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Title
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[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
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Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
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Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
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2004-2011
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English
Type
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magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and 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.
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
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
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Ozarks Pride/Star Media
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
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.
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magazine
Text
Any textual data included in the document
ESTABLISHED 2003 www.ozarksstar.com MAY 2008
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 off it’s
23rd year. A fun filled weekend May 23 through May 25th 2008. The event will be held in
Oklahoma City at State Fair Park, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK ~The fun begins
with the Great Plains Rodeo Kickoff Party
hosted at the Finishline Thursday, May 22
featuring the current reigning OGRA Royalty.
This is a great chance to meet and greet,
dance and party, and ready yourself for the
weekend to come.
The host hotel for the Rodeo is the Hilton
Garden Inn, and there is a block of rooms
available at a special rate from May 22-26
that will be available until May 16 or until
they sell out, whichever comes first. Registration
for the event happens Friday from 6
p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are available from
OGRA members for $10 or $15 at the gate.
The Rodeo takes place at the Oklahoma
State Fairgrounds on Saturday May 24 and
Sunday May 25, beginning at 8 a.m. both
days. To keep the weekend wild the Texas
Gay Rodeo Association will host their Texas
T Party on that Saturday in the Copa from
6 p.m. until 9 p.m. featuring fantastic food
and fun.
The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association,
Inc. (OGRA) is a nonprofit organization
and member of the International Gay
Rodeo Association, Inc. (IGRA) which is
comprised of 28 state/provincial associations
throughout the United States and Canada.
OGRA is proud to be the first association
seated at the first ever IGRA Convention in
1985 For more information check out the
OGRA website at www.ogra.net.
An Exclusive Interview
With OGRA’s 4 Term
President, Klint Wieden
Photo: Klint Wieden with his horse
Cherokee. "I grew up in the small northwest
Oklahoma town ofArnett. I rode horses and
worked cattle my whole life, so that’s really
who I am." Klint told the Star. PAGE-12
Newly revamped
drag-free Tulsa
Pride 2008
unveiled
By Joey De
TULSA, OK __ Organizers of this year’s
Tulsa Pride Celebration are promising the
public that this year’s events will be anything
but boring. "We have made a lot of
changes to the entire celebration," says Nate
Black, one of the co-chairs. Black says the
changes are intended to breathe a new sense
of excitement into the pride observance
and to help promote the revitalization of
downtown.
"People don’t kno,v downtown. They
don’t know how to get here, they don’t
know where to park, they don’t know how
many things are down here and growing,"
Black says. "We have moved the events to
................ Continued Page 5
i 7 West 7th Street (corner 7th & ~3oulder Ave) e Tulsa, Ok 74ii9
www.ozarksstar.com
1:800o535oAtDS (2437)
PROTECT YOURSELF
PROTKOT YOUR PAR
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3
Join us for our biggest issue of
the year! PRIDE 2008.
Be a part of
RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW
Deadline Thursday l~ay t 5f.h
Serving the Oklahoma GLBT community since 2003.
Mr OkAahoma
Continentall Benefits
OYP Tulsao
By Judy G.
Charles Frederick Mr Oklahoma Continental 2008
TULSA, OK __ March 28th, Singer and
entertainer Chades Frederick, Mr. Oklahoma
Continental, began one of the many
benefits planned to support Openarms
Youth Project in Tulsa to a standing room
only crowd. Many parents and grandparents
of the entertainers were in attendance.
David Dees, owner of Club Majestic, 124
N. Boston, Tulsa, donated the use of the
dub for this worthy benefit. ~he event
raised $770 for OYE.
Entertainers were Sabastyn Croft, Tazia
Kennedy, Cort, Brooke Kennedy-Miss OK
National Queen, Mindy Bartlett, KC Morgan,
Kordylia Kennedy, Alex Kennedy, Iman
Scott-Miss Goddess 2007, Daphne Rio and
Nicole Poverty-Miss OYE.
Donations
to benefit the GLBT youth group,
many who are or were homeless just because
they are gay, can be made to Openarms
Youth Project, 2015-B S. Lakewood, Tulsa,
Ok. 74112, or contact Tim or Ken at 918-
838-7104.
TULSA PRIDE:
give people a reason to check it (downtown)
out, but also to come enjoy our new center
and see how many resources are available."
The first big change this year that Black
notes is the separation of the Pride Festival
from the Pride Parade. This year, the parade
will occur June 7 and the festival will occur
June 14.
Following a national trend, the Pride
Parade will be held in the evening, escaping
the oppressive summer sun. The parade will
fol!ow a new route, taking it from the Brady
Arts District through downtown to the
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
When the parade ends at 4th and
Kenosha, the new Pride Block Party will
kick off: "There will be 2 stages of entertainment,
beer tents, vendors and all kinds of
activities," says Black, who also notes that
national music sensation Eric Himan will
be performing. Black also says that for those
with children, the second floor of the equality
center will be open to provide licensed
babysitters for a small fee.
A week later, the Diversity Festival
will kick off in Centennial Park just west
of6th & Peoria. Black says that the newly
revamped festival will feature two stages of
entertainment with a multi-ethnic array of
performers, an international food court,
children’s area, local vendors and more.
According to Black, including other
faith and ethnic communities is not an attempt
to "de-gay" Pride, but to help create
community allies. "We have to realize our
commitment to justice can not be for the
gay community only. We have to speak out
against racism and against bigotry. "The
GLBT community is in every population,"
"By increasing our alliances we strengthen
our own commitment for our people."
’This is still a gay pride event," Black
emphasizes. There will be a leather fashion
show, there will be drag queens, and there
xvill be rainbows. It’s still very gay, but it is
also more professional and more inclusive."
The final major change that Black says
will be occurring is the moving of the
Diversity Gala to the historic Cain’s Ballroom.
Black says that not only does this
help to create an emphasis on downtown,
but it also provides much needed space for
the event to grow.
For the latest updates on the Tulsa Pride
Celebration, visit their web site at www.
tulsapride.org.
2008 LGBT Leadership
Summit OKC
Saturday, May 10, 9am-5pm, Ronald J.
Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Avenue,
Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ The Cimarron
Alliance Foundation wil! host the 2008
LGBT Leadership Summit a one-day event
with four sessions of workshops. This year’s
summit features more extensive workshops
about our state legislature - by far the most
attended session last year - and programs
appealing to college students and young
adults. There will also be two community
forums.
The 2007 LGBT Leadership Summit was
successful beyond expectations. LGBT
and LGBT-friendly persons and organizations
acquired tools and guidance to more
effectively manage themselves and, more
importantly, better collaborate with others
to accomplish common goals.
Workshops
The 2008 LGBT Leadership Summit is a
one-day event with four sessions of up to
five workshops per session. Workshops will
address five topics:
Leadership Development
O Organization Development - non-profits,
fundraising, etc.
o Government- politics and the legislative
process
® Personal Development - spirituality,
equality, etc.
o Anti-violence - anti-bullying, hate crimes,
etc.
For more information go to:
wvcw.cimarronalliance.org
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5
Loving the Hater
Wlaile Hating the Hate
By James Nimmo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ I found a
link recently to a blog (vavw.bilerico.com)
that contains a comment (http://tinyurl.
com/4qdbph) written in reaction to reading
the main story about the Oklahoma City
chapter of PFLAG and their recording of
Rep. Sally Kern (http://tinyurl.com/2zbpgn)
that catches Kern in her spider web of
hubris and cant.
Like the author, I too am very disappointed
with the approach of "loving the hater while
hating the hate."
Ofcourse, I respect our supporters who use
their close relationship with Jesus to try and
gain support for LGBT citizens and other
minorities who are used for verbal target
practice in the ~var for suppression of civil
rights.
I’m delighted the Oklahoma City PFLAG
chapter was able to document the duplicity
of Sally Kern and record with her permission
the lies she later reported as irresponsibility
on the part of PFLAG. This single
incident should show you the arrogance and
madness that is being passed offas legislative
Republican leadership. Not one elected
official in Oklahoma from either major
party has come strongly to the defense and
support of the LGBT taxpayers living in
Oklahoma.
Had Kern used race, skin color, or ethnic
origin as her subject I bet the rent she would
be rene~ving her teaching certificate and
looking for a school that would hire her.
The First Amendment guarantees both sides
the freedom to practice their respective
religious viewpoints and the market place in
which to talk about them.
However, this same First Amendment does
NOT give either side permission to encode
their religious viewpoints into CIVIL law.
I feel this is where we miss the boat in establishing
our birthright to equal treatment
under judicial law, and not the ten laws of
Deuteronomy. There will always be a Bible
verse to trump the opposing Bible verse resulting
in a version of ping-pong skirmishes
with Jesus as the referee.
The writer gives some specific examples of
public, peaceful protest that we can engage
in to show that LGBTs are neither the doormats
nor the monsters our enemies make us
to be.
It’s odd that our suppressors are either afraid
to be in the same room with us, fearing for
their own bodily integrity, keeping their
knees close together; or they, dismiss us as
dippy airheads, frivolous and irresponsible.
How can we be both at the same time?
Their response shows more about the fiction
in their minds then about the truth of our
lives.
Until we get out of the religious justification
business the more we’ll be dragged into its
historical quagmire. Look at the present
wars being fought around the world and
you’ll see religious intolerance at the root.
Our LGBT equality will have to be established
in the legislatures and the courthouses
in all fifty states without religious prejudice
tipping the scales of justice.
6 the STAR
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7
Comling o~ eAge
8 the STAR w-ww.ozarksstar.com
©irecYed bs/Davd Geligan
Oklahoma OiV June 8~ 2008 at 8pnq
Brot~-~e~ Boy
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9
by Liz Highleyman
What is the history o£GLAAD ??
For more than two decades, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD) has served as the queer community’s watchdog
against biased portrayals of lesbian, ga); bisexual, and transgender
people in the media.
Up until the final decades of the 20th century, representations of
LGBT people in l{lms, television, popular music, and mainstream
publications - if present at all - typically focused on scandal or
ridicule. The burst of gay activism and visibility in the late 1960s
spurred a conservative backlash, and by the mid-1980s, the community
was staggering under the weight of the AIDS epidemic,
as people with HIV faced stigma exacerbated by media portrayals
depicting them as a danger to the "general population."
In 1985, the New York LGBT community was embroiled in a
debate about closure of the .city’s gay bathhouses and grew- increasingly
alarmed about sensationalistic AIDS coverage in the New
York Post. That November, a group of long-time activists including
Vito Russo, Arnie Kantrowitz, Jim Owles, and Darrell Yates Rist
called a town meeting that drew more than 700 participants. Heeding
the exhortation of author Jewetle Gomez to "take responsibility
for what is being said about us," they formed the Gay and Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
The group began as a grassroots effort, using phone trees and
monthly newsletters to issue alerts about offensive media portrayals
of LGBT people. Among its earliest victories, in 1987 GLAAD
persuaded the New York Times to finally use the word "gay" rather
than "homosexual." Ti~e following year, the New York group hired
its first full-time executive director, Craig Davidson. Meanwhile,
in Los Angeles, Richard Jennings and others started a new chapter
focused on the Hollywood entertainment industry. The bicoastal
organization’s clout continued to grow, enabling it to secure an
apology from comedian Johnny Carson for saying "fag" on the air,
followed by the suspension ofAndy Rooney by CBS for homophobic
and racist comments. In 1992, Entertainment Weekly named
GLAAD one of the 100 most powerful entities in Hollywood.
Before long, new GLAAD chapters arose in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver,
Kansas City, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
But in 1995, the local groups merged into a centralized national
organization with a single board, and a staff based in New York and
Los Angeles; two years later, former Showtime executive Joan Garry
took the helm. Over the next decade, GLAAD initiated projects
focusing on communities of color (including Spanish and Chinese
language media), sports media, faith-based groups, and youth.
GLAAD continued to exert insider pressure, and, when needed, to
organize larger public protests against biased portrayals - like Sharon
Stone’s murderous bisexual temptress in the film Basic Instinct
(1992) - or the omission of queer content, such as excising
a male-male kiss from the television show Melrose Place. Homophobic
song lyrics by rapper Eminem and Jamaican dancehall artists
Beenie Man and Buju Banton were other targets. GLAAD also
reacted to current events, such as the murders of Matthew Shepard
and transgender teen Gwen Araujo, as well as homophobic outbursts
by the likes of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell and Pennsylvania
Senator Rick Santorum.
But in keeping with its mission of promoting "fair, accurate, and inclusive
representation of people and events in the media as a means
of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender
identity and sexual orientation," GLAAD also sought to shape
positive portrayals. It consulted on television and movie scripts
featuring LGBT characters and themes, pitched sympathetic stories
to mainstream publications, provided spokespersons for talk shows,
and trained queer individuals and groups in how to effectively use
the media. In addition to wielding the "stick" of protest, the organization
also dangled the "carrot" of praise, introducing the GLAAD
Media Awards in 1990 to recognize favorable representations of the
community and its issues. After considerable pressure from LGBT
media, the organization agreed in 2007 to honor them along with
nongay outlets.
By 2005, when Garry turned over leadership to Neil Giuliano - the
openly gay former Republican mayor ofTempe, Ariz. - the organization
had a budget approaching $7.5 million and a staff of more than
40. Yet GLAAD’s explosive growth, insider strategy, and increased
emphasis on star-studded events did not sit well with some activists
who felt the organization had moved too far from its grassroots
origins. Further, some were unhappy with tactics they regarded as
censorship, such as the successful pressure campaign to cancel conservative
commentator Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s television show.
GLAAD has "a political agenda that is murky at best - at worst, it
is dangerous to free speech, artistic expression, and the interests of
LGBT people," wrote activist Michae! Bronski. "Judging the accuracy
of a news report is much different than judging art. GLAAD
can deal with these issues by getting out of show business and back
into watchdog media commentary."
Despite the criticism, GLAAD continues with its goal of"changing
people’s hearts and minds through what they see in the media."
According to the organization, "What people see at the movies
or read in the newspaper shapes how they view and treat the gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people around them, and we have
a responsibility to make sure those images foster awareness, understanding
and respect."
For further reading:
Bronski, Michael. 2005. ~Not So GLAAD Anymore." Z Magazine (May 1).
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. www.glaad.org.
Gross, Larry: 2002. Up From Invisibility: Lesbians, Gay Men and the Media in America
(Columbia University Press).
10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
OkEq Announces Anrmat
Equality Gala
Saturday, May 3t, 6pm, Cain’s Ballroom,
423 N Main Ave
TULSA, OK__ (ENEWS) Oklahomans
for Equality is excited to announce its annual
Equality Gala, held this year at the legendary
Cain’s Ballroom. Benefiting OkEq, the Gala
honors Lifetime Achievement Axvard xvinner
Charles Faudree, Community Heroes George
Kaiser Family Foundation and Carol Crawford,
and Russ Bennett Spiritual Inclusion
Award winner Nancy Day: The program
features a champagne and hors d’oeuvre
reception, live entertainment by Jared Tyler
and Valerie Eskridge accompanied by Jacob
Fred Jazz Odyssey, dinner by Taste Catering
and wine donated by Loring Wine Company.
Don’t miss the black tie event of the
season, celebrating Tulsa’s rich diversity.
Sponsorship information and tickets are
available at: wxvw.okeq.org
Co ° munity for
People iving
with
H P !iA1D8
A 501 c (3) Non Profit O~:gan:izatlon
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.
VVe 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.0zarksstar.c0m
New exhibit featuring
artist Ann Marie Distefano
at the Dennis R.
Neill Equality Center.
TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R. Neill
Equality Center art gallery will host its
monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist
reception from 6-9pm, Thursday, May 1,
2008, for the opening of it’s May exhibit,
paintings by Ann Marie Distefano.
Ann Marie’s paintings emerge from an aspiration
to reclaim the spiritual dignity of
art. "I want to make art that might open for
the receptive viewer the window onto
eternity," states Distefano. She continues,
"My paintings are ’plugged into’ an inner
source within myself that is very deep and
sometimes unknown. What I seek to achieve
is independence of artistic and philosophical
fashions. My goal as an artist is to reveal
an ineffable presence, the contemplation of
which can lead the viewer towards an intuitive
recognition of his or her own inherent
radiance."
Distefano, a native Bostonian, has been
living in Tulsa for the past four years. She is
a graduate of the School of the Museum of
Fine Arts of Boston. The reception will be
generously catered by donation by Baxter’s
Interurban Grill. The exhibit will remain
up through the month of May, 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.
Emmy Award Winner
Leslie Jordan (Brother
Boy) In Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Leslie Jordan
famed "Sordid Lives" star, will bring his one
man show, "My Trip Down The Pink Carpet"
to OKC June 8th at the Tolbert Theater
@ Stage Center. "In 1982, Leslie Jordan
jumped offa Greyhound bus from the hills
ofTennessee, said ’hello’ to Hollywood and
has never looked back. With hundreds of
television and film roles to his credit, he is
probably best remembered for ’Kyle’ hapless
ex-con on Muphey Brown, ’Resplendent
Man’ entrepreneurial super hero on Lois and
Clark, and can currently be seen recurring
as ’Mr. Beverly Leslie’ on the hit series, \Vgill
& Grace. Mr. Jordan just finished a stint on
the two hit series, Ally McBeal and Boston
Public as ’Dr. Benjamin Harris’ cloning expert
turned new-age reverend turned science
teacher turned drama coach.
Mr. Jordan has also had a successful stage
career. He played ’Brother Boy’ a Tammy
Wynette fixated drag queen, in Del Shores
hit play Sordid Lives and went on to star
in the film adaptation of that play. He also
has won every award for best supporting
actor LA gives in theatre (Back Stage West
Garlands, LA Weekly, LA Drama Critics
Circle) for his portrayal of’Peanut Leroy’ a
sodden aging homosexual in the runaway
hit, Southern Baptist Sissies.
the STAR 11
By Victor Gorin
ooking forward to the upcoming
Great Plains Rodeo,
O.G.R.A. President Klint
Wieden shares his thoughts
and hopes not only for this
event but for OGRA and the gay
cowboys and cowgirls of Oklahoma.
Originally from the small Oklahoma
community of Arnett, he grew up as a
typical Oklahoma cowboy, belonging
to both 4-H and the Future Farmers of
America. He went on to OSU where he
majored in animal science and business,
and now resides in OFdahoma
City with his current career of copier
sales while enjoying being a cowboy on
the side. We appreciate him sharing his
time with us.
Victor: How many years has the Great
Plains Regional Rodeo been in Oklahoma
City?
Klint: This is our 23rd year, and it has been
held for the last 15 years at the Oklahoma
State Fairgrounds. It began with a group of
people looking for an avenue where they
could have friendly competition, socialize
together and work together. It was a place
for people who had something in common,
a love of rodeo. They were gay cowboys who
didn’t really feel that they fit into the gay
scene at that time.
The I.G.R.A. ( International Gay Rodeo
Association) was formed, and O.G.R.A (
Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association) was
among the first state organizations. At the
same time, the founders felt that they could
also help the community by being a major
fundraiser for charities of the community.
Victor: A tradition that continues to this
day.
Klint: Besides the competition and fun
involved, fundraising is truly what the rodeo
Photo: Klint Wieden President OGRA
is all about. \Ve raise money all year long to
put it on, and then take the proceeds from
that to give back to local charities.
Victor: Is it still a regional rodeo?
Klint: It had formerly been the Great Plains
Regional Rodeo, representing other states as
well. Today it is the Great Plains Rodeo, an
event solely of OGRA. There is another organization
in Tulsa, the Sooner State Rodeo
Association, who also has their own rodeo.
Victor: Of course the situation is much better
than it was over 25 years ago. There were
probably a lot of gay cowboys who felt they
couldn’t be themselves and fit into what
they perceived the gay community to be at
that time. But even today straight people are
astounded that there are gay cowboys, much
less a rodeo.
Klint: A couple a years ago the Daily Oklahoman
wrote about our rodeo. \Vhat was
to be a small paragraph turned into a front
page story, hit the AP wires and was read
all over the country. It was also read
by my parents, who I had not been
out with, who accepted me for the
gay cowboy I was.
Victor: Gay just happens, but cowboys
are made. So how did it happen
that you are a cowboy?
Klint: I grew in the small northwest
Oklahoma town ofArnett, 18 people
in my graduating class. Arnett is a
farming and ranching community,
I rode horses and worked cattle my
whole life, so that’s really who I am.
Like many straight people, I thought
you had to be flamboyant and feminine
to be gay, and that wasn’t me.
Once I learned there were country gay
bars with cowboys, and gay rodeos,
I thought" wow!" I fit in. That was great to
kno~v.
Victor: Of course the movie Brokeback
Mountain had an enormous impact on
America as a whole. I’m sure it had a special
effect for the gay rodeo scene.
Klint: It made people aware, both gay and
straight, that there were people in that
lifestyle who happened to be gay. So many
gay cowboys could really relate to it, felt we
had to hide for fear of not being accepted by
our families, friends, bosses, or even the gay
communir):
Victor: So how rewarding has your hard
work been with OGRA?
Klint: \Veil this is my 4th term as the President
of OGRA, I’ve been the rodeo director.
I’m very out and very proud of what I’m
doing. I have no problem telling businesses,
like my dry cleaners, my dentist, my
veterinarian that I support them, I’m a gay
cowboy, and I’d like their support for our
............ Continued PAGE 23
12 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
Foreman eaves Task Force
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Executive Director Matt Foreman quit his
job April 15 and moved to San Francisco to
head up the Gay & Lesbian Rights Program
at the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.
The fund provides more grant support to
GLBT organizations than aW other nongay
foundation in the U.S.
Foreman was at the Task Force for five years
and is credited with grmving the staff to 54
full-timers and doubling the organizanon’s
budget to $10 million.
"I’m incredibly privileged to have had this
job for the last five years, and to have been
paid to be gay for the last 18," Foreman said
in an interview. "There are so many people
who give their hearts and souls to our
movement without any compensation or for
ridiculously low salaries, and that certainly
includes LGBT journalists.
’Tm also overwhelmed with pride in our
people," he said. "One thing I hear a lot in
my travels is: ’There’s no such thing as a gay
community. No one’s on the same page. In a
few years we’ll all be assimilated, etc., etc.’ I
couldn’t disagree more.
"Name me one community -- or family, for
that matter -- where everyone agrees and
everyone gets along. That’s not community,
but banality.... No, there’s no monolithic
gay community, but there are dozens and
dozens of communities within our larger
movement and they’re accomplishing amazing
things every day. There’s community
everywhere I go -- some purely social, others
religious, others political, others professional.
"While we do have a very, very long way
to go, the fact that we’ve made so much
progress while being such a tiny minority
and against such mighty opponents is, to
me, proof positive that we do indeed have a
vibrant people and community."
Wockner News Service
PlanetOut to selll Advocate,
Out, Myson, porn mags
PlanetOut Inc. is selling The Advocate and
Out magazines -- as well as The Out Traveler,
HIVPlus, three porn magazines and book
publisher Alyson Publications -- to an affiliate
of the gay TV network here! for $6 million.
The sale price is far !ess than the $31.1 million
PlanetOut Inc. paid for the magazines and
book compaW when it bought LPI Media
Inc. and SpecPub Inc. in 2005. PlanetOut
Inc. reported a loss of $51.2 million last year.
The company xvill continue to own and operate
Gay.com and PlanetOut.com.
In January, PlanetOut Inc. "retained Allen
& Company, LLC to assist the company in
evaluating strategic alternatives, including a
possible sale of the company," a press release
said.
The corporation also announced in January
"that it will no longer be providing quarterly
or annual earnings guidance and will not
hold quarterly earnings calls."
The porn magazines included in the sale to
Regent Releasing
and Unzipped. A fourth SpecPub Inc. porn
magazine, known as [2], has ceased publication,
but the sale will include the trademark
"[2]," PlanetOut Inc. CEO Karen Magee said
via e-mail.
Obama grants
interview to
Advocate
Under fire for not speaking
with local and regional gay
cations, presidential
candidate Barack Obama sat
down for an interviexv with
Advocate.corn on April 10.
"The gay press may feel like I’m
not giving them enough love. But
basically, all press feels that xvay at
times;’ Obama said. "Obviously,
when you’ve got limited amount of
time, you’ve got so many oudets.
We tend not to do a whole bunch of specialized
press.... But I haven’t been silent on gay
issues. What’s happened is, I speak oftentimes
to gay issues to a public general audience"
Obama said he supports passage of a federal
law protecting transgender people from discrimination
but he’s not sure there’s support
in Congress for the move. A bill outlawing
job discrimination against gays, lesbians and
bisexuals has passed the House of Representatives
and is pending in the Senate.
"I have been clear about my interest in including
gender identity in legislation, but I’ve also
been honest ~vith the groups that I’ve met
with that it is a heavy lift through Congress,"
he said. "\Ve’ve got some Democrats who are
willing to vote for a non-inclusive bill but we
lose them on an inclusive bill, and we just may
not be able to generate the votes"
Obama said he understands gay people’s frustration
with candidates such as himself(and
Hillary Clinton) who support, civil-union
but not marriage for
same-sex couples,’ I strongly
respect the right ofsamesex
couples to insist
that even ifwe got
complete equality in
benefits, it still
wouldn’t be equal because
the same
~vord, marriage, assigned to
it; he said. "I understand that,
3ective is also
the
broader
,olitical and
’ historical
context in
which I’m
opera
ing"
MORE
PAGE
27
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13
Rata Esparza Slays ’Era in 2518
Eventually, all the Broadway stars try their
tuck in Hollywood. And it Was just ~ matter
of time before Raul Esparza, the han&ome
Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk
Award winner (both for _Company_ and
TabooL wandered west. Xhe bisexual actor
has already fom~.d success on the small
screen, cast m a recurring ro!e on A Cs h,t
Pushing Daisies. BUt n~w he ma.v be s,tepping
wlay outside the feel-good box he ~ been
in - hes in t~ to play a s~riaI killer in Wes
Craven~ latest ~een-horror fihm, 2518. Concerning
a group 0fkids being stalked
by a killer believed to have died on
the birthday they share in common,
the film will co’star teenage collies
0 pe ) and
Shareeka epps (Half-Nelson). No
production or release dates yet, but
the scary stuffis due to shoot soon.
Gay Cast Populates C vas
Shifting the Canvass. an indie drama due
m rackJe the complicated lives of a group
of BrooMyn friends aAer 9/11. has cast
several ~:aces fan~iliar to queer audiences.
notably up-and-coming gay actor Cheyem~e
Ja4k~on. t~t seen on film as rugby player
M~k Bingha~n in United 93, and cur~endy
on Broadway in the hit music~ 3~adu,
Jackson will star as a heterosexuN W~
Srree~ executive involved with a group of gay
ffien&. Rounding out the c~st is ~& in ~e
HNI alum Scott "~,ompson, ~ well as John
Paul Pimc (best remembered ~ the hotW
go-go boy in N’icD and Gedde Watanabe
(last seen reD,lart~ as a gay nurse on ER, but
forever kmown as ’Long D~ Dong" from
SNteen CanNes). ~le film rolls in June and
promises ~meos ~- several ~-yevunn~ed
New ~brk ni~tti~e personalties.
Cosby Goes to Jail
Moore kmows how hard it is for an
; a break from the business
so lately she~ been
a low-risk comeback? Get on
indie-film bus. And that’s exacdy what
he’s been doing, recently starring in the
.’ist drama Flawless with Michael Caine.
nd now set to shoot gay writer-director from a
d~tchell Llchtenste~ns (Teeth) latest film. mate
Happy Tears. She’s i~ good compan> ~oo,
~ih~e-fitm veteran P~ker Posey has signed taste,
,n toplay lvloore’s younget sibling. ~2ne
kama focuses on the two estranged sisters
me selfLaggrandizing, the other bitter and
~dn~) as they re-establish their relationlip
and deal with their elderly father’s
progressive dementia. Shooting now in 2010.
i~hiiadelphia, look for the happiness sometim~
in 2009.
who finds herself
Notably up-and-coming gay actor Cheyenne
Jack,on. Photo: By Ben Strothmann
14 the STAR wv~,.ozarksstar.com
Brief history from
around the
There is a lot to learn about this versatile
wine. There are plenty ofgood Rieslings to
taste. Let~ start with Australian offerings.
They are noted fbr their oily- texture and citrus
fruit flavors in their youth and a smooth
balance of freshness and acid as they age.
New Zealand Riesling was first planted in the
1970s and has flourished in the relatively cool
climate of the Marlborough area. In comparison
to Australian Riesting, New Zealand
produces lighter and more delicate wines that
range from sweet to dry.
][n Cati~brnia, Riesling lags far behind in popularity
to Chardonnay ~d is not as commonly
planted. A notable exception is
opment ofhigh quality Late Harvest
So i]~r, the Late Harvest wines
produced are in the Anderson
Valleys (north of Santa Rosa) where
is more likely to encourage dte needed botutis
develop. ~ae Riesling that does ~
fornia tends to be softer, fuller, a
diverse flavors than a "tTpical" ~
ofBonW Doon, F
Mountain A~v~& with
dedicated completely to
With high acidity and
peach
has deveto
area is re
t facility
[, citric,
With German Riesling,
of ~vine
Pr~dikat (QmP)
PRAY-dee-kahq. It is the
defined by the
1971.
,nit
New York, particularly in ~e Finger Lakes
region, was one ofthe eaMiest U.S, producers
ofPdesling. Plantings started to appear in
California by 1857 and fbllowed in xNSshington
State in 1871.
New ~tbrk Riesling generally has a characteristic
effervescent light body with a similarly
light, mellow flavor, The wine can be dynamic
though rarely robust, and ranges from dry to
sweet. New York is also a notable producer
ofRiesling based Ice Wine, although a large
majority ofNew ~%rk ke Wine is made from
Vidal Blanc and Vigno~es.
In the Pacific Northwest there is a stark contrast
in Riesling production. ~Ihe grape is currently on
the rise in ~VZ~shington State but on the decline
in neighboring Oregon. Pdesling from this area
ranges from dr?" to sweet, m~d has a crisp lighmess
that bodes well for e~sy drin~ng. Often there will
be an easily detectable peach and mineral complex.
Some Washington State winemakers, such as
Chateau Ste. Michelle, are adapting Germau-style
There are six subcategories
categor?; ranked from
determine various levels
.are: K)~BINE~, SP/&TLESE
BEEI?J);NAUSLESE, EISWEIN,
ENBEERENAUSLESE. Each care
fined by a minimum sugar content of the
which varies {::rotn region to region. The focus
sugar content embodies the theoW that grapes
with bdgher sugar levels are riper and therefore
yield richer wines with deep colors and intense
flavors.
Although Riesling is best known from Germa-
W’s Mosel-Saa>Rmver, Pfalz, Rheinhessen and
Rheingau m:eas, wines from Alsace and Austria
attain equal greatness. France’ Alsace’s
are coveted for their high sugar levels and
endless aging abili9~.
Food Paring
Riesling is a versatile wine for pairing with food
because ofits balance ofsugar and acidity: tt can ~
paired with Thai and Chinese cuisine and various
Rieslingproduction methods, and even parmering . types ofdishes prepared more on the spicy side.
with well&~own German vinmers like Dr. Ernest One can also enjoy this wine with spicy ham,
Loosen to create specialty wines such as the Eroig~ pork with pineapple chutney, stir-fried snow peas
Riesling, with spicy shrimp, crab, turkey, barbequed or
www.ozarksstar.com
smoked meats, . white sausages, crab cakes
gouda & grwere~
:this wine can be paired as an
cake, apples/pears, caramel/
wmilla ice creaan,
Schm~ Sohne Relax ’06
Job JOS P~Urn/Spatlese ’04
Jakob Dem~er/Kabinett ’06
~ ’06
Pacific Rim Califor-
Series Australia ’06
And as always, I say go to your favorite
wine shop, ask questions and purchase
a bottle or two. Share some food &
wine with friends and check this out for
yourself.
Vlr. D also hosts wine & food events
known in town as the Wine Enthusiasts
of Tulsa.
References include: the ABC’s of wine by James
Laube/vcww.WineSpectator.com
,#~,~v.FoodandWine.com
www.Wikipedia.org
the STAR 15
HOST HOTEL
801 South Meridian Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73108
¯35-9~2-1400 ¯ 1-877-STAY-HGI
OVER FLOW HOTEL
1511 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405-840-5557
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
Campbell Street, Springfield, MO Early 1900’s
~ormany years, Springfield, Missouri has gotten
a bad rap fi’om the gay and lesbian community all over the country.
Even many of our straight friends have been hesitant about visiting
Springfield. Like many cities in the "Bible Belt", Springfield has had
in the past a reputation for being extremely conservative and even
homophobic. Well, readers, things have CHANGED and for the
better ! At the invitation of the Springfield, Missouri Convention
& Visitors Bureau we visited Springfield last month. They showed
us their beautiful city, their museums, attractions, galleries, dining
options and we must admit that we are now in love with Springfield,
Missouri and we lmow that all of our gay and lesbian readers
from coast to coast will also be. Springfield, Mo. is a very "vibrant
and alive" city and everybody is welcome. As our readers kmow, we
are a "very out’ gay couple and we were shown the highest respect
everywhere we went in Springfield. There are gays and lesbians
working in every field of employment in Springfield and nearly all
of them are "out". MaW of the large National companies at first
were hesitant to move their offices and headquarters to Springfield
but things have changed and for a variety of reasons. We want to
thank so many of the younger gays and lesbians that we met while
we were in Springfield for their honesty and hard work that to made
this happen. Now with that being said, let us tell you about the
"new and improved" Springfield, Missouri.
With a population of over 420,000 for metropolitan Springfield,
it is the third largest city in the State and offers an unbelievable array
of surprises for any traveler. When so many cities in the country
are down-sizing and doing nothing to improve their cities, the
Springfield, Mo. community has grown in every ~vay imaginable
in their arts, business, sports, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
Their "new and improved" downtown area is something that most
cities can only dream about. All within walking distance you can
admire the works of local and regional artists in more than 15 galleries,
artist’s studios and other venues where you can encounter
sculpture, pottery, paintings, jewelry, photography and hand blown
glass demonstrations. In addition you have a choice of wonderful
restaurants, coffee shops and cafes to dine. In Springfield, they
MADE it happen! Springfield has over 6,000 hotel/motel rooms
and over 600 dining options. So whatever you are into, you will find
it in Springfield!
Metropolitan Springfield has so much to offer in the way of
attractions, historical places to visit and things to see. FANTASTIC
CAVERNS is a must see for any first time visitor to Springfield.
They open daily at 8 AM until dusk. You ride thru this ancient
underground cave that has massive formations. The tour is 50
minutes and your driver will explain the entire history of the cave
to you. THE SPRINGFIELD ART MUSEUM is the permanent
home for some 8,500 art objects representing thousands of years of
culture. They are open Tuesday thru Sunday and are located at 111
E. Brookside Dr. The SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE at the
historic Landers Theatre is Missouri’s oldest and largest civic theatre.
This season includes Gypsy, ATuna Christmas, the Miracle Worker
and Seussical to name just a few of their productions. "WILD
BILL" HICKOK SHOOTOUT SITE in Park Central Square, right
downtown is the site of the nations first recorded shootout and
helped solidify the reputation ofWild Bill. Look for the marker on
18 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
Stage coach terra cotta on Springfidd garage.
East. Markers are also located in the street
showing where each man stood during the
shoot out. The RAILROAD HISTORICAL
Museum, 1300 No. Grant Ave. is dedicated
to the preservation of railroading and you
can step into a locomotive, commuter car
and caboose. The MISSOURI SPORTS
HALL OF FAME, 3861 E. Stan Musial
Drive includes thousands of sports memorabilia,
exhibits and displays and of course the
Springfield Cardinals Baseball team which
is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis
Cardinals and plays at Hammonds Field.
Bass Pro has their big store at !935 South
Campbell Ave with everything imaginable
in the sports line.
Tired of seeing everything yet? Well,
Springfield offers a lot more things to see!
The AIRAND MILITARY Museum of the
Ozarks is a "hands-on" museum of military
history. They are located at 2305 E. Kearney
St. The Brown Derby Store at 2023 S. Glenstone
offers a world-class wine selection unmatched
in the Midwest. The Commercial
Street Historical District (between \Vashington
Ave. and Lyon Ave. is a self-guided
tour which is a 6 block adventure. With a
seasonal farmers market, chocolate factory,
the city’s oldest tavern, new micro-brewery,
antiques/art galleries, this is a great walking
tour. DICKERSON PARK ZOO, 1401 W.
Norton Road allows visitors to get up dose
with hundreds of animals. DISCOVERY
CENTER is an interactive hands-on science
center and is located downtown at 438
E. St. Louis St. The TENT THEATRE is
celebrating their 45th season this summer.
This summer’s productions include Cyrano
de Bergerac, June 11-14 and June 16-21,
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, June
25-28, June 30-July 3, and our favorite,
Anything Goes with lyrics and music by
Cole Porter, July 9-12, July 14-20. The
Theatre and Dance Department at Missouri
State University in Sprinbffield offers a wide
range of theatre and dance programs.
But the most important time we had in
Springfield during our recent visit there was
the "DOWNTOWN AREA". The "new:"
dmvntmvn area is FABULOUS !!!!! Check
out their wonderful website at www.itsalldowntown.
corn \re particularly enjoyed
having breakfast at Galley’s Breal’~ast Care
downtown at 220 East Walnut.
The setting is a wonderful old
nostalgic care of the past but yet
has new and innovative delicious
food with service to match.
The owners and staff are doing
it EXACTLY RIGHT! This is
the only place to have breakfast
in Springfiel!! Nonna’s Italian
American Care, 306 South
Avenue is wonderful. Although
they offer non-Italian choices,
why bother? Their Italian menu
is what it is all about. And it
is GOOD! Our best dining
experience for dinner was at
the Kai Restaurant, 306 South
Campbell. This new downtown
restaurant is one of the finest in
the country with great atmosphere,
The Gay and Lesbian Center of the
Ozarks, 518 E. CommerciaI Street in
Springfield supports the well-being of
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) persons in the greater Springfield,
Missouri region by organizing and sponso>
ing community activities and by increasing
public understanding and appreciation of
LGBT citizens. Josh Comp is the President
and is doing a magnificent job. Their phone
number is 417-869-3978. They organize
Pridefest and help organize the annual
variety show, the Queen City Cabaret. They
are close partners with FOCUS - LGBT
professionals group and with APO, Blossom
women’s group, the First Sunday Community
Potluck. They provide free professional
counseling through the Forest Institute.
They have an Individual and Community
Services Advocate who provides services to
the community and have a youth group
program for LGBT youth which meets
once a week and every fourth Friday. They
provide an outlet for many social and support
groups. They have been operating since
!996 and are one of the oldest Gay and
Lesbian Centers in the State. Volunteers
are always needed so give them a call and
donate a couple hours a week.
For nightlife, they have the new CLUB
821 that is getting a lot of attention
throughout the entire Midwest. ~xey are
located at 821 West College, just 8 blocks
West of the downtown area and NEVER A
COVER ! (vavw.club821.corn) and phone
(417) 866-4821 Their hours are Monday
thru Saturday, 4 PM to 1 AM. and happy
hour is daily 4 PM to 7 PM. This bar just
Photo: Donald Pie, Rob Bel (owner Club 821) &
Ray Williams at Club 821, Springfield, ~Ossouri
great service and extremely great food. Continuedpage 27
www.ozarksstar.com {HeSTAR 19
of
By Andrew Collins
Town
Bakimore, Maryland
Baltimore’s mostpopular lesbian bar, Sapphos, is ])art ofthe bustling
Grand Central *lu~ in the heart ofthe Mount Vernon neighborhood.
(Photo by Andrew Collins)
If you haven’t been to Baltimore in a while, you owe yourself a
visit. This friendly, unassuming city has experienced a virtual rebi,~h
over the past 15 years, rehabilitating its handsome Inner Harbor by
converting dilapidated piers and ,vharves into museums, shops, restaurants,
hotels, and condominiums. Often featured in the movies
ofcamp filmmaker and native son John \V-aters, Baltimore has also
developed increased cachet as a welcoming gay and lesbian destination,
with its many GLBT-ffiendly businesses.
Fortunately, the ci.ty’s success hasn’t gone to its head. It’s hard to
find a more genuine and down-to-earth breed of urbanites than the
residents of Baltimore, who retain a special affection for their hometown.
You may be lured to Baltirnore by the many highly publicized
attractions set around downtown’s Inner Harbor, and indeed most
of these museums and entertainment centers live up to their billing.
But be sure to save rime to explore the man), quirky- residential
neighborhoods, a few of which - Mount Vernon, Federal Hill, Fells
Point - are within easy walking distance of downtown.
The Inner Harbor thrived for years as a shipping crossroads before
falling into a state of blight. Its conversion into an entertainment
and museum district has made it one of the most engaging and picturesque
harbors in America. Popular attractions include the glassenc!
osed Harborplace pavilions, where you can browse through
dozens of shops. Also che& out the Baltimore Maritime Museum,
National Aquarium, and World Trade Center (which offers fine
views from its 27th-floor observation decD.
A regal grassy knoll south of the harbor, Federal Hill Park rises
majestically above downtox~qa, and the Inner Harbor. It’s an ideal
spot to laze under the sun on warm afternoons. The surrounding
eponymous neighborhood has loads of inviting cafes and bars, and
the neighborhood’s American Visionary Art Museum ingeniously
blends two historic -warehouses within a striking contemporary
structure. East of the Inner Harbor, Fells Point may be America’s
best-preserved Cx3lonial waterfront, with its perfectly maintained
Federa!-sryle town houses,
Baltimore’s gay epicenter ties north of downtown in historic Mount
Vernon, which you reach by strolling north from the Inner Harbor
up the city’s backbone, Charles Street. The neighbothood is anchored
by Mount Vernon Square and its 178-foot-high Washington
/vlonument. Nearby are the outstanding Waiters Art Museum and
the Peabody Conservatory of Music, the oldest and one of the most
prestigious classical music schools in the country.
kbffll need to drive or take a bus up Charles Street to reach the
leaf), 140-acre campus ofJohns Hopkins University, which is ideal
for strolling and is next to the state’s largest museum, the Baltimore
Museum ofArt. West ofJohns Hopkins, Hampden is a good oldfashioned
"Ba~vl’mer" neighborhood, a former mill-workers’ community
that has more recently developed a bounty of hip boutiques,
galleries, and cafes. (John Waters, who lives nearby, occasionally
strolls these parts and set his movie _Pecker_ here.)
\Vhen you’re craving a memorable meal, remember that Baltimore’s
cooking is full of flavor - the city- even has its o,vn spice, Old Bay
Seasoning, a feisty, concoction of 16 seasonings sprinkled mostly on
shellfish but required by some locals on seemingly everything but ice
cream. If you’re on the run, iust wander through the copious food
stalls in the Harborplace pavilions. It may look like a zoo of tourists,
but yoffd be surprised how many locals graze here. Many of these
places offer top-notch local seafood - particularly oysters, clams, and
Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. Walk a bit south ro Federal Hill, along
South Charles or Light streets, and you’ll find dozens of appealing
eateries, including one of the best little restaurants in the city~ the
Bicycle Bistro, where you might dine on grilled rack of lamb with a
pineapple-poblano-pepper chutney, or porcini-crusted sea scallops.
East of the harbor, there’s superb dining in the city’s Little Italy
(Boccaccio, with such seasonal delights as local clams and mussels in
a pernod-tomato broth, is a particular standout), and in nearby Fells
Point, talented chef Nancy Longo helms the kitchen at Pierpoint,
which is known for such inventive contemporary regional fare as
smoked crab cakes, and ftied Maryland chicken breast with parmesan
grits.
Mount Vernon has dozens of excellent, gay-popular restaurants. At
nile high end, opulently decorated Ixia scores high marks for its wellchosen
wine list and superbly rendered cuisine, including grilled
baby octopus with lemon-fennel confit, and lobster-crab mac-andcheese
with a creamy Fontina sauce. Across the street, Sacha’s is a
great spot for toothsome grazing - the many "small plates" include
crisp french fries in a cone with Old Bay-seasoned creme fraiche,
20 t~®STAR www.ozarksstar.com
and fried green tomatoes topped vdth lump crab meat. Continue up
Charles
Street and yoff!l come to trendy Donna’s, a cheerful and modern
space where an arts)- crowd mingles over light salads, roasted veggie
sandwiches, fresh coffee, and fantastic tiramisu. %e Hdmand
has become renowned }br its spics; well-prepared kd~han food (it’s
owned by the brother ofA~hanistan’s president, Harold Kharzai),
and Motmt Vernon Stable and Saloon is a perfect late-night venue
for chicken wings, sandwiches, burgers, ribs, and similarly comforting
pub standar~Is. Finally, don’t miss City Care. an airy and inviting
iava joint that also serves food and wine.
property" ~ns kudos ~br its helpful service, romantically decorated
roo~s, ~d afternoon tea and refreshments. In Mount Vernon, the
historic 1924 Clarion Peabody Court, with its 104 handsomely
outfitted rooms, enthusiastically welcomes gay and lesbian travelers.
You’ll ~e
~ town house
bars. Other esteemed
in
Dy-
Canton. This stunner
Make the trip a bit north toward Johns Hopkins to reach Ixia’s sister
restaurant, the lovably kitschy Paper Moon Diner, which is open
choice.
Near here in the Hampden neighborhood is the
notable for the massive pink flamingo dangling from the front of
the btfilding (not to mention tasty comfort fare like Belgian wanes
topped with fresh berries, and famously good meatlo~). There’s als0
great coffee to be sipped nearby at Common Ground coffeehouse,
and delicious Mexican food served within the funky confines of
Holy Frijoles.
appreciate one of the ci~’s
Baltimore gay-bar-goers congregate mostly at a handful of mainstays.
Yuppies and stand-and-model types flock almost religiously to
Gr~d Ceiatral, a large, multi-level complex that consists ofa video
lounge, dance bar, billiards room, and outdoor deck. Also on-site is
the s[vanky lesbian bar, Sapphos, with its comfy living-room-esque
decor and soft lighting. ~£ other major club i~i the n’eighborhood is
Club Hippo, whose r~putation for gr~at music draws a wide mix of
revelers, ga34 straight, old, and young. It’s a great place to cut loose,
especially on Thursday and Saturday nights. When it gets late, the
party moves to Club 1722, an 18-and-over ~er-hours club open on
Fridays and Saturdays into the ~ee- hours.
The,tiki-themed Coconuts Caf~ is another Mr. Vernon hangout
thats popular xvith lesbians, while Club Bunns caters heavil~ to
Baltimore’s sizable African-kanerican gay community and has a
legendary happy hour. Leather aficionados head a few blocks up
Charles to the Eagle, which, though lacking any serious back-room
action, nevertheless cultivates as racy, an atmosphere as any bar in
town. A classic dive that’s been serving the gay community for more
than 60 years (longer, say" some, than [my bar in America), Leon’s is
especially popular late on weekend evenings. Nearby Jay’s on Read
is ~ das~ i~ia~o bar, and Club Phoenix is a laid-back neighborhodd
hangout with a small dance area and some highly entertaining drag
sho~s. In Federal Hill, the Rowan Tree is a friendly neighbor~iood
spot with an eclectic crowd, and over in the up-and-coming Canton
section ofBaltimore, The Quest caters to fans of go-go dancers.
Baltimore hotels have become slightly more expensive over the
years, as the city has become a serious tourist and convention destination,
but rates are still much lower than in nearby Washington,
D.C. Most visitors choose properties near the Inner Harbor, dose
to great restaurants and attractions. An excellent option here is the
Pier 5 Hotel, a hip and lively boutique property with whimsically
decorated, spacious rooms, many directly facing the Inner Harbor.
The same owners run the elegant, historic (and allegedly haunted)
Admiral Fells Inn in nearby Fells Harbor - this charming old-world
www.ozarksstar.com heSTAR 21
KAI REffAURANT & AFTER DARK LOUNGE
Missouri
For an absolutely fabtflous dining experience we highly suggest
you try the new KAI RESTAURANT. It is located in the new and
revitalized downtown area at 306 South Campbell. From the moment
you walk thru the front door you will KNOW that you are
in for a very special treat. Downstairs they have the KAI After Dark
Lounge which has a very eclectic modern decor. Xhey have terrific
bartenders who know how to serve every kind of drink imaginable.
But the real treat is going upstairs to the KAI Restaurant where they
serve "Modern Japanese Cuisine" in an unbelievable setting. ~he
restaurant is dark, sexy, exciting, exotic and absolutely spectacular!
Go to their website’s gallery to see for yourself. We haven’t been
anywhere in the Midwest that can possibly compare to our dining
experience there. Our server was extremely knowledgeable as to
what was on the menu and offered good suggestions. He was a true
professional.
We started offwith the "Hot Rock" which is one of the restaurant’s
specialties. It came with thinly sliced rare top sirloin woked on
a hot stone presentation. You put one slice at a time on the sizzling
hot stone and it cooks in seconds. Dip it into the sauce and you
have some of the finest appetizers that we have ever had. Other Kai
specialities included their Kuslyaki Filet, Kobe Beef Carpaccio and
their Spicy Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps. ~hey offer a full range of
soups and salads including their Kai salad, Ika Sansai Salad, Seaweed
Salad, Tri Tuna Salad and their Honey Walnut Mango Chicken
Salad. For their entrees they offer everything from Teriyaki to black
cod, sea bass to New York Strip, Filet Mignon and Kai Surf and
Turf. Other entrees included Seven Samurai with seven kinds of fish
on top of a California Roll, Drunken Tiger which is spicy tuna with
asparagus wrapped with grilled tuna, Fantastic Four, with shrimp
tempura, crab, spice tuna with fried eel on top. For desserts they offer
a wide choice for any pallet including Irish chocolate cake, banana
chocolate spring rolls, creme brulee, tiramisu and cheesecake.
Xhe table next to us had been coming back almost every week
since they opened. They get a lot of diners who came back again
and again and again just because this restaurant knows how to do
things the right way! It is just that simple! Kai Restaurant is in an
old downtown building that they completely remodeled to perfection.
We know that with all their professionalism that they will be
in business for many years. When traveling around the country we
find that so many restaurants try to copy each other and the Kai
Restaurant is itself and it’s own creation and that is what makes it so
special. By the way, their prices are extremely reasonable. No trip to
Springfield, Mo. would be complete if you don’t have a wonderful
dining experience at the Kai Restaurant. Their hours are Monday
thru Saturday, 5:00 PM to 1:15 AM. For reservations call 417-832-
0077 and check out their website, www.kaiafterdark.com. People go
to a restaurant not only to dine but to have a fabtflous dining experience
and trust us on this one, you will have a "beyond fabulous"
dining experience. When you get the best and innovative decor,
great food and great service, you know you have found the perfect
place! Congratulations to the owners and stafffor making the KAI
Restaurant so special.
22 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
"While we beat our chests and proclaim
ourselves the xvorld’s largest superpower,
it is foolish to expect that we Americans,
with only 6 percent of the world’s population,
can automatically impose our xv~ll on
everyone else." [p. 25]
"... [~he...war in Iraq has led to a devastaring
drop in world approval of the United
States and sharp divisions between Muslim
and Non-Muslim communities. It has provided
more recruits for anti-American terrorist
organizations, cost American taxpayers
billions of dollars, and above all, caused
loss of human life on a tragically large scale.
A failure to understand the culture and history
of other parts of the world has exacted
a great price." ~. 28]
"We cannot afford the toll that multiple
Iraq-like mistakes would take on America,
especially as we deal xvith emerging nations
whose power and influence will become
great as time passes." [p. 29]
"Preemptive military engagements in the
absence of an act of war against us have
not proven successful. Vietnam and Iraq
are dramatic examples." [p. 41]
Source: David Boren, A Letter to America
(2008). Norman, OK : University of Okla.
Press.
"Forty other countries now have a higher life
expectancy than the United States, in no
small part because 45 million Americans have
no health insurance. When ~vill we act?" [p.
7]
"... [I]t is morally imperative that we provide
universal health coverage for all Ameficans...
We must not rule out considering a new
approach that moves away from the current
employer-based system...Those who have
health insurance are already paying the costs
for the uninsured, who often end up in hospital
emergency rooms...The uninsured wait
to get help until they reach a medical crisis.
This drives costs higher. There is no excuse
for another presidential term to end without
implementing universal health insurance."
[p.p. 84-5]
Source: David Boren, A Letter to America
(2008). Norman, OK : University of Okla.
Press.
rodeo. Very often they do. It’s a lot of hard
work, it is very rewarding, but every year
right after the Rodeo ends we start planning
for the next one.
Victor: Do straight people still sometimes
get thrown by the idea of a gay cowboy?
Klint: They don’t associate what they perceive
to be a masculine lifestyle to be a part
of how they perceive the gay lifestyle. So in
part we are educating the public as a whole,
and even still some parts of the gay community,
that we come from every facet of life.
Victor: So what’s in store for this year?
Klint: We have a great reputation, one of
the largest rodeos of the IGRA system. We
have a new rodeo director from Florida,
Jim Mitchell and Assistant directors Travis
Parker ofOGRA & Michael Fontenot of
Florida. We’re doing all kinds of promotions
not only in Oklahoma but also surrounding
states, and we expect people from all parts
of the country. This year we are hosting the
I.G.R.A.’s Board of Directors Meeting, so
trustees from all of their rodeo associations
throughout the United States and Canada
will be here. As with tradition, all we donate
stays in Oklahoma. This year we are helping
out two major charities, Other Options and
Rain Oklahoma.
Victor: So who should join OGRA? Does
one have to be a rancher or cowboy?
Klint: We have many members who have
never ridden a horse or worked with cattle.
We welcome people who many walks of life
who embrace cowboys and western heritage.
As we raise money for our community, we
need talented people who want to help us
make a difference.
Victor: I think that’s an invitation. Thanks
for all you and OGRA do for gay Oklahoroans,
including our cowboys and cowgirls,
and we can look forward to another great
event.
VOTER I~GISTRATION
Voter registration applications may
be submitted at any time. However, a
valid application must be received at a
motor license agency or a designated
voter registration agency, or postmarked
(if submitted by mail), more than 24
days prior to an election in order for the
applicant to participate in that election.
Deadlines for submitting valid voter registration
applications prior to the 2008
statewide elections are as follows:
Primary Election
Friday, July 4 - Registration Deadline
Tuesday, July 29 - Election
Runoff Primary Election
Friday, August 1 - Registration Deadline
Tuesday, August 26 - Election
General Election
Friday, October 10 - Registration
Deadline
Tuesday, November 4 - Hection
CHANGES IN POLITICAL AFFILIATION
Changes in political affiliation may not
be made during the period from June
1 through August 31, inclusive, in any
even-numbered year. The last day on
which a change in political affiliation
can be made before the closed period is
May 31; the first day on which a change
in political affiliation can be made after
the closed period is September 1.
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
Last day to request absentee ballot
for July 29 Primary Hection
Wednesday, July 23
Vote early at your County Hection
Board office
Friday, July 25, 8 AM - 6 PM
Saturday, July 26, 8 AM - 1 PM
Monday, July 28, 8 AM - 6 PM
Candidate Filing
for federal, state, legislative
and county offices
June 2 - 4
wvcw.ok, gov/-elections/index.html
www.ozarksstar.com theSTAR 23
Photo’s by Victor G. & Judy G.
@ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa
@ Steve’s Hideaway, Tulsa
@Club Majestic, Tulsa
24 @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City
@ The Copa, Oklahoma City
@Angles, Oklahoma City
@ Finishline, Oklahoma City
Democratic U£. senate candidate (currently State
Senator) Andrew Rice with Richard Ogden Chairperson
Cimarron Alliance Foundation at a fantastic fundraiser at
Ogden’s home.
By Greg Steele
on the prowl
victor G06~ ~e~nt~ O~l~h;ma C0rpora~
tion Commissioner Jim R6tha plaque with a
45 of one is his favodte inspirations, Dion’s
"Abraham Martin & Johi~2
~e
84 & Robin Dorner with The City S~Ni~i
atthe fundraiser for State Senator Andrew Rice!
Marlett is runn ng aga nst the nfamous sai ~ I(em.
State Representative A! McAffrey with Oklahbrna
County Democratic Party co-chair Elle~ Ste~SS :
at Oklahoma City fundraiser for McAffrey.
www.ozarksstar.com
By Ronald Blake
ho wants to see you achieve health,
fitness, and overall well-being? It seems
like everyone wants to see you fit into that
smaller size of pants or cut back on your
smoking. We live in a soci.ety where it is
horrible to think that people die. You need
to take advantage of this munificence of the
masses.
Government agencies are always watching
out for you. The FDA is monitoring what
medications are safe for your consumption.
The FAA will not let you fly with Joe Camel
smoke swirling aimlessly around the cabin.
The CDC monitors the incidences ofWest
Nile virus outbreaks in all the 50 states.
Your local agency on aging center will even
see to it that you have a fan or air conditioner
to place in your window ifyou can’t
afford to buy one. Your taxes are ~vorking to
help you after all.
Restaurants and fast food establishments
are even seeking to give you healthier food.
Subway leads the pack of retailers by offering
you groovy grinders and showcasing the
slimmed down Jared as proof of eating right.
Numerous restaurants are shrinking their
portion sizes and now only offering enough
to satisfy one hippopotamus’ appetite.
Applebee’s is one example of this sensible
change. They even charge a little less for
this good idea. Gosh, even Hamburglar and
Grimace are putting apple slices in Happy
Meals.
There are not-for-profit agencies out there
that are a website away from accessing
information for better health. The American
Lung Association will tell you where to find
smoking cessation classes. The Cancer Society
will tell you when you should get a pap
smear, colorectal check, skin screening, and
breast exam. There are support groups for
autism, anger management, gambling addictions,
mental illnesses, and many more. If
you can Google it, it is out there waiting to
be uncovered by you.
Even money-hungry Hollywood types have
your best interests in mind. "Supersize Me"
was that documentary about McDonalds
and the Big Mac that put the fast-food giant
into a Dow Jones suicide watch. The behemoth
hamburger franchiser changed their
menu in response to this fat-laden epiphany.
Michael Moore took on the health care
industry and all the cigar-chomping politicos
inside the Beltway in his documentary
"Sicko". He exposed the Swiss cheese health
coverage we have for the denizens of this
great land. There have even been movies like
a "Beautiful Mind" and "Rain Man" that
have shown a superb story but have also
given us a better understanding of health
issues like mental illnesses.
Finally, we even have philanthropists like
Bill Gates, Oprah, Bono, and numerous
others who are giving money to charities to
improve the lives of others. These methods
include education and training. Education
is one of the greatest factors affecting poor
health. More educated individuals are less
likely to smoke, drink, or engage in drug
activity than those individuals who lack a
proper education.
If you want to achieve it, you must seek it.
It should not be difficult; there is assistance
around every corner. Excuses are around
every corner too. Choose your corner carefully.
This health and fitness coltunn is brought to you by that
guy who has an analog mind in a digital world. That guy
is Ron Blake and he can be shaken from his reverie at
w~wv.goblakefitness.com.
26 t~÷STAR w~vw.ozarksstar.com
SPRINGFIELD, MO.
opened last October and has quickly become
extremely popular. Why? Because of
the owner and staff. Rob knows how to treat
customers and has hired a very professional
staff. Michelte, the bar manager is the kind
of bartender that everybody wants. She is
fun, funny, lively, interesting, professional
and you can tell that she really enjoys her
job. Why can’t all bartenders across the
country be like this? The other bartenders
there are great also. We found everybody in
this bar to be extremely friendly. How many
times have you walked into a bar only to be
sitting at the bar all by yourself and no one
talks to you. Trust us, it won’t happen in this
bar!
Another fun place is JR’s Nightclub, 504
E. Commercial, (417) 864-2823. This is the
bar "where men are comfortable, but everyone
is welcome". They are open Monday
thru Saturday, 5 to 1:30 AM and Sunday, 2
PM to midnight. When you walk in, people
either know you or they don’t and if they
don’t know you, they will shortly. Everyone
is friendly. The bartenders and owner are
friendly. After a couple of drinks you will
know everybody in the bar. And isn’t that
the idea of going to a bar, to meet other
people? JR’s is the only bar in Springfield
that is open on Sundays. Other places to
visit are Martha’s Vineyard and Latin Vibes
which features special gay shows on Tuesday
and Thursday evenings.
If your needing to get around the city,
contact Fisk Limousines, www.fisklimo.com
or give them a call at 417.862.2900. They
give the best service in the entire Midwest.
Springfield, Missouri is indeed a city with
a great future. They want EVERYONE to
visit their beautiful city. We did and we
certainly enjoyed our stay there as we know
that all of our readers will. The Convention
& Visitors Bureau has one of the best
websites in the nation, www.springfieldadventures.
com. Be sure and check it out. Our
thanks to Susan Wade, Public Relations
Manager, Springfield Convention & Visitors
Bureau. She is simply "the Best of the Best"
and so professional, and to Mark Templeton
of Springfield.
Always remember to have fun when traveling,
meet new people and talk to everyone!
NATIONAL NEV S
NoY. governor .snpports
same-sex marrmge
New York Gov. David Patterson said April
7 that he supports legalization of same-sex
marriage.
Speaking by video link to the National Gay
and Lesbian Task Force’s awards dinner in
Manhattan, Patterson said: "We xvill push
on and bring full marriage equality to New
York state. And when xve have done that,
xve’re going to do more. We’re going to protect
young people from bullies. We’re going
to protect against the discrimination of
people in the transgender community, and
xve’re going to fight for decent and affordable
health care for all citizens in this state."
"If you xvill join with me, and if xve xvork
hard enough, xve can change the face of
Nexv York, which will be the catalyst to
changing national policy," he said.
Patterson had planned to attend the dinner
but was stuck in Albany dealing with budget
problems.
www.ozarksstar.com t~:~{~.STAR 27
by Jack Fertig May 2008
"Articulate conflicts, Cancer!"
The Sun in Taurus offers the comforts and pleasantries of
spring. Now, however, Sol is aspecting asteroid Chiron in
Aquarius and new planet Eris, stirring up the question of
where to settle down and with whom. Think beyond habits,
and be open to surprises!
ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Individualist though you are,
you belong with some tribe - however awkwardly. A clash
of values is inevitable, but not catastrophic. Give yourself
room to be not at the center of the group, but at the edge
- perhaps even the leading edge.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Your own personality is both
a key and an impediment to success. Meditate and talk
with a confidante. Issues of fitting in and reconciling different
communities in your world seem like complications, but
actually point to a solution.
GEMINi (May 21 - June 20): You’re too easily tempted into
arguments with others.-Better to look within and resolve
your own conflicts. Knocking those around with a friend and
establishing a philosophical framework are important. Just
know that the real debate is internal.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Time to review that famous
"gay agenda." How do your goals and ideals fit in with your
immediate queer community and your sense of the broader
community? Articulating the conflicts and exploring the issues
could put you into a position of leadership.
LEO (July 23 -August 22): Your ambitions can easily lead
to arguments. That’s OK, as long as the point of the argument
is to better understand _what’s_ right, not _who’s_
right. To fix a relationship, try seeing it in a different light.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): New ideas, even
those that seem to come way out of left field, can help
solve problems at work and with your health. (Chiropractic?)
Don’t underestimate possibilities, wacky as they may
seem, offered by other GLBT folks.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Rethinking group
allegiances and community identity should prove helpful in
understanding your sexual potential - not just as a lover, but
as an erotic healer. Explore new forms of erotic play and
perception. You can do this actively and/or academically.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Some housecleaning,
literally or metaphorically, is important to improve
your relationship or to help you be ready for one. An eccentric
older relative or community elder offers an inspirational
role model
28 t~eSTAR
SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 = December 20): Team
sports or games - anything from charades to rugby - can
help you understand your own thought processes, or perhaps
learn how to keep your mouth from getting you into
trouble. You’ll never get that one perfect, but you can make
progress!
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Being a capricious
Cappy could get expensive. Entertain members of
your family or tribe at home or through some community
event, staying ever mindful of your budget. Asking others to
contribute can help strengthen your bonds.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Fitting in with
your family can be a problem. Imagine that you are adopted
and speak a different language. What would you try to say?
You wouldn’t want to be just like everyone else, so celebrate
your uniqueness, and they’ll love you as you are.
PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Don’t be afraid to
speak your mind. You may expose a few secrets, but that
will probably do some good for you and others concerned.
Even if there is a price to pay, you will find greater value in
speaking up.
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev Steve T. Urie
Spirit of Chdst MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
MCC of the Living Spring
17 Elk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM
Have a God filled and BleSSed Day!
www.ozarksstar.com
Support those who support us.
DOWNTO\~N PLea ofTULSA
17 West 7th Street
Tulsa, OK
918-585-5898
www.downtownplazatulsa.com
HABANA INN
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSXWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-2221
www.habanainn.com
KELLY KIRBY, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
ANGLES
2117 NW 39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK
www.anglesclub.com
BAMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
Tulsa, OK
918-836-8700
www.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9494
www.clubmajestictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE
11730 E. 11TH
Tulsa, OK
918-437-0449
Open Sun- Sat 2pm to 2am
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\rAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
THE LEDO
2200 NV4 39TH EXPRESS\gAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
~wv.habanainn.com
DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE
211 S. Garnett Keller Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK 74128 Tulsa, OK
vavw.realacceptance.com 918-706-1887
GREAT PLAINS RODEO
E O. BOX 12485
Oklahoma City, OK 73157
www.ogra.net
GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa
New and Historic Homes for Sale
and Rent For Info:
www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com
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
OKC PRIDE, INC
PO BOX 60296
Oklahoma City, OK 73146
www.okcpride.org
OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY
621 E 4th Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-743-4297
www.okeq.org
OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT
2015 -B S. Lake~vood
Tulsa, OK 74112
918-838-7104
www. openarmsproject.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
KING OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oklahoma City, OK
405-314-3898
PHOTOGRAPHY."
JUDY G. PHOTO’S
Tulsa, OK
judygphotos@sbcglobal.net
918-743-8636
}
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 NW EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-840-2106
www.c21 goldcastle.com
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
DALLAS CVB
Dallas, TX
www.winatrip.glbtdallas.com
Want the STAR delivered to your home or business?
12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed
envelope the 1 st of each month. Complete the form
below and send with a check or moneyorder to:
The STAR
5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #133
Tulsa, OK 74145
(Single Copies $3.00 per issue)
NAME:
Address:
City: St:__.Zip:.
Phone:
Check enclosed
Money Order
Start Date:
www.ozarksstar.com theSTAR 29
Keller Willia
Chu~
Whether buying or selling
I’1.....1.....~..... work hard fo
(d,efinitiqn - growing up GAYin OK is
not easy)
You can he~p our teens. Support
Open Arms Youth Project.
For more info:
www. openarrnsproject.org
e-mail: ~di~o~alCar~oon@q~;yndica~.com
30 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
~34 Bourbon St.
04~37!-5450
Torch
TW’s-AFAB Catering
G L B T G A Z I N K
P
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[2008] The Star Magazine, May 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 5
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
May 01, 2008
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Online text
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwestern Missouri
Western Arkansas
Southeastern Kansas
Eastern Oklahoma
The United States of America (50 states)
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Description
An account of the resource
The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Star Media, Ltd
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
star Media, Ltd
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Charles (Chaz) Ward
Victor Gorin
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Joey D.
Victor Gorin
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ronald Blake
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Liz Higheyman
Devre Jackson
Judy G.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Star Magazine, April 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 5
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/244
The Star Magazine, June 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 6
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/248
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/250
After Dark
Ann Marie Distefano
art
Bars
David Patterson
Deep Inside Hollywood
dining
Equality Gala
fitness
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Deformation
GLAAD
Great Plains Rodeo
health
horoscopes
Leslie Jordan
MCC church
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Night club
Obama
Our House
Paparazzi on the Prowl
Past Out
PlanetOut Inc
Q Scopes
Quotable Quotes
Star Advertisers
Star classifieds
Star Scene
Too
travel
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/733b2f2153340c0152c8ddfe54b6ed5d.jpg
06b85fa3864a1cd9fb22b85f79874359
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/f877c3716f55d1351dd0b5dc72bdb505.pdf
cbaefc1fc50913638b9cd20f6f15b445
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
[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2004-2011
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Images
Online texts
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and 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.
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
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Ozarks Pride/Star Media
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
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A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
magazine
Text
Any textual data included in the document
~nty one years ago was a world that many
young people never k~ew or could comprehend.
No openly gay person had been elected
to public office in Oklahoma. Organizations
advocating equality for GLBT Oklahomans
were few and far less influential. Only 3 years
earlier our Oklahoma Legislature had passed
legislation (later ruled unconstitutional by the
Federal court system) that would prohibit a
public school teacher from even making a positive
statement about the GLBT community
in a classroom. Equality for GLBT people was
hardly discussed, and gay marriage even more
remote. Politicians could (and did) make hateful
statements about our community without
any fear that someone would challenge their
remarks. (sorry Sally, you came along too late)
ride
~ganizers of this year’s Tulsa Pride Celebration
are promising the public that this
year’s events will be anything but boring. Nate
Black, one of the co-chairs says the changes
are intended to breathe a new sense of excitement
into the Pride observance and to help
promote the revitalization of downtown. It
may not look the same, but organizers promise
that Tulsa Pride 2008 will be just as incredible
of a celebration as ever. Spanning over two
weeks, with an event almost every evening,
Tulsa Pride 2008 has something for everyone.
"There will be some differences, but the spirit
of the celebration is the same. It is still going
to be a joyful, invigorating experience that xvill
spark the same sense of pride and freedom in
our community,"
Tutso PI IDE ?008
2 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
walk or drag yourselfto Tulsa
Pride 2008
By Joey De
It may not look the same, but organizers promise that Tulsa Pride
2008 is a series of events you won’t want to miss. "We have our
three anchor events: the gala, the parade and block party, and the
picnic," explains Pride co-chair Nate Black. "There ~vill be some
differences from the past, but the spirit ofTulsa Pride is as vibrant as
ever."
Here is a brief look at the events ofTulsa Pride 2008. For a complete
listing, maps and details, visit www.tulsapride.org
May 30 - "Sisters in Song" concert at All Souls Unitarian Church.
May 31- Wear your rainbow attire and enjoy a day at America’s favorite
zoo with your friends and family. Tnat night, join the Equality
Gala and celebrate the GLBT community at Cain’s Ballroom.
Jun. 1 - Rev. Barney McLaughlin and members ofTulsa’s faith community
will be hosting "Spiritual Equality," an interfaith service at
Bethany Christian Church.
Jun. 2 - Join PFLAG at the Circle Cinema for a free screening of
"Anyone and Everyone," a film about families struggling to accept
their GLBT youth.
Jun. 4 - Cheer the Drillers to victory and enjoy an old-fashioned
ballpark picnic. Tickets must be bought in advance. That evening,
Lochran Theatre’s "He&vig and the Angry Inch," opens. The show
will play at various locations through the 15th.
Jun. 5 - Enjoy the works of 60 artists at "More Color," a one-night
ex~hibition at the Equality Center.
Jun. 6 - Open Arms Youth Project Fashion Show.
Jun. 7 - Dine at the OkEq Family Taco Dinner benefiting PFLAG,
then join the Pride Parade and Block Party, with two stages of entertainment.
Youth Services ofTulsa will be hosting a concert in their
Coffee House for those under 21 and child care will be available for
those under 12 at the Equality Center.
Jun. 8 - Texas Hold’era at the Equality Center.
Jun. 10 - Leather and Fetish fashion show at the Equality Center.
Jun. 11 - Join the "Gender Avengers" for an evening of monologues
and plays addressing transgender issues.
Jun. 12 - Learn about raising kids in a diverse world at the Downtown
Library. Speakers will be available and books attacked for their
"inappropriate" messages will be displayed.
Jun. 13 - Screen "The ~A’ Word," a film with no audio or subtitles,
about 10 deaf lesbians.
Jun. 14 - Walce up early for the YST fun run before the Equality
Festival at Centennial Park on 6th and Peoria!
www.ozarksstar.corn the STAR 3
OKC P DE EEKEND
AN EVENT TRULY
’COMING OF AGE"
By Victor Gorin
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ It can be hard
to fathom, but OKC Pride is now 21. Had
the event been a child born 21 years ago,
that person would now be ready to legally
enjoy the bars. Instead a spirit of human
determination was born in rocky Oklahoma
soil, with the joyful trappings that come
with living in the Bible Belt’s buckle, q-his
beginning came to Oklahoma through the
brave organization of about a dozen people.
As Paul Thompson recAls, "We didfft know
if there wotdd be 10 people marching or a
hundred." The Ku Klux Klan had promised
to meet the marchers when they came
over the N.W. 39th Street hill with hostile
confrontation. When around 400 marchers
came over the hill, the Klansmen waiting
in Safeway’s (now Homeland) parking lot
promptly left the scene, and a proud tradition
began.
It was a world that many young people
never knew or could comprehend. No
openly gay person had been elected to
public office in Oklahoma. Organizations
advocating equality for GLBT Oklahomans
were few and far less influential. Only 3
years earlier our Oklahoma Legislature had
passed legislation (later ruled unconstitutional
by the Federal court system) that
would prohibit a public school teacher from
even making a positive statement about the
GLBT community in a classroom. Equality
for GLBT people was hardly discussed, and
gay marriage even more remote. Politicians
could (and did) make hateful statements
about our community without any fear that
someone would challenge their remarks.
(sorry Sally, you came along too late)
Today the Pride Festival and Parade truly
showcases the theme by showing how far
we’ve come. Festival booths not only feature
openly gay public office holders (now even
on the State level with the appointment of
Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth), but
also gay political organizations of Democrats
and Republicans, as well as straight politicians
& parties who are proud to speak out
for us and seek our vote. Social organizations
(from rodeo to softball), and religious
groups bring us all together in glamorous
diversity. There are countless more business
organizations proud to seek out the gay
community to make a buck. Last but not
least, nothing compares to the mosaic of the
GLBT community and their friends, people
from all walks of life together in Pride.
EVENTS:
June 14 Saturday OKC Pride at the Zoo
10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
For the first time there will be a gay day at
the Oklahoma City Zoo. It will be a great
way to begin the week’s festivities with
family and/or friends. There is information
about a special reduced rate inside every
OKC Pride Participation Packet, so come
out, enjoy the day and wish the animals a
good week too!
June 15 Sunday OKC Pride Day ofWorship
Cathedral of Hope & Church of the Open
Arms ( both UCC) will be planning special
worship celebrations to commemorate Pride
Week. Ifyou have felt left out or excluded
from worship, these churches are ready to
welcome you just as you are.
June 20- OKC Pride Parade
Now moved to Friday evening stepping off
at 7 p.m. the route is unchanged. Beginning
at Memorial Park ( N.W. 36th & Classen) it
proceeds north on Classen two blocks north
ofN.W. 39th Street, turns around on Classen
and then proceeds west on N.W. 39th.
Our Grand Marshall will be Joe Salmonese,
the chair of the national Human Rights
Campaign.
Preceding the Parade will be a Strip Show (
signifying the N.W. 39th Street Strip)
featuring some of our wildest and finest
entertainers. Then the crowd cheers on as
the parade’s first arrivals enjoy the finest
climax ever enjoyed at any event. As the
Parade concludes those in the mood will
be ready to party, giving new meaning to a
wild weekend while remembering how Pride
brings us together.
June 21- 22 OKC Pride Festival
Still at Oklahoma Cit)?s Memorial Park at
N.W. "36th & Classen, the Festival will run
from noon until 10 p.m. Saturday June 21,
and from noon until 5 p.m. June 22 Sunday.
There will be many booths featuring
organizations you can learn from or even
consider joining, as well as endless types of
merchandise. There will be entertainment
as well
Following the Festival conclusion at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Church of the Open Arms has their
Annual Pride Ice Cream Social, which will
featuring the Therapy Sisters in concert.
There’s no better way to cool off, enjoy the
fun & music and recap the xveekend.
This is an event you don’t want to miss, it’s
there for all of us. For more infornaation
pick up a Pride Guide at your favorite clubs, "
or check out the website at wwv.okcpride.
com
DBAT Celebrates Pride
by Hosting a Diversity
Job Fair
TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Diversity
Business Association ofTulsa (DBAT), a
program of Oklahomans for Equality, is
hosting a Diversity Job Fair on June 13th
from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. The event, being
held at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
in Downtown Tulsa, will bring together lgbt
job seekers and lgbt-friendly employers in a
safe and comfortable environment, allowing
for open dialogue and alleviating fears of
discrimination.
The Diversity Job Fair offers a unique opportunity
for diversity-conscious employers
to access the wealth of skilled and talented
members of the lgbt community. Additionally,
job seekers are given an unprecedented
connection to companies that are lgbtfriendly.
F~r more information or if your company
is interested in participating in the job fair,
contact Susan Hartman at dbat@okeq.org
or call 918-698-2977.
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5
By David Benkof
Should gay-rights advances be put on hold
until all LGBT people can be included? On
this question, the position held by the most
prominent voices in the gay community is
so inconsistent it borders on incoherent.
Last year, most leading gay-rights organizations
rejected the advice of congressional
experts including Rep. Barney Frank (DMass.)
and pushed for an unlikely-to-pass
version of the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act (ENDA) that included gender
identity. \Vc~hen the broader bill was replaced
with an ENDA that covered only sexual
orientation, hundreds of gay and lesbian
groups lobbied Congress to vote "no" on
what was the most important piece of gayrights
legislation in a decade. Indeed, seven
Democrats who had previously been reliable
votes for pro-gay bills opposed ENDA
because it did not include protections for
transgender people.
LGBT activists defended this stance in a
variety of ways, but the basic argument xvas
that no part of the community should gain
civil rights at the expense of other parts.
Of course, had that been the approach of
voting-rights activists after the Civil War,
African-Americans would have forfeited the
vote until women gained suffrage a halfcentury
later - and they, in turn, may have
been asked to wait for the passage of the
Voting Rights Act of 1965 before gaining
the right to vote. In any event, supporters
ofwhat became known as "United ENDA"
characterized their position as a principled
one, believing that LGB rights without T
rights were worse than no rights at all, and
that (Evita show tune be damned) politics is
not "the art of the possible."
This pose is simply unsustainable, as an
examination of transgender military inclusion
shows.
The Web sites of the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force; the Human Rights
Campaign; Parents, Friends, and Families of
Lesbians and Gays; and many other groups
advocate for an ENDA that includes gender
identity, but the T is glaringly missing when
it comes to military issues. ~nese organizations
push for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals
to serve openly in the armed forces, but
don’t lobby on behalf of transgender people
who want to serve their country. They certainly
don’t insist that any repeal of "Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT) be linked to
equality for transgender servicemembers.
There are only three ways LGBT organizations
can react to this imbalance with any
sort of integrity:
One, they could refuse to support the repeal
ofDADT unless it is accompanied by a new
policy that prohibits the military from discriminating
on the basis of gender identity.
Two, they could admit that their ENDA
strategy was wrong and agree to accept an
LGB-only workplace bill until such time as
the votes are there to pass a more inclusive
ENDA.
Three, they could articulate pub!icly and
precisely why discrimination against
transgender people in the military is more
legitimate than private-sector discrimination
against them - and why it is more legitimate
than discrimination against lesbians, gay
men, and bisexuals in the military.
I would certainly prefer the second solution,
but I could respect the other two
approaches. My hunch, though, is that none
of these stances will be adopted. The status
quo is strong evidence that the "United
ENDA" stance is not primarily about political
principles. It’s about the internal power
dynamics in the LGBT community, which
have caused gay leaders to draw the line at
an inclusive ENDA. No such mobilization
has taken place over transgender people in
the military, so there has been no perceived
need for an ultimatum on that issue. Yet.
David Benkofwas a longtime gay columnist, historian,
and entrepreneur (as David Bianco). He is openly bisexual,
but as an OrthodoxJew he is guided byJewish law
in the areas ofsexvtality andfamily life. He can be reached
at DavidBenkof@aol.com.
6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
F~E BEER & HOT DO~
For a Family’s Dinner brought by the neighbors after the Death of Bettsie.
Be sure to look on the bottom ofthe dish to see what neighbor brought it!
Original Mo~,ie will be shown @ 7 pm dUl-h’~g dim-let.
Ist Eplsede of Series will be shown immediately fo!!o~d.ug
$10 D~nat~n to OG~,A inc]ludes ~nner
~$1GNING Meet and Greet
Leslie Jordan - From Sordid Lives, Will & Grace
My Trip Down The :PINK CARPET
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7
@
Coming of e
~ulsa PRIDE ar~ 2008
ONE NIGHT ONLY
ThuP~day, June 5, 2008, 5:G0prn to 9:0~m
atthe Dennis R. Nell Equali~ C~nt~r,
Corner of 4th and Keno~, dov~ov,~ Tuls~
the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
Directed by David Gatigan
Oklahoma City June 8, 2008 at 8pro
wv~v.ozarksstar.com the 8TAP, 9
interview
Interview by Victor Gorin
eslie Jordan arrived in this world during 1955
in the Heartland of the Bible Belt, born and
grown up in Chattanooga,Tennessee.. AI-
[ho@ ~rowing up was ~ostly nor easy, he
made le~nonade o[it of lemons and marie his
experiences work for him, taking a bus to HoIly~
vood and never looking back. His credits are
coundess, with app~ces on TV shows too numerous m mention
them but in~ih&ag Reba and Will and Grace(which garnered
him an E . Re is an accomplished playwright with
his first success Like a Dog on Linoleum" followed by Hysterical
B redness and other Southern Tragedies. Among his film successes
i~’thd camp} dassic ’Sordid I[ives" (where he portrayed the
drag que~ Brother Boy), which will be a n~w~series
o£ LOGO ~ningJuly 23. His new book, "My, Trip down
the P~~t:’ is 7h~ Slory of his life with his @s dd downs,
tragedies, ~ es and tri~phs, and the story o~a flamboyant
~who has ~yfound hirrisel£ He is portr~iying his life ~lSo in
a one man play of the same title in Olda~oma ~it~ June 8, for this
is a must re~d and a must see. He shares his thoug~is with~E
LESHE: Well I v,~as the Pips Printing guy, and t also was the elevator
operator that took people to Ha~bu}ger Hell in a Taco Bel!
co~ercial, i was the ~h~ck Full of Nuts coit~e boy, a]l kinds of
commercials. ~ ~ ~
10 the,STAR www.ozarksstar.com
ma$~e that possible.
~CTOR~ g,q~.en does your new book COme
*utJune 3~ and Iamso
which is Ga~
~cOholigm and RddiC’
: are some gay" activists wh6
feei that fl~bSya~t gay characters in the
ueenS hinder the s{~u~le
answer to
Ilow iS
tr~sggn:
: and see me, I promise
the STAR tl
Dracula ofFree
Speech, Kirk
Humphreys, Pdses From
the Po litica Grave
by James Nimmo
OKLAHOMA CITY) Just as the mythic
Dracula ofTransylvania came back from the
dead to spread horror among the peasants,
so has the flesh-and-blood Kirk Humphreys
come back from the politically dead to fling
his homophobic horror in the hall~ of Oklahoma
City’s public schools.
Reborn in the blood of his religion and bred
in the desiccated dessert of intolerance, Kirk
Humphreys was recently appointed by the
Oklahoma City School Board to fill the
position of chair until an election is held in
February, 2009.
Coming above ground with his first public
election to the Putnam City school Board
in 1987, he rose to bigger things as mayor
ofOKC in 1998. He resigned during his
second term to run for U. S. Senate which
he lost to Dr. Tom Coburn, 25% to 61%.
Settling back into his businessman’s grave of
multiple real estate dealings, one would have
thought that we had heard the last of Mr.
Humphreys.
So why the concern regarding his reappearance?
During his time as Mayor of OKC, he was
the driving force behind the 2001 attempt
to prevent Cimarron Alliance, a GLBT
advocacy group, from exercising their First
Amendment right to free speech with the
display of banners promoting gay/lesbian
equality.
However, the shining light of Federal
District Court Judge Robin Cauthron,
exorcised the demon of Humphreys and as
she ruled in favor of Cimarron Alliance and
enjoined the City Council from interfering
with Cimarron’s banner display on the
utility poles. Hitherto the sacred utility
poles had been the exclusive marketplace for
hetero organizations such as the Chamber of
Commerce, rodeos, and other civic clubs.
Did I mention the earlier "Tin Drum" video
law suit?
12 the STAR
In 1997, a fundamentalist censorship group
ponied up with an Oklahoma County judge
willing to make an informal ruling that the
"Tin Drum" was child pornography and
that copies of it could be seized in Oklahoma
County wherever it could be found
whether in private homes or public libraries.
Despite the facts that the film had been released
in 1979, received major film awards,
and not anyone prior to Humphreys had
made a legal claim of obscenity against the
film, Humphreys again smelled blood and
was hot on the trail ofwhat he thought
would surely be a victory for fundamentalist
decency. ~hinking that the cross of his
religion would trump all blasphemers and
dissolve the First and Fourth Amendments
he encouraged the court case to proceed.
Federal District Court Judge Ralph ~hompson,
however, found that the film is not
child pornography, and went on to criticize
that the County Judge, Richard Freeman,
had made a serious error in judgment
pertaining to what constitutes pornography
and allowing the OKC police, carte blanche,
to search homes and businesses without a
warrant.
Both of the lost lawsuits backed by Kirk
Humphreys cost hundreds of thousands of
taxpayer dollars in expenses and attorney
fees which resulted in higher property taxes.
¯hough the "Tin Drum" adventure was
publicly lead by former District Attorney
Bob Macy, as mayor and the boss of the
OKC police chief, I feel that Humphreys
was certainly in the loop and should have
had more sense and better advise in calling
off the figurative police dogs.
If the past is prologue, I think we can expect
some more Humphreys hauntings at the
expense of the Oklahoma City taxpayers. It’s
been shown that the Constitution, its Bill of
Rights, and especially the First Amendment,
if applied in time, can counter the poisonous
vapors that waft from Humphreys.
Wockner News Service
Congress’ highest-ranking
vet calls f.or DADT
repeal
WASHINGTON, DC __ U.S. Rep. Joe
Sestak, D-Pa., whose military rank was the
highest of any veteran now in Congress,
has urged fellow lawmakers to join him in
repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy
that bars open gays from the military.
Sestak, a three-star admiral who spent 31
years in the Navy, is one of 17 congressional
veterans co-sponsoring the repeal bill.
"It is easy for me to see why Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell should be repealed," Sestak said
May 3. "Once you have served in war and
faced danger with a gay service member,
how can you come home and say gay people
should not enjoy equal rights?"
Sestak’s comments came at the Equality
Forum, an annual GLBT conference and
festival in Philadelphia.
The Military Readiness Enhancement Act
(H.R. 1246), which would repeal Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell and allow GLB personnel to serve
openly, has 142 co-sponsors in total.
"Veterans like Adm. Sestak, who have dedicated
their lives to serving this country, are
leading the movement in Congress to repeal
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," said Aubrey Sarvis of
the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.
"These lawmakers agree with senior
military officers, including former chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:John Shalikashvili
and retired Army Maj. Gen. Vance
Coleman, that when it comes to defusing
IEDs, tending to injured troops, deciphering
enemy codes and flying reconnaissance
missions -- sexual orientation is irrelevant.
Seventy-nine percent of the American
people agree with them and it is time that
Congress finally repeal this law."
Carly Simon: ’I don’t
consider myself"to be
not gay
In an interview published May 1 in the San
Francisco gay weeldy Bay Area Reporter,
’70s pop-music legend Carly Simon said, "I
don’t consider myself to be not gay."
The double-negative quasi-coming-out
occurred when interviewer Gregg Shapiro
inquired: "After speaking with you this
morning, I’m going to be interviewing
Cyndi Lauper regarding her True Colors
tour, which features gay and straight artists
performing to raise money for the Human
Rights Campaign and other LGBT organizations.
I’m wondering if Cyndi called
you and asked you to be a part of the True
Colors tour, might you get involved?"
Simon replied: "Well, the part that I could
be involved in is the gay and lesbian part.
The part that would be hard for me is to
commit to a tour because I’m not very
comfortable being onstage. But the part that
would be easiest for me would be singing on
behalf of all of us. I don’t consider myself to
be not gay."
Shapiro responded: "Wow! Well, it’s great to
have you as part of the family."
"Thank you!" Simon said. "I mean, I’ve
enlarged all of my possibilities. There are a
lot of extremely personal stories to tell about
that, but we won’t go into that right now.
Let’s just say that it just depends upon who
I’m with."
Attempts to contact Simon through her
publicist, record label and MySpace page
were unsuccessful as of press time.
Frank: Transgender
people were terrible lobbyists
Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, DMass.,
says transgender people did a terrible
job of lobbying for inclusion in the federal
Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
A version of the measure, known as ENDA,
that protects sexual orientation but not gender
identity has passed the U.S. House of
Representatives and is pending in the Senate.
"I’ve never seen a worse job of lobbying
done by the transgender community," Frank
told the Oregon gay newspaper Just Out in
its May 2 issue. "They seem to think that
all they had to do was to get the gay and
lesbian community to say ’OK.’ I think they
thought that this was a train, and that they
were a car on the train."
"I said to them, ’You’ve got to work this,
you’ve got to lobby people.’ They did a terrible
job of lobbying, and so we didn’t have
the votes," Frank said.
First ot3enlv Illinois
legislator dle
Larry McKeon, Illinois’ first openly gay and
first openly HIV-positive state legislator,
died May 13 of a severe stroke. He was 63.
McKeon represented a district of Chicago’s
North Side in the state House of Representatives
from 1997 to 2007.
An Army veteran and former cop, McKeon
also served as Mayor Richard M. Daley’s
liaison to the GLBT community prior to his
election to public office.
McKeon retired last year, citing health issues
related to HIV and cancer.
........More U. S. News page 27
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13
recently confessed to the fact that she attracts gays like a moth
to a light, hall the men that like me are gay, k’~ ~e. I have a
really strong gaydar. I do love gay men though,~
Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres are
planning to marD: Ellen has said she is
"thrilled" at the r~ing by the California
supreme court to overturn the state’s ban on
gay marri~e.
Alexander Payne
"Hung" Up at HBO
Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander
Payne (for Sideways, not his litde-usedbut-
stilbcredit-getting screer~ptay for I Now
Pronounce You Chuck & Larry) has a new
pro’ect9 up his ste~we. And it~ about what’s
in one man’s pants. Hung, a comedy pilot
on track at HBO, will be Payne’s [IW-directing
debut, from a script by Dmitry Lip~n.
creator of%e Riches. ~md the subiect
matter? What happens when a~l average,
middle-aged basketbal! coach learns how to
put his exceptionally large’~- penis to better
~e. NO actor has signed on yet to play the
gifted guy, but casting is scheduled m begi n
soon. If picked up for series, it will be, a; the
very least, the first show" of its k5nd. But wi!I
there be a Boogie Nights-style revea! shot?
Or will it remain a mysteiT? Either way,
expect a big deal to made about this one.
Holb~voodactress
edl3
ship only
the closet.
of
True Co .ors
pP g
Cyndi LaUper~ colors are brighter than ever.
F~li~Wing [tie Success of last year’s landmark
tofir, Latimer is back to help the Human
Ri~ts Campaign, theS~ue Colors Fund of
StOnewall C~r~i-nuni~? Foundation, PFLa~G
and the Centertink Network ofBLGT community
cemers.
Famous for just wanting to have fun, Lau per
will be bringing her tour to the Zoo Amphitheater
in Oklahoma City on Jun. 23.
Joining Cyndi wilt be The B-52s,
joan J~tr ~d The Blackhearts, ~mdy Belt of
STAR www.ozarksstar.com
Foster, 45, is believed to have called offher Erasure. Margaret Cho and Girl tn A Coma.
relationship with movie producer Cydney with host Carson r*v~ ressl.ev,.f.or.tic.ket." t.mor-
Bernard after a series of arguments. The marion or a full list ofto[,r dates, visit ~~",.~,,,
couple were together for 14 years and have truecolorstour corn
two children ~x;~om Fosrer g~ve birth to and " "
Bernard adopted, according to the British
Daily Mail tabloid.
Pt~oto by: Bill Gaddis
getting hot out. Tulsa’s
wonderful sprir~g ,h,as played out. Here
are a coupl~ tips I d like {o pass along
that may add to your summer enjoyment
of vino..F,irstly, for white win~S,
you know/get ern ~ld! And as the~e
Wines warm up in your glass, the fruit
flavors open Up to~. I really like this
gradual experience. Many times, we
finish a bottle so fast when sharing
with friends that we don’t even notice.
For red wines, put a chill on ’era
as well. NOT too c.o,ld but just cool
enough so that you’re not drinking
warm glug. Remember, room temperatu~’
e can mean a whole different
thing during the summer. Proper stem
ware can also make a big difference
this time of year. Riedel glasses are
among the best althougt~ not recommended
poolside. Here are some
wines for both red & white lovers.
www.ozarksstar.com
The fo owing is
Calistoga Cellars Chardonnay 2006
This vintage was just released in
ket. If you liked the ’05, this
will really hit the mark. It’s li
beautifully balanced
mix of ripe pear and
the wine is medium bodied
soft finish. A favodte of l
visit McGilrs on 21rst St.
Vincent Pouilly-Fuisse
This Pouilly-Fuisse in several
areas belonging to th~
The wine is created
by Jean-Jac(
celebrated Chateau
nette Vincent
He blends the
well balanced
ers are on t
finish. I first discovered s wine over at
1740/wine bar on Boston n~ear 18th. This
Chardonnay from France i~ quite good.
Michel Picard Vouvray
This is Chenin Blanc from the Loi
of France. Fresh aromas of apricot &
on the nose and the finish is fruity and~~
slightly off dry. Enjoy this from with me,is
that include shellfish to desserts like
apple pies with vanilla ice cream.
oak barrels
owner of the
Made-Antoi-
").
make a
White flow-
Ochoa Garnacha Rose 2006
This Rose wine is made entirely from
Grenache grapes. The color of is a result
of the short maceration period that helps
to maintain the fragrant aromas and
fresh flavors. A well structured Spanish
wine with plenty of well-rounded fruit and
balanced acidity. Food pairings include
pasta, salads and vegetables.
ut the tannins, these producers
make their wines more
their youth. This bottle
is also affordable and has received high
acclaim from wine critics. Serious meat
oriented pastas would go well with this
wine.
Toad Cacophony Zinfandel
2006
This ;I, Hollow Zinfandel
comes ~ ppellation
where Zinf~ les thdve upon the
long h nights. This new
offering i~ ~ 20% Petit
Sirah. It~!a
really great
& jammy wine that’s a
:e~.for barbecued meats.
:i~va/Sparkling wine
NV. Th~ rfclude; 50% Macabeo, ~ 15% Xarelolo. This
iJwhat you may be used
ne or U S sparkling
:he Spanish create a
: old world version from
wine is quite affordable
pleasantly surprise you.
~s ~s a good wine to fall back on as you
;lebrate the summer months.
And as always, I say go to your favorite
wine shop, ask questions and purchase
a bottle or two. Share some food & wine
with friends and check this out for yourself.
Produtorri del Barbaresco 2004
I had a chance to visit this winery when I
was northern Italy. The grape is Nebbiolo
and it’s one of the most important wine
grape varieties of Italy’s Piedmont region.
Flavors of violets, tar, cherries, truffles,
tobacco & prunes come to mind. Although ~is.~grape can take years to age and
Mr. D also hosts wine & food events
known in town as the Wine
Tulsa.
References include: the ABC’s of wine by James
Laube/wv,rw.WineSpec~ator.com
www.FoodandWine.com
www.Wikipedia.org
the STAR 15
9t8.585,5898 ® 800.585,5101
West 7th Street (corner 7th & Boulder Ave) ® Tulsa, Ok 74t 19 e www.q plazatulsa.com
16 theSTAR June 2008
TW’s-AFAB Catering
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
LUNA VISTA B & B
"Morltezuma’s Castle"
aJmost knocked us over. At night we saw
more stars in the sky than we ever see
here in the Midwest.
There are fabulous places to visit and there are "beyond Fabulous"
places to visit. Luna Vista in Rimrock, Arizona is such a place.
Driving out to California on a recent trip we were guests of Kala
(pronounced Calla is in Calla Lily) and her husband Frank at their
"beyond Fabulous" Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast. Located just
about 20 miles southeast of Sedona and just about 3 miles offthe
Interstate, this has to be one of the finest and most unusual places
that we have been. However to get there you get off the pavement
and drive about three miles around curvy hilly, rocky and treacherous
gravel and dirt roads to make your arrival. But after arriving,
it is ~vorth the trip. After making the last turn you are aghast when
you see this place. It is like you have arrived at the Ponderosa! Kala
and Frank were residents of the East Coast and after 9111 they decided
that it was time for a major move. They purchased the property
in Rimrock, remodeled, repaired, built on, put in a swimming
pool, Jacuzzi and many more additions and finally opened their new
B and B in February, 2004 and it has been an instant success ever
since.
We stayed in the Don Diego (Zorro)
suite. Our bathroom was 18 feet by 20
feet and included our own Jacuzzi. Our
shower was 6 feet by 8 feet and included
a steam room and a double vanity, bidet
and every kind of amenity that you
would possibly want. Our linens were
400-threat count Egyptian cotton and of
course they were ironed before putting
them on the beds! Oh! Did we mention
that they have heated towel racks in
the bathroom? Each room came with a
DVDITFIVHS, CD player, etc. A bottle
of wine is in every room for the guests.
The grounds are fabulous. They are very pet-friendly and even have
a dog run and a horse run should you care to bring your horse. Not
into driving? Then use their helicopter pad and fly right in!
They serve a full-course breakfast every day and on Sundays’ a
full brunch. And we are not talking a muffin and coffee, but a full
sit-down breakfast with wanes, breakfast steak, eggs, potatoes, etc.
Nothing is left out. Guests have the full run of the house and property
including an office where you can check your e-mails and work
online if need be.
But the most important thing about Luna Vista are the owners,
KALA AND FRANK. Nxey genuinely care about their guests and
cater to their every need. Tney love life and it shows. In all of our
travels, they are the most sincere, heartwarming and friendly people
that we have ever met. On our last night there, Kala and Frank
hosted a party in our honor and invited severn of their neighbors
and area antiques dealers. They fixed enough food for an entire
army. Everyone was so interesting in their own way. The woman
The moment that Kala opened the door to welcome us in,
we I~IEW that we were going in for a big treat and we were! She
is dive, animated, professional, entertaining and a great hostess.
Frank ALWAYS has a smile on his face and is very excited about
everything. Together they make a great team and we know that they
will be in the bed and breakfast business for many years. They can’t
help it if they were born straight! It happens in the best of families.
Everyone is welcome at Luna Vista and we do mean everybody!
We stayed there for three days and didn’t even want to go
anywhere else. However one day we did drive over to Montezuma’s
Castle and on to Montezumgs Lake which was extremely interesting.
But the red enjoyment was taking advantage of the Luna Vista
B and B and the many amenities it has to offer. It is located on 16
acres and you can take a long hike through the woods and river area.
The flowers were blooming everywhere. The sights and aromas Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast
18 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast
next door to them bakes fantastic desserts and another neighbor is
a spiritual advisor and yet another creams beautiful "cactus" lamps
and objects. She presented us xvith one of her creations. The next
time you really xvant to get away from everything and truly have a
memorable experience, book yoursdf a xveek at the "beyond fabulous"
Luna Vista. Their website is: wxvxv.lunavistabandb.com or call
800-611-4788.
They have been featured in many travel publications from coast to
coast. To get to Rimrock either fly into Flags{aff or Phoenix, rent
an auto and drive. That is unless you’re already driving, then just
drive on Interstate 17 and take the 293 Exit.
We stayed xvith them on a return trip from California and our
"beyond fabnlous" experiences continued while staying there. We
don’t make many promises, but trust us on this one, we promise
that you will have one of the finest and most enjoyable weeks of
your life xvith Kala and Frank.
Alxvays remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and
talk to everyone!
Get the STAR delivered
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Les residents want
Wockner News Wire
Nxree residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have filed suit in an attempt
to reclaim the word "lesbian" and stop the group Homosexual
and Lesbian Community of Greece (OLKE) from using it.
Gay women are believed to have adopted the word in memory of
Sappho, a poet who lived on the island in the sixth century B.C.
and wrote about love between women.
The plaintiffs claim the alleged theft of "lesbian" from the island’s
residents amounts to "psychological and moral rape."
An OLKE spokeswoman called the case "ridiculous" but an Athens
court will hear the matter on June 10.
Quotable Quotes
Cuba’s parliament is studying proposals to legalize same-sex unions
and give gay couples the benefits that people in traditional marriages
enjoy. "The freedom of sexual choice and gender identity are exercises
in equality and social justice," said Mariela Castro, daughter of
President Raul Castro,.
www.ozarksstar.corn ~}~eSTAR t9
of Town
B~ A~&’~w Colli~
W-eekend Getaways from
Portland, Oregon
Oregon’s Gannon Beach o~rs some ofthe best sunset-viewing on the
West Coast. (Photo by Andrew Collins)
with a marionberry vinaigreue. For more sophisticated fare, book
a table at the Gower Street Bistro, which presents creative regional
dishes, such as pan-seared sea scallops with roaste&cre~ corn,
eNgplant, and tJancetta.
You might spend the mornings in Cannon Beach strolling along the sand,
admiring the many geological formations just Offshore, such as the famous,
237-~bot-tall Haystack Rocla Do as locals do and grab a cup ofdelicious
java at Sleepy Mgnk C~ff?e Roasters (alofig with £ ~hick sli~e ofch0~latechip
pumpkin bread)before you Set Out[ %nture south of Cannori Beach
and youll pass throt~ Oswald West S~te Park, which is laced with hiking
trails that weave through 01d-gro~f0rest; leading down tO the ~ch.
End your day in fianky itS, with its quirlg, cafes and galleri~i perhaps
enjoying a glass of Oregon wine at Vino, a snaz~ little Wine bar that
also ser~e~ plate~ of delici0u] chkrcuterie and cheeSe. Between Manzanita
and CannOn Beach in tiny Arch Cape, the gay-owned Ocean Point Inn
comprises three oceanfront suites with chic, contempo~ furnishings, fiatscreen
TVs, and gas fireplaces. Guests can enjoy a ~de range oftreatments
at the inn’s spa. It’s one of the most romantic accommodations along the
coast.
I-5}
Within 30 miles of Portland, in Oregon’s verdant Willamette Valley; you’ll
find some ofthe leading wineries in ~e United States - the area ha~ become
especially renowned for iris pinot noirs. Ifyou have only a day to tour the
region, focus your efforts a~ound the rural, hilly Yamhill area, home to such
esteemed vineyards as Willakenzie, Penner,Ash, and Adelsheim. Just a short
drive south, in the Dundee Hills. standouts include Archery Summit, Sokot
Blosser, and Domaine Serene. ~ese are among dozens ofwineries with tasting
rooms open m the public.
Hip and cosmopolitan Portland continues to emerge as a popular urban
vacation destination for gay" and lesbian travelers, thanks in part to its stellar
restaurant scene, liberal social climate, and artsy personalit~: But another
major draw of this charmed city is its proxmaity to so many breathtakingly
beautiful places that make perfect two- to three-day getaways. In an afternoon’s
drive, you can explore the rugged Oregon Coast, tile lush Willamette
Valley wine country, or the high desert outdoor recreation mecca of Bend.
Here’s a look at three ideal weekend getaways from the Portland area, all of
them centered on communities with an increasing number of gay-owned or
gay-friendly accommodations and restaurants.
Camaon Beach and Manzanita (a 90-minute drive via U.S. 26)
~Ihis part of the valley abounds with excellent restaurants, too. An intimate
spot serving relatively affordable French fare, Cuvee sits along the quiet
main drag oftiny Carlton and is a fine place to end a day ofwine-t~asting.
Among the several stellar restauvamts in Dundee, check out Tina’s, a bustling
bistro that features creative American fare emphasizing ingredients from
local r delicious dish is the seared halibut
cheeks with diced
"Ihere
tic and
rooms, each with a
As vou
From downtown Pordand, U.S. 26 leads west over the dramatic Coast
Mountains to northern Oregon’s spectacular and relatively macrowded
coast, a highlight ofwhich is dapper Cannon Beach, a low-keyed
munity set along a striking stretch of beach. Quite a few gays and lesbians
(including Pordand-based filmmaker Gus Van Zant) own or rent summer
homes here or in nearby beach towns, such as funk)" Manzauita and upscale
Gearhart.
The quieter south end of Cannon Beach. known as Tolovana Park. has a
slightly more artsy feel. Here you might spend the night at the delightful
Inn at Cannon Beach, a tasteful complex of contemporar5 two-srory
cottages that open around a central courtyard with fragrant flower gardens
and Adirondack chairs. Itk steps from the beach, and next door to’the
Warren House Pub. a casual, gay-friendly spot that brews its own
excellent beer and serves tast7 comfort food, such as grilled pankocrusted
oysters, and house-smoked-salmon salad
gene. Here
scene of any Oregon city
with parks ~nd ri~:e vci~ opportunities for recreation. A
attraction is the Owen Ros~ Garden, where more than d
Nearb); a former chicken-processing plant houses the Fifth Street
Market, now a complex of fascinati~ shops and enticing restaurants,
mclu&ng one of the regions best dining choices, Marche. Here you can ry
such memorable fare as 0yen-roasted local mussels with a saffron-cream,
and smoked pork chops with rhubarb chum~ From April through De~emher,
check out the neaiby Saturday Market, Where ente~iners pei~form and
close to 200 artisans, farmers, and cooks sell their wares.
20 f~eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
OAXACA RESTAURANT Sed0na, Arizona
Pronounced (Wa-ha&a) this Mexican restaurant in Sedona
offers exciting food. With breath-taking scenery and beautiful
views from their rooftop cantina, Oaxaca has earned it’s title "Local
Secret/Big Find" by Travelocity.com. Tnis old world stTle Mexican
restaurant is located in Uptown Sedona and offers casual dining
with an extensive menu with a taste of every palate.
Carl Butler, the owner and a registered dietitian has created a
delicious menu with a healthy approach. Oaxaca serves up heart
healthy, reduced fat
and low cholesterol
recipes which are
full of flavo!! Oaxaca
serves a wide
range of Mexican,
Southwest, American
and Vegetarian
dishes with authentic
favorites Such
as fajitas and chile
rellenos.
It is no wonder why
people have been dining there for years and years and many people
drive out of their way when traveling, just to dine there! You certainly
will have a wonderful dining experience, enjoying the exciting
flavors of their food and looking at the fabulous mountain scenery.
q-hey are open daily: 10:30 AM to 9 PM. Happy hour: 3 PM
to 6 PM. Breakfast buffet: Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AiM to 10:30
AM. q-hey are located at 321 North Highway 89A in Sedona,
Arizona.
.............................. CHILE RELLENOS Next Page
theSTAR 21
di i g°
New art exhibit feat ring
artist Dennis Olson
at the Dennis Ro Neill
Equality Center
TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R.
Neill Equality Center art gallery will host
its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist
reception from 5-9pm, Thursday,
June 5, 2008, for the opening of their
June exhibit, paintings by Oklahoma
City resident Dennis Olson.
This event will correlate with the onenight-
only Tulsa Pride "More Color" art
show featuring works by sixty artists.
Dennis Olson’s exhibit will remain up
through the month ofJune, and can be
viewed Monday thru Saturday from
3-gpm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality
Center is located at 621 E. 4th St.,
in downtown Tulsa. More info can be
found on the web at okeq.org.
This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s
for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks
equal rights for Imsbian, Gay, Bisexual &
Transgender (LGBT) individuals and
families through advocacy, education,
programs, alliances, and the operation of
the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
Quotable Quotes
"I respect the Court’s decision and as
Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also,
as I have said in the past, I will not support
an amendment to the constitution
that would overturn this state Supreme
Court ruling."
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger:
OkEq Cdebrates
Ca i£ornia Ru ing £or
Marriage Equa ity
TULSA, OK (PR) - May 15, 2008 __
Today, in a 4-3 decision, the California
State Supreme Court ruled in favor of full
marriage equality for same-sex couples. The
decision follows lawsuits by fifteen couples
who challenged the constitutionality of the
state’s marriage ban.
"This historic decision is a victory for
fairness and opportunity for hundreds of
thousands of loving, committed couples
and their families in California," said Justice
Waidner, Oklahomans for Equality Executive
Director. "We continue to work and
hope for the day when families in every state
have the basic protections that come with
marriage."
A growing number of states provide recognition
of same-sex relationships. Including
California, eight states plus the District of
Columbia allow couples to marry or confer
rights and benefits similar to marriage.
However, the Defense of Marriage Act still
prohibits the Federal government from
recognizing same-sex marriages approved in
individual states.
In November, Californians vote on a ballot
initiative to amend the state constitution by
defining marriage as between one man and
one woman. If passed, this constitutional
amendment would overturn the California
Supreme Court’s ruling.
"Many Americans believe that marriage
equality will be a reality in their lifetimes,"
noted Waidner. "Organizations in every
corner of this country are working hard to
achieve the kanerican dream of equality
and justice for all. We are all inspired by
the California marriage decision and look
forward to the day when every American in
every state and territory will have the opportunity
to realize their hopes and dreams
by marrying the person they love."
22 theSTAR w~v.ozarksstar.com
Sound ofMusic
Headlines Lyric’s 2008
Stammer Season
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) __ Tickets
for Lyric Theatre’s 2008 summer season of
musicals are now on sale. Lyric "Iheatre,
Oklahoma’s premiere professional theatre
company, proudly continues its 46-year tradition
of producing stellar Broadway-style
shows for the people of Oklahoma.
Lyric’s four summer season productions
will be held at the Civic Center Music Hall
in downtown Oklahoma City. From June
24th through 28th, Lyric will open the
season with The Sound of Music, presented
for the first time on the Civic Center stage.
This timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein family
classic tells the story of Maria, a young,
spirited, would-be nun who is appointed as
governess for the seven children of a widowed
sea captain.
Lyric’s next production, Swing!, will run
from July 8th through 12th. Swing! is a celebration
of the music and dance phenomenon
that swept the nation in the ’30s and
’40s. This all-singing, all-dancing evening
of music features over thirty incredible
numbers guaranteed to put audiences "in
the mood!" Lyric will bring a beloved movie
musical to the stage from July 22nd through
26th. Set in Oregon in 1850, Seven Brides
For Seven Brothers is the fresh, wholesome
tale ofAdam Pontipee and his unkempt,
burly brothers who kidnap six townswomen
for the winter in hopes of finding love
and companionship. Their well-meaning,
but hilarious shenanigans of courtship are
played out in boisterous song and dance.
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers will feature
Broadway performers Elisa Van Duyne as
Milly and Jim Sorensen as Adam. (rated G)
Concluding Lyric’s 2008 summer season
is a modern musical hit, Urinetown, the
Musical, fresh off the Broadway stage. The
title might give off the impression that the
play is about nothing more than a town that
indulges itself in bathroom related humor.
In reality, Urinetown, the Musical, written
by Greg Kotis, a New York playwright who
specializes in socially relevant comedies, is a
hilarious melodrama about a town plagued
by drought. In a mad attempt to regulate
,#cater consumption, the government forces
its citizens to use pay-per-use amenities,
monopolized by the Urine Good Company.
Urinetown satirizes corporate and political
greed, the idealism of rebellion, and also
spoofs on the art of musical theatre itself, all
set to a score bursting with a big Broadway
sound.
"Urinetown ~von the 2002 Tony Award
for Best Original Score and is lauded on
Broadway as one of the smartest, most
comical musicals of this century;" explains
Nick Demos, Lyric’s Artistic Director. There
is nothing offensive about it, other than an
unattractive title!" Urinetown plays from
August 5th through 9th, and guarantees a
unique night of unprecedented laughter.
(rated PG)
Single tickets to all Civic Center productions
start at $27. Four-Show Season Ticket
packages are also still available and start
at just $80, as are the Three-Show Family
Packages which include The Sound of
Music, Swing!, and Seven Brides For Seven
Brothers. For more info visit www.lyrictheatreokc.
com or call (405) 524-9312.
TOM KOVACH
MAKES HISTORY
WINNING A SEAT ON NOR_MAN’S
CITY COUNCIL
By Victor Gorin
NORMAN, OK__ Tom Kovach, an out
gay Democrat was elected to the Norman
City Council representing Ward 2 in a
runoff against political consultant Chebon
Marshall. The race began running against 2
opponents, Mr. Marshall and Michael McKee.
Although Chebon Marshall got the most
votes, he did not get a majority of the total
votes. Mr. Kovach was in second place, so as
per Oklahoma election law, this resulted in a
runoff election.
Although vastly outspent, Mr. Kovach made
up for this with hard work and determination,
and making known his stands on issues
to make the city better. As he puts it, "
Throughout the campaign we stuck mainly
to the issues, which were mainly public
safety and storm water." His efforts won the
endorsement of both the Sierra Club and
the Norman Homeowner’s Alliance.
There was rumor mongering about his
sexual orientation, and a literature drop
Photo: Tom Kovach by Victor Gorin
designed to turn conservative voters against
him close to the election named him as
endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats
( explaining for those who didn’t know that
it was a gay rights organization within the
Democratic Party), and a member of the
American Civil Liberties Union (both true).
Despite this distraction from the issues, his
sincerity and practical message carried him
to victory.
He has lived in Norman over 40 years,
much of that in Ward 2. His partner of
over 10 years, Will Weir, is also an activist
volunteer with the Oklahoma Department
of Corrections, P-Flag, GLSEN, and helping
people with disabilities. Mr. Weir won
Norman’s Human Pdghts Award in 2007.
Tom made history being Oklahoma’s 3rd
openly gay elected public official The last
2 were Oklahoma State Representative A1
McAffrey (Democrat District 88, elected
2006) and Oklahoma County Commissioner
Jim Roth (Democrat District 1, first
elected 2002). The first was Dr. David
also elected to the Norman City Council in
2001, who Tom remembers as "Someone
who stood up for many issues which are
now being considered by a more progressive
city council, and we owe a lot to him"
As for his future he is optimistic, stating
that" I have been active in the city, spe~ng
before the city council many times. N~ey
know me well, and I think we have a good
working relationship. I look forward to
working with the seasoned members of the
council, and look forward to working with
Mayor (Cindy) Rosenthal."
www.ozarksstar.com {:h®$TAR 23
Photo’s by Victor G. & Jud / G.
@ The Ledo, Oklahoma City
@Club Majestic, Tulsa
@ Steve’s Hideawa t, Tulsa @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa
@ The Copa, Oklahoma City
24 @Angles, Oklahoma City @ Finishline, Oklahoma City
By Greg Steele
Club
Rachael
n downtown Jade Esteban portraying his one man play Inns
III, The Gay and Lesbian History of the Wodd at
OKC’s Indiv dual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery
Laura Belmonte, President Oklahomans for Equality and
OKC Pride Publicity Coordinator Michael Cich at the 2008
LGBT Leadership Summit hosted by Cimarron Alliance
Oklahoma ( Reverend Lo rce
his friend
Alex with their friends at May P-Flag Meeting. Gay ’Star Trek’ actor George Takei is to
marry his partner Brad Altman in California
Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Male Co-Chair Paul Thompson
congratulates Reverend Loyce Newton-Edwards on her ordination
as a UCC minister at Church of the Open Arms.
www.ozarksstar.com ~
Swimsuit C01tect 0n Men From Mensuas
_Mensuas announces their 2008 Swimsuit Collectionfor Menfiaturing swimwear by Bask#,
Mensuas, IV2N Bodywear and Timoteo. Jvat in timefor sumrne~ these new swimsuits are great
for t,6e beach or laying by the i)ool.
TAMPA, FL 0)RWEB) __ Mensuas announces
their 2008 Swimsuit Collection for
Men featuring swimsuits by Baskit, Mensuas,
N2N Bodyxvear and Timoteo. Just in
time for summer, these nexv sxvimsuits are
great for the beach or laying by the pool
Timeoteo Swim Bikini
Mensuas has carried N2N Bod),wear swimsuits
for several years. The N2N Bodywear
2008 Sxvimsuits include the Catalina
Competitor, Corona Competitor, Cosmo
Competitor and the X-Poser. The new and
daring designs xvill sure to get you noticed at
the beach.
Mensuas has team up xvith Tulio to create
the exciting nexv Mensua~ Swim Bikini in
four new styles for 2008. Modeled by Levi
Poulter, these unique swimsuit designs
represent a bold and exciting trend in mens
sxvimxvear.
Mensuas new operations center is located in
the suburbs of Tampa, F1. The new operations
center allows customers orders to be
processed faster and alloxv the
California Muscle Capri Blue Swim
Teaser q-hong
availability of more future products at their
website. Our customer’s satisfaction with
the products they order and the amount of
time it takes to receive their order is number
one priority at Menuas. Mensuas wants to
become number one shopping source for
customers to order their underwear and
sxvimwear for themselves or for the man in
their life.
Mensuas always offer free shipping on all
orders totaling $25.00 or more for US and
Canada customers. We offer great international
shipping rates. All orders received by
3:00 PM EST are shipped the same business
day by USPS regular mail. All items shipped
from Mensuas are tracked from the Post
Office to ensure customers packages can be
traced in case of lost or mishandled pack
Baskit Orange Lucky 7 3.5" Swim Bikini
ages. All packages shipped discreetly to
our customers to ensure privacy. Mensuas
is offering their customers a 10%
discount on their next order, please
enter promotion code undies08 at
checkout and receive the 10% discount
on your order total excluding shipping
charges. Website: www.mensuas.com
Mensuas Swim Bikini
Timeoteo Swim Bikini California Muscle Dolce Swim Brief
26 t~~eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
WEST HOLL,,~Y~VO,OD, CA (,P,R) __ On
June 4, 2008i !G)~atomy star T.R.
K ight will i;i M tthew hepard
Foundation ~ h~i~ kick off National Gay-
Pride month with a symbolic dusk commitment
ceremony at the faamed West Hollywood
hotspot, The Abbey.
At 8pm, couples from aroufid the nation
will "tie the knot" in an event officiated by
the Mayor ofWest Holly~vood and witnessed
by Judy Shepard. Couples will be
wearing the Matthew Shepard Erase Hate
pendant courtesy of Love and Pride jewehy
designer, Udi Behr. Love and Pride is the
first online jewelry destination for people
who believe in equality, diversity and tolerance
for all. www.!oveandpride.com
Behr created the Erase Hate pendant for
Judy Shepard, in memory of her son, Matthew
Shepard, who was the victim of a
brutal anti-gay hate crime in rural Wyoming
ten years ago. His murder brought national
attention to the issue of hate crime legislation
and was a watershed moment in the
fight for gay civil rights.
Behr remarks, "A public commitment
ceremony is a great way to join together and
strengthen our two messages; ’Celebrating
Love’ and ’Erasing Hate.’" 100% of net
proceeds from sales of the pendant assist the
Matthew Shepard Foundation.
v~’~v.ozarksstar.com
Judy Shepard, executive director of the
Foundation, said, "Wearing the Erase Hate
pendant is a great way for people to express
how they feel and promote the values of
understanding, compassion and acceptance
that were so important to Matthew," Adding,
"It has been ten years since the death of
my son. Although we can not replace Matthew,
we can join together to help spread
the message of erasing hate."
Mayor Jeffrey Prang comments, "The City
of West Hollywood supports marriage
equality and continues to work hard for
changes in California law." Adding, "We
will not stop fighting for our rights as no
government can prevent us from loving
whom we choose."
World renowned recording artist Steve
Oliver will perform the classic ceremonial
march Pachelbel Canon in D major.
CEREMONY REGISTRATION FORM:
www.MatthewShepard.org/GetMarried
PRIDE PARADE OF
NW"ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE AR (PR) __ NWA
PRIDE announces the 2nd Annual NWA
PRIDE PARADE, A Celebration of Diversity
and Community, will be held on
Saturday, June 28, 2008 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Parade organizers invite GLBTs aald
Straight allies to come together in solidarity
in support of equal rights for all.
It is NWA Pride’s great pleasure to honor
Chris Harmon as this year’s Grand Marshal.
Chris has been an unsung hero as founder
of the NWA POSITIVE LINKS BUDDY
PROGRAM and is currently a board
member of the NWA GLBT Community
Center.
The Buddy Program provides information
and much needed peer-to-peer support for
people living with HIV and AIDS. Chris
and Program volunteers maintain a food
bank, make personal visits, help with chores,
transportation and provide many other
resources for 1Mng a positive life.
Parade participants and spectators are
encouraged to be artistic, have fun and show
your pride. (Kid friendly and appropriate
for public locations) Paint your face, wear
costumes, dress up your pets, horses,
bicycles, vehicles and especially this election
year, proudly wave rainbow and American
flags.
The parade lineup will start at 10 AM on
Meadow Street, next to the Arvest Bank.
Parade will start promptly at 12 Noon. A
brief Pride rally will be held at the end of
the parade in the V/alton Arts Center Parking
Lot.
For more details, float and or speaker applications,
please go to NWA Pride’s web
site at www.nwapride.org. Volunteers still
needed!
"A Star Studded Night"
Gala in Fayettevillle
FAYETTEVILLE, AR (PR) __ The NXX/A
GLBT Community Center will host their
2nd Annual Fund Raising Gala "A Star
Studded Night" on Friday, June 27 at the
Clarion Inn located at 1255 S. Shiloh
Drive in Fayetteville. The Ball Room ~vill
be delightfully decorated resembling the
glitz and glamor of a Hollywood party. Gala
Guests’ will enjoy the fun and excitement of
a "night among the stars" as guests become
our Celebrities in an evening filled with
great food, dancing and music provided by
Dance Enhance Entertainment.
The evening will begin with a lavish Prime
Rib, Chicken or Vegetarian Buffet entree as
well as silent auctions and special speakers
which include the Rev. Lowell Grisham
of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Shawn
Coker the Chairperson ofThe NWA Diversity
Council and Vice President of Diversity
Business Practices ofTyson Foods. Throughout
the evening guests’ will be casting their
vote for the "Star of the Night" Award
which will be given to the person who raises
the most money through a $1 ballot.
Advance tickets for the event are $50 each
or $400 per table of 8 and may be purchased
on-line at http:/Avww.nwaglbtcc.org
or by calling 1-888-361-9222 or in person
at Tymythy’s Hair Salon located at 130 E.
Poplar St. Suite B in Fayetteville. Tickets
will not be available at the door. Doors open
at 6 p.m. and a Cash Cocktail bar will be
open throughout the night. Formal Attire or
Celebrity Costumes are recommended.
th÷STAR 27
by Jack Fertig June 2008
"Take bo~d risks, Aquarius!"
Everyone is being just a bit too fabulous for words!
Mercury is retrograde, so his alignment with Venus
and the Sun is a bit more like a collision of verbosity
and overaffected efforts at charm. Mars in Leo is feeding
the frenzy. Remember Lucy and Ethel at charm
school? It’s that kind of week!
ARIES (Narch 20 -April 19): Baby wants to play, but you
are atypically given more to talk than action now. Chatty
word games and rambling are not usually your style, but go
with it for now. Don’t be afraid to look silly.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Buying or tossing out household
items could easily be a mistake. Instead try rearranging
things and seeing them in a new light. This is a great
time to locate problems in domestic finances, but solving
them should wait a few weeks.
GEMINI (May 2t - Jun.e 20): You’re going to trip over your
tongue no matter what you’re talking about. Best to keep it
light, nonconfrontational, and all in good humor so you can
laugh with your friends over your own malapropisms and
faux pas.
CANCER (June 21- Ju~y 22): Hide the plastic, and keep
the cash out of reach. Any urge to display your good taste
is best done as tasteful restraint - and no, that doesn’t
mean buying handcuffs that match the bedposts! Take time
out with someone you value most.
LEO (July 23 - August 22): Everyone says you look
fabulous - and you do! You’re all cranked up, looking and
thinking three steps ahead, but are you really three steps
ahead going in the right direction? Check with friends who
care about more than looking fabulous.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Someone behind the
scenes offers to help you up the ladder. Some secrets may
be revealed in the process, but that can also work in your
favor. Everyone’s screwing up some these days, but your
mistakes - and the way you handle them - look good!
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You could charm
anyone into believing your stories and arguments, even
if they contain mistakes. Leave room for later revisions!
Better just to radiate charm and energy; save the important
facts for later.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Seems everybody
wants a taste of what you’ve got! If you do play
around, none of it will be secret. You could get a reputation
as a great lover, but what would your boss and your partner
say?
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 o December 21}): Misunderstandings
with your partner actually open new doors that
could improve your relationship. Explore new pleasures
and possibilities together. If anything seems disappointing,
you might want to try again a few weeks later.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Anyone playing
around should make regular visits to the clinic. When
was your last time? If you have a clean bill of health, you
can have a great time practicing any erotic techniques
you’d like to develop.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Be creative! Be
daring! Take bold risks and be willing to fall down and look
utterly ridiculous. A good pratfall can be endearing, helping
to improve your partnership orto find a good candidate for
one.
PISCES (February 19 - March 19): You have the housecleaning
energy and lack of focus typical of a speed freak.
Try to concentrate on one specific task or goal at a time.
You’ll soon be dissatisfied with the results, but that’s OK.
Housework always needs redoing!
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev Steve T. Urie
Spirit of Christ MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
MCC of the Living Spring
17 Elk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM
Have a God filled and BleSSed Day!
28 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
DOWNTOWN PLAZA ofTULSA
17 West 7th Street
Tulsa, OK
918-585-5898
www.downtownplazatulsa.com
HABANA INN
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-2221
www.habanainn.com
KELLY KIRBY, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747~5466
Certified Public Accountant
ANGLES
2117 NW 39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK
www.anglesclub.com
BAMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
Tulsa, OK
918-836-8700
www.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9494
www.ctubmajestictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE
11730 E. 11TH
Tulsa, OK
918-437-0449
Open Sun- Sat 2pm to 2am
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
THE LEDO
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
Support those who support us.
DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS
P. O. BOX 3158
Eure"ka Springs, AR 72631
479-253-2555
www.diversitypride.com
EXPRESSIONS Comm Fellowshi
311 S Klein Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405-761-1878
www.myspace.com/expressionsokc
HOPE TESTING CLINIC
3540 E. 31st
Tulsa, OK
800-535-2437
Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline
SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC
2902 E. 20TH STREET,
Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480
Service Saturday 9:30 AM
MCC of the LIVING SPRING
17 Hk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays 6pm
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 NW EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-840-2106
~’xw,wv.c21 goldcastle.com
CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE
Keller Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK
918-706-1887
GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa
New and Historic Homes for Sale
and Rent For Info:
www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com
OKJAZZ HALL OF FAME
111E. lstSt
Tulsa, OK
918-596-1001
www.okjazz.org
TOLBERT THEATER
400 W. Sheridan
Oklahoma City, OK
405-297-2264
www.tickets.com
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
DALLAS CVB
Dallas, TX
www.winatrip.glbtdallas.com
9 8-835-?887
OKC PRIDE, INC
PO BOX 60296
Oklahoma City, OK 73146
www.okcpride.org
OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY
621 E 4th Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-743-4297
www.okeq.org
OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT
2015 -B S. Lakewood
Tulsa, OK 74112
918-838-7104
www. openarmsproject.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
KING OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oklahoma City, OK
405-314-3898
JUDY G. PHOTO’S
Tulsa, OK
judygphotos@sbcglobal.net
918-743-8636
Want the STAR delivered to your home or business?
12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed
envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form
below and send with a check or rnoneyorder to:
NAME:
Address:
City:.
Phone:
The STAR
PO Box 581718
Tulsa, OK 74158-1718
(Single Copies $3.00 per issue)
St: Zip:.
Check enclosed
Money Order
Start Date:
www.ozarksstar.com theSTAR
Chuck Breckenridge
~ether buying or selling
I’)). work hard for your[ ...................
30 tB÷STAR www.ozarksstar.com
We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or
promiscuous behavior in a positive light in
our public schools.
We oppose the erosion of our military
readiness through openly practicing
hornosexuals serving in the military
We oppose the promotion of homosexuality,
the elimination of laws against sodomy,
and the granting of minority protection or
special status to any person based upon
sexua~ preference or llfestyb choice.
We are committed to equal treatment
of all service members and believe all
patriotic Americans should be allowed
to serve our country without
discrimination, persecution or violence.
We support legislation barring workplace
discrimination based on sexual orientation.
We support the full inclusion of gay and
lesbian families in the life of our nation
and seek equal responsibilities, benefits
and protections for these families.
Taken from current platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties of Oklahoma.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[2008] The Star Magazine, June 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 6
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
June 01, 2008
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Online text
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwestern Missouri
Western Arkansas
Southeastern Kansas
Eastern Oklahoma
The United States of America (50 states)
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Description
An account of the resource
The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
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Star Media, Ltd
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Star Media, Ltd
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Charles (Chaz) Ward
Victor Gorin
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Joey D.
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ronald Blake
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Liz Highleyman
Devre Jackson
Judy G.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Star Magazine, May 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 5
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/250
The Star Magazine, July 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 7
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/247
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/248
After Dark
Barney Frank
Bars
Carly Simon
DADT Repeal
Dennis Olson
dining
Don't Ask Don't Tell
ENDA
horoscope
Joe Sestak
Larry McKeon
Lesbos
Leslie Jordan
Lyric Theatre
marriage equality
MCC church
military inclusion
Night club
Paparazzi on the Prowl
pride Parade
Qscopes
Quotable Quotes
Star Advertisers
Star Scene
starclassifieds
swimsuits
Tom Kovach
TR Knight
travel
wine
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/a918105ab6adf69713364d2fce7d8fe6.jpg
897cdc4b95d5e02e0ab111a32bc1d143
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/820049079019edbbc4699ae60584c413.pdf
a000a4191d62824a2816c51d7099c84b
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
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[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2004-2011
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Images
Online texts
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and 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.
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
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Ozarks Pride/Star Media
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
Identifier
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https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
Text
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Original Format
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magazine
Text
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By Joey De
2008
A new "
for Pride
By Joey De
Ifyou have lived in Tulsa for more
than twenty minutes, you knmv that
there is an impenetrable force-field
separating the city. Most Tulsans call it
Forty-First Street.
Photo: Equality Festival at Tulsa’s New Centennial Park
Sometimes change can be difficult,
however, despite months of complaints
and apocalyptic predictions about the
many "firsts" at Tulsa Pride 2008, it seems
that the only people who had difficulties
were the protesters. For the first time in
the celebration’s history, the protesters
were present for only a minimal time
during the Pride Parade and completely
absent from the Diversity picnic.
"2008 was a },ear of dramatic change,"
says Nate Black, one of the event’s cochairs.
"However thanks to the dedication
of a strong group of volunteers, all the
changes to this year’s events were possible.
It would not have been possible without
each and every person who helped."
Black especially credited his co-chairs
Kristi Freeman and Toby Jenkins with
making the pieces fit together. "Kristi has
an incredible ability to assess and foresee
needs and coordinate logistics. The fact
that everything worked smoothly to host
thousands of people at our events xvas a
testament to her abilities."
"The fact that ~hlsa Pride is able
to remain free to the public is proof of
Toby’s dedication to these events, which
on the low end cost over $30,000. Under
his leadership, we were able to, for the
first time, secure the majority of our
sponsorships long before the events even
took place," says Black.
.......... Continued page-5
Enter the Downtown Plaza Hotel, on
7th & Boulder, who for the first time in
recent memory provided Tulsa Pride an
official "host" hotel.
Staying at a hotel room for your own
city’s Pride ,nay seem a little excessive, but
for a South-Tulsan, it made perfect sense.
Having a place downtown to call "home"
for the weekend saved time and even
money on the celebration’s two largest
weekends.
Anyone who has ever been to a Pride
observance knows that three things are
true. It will be hot. You will be sweaty.
You xvill be drinking. All three of those
can combine to impede a "proper" Pride
celebration, but with the convenience of
the Downtown Plaza Hotel’s location,
neither was an issue.
Through taking advantage of the
special Pride Rate offered by the hotel, it
was effortless to enjoy the day (or early
evenings) festivities,
..........Continued page-5
1-800o535oAIDS (2437)
Ok ahoraa s H~VIST~
2 the STAR ww~v.ozarksstar.com
Dear Editor:
I thought I would add something to the political cartoon in the
June 2008 Star.
Presently I live in Oklahoma City, and much to my surprise have
done so for the last 14 years. Originally from Boston I make an annual
trip home each Christmas to see family and friends and make
a quick pilgrimage to the haunts I was familiar with before leaving
Boston in the mid 80’s. This pilgrimage consists ofwalking the city
to see what is still around that I was familiar with, and perhaps who
is still around that I can remember.
On my most recent trip I was a little saddened to see many places
that meant a lot to me are no longer around, or have been so renovated
for so different a use that they are unrecognizable. As is my
custom, on this outing I stopped in at every gay bar I could remember,
or find, and had drinks and conversations with the bartenders.
Most of the old bars are gone, as are the people.
Politics begins in the bars in Boston, and gay politics was no
exception. The civil rights fought for and won began with many
bar patrons and owners, and in the process of getting what they
were after, the bar owners found that with acceptance came a lesser
need for the safety of an exclusively gay bar with the occasional
straight patron. In conjunction with this the price of living in the
city has made any gay ghetto prohibitive, making it necessary for
what vcould have been the denizens of such an area to move into the
suburbs for affordable housing with the side effect of showing the
majority of the state that Gay people were pretty normal, and not
the screaming stereotypes that isolation seemed to promote. Gay
people were seen as responsible people and not the party animals
who spent most of their lives going to bars to dance the night away
and returning home each night with a different sex partner. They
turned out to be people so normal that marriage did not seem to be
such an improbable thing.
The ultimate goal of gay gights is equality, and that means normalcy
for most. Just as straights have their outlets out of the mainstream,
so do gay people. But both do have their mainstreams. The gay bars
still around are nostalgia for us older gentlemen who want some of
the past preserved for our visits back, or who may feel more comfortable
in one because life had not been all that kind to us, with
just a bit of the specialty shop aura to them. Most have become very
mixed, while some have become the corner bar, the lodge for men
and women of like minds to talk freely among their own, but doing
it willingly as opposed to necessarily.
The lesser the need for exclusively gay bars, the more success can be
claimed by the gay community.
Joe Quigley
Oklahoma City
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3
4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
TULSA PRIDE continued
According to estimates provided by the
Tulsa Police Department, this year’s Pride
Parade and Block Party have become the
largest events of their kind in Downtown
Tulsa. Police estimate that there were a
combined 18,000 people between the two
events.
Many parade-goers were excited about
the new evening-format, celebrating with
glow sticks and sparklers. Some of the
floats even stepped into the spirit embracing
christmas lights and disco balls. Most
route walkers were simply excited over the
fact that they no longer had the sun beating
down on them and that the trek was much
flatter.
Following the parade, the block party
centered around the Equality Center came
into its own, maintaining a crowd until the
scheduled end at midnight. Following the
event, most of the area bars reported record
capacity crowds as the party continued
through the evening.
The following weekend at Centennial
Park, the only thing to be missed was the
heat and mud at the former location. For
many pride-goers, this event was the first
time they had visited the new Tulsa centerpiece.
Most fell in love with its picturesque
setting and more importantly abundant
shade.
According to TPD estimates, 12,000
people visited the Diversity Picnic, which
according to organizers was represented by
a steady flow of people through out the day.
The forty-plus booths at this year’s picnic
xvere the most diverse in memory, representing
non-profit service organizations such as
HOPE Testing Clinic, Fortune 500 companies
such as Best Buy and the traditional
array of Rainbow Retailers.
Picnickers enjoyed the live entertainment
that took the stage off and on through
out the day, while kids entertained themselves
on the inflatable games and climbing
wall. Okay, the kids weren’t the only ones
enjoying the inflatable games. The handsdown
hit of the picnic was the water slide
that both kids and adults rode repeatedly.
While the three major pride attractions
could be considered a successful spl!t, many
attendees expressed a desire for the events
to be recombined onto one weekend. A
common complaint: "I didn’t know what
weekend to tell my friends to come. They
couldn’t take off work both weekends or
afford the gas to come twice."
Black reacts to such criticism openly.
"There were a lot of changes this year. Some
things went very well; some things didn’t go
as well as we had hoped. We are going to
take what we learned, listen to the feed back
we receive and then will make the appropriate
changes for next year."
As for now, Black and the rest of the
Tulsa Pride Committee are happy to place
Tulsa Pride 2008 in the history books as a
success, with a rejuvenated event positioned
to grow in the years to come.
DOWNTOWN PLAZA HOTEL cont.
then quickly retreat to air-conditioning
and a cold shower. This was especially useful
following the parade and block party,
just before visiting the bar,s. Adding to the
convenience was the hotel s on-call shuttle.
With less then a ten minute wait each time
it was needed, the shuttle allowed guests to
leave their cars and avoid parking headaches,
expensive gas and more importantly, DUIs.
The hotel is currently undergoing a
complete restoration, with every room being
completely renovated to sport an almost
TUqnspired blue and gold color scheme.
Furnished with antique-style pieces, the
rooms of the Downtown Plaza Hotel are
uncluttered, yet comfortable and quaint.
Pride guests noticed a little construction
"dust" in the form of the occasional minor
malfunction and missing carpet outside the
elevator, however found their problems fixed
quickly and courteously with a simple call
to the front desk.
Perhaps the most enjoyed aspect of
Downtown Plaza Lobby
the Downtown Plaza Hotel by some pride
guests was their retreat to the New York
City-eque second story outdoor pool.
Tucked quietly between the rooftops of
dmvntown Tulsa, the pool was quiet, clean,
and theperfect place to prepare for, or
recover from the festivities.
Staying at the Downtown Plaza Hotel
gives celebrating Tulsa Pride a new feel. For
those from Tulsa, it creates an enjoyable
mini-vacation, while those who travel enjoy
its close proximity to the Pride events and
Downtown night life. Either way, whether
from in or out of town, it always feels good
to stay where "family" is welcome.
w~,~N.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5
Diversity
Business
Association
of Tulsa
The Phantom Standard
Joey De
For Marni Raab, playing the role of
Christine in the legendary musical "The
Phantom of the Opera," is the fulfillment of
a long time dream. "I started ~vith this show
as an understudy in 2001," recalls Raab,
~vho has played the role for the past seven
years internationally. "I was then promoted
to performing two shmvs a week, and then
when on tour six."
Although it may seem odd to plan alternating
actresses to play a role, Raab explains
it as "just good business sense." "The show
is long and Christine is onstage for almost
all of it," says Raab, who notes that there
is only one scene in the almost three hour
show in which her character doesn’t appear.
"The people they hire to play Christine
are ingdnues," says Raab, who continues
"They put big, heavy costumes on them,
and then thrmv them around. I wind up
falling and running then falling again, a
lot. It’s just better to schedule somebody as
a second principal then to never kno~ving
when your lead will be out."
"The Phantom of the Opera," is Andrew
Lloyd Webbers’ hit musical about Raab’s
character, Christine, and her admirer/kidnapper,
~ll~e Phantom. "He’s a maniac, a
monster, disfigured and he’s a murderer,"
describes Raab, "but he is also a poet, an
architect and a brilliant composer."
Christine on the other hand, is a young
lady on the verge of adulthood, says Raab.
"She was been raised by her violinist father,
educated and probably traveled the world,
which was rare then." Raab explains that her
character is lonely and looking for a way in
life when the brilliant, yet creepy Phantom
enters her life as a mentor. Unfortunately,
Christine’s’ childhood acquaintance Raoul
re-enters her life at the same time, completing
a love triangle that entangles the three.
"She must choose between the passionate
genius who has a horrible disfigurement and
has been led down the wrong path, and the
nice guy."
When asked how the show has endured,
Raab believes that "The Phantom," offers
something for everyone to react to. "I have
done the show across Canada, the US and
Asia, and every audience reacts differently.
There are lavish sets, pyrotechnics and
elaborate costumes. It’s ornate, it’s majestic
and at the heart it’s a love story."
Helping to ensure the quality of "The
Phantom" experience, Raab says that every
production of the show must meet the highest
standards. "Audiences demand a certain
standard," says Raab," but the producers
insist on it. If you xvant to produce the
show, you must have the seal of approval
from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hal Prince and
al! of the people associated with the original.
This way the show you see (in Tulsa) is the
same as what people in New York and on
the West End are seeing."
Raab says that there is also a standard
the performers in the show must live up to.
"It is humbling and an honor to be in this
show, and I know I have big shoes to fill. It
has been around for so long, audiences feel
a sense of ownership in it, making it even
more important to see it done right. You
(the performers) have a responsibility to
keep the show in shape and do it justice."
According to Raab, the performers have
help from standard’s directors, who guide
their performances to prevent serious character
infractions.
"We dodt have the luxury of’finding’
our characters," the actress explains. "It takes
a different skill set to step into a role that
has been established and place our marks on
it as artists."
If you have not yet experienced "The
Phantom," the show will be at the Tulsa
PAC through July 13. Visit www.myticketoffice.
corn for ticketing information.
Quotable Quotes
Scientists at the Karolinska Institute studied
brain scans of 90 gay and straight men and
women, and found that the size of the two
symmetrical halves of the brains of gay men
more closely resembled those of straight
women than they did straight men, while
the brains of homosexual women were
asymmetrical like those of straight men.
6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
Open Daily = High Noon
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7
17 West 7th Street (corner 7~ & Boulder Ave)
Tulsa, Ok 74119
R~tions: 918~5~98 e 800~5,5101
www.downtownplazatulsa:com
8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
JULY 2008 the STAR 9
Oklahoma City Museum
o£Art Presents
Roman Art £rom the
Louvre
Final U.S. venue for rare ancient works from
the Louvre’s esteemed collection
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ The Otdahoma
City Museum ofArt wil! be the final
North American venue for Roman Art from
the Louvre, June 19 through October 12,
2008. Tile seventeen-~veek exhibition, so
large it will occupy the Museum’s ground
floor special exhibition gallery and the eight
second floor galleries of the Museum, will
feature 184 works, some weighing more
than 6,000 pounds. An unprecedented
exhibition of ancient masterworks, drawn
from the Louvre’s unparalleled collection, it
provides a rare and historic opportunity for
Oklahoma audiences to view these magnificent
works, many of which have not been
seen by the public in decades and most of
which have never traveled to the United
States. Furthermore, many of the objects in
the exhibition have recently been restored,
bringing to light their original beauty and
strength of expression.
"The Louvre, thanks to Napoleon’s megalomaniac
interest in the glories ofAncient
Rome, has one of the finest collections of
Roman art outside of Italy," said Hardy
George, Ph.D., chief curator at the Oklahoma
City Museum ofArt. "The exhibition
of sculpture, jewelry, mosaics, and frescos
will be scrupulously arranged in a thematic
manner that will certainly be visually and
aesthetically pleasing as well as historically
informative."
The exhibition examines the manifestations
of Roman public and private life through
an exploration of several themes, including
religion, urbanism, war, imperial expansion,
funerary practices, intellectual life, and
family. Roman Art from the Louvre shows
the full range of Roman artistry and taste,
juxtaposing "official" art with more modest,
private works.
The portrait busts of anonymous men,
women, and children featured in "The Roman
Citizen" reveal the styles and fashions
popular during the Roman Empire. Clothing,
hairstyles, jewelry and other accessories,
perfume bottles, and cosmetics are examined
within the greater context of the role of
women in the Roman Empire. Other topics
addressed include the art of Roman portraiture;
the Boscoreale treasure; and Hadrian’s
Villa at Tivoli and the Maritime Theater.
Roman Art from the Louvre was organized
by the American Federation ofArts and the
Musde du Louvre. The exhibition is supported
by an indemnity from the Federal
Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
American Federation ofArts: The AFA is a
nonprofit institution that organizes art exhibitions
for presentation in museums around
the ~vorld, publishes exhibition catalogues,
and develops educational materials and programs.
For more information on the AFA,
please visit www.afaweb.org.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Voter registration applications may
be submitted at any time. However, a
valid application must be received at a
motor license agency or a designated
voter registration agency, or postmarked
(if submitted by mail), more than 24
days prior to an election in order for the
applicant to participate in that election.
Deadlines for submitting valid voter registration
applications prior to the 2008
statewide elections are as follows:
Primary Hection
Friday, July 4 - Registration Deadline
Tuesday, July 29 - Election
Runoff Primary Election
Friday, August 1 - Registration Deadline
Tuesday, August 26 - Hection
General Election
Frida); October 10 - Registration
Deadline
Tuesday, November 4 - Election
CHANGES IN POLITICAL AFFILIATION
Changes in political affiliation may not
be made during the period from June
! through August 31, inclusive, in any
even-numbered year. The last day on
which a change in political affiliation
can be made before the closed period is
May 31; the first day on which a change
in political affiliation can be made after
the closed period is September 1.
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
Last day to request absentee ballot
for July 29 Primary Election
\Vednesday, July 23
Vote early at your County Hection
Board office
Friday, July 25, 8 AM - 6 PM
Saturda); July 26, 8 AM - 1 PM
Monday, July 28, 8 AiVl - 6 PM
Candidate Filing
for federal, state, legislative
and county offices
June 2 - 4
vavw.ok, gov/-elections/index.html
10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
Congressman Frank: WhyJohn
McCain Is \Vdrong for the LGBT
Community
WASHINGTON, DC __ In the May
edition of the Democratic National
Committee’s LGBT newsletter, Democratic
Congressman Barney Frank makes the case
for why electing John McCain would be a
step backward for the LGBT community.
Frank, a member of Congress representing
Massachusetts since 1981, has long been an
outspoken civil rights advocate and a vocal
member of the LGBT community.
While McCain has tried to portray himself
as a "maverick" and a "moderate," Congress:
man Frank makes it clear that on LGBT
rights, like so many issues, McCain offers a
third Bush term.
~-he following are excerpts of Congressman
Frank’s article:
changes taking place in civil life ... Homosexuality
is a behavioral trait, unlike skin
color...
"With one exception, the relevance of which
Senator McCain himself is rapidly diminishing,
John McCain’s record is completely
opposed to our efforts to combat prejudice
and gain legal equality...
"He has of course made it clear that he will
support constitutional Amendments banning
marriage at the state level, including
in his mvn state ofArizona, and he regretted
the fact that Arizona rejected such an
amendment...
"In every other area, McCain has a consistent
voting record against our efforts. In
1996, the only time the Senate voted on
the Employment Nondiscrimination Act,
McCain was one of those who voted no. He
has also consistently voted against extending
hate crimes protection to gay, lesbian,
bisexual or transgender individuals...
"This apparently reflects the prejudiced
view that he expressed in 1993 when he
was helping block President Clinton’s effort
when he said on February 4th, as recorded
in the Congressional Record, "The issue of
allowing open gay lifestyles in the military is
completely different from the kind of
"In addition to strongly opposing same-sex
marriage, suggesting that he could modify
his opposition to a federal constitutional
amendment banning states like Massachusetts
from adopting same-sex marriage,
voting against ENDA, consistently opposing
hate crimes coverage for us, and being
recorded against every other effort in the
Senate to give us fair treatment, Senator
McCain also promised if he becomes
president to reduce those protections we
have been able to achieve at the Supreme
Court level. He has noted his admiration
for those justices who have consistently
voted against any efforts by GLBT people
to establish any right to legal equality, for
example ChiefJustice Rehnquist, a dissenter
in the Lawrence v. Texas case, in which the
sodomy laws against gay and lesbian people
were stricken.
"Given the alignment of Supreme Court
Justices, and their ages, it is virtually certain
that ifJohn McCain is president, he will
appoint justices who will overturn the
Lawrence decision and the leading Supreme
Court opponent of fair treatment for gay
and lesbian people, Antonin Scalia ~vill gain
alhes from McCmns appolntme ts.
Community
Peopte living
50t c (3) b~on Profit ()rganization
Our House, Too offers a vadety of
activities for PeoPle who are HIV+ and
or living with AIDS to help combat the
social isolation that many of our
people live through each and everyday.
We provide a Toiletry and Household
Pantry for those who are HIM+
and or living with AIDS who cannot
afford to purchase these items for
themselves. We invite anyone who
would like to volunteer or provide financial
assistance to please contact
us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail
hardsmmjr@yahoo.com.
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 1t
~W By Donald Pile and Ray Williams
MY TRIP DOWN THE
PINK CARPET
for Will & Grace in 2006, but Leslie also
is a gifted writer and playwright. He wrote
and starred in the autobiographical play,
LOST IN THE PERSHING POIINT
HOTEL, which was also made into a motion
picture.
He has appeared in dozens ofTV shows
including The Fall Guy, Murphy Brown,
Newhart, Ski Patrol, Lois & Clark "The
New Adventures of Superman", Reba,
Wings, The Pretender, Dharma and Gregg,
Ellen, Caroline and the City, Sabrina, the
Teenage Witch, Nash Bridges, Ally McBeal,
Boston Public, Judging Amy, George Lopez,
Boston Legal, Ugly Betty and Hidden Palms
to name just a few.
Leslie Jordan, the wonderful talented actor,
comedian, writer and playwright has just
come out with his new book, MYTRIP
DOWN THE PINK CARPET which is a
fabulously funny and interesting biography
of Leslie’s life, so far. We are fortunate that
we met Leslie a few years ago and saw his
opening performance of"Like A Dog On
Linoleum" in West Hollywood. He played
to sell out audiences every night, and now
in his new book, he brings his life to readers
throughout the nation to peruse.
What began as a smal! boy growing up
in Tennessee and thru his different trials
and tribulations he now is one of the top
actors/entertainers in the country. Leslie
has written a brutally honest story of his
life and tells about all of it, warts and all,
from his alcoholism, addiction to drugs,
street hustlers and everything in between.
The greatest thing is that he has been able
to overcome most all of his demons (he has
now been sober for over 10 years). Most
people who write biographies like to kinda
forget the bad times and only tell about
the good times. Not Leslie! He deals with
every aspect of his life and takes the readers
through everything.
Most people only know of Leslie either
from the movie, Sordid Lives or from his
guest appearances on Will & Grace. He was
nominated and won the Emmy for Outstanding
Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Yes, Leslie Jordan does have a ministry and
that ministry is to be fun, funny, exciting
and to bring happiness to the world. There
is enough grief and misery in the world as it
is. He brings a breath of fresh air wherever
he goes. It is so nice reading a real biography
where the author tells it just as it was and is
and lets the readers get to know him personally.
This should be a "must read" for all
high school students, both gay and straight.
It is an honest and compelling story of one
person’s struggle with himself and the world
around him, and he won! Leslie Jordan certainly
deserves all the awards and accolades
that he receives. MYTRIP DOWN THE
PINK CARPET is one of the funniest yet
heart-felt books that we have ever read.
Leslie Jordan is real ! and in today’s world
that is really something to say! Leslie Jordan
is not like Paul Lynde, he is not like Truman
Capote, he is not like anybody else. He is
simply himself and that is what makes him
so great. After reading this book we can understand
why his one man performances are
sell outs! We can’t wait for the sequel to this
book! We URGE all of our readers to rush
out and purchase a copy of this book. Leslie
Jordan is taking his "act" on the road again
and will be coming to a city near you with
an exciting one man performance and to
sign his book. Check out his website, www.
thelesliejordan.com for updates. "Love, light
to you, Leslie and the very best!"
Donald Pile and Ray Williarm, Award-winning Celebrity
travel columnists who writefor gaypublicationsfrom
Coast to Coast. Proud members ofthe IGLTA. You can
email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage
at: http://www,hometown.aol.com/gaytravelers
12 the STAR ~vw.ozarksstar.com
Wockner News Service
Two California counties
rebel against marriage
ruling
County clerks in California’s Kern and
Butte counties have stopped performing
all marriages so as not to have to marry gay
couples.
In Kern County, where Bakersfield is
located, Clerk Ann Barnett announced her
decision after county lawyers told her she
could not marry straight couples but refuse
to marry gay couples. Officially, she said
the move stemmed from a lack ofstaffand
space to meet the anticipated demand for
weddings.
But in an e-mail sent to the conservative
legal group Alliance Defense Fund and obtained
by the Bakersfield Californian newspaper,
Barnett’s office wrote: "Our question
is, now that the Supreme Court has refused
to stay its decision, will Alliance Defense
Fund defend the County Clerk if she ceases
performing all marriage ceremonies.... We
fully expect to be sued and our own counsel
is not being of help.’"
In Butte County, north of Sacramento,
County Clerk Candace Grubbs cited money
problems in announcing her decision. ~:he
county’s largest city is Chico, population
87,OO0.
But the president of the California Association
of Clerks and Elected Officials, Contra
Costa County Clerk Steve Weir, said the
money excuse makes no sense.
He told the San Francisco Chronicle that
counties make money from selling marriage
licenses and performing weddings.
Kern and Butte counties still have to issue
marriage licenses to same-sex couples,
but counties are not required to also offer
wedding ceremonies, though most do as a
courtesy and because it brings in income.
Massachusetts governot’sdaughter
comes
out
Katherine Patrick, daughter of Massachusetts
Gov. Deval Patrick, came out publicly
as a lesbian June 12 in an interview with the
Boston gay newspaper Bay Windows.
"We... wanted people to know that it’s
not only something that we accept, but it’s
something that we’re very proud of," Katherine,
18, said.
She said she came out to her parents in July
2007, just before a picnic by the pool at
their home in the Berkshires.
"It was the easiest coming out experience
that anyone could possibly have," Katherine
said.
First lady Diane Patrick called that event "a
nonevent in the sense that there wasn’t any
tension."
"I was just happy for her that she knew who
she was and that she was comfortable with
who she was," she said.
Gov. Patrick told Bay Windows, "I think
when Katherine started to memorize all the
episodes ofThe L Word, there was some
hint that maybe she was sending us."
Big gay gro,ups: Do
marry; dont sue
Leading national gay organizations have
issued a strongly worded advisory al! but
demanding that same-sex couples who visit
California to get married not file any lawsuits
seeking recognition of their marriages
in their home states.
The document also strongly urges married
same-sex couples not to sue for federal
recognition of their marriages.
The lengthy document was issued June 10
by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties
Union, the Human Rights Campaign,
the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation,
the National Center for Lesbian
Rights, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and
Defenders, Equality Federation, Freedom To
Marry, and the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force.
"Don’t go suing right away," the groups said.
"Most lawsuits will likely set us all back."
"One thing couples shouldn’t do is just sue
the federal government or, if they are from
other states, go sue their home state or
their employer to recognize their marriage
or open up the health plan," the advisory
continued. "Pushing the federal government
before we have a critical mass of states
recognizing same-sex relationships or suing
in states where the courts aren’t ready is
likely to get us bad rulings. Bad rulings will
make it much more difficult for us to win
marriage, and will certainly make it take
much longer."
The full document can be accessed on the
ACLU’s Web site at tinyurl.com/66z8kq.
N.Y. governor sued over
gay-marriage decision
Five state lawmakers and the right-wing
legal group Alliance Defense Fund sued
New York Gov. David Paterson on June 3,
hoping to block his order that state agencies
must recognize same-sex marriages entered
into in places where they are legal.
The suit claims that only the Legislature can
redefine marriage and seeks an injunction
halting implementation of the order.
Paterson has said he merely complied with
a recent court decision that found that a
community college could not deny benefits
to the wife of a female employee -- the
couple married in Canada -- because New
York policy recognizes marriages performed
outside the state.
Same-sex marriage is allowed in Belgium,
California, Canada, Denmark, Massachusetts,
the Netherlands, South Africa and
Spain.
........More U. S. News page 23
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13
~e~LInside Hol~ood, reports on new
Reese Witherspoon and Ben Stiller Get Secretive
~hen
ifyou dofft get to know what it is.
movie proiecr, and the reason for all the hush
ator, Cameron Crowe. Crowe is known t
tong as he cm~, and this one is no exception.
Witherspoon and Ben Stiller, and it’s a romantic
bytes, the presence of
seem like the most promising. ~they mean that
as Etizabethtown. So the rum re is tentatively bright. For now,
Dan Butler to Karl Rove: I Love You
What happens when
political strategist? 7he consequences of such a strange ~
comedy from writer-director Dan Butler, _Kad Rove: I Love
as Bulldog on Frasier, Butler stars in this seifa
depressed careerist actor in 2004,
creating a one man show about President Bush’s to
goal? The win-win scenario of both swaying the
above the tide for once. The Hollywood/D.(
producer, screenwri ~er, director, and star, and audiences can
makes the tihn-festivai circuit rounds, starting tight about now.
14 the STAR
The fellewing
EarthQ~ke Zin ’05
The Phillips brothers pride th~mselves
farming
on quality. Their efforts
competitions.
with lots zing and flavor.
Earthq
brands under
Chards &
must try.
Orin Swift Cedars The
wine
’Heavenly
It’s rare
and :
pepper and tobacco
wild berry, with some
flavors. Ahint
suggests that
Petite Sirah, Charbono and
St
offering is best from 2009 through 20
Ravenswood Napa Zin ’05
97% Zinfandel, 3% Carignane. Heasing
bright, ripe plum flavors with a fine tannin
structure. This xvine has a lingering finish tha’
tastes ofraspberries, doves and vanilla.
Opolo Mountain Zin ’05
Ifyou are one of those who believe bigger is
better, read on. Appropriately named for its
bountiful bouquet offruit as well as where
the grapes are grown, this full-bodied Zinfandd
has plenty ofripe black cherry, plum
and spice and is framed by soft tannins and
balanced acidity.
,case
Zinfandel, Petit Sirah & Carignanel the
2006 Ner~ Mi~o (Italian for "mixed
black") is deep filackish-burgundy colored
with a nose o~ dried herbs, pepper and
leather. This deii~ious "field blend" styled
wine has flavors 6f pomegranate, black
fruits and figs with a hint
of spice, medium to full
bodied firm tannins,
a long, lush finish/
Italian food, spicy
the rig~ht now, though
critics say it
will next 5 - 7 ),ears.
This to find so if you
see it,
of the better values,
to be a vastly superior
fbr Zinfandel. This wine,
some Petite Sirak, Merlot,
and Grenache blended in/exhibits
ruby color. There is a sweet nose
of peppery black cherry and raspberry,
liqueur intermixed with spring flowers
earth. The wine is medium to full-bodied.
Wine critic Robert Parker gave this one
Points.
Mr. D also hosts wine & food events
i known in town as the Wine Enthusiasts
Tulsa.
References include: the ABC’s of wine by James
Laube/www.WineSpectator.com
’,,~##¢.FoodandWine.com
www.Wikipedia.org
Z A P www.zinfandel.org
Members from ever) 25 club flag
VOTE For Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth & Co.
16 t~$TAR
SSIL~’s HOT Cowboys, Let’s Rodeo!
www.ozarksstar.¢om
JULY 2008
downtown Tulsa. Author Clara Nipper 0fTulga-Her new book, Femme
Noir, has received num~ro~ rave reviews and was nominated
for 2 Lambda Lite~ rds~ Her story backdrop
is in Tulsa a~ the time 6f~h~ i921 rac~ riots, about a
lesbian murder mystery featuring a hardcore black woman
named Nora who finds h~rself ii~,estigating her friend’s
murder, the STAR t 7
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
WEST HOLL OOD, CALIFOrnIA 90069
Special praise needs to be given to Steve Nycklemoe who is the
Director of Operations. He has done an outstanding job in putting
this exhibit together. Actually it is one of the finest exhibits that we
have seen in our travels. We strongly urge all of our readers to visit
this museum.
Steve Nycklemoe & Ray \Villiams
Well, the zip code just about explains almost everything about West
Hollywood! What else can be said except that it is fun and exciting
and ? There is so much to see and do and not enough time. For
those of you who have never been there, \Hest Hollywood which is
known as "WEHO" is located between Los Angeles and Beverly
Hills and the main street is Santa Monica Blvd. which is filled with
gay flags, restaurants, bars and shops. At night time it is filled with
thousands of people partying.
The HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM is located in the historic Max
Factor building at 1660 North Highland Avenue just a few blocks
east of the Kodak Center in downtown Hollywood. They have over
10,000 showbiz treasures. When we were there, they had a special
exhibit of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia including many of the
dresses that she wore in her movies. You can see the chair where
Hizabeth Taylor sat in the movie Cleopatra, view Cary Grant’s
vintage Rolls Royce, Elvis Presley’s favorite bathrobe, Rocky’s boxing
gloves and Indiana Jones’ whip.
As you enter the beautiful Art Deco building you walk directly in to
the exquisite lobby with it’s original art deco lighting fixtures, show
cases and architectural moldings. There are displays of original Max
Factor cosmetics and ads. Browse the different make up rooms
where each has a different color mode It is truly like stepping back
into old Hollywood when it was at it’s peak. There are several floors
of exciting exhibits to see. Actually one could spend a whole day
there and not see everything. Downstairs they have the original
prison setting of Hannibal in Silence of the Lambs.
They have really worked at making this one of the finest museums
in the country. Anybody and everybody who is even remotely interested
in movies should visit this museum. Their hours are 10 AM
to 5 PM, Thursday thru Sunday. Be sure to check out their website
at: www.thehollywoodmuseum.com.
Be sure to visit at least one of the major movie studios while you are
in West Hollywood.
We attended the world premier play, BOISE USA by the extremely
talented playwright, Gene Franklin Smith and masterly directed by
Arturo Castillo. BOISE USA is a character-driven drama about gay
persecution in Boise, Idaho in the 1950’s. The writing is superb!
The casting is perfect! Every actor is sensational. The audience is
mesmerized by all of this. Hopefully it will go to Broadway in the
near future as everybody needs to experience this splendid drama.
We had the good fortune of meeting Gene Franklin Smith and he
is an incredibly talented playwright. We can only hope that he
continues writing for many years to come. It has been playing to
rave reviews. It is presently showing at the Matrix Theater at 7657
Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.
There are of course dozens and dozens of museums and galleries to
visit in greater Los Angeles. As always is the case when we travel.....
too many things to see and do, and not enough time. We did have
"lunch with Holly Woodlawff’ one afternoon. She was one of the
Andy Warhol actresses who now lives in West Hollywood and we
visited with the Countess Alexis who is one of the great Divas of all
times who was also associated with Andy Warhol in New York City
and was in several movies.
One day we visited the new Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing. This
is an incredible high-rise apartment housing project for "seasoned"
gays and lesbian on a fixed income. Complete ~vith a swimming
pool, library room, gym room and a social room this facility offers a
safe and secure place for "seasoned" gays and lesbians to live.
There are literally hundreds of restaurants in the greater Los Angles
Area. Our favorites was the ABBEY which is a huge restaurant and
bar right in downtown West HoltFwcood. The TASTE restaurant
is also a great place that we would strongly recommend. Excellent
food and service as well as ambiance at these bars. For breakfast or
lunch we enjoy the French Market restaurant.
There are dozens and dozens of bars in West Hollywood and on
weekends there are usually long lines waiting to get in. Drink
prices at most of these bars are astronomical! For our readers in the
Midwest, be ready for a shock. It is nothing to pay $10 to $15 for a
drink and we mean just for a regular bourbon and coke or screwdriver.
We are not talking call drinks either! With gas hovering
around $5.00 a gallon and drinks priced that high and with the cost
of housing, it does take lots of money to have a good time.
18 th÷$TAR ~.ozarksstar.com
The Abbey Restaurant and Bar
We stayed at the San Vicente Inn which is just 1/2 block from Santa
Monica Blvd. It is a totally gay resort that has recently been sold
and is now in the process of being completely remodeled. It is the
most convenient place to stay since you can walk almost everywhere,
and if you want to go anywhere else you catch the bus. The staffis
one of the friendliest around.
NOTE: Seepage 22for 7he Abbey’s Tn~ffte Macaroni & Cheese recipe.
Oklahomans for Equality and Breast
Impressions ofTulsa team up to raise breast
cancer awareness.
Breast Impressions "Beauty beyond Breast Cancer" Art on Display
TULSA, OK (PR) __ For the second year Breast Impressions breast
cast art will be on display at the Oklahomans for Equality Dennis
R. Nell! Equality Center gallery through the month ofJuly. Only
breast cancer survivors have been cast in plaster this year, and local
artists have turned the castings into stunning examples of each
survivor’s incredible journey through breast cancer¯ The art displayed
will be auctioned at the Breast Impressions Annual Gala for
the benefit ofTulsa Project Woman, Inc. on October 3, 2008. But
the Equality Center "Beauty beyond Breast Cancer" show allows
Oklahomans to see and experience he inspiration through each
survivor s story.
Breast Impressions is honored to display the work at the Dennis R.
Neill Equality Center gallery because of the higher risk for developing
breast cancer among lesbians and bisexual women.
www.ozarksstar.corn
Due to a variety of social stigmas statistically they have a higher risk
profile than their heterosexual counterparts. Realizing this, Tulsa
Project Woman will hold an educational seminar during the Breast
Impressions art show, to further promote breast cancer awareness
through the communit):
Opening Night of the Gallery showing will be July 3, 2008 from
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at
621 E. 4th Street, in downtown Tulsa. Refreshments will be provided
by Panera Bread, Godiva Chocolate, and Escargot’s. Many of
the artists and breast cancer survivor models will be in attendance to
meet those who visit. The show will continue through July until the
28th, Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tulsa Project
Woman will also host a dessert reception and private showing of
the Breast Impressions Exhibit and then a Breast Health Education
seminar on Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm. This seminar will include
information on Breast Cancer Prevention, How to do a Self Breast
Exam and the Tulsa Project Woman.
You can contact Judi Grove, founder of Breast Impressions at 918-
691-3874 for more information about the Equality Center gallery
showing, or the upcoming Gala and Auction for the benefit ofTulsa
Project Woman.
theSTAR 19
of Town
By Andrew Collins
Nashville, Tennessee
:was
good idea). The s~ae
THEABBEY FOOD &B£
By Donald Pile & Ray \vq’illiams
The Abbey Food and Bar is located at
692 North Robertson just 1/2 block south
of Santa Monica Blvd. It has been around
quite a few years and it is one of the wonderful
restaurants/bars that just keeps getting
better year after year after year. David
Cooley is the master at the art ofwork and
play. Over the past 15+ years, his creation,
The Abbey Food and Bar, has grown from a
small, West Hollywood coffeehouse to one
of the most popular hotspots in the country.
Locals, tourists and celebrities alike all flock
to The Abbey for its infamous Martinis
as well as its stunning, open-air ambiance
and truly relaxed elegance. In May 2006,
Cooley and The Abbey entered an entirely
new and exciting phase in its partnership
with the Los Angeles-based SBE, which has
fast become one of the pivotal players in the
Los Angeles nightlife and restaurant scene.
Armed with the expertise, infrastructure and
corporate reach of SBE, The Abbey is beginning
its biggest expansion to date - reproducing
the signature Abbey experience in
selected cities nationwide. While no specific
locations have been finalized for national
expansion, Cooley and SBE are exploring
locations where The Abbey’s open-air
concept would work best, including Miami’s
South Beach, Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas,
Las Vegas and Phoenix.
So now you have the background on
the Abbey but you MUST dine and drink
there. It is where it is all happening in West
Hollywood and everyone who is anyone
goes there. Hizabeth Taylor made a rare
appearance there last month to a cheering
crowd. When we dined there, everything
was great...the service, the ambiance and
the food was spectacular! We had the finest
pork chops that we have ever had! The
mac and cheese with truffles were to die for!
There are dozens and dozens of restaurants
to dine at in West Hollywood and this is
certainly one of the finest. Check out their
exciting menu on line at their website,
http://www.abbeyfoodandbar.com/
22 tbeSTAR w~wv.ozarksstar.com
Ca iforni s will vote
on same-sex marriage
They’re gonna vote on whether you are a full
American.
Anti-gay activists have succeeded in qualifying
an initiative for the Nov. 4 ballot to
amend the California Constitution to undo
the state Supreme Court’s recent ruling that
opened marriage to same-sex couples. The
ruling takes effect, and the weddings begin,
on June 16 at 5 p.m.
The activists had to submit 694,354 valid
petition signatures to qualify the initiative
for a vote. They submitted 1,120,801 and,
on June 2, Secretary of State Debra Bowen
said a spot-check of 3 percent of the signatures
found that a high enough percentage
of them ,vere valid to extrapolate that the
threshold would be met if all t. 1 million
were checked.
Tne amendment will state: "Only a marriage
between a man and a woman is valid or
recognized in California."
The latest poll on the issue, a respected
California Field Poll released May 28, found
that 51 percent of registered California voters
support same-sex marriage, 42 percent
oppose it and 7 percent have no opinion.
The poll found that 54 percent oppose
amending the state constitution to ban
same-sex marriage, 40 percent favor an
amendment and 6 percent have no opinion.
The biggest support for same-sex marriage
came from younger voters, Democrats,
liberals, nonreligious people and residents of
the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles
County.
The strongest opposition came from older
people, Republicans, conservatives, bornagain
Christians, Protestants and residents
of the Central Valley and Southern California
counties apart from L.A. County.
Observers predict that the battle may be
won or lost in the populous Southern California
counties of Orange and San Diego.
Women (53 percent) polled more supportive
than men (48 percent) with 8 percent
of each having no opinion and the rest opposed.
A majority of respondents up to age 49
favored sane-sex marriage, while a majority
of people over age 50 opposed it.
The poll questioned 1,052 voters and had a
margin of error of 3.2 percentage points.
Obama cdebrates gay
pride
Presidential candidate Barack Obama said
June 6 that his campaign is actively participating
in more than 60 gay pride events this
summer, as detailed at pride.barackobama.
com/pridemonth.
"I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters
in celebrating the accomplishments, the
lives, and the families of all LGBT people
during this Pride season," Obama said in a
statement.
"It’s time to live up to our founding promise
of equality by treating all our citizens with
dignity and respect. Let’s enact federal civil
rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and
protect workers against discrimination based
upon sexual orientation and gender identity
or expression. Let’s repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell and demonstrate that the most effective
and professional military in the world
is open to all Americans who are ready and
willing to serve our country. Let’s treat the
relationships and the families ofLGBT
Americans with full equality under the law.
"Generations ofLGBT Americans, at once
ordinary and extraordinary, have made
possible this moment in our history. With
leadership and hard work, we can fulfill the
promise of equality for all," Obama said.
Quotable Quotes
Obama told reporters "the Republicans
helped to engineer the distraction of the war
in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned
down the people who actually committed
9-11." He said Osama bin Laden is still at
large in part because of their failed strategies.
Kansas CoupJe Does
IDO.
By Greg Steele
Photo: Donald Pile, Larry IVard, Riverside
County, (Palm Springs) CA County Clerk and
oj~ciating the wedding and Ray Williams.
PALM SPRINGS, CA __ Donald Pile and
Ray Williams long time friends and columnists
for The Star exchanged legal vows in
Palm Springs, CA on June 17, 2008.
The couple drove from West Hollywood,
where they were vacationing, to Palm
Springs for the ceremony. The Star talked
with them about the historic occasion.
"We stopped by Palm Springs early this
morning and were married", Donald told
us. "Mel Haber, owner of the famous
Melwn’S Restaurant in Palm Springs was a
witness. He is a dear straight friend of ours.
The other witness was our good friend,
Stefan Hemming who owns the Liberace
Estate. We were very cool about the whole
thing until the Clerk said, "In as much as .......
Donald and Raymond have thus consented
together in marriage, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the State of California
as a Commissioner of Civil Marriage
for the County of Riverside (Palm Springs,
CA), I now pronounce you to be united in
marriage".
"It was a small wedding as we didn’t have
much time. When we walked out the front
door of the county court house, we were
crying and shouting".
After 37 years we have never been more in
love with each other. We are just sad for
the gays and lesbians in other parts of the
country who do not have the opportunity to
get married".
www.ozarksstar.corn th÷STAR 23
Photo’s by Victor G. & Judy G.
@ The Ledo, Oklahoma City
@Club Majestic, Tulsa
@ The Copa, Oklahoma City @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa
@ Steve’s Hideaway, Tulsa
24 @Angles, Oklahoma City @ Finishline, Oklahoma City
June 6, O~n~YoUth Center conducted the r annua
F~hi~~: ,Th~ ~h~ was hosted by 106.9 s Chase and
OK:: There were
different artists in
Pride Prade These ad es are hay ng tooooo~ ~bh fun
www.ozarksstar.com
CaIJaway CD Romanticizes Man to Man AL
RE-ELECTED
D STRICT 88
"You Ain’t Woman Enough’To Take My
Man", a gay man is telling a woman, drag
queen or possible a transvestite, that she isn’t
woman enough to take his boyfriend.
The title song "darn it, Baby, That’s Love"
highlights the collection. Clay and his partner,
Ty Lewis sing it as a duet with passion
and love. Other song selections that will get
you in the mood include "I’ve Grown Ac-
:customed To Your Face", "All ~e Man That
I Need", "Never Loved A Man Before", and
"Come In From The Rain"
In the past 20 years Callaway managed to
find love, work somewhat in the shadows of
"the industry" (as in, behind the scenes) in
Los Angeles, New York, Sweden, Dominican
Republic and all points in between,
boomeranged through Nashville and came
to live in Hilo, Hawaii. It was here that the
muse again came to him. "Hawaii is so full
of music and incredible voices that I found
my self facing this love I have to sing out
loud and once again I felt in love with the
audience, and they seemed to like me too",
Clay says.
Charlie’s, often hosted by Joan Rivers, The
Rose Tatoo, the Palomino Club and other
"interesting" places. All the while making a
living working in television production as
a production assistant and slowly moving
up that food chain. Life was good, met a
few cute guys along the way and a few hot
messes as well. It came a time in my early
20% I was taking voice lessons with Bob
Garrett and we ended up writing a couple
of songs together. On my web site, I have
included a demo of one of those songs from
over 20 years ago for a sneak peek at one
that will be resurrected for my next album. I
can’t sing that high anymore, but it’s a look
back to a day tong past."
"Then a fire in my apartment building left
me homeless and sent me back to stay with
my family in Arkansas for the summer to
regroup. In some ways I felt defeated, but
got chosen to direct the summer musical at
the community theater, the South Arkansas
Arts Center, and while in my home town,
met the love of my life, Ty. He had been
there most of his and my life, but we had
never met."
"I moved to LA at 19 to finish college at
¯ LMU, that was pretty much it for singing
and performing aside from high school chores
and the occasional opportunity to dress
up in a chicken suit. (But that’s another
story.) LA was a big eye-opener, as it would
be for anyone let alone a young gay guy
from south Arkansas. I began to write songs
and performing at lots of fun places on the
Sunset Strip and beyond. Carlos &
Gay Chicago Magazine says "On his debut
album, Callaway takes love songs many
written by men and popularized by women
then turns them on end by singing them in
his distinctive vocal style to other men. It’s
a creative approach that can make for some
rather interesting word play. "
You can purchase the CD online at: www.
cdbaby.com/cd/daycallaway
By Victor Gorin
Keith Taggart congratulates State Representative
AI McAflgrey at a fundraiser for Jim Roth at the
residence of Mike McLain & Richard Ogden.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma’s
first openly gay legislator, Al McAffrey was
re-elected to represent District 88 of central
Oklahoma City. He was first elected in
2006.
At the close of the filing period June 4
there was only one opponent, 27 year old
Dominique Block, who was running as an
Independent. His candidacy was challenged
by the McAffrey campaign on the
grounds that he had not been registered
as an Independent for 6 months prior to
the filing period, and the Oklahoma State
Election Board determined he was not
eligible. As there was no other opposition,
Al McAffrey was automatically re-elected
to of~ce.
Al welcomes this opportunity stating," It’s
a great feeling to know my constituents
have faith in me, and by their support I’ll
be able to serve them for two more years."
Quotable Quotes
The Tonight Show host, Jay Leno decided to
make an appearance in support of the recent
legalization of gay marriage by California’s
Supreme Court.
"He said that he is from Massachusetts and
that the sky did not fall in their state when
marriage equality became the law of the
land there," a rep for the event said.
26 th÷STAR www.ozarksstar.com
NATIONAL NEWS
Task Force Action Ftmd
applauds New York
Assembly £or historic
vote on transgender
rights
"We congratulate the leadership ofAssemblyman
Richard Gottfried, the many
transgender leaders and allies in New York,
and our partner, Empire State Pride Agenda,
for this important victory. We now call on
the leaders of the New York Senate to bring
this bill to the floor so that protections fbr
transgender people and others in New York
are not delayed another day."
Noway adopts gaymarriage
law
OSLO (AFP) -- Norway’s parliament on
Wednesday adopted a new marriage law
that allows homosexuals to marry and adopt
children and permits lesbians to be artificially
inseminated.
WASHINGTON, DC (PR) __ The National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
applauds the New York Assembly’s passage
today of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination
Act (GENDA). The bill, which
passed by a 102-33 vote, now moves to the
state Senate. The measure seeks to prohibit
discrimination on the basis of gender identity
or expression in housing, employment,
credit and public accommodations and
would add gender identity or expression to
the state’s hate crimes law.
New York extended protections on the basis
of sexual orientation in 2002 and the Task
Force has worked with the Empire State
Pride Agenda, legislators and community
activists since then to amend the law to
add gender identity or expression protections,
including by helping draft GENDA.
Among the other contributions the Task
Force made to this effort was a convening
of transgender and allied activists in 2006
at a training in Albany to provide leaders
with skills for how to build coalitions in
support of this bill, and a Power Summit
training on Long Island in December 2007
that attracted more than 100 activists who
were taught how to lobby their legislators
and build grassroots support for the bill.
If the bill passes the Senate, Gov. David
Paterson is expected to sign it and New York
would become the 13th state to explicitly
ban discrimination based on gender identity
or expression. Currently, 39 percent of the
country’s population is covered by such a
local or state law.
Statement by Rea Carey, Acting Executive
Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action
Fund
"This is a very exciting victory for the people
ofNew York, particularly transgender
people. Legislation of this sort is not only
responsible public policy, it also shows the
nation that New York is unafraid to join the
ranks of states that value all of their citizens,
including those who are transgender or who
express their gender in ways that reflect the
broad and beautiful spectrum of humanity.
www.ozarksstar.com
Libertarian Party selects Bob
Barr.as 2008 presidential
nominee
Former Congressman plans to take the
White House as Libertarian candidate
DENVER, CO (PR) __ The Libertarian
Party has nominated former Congressman
Bob Barr as its candidate for president for
the 2008 election.
"I’m sure we will emerge here with the
strongest ticket in the history of the Libertarian
Party," Barr stated in his victory
speech shortly after being selected as the
Party’s nominee. "I want everybody to remember
that we only have 163 days to win
this election. We cannot waste one single
day."
More than 650 Libertarian delegates met
in Denver from May 22 tilt the 26 for the
2008 Libertarian National Convention. After
six rounds of voting Sunday afternoon,
Barr was selected as the Party’s presidential
nominee.
The Libertarian Party is America’s third
largest political party, founded in 1971 as an
alternative to the two main political parties.
You can find more information on the Libertarian
Party by visiting www.LP.org. The
Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller
government, lower taxes and more freedom.
After a heated debate, the members of
parliament adopted the text by a vote of 84
to 41.
The three centre-left coalition parties in
power and two opposition parties, the
Conservatives and the Liberals, voted largely
in favour of the law, while the Christian
Democrats and the far-right Progress Party
voted against it.
Norway thus became the sixth country in
the world to grant homosexuals the right to
marry on an equal footing with heterosexuals,
according to Norwegian television TV2.
"This decision is of an importance comparable
to universal suffrage and our law
on parity," Labour Party rapporteur Gunn
Karin Gjul said during the debate.
The most controversial part of the law is
that which gives lesbians the right to be artificially
inseminated. The sperm donor must
be identified so that the child can seek out
his or her biological father at the age of 18.
Outside the parliament, a handful of opponents
protested with posters reading "Have
fathers become superfluous?" and "Parliament
has no mandate to change the laws of
nature."
Among other things, the new legislation replaces
a so-called "partnership law" adopted
in 1993 xvhich gave Norwegian homosexuals
the right to civil unions.
Health care workers who do not want to
perform artificial inseminations on lesbians
because of their personal convictions will
not be under any obligation to carry out the
procedure.
The new law is expected to enter into force
at the end of this year or eatly next year.
Homosexuality was illegal until 1972 in
Norway, a country which has since become
one of the most liberal in the world in the
field.
~÷STAR 27
by Jack Fertig July 2008
"Nalke like a tourist, Pisces!"
With Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Eris all in mutual
aspect, efforts at wit and charm are subverted by excessive
impulses and eagerness to take offense. Still,
it’s a good time to hash out friendly disagreements or
to take up arts or crafts projects.
¯ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Before speaking up, try to remember
some bit of wisdom from a wise old woman, probably
your grandmother or a teacher from early childhood.
Her insight could smooth out the rough edges, turning your
initial ideas from disastrous to helpful.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You may be overly invested
in a set goal that isn’t as realistic as it originally seemed.
We all need to revise plans now and then. Be practical, not
stubborn! Discuss it with friends, and take time alone to
reconsider priorities.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): You may be trying too hard to
get ahead and to organize people you see as "your team."
Stand back, think about what’s really important, and listen
carefully to your friends and their aims. Communication is
the key to cooperation.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Arguments that seem to
come out of nowhere are really about your hidden doubts
and fears. Expert opinions can help set your mind at ease.
Try exploring some artistic medium or musical style that
wouldn’t normally interest you.
LEO (July 23 - August 22): Your own ideas of sexual
politics could shake up your corner of the GLBT community,
which can stimulate new thinking. Discussion points that
come from the heart will go over better than battle cries that
sound like P.C. cliches.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Flirtations and
sexual politics can complicate relations with bosses and
colleagues. Acknowledging sexual tension may help to
dispel it, but that doesn’t always work. Think deeply and far
ahead before trying it. Discuss any problems at your job
with friends who work elsewhere.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Cooperation is usually
more productive in the long run than competition is.
Both have their place, but your eager ambitions may blind
you to better opportunities. Careful listening can turn rivals
into allies.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Sexual experimentation
is fine in principle; just be careful that you don’t
land in a bad situation. Think ahead and be cautious! Be
clear about health risks, discuss at length what you really
want, and look before you leap.
28 theSTAR
SAG~TTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Disruptions
at home can make you cranky and argumentative.
Looking for sex to blow off steam may prove more frustrating
than helpful. Competitive games - especially those that
test communications skills (Scrabble, Charades, Pictionary)
- are probably better for releasing tension.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Keep your focus
right in front of your nose. Accidents are just waiting to
happen; being overloaded and distracted only encourages
them! Teamwork is helpful, if you can resist the urge to get
drawn into turf battles.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February t8): The cost of fun
can be a lot higher than expected. Be inventive (you can
manage that!), and have a great time on the cheap. Debates
over aesthetics may seem more heated than they
should be, but welcome the arguments for potential inspiration.
PISCES (February t9 - March 19): Feeling like a stranger
at home isn’t fun, but it can fuel the creative juices. Get
playful, make like a tourist, and let someone take you to
places you’d never go on your own. Take a more objective,
outsider’s stance in community politics.
MCC METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
IRev Steve "IF. Urie
Spirit of Christ MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, IVlO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Community Mieal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
MCC of the Living Spring
t7 Elk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays at 6:00 PMi
Have a God filled and BleSSed Day!
www.ozarksstar.com
Support those who support us.
DOWNTOWN PLAZ__A ofTULSA
17 West 7th Street
Tulsa, OK
918-585-5898
www.downtownplazatulsa.com
HABANA INN
2200 NW39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-2221
www.habanainn.com
KELLY KIRBY, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
ANGLES
2117 NW39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK
www.anglesdub.com
BAMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
Tulsa, OK
918-836-8700
www.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9494
www.dubmajestictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE
11730 E. llTH
Tulsa, OK
918-437-0449
Open Sun- Sat 2pm to 2am
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
THE LEDO
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
EXPRESSIONS Comm Fellowship
311 S Klein Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405-761-1878
www.myspace.com/expressionsokc
HOPE TESTING CLINIC
3540 E. 31st
Tulsa, OK
800-535-2437
Oklahoma’s HIWSTD Hotline
SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC
2902 E. 20TH STREET,
Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480
Service Saturday 9:30 AM
MCC of the LMNG SPRING
17 Hk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays 6pm
OPENAR/vlS YOUTH PROJECT
2015 -B S. Lakewood
Tulsa, OK 74112
918-838-7104
www. openarmsproject.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
KING OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oklahoma City, OK
405-314-3898
JUDY G. PHOTO’S
Tulsa, OK
judygphotos@sbcglobal.net
9!8-743-8636
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 NWEXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-840-2106
www.c2 lgoldcastle.com
CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE
Keller Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK
918-706-1887
GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa
New and Historic Homes for Sale
and Rent For Info:
wv~v.gaybradyheightstulsa.com
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
For { vertisin
Knformation
DALLAS CVB
Dallas, TX
www.winatrip.glbtdallas.com
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Keller Williams Realty
Chuck Breckenridge
Vghether buying or selling
I’ll work hard for you.
KING OF
MASSAGE
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30 t~eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
We believe that homosexuality is not a
genetic trait but a chosen lifestyle.
We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or
promiscuous behavior in a positive light in
our public schools.
We oppose the erosion of our military
readiness through openly_ practicing
homosexuals serving in the military
We oppose the promotion of homosexuality,
the elimination of laws against sodomy,
and the granting of minority protection or
special status to any person based upon
sexual preference or lifestyle choice.
If the Republican message of hate and division
doesn’t represent you, then join us and vote
Democrati’c in support of what we stand for:
LIBERTY, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL,
PROUDLY INCLUDING THE GLBT COMMUNITY.
I~’ol~V~ln ~o~e$~ Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair
I~ Asbe~’ry~ Oklahoma Democratic Party Vice Chair
Undu Sru~’ ~’~ Oklahoma State Democratic Party
Treasurer
¢~’~o g~’d~ Oklahoma State Field Director Democratic
National Commiffee, Fifth District Chair
3~ ~o~’~ Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner
A~ ~{~’e~ Oklahoma State Representative District 88
gob ~.e~o~ our friend who’s straight but not narrow
Taken from current platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties of Oklahoma.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[2008] The Star Magazine, July 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 7
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
July 01, 2008
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Online text
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwestern Missouri
Western Arkansas
Southeastern Kansas
Eastern Oklahoma
The United States of America (50 states)
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Description
An account of the resource
The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
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Star Media, Ltd
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Star Media, Ltd
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Charles (Chaz) Ward
Victor Gorin
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Joey D.
Victor Gorin
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ronald Blake
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Liz Highleyman
Devre Jackson
Judy G.
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
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The Star Magazine, June 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 6
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/248
Metro Star. August 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 8
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/198
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https://history.okeq.org/items/show/247
After Dark
Al McAffrey
Bob Bar
Deval Patrick
horoscopes
Katherine Patrick
Leslie Jordan
marriage equality
mixology
Night club
Obama
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Our House
Paparazzi on the Prowl
pride Parade
project runway
Quotable Quotes
recipes
Star Advertisers
star classified
Star Scene
The National Gay and Task Force
The Phantom of the Opera
Too
travel
wine
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[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
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Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
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Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
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2004-2011
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English
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magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and 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.
Coverage
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Southwest Missouri
Western Arkansas
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
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Ozarks Pride/Star Media
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C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
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https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
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magazine
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ESTABLISHED 2003 www.ozarksstar.com APRIL 2008
"The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation." "1 honestly think it’s the biggest threat our
nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam. They have infiltrated City Councils. They are
after your 2 year olds for indoctrination." State Representative, District 84, Sally Kern.
Compiled by Star staff
Photo: Rally at Memorial Park Oklahoma City.
¯hese sentiments expressed by State Representative
Sally Kern were taped at a Republican
gathering who had invited her to speak
on what some term the homosexual agenda.
The tape was given to the Victory Fund,
a national gay & lesbian political activist
group and placed on ¥outube, where it has
now been heard by over 1,000,000 people.
It has garnered international attention with
responses that have overwhelmed Youtube,
and to say that the lines of communication
with Ms. Kern were jammed would be a
classic understatement. Ellen Degeneres was
not surprised when she tried to contact Sally
Kern after playing the youtube video on
her show and couldn’t even leave a message.
Although the audience was obviously not in
agreement with Sally, Ellen appealed to Miss
Kern on the air, stating that she wanted to
talk to her, that she obviously had some
misinformation.
Although some responses received by Ms
Kern were supportive, the vast majority were
not, and many were threatening and are
being investigated by the Oklahoma State
Bureau of Investigation.
At a Press Conference at the Church of the
Open Arms March 11, Cimarron Alliance
President Richard Ogden, among many others,
denounced Ms. Kern’s remarks and stated
that she should apologize or be censured
by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
As he put it, "These are hateful words that
can result in hateful actions, This is about
accountability, not freedom of expression."
It was pointed out that only 3 months
earlier, Stephen Domer of Oklahoma City
was murdered because he was gay. So far
Ms. Kern has refused to apologize and the
Speaker of the House, Republican Chris
Benge ofTulsa, has stated he will not call for
Ms. Kern to be censured. However Governor
Brad Henry stated that he advised her to
"Think before you speak. Oklahomans have
love and tolerance for all people. I don’t
think this rhetoric represents Oklahoma."
P-Flag of Oklahoma has asked for a meeting
with her, but has gotten no response.
Her statement that the gay community
was a bigger threat than terrorism or Islam
drew fire from both military personnel and
Oklahoma’s Muslim community. At the
Church press conference Richard Ogden
pointed out that one of the four people on
United Airlines Flight 93 who overpowered
the hijackers who were heading the airliner
to the White House, Mark Bingham, was
gay. Another speaker at the conference, Jerre
B. Fine, a Air Force veteran, stated that
she was honored to serve her country and
that Sally Kern’s comments that gays were
a bigger threat than terrorism or Islam, and
were a cancer in the toe of society were very
hurtful on a personal level. She pointed
out that "I served my country dutifully and
honorably for 6 years of my life. We need
protection not only from outside forces
trying to destroy America, but also we need
protection from within from people like
Sally Kern."
On March 14 there was a rally at Memorial
Park featuring signs along Classen Boulevard
encouraging rush hour travelers to
honk to show opposition to Representative
Kern’s remarks. The event got extensive television
coverage, and featured many community
leaders. Most important of all was that
the responses from OKC’s commuters were
overwhelmingly supportive.
In a recent Tulsa World poll, the question
was: Would you sign the petition to have
Sally Kern removed from office?
..............Continued PAGE 5
®MISS GAY TULSA PAGEANT April 25th 10prn. Featuring - Miss Gay Tulsa
America - Melody Micheals and Miss Gay Oklahoma Lindsey Paige.
for more information email: information@downtownplazatulsa.com
2 the STAR
vwvw.ozarksstar.com
1 DS (2437)
Recognized by Keller Williams
For outstanding achievement 2005 and 2006
R~ALTY
Chuck Breckenridge
918-706-1887
REALTOI~
Whether buying or selling I’ll work hardforyo~
Get the STAR delivered
to your home or office.
12 issues only $33.95.
Send Check or Money
Order to:
The STAR
5103 S. Sheridan Rd.,
#153
Tulsa, OK 74145
Seepage 29for order blank.
,J
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 3
APRIL,
State News continues on page 6, 9, 11
and 23
LGBT History looks at the life ofTallulah
Bankahead, Actress Movies, TV, Stage
and Radio
World Briefs By Rex Wockner -
Wockner News Service
~DEEP ~INSIDE HOLLYWOOD
Deep Inside Hollywood, reports on new
projects for George Clooney and Simon
~WiNE
Devre Jackson reviews wines of Northem
Italy.
Beer-Battered Onion Rings from Bob
& Jim’s Care, Greycliff, Montana.
Gay Travelers: Bus Trips & Tours
Out of Town: Chicago
STAR SCENE
Snapshots from around the State.
Paparazzi on page 25
FITNESS
Introspection can lead you to better
understand yourself and ultimately to
achieve greater happiness.
ON THE COVER: Photo byVictor Gorin
4 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
Embrace the Passior o£
the Prom. Pride Prom
2008 makes comeback
to PAC
By Joey De
TULSA, OK__ When the sun sets April
19, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center will
heat up with the passion of Spain as the
University ofTulsa’s Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay
and Transgender alliance present Pride Prom
2008, "Bailamos!"
The event, which has called the PAC home
for three years, offers BLGT youth and their
friends the opportunity to celebrate the
prom season with their chosen date. ’~A lot
of BLGT youth can’t take the prom date of
their choice (to their high school’s prom),
this is an opportunity to express themselves
freely," says Steven Hulford, one of the
organization’s leaders.
For the TU-BLGTA, Pride Prom is a way
to give back to the community and make
memories for BLGTA youth, regardless
of if they are TU students or not. "We are
in or eighth year of doing this event," says
Hulford. "Each year it has grown from being
in the Great Hall of the Allen Chapman
Activity Center (a building on campus), to
what it is now."
According to Hulford, this year’s Spanish
theme was picked from a long list of ideas.
"We wanted to do something completely
different from what we had done in the
past," he says noting previous themes of
Hollywood and water. "We’re calling it
’Bailamos’ because the literal translation is
’we dance’."
At the event, Hulford says youth can expect
all the food, music and fun of a traditional
high school prom. In addition, attendees
will have access to a "Resource Row," that
will feature organizations who provide quality
services to BLGT youth.
Beginning at 7:30, the event runs until
11:00 and does not require formal dress.
"The only things we don’t allow are torn
jeans and shorts, other than that people are
welcome to dress how they feel comfortable.
People have come in formal prom attire
and have come in polo shirts and slacks,"
explains Mr. Hulford.
Tickets for Pride Prom 2008 are $10
in advance at www.myticketoffice.com
and $12 at the door. For information on
sponsorship and branding opportunities,
contact the group’s advisor, Nancy Eggen at
918.744.9182.
SOONER STATE SOFTBALL
ASSOCIATION HOLDS
OKLAHOMA CITY TOURNAMENT
Leroy Cobb & Laurie Proole MC’s at Angles
Furndraiser for Sooner State Softball
26 teams ( 21 men’s, 5 women’s) came together
at Boomtown Field and the Softball
Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City March
15-16 to enjoy the comraderie of softball
competition.
Now in its 5th year, the Sooner State Softball
Association offers the GLBT community
the opportunity to show off their skills
or learn the game among friends. According
to SSSA Commissioner Leroy Comp, it also
provides a way "to see some great softball."
The SSSA is part of the North American
Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, a confederation
of GLBT athletic teams in both the
United States and Canada. New players are
always welcome, so if you’d like to try your
hand, call Mr.Comp and (405) 408 2533 or
e-mail him at cutupok@aol.com.
FRONT PAGE CONTINUED:
Yes: 129
No: 86
I don’t know: 6
The results of this question represent the
opinions of 221 people with the following
demographic profile:
Oklahomans: 80.5 %
Male: 127
Female: 94
In response to Kern’s statement that Eureka
Springs City Council was controlled by
gays. A press statement was issued by the
Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce and
the straight Mayor, Dani Joy:
"Since its founding in 1879, Eureka Springs
has been and remains welcoming to all visitors
and residents without regard to their
race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability,
or national origin. It is our hope that
all people would aspire to this ideal. Because
of the timeless beauty of our architecture
and landscape, the friendliness of our citizens
and our welcoming attitude toward all
visitors, we remain a destination for people
from all walks of life. Eureka Springs will
remain a city eager to provide all visitors a
fulfilling vacation experience."
Mayor Dani Joy"
Oklahomans have spoken out, we’ve
demonstrated, protested, sent letters and
email to our elected officials, and have
gained international attention. Media from
around the world has covered the embarrassing
tirade of Rep. Kern. This international
spodight may be to our advantage.
Our activist groups have experienced an
influx of out of state contributions since the
stoW broke. We’ve gotten the attention of
national and international advocacy organizations.
We have discovered many new main
stream allies in Oklahoma. The House and
Senate leadership may allow the five hate
crimes bills currently before them to receive
full consideratioia. There is a positive side to
this degrading display of (Shame on Sally)
Most importantly we have the right to vote,
and Sally was voted into office. Come November
and in future elections know your
candidate before you mark that spot on the
ballot. It could make an important difference
in our future.
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 5
editor
Dear Editor,
When is enough, really enough? We have
been reading and watching the national
news about Oklahoma State Rep. Sally
Kern, R-Oklahoma City, saying "gay agenda
is a greater threat to America than terrorism."
Although we do not live in Oldahoma,
we have been visiting your great state for
over 30 years. We are extremely concerned
when a public official such as an elected
State Representative makes such remarks.
¯his is really nothing short of a "hate crime"
in itselfl It is one thing for a regular citizen
of the country to make remarks such as
this but when a public official says it, then
it is obviously crossing the line. As gay and
lesbian citizens of the United States, we have
as much right as anybody else to expect full
citizenship. When people such as Ms. Kern
spews her hatred to the people of Oklahoma
it is WRONG ! It propels hatred in schools,
churches and throughout the entire community.
Many years ago we took on Anita Bryant
for her anti-homosexual drive and we won!
So, our dear brothers and sisters in Oklahoma.............
have you had enough? Gays
and Lesbians throughout the country are
fighting for their rights and each and every
individual gay and lesbian person in each
state must do their part. We cannot suggest
an action to take against Ms. Kern however
we feel very strongly that action MUST
BE TAKEN in whatever form necessary.
Whether a full stage sit-in, a recall of her
government seat in your State House or
whatever. ..... something NEEDS TO BE
DONE AND NOW~
Many years have passed since we just stood
on the sidelines and took whatever was
handed to us, and we never, want to return
to those days. We are extremely proud of the
progress that gays and lesbians have made.
Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa have a very
vibrant gay and lesbian community, much
more so than most cities around the country
their size.
OkEq Den,o.unces Rep. Sally
Kem’s Ant oGay Tirade
TULSA, OK (PR) __Oklahomans for
Equality (OkEq) deplores the sentiments
expressed by Oklahoma State Representative
Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) in a
YouTube video now generating a firestorm.
National and local media outlets are closely
covering the controversy sparked by Kern’s
claim that homosexuality is "the biggest
threat that our nation has, even more so
than terrorism or Islam."
In a triple play of intolerance, Rep. Kern offends
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) Americans, thousands of women
and men defending the United States from
terrorist attacks, and Muslims worldwide.
Yet, she remains completely unapologetic,
citing her right to freedom of speech and
claiming, "I have never endorsed or supported
any hateful action targeting individuals
on the other side of this debate and
never will."
Rep. Kern’s legislative track record belies
her remarks. In 2006, Rep. Kern sponsored
legislation that xvould have denied funding
to public libraries that refused to segregate
books addressing LGBT themes. Rep. Kern
has repeatedly used her public office to demonize
LGBT Oklahomans and to attempt
to deny them the exact same civil liberties
she now defends so passionately. This is the
height of hypocrisy.
"OkEq firmly supports Rep. Kern’s constitutional
tight to express her viexvs, but vociferously
objects to the actions she takes to
prevent LGBT Oklahomans from attaining
justice and equality. When elected officials
use their power to defame entire categories
of people, they abuse the freedom of
speech embedded in the First Amendment
and violate their responsibility to ensure the
safety and well-being of their constituents,"
asserts Justice Waidner, OkEq Executive
Director.
So instead of just bitching and moaning and
groaning about Mrs. Kern, we wish all the
gays and lesbians in Oklahoma the best success
with this matter.
Cordially,
Donald Pile and Ray Williams
OkEq calls upon the many fair-minded
members of the Oklahoma legislature to
condemn Rep. Kern’s comments and to
pass immediately a state hate crimes law that
encompasses sexual orientation and gender
identity and expression. We ask for the
House and Senate leadership to allow the
five hate crimes bills currently before them
to receive full consideration on the floor.
6 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 7
4815 S. Harvard
Gay men and lesbiansface many special tax
situations, whether single or as couples.
Proudly serving Tulsa & OKC’s GLBT communities since 1982
8 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
TULSA, OK (PR) __ Health Outreach Prevention Education, Inc.
(H.O.P.E.) celebrated its 10th anniversar~ Xgrednesday, March 12,
2008. Invited guests and honorees celebrated at the Dennis R. Nell
Fxtuality Center, a long-time community partner where H.O.P.E.’s
services began in 1996. The evening included hors d’ oeuvres and
recognized key individuals who have been instrumental in the
growth and success of the organization. "H.O.P.E. provides a vita!
service in the fight against HIV by testing those at risk and also
educating the community on safer sex practices. By virtue of their
HIV testing being free and anonymous, people at risk can more easily
know their status and help stop the transmission of HIV," stated
Stephen Eberle, advisory board and 10th Anniversary committee
member.
In recognition of H.O.P.E.’s 10th Anniversary, the following people
and organizations received recognition for the significant impact
they have had on the agency since its inception: Ms. Kristi Frisbie,
Mr. Jeremy Simmons, the Oklahoma State Department of Health
HIWSTD Division, Ms. Janie Nicklas and the Tulsa Community
AIDS Partnership Grants Committee, Tulsa CARES, Community
of Hope Church, Ms. Debi Sanditen, Dr. Damon Baker, and Oklahomans
for Equality.
Health Outreach Prevention Education (H.O.P.E.) is an independent,
not-for-profit organization that has served Tulsa and
surrounding communities since 1998. H.O.P.E. is proud to be
recognized as one of the largest and most comprehensive health
promotion facilities in Oklahoma, and is the only free, anonymous
HIV testing site in a 23-county area. H.O.P.E. also operates the
statewide HIWsexually transmitted disease (STD) resource hotline
and conducts a variety of targeted outreach efforts focusing on men,
women, and under served populations. H.O.P.E. also offers free and
low-cost Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing and education services.
H.O.P.E. provides a comfortable place for people to learn their
health status and can connect clients to a variety of medical and
social support services.
H.O.EE. is supported in part by the Oklahoma State Department
of Health, as well as various private foundations, including the
Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, the Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership,
the MAC AIDS Fund, and the George B. Kaiser Family
Foundation.
Raising awareness of HIV/AIDS remains vitally important, as the
infection rate remains steady every year in the United States. Young
people and minorities are disproportionately affected, but HIV
does not discriminate. By knowing your status, you are better able
to protect yourself and others. Prevention education and testing are
keys to decreasing the stigma and infection rate of HIV. For more
information about HIV or sexually transmitted infections, call the
Oklahoma HIWSTD Resource Hotline, 1-800-535-MDS (2437).
RESERVE YOUR SPAOE HOW
Deadline Thursday IViay t 5th
Serving the Oklahoma GLBT community since 2003.
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 9
by Liz Highteyman
Past Out, which looks at the life 0fTallulah Bankhead, Actress Movies,
TV;, Stage and Radio,
Who was Tallu]lah Bankhead?
~ecades after her heyday in the 1920s and
1930s, self-described "ambisextrous" stage and
screen star Tallulah Bankhead is as famous for
her bad-girl antics as for her acting talent.
Bankhead was born to a prominent political
family in Huntsville, Ala., on January 31, probably in !903 (the
year is subject to debate); her mother died shortly thereafter from
childbirth complications. Seeking to keep his two unruly daughters
out of trouble, her father, a U.S. Congressman, sent them to convent
schools, but these proved conducive venues for Bankhead’s first
sexual experiences with other girls.
Though plump and plain as a child, Bankhead blossomed as an adolescent;
at age 15, she won a movie magazine beauty contest with
a prize of a small film role. Chaperoned by an aunt, she took up
residence at the Mgonquin Hotel in New York City, a favored haunt
of the Broadway elite. There, Bankhead was seduced by renowned
actress Eva Le Gallienne and met Estelle Winwood, an older English
actress who would become a life-long friend and sometime lover.
Bankhead also counted among her liaisons British student Napier
Alington and jazz great Billie Holiday, but she turned down a casting
couch invitation from John Barrymore.
Breakthrough acting success eluded Banld~ead in New York, and in
1923 she moved to London on the advice of an astrologer. There,
she quickly achieved fame, especially among young working-class
women. Over the next eight years she appeared in two dozen \VC-est
End plays, which were wildly popular with fans, if not always acclaimed
by critics. Documents declassified in 2000 revealed that the
British intelligence service investigated her - groundlessly, it turned
out - for allegedly seducing a group of Eton schoolboys.
Bankhead earned considerable income, but spent profligately; by the
end of the decade, she was broke and accepted a contract offer from
Paramount Studios. In Hollywood, she hosted parties at her mansion
that were said to have "no boundaries," and she attended shindigs
at lesbian actress Alia Nazimova’s lavish Garden ofAllah estate.
An emergency hysterectomy due to advanced gonorrhea did little to
curb her omnivorous sexual appetite. "My daddy warned me about
men and booze," she famously quipped, "but he never mentioned
a word about women and cocaine." Bankhead had flings with Gary
Cooper and - allegedly - with Marlene Dieterich, but Greta Garbo
apparently spurned her advances. Upon meeting Joan Crawford,
who was then married to Douglas Fairbanks Jr., she remarked, "I’ve
had an affair with your husband. You’ll be next."
Though Bankhead often bragged about her sexual conquests, many
believed she exaggerated for the sake of publicity. Indeed, her
comments suggested that she did not particularly enjoy sex. "The
conventional position makes me claustrophobic," she once said,
"and the others give me a stiff neck or lockjaw." Regarding Bankhead’s
orientation, long-time companion Patsy Kelly - one of the
first actresses to come out as a lesbian - said it "mostly it depended
on Tallulah’s mood...When she’d get caught up with a man, she’d go
quite hetero on us."
Bankhead married once, to actor John Emery in 1937, but they
divorced four years later with no children. She then bought an estate
in West&ester County, where she lived for extended periods with
Winwood and with Kelly. She also surrounded herself with numerous
pets and her "caddies" - young men who mixed her drinks, lit
her constant cigarettes, and sometimes provided sexual services.
Follmving in her father’s footsteps, she became increasing involved
in politics, campaigning for Democratic candidates and supporting
both anti-Nazi and anti-Communist causes.
Bankhead disliked movie acting, and her larger-than-life style ~vas
better suited to the stage than the screen. After making several
unsuccessful Hollywood films, she returned to acting on Broadway
and with national touring companies, receiving critical acclaim for
her performances in The Little Foxes (1939) and The Skin of Our
Teeth (1942). Though bitterly disappointed at being passed over for
the role ofScarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, she still took
on occasional movie projects, including her most famous role as a
shipwrecked journalist in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat (1944).
In the early 1950s, Bantdxead emceed The Big Show, a popular variety
program on NBC Radio; when radio gave way to television, she
appeared as a guest on shows such as The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.
She also starred in a one-woman Las Vegas nightclub act and wrote
a best-selling autobiography. But as Bankhead aged, her
10 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
years of hard drinking and drug use caught
up with her, and she became a caricature of
her former self. Many of her gay male fans
failed to take her efforts seriously, laughing
through her performance as Blanche Du-
Bois in a 1956 revival ofA Streetcar Named
Desire.
Before her death from pneumonia in 1968,
Bankhead’s final roles were intentionally
absurd, induding turns as a demented
mother in the British horror flick Fanatic
(1965) - retitled Die! Die! My Darling! in
the United States - and as the Black Widow
on the Batman television series. When producer
William Dozier explained his vision
for the latter role, she reportedly replied,
"Don’t talk to me about camp, dahling, I
invented it!"
For further reading:
Bret, David. 1997. Tallulah Bankhead:
A Scandalous Life (Robson Books).
Lobenthal, Joe. 2004. Tallulah! The
Life and Times of a Leading Lady
(HarperCollins).
McLellan, Diana. 2000. The Girls:
Sappho Goes to Hollywood (Robson
Books).
OK Mozart Festvai
Announces 24th
Season, June 13=21
TULSA, OK (PR) __ Tourism is a growing
industry in Oklahoma, and the OK
Mozart International Festival continues to
enhance dais growth by attracting visitors to
Bartlesville each June for one of the state’s
most renowned cultural events. From June
13-21, the Festival’s 24th season promises
to delight audiences from across the state
and country with an outstanding array of
concert artists and world-class musicians
and performances, ranging from classical
concerts to Jazz and everything in between.
The line-up of renowned guest artists
includes Mark O’Connor, Barry Douglas,
Anne-Marie McDermott, Frederica yon
Stade, Branford Marsalis, Peter Nero, and
Ben Vereen. Plus, the New York Theatre
Ballet is performing Sleeping Beauty.
Amici New York, the Festival’s beloved
orchestra-in-residence, returns as it has each
year since the Festival’s founding in 1985.
These musicians are soloists in their own
right and perform in many of the most prestigious
ensembles throughout the year.
Paul Neubauer, music director, returns with
his All-Star Chamber Ensemble featuring
members ofThe Chamber Music Society
of Lincoln Center. This year’s Festival will
celebrate four great American composers:
George Gershwin, Elliott Carter, Charles
Wuorinen and Joan Tower, according to
Neubauer.
"We will also have Mozart,Tchalkovsky and
Jimi Hendrix. Please join us for an exhilarating
OK Mozart Festival."
According to Scott Black, executive director,
the 2008 festival offers some positive changes,
including three series of entertainment
options for the major concerts, money-saving
ticket packages and many new and free
Showcase events. These events, usually during
non-concert hours, offer tours, historical
talks, childreffs activities, luncheons and
performances.
"The 2008 Festival marks our 24th season of
offering an internationally recognized event
that puts Northeast Oklahoma on the map
alongside larger cities that host similar summer
festivals--San Francisco, New York,
Chicago and Aspen," Black said.
Most concerts take place in the Bartlesville
Community Center concert hall, acdaimed
for its near-perfect acoustics. Inside the
Community Hall, the Moz-Art Gallery and
OKM Gift Shop provide shopping pleasure
for visitors. An exquisite on-site restaurant,
Cafd Mozart, offers delicious three-course
dinners and delightful lunches.
The all-time favorite Woolaroc Outdoor
Concert, taking place on June 20 at the
Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve,
features Amici New York with conductor’
Michael Krajewski. Nestled on the shores of
a tranquil lake, this concert under the stars
provides a relaxing, fun way to enjoy beautiful
music. When darkness falls, a spectacular
finale of fireworks lights the sky, signaling
an end to the unforgettable evening.
Season tickets and packages are available
now with general sales beginning March
3rd. To order, call 918.336.9800, visit www.
okmozart.com or in person at 500A South
Dewey, Bartlesville.
The Festival is made possible in part by the
Oklahoma Arts Council and many corporate
and individual patrons.
The OK Mozart Festival is a member of
Green Country Marketing Assn., one of 11
multi-county organizations working with
the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation
Department, the Oklahoma Travel Industry
Assn. and the other 10 multi-county
associations to promote the state tourism
industry.
Creating
Community for
People iving
with
H ViA DS
50t c (3) Non Profit Orgauization
Our House, Too offers a vadety of
activities for people who are HIV+ and
or living with AIDS to help combat the
social isolation that many of our
people live through each and everyday.
We provide a Toiletry and Household
Pantry for those who are HIV+
and or living with AIDS who cannot
afford to purchase these items for
themselves. We invite anyone who
would like to volunteer or provide financial
assistance to please contact
us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail
harrismmjr@yahoo.com.
www.ozarksstar.com the STAR 11
Gay arid Gray r g: Cor cerr s
SAN FRANCISCO, CA__ More than 70% of lesbian and gay and respondents over age 40 reported concerns about losing
the ability to care for themselves in a recent study conducted by Community Marketing, Inc. The majority also feared becoming
sick or disabled, being dependent on others, and outliving their savings.
When asked which resources they would rely on
for long-term financial and social care as they age,
less than 8% of respondents said they would place
significant reliance on long-term care insurance,
leaving us to wonder how prepared lesbians and
gay men are for the kinds of health issues that often
come with old age. Respondents placed the most
emphasis on:
Health care insurance: 22%
Medicare: 20%
Personal savings: 19%
Social Security: 16%
65% of respondents expect for provide care to a
partner sometime in the future, 44% for a parent,
and 34% for a friend. However, respondents were
less certain ofwho would care for them - 59% said
a partner would be there to help care for them, 29%
a friend, and 20% no one.
Research Shows Growing Old a Concernfor Many Lesbians and Gay Mot
A significant 20% of gay male and 38% of lesbian respondents
over age 40 have children Oust 4% of gay men and 12% of lesbians
reported the children to be under age 18). Sometimes it is easy forget
how many gay-boomers had children before they came out, and
some gays and lesbians will be able to rely on their children for care.
The majority of respondents have completed a Living Will and
the majority have a Power of Attorney, but less than 50% have
completed an Estate Will or set up a Living Trust. (Hospitals often
require a visiting partner to present a living~in order to enter his
or her partner’s hospital room.)
49% of respondents said they are at least fairly confident that they
would be treated with dignity and respect by medical personnel,
but 19% expressed concerns that they have little confidence in this
being the case.
Some views of retirement and old age are much more positive.
Respondents look forward to: traveling (79%), having more time
for personal interests (74°/0), and peace and relaxation (60%). In
addition, lesbians were more likely to report looking forward to
spending more time with friends and family than gay men.
DEMOGRAPHICS of this "over 40" study:
The median age is 52.
69% of respondents are male, 30% female, and 1% transgen
der. More than 96% of respondents identified as gay or lesbian.
The remainder identified their sexual orientation as bisexual,
queer or questioning.
53% of respondents reported that they are completely out.
However, 15% are somewhat or not very out.
The median respondent in all age categories reported plans to
retire at age 62. The vast majority of respondents over age 62
have already retired.
73% of respondents have a college degree.
33% of female respondents and 46% of male respondents are
single or do not live with a significant other. Lesbians are more
likely to be partnered than gay men.
The majority own single family homes.
12 the STAR www.ozarksstar.com
By’ Rex Wockner Wockner News Service
iranian fears e×ecution if sent home
Mehdi Kazemi fears he’l! be executed if the
United Kingdom forces him to return to
Iran.
Kazemi went to London to study in 2005
and Iranian officials later arrested his boyfriend,
Parham, charged him with sodomy
and executed him, according to Kazemi’s
father.
Kazemi then sought asylum in Britain but
was rejected. In 2006, he then fled to the
Netherlands, which detained him and is
nmv preparing to return him to the UK.
The UK had been planning to send Kazemi
back to Iran ~vhen he returned to
British soil but, on March 13, following
extensive media coverage and political pressure,
the Home Office agreed to review his
case one more time before forcing him to go
home.
"The Iranian authorities have found out that
I am a homosexual and they are looking for
me," Kazemi said in a recent letter to UK
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
tn a statement given to activist groups,
Kazemi elaborated: "Around [the] end of
April 2006, my uncle called me again and
informed me that my father had informed
him that the authorities had executed Parham
and that I must not return to Iran as
the authorities would do the same to me....
Parham was charged with the crime of being
homosexual and was executed."
According to Kazemi’s father, Parham
named Mehdi as his lover prior to his execution.
Leading British gay activist Peter Tatchell
commented: "The Home Office decision
to deport Mehdi back to Iran is shameful
and reckless.... Gay men in Iran are hanged
from public cranes using the barbari method
of slow strangulation."
Tatchell said the UK government is "callous
and more interested in cutting asylum
numbers than in ensuring a fair, just and
compassionate asylum system."
Britain’s Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association
also has taken up Kazemi’s cause,
saying that "deporting gay and lesbian
people to Iran is akin to deporting Jews back
to Nazi Germany."
Meanwhile, The Independent reported
March 7 that an Iranian lesbian who fled to
Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and
sentenced to death by stoning also is at risk
of being sent home.
Pegaah Emambakhsh, 40, issued a statement
March 6 saying: "I will never, never go back.
If I do I know I will die."
Emambakhsh’s asylum claim was rebuffed
by the Court ofAppeal in February. She
now plans to ask the High Court to review
the case.
Iran is known to have executed several teens
and men accused of engaging in sodomy, although
in nearly all the cases that have been
publicized in recent years the individuals
were accused of other crimes as well, such
as rape.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human
Rights Commission has said it suspects that
other charges often are tacked onto sodomy
cases to prevent the public outrage that
would accompany executions carried out
solely for the crime of consensual adult
gay sex. The group also has said it believes
executions solely for gay sex are taking place
.out of the public eye.
"Our suspicions [are] that their current
practice really is to rid society of lesbians
and gay men," the organization said last
year.
Human Rights Watch, on the other hand,
has said it cannot fully document
any executions in Iran in recent years carried
out solely for the crime of consensual
adult gay sex.
Last September, during a speech at Columbia
University in New York City, Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was
asked about the nation’s treatment of gay
people.
He responded: "We in Iran -- we in Iran,
firstly, we don’t have hamjensbaz [a derogatory
term for homosexuals meaning people
with loose morals who chase people of the
same gender for sexual pleasure] like you
have in your country. In our country, there
is no such a thing. In Iran, such a thing
does not -- in Iran, in Iran, absolutely such
a thing doe not exist as a phenomenon. I
don’t know who told you otherwise."
ILGA conference canceled
The International Lesbian and Gay Association
has canceled its 24th World Conference
which was to take place in Quebec City,
Canada, May 14 to 18.
"A recent site visit] confirmed the impressions
of the current lack of preparedness
at this late date and the lack of funding
necessary for the conference to take place,"
ILGA’s board co-chairs said in a statement.
The primary lo.cal organizer was the Coalition
gale et lesbienne du Qudbec.
ILGA did not reschedule the conference but
did put out "a formal call for new proposals
from ILGA member organizations for hosting
the world conference later this year." It
gave interested parties less than a month to
submit proposals.
The board said any local organizer must take
on partial responsibility for paying for the
gathering.
"ILGA does not have the capacity to fully
fund the conference," the co-chairs said.
"The local hosts have in the past fundraised
for resources, especially to bring scholars
from the Global South."
ILGA is a 30-year-old federation of more
than 600 GLBT organizations and
associated members, such as city governments,
from 90 countries.
............Continued PAGE 27
w~w.ozarksstar.com the STAR 13
Deep ~nside Hol!~,wooeL repora¢ on newprojeHrsjbr
George Cloon~ and Simon Callow.
Until he crossed over to the PG-13 Law
and Order SVU, Chris Metoni was most
notorious for gay sex scenes ~uad fullfrontal
nudity OZ. And now Meloni is
set,t,’o become even more family-friendl):
He 1! star in Gym Teacher: Th~ Movie ~o{
Nickelodeon £s a down’on’his-luck coaCh
wing
Clooney Is Fantastic Mr. Fox
2?~hat’s the connection bevween the Coen Brothers’ ment -
dark, violent No Country for Old Men and the upcoming
animated family feature Xhe Fantastic Mr.
Fox? Besides Coen collaborator George Ctooney in
the starring voice role, that would be gay superproducer
Scott Rudin, the man whose recent Oscar
acceptance speech included a loving thank you to
his ~artner (which was then s~rangely excised from
the A~demyk o~cial transcript). Rudin tends to go
where the hits are, ~d this ~es Anderson-directed,
Ctooney and Care Blanchett-voiced feature, abou~ a
quick-witted fox and three unpleasant
f~rmers t~,in~ to do
him in, looks like a sure!re
holiday hit..~d in this
instance, hohday means
Christmas of 2009. But
not to worD~ C!ooney
has Burn ~ter Read
in~ {the next
one from the
Coens) arriv
ing during the
interim.
dinated
thi.,
be a
art teacher Mr.
sircom,
will
a obsessive
~he movie
Black
about a
with~ the film
and this time with
(slightly)
~,.u,.ll, a dark drama about a woman
with a compulsive need to pull out her
own hair one strand at k tirile (sounds
like Todd Haynes’ Safei but Creepier),
~vill star not 0nly the legendary ~ren
Black (Nashvillei but also musician
Rickie Lee Jones. No word yet on
when the movie will be, ready for an
audience, but ifArcher~ firs~ f?ature
is any indication, ir will be one ~at
audiences wofft soon forget.
American audiences remember him best
as the joy~ttlly ~a.)[ heat attack victim who
put the "funerN in Four XWeddings and a
Funeral. BUt now gay" Brit character actor
Simon Callow gets his own wedding, ,
even if it is something of an odd one. Hes
starring in the recen@ wrapped Chemical
We~lding, about a shy p;cofessor who
manages to bring legendary occult figure
Aleister Crowl~ back to life. And if that
plot weren’t oddball enough, there’s the
~lm’s line e" it was co-written by Bruce fig.
Dickinson, a name metal fans will know
as the teader of the hugely successful
rockers Iron Maiden. ~e sure-to-be-destined-
for-cult-status film is due for release
later this year. No ~v,ord yet on whether
Or not Iron Maidens songs will hog the
soundtrack spotlight.
George Clooney
www.ozarksstar.com
A few years backl I had the opportunity to Piemonte is also known fol~ its Gorgonvisit
friends in northern Italy. We spent our zola, Castelmagn0, (a local blue Cheese),
time in the Piedmont region in a small town zabaione, vinegar, d~e and ri¢otto dishes;
called Alba. Piedmont, in Italian, means at wild game, and braised meat dishes, such
the foot of the mountain, as Bollito Mist0, a sf[ew of four to five different
meats.
~uhe main grape grown there is the distinished
Nebbiolo, which is the base for the Milan, the large city of Lombardia, is
med Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara the namesake ~ ~ilanese; meaning tO
(Barbera and Dolcetto) among others. Also dip food, usualt -iin pieces of meat, into
popular is Barbera from Alba & Asti. Baro- beaten eggS, tl br~adcrumbs, and then
los are dch, rose-scented wines, robust Saut~ it in butte .ombardiais also well
and tannic, capable of (and often requiring) known for its ri( ~nd dsotto dishes, cream
long aging. Ur~fortunat~ly they are often sauces~ post rn c~eese course, Use of
prohibitively expensive. Barbaresco, made saffron~ pumpki aVi01i, (tortelli di zucca),
to be drunk earlier than Barolos, can be asparag;Js~ ~au ge,freshwater fish and
the more affordable choice, panett(~ne.
Another Piedmont creation that achieved The Veneto is atso an important w ne
worldwide fame is the Vermouth, which region, highlighted by So&re, Bardolino;
was first created by Benedetto Carpano Pr~secco, (sparkling wine), Valpolioella
in his wine shop n~ar the Tudn Stock and the flagship Ar~rone.
Exchange. The classic American Martini
cocktail takes its name from the most Veneto~ being on the ~aSt, naturally
known Italian producer of dry vermouth, braces deligl~ts from the sea. All kinds of
Martini & Rossi. seafood ar~ relished here. But the Veneto
is quite diverse culinadly speaking. It is
Piedmont was one of the first Italian also renowned for its v~getables~ grains
regions to embrace the industrial revolu- and meat as welt. Risot{o, especially from
tion and in 1899 the automotive giant Fiat Vialone Nano rice, and polenta are staples.
(Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) was Common Vegetables include winter ¯
established there, squash, radicchio, asparagus, beans, and
other legumes.
I thought rd shed some light on the wines
from this part of the wodd. You can always Friuli, the north-eastern most region of
dig deeper by checking out my reference Italy is hallmarked by Austrian; Hungarian,
links. Slovenian and Croatian influences. These
include but are not limited to Viennese.
Reds
Moccagatta Barbaresco 1999, 2000
Produttori Del Barbaresco 1999, 2000
Poderi Colla Pinot Noir 2006
Farnese Montepulciano 2006
Whites
Bongiovanni Arneis 2006
Masi/Masianco Pino Grigio/Verduzzo
2006
Marchetti Verdicchio 2006
And as always, I say go to your favorite
wine shop, ask questions and purchase
a bottle or two. Share some food &
wine with friends and check this out for
yourself.
Mr. D also hosts wine & food events
known in town as the Wine Enthusiasts
of Tulsa.
References include: WineSpectator.com
FoodandWine.com
Wikipedia.org
WineCountry.it
Masi.it
Farnese-vini.com
allrecipes.com/Howto/Italian-Wine-Country-
Piedmont
._~tww.ozark~star.co_~.....................
Cozume|
Join our gay and lesbian group aboard Carnival Conquest~ as we
set sail from Galveston and call on the beautiful ports in Montego
Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. There is no better way to
celebrate Halloween than aboard a funship with Gayribbean
Cruises. We offer: Our fantastic Halloween Costume Party,
Nightly Mixers and SO MUCH MORE ! Book eedy and save. Ask
how to receive $75 shipboard credit!
call for complete details. Ratea aad =valhbiRty axe ~ubjec¢ to change without notie. "Ihis is not an alLgay cruise. Ship ~try: Panama
For information & Reservations
www.GayribbeanCruises.com
NCarnrval.
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
Actually a bus trip isn’t all that bad, especially when you are
traveling with other fun people. Although ,ve have never taken a
bus trip across the country (and dofft think that we ever would) we
have a lot of friends who have and enjoyed it greatly. We have taken
several "day bus trips" from San Francisco, Las Vegas and on the
east coast and all of them were quite interesting. From Las Vegas we
took the bus trip to Hoover Dam and to the smaller casino cities of
Laughlin. These bus trips were extremely inexpensive in that they
drop you offat a couple of casinos and assume that you will gamble
a lot. Most of them even throw in flee lunch and dinner and drinks.
Sometimes they even thro~v in an afternoon show. Most all of the
people that go to Las Vegas are truly a different breed and aren’t
interested in taking bus tours and we have found that the ones who
do are more enjoyable and interesting to talk with.
In San Francisco it is just so much easier taking a bus trip to
either the Wine Country or down to Carmel and Monterey and
Pebble Beach. They drop you off right in the center of town and
pick you up at the same location a couple of hours later. You certainly
don’t have any parking problems as when you drive there, and
a bus trip to the Wine Country gives you a much better opportunity
to taste all the different wines without having to worry about a DUI
while drive back to San Francisco.
On the east coast we have taken "day bus trips" in Boston, New
York City, Washington, D. C. and Philadelphia. Being such historical
cities this is a great way to really get to see everything. Parking
in large cities is such a challenge and the buses seem to always have
their own parking areas close to whatever attraction you are going.
Even smaller cities like Savannah, Georgia offers extremely interesting
bus tours around the city.
But if you’re really up to it, then take a bus tour all across the
country. They stop every evening at the designation lodging facility
and you’re on your own until the next morning. You don’t have
to dine or socialize with anybody other than your own choosing.
Check out your local Sunday newspapers in the travel section and
they usually have ads for these bus tours. Small towns that have
casino gambling are always having specials. We have seen ads where
you pay $50.00 up front for a 5 day bus tour which includes your
traveling, hotels, food and drinks and shows! Plus, you get the
$50.00 back in gaming money at the casino. You can’t stay at home
that cheap!
Some people enjoy taking bus trips down to Mexico which
certainly saves the hassle of driving your own automobile across the
border and you certainly are in a position to feel safer. Most bus
companies are regulated rather stringently, and especially when driving
to Mexico you need to feel safe.
.....................Continued page 27
18 th÷$TAR www.ozarksstar.com
INTERNATIONAL GAY &
LESBIAN TRAVEL ASSOCIATION
and FUNMAPS,
COM
By Donald Pile and Kay Williams
IGLTA is the world’s leading travel trade
association committed to gro,ving and enhancing
its member’s gay and lesbian tourism
business through education, promotion
and networking. You can search, contact
and utilize their members around the world
for all your travel needs. Whether you are
looking for a gay travel business in your
local city/town or a tour around the world,
their members understand your travel needs.
By going to their website, www.iglta.com
you can search through their entire database
of gay and straight IGLTA members to find
just what you are looking for.
Founded in 1983 with 25 founding
members, the International Gay and
Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) is today
a 1000 plus member strong and growing
organization of gay, lesbian and community
friendly travel professionals. IGLTA members
represent both retailers and suppliers as
well as travel columnists like ourselves. They
represent travel agencies, tour operators,
resorts, hotels, motels, Bed and Breakfasts,
airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies,
local tourist offices, regional and national
tourist boards and the travel media.
John Tanze!l is the Executive Director
and their international headquarters is located
at 915 Middle River Drive, Suite #306,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Their toll-free
telephone number is: 1-800-448-8550.
In May 2008, IGLTA will take Sin City
by storm! From April 30 until May 4, 2008,
Las Vegas will host the Annual Convention
of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel
Association. The host hotel is the Flamingo.
That website is: http://www.iglta.orglconvention/
and that website is your one stop
shop. Here is where you will find updates,
registration information, hotel and air information
as well as anything else you could
possibly want to learn about this one of a
kind event. Among the many workshops
that will be taking place are: Vegas Adventures,
How to Buy/Sell Unique Destinations,
How to Access the Gay and Lesbian
Market, Internet Marketing, L World - Why
Lesbians may be your best customers, Gay
Comfort Hotel Programs, Marketing Strategies
for Staying Competitive in the Gay &
Lesbian Tourism Market, Unique destinations
for Gay & Lesbian Travel, Teaming Up
with Gay and Lesbian Events, Guerilla Marketing
and Hotel/Bed and Breakfast trends.
Legendary author Armistead Maupin will be
our keynote speaker for the event. There will
also be a National Trade Show in conjunction
with the Convention.
Anxong the many National sponsors of
the IGLTA are:Airlines, Las Vegas Convention
& Visitors Center, MGM-MIRAGE,
Canada Tourism Commission, Wyndam
Hotels and Resorts, HARRAH’S, AIG Travel
Insurance, Alamo Car Rentals, National
Car Rentals, American Airlines, Continental
Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines,
Macy’s Department Stores, Ottawa Tourism
Center, Marriott Hotels and Resorts
and this is only a portion of the national
sponsors.
If you go to their website you can check
out their list of activities and the calendar of
events. They list over a dozen every month
all around the ~vorld. OutWest Global
Adventures is one of our favorites. Check
out their website at www.outwestadventures.
com. or email them at: info@outwestadventures.
corn and their phone number is
800-743-0458. They schedules all over the
world.
FUNMAPS.com is the leading authority
for gays and lesbians visiting anywhere
in the United States and Canada. They have
yearly "funmap brochures" on all of the
major cites in the country. They have been
publishing their brochures for over 25 years.
Alan Beck is the publisher and lives in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida. We were fortunate to
be his guests at his lovely estate there. His
life-partner Nick is a wonderful person and
they had a house guest, Norma from the
Northeast who was a delight. Alan is one of
the most charming gentlemen that we have
ever met. The brochures feature accommodations,
restaurants/cafes, night life and
shopping. Their funmaps brochures also
feature a "places to see" page and great maps
of each city so that you can find your way
around easily.
They have brochures on the following
cities: Asbury Park, Atlanta, Atlantic City,
Austin, Baltimore, Banff/Jasper, Boston,
Brooklyn, Calgary, Chicago, Columbus,
Dallas, Denver, Edmonton, Fire Island, Ft.
Lauderdale, Halifax, Houston, Jacksonville,
Key West, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Long
Island, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Miami
and Miami Beach, Minneapolis, Montreal,
Myrtle Beach, Napa Valley, New Hope,
New Orleans, New York City, Niagara,
Okanagan Valley, Orange County, Orlando,
Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh,
Portland, Providence, Provincetown,
Quebec City, Rehoboth Beach, Sacramento,
San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco,
Saskatoon, Seattle, Sonoma County/Russian
River, South Dakota, St. Petersburg, Tampa,
Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Washington
D.C., Whistler and Wilton Manors.
Hopefully in the near future they will come
out with a funmap brochure for Missouri
featuring Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia,
Springfield and Joplin.
Funmap brochures can be picked up
free at hundreds of bars around the country
and you can also check them out on
line at www.funmaps.com. Their maps are
the most circulated gay publication in the
world, with 3.5 million users every year.
www.ozarksstar.corn ~heSTAR t9
Matsuya serves excellent sushi and Japanese fare, including such
knock-’out starters as deep-fried chicl~en wings and whitefish with
smelt roe. Although many imitators have opened nearby, Mia Francesca
remains the best place in the neighborhood for sophisticated
but simple Northern Italian fare. You could survive solely- on the
flaky, freshly baked cinnanmn rolls that accompany every" meat at
the hallowed Swedish diner Ann Sather, which has several gay-popular
locations.
Chicago Diner,
and serves
that
A swank, smoke-free lounge known for its colorful cocktails and
slick crowd, Minibar opened somewhat recently and has become a
favorite affer~work spot. A circuit-boy favorite on weekends, Circuit
pulses with a feverish tate-ni~t dance crowd even at midweek,
when Latin nights are a hit. °l~ne stylish Berlin disco draws a decidedly
fiankier and more alternative crowd than most of the preppy
haunts in Lakeview. Nearby Spin is an eclectic gay club with an alla~
es crowd and fun dance music. Charlie’s brinas in fans ofcountry-
~ffestern music, while the Gentry on Halsted is ~ Boystown branch
ofdowntowffsppoular piano bar, favored for happy hour and later
for live cabaret. Leather-and-Levi’s types cruise the Cell Block.
Steamworks Chicago is a popular, clean, well-run sauna - it’s one of
the nicest such facilities in the country.
cheese, and a ranow-smoky sauce.
One of the most talked-ab0ut new eateries in the
area, Anteprima turns out superb modern Italian
fare and has a wan’. dining room with pressed-tin
ceilings and a s~.~ded patio in back. Don’t pass up
the grilled quail marinated in honey with balsan~ic
vinegar and pancetta. A lively and atmospheric
bistro with a decidedly queer following, Tomboy
serves tempting fare like pan-seared duck with crimini
mushrooms mid a port glaze, T’S is a friendly,
gay-popular restaurant and bar - it s a favorite lesbian
date spot, known for healthful American food.
~hste of Heaven Baker), is a great pick for delectable
breakfasts and lunches, plus iCresh-baked snacks
throughout the day - the flied-egg sandwiches
and peaches-and-cream French toast are favorites in the morning.
Ano~er wonderful spot to satisfy your sugar fix is Sweet Occasions,
which serves some of the thickest and richest ice cream in the city,
plus fantast,c cupcakes, cherry cobbler, and homemade fudge. It’s
hard not to love this old-fashioned parlor with ice-cream sundaes
named for the seven deadly sins. The "Lust" (a chipotle brownie
topped with cinnamon ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and
red hots) may leave you lusting t~br another trip to these two charming
Chicago neighborhoods.....
www.ozarksstar.com {5eSTAR 21
our entire lives! "17hey were crispy,
tender and extremely delicious. We
naturally had to get their recipe to
share with our readers. After lunch
we had some of their home-made
apple pie which was great, but not
as great as the onion rings.
If you’re ever in that part of the
country, be sure and stop by and
dine there. They have no phone,
no address with just a small sign
in front but you can’t miss it as it
is the only restaurant in town. We
asked our waitress who owned the
restaurant and she said, "Bob &
Jim’. She had ,vorked there for over
3 years and had never met them.
Rather strange, but as long as they
make extraordinary onion rings, we
don’t care.
BOB &IIM’S CAFE
Greydiff, Montana
So, when you’r traveling, you
never know what you might find.
Sometimes it turns out good and
sometimes it turns out bad, but just
keep on "truckin".
We love to dine at fine restaurants around the country but
sometimes we hit upon a little diner that looks as though it is just
the "perfect" place to stop. Last fall on our driving trip back from
Seattle, Washington we were driving thru Montana around noonish
and we were both getting hungry so we decided to pull into
the next to~vn and get something to eat. Lo and behold the next
town in Montana was Greycliff, a town of about 450 people (if you
count the two of us). Really not much there except it is right on the
Interstate. When we walked into the only restaurant in town, they
KNEW that we were not from their fair town, or even that we were
from Montana! All eyes were upon us. The last time that anyone
in the restaurant had ever seen that many diamond rings was when
they went to their local Walmart! We were the only ones there that
didn’t wear cowboy hats, blue jeans, cowboy boots or bib overalls.
We really thought about turning right around and walking back to
our auto, but decided to stay.
Our waitress was rather like Flo from the TV series, ALICE with
a rather shrieking voice but pleasant. We had been dining for the
past two weeks on west coast seafood so decided to try something
a little more middle American so we ordered a chicken flied steak
lunch. Our waitress, whose real name was Minnie May suggested
that we also order the onion rings which she said were the best in
the entire State of Montana. We almost didn’t order them but she
kept insisting so ~ve did. To our pleasant surprise, they were some of
the finest onion rings that we have ever had in
Let us promote your business in a
UNIQUE & DIVERSE market. Call
STAR ADVERTISING today.
22 th~STAR www.ozarksstar.com
XANDER,
CAPTURES MR
GAY US ofA MI 2008
TITLE AT ANGLES
By Victor Gorin
Winners Xander & 1 st runnerup Owen
McCord
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ A new facet
of pageantry was introduced to Oklahoma
when the first contest for male impersonation
was held in Oklahoma City March
12-15. q-he national competition for this
new division of the US ofA system, Mr
Gay US ofA, concluded at Angles with
the crowning ofXander ofTennessee with
1st alternate Owen McCord ofAtlanta,
Georgia.
This new contest is owned by the first Mr.
Gay US ofA MI, the famous Gage Gatlin
and his partner Brenda Quayle. Mr.Gatlin
wowed the audience with a style that even
made some gay men swoon, talent garnered
from years of experience beginning in
Jacksonville, Florida. Gage and Brenda have
made their home in Tulsa, having begun this
contest in August of this year. Mr.Gatlin
has gone into retirement, however he will
still perform for large charity events. They
are looking forward to next year’s contest,
which will feature contestants winning preliminary
or regional contests, of which there
are already 10 planned.
OkJahomans for Equa] -
ity opens new exhibit
featuring artist Amie
Montedoro at the Dennis
R. Neill Equality
Center
TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R. Neill
Equality Center art gallery will
host its monthly First Thursday meet-theartist
reception from 6-9pm, Thursday,
April 3, 2008, for the opening of it’s April
exhibit, paintings by Amie Montedoro.
Montedoro’s art is a refreshing look at the
beauty ofwomen who have taken
charge of their own sexuality. The feminine
form, as the perfect balance between
the sacred and the profane, embodies the
duplicity that is woman; as Madonna,
as Whore. The eldest daughter of accomplished
architect and educator Richard
Montedoro (Norman, Ok.), Amie has been
taught from a young age the importance of
self expression. A tactile artist, Amie prefers
to create her art not with brushes or tools;
rather she uses her fingers to apply all but
the most intricate of details and finishing
touches. From concept to creation, Amie
uses traditional techniques along with the
relationship garnered from having her hands
actually create the form and emotion of
women who are sexually comfortable,
capable, and liberated.
The exhibit will remain up through the
month ofApril, and can be viewed Monday
thru Saturday from 3-gpm. The Dennis R.
Neill Equality Center is located at 621
E. 4th St., in downtown Ttflsa. More info
can be found on the web at okeq.org.
This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s
for Equality (OkEq). OkEq seeks
equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &
Transgender (LGBT) individuals and
families through advocacy, education, programs,
alliances, and the operation of
the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
Kern Responds to
Activist Criticisms
OKI~A_HOMA CITY, OK (PR) __State
Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) issued
the following statement in response to the
criticisms of homosexual activists who have
objected to a recent speech she gave on their
efforts to promote their agenda at both the
federal and state level.
"To put this simply, as a Christian I believe
homosexuality is not moral. Obviously, you
have the right as an American to choose that
lifestyle, but I also have the right to express
my views and my fellow Oklahomans have
the right to debate these issues.
"In recent years homosexual activists have
begun to aggressively promote their agenda
through the political process, often providing
substantial financing to candidates who
agree with their views, including many
running for state legislative races. National
publications such as Time, The Atlantic and
USA Today have noted that trend. That
is their right, just as it is my right to voice
opposition to their agenda, which I have
been asked to do at several public forums in
recent months. That’s what democracy is all
about. It appears some homosexual activists
believe only one group is allowed a voice in
this debate. I disagree.
’~k vigorous debate on an issue is not ’hate
speech’ - it’s free speech. I have made clear
my opposition to the agenda of homosexual
activists, but I have never endorsed
or supported any hateful action targeting
individuals on the other side of this debate
and never will. The fact that many gay rights
activists claim anyone opposing their agenda
is engaging in ’hate speech’ says more about
them than me.
"Most Oklahomans are socially conservative
and believe marriage is a sacred institution,
the union of one man and one woman, and
that the traditional family is worth protecting
and preserving. When I campaigned for
office, I promised my constituents to stand
up for those values, and I do not apologize
for keeping my word."
~wvw.ozarksstar.com theSTAR 23
By Ronald Blake
Bythe time you read this, the Academy
Awards gadabouts will be looking forward
to next year’s red carpet faux pas. You will
likely have listened ad nauseam to the incessant
prattling of that sham fashion critic
Joan Rivers. You will probably be joining
the droves of lemmings to rent the Oscar
winning movies at the corner Blockbuster.
I will now beseech your participation for
my health version of the body’s Academy
Awards. I promise to shut up when the
music starts to play.
The winner for best editing goes to the
reticular activating system, or the RAS as it
is known to the medical snobs, q-his system
was responsible for filtering all the unnecessary
dreck that made its way to your brain
during the past year. It decided what was
important for you to pay attention to. It
concluded that 99% of the sensory input
that approached your cerebral cortex was to
be ignored. Without this RAS, you would
likely have been bombarded with an overload
of drab detail all around you. The kind
of overload you would experience while on
the drug LSD, which does temporarily disable
the RAS.
The winner for best supporting role goes
to the diaphragm. This veteran provided
enough action and drama for five hysterical
queens. It was capable of providing sufficient
pressure change in your thoracic cavity
to send blood soaring happily back to the
heart on many an occasion. It has so ardently
allowed you to give that much needed
extra push while grunting and groaning on
the toilet. It was even so
chivalrous to accompany you to the health
club and save you from muscle tears during
your heavy lifting exercises.
The best makeup award is presented to the
circulatory system for its presentation of the
numerous bruises that you displayed to the
world. These hematomas are more than just
clotted blood masses and it is long overdue
that the Academy finally recognizes these
purveyors of black and blue marks. They
maintained their iridescent beauty until the
body naturally reabsorbed the escaped blood
that clotted just beneath the skin’s surface.
The best leading role goes to the lungs. This
organ is usually secondary to the perennial
favorites such as the heart, brain, or the
stomach. This year the voters spoke and
showed the world that nobody puts the
lungs in a corner. This tour de force has provided
the heart with all its oxygen which in
turn has provided the properly conditioned
blood for your brain’s processing of your
impure thoughts and the stomach’s digesting
of those roast beef sandwiches ladled with
horsey sauce.
The best director goes to the adrenaline.
This litde behemoth was responsible for
preparing all your body parts for that
fight or flight reaction when you came
face to face with that curmudgeonly pit
bull in the park. Audience members cheered
furiously when you chose the flight version
and outpaced the Hound of the Baskervilles
and then leapt that six foot brick wall to
the safety of those hydrangea bushes on the
other side. Only a capable director could
cajole you out of your slothful ways to
negotiate that feat.
There were many nonainees for great body
parts and their exciting roles. With all due
respect to the aforementioned winners, the
body does function as a whole and winning
team. Keep learning about your anatomy
and physiology. This knowledge is what will
keep you healthy and prepare you for the
recipient of the lifetime achievement award.
This column is brought to you by that
guy who frequendy and sophomorically
ordered Whopper sandwiches while in the
McDonald’s drive-throughs in his carefree
youth. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be
castigated at www.goblakefimess.com.
26 theSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
GAY TRAVELERS:
Almost al! the bus tours allow their passengers
to take their own food with them
and ifyou are careful and not out in the
open about it, you can take your own liquor
for a 5 o’clock drink or two. We know several
people who have taken a bus tour from
California to Alaska and they all say that it
was splendid. Buses nowadays are not like
yesterday. They are all extremely comfortable
with air-cushioned suspension. They of
course all have restrooms on board and they
make frequent stops for dining and shopping.
On the longer tours they usually have
a host/hostess traveling with you to answer
any and all questions. Sometimes in one’s
life it just makes more sense to take a bus
tour rather than driving your own automobile.
If this is something that might be in
your future plans we highly suggest that perhaps
you might start offwith just a day trip
and see how you like it and then progress to
a longer one. There are a lot of single people
taking these bus tours so for the single
people out there, you don’t need to feel
alone when traveling. We have made good
acquaintances on our day tours that we took
several years ago and still keep in touch with
them. Bus tours are not for everybody but
perhaps it might be something to look into
for your future travel plans.
And speaking of Las Vegas, "Gay Days
& Nights Las Vegas" is coming up July
3rd thru the 6th. This wil! be their 2nd
year of presenting the Gay Days & Nights.
Presenting sponsor Cirque du Soleil will
be featuring special events and discounts
throughout the Gay Days & Nights July
3-6, to showcase their Las Vegas productions.
Attendees of Gay Days & Nights Las
Vegas will have an opportunity to see any or
all of the shows combined with invitationonly
special events, drawings and incentives
planned for each night including LOVE at
Mirage, KA at MGM Grand, ZUMANITY
at New-York Hote! & Casino and Mystere
at Treasure Island. PARIS Hotel & Casino
is the host accommodations and you can
check them out at Parislasvegas.com. For
more information check their website at
http://www.gaydaysandnights.com/. Also
when going to Las Vegas be sure and check
out http://www.lasvegaspride.org/.
Always remember to have fun when traveling,
meet new people and talk to everyone!
British gays f~ght b{ood ban
A new British group called Bloodban is
seeking to overturn the nation’s ban on
blood donation by non-celibate gay men,
the BBC reported March 7.
Organizers are circulating a petition that
they plan to deliver to Prime Minister Gordon
Brown.
The National Blood Service believes gay
men are too high-risk because of the short
gap between one’s getting infected with
HIV and when the virus can be detected by
a blood test.
Bloodban says people should be excluded
based on their lifestyle, not because of their
membership in a particular social group.
~e activists propose that gay men be
banned as donors only if they have
had unprotected sex in the past 18 months.
israeli bashers sent to prison
Four Jerusalem gay-bashers were sent to
prison for two to eight years March 6 by the
Tel Aviv District Court, Ynetnews reported.
Typically, the bashers used a decoy cruiser
to pick up men seeking sex with men at Tel
Aviv’s old central bus station. Once in the
victim’s car, the decoy would direct him to
another location where the other bashers
joined in beating, stripping and robbing the
victim.
Two other men have been indicted for
nearly identical crimes at Jerusalem’s central
bus station. In one case, one of the bashers
bit off a portion of one victim’s ear, Ynet
said.
Netherlands plans legalization of
park sex
It will no longer be illegal to have sex in
Amsterdam’s Vondel Park under regulations
set to take effect later this year, De Telegraaf
reported March 7.
"Why should we try to maintain something
that is actually impossible to maintain,
which also causes little bother for others
and, for a certain group, actually signifies
much pleasure?" asked Oud-Zuid district
Alderman Paul van Grieken.
People having sex in the park xvill be
expected to do so only after dark and out
of public viexv. They also must not leave
condoms lying about.
Meanxvhile, the police institute’s National
Diversity Expertise Center is advising other
cities to follow Amsterdam’s lead. It said
legalizing park sex would help protect gay
men from queer-bashers.
The Amsterdam branch of the Dutch national
gay group COC (now knoxvn only
by its formal initials) xvelcomed the nexvs.
"Cruising is something belonging to all
times and banning it does not work anyway,"
said chairman Dennis Boutkan. "They
do it surreptitiously and mostly without
others being annoyed by it. By agreeing on
rules of behavior, safety can be increased."
Spanish gay-marriage PIVt wins reelection
Spanish voters re-elected Prime Minister
Josd Luis Rodrlguez Zapatero on March
9, apparently unperturbed that he made
Spain one of only six nations that grant gay
couples access to full marriage.
Zapatero’s Socialist party took 43.7 percent
of the vote, besting the conservative Popular
Party, which grabbed 40.1 percent.
Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, South
Africa and the U.S. state of Massachusetts
also have opened up ordinary marriage to
same-sex couples.
SGYrdneff. GLBT Mardi
as Picks Gayest Song
Ever.
S~qDNEY, AU __ ABBA’s Dancing Queen,
which has been ranked by visitors to
Australia’s SameSame.com.au website as the
gayest song of all time in a list compiled to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sydney
Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The Village People’s YMCA came in
second, followed by Gloria Gaynor’s I Will
Survive.
"The list was compi]ed in the lead-up to
the 30th Anniversary of Sydney’s Gay and
Lesbian Mardi Gras to look back on the
catalogue of popular music to decide which
of them are truly worthy to be labelled a
camp classic," SameSame.com.au said.
~,wvw.ozarksstar.com th÷STAR 27
by Jack Fertig April 2008
"Recharge your batteries, Taurus!"
Venus entering Aries provides a challenging spark to the
profound re-evaluations of responsibility being raised by
Pluto and Saturn. Be patient, take the long view, and rise to
the challenge of seeing how your impulses can be harnessed
to deep and necessary changes.
ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Venus is in your sign, and it’s
a great time for a makeover. Looking good professionally
is more important than just looking gorgeous, so freshen up
your work as well as your appearance. Looking good in lieu
of accomplishment will fool no one.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Allow yourself time to be
alone. Recharge your batteries; take time to think about
important issues, to organize hobbies or crafts, or to look
more critically at some of your creative efforts. When you
need fresh air, do some volunteer work.
GEMINi (May 21 - June.20): Throwing yourself into some
community efforts will bdng you to unanticipated challenges.
You can overcome them, but will have to re-evaluate
how you network with others, and how you support and use
community structures.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Making useful connections
may feel cynical. The truth is, you tend to be a little too
romantic and shouldn’t be shy about basing relationships
on something practical. Focus your urge to edit on yourself;
others rarely appreciate it.
LEO (July 23 .- August 22): You’re suddenly impatient to
make your mark in a new territory. Stop and think. Rather
than wasting this energy in some egoistic indulgence, you
can apply your skills to present your most valued ideas and
talents.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Be bold and daring.
Traits you’ve experienced as liabilities can prove very
advantageous if you try playing with them - perhaps in dark,
subversive ways. Erotic role play can unlock power where
you thought you were weak.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Nice people can
argue nicely. Assert your points respectfully and hear your
partner - or your opponent - out. Be open to new perspectives
on cherished traditions. Some long-accepted history
als0 needs a fresh look.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): You’re itching to
make some much-needed innovations at work. As good
as. your ideas are, be sure to discuss any plans with colleagues,
and not just for diplomacy’s sake. You can learn
from their ideas and improve upon your own improvements.
28 theSTAR
SAG~TTAR~US (November 22 o December 20): You could
accomplish a great deal, earning fame and fortune. The
creative impulse that should feed such progress is more
likely to be a distraction. Harnessing that power productively
is challenging. Don’t give in to impulse. Structure and
discipline are now your best bet.
CAPRICORN (December 21 -January 19): Suddenly
focusing on what you value about your home and tribe, you
can become very assertive and defensive. Try to take a longer
view, asserting the value of your clan as part of a larger
community or humanity, not distinct from it.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): To become even
more comfortable with your deepest, most private feelings
about sex and/or death, you need to challenge yourself to
examine these most irrational mysteries with some logic.
Find someone with whom you can discuss your secret feelings.
PISCES (February 19 - March 19): The fault is probably
not with your partner and friends, but in what you imagine
- wrongly - to be their chief assets. Try to see what they
offer and what you offer to them in a new light, one that will
improve all your relationships.
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev Steve 3". Urie
Spirit of Christ MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
MCC of the Living Spring
17 Elk Street
Eureka Spdngs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM
Have a God filled and BleSSed Day!
www.ozarksstar.com
tis÷ s Support those who support us,
DOWNTOWN PLAZA ofTULSA
17 \Vest 7th Street
Tulsa, OK
918-585-5898
www.downtownplazatulsa.com
HABANA INN
2200 bD,v4 39TH F~XPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-2221
www.habanainn.com
KELLY KIRBY, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
SUSAN HARTMAN
Independent Broker
Oklahoma and Arkansas
918-698-2977
susanlhartman@gmail.com
ANGLES
2117 NW 39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK
x~vw.anglesclub.com
BkaMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
Tulsa, OK
918-836-8700
www.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9494
www.clubmajestictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\VgAy
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
v~vw.habanainn.com
THE LEDO
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CNTR
211 S. Garnett
Tulsa, OK 74128
v~vw.realacceptance.com
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
HOPE TESTING CLINIC
3540 E. 31st
Tulsa, OK
800-535-2437
Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline
SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC
2902 E. 20TH STREET,
Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480
Service Saturday 9:30 AM
MCC of the HVING SPRING
17 Elk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays 6pm
OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT
2015 -B S. Lakewood
Tulsa, OK 74112
918-838-7104
www. openarmsproject.org
JUDY G. PHOTO’S
Tulsa, OK
judygphoms@sbcglobal.net
918-743-8636
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 NW EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-840-2106
www.c2 lgoldcastle.com
CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE
Keller Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK
918-706-1887
GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa
New and Historic Homes for Sale
and Rent For Info:
www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com
GUSHER’S RESTAURMNT
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
GAYRIBBEAN CRUISES
www.gayribbeancruises.com
877-560-8318
Want the STAR delivered to your home or business?
12 issues for $33.95 will be mailed in a sealed
envelope the 1st of each month. Complete the form
below and send with a check or moneyorder to:
¯he STAR
5103 S. Sheridan Rd., #153
Tulsa, OK 74145
(Single Copies $3.00 per issue)
NAlVlE:
Address:
St: Zip:
Phone:
Check enclosed
Money Order
Start Date:
www.ozarksstar.com th÷STAR 29
Keller Williams Realty
Whether buying or selling
I’ll work hard for you.
,REALACCEPTANCE,COM
mdaekfinitio,n..; the cos,t f,gr m,,ost of.u...s, to..... e a amerence in [Re llves oT (~Lt~l
Teens in Oklahoma.)
You can help our teens. Support
Open Arms Youth Project.
For more Info:
www. openarmsproject.org
30 t5eSTAR www.ozarksstar.com
drugs +, HIL.~
Learn ~t~he Link
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[2008] The Star Magazine, April 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 4
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
April 01, 2008
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Online text
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwestern Missouri
Western Arkansas
Southeastern Kansas
Eastern Oklahoma
The United States of America (50 states)
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Description
An account of the resource
The Star Magazine’s first issue began February of 2005. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004) and The Ozark Star (2004). Follows is The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Star Media, Ltd
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Star Media, Ltd
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Charles (Chaz) Ward
Victor Gorin
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Joey D.
Victor Gorin
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ronald Blake
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Li Highleyman
Devre Jackson
Judy G.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Star Magazine, March 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 3
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/249
The Star Magazine, May 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 5
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/250
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/244
After Dark
Amie Montedoro
Bailamos
Bars
Deep Inside Hollywood
demographics
fitness
health
HIV/AIDs testing
HOPE
HOPE 10 year anniversary
horoscopes
Iran-execution
LGBT history
Mardi Gras
mixology
Mozart Festival
Night clubs
Our House
paparazzi
Past Out
Q Scopes
Sally Kern
Star Advertisers
Star classifieds
Star Scene
Too
travel
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/2a03c0c75cdfbe0b5346eab05261ba0b.jpg
9c8ceace2661d22e3da206cba5abd49a
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/dabb8fc3797f90350cd8f80fcd06e1ff.pdf
36874c7ef06b4655add7bdccadb95643
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
[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2004-2011
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Images
Online texts
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and 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.
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
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Ozarks Pride/Star Media
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LOCAL NEWS N NAT[ON&L NEWS N WORLD NEWS ~{ L[FEST}[Lg ~5~ [~’[~ N , N
THE PREMIER SOURCE FOR GLBT OKLAHOMA FlashBack
The STAR Exclusive Lily Tomlin Intervie~v
Front Cover March 2007......>
Oklahoma News Flash Backs -Page 3-4
Photo Flash Backs - Page 8 & 11
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1 Twitter.corn!MetroStarNews ~ MetroStarNews.com ~EE ! JANUARY 1,2011
Ask, on’ Tel heads
By Rex Wockner
Obama plans to sign the bill quickly,
but that will nor end the ban. Gay
servicemembers will need to stay in the closet
for a few more months.
After Obama signs the measure, he and
the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff must certify that
the military is ready for the change and
that it will not harm military readiness or
effectiveness, unit cohesion, recruiting or
member retention.
Then after that DADT repeal will take
effect 60 days later. Xhe process is expected to
proceed relatively smoothly.
"No longer will patriots be forced to lie
in order to serve the country they love and
are willing to die f?r," said Human Rights
Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "~his
vote gy:the United Sta{es Senate will have
Presi&nt Barack Obama. ~Wockn~rphoto extremely pOsitive rippl~ effects well b~yo~d
" Dont Ask; Dont Tell. Our government has
,WA~SHINGTON, DC Don’t Ask, sent a powerful message that discrimination,,,
Dont %11, the military’s ba~on open gays, " on any level, should not be tolerated
lS "
headed for the dustbin of history. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
The Senate voted 65-31 on Dec. 18 to
authorize the policy’s repeal and sent the
measure to President Barack Obama for his
signature.
Eight Republicans joined all but one
Democrat in voting to repeal the ban. They
were Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe
of Maine, Scott Brown of Massachusetts,
Richard Burr of North Carolina, John
Ensign of Nevada, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Lisa
Murkowski ofAlaska and George Voinovich
of Ohio. Democrat Joe Manchin of West
Virginia did not vote.
Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis called on
the Pentagon to cease DADT discharges
during the months between now and when
repeal is finalized.
"I respectfully ask Defense Secretary
Robert Gates to use his a[tthority to suspend
all Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell investigations
during this interim period," Sarvis said.
"Until the president signs the bill, until
there is certification and until the 60-day
congressional period is over, no one should
........Continued See DADT Page-5
Enid P-Flag Presents the
2011 Winter Bal
ENID, OK On Saturday Night,
January 22, 2011 Enid’s Symphony Hall
will coine alive with the festivities of P-Flag’s
(Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
gala major event, the Winter Ball. N~e event
runs from 8 p.m. until midnight and will
include a live DJ, light food, a catered ba,;
and a professional photographer to take
photos of the partiers upon request. Tickets
for the Ball are $10 and can be ordered
by contacting Enid P-Flag. Xhis event is
sponsored by Cross~valk United Church,
Enid’s only official open and affirming
church.
Since opening in March of this year a~
1319 S. Van Buren Enid’s GLBT community
center, which is named simply, "N~e Center",
has been busy and activities are growing.
Through the Center Enid’s P-Flag chapter
provides free counseling find mediation,
and recently added free rapid HIV testing.
Enid’s P-Flag is also partnering with other
organizations through their Bridge Building
Program for which GLBTWA youth and
young adults sign up to assist people in
need of help with tasks such as raking
leaves, putting up or taking down holiday
decorations, delivering hot meals or other
useful activities. Not only does this program
help provide needed volunteers, it also
connects GLBTQA youth and young adults
to the mainstream community and allows
them to share their stories of diversity as the
beneficiaries get to know them.
During this holiday season food has been
donated ftom the Center to the Horn of
Plenty, which is Enid’s largest food bank.
........Continued See ENID Page-15
Metro
to Retire
F .er &
By Victor Gorin
Metro Star Team
Chaz Ward Founder and Publisher ofthe 7hlsa based
Mewo Star Newspaper retires at 71.
TULSA, OK __ "It’s the right time to
retire. The business is changing and needs
younger blood with nexv ideas. It’s been
hard work but very rewarding to inform,
unite and entertain the GLBT community
of Oklahoma and the surrounding region."
Chaz Ward
When Mr. Ward decided ro start a GLBT
focused newspaper he did so with mixed
hopes, appropriate apprehensions, and small
beginnings. The purpose for starting this
enterprise as the Ozarks Star in 2003 was to
provide the unrepresented gay community
of southxvest Missouri, northeast Oklahoma
and northwest Arkansas with a viable voice.
It was just a digest size black and white news
and information magazine with just 12 pages,
four advertisers and a circulation under
700 distributed in Joplin and Springfield,
Missouri, Fayetteville, At’kansas, Pittsburg,
Kansas and Tulsa. Even then he lmew he
~vas getting into a challenging fidd where
countless entrepreneurs had come and gone
in that region alone. Then as now in this area
of the United States gay newspapers deal with
limited advertising revenue because so many
business owners are reluctant to be seen in a
gay focused publication. "The limited revenue
forced us ro rely on part time staff~vorking
primarily as a labor of tove, which makes ir
tough going," said Mr. \Yard.
He would also be dealing with
fear and animosity towards the GLBT
community, but he had seen toughe~~"
times. Growing up in Oklahoma City
as a teenager in the mid 1950s he
faced what was then a different world.
Oklahoma City had only one gay bat’,
the Mayflower, and even that oasis of
GLBT life was subjected to constant
police harassment for which there was no
recourse. Homosexuality was considered
a mental illness, sodomy laws were
tstilt on the books, and gay rights (let
alone marriage) weren’t even considered
worthy of discussion by mainstream
society. Understandably, along with
many other GLBT people, he moved
to California where the environment
was at least a little better, working in
management with a nationa! building
services firm until his retirement in
1994.
He then began buying and
remodeling old homes ro resell, one of
which he turned into a bed & breald’ast
in Joplin that he operated and where the
Ozarks Star was born in 2003. Although
he knew from firsthand observation
what he was getting into, he began his
publication xvith lots of encouragement from
the areas GLBT community. After selling the
bed and breakfast in 2004, he moved to Tulsa
and renamed the paper simply, "The Star."
At that time the largest publication was the
Gayly Oklahoman, which focused primarily
on local news, while the Star dealt more with
entertainment and syndicated columns.
When the Gayly ceased publication in
2006 after 22 years as the primary news
source for the GLBT community and a
restart failed that same year, The Star became
Oklahoma’s largest GLBT newspaper with
a new role to fulfill. Victor Gorin, formerly
with the Gayly Oklahoman, began working
at the Metro Star serving as Copy Editor,
writer, working in ad sales, photography and
distribution primarily for the Oklahoma City
area, joined by writers Robin Dorner and
Jeanne Flanigan. Also coming on board in
Tulsa were writer Michael Sasser, distributor
Bill Francisco and photographer Judy
Gabbard. Later becoming the Metro Star in
2007, the paper had grown to a circulation
of 4000 to 5000, changed from a magazine
to a tabloid, had gained credibility as a
viable source of news and information for
the GLBT community of Oklahoma which
included national news along with local
events and entertainment features.
........Continued See METRO STAR Page- 15
22
o5
est Gay Rese
S~rvice Road
banain
.C
2221
Follow us on Fac~book Major Credit Cards Accepted
2 January 1, 2011
[] []
Paul ~ompson passes
Away Leaving a lifetime
ofService
( 93 o20 0)
Oklahoma Gay Rodeo
Association ~des Again
For 25th ye~ars the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo
Association has held this annual Memorial
Day weekend event which celebrates gay
cowboys & cowgirls with their friends. Held
as always at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds,
the rodeo is like any other with regular roping
and riding events, and unlike most others
with campy "Drag Races" and goat dressing
competitions. This rodeo now ranks among
the top 4 rodeos of the International Gay
Rodeo Association, which comprises over 20
rodeos in the United States and Canada.
Kelly Kirby receives the
Equality Oklahoma’s
Lifetime Achievement
Award
Paul ~hompson was a well known activist
for the GLBT community, starting from the
early 1970s when he w~s arrested for public
lewdness for publicly kissing a man on the
neck. He fought his case and won, and he
continued the rest of his life working to
make things better not only" ~br the GLBT
community but also other marginalized
minorities. He had co-chaired OGLPC
fiom 1992 until tis death on March 4 o~:
this year. He also had co-chaired the OKC
Pride Parade and Festival for many years,
and was instrmnental in arranging the first
one in 1987. In addition he was a tireless
activist with the Oldahoma Democratic
Party:, was an active board member ~vith the
Oklahoma City chapter of the NAACP and
also served on the Martin Luther King Parade
Committee. His life made a major impact on
the lives and future of GLBT Oldahomans
and others seeking justice and equality.
Cimarron Alliance
Foundation acquires
new once and gets a
new Director
Cimarron Alliance dates back to its
original formation in 1995, beginning then
as a Political Action Committee striving
to promote gay or gay friendly candidates
and legislation in Oklahoma. In 1997 the
Cimarron Alliance Foundation was formed
in order to enable the organization to accept
tax deductible contributions and work
towards educational efforts for the GLBT
community and Oklahomans in general
about their issues.
They acquired their first office this year
at 729 N.W. 17th Street, and also hired
their first fulltime Executive Director, Scott
Hamilton. He strives to keep the Foundation
going strong during these tough times
stating, "You keep going because the needs
do not abate just because money is tight. If
you bdieve in social justice that doesn’t stop
until there is justice."
At their 30th annual Equality Gala
Banquet, Equality Otdahoma bestowed their
Lifetime Achievement Award on Kelly Kirby.
A veteran and successful businessman xvith
his own accounting firm, he was honored
for over 20 years of activism on behalf of
the GLBT community in Tulsa. Not going
overboard he stated modestly afterwards, "
I would have to say that at 56 years old the
word lifetime is a bit daunting."
Oklahoma City holds
their 23rd Annual Pride
Parade and Festival
From humble beginnings in 1987, the
Oklahoma Pride Parade and Festival once
again brought people together to parry,
reminisce, and stand together. N~is year it was
accompanied by the banners of Cimarron
Alliance displayed on the lampposts along
the parade route on Classen Boulevard. N~is
time it also began with an outrageously fun
block party on Friday night June 25th on the
39th Street Strip, follmved by the Festival in
Memorial Park Saturday and Sunday which is
the beginning point of the Parade. The Parade
~cked off on grand style at 5 p.m., much
glamorized by this year’s Grand Marshall,
Ginger Lamar.
Miss Lamar ( a,k,a, Queen Supreme,
Beauty with a Bite, Queen of the F---king
Universe) has been a mainstay in the OKC
entertainrnent scene for over 30 years. A wild
emcee never caught short for a wisecrack
or snappy comeback, she has delighted
audiences in a style all her own. Today she
still reigns as the emcee Saturday nights at the
Boom, a proud Oklahoma tradition that truly
did it her way.
Pride Parade and Festival
Celebrated in Tulsa
On June 5 Tulsa held their 14th Pride
Parade, followed by their biggest festival yet
in Centennial Park. N~is year their Parade
Marshall was the Reverend Martin Lavanhar,
Senior Pastor of Allsouls Unitarian Church
ofTulsa. He was honored for his courage
shown when he spoke at a conference in
Uganda rallying against efforts by that nation
to make homosexuali.ty a crime punishable by
the death penalty. Aiding a sister Unitarian
church in Uganda for this cause was a very
risky undertaking but he felt he had to make
a stand saying, "I’m 4! years old and I%e
never been called upon to go overseas to
risk my life for freedom. In some ways this
was that kind of call." When he returned
safely Toby Jenkins, the Director of Equality
Oldahoma stated, "We had to hono~ this
wonderful man, to let people know that
this straight minister fi’om Oldahoma was
only one of m,o ministers who was at this
conference in Uganda."
Enid gets their first
GLBT Commtmky
Center, and holds their
first Pride Celebration
One might not think a town like
Enid, well known for its conservatism,
grain elevators and their powerful football
team( the Enid Plainsman) as a place for
a gay scene, but yet this has emerged. Enid
High School has a Gay/Straight Alliance, a
local P-Flag Chapter ( Parents and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays), and now a GLBT
community center called simply the Center
at 1319 S. V3n Buren. Everything fi’om HIV
testing to dances are held there, ~long with
many groups now forming tip.
~ihis year Enid celebrated their 2nd Pride
Festival as Meadowlake Park came to life
with vendors and entertainers followed by an
evening firewor~ sho,a: This time over 400
people came to savor the solidarity and enjoy
the fun.
SSRA Rodeo -Back a~er
5 years in Grand Style
Back after 5 years, the Sooner State Rodeo
Association was again in full swing. Hosted
this time by the Ramada Inn East, the event
was held on October’s first weekend at the
Bridle Creek Horse Ranch and Resort in
Sperry. Founded in 2002, SSRA is a member
of the International Gay Rodeo Association.
0 Y
A CONGREGATION OF THE ~N~T~D CHURCH OF CHRIST
Join us Sundays at 6pro
3901 NW 63rd St
www.cohokc.com
God
is still
speaMng,
Ban
Empi~
’uptcv ® Civil Rights ~Criminal
’ment ® Family Law ® Litigation
January 1, 2011 i 3
School Board
As a well known activist who has proudly
marched in OKC’s Pride Parade carrying a
sign that says "Gay Teacher", Joe Quigley has
for years been a tireless advocate for equality
and safe schools for all students, including
those GLBT or perceived to be. For this he
has gained the respect and admiration of not
only the GLBT community but also that
of countless of fair-minded Oklahomans.
A teacher with the Oklahoma City School
District since 1994 with 10 years of
satisfactory appraisals, he was at Northwest
Classen High School when in May of 2009
the Oklahoma City School Board voted to
fire him. Although they claimed it was for
poor performance, Mr. Quigley and his
supporters saw it as a ruse to get rid of him
due to his advocacy for GLBT students.
With the help of the American Federation
ofTeachers he took them to court where
District Judge Barbara Swinton not only
ruled in his favor, but apologized to him
on behalf of how he was treated by the
district. The District appealed, and. Judge
Swinton’s ruling was upheld. The Oklahoma
City School Board has now appealed to the
Oklahoma Supreme Court. At this time
Mr.Quigley is now in a permanent position
teaching English at Douglass High School;
N
O ahoma attempts
Exemption from Federal
Hate Crimes Law
In October of 2009 Presiden{ obama signed
into taw expanded Federal Hate Crimes
protections to include real or perce@ed
sexual orientation or gender identity as well
as disabilit)’ and gender. Although this was
hailed by the GLBT community and other
activists as a long overdue step forward, it was
also condemned by some religious groups and
other conservatives nationwide who claimed
that this measure promoted homosexuality
and stifled fi’ee speech.
Oklahoma was no exception, and in
early 2010 State Senator Steve Russell
introduced legislation to exempt Oldahoma
from this provision, prohibiting Oklahoma
law enforcement authorities from
cooperating with the Federal government
investigating these ty-pes of hate crimes. After
overwhehning passage in the Senate, it went
to the State House of Representatives where
State Representative Mike Shelton, in a
brilliant procedure of legislative maneuvering,
got this legislation stopped. He had this to
say as to why-- "There are pastors who wear
the veil of Chrisrianity who support this
legislation. As a Christian this offends me
because the Jesus I know doesn’t stand for
that." Mr. Shelton later received Cimarron
Alliance’s Legislator of the Year Award, an
honor shared with State Senator Judy Eason
McIntyre ofTulsa.
Oldahoma Gay and
Lesbian Political Caucus
Moves from Surv "va
Mode back to Recovery
During late 2009 and into this year, the
Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian
Political Caucus ( known as OGLPC) was
in survival mode. Formed in the early 1980s,
the group had a long history of advocacy and
education for the GLBT community, and was
most famous for their voter guides mailed out
to GLBT voters and their allies. However,
during 2009 and into this year attendance
had fallen to the point that the group could
not function. Paul Thompson, who had been
the male co-chair of the group since 1992,
was trying to revive the group when he passed
away during March of this year.
Determined to carry on the legacy
of OGLPC, co-chairs Jeanne Flanigan
and Steven Dubois have been working to
rebuild the group, and to reform it as a
PAC ( Political Action Committee) that ~vill
enable OGLPC to do fulfill their goals more
effectively.
They look forward greater milestones
ahead.
N
Brittany Novomy
made history when
she ran against State
Representative Sally
Kern
Sally Kern had already made a name for
herself long before she sha@d a spotlight
with Brittany. First elected in 2004 as a
self described "Kernse~-~ative", she gained
international notoriety’ after a speech she gave
to a Republican gathering was secretly taped
and posted on youtube. This speech stated
that "gays are a bigger threat than terrorism or
Islam"and that "no societ~r" that has embraced
homosexuality has lasted for more than a few
decades."She led the charge to get the book
"King and King" ( ~ story" for children about
a gay prince) removed from the Children’s
Section of Oklahoma County- Libraries,
labeling it "obscene." She also graced
the front page of the Metro Star when she
presented her Proclamation for Morality at
the Oklahoma State Capitol, which claimed
that America’s economic woes were due to
"abortion~ pornography, same sex marriage,
sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births,
child abuse and other forms of debauchery."
In 2010 Brittany Novotny threw her hat
in the ring to give District 84 voters a choice.
An Oklahoma Cite~ attorney and activist
with the Young Democrats, she was the first
transgendered person ever to run for public
once in Oklahoma. However she made it a
point not to focus on that issue, but rather on
things that she felt mattered more for average
raional Oldahomans like jobs, education and
transportation that Sally had neglected due to
her focus of social issues. AJthough she lost to
Ms.Kern in the Red Sweep of the November
general elections, BrittaW still made history
and will no doubt make more in the future.
Tramps continues the
Proud Tradition ofHave
a Heart
An annual event of love happens .
appropriately each year around Valentine’s
Day at Tramps with their Have a Heart
Benefit Show and Auction. It began as the
creation of the late Larry Crosby, then a coowner
ofTramps and Sister Gall Addis who
was then with Catholic Charities’ Loaves and
Fishes Program, which provided meals ~’~r
those living with HIV.Although Larry has
passed away his sister, Canaille Rohn who
is still a part owner ofTramps, along with
the stat~" and many volunteers again made
this event a fabulous success. This year over
$8,000 was raised.
Richard Ogden sworn in
an Oldahoma Regent [
Openly gay attorney and longtime activist
Richard Ogden was appointed by Governor
Brad Henry to the Board of Regents of the
Regional University" System of Oklahoma on
June 10. He was sworn in by District Judge
Barbara Sxvinton.
As a regent Mr. Ogden will be part of that
governing board which is responsible for the
hiring of university presidents.
Tulsa adopts Non-
Discrimination Policy
for City Employees
On June 17 the Tulsa Cit-y Council voted
6-3 to adopt a nondiscrimination policy for
municipal employees on the basis of sexual
orientation, ,~though in 1975 then Mayor
Robert LaFortune commissioned a report
recommending adoption of this policy;
the report was rejected Iia 1994 the Tulsa
GLBT community participated in formal
hearings in favor of this policy, only to be
denied again. The Tulsa Human Rights
Commission had been recommending this
change for over 15 years. I~a-is Wilmes,
Oklahomans for Equality’s Advocacy Director
stated, "This makes such a strong statement
to the region on how Tulsa is a welcoming
and sensible island in a state that is often
ridiculed for being intolerant and unjust
towards marginalized populations." Tulsa now
joins other Oklahoma cities who have this
policy for their employees, Del City, Mtus,
McAlester,Miami, Noble and Vi.nita.
Tulsa School Board Votes
for GLBT clusive
Nondiscrimination
Policy
During September the Tulsa School Board
voted unanimously to include GLBT persons
in their nondiscrimination/anti-bullying
policy for teachers, students and parents.
Tami Marler, a spokesperson for the Tulsa
Public Schools, stated that this change was
made in accordance with recommendations
by the Civil Rights Office of the U.S.
Department of Education. With this measure
they now join the school districts of Norman
and Oklahoma City ~vho also have this policy, .
although Oklahoma City’s policy goes further
in also protecting gender identity.
"At Century 2t Gold Castle our BEST
properties are our PEOPL~
3627 NW Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
By Rex Wockner
Dan Choi hospitalized
Activist Dan Choi. Wocknerphoto
Leading Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell activist Dan
Choi said Dec. 14 that he was committed to a
veterans hospital psychiatric ward on Dec. 10,
the day after the U.S. Senate again refused to
authorize repeal of the DADT ban on open
gays in the military.
On Dec. 18, the Senate reversed course
and voted 65-31 to authorize the repeal. (See
separate story.)
In an on-the-record e-mail sent from his
iPhone, Choi said he had experienced "a
breakdown and anxiety, attack."
"(T)he failures of government and
national lobbying carry consequences far
beyond the careers and reputations of
corporate leaders, elected o~cials, high
powered lobbyists or political elites." Choi
wrote. "They ruin lives. My breakdown was
a result of a cumulative array of stressors
but there is no doubt that the composite
betrayals felt on Thursday, by elected leaders
and gay organizations as wel! as many who
have exploited my name for their marketing
purposes, have added to the result."
Choi was released from the hospital
several days later and sounded like himself in
a telephone interview with CNN on Dec. 18.
Activists hope to force
teaching ofgay history
A bill introduced in the California
Legislature by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San
Francisco, would require that LGBT people
be fairly and accurately included in school
teaching material.
~ihe measure is sponsored by Equality
California and the Gay-Straight Alliance
Network.
~ae bill also prohibits the State Board of
Education from using instructional material
that discriminates on the basis of sexual
orientation or gender identity.
EQCA said that if enacted, the law
"would add LGBT to the existing list of
underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups
(that) are covered by current la~v related to
inclusion in textbooks and other instructional
materials in schools."
"LGBT people should not be pushed into
the closefwhen it comes to what students
learn about history," said EQCA Executive
Director Geoff Kors. "Educating youth about
the contributions ofLGBT Californians and
our state’s rich diversity will help foster true
acceptance of LGBT students and will
ultimately create a safe school environment
for all students."
GSA Network Executive Director Carolyn
Laub added, "LGBT youth are denied a fair
education xvhen they are exposed to harmful
stereotypes in classroom materials and are
excluded from learning about their history."
Leno said that "most textbooks don’t
include any historical information about the
LGBT movement."
"Our collective silence on this issue
perpetuates negative stereotypes ofLGBT
people and leads to increased bullying
of young people," he said. "We can’t
simultaneously tell youth that it’s OK to be
yourself and live an honest, open life when we
aren’t even teaching students about historical
LGBT figures or the LGBT equal rights
movement."
UN secretary-general,
US ambassador attend
LGBT event
United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Yd,moon and the United States’ U.N.
ambassador. Susan Rice. joined a high-level
U.N. panel Dec. 10 that condemned anti-gay
violence and the criminalization of same-sex
relations.
The Human Rights Day event was hosted
by several nations and organized by the
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights
Commission, Human Rights Watch and
other organizations.
"Violence will end only when we
confront prejudice," Ban said. "Stigma and
discrimination will end only when we agree
to speak out. That requires all of us ro do our
part -- to speak out at home, at work, in our
schools and communities."
"Where there is tension between cultural
attitudes and universal human rights,
universal human rights must carry the day,"
he said. "Personal disapproval, even society’s
disapproval, is no excuse to arrest, detain,
imprison, harass or torture anyone -- ever.
... Human Rights Day commemorates the
Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights. It is
not called the Partial Declaration of Human
Rights. It is not the Sometimes Declaration
o~Human Rights. It is the Universal
Declaration, guaranteeing all human beings
their basic human rights, without exception."
Rice told the gathering: "The story ofmy
country is, in part, a story of the expanding
boundaries of rights and dignity -- of the way
that discrimination and prejudice have been
countered by acceptance and equality. I feel
dais deeply and I feel it very personally. Even
at a time of profound challenges at home
and abroad, we dare not give up on the great
causes of equality and fundamental rights.
And that includes the pursuit of full and
equal rights for the millions of people in this
country and around the world ,vho are gay,
lesbian, bisexual or transgender."
"Change," Rice said, "comes from people
... who refuse to move to the back of the bus.
It comes from the leaders, the activists, and
the ordinary men and women who believe
that all human beings have equal worth,
equa! dignity, equal consequence -- and
equal rights. This conviction underpins the
significant steps that the United States has
taken over the past two decades to advance
the human rights of all of those who are gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender."
The event was sponsored by U.N.
missions from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil,
Croatia, France, Gabon, the Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, and the United
States and by the Delegation of the European
Commission.
Illinois passes civil-union
law
The Illinois Legislature passed a civilunion
bill Dec. 1 and Gov. Pat Quinn said he
will sign it into law.
Gay or straight couples wilt be able to
enter into a civil union starting in July. The
unions will carry the san~e state-level rights as
marriage.
~ae vote in the Senate was 32-24. ~e
vote in the House of Representatives was
61-52.
"(These days), legislator after legislator
talks about ’my gay daughter;’ ’my gay
brother,’" Equality Illinois Director of Public
Policy Rick Garcia told Windy City Times.
"The most politically powerful thing gay
people can do is to come out to family and
friends.... Illinoisans are middle-of-the-road,
very steadfast folks, so [ think {’this bill~
passage) bodes well for our community across
the country."
Freedom to Marry Executive Director
Evan Wolfson ~velcomed the new iaw as a
"step," but said "civil union is no substitute"
for marriage.
"States that have created civil union as
a means of both giving and withholding --
providing legal protections wMle withholding
the freedom to marry and all its meaning
-- have found that civil union falls far short of
marriage vcith al! its tangible and intangible
significance in our lives," Wolfson said.
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley
sounded a similar note Dec. 2, saying:
"Eventually marriage will take place. It has to
be.... We have to move faster."
Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut,
Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Vermont and Washington, D.C. In addition,
New York and Maryland recognize same-sex
marriages that take place elsewhere in the
nation or world.
Civil-union or domestic-partnership laws
that grant all state-level rights of marriage
are in place in California, Nevada, New
Jersey, Oregon and Washington. Laws that
grant same-sex couples some of the rights of
marriage are in place in Colorado, Hawaii
and Maine.
California is a further case unto itself.
Same-sex marriage was legal from June to
November 2008, when voters amended
the state constitution via Proposition 8 to
put a stop to it. The couples who married
then are still legally married, as are other
same-sex couples who live in California and
got married anywchere in the world before
Prop 8 passed. Gay couples who married
somewhere else after Prop 8 passed, or ~vho
marry elsewhere in the future, receive every
state-level right and obligation of marriage
in California except for the legal right to call
their marriage a "marriage" when they are in
California. They are not recognized under the
state’s domestic partnership law, but rather
are married.cou,p,les who are denied use of the
word "marriage.
N
January 1, 2011 5
O ahomans Eqt ality
hires new Execrative
~e Board of Directors of Equal:t).
Oklahoma hired Toby Jenkdns as their new
Execut@e Directoi; beginning his duties
October 1 .He had served on their Board
of Directors since 2008 and has a 13 year
history of volunteering for the organization.
He has been employed at the Tulsa County
Courthouse :[))r 18 years and has for the past 11
years served as the Civil Appeals Court Clerk
to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He holds a
BS degree in Criminal Justice and a BA degree
in Biblical Linguistics and Pastoral Studies.
He also holds a masters degree in theolo~~
and has done graduate work in the Sociology
of Aging. He has 2 married children and a
granddaughter. He is glad to be there stating,
"It~ a great honor to work for an organization
that saves lives every day. I believe we must do
more tO address to needs of our community
and challenge them to step up to volunteer
service."
Norm Teenager
commits Suicide af,er
Ci W Co nci Meeting
Abo t GLBT History
On September 27 the Norman City
Council voted 7-1 to approve a proclamation
~br GLBT History Month. The Norman
Human Rights Commission wrote the
proclamation after much deliberation, and
there was a great deal of positive publicity
concerning the Council’s action. Howevm;
this approval met with strong opposition
from some Norman residents who showed
up at that meeting to air their protests, many
using stereotypical and negat@e references to
homosexuality.
This was wimessed by Zach Harrington,
a 19 year old gay Norman resident who had
heard similar sentiments when he had been
bullied as a student at Norman North High
School. Although his parents, Van and Nancy
Harrington and his sister Nikki were aware of
and supportive of his lifestTle, the sentiments
he heard expressed yet again apparently were
too much and he took his life at his parents’
home October 10. A candlelight vigil was held
for him October 13.
Margaret Cox, Don
& Mick
Schirron honored at the
Cimarron Alliance
Awards Gala
Margaret Cox was honored with the
Cimarron .Alliance Lifetime Achievement
Award for many years spent to help women
achieve equality through her work with
the Oklahoma Chapter of the National
Organization for \7~/omen, and for ~vork
helping the GLBT community through
Herland Sister Resources and Cimarron
Alliance. Also honored as Legislators of the
Year were State Representative Mike Shelton
and State Senator Judy Eason Mclntyre.
Don Hawkins and Mick Schirron
received the Media Avcard as former owners
of the Gayly Oldahoman, which began
operation in 1983 and was Oklahoma’s
longest lasting and largest GLBT
newspaper. Beginning as a monthly paper
with a circulation of 4000, it later grew to
a biweekly publication with a circulation of
10,000. Due to a changing business climate
and personal commitments, Mr. Hawkins
and Mr. Schirron sold the Gayly in 2006 to
Andrew Hiclcs and the late Heather Harp
ofTulsa. Although reincorporated, the
paper resumed operation in March 15 2006
and ceased publication in December 15 of
that same year. Currently the Oklahoma
Historical Society is copying an entire set of
the Gayly OHahomans on microfilm.
@
AIDS Walk O ahoma
"Each Step Brings Hope" was the theme
for the AIDSXX/-alk 2010 which took place
September I9 for the 12th year of this
event. Previously held in October, the date
,vas moved up and the location changed to
the Sonic Plaza in Bricktown, this time also
accompanied by a 5K run that morning.
Money raised from this event goes to help
those in the OHahoma City area infected
and/affected by HIM
Arnold ’%rna Lee"
Smith passes away at 83
As a longtime club owner, activist and
entertainer Arnold Lee Smith, best known
as Arna Lee, left a legacy of pride, hope and
fond memories for GLBT OHahomans.
He was a pioneer, spearheading efforts that
won Oklahoma City’s GLBT community
many freedoms they now take for granted.
When he was a club owner, with a club
called Lee’s Lounge in the early 1960s, he
endured relentless police harassment and
never backed down. Longtime partiers
remember police raids where he was arrested
along with his customers, and he would
bail them out along with himself and
re-open his bar that same night. Later he
opened Oklahoma’s first premier showbar,
the Roadhouse, where many big name
Oklahoma entertainers got their start. Later
he also owned a steamy dance club called
the Outrigger from 1979 until 1981.
After a sojourn in Florida, he opened
another bar complex also called nostalgically
the Roadhouse in 1995, which closed after
a year of operation, and then went partly
into retirement, still doing shows in various
clubs for many good causes. \ghen his heath
failed and he entered the Norman Veterans
Center Nursing Home, he passed away
October 3 I. He was missed by his many
friends, and honored because he madea
difference for the GLBT community of
Oldahoma.
be investigated or discharged under this
discriminatory law. :.. Certification and the
60-day congressional requirement must be
wrapped tip no later than the first quarter of
2011."
Sarvis called the repeal of the ban "the
defining civil rights initiative of this decade."
Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin
Cathcart called the I7-year fight to overturn
the ban "a heroic political battle by LGBT
advocates who refused to give up."
In a statement Defense Secretary Robert
Gates said: "Once this legislation is signed
into law by the president the Department
of Defense will immediately proceed with
the planning necessary to carry out this
Change carefully and methodically, but
purposefully: This effort will be led by Dr.
Clifford Stanley, Undersecretary of defense
for personnel and readiness. The legislation
provides that repeal will take effect once
the President, the Secretary of Defense
and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff certify that implementation of the
new policies and regulations written by the
department is consistent with the standards
of military readiness, military effectiveness,
unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention
of the armed forces .... I will approach this
process deliberately and xvill make such
certification only after careful consultation
with the military service chiefs and our
combatant commanders and when I am
satisfied that those conditions have been met
for all the Services, commands and units. It is
therefore important that our men and women
in uniform understand that while today’s
historic vote means that this policy will
change, the implementation and certification
process will take an additional period of time.
In the meantime, the current law and policy
will remain in effect."
Obama issued-a statement that said:
"Today, the Senate has taken an hist~oric step
toward ending a policy that undermines
our national security while violating the
very ideals that our brave men and women
in uniform risk their lives to defend. By
ending Don’t Ask, Dofft Tell, no longer
will our nation be denied the service of
thousands of patriotic Americans forced to
leave the militao; despite years of exemplary
performance, because they happen to be ga}~
and no longer will many thousands more be
asked to live a lie in order to serve the country
they love. As commander-in-chief, I am also
absolutely convinced that making this change
will only underscore the professionalism of
our troops as the best led and best trained
fighting f6rce the world has ever known.
And I join the secretary of defense and the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; as well
as the overwhehning majority of service
members asked by the Pentagon, in knowing
that we can responsibly transition to a new
policy while ensuring our military strength
and readiness. It is time to close this chapter
in our history. It is time to recognize that
sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more
defined by sexual orientation than they are by
race or gendm; religion or creed. It is time to
al!ow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their
country openly."
"First ursday" Art
Opening and E ibit
of Original Works by
Tulsa World Editorial
Cartoonist o Bruce
Planteo
TULSA, OK (PR) __ The January"
Oldahomans for Equality (OlcEq) showcase
and exhibit of local artists at the Dennis R.
Neill Equality Center (621 E. 4th Street in
downtown Tulsa), will feature works by Tulsa
World Editorial Cartoonist Bruce Plante.
Bruce lcnew, while growing up in
Texarkana, Ark., that drawing and humor
were in his future: He began drawing
cartoons in the second grade and began
performing standup comedy in the sixth
grade.
As a sophomore at the University
of Arkansas Bruce became the editorial
cartoonist for the Arkansas Traveler, the
school newspaper. He graduated the
University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of
Arts in 1977. In 1985, Bruce became the first
staffeditorial cartoonist for The Chattanooga
Times and held that position for 22 years.
On Oct. 22, 2007 Bruce was lured
away from Chattanooga to Tulsa, taking the
position of edit0i:ial cartoonist.for the Tulsa
World, replacing the late Doug Marlette.
In 1989, he creatdd Plante Ink syndicate
which distributes his editorial cartoons to 40
subscribers throughout the United States.
His cartoons have been reprinted in The New
York Times, USA Today;The %~ashington
Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los
Angeles Times, Newsweek, Newsweek
International (Europe), Newsweek Japan,
Playboy; Sports Illustrated, Discover, CBS,
CNN, college and high school textbooks and
even the Iowa Achievement Test.
In 1985, Bruce won Showtime’s Funniest
Person in Aa’aerica Contest. He performed
standup for 4 years for audiences as large
as 3,000 and speak~s to more than 30 civic
groups and schools every year.
The show begins with a reception on
~lt~ursday, JanualT 6th from 6-9pm and
continues throughout the month, www.okeq.
org
Free help
By Steven Petrow
&even Petrozv is tt§e author of"The Essential
Boot: ofGay Manners &Etiquette. Send
him your questions at qUeerieS@live.com.
"Too affectionate at the mall?"
is not to hook-up; you’re making a political
statement.
¯ Follow the leader: Breal~ only one rule
at a time. Don’t go rogue on your comrades,
(i.e. no name-calling, clashing with police).
° Be clean and kissable: Bring your breath
mints; you may be kissing a lot of strangers.
Don’t hog the best kissers. If everyone else is
moving on to a new partner, it’s time to let
go.
Elton John to sing
against Prop 8
Elton John will perform a private concert
in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 19 to raise
money for the ongoing federal lawsuit against
Proposition 8, the voter-passed constitutional
amendment that re-banned same-sex marriage
in California.
~tle concert, to benefit the American
Foundation for Equal Rigi~ts, which hired
the gay side’s superstar attorneys, Ted Olson
and David Boles, will take place at the Green
Acres estate of billionaire political fundraiser
Ron Burlde.
"We are deeply honored to have the
support of Sir Elton John," said AFER Board
President Chad Griffin. ’!The American
Foundation for Equal Rights stands for the
enduring principle that all Americans are
created equal, and believes that ending statesanctioned
discrimination is a critical step we
must tal~e toward ending the hate crimes and
suicides that continue to claim the lives of
young Americans."
John has not always been a supporter of
same-sex marriage. On Nov. 12, 2008, eight
days after voters passed Prop 8, he told USA
Today: "What is wrong with Proposition 8 is
that they went for marriag.e Marriage is going
to put a lot of people off, the word ’marriage’.
... I dont want to be married. I m very happy
with a civil partnership. If BY people want to
get married, or get together, they should have
a civil partnership.... Heterosexual people get
married. We can have civil partnerships."
Prop 8 was struck down as
unconstitutional at the federal district court
level. The ruling is currently on appeal at the
U.S. 9th Circuit Court ofAppeals, which
heard oral arguments on Dec. 6.
For concert ticket information, e-mail
events@afer.org.
3131
January 1, 2011 I 7
Tulsa Eagle Staffready to serve the crowd at thier 2009 New Years Eve Black &White Ball,
and did they ever!
Sooner &ate Softball Association Games promised an ex’citing summer 2010. Shown above is
Oklahoma Chaos Team ofOklahoma Ci~ Gorin photo
.............MORE Photo’s on page 11
8 January 1, 2011
AffirmingChurch
in Owasso expands
ministry to gay
OWASS0;OK (PR)~ ~.Table
UCC h~ ~0urd~ and ~fi~ort for
G~TQS~yo~t~ ~i~i~)~e
Youth gr~U~ is c~i~ ~nPlace.
~ey m;et0n F~i~ay ev~fiings from
6:30pm t0 8~00pm. B~ginning the
3rd Monday in Janua~ they will have
k PF~G meeting from 7’8 p.m. Rev
Melinda Foster leads the congregation
and they meet at 202 S Cedar, Suite
E, Ow~so OK 74q55. Rev. Melinda
Foster can be reached at 918-693-
0458. For more information visit:
http://opentableucc.com/
Nommanons
Comm ity Heroes
TULSA, OK (PR)
Oklahomans for Equality is now
taldng nominations to recognize
individuals or groups who have made
an impact on the work for equality
for the LGBT community. These
awards are presented at the annual
Equality Gala on April 30, 2011,
Tulsa Convention Center Ballroom.
The following awards are presented:
Lifetime Achievement Award-
Recognizes a lifetime dedication
tothe cause of equality for LGBT
community in O~ahoma. Past
recipients include Nancy McDonald,
Dennis Neill and Kelly Kirby.
This award is nor always presented,
annually.
Community Heroes- Recognize
~hose individuals and groups who have
represented or served our community
in the previous year. Many of these
hdroes have "taken a bullet" for our
cause. Past recipients include Council
Oak Mens Chorale, Jim Roth, Carol
Crawford, Tim Williams, and Kelly
Carter.
The Russell Bennett Award
for Spiritual Inclusion - Presented
to a faith leader who leads and
supports affirming the faith of the
LGBT community in our local
congregations. Past winners include
Rev. Leslie Penrose, Rabbi Sherman
and Rev. Richard Ziglar.
Grand Marshal for the Tulsa Gay
Pride Parade June 11 th- Recognizes
an individual who has supported the
LGBT community in a courageous
and visible manner. Past recipients
have been 11 year old Noah Blatt
and the Rev Marlin Lavanhar for his
advocacy work for the gay community
in Uganda.
You can download a form at
http://www.okeq.org/wp-content/
uploads/2010/12/nominationform.
pdf Please return completed form to:
Oklahomans for Equality PO Box
2687, Tulsa, OK 74101 or email paul.
allen@okeq.org
Rev S eve uric
spirit of Christ MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Sunday 6:00 PM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
www.socmcc.org
Have a God filled and Blessed Day!
January 1, 2011
Creep ofthe Month
By D’Anne Witkowski
D’Anne ~tkowski has been gayforpay since 2003.
Shes aJ~eelance zortter andpoet (believe ~t:9. When she’s
not taking on the creeps ofthe world she reviews rock ~’
toll shows in Detroit with her ~oin sister
"John McCain"
10 January 1, 2011
I wish I still had my dog-eared and
tattered copy of Conduct Unbecoming so I
could send it to John McCain. Not that he’d
bother ro read it. The U.S. military’s vicious
anti-gay history with its vcitch-hunts and
outright persecution of gay service members
probably isn’t of much interest to McCain.
Especially since "don’t ask, don’t tell" solved
everything. Don’t you dare try
to tell him anything different.
During a Nov. 28
appearance on "State of the
Union" with host Candy
Crowley, McCain actually
had the audacity to claim that
"don’t ask, don’t tell" is an
effective policy that doesn’t harm anyone, gay
or straight, and that the call for its repeal is
just politics.
"There was no uprising in the military," he
said. "There were no problems in the military
with ’don’t ask, don’t tell.’"
"If you were gay it was a problem,"
Crowley interjected.
"No it wasn’t," McCain snapped. "It’s
called ’don’t ask, don’t tell,’ okay? Ifyou don’t
ask them, you don’t ask somebody, and they
don’t tell."
Got that? It works. End of story.
Crowley tried to ask McCain something
else, but he cut her off.
"I understand your point of view. I
understand the poil~t of view by the majority
of the media," he said. "But the fact is,
this was a political promise made by an
inexperienced president or candidate for
presidency of the United States."
In other words, it’s all Obama’s fault. He’s
too young to know what a good idea it is to
discriminate against homos in the military.
Why, when McCain was Obama’s age he had
to walk 15 miles in the snow uphill both ways
in order to make a campaign promise likd
that.
"The military is at its highest point
in recruitment and retention and
professionalism and capability," McCain
continued. "So to somehow allege that this
policy has been damaging the military is
simply false."
Tell that to the thousands of gays and
lesbians who have been booted out of the
military since "don’t ask, don’t tell" was
enacted. According to Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network, that number is upwards
~s"R’s cal~ed ’don’t ~
k, don’t te~,’ okay?
you don’t ask
Ithern, you don’t ask
IsorneSody, and they
~.on’t tell." ~
of 14,000. You may recall
that in 2002, amid a severe
shortage of Arabic-speaking
translators, the Army fired
six linguists trained in
Arabic simply because they
were gay.
Apparently McCain sees
this as some kind of success. "The fact is that
this system is working," he told Crowley.
McCain repeatedly stressed that he
wanted to know what the effect ~vill be of
letting gays serve openly - and that’s the
operative word, "openly." Because gays
already serve in the military, they just have
the weight of a government-mandated closet
on their backs threatening to tumble open
and ruin their careers ar any moment.
"I believe we need to assess the effect on
the morale and battle effectiveness of those
young Marines and’Army people I met at
forward-operating bases that are putting their
lives on the line every day," he said. Never
mind that some of these "young Marines and
Army people" are probably gay.
McCain Said he has had "a number of"
military folks come up ro him and say, "Look,
we fight together, we sleep together, we ear
together." His choice of anecdotes illustrates
one of the main concerns ofhomophobes:
that homosexuality is contagious, and the
best way to guard against it is to make sure
you never l~ow when and if it’s around you
and to punish gays and lesbians who dare
make such an enormous sacrifice to serve the
country.
A
L
G
A
T
S
L
0
T
A
T
L
L
A
C
Y
N
Y
T
Miss Bamboo 2011 @ the Bamboo Lounge
~dsa November 2010. Staffphom
@A~tes OKC]anuary 2010. Godn photo
Hot Dancers @ 77~e End Up, ~dsa March
2010. ~affphoto
F ash Back
TobyJenkins, President, Oklahomansfor
Equality and Oklahoma State Representative
Al 3/IaAd~ey at the 30th Equality Gala, Tulsa.
Photo by Liz Ingersoll, Mia Bella [m~es
@the Copa, OKCfidy 2010. Gorin photo
@ Finishline, OKCJanua,y 2010. Gorin ghoto
@Alibis, OKCJune 2010. Godn ghoto
April 2010 Open Arms Youth Project hosts
P?vm Night. P,vm Queen, Brenda "G,andma"
Bolen and Prom I~%tg, Kim W,§#enhunt. Judy
G. Photo
Best Wishes For
Kel~ Kirby receives Lifetime Achievement
Award, p,~sented by N,znoy McDonald @ the
30Anniversary Equality Gala, ~dsa. Photo
3det,v Star Staff"
Ginger Lamar, Grand 3darshall 2010 OKC
Pride. Do,werphoto
Untertaine. @ Ledo. O {C 20 OI Gon,,
photo
@ Club Majestic, TulsaJanuary 2010, fi~dy G.
photo
Sooner State Rodeo Association at the 2010
Tulsa Pride Parade. Judy Gphoto
2011, From The Metro Star Team @ Club 209, ~dsaJanua,7 2010, Ju4y G.
photo
Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association @ the
Habana hzn Pool Party 3day 2010. Godn photo
By Rex Wockner*
Judges hint at Prop 8
case twists and turns
9t,§-Gtvuit Federal Court, APpoolphoto @Eric Risberg
The effort to undo California’s Proposition
8 inched forward Dec. 6 when a three-judge
panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals entertained nearly three hours of oral
arguments from the attorneys in the case.
In an ornate courtroom on the third floor
of San Francisco’s historic James R. Browning
U.S. Courthouse, amid murals, stained glass
and statues dating to 1905, the attorneys
replayed some of their main arguments and
the judges offered hints of where the case
might go.
The gay side’s lawyers, who include
famed attorneys Ted Olson and David Boles,
sought to defend U.S. District Judge Vaughn
Walker’s ruling from August that Prop 8
violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of
equal protection and due process.
They also argued that the parties who
brought the appeal to the 9th Circuit -- the
activists who created Prop 8 and the deputy
county clerk of Southern California’s dusty
Imperial County -- have no legal "standing"
to have mounted this appeal ofWalker’s
ruling.
Those parties are trying to defend Prop
8 because all the public ot~cials who were
sued in the case -- including Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Attorney General (and
Gov.-elect) Jerry Brown -- have refused to
defend the voter-passed state constitutional
amendment that re-banned same-sex marriage
in November 2008 after it had been legal
for 4 1/2 months and after t8,000 same-sex
couples had married.
It is unclear if the court will grant the
Prop 8 proponents or Imperial County
standing to allow the appeal to move forward.
~e judges seemed unimpressed by Imperial
County’s desire to be let into the case. Among
other things, they seemed annoyed that the
deputy county clerk rather than the actual
clerk is pursuing the move.
As to whether the people who put Prop 8
on the ballot should be allowed to step into
the shoes of the state government and defend
a piece of the state constitution that the state
itself refuses to defend, the judges hinted
that they might bounce that question off of
the California Supreme Court to see hmv it
feels about the idea. If the 9th Circuit does
that, it could delay appellate rulings on both
the standing issue and the merits ofWalker’s
decision.
On the merits, Olson told the judges that
California has unconstitutionally "taken a
class of citizens and put them in a separate
category."
California gives same-sex couples all the
of marriage under
a domesticpartnership
law,
but prohibits
gay couples from
marrying. Under
another law. gay
couples who
go get married
somewhere else
also receive all
the California
rights of
marriage but
are prohibited
from calling
their marriage
a marriage
in California.
Yet other gay couples, who got married in
California or somewhere else before Prop
8 passed, are considered to be married in
California and are permitted to use the word.
It’s very messy.
All of this is discriminatory, Olson said.
It harms gay Californians. ~here is no legal
rational basis for it. It cannot be "justified,"
he said. "California has built a fence around
its gay and lesbian citizens and around the
institution of marriage," Olson told the
judges. "That is a violation of the equalprotection
clause and it’s a violation of the
due-process clause."
Attorney Charles Cooper for the Prop 8
proponents told the judges that his case in
defense of Prop 8 centers on "procreation."
In Coopers view, it is rational for the
state to limit marriage to men and women
because the reason marriage exists in the first
place is because sex between men and women
produces children. ~e state, he suggested,
has a unique interest in human unions that
are procreative.
At the end of the day, court-watchers were
talking about three things that piqued their
curiosity during the oral arguments:
* Will the case be delayed so the 9th
Circuit panel can sound out the California
Supreme Court on the question of whether
people who put initiatives on the ballot
should be able to defend those initiatives
when they are struck down by courts?
Regardless of whether the judges seek advice
from the California Supreme Court, the case
¯ cannot proceed if the 9th Circuit decides that
neither the Prop 8 proponents nor Imperial
County has legal standing to appeal. If they
do not, Walker’s ruling striking down Prop 8
would come back into force.
* In hearing the appeal of Walker’s ruling,
will the 9th Circuit rely solely on Walker’s
expansive trial record, which seems to
demolish most of the myths, lies, arguments
and opinions that historically have been used
to oppress gay and lesbian people? Or will
the 9th Circuit look at additional sources of
information and seek out other facts . ine
court hinted that it may review more than
just the District Court’s findings.
* And has the 9th Circuit perhaps hinted
that it plans to uphold \Valker’s decision but
in a way that would limit the case’s impac~ to
California, the only state that ever let gays get
married and then later took that right away
from them? The court spent a fair amount of
12 January 1, 2011
Ed Sikov is the author ofDark l/icto*_7; 7be Life
ofBette Davis and other books aboutf!lms and
fihnmakers.
"Kahlua, Cream and Fiasco:
-he White Russian"
My cold lasted another week, so
forget about literary reticence. Let the gross
descriptions fly: Shot spewed out of my nose
like raw scrambled eggs, only darke,; more
translucent, and graced by tiny bloblets of
blood. My lungs hacked up a hocker so gray
it could have come out of an old coal miner.
When I wasn’t wiping smears of sputura
off my hands, sheets and nearby skin mags,
! contemplated my recent poor behavior.
Dan was right: I’d become "an old-fashioned
asshole." Dan was nothing but affectionate
with me, even after I spat goose-shit-green
mucous onto his pillow while he slept. He
deserved better from me. So did my friends.
When I stopped being viral, I invited
Craig and Kyle to dinner. Surprisingl); Craig
didn’t hang up on me when I called. "I’m
sorry..." I began. He cut me off: "Listen,
dollface - I’ll forgive you anything as long
as you keep your tongue off my boyfriend."
"Right-O!" I sang out, amxiery turning me
strangely into Terry-Thomas in some British
war comedy. "How about dinner here on
Saturday? It’s Chicken Cacciatore and an
after-dinner drink that doesn’t suck." All was
well.
Dinner xvas a disaster. Dan was late, so
I had to wield the vacuum cleaner and a
can of Pledge and set the table while trying
to make what turned out to be an absurdly
complicated "hunter’s style" chicken with
only half the ingredients the recipe called
for. (I hadn’t bothered with a shopping list.
"Calling Dr. Freud! STAT!") The result
was a greasy; taste-free horror - no wild
mushrooms, no fresh sage or thyme, clumpy
years-old garlic salt instead of garlic....
"Hunter’s style?" What were they hunting
- something outof Oliver Twist?
Having tasted the cacciatore, I downed
some Tormore Single Malt and became
morose. But when Dan waltzed in mere
minutes before Craig and Kyle were supposed
to show up, my irrepressible life force
returned. [ became hostile. Craig and Kyle
thus entered during the second act of _Who’s
Afraid ofVirginia Woolf_, with me playing
both George and Martha. I behaved terribly;
Dan was rightly embarrassed. I might have
summoned enough dignity not to spend the
whole evening staring at the gap between
Kyle’s bottom shirt button and his belt. a
space out of which a perfect tuft of soft hair
emerged. Craig noticed, much to his giee and
my continuing disgrace.
But dessert was fiibulous! Ttxe White
Russian is one of my favorite cream-based
cocktails because of its subtlety, simplicity
and relative lack of.sweetness. It’s got a little
Kahlua for a cafd au lair effect, vodka for
some kick and thick, chilled heavy cream
for the mouth-to-belly bliss that only cold
dairy fat can provide. Still, two rounds of
White Russians wasn’t enough to make up for
hurling lettuce fragments and bacon chunks
in Craig’s face after discovering that puppy
Kyle had been gobbled up by Jabba the Hut.
Am I still bitter? You bet your elephantine
ass I am.
~-he White Russian
1 part Absolut
1/2 part coffee liqueur
1 part chilled heaW cream
Put some ice in a shaker and add all
the ingredients; put the cap on and swirl it
around a bi{ rather than shake it. (After all,
you’re not trying to make liquor butter.) Pour
through strainer into a good-looking glass
and serve.
time discussing a 1996 case from Colorado in
which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a
state constitutional amendment that deprived
gay people of anti-discrimination protections
that Colorado governments previously had
extended ro them.
A "narrow" ruling against Prop 8 by the
9th Circuit could bring same-sex marriage
back to California but possibly thwart Olson,
Boles and the American Foundation for
Equal Rights’ desire to take before the U.S.
Supreme Court the proposition that samesex
couples have a constitutional right to get
married in all states.
Lesbian becomes Colorado
Supreme Court justice
Monica Marquez became the first openly
gay or l~sbian member of the Colorado~
Supreme Court when she was s~vorn in Dec.
10.
Her partner, Sheila Barthel, helped her
put on her black robe at the ceremony.
Marquez, 41, previously served as deputy
attorney general.
Spacey won’t discuss
sexual orientation
Actor Kevin Spacey told The Daily
Beast on Dec. 15 that he’s not interested in
discussing his sexual orientation.
"I have not given up my right to privacy,"
Spacey said. "People have different reasons for
the way they live their lives. You cannot put
everyone’s reasons in the same box. It’s iust a
line I’ve never crossed and never will."
"You have to understand that people who
choose not to discuss their personal lives
are not living a lie." he continued. "That
is a presumption that people jump ro.... I
iust don’t buy into that the personal can be
political. I just think that’s horseshit."
ING AROLINI~ NOW...BECAIJSE
OF THE. CHANGES
IF "/OIJ WANT TO RMIN
THEN GO.
e~il: bittergirl@qsyndicate,com ty.net
Chuck Breckenridge
%q~cther buying or selling
I’!1 work hard for you.
!~-rk~_ra~~
597 Magnetic Road
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
www.magneticValleyresort.corn
info@magneticvalleyresort.com
800-210-8401 479-244-6821
Abutting Downtown
Bars, Clubs, Baseball, BOK Centel; Tulsa Gay
Center. ~M]rordable Homes and Apartments.
For mo,:e Info~wmtion visit:
www~aybn~dyheightsmha.com
By Jack Fertig
Janua~ 20tl
"Take a cSance on ~ove, Gemini!"
Sun squaring Saturn adds the weight
of age and responsibility, but Venus
enters Sagittarius, leading affections
and aesthetics toward new adventures.
She gets in the middle of that square
offering frivolous escape that can too
easily complicate problems at hand, but
she also offers some creative solutions.
ARIES (Narch 20- Apri~ 19):
The responsibilities of work and
relationships can feel oppressive. A
romantic adventure is much needed. If
partnered, plan a getaway. If single, a
stern attitude can be sexy, but balance
it with playful warmth. (Think gym
coach!)
TAURUS (Apri~ 20 - Nay 20}: As hard
as you’ve been working, you’re entitled
to a much-needed release. Find an
appropriate place to scream and let it all
out. If you really need to beat someone
there are eager victims. Just keep it
safe and consensual.
GEN~N~ (Nay 21o June 20): Play only
for funsies. Don’t take any bets. but
take a chance on love or a passionate
facsimile. Incredible sex is no basis for
a solid relationship. Take it one day at a
time and see what else there is.
CANCER (June 21o Ju~y 22): A strong
sense of responsibility at home can be
a millstone or a motivator. Go with the
latter. Once you drag your tush into
action, momentum will make the rest of
it a lot easier.
LEO (Ju~y 23 - August 22): Even you
may have inarticulate moments, but just
take them as a creative challenge. A
little playfulness can boost morale and
productivity. Too much, not so good. If a
few jokes and your dazzling smile aren’t
enough, turn it up slowly.
V~RGO (August 23 - September 22):
Your best investment of time, energy
and money is in your own home and
community. Think ahead before taking
on responsibilities. Spreading humor
and good will at home or close by will
help build your standing.
L~BRA (September 23 - October
22): The weight of the world seems to
be on your shoulders. Opportunities
can be hard to find, but they’re there!
A lighthearted chat with a sister
(genetic or otherwise) can help you get
perspective.
SCORHO (October 23 - November
21): Life is tough, but don’t let current
troubles wear you down. When you
catch yourself worrying, channel that
into constructive thought toward a
solution. Stick to basics and remember
what’s important.
November 22
- December 20): The money crisis
will hit everyone. You may be worrying
too much on a personal level. Focus
on your personal assets, the kind
you would still have even if you were
penniless and naked. Never forget: You
almost always fare better than most.
CAPRICORN (December 21
- January- 19): You’re at the top of your
game, but what’s next? The answer to
that is not as urgent as it may seem.
Relax, indulge in a romantic or sensual
retreat, and the hard questions will gain
perspective,
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February
18): The world’s troubles are the
world’s, not necessarily your own.
Discussing global and personal worries
with friends will help balance it all out.
For answers to the world’s problems
and your own, look across borders and
oceans.
HSCES (February !9- Narch 19):
Put your deep, dark imagination to
work. Even in a bleak future there are
opportunities. You can be inspired to
find them for yourself and to guide
others. Even if the light at the end of the
tunnel is an oncoming train you could
ride it out.
Community for
People iving
with
H V/A DS
A 50I c (3) Not] 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
ourhousetoo9865@sbcglobal.net
’1
14
/7
20
27
34
37
43
46
2 3 4 5 : 6 7 8
I
48
11 !2
24 25 26
33
53 54 55
Across
56
63
57 58
49
Down
"i[hree-men-in-a-tub event
Oral attention getter
So,s0 grade
14 Point of View intr0, at Gay.c0m
15 "Oh, ~,X?hat a Beautiful Morning" sin er
16 Prayer Stm~&r
!7 Hides ofhai~T guys?
t9 ~orkers under Barney Frank
20 He had a crush on Beatle John
1 Lettuce variety
2 US citizen
3 The king in N~e ~ng I. ~br one
4 Time for Frida
5 Fireplace rods
6 Bounds gaily
7 Deadly septe[
8 HIV exam, e.g.
9 One that reproduces without sex
34 "l~wo to one, }~r one
35 Cat on Tin RoOf
36 LacldngToc"ks ~,
37 E~rly g~atle song that expressed how 20-
Across irelt :
t3 ’60s radical org.
18 Type of tool
2! .M.use for Millay
24 My Cup Runneth Over s~nger
Whitrnan’s dooryard bloomers
the shaft
a hottie
14 January 1,201t
During the Metro Star’s time in
publication Oklahoma and America has
experienced great changes including two
major elections, inclusion of GLBT persons
among those with Federal Hate Crimes
protection, the OKC and Tulsa School
districts adopting policies protecting gay
students from harassment and bullying, the
tremendous growth of Oldahoma’s gay rights
advocacy organizations and at presstime
finally the end of legal discrimination for
GLBT Americans in the US military.
However as 2010 concludes on this
happy note Chaz \gard, at age 7t, has made
the decision to retire after publishing the
newspaper for over 7 years. "It’s time for me
to relax, I want to do some traveling, and will
continue to help advance total equality for
GLBT people."
In conclusion the Metro Star wishes to say
that they were proud to be part of the GLBT
community of Oklahoma and the region,
thanking our advertisers and readers for 7
great years. We come to a close xvith a recap
of the highlights of 2010, and in this last
issue we say thank you and we appreciate
the support everyone has given us.
Another endeavor has been their Cooking
for Ct~ange Program which has been selling
freshly made homemade tamales as a means
for fundraising. A dozen tamales are only
$24 and are available in pork, chicken or
vegetarian style. Contact P-Flag to order
some!
P-Flag Enid also wants .to announce
that nominations are open for their 2011
Stand Awards, which are open to GLBTQA
individuals, businesses, organizations, media,
artists and other categories of Oklahomans
~vho have improved life for the GLBT
community in the state. They are also seeking
similar groups interested in partnering with
P-Flag as a Communty Parmer sponsor
to keep the work of the Center going and
growing. Enid P-Flag is a 501c3 organization
so contributions are tax deductible.
To contact Enid P-Flag one can call
toll free 1 800 878 5298, or logon pflag@
enidglbt.org..
Flash Back
I~cmr & Chaz 200~
January 1, 2011
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
[2010] Metro Star Magazine, January 1, 2010; Volume 7, Issue 1
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
January 01, 2010
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Description
An account of the resource
The Metro Star’s first issue began in August of 2008. Before this issue was Ozarks Pride (2004), The Ozark’s Star (2004), and The Star (2005).
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
James Nimmo
Victor Gorin
Rex Wockner
Michael W. Sasser
Robin Dorner-Townsend
Judy Gabbard
Romeo San Vincente
Andrew Collins
Jack Fertig
Lisa Keen
Devre Jackson
Steven Petrow
Keith Orr
Chris Azzopardi
Victor Gorin
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
West 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 Metro Star Magazine, December 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 12
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/130
The Metro Star Magazine, February 1, 2010; Volume 7, Issue 2
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/188
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/189
activism
advertisements
Advice Column
After Dark
AIDs Walk
Bamboo Lounge
Bike fundraiser
Bitter Girls
Celtic festival
Chelsea Boys
civil unions
classifieds
Club Rox
Comic Strips
commentary
controlling stress
denies gay marriage
Fundraiser
Gay/Lesbian center
grants
horoscope
Joseph Beam
Lawanda Jackson
Lesbian Notions
Loaves and Fishes
marriage equality
Miss Gay Oklahoma
new Jersey
Our House
Out of Town
Owasso Community Theatre
Past Out
Q Scopes
South Africa marriage
Star Distributors
The Gayly Oklahoman
The Star Scene
The Wine Rack
Too
travel
Tulsa news
Uncle Mikey
vacation
Why should being gay be a crime?