the need for the Senate to pass this bill," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "I hope President Bush will look at this poll and realize how unbelievably out-of-line a threatened veto of this critical crime-fighting piece of legislation is with a majority of Americans. President Bush’s threatened veto isn’t even supported by his base. The writing is on the wall and it is past time for President Bush to stop bowing to the pressure of James Dobson, Pat Robertson and other right-wing, anti-gay leaders and join the majority of Americans who want to see this bill become law." On May 3, the morning of the House vote on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592), the White House put out a "Statement of Administration Policy" stating, "IfH.R. 1592 were presented to the president, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill." the STAR 29 ���By Joey De She’s known by only one name, has fabulous hair, incredible skin, the carefree spirit of the 80’s, and is mounting a tour to benefit gay rights. Cyndi Lauper, who has spent her career as the quintessential gay icon, is once again showing her fearless dedication to equality with her 15 city nation wide "True Colors" tour, presented by The Logo Network, kicking off June 8th in Las Vegas. Cyndi and special guests Erasure, Debbie Harry, The Dresden Dolls, The Gossip and The Misshapes will be taking the stage, with emcee Margaret Cho to present five hours of non-stop music benefiting the Human Rights Campaign. Also joining the bill on select dates will be Rufus Wainwright, Rosie O’Donnell, Indigo Girls, THE CLIKS and Jeffree Star. We caught up with Miss Lauper between breaks on her busy rehearsal schedule to find out more about the tour, her views on the gay community and why she still looks so good. STAR: Oh my god, I’m talking to Cyndi Lauper, I can’t believe this. You’re a gay legend. You have been since the beginning of your career. \re’hat do you credit with making you such a gay icon? CL: It’s a natural fit. When I came onto the scene, I guess what the community related to was my overall vibe, not just my music. I was and still am very colorful and animated. I was also a bit left of center in my artistic approach and I think that really resonated. I have always been in tune with gay people, even before I became famous, so I think the relationship was just another extension of Cyndi the person to Cyndi the artist. STAR: You first made your first big mark in the 80’s, a time when musical tastes were totally different. To what do you owe your continued success? www.ozarksstar.com �CL: I’ve stayed at it and I’ve strived to continue to grow as an artist. I still love to write, produce and perform and am still inspired by the world around me to create my music. I’m really fortunate to have the platform that I do and I don’t take that for granted. STAR: As a performer and gay rights advocate, ho~v would you say that the world has changed in the time since you began performing, in relation to equality? CL: Their have been some rumblings from the right about it, but that’s the whole point isn’t it? I have the right to do this tour and get the issues out there to be debated and discussed via music. They have the right to criticize, disagree and debate the issues. The more discussion the better as far as I’m concerned. STAR: You have an incredibly impressive line up of guest performers, how did you select them? CL: I think that the visibility of the GLBT community has come further than 20 years ago, but, as we can see by the past few years under this administration, things are going backwards. It outrages me. The further ahead the community has gotten, the more resistance and push back to progress it encounters. We have to keep pushing forward. CL: I’m glad you like the line up. I’ve worked with some of the artists before and I’m excited to be working with some of them for the first time. It’s really great to be sharing the stage with such talented artists. STAR: Would you care to share a story about a favorite gay companion who inspired you to take on the fight for equality? CL: I actually had that dress custom made for the Gay Games. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve in regards to outfits for the tour...a girl’s gotta have some secrets (haha). You’ll have to come on down to the show for my runway action. CL: I wrote the song Boy Blue for my friend Gregory. He passed away from AIDS and his life and death affected and inspired me deeply. He still does. STAR: What was your inspiration behind the "True Colors" tour? CL: I’ve been trying to do the tour for the past five years. It came from my outrage about what is going on in this country and specifically what is going on with the erosion of GLBT civil liberties and rights. It has affected my family, my close friends and my fans. Your civil liberties are my civil liberties. If yours are being taken away or going backwards, so are mine. I’ve been a part of the women’s movement and the civil rights movement for the African American Community. I feel like what is happening in this country with the GLBT community is outrageous, and this tour is a reaction to that, STAR: Why did you select the Human Rights campaign as your benefactor? CL: I have ahvays admired and respected the work that the HRC has done. They are working on a federal level and a local level for issues that are important to me. STAR: Have you received any back lash or criticism about the tour? www.ozarksstar.com STAR: Will we get to see that fabulous rainbow statue of liberty dress? STAR: Your gay audience transcends generations and even includes the current generation of youth. What, as an ally, do you think is the biggest challenge facing them and what do you think is their greatest strength? CL: I think the gay youth of today hold great promise. You can look at the way they connect and interact on myspace and other community sites and they know that they are not alone. I also look at PFLAG, GLSEN and the many local youth organizations out there that provide support and outreach. They are vital. Ifa kid can come out and be accepted by his family then he should cherish that, not every kid gets the love and support they need at home. That’s why PFLAG is involved in this tour, if coverage of it can open a difficult discussion then I’m doing my job. This tour is as much for gay engaged family members and friends as it is for GLBT people. for parents of gay youth increases. It starts at home. It’s (the tour) all about opening up the discussions on the home front, the political front and the music and entertainment front, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is a great musica! celebration. It’s going to be a kick ass party... STAR: In addition to this tour, you have a new album coming out. Would you care to share a little bit about it? CL: It’s definitely NOT a mellow album. It’s an ass shaker. STAR: Can tour-goers expect to hear their favorite hits, or will there be a lot from the new album? CL: I’m still mulling over what the set list is...so we’ll see...I may sneak in a few new songs. STAR: Most importantly for gay men and drag queens everywhere: You look fabulous, and haven’t aged a bit! Please, tell us your secret. CL: Yoga and keeping up with my son’s energy level. STAR: What can we look for from Cyndi Lauper in the future? CL: I’m wide open. I’m in a great creative space and looking forward to touring and finishing the new CD. Once that’s done, I’m sure I’ll be on the hunt for my next creative endeavor. Right now, it’s all about the True Colors tour. STAR: Miss Lauper, thank you for your time. We wish you the greatest of success with the tour and the album. The True Colors Tour will be visiting Dallas on June 23 and Houston on June 24. For more information or for a complete list of tour dates visit www.truecolorstour.com. I do want to say that I hope some of the apathy around HIV with the younger generation changes. We’ve made great medical advances and people are living with HW and MDS, but people are still dying. I hope that the kids wil! be responsible if they are having sex and I hope that the education the STAR 33 �"Easy does it, Sagittarius!" Mercury is in Cancer, which normally facilitates sweet expressions of genuine affection and swapping old family recipes. But as Mercury clashes with Saturn in Leo, that "affection" may now seem overbearing and critical. Try to be modest and sincere, and offer healthy, low-fat recipes - or chocolate. ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Efforts to show off your home in a good light can be a major source of irritation. Can you just relax, and let your place be comfortable and fun? Your real friends don’t care how it looks, as long as it’s happily lived in. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Do you really need to call your family now? Let it wait until next week. It’s bad enough hearing one of your parents in your own voice. Play that up for satirical effect and you’ll learn something useful, if not entirely pleasant. GEMINI (May 21 - Jun~ 20): Getting caught up on bills may be a hassle, but do what you can now to avoid trouble later. Advice from an older sibling - or a "sister" - can be irritating, but well worth heeding. At least think about it! CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Trying to sound authoritative just makes you sound bitchy. Let your words follow the law of supply and demand. The less you say, the more valuable it is. Writing is safer than speaking, but scrutinize e-mails carefully before you send them! LEO (July 23 - August 22): Being cranky and bossy is largely a cover for doubts and worries. To be more truly your sweet, lovable self, take time out to meditate or talk with a confidante about what’s bugging you. An imaginary conversation with Mom will help. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): The future may seem dark and hopeless, and the next few years are challenging, but still you worry too much. You can make the most of it; use your instincts to figure out a way through the dark labyrinth ahead. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Your foresight is especially sharp, but without caution, so is your tongue. Nagging undermines the effectiveness of your prescience. Imagine that everyone is your boss and be careful of what you say. That will heighten your own authority. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Any discussion can turn into an argument much too easily. What are you trying to prove and to whom? If you must assert your authority, keep it cool and simple. Overreacting will undermine others’ confidence in you. SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 o December 20): Your eagerness to tweak and provoke is dangerously high, tempting you to much more trouble than you’re ready to risk. New games in the bedroom may require innovative safety awareness. Slow and easy does it, Tiger! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): If demands (or lack thereof) in the boudoir are dampening your relationship, discussing the issues now could make or break it. How much courage, patience, and love do you have? Be very clear on your issues before taking on your partner’s. AQUARIUS (January 20 o February 18): Your clever innovations at work could irritate your colleagues. At least include them in some discussion before you make any changes. Mollify dissent by keeping your mind and ears open for further improvements. P~SCES (February 19 - March 19): Try to focus those playful urges into some modest, constructive activity. Showing off is too likely to get you into an awful accident. The more annoying you find criticism, the likelier you should heed it! MCC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 4!7-529-8480 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! 34 the STAR vwvw.ozarksstar.com �Jur~e3,0 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm. BIG Pride Party: (~LUB !vIAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show I0pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dominique LaRue Show 10:30pm,Dance wtDJ Colt 6-12, Dancers 9:30 HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10pm MO 10:30pro HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dance w/DJ Colt 6-12, Danders 9:30 HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Kris Kobi how 10:30pro, Dance w/DJ Colt 6-12, ancers 9:30 !~ Kara0ke 7pm. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pm. ~) J~m~ ll BAMBOO LOUNGE: K~araoke 7pro ES Jtme~2 ’ ........ Strip-Off .... " Contest 1 2 am THE COPA: Btllvmuu .... LOUNGE : tree . . , brunch zpm.2 m. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm ~DNESDAY Jtme I3 THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dance w/DJ THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. THE COPA: Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pro THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm ~: Ka~a~ke 7pro B~MB~0 i~ouNGE: Karaoke 7pro THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page OpenTalent Show 10:30pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pro T ii~ ~r~E OVA: Strip-O~Contest 12~m BAMB00 LOUNGE: ~kaoke 7pro. THE COPA: 2008 Miss Gay Newcomer lOpm HID~WAY LODGE: Bobby P~e Pride Sh~ w/sp&id guest 10~30p~ FINISHLINE: Dart Tot~nament 10pm DAY June 1~i ~28 CLUB MAJESTIC: VaCant Sho~ CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachad Erikks w/Rachaet Eri~s THE COP~ Open Tflent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm THE Somemore 10: THE COPA: Open Talent w!Shemoane S0memore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament !0pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host. Pancho 9pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro 15 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm HIDEA\VAY: Male Dancers 10pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast BUffet lam-3:30am FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10pro HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10prn THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night BreakaCast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10pm After Dark is a flee service to our advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser to inform the STAR in writing of updates, additions or discontinued events, qlae STAR is not responsible for accuracy, t~lO {~TAIR 3~ �"MONEY, IF I WANT TO WATCH SOME "I ~URE DO! ~UT I NAVE MIDDLE-AGED WOrN WITH A TO WARN YOU, IF YOU BAD DY~ JOB, TOO MUCH ~0 H~T ~T OFF, THIS MAKEUP1 AND ~ ~ WILL DEFINITELY BE DISCO-WEAR ?~KE A PRESENTS LARGER-THAN-LIFE ~ A LONG DISTANCE FOOL OF DRAG SUPERSTAR ~ RELATIONSHIP... Z~LL JUST ~O ~ ~ ~A ~EE, HE CLUB-HOPPIN~ L~ IN ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT I/V~PORTA NT GAY TOPICS TODAY... bitter gid email: bittergid@qsyndicate.com 36 the STAR www, joanhilty.net www.ozarksstar.com �Arkansas, BentonvillelRogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... ~twv.nwaglbtcc.org.888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. ~w.diversitypride.com 479-253-0200 A Byrd’s Eye View ..... 36 N. Main. Caribe Restaurante .... 309 W VanBuren ....... 479-253-8102 Heart of the Hills Inn ..... 5 Summit St......... 479-253-7468 -479-253-5795 Henri’s ....... 19 1/2 Spring St-Lumberyard Bar&Grill- - - 105 E VanBuren ....... 479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Spexton ........ 17B Spring Street .......... 479-981-6060 - -479-253-2305 Tiki Torch. 75 S. Main Street. Tradewinds Lodge- 141 W. VanBuren .......... 800-242-1615 Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Common Ground Restaurant- - - 412 W. Dixon - - - 479-442-3515 418 W. Dickson ...... -479-444-6228 Condom Sense Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave .......... -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center- ............... 479-251-1922 -479-442-5845 Passages ...... 930 N. College Ave-479-587-9512 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave .... Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads ....... 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave ........ 479-783-9988 - 479-782-9578 Klub XLR8 ...... 1022 Dodson AveRed 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 .............. 501-664-2744 www.dsra.org Diamond State Rodeo Assoc. 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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave ......... 501-375-8580 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club ...... 384 Grant Ave. 785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.- - 1701 S. Broadway .......... ..... 620-231-0938 -Service 11AM River of Life Church.-- 1709 N. WalnutKansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40 ..... 3201 S. Hillside ...... 316-682-5494 -316-942-1244 Priscilla’s..... 6!43 W Kellogg DrClub Glacier......... 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 Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803--417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (8t6) 40th Street Inn ....www.40thstreetinn.com ....... 816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Bird ........ 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, Springfield (417) The Edge ..... 424 Boonville Ave - 417-831-4700 417-869-3978 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. CommericalJR’s Nightclub .... 504 E. Commerical417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive ........... -417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place .... 821 College ............... 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) 580-242-6838 Hastings Books .... 104 Sunset Priscilla’s ........ -4810-A West Garriott- ...... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lav~on (580) Ingrids Bookstore ...... 1124 NW Cache Rd ...... 580-353-1488 Oklahoma, l~,~cA~ester (918) 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 405-525-7766 CD Warehouse ...... 4001 N. Penn Club Rox........ 3535 NW 39th Expwy.........405-947-2351 Christie’s Toy Box ..... 3126 N. May Ave ...... -405-946-4438 Church of Open Arms ...... 3131 N. Penn .... --405-525-9555 Copa ............. 2200 NW 39th Exp ....... -405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave ....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy....... --405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant..... 2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........ 2200 NW 39th Exp ....... 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources .... 2312 NW 39th St- -405-521-9696 405-947-2351 Hollywood Hotel .... 3535 NW 39th Exp 405-843-1722 Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th 405-524-5733 Jungle Reds ....... 2200 NW Expwy-2200 NW Expwy....... --405-525-0730 Ledo Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ........405-681-5044 -405-942-2199 2805 NW 36th St Partners3535 NW 39th Expw ....... -405-947-2351 Pec’s Priscilla’s 615 E. Memorial ........ ---405-755-8600 405-525-5165 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St Rudy’s Place ...... 3535 NW39th Expw ....... --405-947-2351 405-601-37tl Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St405-528-4690 2125 NW 39th St The Park. 405-917-1663 The Patio ........ 3201 N. May Ave -405-947-2351 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th 405-521-9888 Tramps.2201 NW 39th--405-521-9999 Ziggy’s-- 4005 N. PennOklahoma, Tulsa (918) -918-836-8700 Bamboo Lounge .... 7204 E. Pine 918-712-9955 Border’s Book Store- - - 2740 E. 21st918-494-2665 Border’s Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale 918-592-3456 Circle Cinema ...... 10 S. Lewis918-584-9944 Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder 918-584-9494 Club Majestic ........ 124 N. Boston Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan .......... 918-835-3301 Cosmo Dell & Bar - - 6746 S. Memorial ......... 918-459-0497 -918-834-1051 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI 918-743-4297 Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th StreetHideaway Cocktail Lounge--- 11730 E. 11th ...... 918-437-0449 918-749-8378 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st Midtown .......... 319 E. 3rd .............. 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood ..... 918-838-7104 Our House, Too - - - -203 N Nogales Ave .......... 918-585-9552 .918-627-4884 -7925 E. 41stPriscilla’s 918-446-6336 5634 W. Skelly - Priscilla’s -918-438-4224 11344 E. 11th Priscilla’s .918-499-1661 2333 E. 71stPriscilla’s Renegades. 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 918-627-1505 Rob’s Records---2909 S, Sheridan Rd918-836-0299 Sappho’s ........ 6373-C E 31st St 918-834-4194 Tulsa CARES .... 3507 E. Admiral PITulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 -9!8-592-1188 Tulsa Eagle ..... 1338 E. 3rd 918-660-0856 TNT’s 2114 S. Memorial. Yellow-Brick-Rd ....... 2630 E. 15th .......... 918-293-0304 �N~V ~kansas GLBT Communi~ Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG HELP WANTED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Hair Stylist Nail Tecs ADVERTISINB FI3R BOOTH RENTAL AVAILABLE full service salon in Wagoner,OK 9t8-625-6377 38 the STAR SALES REPRESENTATIVE 13KLAHrlMA~ MISSEIURI KANSAS EIR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 www.ozarksstar.com �Advertisement * ZOO AMPHITHEATRE Oklahoma OK �ULSA O0 � 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 www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY*TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID* LITTLE ROCK* NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN ¯ WICHITA* PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com OKLAHOMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERJIM ROTH APPOINTED TO THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION Exclusive by Victor Gorin to complete his term which expires in 2010. Commissioner Roth hopes that the work of preparing the county’s 2008 budget will be completed by the time he leaves office. As specified in the Oklahoma Constitution, as an appointee to a statewide office, he must run in the next general election to fill the balance of Ms. Bode’s unexpired term, which also ends in 2010. If elected, he plans to run for re-election for a full six year term at that time. He will be serving on the Corporation Commission with Republicans Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud. A giant step up from his county commissioner position, he stated that he fully understands the challenges of this statewide office. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK___’Tm grateful to Governor Henry for his vote of confidence, I’m grateful to for the public that has employed me these past years, and I look forward to making a difference for the state of Oklahoma." On May 14 Governor Brad Henry appointed Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to succeed Commissioner Denise Bode, who is resigning her seat for a job in the private sector. The Corporation Commission functions in Oklahoma state government to regulate telecommunications, utilities, the oil & gas industry & transportation providers. It consists of 3 commissioners elected statewide that serve 6 year terms. As the Governor stated, "Jim Roth has the intellect, the integrity and the dedication to public service needed to be an outstanding Corporation Commissioner." When he was elected to be Oklahoma County Commissioner of District 1 in 2002, he was the second openly gay elected official in Oklahoma. Despite a rough campaign where his opposition, the incumbent Republican Beverly Hodges, played the antigay card to the max, he still won based on a campaign of efficient, trustworthy county government that would serve all the citizens www.ozarksstar.com of the district. After his victory he and his stafffound that his predecessor had left the office with the computers crashed, files shredded, and a card with men in drag that said, "Don we now our gay apparel" that gave new meaning to the concept of sore losing. Despite this rock), welcome he gained the confidence of the district’s voters, achieving a balanced budget and getting 8 new bridges built in his district during his first term while the previous commissioner had built only one. He also was able to get Oklahoma County to adopt an employment nondiscrimination policy for their employees that protects them from discrimination based on sexual orientation, the first and only such government policy in Oklahoma. His job performance won the respect and support not only of the GLBT community and traditionally progressive groups, but also a surprising number of conservative Republicans. This showed clearly when he ran for a second term in 2006 and his opposition, Republican David Mehlhaff, ran a campaign almost entirely based on anti-gay rhetoric, and he still won handily ~ith 63% of the vote. He will retain his office until May 31. Unless she declines the position his chief deputy, Linda Simpson, will serve in his place pending the outcome from a special election that will be set by Governor Henry " I spent the last 3 weeks doing my due diligence exploring the position, finding out if it was something I could make a positive impact with. I also explored the idea about leaving a job that I loved and a county that relies on me. My partner (Worth Ross), my family and I all discussed my original intentions for public service, and that is to change people’s lives for the better, and we , decided that if the governor were to offer it this would be a tremendous opportunity to do that higher goal of helping change people’s lives for the better across the state. " "As for my skill sets, I feel I would be up to the challenge, "I feel that in the last 5 years I have learned a lot ofwhat it takes to be successful as a member ofa 3 member board, pushing for progressive change even in contentious, difficult environments. My record for being fair and honest made me a good candidate in the governor’s eyes for that statewide position. Beyond that I would say that it is a huge honor to be able to take an oath to serve the state of Oklahoma just as I have felt it an honor to serve Oklahoma County". And as for the challenge of his upcoming statewide election? "I have always approached public service based on job performance, I work hard, I work long hours to make a difference. That will be my same strategy, that in the next year and a half that I will work so hard for the public that given the chance to rehire me, I hope they say yes." the STAR 5 Dear Editor, Thank you for publishing information about the recent $24-miltion class action settlement with EMD Serono, the maker ofAIDS -wasting drug Serostim. The lawsuit had alleged that EMD Serono promoted the use of an unapproved medical device that improperly diagnosed people as having AIDS wasting; provided doctors with travel stipends in exchange for their agreement to prescribe Serostim; and marketed the drug for uses that were not approved by the FDA. The U.S. Attorney in charge ofa government case against EMD Serono asserted that "nearly 85% ofprescriptions written for Serostim ~vere not medically necessary." It is important that anyone who paid for any of the cost ofSerostim know that they may be eligible to receive a payment from this settlement. The deadline to make a claim is approaching fast! Claims must be submitted byJune 19th, 2007. Claims forms and more information are available at www.serostimsettlement. com. Thank you, Mark D. Snyder Prescription Access Litigation www.prescriptionaccess.org Dear Editor I’m concerned about the takeover of my country by the Alice-in-Wonderland anti-Democratic nature of the religious far right. It’s my contention that fundie religious observance and stridency are a brake on natural human progress and diversity. As we’ve seen with the latest Supreme Court decision on privacy and women’s bodies, the opinions of six lower courts, logic, precedence, and rule of law are put aside when the observance of these important elements in human civilization would run counter to the biblical barbarism many people would prefer to humanist progress. In that same light, our gay equality--despite some advancement in the area of civil unions and civil equality for same gendered couples--can be canceled by a Supreme Court decision should it decide that unanimity of a legislature is never to be had, and therefore, the law must bow to the least common denominator of human reason: bigotry. This is the logic that was used by the Supreme Court in denying any allowance for the health or life of the mother in the case of an abortion after consultation with the patient and her medical professional. The Court said that because the legislatures have a "right" to pass laws, and even should those laws be passed in contradiction to scientific fact, the ignorance shown by the law must be upheld. This reasoning is driven by religious fear and not sound jurisprudence. Let’s remember the slogan from a prior presidential election: "It’s the Supreme Court, Stupid!", and vote accordingly in November 2008 for the enforcement of the Constitution and not the Bible. James Nimmo Oklahoma City, OK 6 the STAR w~wv.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 SATURDAY ,JUNE 23, 2007 THE JAZZ DEPOT ’lST AND CiNCINNATi FREE VVW’W.OEJAZ7-ORG OKLAHOMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME Creating U~ity Throu~ab Music "’A¸ t Century 21 Gold Castle our BEST properties are our PEOPLE’ 430t NW 63rd, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405.840.2106 www,c21goldcastle.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 Old homa Stonewa l Democra,s The LGBT Voice ofthe Democratic Party 10 the STAR Stonewall Democrats Work to Raise Awareness that LGBT Democrats Care and We VOTE! We Seek Equality andHuman Rightsfor ALL Peoplefrom within the oMv Political Party that Endorses LGBT Inclusiveness at All Levels ofPolitics and Governmen~ Help us elect Democrats who will welcome YOU into their campaigns, their lives, and their offic!s! We’re Proud ofOklahoma Stonewall Members ~State Corporatwn Commissioner dim Roth ~State Representative Al McAffrey ~State Senator Andrew Rice (Congratulations on the new baby, SenatorO Join us at wwwook~tonewallo~rg www.ozarksstar.com Pinkie and the Snakeshokers, Sa~rday Evening Come check out the improvements made to the festival as we~l as the many interactive activities such as Pride Idol, Pet Contest, Return of the Children’s Area, Two Stages of Entertainment plus a DJ Tent, Food, Shopping, Historical Exhibits, Karaoke m Q ClMARRON g a zi n e,,~ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 Unprecedented series of" gains coast tO coas for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people ’The tide is clearly shifting.’ Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force WASHINGTON, May9 " ~{~007 state legislative season has b~ ~{ ~ost productive in the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights movement and, as a result, for the first time more than half the U.S. population will live in jurisdictions that outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, according to an analysis of Census data and current laws released today by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. In addition, nearly 40 percent of the population wilt now live in jurisdictions that protect transgender people from discrimination -- a sevenfold increase since 2000, and one-fifth of all Americans will live in states that offer same-sex couples broad rights under state law, more than an eightfold increase since 2004. The Task Force said the 2006 elections and years of dogged work at the grassroots level were responsible for the surge in legislation. "This is a historic and long-overdue milestone. At long last, a majority ofAmericans will now live in jurisdictions that protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "As important, protections for transgender people and broad rights for same-sex couples are surging from coast to coast. We still have a very long way to go, but the tide is clearly shifting." Nondiscrimination Protections Surge Since Jan. 1, 2007, the legislatures in four states -- an all-time high -- have passed nondiscrimination laws. Three of those states -- Iowa, Oregon and Colorado -- moved to extend protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and the Vermont Legislature passed a bill amending its existing nondiscrimination laws to include transgender people. As a result, the percentage of the U.S. population living in jurisdictions protecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people from discrimination will rise to 52 percent, crossing the halfway mark for the first time. The laws of Iowa, Oregon and Vermont prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, among other categories; Colorado’s law covers employment only. I7 Oregon GoT. Ted Kulongoski is scheduled to sign his state’s ............... bill into law today; the governors in the other three states have pledged to sign their bills into law. Protections for Transgender People Growing Rapidly nondiscrimination laws covering gender identity/expression grew 32 percentage points (from 5 percent to 37 percent), more than five times the rate of growth for sexual orientation protections. When the four state discrimination taws go into effect, 37 percent of the population will live in jurisdictions that protect transgender people from discrimination. Protections for transgender people have grmvn much more quickly over the last decade than those for lesbian, gay and bisexual people because of a commitment of the LGBT movement to insist that transgender people be included in new nondiscrimination laws and to go back and add protections for transgender people to existing sexual orientation-only laws. Since 2000, the percentage of the population living in jurisdictions with nondiscrimination laws covering sexual orientation grew 14 percentage points (from 38 percent to 52 percent). During the same period, the percentage of the population living in jurisdictions with The "Eask Force created and staffed its Transgender Civil Rights Project in 2001 with the goal of increasing the number of transgender-protective discrimination laws. Since the project’s inception, the proportion of the population covered by transgenderinclusive laws has increased from 6 percent to 37 percent. "It’s clear that legislators recognize that transgender people face widespread discrimination and deserve the same protections as other minorities," said Foreman. "The common wisdom used to be that including protections for transgender people would kill a bill -- that’s obviously not the case." Foreman noted that last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed a hate crimes bill containing explicit protections ................... Continued nextpage t2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com for transgender people by a vote of 237-180 and that this year the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA) was amended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. There is widespread expectation that both houses of Congress will take up ENDA before the end of the calendar year. Gains in Broad State Protections for Same- Sex Couples Over the last five months (December through April), legislatures in three states New Jersey, New Hampshire and Oregon passed laws granting same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded married couples under state law through civil unions or domestic partnerships. As in the nondiscrimination arena, this is more states taking such action than in any previous state legislative season. As a result, onefifth (20 percent) of the U.S. population will live in states that offer broad rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples. (Other jurisdictions, including \Vashington state, Hawaii and the District of Columbia, have passed laws that give significant but not comprehensive rights to domestic partners. These jurisdictions are not included in the calculations.) Five years ago (in 2002) just one state, Vermont, ~vith 0.2 percent of the population, offered broad protections to same-sex couples. When the bills passed this session take effect, seven states (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon and Vermont), with 20 percent of the population, will offer broad protections to same-sex couples. The Task Force said Oregon’s new law was a particularly satisfying turnaround from 2004, when voters approved a constitutional amendment banning the recognition of same-sex marriage by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent, the narrowest margin among the 13 states voting on anti-marriage measures that year. The Task Force donated nearly $900,000 in cash in the attempt to defeat the amendment and sent 10 organizers to help staff the campaign. "While the 2004 loss really hurt, it’s now clear that our campaign really did convince people that all families deserve broad protections and relationship rights," said Thalia Zepatos, director of the Task Force’s Organizing & Training Department. Zepatos, who played a major role in fighting every anti-LGBT measure in Oregon since 1988, will attend today’s bill-signing ceremony in Salem, Ore. 2006 Elections and Years of Grassroots Work Credited with Surge in Protections The results of the 2006 election played a pivotal role in four (Colorado, Iowa, Ne~v Hampshire and Oregon) of the six states passing nondiscrimination or family protection laws since December, the Task Force said. Before the November elections, Democrats held control of both houses of the state legislatures in three of the states taking pro-LGBT action: Vermont, Colorado and New Jersey. As a result of the November elections, however, Democrats picked up control of both houses in the other three states: Iowa, Oregon and New Hampshire. Before the elections in Iowa, the Senate was evenly divided and the House was Republican- dominated; in Oregon, Democrats controlled the Senate and Republicans controlled the House; in New Hampshire, both houses were controlled by Republicans. In Co!orado, Democrats strengthened their control of the Legislature, and Democrat William Ritter succeeded Republican William Owens as governor, who had twice vetoed the nondiscrimination bill. The change in control of the state legislatures was due to Democratic gains nationwide, as well as specific work to elect pro-LGBT state legislators spearheaded by Colorado philanthropist Tim Gill. "The lesson here? What a difference an election makes!" said Foreman. In Oregon in 2006, then-House Speaker Karen Minnis was singularly responsible for blocking nondiscrimination and family recognition legislation bills. With Democrats taking control of that chamber, Minnis has since lost her leadership position. Although it took Democratic control to move the bills, each passed with Republican support (although Colorado’s employment nondiscrimination bill passed with only one Republican voting for it). The Task Force stressed that while the change in party control was an essentia! factor in moving bills this year, grassroots activism over many years made it possible for legislators to vote on the pro-LGBT measures. In Oregon, for example, activists had been pushing a nondiscrimination law for nearly 30 years, and work on the comprehensive domestic partnership law began immediately after the 2004 election. Similarly, the LGBT community in Vermont has been pushing to include protections for transgender people for eight years, and New Hampshire’s civil union law is a direct result of marriage equality organizing by the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. "These bills would have never passed without the dogged work of state and local leaders and organizations over many, many years," Foreman said. "Our national community owes them all its respect and gratitude." Since Jan. 1, the legislatures of all 50 states have been in session. As ofMay 8, 29 legislatures remain in session. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 By D. Rose Photo: Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Wilson. EUREKA SPRINGS, AR~"Zhis is a monumental occasion for our town," proclaimed Mayor Dani Wilson. "I am so incredibly proud that our c0uncil has had the courage to stand for equality for all." She concluded, "It reinforces the fact that Eureka Springs was founded upon equality, inclusion, and love for all, and still holds those principals true today." Diversity thrives in a Victorian village wedged in the rocky Ozarks hills. On May 14, 2007, Eureka Springs, Arkansas added another jewel to her crown with the passing of the Domestic Partnership Registry, standing in the company of many astute cities choosing to push aside religious oppression to progress equality for all couples. For many, the benefits of the Registry may be more symbolic in nature, but it is a monumental step toward enlightenment. young and old, gathered in sister-brotherhood, while others spoke for us inside. We held our signs aloft, talked, laughed, and waited for the Counci!’s final vote. From an open window, two of our elders signaled victory and we roared with joy in our hearts! We hugged each other, we cried and fett" as ONE community. It was a wondrous evening!" -- Marie Howard, age 73, retired teacher "As a gay father and spouse raising two children, I see this action by the Council as a major step in the ongoing process of attaining equal rights for citizens that are unduly discriminated against. For couples who can’t otherwise be married or have a Civil Union, the Registry will give us a small way to publicly recognize and help solidify our loving families. And for some couples fortunate to work for an employer that offers Domestic Partner benefits, it will help them attain much needed spousal benefits." -- JT Williams, Arkansas "Eureka shows us LOVE is for everybody!" -- Joney Harper "Who does DP benefit? Any adult couple who, for whatever reason, chooses not to legally marry or who, because of antiquated and discriminatory laws, can not legally marry. Every woman, man and child in Eureka Springs, in Arkansas and in the rest of the nation. Anything that inches those who have been disenfranchised and marginalized closer to full citizenship, emancipation and equality under the law is a benefit for society." -- Michael Walsh "As a mother of a deceased gay man, my first thought was Robert would love this. My second, he would be so proud of his mother for standing in for him to celebrate the life he fought so hard for. EQUALITY! Parents’ love never dies, but grows because he/she is your child as well as God’s." - Jude Murphy For more details about ordinance 2052, go to www.Diversitypride.com Center for Artistic Revolution Blog BENTONVILLE, AR The father of two teenage boys has asked city Officials to fine the Bentonville Public Library for keeping The Whole Lesbian Sex Book by Felice Newman on the open shelves where his sons could find it. Earl Adams said his 14- and 16-year-old sons discovered the book in January while browsing for literature on military academies and were "greatly disturbed," causing "many sleepless nights in our house." Adams wants the city to pay him $10,000 per child, the maximum allowed under Arkansas obscenity law. "God was speaking to my heart that day and helped me find the words that proved successful in removing this book from the shelf," Adams said in the April 20 Springdale Morning News. City Attorney Camille Thompson said the book was not pornographic and Adams has no "valid legal concern." After receiving his original complaint, the library advisory board voted April 3 to remove the book from circulation and look for a similar, less graphic resource for the open stacks. "I thought we had a very intelligent I almost want to say high-minded--discussion about the book," said board member, George Spence. Library Director Cindy Suter said that she disagreed with Adams’s conclusion that having Newman’s book in the library follows an "immoral social agenda," adding, "My focus was to develop an inclusive collection and not an exclusive collection." "In the parking lot outside of City Hall, an amazing combination of people: gay, straight, mothers, fathers, nurses, teachers, 14 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Anal PAP Smear For Men, Ana.1 Cancer Prevenuon SAN FRANCISCO, CA If you have followed the news, you’ve heard about advances in preventing cancers caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). The Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine for women and girls th~lt is expected to prevent up to 70 percent of cervical cancers caused by HPV. Unfortunately, there have been fewer advances in prevention and education for gay and bisexual men who face alarmingly high rates of another cancer caused by HPV, anal cancer. Most men and women who are sexually active acquire HPV at some point. Most HPV infections don’t cause cancer~, but some do. Rates of anal cancer among gay and bisexual men are 35 times greater than the general population -- comparable to rates of cervical cancer in women before routine Pap smear screening for cervical precancerous cells. HIV-positive men and women are even more susceptible, with HIV-positive men a staggering 80 times more at risk. Anal cancer rates have doubled in the last 10 years and are expected to continue rising. Black gay and bisexual men have seen the sharpest increase and have lower survival rates. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 4,650 people in the United States will be diagnosed with anal cancer this year and 690 people will die from it. Early detection of precancerous cells can save hundreds of lives each year and spare thousands of people from radiation therapy, chemotherapy and a lifetime of painful side 4ffects. The good news is that anal cancer is potentially preventable and highly curable. An anal Pap smear is an inexpensive and relatively painless screening procedure that can detect abnormal cells. A follow-up exam, which includes a high-resolution anoscopy, helps determine whether abnormal cells are precancerous. Specialists believe that treating anal precancerous cells, often through a simple in-office procedure, can prevent anal cancer. Despite the experience of specialists, these potential preventive measures are not part of routine care for those at risk. One reason 1 {5 the STAR is a disturbing lack of large-scale studies and research funding on anal cancer prevention. Without these studies, policymakers and medical associations are hesitant to recommend preventive measures. In contrast, cervical Pap smears became part of women’s health care before conclusive studies were published, yielding an 80 percent reduction in cervical cancer. Another reason that preventive measures are not in place is the limited number of providers trained in high-resolution anoscopy (HRA). Further, if pre-cancers are detected through the procedure, no guidelines exist for optimal treatment. This potentially preventable cancer is needlessly advancing among thousands of Americans each year. Some specialists are screening for and treating anal pre-cancers, but without randomized clinical studies, it hasn’t been proven that these measures prevent anal cancer. Required studies are in the planning stages and will take years to conduct. The STOP AIDS Project, a San Franciscobased community project that works to prevent the transmission of HIV among gay and bisexual men, supports evidence-based standards of care. However, until standards of care are implemented, something needs to be done. STOP AIDS advocates that policymakers and medical associations support and fund research on anal-cancer prevention, including the efficacy of HPV vaccines in males. In anticipation of published guidelines, a health-care infrastructure should be developed that includes provider training. Policymakers should also consider piloting screening programs to collect data and determine efficacy and feasibility. Gay and bisexual men and those with HIV should talk with their health-care providers about their risk for anal cance.r and HPV. Men can decrease their risk for HPV by using condoms. Those at risk should consider getting an anal Pap smear annually if they are HIV-positive or every two to three years if they are HIV-negative. At minimum, they should have a rectal exam to detect abnormal growths. Also, men at risk can !ower their risk by stopping smoking, because smoking is a risk factor for developing anal cancer. Men at risk can advance prevention efforts by volunteering for clinical trials or advocating for research funding and health insurance coverage. Additionally, providers can Seek training in preventive anal cancer procedures. The San Francisco Department of Public Health STD Control Branch and STOP AIDS are convening an expert panel to evaluate existing data on anal cancer and develop recommendations. Last month, New York’s MDS Institute became the first Department of Public Health in the nation to publish such recommendations. Other organizations, counties and states should follow this lead. Dr. Joel Palefsky is a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Jen Hecht, Jason Riggs and Michael Scarce are staff members of STOP ,adDS Project, an HIV prevention and health promotion organization for gay; bisexual and transgender men. For more information visit www.stopaids.org and www.analcancerinfo. ucsf.edu/ Doctors in Bay Area, San Francisco are encouraging ga), men to have pap smears, after a significant increase in cases of anal cancer. In the United States, the number of people diagnosed with anal cancer has increased by close to forty percent since 1996. This is in contrast to the overall increase of cancer diagnoses of just one percent. Although the cancer can be easily treated, 660 people died ftom the disease last year, with over 4,500 new cases. Doctor Joel Palefsky, Director of the Anal Neoplasia Clinic at the University of California, spoke of how anal pap smears could detect legions before becoming malignant. "We haven’t proven it yet, but we believe that we are likely to be preventing anal cancer." Although women are more likely to be diagnosed with anal cancer, gay men and those who are HIV positive are also at risk. It is now believed that 35 out of every 100,000 gay men in the United States has anal cancer. A report is currently being prepared on the introduction and promotion of pap smears for gay men. www.ozarksstar.com You want to be healthy. Go to bed and sleep on it. Sleep is a great way to maintain your health and it’s not that complicated. You just need to sleep. So, why is that everyone seems to get so little of it? People are always rushing about. There’s the nine to five job. There’s the one hour commute. There’s the grocery shopping. There’s always something that seems to eat away at your precious sleep time. Let me give you some good reasons to make room for the pillmv and mattress. First, you just simply need to make the time for sleep. The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep. This is a priority and you need to allocate a period of your day ~vhen you can accomplish this. If you can’t schedule it then you are doing too much during your daily routine. Cornell psychology professor James B. Maas provided research that shows that if you get less than eight hours of sleep per night, you are operating impaired; and your alertness, productivity, creativity, and general health are all affected. The body is able to restore itself during REM sleep. ~lis is when the body can process the emotional moments of the day through dream imagery. ~is explains why I have such a hard time sleeping after watching movies like The Grudge, White Noise, or Gigli. The brain tries to interpret and process this information so that we can forget and then move on for a new day. Try to mix and match these hues with the d’cor of your boudoir and serenade yourself into a lullaby. Some people tell me that they need to do as much as possible while they are alive. They tell me that there will be plenty of time to sleep when they’re knocking on heaven’s door. True but why not try to get as much quality out of your awake time as possible? Proper sleep equates to much more energetic and productive awake time. I opt for quality in lieu of quantity. "Goodnight, you princes Of Maine. You Kings ofNew England." Ron Blake is a personal fitness trainer and owner of Blake Fitness in Phoenix. He can be reached at 480-241-5651 or blake.fitness@ yahoo.com. Owasso Community heatre’ Season Opens. OWASSO, OK__The O~vasso Community Theatre’s Season "It’s All About Family" will be opening on June 22, 2007 with a musical production of Ruthless! directed by Bruce Lewis. Season Tickets for all five shows are now available from the contacts listed below, and cost $25.00 for access to all four shows which include the mysterious Arsenic and Old Lace, the heartwarming Cheaper By The Dozen, and the entertaining Babes in Toyland. For further questions, please contact: Tammy Quick, tammylq@cox.net, (918) 851-3830 Bruce Lewis, brucel@tulsacares.org, (918) 906-8992 It becomes easier to fall asleep when you get in a routine. Watch the nine o’clock news each night and then head off to the bedroom. Notice I said head off to the bedroom. That would mean that you were watching the news in another room. Very good! The bedroom is just for sleeping and occasionally some carnal indulgences. Keep the television and DVDs out of this sacred slumber sanctuary. The more you associate this part of the house with somnolence, the easier it will be become to fall asleep quickly when your head hits the pillow. Don’t engage in disruptive activities just before being summoned by the sandman. Headbangers ball, a cup of joe, a row with your partner, and a tintinnabulary tango are bad ideas. Soothing music, non-caffeinated drinks, and a rendezvous with your favorite book are great ideas. Make your bed as comfortable and appealing as possible. There are certain colors that have that hypnotic effect on individuals. Green coos peace and serenity and helps lower the heart rate. It is a great comforter and stress reliever. Blue entices you to fantasize and daydream. Its cerulean effects cause the brain to emit tranquilizing hormones. Purple has the capacity to pacify frayed nerves and slow muscle activity. Pink just has a way with calm, cool, and collective. www,ozarksstar.com the 8TAR OK .AHOMA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK MOVING TO THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (OSP), Oklahoma’s premiere classical theater, announced at the Myriad Botanical Gardens that beginning in 2007 and beyond, it will stage its summer seasons in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. The inaugural 2007 season will kick-offJune 14 and continue through Sept. 1. It will be staged on the Myriad Botanical Gardens Water Stage, which the Myriad Gardens Foundation (MGF) in a partnership with OSP will renovate. OSP has partnered with the MGF to raise private funds for the renovation. Improvements will include new sound and lighting, seating and a stage structure. The renovated theater will add a new premiere venue to doxvntown Oklahoma City and will be available for other bookings when OSP is not in residence. OSP has also moved its offices to Stage Center in Oklahoma City’s Arts District. The 2007 Summer Season opens June 14 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by Cyrano de Bergerac and Macbeth. The final summer performance will be September 1. The announcement came on the day that OSP’s three-year lease with the Myriad Gardens Authority and the City of Oklahoma City for use of the \rater Stage was unanimously approved by the Oklahoma City Council. It had previously been unanimously approved by the OSP Board of Directors and the Myriad Gardens Authority. This approval represents the culmination of a process that began in the spring of 2005, when OSP’S stage in Edmond’s Hafer Park was burned down for a second time. Because of that tragedy, OSP staged its summer seasons the past two years at the University of Central Oklahoma. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park 2006 Season "The Temioest at Stage Center" Photo Subjects: Left: Holly McNatt (Miranda) and Rig/st: J. Shane McClure (Prospero). Photo by: Andrea NotTis O’Meara. The past 22 summer seasons have been staged in the City of Edmond. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park traditionally mounts a summer season consisting of three plays; a winter season of one play, which is traditionally performed at Stage Center in downtown Oklahoma City; a production ofA Christmas Carol, which will remain at the University of Central Oklahoma; and statewide touring productions year-around. Educational outreach is also a core part of OSP’S mission. OSP is supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, Allied Arts, Chesapeake Energy, OG&E, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, the Kirkpatrick Foundation, the Inasmuch Foundation, and is in alliance with the University of Central Oklahoma’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Arts. For more information, visit www.oklahomashakespeare. com. Thi~ drink ! Yummy 1½ oz. Vodka 1 oz. Creme de Banana 1 oz. Dark Creme de Cacao ½ oz. Light cream Pour ingredients into mixini~ glass. Add ice, shake and strain into your Martini Gl~ss. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park was founded in 1985 by current Artistic Director Kathryn McGill and the late Jack 1 8 the BTAR www.ozarksstar.com By Joey De The boys are back in town, and for the 2007 Light Opera Oklahoma season, they’re behaving badly, beginning Jun. 15. Presented as a repertory festival and in conjunction with the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust’s Summerstage festival, the 2007 LOOK season features a classic, a contemporary and countess, in addition to three cabaret performances. "We select our shows and obtain rights about a year and a half to two years in advance," says Eric Gibson, artistic director of LOOK. "Then we take a look at the shows and ifwe can, hopefully find a theme or a common element to tie them all together." This year’s presentation of bad boys are Meredith Willsoffs "The Music Man," the dark opera/musical "Sweeney Todd" and the more light hearted operetta "Naughty Marietta." Kicking off the festival Jun. 13 and running through Jul. 8 is "The Music Man," a golden age musical about Professor Harold Hill, the most charming of con artists, and his descent upon River City, Iowa. Hill convinces the town’s youth that they are in so much terrible trouble the only way to keep them safe is to introduce the boys to music and join a band. The con’s plan includes getting unwitting parents to buy instruments and band uniforms and then skipping town with the proceeds. The plan hits a snag when Harold falls in love with the local librarian Marian Paroo. Resistant at first, Marian sees Harold transform the citizens of River City into exhilarated, musically challenged people. "This show’s a classic," says Gibson, "High schools everywhere do it, but rarely is it performed ’right,’ with professional talent." Following the feel-good frivolities of Music Man will be a trip to the dark side xvith Stephen Sondheim’s "Sweeney Todd," about the wrongfully imprisoned barber, Benjamin Barker. Barker, who returns to London to reclaim his life and reunite with www.ozarksstar.com his wife and daughter, finds that his judge has taken his wife and child, and swears revenge. Known on the streets as Sweeney Todd, Barker kills a street mountebank who recognizes him, and makes it that much more easy for him to kill anyone who gets in his revengeful way. His accomplice Mrs. Lovett, a fledgling pastry cook, has the brilliant idea of popping Todd’s victims into meat pies, boosting her own sagging business. Although it is a more contemporary piece of musical theatre, Gibson says that Sweeney Todd is very operatic, and is in fact performed frequently in opera houses throughout the United States. Rounding out the main stage season for LOOK is a light hearted return to the operettas that the company was built on. Although it is not Gilbert and Sullivan, as many have come to expect from the troupe, "~xe Naughty Marietta" is full of the same wit and charm that makes light opera fun. The show, which opens June 28, tells of the escape of the Countess D’Altena of Italy. D’Altena finds herself on a ship bound for New Orleans, but once there must escape the pirate Bras Pique. To join her in these escapades, Marietta enlists the aid of Captain Dick Warrington, a ranger in the US Army. They quickly fall in love and in order to foil the plot of Bras Pique, they enlist the aid of a French fop, marionettes, a jilted lover and many others! Through out the season, LOOK will also be offering three intimate evenings of cabaret-style entertainment, billed with the show "Trial By Jury." "Jury," a one act Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta is about a philandering man who cheats on his intended and gets sued for breach of promise. An equally badly behaved judge presides over the case, and, you can guess the rest. All four shows have rotating schedules which can be found at wvw.tulsapac.com or at www.lightoperaok.org. For ticket information visit www.myticketoffice.com. LANG & LOVETT CONCERT COHING TO OKC AND TULSA TULLSA, OK Musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, Lyle Lovett, together with K.d. Lang is in concert at Oklahoma City’s ZOO Ampitheater Saturday July 7th and in Tulsa’s Historic Brady Theater on Sunday July 8th, 2007. By breaking the rules and experimenting with music, each has earned a cult following around the world with a modern, eccentric sound coupled with literate, witty lyrics. K.d. Lang was inspired, at an early age, by the music of country western diva, Patsy Cline, and released a string of albums with a decidedly country flair enjoying moderate success in both sales and airplay. It was not, however, until the release of"Ing~nue" that K.d. Lang hit it big. Hailed as her "crossover" album, critics praised her work even as her country fans were feeling alienated. Lang further removed herself from her country/western fame by publicly declaring her lesbianism, shortly after the album’s release. the 8TAR www.ozarksstar.com down and T;ad.K TO EVERYBODY! When that was in harurally,, no one knOws y0u; s~ it is YOUR responsibility to start a conversation, The colorful gutchart Gardens rank among !~ctoria’s most memorable at~actions. (Photo by Andrew Collins) around the city and its environs by car. A favorite excursion is so-called Marine Drive - not the name of any one street but a scenic coastal circuit extending from Ogden Point, which is southwest of the Inner Harbour, to Cadboro Bay. Dignified, historic, studded with parks, and packed with some of the nation’s most notable cultural attractions, Victoria offers the perfect recipe for a short getaway in western Canada - it’s also easily reached from Vancouver or Seattle by way of regular ferry service. At the southern tip ofVancouver Island, this leafy capital of British Columbia has also become a popular spot for gay honeymoons and weddings since Canada legalized same-sex marriage in 2005. Great Britain’s first colony on the Pacific Coast of North America, Victoria was established in 1849 as a trading outpost. By the end of the century, when the now much larger city ofVancouver was still a mere blip on the radar, Victoria had become B.C.’s capital. The city remains an important political center, but tourists definitely butter the bread these days. The formal, lmndon-inspired Parliament buildings and the Fairmont Empress Hotel edge the harbor, set against a commanding backdrop of snowcapped mountains. With its tow skyline, downtown is compact and user-friendly, and fine shopping and care-hopping abound. The south end of the Inner Harbour contains Victoria’s provincial government buildings as well as the imposing Fairmont Empress Hotel, which is famous not only as a place to stay but for its regal afternoon high teas. Few museums in Canada are more fascinating than the Royal British Columbia Museum, whose artifacts and exhibits document life 12,000 years ago in xvhat is now Western Canada. Around the corner, the Crystal Garden Conservatory contains more than 65 endangered species that make their home in this re-created tropical forest. just south of here, off Douglas Street, the 185-acre Beacon Hill Park is typically filled with joggers, strollers, and sun-worshipers soaking up the atmosphere and the floral aroma. Nearby you can visit the Carr House, which affords a glimpse into the life of British Columbia’s most beloved painter, Emily Cart. Walk 15 minutes or drive a short way east of downtown along Fort Street, which is lined for several blocks with fine antiques shops, to reach one of B.C.’s greatest house-museums, Craigdarroch Castle. From the top (fifth) floor you’re treated to outstanding views of the city. Just west is the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, one of the top art museums in Western Canada. Once you’ve exhausted Victoria on foot, consider tooling Victoria and the surrounding area are also idea! for outdoorsy activities - in fact, it’s been named Canada’s fittest city, owing to the high percentage of residents who regularly participate in outdoor recreation. Favorite activities include diving, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. A number of local outfitters lead tours through nearby old-growth forests, up rugged mountain peaks, and on whale-watching expeditions - visit Tourism Victoria’s helpful website (www.tourismvictoria.com) for a full list of providers. Victoria lies at the southern tip of the Saanich Peninsula, a fertile strip of land dotted with family farms and a growing number of esteemed wineries. It’s worth spending an afternoon exploring this region, whose most famous attraction is Butchart Gardens, a half-hour northwest of the city. The Butchart family made its fortune manufacturing cement in the late 19th century; when they finished mining their quarry, they transformed it into this magnificent collection of gardens. Among the 55 acres you’ll see every imaginable flower, and there are concerts as well as Saturday-night fireworks displays in July and August. From Butchart, there are several wineries within an easy drive. As you motor around the countryside, keep an eye out for farm stands and roadside markets, many of them selling fresh jams, baked goods, flowers, and produce. They often operate on an honor system - pick out your goods, and leave behind payment. Wineries of particular note include Marley Farm, a family-run establishment that specializes in some quite unusual fruit wines, including kiwi, pear, loganberry, and quince varieties. You’re apt to see sheep and horses wandering the 5-acre grounds. Tiny Chalet Estate Vineyard is well-regarded for its high-quality, unfiltered vintages, from syrahs to viogniers. Where there are wineries, there are virtually always wonderful restaurants, and Victoria is no exception. Probably the most gaypopular of the city’s up-market restaurants, Cafe Brio is a sophisticated little chef-owned ........Continued next page. vwvw.ozarksstar.com bistro that’s an absolute delight for romantic, intimate meals. The contemporary West Coast cuisine has Tuscan overtones - you might start with crispy roasted sweetbreads with poached rhubarb, followed by tomato-and-molasses-braised lamb shank with fresh-mintpotato gnocchi. For some of the best modern Italian food in town, including fantastic wood-fired pizzas with such creative toppings as smoked ahi tuna and marinated artichokes, dine at I1 Terrazzo, whose airy dining room resembles a cloistered courtyard. It’s steps from the diverting shopping along Johnson Street and features one of the city’s best wine lists. been refitted into a distinctive all-suites accommodation. Groups of friends traveling together will find Swans a bargain - up to six people can easily fit into its huge rooms. Each has a dining nook, a patio or a terrace, and many have skylights. There’s a microbrewery and an excellent restaurant, Wild Saffron Bistro, on the premises. Also worth consideration is the Magnolia Hotel and Spa, a snazzy and modern boutique hotel with a first-rate spa and a great location in the Inner Harbour neighborhood. Rooms receive plenty of sunlight, with their floor-to-ceiling windows and views of downtown and the waterfront. With a memorable setting inside a former schoolhouse in Canada’s oldest Chinatown, Brasserie I2Ecole is the domain of talented chefowner Sean Brennan, who utilizes local produce in his innovative regional fare, such as local trout with escarole and Jerusalem artichokes. Well-seasoned, imaginatively prepared vegetarian fare is the specialty at Re-Bar Modern Food, an offbeat spot on downtown’s Bastion Square, where you might dine on shiitake-tofu potstickers or Thai coconut-cashew prawn curry. For lighter dining and snacking, grab a latte or cappuccino at gaypopular Bean Around the World Coffee, a Chinatown java joint that uses organic coffee beans. Or nosh on eggs Benedict, hefty burgers, and other short-order fare at Rosie’s Diner, a downtown cafe with a festive ’50s-inspired retro look. The city’s sizable Asian community ensures a wealth of first-rate Chinese, Thai, and Japanese restaurants. For sensational Tixai fare, try Siam Thai. If you’d rather stay out in the country, but still within striking distance ofVictoria, consider booking into the swank yet low-keyed Sooke Harbour House, which is a 45-minute drive away. This is the ultimate luxury hideaway, complete with 28 imaginatively decorated rooms, many with views ofWashington’s Olympic Mountains and the Strait ofJuan de Fuca. There’s also a splendid restaurant serving fantastic four- and seven-course dinners, complete with wine-pairing options. One signature dish is the trio of garden-inspired sorbets (which might include quince-lemon-verbena or rhubarb-fennel). Indeed, this perfectly tended inn is surrounded by some of Vancouver Island’s most beautiful gardens - a night or two here will leave you totally refreshed and relaxed. Victoria is by no means a major hub for gay nightlife, but it does have a couple of friendly; laid-back gay hangouts. There’s the " popular (at least on weekends) dance club, Hush, as well as Prism Lounge, a basement space with fun drag shows and karaoke nights. The two bars lie within a short ,valk of one another, on the north side of downtown. You might find the ambience and vibe a bit hipper and more upbeat at some of Victoria mainstream but perfectly ’ gay-friendly social spots, such as the ornately decorated Temple Bar, known for its extensive lists of wines and martinis. Other good bets include Lucky Bar, a convivial beer hall set inside a historic building, and the Mint, a vaguely New Age-y space with Tibetan and .Nepalese food, and DJ music and dancing many evenings. In Victoria, there’s no fancier lodging in town than the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This 1908 Edwardian hostelry is the most sumptuous grand dan~e on Vancouver Island, and its Empress Room is a superb restaurant. Newer rooms are larger than those in the original section but keep with the hotel’s tradition. Celeb spotting is not uncommon. The hotel is also notable for its beautifully decorated Bengal Lounge, which serves traditional Indian cuisine in an oldworld Colonial ambience. Abigail’s Hotel is a great bet, in part for its enviable location - it’s at the end of a quiet, residential lane, yet it’s just three blocks from the Inner Harbour. The 23-room gayfriendly, hotel consists of two Tudor-style buildings, one with more traditional decor, and the other with more modern-feeling units. Many of the accommodations have wood-burning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, and rates include an extensive full breakfast (enjoy it on the sunny patio, overlooking the English gardens, when the weather is cooperating). Set inside a former warehouse near Victoria’s Market Square and within ,valking distance of downtown attractions, Swans Hotel has www.ozarksstar.corn the ~TAF~ ~. 5 GAY TRAVELERS from page-22 town for th~ weekend. Later in the day we did meet some ~vonderful people at the bar and they invited us to a big party that they were having the next day. The Dallas businessman lost out on a lot! We make friends wherever we go, both gay and straight. Most people enjoy talking ~vith other people but sometimes you just have to make the first move. For us, we enjoy traveling to see interesting and new places, try new food, enjoy the sights and sounds of an area unknown to us but it is the people that we meet that are our real memories. We hear from way too many of our readers who return from their vacation and say that they didn’t have a good time, that they didn’t meet anyone and no one talked to them. Well, you cafft just go and sit like a bump on a log. Remember the immortal words ofAuntie Marne, ""Life is a banquet and most people are starving to death". Don’t be one of those people! Have good safe fun when traveling, enjoy life and TALK TO EVERYONE. We have been so fortunate in our travels to meet authors, poets, writers, entertainers, movie and TV actors. We get invited to a lot of parties in Hollywood, New York, Chicago, Florida and everywhere we go only because we make the first move and talk to everybody. Life is just too short to do it any other way. 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 \Vi!liams, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. You can email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://www.hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers Diversity Business Association of Tulsa Hosts First DBAT After Hours During Tulsa Pride Week TULSA, OK A vital aspect ofDBAT partidpation is the opportunity to meet with and learn from other LGBT business owners and professionals. Such an opportunity is offered through DBAT After Hours, our own version of a business after hours event. Join us for June’s DBAT After Hours and network in an informal atmosphere, make new contacts or to get reacquainted with former contacts. Nibbles and beverages provided. DBAT After Hours Thursday, June 7th 7:00 - 9:00 pm Dennis R. Neill Equality Center 621 E. 4th Street, Downtown Tulsa "TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD" by Donald Pile & Ray Williams Featuring Cuisine From Coast to Coast Harry Caray’s Restaurant, Chicago Harry Caray’s, named for the late, renowned baseball announcer, has become one of the most nationally recognized restaurant groups in the Midwest. Opened on October 23, 1987, this legendary Italian Steakhouse serves the finest prime, aged steaks and chops in a truly warm "Chicago" atmosphere. The friendly, energetic atmosphere embodies the amiable personality of the restaurant’s namesake. The combination of mahogany paneling, white tablecloths and a veritable museum of baseball history creates a warm and casual elegance. It is located at 33 W. Kinzie in downtown Chicago. They are open for lunch, Monday thru Saturday from 11:30 to 3:00. They are open for dinner Monday thru Thursday from 5:00 to 10:30 and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 11:00. Sunday they are open from 4 to 10 and their bar is open everyday from 11:30 to closing. The food served here is steak and Italian. The price range is from the $10’s to the $30’s per meal. Service is great. Each server is personable and enthusiastic. There is also a bar on one side of the restaurant with plenty ofTVs. They also have a second location at the O’Hare International Center, 10233 West Higgins Road in Rosemont, Ill. In August 2007, Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group will open it’s third Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in Lombard, Ill. And although it is not an Italian Steakhouse, Harry Caray’s Seventh Inning Stretch premiered in 2001 and is the largest restaurant and bar at Chicago’s Midway Airport. This restaurant is ideal for travelers looking to take a delicious sandwich to go or those who have a short respite while waiting for their flight. We have always enjoyed our meals and had a great dining experience at Harry Caray’s. 26 the STAR w~v.ozarksstar.com JUNE 2007 ExpoSing Hate World Congress ofFami/ies, a gathering thatfocused on "naturalfamilies. " No longer content with the obscene political and monetary profits they realize in the United States, the radical Christian right is now exporting its number one product - homoph0bia - to Europe. A few thousand zealots from the United States and other countries converged on Warsaw, Poland’s Palace of Culture and Science in mid-May for the World Congress of Families, a gathering that focused on "natural families." "Natural families"? Just more spin - another euphemism for degrading LGBT families. These folks only consider assembly-line-produced families using eggs and sperm - introduced to one another through that old heterosexual standb); the missionary position, engaged in by a married, heterosexual couple - to be the real thing when it comes to producing progeny. How hateful of our -kids and our f,mailies. But let’s face it - hate is all these folks know, even though they couch it all in "Jesus’ love." The usual cast of radical Christian right characters was on hand for this particular love-to-hate fest. James Dobson from Focus on the Family was joined by folks from the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America, the Family Research Council, the Helcitage Foundation, and the Discover), Institute, which isn’t about designing good, intelligent television programs, but instead about programming youth to believe in intelligent design. The World Congress was organized by a group I hadn’t heard of - the Howard Center for Family, Religion, and Society, whose president, Allan Carlson, declared, "The cultural battle has gone international. The American religious right, instead of being isolationist, has in fact gone global." Oh, joy. But what about their destination? Why Poland? Why not Rome, to be near their buddy, the pope? Or Nigeria, where Archbishop Peter Akinola is masterminding a homophobic schism within the Anglican Church? Nope, they chose Poland because of its state-sponsored homophobia. I’m not talking about the run-of-the-mill "we ~von’t pass a probill gay bill if our lives depended on it" homophobia. This is a government that bans Pride celebrations, speaks openly about purging "homosexual propaganda’’ from the country, refuses to recognize the rights of lesbians and gays, and is now considering a bill that would make it illegal for any teacher in any classroom, public or private, to discuss homosexuality, LGBT rights, or safe-sex practices, The bill would bar LGBT organizations from schools, and lesbian or gay teachers who come out would automatically be fired. 7his is a government that does nothing to stop sldnheads and other nationalistic groups from targeting its LGBT citizens. This is a government that is tailor-made to be the only elected Western European ally ofAmerica’s radical Christian right. So what canoe out of this love-to-hate lest? Poland’s education minister, Roman Giertych, a leader in the country’s right-wing League of Polish Families party - who also happens to be a Deputy Prime Minister - became the politico celebre as he told the group that combating the "propagation of homosexuality" was just "something I have to do." His remarks were echoed by Polish President Lech Kaczynski Rallying around the homophobic flagpole, World Congress participants cheered at the news that the Polish government would not be cowed by the European Union, which has warned Poland that its antigay policies might cost the country its voting rights. They listened to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hlen Sauerbrey bring greetings fromW and thank the Howard Center "for all of their hard work in organizing this wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon the family and its vital role in society." No question that the current administration stands firmly alongside homophobic repression. They heard Ben Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund say, "Marriage will be destroyed by making all relationships equal," and Brigham Young law professor Lynn Wardle chime in with, "Legalizing samesex marriage will drain marriage of its social meaning." They also came together to embrace the "natural family manifesto." I think it’s kind of funny that a gathering in a former Communist country attended by those who hate Communism would support something called a "manifesto." But yes, there is a manifesto. It encourages mothers to stay home and have many children. It fervently opposes LGBT people and abortion in a single breath. "It is not enough to stop public recognition of ’gay marriage,’ nor to oppose ’safe-sex education’ in the public schools, nor to ban partialbirth abortion, nor to create ’covenant’ marriages. Victory for the natural family will come only as we change the terms of the debate." If changing the terms of debate means the wholesale exporting of hate, they’ve offto a good start. I just wish folks would stop bwing it here in the States. An endnote of worth: While all this homophobia is defining Poland to the LGBT world, Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz Walz defied the country’s president and ultra-right-wing organizations by letting a Pride parade take place in her city on May 19. More than 5,000 marched amid bystanders who waved and were generally supportive. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 27 May 1920 (87 years ago this month): Erotic A~-tist Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland) is born in Kaarina, Finland. Who was Tom of Finland? Photo’s courtsey of: www.eroticartcollection.com 28 the STAR The erotic art ofTouko Laaksonen - better known as Tom of Finland - shaped the erotic fantasies of countless gay men and helped redefine the popular image of male homosexuality. Laaksonen was born May 8, 1920, in Kaarina, a rural village in southwest Finland. Both his parents were schoolteachers, and he developed an early appreciation for art and music. Aware of his same-sex attractions from a young age, he created homoerotic drawings - often featuring farm boys and laborers - for his own enjoyment. At age 19, Laaksonen moved to Helsinki to attend art school, but was soon drafted into the Finnish army, which allied with Nazi Germany to fight the Soviet Union in World War II. Serving as a lieutenant, he began having sex with fellow soldiers and developed a fetish for men in uniform, which he reflected in his drawings. After the war, Laaksonen completed his art degree and studied piano at the Sibelius Institute. By day, he worked as a commercial graphic artist, then played the piano at cafes and private parties in the evenings. Feeling little affinity for the flamboyant and effeminate men who frequented Helsinki’s homosexual venues, he traveled often and became familiar with the gay leather scenes in several European cities. In 1953, while cruising in a Helsinki park, Laaksonen met his sole long-term romantic partner, a dancer named Veli (whose last name is not publicly known); their relationship endured until Veil’s death from cancer nearly 30 years later. Encouraged by friends, Laaksonen submitted some of his sketches to the Los Angeles- based bodybuilding magazine _Physique Pictorial_. Publisher Bob Mizer was impressed enough to feature a drawing of a lumberjack on the cover of the spring 1957 issue, dubbing the artist "Tom of Finland." In 1973, Laaksonen had his first public exhibition in Hamburg, Germany, and was able to quit his job at an advertising agency and live offhis art. In 1978, he visited Los Angeles for his first U.S. exhibition, where met Durk Dehner, who became his friend and manager; after Veli’s death in 1981, Laaksonen split his time between Los Angeles and Helsinki. Laaksonen is credited with introducing the masculine homosexual into gay, and eventually mainstream, culture. His drawings of stereotypically macho men - bikers, cowboys, cops, sailors - were almost photographic in their detail, but grew increasingly idealistic in their portrayal of perfect male specimens with protruding nipples, exaggerated bubble butts, and enormous penises. As censorship laws loosened, his drawings also became more sexually explicit. He was among the first artists to portray manly men engaging in joyous, guilt-free sex; even his sadomasochistic scenes had a playful aspect. "I work very hard to make sure that the men I draw having sex are proud men having happy sex," he once declared. According to author Ron Suresha, "Tom of Finland’s visions of happy, masculine, loving men projected forth from the collective unconscious of gay men’s liberation and increasingly, through the second half of the 20th century, defined much of its erotic substance and style." Indeed, Laaksonen’s work helped bring the underground leather culture to light, and the "Castro clone" look - black leather jacket, cap, moustache - became a new gay stereotype. But Laaksonen’s work was not without controversy. Some critics accused him of harboring an affinity for Nazis, though he disavowed fascism and racism. In the ! 970s and 1980s, his work was caught up in gay and lesbian community debates about pornography and sadomasochism, as well as the charge that his idealized images were impossible for real men to live up to. For his part, Laaksonen maintained that his work reflected his own erotic sensibilities, not a .......... Continued nextlaage www.ozarksstar.com Tom ofFinland continued: larger politica! statement. "If I don’t have an erection when I’m doing a drawing," he said, "I know it’s no good." As his work grew more popular, Laaksonen became an international celebrity. His images spawned an industry, and in 1979 he and Dehner co-founded the Tom of Finland Company. In addition to several books of collected works, Laaksonen produced a multi-volume series of comics featuring Kake the leatherman and did private commissions (including a revisioning of Michelangelo’s David for Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli). "Tom’s men" became cultural icons and inspired many imitations, including the "Tom Girls" series by punk artist G.B. Jones. Today, his work is included in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Ne~v York Museum of Modern Art and Finland’s Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum. The Tom of Finland Foundation, initially founded in 1984 to preserve Laaksonen’s work, now offers a "safe haven" for all erotic art. Laaksonen continued to frequent the leather and dance club scenes well into his 60s. Diagnosed with emphysema in 1988, he was forced to cut back on his travel, but continued to draw. In 1991, his life and work were chronicled in the documentary Daddy and the Muscle Academy. In November of the same year, he died of a stroke in Helsinki. "I know my little ’dirty drawings’ are never going to hang in the main salons of the Louvre," Laaksonen said shortly before his death. "But it ~votfld be nice if...our world learns to accept all the different ways of loving. Then maybe I could have a place in one of the smaller side rooms." For further information: Hooven, E Valentine. 1994. Tom of Finland: His Life and Times (St. Martin’s Press). Pohjola, Ilppo. 3.992. Daddy and the Muscle Academy_ (documentary film). Ramakers, Micha. 2000. Dirty Pictures: Tom of Finland, Masculinity, and Homosexuality (St. Martin’s Press). OKLAHOMA ACTIV ST, KE TH Bo SMITH HONORED By James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Stonewall Democrats (OKSD) posthomously have presented the 2007 Mary Lou Lemon Humanitarian Award to Keith B. Smith, the well-known and effective professional lobbyist and activist who died suddenly in November, 2006. A memorial service was held on December 1 in the Oklahoma Capitol Rotunda. Mr. Smith’s tireless advocacy for gay equality and other progressive issues was legendary. His ideas and techniques live on in the many grassroots activists who continue to push back the stultifying limits of the ignorant and bigoted. No Oklahoma legislator, however recalcitrant in thinking, was immune to Mr. Smith’s wit, charm, and stunning strategies at passing progressive legislation. The award is named for the late Mary Lou Lemon, matriarch of a prominent Oklahoma Democratic family, who believed fervently in an American society free from discrimination directed at minorities, especially gay and lesbian citizens. It has been presented formally at the Activist Hall of Fame Dinner on Saturday, May 19, during the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention. Previous award recipients have been Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, and Governor David and Rhonda Walters. OK Stonewall Democrats ( www.okstonewall. org) is a constitutional club of the Oklahoma Democratic Party and a chapter of National Stonewall Democrats, Washington, DC (www.stonewalldemocrats.org) NEW GALLUP POLL SHOWS 68 PERCENT OF AMERICANS SUPPORT HATE CRIMES BILL BEFORE CONGRESS Poll Shows Overwhelming Support Includes Majority ofRepublicans, Conservatives, and Religious Voters WASHINGTON, DC_. A new national poll conducted by Gallup shows an overwhelming support of the American people for passage of federal hate crimes legislation currently being considered in Congress. The poll, conducted on May !0-13, shmvs that 68 percent of all Americans believe that current federal hate crime laws should be expanded to include "sexual orientation, gender and gender identity." Even more impressive is that this support cuts across partisan, ideological and religious lines with a majority of each of those demographic groups supporting the legislation. "This new national poll continues to reiterate how incredibly out-of-touch rightwing organizations are with the will of the American people and underscores the need for the Senate to pass this bill," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "I hope President Bush will look at this poll and realize how unbelievably out-of-line a threatened veto of this critical crime-fighting piece of legislation is with a majority of Americans. President Bush’s threatened veto isn’t even supported by his base. The writing is on the wall and it is past time for President Bush to stop bowing to the pressure ofJames Dobson, Pat Robertson and other right-wing, anti-gay leaders and join the majority of Americans who want to see this bill become law." On May 3, the morning of the House vote on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592), the White House put out a "Statement ofAdministration Policy" stating, "IfH.R. 1592 were presented to the president, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill." www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 29 By Joey De She’s known by only one name, has fabulous hair, incredible skin, the carefree spirit of the 80’s, and is mounting a tour to benefit gay rights. Cyndi Lauper, who has spent her career as the quintessential gay icon, is once again showing her fearless dedication to equality with her 15 city nation wide "True Colors" tour, presented by The Logo Network, kicking offJune 8th in Las Vegas. Cyndi and special guests Erasure, Debbie Harry, The Dresden Dolls, The Gossip and The Misshapes will be taking the stage, with emcee Margaret Cho to present five hours of non-stop music benefiting the Human Rights Campaign. Also joining the bill on select dates will be Rufus Wainwright, Rosie O’Donnell, Indigo Girls, THE CLIKS and Jeffree Star. We caught up with Miss Lauper between breaks on her busy rehearsal schedule to find out more about the tour, her views on the gay community and why she still looks so good. STAR: Oh my god, I’m talking to Cyndi Lauper, I can’t believe this. You’re a gay legend. You have been since the beginning of your career. \re’hat do you credit with making you such a gay icon? CL: It’s a natural fit. When I came onto the scene, I guess what the community related to was my overall vibe, not just my music. I was and still am very colorful and animated. I was also a bit left of center in my artistic approach and I think that really resonated. I have always been in tune with gay people, even before I became famous, so I think the relationship was just another extension of Cyndi the person to Cyndi the artist. STAR: You first made your first big mark in the 80’s, a time when musical tastes were totally different. To what do you owe your continued success? www.ozarksstar.com CL: I’ve stayed at it and I’ve strived to continue to grow as an artist. I still love to write, produce and perform and am still inspired by the world around me to create my music. I’m really fortunate to have the platform that I do and I don’t take that for granted. STAR: As a performer and gay rights advocate, ho~v would you say that the world has changed in the time since you began performing, in relation to equality? CL: I think that the visibility of the GLBT community has come further than 20 years ago, but, as we can see by the past few years under this administration, things are going backwards. It outrages me. The further ahead the community has gotten, the more resistance and push back to progress it encounters. We have to keep pushing forward. STAR: Would you care to share a story about a favorite gay companion who inspired you to take on the fight for equality? CL: I wrote the song Boy Blue for my friend Gregory. He passed away from AIDS and his life and death affected and inspired me deeply. He still does. STAR: What was your inspiration behind the "True Colors" tour? CL: I’ve been trying to do the tour for the past five years. It came from my outrage about what is going on in this country and specifically what is going on with the erosion of GLBT civil liberties and rights. It has affected my family, my close friends and my fans. Your civil liberties are my civil liberties. If yours are being taken away or going backwards, so are mine. I’ve been a part of the women’s movement and the civil rights movement for the African American Community. I feel like what is happening in this country with the GLBT community is outrageous, and this tour is a reaction to that, STAR: Why did you select the Human Rights campaign as your benefactor? CL: Their have been some rumblings from the right about it, but that’s the whole point isn’t it? I have the right to do this tour and get the issues out there to be debated and discussed via music. They have the right to criticize, disagree and debate the issues. The more discussion the better as far as I’m concerned. STAR: You have an incredibly impressive line up of guest performers, how did you select them? CL: I’m glad you like the line up. I’ve worked with some of the artists before and I’m excited to be working with some of them for the first time. It’s really great to be sharing the stage with such talented artists. STAR: Will we get to see that fabulous rainbow statue of liberty dress? CL: I actually had that dress custom made for the Gay Games. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve in regards to outfits for the tour...a girl’s gotta have some secrets (haha). You’ll have to come on down to the show for my runway action. STAR: Your gay audience transcends generations and even includes the current generation of youth. What, as an ally, do you think is the biggest challenge facing them and what do you think is their greatest strength? CL: I think the gay youth of today hold great promise. You can look at the way they connect and interact on myspace and other community sites and they know that they are not alone. I also look at PFLAG, GLSEN and the many local youth organizations out there that provide support and outreach. They are vital. Ifa kid can come out and be accepted by his family then he should cherish that, not every kid gets the love and support they need at home. That’s why PFLAG is involved in this tour, if coverage of it can open a difficult discussion then I’m doing my job. This tour is as much for gay engaged family members and friends as it is for GLBT people. for parents of gay youth increases. It starts at home. It’s (the tour) all about opening up the discussions on the home front, the political front and the music and entertainment front, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is a great musica! celebration. It’s going to be a kick ass party... STAR: In addition to this tour, you have a new album coming out. Would you care to share a little bit about it? CL: It’s definitely NOT a mellow album. It’s an ass shaker. STAR: Can tour-goers expect to hear their favorite hits, or will there be a lot from the new album? CL: I’m still mulling over what the set list is...so we’ll see...I may sneak in a few new songs. STAR: Most importantly for gay men and drag queens everywhere: You look fabulous, and haven’t aged a bit! Please, tell us your secret. CL: Yoga and keeping up with my son’s energy level. STAR: What can we look for from Cyndi Lauper in the future? CL: I’m wide open. I’m in a great creative space and looking forward to touring and finishing the new CD. Once that’s done, I’m sure I’ll be on the hunt for my next creative endeavor. Right now, it’s all about the True Colors tour. STAR: Miss Lauper, thank you for your time. We wish you the greatest of success with the tour and the album. The True Colors Tour will be visiting Dallas on June 23 and Houston on June 24. For more information or for a complete list of tour dates visit www.truecolorstour.com. CL: I have ahvays admired and respected the work that the HRC has done. They are working on a federal level and a local level for issues that are important to me. STAR: Have you received any back lash or criticism about the tour? www.ozarksstar.com I do want to say that I hope some of the apathy around HIV with the younger generation changes. We’ve made great medical advances and people are living with HW and MDS, but people are still dying. I hope that the kids wil! be responsible if they are having sex and I hope that the education the STAR 33 "Easy does it, Sagittarius!" Mercury is in Cancer, which normally facilitates sweet expressions of genuine affection and swapping old family recipes. But as Mercury clashes with Saturn in Leo, that "affection" may now seem overbearing and critical. Try to be modest and sincere, and offer healthy, low-fat recipes - or chocolate. ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Efforts to show off your home in a good light can be a major source of irritation. Can you just relax, and let your place be comfortable and fun? Your real friends don’t care how it looks, as long as it’s happily lived in. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Do you really need to call your family now? Let it wait until next week. It’s bad enough hearing one of your parents in your own voice. Play that up for satirical effect and you’ll learn something useful, if not entirely pleasant. GEMINI (May 21 - Jun~ 20): Getting caught up on bills may be a hassle, but do what you can now to avoid trouble later. Advice from an older sibling - or a "sister" - can be irritating, but well worth heeding. At least think about it! SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 o December 20): Your eagerness to tweak and provoke is dangerously high, tempting you to much more trouble than you’re ready to risk. New games in the bedroom may require innovative safety awareness. Slow and easy does it, Tiger! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): If demands (or lack thereof) in the boudoir are dampening your relationship, discussing the issues now could make or break it. How much courage, patience, and love do you have? Be very clear on your issues before taking on your partner’s. AQUARIUS (January 20 o February 18): Your clever innovations at work could irritate your colleagues. At least include them in some discussion before you make any changes. Mollify dissent by keeping your mind and ears open for further improvements. P~SCES (February 19 - March 19): Try to focus those playful urges into some modest, constructive activity. Showing off is too likely to get you into an awful accident. The more annoying you find criticism, the likelier you should heed it! CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Trying to sound authoritative just makes you sound bitchy. Let your words follow the law of supply and demand. The less you say, the more valuable it is. Writing is safer than speaking, but scrutinize e-mails carefully before you send them! LEO (July 23 - August 22): Being cranky and bossy is largely a cover for doubts and worries. To be more truly your sweet, lovable self, take time out to meditate or talk with a confidante about what’s bugging you. An imaginary conversation with Mom will help. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): The future may seem dark and hopeless, and the next few years are challenging, but still you worry too much. You can make the most of it; use your instincts to figure out a way through the dark labyrinth ahead. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Your foresight is especially sharp, but without caution, so is your tongue. Nagging undermines the effectiveness of your prescience. Imagine that everyone is your boss and be careful of what you say. That will heighten your own authority. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Any discussion can turn into an argument much too easily. What are you trying to prove and to whom? If you must assert your authority, keep it cool and simple. Overreacting will undermine others’ confidence in you. 34 the STAR MCC METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 4!7-529-8480 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! vwvw.ozarksstar.com HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10pm Jur~e3,0 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm. BIG Pride Party: (~LUB !vIAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show I0pm THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dominique LaRue Show 10:30pm,Dance wtDJ Colt 6-12, Dancers 9:30 MO J~m~ ll BAMBOO LOUNGE: K~araoke 7pro B .... LOUNGE . . , ES Jtme~2 tllvmuu : tree brunch T’ HE C..O..P.A..:.S.tr.ip.-O.ff"Contest 1 2am zpmm.2. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm ~DNESDAYJtme I3 THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pro HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dance w/DJ THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pro ii~ T DAY June 1~i ~r~E €OVA: Strip-O~Contest 12~m CLUB MAJESTIC: VaCant Sho~ w/Rachaet Eri~s THE COP~ Open Tflent w/Shemoane BAMB00 LOUNGE: ~kaoke 7pro. Somemore 10:30pm THE COPA: 2008 Miss Gay New- FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm comer lOpm HID~WAYLODGE: Bobby P~e Pride Sh~ w/sp&id guest 10~30p~ 15 10:30pro HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dance w/DJ Colt 6-12, Danders 9:30 HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Kris Kobi ~)how 10:30pro, Dance w/DJ Colt 6-12, ancers 9:30 THE COPA: Midnight. !~ Kara0ke 7pm. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pm. THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. ~: Ka~a~ke 7pro B~MB~0 i~ouNGE: Karaoke 7pro THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page OpenTalent Show 10:30pro ~28 CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachad Erikks THE THE COPA: Open Talent w!Shemoane Somemore 10: S0memore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament !0pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host. Pancho 9pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tot~nament 10pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm HIDEA\VAY: Male Dancers 10pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast BUffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10prn THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night BreakaCast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers 10pm After Dark is a flee service to our advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser to inform the STAR in writing of updates, additions or discontinued events, qlae STAR is not responsible for accuracy, t~lO {~TAIR 3~ "MONEY, IF I WANT TO WATCH SOME MIDDLE-AGED WOrN WITH A BAD DY~ JOB, TOO MUCH MAKEUP1 AND DISCO-WEAR ?~KE A FOOL OF Z~LL JUST ~O CLUB-HOPPIN~ "I ~URE DO! ~UT I NAVE TO WARN YOU, IF YOU ~ ~ ~0 H~T ~T OFF, THIS WILL DEFINITELY BE PRESENTS LARGER-THAN-LIFE ~ A LONG DISTANCE DRAG SUPERSTAR ~ RELATIONSHIP... ~ ~ ~A ~EE, HE L~ IN ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT I/V~PORTANTGAY TOPICS TODAY... bitter gid email: bittergid@qsyndicate.com www,joanhilty.net 36 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Arkansas, BentonvillelRogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... ~twv.nwaglbtcc.org- .888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers- - - -479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. ~w.diversitypride.com A Byrd’s Eye View..... 36 N. 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Hillside......316-682-5494 Priscilla’s..... 6!43 W Kellogg 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) MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - ......Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803--417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (8t6) 40th Street Inn....www.40thstreetinn.com.......816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Bird ........ 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, Springfield (417) The Edge..... 424 Boonville Ave - 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical- 417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub.... 504 E. Commerical- 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive ........... -417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place....821 College............... 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books....104 Sunset 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s........ -4810-A West Garriott- ...... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lav~on (580) Ingrids Bookstore...... 1124 NW Cache Rd......580-353-1488 Oklahoma, l~,~cA~ester (918) 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........ Border’s Books...... 3209 NW Expressway- -- CD Warehouse...... 4001 N. Penn Club Rox........3535 NW 39th Expwy......... Christie’s Toy Box.....3126 N. May Ave ...... Church of Open Arms......3131 N. Penn.... Copa.............2200 NW 39th Exp....... Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave....... Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy....... Gushers Restaurant.....2200 NW 39Exp ...... Habana Inn ........2200 NW 39th Exp....... Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St- -405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel.... 3535 NW 39th Exp Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th Jungle Reds .......2200 NW Expwy- Ledo -2200 NW Expwy....... Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ........ Partners- 2805 NW 36th St Pec’s 3535 NW 39th Expw ....... Priscilla’s 615 E. Memorial........ Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St Rudy’s Place......3535 NW39th Expw....... Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St- The Park. 2125 NW 39th St The Patio........ 3201 N. May Ave Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th Tramps- .2201 NW 39th-- Ziggy’s- -- 4005 N. Penn- --405-601-7200 --405-848-2667 405-525-7766 405-947-2351 -405-946-4438 --405-525-9555 -405-525-0730 -405-6726459 --405-525-0730 405-525-0730 405-528-2221 405-947-2351 405-843-1722 405-524-5733 --405-525-0730 405-681-5044 -405-942-2199 -405-947-2351 ---405-755-8600 405-525-5165 --405-947-2351 405-601-37tl 405-528-4690 405-917-1663 -405-947-2351 405-521-9888 -405-521-9999 Oklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge....7204 E. Pine Border’s Book Store- - - 2740 E. 21st- Border’s Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale Circle Cinema...... 10 S. Lewis- Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder - Club Majestic........ 124 N. Boston -918-836-8700 918-712-9955 918-494-2665 918-592-3456 918-584-9944 918-584-9494 Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan ..........918-835-3301 Cosmo Dell & Bar - - 6746 S. Memorial .........918-459-0497 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI -918-834-1051 Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street- 918-743-4297 Hideaway Cocktail Lounge--- 11730 E. 11th......918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st 918-749-8378 Midtown.......... 319 E. 3rd.............. 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood.....918-838-7104 Our House, Too - - - -203 N Nogales Ave..........918-585-9552 Priscilla’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. 71st- .918-499-1661 Renegades. 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records---2909 S, Sheridan Rd- 918-627-1505 Sappho’s........ 6373-C E 31st St 918-836-0299 Tulsa CARES.... 3507 E. Admiral PI- 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle.....1338 E. 3rd -9!8-592-1188 TNT’s 2114 S. Memorial. 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd....... 2630 E. 15th.......... 918-293-0304 HELP WANTED N~V ~kansas GLBT Communi~ Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 WWW.NWAGLBTCC.ORG Hair Stylist Nail Tecs BOOTH RENTAL AVAILABLE full service salon in Wagoner,OK 9t8-625-6377 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISINB SALES REPRESENTATIVE FI3R 13KLAHrlMA~ KANSAS MISSEIURI EIR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 38 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Advertisement * ZOO AMPHITHEATRE Oklahoma OK ULSA O0 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, June 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 6 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 01, 2007 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 Victor Gorin Greg Steele Jeanne Flanigan Paul Wortman James Nimmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Michael Leach Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online test 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) 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, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 5 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/210 The Star Magazine, July 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 7 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/207 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/208 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2ecfe27e3b12a46ac23e546dd3d695a3.jpg e31c8ee637ff9c4c0434722b76b424e1 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/980b4bf4c6f61ea9460b03d7d04ed456.pdf 911a580c27831471af397710af23436a PDF Text Text The �2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & D~VERSE market. Ca~ STAR AIDVERT~S~NG today. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �Arkansas’s 1st. Film highlights how the two gay men met in the military, how they confronted the troops in their unit and how they struggle today as an unmarried couple in their eighties. I really haven’t changed, I’m still a vegetarian and a lesbian. What has changed is that people know everything about me so it’s not controversial anymore. q-he 2006-2007 Broadway Season came to a close ~vith an Abba-solute hit when Celebrity Attractions presented the award-winning musical "Mamma Mia!" While the polite pickets of the mid!960s may appear tame to contemporary activists, it took considerable courage for GLBT people to demand their rights at a time ~vhen homosexual conduct was illegal and gays were considered mentally ill. A general characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc is its distinctive, penetrating aroma, which can evoke scents of grapefruit, lime, green melon, gooseberry, passion fruit, freshly mown grass, and bell pepper. Gay Travelers: Las Vegas, Nevada Out of Town: Martha’s Vineyard Dining In or OUT L~$E~I],~N NOTI;O~$ Lesbian Notions, looks at the nomination of Dr. James W. Holsinger to be the U.S. Surgeon General. Pictorial review of Pride month in Oklahoma. STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS ON THE COVER: k. d. Lmag 4 the STAR CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY www.ozarksstar.com �Jim Roth-A Pioneer for Ok ahomds Centennial by James Nimmo Mr. Roth often says that his family goes beyond the biological and that officeholders should be held accountable by the voters for how well the job is done, not by who they love. OkJa omans for Equal Icon Honored Ttxe voters who elected Mr. Roth to his first term as county commissioner re-hired him with a 65% majority for a second term. The 2008 election will be important for Mr. Roth as he will be required to run a statewide campaign for election to complete the remaining two-year term and, again in 2010 for a full six-year term. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK___Oklahoma celebrates its centennial this year and one would think that with 93% of the state’s history having occurred in the 20th Century there wouldn’t be much in the way of frontier left to discover in the 21 st. Mr Roth and his campaign workers will need to be full of the pioneering spirit of the Sooners as they get the rest of Oklahoma acquainted with the future--a future where, to paraphrase Dr. M.L.King, office holders are judged on the quality of their character coupled with their job effectiveness, and not who they love. The flat earth view of many in Oklahoma will be made all the rounder with Mr. Roth in office. However, Oklahoma is full of surprises both on the regressive and progressive sides of the historical coin. oki~hom~ns for equality TULSA, OK___Print Magazine, one of America’s most prestigious publications in visual culture and design, has chosen the OkEq logo for its A+C=D Business Graphics Review to be featured in the September/October issue. Every year Print sponsors five high-profile design competitions. The newest and fastest growing competition, A+C=D, brings together the full range of work done for corporate clients around the world--from print ads, corporate identities, and flyers to animated short films, websites, and interactive games. Print chose winners from selections submitted by firms worldwide. Here’s one of those progressive surprises. T. MOSS, Inc., a Tulsa-based graphic design firm, produced the award-winning icon as part of a branding campaign begun in June 2006. T.MOSS provides a full range of creative services, from strategic planning to print production and Web programming. With over 30 years in the business, the firm has met many design challenges. The development of the Ok~q identity provided its own set of considerations. In mid-May Governor Brad Henry appointed Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth to fill a vacancy on the state’s Corporation Commission. This is a very important position in Oklahoma for both the citizens and the corporations doing business in the state such as utilities, oil and gas companies, and transportation. Mr. Roth is a remarkable man with a razor sharp mind, an affable personality, and a happy home-life with his partner of seven years, Worth Ross. Our House, Too Just how remarkable is Mr. Roth’s appointment? It was made by a very conservative Democratic governor. It remains to be seen how the rural voters in Oklahoma will view an openly gay man running for state-wide office. www.0zarksstar.c0m 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. V~/e 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 91 8~585-9552 or e-mail harrism mjr@yahoo.com. "OkEq is a robust, purposeful organization that prides itself in its mission of inclusiveness, community outreach and human rights advocacy. We wanted to create a contemporary, upbeat visual image for OkEq that exemplifies their spirit and dedication," said Toni Moss who designed the logo. Oklahomans for Equality seel~ equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Community Center. the STAR 5 �TULSA GAY PRIDE FESTIVITIES Faces o£Ok ahoma Pride 2007 With two great metropolitan cities, Diversity Pride is strong in this Bible Belt State of Oklahoma. We have elected officials who are openly gay and glbt supportive. There are equal rights organizations both in Oklahoma City and Tulsa fighting for our future. Two Gay Rodeo Associations, numerous gay and glbt welcoming churches, entertainment venues, clubs, hotels and, two Diversity Business Associations, DBA Tulsa and DBA Metro. We have Oklahoma based Gay/Lesbian owned print and internet news publications supported by you and the business community. Most important is that we have an opportunity to grow stronger as a united group of Oklahoman’s with a huge glbt community separated by only 100 miles of turnpike. Yes, GLBT Pride is alive and ~vell in Oklahoma and we did celebrate. Check out our Faces of Oklahoma Pride on page 25. Sincerely, Charles (Chaz) Ward Publisher/Editor in Chief ARE WE FABULOUS O R WHAT By Victor Gorin From Memorial Day weekend through the month of June, GLBT Oklahomans gathered to share their pride in ways that nobody could have dreamed of less than 30 years ago. As we celebrate our state’s centennial keep in mind that all of us, from cowboy to fluff, from leatherman to drag queen, from lipstick lesbian to diesel divas, from disco boy to businessman, helped play a part of it and will shape our future. Tulsa celebrated their Gay Pride Parade June 9. Beginning at 15th & Utica, it concluded at Veteran’s Park where celebrants enjoyed Tulsa’s 25th LGBT Pride Festival. Although not forgotten by the protesters (with a banner reminding us to remember Sodom and Gommarha) (sic) the Parade came to a fabulous finale. The Festival featured maW of Tulsa’s finest entertainers, with diversions ranging from a Family Fun Zone to a beer garden, offering something for everyone. An estimated 17,000 people from all walks of life were in attendance. That night the Pride continued with the annual Oklahomans for Equality Diversity Gala, held in the Grand Ballroom of the Doubletree Warren Place. This year their Russell G. Bennett Award for Spiritual Inclusion went to the Reverend Leslie Penrose of Community of Hope UCC of Tulsa. Their Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dennis R. Neill, for whom the Tulsa gay community center is named, following a video depicting his life of service on behalf of GLBT Oklahomans. OKLAHOMA CITY GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL Oklahoma City celebrated the 20th Anniversary of their Gay Pride Parade, with their theme coinciding with the Oklahoma Centennial. For the first time the Festival and Parade were separate events, the Festival held in Memorial Park June 16-17 for ~wo days, featuring live entertainment as well as numerous vendors & exhibitors, with the Parade scheduled for June 24. The event was supported by a proclamation by State Senator Andrew Rice & State Representative A1 McAffrey, with Bob Lemon receiving the Irene Tyson Award from the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus for his generous philanthropy and service to the GLBT community of Oklahoma. Let’s all look forward to it. Diversity Business Association of Tulsa 6 the STAR GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL RODEO This annual event was held again at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, bringing cowboys and cowgirls nationwide. Featuring standard rodeo events as well as the hilarity of"goatdressing," it proved again to be a major success for those who love the western lifestyle. www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �OKLAHOMAN CAPTU S THE TITLE OF MR GAY ALL AMERICAN By Victor Gorin O~AHOMA CITY, OKOklahoman Taz Bailey placed first at the National Mr. Gay M1Mnerican Contest held at the Copa in Oklahoma City May 19. Based on a competition that incorporated talent, modeling & interview, he captured the title followed by Sebastian Armonte of Pittsburgh (1 st alternate) and Dean Taylor of St. Louis (2nd alternate). Hosted by former Miss Gay America Rachael Erikks and Mr. Gay All American 2006 Lucas Flander, the event gave the spectators good eye candy as wet! as inspiration. Mr. Bailey will now promote the Mr. Gay All American Contest as a positive gay role model throughout the county. Recognized by Keller Williams For outstandiilg achievement 2005 and 2006 RIgA LTY Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 ~47hether buying or selling I’ll work hard~bryo~ REALTOR~ 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.corr ��~he weekend-long festival will exhibit more than a dozen films including some of the best releases this ),ear in the genre of gay cinema. For more information about the event contact Amos Lassen: 501-372-3403(h) 870-550-6298(c) PREMIERE DATE: Saturday June 23 TIME: 8:00 pm LOCATION: Easy Street Piano Bar - 307 W. 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501-372-3530 TICKETS: Tickets $5, $10 available at the door For more information, photographs and trailer visit: www.bobandjack.org (Top) Jack Reavley (L) and Bob Claunch in 1953 DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HALFCENTURY ROMANCE BETWEEN TWO MEN OPENS the 1ST ANNUAL ARY kNSAS GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL. 7his f!lm highlights how the two gay men met in the rnilitat3,, how they conj~onted the troops in their unit and how they struggle today as an unmarried couple in their eighties. LITTLE ROCK, AR__ In 1952 an Army sergeant was cornered and courted by his commanding officer. Their romance grew so obvious that rumors became anonymous tips to headquarters. They avoided court-martial by confronting their entire unit. That pivotal moment cemented Bob and Jack together for the rest of their lives. 52-years later they share how they remained a couple, how one man left his wife and children, how together they moved to a small town and became a fixture in the community, and today how they survive in their eighties without the benefits of marriage. Now Bob and Jack’s 52-Year Adventure, an award winning documentary about their relationship, will premiere Saturday June 23rd, 8 PM at the Easy Street Piano Bar as the opening night film of Reel Attractions, The Arkansas GLBTQ Film Festival. A discussion with director Stu Maddux follows. "We feel extremely honored to premiere at this festival," says Bob Claunch, now 81, from their home in Los Angeles, CA. "With everything going across the country with "dofft ask don’t tell" and with gay marriage, we hope people are encouraged by our story. We didn’t have it easy but we didn’t give up." "That’s one of the reasons we think that the film is a good message for young people too", says partner Jack Reavley, 83. "They need to know that they can have successful relationships. The skeptics are just waiting for us to fail when we try to have lifelong love. Well we didn’t, and we’re here to tell you that you won’t either’." 10 the STAR Eureka Sprin.qs Domestic Partnership R gistry Begins After two petition attempts Reverend Philip Wilson, pastor of Eureka Springs" First Christian Church failed to stop registration of same sex couples. Domestic Partnership Regist*7 began Friday, June 22, 2007 at 9:30 AM. By Michael Walsh EUREKA SPRINGS, AR~ Blockage of the state’s first Domestic Partnership Registry scheduled to take effect June 22 left Advocates more determined than ever to see the measure implemented. The ordinance creating the registry was unanimously approved May 14 by the Eureka Springs City Council, after two months of&liberation and dtizen input. However anti-gay minister Philip \Vgilson halted the effective date late last week by submitting to the city clerk a petition of 147 signatures from opponents, three more than the minimum required to force a referendum on the issue August 14. Though disappointed by the delay, proponents are confident a majority of the resort town’s voters would ratify the measure. Broadbased support from hundreds of residents, toUrists, church groups and dozens of local businesses, suggest the effort to circumvent the city Council’s approval would fail at the polls. Unless the referendum can be tied to a pending sewer bond election, Wilson’s maneuver could cost the city already cash strapped between $6,000 and $9,000, the price tag for g Special election. Until then, the city wil! also be deprived of revenue $35 per couple from tourists and residents wishing to register. Hotel, restaurant, nightclub and gift shops will see no profit from Arkansas and out-of-state tourists who were holding off on vacation plans until the domestic partnership registry is in effect. Ironically, Wilson has asserted the Domestic Partnership Registry available to same-sex and opposite-sex couples would negatively impact the town’s economy, transforming it into a "Homosexual mecca" incompatible with such "faith-based" tourist attractions such as the Great Passion Play. ......................... Continued next page. www.ozarksstar.com �EUREY& SPRINGS REGISTRY HOLLYWOOD HOTEL & SUITES Interestingly, almost 50 of the city’s businesses, about 25 percent, are gay owned and have existed in harmony with the Great Passion Play for years, even encouraging their customers to attend the staged production that depicts the life and death of Jesus Christ. Executives of the religious attraction, however, decline to return the favor, suggesting visitors avoid downto~vn Eureka Springs where they might see same-sex couples holding hands during any one of the city’s three annual "Diversity Weekends." COMPLEX-FUTURE UNCERTAIN By Victor Gorin Civil rights watchdog groups, such as the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the ACLU have been monitoring events in Eureka Springs since April 9 when the Domestic Partnership ordinance first appeared on the city council’s agenda. So has the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. One member of the association has said he will lobby to have the group’s annual meeting in Eureka Springs moved to another city if the Domestic Partnership Registry is not enacted. Big business also has been waiting to see the fate of the Registry. AT&T alerted thousands of its employees last week that domestic partnership certificates would be available in Eureka Springs. The city clerk of Eureka Springs Mary Jean Sell rejected a first and second attempt to bring a domestic registry to a public vote. The petitions missed specific wording needed to bring the issue to a special election. Domestic Partnership Registry began Friday, June 22, at 9:30 AiM. Applicants must appear in person with proof of age and the $35 registration fee in cash. Application forms are available online at (wwvv.cityofeurekasprings.org/DPRterm.html). Certificates of Registry will not be mailed to applicants. 2008 Great Plains Rodeo Poster Contest OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association has just announced their 2008 Great Plains Rodeo Poster Contest. The contest is open to anyone and everyone. Entries must be received by OGRA no later than July 31, 2007. OGRA sponsors the annual Great Plains Rodeo on Memorial Weekend. This event has been taking place since 1985. The 2008 edition of the Great Plains Rodeo will be the 23rd Annual. OGRA is proud to present this event each year as one of their largest fundraisers. As a major part of the rodeo they sponsor a poster contest with the winning design used for the rodeo poster, t-shirts and other publications. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__When the Hollywood Hotel and Suites opened in 2006, owned by John Lewis & Warren Burdick, there were high hopes of a grand complex that would not only serve Oklahoma City but also be a gay tourist attraction. In its heyday it boasted the Topanga a full service restaurant and bar, the dance bar Club Rox, and a leather club called Pecs. According to Oklahoma County records John Lewis purchased the hotel, originally constructed in 1971, in January of 2006 for $1.2 million under the name LB Financial Group Inc. As of this writing both clubs and the restaurant are closed, and no other information is available except that the front desk personnel stated that it was due to renovations. We have heard conflicting reports as to how long the hotel will continue operating. Responding to an inquiry by the Star at 11:20 a.m. June 20, the front desk person stated that there were no definite plans of a date to cease operations. ~le STAR attempted to contact the owners of the hotel for more details, but no one has returned our calls. All submissions have to be original works. THE WINNING DESIGN WILL RECEIVE $175.00 IN PRIZE MONEY AND BECOME THE SOLE PROPERTY OF OGRA, INC. The other entries will be returned to the contestant upon request. All entries should be submitted to OGRA Inc., EO. Box 12485, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Please include a brief bio of yourself i£you wish. The entries will be judged by the OGRA Board of Directors with finalists being selected. Those finalists then will be put on display as a part of a voting competition. The OGRA Membership table will be setup inside the Habana Inn hallway, between the Finishline and Copa, the third weekend in August where the poster finalists will be put on display. For further information email info@ogra.net or ~ontact any OGRA Board Member. www.ozarksstar, com the STAR 11 ���Wha were some GLBT protests The Stonewall riots of June 1969 are often cited as the start of the gay liberation movement, but several GLBT protests occurred during the preceding ),ears. These early actions included both organized demonstrations and spontaneous bursts of outrage at specific injustices. Perhaps the first unplanned protest occurred in May 1959 at Cooper’s Donuts, an allnight hangout in downtown Los Angeles frequented by hustlers and drag queens. According to author John Rechy, who was present, police harassed and tried to arrest a few of the patrons, prompting others to throw food and tableware; the officers retreated to their car and summoned reinforcements, who closed the street and arrested several rioters. A similar event occurred in August 1966 at Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco. After a police officer tried to grab a young queen, some 50 customers hurled dishware and overturned tables, while outside a police car was destroyed and a newsstand was set on fire. ire Stonewall? activists demonstrated against the military ban outside the Whitehall Induction Center in New York CitT; the picketers included members of the Sexual Freedom League, some of whom were heterosexual. In early 1965, Craig Rodwell (who would later open the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, the first gay bookstore in the United States) and others demonstrated outside United Nations headquarters to protest ill treatment of gays in Cuba. While the polite pickets of In the spring and summer of 1965, activists with the East Coast Homophile Organizations - cofounded by Frank Kameny, who had himself been fired from a government job - picketed the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, and the Civil Service Commission in Washington, D.C. the mid-1960s may appear tame to contemporary activists, it took considerable courage for GLBT people to demand their rights at a time when homosexual conduct was illegal and gays were considered mentally ill. Police harassment of gay bars in Los Angeles also spurred early protests. Soon after midnight on New Year’s Eve in 1967, police raided the Black Cat bar on Sunset Boulevard, beating patrons and bartenders and arresting several people for lewd conduct. Protests erupted outside the bar that night and continued for several days. A year later, police raided the Patch, another gay bar in the same city. After owner Lee Glaze shouted, "It’s not against the law to be homosexual," the patrons marched to the nearby Harbor Division police station and pelted the building with flowers. The first organized GLBT demonstrations took place in the mid-1960s to protest antigay discrimination in federal employment and the military. Typically, these actions were small and polite, featuring men in suits and women in dresses walking in circles holding signs. In 1964, about a dozen 14 the STAR That summer, 40 activists staged the first of four ’~mnual Reminders" at Independence Hall in Philadelphia (home of the Liberty Bell) on July 4. The demonstration was organized by members of the Mattachine Society, the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), and Philadelphia’s Janus Society; among the participants were several individuals who became well-known figures in the GLBT movement, including Barbara Gittings (an editor of DOB’s magazine, The Ladder) and Kiyoshi Kuromiya (later a prominent AIDS activist). ~lhe ?mnual Reminders ended after 1969 and were supplanted by yearly Gay Pride celebrations. "\Ve cracked the cocoon of invisibility," Gittings later recalled. "We had finally stepped forxvard and said to the public, ’I’m not going to live in a closet anymore."’ Added fetloxv participant Lilti Vincenz, "We exploded the myth that real homosexuals could [not] possibly look happy and proud and dignified and visible." In early 1966, the North American Conference of Homophile Organizations met in Kansas City and called for demonstrations on Armed Forces Day to protest the military ban. On May 21, actions took place in several cities, including a motorcade in Los Angeles with Mattachine Society founder Harry Hay. Homophile activists also took on the psychiatric establishment, protesting at professional conferences beginning in 1968. Public pickets initially proved controversial, as some members of the GLBT community preferred not to call attention to themselves. By the late 1960s, however, the country was in the grip of an era of militant protest by groups espousing diverse causes. One of the first actions of what would become known as the gay liberation (as opposed to the earlier homophile) movement was a March 1968 "gay-in" in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. In the same ci9; activists also began picketing Bamey’s Beanery, a diner that posted a sign reading "Fagots Stay Out" [sic]. In San Francisco in the spring of 1969, young queer militants demonstrated outside the offices of States Steamship Line for ,veeks to protest the firing of gay activist Gale Whittington. Tixe Stonewall riots garnered much more media attention than previous demonstrations and sparked intensified gay organizing across the country. Since that time, GLBT protests have been a mainstay of the movement’s strategy, waxing and waning in cycles that reflect the overall national political and social climate. While the polite pickets of the mid-1960s may appear tame to contemporary activists, it took considerable courage for GLBT people to demand their rights at a time when homosexual conduct was illegal and gays were considered mentally ill. "Visibility has always been the keystone of our struggle for civil rights," Gittings said in the 2004 documentary Gay Pioneers. "We are pushing for equality through visibility. Today, we have visibility - oh, do we have visibility!" ww,qozarksstar.com �Mamma Mia! Tour - P~ctur~cl Corey Greenan & Company Photo: 200~, Joan Marcua ~rna Mial Tour - Pictured Se~n ,~Jl~n Joan Marcus Wha a W dding! 200Z B~vacl~ay Season Ends with a Special Bon us By Joey De The 2006-2007 Broadway Season came to a close with an Abba-solute hit when Celebrity Attractions presented the awardwinning musical "Mamma Mia!" to Tulsa audiences May 8-13. Featuring the music of the sensational seventies group Abba, "Mamma Mia!" is the sho~v that not only brought their music to a new generation, but also birthed an entirely new genre on Broadway. Following the show’s nearly sold out run, there is no question why. Using over twenty of the European group’s greatest hits, "Mamma Mia!" tells www.ozarksstar.com the story of young Sophie and her dream to find her father. Sophie’s mother, Donna, had a wild streak in the seventies and has never spoken much about her mate, leaving the young girl to invite three potential paternals to their quaint Greek island getaway just in time for her wedding. Brilliantly reflecting issues relevant to the Abba-generations such as fleeing fathers, self worth and the quest for true happiness, the show deals a heavy hand of social commentary wrapped in a comfortable blanket of feel-good comedy. In fact, the book brilliantly written by Catherine Johnson infuses the show with such a high dose of innocence and fun that its life lessons are delivered in witty one-liners. Amplifying the show’s feel good fun is the hit music that everybody knows. From "Dancing Queen," to "Take a Chance on Me," singing along with the young and enthusiastic cast becomes contagious. Perhaps though, the show’s greatest musical milestone is intertwining music that has been around for thirty years with an original story so seamlessly that you would swear they were written for each other. anything more than it is and it doesn’t fail to deliver. With its glitz, glam and spandex, it is a show that can make the most manically depressed smile. Following on the heels of"Mamma Mia!" is another show guaranteed to tickle your funny bone, or hit you over the head with a herring. As a bonus to the season, Celebrity Attractions will be presenting the smash hit musical "Monty Pythons Spamalot," the show that lovingly rips off the cult-classic film. "Spamalot," written by former Pythonite by Eric Idle, is based on the screenplay of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," written by the original Monty Python troupe of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Idle. Epic in nature, "Spamalot," is tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail. It features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, taunting Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight. Award-winning and side splitting, "Spamalot" will be in Tulsa Jul. 10-15. Tickets are on sale now at ~wcw.myticketoNce.com. At the heart, "Mamma Mia!" is a fun, frolicking musical. It doesn’t pretend to be the STAR 15 ��"Roasted Sweet Red Pepper & Potato Soup" To make the soup more colorful, use a combination of red, yellow and orange bel! peppers. And if you want to dress it up a little more, you can garnish it with pesto, croutons or minced fresh herbs. For a chowder like consistency, do not puree the soup but be sure to cut the peppers, onion and potatoes into neat uniform dice. Ingredients: 4 - 5 large red bell peppers 1 large or 2 medium yellow onions, diced 1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons olive oil 6 cups Chicken Stock 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 1/4 - 1/2 cup heavy cream 3 tablespoons chopped basil Kosher or sea salt Freshly ground pepper Procedure: Roast, peel, seed and dice the bell peppers. Heat the oil in a large pot and saute the onion and garlic over medium heat until translucent. Add the bel! peppers and stock and cook for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook until tender. Puree the soup and strain it into a clean pot. Add the cream, basil, salt and pepper. Stir and bring just to a boil. Be VERY CAREFUL to heat the soup gently and take extra care NOT to boil it. Serv’es 8 to 10 people. More on FOG CITY DINER, San Francisco, California see page I9. ��we are in San ] www.ozarksstar.com �O,,e of the most sce.,ic views on Martha’s Vineyard is Aquinnah Lighthouse, which is perched big,:, , bo ,e the is/a.o:’s ,,,,de beach, a’hoto 6,.a,d ew Crocker House Inn, a 1920s beach house owned by young and friendly innkeepers Jeff and Jynd! Kristal. Rooms are casually smart, with white-wicker furnishings, and some have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. \Vithin a 10-minute stroll of these inns are several fine shops, a quirky old movie theater, and a few nice eateries. A favorite is Cafe Moxie, which presents an intriguing range of relatively affordable rood-American dishes. If you’re in the mood for a lobster roll, drop by the Net Result, a simple fish market a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal serving some of the freshest seafood around. JULY 2007 By Andrew Collins Since Provincetown bursts at the seams all summer long with excitement and socializing, quite a few lesbians and gay men across New England have begun heading to a quieter but no less charming and remote seaside getaway, Martha’s Vineyard. Over the past several years, especially since Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, the island has seen a gradual but discernible growth in gay and lesbian visitation. One key to enjoying this sparkling emerald island off the southern coast of Cape Cod (it’s accessible by only ferry or plane) is to arrive with a lover rather than hoping to find one upon arrival. Of course, Martha’s Vineyard - along with its neighbor to the east, Nantucket - has long been a highly desirable destination. Families have been building the nmv-ubiquitous weathered-shingle cape-style houses here for more than three centuries, dating to the island’s origins as a sleepy fishing settlement. Yachting and hobnobbing among the rich and famous became official pastimes during the early part of this century. Glitterati such as Carly Simon, James Taylor, Spike Lee, Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan, Denzel Washington, Ted Danson, and Mary Steen 20 the STAR bergen regularly spend time here. Members of the Kennedy clan have been sailing over for years, and political pundits will always associate Martha’s Vineyard with the Chappaquiddick scandal that ultimately cost Ted Kennedy the U.S. presidency. Come for a visit, however, and you’ll hear little talk of celebrity-spotting and rumormongering. Famous or unknown, gay or straight, folks come to Martha’s Vineyard to get away from the vagaries and pressures of life on the mainland. Here you’!l discover historic inns, some of the finest restaurants in coastal New England, and a handful of enchanting villages, each with its own pace and personality. The town of Vineyard Haven is an ideal base. This walkable village has a few gayfriendly inns, some hip restaurants and boutiques, and an enviable sheltered location overlooking Vineyard Haven Harbor. The other communities on the island are within a half-hour drive (or an afternoon’s bike ride - Martha’s Vineyard is ideal for cyclists, and there are rental shops near each of the ferry terminals). If you wish to stay right in Vineyard Haven, book a room at the breezy Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are the two other major settlements on the island (they are also the only towns ~vith liquor licenses; restaurants elsewhere on the island are BYOB, although it’s expected that by 2008, Vineyard Haven will obtain a license that permits the sale of liquor at restaurants). Oak Bluffs has been more heavily developed than other towns on the island, with a bounty of lively bars and rollicking amusements popular with college students and teenagers. It’s a fun town for window-shopping, picking up an ice cream cone at a local parlor, and eating - there are plenty of terrific restaurants in Oak Bluffs. At the upper end, the Sweet Life Cafe serves outstanding regional American fare and occupies a handsome Victorian house along the town’s main drag, Circuit Avenue - try the squid-ink fettuccine with shrimp, scallops, calamari, and a tomato-basil-garlic broth. More casual and less pricey options, both of which are also fun places to sip cocktails and socialize, include Sharky’s Cantina, which serves up terrific Tex-Mex in a festive ambience, and the Lookout Tavern, a rustic seafood shack overlooking the sea and serving not only great platters of fried and broiled fish and shellfish but also first-rate sushi. Edgartown is the island’s somewhat more conservative community, at least in appearance if not necessarily in politics (this is still a highly liberal part of the world, especially on social issues). This posh historic village defined by gorgeous white-clapboard Colonial homes and neatly manicured gardens has several convivial eateries, and numerous high-end clothiers and boutiques downtown. Tops for dining are Detente, a www.ozarksstar.com �hip little wine bar serving superbly crafted, innovative fare like lemon-honey-basted halibut with truffled leek puree, baby artichokes, and oven-dried tomatoes. A more casual but still reliable bet is the Wharf Pub, which serves consistently good burgers, salads, and pub fare. Right in Edgartown you’ll find some lovely, gay-friendly accommodations, including the Shiverick Inn, a grand Second Empire mansion where romantic rooms have sumptuous Victorian bedding and antiques, and the Hob Knob Inn, a handsome and well-run 18room Gothic Revival property with unfussy but attractive furnishings reminiscent of an English country house. Just south of Edgartown, with a fantastic location on Katama Beach, the Winnetu Oceanside Resort makes for a delightful retreat, especially if you’ve got kids in tow - in fact, this is one of the best gay-friendly, family-oriented properties on the East Coast. The property consists of a luxury inn with one- to four-bedroom suites as well as a cluster of three- to five-bedroom town homes. The resort offers dozens of diversions to keep you busy, from bike tours to whale-watching trips, and there’s a world-class tennis facility on-site. Also, Winnetu’s restaurant, Lure, serves some of the most inventive seafood fare on the island, such as butter-poached lobster with soft cornbread, roasted corn, and fava beans. This upscale resort draws mostly families with kids in summer, but it’s more of a couples destination during the mellower spring and fall shoulder seasons. Outdoors enthusiasts should stick to the western side of Martha’s Vineyard (referred to locally as Up-Island). Here you can sample fresh lobster dockside in the picturesque fishing village of Menemsha (a great place to stop for a casual seafood lunch - just try one of the restaurants on the pier), or admire ocean views from the lighthouse and multihued clay cliffs at Aquinnah (formerly known as Gay Head). Below the Gay Head cliffs you will find, appropriately, a popular nude beach with a moderate following among gays and lesbians - when you hit the beach, turn right, and walk all the way to the end (about 30 minutes). A tip: If you’d like to check the scene out in advance, drop some change into one of the coin-operated magnifying lenses near the base of the lighthouse - it’s the closest you’ll come to a peep show on Martha’s Vineyard. 1-800-535-NDS (2437) Ok~ahoma’~ H~V/STD Hotfine In the Up-Island community of West Tisbury, set back on a wooded property slightly off the beaten path, you’ll find the island’s most opulent gay-owned property, Lambert’s Cove Inn. Innkeepers Scott Jones and I. Kell Hicklin have restored what had been a somewhat dowdy country hotel into a sophisticated boutique inn with smartly furnished rooms set among three buildings. Amenities include DVD/CD players, high-speed Internet, and plush Egyptian cotton linens, and some rooms have private screened-in porches. A sunken pool in back is the perfect place to while away a hot afternoon. And in the evening, the inn’s elegant dining room serves outstanding contemporary American fare, such as braised veal cheeks with sweet corn, English pea risotto, and a Madeira wine reduction. It’s the definitive venue for a relaxing Martha’s Vineyard hideaway. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 �J U L¥ 2007 Truth Calling Lesbian Notions, looks at the nomination ofDr. James VX Holsinger to be the U.S. Surgeon General. My phone rang recently, and it was a local radio station asking me to respond to samesex marriage still being the law of the land in Massachusetts. The measure calling for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage there was defeated by the full state legislature, 45 yes votes and a resounding 151 no’s. Of course, my response was measured, delivered in appropriate sound bites, and echoing what everyone else is saying about the victory. It’s great for Massachusetts, but even greater for the rest of the country, where many LGBT people are still struggling to attain basic civil rights. The vote lets us put our resources into 2008 where they need tO be - focusing on the presidential and pivotal state races, rather than having to pump tons of money into defeating another bad bill. Ah, but truth be told, this victory is sweet but short, because now we need to turn our attention to defeating a bad nomination - that of Kentucky’s Dr. James W. Holsinger for U.S. Surgeon General. My initial response after reading about Holsinger was, "Who the hell is giving W advice these days?" Didn’t they see what would happen if they nominated a homophobic, radical Christian who started an ex-gay ministry? Did they think we wouldn’t notice? On the face of it, Holsinger seems like a credible medical professional. He is a cardiologist who holds the University of Kentucky’s Charles T. Wethington Jr. Chair in the Health Sciences, and is the former chancellor of UK’s Chandler Medical Center. Just because he’s from the heart of the Bible Belt doesn’t mean we have to automatically jump to conclusions about his politics. After all, Abe Lincoln was born there, the LGBT community is gaining political strength in the Bluegrass State through the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, and they’ve even got an openly gay man in the state Senate - Ernesto Scorsone. Well, maybe you should start jumping after all. Because as Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out put it, "Holsinger is an ideologue 22 the STAR whose medical views on gay and lesbian people resemble sorcery more than sound science." Holsinger is not only a doctor, but a devout Christian who is a high-ranking lay leader in the United Methodist Church - you know, the folks who talk about "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" - except, of course, when it comes to us. In his position on the United Methodist Judicial Council (the place where the buck stops in the Methodist Church), Holsinger’s record is anything but promising for LGBT people. He opposed the 2004 decision to allow Rev. Karen Dammann, a lesbian, to continue serving as a minister. He backed the deftocking of Rev. Beth Stroud, who came out to her Pennsylvania church community at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown. And, in one of the ugliest acts of religious discrimination, Holsinger backed a Virginia pastor who barred an openly gay man from church membership. One could argue that those actions were his personal beliefs and wouldn’t interfere with him being the country’s top doctor. Perhaps...but one need only read the Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality, a "scientific" paper Holsinger wrote in 1991 for the Church’s Committee to Study Homosexuality, to see how his personal beliefs impact his science. The piece is available online at abcnews. go.com/images/Politics/Holsinger_on_Homosexuality.pdf. (If you want some laughs, Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report did a hilarious send-up of the paper and Holsinger - you can watch it at http://rawstory. com/news/2007/Colbert Report Why are gays still 0614.html.) upon which one interlocks within the other. When the complementarity of the sexes is breached, injuries and diseases may occur.... Therefore, based on the simplest knmvn anatomy and physiology, xvhen dealing ~vith the complementarity of the human sexes, one can simply say, Res ipsa loquitur - the thing speaks for itself!" I guess the thing that is "speaking for itself" is a penis, which, in his estimation, belongs in only one place - a vagina. This is more like the science of a 6-year-old, not a 68-year-old. I won’t get any more graphic. But if you want a great deconstruction of the paper, go to Jim Burroway’s xwwv.boxturtlebulletin.com, a site that is devoted to debunking the lies told about us through research and well-reasoned writing. His conclusion puts Holsinger’s snake-oil chicanery in the proper perspective. To add insult to injury, when Holsinger and his wife were congregants at Lexington’s First United Methodist Church, they helped their pastor form a new "outreach, congregation called the Hope Springs Community Church. Hope Springs sports an antigay ministry. According to them, being gay is just a lifestyle. With Christ’s love, anyone can be straight. Next up are Holsinger’s confirmation hearings. When they’re scheduled, Holsinger will go before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which is chaired by Edward Kennedy (DMass.). Three Democratic presidential candidates - Hiltary Clinton (N.Y.), Chris Dodd (Conn.), and Barack Obama (I11.) - sit on the committee. Only Clinton has definitely said no to Holsinger. Dodd and Obama have strong concerns. John Edwards, although no longer in the Senate,opposes the nomination. We xvon in Massachusetts. Conservatives are calling for the repeal of "don’t ask, don’t tell." If there was ever a time for Democratic Party leaders to find their backbone, this is it. It’s time for truth to go a-calling- Holsinger’s homophobia has no place in medicine or in government. One of my favorite passages reads, "...the logical complementarity of the human sexes has been so recognized in our culture that it has entered our vocabulary in the form of naming various pipe fittings either the male fitting or the female fitting depending w~,~v.ozarksstar.com �By Joey De \vgith the placing of the cro~vn, Oklahoma City based performer Adrianna became the new Miss Oklahoma Continental on May 25 at Club Majestic in Tulsa. The evening, filled with national title holders and special entertainers marked the reign of Miss Oklahoma Continental 2006, Kandy Cayne. For Adrianna, the achievement is another milestone in a career highlighted with titles. "I now have been a state title holder in 3 of the big 4 pageant systems," says Adrianna. "I was Miss Kansas USofA in 2000 and Miss Gay Oklahoma America in 2004." "There are several differences between those and Continental," notes the performer. "The major one is the addition of the swimwear competition. Also, the interview process was a new experience as well since it is a group setting, not one-on-one. Overall, the style of the system seems to be more ’fashion-forward’ than any of the other systems that I have been involved in." Adrianna entered the Continental system hoping to become "known for her unique sense of style. "I heard one time that the ability to accessorize is what separates us from the animals," she jokes. According to Thompson, Adrianna was born on Halloween at a DIFFA masquerade ball, and has been performing since 1995. "I began doing drag after my friends hauled me to Miss Gay Oklahoma America the year that Gertrude Garnet won. I was barely 21 and was engaged to a female. However, I knew from that moment on I belonged in a dress on that stage. The rest is history." For Thompson, much of his inspiration behind the character or Adrianna comes from his morn. "I was a mamma’s boy... she’s a great lady. She’s an elected official who is very politically active, and stands up for what she believes in." www.ozarksstar.com A self described performer since birth, Adrianna is the drag transformation of Sapulpa native Jon Thompson. Thompson, who spends his days as a customer care representative for a major telecommunications firm, says that he has been happily married to his husband (and fellow performer) Chris for the past two years. The couple also shares custody of their child, Alden, their miniature Schnauzer. With his forthcoming reign as Miss Oklahoma Continental, Thompson hopes to grow as a female impersonator and overcome new challenges. "I have already learned so much. It has made me expand my mind to think of drag in a new way. I have used it to launch me out of a rut, and made me have the perception that drag is fun again...I have been at it a few years, and like most things you can tire of it. But at this point...I am always thinking of the next best number or costume." Thompson also ~vishes to reach out as an ambassador of the community with his latest title. "I think that I am in a unique position by being a former Miss Oklahoma America. I can promote the pageant and the system by working with the other systems. I will also be launching a fund-raising campaign, in honor of my aunt who is a breast cancer survivor. The net proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation." As a part of that campaign, Thompson will be walking with his cousin from Dallas to Fort Worth over the course of three days, and encourages people to visit www.the3day. org for more information. While not attending to appearances as Miss Oklahoma Continental, Thompson can be seen performing as Adrianna on the third Sunday of every month. For information and updates on special appearances, fans can visit www.myspace.com/mgo2004. OGLP¢’s Tyson Award for 2007, Nr. Bob Lemon By James Nimmo Photo by Victor Gorin. Left to Right Bob Lemon and Paul Thompson. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Mr. Bob Lemon, a staunch Oklahoma Democrat and devoted supporter of LGBT equality, was named the recipient of the 2007 Irene Tyson Award given annually by the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Caucus (OGLPC) (http:// www.oglpc.com/). The award is given to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated long term commitment to the furtherance of LGBT equality under the law, and who is a role model for changing public opinion The award was a complete surprise for Mr. Lemon but he was not at a loss for words. "Gay people aren’t broken and don’t need fixing," he said in defiance of the notion that LGBT citizens are second-rate Americans in need of counseling. Mr. Lemon also had the honor of reading to the crowd of enthusiastic listeners an Oklahoma Legislative Proclamation recognizing LGBT Pride events in Oklahoma City issued by State Senator Andrew Rice and State Representative A1 McAffrey, both Democrats in their first term of office and firm believers in our LGBT equality. Mr. Lemon is also a front-line supporter, member of Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, (www.okstonewall.org) the LGBT voice of the Oklahoma and National Democratic Party, with chapters in all 50 states and Washington, DC. The STAR 23 ���The following column is very sarcastic and may not be suitable for sensitive readers. I present two potential clients that have threatened for months to begin a workout program with me. Simon is an affable creature who loves watching Diamondbacks and Cardinals games. He enjoys pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. He would give you the shirt offhis back if you needed it. The problem is you wouldn’t be able to use it. Or maybe you would. You would only, need to fit intoa Triple X kimono. Simon tips the scales at an awkward twenty-five stone. That’s 350 pounds for all you nonlimeys out there. He’s six feet tall so yeah that’s 99 Luft Balloons Big. This column is a la carte so I’!l feel free to load up Simon’s plate with more health impediments. Let’s add three packs of Viceroys per day. Don’t forget the four nights per week of all night benders and enough Sauza Gold to paralyze three Mexican towel boy,s. For good measure I’ll throw in the 6,0130 calorie per diem at "his expense" account. What advice would I give to Simple Simon? Dear see-mone, (enjoy the moment of French) I would recommend spending $10,000 on a remodeling project for your home. It would clearly be advantageous to blow your money on a whimsical attempt to make yourself feel better by painting the walls tropical tapioca and adding that new Ethan Allen collection to your living room. Think of hmv much excitement wil! pulse through your damaged vessels as you gaze adoringly upon your newly acquired Vc:aterford Crystal that sparkles like the glint of stupidity in your eyes. You were able to resist the temptation of hiring a qualified personal trainer for six months. This trainer would have only robbed you of those extra 150 pounds you have been safeguarding and would have charged you several thousands dollars for the difficult deed. He might have even saved you from hospitalization and tens of thousands of dollars spent on gastric bypass surgery. It’s lucky that you watch HGTV and have a subscription to Martha Stewart Living. Money well spent. Which room beckons next? Roger complains about the rigors of the dating world. He elaborates ad nauseam on the difficulties of finding Mr. Right. He has found glimmers of hope from escorts, massage "specialists", and websites featuring boy,s who seek Mr. Night. My advice for Roger Rabbit is as follows: Dear Roger, Don’t worry! The right guy for you is out there. Thank goodness for you that we dodt live in a superficial world where you are judged by your looks. Most 23 year old guys with chiseled bodies and dashing good looks will seek out your 45 year old flabby, elephantine physique. Further good news for you is that none of these Adonises will be attracted to your BMW, Versace Suits, or 3,000 square foot wallet that can buy them presents. They will appreciate your knowledge, bubbly personalib; and the ability to pick out the correct port wine to sip with your Dairy Queen Royal Treat of the day. I would continue to spend your hard earned cash on vacations to places where no one wants to see you with your shirt off. Perhaps love will truly blossom in the midst of a massage or in the throes of professionalism from that elegant escort. I wouldn’t bother evacuating your money from the bank for trivial purposes of bettering your health. What need have you for physical training when you are immortal? Heart attacks, diabetes, and high blood pressure always happen to that other guy. I think (hope) you get the point. This sardonicism is brought to you by Ron Blake. Ron can be reached at blake.fimess@yahoo.com or at 480-241-5651. Celebrate your PRIDE Parade Starts at 10 ar The earlier if will begin at East, then ling left on ri Park. Roger also weighs approximately 350 pounds and he too rises vertically to six feet. Roger eats like an F350 Ford truck and he waddles like an emperor penguin. He blames his excessive girth on a thyroid problem and has plenty more excuses ready if you don’t buy that one. He began his smoking career after watching Sunset Boulevard at age seventeen. He now smokes his Parliaments as elegantly as Gloria Swanson ever did. He has been ready for his close up for nearly 28 years. Roger works longer hours than an Indonesian schoolboy in a sweatshop. Fortunately for Roger he is earning considerably more money and is in no danger of breaking aW nails in his pristine white collar job. He has a significant stash of money and is well-educated from the University of Arizona. 26 the STAR at 12 Noon in Agri Park in Fayettev e Pride, immediately www.ozarksstar.com �s 2LUB MAJESTIC catia He Love [h?~. L0~p~. )~. ¯ . i,, ~, IH~ ~’A: r,acnae! ~rm~zs anow l0 30pm 2pro C~i~B MAJESTICi Carla Le~ Lo~e qlmw lOnm ~fi~ &brb~: Rachad Erikks Show 10:~0pm HID~_d0WAYLOUNGE: Danc4w/DJ Colt 6-12, D~ncers 9:30pro LOUNGE D6ai~ique HID ~Xmas i~J~vSho~v 10-30~r~ BRADYTH~fA’~ER~ LyI~ I~ovett BA~~Ii~ OO......... LOUNG[E :......... Kar~0ke 7p ~ .... BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pro ¯ ~ES THE COPA Strip-Off Contest 12~a ifly:I0~ ;i~? :~,i ~!;"7 2pro, Kris Kohl Benefig Show 8pm; ~LUI3.~UiJESTIC: ~tia ~ Love anow ~opm THE COPA: Rachael Eril-~ Show lo:30pm HI LOUNGE: Dacew!DJ Co!t 6d2, Dancers ~30 BAMBOO LOUNGE Karaoke 7pro ~" .......... CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Led Love Show 10pm TrqE COPA: Rachad Erikks Show : h~U~A~CAY LOUNGE: Kris KohI 5how 10:~0pm, .... .......... THE COP& Strip-OffContest HID~WAY LODGE: Kara0ke 8pro HID~VAY LODGE: Ka~oke 8pm 7pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke ; THE COPA: V:ariety Show lO:30pm HID THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: DartTournament 10pro LOUNGE: B0bby Page Ophn Talent Show 10:30pro BIG 4th 6f July HID B~bby Page Open Talent Sh6~v 10:30pro FINIS~INE] Dart Toum~brlt 10pro THE COPA: Variety Sh~w I0:30pm yE COPA: mdm6re t0 Open 30pmTalent wtShem0ane THE COPA: Mate Dancers 9pro GUSHERSi Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Dance Party lmn-3:30am THE COPA Male Dancers 9pm HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Danc~ ParD" ZOO AMPITISIEA~RE Lyle Lo~ett &. k. d. Lange 7:30pm lam-3:30am THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Dance Party HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Dance Party BAMB66 LOgN~Ei F~ zpm2m C~LUB !vlAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erild~ Show 10:30pro HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dance wlDJ Colt 6-12, Dancers 9:30 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pm. TUESDAY July 3~ THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. HIDF2XWAY LOUNGE: Karaoke 8pm ,amw.ozarksstar.¢om After Dark is a flee service m our advertisers andis the responsibility of the advertiser to inform dxe STAR in writing of updates, additions or discontinued events. The STAR is not responsible for accuracy. STAR 27 �"Practice economy, Gemini!" Mercury is in Cancer turning direct, offering an opportunity to apologize for emotional outbursts and correct al! the problems that erupted while he was retrograde. If you don’t know where to start, try the kitchen. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Get to the root of recent household messes. If you own, fix plumbing, electricity, or whatever. If you rent, make a list for the landlord. Call family members and resolve misunderstanding& At least have a nice chat with Morn. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Mend fences with neighbors, and call or write to your siblings. It’s an excellent time to sign up for classes in any basic skills or techniques that have interested you, especially if they touch on domestic arts or community-building. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Think about your patterns in impulse spending. Everyone does it, but now is your time to look at your own finar~cial strengths and weaknesses, to get those books better organized, and to practice better economy. SAGITTAR~US (November 22 - December 20): Sex may be more trouble than it’s worth, but has that ever stopped you? You may have slowed down lately, but recent problems and odd shifts of desire can now be re-examined to achieve greater understanding and pleasure. Talking about those issues will help! CAPRlCORN (December 21 - January 19): You can finally clear up problems that have been brewing with your partner. That "seems-you-can’t-say-anything-right" period is over. Sing out, Louise, and let your baby hear what you have to say! Your listening skills are also suddenly improving. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Been delaying trips to the doctor or the gym? That’s probably been a good instinct, but get your tush back into action! See the doctor first for any problems with or advice about exercising. Discuss nutrition, too! And then renew your health regimen. PISCES (February 19 - hlarch 19): Your creative block is finally over! Drag out the canvases, manuscripts, and instruments. If your muse needs to be fed, get to the kitchen and dig out some long-neglected recipes. A small dinner party will help get your juices flowing, too. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): It’s OK - you can finally clean up the confusion and chaos that seem to have taken over in recent weeks. Look for long-latent, underlying problems at the root of those troubles. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Worries and fears that have been aggravating you lately now seem like ridiculous shadows. But they’ll be back to haunt you again if you don’t take a look at them and their roots. A meditative retreat should help. VlRGO (August 23 - September 22): Give your friends a chance to apologize and correct recent disappointments. Or maybe you should be the one patching things up. You can only take responsibility for yourself; still, shouldering more than your share of the blame could go a long way toward fixing things. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Recent misunderstandings may have you hiding out from your boss, landlord, or other authority figures, and/or undermining your own authority. Now is the time to clean up the lines of command and get your career back on track. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): All those reasons that kept you from taking classes, traveling, or otherwise expanding your world and your mind have fallen away. At least reconsider those opportunities and look at ways to get over the obstacles. 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 �Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org ......... 888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers ....479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) ..... - www.e~vers ~ypr ae.com Diversity Pride Events 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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Spexton 17B Spring Street .......... 479-98t-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 418 W. Dickson ...... -479-444-6228 Condom Sense Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave .......... -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center- ............... 479-251-1922 Passages ...... 930 N. College Ave .......... -479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave ............. 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kin keads ....... 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave ........ 479-783-9988 - 479-782-9578 Klub XLR8 ...... 1022 Dodson AveRed 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.- ............... ~vw.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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave ......... 501-375-8580 Kansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club ...... 384 Grant Ave. 785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) 620-231-0938 PSU-QSA.-- 1701 S. Broadway-Service 11AM River of Life Church.- - 1709 N. WalnutKansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40 ..... 3201 S. Hillside ...... 316-682-5494 -316-942-1244 Priscilla’s..... 6143 W Kellogg DrClub Glacier- ......... 2828 E. 31st South ...... 316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground ................. 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (4t7) MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - ...... Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn ....www.40thstreetinn.com ....... 816-561-7575 816-231-1196 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Bird Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs - www.hydeskc.com - - 816-561-1010 Missie B’s .... 805 W. 39th St................ 816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) 417-831-4700 The Edge ..... 424 Boonville Ave ..... 417-869-3978 GLO Comm, Ctr---518 E. Commerical417-831-9001 JR’s Nightclub .... 504 E. CommericalMartha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive ........... -417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place .... 821 College ............... 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books .... 104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 4810-A West Garriott........ 580-233-5511 Priscilla’s. Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Ingrids Bookstore ..... 1124 NW Cache Rd ...... 580-353-1488 Oklahoma, l~cA~ester (918) ~cPride ........... POBox 1515, - .... McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) American Crossroads B&B - POBox 270642 ...... 405-495-1111 405-606-7000 Blue Dog Liquor- ..... -4015 N. Penn 405-601-7200 Boom Room ....... 2807 NW 36th St Border’s Books ...... 3209 NW Expressway ..... 405-848-2667 - 405-525-7766 CD Warehouse ...... 4001 N. Penn Club Rox....... 3535 NW 39th Expw~j........ -405-947-2351 Christie’s Toy Box ..... 3126 N. May Ave ....... 405-946-4438 Church of Open Arms ...... 3131 N. Penn ...... 405-525-9555 Copa ............. 2200 NW 39th Exp .........405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave ....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy ........405-525-9200 First Amendment Tatoo Shop- - - 2135 NW 39th - - -405-604-3911 Gushers Restaurant- .... 2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 405-528-2221 Habana Inn ........2200 NW 39th Exp Herland Sisters Resources .... 2312 NW 39th St- -405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel .... 3535 NW 39th Exp ....... -405-947-2351 405-843-1722 1221 NW 50th Hi-Lo Club 405-524-5733 Jungle Reds ....... 2200 NW ExpwyLedo ............. 2200 NW Expwy..... .... 405-525-0730 Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ....... -405-681-5044 405-942-2199 Partners ......... 2805 NW 36th St -3535 NW 39th Expw ....... -405-947-2351 Pec’s 405-755-8600 Priscilla’s......... 615 E. Memorial405-525-5165 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St. Rudy’s Place ...... 3535 NW39th Expw .........405-947-2351 405-601-3711 Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th StThe Park........ 2125 NW 39th St ......... -405-528-4690 405-917-1663 The Patio ........ 3201 N. May Ave -405-947-2351 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th. 405-521-9888 Tramps ............ 2201 NW 39th--405-521-9999 Ziggy’s............ 4005 N. PennOklahoma, 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 - - 918-592-3456 Circle Cinema ...... 10 S, LewisClub 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder ............ 918-584-9944 918-584-9494 Club Majestic........ 124 N. Boston 9t8-835-3301 Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan -918-459-0497 Cosmo Dell & Bar - - 6746 S. Memorial -918-834-1051 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street- ........ 918-743-4297 Hideaway Cocktail Lounge--- 11730 E. 11th ......918-437-0449 - 918-749-8378 HOPE Clinic ....... 3540 E. 31st 319 E. 3rd .............. 918-584-3112 MidtownOpenarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood ..... 918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave ..... ..... 918-585-9552 .918-627-4884 Priscilla’s ......... 7925 E. 41stPriscilla’s ........ 5634 W. Skelly ........... 918-446-6336 -918-438-4224 Priscilla’s ........ 11344 E. 11th Priscilla’s ......... 2333 E. 71st .............918-499-1661 Renegades 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd ......... 918-627-1505 Sappho’s ........ 6373-C E 31st St.......... 918-836-0299 918-834-4194 Tulsa CARES .... 3507 E. Admiral PI. Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle ..... 1338 E. 3rd ................ 918-592-1188 918-660-0856 TNT’s ......... 2114 S. Memorial Yellow-Brick-Rd ....... 2630 E. 15th .......... 918-293-0304 �bitter girl email: bittergirl@qsyndicateocom 30 the STAR www,joanhilty.net www.ozarksstar.com �Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’I1 work hard for you. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 �� 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 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & D~VERSE market. Ca~ STAR AIDVERT~S~NG today. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 Arkansas’s 1st. Film highlights how the two gay men met in the military, how they confronted the troops in their unit and how they struggle today as an unmarried couple in their eighties. I really haven’t changed, I’m still a vegetarian and a lesbian. What has changed is that people know everything about me so it’s not controversial anymore. q-he 2006-2007 Broadway Season came to a close ~vith an Abba-solute hit when Celebrity Attractions presented the award-winning musical "Mamma Mia!" While the polite pickets of the mid- !960s may appear tame to contemporary activists, it took considerable courage for GLBT people to demand their rights at a time ~vhen homosexual conduct was illegal and gays were considered mentally ill. A general characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc is its distinctive, penetrating aroma, which can evoke scents of grapefruit, lime, green melon, gooseberry, passion fruit, freshly mown grass, and bell pepper. Gay Travelers: Las Vegas, Nevada Out of Town: Martha’s Vineyard Dining In or OUT L~$E~I],~N NOTI;O~$ Lesbian Notions, looks at the nomination of Dr. James W. Holsinger to be the U.S. Surgeon General. Pictorial review of Pride month in Oklahoma. ON THE COVER: k. d. Lmag STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Jim Roth-A Pioneer for Ok ahomds Centennial by James Nimmo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK___Oklahoma celebrates its centennial this year and one would think that with 93% of the state’s history having occurred in the 20th Century there wouldn’t be much in the way of frontier left to discover in the 21 st. However, Oklahoma is full of surprises both on the regressive and progressive sides of the historical coin. Here’s one of those progressive surprises. In mid-May Governor Brad Henry appointed Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth to fill a vacancy on the state’s Corporation Commission. This is a very important position in Oklahoma for both the citizens and the corporations doing business in the state such as utilities, oil and gas companies, and transportation. Mr. Roth is a remarkable man with a razor sharp mind, an affable personality, and a happy home-life with his partner of seven years, Worth Ross. Just how remarkable is Mr. Roth’s appointment? It was made by a very conservative Democratic governor. It remains to be seen how the rural voters in Oklahoma will view an openly gay man running for state-wide office. www.0zarksstar.c0m Mr. Roth often says that his family goes beyond the biological and that officeholders should be held accountable by the voters for how well the job is done, not by who they love. Ttxe voters who elected Mr. Roth to his first term as county commissioner re-hired him with a 65% majority for a second term. The 2008 election will be important for Mr. Roth as he will be required to run a statewide campaign for election to complete the remaining two-year term and, again in 2010 for a full six-year term. Mr Roth and his campaign workers will need to be full of the pioneering spirit of the Sooners as they get the rest of Oklahoma acquainted with the future--a future where, to paraphrase Dr. M.L.King, office holders are judged on the quality of their character coupled with their job effectiveness, and not who they love. The flat earth view of many in Oklahoma will be made all the rounder with Mr. Roth in office. 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. V~/e 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 91 8~585-9552 or e-mail harrismmjr@yahoo.com. OkJa omans for Equal Icon Honored oki~hom~ns for equality TULSA, OK___Print Magazine, one of America’s most prestigious publications in visual culture and design, has chosen the OkEq logo for its A+C=D Business Graphics Review to be featured in the September/ October issue. Every year Print sponsors five high-profile design competitions. The newest and fastest growing competition, A+C=D, brings together the full range of work done for corporate clients around the world--from print ads, corporate identities, and flyers to animated short films, websites, and interactive games. Print chose winners from selections submitted by firms worldwide. T. MOSS, Inc., a Tulsa-based graphic design firm, produced the award-winning icon as part of a branding campaign begun in June 2006. T.MOSS provides a full range of creative services, from strategic planning to print production and Web programming. With over 30 years in the business, the firm has met many design challenges. The development of the Ok~q identity provided its own set of considerations. "OkEq is a robust, purposeful organization that prides itself in its mission of inclusiveness, community outreach and human rights advocacy. We wanted to create a contemporary, upbeat visual image for OkEq that exemplifies their spirit and dedication," said Toni Moss who designed the logo. Oklahomans for Equality seel~ equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Community Center. the STAR 5 6 the STAR Diversity Business Association of Tulsa Faces o£Ok ahoma Pride 2007 With two great metropolitan cities, Diversity Pride is strong in this Bible Belt State of Oklahoma. We have elected officials who are openly gay and glbt supportive. There are equal rights organizations both in Oklahoma City and Tulsa fighting for our future. Two Gay Rodeo Associations, numerous gay and glbt welcoming churches, entertainment venues, clubs, hotels and, two Diversity Business Associations, DBA Tulsa and DBA Metro. We have Oklahoma based Gay/Lesbian owned print and internet news publications supported by you and the business community. Most important is that we have an opportunity to grow stronger as a united group of Oklahoman’s with a huge glbt community separated by only 100 miles of turnpike. Yes, GLBT Pride is alive and ~vell in Oklahoma and we did celebrate. Check out our Faces of Oklahoma Pride on page 25. Sincerely, Charles (Chaz) Ward Publisher/Editor in Chief ARE WE FABULOUS ORWHAT By Victor Gorin From Memorial Day weekend through the month ofJune, GLBT Oklahomans gathered to share their pride in ways that nobody could have dreamed of less than 30 years ago. As we celebrate our state’s centennial keep in mind that all of us, from cowboy to fluff, from leatherman to drag queen, from lipstick lesbian to diesel divas, from disco boy to businessman, helped play a part of it and will shape our future. Let’s all look forward to it. GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL RODEO This annual event was held again at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, bringing cowboys and cowgirls nationwide. Featuring standard rodeo events as well as the hilarity of"goatdressing," it proved again to be a major success for those who love the western lifestyle. TULSA GAY PRIDE FESTIVITIES Tulsa celebrated their Gay Pride Parade June 9. Beginning at 15th & Utica, it concluded at Veteran’s Park where celebrants enjoyed Tulsa’s 25th LGBT Pride Festival. Although not forgotten by the protesters (with a banner reminding us to remember Sodom and Gommarha) (sic) the Parade came to a fabulous finale. The Festival featured maW ofTulsa’s finest entertainers, with diversions ranging from a Family Fun Zone to a beer garden, offering something for everyone. An estimated 17,000 people from all walks of life were in attendance. That night the Pride continued with the annual Oklahomans for Equality Diversity Gala, held in the Grand Ballroom of the Doubletree Warren Place. This year their Russell G. Bennett Award for Spiritual Inclusion went to the Reverend Leslie Penrose of Community of Hope UCC of Tulsa. Their Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dennis R. Neill, for whom the Tulsa gay community center is named, following a video depicting his life of service on behalf of GLBT Oklahomans. OKLAHOMA CITY GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL Oklahoma City celebrated the 20th Anniversary of their Gay Pride Parade, with their theme coinciding with the Oklahoma Centennial. For the first time the Festival and Parade were separate events, the Festival held in Memorial Park June 16-17 for ~wo days, featuring live entertainment as well as numerous vendors & exhibitors, with the Parade scheduled for June 24. The event was supported by a proclamation by State Senator Andrew Rice & State Representative A1 McAffrey, with Bob Lemon receiving the Irene Tyson Award from the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus for his generous philanthropy and service to the GLBT community of Oklahoma. www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 OKLAHOMAN CAPTU S THE TITLE OF MR GAY ALL AMERICAN By Victor Gorin 8 the STAR O~AHOMA CITY, OKOklahomanTaz Bailey placed first at the National Mr. Gay M1Mnerican Contest held at the Copa in Oklahoma City May 19. Based on a competition that incorporated talent, modeling & interview, he captured the title followed by Sebastian Armonte of Pittsburgh (1 st alternate) and Dean Taylor of St. Louis (2nd alternate). Hosted by former Miss Gay America Rachael Erikks and Mr. Gay All American 2006 Lucas Flander, the event gave the spectators good eye candy as wet! as inspiration. Mr. Bailey will now promote the Mr. Gay All American Contest as a positive gay role model throughout the county. Recognized by Keller Williams For outstandiilg achievement 2005 and 2006 RIgA LTY Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 REALTOR~ ~47hether buying or selling I’ll work hard~bryo~ www.ozarksstar.corr (Top) Jack Reavley (L) and Bob Claunch in 1953 ~he weekend-long festival will exhibit more than a dozen films including some of the best releases this ),ear in the genre of gay cinema. For more information about the event contact Amos Lassen: 501-372-3403(h) 870-550-6298(c) PREMIERE DATE: Saturday June 23 TIME: 8:00 pm LOCATION: Easy Street Piano Bar - 307 W. 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501-372-3530 TICKETS: Tickets $5, $10 available at the door For more information, photographs and trailer visit: www.bobandjack. org DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HALFCENTURY ROMANCE BETWEEN TWO MEN OPENS the 1ST ANNUAL ARY kNSAS GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL. 7hisf!lm highlights how the two gay men met in the rnilitat3,, how they conj~onted the troops in their unit and how they struggle today as an unmarried couple in their eighties. LITTLE ROCK, AR__ In 1952 an Army sergeant was cornered and courted by his commanding officer. Their romance grew so obvious that rumors became anonymous tips to headquarters. They avoided court-martial by confronting their entire unit. That pivotal moment cemented Bob and Jack together for the rest of their lives. 52-years later they share how they remained a couple, how one man left his wife and children, how together they moved to a small town and became a fixture in the community, and today how they survive in their eighties without the benefits of marriage. Now Bob and Jack’s 52-Year Adventure, an award winning documentary about their relationship, will premiere Saturday June 23rd, 8 PM at the Easy Street Piano Bar as the opening night film of Reel Attractions, The Arkansas GLBTQ Film Festival. A discussion with director Stu Maddux follows. "We feel extremely honored to premiere at this festival," says Bob Claunch, now 81, from their home in Los Angeles, CA. "With everything going across the country with "dofft ask don’t tell" and with gay marriage, we hope people are encouraged by our story. We didn’t have it easy but we didn’t give up." "That’s one of the reasons we think that the film is a good message for young people too", says partner Jack Reavley, 83. "They need to know that they can have successful relationships. The skeptics are just waiting for us to fail when we try to have lifelong love. Well we didn’t, and we’re here to tell you that you won’t either’." 10 the STAR Eureka Sprin.qs Domestic Partnership R gistry Begins After two petition attempts Reverend Philip Wilson, pastor of Eureka Springs" First Christian Churchfailed to stop registration of same sex couples. Domestic Partnership Regist*7 began Friday, June 22, 2007 at 9:30AM. By Michael Walsh EUREKA SPRINGS, AR~ Blockage of the state’s first Domestic Partnership Registry scheduled to take effect June 22 left Advocates more determined than ever to see the measure implemented. The ordinance creating the registry was unanimously approved May 14 by the Eureka Springs City Council, after two months of&liberation and dtizen input. However anti-gay minister Philip \Vgilson halted the effective date late last week by submitting to the city clerk a petition of 147 signatures from opponents, three more than the minimum required to force a referendum on the issue August 14. Though disappointed by the delay, proponents are confident a majority of the resort town’s voters would ratify the measure. Broadbased support from hundreds of residents, toUrists, church groups and dozens of local businesses, suggest the effort to circumvent the city Council’s approval would fail at the polls. Unless the referendum can be tied to a pending sewer bond election, Wilson’s maneuver could cost the city already cash strapped between $6,000 and $9,000, the price tag for g Special election. Until then, the city wil! also be deprived of revenue $35 per couple from tourists and residents wishing to register. Hotel, restaurant, nightclub and gift shops will see no profit from Arkansas and out-of-state tourists who were holding off on vacation plans until the domestic partnership registry is in effect. Ironically, Wilson has asserted the Domestic Partnership Registry available to same-sex and opposite-sex couples would negatively impact the town’s economy, transforming it into a "Homosexual mecca" incompatible with such "faith-based" tourist attractions such as the Great Passion Play. .........................Continued next page. www.ozarksstar.com EUREY& SPRINGS REGISTRY Interestingly, almost 50 of the city’s businesses, about 25 percent, are gay owned and have existed in harmony with the Great Passion Play for years, even encouraging their customers to attend the staged production that depicts the life and death ofJesus Christ. Executives of the religious attraction, however, decline to return the favor, suggesting visitors avoid downto~vn Eureka Springs where they might see same-sex couples holding hands during any one of the city’s three annual "Diversity Weekends." Civil rights watchdog groups, such as the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the ACLU have been monitoring events in Eureka Springs since April 9 when the Domestic Partnership ordinance first appeared on the city council’s agenda. So has the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. One member of the association has said he will lobby to have the group’s annual meeting in Eureka Springs moved to another city if the Domestic Partnership Registry is not enacted. Big business also has been waiting to see the fate of the Registry. AT&T alerted thousands of its employees last week that domestic partnership certificates would be available in Eureka Springs. The city clerk of Eureka Springs Mary Jean Sell rejected a first and second attempt to bring a domestic registry to a public vote. The petitions missed specific wording needed to bring the issue to a special election. Domestic Partnership Registry began Friday, June 22, at 9:30 AiM. Applicants must appear in person with proof of age and the $35 registration fee in cash. Application forms are available online at (wwvv.cityofeurekasprings.org/DPRterm.html). Certificates of Registry will not be mailed to applicants. 2008 Great Plains Rodeo Poster Contest OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association has just announced their 2008 Great Plains Rodeo Poster Contest. The contest is open to anyone and everyone. Entries must be received by OGRA no later than July 31, 2007. OGRA sponsors the annual Great Plains Rodeo on Memorial Weekend. This event has been taking place since 1985. The 2008 edition of the Great Plains Rodeo will be the 23rd Annual. OGRA is proud to present this event each year as one of their largest fundraisers. As a major part of the rodeo they sponsor a poster contest with the winning design used for the rodeo poster, t-shirts and other publications. All submissions have to be original works. THE WINNING DESIGN WILL RECEIVE $175.00 IN PRIZE MONEY AND BECOME THE SOLE PROPERTY OF OGRA, INC. The other entries will be returned to the contestant upon request. All entries should be submitted to OGRA Inc., EO. Box 12485, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Please include a brief bio of yourself i£you wish. The entries will be judged by the OGRA Board of Directors with finalists being selected. Those finalists then will be put on display as a part of a voting competition. The OGRA Membership table will be setup inside the Habana Inn hallway, between the Finishline and Copa, the third weekend in August where the poster finalists will be put on display. For further information email info@ogra.net or ~ontact any OGRA Board Member. HOLLYWOOD HOTEL & SUITES COMPLEX-FUTURE UNCERTAIN By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__When the Hollywood Hotel and Suites opened in 2006, owned by John Lewis & Warren Burdick, there were high hopes of a grand complex that would not only serve Oklahoma City but also be a gay tourist attraction. In its heyday it boasted the Topanga a full service restaurant and bar, the dance bar Club Rox, and a leather club called Pecs. According to Oklahoma County records John Lewis purchased the hotel, originally constructed in 1971, in January of 2006 for $1.2 million under the name LB Financial Group Inc. As of this writing both clubs and the restaurant are closed, and no other information is available except that the front desk personnel stated that it was due to renovations. We have heard conflicting reports as to how long the hotel will continue operating. Responding to an inquiry by the Star at 11:20 a.m. June 20, the front desk person stated that there were no definite plans of a date to cease operations. ~le STAR attempted to contact the owners of the hotel for more details, but no one has returned our calls. www.ozarksstar,com the STAR 11 Wha were some GLBT protests The Stonewall riots ofJune 1969 are often cited as the start of the gay liberation movement, but several GLBT protests occurred during the preceding ),ears. These early actions included both organized demonstrations and spontaneous bursts of outrage at specific injustices. Perhaps the first unplanned protest occurred in May 1959 at Cooper’s Donuts, an allnight hangout in downtown Los Angeles frequented by hustlers and drag queens. According to author John Rechy, who was present, police harassed and tried to arrest a few of the patrons, prompting others to throw food and tableware; the officers retreated to their car and summoned reinforcements, who closed the street and arrested several rioters. A similar event occurred in August 1966 at Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco. After a police officer tried to grab a young queen, some 50 customers hurled dishware and overturned tables, while outside a police car was destroyed and a newsstand was set on fire. ire Stonewall? activists demonstrated against the military ban outside the Whitehall Induction Center in New York CitT; the picketers included members of the Sexual Freedom League, some ofwhom were heterosexual. In early 1965, Craig Rodwell (who would later open the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, the first gay bookstore in the United States) and others demonstrated outside United Nations headquarters to protest ill treatment of gays in Cuba. While the polite pickets of the mid-1960s may appear tame to contemporary activists, it took considerable courage for GLBT people to demand their rights at a time when homosexual conduct was illegal and gays were considered mentally ill. Police harassment of gay bars in Los Angeles also spurred early protests. Soon after midnight on New Year’s Eve in 1967, police raided the Black Cat bar on Sunset Boulevard, beating patrons and bartenders and arresting several people for lewd conduct. Protests erupted outside the bar that night and continued for several days. A year later, police raided the Patch, another gay bar in the same city. After owner Lee Glaze shouted, "It’s not against the law to be homosexual," the patrons marched to the nearby Harbor Division police station and pelted the building with flowers. The first organized GLBT demonstrations took place in the mid-1960s to protest antigay discrimination in federal employment and the military. Typically, these actions were small and polite, featuring men in suits and women in dresses walking in circles holding signs. In 1964, about a dozen In the spring and summer of 1965, activists with the East Coast Homophile Organizations - cofounded by Frank Kameny, who had himself been fired from a government job - picketed the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, and the Civil Service Commission in Washington, D.C. That summer, 40 activists staged the first of four ’~mnual Reminders" at Independence Hall in Philadelphia (home of the Liberty Bell) on July 4. The demonstration was organized by members of the Mattachine Society, the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), and Philadelphia’s Janus Society; among the participants were several individuals who became well-known figures in the GLBT movement, including Barbara Gittings (an editor of DOB’s magazine, The Ladder) and Kiyoshi Kuromiya (later a prominent AIDS activist). ~lhe ?mnual Reminders ended after 1969 and were supplanted by yearly Gay Pride celebrations. "\Ve cracked the cocoon of invisibility," Gittings later recalled. "We had finally stepped forxvard and said to the public, ’I’m not going to live in a closet anymore."’ Added fetloxv participant Lilti Vincenz, "We exploded the myth that real homosexuals could [not] possibly look happy and proud and dignified and visible." In early 1966, the North American Conference of Homophile Organizations met in Kansas City and called for demonstrations on Armed Forces Day to protest the military ban. On May 21, actions took place in several cities, including a motorcade in Los Angeles with Mattachine Society founder Harry Hay. Homophile activists also took on the psychiatric establishment, protesting at professional conferences beginning in 1968. Public pickets initially proved controversial, as some members of the GLBT community preferred not to call attention to themselves. By the late 1960s, however, the country was in the grip of an era of militant protest by groups espousing diverse causes. One of the first actions of what would become known as the gay liberation (as opposed to the earlier homophile) movement was a March 1968 "gay-in" in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. In the same ci9; activists also began picketing Bamey’s Beanery, a diner that posted a sign reading "Fagots Stay Out" [sic]. In San Francisco in the spring of 1969, young queer militants demonstrated outside the offices of States Steamship Line for ,veeks to protest the firing of gay activist Gale Whittington. Tixe Stonewall riots garnered much more media attention than previous demonstrations and sparked intensified gay organizing across the country. Since that time, GLBT protests have been a mainstay of the movement’s strategy, waxing and waning in cycles that reflect the overall national political and social climate. While the polite pickets of the mid-1960s may appear tame to contemporary activists, it took considerable courage for GLBT people to demand their rights at a time when homosexual conduct was illegal and gays were considered mentally ill. "Visibility has always been the keystone of our struggle for civil rights," Gittings said in the 2004 documentary Gay Pioneers. "We are pushing for equality through visibility. Today, we have visibility - oh, do we have visibility!" 14 the STAR ww,qozarksstar.com ~rna Mial Tour - Pictured Se~n ,~Jl~n Joan Marcus Wha a W dding! 200Z B~vacl~ay Season Ends with a Special Bonus By Joey De The 2006-2007 Broadway Season came to a close with an Abba-solute hit when Celebrity Attractions presented the awardwinning musical "Mamma Mia!" to Tulsa audiences May 8-13. Featuring the music of the sensational seventies group Abba, "Mamma Mia!" is the sho~v that not only brought their music to a new generation, but also birthed an entirely new genre on Broadway. Following the show’s nearly sold out run, there is no question why. Using over twenty of the European group’s greatest hits, "Mamma Mia!" tells Mamma Mia! Tour - P~ctur~cl Corey Greenan & Company Photo: 200~, Joan Marcua the story of young Sophie and her dream to find her father. Sophie’s mother, Donna, had a wild streak in the seventies and has never spoken much about her mate, leaving the young girl to invite three potential paternals to their quaint Greek island getaway just in time for her wedding. Brilliantly reflecting issues relevant to the Abba-generations such as fleeing fathers, self worth and the quest for true happiness, the show deals a heavy hand of social commentary wrapped in a comfortable blanket of feel-good comedy. In fact, the book brilliantly written by Catherine Johnson infuses the show with such a high dose of innocence and fun that its life lessons are delivered in witty one-liners. Amplifying the show’s feel good fun is the hit music that everybody knows. From "Dancing Queen," to "Take a Chance on Me," singing along with the young and enthusiastic cast becomes contagious. Perhaps though, the show’s greatest musical milestone is intertwining music that has been around for thirty years with an original story so seamlessly that you would swear they were written for each other. At the heart, "Mamma Mia!" is a fun, frolicking musical. It doesn’t pretend to be anything more than it is and it doesn’t fail to deliver. With its glitz, glam and spandex, it is a show that can make the most manically depressed smile. Following on the heels of"Mamma Mia!" is another show guaranteed to tickle your funny bone, or hit you over the head with a herring. As a bonus to the season, Celebrity Attractions will be presenting the smash hit musical "Monty Pythons Spamalot," the show that lovingly rips off the cult-classic film. "Spamalot," written by former Pythonite by Eric Idle, is based on the screenplay of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," written by the original Monty Python troupe of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Idle. Epic in nature, "Spamalot," is tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail. It features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, taunting Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight. Award-winning and side splitting, "Spamalot" will be in Tulsa Jul. 10-15. Tickets are on sale now at ~wcw.myticketoNce.com. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 "Roasted Sweet Red Pepper & Potato Soup" To make the soup more colorful, use a combination of red, yellow and orange bel! peppers. And if you want to dress it up a little more, you can garnish it with pesto, croutons or minced fresh herbs. For a chowder like consistency, do not puree the soup but be sure to cut the peppers, onion and potatoes into neat uniform dice. Ingredients: 4 - 5 large red bell peppers 1 large or 2 medium yellow onions, diced 1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons olive oil 6 cups Chicken Stock 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 1/4 - 1/2 cup heavy cream 3 tablespoons chopped basil Kosher or sea salt Freshly ground pepper Procedure: Roast, peel, seed and dice the bell peppers. Heat the oil in a large pot and saute the onion and garlic over medium heat until translucent. Add the bel! peppers and stock and cook for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook until tender. Puree the soup and strain it into a clean pot. Add the cream, basil, salt and pepper. Stir and bring just to a boil. Be VERY CAREFUL to heat the soup gently and take extra care NOT to boil it. Serv’es 8 to 10 people. More on FOG CITY DINER, San Francisco, California see page I9. we are in San ] www.ozarksstar.com O,,e ofthe most sce.,ic views on Martha’s Vineyard is Aquinnah Lighthouse, which isperched big,:, , bo ,e the is/a.o:’s ,,,,de beach, a’hoto 6,.a,d ew JULY 2007 By Andrew Collins Since Provincetown bursts at the seams all summer long with excitement and socializing, quite a few lesbians and gay men across New England have begun heading to a quieter but no less charming and remote seaside getaway, Martha’s Vineyard. Over the past several years, especially since Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, the island has seen a gradual but discernible growth in gay and lesbian visitation. One key to enjoying this sparkling emerald island off the southern coast of Cape Cod (it’s accessible by only ferry or plane) is to arrive with a lover rather than hoping to find one upon arrival. Of course, Martha’s Vineyard - along with its neighbor to the east, Nantucket - has long been a highly desirable destination. Families have been building the nmv-ubiquitous weathered-shingle cape-style houses here for more than three centuries, dating to the island’s origins as a sleepy fishing settlement. Yachting and hobnobbing among the rich and famous became official pastimes during the early part of this century. Glitterati such as Carly Simon, James Taylor, Spike Lee, Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan, Denzel Washington, Ted Danson, and Mary Steen bergen regularly spend time here. Members of the Kennedy clan have been sailing over for years, and political pundits will always associate Martha’s Vineyard with the Chappaquiddick scandal that ultimately cost Ted Kennedy the U.S. presidency. Come for a visit, however, and you’ll hear little talk of celebrity-spotting and rumormongering. Famous or unknown, gay or straight, folks come to Martha’s Vineyard to get away from the vagaries and pressures of life on the mainland. Here you’!l discover historic inns, some of the finest restaurants in coastal New England, and a handful of enchanting villages, each with its own pace and personality. The town of Vineyard Haven is an ideal base. This walkable village has a few gayfriendly inns, some hip restaurants and boutiques, and an enviable sheltered location overlooking Vineyard Haven Harbor. The other communities on the island are within a half-hour drive (or an afternoon’s bike ride - Martha’s Vineyard is ideal for cyclists, and there are rental shops near each of the ferry terminals). If you wish to stay right in Vineyard Haven, book a room at the breezy Crocker House Inn, a 1920s beach house owned by young and friendly innkeepers Jeff and Jynd! Kristal. Rooms are casually smart, with white-wicker furnishings, and some have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. \Vithin a 10-minute stroll of these inns are several fine shops, a quirky old movie theater, and a few nice eateries. A favorite is Cafe Moxie, which presents an intriguing range of relatively affordable rood-American dishes. If you’re in the mood for a lobster roll, drop by the Net Result, a simple fish market a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal serving some of the freshest seafood around. Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are the two other major settlements on the island (they are also the only towns ~vith liquor licenses; restaurants elsewhere on the island are BYOB, although it’s expected that by 2008, Vineyard Haven will obtain a license that permits the sale of liquor at restaurants). Oak Bluffs has been more heavily developed than other towns on the island, with a bounty of lively bars and rollicking amusements popular with college students and teenagers. It’s a fun town for window-shopping, picking up an ice cream cone at a local parlor, and eating - there are plenty of terrific restaurants in Oak Bluffs. At the upper end, the Sweet Life Cafe serves outstanding regional American fare and occupies a handsome Victorian house along the town’s main drag, Circuit Avenue - try the squid-ink fettuccine with shrimp, scallops, calamari, and a tomato-basil-garlic broth. More casual and less pricey options, both of which are also fun places to sip cocktails and socialize, include Sharky’s Cantina, which serves up terrific Tex-Mex in a festive ambience, and the Lookout Tavern, a rustic seafood shack overlooking the sea and serving not only great platters of fried and broiled fish and shellfish but also first-rate sushi. Edgartown is the island’s somewhat more conservative community, at least in appearance if not necessarily in politics (this is still a highly liberal part of the world, especially on social issues). This posh historic village defined by gorgeous white-clapboard Colonial homes and neatly manicured gardens has several convivial eateries, and numerous high-end clothiers and boutiques downtown. Tops for dining are Detente, a 20 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com hip little wine bar serving superbly crafted, innovative fare like lemon-honey-basted halibut with truffled leek puree, baby artichokes, and oven-dried tomatoes. A more casual but still reliable bet is the Wharf Pub, which serves consistently good burgers, salads, and pub fare. Right in Edgartown you’ll find some lovely, gay-friendly accommodations, including the Shiverick Inn, a grand Second Empire mansion where romantic rooms have sumptuous Victorian bedding and antiques, and the Hob Knob Inn, a handsome and well-run 18- room Gothic Revival property with unfussy but attractive furnishings reminiscent of an English country house. Just south of Edgartown, with a fantastic location on Katama Beach, the Winnetu Oceanside Resort makes for a delightful retreat, especially if you’ve got kids in tow - in fact, this is one of the best gay-friendly, family-oriented properties on the East Coast. The property consists of a luxury inn with one- to four-bedroom suites as well as a cluster of three- to five-bedroom town homes. The resort offers dozens of diversions to keep you busy, from bike tours to whale-watching trips, and there’s a world-class tennis facility on-site. Also, Winnetu’s restaurant, Lure, serves some of the most inventive seafood fare on the island, such as butter-poached lobster with soft cornbread, roasted corn, and fava beans. This upscale resort draws mostly families with kids in summer, but it’s more of a couples destination during the mellower spring and fall shoulder seasons. Outdoors enthusiasts should stick to the western side of Martha’s Vineyard (referred to locally as Up-Island). Here you can sample fresh lobster dockside in the picturesque fishing village ofMenemsha (a great place to stop for a casual seafood lunch - just try one of the restaurants on the pier), or admire ocean views from the lighthouse and multihued clay cliffs at Aquinnah (formerly known as Gay Head). Below the Gay Head cliffs you will find, appropriately, a popular nude beach with a moderate following among gays and lesbians - when you hit the beach, turn right, and walk all the way to the end (about 30 minutes). A tip: If you’d like to check the scene out in advance, drop some change into one of the coin-operated magnifying lenses near the base of the lighthouse - it’s the closest you’ll come to a peep show on Martha’s Vineyard. In the Up-Island community of West Tisbury, set back on a wooded property slightly off the beaten path, you’ll find the island’s most opulent gay-owned property, Lambert’s Cove Inn. Innkeepers Scott Jones and I. Kell Hicklin have restored what had been a somewhat dowdy country hotel into a sophisticated boutique inn with smartly furnished rooms set among three buildings. Amenities include DVD/CD players, high-speed Internet, and plush Egyptian cotton linens, and some rooms have private screened-in porches. A sunken pool in back is the perfect place to while away a hot afternoon. And in the evening, the inn’s elegant dining room serves outstanding contemporary American fare, such as braised veal cheeks with sweet corn, English pea risotto, and a Madeira wine reduction. It’s the definitive venue for a relaxing Martha’s Vineyard hideaway. 1-800-535-NDS (2437) Ok~ahoma’~ H~V/STD Hotfine www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 J U L¥ 2007 Truth Calling Lesbian Notions, looks at the nomination ofDr. James VX Holsinger to be the U.S. Surgeon General. My phone rang recently, and it was a local radio station asking me to respond to samesex marriage still being the law of the land in Massachusetts. The measure calling for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage there was defeated by the full state legislature, 45 yes votes and a resounding 151 no’s. Of course, my response was measured, delivered in appropriate sound bites, and echoing what everyone else is saying about the victory. It’s great for Massachusetts, but even greater for the rest of the country, where many LGBT people are still struggling to attain basic civil rights. The vote lets us put our resources into 2008 where they need tO be - focusing on the presidential and pivotal state races, rather than having to pump tons of money into defeating another bad bill. Ah, but truth be told, this victory is sweet but short, because now we need to turn our attention to defeating a bad nomination - that of Kentucky’s Dr. James W. Holsinger for U.S. Surgeon General. My initial response after reading about Holsinger was, "Who the hell is givingWadvice these days?" Didn’t they see what would happen if they nominated a homophobic, radical Christian who started an ex-gay ministry? Did they think we wouldn’t notice? On the face of it, Holsinger seems like a credible medical professional. He is a cardiologist who holds the University of Kentucky’s Charles T. Wethington Jr. Chair in the Health Sciences, and is the former chancellor of UK’s Chandler Medical Center. Just because he’s from the heart of the Bible Belt doesn’t mean we have to automatically jump to conclusions about his politics. After all, Abe Lincoln was born there, the LGBT community is gaining political strength in the Bluegrass State through the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, and they’ve even got an openly gay man in the state Senate - Ernesto Scorsone. Well, maybe you should start jumping after all. Because as Wayne Besen ofTruth Wins Out put it, "Holsinger is an ideologue 22 the STAR whose medical views on gay and lesbian people resemble sorcery more than sound science." Holsinger is not only a doctor, but a devout Christian who is a high-ranking lay leader in the United Methodist Church - you know, the folks who talk about "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" - except, of course, when it comes to us. In his position on the United Methodist Judicial Council (the place where the buck stops in the Methodist Church), Holsinger’s record is anything but promising for LGBT people. He opposed the 2004 decision to allow Rev. Karen Dammann, a lesbian, to continue serving as a minister. He backed the deftocking of Rev. Beth Stroud, who came out to her Pennsylvania church community at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown. And, in one of the ugliest acts of religious discrimination, Holsinger backed a Virginia pastor who barred an openly gay man from church membership. One could argue that those actions were his personal beliefs and wouldn’t interfere with him being the country’s top doctor. Perhaps...but one need only read the Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality, a "scientific" paper Holsinger wrote in 1991 for the Church’s Committee to Study Homosexuality, to see how his personal beliefs impact his science. The piece is available online at abcnews. go.com/images/Politics/Holsinger_on_Homosexuality. pdf. (If you want some laughs, Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report did a hilarious send-up of the paper and Holsinger - you can watch it at http://rawstory. com/news/2007/Colbert Report Why are gays still 0614.html.) One of my favorite passages reads, "...the logical complementarity of the human sexes has been so recognized in our culture that it has entered our vocabulary in the form of naming various pipe fittings either the male fitting or the female fitting depending upon which one interlocks within the other. When the complementarity of the sexes is breached, injuries and diseases may occur.... Therefore, based on the simplest knmvn anatomy and physiology, xvhen dealing ~vith the complementarity of the human sexes, one can simply say, Res ipsa loquitur - the thing speaks for itself!" I guess the thing that is "speaking for itself" is a penis, which, in his estimation, belongs in only one place - a vagina. This is more like the science of a 6-year-old, not a 68-year-old. I won’t get any more graphic. But ifyou want a great deconstruction of the paper, go to Jim Burroway’s xwwv.boxturtlebulletin.com, a site that is devoted to debunking the lies told about us through research and well-reasoned writing. His conclusion puts Holsinger’s snake-oil chicanery in the proper perspective. To add insult to injury, when Holsinger and his wife were congregants at Lexington’s First United Methodist Church, they helped their pastor form a new "outreach, congregation called the Hope Springs Community Church. Hope Springs sports an antigay ministry. According to them, being gay is just a lifestyle. With Christ’s love, anyone can be straight. Next up are Holsinger’s confirmation hearings. When they’re scheduled, Holsinger will go before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which is chaired by Edward Kennedy (DMass.). Three Democratic presidential candidates - Hiltary Clinton (N.Y.), Chris Dodd (Conn.), and Barack Obama (I11.) - sit on the committee. Only Clinton has definitely said no to Holsinger. Dodd and Obama have strong concerns. John Edwards, although no longer in the Senate,opposes the nomination. We xvon in Massachusetts. Conservatives are calling for the repeal of "don’t ask, don’t tell." If there was ever a time for Democratic Party leaders to find their backbone, this is it. It’s time for truth to go a-calling- Holsinger’s homophobia has no place in medicine or in government. w~,~v.ozarksstar.com By Joey De \vgith the placing of the cro~vn, Oklahoma City based performer Adrianna became the new Miss Oklahoma Continental on May 25 at Club Majestic in Tulsa. The evening, filled with national title holders and special entertainers marked the reign of Miss Oklahoma Continental 2006, Kandy Cayne. For Adrianna, the achievement is another milestone in a career highlighted with titles. "I now have been a state title holder in 3 of the big 4 pageant systems," says Adrianna. "I was Miss Kansas USofA in 2000 and Miss Gay Oklahoma America in 2004." "There are several differences between those and Continental," notes the performer. "The major one is the addition of the swimwear competition. Also, the interview process was a new experience as well since it is a group setting, not one-on-one. Overall, the style of the system seems to be more ’fashion-forward’ than any of the other systems that I have been involved in." Adrianna entered the Continental system hoping to become "known for her unique sense of style. "I heard one time that the ability to accessorize is what separates us from the animals," she jokes. According to Thompson, Adrianna was born on Halloween at a DIFFA masquerade ball, and has been performing since 1995. "I began doing drag after my friends hauled me to Miss Gay Oklahoma America the year that Gertrude Garnet won. I was barely 21 and was engaged to a female. However, I knew from that moment on I belonged in a dress on that stage. The rest is history." For Thompson, much of his inspiration behind the character or Adrianna comes from his morn. "I was a mamma’s boy... she’s a great lady. She’s an elected official who is very politically active, and stands up for what she believes in." A self described performer since birth, Adrianna is the drag transformation of Sapulpa native Jon Thompson. Thompson, who spends his days as a customer care representative for a major telecommunications firm, says that he has been happily married to his husband (and fellow performer) Chris for the past two years. The couple also shares custody of their child, Alden, their miniature Schnauzer. With his forthcoming reign as Miss Oklahoma Continental, Thompson hopes to grow as a female impersonator and overcome new challenges. "I have already learned so much. It has made me expand my mind to think of drag in a new way. I have used it to launch me out of a rut, and made me have the perception that drag is fun again...I have been at it a few years, and like most things you can tire of it. But at this point...I am always thinking of the next best number or costume." Thompson also ~vishes to reach out as an ambassador of the community with his latest title. "I think that I am in a unique position by being a former Miss Oklahoma America. I can promote the pageant and the system by working with the other systems. I will also be launching a fund-raising campaign, in honor ofmy aunt who is a breast cancer survivor. The net proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation." As a part of that campaign, Thompson will be walking with his cousin from Dallas to Fort Worth over the course of three days, and encourages people to visit www.the3day. org for more information. While not attending to appearances as Miss Oklahoma Continental, Thompson can be seen performing as Adrianna on the third Sunday of every month. For information and updates on special appearances, fans can visit www.myspace.com/mgo2004. OGLP¢’s Tyson Award for 2007, Nr. Bob Lemon By James Nimmo Photo by Victor Gorin. Left to Right Bob Lemon and Paul Thompson. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Mr. Bob Lemon, a staunch Oklahoma Democrat and devoted supporter of LGBT equality, was named the recipient of the 2007 Irene Tyson Award given annually by the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Caucus (OGLPC) (http:// www.oglpc.com/). The award is given to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated long term commitment to the furtherance of LGBT equality under the law, and who is a role model for changing public opinion The award was a complete surprise for Mr. Lemon but he was not at a loss for words. "Gay people aren’t broken and don’t need fixing," he said in defiance of the notion that LGBT citizens are second-rate Americans in need of counseling. Mr. Lemon also had the honor of reading to the crowd of enthusiastic listeners an Oklahoma Legislative Proclamation recognizing LGBT Pride events in Oklahoma City issued by State Senator Andrew Rice and State Representative A1 McAffrey, both Democrats in their first term of office and firm believers in our LGBT equality. Mr. Lemon is also a front-line supporter, member of Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, (www.okstonewall.org) the LGBT voice of the Oklahoma and National Democratic Party, with chapters in all 50 states and Washington, DC. www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 The following column is very sarcastic and may not be suitable for sensitive readers. I present two potential clients that have threatened for months to begin a workout program with me. Simon is an affable creature who loves watching Diamondbacks and Cardinals games. He enjoys pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. He would give you the shirt offhis back if you needed it. The problem is you wouldn’t be able to use it. Or maybe you would. You would only, need to fit intoa Triple X kimono. Simon tips the scales at an awkward twenty-five stone. That’s 350 pounds for all you nonlimeys out there. He’s six feet tall so yeah that’s 99 Luft Balloons Big. This column is a la carte so I’!l feel free to load up Simon’s plate with more health impediments. Let’s add three packs ofViceroys per day. Don’t forget the four nights per week of all night benders and enough Sauza Gold to paralyze three Mexican towel boy,s. For good measure I’ll throw in the 6,0130 calorie per diem at "his expense" account. What advice would I give to Simple Simon? Dear see-mone, (enjoy the moment of French) I would recommend spending $10,000 on a remodeling project for your home. It would clearly be advantageous to blow your money on a whimsical attempt to make yourself feel better by painting the walls tropical tapioca and adding that new Ethan Allen collection to your living room. Think of hmv much excitement wil! pulse through your damaged vessels as you gaze adoringly upon your newly acquired Vc:aterford Crystal that sparkles like the glint of stupidity in your eyes. You were able to resist the temptation of hiring a qualified personal trainer for six months. This trainer would have only robbed you of those extra 150 pounds you have been safeguarding and would have charged you several thousands dollars for the difficult deed. He might have even saved you from hospitalization and tens of thousands of dollars spent on gastric bypass surgery. It’s lucky that you watch HGTV and have a subscription to Martha Stewart Living. Money well spent. Which room beckons next? Roger also weighs approximately 350 pounds and he too rises vertically to six feet. Roger eats like an F350 Ford truck and he waddles like an emperor penguin. He blames his excessive girth on a thyroid problem and has plenty more excuses ready if you don’t buy that one. He began his smoking career after watching Sunset Boulevard at age seventeen. He now smokes his Parliaments as elegantly as Gloria Swanson ever did. He has been ready for his close up for nearly 28 years. Roger works longer hours than an Indonesian schoolboy in a sweatshop. Fortunately for Roger he is earning considerably more money and is in no danger of breaking aW nails in his pristine white collar job. He has a significant stash of money and is well-educated from the University ofArizona. Roger complains about the rigors of the dating world. He elaborates ad nauseam on the difficulties of finding Mr. Right. He has found glimmers of hope from escorts, massage "specialists", and websites featuring boy,s who seek Mr. Night. My advice for Roger Rabbit is as follows: Dear Roger, Don’t worry! The right guy for you is out there. Thank goodness for you that we dodt live in a superficial world where you are judged by your looks. Most 23 year old guys with chiseled bodies and dashing good looks will seek out your 45 year old flabby, elephantine physique. Further good news for you is that none of these Adonises will be attracted to your BMW, Versace Suits, or 3,000 square foot wallet that can buy them presents. They will appreciate your knowledge, bubbly personalib; and the ability to pick out the correct port wine to sip with your Dairy Queen Royal Treat of the day. I would continue to spend your hard earned cash on vacations to places where no one wants to see you with your shirt off. Perhaps love will truly blossom in the midst of a massage or in the throes of professionalism from that elegant escort. I wouldn’t bother evacuating your money from the bank for trivial purposes of bettering your health. What need have you for physical training when you are immortal? Heart attacks, diabetes, and high blood pressure always happen to that other guy. I think (hope) you get the point. This sardonicism is brought to you by Ron Blake. Ron can be reached at blake.fimess@yahoo.com or at 480-241-5651. Celebrate your PRIDE Parade Starts at 10 ar The earlier if will begin at East, then ling left on ri Park. at 12 Noon in Agri Park in Fayettev e Pride, immediately 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com s 2pro 2LUB MAJESTIC catia He Love 2pro, Kris Kohl Benefig Show 8pm; CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Led Love C~i~B MAJESTICi Carla Le~ Lo~e [h?~. L0~p~. )~. ¯ . i,, ~, ~LUI3.~UiJESTIC: ~tia~Love Show 10pm qlmw lOnm IH~ ~’A: r,acnae! ~rm~zs anow anow ~opm TrqE COPA: Rachad Erikks Show ~fi~ &brb~: Rachad Erikks Show l0 30pm THE COPA: Rachael Eril-~ Show 10:~0pm HID LOUNGE D6ai~ique lo:30pm h~U~A~CAY LOUNGE: Kris KohI HID~_d0WAYLOUNGE: Danc4w/DJ ~Xmas i~J~vSho~v 10-30~r~ HI LOUNGE: Dacew!DJ : 5how 10:~0pm, Colt 6-12, D~ncers 9:30pro BRADYTH~fA’~ER~ LyI~ I~ovett Co!t 6d2, Dancers ~30 .... ~Ii~ ......... [E ......... ~0ke ~ .... BA~ OO LOUNG : Kar 7p BAMBOO LOUNGE Karaoke 7pro .......... BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pro ¯ ~ES ifly:I0~ ;i~? :~,i ~!;"7 ~" .......... THE COP& Strip-OffContest HID~WAY LODGE: Kara0ke 8pro HID~VAY LODGE: Ka~oke 8pm THE COPA Strip-Off Contest 12~a BIG 4th 6fJuly THE COPA: Variety Sh~w I0:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke ; THE COPA: V:ariety Show lO:30pm HID LOUNGE: B0bby Page Ophn Talent Show 10:30pro FINIS~INE] Dart Toum~brlt 10pro 7pm THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: DartTournament 10pro HID B~bby Page Open Talent Sh6~v 10:30pro ymEdmC6OrPeAt0: O30ppenmTalent wtShem0ane lmn-3:30am THE COPA Male Dancers 9pm lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Danc~ ParD" THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Dance Party ZOO AMPITISIEA~RE Lyle HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Dance Party Lo~ett &. k. d. Lange 7:30pm THE COPA: Mate Dancers 9pro GUSHERSi Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Hip Hop Dance Party BAMB66 LOgN~Ei F~ zpm2m C~LUB !vlAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Erild~ Show 10:30pro HIDEAWAY LOUNGE: Dance wlDJ Colt 6-12, Dancers 9:30 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 7pm. TUESDAY July 3~ THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest Midnight. HIDF2XWAY LOUNGE: Karaoke 8pm After Dark is a flee service m our advertisers andis the responsibility of the advertiser to inform dxe STAR in ,amw.ozarksstar.¢om writing of updates, additions or discontinued events. The STAR is not responsible for accuracy. STAR 27 "Practice economy, Gemini!" Mercury is in Cancer turning direct, offering an opportunity to apologize for emotional outbursts and correct al! the problems that erupted while he was retrograde. If you don’t know where to start, try the kitchen. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Get to the root of recent household messes. If you own, fix plumbing, electricity, or whatever. If you rent, make a list for the landlord. Call family members and resolve misunderstanding& At least have a nice chat with Morn. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Mend fences with neighbors, and call or write to your siblings. It’s an excellent time to sign up for classes in any basic skills or techniques that have interested you, especially if they touch on domestic arts or community-building. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Think about your patterns in impulse spending. Everyone does it, but now is your time to look at your own finar~cial strengths and weaknesses, to get those books better organized, and to practice better economy. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): It’s OK - you can finally clean up the confusion and chaos that seem to have taken over in recent weeks. Look for long-latent, underlying problems at the root of those troubles. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Worries and fears that have been aggravating you lately now seem like ridiculous shadows. But they’ll be back to haunt you again if you don’t take a look at them and their roots. A meditative retreat should help. VlRGO (August 23 - September 22): Give your friends a chance to apologize and correct recent disappointments. Or maybe you should be the one patching things up. You can only take responsibility for yourself; still, shouldering more than your share of the blame could go a long way toward fixing things. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Recent misunderstandings may have you hiding out from your boss, landlord, or other authority figures, and/or undermining your own authority. Now is the time to clean up the lines of command and get your career back on track. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): All those reasons that kept you from taking classes, traveling, or otherwise expanding your world and your mind have fallen away. At least reconsider those opportunities and look at ways to get over the obstacles. 28 the STAR SAGITTAR~US (November 22 - December 20): Sex may be more trouble than it’s worth, but has that ever stopped you? You may have slowed down lately, but recent problems and odd shifts of desire can now be re-examined to achieve greater understanding and pleasure. Talking about those issues will help! CAPRlCORN (December 21 - January 19): You can finally clear up problems that have been brewing with your partner. That "seems-you-can’t-say-anything-right" period is over. Sing out, Louise, and let your baby hear what you have to say! Your listening skills are also suddenly improving. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Been delaying trips to the doctor or the gym? That’s probably been a good instinct, but get your tush back into action! See the doctor first for any problems with or advice about exercising. Discuss nutrition, too! And then renew your health regimen. PISCES (February 19 - hlarch 19): Your creative block is finally over! Drag out the canvases, manuscripts, and instruments. If your muse needs to be fed, get to the kitchen and dig out some long-neglected recipes. A small dinner party will help get your juices flowing, too. 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 Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org.........888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers....479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) ..... Diversity Pride Events - www.e~vers ~ypr ae.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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Spexton 17B Spring Street .......... 479-98t-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...... -479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave.......... -479-521-0009 Flames Bar - - - 40 E. Center- ............... 479-251-1922 Passages ......930 N. College Ave.......... -479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave............. 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kin keads.......1004 1/2 Garrison Ave........ 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 ......1022 Dodson Ave- - 479-782-9578 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.- ............... ~vw.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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave......... 501-375-8580 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 Club Glacier- ......... 2828 E. 31st South......316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground ................. 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (4t7) MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - ......Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn....www.40thstreetinn.com.......816-561-7575 Concourse Park B&B - - 300 Benton Bird 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, Springfield (417) The Edge..... 424 Boonville Ave..... 417-831-4700 GLO Comm, Ctr---518 E. Commerical- 417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub.... 504 E. Commerical- 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive ........... -417-864-4572 Ronisuz Place....821 College............... 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books....104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s. 4810-A West Garriott........ 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Ingrids Bookstore..... 1124 NW Cache Rd......580-353-1488 Oklahoma, l~cA~ester (918) ~cPride........... 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 Expw~j........ -405-947-2351 Christie’s Toy Box.....3126 N. May Ave ....... 405-946-4438 Church of Open Arms......3131 N. Penn...... 405-525-9555 Copa.............2200 NW 39th Exp.........405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy........405-525-9200 First Amendment Tatoo Shop- - - 2135 NW 39th - - -405-604-3911 Gushers Restaurant- ....2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........2200 NW 39th Exp 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St- -405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel.... 3535 NW 39th Exp ....... Hi-Lo Club 1221 NW 50th Jungle Reds .......2200 NW Expwy- Ledo.............2200 NW Expwy..... Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ....... Partners......... 2805 NW 36th St Pec’s -3535 NW 39th Expw ....... Priscilla’s......... 615 E. Memorial- Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St. Rudy’s Place......3535 NW39th Expw......... Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St- The Park........ 2125 NW 39th St ......... -405-528-4690 The Patio........ 3201 N. May Ave 405-917-1663 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th. -405-947-2351 Tramps............2201 NW 39th-- 405-521-9888 Ziggy’s............ 4005 N. Penn- -405-521-9999 -405-947-2351 405-843-1722 405-524-5733 .... 405-525-0730 -405-681-5044 405-942-2199 -405-947-2351 405-755-8600 405-525-5165 405-947-2351 405-601-3711 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 Circle Cinema...... 10 S, Lewis- - - 918-592-3456 Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder ............ 918-584-9944 Club Majestic........ 124 N. Boston - 918-584-9494 Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan 9t8-835-3301 Cosmo Dell & Bar - - 6746 S. Memorial -918-459-0497 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI -918-834-1051 Equality Center ..... 621 E. 4th Street- ........918-743-4297 Hideaway Cocktail Lounge--- 11730 E. 11th......918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st - 918-749-8378 Midtown- 319 E. 3rd.............. 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood.....918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave..... .....918-585-9552 Priscilla’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. 71st.............918-499-1661 Renegades 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd......... 918-627-1505 Sappho’s........ 6373-C E 31st St.......... 918-836-0299 Tulsa CARES.... 3507 E. Admiral PI. 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle.....1338 E. 3rd ................918-592-1188 TNT’s ......... 2114 S. Memorial 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd....... 2630 E. 15th.......... 918-293-0304 bitter girl email: bittergirl@qsyndicateocom www,joanhilty.net 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Keller Williams Realty Chuck Breckenridge Whether buying or selling I’I1 work hard for you. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, July 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 7 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 01, 2007 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 Jeanne Flanigan Paul Wortman James Nimmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Jack Fertig Lz Highleyman Devre Jackson Chaz Ward Michael Leach Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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) 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, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 6 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/208 The Star Magazine, August 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 8 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/203 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/207 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/aa82cbbda58a8f60a735cb83dfd9d9dd.jpg 2485d9e2417fa32b2d4adde09d9df921 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/4a6a2ca907ad958b0e1ffc2d21c76426.pdf b0d512826d927ba9a896bbe54263bbfe PDF Text Text dAN UARY ~ 1 !Y ~nd Business Building From �2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Dear Chaz, It was exciting and thrilling to see your 3rd ,~mniversary Issue of the Star! Having lived from the Southern most tip of Florida to Northern California, this is just the best publication ever. Your smiling personality continues to spread it’s enthusiasm in this tremendous endeavor. Our community in Joplin, MO and Eureka Springs, AR benefit so much from your publication. I have people in both cities asking ~vhen the next issue is coming out almost as soon as they receive the current one. Ti~ank you so much for a job well done for the four states. As you brmvse through this months issue, you’ll notice numerous articles on fund-raisers, benefit shows, volunteers ,vorking to build and just people helping people. GLBT people who are giving their time, money and effort to help make another human life better. Many who need help themselves. Giving, is the key issue. This past month seeing and hearing about the many events to raise money for those living with HIV/AIDS, food drives, toys for kids, meals for the home-bound and ~o many other efforts, all within our own community, reminded me of how very proud I am to be a gay man. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could maintain that giving spirit for the entire year and not just for the holiday season. The spirit should not end on December 26th. Giving, to support those people and organizations who are fighting for equality not only for GLBT’s, but for everyone is another important issue we have to face in this new year. I am very optimistic for 2007. Many have predicted this will be the year we see tremendous gains in equal rights for Gay/Lesbian people. But, we must do our part to insure this happens. We voted! And you see the results. "We can make a difference." This is the year to build on our past achievements and open doors for future generations. Rev. Steve T. Urie, Pastor Spirit of Christ MCC Joplin, MO Chaz, I just saw this month’s magazine and I wanted to send you a note saying "congratulations" on your third anniversary. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you the past few months. I want to thank you for your important contribution to the GLBT con> munity and I wish you much success for many, maW years to come! Joe LaFountaine Board Secretary Little Rock Capitol Pride Dear Editor: As we go to press we got the news that the Governor of New Jersey had signed the bill granting gay and lesbian couples all rights of marriage but the title. This is the third state offering civil unions to gay couples and the fifth allowing gay couples some version of marriage. It’s starting to happen! On behalf of everyone involved with the STAR, I want to wish all of you a great and prosperous New Year. May your lives be filled with the spirit. Sincerely, C. D. Ward Publisher/Editor in Chief www.ozarksstar.corn I live in Texas and get to both Tulsa and Oklahoma City on business about once a month and never know xvhich bar to go to on any particular night. I noticed in the December issue of the STAR that you have begun to run a special page "AFTERDARI<[" where the bars let everyone knoxv exactly what is going on each night. This is certainly a tremendous help to anyone not living in Oldahoma City or Tulsa and most likely even a great help for those who do! What a great idea! I alxvays read the STAR online and enjoy it. Keep up the good xvork. Sincerely, Randy Cunningham Dallas, Texas the STAR 3 �NEW# N@N{N, NN~# N~NN, New Direction, Laura Belmonte, President of Otdahomans for Equality Speaks to the Community. Doug Ireland "Why should being Gay be a crime" "The Wine Rack" Cabernet Sauvlgnon on review- page 16 A retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Who was Joseph Beam? Gay Travelers "Casa de San Pedro" Otit of Town "Buenos Aires" Kitten, it could have been worse, he could have left you with the gift that keeps giving, clap on--clap off. Laura Belmonte ............. 5 Commentary.............. 11 OUT in Arkansas ........... 12 Inspiring Fitness ........... 13 Past Out .................. 14 Tulsa GLBT Center News ..... 15 The Wine Rack ............. 16 Ciao Travel ................ 17 Lesbian Notions ............ 22 Star Scene ................ 24 Uncle Mikey............... 26 After Dark ................ 27 Horoscopes ............... 28 Distributors ............... 29 Cartoons .................. 30 Classifieds ................ 31 New Tulsa GLBT Center Opens This Month - page 15 4 day Celtic Festival Eureka Springs - page 12 STAR DISTRIBUTION: OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK ~ NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVtLLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVlLLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA* PtTTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �NEW HOME. NEW NAME. NEW D RECT ON. An amazing year has just passed for the organization formerly known as Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights / TOHR! As I write, a dedicated team of volunteers is putting the final touches on Phase One of our marvelous new center; Marc Acuff, our new coordinator of the Tulsa Pride and Diversity Celebration is securing corporate sponsors; and the Capital Fund Trustees and the Facilities Committee are drafting new documents and policies to ensure that our building is financially secure and well-maintained for decades to come. From our brilliant IT crew to the immensely creative Design Group, I an awed by the talented and generous individuals who are helping me lead Oklahomans for Equality into an exciting new era. Why the name change? Lots of reasons. For one, Tulsa Otdahomans for Human Rights was an offshoot on an Oklahoma City-based organization that folded over twenty years ago " hence there is no need to saddle ourselves with the awkward Tulsa Oklahomans construct. Another reason is that human rights had a very different connotation in 1980 than it does now. I have often been asked whether our organization does work like Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch. So, we searched for alternatives. We contracted a public relations consultant. We formed focus groups. We spoke to key stakeholders. We listened to a host of opinions. And, after much deliberation and careful consideration, we adopted a new name, a name that encapsulates who we are and what we want: Oklahomans for Equality. Equality is the core of the gay rights struggle. We want equal employment rights, equal housing and health care access, equal pension and veteraffs benefits, equal treatment before the law, and equal legal standing for our intimate, committed relationships. We want equality for all gay, lesbian, bisexuals, and transgender Oklahomans, not just Tulsans. Whatever their race, class, gender, religion, age, or ability status, we want all the members of our diverse and beautiful community to have the liberties promised each and every U.S. citizen. We want equality for our allies too. We cannot expect them to support us if we do not support them. We cannot ignore our common interests. We must harness the collective power of our causes and constituencies. Proudly serving "i\lisa & OKC\s GLBT communities since 1982 "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BESTproperties are our PEOPLE’ 430t NW 63rd, Suite 100 City, OK 73116 How will we achieve these goals? By forming new partnerships that enable us to serve seniors, youth, those in physical or mental crisis. By offering programs that appeal across the entire spectrum of our community. By oldcastle.com broadening our volunteer resources so that any Oklahoraan can call our GLBT helpline "the only one in the state" and find a gay-friendly doctor, a supportive counselor, or simply a place to meet GLBT people. By expanding our advocacy efforts to include allies throughout the state so that we can mobilize hundreds of people for elections, lobbying days, and combating anti-gay and anti-trans discrimination at the local level. We have so much to do and we’ll soon be doing it in one of the largest GLBT centers in the United States. We at Oklahomans for Equality wish you a Happy New Year and express our gratitude for the gift of your support. In Solidarity, Laura Belmonte President, Oklahomans for Equalit3~ (OkEq) www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 �JOHANNESBURG, South Afi’ica__ Vernon Gibbs and Tony Halls got hitched Friday in South Africa’s first gay wedding, a day after the government made same-sex marriage legal. The couple, who run a guest lodge and animal rehabilitation center on the southwestern coast, donned their game-ranger outfits and went down to the local home affairs office in the town of George. In front of marriage officer Petro Kruger they exchanged rings and were pronounced a married couple. LOAVES AND F SHE8 FUND-RAISER BRIGHTENS THE HOUDAY8 AGNR OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__On December 4-5 the Copa Club located in the Habana Hotel celebrated the 16th Anniversary of one of Oklahoma’s most heartwarming fund-raisers, the annual Loaves and Fishes Dinner and Show. This year it was dedicated to the memory of longtime activis.t Keith Smith who passed away November 20,2006. Featuring community icons Sonja Martinez, John Beebe, ToW Sinclair, Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald & Debbie Davies, the benefit raised OVER $5600 for this Catholic Charities ministry which provides meals & other assistance for those home bound by HIV. Judy Riley stated. "I am overcome by the generosity of the people who come to this event every year in support of our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV/MDS. Words cannot express the depth of our appreciation and gratitude to Sonja and all the performers, Nick Post and the Copa Staff, and also all the benefactors." Joplin Organia÷rs Announce Formation Of Long Awaited Gay Lesbian Center. JOPLIN, MO The Joplin Gay & Lesbian Center kick-offdinner was a rousing success on November 20th. Fifty people ate & drank great food, made new friends and saw old ones, and embraced the Center’s goal to raise money to build a community center. Guests were entertained by "Queer Duck," the Mike Reiss video shorts, Charlie Smith, Treasure Love, and the fab-u-lous Miss Latina Carlisle (Miss Gay Joplin 2002), who brought the house down with her version of"Somewhere Over the Rainbo~v." Door prizes included DVD’s of"Dante’s Cove" and "Fixing Frank," tank-top shirts from A & E’s original December movie, "Wedding Wars," and various CD’s, including music from Cirque de Soleil. Greetings and best wishes were offered by leaders of UCC Family Fellowship, the Joplin Junior Chamber (~e Jaycees), Wal-Mart’s Office of Diversig; and Shekinah Glory Church. President Lee McDaniel spoke about the need for a center here in conservative, rural southwest Missouri to encourage people, especially our youth, to be who they are - and to knmv that we are just normal, everyday people. He reported that the Center has joined the national association of gay & lesbian centers and plans to join the Joplin Chamber of Commerce in order to increase its visibility. The Center also is a member of GLAAD and HRC. The Center extends its thanks to all those involved and to all who attended. Special thanks to all the volunteers, the performers, UCCFF for rental of its building, Mr. David Garrison for the terrific food, the Karpel Group, Corporate Edge Marketing, and to Lee McDaniel at Gold Key Mortgage and Carberry Development Group. The Center’s next major fundraising events will be in February and June 2007. Details will follmv via www.myspace.com/gaylesbiancenter and http://360.yahoo.com/gaylesbiancenter. For more info, please email or call the Center’s President, Lee McDaniel, at gaylesbiancenter@ya~hoo.com or 417-622-7821. The Center, founded in October 2006, may be reached at PO Box 4383, Joplin, MO 64803-4383. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The board of directors of the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City has awarded grants to nine local non-profit organizations totaling $50,100. Grantees and their respective award amounts are: Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network (RAIN) $5000; AIDS Support Program/The Winds House $5700; Red Rock Behavioral Health Services/Red Rock North $5400; Northern Lights Alternative $6100; Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma $6100; Guiding Right $5400; Other Options $6400; Latino Community Development Agency $5000; and the HIV/AIDS Legal Resource Project of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma $5000. Since 1998, the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City has distributed more than $333,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations providing critically needed services to individuals living with HIV or AIDS. SAVE THE DATE FORTHE 2007 AIDS WALK OF OKLAHOMA CITY: Sunday, September 30th at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. 6 the STAR New-Jersey Denies Gay Marriage, Passes Civi Unions. TI~NTON, N.J. - Nexv Jersey’s governor signed legislation Thursday December 21 st giving gay couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage alloxved under state law, but not the fltle. When the la\v goes into effect Feb. 19, Ne~vJersey xvill become the third state offering civil re’dons to gay couples and the fifth allowing gay couples some version of marriage. www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �437 E, i41st Street Gtenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) ORDERS BY 12NOON GUARANTEED SAME DAY DELIVERY 8 the ,STAR www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 �Tu san°s B÷s end With 40 Bikes Chi d ÷n Of Pa ÷nts Living With H V/A D$o By Greg Steele By Victor Gorin P,6oto: 40 Bikes and over 3"00 other items f!lled the main bar of the climb. TULSA, OK No it’s not a bicycle shop and it’s not a Walmart store. It’s the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa. Bar owners Terry Hood and Stan Smith put the word out in early December that their annual Christmas Drive for the Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. food pantry would not be just another food collection. "Ihis year was for the kids. The goal was a bike for all 30 children of Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. clients. In an interview with Stan Smith he told us "The response was so incredible we had the 30 bicycle’s within a week and more were promised. We then called RAIN to see if any of their clients had children, there were five he was told. We have 35 bikes and five extra that I’m sure the two organizations will find homes for." Smith said. In addition to the bicycles, toys, non-perishable food items, toiletries, maW other gifts were donated. Well over 300 items filled the main bar of the club. The Tulsa Rough Riders also held a raffle and donated the proceeds. The 30 children of "/\~sa C.A.R.E.S. clients ages are 6 girls and 5 boys under the age of seven. 7-11 years of age, 3 female and 4 male. Ages 12-15 there are 4 girls and 8 boys. Some are themselves HIV positive but all are affected by the difficult lives of their parents living with HIV/AIDS. The majority of Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. and RAIN HIV/AIDS clients are living below the poverty line and don’t have the means to provide a decent Christmas for their children. \VTe talked with Michael at Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. after the truck loads of gifts and food items had been delivered and he told us, "We thought it was going to be just another Christmas for the kids, and then these folks come along with this wonderful gift. It will certainly make a big difference for them on this special day of the year for children" There is going to be a lot of happiness and smiling faces in the homes of those who have so much hardship. 10 the STAR OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Club Rox located in the Hollywood Hotel and Suites held a Masquerade Ball fund-raiser for Red Rock Saturday, December 16. Featuring entertainer Alison Scott, it was organized by Hollywood crew member Beaux Leaf, proceeds from the fund-raiser would go to help Red Rock deliver meals to home bound people living with HIV/MDS. The event was great success and for a very worthy cause. Pictured above is an anonymous donor who gave $100. SPECIAL WORSHIP CELEBRATION HONORING DR. KING AND THE GLBT COMMUNITY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK___On Sunday, January 14 at 10:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. Church of the Open Arms will host a special service with a renowned guest preacher, the Reverend Dr. Randall C. Bailey. He is a professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, has lectured throughout the United States and abroad, and also has gained attention with his recent article, "Sanctified Hatred: Why Banning Same Sex Marriage is Wrong." This service is co-sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, P-Flag OKC and the Peace House, and the public is invited. The theme says it all, "Peace ~vith Justice for M1- God has a Dream." Human rights leaders Clara Luper and the Reverend Orra Compton will be honored at the service. ~xis will be a landmark service, honoring not only the late Dr. King, but all people seeking equality including the GLBT community. It will coincide with the Oklahoma City Martin Luther King Parade which will be held the following day beginning at 2 p.m., at N.W. 7th Street & Robinson. www.ozarksstar.com �a crib÷? In 75 countries being gay is still a crime. French activist Louis-Georges Tin, founder of the International Day Against Homophobia, hopes to change that by having the United Nations adopt a resolution calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality worldwide. Tin spoke to The Advocate ahead of a press conference in Paris where he announced the news. By Doug Ireland On November 17 the Paris-based International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) will launch a global campaign for a United Nations resolution declaring that homosexuality should no longer be considered a crime anywhere in the world. The proposed U.N. resolution is the brainchild of IDAHO’s founder, Louis-Georges Tin, 32, a professor and author of a number of books (including the Dictionary of Homophobia) who is also a rising star of France’s emerging black movement for equality. not as utopian a project as it might seem at first glance: In October this year, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that the imprisonment in Cameroon of 11 men who’d been caught in a raid on a gay bar on charges of homosexuality was "an arbitrary deprivation of liberty" that violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That’s encouraging. How will you and IDAHO work for its passage? The campaign for the U.N. resolution will have two main components. An external media campaign to raise awareness within public opinion and governments will begin with the November 17 unveiling of a petition--for which VIP signatures are now being gathered--on IDAMO’s \geb site, ww~v.idahomophobia.org. Also, a host of international and country organizations have already signed on as cosponsors of the campaign for the resolution, like the International Lesbian and Gay Association and France’s Ligue des Droits de l’Homme. The second battle has to be waged within the new U.N. Council on Human Rights. \re have to lobby the states that are members and ask them to support the resolution or at least not to vote against it. We are talking with the government of South Africa, which is a member of the council to sponsor the resolution. South Africa was the first country in the world to include the principle of nondiscrimination against gays and lesbians in its constitution-and their sponsorship would show that LGBT rights are not just a "Western issue." What exactly does the resolution say? Tin will simultaneously release a list of hundreds of VIP endorsers of the proposed U.N. resolution, including a gaggle of Nobel Prize winners (among them, Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Dario Fo of Italy, Elfriede Jelinek of Austria, and Amartya Sen of India); political leaders, including two former French prime ministers (Laurent Fabius and Michel Rocard); academics (such as Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman and world-famous sociologist Richard Sennett); entertainers (such as Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep, David Bowie, Edward Norton, Mike Nichols, Lily Tomlin, actor-playwright Wallace Shawn, humorist Bruce Vilanch, and Spanish actress Victoria Abril); and a host of renowned writers, including Doug Wright, Jon Robin Baitz, Salman Rushdie, Gore Vidal, Sir Tom Stoppard, ToW Kushner, Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, Russell Banks, Bernard-Henri Levy, John Berendt, Lady Antonia Fraser, Christopher Hitchens, Michael Chambon, Peter Carey, and Edmund White. Getting the U.N. to commit to universal decriminalization of homosexuality is destined to become the central objective of the international LGBT movement for the next decade. Tin spoke to The Advocate. What chance do you think this resolution has of passing the U.N.? Many people believe such a resolution is beyond reach. I personally don’t. Why? Because there is already U.N. jurisprudence in our favor. In 1994, Mr. Toonen, a citizen of Tasmania, who had been condemned for same-sex relationships, won his case in what was then the U.N. Commission on Human Rights--it said his arrest was a breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the right of privacy. So we just ask the U.N. to extend this jurisprudence to other countries--75 in the world!--where same-sex relationships are still forbidden. There’s recent evidence that this is www.ozarksstar.com The text I wrote asl~ for a universal decriminalization of homosexuality. It is very clear, easy, and simple, and based solely on the articles of the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights that were used to justify the decision in the Toonen case. I did not want to write a philosophical text on the issue, because an argument that may be relevant in one country will certainly be irrelevant in another one. We need a common language to support human rights. What could be more relevant and more international than the Universal Declaration of Human Rights itself?. Why did you choose this moment to launch this campaign? ~l}le Toonen case was ruled on 12 years ago, soI thought it was high time that LGBT organizations decided to take advantage of it at the U.N. To be honest, I fail to see any issue that could be more important than this one for LGBT organizations. On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization decided that homosexuality could no longer be regarded as a disease, which is why I chose that date for the International Day Against Homophobia. The first IDAHO was only celebrated in 2005, so we really couldn’t do anything before that--but now our organization has spread to more than 50 countries and been endorsed by the European Parliament, so I think we are ready to go farther. Look, gays and lesbians around the world cannot wait any longer for their love to cease being made a crime. Many are in jail, or at risk of being jailed. Some are being killed. 7his has to stop now. Ireland is a veteran political journalist who can be reached through his blog, DIRELAND, at Direland.typepad.com/direland/ the STAR 11 �Four Day Celtic Festiva Eureka Springs EUREKA SPRINGS, AR~ PaperMoon Attractions presents Celtic Connections Eureka, a four-day festival celebrating Celtic heritage, music, poetry, food and drink as the clans overtake the tiW hamlet of Eureka Springs January 18 - 21, 2007. Timed for the birthday bash for the great Robert Burns, the "Bard of Scotland", Celtic Connections Eureka calls to celto-philes from the seven nations hither and yon. tartan attire, the seven Celtic nations, demonstrate musical instruments, and more. "11artanic, the bagpipe comedy theater band from Houston who took Eureka Springs by storm last January; returns for Friday night’s concert at the City Auditorium. If you’re not planning to go to Arizona in February, this may be your last chance to enjoy the amazing Tartanic experience. Throughout the weekend guests will have a chance to enjoy all the workshops, multiple music sessions and concerts, "The Gypsy Faire" vendor market, along with Celtic-flavored special offerings by area pubs and restaurants. All-Day Tickets are: $28 for Thursday including the Burns Night Supper; $25 for Friday’s events (without the Burns Supper); $45 or $80 per couple for Friday’s events, including the Burns Night Supper; $25 for Saturday’s events. For more information and to purchase tickets online see www. EurekaCelts.com or call 866-363-9545. In these Ozark Highlands you’ll immerse yourself in the color and heritage of this rich world culture, as entertainers, crafters and historians from far and way create an experience designed to enrich your appreciatior{ and knowledge of Celtic traditions. The traditional Robert Burns Night Suppers are scheduled for Thursday and Friday evenings, with the Friday night dinner featuring a few extra touches including music and stories by Ed Miller, modern bard of Scotland and Scottish folksong preservationist. Both evenings’ dinners are hosted by the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel Crystal Dining Room where the setting provides the Castle-like backdrop for all the pomp and circumstance. This annual, around-theworld birthday tribute to the life, ~vorks and spirit of Robert Burns is the 9th year for this event in Eureka Springs. The evening promises highland pipes, poetry and pride, the traditional Scottish dinner with roast beef and haggis, the drinking of Scotch whiskey and the recitation of Burns works, along with general merry-making and songsinging. "Robert Burns was truly the voice of the Scots. Any ethnic group will collect around a cultural voice and for the Scots who endured British oppression for centuries, Burns covered the whole spectrum of life in those ages," says Bruce Crabtree, author and historian, who will be performing "Robert Bruce’s March to Bannockburn" in traditional attire and full brogue. Crabtree will also present a workshop about the Gads during the festival, along with other workshop presenters who will discuss the Scots and Irish influence in the Ozarks, traditional 12 the STAR added Eureka Springs to thei~ growing fan base when they performed last year. Rowan will also perform Sunday morning at the Crescent Hotel’s Sunday Brunch. Also joining the event will be Arkansas Celts Tinker’s Dam and the Crooked Creek Irish Dancers from Harrison and award-winning Celtic Heartstrings Linda Brocldnton and Brenda Ramsey from Alexander playing traditional music on mountain dulcimer and flute. "Eureka Springs can look forward to a pretty unique act," said Adrian Walter, the band’s lead, who also teaches theatre and dance in Houston, Texas. "The audience will see that bagpipes can go way beyond funerals," he quipped. "It’s like a rock and roll unplugged bagpipe theatre show without a plot. We do a fully audience integrated show that goes against the usual band formula." ANNOUNCING 2007 D VERSITY WEEKEND DATES Eureka 8pdngs, Arkansas VALENTINE’S DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Feb 16, 2007 - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 Tartanic will be right at home with the Eureka Springs culture. How does one describe Tartanic? "hnagine one dancer, six drums, six drones, 18 notes, fast fingers, high comedy, flying bagpipes, taste-defying stunts, scorching hot music played at over 120 beats per minute with driving speed and high volume, all brought to you by five men without pants." SPRING DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, April 13, 2007 - Sunday, April 15, 2007 Also on the bill with Tartanic is Beth Patterson, Celtic singer-songwriter from Ne~v Orleans. Patterson, whose sound and style has been compared to Loreena McKennitt, also performs on Saturday night at the City Auditorium with Ed Miller and with Rowan, a traditional Celtic trio from Kansas For more information go to: www.diversitypride.com SUMMER DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Aug 3, 2007 - Sunday Aug 5, 2007 FALL DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Nov 2, 2007 - Sunday, Nov 4, 2007 who w~v.ozarksstar.com �4) Do not watch TV in the bedroom. 5) Sleep in a cooler than normal room. 6) Avoid excessive alcohol. It causes restless sleep. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy! You don’t exactly want to emulate Jack Torrance at the Overlook Hotel. I could spout off a whole slew of abominable statistics and enlighten you on how much more that people are now working than they were fifty years ago. But I won’t. You are certainly keenly aware of this situation. When time is at a premium, the factors most neglected are personal health, relationships with the kiddies, and marriage or romantic time with the significant other. Recreation and leisure should be important components of your daily schedule. Why do you think the Japanese live so long? They work so much less than us Americanos and they love their play time. You can make your millions by the age of 40 but it ain’t gonna help ya if the stress sends ya packing early for that plot of land in Boot Hill. Be sure to factor in some moderate sessions of shenanigans along life’s yellow brick road! in the morning and stress at night; stress is that thing I just can’t fight. Or can you? Happiness is knowing that you can control the impact stress has on your life. This is important since stress has been linked to 70% of all illnesses. In addition, stress is directly related to negative health behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse, and to psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression. This is no good my friends! Pay close attention and I’ll make it all feel better! Most stress is caused by inadequate time management. What do you want out of life? Write it all down on paper and then go back and prioritize. You can’t do it all so you will need to leave some of the items on the editing floor. Make a schedule of what you want to do each day or week and then stick to this schedule like a dutiful liege. Monitor this schedule and make changes accordingly as time marches on. It sounds so doggone simple but most of you do not listen to this sage advice. YOu watch American Idol when you should be washing the dishes or you gossip ad infinitum with Patty and Selma when you should be giving the dog his much needed bath. Don’t waste time on this pettiness unless of course you like this pettiness and it is part of your schedule. When you don’t prioritize and you try to force 36 hours into a 24 hour day, the first item up for sale is sleep. Did you know that lions sleep about 20 hours each day. ~lhat is quite fascinating but you will not need exactly that much of the forty winks! The average human adult needs between seven and eight hours of repose per night. You might believe you can maintain much less sleep than that each evening but stress will eventually get the better of you over the years. The Grim Reaper wilt just bide his time. The following are numerous suggestions for pleasant dreams: 1) Go to bed at the same time each night. 2) Don’t exercise right before bedtime. 3) Avoid eating meals shortly before lights out. A light snack is fine. www.ozarksstar.com There are several relaxation techniques that might help you push your stress to the back of the line. The nominees for outstanding relief methods are the quick fix, prayer, and positive thinking. The quick fix means taking a five minute time out from the rat race. Go to a quiet spot, loosen your clothing, remove your shoes, and shut your eyes. Inhale deeply for about five seconds and then exhale slowly for about ten seconds. Repeat this several times. Now mentally picture something pleasant like a lake, a cloud, or Jamaica. Keep relaxing and breathe deeply. After five minutes, stretch briefly and head back to the real world with renewed vi.gor. The next technique is prayer. Studies have indicated that prayer can decrease blood pressure and can be a tremendous source of comfort. Prayer can provide confidence to function more effectively and thus reduce stress from your rigors of life. Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant, Wiccan, or Taoist. It makes no difference. Try embracing the power of prayer. Finally there remains positive thinking. This is simple but not always followed. Do whatever it takes to create a positive mood when you have excessive stress. You do not want to dwell on any negative feelings. Always picture the positive side of life. Those that do this are those who prosper. Stress can be indeed harmful; stress can be quite a mighty hell; Stress ye now know must be managed for ye to be well! Ron Blake is a Certified Personal Trainer and Owner of Blake Fitness in Phoenix. He can be reached at 480-241-5651 or on the web at www.blakefitness.com. the STAR 13 �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. aH hearts and fists and min~ds needed in this struggle or will this faggot be tossed into the fire?" was . osepb Beam? and relieving Black women Dom the role of primary nurturers in our commmxity;" he wrote. "For too tong we have expected from Black women that which we could only obtain from other men...I dare us to dream that we are xvorth wandng each other. Black men loving Black men is the revolutionary act of the eighties." One source of inspiration for Beam xvas the work of black lesbian feminist writers such as Audre Lorde. "I dream of Black men loving and supporting other Black men, An activist as well as an author, Beam worked as a consultant for the Gay and Lesbian ~ask Force of tile American Friends Service Committee. He helped resurrect the flagging National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays - originally founded in 1978 - joining the executive committee and editing the organization’s journal, Black/Out. African-American author and activist Joseph Beam secured his place in GLBT literary history as the editor of In the Life, a groundbreaking anthology of works by black same-gender-loving men. Beam was born December 30, 1954, in Philadelphia. With his working-class parents struggling to ensure that their only child received a good education, he attended Catholic preparatory and high schools, where he was one of only a few black students. He later studied journalism at Franklin College, a small Baptist college in Indiana. Influenced by the civil rights and Black Power movements, he was an active member of the Black Student Union. After graduating in 1976, he pursued a Master’s degree in communications and stayed in the Midwest, working at odd jobs for a few years, before returning to his native city. Back in Philadelphia in the early 1980s, Beam got a job at Giovanni’s Room, a GLBT bookstore. He began writing news articles, personal essays, poetry, and short stories for publications such as _The Advocate, Body Politic, Gay Community News, and the New York Native, Much of his work reflected on the life experiences of black gay men, criticizing both the racism of the mainstream white gay and lesbian movement and the homophobia of the black community. In 1984, the Lesbian and Gay Press Association honored him with an award for outstanding achievement by a minority journalist. Beam also maintained ongoing correspondence with prisoners, which he later attributed to his "deep sense of my own imprisonment as a closeted gay m,an and an oppressed Black man." Having ensconced himself in the GLBT literary scene - and having met numerous 14 the STAR authors and community leaders - Beam was disappointed about the lack of black male voices. \York by white gay writers addressed three camps, he claimed: "the incestuous literati of Manhattan and Fire Island, the San Francisco cropped-moustache-clones, and the Boston-to-Cambridge politically correct radical faggots. None of them spoke to me as a Black gay man." While some of the leading lights of the Harlem Renaissance - such as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Richard Bruce Nugent - were knoxvn or believed to have been {gay or bisexual, Beam found that contemporary xvorks by black samegender-loving men were fexv and far between. "By mid-1983 1 had grown weary of reading literature by xvhite gay men," he xvrote. "More and more each day, as I looked around the xvell-stocked shelves of Giovanni’s Room...I wondered xvhere xw~s the work of Black gay men." Beam therefore began collecting material for his pioneering anthology, in many cases nurturing the budding talents of men who had never before ~vritten for publication. He said that In the Life, published by Alyson Publications in 1986, spoke for "the brothers whose silence has cost them their sanitT," as well as the "2,500 brothers who have died of AIDS." Beam regarded the book as a tool for organizing and community building. His oxvn essa}; "Brother to Broti~er," extolled friendship, love, and eroticism among black men as a means of self-affirmation and group solidarity in the face of the pain and anger that arose from dealing xvith a xvhite GLBT movement that failed to address the concerns of people of color, and a heterosexual black community, that refused to accept queer men. "I cannot go home as xvho I am and that hurts me deeply," he wrote. "Aren’t Beam died of complications related to AIDS in December 1988, just three days shy of his 34th birthday. Though his life was brief, Beam’s influence was far-reaching. He served as both an inspiration and a mentor, promoting the idea that "visibility is survival." After his death, Beam’s mother and his fi-iend Essex Hemphill completed a second anthology of black gay men’s writing, _Brother to Brother_ (1991), which Beam was working on xvhen he died. Hemphill also remembered Beam in a memorial poem, "When My Brother Fell": He burned out his pure life force to bring us a chance to love ourselves... For fiwther reading: Beam, Joseph (ed.). 1986. _in the Life: A Black Gay Anthologo,_ (Alyson). Harris, E. Lynn (ed.). 2004. _Freedom in this Village: Twenty-Five Years ofBlack Gay 2]/Ien’s Writing_ (Carroll & Graf). Hemphill, Essex (ed.). 1991. _Brother to Brother: New IN’itings by Black Gay Men_ (Alyson). www.ozarksstar.corn �over 3,000 GLBT tides. A new xveekly Legal Clinic and Counseling office is adjacent to the library. The David Bohnett CyberCenter has 10, flat-screen, DSL computer stations free to the public. The nexv, light-filled \Vellness Center, with planned yoga and meditation session and dance lessons \vill feature many new additional programs for the communi~: NEW CENTER OPENS gH S MONgH It’s been a long journe?; but the finish line is in sight. O -klahomans for Equality (OkEq) xvill open the permanent Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 621 E. 4th Street, this month January 2007. The new Center, at 18,000 square feet, is one of the largest in the nadon and will be filled with nexv OkEq community programs, meeting rooms and spaces for community organizations, reception areas, educational, legal 8¢ xvellness services, the Events Center and much more! You’ll be xvelcomed in the Robert S. Cisar Lobby. With 14’ beamed ceilings, the front hall of the nexv Center features the reception area, an expanded Pride Store, OkEq offices and the original safe of the 1920’s building. Adjacent to the front hall is the Great Halt. The Great Hall " the living room" for the community is approximately 1,800 square foot of open space. A great space for receptions, parties and more, complete xvith a ~tchen, the space is a warm and inviting environment for the communi~: Through the rear lobby and to the right are the Gallery and Conference Rooms. With community groups and organizations in mind, the Gallery and Conference Room can hold small, medium and large groups. You’ll be surrounded by the art of coinmunity members in the Gallery while the Community Room features a floor to ceiling glass wall. Come up the elevator in the rear lobby and you xvill arrive in the Recreation Lounge. Around the corner, you’ll be welcomed into an expanse for the communits: The Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainboxv Library features VmNW.ozarksstar.com Past a relaxing lounge next to the CyberCenter is the KidsCorner. Featuring xvritable walls and a mural, KidsCorner also has an interior window to keep watch of your little ones. You’ll see history on display in the Dennis Neill & John Southard History Project Room, as well as be able to look-over historical documents. The Health Testing office offers free HIV testing 3 times per xveek xvhile syphilis testing is offered once a month. The Community Office Area xvill xvelcome small desk/office areas for organizations, as well as a meeting space. The sumptuous Board Room, loo -king out over 4th Street can easily seat 12 to 25 indMduals. And there is still another 8,000 square feet! Back on the street level is the Events Center. Able to seat nearly 200 people for a luncheon or dinner, the nearly 3,000 square foot space comes complete xvith a catering kitchen, a separate entry, facilities and a clerestory windoxv nearly the len~h of the space. The Kenosha Suite, xvith approximately 1,500 sq. ft. of space and the 4th Street frontage of 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space xvill help invigorate the East End of downtown Tulsa. The nexv year of 2007 xvelcomes a nexv home, a new name and nexv direction for OHahomans for Equality. We xvelcome you to visit the new community center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa, be involved xvith your community and join us as we continue our 26-year history of working for GLBT equality. Oldahomans for Equality (OkEq) 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 Center. 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. ,J the STAR 15 �CaVe.net Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in many regions where red wine is made: Southern France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Rumania in Europe; Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and California in the New World. Wherever it is grown you find reliable, quality, drinkable wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is at the heart of most Bordeaux red wines, often blended with Merlot; they are the benchmark against which other producers judge their products. At the upper end of the market, the Bordeaux chateaux, such as Margaux and Haut-Brion, reign supreme, but there is increasing competition from Australia and California. At the bottom end of the market, Bordeaux is struggling to compete. Examples from Latin America, Australia and Eastern Europe consistently offer an excellent drinking experience and value for money. Cabernet Sauvignon is a fairly small, thick skinned, tannic, dark red grape that crops well in suitable growing conditions. It survives cold winters and well-drained soils but does need adequate sunshine in order to ripen fully. ~he grape’s thick skin makes it resistant to spoiling by rain and attack by insects, around harvest time, which helps to ensure ripeness before picking and to maintain yields. ~-he predominant flavor is blackcU~i but it also can exhibit black cherry, cedar, leather and tobacco notes, depending on where it is grown. Because of its high tannin content, it has good ageing potential (five to ten years) and is often matured in oak barrels to enhance the flavor. ~-he effect of contact with oak modifies the tannin structure, leading to smoother, elegant, more complex wines. Whether as a varietal or blended with Merlot, Sangiovese, Shiraz or Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon is always a popular choice for informed lovers of red wine. Foods that pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon: duck, spicy beef, pate, rabbit, roasts, spicy poultry, cheddar, blue cheese, sausage, kidneys, pasta with tomato sauce and foods that are meaty, pungent or spicy. This year there are some exceptional Cab’s out there this year including; Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages 2000 Justin Justification Paso Robles 2003 Irony Napa 2002 Beringer Napa 2002 Snoqualmie Columbia Valley 2004 Visit your favorite wine shop, bring a bottle & a dish and we’ll see ya there!! Devre 1 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com ��Past m this tiny and we do m~fi TINY ~ommfinity mVfi; 1o800o535oAIDS (2437) kitchen j( they prepare the food. [[he so ~’0~ V[,ilt leave full. Karl and In the afternoons, they bake flesh pasrry/pk minute OraQuick Test * Free Syphillis screening at the GLBT Community Center on Tuesdays from 6-Spin One night they drove us m Bisbee which is about 20 miles away. Bisbee is a very old mining town that has a lot of character. We dined at the Striped Stocking and had a wonderful evening. Bisbee ~s lust a very small town but has a very" active gay population. 18 the STAR H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic Outreach Program Tulsa at {918) 812-7045 www.ozarksstar.c0m �to P pnngs By Donald Pile and Ray Williams ings begiIi on Valentine~ Da?; FebruaD, rants in .~nerica and we certainly agree. Melvyr~ is open ~br hmch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 to 3pro. Dinner is served daily 6 to 1 lpm. Lhampagn~ Brunch is served Saturday a,~d Sunday 9am to 3 pm. "Ilaeir web site is: www.inglesideim~.com. For reservations call (760)325-2323. Friday- Febru;apt 16, 2007 4 pm to 5:30 pm - Readings at the Quee~ 0fHeart~ Hotel. Saturday 2 February 17, 2007 3 pm - Book Signing at the Peppertree Bookstore. Please contact Joanna or Denise ~br Reservations and information: By E-maiI: Casitas@CasitasLaquita.com Phone: 760) 416-9999 - Toll Free: (877) 203-3410 w~,,~v.ozarksstar.com the STAR 19 �Fringing the ocean, Starwood Iqotels’g[amorolls and gay-J}iendly Atlantic resort has been a key feature ofFort Lauderdale’s stunning redevelopment. (P,~oto by Andrew Collins) January 2007 \vgith progressive attitudes on social issues and a spirited, chic style that evokes Paris, Rome, and New York City, buoyant Buenos Aires has become the GLBT capital of Latin America. In this distinctly European-feeling city, the worlds of high fashion, haute cuisine, and tango come together, and an unstable economy has become a boon for visitors from other nations, because it’s led to favorable foreign-currency exchange rates. Indeed, what was not long ago the most expensive capital city in South America has become one of the cheapest major metropolises in the world. This city of nearly 3 million (12 million live in the metro region) sits along the southern bank of the Rio de la Plata, a wide estuary that forms the border between Argentina and Uruguay. Spanish conquistadors established a foothold here in the early 1500s, and the city retains close ties to Europe - many _Portenos_ (as residents are known) have Spanish and Italian lineage, and significant numbers also trace their roots to Germany, Great Britain, Russia, and France. This is very much an international destination, and Buenos Aires has fol!owed the lead of many European cities by actively courting GLBT tourists (the tourism office produces an excellent gay brochure and map) and legalizing same-sex civil unions. top museums, performing arts venues, and political buildings, but you need to venture farther afield to get to know gay B.A. Start xvith a walk through Barrio Norte, a busy and bustling district with a sizable gay presence and loads of fine clothing, home-fur¯ nishings, and electronics stores along the main drag, Avenida Santa Fe. The most charming neighborhoods for exploring, however, are Palermo and the adjacent Palermo Viejo - the latter has the most pronounced GBLT presence in Buenos Aires. Narrow cobblestone streets lined with uber-chic boutiques, snazzy wine bars, Euro-inspired cafes, and offbeat galleries abound in both neighborhoods. but particularly in Palermo Viejo. Another district with gay cachet is San Telmo, which is close to downtmvn and whose elegantly faded 19th-century buildings, many of them former tenements, now contain a fabulous array of antiques dealers plus a growing number of hip restaurants. Among the many superb restaurants in Palermo Viejo, don’t miss Bar Uriarte, a sexy lounge with a convivial garden in back and outstanding brick-oven pizzas and innovative tapas; and Mott, a gorgeous, minimalist restaurant with high ceilings, stylish decor, and fantastic wines and healthful, light food. The beautifully modern space occupied by Miranda Restaurant fills up each evening with devotees of the kitchen’s delicious steaks and chops. North Americans are sometimes deterred from traveling to Buenos Aires by steep airfares (which typically range from around $800 to $1,200 round-trip), but once you’re actually in Argentina, the cost of travel is so amazingly low that you can easily spend less on a vacation here than you would in western Europe or the Caribbean. Also consider that during slower times, some airlines’ frequent flyer programs offer round-trip flights here for as few as 40,000 miles offpeak (typically March through May and again mid-August through November, which are perfectly pleasant times to visit). Prices for most goods - as well as food and cocktails, taxis, electronics, and many other items - are generally 40 to 70 percent less than in the United States. Look for especially great deals on leather goods (from wallets to jackets), and enjoy the shockingly low prices of fine steaks and wines (two products for which Argentina is justly renowned) at great restaurants. Buenos Aires (aka B.A.) is a sprawling city, but because cabs are easy to hail on the street and extremely inexpensive, they’re a very practical way to make your way around. This is also a generally safe and enjoyable city to explore on foot. The central neighborhoods of Microcentro, Congreso, and Retiro are typical business and commerce centers, and nearby Recoteta is a wealthy hub of high-end hotels and ritzy apartment towers. In these areas you’ll find many of the city’s 20 the STAR Freud & Fabler is an intimate place that’s a great bet for creative Mediterranean-inspired fare, and sleek Olsen has earned a loyal following for both its intriguing people-watching and delicious Scandinavian food (there’s also a huge vodka selection). If you’re just looking for a spot with free Wi-Fi and light breakfast and lunch fare, stop by gay-popular Mark’s Deli, a dapper little place with a pretty garden, or old-world Bartok, a graceful Euro-style coffeehouse with www.ozarksstar.com �sidewalk seating overlooking the edge of busy Plaza Palermo Viejo. Bartok serves tasty salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Other gustatory highlights around Buenos Aires - and this is just a tiny sampling - include Milion, an uber-modern resto-lounge in Barrio Norte, and Bond, one of the gay-friendliest of the many excellent restatlrants in snazzy Recoteta, serving an eclectic menu of sushi, Mediterranean-inspired tapas, and modern Argentinean fare. To sample the tender steaks for which Argentina is known, head just around the corner to E1 Mirasol, which is tourist}, but absolutely dependable for outstanding beef. Owned by the same talented folks who operate Bar Uriarte, Gran Bar Danzgn is one of Recoleta’s trendiest wine bars, serving outstanding Continental and Latino food, too. If you’re on a budget, consider Palermo Viejo’s absolutely wonderful, gay-owned Bayres B&B, where it feels like staying vdth kind (and knowledgeable) friends in their simple but pleasant home. Rates (which run from $35 to $65 per night) include full breakfast, and there’s free high-speed Intemet and cable TV in every room, and private or shared bathrooms. Considering that Bayres costs hundreds less per night less than some of the city’s fanciest hotels, it’s truly an amazing bargain. Aiad with the money you save on rooms, you can invest in such heady pleasures as haute couture and cuisine - if you’re a serious shopper, bring along an empty suitcase to fill with your bounty. As expected in a large, gay-friendly metropolis, Buenos Aires has a vibrant nightlife scene, although maW bars and clubs are only popular on certain nights of the week. It’s best to ask around to learn which are likely to be busy (or even open) on a given evening - also keep in mind that most places don’t get going until 2 or 3 in the morning (although they often remain busy until dawn). The majority of B.A.’s "gay" nightlife options draw a mix not only of women and men but, in many cases, gays and straights - this is a city where folks ftom all walks of life seem to revel quite happily together. Some of the larger dance clubs include the aptly named GLAM in Barrio Norte, long-running Contramano in Recoleta, and see-andbe-seen Alsina in the Monserrat district. More intimate yet still highly popular bars and lounges worth checking out are Kim y Noyak, a cozy and stylish Palermo Viejo hangout that also serves good food; Sitges, which is also in Palermo Viejo and presents lively drag shows; and Bach Bar, a mostly lesbian spot in Barrio Norte. Buenos Aires also has a few bathhouses, the most popular being Buenos Aires A Full, in Barrio Norte. Prices of accommodations in Buenos Aires vary wildly, as the large and often very impressive international hotels, which appeal to business travelers and well-heeled tourists, tend to charge rates comparable to those in other major world capitals. Among the city’s best high-end hotels, the relatively new Park Hyatt, which opened in 2006, is an absolute treasure, its rooms sleekly and artfully designed, and its restaurants, courtyard patio, wine-and-cheese bar, and spa all top-notch. The Hyatt’s well-trained, thoughtful staffwhisks about, tending to guests’ every need. In the same neighborhood of Recoleta, the classic Alvear Palace Hotel has been serving discerning travelers since it opened in 1932 - the elegant rooms are among the largest in the city. In Palermo Viejo, Bo Bo is a smart boutique hotel with moderately priced, avant-garde rooms and an excellent restaurant popular with models and celebs. The intimate FIVE hotel contains - despite its name - 16 rooms, each done with handsome, contemporary furnishings, but the big draw here are the extensive common areas, including a lovely rooftop sundeck with great city views and a hot tub. Charming owner Adriana Teplixke and her knowledgeable staff can recommend great places to shop and eat, and rates here are quite reasonable, beginning around $100 nightly. www.ozarksstar.com Owasse Community Theatre Opens The New Year With "StuaR Little" OWASSO, OK__Rehearsals have begun for the O~vasso Community Theatre’s presentation of Stuart Little by E.B. White, and performance dates have been scheduled for January 19-21 and 2527, 2007 at the Mary Glass Performing Arts Center in Owasso. All performances will occur at 7:00PM except the matinee on January 21st which will occur at 2:00PM. the STAR 21 �JANUARY 2007 "Resolve to Take Action" Well, it’s 2007, but many of us will probably be dating our checks 2006 for weeks to come. Old habits - 365 days worth - die hard, but soon the 2007 mental pathway will be established, and our dating habits (the written ones, anyway) will be corrected. Looking back, 2006 was quite a year. LOGO, the gay cable network, and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association came up with their top 10 stories. It’s an interesting but not too surprising list, including everything from Outgames/Gay Games to Soulforce’s Equality Ride to Oscar coming out on Brokeback Mountain to Ted Haggard falling on his face (let alone from grace) to Mark Foley’s page folly to the Dems bringing democracy, back to Capitol Hill. I’m not about to rehash and recap - you can go to LOGOonline. corn and watch the four-part series complete with music, graphics, and Jason Bellini as anchor. My thoughts are on our future - what 2007 has in store for the community and for me, and even better, what we have in store for 2007. Personally; once the cast comes offmy ruptured right bicep tendon (when you’re almost 49, playing with the dog can be dangerous), I plan to segue physical therapy into future trips the gym. I’m one of those dykes who can put on weight just by thinking about it, and as I start my ascent to 50 1 really want to try and get back into some sort of shape. If any of you girls (or guys) have suggestions or secrets to share, just let me know. I’m open. "lhis is the year we could overtnrn "don’t ask, don’t tell." It’s the year we could get the federal nondlscrn-nmauon act and mclus~ve hate-crimes legislation passed. It’s the year we could see our national organizations ~vorldng in tandem on the issues that concern us the most. It’s the year we could see real progress on our issues. But for al! of that to happen this year, next year, or beyond, we, as a community, have to support the organizations that represent us. "lhat support could be a check to your local community center and!or to your statewide organization and/or to the national organization of choice. If we are to move forward in 2007, we must put LGBT human and financial capital to work. This is also the year for us to point out the lies of the radical Christian right and hold them accountable for their ,vords. After Mary Cheney announced in early December that she was pregnant, _Time_ magazine asked Focus on the Family’s James Dobson to write an opinion piece. In his usual homophobic, antigay-family way, Dobson - like other radical Christians - chastised Mary for bringing a child into the world without a dad. To back up his arguments, he cited the academic work of feminist scholar Carol Gilligan and Yale School of Medicine’s Kyle Pruett, M.D. Instead of just dismissing Dobson’s rantings as those of a rattled homophobe, Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out contacted both scholars and asked them to repudiate this nse of their work. °II~ey did. Time’s embarrasment led the mag’s editors to ask Jennifer Chrisler of Fainily Pride to write a response. Her piece debunked Dobson’s dithering about how a kid needs a mommy and daddy more than she or he needs love. Besen plans to keep the heat on Dobson and others like him with his new website, xw~vw.dobsonlies.org. Also, 2007 gives me the opportunity to tell my partner, Lynn, how much she means to me. Let your partner know how you feel, too - how important they are to you, how dreary your life wonld be without them, how much you love them. Join Besen, and kick off 2007 vdth some action - write Time’s editor, Patrick Smith (patrick_smith@timemagazine.com), and tell him that if his magazine is going to let the right rant, it also has to make them prove their points with facts, not rely on the pseudo-fiction they’ve been parading behind. The new year also gives all of us the opportunity to let our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues know how much our partners mean to us. I’m not talking about being all mushy all the time at work or at family gatherings. I am talking about being clear about your life, who you live with, how you identify. After that, tell your honey you love her or him, tell your neighbor you’re gay, write a check, and don’t ever forget how important you are in the next 365 days. If there was ever a year to come out and build on our achievements, this is it. The more that people know us and feel connected with us, the more likely they are to stand beside us as allies and fight for our rights. It’s all about building relationships and normalizing straight people’s perceptions of who we are. With a new Congress (let’s all pray for Sen. Tim Johnson’s [D-S.D.] full recovery), and the president’s final two years in a death spiral, the ability for the LGBT community to make real change is within our reach. If a lesbian can get elected to the Alabama State House, anything is possible - if we put our minds to it. Gayly O ahomar No Lor ger Pr r t TULSA, OK The publisher of the 24 year old Oklalxoma GLBT news paper, Andrew Hicks, announced in the December 15th issue that the Gayly was shutting down their print version and going digital. "\V,/e ~vant to take the Gayly into the future and onto new levels and fulfill a vision that has kept this paper alive for nearly 25 years. The world is changing and our need for information is changing with it." Hicks said. The on-line operation is due to be up and running this month. For more information go to: wv~v.gayly.com 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �GAY R GHTS ADVOCATE & LOBBYIST KErFH SMITH PASSES AWAY AT AGE 51 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Keith Smith died at Integris Hospital from pneumonia on Monday, November 20. Up until the time of his death he had been a tireless lobbyist not only for gay rights for also environmental causes, reproductive freedom, and civil liberties. Lobbying clients included the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU. He was also the co-chair of the Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats as well as a national board member A memorial service was held in the rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol, and speakers honoring him included ne~vly elected State Representative AI McAffre); State Senators Andrew Rice and Bernest Cain, former Governor David Waiters, Native American Rights activist Kalyn Free, Oklahoma ACLU Executive Director Joann Bell & his dear friend, Linda Gray Murphy. A native of Alva, Oklahoma, he is survived by his mother Berda Murrow, and three brothers, Craig, Kurt and Kyle Smith. FROZEN CRANBERRIES 2. Stir well. 3. Chill for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve... 4. Chill martini glasses with ice and water, 5. Add club soda to mixture. 6. Pour into martini glasses and enjoy. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ! www.ozarksstar.com The STAR 23 ��Congratulations Lawanda Jackson Miss Gay Oklahoma US of A 2007 by Victor Gorin Photo: Center Lawanda Jackson Miss Oklahoma US ofA 2007 & 1st runnerup Alexia" Nicole OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The Copa was filled with excitement as the pageant for Miss Gay Oklahoma US of A came together in all its glory December 7-10. A pageant of Ragfin Productions, this marked the 20th anniversary of the event. Promoted by Regie Finley (a.k.a. Raghenna, Miss Oklahoma US of A 1990) the show featured Alyssa Edwards, the current reigning Miss Gay US of A. It was emceed by Rachael Erikks (former Miss Gay Oklahoma & America)& Reghenna herself, and their campy wit kept it lively. The winners were 2nd Alternate Victoria Weston, 1 st runner-up Alexis Nicole Whimey, and Lawanda Jackson was crowned the new Miss Gay Oklahoma US of A. Both Lawanda and Alexis Nicole will go on to compete for the national title in Dallas May 22-25 of next year. w~#v.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 25 �Dear played, ~ Kitten, it could have been worse, he could have left you with the gift that keeps giving, clap on--clap off. Uncle says count your blessing and remember it for what it obviously was, a holiday romance. Smooches Mikey Kittens: We all can find drama in our life if we try, however the one thing that we seem to forget is that we allow the drama in our life to begin with. You were home from school, lonely during the Christmas rush, and jumped onto stallion number one. You rode him straight through break, only to complain at the dismount. Kitten, selfanalazation might point out that we only deal with what we allow ourselves too. ~-hink about it, you wanted deep penetrating! Well this is as deep as it gets. Smooches Uncle Mikey Salutations and ~velcome to Uncle Mikey 2007! Yes Kittens, it ~vas a holiday triumph once more Kittens, as yours truly entertained, touched, and brought holiday warmth to those around me. According to the lucky, Uncle did all three. As we usher in the New Year, allow us to unite, if only for a moment in holiday cheer. Uncle Mikey, Why do so many people turn the holidays into future stories of drunken escapades? Doesn’t anyone take time to enjoy the true meaning of the season? Holiday-Cheer Dearest Cheer, Kitten, the holiday,s mean something different to everyone. For some it is a deep and meaningful time of their personal faith celebration. W~ile others, look at it as a time for friends and family, We cannot cheapen it by taking away from someone’s personal holiday meaning. Uncle sees the holidays as a bit different still yet. Christmas time for me is a time of white mink against the skin, while given a reason to dress hunk-a-licious men in red, green, and sliver holiday strings. Kitten; just remember that everyone has his or her own reason for the season! Smooches Mikey. Uncle Mikey, I thought I was going to get a commitment ring for Christmas and instead found that my partner is not as ready as I thought after all. It has been a year and still no advancement in the elevation of this relationship. Should I lClnd someone who is as ready as I, or hope that he will come around? Still Looking for Bling--Bling Dearest Bling, Can I get an amen? Uncle Mikey never committed to awthing less than two carats! Smooches Uncle Mikey Uncle Mikey, I was out at a club during my Christmas break from school, when I ran into an old flame from High School. We hooked up and spent some time together. I though we had renewed some old feelings for one another, however, the only thing he left me with was a cold release, when he went back to school, leaving me in the dust. Should I confront him? Trick Played 26 the STAR Uncle Mikey, I started dating this guy a while ago, and while I do enjoy his company for the most part, I think it is that I am more afraid of being alone than being annoyed. It is not that I am a loser. It is that I do not lie to myself. I am not the most intelligent, or even the most desirable. Therefore, my question is this; is it wrong to settle? Only the lonely Dearest Lonely, Kitten Kitten, get off the cross because Madonna needs the wood! It is a shame to hear someone cutting oneself. It is not the package that sells the gift, it is the gift that makes the package. Kitten, we all begin with the simple package that the Gay Gods deliver to us. We make our identity. If you want to look better, it’s called a gym. Want to be a scholar, it’s called education. Want to improve your attitude, It’s called therapy, Bottom line kittens, it is all about self-help in a self-serving world. You can be a player or you can be played. No Kitten, it is not wrong to settle, it is a self-defeating cop out! Smooches Mikey Dear Uncle Mikey, I caught my boyfriend in a lie. After I asked him if he was talking to people on the PC after I was in the bed, I decided to check for myself. I looked and found cookies left from him visiting the infamous site where they pick up booty calls. I didn’t’*=want to tell him I had been dipping into his business so I waited. Well, sure enough he told me that he had to be away on business overnight. After following him to the motel, it was clear what his business was. I have just been sick wondering what to do. Any advice for the betrayed? Seeing Red Dearest Red, Stalk-much? Kitten, a relationship is not worth it if you have to mistrust their every move. Kitten, I would strongly recommend some professional guidance here. I don’t mean spy gear either. Kitten, relationships are only as productive as the players in them. If you feel that yours is not what you want, may I suggest the emergency exit! Smooches Mikey Well, like the trick in the alley, I must slide out once more. Kittens, here is to a New Year- May all of your dreams come true. Wishing you all a very Queer New Year! www.ozarksstar.com �BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro and Combread 2pm, Karaoke 9pm PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-OffContest t2am PEC’S: -"?’Fell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-Off Contest 12am XgCEDNESDA?f Januaq~" !0 THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro xvear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. PEC’S: ~Tell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show !0:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart’Iburnament 10pm TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: \~ieD" Show 10:30pro THO~DA~~ Jarmary il FINISHLINE: Dart~lburnament 10pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erild~s PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart %urnament ! 0pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro CLUB IVlAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks PEC’S: \X;dl drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart’l~3urnament i 0pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 79pro wear leather. CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: KarbOkie host, Pancho 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: ICaraoke 9pro PEC’S: \Vell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament t 0pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wl Rachael Erikks PEC’S: \Yell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent xvlShemoaue Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pm CLUB ROX: Mison Scott Shm~X):30pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Majestic Kings Shmv 10pro. THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm CLUB ROX: Alison Scott, 9:30pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro PEC’S: Mate Dancers, 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast But})t 1 am-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro THE ROCKIES: OGRA Benefit Show 8:30pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pro. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm ~.ozarksstar.com BAMBoo LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Shmv 8:30pro. CLUB ~JESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: I~chael Erik~ Show ! 0:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: 50’s-60’s Sock Hop, BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro Kris Kohl Show 8pm CLUB ROX: Whimey Paige Show 8:30pro. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Christmas Dinnet Served 3pro. Karaoke 9pm. THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm PEC’S: V&ll drinks 2.50 from 79pm wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-Off Contest Midnight. MONDAY Jauuary 15 BAblBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-Tpm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Christmas Dinher Served 3pro. Karaoke 9pro. TUESDAY January 16 ..... PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 79pm wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-OffContest Midnight. PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 79pro wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-Off Contest Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dimcers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pro. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: tLachael Eril~&~ Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 7-gpm wear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro the STAR 27 �"Expect arguments, Sagittarius! ...... Sun and Mercury lining up in Capricorn clash with Saturn in Leo, making egos more important than actual ideas. Remember, you’re more often right if you can admit when you’re wrong! The open mind and humble ego will win in the long run. ARIES (r,~arch 20 o Apri~ 19): Your sense of your own brilliance may lead you to trust in a triumph of your will, but your confidence is a bit inflated and can get you into big trouble. Handle authority gently. Intuitive hunches will soon prove helpful. TAURUS (April 20 - IVlay 20): Tripping over your religious roots? Patriarchal authorities from childhood may still intimidate you or act out through you. See where that’s coming from and focus on humanitarian ideals to rise above it. GEi~IN~ (IVlay 21 - June 20): Your mouth is likely to get you into trouble, but the real problem is your ego. What do you need to prove? Shrewdly measured, carefully considered words will get the point across better, and holding back will nurture your genius. SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 o December 20}: Philosophy and pragmatism are heading for a nasty collision. Your challenge is to stay true to your ideals and to apply them in the real world. It will take some severe adaptation. Expect arguments along the way, and be ready to learn from them! CAPRICORN (December 2t o January 19): A little leather or some dominance games can bring up more than you’ve bargained for. Play with someone you trust enough to step back and explore those issues with. Switch roles? Aggravating sexual problems will soon be easily discussed. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Problems in relationships are bugging you. Take time out to examine the issues, bur remember you can only make changes on your side of the equation. Some rigorous introspection can make others seem more reasonable. PISCES (February 19 - March t9): Your idea of being a good team player may depend too heavily on the notion that your ideas and leadership are best. Focus on humility and attention to others. Still, offer your input - just don’t push! CANCER (June 21 - Ju~y 22): Fussing about debts, those you owe or those owed you, can damage a partnership or friendship. Get those accounts in order, but don’t gripe. A more philosophical approach to these relationships will prove helpful very soon. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Stressing out gets you into arguments with co-workers. Work smarter, not harder, and be nice about their suggestions - whatever you think of them. Success in that.area will help you look and feel sexier wherever you go. VlR60 (August 23 - September 22): If you start feeling old and cranky, try to make a game of it. Exaggerate your complaints whenever you can to make a joke of them. That will make it easier to put things in perspective and open up new opportunities for fun. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You are normally the world’s greatest hostess. Not this week. Put some energy into your community, but keep your home a private _sanctum sanctorum_. Don’t let pessimism get you down; focus that energy into sensible caution. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your clever notions are likely to irritate your boss. In order to get ahead, soften and adjust your ideas to fit the boss’ thinking, but be ready to backpedal as necessary. Your innovations will be more welcome, and more effective, very soon. 28 the STAR SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPUN, ~O FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appointment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our Community Dinner Every Wed. 6pro just $4.00. No one is turned away. www.ozarksstar.com �Arkansas, BentonvillelRogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org .........479-586-1062 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers ....479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Sp~’ings (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. www.diversitypride.com - - 479-253-0200 A Byrd’s Eye View ..... 36 N. Main Caribe Restaurante .... 309 W VanBuren ....... 479-253-8102 -479-253-5795 19 1/2 Spring St- Henri’s Lumberyard Bar&Grill--- 105 E VanBuren ........ 479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 479-981-6060 Spexton ........ 17B Spring Street 75 S. Main Street ......... -479-253-2305 Tiki Torch 800-242-1615 Tradewinds Lodge - 141 W. VanBuren 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 -479-442-5845 Passages ...... 930 N. College Ave- 479-587-9512 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) 479-783-9988 Kinkeads ....... 1004 1/2 Garrison AveKlub XLR8 ...... 1022 Dodson Ave ........... 479-782-9578 479-242-2489 Red Rock City - - - 917 N. "A" St. Arkansas, Hot Springs (50t) 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 -50!-666-6900 Discovery ..... 1021 Jessie Rd501-244-0444 Sidetracks - - - 415 Main St - -North L.R., 501-372-3070 The Factory ...... 412 Louisiana St.-501-375-8580 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol AveKansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club ...... 384 Grant Ave. 785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.-- 1701 S. BroadwayRiver of Life Church.- - 1709 N. Walnut- 620-231-0938 -Service 11AM Kansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40 ..... 3201 S. Hillside ...... 316-682-5494 .316-942-1244 Priscilla’s ..... 6143 W Kellogg DrClub Glacier ......... 2828 E. 31st South ..... -316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) MCC Spirit o1: Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - ...... Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 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 -w~v.hydeskc.com -- 816-561-1010 Missie B’s .... 805 W. 39th St -816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge ..... 424 Boonville Ave ............. 417-831-4700 417-869-3978 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical JR’s Nightclub .... 504 E. Commerical ......... 417-83!-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive - -417-864-4572 417-864-0036 Ronisuz Place .... 821 College-417-873-2225 Rumors---1109 E. Commercial- Oklahoma, Enid (580) 580-242-6838 Hastings Books .... 104 Sunset Priscilla’s........ -4810-A West Garriott....... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Lawton (580) Ingrids Bookstore ..... 1124 NW Cache Rd ...... 580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (918) 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 405-525-7766 CD Warehouse ...... 4001 N. Penn Club Rox....... 3535 NW 39th Expwy.........405-947-2351 Christie’s Toy Box ..... 3126 N. May Ave ....... 405-946-4438 Church of Open Arms ......3131 N. Penn ...... 405-525-9555 Copa ............. 2200 NW 39th Exp ....... -405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave ....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy ....... -405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant ..... 2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........ 2200 NW 39th Exp ....... 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources .... 2312 NW 39th St- -405-521-9696 405-947-2351 Hollywood Hotel .... 3535 NW 39th Exp 405-843-1722 Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th405-524-5733 Jungle Reds ....... 2200 NW ExpwyLedo ............. 2200 NW Expwy......... 405-525-0730 Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ........405-681-5044 -405-942-2199 Partners ......... 2805 NW 36th St 3535 NW 39th Expw ....... -405-947-2351 Pec’s405-525-5165 Red Rock North--- 2240 NW39th St Rudy’s Place ...... 3535 NW39th Expw .......... 405-947-2351 405-601-3711 Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St2125 NW 39th St ...........405-528-4690 The Park. The Rockies ...... 3201 N. MayAve ......... 405-917-1663 -405-947-2351 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th .405-521-9888 Tramps.2201 NW 39th -405-521-9999 Ziggy’s- - 4005 N. PennOklahoma, Tulsa (918) Bamboo Lounge ....7204 E. Pine -918-836-8700 918-712-9955 Border’s Book Store--- 2740 E. 21stBorder’s Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale .......... 918-494-2665 918-584-9944 209 N. BoulderClub 209 918-584-9494 Club Majestic ........ 124 N. Boston .918-835-3301 Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI ......... 918-834-1051 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 621 E. 4th Street ......... 918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge ..... 11730 E. 1 lth ........... 918-437-0449 - - 918-749-8378 HOPE Clinic ....... 3540 E. 31st 9t8-836-8544 Jazz’s Lounge ...... 426 S. Memorial 918-584-3112 Midtown .......... 319 E. 3rdOpenarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood ..... 918-838-7104 918-585-9552 Our House, Too .... 203 N Nogales Ave-7925 E. 41st............. 918-627-4884 Priscilla’s 5634 W. Skelly 918-446-6336 Priscilla’s Priscilla’s 11344 E. 11th .... 918-438-4224 Priscilla’s 2333 E. 71st .............918-499-166t 918-585-3405 Renegades. 1649 S. Main 918-627-1505 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd918-745-9998 St. Michaels Alley...... 3324-L E 31st918-742-9999 Sterling & Co. Salon---1606 E.15th St.Titan’s Lounge .... 6373-C E 31st St918-836-0299 Tulsa CARES .... 3507 E. Admiral PI .......... 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 .918-592-1188 Tulsa Eagle ..... 1338 E. 3rd 9t 8-660-0856 TNT’s 2114 S. MemorialYellow-Brick-Rd ....... 2630 E. 15th .......... 918-293-0304 �NATHAN ANI~ RIBA WklOf9 NOW IN AN UNIT AT MOM~ AI~ YOU OKAY.~ HOW COM~ YOU~I~ IN A bitter girl email: bittergirl@qsyndicate,com 30 the STAR www,joanhilty, net www.ozarksstar.com �EMPLOYMENT NW Arkansas GLBT Community Center "Linking Together as One" OPPORTUNITY ADVERTI SI NES FOR [~3KLAHOMA~ MISSOURI For more information: WWV,7.NWAGLBTCC.ORG www.ozarksstar.com SALES F;~ EPRES E NTATIVE KANSAS OR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 the STAR 31 �� 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 dAN UARY ~ 1 !Y ~nd Business Building From 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com As you brmvse through this months issue, you’ll notice numerous articles on fund-raisers, benefit shows, volunteers ,vorking to build and just people helping people. GLBT people who are giving their time, money and effort to help make another human life better. Many who need help themselves. Giving, is the key issue. This past month seeing and hearing about the many events to raise money for those living with HIV/AIDS, food drives, toys for kids, meals for the home-bound and ~o many other efforts, all within our own community, reminded me of how very proud I am to be a gay man. Wouldn’t it be wonderful ifwe could maintain that giving spirit for the entire year and not just for the holiday season. The spirit should not end on December 26th. Giving, to support those people and organizations who are fighting for equality not only for GLBT’s, but for everyone is another important issue we have to face in this new year. I am very optimistic for 2007. Many have predicted this will be the year we see tremendous gains in equal rights for Gay/Lesbian people. But, we must do our part to insure this happens. We voted! And you see the results. "We can make a difference." This is the year to build on our past achievements and open doors for future generations. As we go to press we got the news that the Governor of New Jersey had signed the bill granting gay and lesbian couples all rights of marriage but the title. This is the third state offering civil unions to gay couples and the fifth allowing gay couples some version of marriage. It’s starting to happen! On behalf of everyone involved with the STAR, I want to wish all of you a great and prosperous New Year. May your lives be filled with the spirit. Dear Chaz, It was exciting and thrilling to see your 3rd ,~mniversary Issue of the Star! Having lived from the Southern most tip of Florida to Northern California, this is just the best publication ever. Your smiling personality continues to spread it’s enthusiasm in this tremendous endeavor. Our community in Joplin, MO and Eureka Springs, AR benefit so much from your publication. I have people in both cities asking ~vhen the next issue is coming out almost as soon as they receive the current one. Ti~ank you so much for a job well done for the four states. Rev. Steve T. Urie, Pastor Spirit of Christ MCC Joplin, MO Chaz, I just saw this month’s magazine and I wanted to send you a note saying "congratulations" on your third anniversary. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you the past few months. I want to thank you for your important contribution to the GLBT con> munity and I wish you much success for many, maW years to come! Joe LaFountaine Board Secretary Little Rock Capitol Pride Dear Editor: I live in Texas and get to both Tulsa and Oklahoma City on business about once a month and never know xvhich bar to go to on any particular night. I noticed in the December issue of the STAR that you have begun to run a special page "AFTERDARI<[" where the bars let everyone knoxv exactly what is going on each night. This is certainly a tremendous help to anyone not living in Oldahoma City or Tulsa and most likely even a great help for those who do! What a great idea! I alxvays read the STAR online and enjoy it. Keep up the good xvork. Sincerely, C. D. Ward Publisher/Editor in Chief Sincerely, Randy Cunningham Dallas, Texas www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 3 NEW# N@N{N, NN~# N~NN, New Direction, Laura Belmonte, President of Otdahomans for Equality Speaks to the Community. Doug Ireland "Why should being Gay be a crime" A retrospective of key moments, personalities, and subjects in LGBT history. Who was Joseph Beam? "The Wine Rack" Cabernet Sauvlgnon on review- page 16 Gay Travelers "Casa de San Pedro" Otit of Town "Buenos Aires" Kitten, it could have been worse, he could have left you with the gift that keeps giving, clap on--clap off. Laura Belmonte.............5 Commentary.............. 11 OUT in Arkansas........... 12 Inspiring Fitness ........... 13 Past Out.................. 14 Tulsa GLBT Center News..... 15 The Wine Rack............. 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: New Tulsa GLBT Center Opens This Month - page 15 4 day Celtic Festival Eureka Springs - page 12 OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK ~ NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVtLLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVlLLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA* WICHITA* PtTTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com NEW HOME. NEW NAME. NEW D RECT ON. An amazing year has just passed for the organization formerly known as Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights / TOHR! As I write, a dedicated team of volunteers is putting the final touches on Phase One of our marvelous new center; Marc Acuff, our new coordinator of the Tulsa Pride and Diversity Celebration is securing corporate sponsors; and the Capital Fund Trustees and the Facilities Committee are drafting new documents and policies to ensure that our building is financially secure and well-maintained for decades to come. From our brilliant IT crew to the immensely creative Design Group, I an awed by the talented and generous individuals who are helping me lead Oklahomans for Equality into an exciting new era. Why the name change? Lots of reasons. For one, Tulsa Otdahomans for Human Rights was an offshoot on an Oklahoma City-based organization that folded over twenty years ago " hence there is no need to saddle ourselves with the awkward Tulsa Oklahomans construct. Another reason is that human rights had a very different connotation in 1980 than it does now. I have often been asked whether our organization does work like Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch. So, we searched for alternatives. We contracted a public relations consultant. We formed focus groups. We spoke to key stakeholders. We listened to a host of opinions. And, after much deliberation and careful consideration, we adopted a new name, a name that encapsulates who we are and what we want: Oklahomans for Equality. Equality is the core of the gay rights struggle. We want equal employment rights, equal housing and health care access, equal pension and veteraffs benefits, equal treatment before the law, and equal legal standing for our intimate, committed relationships. We want equality for all gay, lesbian, bisexuals, and transgender Oklahomans, not just Tulsans. Whatever their race, class, gender, religion, age, or ability status, we want all the members of our diverse and beautiful community to have the liberties promised each and every U.S. citizen. We want equality for our allies too. We cannot expect them to support us if we do not support them. We cannot ignore our common interests. We must harness the collective power of our causes and constituencies. How will we achieve these goals? By forming new partnerships that enable us to serve seniors, youth, those in physical or mental crisis. By offering programs that appeal across the entire spectrum of our community. By broadening our volunteer resources so that any Oklahoraan can call our GLBT helpline "the only one in the state" and find a gay-friendly doctor, a supportive counselor, or simply a place to meet GLBT people. By expanding our advocacy efforts to include allies throughout the state so that we can mobilize hundreds of people for elections, lobbying days, and combating anti-gay and anti-trans discrimination at the local level. We have so much to do and we’ll soon be doing it in one of the largest GLBT centers in the United States. We at Oklahomans for Equality wish you a Happy New Year and express our gratitude for the gift of your support. In Solidarity, Laura Belmonte President, Oklahomans for Equalit3~ (OkEq) Proudly serving "i\lisa & OKC\s GLBT communities since 1982 "At Century 21 Gold Castle our BESTproperties are our PEOPLE’ 430t NW 63rd, Suite 100 City, OK 73116 oldcastle.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 JOHANNESBURG, South Afi’ica__ Vernon Gibbs and Tony Halls got hitched Friday in South Africa’s first gay wedding, a day after the government made same-sex marriage legal. The couple, who run a guest lodge and animal rehabilitation center on the southwestern coast, donned their game-ranger outfits and went down to the local home affairs office in the town of George. In front of marriage officer Petro Kruger they exchanged rings and were pronounced a married couple. LOAVES AND F SHE8 FUND-RAISER BRIGHTENS THE HOUDAY8 AGNR OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__On December 4-5 the Copa Club located in the Habana Hotel celebrated the 16th Anniversary of one of Oklahoma’s most heartwarming fund-raisers, the annual Loaves and Fishes Dinner and Show. This year it was dedicated to the memory of longtime activis.t Keith Smith who passed away November 20,2006. Featuring community icons Sonja Martinez, John Beebe, ToW Sinclair, Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald & Debbie Davies, the benefit raised OVER $5600 for this Catholic Charities ministry which provides meals & other assistance for those home bound by HIV. Judy Riley stated. "I am overcome by the generosity of the people who come to this event every year in support of our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV/MDS. Words cannot express the depth of our appreciation and gratitude to Sonja and all the performers, Nick Post and the Copa Staff, and also all the benefactors." OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The board of directors of the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City has awarded grants to nine local non-profit organizations totaling $50,100. Grantees and their respective award amounts are: Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network (RAIN) $5000; AIDS Support Program/The Winds House $5700; Red Rock Behavioral Health Services/Red Rock North $5400; Northern Lights Alternative $6100; Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma $6100; Guiding Right $5400; Other Options $6400; Latino Community Development Agency $5000; and the HIV/AIDS Legal Resource Project of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma $5000. Since 1998, the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City has distributed more than $333,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations providing critically needed services to individuals living with HIV or AIDS. SAVE THE DATE FORTHE 2007 AIDS WALK OF OKLAHOMA CITY: Sunday, September 30th at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Joplin Organia÷rs Announce Formation Of Long Awaited Gay Lesbian Center. JOPLIN, MO The Joplin Gay & Lesbian Center kick-offdinner was a rousing success on November 20th. Fifty people ate & drank great food, made new friends and saw old ones, and embraced the Center’s goal to raise money to build a community center. Guests were entertained by "Queer Duck," the Mike Reiss video shorts, Charlie Smith, Treasure Love, and the fab-u-lous Miss Latina Carlisle (Miss Gay Joplin 2002), who brought the house down with her version of"Somewhere Over the Rainbo~v." Door prizes included DVD’s of"Dante’s Cove" and "Fixing Frank," tank-top shirts from A & E’s original December movie, "Wedding Wars," and various CD’s, including music from Cirque de Soleil. Greetings and best wishes were offered by leaders ofUCC Family Fellowship, the Joplin Junior Chamber (~e Jaycees), Wal-Mart’s Office of Diversig; and Shekinah Glory Church. President Lee McDaniel spoke about the need for a center here in conservative, rural southwest Missouri to encourage people, especially our youth, to be who they are - and to knmv that we are just normal, everyday people. He reported that the Center has joined the national association of gay & lesbian centers and plans to join the Joplin Chamber of Commerce in order to increase its visibility. The Center also is a member of GLAAD and HRC. The Center extends its thanks to all those involved and to all who attended. Special thanks to all the volunteers, the performers, UCCFF for rental of its building, Mr. David Garrison for the terrific food, the Karpel Group, Corporate Edge Marketing, and to Lee McDaniel at Gold Key Mortgage and Carberry Development Group. The Center’s next major fundraising events will be in February and June 2007. Details will follmv via www.myspace.com/gaylesbiancenter and http://360.yahoo.com/gaylesbiancenter. For more info, please email or call the Center’s President, Lee McDaniel, at gaylesbiancenter@ya~hoo.com or 417-622-7821. The Center, founded in October 2006, may be reached at PO Box 4383, Joplin, MO 64803-4383. New-Jersey Denies Gay Marriage, Passes Civi Unions. TI~NTON, N.J. - Nexv Jersey’s governor signed legislation Thursday December 21 st giving gay couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage alloxved under state law, but not the fltle. When the la\v goes into effect Feb. 19, Ne~vJersey xvill become the third state offering civil re’dons to gay couples and the fifth allowing gay couples some version of marriage. 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 437 E, i41st Street Gtenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) ORDERS BY 12NOON GUARANTEED SAME DAY DELIVERY 8 the ,STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9 Tu san°s B÷s end With 40 Bikes Chi d ÷n Of Pa ÷nts Living With H V/A D$o By Greg Steele P,6oto: 40 Bikes and over 3"00 other itemsf!lled the main bar of the climb. By Victor Gorin TULSA, OK No it’s not a bicycle shop and it’s not a Walmart store. It’s the Bamboo Lounge Tulsa. Bar owners Terry Hood and Stan Smith put the word out in early December that their annual Christmas Drive for the Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. food pantry would not be just another food collection. "Ihis year was for the kids. The goal was a bike for all 30 children of Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. clients. In an interview with Stan Smith he told us "The response was so incredible we had the 30 bicycle’s within a week and more were promised. We then called RAIN to see if any of their clients had children, there were five he was told. We have 35 bikes and five extra that I’m sure the two organizations will find homes for." Smith said. In addition to the bicycles, toys, non-perishable food items, toiletries, maW other gifts were donated. Well over 300 items filled the main bar of the club. The Tulsa Rough Riders also held a raffle and donated the proceeds. The 30 children of "/\~sa C.A.R.E.S. clients ages are 6 girls and 5 boys under the age of seven. 7-11 years of age, 3 female and 4 male. Ages 12-15 there are 4 girls and 8 boys. Some are themselves HIV positive but all are affected by the difficult lives of their parents living with HIV/AIDS. The majority of Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. and RAIN HIV/AIDS clients are living below the poverty line and don’t have the means to provide a decent Christmas for their children. \VTe talked with Michael at Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. after the truck loads of gifts and food items had been delivered and he told us, "We thought it was going to be just another Christmas for the kids, and then these folks come along with this wonderful gift. It will certainly make a big difference for them on this special day of the year for children" There is going to be a lot of happiness and smiling faces in the homes of those who have so much hardship. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Club Rox located in the Hollywood Hotel and Suites held a Masquerade Ball fund-raiser for Red Rock Saturday, December 16. Featuring entertainer Alison Scott, it was organized by Hollywood crew member Beaux Leaf, proceeds from the fund-raiser would go to help Red Rock deliver meals to home bound people living with HIV/MDS. The event was great success and for a very worthy cause. Pictured above is an anonymous donor who gave $100. SPECIAL WORSHIP CELEBRATION HONORING DR. KING AND THE GLBT COMMUNITY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK___On Sunday, January 14 at 10:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. Church of the Open Arms will host a special service with a renowned guest preacher, the Reverend Dr. Randall C. Bailey. He is a professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, has lectured throughout the United States and abroad, and also has gained attention with his recent article, "Sanctified Hatred: Why Banning Same Sex Marriage is Wrong." This service is co-sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, P-Flag OKC and the Peace House, and the public is invited. The theme says it all, "Peace ~vith Justice for M1- God has a Dream." Human rights leaders Clara Luper and the Reverend Orra Compton will be honored at the service. ~xis will be a landmark service, honoring not only the late Dr. King, but all people seeking equality including the GLBT community. It will coincide with the Oklahoma City Martin Luther King Parade which will be held the following day beginning at 2 p.m., at N.W. 7th Street & Robinson. 10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com a crib÷? In 75 countries being gay is still a crime. French activist Louis-Georges Tin, founder of the International Day Against Homophobia, hopes to change that by having the United Nations adopt a resolution calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality worldwide. Tin spoke to The Advocate ahead of a press conference in Paris where he announced the news. By Doug Ireland On November 17 the Paris-based International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) will launch a global campaign for a United Nations resolution declaring that homosexuality should no longer be considered a crime anywhere in the world. The proposed U.N. resolution is the brainchild of IDAHO’s founder, Louis-Georges Tin, 32, a professor and author of a number of books (including the Dictionary of Homophobia) who is also a rising star of France’s emerging black movement for equality. Tin will simultaneously release a list of hundreds ofVIP endorsers of the proposed U.N. resolution, including a gaggle of Nobel Prize winners (among them, Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Dario Fo of Italy, Elfriede Jelinek ofAustria, and Amartya Sen of India); political leaders, including two former French prime ministers (Laurent Fabius and Michel Rocard); academics (such as Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman and world-famous sociologist Richard Sennett); entertainers (such as Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep, David Bowie, Edward Norton, Mike Nichols, Lily Tomlin, actor-playwright Wallace Shawn, humorist Bruce Vilanch, and Spanish actress Victoria Abril); and a host of renowned writers, including Doug Wright, Jon Robin Baitz, Salman Rushdie, Gore Vidal, Sir Tom Stoppard, ToW Kushner, Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, Russell Banks, Bernard-Henri Levy, John Berendt, Lady Antonia Fraser, Christopher Hitchens, Michael Chambon, Peter Carey, and Edmund White. Getting the U.N. to commit to universal decriminalization of homosexuality is destined to become the central objective of the international LGBT movement for the next decade. Tin spoke to The Advocate. What chance do you think this resolution has of passing the U.N.? Many people believe such a resolution is beyond reach. I personally don’t. Why? Because there is already U.N. jurisprudence in our favor. In 1994, Mr. Toonen, a citizen ofTasmania, who had been condemned for same-sex relationships, won his case in what was then the U.N. Commission on Human Rights--it said his arrest was a breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the right of privacy. So we just ask the U.N. to extend this jurisprudence to other countries--75 in the world!--where same-sex relationships are still forbidden. There’s recent evidence that this is not as utopian a project as it might seem at first glance: In October this year, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that the imprisonment in Cameroon of 11 men who’d been caught in a raid on a gay bar on charges of homosexuality was "an arbitrary deprivation of liberty" that violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That’s encouraging. How will you and IDAHO work for its passage? The campaign for the U.N. resolution will have two main components. An external media campaign to raise awareness within public opinion and governments will begin with the November 17 unveiling of a petition--for which VIP signatures are now being gathered--on IDAMO’s \geb site, ww~v.idahomophobia.org. Also, a host of international and country organizations have already signed on as cosponsors of the campaign for the resolution, like the International Lesbian and Gay Association and France’s Ligue des Droits de l’Homme. The second battle has to be waged within the new U.N. Council on Human Rights. \re have to lobby the states that are members and ask them to support the resolution or at least not to vote against it. We are talking with the government of South Africa, which is a member of the council to sponsor the resolution. South Africa was the first country in the world to include the principle of nondiscrimination against gays and lesbians in its constitution- and their sponsorship would show that LGBT rights are not just a "Western issue." What exactly does the resolution say? The text I wrote asl~ for a universal decriminalization of homosexuality. It is very clear, easy, and simple, and based solely on the articles of the U.N.’s Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights that were used to justify the decision in the Toonen case. I did not want to write a philosophical text on the issue, because an argument that may be relevant in one country will certainly be irrelevant in another one. We need a common language to support human rights. What could be more relevant and more international than the Universal Declaration of Human Rights itself?. Why did you choose this moment to launch this campaign? ~l}le Toonen case was ruled on 12 years ago, soI thought it was high time that LGBT organizations decided to take advantage of it at the U.N. To be honest, I fail to see any issue that could be more important than this one for LGBT organizations. On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization decided that homosexuality could no longer be regarded as a disease, which is why I chose that date for the International Day Against Homophobia. The first IDAHO was only celebrated in 2005, so we really couldn’t do anything before that--but now our organization has spread to more than 50 countries and been endorsed by the European Parliament, so I think we are ready to go farther. Look, gays and lesbians around the world cannot wait any longer for their love to cease being made a crime. Many are in jail, or at risk of being jailed. Some are being killed. 7his has to stop now. Ireland is a veteran political journalist who can be reached through his blog, DIRELAND, at Direland.typepad.com/direland/ www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 Four Day Celtic Festiva Eureka Springs EUREKA SPRINGS, AR~ PaperMoon Attractions presents Celtic Connections Eureka, a four-day festival celebrating Celtic heritage, music, poetry, food and drink as the clans overtake the tiW hamlet of Eureka Springs January 18 - 21, 2007. Timed for the birthday bash for the great Robert Burns, the "Bard of Scotland", Celtic Connections Eureka calls to celto-philes from the seven nations hither and yon. In these Ozark Highlands you’ll immerse yourself in the color and heritage of this rich world culture, as entertainers, crafters and historians from far and way create an experience designed to enrich your appreciatior{ and knowledge of Celtic traditions. The traditional Robert Burns Night Suppers are scheduled for Thursday and Friday evenings, with the Friday night dinner featuring a few extra touches including music and stories by Ed Miller, modern bard of Scotland and Scottish folksong preservationist. tartan attire, the seven Celtic nations, demonstrate musical instruments, and more. "11artanic, the bagpipe comedy theater band from Houston who took Eureka Springs by storm last January; returns for Friday night’s concert at the City Auditorium. If you’re not planning to go to Arizona in February, this may be your last chance to enjoy the amazing Tartanic experience. added Eureka Springs to thei~ growing fan base when they performed last year. Rowan will also perform Sunday morning at the Crescent Hotel’s Sunday Brunch. Also joining the event will be Arkansas Celts Tinker’s Dam and the Crooked Creek Irish Dancers from Harrison and award-winning Celtic Heartstrings Linda Brocldnton and Brenda Ramsey from Alexander playing traditional music on mountain dulcimer and flute. Throughout the weekend guests will have a chance to enjoy all the workshops, multiple music sessions and concerts, "The Gypsy Faire" vendor market, along with Celtic-flavored special offerings by area pubs and restaurants. All-Day Tickets are: $28 for Thursday including the Burns Night Supper; $25 for Friday’s events (without the Burns Supper); $45 or $80 per couple for Friday’s events, including the Burns Night Supper; $25 for Saturday’s events. For more information and to purchase tickets online see www. EurekaCelts.com or call 866-363-9545. Both evenings’ dinners are hosted by the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel Crystal Dining Room where the setting provides the Castle-like backdrop for all the pomp and circumstance. This annual, around-theworld birthday tribute to the life, ~vorks and spirit of Robert Burns is the 9th year for this event in Eureka Springs. The evening promises highland pipes, poetry and pride, the traditional Scottish dinner with roast beef and haggis, the drinking of Scotch whiskey and the recitation of Burns works, along with general merry-making and songsinging. "Robert Burns was truly the voice of the Scots. Any ethnic group will collect around a cultural voice and for the Scots who endured British oppression for centuries, Burns covered the whole spectrum of life in those ages," says Bruce Crabtree, author and historian, who will be performing "Robert Bruce’s March to Bannockburn" in traditional attire and full brogue. Crabtree will also present a workshop about the Gads during the festival, along with other workshop presenters who will discuss the Scots and Irish influence in the Ozarks, traditional "Eureka Springs can look forward to a pretty unique act," said Adrian Walter, the band’s lead, who also teaches theatre and dance in Houston, Texas. "The audience will see that bagpipes can go way beyond funerals," he quipped. "It’s like a rock and roll unplugged bagpipe theatre show without a plot. We do a fully audience integrated show that goes against the usual band formula." Tartanic will be right at home with the Eureka Springs culture. How does one describe Tartanic? "hnagine one dancer, six drums, six drones, 18 notes, fast fingers, high comedy, flying bagpipes, taste-defying stunts, scorching hot music played at over 120 beats per minute with driving speed and high volume, all brought to you by five men without pants." Also on the bill with Tartanic is Beth Patterson, Celtic singer-songwriter from Ne~v Orleans. Patterson, whose sound and style has been compared to Loreena McKennitt, also performs on Saturday night at the City Auditorium with Ed Miller and with Rowan, a traditional Celtic trio from Kansas who ANNOUNCING 2007 D VERSITY WEEKEND DATES Eureka 8pdngs, Arkansas VALENTINE’S DIVERSITYWEEKEND Friday, Feb 16, 2007 - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 SPRING DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, April 13, 2007 - Sunday, April 15, 2007 SUMMER DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Aug 3, 2007 - Sunday Aug 5, 2007 FALL DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Nov 2, 2007 - Sunday, Nov 4, 2007 For more information go to: www.diversitypride.com 12 the STAR w~v.ozarksstar.com in the morning and stress at night; stress is that thing I just can’t fight. Or can you? Happiness is knowing that you can control the impact stress has on your life. This is important since stress has been linked to 70% of all illnesses. In addition, stress is directly related to negative health behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse, and to psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression. This is no good my friends! Pay close attention and I’ll make it all feel better! Most stress is caused by inadequate time management. What do you want out of life? Write it all down on paper and then go back and prioritize. You can’t do it all so you will need to leave some of the items on the editing floor. Make a schedule of what you want to do each day or week and then stick to this schedule like a dutiful liege. Monitor this schedule and make changes accordingly as time marches on. It sounds so doggone simple but most of you do not listen to this sage advice. YOu watch American Idol when you should be washing the dishes or you gossip ad infinitum with Patty and Selma when you should be giving the dog his much needed bath. Don’t waste time on this pettiness unless of course you like this pettiness and it is part of your schedule. When you don’t prioritize and you try to force 36 hours into a 24 hour day, the first item up for sale is sleep. Did you know that lions sleep about 20 hours each day. ~lhat is quite fascinating but you will not need exactly that much of the forty winks! The average human adult needs between seven and eight hours of repose per night. You might believe you can maintain much less sleep than that each evening but stress will eventually get the better of you over the years. The Grim Reaper wilt just bide his time. The following are numerous suggestions for pleasant dreams: 1) Go to bed at the same time each night. 2) Don’t exercise right before bedtime. 3) Avoid eating meals shortly before lights out. A light snack is fine. 4) Do not watch TV in the bedroom. 5) Sleep in a cooler than normal room. 6) Avoid excessive alcohol. It causes restless sleep. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy! You don’t exactly want to emulate Jack Torrance at the Overlook Hotel. I could spout off a whole slew of abominable statistics and enlighten you on how much more that people are now working than they were fifty years ago. But I won’t. You are certainly keenly aware of this situation. When time is at a premium, the factors most neglected are personal health, relationships with the kiddies, and marriage or romantic time with the significant other. Recreation and leisure should be important components of your daily schedule. Why do you think the Japanese live so long? They work so much less than us Americanos and they love their play time. You can make your millions by the age of 40 but it ain’t gonna help ya if the stress sends ya packing early for that plot of land in Boot Hill. Be sure to factor in some moderate sessions of shenanigans along life’s yellow brick road! There are several relaxation techniques that might help you push your stress to the back of the line. The nominees for outstanding relief methods are the quick fix, prayer, and positive thinking. The quick fix means taking a five minute time out from the rat race. Go to a quiet spot, loosen your clothing, remove your shoes, and shut your eyes. Inhale deeply for about five seconds and then exhale slowly for about ten seconds. Repeat this several times. Now mentally picture something pleasant like a lake, a cloud, or Jamaica. Keep relaxing and breathe deeply. After five minutes, stretch briefly and head back to the real world with renewed vi.gor. The next technique is prayer. Studies have indicated that prayer can decrease blood pressure and can be a tremendous source of comfort. Prayer can provide confidence to function more effectively and thus reduce stress from your rigors of life. Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant, Wiccan, or Taoist. It makes no difference. Try embracing the power of prayer. Finally there remains positive thinking. This is simple but not always followed. Do whatever it takes to create a positive mood when you have excessive stress. You do not want to dwell on any negative feelings. Always picture the positive side of life. Those that do this are those who prosper. Stress can be indeed harmful; stress can be quite a mighty hell; Stress ye now know must be managed for ye to be well! Ron Blake is a Certified Personal Trainer and Owner of Blake Fitness in Phoenix. He can be reached at 480-241-5651 or on the web at www.blakefitness.com. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13 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. was . osepb Beam? African-American author and activist Joseph Beam secured his place in GLBT literary history as the editor of In the Life, a groundbreaking anthology of works by black same-gender-loving men. Beam was born December 30, 1954, in Philadelphia. With his working-class parents struggling to ensure that their only child received a good education, he attended Catholic preparatory and high schools, where he was one of only a few black students. He later studied journalism at Franklin College, a small Baptist college in Indiana. Influenced by the civil rights and Black Power movements, he was an active member of the Black Student Union. After graduating in 1976, he pursued a Master’s degree in communications and stayed in the Midwest, working at odd jobs for a few years, before returning to his native city. Back in Philadelphia in the early 1980s, Beam got a job at Giovanni’s Room, a GLBT bookstore. He began writing news articles, personal essays, poetry, and short stories for publications such as _The Advocate, Body Politic, Gay Community News, and the New York Native, Much of his work reflected on the life experiences of black gay men, criticizing both the racism of the mainstream white gay and lesbian movement and the homophobia of the black community. In 1984, the Lesbian and Gay Press Association honored him with an award for outstanding achievement by a minority journalist. Beam also maintained ongoing correspondence with prisoners, which he later attributed to his "deep sense ofmy own imprisonment as a closeted gay m,an and an oppressed Black man." Having ensconced himself in the GLBT literary scene - and having met numerous 14 the STAR authors and community leaders - Beam was disappointed about the lack of black male voices. \York by white gay writers addressed three camps, he claimed: "the incestuous literati of Manhattan and Fire Island, the San Francisco cropped-moustache-clones, and the Boston-to-Cambridge politically correct radical faggots. None of them spoke to me as a Black gay man." While some of the leading lights of the Harlem Renaissance - such as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Richard Bruce Nugent - were knoxvn or believed to have been {gay or bisexual, Beam found that contemporary xvorks by black samegender- loving men were fexv and far between. "By mid-1983 1 had grown weary of reading literature by xvhite gay men," he xvrote. "More and more each day, as I looked around the xvell-stocked shelves of Giovanni’s Room...I wondered xvhere xw~s the work of Black gay men." Beam therefore began collecting material for his pioneering anthology, in many cases nurturing the budding talents of men who had never before ~vritten for publication. He said that In the Life, published by Alyson Publications in 1986, spoke for "the brothers whose silence has cost them their sanitT," as well as the "2,500 brothers who have died of AIDS." Beam regarded the book as a tool for organizing and community building. His oxvn essa}; "Brother to Broti~er," extolled friendship, love, and eroticism among black men as a means of self-affirmation and group solidarity in the face of the pain and anger that arose from dealing xvith a xvhite GLBT movement that failed to address the concerns of people of color, and a heterosexual black community, that refused to accept queer men. "I cannot go home as xvho I am and that hurts me deeply," he wrote. "Aren’t aH hearts and fists and min~ds needed in this struggle or will this faggot be tossed into the fire?" and relieving Black women Dom the role of primary nurturers in our commmxity;" he wrote. "For too tong we have expected from Black women that which we could only obtain from other men...I dare us to dream that we are xvorth wandng each other. Black men loving Black men is the revolutionary act of the eighties." One source of inspiration for Beam xvas the work of black lesbian feminist writers such as Audre Lorde. "I dream of Black men loving and supporting other Black men, An activist as well as an author, Beam worked as a consultant for the Gay and Lesbian ~ask Force of tile American Friends Service Committee. He helped resurrect the flagging National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays - originally founded in 1978 - joining the executive committee and editing the organization’s journal, Black/Out. Beam died of complications related to AIDS in December 1988, just three days shy of his 34th birthday. Though his life was brief, Beam’s influence was far-reaching. He served as both an inspiration and a mentor, promoting the idea that "visibility is survival." After his death, Beam’s mother and his fi-iend Essex Hemphill completed a second anthology of black gay men’s writing, _Brother to Brother_ (1991), which Beam was working on xvhen he died. Hemphill also remembered Beam in a memorial poem, "When My Brother Fell": He burned out his pure life force to bring us a chance to love ourselves... Forfiwther reading: Beam, Joseph (ed.). 1986. _in the Life:A Black Gay Anthologo,_ (Alyson). Harris, E. Lynn (ed.). 2004. _Freedom in this Village: Twenty-Five Years ofBlack Gay 2]/Ien’s Writing_ (Carroll & Graf). Hemphill, Essex (ed.). 1991. _Brother to Brother: New IN’itings by Black Gay Men_ (Alyson). www.ozarksstar.corn NEW CENTER OPENS gH S MONgH It’s been a long journe?; but the finish line is in sight. O-klahomans for Equality (OkEq) xvill open the permanent Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 621 E. 4th Street, this month January 2007. The new Center, at 18,000 square feet, is one of the largest in the nadon and will be filled with nexv OkEq community programs, meeting rooms and spaces for community organizations, reception areas, educational, legal 8¢ xvellness services, the Events Center and much more! You’ll be xvelcomed in the Robert S. Cisar Lobby. With 14’ beamed ceilings, the front hall of the nexv Center features the reception area, an expanded Pride Store, OkEq offices and the original safe of the 1920’s building. Adjacent to the front hall is the Great Halt. The Great Hall " the living room" for the community is approximately 1,800 square foot of open space. A great space for receptions, parties and more, complete xvith a ~tchen, the space is a warm and inviting environment for the communi~: Through the rear lobby and to the right are the Gallery and Conference Rooms. With community groups and organizations in mind, the Gallery and Conference Room can hold small, medium and large groups. You’ll be surrounded by the art of coinmunity members in the Gallery while the Community Room features a floor to ceiling glass wall. Come up the elevator in the rear lobby and you xvill arrive in the Recreation Lounge. Around the corner, you’ll be welcomed into an expanse for the communits: The Nancy &Joe McDonald Rainboxv Library features over 3,000 GLBT tides. A new xveekly Legal Clinic and Counseling office is adjacent to the library. The David Bohnett CyberCenter has 10, flat-screen, DSL computer stations free to the public. The nexv, light-filled \Vellness Center, with planned yoga and meditation session and dance lessons \vill feature many new additional programs for the communi~: Past a relaxing lounge next to the Cyber- Center is the KidsCorner. Featuring xvritable walls and a mural, KidsCorner also has an interior window to keep watch of your little ones. You’ll see history on display in the Dennis Neill &John Southard History Project Room, as well as be able to look-over historical documents. The Health Testing office offers free HIV testing 3 times per xveek xvhile syphilis testing is offered once a month. The Community Office Area xvill xvelcome small desk/office areas for organizations, as well as a meeting space. The sumptuous Board Room, loo-king out over 4th Street can easily seat 12 to 25 indMduals. And there is still another 8,000 square feet! Back on the street level is the Events Center. Able to seat nearly 200 people for a luncheon or dinner, the nearly 3,000 square foot space comes complete xvith a catering kitchen, a separate entry, facilities and a clerestory windoxv nearly the len~h of the space. The Kenosha Suite, xvith approximately 1,500 sq. ft. of space and the 4th Street frontage of 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space xvill help invigorate the East End of downtown Tulsa. The nexv year of 2007 xvelcomes a nexv home, a new name and nexv direction for OHahomans for Equality. We xvelcome you to visit the new community center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa, be involved xvith your community and join us as we continue our 26-year history of working for GLBT equality. Oldahomans for Equality (OkEq) 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 Center. 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. ,J VmNW.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 CaVe.net Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in many regions where red wine is made: Southern France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Rumania in Europe; Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and California in the New World. Wherever it is grown you find reliable, quality, drinkable wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is at the heart of most Bordeaux red wines, often blended with Merlot; they are the benchmark against which other producers judge their products. At the upper end of the market, the Bordeaux chateaux, such as Margaux and Haut-Brion, reign supreme, but there is increasing competition from Australia and California. At the bottom end of the market, Bordeaux is struggling to compete. Examples from Latin America, Australia and Eastern Europe consistently offer an excellent drinking experience and value for money. Cabernet Sauvignon is a fairly small, thick skinned, tannic, dark red grape that crops well in suitable growing conditions. It survives cold winters and well-drained soils but does need adequate sunshine in order to ripen fully. ~he grape’s thick skin makes it resistant to spoiling by rain and attack by insects, around harvest time, which helps to ensure ripeness before picking and to maintain yields. ~-he predominant flavor is blackcU~i but it also can exhibit black cherry, cedar, leather and tobacco notes, depending on where it is grown. Because of its high tannin content, it has good ageing potential (five to ten years) and is often matured in oak barrels to enhance the flavor. ~-he effect of contact with oak modifies the tannin structure, leading to smoother, elegant, more complex wines. Whether as a varietal or blended with Merlot, Sangiovese, Shiraz or Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon is always a popular choice for informed lovers of red wine. Foods that pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon: duck, spicy beef, pate, rabbit, roasts, spicy poultry, cheddar, blue cheese, sausage, kidneys, pasta with tomato sauce and foods that are meaty, pungent or spicy. This year there are some exceptional Cab’s out there this year including; Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages 2000 Justin Justification Paso Robles 2003 Irony Napa 2002 Beringer Napa 2002 Snoqualmie Columbia Valley 2004 Visit your favorite wine shop, bring a bottle & a dish and we’ll see ya there!! Devre 1 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Past m this tiny and we do m~fi TINY ~ommfinity mVfi; kitchen j( they prepare the food. [[he so ~’0~ V[,ilt leave full. Karl and In the afternoons, they bake flesh pasrry/pk One night they drove us m Bisbee which is about 20 miles away. Bisbee is a very old mining town that has a lot of character. We dined at the Striped Stocking and had a wonderful evening. Bisbee ~s lust a very small town but has a very" active gay population. 1o800o535oAIDS (2437) minute OraQuick Test * Free Syphillis screening at the GLBT Community Center on Tuesdays from 6-Spin H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic Outreach Program Tulsa at {918) 812-7045 18 the STAR www.ozarksstar.c0m to P pnngs By Donald Pile and Ray Williams ings begiIi on Valentine~ Da?; FebruaD, rants in .~nerica and we certainly agree. Friday- Febru;apt 16, 2007 4 pm to 5:30 pm - Readings at the Melvyr~ is open ~br hmch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 to 3pro. Quee~ 0fHeart~ Hotel. Dinner is served daily 6 to 1 lpm. Lhampagn~ Brunch is served Saturday 2 February 17, 2007 3 pm - Book Signing at the Pepper- Saturday a,~d Sunday 9am to 3 pm. "Ilaeir web site is: www.inglesi- tree Bookstore. deim~.com. For reservations call (760)325-2323. Please contact Joanna or Denise ~br Reservations and information: By E-maiI: Casitas@CasitasLaquita.com Phone: 760) 416-9999 - Toll Free: (877) 203-3410 w~,,~v.ozarksstar.com the STAR 19 Fringing the ocean, Starwood Iqotels’g[amorolls andgay-J}iendly Atlantic resort has been a keyfeature ofFort Lauderdale’s stunning redevelopment. (P,~oto by Andrew Collins) January 2007 \vgith progressive attitudes on social issues and a spirited, chic style that evokes Paris, Rome, and New York City, buoyant Buenos Aires has become the GLBT capital of Latin America. In this distinctly European-feeling city, the worlds of high fashion, haute cuisine, and tango come together, and an unstable economy has become a boon for visitors from other nations, because it’s led to favorable foreign-currency exchange rates. Indeed, what was not long ago the most expensive capital city in South America has become one of the cheapest major metropolises in the world. This city of nearly 3 million (12 million live in the metro region) sits along the southern bank of the Rio de la Plata, a wide estuary that forms the border between Argentina and Uruguay. Spanish conquistadors established a foothold here in the early 1500s, and the city retains close ties to Europe - many _Portenos_ (as residents are known) have Spanish and Italian lineage, and significant numbers also trace their roots to Germany, Great Britain, Russia, and France. This is very much an international destination, and Buenos Aires has fol!owed the lead of many European cities by actively courting GLBT tourists (the tourism office produces an excellent gay brochure and map) and legalizing same-sex civil unions. North Americans are sometimes deterred from traveling to Buenos Aires by steep airfares (which typically range from around $800 to $1,200 round-trip), but once you’re actually in Argentina, the cost of travel is so amazingly low that you can easily spend less on a vacation here than you would in western Europe or the Caribbean. Also consider that during slower times, some airlines’ frequent flyer programs offer round-trip flights here for as few as 40,000 miles offpeak (typically March through May and again mid-August through November, which are perfectly pleasant times to visit). Prices for most goods - as well as food and cocktails, taxis, electronics, and many other items - are generally 40 to 70 percent less than in the United States. Look for especially great deals on leather goods (from wallets to jackets), and enjoy the shockingly low prices of fine steaks and wines (two products for which Argentina is justly renowned) at great restaurants. Buenos Aires (aka B.A.) is a sprawling city, but because cabs are easy to hail on the street and extremely inexpensive, they’re a very practical way to make your way around. This is also a generally safe and enjoyable city to explore on foot. The central neighborhoods of Microcentro, Congreso, and Retiro are typical business and commerce centers, and nearby Recoteta is a wealthy hub of high-end hotels and ritzy apartment towers. In these areas you’ll find many of the city’s top museums, performing arts venues, and political buildings, but you need to venture farther afield to get to know gay B.A. Start xvith a walk through Barrio Norte, a busy and bustling district with a sizable gay presence and loads of fine clothing, home-fur- ¯ nishings, and electronics stores along the main drag, Avenida Santa Fe. The most charming neighborhoods for exploring, however, are Palermo and the adjacent Palermo Viejo - the latter has the most pronounced GBLT presence in Buenos Aires. Narrow cobblestone streets lined with uber-chic boutiques, snazzy wine bars, Euro-inspired cafes, and offbeat galleries abound in both neighborhoods. but particularly in Palermo Viejo. Another district with gay cachet is San Telmo, which is close to downtmvn and whose elegantly faded 19th-century buildings, many of them former tenements, now contain a fabulous array of antiques dealers plus a growing number of hip restaurants. Among the many superb restaurants in Palermo Viejo, don’t miss Bar Uriarte, a sexy lounge with a convivial garden in back and outstanding brick-oven pizzas and innovative tapas; and Mott, a gorgeous, minimalist restaurant with high ceilings, stylish decor, and fantastic wines and healthful, light food. The beautifully modern space occupied by Miranda Restaurant fills up each evening with devotees of the kitchen’s delicious steaks and chops. Freud & Fabler is an intimate place that’s a great bet for creative Mediterranean-inspired fare, and sleek Olsen has earned a loyal following for both its intriguing people-watching and delicious Scandinavian food (there’s also a huge vodka selection). If you’re just looking for a spot with free Wi-Fi and light breakfast and lunch fare, stop by gay-popular Mark’s Deli, a dapper little place with a pretty garden, or old-world Bartok, a graceful Euro-style coffeehouse with 20 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com sidewalk seating overlooking the edge of busy Plaza Palermo Viejo. Bartok serves tasty salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Other gustatory highlights around Buenos Aires - and this is just a tiny sampling - include Milion, an uber-modern resto-lounge in Barrio Norte, and Bond, one of the gay-friendliest of the many excellent restatlrants in snazzy Recoteta, serving an eclectic menu of sushi, Mediterranean-inspired tapas, and modern Argentinean fare. To sample the tender steaks for which Argentina is known, head just around the corner to E1 Mirasol, which is tourist}, but absolutely dependable for outstanding beef. Owned by the same talented folks who operate Bar Uriarte, Gran Bar Danzgn is one of Recoleta’s trendiest wine bars, serving outstanding Continental and Latino food, too. As expected in a large, gay-friendly metropolis, Buenos Aires has a vibrant nightlife scene, although maW bars and clubs are only popular on certain nights of the week. It’s best to ask around to learn which are likely to be busy (or even open) on a given evening - also keep in mind that most places don’t get going until 2 or 3 in the morning (although they often remain busy until dawn). The majority of B.A.’s "gay" nightlife options draw a mix not only ofwomen and men but, in many cases, gays and straights - this is a city where folks ftom all walks of life seem to revel quite happily together. Some of the larger dance clubs include the aptly named GLAM in Barrio Norte, long-running Contramano in Recoleta, and see-andbe- seen Alsina in the Monserrat district. More intimate yet still highly popular bars and lounges worth checking out are Kim y Noyak, a cozy and stylish Palermo Viejo hangout that also serves good food; Sitges, which is also in Palermo Viejo and presents lively drag shows; and Bach Bar, a mostly lesbian spot in Barrio Norte. Buenos Aires also has a few bathhouses, the most popular being Buenos Aires A Full, in Barrio Norte. Prices of accommodations in Buenos Aires vary wildly, as the large and often very impressive international hotels, which appeal to business travelers and well-heeled tourists, tend to charge rates comparable to those in other major world capitals. Among the city’s best high-end hotels, the relatively new Park Hyatt, which opened in 2006, is an absolute treasure, its rooms sleekly and artfully designed, and its restaurants, courtyard patio, wine-and-cheese bar, and spa all top-notch. The Hyatt’s well-trained, thoughtful staffwhisks about, tending to guests’ every need. In the same neighborhood of Recoleta, the classic Alvear Palace Hotel has been serving discerning travelers since it opened in 1932 - the elegant rooms are among the largest in the city. In Palermo Viejo, Bo Bo is a smart boutique hotel with moderately priced, avant-garde rooms and an excellent restaurant popular with models and celebs. The intimate FIVE hotel contains - despite its name - 16 rooms, each done with handsome, contemporary furnishings, but the big draw here are the extensive common areas, including a lovely rooftop sundeck with great city views and a hot tub. Charming owner Adriana Teplixke and her knowledgeable staff can recommend great places to shop and eat, and rates here are quite reasonable, beginning around $100 nightly. If you’re on a budget, consider Palermo Viejo’s absolutely wonderful, gay-owned Bayres B&B, where it feels like staying vdth kind (and knowledgeable) friends in their simple but pleasant home. Rates (which run from $35 to $65 per night) include full breakfast, and there’s free high-speed Intemet and cable TV in every room, and private or shared bathrooms. Considering that Bayres costs hundreds less per night less than some of the city’s fanciest hotels, it’s truly an amazing bargain. Aiad with the money you save on rooms, you can invest in such heady pleasures as haute couture and cuisine - if you’re a serious shopper, bring along an empty suitcase to fill with your bounty. Owasse Community Theatre Opens The New Year With "StuaR Little" OWASSO, OK__Rehearsals have begun for the O~vasso Community Theatre’s presentation of Stuart Little by E.B. White, and performance dates have been scheduled for January 19-21 and 25- 27, 2007 at the Mary Glass Performing Arts Center in Owasso. All performances will occur at 7:00PM except the matinee on January 21st which will occur at 2:00PM. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 JANUARY 2007 "Resolve to Take Action" Well, it’s 2007, but many of us will probably be dating our checks 2006 for weeks to come. Old habits - 365 days worth - die hard, but soon the 2007 mental pathway will be established, and our dating habits (the written ones, anyway) will be corrected. Looking back, 2006 was quite a year. LOGO, the gay cable network, and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association came up with their top 10 stories. It’s an interesting but not too surprising list, including everything from Outgames/Gay Games to Soulforce’s Equality Ride to Oscar coming out on Brokeback Mountain to Ted Haggard falling on his face (let alone from grace) to Mark Foley’s page folly to the Dems bringing democracy, back to Capitol Hill. I’m not about to rehash and recap - you can go to LOGOonline. corn and watch the four-part series complete with music, graphics, and Jason Bellini as anchor. My thoughts are on our future - what 2007 has in store for the community and for me, and even better, what we have in store for 2007. Personally; once the cast comes offmy ruptured right bicep tendon (when you’re almost 49, playing with the dog can be dangerous), I plan to segue physical therapy into future trips the gym. I’m one of those dykes who can put on weight just by thinking about it, and as I start my ascent to 50 1 really want to try and get back into some sort of shape. If any of you girls (or guys) have suggestions or secrets to share, just let me know. I’m open. Also, 2007 gives me the opportunity to tell my partner, Lynn, how much she means to me. Let your partner know how you feel, too - how important they are to you, how dreary your life wonld be without them, how much you love them. The new year also gives all of us the opportunity to let our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues know how much our partners mean to us. I’m not talking about being all mushy all the time at work or at family gatherings. I am talking about being clear about your life, who you live with, how you identify. If there was ever a year to come out and build on our achievements, this is it. The more that people know us and feel connected with us, the more likely they are to stand beside us as allies and fight for our rights. It’s all about building relationships and normalizing straight people’s perceptions ofwho we are. With a new Congress (let’s all pray for Sen. Tim Johnson’s [D-S.D.] full recovery), and the president’s final two years in a death spiral, the ability for the LGBT community to make real change is within our reach. If a lesbian can get elected to the Alabama State House, anything is possible - ifwe put our minds to it. "lhis is the year we could overtnrn "don’t ask, don’t tell." It’s the year we could get the federal nondlscrn-nmauon act and mclus~ve hate-crimes legislation passed. It’s the year we could see our national organizations ~vorldng in tandem on the issues that concern us the most. It’s the year we could see real progress on our issues. But for al! of that to happen this year, next year, or beyond, we, as a community, have to support the organizations that represent us. "lhat support could be a check to your local community center and!or to your statewide organization and/or to the national organization of choice. If we are to move forward in 2007, we must put LGBT human and financial capital to work. This is also the year for us to point out the lies of the radical Christian right and hold them accountable for their ,vords. After Mary Cheney announced in early December that she was pregnant, _Time_ magazine asked Focus on the Family’s James Dobson to write an opinion piece. In his usual homophobic, antigay- family way, Dobson - like other radical Christians - chastised Mary for bringing a child into the world without a dad. To back up his arguments, he cited the academic work of feminist scholar Carol Gilligan and Yale School of Medicine’s Kyle Pruett, M.D. Instead of just dismissing Dobson’s rantings as those of a rattled homophobe, Wayne Besen ofTruth Wins Out contacted both scholars and asked them to repudiate this nse of their work. °II~ey did. Time’s embarrasment led the mag’s editors to ask Jennifer Chrisler of Fainily Pride to write a response. Her piece debunked Dobson’s dithering about how a kid needs a mommy and daddy more than she or he needs love. Besen plans to keep the heat on Dobson and others like him with his new website, xw~vw.dobsonlies.org. Join Besen, and kick off 2007 vdth some action - write Time’s editor, Patrick Smith (patrick_smith@timemagazine.com), and tell him that if his magazine is going to let the right rant, it also has to make them prove their points with facts, not rely on the pseudo-fiction they’ve been parading behind. After that, tell your honey you love her or him, tell your neighbor you’re gay, write a check, and don’t ever forget how important you are in the next 365 days. Gayly O ahomar No Lor ger Pr r t TULSA, OK The publisher of the 24 year old Oklalxoma GLBT news paper, Andrew Hicks, announced in the December 15th issue that the Gayly was shutting down their print version and going digital. "\V,/e ~vant to take the Gayly into the future and onto new levels and fulfill a vision that has kept this paper alive for nearly 25 years. The world is changing and our need for information is changing with it." Hicks said. The on-line operation is due to be up and running this month. For more information go to: wv~v.gayly.com 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com GAY R GHTS ADVOCATE & LOBBYIST KErFH SMITH PASSES AWAY AT AGE 51 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Keith Smith died at Integris Hospital from pneumonia on Monday, November 20. Up until the time of his death he had been a tireless lobbyist not only for gay rights for also environmental causes, reproductive freedom, and civil liberties. Lobbying clients included the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU. He was also the co-chair of the Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats as well as a national board member A memorial service was held in the rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol, and speakers honoring him included ne~vly elected State Representative AI McAffre); State Senators Andrew Rice and Bernest Cain, former Governor David Waiters, Native American Rights activist Kalyn Free, Oklahoma ACLU Executive Director Joann Bell & his dear friend, Linda Gray Murphy. A native of Alva, Oklahoma, he is survived by his mother Berda Murrow, and three brothers, Craig, Kurt and Kyle Smith. www.ozarksstar.com FROZEN CRANBERRIES 2. Stir well. 3. Chill for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve... 4. Chill martini glasses with ice and water, 5. Add club soda to mixture. 6. Pour into martini glasses and enjoy. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ! The STAR 23 Congratulations Lawanda Jackson Miss Gay Oklahoma US of A 2007 by Victor Gorin Photo: Center LawandaJackson Miss Oklahoma US ofA 2007 & 1st runnerup Alexia" Nicole OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The Copa was filled with excitement as the pageant for Miss Gay Oklahoma US ofA came together in all its glory December 7-10. A pageant of Ragfin Productions, this marked the 20th anniversary of the event. Promoted by Regie Finley (a.k.a. Raghenna, Miss Oklahoma US ofA 1990) the show featured Alyssa Edwards, the current reigning Miss Gay US of A. It was emceed by Rachael Erikks (former Miss Gay Oklahoma & America)& Reghenna herself, and their campy wit kept it lively. The winners were 2nd Alternate Victoria Weston, 1 st runner-up Alexis Nicole Whimey, and Lawanda Jackson was crowned the new Miss Gay Oklahoma US ofA. Both Lawanda and Alexis Nicole will go on to compete for the national title in Dallas May 22-25 of next year. w~#v.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 25 Salutations and ~velcome to Uncle Mikey 2007! Yes Kittens, it ~vas a holiday triumph once more Kittens, as yours truly entertained, touched, and brought holiday warmth to those around me. According to the lucky, Uncle did all three. As we usher in the New Year, allow us to unite, if only for a moment in holiday cheer. Uncle Mikey, Why do so many people turn the holidays into future stories of drunken escapades? Doesn’t anyone take time to enjoy the true meaning of the season? Holiday-Cheer Dearest Cheer, Kitten, the holiday,s mean something different to everyone. For some it is a deep and meaningful time of their personal faith celebration. W~ile others, look at it as a time for friends and family, We cannot cheapen it by taking away from someone’s personal holiday meaning. Uncle sees the holidays as a bit different still yet. Christmas time for me is a time of white mink against the skin, while given a reason to dress hunk-a-licious men in red, green, and sliver holiday strings. Kitten; just remember that everyone has his or her own reason for the season! Smooches Mikey. Uncle Mikey, I thought I was going to get a commitment ring for Christmas and instead found that my partner is not as ready as I thought after all. It has been a year and still no advancement in the elevation of this relationship. Should I lClnd someone who is as ready as I, or hope that he will come around? Still Looking for Bling--Bling Dearest Bling, Can I get an amen? Uncle Mikey never committed to awthing less than two carats! Smooches Uncle Mikey Uncle Mikey, I was out at a club during my Christmas break from school, when I ran into an old flame from High School. We hooked up and spent some time together. I though we had renewed some old feelings for one another, however, the only thing he left me with was a cold release, when he went back to school, leaving me in the dust. Should I confront him? Trick Played Dear played, ~ Kitten, it could have been worse, he could have left you with the gift that keeps giving, clap on--clap off. Uncle says count your blessing and remember it for what it obviously was, a holiday romance. Smooches Mikey Kittens: We all can find drama in our life ifwe try, however the one thing that we seem to forget is that we allow the drama in our life to begin with. You were home from school, lonely during the Christmas rush, and jumped onto stallion number one. You rode him straight through break, only to complain at the dismount. Kitten, selfanalazation might point out that we only deal with what we allow ourselves too. ~-hink about it, you wanted deep penetrating! Well this is as deep as it gets. Smooches Uncle Mikey Uncle Mikey, I started dating this guy a while ago, and while I do enjoy his company for the most part, I think it is that I am more afraid of being alone than being annoyed. It is not that I am a loser. It is that I do not lie to myself. I am not the most intelligent, or even the most desirable. Therefore, my question is this; is it wrong to settle? Only the lonely Dearest Lonely, Kitten Kitten, get off the cross because Madonna needs the wood! It is a shame to hear someone cutting oneself. It is not the package that sells the gift, it is the gift that makes the package. Kitten, we all begin with the simple package that the Gay Gods deliver to us. We make our identity. If you want to look better, it’s called a gym. Want to be a scholar, it’s called education. Want to improve your attitude, It’s called therapy, Bottom line kittens, it is all about self-help in a self-serving world. You can be a player or you can be played. No Kitten, it is not wrong to settle, it is a self-defeating cop out! Smooches Mikey Dear Uncle Mikey, I caught my boyfriend in a lie. After I asked him if he was talking to people on the PC after I was in the bed, I decided to check for myself. I looked and found cookies left from him visiting the infamous site where they pick up booty calls. I didn’t’*=want to tell him I had been dipping into his business so I waited. Well, sure enough he told me that he had to be away on business overnight. After following him to the motel, it was clear what his business was. I have just been sick wondering what to do. Any advice for the betrayed? Seeing Red Dearest Red, Stalk-much? Kitten, a relationship is not worth it if you have to mistrust their every move. Kitten, I would strongly recommend some professional guidance here. I don’t mean spy gear either. Kitten, relationships are only as productive as the players in them. Ifyou feel that yours is not what you want, may I suggest the emergency exit! Smooches Mikey Well, like the trick in the alley, I must slide out once more. Kittens, here is to a New Year- May all of your dreams come true. Wishing you all a very Queer New Year! 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com and Combread 2pm, Karaoke 9pm PEC’S: -"?’Fell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-Off Contest 12am BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro. PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro xvear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: \~ieD" Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart~lburnament 10pm CLUB IVlAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks PEC’S: \X;dl drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart’l~3urnament i 0pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro CLUB ROX: Alison Scott, 9:30pro PEC’S: Mate Dancers, 9pm THE ROCKIES: OGRA Benefit Show 8:30pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pro. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-OffContest t2am XgCEDNESDA?f Januaq~" !0 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro PEC’S: ~Tell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pro wear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show !0:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart’Iburnament 10pm THO~DA~~ Jarmary il CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erild~s PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart %urnament ! 0pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast But})t 1 am-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro BAMBoo LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Shmv 8:30pro. CLUB ~JESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: I~chael Erik~ Show ! 0:30pm MONDAY Jauuary 15 BAblBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-Tpm TUESDAY January 16 ..... PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7- 9pro wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-Off Contest Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pro PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 7- 9pro wear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikks PEC’S: Well drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: KarbOkie host, Pancho 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pm CLUB ROX: Mison Scott Shm~X):30pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Majestic Kings Shmv 10pro. THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: 50’s-60’s Sock Hop, BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro Kris Kohl Show 8pm CLUB ROX: Whimey Paige Show 8:30pro. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Christmas Dinher Served 3pro. Karaoke 9pro. PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 7- 9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-OffContest Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: ICaraoke 9pro PEC’S: \Vell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament t 0pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show wl Rachael Erikks PEC’S: \Yell drinks 2.50 from 7-9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Open Talent xvlShemoaue Somemore 10:30pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am PEC’S: Male Dancers, 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dimcers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pro. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: tLachael Eril~&~ Show 10:30pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Christmas Dinnet Served 3pro. Karaoke 9pm. THE ROCKIES: Beer Bust 4pm-7pm PEC’S: V&ll drinks 2.50 from 7- 9pm wear leather. THE COPA: Stip-Off Contest Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm PEC’S: \Veil drinks 2.50 from 7-gpm wear leather. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro ~.ozarksstar.com the STAR 27 "Expect arguments, Sagittarius! ...... Sun and Mercury lining up in Capricorn clash with Saturn in Leo, making egos more important than actual ideas. Remember, you’re more often right if you can admit when you’re wrong! The open mind and humble ego will win in the long run. ARIES (r,~arch 20 o Apri~ 19): Your sense of your own brilliance may lead you to trust in a triumph of your will, but your confidence is a bit inflated and can get you into big trouble. Handle authority gently. Intuitive hunches will soon prove helpful. TAURUS (April 20 - IVlay 20): Tripping over your religious roots? Patriarchal authorities from childhood may still intimidate you or act out through you. See where that’s coming from and focus on humanitarian ideals to rise above it. GEi~IN~ (IVlay 21 - June 20): Your mouth is likely to get you into trouble, but the real problem is your ego. What do you need to prove? Shrewdly measured, carefully considered words will get the point across better, and holding back will nurture your genius. CANCER (June 21 - Ju~y 22): Fussing about debts, those you owe or those owed you, can damage a partnership or friendship. Get those accounts in order, but don’t gripe. A more philosophical approach to these relationships will prove helpful very soon. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Stressing out gets you into arguments with co-workers. Work smarter, not harder, and be nice about their suggestions - whatever you think of them. Success in that.area will help you look and feel sexier wherever you go. VlR60 (August 23 - September 22): If you start feeling old and cranky, try to make a game of it. Exaggerate your complaints whenever you can to make a joke of them. That will make it easier to put things in perspective and open up new opportunities for fun. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You are normally the world’s greatest hostess. Not this week. Put some energy into your community, but keep your home a private _sanctum sanctorum_. Don’t let pessimism get you down; focus that energy into sensible caution. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Your clever notions are likely to irritate your boss. In order to get ahead, soften and adjust your ideas to fit the boss’ thinking, but be ready to backpedal as necessary. Your innovations will be more welcome, and more effective, very soon. 28 the STAR SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 o December 20}: Philosophy and pragmatism are heading for a nasty collision. Your challenge is to stay true to your ideals and to apply them in the real world. It will take some severe adaptation. Expect arguments along the way, and be ready to learn from them! CAPRICORN (December 2t o January 19): A little leather or some dominance games can bring up more than you’ve bargained for. Play with someone you trust enough to step back and explore those issues with. Switch roles? Aggravating sexual problems will soon be easily discussed. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Problems in relationships are bugging you. Take time out to examine the issues, bur remember you can only make changes on your side of the equation. Some rigorous introspection can make others seem more reasonable. PISCES (February 19 - March t9): Your idea of being a good team player may depend too heavily on the notion that your ideas and leadership are best. Focus on humility and attention to others. Still, offer your input - just don’t push! SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPUN, ~O FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Testing appointment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our Community Dinner Every Wed. 6pro just $4.00. No one is turned away. www.ozarksstar.com Arkansas, BentonvillelRogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org.........479-586-1062 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers....479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Sp~’ings (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. 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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 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.......479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave...........479-521-0009 Passages ......930 N. College Ave- - -479-442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads.......1004 1/2 Garrison Ave- 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 ......1022 Dodson Ave........... 479-782-9578 Red Rock City - - - 917 N. "A" St. 479-242-2489 Arkansas, Hot Springs (50t) 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- -50!-666-6900 Sidetracks - - - 415 Main St - -North L.R., 501-244-0444 The Factory ...... 412 Louisiana St.-- 501-372-3070 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave- 501-375-8580 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 Club Glacier......... 2828 E. 31st South..... -316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) Catus Canyon Campground 417-683-9199 Missouri, Joplin (417) MCC Spirit o1: Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - ......Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 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 -w~v.hydeskc.com -- 816-561-1010 Missie B’s....805 W. 39th St -816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge..... 424 Boonville Ave............. 417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr- - -518 E. Commerical 417-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub.... 504 E. Commerical......... 417-83!-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive - -417-864-4572 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) Ingrids Bookstore..... 1124 NW Cache Rd......580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (918) 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 Church of Open Arms......3131 N. Penn...... 405-525-9555 Copa.............2200 NW 39th Exp....... -405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave....... -405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy....... -405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant.....2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn ........2200 NW 39th Exp....... 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St- -405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel.... 3535 NW 39th Exp 405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th- 405-843-1722 Jungle Reds .......2200 NW Expwy- 405-524-5733 Ledo.............2200 NW Expwy......... 405-525-0730 Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St ........405-681-5044 Partners......... 2805 NW 36th St -405-942-2199 Pec’s- 3535 NW 39th Expw ....... -405-947-2351 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. MayAve ......... 405-917-1663 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. Yale .......... 918-494-2665 Club 209 209 N. Boulder- 918-584-9944 Club Majestic........ 124 N. Boston 918-584-9494 Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan .918-835-3301 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI .........918-834-1051 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 621 E. 4th Street.........918-743-4297 Hideaway Lounge..... 11730 E. 1 lth...........918-437-0449 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st - - 918-749-8378 Jazz’s Lounge...... 426 S. Memorial 9t8-836-8544 Midtown.......... 319 E. 3rd- 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood.....918-838-7104 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave- 918-585-9552 Priscilla’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. 71st.............918-499-166t Renegades. 1649 S. Main 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- 918-627-1505 St. Michaels Alley......3324-L E 31st- 918-745-9998 Sterling & Co. Salon---1606 E.15th St.- 918-742-9999 Titan’s Lounge .... 6373-C E 31st St- 918-836-0299 Tulsa CARES.... 3507 E. Admiral PI.......... 918-834-4194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle.....1338 E. 3rd .918-592-1188 TNT’s 2114 S. Memorial- 9t 8-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd....... 2630 E. 15th.......... 918-293-0304 NATHAN ANI~ RIBA WklOf9 NOW IN AN UNIT AT MOM~ AI~ YOU OKAY.~ HOW COM~ YOU~I~ IN A bitter girl email: bittergirl@qsyndicate,com www,joanhilty,net 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com NWArkansas GLBT Community Center "Linking Together as One" For more information: WWV,7.NWAGLBTCC.ORG EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ADVERTI SI NES SALES F;~EPRES E NTATIVE FOR [~3KLAHOMA~ KANSAS MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS qualifications to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or mail to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, January 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 1 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 01, 2007 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 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 Devre Jackson Chaz Ward Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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, 2006; Volume 3, Issue 12 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/225 The Star Magazine, February 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 2 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/205 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/206 Advice Column AIDs Walk Bamboo Lounge Bitter Girls Bringing up Baby New Year CARES Chelsea Boys classifieds Club Rox Comic Strips Gay Marriage-Africa gay-crime Gay/Lesbian center H.O.P.E HIV/AIDs testing horoscopes Keith Smith Lawanda Jackson Lesbian Notions Loaves and Fishes Miss Gay Oklahoma mixology New Jersey-Gay marriage OUT in Arkansas Past Q Scope RAIN Star Distributors Star Scene The Gayly Oklahoman travel Tulsa GLBT community center news Uncle Mikey https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/faa554bbcf4aa7f5e371496025b3c195.jpg d9394e2dd85b5fe9373b6b04d98aa24c https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/04d73a333e5edc76fa4a972a23a19cc0.pdf f5b1712b16862fb209444c90d79904ea PDF Text Text �www.ozarksstar.com 2 the STAR �The of Sair t 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 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 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 coming year, arose in this way. www.ozarksstar.com 1 (2437) Oklahoma’s HIVtSTD Hotlir~e PROTECT CastI÷ "At Century 2I Gold Castle our the STAR 3 �Eight new laws advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality and protections go into effect in California 4@ TV here! Networks’ Original Horror Series ’q2ae Lair" Coming This Spring. Starring Peter Stickles and David Moretti "Cowboy Junction" DVD to be released Feb. 27th- page 11 Who was Oliver Sipple? The Gay man who saved Presidents Fords life. Gay Travelers "Fire Island, NY" Out of Town "Phoenix, Arizona" Valentines Day. While some believe in saying it ~vith roses, Uncle has always been fond of unconventional tokens of affection. A bouquet of flavored lubes and massage oils always brought a little warmth my way. "The Lair" StalTing Peter Stickles and David Moretti - page 10 5 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 22 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 STAR DISTRIBUTION: Equality Center Grand Opening -page 15 OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA * WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Eight new laws adv dng lesbian, gay; bisexual and transgender equality and pro ec ions go into effect irt California %gqth eight pro-equality laws going into effect this month, California stands head and shoulders above any ol/Jer state in treating all its people equally under the law. "-- Matt Foreman, Evec~tive Director; National Gay and Lesbian Task Force WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force applauds Equality California (EQCA) and legislative leaders for the record number of pro-equality laws taking effect this month in California. "With eight pro-equality laws going into effect this month, California stands head and shoulders above aW other state in treating all its people equally under the law," said Matt Foreman, executive ¯ director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Thanks to the extraordinary leadership of Geoff Kors and Equality California and lesbian and gay members of the Legislature -- Senators Sheila Kuehl, Christine Kehoe and Carole Migden and Assemblymember Mark Leno -- tens of thousands will now have greater access to health care, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in housing and state services will be prohibited, and the use of the pernicious ’homosexual panic’ defense will be limited, among many other advances." One of the most sweeping rneasures is the Equal Benefits in State Contracting law, which prohibits the state from contracting with businesses that do not offer equal benefits to employees with domestic partners on the same terms that benefits are offered to employees with spouses. The measure, authored by former Assemblymember and current Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, passed during the 2003-2004 legislative session and took effect on Jan. 1. It was modeled after a very successful 1996 equal benefits ordinance enacted in San Francisco. "\gre are excited to see this policy become state law," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors, who initiated the idea of enacting an equal benefits policy in San Francisco in the 1990s. "The new law establishes the fair principle of equal pay for equal work, regardless of sexual orientation." In addition to the equal benefits law, domestic partners in 2007 have the right to prepare their California income tax returns together. Couples can file jointly in 2008, covering the 2007 tax year. Other new laws that went into effect on Jan. 1 reduce courtroom bias against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, expand the state’s nondiscrimination protections, and ensure dignity and stability for LGBT seniors. "These new laws not only provide essential protections for the LGBT community, but they also reiterate California’s commitment to treat all people equally under the law," Kors said. Prohibits the state from contracting with businesses that do not offer equal benefits to employees with domestic partners on the same State Income Tax Equity Act SB 1827: Sen. Carole Migden~ D-San Francisco Enables registered domestic partners to file joint state income tax returns and have their earned income treated as community property. Civil Rights Housing Act of 2006 AB 2800: Assemblymember John Laird, D-Santa Cruz Prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability and sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, familial status and source of income. Older Californians Equality and Protection Act AB 2920: Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco Ensures that LGBT seniors are adequately served by government services available to older Californians. Nondiscrimination in State Programs and Activities Act SB 1441: Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in state-operated programs. Equality in Prevention and Services for Domestic Abuse Act AB 2051: Assemblymember Rebecca Cohn, D-Saratoga Creates a fund to develop and support education and services for LGBT victims of domestic violence. Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act AB 1160: Assemblymember Sally Lieber, D-San Jose Creates jury instructions and prosecutor training to limit the use of so-called"panic strategies" to influence criminal trial proceedings. Code of Fair Campaign Practices AB 1207: Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee, D-San Francisco Prohibits the use of negative appeals based on prejudice against LGBT people by candidates who sign the voluntary pledge in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices. (Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill in 2005.) MARDI GRAS FAT TUESDAY Official name Mardi Gras Also called Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday Observed by Various locales, usually ones historically associated with Catholic populations Type Local, cultural, christian Significance Celebration prior to fasting season of Lent. Date Day before Ash Wednesday 2007 date February 20 Celebrations Parades, parties Related to Carnival The following pro-equality bills were enacted in California on Jan. 1: Equal Benefits in State Contracting (2003) AB 17: Assemblymember Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego terms that benefits are offered to employees with spouses. w~wv.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 �Northern Mexican state of Coahuila approves law recognizing gay unions The Associated Press Published: January 12, 2007 PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico__ The legislature for the northern Mexican state of Coahuila approved a law recognizing gay unions on Thursday, the second assembly to take such an action in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation. The measure, which will provide gay couples with numerous social benefits similar to those of married couples, was approved with 20 votes in favor and13 votes against, said Rep. Julieta Lopez, of the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Lopez helped the draft the bill. Coahuila Gov. Humberto Moreira, who is also in the PRI, is expected to sign the bill into law. In November, the Mexico City assembly passed a similar measure for the first time in the nation’s history. That law has been sharply criticized by the Roman Catholic Church and the conservative Nation.al Action Party of President Felipe Calderon. While homosexuality is still taboo in many rural parts of Latin America, the region’s urban areas are becoming more socially liberal. Mexico City and Coahuila join the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul in legalizing same-sex civil unions. At the national level, lawmakers in Costa Rica and Colombia have debated, but not passed, similar measures. http://www.iht, corn/articles/ap/2007/01/12/america/LA-GENMexico-Gay-Unions.php Joplin Gay/Lesbian Center to host wine and beer reception. JOPLIN, MO__A "Freedom To Marry Week" event in support of Equal Civil Marriage For Gays and Lesbians will be held on Saturday night February 17th, 7pm to 1 lpm at the UCCFF Building, 204 North Jackson Ave. The event hosted by the Joplin Gay/Lesbian Center will include Dancing, Show, Music with DJ, Wedding Cake, Wine and Beer. The fundraiser is to raise money for Joplin Gay & Lesbian Center, to have fun, socialize, and to meet new people. Mardi Gras Parw at the Hollywood Hotel to benefit Her!and Sister Resources by Jeanne Flanigan OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Lose the winter blues at the First Annual Herland Mardi Gras Party, on Saturday, February 17, at the Hollywood Hotel and Suites, 3535 NW Expressway, OKC. Tickets are $7 per person, at the door, or from Herland Sister Resources (HSR) Board members. Sorry, no table reservations. ~lere will be a cash bar, and the event is smoke-free. There are several smoking areas within the hotel, and outside under the portico. All room rentals are $45 during the winter season. The fun will start at 7 pm with live music by Tara Henry, Alison Scott, DeShawna, Shannen Porter, and others TBA. In between entertainers Miss Ivanna DeVille will dazzle the crowd, and a DJ will play tunes to get dmvn by. A costume contest for the Best Solo, the Best Couple and the Best Group will be held at 9 pm. Between music sets, a couple of other contests will be held: the selection of a King and Queen (by who raises the most money), not to be confused with the Hog-Calling contest (xvhich will raise the most laughs). A silent auction will be conducted, with bidding closing at 10 pm. Several tables near the entrance will be reserved for information from CimarronArts Project, Okdahoma Visual Arts Coalition, AIDS Mastery Workshop, Herland, and OKC Pride. HSR is a woraen’s collective founded over 20 years ago. Their bookstore is located at 2312 NW 39th, in OKC, just west of the Strip. The bookstore hosts poetry readings, art shows, and is a lending library and reading room, open Saturdays flora 1-5. HSR also sponsors monthly events, such as the Supper Club, nature hikes, game and nights, and potluck dinners. Yearly events include the Pride Picnic, the Spring and Fall Retreats, and several holiday parties. HSR is highly valued for the publishing of the "Herland Voice" newsletter, with events, articles, and an annual Poetry issue. Nxe Mardi Gras Party will help to pay for the printing and postage of the newsletter for 2007. Donations of auction items are needed, small and large, due Saturday, February 10th, at the bookstore. For further information, contact Herland at herland@herlandsisters.org, or call (405) 521-9696 and leave a message. All donations are tax-deductible. Herland’s website is www.herlandsisters.org Come and part,/down with the sisters.., and brothers too! The Joplin Gay/Lesbian Center is a newly formed non-profit organization in Joplin, MO. For more information contact Lee McDaniel at 417/622-7821 or email: gaylesbiancenter@yahoo.com 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �DiversiW Weekend April 13-t5, 2007 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) ORDERS BY 12NOON GUARANTEED SAME DAY DELIVERY Glenpool Cleaners {inside Glenpoo[ Flowers] 9z8-z91-3275 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com ��works’ Or g na I orror Ser es LOS ANGELES, CA -January 16, 2007 - here!, America’s premium gay television network, is pleased to announce that it has wrapped production on the first season of the new provocative original, scripted series 7he Lair. The first of six half-hour episodes will premiere on the network in Spring 2007. "The Lair continues herd’s substantial rollout of provocative original programming in 2007 that can only, be seen on here!," said Paul Colichman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of here! Networks. "This newest addition to our line up authentically and unapologetically reclaims the horror genre for a LGBT audience." Set in a small coastal town, ~l~ne Lair opens as the bodies of young nameless men are turning up dead with vicious wounds to their necks. A young journalist is investigating a series of mysterious John Doe murders. Clues to these crimes lead him directly to a private gentlemen’s club called "Ihe Lair, where the deepest, darkest desires are fulfilled. As he gets closer to solving the mystery, Thorn finds himself ensnared in a blood thirsty coven of vampires. The Lair stars Peter Stickles, who gathered a following this year ~’rom his work in the acclaimed indie Shortbus, as Damian, the leader of the coven of gay vampires, as well as newcomer David Moretti, who takes the lead as "iI~om. "With a strong, talented cast, we are pleased to add "I-he Lair as another original scripted series to our growing slate of projects," noted Meredith Kadtec, here!’s Vice President of Original Programming. "Our programming runs the gamut, from sexy soap operas to thought-provokdng documentaries, and The Lair is a welcome addition to that line up." The Lair is the latest project reflecting here!’s commitment to bring fresh original programming to the LGBT communib: For a sampiing of provocative and innovative here! content, visit the here! Video Player found at www.heret~acom/videoplayer. Read more about here! and out how to get the channel in your area at www. heretv.com. Photo fi’orn: here! Recent and upcoming here! original films, series and specials include: The DL Chronicles, an award-~vinning series focusing on the diverse stories of men of color who by consequence and by choice, live sexually duplicitous and secret lifestyles; The Lair, a provocative and sexy vampire horror series; Dante’s Cove, ranked "Best Soap of the Year" by The Advocate; the critically acclaimed Shock To The System: A Donald Strachey Mystery, the second installment in the series of original films starring Chad Mlen as a gay private investigator; the provocative six-part docu-series Lesbian Sex and Sexuality, an unblinking look inside the world of lesbian culture from award-winning producer Katherine Linton; and the original film Shelter, an indie romantic drama about love, family and trying to stay true to yourself. here!, America’s premium gay television network, was established in 2002 and is currently available nationwide on all major cable systems and Internet TV providers as either a 24/7 premium subscription channel, a video on demand (VOD) service, and/or a subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, here! offers a wide variety of ground breaking and acclaimed original movies and series plus the world’s largest collection of gay and lesbian films appealing to the broad-based, diverse LGBT audience. 10 the STAR w,~v.ozarksstar.com �COWBOY JUNCTION DVD TO BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 27TH. "Cowboy JunctioN’ was originally conceived as a short story entitled Me, Bobby McGee and the Gun. The simple yet sweet tale of two men who meet by chance and throw caution to the wind has always resonated for screenwriter Gregory Christian. "It is a fairy-tale of sorts," he has said. "Just think back to the last time you fell in love with a stranger." But this "boy meets boy" tale took on a completely different twist when he began adapting it as a short screenplay for entry into the film festival circuit. Suddenly, one of the boys was now a married man caught up in a world of homo-erotic fantasy and coveting his gardener (the Bobby McGee character now envisioned as a rugged cowboy). James Bobby - The Coxvboy When the script was ready, the problem of finding two suitable leads arose. \Vhile working at the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, Mr. Christian decided, after much debate, to cast himself as the MAN and fellow actor James Bobby as the COWBOY. Bobby was more than up for the task of tackling such challenging and tongue-in-cheek material. The wheels were in motion and a summer 2004 shoot was set. Gregory calls the short a "one-day ,vonder." The entire piece was shot on a Saturday in August in less than 14 hours. When the final cut was ready, he began submitting it to numerous film festivals. Gregory Christian - The Husband Executive Producer, Director Screemvriter In May 2005, the "Cowboy Junction" short premiered at the Miami Film Festival. It played on multiple screens at the Regal Theatre as part of their wildly popular "Boys’ Shorts" program. The piece was a definite crowd pleaser and also garnered a cover on local Floridian magazine "411" as part of an article about the festival. The short was so well-received, Mr. Christian announced at the showings that the short would be pulled off the circuit and a feature would be going into production. Matt Austin - Young Co~vboy The Hustler www.ozarksstar.com The script was ready, the cast and crew were in place and production was set for five days following the conclusion of the festival. The character of the wife was now a prominent part of the storlyine and would be played by veteran actress Elyse Mirto (another Kingsmen Shakespeare alumni). The tale was now a story of her husband’s sexual repression and gut-wrenching "coming out," amongst the most dire of circumstances. The entire movie was a wonder in it’s own right: completed in nine days of total production time. Elyse Mirto - The Wife the STAR 11 �Little Reck CapitN Pride Nects new President Arkansas Citizens First Congress is still seeking interns. Bill Kopsky LITTLE ROCK, AR Little Rock Capital Pride Board President, David \vvq. Quinn, has stepped down in order to pursue other personal and professional goals. David plans to remain active in the group and the board wishes him well in his future endeavors. Following David’s resignation, the board of Little Rock Capital Pride has voted to name Board Secretary, Joe LaFountaine, its new leader. Joe is a native Arkansan that returned home this May, most recently from Atlanta, Georgia where he was a volunteer with Atlanta Pride Committee, which produces the third largest Pride festival in the United States. In October, Joe received a scholarship to represent LRCP at the InterPride World Conference in Portland, Maine. The conference provided workshops on many facets of Pride planning, entertainment and networking with over 200 Pride organizers representing over 50 Pride groups from across the world. With less than six months remaining until the third annual Capital Pride celebration, Joe asks the community for its support and assistance to help achieve the lofty" goals the board has set. Capital Pride will be held June 3rd at the Little Rock River Market Amphitheatre and financial support and participation is very much needed for a successful event. To learn more about how Capital Pride, please visit http://www.littlerockcapitalpride.org. About Little Rock Capital Pride Little Rock Capital Pride (http://www. littlerockcapitalpride.org/) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to host 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 social support and enhancing awareness of the past and present contributions of GLBT individuals through community activities and services, including an annual Pride event. LITTLE ROCK, AR The Arkansas Citizens First Congress is still seeking interns for this coming session of the Arkansas General Assembly. Interns are a key part of the Congress’ ability to monitor a legislative process that considers over 3000 pieces of legislation in a little over 3 months; while also moving key parts of a proactive agenda forward. The Congress is looking for one full-time intern who will receive $200 a week, and several part-time interns who will be volunteers. Academic credit is possible from many institutions. DIVERSITY WEEKEID DATES Eureka Springs, Arkansa VALENTINE’S DIVERSITYWEEKEND Frida> Feb 16, 2007- Sunda> Feb 18, 2007 SPRING DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, April 13, 2007 - Sunday, April 15, 2007 SUMMER DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Aug 3, 2007 - Sunday Aug 5, 2007 FALL DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Nov 2, 2007 - Sunday, Nov 4, 2007 For more information go to: www.diversitypride.com Interns will be joining an experienced staff led by lobbyist and Policy Director Alice Lightle who is a veteran of several legislative sessions as well as time in the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office and as a campaign manager for Federal and State Offices. We are recruiting mature candidates who want hands on experience in how state government works and how grass roots communities can affect it. Job description is pasted below as well as attached. Full-time position 45+ hours a week during the Arkansas legislative session January thru mid-April Part-time positions Minimum of 12 hours / week during the Arkansas legislative session January thru mid-April Send resumes and letter of inquiry to: The Arkansas Citizens First Congress 1308 West Second Little Rock, AR 72201 or email: Congress@CitizensFirst.org Web at www.CitizensFirst.org Creating Community for People iving DS 501 c (3) Non Profit Orga~aization The Arkansas Citizens First Congress is a coalition of community and labor organizations from across Arkansas that advocate a common agenda before the Arkansas legislature and some state agencies. We are a multi-issue coalition working on the environment, civil rights, agriculture, economic justice, government accountability, and consumer rights. 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 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 harrism mjr@yahoo.com. 12 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Photo: Ronald Blake ~11I Really Need To Know was a book written by Robert Ful: simplicity. Everyone wants to make the that is why it becomes so complicated. and healthy body, let’s adhere to some of presented in Mr. Fulgham’s opus. Goldfish and white mice and hamsters all a mother load to throw at dressed sometime. The sooner, the better. This the time to prepare for the inevitable passing ofI the pondering as to why some lucky squares live others. \X~ny mommy? Because some folks treat ~ dumpsters while others treat them go easy on the booze, exercise frequently, and eat Lohan but less than Bruce Vilanch. Warm cookies and cold milk are morsel of advice. However, let’s wave the wand those delicious cookies into Snack~vells or wheat troduce that dairy product as a skim milk variety. you sir, can I have another? ~l:ake a nap every afternoon. A smashing and dare I cept. Don’t you even think of working through or engaging in that nonsensical gossip with your quiet office space or your Nissan Maxima and fifteen to twenty minutes. It’s a devil of a lot better Pepsi, a cancer stick, or that proliferation of a vicious ugly Betty in the loss prevention department. Wash your hands before you eat. Germs are omnipresent ing their opportunity to invade and infect you. There are places you go and many things you touch that are laden guys. Don’t go Mommy Dearest on me and obsess about the i of it all. Just lather up the Lifebuoy or the Lever 2000 away those microbial monsters before your eating events. Put things back where you found them. If you have a membershi]3 then you know the importance of this lodestar. conspicuous signs adorning the fitness room walls should www.ozarksstar.com ¯ the STAR 3 �was Oliver Sipple? Oliver Sipple is credited with saving the life of President Gerald Ford in 1975, but the outing that followed his heroic act wreaked havoc on his personal life. Sipple, known by the nickname "Billy," was born in Detroit in November 1941. In high school, he was a star football player. During the mid-1960s, after moving to New York City, Sipple hung out with a circle of gay men who frequented Kelly’s, a hustler bar. He began a relationship with Joe Campbell (later immortalized as the "Sugar Plum Fairy" in Lou Reed’s song "Walk on the Wild Side"), who previously had been a lover of Harvey Milk. 7he couple moved to Fort Lauderdale, but S~pple soon left Campbell, prompting Campbel! to attempt suicide. During the Vietnam War, Sipple joined the Marine Corps as a private first-class. He was wounded twice, and completed his tour of duty in a Philadelphia veterans’ hospital. He received an honorable discharge in 1970 and moved to San Francisco, where he lived on a veteran’s pension due to physical and psychological disability. He had numerous friends among the city’s burgeoning gay community, and he worked on Milk’s campaign for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. On the afternoon of Sept. 22, 1975, Sipple was taking a walk when he joined a crowd gathered outside the St. Francis Hotel in Union Square to greet President Ford - who just weeks earlier had survived an assassination attempt by Charles Manson follower Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. As Ford exited the hotel, Sipple noticed that the gray-haired woman standing beside him - later identified as Sara Jane Moore - had pulled a revolver out of her raincoat. Sipple grabbed Moore’s arm, causing her shot to miss the president by a few feet, then wrestled her to the ground to prevent her from firing again; Moore was captured, pleaded guilty, and is serving a life sentence in prison. (photo rig,bt) When questioned by police and Secret Service agents, Sipple asked them not to release his name. Nevertheless, reporters got wind 14 the STAR of him, and he was hailed as a hero. According to journalist Randy Shilts, Milk told San Francisco Chronicle_ gossip columnist Herb Caen that Sipple was gay. "That guy saved the president’s life," Milk reportedly said. "It shows that we do good things, not just all that ca-ca about molesting children and hanging out in bathrooms." Caen noted in a column that Sipple was gay, and the news was picked up by several other papers across the country - including the Chicago Sun-Times, which called Sipple a "Homosexual Hero." But Sipple was not interested in being a "gay hero." "My sexual orientation has nothing to do with saving the president’s life," he said, "just as the color of my eyes or my race has nothing to do with what happened in front of the St. Francis Hotel." The outing devastated Sipple, who had not revealed his sexuality to his conservative family back in Michigan. "My mother told me today she can’t walk out of her front door, or even go to church, because of the pressures she feels because of the press stories concerning my sexual orientation," Sipple lamented to reporters. His brother George later recalled that he, his father, and another brother, all of whom worked for General Motors, were taunted on the factory floor. Sipple’s parents cut off contact with him, although George said that they did not disown him and eventually reconciled. Sipple filed a $15 million lawsuit against the Chronicle, the Sun-Times, and five other newspapers for invasion of privacy. A San Francisco Superior Court judge dismissed the case on First Amendment grounds, and a state appeals court upheld the decision in May 1984. Although Sipple received a letter expressing Ford’s "heartfelt appreciation," he was never invited to the White House to accept more formal recognition. Milk and some other activists attributed this slight to Sipple’s sexuality, but Ford later told a reporter that he thought he had "done the right thing," and that he hadn’t learned until sometime later that Sipple was gay. increasingly bitter and descended into alcoholism. "There were a lot of times he wished he had never saved the president’s life, for all the anguish it caused him," his brother recalled. "He said life -would have been so m~ch simpler if he hadn’t have done it." Though in ill health, Sipple was a regular denizen at several gay watering holes on Polk Street. On Feb. 2, 1989, after Sipple had failed to appear for several days, a friend found him dead in his Tenderloin apartment, the walls plastered with press clippings from the 1975 incident. Ford sent a letter of condolence to the patrons of the New Bell Saloon - acknowledging them as Sipple’s chosen family - stating that he "strongly regretted the problems that developed" for Sipple after the assassination attempt. The tragic end to Sipple’s life contributed to a debate within the LGBT community over identity politics and outing that persists to this day. In addition, his story is widely used in law and journalism schools as a case study in the ethics of revealing a person’s sexual orientation against his or her will. Oliver Sip2ole thwarted an assassination atte,wt on President Ford in 1975 For further information: Duke, Lynne. 2006. "Caught in Fate’s Trajectory, Along With Gerald Ford." Washington Post (December 31). hilts, Randy. 1982. The Mayor of Castro Street(St. Martin’s Press). In the years that followed, Sipple grew www.ozarksstar.com �abandoned industrial building. Over the last year, more than 225 unique volunteers have worked over 6000 hours in refurbishing the facility. At the same time, an outstanding team of design professionals have volunteered their services in orchestrating exterior and interior design concepts and dra-wings. EQUALITY CENTER GRAND OPENING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Love: The Higher Law ~tlursday, February 14th GRAND OPENING of EQUALITY CENTER Defying conventional expectations, Tulsa is now home to one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community centers in the United States. Beginning February 14th, a five-day Grand Opening celebration will be held at the Equality Center, an 18,000 square-foot facility in the gentrifying East End district of downtown Tulsa at 621 E. 4th Street. For a schedule of events, see below. Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq (formerly Tulsa Oldahomans for Human Rights/ TOHR) mvns and operates the Equality Center. In addition to serving as a base for statewide advocacy efforts, the Equality Center will house wellness programs, a David Bohnett Cyber Center, the Tulsa LGBT History Project, meeting rooms, health testing services, a pro-bono legal clinic, an art gallery, retail operations, the Nancy & Joe Rainbow Library, and rental space for events. An eviction for using gay in signage at the first Tulsa LGBT Community Center and landlordsfi TM repeated refusals to lease space to a gay organization inspired Oklahomans for Equality to purchase a home of its own. Established in 2000, the OkEq capital campaign has currently raised almost $900,000 in private and foundation gifts. Not a cent of public or corporate money has been contributed toward the costs of purchasing or renovating the formerly www.ozarksstar.com In support of the 10th anniversary of Freedom to Marry Week, Oklahomans for Equality (O "~q) is sponsoring Love: The Higher Law, a Valentine’s Day demonstration calling for marriage equality for same-gender Oklahomans. A coalition of same-gender couples, pro-LGBT ministers, and activists will go to the Tulsa County Courthouse and attempt to register for marriage licenses. If you are interested in participating in this historic event, please contact OkEq President Laura Behnonte at labelmonte@hotmail.com or 918.906.2134. Xhere will be a mandatory training session for all participants prior to the demonstration. Following the Valentines Day action, a wedding reception will be held in the Great Hall of the Equality Center from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Free and open to the public, the wedding reception honors those ~vho attempted to register for marriage licenses earlier in the day and all same-sex couples denied the 1,049 federal benefits of marriage equality. Opening Doors Art Exhibit & Competition ~Pnursday, Februa~7 15tih Unique art that speaks to all and opens doors to the heart, soul and mind ~vill be featured during the Opening Doors Exhibit & Competition. The exhibit/competition debuts on Thursday, February 15, 2007 with a flee Champagne & Chocolate reception from 5:00-9:00 PM and runs through March 15, 2007. Each entry of the exhibit and competition will be on, or a part of, a door - car, cabinet, house or any other type of door. Individuals, groups and organizations are ~velcome to submit an entry free of charge. Awards, determined by a vote of the public, will recognize an outstanding piece by a young adult (under 21), as well as an adult entry. GayBingO Friday, February 16th No straight lines - just nice shapes. No toy prizes just cash. This isdt the bingo your grandmother played! GayBingO makes its debut on Friday, February 16, 7:00-10:00 PM, in the Event Center. Outrageous entertainment, 6 of the gayest bingo games you’ve seen, drink specials like the BingoBlast, and a couple of special surprises make GayBingO the night you won’t want to miss. Tickets, $15 in advance, include a fi’ee drink and are available at the Equality Center, 621 E 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. XWelcome Home Open House - LGBT Community Expo & TestFest 2007 Saturda> February 17th A full, free afternoon dedicated to the LGBT & allied community is featured on Saturday, February 17, 2007, 2:00-6:00 PM. The Welcome Home Open House features tours of the new facility and refreshments in the Great Hall. You’ll be able to learn more of the numerous community groups, social organizations, houses of worship and agencies during the LGBT Community, Expo in the Wellness Center. While you’re enjoying the afternoon, free HIV and syphilis tests will be available during TestFest 2007 in the Health Testing Ofiqce and additional locations in the Center. \Vild Hearts Ball VII - Mardi Gras Madness Saturday, February 17th The signature event of the Ok~q Capital Campaign, the Wild Hearts Ball, celebrates its 7th year with Mardi Gras Madness, 8:00-11:00 PM, in the Event Center of the Equality Center. Free food, delicious dancers, cash bar and a live DJ will make you want to dance the night away. The drawing for the Great Divide, your chance to win thousands of dollars ($20/ticket) in the 50/50 cash split, will also be held during the Wild Hearts Ball. Of course, it wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without a little madness. If you come in full Mardi Gras regalia, as long as itfi % legal, you can compete for prizes during the costume contest at 10:00 PM. Tickets, $15 in advance or $20 at the door, are available at the Equality Center, 621 E 4th Street in downto~vn Tulsa ............ Continued 2age-23 the STAR 15 �This IS the season to enjoy red wines. While visiting wine country in California this holiday season, I was most impressed with the Zins. From Paso Robles to Sonoma, Zins are truly worth exploring. Briefhistory of the grape: [ZIHN-fuhn-dehl] This is considered California’s red-wine grape because it’s not widely gro~vn in other parts of the world. Zinfandel vines were brought to California in the 1850’s. By the 1880’s, this variety was rapidly gaining acceptance by California growers, and it is now that state’s second most extensively planted red grape behind cabernet sauvignon. For years Zinfandel’s origins were ~" mysterious. Initially, research confirmed a relationship between Zinfandel Primitivo (a variety grown in Italy’s Puglia region), causing speculation that might have originated in Italy¯ ~However, in late 2001, DNA findetermined that Crljenak KaAitelanski (a little-known grape from and Zinfandel have identical DNA profiles. existence of Crljenak Ka~_itelanski could be found in only one vineyard " thousands of vines and dozens of varieties, of which only nine vines Zinfandel. Vineyards get replanted periodically, and nobody recognized special about this particular vineyard, so it is likely that in a few years grape might have ceased to exist. Beside the Zinfandel grown in California (and Italy’s Primitivo), there are only isolated planting of this grape, mainly in South Africa and Australia. Zinfandel is vinified in many styles, which vary greatly in quality. One popular style is white zinfandel, a fruity-flavored blush wine that’s usually slightly sweet and ranges in color from light to dark pink. When made into red wine, Zinfandel can produce wines ranging from light, nouveau styles to hearty, robust reds with berrylike, spicy (sometimes peppery) flavors, plenty of tannins, enough complexity and longevity to be compared to cabernet sauvignons. Another style is late-harvest Zinfandel, which exhibits higher alcohol levels and some residual sugar. The Italians produce dry red Primitivo grape-based wines that are similar to some California Zins. As Zinfandel’s popularity increases, more and more enterprising Italian Primitivo growers are labeling their wines "Zinfandel" and exporting them to the United States. Foods that pair well: Vegetable pasta dishes, beef sirloin tips, BBQ ribs, sausages, brisket and some sharp cheeses¯ Some cool vineyards to look out for Rodney Strong Sonoma County Reserve 2004, Gnarly Red 2005, J. Lohr Old Vines 2004, Dancing Bull 2004, Norman Vineyards, the Monster, Fire Station Red/Old Vines 2003, Calistoga Cellars 2003 Thanks for reading, now go into your favorite wine shop and ask questions. Bring some bottles home and share some food & wine with friends. 1 6 the 8TAF~ www.ozarksstar.com �-Spaghetti Josephine(Serves: 4) Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup onion, minced 1/4 cup celery, minced 1/4 cup shallots, minced 1/4 cup carrots, minced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1-1/4 cups (8 oz.) ground beef 1-1/4 cups (8 oz.) ground pork 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 cup dry red wine 2 cups brown veal stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/’8 teaspoon red chili flakes 1 lb. fedelini pasta #2 Parmesan cheese to taste 1 ounce chopped parsley 1. Pour the olive oi! into a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook the onions, celery, shallots and carrots, stirring frequently, until soft. 2. Add the garlic, ground beef and ground pork. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Add the tomato paste and stir for I minute. Add the red wine and veal stock. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. 3. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes and nutmeg. Taste for seasonings. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. In a large serving bowl, toss the pasta with the sauce. Add Parmesan cheese to taste and garnish with parsley. Serve. More on Chez Josephine owner Jean-Claude Bake~" andJosephine Baker, page 19. �by Donald Pile and Ray Williams Located abou~ 50 miles East of New York Cib~ on the South side of Long Island. Fire Island is the gay" Fantasy Island in the United States. It is a "barrier island approximately 30 miles long az~d a half mile wide. Once you get offthe ferry that takes you from Sa;~wille, New ~%rk to this ,£onderful enchanted Island, you KNOW }o~ are in gay heaven. It is a world unto itsel£ Except for the very :xpensive plane hop, the only way to the Island is by the ferry, " which takes about 20 minutes. It leaves every hour ~n the weekends a~3d ever5" two hours weekdays. From NYC you can take the bus m Sayville or, if you have a car, a just park it in the ferry parking lot. Fire Island is quite small and there are no autos, no bicycles or any other means of transportation other than walking, which is done either on the beach or on the boardwalks. Literally, board " plank:; are raised above the sand and measure from ~hree to six feet wide. The ~wo communities on Fire Island are "l~ne Pines and Cherry" Grove which are located about a 25 minute walk apart, ~he Pines is more upscale and costly: Cherry- Grove is a bit more taSd back. Prices for accommodations, food mid drink are very expensive at either place. All fbod. liquor, hotd supplies, etc. have to be brought over by the ferry each day, so don’t expect any bargains here. But it is 99% ~y! You pay ~br what you get. Fire Island is a must when travding ro the East coast for a few days. New York gays have been coming here for years, mostly on weekends as a great ge>a-way fi:omthe cib: A lot of New 21~rkers have built weekend homes here and the parties run 24 hours a day" on weekends.. Don’t expect any great accommodations on Fire Island. there iust aren’t any. [~e Botet Pines and Dunes Yacht Club are the only public hotel in the Pines and it is really in need of updating. ~the Fire Island Pines is relatively new. On the CherU Grove side, there are severa! options including the Dune Poim, a small sb: unit lodging: the Carousel Guest House, Holly House and the Cherry Grove Hotel. Then there is the Belevedere Guesthouse which wa~ built in 1957 and has almost 40 rooms. It is qui~e nice and has wonderful views. Most of the restaurants on the, Island are in Cherry Grove. For night life you might enjoy Cherry} which has a piano bar, video bar and poll table or the Gro;,oe Hotel whi& has a grea~ disco bar. On the Pines side, be sure and check out Island Club with it~ piano bar and dance floor and the Pavilion which is the largest disco on the entire Island. evening. ’~’~ also recon~at~e~d that you purchase your bee~ liquor and groceries in Sayvitle b4{bre tal~ng the f~rry to Fire Island and save yourself a LOT of money~ YOU can take ~;NYFHING on the ferry with you! \x;’%en you debark from the ferry they has, e F~E little red wagons for tourists tO Use to cart your groceries and luggage to your accommodations. At the Fire Island Pines, Low [lSa {aka "Ihe %a Dan~") is a tradition going back many mOonS that continues today on it’s original turf- ~ne Blue W~ale LoW %a takes place eac!~ day at the Blue Whale. From 5 PM to 8PM. Bartenders serve up concocuons to get your hydrated before you sweat it all out dancing to the tunes of one of their DJ~. High Tea is your chance to coot down after burning it up ateach Lowday %aat . Held the balcoW above Pavilion, High .Tea kicks off at 8 PM aid runs till 10 PM. It~ w)ur chance m lounge and watch all the the ashore with literally a boa>load of guys for you to meet. ~e sure and take your camera as there are real deer all over the Island and they wil! come right uP to you for fi~od, Nature hiking is a great exP efience here as the trees, bushes and flowers are very" plentiful. We promise you witi love it ~n Fire Island as it is an experience of a lifetime, it is simply, the gavest place in Am4rica, even ~ore so than San FranciscO! "l:~t~e gr~at" webSites are:ww~a:fireisland,com/, htrp:/Ix~vw.cherrygrovd.com/and hrtp://www.fireistandmen.com/ Path:. sun and sex are the only reasons to go to Fire Island and you certainly won’, get much res,:. ~Ihey par~" begins the moment you step off" the ferry and doesn’t stop until you get back on it fi)r your return to the mainland. Needless to say~ dress is veiT informal and dnring the days, most just wear their swimming shorts or bikinis. ~lhe "IN" season begins on Memorial Day and runs through I.abor DaB however it is open all )’ear long. If you are not looking to be with throngs of people the go during the offseason when the prices are much lower. Prices almost double on weekends so if you can, stay during the week. Another alternative would be to stay in 5a)’vil~e and take the ferry- over in the morning and return in the 18 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �"TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD" by Donald iPile & Ray \Villiams CHEZ JOSEPHINE in New York City- who have dined at Chez Josephine~ and they relate ~he same sroLv that we had. "Ihey catfr wai~ ro return ro enjoy themselves. A grea restaurant stays basically the same year after year after year. It was perfect when they opened and it is soil perfect today. Why change a perfiect thing? But it is the "People" who make a restaurant. ~e owner/host, entire restaurant staff’as we!l as the customers who inrermi ngle with each other while enjoying their own fine dining experience. On our first dining experience at Chez Josephin& we nler a tfyou have never dined at Chez Josephine Restaurant in New ~i)rk City you sim ly have not lived mu Located at 4 !4 \g~est 42nd Street it is right in the heart of the Theatre District. For over 20 years, the "beyond Fabulous" owner, Jean-Claude Baker h£s been the finest host of any restaurant in the city. A tribute to the late Josephine Baker, the restaurant and it’s live music exude theatrical panache. Recently remodeled, now with a private dining room, this landmark jewel is even more inviting and romantic with its blue-On ceiling, red velvet walls and cavalcade of chandeliers which light up the vintage portraits of "La Baker": 7he eclectic menu reinvents the traditional Cuisine of the French bistro in an explosion of tantalizing flavors. They have won numerous awards over the years including the AAA Four Diamond Award and Zagats. When we dine out. whether it be in New York Cit% Chicago, Palm Beach, Palm Springs or wh~tever, selecting the right restaurant is so important. Any "cook" can prepare a ,ned that is edible! So we have ~ to search for something far beyond that. We always tell Our readers that when they travel, that "people" are the most important thing. So it is when dining at a restaurant .... People! From the moment you walk into the door at a restaurant until the time you leave, "People" is what it is all about. Sure, a restaurant HAS to have properly prepared food and presented in a wonderful manner. Tile restaurant itself~S to have a certain ambiance. But it is the "People" who make a dining experience ~br us. From the moment we walked into Chez Josephine’s the first rime, the absolutely fabtflous host, Jean-Claude was standing there waiting, for us His Charm emnowered the entire restaurant The waiters and entire staff made certain that we were the most ma " p or rant people in the restaurant, as they do with every- customer. Even thou we new none of the other customers we all had a common camaraderie amongst ourselves. We were all taking part in a delightful and unfbrgettable dining experience and we all tmew it. You were in a very special place ar a very special time and everything was perfect! ~md we know }br certain that this takes place every day with every customer at Chez Josephine’s. Now that they have reached a memorable milestone of being i~ business for 20 years, ttxere legacy just continues and gets better and better each year. As we travel to both coasts we talk with others ~.ozarksstar.com had never had anyone send them a gift just for sitting next to them ar a restaurant but that is how it is when dining at Chez Josephine. It is £~ experience. \g’~e have been in fine restaurants country from Coast to CoaSt but in the the cake so to speak for the finest dais is one takes ~e in everything! ambiance, the service, the ~bod ..... everything is just PERFECY ! ! ! ! ! Jean-Claude lmows how to treat his guests and they return over the years in droves. It m~es for a marvelous din!,ng experience. Fron.i the moment yo,u. step in th~ restaurant until you leave, you are m a completely different world, leaving behind your troubles and that of dae world. You really never ~ant to lea~e ~ ¯ "lhey serve dinner from 5 PM to 1 AM Tuesday thru Saturday and Sunday Brunch and Dinner from Noon to 10 PM. Their menu offers Spaghetti Josephine, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Maryland Crab Cakes. Lobster Cassoutet with Shrimp, Lemon Shrimp ~sotto, Boudin Noir, Elvira’s Down Home Fried chicken, French Cut .~aixish Chicken Breast, Roasted Duck a t’Orange, Pan Seared Calf’s Live. Grilled Skirt Steak, Black _&ngus Filet Mignon arid Double Cut Lamb Chops. Their website is: ww~v.chezjosephine.com and their phone number is: 212.594.1925. the STAR 19 �7/se S/semton Wild Horse Pass, just a 20-minute driveJ~om the gay nightlife and shopping of downtown Phoenix, is acclaimedfor its superb Kai restaurant and elegant Aji Spa. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Februa ’ 2007 ew cities have grown faster and more dramatically in the past half-century than Phoenix, which in 2,005 overtook Philadelphia to become the fifth most populous city in the nation. It s also larger in area than Los Angeles and the hub of a metro region that includes several other fast-growing metropolises, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Glendale. But the "Valley of the Sun" is much more than a popular place to live - tourism here has taken off thanks to the bounty of lavish resorts, a cultural renaissance in downtown Phoenix, and some of the best shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities in the West. More recently, the region’s oI~ce of tourism has begun enthusiastically wooing GLBT travelers. A highly contemporary metropolis surrounded by mountains and high desert, Phoenix is in many ways the last stronghold of the western frontier. The region is dogged by certain challenges prevalent in the West, such as rampant sprawl and sometimes oppressive smog. It’s also bone-dry here - only the Sahara is less humid than Phoenix’s Sonoran Desert. Most of the year, the weather is ideal for outdoor recreation, with winter highs in the mid-60s and spring and fall highs in the mid-80s. About the only period with blistering heat is summer, when daytime temperatures routinely climb into the low 100s (and many accommodations drop their rates precipitously). In terms of gay-friendliness, Phoenix defies labels. This somewhat conservative capital city has long maintained strong Republican leanings, but some of the region’s most famous right-of-center politicians - including Sen. John McCain and the late Sen. Barry Goldwater - have expressed relatively accepting attitudes toward gays and lesbians. And somewhat surprisingly in 2006, this traditionally "red" state became the first in the nation to vote down a proposed ban on same-sex marriage. Phoenix has a highly visible GLBT community, and a huge number of queer bars, social organizations, and "family"-fi’iendly eateries. Visitors to this area have traditionally madea beeline for swanky Scottsdale, with its chichi hotels, lush golf courses, haute galleries, and sumptuous spas. However, Phoenix proper - which is home to most of the region’s GLBT bars and other businesses - has enjoyed a notable comeback of late, especially the once soulless downtown commercial center. 20 the STAR The action centers on Copper Square and its massively expanded convention center, plus dozens of trendy restaurants, high-end hotels, and fine performance venues. There are also a 24-screen cinema, several museurns, and sports stadiums that host baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks and basketball’s Phoenix Suns. A cultural must is the outstanding Phoenix ~t Museum, a dramatic green-quartz structure containing 19th-century European paintings, delightful artworks of the American West, and Abstract Expressionist masterworks. Two blocks north is the Heard Museum, a 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival hacienda containing the nation’s top collection of Native American art and artifacts. Several peripheral residential neighborhoods have become gentrified of late, such as the Willo and Garfield Place historic districts. Of particular note is Roosevelt Row, a burgeoning mixed-use residential district that supports several excellent galleries as well as a wonderful bakery, Tammie Coe Cakes (stop in for a latte and a sweet treat or two). Speaking of baked goods, ardent pizza connoisseurs have been k~own to travel thousands of miles for a meal at Pizzeria Bianco, inside a historic building in the heart of the bustling Heritage Square section of downtown. Chef-owner Chris Bianco has been dubbed a pizza-making genius for his simply sensational wood-fired pies, including the Wiseguy (topped ~vith roasted onion, housesmoked mozzarella, and fennel sausage). Just beware the long lines. Vinophiles have taken a shine to Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Cafe, the brainchild of the city’s openly gay state senator, Ken Cheuvront. This happening place near the Phoenix Art Museum serves countless vintages by the glass and bottle as well as a long menu of stellar cheeses, salads, pizzas, and snacks. It’s a short walk down Central Avenue from here to reach the city’s premier gay bar, Amsterdam, an elegant lounge that’s part of a larger complex that includes Club Miami and Malibu Beach Bar. Other gay night spots within a short drive include the lesbian-favored Club Vibe, which replaced long-running Ain’t Nobody’s Biz and offers dancing, darts, and pool; the leather-andLevi’s-oriented Phoenix Eagle; and the highenergy Karamba Nightclub. Gay two-steppers and country-western fans gather at Chartie’s, while fans of drag and karaoke get their fix at Burger Betty’s, an Aussie-themed gay restaurant and bar. www.ozarksstar.com �With all the snazzy new resorts that have opened in Scottsdale and other outlying cities, it’s easy to forget that Phoenix itself is home to a pair of aces: the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Arizona Biltmore, and the intimate, old-world Royal Palms, both of which opened in the late ’20s. ~ne 40-acre Biltmore, with its gray, low-slung, angular buildings containing 738 guest rooms, lies in the shadows of Phoenix Mountain Reserve. There’s also fine golfing and an acclaimed spa. Set aside an evening to dine at Wright’s at the Biltmore, where such inventive regional American fare as milk-poached pork tenderloin with foie gras sauce draws fawning accolades. Many a diva whiles away a Saturday afternoon at the nearby Biltmore Fashion Park, strolling through high-end boutiques and snacking at trendy restaurants. area and rooms and suites in a variety of configurations. For $10, non-overnight guests can spend the day here swimming, tanning, and mingling with fellow sun-bunnies. It may lack the pizzazz of the Biltmore, but this frisky compound is the closest you’ll find in these parts to a Palm Springs-style gay resort. ~lhe genteel and cozier Royal Palms Resort and Spa could pass for a splendid private villa in Spain, with its fanciful stone paths meandering past flagrant gardens and citrus-tree-shrouded casitas decked in old-world antiques and tiles. The weekend brunch at T. Cook’s - best enjoyed on the sunny patio - is a Phoenix tradition, and the resort’s tranquil Alvadora Spa provides some of the most supremely relaxing treatments you can imagine, from Watsu water therapy to crystal-stone facials. Die-hard massage junkies should book one of the seven state-of-the-art spa suites. In downtown Phoenix, the upscale Hyatt Regency Phoenix and the eight-story, moderately priced Best Western Central Phoenix Inn are solid options, all within a short drive or walk of area bars, restaurants, shops, and museums. A less obvious pick is the funky, gay-friendly Hotel San Carlos, a grand if faded 121-room Italian Renaissance-style lodging that’s allegedly haunted (by friendly ghosts). It’s definitely seen better days, but for the price, it’s a good bet with a convenient, central location - especially if you prefer quirky over glamorous. Nearby Scottsdale abounds with more recently built resorts, from the supremely cushy Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort and swish Four Seasons Scottsdale, to the sexy and hip Scottsdale Mondrian and retro-chic Hotel Valley Ho. In Chandler, consider the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass (which is expected to become a Starwood Luxury Collection property later in 2007), an attractive spread on the Gila River Indian Reservation, 20 miles southeast of downtown. The vibe here is low-keyed and unpretentious, thanks in part to the consistently genial employees. The much-lauded Kai restaurant and the transcendent Aii Spa remind you,however, that you’re staying at a truly splendid desert hideaway. An equestrian center offering trail rides and a campy ersatz frontier town called Rawhide (think stagecoach rides, goofy gift shops, and gunfightin’ reenactments) may help you to channel your inner cowgirl or -boy. Greater Phoenix also has a handful of gay-oriented accommodations, which range flom homey B&Bs to saucy clothing-optional retreats. Downtown’s gay-owned but mainstream Yum Yum Tree Guest House, in the hip and historic Willo neighborhood, occupies a 1920s school building with soaring ceilings and Mexican-tile floors. Shaded patios and gurgling fountains surround the Spanish Mission-style building, which also adjoins a relaxing pool area. A racier option is the Arizona Royal Villa, a nudity-permitted men’s compound with an impressively enticing pool, hot tub, and sunning www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 �FEBRUARY 2007 "The Facts Will Set Us Free" ~he Republican Party may be do,vn, but make no mistake, it is far from out. Ttxe foundation of its revolution is still solid, and perhaps more energized than ever. I’m not talking about the "Get Out the Vote" folks or candidates wing for office. I’m talking about the base from which most Republican activity evolves. Former New Jersey U.S. Senator and 2000 Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley ~vrote a piece in the March 30, 2005, New York Times entitled ’[A Party Inverted," which explained that the GOP is structured like a pyramid - with the top being the president, who can be changed every four years, and the base being the rich conservative financiers and the Republican think tanks they finance. It’s those think tanks - like the Family Research Institute or the Heritage Foundation - that have armed the Republicans with the "facts and figures" they use.to advance their conservative agenda. These think tanks have been instrumental in casting us as demons and sinners in any of the myriad issues we fight for, from nondiscrimination laws to marriage equality. Just because the Republicans have policy institutes doesn’t mean that tactically it’s the wrong way to do things. Developing think tanks on LGBT issues - and, hopefully, the well-to-do donor base one needs to fund them - is crucial if we are to succeed in being recognized as first-class citizens. Lee Badgett, an out lesbian, who also happens to have a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley, understands how important academia can be in shaping public policy - especially the public policy that affects our everyday lives. Currently the research director of the Williams Institute at UCLA, Badgett founded what is considered the first LGBT academic think tank in the nation, the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS), in the mid-’90s when she was living in Washington, D.C. "\Ve’ve done a lot of family-related research on domestic-partner benefits and the economics of marriage. We looked at the fiscal impact same-sex marriage would have on states," she said. "\Vvre’ve studied the psychological impact of antigay policies and the strategies to overcome them. We’ve also received funding from the Ford Foundation to do methodological research on how to ask questions about sexual orientation - it’s not as easy as you’d think." Badgett has successfully brought the Williams Institute and IGLSS together. "We’re talking about it as more of joining of forces," she told me, but the reality is that IGLSS has merged with Williams, creating an even stronger, more academically rigorous think tank for our issues. Whether Badgett will remain on the West Coast is a bit up in the air. She and her partner, Elizabeth Silver, a legal services attorney, are wife and wife in Massachusetts, so California, while warmer, may not ultimately be the best place for them. Badgett still has a position waiting for her in the UMass-Amherst economics department. What will be in her future is more research on LGBT issues. "I’m sure that marriage will continue to be one of our biggest areas of research," she said. "Policy makers want to know what the impact on their own particular states will be. These issues are pertinent everywhere because we are everywhere. We’ll be asking whether marriage really makes a difference for gay people, and what does it mean for those who dofft get married." She said that employment discrimination is also on the research agenda, since only 17 states have nondiscrimination laws. "A lot of people think this is good time to focus on this issue again," she said. "\Ve’re still lacking data - for some reason, people don’t want to believe that antigay discrimination really exists." As LGBT people, we live that reality every day. We know discrimination exists; we know that civil unions give us second-class status. With researchers like Badgett and think tanks like Williams, the truth (facts) will inevitably set us free. "Living in D.C., I saw how important those big think tanks were. They were the heart of the Republican resurgence, well-funded, strategically creative - they pulled the various conservative movements together," Badgett told me in a recent telephone interview. "Together with activists and academics, we formed IGLSS because we all saw we needed to have some kind of institution to bridge the big gap of what was happening in the academic world and the real world. We needed the facts and figures to fight back against the stereotypes and distortions from the right." When Badgett got a teaching job at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, she brought IGLSS with her. As a separate not-forprofit, IGLSS was never formally associated with the school, but her colleagues were quite supportive. More of a virtual think tank than a bricks-and-mortar institution, IGLSS published a number of groundbreaking studies that have helped the community move forward. 22 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Equality Center: Brunch & Blessings Sunday, February 18th A buffet brunch & live gospel entertainment will close out the Equality, Center Grand Opening weekend on Sunday, February 18, 2007. You’ll have not one, but two opportunities to enjoy this unique event for the LGBT & allied community: An 11:00 AM seating, as well as a 1:00 PM seating, will fill your stomach with a delicious brunch and bring you to your feet ,vith hand-clapping, foot-stomping inspiration. Tickets, $10 in advance, are available at the Equality Center, 621 E 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. Please visit www.okeq.org or call 918.743.4297 for more information on the events of the Grand Opening celebration Equality Center serving the LGBT & allied community since 1980. Oklahomans for Equalio, (OkEq) seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gg)’, Bis~’ual dr 7?ansgender (LGBT) individuals andfamilies through advocao; educatian, lord,’ares, alliances, and the operation of the Equali{y Center: Hdp Feed Your CommunisT! Become A Distributor. The program is open to all people without restriction. It doesn’t matter what the need or socio-economic group; there is simply no qualifying. The program is set up to assist people to learn accountability by planning their food dollars, being responsible to pay for their food and to bring a box to take their food home in. A box of food (restaurant quality) will feed a family of four for about a week, two people for about two weeks and a single person for a month. host site is different but we continue to take checks, cash and are approved for Food Stamp EBT payments. Over half of our clients do not belong to our GLBT community and many of them have at times joined us for our Wednesday evening meal or Sunday service. Nothing but positive come from this good works being servants to our community. At Spirit of Christ MCC our volunteers will pack your food and carry it out to the car for you. We take orders on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Questions concerning sites in Tulsa, OK; the greater Joplin, MO area or Eureka Springs, AR may be directed to spiritofchrist@cableone.net or you can go to www.angelfoodministries. com/and look under host sites. Donations for food orders may be sent to Spirit of Christ MCC, PO Box 4711, Joplin, MO 64803. By Steve T. Urie What a difference volunteerism can make in a community. In 2005 Spirit of Christ MCC, a member church of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches founded by Rev. Troy D. Perry, started serving the greater Joplin, MO community with a food program. One of the smallest MCC churches in the country and in the middle of the Bible Belt we found ourselves answering a call to provide lowcost, high value foods stuffs to people in our area. A large Christian church had previously worked with this program but gave up after being unsuccessful in maintaining a volunteer program large enough to serve the area. Spirit of Christ MCC with a membership of only 18 members took on the task and was the original site in Joplin. Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, nondenominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief to communities throughout the United States. Now serving 32 states it continues to grow as more people in different communities answer the need. www, ozarksstar.com Angel Food’s groceries are sold in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $25 per unit. Each month’s menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $50. Comparison shopping has been done across the country in various communities using a wide range of retail grocery stores and has resulted in the same food items costing from between $42 and $78. Organizations wanting to become a host of the program go to www.angelfoodministries for an application. Or call 770-267-7015 or 888-819-3745. ENADINE MES, ORANGES CHERRIES 1. Add all ingr with ice. ..... . ~ 2. Shake well. 3. Chil martini glasses with ice and water. 4. Pour into martini glasses and garnish with fruit. ENJOY The STAR 23 ��OKLAHOMA COUNTY By James Nimrao Photo by ½"ctor Gorin: Jim Roth taking oath Former Oklahoma State Attorney General Robert Hemy administers oath, partner Worth in background. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Since the January 2nd swearing-in ceremony, two-thirds of Oklahoma County has been in the safe hands of the returning veteran Jim Roth, district 1; and the rookie Ray Vaughn, district 3. Later in the day, Mr.. Roth was re-elected for the third year in a row as chair of the County Commission. In his remarks from the stage Mr. Roth thanked the voters for re-hiring him and his team. He continued by renewing his commitment to doing good by the strangers ,ve will never meet the physically ~nd mentally ill, the downtrodden, the homeless those who rarely have an advocate in elected office. In his turn Mr. Vaughn pledged to run an office in a professional manner without personal disputes. Commissioners Roth and Vaughn, along with most of the County officers, are keen to restore the county budget board which will bring back greater scrutiny of tax dollar expenditures; this oversight board was abolished two years ago by Commissioners Brent Rinehart and Stan Inman. This action played a major role in removing Stan Inman from office. The remaining Commissioner, Brent Rinehart, district 2, was in attendance at the ceremony and seemed to be listening intently to the comments being made. Mr. Rinehart has proven to be divisive and contrary during the first two years of his term. He now has two good examples to work with. Should he wish to run for a second term, he’ll have to be a quick study and clean up his act in the less than two years remaining to him on the County Commission. Time will tell. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 25 �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 ,vhat 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 Salutations Kittens Once more too Uncle 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 always been fond of unconventional tokens of affection. A bouquet of flavored lubes and massage oils always brought a little 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 oflovin’. 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 l~ow 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 maW 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. All other matters will fall into place. Smooches_ Uncle Mikey Uncle Mikey, I feel 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. I 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 help 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 allow 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 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! Uncles third husband popped at the bathhouse. Imagine my surprise in the shower room, when he handed me that shiny steel ring. Tt~at 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 ,vas 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. Hmvever, none of my 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Febm~~ 9 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm CLUB IVIAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikk~ THE COPA: Open Talent wlShemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournanient 10pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Majestic Kings Show !0pm. HIDEAWAY: Mate Dancers, 9pro SATURDAY February" 10 LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro THE COPA: Open Talent xvlShemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm GUSHERS: Late Night Break~st Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEA\VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Mardi Gras Part),!~ "\Vhat will you do for beads" SUNDAY February 11 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pro SUNDAY Fe BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Cada Lee Love Shmv 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm HIDEA~,VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Eritd~ Show 10:30pm HIDEA"~SAY: Dominique LaRtle’s Girls Night Out, 10:30pro. MONDAY February 12 THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest !2am VALENTINES DAY BAMBOO LOUNGE: RED PARTT! Karaoke 9pro FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm THE COPA: Mate Dancers 9pm HIDEA’WAY: Male Dancers, 9pm CLUB ROX: Mison Scott Showg:30pm HIDEA~VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am BAMBOO LOUNGE: Mardi Gras Party! "What xvill you do for beads" HIDEA\VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm TNT’s: Super Bowl Part)" wlfood. THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm THE COPA: !vide Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lan~-3:30am CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachael Erikks CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show ~v/Rachael Erikks BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm Kns Koht Sho 8pm. Mardi Gras QUEEN & KING BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Shiny 10pm THE COPA: Rachad Erikks Shiny 10:30pm HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pm Contest, CLUB ROX: Whimey Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm, HIDEA’~VAY: Male Dancers, 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Shiny t0:30pm FINISHLINE: DartToumament 10pro THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Show 10:30pro sharp. HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Shiny t0:30pm sharp. TNT’s: Black & White Valentines Party, Open 7pm. THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight¯ BAMBOO LOUNGE: Kamoke 9pm. FAT TUESDAY THE COPA: Strip-O~Contest Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm ¯ TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Eril&s THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pra www.ozarksstar.com BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Show 10:30pm sharp. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Show 10:30pm sharp. After Dark is a free secvice m our advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser to inform the STAR in writing of updates, addkions or discontinued events. Nxe STAR is not responsible for accuracy. the STAR 27 �"Roll up your sleeves, Capricorn!" We still have that Jupiter-Uranus square shaking things up. Mars and the Sun are helping us to see ways to turn surprises into opportunities. Ha~d work, foresight, and cooperation come a little more easily and will prove well worth the effort. alone, you could invite disaster. Even without broaching the subject, talking with relatives will provide grounding and insight. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Hard work wilt pay off in any event. Utilizing your connections and looking ahead wilt help a lot. Coping innovatively with the inevitable snafus will get you recognized as a brilliant achiever. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January t9): Volunteer work is ultimately about enlightened self-interest. Even if the point is ostensibly to help others, you’ll quickly see what you have to gain from your "altruistic" efforts. Roll up your sleeves and dig in! TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Friends and their demands are getting complicated, leading to political conflicts. Going to bed with pals is not one of your values, so play that card carefully, if at all. Stay true to your own values and goals, and let your friends work around them. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Recent financial upsets could be opportunities in disguise. Confirm inspirations and hunches by talking with friends you trust about such matters. Your own brilliance may carry the day, but only if you acknowledge the efforts of others. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your partner’s efforts to promote your career will lead to some interesting new developments - perhaps a new career? Taking a long-range perspective and keeping your baby busy in bed can avoid trouble and help inspire your own career moves. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Friends will draw notice your way when you least expect or want it. Relax and accept the attention with good grace. It could prove very helpful for your career. Professionally or otherwise, your reputation will be boosted. CANCER (June 21 - Ju~y 22): Urges for novelty and experimentation can lead you into risky territory. Sexplay with someone you love and trust is the safest way to satisfy that desire. Exotic strangers can be great fun, but those you meet now may have some awful disease. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Real creativity takes discipline. This is one of those times you can be more creative by focusing your attention on the mundane tasks at hand and being supportive of your partner. Out of these everyday details will come inspiration and joy. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): It’s a great time for fussing around the house and decorating. Doing it with your partner, or even a roommate, can vastly improve your relationship. Play with new and different ideas; you don’t need to commit to any of them. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Explore some new, expressive outlet or take a class to brush up on neglected skills. Grab the first mad impulse in your head, think it through, make a plan, and let reality throw you into "Plan B." It will work out better than your "Plan A." SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Practicing domestic economy does not mean hitting the sales and spending "less" money. Sort treasures from trash, but take a creative look at the latter. There should be some new life or good resale value in your old junk. SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Tesdng appointment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our Community Dinner Every Wed. 6pm just $4.00. No one is turned a~vay. SAGITTARlUS (November 22 - December 20): You are especially articulate now on matters of family or community finances. Work on those issues with others in your tribe; 28 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) .888-391-9222 NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.orgBarnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers ....479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. www.diversitypride.com 479-253-0200 A Byrd’s Eye View..... 36 N. Main. Caribe Restaurante .... 309 W VanBuren ....... 479-253-8102 -479-253-5795 Henri’s ....... 19 1/2 Spring StLumberyard Bar&Grill--- 105 E VanBuren ....... 479-253-0400 MCC Living Spring - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Spexton ........ t7B Spring Street .......... 479-981-6060 - -479-253-2305 Tiki Torch. 75 S. Main Street. 800-242-1615 Tradewinds Lodge - 141 W. VanBuren. Arkansas, Fayetteville (479) Common Ground Restaurant--- 412 W. Dixon--- 479-442-3515 Condom Sense ........ 418 W. Dickson ...... -479-444-6228 479-521-0009 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- 479442-5845 Passages ......930 N. College Ave- 479-587-9512 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave-- Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads ....... 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave ........ 479-783-9988 - 479-782-9578 Klub XLR8 ...... 1022 Dodson Ave479-242-2489 Red Rock City - - - 917 N. "A" St. 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 -501-666-6900 Discovery..... 1021 Jessie Rd501-244-0444 Sidetracks --- 415 Main St--North L.R. 501-372-3070 The Factory ...... 412 Louisiana St.-50!-375-8580 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol AveKansas, Junction City (785) Xcalibur Club ...... 384 Grant Ave. 785-762-2050 Kansas, Pittsburg (620) PSU-QSA.-- 1701 S. BroadwayRiver of Life Church.- - 1709 N. Walnut- 620-231-0938 -Service 11AM Kansas, Wichita (316) Our Fantasy/South40 ..... 3201 S. Hillside ...... 316-682-5494 -316-942-1244 Priscilla’s ..... 6143 W Kellogg DrClub Glacier ......... 2828 E. 31st South ...... 316-612-9331 Missouri, Ava (417) 417-683-9199 Catus Canyon Campground Missouri, Joplin (417) MCC Spirit of Christ- - -2902 E 20th, - ...... Sat Service-9:30AM Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 Missouri, Kansas City (816) 40th Street Inn ....www.40thstreetinn.com ....... 816-561-7575 816-231-1196 Concourse Park B&B-- 300 Benton Blvd Hydes KC Gym & Guest Hs - www.hydeskc.com - - 816-561-1010 Missie B’s .... 805 W. 39th St-816-561-0625 Missouri, Springfield (417) The Edge ..... 424 Boonville Ave ..... 417-831-4700 4!7-869-3978 GLO Comm. Ctr---518 E. Commerical417-831-9001 JR’s Nightclub .... 504 E. Commerical-417-8644572 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive 417-864-0036 Ronisuz Place .... 82t College- Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books .... 104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s ........ 48!0-A West Garriott- ...... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Law, on (580) Ingrids Bookstore ..... 1124 NW Cache Rd ...... 580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (918) McPride- POBox 1515, - .... McAlester, OK 74502 Oklahoma, Oklahoma City (405) American Crossroads B&B- POBox 270642 ...... 405-495-1111 405-606-7000 Blue Dog Liquor- ......4015 N. Penn 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 ....... 405-9464438 Church of Open Arms ...... 3131 N. Penn ...... 405-525-9555 Copa -2200 NW 39th Exp ....... 405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave ....... 405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy....... 405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant..... 2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn .........2200 NW 39th Exp ....... 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St-405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel .... 3535 NW 39th Exp ........ 405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th ............ 405-843-1722 405-524-5733 Jungle Reds ....... 2200 NW Expwy-2200 NW Expwy.... - ..... 405-525-0730 Ledo Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St - ~ ..... 405-68!-5044 2805 NW 36th St ......... 405-942-2199 PartnersPec’s ........... 3535 NW 39th Expw ....... -405-947-2351 Red Rock North- - - 2240 NW39th St........... 405-525-5165 Rudy’s Place ...... 3535 NW39th Expw ........ 405-947-2351 405-601-3711 Phoenix Rising .... 2120 NW 39th St405-5284690 2125 NW 39th StThe Park. The Rockies ...... 3201 N. MayAve ......... 405-917-1663 405-947-2351 Topanga Grill & Bar- - - 3535 NW 39th - 405-521-9888 Tramps.2201 NW 39th. 405-521-9999 Ziggy’s- - 4005 N. PennOklahoma, Tulsa (918) 918-836-8700 Bamboo Lounge .... 7204 E. Pine 918-712-9955 Border’s Book Store--- 2740 E. 21st918-494-2665/ Border’s Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale 918-584-9944 Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder - Club Majestic ........ 124 N. Boston .......... 918-584-9494 .918-835-3301 Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan -918459-0497 Cosmo Care ..... 67.46 S. Memorial -918-834-1051 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI 918-7434297 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 621 E. 4th Street-918437-0449 Hideaway Lounge ..... 11730 E. 11th918-749-8378 HOPE Clinic ....... 3540 E. 31st,- 918-836-8544 Jazz’s Lounge ...... 426 S. Memorial 319 E. 3rd .............. 918-584-3112 MidtownOpenarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood ..... 918-838-7!04 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave ......... 918-585-9552 Priscilla’s -7925 E. 41st............. 918-6274884 5634 W. Skelly - - 918446-6336 Priscilla’s 9184384224 Priscilla’s 11344 E. 11th Priscilla’s 2333 E. 71st .............918499-1661 Renegades. 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 918-627-1505 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd918-745-9998 St. Michaels Alley ...... 3324-L E 31stSterling & Co. Salon- - -1606 E.15th St.- ........ 918-742-9999 - - 918-836-0299 Sappho’s ........ 6373-C E 31st St .918-8344194 Tulsa CARES .... 3507 E. Admiral PI. Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 -918-592-1188 Tulsa Eagle ..... 1338 E. 3rd 918-660-0856 2114 S. Memorial. TNT’s 918-293-0304 Yellow-Brick-Rd ........ 2630 E. 15th- �~ETt£ QUIT I~UNIGHIN~ OUI~G~L:VEG RDR B~tN~, (~A"/t ~TOP AND G’1"tART I~MBI:~&CIN~ AbL. WONP~RFUb THIN~G W~ ARE Bf~CAUBE W~ .4~ GAY: OUR/¢MMO~, OUR C~£4~I’IIZ~, OUR S~A~zT"/~.~ OUR ~A~J¢/OM, ANI::;’ OUR bitter girl email: bittergid@qsyndicate.com 30 the STAR www.joanhilty, net www.ozarksstar.com �E MPL[3YM ENT NW Arkansas GLBT CommuniV Center " LinMng " Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 \V\W~. NWAGLBTCC. O RG W~N.Ozarksstar.com [:1F~IaB RTU N 1TY ADVERTIBINB BALES I:~E P REB ENTATIVE FI3R BKLAHBMA~ MIBBBURI KANSAS BR ARKANSAS quaHficadons to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or m~ to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 the STAR 31 �� 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 www.ozarksstar.com The of Sair t 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 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 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 coming year, arose in this way. www.ozarksstar.com 1 (2437) Oklahoma’s HIVtSTD Hotlir~e PROTECT CastI÷ "At Century 2I Gold Castle our the STAR 3 Eight new laws advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality and protections go into effect in California 4@ TV here! Networks’ Original Horror Series ’q2ae Lair" Coming This Spring. Starring Peter Stickles and David Moretti Who was Oliver Sipple? The Gay man who saved Presidents Fords life. "Cowboy Junction" DVD to be released Feb. 27th- page 11 Gay Travelers "Fire Island, NY" Out of Town "Phoenix, Arizona" Valentines Day. While some believe in saying it ~vith roses, Uncle has always been fond of unconventional tokens of affection. A bouquet of flavored lubes and massage oils always brought a little warmth my way. 5 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 22 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 "The Lair" StalTing Peter Stickles and David Moretti - page 10 STAR DISTRIBUTION: Equality Center Grand Opening -page 15 OKLAHOMA CITY * TULSA* LAWTON * MCALESTER * ENID * LITTLE ROCK * NORTH LITTLE RODK * FAYETTEVILLE * FT SMITH * EUREKA SPRINGS * HOT SPRINGS * BENTONVILLE * ROGERS * KANSAS CITY * SPRINGFIELD * JOPLIN * BRANSON AREA * WICHITA * PITTSBURG * JUNCTION CITY 4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Eight new laws adv dng lesbian, gay; bisexual and transgender equality and pro ec ions go into effect irt California %gqth eight pro-equality laws going into effect this month, California stands head and shoulders above any ol/Jer state in treating all its people equally under the law. "-- Matt Foreman, Evec~tive Director; National Gay and Lesbian Task Force WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force applauds Equality California (EQCA) and legislative leaders for the record number of pro-equality laws taking effect this month in California. "With eight pro-equality laws going into effect this month, California stands head and shoulders above aW other state in treating all its people equally under the law," said Matt Foreman, executive ¯ director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Thanks to the extraordinary leadership of Geoff Kors and Equality California and lesbian and gay members of the Legislature -- Senators Sheila Kuehl, Christine Kehoe and Carole Migden and Assemblymember Mark Leno -- tens of thousands will now have greater access to health care, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in housing and state services will be prohibited, and the use of the pernicious ’homosexual panic’ defense will be limited, among many other advances." One of the most sweeping rneasures is the Equal Benefits in State Contracting law, which prohibits the state from contracting with businesses that do not offer equal benefits to employees with domestic partners on the same terms that benefits are offered to employees with spouses. The measure, authored by former Assemblymember and current Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, passed during the 2003-2004 legislative session and took effect on Jan. 1. It was modeled after a very successful 1996 equal benefits ordinance enacted in San Francisco. "\gre are excited to see this policy become state law," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors, who initiated the idea of enacting an equal benefits policy in San Francisco in the 1990s. "The new law establishes the fair principle of equal pay for equal work, regardless of sexual orientation." In addition to the equal benefits law, domestic partners in 2007 have the right to prepare their California income tax returns together. Couples can file jointly in 2008, covering the 2007 tax year. Other new laws that went into effect on Jan. 1 reduce courtroom bias against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, expand the state’s nondiscrimination protections, and ensure dignity and stability for LGBT seniors. "These new laws not only provide essential protections for the LGBT community, but they also reiterate California’s commitment to treat all people equally under the law," Kors said. The following pro-equality bills were enacted in California on Jan. 1: Equal Benefits in State Contracting (2003) AB 17: Assemblymember Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego terms that benefits are offered to employees with spouses. Prohibits the state from contracting with businesses that do not offer equal benefits to employees with domestic partners on the same State Income Tax Equity Act SB 1827: Sen. Carole Migden~ D-San Francisco Enables registered domestic partners to file joint state income tax returns and have their earned income treated as community property. Civil Rights Housing Act of 2006 AB 2800: Assemblymember John Laird, D-Santa Cruz Prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability and sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, familial status and source of income. Older Californians Equality and Protection Act AB 2920: Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco Ensures that LGBT seniors are adequately served by government services available to older Californians. Nondiscrimination in State Programs and Activities Act SB 1441: Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in state-operated programs. Equality in Prevention and Services for Domestic Abuse Act AB 2051: Assemblymember Rebecca Cohn, D-Saratoga Creates a fund to develop and support education and services for LGBT victims of domestic violence. Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act AB 1160: Assemblymember Sally Lieber, D-San Jose Creates jury instructions and prosecutor training to limit the use of so-called"panic strategies" to influence criminal trial proceedings. Code of Fair Campaign Practices AB 1207: Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee, D-San Francisco Prohibits the use of negative appeals based on prejudice against LGBT people by candidates who sign the voluntary pledge in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices. (Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill in 2005.) MARDI GRAS FAT TUESDAY Official name Mardi Gras Also called Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday Observed by Various locales, usually ones historically associated with Catholic populations Type Local, cultural, christian Significance Celebration prior to fasting season of Lent. Date Day before Ash Wednesday 2007 date February 20 Celebrations Parades, parties Related to Carnival w~wv.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 Northern Mexican state of Coahuila approves law recognizing gay unions The Associated Press Published: January 12, 2007 PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico__ The legislature for the northern Mexican state of Coahuila approved a law recognizing gay unions on Thursday, the second assembly to take such an action in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation. The measure, which will provide gay couples with numerous social benefits similar to those of married couples, was approved with 20 votes in favor and13 votes against, said Rep. Julieta Lopez, of the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Lopez helped the draft the bill. Coahuila Gov. Humberto Moreira, who is also in the PRI, is expected to sign the bill into law. In November, the Mexico City assembly passed a similar measure for the first time in the nation’s history. That law has been sharply criticized by the Roman Catholic Church and the conservative Nation.al Action Party of President Felipe Calderon. While homosexuality is still taboo in many rural parts of Latin America, the region’s urban areas are becoming more socially liberal. Mexico City and Coahuila join the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul in legalizing same-sex civil unions. At the national level, lawmakers in Costa Rica and Colombia have debated, but not passed, similar measures. http://www.iht, corn/articles/ap/2007/01/12/america/LA-GENMexico- Gay-Unions.php Joplin Gay/Lesbian Center to host wine and beer reception. JOPLIN, MO__A "Freedom To Marry Week" event in support of Equal Civil Marriage For Gays and Lesbians will be held on Saturday night February 17th, 7pm to 1 lpm at the UCCFF Building, 204 North Jackson Ave. The event hosted by the Joplin Gay/Lesbian Center will include Dancing, Show, Music with DJ, Wedding Cake, Wine and Beer. The fundraiser is to raise money for Joplin Gay & Lesbian Center, to have fun, socialize, and to meet new people. The Joplin Gay/Lesbian Center is a newly formed non-profit organization in Joplin, MO. For more information contact Lee McDaniel at 417/622-7821 or email: gaylesbiancenter@yahoo.com Mardi Gras Parw at the Hollywood Hotel to benefit Her!and Sister Resources by Jeanne Flanigan OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Lose the winter blues at the First Annual Herland Mardi Gras Party, on Saturday, February 17, at the Hollywood Hotel and Suites, 3535 NW Expressway, OKC. Tickets are $7 per person, at the door, or from Herland Sister Resources (HSR) Board members. Sorry, no table reservations. ~lere will be a cash bar, and the event is smoke-free. There are several smoking areas within the hotel, and outside under the portico. All room rentals are $45 during the winter season. The fun will start at 7 pm with live music by Tara Henry, Alison Scott, DeShawna, Shannen Porter, and others TBA. In between entertainers Miss Ivanna DeVille will dazzle the crowd, and a DJ will play tunes to get dmvn by. A costume contest for the Best Solo, the Best Couple and the Best Group will be held at 9 pm. Between music sets, a couple of other contests will be held: the selection of a King and Queen (by who raises the most money), not to be confused with the Hog-Calling contest (xvhich will raise the most laughs). A silent auction will be conducted, with bidding closing at 10 pm. Several tables near the entrance will be reserved for information from CimarronArts Project, Okdahoma Visual Arts Coalition, AIDS Mastery Workshop, Herland, and OKC Pride. HSR is a woraen’s collective founded over 20 years ago. Their bookstore is located at 2312 NW 39th, in OKC, just west of the Strip. The bookstore hosts poetry readings, art shows, and is a lending library and reading room, open Saturdays flora 1-5. HSR also sponsors monthly events, such as the Supper Club, nature hikes, game and nights, and potluck dinners. Yearly events include the Pride Picnic, the Spring and Fall Retreats, and several holiday parties. HSR is highly valued for the publishing of the "Herland Voice" newsletter, with events, articles, and an annual Poetry issue. Nxe Mardi Gras Party will help to pay for the printing and postage of the newsletter for 2007. Donations of auction items are needed, small and large, due Saturday, February 10th, at the bookstore. For further information, contact Herland at herland@herlandsisters.org, or call (405) 521-9696 and leave a message. All donations are tax-deductible. Herland’s website is www.herlandsisters.org Come and part,/down with the sisters.., and brothers too! 6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 DiversiW Weekend April 13-t5, 2007 437 E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) ORDERS BY 12NOON GUARANTEED SAME DAY DELIVERY Glenpool Cleaners {inside Glenpoo[ Flowers] 9z8-z91-3275 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com works’ Or g na I orror Ser es LOS ANGELES, CA -January 16, 2007 - here!, America’s premium gay television network, is pleased to announce that it has wrapped production on the first season of the new provocative original, scripted series 7he Lair. The first of six half-hour episodes will premiere on the network in Spring 2007. "The Lair continues herd’s substantial rollout of provocative original programming in 2007 that can only, be seen on here!," said Paul Colichman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of here! Networks. "This newest addition to our line up authentically and unapologetically reclaims the horror genre for a LGBT audience." Set in a small coastal town, ~l~ne Lair opens as the bodies of young nameless men are turning up dead with vicious wounds to their necks. A young journalist is investigating a series of mysterious John Doe murders. Clues to these crimes lead him directly to a private gentlemen’s club called "Ihe Lair, where the deepest, darkest desires are fulfilled. As he gets closer to solving the mystery, Thorn finds himself ensnared in a blood thirsty coven of vampires. The Lair stars Peter Stickles, who gathered a following this year ~’rom his work in the acclaimed indie Shortbus, as Damian, the leader of the coven of gay vampires, as well as newcomer David Moretti, who takes the lead as "iI~om. "With a strong, talented cast, we are pleased to add "I-he Lair as another original scripted series to our growing slate of projects," noted Meredith Kadtec, here!’s Vice President of Original Programming. "Our programming runs the gamut, from sexy soap operas to thought-provokdng documentaries, and The Lair is a welcome addition to that line up." The Lair is the latest project reflecting here!’s commitment to bring fresh original programming to the LGBT communib: For a sampiing of provocative and innovative here! content, visit the here! Video Player found at www.heret~acom/videoplayer. Read more about here! and out how to get the channel in your area at www. heretv.com. Recent and upcoming here! original films, series and specials include: The DL Chronicles, an award-~vinning series focusing on the diverse stories of men of color who by consequence and by choice, live sexually duplicitous and secret lifestyles; The Lair, a provocative and sexy vampire horror series; Dante’s Cove, ranked "Best Soap of the Year" by The Advocate; the critically acclaimed Shock To The System: A Donald Strachey Mystery, the second installment in the series of original films starring Chad Mlen as a gay private investigator; the provocative six-part docu-series Lesbian Sex and Sexuality, an unblinking look inside the world of lesbian culture from award-winning producer Katherine Linton; and the original film Shelter, an indie romantic drama about love, family and trying to stay true to yourself. Photofi’orn: here! here!, America’s premium gay television network, was established in 2002 and is currently available nationwide on all major cable systems and Internet TV providers as either a 24/7 premium subscription channel, a video on demand (VOD) service, and/or a subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, here! offers a wide variety of ground breaking and acclaimed original movies and series plus the world’s largest collection of gay and lesbian films appealing to the broad-based, diverse LGBT audience. 10 the STAR w,~v.ozarksstar.com COWBOYJUNCTION DVD TO RELEASED FEBRUARY 27TH. BE James Bobby - The Coxvboy Matt Austin - Young Co~vboy The Hustler "Cowboy JunctioN’ was originally conceived as a short story entitled Me, Bobby McGee and the Gun. The simple yet sweet tale of two men who meet by chance and throw caution to the wind has always resonated for screenwriter Gregory Christian. "It is a fairy-tale of sorts," he has said. "Just think back to the last time you fell in love with a stranger." But this "boy meets boy" tale took on a completely different twist when he began adapting it as a short screenplay for entry into the film festival circuit. Suddenly, one of the boys was now a married man caught up in a world of homo-erotic fantasy and coveting his gardener (the Bobby McGee character now envisioned as a rugged cowboy). When the script was ready, the problem of finding two suitable leads arose. \Vhile working at the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, Mr. Christian decided, after much debate, to cast himself as the MAN and fellow actor James Bobby as the COWBOY. Bobby was more than up for the task of tackling such challenging and tongue-in-cheek material. The wheels were in motion and a summer 2004 shoot was set. Gregory calls the short a "one-day ,vonder." The entire piece was shot on a Saturday in August in less than 14 hours. When the final cut was ready, he began submitting it to numerous film festivals. In May 2005, the "Cowboy Junction" short premiered at the Miami Film Festival. It played on multiple screens at the Regal Theatre as part of their wildly popular "Boys’ Shorts" program. The piece was a definite crowd pleaser and also garnered a cover on local Floridian magazine "411" as part of an article about the festival. The short was so well-received, Mr. Christian announced at the showings that the short would be pulled off the circuit and a feature would be going into production. The script was ready, the cast and crew were in place and production was set for five days following the conclusion of the festival. The character of the wife was now a prominent part of the storlyine and would be played by veteran actress Elyse Mirto (another Kingsmen Shakespeare alumni). The tale was now a story of her husband’s sexual repression and gut-wrenching "coming out," amongst the most dire of circumstances. The entire movie was a wonder in it’s own right: completed in nine days of total production time. Gregory Christian - The Husband Executive Producer, Director Screemvriter Elyse Mirto - The Wife www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 Little Reck CapitN Pride Nects new President LITTLE ROCK, AR Little Rock Capital Pride Board President, David \vvq. Quinn, has stepped down in order to pursue other personal and professional goals. David plans to remain active in the group and the board wishes him well in his future endeavors. Following David’s resignation, the board of Little Rock Capital Pride has voted to name Board Secretary, Joe LaFountaine, its new leader. Joe is a native Arkansan that returned home this May, most recently from Atlanta, Georgia where he was a volunteer with Atlanta Pride Committee, which produces the third largest Pride festival in the United States. In October, Joe received a scholarship to represent LRCP at the InterPride World Conference in Portland, Maine. The conference provided workshops on many facets of Pride planning, entertainment and networking with over 200 Pride organizers representing over 50 Pride groups from across the world. With less than six months remaining until the third annual Capital Pride celebration, Joe asks the community for its support and assistance to help achieve the lofty" goals the board has set. Capital Pride will be held June 3rd at the Little Rock River Market Amphitheatre and financial support and participation is very much needed for a successful event. To learn more about how Capital Pride, please visit http://www.littlerockcapitalpride.org. About Little Rock Capital Pride Little Rock Capital Pride (http://www. littlerockcapitalpride.org/) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to host events that honor the history and diversity of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) individuals in the State ofArkansas and surrounding areas and create unity within the GLBT community and its allies by providing social support and enhancing awareness of the past and present contributions of GLBT individuals through community activities and services, including an annual Pride event. Arkansas Citizens First Congress is still seeking interns. Bill Kopsky LITTLE ROCK, AR The Arkansas Citizens First Congress is still seeking interns for this coming session of the Arkansas General Assembly. Interns are a key part of the Congress’ ability to monitor a legislative process that considers over 3000 pieces of legislation in a little over 3 months; while also moving key parts of a proactive agenda forward. The Congress is looking for one full-time intern who will receive $200 a week, and several part-time interns who will be volunteers. Academic credit is possible from many institutions. Interns will be joining an experienced staff led by lobbyist and Policy Director Alice Lightle who is a veteran of several legislative sessions as well as time in the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office and as a campaign manager for Federal and State Offices. We are recruiting mature candidates who want hands on experience in how state government works and how grass roots communities can affect it. Job description is pasted below as well as attached. Full-time position 45+ hours a week during the Arkansas legislative session January thru mid-April Part-time positions Minimum of 12 hours / week during the Arkansas legislative session January thru mid-April Send resumes and letter of inquiry to: The Arkansas Citizens First Congress 1308 West Second Little Rock, AR 72201 or email: Congress@CitizensFirst.org Web at www.CitizensFirst.org The Arkansas Citizens First Congress is a coalition of community and labor organizations from across Arkansas that advocate a common agenda before the Arkansas legislature and some state agencies. We are a multi-issue coalition working on the environment, civil rights, agriculture, economic justice, government accountability, and consumer rights. DIVERSITY WEEKEID DATES Eureka Springs, Arkansa VALENTINE’S DIVERSITYWEEKEND Frida> Feb 16, 2007- Sunda> Feb 18, 2007 SPRING DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, April 13, 2007 - Sunday, April 15, 2007 SUMMER DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Aug 3, 2007 - Sunday Aug 5, 2007 FALL DIVERSITY WEEKEND Friday, Nov 2, 2007 - Sunday, Nov 4, 2007 For more information go to: www.diversitypride.com Creating Community for People iving DS 501 c (3) Non Profit Orga~aization 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 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. 12 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Photo: Ronald Blake ~11IReally Need To Know was a book written by Robert Ful: simplicity. Everyone wants to make the that is why it becomes so complicated. and healthy body, let’s adhere to some of presented in Mr. Fulgham’s opus. Goldfish and white mice and hamsters all a mother load to throw at dressed sometime. The sooner, the better. This the time to prepare for the inevitable passing ofI the pondering as to why some lucky squares live others. \X~ny mommy? Because some folks treat ~ dumpsters while others treat them go easy on the booze, exercise frequently, and eat Lohan but less than Bruce Vilanch. Warm cookies and cold milk are morsel of advice. However, let’s wave the wand those delicious cookies into Snack~vells or wheat troduce that dairy product as a skim milk variety. you sir, can I have another? ~l:ake a nap every afternoon. A smashing and dare I cept. Don’t you even think of working through or engaging in that nonsensical gossip with your quiet office space or your Nissan Maxima and fifteen to twenty minutes. It’s a devil of a lot better Pepsi, a cancer stick, or that proliferation of a vicious ugly Betty in the loss prevention department. Wash your hands before you eat. Germs are omnipresent ing their opportunity to invade and infect you. There are places you go and many things you touch that are laden guys. Don’t go Mommy Dearest on me and obsess about the i of it all. Just lather up the Lifebuoy or the Lever 2000 away those microbial monsters before your eating events. Put things back where you found them. If you have a membershi]3 then you know the importance of this lodestar. conspicuous signs adorning the fitness room walls should www.ozarksstar.com ¯ the STAR 3 was Oliver Sipple? Oliver Sipple is credited with saving the life of President Gerald Ford in 1975, but the outing that followed his heroic act wreaked havoc on his personal life. Sipple, known by the nickname "Billy," was born in Detroit in November 1941. In high school, he was a star football player. During the mid-1960s, after moving to New York City, Sipple hung out with a circle of gay men who frequented Kelly’s, a hustler bar. He began a relationship with Joe Campbell (later immortalized as the "Sugar Plum Fairy" in Lou Reed’s song "Walk on the Wild Side"), who previously had been a lover of Harvey Milk. 7he couple moved to Fort Lauderdale, but S~pple soon left Campbell, prompting Campbel! to attempt suicide. During the Vietnam War, Sipple joined the Marine Corps as a private first-class. He was wounded twice, and completed his tour of duty in a Philadelphia veterans’ hospital. He received an honorable discharge in 1970 and moved to San Francisco, where he lived on a veteran’s pension due to physical and psychological disability. He had numerous friends among the city’s burgeoning gay community, and he worked on Milk’s campaign for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. On the afternoon of Sept. 22, 1975, Sipple was taking a walk when he joined a crowd gathered outside the St. Francis Hotel in Union Square to greet President Ford - who just weeks earlier had survived an assassination attempt by Charles Manson follower Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. As Ford exited the hotel, Sipple noticed that the gray-haired woman standing beside him - later identified as Sara Jane Moore - had pulled a revolver out of her raincoat. Sipple grabbed Moore’s arm, causing her shot to miss the president by a few feet, then wrestled her to the ground to prevent her from firing again; Moore was captured, pleaded guilty, and is serving a life sentence in prison. (photo rig,bt) When questioned by police and Secret Service agents, Sipple asked them not to release his name. Nevertheless, reporters got wind of him, and he was hailed as a hero. According to journalist Randy Shilts, Milk told San Francisco Chronicle_ gossip columnist Herb Caen that Sipple was gay. "That guy saved the president’s life," Milk reportedly said. "It shows that we do good things, not just all that ca-ca about molesting children and hanging out in bathrooms." Caen noted in a column that Sipple was gay, and the news was picked up by several other papers across the country - including the Chicago Sun-Times, which called Sipple a "Homosexual Hero." But Sipple was not interested in being a "gay hero." "My sexual orientation has nothing to do with saving the president’s life," he said, "just as the color of my eyes or my race has nothing to do with what happened in front of the St. Francis Hotel." The outing devastated Sipple, who had not revealed his sexuality to his conservative family back in Michigan. "My mother told me today she can’t walk out of her front door, or even go to church, because of the pressures she feels because of the press stories concerning my sexual orientation," Sipple lamented to reporters. His brother George later recalled that he, his father, and another brother, all ofwhom worked for General Motors, were taunted on the factory floor. Sipple’s parents cut off contact with him, although George said that they did not disown him and eventually reconciled. Sipple filed a $15 million lawsuit against the Chronicle, the Sun-Times, and five other newspapers for invasion of privacy. A San Francisco Superior Court judge dismissed the case on First Amendment grounds, and a state appeals court upheld the decision in May 1984. Although Sipple received a letter expressing Ford’s "heartfelt appreciation," he was never invited to the White House to accept more formal recognition. Milk and some other activists attributed this slight to Sipple’s sexuality, but Ford later told a reporter that he thought he had "done the right thing," and that he hadn’t learned until sometime later that Sipple was gay. In the years that followed, Sipple grew 14 the STAR increasingly bitter and descended into alcoholism. "There were a lot of times he wished he had never saved the president’s life, for all the anguish it caused him," his brother recalled. "He said life -would have been so m~ch simpler if he hadn’t have done it." Though in ill health, Sipple was a regular denizen at several gay watering holes on Polk Street. On Feb. 2, 1989, after Sipple had failed to appear for several days, a friend found him dead in his Tenderloin apartment, the walls plastered with press clippings from the 1975 incident. Ford sent a letter of condolence to the patrons of the New Bell Saloon - acknowledging them as Sipple’s chosen family - stating that he "strongly regretted the problems that developed" for Sipple after the assassination attempt. The tragic end to Sipple’s life contributed to a debate within the LGBT community over identity politics and outing that persists to this day. In addition, his story is widely used in law and journalism schools as a case study in the ethics of revealing a person’s sexual orientation against his or her will. Oliver Sip2ole thwarted an assassination atte, wt on President Ford in 1975 For further information: Duke, Lynne. 2006. "Caught in Fate’s Trajectory, Along With Gerald Ford." Washington Post (December 31). hilts, Randy. 1982. The Mayor of Castro Street(St. Martin’s Press). www.ozarksstar.com GRAND OPENING of EQUALITY CENTER Defying conventional expectations, Tulsa is now home to one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community centers in the United States. Beginning February 14th, a five-day Grand Opening celebration will be held at the Equality Center, an 18,000 square-foot facility in the gentrifying East End district of downtown Tulsa at 621 E. 4th Street. For a schedule of events, see below. Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq (formerly Tulsa Oldahomans for Human Rights/ TOHR) mvns and operates the Equality Center. In addition to serving as a base for statewide advocacy efforts, the Equality Center will house wellness programs, a David Bohnett Cyber Center, the Tulsa LGBT History Project, meeting rooms, health testing services, a pro-bono legal clinic, an art gallery, retail operations, the Nancy & Joe Rainbow Library, and rental space for events. An eviction for using gay in signage at the first Tulsa LGBT Community Center and landlordsfi€TM repeated refusals to lease space to a gay organization inspired Oklahomans for Equality to purchase a home of its own. Established in 2000, the OkEq capital campaign has currently raised almost $900,000 in private and foundation gifts. Not a cent of public or corporate money has been contributed toward the costs of purchasing or renovating the formerly abandoned industrial building. Over the last year, more than 225 unique volunteers have worked over 6000 hours in refurbishing the facility. At the same time, an outstanding team of design professionals have volunteered their services in orchestrating exterior and interior design concepts and dra-wings. EQUALITY CENTER GRAND OPENING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Love: The Higher Law ~tlursday, February 14th In support of the 10th anniversary of Freedom to Marry Week, Oklahomans for Equality (O"~q) is sponsoring Love: The Higher Law, a Valentine’s Day demonstration calling for marriage equality for same-gender Oklahomans. A coalition of same-gender couples, pro-LGBT ministers, and activists will go to the Tulsa County Courthouse and attempt to register for marriage licenses. If you are interested in participating in this historic event, please contact OkEq President Laura Behnonte at labelmonte@hotmail.com or 918.906.2134. Xhere will be a mandatory training session for all participants prior to the demonstration. Following the Valentines Day action, a wedding reception will be held in the Great Hall of the Equality Center from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Free and open to the public, the wedding reception honors those ~vho attempted to register for marriage licenses earlier in the day and all same-sex couples denied the 1,049 federal benefits of marriage equality. Opening Doors Art Exhibit & Competition ~Pnursday, Februa~7 15tih Unique art that speaks to all and opens doors to the heart, soul and mind ~vill be featured during the Opening Doors Exhibit & Competition. The exhibit/competition debuts on Thursday, February 15, 2007 with a flee Champagne & Chocolate reception from 5:00-9:00 PM and runs through March 15, 2007. Each entry of the exhibit and competition will be on, or a part of, a door - car, cabinet, house or any other type of door. Individuals, groups and organizations are ~velcome to submit an entry free of charge. Awards, determined by a vote of the public, will recognize an outstanding piece by a young adult (under 21), as well as an adult entry. GayBingO Friday, February 16th No straight lines - just nice shapes. No toy prizes just cash. This isdt the bingo your grandmother played! GayBingO makes its debut on Friday, February 16, 7:00-10:00 PM, in the Event Center. Outrageous entertainment, 6 of the gayest bingo games you’ve seen, drink specials like the BingoBlast, and a couple of special surprises make GayBingO the night you won’t want to miss. Tickets, $15 in advance, include a fi’ee drink and are available at the Equality Center, 621 E 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. XWelcome Home Open House - LGBT Community Expo & TestFest 2007 Saturda> February 17th A full, free afternoon dedicated to the LGBT & allied community is featured on Saturday, February 17, 2007, 2:00-6:00 PM. The Welcome Home Open House features tours of the new facility and refreshments in the Great Hall. You’ll be able to learn more of the numerous community groups, social organizations, houses of worship and agencies during the LGBT Community, Expo in the Wellness Center. While you’re enjoying the afternoon, free HIV and syphilis tests will be available during Test- Fest 2007 in the Health Testing Ofiqce and additional locations in the Center. \Vild Hearts Ball VII - Mardi Gras Madness Saturday, February 17th The signature event of the Ok~q Capital Campaign, the Wild Hearts Ball, celebrates its 7th year with Mardi Gras Madness, 8:00-11:00 PM, in the Event Center of the Equality Center. Free food, delicious dancers, cash bar and a live DJ will make you want to dance the night away. The drawing for the Great Divide, your chance to win thousands of dollars ($20/ticket) in the 50/50 cash split, will also be held during the Wild Hearts Ball. Of course, it wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without a little madness. If you come in full Mardi Gras regalia, as long as itfi€% legal, you can compete for prizes during the costume contest at 10:00 PM. Tickets, $15 in advance or $20 at the door, are available at the Equality Center, 621 E 4th Street in downto~vn Tulsa ............ Continued2age-23 www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 This IS the season to enjoy red wines. While visiting wine country in California this holiday season, I was most impressed with the Zins. From Paso Robles to Sonoma, Zins are truly worth exploring. Briefhistory ofthe grape: [ZIHN-fuhn-dehl] This is considered California’s red-wine grape because it’s not widely gro~vn in other parts of the world. Zinfandel vines were brought to California in the 1850’s. By the 1880’s, this variety was rapidly gaining acceptance by California growers, and it is now that state’s second most extensively planted red grape behind cabernet sauvignon. For years Zinfandel’s origins were ~" mysterious. Initially, research confirmed a relationship between Zinfandel Primitivo (a variety grown in Italy’s Puglia region), causing speculation that might have originated in Italy¯ ~However, in late 2001, DNA findetermined that Crljenak KaAitelanski (a little-known grape from and Zinfandel have identical DNA profiles. existence of Crljenak Ka~_itelanski could be found in only one vineyard " thousands of vines and dozens of varieties, of which only nine vines Zinfandel. Vineyards get replanted periodically, and nobody recognized special about this particular vineyard, so it is likely that in a few years grape might have ceased to exist. Beside the Zinfandel grown in California (and Italy’s Primitivo), there are only isolated planting of this grape, mainly in South Africa and Australia. Zinfandel is vinified in many styles, which vary greatly in quality. One popular style is white zinfandel, a fruity-flavored blush wine that’s usually slightly sweet and ranges in color from light to dark pink. When made into red wine, Zinfandel can produce wines ranging from light, nouveau styles to hearty, robust reds with berrylike, spicy (sometimes peppery) flavors, plenty of tannins, enough complexity and longevity to be compared to cabernet sauvignons. Another style is late-harvest Zinfandel, which exhibits higher alcohol levels and some residual sugar. The Italians produce dry red Primitivo grape-based wines that are similar to some California Zins. As Zinfandel’s popularity increases, more and more enterprising Italian Primitivo growers are labeling their wines "Zinfandel" and exporting them to the United States. Foods thatpair well: Vegetable pasta dishes, beef sirloin tips, BBQ ribs, sausages, brisket and some sharp cheeses¯ Some cool vineyards to look out for Rodney Strong Sonoma County Reserve 2004, Gnarly Red 2005, J. Lohr Old Vines 2004, Dancing Bull 2004, Norman Vineyards, the Monster, Fire Station Red/Old Vines 2003, Calistoga Cellars 2003 Thanks for reading, now go into your favorite wine shop and ask questions. Bring some bottles home and share some food & wine with friends. 1 6 the 8TAF~ www.ozarksstar.com Ingredients: -Spaghetti Josephine- (Serves: 4) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup onion, minced 1/4 cup celery, minced 1/4 cup shallots, minced 1/4 cup carrots, minced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1-1/4 cups (8 oz.) ground beef 1-1/4 cups (8 oz.) ground pork 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 cup dry red wine 2 cups brown veal stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/’8 teaspoon red chili flakes 1 lb. fedelini pasta #2 Parmesan cheese to taste 1 ounce chopped parsley 1. Pour the olive oi! into a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook the onions, celery, shallots and carrots, stirring frequently, until soft. 2. Add the garlic, ground beef and ground pork. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Add the tomato paste and stir for I minute. Add the red wine and veal stock. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. 3. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes and nutmeg. Taste for seasonings. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. In a large serving bowl, toss the pasta with the sauce. Add Parmesan cheese to taste and garnish with parsley. Serve. More on ChezJosephine ownerJean-Claude Bake~" andJosephine Baker, page 19. by Donald Pile and Ray Williams evening. ’~’~ also recon~at~e~d that you purchase your bee~ liquor and groceries in Sayvitle b4{bre tal~ng the f~rry to Fire Island and save yourself a LOT of money~ YOU can take ~;NYFHING on the ferry with you! \x;’%en you debark from the ferry they has,e F~E little red wagons for tourists tO Use to cart your groceries and luggage to your accommodations. Located abou~ 50 miles East ofNew York Cib~ on the South side of Long Island. Fire Island is the gay" Fantasy Island in the United States. It is a "barrier island approximately 30 miles long az~d a half mile wide. Once you get offthe ferry that takes you from Sa;~wille, New ~%rk to this ,£onderful enchanted Island, you KNOW }o~ are in gay heaven. It is a world unto itsel£ Except for the very :xpensive plane hop, the only way to the Island is by the ferry, " which takes about 20 minutes. It leaves every hour ~n the weekends a~3d ever5" two hours weekdays. From NYC you can take the bus m Sayville or, if you have a car, a just park it in the ferry parking lot. Fire Island is quite small and there are no autos, no bicycles or any other means of transportation other than walking, which At the Fire Island Pines, Low [lSa {aka "Ihe %a Dan~") is a tradition going back many mOonS that continues today on it’s original turf- ~ne Blue W~ale LoW%a takes place eac!~ day at the Blue Whale. From 5 PM to 8PM. Bartenders serve up concocuons to get your hydrated before you sweat it all out dancing to the tunes of one of their DJ~. High Tea is your chance to coot is done either on the beach or on the boardwalks. Literally, board down after burning " plank:; are raised above the sand and measure from ~hree to six feet i. tHuepldateLacohwd%ayaat wide. The ~wo communities on Fire Island are "l~ne Pines and Cherry" Grove which are located about a 25 minute walk apart, ~he Pines is more upscale and costly: Cherry- Grove is a bit more taSd back. Prices for accommodations, food mid drink are very expensive at either place. All fbod. liquor, hotd supplies, etc. have to be brought over by the ferry each day, so don’t expect any bargains here. But it is 99% ~y! You pay ~br what you get. Fire Island is a must when travding ro the East coast for a few days. New York gays have been coming here for years, mostly on weekends as a great ge>a-way fi:omthe cib: A lot ofNew 21~rkers have built weekend homes here and the parties run 24 hours a day" on weekends.. Don’t expect any great accommodations on Fire Island. there iust aren’t any. [~e Botet Pines and Dunes Yacht Club are the only public hotel in the Pines and it is really in need of updating. ~the Fire Island Pines is relatively new. On the CherU Grove side, there are severa! options including the Dune Poim, a small sb: unit lodging: the Carousel Guest House, Holly House and the Cherry Grove Hotel. Then there is the Belevedere Guesthouse which wa~ built in 1957 and has almost 40 rooms. It is qui~e nice and has wonderful views. Most of the restaurants on the, Island are in Cherry Grove. For night life you might enjoy Cherry} which has a piano bar, video bar and poll table or the Gro;,oe Hotel whi& has a grea~ disco bar. On the Pines side, be sure and check out Island Club with it~ piano bar and dance floor and the Pavilion which is the largest disco on the entire Island. the balcoW above Pavilion, High .Tea kicks off at 8 PM aid runs till 10 PM. It~ w)ur chance m lounge and watch all the the ashore with literally a boa>load of guys for you to meet. ~e sure and take your camera as there are real deer all over the Island and they wil! come right uP to you for fi~od, Nature hiking is a great exPefience here as the trees, bushes and flowers are very" plentiful. We promise you witi love it ~n Fire Island as it is an experience ofa lifetime, it is simply, the gavest place in Am4rica, even ~ore so than San FranciscO! "l:~t~e gr~at" webSites are:ww~a:fireisland,com/, htrp:/Ix~vw.cherrygrovd.com/and hrtp://www.fireistandmen.com/ Path:. sun and sex are the only reasons to go to Fire Island and you certainly won’, get much res,:. ~Ihey par~" begins the moment you step off" the ferry and doesn’t stop until you get back on it fi)r your return to the mainland. Needless to say~ dress is veiT informal and dnring the days, most just wear their swimming shorts or bikinis. ~lhe "IN" season begins on Memorial Day and runs through I.abor DaB however it is open all )’ear long. Ifyou are not looking to be with throngs of people the go during the offseason when the prices are much lower. Prices almost double on weekends so if you can, stay during the week. Another alternative would be to stay in 5a)’vil~e and take the ferry- over in the morning and return in the 18 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com "TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD" by Donald iPile & Ray \Villiams CHEZ JOSEPHINE in NewYork Citywho have dined at Chez Josephine~ and they relate ~he same sroLv that we had. "Ihey catfr wai~ ro return ro enjoy themselves. A grea restaurant stays basically the same year after year after year. It was perfect when they opened and it is soil perfect today. Why change a perfiect thing? But it is the "People" who make a restaurant. ~e owner/host, entire restaurant staff’as we!l as the customers who inrermi ngle with each other while enjoying their own fine dining experience. On our first dining experience at Chez Josephin& we nler a tfyou have never dined at Chez Josephine Restaurant in New ~i)rk City you sim ly have not lived mu Located at 4 !4 \g~est 42nd Street it is right in the heart of the Theatre District. For over 20 years, the "beyond Fabulous" owner, Jean-Claude Baker h£s been the finest host of any restaurant in the city. A tribute to the late Josephine Baker, the restaurant and it’s live music exude theatrical panache. Recently remodeled, now with a private dining room, this landmark jewel is even more inviting and romantic with its blue-On ceiling, red velvet walls and cavalcade of chandeliers which light up the vintage portraits of "La Baker": 7he eclectic menu reinvents the traditional Cuisine of the French bistro in an explosion of tantalizing flavors. They have won numerous awards over the years including the AAA Four Diamond Award and Zagats. When we dine out. whether it be in New York Cit% Chicago, Palm Beach, Palm Springs or wh~tever, selecting the right restaurant is so important. Any "cook" can prepare a ,ned that is edible! So we have ~ to search for something far beyond that. We always tell Our readers that when they travel, that "people" are the most important thing. So it is when had never had anyone send them a gift just for sitting next to them ar a restaurant but that is how it is when dining at Chez Josephine. It is £~ experience. dining at a restaurant.... People! From the moment you walk into the door at a restaurant until the time you leave, "People" is what it \g’~e have been in fine restaurants is all about. Sure, a restaurant HAS to have properly prepared food in the country from Coast to CoaSt but and presented in a wonderful manner. Tile restaurant itself~S to dais is one takes the cake so to speak for the finest have a certain ambiance. But it is the "People" who make a dining in everything! ~e ambiance, the service, the ~bod..... experience ~br us. everything is just PERFECY ! ! ! ! ! Jean-Claude lmows how to treat his guests and they return over the years in droves. It m~es for a From the moment we walked into Chez Josephine’s the first marvelous din!,ng experience. Fron.i the momentyo,u. step in th~ rime, the absolutely fabtflous host, Jean-Claude was standing there restaurant until you leave, you are m a completely different world, waiting, for us His Charm emnowered the entire restaurant The leaving behind your troubles and that of dae world. You really never waiters and entire staffmade certain that we were the most m" apor- ~ant to lea~~e¯ rant people in the restaurant, as they do with every- customer. Even thou we new none of the other customers we all had a common ca- "lhey serve dinner from 5 PM to 1 AM Tuesday thru Saturday maraderie amongst ourselves. We were all taking part in a delightful and Sunday Brunch and Dinner from Noon to 10 PM. Their menu and unfbrgettable dining experience and we all tmew it. You were in offers Spaghetti Josephine, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Maryland Crab a very special place ar a very special time and everything was perfect! Cakes. Lobster Cassoutet with Shrimp, Lemon Shrimp ~sotto, ~md we know }br certain that this takes place every day with every Boudin Noir, Elvira’s Down Home Fried chicken, French Cut customer at Chez Josephine’s. .~aixish Chicken Breast, Roasted Duck a t’Orange, Pan Seared Calf’s Live. Grilled Skirt Steak, Black _&ngus Filet Mignon arid Double Now that they have reached a memorable milestone of being i~ Cut Lamb Chops. business for 20 years, ttxere legacy just continues and gets better and better each year. As we travel to both coasts we talk with others Their website is: ww~v.chezjosephine.com and their phone number is: 212.594.1925. ~.ozarksstar.com the STAR 19 7/se S/semton Wild Horse Pass, just a 20-minute driveJ~om the gay nightlife and shopping of downtown Phoenix, is acclaimedfor its superb Kai restaurant and elegant Aji Spa. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Februa ’ 2007 The action centers on Copper Square and its massively expanded convention center, plus dozens of trendy restaurants, high-end hotels, and fine performance venues. There are also a 24-screen cinema, several museurns, and sports stadiums that host baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks and basketball’s Phoenix Suns. A cultural must is the outstanding Phoenix ~t Museum, a dramatic green-quartz structure containing 19th-century European paintings, delightful artworks of the American West, and Abstract Expressionist masterworks. Two blocks north is the Heard Museum, a 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival hacienda containing the nation’s top collection of Native American art and artifacts. ew cities have grown faster and more dramatically in the past half-century than Phoenix, which in 2,005 overtook Philadelphia to become the fifth most populous city in the nation. It s also larger in area than Los Angeles and the hub of a metro region that includes several other fast-growing metropolises, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Glendale. But the "Valley of the Sun" is much more than a popular place to live - tourism here has taken off thanks to the bounty of lavish resorts, a cultural renaissance in downtown Phoenix, and some of the best shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities in the West. More recently, the region’s oI~ce of tourism has begun enthusiastically wooing GLBT travelers. A highly contemporary metropolis surrounded by mountains and high desert, Phoenix is in many ways the last stronghold of the western frontier. The region is dogged by certain challenges prevalent in the West, such as rampant sprawl and sometimes oppressive smog. It’s also bone-dry here - only the Sahara is less humid than Phoenix’s Sonoran Desert. Most of the year, the weather is ideal for outdoor recreation, with winter highs in the mid-60s and spring and fall highs in the mid-80s. About the only period with blistering heat is summer, when daytime temperatures routinely climb into the low 100s (and many accommodations drop their rates precipitously). In terms of gay-friendliness, Phoenix defies labels. This somewhat conservative capital city has long maintained strong Republican leanings, but some of the region’s most famous right-of-center politicians - including Sen. John McCain and the late Sen. Barry Goldwater - have expressed relatively accepting attitudes toward gays and lesbians. And somewhat surprisingly in 2006, this traditionally "red" state became the first in the nation to vote down a proposed ban on same-sex marriage. Phoenix has a highly visible GLBT community, and a huge number of queer bars, social organizations, and "family"-fi’iendly eateries. Visitors to this area have traditionally madea beeline for swanky Scottsdale, with its chichi hotels, lush golf courses, haute galleries, and sumptuous spas. However, Phoenix proper - which is home to most of the region’s GLBT bars and other businesses - has enjoyed a notable comeback of late, especially the once soulless downtown commercial center. 20 the STAR Several peripheral residential neighborhoods have become gentrified of late, such as the Willo and Garfield Place historic districts. Of particular note is Roosevelt Row, a burgeoning mixed-use residential district that supports several excellent galleries as well as a wonderful bakery, Tammie Coe Cakes (stop in for a latte and a sweet treat or two). Speaking of baked goods, ardent pizza connoisseurs have been k~own to travel thousands of miles for a meal at Pizzeria Bianco, inside a historic building in the heart of the bustling Heritage Square section of downtown. Chef-owner Chris Bianco has been dubbed a pizza-making genius for his simply sensational wood-fired pies, including the Wiseguy (topped ~vith roasted onion, housesmoked mozzarella, and fennel sausage). Just beware the long lines. Vinophiles have taken a shine to Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Cafe, the brainchild of the city’s openly gay state senator, Ken Cheuvront. This happening place near the Phoenix Art Museum serves countless vintages by the glass and bottle as well as a long menu of stellar cheeses, salads, pizzas, and snacks. It’s a short walk down Central Avenue from here to reach the city’s premier gay bar, Amsterdam, an elegant lounge that’s part of a larger complex that includes Club Miami and Malibu Beach Bar. Other gay night spots within a short drive include the lesbian-favored Club Vibe, which replaced long-running Ain’t Nobody’s Biz and offers dancing, darts, and pool; the leather-and- Levi’s-oriented Phoenix Eagle; and the highenergy Karamba Nightclub. Gay two-steppers and country-western fans gather at Chartie’s, while fans of drag and karaoke get their fix at Burger Betty’s, an Aussie-themed gay restaurant and bar. www.ozarksstar.com With all the snazzy new resorts that have opened in Scottsdale and other outlying cities, it’s easy to forget that Phoenix itself is home to a pair of aces: the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Arizona Biltmore, and the intimate, old-world Royal Palms, both of which opened in the late ’20s. ~ne 40-acre Biltmore, with its gray, low-slung, angular buildings containing 738 guest rooms, lies in the shadows of Phoenix Mountain Reserve. There’s also fine golfing and an acclaimed spa. Set aside an evening to dine at Wright’s at the Biltmore, where such inventive regional American fare as milk-poached pork tenderloin with foie gras sauce draws fawning accolades. Many a diva whiles away a Saturday afternoon at the nearby Biltmore Fashion Park, strolling through high-end boutiques and snacking at trendy restaurants. ~lhe genteel and cozier Royal Palms Resort and Spa could pass for a splendid private villa in Spain, with its fanciful stone paths meandering past flagrant gardens and citrus-tree-shrouded casitas decked in old-world antiques and tiles. The weekend brunch at T. Cook’s - best enjoyed on the sunny patio - is a Phoenix tradition, and the resort’s tranquil Alvadora Spa provides some of the most supremely relaxing treatments you can imagine, from Watsu water therapy to crystal-stone facials. Die-hard massage junkies should book one of the seven state-of-the-art spa suites. In downtown Phoenix, the upscale Hyatt Regency Phoenix and the eight-story, moderately priced Best Western Central Phoenix Inn are solid options, all within a short drive or walk of area bars, restaurants, shops, and museums. A less obvious pick is the funky, gay-friendly Hotel San Carlos, a grand if faded 121-room Italian Renaissance-style lodging that’s allegedly haunted (by friendly ghosts). It’s definitely seen better days, but for the price, it’s a good bet with a convenient, central location - especially if you prefer quirky over glamorous. Nearby Scottsdale abounds with more recently built resorts, from the supremely cushy Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort and swish Four Seasons Scottsdale, to the sexy and hip Scottsdale Mondrian and retro-chic Hotel Valley Ho. In Chandler, consider the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass (which is expected to become a Starwood Luxury Collection property later in 2007), an attractive spread on the Gila River Indian Reservation, 20 miles southeast of downtown. The vibe here is low-keyed and unpretentious, thanks in part to the consistently genial employees. The much-lauded Kai restaurant and the transcendent Aii Spa remind you,however, that you’re staying at a truly splendid desert hideaway. An equestrian center offering trail rides and a campy ersatz frontier town called Rawhide (think stagecoach rides, goofy gift shops, and gunfightin’ reenactments) may help you to channel your inner cowgirl or -boy. Greater Phoenix also has a handful of gay-oriented accommodations, which range flom homey B&Bs to saucy clothing-optional retreats. Downtown’s gay-owned but mainstream Yum Yum Tree Guest House, in the hip and historic Willo neighborhood, occupies a 1920s school building with soaring ceilings and Mexican-tile floors. Shaded patios and gurgling fountains surround the Spanish Mission-style building, which also adjoins a relaxing pool area. A racier option is the Arizona Royal Villa, a nudity-permitted men’s compound with an impressively enticing pool, hot tub, and sunning area and rooms and suites in a variety of configurations. For $10, non-overnight guests can spend the day here swimming, tanning, and mingling with fellow sun-bunnies. It may lack the pizzazz of the Biltmore, but this frisky compound is the closest you’ll find in these parts to a Palm Springs-style gay resort. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 21 FEBRUARY 2007 "The Facts Will Set Us Free" ~he Republican Party may be do,vn, but make no mistake, it is far from out. Ttxe foundation of its revolution is still solid, and perhaps more energized than ever. I’m not talking about the "Get Out the Vote" folks or candidates wing for office. I’m talking about the base from which most Republican activity evolves. Former New Jersey U.S. Senator and 2000 Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley ~vrote a piece in the March 30, 2005, New York Times entitled ’[A Party Inverted," which explained that the GOP is structured like a pyramid - with the top being the president, who can be changed every four years, and the base being the rich conservative financiers and the Republican think tanks they finance. It’s those think tanks - like the Family Research Institute or the Heritage Foundation - that have armed the Republicans with the "facts and figures" they use.to advance their conservative agenda. These think tanks have been instrumental in casting us as demons and sinners in any of the myriad issues we fight for, from nondiscrimination laws to marriage equality. Just because the Republicans have policy institutes doesn’t mean that tactically it’s the wrong way to do things. Developing think tanks on LGBT issues - and, hopefully, the well-to-do donor base one needs to fund them - is crucial if we are to succeed in being recognized as first-class citizens. Lee Badgett, an out lesbian, who also happens to have a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley, understands how important academia can be in shaping public policy - especially the public policy that affects our everyday lives. Currently the research director of the Williams Institute at UCLA, Badgett founded what is considered the first LGBT academic think tank in the nation, the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS), in the mid-’90s when she was living in Washington, D.C. "Living in D.C., I saw how important those big think tanks were. They were the heart of the Republican resurgence, well-funded, strategically creative - they pulled the various conservative movements together," Badgett told me in a recent telephone interview. "Together with activists and academics, we formed IGLSS because we all saw we needed to have some kind of institution to bridge the big gap of what was happening in the academic world and the real world. We needed the facts and figures to fight back against the stereotypes and distortions from the right." When Badgett got a teaching job at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, she brought IGLSS with her. As a separate not-forprofit, IGLSS was never formally associated with the school, but her colleagues were quite supportive. More of a virtual think tank than a bricks-and-mortar institution, IGLSS published a number of groundbreaking studies that have helped the community move forward. 22 the STAR "\Ve’ve done a lot of family-related research on domestic-partner benefits and the economics of marriage. We looked at the fiscal impact same-sex marriage would have on states," she said. "\Vvre’ve studied the psychological impact of antigay policies and the strategies to overcome them. We’ve also received funding from the Ford Foundation to do methodological research on how to ask questions about sexual orientation - it’s not as easy as you’d think." Badgett has successfully brought the Williams Institute and IGLSS together. "We’re talking about it as more of joining of forces," she told me, but the reality is that IGLSS has merged with Williams, creating an even stronger, more academically rigorous think tank for our issues. Whether Badgett will remain on the West Coast is a bit up in the air. She and her partner, Elizabeth Silver, a legal services attorney, are wife and wife in Massachusetts, so California, while warmer, may not ultimately be the best place for them. Badgett still has a position waiting for her in the UMass-Amherst economics department. What will be in her future is more research on LGBT issues. "I’m sure that marriage will continue to be one of our biggest areas of research," she said. "Policy makers want to know what the impact on their own particular states will be. These issues are pertinent everywhere because we are everywhere. We’ll be asking whether marriage really makes a difference for gay people, and what does it mean for those who dofft get married." She said that employment discrimination is also on the research agenda, since only 17 states have nondiscrimination laws. "A lot of people think this is good time to focus on this issue again," she said. "\Ve’re still lacking data - for some reason, people don’t want to believe that antigay discrimination really exists." As LGBT people, we live that reality every day. We know discrimination exists; we know that civil unions give us second-class status. With researchers like Badgett and think tanks like Williams, the truth (facts) will inevitably set us free. www.ozarksstar.com Equality Center: Brunch & Blessings Sunday, February 18th A buffet brunch & live gospel entertainment will close out the Equality, Center Grand Opening weekend on Sunday, February 18, 2007. You’ll have not one, but two opportunities to enjoy this unique event for the LGBT & allied community: An 11:00 AM seating, as well as a 1:00 PM seating, will fill your stomach with a delicious brunch and bring you to your feet ,vith hand-clapping, foot-stomping inspiration. Tickets, $10 in advance, are available at the Equality Center, 621 E 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. Please visit www.okeq.org or call 918.743.4297 for more information on the events of the Grand Opening celebration Equality Center serving the LGBT & allied community since 1980. Oklahomansfor Equalio, (OkEq) seeks equal rightsfor Lesbian, Gg)’, Bis~’ual dr 7?ansgender (LGBT) individuals andfamilies through advocao; educatian, lord,’ares, alliances, and the operation ofthe Equali{y Center: Hdp Feed Your CommunisT! Become A Distributor. By Steve T. Urie What a difference volunteerism can make in a community. In 2005 Spirit of Christ MCC, a member church of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches founded by Rev. Troy D. Perry, started serving the greater Joplin, MO community with a food program. One of the smallest MCC churches in the country and in the middle of the Bible Belt we found ourselves answering a call to provide lowcost, high value foods stuffs to people in our area. A large Christian church had previously worked with this program but gave up after being unsuccessful in maintaining a volunteer program large enough to serve the area. Spirit of Christ MCC with a membership of only 18 members took on the task and was the original site in Joplin. Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, nondenominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief to communities throughout the United States. Now serving 32 states it continues to grow as more people in different communities answer the need. www,ozarksstar.com The program is open to all people without restriction. It doesn’t matter what the need or socio-economic group; there is simply no qualifying. The program is set up to assist people to learn accountability by planning their food dollars, being responsible to pay for their food and to bring a box to take their food home in. A box of food (restaurant quality) will feed a family of four for about a week, two people for about two weeks and a single person for a month. host site is different but we continue to take checks, cash and are approved for Food Stamp EBT payments. Over half of our clients do not belong to our GLBT community and many of them have at times joined us for our Wednesday evening meal or Sunday service. Nothing but positive come from this good works being servants to our community. At Spirit of Christ MCC our volunteers will pack your food and carry it out to the car for you. We take orders on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Questions concerning sites in Tulsa, OK; the greater Joplin, MO area or Eureka Springs, AR may be directed to spiritofchrist@cableone.net or you can go to www.angelfoodministries. com/and look under host sites. Donations for food orders may be sent to Spirit of Christ MCC, PO Box 4711, Joplin, MO 64803. Angel Food’s groceries are sold in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $25 per unit. Each month’s menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $50. Comparison shopping has been done across the country in various communities using a wide range of retail grocery stores and has resulted in the same food items costing from between $42 and $78. Organizations wanting to become a host of the program go to www.angelfoodministries for an application. Or call 770-267-7015 or 888-819-3745. ENADINE MES, ORANGES CHERRIES 1. Add all ingr with ice. ..... . ~ 2. Shake well. 3. Chil martini glasses with ice and water. 4. Pour into martini glasses and garnish with fruit. ENJOY The STAR 23 OKLAHOMA COUNTY By James Nimrao Photo by ½"ctor Gorin: Jim Roth taking oath Former Oklahoma State Attorney General Robert Hemy administers oath, partner Worth in background. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__Since the January 2nd swearing-in ceremony, two-thirds of Oklahoma County has been in the safe hands of the returning veteran Jim Roth, district 1; and the rookie Ray Vaughn, district 3. Later in the day, Mr.. Roth was re-elected for the third year in a row as chair of the County Commission. In his remarks from the stage Mr. Roth thanked the voters for re-hiring him and his team. He continued by renewing his commitment to doing good by the strangers ,ve will never meet the physically ~nd mentally ill, the downtrodden, the homeless those who rarely have an advocate in elected office. In his turn Mr. Vaughn pledged to run an office in a professional manner without personal disputes. Commissioners Roth and Vaughn, along with most of the County officers, are keen to restore the county budget board which will bring back greater scrutiny of tax dollar expenditures; this oversight board was abolished two years ago by Commissioners Brent Rinehart and Stan Inman. This action played a major role in removing Stan Inman from office. The remaining Commissioner, Brent Rinehart, district 2, was in attendance at the ceremony and seemed to be listening intently to the comments being made. Mr. Rinehart has proven to be divisive and contrary during the first two years of his term. He now has two good examples to work with. Should he wish to run for a second term, he’ll have to be a quick study and clean up his act in the less than two years remaining to him on the County Commission. Time will tell. www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 25 Salutations Kittens Once more too Uncle 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 always been fond of unconventional tokens of affection. A bouquet of flavored lubes and massage oils always brought a little 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 oflovin’. 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 l~ow 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 maW 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 ofyou will always share. Most of all do convey the love you have in your heart for him. All 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. Tt~at 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 ,vas 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. Hmvever, 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 ,vhat 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 feel 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. I 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 help 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 allow 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 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! 26 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com CLUB IVIAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Erikk~ THE COPA: Open Talent wlShemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournanient 10pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm HIDEA\VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm THE COPA: !vide Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lan~-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pro SUNDAY Fe BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pro CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Cada Lee Love Shmv 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pm HIDEA~,VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm TNT’s: Super Bowl Part)" wlfood. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE COPA: Strip-Off Contest !2am BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm. TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Shiny t0:30pm sharp. CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/Rachael Eril&s THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pro LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pra Febm~~ 9 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm CLUB MAJESTIC: Majestic Kings Show !0pm. HIDEAWAY: Mate Dancers, 9pro SATURDAY February" 10 THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Break~st Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pm SUNDAY February 11 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Catia Lee Love Show 10pm THE COPA: Rachael Eritd~ Show 10:30pm HIDEA"~SAY: Dominique LaRtle’s Girls Night Out, 10:30pro. MONDAY February 12 BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight. VALENTINES DAY BAMBOO LOUNGE: RED PARTT! Karaoke 9pro TNT’S: Karaoke 9pro. THE COPA: Variety Shiny t0:30pm FINISHLINE: DartToumament 10pro HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Show 10:30pro sharp. TNT’s: Black & White Valentines Party, Open 7pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show ~v/Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent xvlShemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Mardi Gras Part),!~ "\Vhat will you do for beads" THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm CLUB ROX: Mison Scott Showg:30pm HIDEA~VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Mardi Gras Party! "What xvill you do for beads" THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pm GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet lam-3:30am HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pro, Dancers 4pm Kns Koht Sho 8pm. Mardi Gras QUEEN & KING Contest, CLUB ROX: Whimey Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Show 10pro THE COPA: Rachael Erikks Show 10:30pro HIDEA’~VAY: Male Dancers, 9pro BAMBOO LOUNGE: Kamoke 9pm. FAT TUESDAY THE COPA: Strip-O~Contest ¯ Midnight. BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Show 10:30pm sharp. CLUB MAJESTIC: Talent Show w/ Rachael Erikks THE COPA: Open Talent w/Shemoane Somemore 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pm LEDO: Kari-Okie host, Pancho 9pm THE COPA: Mate Dancers 9pm HIDEA’WAY: Male Dancers, 9pm THE COPA: Male Dancers 9pro GUSHERS: Late Night Breakfast Buffet 1 am-3:30am HIDEA\VAY: Male Dancers, 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Free Brunch 2pm, Dancers 4pm CLUB ROX: Whitney Paige Show 8:30pm. CLUB MAJESTIC: Carla Lee Love Shiny 10pm THE COPA: Rachad Erikks Shiny 10:30pm HIDEAWAY: Male Dancers, 9pm BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm, THE COPA: Strip-OffContest Midnight¯ BAMBOO LOUNGE: Karaoke 9pm TNT’S: Karaoke 9pm. THE COPA: Variety Show 10:30pm FINISHLINE: Dart Tournament 10pro HIDEAWAY: Bobby Page Talent Show 10:30pm sharp. After Dark is a free secvice m our advertisers and is the responsibility of the advertiser to inform the STAR in www.ozarksstar.com writing of updates, addkions or discontinued events. Nxe STAR is not responsible for accuracy. the STAR 27 "Roll up your sleeves, Capricorn!" We still have that Jupiter-Uranus square shaking things up. Mars and the Sun are helping us to see ways to turn surprises into opportunities. Ha~d work, foresight, and cooperation come a little more easily and will prove well worth the effort. ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Hard work wilt pay off in any event. Utilizing your connections and looking ahead wilt help a lot. Coping innovatively with the inevitable snafus will get you recognized as a brilliant achiever. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Friends and their demands are getting complicated, leading to political conflicts. Going to bed with pals is not one of your values, so play that card carefully, if at all. Stay true to your own values and goals, and let your friends work around them. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your partner’s efforts to promote your career will lead to some interesting new developments - perhaps a new career? Taking a long-range perspective and keeping your baby busy in bed can avoid trouble and help inspire your own career moves. CANCER (June 21 - Ju~y 22): Urges for novelty and experimentation can lead you into risky territory. Sexplay with someone you love and trust is the safest way to satisfy that desire. Exotic strangers can be great fun, but those you meet now may have some awful disease. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Real creativity takes discipline. This is one of those times you can be more creative by focusing your attention on the mundane tasks at hand and being supportive of your partner. Out of these everyday details will come inspiration and joy. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): It’s a great time for fussing around the house and decorating. Doing it with your partner, or even a roommate, can vastly improve your relationship. Play with new and different ideas; you don’t need to commit to any of them. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Explore some new, expressive outlet or take a class to brush up on neglected skills. Grab the first mad impulse in your head, think it through, make a plan, and let reality throw you into "Plan B." It will work out better than your "Plan A." SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Practicing domestic economy does not mean hitting the sales and spending "less" money. Sort treasures from trash, but take a creative look at the latter. There should be some new life or good resale value in your old junk. SAGITTARlUS (November 22 - December 20): You are especially articulate now on matters of family or community finances. Work on those issues with others in your tribe; 28 the STAR alone, you could invite disaster. Even without broaching the subject, talking with relatives will provide grounding and insight. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January t9): Volunteer work is ultimately about enlightened self-interest. Even if the point is ostensibly to help others, you’ll quickly see what you have to gain from your "altruistic" efforts. Roll up your sleeves and dig in! AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Recent financial upsets could be opportunities in disguise. Confirm inspirations and hunches by talking with friends you trust about such matters. Your own brilliance may carry the day, but only if you acknowledge the efforts of others. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Friends will draw notice your way when you least expect or want it. Relax and accept the attention with good grace. It could prove very helpful for your career. Professionally or otherwise, your reputation will be boosted. SPIRIT OF CHRIST JOPLIN, MO FREE NIV TESTING, NO NEEDLES SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC SPONSORS Tesdng appointment 417-529-8480. 2902 E. 20th St., PO Box 4711 Joplin, Mo 64803 SATURDAY Service 9:30AM Your Invited to our Community Dinner Every Wed. 6pm just $4.00. No one is turned a~vay. www.ozarksstar.com Arkansas, Bentonville/Rogers (479) NWA GLBT Ctr .... www.nwaglbtcc.org- .888-391-9222 Barnes & Noble Bks - - 261 N. 46th St., Rogers....479-636-2002 Arkansas, Eureka Springs (479) Diversity Pride Events .............. 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 - 17 Elk Street- Service 6PM- - -479-253-9337 Swiss Holiday Resort- Hwy 62 at Hwy 23 So.- .... 888-582-8464 Spexton........ t7B 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...... -479-444-6228 Curry’s Video - - - 612 N. College Ave- - 479-521-0009 Passages ......930 N. College Ave- - 479442-5845 Tangerine Club - -21 N. Block Ave-- - 479-587-9512 Arkansas, Fort Smith (479) Kinkeads.......1004 1/2 Garrison Ave........ 479-783-9988 Klub XLR8 ......1022 Dodson Ave- - 479-782-9578 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 Club U.B.U. - ..... 824 W Capitol Ave- 50!-375-8580 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 Club Glacier......... 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 Joplin Gay/Lesbian Cntr- PO Box 4383, zip 64803- -417-622-7821 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, Springfield (417) The Edge..... 424 Boonville Ave.....417-831-4700 GLO Comm. Ctr---518 E. Commerical- 4!7-869-3978 JR’s Nightclub.... 504 E. Commerical- 417-831-9001 Martha’s Vineyard- - - 219 W Olive -417-8644572 Ronisuz Place....82t College- 417-864-0036 Oklahoma, Enid (580) Hastings Books....104 Sunset .............. 580-242-6838 Priscilla’s........ 48!0-A West Garriott- ...... 580-233-5511 Oklahoma, Law,on (580) Ingrids Bookstore..... 1124 NW Cache Rd......580-353-1488 Oklahoma, McAlester (918) 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 ....... 405-9464438 Church of Open Arms......3131 N. Penn...... 405-525-9555 Copa -2200 NW 39th Exp....... 405-525-0730 Eastern Ave Video- - -1105 S Eastern Ave....... 405-6726459 Finishline ....... 2200 NW 39th Expwy....... 405-525-0730 Gushers Restaurant.....2200 NW 39Exp ...... 405-525-0730 Habana Inn .........2200 NW 39th Exp....... 405-528-2221 Herland Sisters Resources.... 2312 NW 39th St-405-521-9696 Hollywood Hotel.... 3535 NW 39th Exp ........405-947-2351 Hi-Lo Club ....... 1221 NW 50th............ 405-843-1722 Jungle Reds .......2200 NW Expwy- 405-524-5733 Ledo -2200 NW Expwy.... - ..... 405-525-0730 Naughty But Nice .... 3121 SW 29th St - ~ ..... 405-68!-5044 Partners- 2805 NW 36th St ......... 405-942-2199 Pec’s...........3535 NW 39th Expw ....... -405-947-2351 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- 405-5284690 The Rockies...... 3201 N. MayAve ......... 405-917-1663 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 Border’s Book Store--- 2740 E. 21st- Border’s Book Store - - - 8015 S. Yale Club 209 ....... 209 N. Boulder - - Club Majestic........ 124 N. Boston .......... Club Maverick..... 822 S. Sheridan Cosmo Care..... 67.46 S. Memorial -918459-0497 Dreamland Bks .... 8807 E. Admiral PI -918-834-1051 GLBT Comm. Ctr- - - - 621 E. 4th Street- 918-7434297 Hideaway Lounge..... 11730 E. 11th- -918437-0449 HOPE Clinic....... 3540 E. 31st- 918-749-8378 Jazz’s Lounge...... 426 S. Memorial ,- 918-836-8544 Midtown- 319 E. 3rd.............. 918-584-3112 Openarms Youth Projt - - - 2015 S. Lakewood.....918-838-7!04 Our House, Too ....203 N Nogales Ave.........918-585-9552 Priscilla’s -7925 E. 41st.............918-6274884 Priscilla’s 5634 W. Skelly - - - 918446-6336 Priscilla’s 11344 E. 11th 9184384224 Priscilla’s 2333 E. 71st.............918499-1661 Renegades. 1649 S. Main ........... 918-585-3405 Rob’s Records- - -2909 S. Sheridan Rd- 918-627-1505 St. Michaels Alley......3324-L E 31st- 918-745-9998 Sterling & Co. Salon- - -1606 E.15th St.- ........ 918-742-9999 Sappho’s........ 6373-C E 31st St - - 918-836-0299 Tulsa CARES.... 3507 E. Admiral PI. .918-8344194 Tulsa Central Library ...... 400 Civic Center- - - - 918-596-7977 Tulsa Eagle.....1338 E. 3rd -918-592-1188 TNT’s - 2114 S. Memorial. 918-660-0856 Yellow-Brick-Rd........ 2630 E. 15th- 918-293-0304 918-836-8700 918-712-9955 918-494-2665/ 918-584-9944 918-584-9494 .918-835-3301 ~ETt£ QUIT I~UNIGHIN~ OUI~G~L:VEG RDR B~tN~, (~A"/t ~TOP AND G’1"tART I~MBI:~&CIN~ AbL. WONP~RFUb THIN~G W~ ARE Bf~CAUBE W~ .4~ GAY: OUR/¢MMO~, OUR C~£4~I’IIZ~, OUR S~A~zT"/~.~ OUR ~A~J¢/OM, ANI::;’ OUR bitter girl email: bittergid@qsyndicate.com 30 the STAR www.joanhilty,net www.ozarksstar.com NWArkansas GLBT CommuniV Center "LinM" ng Together as One" For more information: 888-391-9222 \V\W~.NWAGLBTCC.ORG W~N.Ozarksstar.com E MPL[3YM ENT [:1F~IaB RTU N 1TY ADVERTIBINB BALES I:~E PREBENTATIVE FI3R BKLAHBMA~ KANSAS MIBBBURI BR ARKANSAS quaHficadons to ozarksstar@sbcglobal.net or m~ to: 5103 S. Sheridan, #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 the STAR 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, February 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 2 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 01, 2007 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 Jeanne Flanigan Douglas Glenn Michael Dee Kay Massey Paul Wortman Carlotta Carlisle Vicotr Gorin Greg Gatewood Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Michael Hinzman Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Chaz Ward Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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, January 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 1 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/206 The Star Magazine, March 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 3 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/209 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/205 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/d7349f39a2f6c24cf6b9a0d7271e216b.jpg 3a0eebcd52fabc90992327824369e289 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/f5077466eed5cf80f80d7a8a3b921cbb.pdf d75f628a0713f5eecab8bb4b82fa1156 PDF Text Text �Reservations: 918.585.5898 e 800.585.5! 01 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.cor~ �,t,nffw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 �~ [~OL~DAY G~VY ~DI~A~$ \Ve’ve been shopping for you! Something out of this world, one of the newest gadgets, and a few other items to enjoy. ~ L~C~.L Karen Greenawalt photography exhibit Fundraiser nets $900 For Our House Too. November 29, 1984 (23),ears ago last m0nd0: West H01lyw00d, Calif., incorporates as a city. Cool Wines for Cool Weather: And you know drinking some wines can almost be like listening to music in mono. "GAY VEGAS - A Guide to the Other Side of Sin City" Gay Travelers: Seattle, \Vashington Out of Town: Great Destinations Dining In or OUT NEW: Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on a new project for Sandra Bernhard, Justin Kirk, and Christopher Sieber, and Ugly Betty Sings. Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Virgin Galactic 4 the STAR w~,~v.ozarksstar.com �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 �~[~ere were no gay men in America in the eighteenth centmy or Brokeback Mountain, the prequel. qlae author admits that was just to get the reader’s attention just as I got yours with my Jefferson, to the completely obscure, known Benjamin Walker and William North were in the Revoludorxary Army under George Woshingm n, served honorably, attained blgh rank, a~d were set on a wall-w-do coarse in Iifa after their discharge. Both of them served Ln the House and Senate of Congress representing New York state. They kept in much through letters and "dsits when they were able. As was the style at that tlme dose male friends would name a child in honor of the other; however North’s wife, Polly, would not a~low their son to be named in that manner. It’s thought by the author that Polly suspected her husband and his friend children the author takes this as a sign that perhaps she xnd her husband were no longer connubial. Dofft let the word "Nstotical" dim yore bulb; it’s a very good introduction to our American gay heritage. qlxe period covered is approximatdy 1660 m 1850, ~md centers on the dme of the One p~;mt the author stresses is that the flowery writing style seem in private letters should not distract us from the gender of the writer and the letter’s recipient. hy a young wom~n and read, ’Often too, he sha~ed my pillow, or I his, and how sweet to sleep with him, hold his beloged form in my embrace, to have hi# arms about my neck, to imprint upon his face sweet kisses.’ We reasonably assume that she and the maa in quesdon shared a sexual relationship, There is no justifiable grounds for changing that amumpdon when we faarn that the words were actu~y written by Albm Dodd, a Yale undergraduate in the 1830s, describing his relationship with a fallow student, Anthony Diversity Business Gore Vidal (ff I could only know what he’s forgotten since bre~ffast): "What is sheer high animal spirits in the r oaring boy who buys a pre- femlnlst girl is vileness in the roaring boy who buys another bo)~" Yes, indeed, it wasn’t just a style, it was the real McCoy of same-sex attraction. 6 the STAR "lhe whole friendship ends on a sad note with londiness and mLfaLfilled hope. Either this w~s very prescient on their part or we, here in the 21 st century, axe contimfing the emotional, erotic needs of ot~" gey/lesbian orientation and coming much cIoser th~n our forefathers ever couldi We devil or representative of the decay of the To read this book sometimes fads so modern, the need and desire for love and c~maraderie are sdll the same, only the al~ity to �www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 �"At Centuq 21 G~ld Caslle our BEST properties are our PEOPLe’ Chuck Breckenddge 918-706-1887 3627 NW Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405.840.2106 www.¢21 goldcasge.com REALTOFt TESTING CLINIC 1-800-535-AIDS (2437) Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �We’ve been shepping for you! Something out of this world, one of the newest 9adgefo, and a few other items to en]og occur in mid-air. SpaceShi~pTwo will detach, fire its custom-designed hy~orid rocket, and propel you into the majesty of space. Gendarme Spray ColOgne q~e ffeshesfl Casually sensual, yet profes~ sion~ly down-to-business, Distiacdv¢ly driven to be assertive, yet ever so cleverly subde. Made for a man. It blends tmlquely with the user’s musk, to create his/her ow~ signature scent. Vir#n Galactic C~r To Space from Ne~ Marcus ~fl~e un-off~dal fragrance of Californ’a." find the m~n in the moon you were 8 years old?). Now, for the time, the heavens are truly w~thln reach, when you charter Virgin G’a]actic for the Conditions "Greeff’ with citrus and verbena top notes. "Herbal" with a dry-down of jasmine and thyme, bound to a him of leather. A for 12% oil blend for a compelling long last, that won’~ overpower the room, Ingredients herbs, oils, etc. Price: 2oz $48.00 4oz $68.00 www.genda*me.com or 800÷2894363 Six-Person S aceTrip Charter OCBP7_NMO2199 More Gift Idea’s page 16 s & Gifts Earl Wheeler 437E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) ORDERS BY ~2NOON GUARANTEED SAME DAY DELIVERY Santa/We deliver everywhere!" the STAR 9 �Oklahomans for Equality opens Karen Greenawak photography exhibit at Dennis Ro Neill Equality Center DBAT Hos s Holiday Receptior TULSA, OK (PR) __ Diversity Business Association of Tulsa members a.s well as those interested in joining DBAT are invited to attend a Holiday Wine and Cheese Reception on ~gednesda}; December 12th at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. The reception will be help from 6:00 to 9:00pro. DBAT provides a forum to the gay; lesbian, bisexual and transgender business and professional community and its allies for the purpose of networ!dng, professional development, creating increased visibility and strengthening relationships among business and professional community members. We’re the heart of LGBT networking and business growth. We support. -We lead. X,ge promote professional development, business diversity and personal enrichment - so get involved today! For more information contact Susan Hartman at slhartman@ scrubs2go.net or 918-274-1699. TULSA, OK (P/R) __ %e Dennis R. Neil! Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-9pro, ~lhursday, December 6, 2007, for the opening of its December exhibit, photography by artist Karen Greenawalt. Greenawalt grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and earned a degree in art education at Kutztown University. She received a camera at an early age and has been taking pictures ever since. After taldng a course in college she got more serious and started honing her skiIls. She studied at the Santa Fe Photographic "Workshops and other photography classes. Karen discovered Oldahoma and has made Tulsa her home since the mid 70s. She has been a Financial Consultant most of that time and has been expanding her photography business in recent years. \~qen her fellow photographers complained that there was nothing worth t~ng pictures of in Tulsa, she took ~hat as a personal challenge and started studying the city with a creative eye. She’s produced many stunning images of details that are often overlooked. 10 the STAR Oklahoma’s firs o.p.e ly gay legislator v s ts DalIaSo Photo: Driller By Karen Greenawalt She will not sell an image more than once in the same size, so each of her pictures is unique. She has made an exception with one print that is available as a limited edition, so that it could be more affordable. Karen has exhibited in galleries and festivals around the area, and her work is included in collections across the country. DALLAS, TX (P/R) __From one "blue" region to another, gay Oklahoma Rep. A! MckA}’rey came to share his experiences with Dallas’ political activists. "We ha:¢e a lot in common with his district," said Jesse Garcia, president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. "He’s in a little blue island of Oldahoma City, and he’s coming to Dallas County where there’s another blue island in a sea of red." The exhibit will remain up through the month of December, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pro. 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. vcww.ozarksstar.com �Tu sa’s Socia Event of the Yea A Campy C assi¢ Show for a Great Cause, Copa, OKC Hosts National Mro Gay A erica Cor teSto By Victor Gorin Photo: (left) 1st runnerup Austin Gene of Tulsa, (cwnter) Taz Bailey M~ Gay All American 2007 of~Iidwest City Oklahoma, (right) Sebastian Armonte a~Ir. Gay All American 2008 Pittsburgh, PA Top Photo: right il/Iiss Bamboo 2008 Sydney Vicious, left Miss Bamboo 2006Mona Lott and selfproclaimed "Empress of the Bamboo" By Greg Stede Photo Czarina Rotc,~acokoff, l~Iiss Bamboo 2007 (by default) and Handsome Escort, Prince Hartness. TULSA, OK __ November 17th marked the 6th annual Miss Bamboo Pageant Fundraiser and was the most successful ever. ~’he crown was held in top security by BrinkT Security Armored Division and entered the building only after the votes had been counted by the Accounting Firm of Chicken, Bunns and Stevens. Votes for each contestant were determined by the amount of money each was given by the audience for their performance. The winner of the coveted crown for 2008 Sydney Vicious, an unknown bag lady who just happened onto the scene, wowed the crowd with a stunning performance, and our sympathy goes out to Queen Vicious as we understand at the time of this writing, her grocery cart was hit by Ms. Detricks Hummer in the parking lot and completely totaled. Our House Too of Tulsa was the recipient of this years proceeds of $900.00. Our House Too offers a variety- of services for people who are HIV÷ or living with .AADS. You can contact the Director Milton Harris at (918) 585-9552 or harrismmjr@yahoo.com The big surprise at this years pageant was Miss Bamboo 2006 and self proclaimed Empress Mona Lott who was extremely well behaved. A tradition at past Bamboo events, all were expecting her usual display of vulgarity, a ritual wimessed every year that is nothing less than sleazy striptease. Thank you Mona for being a perfect lady this year. ~his years event was hosted by Kris Kohl a Tulsa Diva and MC’d by Earlena Detrick a local flower sales person. A wonderful job was done by both. No prelim, no registration fees, not known for glamour, but an absolute celebration of campy fun with a big heart. That is the Miss Bamboo Pageant. ~,#ww.ozarksstar.com OKL~IOMA CITY, OK__ It was a steamy Saturday night at the Copa with the national Mr. Gay All American Contest held November 10. ~With 5 contestants and 7 former winners present the audience got treated to mankind at their best. Owned for the past 2 years by OKC local John Beebe, a former Mr.Gay All American himself (1996), he has taken on the project of this contest -with the passion it takes to do the work to make it come together. The contest began over 24 years ago as part of Norma Kristie’s Pageant System in Little Rock, Arkansas (owned by Norman Jones of the Miss Gay America Pageant System), and even today the scoring system and categories are the same. It separated from that system, taken over by Gib Hauersperger for several years until 2002. It then was purchased by Paul Lopez ( also a former Mr.Gay All American), then it was taken over by Richard Greer who had it until 2005 when it dosed. Mr.Beebe then saw an opportunity to revive the contest, and took it over in 2006. Although it did prove to be a lot of work, Mr. Beebe has secured several national sponsorships of the event and is optimistic about the future of the contest. There is now a $2500 prize package for the winner, and those interested in participating should contact Mr.Beebe at wvw.myspace.com/mgaacontest or johnbeebe96@yahoo.com the STAR 11 �REVIEW By Donald Pile a~d Ray Williams gay~avders@aol.com "GAY VEGAS A Guide to the Other Side of Sin City" by Steve Friess We have just read one of the and we thought that we knew Then he tells about the "best oftbe best" and the MUST DO and MUST SEE things about Las Vegas. Any gay person going to L~ Vegas whether for the first time or if they flare been there many times should purchase this book. Steve’s "Gay Las Vegas" book deals with lodging, restaurant% shows, gay nightlife, shopping, gay weddings ~nd is the most definitive book for gaps gohag to Las Vegas. Steve has lived in Las Veg~ since 1996 and was originally from Long Island, New York. Ftiess ~nd his partner, NBC producer Miles Smith, co-host "The Strip" podc~t, a weekly Vegas~centrie celebrity-hiterview progsara found at q~eStripPodc~st.com. Fdess and Smith wed at the Pabos HotelCasino in March 2007 and live with their two Chihuahuas, Black and Jack. Steve is a former contributing writer for q~e Advocate, Friess has also covered gay topics for USA Today, the New York Times, Newsweek, and dozpns of other major periodicals. 12 the STAR ff yot~ can’t go to Las Vegss, buy Stevens book and read it and you w~l think that you are there! He writes so directly ~d tells about all aspects of the cit~ "llaere should be a informative book like this written about all the great gay cities in the country. Steve LOVES his city and it shows! He has certainly done his research and pulls no punches in describing the differ ent aspects of gay life ~nd gay destinations when going to l&s Vegas. Gay Vegas - A Gnlde to the Other Side ofiSin City can be purchased around the country at mmay Borders and Barnes and Nobles and also on line thr~ Amazon.com. We HIGHLY recommend rhls great book! It w’dl save you a lot of time ~d money die next time you visit Las Vegas. On a side note. Kansas City’s own Wes Winters enter t~as at the Liberace Mtmettm weekly in Las Vegas. A~ always, when we write ~nything about L~ Vegas, we like to remind everybody to remember the words of lAberace, "No one will believe in you unless you believe in yourself! " G.ay ca.ndidates v ctonous across the U.S. WASHINGTON, D.C. (P/R) __ Dozens of openly gay and lesbi~a~ candidates running in municipal and state legislative races across the country won their elections Tuesday, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Of the record 71 candidates endorsed by die gsoup in 2007, at least 31 won their races on Tuesday, while 10 were elected earlier this year. At least three more endorsed candidates received enough votes to edvance to runoff elections. V~ctory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe said the growing number of out candidates demonstrates the gay community’s increasing involvement in electoral politics. ~Thls is the path to change. We are not content to sit on the snlelLqes and hope that others do the right thing for our community. We will step up and lead the fight for a more equal and fair America, mad we will win," Wolfe said. ¯ae Victory Fund’s 7I endorsements set a new record for an odthnumbered year in which there ~re no scheduled federal elections. In 2006, the group endorsed 88 cmadidates ~ad it expects to endorse more than 100 candidates in 2008, according to Wolfe. He added that planning has already begun for n~xt year’s races. "2008 will be another record-breaking year for gay c~adidates, and they’ll need help to counter the inevitable amacks from anti-gay hate groups. We’ll be ready to fight," Wolfe Among the h@lighrs Tuesday: ¯ Joel Burns, a candidate for the Fort Worth, Tex., City Council edv~lced to a December rtmoff election as the top votegetter a~er being subject to anti-gay smears from an opponent. ¯ Craig Covey won his race for mayor of Femdale, Mich., becoming the first openly gay mayor elected in the state of Michigan. ¯ Michefie Bruce, an openly transgender incumbent on the Riverdale, Ga., City Council was the top vote-getter in her race and advances to a runoff election. ................ Continued next page �Gay car didar.es cont. @ New Jersey State Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, who became the state’s first openly LGBT state legislator when he came out publicly during his current term, won re-election to his seat. @ Jeffrey Anderson was elected to the Duluth City Council, becoming the first openly gay elected official in northern Minnesota. Tim Eustace won his race for mayor of Maywood, N.J. @ Brian Bates, won a seat on the Doraville, Ga., City Council, becoming the first openly gay Republican ever to win office in the state. @ Lydia Lavelle won a seat on the Carrboro, N.C., Board of Aldermen, becoming the seventh openly LGBT candidate ever elected in the state. For up-to-date election results for all endorsed candidates, go to www.victoryfund. org. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender public officials at all levels of government. It is the nation’s www.ozarksstar.corn largest LGBT political action committee. Since its founding in 1991, the Victory Fund has helped grow the number of out elected officials from just 49 to nearly 400 in the United States. OKLAHOMA STONEWALL DEMOCRATS FUNDRAISER AT ANGLES A Stonewall welcomes new members, only requiring that one be a registered Democrats & believe in equality for all Americans including the GLBT community. Person interested in joining may log in on our Oklahoma website v~vw.okstonewall.org, or call Treasurer Jim Nimmo at (405) 843 3651.The website of the national organization is www.stonewalldemocrats.org. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the Otdahoma State Democratic Party Headquarters located at 4100 N. Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City and are open to all. SUCCESS By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Bringing together the GLBT community and their allies together for an evening of fun and unity was hosted by the newly reopened Angles Club of Oklahoma City. The fundraiser featured not only the executive Director Jon Hoadley, but also elected officials State Representative AI McAffrey & Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth. They were also entertained by Alison Scott & Miss Gay Oklahoma 1 st Runnerup Melody Michaels, a British lass now a US citizen and proud member of Stonewall. QuotaNe Quotes AIDS vaccine didn’t guard against virus~ Drugmaker Merck & Co. released new data on an experimental AIDS vaccine that failed to work, the data shows volunteers who got the shots were far more likely to get infected with the virus through sex or other risky behavior than those who got dummy shots. the STAR 13 �November 29, 1984 (23 years ago last month): West Hollywood, Calif., incorporates as a city. How did West Hollywood become so gay? os Angeles has been a town of many firsts for the GLBT communisy, including, in the 1950s, the llrst enduring U.S. gay and lesbian or ga~zizations and publications. West Hollywood, an enclave within L.A., is widely regarded as the world’s first gay city Popularly known as "WeHo," West Hollywood is a small city of just 1.9 square miles located in the northwest part of LOs Angeles County, suzrounded by L.A.’s Hollywood district and the independent city of’Beverly The land that is now West Hofiywood was occupied by the Tongna Indian tribe when Spanish missionaries and ranchers setded the ~ea in the late 18di centmy. More than 100 years later, the Los Angeles ~aad Pacific RaJlway was built, and a small town ca~ed Sherman grew up around the main tall yard and trolley barns to accommodate the The people of Sherman declined to be incorporated into the city of Los Angeles. Because the town was outside the jurisdiction of the L.A. Police Dep~rtment. gambling casinos flourished a~d alcohol flowed freely din:rag the Prohibition era. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Sunset Strip running along WeHo’s northwest border became the ~playgsotmd of the stars,’~ a major nightlife destination for celebrities of the burgeoning motion picture industry. Nearby, posh apartment complexes housed Ho0ywood luminaries. One of fire most lavish - lesbian acrxess KiLn Nasimo~a’s Garden o f AlLah ÷ became infamous for its wild parties, But during World War ii, celebrities opted for a more wholesome public image as the cotmt~T’s pofiricad climate became more conservative, and the Strip fell out of £avor. 14 the STAR During the first half of fire 20th century, gay people also began gravitating to West Hdilywood. ~ie area was beyond the reach of the notoriously homophobic L.A.ED. and convenient for the gay creative talent work~ hag behind the scenes in the fihn industry. So many gay men bought and renovated working-class bungalows ha the 1960s and 1970s that the area around the Strip became known as the "Swish Kips." In fire 1960s, the Sunset Strip underwent a revival and became a hub of the hippie sic venues such as the Roxy and the ~ghisky a Go Go. But fire gay social scene centered on Santa Monica Boultward. A plethora of flubs, restaurants, and boutiques catering to gay patrons sprang up on fire west end of the street, dubbed "Boys Town" (though it also included a longolived lesbian bar~ The Palms). But not eceryone w~s gay-friendly Barney’s Beanery, a popular eatery since the 1920s, for decades posted a sign reading "Fagnrs [sic] Stay Out," the target of nttmer- The grittier east end of Santa Morea Boulevard. near the border with Hollywood, became a well-known prostitution stroll frequented by male hustlers ~nd transvestites. In the 1970s, the area was home to cheap motels, massage parlors, and sex shops. A Time magazine article in Aprtl 1976 described the so’etch as a "a flelible ribbon of smut that expands or contracts according to the apathy or indignation of the surrounding stucco-house neighborhoods." Indeed, there were periodic campaigns to clean up the area, but fire illicit activity never completely disappeared. In the 1980s and 1990s, the city saw an influx of Russian Jewish immigrants. With a large population of renters, residents grew concerned when L~. County proposed scrapping rent control amid skyrocketing real estate prices. A coalition of gays, Jews, ment to establish a separate city. West Hob lywood was incorporaied on November 29. I984, and elected the first-ever city council with a gay majority and the first operdy lesbian mayor, Valerie Terrigno. The council quickly passed strong rent conu’ol and anti-eviction laws and an ordinance bam~ng antigay discrimination, Terrigno bersulf removed the "Fagots Keep Out" sign from Barney’s Beanery In 1985, WeHo bega~ offering domestic parmership benefits, becoming the first An~erlcan city to legally recognize same-sex rrlarionships. But Ter rig.no resigned later that yca~ after she was charged with embezzling from her former employer, and the scandal divided the gay community. While West Hofiywood has never had an actual gay majority, it has perhaps the Largest proportion of gay residents of any city - es~ated at around 40 percent of a to’cA population of 39,000 - and is a hub of queer cultare. The Christopher Street West Pride parade and festival, first held in 1970, moved from Los Angeles to West Hollywood in 1979; in 1987 the city started its annual Halloween Carnaval, which at txacts halfa million revelers. R~nbew flags fly on Santa Moniea Boulevard year-round, and even the L.A. County Sheriff vehicles that patrol the city sport a rainbow logo. While San Frandsco’s Castro, New York City’s West Village, and Chicago’s North Ha[stead area are renowned gay enclaves in the midst of larger cities, only in West Hollywood are the reins of polirical power firmly in the hands oftbe GLBT community "In the sixties, many of us - mysdf inaluded - stood on the outside and shouted epithets," said Steve Sehulte, an original WeHo city council member and later mayor. "But one of the really important lessons of die eighties is that gay and lesbian people have to run for office and get elected." For further reading: Faderman, Lillian, and Stuart Timmons. 2006. Gay L.A. (Basic Books). Gierach, Ryan. 2003. Images of America: West Hollywood (Arcadia Publishers). v,~wv.ozarksstar.com �Red wine in stereo is a and can have lots of ripe, ing black cherries, black roast coffee or chocolat~ mas. On the palate Black raspberry and bright fruit fill can be full and livel, can be a similar www.wineed~ Included here are a white wines, champagne Po~t a Grahams 6 grape port with Mr D also hosts wine & food events as the Wine Enthusiasts of Tulsa. I think we’ve got it all covered. Mr. D’s baker’s dozen. Cab Elyse Nei Sang Masi Copain BR Cohn Joel Gott Cabemet’05 w~rw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 �Spexton Pal7013 Knurled Gold "Koenig" NEW!. H~ndcrarled stainless steel ring by Spexton. Featttres 22k gold inlay in raised center stripe with knuded fizAsh and mirror edges, Sizes ~ boxed. Order $450.00 -~vw, spexron.com Spexton NEI062 3 Dot Pendant New! From o~ new pendant collection, this intricate design per and s~lver blending Monin Gourmet Classic Flavors revered in my,e and eternity, luicy sweet fl as,~r. ~0w Monin Pomegranate and a dash of playfitL "Ihe holiday season means many things to many people. For many gays and lesbians, it me~.s wardrobe shopping and new acces sories. Oh yes] When it comes to looking sharper th~ ever this fall, the sleeker, smarter, stronger MotoroIa’s RAZR2 has redefined the mobile phone into a must- gift-boxed Perfect in cocktails rlom m~rdnis to daiquiris, Monin Pom~granate’s deep red color makes a dramatic statement while its Monin produces many other flavors and products for that perfect girl. 800-966-5225 "lhe Sa~ Francisco Chronicle recendy wrote, =...the phone itse~’has got to be one of the most fashionable devices out there, with its solid construction and k~ury feel." "Ibis new phone is "Out" already. The less tech]more fashion conscious in our community will have a tough decision to make with the variety of colors including the Mahogany V9 from AT&T, Espresso Vgm from Verizo n Wireless, or Dark Pead Grey Vgm rlom Sprint. Prices vary depending on the carrier. Sprint is $249.99 with two-year contract. For more consumer informarion, visit http:lhwcw.motorota.coml2. the STAR Spexton Jewelry 222 S Lansing Trdsa, OK 74120 877.981.6060 Factory Store Now Open Now open in Tul~s Downtowns East End] Visit the soatho shop and watch them make your favorite Spexton jewelry. On the corner of 3rd and Lansing, across the street and around the corner from the Tiny Lotmge (Formerly 818). Hours: Mon-Sat Noon to 7:00pm Give a subscription to the STAR, 12 issues only $33.95. Send Check or Money Order to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheddan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 See pag~ 29for onter blank. �~ of the brown su~gar until light. Add the egg well after each addition. Fold see page 22. �TRAVEL SEATTLE, WASHINGTON We have fuutid olle oftbe most wonderhi[ arid exciting eldes in the country to visit. Tile first mid most imporoult thing about Searde is that you do nor need a car! "!hey have one of the fin~st pubhc tr~u~spor tatlon systems hi the country. Upon our arrival, we first went to the Gay Colrmlunity Cew~er, 1122 E. Pike, which is open daily to help tourists and locals as weIh "lhey offer a very infurmative packet of hlformation for the gay traveler. Check them out at www.seardelgboorg. ’~hey are open 10 AM to 9 PM dally and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunda}z What a real treat to be welcomed to a city[ qhey have a veer" strong Greater Seatde Business Association which has been se~vlng w~dr pride since 1981. Check them out at: tkegtha.org. A~er that we checked into the Gaslight Inn Bed and B~t located at 1727 15th Aver~ue which is in the Capitol Hill area. qheir websise is: w~w.gaslight itm.com. You woHt find a more congenial or ftiend~ier host that Steve Betmett. Steve has owned a~d operated die Gaslight for over 25 years. A~er all these years, Steve is still "bubbly and enthusiastic about life" and it shows. He can give you great ideas on what to do and where to go whoa visiting and he can a~sist you in finding the right bars to go to. It is located in a wonderful old home and it’s motif is the arts a~l crafts period. It is decorated with beaurihii old Stialdey furniture and Steve has a great collection of contemporary glassware as well as some American dian artifacts. The rooms and suites are great, some with fi~eplac~s, omside decks and there is a heated swimming pool. It is located right on the bus llne and every 12 minutes you can catch a bus to downtown. "fh]k about accessibility? Within a few blocl~ you can walk to a dozen gay bars and 3 dozen restaurants in the area. Tiae Gaslight is the ONLY place to stay. The great thing about St ~y~ig at a B and B is that you get to meet other travelers as well. Tom and 18 the STAR Doris from I ~rtg Island were staying there and they were ddightful! (Most straight people hate that word, But, they WERE delightful ).. Also staying there was Greg from Attstralia. He was just starting out on a three month business trip around the world[ He was extremely enjoyable ttl talk with and we wish him well on his trip. He has since emailed $evei~] thnes to keep tl.S up to date on his journey. Down town Searde is one rd" the most be~miful, cLean, modem vib~axt downtowns in the cmmtry: Pike Place Market is the fu~t place that we went and enioyed the antiques ard gift shops as well performers, musicians and a~dsts. You can purchase a huge bouquet of flowers for $10 to $15 which would run $50 and up anywhere else in the country. Pike Place Market is celebrating their 100th year this year. Pioneer Square is also downtown aad is extremely historic with ilx tmdergrmmd tours. Most of the buildings in this area are over 100 year old. You cou!d spend all day in downtown Seattle iust lookir~g at all the wonderful old architecture. We drove all around Searde one day and visited mar~y different neighbor fu~:ls which were all quite ultique atrd di[~hrent. Tile-i have dozens and dorxns of hadlvidually mvned cafes and restaurants. From downtown you can take the Monorail to the Seattle Center which has the Space Needle as weg as Pacific Science Center, Science Fiction Museum mad Hag was built for the 1962 \gorld’s Fair. The elevator ride takes just 43 seconds to get to the top which is 520 feet to the obser vatiori dock. scum of Flight where they have a Concorde, ALr Force One and 85 other pL~n~, the Museum of Iq-istory ~a~d Industry, the Seattle Art M~setun and the Burke Mt~scum of Natural History and Cdlture. Seattle is one beck of city to visit! !rod they also have a great Gay Meffs Chorus! ��Aj&ican pen~dns amble about the beach at Cape Town’s Boulders National Park, apopular spot on the tours qffTe’ted by Premier Tours. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Unusual Tours to Great Destinations If you’ve come to associate organized tours with massive chartered cruise ships, packed buses, and onerously large groups of fellow travelers, you might want to give this concept a fresh look. Today’s organized-travel options include a tremendous variety of companies offering intimate, upscale, customized adventures. In many cases, the method of transportation - canal barges, bicycles, vintage trains - are part of the excitement. Many upscale tour companies that cater to relatively small groups are also extremely gay-friendly, attracting educated and sophisticated travelers who appreciate a diverse mix of participants. Here’s a look at five exceptional tour operators, four of them mainstream and one specifically gay-oriented, but all offering guests unusual ways to experience some of the most intriguing destinations in the world. Ride the Rails q-hrough nhe Rockies With its accepting and tolerant attitude toward gays and lesbians, Canada continues to generate plenty of interest from GLBT travelers. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that parts of this country rival just about anywhere in the world for stunning scenery - the Canadian Rockies, a region best explored by luxury rail, are especially breathtaking. Gay-friendly Royal Canadian Pacific offers cushy, distinctive rail excursions from late spring to early summer. Transportation and accommodations are inside beautifully refurbished 1920s and ’30s railcars, where large windows afford dazzling views of snowcapped mountains and pristine lakes. At a number of points, passengers leave the train for touring, hiking, golfing, fly-fishing, and horseback riding through the countryside. The 6-day Royal Canadian Rockies Experience starts and ends in "Calgary, Alberta (you spend the first night at the historic Fairmont Palliser Hotel), a modern and lively city with an intriguing gay scene (and, in late June, the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo - the 20 world’s largest such gay event). The route winds west through Canmore (where Brokeback Mountain was filmed), Banff National Park, Lake Louise, and the Columbia River town of Golden. Then the train heads south through the Rockies before cutting east at Cranbrook and venturing into the Canadian Prairie and the city of Lethbridge, before finally heading north back to Calgary. Tne 6-day Royal Culinary, Wine, and Music Experience is another great itinerary - it begins in Calgary and continues through Banff, Yoho, and Glacier national parks, before ending at beautiful Kamloops, with a side trip to the stunning Kelowna and Okanagan \Vine Country. Royal Canadian Pacific tours include fantastic food and ultra-posh accommodations, and they start at around $5,500 per person, double-occupancy. Stroll Through Northern New Mexico, Tuscany; or New Zealan~l We live in a super-speedy, boom-boom world, and it’s in part for this reason that so-called "walking" vacations have become increasingly popular in recent years. One company that has tapped into this market with great success, offering tours to a variety of stunning and gay-popular destinations around the world, is The Wayfarers, whose intimate and pleasingly slow-going 4- to 12-day rambles cater to educated, independent-minded, and curious adventurers who are fit enough for extended walks but still appreciate upscale accommodations and superlative food. On Wayfarers vacations, during the day you’ll hike with a guide and your small group of fellow travelers, maintaining a leisurely clip through some of the world’s most picturesque terrain. At night, you stay in distinctive accommodations, from adobe inns in Santa Fe to posh resorts in the South of France to seaside villas on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. the STAR ~’~vw. oza rksstar.com �Wa)4:arers offers tours in several regions, including such European destinations as the British Isles, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, the South of France, and Spain. In the United States, you can tour the Maine coast, New Mexico, Utah, Washington’s Cascades and Olympic Peninsula, and Santa Barbara. In a few destinations (Italy’s lakes, England’s Cotswolds, New Mexico) you can choose between women-only and mixed-gender tours. These trips are great for couples or groups of friends traveling together. They’re well-suited to outdoorsy types, but they’re also accessible and enjoyable to globetrotters who don’t get outside much yet still enjoy occasional opportunities to commune with nature. Prices vary a bit according to the itinerary - the 5-day New Mexico trip is about $2,300 per person, the 6-day Tuscany adventures cost $3,500 per person, and the 12-day New Zealand treks cost $4,200 to $4,500 per person. Pedal Across Provence, Adalucia, or Iceland Of the many gay-oriented (i.e., open to gays and lesbians as well as friends of the community) tour companies out there, few have earned a more stellar reputation over the years than Alyson Adventures, which offers a slew of soft-adventure getaways that focus on such invigorating activities as canyoneering, rock-climbing, hiking, kayaldng, rafting, and scuba diving. In particular, Alyson offers wonderful bike tours through some of the world’s most fascinating places. These tours typically last about a week; are led by knowledgeable guides; include accommodations in well-chosen, mid-range hotels; include all breakfasts and some lunches and dinners (for others you’re on your own); and use of a bike. The trips are geared toward all levels of biking experience (they average 25 to 40 miles of travel per day, depending on the route), as participants are free to go at their own pace, and you’re as likely to meet single travelers on these adventures as you are couples or groups of friends. Alyson offers about a dozen itineraries, most of them in France (Provence, the Dordogne River, the Loire Valley, etc.), but others through Tuscany, Spain’s Andalusia, Iceland’s volcano and hotsprings country, Vietnam, and Arizona’s Mission Trail. There are tours from mid-spring through mid-fall, and prices range from about $1,700 to $2,800 per person, double-occupancy. This helpful company has even created a website, www.gay-bike.com, filled not only with further information on the tours it offers but also with tips on traveling by bike. If you’re keen on other types of adventure, consider some of Alyson’s similarly intriguing getaways, such as rafting the Grand Canyon, diving offthe Caribbean island of Saba, or eco-touring Costa Rica. and snacks, and richly furnished dining rooms in which you’ll be treated to superb classic French cuisine and fine wines. Special meals are also planned at a number of restaurants along each itinerary. French Country’Waterways cruises last a week, are offered April through October, and cost from about $5,000 per person, double occupancy. Trek Xhrough the African Bush Among the many companies out there offering African safari adventures, Philadelphia-based Premier Tours earns kudos for its distinctive and well-planned itineraries, which provide participants a nice mix of in-the-bush adventure and sophisticated big-city and wine-country diversion. The gay-friendly company has a huge range of trips covering several African nations - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Gay travelers should book a trip that includes some time in the scenic and vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa. For instance, the 7-day Cape Town & Safari excursion includes Cape Town and nearby wineries as well as safari experiences in Kruger National Park and the stunning Hephant Plains Game Lodge. There are also much more extensive 15- to 17-day South Africa tours, some that include Johannesburg, Zambia’s Victoria Falls, and Swaziland. The company’s many different types of tours cater to a wide range of interests and capabilities, as you can try anything from a rugged adventure trip that includes hiking and camping to cushier trips where you spend the night in fine hotels and posh game lodges. Premier Tours provides accommodations, many of the meals, airport transfers, game-viewing experiences, and other daily tours. Tour prices start around $1,300 per person, double-occupancy, for the 7-day Cape Town & Safari tour. This is a pretty amazing deal, when you consider the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see elephants and leopards in the wild, not to mention the swank restaurants and lively gay nightclubs of Cape Town. Cruise the French Canals French Country Waterways offers travelers an intimate, upscale way to traverse some 4,800 miles of navigable rivers and canals throughout the Gallic countryside. This is not your conventional cruise adventure. These leisurely and romantic excursions are offered in four regions: Champagne (a short distance east of Paris), the Upper Loire, Burgundy, and Alsace-Lorraine. If you’re planning a gay vacation to Paris and its hip Marais District, consider tacking on one of these boat trips after your city stay. The company uses five beautifully outfitted barges, which accommodate from 8 to 18 passengers, and whose staterooms and suites all have private bathrooms and individual climate control. Each barge has a large wooden sundeck, ample lounge space and bars stocked ~vith complimentary beverages w~w.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 21 �by Donald Pile & Ray X~dliams Featufmg Cuisine From Coast m Coast YELLOWSTONE’S FAMOUS OLD FAITHFUL INN Located in the heart of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the ru~tlc-style lodge, with log and wood shingle exterior is located adjacent to the world famous Old Faithful Geyser. The original part of the Inn, knovm as the "Old House" was completed in 1904 and hadudes an immense tobby with a huge stone place. The East and West Wings were added in the teens and the twenties, with many rooms having been remodeled ha recent years. Guest accommodations include rooms with and with shared baths. Additiona~y, deli, gift store and interpre- 22 the STAR Add all of the Li Lato a thzker 3/4 full of cracked cocon~ a~d I slice of peach Sip, sip--and enjoy! / items and buffet. Ltmch offers a selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, house specialties and a western buffet. For dinner you c;m either enjoy the dinner buffet or choose from a menu offering signature specialties such as p~n-se~ed dk medallions or pork osso buco. ’,wvw.ozarksstar.com ��by Chaz & Victor ��The theme song for this season of roundball cotfld easily be P~M’s "Everybody Hurts". To my disbelief, I have already been injured and I have felt the sting of many a painful practice and game. I run forty- miles a week, I workout three days per week, and I even take long bike rides for cross-training purposes. How could this suffering be a possibility for someone like me? The reality is that I am working a different range of motion for my muscles. Even Superman has his Kryptonite and Achilles had his heel. I have given greater credence to the expression that what doesn’t kill me will only raake me stronger. Ianl thirty-eight years old and I recently desired a change in my life. I contemplated the notion of dying my hair, buying a convertible, wearing skater shoes, and purchasing a cool puka shell necklace. I was informed that these are all signs of a midlife crisis and I can’t be associated with any labels like that. I thus decided to satisfy my hunger for variety in a non-crisis fashion and I joined a softball team. It’s been about a month and I’ve managed to survive about a half dozen softb,~Jl games. ~xese are my stories. I have been a solitary runner for twenty years. Teamwork has not been a necessary part of my designated sport of distance running. I have been master and commander of my ship. Softball demands that ten players contribute for the common good of the tem-n. My days of spinsterhood, playing solitaire, and reclusiveness are over. I have to look out for my fellow brethren. It has been great learning to be part of something. I can’t function without them and vice versa. Not everyone is good. Some of the outfielders race in to catch a fly ball only to see it sail thirty feet over their noggin. There are still others who throw like Blanche, Rose, Sophia, and Dorothy. I have experienced the trials and tribulations of watching guys swing the bat with all the grace of a fairy godmother and her wand. I don’t mind these dreadful displays of athleticism. It is humbling to me because I k~ov¢ that there is something out there that I am horrible at. I proceed with this mindset and complete understanding 26 the STAR Quotable Quotes The first five-star gay hote! in Latin America opened Wednesday in the Argentine capita! of Buenos Aires, an increasingly popular destination on the worldwide gay tourist circuit. The hotel, set near the historic San Telmo neighborhood, is the second of its kind developed by Spain’s Axel Corp., which opened a five-star, 66-room gay hotel in Barcelona in 2003. Softball certainly has its gadabout tendendes. I am especially fond of this social side of the sport. The reward for engaging in the weekly ritual of two consecutive seven-inning games is found in a mug of Bud Light at ye olde watering hole after the barbarism has subsided. Rewards have even been known to involve some backTard frolicking in our shortstop’s pool ~xe horse is bound to gallop when he has that carrot stuck in front of his nose. Our team has tremendous galloping power thanks to our "carrots". I am enjoying the break in my daily monotony that has come from this thing called softball. I am reaping the benefits from the healthy mental and physical aspects of the activity. I have found a niche that has proved exciting for me. It has been quite cheaper than acquiring that box of Clairol, the ragtop Mustang, the black pair of Vans, and the island accessory with the shark tooth that would have adorned my neck. I even feel ten years younger since my first day of taking to right center field. My midlife emergency has suffered a crippling blow. The world is safe now, but for how long? This health and fitness column is brought to you by that guy whose ten gallon hat has been largely unaffected by his fifteen gallon mouth. That guy is Ron Blake and he can reached at www.goblakefitness.com. Creating Community for People living A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization Our House, Too offers a vaiety 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 hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. www.ozarksstar.com �awarded 5500 000 Executive Director Michael Adams. "This initiative serves a critical need: in the ne~:t 20 years the number of LGBT people age 65 and above will grow by 70 percent -- from approximately 3 million now to roughly 5 million over the next quarter century. This demographic tida! wave, combined with the endemic invisibility, marginalization, and discrimination faced by LGBT older people, lends an added urgency to this first-of-a-kind national advocacy effort. Thanks to this Banding from Arcus, we wil! be able to launch a strategic and focused effort to increase visibility; awareness, policy protections and support for LGBT older people." Adams added that the new initiative is especially timely since SAGE is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008, just launched an online community of LGBT aging advocates and service providers nationwide, and plans on hosting its fourth national conference on LGBT aging next fall. "We are grateful to the Arcus Foundation for funding this innovative partnership between the Task Force and SAGE," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "This project will combine the Task Force’s federal policy and research expertise, SAGE’s unparalleled understanding of the needs of LGBT elders, and the energy of activists across the nation to shape a better future for all our seniors." Joint coL~aboration wfl! address LGBT a&in~ concerns and improve qualig~ o~ ~iFe £o_ LGBT seniors NEW YORK, Nov. 13 -- Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) and the _’National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announced this week they have received a $500,000 grant from the kacus Gay and Lesbian Fund to support a joint national advocacy and policy effort around lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) aging. For this new project, SAGE and the Task Force will collaborate on a series of ventures that push public policies that address LGBT aging concerns and enhance support, protections and quality of life for LGBT seniors. The grant will fund two new staffpositions -- one at each organization -- and related prograna expenses. "As the one organization that focuses on the full gamut of LGBT aging issues both locally and nationally, SAGE is thrilled to partner with the Task Force on this national effort to improve the lives of the senior members of our community," said SAGE www.ozarksstar.oom The Task Force’s existing aging initiative, headed up by Amber Hollibaugh, a Task Force senior strategist and specialist on LGBT aging issues, convenes and coordinates the National LGBT Aging Roundtabte, worked successfully with SAGE to gain the first-ever specific inclusion of LGBT elders in the Final Report of the 2005 VThite House Conference on Aging (which will guide federal aging work through 2015), and will be issuing a second edition of Outing Age, a seminal report on policy issues affecting LGBT elders, issued in 2000. Quotab ÷ Quotes Editor and comic writer ~dan Coren asked actor MichaeI Caine, who once was a neighbour of actor Richard Gere. Coren: "You must know the answer to the big question, Michad. Is Richard Gere gay?" Caine replied: "I don’t know if he is actually gay, but he would probably help out if they were short-handed." Ireland’s government announced late last week that it will introduce legislation legalizing civil unions for same-sex and heterosexual couples by March 2008. Known as the Civil Unions Bill 2006, the legislation will provide gay couples with unions legally equivalent to marriage, akin to the Civil Partnership _Act in the United Kingdom. Both openly-gay members of Congress have now endorsed Hi!lary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. The New York senator secured the support of Tammy Baldwin, the "Wisconsin congresswoman who is the only out lesbian in the House, months ago. And this week Clinton gained the enthusiastic endorsement of House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, the only out gay man currently serving in the chamber. The new SAGE-Task Force collaboration has four main goals: to build and provide leadership to an action-oriented national LGBT aging network; to win strategic policy victories for LGBT older people at the federal and state/local levels; to build the capacity for LGBT aging policy advocacy in communities across the country; and to ensure that LGBT aging issues are a focus in broader aging policy discussions. SAGE and the Task Force will carry out this work in dose collaboration with local LGBT aging organizations, as well as "mainstream" and "minority" senior organizations. the STAR 27 �"Have a Plan B, PiscesV’ The Sun square Uranus inspires bold acts of daring and innovation, but most of those will lack proper planning and precaution. Keep everything in the mental realm; explore new ideas and philosophies. This is not the time to try out skydiving! ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Don’t let anyone trust you with a secret. Even your own aren’t safe now. Exploring new ideas or arguing over old ones can lead to deep new insights. Carefully choose the company, time, and place for opening up. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Sexual tensions with a friend come to the surface, offering the potential of "benefits." Acting on those impulses might bring trouble, but discuss it, clear the air, and see if it might be worth exploring. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your partner or a close work colleague may let a secret slip that could change your reputafion. How you handle it can prove more important than the "scandal" itself. Keep a sense of humor and perspective, and be flexible with everything except the truth. SAGITrARIUS (November 22 - December 20): You may find it liberating to divulge family secrets, but your family probably doesn’t share your opinion. The benefits of disclosure may be worth the trouble, but the trouble will be considerable. Think it through before saying anything! CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Stay quietly in the background, and keep your ears open. What you hear will be astounding and potentially very helpful. A noisy brain may seem like an impediment to meditation, but letting it run is part of the process. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Arguments with friends over money will come too easily. Do your best to make sure debts are paid and everything’s even. You’re likely to create friction despite your best efforts, so be prepared to apologize and back off. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): The impulse to strut your stuff may have you showing off a lot more than you intended. Make sure presentations are thoroughly planned out, complete with a Plan B if things go completely awry. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Accidents, arguments, weird allergic reactions, and other rude surprises are just waiting in the wings. Be ready to adapt and improvise, as there’s no escape. Often the difference between an adventure and a disaster is in your attitude. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Novelties in erotic play will open up new doors for you that you’d never imagined. Just be very careful, as some kinks require special precautions, and everyone is a little more accident-prone these days. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Arguments at home are almost inevitable. Accept them as a chance to clear the air. You’ll be surprised at what comes up. Problems revealed now can be solved later. Explore new ideas, recognizing that they will need work. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Impatience can lead to outbursts that you’ll regret. You’re a bit too eager for adventure, which could lead you into accidents. Try to focus that energy into learning new skills, especially those that could be useful at work. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21 ): Most of your brilliant inspirations about money are ready to blow up in your face. A few of those ideas are actually good, but talk them over with someone whose advice you can trust, and take time to think them over. MCCo 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 �DOWNTOXY[N PLAZA of TULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 w~w:downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 ~a~w~:habanainn.com K~LLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant DREX£L ON THE PARK APTS. 3041 NW 41ST Oklahoma City, OK 405-946-0588 SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 susanlhartman@gmail.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918:584-9494 w~w,v.clubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 ww~: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 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 ww~:c2 lgoldcastle.com HOPE TESTING CLINIC 3540 E. 31st Tulsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline CHUCK BI~CKENRIDGE Keller \Villiams Realty Tulsa, OK SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 9:30 AM 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 I’,BW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK w~v.anglesclub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 w~wv.bambooloungetulsa.com www.ozarksstar.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: 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 \Vorship Sundays 6pro NW ARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WW~.NWAGLBTCC.ORG (Single Copies $3.00 per issue) NAME: Address: City: St: Zip:. Phone: *wvw.HisRoom.net Check enclosed Money Order Start Date: 29 �Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 FINAI.J.Y! A~V HONF-.f,’~" I~EPUELIO~I! 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com �w~vw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 31 �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document Reservations: 918.585.5898 e 800.585.5! 01 2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.cor~ ,t,nffw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3 ~ [~OL~DAY G~VY ~DI~A~$ \Ve’ve been shopping for you! Something out of this world, one of the newest gadgets, and a few other items to enjoy. ~L~C~.L Karen Greenawalt photography exhibit Fundraiser nets $900 For Our House Too. November 29, 1984 (23),ears ago last m0nd0: West H01- lyw00d, Calif., incorporates as a city. Cool Wines for Cool Weather: And you know drinking some wines can almost be like listening to music in mono. "GAY VEGAS - A Guide to the Other Side of Sin City" Gay Travelers: Seattle, \Vashington Out of Town: Great Destinations Dining In or OUT NEW: Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on a new project for Sandra Bernhard, Justin Kirk, and Christopher Sieber, and Ugly Betty Sings. Introspection can lead you to better understand yourself and ultimately to achieve greater happiness. ON THE COVER: Virgin Galactic 4 the STAR w~,~v.ozarksstar.com www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5 6 the STAR Diversity Business ~[~ere were no gay men in America in the eighteenth centmy or Brokeback Mountain, the prequel. qlae author admits that was just to get the reader’s attention just as I got yours with my Jefferson, to the completely obscure, known Dofft let the word "Nstotical" dim yore bulb; it’s a very good introduction to our American gay heritage. qlxe period covered is approximatdy 1660 m 1850, ~md centers on the dme of the One p~;mt the author stresses is that the flowery writing style seem in private letters should not distract us from the gender of the writer and the letter’s recipient. hy a young wom~n and read, ’Often too, he sha~ed mypillow, or I his, and how sweet to sleep with him, hold his beloged form in my embrace, to have hi# arms about my neck, to imprint upon his face sweet kisses.’ We reasonably assume that she and the maa in quesdon shared a sexual relationship, There is no justifiable grounds for changing that amumpdon when we faarn that the words were actu~y written by Albm Dodd, a Yale undergraduate in the 1830s, describing his relationship with a fallow student, Anthony Gore Vidal (ff I could only know what he’s forgotten since bre~ffast): "What is sheer high animal spirits in the roaring boy who buys a pre-femlnlst girl is vileness in the roaring boy who buys another bo)~" Yes, indeed, it wasn’t just a style, it was the real McCoy of same-sex attraction. Benjamin Walker and William North were in the Revoludorxary Army under George Woshingmn, served honorably, attained blgh rank, a~d were set on a wall-w-do coarse in Iifa after their discharge. Both of them served Ln the House and Senate of Congress representing NewYork state. They kept in much through letters and "dsits when they were able. As was the style at that tlme dose male friends would name a child in honor of the other; however North’s wife, Polly, would not a~low their son to be named in that manner. It’s thought by the author that Polly suspected her husband and his friend children the author takes this as a sign that perhaps she xnd her husband were no longer connubial. "lhe whole friendship ends on a sad note with londiness and mLfaLfilled hope. Either this w~s very prescient on their part or we, here in the 21 st century, axe contimfing the emotional, erotic needs of ot~" gey/lesbian orientation and coming much cIoser th~n our forefathers ever couldi We devil or representative of the decay of the To read this book sometimes fads so modern, the need and desire for love and c~maraderie are sdll the same, only the al~ity to www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7 Chuck Breckenddge 918-706-1887 REALTOFt TESTING CLINIC 1-800-535-AIDS (2437) Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline "At Centuq 21 G~ld Caslle ourBEST properties are our PEOPLe’ 3627 NW Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405.840.2106 www.¢21 goldcasge.com Let us promote your business in a UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call STAR ADVERTISING today. (918)835-7887 8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com Vir#n Galactic C~rTo Space fromNe~Marcus find the m~n in the moon you were 8 years old?). Now, for the time, the heavens are truly w~thln reach, when you charter Virgin G’a]actic for the We’ve been shepping for you! Something out of this world, one of the newest 9adgefo, and a few other items to en]og occur in mid-air. SpaceShi~pTwo will detach, fire its custom-designed hy~orid rocket, and propel you into the majesty of space. Conditions Gendarme Spray ColOgne q~e ffeshesfl Casually sensual, yet profes~ sion~ly down-to-business, Distiacdv¢ly driven to be assertive, yet ever so cleverly subde. Made for a man. It blends tmlquely with the user’s musk, to create his/her ow~ signature scent. ~fl~e un-off~dal fragrance of Californ’a." "Greeff’ with citrus and verbena top notes. "Herbal" with a dry-down ofjasmine and thyme, bound to a him of leather. A for 12% oil blend for a compelling long last, that won’~ overpower the room, Ingredients herbs, oils, etc. Price: 2oz $48.00 4oz $68.00 Six-Person S aceTrip Charter OCBP7_NMO2199 www.genda*me.com or 800÷2894363 More Gift Idea’spage 16 s & Gifts Earl Wheeler 437E. 141st Street Glenpool, OK 74033 918.291.EARL (3275) ORDERS BY ~2NOON GUARANTEED SAME DAY DELIVERY Santa/We deliver everywhere!" the STAR 9 Oklahomans for Equality opens Karen Greenawak photography exhibit at Dennis Ro Neill Equality Center TULSA, OK (P/R) __ %e Dennis R. Neil! Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-9pro, ~lhursday, December 6, 2007, for the opening of its December exhibit, photography by artist Karen Greenawalt. Greenawalt grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and earned a degree in art education at Kutztown University. She received a camera at an early age and has been taking pictures ever since. After taldng a course in college she got more serious and started honing her skiIls. She studied at the Santa Fe Photographic "Workshops and other photography classes. Karen discovered Oldahoma and has made Tulsa her home since the mid 70s. She has been a Financial Consultant most of that time and has been expanding her photography business in recent years. \~qen her fellow photographers complained that there was nothing worth t~ng pictures of in Tulsa, she took ~hat as a personal challenge and started studying the city with a creative eye. She’s produced many stunning images of details that are often overlooked. Photo: Driller By Karen Greenawalt She will not sell an image more than once in the same size, so each of her pictures is unique. She has made an exception with one print that is available as a limited edition, so that it could be more affordable. Karen has exhibited in galleries and festivals around the area, and her work is included in collections across the country. The exhibit will remain up through the month of December, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pro. 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. DBAT Hos s Holiday Receptior TULSA, OK (PR) __ Diversity Business Association ofTulsa members a.s well as those interested in joining DBAT are invited to attend a Holiday Wine and Cheese Reception on ~gednesda}; December 12th at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. The reception will be help from 6:00 to 9:00pro. DBAT provides a forum to the gay; lesbian, bisexual and transgender business and professional community and its allies for the purpose of networ!dng, professional development, creating increased visibility and strengthening relationships among business and professional community members. We’re the heart ofLGBT networking and business growth. We support. -We lead. X,ge promote professional development, business diversity and personal enrichment - so get involved today! For more information contact Susan Hartman at slhartman@ scrubs2go.net or 918-274-1699. Oklahoma’s firs o.p.e ly gay legislator v s ts DalIaSo DALLAS, TX (P/R) __From one "blue" region to another, gay Oklahoma Rep. A! MckA}’rey came to share his experiences with Dallas’ political activists. "We ha:¢e a lot in common with his district," said Jesse Garcia, president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. "He’s in a little blue island of Oldahoma City, and he’s coming to Dallas County where there’s another blue island in a sea of red." 10 the STAR vcww.ozarksstar.com Tu sa’s Socia Event of the Yea A Campy C assi¢ Show for a Great Cause, Photo Czarina Rotc,~acokoff, l~Iiss Bamboo 2007 (by default) and Handsome Escort, Prince Hartness. Top Photo: right il/Iiss Bamboo 2008 Sydney Vicious, left Miss Bamboo 2006Mona Lott and selfproclaimed "Empress ofthe Bamboo" By Greg Stede TULSA, OK __ November 17th marked the 6th annual Miss Bamboo Pageant Fundraiser and was the most successful ever. ~’he crown was held in top security by BrinkT Security Armored Division and entered the building only after the votes had been counted by the Accounting Firm of Chicken, Bunns and Stevens. Votes for each contestant were determined by the amount of money each was given by the audience for their performance. Our House Too ofTulsa was the recipient of this years proceeds of $900.00. Our House Too offers a variety- of services for people who are HIV÷ or living with .AADS. You can contact the Director Milton Harris at (918) 585-9552 or harrismmjr@yahoo.com ~his years event was hosted by Kris Kohl a Tulsa Diva and MC’d by Earlena Detrick a local flower sales person. A wonderful job was done by both. The winner of the coveted crown for 2008 Sydney Vicious, an unknown bag lady who just happened onto the scene, wowed the crowd with a stunning performance, and our sympathy goes out to Queen Vicious as we understand at the time of this writing, her grocery cart was hit by Ms. Detricks Hummer in the parking lot and completely totaled. The big surprise at this years pageant was Miss Bamboo 2006 and self proclaimed Empress Mona Lott who was extremely well behaved. A tradition at past Bamboo events, all were expecting her usual display of vulgarity, a ritual wimessed every year that is nothing less than sleazy striptease. Thank you Mona for being a perfect lady this year. No prelim, no registration fees, not known for glamour, but an absolute celebration of campy fun with a big heart. That is the Miss Bamboo Pageant. Copa, OKC Hosts National Mro Gay A erica Cor teSto By Victor Gorin Photo: (left) 1st runnerup Austin Gene ofTulsa, (cwnter) Taz Bailey M~ Gay AllAmerican 2007 of~Iidwest City Oklahoma, (right) Sebastian Armonte a~Ir. Gay AllAmerican 2008 Pittsburgh, PA OKL~IOMA CITY, OK__ It was a steamy Saturday night at the Copa with the national Mr. Gay All American Contest held November 10. ~With 5 contestants and 7 former winners present the audience got treated to mankind at their best. Owned for the past 2 years by OKC local John Beebe, a former Mr.Gay All American himself (1996), he has taken on the project of this contest -with the passion it takes to do the work to make it come together. The contest began over 24 years ago as part of Norma Kristie’s Pageant System in Little Rock, Arkansas (owned by Norman Jones of the Miss Gay America Pageant System), and even today the scoring system and categories are the same. It separated from that system, taken over by Gib Hauersperger for several years until 2002. It then was purchased by Paul Lopez ( also a former Mr.Gay All American), then it was taken over by Richard Greer who had it until 2005 when it dosed. Mr.Beebe then saw an opportunity to revive the contest, and took it over in 2006. Although it did prove to be a lot of work, Mr. Beebe has secured several national sponsorships of the event and is optimistic about the future of the contest. There is now a $2500 prize package for the winner, and those interested in participating should contact Mr.Beebe at wvw.myspace.com/mgaacontest or johnbeebe96@yahoo.com ~,#ww.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11 REVIEW By Donald Pile a~d Ray Williams gay~avders@aol.com "GAY VEGAS - A Guide to the Other Side of Sin City" by Steve Friess We have just read one of the and we thought that we knew Then he tells about the "best oftbe best" and the MUST DO and MUST SEE things about Las Vegas. Any gay person going to L~ Vegas whether for the first time or if they flare been there many times should purchase this book. Steve’s "Gay Las Vegas" book deals with lodging, restaurant% shows, gay nightlife, shopping, gay weddings ~nd is the most definitive book for gaps gohag to Las Vegas. Steve has lived in Las Veg~ since 1996 and was originally from Long Island, New York. Ftiess ~nd his partner, NBC producer Miles Smith, co-host "The Strip" podc~t, a weekly Vegas~centrie celebrity-hiterview progsara found at q~eStripPodc~st.com. Fdess and Smith wed at the Pabos Hotel- Casino in March 2007 and live with their two Chihuahuas, Black and Jack. Steve is a former contributing writer for q~e Advocate, Friess has also covered gay topics for USA Today, the New York Times, Newsweek, and dozpns of other major periodicals. 12 the STAR ff yot~ can’t go to Las Vegss, buy Stevens book and read it and you w~l think that you are there! He writes so directly ~d tells about all aspects of the cit~ "llaere should be a informative book like this written about all the great gay cities in the country. Steve LOVES his city and it shows! He has certainly done his research and pulls no punches in describing the different aspects of gay life ~nd gay destinations when going to l&s Vegas. Gay Vegas - A Gnlde to the Other Side ofiSin City can be purchased around the country at mmay Borders and Barnes and Nobles and also on line thr~ Amazon.com. We HIGHLY recommend rhls great book! It w’dl save you a lot of time ~d money die next time you visit Las Vegas. On a side note. Kansas City’s own Wes Winters entert~as at the Liberace Mtmettm weekly in Las Vegas. A~ always, when we write ~nything about L~ Vegas, we like to remind everybody to remember the words of lAberace, "No one will believe in you unless you believe in yourself! " G.ay ca.ndidates v ctonous across the U.S. WASHINGTON, D.C. (P/R) __ Dozens of openly gay and lesbi~a~ candidates running in municipal and state legislative races across the country won their elections Tuesday, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Ofthe record 71 candidates endorsed by die gsoup in 2007, at least 31 won their races on Tuesday, while 10 were elected earlier this year. At least three more endorsed candidates received enough votes to edvance to runoff elections. V~ctory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe said the growing number of out candidates demonstrates the gay community’s increasing involvement in electoral politics. ~Thls is the path to change. We are not content to sit on the snlelLqes and hope that others do the right thing for our community. We will step up and lead the fight for a more equal and fair America, mad we will win," Wolfe said. ¯ae Victory Fund’s 7I endorsements set a new record for an odthnumbered year in which there ~re no scheduled federal elections. In 2006, the group endorsed 88 cmadidates ~ad it expects to endorse more than 100 candidates in 2008, according to Wolfe. He added that planning has already begun for n~xt year’s races. "2008 will be another record-breaking year for gay c~adidates, and they’ll need help to counter the inevitable amacks from anti-gay hate groups. We’ll be ready to fight," Wolfe Among the h@lighrs Tuesday: ¯ Joel Burns, a candidate for the Fort Worth, Tex., City Council edv~lced to a December rtmoff election as the top votegetter a~er being subject to anti-gay smears from an opponent. ¯ Craig Covey won his race for mayor of Femdale, Mich., becoming the first openly gay mayor elected in the state of Michigan. ¯ Michefie Bruce, an openly transgender incumbent on the Riverdale, Ga., City Council was the top vote-getter in her race and advances to a runoff election. ................Continued next page Gay car didar.es cont. @ New Jersey State Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, who became the state’s first openly LGBT state legislator when he came out publicly during his current term, won re-election to his seat. @ Jeffrey Anderson was elected to the Duluth City Council, becoming the first openly gay elected official in northern Minnesota. Tim Eustace won his race for mayor of Maywood, N.J. @ Brian Bates, won a seat on the Doraville, Ga., City Council, becoming the first openly gay Republican ever to win office in the state. @ Lydia Lavelle won a seat on the Carrboro, N.C., Board ofAldermen, becoming the seventh openly LGBT candidate ever elected in the state. For up-to-date election results for all endorsed candidates, go to www.victoryfund. org. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender public officials at all levels of government. It is the nation’s largest LGBT political action committee. Since its founding in 1991, the Victory Fund has helped grow the number of out elected officials from just 49 to nearly 400 in the United States. OKLAHOMA STONEWALL DEMOCRATS FUNDRAISER AT ANGLES A SUCCESS By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Bringing together the GLBT community and their allies together for an evening of fun and unity was hosted by the newly reopened Angles Club of Oklahoma City. The fundraiser featured not only the executive Director Jon Hoadley, but also elected officials State Representative AI McAffrey & Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth. They were also entertained by Alison Scott & Miss Gay Oklahoma 1 st Runnerup Melody Michaels, a British lass now a US citizen and proud member of Stonewall. Stonewall welcomes new members, only requiring that one be a registered Democrats & believe in equality for all Americans including the GLBT community. Person interested in joining may log in on our Oklahoma website v~vw.okstonewall.org, or call Treasurer Jim Nimmo at (405) 843 3651.The website of the national organization is www.stonewalldemocrats.org. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the Otdahoma State Democratic Party Headquarters located at 4100 N. Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City and are open to all. QuotaNe Quotes AIDS vaccine didn’t guard against virus~ Drugmaker Merck & Co. released new data on an experimental AIDS vaccine that failed to work, the data shows volunteers who got the shots were far more likely to get infected with the virus through sex or other risky behavior than those who got dummy shots. www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 13 November 29, 1984 (23 years ago last month): West Hollywood, Calif., incorporates as a city. How did West Hollywood become so gay? os Angeles has been a town of many firsts for the GLBT communisy, including, in the 1950s, the llrst enduring U.S. gay and lesbian orga~zizations and publications. West Hollywood, an enclave within L.A., is widely regarded as the world’s first gay city Popularly known as "WeHo," West Hollywood is a small city ofjust 1.9 square miles located in the northwest part of LOs Angeles County, suzrounded by L.A.’s Hollywood district and the independent city of’Beverly During the first halfof fire 20th century, gay people also began gravitating to West Hdilywood. ~ie area was beyond the reach of the notoriously homophobic L.A.ED. and convenient for the gay creative talent work~ hag behind the scenes in the fihn industry. So many gay men bought and renovated working-class bungalows ha the 1960s and 1970s that the area around the Strip became known as the "Swish Kips." In fire 1960s, the Sunset Strip underwent a revival and became a hub of the hippie sic venues such as the Roxy and the ~ghisky a Go Go. But fire gay social scene centered on Santa Monica Boultward. A plethora of flubs, restaurants, and boutiques catering to gay patrons sprang up on fire west end of the street, dubbed "Boys Town" (though it also included a longolived lesbian bar~ The Palms). But not eceryone w~s gay-friendly Barney’s Beanery, a popular eatery since the 1920s, for decades posted a sign reading "Fagnrs [sic] Stay Out," the target of nttmer- The land that is now West Hofiywood was occupied by the Tongna Indian tribe when Spanish missionaries and ranchers setded the ~ea in the late 18di centmy. More than 100 years later, the Los Angeles ~aad Pacific RaJlway was built, and a small town ca~ed Sherman grew up around the main tall yard and trolley barns to accommodate the The people of Sherman declined to be incorporated into the city of Los Angeles. Because the town was outside the jurisdiction ofthe L.A. Police Dep~rtment. gambling casinos flourished a~d alcohol flowed freely din:rag the Prohibition era. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Sunset Strip running along WeHo’s northwest border became the ~playgsotmd of the stars,’~ a major nightlife destination for celebrities of the burgeoning motion picture industry. Nearby, posh apartment complexes housed Ho0ywood luminaries. One of fire most lavish - lesbian acrxess KiLn Nasimo~a’s Garden ofAlLah ÷ became infamous for its wild parties, But during World War ii, celebrities opted for a more wholesome public image as the cotmt~T’s pofiricad climate became more conservative, and the Strip fell out of £avor. The grittier east end of Santa Morea Boulevard. near the border with Hollywood, became a well-known prostitution stroll frequented by male hustlers ~nd transvestites. In the 1970s, the area was home to cheap motels, massage parlors, and sex shops. A Time magazine article in Aprtl 1976 described the so’etch as a "a flelible ribbon of smut that expands or contracts according to the apathy or indignation of the surrounding stucco-house neighborhoods." Indeed, there were periodic campaigns to clean up the area, but fire illicit activity never completely disappeared. In the 1980s and 1990s, the city saw an influx of Russian Jewish immigrants. With a large population of renters, residents grew concerned when L~. County proposed scrapping rent control amid skyrocketing real estate prices. A coalition of gays, Jews, ment to establish a separate city. West Hob lywood was incorporaied on November 29. I984, and elected the first-ever city council with a gay majority and the first operdy lesbian mayor, Valerie Terrigno. The council quickly passed strong rent conu’ol and anti-eviction laws and an ordinance bam~ng antigay discrimination, Terrigno bersulf 14 the STAR removed the "Fagots Keep Out" sign from Barney’s Beanery In 1985, WeHo bega~ offering domestic parmership benefits, becoming the first An~erlcan city to legally recognize same-sex rrlarionships. But Ter rig.no resigned later that yca~ after she was charged with embezzling from her former employer, and the scandal divided the gay community. While West Hofiywood has never had an actual gay majority, it has perhaps the Largest proportion of gay residents of any city - es~ated at around 40 percent of a to’cA population of 39,000 - and is a hub of queer cultare. The Christopher Street West Pride parade and festival, first held in 1970, moved from Los Angeles to West Hollywood in 1979; in 1987 the city started its annual Halloween Carnaval, which attxacts halfa million revelers. R~nbew flags fly on Santa Moniea Boulevard year-round, and even the L.A. County Sheriff vehicles that patrol the city sport a rainbow logo. While San Frandsco’s Castro, New York City’s West Village, and Chicago’s North Ha[stead area are renowned gay enclaves in the midst of larger cities, only in West Hollywood are the reins ofpolirical power firmly in the hands oftbe GLBT community "In the sixties, many of us - mysdf inaluded - stood on the outside and shouted epithets," said Steve Sehulte, an original WeHo city council member and later mayor. "But one of the really important lessons of die eighties is that gay and lesbian people have to run for office and get elected." Forfurther reading: Faderman, Lillian, and Stuart Timmons. 2006. Gay L.A. (Basic Books). Gierach, Ryan. 2003. Images ofAmerica: West Hollywood (Arcadia Publishers). v,~wv.ozarksstar.com Red wine in stereo is a and can have lots of ripe, ing black cherries, black roast coffee or chocolat~ mas. On the palate Black raspberry and bright fruit fill can be full and livel, can be a similar www.wineed~ Included here are a white wines, champagne I think we’ve got it all covered. Mr. D’s baker’s dozen. Po~t Grahams 6 grape port a with Mr D also hosts wine & food events as the Wine Enthusiasts of Tulsa. Cab Elyse Nei Sang Masi Copain BR Cohn Joel Gott Cabemet’05 w~rw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 15 "Ihe holiday season means many things to many people. For many gays and lesbians, it me~.s wardrobe shopping and new acces sories. Oh yes] When it comes to looking sharper th~ ever this fall, the sleeker, smarter, stronger MotoroIa’s RAZR2 has redefined the mobile phone into a must- "lhe Sa~ Francisco Chronicle recendy wrote, =...the phone itse~’has got to be one of the most fashionable devices out there, with its solid construction and k~ury feel." "Ibis new phone is "Out" already. The less tech]more fashion conscious in our community will have a tough decision to make with the variety of colors including the Mahogany V9 from AT&T, Espresso Vgm from Verizon Wireless, or Dark Pead Grey Vgm rlom Sprint. Prices vary depending on the carrier. Sprint is $249.99 with two-year contract. For more consumer informarion, visit http:lhwcw.motorota.coml2. the STAR Monin Gourmet Classic Flavors revered in my- ,e and eternity, luicy sweet fl as,~r. ~0w Monin Pomegranate and a dash of playfitL Perfect in cocktails rlom m~rdnis to daiquiris, Monin Pom~granate’s deep red color makes a dramatic statement while its Monin produces many other flavors and products for that perfect girl. 800-966-5225 Spexton Jewelry 222 S Lansing Trdsa, OK 74120 877.981.6060 Factory Store Now Open Now open in Tul~s Downtowns East End] Visit the soatho shop and watch them make your favorite Spexton jewelry. On the corner of 3rd and Lansing, across the street and around the corner from the Tiny Lotmge (Formerly 818). Hours: Mon-Sat Noon to 7:00pm Spexton Pal7013 Knurled Gold "Koenig" NEW!. H~ndcrarled stainless steel ring by Spexton. Featttres 22k gold inlay in raised center stripe with ~ knuded fizAsh and mirror edges, Sizes boxed. Order $450.00 -~vw,spexron.com Spexton NEI062 3 Dot Pendant New! From o~ new pendant collection, this intricate design per and s~lver blending gift-boxed Give a subscription to the STAR, 12 issues only $33.95. Send Check or Money Order to: The STAR 5103 S. Sheddan Rd., #153 Tulsa, OK 74145 Seepag~ 29for onter blank. see page 22. ~ of the brown su~gar until light. Add the egg well after each addition. Fold TRAVEL SEATTLE, WASHINGTON We have fuutid olle oftbe most wonderhi[ arid exciting eldes in the country to visit. Tile first mid most imporoult thing about Searde is that you do nor need a car! "!hey have one ofthe fin- ~st pubhc tr~u~sportatlon systems hi the country. Upon our arrival, we first went to the Gay Colrmlunity Cew~er, 1122 E. Pike, which is open daily to help tourists and locals as weIh "lhey offer a very infurmative packet of hlformation for the gay traveler. Check them out at www.seardelgboorg. ’~hey are open 10 AM to 9 PM dally and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunda}z What a real treat to be welcomed to a city[ qhey have a veer" strong Greater Seatde Business Association which has been se~vlng w~dr pride since 1981. Check them out at: tkegtha.org. A~er that we checked into the Gaslight Inn Bed andB~t located at 1727 15th Aver~ue which is in the Capitol Hill area. qheir websise is: w~w.gaslight itm.com. You woHt find a more congenial or ftiend~ier host that Steve Betmett. Steve has owned a~d operated die Gaslight for over 25 years. A~er all these years, Steve is still "bubbly and enthusiastic about life" and it shows. He can give you great ideas on what to do and where to go whoa visiting and he can a~sist you in finding the right bars to go to. It is located in a wonderful old home and it’s motif is the arts a~l crafts period. It is decorated with beaurihii old Stialdey furniture and Steve has a great collection of contemporary glassware as well as some American dian artifacts. The rooms and suites are great, some with fi~eplac~s, omside decks and there is a heated swimming pool. It is located right on the bus llne and every 12 minutes you can catch a bus to downtown. "fh]k about accessibility? Within a few blocl~ you can walk to a dozen gay bars and 3 dozen restaurants in the area. Tiae Gaslight is the ONLY place to stay. The great thing about St~y~ig at a B and B is that you get to meet other travelers as well. Tom and 18 the STAR Doris from I ~rtg Island were staying there and they were ddightful! (Most straight people hate that word, But, they WERE delightful ).. Also staying there was Greg from Attstralia. He was just starting out on a three month business trip around the world[ He was extremely enjoyable ttl talk with and we wish him well on his trip. He has since emailed $evei~] thnes to keep tl.S up to date on his journey. Downtown Searde is one rd" the most be~miful, cLean, modem vib~axt downtowns in the cmmtry: Pike Place Market is the fu~t place that we went and enioyed the antiques ard gift shops as well performers, musicians and a~dsts. You can purchase a huge bouquet of flowers for $10 to $15 which would run $50 and up anywhere else in the country. Pike Place Market is celebrating their 100th year this year. Pioneer Square is also downtown aad is extremely historic with ilx tmdergrmmd tours. Most of the buildings in this area are over 100 year old. You cou!d spend all day in downtown Seattle iust lookir~g at all the wonderful old architecture. We drove all around Searde one day and visited mar~y different neighborfu~:ls which were all quite ultique atrd di[~hrent. Tile-i have dozens and dorxns of hadlvidually mvned cafes and restaurants. From downtown you can take the Monorail to the Seattle Center which has the Space Needle as weg as Pacific Science Center, Science Fiction Museum mad Hag was built for the 1962 \gorld’s Fair. The elevator ride takes just 43 seconds to get to the top which is 520 feet to the observatiori dock. scum of Flight where they have a Concorde, ALr Force One and 85 other pL~n~, the Museum of Iq-istory ~a~d Industry, the Seattle Art M~setun and the Burke Mt~scum of Natural History and Cdlture. Seattle is one beck of city to visit! !rod they also have a great Gay Meffs Chorus! Aj&ican pen~dns amble about the beach at Cape Town’s Boulders National Park, apopular spot on the tours qffTe’ted by Premier Tours. (Photo by Andrew Collins) Unusual Tours to Great Destinations If you’ve come to associate organized tours with massive chartered cruise ships, packed buses, and onerously large groups of fellow travelers, you might want to give this concept a fresh look. Today’s organized-travel options include a tremendous variety of companies offering intimate, upscale, customized adventures. In many cases, the method of transportation - canal barges, bicycles, vintage trains - are part of the excitement. Many upscale tour companies that cater to relatively small groups are also extremely gay-friendly, attracting educated and sophisticated travelers who appreciate a diverse mix of participants. Here’s a look at five exceptional tour operators, four of them mainstream and one specifically gay-oriented, but all offering guests unusual ways to experience some of the most intriguing destinations in the world. Ride the Rails q-hrough nhe Rockies With its accepting and tolerant attitude toward gays and lesbians, Canada continues to generate plenty of interest from GLBT travelers. Ofcourse, it doesn’t hurt that parts of this country rival just about anywhere in the world for stunning scenery - the Canadian Rockies, a region best explored by luxury rail, are especially breathtaking. Gay-friendly Royal Canadian Pacific offers cushy, distinctive rail excursions from late spring to early summer. Transportation and accommodations are inside beautifully refurbished 1920s and ’30s railcars, where large windows afford dazzling views of snowcapped mountains and pristine lakes. At a number of points, passengers leave the train for touring, hiking, golfing, fly-fishing, and horseback riding through the countryside. The 6-day Royal Canadian Rockies Experience starts and ends in "Calgary, Alberta (you spend the first night at the historic Fairmont Palliser Hotel), a modern and lively city with an intriguing gay scene (and, in late June, the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo - the 20 the STAR world’s largest such gay event). The route winds west through Canmore (where Brokeback Mountain was filmed), Banff National Park, Lake Louise, and the Columbia River town of Golden. Then the train heads south through the Rockies before cutting east at Cranbrook and venturing into the Canadian Prairie and the city of Lethbridge, before finally heading north back to Calgary. Tne 6-day Royal Culinary, Wine, and Music Experience is another great itinerary - it begins in Calgary and continues through Banff, Yoho, and Glacier national parks, before ending at beautiful Kamloops, with a side trip to the stunning Kelowna and Okanagan \Vine Country. Royal Canadian Pacific tours include fantastic food and ultra-posh accommodations, and they start at around $5,500 per person, double-occupancy. Stroll Through Northern New Mexico, Tuscany; or New Zealan~l We live in a super-speedy, boom-boom world, and it’s in part for this reason that so-called "walking" vacations have become increasingly popular in recent years. One company that has tapped into this market with great success, offering tours to a variety of stunning and gay-popular destinations around the world, is The Wayfarers, whose intimate and pleasingly slow-going 4- to 12-day rambles cater to educated, independent-minded, and curious adventurers who are fit enough for extended walks but still appreciate upscale accommodations and superlative food. On Wayfarers vacations, during the day you’ll hike with a guide and your small group of fellow travelers, maintaining a leisurely clip through some of the world’s most picturesque terrain. At night, you stay in distinctive accommodations, from adobe inns in Santa Fe to posh resorts in the South of France to seaside villas on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. ~’~vw.ozarksstar.com Wa)4:arers offers tours in several regions, including such European destinations as the British Isles, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, the South of France, and Spain. In the United States, you can tour the Maine coast, New Mexico, Utah, Washington’s Cascades and Olympic Peninsula, and Santa Barbara. In a few destinations (Italy’s lakes, England’s Cotswolds, New Mexico) you can choose between women- only and mixed-gender tours. These trips are great for couples or groups of friends traveling together. They’re well-suited to outdoorsy types, but they’re also accessible and enjoyable to globetrotters who don’t get outside much yet still enjoy occasional opportunities to commune with nature. Prices vary a bit according to the itinerary - the 5-day New Mexico trip is about $2,300 per person, the 6-day Tuscany adventures cost $3,500 per person, and the 12-day New Zealand treks cost $4,200 to $4,500 per person. Pedal Across Provence, Adalucia, or Iceland Of the many gay-oriented (i.e., open to gays and lesbians as well as friends of the community) tour companies out there, few have earned a more stellar reputation over the years than Alyson Adventures, which offers a slew of soft-adventure getaways that focus on such invigorating activities as canyoneering, rock-climbing, hiking, kayaldng, rafting, and scuba diving. In particular, Alyson offers wonderful bike tours through some of the world’s most fascinating places. These tours typically last about a week; are led by knowledgeable guides; include accommodations in well-chosen, mid-range hotels; include all breakfasts and some lunches and dinners (for others you’re on your own); and use of a bike. The trips are geared toward all levels of biking experience (they average 25 to 40 miles of travel per day, depending on the route), as participants are free to go at their own pace, and you’re as likely to meet single travelers on these adventures as you are couples or groups of friends. Alyson offers about a dozen itineraries, most of them in France (Provence, the Dordogne River, the Loire Valley, etc.), but others through Tuscany, Spain’s Andalusia, Iceland’s volcano and hotsprings country, Vietnam, and Arizona’s Mission Trail. There are tours from mid-spring through mid-fall, and prices range from about $1,700 to $2,800 per person, double-occupancy. This helpful company has even created a website, www.gay-bike.com, filled not only with further information on the tours it offers but also with tips on traveling by bike. If you’re keen on other types of adventure, consider some ofAlyson’s similarly intriguing getaways, such as rafting the Grand Canyon, diving offthe Caribbean island of Saba, or eco-touring Costa Rica. Cruise the French Canals and snacks, and richly furnished dining rooms in which you’ll be treated to superb classic French cuisine and fine wines. Special meals are also planned at a number of restaurants along each itinerary. French Country’Waterways cruises last a week, are offered April through October, and cost from about $5,000 per person, double occupancy. Trek Xhrough the African Bush Among the many companies out there offering African safari adventures, Philadelphia-based Premier Tours earns kudos for its distinctive and well-planned itineraries, which provide participants a nice mix of in-the-bush adventure and sophisticated big-city and wine-country diversion. The gay-friendly company has a huge range of trips covering several African nations - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Gay travelers should book a trip that includes some time in the scenic and vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa. For instance, the 7-day Cape Town & Safari excursion includes Cape Town and nearby wineries as well as safari experiences in Kruger National Park and the stunning Hephant Plains Game Lodge. There are also much more extensive 15- to 17-day South Africa tours, some that include Johannesburg, Zambia’s Victoria Falls, and Swaziland. The company’s many different types of tours cater to a wide range of interests and capabilities, as you can try anything from a rugged adventure trip that includes hiking and camping to cushier trips where you spend the night in fine hotels and posh game lodges. Premier Tours provides accommodations, many of the meals, airport transfers, game-viewing experiences, and other daily tours. Tour prices start around $1,300 per person, double-occupancy, for the 7-day Cape Town & Safari tour. This is a pretty amazing deal, when you consider the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see elephants and leopards in the wild, not to mention the swank restaurants and lively gay nightclubs of Cape Town. French Country Waterways offers travelers an intimate, upscale way to traverse some 4,800 miles of navigable rivers and canals throughout the Gallic countryside. This is not your conventional cruise adventure. These leisurely and romantic excursions are offered in four regions: Champagne (a short distance east of Paris), the Upper Loire, Burgundy, and Alsace-Lorraine. If you’re planning a gay vacation to Paris and its hip Marais District, consider tacking on one of these boat trips after your city stay. The company uses five beautifully outfitted barges, which accommodate from 8 to 18 passengers, and whose staterooms and suites all have private bathrooms and individual climate control. Each barge has a large wooden sundeck, ample lounge space and bars stocked ~vith complimentary beverages w~w.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 21 by Donald Pile & Ray X~dliams Featufmg Cuisine From Coast m Coast YELLOWSTONE’S FAMOUS OLD FAITHFUL INN Located in the heart ofYellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the ru~tlc-style lodge, with log and wood shingle exterior is located adjacent to the world famous Old Faithful Geyser. The original part of the Inn, knovm as the "Old House" was completed in 1904 and hadudes an immense tobby with a huge stone place. The East and West Wings were added in the teens and the twenties, with many rooms having been remodeled ha recent years. Guest accommodations include rooms with and with shared baths. Additiona~y, deli, gift store and interpre- 22 the STAR items and buffet. Ltmch offers a selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, house specialties and a western buffet. For dinner you c;m either enjoy the dinner buffet or choose from a menu offering signature specialties such as p~n-se~ed dk medallions or pork osso buco. Add all of the Li Lato a thzker 3/4 full of cracked cocon~ a~d I slice ofpeach / Sip, sip--and enjoy! ’,wvw.ozarksstar.com by Chaz & Victor Ianl thirty-eight years old and I recently desired a change in my life. I contemplated the notion of dying my hair, buying a convertible, wearing skater shoes, and purchasing a cool puka shell necklace. I was informed that these are all signs of a midlife crisis and I can’t be associated with any labels like that. I thus decided to satisfy my hunger for variety in a non-crisis fashion and I joined a softball team. It’s been about a month and I’ve managed to survive about a half dozen softb,~Jl games. ~xese are my stories. I have been a solitary runner for twenty years. Teamwork has not been a necessary part of my designated sport of distance running. I have been master and commander of my ship. Softball demands that ten players contribute for the common good of the tem-n. My days of spinsterhood, playing solitaire, and reclusiveness are over. I have to look out for my fellow brethren. It has been great learning to be part of something. I can’t function without them and vice versa. Not everyone is good. Some of the outfielders race in to catch a fly ball only to see it sail thirty feet over their noggin. There are still others who throw like Blanche, Rose, Sophia, and Dorothy. I have experienced the trials and tribulations of watching guys swing the bat with all the grace of a fairy godmother and her wand. I don’t mind these dreadful displays of athleticism. It is humbling to me because I k~ov¢ that there is something out there that I am horrible at. I proceed with this mindset and complete understanding 26 the STAR The theme song for this season of roundball cotfld easily be P~M’s "Everybody Hurts". To my disbelief, I have already been injured and I have felt the sting of many a painful practice and game. I run forty- miles a week, I workout three days per week, and I even take long bike rides for cross-training purposes. How could this suffering be a possibility for someone like me? The reality is that I am working a different range of motion for my muscles. Even Superman has his Kryptonite and Achilles had his heel. I have given greater credence to the expression that what doesn’t kill me will only raake me stronger. Softball certainly has its gadabout tendendes. I am especially fond of this social side of the sport. The reward for engaging in the weekly ritual of two consecutive seven-inning games is found in a mug of Bud Light at ye olde watering hole after the barbarism has subsided. Rewards have even been known to involve some backTard frolicking in our shortstop’s pool ~xe horse is bound to gallop when he has that carrot stuck in front of his nose. Our team has tremendous galloping power thanks to our "carrots". I am enjoying the break in my daily monotony that has come from this thing called softball. I am reaping the benefits from the healthy mental and physical aspects of the activity. I have found a niche that has proved exciting for me. It has been quite cheaper than acquiring that box of Clairol, the ragtop Mustang, the black pair of Vans, and the island accessory with the shark tooth that would have adorned my neck. I even feel ten years younger since my first day of taking to right center field. My midlife emergency has suffered a crippling blow. The world is safe now, but for how long? This health and fitness column is brought to you by that guy whose ten gallon hat has been largely unaffected by his fifteen gallon mouth. That guy is Ron Blake and he can reached at www.goblakefitness.com. Quotable Quotes The first five-star gay hote! in Latin America opened Wednesday in the Argentine capita! of Buenos Aires, an increasingly popular destination on the worldwide gay tourist circuit. The hotel, set near the historic San Telmo neighborhood, is the second of its kind developed by Spain’s Axel Corp., which opened a five-star, 66-room gay hotel in Barcelona in 2003. Creating Community for People living A 501 c (3) Non Profit Organization Our House, Too offers a vaiety 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 hardsmmjr@yahoo.com. www.ozarksstar.com awarded 5500 000 Joint coL~aboration wfl! address LGBT a&in~ concerns and improve qualig~ o~ ~iFe £o_ LGBT seniors NEWYORK, Nov. 13 -- Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) and the _’National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announced this week they have received a $500,000 grant from the kacus Gay and Lesbian Fund to support a joint national advocacy and policy effort around lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) aging. For this new project, SAGE and the Task Force will collaborate on a series of ventures that push public policies that address LGBT aging concerns and enhance support, protections and quality of life for LGBT seniors. The grant will fund two new staffpositions -- one at each organization -- and related prograna expenses. "As the one organization that focuses on the full gamut ofLGBT aging issues both locally and nationally, SAGE is thrilled to partner with the Task Force on this national effort to improve the lives of the senior members of our community," said SAGE www.ozarksstar.oom Executive Director Michael Adams. "This initiative serves a critical need: in the ne~:t 20 years the number ofLGBT people age 65 and above will grow by 70 percent -- from approximately 3 million now to roughly 5 million over the next quarter century. This demographic tida! wave, combined with the endemic invisibility, marginalization, and discrimination faced by LGBT older people, lends an added urgency to this first-of-a-kind national advocacy effort. Thanks to this Banding from Arcus, we wil! be able to launch a strategic and focused effort to increase visibility; awareness, policy protections and support for LGBT older people." Adams added that the new initiative is especially timely since SAGE is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008, just launched an online community ofLGBT aging advocates and service providers nationwide, and plans on hosting its fourth national conference on LGBT aging next fall. "We are grateful to the Arcus Foundation for funding this innovative partnership between the Task Force and SAGE," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "This project will combine the Task Force’s federal policy and research expertise, SAGE’s unparalleled understanding of the needs ofLGBT elders, and the energy of activists across the nation to shape a better future for all our seniors." The Task Force’s existing aging initiative, headed up by Amber Hollibaugh, a Task Force senior strategist and specialist on LGBT aging issues, convenes and coordinates the National LGBT Aging Roundtabte, worked successfully with SAGE to gain the first-ever specific inclusion ofLGBT elders in the Final Report of the 2005 VThite House Conference on Aging (which will guide federal aging work through 2015), and will be issuing a second edition of Outing Age, a seminal report on policy issues affecting LGBT elders, issued in 2000. The new SAGE-Task Force collaboration has four main goals: to build and provide leadership to an action-oriented national LGBT aging network; to win strategic policy victories for LGBT older people at the federal and state/local levels; to build the capacity for LGBT aging policy advocacy in communities across the country; and to ensure that LGBT aging issues are a focus in broader aging policy discussions. SAGE and the Task Force will carry out this work in dose collaboration with local LGBT aging organizations, as well as "mainstream" and "minority" senior organizations. Quotab ÷ Quotes Editor and comic writer ~dan Coren asked actor MichaeI Caine, who once was a neighbour of actor Richard Gere. Coren: "You must know the answer to the big question, Michad. Is Richard Gere gay?" Caine replied: "I don’t know if he is actually gay, but he would probably help out if they were short-handed." Ireland’s government announced late last week that it will introduce legislation legalizing civil unions for same-sex and heterosexual couples by March 2008. Known as the Civil Unions Bill 2006, the legislation will provide gay couples with unions legally equivalent to marriage, akin to the Civil Partnership _Act in the United Kingdom. Both openly-gay members of Congress have now endorsed Hi!lary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. The New York senator secured the support ofTammy Baldwin, the "Wisconsin congresswoman who is the only out lesbian in the House, months ago. And this week Clinton gained the enthusiastic endorsement of House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, the only out gay man currently serving in the chamber. the STAR 27 "Have a Plan B, PiscesV’ The Sun square Uranus inspires bold acts of daring and innovation, but most of those will lack proper planning and precaution. Keep everything in the mental realm; explore new ideas and philosophies. This is not the time to try out skydiving! ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Don’t let anyone trust you with a secret. Even your own aren’t safe now. Exploring new ideas or arguing over old ones can lead to deep new insights. Carefully choose the company, time, and place for opening up. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Sexual tensions with a friend come to the surface, offering the potential of "benefits." Acting on those impulses might bring trouble, but discuss it, clear the air, and see if it might be worth exploring. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your partner or a close work colleague may let a secret slip that could change your reputafion. How you handle it can prove more important than the "scandal" itself. Keep a sense of humor and perspective, and be flexible with everything except the truth. CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Accidents, arguments, weird allergic reactions, and other rude surprises are just waiting in the wings. Be ready to adapt and improvise, as there’s no escape. Often the difference between an adventure and a disaster is in your attitude. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Novelties in erotic play will open up new doors for you that you’d never imagined. Just be very careful, as some kinks require special precautions, and everyone is a little more accident-prone these days. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Arguments at home are almost inevitable. Accept them as a chance to clear the air. You’ll be surprised at what comes up. Problems revealed now can be solved later. Explore new ideas, recognizing that they will need work. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Impatience can lead to outbursts that you’ll regret. You’re a bit too eager for adventure, which could lead you into accidents. Try to focus that energy into learning new skills, especially those that could be useful at work. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21 ): Most of your brilliant inspirations about money are ready to blow up in your face. A few of those ideas are actually good, but talk them over with someone whose advice you can trust, and take time to think them over. SAGITrARIUS (November 22 - December 20): You may find it liberating to divulge family secrets, but your family probably doesn’t share your opinion. The benefits of disclosure may be worth the trouble, but the trouble will be considerable. Think it through before saying anything! CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Stay quietly in the background, and keep your ears open. What you hear will be astounding and potentially very helpful. A noisy brain may seem like an impediment to meditation, but letting it run is part of the process. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Arguments with friends over money will come too easily. Do your best to make sure debts are paid and everything’s even. You’re likely to create friction despite your best efforts, so be prepared to apologize and back off. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): The impulse to strut your stuff may have you showing off a lot more than you intended. Make sure presentations are thoroughly planned out, complete with a Plan B if things go completely awry. MCCo 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 DOWNTOXY[N PLAZA ofTULSA 17 West 7th Street Tulsa, OK 918-585-5898 w~w:downtownplazatulsa.com HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 ~a~w~:habanainn.com K~LLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant DREX£L ON THE PARK APTS. 3041 NW41ST Oklahoma City, OK 405-946-0588 SUSAN HARTMAN Independent Broker Oklahoma and Arkansas 918-698-2977 susanlhartman@gmail.com CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-840-2106 ww~:c2 lgoldcastle.com CHUCK BI~CKENRIDGE Keller \Villiams 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 I’,BW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK w~v.anglesclub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 w~wv.bambooloungetulsa.com CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Tulsa, OK 918:584-9494 w~w,v.clubmajestictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 ww~: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 \Vorship Sundays 6pro NWARKANSAS GLBT CENTER Bentonville/Rogers 888-391-9222 WW~.NWAGLBTCC.ORG *wvw.HisRoom.net 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: 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.com 29 Chuck Breckenridge 918-706-1887 FINAI.J.Y! A~V HONF-.f,’~" I~EPUELIO~I! 30 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com w~vw.ozarksstar.com the STAR 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 [2007] The Star Magazine, December 1, 2007; Volume 4, Issue 12 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 01, 2007 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 Jeanne Flanigan Paul Wortman James Nimmo Joey D. Victor Gorin Libby Post Andrew Collins Donald Pile Ronald Blake Ray Williams Jack Fertig Liz Highleyman Devre Jackson Chaz Ward Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image PDF Online text 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) 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. 2007; Colume 4, Issue 11 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/211 The Star Magazine, January 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 1 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/246 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/204