1 20 1 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/f73e1cc882517fbc73f44a188871dc1c.jpg 736facac34483a1d66bfce1aa2d830f2 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/c9fcdc36b199a9431a34e8478899214d.pdf 963bb2daa16770222e9954db5fb1cdd2 PDF Text Text THE PREMIER SOURCE FOR GLBT OKLAHOMA ~Idahoma boasts 2 Gay Rodeo’s this year. Sooner State Rodeo (SSRA) Tulsa wil! make a comeback this fall with the Autumn Stampede. More on page-3 VOLUME 7 ISSUE 5 Twitt÷rocom/MetroStarNews President directs HHS to crack down on hospitals barring lgbt partners House ethics committee draft s.ays Congressional staffers with same-se~ spouses must include them in annual financial ~isclosure statements; Family Research Council says that violates DOMA By Lisa Keen Keen News Service WASHINGTON, DC President Obama issued a surprise memorandum Thursday- night, April 15, calling for an end to discrimination against gays and lesbians by hospital visitation policies that limit visitom to immediate family members. The timing for release of the memo was a litde odd- at 7:29 p.m. while the president was onboard Air Force One enroute back to Washington from a day of events in Florida. After signing the memorandum onboard Air Force One, the president then called Washington State resident Janice ~gbehn tO express his sympathy for the lossi0fhet parmer of !8 y~s~Lis~Pond:;: ......... Vo.d and Langbehn~ st0~ ~ subject ~ ~ p~6f\~\as~ rues; illUsiradng one ~£~h~ Urgent ~blemST~ c ui les face becatise Can fid because some entities still refuse to respect their relationships, During a family vacation to Miami, Florida in February 2007, Pond collapsed with an aneurysm and was taken by ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s trauma center. When Langbehn and their e MetroStarNews.com May 1,2010 Gay Rodeo an Oklahoma tradition 25th Great Plains Rodeo Rides Again In OKC By Victor Gorin Contributing writer arrived at the hospital, a hospital social worker said they would not be able to visit Pond, even though Langbehn and Pond had executed a heal~ prox~ and Langbehn had a friend fax the document to the hospital. According to a press release from Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is representing Langbehn in a lawsuit against the hospital, the president apologized to Langbehn for what happened to her family. "It was very rewarding to hear ’I’m sorry,’ from the President because that’s what I have wanted to hear fro,m,,Jackson Memorial since the night Lisa died, Said ~gbehn m be statement;" " I hopethat taking ~ ...... .... "" these ~tepS make~ siireth~ no ~ily eve;:-h~ t6 ily4~as ~peri~nce’the pi@tm~re :thatlm gone ith~o!agh." : i: .... Pres~denrObamas memorandum directs " ........ !he,,secr~ 0f Health and:Human Se~ices to ensure’ ~at hospitals which participate in Medicare and Medicaid "respeCt the rights of patients to designate visitors" and ~llow those visitors the same privileges as immediate family members. ........ Continued See HOSPITALS Page-6 O ahoma Exempdor £rom Federal Ha e Crh es Law- stopped "There are a couple of pastors who wear the veil of Christianity who were pttshing this legislation. As a Christian this offends me because the Jesus I know doesn’t stand for that." State Representative Mike Shelton. By Victor Gorin Contributing vcriter OKLAHOMA CITY, OK When Barak Obama signed the Mat~ew ShepardJames Byrd Jr. Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law last October 22, it was celebrated by the GLBT community and their allies as a major civil rights victory that was the result of almost a decade of loiJbying efforts and activism. Although some states already had hate crimes laws protecting the GLBT community (Oklahoma not among them) for the first time Arnericans in the State Representative Mike Shelton. Press photo GLBT community nationwide were protected by hate crimes laws at the Federal level. Also added by the same action were Federal protection against hate crimes based on gender and disability. Both of Oklahoma’s Senators, Dr.Tom Coburn and James Inhofe voted against the bill, along with the entire Oklahoma ........ Continued See HATE CRIMES Page-6 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK It’s a proud Memorial Day weekend tradition in Oklahoma City when cowboys, cowgirls and their fans celebrate the Great Plains Rodeo, which now has the distinction of lasting a quarter century. In keeping with long time tradition, it will be held at the Oldahoma State FairgroUnds. From humbler beginnings, the first rodeo came together when OGRA (Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association) joined up with the Kansas and Missouri Ga~ Rodeo Associations to form what was then the Great Plains Regional Rodeo in August of 1986. Joined by Arkansas in 1992 the event was moved to the Memorial Day weekend. In 1999 the 4 associations split up to form their own respective rodeos, thus the word "Regional" was dropped to make the event simply the Great Plains Rodeo it is today. This rodeo ranks among the top 4 rodeos of the entire International Gay Rodeo Association circuit, which comprises over 20 rodeos. The International Gay Rodeo Association is made up of 28 state/provincial rodeo associations in the United States and Canada, and OGRA has been part of that organization since their first convention was held in 1985. O.G.R.A. was formed to provide a welcoming environment for those interested in the Western lifestyle without regard to sex or sexual orientation, national origin, race or any other form of prejudice. In other words, a way to bring people together to enjoy country and western life! This year the fun kicks offThursday May 27 with a Poolside Reception Party at the Finishline from 6-8 p.m. for the Rodeo sponsors and officials, followed by a stick horse rodeo that’s sure to be hilarious. This year will also feature a Stick Home Contest in which organizations can enter a decorated stick home, with votes for a winner that cost $1 apiece. The winning organization will receive a cash prize, and the stick horses will be auctioned off for charity. For more ........ Continued See RODEO Page-8 ��ere’s More Fun this Fall at SS ’S 2010 Sooner State Stampede By Victor Gorin Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus elects new o cers By Victor Gorin Contributing writer OKLAHOMA CITY, OK As O.G.L.EC. re-organizes, at their April meeting newofficers were elected: The cochairs are Steven Dubois & Jeanne Flanigan, Secretary Victor Gorin and Treasurer Richard Vreeland. As a revitalized organization they are meeting at the Neighborhood Alliance Building, 1236 N. 36th Street { N.W. 36thand Classen Boulevard) of Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. the 2nd Monday of each month, the next meeting on May 10. For~ more infBrmation e-mail Jeanne Flanigan at Ok.glpc@Tahoo.com or call her at (405) 255 3658. ~m Dic~,,nan, SSRA President. Sta~Cphat:o TULSA. OK As the OGI~’s Great Plains Rodeo welcomes summertime fun, this year more festivities jumpstart autumn as SSRA ( Sooner State Rodeo Ass6ciation) hosts another rodeo event, their 2010 Sooner State Stampede. It will not only feature traditiona! rodeo events, but also the fnn trappi,~gs of gay rodeo such as wild drag and goav dressing. It will mark SSI~k’s first rodeo with fifll equestrian amenities. t wvw¢.bridlecreekok.com). Sanctioned by the International Gay Rodeo Association I IGRA) this event promises to attract westerners from all over Oklahoma and nationwide. SSRA was formed in 2002 to give men ~d women of rodeo and the western lifestyle of Tutsa and eastern Oklahoma an association by which to come together and celebrate country culture. Like OGRA. SSRA is a 501c3 organization, and likewise is united ~br this cause without regard to race, sexua! orientation, religion, national origin, or any other prejudice one might encounten SSP~ celebrates not only rodeos and horse relaed activities, but also dogging, western and square dancing. The}, are also active in fundraisers that benefit various Oklahoma charities. Each October they select their royalty competitions for Mr. SSRA, Ms. SSRA, plus Miss and MisTER SSRA, who represent the organization at rodeos and fundraising events. ~aeir current president is Tulsan Tim Dickman. ~e winners from this event may go on to compete at IGRA’s World Gay Rodeo Finals held this year in Laughlin, Nevada October 2!- 24. For more information about the event check out ,a~vw.soonerstaterodeo.com tThe host hotel will be the Ramada Tulsa Airport East located at 1010 North Garnett Road, telephone 918 437 7660 (ww~:ramadaairport.com). Be sure to mention the Sooner State Stampede when booking your room for a special rare. Openly Gay Teacher Joe igley to be trans£erred £rom U.S. Grant High School By Victor Gorin Contributing writer Teacher Joe Quigley. Gorin ?hoto OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Joe Quigley is a high school English teacher who made history in Oklahoma City not only in the school system but for the GLBT community. He became well known when he was teaching English at Northwest Ctassen High S&ool. fighting for years to have the ~vords "sexual orientation/gender identit3:’ included in the Student Handbook to be among categories to be protected from harassment and bullying, His tenacious efforts almost cost him his iob last August when the OKC School Board voted to fire him. He not only won reinstatement in District Court, but soon after~vards th’e Oklahoma City School Board finally voted in the inclusive language for the Student Handbook. Although he was reinstated, instead of being returned to his original position at Northwest Classen he was instead transferred to U.S. Grant High School. U.S: Grant had been on the Federal list of schools in need of improvement and ~vas thus required to restructure under the guidelines of the No Child Left Behind Act. ~is would require that 50% of the teachers be removed. Joe Quigley was among the teachers to be transferred, who will receive full pay and benefits as substitute teachers for a 2 ........ Continued See O~IGLEY Pag_e-4 www.metrostarnows.corn ��Keith Kimmel found Dead in Norman March 31 following his arrest by Tulsa Police By Victor Gorin TULSA, OK Keith Kimmel, an activist with the GLBT com.munity was found de~d Wednesday morning March 31 around 7:45 a.m. by Kerri Logsdon. He had been staying at her home temporarily, and he was found seated in front of her computer. In a posting Monday on his Internet blog he had written, "I am done trying to love a world that has no love for me. I am done trying to believe redeeming things about people who have nothing redeemable about them." In accordance with his wishes, after an autopsy is performed his body would be cremated and his ashes sent to his family in Indiana. Tile preceding Friday night he had been drinking at the End Up Club, and according to statements he made was upset about a relationship he had with a dancer there. According to the dub owner Blake Mterman Keith had been there earlier that evening, left and then returned around 11:00 p.m. At that point Mr. Kimme! was very intoxicated, became very, combative and angry when the bartenders refused to serve him at which point the Tulsa police were called. During his arrest he claimed to have been physically and verbally abused at the club, and that officers had hit his head several times on the door frame of a patro! car. He was taken to St. John’s Hospital where he was given treatment ~br his injuries and bus tokens to get him back to his car. He returned to Norma~ the following da); and mailed a complaint of police brutality to the Internal Affairs Departmefii~ of the Tulsa police. Keith ~mmel had been im,olved with activist causes with the GLBT community but ,was probably best known for filing a lawsfiit against the Oklahoma Tax Commission ~vhen they refused to issue him a specialized license plate that stated IMGAY. He had dismissed that lawsuit February 26, stating that he would re-file it in Federal court at a later time. Mthough there was speculation as to what really happened during his arrest, including the possibility that his death might have been caused by the injuries from that night, the facts of his death are unknown at press time pending the results of a future autopsy. Mr. Mterman has urged caution stating," While I do want to see justice served. I would urge that as a community we wait until the final verdicl comes in. giving the police and the coroner’s office the proper time to do their invesngation before we make any conjectures or statements. After that comes out we as a communitT can move forward and get through this togethed" Blake further related that business had dropped since the incident, and stated that he’d like to remind the community that his establishment is still a peaceful party place. On Monday afternoons beginning around 4:30 p.m. there is still a free dinner courtesy of Midtown Meats located at 7924 E. 21st Street in Tulsa, and has morphed into a potluck supper. Tuesday nights still feature draft beer specials from open til 7 p.m. 4 ~:~,T~:()STA dose (understandably a busy day). The pool tournament happens on \gednesday nights at Bingo Thursday nights continues to be a rocking event, and the weekend features partying with the hot dancers. ~nis is follmved by Sunday beer busts. Blake further stated that business was picking up, and invited the community to see for themselves that the Endup is still a happening place to come together. documentation both anecdotal and in writing that the taxpayers have been continually ripped off in order to make administrators look good at the expense of the education df their students. " Senator Rice: "GOP Leadership Must Rebuke Incendiary R etoric" Oklahomans for Equality Award Recipients 2010 TULSA, OK Each year OkEq recognizes outstanding individuals who have both helped change and shape our ever evolving community. This year we are pleased to announce the following winners. The awards were presented at the 30th Anniversary Equality Gala on April 24, 2010. Life Time Achievement A,vard 20 years of service to the lgbt community Kelly Kirby Russell Bennett Spiritual Inclusion Award Advocacy for interfaith and lgbt dialogue Rabbi Charles E Sherman Temple Israel Community Hero Advocacy work for lgbtq youth Karen L. Davis Senior Program Officer Tulsa Community Foundation and Tulsa Reaches Out Community Hero 2004 Oklahoma Marriage Discrimination Lawsuit Gay Phillips & Sue Barton Sharon Baldwin & Mary Bishop Volunteers of the Year I.T. Team Eric Vogelpohl Don Satterthwaite Andrew Hicks Grand Marshal 2010 Pride Parade and Festival Rev Marlin Lavanhar Advocacy work for the global lgbt community year period if they cannot be placed in a permanent position, after which a teacher could be dismissed without the procedures of due process afforded tenured educators. As Joe puts it, "I was deliberately placed in a sChool where the District knew the teachers would have to be reduced and I look at this as yet another attempt to skirt the wilt and judgment of the District Court." The Oklahoma City Schoo! District has appealed his reinstatement, a process that could take as long as 2 years, so far incurring over $200,000 in legal expenses as the district faces a severe budget crisis. But so far Joe Quigley can say this much. "In the future the parents and taxpayers of the Oklahoma City Public School District need to start paying more attention to the teachers and less to the highly paid administrators, because there is Oklahoma State Senator Andrew Rice. File photo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) April 15, 2010 Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oldahoma City) said today that the anti-government rhetoric among some Republican state legislators" has reached disturbing levels. Rice pointed to comments by a Republican legislator running for statewide office who said on Wednesday that the federal government is "tyrannical" and said he is willing to take his challenge of the federal government "to the max." Rice said these comments are particularly disturbing given the fact the remarks came just days after the Republican state legislator and others said tile state of Oklahoma should create a citizen’s militia to protect Oklahoma’s sovereignty from an "overreaching" United State’s government. "All elected officials have a tremendous responsibility to be careful with the words xve choose to use in public," Senator Andrew Rice said. ’~t a time when more and more people are using words that carry violent connotations to express what may be legitimate frustrations with government policies, you would hope that elected officials would refrain from feeding into that frenzy." Rice said that non-partisan experts of anti-government violence and terrorism have recently expressed concerns about the rhetoric. Rice pointed to comments by David Cid, executive director of Oldahoma City-based Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, who was quoted in the Oklahoma Gazette saying: "People are angry and frustrated, and among those who are angry mad frustrated, there is a small number, but them are a number who will pick up a gun." Rice said examples of evidence of antigovernment violence occurred both in Austin, Texas and Michigan as one group threatened violence against the government, and another person acted out on his anger in an act of domestic terrorism against the IRS, killing one innocent citizen and himself. ’°I call on the Republican leaders of the Legislature to rebuke this inflammatory language of some of their members coming just days before the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing," Rice said. ’~All Oklahomans should be offended to hear any elected official use language that is reminiscent to the anti-government language used by Timothy McVeigh, especially leading up to this painful time of year for our state." Rice explained while McVeigh was on death row awaiting his execution for the murder of 168 innocent Oklahomans, he sent a letter to a London newspaper titled: "Why I bombed the Murrah building." In it McVeigh explains: "I reached the decision to go on the offensive - to put a check on government abuse of power, where others had failed in stopping the federal juggernaut running amok," he said. Oklahoma Tobacco Free help No matter who yot are on life’s -Reverend 3131 N. Pennsylvania,0kloh0~ 405.525.9555 May 1, 2010 �Wockner News Service for that project is expected to begin in the summer of 2011. A California Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage in May 2008 and weddings began June ! 6, 2008. Tiae court said preventing gay couples from marrying violated the state constitution. Even more groundbreakAng, the court also ruled that sexual orientation is a "suspect classification" -- which made aW type of discrimination based on sexual orientation constitutionally subject to the strictest level of scrutiny by California Out magazine lists ’most inEuential’ gays, lesbians 7he #’ial in the.f}dem! tawsu# to overturn 8 as a violation ofthe U.S. Constitution.{ms been paused in San Francisco since Jan. 2Z Famous attorneys DavM Boles, r{~ht, and Ted Olson are among the l.mwers argui,g the case for the gay side, Photo @ Rex Wochner Ellen DeGeneres. GL_~L4D photo Ellen DeGeneres is America’s "most influential" gay man or woman, according to Out magazine’s fourth annual "Power 50" list. "Since DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on Banerican Idol in February, millions upon millions of viewers are getting a double dose of the hugely popular talk show host and 12-time Emmy winner," Out said. "The American FLxpre~s and Covergirl pitchwoman’S rcacb~ is nearly unparalteled~ ... A passionate advocat( ~br marriage equalit)5 anavid opponent of’don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and staunch defender of animal rights, DeGeneres’s enormous platform is many an American’s gain." Others near the top of the list include MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, singer Adam Lambert, actor Nell Patrick Harris, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese and U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polls and Barney Frank. For the full list, see out.corn/power50. Effort to repeal Prop 8 fails to collect enough signat es. Federal Prop 8 trial remains paused. A grassroots effort to force a November 2010 ballot-box vote on repealing Proposition 8 failed to collect enough voter signatures by the April 12~deadline to get the measure on the ballot. Groups pushing the 2010 repeal effort faced an uphill battle from the get-go because California’s gay-rights leadership refused to support the project, believing that 2012 will be a better year to return to the ballot. The lead 2010 organization, Love Honor Cherish, did not say" hmv many signatures it did manage to collect. Just under 700,000 valid signatures would have been needed. "Tnis is a heartbrealdng moment," said LHC Executive Director John Henning. "Despite the dogged efforts of hun&eds of volunteers across California, we did not get www.metrostamews.corn the signatures we needed within the 150-day window set by the state. Regrettably, Prop 8 will remain as a stain on our constitution until at least 2012, and perhaps latel:" Love Honor Cherish was one of 40 mosdy grassroots groups working for a 2010 vote within a coalition called Restore Equality 2010. "Our signature-collection effort may have fallen short, but we stand tall as being the only statewide campaign that fought for repealing Proposition 8 in 2010," said Sean Bohac, chair of the Restore Equality 2010 Statewide Advisory Panel. "Our campaigners carried the torch of Harvey Milk, who showed that change only happens when we get out of the bars and into the streets. Band our efforts are reflected in the new polls that show increased support for extending marriage to all Californians." Bohac told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the number of signatures collected "was not particularly close" to the 694,354 needed. "We won’t be making, it public," he said. Recent polls by d~e Public Policy Institute of California and by the Los Angeles Times/ University of Southern California have shown that, for the first time, a majority of Californians now support same-sex marriage -- suggesting that top gay rights groups Equality California and Courage Campaign may have made a misstep in refusing to support the 2010 effort. EQCA and Courage expressed fears that voters would not be ready to reverse themselves just two years after rebanning same-sex marriage. But EQCA Executive Director GeoffKors said the poll results haven’t caused the group to second-guess its decision. "Equality California still believes 20!2 is the fight time to go to the ballot;’ Kors said. "Those polls were not of likely voters for the 2010 election. When you dig deeper into those polls -- and our internal polls during the same time period -- what’s clear is young voters are the ones who move the most. And young voters make tip a much larger percentage of the electorate in a presidential race (2012) than a gubernatorial race (2010), which is why the L.A. Times said, after looking at their poll numbers in the article, it’s clear why gay rights groups wanted to wait until 2012, because 2010 doesn’t provide us the best opportunity to win due to voter turnout." Restore Equality 2010 said it now will join up with the 2012 effort. Signature collecting courts. California governmental entities now have to prove they have a specific "compelling interest" -- rather than a mere "rational basis" - when they treat GLB people differently in any way. The change made it dramatically harder for any level of government to defend itself in any arena where gays, lesbians and bisexuals are not treated the same as heterosexuals. Some 18,000 same-sex couples married in California before voters amended the state constitution to re-ban same-sex marriage in November 2008. N~e California Supreme Court later ruled that Prop 8 was a valid amendment to the constitution. A federal lawsuit led by famous attorneys David Boles and Ted Olson to overturn Prop 8 as a violation of the U.S. Constitution is ongoing in San Francisco. The trial paused on Jan. 27 after all testimony had been heard but before closing arguments because Judge Vaughn ~Walker said he wanted to review the testimoW prior to hearing the attorneys’ final statements. The conclusion of the trial apparently has been further delayed while gay’ groups that ran the ballot campaign against Prop 8, who are not parties to the federal lawsuit, fight an order to turn over some of their e-mails from the campaign period. Protestors chained to W/site House jSnce: PtSoto b_y john Aravosis @ A_MERICAblog N~e LGBT community’s new activist pit bulls, GetEQUAL, dramatically upped the pressure on President Barack Obama on April 19 and 20 over his failure to succeed in keeping major campaign promises to LGBT Americans. Although Obama has taken several small steps seen as favorable or helpful to LGBT Americans, he has yet to engineer the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, or the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. GetEQUAIJs latest broadside started April :....Continued see Get_EQUAL - page 9 ~)~ETROSTAR 5 �More specifically, the memo instructs HHS to ensure that hospitals receiving federal funds nor deW visitation based on sexual orientation or gender identity, along.with the usual categories of non-discrimination. Human Rights Fund spokesman Michael Cole said his organization had been ~vorking with the Xg~hite House on the memo language [’or some rime. He said he was unaware of any particular reason for the timing. "It was a long process for them to get the memo language set and al! of their ducks in a row," said Cole- so my impression is that this was the point at which it was done." The April 15 memorandum is the second memorandum issued by the president to specifically help LGBT people. In June 2009, President Obama signed a memorandum to the ONce of Personnel Management Director requesting that the heads of all executive departments and agencies "conduct a review" of current benefits available to federal employees within 90 days "to determine what authority they have to extend such benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees" and submit a report on rMs to OPM. Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal, called the president’s hospital visitation memorandum a "great leap forward in addressing discrimination affecting LGBT patients and their families." "These measures are intended to ensure that no family will have to experience what the Langbehn-Pond family did that night at Jackson Memorial Hospital," said Cathcart, in a statement isstled Thursday night. k federal district court judge dismissed Lambda’s ta~vsuit on behalf of Langbehn, saying there was no law requiring the hospital to allow Lisa Pond’s partner to see her at the hospital. On Monday, April 12, Lambda issued a press release saying it had reached an agreement with Jackson Memorial for "qmproved policies that are more responsive ro the needs of the LGBT community." But Lambda said the agreement does "not provide as much protection as may be needed in critical sitnations." Lambda noted that the president’s memorandum calls on HHS to take steps to ensure that hospitals respect legal documents that some patients have to designate who can make decisions for them if they become incapacitated. It also requires HHS to report back to the president in !80 days with additional recommendations for actions HHS can take "to address hospital visitation, medical decision-maHng, or other health care ~ssues that ~?cr LGBT patients and their Ironically, the pool reporter on board the ~ighr back to Washington reported there was No news on the way back" from Florida. Meanwhile. Roll Call a newspaper specializing in covering Capitol Hill, reported Thursday that the House Committee on Standards of ONcia! Conduct has "drafted rules that for the first time would define gay married couples as ’spouses" for the purposes of filling out their annual Congressional financial disclosure forms." The forms are used by members of Congress and their staffs to make annual discIosures of any additional sources of income and investments by them and their 6 ~KTROSTAR spouses and dependent children. The draft rules propose requiring that any members or staffwho have married same-sex spouses in Washington, D.C. or aW of the states which provide for equal marriage rights to include information about their spouse’s finances, the same as straight members and staff Inust do about their legal spouses. Roll Call quoted a spokesman for the Family Research Council as saying the draft rules violate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DO1VL&), which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages. The paper noted that the draft rule had been removed from the committee’s website. The Committee’s webs!re currently lists instructions for filling out the form for calendar year 2008 disclosures even though the forms due next month are for calendar year 2009. MissoOa bans antiLGBT discrimination The City Council in Missoula, Mont., voted 10-2 on April 12 to prohibit discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, the Missoulian reporte& The vote came at 1:45 in the morning at the end of a seven-hour meeting. "Most of us can’t remember civil rights in action," said Councilwoman Sficy Rye. "This is it for us." Congresswoman Tammy BaldWin On President Obama’s signing ofa. memorand reNardmg the visitation rights of hospital patients Congresswoman Baldwin. Woclowr photo WASHINGTON, DC (PR) "President Obama’s decision to direct the Secretaryof Healrah and Human Services to take steps to ensure that hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid respect the rights of patients to receive visitors and designate others to make decisions about medical care in the case of an emergency is the right one. It follows the lead of many states and makes a strong statement about who we are as a nation and what we valne. Gay man elected mayor of small Colorado town An openly gay man, Ron Holland, was elected mayor of Dillon, Colo., April 6. He received 90 votes to an opponent’s 72 in the mountain town of about 800 people. Holland, who is serving his first term on the City Council, told the Summit Daily News he was "ecstatic" over his victory. No one should face the distress of lying ill or injured in a hospital bed with the loved one you designate barred from your bedside for any other than a compelling medical reason. For too long, such access has been arbitrarily denied many individuals, most especially to gay mad lesbian Americans. President Obama’s action tonight puts us another step doser toward our goal of equal rights for all Americans and I appland his decision: Martina has breast cancer Congressional Delegation, Passage of the bill intensified conservative religious groups who had campaigned against the Act and this was particularly felt in Oklahoma, although the legislation was hailed by the GLBT community and civil rights activists as a progressive measure long overdue. What followed was an attempt to "opt Oklahoma out" of this new protection, spearheaded by State Senator Steven Russell ( RepublicanDistrict 45) with State Senate Bil! 1965. The bill actually began as an ordinary measure to start a task force to research public and private high school athletics, authored by State Senator Harry Coates (Republicam) and State Representative "Wes Hilliard (Democrat). After the bill passed out of committee, S.B. 1965 was altered by Senator Russell who removed the original language. He then added language that would have prevented Oldahoma law enforcement from cooperating ,vith Federal authorities when a hate crime ~vas committed in Oklahoma. ~e bill then passed the State Senate 39-6. The ensuing publicity, including a GLBT lobbying day at the State Capitol focused mainly on this legislation, resulted in a re-xvrite of the bill by Senator Russell in an attempt to make it less offensive and passable. The rewritten version permitted Federal authorities to petition State District Courts for evidence relating to an Oldahoma hate crime if local law enforcement objected to cooperating with the Federal authorities. Among the groups opposed to this legislation was the Oklahoma American Civil Liberties Union. One of their lobbyists, Tamya Cox, spoke to State Representative Mike Shelton (Democrat District 97) who "hated this bill, understood the implications and issues of this from the onset, stated that we had to do something." Mr. Shelton persuaded the House author of the bill, Representative Danny Hilliard to let him have the bill. Once Mr. Shdton had control of the bill he withdrew it, thus ldlling this legislation. Although an unusual strategy, it was an effective action he stated that he felt he had to take because as he put it, ’~Mnything that breaks down the opportunity ro protect Oklahomans from harm is wrong. Legislation and resolutions that hurt people only give a black eye to our state." Although he has received positive feedback for his action, predictably he has received negative responses as well, including some from the conservative religious community. It hasn’t swayed his resolve as he relates, "There are a couple of pastors that wear the veil of Christianity who were pushing this legislation. As a Christian this offends me because the Jesus I know doesn’t stand for that." GLBT and civil rights activists are continuing to monitor the situation in case attempts are made to re-introduce this or similar measures with another bill. Mart!ha NavradIova. Ougames ~hoto Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova told People magazine April 7 that she has breast cancer. The ductai carcinoma was discovered early and is expected to be fully curable. "I cried," Navratilova said. "It knocked me on my ass, really. I feet so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it’s completely out of my hands." "I went four years between mammograms," she added. "I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don’t make excuses. I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble." Navratilova will undergo six weeks of radiation treatment starting in May. ’uptcv - CivJJ Rights oCriminal ’ment o Family Law o Litigation 625 N. o l th street Cit% OK 7 105 May 1, 2010 �contim es "First ursday" Art Opening and E ibit of Original Wbrks by Matt Johnson. Bebe gives her ’Best O£’ for Race! The reigning D*ag Race queen goes though her list of season two superlatives By Bebe Zahara Benet TULSA, OK (PR) The May Oklahomans for Equality (Oldgq) showcase and exhibit of local artists at the Dennis R. Nei!l Equality Center (621 E. 4th Street in Downtown Tulsa), will feature the Artistic Nude Photography of Matt Johnson. The show begins with a reception on Thursday, May 6th from 6-9pm and continues throughout the month of May. Oklahoman Matt Johnson, owner of Johnson Studios, specializes in Artistic Nude Photography and is based in Tulsa. Matt has always had a deep appreciation for the human form. He began his art expression in the color pencil medinm sketching in the pln-up type format in his teen years. Mfitt is a neon bender by trade for a commercial sign company. He has been married to his wife Denise since 1987 and they have three wonderful children. In 2006 his artistic will drew him to the camera. Since then he has been creating nude art using the lens of a camera and his imagination through the editing process. After developing a diverse portfolio Matt’s xvork was accepted into galleries in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He was the featured artist in two different Eureka Springs gallery shows in 2009. Matt is beginning to show his work in his home town of Tulsa and is scheduled for two separate gallery shows in the upcoming months. Matt’s friendly easy- going manner makes his photo sessions comfortable, relaxed and fun experiences for his models. They are always thrilled with their images and often come back for additional sessions. allows Matt to continue to create new and exciting images from his eyeto the computer and then the paper. The show begins with a reception at the Dennis IL Nei!l Equality Center on Thursday, May 6th fi’om 6-9pm; Matt’s art will be on displa~v through May 2010. Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1980, Oklahomans far Equali~r/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oMest gay rights o~nization. From testingfor HIV/AIDS and hosting t/~e annual 7~dsa PHele and Diversi~ Celebration m operati~ the Equadity Center and documenting the ~tha LGBTcommunity’s rich histor~ OkEq works for socialjustice amtfidl inclusion for Oklahoma’s lesbian, ga)~ bisccuai, and transgender (LGBT) citizens and their allies. Wasn’t it great to see me on the special episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race this week? Well, it was wonderful to sit down with RuPaul and my season one sisters Ongina and Nina Flowers to critique season two, but there was still so much more to be said that I tlmught I’d dedicate this week’s colttrnn to some of my favorite moments that we didfft get a chance to talk about during the show. Funniest Moment: There’s plenty to choose from, but for me it has got to be Jujube during the reading challenge. I just loved everything she said about everybody - calling Raven legendary- as in "leg" and "dairy," snapping at Jessica in Chinese and even ta~ng smack about Tyra’s grill - that reading was hilarious! A second runner-up moment was Pandora Boxx playing CarolChanning in the "Snatch Game" challenge. Ms. Boxx knows how to mine a laugh. Biggest Diva Moments: We had more , than a few moments to judge this season. 111 skip ranking catfights a~d assess in terms of performance. I’d say the other Tyra coming out as sophisticatedlady on a mad shopping spree was a great diva moment, as was Jujube’s peach dress in the Old Hollywood fashion challenge. It was mentioned in the live show, but it bears mentioning again - Raven’s gold Cleopatra dress and blonde afro was really, really fierc!! ~ Best Makeup: Oh honey! Give it to Raven! I think Raven really s~vitched up her makeup to go with different looks. Even , , ~vhen she did the country girl or the rock n roll look or the whole glamour thing she was able to create a different persona through makeup. She is really mastering the craft and art of drag. Best Runway: I will go with Jujube. I really will! She walks with confidence, walks with so much fierceness, so much attitude and so much personality. I really love how she does all levels of her presentation. Best Lip-sync: It seems like I’m a fan of Jujube! I love how she lip-syncs. Sometimes she gives a little too much, but she is more often right on the money. She is able to catch the little things the artist does. She’s right on point with it. ~aat’s someone who has studied the music and knows what the whole song is about. I also liked Raven’s lip-syncing. ~aere is something about it that is a little sassy. I’d give it to both of them. Biggest \Vish: To see Jessica \~ild last longer. She had so much potential! If she had been given another chance I am convinced there ~vould have been other things about her ~erfor,mance that would have made us all go WOW. Catdh the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race at 9pro (ET/PT) this Monday night on Logo and visit LOGOonline.com to find out about vievdng parties in your area. Until next week, kisses and good luck! For more i*{~ormation, see wwt~;okeq.org www.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 7 �H e tension By Ronald Blake Contributing ~X~riter Photo: RonaM Blake, Certified Fitness Ins~’uctor through ISSA International Sports Sciences Association The heart beats faster! Tixe blood vessels constrict even more! Tixe h<art, lungs, and brain ache for more help but it isn’t coming fast enough! There is a shudder and then complete blackness! This Edgar Allan Poe moment of chimerical horror describes a massive stroke for someone that suffered one day too many from hypertension. Gather round the campfire and H1 explain this medical condition, its causes, and preventative measures to avoid it. Hypertension is high blood pressure and one out of five people in our country are experiencing it. Tile blood vessels constrict and the heart has to pump harder to get that blood delivered around the bod?,: The heart begins to ,yemen from overload and the constricted vessels become compromised over time. Blood pressure changes all the time. It won’t kill you to have high blood pressure once in awhile though. Swerving to avoid the reckless driver on the freeway, climbing five flights of stairs quickly, or being startled by the ghastliness of that first and last time drag queen can all contribute to a spike in blood pressure. Consistently visiting this elevated zone is very much a problem. Many people wofft feel any symptoms from this disease for 10 to 20 years and then it can strike like a thief in the night. There isn’t a specific cause of hypertension but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lack of culprits calling in and claiming responsibility for this physiological terrorism. Heredity is a card we are dealt at birth and is a frequent contributor to this ugliness~ Hypertensive parents bequeath their kids a two times greater likelihood of having this disease than for those kids of parents without hypertension. That really sucks and all you did was be born to the world! Don’t grab the bottle and give up just yet if you inherited these lousy hand-me-downs from morn and pop. There are plenty of other ways to cotlnteract the ill effects of high blood pressure. Other causes of this nasty medical condition are obesity, stress, smoking, and improper diet and they are al! something you can control. Obese individuals are about twice as likely tO be hypertensive as those men and women ,vho are aren’t in that overweight category. I’m no Pd~odes Scholar but I think that means if you exercise and stay lean then you decrease your risk. That sounds like something you can control! 8 ~Y~:OSTAR S[ress can walk you down the aisle and give you away to high blood pressure too. Stop getting angry at all the little problems in the world! A late bill, rush hour traffic, the moth~r-in-law visit, and the ripped underwear at 6AM aren’t worth your emotional intensity. Relax and take a deep breath when these moments occur. That sounds like something you can control! Smoking always constricts your blood vessels and raises your blood pressure every time. Cigarettes aren’t cheap and there are smoking cessation programs al! over the place. That sounds like something you can control! Foods with excessive sodium, saturated fat, or cholesterol are al! significant donors to th~ election campaign for hypertension. This candidate for office can’t win without your donations. That sounds like something you can control! There are also drugs that can Be prescribed to aid in your efforts against this evil force. Don’t be scared by this villain of your vessels! With adherence to these suggestions you may live a healthy life and worry about hypertension (Quoth the raven) nevermore! This purloined letter was brought to you by that guy who tore up the planks in the house of Usher. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be found descending into the maelstrom at www.myblakefitness.com. information about the contest contact the rodeo’s co-directors, Klint Weiden ( 405 408 6140) or Paul Boyd (405 630-4388). Following on Friday it gets wild with a Poolside Cookout also at the Finishline from 3-6 p.m., then it’s registration time at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds from 6-9 p.m ( Barn #9)., with a cash bar and snacks provided to make it go better, along with entertainment from 6-8 p.m. Keeping the night kicking along is the HomoRodeo Mixer happening at the Finishline beginning at 9 p.m., also a All Rodeo Royalty Show at Phoenix Rising at 9 p.m. as well. The Rodeo begins the following Saturday at 8:00 P.m., and after a funfilled day of events one can unwind or windup at the Copa’s Texas Tea Party beginning at 6 p.m. a grand tradition hosted by the Texas Gay Rodeo Association. At 9 p.m. that same night there will be a country concert at ~Amgles featuring recording artist James Allen Clark among other local muscians. That night the stick horse contest winner will be announced, and the stick horses auctioned off. Then it’s Sunday morning coming down as the rodeo begins the final day o£ competition, resuming at 8:00 a.m. at the Fairgrounds. The Finishline that day will feature a Head Country Barbeque at 6:00 p.m. with a hearty dinner for the price of $12. followed by the Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. a,varding bucldes, saddles and cash to the winners of the rodeo. To wind up the event Monday a Wind Down Party will be held at Phoenix Rising with a hamburger/~bt d6g c86koUt froln Noon until 2 p.m., with drink specials and funfilled recollections of the wild weekend. ~ If you or an organization is interested in being a vendor, contact Larry Foley at auditor@ogra.net ~ne host hotel this year is the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 801 S. Meridian. Telephone (405 942 1400) with special rates available until May 14 if you mention the rodeo. Come join the fun! For more information check out their website at vcww.ogra.net. May 1, 2010 �CMS now- pays for treatment of HIV related facial Lipodystrophy Disorder must cause depression for individuals to receive coverage By Robin D-Townsend Contributing Writer The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last month that it will pay for facial injections for beneficiaries who have facial lipodystrophy syndrome (LDS) if, in fact, the person suffers from depression secondary to the disorder. Reportedly, individuals who take these medications and experience facial LDS side effects may suffer psychological effects related to a negative selfimage. "Of course I am depressed about the way I look from the way my face looks now;’ said Allen Leon, an OHahoma City man who has the disorder. "Looks are very important to everyone, not just gay people. People stare; they can’t help it. I feel that I am judged by people and I am uncomfortable when meeting new people." The disorder is very stigmatizing. LDS is a localized loss of fat from the face, causing an excessively thin, hollowed appearance in the cheeks. In some cases, facial LDS may be a side effect of certain kinds of Director, Coverage and Analysis Group for CMS. "These effects may lead people living with HIV to discontinue their antiretroviral therapies." Grade four (of four grades) leaves a person the most emaciated-looking. The injections are "fillers" that have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to be injected under the skin in the face to help fill out its appearance specifically for treatment of facial LDS. Data show that these injections can improve patient self-image, relieve symptoms of depression, and may lead to improved compliance with anti-HIV treatment. The average cost of the injections is $500 for a two-vial treatment. Most people require a total of three treatments. Medicare coverage for the injections has already begun. This is an important milestone in Medicare coverage for HIV-infection therapies by helping people living with HIV improve their self-image and treating side effects of Lipotrophy by grade: Lipoatrophy with fat loss covering a wide area ofthe face and the skin is living directly on thefacial muscles. medications (antiretroviral therapies) that individuals receive as part of an HIV infection treatment regimen. "Facial LDS can leave people living with HIV looking gaunt and seriously ill, which may stigmatize them as part of their HIV-infecrion status," said Dr. Louis B. Jacques, MD medications. Compliance with anti-HIV treatment can lead to better quality of life and, ultimately, improve the quality of care that beneficiaries receive. For more information, visit http ://,arww.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/ viewdecisionmemo.asp ?id=234. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender aging issues take center stage at Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill WASHINGTON, (PR) April 21 The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) are convening a National LGBT Aging Roundtable this week in Washingxon, D.C. In addition, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has organized a congressional briefing on issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as they age. The briefing was held April 22, 9:30-11 a.m. in Room 121 of the CannonHouse Office Building on Capitol Hill. The injustice facing many LGBT elders was brought home just this week by the painfut stoW of Clay Greene and Harold Scull~ an elderly gay couple separated by o~ci~s in Sonoma County, Calif., who also sold their possessions despite the measures the couple took to protect their relationship. More details here. "The needs of the oldest members of our community have long been invisible to many of us and ignored by most institutions in our society," said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, which recently released Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Elders. "LGBT elders remain a highly vulnerable and largely invisible aging population. We know that invisibility leads to greater social isolation~ which can lead to increased vulnerability in many areas. We also know that discrimination across the tifespan leaves LGBT people economically and socially vulnerable as tlaey age. There are many challenges but we also have concrete recommendations on how aging advocates, policy mak,e,rs and social service agencies can meet them. Scheduled speakers at Thursday’s congressional briefing were Laurie Young, aging analyst and interim director of Public Policy and Government Affairs of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, who discussed findings and recommendations in Outing Age 2010; Hope Barrett, director of Elder Affairs of the Howard Brown Health Clinic; Harper Jean Tobin, policy counse! of the National Center for Transgender Equality; Joyce Pierson, elder rights advocate and former staffofthe Elder Rights Project of the National Center for Lesbian Rights; and John Johnson, SAGE’S federal director of governmental affairs. "Most Americans already face challenges as the~ age, but LGBT older adults have the added burden of a lifetime of stigma; relationships that generally lack legal recognition; and unequal treatment under laws, programs and services designed to support and protect older Americans," said Johnson. We must educate our elected officials and the public about the facts: that LGBT elders are more likely to live in poverty, face social and community isolation, and lack appropriate health care and longterm care. SAGE recently released a groundbrealdng report representing one of the first major collaborations between LGBT advocacy organizations and mainstream aging organizations to comprehensively examine the issues facing LGBT older adults. Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults was co-authored by SAGE and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), in partnership with the American Society on Aging, the National Senior Citizens Law ~er~ter, and the Center for American Progress, with a foreword from the AARE The report was formally rele,ased at the ~eri~n Society on ~ing’s national conference, held last mont~ in Chicago, Ill. "SAGE’S report outlines the issues and offers solutions, providing a much-needed roadmap for creating a society where all older dults are treated with &gmty and respect, said Johnson. The LGBT elder population is growing, with a large wave of openly LGBTbaby boomers poised to seek aging-related services over the next 25 years. Despite that, there is virtually no government-sponsored research on aFing that includes sexual orientation or gender identity variables. This lack of data results in policy and practices that ignore the unique realities a~d needs of older LGBT people, q-his is beginning to shift, as the corigressional briefing and ISIealth and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ announcement last fall of plans to establish the first national LGBT elder resource center indicates. 19 at a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles. Activists David John Fleck, Dan Fotou, Laura Kanter, Zoe Nicholson and Michelle Wright paid their way into the event and then repeatedly shouted at Obama about repealing DADT as he tried to address the gathering. We are going to do that. Hey. Hold on a second! Hold on a second! We are going to do that!" Obama responded. ’7~1 right. Guys. Guys. All right. I agree. I agree. I agree .... What the young man was talking about was we need to -- we need to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which I agree with and which we have begun to do. But let me say this: When you’ve got an ally like Barbara Boxer and you’ve got an ally like me who are standing for the same thing, then you don’t know exacdy why you’ve got to holler, because we already hear you, all right? I mean, it would make more sense to holler that at the people who. oppose it." A few moments later, more shouting ensued. "I’m sorr~ do you want to come up here?" Obama said direcdy to a protester. "Can I just say once again, Barbara and I are supportive of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, so I don’t know why you’re hollerin’." Obama then stepped away from the microphone and spoke with Boxer. He returned to the mic and stated: "I just checked with Barbara, so if anybody else is thinking about starting a chant, B,arbara r ’ even vote for Dont Ask, Dont Tell in d i dnt ’ going " the first p 1 ace, so you know shes to be in favor of repealiiag Don’t ASk, Don’t Tell." The protesters were eventually removed from the room. "President Obama has been AWOL on DADT," said Fotou. "We had to remind him of the promises he made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community during his campaign and several times during his ~residency--t, hat DAD.T, will be repealed oecause, as he s stated, it s the right thing to do.’" Added Wright, "We made it clear our community will hold accountable our president for unkept promises." In response to Obama’s questioning why gays are shouting at him over DADT, blogger Andrew Sullivan explained: "Because, Mr. President, it is not enough to be ’supportive’ o en&ng DontAsk, DontTell. When you have the presidency and your party controls both houses of Congress, it’s a matter of having the political will to end it. Not all gay people are HRC fundraisers. Some are even risking their lives every day for this country; in uniform, only to be treated like second class human beings and citizens by their own government. Their own government? That means you, Mr. President and Senator Boxer." The following da~ April 20, GetEQUAL protesters returned to the White House for a second round of handctffl:ing themselves to the fence and getting arrested, a month after the group’s initial action there. This rime six people chained themselves to the gates -- Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo II, Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cadet Mara Boyd and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas. "We are handcuffing ourselves to the White House gates once again to demand that President,Obama sho,w lea,d,ership on ,r,epealing Dont Ask, Dont Tall, said Choi. If the president were serious about keeping his promise to repeal this year, he would put the repeal la%,uage in his defense authorization budget. The president gave us an order at the Human Rights Campaign dinner (in October) to keep pressure on him and we will continue to return to the W’hite House, in larger numbers, until the president keeps his promise to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell this year." Thomas commented: "A few weeEs ago I saw Lt. Dan Choi take dramatic action at the White House and it made me realize that I needed to do something to stand up for all the black female soldiers who have been discharged under DADT. Many people don’t mow that we black women are discharged disproportionately more than others under DADT2 At press rime, acco~&n~ to GetEQUB32s Twitter feed: "All six servicemembers have been taken into custody. They have served their country again today, and they deserve better than #DADT." �May1, 2010 �~.metrostarnews.com �12 S~!T~OSTAR May 1, 2010 �JOIN L YO~ A SHOT! ONLY ¥~11) www.metrostarnews.com RIITIOSTAR 13 �We p t ..... ,Church ,~vww,mcctu~sa,org ’uptc~ o CI~il Rights °Criminal ’ment ® Family Law ~ Litigation 625 N.~’. 13.~:h Street City, OK 73"103 14 ;~ET~©STAR May 1, 2010 ��Photo~ by Victor G. By Chris ~zopardi Glee: be Music, ~e Power o£Madmma Gle~ We wet{ alrea& episode! With Sue Sylvester doing :! :I11ms out we can love you more, ~[he chee~ d0ach,adds to one of muSic’s most delicious uN- if not more the Vete~fi seven ~ career classics him @ Ledo, Oklahoma City @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa s~veet as weird ~s it sh0uld be, Out theater doll Jonathan GroN- one of the Fox show’s fresh faces - joins the res~ of the ~ast. on ?Like.a Virgin," and Mercedes injects some pf run~. $6: i~ is, in ~act~ intro and the choir} moving endlike a dream.. ...... Grade: B+ & Sweet To~,r @ The End Up, Tulsa @ Angtes, Oklahoma City supported on this 2008;09 tom; Madonngs mojo sdl! m~es fBr one h4cl~ of a show. Over several hours :a couple on DVD; one on CD @ Finishline, Oklahoma City @ The Copa, Oklahoma City Grade: A- Rufus 7Wainwright, M1 Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu Troubadours like Ruft~ Wainwright get off on being grandiose, but what happens when you lose something you cant get back. You scale it down. as he has ~er the recent dead{ of his mother. On his @ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa 16 NetroSTAR May 1, 2010 �by Jack Fertig May 2010 SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Domestic drama "Your brain wants a chaRenge, Virgo!" threatens to disrupt your plans at work. If you can keep an even keel, handling those unpredictable upsets could help Saturn opposing Uranus is a longyou gain confidence in your managerial running on-and-off aspect that’s skills: Remember, a team leader is still scattering minefields, challenging a team member! us to change structures and goals through the year. The Sun and Mars CAPRICORN (December 21 are triggering those with sometimes January 19): Maintain respect for violent results. Ideological, "values"people even when their questions seem based attacks are likely at personal and abysmally stupid. It is tempting to mess political levels. with their heads, or to mock them, but mellow out that playful streak and ARIES (March 20- AprR 19): engage them. That could lead to fun for Your competitive drive can become all! obsessive, even self-destructive. Looking good is not about conquest, but moving on gracefully. Let go, meditate, open your creative soul. You can’t do that while guarding your turf as queen of the mountain. TAURUS (Apri~ 20- May 20): Celebrate your birthday with your family and your most creative friends, not necessarily at the same party. Bringing. them together may get a bit dramatic, even catalytic. This could be a good thing, or not. Think it through. GEMIN~ (May 21- June 20): Meditation will cool your heated brain and help you to keep your mouth out of trouble. In that calm solitude, think of ways your home life can support your ambitions. They don’t have to be at war with each other. CANCER (June 21- July 22): Showing off to your friends can get expensive and become a source of fights. If your love and admiration aren’t enough, home-baked cookies should do it. If they want more, they’re not really your friends, and their arguments aren’t worth the trouble. LEO (Ju~y 23 -August 22): Whatever you do is sure to get noticed. You do realize that can be a mixed blessing! Some humility would be in order, but that doesn’t mean denying your actual gifts and accomplishments. It’s just a matter of keeping perspective. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Everybody needs to be concerned about money these days. You may be more worried than is necessary or helpful. Don’t take it out on your family or housemates. The first purpose of discussion is to get problems into perspective. 1 2; 3 4 ’11 12 13 17 !9 44 64 68 47 46 66 69 ! 6~667295 PISCES (February 19- March 19): Flaws and frustrations in your relationship, however minor, are now feeling worse than they really are. You could both make a list now to discuss later. If you must trash someone, that is what POliticians and celebrities are for. METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC of view 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, M0 64804 417-52943480 V~RGO (August 23 - September 22): Your brain wants a challenge. Find it in a book; don’t go picking arguments. If you want a good debate, hold yourself back a bit and make an effort to really hear what the other person has to say! LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Trying to keep up with peer pressure, you could worry yourself sick. Balance? It means they have to meet you half way, too. Your real friends will do that. Standing your ground is sexy. Worship Sunday 6:00 PM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM www.socmcc.org Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! Solution page 19 SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Immediate concerns- work and partnersh p - feel like distractions from your creative engagement with the world, building the future. In fact, those quotidian details are exactly how we do that. Try to channel that aggravation into creative energy. www.metrostarnews.com ~#~<~t~’oSTAR 17 �Chuck Breckenddge \Vhcther buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. RAN INTO YOU. WIT 597 Magnetic Road Eureka Springs, _Arkansas www.magneticvalteyresor t. corn infoOmagneticvalleyresor t .corn 800-2t0-8401 479-244-6821 www.kylecomics.com ~y, net 18 May !, 2010 �Suppo~ those who support us. Their ads allow us to distribute your community news FREE to you. ~ ....................................... HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\rAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com MAGNETIC VALLEY RESORT 597 Magnetic Road Eureka Springs, AR 800-2i0-8401 wwv.magneticvalleyresort.com Y~LLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant VALERIE WILLIFORD 625 N.W. 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 405-226-8585 PRIMERICA Dana Tulsa, Oklahoma 877.700.9503 THELEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSXg/AY Oklahoma City, OK EXPRESSIONS Fellowship 4010 N Youngs Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 ~wrw.habanainn.com 405-761-1878 www.expressionsOKC.com TULSA EAGLE 1338 E. 3RD Tulsa, OK 918-592-1188 ......... Open 7days week 2prom 2am SOONERSTATE RODEO PO Box471463 Tulsa, OK74147 www.soone~mmrodeo.com CHURCH of the OPEN ARMS 3131 N. PENN, OKC, OK 405-525-9555 Service Sunday 10:45 AM DIVERSITY CHI~STIAN FELLOWSHIP 637 S. 131st East Ave Tulsa, OK wv~v.realacceptance.com GREAT PLAINS RODEO P. O. BOX 12485 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 w~#c.ogra.net 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 Sunday 6pro JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma Ci~ OK 73112 405-840-2106 wv#¢¢.c2 lgoldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn MCC UNITED 1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK 918-838-1715 .... www.mcctulsa.org ANGLES 2117 I’FOF 39th St. Oldahoma City, OK wwv.anglesdub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 ~wvw.bambooloungetulsa.com THE END UP 5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE Tulsa, OK 918-836-0915 Open 7 days a week 2pro to 2am OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 OKLAHOMA STONEWALL DEMOCRATES Oklahoma City, OK vpccw.okstonewall.org OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918-743-4297 w~vw.okeq.org FINISHLINE 2200 I~FW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City; OK 405-525-2900 ww~v.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH ~RESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com LI ~,~w.metrostarnews.com ~{ETROSTAR 19 �"We are at a moment now when liberalism is poised to have its biggest impact since Roosevelt, because the conservative movement has been thoroughly repudiated through reaf~." "What matters, as always, is not what w,e can’t do, it’s what we can and must do.’ Stonewall lemocrats is a recognized group of the Oklahoma and national Democratic PaR. Working to educate voters and politicians about issues of the We mee~ the I s~ Tuesday of every mon~h at ~he STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HEADQUARTERS 4100 N. Li~¢ol~ Av÷~, Okl~hom~ Cill ..... /~05~ 427-3366 � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document THE PREMIER SOURCE FOR GLBT OKLAHOMA ~Idahoma boasts 2 Gay Rodeo’s this year. Sooner State Rodeo (SSRA) Tulsa wil! make a comeback this fall with the Autumn Stampede. More on page-3 VOLUME 7 ISSUE 5 Twitt÷rocom/MetroStarNews President directs HHS to crack down on hospitals barring lgbt partners House ethics committee draft s.ays Congressional staffers with same-se~ spouses must include them in annual financial ~isclosure statements; Family Research Council says that violates DOMA By Lisa Keen Keen News Service WASHINGTON, DC President Obama issued a surprise memorandum Thursday- night, April 15, calling for an end to discrimination against gays and lesbians by hospital visitation policies that limit visitom to immediate family members. The timing for release of the memo was a litde odd- at 7:29 p.m. while the president was onboard Air Force One enroute back to Washington from a day of events in Florida. arrived at the hospital, a hospital social worker said they would not be able to visit Pond, even though Langbehn and Pond had executed a heal~ prox~ and Langbehn had a friend fax the document to the hospital. According to a press release from Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is representing Langbehn in a lawsuit against the hospital, the president apologized to Langbehn for what happened to her family. After signing the memorandum onboard "It was very rewarding to hear ’I’m sorry,’ Air Force One, the president then called from the President because that’s what I Washington State resident Janice ~gbehn have wanted to hear fro,m,,Jackson Memorial tO express his sympathy for the lossi0fhet since the night Lisa died, Said ~gbehn parmer of !8 y~s~Lis~Pond:;: m~ ..b..e..statement;" "I hopetha.t.t.a.ki"n"g these .........Vo.d and Langbehn~ st0~~subject ~tepS make~ siireth~ no ~ily eve;:-h~ t6 ~€ ~ p~6f\~\as~ rues; ~peri~nce’the pi@tm~re :thatlm ily4~as illUsiradng one ~£~h~ Urgent ~blemST~ gone ith~o!agh." : i: .... c ui les face becatise Can fid "Pres~denrObama.s.m...e.m..orandum directs because some entities still refuse to respect !he,,secr~ 0fHealth and:Human Se~ices their relationships, to ensure’ ~at hospitals which participate in During a family vacation to Miami, Medicare and Medicaid "respeCt the rights of Florida in February 2007, Pond collapsed patients to designate visitors" and ~llow those with an aneurysm and was taken by visitors the same privileges as immediate ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s family members. trauma center. When Langbehn and their ........Continued See HOSPITALS Page-6 O ahoma Exempdor £rom Federal Ha e Crh es Law- stopped "There are a couple of pastors who wear the veil of Christianity who were pttshing this legislation. As a Christian this offends me because the Jesus I know doesn’t stand for that." State Representative Mike Shelton. By Victor Gorin Contributing vcriter OKLAHOMA CITY, OK When Barak Obama signed the Mat~ew Shepard- James Byrd Jr. Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law last October 22, it was celebrated by the GLBT community and their allies as a major civil rights victory that was the result of almost a decade of loiJbying efforts and activism. Although some states already had hate crimes laws protecting the GLBT community (Oklahoma not among them) for the first time Arnericans in the State RepresentativeMike Shelton. Pressphoto GLBT community nationwide were protected by hate crimes laws at the Federal level. Also added by the same action were Federal protection against hate crimes based on gender and disability. Both of Oklahoma’s Senators, Dr.Tom Coburn and James Inhofe voted against the bill, along with the entire Oklahoma ........Continued See HATE CRIMES Page-6 e MetroStarNews.com May 1,2010 Gay Rodeo an Oklahoma tradition 25th Great Plains Rodeo Rides Again In OKC By Victor Gorin Contributing writer OKLAHOMA CITY, OK It’s a proud Memorial Day weekend tradition in Oklahoma City when cowboys, cowgirls and their fans celebrate the Great Plains Rodeo, which now has the distinction of lasting a quarter century. In keeping with long time tradition, it will be held at the Oldahoma State FairgroUnds. From humbler beginnings, the first rodeo came together when OGRA (Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association) joined up with the Kansas and Missouri Ga~ Rodeo Associations to form what was then the Great Plains Regional Rodeo in August of 1986. Joined by Arkansas in 1992 the event was moved to the Memorial Day weekend. In 1999 the 4 associations split up to form their own respective rodeos, thus the word "Regional" was dropped to make the event simply the Great Plains Rodeo it is today. This rodeo ranks among the top 4 rodeos of the entire International Gay Rodeo Association circuit, which comprises over 20 rodeos. The International Gay Rodeo Association is made up of 28 state/provincial rodeo associations in the United States and Canada, and OGRA has been part of that organization since their first convention was held in 1985. O.G.R.A. was formed to provide a welcoming environment for those interested in the Western lifestyle without regard to sex or sexual orientation, national origin, race or any other form of prejudice. In other words, a way to bring people together to enjoy country and western life! This year the fun kicks offThursday May 27 with a Poolside Reception Party at the Finishline from 6-8 p.m. for the Rodeo sponsors and officials, followed by a stick horse rodeo that’s sure to be hilarious. This year will also feature a Stick Home Contest in which organizations can enter a decorated stick home, with votes for a winner that cost $1 apiece. The winning organization will receive a cash prize, and the stick horses will be auctioned off for charity. For more ........Continued See RODEO Page-8 ere’s More Fun this Fall at SS ’S 2010 Sooner State Stampede By Victor Gorin ~m Dic~,,nan, SSRA President. Sta~Cphat:o TULSA. OK As the OGI~’s Great Plains Rodeo welcomes summertime fun, this year more festivities jumpstart autumn as SSRA ( Sooner State Rodeo Ass6ciation) hosts another rodeo event, their 2010 Sooner State Stampede. It will not only feature traditiona! rodeo events, but also the fnn trappi,~gs of gay rodeo such as wild drag and goav dressing. It will mark SSI~k’s first rodeo with fifll equestrian amenities. t wvw¢.bridlecreekok.com). Sanctioned by the International Gay Rodeo Association I IGRA) this event promises to attract westerners from all over Oklahoma and nationwide. SSRA was formed in 2002 to give men ~d women of rodeo and the western lifestyle ofTutsa and eastern Oklahoma an association by which to come together and celebrate country culture. Like OGRA. SSRA is a 501c3 organization, and likewise is united ~br this cause without regard to race, sexua! orientation, religion, national origin, or any other prejudice one might encounten SSP~ celebrates not only rodeos and horse relaed activities, but also dogging, western and square dancing. The}, are also active in fundraisers that benefit various Oklahoma charities. Each October they select their royalty competitions for Mr. SSRA, Ms. SSRA, plus Miss and MisTER SSRA, who represent the organization at rodeos and fundraising events. ~aeir current president is Tulsan Tim Dickman. ~e winners from this event may go on to compete at IGRA’s World Gay Rodeo Finals held this year in Laughlin, Nevada October 2!- 24. For more information about the event check out ,a~vw.soonerstaterodeo.com tThe host hotel will be the Ramada Tulsa Airport East located at 1010 North Garnett Road, telephone 918 437 7660 (ww~:ramadaairport.com). Be sure to mention the Sooner State Stampede when booking your room for a special rare. www.metrostarnows.corn Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus elects new o cers By Victor Gorin Contributing writer OKLAHOMA CITY, OK As O.G.L.EC. re-organizes, at their April meeting newofficers were elected: The cochairs are Steven Dubois & Jeanne Flanigan, Secretary Victor Gorin and Treasurer Richard Vreeland. As a revitalized organization they are meeting at the Neighborhood Alliance Building, 1236 N. 36th Street { N.W. 36thand Classen Boulevard) of Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. the 2nd Monday of each month, the next meeting on May 10. For~ more infBrmation e-mail Jeanne Flanigan at Ok.glpc@Tahoo.com or call her at (405) 255 3658. Openly Gay TeacherJoe igley to be trans£erred £rom U.S. Grant High School By Victor Gorin Contributing writer TeacherJoe Quigley. Gorin ?hoto OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Joe Quigley is a high school English teacher who made history in Oklahoma City not only in the school system but for the GLBT community. He became well known when he was teaching English at Northwest Ctassen High S&ool. fighting for years to have the ~vords "sexual orientation/gender identit3:’ included in the Student Handbook to be among categories to be protected from harassment and bullying, His tenacious efforts almost cost him his iob last August when the OKC School Board voted to fire him. He not only won reinstatement in District Court, but soon after~vards th’e Oklahoma City School Board finally voted in the inclusive language for the Student Handbook. Although he was reinstated, instead of being returned to his original position at Northwest Classen he was instead transferred to U.S. Grant High School. U.S: Grant had been on the Federal list of schools in need of improvement and ~vas thus required to restructure under the guidelines of the No Child Left Behind Act. ~is would require that 50% of the teachers be removed. Joe Quigley was among the teachers to be transferred, who will receive full pay and benefits as substitute teachers for a 2 ........Continued See O~IGLEY Pag_e-4 Keith Kimmel found Dead in Norman March 31 following his arrest by Tulsa Police By Victor Gorin TULSA, OK Keith Kimmel, an activist with the GLBT com.munity was found de~d Wednesday morning March 31 around 7:45 a.m. by Kerri Logsdon. He had been staying at her home temporarily, and he was found seated in front of her computer. In a posting Monday on his Internet blog he had written, "I am done trying to love a world that has no love for me. I am done trying to believe redeeming things about people who have nothing redeemable about them." In accordance with his wishes, after an autopsy is performed his body would be cremated and his ashes sent to his family in Indiana. Tile preceding Friday night he had been drinking at the End Up Club, and according to statements he made was upset about a relationship he had with a dancer there. According to the dub owner Blake Mterman Keith had been there earlier that evening, left and then returned around 11:00 p.m. At that point Mr. Kimme! was very intoxicated, became very, combative and angry when the bartenders refused to serve him at which point the Tulsa police were called. During his arrest he claimed to have been physically and verbally abused at the club, and that officers had hit his head several times on the door frame of a patro! car. He was taken to St. John’s Hospital where he was given treatment ~br his injuries and bus tokens to get him back to his car. He returned to Norma~ the following da); and mailed a complaint of police brutality to the Internal Affairs Departmefii~ of the Tulsa police. Keith ~mmel had been im,olved with activist causes with the GLBT community but ,was probably best known for filing a lawsfiit against the Oklahoma Tax Commission ~vhen they refused to issue him a specialized license plate that stated IMGAY. He had dismissed that lawsuit February 26, stating that he would re-file it in Federal court at a later time. Mthough there was speculation as to what really happened during his arrest, including the possibility that his death might have been caused by the injuries from that night, the facts of his death are unknown at press time pending the results of a future autopsy. Mr. Mterman has urged caution stating," While I do want to see justice served. I would urge that as a community we wait until the final verdicl comes in. giving the police and the coroner’s office the proper time to do their invesngation before we make any conjectures or statements. After that comes out we as a communitT can move forward and get through this togethed" Blake further related that business had dropped since the incident, and stated that he’d like to remind the community that his establishment is still a peaceful party place. On Monday afternoons beginning around 4:30 p.m. there is still a free dinner courtesy of Midtown Meats located at 7924 E. 21st Street in Tulsa, and has morphed into a potluck supper. Tuesday nights still feature draft beer specials from open til 7 p.m. dose (understandably a busy day). The pool tournament happens on \gednesday nights at Bingo Thursday nights continues to be a rocking event, and the weekend features partying with the hot dancers. ~nis is follmved by Sunday beer busts. Blake further stated that business was picking up, and invited the community to see for themselves that the Endup is still a happening place to come together. Oklahomans for Equality Award Recipients 2010 TULSA, OK Each year OkEq recognizes outstanding individuals who have both helped change and shape our ever evolving community. This year we are pleased to announce the following winners. The awards were presented at the 30th Anniversary Equality Gala on April 24, 2010. Life Time Achievement A,vard 20 years of service to the lgbt community Kelly Kirby Russell Bennett Spiritual Inclusion Award Advocacy for interfaith and lgbt dialogue Rabbi Charles E Sherman Temple Israel Community Hero Advocacy work for lgbtq youth Karen L. Davis Senior Program Officer Tulsa Community Foundation and Tulsa Reaches Out Community Hero 2004 Oklahoma Marriage Discrimination Lawsuit Gay Phillips & Sue Barton Sharon Baldwin & Mary Bishop Volunteers of the Year I.T. Team Eric Vogelpohl Don Satterthwaite Andrew Hicks Grand Marshal 2010 Pride Parade and Festival Rev Marlin Lavanhar Advocacy work for the global lgbt community year period if they cannot be placed in a permanent position, after which a teacher could be dismissed without the procedures of due process afforded tenured educators. As Joe puts it, "I was deliberately placed in a sChool where the District knew the teachers would have to be reduced and I look at this as yet another attempt to skirt the wilt and judgment of the District Court." The Oklahoma City Schoo! District has appealed his reinstatement, a process that could take as long as 2 years, so far incurring over $200,000 in legal expenses as the district faces a severe budget crisis. But so far Joe Quigley can say this much. "In the future the parents and taxpayers of the Oklahoma City Public School District need to start paying more attention to the teachers and less to the highly paid administrators, because there is documentation both anecdotal and in writing that the taxpayers have been continually ripped off in order to make administrators look good at the expense of the education df their students. " Senator Rice: "GOP Leadership Must Rebuke Incendiary R etoric" Oklahoma State SenatorAndrew Rice. File photo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) April 15, 2010 Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oldahoma City) said today that the anti-government rhetoric among some Republican state legislators" has reached disturbing levels. Rice pointed to comments by a Republican legislator running for statewide office who said on Wednesday that the federal government is "tyrannical" and said he is willing to take his challenge of the federal government "to the max." Rice said these comments are particularly disturbing given the fact the remarks came just days after the Republican state legislator and others said tile state of Oklahoma should create a citizen’s militia to protect Oklahoma’s sovereignty from an "overreaching" United State’s government. "All elected officials have a tremendous responsibility to be careful with the words xve choose to use in public," Senator Andrew Rice said. ’~t a time when more and more people are using words that carry violent connotations to express what may be legitimate frustrations with government policies, you would hope that elected officials would refrain from feeding into that frenzy." Rice said that non-partisan experts of anti-government violence and terrorism have recently expressed concerns about the rhetoric. Rice pointed to comments by David Cid, executive director of Oldahoma City-based Memorial Institute for the Prevention ofTerrorism, who was quoted in the Oklahoma Gazette saying: "People are angry and frustrated, and among those who are angry mad frustrated, there is a small number, but them are a number who will pick up a gun." Rice said examples of evidence of antigovernment violence occurred both in Austin, Texas and Michigan as one group threatened violence against the government, and another person acted out on his anger in an act of domestic terrorism against the IRS, killing one innocent citizen and himself. ’°I call on the Republican leaders of the Legislature to rebuke this inflammatory language ofsome of their members coming just days before the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing," Rice said. ’~All Oklahomans should be offended to hear any elected official use language that is reminiscent to the anti-government language used by Timothy McVeigh, especially leading up to this painful time of year for our state." Rice explained while McVeigh was on death row awaiting his execution for the murder of 168 innocent Oklahomans, he sent a letter to a London newspaper titled: "Why I bombed the Murrah building." In it McVeigh explains: "I reached the decision to go on the offensive - to put a check on government abuse of power, where others had failed in stopping the federal juggernaut running amok," he said. Oklahoma Tobacco Free help No matter who yot are on life’s -Reverend 3131 N. Pennsylvania,0kloh0~ 405.525.9555 4 ~:~,T~:()STA May 1, 2010 Out magazine lists ’most inEuential’ gays, lesbians Ellen DeGeneres. GL_~L4D photo Ellen DeGeneres is America’s "most influential" gay man or woman, according to Out magazine’s fourth annual "Power 50" list. "Since DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on Banerican Idol in February, millions upon millions of viewers are getting a double dose of the hugely popular talk show host and 12-time Emmy winner," Out said. "The American FLxpre~s and Covergirl pitchwoman’S rcacb~ is nearly unparalteled~ ... A passionate advocat( ~br marriage equalit)5 anavid opponent of’don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and staunch defender of animal rights, DeGeneres’s enormous platform is many an American’s gain." Others near the top of the list include MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, singer Adam Lambert, actor Nell Patrick Harris, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese and U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polls and Barney Frank. For the full list, see out.corn/power50. Effort to repeal Prop 8 fails to collect enough signat es. Federal Prop 8 trial remains paused. A grassroots effort to force a November 2010 ballot-box vote on repealing Proposition 8 failed to collect enough voter signatures by the April 12~deadline to get the measure on the ballot. Groups pushing the 2010 repeal effort faced an uphill battle from the get-go because California’s gay-rights leadership refused to support the project, believing that 2012 will be a better year to return to the ballot. The lead 2010 organization, Love Honor Cherish, did not say" hmv many signatures it did manage to collect. Just under 700,000 valid signatures would have been needed. "Tnis is a heartbrealdng moment," said LHC Executive Director John Henning. "Despite the dogged efforts of hun&eds of volunteers across California, we did not get Wockner News Service 7he #’ial in the.f}dem! tawsu# to overturn 8 as a violation ofthe U.S. Constitution.{ms been paused in San Francisco sinceJan. 2Z Famous attorneys DavM Boles, r{~ht, and Ted Olson are among the l.mwers argui,g the case for the gay side, Photo @ Rex Wochner the signatures we needed within the 150-day window set by the state. Regrettably, Prop 8 will remain as a stain on our constitution until at least 2012, and perhaps latel:" Love Honor Cherish was one of 40 mosdy grassroots groups working for a 2010 vote within a coalition called Restore Equality 2010. "Our signature-collection effort may have fallen short, but we stand tall as being the only statewide campaign that fought for repealing Proposition 8 in 2010," said Sean Bohac, chair of the Restore Equality 2010 Statewide Advisory Panel. "Our campaigners carried the torch of Harvey Milk, who showed that change only happens when we get out of the bars and into the streets. Band our efforts are reflected in the new polls that show increased support for extending marriage to all Californians." Bohac told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the number of signatures collected "was not particularly close" to the 694,354 needed. "We won’t be making, it public," he said. Recent polls by d~e Public Policy Institute of California and by the Los Angeles Times/ University of Southern California have shown that, for the first time, a majority of Californians now support same-sex marriage -- suggesting that top gay rights groups Equality California and Courage Campaign may have made a misstep in refusing to support the 2010 effort. EQCA and Courage expressed fears that voters would not be ready to reverse themselves just two years after rebanning same-sex marriage. But EQCA Executive Director GeoffKors said the poll results haven’t caused the group to second-guess its decision. "Equality California still believes 20!2 is the fight time to go to the ballot;’ Kors said. "Those polls were not oflikely voters for the 2010 election. When you dig deeper into those polls -- and our internal polls during the same time period -- what’s clear is young voters are the ones who move the most. And young voters make tip a much larger percentage of the electorate in a presidential race (2012) than a gubernatorial race (2010), which is why the L.A. Times said, after looking at their poll numbers in the article, it’s clear why gay rights groups wanted to wait until 2012, because 2010 doesn’t provide us the best opportunity to win due to voter turnout." Restore Equality 2010 said it now will join up with the 2012 effort. Signature collecting for that project is expected to begin in the summer of 2011. A California Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage in May 2008 and weddings began June ! 6, 2008. Tiae court said preventing gay couples from marrying violated the state constitution. Even more groundbreakAng, the court also ruled that sexual orientation is a "suspect classification" -- which made aW type ofdiscrimination based on sexual orientation constitutionally subject to the strictest level ofscrutiny by California courts. California governmental entities now have to prove they have a specific "compelling interest" -- rather than a mere "rational basis" - - when they treat GLB people differently in any way. The change made it dramatically harder for any level ofgovernment to defend itself in any arena where gays, lesbians and bisexuals are not treated the same as heterosexuals. Some 18,000 same-sex couples married in California before voters amended the state constitution to re-ban same-sex marriage in November 2008. N~e California Supreme Court later ruled that Prop 8 was a valid amendment to the constitution. A federal lawsuit led by famous attorneys David Boles and Ted Olson to overturn Prop 8 as a violation of the U.S. Constitution is ongoing in San Francisco. The trial paused on Jan. 27 after all testimony had been heard but before closing arguments because Judge Vaughn ~Walker said he wanted to review the testimoW prior to hearing the attorneys’ final statements. The conclusion ofthe trial apparently has been further delayed while gay’ groups that ran the ballot campaign against Prop 8, who are not parties to the federal lawsuit, fight an order to turn over some of their e-mails from the campaign period. Protestors chained to W/site HousejSnce: PtSoto b_yjohn Aravosis @A_MERICAblog N~e LGBT community’s new activist pit bulls, GetEQUAL, dramatically upped the pressure on President Barack Obama on April 19 and 20 over his failure to succeed in keeping major campaign promises to LGBT Americans. Although Obama has taken several small steps seen as favorable or helpful to LGBT Americans, he has yet to engineer the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, or the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. GetEQUAIJs latest broadside started April :....Continued see Get_EQUAL - page 9 www.metrostamews.corn ~)~ETROSTAR 5 More specifically, the memo instructs HHS to ensure that hospitals receiving federal funds nor deW visitation based on sexual orientation or gender identity, along.with the usual categories of non-discrimination. Human Rights Fund spokesman Michael Cole said his organization had been ~vorking with the Xg~hite House on the memo language [’or some rime. He said he was unaware of any particular reason for the timing. "It was a long process for them to get the memo language set and al! of their ducks in a row," said Cole- so my impression is that this was the point at which it was done." The April 15 memorandum is the second memorandum issued by the president to specifically help LGBT people. In June 2009, President Obama signed a memorandum to the ONce of Personnel Management Director requesting that the heads of all executive departments and agencies "conduct a review" of current benefits available to federal employees within 90 days "to determine what authority they have to extend such benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees" and submit a report on rMs to OPM. Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal, called the president’s hospital visitation memorandum a "great leap forward in addressing discrimination affecting LGBT patients and their families." "These measures are intended to ensure that no family will have to experience what the Langbehn-Pond family did that night at Jackson Memorial Hospital," said Cathcart, in a statement isstled Thursday night. k federal district court judge dismissed Lambda’s ta~vsuit on behalf of Langbehn, saying there was no law requiring the hospital to allow Lisa Pond’s partner to see her at the hospital. On Monday, April 12, Lambda issued a press release saying it had reached an agreement with Jackson Memorial for "qmproved policies that are more responsive ro the needs of the LGBT community." But Lambda said the agreement does "not provide as much protection as may be needed in critical sitnations." Lambda noted that the president’s memorandum calls on HHS to take steps to ensure that hospitals respect legal documents that some patients have to designate who can make decisions for them if they become incapacitated. It also requires HHS to report back to the president in !80 days with additional recommendations for actions HHS can take "to address hospital visitation, medical decision-maHng, or other health care ~ssues that ~?cr LGBT patients and their Ironically, the pool reporter on board the ~ighr back to Washington reported there was No news on the way back" from Florida. Meanwhile. Roll Call a newspaper specializing in covering Capitol Hill, reported Thursday that the House Committee on Standards of ONcia! Conduct has "drafted rules that for the first time would define gay married couples as ’spouses" for the purposes of filling out their annual Congressional financial disclosure forms." The forms are used by members of Congress and their staffs to make annual discIosures of any additional sources of income and investments by them and their spouses and dependent children. The draft rules propose requiring that any members or staffwho have married same-sex spouses in Washington, D.C. or aW of the states which provide for equal marriage rights to include information about their spouse’s finances, the same as straight members and staff Inust do about their legal spouses. Roll Call quoted a spokesman for the Family Research Council as saying the draft rules violate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DO1VL&), which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages. The paper noted that the draft rule had been removed from the committee’s website. The Committee’s webs!re currently lists instructions for filling out the form for calendar year 2008 disclosures even though the forms due next month are for calendar year 2009. MissoOa bans anti- LGBT discrimination The City Council in Missoula, Mont., voted 10-2 on April 12 to prohibit discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, the Missoulian reporte& The vote came at 1:45 in the morning at the end of a seven-hour meeting. "Most of us can’t remember civil rights in action," said Councilwoman Sficy Rye. "This is it for us." Gay man elected mayor ofsmall Colorado town An openly gay man, Ron Holland, was elected mayor of Dillon, Colo., April 6. He received 90 votes to an opponent’s 72 in the mountain town of about 800 people. Holland, who is serving his first term on the City Council, told the Summit Daily News he was "ecstatic" over his victory. Martina has breast cancer Mart!ha NavradIova. Ougames~hoto Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova told People magazine April 7 that she has breast cancer. The ductai carcinoma was discovered early and is expected to be fully curable. "I cried," Navratilova said. "It knocked me on my ass, really. I feet so in control ofmy life and my body, and then this comes, and it’s completely out ofmy hands." "I went four years between mammograms," she added. "I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don’t make excuses. I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble." Navratilova will undergo six weeks of radiation treatment starting in May. Congresswoman Tammy BaldWin On President - Obama’s signing ofa. memorand reNardmg the visitation rights of hospital patients Congresswoman Baldwin. Woclowrphoto WASHINGTON, DC (PR) "President Obama’s decision to direct the Secretaryof Healrah and Human Services to take steps to ensure that hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid respect the rights ofpatients to receive visitors and designate others to make decisions about medical care in the case ofan emergency is the right one. It follows the lead ofmany states and makes a strong statement about who we are as a nation and what we valne. No one should face the distress oflying ill or injured in a hospital bed with the loved one you designate barred from your bedside for any other than a compelling medical reason. For too long, such access has been arbitrarily denied many individuals, most especially to gay mad lesbian Americans. President Obama’s action tonight puts us another step doser toward our goal ofequal rights for all Americans and I appland his decision: Congressional Delegation, Passage of the bill intensified conservative religious groups who had campaigned against the Act and this was particularly felt in Oklahoma, although the legislation was hailed by the GLBT community and civil rights activists as a progressive measure long overdue. What followed was an attempt to "opt Oklahoma out" of this new protection, spearheaded by State Senator Steven Russell ( Republican- District 45) with State Senate Bil! 1965. The bill actually began as an ordinary measure to start a task force to research public and private high school athletics, authored by State Senator Harry Coates (Republicam) and State Representative "Wes Hilliard (Democrat). After the bill passed out of committee, S.B. 1965 was altered by Senator Russell who removed the original language. He then added language that would have prevented Oldahoma law enforcement from cooperating ,vith Federal authorities when a hate crime ~vas committed in Oklahoma. ~e bill then passed the State Senate 39-6. The ensuing publicity, including a GLBT lobbying day at the State Capitol focused mainly on this legislation, resulted in a re-xvrite of the bill by Senator Russell in an attempt to make it less offensive and passable. The rewritten version permitted Federal authorities to petition State District Courts for evidence relating to an Oldahoma hate crime if local law enforcement objected to cooperating with the Federal authorities. Among the groups opposed to this legislation was the Oklahoma American Civil Liberties Union. One of their lobbyists, Tamya Cox, spoke to State Representative Mike Shelton (Democrat District 97) who "hated this bill, understood the implications and issues of this from the onset, stated that we had to do something." Mr. Shelton persuaded the House author of the bill, Representative Danny Hilliard to let him have the bill. Once Mr. Shdton had control of the bill he withdrew it, thus ldlling this legislation. Although an unusual strategy, it was an effective action he stated that he felt he had to take because as he put it, ’~Mnything that breaks down the opportunity ro protect Oklahomans from harm is wrong. Legislation and resolutions that hurt people only give a black eye to our state." Although he has received positive feedback for his action, predictably he has received negative responses as well, including some from the conservative religious community. It hasn’t swayed his resolve as he relates, "There are a couple of pastors that wear the veil of Christianity who were pushing this legislation. As a Christian this offends me because the Jesus I know doesn’t stand for that." GLBT and civil rights activists are continuing to monitor the situation in case attempts are made to re-introduce this or similar measures with another bill. ’uptcv - CivJJ Rights oCriminal ’ment o Family Law o Litigation 625 N. o l th street Cit% OK 7 105 6 ~KTROSTAR May 1, 2010 contim es "First ursday" Art Opening and E ibit ofOriginal Wbrks by MattJohnson. Bebe gives her ’Best O£’ for Race! The reigningD*agRace queen goes though her list ofseason two superlatives TULSA, OK (PR) The May Oklahomans for Equality (Oldgq) showcase and exhibit of local artists at the Dennis R. Nei!l Equality Center (621 E. 4th Street in Downtown Tulsa), will feature the Artistic Nude Photography ofMatt Johnson. The show begins with a reception on Thursday, May 6th from 6-9pm and continues throughout the month of May. Oklahoman Matt Johnson, owner of Johnson Studios, specializes in Artistic Nude Photography and is based in Tulsa. Matt has always had a deep appreciation for the human form. He began his art expression in the color pencil medinm sketching in the pln-up type format in his teen years. Mfitt is a neon bender by trade for a commercial sign company. He has been married to his wife Denise since 1987 and they have three wonderful children. In 2006 his artistic will drew him to the camera. Since then he has been creating nude art using the lens of a camera and his imagination through the editing process. After developing a diverse portfolio Matt’s xvork was accepted into galleries in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He was the featured artist in two different Eureka Springs gallery shows in 2009. Matt is beginning to show his work in his home town ofTulsa and is scheduled for two separate gallery shows in the upcoming months. Matt’s friendly easy- going manner makes his photo sessions comfortable, relaxed and fun experiences for his models. They are always thrilled with their images and often come back for additional sessions. allows Matt to continue to create new and exciting images from his eyeto the computer and then the paper. The show begins with a reception at the Dennis IL Nei!l Equality Center on Thursday, May 6th fi’om 6-9pm; Matt’s art will be on displa~v through May 2010. Founded by a dedicatedgroup ofvolunteers in 1980, Oklahomansfar Equali~r/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oMestgay rights o~nization. From testingfor HIV/AIDS and hosting t/~e annual 7~dsa PHele and Diversi~ Celebration m operati~ the Equadity Center and documenting the ~tha LGBTcommunity’s rich histor~ OkEq worksfor socialjustice amtfidl inclusionfor Oklahoma’s lesbian, ga)~ bisccuai, and transgender (LGBT) citizens and their allies. For more i*{~ormation, see wwt~;okeq.org By Bebe Zahara Benet Wasn’t it great to see me on the special episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race this week? Well, it was wonderful to sit down with RuPaul and my season one sisters Ongina and Nina Flowers to critique season two, but there was still so much more to be said that I tlmught I’d dedicate this week’s colttrnn to some ofmy favorite moments that we didfft get a chance to talk about during the show. Funniest Moment: There’s plenty to choose from, but for me it has got to be Jujube during the reading challenge. I just loved everything she said about everybody - calling Raven legendary- as in "leg" and "dairy," snapping at Jessica in Chinese and even ta~ng smack about Tyra’s grill - that reading was hilarious! A second runner-up moment was Pandora Boxx playing CarolChanning in the "Snatch Game" challenge. Ms. Boxx knows how to mine a laugh. Biggest Diva Moments: We had more , than a few moments to judge this season. 111 skip ranking catfights a~d assess in terms of performance. I’d say the other Tyra coming out as sophisticatedlady on a mad shopping spree was a great diva moment, as was Jujube’s peach dress in the Old Hollywood fashion challenge. It was mentioned in the live show, but it bears mentioning again - Raven’s gold Cleopatra dress and blonde afro was really, really fierc!! ~ Best Makeup: Oh honey! Give it to Raven! I think Raven really s~vitched up her makeup to go with different looks. Even , , ~vhen she did the country girl or the rock n roll look or the whole glamour thing she was able to create a different persona through makeup. She is really mastering the craft and art of drag. Best Runway: I will go with Jujube. I really will! She walks with confidence, walks with so much fierceness, so much attitude and so much personality. I really love how she does all levels of her presentation. Best Lip-sync: It seems like I’m a fan of Jujube! I love how she lip-syncs. Sometimes she gives a little too much, but she is more often right on the money. She is able to catch the little things the artist does. She’s right on point with it. ~aat’s someone who has studied the music and knows what the whole song is about. I also liked Raven’s lip-syncing. ~aere is something about it that is a little sassy. I’d give it to both of them. Biggest \Vish: To see Jessica \~ild last longer. She had so much potential! If she had been given another chance I am convinced there ~vould have been other things about her ~erfor,mance that would have made us all go WOW. Catdh the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race at 9pro (ET/PT) this Monday night on Logo and visit LOGOonline.com to find out about vievdng parties in your area. Until next week, kisses and good luck! www.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 7 H e tension By Ronald Blake Contributing ~X~riter Photo: RonaM Blake, Certified Fitness Ins~’uctor through ISSA International Sports Sciences Association The heart beats faster! Tixe blood vessels constrict even more! Tixe h<art, lungs, and brain ache for more help but it isn’t coming fast enough! There is a shudder and then complete blackness! This Edgar Allan Poe moment of chimerical horror describes a massive stroke for someone that suffered one day too many from hypertension. Gather round the campfire and H1 explain this medical condition, its causes, and preventative measures to avoid it. Hypertension is high blood pressure and one out of five people in our country are experiencing it. Tile blood vessels constrict and the heart has to pump harder to get that blood delivered around the bod?,: The heart begins to ,yemen from overload and the constricted vessels become compromised over time. Blood pressure changes all the time. It won’t kill you to have high blood pressure once in awhile though. Swerving to avoid the reckless driver on the freeway, climbing five flights of stairs quickly, or being startled by the ghastliness of that first and last time drag queen can all contribute to a spike in blood pressure. Consistently visiting this elevated zone is very much a problem. Many people wofft feel any symptoms from this disease for 10 to 20 years and then it can strike like a thief in the night. There isn’t a specific cause of hypertension but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lack of culprits calling in and claiming responsibility for this physiological terrorism. Heredity is a card we are dealt at birth and is a frequent contributor to this ugliness~ Hypertensive parents bequeath their kids a two times greater likelihood of having this disease than for those kids of parents without hypertension. That really sucks and all you did was be born to the world! Don’t grab the bottle and give up just yet if you inherited these lousy hand-me-downs from morn and pop. There are plenty of other ways to cotlnteract the ill effects of high blood pressure. Other causes of this nasty medical condition are obesity, stress, smoking, and improper diet and they are al! something you can control. Obese individuals are about twice as likely tO be hypertensive as those men and women ,vho are aren’t in that overweight category. I’m no Pd~odes Scholar but I think that means if you exercise and stay lean then you decrease your risk. That sounds like something you can control! S[ress can walk you down the aisle and give you away to high blood pressure too. Stop getting angry at all the little problems in the world! A late bill, rush hour traffic, the moth~r-in-law visit, and the ripped underwear at 6AM aren’t worth your emotional intensity. Relax and take a deep breath when these moments occur. That sounds like something you can control! Smoking always constricts your blood vessels and raises your blood pressure every time. Cigarettes aren’t cheap and there are smoking cessation programs al! over the place. That sounds like something you can control! Foods with excessive sodium, saturated fat, or cholesterol are al! significant donors to th~ election campaign for hypertension. This candidate for office can’t win without your donations. That sounds like something you can control! There are also drugs that can Be prescribed to aid in your efforts against this evil force. Don’t be scared by this villain of your vessels! With adherence to these suggestions you may live a healthy life and worry about hypertension (Quoth the raven) nevermore! This purloined letter was brought to you by that guy who tore up the planks in the house of Usher. That guy is Ron Blake and he can be found descending into the maelstrom at www.myblakefitness.com. information about the contest contact the rodeo’s co-directors, Klint Weiden ( 405 408 6140) or Paul Boyd (405 630-4388). Following on Friday it gets wild with a Poolside Cookout also at the Finishline from 3-6 p.m., then it’s registration time at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds from 6-9 p.m ( Barn #9)., with a cash bar and snacks provided to make it go better, along with entertainment from 6-8 p.m. Keeping the night kicking along is the HomoRodeo Mixer happening at the Finishline beginning at 9 p.m., also a All Rodeo Royalty Show at Phoenix Rising at 9 p.m. as well. The Rodeo begins the following Saturday at 8:00 P.m., and after a funfilled day of events one can unwind or windup at the Copa’s Texas Tea Party beginning at 6 p.m. a grand tradition hosted by the Texas Gay Rodeo Association. At 9 p.m. that same night there will be a country concert at ~Amgles featuring recording artist James Allen Clark among other local muscians. That night the stick horse contest winner will be announced, and the stick horses auctioned off. Then it’s Sunday morning coming down as the rodeo begins the final day o£ competition, resuming at 8:00 a.m. at the Fairgrounds. The Finishline that day will feature a Head Country Barbeque at 6:00 p.m. with a hearty dinner for the price of $12. followed by the Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. a,varding bucldes, saddles and cash to the winners of the rodeo. To wind up the event Monday a Wind Down Party will be held at Phoenix Rising with a hamburger/~bt d6g c86koUt froln Noon until 2 p.m., with drink specials and funfilled recollections of the wild weekend. ~ Ifyou or an organization is interested in being a vendor, contact Larry Foley at auditor@ogra.net ~ne host hotel this year is the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 801 S. Meridian. Telephone (405 942 1400) with special rates available until May 14 ifyou mention the rodeo. Come join the fun! For more information check out their website at vcww.ogra.net. 8 ~Y~:OSTAR May 1, 2010 CMS now- pays for treatment ofHIV related facial Lipodystrophy Disorder must cause depression for individuals to receive coverage By Robin D-Townsend Contributing Writer The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last month that it will pay for facial injections for beneficiaries who have facial lipodystrophy syndrome (LDS) if, in fact, the person suffers from depression secondary to the disorder. Reportedly, individuals who take these medications and experience facial LDS side effects may suffer psychological effects related to a negative selfimage. "Ofcourse I am depressed about the way I look from the way my face looks now;’ said Allen Leon, an OHahoma City man who has the disorder. "Looks are very important to everyone, not just gay people. People stare; they can’t help it. I feel that I am judged by people and I am uncomfortable when meeting new people." The disorder is very stigmatizing. LDS is a localized loss offat from the face, causing an excessively thin, hollowed appearance in the cheeks. In some cases, facial LDS may be a side effect ofcertain kinds of Director, Coverage and Analysis Group for CMS. "These effects may lead people living with HIV to discontinue their antiretroviral therapies." Grade four (offour grades) leaves a person the most emaciated-looking. The injections are "fillers" that have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to be injected under the skin in the face to help fill out its appearance specifically for treatment offacial LDS. Data show that these injections can improve patient self-image, relieve symptoms ofdepression, and may lead to improved compliance with anti-HIV treatment. The average cost of the injections is $500 for a two-vial treatment. Most people require a total of three treatments. Medicare coverage for the injections has already begun. This is an important milestone in Medicare coverage for HIV-infection therapies by helping people living with HIV improve their self-image and treating side effects of Lipotrophy by grade: Lipoatrophy withfat loss covering a wide area oftheface and the skin is living directly on thefacial muscles. medications (antiretroviral therapies) that individuals receive as part ofan HIV infection treatment regimen. "Facial LDS can leave people living with HIVlooking gaunt and seriously ill, which may stigmatize them as part oftheir HIV-infecrion status," said Dr. Louis B. Jacques, MD medications. Compliance with anti-HIV treatment can lead to better quality oflife and, ultimately, improve the quality ofcare that beneficiaries receive. For more information, visit http ://,arww.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/ viewdecisionmemo.asp ?id=234. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender aging issues take center stage at Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill WASHINGTON, (PR) April 21 The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) are convening a National LGBT Aging Roundtable this week in Washingxon, D.C. In addition, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has organized a congressional briefing on issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as they age. The briefing was held April 22, 9:30-11 a.m. in Room 121 of the CannonHouse Office Building on Capitol Hill. The injustice facing many LGBT elders was brought home just this week by the painfut stoW of Clay Greene and Harold Scull~ an elderly gay couple separated by o~ci~s in Sonoma County, Calif., who also sold their possessions despite the measures the couple took to protect their relationship. More details here. "The needs of the oldest members of our community have long been invisible to many of us and ignored by most institutions in our society," said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, which recently released Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Elders. "LGBT elders remain a highly vulnerable and largely invisible aging population. We know that invisibility leads to greater social isolation~ which can lead to increased vulnerability in many areas. We also know that discrimination across the tifespan leaves LGBT people economically and socially vulnerable as tlaey age. There are many challenges but we also have concrete recommendations on how aging advocates, policy mak,e,rs and social service agencies can meet them. Scheduled speakers at Thursday’s congressional briefing were Laurie Young, aging analyst and interim director of Public Policy and Government Affairs of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, who discussed findings and recommendations in Outing Age 2010; Hope Barrett, director of Elder Affairs of the Howard Brown Health Clinic; Harper Jean Tobin, policy counse! of the National Center for Transgender Equality; Joyce Pierson, elder rights advocate and former staffofthe Elder Rights Project of the National Center for Lesbian Rights; and John Johnson, SAGE’S federal director of governmental affairs. "Most Americans already face challenges as the~ age, but LGBT older adults have the added burden of a lifetime of stigma; relationships that generally lack legal recognition; and unequal treatment under laws, programs and services designed to support and protect older Americans," said Johnson. We must educate our elected officials and the public about the facts: that LGBT elders are more likely to live in poverty, face social and community isolation, and lack appropriate health care and longterm care. SAGE recently released a groundbrealdng report representing one of the first major collaborations between LGBT advocacy organizations and mainstream aging organizations to comprehensively examine the issues facing LGBT older adults. Improving the Lives ofLGBT Older Adults was co-authored by SAGE and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), in partnership with the American Society on Aging, the National Senior Citizens Law ~er~ter, and the Center for American Progress, with a foreword from the AARE The report was formally rele,ased at the ~eri~n Society on ~ing’s national conference, held last mont~ in Chicago, Ill. "SAGE’S report outlines the issues and offers solutions, providing a much-needed roadmap for creating a society where all older dults are treated with &gmty and respect, said Johnson. The LGBT elder population is growing, with a large wave of openly LGBTbaby boomers poised to seek aging-related services over the next 25 years. Despite that, there is virtually no government-sponsored research on aFing that includes sexual orientation or gender identity variables. This lack of data results in policy and practices that ignore the unique realities a~d needs of older LGBT people, q-his is beginning to shift, as the corigressional briefing and ISIealth and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ announcement last fall of plans to establish the first national LGBT elder resource center indicates. 19 at a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles. Activists David John Fleck, Dan Fotou, Laura Kanter, Zoe Nicholson and Michelle Wright paid their way into the event and then repeatedly shouted at Obama about repealing DADT as he tried to address the gathering. We are going to do that. Hey. Hold on a second! Hold on a second! We are going to do that!" Obama responded. ’7~1 right. Guys. Guys. All right. I agree. I agree. I agree.... What the young man was talking about was we need to -- we need to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which I agree with and which we have begun to do. But let me say this: When you’ve got an ally like Barbara Boxer and you’ve got an ally like me who are standing for the same thing, then you don’t know exacdy why you’ve got to holler, because we already hear you, all right? I mean, it would make more sense to holler that at the people who. oppose it." A few moments later, more shouting ensued. "I’m sorr~ do you want to come up here?" Obama said direcdy to a protester. "Can I just say once again, Barbara and I are supportive of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, so I don’t know why you’re hollerin’." Obama then stepped away from the microphone and spoke with Boxer. He returned to the mic and stated: "I just checked with Barbara, so if anybody else is thinking about starting a chant, B,arbara i ’ r d dnt even vote for Dont Ask, Dont Tell in the first p1ace, so you know she’s goi"ng to be in favor of repealiiag Don’t ASk, Don’t Tell." The protesters were eventually removed from the room. "President Obama has been AWOL on DADT," said Fotou. "We had to remind him of the promises he made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community during his campaign and several times during his ~residency--t,hat DAD.T, will be repealed oecause, as he s stated, it s the right thing to do.’" Added Wright, "We made it clear our community will hold accountable our president for unkept promises." In response to Obama’s questioning why gays are shouting at him over DADT, blogger Andrew Sullivan explained: "Because, Mr. President, it is not enough to be ’supportive’ o en&ng DontAsk, DontTell. When you have the presidency and your party controls both houses of Congress, it’s a matter of having the political will to end it. Not all gay people are HRC fundraisers. Some are even risking their lives every day for this country; in uniform, only to be treated like second class human beings and citizens by their own government. Their own government? That means you, Mr. President and Senator Boxer." The following da~ April 20, GetEQUAL protesters returned to the White House for a second round of handctffl:ing themselves to the fence and getting arrested, a month after the group’s initial action there. This rime six people chained themselves to the gates -- Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo II, Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cadet Mara Boyd and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas. "We are handcuffing ourselves to the White House gates once again to demand that President,Obama sho,w lea,d,ership on ,r,epealing Dont Ask, Dont Tall, said Choi. Ifthe president were serious about keeping his promise to repeal this year, he would put the repeal la%,uage in his defense authorization budget. The president gave us an order at the Human Rights Campaign dinner (in October) to keep pressure on him and we will continue to return to the W’hite House, in larger numbers, until the president keeps his promise to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell this year." Thomas commented: "A few weeEs ago I saw Lt. Dan Choi take dramatic action at the White House and it made me realize that I needed to do something to stand up for all the black female soldiers who have been discharged under DADT. Many people don’t mow that we black women are discharged disproportionately more than others under DADT2 At press rime, acco~&n~ to GetEQUB32s Twitter feed: "All six servicemembers have been taken into custody. They have served their country again today, and they deserve better than #DADT." May1, 2010 ~.metrostarnews.com 12 S~!T~OSTAR May 1, 2010 JOIN L YO~ A SHOT! ONLY ¥~11) www.metrostarnews.com RIITIOSTAR 13 We p t ..... ,Church ,~vww,mcctu~sa,org ’uptc~ o CI~il Rights °Criminal ’ment ® Family Law ~ Litigation 625 N.~’. 13.~:h Street City, OK 73"103 14 ;~ET~©STAR May 1, 2010 Photo~ by Victor G. @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa @ Angtes, Oklahoma City @ The Copa, Oklahoma City @ Ledo, Oklahoma City By Chris ~zopardi Glee: be Music, ~e Power o£Madmma Gle~ We wet{ alrea& episode! With Sue Sylvester doing :! :I11ms out we can love you more, ~[he chee~ d0ach,adds to one of muSic’s most delicious uN- if not more seven the Vete~fi ~ career classics him s~veet as weird ~s it sh0uld be, Out theater doll Jonathan GroN- one of the Fox show’s fresh faces - joins the res~ of the ~ast. on ?Like.a Virgin," and Mercedes injects some pf intro and the choir} moving endrun~. $6: i~ is, in ~act~ like a dream.. ...... Grade: B+ & Sweet To~,r @ The End Up, Tulsa supported on this 2008;09 tom; Madonngs mojo sdl! m~es fBr one h4cl~ of a show. Over several hours :a couple on DVD; one on CD @ Finishline, Oklahoma City Grade: ARufus 7Wainwright, M1 Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu Troubadours like Ruft~ Wainwright get off on being grandiose, but what happens when you lose something you cant get back. You scale it down. as he has ~er the recent dead{ of his mother. On his @ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa 16 NetroSTAR May 1, 2010 by Jack Fertig May 2010 "Your brain wants a chaRenge, Virgo!" Saturn opposing Uranus is a longrunning on-and-off aspect that’s scattering minefields, challenging us to change structures and goals through the year. The Sun and Mars are triggering those with sometimes violent results. Ideological, "values"- based attacks are likely at personal and political levels. ARIES (March 20- AprR 19): Your competitive drive can become obsessive, even self-destructive. Looking good is not about conquest, but moving on gracefully. Let go, meditate, open your creative soul. You can’t do that while guarding your turf as queen of the mountain. TAURUS (Apri~ 20- May 20): Celebrate your birthday with your family and your most creative friends, not necessarily at the same party. Bringing. them together may get a bit dramatic, even catalytic. This could be a good thing, or not. Think it through. GEMIN~ (May 21- June 20): Meditation will cool your heated brain and help you to keep your mouth out of trouble. In that calm solitude, think of ways your home life can support your ambitions. They don’t have to be at war with each other. CANCER (June 21- July 22): Showing off to your friends can get expensive and become a source of fights. If your love and admiration aren’t enough, home-baked cookies should do it. If they want more, they’re not really your friends, and their arguments aren’t worth the trouble. LEO (Ju~y 23 -August 22): Whatever you do is sure to get noticed. You do realize that can be a mixed blessing! Some humility would be in order, but that doesn’t mean denying your actual gifts and accomplishments. It’s just a matter of keeping perspective. V~RGO (August 23 - September 22): Your brain wants a challenge. Find it in a book; don’t go picking arguments. If you want a good debate, hold yourself back a bit and make an effort to really hear what the other person has to say! LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Trying to keep up with peer pressure, you could worry yourself sick. Balance? It means they have to meet you half way, too. Your real friends will do that. Standing your ground is sexy. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Immediate concerns- work and partnersh p - feel like distractions from your creative engagement with the world, building the future. In fact, those quotidian details are exactly how we do that. Try to channel that aggravation into creative energy. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Domestic drama threatens to disrupt your plans at work. If you can keep an even keel, handling those unpredictable upsets could help you gain confidence in your managerial skills: Remember, a team leader is still a team member! CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Maintain respect for people even when their questions seem abysmally stupid. It is tempting to mess with their heads, or to mock them, but mellow out that playful streak and engage them. That could lead to fun for all! AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Everybody needs to be concerned about money these days. You may be more worried than is necessary or helpful. Don’t take it out on your family or housemates. The first purpose of discussion is to get problems into perspective. PISCES (February 19- March 19): Flaws and frustrations in your relationship, however minor, are now feeling worse than they really are. You could both make a list now to discuss later. If you must trash someone, that is what POliticians and celebrities are for. METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, M0 64804 417-52943480 Worship Sunday 6:00 PM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM www.socmcc.org Have a God filled and BleSSed Day! 1 2; 3 4 ’11 12 13 17 !9 44 46 47 64 6~667295 66 68 69 ! ofview Solution page 19 www.metrostarnews.com ~#~<~t~’oSTAR 17 WIT www.kylecomics.com RAN INTO YOU. Chuck Breckenddge \Vhcther buying or selling I’ll work hard for you. 597 Magnetic Road Eureka Springs, _Arkansas www.magneticvalteyresort. corn infoOmagneticvalleyresort.corn 800-2t0-8401 479-244-6821 ~y,net 18 May !, 2010 Suppo~ those who support us. Their ads allow us to distribute your community news FREE to you. ~ THELEDO EXPRESSIONS Fellowship ....................................... 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSXg/AY 4010 N Youngs HABANA INN Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City, OK 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\rAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-2221 www.habanainn.com MAGNETIC VALLEY RESORT 597 Magnetic Road Eureka Springs, AR 800-2i0-8401 wwv.magneticvalleyresort.com Y~LLY KIRBY, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant VALERIE WILLIFORD 625 N.W. 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 405-226-8585 PRIMERICA Dana Tulsa, Oklahoma 877.700.9503 405-525-0730 ~wrw.habanainn.com TULSA EAGLE 1338 E. 3RD Tulsa, OK 918-592-1188 ......... Open 7days week 2prom 2am 405-761-1878 www.expressionsOKC.com SOONERSTATE RODEO PO Box471463 Tulsa, OK74147 www.soone~mmrodeo.com CHURCH of the OPEN ARMS 3131 N. PENN, OKC, OK 405-525-9555 Service Sunday 10:45 AM DIVERSITY CHI~STIAN FELLOWSHIP 637 S. 131st East Ave Tulsa, OK wv~v.realacceptance.com GREAT PLAINS RODEO P. O. BOX 12485 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 w~#c.ogra.net 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 Sunday 6pro JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NWEXPRESSWAY Oklahoma Ci~ OK 73112 405-840-2106 wv#¢¢.c2 lgoldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn ANGLES 2117 I’FOF 39th St. Oldahoma City, OK wwv.anglesdub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836-8700 ~wvw.bambooloungetulsa.com THE END UP 5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE Tulsa, OK 918-836-0915 Open 7 days a week 2pro to 2am FINISHLINE 2200 I~FW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City; OK 405-525-2900 ww~v.habanainn.com THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH ~RESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 www.habanainn.com MCC UNITED 1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK 918-838-1715 .... www.mcctulsa.org OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 OKLAHOMA STONEWALL DEMOCRATES Oklahoma City, OK vpccw.okstonewall.org OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918-743-4297 w~vw.okeq.org LI ~,~w.metrostarnews.com ~{ETROSTAR 19 "We are at a moment now when liberalism is poised to have its biggest impact since Roosevelt, because the conservative movement has been thoroughly repudiated through reaf~." "What matters, as always, is not what w,e can’t do, it’s what we can and must do.’ Stonewall lemocrats is a recognized group of the Oklahoma and national Democratic PaR. Working to educate voters and politicians about issues of the We mee~ the I s~ Tuesday ofevery mon~h at ~he STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HEADQUARTERS 4100 N. Li~¢ol~ Av÷~, Okl~hom~ Cill ..... /~05~ 427-3366 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, May 1, 2010; Volume 7, Issue 5 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 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 Vicente, Andrew Collins Jack Fertig Lisa Keen Steven Petrow Keith Orr Chris Azzopardi Victor Gorin Judy G. 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 Magazine, April 1, 2010; Volume 7, Issue 4 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/186 The Metro Star Magazine, June 1, 2010; Volume 7, Issue 6 https://history.okeq.org/items/show/192 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/194 Advice Andrew Rice-anti government anti-LGBT discrimination Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services-facial lipodystrophy discrimination-hospitals Don't shop-Adopt entertainment federal hate crimes law First Thursday Art Exhibit fitness-Hypertension gay rodeo GetEQUAL HHS Joe Quigley Keith Kimmel Martina Navratilova Metro scene music Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Caucus Oklahomans for Equality Award Recipients Out magazine-most influential Prop 8 QPuzzle Qscopes Rainbow Pages Ron Holland-Mayor election RuPaul's Drag Race-Bebe SAGE-aging issues Sooner State Stampede Tammy Baldwin-visitation rights travel