Middle Aged Guy 24 Coalition International. More important to us as a family, June 2009 our daughter Heidi got to stand in front of a roaring Stonewall spirit ACHR Board of Directors: Dave Bentlin; Peggy crowd of tens of thousands of celebrants in Central Park The by Tom O. McCulley for a few seconds to declare, “We are the children of Rainbow Burton; Gary Gletty; Margo Mendoza; Donna O’Crowly gays and and we love our parents.” I wish I could share an “I was there” story with you The Rainbow Connection is published by the Of course, in this column I cannot share all the battles Advocacy Council for Human Rights (ACHR). Corre- about Stonewall, but I was not quite twelve when a we fought together to come to that moment—but they spondence can be sent to P.O. Box 5048, Blooming- group of patrons inside and outside a small bar in were battles, let me assure you—and sometimes they Connection ton, IL 61702-5048, or e-mail [email protected] Greenwich Village in New York City started a minor were bloody, and sometimes they caused casualties riot on June 28, 1969. I can tell you exactly where I within our larger family, and sometimes they inflicted was on the day of the riots, but it’s not very exciting. wounds that will never go away. The “we” I mean here July 19 picnic; planning for an LGBTQA fundraiser I was tucked comfortably away at the lake house my is not just my little pocket-family of three. No, the “we” Advocacy Council to meet grandparents owned in Wisconsin. There, I was spending for Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson; and planning here is all of us who strove together to move beyond The regular monthly meeting of the Advocacy for future Advocacy Council activities and events. another in a series of idyllic summers swimming and being marginalized by the law and beaten up in the reading and hiking in the woods. New York City was Council for Human Rights will be at 5 p.m. on If you want to be involved or have an idea streets and yes, even killed. Tuesday, June 9 at Connections Community Center, please join us! If you cannot attend but are some mythological place to me then, gay people were a I have a sense today that those who continue to seek rumor. 313 N. Main St. in downtown Bloomington. interested in being involved please contact us the destruction of the rights we have gained—those who at [email protected]. But I do remember this about that time in my life— would pull apart the very fabric of my little pocket-family Among topics to be discussed are planning for the across from our house there was a boy my age named and the larger family I share with my GLBTQ sisters Karl, a sort of rough boy with lanky arms and light- and brothers are being defeated. I feel confident that colored hair. We used to go hiking together. I knew that we have found their weakest flanks and though we are Etta James. The festival takes place delicious appetizers can be washed I wanted, more than anything, to hold Karl in my arms. a minority, we are overwhelming the naysayers with our It’s June…Pride is all Next door to our house was another boy, Johnny. He around us! at the Henry Maier Festival Park on down with any variety of drinks courage and they are becoming stricken with the panic Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront (site available for sale at the bar. was more “refined” than Karl and he had jet-black hair of change. I can see the victory of our just cause on the June is typically the month when and an air of superiority. Some years later, Johnny and our larger metropolitan communities of the city’s annual summerfest). The Advocacy Council has also horizon—just beyond the next hill—just out of the reach, For ticket prices and to check out gathered some great raffle prizes that I would share a tent one night in his backyard. I don’t perhaps, for my generation. celebrate pride with festivals and th the complete schedule go to www. will be given away during the event. need to say more here except that I learned a thing or As much as it pains me, I doubt if I will see universal parades. With this being the 40 two before morning. recognition of GLBTQ persons in my lifetime. I don’t anniversary of the Stonewall riots pridefest.com. Please join us as we kick off the Like a lot of “not quite gay” America, I was in a sense even know if I believe Ron and I will be able to be and the birth of the modern gay Quad Cities. Our friends up the weekend and pride month! an innocent on that day in June, 1969. Still, I knew that married in our home state before one of us dies. movement these events are sure to road on I-74 are planning a month- there was something about my feelings for Karl and But I can smell the victory, nonetheless. be special. long schedule of activities that will BN Dining OUT on June 9 Johnny and set me apart from others. However, we cannot celebrate quite yet. We are still a Chicago. Chicago’s pride month culminate with QC Pridefest on The BN Dining OUT group will get A few years later, when I knew that what I was meant part of a much larger battle. If the war metaphor makes events culminate with the city’s June Saturday, June 27 at LeClaire Park together at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, “fag” and “queer” and “different,” I remember that I you uncomfortable, dear reader, I ask you this—if we are 28 parade that begins at noon. on the Davenport, IA riverfront. The June 9 to eat at the Shark Bar, 3 looked up “homosexual” in a dictionary in my school’s not still at war for our basic human rights, then what, However, there are many other festival will include live music, food, Finance Drive in Bloomington. library. This was in an age when the words used in that exactly, is it that you think we are doing day after day in events going on in the Windy City beverages and vendors. For more BN Dining OUT is an informal dictionary to describe what I was included, “pathology” the courts and in the press and in our own lives? What information go to www.qcpride.org. group for gays, lesbians and their and “unnatural” and “diseased.” I remember where I during June that are of interest to we are trying to achieve together is a revolution and the LGBTQA crowd, so check out friends in the Bloomington/Normal was that day too, the way the chair felt, the smell of revolutions involve warfare. area that meets each month for old books, the fear of looking up such a word in a www.chicagopridecalendar.org for a Illinois Civil Unions Bill Like many revolutions that end with good results, this comprehensive listing. As of press time, HB2234, socialization and networking within place where I might be caught. I remember something movement was birthed in violence. I do not advocate the community. else—after feeling a little sick to my stomach, I got really St. Louis. Those of you who want the state civil unions bill, was still physical violence today or ever. However, I do ask a break from the Chicago scene set for a vote before the May 31 For more information about the pissed off. I might be “bright” and “a smarty pants” and my sisters and brothers in our continuing struggle to group go to http://groups.yahoo. “a little weird” in the terms of the day, but I was not might consider traveling to St. Louis General Assembly adjournment. remember that while throwing bottles at police and for their parade that also kicks off at For updates on this legislation com/group/BNDiningOUT/. “pathological” or “unnatural” or “sick.” breaking windows and setting a building on fire might At that moment, I think, I inherited everything the noon on Sunday, June 28. Actually go to www.equalityillinois.org or ACHR looking for local not be the approach we should take today—we must still the St. Louis LGBTQ community has www.aclu-il.org. Stonewall Riots stood for—even though it would still keep ourselves engaged in the battle that was started on LGBTQ soldiers/veterans! take a few years before I would put the pieces together planned a series of events on June President Obama during the that summer day on Christopher Street so many years 27-28 (PrideFest) so one can easily and take action. I knew that if I had been gifted with ago. The First Friday event to presidential campaign pledged to end language, as my teachers at the time told me, that I was We must keep our heads held high. We must brush have a weekend of fun in St. Louis. end all First Fridays! “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Clinton- going to do what I could to change the language used to off our defeats and move forward. We must—with each For a complete schedule of St. Louis era military policy that effectively describe how I felt about other boys. There was no way events go to www.pridestl.org/ Join us on Friday, June 5 at the victory we achieve—celebrate a little, and then dive back Bistro as we celebrate pride month discriminates against LGBTQ military I was going to walk through life wearing a set of labels I into the battle again with every ounce of energy we have pridefest.html. personnel by making them serve did not deserve. Milwaukee. Milwaukee’s Pridefest with food, drink, and a raffle for lots left. With each state that grants up partner benefits or of great prizes! under a threat of discharge if their When what had become the mythology of Stonewall marriage rights or simply just job protections, the victory June 12-14 has a reputation for sexual orientation is discovered. celebrated its 25th anniversary in June of 1994, I had the drawing top entertainment and The First Friday event kicks off at is ours! With every state that grants us fundamental 4:30 p.m. with a full lineup of free Almost certainly any action the privilege, along with my husband and our daughter, to be rights, there are another ten that would strip those rights this year’s event is no different: in NYC and to march in the “Stonewall 25” parade along appetizers provided by the Advocacy president takes will have to be away.The victory is ours! The battle has just begun. Headliners over the three-day festival accompanied by a vote in Congress. with a group then called The Gay and Parents include Cyndi Lauper, Brandy, and Council for Human Rights. Those ... continued on page 2 sex, coming out to your friends and ISU, IWU change Non- family, and being open in the work Discrimination policies Commemorate Pride Gender movie: Important, not entertaining place. The effort to secure protections Month – rent a DVD! By Gene Naden Center staff members try and for all members of the LGBTQ While droves of moviegoers guide the youth by giving them community received a boost with the hit the local cineplexes in Recently the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance sponsored a premier showing of an extremely important the tools and knowledge to survive news that Illinois State University search of the latest summer documentary video called “Straight-Laced: How Gender Has Us All Tied Up.” It was about expression of and help overcome any adversity and Illinois Wesleyan University have blockbuster, LGBTQA folks gender and sexual orientation in high school, consisting entirely of students sharing their experiences and they may encounter. Parents are updated their non-discrimination might consider setting aside opinions. encouraged to attend and help in policies to include gender identity June Pride Month to rent a The students were very eloquent and acutely aware of these issues. One girl remarked that this is a learning how to be an active and and expression. DVD from our local LGBTQ- free country except that if you cannot be yourself around other people then you are not free. She said that supportive part of their youth’s life. In a May 7 memo to university supportive video store. rather than a closet it was more like a jail. A boy told how he liked to have his nails “done” even though For more information contact the LGBTQ leaders Shane McCreery, The Movie Fan, 503 S. he is neither nor gay. My favorite was the kid who remarked that he was not gay, he just like center at 309-827-2437. director of Diversity and Affirmative Main St. in Normal, is our local to wear purple shirts! In general, the students illustrated their views by referring the language used, and its Action at ISU, announced that treasure, quite possibly offering implications, and the clothes people wore. They mentioned peer pressure in this regard. Illinois Gay Rodeo President Al Bowman authorized the largest selection of LGBTQ The makers included quite a few remarks from a young man who felt that it was very important to dress Association Variety Show the addition. Both the university’s videos in downstate Illinois. and behave in accordance with peer expectations. The filmmakers apparently felt that honest journalism at Shark Bar non-discrimination policy and the Owner David has scoured his required that his views be represented. The Shark Bar, 3 Finance Drive University Mission Statement will now inventory and recommends a There were about 50 people in the audience. Several of the ones I spoke to were teachers. in Bloomington, will host the ILGRA reflect recognition for equality and variety of upcoming releases as I hope that the teachers can help bring about a gentler environment where there is respect for individual Variety Show at 8 p.m. on Saturday, fairness based on gender identity and well as historical LGBTQ videos differences. July 18. expression. that chronicle our struggles and Speaking for myself, when I told a friend I was going to see it, she said “Enjoy the movie.” I tried to The variety show will feature In April Kathy Cavins, IWU’s vice triumphs. explain that it was not entertainment and that it would not be fun but she just couldn’t get it. It opened up country music, impersonated president for student affairs and dean New releases in June include all the pain and fear that I experienced at that age and reminded me how much I lost by choosing to isolate entertainment, raffles, the selling of of students, informed IWU’s LGBTQ WERE THE WORLD MINE, myself from the mainstream peer group. I knew it would twist up my guts a little to watch it but given the rodeo tickets, and promotion of our leaders the executive committee of PEDRO, and LADIES OR importance of the subject matter I felt I had to “cover” it. upcoming rodeo. Also included will the IWU Board of Trustees voted to GENTLEMEN. For more information about the makers of “Straightlaced,” please browse to the URL (Web address) be dance lessons by the Windy City add gender identity and expression to David also recommends the “GroundSpark.org.” Cowboys. IWU’s non-discrimination policy. following titles (among others) The Illinois Gay Rodeo Association Those of us who work at the local from his large collection of is a not-for-profit organization that universities welcome these changes. LGBTQ historical DVDs: formed in 1993. The organization continued from page 1 ... and a program. Our social location MenN2Men Group meets Please send your thanks to: has recently changed to the Peerless sponsors an annual gay rodeo event; AFTER STONEWALL One of our representatives, Debbie each Saturday this year’s rodeo will be Aug. 22-23 BALLOT MEASURE 9 th Corporate Training Center at 1304 N. The Bloomington/Normal Kathy Cavins, Vice President for Halvorson from the 11 district, is 20th St. in Decatur. in Crete, Illinois. Student Affairs and Dean of Students BEFORE STONEWALL open to hearing from LGBTQ military MenN2Men Group meets 7:30 – For more information about the BLACK WHITE AND GRAY This past February we 10:30 p.m. each Saturday night at Illinois Wesleyan University personnel and veterans. Halvorson, commemorated our 16th anniversary rodeo association visit www.ilgra. [email protected] CAMP OUT who is supportive of many LGBTQ Connections Community Center, com. For additional information COMING OUT UNDER FIRE with a “Sweet Sixteen” party at our 313 N. Main St. in downtown issues, wants to have firsthand local LGBT watering hole, Flashback about the Shark Bar go to www. Al Bowman, President DANGEROUS LIVING: COMING information that she can use to Bloomington. thesharkbarbloomington.com. OUT IN THE DEVELOPING Lounge. The group is open to any man Illinois State University help formulate her position on this Over Memorial Day, GLAD held [email protected] WORLD draconian policy. who would like to socialize and meet EMPTY BED its annual rummage sale fundraiser. others. Activities include potlucks, Peoria Pride Festival If you are interested in participating Looking ahead, we are hoping to Our friends over in Peoria are Shows at the Bistro FABULOUS in this effort please contact the movies, television shows of interest, The Bistro, 316 N. Main St. in FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO hold our dinner/dance once again in and stimulating conversation. busy planning the inaugural Peoria Advocacy Council at info@achr-il. October. We will also be sponsoring Pride Festival, set for Sunday, Sept. downtown Bloomington, is celebrating GAY REPUBLICANS com or 309-212-4031. an Amasong concert on Nov. 15th Open Door Youth Center 13 at the Peoria Riverfront Landing. June with two special shows. LET’S GET FRANK at the First Presbyterian Church of The organizers’ mission is On Friday, June 12 the bar will MILK Gay and Lesbian The Open Door Youth Center OUR HOUSE Association of Decatur Decatur. continues its weekly sessions from “to create an annual event that host a show featuring a completely th You can find out all about our celebrates the diverse LGBT new showcast. SILVERLAKE LIFE The 40 anniversary of Stonewall 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays at SMALL TOWN GAY BAR organization and subscribe to our Connection Community Center, community in Central Illinois, that On Saturday, June 20 the band finds the Gay and Lesbian Squatchmo – featuring Tricia Stiller Association of Decatur, GLAD, in monthly newsletter, GLAD Chat, at 313 N. Main St. in downtown unites our community, and that www.gladdecatur.com. shows the greater community the – will take the stage for a special Of course The Movie Fan good health and celebrating our Bloomington. also rents all the latest newest We cordially invite our Twin This group is open to all youth positive contributions we make.” show. Squatchmo returns to the own 16 years of service to our city’s Bistro following previous successful releases that you would find LGBT population. City brothers and sisters to join us ages 13 - 24 who are GLTBTQ. More details will be forthcoming, anytime. but for more information check engagements at the bar. at any of the big chain stores. GLAD continues its monthly Some of the topics of discussion Drop by David’s new store and include but are not limited to, safer the festival web site at For more information about these socials – the second Saturday of and other events at the bar call check out the titles! each month we gather for a potluck www.peoriapride.com. ... continued on page 3 309-829-2278.

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