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https://history.okeq.org/files/original/93cf0fb2a1c6f6bfbeb49db9e57de8be.pdf
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2004-2011
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Images
Online texts
PDF
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwest Missouri
Western Arkansas
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Ozarks Pride/Star Media
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
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
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magazine
Text
Any textual data included in the document
METROSTARNEWS.COM "WE DELIVER DIVERSITY"
Church Visits Oklahoma Again
By Victor Gorin
APRIL 1, 2009
Hi ary Clinton will[ fight for gay
rights worl[dwide
By Rex Wockner
Mr. andMrs. Kevin Sherwood with bikergroup protesting Fred Phelps demonstrators atMoore High School. Gorin photo
MOORE, OK __ Spreading their ukual rants of far out
homophobia, members of Fred Phelps Westboro Baptist
Church ofTopeka, Kansas came to protest near the Oklahoma
State Capitol as well as Moore High School March 2.
Few in the GLBT or fair minded community are not familiar
with this church, as they have been protesting with infamous
"God Hates Fags" signs along with other similar sentiments
nationwide and abroad for over a decade. They gained
national attention in 1998 when they picketed Matthew
ShepardS funeral in Laramie,Wyoming with infamous
signs, some stating "Matthew is in Hell". Rarely’ missing an
opportunity to present their viewpoint, they have picketed
funerals of those who have died ofAIDS, and staged protests
against governments who have granted rights or tal~en any
action they perceive as "fag enabling." More recently their
skewed logic went even further when they picketed funerals of
American soldiers, incredulously promoting the concept that
God is punishing America with the deaths of soldiers because
our nation is too tolerant of homosexuals. Understandably
this has raised anger with countless patriotic Americans,
especially those in the military; veterans and their families &
friends.
Although the Westboro group had been to Oklahoma
before, they returned again to protest against the Oklahoma
Legislature for permitting a gay pastor, the Reverend Scott
Jones- Cathedral of Hope UCC, to lead a Prayer for the Day
at the invitation of State Representative A1 McAffrey. This
protest drew a small crowd with TV & press coverage coverage
at N.W. 23rd and Sante Fe, before the Phelps clan moved on
........... Continued See BAPTlST Page-9
in
, Clinton
Wockner by Rex
Meeting with young people at the European Parliament in
Brussels on March 6, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
promised to fight for gay rights on the world stage.
At a question-and-answer session, Clinton called on Maxim
Anmeghichean, programs director for the European Region
of the International Lesbian, Gay~ Bisexual, Trans and Intersex
Association, after commenting on his "I Love Hillaw" T-shirt.
Anmeghichean said: "My name is Max. I am from Moldova,
and I am a gay rights activist. In seven countries in the world
homosexuals are sentenced to death and many more to prison.
A lot of gay men arotmd the world die because of the HIV/
AIDS policies that the Bush administration had that did not
allow to spend money on prevention for men who have sex
with men. How do you see the foreign policy of the United
States changing in the coming years in the field of human
rights mad in partictdar sexual rights and gay and lesbian
rights?"
........... Continued See HILLARY Page-8
2 April 2009
v~v~.metrostarnews.com ~°~t~oSTAR 3
Busy year ahead £or Sooner State Rodeo
By Michael W. Sasser
E~oto: fim Grubb, 7~m Dickmann, Don George, V¢7ll Hughes, &Scou"
Gouard hosting a spaghel~i dinner to benefit St. Jerome’s Church.
TULSA, OK __ With a new executive
board elected in February, events already
under its belt and a slate of others scheduled
for the remainder of the year, the Sooner
State Rodeo AssociaOon has a bustling 2009
ahead.
"Our overall objective is to bring a
rodeo back to Tulsa and to have one on a
regular basis," said Tim Dickman, newly
elected president. In addition to Dickman,
Kevin George, Darin Steward, Kevin
Murphy, Don George and Bob "West were
elected vice president, tre~asurer, recording
secretary, corresponding secretary and trustee
respectively in February.
"We want to remind people we’re still
here, we’re still active and we are starting
a new campaign to get people interested.
Dickanau said.
A spaghetti dinner at St. Jerome’s Church
and a club night at Mavericks drew the
community~ attention and attracted several
new members.
Key events ahead are also expected
to garner notice and new members. The
Associatioffs next general membership
meeting is slated for Sunday, April 5th at
St. Jerome’s Church in Brady Heights, and
the general public is invited to attend. On
April 24th at 9 pm at Mavericks, the Sooner
State Royalty Roundup season kicks offwith
a lead-in to the f~l 2009 competition. Past
’Royalty competitors will be on hand as well
as those from other Associations.
"We have the whole year m get
contestants, but this event and others ~ve
will have throughout
the year help people
raise the money they
need to in order to
compete and to get
some experience
beforehand," Dickman
said.
The Sooner State
¯ Rodeo Association is
hosting its 3rd ka~nual
Spring Blowout Barrel
Race on Saturday,
May 2nd at a site to be
determined by the end
of March.
New membership
and renewed energy
and interest in the
Association are keys to a
successful 2009.
"XWe need
the community’s
involvement,
bars’ involvement
and participants’
involvement to bring
a rodeo back to
Tulsa," Dickrnan said.
"It’s going to be an
exciting year and we
invite everyone in the
commun!ty to join in."
For more information, call (918) 577-0030
or wvo~c.soonerstaterodeo.com
KENTUCKY DERBY
PARTY AT PHOENIX
RISING MAY 2
By Victor Gorin
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Looking for
some after May Day fun? On Saturday May 2
Phoenix Rising will host the 3rd annual
Kentuc~- Derby ParD; where you can enjoy
food with friends, wet your whistle at the
cash bar and enjoy the thrill of the Kentucky
Derby on the big screen.
Originally organized by a group of friends
who love equestrian sport, the first party had
around 65 people, the next about 80, and
they are hoping for a bigger crowd this year to
experience the fun. As one of the organizers
Max Paty puts it, "Last year it vcent from
dead quiet when the race started, and then
they just went crazy when the horses came
down the home stretch, and it was really
exciting!" It’s a free event with complimentary
snacks and a cash bar, and everyone is invited,
including out of towners who happen to be
in OKC that day. It’s a great way to celebrate
that event with your friends while meeting
nev¢ ones.
OKEQart gallery opens
new exhibit featuring
artist Krysta Hamilton
TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis Ik Neill
Equality Center art gallery will host its
monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist
reception from 6-gpm, Thursday, April 2,
2009, for the opening of the new exhibit
showing the paintings of artist, g-,Tsta
Hamilton.
The exhibit will remain up through the
month ofApril, and can be viewed Monday
thru Saturday from 3-9pm. The Dennis R.
Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th
St., in downtown Tulsa. More info can be
found on the web at okeq.org.
7his monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s
for EqualiO, (OkEq): OkEq seeks equal rights
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Tmnsgender
(LGBT) individuals andfamilies through
advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and
the operation ofthe Dennis R. Neill EqualiO,
Cente~
4 April 2009
From ~2.95
AskAbout
LaV®nda
www.metrostarnews.com ~I®t~oSTAR 5
anna Pa ge Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland 200
By Victor Gorin
Pageant co-ownerJames Walke~ Adrienne Fische~ Alanna Paige, Anita
Ryde~ and other co-owner Mark Christensen. Gorin photo
O~IOMA CITY, OK__ On February
20 Manna Paige captured the title of Miss
Gay Oklahoma Heartland for 2009, with
Anita Ryder ( currently also Miss Oklahoma
Gay Rodeo Association) winning first
alternate. As a preliminary contest for the
Miss Gay Oldahoma America Pageant, they
will go on to compete for that title. It was a
festive evening at Angles as the current
A1 Mc rey
O ahoma County
Medalion Dinner.
reigning Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland
Adrienne Fischer passed on that tide (
she is also the current reigning Miss Gay
Oklahoma) to Miss Paige.
Pictured above are pageant co-owner James
VCalker, Adrienne Fischer, Manna Paige,
Anita Ryder & other pageant co-owner
Mark Christensen
By Victor Gorin
A NEW KING GETS
CRO’WNED!
By Victor Gorin
Judy Calhoun celebrates her birthday at the
annual Oklahoma County Democratic Patty_
Medallion Dinn~ well wished by AIMcAfl~ey
and Ieshia who led herfriends in song. Gorin
photo.
OYA~S,HOMA CITY, OK__ State
Representative A1 McAffrey was the Master
of Ceremonies for the Oklahoma Count),
Democratic Party February 20. This is an
annual event for the Party that is not only
for fellowship, but also strengthening plans
and resolve for the future. Represented at this
event were both the Oklahoma Stonewall
Democrats and the Oklahoma Gay and
Lesbian Political Caucus.
Count3; Conventions will be held April 4,
Congressional House District Conventions
May 2, with the State Convention May 16
in Oklahoma City. To become involved or
register to vote, go to ww,v.okdemocrats.
org, or call State Party Headquarters (405)
427-3366, and in Tulsa call Tulsa County
Headquarters (918-742 2457).
2nd alternate Amadeus Ka~nii York- Texas,
IGng Richard Cranium oflndiana , and Ist
alternate Owen McCord ofGeorgia.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Oklahoma City
again hosted the National Mr.Gay US ofA
MI contest at Angles dates September 11-
15. Emceed by the vivacious Amaya Mann,
the competition began with 31 qualified
contestants, narrowed down to 14 finalists for
the finale March 15.
Passing on his tide was the reigning King
from 2008 Xander Kinidy ofTennessee,
whose mother was present at the event.
Capturing the tides for 2009 are 2nd
Alternate Amadeus Karmanii York ofTexas,
1st Alternate Owen McCord of Georgia,
and the new king, Richard Cranium of
Indiana.
6 @et~oSTAR April 2009
Wockner News Service
ANALYSIS: California
Supremes hear Prop 8
challenge
Tl~e California Supreme Court on March
5 held its hearing in the case challenging
Proposition 8, the voter-passed constitutional
amendment that re-banned same-sex marriage
-- and the hearing was an apparent disaster
t’or the gay side¯
The justices constantly interrupted the gay
side’s lawyers with aggressive questions, but
let pro-Prop-8 attorney Ken Starr speak
mostly unimpeded.
~ae justices seemed fixated on the fact that
California’s domestic-partnership law gives
gay Couples the same rights as a marriage, and
the), downplayed the fact that they had ruled
that separate isn’t equal in their May 2008
decision that legalized same-sex marriage.
The justices seemed enamored of the notion
that the people can do almost whatever they
want via the ballot-box amendment process
-- including repealing freedom of speech,
banning gay adoption and pretty much
anything else.
The justices all but laughed out of the
chamber state Attorney General Jerry
Browffs nove! "inalienable rights" natural-law
argument against Prop 8.
"~e
just an amendment
or instead a constitutional revision. A
revision has to start in the Legislature or at a
constitutional convention; it can’t start with
people collecting voter signatures, as Prop 8
did.
On that key question, the gay side appears
doomed as well, because court precedent
on the issue does not favor the gay side’s
arguments. Only a couple of the justices
appeared possibly open to the idea of
expanding their notion ofwhat constitutes a
constitutional revision.
On the case’s other big question -- whether
the 18,000 couples who married in California
between June and November 2008 will end
up un-married if the court upholds Prop 8
-- a majority of the justices seemed opposed
to viewing Prop 8 as rettoactive, despite
its rather plain wording: "Only marriage
between a man and a woman is valid or
recognized in California."
At one point, the justices had a bit of
Clintonian fun ruminating on "what the
meaning of the word ’is’ is" in Prop 8.
Kenneth Starr came across at the hearing as
smart, confident, well-spoken and quick on
his feet. None of the gay side’s lawyers did as
well. But, in fairness, they were hardly able
to get a word in edgewise because of constant
interruptions from the justices.
Media and blogger analysts were unanimous
in concluding that the court is going to
uphold Prop 8.
That would leave the gay side with two
options: Return to the California ballot with
a proactive initiative to attempt to undo Prop
8. Or take it to,the U.S. Supreme Court,
using the court s ruling in the Colorado
Amendment 2 case as a precedent. In that
case, the high court struck dovin a state
constitutional amendment that prohibited
Colorado governments from protecting
gay people in anti-discrimination laws. The
justices said government cannot irrationally
single out~one group of people for disfavored
treatment.
Both of these "next step" options are
considered risky moves.
The court must issue its ruling by early June.
Dolly Parton: ’I am not
gay
Country-music legend Dolly Parton is
straight, she told CNN’s Larry King on Feb.
21.
"I am not ga~" Parton said. "I have been
accused of that. But I have been happily
married for 42 years to the same man. And
he’s not the least bit, you know, threatened
by the fact that I may be gay. And he knows
have a lot of friends. But I love everybody. It
doesn’t matter to me."
Part0n said gay people like her because she’s
authentic.
"I think the gay people have always liked
me because I have always been mysel[ I’m
not intimidated by ho~v people perceive me,
I don’t judge nor criticize people," she said.
"I think that’s another reason they at least
know that I’m sympathetic. I think all people
have a right to be who they are. We’re all
God’s children and God should be the one to
judge, not other people. So I have a lot of gay
friends, lesbian friends."
’Milk’ gays the Oscars
The Academy Awards offered some gayerthan-
usual moments Feb. 22 as the movie
Milk snagged two Oscars.
Accepting the award for best actor, for his
portrayal of gay icon Harvey Milk, actor Sean
Penn said: "You commie, homo-loving sons
of guns.... For those who saw the signs of
hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think
that it is a good time for those who voted
for the ban against gay marriage to sit and
reflect, and anticipate their great shame and
the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they
continue that way of support. We’ve got to
have equal rights for everyone."
And openly gay Dustin Lance Black,
accepting the trophy for original screenplay,
gave a shout-out to gay kids.
"When I was 13 years old, my beatitiful
mother and my father moved me from a
conservative Mormon home in San Antonio,
Tex., to California, and I heard the story of
Harvey Milk," Black said. ’~md it gave me
hope. It gave me the hope to live my life. It
gave me the hope one day I could live my life
openly as who I am and that maybe even I
could fall in love and one day get married.
"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30
years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all
of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight
who have been told that they are ’less than’ by
: or by their
you are beautiful, wonderful
creatures ofvalue and that no matter what
~yone ~eils you, God does love you, ~d
that veiT SO0n~ I promise you; ~ou ~ill have
equal rights federally across this great nation
of ours."
In Singapore, where gay sex is illegal,
MediaCorp TV deleted portions of Black’s
and Penn’s speeches from its rebroadcast of
the awards.
MediaCorp/Channel 5 censorship manager
David Christie said the broadcast "would
have been in serious breach of the MDA
(Media Development Authority) Programme
Code if such controversial content was not
editorially managed."
"The code explicitly disallows content that
sympathizes with, promotes or normalizes
such a lifestyle from being broadcast," he said.
The Asian satellite
TV service STAR also
censored the two men’s
speeches, dropping the
audio each time the
word "gay" or "lesbian"
was uttered.
STAR beams into
more than 50 countries
to some 300 million
viewers.
Utah senator demoted
for anti-gay remarks
Utah state Sen. Chris Buttars was ousted from
two committees by Republican leaders Feb.
20 after he made homophobic remarks to a
documentary maker.
Buttars spoke in January to TV reporter Reed
Cowan, who is making a documentary on the
¯ Mormon church’s involvement in the passage
of California’s Proposition 8.
The senator’s comments included:
"Homosexuality will always be a sexual
perversion. And you say that around here now
and everybody goes nuts. But I don’t care....
They’re mean. They want to talk about being
nice, they’re the meanest buggers I’ve ever
seen.... It’s just like the Moslems. Moslems
are good people and their religion is anti-war.
But it’s been taken over by the radical side....
What is the morals of a gay person? You can’t
answer that because anything goes.... They’re
probably the greatest threat to America going
down I know of. ... q]aey want superiority.
It’s the beginning of the end. Oh, it’s worse
than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was
localized. This is worldwide."
According to Salt Lake City’s KTVX, ~vhich
broke the story: "Buttars also talks about a
certain type of reported gay sex!~al activity
which he claims is taking place. But ABC
4 does not consider that appropriate for its
news content
Students at George Mason University in
Fairfax County, Va., elected a gay drag queen
as homecoming queen Feb. 14.
Senior Ryan Allen, who ran for the honor as
Reann Ballslee, beat out two women for the
crown.
"It was just for fun," Allen told the
Washington Post. "In the larger scheme of
things, winning says so much about the
university. X~[e’re one of the most diverse
campuses in the country, and... ,ve celebrate
that."
MORTUARY ~ERVICE,~
www.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 7
Gay New Yorkers protest
sex-shop arrests
Several dozen gay N~v ~rkers protested near Mayor
Mict§ael Bloomberg~ mansion Feb. 14 over what
they say are bogus arrests ofg~y men in adult video
arcades. Photo byJoe Jervis
Several dozen gay New ¥orkers protested near
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s mansion Feb.
14 over what they say are bogus arrests of gay
men in adult video arcades.
The activists claim undercover police o~cers
have been hitting on gay men, then, after the
men agree to have sex, leading them outside,
offering them money, and arresting them for
prostitution, whether they accept the money
or not.
At least 50 men have been victims of the
sting, the activists said.
The motive for the arrests is to create a
pretense for shutting down the shops, the
activists said.
~e arrests have been condemned by openly
lesbian City Council Speaker Christine
Quinn and openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane,
among others.
Hawaii House passes
civil-union bill
Hawaii’s House of Representatives passed a
civil-union bill Feb. 12 by a vote of 33-17.
The measure now advances to the Senate
Judiciary Committee, where its fate is
unpredictable.
Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has not taken a
position on the legislation.
The proposal would grant civil-union couples
all the state-level benefits, protections and
responsibilities of marriage.
Hawaii presendy has a reciprocal-beneficiaries
law that grants registered same-sex couples
limited spousal rights. Similar limited laws are
in place in Maine and Washington.
Five states -- California, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont -- and
Washington, D.C., have full civil-union laws
that grant all state-level spousal rights.
Massachusetts and Connecticut let gay
couples marry, and New York recognizes
same-sex marriages from states and countries
that permit them.
Tt~e other countries that let gay couples
marry are Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands,
Norway, South Africa and Spain.
Beau poses nude
Beau Breedtove, the 21-year-old man who
had sex with Portland, Ore., Mayor Sam
Adams just after Breedlove turned 18, has
posed nude for the May issue of the gay porn
magazine Unzipped.
The revelation of the aNair nearly ended
Adams’ career earlier this year. Adams was 42
years old at the time of the brief relationship
and, when asked about it during his mayoral
campaign, had denied it happened. Nae men
claim to still be ftiends.
"Beau Breedlove was extremely professional
at his first erotic photo shoot in Los Ba~geles
this past weekend," Unzipped online editor
Sean Carnage told Advocate.corn Feb. 18.
"He came to L.A. to prove that the Portland
scandal does not define his sexuality. The
photos portray the real Beau -- a confident
and extremely handsome young man who is
openly sensual, openly sexual and has nothing
to hide."
"We had some trouble getting them into
this house because of some, what I believe to
be, antiquated rules here, but they are here,
minus tiaras and sashes," New Democratic
Party legislator Spencer Herbert said as he
introduced the foursome to fellow legislators.
Legislative sergeant-at:arms Gary Lenz
explained that "protocol" prohibits headgear
and certain other items inside the chamber, to
maintain "dignity."
Larry amer: Lincoln
and Washington were
gay
Veteran gay and MDS activist, author
and playwright Larry Kramer says he has
evidence that Abraham Lincoln and George
Washington were gay.
Colorado senator in antigay
rant
Colorado state Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley,
unleashed a six-minute anti-gay diatribe on
the floor of the Senate Feb. 23 during debate
on a bill to allow gay state employees to share
health benefits ~vith their partners.
Speaking to the Montreal newspaper Hour
on March 5, Kramer said he will reveal the
details in a book he’s writing, The American
People: A History.
He equated gay sex with murder and adultery
and seemingly suggested that people ~vho
engage in gay sex commit ’,detestable" acts ....
been wntten or stud.........
"It’s a monster book," Kramer said. "It’s an
attempt to put us (gay people) back in history
from the beginning. No history book ever
recorded anything about us, and researching
this book I found out that both Lincoln and
George Washington were gay.... I have stuff
that will go beyond anything that has ever
Renfroe said: "Homosexuality is seen as a
violation of this natural creative order, and
it is an offense to God.... Leviticus 18:22 ’
says: ’You shall not lie witha man as one lies
with a female. It is an abomination.’ Leviticus
20:13 says, ’If there is a man who lies with
a male as those who lie with a ,voman, both
of them have committed a detestable act,
and they shall surely be put to death.’ ...
When we create laws that goes (sic)against
what biblically we are supposed to stand for,
I think we are agreeing, or allowing to go
forward, a sin which should not be treated
by government as something that is legal.
... We are taking sins and making them to
be legally OK, and that is ,vrong. That is an
abomination.... And I’m not saying that this
is the only sin that’s out there. Obviously, we
have sin. We have murder, we have all sorts
of sins. We have adultery. And we don’t make
laws making those leg~A.... All sin is equa!.
That sin there is as equal to any other sin
that’s in the Bible."
The bill passed.
Drag r?yalty stripped
ofregaha be sergeant-atarlns
Mr. and Miss Gay Vancouver XXIX, along
with the Emperor and Empress V of Surrey,
were allowed to enter the Canadian province
of British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly
only after removing their tiaras, crowns and
sashes, The Vancouver Sun reported March 2.
Clinton responded: "Human rights is and
will always be one of the pillars of our foreign
policy. And in particular, the persecution
and discrimination against gays and lesbians
is something that we take very seriously. It
is terribly unfortunate, as you just recited,
that, you lmow, right now in unfortunately
many places in the world violence against
gays and lesbians, certainly discrimination
and prejudice, are not just occurring but
condoned and protected, and we would hope
that over the next few years we could have
some influence in trying to change those
attitudes."
Clinton continued: "Specifically, with
respect to HIV/AIDS, we have made a very
big treatment commitment, as some of you
know, through our program called PEPFAR.
And it is an important part of the American
approach toward trying to deal with the HIV/
MDS pandemic. But we haven’t done enough
on prevention, and we haven’t done enough
on outreach or testing. We’re beginning to,
and under our administration we will do
much more. And I can only hope that we
all live long enough -- certainly I hope I live
long enough; I think you all will -- to see the
end to this kind of discriminatory treatment,
and recognition that human rights are the
inalienable right of every person no matter
who that person loves, and that’s what we
should be trying to achieve."
8 P~etroSTAR Apd12009
Sonja Martinez Receives
the Richard May Award
Sofia Martinez (Center) with her niece Jessica
Martinez-Brooks and her sister and artist
Bernadette Martinez. Pressphom
OK_LAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) _The
Oklahoma MDS Care Fund celebrated its
Seventeenth Bmnual "Red Tie Night" at the
Cox Communications Center February 28,
2009. The "Red Tie Night" brings together
man), individuals and corporations to raise as
much as one million dollars in a single night
through various donations, auctions and
generosity of many Oklahomans. The goal
of the event is to raise money tbr education,
direct services and research to fight HIV/
AIDS throughout the State of Oklahoma.
One of the highlights of a very eventful
evening was the presentation of the Richard
May Award to Sonja Martinez. Sonja is
the daughter ofJesse and ka~ita Martinez of
Oldahoma City.
The Richard May Award was established by
the Oklahoma MDS Care Fund to honor
Richard May, a founder of the organization
who passed away in March, 2000. The
premise of the Richard May Award is that it
is to be given annually in recognition of an
individual who has given, in an exceptional
way, of their time and talents to promote
education, research and service regarding
HIV/AIDS. The recipient should exemplify
quiet strength and compassion, never seeking
recognition, which was the spirit of Richard
May.
Sonja has an annual Christmas Benefit to
raise money for those with HIV/AIDS and
this next year will be her nineteenth annual
benefit. The benefit is held at the COPA
bev;veen Thanksgiving and Christmas every
year.
Sonja accepted the award by saying: "~is
award is a very big honor and I thank you
so much. I would like to accept this award
on behalf of all the dubs and entertainers
in the Gay Community who do benefits
all year around. I would also like to thank:
Barbara and Jackie Cooper, Rick Moses, John
Beebe, Tony Sinclair and Dee Goodwin; my
family vcho have supported me and loved me
unconditionally. And the Red Tie, thank
you for all that you do."
Christian,
I623 N. iVlaplewood Tulsa, OK
www,mcctuls org
Oklahoma City, OK
No matter who you are o
are on life’s journey, y~:
-R®ver®.d ~r. K~hy
405.525.9555
Kansas City’s Heartland
Men’s Chorus rills
OKC Crowd
By Victor Gorin
CharlesJohnson presents director Dn Joseph
Nadeau with a plaquej~om the City ofthe
Village thanking themfor theirpe,formance.
Gorin photo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma
City was treated to a grand performance by
the Heartland Men’s Chorus March 3 when
the played to a large crowd at the Village
Christian Church. N~e Chorus, which began
in 1986, has performed extensively in the
Missouri/Kansas area, and also throughout
the United States and abroad. Featuring
an eclectic mix of men’s choral music
encompassing several music styles, the chorus
was won acclaim and respecf froma wide
City
has
were recognized by the City
( suburban community of OKC), and this
concert, which was their OKC debut, would
also benefit the BritVil Food Bank.
Bringing their songs to Oklahoma, they
presented their concept concert, "And Justice
for All." Beginning xvith a number from
the musical South Pacifici "You’ve got to be
Cargfully Taught/Children will Listen", which
depicted racism, they ,;vent through a series
of selections accompanied by readings and
accompanying pictures which portrayed the
struggles of blacks, women, and the more
recent activism of title GLBT community.
Highlights included activist classics "We Shall
Overcome" & ’Tkin’t gonna let nobody Turn
me Round, but also included the comic relief
of"Color of Colorado," a campy classic from
the off Broadway musical "When Pigs FI~’
that portrays how vital the GLBT community
really is to America. Closing with "I will
stand with You," they left the audience with
not only a call for unity but hope for a better
tomorrow.
Under the direction of Dr. Joseph Nadeau,
they performed the following day for
the American Choral Directors National
Convention which also took place in
Oklahoma City. They held the distinction of
being one of only 2 gay men’s choruses to be
invited to perform for that conference in the
group’s 50 year history.
to Moore Oklahoma for another protest at
Moore High School.
Although their reasoning for picking out
Moore High School for a protest site was
unknown, their website did promise "We
will picket you hypocrites and we continue
to THANK GOD for the tornados that
keep kicking Oklahoma’s backside.’Moore
High School dismissed classes 15 minutes
early for those students wishing to avoid the
protest, but many stayed to tal~e part in what
’turned out to be a major counter protest.
That protest, organized by Chelsea Marlett
( daughter ofRon Marlett, ~vho ran against
Sally Kern in the State Legislative race 2008)
not only brought out many from the GLBT
community, but also many others to form a
diverse crowd of around 2000 that included
civil libertarians, yeterans groups, and just
plain folks young and old. Undoubtedly the
most spectacular counter protesters were the
bikers, xvho rode repeatedly past the Phelps
clan revving their engines to the crowd’s
applause.
Jeannie and other Moore High School students
protest Phelps group. Gorin photo
As one of them put it, Kevin Sherwood stated
"I fought for our country for people to be
able to live their lives they way they want. I
fought so they ( the Phelps group) can say
what they want to say, but we get the same
rights. What upset me more than anything
else is that they came here to scare kids. But
apparently most of them ain’t all that scared!"
Living proof of that was Jeannie, a student of
Moore High School,who after some colorful
outbursts about her opinion of the Phelps
clan, had this to say" God loves all of us,
we’re all equal, gays lesbians, it doesn’t matter
God loves us all."
www.metrostarnews.com #~÷troSTAR 9
10 ~oSTAR April 2009
British PM opposes Prop8
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
opposes Proposition 8, the California ballot
measure that last November re-banned samesex
marriage after the state Supreme Court
had legalized it.
"This Proposition 8, this attempt to undo
the good that has been done, this attempt to
create divorces among 18,000 people who
were perfectly legally brought together in
partnerships, this is unacceptable and shows
me why we alxvays have to be vigilant, why we
have alvcays got to fight homophobic behavior
and any form of discrimination," Brown said
March 5 at a Downing Street reception for
GLBT VIPs.
6 in his apartment in Call
He suffered a fatal blow to the head and
was found tied to his bed and gagged. The
apartment had been trashed but there were no
signs of forced entry and nothing was stolen.
Rivera received national attention when he
fought a 2001 mandate by the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas
that all residents ofa FARC-controlled sector
of the eastern state of Meta take an HIV test
or leave the area within a week.
Thereafter, he received death threats and was
followed on the streets and harassed at worlc
He eventually left Meta, his home state, as a
result.
On March 4, the California Suprelne Court
heard oral arguments in the case seeking to
overturn the constitutional amendment. It
is widely expected that the effort will fail,
with the justices deciding, in effect, that the
right of the voters to amend the constitution
is more sacrosanct than the constitutional
guarantee of equal protection under the law.
The court must issue its decision by early
June.
Burundi plan to ban gay
sex dies in Senate
Leading Latino-issues blogger Andrds Duque
called Rivera’s death "a tremendous loss to the
international human rights movement."
Argentina lifts military
gay ban
Argentina’s military decriminalized
homosexuality and lifted its gay ban Feb. 27.
Part of an overhaul of the military justice
system, the change was approved by
Parliament last year and took effect six
months after passage.
A move to ban gay sex in the Central African U.S.-based Latino-issues, blogger Andrds
nati~ 6f Burundi was reiected by the Senate ~t}que called the m.ove ’.on.e more L.GBT
Feb. 16 after having passed the National nghts development in a Latin American
Assembly unanimously in November. nation that leapfrogs over current U.S.
"Burundi’s Senate, after significant pressure
and ’heated debate,’ today reiected the
proposed amendment to criminalize
homosexual conduct. Victory -- for the
moment," said Scott Long, head of Human
Rights Watclqs LGBT Rights Division.
The proposal, part of a much larger bill, set
a punishment of between three months and
two years in prison, along with a large fine,
for engaging in consensual adult gay sex.
The Senate and Assembly must now form a
commission to reconcile the two versions of
the bill before sending it to President Pierre
Nkurunziza.
"Any reconciliation could, potentially,
reinstate the provision criminalizing samesex
conduct," said the International Gay
and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
"Whatever the outcome, the fact that
the majority of senators voted against the
provision shows a growing recognition that
all citizens are entitled to the full enjoyment
of human rights irtespective of their sexual
orientation."
policy"
Gays in the U.S. military are required
to remain in the closet under the "Don’t
Ask, Dofft Tell" policy signed into law by
President Bill Clinton.
Prior to that time, gays were not allowed in
the U.S. military at all.
300,000 at Sydney Mardi
Gras
Sydney’s 31st gay Mardi Gras parade attracted
300,000 spectators, 130 floats and 9,500
participants March 7.
Openly gay Olympic gold medal diver
Matthew Mitcham led offthe procession. His
winning dive at the Beijing Olympics was the
highest-scoring dive in Olympic history.
Marching units included the Federal
Police, the military and New South Wales
firefighters. U.S. comedian Joan Rivers also
joined in, riding on top of a truck.
Eighty-four of the world’s 19 5 nations ban
gay sex.
Colombian gay leader
m dered
Well-lmown Colombian gay activist idvaro
Miguel Rivera Linares, 41, was killed March
Jamaica .bans most antigay
music
Jamaica’s Broadcasting Commission has
effectively banned most anti-gay dancehall
songs from being played over the airwaves.
Wockner News Service
New regulations prohibit broadcast of songs
and videos that glorify arson, rape, shooting
or murder, as well as depictions of sex acts.
Gay activists, locally and internationally, have
campaigned for years against the anti-gay
alleged "murder music" ofJamaican artists
such as Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man,
Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Buju Banton,
T.O.K. and Capleton.
Phelpses banned from
entering UK
Anti-gay Kansas pastor Fred Phelps and his
daughter Shirley have been banned from
entering the United Kingdom, the Telegraph
reported Feb. 19.
The "God hates fags" team had announced
plans to picket a performance of’l-he Laramie
Project on Feb. 20 at a school arts center in
Basingstoke, Hampshire.
A UK Border Agency spokesman said:
"Both these individuals have engaged in
unacceptable behavior by inciting hatred
against a number of communities.... We will
continue to stop those who want to spread
extremism, hatred and violent messages in our
communities from coming to our country."
In an interview with the BBC, Shirley Phelps-
Roper stated: "There are members ofWBC
(Westboro Baptist Church) that are not
named Phelps.... Unless they intend to begin
checking the bare backsides of every person
coming into that country to find that tattoo
that says ’Property ofWBC,’ they will have
no way of identifying who is from WBC."
In the end, a single, unidentified
demonstrator showed up and was chased
offby about 50 counterprotesters, the BBC
reported.
HIV rate climbs in Asia
Gay and bisexual men in Asia are having risky
unprotected sex, causing dramatic climbs in
HIV infection rates, said officials attending
a World Health Organization HIV/AIDS
conference Feb. 18 in Hong Kong.
The gathering heard that more than 30
percent of gay and bisexual men in Bangkok
are HIV-positive, while some Chinese cities
report a rate as high as 18 percent, and China
as a whole has a rate of 3.8 percent among
gay/bisexual men.
The director of Chinas AIDS-control center,
Wu Zunyou, said amphetamine use and
Internet hookups are factors in the climbing
infection rate.
HIV now is Chinas deadliest infectious
disease, according to a new report from the
Ministry of Health.
More than 8 percent of gay and bisexual men
in Jakarta are HIV-positive, the conference
heard, as are 7.8 percent in Cambodia.
Singapore censors Oscars
Singapore’s MediaCorp TV censored its
replay of the Academy Awards Feb. 23,
removing portions of Dustin Lance Black’s
acceptance speech.
Black won the original screenplay Oscar for
Milk, and said: "When I was 13 years old, my
beautiful mother and my father moved me
from a conservative Mormon home in San
Antonio, Tex., to California, and I heard the
story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope.
It gave me the hope to live my life. It gave me
the hope one day I could live my life openly
as who I am and that maybe even I could fall
in love and one day get married.
"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30
years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all
of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight
who have been told that they are ’less than’ by
their churches, by the government or by their
families, that you are beautiful, wonderful
creatures of value and that no matter what
anyone tells you, God does love you, and
that very soon, I promise you, you will have
equal rights federally across this great nation
of ours."
Sean Penn’s acceptance speech also was
truncated. He won the best actor Oscar for
his portrayal of Harvey Milk.
Penn said: "You commie, homo-loving sons
of guns.... For those who saw the signs of
hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think
that it is a good time for those who voted
for the ban against gay marriage to sit and
reflect, and anticipate their great shame and
the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they
continue that way of support. We’ve got to
have equal rights for everyone."
Subscribers to one of the main Singaporean
gay e-mail lists were outraged at the edits.
"This sort of bigoted, intolerant and ignorant
action by a national broadcaster is better
suited for Iran or North Korea than a nation
that puts itself forward as a modern worldclass
city," wrote one.
MediaCorp/Channel 5 censorship,manager
David Christie said the broddcast would
have been in serious breach of the MDA
(Media Development Authority) Programme
Code if such controversial content was not
editorially managed."
"The code explicitly disallows content that
sympathizes with, promotes or normalizes
such a lifestyle from being broadcast," he said.
Gay sex is illegal in Singapore.
The Asian satellite TV service STAR also
censored the two men’s speeches, dropping
the audio each time the word "gay" or
"lesbian" vcas uttered.
STAR beams into more than 50 countries to
some 300 million viewers.
www.rnetrostarnews.com #d®troSTAR 11
By Camper English Colder, smaller, weaker: Better martinis
~lhe diplomatic way of defining the "best martini" is as "the
martini that you like the best." But, really, if you’re pulling
a jug of vodka out of the freezer and pouring it into a glass,
you’re not drinking a martini at all. You’re drinldng a glass of
cold vodl~a. Add olives and you’ve got vodka with a snack.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I drink cold vodka
all the time, and ~vho doesn’t enjoy a string of olives for
dinner? But a martini is a mixed drink, necessitating more
than one ingredient to mix into it.
Bar-haviora Problems
The working theory is that the martini star~ed as a spinoff
of the Martinez, a cocktail made with sweetened gin, sweet
vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters (with a lemon
twist). As tastes in cocktails shifted away from sweet drinks,
the "Dry Martini" made with d~/vermouth became more
popular, and eventually most everybody forgot about the
bitters. Vodka didn’t become an option until later.
Gay bar bartenders, who are not necessarily gay bartenders,
are usually the most ei~cient and fair intoxicologists in
tl~e drinking universe. I say "fair" because at straight
establishments, hot women and rid>looking men (usually
jerk~) get first priority, and the bartenders frequently take
drink orders out of order. Infuriating! This is not often the
case in gay ~vatering holes, where the bartenders tend to be the
hottest people in the room and dofft need to impress you by
serving you first (you need impress them with the size of your
tips).
Given the variations over time, you could rightfully order
your martini made with gin or vodka, sweet or dry vermouth
or none at all, bitters or not, olives or a twist - and you could
find a published recipe to back it up. None are the "right" way
to make a martini, but I would encourage experimentation to
find the way that’s right for you.
Also, gay bar patrons Imow how to behave (toward the
bartender anyway) and will often line up in an orderly fashion
at the drink well rather than shouting and waving like the
opening scene ofThe Love Boat al! along the bar. I take
straight friends to my favorite gay bar and they are anlazed at
the German,like efficientT in place. They are often jealous and
ofthe strained drink in the
frdezer’ ......
determine to start coming there every night, until they hear ........... .... ......
the 14th Madonna remix in a row. I can’t say I blame them.
In a nightclub or other crowded venue, or anywhere with a
mixed crowd, all bets for orderly ordering are off. You need
to gain the attention of tl~e bartender as well as make him or
her think you’re going to be a good (i.e., fast, non-annoying)
customer. Here are a few suggestions for attracting the
bartender and keeping his attention.
While jumbo-sized martini glasses used in many bars
provide a lot of liquor for the dollar, by the time you get to
the bottom half you’re drinking room-temperature alcohol.
That is bad. Or worse, it’s a warm salt bath if you’ve got the
extra-large-sized olives in there that help to heat it xtp. The
very dassiest ofbars serve their martinis in very small, very
cold glasses - with an additional quantity of the drink in an
ice-chilled container on the side. That is lovely. At home, I
use vintage (small) glassware and keep the remainder cooling
Look available. You want to make eye contact with the
bartender and have her give you the "I see you" nod. To
accomplish this, face the bar, not your friends behind you. If
you’re turned around chatting and using the bar as a leaning
post, you’re not giving the right signal.
Be ready. When you are trying to get the bartender’s attention,
have visible cash in your hand -but don’t ~vave it around
unless there is a row of drag queens in six-inch heels blocking
your line of sight. And if you’re planning to pay with a credit
card, you may want to keep that hidden. It takes longer to
process, so the bartender will serve the cash-holding folks first.
Also, be ready with your friends’ drink orders. Don’t wait until
the bartender gets there to turn around and say, "What do you
guys want?" As the person standing next to you, H1 swoop in
and say "~ree martinis please" when your back is turned. I’m
like that.
S~’ategize. Don’t shout to get the bartender’s attention.
Nobody likes to be yelled at while doing their job. A friendly
"Hi!" sometimes helps though. Make your first tip the most
generous one to help ensure prompt service and healthy pours
for the rest of the evening. And be respectful of others - if the
guy next to you was waiting longer but the bartender comes
to you, give him the "he was here first" point. The bartender
will remember that you’re next, and you never kmow if that
guy next to you wil! return the favor and pay for your drink.
Do not fear vermouth.
Try it and you might
find you actually like it
- but probably not the
4-year-old, mostly full
bottle gathering dust in
the back of your liquor
cabinet. Use a fresh bottle.
Vermouth spoils like wine
after opening, so buy small
bottles and keep them in
the refrigerator to lengthen
their life span.
Ice, too, is an ingredient
in the drink. Ifyou keep
your vodka or gin in the
freezer, not much water
will melt into your martini.
Dilution brings the drink
down to a manageable level
of alcoholic strength to keep you from making that too-strong
scrunchy face that gives you wrinkles. A martini should be
refreshing, not painful.
The shaken-versus-stirred decision is not worth the ~veight
given to it. Shaking adds ice chips and air bubbles that make
the drink look doudy and taste fizzy, whereas stirring results
in a clear and smooth cocktail from the get-go. I prefer a
stirred martini when I’m at a nice cocktail lounge, but I do
often shake them at home. Not because it tastes better, but
because shaldng is more fun.
Camper English is a cocktails and spirits writer andpublisher of
Alcademics. com. ’
12 ~et~:oSTAR April 2009
~e internationally renowned cast ofWoody
Sez- back rowfrom left: Helen Russell, Darci
Deaville, Andy Tekstein;J~ont- David Lutken
as Woody @hoto courtesy of The Scotsman
Publications Ltd.)
OKLAHOI~La~ CITY, OK (PR) __ Lyric
~eatre, OkAahoma’s premiere professional
theatre company, will present the American
Premiere ofWoody Sez, the words, music,
& spirit ofV[oody Guthrie as part of the
2009 "Lyric at the Plaza" season. This
unique theatrical concert event celebrates
the life and spirit ofAmerican folk legend
Vioody Guthrie, whose music continues to
inspire today’s finest storytelling songwriters
including Bob DyIan, Bruce Springsteen,
John Mellencamp, the Indigo Girls, and
Billy Bragg. Lyri& production will run from
March 26th through April 1 lth and features
the show’s original cast from its European
tour.
st0ryte!l& ~na
David tutken Stars in {he and
actor,musici~s Darcie
Deaville ,Teirstein
join in ,to portray
up the fabric of Guthrie’s amazing story.
The four accompany themselves on over 15
different instruments, ranging from guitar
and fiddle to jaw harp and dulcimer.
\Voodrow Wilson "W’oody" Guthrie
was born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma.
He is best kmown as an American singersongwriter
and folk musician, whose
musical legacT indudes hundreds of
political, traditional and children’s songs,
ballads and improvised works. Many of his
recorded songs are archived in the Library of
Congress. Guthrie traveled from Oklahoma
to California and later New York and used
his rich life experiences and observations to
write traditional folk and blues songs, many
ofwhich deal with the Great Depression.
Guthrie died from complications of
Huntington’s disease, a progressive genetic
neurological disorder.
When Nick Corley accepted the position
as Lyric’s new artistic director, he was thrilled
with the timing and what it meant for the
future ofWoody Sez. With the blessing of the
Guthrie estate, Corley, who has directed the
show fi’om its inception, prepared Lyric for
the American premiere, so that Oklahomans
could be the first in ~he country to celebrate
Guthrie’s life and music in this special way.
Furthermore, so that the celebration of
Woody’s spirit can reach even further beyond
the Oklahoma City metro area, Lyric Theatre
has plans to take the show on the road. A
special presentation ofWoody Sez, the words,
music, & spirit ofWoody Guthrie has been
generously underwritten by Continental
Resources, one of the largest independent
oil and natural gas companies in the United
States. The show will play a special two-night
engagement at the Enid Symphony Center
on Tuesday, March 31st and g~rednesday,
April 1st at 7:30pm, marking the first time
in the company’s 47-year history that a full
prod,uction will be performed outside of
Lyric s home venue.
Back in Oldahoma City, Woody Sez
performances are March 26th through
April 1 lth: Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at
8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm & 8:00pro.
For tickets: ,a-wvc.lyrictheatreokc.com, (405)
524-9312, or in person at 1727 NW 16th St,
Oldahoma City, OK.
In Oklahoma City, the renovation and
opening of Plaza Theatre, located on NW
16th Street between Penn and Classen,
means that audiences can look forward to an
intimate world-class theatrical experience,
complete ~vith free accessible parking, tdtracomfortable
seating, and a full service cash
bar. Drinks are even allowed inside the theatre
as the audience takes in the performance. The
2009 "Lyric at the Plaza" season concludes in
May with Steel Magnolias. Lyric will continue
to produce its annual summer season at
downtmvn Oklahoma City’s Civic Center
Music Hall, beginning in June with Disney’s
High School Musical 2 and continuing with
The Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Producers, and
Little Shop of Horrors.
w~-w.metrostarnews.com NetroSTAR 13
Arkansas Domestic
Partnership Registry
Under Attack
Gay News Bureau
EUREKA SPRINGS, AR The only
Domestic Partnership Registry in Arkansas--
and one of the fe~v in the Mid-South region
of the country--may soon be history if one
right-wing state legislator has his way.
But the Eureka Springs mayor, city council
and supporters of the DPR, vow to vigorously
oppose a move by Republican Arkansas State
Rep. Bryan King to do away with it.
In only 22 months, 256 unmarried couples
from 55 Arkansas communities and 14 other
states have registered as domestic partners in
Eureka Springs.
At least 28 of those couples came from
neighboring Oklahoma and another 32 from
Missouri, says Michael Walsh, who wrote the
domestic partnership law that went into effect
in June 2007.
Efforts to keep the resort town from
officially honoring gay and straight couples is
"transparent homophobia," he says.
"There are six words to describe State Rep.
Bryan King ofArkansas," said Walsh, "and
they are, ’State Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma’.
To know one is to know the other."
DPR advocates say it is hypocritical for
any state lawmaker to condemn municipal
domestic partnership laws while accepting
campaign contributions from I~aft Foods,
Wal-Mart, FedEx and Cox Communications,
companies that have domestic partner
policies.
King is serving his final term as state
representative and may next run for the
Arkansas senate. His detractors say he
has nothing to lose and much to gain by
assaulting the DPR at this time.
King introduced his anti-DPR measure
March 9. Out lesbian Arkansas State Rep.
Kathy Webb, a Democrat, opposes the ban
and has said it may be killed at the committee
level. Arkansas Speaker of the House Robbie
Wills is also on record as opposing the bill.
But Eureka Springs city officials are not
taking any chances. In a statement signed
by the entire Eureka Springs City Council,
Mayor Dani Joy strongly defended the DPR
and condemned King’s intrusion into city
affairs.
"I vdll not stand silent any longer and allow a
demographic of our citizens to be humiliated
and degraded," she said. "Prejudice or bigotry
have no place in our city. The gay and lesbian
community are our fi’iends, neighbors and
family."
The editor of the tmvffs weekly newspaper,
The Lovely County Citizen, characterized
Y,dng’s anti-DPR bill as a "regressive, faithbased,
discriminatory, venal.., and cynical
act."
It is, said editor Don Lee in a editorial,
"demagoguery based on religious prejudice
bordering on moral fascism..."
~e Carroll County (AR) News reported
King "felt the bill (to ban DPRs) was needed
because tourism in Eureka Springs has
become identified too strongly with issues of
sexuality."
Given the town’s long-standing reputation as
a major wedding destination, King’s rationale
is fraudulent, says Walsh.
"What the hell does he think goes on in all
those heart shaped hot tubs and honeymoon
cabins," Walsh said. "King’s real aim is to
impose his extremist religious and political
views on our town and at the expense of gay
residents, business owners and tourists.
"Playing the gay card is a way for cheap
politicians in Arkansas to fan the fires of hate
and fatten up their campaign coffers."
But, on the brink of what may be a precarious
tourist season, King’s bill cotfld also deprive
the town of a critical revenue stream.
According to city records, the DPR has
generated almost $10,000 for the city in less
than two years. Registration costs $35 per
couple.
Walsh puts the figure at closer to $250,000
to $500,000 when DPR-related expenditures
on hotels, motels, B &Bs, restaurants,
bars, caterers, ministers, florists, gift shops,
photographers mad spending by friends and
}’amilies are included.
"Precisely when the state needs all the tax
revenue it can it, I~dng’s bill is exceedingly
short-sighted," he said.
* To express your support, send a brief e-mail
to Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Joy at mayor@
cityofeurekasprings.org
~ Express your outrage to Arkansas State Rep.
Bryan King at: kingb@arkleg.state.ar.us
* Ask your friends, co-workers, family
members and neighbors to do the same.
* Send this story to news outlets, LGBT
organizations, web sites and blogs.
* Ask your elected local and state
representatives to speak out on this issue, as
did the Eureka Springs mayor when Sally
Kern was on the rampage last year.
= Come to Eureka Springs for Diversity
Weekend April 3-5 and get your own DPR.
See www.eurekapride.com for events.
Diversity Weekend Kicks
Offin Eureka Springs
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
Domestic Partner Certificates. The
courthouse is dosed Saturday and Sunday.
City Clerl~’s office is in the City Hall,
lower level of the Western Carroll County
Courthouse, 44 S. Main. Office hours are
9:30 AM - 12 Noon and 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
Over150 unique shops and galleries. Be sure
to stop by and say hi to Charlie at A Byrds
Eye View. Weekend favorites include The
Tourist Stop, Mountain Eclectic, Antique
Affaire, The Inn Convenience Store, Fusion
Squared and Eclectic Edge.
Over 6 vendors are setting up in the old
Eureka Screams Theater parking lot and
lobby, located on H~W 23 South. Friday -
Sunday, 8 AM - 5 PM, everything from Tools
to Toys.
Welcome Mixer, Pizza Bar, 13 N Main, 6:00
to 8:00 PM. Come feel the warmth. Mix and
mingle with locals and visitors from around
the county. CITY PARKING FREE AFTER
6 PM.
Rock and Roll with Tiffany Christopher, The
New Delhi, 2 North Main, All ages welcome,
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM-ish.
It’s a Hawaiian Luau Weekend. Karake,
Dance, Giveaways and FUN. Friday and
Saturday, Henri’s Just One More, 19 1/2
Spring, Open Noon - 2AM, Full menu served
till 9 PM nightly. NO COVER CHARGE.
The always popular Tiki Torch Club and their
Spring Diversity Dance Par-Tee. Arrive early
this place fills up fast. Midnight Teaser Drag
Show with Secdackeiry.
Male Illusionist. That’s right they’re all girls
and they’re dressed too ’KISS’. The IgSSS
Tribute Band, Lumberyard, 105 East Van
Buren, 9:00 PM. Stick around for DJ TIC’S
Spin Cycle and Dance Party.
Ashley McBryde... the miracle gift returns for
SPRING ,n Eureka. Jacks Place. 37 Spring
St, 9:00 PM.- Midnight, no cover. Handsome
Lee wit! be checking IDs at the door.
EUREKA’S UNDERGROUND the
subterranean and always gay Eureka Live,
35 North Main, Trash Disco Party, drink
specials. NO COVER CHARGE!
THE DIVERSITY BAND: Chelsea’s, 10
Mountain St. 9 PM - ~
Avoid those Diversity buzz-killers like getting
a DUI or trying to find a parking place
downtown. Eureka Springs Limousine. $5.00
point to point. Call 479-244-6320 for your
PICK-UP!
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Name That Tune With Sandy at the
Smokehouse Card, 580 West Van Buren,
8:30 A.M to1 l:30ish, biscuits as big as your
head. WIN Fabulous Prizes, like Sparlcy Sun
Glasses! Saturday and Sunday Only.
The Diversity Bikers "Bridges and Dam Poker
Run." Planer’s Hill Parking lot on the corner
of 62 and 23 (Main Street) Starting at 12:45
PM.
The Spring PDA photo shoot. Just some good
time amusement for the tourist and to annoy
the fundies. SPRINGS PUBHC DISPLAY
OF AFFECTION (PDA), 12 noon, Basin
Park band shell, downtown. A G-rated
opportunity to smooch your sweetie-or the
perfect stranger-for posterity. Eureka Pride
has free treats to pass out.
The Eclectic Edge, 49 Spring, ARTIST
RECEPTION drop by and meet Artist
Matt Johnson and Gallery owners David
and Ginny between 1 and 5 PM. Light ,
refreshments. Register to win a piece of Matt s
artwork. Raffie to benefit the local Doggie
Shelter.
KARAOYdS: Jack’s Place, 37 Spring, 2 PM - 6
PM, WOW!.!! Jello Shots For a BUCK!
ALL GIRLS BAND IRIS: Chelsea’s, 10
Mountain St. Better show out early, these
ladies have been known to Jump Start their
show as early as 7 PM and then ~vind it up
Midnight.
The North West Arkansas Center For
Equality and UA PRIDE, are havin,,g a dance.
Entire, family welcome, upstairs at The
Space, located across from the U.S. Post
Office in Uptown-Downtown Eureka on
Spring St., DJ dance music and activities for
the kids. $5 cover, FREE to children 12 and
under. 8 -11 PM.
For a complete list of activities and events go
to www.eurekapride.com and diversitypride.
com.
New Owners ForJoplin’s
Pla-Mor Lounge.
New owners ofJoplin’s Pla-Mor Lounge, Tim,
Bonnie and Tom. Staffphoto
JOPLIN, MO (PR) After more than 40
years in the bar business including several
gay clubs, Dick and Billy Jack decided to
retire and let longtime friends Tim, Tom and
Bonnie take over their latest venture, the
Pla-Mor Lounge located at 532 S. Joplin St,
Joplin’s only gay club. New hours beginning
in April will be Tues-Sat 5pm to 1am. Happy
hour 5pro to 7pm. Phone 417-624-2722
Retiring Pla-Mor owners Dick and Billy Jack.
Staffphoto
14 ~{et~’oSTAR April 2009
@ The Copa, Oklahoma City
@ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa
@ Hideaway, Tulsa
@ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa
@Club Majestic, Tulsa
@ The Ledo, Oklahoma City
@ Angles, Oklahoma City
@ Finishline, Oklahoma City
@ The End Up, Tulsa
@The Mine Shaft, Tulsa
@Club 209, Tulsa
www.rnetrostarnews.com #~et~oSTAR 15
I really dig California Zins. For springtime/
back yard grill time, what better red xvine
than Zinfandel to go with short ribs, beef
brisket, grilled veggies and brats. Here
are some killer bottles I think should be
considered to go with your barbeque fun.
Brief histoD+ of the grape
[ZIHN-fuhn-dehl] qlais is thought to be
California’s most popular red-wine grape
because it’s not widely grown in other parts
of the world. Zinfandel vines were brought
to California in the 1850s and it is now that
state’s second most extensively planted red
grape behind cabernet sauvignon. Initially,
research confirmed a relationship between
Zinfandel and Primitivo (a variety grown
in Italy’s Puglia region), causing speculation
that Zinfandel might have originated in Italy.
However, in late 200 t, DNA fingerprinting
determined that Crljenak Ka~telanski (a littleknown
grape from Croatia) and Zinfandel
have identical DNA profiles.
Beside the Zinfandel grown in California
(and Italy’s Priraitivo), there are only isolated
plantings of this grape, mainly in South
Africa and Australia. The Zinfandel grape can
produce wines ranging from light, nouveau
styles to hearty, robust reds with berrylike,
spicy (sometimes peppery) flavors, plenty of
tannins, enough complexity and longevity to
be compared to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mr. D’s V2 case
EarthQuake Zin ’06
The Phillips brothers pride themselves on
farming their vineyards with a meticulous
eye on quality. Their wines regularly take top
accolades in wine competitions. This Zin is
really full bodied with lots zing and flavor. In
addition to the Earthquake brand of reservetier
wines, wine brands under the Michael
David Winery umbrella include the popular
7 Deadly Zins. This wine has recently come
down in price about 20% in this market and
it’s a must try.
FoxGlove Zin ’07
Wine critic Robert Parker says that this one
of the most ,mpress~!}e
in the coot, high elevations
Cruz M+0~nt~sT’ ~is Zi~ 9~(s ffo~m Vasq
Robles ~fi~ is a n~ addition t0 ~¢~e~akers
Bob & Jim Varner~ oo~tfoli6. I was
completely surpnse~ at[)~Ow gogd~h~s single
vineyard wi~e is for the~money. ~’ ~,
+ }~’~
Ifyou are one of those xvho beliei(
better, read on.
Cabernet.
juicy fruit
acid balanc~
comedian Robin
this winery and
great Cabernet also
For this Zin, ~only
Family, is also currently making.
uch xvineries like Paradigm, and
Past clients include Screaming Eagle
},arc 29. "We brought a bdtfle for
) w’. file opt in California during ~he
We hadnt fasted it before hand’and
bottle, I Wished
a c9uple more. This wine
in oiar state and this zin is
]his writer is one of the managers a~ the Grand Vin
wine shop. He also bar tends and hosts wine & food
town as the
Enthusiasts ofTulsa.
Hyse Couzins ’05,
This is the first
intriguingblend
39% Zinfandel and
drinldng xvell right now,
to decant. Wine critid sa3
for the next 5 - 7 years. This
be hard to find so if you see it,
wine has also come down in
20% in this market and
Remember that
Zinfandel are two
Couzins.
Edmeades Mendocino
This hasgot to be one of
and 20061ooks to be
to 2005
has some Petite
Grenache blended
color. ~nere is a
cherry ~
spring
/ www.l~ineSpectamd
pepper. Turn processor onand chop f~r
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Ingredients
2 -14 oz can chic~ peas, drained
4 cloves garlic, peeled "
1/2 cup jarred, i:o~ted red’peppers.
drained
Zest of one lemon
Juice of one lemon
!/4 cup tahini (may substitute ~vith
pmnut or almond butter)
i/2 cup olive oil
| teas kosher salt
is creamy.
Serve topped with a drizzle of 01ive oil, feta
cheese and cracked black pepper if desired.
Provide pita wedges and fresh vegetables for
spreading.
16 v~®t;oSTAR April 2009
nmen
At The BOK Center Tulsa
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
.April 7, 2009 @ 7:30
Ticket Prices: $9I, $57, $4I
Get tickets at LiveNation.com, all Tickets.corn Outlets, or
charge by phone at 1-866-7-BOK-CTR
Bruce Springsteen’s new album ’Working on a Dream’ was
released today (January 27, 2009). ’~,Working on a Dream~
was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve
new Springsteen compositions plus one bonus track. It is
the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan
O’Brien, who produced and mixed the album.
Nickelback
Apr 10, 2009 at BOK Center
Nickelback With Seether and Saving Abel
Aprill 0, 2009
Tickets On Sale Now
Prices: $75, $55, $35
Unstoppable rock powerhouse Nickelback have announced
dates for their upcoming North American tour in support
of their new" album Dark Horse, released on Roadrunner
Records on November !8th. Nickelback are a phenomenally
successful touring band whose tours have grossed in excess
of $100 million thus f.ar and have sold more than 30 million
albums worldwide. Dark Horse is Nickelback’s first release
since the immensely popular All ~fhe Right Reasons, released
in 2005.
Fleetwood Mac
May 3, 2009 at BOK Center
"Unleashed" Tour
May 3, 200~
Tickets Off Sale Now
Prices: $149.50, $79.50, $49150
Wne sure to be historic "Unleashed" Tour, beginning on March
1st in Pittsburgh, is an epic cross-c0untry trek featuring
44 shows in major markets. The tour will include al!~ of the
Ma& many greatest hits fi’om over the course of the band’s
extraordinary career. Fleem~ood Mac, the multi-Grammy
winning, multi-platinum Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
inductees are back on the road for the first time in five years
following several successful solo projects.
OKC Civic Center Music Hall April Events
THE LEFT HAND SINGING a drama by Barbara Lebow
Date: Frida); March 20, 2009 - Saturday, April 11, 2009
Presented by Carpenter Square Theatre
MF~SURE FOR MEASURE by William Shakespeare
Date: Friday, March 27, 2009 - Sunday, April i9, 2009
Presented by the Oklahoma City Theatre Company
Perpetual Motion "Chiaroscuro"
Date: Friday, April 03, 2009 - Saturday, April 04, 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Perpetual Motion presents Chiaroscuro
CLASSIC SERIES: SEASON FINALE presented by the
Oklahoma City Philharmonic
Date: Saturday, April 04, 2009 Time: 8:00 p.m.
Featuring Yuja X~gang, Piano
ZOMBIE PROM
Date: Frida>; April 10, 2009 - Sunday, Apri! 19, 2009
Zombie Prombook and lyrics by John Dempse, music by
Dana E Rowe based on a story by John Dempsey and Hugh
Murphy April 10-19, 2009 in the Freede Litde Theatre
DISNEY’S THE LION KING
Date: Tnesday, April 21, 2009 - Saturday, May 23, 2009
Presented by Celebrity Attractions
Begins April 21, 2009
Tracy Morgan and Martin Lawrence put the fun in
Funeral
When Romeo first reported on the proposed Chris Rock-led
American version of the outrageous British farce Death at
a Funeral, it was unclear as to whether the wild gay subplot
would survive. But as casting begins it seems clear that the
queer surprise in the black comedy’s casket is alive and well.
Better yet, 30 Rock’s hilarious Tracy Morgan has signed on
to star alongside Martin La~vrence in the corned); due in
2010, about a dead patriarch’s funeral interrupted by mishaps~
bizarre guests and the arrival of the deceased’s secret gay lover.
As long as Lawrence ~snt contracted to play B~g Momma
in this verSion, fans of the original can rest easy:. Now, which
brave American actor is going to pla~ the family member who
runs around the hOuSe naked for the entire length of the fihn? ......
Cherry Jones’ sister act
Object lesson to any actor who believes that coming out
will be career-damaging: Cherry Jones. The talented lesbian
character actress never stops working, plays the President on
24, was Matt Damon’s reality-checking mother in Ocean’s 13
and won a Tony Award for her pre-Meryl Streep incarnation
of Sister Aloysius on Broadway in Doubt. Now she’l! take
on another nun role in the upcoming drama Mother and
Child starring opposite Naomi xYc:atts, Samuel Jackson,
Kerry Washington and Annette Bening. The female-centered
adoption drama is currently in production and due for release
this December - aka Beg For Your Oscar Month - so the
filmmakers must be pretty confident about its chances. Who
knows, maybe Jones will have to dear room next to her Tony
for a new golden friend.
Ghost musical to raise Broadway from the dead?
It seems that everything on Broadway is going belly up.
Shows are dosing faster than new ones can take their place,
ticket sales are in the toilet and all seems hopeless. And it’s
desperate times that lead to crazy/genius ideas like Ghost: The
Musical taldng root and flowering. The smash 1990 Patrick
Swayze/Demi Moore film (for which Whoopi Goldberg
won her Color Purple Oscar) is going to sing its way onto
one of London’s West End stages sometime in 2010 and, if
sufficiently crowd-pleasing, will probably make a mad dash
for Broadway sometime later. The writers of "Unchained
Melody" are already spending their future royalty check
bump, but who’s going to pen the song about Patrick Swayze’s
heartbreaking inability to express love without invoking the
word "ditto?"
Neil Patrick Hat~s. 20th Century Foxphoto
Nell Patrick Harris hands out TV Land Awards
If the Harold and Kumar movies, How I Met Your Mother,
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, his SNL appearance and his
spoonbending antics on Ellen weren’t enough to convince you
that Neil Patrick Harris is a national treasure, try this: now
he’s retro-nostalgia-cable-channel TV Land’s answer to Hugh
Jackman. The funny, quick-witted song-and-dance man will
host April’s TV Land Awards with the requisite amount of
skits, mttsical numbers and awards given out to shows like
Charles In Charge and Mama’s Family. Expect a lot ofvintage
TV personalities showing up to join Harris as he tosses out
non-vintage one-liners.
Romeo San Vicente could sense something was up as early as Doogie
Howser, ~I.D. He can be reached care ofthispublication or at
DeeplnsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.
More ENTERTAINMENT see page 20
w"ww.metrostamews.com ~etroSTAR 17
V
@[8
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
SOME LEATHER_ FUN, ANYONE?
Photo: Pool atThe Inn Leather Resort
friends from North Carolina that we met
there, Paul and Dick. After all, meeting new
and exciting people is what traveling is all
about. By the way, did we mention that they
have a leather and chain sling in every room
at the Inn Leather? Seriously ifyou are into
leather, want to be into leather or just want to
look and enjoy leather, then fly, drive, take a
train or bus or even hitchhike and get down
to die Inn Leather resort in Ft. Laxlderdale
and learn how to have some real fun "leather
fun".
Since our travel columns are in
publications from coast to coast and
since we have readers who are into just about
everything we decided to stay in this Leather
Resort. The Inn Leather Resort has been
serving the leather and levi gay community
in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as well as the
entire East coast and the Midwest for over 10
years and a lot of gay men from all over the
country love to stay there. During our stay
~ve met guys from New York, Chicago and
several other places in the Midwest as well
as Floridians. The general manager Chase
and his staff of Benji, Kevin and Gabe are
extremely professional, friendly and know
how to take care of their guests. We just can’t
say enough nice things about them. Chase
has the most beautiful eyes and smile that you
have ever seen in your life. We know that
a lot of guys stay here just so that they Can
see him! Tnru his professional guidance,
the Inn is in the process of being remodeled.
~ae entire staff is really very accommodating.
The grounds are filled with luscious tropical
plants. The pool area is very inviting.
.Amenities include heated swimming pool,
hot tub, tree wi-fi and a SLING in every
room! Yep! You read that right............
a leather and chain SLING in every room!
Never tried one? XWell this is a perfect
opporttinity for you. They have about a
dozen rooms and suites and are located just
two miles from the beach and just about a
10 minute drive to the major bars and one
mile south of do~vntown Ft. Lauderdale and
t’wo miles north of the Ft. Lauderdale airport.
~ae Inn Leather is a "clothing optional"
resort. Did we mention that there is a leather
and chain SLING in every room?
Each accommodation includes queen or king
size bed, private bath, kitchenette which
includes fridge, coffee maker, microwave,
TWVCR/cable tv and alarm clock.
They have ample off street parking for their
guests. A stay here includes a complimentary
continental breakfast poolside every morning.
q-here are a lot of restaurants within walking
distance and a major shopping center with a
supermarket just a few blo~ away. Ifyou
are into leather or appreciate leather or just
curious, then call and make a reservation.
Oh yeah! Did we mention that there is a
leather and chain SLING in every room?
For those really into leather, be SURE and
stop by the Ramrod leather bar at 1508 NE
4th Avenue for the most interesting time that
you can EVER have in a gay bar! They have
specials going on every day including Leather
Sunday; Full Moon Monday, Butt to Butt
Wednesda)~ Battle of the Bulge "l-hursday and
Fetish Friday. They have a daily two for one
happy hour from 3 to 9 PM. Check out their
website at: www.ramrodbar.com
A very special thanks to Chase, general
manager of the Inn Leather and to our new
leather and chain sling in every room"
While you in the area, be sure and check
out the greatest totally nude beach in the
country, Haulover Beach! which is located
about a twenty minute drive south of Ft.
Lauderdale. It is the only legally nude beach
in the Florida. Haulover Beach Park contains
one of south Florida’s most b~autiful clothing
optional beaches-a 0.4 mile stretch of beach
on the northernportion that draws people
from all walks of life, from other states,
Canada and a variety of other countries.
Nestled between the Intercoastal Waterway
and the Atlantic Ocean, it has pristine white
sand shores, open ocean surf, various shaded
picnic facilities, beautifully landscaped sand
dunes, and concession stands. The beach
is ideal for surfing as well as swimming.
Thousands of people go to Haulover Beach
on a sunny day. Simply put, Haulover Beach
is one of the best clothing-optional beaches
in the world, as ranked by many online and
print publications. As many as 7,000 people
visit the beach in a single day. There is a
snack cart situated in the clothing optional
area most days, as well as chairs available to
rent. Haulover Beach is quite large and is
broken up into different areas for gays and
straights. It is a great way to meet people.
Their website is http://www.hauloverbeach.
org
Contact the Inn Leather Resort at:
877.532.7729 or email them at
InnLeather610@aol.com and be sure to check
out their website at: www.innleather.com.
By the way, did we mention that they have a
leather and chain sling in every room???
Always remember to have fun when traveling,
meet new people and talk to everyone!
Spirit Journeys
Announces Gay Travel
Adventure Rafting the
Grand Canyon
Spirit Journeys has a new gay vacation rafting
the Grand Canyon. This journey starts July 1,
2009 and ends July 10, 2009.
NEW MILFORD, NJ (PRWEB)__ Spirit
Journeys is very pleased to announce its new
gay travel adventure rafting through the
Grand Canyon. "Going Deep" is the title
of this adventure and it begins and ends in
Las Vegas and includes eight days and seven
nights of rafting the Colorado River some
280 miles through the Grand Canyon. On
this journey the goal IS tO experience the
canyon and the river at a more profound level
than on an ordinary vacation.
Grand Canyon Rafting The adventure
into Self is enhanced by the inspiring
surroundings the Canyon has to offer. Being
on the Colorado River at the bottom of the
Grand Canyonhas a way of making humans
very humble in the presence of such majesty,
major life shifts can happen. Meditation
Heart Circles and group movement rituals
will be used to help open the mind and heart
and deepen the experience of this incredible
place. The intention is to actively engage
the Canyon and the River; to know them
on a more intimate level. The raft stops
several times each day to hike, to explore side
canyons, to swim in favorite swimming holes
or to stand in ~e power ofwaterfalls.
Howie Holben is the guide for this gay
vacation. Heis owner and caretaker of
Spirit Journeys. He was raised in northern
Arizona and has always felt a special bond to
the sacred places of the Southwest The gifts
he brings to this Journey are his extensive
knowledge of these places and the love for the
path we follow on this journey. Since early
childhood, he has been drawn to indigenous
peoples and their spiritual teachings,
traditions and practices. This attraction has
taken him on many adventures, exploring
the countless ways of "being in the world".
His personal journey through addiction
and recovery has spavcned in him a genuine
interest in assisting others on their own
spiritual path and he takes great pleasure
in introducing people to practices, sacred
ways and cultures to help them "step outside
their box". A Reiki/Karuna Ki Master and
Quantum Touch Pracdoner, his desire is to
help others uncover their potential and set
their hearts and minds free.
For additional information on this and other
special gay vacations, contact Hmvie Holben
or visit w~#.spiritjourneys.com.
About Spirit Journeys: Spirit Journeys offers
gay travel, gay vacations and gay retreats with
a spiritual focus, and unique gay retreat and
gay vacation options. Call (800) 754-1875 to
learn more about Spirit Journeys.
18 April 2009
~ifest2
Se~ons Hualani.
,.~VW.metrostamews.com
materials
~etroSTAR 19
April At P.A.C. Tulsa
April 18 -This year TU BLGTA’s Pride
Prom 2009: A BollDvood Ball will be held
on Apri! 18 at the Tulsa Performing Arts
Center Westby Pavilion. 3-he event is a prom
targeted toward Tulsa-area youth who are not
alIowed m or not comfortable with bringing
the date of their choice to prom, but it is
open to all people ages 15 m 25. Tickets are
$10 for general admission or $5 for %lsa
UniversitT students. For more information
emait http:l/us.mc l O.mail.yahoo.com/mc/
compose?to=tublgta@gmail.com.
March-27-29 & April 2-4 8pro Up the
Down Staircase -Liddy Doenges N~eatre
Anyone who’s ever started a new job will
relate to this comedy about Sylvia, an
idealistic young English teacher maneuvering
her way through a blizzard of paperwork,
contradictmT orders and indecipherable
instructions. She discovers that "Keep on
file in numerical order" means throw in
wastebasket, "Let it be a challenge" means
April 14-15 7:30pro Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
John H. XXqlliams ~eatre "Aspen Santa Fe
Ballet is a jewel of a company...a refreshing
surprise!" declares Ba&stage.com. This
dazzling contemporary dance company will
perform three to four pieces from its eclectic
repertoire that contains works by some of
the world’s [bremost choreographers, such as
TwT1a %arp, Jorma Elo and Paul Taylor.
The Vertical Hour
April 16-18 at 8 p.m., April 19 at 2 p.m.
Lid@ Doenges ~eatre
"iI~e "vertical hour" is the first hour after an
injury when ~sistance has the greatest chance
of being beneficial, tn this 2006 play by
Englishman David Hare, an ~Mnerican former
war correspondent turned Yale political
science professor joins her British boyfi’iend,
Philip, for a visit to his fhther, Oliver. She
has a pro-Iraq viewpoint, while the father,
a doctor with liberal leanings, is against not
only the war but many of the beliefs she
holds about a range of issues. Nadia is both
offended by and attracted to Oliver.
Me ro Star Classfieds
2" square for as little as
$39 per issue.
Email: starnews@sbcglobal.net
918.835.7887
SAVE & FILL YOUR PIGGY
Kyk°s Bed by Greg Fox
~gebsite- vmcw.kylecornics.com E-Mail- KylesBnB@aot.com
e~ll: bittergirl@qsyndlcate.corn ~w,joanhilty.net ~~1
20 ~®~ro~TAN April 2009
by Jack Fertig Apill 2009
"Your are everyone’s darling Aries"
Mercury, Venus, and the Sun are
aligning in Aries bringing together
charming, witty banter and mad,
impulsive flirtations. Venus is retrograde
so be careful with those flirtations.
They’re not likely to go anywhere you’ll
want to stay!
ARIES (March 20-Apri~ 19): For now,
you are everybody’s darling and could
get away with almost anything. Dedicate
that power for good, not selfish motives.
You have so much of yourself to offer;
select your beneficiaries wisely to be
fully appreciated.
TAURUS (Apri~ 20 - May 20): Take
some private time with your nearest
and dearest in pursuit of pleasures that
nurture your soul. No need to hide in
a cloister. You can be wild, loud, and
frivolous, but do get away from your
usual routines and pals.
GEMIN~ (May 21- June 20): Fun with
your friends can easily get way out
of hand, but is that necessarily a bad
thing? You could talk a tiger out of his
or her stripes, but then what? When you
start to improvise, then the fun really
begins!
CANCER (~une 2t- July 22): The
m65n’s not full this week, but you’re
shining like it may as well be. Dazzle
your way up the ladder of success. Be
clear on where you want to go and with
,~hom. Or at least leave room to change
partners and destination.
LEO (July 23 - August 22):
Sometimes it’s best to let people air
out their differences or to hone their
arguments in fiery debate. If your
peacemaking talents aren’t really
needed, give yourself an aesthetic
challenge at a movie or an art show
you’d normally not attend.
VlRGO (August 23 - September 22):
Being a love god is a better deal when
you can choose your worshippers. Even
then, you’re likely to make bad choices.
Have your fun, but commitments should
be made in the cold light of day, not in
the throes of passion.
L~BP.A (September 23 - October
22): This is a great time to work on a
relationship, not to start one. Problems
are easy to discuss now. Solutions
can come later. It may feel like you’re
backtracking. That’s actually good for
clarifying those problems.
SCORHO (October 23 - November
21): Re-evaluate your goals at the gym.
How much are you motivated by pride
and vanity? Oh, really? Pushing too
hard for looks may be undermining your
health. Prioritize health, and your looks
wil! last longer!
SAGITTARIUS (November 22
- December 20): Your fascination with
a new sport or hobby is probably just a
passing fancy. Enjoy it, but don’t invest
in new gear at this point! Same with any
dates right now. Don’t confuse a great
time with falling in love.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January
19): Changes are needed around your
home, and will be again soon. Whatever
re-arrangements or new tchatchkes you
like now will become annoying later.
Just think of it as a springboard - and
budget accordingly.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February
18): Dahhhling! You are just too, too
charming. Be careful not to ta!k your
way into something you can’t get out of!
Sure, you can fake sincerity for now, but
that will trip you up later! Be real! No,
really real!
PISCES (February 19 - March 19):
Brace yourself and take a close look
at any financial problems. This is the
not the time to be buying anything (bad
impulses!) or selling (you’ll get better
prices later). Just take stock, and get
things into order.
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev Steve T. Urie
Spirit of Christ MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Sunday 6:00 PM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
www.socmcc.org
Have a God filled and Blessed Day!
www.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 21
(12" size Only)
(2437)
PROTECT YOURSELF
PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(~t
Community
@op e iving
H~V/A~DS
i 501 c (3) l"qon P~ofit
Our House, Too offers a variety of
activities for people who are HIV+ and
or living with AIDS to help combat the
social isolation that many of our
people live through each and everyday.
We provide a Toiletry and Household
Pantry for those who are HIV+
an~ or living with AiDS who cannot
afford to purchase these items for
themselves. VVe invite anyone who
would like to volunteer or provide financial
assistance to please contact
us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail
ourhousetoo9865@sbcglobal.net
KING OF
MASSAGE
Great Touch
Man to Man
Full Body Massage
2 hands or 4 hands
available
Now Hiring Male & Female
22 #~etroSTAR April 2009
Suppo~ those who suppor~ us. Their ads aliow us to distribute your community news FREE to you.
HABANA INN
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-222!
~a~:habanainn.com
KELLY KIR£Y, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
i!i,:,ili[~
!i;(i/I H35O40PEE.T3E1SstTING CLINIC
VALERIE WILLIFORD
625 N.W. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
405-226-8585
OKC MORTUARY
2415-C N. X~!ALNUT AVE.
Oklahoma City, OK
800-913-1310
Ttflsa, OK
800-535-2437
Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline
THE LEDO
2200 NW 39TH EXPIZESSg/AY
Oklahoma Cit7, OK JUDY G. PHOTO’S
405-525-0730 Tulsa, OK
vavw.habanainn.com judygphotos@sbcglobal.net
918-743-8636
EXPRESSIONS Comm Fdlowship
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
6009 1"~ Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK 3627 NW EXPRESSg!AY
405-761 - 1878 Oklahoma Cit7, OK 73112
~ww.expressionsOKC.com 405-840-2106
~vw.c21 goldcastle.com
CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE
Keller Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK
918-706-1887
ANGLES
2117 NW 39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK
va~w.anglesclub.com
BAMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
Tulsa, OK
918-836:8700
wv,wc.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB 209
209 N. BOULDER
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9944
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
Ttflsa, OK
918-584-9494
w~waclubmajesfictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 NW 39TH ~RESS\VAY
Oldahoma City, OK
405-525-2900
v~v.habanainn.com
SPIRIT OF CHt~ST MCC
2902 E. 20TH STREET,
Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480
Service Saturday 10 AM
MCC LFNITED
1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK
918-838-1715
~,vw.mcctulsa.org
OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY
621 E. 4th Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-743-4297
www.okeq.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
CHURCH of the OPEN ARMS
3131 N. PENN,
OKC, OK 405-525-9555
Service Sunday 10:45 AM
KING OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oldahoma City, OK
405-314-3898
GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa
New and Historic Homes for Sale
and Rent For Info:
wv,wc.gaybradyheightstulsa.com
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oldahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
>>
HIDEAWAY LOLFNGE
11730 E. I1TH
Tulsa, OK
918-437-0449
Open Sun thru Sat 2pm to 2am
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSXX~AY
Ol’dahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
w~:habanainn.com
THE END UP
5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE
Tulsa, OK
918-836-0915
Open 7 days a week 12noon to 2am
THE MINESHAFT
424 S Memorial Di:
Tulsa, OK
918-836-1250
Open Sun thru Sat 12noon to 2am
TULSA EAGLE
1338 E. 31~D
Tulsa, OK
918-592-1188
Open 7days week 2pm to 2am
www.metrostarnews.com ~etroSTAR 23
ahomans for Equality
The Festival will be held on Saturday, June 6th, from 11arn to 11prn at
Centennial Park at: 6th & Peoria. The Festival features a Kids Zone with
inflatable water slides, a mechanical bull & a rock climbing wall for the
adults, food & drinks, and all kinds of LGBT-friendly vendors, businesses,
organizations & churches. Online registration still open!
The 2009 Pride Parade starts on Saturday, June 6th at 7:30prn in the
Brady Arts District and ends at the Diversity Festival at Centennial Park
at 6th & Peoria. Shuttles and security will be provided. Online
registration stilt open!
Tulsa Folk-Rocker, Eric Hirnan is bringing his new band, Eric and the #.dams, to
the Centennial Park Stage to headline at 9:00prn on Saturday night, June 6th.
On May 30th at the historic Cain’s Ballroom, the annual Equality Gala will be held, celebrating
the 2009 theme "Dreams Really Do Come True!" Visit ww~.okeq,org for tickets!
The Tulsa Pride Exhibition of Fine Art, MOREcolor 2009, opens Thursday, June 4th
from 5:00-9:00prn and continues Friday June 5th & Saturday June 6th from Noonennis
R. Neill Equality Center. ....
Turn-A-Bout Fundraiser
Library Event
PFLAG Spaghetti Dinner
Diversi~ Day at the Zoo
Pride ~nterfaith Service
Gender Avengers/Trans Night
ToUoLS.A. Leather Show
PFLAG Movie Night
OYP Fashion Show & Fundraiser
Pride, Pioneers & Pancakes
April 1st, 10pro
May 28th, 7pro
May 29th, 6:30pm
May 30th, 10am
May 31st, 3pro
June 1st, 7pro
June 2nd, 7pro
June 3rd, 7pro
June 5th, 7pro
June 6th, 7:00am
Club Maverick
Tulsa Central Libra~
Fellowship Congregational Church
Tulsa Zoo
St. Jerome’s Parish Church
OkEq Equality Center
OkEq Event Center
Circle Cinema
Centennial Park Stage
Centennial Park Building
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
[2009] Metro Star Magazine, April 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 4
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
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Metro Star News
Publisher
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Metro Star News
Date
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April 2009
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Jeanne Flanigan
Victor Gorin
Rex Wockner
Susan A. Muscari
Gerald Libonati
Michael W. Sasser
Romeio San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Devre Jackson
Format
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Image
Online text
PDF
Language
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English
Type
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magazine
Coverage
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Southwest Missouri
Western Arkansas
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Source
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Metro Star Magazine, February 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 2
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/131
The Metro Star Magazine, July 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 7
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/133
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/128
Art Gallery
Comics
crossword puzzle
Dolly Parton
drag
entertainment
government
Heartland Men's Choir
Hillary Clinton
homophobia
international news
Kentucky Derby
Krysta Hamilton
Kyle's Bed and Breakfast
Miss Gay
Mr. Gay
National news
Oklahoma News
Oscars
protest
Richard May Award
rodeo
Westboro Baptist Church
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/7b2db3bb0141bb44a9712396e6267fae.jpg
cf428210d5c928a7197cd7ae2588f6a3
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/eb719a5486d2266a7dcabd074e0595c6.pdf
27c2f0c690b852292e4c1f73a22efa73
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
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Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
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Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
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2004-2011
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Images
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PDF
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English
Type
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magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwest Missouri
Western Arkansas
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
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Ozarks Pride/Star Media
Contributor
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C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
Identifier
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https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
Text
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magazine
Text
Any textual data included in the document
One million
people, including
Sarah Brown, wife
of Prime Minister
Gordon Brown,
took part in
London’s gay pride
parade July 4.
MORE on page 11
THE PREMIER SOURCE FOR G T OKLAHOMA
VOLUME 6 iSSUE 8 MetroStarN÷ws.com AUGUST 1,2009
S 0KLAHOMAAGAIN!
The crowd was about equally divided among those supporting her views
and those opposed. Those in opposition began shouting Shame on you!
repeatedly, alon~-with "Love-thy neighb6r!" -
By Victor Gorin
State Representative Sally Kern, Dis#qct 84 at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Gorin photo
$ 0,000
By Victor Gorin
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK On
Monday July 13 an emergency meeting and
press conference ofOKC Pride was hdd at
Epworth Methodist Church to deal with the
disappearance of a sum estimated to be within
the $10,000 to $15,000 range. This cash,
which was supposed to have been deposited
in the OKC Pride bank account, was derived
from contributions, T shirt sales and purchase
tickets sold on behalf of vendors. Apparendy
assumed to be deposited in OKC Pride’s
Chase Bank account by Treasurer Christine
Plante, OKC Pride Co-Chair Patti Thompson
was surprised to receive word from the bank
the following Wednesday after the Pride
Weekend that the OKC Pride account was
over $4,000 overdrawn, and thus learned that
An emergency meeting about this was
held by the Board of Directors Thursday July
9 at the Boom, and Ms. Plante was allegedly
contacted and asked to be at this meeting,
but she did not show up. Although offidally
scheduled to be at the July 13 meeting as well
Ms. Plante was again not present, and there
was no information as to her wherabouts
or situation, although a widely drculated
rumor was that she had checked herself into a
rehabilitation facility.
In her place, OKC Press Liaison Nathan
Thompson gave a report, stating that OKC
Pride had met with the Oklahoma City police
to report the incident July 10, but had no
further information. Despite the losses, at the
time of the meeting OKC Pride had paid all ~e cash money, which had been obtained their outstanding debts and had cash on hand
om about 3 ago weeks up to and including of around $2500 in 2 separate bank accounts,
the event~ hadn& be~n d~posiled ~er all J3y through assis~~ byd~h0~ from the
that time Christine Ptante had disappeared as commtmity including John Gibbons (owner
well, leaving the community wondering what of the Boom), Dan Johnson, Jack Melisa, and
wen~ wrong and who was r~sponsible. ....... ContinUed See OKC PRIDE Page-4
OYA~ktOMA CITY, OK__ Around
250 people gathered at the Oldahoma State
Capitol for State Representative Sally Kern’s
presentation of her Proclamation of Morality,
about evenly divided between supporters
and those in opposition. The prodamation,
which does not have the force of law, blamed
the economic problems of our nation due
to America "forsaldng the rich Christian
heritage upon which our nation was built"
and because "our nation has become a world
leader in promoting abortion, pornography,
same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce,
illegitimate births, child abuse and many
other forms of debauchery."
It also criticized President Obama for
signing a proclamation recognizing June as
Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Pride
Month while not taking a more active role
in the National Day of Prayer, although
President Obama did issue a proclamation
supporting that event as well on May 7.
Ms.Kern, a Republican who represents
District 84, has garnered international
attention for her outspoken conservative
views, particularly concerning the GLBT
community. In a speech taped at a
Republican gathering last year that later made
Youtube, she stated that the gay community
was a bigger threat "than Islam or terrorism,"
and compared gays to cancer in "one’s big
toe" in their relationship to society,
However, unlike similar gatherings in the
past, the crowd was about equally divided
among those supporting her views and those
opposed. After she had given a short speech
........... Continued See SALLY Page-4
Senate approves hatecrimes
measure
xWASHINGTON, DC (PR) The
U.S. Senate approved a bill to add sexual
orientation, gender identity and other
categories to federal hate-crimes protections.
The final vote came July 20. The bill will
soon be on its way to President Obama’s desk,
where he’ll get a chance to make good on his
promise to sign it.
This vote came on the heels of tremendous
pressure from radical right-wing groups that
used every trick in the book.
They called the bill the "Pedophile
Protection Act," among other outrageous
claims. They dismissed the barbaric hate
crime that took Matthew Shepard’s life as
a "hoax." They flooded the Senate with
hundreds of thousands of letters and calls.
The measure, which passed on a voice
vote, was attached to a defense-spending bill.
A move to remove it from that bill failed
63-28.
The House of Representatives already has
passed a similar bill.
"More than 60 senators support the
Matthew Shepard Act, legislation that will
provide police and sheriffs’ departments with
the tools and resources they need to ensure
that entire communities are not terrorized by
hate violence," said Human Rights Campaign
President Joe Solmonese.
Both Oklahoma senators fel! for the
radical right’s ploy and voted against the hate
crimes bill failing to stand up for equali~
To contact both Oklahoma Senators call
their Washington office, Sen. James ’Jim’ M.
Inhofe (202) 224-4721 and Sen. Tom A.
Coburn (202) 224-5754.
Oklahoma Weather Forecast for August 2009
Aug 1-4: Sunny, hot. Hurricane
threat in Gulf
Aug 5-10: T-storms north, hot south
Aug 11-14: Scattered T-storms,
~ seasonable
Aug 15-21: Sunny, very warm
AUg 27-31: Scattered ~-storms, warm
Avg. Temperature: 83.5° (avg. norda, 3° above south)
Precipitation: 3.5" (1" above avg.)
N~YION
This year’s OKC
Pride Grand
just love being
with my friends
in Oklahoma
City,"
Page-6
L>> BILL (Lt" N"’tON= SJPPORTS~ /AYS
Diversity
Over 150
unique Shops
and galleries,
and many
parties for your
entertainn{ent.
Page 9
WO~ZLD >> ?R~DE 2009 I PLUS -~ LIFES";YLETR~ /EL ~ AR" ~ I
Beating victim
Chad Gibson,
who now has a
life-threatening
blood clot on
his brain goes
home. Gibson
xvants the
officers to be
prosecuted..
Page 8
#INE / SCOPES
a
ease pa
rP
Everyone who completes @e s#rvey by August 31, 2009
P~ease take the survey today, and te~ year
Tremendous strides toward fa~ equality have been achieved by oar tenth,unities ever the past decade. There’s
Power in ear Pride. Power te n~ake a difference:
Gay and [esbiaa su~ey studies have opened doers (and minds) in ~ea~ing corporations aria organizations, which in turn have
rec~gn~ze~ the va~ue of the~r LGBT employees through the es~b~shment of equa~ h~dng po~c~es an~ ~omest[c pa~ner
benefits. Th~s has been a catalyst, ~ea~[ng to sweeping changes ~n pofft~cal an~ social ~nc~usJvi~.
#e~egraph~c reports a~se ~nfluence ~arket~ng ~nvest~ent. V~ua~y absent unt~ recently, we now see a ~rowing variety ef
p[eaacts an~ services represente~ ia gay ~edia, celebrating oar ai~ersity. Aas keep LGBT pubiications an~ websites
~a business, serving their co.manatees with [aaependent news and infermatbn.
~eyen~ s~p~y a@e~s~ng, though, these ce~panies support as ~n ~any ways, ~nc~a~ng sponsoring cow.unity events
Community Marketi ~
@ 200g 8~a~uni~ ~arketing, ~nc., 584 Castro St. #834, San Francisco CA 9~114 L~SA ~.Cen~n~unity~arketing~nc.cen~
August 2009
STATE REPRESENTATIVE AL
MCAFF Y CALLS FORAN
APOLOGY
By Victor Gorin
State Rep. AI~fcA~’ey and Metro Star re oorter Robin Dornet:
Gorin photo
OI~ObcLR CITY, OK __ "I complete identifi/with
the cleep faith that many Oklahomans hold dear, but I’m
appalled that MrS.Kern chose to use a state proclamation to
attack the freedom ofmany Oklahomans xvho do not share
her faith or vices." ..... ....... ......
state Reprdsentative A1 McAffrey
State Representative Al McAffrey (Democrat SHD-88) is
calling upon fellow legislator Sally Kern (Republican-SHD-
84) to rescind her proclamation and apologize for many
discrepancies and misrepresentations of facts. "To blame our
economic woes on a national moral crisis is ludicrous. Our
economic woes are a direct result of bad financial practices
and a lack of regulation on Wall Street."
He pointed out that "Mrs.Kern uses her proclamation to
accuse President Obama of not recognizing the National Day
or Prayer, that is an absolute lie. On May 7~ 2009 President
Obama proclaimed a National Day of Prayer and encouraged
all Americans to ’come together in moments of great challenge
and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer.’ "
McAffrey stated that he found that vwo of the quotes
used attributed tO James Madison ai~d Patrick Henry were
f-abricated, appearing nowhere in the writings or records of
either man. McAffrey pointed out that anyone knmvledgeable
ofAmerican history would kamw that James Madison and
Thomas Jefferson were avid Supporters of religious freedom,
and that it was Thomas Jefferson who coined the concept
"separation of church and state" traced to a letter he wrote in
1802 to the Danbury Baptists.
McA~}ey further stated " It’s pitiable that with all the
major challenges facing our great state some of our state
leaders are more concerned in mal~ng ne~vs headlines than
making strides toward strengthening our economy, improving
our public schools, and ensuring that all OHahomans have
access to qualig; affordable and sustainable healthcare. She
owes Oklahomans of all faiths a sincere apology:"
Tulsa Bowling Tournament a
Success
By Michael xyZ Sasser
JOLTBowling Tournament group at ~dsa Eagles reception party.
Staffphoto
TULSA, OK__ GLBT sports are already on the minds
of many in the community in anticipation of the Gay Games
2010 in Cologne.
In Oklahoma, sporting gay men and women have
numerous opportunities and it seems many are taking
advantage of them.
The Tulsa Lambda Bowling League’s second annual
weekend-long July Oklahoma Lambda Tournament (JOLT)
attracted some 120 participants from around the region to
the tourney, at Andy B Riverlanes and ldcked things offwith a
registration party at the Tulsa Eagle on July 17th.
. "Most of the people xvere from Oklahoma and Texas, but
we also had people from Kansas and Missouri," said Lambda
League President Rich Blankenship. "We consider it a big
success."
Blankenship said that there were 88 participants in last
year’s tournament and that it took most of the year to raise the
funds necessary to host this year’s. Included in the fundraising
was approximately $6,000 for charity.
"gC’e really need sponsors for next year since we are
growing so much," Blankenship said.
The Lambda League’s regular season runs from Labor Day
to April, with a 12-Week summer league also available, and
the July tournament. As a member of the International Gay
Bowling Organization (South Plains Region), the Lambda
League schedules its annual national tournament so as to not
conflict with other member’s tournaments. IGBO sponsors a
national tournament every Memorial Day weekend.
"Every city about Tulsa’s size or larger with a league has a
tournament," Blankenship said.
The success ofJOLT would have been unimaginable
just a few years ago, when, Blankenship said; the group had
dwindled down to around two dozen members. Today there
are around 67 members. Some teams rotate players so that
more people can play in the Tuesday night league. Already
there is a waiting list for next year, although Blankenship said
the,,League is, trying to negotiate, for,, more. lanes.,,
We dont want to be exclusive, he sa~d. We want
everyone to get involved to be able to play."
Blankenship attributes the growth of the Lambda Leagt,ie
to the recruitment efforts of former president and this years
JOLT Director, Rick Cox.
Other sports oriented community groups are lively around
the state also. Oklahoma City supports two bowling teams,
the Sunday Twisters and Tuesday Twisters. Oklahoma City
and Tulsa support GLBT softballs leagues. Both the Sooner
State Rodeo Association (SSRA) and the Oldahoma Gay
Rodeo Association (OGRA) are members of the International
Gay Rodeo Association (tGRA). The IGRA National Finals in
Albuquerque, New Mexico are expected to draw’participation
and large spectator support from OHahoma.
For more information on the Tulsa Lambda Bowling
League, visit w~w<lambdaleague.com.
Dale Gross ~ Randy Winrow
email: route66malf@att.net
8.836.3838
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev Steve T. Uric
Spirit of Christ MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Sunday 6:00 PM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
Have a God filled and Blessed DaV!
www.rnetrostarnews.corn #~>t~"oSTAR 3
others not named at the meeting. Nathan
stated that the investigation is still ongoing,
and there is a possibility the money or parr
of it may be recovered. It was also brought
up that according to the bylaws. OKC Pride
Board members could not be held liable for
this type of loss. Inquiries as to why nobody
knew why the cash had not been deposited,
or why, the bank account had not had more
oversight were not answered. Mr. Thompson
did promise that information would be put
on the OKC Pride website along with press
releases as soon as it was available
Guy Peters did suggest that in the future
that background checks be obtained for those
responsible for OKC Pride money. Male Co-
Chair Paul Thompson had suggested in the
past that these members be bonded, which
would cover losses caused by dishonest acts.
Mthough Chris Plante has not been
charged with any crime related to this
incident at this time. she was removed ftom
her Treasurer position for dereliction of duty,
the motion to do so made by Scott Jaggers
and passed unanimously. Until there is a new
Treasurer on duty- the duties of that oi~ce
would be handled by the co-chairs, currently
Paul Thompson and Latricia Olmstead.
The next meeting xvould be August 3, the
first Monday of August. During that meeting
membership in OKC Pride. which is required
to be eligible to vote in the upcoming election
~’or new o~cers and board members, could be
begun or renewed. Co-Chairs Paul Thompson
and Latricia Ohnstead announced that the7
will not be seeking re-election, nor will
Festival Coordinator T.J Mc~nsey.
A press confbrence was held following
the meeting attended by the Metro Star,
Oldahoma Gazette reporter Joe Wertz,
and Patricia Millel; the treasurer preceding
Ms.Plante,Ms. Miller, who resigned in protest
at the May" 4 meeting over what she stated
were lax and dishonest financial practices
ofOKC Pride had this to say," They are all
fteaking out over this, which I can agree, they
should be freaked out, but we slid the last
one about Miles Tompkins* under the rug. I
want to make sure this does not get slid under
the rug too. Whoever is responsible for this
should go to prison. My question is, will this
be treated like the last time?"
*Referring to a bounced check wdtten
by Miles Tompkim to Lee Burrusfor a Gala
Dinner on beha~%fOKCPride in 200g. Mr
Bu~us was reimbursed by OKCPride and
M~ Tompkim, thru an agreement with OKC
Pride, made restitution.
Drag een Bingo 2009
Bingo like your mother never played...
TULSA, OK (PRy __ This annual event
and fundraiser for Our House Too will be
held Friday, August 7th at Tulsa’s Cain’s
Ballroom. Female impersonators will welcome
you aboard the USS DQB cruise ship
for this, the fifth year, beginning at 8p.m.
and ending at t 1. There will be glamorous
costumes and prizes, a silent auction and,
of course, bingo! Female impersonators will
perform glittering numbers from cruise ship
showrooms to entertain the crowd.
isolation of people living with HIV and AIDS
in the Tulsa area. In addition to providing
monthly activities and holiday celebrations.
Our House Too offers food baskets, a toiletry
and household pantry and weeldy lunches.
Tickets for Drag Queen Bingo 2009 are $20
per person and can be purchased ar Reasor’s,
Cain’s Ballroom, Ida Red and Starship
Records.
Gay Man E]ec ed
Oklahoma County
Democratic Par v
Secretary’s O ce
By Victor Gorin
Tom Guild with well wishingfi’iend Esther
Bahierra. Gorin photo
OKLAHOMA CITY; OK__ Dr. Tom
Guild, a soon to be professor emeritus at the
University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond,
was elected July 14 to be Oklahoma Count~fis
Democratic Party Secretary. This was a special
election to fill that ot~ce which was vacated
with the resignation of the previous oI~ce
holder, Rosanne Jenny. A longtime human
¯ rights activist, Tom was a professor at UCO
for 27 years, where he taught political science
for 10 years and legal studies in the College
of Business for 17 years. He registered as
aDemocrat 5 years ago, and has since been
very active in the part), by hosting the weekly
Oklahoma County Democratic Party’s
Speakers Lunch at the Boulevard Cafeteria,
as well as other party activities. Along with
Dr. Joan Luxemburg and Keith Smith, he
co-wrote a chapter in the book ’Hn Oklahoma
I’d Never seen Before: Alternative Views of
Oklahoma Histo~ "published in 1994. Their
chapter was "Oklahoma’s Gay, Liberation
Movement," the first academic publication in
this area ever published.
Working with the Democratic Party he
will work to achieve full collective bargaining
rights and better wages and conditions for
Oklahoma’s workers, currently working on
passage of the Employee Free Choice Act,
which ,#could make it easier for workers
to unionize. He would also work for
GLBT rights and human rights in general,
working for passage of the Employment
Nondiscrimination Act ( proposed Federal
law prohibiting employment discrimination
against GLBTs) and repeal for the "Don’t ask
Don’t Tell" policy of the U.S. military.
W AT
those in opposition began shouting "Shame
on you!" repeatedly, along with "Love thy
neighbor!’while the other side simultaneously
began singing God Bless America, and later
both sides sang the national anthem. As
feelings ran high the event got very loud but
stayed peaceful. Ms.Kern did express her
view that "The people who preach tolerance
are not willing ro extend the same thing to
someone who disagrees with them. So ladies
and gentlemen, we are seeing a wonderful
illustration of intolerance."
Among those signing the petition was
Paul Blair of Edmond’s Fairview Baptist
Church, who also spoke at the rally. In spite
of the mention of divorce as being part of
our moral decline, it was likewise signed by
former State Representative Kevin Calvey, a
conservative Christian who is divorced. It was
also signed by Oklahoma City Councilman J.
Brian Waiters ( Ward 5), the lone OKC City
Council member who voted against a parade
permit for the OKC Pride Parade.
The constitutionality of the event was
questionable. As activist attorney Brittany
Novomy pointed out, "They used Capitol
grounds for this and that is an advancement
of a particular religious agenda that is
not necessarily representative of al! the
other religions or even al! the branches of
Christianity in Oklahoma. q£he LGBT caucus
of the Young Democrats canae out to stand
side by side with the ACLU to uphold the
Oklahoma Constitution (Article 2 Section
5) that clearly prohibits the use of public
property towards any sect, denomination or
system of religion." .
Brittany also gave,her angle about the
proclamation as well. q-his proclamation
suggests that the problems of our society are
bdfig caused somehow by GLBT people.
Frankly as a Young Democrat I believe
most of ourproblems are being caused by
economic problems, people not able to have
healthcare for their kids or themselves, people
filing bankruptcy because they lack healthcare
coverage. There are a host of prob!ems facing
every day Oldahomans, and I dont believe
demonizing a whole subset of Oklahomans
really accomplishes the goals of real working
Oldahomans who want to be able to feed
their families, have good healthcare, who
just want the opportunity to live their lives
in peace, and who believe in loving their
neighbor."
C.S. Thornton of the ACLU lamented,
"She ( Representative Kern) blames all
these things upon a great moral crisis, yet
nowhere does she mention greedy V&ll Street
executives or government regulators who
were asleep at the switch. The most alarming
thing about this proclamation is the level of
scapegoating that it promotes."
However, the Republican speaker of the
House, Chris Benge, does not plan to sign
the document, and State Representative Ryan
Keisel, a Democrat called the proclamation a
"divisive political stunt." State Representative
A1 McAffrey, the only openly gay member of
the legislature ( Democrat-District 88) has
asked for an apology.
There were otl-mrs that disagreed with Ms.
Kern as well. The Reverend Loyce Newton
Edwards, associate pastor of the Church of
the Open Arms UCC stated that she felt
Sally Kern was "one of the most hateful and
divisive persons in America. The right thing
is to respect people regardless ofwho they
choose to love. Homophobia is wrong, it’s
unGodlike."
300 ATTEND ENID’S
FIRST PRIDE
CELEBRATION
By Nate Bowen
Enid held their first Pride event Saturday
July 18, which was a fabtdous picnic &
festival at Meadowlake Park. Drawing over
300 people, the number in attendance set
a record for aW Oklahoma first time Pride
event. Starting offwith the Reverend J.E
Wickey of Crosswalk United Church (Enid’s
only open and affirming church), he spoke
about being gay and Christian followed by
a Q&A session. The band Blackwings gave
a great performance, followed by Stephen
Dillard-Carroll. This was followed by an
OKC speaker and activist from the Young
Democrats, Brittany Novotny.
Around 6:30 p.ra. the crowd was treated
to a drag show starring Raven Angel, Nikki
Star and Colby Richards. Booths and
vendors at the park ranged from Fulton’s
BBQ to the Garfield County Democrats.
Our House Too is a nonprofit
organization serving to elirainate the social .........Continued see ENID PRIDE page 6
4 August 2009
HoOoPoEo to Host 8th
A ual DIVAS Benefit
Concert
for people to learn their HIV status and can
connect clients to a variety of medical and
social support services. For more information
about HIV or sexually transmitted infections,
call 1-800-535-MDS (2437).
Openarms 4th Annual
Fashion Show
By Judy Gabbard
TULSA, OK (PR) __ On Sept. !2-13,
2009, Health Outreach Prevention Education
(H.O.E E.) will host DWAS 2009. at the
Tulsa Zoo. This year’s theme is DIVAS
Gone \.gild. Proceeds from the event will
help support H.O.EE. programs, such as
prevention education about HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis and other sexually transmitted
infections, the only statewide 24-hour
HIV/STD resource hotline, and the only free,
anonymous testing and counseling facility in
Oklahoma.
This year’s concert is produced by Rebecca
Ungerman, a popular Tulsa-based performer
who has graced numerous venues and events
in Tulsa, including the Oklal~oma Centennial
Celebration and the Tulsa Perfornaing Art
Center SummerStage series. The evening,
celebrated in the new H.A. Chapman Event
Lodge at the Tulsa Zoo, highlights Tulsds
diverse musical talent with local artists
covering dassic favorites. ~[hese acts come
together for this annual "one time onl~#
shm,~ and bring out their collective fans: This
year S performei:S ind~id~ Pxeb~c~ ung~rman,
Cindy Cain, Christy E. ofThe Red Alert,
Pare Wan Dyke, ~nie Ellicotr. Fiawna Forte,
John Sawyer, Darrell Christopher, Kelly
Morrison. and Janet Rutland. N~e combined
talent includes experience on Broadway,
national and international cabaret tours, and
!ocal Spot Music Awards. ~II~e evening will
also include a live and silenvauction, dancing,
hors d’oeuvres, and beverages.
The evening gala will take place on
Saturday, September 12. 7:30pm and a
no frills Sund~y matinee will take.place
September ! 3 at 4pro. Tickets may be
purchased, beginning August 1, by contacting
H.O.RE. a 918-749-TEST (8378). Tickets
are $25 and $40 for general admission
seats and $100 for individual table seats.
A table for ten is available for $1,000.
Cabaret table seats include: priority seating,
publicity, auction sneak preview, and private
reception with the performers which includes
complimentary wine and hors d’ oeuvres.
The matinee -will include the same show
and champagne, with tickets ranging from
$15-$50. Emcee for the event will be Mia
Fleming from Fox 23.
Supporters of DIVAS 2009 include
Williams, F & M Bank. The Metro Star and
The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa.
Raising awareness of HIV and other
sexually transmitted infections remains vitally
important. Young people and minorities are
disproportionately affected, but HIV does not
discriminate. By Imowing your status, you
are better able to protect yourself and others.
Prevention education and testing are keys to
decreasing the stigma and infection rate of
HIV. H.O.EE. provides a comfortable place
"First l ursday" Art
Opening and ey ibit
with Creations from
Local Artist - Nicholas
K. Clark
TULSA, OK (PR) __ Continuing
the monthly showcase of local artists at
the Equality Center (621 E. 4th Street in
downtown Tulsa), Oldahomans for Equality
(OkEq) will feature Tulsa Artist Nicholas K.
Clark with an opening show and reception
on Thursday, August 6th from 6-9pm and
continuing throughout the month ofAugust.
Nicholas’ work is a direct reflection of his
optimistic personality. From vivid oranges to
metallic silvers highlighted by passionate reds,
his art displays a mastery of color that cannot
be taught. His mediums vary from acrylics
to oils and focus on creating depth through
layering and application of rich texture. Nic’s
~vorks fall into three categories: contemporary
figure studies, pop art and expressionistic
co!or studies. "I pull nay inspiration from
fashion and music and I love working with
figures because they are al~vays so challenging
- the detail of a hand. the curves of a body
and the. capturing of natural movement and
expresslolt.
7~rn GilA.an Former Channd23 Reporter
Marianly Mendez andMiss OYP 2009: Alizay
Kardashian Judy G. photo
TULSA, OK Openarms Youth Project
Center, located at 2015 Sm,th Lakewood
Ave., Tulsa, OK, presented their 4th Annual
fashion show fund raiser on July 10 and was
a great success. Organizers Tim Gillean and
Jerrid Horton reported that the proceeds will
help continue the support of local GLBT
youth ofTulsa and surrounding area.
The nights title was ReFashionista.
Sports and formal wear were purchased and
redesigned for a splendid runway show.
The evenings host, xvas Kristin Dickerson
from KTUL, channel 8. Area talent added
spice to the evening along with tasty hors
d’oeuvres, wine and soft drinks. "Ihe silent
auction ~vas an exciting array ofitems that
were purchased by those in attendance.
Funds are still needed to support the
youth needs at Openarms. An), donation is
appreciated.
For more infbrmation call 918.838.7104.
www.metrostarnews.com ~®t~’oSTAR 5
AtJeanne Ma6e~ Champs
French connection
~sampled wines3~om all over the world.
I’m in this photo with nay partner
Lamont. For my birthday present, he
sent for me to join him in France where
he was a visiting professor in Marseille at
the University of Provence¯ ! was really
impressed with the wines of Provence, Cotes
du Rhone. Languedoc and Bordeauex.
The trip took on a different focus when
we traveled to Bordeaux for VinExpo, the "
international wine tasting event. We’re in
this photo with long time wine colleague
Gary Vance who caught a £1st train from
Paris to meet up with us. This was a huge 5
day/40 thousand people wine tasting event
with hundreds of wine makers & marketing
reps. ~aere was just no way to meet all
the wine raakers and taste as much as we
wanted.In this article, I’m highlighting some
of the grape varietals from the parts of
Atxendees included not just the GLBT
community, but fiunilies as well coming to
enjoy the fun and fellowship. The following
Sunday there was a forum held to discuss the
France that we visited. These are affordable
finds and the wines are in Oklahoma.
Brief history of the grapes
grown in these regions
Malbec grapes tend to have an inky
dark color and robust tannins. Long
known as one ofthe six grapes allowed
in the blend of red Bordeaux wine, the
French plantations~ofMalbec are now
found primarily in Cahors where the
Appellation Control4e regulations for
C~hors require a minimtiin content of
70% It is increasin ly ~elebrated as an
Argentine varietal wine and is being
gr~vn around the world.
The northern part of the Rh6ne
Valley; in France, remains one of the
undisputed reference points for the
~;rOdUction of wines made with the
ah grape. ~-he best examples of
varietal Syrah, are the ones produced with
the appellations Hermitage, C6te-R6tie,
Comas, St-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage.
\Vgines produced in these areas have strong
fruit aromas, a good acidity, dry body and an
appreciable mineral taste.
Grenache is the dominant variety in
most Southern Rh6ne wines, especially in
Chfiteauneuf-du-Pape where it is typically
over 80% of the blend. It is generally spicy,
berry-flavoured and soft on the palate. In
Australia it is typically blended in "GSM"
blends with Syrah and Mourv~dre. Grenache
is also used .to make ros~ wines in France and
grmvn. The majority" of French Viogniers
are sold as Vin de Pays in the Languedoc. In
the Rhone wine region, the grape is often
blended with Roussanne, Marsanne and
Grenache blanc.
Mr. D’s 1/2 case
Red Bicyclette Syrah/Granche Rose ’07
(Languedoc)
Black Beret Grenache/Syrah Rouge ’05
(Languedoc)
Coussergues Viognier ’08 (Languedoc)
Beauv~gnac Sauv,gnon Blanc 08
(Languedoc)
Chateau Trocard Montrepos Merlot ’06
(Bordeaux)
Jean-Luc Colombo L~s Abeilles Cotes
du Rhone Blanc ’07/Viognier & Grenache
Blanc
Clos la Coutale Malbec (Cahors) ’06
And as always, I say go to your favorite wine
shop, ask questions and purcha~se a bottle or
t~vo. Share some food & wine with friends
and check this out for yourself¯
This writer is one ofthe managers at the Grand
Vin wine shop at Utica Square. He also bar tends
and hosts wine & food events around town known
as the Wine Enthusiasts ofTulsa.
Viognier [vee-oh-nay] wines are well-known
for their floral aromas, due to terpenes, which
are also found in Muscat and Riesling wines.
There are also many other powerful flower
and fruit aromas which can be perceived in
these wines depending on where they were
&affVohmteets Top Row Ka~e, John, Jesse, Brandon DJ Star, TJ, Kathy,
Angd A4ishalle,Bmndon "KoolAid’; bottom rowJamie Lisa Nate
future goals of Enid’s GLBTQA community,
but most of the discussion centered on
how great the Enid Pride Festival was and
the fun they had. That evening Crosswalk
United Church
hosted a showing
of "Prayers
for Bobby", a
landmark film
portraying
the true story
of a mother
who could not
accept her sods
homosexuality,
who became an
activist for gay
rights following
his suicide.
General consensus
was that the event
was not just a
historic first,
but a wonderful
occasion to be
celebrated every
year from now
on.
www.Foodand~Hne.com
ww~:~ikioedia.or~
www.2he~’VorldI4q~eI~ne.com
ww~:Epicurious.com
TULSA BALLET TO
PERFORM IN NEWYORK
CITY
Oklal~oma Governor Brad Henry and Tulsa Mayor
Kathy Taylor will attend Tulsa Ballet’s debut at the
Joyce Theater August 10 - 15. Special Big Apple
Preview Night in Tulsa on August 6 at Studio K
TULSA, OK (PR) It has been 25 years
since the Tulsa Ballet has performed in New
York City. This summer the company will
make its long awaited return to the Big Apple
for its debut at the Joyce Theater August 10
-15.
Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, Governor Brad
Henry and First Lady Kim Henry are among
local and national dignitaries who will attend
the opening night performance and Patron
Gala on Monday, August 10 at the Joyce
Theater, located in the heart of Manhattads
Chelsea neighborhood. Tulsa Ballet will
give seven performances with special events
planned throughout the week fbr patrons and
supporters ofTulsa Ballet.
The company will present a program.
featuring Elite Syncopations by Kenneth
MacMillan, Por vos Muero by Nacho Duato
and This is Your Life by Young Soon Hue.
This is Your Life was commissioned by Tulsa
Ballet in 2008 and has since been performed
by the Aalto Theater in Essen, Germany and
the National Ballet of Ankara, Turkey.
....Continued see BALLET page 22
OKC Pride 2009: You be
the change
By Robin Dorner
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The end of
June brought proud celebration to Oklahoma
City with the annual gay pride event.
year’s event was a huge success with more
than ! 5,000 people attending the festivities.
The party began on Friday evening at the
NW 39th Street Strip near Penn with the
first annual "Friday Night Block Part’);’.
The festival began Saturday morning and
continued through Sunday, the parade began
around 5 pm.
This year the OKC Pride Grand Marshal
was attthor andTV personality Ruby Ann
Boxcar. "I just love being with my friends
in Oklahoma City," Boxcar told the Metro
Star. "Anywhere there is a trailer park I feel
like I’ve got family!" Boxcar is known as the
Diva of the Double-Wide, a highly successful
entertainer and author who got her start in
Oklahoma City and is recognized in the US
and abroad.
Guests from across the city and state
came to join in the festivities in Midtown
Oklahoma City. "I am here because I am
bisexual, proud and I like the scene," said
18 year old Ruth Leila Blailock. "It’s a
celebration of diversity really."
"We are here today because we are
members of the Diversity Business
Association (DBA)," said Shawn Adkison,
JD of the Fortune Law Center in Midtown.
Adkison and his firm have been members of
DBA, the Oklahoma City LGBT business
organization, for more than three years. "We
think it is important ~o ne~ork together;
promote our business organizations as ~vell
as diversity in general," adds Adkison. "It is
a good thing to show our support for DBA,
Oklahoma and the U.S. You know, these
kinds of events are not permitted in every
country."
The mission ofOKC Pride, Inc. is
to stage a highly visible forum for the
organizations which serve the community
both nationally, regionally, and locally;
decrease external homophobia by generating
maximum media coverage to the reality
of our community; and diminish internal
homophobia by presenting organizational
and individual role models. Additionally, the
Board of Directors believe that as a civil rights
movement, gays and lesbians need an annual
forum where individually and collectively
they can consider where they have been,
where they are now and what direction they
need to set.
Several large corporations p,,articipated
in the festival and the parade. I think it is
just important that we embrace people with
different backgrounds and, quite frankly, it
helps our company," said Wesley Seymour
frown the Frito-Lay company. "We have a
philosophy; bring your whole self to work
and that is one reason I like working for
Fnto-Lay; Seymour has worked for the
company as a District Sales Manager for three
years.
National and local companies supt~orted
the event as corporate sponsors as well as
many local sponsors. There were also several
local churches represented, bike riding
clubs, entertainers, The Oklahoma City
Peace House and much more. For more
information about Pride OKC, contact www.
okcpride.org.
August2009
6
www,metrostarnews.com 7
Wockner News Service
Fort Worth beating
victim, Chad Gibson
goes home
Fort Worth police and agentsfi’om the Texas
Alcoholic Beverage Commission raided a gay
barJune 28 -- the 40th anniversary ofthe
Stonewall Riots -- and roughed up several
patrons, inckding Chad Gibson, who now
has a life-threatening blood clot on his brain.
Gibson wants the officers m beprose~ted. Photo
WFAA-TVscreen capmre
Chad Gibson has been released from the
hospital but still is in danger from a blood
clot on his brain that reportedly could break
loose and kill him.
Gibson allegedly was beat up by cops
during a June 28 raid of the Rainbow Lounge
in Fort Worth, Tex; Wimesses say officers
stami:ned his head into a ~vall, then into the
floor. ~¢¢o Other patrons ~dso were injured in
the raid -- one has broken ribs and one has a
broken thumb.
June 28 was the 40th anniversary of the
Stonewall Riots that kickstarted the modern
gay-rights movement.
¯ne violent raid -- purported to be merely
one of the state’s routine checks of bars to be
sure no one is too drunk -- brought heaW
condemnation from gay leaders, newspaper
columnists, bloggers, politicians and others.
It also received extensive national news
not lip service. I will meet with you
wherever you want to meet. I will go to your
restaurants, your house, we can eat barbecue,
whatever you want to do. But ~ve’ve got to
talk."
Gibson, for his part, wants the raiding
officers to be,~rosecuted and the city to halt
its "cover-up.
"You used excessive force and that’s why
I got hurt," Gibson told \~rFAA-TV. "~ey
have blamed it on me, that I was drunk,
(that) I fell and hit my head, I groped the
officer, I did this, I did that. You know ,vhat?
No. Accept responsibility."
In an interview with KTVT Gibson
added: "I was rubbed into the concrete.... I’m
just appalled that they took it to the level that
they did.... They need to accept responsibility
for what they did."
Obama invites 300
GLBT leaders to White
House for Stonewa 140
President Barack Obama -- under heavy
fire for talking the talk but not walking the
walk on numerous gay-rights promises -- had
300 GLBT leaders over to the White House
on June 29 to celebrate the 40th anniversary
of the Stonevcall Riots, which, in 1969, jumpstarted
the modern gay-rights movement.
"I know that many in this room don’t
believe that progress has come fast enough,
and I understand that," Obama said. "It’s not
for me to tell you to be patient, any more
than it was for othem to counsel patience to
African Americans who were petitioning for
equal rights a half-c~ntury ago. But I say this:
We have made progress and we will make
more. And I want you to know that I expect
and hope to be judged not by words, not by
promises I’ve made, but by the promises that
nay administration keeps."
Obama also defended his decision not
to issue an order stopping the military’s
expulsions of openly gay members,
suggesting, again, that such an approach
wouldu’t work out in the long run.
"As commander in chief in a time of war,
I do have a responsibility to see that this
change is adnainistered in a practical way
and a way that takes over the long term,"
he said. "That’s why I’ve asked the secretary
of defense and the chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staffto develop a plan for how to
thoroughly implement a repeal. I know that
every day that passes without a resolution
is a deep disappointment to those men and
women who continue to be discharged under
this policy -- patriots who often possess
critical language skills and years of training
and who’ve served this country well. But
what I hope is that these cases underscore
the urgency of reversing this policy not just
because it’s the right thing to do, but because
it is essential for our national security."
coverage.
. Both the Fort Worth Police Department
and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage
Commission, which joined in the raid,
have launched interna! investigations of
the incident. The results of the city police’s
investigation will be reviewed by federal
authorities, Mayor Mike Moncrief has
promised.
Apart from the raid itselfl the most
controvers!al aspect Of the incident has
been Police ChiefJeff Halstead’s assertions
that Gibson groped one of the officers
and that other patrons made what the
Police Department called "sexually explicit
movements" toward uniformed officers --
claims that bar patrons and gay leaders have
called preposterous and "lies."
"You’re touched and advanced in
certain ways by people inside the bar, that’s
offensive," Ha!stead said shortly after the raid.
"I’m happy with the restraint used when they
were contacted like that."
After facing ridicule for those improbable
assertions, Halstead has since adopted a more
conciliatory tone, telling gay people at a
public meeting: "We’ve got to work together.
Be patient, and you wil! see that this is just
8 August 2009
77 members o£ Congress
ask Obama to suspend
As national gay leaders continue to beat
up on President Barack Obama for moving
too slowly- on his myriad campaign promises
to tile GLBT community, 77 members of
Congress have written to the president asldng
him ro immediately suspend en[brcement of
the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy pending its
repe,,a~! by Congress.
Tile letter outlines a new, two-step repeal
plan which begins with a request that the
president ’direct the Armed Services nor to
initiate any invesrigarion of service personnel
to determine their sexual orientation, and
that [he] instruct them to disregard thirdparty
accusations that do not allege violations
of the Uniform Code of Military Justice,’"
said the Palm Center, a think tank at the
University of California, Santa Barbara, that
has focused extensively on the militaw’s ban
on open gays.
~°The letter signals renewed efforts to
stop gay discharges immediately while repeal
legislation moves through Congress at a
slower pace," the center said.
On June 23, Obama rejected the proposal.
The White House said: "President Obama
remains committed to a legislative repeal of
Don’t Ask, Dofft Tel!, xvhich he believes will
provide a durable and lasting solution to this
issue. He welcomes the commitment of these
members to seeing Congress take action."
Episcopal Church OKs
gay- clergy, bishops
7he Anglican Communion has been deeply
mired in gay angst since the Episcopal Diocese
oflVew Hampshire consecrated openly gay and
partnered V. Gene Robinson as its bishop in
2003. GLAADphoto
The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops
and House of Deputies declared in mid-July
that open gays and lesbians --celibate or
not -- call serve as priests and bishops in the
church.
At thee church’s triennial general
convention, held in Ana~heim, Calif., July
8-17, bishops voted for the policy 99-45 and
deputies voted for it 155-40. Deputies who
are clergy voted 77-19 and lay deputies voted
78-21.
The move may well lead to a full rupture
between the Episcopal Church and the
worldwide Anglican Communion, which
has been deeply mired in gay angst since
the Episcopal Diocese ofNew Hampshire
V. Gene Robinson as its bishop in 2003.
Tile Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of
Anglicanism.
"The Anaheim move was seen as. in
essence, a flip-off by the Americans of the
Anglican hierarchy and Anglican provinces
in Africa and South America that strongly
opposed Robinson’s consecration.
De facto international Anglican leader
Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury,
England, had urged delegates,to the U.S.
convention not to make any decisions in
the co,~ing days that could push us further
apart. He later said he regretted that the
convention had done just that with its gayclergy
decision.
Delegates also voted to allow local
dioceses to bless same-sex marriages and civil
unions if they want to, and launched a project
m creare official liturgies for the blessings.
Gay Pordand mayor
cleared in Breedlove
affair
There is no credible evidence that Sam
Adams, the gay mayor of Portland, Ore.,
had inappropriate sexual contact with Beau
Breedlove before Breedlove turned 18,
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger said
June 22.
Adams, 45, and Breedlove, 22, have
acknowledged having sex in 2005 after
Breedlove’s 18th birthday, but Breedlove
also had claimed the pair passionately made
our prior to his reaching file age of consent,
which Adams denied.
"There are serious questions about the
credibility of Breedlove’s account, dueto
his prior inconsistent statements, the lack
of corroborating witnesses or evidence, his
attempt to gain personally from matters
related to his involvement with Adams and
his prior criminal record," Kroger concluded.
"There is insufficient evidence to charge,
let alone convict, Adams with illegal sexual
contact with a minor."
The attorney general’s office interviewed
57 people and sifted through Adams’ and
Breedlove’s e-mails and text messages in
arriving at its conclusion.
Breedlove later posed for the gay porn
magazine Unzippea~ In 2006, he pleaded
guilty to felony 2nd degree theft in a case that
involved $750 worth of clothes ftom a Macy’s
store in Haxvaii.
The revelation of the brief affair nearly
ended Adams’ career earlier this year, in part
because he had lied about it when asked
about it during the mayoral campaign, stating
that it never happened.
Summer Diversi y ’09
Eureka Springs.
Augus 7-9
~ DOMESTICATE
Say "I DO" and register your love with a
Domestic Partner Certificate
One day these certificates will be highly
sought after collector items on E-bay.
Tile Courthouse is closed Saturday and
Sunday...City Clerk’s office is in the City
Hall, lower level of the Western Carrol
Count), Courthouse, 44 S. Main.
Office hours are 9:30 AM - 12 Noon and
1:30 to 4:40 PM.
® YARDS AND YARDS OF YARD SALES
Money Tight? Pennies on the dollar: Tile
Eureka yards sales are a top stop for the
bargain hunter and antique queens. Tile 15~n
annual Eureka Yards and Yards ofYard Sales.
Friday and Saturday 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Find locator maps at shops and restaurants.
Sponsored by the Greater Eureka Springs
Chamber of Commerce.
~ HEY GIRLS... LET’S iVlAKE
HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE SMORES!
THEN GO SNIPE HUNTING!
Camping for Summer Diversity has become
an annual event for many. Stay dose to title
City and book your weekend with the gay
friendly Kettle Campground. (479) 253-
9100, 4119 E. Van Buren.
° DIVA SHOP!
Over 150 unique shops and galleries. Be sure
and shop the Sponsors of Eureka Pride--aBens
Door, Mountain Eclectic, Fusion Squared,
Byrds Eye View, Antique Affaire, Tile Tourist
Shop, the Inn Convenience Store, Eureka
Scents. Avery and Special DW DISCOUNT
from Tinmaker & Glitz, 69 S. Main.
~ MIX & MINGLE
The Pizza Sluts are hosting their second
Diversity Welcome Mixer. The Pizza Bar, 13
N. Main, Friday, 6-8 PM. $5.95 pizza buffet.
Beer specials. All ages admitted. Come feel
the ~varmth...feel, touch, hug, squeeze, grope,
claw, whip...Mix and mingle with the locals
and visitors from around the globe. Free City
p~arking after 6 PM.
ERIC HIMAN DISCOVERS EUREKA
Henri’s Just One More. 19 1A Spring Street.
Friday Night Only! 9 PM. Eric goes solo with
his first Eureka acoustical performance.
® CHER SOME TIKI LOVE
~e always popular Glam-aphonic,
E lectronic, Disco Babee, Tiki Torch Dance
Party! 75 S. Main Street. Homo to the
exotic, diverse crowd of celebrities, beauties,
rock stars, dance divas, and some good ole
fashioned Str8t Bait! Cher and Cher Alike to
perform LIVE on Saturday. Shmv times will
be posted.
MORTUARY SERVICE, =¢
o SPEED DIAL YOUR GAY SPIRITS
~Exrot Speed reads with Mistress Lynne. Yes,
speed readings --Lynne will do a 10 card
reading for 10 buclcs. Just takes a few minutes
as opposed to the full deck 30 minute
reading. Lynne uses Gay, and Lesbian ~Tarot
cards for amazing GAY readings. DaBen’s
Door, 45 1/2 Spring Street, across from Jack’s
Place.
~ NEW DELHI
Friday & Saturday live music 6:30 9:30
PM. 2 North Main. Al! ages are welcome at
the New Delhi. Atmosphere aplenty. If you
never dined at the New Delhi, you really
should.
~ START YOUR ENGINES: SUMMER
DRAG RACES
Eureka Live’s Duck Tape Divas will host
Drag Racing Friday & Saturday 9PM. Special
Guest performer Drag King Billy Badass and
the Amazing Magic of the Tinman. 34 North
Main, Underground
FATZ 59 CLASSIC ROCK AT JACK’S
PLACE
37 Spring Street, Friday and Saturday, 9 PM
Midnight. High Octane Jell-O-Shots for a
Buck!!!Legendary ’HANDSOME LEE’ On
The Door. It’s all happenin’ between Center
and Spring.
o HARDWARE AT THE YARD
Lumberyard, 105 East Van Buren, The Yard
has yet to disclose what they have in store.
Whatever it is, they always find some way to
celebrate!!
EXORCISE THE HANGOVER
DEMONS
You want crazy? We’ll give ya crazy! A
Diversity Breakfast you will never forget.
Play" Name That Tung’ With Sandy at the
Smokehouse Cafd, 580 West Van Buren,
Saturday & Sunday, 8:30 A.M tol l:30ish,
biscuits as big as your head. WIN Fabulous
Prizes. Highly Recomended.
o RAMPANT STREET SEX!
Not really: Just some amusement for the
tourist and to annoy the fundies.
The Summer Diversity Public Display Of
Affection Photo Shoot..12 noon, Basin
Park band shell, downtown. A G-rated
opportunity to smooch your sweetie-or the
perfect stranger-for posterity. Eureka Pride
has treats to pass out for the first to come,
first to get. Park Music Stylings, ! 2 - 2 PM
Jones Van Jones, 2-4 PM 2 - 4 Cletus Got
Shot, 4-6PM 4 - 6 The HillBenders.
OPEN ARMS SPIRITUALITY
Saturday.Discussion on the spiritual path
of the Sufis with Sufi Master: Don Kitz at
Eureka Springs Library Annex 2 - 4 PM
Sunday Discussion on the spiritual path of
Wicca with Wiccan Priest: Tymythy Aieran at
Eureka Springs Library Annex 1 - 3PM
...... Continued See EUREY,~k Page-20
~wcvv.metrostarnews.com #~®t~°oSTAR 9
N
Wockner News Service
gay sex ban struck down
GLBTs decriminalized
17% of
Following an @t-year court battle, India’s Delhi High Court legalizedgay sextidy 2 in aforcefid
andpoetic ruling that had GLBTactivists ~ying in the courtroom. Marchersprotested the sodomy
ban at lastyear’s Delhi gay prideparade. Wockner Newsphoto by Sonali Gulati
Following an eight-year court battle,
India’s Delhi High Court legalized gay sex
July 2 in a forceful and poetic ruling that had
GLBT activists crying in the courtroom.
The ruling took effect immediately --
nationally -- and will remain in effect unless
the Supreme Court reverses it. Several major
Western media outlets erroneously reported
July 2 that the ruling only applied in New
Delhi.
The court decision "read dowff’ Section
377 of the Indian Pena! Code so that it no
longer applies to the activities of consenting
adults. The section bans "carnal intercourse
against the order of nature ,vith any man,
woman or animal" under penalty of 10 years
to life in prison.
The court smashed 377’s application
to gay people in myriad ways, finding
it violated a constitutional guarantee of
equality under the law, a constitutional
ban on discrimination based on sex, and
constitutional promises of personal liberty
and protection of life.
The ruling is chock-full of soaring
statements in support of India’s GLBT
population, including:
* "The critninalisation of homosexuality
condemns in perpetuity a sizable section of
society and forces them to live their lives
in {he shadow of harassment, exploitation,
humiliation, cruel and degrading treatment at
the hands of the law enforcement machinery.
... Section 377 IPC grossly violates their right
to privacy and liberty embodied in Article
21 insofar as it criminalises consensual sexual
acts between adults in private."
* "Section 377 IPC targets the
homosexual community as a class and
is motivated by an animus towards this
vulnerable class of people.... It has no
other purpose than to criminalise conduct
which fails to conform vdth the moral or
religious views of a section of society. Tile
discrimination severely affects the rights and
interests of homosexuals and deeply impairs
their dignity."
* "When everything associated with
homosexuality is treated as bent, queer,
repugnant, the whole gay and lesbian
community is marked with deviance and
perversity.... The result is that a significant
group of the population is, because of
its sexual non-conformity, persecuted,
marginalised and turned in on itself."
* "We hold that sexual orientation
is a ground analogous to sex and that
discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation is not permitted by Article 15 ....
A provision of law branding one section of
people as criminal based wholly on the State’s
moral disapproval of that class goes counter
to the equality guaranteed under Articles 14
and 15 under any standard of review."
.... [R]ight to personal liberty’ and ’right
to equality’ are fundamental human rights.
which belong to individuals simply by virtue
of their humanity: ... A Bill of Rights does
not ’confer’ fundamental human rights. It
confirms their existence and accords them
protection."
"~ "Indian Constitutional laxv does not
permit the statutory criminal law to be held
captive by the popular misconceptions ofwho
the LGBTs are. It cannot be forgotten that
discrimination is antithesis of equality and
that it is the recognition of equality which
will foster the dignity of every individual....
We declare that Section 377 IPC, insofar it
criminalises consensual sexual acts of adults in
private, is violative of Articles 21, 14 and t5
of the Constitution."
What happens next?
The national government could appeal
the ruling to India’s Supreme Court, though
that is considered unlikely; the national
government could both accept the ruling
and use it as ammo to introduce a bill in
Parliament to duplicate the ruling in national
law; and/or anti-gay parties to the lawsuit
could appeal to the Supreme Court.
But until such time as the Supreme Court
overturns the Delhi ruling, India’s GLBTs
-- who comprise more than 17 percent of all
GLBT people on the planet -- are no longer
criminals. India has a population of nearly
1.2 billion people.
The erroneous reports that the ruling did
not apply outside ofNew Delhi appeared in
The New York Times, The Washington Post,
the Los Angeles Times, on the Associated
Press ~vire and elsewhere. (For correct
information, see bit.ly/WeX,vO and bit.
ly/7su4o.)
"Every major media outlet in the ~vorld
got this wrong because they don’t understand
how the Indian courts work," said journalist
Vikram Doctor of India’s Queer Media
Collective. "It will apply nationally until
somebody challenges that at the Supreme
Court, which is where this case is going to
end up anyway."
In most common-law court systems,
including India’s in this case, the decision of
an appellate court binds lower courts within
its territorial iurisdiction and also is the ’last’
word on the subject nationally unless a court
of equa! authority elsewhere makes a contrary
decision or the supreme court reverses the
decision. An appellate decision also binds the
parties in the case (which include the Indian
government in this case) r~gardless ofwhere
they are in the country.
Meanwhile, gay pride parades were
staged in four Indian cities June 27-28
-- New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and
Bhubaneshwar.
At least 2,000 people marched in New
Delhi. Marches are still to come in Mumbai
and Kolkata.
300 march in Sofia
Around 300 people marched in the
second gay pride parade in Sofia, Bulgaria, on
June 27, twice as many as last year.
Police and private security officers, hired
by pride organizers, protected the marchers
to prevent a recurrence of last year’s violence,
when sldnheads and right-wing extremists
attacked the parade with bottles, rocks, eggs,
firecrackers, smoke bombs and Molotov
cocktails, resulting in 80 arrests.
This ),ear’s march, which traveled from the
National Palace of Culture~to the Red House
debate club, encountered nothing more
serious than some booing.
Organizers called for a law to bail anti-gay
discrimination in employment.
Liza does Paris Pride
Singer andgay icon Liza Minnelli danced on a
float in Paris’gayprideparadeflme 2Z To her
left.: Gay Paris Mayor Bertrand DelanM. Photo
by Nikolai Alekseev
Singer and gay icon Liza Minnelli danced
on a float in Paris’ gay pride parade June 27.
Minnelli is the daughter of gay icon Judy
Garland, whose death five days before the
Stonewall Riots 40 years ago is thought to
have contributed to the foul mood of the gays
who decided to fight back against the police
raid of the Stonewall Inn.
"Freedom," Minnelli shouted from the
float. About 700,000 people took part in the
festivities.
"We knew that she (Minnelli) had a
concert this evening in Paris but when
her agent told us that she could come, we
thought it was a joke," Pride spokesman
Philippe Castel mid Agence France-Presse.
Berlin also held Pride on June 27. About
550,000 people turned out, reports said.
Gay pride goes well in
Jerusalem, for a change
About 2,000 people marched in
Jerusalem’s gay pride parade June 25 without
incident, but for one tossed egg.
Previous years’ marches have been met
with violent protests, stabbings and the arrest
of a man carrying a bomb.
Police protection was reduced this year, to
a mere 1,600 officers.
No matter who you are o
are on life’s journey,
-Re~ere~d Dr. K~hy
3131 hi. Pennsylvania,Oklaho 405.525.9555
10 ~>{~’oSTAR August 2009
New group forms to help
gay refugees
A new organization in San Francisco aims
to help GLBT refugees ~vho are fleeing sexual
or gender-based violence in their native lands.
Only through raising consdousness of
LGBT refugee issues to governments, refugee
organizations, communities and the media,
will help come to these individuals, who are
among the most persecuted people in the
world today," the Organization for Refuge,
Asylum & Migration said in a statement.
The group provides free legal counsel
for GLBT refugees who have escaped their
home countries, and it will conduct ’\videranging
international advocacy to advance the
protection of all LGBT refugees and asylum
seekers."
"LGBT refugees often fall through the
cracks of the international refugee regime,"
said Executive Director Neil Grungras.
"They have escaped systematic hatred and
violence at home, and their LGBT identity
brings serious new threats to their safety
and protection in countries of first asylum.
MaW live in a toxic mix of destitution and
desperation.
"The recent surge in homophobic violence
in Iraq has shone a spodight on the painful
truths we’re dealing with first-hand in the
Middle East. LGBTs are the most persecuted
people in many regions of the world today.
For every reported execution, there are
likely tens of judicially or family-sanctioned
murders."
In recent months, several Iraqigays have
been shot to death by militias and anti-~ay
family or tribe members; Some have h~dtheir
anuses glued shut by deah squadsi arid there
have been allegaions of executions by the
government.
Reports in April said gay men were being
captured and their anuses superglued with
something called "American gum," after
which they were being forced to ingest a
diarrhea-causing substance and sometimes
died.
Scott Long, director of Human Rights
Watch’s LGBT Rights Division, visited Iraq
in April and "collected several accounts" of
the practice, which reportedly can be seen in
mobile-phone videos that have been passed
around inside the country.
Massive abuses are taking ~lace ~
Baghdad, and apparently in other cities in
the center and south," Long said. "XWe may
never know the full sweep and scope of the
killings so far, amid a pervasive insecurity
that brutalizes innumerable people and
devastates multiple communities, but we ate
,d°ing everything we,.,.can to,, determine and
ctocument accountability.
Poles hate same-sex
Seventy-five percent of Poles oppose
legalization of same-sex marriage and 87
percent say gay couples shouldn’t be allowed
{o adopt chi]’dren, a Gt~ Polonia poll has
found.
~e poll is the latest example of the wide
gulf on _~ay acceptance that separates Western
Europe ~rom the European nations that used
to be part of the Communist bloc.
Same-sex marriage is legal in Europe in
Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and
Sweden -- and most other Western European
nations have civil-union laws for gay couples.
Saudis arrest 67 crossdressers
Police arrested 67 mostly Filipino men for
wearing women’s clothing June 13 in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia.
The roundup took place at a private
residence during a Philippines Independence
Day party.
The men were charged with imitating
women and possessing alcohol.
Similar arrests in the past have led to
imprisonment and floggings.
"If the police in Saudi Arabia can arrest
people simply because they don’t like their
clothes, no one is safe," said Human Rights
Watch researcher Rasha Moumneh. "Arresting
and charging people simply because the police
decide that their appearance is unacceptable
strikes at the heart of human freedom."
Ukraine bans Briino
Sacha Baron Cohen’s new gay flick Br~ino
has been banned in Ukraine for alleged
immorality, obscenity and impropriety.
The Culture Ministry said it was
displeased with the movie’s "artistically
unjustified" gay-sex scenes, obscene language,
nudity, graphic homosexuality, sadisra and
anti-soc.ial behavior.
In the U.S., the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation also has dissed the film.
"The filmmakers wanted to use satire to
highlight and challenge homophobia," said
GLAM) President Jarrett Barrios. "But their
film also reinforces troubling attitudes about
gay people in ways that run counter to the
intentions ofthe filmmal~ers.
"The movie repeatedly builds entire scenes
around stock stereotypes and situations that
make gay people and families the butt of
crude jokes. I can’t help but think of all the
teenage kids already getting bullied, beat
up and ridiculed for being -- or for being
thought to be -- gay. For these kids, this
movie will give their tormentors one more
word in the anti-gay lexicon of slurs: Br~no."
Some gay bloggers and Facebook users
who have seen the film say GLAAD is
humorless and needs to find its funnybone
-- a charge the group occasionally has
encountered before.
Group says GLBT
activists targeted after
Honduran coup
~he International Gay and Lesbian
Human Rights Commission on July 17
condemned "the recent murder and arbitrary
arrests of... LGBT activists in Honduras."
"IGLHRC has learned that these human
rights abuses have occurred as a direct result
of the military coup on June 28 ... which
ousted that country’s democratically elected
government," the group said.
A transgender activist xvas shot dead June
29 a block from the gay community center in
the city of San Pedro Sula, IGLHRC said.
"Local activists in Honduras claim she
was killed by military police patrolling the
streets," the organization reported.
Five other GLBT activists -- Hdctor
Licona, Donny Reyes, Patrick Pav6n, Claudia
......Continued see HONDURAS page 20
I million & prime minister’s wife at London Pride
One million people, including Sarah Brown, wife of
Prime Mimster Gordon Brown, took part m Londons
gaypridepamdeJuly 4. ScotsGayph~to
One million people and Sarah Brown,
xvife of Prime Minister Gordon BroWn, took
part in Londoffs gay pride parade Jnly 4.
Mrs. Brown carried a red, white and pink
Union Jack flag.
Members of the military marched in
uniform, as did firefighters and a contingent
from British Airways.
Prior to the march, Mr. Brown met with
organizers at his residence and said theUnited
Kingdom has made "massive strides"
in the march toward gay equality.
Marriage is almost the last thing on the
agenda for British GLBTs. An existing civilpartnership
law grants registered same-sex
couples all the rights of marriage.
Noted gay activist Peter Tatchell carried
a sign in the parade that read: "Gordon &
Sarah can marry, gays can’t. End the ban on
gay marriage." He wore a T-shirt that said
"Homo Libertd, Egatitd, Sexualit&"
1 million at Madrid Pride, 35,000 at Barcelona
Pride
About 35,000people marched in Barcelona’sfirst large-scale gayprideparadeJune 28. Photo by Yves Bohic
A million people turned out for Madrid’s
gay pride parade July 4.
With same-sex marriage already legal and
little left to fight for, organizers put forth the
theme of greater freedom for GLBT young
people in schools.
In Barcelona, about 35,000 people
marched June 28. It was the city’s first largescale
pride parade. The procession began at
Plaga de la Universitat and ended at Plaga
d’Espanya.
www.metrostarnews.com ~®t~oSTAR 11
p t the °°gay"
in Christian,
12 ~;~STAR August 2009
AUGUST TH 2009
H O M A
~ENTER TO WIN
BANTA
www.metrostamews.com ~etroSTAR 13
14 #~troSTAR August 2009
We have found Heaven and it is
BOOTHBA¥ HARBOR, MAINE
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
Photo: From a room with a viw~ Topside Inn
Onour recent 4 week driving trip to
the east coast we visited a lot of cities, towns
and villages and had a wonderful time at
each of them. All were fun, interesting and
exciting to visit however our stay in Boothbay
Harbor, Maine was "beyond fabulous"! We
first checked into the Topside Inn. It is
located on the tallest hill in the city and was
a 19th century sea captain’s home. They also
have guest cottages to the side of the main
house. They have a total of 21 guest rooms.
The owners, Brian Lamb and Ed McDermott
have mvned the Inn for several years and they
certainly know how to do everything PJGHT
!!!!! The views of the harbol; ships, seals,
birds and the flora and fauna from the Inn
are absolutely incredible! ~le view from our
room looking out into the harbor was just
like a movie set! This truly was Heaven! All
guest rooms have their own private in-suite
bathrooms, cable TV and dial-out telephone.
King, queen, or two beds are available. All
rooms include hair dryers, irons and ironing
boards.
Brealdqast is something that is a "DO
NOT MISS". A fabulously scruraptious si~-
down breal’~ast is served every morning in the
breakfast room which overloolcs the bay.
It iust doesn’t get any better! We me~ a lot
of wonderful gnests from all over the country
while staying there. Many guests return
time and time again because of the great way
that Brian and Ed makes all of their guests
feel a~ home. Everything about this Inn is
perfect! The owners should open a school for
innkeepers on the right w~ay to run an hm.
And did we mention the incredible views that
we had from our room at the Iun? There’s the
sunrise and the famous footbridge over the
inner harbor, to the lighthouses, islands, out
to sea, aud the western sunset. Their website
is: http://www.topsideinn.com/and their toll
free phone is 1-888-633-5404 or you can
emait them at info@topsideinn.com.
Downtown Boothbay is just a couple
of blocks down the hill and it is filled ~vith
quaint restaurants, galleries, shops and the
the waterfront piers. You can take excursion
boat trips ranging from an hour cruise to a
full day at sea. Visit the Historical Society
in Boothbay Harbor and the Museum in
Southport to learn about ice cutting and ship
building in days gone by. See the handiwork
of local boat yards, which continue the
tradition in
state-of-the art
materials, and keep
aliv~ their heritage
ofworld-class boat
builders. Watch
the lobstermen
tend their traps,
or put to sea for
a close enconnter
with a barnacleencrusted
whale.
Actually, Boothbay
Harbor has been
around since the
1700’S when it was
a fishing village
and shipbuilding
center. By 1900
over 500 vessels
had been built in
the region.
Tl~e first morning we visited the Botanical
Gardens which was a real treat. Check it
out at va*av.mainegardens.org. It is New
England’s largest botanical garden on 248
waterfront acres with beautiful gardens,
waterfront trails, sculpture and much, more.
Enjoy collections of roses, native plants,
rhododendrons and thousands of other
perennials, ornamental trees, shrubs and
spring bulbs. It is a ,vonderful walldng tour
and you can either take a guided tour on visit
it by yourself. They are open 9 to 5 everyday
and all year long.
No trip to Boothbay Harbor would
be complete without taking a Schooner
Eastwind cruise. Herb and Doris Smith have
built six schooners and have sailed around the
world t~vice with their children. They
offer a 2 V2 hour cruise in the harbor where
you can visit several small islands, birds,
seals and other sea life and a lighthouse.
They have 3 or 4 cruises everyday. Call
207.633.6598 to make a reservation. This
is the finest Schooner cruise that we have
ever taken. Herb and Doris really enjoy
telling people about their travels and explains
everything about the Schooner. This is the
only cruise to take!
And now, the best of the best when it
comes to dining. In our travels from coast
to coast we have never had such a fabulous
dining experience as we had our last night in
-Boothbay Harbor. Ports of Italy is a family
owned and operated restaurant. Chef Davide
Rossi and his wife Christa are the owners.
We used taste buds that we have not used in
years! We are NOT talking spaghetti and
meatballs here, but a full range of northern
Italian cuisine that is mouth-watering
tasty. Between courses be sure and try their
Intermezzo to cleanse your palette with the
fabulously, delicious Lemon Sorbet and Vodka
Slush. Just be sure and save room for some
of the wonderful desserts. Their website is
www.portsofitaly.com. As we said, in all of
our travels, this is the finest dining experience
that we have ever had! We had a 7 course
meal that night and everything that we had
was "beyond" fabulous and we know that we
will never, ever have a dining experience so
grand as this one. That is, until we return to
Boothbay Harbor again. Boothbay Harbor
is a wonderful place to spend a week or two
and just relax, enjoy the sights and sounds
of the area. Forget going to the Red Door
for a complete rejuvenation ofyourself.
Instead iusr go to Boothbay Harbor, and
don’t forget to stay at the wonderful Topside
Inn. Owners Brian and Ed are the best of
the best. For more information go to ,vww.
boothbayharbor.com.
Always remember to have fun ,vhen
traveling, meet new people and talk to
everyone!
UCAN, INC TO
FOCUS ON HIV/
AIDS PR£VENTION
By Victor Gorin
Reverend Loyce Newton Edwards ofChurch of
the Open Arms UCC. Gorin photo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK In 2008
UCAN Inc. ( United Church of Christ
MDS/HIV Network) was formed under the
Health and Wholeness Ministry of the United
Church of Christ to establish a program
for people of faith to address the issues of
HIV/MDS. This will feature a special focus
on HIV prevention.
Among 8 members of UCAN’s Board
of Directors, one is the Reverend Loyce
Newton-Edwards of UCC’s Church of the
Open Arms in Oklahoma City, and another
is the Reverend Leslie Penrose ofTulsa’s
Community of Hope UCC Church. States
Reverend Loyce, " I’m excited about this
new ministry because through the United
Church of Christ we can work vdth local
community partners to develop HIVIMDS
programs, including a focus on prevention.
\Ve want to do something positive, to expand
our territory of ministry to include a specific
outreach to those infected and affected by
HIV/MDS. "
UCAN has applied for a grant from
the Federal Center for Disease Control which
would be over 2 million dollars, but as of
press time it has nor yet been approved. This
outreach would bring needed services to
people in need wherever UCC churches are
located, throughout the United States and
abroad.
www.metrostarnews.com }~®{~’oSTAR 15
@Club 209, Tulsa @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City @ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa
@ Finishline, Oklahoma City @Angles, Oklahoma City @ The End Up, Tulsa
18, August 2009
ARE YOU WONDERIN WHEI
EVERYONE ItAS BEEN LATELY?
Open Every Day 4pro to 2am
836 - 09q 5
Monda.y
Friends and Family @ 6pm
Dancers @ 10pm
Tuesday
$0.50 Draught Beer Night
Dancers @ 10pm
Wednesday
Pool Tournament @ 8pm
Dancers @ 10pm
Thursday
Bin" Bingo with E-Lyra St. James @ 7pm
Dancers @ 10pm
Friday
Dancers @ 10pm
Saturday
Dancers@ 10pm
Sunday
Free Pool All Day
DanCers
Open Every Day at 2pro
{9"!8} 437 -0449
Monday
Movie Madness - Showtimes 7pm and lOpm
Tuesday
Drama Lite- All the Gay, Half the Drama
Wednesday
A Night in Vegas Drag Show @ 10pm
Thursday
$0.50 Draught Beer Night
Friday
Cabaret Night @ 8pm
Saturday
Big Gay Dating Game w/Daphne Rio @ 10pm
Sunday
Disco Night @ 9pm
The Hideaway Tropical Lounge becomes
the World’s Smallest Disco
ww~v.metrostarnews.com @etroSTAR 19
By Camper English
q-he Mixer Mix-up
Much as I love the name, I can’t bring
myself to consume what the kids today are
calling the Skinny Bitch. This cocktail is
usually made with a flavored vodka, Diet
Coke. and a squeeze of lime. My issue with
the drink doesfft involve the liquor, but with
the artificially flavored and sweetened soda.
But the Skinny Bitch is not really a drink
focused on the Coke: it’s a drink focused
on the Diet. Also focusing on the diet is a
really they may as well be swilling cola.
Now that I’m a fully functioning cocktail
snob, I don’t drink the tonic water, sodas and
juices that come out of the cocktail squirter
in bars at all. I like fresh juices and mixers
without artificial sweeteners - and it turns out
these typically have less calories than do the
sugared-up cranberry juice and sodas you’ll
get in most bars anyway. At home. you can
buy high quality mixers with natural and
organic sweeteners for your cocktails: Out at
the clubs though, you probably won’t have
that option, so you can opt for diet soda or
soda water as mixers. Or better yet, opt for
that sugar-laden Apple-Cosmo-Choco~Tini at
the bar. and then spend the night worldng off
writer named
Teresa Marie
Howes, who
wrote a whole
book on diet
drinks this year
called Skinnydnis.
Most of the
recipes in the
book cut calories
in cocktails by
adjusting the
amounts of
liqueurs and
mixers. ,as distilled
spirits like gin and
vodka all have
about the same -~
number of calories
per volume. Her
drinks call for
light or diet iuices
and sodas, and
flavored water
and other mixers
instead of sugar- ~ ~:~ ~
laden liqueurs in ~_o~
recipes. She makes
crab/placements
like swapping out the orange liqueur in a
Margarita with light orange juice and Sweet
’N Low.
those calories on the dancefloor.
Camper English is a cacktails and spirits
writer andImblisher ofAlc~mics.com
Census Bureau will
count married gay
couples as married
The U.S Census Bureau said June
19 it will count married gay couples as
married in the 2010 census.
The prior plan had been to retabulate
such couples as "unmarried partners," an
existing census-form category, because of
the federal ban on recognition of samesex
marriages.
Gay activists, as part of their recent
broadside against President Barack
Obama’s inaction on gay issues, had
srepped up their criticism of the plan to
skew the data.
Gay marriage is legal in three states
and wil! be legal in five, six or raore by
the time of the census.
One set of mixers that are often mixed
tip are soda water and tonic water. They,
both have water in the name so you can
understand the confusion, but the two
are vastly different liquids. Soda water is
carbonated water, and mixes well with
vodka. (Gin not so much.l Tonic water pairs
well with more spirits, and is consumed in
different countries with vodka, gin, rum.
tequila, and even Port wine.
But tonic began as a tonic - a medicine
used to prevent and cure malaria. It gets its
flavor from the very bitter quinine that was
once harvested from the bark of the cinchona
tree, niclmamed the "fever tree" as it cured
the malarial fever. To make the powdered
bark palatable, explorers and soldiers in
mosquito-intense countries around the world
added sugar to the solution. Later, gin was
added and the G&T was born. Hooray for
medicine!
The important thing to note in that last
paragraph is the use of sugar. Its presence
(or more commonly, the presence of high
fi’ucmse corn syrup) in drinks means it has
those calories you’ve been trying to avoid.
Many people think they’re sipping a diet
drink when they choose tonic water, but
TABC says Texas bar
raid was a big mistake
By Rex Wockner
The head of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage
Commission told the gay newspaper Dallas
Voice on July 16 that his officers committed
multiple "clear violations" of agency policy
when they and local police raided the gay bar
Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth on June 28,
the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
The violent raid put patron Chad Gibson
in a hospital intensive-care unit with bleeding
on his brain. Two other patrons sustained
lesser injuries and several patrons were
arrested for the crime of having drunk too
much.
"I don’t think you have to dig very deep to
figure out that TABC has violated some of
their policies," Alan Steen said. "XTqe know
that and I apologize for that.... It’s real dear
that however it is that ~ve were doing business
that night is not the typical TABC."
"You can read (our) policy and you can
figure out really quickly, TABC shotfldn’t have
even been there," he said. "If our guys would
have followed the damn policy, we wouldn’t
even have been there.... We don’t participate
in those kinds of inspections when there’s
not probable cause or reasonable suspicion or
some public safety matter to be inspected."
* THREE IMPROMPTU POOL PARTEAZE
ON TAP FOR SATURDA~
The guests of the TRADEWINDS, home of
the "HIDDEN POOL" are welcome to host
their own s~vim party. Invite your friends
over for an impromptu after dark ........dip
in the pool Reserve your Tradewinds themed
room nmv by calling David or Terry (479)
253-9774, request the Summer Diversity
Weekend rate.
Land O Nod aka:The Pink Palace, POOL
PART~. Guests are welcorne to invite their
new friends, old friends, and even the Xfriends
over for a swim... No glass...Plenty of
towels...Pool honrs will be extended until 12
midnight... Toll Free: 1-800-526-3263 Local
Phone: (479) 253-6262. Rooms as low as
59.00 a night...mffst request DW rate.
Alvin & Charlie are hosting a PRIVATE
MEN ONLY POOL PARTY at their private
residence. MUST drop by the Byrds Eye
View, 36 North Main or Contact EurekaPride
Sponsors Alvin & Charlie for an invitation
and details. Toll Free: 888 210-8401
° STRADDLE THIS...
For those who enjoy the thrill of wrapping
your legs around a tornado of pounding
pistons, THE DIVERITY BIKER’S
OZARKS FUN RUN’ Sat. August 8, 11 AM,
Planers Parking Lot Hwy 23 N. (Main St.)
and Hwy. 62. This ride will require a helmet.
Also, bring a bathing suit, ifyou want to take
a dip. There will be a lunch stop during the
ride.
~ NOWWE’RE HUNGR~q
FREE GOURMET BUFFET & ARTIST
RECEPTION at the new Dreamweaver
Gallery, 184 N. Main. Gallery owners David
artd Melanie go top chef with a full dinner
buffet. Drop by for a culinary adventure,
art, and meet their featured guest, art
photographer Matt Johnson. Check out all
the Eureka art during the "2ND Saturday
~Gallery Stroll~,’ on Saturday from 3-8 PM.
SHAYdN NOT STIRRED!
Henri’s Just One More. 19 V2 Spring Street.
Saturday Night Karaoke Dance Party with
DJ’S Shakin" not Stirred.
IMPORTA_NT REMINDER- BE
COOL, BE SEEN, BE SAFE: avoid those
Diversity buzz-killers like getting a DUI or
trying to find a parking place downtown.
Eureka Springs Limousine. $5.00 point to
point. Call 479-363-6055 for your PICK-UP!
Cervantes and Lizeth iivila -- were arrested,
detained and beaten June 29 in Tegucigalpa,
the capital, IGLHRC said.
"Nae arrests occurred while the activists
were participating in a demonstration
in support of the democratically elected
government," the group said.
The five activists are well-known GLBT
leaders.
"The recent coup in Honduras is an illegal
assault on democracy that violates the rights
of all Honduran citizens, including those ,vho
identify as LGBT," said IGLHRC Executive
Director Cary Alan Johnson. "We especially
deplore the vicious murder and arbitrary
arrests ofLGBT people in the wake of this
crisis."
20 August2009
by Jack Fertig August 2009
"Keep it light, Sagittarius"
Mercury in Leo trine to Eris provokes
bold partisan assertions. There’s
healthy room for that, but it can go
overboard. Mercury then opposes
Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron in
Aquarius. leading through confusion,
perhaps to improvement in ideals and
philosophy. "You stand a better chance
of improving yourself, not othe rs.
ARIES (Narch 20-Apri~ 19): Culture
clash can give you a better sense of
who you are and who you’re not, but
that will be challenged again when you
reassess political ideals. Confusion and
change are necessary steps to growth.
Just walk through it.
TAURUS (Apri~ 20 - Nay 20): Pride
in home and family can clash with
honesty about sameness. Ask yourself
the hard questions that have never
been answered. "Your insights could
lead to reconsidering career goals. New
answers there would also be helpful!
GEN~NI~ (Nay 21- June 20): Your
brilliant ideas can be very helpful in
political long-range planning, but they
wil~ start up arguments over principles,
A real world approach may be needed
to get idealist notions down to earth, but
grounding will not come easily.
CANCER (June 21o Ju~y 22): Know
your worth and hang out with the
right people in your profession, those
whose level you should be at. Strutting
you~ Stuff in the Sack - maybe some
exhibitionism?, can open up new
channels for fantasy and exploration.
LEO (July 23 -August 22): The
simplest observation can quickly
become an ideological or academic
thesis. That could be good, clarifying
your own sense of where you stand. In
relationships, however, your position
may baffle you. Enjoy the mystery; it
won’t last long.
V~RGO (August 23 - September
22): That buzz in your brain, perhaps
about mortality or sexual identity, could
prove enlightening. See where it leads.
Worries about health should motivate
you to better exercise and hygiene.
(There’s always room for improvement!)
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22):
Playful banter with friends can lead you
into a situation, pushing you to take
sides, or you mig ht be able to negotiate
a common ground between opposing
camps. Solutions may defy logic.
Creativity and intuition serve much
better!
SCORPIO (October 23 - November
21}: You can make an effective gobetween
for colleagues and bosses.
Being clear about which side you’re
on will make you more effective. Your
focus on career can be a distraction
from problems at home. Your distraction
could even be the problem.
SAGITTAR~US (November 22
- December 20): You need a forum for
your opinion. Keep it light and playful
and more people will listen. Appeal to
emotions more than logic. Sticking to
ideals and principles may be safer than
citations that you’re "reasonably sure"
of.
CAPRICORN (December 21 -
January 19): Leaning on your
own ethnic identity, or your ethnic
preferences, can help you strut your hot
stuff. Sexual preference for a certain
skin color may be racist, or not. It’s all in
the context and attitude. Checking your
own couldn’t hurt.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February
18): Arguments with your partner are
inflamed by a sense of competition.
Remember, you’re on the same side!
Together you can be unbeatable. Selfdoubt
can be a good thing if it leads you
to better answers.
HSCES (February 19 - Narch 19): If
you must argue with colleagues, make
sure it’s about something important;
remember you’re ultimately on the
same team. Is it really something at
work that’s bothering you? Take time
out, and meditate to find the real
problem.
Community for
People living
HW/A DS
A 50’! c (3) Non Profit Organization
Our House, Too offers a variety of
activities for people who are HIV+ and
or living with AIDS to help combat the
social isolation that many of our
people live through each and everyday.
We provide a Toiletry and Household
Pantry for those who are HIV+
and or living with AIDS who cannot
afford to purchase these items for
themselves. We invite anyone who
would like to volunteer or provide financial
assistance to please contact
us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-rnail
ourhousetoo9865@sbcglobal.net
Across
1
12 3
4
33
58 }59 60
Island of Diamond Head Beach
Come-on after following a gay guy?
6 7 8
~
9 10 11
’12 !13
15 !
~
16
~ 39 40
~
DovTI3
t Figure skater Doug
2 Nuts 0fa tall one
3 It’s deep in a movie title
4 Hall ’Universi~
5 ~tflavor for gin
6 Shining examples
7 Prefix with physics
8 ~]ite~ A Boys Own
9 Frank of the House
10 Jaclde~ designer
1t Liza, to Lorna
12 Sept. follower
13 Month in Madrid
2l Dish nanie
22 Not in the pink
25 Antigay prejudice, e.g.
26 Phil of folk music
27 Home ofth~ Buckeyes
30 Be under the weather
32 Yellow-bri& way
nd_
45 Day before saying "~GIF"
~7 Halfofa pair 0fballs
Solution page 23
evidence
59 Way cool
60 Hydrocarbon su~x
w~vw.metrostarnews.com ~’ ~troSTAR 21
Another artistic aspect ofTulsa Ballet is its
commitment to create art in Oklahoma and export
it to the world. With this concept in mind, the
compaW built Studio K: a 300 seat, $6 million
theater, dedicated to the creation of new art.
This Is Your Life vcas among the first works to be
presented in the new theater. Created loosely on
the concept of the 1950’s television show that bore
the same name, this work merges drama, humor,
acting and stunning dancing to tell the stoW of its
characters.
Tulsa Ballet will perform according to the
fi~llowing schedule at The Joyce ~neater in
New’~%rk City from August 10 - 15: Monday
- \Vednesday at 7:30 pro, Tnursday- Saturday
at 8pm and Sunday- at 2pro. Tickets for these
performances are $19; $29; $39 and can be
arranged by calling JoyceCharge a 212-242-0800 "
or online at "~mv.joyce.org. NOTE: Ticket prices
are subject to change. %e Joyce Theater is located
at 175 Eighth Avenue at I9th Street in Chelsea.
If you can’t make the trip to see the company
in New York, Tulsa Ballet is hosting a Big Apple
Preview- Night in Tulsa on N~ursday, August 6 at
Studio K, 1212 East 45th Place. Tickets are still
available for this special event featuring a wine
and hor d’ouevres reception at 6:30 pm followed
by the performance at 7:00 pm. Tne evening will
culminate with champagne and desserts on stage
with the compan> Tickets can be purchased by
contacting Amy Miller, Director of Development
at (918) 392-5933.
The 2009-20 I0 Tulsa Ballet Season begins
in October with the Oklahoma premiere of Ben
Stevensoffs spectacular production of Dracula
that will be performed in Tulsa and Oklahoma
City during the Halloween season. Subscription
packages are on sale now and can be ordered by
calling the Tulsa Ballet box office at (918) 749-
6407. For more information about Tulsa Ballet,
please visit ~.~xvw.tutsaballetaorg.
New Rainbow Sweater
............................................................................w~,w~thega)mar{oonsite.corn
by Greg Fox
SCANDINAVIAN
Webs#e - wvs~c.kylecornics.com E-Mail- KylesBnB@~ol.com
22 fi%t~"oSTAR August 2009
t-LABANA INN
2200 iNg/39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-2221
www.habanainn.com
KELLY IGRBY, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
ROUTE 66 ANTIQUE MALL
4624 E. 1 lth Street
Tulsa OK
918-836-3838
VALERIE W]LLIFORD
625 N.W. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
405-226-8585
NATH_AN BLACK
PRIMERICA 10820 E. 45th #305
Tulsa, OK
918-615-8177
nblack.rnv39@prinaerica.com
OKC MORTUARY
2415-C N. WALNUT AVE.
Oklahoma City, OK
800-913:1310
A2qGLES
21 st
Oklahoma
vr~#.anglesclub.com ..............
BAMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
Tt~sa, OK
918-836-8700
www.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB 209
209 N. BOULDER
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9944
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9494
www.ctubmajestictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 >FW 39TH EXPRESSX~TAY
Oldahoma City, OK
405-525-2900
wvcw.habanainn.com
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
w~w.habanainn.com
HIDEAWAY LOUNGE
11730 E. 11TH
~I~Isa, OK
918-437-0449
Open Sun thru Sat 2pro to 2am
THE END UP
5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE
~Asa, OK
918-836-0915
Open 7 days a week 2pro to 2am
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
w#w.habanainn.com
TULSA EAGLE
1338 E. 3RD
Tulsa, OK
918-592-1188
Open 7days week 2pm to 2am
CHURCH of the OPEN ARMS
3131 N. PENN,
OKC, OK 405-525-9555
Service Sunday 10:45 AM
HOPE TESTING CLINIC
3540 E. 31st
Tulsa, OK
800-535-2437
Oldahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline
SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC
2902 E. 20TH STREET,
Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480
Service Sunday 6pro
MCC UNITED
1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK
918-838-1715
www.mcctulsa.org
OY~AEIOMANS for EQUALITY
621 Ei 4d~ Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-743-4297
wv~aokeq.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Negates Ave
Tulsa, OK741~7 :
918-585-9552
IGRA
Aurora, CO
www.igra.com
202-957-6187
JUDY G. PHOTO’S
Tulsa, OK
judygphotos@sbcglobal.net
918-743-8636
ARMANDO AMOR
Keller Williams Realty
1624 SW 122nd
Oldahoma City, OK 73170
405-473-6870
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 NWEXPRESS\gAy"
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-840-2106
vc~w¢.c21 goldcastle.com
CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE
Keller Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK
918-706-1887
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 NW 39TH FA’~PRESSW’AY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
THE KITCHEN
2218 NW" 39th
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Located inside the BOOM
THE MARI~ET PLACE ON 39th
2235 N.W. 39th
°
oming Out
Armando Amor
Phone: 405-473-6870
Fax: 405-691.2708
THE
K~TCHEIN
2218 NW 39th
, : Oklahoma City, OKC 7311’,~
Open Tues.-Sun 12
Noon to 11PM. Featuring
Chef Susie Lopez.
BUY GI Joe Action Figures
(12" size Only)
Located inside the "BOOM"
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-5555
NOW OPEN !!in iae
Marketplace on 39th
Eureka Springs, AR
www.eurelcasprings.org
KING OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oklahoma City, OK
405-882-6127
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
In Calls Only, NWOKC
405-822-7378
nwokcmassageguy@aol.cim
nformation
Ca[[ 8-549-8090
based.
send resume
t~etro Star
PO Box 581718
Tulsa, OK 74158
Start building a business
today to supplement your
income in case of layoff.
High potential commissions.
A
S
S
P
H
E
E
Me ro Star Classfieds
2" square for as little as 539 per
~ issue.
Email: srarnews@
sbcglobal.net
Call Robin @
405-590-2871
Excellent instruction.
Set your own hours.
Call NATHAN BLACK
918-615-8177
SAVE & FILL YOUR PIGGY
WWW.METROSTARNEWS.COM
Chuck 8reckenridge
Wl~ether buying or selling
1’11 work hard for you.
w4w~.metrostarnews.com ~letroSTAR 23
300 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque
for ~n
The Demented
Divas
in Totally Plowed
From Truckers to
Nascar, from Trailer
Parks to Dollywood,
the Divas Poke Fun
at the Most
Famous Country
Western Divas.
Sandy Vee Anderson
in a Tribute to
Dolly Parton
See the Award Winning,
Top Dolly Impersonator
from Las "Vegas legends
in Concert and CMT,
MTV, and VHI.
vvww.mypromoreei.com/
sandy_anderson.html
Sheraton A~buquerque Uptown
Call 800-252-7772 ~onday - Friday, 8 a.~. - 5 p.m. (MS~
for the ~ntem~t~on~ Gay Ro~eo ~ssoc~t~o~ R~te of $85/n~g~t
August2009
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
[2009] Metro Star Magazine, August 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 8
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
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
August 1, 2009
Format
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Image
Online text
PDF
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Jeane Flanigan
Victor Gorin
Rex Wockner
Gerald Libonati
Michael W. Sasser
Robin Dorner,-Townsend
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Devre Jackson
Victor Gorin
Judy G.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwest Missouri
West Arkansas
Southeast Kansas
Eastern Oklahoma
The United States of America (50 states)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Metro Star Magazine, July 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 7
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/133
The Metro Star Magazine, December 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 12
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/130
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/129
adoption
Al McAffrey
art
ballet
bar raid
Bingo
bowling tournament
Christine Plante
church
cocktail chatter
Comics
cross dressers
DADT
Democratic party
dining
Dr. Tom Guild
Drag Queen
Enid
Eureka Springs
fashion
First Thursday
gay sex ban
H.O.P.E
hate crimes
India
international news
Kyle's Bed and Breakfast
Metro scene
National news
Nicholas K. Clark
Obama
OKC pride
Oklahoma News
Portland
Pride celebration
Qscopes
Sally Kern
same sex marriage
snap shots
stage
Stonewall
TABC
travel
Ukraine
violence
World Gay Rodeo finals
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/f38e215fb7a7703f98948e692e0e30bf.jpg
04823a777a2bb0c30f9c2514ecfaedd9
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/95fdf5cc24bf52f1e975671e6a291b2c.pdf
043707a61e2a4a5ed94d5619ca821a35
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2004-2011
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Images
Online texts
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
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Southwest Missouri
Western Arkansas
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
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Ozarks Pride/Star Media
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C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
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https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
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E FOR
President Obama’s Gay Rights Agenda
The new whitehouse.gov .... .Page 10
WWW.METROSTARNEWS.COM
Gay community upbeat
TULSA, OK__ Despite the
involvement of controversial Pastor
Rick Warren, the gay and lesbian
community responded generally
favorable to the inauguration of
President Barack Obama on January
20.
"This is a big moment for all of the
people who feel we were shut out
by the Bush Administration," said
Oklahoma resident Brian DunleaW,
36. Dunleavy traveled from Green
Country to Washington D.C. to
witness the inaugural parade and
events. "That includes gays and
lesbians. Obama is clearly a friend to
US, even if many of us don’t always
agree xvith him on everything. This
could be the beginning of a new era
for us."
for the inauguration ceremonies.
"WE DELIVER DIVERSITY" FEBRUARY 1, 2009
about
By Michael W. Sasser
new president
he was not happy about Warren’s
involvement but that he "didn’t go to
D.C. for the prayer."
Oklahomans for Equality
Celebrates Anniversary at the
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
Photo by Chaz
"Hopefully it’s just a bump in the
road," he added.
Warren, the controversial evangelical
pastor at Orange County, CA’s
Saddleback Church, delivered the
inaugural invocation at Tuesday’s
ceremony. Warren was an outspoken
supporter of California’s Proposition
8, the California measure that banned
same-sex marriage in the state. 365gay.
com reported that the website for
Warren’s church specifically stated
until recently that unrepentant gay
people were not welcome to attend
services. In perhaps the most virulent P~oto: Dennis R. Nei!I Equalil.y Center Downtown Tulsa
’.;Warren has compared
gay marriage to sanctioning TULSA, OK (PR) __In February 1999, the Pyramid Project
hosted their first major fundraising event by holding a Wild
H~S ~! ~ ~he Ta~ Brady Mansionl TII~ evening the
~°nnnued ~ee OBAMA Page’10 ~i~i6fi 6£~ ~fi~h0~ f~r the EG~Smmunity in
north~k~ OH~6~[~s prelented~ Th~ dream seemed very
far away.
0KC Pride Parade Stays on 39th Street
Festival Will Move, No Longer At Memorial Park
By Victor Gorin
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Amid an abundance of
controversy and hearsay, OKC Pride hosted an open meeting
January 5 at the Days Inn West, anticipating a much larger
crowd than usually attends these meetings. True enough,
around 60 GLBT & allied people attended to voice Concerns
about rumours that OKC Pride Inc, which administers the
annual June OKC Pride Parade & Festival, was not only
planning to move the festival to Remington Park, but that the
parade would be moved to Remington Park as well.
The OKC Pride Parade route had always been, since its
beginning in 1987, from Memorial Park at N.W. 36th &
Classen Boulevard concluding on N.W. 39th Street & ¥oungs
Street, taking it over the now famous hill leading to the
crowds on the Strip, an area where many of the gay
community have felt at home for decades.
OKC Pride pointed out that moving from Memorial Park was
unavoidable for many reasons, including that the Festival itself
had outgrown the park and less space was available due to the
new Boys and Girls Club building as well as other projects
under construction. Another problem was that the City of
Oklahoma City required vendors on city parks to pay a sales
permit fee of $150 per day ($100 for nonprofits) which made
the cost of doing business prohibitive for many of the vendors.
Although some members of the board were not happy with
the Remington Park location for many reasons, so far it was
the only option they had found, and Paul Thompson stated
that if anyone could present another viable option it would
definitely be considered.
Passions ran much higher concerning the Parade route, as this
route had been a long held tradition since the beginning
........... Continued See OKC PRIDE Page-6
This February 13th, 14th, and 15th we will celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the Wild Hearts Ball and the 3rd anniversary of
living in our permanent home, The Dennis R Neill Equality
Center. As a mission and vision moving toward fulfillment,
this year’s Anniversary Weekend expands with even more
events and greater visibility for EQUALITY.
Friday, February 13th at 4:00 pm kiclcs offwith a fabulous
wedding reception! We will celebrate the unions of local
couples who have traveled out of Oklahoma to get married,
registered as domestic partners, or conducted civil unions
in those places where it is recognized by the municipality,
state, or country. The media has been invited to cover this
special event of our community, honoring our community
heroes. Oldahomans for Equality will present a certificate of
recognition to our couples and a photographer will be present
to memorialize the moment. As a family, we will toast our
happy couples and cut the wedding cake.
.........Continued See OKEQ Page-9
Oklahoma Weather Forecast for February 2009
’-~,~÷~ Feb. 1-5: Sunny, turning warmer
~ Feb. 6-12: Rainy periods, chilly
@ Feb. 13-19: Snow north and central, rain
¯ ~ south, then sunny, cold
~ Feb. 20-22: Showers, chilly
Feb. 23-25: Rain, mild
Feb. 26-28: Snow north, rain south; colder
Avg. Temperature: 44° (4° brow avg.) Precipitation: 1.5~ (0.5" below avgl)
Kansas City’s
’ Chorus
Mirreni Jim Roth
says goodbye
to politics.
"God bless
you citizens of
Oklahoma for
you have blessed
me so. Thank
you for the
honor to serve
you." Thank
You Jim!
Page 4
2 February 2009
~tine’s Day started in the time of
the Roman Empire. tn ancient Rome, Februa~
T t4th was a holiday to honour Juno.
Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods
and Goddesses. ~ae Romans also knew her
as the Goddess of women and marriage.
~e following day, February
’The good Saint Valentine (photo above) was
a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II.
He and Saint Marius aided the Christian
martyrs and secretly married couples, and
for this kind deed Saint V~flentine was apprehended
and dragged before the Prefect of
Rome, who condemned him
15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.
The lives ofyoung
boys and girls were strictly
separate. However, one of
the customs of the young
people was name drawing.
On the eve of the festiva!
of Lupercalia the names of
Roman girls were written
on slips of paper and placed
into jars. Each young man
would draw a girl’s name
from the jar and would then
be parmers for the duration
of the f’estival with the gir!
whom he chose.
Sometimes the pairing of
the children lasted an entire
year, and often, they would
to be beaten to death with
clubs and to have his head cut
off. He suffered martyrdora
on the 14th day of February,
around the year 270. At
that time it was the custom
in Rome, a very ancient
custom indeed, to celebrate
in the month of February the
Lupercalia, feasts in honour
of a heathen god. On these
occasions, amidst a variety of
pagan ceremonies, the names
ofyoung women were placed
in a box, from which they
xvere drawn by the men as
chance directed.~The pastors
of the early Christian Church
in Rome endeavoured to do
away with the pagan element
in these feasts by substituting
{:all in love and would later marry. Under
the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was
involved in many bloody and unpopular
campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having
a difficult time getting soldiers to join his
military leagues. ~e believed that. the reason
was t}~at Roman men did not want to leave
A~eir loves or {hmilies. As a result, Claudius
cancelled all marriages and engagements in
MARDI GRAS
FAT TUESDAY
Celebrations include lots of ~asting, partying
and parading on the big da~; also known as
Shrove Tuesday - just before Ash Wednesday
- when the Church rules offasting and sacrifice
take erect. It’s been that way in Christian
countries around the ~vofld since the Middle
Ages. Today most ofthe world’s celebrations
occur duirng the ~veek of Fat Tuesday; which
falls on February 24th this yeal:
Fat Tuesday in New Orleans
It’s been four long years since the devastation of
the names of saints for those of maidens. As
the Lupercalia began about the middle of
February, the pastors appear to have chosen
Saint Valentine’s Day for the celebration of
this new feast.
So it seems that the custom ofyoung men
choosing maidens ~br valentines, or saints
as patrons fbr the coming year, arose in this
way.
Hurricane Katrina, and the biggest part), town
in America will pick itself up for the 2009 Fat
Tuesday- celebration with even bigger crowds
- and more parades - expected this year. The
New Orleans Mardi Gras parade schedule kicks
offonJanuary 6 and continues through to Fat
Tuesday, February 24, 2009.
Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras and Carnival
Celebrations around the world
The biggest and loudest of them, as always,
are in Rio and Ne~v Orleans...although the
Karneval, or Fasching, festivities in Cologne
and Berlin get pretty wild, Carnaval in Nice
shows off the wackier side ofthe trendy
Riviera scene, and the Italians in Venice are the
worldwide experts on the art of street theater.
For anyone who’s ever been dumped, jaded, didn’t get the box of
chocolates they wanted~ had bad sex or just wants to get lucky
because VALENTINE’S DAY SUCKS!
$8 VALUE WITH PURCHASE
OF 2 DIHH£R EHTREE$
AT REGULAR PRICE
Bring this ad with you to
receive this special offer
Not vatid with any other
coupon, discount or offers.
w,~t,,.metrostarnews.com M®t~"oSTAR 3
A P VILEGE TO
HAVE SERVED
By Jim Roth
OYd2kHOMA CITT, OK __ It is with
immense gratitude that I say thank you to my
fellow citizens for the opportunity to serve
you these past years. I am forever grateful for
the chance to toil in the field of public service
and I am forever blessed because of you.
In an inspiring speech titled "~e Man in
the Arena," President Theodore Roosevelt
said "the credit belongs to the man who is
actually in the arena, who knows the great
enthusiasms, the great devotion, and who
spends himself in a worthy cause." While I
appreciate these words, the true credit belongs
to the citizens who gave me the chance to
serve.
As your Corporation C.ommissioner and
as an Oklahoma County Commissioner, I
accomplished every task I had hoped. My
guiding principle was simple: Always put the
people first. I thrust myself into the arena and
fought the good fight defending the rights of
all people. I took an oath to honor all people
and in turn you have given me the highest
honor of my life -- the chance to give back.
As a Corporation Commissioner, i worked
to expand the horizon of Oklahoma through
native blessings like natural gas and wind,
through new energies and energy ei~iencies.
I encouraged our utility providers to think
bigger and am glad fl~ey are making progress
today. These willing partners are developing
programs that will benefit generations of
Oldahomans to come.
At Otdahoma County, we implemented
programs that eliminated public waste and
saved the taxpayers millions of dollars. Xg4e
built better roads and bridges and brought
relief to our aging senior citizens. It xvasn’t
always easy battling entrenched attitudes that
resisted change, but working with you I never
worked alone. In the end, I feel that I left
Otdahoma County much better than I found
it because you trusted me to serve you.
So as I move into the next chapter of my life
I will take with me all tl~e good friends and
memories made along the way. My time in
public service has come to an end, but my
desire to make this state the best it can be has
not. I am excited for new opportunities and
new arenas to create the change I wish to see
in the world.
I have devoted my career to public service
these past 14 years and your help along this
journey has made me a better person. I hope I
have made you better as well. As this chapter
closes, I am reminded of another passage
from President Roosevelt’s speech, where he
says: "If he fails, at least he fails while daring
greatly, so tl~at he may never be one of those
cold and timid souls, who know neither
victory nor defeat." God bless you citizens of
Oklahoma for you have blessed me so. Thank
you for the honor to serve you.
Former State Senator
Running to Chair OKC
Schoolboard.
By Victor Gorin
P/~oto: Fom~er State &nator Angela Monson
Seldom has our communit); and those
interested in true quality educaOon for the
Oklahoma City School District had such
an opportunity as xve have now to elect a
true progressive with a vision that could
effect meaningful change. First elected to the
Oklahoma State Legislature as a representative
in 1990, she moved up to the State Senate
in 1993, re-elected until she was forced out
by term limits in 2005. During that time
she never failed to take proud stands for any
progressive cause, and was proud to be a
keynote speaker at the OKC MDSWalk as
well as our Pride Festival.
Most importantly, she attended the
Oldahoma City Public School System, a 1973
graduate of Douglass High School, following
both her parents. Earning a Master’s degree
in Public Health Administration from OU,
she is currently employed at the OU Health
Sciences Center as Director of Health Policy
Development and Analysis. She currently
is raising her niece and nephew ( Donovan
18, Danielle 10), also attendees of the
OKC school system, so not only does she
understand the problems firsthand, she has
the passion to make it better. She shares ~vith
the Metro Star:
Victor: Angela, you must know what you are
taldng on. What made you decide to xvant to
run for tiffs office?
Angela: I did it for our children. That really
is what prompted me. These last 3 years
I have been working really intensely witl~
students from the OKC public schools. What
I have seen has really concerned me greatly.
We should be embarrassed at the quality of
education our children are receiving. I want
to change the priorities, to make a difference
as to the quality of education all of our
children receive.
Victor: What are the worst problems ~ve are
facing there?
Continued See MONSON Page-9
RAIN Oklahoma Begins
New HIV Testing
Outreach on OKC’s 39th
Street Strip
By Victor Gorin
Tulsa-Area LGBTS
Church Celebrates New
Pastor
TULSA, OK (PR) __ MCC United(MCCU)
is a thirty yea>old, Tulsa-area church that is
part of the worldwide Universal Fellowship of
Metropolirtan CommunitT Churches which
invite Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
& Straight people to full inclusion and total
participation in all aspects of church and
ministry life.
On Sunday, February 1st, 2009, the Reverend
Ed Paul*will preach his first sermon as
Pastor ofMCC United. Pastor Ed is well
known among the LGBTS community in
Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has preached often at
MCCU.
Photo: [@ndell Powers, counselor, I~i Dameron,
CTR Outreach Coordinator
OKLAHOMA CITy, OK __ Regional
AIDS Interfaith Network ( better known as
R.A.I.N.) has begun an HIV testing outreach
on OKC’s 39th Street Strip. Beginning on
Saturday Jannary 24, and followed on the
1st Saturday of each month, free anonymous
HIV testing will be provided fi’om 5 p.m.
until 8 p.m. at the Brief Connection, a
popular undergear/novelty shop located at
2!35 N.XgZ 39th Street.
This Will help fulfill a need for those who had
been getting testing and other assistance at
the Red Rock Clinic located on the Strip that
had closed at the end of 2008. As Kendall
Powers points out, "Many people in tl~at
area are transient, people may not know
where help is available, and may not have
transportation."
Testing is also done at the R.A.I.N. Clinic
located at 600 N.W. 23rd Street, hours
Monday thru Thursday 9:30 a.m. until 3:30
p.m., when rapid testing is offered, which can
show results in around 20 minutes. Testing
like,vise here is free and anonymons. The
clinic also is open on Friday with the same
hours, but the rapid test is not available.
Pastoral Search Team Leader Nathan Black
said, "I believe this is exactly ~vhat God
has for this church. Pastor Ed’S heart for
people and his powerfu! leadership will be
a tremendous gift to our church and our
community. I believe God is calling MCCU
to grow and expand its vision and mission,
reaching all of northeastern Oldahoma with a
message of God’s inclusive and transformative
love, and I believe Pastor Ed is the man to
lead us on that journey."
The church is inviting community members
and friends to attend worship at MCCU on
Sunday morning, February 1st at 11:00 AM
and to share a Celebration Potluck Dinner
that ,;viii follow the service. For those who
may be unable to attend worship, but want to
come to the Dinnm; it should begin around
12:30pm.
The church is located at 1623 N. Maplewood,
just offofN. Pine and Reading. You can
learn more about MCCU by visiting their
website at www.mcctulsa.org, sending an
email to iworship@mcctulsa.org or calling
9!8-838-1715.
...........More Oklalaoma News Page 6
With tlais outreach and other plans for testing
and education, R.A.I.N. wants the GLBT
community as well as
Oldahomans in general
to knmv that they are
still around working to
prevent the spread of
HIV and helping those
living witla it. Speakers
are available upon
request for groups
interested in learning
about HIV. For more
information, please
call (405) 232 2437.
email: kdanersib@
rainoklahoma,org
"uptc¥ * ~i~iI Rights -Criminal
4 ~(~t~°oSTAR February 2009
w:~.metrostarnews.com t~et~ oSTAR 5
of the parade over 20 years ago. OKC Pride’s
Male co-chair Paul Thompson dispelled
turnouts that city government was behind the
proposed change, stating that the City had
been totally cooperative for raany years.
Communication was stressed as ~vell, with
many people at the Ineeting stating tbat
they had never been asked for their input
or support, and had not been informed of
OKC Pride activities. Feraale co-chair Latricia
Ohnstead stated that" It’s great that you
guys have come out saying xvhat you want us
to do differently, but you need to come up
with some solutions and possibilities to help
us make it better."
Monty Milburn, President of the Diversity-
Business Association, suggested that the
Parade be held on Saturday, so that those
fi’om out of town could arrive on Friday
night, enjoy the festival and parade, and
return to their homes Sunday without being
rushed, and while he commended the current
board members and volumeers, he did stress
the need for" new blood" and new ideas.
Following this public discussion, the OKC
Pride Board voted unanimously to keep the
parade on the same route it has always been,
and announced that the next meeting would
be January 26, where it would be decided,
after considering all options, where and when
the festival would be and when the parade
would take place. At press time the outcome
was not available so to find out more
inforraation after that date call (405 410-
8102 to reach Paul Thompson or check OKC
Pride’s website at www.okcpride.org.
Obviously- more community involvement is
needed, along with better communication.
But as Paul 2Pnompson puts it, ’We hope that
the parade and festival wil! continue to grow,
and that those who feel there needs to be new
blood, ideas and people will come out to be
part of that and make it happen"
EQUAL RIGHTS IN
EVERY STATE TEACH
IN
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) On
February 14, 2009, on the South Steps of
the Oklahoma State Capitol at noon, there
will be a "Teach Iff’ supporting equal rights
in every state. While this is largely a gay
event, members of the faith community are
attending and wilt be speaking to the issues
of"Family Values", which has become a code
word for homophobia. We intend to expose,
through the use of faith based communities,
that "Family Values" are toxic to gay people
and to society as a whole. Our Teach In is
not a protest, it is not a rally, it is a positive
message that we as gay people already have
equality spelled out in the Constitution, and
we are going to call upon our elected officials
to enforce the la~v of the land with a positive
message post card campaign to our elected
representatives in Oldahoma and Congress.
Unless and until we ask for enforcement of
our rights in every state we will not have them
simply granted to us. Until we can TEACH
the greater community that gay people are
just regular people, doctors, laxwers, teachers,
postal workers, business owners and laborers,
the pervasive view of "Family Values" will
persist. Now is the time, change happens.
Please participate in some ~vay. You can
attend the Teach In starting at noon on the
South Capitol Plaza on February 14, or you
can request a pack of 8 post cards for a $10
donation (we’ll pay the postage) to send
to your elected representatives along with
hundreds of other people, gay and straight.
You can contact the coordinator. Peter Myers
at hpkanyersmd@yahoo.com, you may mail
your request to Peter Myers, 2512 NW41st
Street, OKC, OK 73112, or call at 405-
815-4059. We look forward to everyone
participating. Please get involved to end all
discrimination against gay people.
Eq~ality- It’s Already t’ot¢r C’onstit~¢tional R{ght.
adopdom
so
Chance also xvet- Coweta 918-486 2137
are fully tax deductible, Siloam Springs 479 524 6535
Claremore 918 341 1260
Following a screening process, the $70 adop- Sand Springs 918 246 2543
tion fee includes spa~ing/neuteringpius all Jenks 918 299 63111
vaccinations appropriate fbr the adi~aal~ age. Owasso 9t8-272-4965
Sapulpa 918 227 2722
To get involved or to adopt a cat or dog call Norman 405 321 6725
(405) 321q915 or e-mail " Collinsville 918 371 I000
secondchancenorm@aol.com
Courtesy ofwv~-w.labrescue.net
6 5Zt~,troSTAR February 2009
Wockner News Service
Gay bishop Robinson
a so selected for
inaugura
@Je RI; Rev. H Gene Robinsom the open,gay
and?artnered bishop (fd~e Episcopal Church~
~wHamuhire diocese, a~livered @e invocation
at ganzck Obama~ inaugmnd concert at the
Lincoln Memorkd on.~¢n. ~ 8. GL~Dphoto
Amid the controversy over Barack Obama’s
selection of anti-gay preacher Rick g~rren
to ddiver the invocation at his inaugural,
Obama announced Jan. 12 that the Rt.
Re~: V[ Gene Robinson, the openly gay and
partnered bishop of the Episcopal Church’s
New- Hampshire diocese, would deliver the
invocatmn at the inaugur~d concert at @e
Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 18.
Obama attended the concert.
Because Robinson is gay and partnered, his
selection as bishop in 2003 has led to an
evolving schism in the Episcopal Church
and a near-schism in the worldwide Anglican
Communion, of which the Episcopal Church
is the U.S. branch.
"President-elect Obama has made a stellar
choice in selecting Bishop Gene Robinson
to offer the prayer at the Lincoln Memorial
to kick offthe inaugural festivities," Rea
Care); executive director of the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said after
the announcement. "For the first time in
history, an out gay man will lead the nation
in opening the transfer of power from one
administration to another."
Log Cabin Republicans
are broke
~ne gay group Log Cabin Republicans is
broke and $100,000 in debt, according to the
Washington Blade.
LCR President Patrick Sammon said the
troubled U.S. economy has impacted
donations to the organization.
The ~roup currently has vwo flail,time
employees and one part-time employee, three
fewer than a year ago.
in at least 77 nations and punishable by death
in at least seven.
The statement was signed by Albania,
Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada,
Cape Verde, Central African Republic,
Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador,
Estonia, Finlaaad, France, Gabon, Georgia,
Germany, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Israel~ Ital); Japan, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro,
Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Norwa}( Paraguay, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, San Marino, S~o Tom4
and Prfncipe, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-
Leste, United Kingdom, Uruguay and
Venezuela.
Fifty-seven nations signed an alternative
statement, promoted by the Organization of
the Islamic Conference, daat said universal
human rights do not include "the attempt to
focus on the rights of certain persons" because
"the notion of orientation spans a xvide range
of personal choices that expand way beyond
the individual’s sexual interest in copulatory
behavior with normal consenting adult
human beings, thereby ushering in the social
normalization, and possibly legitimization of
many deplorable acts."
The U.S. did not sign either statement.
ACLU sues over new
Arkansas adoption ban
¯ne American Civil Liberties Union filed a
lawsuit Dec. 30 seeking to strike down a new
voter-passed laxv that bans any unmarried
person ~vho lives with a partner from serving
as an adoptive or foster parent in At’kansas.
~-he suit, filed in Pulaski County Circuit
Court, argues that the ban violates federal and
state constitutional rights to equal protection
and due process.
Twenty-nine people from a dozen families
are participating in the case as plaintiffs,
including a grandmother who lives with
her same-sex partner and is the only relative
willing to adopt her grandchild, who is
in At’kansas state care. Several married
heterosexual couples also are plaintiffs. They
previously had chosen friends or relatives who
are coupled but not married to adopt their
children in the event 0fthe parents’ deaths.
"We’ve been hearing from all corners of
the state from dozens of families who are
panicking about how Act 1 impacts them,"
said Rita Sldar, executive director of the
ACLU of Arkansas. "~ais kiw ... takes away
parents’ right to decide fbr themselves xvho
will adopt their children if they die, it denies
the many children in Arkansas state care a
chance at the largest possible pool of potential
foster and adoptive homes, and
(it) denies couples who are living together
but unmarried the chance to provide loving
homes to children who desperately need
them."
Four arrested in
California lesbian rape
case
After receiving tips from residents, police in
the San Francisco Bay Area city of Richmond
arrested two men and two teens Jan. 1 for
allegedly raping a lesbian while making antigay
slurs.
Humberto Hernandez Salvador, 31, Josue
Gonzalez, 21, and Darrell Hodges, 16, were
arraigned in Contra Costa County Superior
Court Jan. 5 and 6 on charges that included
carjacking, kidnapping, gang rape and hate
crime. The fourth suspect, a 15-year-old, will
be tried as a minor.
Bail was set at $2.2 million for Hernandez
and $1.85 million for Gonzalez. They could
face up to life in prison if found guilty.
Barney Frank details
congressional gay agenda
Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank said Jan. 12
that three long-delayed pieces of gay-related
legislation likely will pass and become law
now that Congress has a Democratic majority
and the incoming president is gay-friendly.
"We’re going to do three things in Congress,"
Frank, D-Mass., told The New Yorker. "First,
a hate-crimes bill -- that shouldn’t be too
hard. Next, employment discrimination.
We almost got that through before, but
nmv we can ~vin even ifwe add transgender
protections, which we are going to do. And
finally, after the troops get home from Iraq,
gays in the military. 7he time has come."
San Francisco Catholic
church vandalized with
swastika
The Dec. 13 attack began after the woman
got out of her car, which had a rainbow
sticker on it. One of the men hit her with an
object, ordered her to strip and raped her on
the spot, with assistance from the other men,
police said.
Nxe woman ~vas then forced into her car and
driven to a more remote location, where she
was raped inside and outside the car. After
about 45 minutes, the assailants left in the
victim’s vehicle with her wallet, leaving her
naked at the scene.
Police had offered an $11,000 reward
for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of the alleged attackers.
Gay mayor takes once in
Portland, Ore.
Sam Adams took the oath of office as mayor
of Portland, Ore., Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m.,
making the city the largest in the country
with aft openly gay mayor.
Adams, 45, captured more than 50 percent
of the vote in a May 20 primary election
that had 13 candidates, thereby avoiding a
general-election runoff.
He has promised
to make Pordand
"cleaner, greener, more
sustainable, smarter,
more equal, better
educated."
San Diego is the largest
city in ATmerica ever to
haace had an openly gay
mayor.
Toni Atkins held the jok
for five months in 2005.
She was appointed by
the Civ Cguncil after
both the mayor and the
deputy, maygr quit in
the wake of a pensionfunding
debacle.
SMq FRANCISCO, CA __ Someone
spray-painted a Roman Catholic church in
San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood with
a swastika Jan. 4 in apparent protest of San
Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer’s
support for Proposition 8, the Nov. 4 ballot
initiative ~vith which voters amended the state
constitution to re-ban same-sex marriage.
Accompanying red-and-black text sprayed on
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church said:
"Prop H8 - Niederauer Ratzinger - Where is
the love?"
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is Pope Benedict
XVI.
Most Holy Redeemer is considered to be
liberal and gay-friendly, as Catholic churches
go.
MORTUARY SERVICE,~
Traditional Funeral Services at Affordable Prices
(405) 23(}- 131~) or !-800-913-1310
Pre-Need Plan
CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
2415-C North Walnut Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
www.rnetrostarnews.com 5,~®@’oSTAR 7
OMING ELECTS
FIRST OPENLY GAY
PERSON TO THEIR
STATE LEGISLATUIBy
Victor Gorin
Photo: State Representative Cathy Connol&
When Cathy Connolly got elected to the
Wyoming Legislature as a Democratic
representative for House District 13, she
made history as the Cowboy State’s first
openly gay legislator.
All things being relative, it is one of the more
progressive districts ofWyoming, inside one
of only two counties in the state that went
blue this last election.
Born in Troy, New York, she came to
Wyoming in 1992. Holding both a PhD
in Sociology, and a law degree earned at the
State University ofNew York in Buffalo, she
is now a professor of women’s studies at the
UniversitT ofWyoming in Laramie.
Public policy has been an area of keen
interest for her. Urged by her peers to run
for this office, Ms. Connolly is active in
the communit): She is a strong advocate
for ~vorking people and one of her major
objectives as a legislator will be to try to lessen
the wage gap between men and women,
which in ~’yoming is the highest in the
nation.
Connolly also wants to work to improve
healthcare and education, and to create
a better environment for all minorities,
including Wyoming’s GLBT community.
Obama spokesman: Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tel~ is history
By \Vocl~ler Wire Sen*ice
New White House Press Secretary Robert
Gibbs says the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" ban on
open gays in the military will be repealed.
In a video posted in mid-January at change.gov,
in which Gibbs answered some ofthe 72,000
questions Americans have submitted to the
site, he said: "Thaddeus from Lansing, Mich.,
asks, ’Is the new administration going to get rid
ofthe "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy ?’"
Gibbs answered: "Thaddeus, you don’t hear a
politician give a one-word answer much, but
It S, Yes.
"We should be embarrassed at the quality of education our
children are receiving. I want to change the priorities, to make a
difference in the quality o~ education all o~ our children receive."
"The two candidates are Angela Monson and Kirk Humphreys.
We know from Angela’s track record that Angela cares about
minorities and the GLBT community, and will understand problems
like school bullying, and we know that Kirk Humphreys
clearly doesn’t get it."
Paul Thompson, C0-Chair of the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus
Angela is far and away the best candidate for this
position. It is imperative that we get out and vote for her.
Margaret Cox, Activist
To volunteer or For more information call
www.Monson4ourchildren.org
®
monsonforourchildren@yahoo.com
8 ~÷troSTAR February 2009
At 5:00 pm MY BIG EAT GAY \X;%DDING FAIR opens
with vendors and merchants throughout the center. These
local companies cater to same gender couples looking to plan
their speciai da> Several honeymoon destinations will be
participating iu a raffle fbr free prizes.
Saturday, February 14th at 7:00 pm the dancing and partying
begins with the 10th annual \Vild Hearts Ball. DJ Zeke
Richardson will be playing the tunes to light up the dance
floor. Raffles and prizes will be given away all evening. A cash
bar and party foods will satisfy your palate.
A photographer will be present for those special part), pics.
Admission is free for members of OkEq, $10 admission f~e
for non OkEq members. Your admission fee can be applied to
your first installment of a $50.00 OkEq membership. Child
care will be provided in the Wellness Room on the second
level for children under 12 years of age. ~e will have games,
crafts and special Valentine snacks for our young guests.
Sunday, February 15th we celebrate FAITH with music and
a wonderful brunch buffet. The second annual Brunch and
Blessing will be in the Events Center. We will have a 9:00
am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm seatings. Admission is $10.00 for
the buffet and $2.00 for mimosas. John Sawyer will be our
host extraordinaire and will be joined by Tulsa’s finest choirs,
choruses, orchestras, bands and local musical artists like
Rebecca Ungerman, Mindy Bardett, and Jarod Tyler.
Ten years ago our community dreamed of a permanent home
for the LGBT citizens of Oklahoma. Anniversary Weekend
,vill celebrate the progress towards full equality in the state we
call home. You can join Oklahomans for Equality and become
a full member t’or $50.00. Membership gives you discounts
on special promotions in our Pride Store, discounts on special
events, and supports the important work of the Dennis R.
Neill Equality Center. Please embrace our mission of serving
our community and progressing towards equality.
Angela: Dropout rates, which is indicative of the problems
we are having. Some schools in our district have dropout
rates over 60%. That~ terrible, they wind up in the street and
too often in our prison system. On test scores, our students
overall still are performing poorly. Too many students say ’I
hate school!’ I want our students to be excited about the value
of learning.
Across America our students are not performing well enough
in math and science, lagging behind other countries.
don’t ~vant to become dependent on other countries for our
technology, we need to educate our own to bring back our
high skill/high tech .jobs.
Victor: What abou.t teachers?
Angela: Teacher pay is an issue, Oklahoma is 48th in the
nation and I’ve heard complaints about it, but more often I’ve
heard teachers express concerns about their facilities, about
having to pay for school supplies with their own money. That
~hould never happen. Instead of raises for administrators, I’d
like to see the money better spent on the classroom.
There is a huge mistrust between the public and the
administration of the school system. People don’t feel they
have a voice, and as the board chair I can involve parents
and the public, including groups such as the Parent-Teacher
Association, faith based organizations and those groups and
individuals who want to be involved. I’m a PTA president
myself, I’ve worked after school programs, so I understand the
problems and what needs to be done.
Victor: A major issue for the GLBT community is school
bullying. Currently in the Oklahoma City Public School
Handbook, real or perceived sexual orientation is not listed
as a category among groups not to be bullied, unlike other
protected groups such as race and religion. We have tried for
years to get that changed with no success.
Remember what made a dream a reality for Dorothy? Click
your heels and say "Tulsa.......... there is no place like home."
Bathroom Bingo A Big Success
TULSA, OK (PR) __ Free Bingo has caught on at Tulsa’s End
Up Club. The Thursday 6:30pm event now in it’s 2nd month
has attracted a large following of locals out for a fun time and
the chance to ,vin great prizes. They play five games, 4 straight
bingo for beer tabs, Walmart gift cards, and gas cards. The
last game is blackout, and the winner gets a chance to choose
one of five gift boxes. One holds the grand prize. The first
grand prize was a very nice Swiss Army watch won by a Tulsa
celebrity.
The End up is Tulsa’s newest bar located at 5336 E. Admiral
P1. Phone 918-836-0915
Angela: There is never any reason to bully anyone. We knmv
that there is a problem, that people are bullied, discriminated
against & treated differently,due to their real or perceived
sexual orientation. \Vhy do we put our heads in the sand
and pretend it’s not an issue? This gives tacit approval for this
behavior, implying that it’s OK to be mean to people who are
different.
Not only should it be listed as a category, we should go further
to show people how to trust and respect people who are
different. As with human nature, sometimes there is friction.
But like when you rub two sticks together, it creates heat
and light, and used properly it can be beneficial. Addressing
prejudice and dealing with it correctly can sometimes mal<e
things better. ~is can be an opportunity to teach, empower
and make a positive difference. Not only that, but kids would
perform better academically when there are less of these kinds
of conflicts and social pressures,
Sunday Services @ 11:00 AM
CC United 918-838-1715
A Metropolitan Community Church www.rncctulsa.org
Victor: As~ything else special
you’d like to add?
A_ngela: An educated worl~orce
and general population makes
our whole society better for a
lot of reasons, and I want to
help make that happen here in
Oklahoma City.
Victor: Thank you Angela, and
I hope you get your chance to
go do that.
To reach Angela; call
405 314 961"3, Email:
Monsonforourchildren@ ~g,~rel°°,cOnl
bsite: Monson4ourchildren.
Org
www.metrostarnews.com P~®t~’oSTAR 9
vi÷w oints
road to Barack
presidency paved by
entertainment machine
By Jerry Libonati
FT LAUDEPd)ALE, FL __ ’11~e movie and television industry
may have had a hand in shaping public opinion about electing
a black president by depicting African-Americans in the role
of Americas number one
Seeing situations on screen allows viewers to get used to a new
idea. As early as 1972 a movie about the first black president
hit the silver screen. Based on a novel by Irving \Vgallace, The
Man starred James Earl Jones. Ironically, the screenplay was
written by Rod Sefling as if to suggest that such a scenario
could only be seen on ~l~ne ~i\vilight Zone.
More than two and a half decades lateI; Morgan Freeman
played the lofty role in the 1998 comet-snaashing film, Deep
h’npact. It appeared in theaters at a time, not that long ago,
when no one in the real world seriously entertained the idea
of a black president.
Dennis Haysbert took the role on the Fox television series, 24
that premiered in 2001. In ~lct, Haysbert was voted "Favorite
On-screen President" by a Blockbuster poll.
"If auything, my portrayal of David Palmer; I think, may have
helped open the eyes of the American people.., to prove the
possibility* there could be an M~rican-American president, a
female president, any type of president that puts the people
first," Haysbert told reporters in a July 2008 teleconference.
If Hollywood could change the way Americans thiuk about
having a black president, could it also influence the way
Americans took at gay and lesbian people? It already has.
~Ihe younger you are the less you will be aware that movies
and "~ shows have dramaticall) changed. %efve evoNed
over the years to include gay and lesbian characters. It wasn’t
always like that. For most of the twentieth century, there were
virtually no gay/Iesbian personalities on the big or the small
scree~.
Gay people were sometimes interviewed on edN, television
documentaries hidden behind screens like seedy criminals.
The first dine t personally saw a gay man interviewed out in
the open was on the Virginia Graham talk show in the 1960s.
~his brave soul sat right their on her studio couch in front of
a live audience. No screen, no mask, no garbled voice. It was
revolutionary.
Ellen DeGeneres’ sitcora premiered in 1994 as a lukewarm
comedy show. It had a supporting cast member who was
gay. But her character, Ellen Morgan, didfft turn up the heat
with her coming-out episode until 1997. It was a historymaking
event but not vdthout its pitfalls as some sponsors,
like Wendy’s, dropped their support. The show was cancelled
the next year. Since The Ellen Show, other entertainment
venues made their stand. Will and Grace debuted in 1998 and
became a romance-free staple. Rosie O’Donnell got off to a
closeted start with her Daytime-Emmy-winning talk show in
I996 but made her impact after coming out and later spoke
proudly as a lesbian woman on The View. The popular Queer
Eye for the Straight Guy; that brought stereotypes to a new
levet, popped up in 2003.
A smattering of gay characters now populate mainstream
sl~ows, not as devious villains, but as ordinary people.
horns are still being removed from gay and lesbian heads but,
who knows, when the process is done, maybe we’ll even see
a gay or lesbian president.
Times o£Harvey
Responsibility £or Our Ft ture
By James Nimmo
Photo: Harvey Milk
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ I’m hoping you had a safe (in
more ways than one) New Year’s celebration and are ready to
commit to a political and social New Year of acquiring the
legal recognition of our GLBT equality which is ours as a
right of citizenship.
This morning I watched the "The Times of Harvey Milk", a
documentary of Harw2y Milk composed of interviews with
people who knew and worked with him, combined with
news clips illustrating the important events in Milk’s public
life as a San Francisco City Commissioner. This is not to be
confused with the new biopic starring Sean Penn titled simpl>
"Milk".
I was reminded that the defeat of’the Briggs Amendment that
would have outlawed the employment of GLBT teachers in
California was fiollowed by the rise of Anita Bryant, who got
her inspirational juice from this setback to the fundie nuts
and homo-haters agenda. She was the rolling crest of the
wave of anti GLBT taws and reversals that followed across the
country in the late 70s and early 80s. Think Wichita, Kansas;
Dade County, Florida; and Oregon. Oklahoma had its own
version of a Briggs Amendment argued before the United
States Supreme Court in 1985. You can read the transcript
and listen to the audio here: http:/Iwwvw:oyez.org/casesl1980-
1989/1984/!984_83_20301argument/or http://tinyurl.
com/Sznzkp. ~e Supreme Court let stand a 10th Circuit
Court ruling that invalidated an Oklahoma ban on pro-gay
advocaW by teachers. ( http://v,~x,:lambdalegal.orglaboutus/
35th anniversary/) ( http:/itinyurI.com/9qqvc8 ) ( http://
en.wikipedia.org/wild/Anita_Bryant
It would seem this knee-jerk reaction to GLBT progress is
genetic to the Bible-bumping believers of America as that’s
what’s going on now with our marriage-equality movement:
for every Massachusetts there’s an Arizona and an Arkansas.
Listening to the confession clips of Dan White, the convicted
killer of Milk and Mayor George Moscone, as well as the
ravings of Sally> Kern of Otdahoma and her other Kern Krew
members in Oklahoma where I live, they have a single uniting
fear: fear of change, be it social, legal, enviromnental, or
scientific.
Michelle Goldberg, author of Kingdom Coming: The Rise
of Christian Nationalism, has written, "Modernity is the
enemy of fundamentalist religion, and gende>bending is the
hallmark of modernity." ( ,a~v.religiondispatches.org )
We’re probably too familiar with the Santayana quote, "Those
who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." So,
let’s get acquainted with a new one that’s explicitly forward
looldng, by George Bernard Shaw: "We are made wise not by
the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our
tq~tture."
Times of Hawey Mill~’ available free online at http://
tinyurl.com/7qyaco.
"No doubt ~hrren is on the ,vrong side on gay marriage and
openly hostile to the gay community, but he isn’t the new"
president," said Arkansas native Pippa Roc~’ord, 42, another
inauguration spectator. ’%)~’re going to be much better off:
then ever before with President Obama."
Obama’s positions on GLBT issues are more liberal than
either Bush’s or even former President Bill Clinton. Mthough
not a supporter of gay marriage, he opposes legislation to ban
it and h~s asserted flail support for civil unions with rights
equal to marriage. According to the ~Thite House website,
President Obama supports the repeal of the "Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell" pollW for service members and of the Defense of
Marriage Act. The White House also cites Obama’s support
for stronger hate crimes laws, for housing anti-discrimination
laws inclusive of orientation language, for adoption equality
and for a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strateD:
ABC
News online reported just prior to the inauguration that
Obama intends to nominate openly ga,v John Berry, director
of the Smithsonian~ National Zoo, as Director of the O~ce
of Personnel Management. Berry was Assistant SecretaW of
the Interior during Bill Clinton’s administration. Obama has
also nominated a lesbian, Nancy Sutley, as chairwoman of the
Council on Environmental Qsiality.
Pinning down president’s roles in GLBT issues has not been
easy in recent administrations. Although considered generally
amenable to the GLBT community, President Clinton,s record
on gay rights includes his signature on both the Defense of
Marriage Act in 1996 and the 1993 Colin Powetl- led strateD,
of"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." Bush was openly supportive of a
federal ban on gay marriage and retained "Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell" under fire; but also was the first Republican president
to appoint an openly gay man to serve in his administration,
Scott Evertz as Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy:
Bush’s nominee as ambassador to Romania, Michael E. Guest,
became the first openly gay man to be confirmed by the
Senate as a U.S. ambassador. ~e first openly gay ambassador,
James Hormel, received a recess appointment from Clinton
aAer the Senate failed to confirm the nomination.
Obama’s Gay ghts Agenda
By Greg Steele
Within ~ninutes after President Obama took the oath of office
on Jan 20, the official x~q~ite House webpage ( http:/Aw,-w.
whitehouse.govlagenda/civil_rightsl ) was updated under
the heading of"~]~e Agenda, Civil Rights" to detail Obamgs
support fbr tbe LGBT community. His stated agenda include
the following:
÷ Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against
LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest categoU of
hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of
such crimes.
Why else do they suck like leeches so tenaciously to a way
Ger~dd kibana~ ~s d*e autkor (ft~,e new novd ]’etcr ~" a.fi~mousg~3’ rock, tar of living now 5,000 thousand years old with its treatment
who go~s ~nco~a~m to.find £we. (W~Tn&wrmctvaaw’.~)m) L~bonati is an awan’£ of people as property~ a destructive dominance over the
winningjournalist in Soud* E/orie& worki*ag/ar d~e &n-&**tind environment, the elevation of a small, "pure" minoriW to rule
news~,~pe~: He kas also written~r 7~)eMiamiHe~z,~{ ~e A&ocam and over all that~ considered different, and like leeches, drain the
jlvea~ncesJ~r~qesbi,~n new~&ers around the count*7. vigor of human imagination from our society?
........Continued See GkSK AGENDA Page 15
10 Met~~oSTAR Februaw 2009
@ Fight Wbrkplace Discrimination: President Obama
supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and
Oldahomans for Equality art
gallery opens Maegan Kauffman
’Zetting Go" @ Maegan KauflCman
The exhibit will remain up through the month of February,
and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pm. ~Ilne
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St.,
in downtown Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at
okeq.org.
This monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for Equality-
(OkEq). OkEq seel~s equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
& Transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through
advocac){, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of
the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
TULSA, OK (PR) __ Nae Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist
reception from 6-gpm, Nmrsday, February 5th, 2009, for the
opening of its new exhibit, featuring the charcoal drawings of
artist Maegan Kauffman.
Maegan Kauffman is an artist from Tulsa, OK. She graduated
from Skiatook High School in May of 2005. Currently,
Maegan is attending the Fred Jones Jr. School ofArt at the
University of Oldahoma where she works as a Teacher’s
Assistant for Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies,
Professor Robert Dohrmann. She is a member of The Red
Clay Faction Ceramics Club and will graduate with her
Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in May of 2010.
"As an artist, I draw my inspiration fiom life and the human
body as it differs from individual to individual," states Ms.
Kauff)nan. "I am inspired by the human condition and
the way that we not only deal with the challenges we face
out in the world, but also with the inner battles we have
within ourselves. The way that a person feels on the inside is
expressed through that person~ demeanor, the way they hold
their body, and the way they force a smile. By capturing
people’s expressions and their body language, I capture
their inner emotional state. I consider my artwork realistic
expressionism, in which I portray my subjects in a photo
realistic manner. Although I put much emphasis on realistic
rendering, I use techniques like contrast and composition to
express sentiments of the individual portrayed."
Maegan continues, "I enjoy all of the different aspects of
figurative drawing, including the challenge of proportions
and morphing mere shapes and shadows into recognizable
form. When I approach a new piece, I don’t necessarily look
at my subject as a whole, but as a million different forms.
I concentrate on rendering each individual form accurately
and in the end the forms melt together into one cohesive
image. Charcoal is nay medium of choice for rendering these
images. I have learned to manipulate the charcoal, by shading,
blending, and crisping edges, to achieve the image desired.
The high distinction between tones of dark, medium, and
light give the subject matter a tangible quality."
Qffe-Broadway’spopular musical corn@ Alter Boyz is set to rock
the masses at Tulsa’s PAC.
TULSA, OK (PR) __ ALTAR BOYZ is the hilarious account
of a struggling Christian boy band from Greenville, Ohio.
The Boyz - intent on saving souls and raising spirits - are
on the last night of their "Raise the Praise" U.S. tour and
determined to make the big time. There’s Matthew, the
hunky leadm; who holds the group together; Mark, the sweet
and sensitive one, who choreographs all the band’s signature
moves; Luke, the bad boy with an interest in communion
wine and driver of the Altar Boyz van; Juan, the Latin lover
who’s popular with the ladies; and Abraham, a nice Je,vish boy
who’s not sure how he ended up in the group.
Spectacular music...sinfully sensational dancing...faith that’s
stronger than their hair gel .... The ALTAR BOYZ get ready
to rock the masses of all denominations by spreading the
good news and soothing the troubled souls ofTulsa through
the glory of sweet pop music. Produced by Grace Man
Productions, ALTAR BOYZ makes its Tulsa debut March 6-
15, 2009 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
Tickets for ALTAR BOYZ, priced $25 to $35 with special
2-top cabaret table seating at $90 are on sale nox~; at the Tulsa
Performing Arts Center Box Office, by phone call (918) 596-
7111 or purchase on-line at www.myticketoffice.com.
Kansas City’s Gay Chorus Makes
Oklahoma Debut
ICANSAS CITY, MO (PR) __ Heartland Men’s Chorus,
Kansas Ci@ gay men’s chorus, will present a flee concert
performance of And Justice for All at the Village Christian
Church (9401 Ridgeview Drive) at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
March 3, 2009. Singing out in Kansas City for more than 23
years, the concert will mark the Oklahoma City debut of this
renowned group of singers. A fi’ee-will offering will benefit the
BritVil Food Pantry.
Among the largest gay meffs choruses in the nation,
Heartland Men’s Chorus has won acclaim for its daring
programming and unique choral sound. More than 100
singers are expected to travel to Oldahoma City for this special
benefit performance ofAnd Justice for Al!.
"llae concert combines lnusic, narration and multi-media in
a unique "musicaI documentary" format, that has become a
halhnark of HMC. The performance will trace the struggles
of Afiican Americans, women, gays and lesbians in their quest
for civil rights. Audience members can expect to hear inusic
spawned fiom the various civil rights movements ("We Shall
Overcome"), music inspired by iconic historical events ("Elegy
for Matthew") and songs that resonate on the theme of social
justice ("You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught").
This concert marks the first regional tour for HMC. In
addition to the performance at Village Christian Church,
the men will perform at the American Choral Directors
Association annual conference (to be held in Oklahoma City)
and present a special weekday matinee for middle and highschool
students in Kansas City.
"Reaching out to diverse audiences is an integral part of our
mission," says artistic director Dr. Joe Nadeau. "This particular
concert, combining our music with an important social
justice message, was the perfect vehicle to bring ’the HMC
experience’ to those who may not have had a chance to hear
us perform before."
www.metrostarnews.com ~!~ ~"<~STAR 11
OKC Community Center
Planning Committee Meets
By Jeanne Flanigan
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ The steering committee for the
OKC LGBT Community Center met January 21 at Church
of the Open Arms, 3131 N. Pennsylvania. The meeting was
attended by 10 people, some representing organizations and
some attending as individuals. The goal is to have a building
to house a communitT center.
Several have volunteered to take responsibilities for aspects
of planning for the center, and some want to be identified
by first name only, for privacy concerns. Facilitator/Chair of
the steering committee is Henry, Building committee chair
is Ginger, Finance committee chair is Margaret, Program
committee is Larry Schockley, PR/Outreach committee is
Eric, and Governance committee is Saul Olivarez.
"I]~e cormnittee will begin the process of forming a non-profit
501 C3 organization by reviewing the mission statements of
other organizations, selecting a temporary name for the center,
forming a board, and writing bylaws. The committee invites
anyone interested to make suggestions for a name, attend
raeetings, and help advance the process.
~ne PR/Outreach committee will establish a website
eventually, but for no,v people can communicate to the
committee at okcglbtcenter@ gmail.com. The next meeting
will be on February 19, at 6 pro, at Church of the Open
Arms.
K~ns~s City’s w~rld renowned g~I/men s chorus comes ~ Okl~h~rn~ City
~nd mm,ing ~ne-night-~nly performance.
Mickey Coalwell, The Kansas City Star
12 %~A oSTAR February 2009
Health Departments
React with A arm to
New CDC Surveillance
Data
STD Rates Higher Than Ever While Funding
For Prevention Declines
(PRWEB) January 15, 2009 -- Today, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
released national sexually transmitted disease
(STD) surveillance data for 2007. The report
shows persistent and staggeringly high rates of
STDs as welt as a disproportionate burden of
infections on youth, minorities, and women.
Upon the release of this information, the
National Coalition ofSTD Directors called
for a renewed commitment ftom Congress
and President Obama to fight the STD
epidemic in the U.S.
In 2007, more than
1.1 million Chlamydia
cases were reported,
which is the largest
number of cases ever
reported to CDC for
any condition. Rates of
primary and secondary
(P & S) syphilis
increased by 15% from
2006, and 65% of all
P & S syphilis cases
were among men who
since Fiscal Year 2003. This has significandy
hampered the ability ofSTD programs in
state and local health departments to deliver
critical prevention and treatment services,
as well as conduct surveillance. "State and
local health departments are responsible
for controlling this epidemic and often
are the medical providers of last resort for
persons with STDs. There needs to be a
systematic reinvestment in the public health
infrastructure to provide the necessaiT clinical
services to diagnose and treat STDs and
contact exposed partners to insure that they
are treated and further spread is prevented,"
stated Dr. Peter Kerndt, NCSD Board Chair
and STD Program Director from Los Angeles
County.
"In addition to the need for a greater
investment of resources for CDC’s Division
of STD Prevention, NCSD strongly urges
Congress and President Obama to support
:evidence-based
"This report should serve as a
wake up call to policymakers
and the public that STDs remain
a significant public health threat
in the U.S., and a scaled up
investment of funds are desperately
needed for prevention and
treatment."
prevention programs
to prevent STDs,
particularly for young
people," stated Don
Clark. More than
$1.6 billion in federal
funds have been
spent on abstinenceonly-
until-marriage
programs, which
have been unable
effectiveness at
have sex with men (MSM). In addition, the delaying sexual activity, or reducing rates of
report shows persistent and growing racial STDs, including HIV/AIDS, or unintended
d!sparities in Chlamydia, Syphilis, and pregnancy. Clark continued, "It is time to end
Gonorrhea infections. In 2007, Blacks were these ineffective and harmful programs, and
19 times more likely to become infected with invest ifi sciefice based ~ipproaches to STD
Gonorrhea than whites, prevention, including comprehensive sex
education."
CDC estimates that approximately I~ million
STD infections occur each year, and nearly
half are among those aged 15:24. African
American women between 15 and 19 are
particularly hard hit, accounting for the
highest rates of Chlan~ydia and Gonorrhea
of any group. The consequences of untreated
STDs include infertility, pregnancy
complications, cervical cancer, pelvic
inflammatory disease, birth defects and an
increased risk of HIV transmission.
While rates of STDs have continued to
increase, federal funding for CDC’s Division
of STD Prevention has steadily declined
The National Coalition of STD Directors
is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of
public health sexually transmitted disease
(STD) program directors in the 65 CDC
directly funded project areas, which includes
all 50 states, 7 cities, and 8 U.S. territories.
As the only national organization with a
constituency that provides frontline STD
services, NCSD is the leading national
voice for strengthening STD prevention,
research and treatment. These efforts include
advocating for effective policies, strategies,
and sufficient resources, as xvell as increasing
awareness of the medical and social impact of
STDs.
’~ place wherey’~t c~ be who God c-mated
you to be ips becomefamit~v"
5:30 p,m.
761-[878
www.metrostarnews.com ~&~t~°oSTAR 13
Wockner News Service
een to Might British
AIDS activist
Queen Elizabeth II ~mnounced on New i%r’s
Eve */ant she will ~ni£ht leadin£AIDS activist
Ni~ Partdd£e, chi~executiw" ofthe AIDS
o,gmdzation ~n’ence Hi,,ins ~’ust. THT
Queen Elizabefl~ II announced on New Year’s
Eve that she will knight leading MDS activist
Nick Partridge, chief executive of the MDS
organization Terrence Higgins Trust.
Partridge told the BBC he was "absolutely
delighted" by the honor.
He will be "invested" later this year when
Elizabeth lays a sword on his shoulders.
Aussie gay partners
gain access to military
pensions
Australian gays and lesbians will have access
to their deceased partners’ military pensions
starting in July.
The move follows a 2003 ruling by the ofiqce
of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights, which found Australia’s
refusal to grant the pensions in violation of
the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights.
Sweden will not
recognize Canadian
Two S~vedish Lutheran ministers, Lars
Gfirdfeldt and Lars Arnell, have lost their fin!l
appeal in a case seeking recognition of their
Canadian same-sex marriage.
The Supreine Administrative Court agreed
with lower courts Dec. 16 that foreign samesex
marriages can be recognized in Sweden
only as registered partnerships.
~e case targeted Sweden’s taxation authority
for allegedly mislabeling the couple’s union.
"Ihe ruling, however, may have a limited
lifespan. Sweden’s government favors granting
same-sex couples full access to marriage, and
a new law is expected to be in place by the
middle of 2009.
Senegal }ails nine men
for having gay sex
Nine gay men in Dakar, Senegal, were
jailed for eight years Jan. 6 for the crimes of
having gay sex and belonging to a "criminal
association," an HIV-services group.
On Dec. 19, police raided the apartment of
gay leader Diadji Diouf, arrested him and
the other men, and confiscated Condoms arid
lubricants.....
The men were taken to a police station and
held until Dec. 24, then transferred to a
detention center, where they were held until
trial. Human Rights \Vc’atch said the men were
beaten while in custody.
According to the International Gay and
Lesbian Human Rights Commission, the
men’s lawyers had only limited access to case
files and little time to prepare for the hearing.
At the trial, prosecutors reportedly used the
confiscated condoms and lube as evidence
tha~ the men had engaged in gay sex.
The men received the maximum five-year
sentence for engaging in what the Penal Code
calls "an improper or unnatural act with a
person of the same sex" and three additional
years for being members of the HIV-services
organization AIDES Sdndgal, the "cril~ninal
associatiom"
HRgZ said the sentences have "produced
widespread panic among organizations
addressing HIV and MDS, particularly those
working with men who have sex with men."
Tl~e arrests occurred several days after Senegal
hosted the 15th International Conference
on AIDS and STIs (sexually transmitted
infections) in Africa. Presentations at the
conference highlighted the contradictions
in countries such as Senegal that aim HIVprevention
efforts at men who have sex with
men but continue to criminalize same-sex
relations.
Last February, 10 men and a woman were
arrested in Dakar, the capital city, after a
popular magazine published photographs of
a purported marriage ceremony between two
Senegalese men.
Although the individuals were later released,
"the publicity and arrests created tremendous
public animosity toward LGBT people in
Senegal," IGLHRC said.
"MaW gay men and lesbians were attacked
by mobs or driven fi’om their homes," the
organization said.
Ugandan gay activists
win awsuit
In a landmark victory, the High Court of
Uganda ruled Dec. 22 that constitutional
rights apply to GLBT people.......... ....
Activists Victor Mukasa and Yvonne Oyoo
had sued the attorney general following
a 2005 raid at Mukasa’s home in which
documents were seized and Oyoo was
arrested, assaulted and sexually
harassed. Mukasa was not present
at the time of the raid.
Justice Stella Arach Amoko found
that the raid violated the activists’
rights to, among other things,
liberty; privacy, dignity, and
protection from unlawful entry,
unlawful search, unauthorized
seizure and inhuman treatment.
"The actions of the officials that
molested Victor Mukasa and
Oyoo were unconstitutional,
inhuman, and should be
condemned," Arach Amoko said.
AIDS societies call for
release ofimprisoned
Senegalese gays
"ihe International AIDS Society and the
Society for AIDS in Afi’ica have demanded
that Senegal release nine men who were sent
to prison for eight years on Jan. 6 for the
crimes of engaging in gay sex and belonging
to a "criminal association," the HIV-services
group AIDES Sdndgal.
"The arrest of these men based purely on their
sexual orientation represents a major setback
for the Senegalese response to HIV, which
is widely viewed as a model in Africa," SAA
President Joanna Mangueira said Jan. 12.
The nine men were sentenced in Dakar, the
capital, after being arrested and jailed Dec.
19 following a raid on the apartment of gay
leader Diadji Diouf.
At the trial, prosecutors used condoms and
lube confiscated during the raid to prove that
the men had engaged in gay sex.
The men received the maximum five-year
sentence for doing what the Penal Code calls
"an improper or unnatural act with a person
of the same sex" and three additional years
for being members of the "criminal" HIV
organization.
...............More XXrorld News Page 18
~Ihe case was brought by Edward Young of
Sydney, whose partner of 38 years died 10
years ago.
"What I wanted was to take on the little
man, (former Prime Minister John) Howard,
and fight," Young told Nae Sydney Morning
Herald. "What I wanted was something that
would apply right across the board."
After the 2003 ruling, the former Howard
government procrastinated in reviewing its
policy, Howard was replaced by Kevin Rudd
in December.
"IGLHRC is deeply concerned by what
appears to be a violation of the right to a flee
and fair trial, the right to privacy and the
right to freedom from discrimination," the
group said.
"These charges will have a chilling effect on
AIDS programs," added Scott Long, director
of Human Rights \Vatch’s LGBT Rights
Division. "Outreach workers and people
seeking HIV prevention or treatment should
not have to worry about police persecution.
Senegal should drop these charges and repeal
its sodomy law (which) invades privacy,
criminalizes health work, justifies brutality
and feeds fear."
"It was my dream that justice
would come and it has come,"
Mukasa said after the ruling.
"And it is my bigger dream
that justice will come to every
human being in Uganda who is
oppressed. This does not mark
the end. ~Ihe struggle continues
until every human being is free."
14 ~i?et ’oSTAR February 2009
@ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa
@Club 209, Tulsa
@ The Copa, Oklahoma City
@ Finishline, Oklahoma City-
@Club Majestic, Tulsa
@ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa
@ The End Up, Tulsa @Angles, Oklahoma City
believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws
should be expanded to include sexual orientation and
gender identitT.
@ Support Ftfll Civil Unions and Federa! Rights
fbr LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full
civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and
privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also
believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+
federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the
basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in
civil unions and other legally-recognized unions.
@ Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage:
President Obama voted against the Federal Marriage
Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage
as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial
extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other
umnarried couples.
@ Repeal Don’t Ask-Dofft Tell: President Obama
agrees w’ith former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need
to repeal the "don’t ask, don’t tell" polic?:
@ Expaald Adoption Rights: President Obama believes
that we must enstire adoption rights for all couples and
individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He
thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving
home, whether the parents are gay or not.
@ Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his
presidency.
@ Empower’Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the
United States, the percentage ofwomen diagnosed with
AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today,
women account for more than one quarter of all new
HtV/AIDS diagnoses, President Obama introduced the
Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the
development Of products that empower women in the
battle against AIDS.
National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force responds to President
Obama inauguration speec
xWASHINGTON, DC (PR) __ ~Ihe National Gay and
l~sbian Task Force responded today to President Barack
Obama’s inauguration speech.
"America made history today ~vith the swearing-in of
Barack Obama as its 44th president. It is our hope this
truly marl~ the dawn of a new political era ofengagement
in the life of this country. In his gpeech, the president
spoke of our nation’s need to reat~rm its enduring spirit
and ’carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea ...
[the] promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve
a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.’
"Our country has made significant strides in advancing
this ’noble ideg toward ful!-fledged realitT, but we’re
not there yet. Too many people continue to face
discrimination and hardship. As President Obama
assumes the role ofAmeric~s ~’oremost leader, we call
upon him to fulfill the promise of a nation where lesbian,
ga~, bisexual and transgender people are recognized
and valued as part of this country’s strength, spirit
and solution. ~e fact tl~at the ot~cial White House
Web site was updated just this afternoon with a list
of commitments to LGBT rights is already enormous
positive change."
www.metrostarnews.com ~®troSTAR 15
Loo ng for some new exciting wines ?
You may wanna check these’ out.
"We Just got back fi’om a California road trip. Vie were lieading
south on ~iuT 101/a road trip fi’om Napa to Paso R0bles2
My partner & I did one of our famous annual
~vhifl wind holiday road tours through
northern California There are a lot ofwineries
between Napa & Paso Robles. Grape growing
regions are expanding every year and we
never have time to see as much as ~ve want to.
California has so many wineries to experience
and they’re all zip and dmvn the coast. We
visited quite a few tasting rooms in 3 days and
tried out some really good ~vines. If the wines
are listed here, it’s because we fonnd them and
the service to be quite exceptional. Not all we
sampled will be listed here and although many
are not available here in Oklahoma, you may be
surprised to find out which ones are.
Here are some highlights from our trip:
Napa
Silver Oak/Alexander Valley Cabernet "04
Miner Oracle Red ’05 and the ~qld Yeast
Chardonnay ’07
Saddleback Scouts Honor named after wine
maker Niels Venge’s late dog. This wine is
naostly Zin with Petite Sirah and Charbono.
Cult Wine Central is a good place to go and
check out some ofNapa’s more serious wines all
under one rooflike Ghost Block Cabernet and
many, many more.
Monterey
Ventana Chardonnay Arroyo Seco ’06
Paso Robles
Rotta Cabernet ’05 & the Heritage Zin ’06,
Opolo Summit Creek Zin ’06
Cambria Viognier 07. Bench Break Pinot
Noir ’06, Julia’s Pinot Noir ’06 anSthc Tepu--
quet Vineyard Syrah ’05
Dierberg Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir &
Chardonnay both are ’06 and estate grmvn.
Fess ~Parker Santa Barbara County Viognier
’07 & Melange Blanc ’06 (Marsanne, Ro)~fi
& Granache Blanc).
Zaca Mesa Estate Rousanne ’06
Firestone Cabernet Franc Rose ’07
These wines are
than describe the
invite you to go
questions and purchase a bottle
some food & wine with
out for yourself.
Photo: M~ D in California wine country
This writer is one ofthe managers at the Grand Vin
~vine shop. He also bar tends and hosts ,vine & food
events known in town as the
Wine Enthusiasts ofTulsa.
~References include:
ww. ~neSpectator.com
w.lffqneCount~7-his~ek.com
~w.CultI~neCentral.com
This months recipe courtesy of: 1 cup Green onion
2 ts Oregano
2 drops Red hot sauce (optional)
Cajun spices (blackened or Cajun king
herbed spice excellent) to taste
Salt to taste
2 cups Raw white rice
~AlligatorJambalaya
Ingredients:
lb Marinated alligator fillet cut into small
pieces
1 lb Hot sausage (Italian) cur into chunks
3 tbs Oil
213 cup Bell peppers chopped
2 cloves Garlic crushed
3/4 cup Parsley
1 cup Chopped fi-esh parsley
1 cup Ch@i3ed celery
2 can Tomatoes ~16 oz each)
2 cups Chicken stock (2 pkg chicken cube
mix + water also works)
To prepare:
In deep frying pan (cast iron preferably) sautd
the bell pepper, garlic, parsley and celery.
While this is c~oking, adT:l tomatoes & their
liquid, the chicken stock &, green onion to
a pot that can cook on the stove and in the
oven (Corningware) Stir in spices, sautded
vegetables raw rice, sausage and alligator fillet
pieces. Cook on medium-high heat until
liquid is absorbed (stir occasionally to make
sure rice doesn’t burn on bottom) and then
bake covered in the oven for 25 minutes.
NOTE: Alligator meat may not be available
in your area, try chicken breast fillet as a
substitute:
16 ~’>~ roSTAR February 2009
At ~e BOK Center Tulsa
L~"W ~e Cable Guy
Feb 13, 2009 at BOK Center
’Eat, Drink, and Be Larry"
Tickets On Sate Nov 21 @ 10am
Prices: $I0, $25.75, $43.75
The man who added the catchphrase "Git-R-Done" to the
Banerican lexicon is coming to Tulsa! Dan Whitney, known
better as Larry The Cable Gu> has proven to be one of the
most successful comics. Larry has received a Billboard Top
Comedy Tour Award.
For a limited time, we are offering an ’Economic Recovery
Package’ where select tickets are buy one get one free. N~is
off)r on select seats is valid Friday, November 2tst at 10am
until Monday, November 24tb at 6pm gq-tlLE SUPPLIES
~ST!
Smucker~ Stars on Ice
Feb 15, 2009 at BOK Center
"On The Edge" "Tour
Sunday, Feb 15th @ 3pm
Tickets: $25, $40, $70, $115
Group Discounts: Receive $5 off groups of 10+, Additional
incentives for groups of 25+!!! Please call 918-894-4252
to purchase yonr group tickets today and find out more
information!
In the year leading up to the 2010 Winter Games, skating
fans will not find a better preview of America’s favorite
Olympic sport. This year Tulsa skating fans are in for a real
treat; Smucker’s Stars on Ice is proud to welcome Evan
~vsacek, Two-time U.S. Champion as a very specia! guest for
this performance.
Trace Adkdns
NEW DATE: FEBRUARY 19, 2009
with special guest: Craig Morgan. Ticket Prices: $52 and $42
Due to illness, the Trace Adkins concert for Frida?,; December
5th was postponed until Timrsday, February 19, 2009.
A series of dates on the tour have been rescheduled after
management reported that he had the intestinal flu and
needed rime off to recover. M1 tickets previously purchased
will be honored. Refunds will be available at point of
The V¢-or|d-Famous Lipizzaner Stallions
Mar 1, 2009 at BOK Center
Tt~e World-Famous Lipizzaner Stallions
Sunday; March 1, 2009 Showtimes: 2pm & 6pm
Ticket Prices: $34.50, $29.50, & $24.50
Group Discount:
15 or more people get $5 discount on $24.50 tickets and
$29.50 tickets. Call 918-894-4252 for more information
Photo: Helen Mirren
Mirren, Gershon, Jordan
Saddle Up for Love Rmach
Do you want to see Helen Mirren
as the madam of Nevada’s first legal
brothel? Ofcourse you do, and
now you can. She and Joe Pesci will
play reaMife married entrepreneurs
Grace and Charlie Botempo in Love
Ranch, directed by Taylor Ha&ford
(who~ also Mirren’s husband). The
cast of gay-adjacent favorites also
includes Gina Gershon and Bai Ling
- playing, one would assume, "rancla
hands" - as well as the hilarious Leslie
Jordan (Sordid Lives, Wil! & Grace).
Between Mirren and Gershon alone,
there~ enough caree>spanning
cinematic Sapphic scenarios to Photo: LeslieJordan
melt your Caligula and Bound DVDs into liquid plastic, and that’s not even
counting the cast members who are actually homosexual. Add Ling and Jordan
- one brazen bisexual and one screaming queen, respectively - and it sounds
like Love Ranch will offer lots of queer pleasure when it hits theaters later this
year.
Tomlin Swaddles Sweet Baby Jesus
pro Steve Bendelack (M~: Bean’s Holiday), the film offers
an interestingly, eclectic cast, including lesbian goddess Lily
Tomlin, Christopher Guest regular Michael McKean, Freddy
Got Fingered creator Torn Green, the eve>unpredictable
Melanie Griflith, and bear pin-up Hagrid himself, Robbie
Coltrane. With any luck, Sweet Baby Jesus will be a blessed
theatrical event this December.
Romeo loves a good Christmas movie - and if it’s got a whiff
of sacrilege, so much the better. Sweet Baby Jesus certainly
sounds promising; its about pregnant teenager Mary (Alison
Pill of Milk), who returns to her hometown of Bethlehem,
Md., at Christmastime. Mary’s got an older boyfriend named
Joe - but he’s not the baby’s father, leading rumors to s~virl
among the locals that Mary is about to give birth to Jesus in
his second coming. Directed by British comedy
Can Shankanan Make Bil:die Fly? Kathy Griffin Mouths Off for 50 Years
What do you get when you cross Finding Nemo ~vith An
Inconvenient Truth? Presumably Around the World in 50
Years 3D, an upcoming animated feature about a sea turtle
who hatches in !959 and spends the next five decades
traveling all over the Earth and observing what global
warming and climate change are doing to the planet. You can’t
make a cartoon without an all-star voice cast these days, and
Around the World_features gay icon ICathy Gril~n. (Can you
really stil! be on the "D List" after you’ve won two Emmys
and been nominated for a Grammy? Discuss.) Also piping
up for the film are Tim Curry, Jenny McCarthy, Anthony
Anderson, and the exceedingly ecology-minded Ed Begley Jr.
This 3D animated feature is set to turn your kids’ consciences
green later this year or in early 2010.
For years, Columbia Pictures has tried to launch a remake of
its 1960s hit musical Bye Bye Birdie, about teenage hysteria
over an Elvis-like rock icon going into the army: Tina Fey
took a crack at a new script, and John Chu (Step Up 2 the
Streets) was hired fresh out of film school to make a youthoriented
hip-hop version of the property. After those efforts
failed to soar, the studio is now turning to one of the few
people responsible for making screen musicals viable again
- gay Hairspray director Adam Shankrnan. He’ll develop
and produce a new version of Birdie, but he probably won’t
direct; he’s already got _Bob: The Musical_ and a new Sinbad
adventure on his plate. Will Shankman be the wind beneath
Birdies wings? Watch this space for flight information.
Romeo San Vicente has triedforyears to recycle ex-boyj%iends. It doesn’t really work. He can be reached care ofthispublication or at
DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.
www.metrostarnews.com NetroSTAR 17
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
ATLANTA, GA
"He& Bed and BreakfastAdanm, GA
We finally have got to visit the beautiful
city of Atlanta. We usually just drive thru
Atlanta on our way down m Ft. Lauderdale.
However this year we decided to stop and
"smell the Atlanta roses" for a few days and
are we glad that we did! X)ge first checked
into the Hello Bed and Breakfast. Mike, the
owner is extremely friendly and hospitable.
He lmows the city well and can direct you to
anyplace you want to go. Atlanta of course
is a very huge city and there are enough
"Peachtree" streets, avenues, circles, etc. to
get even the best driver lost. His B and B is
tucked away in a nice, quiet neighborhood
in the heart ofAtlanta and is located in the
lush Morningside neighborhood just north
of Midtown and very close to Bucld~ead,
Virginia Highlands, EmorT¢; downtown,
Lennox Mall and Chinatown. You can walk
to many restaurants & nearby shops. They are
just a mile from the Lindbergh Marta Station.
~e railway goes directly to the Airport,
Downtown, and Chinatown. Visit the CNN
Center, Underground Atlanta, Coca-Cola
Museum, MLK & President Carter Centers,
Centennial Olympic & Piedmont Park.
Enjoy their courtyard & small stream through
the property plus a wonderful hot tub. They
are a pet & smoke free home. They have
free Wifi access. You can check out their
website at ~.~v.hellobnb.com. Call him at:
404.892.8111. Email at hellobnb@aol.com
and it is located at 1865 Windermere Drive.
Atlanta is full of gay bars an.d we do mean
FULL of gay bars! ~ere is indeed something
here for everybody! Lots of disco/dancing
bars, leather, cowboy, piano, stripper as well
as wonderful neighborhood bars to enjo): The
bars are packed neatly all the time in Atlanta.
~is is a Major pa~ty town! And everyone
loves to party! The very first bar you need to
visit is BURKHART’S PUB which is located
at 1492 -F in a strip mall and is the friendliest
bar in the entire South! The owners, Mary
and Palmer have set the standard attitude
level for everyone and the rest of the bar
patrons follows. In all of our travels from
coast to coast we have never been
to a friendlier bar. It is a rather
large club with an outdoor patio,
several different bars and offers food
services everyday including salads,
appetizers, sandwiches, entrees and
desserts. The), have a live DJ every
night as well. They have two stories
and you can look down onto the
large crowd belmv. Very simply
put, if you can’t have fun at this
bar, you won’t be able to have fun
anyplace! Check out their ~vebsite:
http://www.burkharts.com/ It
is NOT one of Atlanta’s favorite
bars, it IS Atlanta’s favorite bar!
Tt~e number one person to meet
in Atlanta is a gendeman by the
name of Marko. He can found at Burkhart’s
on most days. He was from New York and
moved to Atlanta a fev¢ years ago and knows
more about hospitality than anyone we
have met. He introduced us to dozens of
people. ~lhe only major drawback to partying
in Atlanta is that it is NOT smoke-free!
Hopefully sometime soon, they will catch up
with the rest of the cities in the country and
have no smoldng!
We dined at Einstein’s Restaurant which is
near midtown at 1077 Juniper Street (12th
& Juniper Streets), website: einsteinsadanta.
com. They have a great atmosphere,
tremendous service and ~bod to die
for! Everything we had was prepared to
perfection. ThiS is THE place to "see and be
seeff’ in gay Atlanta! They serve lunch and
dinner and are open until 11 PM during
the week and Midnight on weekends. On
Saturday and Sundays they open at 10:00
AM offering their famous brunches. Be sure
and stop by for a meal there.
Among the dozens of dozens of attractions
to see in Atlanta are the APEX Museum,
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta Cyclorama
& Civil War Museum, CNN Center, Carter
Presidential Library and Museum, Georgia
Aquarium, Margaret Mitchell House, World
of Coca- Cola, and the WoodruffArt Center
to name a few.
Since Proposition 8, just ALWAYS remember
to check out businesses before you give them
any of your gay dollars. ~ere are numerous
lists on the internet saying which major
companies financially supported Proposition
8. Never, ever give them a dime of your
money. There are a lot of major companies
who have worked extremely hard with the gay
5ommunity and they are the ones we need to
give our business to.
Before going to aW major city, always check
out: funmaps.com which is the leading gay
site for traveling in the entire country. The
local gay publication is v,~*av.southernvoice.
com and from their xvebsite you can find
listings for gay churches, organizations, gay
community center and most anything else
you need to know about "Ga,v Atlanta: http:/!
www.atlantaga.gov/Visitors/Attractions.
aspxt anything you need to know about
"Gay Atlanta. Also check out: wwvc.atlanta.
net and http:llwww.atlantaga.govlVisitorsl
Attractions.aspx.
Photo: Ray ~lliams, Marko &Donald Pile
Ofcourse we just clm’t stress enough to
remember to have fun when traveling, meet
new people and talk to everyone! In Atlanta,
we want to give a big thanlcs to Marko and
Jasen who are two wonderfu! guys! Thanks
to the owners of Burk~art’s Pub for having
such a wonderful bar! Bar owners around the
country should fly down to Atlanta and see
for themselves what a great bar.
internationa
Euro Parliament pushes
for gay equality
The European Parliament is pushing the 27
member states of the European Union to do
better in treating gay people equally.
The parliament adopted a report Jan. 14 that
urged member nations to recognize each
other’s same-sex partnerships and marriages,
and condemned homophobic hate speech by
political and religious leaders.
The report also calls on the European
Commission to propose legislation to
criminalize anti-gay hate crimes, guarantee
the right of free movement ~vithin the EU for
same-sex couples, and assure that gay people
seeking asylum from anti-gay nations receive
it.
The parliament further requested that a study
be done to gauge the level of harassment and
violence experienced by transsexuals in the 27
nations.
~lhe European Union is composed of Austria,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovalda, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the
United Kingdom.
At least 14 of the nations allow same-sex
marriage or have civil-union or registeredpartnership
laws that grant some, most or all
of the rights and obligations of marriage to
same-sex couples.
In related nevcs, Thomas Hammarberg, the
human rights commissioner for the 47-nation
Council of Europe, recently denounced
the mistreatment of transgender people in
member nations.
"Some people seem to have a problem with
the mere existence of human beings whose
outer expression of their inner gender identity
is not the same as their gender determined at
birth," Hammarberg said. "Aggression against
transgender persons cannot however be
excused as resulting from ignorance or lack of
education. These attitudes cause serious harm
to innocent and vulnerable people and must
therefore be countered.... There is no excuse
for not immediately granting this community
their full and unconditional human rights."
The Council of Europe is composed of
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria,
Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Lt~xembourg, Malta, Moldova,
Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands,
Norway; Poland, Portugal, Romania,
the Russian Federation, San Marino,
Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, "The former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia," Turkey, Ukraine and the
United Kingdom.
18 February 2009
resort hotels,
; Arts and
www.metrostarnews.com {~{®t~’oSTAR 19
OKC Civic Center
d & by Greg Fox
sic Hall Febmmry Events
Feb Ray’s 83rd Birthday Show
Feb. 3 - Feb. 5 Tyler I errys The Marrmge
Counselor
Feb. 6 .- Mar. 1 LOOK BACK IN ANGER
Feb. 7
Feb. 8
Feb. 13
Feb. I3
Feb. t3
Feb. 18
Feb. 20
P~INVENTtNG THE PAST:
PAPJF II presented by the
Okiahoma Cio~ Philharmonic
Brian Rcgan
- Mar. 1 H~{Y FE~,nER by Noel
Coward
- Mar. 7 ~MOST, MAINE a
romantic comedy by John Cariani
- Feb. 14 P~S ROUGE - OKC
Ballet Company
Menopause the Musical
- Feb. 21 POP GOES ~GAS!
presented by the ONahoma Ci~,
Philharmonic
Rose State College
Performing Arts Center
Feb 18, 2009 Menopause the Musical
Mar 26, 2009 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
February At ~e P.A.C.
Feb 4 David Finckel and Wu Han @ John
H. Williams Theatre
Feb 6-31 FP,]~E Highway 412 PAC
Gallery
Feb 17 ,~ infinite Ache @ Liddy Doenges
~eatre
Feb 20-25 Oprah ~gZinfrey Presents: 7he
Color Purple @ Chapman Music Hall
Feb 23 The Tannahill Weavers @ John H.
~’Xqlliams Theatre
Feb 24 P~atph’s World @ John H. Williams
~aeatre
Feb 27 Ethel Cabaret @ Lid@ Doenges
~aeatre
Feb 28 Ethel Concert @ John H. Williams
"Theatre
Metro Star Classfieds
2" square for as litde as
$39 per issue.
Emaih starnews@sbcglobaLnet
SAVE & FILL YOUR PIGGY
20 ~%troSTAR
E-Mail- KylesBnR@aol.com
ema I b tterg rl@q>]ndicate corn www,joanhiity,net _.~-~,0~
February 2009
by Jack Fertig February 2009
"Accept flattery, Capricorn!"
With Venus going into Aries and Mars
going into Aquarius, latch on to bold,
creative impulses. Take the flirtatious
chances that you normally wouldn’t
dare to. Think of new approaches to
artistic projects you’ve been considering,
and get started!
ARIES (March 20 -April 19): Trust
those inspirational sparks that seem to
come out of nowhere, even though they
do need the guidance of a practiced
expert - and some improvements you
won’t think of - to help you bring them to
successful fruition.
TAURUS (ArR 20 - May 20): Wellmeaning
friends offering "helpful suggestions"
can unwittingly hit a nerve. Try
to take it all in good humor, or just thank
them for sharing. Political or philosophical
arguments can be less personal and
more enlightening. Speak up and state
your opinions!
GEM~N~ (May 21 - June 20): Someone
in charge is taking an interest in you.
It could be professional or sexual. This
could be great for your career or just a
lot of drama at work. Keep your eyes
open and think ahead, and you’ll be
fine.
CANCER (June 21 o Ju~y 22): The
stars offer a new romantic adventure!
~f you’re partnered, that could alleviate
boredom, but include your mate in
the fuu! Anything sporty and sweaty’ is
good, perhaps ro!!#r skating in the park
or exploring some kink.
LEO (July 23 -August 22): "(’our eagerness
to try new sexual techniques
could leave you open to catching
something very nasty. Think ahead on
prophylaxis whenever you try anything
(or anyone) new! And when was your
last check-up? You’re probably fine, but
make sure to get yourself tested.
WRGO (August 23 - September 22):
Even if you’re long-partnered, this is a
great time for innovative romantic fun
and games. With the love of your life or
an _amour du jour_, treat love as an art
and explore new techniques.
HERA (September 23 - October 22):
You’ll get a better or more frequent
workout if you figure out how to make
it more fun. Exercising at home or with
a group of friends you regard as family
can help. At least shake it up with some
variety.
SCORHO (October 23 - November
21): Playful banter can lead you into
revealing more of yourself than you
intended. This can be good, prompting
more intimacy and openness in your
friendships. Spats along the way should
be easily reconciled. Just don’t take
yourself so seriously!
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December
20): Rather than acting on
shopaholic impulses, use them as clues
to think about what you want, what you
really need, and how to practice more
efficient economy. A household inventory
can also spur a smarter approach
to finances.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January
19): Accept flattery and flirtations with
good grace, enjoying them as passing
pleasantries. Try practicing the art of
compliments and flirtation yourself. It
can be done without compromising your
integrity!
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February
t8): "Retail therapy" is not therapy at
all, but a symptom of deeper needs.
When you get that expensive impulse,
stop and ask what you really want.
Deal with the deeper disappointments
provoking a yen for compensation, and
you’ll be stronger and richer!
PISCES (February t9 - March 19):
Wear more of the clothing or jewelry
you’ve received as gifts. The m~rror of
your friends’ eyes can show not only
sides of yourself that you rarely consider,
but also more of your potential.
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev Steve T. Uric
SpidtofChdst MCC
2902 E 20th Slreet
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
MCC of the Living Spdng
17 Elk S eet
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM
67 68
Across
1 The number of people who like it hot
5 New York Liberty game offiCials
9 Pink, fbr one
14 Retreat f~r D.H. Lawrence
15 Colorado, to Co~teau
16 Garment with a flared bottom
! 7 Sui~x with leather
dance dub anthem
23 Grid coach Amos ~Alonzo
24 One who looks into c®stal balls
25 Sam6-~eX vow in Conn~:eticut
28 Prepare i6 +h00{ ....
30 Toni c6U~iengm0vie,~,vith The
32 Coi+ por+er Song +ha Wak ahit fo}+Eartha
Kitt ~
37 Cashdrawers
38 "~ake a crack
39 Conquers, sexually
42 Composer EdoUard
43 Smallbush
45 Eartha Kitt~ role on Barman
3 Choral work at Metropolitan Community
Chur&
4 Gay fbrmer NFL player Tuaolo
5 Field ofGene RoBinson
6 Sappho’s H~
7 Sows one’s seed. e~c.
8 Didn’t leave the next morning
9 Minnelli movie
10 Brothers & Sisters producer Ken
11 Labium
12 A Chorus Line song
13 Color ofa Columbus circuit party
2 t "How queer !"
33 It puts people out
34 Rubbers on rims
35 Macho man
36 Facial follower
40 Article ofFrida
47 Began a hole, to Patty Sheehan 41 Have between your legs
50 Lanka head ~Animal painter Rosa
46 TuI~ Ofl~ubic hair, e.g;
51 MTF operation
52 Scott Oi~Beautiftd Thing 48 Some escorts w~t i~ up f~ont
54 Boobs Or bt~tts
49 Brown-nosed, ~wth over
58 Eartha Kitt~ 2000 Broadway show 53 Ofcourse I people ... (Quentin
61 Corydon author Gide Crisp)
64 HaW an opening for 55 Debussy contemporary Erik
65 Family diagram 56 Bill), B~an boo-boo
66 Open~mo~}hed fives0me 57 Po61 party?
67 A~dothersi for caesari
58 perry; ofi~letropolitan Community Church
68 Isl~ hleyJ~n~dn ~ land 59 Ball~t move
69 Eech 6fGreek:ld~e 60 Votes for, for ~Frank 70 411; ’ 61 some sex-toy bateries 71 Gr{ek love 62 R.Mapplethorpe supporter
63 Sh0~t
Down
1 One w,ay to cook fruit
2 Scout ~ ~ecitation, and others
Have a God filled and Blessed Day!
www.metrostarnews.com ~I ~t~oSTAR 21
c assifi
i
Keller Williams Realty
$
BUY GI Joe Action Figures
(!2" size Only)
mygijoe@cox.net or
ca11(405) 249-4515
I Buy OLD or
NEW In Box or
Out ofBox
Chuck greckenridge
1o800o535oAIDS (2437)
Oklahoma’s HIV!aTD H0tline
PRONOT YOURSELF Community For
Whether buying or selling
I’ll work hard for you.
CHECK OUT UNIQUE
PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(S) People ~iving
H~V/A~DS
a 50~ c (3) Non Profit Organixadon
Our House, Too offers a variety of"
activities for people who are HIV+ and
or living with AIDS to help combat the
social isolation that maRy of our
people live through each and everyday.
We provide a Toiletry and Household
Pantry for those who are HtV+
and or living with AIDS who cannot
afford to purchase these items for
themselves. We invite anyone who
would like to volunteer or provide financial
assistance to please contact
us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail
ourhousetoo9865@sbcglobal.net
(send pic with asldng price)
Rooms For Rent
$380 per month plus tax ALL Bills Paid
N~e Habana Inn 2200 NW 39th
www.habanainn.com
ALL Major Credit Cards Accepted
KING OF
MASSAGE
Great Touch
Man to Man
f:idI Body Massag~
2 hands or 4 hands
available
31
Now Hiring Male & Female
"~W’~.METROSTARNEWS.COM
22 February 2009
Support those who support us. Their ads allow us to distribute your community news FREE to you.
ACCOMODAEIONS: HOPE TESTING CLINIC CHUCK BRECI~NRIDGE
3540 E. 3 t st Keller Williams Realty,
F[ABANA INN
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oldahoma City, OK
405-528-222t
www.babanainn.com
ICELLY I~RBY, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
V~i.ERIE WILLIFORD
625 N3~Z 13th Street
Oidahoma City, OK
405-226-8585
OKC MOP,TUARY
2415-C N. \VTALNUT AVE.
Oldahoma City, OK
800-913-1310
ANGLES
21 t7 NW 39th St.
Oklahoma City~ OK
wv~v.anglesclub.com
BAMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
Tulsa, OK
918-836~8700
wv~v.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB 209
209 N. BOULDER
Tulsa, OK
91~-584-9944
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
Ti.dsa, OK
918-584-9494
www.clubmajestictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oldahoma City; OK
405-525-2900
~a~v.habanainn.com
"Balsa, OK
800-535-2437
Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline
SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC
2902 E. 20TH STREET,
Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480
Service Saturday 9:30 AM
MCC of the LIVING SPRING
17 Elk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays 6pm
MCC UNITED
1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK
918-838-1715
v~wv.mcctulsa.org
OK£AHOMANS for EQUALITY
621 E. 4th Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-743-4297
www.okeq.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
KING OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oklahoma City, OK
405-314-3898
JUDY G. PHOTO’S
Tulsa, OK .
judygphotos@sbcglobal.net
918-743-8636
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 NW EXPRESSXYZAY
Oklahoma City; OK 73112
405-840-2106
~vw.c21 goldcastle.com
Tulsa, OK
918-706-1887
GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa
New and Historic Homes for Sale
and Rent For Info:
~wvw.gaybradyheightstulsa.com
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
TOM & JERRYS
1501 N.\~ 23RD
Oklahoma City; OK
405-524-9100
0
0
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oldahoma City; OK
405-525-0730
w~s~v.habanainn.com
TULSA EAGLE
1338 E. 3RD
Tulsa, OK
9!8-592-! 188
www.tulsaeagle.com
THE END UP
5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE
Tulsa, OK
9t8-836-0915
THE LEDO
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oldahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
~wa,~:habanainn .corn
EXPRESSIONS Comm Fellowship
6009 NW Expressway
Oldahoma City, OK
405-761-! 878
www.expressionsOKC.com
D
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CO
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PA
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$I I I
LILISI
AILIOI
MIAINI
RITIYI
www.metrostarnews.com ~et~°oSTAR 23
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
[2009] Metro Star Magazine, February 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 2
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
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Feb. 1, 2009
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Online text
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Chaz Ward
Victor Gorin
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Jeanne Flanigan
Rex Wockne
Susan A. Muscari
Gerald Libonati
Michael W. Sasser
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Devre Jackson
Judy G.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwest Missouri
West Arkansas
Southeast Kansas
Eastern Oklahoma
The United States of America (50 states)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Metro Star Magazine, January 1, 2008; Volume 6, Issue 1
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/132
The Metro Star Magazine, April 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 4
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/128
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/131
ACLU
activist
adoption
AIDS
Arkansas adoption ban
art
Barney Frank
Bathroom Bingo
California
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
church
crossword puzzle
Dennis R Neill
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
dining
entertainment
Fat Tuesday
Gay chorus
Gay mayor Portland
Gay Rights
government
Harvey Milk
HIV testing
If I Only Had a Heart
international news
Kyle's Bed and Breakfast
lesbian
LGBTS church
Log Cabin Republicans
Maegan Kauffman
Mardi Gras
Obama
OKC LGBT Community Center
OKC Pride Parade
Oklahoma News
Oklahomans for Equality
prison
Qscopes
RAIN
rape
Saint Valentine's Day
Star Scene
STDs
swastika
Teach In
travel
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/51794f50820e6f610ddbaca277f5f06f.jpg
fabb4187d66be371fff872f5d9578476
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/857717084d696fa751b866247e1bb6c9.pdf
eb58751b326810ffb526bcb2aadb751b
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2004-2011
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Images
Online texts
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwest Missouri
Western Arkansas
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Ozarks Pride/Star Media
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
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
"WWW.METROSTA~qEWS.COM "WE DELIVER DIVERSITY"
UN Ge era Assembly hears pro-gay presentation
"9gockner News ~/ire
It was read into the record by
Argentine AmbassadorJorge
Argtiello.
q’he 66 countries affirmed "the
principle of non-discrimination,
which requires that human rights
apply equally to every hmman
being regardless ofsexual orientation
or gender identity; and
denounced "violence, harassment,
discrimination, exclusion, stigmatization
and prejudice ... because
of sexual orientation or gender
identity:’
statement also called for
the decriminalization ofgay sex,
77
SLxty-sLx nations at the UN General Assembly supported a
groundbrealdng statement Dec. 18 confirming that international
human rights protections include sexual orientation and
gender identit):
It was the first time a statement condemning rights abuses
against GLBT people was presented in the General Assembly.
gay
Americans support
Woclmer News Wire
A Harris Interactive poll released Dec. 3 found that Americans
support a range ofpolicies and protections for gay people.
The Pulse ofEquality survey, cmmnissioned by the Gay &
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, found that majorities of
Americans favor either marriage or civil unions for gay couples,
hate-crime laws to protect gay and transgender people, letting
gays in the military serve openly, and allowing gays and lesbians
to adopt children.
~ae telephone survey questioned 2,000 adults beBveen Nov. 13
and 17 and had a margin oferror ofplus or minus 2 percentage
points.
Among the specific findings:
* Seventy-five percent of U.S. adults favor either marriage or
domestic partnerships/civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.
Only 22 percent oppose any legal recognition ofgay couples.
........... Continued See POLL Page-8
Saudi Arabia
"To love is not a crime;’ said
Louis-Georges Tin, president of the International Day Against
Homophobia Committee, which initiated the process that led
to the statement. "To decriminalize homosexuality world,vide is
a batde t’or human rights.... This (statement) is a great achievement
(but) I also want to remind everyone that ending the
criminalization ofsame-sex love wilt be a long, hard battle:’
Leading British activist Peter Tatchell called the statement "history
in the making."
"The UN statement goes much further than see’king the decriminalization
ofsame-sex acts;’ Tatchell said. "k ondemns all
human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender
identity, urges countries to protect the human rights ofLGBT
people and to bring to justice those who violate these rights,
and calls for human rights defenders who oppose homophobic
and transphobic victimization to be allowed to carry out their
advocacy and humanitarian work unimpeded."
........... Continued See UN Page-14
JANUARY 1, 2009
Oklahoma’s 2009 Mr. O.G.R.A.
Larry Bourne chats with the
Metro Star.
By Victor Gorin
Photo: ~adr. OGRA 2009 Larry Bour~ze By Victor Gorin
The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association ( better known as
OGRA) has a proud history ofnot only promoting the country
lifestyle in the GLBT community, but also to the straight community
as well. Letting gay cowboys knmv they can truly be
themselves is a cause they promote proudly, but they do more.
OGRA also has a proud history ofhelping wordBvhile charities
such as Other Options, Infant Crisis Services, Young Gay
Lesbian Alliance, and R.A.I.N.
Also a proud tradition are the OGRA Royalty, which features a
Mr. OGRA, a Ms. OGRA" Brooklyn" and Miss OGRA Anita
Ryder.. The new Mr. OGRA is Larry Bourne, who’s made many
cowboys happy bartending at the Finishline the past 5 years.
Sharing his life and his thoughts with the Metro Star, he gives us
his perspective on our community and OGRA.
................Continued See OGP,A page- 15
comes out ....Page-7
Janua~ 2009
2
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~.metrostarnews.com ~÷t~oSTAR 3
World Aids Day December
1, Remembering the
Past-Facing Future-
The Crisis is not over.
By Victor Gorin
Following the Mayflower UCC ~:orldAIDS
Day Service, Reverend Loyce Newton Edwards
places a card on a o’oss honod~ her siste,;
Lavonn Newton whopassd ~tv~yfivm AIDS
related illness.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ On December
1, the 20th World Aids Day Service was held at
Mayflower Congregational Church, along with
countless others worldwide. Along with music,
preaching and praise was not only remembrance
of those xvho have passed on because of
HIV, bur also hope for the future. The service
concluded with the opportunity to fill out a
card of a loved one lost to HIV and attach it
to one ofa group of crosses in the courtyard.
For Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards the service
had special meaning, as she had lost a transgen-
&red sister, Lavonne Newton to AIDS related
illness. As she put it, "The service was deeply
moving and a wonderful way to honor the precious
lives that have been lost to AIDS, and to
offer comfort to their devastated families. My
prayers continue for more community compassion,
HIV prevention advocacy, as well as more
effective HIV/AIDS related medications."
Being that World AIDS Day is now in it’s 20th
year, this reminds us that although advances
have been made in the treatment of HIV, there
is no reason for complacency. In Oklahoma
there are around 4500 known cases ofpeople
infected with HIV, including around 1700 in
Oklahoma County alone. Currently the fastest
growing rate of infection among demographic
groups tragically is young people aged 15-24,
disproportionately gay and male.
Although medical science is far ahead ofwhere
it was over 20 years ago when AIDS first
became an issue, safe sex is still important. As
Chuck Longacre ofRed Rock North, an HIV
testing/counseling facility pointed out, "R’s still
a deadly disease. The disease can still be fatal.
However, often one can be helped ifthe virus is
detected early, so we encourage those who are
sexually active to be tested every 3 months."
Testing is still available at Red Rock North,
4400 N. Lincoln Botdevard (OKC), telephone
(405 424 7711. It’s a free test, and in
most cases can be completed in around 20
minutes. This, coupled with educational efforts
is also part ofthe reason for the day, and that is
the hope for a better future.
Angda Monson Runs For
O dahoma City School
Board Chair
By Victor Gorin
Photo: Angela Monson, State Representative Anastasia
Pittman-District 99 (Center)Jesus Gasper Lovie
Givens e3~ Danielle Gaddis by Hctor Gorin
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Angela Monson,
on the last day offiling, got into the race
for Oklahoma City School Board chair. She
challenges incumbent Kirk Humphreys, and
the election will be February 10. As a Democrat,
she was elected to the Oklahoma State
House ofR~epresentatives in 1990-District 99,
and was later elected to the Oklahoma State
Senate in 1993 -District 48. She Served as a
State Senator until forced out by term limits in
2005. She is currently Associate Provost with
the Oklahoma University Health Sciences
Center, and is a longtime ally ofnot only the
GLBT commtmity but numerous progressive
Causes.
Kirk Humphreys was appointed as Chair by
the OKC School Board when the position
was vacated by CliffHudson, and is a former
mayor ofOklahoma City, and an ally ofmany
conservative causes. Learn more about this key
race with our next issuel
Metro Star Classfieds
2" square for as litde as
$43 per issue.
Email: starnews@sbcglobal.~
918.1
’Unsung Heroes’ Honored
for AIDS Awareness
Advocacy
TULSA, OK (PR) __ On Tuesday, three Tulsa
CARES employees were recognized by the
AIDS Coalition ofTulsa at the 19th annual
Evergreen Spirit Awards Luncheon, which
recognizes the work ofcolleagues and volunteers
who have gone the extra mile in the fight
against AIDS in our community:
Jamie Baker, care coordinator; Bruce Lewis, ofrice
manager/executive assistant; and Marianne
X~etherill, registered dietician were among
those recognized with the Evergreen Spirit
Award, which symbolizes strength, courage,
commitment and resilience.
"It is so important to recognize ’the unsung heroes’
in Tulsa’s effort to stop AIDS," said Janice
Nicklas, director ofTnlsa Community AIDS
Partnership and senior planner for the Community
Service Council. ~Our colleagues still
work long hours, to the point ofexhaustion,
and many have vowed to stay at it until we get
the epidemic under control. Sadly, the numbers
ofHIV positive Americans are growing larger
each year and many Tulsans are getting infected
who are unaware that that they are at risk,"
Other Evergreen Spirit Award winners are:
Gary Meadows, Community ofHOPE; Terry
Klein, St. Joseph~s Residence; Chaz Gaut,
Hospice of Green Country; David Odle, Oklahoma
Department ofHuman Services; Barbara
Saunders, community volunteer with the HIV
Prevention Program for Incarcerated Women’s
Program; and Stan Smalts, Oklahoma Department
ofHuman Services. Two top awards were
also given at the annual luncheon: the Truman
Geren Memorial Award for HIV Prevention
was awarded to Heather Nash, American Red
Cross, and the Richard Shackelford Award for
HIV Care honored Shana Cozad, Oklahoma
State Department of Health.
"Our award winners are constantly reminding
Tulsa area.residents to take the HIV test - it is
quick, free and painless," Nicldas said. "Everyone
should know their HIV status."
Founded in t991, Tulsa CARES, a United Way
organization, delivers services to low-income
people living with HIV/AIDS in northeastern
Oklahoma. Services include: case management
by professional social workers, access to physicians
and prescription medication, counseling
services, housing
assistance, access to
nutrition information at
its on-site food pantry,
as well as other forms of
support. Tulsa CARES’
mission is "Delivering
social services to
people affected by
HIV/AIDS: For more
information about Tulsa
CARES, visit www.
tulsacares.org.
Tulsa CARES Celebrates
Life
34icah Hartwdl, Nutrition Services Directo~
begins digging~r the Tulsa CARES’ Celebration
ofLife tree-planting co’emony.
TULSA, OK (PR) __ In observance ofWorld
AIDS Day, Tulsa CARES hosted a "Celebration
of Life" reception for its clients.
On Monday, December 1, Tulsa CARES clients,
staffmembers, and friends came together
to celebrate the lives 0f those still living xvith
HIV/AIDS and to rmnember the lives ofthose
who have died from this disease. The "Celebration
ofLife" was replete with food, crafts and
a tree planting ceremony that symbolizes hope
for a cure.
Tulsa CARES’ Celebration of Life in-kind
sponsors ,sere Starbucks, Q~eenies and QEikTrip.
Five Crepe Myrtle trees were donated by
Up with Trees.
Tulsa CARES’ mission is ddivering social
services to people affected by HIWAIDS.
Tulsa CARES is a United W’ay Agency.
For more information, visit vcww.tulsacares.org.
SAVE & FILL YOUR PIGGY
4 January 2009
in the spirit of Christmas, the 18th annual Loaves and Fishes
Dinner Show was held at the Copa OKC, raising over $6956.
Featuring entertainers (Photo) Ben Williams, Kitty Bob Aimes,
Sonja Martinez, John Beebe and Matthew Heath Fitzgerald, the
show was held on both December 8 and 9, with proceeds going
to help the Winds House, a home & hospice for those living
with HIV.
PeggyJohnson and ReVerend Dl: Kathy McCallie at Church of
the Open Arms Fundaraiser
Oldahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth with OGLPC
Co-Chair Paul ~nompson at the ,amnual NAACP Banquet in
Oklahoma City.
.... Scotty Mandell, Robin D0rner and Loring Wagner strike a pose
at the Diversity Bttsiness Association’s Christmas Party.
Ken Sims, Jennifer Lancaster, Rebecca Hurst and Blaze Bush
at the Marriage Equality Rally in downtown Oklahoma City
December 20.
Santa ( Pam Norton) and Mrs. Santa (Victorola) at the Church
ofthe Open Arms Christmas Party
Dear Editor:
My name is Robaire ~atson and I’m a gay military veteran
who’s been living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 18 years. I
spent 6 years in the military as an openly gay, man. At age 23 I
joined the Navy in search of adventure. Being a gay man, I was
determined that I wasn’t going to allow the military to change
my true identity. My story isn’t about the latest trend or the latest
hot actor, or the latest hot "trick~ it’s about the importance
of"being who you want to be"! Who needs to serve in silence ?
I just want to bring a positive ground breaking story to the
fbrefront. I grexv up in a primarily white small Texas town and
the middle child of a Southern Baptist family. I was in the Cub
Scouts and Boy Scouts, played high school football for a brief
time. I always knew I was gay. After high school, I earned money
t’or college by working in the oil fields. I studied design and
fashion merchandising in Dallas at ~ades School of Design. I
joined the US NaW in 1989 and served six years through two
enlistments until 1995.
Being openly gay in the military and not receiving threats to my
life, allowed me to keep my integrity: I never felt the need to tell
anyone on my command that I was gay or introduce them to
my boyfriend. I always felt that people knew I was different, just
by the way I conducted myself. When you sho~v others respect,
they show you respect in return.
I was a US Navy Ship’s barber who served aboard the USS
Kansas City as it traveled the seas promoting freedom during
the Gulf’~Y~ar and Operation Southern XWatch offthe coast of
Somalia in 1993, traveling to Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong,
Dubai, Jebel All, UAE, British Columbia, Mexico, and the
Philippines during my two enlistments. I’m black and openly
gay and never encountered the slightest discrimination aboard
this xvarship.
I have never forced my sexual preference on anyone. I don’t ~vant
someone who’s straight doing that to me. gqaen the "Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell" law xvas passed, my shipmates told me, "\X[atso!~, we
don’t have to ask and we don’t have to tell."
I had a group ofgay friends on the USS Kansas City. We were
the gay version of"Sex and the City" onboard the ship. XXre were
known as the Fierce-Four. Our personal lives were better than
any episode of Q~.eer as Folk. My friends said, because of me,
they were able to be themselves without prejudice. I took several
ofmy shipmates to gay bars & dance clubs, not because it was
my idea, but because they asked me too!
I dated an Ensign and a Lieutenant while in the military. I ,also
dated a Major in the United States Army and a Marine. All the
following military men who came across my, life had to keep
their personal life a secret. It’s not about being an officer in the
military or subjecting yourselfto starring in a skin flick to get
your point across, about "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’: It’s knowing
that you have a job to do and a mission to accomplish. ~bu can’t
allow your sexual preference to interfere.
The government needs to worry about the individuals who they
allow to enter the military that haven’t been outside the county
line, and refuse to accept someone who is different. Sometimes,
these type ofpeople want to judge you, based on their religious
beliefs. Ifyou can’t accept me for my race or sexual preference,
will you be there for me in a time ofwar ?
I’m very fortunate that I was able to be openly gay and live
my life accordingly during active duty. I want other men and
women who enter the armed forces who are gay to be able to live
their lives just as openly as their straight counterparts and when
they become veterans to be treated ~vith dignity and respect. I’m
very proud to have done my duty serving my country:
Thank you,
Robaire Watson
San Francisco, CA
wv,~v.metrostamews.com ~ot~oSTAR 5
A NEW PLACE TO
ENDUP
By Victor Gorin
Photo: End ~o owner Blake (Center) wit,§ the
End [J)) dancers
TULSA, OK__ When the first Endup club
on Memorial closed a few years ago, it left a gap
that Blake Alterman knew needed to be filled.
While not for everybody, there are truly gay
men that love to watch the hot boys dance. Not
far from some ofTulsgs other gay clubs, it’s located
at 5336 E. Admiral Place, a site vacant for
over a year last occupied by a straight biker club
called The Luclo! Shamrock. Dancers will be
featured 7 nights a xveek, taking up where the
old Endup left off, but with more than twice
the space and ample parking.
While it is planned and destined to be a swinging
spot for those wanting to watch male dancers,
it has more to offer as well. A section ofthe
bat" ,vi!l be like a regular bar, with pool tables,
cruising and conversation. Other fun endeavors
are planned also with Bathroom Bingo Nights
starting in January, hosted by emcee Earnest
from the ladle’s bathroom, rewarding winning
participants with cash and prizes.
Hours are from noon tmtil 2 a.m. 7 days a
week, so stop by and check it out, especially
during Happy Hour with $1 offall liquor
drinks from noon until 8 p.m. 7 days a week.
As Blake puts it, "xg&’re just looking to have a
good time with a bar that everybody’s gonna
love coming to." Sounds like a great beginning.
SUPPORTERS OF
IT¥ LIGHT UP
DOWNTOWN OKC
By Victor Gorin
Photo: Organizer Trey Hill with activistJames
Nimmo by Hctor Gorin
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Around 30
determined souls braved the icy chill December
20 in OKC’s Bricktown near the entrance
of the Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark,
holding a candlelight vigil supporting marriage
equality for all Americans, including the GLBT
community. Surprising, there were no negative
epithets, fisticuffs or even threats thereofmade
by Bricktown partygoers, only some interested
glances. The event did get media coverage by
KOKH Channel 25, and participants got a free
"Oklahoman for Marriage Equality T-Shirt;’
made possible thru the generosity ofJames
Nimmo, his partner Don Chabot and Brittany
Novotny.
The event came together through the organization
ofTrey Dill & Chuck Longacre, activists
also largely responsible for a previous rally at
the Oklahoma City Hall November 15 xvhich
brought out over 200 people protesting the
passage of Proposition 8, Which took away the
right ofsame sex marriage in California.
As Ms. Novotny praised the marchers, "As we
keep getting people out for events like this,
people won’t feel they have to be scared to be
who they are, and straight people won’t be as
scared to support us. We’ll keep doing this until
all ofOklahoma says Yes, You all are part ofus
and we’re all equal:
January 2009
N
Wockner News Service
Reports: No quick action
against DADT
President-elect Barack Obama rnay not move
quickly to repeal the military’s "don’t ask, don’t
tell" ban on open gays, according to published
reports.
A Nov. 24 report in The AtlantaJournal-Constitution
said: "Very quietly, the Obama team
has let it be known that the new administration
will not immediately reassess the U.S. military’s
policy of’don’t ask, don’t tell: ... Raising the
topic ofgays in the military was considered by
many to be the second oftwo out-of-the-box
decisions that ended badly for a newly elected
President Bill Clinton (in 1993)’.’
The National Journal and The Washington
Tunes said Obama might wait until 2010 to
’tackle the ban.
However, the gay newspaper ~Tashington
Blade reported Nov. 25 that an unnamed
Obama spokesperson said the mainstream-media
reports were premature.
"An Obama transition team spokesperson, who
spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the
decision on how to approach repealing ’Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell’ ... would be ma& after more
experts have joined the Obama administration;’
the paper said.
"Tnese decisions will not be made before the
full national security team is in place;’ the
Blade quoted the spokesperson as saying.
AJuly poll by The \Vashington Post and ABC
News found that 75 percent ofAmericans said
"yes" when ~isked, "Do you think that homosexuals
who do publicly disclose their sexual
orientation should be allowed to serve in the
military or not ?"
The poll found that even Republicans (64
percent) and white evangelical Christians (57
percent) supported scrapping the ban.
The random survey of 1,119 Aanerican adults
had a margin oferror ofplus or minus 3 percentage
points.
Florida’s ban on gay
adoption struck down
A Florida circuit court in Miami struck down a
state law that barred lesbians and gay men from
adopting Nov. 25.
The court granted adoptions to a gay man,
represented by the American Civil Liberties
Union, who has been raising two foster children
since 2004.
"Our family just got a lot more to be thankful
for this Naanksgiving;’ said Martin Gill,
a North Miami resident who is raising two
brothers, ages 4 and 8, with his partner.
are extremely relieved that the court has recognized
that it is wrong to deny our boys the legal
protections and security that only" come with
adoption."
The court ruled that tile ban violated the equalprotection
guarantees of the state constitution
because it irrationally singled out gay people
and their children for different treatment.
The court also found that the ban denied
children the right to permanency provided by
federal and state law under the Adoption and
Safe Families Act of 1997.
"Reports and studies find that there are no
differences in the parenting ofhomosexuals
or the adjustment oftheir children;’ the court
said. "TheSe conclusions have been accepted,
adopted and ratified by the American psychological
Association, the American Psychiatry
Association, the American PediatriCAssociation,
the American Academy ofPediatrics,
the Child Welfare League ofAmerica and the
National Association ofSocial Workers. Based
on the robust nature ofthe evidence available
in the field, this Court is satisfied that the
issue is so far beyond dispute that it would be
irrational to hold otherwise; the best~interests
ofchildren are not preserved by prohibiting
homosexual adoption."
The Florida law barring gays and lesbians from
adopting was the most expansive anti-gay parenting
law in the country. It was passed in 1977
in response to an anti-gay crusade led by Miss
Oklalloma 1958, and orange-juice spokeswoman
Anita Bryant.
Admirals, Generals urge
DADT repeal
A former Army secretary and 103 retired admirals
and generals issued a call Nov. 17 for repeal
ofthe military’s "don’t ask, don’t tell" ban on
open gays.
Among the document’s signers were a former
Naval Academy superintendent, retired
four-star Adm. Chades Larson, and former
PresidentJimmy Carter’s Army secretary, Clifford
Mexander.
It is believed that there are about 65,000 gay
people serving in the military, not counting the
627 who were kicked out last year for failing to
stay sufficiently closeted.
Gay band, anti-gay
preacher to participate in
inauguration
Wanda Sykes comes out,
blasts Prop 8
The Lesbian and Gay Band Association, which
is composed of 34 marching and concert
bands fi’om the U.S., Canada and Australia,
will march in President-elect Barack Obama’s
inaugural parade Jan. 20.
Although LGBA concert bands performed at
inaugural celebratious t’or Bill Clinton in 1993
and 1997, this will be the first time a gay band
has marched in a presidential inaugural parade.
~ihe gay contingent will include t77 musicians
in the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue a~er
Obama is sworn in on the steps ofthe U.S.
Capitol.
In making their selections, the Presidential
Inaugural Committee and military musicians
assessed the applications of 1,400 marching
bands, drill teams and musical groups.
Nae committee’s Web site lists more than 40
such participating contingents, including several
high-school and university bands.
Meanwhile, Obama came under fire from gay
activists on Dec. 17 for selecting influential
evangelical preacher Rick xWarren to deliver the
invocation at the inauguration.
Human Rights Caxnpaign President Joe Solmonese
calAed the move ’h genuine bl0w to LGBT
Americans."
"We feel a deep level ofdisrespect when one
ofthe architects and promoters of an anti-gay
agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit
ofyour historic nomination; Solmonese said.
"Vge urge you to reconsider this announcement."
The National Gay arid Lesbian Task Force said,
"We urge President-elect Obama to withdraw
his invitation to Rick Warren and instead select
a faith leader who embraces fairness, equality
and the ideals the president-elect himselfhas
called the nation to uphold:
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
President Nell Giuliano said, "It is ... deeply
troubling that the President-elect has selected
.....Continued See Inauguration Page-11 ’
Comedian xYC:anda Sykes came out publicly
Nov. 15 at a Las Vegas rally against California’s
Proposition 8.
"When California passed Prop 8 ... I felt like
I was being attacked, personally attacked,
our community was attacked," Sykes said. "I
got married Oct. 25. You know, I don’t really
talk about nay sexual orientation, I didn’t feel
like I had to, I was just living my life and, not
necessarily in tile closet, but I was just living
my life. Everybody that knows me personally,
they know I’m gay. And that’s the way people
should be able to live their lives, xgre shouldn’t
have to be standing out here demanding
something that we automatically should have
as citizens ofthis country. And I got pissed off.
They pissed me off. I said, You know what, now
I gotta get in your face. And that’s what we all
have to do now."
Sykes said, as others have, that the passage of
Prop 8 did have an upside.
"They pissed offthe ~vrong group ofpeople,"
she said. "They have galvanized a community:
XWe are so together now and we all want the
same tiling and we are not going to settle for
less."
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The Las Vegas rally was part of a national day
ofprotest against Prop 8 that saw demonstrations
in 300 U.S. cities
and towns, including
such unlikely places
as Allentown, Fargo,
Fayetteville, La Crosse,
Macon, Shreveport and
Missoula.
In California, there
were protests Nov. 15
in 58 separate towns
and cities.
www.metrostarnews.corn N~÷troSTAR 7
Same-sex marriage bill
to be introduced in New
Hampshire
New Hampshire State Rep. Jim Splaine plans
to introduce a bill next year to legalize same-sex
marriage.
New Hampshire already has a comprehensive
same-sex civil-union law, and nearby Connecticut
and Massachusetts allow gay couples
to marry~
Splaine told the Concord Monitor newspaper
that the civil-union law bestows only about
90 percent of the state-level benefits and
obligations of marriage, xvhich leaves same-sex
couples without full equality under the law.
Some 600 same-sex couples have entered into a
civil union in New Hampshire.
EltonJohn does not support
same-sex marriage
Elton John says gays are wrong to want to get
married and should settle for civil unions.
"We’re (David Furnish and I) not married.
Let’s get that right;’ John told USA Today on
Nov. 12. "We have a civil partnership. What
is wrong with Proposition 8 is that mey went
for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of
people off, the,vord marriage.
"I don’t want to be married;’ John said.
very happy with a civil partnership. If gay
people want to get mar}led, Or get together,
they should have a civil partnership.... You ~et
the same e~ual rights.... Heterosexual peopm
get married:
John’s assertion about ~equal rights" is essentially
true in the United Kingdom, where John
and Furnish entered their civil partnership. ~Ihe
UK civil-partnership law is national in scope.
In the U.S., on the other hand, civil-union and
domestic-parmership laws are state laws that
grant equal rights only on the state level, leaving
civilly united gay couples without access
to-more than 1,000 federal rights, benefits and
obligations ofmarriage.
But, at the same time, the U.S. government also
does not recognize the same-sex marriages that
have taken place in California, Connecticut,
Massachusetts or abroad. However, it would
require less ofan overhaul of federal policy to
start recognizing married same-sex couples
than it would to create some kind ofnational
recognition of states’ hodgepodge ofcivilunion
and domestic-partnership laws, some of
which grant all state-level rights of marriage
and others ofwhich do not.
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has said
repeatedly that he supports extending federal
recognition to same-sex unions, though he
does not favor opening marriage itseltto samesex
couples, citing religious objections. Obama
nonetheless opposed California’s Proposition
8, in which voters amended the state constitution
on Nov. 4 to re-ban same-sex marriage.
ha a nutshell, Obama does not think gay
couples should have access to marriage but also
does not think any laws should be passed to
prevent gay couples from accessing marriage.
* U.S. adults are evenly divided on xvhether gay
couples should have access to marriage -- 47
percent say yes and 49 percent say no.
* Sixty-four percent think gays in the military
should not have to stay closeted, as required by
the =don’t ask, don’t tell" policy.
* Sixty-three percent support expanding
hate-crime la~vs to cover gay and transgender
people. At present, 31 states and the District
of Columbia have such laws that cover sexual
orientation and 12 of those laws also encompass
gender identity.
* Fifty-one percent favor protecting gay and
transgender people under existing laws that ban
discrimination in employment, housing and
public accommodations. Twenty states and the
District of Columbia have such laws that cover
sexual orientation and 13 of those laws also
encompass gender identity.
* Sixty-nine percent oppose bans on gay adoption.
=We observed a positive relationship between
knowing a gay or transgender person and one’s
attitudes toward them and the policy issues
that affect their lives," said Laura Light, Harris
Interactive’s vice president ofpublic-relations
research.
"Based on other surveys we have conducted
on attitudes toward LGBT people and issues,
the results ofthis survey suggest that public
sentiment in the U.S. is trending toward greater
acceptanF~ ofgay- and transgender-related
policy issues:’
The survey found that people under 65, and especially
those 18-34, are more gay-friendly than
people over 65. Women are generally more
supportive than men. Latinos are more supportive
than whites and blacks when it comes
to gays in the military. Blacks are more supportive
than whites and Latinos on hate-crime
laws. And Catholics and "mainline" Christians
(Protestant, Mormon or %ther Christian") are
more supportive than "born-again" Protestants,
Mormons or other Christians.
Nineteen percent ofthose questioned said
their feelings toward gay people have become
more favorable over the past five years. They
attributed the change to such things as knmving
someone who is gay, seeing gay people
on TV and in movies, passage ofgay-friendly
laws, news coverage ofgay issues, and learning
of the gay-friendly positions offriends, family
members and religious leaders.
"Knowing someone who is gay or lesbian" ,vas
the most significant factor, cited by 79 percent
ofthose whose feelings had evolved.
Seventy-three percent ofthose qu{stioned
know or work with a gay or transgender person
and halfof that 73 percent know or work with
five or more gay or traaasgender people, the
survey found.
Full poll results: tinyurl.com/6nojlq.
Iowa Supreme Court
hears marriage case
The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments
Dec. 9 in Lan~bda Legal’s case on behalfof
same-sex couples who want to marry.
"XTge put our best case forward, and hope that
the court breathes life into the Iowa Constitution’s
promise of equality," said Senior Staff
Attorney Camilla Taylor.
The couples’ case was argued by former Iowa
Solicitor General Dennis Johnson of Dorsey &
Whimey.
"The government has no business standing in
the way ofa loving same-sex couple who wants
to take responsibility for each other and their
fancily," Johnson said.
Lambda filed suit in Polk County District
Court in 2005 on behalfofsix same-sex
couples who were denied marriage licenses,
arguing that the denials violated the liberty
and equality guarantees in the Iowa Constitution.
In 2007, the court agreed that banning
same-sex couples from marrying was unc0nstitutional,
and the county recorder and registrar
appealed to the state Supreme Court.
One gay couple -- Sean and Tim McQ,u)llan
ofAmes -- got married before Judge Robert
Hanson quickly suspended his ruling when it
was appealed.
8 ~÷~roSTAR January 2009
DVD" ’re Angels"
with the release oftheir album.
Jason and &Marco have recently
taken a&antage of C~l~ornlas
United
Metropolitan Community Church
Sunday Services @ 11:00 AM
1623 N. l~laplewood Tulsa, OK
918-838-1715
w.mcctuisa.org
Troy Don Wheat34ar 19, 1966 - Dec 6, 2008
TULSA, OK (OkEq) __ Troy Wheat, son
of Betty and Paul Wheat was born on March
19, 1966 in Alva, Oklahoma. He died on the
6th of December, at his home in Tulsa, at the
age of42 years, 8 months and 18 days.
Troy is survived by his parents Paul and Betty;
a sister and her husband, Paula and Bill Miller
ofWoodward; his significant other, Christopher
Roberts ofTulsa; two nieces and their
spouses, Shannon and Craig Chestnut and
thei} children Jace and Jayden ofMustang, Karrie
and Kendel Kay and their children Sloan,
Reece, Braton and Kinley ofAshland, Kansas;
a number ofother relatives and many friends.
He graduated from Alva High School in 1984.
After moving to Tulsa, Troy attended and
graduated cosmetology school in Jenks. He
became a successful stylist in Tulsa. He was
very involved in the Miss Cinderella, Miss
Oklahoma and Miss America Pageants. One
of the highlights ofhis life was when his client
won Miss America in 2006.
A family and friends visitation reception
was held Thursday December 1 lth at Ninde
Brookside Chapel, 3841 S. Peoria, Tul’sa, Oklahoma
74105.
Obituary ofMary Lorene Marlett,
mother ofDemo Candidate Ron
Marlett
Ron Marlett was the Democratic candidate
runmng against Mrs. Kern in HD 84.
The following is from Ron:
My mother. Mary Lorene Marlett, passed from
this world December 17.
She has suffered from Alzeheimers Disease the
past two years,
From my earliest years. I can remember her
involvement in the Canadian County Democratic
Party. She described herself as a Yellow
Dog Democrat, someone who would vote for a
yellow dog before voting for a Republican.
However. she loved her Republican friends.
In a community where racial epithets were
socially acceptable, she taught that those words
wouldn’t be tolerated in our household. When
I hear politicians talk of"family values", I
wonder if they were taught that racism wasn’t a
family value. I attended precinct meetings with
her and accompanied her to a state convention.
She raised my brother and me with values of
equality, fairness and the value ofhard work.
When I was younger she saw that I got to Little
League baseball games when my dad was tied
up responding to an electric outage in the rural
electric cooperative, xXihen I left home, she
became involved in my brother’s scouting as
was extremely proud ofhis attaining his Eagle
Scout Award.
When my father became disabled, she ;,cent
to work at XXrestern Hectric, later AT&T. She
continued there until being offered an early
retirement. She continued to live in Union
City after my father’s death in 1987. She began
having health problems that probably signalled
the onset ofAlzheirmers, but I was too close to
the situation to recognize it. About two years
ago a doctor diagnosed it and told me she had
two years left.
She celebrated her 75th birthday and received
letters from Oklahoma politicians praising
her for her ~vork for the party. Her long time
Democratic friend, Oberta Bergdall attended
that party.
She was particularly proud of having attended
President Carter’s inaugural ball. Toward the
end ofher life, no one in the Democratic Party
could really remember her. When I attended
the C:anadian County Democratic Bean Supper,
I felt I represented her.
She died surrounded by people who loved her
and was very peaceful mad free ofpain. I am
struck by the reliefI feel that she no longer
suffers and the realization that I will not see her
again.
She was a blessing to those she cared for and to
the Democratic Party she loved.
Ron Marlett
www.metrostarnews.com ~Oet~oSTAR 9
Close, but no cigar.
ByJan~es Nimmo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ q-he recent release of the biopic
"Milk" about the life and death ofSan Francisco Supervisor
Harvey Milk revivified interest in Milk’s most famous phrases
such as "Come out, come out, wherever you are;’ and "Don’t
blend in:’
Another openly gay activist to have his speeches and writings
dusted offis Bayard Rustin, an openly gay African-American
who was a colleague ofDr. M.L. King and who was given behind-
the-scenes credit for organizing the March on Washington
in August, 1963 where Dr... King made his iconic and forward
lookAng"I Have a Dream" speech. Mr. Rustin was forced to take
a back-seat due to fears that his orientation and arrest record
would undoubtedly be used against the civil tights movement.
From the book Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings
of Bayard Rustin by Bayard Rustin (Cleis Press, Carbado and
Weise, editors) we get the succinct gay agenda, if there ever was
one, that I think most ofus gay/lesbian activists can agree on
"the job ofthe gay comnaunity is not to deal with extremists
who would castrate us or put us on an island and drop an Hbomb
on us."
The fact ofthe matter is that there is a small percentage of
people in America who understand the true nature of the
homosexual cornmunity. There is another small percentage who
will never understand us. Our job is not to get those people who
dislike us to love us. Nor was our aim in the civil rights movement
to get prejudiced white people to love us. Our aim was
to try to create the Idnd ofAmerica, legislatively, morally, and
psychologically, such that even though some whites continued
to hate us, they could not openly manifest that hate. That’s our
job today: to control the extent to which people can publicly
manifest anti-gay sentiment." (http://tiwurl.com/5w77yr)
What we should continue to be doing is proving our gay/lesbian
equality ofcitizenship to the broad range of the valuable demographic
~mown as the undecided, who politicians always court.
For our purposes it’s those people who all have gay and lesbian
family members or friends, xvho wouldn’t think ofhurting them
but somehow aren’t connecting the dots that ifsome of us gays
and lesbians are getting hurt, all ofus get hurt.
Dr. King said it in a more engraved style: "It may be true that
the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from
lynching me, and I think that’s pretty important."
Laws don’t prevent crime or change the minds of the incorrigible,
but laws do provide a way to legally make it uncomfortable
for prejudice and violence to be acted out against minorities.
~is is one reason our enemies are very anxious that hate crimes
bills that include language for the protection ofsexual orientation
and gender presentation are not passed either at the Federal
or state level. Our opponents claim such laws would limit
speech and hamper the free exercise of religion. But as Rep Barhey
Dank (Mass.) said earlier in December, 2008 at a Victory
Fund luncheon, these laws are directed at actions ofviolence not
at xvords; expression is not the target ofhate crimes laws, but
physica! behavior is. (http://tinyurl.com/5963au)
Yes, we truly live in the age ofOrwell xvhere words can be
wolves in sheep’s clothing. We read ofMormon and Catholic
spokespeople offended by the peaceful protests ofgay/lesbian
supporters in reaction to losing the November Prop. 8 vote in
California.
It seems these t~vo denominations that gave much of the money
fueling the thei~ ofa civil right in California were surprised
by the bacHash to the imposition of their religious dogma on
the non-member citizens of California
( http:/itinyurl.com/6qp2xz ), (http://tinyurl.com/6215gd).
To me, it looks as ifthe First Amendment establishment clause
is being ignored because there are some denominations that ~vill
perform same-gender marriages yet their religious freedom is being
abridged by the passage ofProp 8.
And just why does prejudice and discrimination seem to originate
with bible-trumpeting homo-haters ?
Could it be because they already live in a ddusional world of
superstition and make-believe, offairy stories about sky-based
good things, and dark-and-dirty ground-based bad things ?
Could it be because they still live in the world ofBronze Age
nomads ~vho had no science and no concept ofa world beyond
the horizon they could walk toward in a day?
The current (I hesitate to call them "modern day") generation
offtmdies lives in a world of technology and communication
that would seem like godly magic to their Abrahamic ancestors.
They use this science to disperse their simplistic balderdash
that’s rooted in desert-wandering myths and witch-doctoring
and think nothing ofthe plain evidence and contradictions that
shows them to be deeply deluded and ignorant. "Ihe last hundred
years have passed them by and disproved the ancient runes
and cabals they so desperately need to explain their conflicting
childhood dreams ofomnipotent, omniscient super heroes
rescuing them from death and oblivion.
Personally I don’t care what they do as consenting adults in the
privacy of their religious establishments or even on the public
street corner. However, no group has the legal prover to impose
religious dogma in the law books ofany state or Federa! code.
There continues to be a principle ofseparation ofchurch and
state, equality and liberty for all, that is paramount to the continuation
of this country as it was founded. African-Americans,
Native Americans, and women have gained their civil equality
in spite of the restrictions originally written in the Constitution
and later remedied by Amendments.
So far, 30 states have amendments or laws forbidding same-gender
marriage in addition to the alleged "Defense ofMarriage
Act" (DOMA). Two states have understood the rights ofgays
and lesbians to have civil marriage, Massachusetts and Connecticut,
with a handful ofstates having various marriage-like rights
available but not the real thing. Close, but no cigar!
Just as Plessy ~: Ferguson was overturned by Brown v. Board
ofEducation ending educational segregation; just as Bowers
v. Hardwick was overturned by Lawrence and Garner v. Texas
removing sodomy laws from enforcement, just as Colorado’s
Amendment 2 was overturned with Romer v. Evans, we can
look forward to our day in a courtroom as well as the court of
public opinion.
Although Frederick Douglass was disappointed by the 1857
Dredd Scott decision that refused full citizenship to free blacks
as well as slaves, he found a reason to look forward, saying, "My
hopes were never brighter than now." Slavery was brought to
forefront ofthe country and the unsavory ownership ofpeople
could no longer be ignored.
Though we gay citizens are not owued physically, our social and
economic prospects are curtailed. Thanks to our enemies, our
own equality prospects been brought to the forefront and our
equality will be won.
Straights and Homophobes: lae
Words hat Bind Us.
By Gerald Libonati
Language shapes our self-image and some of the words we use
are misleading, inadequate or just plain wrong.
Take the word straig!at, for instance. "We use it to describe
heteros; men and women who are not gay or lesbian. And every
time we use the term we indirectly insult ourselves. What does
the word mean in our society?
Straight means proper, upstanding, law-abiding and decent. Are
~oruugbs,eiynogu’srterasitgrahitgwhti.thIfmyoeu, ’rreefegrosotdo,hyoonuetsrta)v:eWl thheenstyroaiug’rhet-oafnfdnarrow.
’Damn straight’ means emphatically right, unequiv0-
cally correct.
So ifheteros are straight what does that make us - crooked,
dishonest, drugged and apparently indecent ?
We need to think ofourselves in a way that reflects the goodness
and quality that exists within our ranks, g[e are terrific people
and we may as well acknowledge that in our language.
Another word that completely escaped our gaydar is the term
homophobia. We use it to define prejudice against gay and lesbian
people. But it just doesn’t seem to be up to the job. It’s weak
and ambiguous. When we talk about someone who dislikes others
based on their skin color we call them racist. Much stronger
word. Phobic people, in general, tend to be fearful but polite.
People who openly disapprove ofgay/lesbian folks are neither.
Are we too nice when ~ve describe our critics in such an affable
way? Homophobic! Doesn’t sound so bad. Surely, the terms
they have for us are more forthright.
Who thought of calling hatred a phobia, anyway? Ac,t,t}ally, it
was psychologist George Weinberg in his 1972book Society
and the Healthy Honaosexual:’ He was tapping into the theory
that violence toward gay people came about because of a fear of
homosexuality, especially by those repressing their own same-sex
urges.
But what about all the other gay bashers who aren’t reacting to
their inner homo ?
The rest ofthe world has already learned that words define us
to others and molds our selfqmage. That’swhy secretaries are
executive assistants and garbage men are sanitation engineers.
GeraM Libonati is the author afthe neu, novel Pete*" [’Vo~7 the storr af:a
fiam°uv.~Ta ro& star who ~oes incognito mfind love. He ~s an award-winningjournalist
in &uth £1orig, workingfir the Sun-SentineL He has also
wri~enJbr ~e .~iiami He,ald, ~e dd~ocam andfi’egznce~jbrgaT/tesbian
newspapers around t,~e munW.
10 ~,~÷t~oSTAR January 2009
ROBERT MATSON’S LATEST
EPIC "A GATHERING" AND
HIS NEW NTURES UPCOMING
By Victor Gorin
Photo: RobertMatson by Victor Go,qn
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Lyric’s Plaza Theater hosted
a unique play with A Gathering, but Robert is a playwright
where one can count on non-convention. After all he brought
us Tails of the Closet and Drama Q~eens, and even a masculine
answer to the Vagina Monologues entitled Beneath the Zipper,
which celebrated the penis. But who ~v0~ld have expdcted agay
thriller on stage, with seat edging suspense that would have awed
Agatha Christie herself? But there it was, entitled A Gathering,
where 9 gay men are trapped on an isolated island, cut offffom
the outside world, and there is a killer or killers among them.
With a scenario almost identical to Agatha Christie’s novel,
"And then there were None," it starts offfun and campy with
the wisecracking antics ofToW "Toneisha" Hayes ( portrayed by
Chris Castleberry) who was supposed to be drag entertainment
but instead was the first to go. Then there was the hard drinking
Dr. James Armstrong ( portrayed by Timothy Stewart), a self
proclaimed bisexual who was enamored with Toneisha ~vhile
she lasted. The play ends in surprise as character Neil Lawrence
( portrayed by Jerome Stevenson) turns out to be the killer, and
concludes with his suicide and that of the last left one left alive,
the handsome resort employee Courmey Claythorne( portrayed
by Scott Hynes), who xvas left xvith the bitter choice ofself destruction
or being accused of murdering all the others when the
authorities eventually arrived.
What inspired this wild tale ? W’ell, besides Agatha Christie, Mr.
Matson added that "I love murder mysteries. I wanted to give
Agatha’s story a different twist. This xvould be a great piece to
work with, and how to make it xvork with 9 gay men. I worked
on it for about 2 years."
Although he has done past work with maW theater companies
includingJewel Box, CityRep, Guthrie’s Pollard Theater &
Carpenter Square, he is currently the Academy Administrator
for Lyric Academy, which involves registration for acting classes
taught there and he teaches adult acting classes as well. As for
the fnture, he is working on" a couple things, including a loud
gay comedy with Oklahoma ties to it." But that’s all he’ll say
right now, so we can all be breathless with anticipation.
someone whose defamatory and damaging anti-gay statements
and vie~vs ... clearly divide rather than unite Americans."
Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., called Obama’s move very
disappointing.
~Religious leaders obviously have every right to speak out in opposition
to anti-discrimination measures, even in the degrading
terms that Rev. Warren has used with regard to same-sex marriage;’
Frank said. "But that does not confer upon them the right
to a place ofhonor in the inauguration ceremony of a president
whose stated commitment to LGBT rights won him the strong
support ofthe great majority ofthose who support that cause:’
GeoffKors, executive director of Equality California, said he is
so annoyed by Warren’s participation that he will boycott the
inauguration.
"I have decided to decline the invitation to attend the inauguration
as I cannot be part ofa celebration that highlights and
gives voice to someone who advocated repealing rights from me
and millions ofother Californians;’ Kors said. "Rick Warren ...
actively works to dMde Americans based on who we are and has
been an ardent supporter of efforts to ostracize LGBT Americans:’
Speaking in support of California’s Proposition 8 before the
November election, Warren said, "We should not let 2 percent
of the population change a definition ofmarriage that has been
supported by every single culture and every single religion for
5,000 years.
In reality, many cultures over the past 5,000 years have embraced
polygamy.
More recently, Warren told
Beliefnet.com that same-sex
marriage is equivalent to
"having a broth& anff Sist& b~
together
... an 01der ~ "
and calling that a marriage...
one gw having multiple wives
and calling that marriage."
(Warren: ’Tin opposed to the
redefinition ofa 5,000-year definition
ofmarriage. I’m opposed
to having a brother and sister be
together and call that marriage.
I’m opposed to an older gny
marrying a child and calling that
a marriage. I’m opposed to one
guy having multiple wives and
calling that marriage:’ Interviewer:
"You think those are
equivalent to gays getting married?"
Warren: "Oh, I do:’)
Brooklyn man
dies after probable
ha e attack
A Brooklyn man who was attacked
with a baseball bat Dec.
7 as he walked arm in arm with
his brother died on Dec. 12.
Josd Sucuzhafia); a 31-year-old
Ecuadorean immigrant, and his
brother were walking together
in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood
after a night out when
three black men shouting
nationa
anti-gay and anti-Latino slurs jumped from an SUV and broke
a beer bottle over Sucuzhafiay’s head, beat him with a bat and
kicked him.
The brother, Romel, escaped down the street, then returned
to the scene and scared offthe attackers by telling them he’d
phoned police on his cell phone.
Police are investigating the killing as a hate crime and are offering
a $27,000 award for information leading to apprehension of
the assailants.
On Dec. 13, hundreds ofprotesters marched from a Bushwick
park to the site of the attack.
Hundreds ofprotesters marched in Brooklyn Dec. 13 after an
Ecuadorean man who was walkinga~n in arm with h# brother
was attacked with a baseball bat and later died. 2he assailants
shouted ann’-gay slurs. Photo byJoeJervis.
www.metrostarnews.com [~Ie~°oSTAR 11
@ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa
@ Steve’s Hideaway, Tulsa
@Club 209, Tulsa
@ ~e Second Chance Animal Sanctuary
@ Finishline, Oklahoma City
@ The Copa, Oklahoma City
@ The End Up, Tulsa
@Angles, Oklahoma City
@Club Majestic, Tulsa
@ The Ledo, Oklahoma City
CLUB 209 HOSTS PHOTOGPHERVINCENT
SCOTT
Ok ahomans for Equality art gallery
opens Josh New photo e libit
By Judy Gabbard
Arches by Photographer Hncent Scott
Photography Art byJosh New
TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center art
gallery starts a new year ofit’s monthly First Thursday meetthe-
artist receptions featuring photographs from native Tulsa
resident Josh New. The reception will be held Thursday, January
1st, 2009, from 6-9pm.
Josh New, a teacher ofJapanese at Booker T Washington High
School, is currently a graduate student at the University of
Tulsa in photography.
TULSA, OK__ Dennis Olson, owner ofDoArt Worlds,
sponsored the opening of "Pioneering Seas6n" featuring the
photography ofVincent Scott at Club 209, Tulsds Arts Bar in
the historical Brady District. Club 209 features various artists
throughout the year. The Club is also a great place to enjoy local
entertainment on weekends, such as Vallerie Star Light Rock +
Acoustic, Rebecca Ungerma~i with the Frank Brown Trio and
the Three Penny Upright, A Little Bluegrass. Visit Club 209
on the web at www.club209tulsa.com for monthly updates on
art exhibits and entdrtainment.
Vincent Scott is a world traveled photographer whose eye for
the beauty in our world, has thrilled many onlookers coast to
coast. Dennis Olson, an artist in his own right, chose to sponsor
these photographs because ofMr. Scott’s photographic eye and
production techniques. To contact Dennis Olson emaih do@
doart~vorld.org. The opening night was an exciting experience of
fine art, flowing wine and the admiration’ ofhundreds ofguest.
After graduating from Oklahoma State, Mr. New worked in
Japan for three years, where he developed a love oftravel and
the exotic. Since then he has traveled to many countries and
discovered a talent in photography. That love and talent has
brought Inm to TU to ~rther hone his s-kill aa~d allow hu~ the
freedom to experiment aa~d take his photographs further than
just glorified vacation photos.
"My photographs have been, more than anything, my attempt
to control and catalog the world around me’; states New. "I’m
moving in a direction where I am starting to manipulate my
images to illuminate my thoughts and ideas, but they primarily
remain shots ofthe patterns and vibrant colors I see around
me. This exhibit is a sampling ofboth photos I have taken on
my journeys and the first steps in my attempt to, essentially,
photograph my thoughts, which also seem to be constructed in
colors and patterns"
The exhibit will remain up through the month ofJanuary, and
can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pro. The Dennis
R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown
Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org.
Community Fellowship
"A place where you can be who God created
you to be andfriendghips becomefamily"
ors ip Experience
Sund s 5:30 p.m.
Pastor Neill @urgin
Pasto ressionsOKC, corn
(~05) 761-1878
"~w.ExpressionsOKC.com
Meeting at
Lansbrook ~¢ent Center
6009 NWE~pressway
Oklahoma Cio~, OK
Calif. Attorney
General Brown:
Prop 8 is invalid
by Rex g¢ockne~
In a stunninglegal move,
California Attorney General
Jerry Brown formally urged the
California Supreme Court to
invalidate Proposition 8 on Dec.
19 because, in re-banning sanaesex
couples from marrying, the
voter-approved constitutional
amendment deprived people
of an aspect ofliberty that the
Supreme Court previously had
concluded is guaranteed by the
California Constitution.
Ordinarily, it is the attorney geqeral’s job to defend the state’s
laws, not attack them.
"Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment
process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional
rights without compelling justification;’ Brown said in a
statement.
"There are certain rights that are not to be subject to popular
votes, otherwise they are not fundaanental rights;’ he added in
an interview xvith the San Jose Mercury News. "Ifevery fundamental
liberty can be stripped away by a majority vote, then it’s
not a fundamental liberty:’
Rejecting recent arguments submitted to the state Supreme
Court by gay-rights lawyers, Brown concluded that existing
case-law precedents ofthe court do not invalidate Proposition
8 either as an improper revision of the state constitution or as
a violation ofthe separation-of-provers doctrine. But that does
not resolve the matter; he said.
In its May 15 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, the state
Supreme Court "held that article I, section 1 ofthe California
Constitution provides a right to marry that cannot be denied
to same-sex couples;’ Brown’s office said. "In order to invalidate
such a fundamental right, the court must determine that there
is a compelling justification to do so. But in (its decision), the
court found that no such compelling justification exists. Accordingly,
Proposition 8 must be stricken."
"~ae use ofthe (ballot) initiative power to take avcay a legal
right deemed by this Court to be fundamental and from a group
defined by a suspect classification is a matter ofgrave concern;’
Brown said in his brief to the court. "Proposition 8 should be
invalidated as violating the inalienable right ofliberty found in
article I, section 1 ofour Constitution."
In its May decision, the state Supreme Court struck dmwa the
state’s opposite-sex definition ofmarriage as unconstitutional,
citing a fundamental right to marry under the state constitution
and the constitution’s guarantee ofequal protection under the
lav,r,
The court further determined -- in a move that legal analysts
said was unprecedented for a supreme court -- that any discrimination
based on sexual orientation is constitutionally subject to
the strictest level ofscrutiny by courts, which made it dramatically
harder for any level ofgovernment in California to defend
itself in any arena where gays, lesbians and bisexuals are not
treated the same as heterosexuals.
This was accomplished by the court’s declaring sexual orientation
to be, like race and religion, a so-called "suspect classification"
-- a categorization that forces any government in California
that treats GLB people differently in any way to prove it has
a specific compelling interest, rather than a mere rational basis,
for doing so.
While Prop 8 wiped out the part of the court’s decision that
legalized same-sex marriage, it did not alter the more ground-
,b,reaking part of the ruling that found sexual orientatiT~n to be a
suspect classification.
Gay rights lawyers said back in May that the suspect-classification
determination would prove to be even more ofa
game-changer for California gays in the long run than xvas the
decision to legalize same-sex marriage.
IfBrown’s argument passes muster with the state Supreme
Court, that prediction will have been borne out.
Equality California Executive Director GeoffKors praised
Brown’s court brief and its novel argument.
"He just demonstrated the ldnd ofleadership that isn’t motivated
bypolitical expediency but by what is right," said the head
of the state’s leading gay lobby group.
HIV diagnoses among
European gay men nearly
double since 2000
HIV diagnoses among men who have sex
with men (MSM) increased 86 percent in 23
European countries between 2000 and 2006
-- from 3,003 cases to 5,571 cases -- according
tO a report in the journal Sexually Transmitted
Infections.
Researchers from the EuroHIV program
analyzed data from 24 of the 27 member nations
of the European Union along with data
from Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, and
compared those figures with similar year-2000
data gathered from 23 nations.
There were 7,693 ne,v HIV cases reported
overall among MSM in 2006, ofwhich 2,597
occurred in the United Kingdom. Other
nations with high diagnosis rates included
the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Portugal and
Switzerland.
Much lower rates ofMSM diagnoses were
found in Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia,
even though Hungary saw a 118 percent
increase over 2000 and Slovenia saw a 257
percent increase.
Four nations saw a decline in new HIV diagnoses
among MSM over the six-year period:
Cyprus, Iceland, Lithuania and Luxembourg
(though Luxembourg’s rate is still high).
The researchers said stepped-up HIV testing
may have affected the statistics to some degree,
meaning an increase in diagnoses may not
correlate precisely ~vith an increase in actual
infections.
They also suggested that infections may be
increasing as HIV-positive men who have sex
with men live longer and remain sexually active
and presumably able to pass on the virus.
Other findings included:
* In 20 countries, the percentage ofMSM who
had full-blown AIDS at the time oftheir HIV
diagnosis decreased from 25 percent in 2000 to
t0 percent in 2006.
* In 30 countries, full-blown AIDS diagnoses
decreased from 2,422 in 2000 to 1,445 in
2006.
* In those same countries, HIV-related deaths
decreased 57 percent over the period, from 876
in 2000 to 373 in 2006.
"’qge have reported a recent increase in the
number ofHIV diagnoses among MSM in
nearly all (European) countries, and in some
countries this probably" represents a true increase
in incidence;’ the researchers said. "This,
combined with the high prevalence ofHIV
reported in many gay community settings,
the high prevalence ofHIV among MSM
diagnosed with STI (sexually transmitted
infection) and the high sexual mobility of this
population, highlight the need for a Europewide
HIV prevention strategy:’
Wockner News Service
Sweden to strike six sexual
diagnoses from list
Sweden’s National Board ofHealth and Welfare
will strike six sexual diagnoses from the
nation’s official list ofmedical diagnoses onJan.
1, Stocldaolm’s ~ae Local newspaper reported.
The agency will remove transvestism, fetishism,
fetishistic transvestism, sadomasochism,
gender-identity disorder in youth and multiple
disorders ofsexual preferences from the list.
"W’e don’t want to contribute to certain sexual
behaviors being thought ofas diseases," said
board director Lars-Erik Holm. "These diagnoses
are rooted in a time when everything other
th~ the heterosexual missionary position was
seen as sexual perversions."
Homosexuality was removed from the list 30
years ago.
Australian Parliament
gives gay couples equal
rights
Australia’s Senate and House of Representatives
passed legislation in late November that
changes some 100 laws to give gay couples
equal rights.
The measure now goes to the Governor-General
for formal approval.
The changes, introduced by the federal government,
extend spousal rights to same-sex
de facto couples in areas such as health care, ’
taxation, pensions, parenting, public benefits,
workplace benefits, workers’ compensation,
veterans’ affairs, elder care and educational
assistance.
"At long last we have removed discrimination
against same-sex couples from commonwealth
law;’ said Attorney-General Robert McClelland.
Gay campaigners cheered the.move but said
gay couples will not have complete equality
until they can get married.
Chinese gay HIV cases
increase
The percentage ofgay men in China ~vho are
HIV-positive increased from 0.4 percent in
2005 to 4.9 percent this year, the Ministry of
Health said Nov. 28.
But straight sex remains the predominant way
HIV is transmitted in China, accounting for
40 percent ofnew infections, compared with
28 percent from IV drug use and 5 percent
from gay sex.
The gay statistics were based on data collected
from 18,000 gay men in more than 60 cities.
China has recorded a total of260,000 HIV
cases, 77,000 AIDS cases and 34,000 AIDSrelated
deaths.
Burundi’s parliament
votes to ban gay sex
The parliament of the Central African nation
ofBurundi voted to specifically criminalize gay
sex Nov. 22 as part ofa package ofmore than
600 legal changes that included abolition ofthe
death penalty, news reports said.
According to Amnesty International, male,
male sex previously was banned and,ptmished
under laxvs governing "immoral acts.
The vote on the changes was 90 to 0 with 10
abstentions. The measure now moves to the
Senate, then to President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Neither is expected to oppose it.
The small, landlocked nation has a population
of 8.7 million, a life expectancy ofless than 52
years, and a per capita gross domestic product
at purchasing-power parity of $300. ~l-he comparable
figure for the U.S. is $45,800. Norway’s
is $ 53,300, Mexico’s is $12,400 and Vietnam’s
is $2,600.
80% ofSouth A ricans
thimk gay sex is wrong
Despite a constitutional ban on discrimination
based on sexual orientation and its being one
of only six nations where same-sex couples can
marry, South Africa remains deeply homophobic,
a new survey has found.
The Human Sciences Research Council’s annual
South African Social Attitudes Survey,
released Nov. 24, found that 80 percent of
respondents think gay sex is wrong.
Whites, city dwellers and highly educated
people polled less anti-gay than blacks, "coloureds"
(mixed-race people), people with less
education and those living in rural areas, the
Sunday Times reported.
Britain to count gay populafion
Britain’s Office for National Statistics is going
to count the gay
population.
Starting in January, a sexual-orientation question
will be included in
several of the office’s routine surveys, leading to
an eventual estimate
of the size of the nation’s gay community.
Respondents will choose from heterosexual/
straight, gay/lesbian,
bisexual or "other" -- or can opt not to answer.
Officials say the results will be useful for gauging
levels of
discrimination and unequal treatment and addressing
those problems.
The signatories overcame strong opposition
from a group ofgovernments that routinely try
to block UN attention to issues ofsexual orientation
and gender identity. Fifty-seven nations
signed an alternative statement, promoted by
the Organization of the Islamic Conference,
that affirmed the "principles of non-discrimination
and equality," but said universal human
rights do not include "the attempt to focus
on the rights ofcertain persons" because "the
notion oforientation spans a wide range of
persona] choices that expand way beyond
the individual’s sexual interest in copulatory
behavior with normal consenting adult human
beings, thereby ushering in the social normalization,
and possibly legitimization ofmany
deplorable acts:
~ae countries that signed the pro-gay statement
are Mbania, Andorra, Argentina,
Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic,
Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia,
Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany,
Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius,
Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, S~o
Tomd and Prlncipe, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Former
Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia, Timor-Leste,
unite~Kingd0m, Uruguay ~Venezueta~ .....
The United States refused to sign the statement,
saying its broad language could reach
into areas that fall outside of federal jurisdiction,
such as the right of each U.S. state to
define marriage.
qt is altogether shameful that on this 60th anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the Bush administration should
take one final swipe at the universal application
ofhuman rights for all;’ said Julie Dorfof the
Council for Global Equality. "The shoe incident
in Iraq last week painfully shows us how
low this country has sunk in the world’s view."
Gays march in Hong
Kong £or first time
Hong Kong saw its first gay pride parade Dec.
13. About 1,000 people marched, including
many who came from Taiwan and mainland
China.
~he two-mile procession traversed Hennessy
Road in the city center.
Attendance may have been positively, influenced
by news reports before the parade, when
Hong Kong’s biggest bus company refused to
rent a double-decker bus to pride organizers.
14 Janua~ 2009
Larry: I see it as being a representative, not just for OGRA or
the gay community but also the State of Oklahoma. We go to
other states and other rodeos and meet a lot ofpeople. Also
important is our fund-raising, which is one ofthe reasons I went
for this title.
Victor: This fund-raising not only helps the charities themselves,
but I’m sure you also see it as promoting the positive
image ofthe GLBT people in the cowboy lifestyle.
Larry: It think it has, and I think a lot ofyoung people have
gotten interested in it because ofthe fund-raising, shows and related
activity. Also people see you don’t have to be a full fledged
cmvboy, just interested in die country lifestyle and having fun.
Victor: Although the world is changing, OGRA still defies
sonle stereotypica! beliefs..
Photo by Chaz
competition is asgreatfor the Cowgirls and Cowboys at
OGR~4’~; Great PLains Rodeo as an), other rodeo.
Larry: Strangely enough, there are still people we encounter
who are shod~ed that there are gay cowboys, that they even exist.
They have interesting questions, such as "Are the rodeos really
rodeos ? .... Do you really ride horses ?"
Victor: Have you ever really roped a cow ?
Larry: Yes I have, nay parents have owned ranches and I have
roped cows, branded cattle, pulled calves, done all diat.
Victor: You grew up in a small town?
Larry: Ha}wcorth, a small town not far from Idabel. g[e lived
on a f~trm there, went to school, did our chores, slopped the
hogs, fed the chickens, took care ofthe horses. We even rode our
horses to school when the buses couldn’t get through.
Victor: So you had a typical growing up there ?
Larry: Yes, but my family moved around a lot, and I experienced
city life as well. I got involved ~vitll the gay community after I
graduated from O!dahonia Christian University ofEdmond
witli a degree of Marketing & Business. After moving back to
IdabeI, my first gay bar experience was the Roundup in Dallas.
I soon began working with HIV organizations including the
Mariah Foundation, Carepoint, and with the OHahoma State
Health Department.
Victor: But the shining star ofOGRA is the Great Plains Rodeo,
which has been held at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds for
many years as a Memorial Day weekend celebration.
Larry: More and more people are coming to that and really having
fun. Some people are surprised that our rodeos are truly the
same "kind ofrodeos, although we do feature goat dressing and
sometimes other campy events thrown in.
Victor: What impact do you think t~he movie Brokeback
Mountain had on the gay community, society in general, and in
particular gay cowboys ?
Larry: Really it brought the gay community into the mainstream,
that there was more to the gay community than an
urbaaa community ofdrag queens & flamboyant individuals, to
see them as regular people with difficulties we all face in real life.
It made the gay cowboys feel more accepted, to let them kalow
they can be themselves. It also educated the urban gay community
of the problems rural gays face.
Victor: ~¢¢’here do you see die future ofOGRA?
Larry: When OGRA began we were teaming up witl~ other
states, and now we’re doing one the largest rodeos on our own.
Ofcourse we’d like to see more people volunteer, but to put tllis
on with the resources we have shows a true hardworking spirit of
Oklahomans.
Victor: How long have you been in Oklahoma City ?
Larry: Seven years, and I have felt good seeing the increased
interest in OGRA and the friends I have made there. I have been
glad to hear from out oftowners how impressed they are that
the various parts ofthe gay communit); the disco crowd, drag
queens, the cowboys, the lesbians, get along so well together
compared to other places.
Victor: So how do people learu more about OGRA?
Larry: ~lere~ our website ~a-,wv.ogra.net, to learn what we’re
doing, about our events, and other related organizations & chatrooms
where one can talk with other cowboys and learn even
more. There’s room for all types ofpeople and talent, lesbians,
gay" men and we also have some straight members.
There you have it, a proud tradition now 23 years young derived
from the frontier spirit ofOklahoma. The GLBT community
ofOklahoma can look forward to ~vhat OGRA can do for our
future.
Connecticut unlikely to amend
constitution on marriage
Connecticut voters strong!y oppose anaending the state constitution
to re-ban same-sex marriage, according to a QEinnipiac
University poll released Dec. 17.
The poll of 1,445 registered voters found that 61 percent oppose
an anlendment and only 33 percent support it.
Same-sex couples began marrying in Connecticut on Nov. 12
after the state Supreme Court ruled that offering gay couples
onbi civil unions violated the state constitution’s guarantee of
equal protection under the law.
The poll found dlat 52 percent ofvoters agreed with the Supreme
Court’s decision, 39 percent did not and 9 percent had
no opinion.
The poll’s margin oferror was plus or minus 2.6 percentage
points.
MERI Day ofService to Provide
for Foster Children in Rhode Island
& Arkansas
RHODE ISLAND (PR) Dec 8 __ As Marriage Equality
Rh6de Island (MERI) made a commitment to community
service this holiday season it couldn’t help but acknovdedge
sorrow at the passage ofAct 1 in Arkansas, a thinly veiled attack
on the gay community that bans unmarried couples from
adopting children or serving as foster parents. Although the
Arkansas state motto calls for both "Mercy andJustice; neither
was demonstrated by proponents ofthis legislation which harms
families and children. MERI fights for the rights and protection
ofall families in seeking marriage equality for Rhode Island’s
GLBT residents.
On \Vednesday,
December
10 MERI xvas
at the State
House to collect
items for
not only" the
RI Food Bank,
Crossroads,
Amos House
mid the IRIE
Transitional
Home for
women and
children, but
also the foster
children ofArkansas
xvhose
wishes for new
families have
been curtailed.
Mayor Dani
Joy ofEureka ....
Springs, Arkansas
accepted
and distributed
RI donations.
In her letter
to MERI,
Joy stated, "I am greatly honored that your organization would
focus your energy and compassion on our many children that receive
foster care throughout our state. With the passage ofAct I
our state is left with a large number ofchildren that are either in
need offoster care, or currently in foster care... Again, let me say
that I am in axve ofyour compassion during this holiday, season.
We are truly grateful,"
File Photo Eureka Springs Birayor DaniJoy
Food bank requests included boxed and canned goods, pmvered
and evaporated milk, potato flakes, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, rice,
soup, condiments, crackers, tuna, peanut butter, jelly/jam and
juice. Amos House needs coffee and personal hygiene items.
Crossroads could use slippers, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves
for men, women and children (4 mos - 18).
The young women and their children living at the IRIE Transitional
Program, under the auspices of the RI Foster Parent
Association (RIFPA) learn skills to improve their lives mid break
the cycle ofpoverty. Ten teens ages 16-20 and their 7 children,
ages 4 months - 6 years, live in the facility. Contact MERI for
items noted on the IRIE wish list.
MERI Day ofService partners include RI Pride, inFOCUS and
the Gay Straight Alliance ofWarwick Veteran’s Memorial High
School. For raore information, contact Susan MacNeil at smacneil@
marriageequalityri.org or by calling 401-463-5368
www.metrostarnews.com ~÷t~oSTAR 15
We have a lot to celebrate including the January
20th date for President elect Obama. This year
may be the start of something big for each of
us and our personal endeavors. This is truly a
time to click our glasses together. Here is a litde
about sparkling wines from France and Spain
Champagne
French monks were the first to bottle a sparkling
forra ofwine called Champagne, named
after the Champagne region ofFrance.
The method of making "mousse" (another
name fbr bubbles) in a bottle was invented by
the efforts ofD~reJean Oudart (1654 - 1742)
and Dora Pierre Pdrignon (1639 - 1715),
Benedictine monks and cellarmasters at the
respective abbeys of Saint-Pierre aux Monts de
Chalons and Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers,
The region ofChampagne has a colder and
shorter growing season. Champagne grapes
had to be picked late in the year, with less time
available for fermentation. During fermentation
yeasts are used to convert the sugars of
the grape juice into alcohol and cold winter
temperatures stopped the process. The monks
developed a method of making Champagne
wine by using a second fermentation process
that took place in the bottle during the following
spring. The second fermentation created
carbon-dioxide bubbles that are the sparkle of
Champagne.
Cava
A Spanish sparkling wine is called Cava and
was first made as early as 1851, although the
true roots ofthe Cava wine industry can be
traced back to Josd Raventos’ travels through
Europe in the 1860s, where he was promoting
the still wines ofhis Codorniu winery. His
visits to the Champagne region sparked an
interest in the potential of a Spanish version
Happy fmay noF fi~ ~yeryqne s budget, and its super New ~.... " DPoenr~lgnon. Rose 96/Sn-nply_ _puta; lthough.
h~rd to fifid~ thi~ wifie is ~ller~
of the sparHing wine, usifig th~ same~ , p.roduction
methods. ~e local Maekbeo, P~retlada Inmerial Nectar/This one is
and Xareldo grapes were well smtqd t~h~s more in~er~sting than {he Wliite Star. It~ fruit
wine st de and whereas earlY versions W~e f.o.rw.a.rd..& 9ffdry- deh-cl¯ous.
called champ~n or xampany after Champa~~ .
Catalan winemakers wadted ~o dis{ingui-sh 5~< [: Piper,Hela ieck B~Ut
from the Vr nc 0un par ,
adopted the name Cava aAer the Cat’an qV6?a Toad H611ow Amplexus Brnt/~is one is
~r cave, where ~e wines were tradi{~on~lly ported to Califbrnia from the Cremant region ~::
stored. ...... of F{auce.
Accordin~ t.o S.pan.ish.wine laws, Cava cache C0dorniu Cava Brut/ SparHing wines f"rom
produced m s:x wine [eg~ous ~such as A~:md} ~pain can be among the most interesting in
de Duero, Navarra and ~oja)but 95% ~f taste. ~ey’re usually fi-uit forward & quite
Spanish Cava production takes affbrdable;
Pene&s region. In order for the wines
called "Card’ they must be made in
tional m&hode champenoise. Wines
the lmv-cost "Charmat process" may
called "Spanish sparkling wine".
Food
Champagne tends to
ers or opening courses in a
well with
shellfish like
ofcourse
gegura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva
This writer is one ofthe manager~ at the Grand Vin
wine shop. He also bar tends and hosts wine & food
events known in town as dae
Enthusiasts ofTulsa.
9fwine byJames Laube/
This months recipe courtesy of:
Shrimp Verde
Ingredients:
] pound thin linguine, cappelini or PRIMI
PI?~TTI
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
I Bag Spinach
1 Pound Shrimp-fresh ot fi’ozen- shelled and
&veined
2 Cloves Garlic
8 tablespoons thatsanice "VERDE" basil
pesto crema sauce
To prepare:
Boil water in large pot with splash ofsalt and
drop of oil to keep pasta from.sticking
-pasta as directed on package making sure not
to overcook, drain, set aside
Sautd olive oil, gatlic and spinach about 5-10
minutes, add fresh or defrosted shrimp and
sautd in mixture until pink!orange in color.
Add thatsanice! "VERDE" and mix together,
pour entire mLxture over pasta and toss making
sure pasta is evenly coated.
If desired, top with some grated Parmesan
cheese (although strict old school Italians
frmvn on putting cheese over seafood but it
tastes good !)
Serving ideas:
Serve as a first course with a fish entrde like
halibut or swordfish
like
s
)ver
[en& modern
traditional flavors. Ifyou
y from them and they offer
f~atured on many television shows including
the Food Network and have been featured in
nmen
At The BOK Center Tulsa
Brad Paisley
Jan 24, 2009 at BOK Center
With special guests!
Dierks Bentley
Darius Rucker
Ticket Prices: $39.75 & $46.75 Tickets On Sale Now
Cdine Dion
Feb 2, 2009 at BOK Center
RESCHEDULED DATE!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
All tickets previously purchased for the original date will be
honored. Refunds xvill be available at point ofpurchase.
Time: 8:00pm Doors: 7:00pm
Ticket Prices: $167.00, $127.00, $77.00, $49.50
~hlsa is one of45 cites and the only city in Oklahoma on this
tour. 2q~roughout her career, Celine has been honored with
over 1000 Awards, including Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes,
World Music, Juno and Felix Awards. She is the biggest-selling
female artist ofall time.
Billy Joel & Elton John
Mar 17, 2009 at BOK Center
Billy Joel & Elton John
Face 2 Face Tour
March 17, 2009
7:30pro
Tickets On Sale Now
There is no presale for this concert
Ticket Prices: $179, $99, $53.50
Billy Joel and Elton John, the most successful and longest-running
concert pairing in pop history! Billy and Elton open the
concert with a series ofduets, playing tvcin pianos and trading
vocals. Each artist then performs a set with his own band. A
grand finale brings the two superstars and their supporting musicians
ba& together for a dosing encore. This includes some of
both Billy and Elton’s greatest hits along with an unpredictable
selection ofrock and roll classics.
INSIDE
HOLLYWOOD By Romeo San Vicente
Deep Inside Hollywood,
which reports on a new
project for Margaret Cho
and Kal Penn
Cho and Penn Unite for Sisters
Q~eer-identified entertainer Margaret Cho is quite the Renaissance
svoman- she’s a stand-up comic, author, actress, blogger,
and activist. And now she can add "director" to her resume with
Two Sisters, her feature debut. Ifyou were expecting something
racy from the potty-mouthed comedian, forget it; the movie is
slated to premiere on ABC Family. Plot details are being kept
under wraps, but Cho has assembled an impressive cast, including
Kal Penn (from the Harold and Kumar movies, as xvell as
The Namesake) and the gorgeous Tamlyn Tomita (who recently
popped up on Heroes), plus Kathy Najimy (King of the Hill)
and Elaine Hendrix (Tru Loved, The Parent Trap). As for the
lady herself, Cho will also appear in a small role. Look for Two
Sisters to make its premiere on ABC Family in 2009.
Pee-wee Comes Back to the Playhouse
~Pnere are a lot ofunanswered questions floating around about
Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Ti~e Movie, like "Is it really happening?"
and "Is Johnny Depp playing Pee-wee ?" So far the only certainty
is that Paul Reubens, ~vho, than!ffull); is still in charge ofPeexvee
Inc., is jump-starting this cash cow one more time and is
working on the goal ofa 2009 release date for the slow-moving
production. Plot details are few and up for debate. Casting, too.
(Who’ll replace the late Phil Hartanan? What happened to the
guy who played the unambiguously gayJambi ? Will S. Epatha
Merkerson return as Reba the Mail Lady? Please?) But all will
surely be answered eventually, possibly via ticker-tape readout
from Conky the Robot’s torso. And ifJohnny Depp shows up,
even as a Pee-wee doppelganger, that’s just fine, too. Now ifthe
cameras would only hurry up and roll.
No, Really: Lesbian Vaanpire Killers
Whether it’s Snakes on a Plane or ~Pne Incredibly Strange Creatures
Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!!?,
a movie’s title can sometimes tell you everything you need to
knm,: And so it is with Lesbian Vampire Killers, a new British
horror-comedy about a Welsh village whose xvomen have
been cursed by the local Sapphic bloodsuckers. In aa~ attempt to
improve matters, the tovcn sends txvo hapless visitors (played by
James Corden and Mathew Home, the stars ofthe BBC sitcom
Gavin & Stacey) into the woods as a sacrifice to the titular
undead. The film also features Paul McGann (Withnail & I,
Doctor Who) as one of the few remaining men in the village.
Lesbian Vampire Killers ~vill put the bite on audiences in 2009.
Next Christmas, Make the Yuletide Gay
Romeo loves a good holiday dassic, and some gay filmmakers
obviously feel the same way about the genre, with Make the
Yuletide Gay now going into production. O.Eueer actor Adamo
Ruggiero (who played out-and-eventually-proud Marco on Degrassi:
~e Next Generation) and Allison Arngrim (best known
as frontier mean girl Nellie Oleson on Little House on the
Prairie) will don their gay apparel for this coraedy about what
happens when a guy who’s not out to his faanily goes home for
the holidays and then has to explain the sudden appearance of
his boyfriend. Yuletide also features Ian Buchanan (Twin Peaks)
and gay" indie-fihn vets Derek Long (Socket) and Steve Callahan
(East Side Story). Look for Make the Yuletide Gay to pop up at
around the same time as 2009 Advent calendars.
w,~w.metrostarnews.com ~etroSTAR 17
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
"T VELING AND MEETING PEOPLE"
Photo: Donald Pile & Ray Williams
Since we are always telling our readers to
"Always remember to have fun when traveling,
meet new people and talk to everyone"
we decided to devote this travel column to the
fabulous and interesting people that we have
met and dealt with, in our travels. These, ~ve
will list in no particular order and they live
from coast to coast.
Hizabeth Taylor has always been so gracious to
remember our anniversaries and holidays. We
have so many to list in Palm Springs. There is
Jim Doyle &Jerry Efron, Tyke, Wayne, Millie,
Shirley, Jim LaMarrina, Ken & Grant, Tom &
Doug at the Terrazzo, Burt XWahquist, artists
Robert Sharer & Giorgio and restaurateurs, Sol
and Chris ~vho we first met when they owned a
B & B in San Francisco and now mvn a restaurant
in Puerto Vallarta and also own a home in
Pahn Springs.
In New
~%rk City,
Jean-
Claude
Baker,
the exciting
owner
ofChez
Josephine’s
Restaurant,
author
Tom
Monsell,
play-
~vright
Matthew
Lom-
Photo: Chq~G~r!os at the Hi-Life bardo
C,~e in Ft. Lauderdale (Tea at
Five and
Looped) and movie director/producer Rick
McKay. His movie "Broadway: The Golden
Age" is a terrific movie.
In Florida, the famous portrait photographer
Jack Mitchell & Bob Pavlik, entertainers
Auntie Marne, ToW & Gloria, the best jazz
duo and Miguel Reyna, who without a doubt
is the finest piano entertainer/singer that we
have ever met! and the lovely and extremely
talented Faye Harrod and her friend Gloria
Delro); Casey Koslowki, owner; Herb Pianin,
General Manager; Peter Mehas, Guest Services
Manager and the entire staff at the Grand
Resort and Spa in Ft. Lauderdale who operates
the finest gay resort in the country, Chuck
Smith and ChefCarlos at the Hi-Lit~ Care,
Alan Beck & Nick and Norma. Also in Ft.
Lauderdale, Al & Tom and Steve & Ells~vorth
and the deceased fabulous pianist/entertainer,
Houston, and then dear, dears friends, Ed
Hayes &John Dunne in St. Petersburg who
are truly delightful.
And there are the people that we have met
quite by accident who have become dear
friends such as Ginny & Willy in Florida, Kala
& Frank, the absolutely ~beyond Fabulous"
owners of the Luna Vista B and B in Rimrock,
Arizona, Michael McFall & Luis Gonzalez in
Phoenix, ChefMarcdlino and his fabulous
wife Sima, owners ofMarcellino Ristorante
in Phoenix, Gordon & Kin at the Inn of the
410 in Flagstaff who are super special guys and
Charlotte Welch and her daughter Katie in
Flagstaff.
In Billings, Montana we met Barbara Hill, a
wonderful
entertainer
who has
"come
OUt~
no not
lesbian,
but "just
simply
came
out to
life"
and has
found
true
happi- ,-
ness at
last. We Photo: Actor LeslieJordan
just wish
that everybody could find themselves like she
did. In St. Louis, Michael Lance &JeffArchuleta,
owners ofNapoleons’ Retreat B & B where
we first met the "fun couple; Smitty and Eddy
in Mississippi who we will be seeing again on
our way driving to Florida in January. They
can’t help it because they were born straight!
And then there is actor, Leslie Jordan, authors
Christopher Rice and Robert Hofmann,
filmmaker Craig Highberger, (Superstar In A
Housedress) and filmmaker Mialyn Hanna
(White Shadows). A new friend who ~ve are
in contact with but haven’t actually met yet,
author Louise Penny in Canada.
Photo: Countess Alexis &Ray ~qlliams
Also wonderful people like the Countess
Mexis, the QEeen Diva who now" lives in Hollywood.
She certainly epitomizes elegance and
"old Hollywood", plaDvright Gene Danklin
Smith and Steve Nycklemore, director of the
Hollywood Museum, our good friend, Attorney
Andrew Lee who now resides in Mexico,
Dean Perkins (Crystal Chandelier) in New
Hampshire, Rodger & J.T. in the Q.~ad cities,
Chris X~alsh in San Francisco as wel! as gZalter
Edgar, owner ofthe 24 Henry B&B and the
Village House B&B in San Francisco. In Seatrle,
Stephen Bennett, owner of the Gaslight
Inn B and B and visiting there,ave met Tom
& Doris Friedman from the Hamton’s in New
York who ,are will visit When we are in New
England next year. In Santa Fe, New Mexico,
Ralph Bolton and Robert Frost, owners ofthe
Inn ofthe Turquoise Inn.
Four o~tstanding people are the late Dalee
Henderson who was and is an inspiration to
thousands ofpeople and to Raymond Bilbool,
former owner ofthe Secret Garden B&B in
West Hollywood and our dear friend Stefan
Hemming, owner ofthe Liberace Estate in
Palm Springs who hosted our 35th Anniversary
two years ago and to Mel Haber, owner of
Melvyn’s Restaurant and the Ingleside Inn in
Palm Springs. Their lives have reached many.
So here we are, two guys who live in the middle
ofthe country who are fortunate in that we
get to travel a lot and meet so many people. In
our travels, we really have been so fortunate
to meet so many fun, interesting and exciting
individuals.
q-his column is warmly dedicated to all of daese
people that we have met in our travels and we
are looking forward to meeting many more in
our future. Remember, in the words of the
late Dalee Henderson, "When you wake up in
the morning, it is a miracle! The rest ofthe day
is up to you!" Truly, today is the first day of the
rest ofyour life. Ifyou are not happy with your
life it is no one’s ffmlt but your own.
We want to thank our dear friend Chaz XWard,
Publisher-Editor ofthe Metro Star for his support.
internationa
Boy George could face
jail for ’imprisoning’
escort
Singer Boy George may land in jail after being
convicted Dec. 5 of
falsely in~prisoning male escort Audun Carlsen
in London.
Last April, George handcuffed Carlsen to a
book on the wall of George’s
bedroom fbr about an hour, saying he suspected
Carlsen had hacked into
his coruputer following a previous photo session
between the two men.
Car!sen claims George also attacked him with a
metal chain af,er he
broke free and began his escape from the apartment.
Car!sen told the court the computer story was
made up and that George
probably was upset because Car!sen refused to
have sex ~vith him the
previous time they met.
City apologizes for past
anti-gay actions
1he City Council ofHobart, Tasmania, in Australia,
apologized Dec. 10 for banning a booth promoting
gay law reform from the city’s weekly Salamanca
Market in 1988.
In the weeks that followed, more than 100 people
were arrested for refusing to vacate the site, marking
Australia’s largest-ever act ofgay civil disobedience.
The apology, delivered by Lord Mayor Rob Valentine
before more than 200 former arrestees, GLBT
community members and civil leaders, including
state Premier David Bartlett, coincided with the
20th anniversary ofthe crackdown and the 60th anniversary
ofthe signing ofthe Universa! Declaration
ofHuman Rights.
"The Hobart City Cotmcil apologizes for prohibiting
the gay law reform stall at Salamanca Market
in 1988 and for the resulting arrests aud bans,"
Valentine said. "We are sorry for the pain and
trauma caused to all involved, including GLBTI
people; their family members, friends and supporters;
and those council officers who were required to
carry out the council decision. We are also sorry that
the actions we took may have encouraged ill-will
and discrimination towards GLBTI people in the
broader community. We resolve that actions such as
these will never happen again."
The apology was formally accepted by Rodney
Croome ofthe Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights
Group, which has operated the booth continuously
at the Saturday outdoor street market since 1988.
"Twenty years ago, as we sat in police cells for the
crime of being ourselves, we could not possibly have
imagined something like this," Croome said. "People
everDvhere who suffer human rights abuses should
take this apology as a sign that no matter how bad
things seem there is ~lways hope ofa better future:
Prior to the apology, a City Council-sponsored
photo exhibit ofthe arrests was unveiled at the Salamanca
Arts Centre. The council also is sponsoring a
~ublic art work at Salamanca Place commemorating
e arrests.
18 #~troSTAR January 2009
, and two
and
instruc-
~.metrostarnews.com
OKC Civic Center Music
Ha~1 January Events
Jan. 5 SWEENY TODD presented by Broadway
Tonight
Jan. 9 -Jan. 31 ORPHANS a comedy-drama
by Lyle Kessler
Jan. 9-Jan. 31 Orphans
Jan. 10 INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS
presented by the Oldahoma City Philharmonic
Jan. 22-Jan. 25 Julius Caesar
Jan. 23 -Jan. 24 CHRIS BOTTI presented by
Oklahoma City Philharmonic
Jan. 25 HOLD THE CANNONS! ~e
Story and Glory ofTchaikovsky and the 1812
Overture
Jan. 27- Feb. 1 OPRAH WINFREY’S THE
COLOR PURPLE
Jammry At The Ford
Center OKC
Jan. 21 st - Jan. 25th ~;,hlking With Dinosaurs
Jan. 30th -Jan. 31st ~l!ie Revolve Tour
January At The P.A.C.
Tulsa
Jan 4 David Finckel and "Wu Hart
John H. Williams Theatre
6-31 FP~EE Highway412
PAC Gallery
Jan 10 Miss Gay Oklahoma USofA Pageant
Liddy Doenges Theatre
Jan 17 An Infinite Ache
Liddy Doenges Theatre
Jan 20-25 Oprah Winfrey Presents: Wue
Color Purple Chapman Music Hall
Jan 23 The Tannahill Vgeavers
John H. xg/illiams Tneatre
Jan 24 Ralph’s World
John H. Williams Theatre
Jan 27 Ethel Cabaret
Liddy Doenges Theatre
Jan 28 Ethel Concert
John H. Williams Theatre
Jan 30-31 OMEAAll-State Music Festival
Chapman Music Hall
bitter girl
FOR
Webs#e- www.kylecomics.com
en~il: bittergifl@qsyndtcate.com w~wcjoanhilty.net
20 #4etroSTAR January 2009
by Jack Fertig January 2009
"Toot your horn, Taurus!"
Jupiter is starting his yearlong passage
through Aquarius, where he inspires
new visions offreedom aa~d scientific
exp,,loration. This mini "age ofAquarius
is a year ofgreat luck to anyone
with that Sun sign or Ascendant, but
check with your astrologer to see when
that lucky year actually starts!
ARIES (March 20 -April 19): You’ll be
amazed to see what your friends would
do for you. Take the opportunity to
advance yourself politically and socially,
and to promote whatever goals and ideals
you see improving the world.
TAURUS (April 20 o May 20): Don’t be
shy! Toot your horn and let everyone
know what you’re worth. This is your
chance to rise to any position you’re
qualified for. You have a bigger career
peak in 12 years, but promotions now
can boost your trajectory.
GEMINi (May 21 - June 20): .At least
give a listen to the Wackiest, most
far-out ideas coming your way. Take
classes that challenge everything you
believe in. Ask yourself and the world
all the hard questions, and be ready for
whole new worlds of answers.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22): New
sexual adventures beckon - and
celibacy and monogamy may count as
"adventures," if they’re new to you. You
can get your sex life where it should be
or wherever you want it. Are they the
same? Be careful what you wish for!
LEO (Ju~y 23 o August 22): This is your
lucky year for relationships. That could
include becoming very happy with being
single. Join in political or community
groups; do things that fulfill you, get
you out among others, and accomplish
some good. Love will come when it is
ready.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22):
Health-wise, this is generally a good
year, but be careful of your liver. You
can get almost any job you want, if
you’re suited for it. Make sure to have
the education you need for the post you
want.
LIBFL~k (September 23 - October 22):
If you wants kids, now’s the time! If
you prefer having time for fun, explore
new pleasures, hobbies, and creative
directions. Try something you’ve only
considered at the edges of your wildest
dreams. The more "out there" and daring,
the better!
SCORPIO (October 23 - November
21): Whether it involves moving or
decorating, embark on the big domestic
changes that will make your home what
you really want it to be. Do what you
can to heal family problems. You can
hardly go wrong.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December
20): Could you be any more
loquacious? Keep your mouth out of
trouble by harnessing the brain behind
it. Learn a new skill or language, or sign
up for any class that offers you a different
direction.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January
19): This should be your lucky
year for money, but it comes with some
deceptive lures. Still, odd chances that
shouldn’t work might prove very lucrative.
Think ahead, but be ready to take
advantage of sudden opportunities.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February
18): In a 12-year cycle, this is your
lucky year. Buy a few lottery tickets now
and then, travel, or take some classes.
You can expand yourself educationally,
economically, and/or otherwise. But
watch your diet!
PISCES (February 19 -March 19):
The worst things that happen to you
could turn out for the best, although it
may take a while to see that. By next
year, you’ll be very glad for the experience
and insights.
MCC0
Rev Steve T. Urie
Spidt0fChdst MCC
2g02 E2~ Street
J0plin, M064804
417-52~
Worship Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
MCC 0fthe Living Spdng
17 Elk S~eet
Eureka Spriags, AR 72632
47525: 9337
Worship Sundays at 6:00 PM
Have a God filled and BleSSed Day!
53
~65
54 55 56
Across
1 Gay horror writer Perry
6 Release from bondage’
11 Be in the hole
14 writer X~stan ~ugh
15 Lincoln Center s Walter
16 Brownb Dirt
1’
~aeater
3 Af~eck’s Chasing Aany crush
4 \~’ork under Edith Head, perhaps
5 Cut quickly
6 Seduction step, perhaps
7 M0by Dick, to ~daab
8 Retreat for D.H. Lawrence
9 Same~sex vow’ in Connecticut
10Always, to Emilg Dickinson
11 Cather novel of 1913
12 Place for a Rivera mural
13 What Carson Kressley did to the straight
guy?
18 Glenn Burke, formerly
22 James Deans East ofEden role
24 Wol£bn ofFreedom to Marry
ww~.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 21
¢
Heights Historic District is: [ BUY G1 Joe Action F~gm:es
GAYEST Neighbo£hood t12" size Only)
myg0oe@cox.net or
cai!(405) 249-4515
I BW OLD or
NEW ~n Box or
Out ofBox
(send pic with asking price)
DS (2437)
Oklahoma’s HIV/STD H0tline
PROTECT YOURSELF
PROT£CT YOUR PARTNER(8)
Nens Oul~each P~mm
©ommunity
People ~iving
Our House, Too offers a variety of
activities for people who are HIVe and
or living with AIDS to help combat the
social isolation that many of our
people live through each and everyday.
VVe provide a Toiletry and Household
Pantry ’for those who are HIV+
and or living with AiDS who cannot
afford to purchase these itelT~s for
themselves. VVe invite anyone who
would like to volunteer or provide financial
assistance to please contact
us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail
ourhouseioo9865@sbcglobal.net
KING OF
MASSAGE
Great Touch
Man to Man
F~dl Body Massage
2 hands or 4 hands
available
Now Hiring Male & Female
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WVTW.METROSTARNEV, ogS.COM
22 Metr0STAR January 2009
Support those who support us. Their
HABANA INN
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-528-222t
www.habanainn.com
KELLY KIRBY, CPA
4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
VALEI~E VZtLLIFORD
625 N.\~ 13th Street
Oldahoma City, OK
405-226-8585
OKC MORTUARY
2415-C N. \VALNUT .A.VE.
Oldahorna City, OK
800-913-1310
ANGLES
2117 NW 39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK
v.~vw.anglesclub.com
BAMBOO LOUNGE
7204 E. PINE
TulSa, OK
918_836_8700...........................
wwwabaingooloungetulsa.com
CLUB 209
209 N. BOULDER
Tulsa, OK
918-584-9944
CLUB MAJESTIC
124 N. BOSTON
2htsa, OK
918-584-9494
www.clubmajestictulsa.com
FINISHLINE
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSX~TAY
Oklal~oma City, OK
405-525-2900
www.habanainn.com
STEVES HIDEAWAY LOUNGE
11730 E. 11TH
Tulsa, OK
918-437-0449
Open Sun- Sat 2pro to 2am
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESS\gAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
THE END UP
5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE
Tulsa, OK
918-836-0915
THE LEDO
2200 NW 39TH EKPt~SSWAY
Oklahoma Cit7, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
EXPP,ESSIONS Comm Fellowship
6009 NW Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK
405-761-1878
www.expressionsOKC.com
ads allow us to distribute your community news FREE to you.
HOPE TESTING CLINIC
3540 E. 31st
7hlsa, OK
800-535-2437
Oklahomgs HIV/STD Hotline
SPIRIT OF CHRIST MCC
2902 E. 20TH STREET,
Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480
Service Saturday 9:30 AM
CHUCK BRECKENI~DGE
K.elter Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK
918-706-!887
GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa
New and Historic Homes for Sale
and Rent For Info:
www.gaybradyheightstulsa.com
MCC of the LI\qNG SPRING
17 Elk Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9337
Worship Sundays 6pm
MCC UNITED
1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK
918-838-1715
~w~v.mcctulsa.org
OPENARMS YOUTH PROJECT
2015 -B S. Lakewood
Tulsa, OK 74112
918-838-7104
www. openarmsproject.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N. Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
KING OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oldahoma City, OK
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
TOM &JERRYS
1501 N.W. 23RD
Oklahoma City, OK
405-524-9100
>>
405-314-3898
JUDY G. PHOT0’S
Tulsa, OK
judvgphotos@sb%lobal.net
918-743-8636
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 N\Xz EXPPd~SSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-840-2106
www.c21 goldcastle.com
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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
[2009] Metro Star Magazine, January 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 1
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
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
January 1, 2009
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Online text
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Chaz Ward
Victor Gorin
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Joey D.
Rex Wockner
Susan A. Muscari
Gerald Libonati
Vernon Britt
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ronald Blake
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Judy G.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwest Missouri,
Western Arkansas
Southeast Kansas
Eastern Oklahoma
The United States of America (50 states)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Metro Star, December 1, 2008; Volume 5, Issue 12
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/199
The Metro Star Magazine, February 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 2
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/131
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/132
A Gathering
adoption
AIDS Awareness Advocacy
American gay rights
Angela Monson
art
Art Gallery
Comics
community
crossword puzzle
DADT
Don't Ask Don't Tell
Elton John
entertainment
equal rights
First Thursday
foster children
gay adoption ban
gay sex ban
HIV cases increase
HIV diagnose
homophobes
international news
Josh New
Kyle's Bed and Breakfast
Lesbian and Gay Band Association
marriage
marriage equality
National news
Oklahoma News
Oklahomans for Equality
poll
pro-gay
Proposition 8
Qscopes
regional news
Robert Matson
same sex marriage
sexual diagnoses
Star Scene
Supreme Court
theater
travel
United Nations
viewpoints
Vincent Scott
Wanda Sykes
World AIDS day
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/2e2a9a8c933dbbbc21c3c4cdc0a83571.jpg
c0285f15bddb2569e69f41fde420d855
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/b96238e6cb780c76b436d590e485edff.pdf
f3af744a4fdff9fad5baa5b8f88f0d77
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[Series] Newsletters & Publications > Ozarks Pride, Ozarks Star, Star, Metro Star Newspapers, 2004-2011
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ozarks Pride
Ozarks Star
Star
Metro Star
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2004-2011
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Images
Online texts
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Description
An account of the resource
Ozarks Pride's first issue began in January of 2004. Then follows Ozarks Pride (2004), The Star (2005), and The Metro Star (2008).
This magazine discusses topics of AIDs, education, politics, local and national civil rights of the LGBT community, and advice for relationships and places to visit.
This collection is PDF searchable. Physical copies are also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Southwest Missouri
Western Arkansas
Eastern Oklahoma
Southeast Kansas
The United States of America (50 states)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Ozarks Pride/Star Media
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
C.D. Ward
T.J. Kelly
Chaz Storm
Marion Wilson
Greg Steele
Randy Vineyard
Steve T. Urie
Chaz
Lady Bunny
Romeo San Vincente
Steve T. Urie
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Michael Hinzman
Jack Fertig
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/browse?collection=19&page=1
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
Oldahoma City’s Robin
Dorner oins Metro
Star team. She not only
brings her talent and
enthusiasm, but also
expertise gained from
overall life experience and
reporting. Seepage 5
3.corn THE PREMIER SOURCE FOR GLBT OKLAHOMA JULY 1,2009
TSUNAMI SLAMS OBAMA
by Rex Wockmer
not health coverage, which he said june 17 is not within his
power. That’s the good news -- all of it.
What hasn’t he done? Anything about Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell, anything about the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA),
anything about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
He’s done nothing about any of the stuff he promised the
gays before they rushed to the polls en masse last November
to make sure he won that election.
And, then, Mr. Obama’s Justice Deparmxent filed a
briefJune 1 ! in a federal same-sex marriage case that used
nearly eveW nasty homophobic argument in the book to
argue against letting gays get married. That was the straw
that broke the camel’s back and unleashed a flood of harsh
criticism from gay VIPs.
"I hold this administration to a higher standard than this
brief," Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese
wrote to Obama. "In the course of your campaign, I became
convinced -- and I still want to believe -- that you do, too....
This brief should not be good enough for you, The question
is;Mr. President-- do you bdieve that it’s
)bama. dec~des 22 which~not necessary ~ i
, ~ . to file a brief. It’s a horrific and hideous attack on LGBT
:. .......
[one thats good. He ~ssued
Americans."
and he extended a few
spousal benefits ~ ~d~ employees’ Same’sex partners -- National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director
sick leave and long-term care insur~ce; for example, but
Kate Kendell on her Facebook page: "The filing by the
............ Continued See GAY TSUNAMI Page-24
Pro ect Pride Foundation
Director Under Investigation For
Fraud
By Victor Gorin
OKLAMOMA CIT~; OK__ On May 16, Robert
Jordan Chiles was dected to a position on the Oklahoma
State Democratic Party’s Central Committee as part of the
Affirmative Action Committee. Ivan Holmes, previous chair
of the Oklahoma State Democratic Party stated to the Metro
Star, "Robert ovces the party for tickets he purchased for the
luncheon at the State Convention along with advertising in
the program. He said he would pay that immediately
and he hasn’t as ofyet, so vce will pursue this issue." If he
doesn’t resign his position, party officials are ready to begin
impeachment proceedings.
In May Mr. Chiles placed an advertisement in the Metro
Star which ran in the June 2009 isme; soliciting funds for
his Project Pride Foundation, presented as an organization
working to advance GLBT rights and hdp people living with
HIV. This advertisement was paid for with a check that was
returned unpaid by his bank. Mr. Chiles was given numerous
opportunities by phone and email to cover the check with no
results. It has since been turned over to the Oldahoma County
District Attorney for collection and possible prosecution.
........... Continued See PROJECT PRIDE Page-17
T lsa Pride Se s New
By Michael \~ Sasser
TULSA, OK__Tt~a Pride’s Diversity Festival and Pride
Parade engaged a record number of participants on June 6th,
both in terms of spectators and participants.
"I think it exceeded expectations," said Oldahomans for
Equality President Toby Jenkins. "We were worried whether
the format and schedule might scare people or would be
comfortable for people to participate in. Our Pioneer
Breakfast far, far exceeded expectations. N~e police tell us
there were 23,000 people at the festival which is the largest
single-day attendance for an event we have ever had."
Jenkins said the festival also included over 70 vendors and
booths, twice the number as last year; and there vcere three
times the number of parade entries as last year.
"The parade yeas larger, there were more floats and more
groups," If there was a down side, it ~vas that in the nev¢ event
format debuting this year, there were fewer spectators along
the parade route.
........... Continued See TULSA PRIDE Page-6
LOCAL>> 9 YO GRAND MARSHALL I NATIONAL >> NO SUPPONF FOR DADT I WORLD >> 50,000 2gF EURO PRIDE I PLUS >> LIFESTYLE TRAVEL I ~’FS I WINE I DINING
July 2009
2
A good time
By Robin Domer-Townsend
OGRA [)~ddent RTint Wied}n, Robin Dornerphoto
OKLk(HOMA CI~/, OK Every ),ear as Memorial
Day weekend rolls around, the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo is held
in Oklahoma City. Their goal as a social organizarion is to
host an annual-gay rodeo in Oklahoma City, assist in western
related events and contribute to charitable organizations. This
year~ motto is. ’~A Bucking Good Time."
The mission ofOGRA (Oklahoma Gay Rodeo
Association) is to act as a non-profit organization, to perform
charitable duties for the surrounding area through fundraisers,
rodeo performances, etc., for any particular charitable
organization the general membership of the association shall
choose.
"Xhat is the main goal of]OGRA; to raise money for
charity," said Klint Wieden, OGRA President. "Each year we
give primarily to two different charities ~vhich provide services
to those living with HIV or AIDS." This year’s beneficiaries
of the event are Other Options/Friends Food Pantry and
RAIN Oklahoma. Each of these organizations will receive a
charitable contribution from OGRA once the dollar amount
for donation has been calculated. "Usually it is around $3,500
for each organization," adds Wieden.
"Wieden grew up on a big ranch in north~vest Oklahoma
on thousands of acres. His family raised cattle, ran horses
and performed all general ranching duties and his family
was always involved in the rodeo. "I also love doing charity
work. It is a necessary thing," he adds. "I enjoy the causes xve
stand for at OGRA and bringing the two together; rodeo and
chariw, well, it’s a great thing for me."
OGP,A is a nonprofit organization and member of the
International Gay ;Rodeo Association, Inc. (IGRA) which is
comprised of 28 state/provincial associations throughout the
United States and Canada. The purpose for organizing OGRA
was to prov;ide a harmonious enviromnent for those interested
in the western lifestyle to express themselves through rodeo,
dance and other £~mity social activities barring al! prejudices
related to sex, nation~ origin, sexual orientation, religion, race
or any other prejudices. Overall, the IGRA has raised millions
ofdoltars ~br charities across the country.
Next year is a very big year for the OGRA as they will
celebrate their 25th anniversary. "Even more is in store for
next year’s event," furthers Wieden. "We will have a special
limited edition designer ’trophy buckle’ made. Each of the 25
buckles will be numbered and sold to raise even more money
for the charities ,are help."
Wieden and the board of the OGRA wish to thank all of
their sponsors and volunteers, but offer a special thanks to
Premium Beers of Oklahoma and the Copa/Finish Line which
each contributed more than $10,000 this ),ear. For more
information about OGRA please visit www.ogra.net.
Diversity Business
Assodates; proud to do
in OKC
By Robin Dorner-Townsend
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Since 2004, the Diversity
Business Association (DBA) has been a "proud’ organization
representing many businesses and prot)ssions in the
Oklahoma City metro area. As an organization primarily for
gay and gay-friendly businesses, DBA is a diverse group; thus
the name "Diversity Business Association."
DBA is not an organization iust for the gay, lesbian.
bisexual or transgender (GLBT} community. It is an open
minded, diverse group of individuals from all walks of life.
"Why not do business with people who want to do business
with you?", is their organizational motto. With nearly 150
members, the Diversity Business Association does mean
business.
"DBA has become Oklahoma City’s fastest growing GLBT
organization and with good reason," says Monty Milburm
President ofDBA. "We offer a casual yet business oriented
environment for our members to connect with and do
business with people that want to do business with them. It is
these connections that help all of us succeed in good and bad
times."
Each month, usually two business connection meetings are
held where members meet to network and exchange business
cards, ideas, and get together for fun events also. There are
luncheons, educational meetings and after hour mixers which
bring the group together for people ~vho want t6 do business
with like-minded people.
Membership fees for DBA are some of the best in this
area for an organization of its ~nd. An individual business
membership is $49 per year and corporate memberships (for
up to 10 people) are $450. Unlike most organizations, DBA
has a student or ’social’ membership f)e for $25 per year. N~is
allows the businesses in the area who are gay or gay-friendly to
benefit from like-minded people seeking to do business with
this diverse group.
The goal of DBA is to be a positive organization in the
GLBT community and the Oklahoma City community as
a whole. DBA will have a booth at the upcoming Gay Pride
events to be held at Memorial Park in Oklahoma City on June
27th & 28th and invites everyone to come and visit to see
what they are all about.
"I would like to encourage you to visit often, check out
our calendar and consider joining. We encourage positive
competition and celebrate each member’s success," adds
Milburn. "t am proud to serve as President of such a fine
organization. We really do mean business."
For more information about DBA, please email them at
contact@dbametro.org or visit vvw~.dbametro.org. It is best to
use Internet Explorer when visiting this site.
Impressive Youth Leads Tulsa’s
Gay Pride Parade
By Judy Gabbard
Noah Blatt GrandMarshall ~dsa Pride Parade. Judy G. photo
TULSA, OK The Grand Marshal! ofTulsds Annual
Pride Parade xvas not a celebrity or an individual with a crown
of jewels: this Grand Marshall was a nine year old young man
named Noah Blatt. Noah Blatt is a perfect example ofwhat
the words "Diversity" and "Acceptance" represent in the
contin~l struggle of gay rights.
Told to me by a representative of Oldahomans [br
Equality, Noah Blatt first came m the attention of the
committee members at Tulsa’s Equality Center, when
he hand delivered a letter and a donation. In the letter,
Noah explained that as an assignment he was to chose an
organization that he rahought was making a difference, His
mission was to acknowledge that organization and donate
to its support. Noah has continued to contribute part of his
weekly allowance in support ofTulsa’s Equality Center.
Toby Jenkins, Tulsa’s Equality committee President, said,
that when it came time to select the Grand Marshall for the
Pride Parade, no other individual was as deserving as Noah
Blatt.
Noah’s revelation, revealed in his letter, that xvhen same
sex couples love each other and want to marry, there shotdd
be no one allowed to stand in their way. Simple truth uttered
from one so young shows that the continuing struggle for gay
rights is making an impact on public opinion.
In a short interview with Noah Blatt, I met a gentle young
man with a view of the world that maW lose when they grow
up. Noah is determined to hang on to his beliefs and make
his opinions known. Noah’s room and dad are hard working,
well educated parents who have a!lo~ved their child to develop
his own views of human behavior.
Mr and Mrs Blatt support their young son’s ideas and
know that it takes only one person to start a movement
towards human rights.
Noah was introduced to the public at the Pride Festival
held at Centennial Park, located at 6th and Peoria, and
severalo awards were bestowed upon him. The greatest prize
was a view into the future possibilities of our youth. The
importance of bestowing understanding, love, guidance and
attention to our younger population was made evident in such
a small package, Noah Blatt.
www.rnetrostarnews.com ~®troSTAR 3
UDGE RULES IN KEITH
KIMMEL’S FAVOR
ON HIS I’M GAY LICENSE
PLATE
By Victor Gotin
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK On April 6 Keith KimmeL
like maW other Ol-dahomans since 1967, applied for a
personalized license plate for his !992 Dodge pickup truck.
However. he ran into an obstacle because his message
was ’TM GAY". His request was denied. Kathy Green, a
supervisor in the Motor Vehicle Division, stated that his
request was denied due to a Oklahoma Tax Commission Rule
710:60-3-150 (d) which states "No license plate will be issued
-which may be offensive to the general public." However, she
did not state why she deemed that his message fit into that
category.
Mr. Kimmel appealed this decision, and his case was heard
by Administrative Law Judge Jay Harrington in Oklahoma
City on May 7. A favorable ruling, in which Judge Harrington
recommended that Keith be allowed his I’M GAY plate, was
released on June 18, jttst a week before Gay" Pride celebrations
ldcked off in Oklahoma City.
Attorney Brittany M. Novomy, who represented him on
this case had this statement, "This decision is an indication
that we do still live in a society that respects the rule of law,
and when we feel our civil rights have been violated we know
we can turn to our legal system to remedy the situation. I
believe it is also a signal that despite its national reputation,
Oldahoma has outstanding women and men in the legal
profession who put the law ahead of old prejudices."
The Oklahoma Tax Commission may accept or reject
this recommendation. Talking with Mr.Kimmel he stated,
"I think the judge reviewed the case carefully,, made a good
decision and I hope the commission will do the right thing
and let me have nay plate." If the Oklahoma Tax Commission
doesfft fol!ow- through and allow his plate he plans to pursue
additional legal action.
BillyJackson and Michael[ Friday
ioined their lives together
By Victor Gorin
Bil{rJackson &Michael Friday at their Holy[ Union wid~ t/.,eir
.iF[ends Luq andMidn@t. Godn photo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Billy Jackson and Michael
Friday joined their lives together Sunday, June 14 in Norman
at Thunderbird Chapel. Lovers of the country lifestyle, both
are active in OGRA, Michael as the mernbership chair and
Billy who is running for Mr. O.G.R~k. next year. Tney are
setding down together on the outskirts of Noble where
Michael, as a member of the Orchid Society, will be able to
pursue his hobby. The Holy Union was offidated by Pastor
Neill Spurgin of Exp~:essions Community Fellowship, where
both Billy and Michael are members. Let’s wish them a
wonderful life together.
Annual Hot Young Hollywood
Party to benefit R.A.I.N.
Oklahoma August 7
Angles to host annual Hot Young Hollywood PaW to benefit
RAIN Oklahoma. Oklahoma CiF’ HIVNon-profit agent/.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) __ August 7 2009
N~e Hot Young Holly~vood Party is an annual fundraiser for
RAIN Oklahoma, acting as a spotlight for local GLBT owned
& friendly businesses. RAIN Oklahoma will be honoring four
Oklahomans for their outstanding leadership and activism.
The event will be a fun filled evening with fashion
shmvs from well-known designers such as Cadillac Cowboy;
Nicole Moan, GLAMNERD, Riot Rockett and Debauchery
Clothing, plus live performances from Oklahoma City;s own
Eric Bramble and others. Definitely an event not to be missed!
Rafiqe ticket sales provided much of the $2500 raised at
last year’s party. I~mt year sponsor donated items included a
necklace donated by Mitchener & Farrand Jewelers, a "makeover"
prize package .from Velvet Monkey Inc., dinner for two
at 1492, and a Marc-by-Marc Jacobs bag among many other
items.
For the RAIN Leadership Award, campus GLBT groups
made nominations from OCU, UCO, OU, OSU OKC AND
UT as well as the GLBT group of DELL and the Cimarron
Alliance Foundation. The goal of our nominees is to increase
the quality of life for all Oklahomans.
RAIN Oklahoma is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency,
depending on private donations and the support of the
community to continue providing high quality of services.
RAIN Oklahoma offers a wide array of services from free HIV
testing and counseling, community outreach projects, Ryan
White Case Management, ADVANTAGE Medicaid waiver
services & Transitional Housing. RAIN Oklahoma’s
mission is to compassionately serve indMduals and
communities impacted by HIV/AIDS through
education, volunteerism and coordinated access to
healthcare & support services.
We accept all donations; Gift Certificates, Checlcs,
Merchandise and/or services. Donors will be recognized
in the program.
For additional information on The Hot Young
Holbavood Party, please contact the Hot Young
Holl)wcood Committee:
Contact:
Kendet R. Powers, CTR Agent
RAIN Oklahoma
405/204/7767
kpowers@rainoklahom.org
Vicld Banta
Vicki Banta the Partyoligist
405/850/6817
Xfbanta@aol.com
Kai R. Dameron
Rain Oldahoma, CTR Coordinator
405/232/2437 xt 123
KaiDameron@hotmail.com
Giving back: MAC Cosmetics
’Viva Glam’ line supports HIV!
AIDS organizations
By Robin Dorner-Townsend
Inf!’ont ofthe Iguana Lounge in Automobile Alley in downtown
Oklahoma Ci~, the 3¢IAC cosmetics staffin Oklahoma City show
their support in theform of"a big check"for Other Options and
Friends Food Pantry. Thefundraising event "51 Toast to Life"
was heldfor the non-profit organization at The Iguana Lounge
in April The Iguana showed its support ofthe Other Options
organization by undenvHting the charitable event.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Since 1989, Other
Options has been on the forefront of prevention, education,
and assistance of those in need who are living ~vith HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Autoimmune
Deficiency Syndrome). The organization was Formed as anonprofit
whose missi6n" included al! services which hdp persons
living with the disease but currently their primary focus is that
of food services, nutrition and education.
Mary Arbuckle, Director of Other Options works to
assist the clients they serve, organizes donations and among
many other taslcs, she also writes grant applications for the
organization. "It’s a .....Continued see MAC page 24
July 2009
4
Leather Camp Vwill
be running in Wichita
gg~IICHITA, KS (PR) __ August 14
- 16, 2009. Early bird registration is active
until July" 21st at a rate of $75.00. After July
21st, the package cost xvill be $85.00. The
Clarion Hotel will hots the event with a room
rate of $79.00 per night. Rooms need to be
booked directly through the hotel. Ask for
the WOOLF rate to get the discount.
~qere are lots of great classes for this years
event. Presenters include ~qaipmaster Bob
and Bootpig, Graydancer, Sir Olivier and pup
sparlg~, Mason and Michelle. In addition, we
will be having our Central Hains Regional
contests for Central Plains LeatherSirlboy and
CommunivA Bootblack as well as our loc~
WOOLF contests for Mr. and Ms. WOOLF
and Kansas boy/girl. All of the contests
will be judged by International LeatherSir
2009, Sir Raul, International Leatherboy
2009, boy bill, Central Plains LeatherSir
2009, Master Sam Sampson, Central Plains
Leatherboy 2009, pup sparkle, Central
Plains Community Bootblack 2009, boy
blu, Great Plains Leatherboy 2008, boy mike
and Rev. Jackie Carter of the Metropolitan
Community Church ofWichita. The
weekend ~vill be emceed by Tom Stice.
For more information and to register for the
weekend and book your hotel room, please
visit www.wichitaleatherpride.com.
Robin DornerJoins Metro Star Staff
Robin Dorner-Tmvnsend. Staff photo
OKLAI-IOMA CITY. OK Already
well kmown in Oklahoma City and beyond as
a fun loving reporter and activist. Ms. Dorner
Born in Wichita, she graduated from
Kansas Newman College in that same
city to become a Registered Nurse. She
moved to Oklahoma City in 1983 when
jobs for RNs were plentiful. She worked
in various positions as a dialysis nurse,
in home health and hospice settings,
and case management. She is a happily
married heterosexual, celebrating 15
years together with Ken Townsend,
her soulmate who is in the oil & gas
business.
In 2004 she earned a Bachelor’s
Degree in Health administration,
followed by a Master’s Degree in
Business Administration in 2006.
After this milestone, seeking a different
direction, she branched out into
journalism with the City" Sentinel.
broadening their horizons when she
covered many events of the GLBT
community. She first became involved
with our community during the !990s
when she volunteered as a nurse for
the Triangle Association vdth D~:Larry
Prater. who operated a free AIDS
clinic. Relating ~o that experience she
stated that "I loved it, not only as a nurse
but also from the love, camaraderie and
acceptance I found in the gay community."
Her involvement in the community grew,
and she later became a boai~d member of
has just joined the Metro Star team. She will the Cimarron Alliance Foundation. She is a
be repo~ting local news and ~ents and wil! former board member and current member of
handle OK~’~C ad sales al6nFwithRikGOdbev Diversity Bttsiness Association of Oklahoma
and Victor Gorin. She is also an accomplished City, and is her husband Ken. She does
~h0togr~pher. She n0{ 0hly brings 1{~} taleh{ vohmteer work for Other OptiOns, and looks
~nd enthusiasm, but alSO ~ert~e gained forward to working with the Metro Star. We
f om oCe llife ep0mng welcome her a oard .
the City Sentinel ( fbrmeriy the Mid City
Advocate).
www:metrostarnews.com &~et~’oSTAR 5
Dont Shop - Adop
By Michael ~{~. Sasser
Tulsa author Clara Nipper. Press photo
TULSA, OK __ Tulsa author Clara
Nipper never read mysteries, thrillers or true
crime books, so when - on a dare from her
partner - she set out to write in the genre,
they set the mood and picked up the stylized
approach by camping out in their home.
lowering the air conditioning and watching
classic noir films such as Double Indemnity,
Laura and the more-modern Body Heat.
"They were terrific," said Nipper. "I took
some inspiration from them."
Nine months in the writing, Nipper
completed her first novel, the stylish Femme
Noi~; a tide that aptly describes both the book
and the innovative genre of lesbian literature.
"I was writing "chick stories’ and my
partner told me that since that wasn’t ,going
an?~vhere I should try something new,
Nipper said.
So, Nipper crafted a character that was
the "total opposite" of her. "She is tall and
lean, black and bald, and a total womanizer
- a slut. I wondered if I could wrire an entire
book about her. And, I thought, yes I could."
The rest is now history. Femme Noir is
being published by Bold Stroke Books.
In the book, Nora Delaney is Nipper’s
protagonist. The hard-boiled, hypersexualized
womanizing college basketball
coach chases the case of her murdered exlover
from LA to Tulsa only to be waylayed
by a gorgeous, gin-swilling skirt who has
information as well as an appetite for women
like Nora.
The book contains classic noir elements
and Nora is cut from the same cloth as many
classic, troubled genre protagonists - except
that she is a woman. Hailed by maw for its
unique and interesting voice, the book is also
sexually graphic and unapologetic.
"’gq~en my father got a copy of the book.
I wrote in it ’please don’t read this’." Nipper
said. "I hope he hasn’t.
Tulsa native Nipper is veU much unlike
her lead character.
"I was straight most of my life," said the
Tulsa CountT Courthouse clerk. "I was always
open with sexuality and thought that if it felt
good, do it. I’ve only had t-wo girlfriends in
nay life. My first girlfriend was the one who
said "you should try this’ and I said ’sure, let’s
give ir a try.’ It was tumultuous except for the
sex tbr the next two years. I have been with
nay current partner for 13 years."
Nipper had been "spiritually" a writer her
entire life, from the time she xvrote a short
story in grade school that a teacher insisted
on turning into a slide show.
"The best advice I ever got was to write
one page a day and after a year, you ~voutd
have 365 pages," Nipper said. "qhe road
to publishing has been rocky, but my
publisher now is terrific. They do so much to
support authors and offer opportunities and
guidance."
Femme Noir’s sequel, I4dss of Noir,
is already under contract. It’s set in New
Orleans and will continue to stretch the
parameters ofsexuat representation.
"I’ve already shocke,~,! and appalled some
lesbmns, N~pper stud. I th~nk that means
am on the right track."
For more information on Nipper and
Femme Noir, visit www.claranipper.com.
"Most people waited for the parade at
[Centennial Park], and it was packed there".
A shuttle system taking parade-path
spectators to the park might be one thing
added for future Pride festivals. For the most
part, though, the new event structure was
very much a success.
"The fireworks, the ferris wheel and the
concert were all huge successes." Jenkins said.
Jenkins noticed a few things in particular
this year. Employees of Spaghetti Warehouse
on Brady Street came out to cheer ~or the
parade. At Centennial Park. the crowd
included a notable number of straight couples
and individuals, including maW attending
their first-ever Pride event with or without a
GBLT relative or friend.
"I thought, ’Wo~v. ~vhen did it become
cool to go to Pride?" "-We also had a tot
of seniors there. One mother said she
was impressed at how family-friendly the
environment was. I wish I could say that was
something we tried to do. but it’s just a sign
of the evolution of the community."
Police commented on how busy the Kid
Zone was with approximately 700 children of
GLBT families and straight participants.
This year’s n~w policy against ice chests
and bringing in outside food and beverages
also worked out. Jenkins said no one had to
go to the hospital and police told him that
for the first time there was no one who they
considered acting publicly drunk to the point
of being a nuisance.
Vendors also told Jenkins they had done
well at the event. Jenkins hopes that means it
will be possible to continue expansion of the
event in the future with more participants.
Although the parade route saw the typical
number of protestors, there was only one
notable at the festival itself.
Annie Bryce drove an hour to attend her
first Tulsa Pride event.
"I was very impressed at how nice it was
and, really, how nice the people were - men,
women, gay and straight even," she said.
Cashen" Stewart attended the Pride
Festival, largely for the parade, He thinks the
eve,n,t could still be improved.
I think there should be a bit more things
to do at Pnde that are more mteracuve, he
said.
lenkins said that other smaller cities
aro{md Oldahoma also having Pride events,
such as Enid for the first time ever in July, is
evidence of empowerment.
"People are feeling safe enough to have
festivals - that’s a good sign."
No matter who you are o
are on life’s iourney,
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July 2009
6
So, ust What is the True
Definition-ofMarriage ?
by James Nimmo
OY._LM-IOMA CITY. OK As a semiprofessional
musician I provided music at the
same-gender marriage recently of two friends
of mine, the latest ceremony of uncountable
services I’ve played, t’rn also a committed
atheist and rather hard-boiled when it comes
to asking [or divine intervention, as well
as the invention of skT-oriented deities for
whatever reason. I support everyone’s private
pursuit of their interests in accordance with
the First Amendment as long as infringement
of my own legally supported rights isn’t
involved.
There was no doubt of the sincerity of the
participants in this religious ceremony. There
were prayers, vestments, and liturgy common
to any other Christian denomination
marriage ceremony. Had you been
blindfolded and dropped into this touchingly
simple outdoor service, uncoached and
uninformed, you would not have been able to
distinguish this wedding from the thousands
being conducted in the rest of the country on
any Saturday afternoon.
Jaded as I am about religion, I did get a
little misty-eyed when the minister spoke-of
the hands being held by the two grooms. As
these ceremonies of commitment go the hope
is always for a devoted and determined future
of mutual and exclusive support through a
lifetime of as many years o?iife as our genetic
desdny wil1 give us. He described these hands
as they are now. young and strong brushing
away ~ears of joy and sorrow, touching in
moments of intimacy, and when old and
wrinkled they’ will sti!l be the hands we want
touching us in times of need.
~ view myself as a married man wittl a
partner of 32 years, and 1 can identi~! with
the sentiments and intentions the minister
outlined in his .;ermon. By what fiat of
bigoted ignorance can anyone deny me and
millions of other gay and Lesbian Americans
this legaI right of marriage just because
the gender of the two people is the same,
choosing to share their bounty and their
concerns for as long as they’re able, be it one
year or hopefully- a long lifetime? How is that
any different from what opposite-gendered
people choose to do?
To answer my own title, I think marriage
is the ability of two responsible people
committed to each othm; with a seriousness
of purpose, for as long as they are able to
hones@ maintain the relationship, with or
without the imprimatur of religion.
At one time I was a proponent of
going nicker the recognition of our gay/
Iesbian equality one right at a time. But
at approximately 1,400 indMdual rights
bestowed with a completed marriage
license, there arefft enough years for
even Methuselah to see the success of the
movement. I now see that only a dedicated
Federal lawsuit, such as the one being
brought by Ted Olson and David Boles (
http://tiwurl.com/q6hvip ), will give us
the trne definition of marriage we gay and
Lesbian citizens need to live our lives with the
choice so casually enjoyed by straights.
~.metrostamews.com
Politics M es for
Strange Bedfellows
by James Nimmo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK It’s pretty
exciting to be a gay/lesbian activist these days.
Our civil rights movement has been focused
on California which has been performing
a line dance with basically the lovers of
romance and civil rights in one line and the
haters of diversity and inclusion in another.
With the survival of Prop-Hate in
California in late May there are now thirty
states that prohibit same-gender marriage
by constitutional amendment; thirty-seven
prohibit it by statute. Some states even went
double-dipping in their vehemence against
gays and lesbians with both.
But on the sunny side, as of this writing,
there are five states that allow same-sex
marriage with three states promoting samegender
unions. ( http:lhinyurt.comlmq8fev )
I’m not too hot with arithmetic but even
I can tell there is some overlapping of statutes
and amendments with a minority of states
still sitting on the sidelines, waiting and
waiting.
Waiting for what? Maybe the same thing
I’ve been waiting for. A team of lawyers,
financial supporters, and plaintiffs willing
to put this momentous issue into it’s proper
frame: Shall the United States continue
with this jurisprudence crazy, quilt of rich
progressive action and tawdry, shortsighted
discrimination or blanket the country with
one legal rtding that allows all adults to make
their own decisions for their future regardless
of gender, religion, or geographic location?
That’s where the odd bedfellows Ted
Olson and David Boles come in. These two
lawyers, fmnous for being on opposing sides
of the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case that
by a one-vote margin put the Bush/Cheney
ticket in the White House have filed a
Federal lawsuit to place an injunction on the
California Supreme Court decision upholding
the anti-marriage equality amendment lmown
as Proposition 8.7heir plan is to carry this
lawsuit up the chain of Federal courts to
the US Supreme Court if necessary in order
to have a definitive ruling as to whether
or not same-gendered people are covered
under the 14th Amendment of the Federal
Constitution, specifically the clause that all
citizens are entided to the full protection of
the laws. ( http://tinyurt.com/dypxfp )
Many of the main stream civil rights and
gay/lesbian advocacy organizations ( The
American Civi! Liberties Union, Lambda
Legal, the National Center for Lesbian
Rights, Freedom to Marry, Gay & Lesbian
Advocates & Defenders, the Human Rights
Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force, the Equality Federation, and the
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
are aghast at the audacity of this plan
sponsored by the American Foundation for
Equal Rights. ( http:/Itinyurl.comlld6a2w )
I’m no legal eagle but I’m literate, folio~w
the news, and can reason, tn addition, my
partner and I were among 12 other plaintiffs
in the attempt by Oklahoma’s chapter of the
ACLU to derail the 2004 Okie version of
Prop. 8, known as State Question 71 ! that
passed with a 70+% majority vote.
The legal strategy being used by the
As t see it, ~here are two important
precedents (an important aspect of
jurisprudence? from the Supremes that
recognize our gay/lesbian citizenship. They
are: Lawrence v. Texas ( http://tinyurl.
com/br2tj t that eliminated sodomy laws
by overturning Bowers v. Hardwick (http://
tinyurl.com/jus3e ), and the Romer v. Evans
decision overturning Colorado’s infamous
Amendment 2 dewing gay/lesbian citizens
protection of state laws( http://tinyurl.
com/49m9er ) wherein Justice Kennedy
famously wrote that "[Amendment 2] is at
once too narrow and too broad. It identifies
persons by a single trait and then denies them
protection across the board. The resulting
disqualification of a class of persons from die
right to seek specific protection from the law
is unprecedented in our iurisprudence."
Let me add that Justice Kennedy is
the famous "swing vote" on many Court
decisions that are decided by a single vote.
Though there have been changes in the names
of the j ustices over the years, the legal balance
of the Court is still the same: four living in
the 18th century, four in the 21st century,
with one bridge between them.
If politics makes for strange bedfellows
and change is die buzz word for this political
season, then I think it’s time to change
the sheets. As these two well experienced
attorneys have wedded dlemselves to marriage
equality, I wish them a happy honeymoon.
Live long and prosper, Olson and Boles!
Joplin First Pride in
over ten years
JOPHN. MO (PR) In January of this
year Rev. Steve Urie of Spirit of Christ MCC
asked for volunteers to h~ad up a committee
commissioned with the task of planning and
bringing together Joplin’s first Pride Event in
over ten years. Out of that was born Joplin:
Out & About, a collaborative committee
made up of people from Spirit of Christ
MCC, AT&T and other GLBT groups and
members from the community. A target date
was set and the planning began.
¯homas, Joanna, Darrell, Jeff, Heath,
Shauna and Shea with the intermittent help
of others handled the tough iob of keeping it
all together.
Tne final result was several events through
the week including a Karaoke Night, Movie
Night and finally Joplin’s Out & About Event
in the park.
Just ten years ago you would find law
enforcement setting traps to catch men in the
park cruising. This year with la~v enforcement
patrols protecting the event; the community
celebrated with groups from Springfield,
Galena, Tulsa, the greater Joplin area and as
far away as NWArkansa~s, Weir and Topetca,
Kansas taking pride and respect to a new
high level for the community. Private and
non-profit vendors started signing on as did
other local groups including UCC Family
Fellowship, Joplin Gays Yahoo Group, Joplin’s
GLBT Corporate Center, the support group
fi-om AT&T, Planned Parenthood, PROMO,
the Pla-Mor Lounge and APO’s local and
Springfield’s offices. The Metro Star played
an important part in providing sponsorship
and coverage of the event. The Topet~
Transgendered Alliance was represented by
Steve/Lila & spouse Joy also members of
MCC Topeka. Entertainment was provided
by a band as well drag queens from Joplin
and Springfield. The Gto Center from
Springfield, MO showed up in support of
the Event, helped with Sponsorship and
provided information about their services. We
thank everyone who sponsored, supported,
participated and just plain attended this
event.
Rev. Steve Urie &long time partner Heath with
festival voluntee~ Staffphoto
Held in Joplin’s McClellan Park June 13th
and with over 250 people from the GLBTQ
community this was a success for our
community. Friends, family supporters and
the straight community including children
and some well behaved canines came together
to show that we can be one community that
we can work together, play together and
respect each other. From Gay Bingo to the
sale of Pride Jewelry, entertainment ro fbod.
free HIV testing to information, and with
MC Brandon everyone had a great time. In
addition several boxes of food were donated
t~br APO clients through the Angel Food
Ministries program.
Lots ofentertainment, & good lookingguys and
gab atjoplin Pide Yestiva~ Staffphoto
We would like to thank Naomas for
his dedication and tenacity in keeping it
together; Joanna for gathering equipment,
supplies, support mad being one foot soldier
you couldn’t top, Darrell for writing the
first GLBT Joplin History Booklet, Jeff
for putting the boolde.t togethm; Heath
for cooking his heart out and all the
volunteers that brought it together. With the
encouragement of the community at large
already pouring in this may have been Joplin’s
first Pride event in recent history but clearly
won’t be its last.
Wockner News Service
New Hampshire legalizes
same-sex marriage
New Hampshire legalized same-sex
marriage June 3 when Gov. John Lynch
signed three bills, including one that had
cleared the Legislature just an hour eadier.
3-he bills open marriage to same-sex
couples starting Jan. 1 and protect certain
rights of religious organizations, associations
and societies that oppose gay marriage.
"Today is a historic day for all Granite
Staters," said Mo B~ley, executive director
of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry
Coalition. "We applaud Gov. Lynch, (House)
Speaker (Terie) Norelli, (Senate) President
(Sylvia) Larsen and the leadership of the
General Court (legislature) for making sure
that all loving, committed couples have the
freedom to marry. Today, our shared values of
individual liberty, freedom and fairness have
been upheld:"
The final bill, tsveaking religious
protections, passed the Senate 14-10 and
th.e House 198-I76. Lynch had required
tile additional language as a condition of his
agreeing to let gays marry.
In announcing his support for same-sex
marriage on May 14, Lynch said: "At its
core, (this bill) simply changes the term ’civil
union’ to ’civil marriage.’ Given the cultural,
historical and religious significance of the
word marriage, this is a rneaningfu! change.
I have heard, and I understand, the very real
feelings of same-sex couples that a separate
system is not an equal system. That a civiI law
that differentiates between their committed
relationships and those of heterosexual
couples undermines both their dignity and
the legitimacy of their families."
Tl~e measures signed into law will repea!
the state’s civil-union law effective Jan. 1,
2011, and prohibit any new civil unions after
Jan. 1, 2010.
Same-sex marriage is legal in five other
U.S. states: Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Iowa, Vermont (starting in September)
and Maine (starting in Septembe0. Nlere
also are 18,000 same-sex couples legally
married nnder California law, though no
more will be allowed to marry until voters
repeal Proposition 8, the state constitutional
amendment passed last November, or until
the U.S. Supreme Court strikes it down Or it
is blocked by comx injunction. Gay groups
are planning a ballot initiative to delete
Prop 8, and a federal lawsuit has been filed
charging that Prop 8 violates the due-process
and equal-protection clauses of the U.S.
Constitution. The lawsuit also says Prop 8
relegates gays and lesbians to second-class
citizenship and discriminates based on gender
and sexual orientation. It further seeks an
injunction allowing same-sex marriage to
resttme in California pending resolution of
the case.
Hi ary Clinton issues
pride month statement
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a
Gay Pride month statement June 1.
She wrote: "Forty years ago this month,
the gay rights movement began with the
Stonewall riots in New York City; as gays and
lesbians demanded an end to the persecution
they had long endured. Now, after decades
of hard work, the fight has grown into a
global movement to achieve a world in which
al! people live free from violence and fear,
regardless of their sexual orientation or gender
identity.
"In honor of Gay and Lesbian
Pride Month and on behalf of the State
Department, I extend our appreciation to the
global LGBT community for its coui’age and
determination during the past 40 years, and I
offer our support for the significant work that
still lies ahead.
"At the State Department and throughout
the Administration, we are grateflal for
our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
employees in Washington and around
the world. They and their families make
many sacrifices to serve our nation. Wneir
contributions are vital to our efforts to
establish stability, prosperity and peace
worldwide.
"Human rights arc_- at the heart of those
efforts. Gays and lesbians in many parts of
the world live under constant threat of arrest,
violence, even torture. The persecution of
gays and lesbians is a violation ofhuman
rights and an affront to human decency,
and it must end. As Secretary of State, I
will advance a comprehensive human rights
agenda that includes the elimination of
violence and discrimination against people
based on sexual orientation or gender
identity.
"N~ough the road to full equality ibr
LGBT Aalaericans is long, the example set by
those fighting for equal rights in the United
States gives hope to men and women around
the world who yearn for a better future for
themselves and their loved ones[
"This June, let us recommit ourselves to
achieving a world in ~vhich all people can live
in safety and freedom, no matter who they
are or ~vhom they love."
Clinton also is preparing to grant spousal
benefits and protections to diplomats’ gay
partners, she said in a recent letter to the
group Gays and Lesbians in Foreign ~aqZairs
Agencies.
The pack,age will include medical and
emergency evacuation, travel reimbursement,
shipment of household effects, use of U.S.
government medical facilities abroad, isstlance
of diplomatic passports, visa assistance, and
security and language training.
Not included are health insurance,
retirement benefits and certain other perks.
Nevada Legislat e
overrides governor’s veto
ofpartnership bill
Nevada’s Senate and Assembly on May 30
and 31 overrode Gov. Jim Gibbons’ May 25
veto of a domestic-partnership bill.
Tne new la~¢ extends to same- and
opposite-sex registered domestic parmers
nearly all state-level rights and obligations of
marriage.
The override came without a vote to spare
in both the Senate (14-7) and the Assembly
(28-!4). In the Senate, 10 Democrats and
four Republicans voted for tile override, and
five Republicans and two Democrats voted
against it.
Gibbons had claimed the bill ran afoul
of a 2002 state constitutional amendment
that defines marriage as between a man and
a woman. He also argued that gay couples
could go sign private contracts if they
desired the protections of marriage for their
relationship.
"The significance here is it literally equates
’domestic partner’ with ’spouse’ under
Nevada state la**;" Michael Ginsburg of the
Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada
told Las Vegas correspondent Steve Friess.
"You have the flail force of the law behind you
nox~: When you’re in the hospital, forced to
ma~e decisions for your partner, all you have
to say is, ’This is nay spouse,’ and that carries
tremendous weight."
.am Lambert
Photo: American Idol runner up Adam Lambert
Who kalew? American Idol sensation and first
runner-up Adam Lambert is a homosexual.
"I don’t think it should be a surprise for
anyone to hear that I’m gay," Lambert told
Rolling Stone June 9. "I’ve been living in Los
Angeles for eight years as a gay man. I’ve been
at clubs drunk malting out with somebody in
the corner."
"Right after the finale, I almost started talldng
about it to the reporters, but I thought, ’I’m
going to wait for Rolling Stone, that wil!
be cooler,’" he said. "I didfft want tile Clay ’
Aiken thing and the celebrity-magazine
bullshit. I need to be able to explain myself in
context.
’Tin proud ofmy sexuality. I embrace it. It’s
just another part of me."
Lambert noted, however: "I’m trying to be a
singer, not a civil rights leader."
July 2009
State Dept. to give gay
couples spousal benefits
U.S. Secreta,y of&am HillaO, Clinton
is prepari,g to grant spousal ben~ts and
protections m diglomau’gay gartne,s. Photo by
Rex l)~ckner
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
is preparing to grant spousal benefits and
protections to diplomats’ gay partners, she
said in a recent letter to the group Gays and
Lesbians in Foreign M~airs Agencies.
"Like all families, our Foreign Service
t~milies come in different configurations; all
are part of the common fiabric of our post
communities abroad," Clinton wrote. "The
department will provide these benefits for
both opposite-sex and same-sex partners
because it is the righ~ thing to do’
~Ihe benefits will indude medical and
emergency evacuation, travel reimbursement,
shipment ofhousehoid effects, use of U.S.
government medical facilities abroad, issuance
of diplomatic passports, visa assistance, and
security and ,language training.
NOt induded in the package are health
insurance, retirement benefits and certain
other perks.
"This is a remedy that is long overdue,"
said Human Rights Campaign President
Joe Solmonese, "For too many years, LGBT
Foreign Service officers have been forced to
choose between serving their country and
protecting their families."
Dick Cheney endorses
same-sex marriage
Former Vice President Dick Cheney came
out in support of same-sex marriage June 1
more clearly than he has in the past.
Asked about the issue at the National
Press Club, Cheney responded: "I think
freedom means freedom for everyone. And,
as many ofyou know, one ofmy daughters is
gay, and it’s something that we’ve lived with
for a long time in our family. I think people
ought to be free to enter into any kind of
union they wish, any kind of arrangement
they wish. The question of~vhether or not
there ought to be a federal statute that
governs this, I don’t support. I do believe
that historically the way marriage has been
regulated is at the state level -- ~his has always
been a state issue -- and ~ think that’s the
way ff ough~ to be handled ~oday, that is.
on a state-by-aa~c basis. D~ffbrem ;tares
make d~ff~t’ren~ decision But [ don’t haw
prob{cm with that ~ think people ought to
get a shot at d~at. And they do a~ present."
Cheney has made very similar comments
before, but they did not go quite as far.
In 2004, for example, he said: "I believe
today that freedom does mean freedom for
everybody. People ought to be free to choose
any arrangement they want. It’s really no
one else’s business. ~nat’s a separate question
from the issue of whether or not government
should sanction or approve or give some
sort of authorization, if you will, to these
relationships. Traditionally, that’s been an
issue for the states. States have regulated
marriage, ifyou will. That would be my
preference. In effect, what’s happened is that
in recent months, especially in Massachusetts,
but also in California, but in Massachusetts
we had the Massachusetts Supreme Court
direct the state of-- the legislature of
Massachusetts to modify their constitution to
allow gay marriage. And the fact is that the
president felt that it was important to make
it clear that that’s the wrong ~vay to go, as
far as he’s concerned. Now, he sets the policy
for this administration, and I support the
president."
Americans do not
support ’Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell’
Americans overwhelmingly want to see
the military’s "Don’t Ask, Do~t Tell" ban on
open gays repealed, a new Gallup poll has
found.
Sixty-nine percent told pollsters it’s time
for the ban to go -- including 58 percent of
Republicans, 58 percent of self-described
co~iservatives and 60 percent 0fwee~y
churchgoers.
Eighty-sLx percent of liberals oppose the
DADT policy, along with 82 percent of
Democrats and 78 percent of people between
age 18 and 29.
Even people over age 65 (60 percent),
Southerners (57 percent) and people who
didn’t finish high school (57 percent) said it’s
time to dump the ban.
Said Gallup: "President Barack Obama
will be well-positioned to forge ahead with his
campaign promise to end the military ban on
openly gay service members."
Gallup polled 1,105 adults nationwide
between May 7 and 10. The organization
said it was 95 percent confident that the
maximum margin of sampling error was plus
or minus 3 percentage points.
CALIFORNIA HIV EMERGENCY
Schwarzenegger, Legislature may slash HIV funding
Gay and HIVadvocates rallied at *~e state Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on time i 0 against
draconian cuts in HIVfi~ndingproposed by Gov. Arnold Schwar~enegger and under consideration
by the Legislature. Wockner Newsphoto by Charlie Peer/Ou~vord Magazine
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
has proposed, and the California Legislature
is considering, draconian cuts to all types of
HIV-related funding in the nea>bankrupt
state.
In the worst-case scenario, which is still
not off the table, slashes to the AIDS Drug
Assistance Program could result in thousands
of Californians who make less than $41,600
per year losing access to the statelprovided
drugs that suppress HIV and keep them dive.
In the apparent best,case scenario, not all
HIV drugs would be available via ADAP and
patients would have to pay part of the cost 0f
the ones they could geta That is problematic
because some HIVvposirive people have
developed resistance to some HIV drugs, and
need access to the full arsenal of therapies to
stay alive.
Further, the current plan apparendy
completely eliminates state funding for the
tests that determine if a patient is responding
to treatment -- such tests as CD4 counts,
viral-load measurement and drug-resistance
monitoring.
These tests are essentially mandatory in -
HIV treatmm~t. Doctors use them so they
can change a nonresponsive patient’s drug
combination to another combo that works in
that patient -- before the patient’s immune
system breaks down further and the patient
develops a life-threatening opportunistic
infection............
The current plan apparently also
dramatically ~lashes handing for education,
prevention, counseling and testing programs.
Some 35,000 working- and middleclass
Californians who don’t make enough
money to pay for their own treatment could
be adversely or dangerously affected by the
possible cuts to ADAP and elimination of
monitoring testing.
Gay and HIV advocates have strongly
denounced the budget proposals, and a
large rally was held at the state Capitol in
Sacramento on June 10.
Lesbian couple marries
on Indian reservation
A lesbian couple married on the Coquille
Indian reservation in Coos Bay, Ore., May
24. It was believed to be the first such
marriage in the U.S.
~ae Coqui!te tribe passed a la~v legalizing
same-sex marriage more than a year ago, but
it just now took effect.
Kitzen Branting, 26, and Jeni Branting,
28, tied the knot in the tribe’s meeting hall.
Their marriage will not be recognized by
the state of Oregon, but will be legal on the
property of the tribe, which is a sovereign ~
nation.
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Wockner News Service
50,000 at EuroPride
Some 50,000people ~rned outfor the EuroPrideparade, hem in Zurich this year on June
~ Photo by Nikolai Alekseev, GayRussta.ru
Some 50,000 people turned out for the
EuroPrkle parade, hdd in Zurich this year
on June 6.
Openly lesbian Zurich Mayor Corine
Mauch joined in.
Next year, the parade ventures behind
the former Iron Curtain to Warsaw -- a city
that as recently- as 2005 tried to ban pride,
only to be later rebuffed by the European
Court of Human Pdghts.
Meanwhile, Rom& gay pride parade
dr~ more than 100,000 participants June
13~ with a demand fbr legalization of
same-sex marriage and equa! rights for gay
couples.
Some 1,500 people marched in Warsaw
on June 13, also demanding legalization
of same-sex partnerships. "l-he parade, on
central Marszalkowska Street, attracted fewer
than !00 counterprotesters, who shouted
anti-gay vitriol.
Five hundred people marched in Zagreb,
Croatia, on June t3. Police kept about
50 snarling anti-gays from disrupting the
parade.
20,000 march
Tel Av v
Around 20,000 people joined Tel Aviv’s
! lth gay pride parade June 12.
The march ended with a beach ’~edding"
of five gay" couples. Same-sex marriage is not
legal in Israel.
Some top rabbis had urged Prime
Minister Beniamin Netanydau m try to ban
the parade. They called it an abomination.
A few religious right-wingers picketed
the march, which was paid for by the city
government.
’Tel Aviv is more secular than Jerusalem,
where the pride parade routinely leads large
numbers of religious folks ~o wail and gnash.
Last year’s parade in Jerusalem featured
3,000 naarchers and 2,000 cops to protect
them. They walked al! of @ur blocks.
~n 2007, the Jerusalem parade traveled
about 500 meters before ultra-Orthodox
protesters shut it down, despite the presence
orS,000 police o@cers. Prior to the parade,
police arrested a man with a bomb. The postparade
rally was canceled because striking
firefighters refused to provide a required
firetruck.
In 2005, a counterdemontrator stabbed
three marchers at Jerusalem’s marcia and later
was convicted of attempted murder. ~ae
victims’ iniuries were not serious.
Moscow gays want to
picket Obama
Moscow Pride founder Nikolai Mekseev
says members of his group will attempt to
stage a picket in favor of same-sex marriage at
the U.S. Embassy on July 7 during President
Bara& Obama’s visit.
It is unlikely the activists will receive city
permission to do so. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has
banned pride parades for the past four years
and sent riot police to aggressively arrest those
who ignored the bans.
Luzl~ov has called gay parades
"demonic," "satanic" and "weapons of mass
destruction." He also has said the bans are for
gays own good so that "radical Christians"
don’t have a chance to "kill them."
Mekseev is hopet~fl that he’ll be able to
pull off the picket regardless because "the
presidential media pack wilt be in town."
Mayor Luz ov lashes
out at gays
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has again
lashed out at gays, calling them "homos" and
calling gay pride parades "demonic."
Appearing on a TV program June 2,
Luzhkov reportedly said: "Niere are two
reasons gay pride parades are unacceptable in
Moscow: First and foremost, public morality
.does not accept such parades, public morality
does nor accept those homos."
Secondly, he said: "If they gather together,
assuming they are allowed to hold a parade,
other people will simply kill them. ~here
are radical Christians in Moscow who stand
strongly against such demonic manifestations,
as they say.
"There were attempts made (in May’) to
hold the gay parade during the Eurovision
Song Contest in Moscova We had to isolate
about 19 radical Christians who intended to
attack those homos.’
On May, 16, riot police broke up an
attempt to stage the fourth annual gay
pride parade in Moscov~; arresting up to 80
participants, including gay leader N@olai
Ale~eev, British gay leader Peter %tchell and
Chicago gay activist Andy Thayen
Luzhkov previously has called gay pride
parades "satanic" and "weapons of mass
destruction," and has o@cially banned them
each ),ear.
Lithuanian Parliament
votes ’no promo
homo’ law
Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas,
approved a measure on first reading June
4 that bans references to homosexuality in
schools and in public information that can be
visible to children. Tne bill still has to dear a
final vote.
The tally was 57-2 with 8 abstentions.
Many MPs missed the vote.
Amnesty International said the "Law
on the Protection of Minors Against the
Detrimental Effect of Public Information’~
would classify "homosexuality alongside
issues such as ... the display of a dead or
cruelly mutilated body of a person, and
information that arouses fear or horror, or
encourages self-mutilatisn or suicide."
Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty’s Europe
and Central Asia program director, said the
proposed law "denies the right to freedom of
expression and deprives students’ access to the
support and protection they may need."
China sees its first gay
pride week
China saw" its first-ever gay pride week
June 7-14 in Shanghai.
Events included movies, plays, art
exhibits, panel discussions, swimming and
badminton competitions, and a big party,
thouglx at least one play" and one film were
ordered canceled by authorities.
Some 500 people attended a barbecue/
drag shiny/fashion show/hot-body contest on
June 13.
Organizers decided against holding a
parade, saying it iust didn’t seem to be legally
possible, according to China Daily:
"Shanghai Pride is a community-building
exercise," co-organizer Tiffany Lemay told
the English-lang~aage paper. "We hope
to raise awareness of issues surrounding
homosexuality, raise the visibility of the
gay community, help people within our
community to come out, and build bridges
between the gay and straight communities."
Northern Irish LGBs
report high level ofhate
Twenty-one percent of gay and bisexual
men and I8 percent of lesbian and bisexual
women iri Northern Ireland say they\,e been
the victim of a homophobic hate crime or
incident in the past three years.
The figure comes fi’om a survey of I,t43
LGB people catrried out by the Rainbow
Project with funding from the Police Service
of Northern Ireland.
Tne study found that 64 percent of such
incidents were not reported to police and 30
percent resulted in physical injui3:
ebec to 1attach
strategy against
homophobia
Quebec Justice Minister Kathleen Well
has announced the Canadian province will
implement a comprehensive strategy against
homophobia before the end of the year.
She broke the news at a May I7 rally
marking the International Day Against
Homophobia (IDAHO).
"We see it as a major step forward here
since doing so, Quebec will ackmowledge
officially that homophobia -- and not
homosexuality -- is a social problem and
take action, instead of passively banning
discrimination, said Magazine ]~tre Editor
Andrd Gagnon.
"As far as I know, it will be the first
government in the world to adopt such
a strategy that will cover all its spheres of
intervention," he said.
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i t÷matie
Ruling: English adoption agencies
cannot discriminate
The Charities Commission of England and Wales ruled
June 2 that adoption agencies cannot discriminate against gay
couples.
The commission cited the Equality Act (Sexual
Orientationl Regulations 2007, which ban discrimination
based on sexual orientation.
Violation of the law would lead to a loss of charity status
and public funding.
The ruling came in a case involving the Catholic Care
charity in Leeds, which wanted to amend its official statement
of objectives with the commission to exclude consideration of
gay couples.
Denmark is not gay nirvana
Denmarlq the first nation in the world to legalize gay
partnerships, in 1989, still has a problem with homophobia.
Eighteen percent of GLBT people in Copenhagen and
8 percent in other parts of the country say they’ve been
discriminated against based on their sexual orientation in
the past year, according to a report from the Center for
Alternative Social Analysis.
GLBT people between ages 16 and 29 reported more
problems than older people.
A total of 3,400 homophobic incidents were reported to
police in 2008, the study said.
A report in the Politiken newspaper said gay businesses
also have been targeted.
Copenhageds oldest gay ba~; Centralhiornet. had rocks
thrown through its windows six times in 2008. Patrons also
have been bombed with eggs through the bar’s open door.
Australian prison OKs gay
con}ugal visits
Xhe Alexander Maconochie prison in Australia’s Capital
Territory has decided to let gay inmates receive conjugal visits
six times a year.
The policy applies to prisoners who are ~vell-behaved and
whose partner is not also incarcerated at the facility.
Reports said that the state of Victoria. where Melbourne is
located, is the only other place in Australia where gay inmates
can have sex dates with their partners.
Bosnian churches oppose antidiscrimination
bill
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Interreligious Council is
opposing a.bill to ban discrimination based on sexual
orientation, claiming it will lead to legalization of same-sex
marriage.
The measure has passed first reading in the House of
Representatives.
A national law banning discrimination based on sexual
orientation is a requirement for any nation that wants its
citizens to be able to travel within the European Union
without obtaining a visa.
Nae Interreligious Council is composed of representatives
of the nation’s Roman Catholics, Muslims, Jews and
Orthodox Christians.
Balkanlnsight.com said it is unttsual for the council "to
agree on any concrete actions and (it) often has been blocked
by internal boycotts."
.Gay marriage campaign launched
m Portugal
The Movement for Equality in Access to Civil Marriage
launched on May 31 in Lisbon, Portugal.
More than 1,000 people signed onto the campaign,
including politicians, well-known actors, pop singers and
businesspeople, and Nobel Prize winner Josd Saramago, who
was honored for literature in 1998.
The campaign’s manifesto, which nmv can be signed by
anyone in Portugal, states, in part: "Equal access to civil
marriage is a matter of justice that deserves the support of all
people who oppose homophobia and discrimination.... We
citizens who believe in equal rights, dignity and recognition
for all of us -- for our families, friends and colleagues -- join
our voices to express our support for equality.
"We call this change necessary, fair and urgent because we
know that the current situation of inequality divides society
between those who are included and those who are excluded,
between persons who are inside and marginalized persons....
We now have an opportunity to end one of the last unjustified
(instances of) discrimination written in our law."
Peru gay police ban less stringent
than reported
Peruvian Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas says recent
news reports that gays have been banned from being police
officers were not quite right.
Mid-May reports said cops who have sex with people of
the same sex would be banned because they cause scandal and
denigrate the police’s image.
But Cabanillas says the new law, which took effect May
12, will only ban gay cops if their gay-related public behavior
is scandalous or damages the image of the institution.
She said the ministry has no desire to "get in anyone’s bed"
and that officials only wish to target unseemly, embarrassing
or scandalous occurrences or attitudes related to sexual
orientation that happen in the public sphere.
Gay groups said the taw is problematic and discriminatory
either way because ir seems to suggest that certain public
expressions of homosexuality are more likely ro run afoul of
the law than similar public expressions of heterosexuality.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights
Commission and Movimiento Homosexual de Lima have
launched a letter-~vriting campaign to Peru’s public defender,
=’asldng her to file an Action of Unconstitutionality with the
Constitutional Court to cl!allenge the so-called ’offense’ of
same-sex relations and its associated penalty."
"We write to express our concern over Law 29356, vchich
establishes a new disciplinary code for the Peruvian police,
and stipulates in Article 34 that it is a serious offense to ’have
sex with people of the same gender that causes scandal or
undermines corporate image,’" a sample letter says in part.
"This law is a clear violation of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and the Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights -- both of which have been signed by Peru. This
regressive law also violates the Andean Charter, a regional
treaty ratified by Peru in 2002.... Finally, Law 29356
is inconsistent with human rights principles that are
already, codified in Peruvian law. On December 1, 2004,
a new Constitutional Procedures Code, approved by
Parliament, modified constitutional procedures to recognize
discrimination based on sexual orientation."
Australian benefits agency
recognizes gay de facto couples
Centrelink, the Australian government’s social-benefits
agency, will treat gay de facto couples as married for benefits
purposes starting July 1.
While the move increases equality, it also will result in
a loss of benefits for some coupled gays, who previously
qualified based on their individual income.
Centrelink assistance encompasses such things as health
care, prescription drugs., unemployment payments, disaster
aid,,rent subsidies, aid to single parents and a wide range of
other benefits and welfare programs.
"From 1 July 2009 changes to legislation wilt mean that
customers who are in a same-sex de facto relationship will be
recognised as partnered for Centrelink and Family Assistance
Office purposes," says the agenc)?s Web site. "All customers
who are assessed as being a member of a couple will have their
rate of payment calculated iri the same way."
Colombian policeman added to
partner’s health insurance
The Board of Health of Colombia’s National Police
granted health-insurance benefits to the partner of a gay
officer May 14.
The extension of coverage to Fabifin Mauricio
Chibcha Romero followed a January ruling by the nation’s
Constitutional Court that granted marital rights to commonlaw
same-sex couples in areas that indude civil service,
contracts ~vith the government, housing protection and
assistance, immigration, social security, death indemnification,
and criminal noninctimination.
~Pne activist group Colombia Diversa said the ruling
encompassed all the "civil, political, social, economic, criminal
and immigration rights ... of a common-law union, minus
adoption."
Chibcha also gained access to police housing subsidies and
vacation dubs.
METROPOL!TAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev Steve ~. Urie
Spirit of Christ MCC
2902 E 20th Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-529-8480
Worship Sunday 6:00 PM
Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
WWg~¢.S0cmcc.
Have a God filled and BleSSed Day!
w,,~w.rnetrostarnews.com ~,tr®STAR 11
Viognier [vee-oh-nay]
For those who haven’t experienced
Viognier, the first glass is quite a revelation.
This wine will embody al! Or some of the
following: honeysuckle, citrus blossoms,
t~,chee, ripe melon, freshly picked.peaches
6r apricots and ripe pear. Winemaker Craig
Williams, from Josep~ ~nhe~s Vin~;a,~s, s~s
Viognier contains floral compounds called
~Terpens. Tl~ey are also found in Muscat and
Pdesling. So, think of the most aromatic
Muscat or Riesling you’ve ever encountered,
then concentrate it and you have Viognier.
The majoriV of French Viogniers are
sold as Vin de Pays in the Languedoc. In the
Rl~one wine region, the grape is o~en blended
with Roussanne, Marsanne and Grenache
blanc. In the Northern part of Rhone, the
grape is sometimes blended with Chardonnay.
Since the late 1980s, plantings ofViognier
in the United States and Cagada have
increased dramat,ically. The Rhone R~angers
of the mid 1980 s help spark the increased
interest in Viognier in California and now
Californigs Central Coast is the leading
producer.
Looking some good summerwtt te wines. > ~ Marcheregiono~:~yand~ to
monm, we are art a ou- < fthe}lord
most widet l~ted white
wpicNly Sauvignon blanc ~ Macab~o. Xg Mar&etti~07 it~~ ~" *~ ,~.
,..... ?~ P ~ , [, desiunated "Rueda V?rdejo must contaifi Fazi,B; t~gli~ ~007 Italy >::~
wine grape, veraemo is cl~slHeo as a noble o - ....
or classic grape. On the PortuDtese mainland,
85% Verdejo, and are oAen 100% Verde’o....... *..........
it is recommended in the DAO region and
Verdejo winm are aromatic, often ~oA . ~d[as ~wws, Isay go to your favorite wing/~
and Rdl-bodied. %ey can be somewhat ~k questions ~d purchase a bottle or
with the production of white port. Some
Portuguese locales call this Gouveio. The
Godello grape grown in northwest Spain is
believed to be the same variety as Verdelho.
%e grape has been successful in the vineyards
ofAustralia, particularly the Hunter \~lley
region, Langhorne Creek and the Swan
Xga!le?: Australian versions of Verdelho are
noted for their intense flavors vdth hints of
lime and honeysuclde. California is producing
more of this varietal as ,sell.
St. Amant 2006 California
Marquis Philips 2007 Australia
Verdejo [ver-day-ho]
This is a variety of wine grape that has long
been grown in the Rueda winegrowing region
of Spain. The grape originated in North
Africa, and was spread to Rueda in about
the 1 lth Century. For most of this time
Verdejo was generally used to make a strongly
oxidized, Sherry-like wine, In the 1970s the
reminiscent of Sauvignon blanc
warm climate.
Gar~i Grande 2007 Spain
Marquis de Riscal 2007 Spain
: Share some food& wine with friendd
a~d ehe~k this out for yourself.
,Vouv~ay[vooh-~ay]
’,Wines fi’om the French
to the east ofTours are made in
range of styles fi-om the Chenin
Vintages in the Loire are variable,
best years Vouvray can produce
very long-lived white wines.
It turns out that most chenin blanc
1970s what most
generic, alcoholic" "
by corporations
consumed in
rather than wine
chenin blanc is
exhibiting a nutty,
Pichot 2007
Nais writer is one ofthe managers at the Grand
Vin wine shop at Utica Square. He also bar tends
and hosts wine & food events around town known
as the Wine Enthusiasts ofTulsa.
indude:
/ www. la~neSpecta-
Verdicchio
months recipe courtesy of:
Crab
Ingredients
1 Cup Mayonnaise
4 Eggs
1 V2 Cup Japanese Breadcrumbs
2 T Granulated Garlic
2 T Onion Powder
2 - I lb Cans Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
(Indonesian or Philippine)
2 - 1 lb Cans Bacldin Crab Meat
(indonesian or Philippine)
Preparation:
Mix first 5 ingredients together by hand.
Drain Crab meat cans ofwater. Fold in
Baclcfin crab meat first and then gently fold
in jumbo lump crab meat being careful
not to break up the lumps. If mixrure
is too wet. add 1A cup more ofJapanese
Breadcrumbs. Mixture should barely
hold together. DO NOT PU/T .~NY
ADDITIONAL SEASONINGS OR TOO
MUCH BRREADCRUMBS IN! The
drizzle on top of the crab cakes will give ir
all of the seasoning it will need.
Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat
with half an 20 inch of corn oil. Once the
mixture is made, take a 4 ounce scoop and
pack in the crab cake mixture. Carefully
place the flat side of the crab cake down
in the oil for approximately ! - 2 minutes
until golden brmvn. Place the crab cake on
a pre-greased baking sheet, fried side up.
These can now be held for up to 5 days in
the refrigerator or finished offin the oven
immediately;
DRIZZLE INGREDIENTS (BAY MAYO)
1 Cup Mayonnaise
2 T Old Bay
Dash ofGranulated Garlic
% Cup Heavy Cream
the ba~
12 July 2009
Big-screen beckons Nell Patrick Harris
xYvq~ite hosting this year’s Tony Axvards, Nell Patrick Harris
joked about his second-class status as a "TV guy." But he’s
atready proven he’s hilarious on the big screen in the Harold
& Kumar movies, so now that second-tier status is about to
change with two new film projects on the horizon. Harris
has joined the cast of Beastly, the new film from gay director
Daniel Barnz (Phoebe in Wonderland) that Romeo’s already
reported on here, but the How I Met Your Mother star wilt
also be playing a lead role in The Best and the Brightest.
Harris plays a husband - way to break that gay-actor-curse
NPH - from Ddaware whose wife goes bananas about social
status when they move to New York City and try to get their
kid into an elite kindergarten. Amy Sedaris, John ~
and Kate Mulgrew al~0 star in ~he latter;
hit theaters before the end of 20!0.
How to make a monster musicaJ
More and more movies are being made from poptflar
childhood toys, from dolls (Kit Kittredge: An American
Girl) to action figures (Transformers) tO even board games
(Clue). But now we’re getting a movie musical based on a toy
that doesn’t even exist yet and will presumably be marketed
alongside the film itself. Gay super-producers Craig Zadan
and Nell Meron are reuniting with Hairspray composerlyricist
Marc Shaiman and lyricist Scott gc’ittman to make
an original screen musical around an as-yet-unnamed Mattel
monster toy. Every~daing’s being kept very much on the
hush-hush, but the one thing that’s been revealed is that the
property will "add a fresh twist to monster lore." No word
yet on when this new musical will go into production, but
Romeo bets five bucks that if the movie and the toy do well,
an eventual Broadway adaptation is inevitable. And TV
show. And more toys. And sequels. And ...
Jake Gyllenhaal andAnne Hathaway Focus Features photo
Brokeback spouses reunite
Granted, the romance between Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway in
Brokeback Mountain was a tragic one involving the closet and deception and
death, but these actors are determined to give it another go in a movie where he
won’t be playing a gay cowboy. Love and Other Drugs will feature Gyllenhaal
as a pharmaceutical sales rep for Pfizer during the time when a revolutionary
litde blue pill was hitting the market (the film is based on the book Hard Sell:
Tne Evolution ofa Viagra Salesman) while Hathaway will play a woman with
Parldnson’s with whom he begins a relationship after they meet on a sales
call. Ed Zwick (Glor~ Defiance) is set to direct, with Shooting set to happen
possibly as early as this fall. A movie about Viagra may make audiences stand at
attention, but if the film lasts more than four hours, please, call your doctor.
Romeo San PTcente hopes the monster-toy musical will be like the Dra~dapuppet rock operaj~om
_ForgettingSarah Marshall_, complete withfull-fl’ontal male nudity. He can be reached care of
thispublication or at DeeplnsideHollywOod@qsyndicate.com.
~LSA, 0g (PR). Continuing
the m0fithl9 ShOwcase of local artists a
the Equality Center (621 E. 4th Street in
Downtown Tulsa ~ right next to Living Arts
(Ok )
will feature Tulsa Artist Michael Cooper with
an opening show and reception on Thursday,
July 2nd from 6-gpm and continuing
throughout the month ofJuly.
Michael Cooper is an emerging artist
in the Oldahoma scene, specializing
in journalistic art, music, and portrait
photography. In 2008 he joined Urban Tulsa
Weekly as a staff photographer and has seen
his work published in notable other Okie
publications, induding Oklahoma Gazzette
and Oklahoma Today Magazine. In his own
words, "I have two eyes and one lens, and
they battle each other for experiences daily.
The way I see it - few people get to live their
passion, and being an artist is mine. I’m just
trying this road of exploration out, and I
hope you’re there along for the ride".
www.metrostarnews.corn gg{<~{:a~oSTA,R 13
MCC United ~°~"-~~o’~°" 918-838-171~
Metropolitan Community Chu~h
put tb
Chr°
y Church
14 ;~÷troSTAR July 2009
www.metrostamews.com ~÷troSTAR 15
PHILADELPHIA, PA
"As in one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the country"
by Donald Pile and Ray Williams
[)how: Gables Bed andBreakfizst
Visiting Philadelphia for the first time
-was certainly, a very exciting and interesting
time for us. We knew ahead of time al!
about the historical things to see and do but
had no idea what else to expect. We first
checked into The Gables Bed and Break~st
which has been owned for the past 16 years
by ~rren Cederholm and Don Caskey.
Located in the University part of the city, it is
a grand old Victoria home full of wonderful
antiques from top to bottom. ~e house has
a "wrap around" porch for guests to sit and
have drinlcs and snacks or just to view the
sights and sounds of the area. Each room is
beautifully decorated in antiques. A full, and
we do mean FULL sit down breakfast in the
~orma! dining room is served each morning.
XYge are not talking doughnuts and coflree but
a fail sit down brealNast. This was a perfect
way to talk with the other guests to find out
what others did the day" be~bre or were going
to do that day. "While there we met guests
from California, Alabama and all over. Many
of the guests alwws stay there when visiting
Philadelphia. Warren and Don are graciotts
hosts and. al%r 16 years of taking guests into
their lovely home, they seem to have been
able to do it the right way< Another great
thing about staying at The Gables is that the
trolley system runs right in front of their
house and you can take it downtown in just
minutes, and it runs about every 20 minutes
a!l day 10ng. The), have ample off-street
parking behind their house which is a big
plus.
To begin your day, take the trolley
downtown. From that point you can take
another bus or ,valk south to the famous
historical district of Philadelphia and visit
all the places there. No trip to Philadelphia
would be complete without visiting the
Liberty Bell and the other historical places
that are located within a few blocks of there.
Philadelphia is proud of their art museums as
well they, should be. ~-he Philadelphia
Museum of Art is a first class museum and
is a MUST for anyon& visit to the cits: A
few blocks away is the Rodin Museum which
houses more Rodin sculptors any~vhere except
for Paris. There are maW other museums to
visit also.
Ofcourse every visitor to Philadelphia
must try one of their famous Philly
Cheesesteak sandwiches for lunch. There
are a lot of gay bars in the ’~gayborhood"
area of the city which is iust a few blocks
west of downtmvn and easily ~vithin ~valking
distance from the public transportation.
Knock was our very favorite bar there. It is
what a gay bar should be all about....... A
clean bar where the owner/management/staff
is super friendly; wl~ere the customers are
super friendl> where you can walk in and
really enioy yourself, located righ~ on the
corner of Locust St. and I2th Street. They
also have an excellent res~urant located in
the bar. ~Pnis is one of the finest restaurants
in the city ~vith fine white linen tablecloths
and napkins on every table. Jim the Maitre
’d is extremely professional. The servers are
very professional. They have a huge menu
offering the very finest of cuisine. Owned by
Bill Wood, this bar/restaurant is extremely
popular with both people ~vho live in the city
as ~vell as travelers.
We were fortunate during our stay to
see the Broadway pla}~ Grey Gardens which
is about the life of the aunt and cousin of
Jackie Kennedy- Onassis. They lived in a 24
room house in the Hamptons on Long Island
but were extremely poor and let their house
run down something horrible. Mother and
daughter loved (and hated) each other but
were bound to live with each other until the
mother finally died. There was a movie made
about their lives and HBO came out with
another movie a couple of months ago. Both
live theatre as well as the visua! arts are a huge
makeup in Philadelphia.
You could easily spend a whole ~veek
in this beautiful city and still not see
everything. The architecture is unbelievably
tremendous. On weekends, the Penn Landing
downtown is full of vendors and local
artists. Philadelphia is certainly a city that is
welcoming gay travelers with open arms.
There are just a handful of cities that you
must visit in the country and Philadelphia is
certainly" on our short list. Most cities you
still need a car to travel around however not
in this city. They have such a great public
transportation system and is extremely safe
and clean. Why can’t all cities do this?
For more information on Philadelphia,
visit: www.gablesbb.com and they are
located at 4520 Chester Avenue. Phone:
215.662. ! 918. ?dso visit w~v<ka~ockphilly.
COLT1
Another great website to visit
is: http://www.gophita.com/c/your_
philadelphia/14/diverse_philadelphia/287/
gay~friendly_philadelphia/4.html and wwcw.
gayphiladelphia.com
On a personal note, we want to thank
Bruce Yelk, Director of Human Resources
& Gay Marketing, Greater Philadelphia
Tourism marketing Corportation and to our
friend Buster Stevens who hosted a wonderful
dinner for us xvhile we were visiting.
Photo: Famous Liber~_y Bell Philadelphia, PA
Always remember to have fun when traveling,
meet new people and talk to everyone!
Wayne Fuller reported on gossipboy.com, an
Oklahoma internet news service focused on
the GLBT community, that Mr. Chiles had
been convicted of Obtaining Money by False
Pretenses in McClain County in 2006, for
which he received a 2 year deferred sentence
now completed. Since then a warrant for
his arrest was issued for the same offense
in Pontotoc County, which was in effect
when he was elected to his Democratic Party
position.
Robert Chiles, Director &Founder ofPrject
Pride Foundation ofOklahoma. Gorin photo
On June 8, represented by attorney Gordon
Melson, he appeared in court in Pontotoc
Count-5: An agreement was reached ~vith
the warrant withdrawn, and Robert ~vould
have until August 27 to make restitution to
the parties involved.
On June 3, when cast members from the
national tour of "The Drowsy Chaperone"
did a benefit at Tulsa’s Renegades Club for
Until There’s a Cure, an organization helping
those with HIV. Mr. Chiles presented them
with a large check payable to that organization.
It likewise would not clear his bank.
Mr. Chiles had been contacted by that
organization and he promised them a cashier~
check which was not received as of press time.
Following this, Mr. Chiles had asked the
Red Ribbon Revue, a monthly benefit show
performed at Renegades, to do a benefit for
his Foundation. In a statement to gossipboy.
corn Renegades entertainer Tabitha Taylor
stated, "I’m glad this was caught before we
did a fundraiser with the name attached."
www.metrostamews.com ~÷{~oSTAR 17
18 July 2009
,~.metrostarnews.com ~®~°~STAR t9
By Camper English
Crafting the Cosmopolitan
~he Cosmopolitan is one tasty
cocktail and probably most popular drink
created in the last 30 years, but it is not
magically original. The recipe calls for lemon
vodka, lime iuice, orange liqueur, and a splash
of cranberry for color. Minus the cranberry,
the drink follows the formula of spirit plus
lime plus orange liqueur. If that spirit is
tequila, that’s a Margarita. If it’s unflavored
vodka, that’s a Kamikaze.
In fact. the prevailing theory on the
creation of the Cosmopolitan is that it ,vas a
spin-offofthe Kamikaze created by a Miami
bartender
named Cheryl
Cook in 1985
or !986.
She said the
Cosmo is. ~
"Merely a ~
Kamikaze
with Absolut
Citron and
a splash of
cranberry
juice."
But her
version called
for Rose’s lime
juice, a bottled
lime juice
that’s a poor
substimte
for freshsqueezed,
and triple
sec, which
usually refers to the low-end orange liqueurs
that are poor substitutes for Cointreau. These
items are often served at high-volume bars
that want to save money on (admittedly
pricey) orange liqueur and don’t want their
bartenders taldng the time to squeeze limes
for each drink.
But I find the Cosmo-to be intolerable
~vithout them. So too did Toby Cecchini, a
New York bartender credited with finessing
the drink into its best form. Someone told
Cecchini about the drink, but in their version
it was made with unflavored vodka, Rose’s
lime, and the red-colored syrup grenadine.
He liked the look of the drink - soft pink and
served in a Martini glass - and experinaented
~vith ingredients to make the flavor match the
fashion. In the end, his version came out just
like Cheryl Cook’s version, but with better
ingredients.
This version caught on like wildfire
in New York. causing Cecchini and other
bartenders to make them by the thousands.
In the era of bottled sour mix and vermouthflee
Martinis. this drink seerned highmaintenance
enough for Cecchini to call
them "labor-intensive pink monstrosities."
~e trick to making a good pink
monstrosity; even if you have the proper
ingredients, is getting the ratio of them. right.
Apparently this is a problem for bartenders
~oo - i’ve had Cosmopolitans i~ every shade
from c!¢ar to deep red. When I make them at
borne, I’m ~o~- laz/to Ioot up ~[~e recipe so I
}ust ake ir ,,~ ingredient ar a vitae: ~ couo~e
ounces of Charon a smat~ splash of Cointreau.
and a large quantity of’lime.
(I like them tart.) I make mine in keeping
,vith Cheryl Cook’s original instructions
of ~jttst enough cranberry to make it oh so
pretty in pink."
That’s my starting point, anyway. One
thing I’ve learned making this drink is that
cranberry juice, like slimming black clothing,
hides many sins. Even if you get the initial
ratios of liquor and juice all wrong, or have to
resort to bottled lime )uice and bottom-shelf
triple sec, you can always make a drinkable
version of this drink. Just keep adding
cranberry until it’s good.
Vodka, Now Available in Juniper Flavor
I like to think of"bathtub gift" as
"Martinis by the poo!." but that’s not where
the expression originated. It came about
during Prohibition xvhen people would
"make" their own gin by adding mail-order
juniper flavoring to lowquality
alcohol to help mask its
awfulness. 2the weird tiring is, gin
cocktails were awfully popular
back then.
Today it is still legal to make
gin this way- not in the bathtub.
but by adding juniper oil and
other flavors to a neutral spirit
like vodka. Thankftdly, most of
the gins with which we’re familiar
don’t do it like that. Gin usually
starts with high-proof neutral
spirit made from grains like corn,
wheat, and rye. The gin distiller
then selects a range of botanicals
or botanical oils to infuse into the
spirit, then redistills everything
together.
There are many different
distilling methods gin makers
employ, but this is probably only
interesting to folks like me ~vho
spend our spare time hanging out
in distilleries on vacation. More interesting
are the types of botanicals that go in to gin.
Traditional brands like Beefeater, Plymouth,
and Tanqueray contain many ingredients like
citrus peels, coriander, cinnamon, and cassia
bark. Newer gins on the market like Bombay
Sapphire, Hendrick’s, and Martin Miller’s also
include things like lavender, ginseng, rose,
and green tea. All gins, by definition, must
contain jtmiper (berries that smell like pine
trees) as a dominant flavor, but the newer
ones tend to put less of it in.
While vodka lovers and gin lovers are
usually different sorts of people (though
I find versatility provides more options in
the bedroom and the liquor cabinet)~ when
it comes right down to it gin is really just
juniper-flavored vodka. Ifyou’ve got vodka
drinkers over for cocktails and you only
have gin left, just tell them their drinks are
made with "botanical vodka." If you’re in
the opposite situation, tell them the vodka is
"diet gin." Lying to your guests is the most
entertaining part of entertaining them.
The combination and concentration
of the juniper, spices, citrus, and other
botanicals is what gives each gin its unique
flavor and makes it a better or worse fit for
different cocktails. Some modern gins are
so very citrusy and floral that they can be
too perfumey for a Martini. (Hey, this drink
smells like grandma!} On the other hand.
when you add an intensely juniper-heaW
gin ro a Gimlet or other mild cockt ills.
s~metimes all you ~aste b rhe juniper. (Hey,
this drink smells like where ~ ~andma is
buried!~
2O
The trick is finding the right fit for each
gin fqr your mouth. I prefer the old-style
gins in a Martini, Aviation, Pink Gin, and
Negroni. With the more-floral, less-juniper
gins I like the Salty Dog, Gimlet, White Lady,
and Vesper.
But I find that no matter what kind of gin
you have in the house you can always add it
to tonic water and it will taste just fine. Tonic
is the mixer that swings both ways.
Camper English is a cocktails andspirits
writer andpublisher ofAlcademics.com.
Miss Gay Oklahoma
2009 Crowned in OKC
By Victor Gorin
Left: 2008 Miss Gay Oklahoma Adrienne
Fischer, 1st altetmam Samantha West, Shantd
l~£andalay &Miss Gay America Victoria
DePaula. Gorin Photo
worked their hearts out, hoping to be the next
Miss Gay Oklahoma. Emceed by former Miss
Gay America 2006 Nicole Dubois & former
Miss Gay Oklahoma 2005 Pure Chocolate
(as Steven), it got wild Saturday night as it
wound down to 5 finalists with their friends
cheering on their favorites.
That fun fabulous contest came to a
conclusion on Saturday night June 13 when
Shantel Mandalay finally won the title of Miss
Gay Oklahoma America after many years
of pursuing that dream. A proud 3rd grade
teacher who also coaches Special Olympics,
Miss Mandalay and her entourage wowed the
audience with a fast stepping dance routine
to the C&W classic "The Devi! went down to
Georgia" that brought the house down.
It was also an emotional time for the
current reigning Miss Gay Oklahoma
Adrienne Fischer when she passed on her
tide, joining many other former Miss Gay
Oklahomas who were there for the occasion.
Together with 1st alternate Samantha \Vest.
Shantel will be eligible to compete in the
national Miss Gay America competition to
be held this year in St.Louis October 28.-
November 1.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK It was a
festive weekend June 11-13 at Angles in
Oklahoma City when once again the girls
lIGHT
BILENT AUCTION- AND RAFFLES
Dd. IKEY TURNS UP THE WITH OlSDg ALL NIGHT
~:mSTAR July 2009
~’#~W.metrostamews.com
@ Angles, Oklahoma City
@ OGRA Pool Party, OKC
@Club Majestic, Tulsa
@Club 209, Tulsa
Photo’s by Victor G. & Judy G.
@ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa
@ The Copa Oklahoma City
@ The Ledo, Oklahoma City
@ Finishlinel Oklahoma City
@ OGRA Rodeo, OKC
Tulsa Pride 09 Parade
@ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa
@ Tulsa Pride 09 Parade
www.metrostarnews.com , <,STAR 23
Oban~a administration defending DOMA
is shocking and unsetding. Clearly, our selfdescribed
’fierce advocate’ needs significant
additional pushing and pressure from all of
US."
Popular blogger John Aravosis: "A
Democratic president of the United States of
i~erica, in the year 2009. and an African-
B~nerican child of inter-racial parents no less,
gave his la~wers the go ahead ro compare
our marriages to incest on the same day that
42 years ago the Supreme Court ruled in
[ais parents’ favor in Loving v. Virginia....
We demand our rights, and we expect this
president, who promised them in exchange
[or millions of our votes and millions of
our donations, to deliver. And so help me
God, we will continue to hold this president
accountable for his broken promises and his
betrayals]"
Lambda Lega!’s Legal Director Jon
Davidson: "X~at they need to be asked
is why they gratuitously went out of their
-way ~o make the outrageous arguments
they unnecessarily included such as that
DOM2~ does not discriminate based on
sexual orientation or that the right ar issue
is not marriage but an unestablished rigi~t
~o ’same-sex marriage or
that DOMA is somehow
iustified in order to protect
taxpayers ~;ho don’t want
their tax do!lars used
ro suppor~ lesbian and
gay couples iwhile it~
apparently fine to make
lesbians and gay men pay
the same rm,:es but be
&nied the benefits provided
heterosexual couples) .... I
am seething mad."
Top Clinton aide
R5chard Socarides: "It had
such a buckshot approach
ro it, a veritable kitchen
sink of anti-gay legal theories, that it seemed
expressly designed to inflict maximal damage
ro our rights. Instead of malting nuanced
arguments which took into account the
president’s oi?-stated support for repealing
DO1VLA -- a law he has called ’abhorrent’ --
the brief seemed to embrace DOMA and all
its horrific consequences,"
Equality California Executive Director
Geoff Kors: "We ... call on President Obama
m order the Justice Department ro file a
supplemental brief reversing its position and
instead urging the repeal of DOMA."
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Executive Director Rea Carey: "The malicious
and outrageous arguments and language
used in the Department ofJustice’s marriage
brief is only serving to inflame and malign
the humanity of same-sex couples and our
families."
Gay writer Dan Savage: "If this shit is
’fierce advocacy,’ Mr. President, we’ll take
benign neglect.7
CBS News: "The anger from gay rights
advocates toward President Obama is starting
to boil over."
~!~e Wall Street Journal called Sotmonese’s
letter to Obama "scathing."
The New York Times editorialized: "The
Obama administration, which came to office
promising to protect gay rights but so far has
nor done much, actually struck a blow" for the
other side last week.... If the administration
does feel compelled to defend (DOMA), it
should do so in a less hurtful wa~: ... There
writer Dan
/ Savage: "If ’\
dais shit is ’fierce
advocacy; Mr.
President, we’ll
take benign /
\... neglect."
was no need to resort to specious arguments
and inflammatory language to impugn samesex
marriage as an institution."
Plans apparently are shaping up for a
gay March on Washington in October,
spearheaded, it appears, by veteran activist
Cleve Jones, the man who created the
NAMES Proiect AIDS Memorial O~ilt."The
President is in serious danger of motivating
a huge mass of gay people to stream into
\Ygashington for the simple ioy of standing in
front of the White House and giving him a
piece of their minds," wrote syndicated gay
columnist \gayne Besen.
"For what seemed Iike forever, Democrats
told us that when the big bad Republicans
went away, our lives would improve," Besen
said. "XN~ell, the Republican nightmare is over,
so why do I still feel like I’m in the middle of
a political Friday the 13th movie? ... As far
as I’m concerned, if the donkeys can’t detiv(r
now, they can Idss my ass."
On June 17, when Obama "delivered"
to federal employees a smattering of spousal
benefits, via issuance of a "memorandum," he
did again denounce DOblA.
"I think we all have to acknowledge this
is only one step," the president said.
the steps we have not yet t~en is to repeal the
Defense of Marriage Act. I
believe it’s discriminatory,
I think it interferes ,vith
states’ rights, and we will
work with Congress ro
overturn it. \rUe’re gor more
work to do to ensure that
government treats all its
citizens equally, to figh~
iniustice and intolerance in
all its forms, and to bring
about that more perfect
union. I’m committed
to these efforts, and I
pledge to work tirelessly
on behalf of these issues in
the months and years to
come.-
Obama also expressed support for the
Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations
Act.
"Under current law, we cannot provide
same-sex couples with the full range of
benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married
couples," he said. "That’s why I’m proud
to announce rny support for the Domestic
Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, crucial
legislation that will guarantee these rights
for all federal employees. I want to thank
Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who is behind me
somewhere -- there she is, right there -- for
her tireless leadership on this bill and in the
broader struggle for equality. I want to thank
Sen. Joe Lieberman -- Joe is here -- as well
as Susan Collins for championing this bill
in the Senate, and Rep. Barney Frank for his
leadership on this and so many other issues."
Sounds good, but gay activists ~veren’t
impressed. They want action.
"We commend President Obama ana his
administration for taking this beginning step
to level the playing field but we look forward
to working with him to repeal the Defense of
Marriage Act, overturn ’Dofft Ask, Don’t Tell’
and guarantee the entire American worl6brce
is free from discrimination," said HRC’s
Solmonese.
The Associated Press said, "His (Obama’s)
critics -- and there were many -- saw
Wednesday’s incremental move to expand gay
rights as litde more than pandering to a
reliably Democratic voting bloc."
Lamb& Legal Executive Director
Kevin Cathcart: "While ending any of
the discrimination against gay and lesbian
federal employees is a welcome step, today’s
... announcement falls far short of our hopes
and expectations. President Obama dearly
understands how important it is for people
to have health insurance coverage ro protect
their loved ones and this plan does not
provide that. Lambda Legal is representing
Karen Golinsldi, a federal employee who
works for the judicial branch and who is
seeking health insurance coverage for her
same-sex spouse. A federal judge has already
issued an administrative decision in that
matter, concluding that, within the existing
roles, the federal government can choose
to provide health insurance for same-sex
partners. Vie think they should.... The day is
long past for incomplete, piecemeal fixes that
leave hard-worldng families uninsured and
struggling."
People For the American W’ay President
Michael B. Keegan: "Today’s presidential
memorandum is a very small step in the right
direction, but it’s a token, and tokens are no
longer enough. DOMA stands in the way of
real progress for same-sex couples nmv denied
federal recognition and protection, and its
repeal is tong overdue. President Obama has a
unique ability to provide the moral leadership
to ensure that all Americans are treated
equally under the law. but so far he has failed
to exercise it. We urge the president to live
up to his own rhetoric about being a ’fierce
advocate’ fbr gay and lesbian Americans.
Taking action on his pledge to repeal DOMA
would be ~vorthy of the vision that he held
out to Americans during his campaign
NGLTF’s Carey: "This presidential
memorandum today will extend some
selected protections to the same-sex partners
and families of federal employees.... This
memo is one building block toward full
equality, and much more remains to be done
in order for the administration to live up to
the promises of equality the president made
as a candidate on the campaign trail.... We
also call on the president to take additional
steps that will have a positive impact on our
health, our livelihoods and our families’ safety
that do not require legislative action. These
include reversing the standing policy of the
U.S. Census Bureau to manually un-marry
any same-sex couple who lawfully states they
are married on the 2010 census, extending
employment protections to federal employees
based on gender identity, and reversing the
regulations that continue to throw roadblocks
in the way of HIV-positive individuals who
want to travel to this country."
NCLR’s Kendell: "The policy announced
today by the president committing to a
federal ~vorkplace free from discrimination is
a step in the right direction but inadequate
and long overdue. It leaves out millions
ofAmerieans who do not work for the
federal government and fails to include key
benefits including health insurance. When
running for office, then candidate Obama
called equality for LGBT people a ’moral
imperative.’ We will continue to demand
this administration live up to the president’s
promise of achieving ’full equality for the
millions ofLGBT people in this country.’"
The language is strong and the front is
unified. Nae White House clearly is listening,
but when will our "fierce advocate" act?
Writing on his house.gov Web site June
16, gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polls, D-Colo., said:
"I am a proud Democrat, as are many in the
LGBT community, and I believe we must
hold our leaders accountable. The Obama
Administration made a HUGE mistalte in the
DOMA brief. If they keep malting mistakes
like this. they risktosing the support of the
GLBT community forever, although I do
not believe we are at that point yet. President
Obama needs to honor his promise ro repeal
this ... hateful and divisive law. As the New
York Times editorialized yesterday, ’busy
calendars and political expediency are no
excuse for malting one group of Americans
wait any longer for equal rights.’"
labor of love really," said Arbuckle. "We ate
like a family here." The organization serves
men, women and children. "XWe have about
30-40 children who may be infected or have
parents who are," adds Arbuclde.
Recently, Arbuckle submitted a grant
application to the }v’La,C-AIDS Fund which
is an organization established in 1994 that
globally supports all persons lMng with
HIV/AIDS. "It is a passion for our company
and our staff," said Armando Ortiz, MAC
Retail Manager at Penn Square Mall. "We
refer to this as the heart and soul ofMAC
Cosmetics. MAC stands for Make-up, Art
and Cosmetics.
"Our Viva-Glam program is where the
monies come from," adds Ortiz. "We give
back 100% of the selling price back to the
community. This program is really something
we embrace in our company." MAC
Cosmetics has been in business since I984
and has donated over $t35 million dollars to
date through the MAC-AIDS Fund.
Other Options has changed some over
the years and now focuses primarily on their
Friends Food Pantry. "The other services are
provided so well by other organizations in the
city that we focus on the nutritional program
now," said Mary Arbuckle, Director of the
Other Options organization. "\ge work well
together with RAIN Oklahoma, the OU
Infectious Disease Clinic, and other local
organizations so our clients can ger all the
hdp they need and so there is less duplication
of services."
Friends Food Pantry is exclusive to the
HIV and MDS community. Clients come to
the srore to shop each week. "We give them
a shopping cart and let them select their own
items, which is different than most food
banks," adds Arbuckle. "We want to empower
their mind; we don’t want them to feel like
it’s a charity." Arbuckle says they plan ro
spend the majority of the MAC-AIDS grant
on their Boost program, which provides the
high-prorein Boost drink to those in most
need of the nutritional supplement.
Donations to Other Options are always
~velcomed and appreciated. For more
information about Other Options or the
Friends Food Pantry, please call (405) 946-
8577.
by Jack Fertig July 2009
"Pay attention, Cancer!"
Saturn square Mercury would normally
bring out everyone’s inner critic, but
with Saturn in Virgo and Mercury in
Gemini, bitchy outbursts are to be
expected. If you’re feeling brilliant, write
it down and think twice before saying
it aloud. Take a long view and look for
opportunities for self-improvement,
ARIES (March 20 - Apri~ 19): Stay
focused on work. Any personal remarks,
especially about colleagues, are sure
to get you into trouble. Your critical
analyses and recommendations for
improvement are probably a bit off the
mark, but at least they show you’re
paying attention.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Avoid
gambling and investments in any
game play strictly for funsies. Focus on
developing skill at your sport or hobby.
That’s an uphill slog, too, but something
that’s just fun now can have practical
value down the road.
GEMiNi {May 21- June 20): If you get
any criticism from family or roommates,
thank them for sharing and think about
what they say. There may be something
to it. Responding in kind will only start
an a~ui argument.
CANCER (June 21~- July 22): Pay
attention where you’re walking or
driving. Distractions inside your own
head can cause awful accidents. Be
aware of your surroundings, and you
can find better ways to bang up against
someone.
LEO (Ju~y 23 - August 22): You’re
inclined to be very critical of someone’s
political values, so why not focus on
your own? In this era of diminishing
resources, we all need to step back
and re-think things. Brainstorming
with friends will help you update your
perspective.
VlRGO (August 23 - September 22)
The sharp edge of your wit is very
much in evidence. Keep it focused
on practical matters and attention to
your own health and well-being. When
tempted to speak of others, make extra
effort to keep it kind and constructive.
L~B~ (September 23 - October
22): There’s always room for selfimprovement,
but don’t beat yourself up
with your faults, which you’re now likely
to exaggerate anyway. A creative focus
for your inner critic could help you to be
more realistic.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November
21): As your brain races around sex,
you may want to look beyond simple
gratification. That has its time and
place, but think seriously about your
relationships and what you’d want to be
doing - and with whom - in 20 years.
SAG!TTARIUS (November 22
- December 20): You will get into
arguments. Stay focused, principled
and respectful. The way you press
your point can earn you a great deal
of respect. Stay clear on details and
graciously accept correction when it’s
appropriate.
CAPRICORN (December 21
- January 19): Take it slow and easy.
Pay attention to details and you’ll have
fewer accidents and arguments at
work. Sex seems a great release for
stress, but is it really? Focus on what’s
important at work and at play.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February
18): You may be losing yourself helping
others, and fun may feel more like work.
An analytic approach to techniques of
craft, sport and/or pleasure reconciles
the latter. Being ruthless and selfish for
a bit is now good for you.
PISCES (February 19 - March
19): Domestic criticisms are nearly
inevitable. Being self-critical will help
keep you out of arguments, but give
yourself credit as well as blame. Your
partner’s shortcomings on that score
are highlighted because of your focus.
If you must say something, be kind and
gentle!
Community for
People iving
with
H R/!A DS
A 50’f c (3) Non t rofit Or~nizadon
Our House, Too offers a variety of
activities for people who are HIV+ and
or living with AIDS to help combat the
social isolation that many of our
people live through each and everyda~:
We provide a Toiletry and Household
Pantry for those "who are HIV+
and or living with AIDS who cannot
afford to purchase these items for
themselves. We invite anyone who
would like to volunteer or provide financial
assistance to please contact
us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail
ourhousetoo9865@sbcglobat.net
112 3 4
~5 6 7 8 9 ~10111213
14
~ 15
17 18 19
66 67 68
69 70 7I
43 Ausmas capital( to Aust ~ans
~ ’Watcha~Liberg~ game h~re
18 Irritating : ,
50 of Seventeefi :
52 :l~i~---~"s home Stat~ (abgr:};
~3 cone Out ~nthe b~a~h
5~ ~Evbr~tt S Monkey Zetterland
58 E~d of the a~eadline ~
52 Adult filly
69 %v0some
70 Second name in cross-dressing
7! Doest" own
31
33 Prefix with
35 In the sack
38 "Lead into temptation"
39 Casey J0n~s, e.g.
40 GOt excited ,
41 Hollinghurst s 7~e Swimming~Pool
42 Edmontons province
45 Many a place near Aspen
46 Ball {vh£ckers, in Ping-Pong
47 U-turn from SSW ~9 Gate design,
1 C. Marlowes tongue
55 Golfer Sam
57 Overhand stroke, for Mauresmo
59 It gets spilled at wild parties
60 Beat it
61 Peruvian native
65 Quit, with "out"
Solution page 26
We :welcome ~[etters fro ers. Shorter letters are more likely to be printed, as are those
that addreks ohly a Singte topiC, Letters are subject to editing for lefigt|i and clarity. In-
ClYde your hO~ addr~s} an~ ~,~time phone fiumber fo~-~;efifidatiDm Send l{~rs to the
4ditor~ pFe ly:~ ii (~iam£ws@sl;cglobal.ndt)~ Le{ters als~ may be mailed (Metro
Stem P~ Box 5~i 7’18, TulSa, IOK 7~ 158)
~wcw.metrostarnews.com ;~8÷troSTAR 25
Stage Performance To
Benefit C arron Alliance
OK~AI-IOMA CITY, OK (PR) __ lheatre
lovers are invited to attend an upcoming
performance of a Carpenter Square Theatre
production with proceeds benefiting the Cimarron
Alliance Foundation.
Carpenter Square’s Thursday, July 2, production
of"The Little Dog Laughed" will benefit Cimarron
and cimarronAP,TS! The show begins at 7:30
p.m. Tickets, at a discount, are $15 and can be
purchased £nline at: CAF
Carpenter Square provides the following
synopsis of tl~e show: Mitchell Green is a handsome
young movie actor who is on the verge of major
stardom. His agent can’t seem to keep him in
the closet due to his "slight recurring case of
homosexuality." And as if that’s not enough, he falls
in love with his most recent "rent boy" and wants
to announce it to the world. Helping him navigate
Holl.~;~vood’s choppy waters, his shark of an agent
Diane does everything she can to keep him away
~?om the rent boy and the rent boy’s girlfriend
(wait, the rent boy has a girlfriend?), but it’s not
smooth sailing.
Ticket sales are limited to 200, so buy )!our
rickets early!
Jamie Fo~
Jul 9, 2009 at BOK Center
Ticket Prices: $69.75 and $59.75
"l~is summer heats tip with a tour from one of the
Imrtest artists to move fi:om the big screen to the
stage. Jamie Foxx begins a summer tour in July and
makes Tulsa one of the first stops.
eridm Idols Live
Jul 24, 2009 at BOK Center Tulsa
Tickets Prices: $69.50, $55.50, $40.50
Fans ofAmerica’s #1 show will once again have the
chance to catch their favorite "Idols" performing
live in concert, as the top 10 contestants from
American Idol season 8 hit the road in the highly
anticipated summer tour.
Aerosmith
Ju130, 2009 at BOK Center
AEROSMITH
with ZZ TOP
July 30 @ 7:30pro
Ticket Prices: $129.50, $89.50, $49.50
~EROSMITH--STEVEN TYLER (vocals), JOE
PERRY (guitar), BP4\D ~WHITFORD (guitar),
TOM HAMILTON (bass) and JOEY KP,a~_MER
(drums)--made history last year when Activision
released Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, marldng the
first music-based game built around the legendary
music of Aerosraith.
Kdth Urban
Aug 7, 2009 at BOK Center @ 8:00pm
Keith Urban with Sugarland
Ticket Prices: $77, $47 and $20
Grammy Award winner Keith Urban, one of the
industry’s raost explosive and critic~dly hailed live
acts, will be stopping at the BOK Center on Friday,
August 7th fi~r his "Escape Together ~otld Tour"
together with KC Masterpiece° and Kings~rd°
featuring multi-platinum superstars Sugarland.
Webs#e- www.kylecomics.com E-Mail- KylesBnB@aol,com
bi~er gir!
2{3 @~:{:~oSTAR July 2009
Support those who support us. Their
A
HABANA INN
2200 NW 39TH ~KESSWAY
Oldakoma City, OK
405-528-2221
wsvw.habanainn.com
KELLY KIRBY, CPA
48 I5 S. I-DYRVARD, SUITE 424
Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466
Certified Public Accountant
ROUTE 66 ANTIQUE MALL
4624 E. ! lth Street
Tulsa OK
918-836-3838
VALERIE WILLIFORD
625 N.W. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
405-226-8585
CONFIDENTIAL CAP~ &
CONSULTATION-OKC
405-326-9652
NATIa~q BLACK
PRIMEP£CA 10820 E. 45th #305
Tulsa. OK
918-615-8177
nblack.rn#39@primerica.com
OKC MORTUARY
2415-C N. "WALNUT AVE.
Olda~oma City, OK
80B-9!3-t310
GARY CORNETT
FUTUPJTY FIRST IN S.
Tulsa. OK
918-688-!360
ads allow us to distribute your community news FREE to you.
THE LEDO
2200 NW 39TH E~RESSWAY
Oklalloma City, OK
405-525-0730
www.habanainn.com
TULSA EAGLE
1338 E. 3RD
Tulsa, OK
918-592-1188
Open 7days week 2pm to 2am
CHURCH of the OPEN ARMS
3131 N. PENN,
OKC, OK 405-525-9555
Service Sunday 10:45 AM
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 6pm
MCC UNITED
1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK
918-838-1715
www.nlcctulsa.org
RFAL:ESTATE:
ARMANDO AMOR
Keller Williams Realty
1624 SW !22nd
Oklahoma City, OK 73170
405-473-6870
CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE
3627 IxYgg EXPRESSWAY
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-840-2106
www.c21 goldcasde.com
CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE
Keller Williams Realty
Tulsa, OK
918-706-1887
CINDY LOLLIS
Castle Finders Realty
Owasso, OK 74055
918-697-7406
OKZAHOMANS for EQUALITY
621 E. 4th Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-743-4297
www.okeq.org
OUR HOUSE, TOO
203 N: Nogales Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
918-585-9552
~NG OF MASSAGE
In or Out Calls
Oklahoma City, OK
405-882-6127
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
In Calls Only, N\V OKC
405-822-7378
nwokcmassageguy@aol.cim
ANGLES
2 ! 17 N~V 39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK JUDY G. PHOTO’S
wvw:angtesdub.com Tulsa. OK
judygphotos@sbcglobal.net
BAMBOO LOUNGE 918-743-8636
7204 E. PINE
GUSHER’S RESTAURANT
2200 N~V 39TH EXPRESSWAY
Oldahoma City, OK
405-525-0730
Located inside Habana Inn
THE KITCHEN
2218 NW 39th
Oklahoma City; OK 73112
Located inside the BOOM
THE MARKET PLACE ON 39th
2235 N.W. 39th
Oklah0maCity. OK
405-528-5555
TRA
EURE~ SPRINGS CVB
Eureka Springs, AR
www.eurekasprings.org
Cindy Lolli~
Castle Finders, LLC
Real Estate & Property Management
Owasso, OK 74055
918-697-7406
Armando Amor
Phone: 405-473-6870
Fax: 405-691-2708
BUY GI Joe Action Figures
(12" size Only)
THE
KITCHEN
2218 NW 39th
Oklahoma City, OKC 73112
(405) 801-7200
Open Tues.-Sun 12
Noon ~o 11PM. Featuring
Chef Susie Lopez.
Located inside the "BOOM"
Call
Therapeutic
By licensed professional for Physical
Rehabilitation.
NW OKO near Penn Square
In-Calls only
(405) 822#378
nwokcmassageguy@aol.corn
Tulsa. OK
918-836-8700
~a~vw.bambooloungetulsa.com
CLUB 209
209 N. BOULDER
%lsa, OK
918-584-9944
CLUB MAJESTIC
!24 N. BOSTON
Tulsa, OK
9!8-584-9494
FINISHLINE
~oo NW 59TH EXPreSSWaY
Oklahoma Civ, OK
405-525-2900
~l=,v.habanainn.cona
THE COPA
2200 NW 39TH E~SSWAY
O~om~ Cit~ OK
405-525-0730
x~m,w.habanainn.com
Start building a business
today to supplement your"
income in case of layoff.
High potential commissions.
Excellent instruction.
Set your own hours.
Call NATHAN BLACK
Chuck Breckenridge
Whether buying or selling
I’ll work hard for you.
www.metrostarnews.com ~÷troSTAR 27
28 July 2009
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
[2009] Metro Star Magazine, July 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 7
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
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
July 1, 2009
Format
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Image
Online text
PDF
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
magazine
Contributor
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Chaz Ward
Victor Gorin
Greg Steele
James Nimmo
Jeanne Flanigan
Rex Wockner
Gerald Libonati
Michael W. Sasser
Robin Dorner-Townsend
Romeo San Vicente
Andrew Collins
Donald Pile
Ray Williams
Jack Fertig
Devre Jackson
Judy G.
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
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/19
Relation
A related resource
The Metro Star Magazine, April 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 4
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/128
The Metro Star Magazine, August 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 8
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/129
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/133
Adam Lambert
adoption
California HIV
church
Clara Nipper
cocktail chatter
Comics
commentary
crossword puzzle
Dick Cheney
dining
discrimination
Diversity Business Association
domestic-partnership bill
Don't Ask
Don't Tell
First Thursday
gay police ban
Hillary Clinton
homophobia
international news
Joplin pride
June 2009
Keith Kimmel
Kyle's Bed and Breakfast
legalization of same sex marriage
lesbian Noir
License Plate
MAC cosmetics
Michael Cooper
Miss Gay
National news
Obama
Oklahoma City Rodeo
Oklahoma News
Other Options
Pride Month
pride Parade
Qscopes
R.A.I.N.
Robin Dorner
snap shots
spousal benefits and protection
stage
Star Scene
The Metro Star
travel
Tulsa
Tulsa Pride's Diversity Festival