THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 Feb. 3, 2010 • vol 25 no 18 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com

page 5 Illinois elections: Obama, military Shock and awe push to lift gay ban BY ANDREW DAVIS by Tracy Baim

On Feb. 2, (a few) Illinois voters weighed in on some unusually competi- Military leaders testified before the U.S. Senate Feb. 2 about “how” not tive primary races—and a few surprises emerged. Some races were not “when” the military’s gay ban will be lifted. decided by Windy City Times’ deadline Tuesday night, but full results “The question before us is not whether the military prepares to make online at www.windycitymediagroup.com. this change, but how best we prepare for it,” Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee. “We have U.S. Senate received our orders from the commander in chief and we are moving out Just a few weeks ago, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias had a sub- Prop 8 Trial accordingly.” However, it is up to Congress to repeal the “Don’t Ask, stantial lead over opponents David Hoffman, a former Chicago inspector Don’t Tell” law. Wraps Up general, and Cheryle Jackson, ex-president/CEO of the Chicago Urban Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told League, in the Democratic primary for the seat currently held by Ro- the Senate committee: “No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot land Burris and formerly held by now-President Barack Obama. However, escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which page 4 Turn to page 4 Turn to page 6 AIDS history traced 2 new books look at epidemic by Tracy Baim

The first cases of what would later become Gay Judges known as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Honored Syndrome) were diagnosed almost 30 years ago. During a time of economic recession and the rise of the “moral majority,” the gay community had to fight an uphill battle against not just the disease but also homophobia, complacency, page 19 inadequate research and healthcare systems, and gays often even against one another about what approach to take as their friends were dy- ing. Two new books with Chicago connections take a closer look at the trajectory of AIDS as it impacted the mainstream and gay communi- ties.

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February 3, 2010 Rosenthal at Berlin. nightspots page 12 Celebrate It Mr. Chicago Leather 2010 competition at Touché. page 25 University of Illinois at Chicago scholar Jen- nifer Brier’s Infectious Ideas book focuses on the federal and global epidemic, including a nightspots detailed account of President Ronald Reagan’s n criminal neglect and politicizing of the disease. pick it up Her book does not address Chicago’s response,

take it home Back on We show you but instead looks closer at New York, San Fran- the Rehab everything wagon. butt love. page 12 page 13 cisco, and the overall U.S. and “global south” Two new books take a closer look at the AIDS epidemic, including ACT UP. Pictured are demonstrators response. at an ACT UP/Chicago protest in 1990. Photo by Lisa Howe-Ebright. Turn to page 16

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Find it at the iTunes store windy 0113 brother:Layout 1 1/22/10 9:28 AM Page 1 Feb. 3, 2010 3 index Now Playing! NEWS Election results 4 Patti, Chiola honored 4 Prop 8 trial wraps up 5 DADT repeal on Obama’s list 6 “The major theatrical event of the Forum on Black gay men 7 Speakers on queer spaces 7 Chicago winter.” Csicsko unveils Belmont art 7 —Chicago Tribune Star Gaze patrons look back 8 Fiorito escapes charges 9 School criticized for lessons 9 Quotelines 9 View: Monroe 10 Black HIV/AIDS Day statement 10

ENTERTAINMENT Scottish Play Scott 11 RuPaul talks about the second season of Theater reviews 12 her reality-TV show and her new book. Knight at the Movies: Brando 14 See page 14. TV: RuPaul 14 Sundance: An LGBT view 15 Photo by Mathu Andersen AIDS book 16 Entertainer Cyon Flare 19 Billy Masters 21

OUTLINES Real estate; classifieds 18 Calendar Q 20 Sports: Outgames; triathlete 22 Sports: Training Rules DVD 22

Photo on cover (from top left): Attorney David Boies by Artist David Csicsko’s work is showcased Tracy Baim; photo of (from left) Sebastian Patti and Tom at the Belmont “L” station. See page 7. Chiola by Andrew Davis; Photo of Cyon Flare courtesy of Photo by Hal Baim Flare

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February 3, 2010 Rosenthal at Berlin. page 12 sister plays n nightspots ONLINE INDEX Celebrate It Mr. Chicago Leather 2010 competition at Touché. page 25 MARCH-ING ON In the Red and Brown Water Chicago native Tommy The Brothers Size and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet MR. Defendi shows that skin is written by Tarell Alvin McCraney CHICAGO in by posing in a calendar LEATHER directed by ensemble member Tina Landau 2010 (as Mr. March). Back on We show you the Rehab everything wagon. butt love. page 12 page 13 featuring ensemble members Alana Arenas, K. Todd Freeman and Photo by Gio Caruso GUITARIST Ora Jones with Phillip James Brannon, Rodrick Covington, Glenn SHARON Davis, Jeff Parker, Tamberla Perry and Jacqueline Williams ISBIN

LEAVE IT TO ‘DIVA’ A breakthrough theatrical event: three interconnected SHOW #351 Read a review of the plays by a brilliant new American voice. Grand in book My Diva: 65 Gay scope, yet intimate and heartfelt, Tarell McCraney’s Men on the Women plays are daring, funny and genuine. Who Inspire Them. www.WindyCity Queercast.com steppenwolf ON THE LAMM TVN QueerTVNetwork.com Gay writer Brad Lamm buy online at steppenwolf.org (right) talks with Windy City Times about his or call 312-335-1650.

Check out our work, How to Change Corporate Production Sponsor of Foundation Production Sponsor of Hotel Partner of video channel for Someone You Love—and The Brother/Sister Plays: The Brother/Sister Plays: The Brother/Sister Plays: new videos weekly weighs in on Dr. Drew. www.QueerTV Network.com Photo by Jeremy Cowart 4 Feb. 3, 2010 ELECTIONS from cover Court when he was appointed by the state’s su- ONLINE AT preme court. In suburban Cook County, Patti had Hoffman had recently gathered momentum, and 13 percent to Mary Rochford’s 45.82 percent; in WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP.COM Giannoulias had to deal with negative news re- the city, he had 18.13 percent to Rochford’s NATIONAL NEWS garding Broadway Bank, the Giannoulias fam- 34.29 percent, with 91 percent of precincts re- ily’s financial institution. (Also, out candidate porting. Patti will return to Cook County Circuit Jacob Meister withdrew Jan. 31, and threw his Court since he had not resigned his post there. support behind Giannoulias.) Giannoulias man- As for Cook County races, lesbian candidate aged to hold off David Hoffman 38 percent to Linda Pauel is involved in a tight Democratic pri- 34 percent; Hoffman announced his concession mary race for the Dolan vacancy. With 91 percent to Giannoulias and thanked his own supporters of Chicago precincts reporting, Pauel had 32.93 —George Tiller shortly before 10 p.m. Feb. 2. (Jackson garnered percent of the vote to Susan Kennedy Sullivan’s suspect convicted 20 percent of the vote.) 31.15 percent and Kevin J. Murphy’s 25.32 per- On the Republican side, Mark Kirk won by a cent; in the suburbs, Pauel had 31.82 percent to Alexi Giannoulias. —Hillary Clinton substantial margin, with real-estate developer Sullivan’s 36.36 percent. (left) won’t be Patrick Hughes a distinct second. Other state races Lesbian candidate Mary Trew had her own tight Sec’y of State With Republican Scott Brown winning the U.S. In other state primaries, Scott Cohen had a race. In the suburbs, she trailed Steve Bernstein again Senate seat in Massachusetts formerly held by slight edge over Arthur Turner (26 percent to 23 30.53 percent to 23.53 percent; in the city, she the late Ted Kennedy, the White House has defi- percent with 83 percent of precincts reporting) led Bernstein 29.35 percent to 27.1 percent. —School district nite interest in the winner of the Illinois race. in the Democratic race for lieutenant governor. There are six Democratic candidates in the Cook not banning The treasurer’s race (on the Democratic side) County Circuit Court, 9th Subcircuit, “A” vacancy Buster’s U.S. House seemed to be in favor of Robin Kelly, who led race. Sugartime Most of the U.S. House races ran as expected, opponent Justin Oberman 58 percent to 42 per- Early reports in the race for the Democratic with many incumbents (e.g., Bobby Rush, Jesse cent, with 83 percent of precincts reporting. nomination for the 16th Circuit Court in Kane nois Senate, 7th District) Jackson, Jr.) prevailing either by wide margins Regarding the post of attorney general, Lisa County had openly gay John Dalton of Elgin —Mary Trew: Race undeclared as of press time or uncontested. Madigan (Democrat), Steve Kim (Republican) ahead of opponent Michael Funkey of Aurora by (Cook, 9th Subcircuit, “A” vacancy) In the 7th Congressional District, Danny Da- and David F. Black (Green) had no opponents, about a 2-1 margin; however, only 18 of 228 —Kent DeLay: Uncontested in Democratic pri- vis took 66.9 percent of the Democratic primary and will face each other in November. precincts’ votes had been counted, according to mary (Illinois House, 99th District); will face Re- vote; Sharon Denise Dixon garnered 13.6 percent All three candidates for secretary of state— SuburbanChicagoNews.com. publican incumbent Raymond Poe in November and Darlena Williams-Burnett won 12.8 percent Jesse White (Democrat), Robert Enriquez (Re- —Bob Mueller: Was uncontested in the Green of the vote. publican) and Adrian Frost (Green)—were un- LGBT candidates primary (Illinois House, 47th District) In the 10th Congressional District, a very challenged in their respective races as well. Below is how gay and lesbian candidates fared —John Dalton: Race undeclared in Democratic tight race between three-time candidate Dan in their races around the state: primary (16th Circuit, Kane, “A” vacancy) Seals and opponent Julie Hamos developed in General Assembly races —Sebastian Patti: Lost Appellate Court (South —Christopher Boyster: Competed for a spot the Democratic primary. With 99 percent of pre- Some interesting and hard-fought races took vacancy) primary to Mary Rochford on the Sangamon County Board; result unde- cincts reporting, Seals had 48.0 percent of the place for seats in the Illinois General Assembly. —Jacob Meister: Withdrew from the U.S. Sen- clared as of press time vote; Hamos had 46.6 percent. In the 7th District (Illinois Senate), incum- ate race Jan. 31 See www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com for up- bent Heather Steans defeated openly gay can- —David Schroeder: Lost to Ken Dunkin (Illi- dates. Governor’s race very tight didate Jim Madigan, who would have been the nois House, 5th District) There were only two candidates in the Demo- first out state senator had he prevailed and in —Joanne Fehn: Lost to John Callahan (Cook cratic primary—but they waged a war of words the general election. As of 9:30 p.m. Feb. 2, Ste- County Circuit Court, Kelley vacancy) that made the race extremely tight. Gov. Pat ans had outgained Madigan 65.1 percent to 34.9 —Linda J. Pauel: Race undeclared as of press Quinn was attempting to get elected in his percent with 85 percent of precincts reporting. time own right after replacing ousted governor Rod In the 5th District (Illinois House), incumbent —Ed Mullen: Lost to Ann M. Williams (Illinois Blagojevich. Dan Hynes, the state comptroller Ken Dunkin fought back a stiff challenge from House, 11th District) for more than a decade, really thrust himself openly gay candidate David Schroeder in the —Greg Harris: Won an uncontested Democrat- into the race with a controversial TV ad that Democratic primary. ic primary race for his Illinois House seat showed the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washing- Also, in the only race to feature two openly —Deb Mell: Defeated Joe Laiacona (Illinois ton regretting that he had ever hired Quinn. gay candidates, incumbent Democratic state House, 40th District) As of 10:30 p.m. Feb. 2, both the Democratic Rep. Deb Mell (40th District) led Joe Laiacona —Joe Laiacona: Lost to Deb Mell (Illinois and Republican primaries were too close to call. 65.5 percent to 34.5 percent with 87 percent of House, 40th District) On the Democratic side, Quinn led 50.7 percent precincts reporting. —Todd Connor: Undeclared as of press time to Hynes’ 49.3 percent with 80 percent of pre- Another gay candidate, Ed Mullen, ran against —Jim Madigan: Lost to Heather Steans (Illi- Linda Pauel. cincts reporting. On the GOP side, Bill Brady and Dan Farley and Ann M. Williams in the Demo- Kirk Dillard each had 20 percent; Andy McKenna cratic primary for the 11th District seat in the was right behind with 19 percent. Illinois House. With 86 percent of precincts re- porting, Williams had 45.7 percent of the vote, while Farley had 32.3 percent and Mullen trailed Judges honored Obama AIDS with 22 percent. council named Aaron Weiss Health and Human Services Secretary Kath- County and Mary Trew. leen Sebelius has announced 24 new mem- In the Democratic primary for Cook County bers to the Presidential Advisory Council on Board president, Toni Preckwinkle prevailed, de- HIV/AIDS (PACHA). This council—chaired by feating three opponents—Cook County Circuit Dr. Helene Gayle—consists of a diverse group Clerk Dorothy Brown, Metropolitan Water Recla- of researchers, service providers, and commu- mation District President Terrence O’Brien and nity leaders from around the country, includ- incumbent president Todd Stroger. As of 9 p.m. ing HIV-positive individuals. Feb. 2, the other candidates had already made The new members are National Black Gay concession calls to Preckwinkle, who thanked Men’s Advocacy Coalition’s A. Cornelius Bak- her parents and campaign team as well as peo- er; Praveen Basaviah; Dawn Averitte Bridge of ple “Black and Latino [and] gay and straight.” the Well Project; Douglas Brooks of the Jus- (With 85 percent of precincts reporting, Preck- tice Resource Institute; minister Calvin Butts winkle had 50 percent, O’Brien had 23 percent Sebastian Patti III; Humberto Cruz; Ernest Darkoh; amfAR’s and Brown had 14 percent, according to Fox Chi- (left) and Tom Kevin Frost; Northwestern University profes- cago News. Stroger finished last.) Chiola. sor Patricia Garcia; attorney Robert Green- In the Republican primary, financial adviser wald; AIDS Alabama’s Kathie Hiers; professor Roger Keats defeated police officer/attorney John Garrido. David Holtgrave; Kaiser Permanente’s Michael A Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC) reception recognizing the retire- In the race for Metropolitan Water Reclama- Horberg; Ejay Jack; The Agassiz Group’s Jack ment of the Hon. Tom Chiola and the appellate court appointment of the Hon. Sebastian tion District commission, openly gay Todd Con- Jackson, Jr.; activist Naina Khanna; Dart- Patti was held Jan. 27 at Rockit Bar & Grill. Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Tim Evans nor was running fourth in the Democratic pri- mouth College President Jim Kim; former introduced both, calling Chiola a “trailblazer” and Patti “an icon.” Chiola urged the crowd, mary’s suburban vote. (Only the top three go Bush assistant Anita McBridge; Douglas Mi- which was filled with political figures and candidates, to become more involved with LGBT on to the general election.) However, he placed chaels of OraSure Technologies; actress Rosie organizations and with establishing/reporting downstate contacts in advance of a possible third in the city with 90 percents of precincts Pérez; Mario J. Pérez; the Rebecca Project’s vote on a civil-unions bill. Patti, who is on the Feb. 2 ballot for his court seat, talked of reporting. So at press time it is not clear yet if Malika Saada Saar; Sandra Torres-Rivera of being “seduced by the magic” of being on the appellate court. In addition, Chiola accepted he prevailed. Bill’s Kitchen; and The Black AIDS Institute LAGBAC’s Vanguard Award, while both he and Patti accepted awards from the Alliance of Executive Director Phill Wilson. Illinois Judges, which, among other things, seeks to promote equal treatment of LGBT Judicial For more information, see www.WindyCity- members of the judiciary on issues affecting judges. Photos and text by Andrew Davis; see Last year, Sebastian Patti made history has the MediaGroup.com. more at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com first openly gay person in the Illinois Appellate Feb. 3, 2010 5 judge attempted to intervene with some advice ships and civil unions—what he referred to in for Blankenhorn and Blankenhorn shot back to his writings as “marriage lite”—“could blur” the Prop 8 trial the judge, “I don’t need instruction.” That drew distinction between marriage and non-marriage a judicial warning. in a way that could be detrimental to marriage. wraps up Judge Walker gently but firmly advised Blan- Boies finally read two statements and asked By Lisa Keen kenhorn that, when a jury is instructed on how Blankenhorn whether he agreed with them. One Keen News Service to view expert testimony, they are told “to con- statement said the institution of marriage is sider a witness’s background, training, expertise, “constantly evolving” and the other said that SAN FRANCISCO—There is nothing like turning testimony” and a number of other factors, “… there is “no single definition of marriage.” an opponent’s own words against him to both and that includes the demeanor of the wit- Blankenhorn noted that he had written those rile his emotions and destroy his position, and ness.” words. that was the work of attorney David Boies on the “I’m sure,” said the judge, “you would not In closing the trial portion of the case, Judge final day of the Proposition 8 trial. want your demeanor on the stand to have nega- Walker gave attorneys until Feb. 26 to submit Boies is one of the lead attorneys on a team tive consequences.” He advised Blankenhorn to post-trial briefs. After that date, he reiterated, challenging the constitutionality of Califor- answer only the questions Boies posed and to he would examine all the testimony and docu- David Boies. Photo by Tracy Baim nia’s same-sex marriage ban in a U.S. district rely on the Yes on 8 attorneys to give him an ments carefully in order to prepare questions court. And Jan. 27 was the 12th and final day opportunity to make explanations. to ask during closing arguments. Walker said he of the court proceeding in that case, Perry v. sible consequences do you agree with?” He had Blankenhorn was continuously confronted would set a date for closing arguments some- Schwarzenegger. Blankenhorn go down the list, one by one, and with statements—many of them from his own time after the briefs are due. Boies’ mission was to tear down the claims identify whether he agreed or disagreed with writing. One stated that allowing gays to marry There has been considerable attention on this by the pro-Proposition 8 supporters and, on each statement. would probably lead to fewer divorces because case, in part because of the participation of this last day of the trial, he was finishing up “I only wish to say that each of them,” said there would be fewer closeted homosexuals mar- Boies and well-known conservative attorney Ted his cross-examination of the second and final Blankenhorn, “was a likely benefit, not a definite rying opposite sex spouses. Another stated that Olson—both uniting to challenge the anti-gay witness that attorneys defending the same-sex benefit.” The list, he said, was just “an attempt allowing gays to marry could mean more couples initiative. Many believe the case could end up marriage ban brought to the court. to predict” the impact of same-sex marriage in “who might be interested in adoption and foster in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and that the On the stand was David Blankenhorn, a man the future. care,” thus leading to “fewer children growing result could have both large and longstanding who clearly has a passion for reading, talking, Boies insisted he identify which points he up in state institutions.” implications for the gay civil rights movement. and writing about marriage. He founded the In- agreed with and the volley between the two Blankenhorn also acknowledged, under cross- ©2010 by Keen News Service. All rights re- stitute of American Values, a private think tank, men soon deteriorated to the point where the examination, that he believed domestic partner- served. to do just that—with a particular focus on how same-sex marriage has an impact on heterosex- ual marriages. But although Judge Vaughn Walker allowed the defense to put Blankenhorn on the stand as Counseling. Faculty. an “expert witness,” Blankenhorn exhibited nei- As the head of ther the depth of knowledge nor the experience The Chicago School’s that an expert witness must have to withstand Center for Latino Mental Health, cross-examination. And, with Boies, he was up Dr. Torres helps against the best. students obtain Boies hammered away at the defense’s claims the skills and experience they need about the purported harms of same-sex mar- to make a powerful riage. And as he did, Blankenhorn struggled to difference in the keep his composure and avoid giving testimony Latino community. that contradicted the Yes on 8 team’s defense. “Let me start with something I think we can agree on,” said. “Marriage is an important public good.” “Yes, sir,” said Blankenhorn. “And what do you mean by ‘public good’?” CQ
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The a law which has created two classes of people, forces young men and women to lie about who Human Rights Campaign urged the military to one open and affirming and the other second they are in order to defend their fellow citi- include non-military experts in the group, but class, secretive and disrespected. It is past time zens.” no non-military names have been listed so far. when the dedicated commitment of gay and les- The hearing happened just days after Presi- The American Forces Press Service reports that bian servicemembers is acknowledged and cele- dent Barack Obama used his first official State of the working group will be headed by Jeh John- brated by allowing them to serve in the military the Union speech Jan. 27 as an opportunity to son, the Pentagon’s top lawyer, and Army Gen. with full appreciation of their humanity.” call for the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Army Europe. “While the President promised that DADT would policy that had been implemented by the last “We are encouraged by Secretary Gates’ an- come to an end ‘this year,’ he did not provide Democratic president, Bill Clinton, in his own nouncement that, as a first step, the Depart- specifics -- and the White House still has not failed bid to allow gays and lesbians to serve ment of Defense will no longer aggressively released a plan to kill it. That’s unacceptable,” openly. pursue disciplinary action against gay service- said Lt. Dan Choi, an Army lieutenant fighting Gates said there will be a 45-day period to members whose orientation is revealed against his discharge under DADT. “I served in the Army review and implement improvements in enforce- their will by third parties so that as few quali- for a decade under [DADT] -- an immoral policy ment practices, the ACLU reported. fied and patriotic Americans as possible are dis- that forces American soldiers to lie about their Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the “While less draconian enforcement is long charged from the armed forces because of their sexual orientation. Worse, it forces others to Joint Chiefs of Staff testifying Feb. 2 in the overdue and welcome, it will be no substitute for sexual orientation,” said the Center for American tolerate deception. As I learned at West Point, U.S. Senate. Photo by Patsy Lynch Congress taking the discriminatory law entirely Progress (CAP). deception and lies poison a unit and cripple a out of the U.S. Code,” said Christopher Anders, The response from the LGBT community to fighting force.” the resistance of those who support discrimina- ACLU senior legislative counsel. Obama’s speech was mixed, ranging from skepti- Obama is perhaps responding to increased tion in our armed forces should not be underes- This marks the first time in 17 years that Con- cism to optimism. pressure from LGBT activists and Democratic Par- timated.” gress has held hearings on the military and gay “This year, I will work with Congress and our ty donors who are withholding their support of Nicholson is also a plantiff in Log Cabin Re- servicemembers. military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Dems until they see more dramatic progress on publicans vs. the U.S., a challenge to DADT filed Gates and Mullen “announced the creation of Americans the right to serve the country they LGBT issues. Even though Obama did sign into after the Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence a working group whose outcomes must be noth- love because of who they are. It’s the right thing law the gay-inclusive federal hate-crimes law, v. Texas. The case is headed to trial this June. ing less than full equality and full access to all to do,” Obama said to loud applause, mainly and lifted the HIV+ travel ban, LGBT activists Log Cabin said “in an alarming contradiction of the benefits and obligations required by mili- from Democrats. and leaders are seeking more progress, and lift- to his stated public policy position, President More than 13,500 servicemembers have fallen ing DADT would send a strong signal that Obama Obama has instructed his Justice Department to victim to DADT since it was created in 1994, ac- is willing to fight the more controversial battles fight” this lawsuit. cording to SLDN, the Servicemembers Legal De- for gay rights. “The day after the State of the Union address, fense Network. The military claims the number is Openly gay Chicago Ald. Tom Tunney was President Obama’s lawyers ‘bombed’ us with 10,900. at the speech, as the guest of U.S. Rep. Mike so much paperwork that we can only conclude In Obama’s first year, far fewer gays were Quigley. He was seated above and behind the that the Justice Department’s legal strategy is kicked out than the prior year, 2008. This could president, so he had a bird’s eye view of the at odds with the President’s position,” said Dan be in part because of personnel needs for the fidgeting Republicans. “It was mind boggling,” Woods, a partner in the Los Angeles office of two wars being waged. The Pentagon said Feb. 1 Tunney said. “It was just awesome to hear the White & Case, who is representing the Log Cabin that there were 428 DADT-related discharges in words, but the chemistry and dynamism of the Republicans. 2009 compared to 619 in 2008. room was amazing. There were so many elected The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of “It was heartening to hear President Obama officials and the Supreme Court justices. Asa Law has released a research brief on DADT. mention that he would work with Congress to listener and student of politics, it was more in- “[Data] from the U.S. Census Bureau suggest overturn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” said Colonel Mar- triguing to see the non-verbals, the reactions that an estimated 66,000 LGB men and women garethe Cammermeyer USA retired, in an email to and cynicism of the Republicans.” are serving in the U.S. military,” about 2.2% of Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates testify- Windy City Times. “I would be honored to have Tunney said it was an honor to be there, after personnel, said the study’s author, Dr. Gary J. ing Feb. 2 in the U.S. Senate. Photo by Patsy a Commander in Chief, acting as one, acting as having heard so many Obama speeches over the Gates. About 13,000 LGB people are serving on Lynch years, including at the 2004 Democratic National active duty (comprising 0.9% of all active duty Convention. He said he “looks forward to having personnel) while nearly 53,000 are serving in more visits to D.C., for substantive discussion” the guard and reserve forces (3.4%). on issues that impact the LGBT community. Ending DADT “will save a substantial amount 2010 Census Workers!!! The President also mentioned the hate-crimes of taxpayer dollars since estimates suggest that law in his speech: “We finally strengthened our the policy has cost more than half a billion dol- laws to protect against crimes driven by hate.” lars,” Gates said. Recruiting Part-Time, Temporary And he included HIV and AIDS among the list of The study found that while women comprise international causes the U.S. is helping. only about 14% of active duty personnel, they comprise more than 43% of LGB men and women Crew Leaders Census Takers Office Clerks Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain said the DADT policy is “working,” and the ban should serving on active duty. The military spends an Assistant Crew Leaders Recruiting Assistants stay. Fox News reported that McCain said he estimated $22,000 to $43,000 per person to re- believes “it would be a mistake to repeal the place those discharged under DADT. policy.” The day after his speech, President Obama and “We applaud President Obama tonight for his Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the University Apply Now ! Take the Census Test call to Congress to repeal [DADT] this year, set- of Tampa, and student Hector Flores asked about ting the stage for the beginning of the end of same-sex marriages. For Testing Locations DADT,” SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis Obama responded: “[A] basic principle in our stated in a press release. “The climate is ripe for Constitution is that if you’re obeying the law, repeal, but the fight is far from over.” if you’re following the rules, that you should Call 866-861-2010 Human Rights Campaign used the speech to an- be treated the same, regardless of who you are. (Applause.) I think that principle applies to gay Or visit our website: nounce a “Voices of Honor” campaign to push for the end of DADT. and lesbian couples. So at the federal level, one The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, be- of the things that we’re trying to do is to make http://2010censusjobs.gov ing pushed by Iraq War veteran Rep. Patrick sure that partnerships are recognized for pur- Murphy, D-Penn., would replace DADT with open poses of benefits so that hospital visitation, for service by qualified lesbian and gay servicemem- example, is something that is permitted; that Applicants must pass a Written Test and Background Check bers. Social Security benefits or pension benefits or and bring 2 forms of identification to the testing session. Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cath- others, that same-sex couples are recognized in cart stated: “We have heard promises before all those circumstances. Acceptable forms of identification and our about ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and we wel- “I think that we’ve got to -- we actually have practice test can be found on our website. come the President’s statement that the time an opportunity of passing a law that’s been in- has finally come to fulfill that promise. Very lit- troduced in Congress right now, and my hope tle has changed since Lambda Legal represented is this year we can get it done, just for federal Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer 18 years ago employees and federal workers … [The] notion after she was discharged for being a lesbian. that somebody who’s working really hard for 30 Changing this discriminatory policy is long over- years can’t take their death benefits and transfer due.” them to the person that they love the most in “Although brief, his language was plain, the world and who has supported them all their his message was clear, and the outline of his lives, that just doesn’t seem fair. It doesn’t seem strategy was smart,” said Alexander Nicholson, right. (Applause.) And I think it’s the right thing to do.” The US Census Bureau does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, founder and Executive Director of Servicemem- For more details see the online version of religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, bers United, a group for gay and lesbian troops this article at www.windycitymediagroup. age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors. and veterans and their allies. “This effort will indeed be a challenge for our community, and com. Feb. 3, 2010 7 He was asked to speak of a common theme be- the queer community was invisibility” and that “built the neighborhood from scratch,” which tween the gay Black community throughout the the ways in which gay men and lesbians occu- ignored previous communities and that, accord- country. py space has markedly changed in the last 30 ing to the speaker, the creation of the neighbor- “[Gay Black people] are looking for affirma- years.” She raised the question of whether it was hood’s public displays of the pylons came about tion as gay Black men. They are also looking possible to create queer space by design and in a top-down fashion. Ischar, in his response, for confirmation, looking for community. Even how we might go about archiving queer space. reiterated a theme of the evening in saying that though we are supposedly in a post-racial age, Like Saks, she emphasized the fact that queer the pylons denied the transience of the commu- walking down the street as Black gay men we space challenges heteronormative public spaces nity as queers were pushed northwards; he pre- know that this is not necessarily true. Young and questions cultural assumptions about what dicted that they would remain as “tombstones” people are looking for some kind of affirmation may or may not “appear in public.” of the neighborhood. that we have … a history of struggles that we The question-and-answer session that followed Read much more about the event—includ- have overcome.“ raised the issue of queer lesbian spaces, which, ing how Center on Halsted, Boystown and the After the hosts’ panel questions, the floor was one respondent said, were disappearing while Jane Addams Hull House compare—online at Keith Boykin. opened to audience members who wanted to ask their absences were barely recorded. Another www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. questions and make suggestions to the commu- questioned the myth that gay white men had nity. Audience members discussed everything Panelists discuss from what life is like for a gay Black man outside of the United States to how people identify. fairness for “For me, I don’t associate myself with be- Belmont’s new art ing rigidly defined as Black or rigidly defined Black gay men as gay; I associate myself with being human. by Yasmin Nair Being Black or being gay doesn’t surmount to the totality of my identification,” attendee Drew People from every age group and many ethnici- Williams told fellow audience members. ties filled all 180 seats leaving standing room The event’s sponsors included LifeLube, Chi- only at “Justice for All? What is Justice for the cago Black Man’s Caucus, Communities of Color Black Gay man?,” a forum held Jan. 28 at the Collaborative, Project CRYSP, the Test Positive University Center, 525 S. State. The event—in Awareness Network and the Chicago Department honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness of Public Health. Day—was held to discuss the challenges and triumphs the gay Black community has faced. Topics, discussed in panel format, included CHM looks at HIV/AIDS, same-sex marriage, discrimination queer spaces, within the gay community, homophobia within the Black community and economic parity. past and present Keith Boykin, a former aide to President Clin- by Yasmin Nair ton and commentator on stations such as CNN, was on the panel along with E. Patrick Johnson The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, and other community and business lead- from Northwestern University and Antonio D. hosted a two-person presentation on Chicago’s ers celebrated the ending of the three-year renovation of the Belmont El station Jan. 28 Jimenez from the UIC School of Public Health. queer spaces Jan. 28. The speakers were Sha- with a ceremony featuring artist David Csicsko (pictured above with Erin Adams), whose The panel discussion was hosted by Jim Pick- ron Haar, an architect and associate professor designs brighten the facility inside and out. The station is in the city’s heavily LGBT Lakev- ett, a leader in the local HIV/AIDS community, of architecture at the University of Illinois at iew neighborhood, just down the street from Tunney’s Ann Sather restaurant. and Dr. Keith Magee, a Chicago newcomer with Chicago (UIC) and Doug Ischar, UIC professor of Tunney, who was fresh from the previous night’s State of the Union in Washington, said an education in theology. photography. the station “represents a gleaming gateway to our beautiful neighborhood.” The facility Pickett and Magee asked the panel a variety Jane Saks, executive director of the Ellen also has room for commercial tenants. of questions, beginning with a reflection of Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women The mosaic faces of Lakeview artist Csicsko, whose designs were also the “face” of Gay Boykin’s book, One More River to Cross, which and Gender in the Arts and Media at Columbia Games VII in 2006 in Chicago, were hand-cut and made at Erin Adams Design in Albuquer- he wrote 15 years ago. The book tackled the College Chicago, introduced the evening’s topic que, New Mexico. Adams joined Csicsko at the dedication. The designs depict various types similarities and differences within the Black and and speakers. Historically, “queer space” has of train riders with colorful faces. gay communities, and how these intersect and meant either the existence of built space ex- “I wanted to capture the spirit of Lakeview,” Csicsko said in a press release. “There’s so divide. clusively intended for use by queers, like bath- much diversity and vitality here, it just seemed that the train image was a great way to “Since writing One More River to Cross in houses or spaces appropriated by queers for represent that. The design is all about making visitors enjoy using the station.” 1996, how do you find this message resonating, strategic and sometimes ephemeral occasions, The mosaics even have a Facebook group, “Rub the Eye for Luck,” which asks riders to rub both with the Black community in general and like parks used for cruising. Saks addressed the an “eye” on one of the mosaic faces for good luck. A sculpture, “Space Junction of Energy” the Black gay community, specifically?” Magee complexity of such notions of “queer space” and by Jerald Jacquard is featured on the station’s outdoor plaza. asked Boykin. that it can offer a “resistance to heteronorma- Karen Tamley, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, also ad- Boykin discussed his changing views regard- tive boundaries” that are “unscripted” by hetero dressed the crowd about the station’s accessibility. The facility boasts brighter lighting, ing the biggest challenge in the gay Black com- conventions. Laying the ground for what would Braille signs, wheelchair accessible turnstiles and expanded platforms. Text by Tracy Baim; munity. When the book was written, he viewed become a theme of the evening, Saks went on photo by Hal Baim (more at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com) the paramount challenge to be “racism from to interrogate the idea that queer spaces could the white community and homophobia from the be easily defined, given that they could be ei- Black community.” Now, he views the biggest ther temporary or permanent and that they are challenge to be the Black gay community’s “own always marked by race and class and power. internalize prejudices.” Haar took up the question of power by ask- Johnson was then asked to talk about his ing, “What’s queer about urban public space and project, Sweet Tea, which collects stories about who creates it?” Quoting Christopher Reed, she Black gay men ages 19-93 who live in the South. pointed out that “for a long time, the look of More than a bean counter... 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At least further explained, “independent artists, whatev- for me, everyone making an ass of themselves er, she [Mamie] was more interested in helping and luvin’ it, that’s ‘Sunday Fun day.’” remember out the community.” Chantelle Yost, who later From behind the bar, Chantelle Yost said, “My became a bartender at Star Gaze said, it was “a favorite nights were when we did benefits; like club place to come out and be gay and enjoy and when everyone offered to shave their heads, the This is the third and final install- have lots of friends in [the] community. I could Hurricane Katrina benefit, [and for] a regular, ment of our series on the closing of come in and sit at the bar with people I knew Gillian Barre, to help her [and others] finan- Chicago’s Star Gaze lesbian bar. and meet new people in [the] community.” cially through hard times.” Another long-time “I was livin’ in the burbs and comin’ here bartender, Francine Mojica said, “I don’t know by Mel Ferrand bein’ comfortable around family,” Pat Krug said. if this counts as a favorite, but I met a lot of “You can relax, download, do what you gotta do. people and have become friends with them over Thousands of women have walked through the Your family away from family.” the years. All 11 years I’ve been working here doors at Star Gaze, each leaving with a unique Reporter Mel Ferrand with Mamie Lake. Photo CC Clark, recently voted female athlete of the have been good memories. Mamie is the best experience. Many returned often over the years, courtesy of Ferrand year for the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Asso- employer I’ve ever worked for. She really cared sharing the common experience of being regulars ciation, said, “The first time I was exposed to about us and sacrificed herself for us … and if Star Gaze; it’s lesbian owned, it’s all about the at what became Chicago’s last full-time lesbian Star Gaze was from my basketball team. I started you can say you enjoyed your job, that’s some- lesbians, it’s not a lesbian night.” bar. The following are some of the memories of a playing with The Players before I even knew Star thing.” CC Carter said, “It’s just been here so long and handful of those women who were impacted by Gaze existed. They were the team that taught Finally, when asked to add any final comments, has so many memories that go along with it, owner Mamie Lake and her Andersonville bar. me you go to your sponsor bar and you support the regulars seemed nostalgic, yet realistic in that it’s a weird feeling that it’s just not gonna When asked what brought these women to them.” Clark added, “We would have a 10 a.m. their musings. be here. … For me it’s an integral part of the Star Gaze, they all seem to have different routes game, come here after and stay until night.” “People have been asking me how I feel about neighborhood and when it’s not here there will for arriving, but similar reasons for staying. When asked about favorite memories, Nikki the bar closing,” Francine Mojica said. “And, I be a void.” On the owner, CC added, “I’ve always Nikki Martin said, “I lived in the neighborhood Martin said, “I spent my entire 30s here. There don’t want it to close. … Mamie did a lot for the felt really great about Mamie because she’s the and heard there was a lesbian bar here. When are so many, so many friends; I first started dat- gay community; she had benefits, and for what- owner and she’s always here and involved in the [Mamie] first opened she had Sunday brunch. ing my partner here. Mamie and Dusty have been ever reasons, they [lesbians] stopped coming. I atmosphere of the bar and that makes a differ- You could eat on the dance floor [section] or a huge part of the community and my life for 10 am going to miss this place, the people, but I ence for someone coming in. It’s one thing if in the beer garden.” Sylvia B. Stallings, another years.” wouldn’t give up my experience.” Chantelle Yost there’s people who are in a bar to make money, local resident said, “I’ve been here since the first Another regular named Bea said her favorite said, “I started working here when I had a hard but it makes a difference when the owner is in- day. I used to be around the corner on Balmoral. was “when we dressed up as the YMCA [Village time finding a job in the straight community [as volved and accessible. I suppose it made me feel When I got the postcard in the mail asking if I People] for a fundraiser, I think for breast can- a bartender] and Mamie and Dusty took a chance a part of the bar, like I belong here.” Finally, she wanted the bar to open, I said, ‘yes, yes, please, cer. It was a drag show. I was the cowboy, my on me when no one else would.” When asked admitted she’s not sure where she’ll hang out please;’ and, when she [Mamie] got the patio, I sister made her own costume, she was the In- where she will go now, she said with a big smile, now. Carter said, “ … that’s tough. There’s not said, ‘yes, yes, please, please’.” Stallings added, dian … . ” She added, “We got about $7,000 for “Who’s hiring? I’m available.” an exclusively lesbian bar. Lost & Found is gone “Mamie and [partner] Dusty are the salt of the an anonymous woman who eventually died, but Bea said, “It was fun while it lasted, but like and Girl Bar. This was the last totally dedicated earth. They have taken care of the neighborhood the money went to pay her bills.” all the lesbian bars, they close. I think some- lesbian bar. Other places are totally friendly; and community since they got here.” thing else is going to pop out. I don’t think Ma- great, but this is the one place I thought was all mie is done yet. She’s down, but she’s not out. us.” I think the bar was too big for her. I’m sad that Similarly, Sylvia B. Stallings said, “Mamie was Star Gaze is closing, but that’s not devastating.” good for a cup of coffee in the old days, and a She posited, “If this happened six years ago, I meal, and she would float us a loan if we were would be more upset, but I’m 43 and I don’t go broke.” She added, “Every Pride weekend or Pride out that much anymore.” Day they’d have a Bar-B-Q here and they’d feed A woman in her late 20s named Frankie—who the neighborhood, all free. They were the first to no longer lives in Chicago, but frequented Star offer the space for a benefit for someone with- Gaze when she visited—said, “I love Mamie be- out health insurance or a death. There’s always cause she was fair. She was a fuckin’ lesbian and been a collection … any time they [Mamie and all about the lesbian movement. … I remem- Dusty] could think to extend themselves. There ber one year when everyone in the house was used to be a bus to the [Lesbian Community Can- sick [during the annual Capricorn Party] and the cer Project] Gala at South Shore. They brought party was canceled so Mamie let us bring the local comics and music … a lot got their starts food here.” She added, “I feel like this is home here.” and I appreciate it. I don’t know anything else Stallings got very solemn and added, “Besides as a lesbian but Star Gaze.” In addition, Frankie sponsoring sports teams, dart tournaments, drag Patrons in the now-closed Star Gaze bar. Photo by Linda “Kizzy” Ramos said, “I always tell my friends you got to go to king shows, this has been my neighborhood bar, not just my lesbian bar. … These people are family. They would invite you in if they knew you were alone at Christmas, Thanksgiving, Eas- ter; if you were on your own … they didn’t just Friday, Feb. 12 take your money, they took your welfare into 7:30 p.m. interest.” Sarah Blake Pat Krug added a uniquely personal testimony. The Postmistress She said, “I’d have to say the biggest thing for me is that Mamie was lookin’ out for every girl around here. Like if you’d had too much to drink Sunday, Feb. 14 or if you needed a job … she opened her heart 4:30 p.m. and she opened her door to ya. I know because Goldie Goldbloom I’m actually one of them. I was livin’ with a Have your Toad’s Museum of friend, sleepin’ on a couch, in between jobs, Freaks and Wonders and Mamie let me work the door here. The best Book Release Party part was she was very supportive; she [Mamie] premiums Select Italy Travel said, ‘Keep your head up things will turn around’ and they did. She basically looked out for every- increased body.” When asked where she will frequent now, 5233 N. Clark Italy. Krug said, “I honestly don’t know … this is our recently? (773) 769-9299 safe haven. Somewhere down the line the girls Need we say more? will find another one or open another one.” Her See me: thoughts about Mamie were similar to the other Charles T. Rhodes, regulars, she said, “Mamie is amazing. She loves this community and gave her heart and soul to Agent Your Italian travel experts since 1997 it. She’s a little bit of history.” 2472 N. Clark Finally, Bibi said it most succinctly when she 303 W. Erie Suite 410 773.281.0890 [email protected] said, “This is the bar that became my ‘Cheers’.” Chicago, IL 60654 And like that popular television series, it has State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company www.womenandchildrenfirst.com www.selectitaly.com/wct (not in NJ) Parking Available left a lasting impact, but is now off the air. State Farm Indemnity Company (NJ) 800-877-1755 Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois Wheelchair Accessible Feb. 3, 2010 9 eventually apprehended him. Anderson claimed Fiorito will not that the officers handled him so roughly as they handcuffed him that, among other things, he be prosecuted suffered numbness in his right hand. by ANDREW DAVIS and samuel worley Anderson also alleged that the officers verbal- QUOTELINES ly assaulted him, saying, among other things, BY REX WOCKNER Windy City Times has learned that embattled that the plaintiff would have nightmares for the Chicago police officer Richard Fiorito will not be remainder of his life because of his HIV status. prosecuted and criminal proceedings have been Q Annise Parker speaking to supporters in Houston stopped, according to the State’s Attorney’s Of- “I want him (Obama) to succeed. But on Jan. 3. fice. School criticized I am very upset by what he’s not done in Fiorito had been under investigation for al- terms of rights of gays and lesbians. I under- for holding “The proponents of Prop. 8 seek to hide legedly falsifying DUI arrest reports. Also, it stand it tactically in a campaign, but at this and obfuscate. They did not want their own was alleged that he targeted LGBT motorists in LGBT seminars point I don’t know. There is some belief that he actually doesn’t believe in same-sex mar- ad played in court. They did not want docu- particular, using anti-gay slurs during those ar- BY SAMUEL WORLEY ments from their own strategists to become rests. riage. But it’s fundamentally inexcusable for a public because the documents show clearly Sally Daly, spokeswoman from the state’s at- William Beye Elementary School, part of the Oak member of the Democratic Party to stand on that their entire campaign was built on the torney’s office, said that her department sent a Part public-school system, recently drew criti- the principle that separate is now equal, but decades of prejudice and fear that we heard letter to Chicago Police Department Superinten- cism from the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) for only on the basis of sexual orientation. We’ve about in detail yesterday from Prof. Chauncey. dent Jody Weis saying that no criminal charges hosting a series of seminars aimed at increasing always fought for the rights of minorities and As Ted Olson keeps saying, their arguments do will be filed. Daly said that the office had gone teacher awareness of LGBT families. The semi- against the whims of majorities.” — San Fran- not hold up in public or in court. They only over all the pleadings and depositions, had in- nars were presented by the Illinois Safe Schools cisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to The New York win when they can manipulate the media and terviewed dozens of witnesses and had looked at Alliance’s executive director Shannon Sullivan. Times, Jan. 19. the public, using scare tactics.” — Courage the full video footage. “At this point and time, it According to an interview Beye’s principal, Campaign Chair Rick Jacobs live-blogging the was not sufficient to sustain the criminal charge Jonathan Ellwanger, gave to the Chicago Sun- “Legalizing same-sex marriage would federal Prop 8 trial, Jan. 13. against Officer Fiorito,” Daly said. Daly also said Times, the seminars came in response to the bul- ... be a recognition of basic American that there were inconsistencies between the al- lying of a student with same-sex parents. principles, and would rep- legations in the federal lawsuit and what they Laurie Higgins, director of IFI’s Division of resent the culmination of found in their criminal investigation. School Advocacy, wrote in a January column, “It our nation’s commitment In response to criticism that the state’s at- was only a matter of time before homosexual to equal rights. It is, some I want him torney’s office does not go after police officers activism infected elementary education here in have said, the last major (Obama) to as it should, Daly said, “That criticism could not Illinois. civil-rights milestone yet succeed. But I am be further from the truth. [Anita Alvarez, the “The forms of diversity of which Ms. Sullivan to be surpassed in our two- century struggle to attain very upset by state’s attorney] has not shied away from plac- is enamored are, in the view of many people, what’s he not ing charges against police officers if they have, profoundly wrong; and public schools have no the goals we set for this nation at its formation.” done in terms of in fact, committed a criminal act.” right to use school hours, school resources, and Miree David Carrington from Photo According to an item in the Jan. 20 of Windy public money to affirm Ms. Sullivan’s unproven, — Federal Prop 8 case rights of gays City Times, Gay Liberation Network’s Andy Thayer divisive theories to children,” Higgins wrote. lawyer Ted Olson writing in and lesbians. Newsweek, Jan. 9. The trial said that his organization “got word from inside In an interview, Higgins said that she object- —Gavin Newsom the State’s Attorney’s office” that the state’s at- ed to the teaching of “homosexuality” as “by in the lawsuit arguing that torney, Anita Alvarez, had decided not to move nature analogous to race or skin color”—which Prop 8 violates the U.S. “Efforts to promote ‘transgenderism’ forward with the case, which had been under she called an “absurd proposition.” Constitution began Jan. 11 in San Francisco. in public policy deconstruct one of the investigation by a grand jury. Ellwanger told Windy City Times that he “didn’t most fundamental concepts known to man- When asked by Windy City Times if the state’s see [the controversy] coming. “Another argument, vaguer and even kind. It renders gender, the most basic organi- attorney’s office made any recommendations to “The long and the short of it is that we’ve less persuasive, is that gay marriage zation of social systems, completely meaning- Weis regarding Fiorito, Daly responded that it got caught up in some things bigger than us,” somehow does harm to heterosexual mar- less. In doing so, activists like Simpson are had not. Ellwanger said. “I don’t think it had anything to riage. I have yet to meet anyone who can asking the rest of society to radically reorder Thirty-seven plaintiffs are involved in a sepa- do with us.” explain to me what this means. In what way the ways in which the culture makes reason- rate civil-rights case against Fiorito. Fiorito, Though Higgins said that she had not con- would allowing same-sex partners to marry di- able and rational accommodation for the two who worked in Lakeview, had been accused of tacted Beye directly with her concerns, they minish the marriages of heterosexual couples? genders.” — Focus on the Family spokeswoman falsifying DUI arrests—allegedly to increase the were apparently well-publicized enough to draw Tellingly, when the judge in our case asked Monica Schleicher objecting Jan. 5 to President overtime pay that comes with court testimony in a large crowd to a January 19 PTO meeting, at our opponent to identify the ways in which Barack Obama’s appointment of Amanda Simp- those cases—and harassing LGBT motorists. which Sullivan presented. same-sex marriage would harm heterosexual son as senior technical adviser in the Commerce At the end of a question-and-answer session, marriage, to his credit he answered honestly: Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Sullivan said, a parent read a statement about he could not think of any.” — Federal Prop 8 where she will monitor the export of U.S. weap- HIV+ suburban the controversy that Sullivan called “pretty case lawyer Ted Olson writing in Newsweek, Jan. ons technology. man files civil suit mean … a couple of students left the room cry- 9. The trial in the lawsuit arguing that Prop 8 ing.” violates the U.S. Constitution began Jan. 11 in An HIV-positive Blue Island man has filed a “The anti-gay-marriage proponents Sullivan said that her organization had fielded San Francisco. complaint against the city of Blue Island and whipped up a moral frenzy (in California) a number of calls on the matter—some of which two of its police officers, claiming, among other in 2008, suggesting conjugal parity would were supportive, she said, and some of which Yesterday at LAX, on the way up here, things, assault, battery, malicious prosecution harm children, summon the devil, tear down she characterized as “blithering idiot stuff.” I was going through security. I removed my and intentional infliction of emotional distress. churches and melt civilization.” — New York Many complained about the spending of taxpay- sunglasses and said, ‘I want you to be able to Demetrius Anderson, in a suit filed through Times columnist Maureen Dowd, Jan. 16. er money on the seminars—although Sullivan see my beautiful eyes.’ The guard said, ‘Don’t Chicago’s Civil Rights Center, said that on April pointed out that that money was the PTO’s, and ever say that to another man.’” — Courage 20, 2009, he attempted to stab himself in the “I’ve never been in. I’ve never said I not public. Campaign Chair Rick Jacobs live-blogging the chest with knife. (Anderson claimed he suffered was straight, and I’m not saying I’m gay Sullivan said that she thought some parents’ federal Prop 8 trial, Jan. 11. from clinical depression and anxiety.) After now. I never lie, and I’ve never shied away concerns about addressing LGBT issues in schools his sister summoned an ambulance, Anderson from the topic. I’ve certainly chosen through sprung from their recognition that young people “I have been so grateful for the op- informed the emergency medical technicians my work to do things that promote the rights tend to be more accepting of LGBT people. portunity in the national and inter- (EMTs) of his HIV status. of LGBTQ people. I am not a hypocrite—cer- “They understand that the next generation of national media to talk about Houston. Anderson, according to the complaint, started tainly not now.” — Ugly Betty actor Michael people will be making policy decisions, which is Now, there was a split in the media. About half to panic as they neared the ambulance, and he Urie, who plays Marc St. James, to The Advo- why this work is so important,” she said. of the guys who talk to me ... said, ‘Houston started running. Two policemen, identified as elected a lesbian mayor!’ and the other half cate, February issue. Officers Benton and Podbielniak, gave chase and —Assistance: Bill Kelley said, ‘Houston did that?’” — Houston Mayor

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VIEWPOINT VOL. 25, No. 18, Feb. 3, 2010 The combined forces of Windy City Times, founded Sept. 1985, and Outlines newspaper, now in Haiti transfer their homophobic attitudes discrimination on the basis of their sexual orien- founded May 1987. onto Haiti’s LGBTQ citizens. tation and gender expressions is commonplace. REV. Ironically, homosexuality has been legal in The 2002 documentary Des Hommes et Dieux (Of PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR IRENE Haiti since 1986. But few protections and pro- Men and Gods) by anthropologist Anne Lescot Tracy Baim visions come with it. For example, same-sex exposed the daily struggles of Haitian trans- MONROE ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Terri Klinsky marriage, and civil unions are not recognized. women. Blondine in the film said, “When peo- MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Davis It’s unclear whether LGBTQ couples can adopt ple insult me because I wear a dress I am not BUSINESS MANAGER Meghan Streit children or have custody of their own children. ashamed of how I am. Masisis (gay males) can’t DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA Jean Albright LGBTQ Haitians don’t openly serve in the mili- walk down the street in a wig and dress.” ART DIRECTOR Kirk Williamson Will faith-based ACCOUNT MANAGERS: Terri Klinsky, Amy Matheny, tary. They don’t have anti-hate-crime bills that But poorer classes of LGBTQ Haitians do have at Kirk Williamson agencies help specifically addresses discrimination and ha- least two ways to openly express and celebrate PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT Cynthia Holmes rassment LGBTQ Haitians face on the basis due who they are-in Vodou and in Rara festivals. NIGHTSPOTS MANAGING EDITOR Kirk Williamson to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Although the universal perception of Vodou NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 Haiti’s gay SENIOR WRITERS Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, Marie Minimally, LGBTQ Haitians are protected under is the Hollywood stereotype of an orgiastic cer- J. Kuda, David Byrne, Tony Peregrin, Lisa Keen, community? its Constitution as stated in Article 35-2 that emony ritualizing the malevolent powers black Yasmin Nair, Emmanuel Garcia prohibits discrimination in the workplace based magic, and engaging in cannibalism, Haitian THEATER EDITOR Scott C. Morgan Since the world community has descended on on, “sex, beliefs, opinions and marital status.” Vodou is an ancestral folk religion that expresses CINEMA WRITER Richard Knight, Jr. Haiti with relief aid in response to the Jan. 12 BOOKS WRITER Yasmin Nair And the United Nation’s International Bill of an acceptance of all people of all sexual orienta- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS earthquake, I am wondering how Haiti’s LGBTQ Human Rights mainly protects LGBTQ Haitians. tions and gender expressions. Mary Shen Barnidge, Jim Edminster, Steve Warren, communities are being helped. With no queer enclaves in Port-au-Prince and With the belief that behavior is guided by a Lawrence Ferber, Mel Ferrand, Catey Sullivan, As one of Haiti’s most marginal groups the other big cities throughout Haiti, many LGBTQ spirit (loa), gay males in Haitian Vodou are un- Zachary Whittenburg, Jonathan Abarbanel question arises in response to how some Ameri- COLUMNISTS/WRITERS: Yvonne Zipter, Susie Haitians are left puzzled by what it means that der the divine protection of Erzulie Freda, the Day, Jorjet Harper, Lee Lynch, Steve Starr, Lisa can LGBTQ New Orleans were treated during the homosexuality is legal in their country. spirit of love. And as a feminine sprit, gay males Keen, Charlsie Dewey, Michael Knipp, Mark Corece, Hurricane Katrina relief effort in 2005. However, as in all repressively homophobic cul- are allowed to imitate and worship her. And les- Sabine Neidhardt, Sam Worley, Billy Masters, John During Hurricane Katrina former President tures, LGBTQ people have always found ways to bians (madivins) are considered to be under the Fenoglio, Chuck Colbert, Micki Leventhal, Sarah George W. Bush’s conservative faith-based or- Toce, Rachel Pepper express and to live out their true authentic lives. patronage of Erzulie Dantor, a fierce protector PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Fitzgerald, Mel Ferrand, Hal ganizations—like the Salvation Army, Catholic In Haiti, how openly queer you are depends not of women and children experiencing domestic Baim, Steve Starr, Emmanuel Garcia Charities and all other organizations in Bush’s only on your class, profession and skin complex- violence. Dantor is bisexual, but she prefers the CIRCULATION “armies of compassion”—highlighted how after ion, but also your religious affiliation. company women. CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jean Albright the storm homophobia blew in. In a country that is predominately Roman Cath- At Rara Festivals, a yearly festival that begins DISTRIBUTION: Ashina, Allan, Dan, John, Renee, Sue and Victor While seemingly invisible in the disaster, olic homosexuality is condemned. But among following Carnival belongs to the peasant and many LGBTQ evacuees of Katrina and their fami- Haiti’s LGBTQ middle and profession classes they urban poor of Haiti. The Rara bands come out lies faced discrimination at the hands of those find ways to socialize out of the public “gaydar” of Vodou societies that have gay congregations conservative faith-based relief organizations be- and with impunity. where gay men are permitted to cross-dress with cause of their sexual orientation, gender iden- For example, in Petionville, an upscale suburb impunity. tity and/or HIV status. of Port-au-Prince of mostly American and Euro- It is my hope that the many conservative “Tragedy does not discriminate and neither pean whites and multiracial Haitians, is where faith-based groups and organizations that are should relief agencies,” stated Kevin Cathcart, many LGBTQ people will informally gather for now part of Haiti’s earthquake relief effort will executive director of Lambda Legal, in a news dinner parties, at restaurants and beaches. The not discriminate against Haiti’s LGBTQ commu- release in 2005. “In our experience during the well-known four-star tourist hotel, the Hotel nity as many of them did toward New Orleans’s Copyright 2010 Lambda Publications Inc./Windy City Media aftermath of Sept. 11, LGBT people face com- Montana in the hills of Petionville that was re- queer communities during Katrina. Group; All rights reserved. Reprint by permission only. Back pounded difficulties because on top of the di- cently destroyed by the quake, is one of the hot And it is my hope they remember that engag- issues (if available) for $5 per issue (postage included). saster, they face discrimination when it comes Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, spots. And these queers hold positions as gov- ing acts of goodwill are needed in the face of and photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and to recognizing their relationships, leading to ernment officials, business people, NGO and UN this natural disasters and they must be inclusive no responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials. even more hardship at the worst moment imag- All rights to letters, art and photographs sent to Windy aid workers. of all of God’s people. City Times will be treated as unconditionally assigned inable.” For the poorer classes of LGBTQ Haitians who for publication purposes and as such, subject to editing My concern is will many of these same con- and comment. The opinions expressed by the columnists, live, work and socialize in the densely populated cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are their own servative faith-based relief agencies that are and improvised capital city of Port-au-Prince, and do not necessarily reflect the position ofWindy City Times. Publication of the name, photograph, or likeness of a person or organization in articles or advertising in Windy City Times is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organization. While we encourage readers to support the advertisers who make LETTER this newspaper possible, Windy City Times cannot accept responsibility for advertising claims. Statement for National As a nation, we must knock down the barriers ton, D.C.—a majority-Black city—NIH and the (773) 871-7610 FAX (773) 871-7609 that prevent many Americans, especially African D.C. Department of Health recently launched a e-mail: [email protected] Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Americans, from receiving health care in gen- $26.4 million research partnership designed to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com Day (Feb. 7) eral, and HIV testing, counseling and treatment decrease the rate of new HIV infections, improve radio: WindyCityQueercast.com in particular. An insidious component of this the health of district residents living with HIV video: QueerTVNetwork.com African Americans continue to bear the largest barrier is persistent stigma around homosexual- infection, and strengthen the city’s ongoing and most disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS ity, HIV-positive status and injection drug use. I response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. NIAID and WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP, of all racial and ethnic groups in the United am gratified that Congress and President Obama the D.C. Department of Health are jointly lead- 5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640 USA (MAILING ADDRESS ONLY) States. While Black men and women made up recently lifted the 21-year-old ban on federal ing the project, called the D.C. Partnership for 13 percent of the U.S. population in 2007, they funding for needle exchange programs, which HIV/AIDS Progress, with support from the NIH Windy City Times Deadline every Wednesday. accounted for more than half of all new HIV/ have been scientifically proven to reduce HIV Office of AIDS Research. Nightspots Deadline Wednesday prior to street date. AIDS diagnoses that year and nearly half of transmission among injection drug users and In other research that will directly benefit Af- Identity (BLACKlines and En La Vida): Now all Americans living with HIV/AIDS. For Black online only serve as a gateway to treatment for drug addic- rican Americans, NIAID is conducting two stud- Deadline The 10th of month prior. women ages 35 to 44, HIV was the third leading tion, HIV and other diseases. ies to learn how to deliver HIV prevention and OUT! Resource Guide ONLINE cause of death in 2006. In our nation’s capital, Another barrier to HIV care in Black communi- treatment services to hard-to-reach U.S. com- www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com 6.5 percent of Black men are living with the vi- ties may be a reported reluctance among some munities at high risk for HIV infection. One of rus—a percentage higher than that of any other individuals to start treatment for HIV infection these studies focuses on Black homosexual and www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com racial, ethnic or gender group in the city, and before they feel sick. Research tells tell us that bisexual men, and the other concentrates on www.WindyCityQueercast.com higher than in many countries in Africa. HIV-infected individuals are more likely to re- inner-city women in impoverished, largely mi- www.QueerTVNetwork.com Today, on the 10th annual National Black HIV/ main alive and healthy if they start treatment nority neighborhoods. AIDS Awareness Day, we are inspired to improve early—even if they feel well. We must stem the spread of HIV in the Black our efforts to overcome this public health crisis Treatment for HIV may benefit not only the community to overcome the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Black community. infected person who is receiving antiretrovi- in the United States. I encourage everyone ages One of the fundamental ways Black men and ral therapy, but also his/her sexual partner. 13 to 64 to get tested for the virus, and I urge “Windy City Media Group generated women can reduce the spread of HIV in their Treatment with antiretroviral drugs lowers the those who test positive to start treatment as enormous interest among their readers communities and preserve their health is by get- amount of virus in bodily fluids, potentially de- early as their doctors recommend. Through part- in this year’s LGBT Consumer Index ting tested for the virus during routine medical creasing the risk of HIV transmission. NIAID is nerships among the African-American, scientific Survey. Out of approximately 100 care, as recommended by the Centers for Dis- conducting a clinical trial to test this hypoth- and public health communities, we can expand print and online media partners who ease Control and Prevention and the American esis in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy the access of Black men and women to HIV pre- participated in the survey, Windy College of Physicians. Identifying HIV infection Shriver National Institute of Child Health and vention, treatment and care, with the goal of City was the best performing regional early in its course is critical. A growing number Human Development, the National Institute on ending the terrible scourge of HIV/AIDS. media in the U.S. Only survey partners of studies have shown that starting treatment Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Men- Dr. Anthony Fauci with a nationwide footprint were early, while the immune system is still intact, tal Health, all part of the National Institutes of Director, the National Institute of Allergy and In- able to generate a greater number of responses.” ­­—David Marshall, Research is more beneficial to HIV-infected patients than Health. fectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH Director, Community Marketing, Inc. initiating therapy later in the course of disease. To combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Washing- Bethesda, Md. Feb. 3, 2010 11 GOINGS-ON WINDY CITY TIMES’ ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

Photo by Lawrence Ferber LOVE AND ‘8’ From left: Reed Cowan, Steven Greenstreet and Dustin Lance Black (from 8: The Mormon Proposition) were at Sundance. See page 15. THEATER MOVIES PROFILE ‘Hughie’ goodness. ‘Last’ dance. A bit of Flare. Page 12. Page 14. Page 19.

Photo by Liz Lauren Photo courtesy of Sony Photo courtesy of Cyon Flare

Last week, Broadway in Chicago announced Scottish that the blockbuster 2003 Broadway musical based upon Gregory Maguire’s revisionist “Wiz- Play Scott ard of Oz” novel is returning for an eight-week Estelle Parsons engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre Dec. BY SCOTT C. MORGAN (left) and Shannon 1, 2010-Jan. 23, 2011. Cochran in August: Wicked famously played at Chicago’s Ford Cen- Former Chicago actress Shannon Cochran is si- Osage County. ter for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre for multaneously happy and terrified to returning 1,500 performances, grossing more than $200 back to the Windy City. million in a run lasting almost four years, start- Cochran stars in national tour of Tracy Letts’ ing in June 2005. (The national touring company drama August: Osage County in the pivotal role arrived first before a dedicated Chicago company of the grown daughter, Barbara (a role originat- took its place.) ed at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 2007 by In other Broadway in Chicago news, the off- ensemble member Amy Morton). Since August: Broadway aerial spectacle Fuerza Bruta is set to Osage County went on to conquer Broadway and, literally play the stage of the Auditorium Theatre (Cochran has to wear two in case one goes out). not nervous about what Amy Morton’s reaction later, London, Cochran is well aware of the huge of Roosevelt University starting in May. Audi- The production on Broadway only utilized floor is going to be. expectations placed on her as this Pulitzer and ence members stand on the stage to look up and area microphones. “Amy actually helped us put this tour together Tony Award-winning drama comes home. at all the acrobatic performers (some of whom “It would be a logistical nightmare in these so she’s seen my performance already,” Cochran “I’m just scared to death, especially if [peo- also perform in overhead swimming pools). It all different houses to try and equalize that kind said. “So I don’t have to spring that on her, so ple] saw the original,” Cochran told Windy City sounds exciting, but let’s hope that this uncon- of sound,” Cochran said. “In the beginning ev- that’s a relief.” Times, even though she has more than 20 years ventional show doesn’t end up doing any major eryone really felt terrible because we felt it was Cochran also faced another potentially nerve- of regularly working in Chicago theater (often at damage to the historic 1889 theater. Steppenwolf) and enviable credits like originat- an artificial canned sound, but then we realized wracking homecoming recently when August: after talking to friends of ours and they pointed Osage County played Tulsa, Okla. (Letts origi- ing roles in Letts’ other dramas like Bug and Man Critical champion out that the sound guy is actually making it nally hails from Oklahoma.) From Nebraska. Victory Gardens Theater recently announced seem like you’re just projecting in a regular the- “It was interesting because the people knew it The Steppenwolf production of August: Osage that its new 109-seat theater upstairs at the ater.” was about them and for them and so they were County “was something so special in its place Biograph Theater is to be officially christened as Cochran is well aware that the Chicago engage- cautious as they got into the play they watched and time. Nothing could quite recreate the the Richard Christensen Theater after the emeri- ment of August: Osage County has been selling and listened to it,” Cochran said, making an un- original production,” admitted Cochran, who is tus Chicago Tribune theater critic. very well. There’s the star element with Acad- derstatement by saying how the Weston clan is nervous about her peers’ reaction to her perfor- The theater christening also coincides with emy Award-winner Estelle Parson’s taking on the not the most flattering portrait of an Oklahoma mance. “But this is just like a completely differ- the launching of a $1 million capital campaign malevolent matriarch Violet Weston (a role that family. “But you could almost feel on stage the ent animal that is doing very well because it’s called “Campaign for Growth” to support Victory won a Tony Award for Deanna Dunagan). But an- momentum gathering in the audience so that by such a good play.” Gardens’ commitment to new works and other other reason is that there are so many locals the end they leapt to their feet. Everyone we One major difference is the fact that the tour initiatives like the IGNITION Festival for minor- who kicked themselves for missing it the first spoke to afterwards said, ‘Thank you for bringing of August: Osage County has been playing in ity playwrights. time around. this to us.’” large touring houses on the road—some as large Though critics are often reviled by those who “You wouldn’t believe the number of people August: Osage County continues until Feb. 14 as 4,000 seats. work in the theater community, they do play who have said that to me: “I missed it when it at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. “Economics kind of dictates that [the produc- a vital part in steering attention to often ex- was in Chicago and I didn’t realize it was that Tickets are $25-$125; call 800-775-2000 or visit ers] put it in as large of a house for shorter emplary art. Christensen’s long-time career at big of a deal so I didn’t rush right out,’” Cochran www.broadwayinchicago.com. amounts of time so they can cover more cities,” chronicling the rise of Chicago theater is cer- said. Cochran said, adding that she would prefer to tainly deserving of this great honor. Though now based in Los Angeles, Cochran was Another Elphaba engagement play at Chicago’s cozier Bank of America Theatre Please pass along theater news and other grateful that Letts and director Anna D. Shapiro If there is anyone still kicking themselves for instead of the Cadillac Palace Theatre. related tidbits to scottishplayscott@yahoo. approached her to play Barbara (she was spared missing out on the long Chicago run of Wicked, Playing huge houses also means that all of the com and [email protected]. cast members have to wear body microphones going through the audition process). And she’s they’ll soon have another chance to see it. 12 Feb. 3, 2010 Beckett at his most exasperating, the action win-at-all-costs player finds himself the target opening on the title character, who could, him- of a terrible vengeance exacted by the team- CRITICS’ PICKS self, be the desk clerk at a hotel located some- mates of his latest victim. where in that terrible void Conor McPherson in- Two of these gruesome morality fables are Kink, Annoyance Theatre, through March voked for The Seafarer. “Action” is an optimistic lifted from comic books, another from a familiar 6. Men aren’t the only comedians who do description, for it is an almost interminable wait campfire yarn, so subtlety is hardly their goal. ribald sexual humor, as writer/actors Mikala before he stirs, during which we can hear wheez- But any seriously disturbing menace is undercut Bierma, Christina Boucher and Rachel Farm- es, sighs and Four Seasons ring-tones through- by the playfully low-budget technical effects— er all hilariously show in this musical about out the auditorium. What follows is hardly more the Halloween-costume beards and horned hel- so-called suburban sexual repression. SCM active—our myopic hero eats bananas (and slips mets on the Celtic lords, for example, or the rub- Macbeth, City Lit Theatre, through Feb on a peel, naturally), retreats to a back-room ber masks denoting villains of evil countenance. 21. Something bloody wicked this way for a drink or three, and listens to tapes of his Nazi salutes segue into Three Stooges-style comes. And since it’s directed by Chicago younger self engaging in Proustian introspec- slapstick and a decapitation—executed with a Shakespeare veteran Susan Hart, we expect tions. hacksaw—yields a fun-house cadaver’s head. said wickedness to be well-played even as Barrel-chested and big-voiced, Brian Dennehy If this Saturday-afternoon-in-the-basement things go south for this Scottish thane. CS often commands the stage by his sheer size. ambience was reflected in the actors’ perfor- Mary’s Wedding, Rivendell Theatre En- But an empty stage—Joe Grifasi’s enigmatic mances, the results would have emerged as juve- semble at the Raven Complex, through Feb. concierge notwithstanding—requires more than nile as their source material, but the six-member 20. Canadian playwright Stephen Massicotte mere presence, and it is to Dennehy’s credit, and ensemble never betrays the integrity of their admits to writing this play to impress a girl Jennifer Tarver’s direction, that our attention characters by so much as a wink or snicker. Even (in the beginning, anyway), but there’s never falters (though spectators are advised to during Daniel Pesina’s pitched battles (one with Hughie/Krapp’s Last Tape. Photo by Liz nothing mawkish or adolescent about this shift their gaze occasionally, lest their eyes be- wooden swords, one with umbrellas), our atten- Lauren historical romance set amid the terrible up- come fatigued by the intensely focused illumi- tion remains firmly fixed on the values affirmed heaval of World War One. MSB nation in Krapp’s study). The contrast between by the events. The producers overlooked an op- THEATER REVIEW The Year of Magical Thinking, Court The- these two portraits of aging is as vivid as the portunity in not including a study guide with atre, through Feb. 14. Writer Joan Didion Hughie/ sight of a 71-year-old actor so very much still in the playbill to promote after-show discussions began a spiritual and intellectual journey his prime signals hope for us all. of ethics based on these pop-fiction parables. Krapp’s Last Tape when her husband died as their daughter Playwright: Eugene O’Neill/Samuel Beckett faced catastrophic illness. Formidable Mary At: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn THEATER REVIEW THEATER REVIEW Beth Fisher channels Didion in this solo Phone: 312-443-3800; $25-83 Six Scary Stories Harper Regan work. JA Runs through: Feb. 21 Playwright: adapted by David Denman Playwright: Simon Stephens —By Abarbanel, Barnidge, At: Clock Productions at The At: Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE Morgan and Sullivan Old Speakeasy, 4139 N. Broadway Phone: 866-811-4111; $18 Phone: 773-327-7077; $15 Runs through: March 28 One of the bulbs in a wall sconce is burnt out— Runs through: Feb. 21 one suspects for years—and the chandeliers also BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE bear signs of neglect. So even before an elevat- BY MARY SHEN BARNIDGE ed train rumbles overhead, we know the kind When Americans run away from home, they usu- of hotel this is, despite the desk clerk’s formal frontation with her estranged mother, where rev- The Old Speakeasy, home to National Pastime ally keep running for awhile—crossing several (but decidedly shabby) uniform. It’s the perfect elations both disturbing and comforting await Theatre, might be the last place you’d be likely state lines, at least. But the English working refuge for “Erie” Smith, a low-roller traveling on her. to invite youngsters, but though the shivery housewife who is the heroine of Simon Ste- a shrug and a shoeshine, without the shine. And And we are right behind her every step of tales comprising Clock Productions’ anthology phens’ road play makes her escape a mere 150- tonight, after a five-day bender following the the way, urging “You go, girl,” even when she involve copious violence of the Tales-From-the odd miles from her home (northwestern London death of the former night-concierge—the clos- grinds a glass into a barroom rude-boy’s face Crypt variety, Jesse Stratton and adapter David to south Manchester, not much more of a trip est thing to a friend he had—Erie gambles that and then calmly exits wearing his leather jacket. Denman’s direction lends its presentation just than from Chicago to Milwaukee). She makes no the late Hughie’s successor will prove likewise The superb ensemble work that comprises Steep the right amount of eeew-gross yuckiness to ap- attempt to conceal her identity—indeed, her enabling. Theatre’s stock-in-trade is exhibited to full ad- peal to middle-schoolers (in age, or in heart). eagerness to share her life with strangers is her Eugene O’Neill’s duet for loners can be viewed vantage under Robin Witt’s carefully-detailed The evening begins with a rainy day, and two most noticeable characteristic. The crucial factor as a courtship in the distinctly masculine mode direction of this United States premiere produc- Victorian misses first seeking amusement in a is that no one, not even her husband and child, comprised of equal parts swagger and sentimen- tion, with Kendra Thulin making the drab ma- book of Celtic myths, one of which recounts know where she is, or when she will return—if tality. Erie’s braggadocio bespeaks his fear of the tron’s journey of discovery one of a middle-aged, the saga of foolish lords quarreling over their she returns. airy illusion which fuels his world deflating. We middle-class Alice roving amid a wonderland of shares of a freshly-killed boar, then engaging in Mrs. Harper Regan’s flight begins with the sense, more clearly than in the 2004 production diverse citizenry replicated in all their uncarica- speculation on the dangers of infinite time. The news that her father is dying and that her boss, (also directed by Robert Falls), the dimming of tured ambiguity by actors displaying Eva Bren- damsels are next seen at a party in the company after editorializing about the condition of the the dazzle as Erie seems to visibly shrink inside neman’s pitch-perfect accents. of a handsome young playboy who invites the economy and the world in general, refuses to his rumpled suit, until, bare moments before the Travel, no matter the distance, cannot help but devil to a Dorian Gray-ish bargain, with similar give her a day off to visit her ailing sire. And if light is extinguished, his solitary audience kin- broaden the horizons of both the traveler and results. The fourth story describes the grisly fate she loses her job, how will she and her presently dles his own small beacon to rescue both men those witnessing the enlightenment-in-progress. of a country boy who desecrates a newly dug unemployed spouse finance their daughter’s from the darkness. We are not told precisely how Harper’s abbreviat- grave, while the fifth centers on the misfortune education at Oxford University? Nevertheless, You will find no such gritty salvation in the ed odyssey will affect her relationships with her of a Nazi soldier who tempts fate, despite the when someone casually suggests that she just second of the paired one-act plays comprising family and neighbors, but so inexorably do we warning of a gypsy clairvoyant. Our final lesson get up and go, she heeds the advice, discover- the double-ticket. Krapp’s Last Tape is Samuel become immersed into Stephens’ microcosmic is set in the cheerful world of baseball, where a ing in her three-day exile the courage to pursue universe that our certainty (hope?) that some experimental interactions outside her prescribed change has been initiated equals our happiness social roles, ranging from a quickie hotel-room over another fellow wayfarer’s deliverance from shag arranged from an Internet café, to a con- the prison of their own self-imposed inertia. SPOTLIGHT

After spoofing Illinois’ former governor, the creators behind Rod Blagojevich Su- perstar! have now taken aim at America’s most conspicuous right-wing commenta- tor in Rush Limbaugh! The Musical. See Limbaugh and his right-wing cohorts like Ann Coulter, Karl Rove and Donald Rums- feld can hold a tune in this new show. Rush Limbaugh! The Musical plays 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 2 p.m. Sundays until March 24 at the Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells. Tickets are $25; call 312-337-3992 or visit www.secondcity. com. Photo of Mark Sutton as Rush Lim- Harper Regan. Photo by Lee Miller baugh by Bob Knuth Feb. 3, 2010 13 THEATER REVIEW emotional swings and deep insecurities. If he and saying, “You’re all implicated, too!”) or were physically smaller than Sam or Willie (or dressing the set with knitted afghans (to sym- Master Harold ... Master both), the power dynamic would be viscerally bolize America’s current military involvement in Harold... more forceful, but his taller stature in no way Afghanistan—get it?!) are just two of the an- and the Boys and the mars Burger’s interpretation. noying techniques in The Castle that make you Playwright: Athol Fugard Boys. Timothy Mann designed the plain, tile-floored wish you spent your hard-earned entertainment At: TimeLine (sic) Theatre, tea shop of yesteryear, which is correct in every dollars elsewhere. 615 W. Wellington period detail except the far-too-modern juke- The Castle concerns the Knight Stucley (Jason Tickets: 773-281-8463; box. Rice) who returns home from one of the Cru- www.timelinetheatre.com; $25-$35 Note: Two other Athol Fugard plays are in pro- sades with a Turkish architect named Krak (Dave Runs through: March 21 duction this season. The Island currently is run- Steiger). Stucley is shocked to find his kingdom kite made of brown paper, a park bench and a ning at Remy Bumppo Theatre through March 7, in disarray, particularly his wife, Lady Ann (Ra- BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL ballroom dancing competition become thorough and Court Theatre offers Sizwe Banzi is Dead, chel Boller), pregnant with another man’s child metaphors for South African segregated society May 13-June 13. See www.fugardchicago2010. and hanging around with the lesbian man-hat- The genius of South African playwright Athol ... and for human relations anywhere. org. ing witch Skinner (Victoria C. Gilbert). Fugard is that his many plays (1960-1990s) Master director Jonathan Wilson is at the top So Stucley goes about throwing his kingdom each chronicles the horrors of apartheid and the of his game (and will take on the role of Sam be- back into order by forcing Krak and the builder insidious stupidities of racial hatred while re- THEATER REVIEW ginning March 1). His three actors deliver rich, Holiday (Jackson King) to build a new castle taining stylistic grace, warmth, frequent humor nuanced and deeply thought-out performances, The Castle that will be impervious to future attacks (one and compassionate humanity. Even his white an- and Wilson’s staging exhibits a graceful econo- Playwright: Howard Barker can draw a parallel to America’s heightened se- tagonists are not evil in their moral blindness, my with no wasted gestures or indecisive moves. At: Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway curity fears of the past decade). but products of their time and culture. His black The setting is a small tea shop owned by Hally’s Phone: 312-244-2980; $10-$20 Stucley also ends the woman-friendly freedoms characters, trapped by their time and denial of mother. The constant choreography is fascinat- Runs through: March 6 that were put in place during his absence, which their culture, typically are far wiser. ing as Hally carelessly helps himself to food and then causes all the pregnant women to commit Written in 1982, Master Harold ... and the Boys drink and spreads his mess around while Sam BY SCOTT C. MORGAN suicide when they realize they don’t have con- is deeply autobiographical down to the charac- and Willie quietly and patiently serve him and trol of their own bodies (this is done in a bit of ters’ names. It’s set in 1950 when South Africa’s clean up after him. Ultimately, Master Harold is One can eventually surmise why Oracle Produc- shadow play that is woven throughout the pro- apartheid policy still was new, although colo- about Sam’s efforts to clean up Hally’s emotional tions tackled British playwright Howard Barker’s duction—one of the staging effects that isn’t as nialism and vicious racism long had been part mess, and we must believe that Hally comes to unconventional 1985 comic drama The Castle. cloying as others). of the nation’s legal and social structure. The understand that or it’s a very sad play indeed. Though supposedly set in the Middle Ages, the Try as they might, the cast is at sea at at- antagonist, Hally, is a 17-year-old white boy— Respected veteran Alfred H. Wilson is majestic play is stocked with allegorical allusions that tempting to make something coherent with Fugard himself—whose deepest friendships have as Sam, the older and wiser of the two Black parallel issues in modern-day America. Barker’s dialogue. Directors Fuchsen and Warren been with his family’s Black employees, Sam and characters and the play’s hero. Wilson’s upright For that reason alone, one might be tempted don’t provide the proper guidance by offering an Willie, but especially Sam. The friendship unrav- carriage, unhurried movement and speech, and to offer Oracle Productions a pat on the back overarching approach to the material, so we get els in the course of this 100-minute “real time” frequent bemused attitude bespeak a man who and overlook Barker’s absurdist and frequently a mishmash of self-aware comic mugging and play. has seen it all and survived it all. He cares deep- potty-mouthed dialogue that fills his self-pro- serious dramatic acting styles. The unhappy child of an unhappy marriage, ly about his friend Willy, but invests his hopes claimed “Theatre of Catastrophe” play. (Some With The Castle, Oracle Productions does its Hally experiences rage, conflict, fear and guilt for a better future in Hally. Smaller and livelier, would describe it as Monty Python-esque, but to best impression of a show that is typically the having little to do with racism. But will they Daniel Bryant as Willie carries his anger closer to me it came off as self-serving and deliberately domain of Trap Door Theatre. Do you end up car- become so? Will Hally—who would be 62 when the surface than Sam and makes the perfect foil. obstinate.) ing about any of The Castle’s characters and their South Africa’s white supremacist government fi- Also, as written and as beautifully performed, Then there’s a very “Aren’t we clever?” smug- conflicts? Alas for me, the answer is, “No.” nally fell—embrace anti-apartheid reform as Fu- Willie and Sam are each other’s guardians. ness that pervades this production led by co- But can you take solace with all The Castle’s gard did? Or will he become the bitter, diehard As Hally, Nate Burger is a brightly promising directors Ben Fuchsen and Justin Warren. Lower- political and social relevancies to today? Reluc- racist his father is, and Fugard’s father was? Such new face. Not yet out of college (Loyola), he’s ing stage lights into the eyes of audiences (an tantly, if that at all. is the richness of Fugard’s pithy imagery that a nonetheless fully confident in portraying Hally’s obvious staging device of pointing the finger 14 Feb. 3, 2010 in the book “whatever you proclaim as your identity in the material realm is drag.” RP: It’s really not that deep. Honestly, Jerry, KNIGHT that is all something that we intrinsically know. We just conveniently forget it. We can pretend AT to be who think we are. I think we all know that THE at our core. WCT: I liked things that you said about cut- MOVIES ting gossip and negative things out of life. It is good advice for the New Year. RP: Yes, it is true. You can fall into that trap and it seems harmless but the truth is it actually does harm to other people. The deepest part of it is that it harms you. WCT: I don’t watch the news on TV because it is depressing and can drag you down. RP: Oh, it really does. It is working in tandem with your ego. There is unlimited amount of love Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren in The Last Station. Dear John; but limited amount of resources in the world. (Tatum’s gay fan base is sure to rise, thanks to Russia in 1910 near the summer home of Tol- But there is still enough for everybody. the large number of shirtless beach scenes.) stoy where a group of the supplicants are liv- WCT: I have never thought you being on a The Last He’s a moody loner who is used to taking care of ing in a commune. Valentin has a major case of diet before because you always seem so thin. himself and is guarded with his emotions, while star worship and not even a hot affair with the But you actually have to work at it, too. Station she’s sunny, open and a do-gooder—not at all nubile Masha (Condon) can shake his devotion RP: I say drag queen diet in the book because By Richard Knight, Jr. the traditional Southern belle that her wealth to the group. As Tolstoy’s new secretary, Valen- it sounds so good. I like the way exercise makes and privilege would lead one to expect. tin becomes a pawn in the ruthless tug of war you feel. I like food when it is not clogged up in Author Nicholas Sparks has cornered the market The two have an intense two-week affair be- between Chertkov and Sofya over Tolstoy’s new my body. Certain food combinations make my di- for modern romantic novels with five best-sellers fore John is called back into action. Their only will. gestive system slow down. I don’t like that feel- in a row. Though the majority of the books have argument occurs when Savannah intuits that The protracted battles between Plummer ing because I feel groggy and sluggish. I can been adapted for the screen, none of them has John’s ultra-shy father (Richard Jenkins, mar- and Mirren (who has her best role since The have bread just not with meat and vice versa. had the same kind of commercial success. But velous in a supporting role) might have some Queen)—during which Sofya uses every trick WCT: I love the picture in the book of you as that hasn’t stopped many of these pictures from behavior problems; hothead John reacts defen- in her emotional arsenal—and their tender mo- both Obama and his wife, Michelle. connecting with viewers who love nothing more sively. But the two make up—passionately—and ments in between are thrilling, fun and deeply RP: Yeah, that’s fun. We did the Sarah Palin than getting out their hankies. I offer my hus- promise to write until John’s return (this being satisfying to watch. These are great actors hav- picture for Christmas this year but it didn’t wind band as Exhibit A. No matter what time of day 2001, when texting was not an option). Then ing a whale of a time with tremendous parts. up in the book. or night, if he’s cable flipping and The Notebook Hallström gives us one of the movies corniest From the moment we first see the couple having WCT: I have to see that. People can find is on, he will stop and, in seconds, become im- set pieces—the love-letter exchange montage— afternoon tea on the terrace their philosophical items like that on your Web site? mersed in the romantic waterfall flowing from in which we actually see the postal service in differences—despite their deep affection—is RP: Yes rupaul.com. the screen. When it comes to affairs of the action. Right on cue a gently plucked guitar and clear. WCT: Now you have a second season of Ru- heart, Sparks’ characters never find love without lush strings wash over the screen. It will be a fight to the acting death it seems Paul’s Drag Race with more contestants and paying a heavy emotional price. But trouble looms for our comely pair and, and, indeed, as Sofya shamelessly schemes guest celebrities. All of which makes director Lasse Hallström, before this interrupted love melody can be fin- to get rid of Chertkov (who has an additional RP: The production value is so much better. whose biggest successes have been with the ished, the story will involve the 9/11 tragedy, aide in the Tolstoy’s distant daughter), things It is really dynamic. I have seen the first four über romantic Chocolat and the nostalgic, tender cancer, autism, dappled sunsets by the beach, go from promising to comical to the emotional episodes of the show so far. It is compelling and and tragic Cider House Rules, the perfect choice moonlit nights spent apart and many more musi- breaking point for all concerned. The movie cen- the kids really draw you in. They make you want to helm Dear John, the latest screen adaptation cal montages. ters on the larger theme of the responsibility of to root for them. There is also a ruthless element of a Sparks big time success. Both young leads do their thing with the req- the artist to his legacy and his audience versus to it because it is a competition show. Having The movie—set in South Carolina, as many uisite passion required (although, oddly, neither the responsibility to the personal, which Hoff- seen the first season, they are keen with agenda of Sparks’ stories are—follows his two fetching sports a southern accent) and Hallström’s un- man nicely balances (along with the subplot of and strategy. They have the advantage of the would-be lovers over the course of their extreme- hurried pacing guarantees that, by the fade-out, the young lovers, who represent the young, ide- first season that they saw the show and they got ly bumpy road to Eternal Love. Channing Tatum both tears of grief and joy will have been shed. alistic version of the Tolstoys). the lay of the land. Especially with this younger plays John Tyree, a hunkalicious surfer on leave Like the other Sparks adapted movies, Dear John All of which help envelop the viewer in The generation they have a sense of entitlement go- from the special forces in the Army who “meets is so old-fashioned and its hyper-romanticism Last Station, which—despite some dramatic im- ing on that my generation did not have. This cute” with Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) such a rarity in cinemas these days it almost plausibility and a misstep here and there—is, makes for really good television. when he dives off a dock to retrieve her purse. seems new again. It will more than satisfy those overall, a very well-told, well-made historical WCT: Well, I know now there is a whole new with a predilection for the genre but cynics are romantic drama. generation that can enjoy your music and Precious among warned to keep clear—or be prepared to shut up Check out my archived reviews at www. projects that didn’t get to know you back in and hand some Kleenex to their cow-eyed better windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemov- the ‘90s, like I did. Oscar nods halves. ies.com. Readers can leave feedback at the RP: I think that is fantastic. That’s why doing The LGBT community fared well when the latter Web site. new things such as the book are important. I Academy Award nominations were announced Cynics are also warned to avoid The Last Sta- love working on the show because I get a good in the early-morning hours of Feb. 2. tion from director Michael Hoffman. Hoffman NUNN ON ONE: TV taste of the younger kids and how they are. If I The movie Precious: Based on the Novel has adapted Jay Parini’s novel, based on true can mentor them, I am sure on some level that Push by Sapphire scored several nods, includ- events, of the last days of acclaimed Russian RuPaul: Drag doll they are mentoring me. ing one for best picture, one for best director writer Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) and Read what RuPaul thinks of falling in love (Lee Daniels) and two for acting (Gabourney the war over the rights to his valuable copy- talks about the online at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com. Sidibe for best actress and Mo’Nique—already rights (War & Peace and Anna Karenina being considered a front-runner—for best support- just two of the titles in contention) between his show—and love ing actress. wife of 43 years, Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren), BY JERRY NUNN Daniels is just the second African American and the leader of Tolstoy’s acolytes, Vladimir to receive such an honor—and is one of the Chertkov (Paul Giamatti). RuPaul is Workin’ It with a new book, a new sea- few openly gay persons to do so. Hoffman—who has directed his share of ro- son of Drag Race and life in the fast lane. Windy Two other director nominees are former mantic dramas and one of my camp favorites, City Times sped over for a chat with the queen spouses Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker Soapdish—gives the material his all and with of drag. and James Cameron for Avatar. They have this fascinating story; three grand thespians like Windy City Times: Hi, Ru! I haven’t talked split prizes so far this award season. Plummer, Mirren and Giamatti to shoot off the to you since last year. How have you been? Colin Firth received an Academy Award acting fireworks; and James McAvoy and Kerry RuPaul: Good and busy. nomination for playing a gay professor deal- Condon as the young lovers who provide the film WCT: Tell our readers about your new book. ing with his partner’s death in A Single Man. with its lusty subplot, who can blame him? RP: It’s a culmination of questions and an- Meryl Streep received an unprecedented Tolstoy, the Bob Dylan of his day, was so in- swers that I get asked on my Web site all the 16th acting nomination for her role as Ju- fluential a literary and cultural figure that he time. People write to me about my style esthetic lia Child in the film Julie & Julia. She has inspired a fervent group of followers known as and how I have been able to stay interested in won two (for Sophie’s Choice and Kramer vs. “Tolstoyans.” This pro-Tolstoy movement es- what I do for so many years. Kramer). chewed material possessions and advocated the Basically, we are spiritual beings having a hu- The Oscar telecast will take place March 7 spread of passive resistance during the last de- man experience so it is important to remember on ABC. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will cade of Tsarist rule in Russia. The movie, told to not take life too seriously. That is really the co-host the event. through the eyes of Valentin (McAvoy), one of gist of the book. WCT: You were pretty deep when you stated Tolstoy’s starry-eyed devoted followers, is set in RuPaul. Photo by Mathu Andersen Feb. 3, 2010 15 the extremes it has taken to persecute its gay work on a sequel to Jason Bushman’s Hollywood members and families and the heartbreaking ca- Je T’aime, entitled Hollywood Te Amo) as well as sualties. a handful of GLAAD and Queer Lounge-sponsored At the film’s world premiere at Park City’s Rac- panels, cocktail parties, and the annual Homos quet Club, the directors were joined onstage by Away From Home shindig. narrator Dustin Lance Black and interview sub- The closing weekend’s Sundance Awards ject/San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Dur- proved celebratory for writer/director Javier ing the lively Q&A, a practicing Mormon female Fuentes-Leõn, whose Contracorriente (aka Un- expressed her support for same-sex marriage. dertow) won the World Cinema Audience Award “There is not one Mormon mind,” she shared, for Dramatic Feature honor. The affecting tale of “and I’ve seen change come to my church.” a deeply closeted Peruvian who carries on an af- Newsom reminded the audience that the narra- fair with the ghost of his recently deceased gay tive of the same-sex marriage struggle is similar lover, Contracorriente was picked up by distribu- to that of interracial marriage and, ultimately, tor Wolfe Releasing. Coming up empty but worth “history bends towards justice.” mention are director Eyad Zahra’s Taqwacores, Some queer-interest works were screened, and set in the emerging Islamic punk music scene performed live, in the festival’s New Frontier On and featuring a queer Muslim character; Jamie Main contempo/multimedia art space, including Travis’ visionary, colorful whilst dark short about Sundance gay-fest director John Cooper. Photo by Lawrence Ferber Kalup Linzy’s southern-gay-black-drag hotpot, a little boy repressing a dark secret, The Armoire; Sweet, Sampled and LeftOva, and Nao Busta- Ira Sachs’ profound Last Address; and Jonathan band’s flamboyant, Eddie Izzard-esque creator/ mante’s Jack Smith-meets-Maria Montez trip- Lisecki’s fun gay-guy-and-straight-woman-want- Rebel Yell: manager—adds scenery-chewing spice. out, Silver & Gold. a-child short, Gayby. A lilting folk ditty compared to Runaways’ rock Many grieved about the lack of a fulltime Perhaps, and in fact most likely, no Precious Sundance ballad, writer/director Adriana Maggs’ Grown Up Queer Lounge space, yet LGBTs did get to con- will emerge this year as the dust settles, but Movie Star stars Big Love’s Shawn Doyle as a verge at the annual Outfest Queer Brunch for keep eyes peeled at your local festivals and the- Newfoundland father whose life is shaken up by gossip and networking (to wit: filmmaker Phillip aters for a taste of rebellion. 2010 his daughter’s (Tatiana Maslany, winner of a Spe- Bartell informed me that Eating Out 4 & 5 have By Lawrence Ferber cial Jury Prize for Breakout Performance) sexual been greenlit by Ariztical, and he’s also set to rebellion, as well as his own gay awakening. PARK CITY, UTAH: Despite this year’s theme of Directors Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg doc- “Rebel,” there was little rocking of the boat at ument Joan Rivers’ tireless efforts to stay rel- the Sundance Film Festival, held Jan. 21-31. evant over the course of a year in the supremely The first edition headed by openly gay fest entertaining Joan Rivers—A Piece of Work. On The director John Cooper, a 20+ year Sundance staff hand for several screenings, Rivers, 76, kept au- Four-Faced vet, 2010 saw only subtle tweaks in program- diences in stitches during Q&As, and offstage Liar. ming and structure—for instance, three opening partook of a de facto Sundance tradition—swag- night programs and the inaugural sections NEXT, ging. “I got a lot of swag,” she admitted once for micro/no-budget entries and the internation- back in Manhattan. “You get it home and you al-inclusive Spotlight—and, barring Twilight’s go, ‘who needs this,’ but that’s not the point. It’s Kristen Stewart, who starred in two entries, a still fun to take at the moment.” slight toning down in the celeb factor and return I ran into Juliette Lewis in swag mode at the to more anti-Hollywood minded roots. The year’s Lia Sophia Lounge, where Diesel handed out new biggest game-changing shake-ups occurred off- watches, fragrances and “Be Stupid” T-shirts. screen: Queer Lounge was gone, Miramax closed Naomi Watts swung by the Art & Soul Center, shop, and many familiar industry faces were where ConAir provided hairstyling and goodies. absent—all casualties of the economy. Village at The Yard proved a treasure trove as Film-wise it was a year of girl power (and usual, a Fred Segal gifting lounge plump with 3GTUQPCN3$&RTGUGPVU gayer!), with females behind some of the most brands like Dockers, Parish Nation and Afflic- buzz-garnering titles. Picked up by Focus fea- tion. I ran into Elijah Wood at the Swagg Media/ tures for, reportedly, approximately $5 million, Gibson Lounge, while House of Hype—where Bill 6CPFTC%GTPJCTF Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right stars Gates (!) threw a party—boasted pretty darned Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as Nic and sassy Sean John jackets, possibly the fest’s cool- RGTHQTOKPICV Jules, a lesbian couple whose teenage son and est get. daughter track down their sperm-donor father But back to the films and girl power. Slam- /$.(6+25(7+($7(5 (Mark Ruffalo). dance’s The Four-Faced Liar, written by and star- 1%52$':$< Funny and complicated, yet quintessentially ring Marja-Lewis Ryan, charts a rocky love trian- 7+856'$<)(%58$5< Sundance with its family-on-the-edge plot/ gle between a heterosexual couple and lesbian. theme and well-drawn, meticulously acted char- Even one of the year’s most highly anticipated CPFCRRGCTKPICVCURGEKCN acters, Cholodenko’s fourth feature (High Art, gay male titles in Park City, Sundance opener QRGPKPIPKIJVRCTV[CV Laurel Canyon) is a cinematic watershed in its Howl, was produced by a female team, Elizabeth outstanding, fully developed post-gay represen- Redleaf and Christine Kunewa Walker. tation of an LGBT family unit. A stylized, experimental biopic directed by 6,'(75$&. Natural and flawed, Bening’s prickly Nic and gay, Oscar-winning documentarians Rob Epstein Moore’s confused Jules face all the same chal- and Jeffrey Friedman (Common Threads: Stories lenges and foibles of a “normal” heterosexual From the Quilt), Howl focuses on the youthful couple, and are painted as such. Their parenting years of queer Beat poet Allen Ginsberg—por- discussions ring true and are frequently riotous, trayed by James Franco—while amalgamating a 7JG1GY

Meanwhile, former ACT UP/Chicago mem- ACT UP’s fight traced ber Debbie Gould has a more personal con- nection to the epidemic, and that is evident BOOK REVIEW and the lessons learned. Gould clearly knows this throughout her book Moving Politics. She subject well, but she also is able to take an out- looks closely at the Chicago, New York and Moving Politics: sider’s perspective, so that we have the benefit San Francisco ACT UP chapters, and gives a Emotion and ACT UP’s of both views. Some activists may disagree with detailed accounting of both the rise and fall Gould’s history and conclusions (Larry Kramer of the ACT UP movement. Fight Against AIDS may disagree with her theory on the founding of The books, both recently published, come at ACT UP), but she does provide solid arguments a time when AIDS/HIV activists and donors are Written by Deborah B. Gould and evidence. Many of the movement’s leaders fatigued by both the long-standing epidemic University of Chicago Press; 524 died during the ACT UP years, while some like and the new recession. They can be used as pages Ferd Eggan died more recently, but Gould does tools for activists working on same-sex mar- a good job of allowing their voices to be heard riage and other issues, and perhaps the book through original source material, media inter- can inspire a new generation to continue the views, newsletters, and her own interviews. fight against HIV and AIDS complacency. The early part of the book Moving Politics fo- What follows are reviews of these two new cuses on emotions and how they were eventu- Author Debbie Gould in 2007. Photo by Hal books. ally channeled into the formation of ACT UP, Baim This Friday, Feb. 5, Chicagoans can remem- something that was not an inevitable result of ber the work of AIDS activist Danny Soto- AIDS. In fact, Gould points out that early re- further depressed many of the activists. mayor. His brilliant editorial cartoons once sponses were about service provision and not But Moving Politics is not only about the dif- appeared in gay media including Windy City street activism, and even during the height of ficulties of maintaining the movement, it also Times, Outlines and Nightlines. He became a ACT UP many gays and lesbians did not like the shows just how important ACT UP was. Whether street fighter once he himself was diagnosed approach of in-your-face activists. that was in fighting drug companies about slow with the disease, and he fought with an in- Gould says that the 1986 U.S Supreme Court de- research and high prices, pushing the federal tensity rarely matched in any movement. He cision in Bowers v. Hardwick, affirming anti-gay government’s drug trials process, or targeting lost his battle Feb. 5, 1992, and his life will state sodomy laws, was among the most critical the complacent gay community, ACT UP was an be remembered on the 18th anniversary of sparks to activism that lead to ACT UP. Gould extremely successful movement. What is inter- his death, on Friday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. in REVIEW BY Tracy Baim writes: “In the context of ever-increasing AIDS- esting in retrospect, just focusing on Chicago’s a free event at the Institute of Puerto Ri- Deborah Gould was among the most visible related deaths, continuing government failure ACT UP, is that it was usually a few dozen main can Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division. The members of ACT UP/Chicago in the late 1980s to address the crisis, and increasingly repressive people doing the work, which sometimes at- rarely seen Sotomayor documentary, Short and early 1990s, and she used that first-hand legislation, the Bowers v. Hardwick decision was tracted a few hundred to demonstrations. Their Fuse: Portrait of an AIDS Activist, will be knowledge and access to other activists to cre- a turning point, an event that profoundly af- impact was huge, partly because of brilliant me- shown. ate a detailed account of the rise and fall of one fected the emotional habitus in lesbian and gay dia and graphics strategies. A few people really of the most important activists movements of communities and the prevailing political hori- did change the world. the last century. zon. … [The] Hardwick ruling contributed to the That is not to say there was universal support emergence of the confrontational and defiant for their approach. In Chicago and elsewhere, While AIDS and HIV continue to kill people ev- direct-action AIDS movement.” ACT UP was at odds with traditional “suit-and- ery day, the peak years of street activism have In Part II of her book, Gould looks at the pas- tie” activists, some who angrily opposed their passed, much to the dismay of people like Gould sions behind the ACT UP movement, with activ- confrontational approach. Once a few gay folks and many of the activists she quotes. Moving ists fully engaged at an incredible level, from got their seat at the political table, they were Politics is an important look at the convoluted meetings and actions, to love and caring. Funer- worried ACT UP would ruin it for them. So when paths that lead to the formation of ACT UP, but als became activist moments, and rage fueled ACT UP’s Danny Sotomayor and others confront- also the many possible reasons it eventually im- the organization. “A sense of urgency about the ed Mayor Richard M. Daley, early in his reign, on ploded. AIDS epidemic and about the need to save lives his lack of response to AIDS, some gay leaders As someone who started reporting about AIDS motivated this insistent pace, but other forces denounced the efforts. in 1984, it was fascinating to see a historical help to explain why we all put in so many hours The attacks on ACT UP from mainstream media look back at groups, events and people I was and kept coming back week after week, for years,” were difficult, but often the attacks from other covering weekly for GayLife, then Windy City Gould writes. “From its start and throughout its gays were more disheartening. Gould writes: Times and Outlines/Nightlines. Gould inter- life, ACT UP was a place to fight the AIDS crisis, “Disparaging criticisms of ACT UP contributed to viewed me for her book, and she also quotes and it was always more than that as well. It was the decline of the movement indirectly as well from editorials and articles written by myself, a place to elaborate critiques of the status quo, by producing feelings of isolation and betrayal Outlines/Windy City Times reporter Rex Wockner to imagine alternative worlds, to express anger, among many AIDS activists who dealt with those and other Chicago and national lesbian and gay to defy authority, to form sexual and other inti- feelings in part by becoming contemptuous of media. macies, to practice non-hierarchical governance other lesbians, gay men and AIDS advocates.” Because of Gould’s connection to Chicago, it is and self-determination, to argue with one an- But as a whole, most in the gay community refreshing to have so much of this town’s work other, to refashion identities, to experience new realized that all approaches were needed during recognized on a national scale. She focuses es- feelings, to be changed.” the peak of the AIDS years. Even the most con- pecially on New York, Chicago and San Francis- Gould is nostalgic for those days, but she also servative gays woke up as the epidemic reached co, through research of gay and lesbian media, illuminates the problems inherent in a group into all parts of the gay community—AIDS did books, the ACT UP Oral History Project (coordi- based on idealism and passion. Sometimes, peo- not discriminate based on political views. nated by Sarah Schulman and James Hubbard), ple’s motivations differed, and there were fre- The last part of Moving Politics was probably and first-person interviews. Many Chicagoans are quent divisions based on race, class, gender, and the most difficult for Gould to write. She was quoted in her book. HIV-positive status. Gould does not shy away there for the last breaths of ACT UP/Chicago, This is an academic book so at times I felt too from these; indeed, the latter part of the book and witnessed the difficult divisions within the immersed in terms and definitions, but those are is about how the differences eventually became organization. But these are necessary roads to a necessarily part of this approach to history. I too great, and shattered the perceived utopia of travel to more fully understand how movements was relieved when the book turned to the stories the movement. The added element of despair, continued on page 17 as the fight dragged on and people kept dying,

The late Chicago AIDS activist Danny So- tomayor, who died 18 years ago. Photo from the Outlines/Windy City Times ar- chives Debbie Gould (left), Saundra Johnson and the late Ferd Eggan at an ACT Robert Castillo (front) at a 1992 ACT UP demonstration at Daley Plaza, UP demo. Photo by Rex Wockner/Outlines newspaper archives. protesting for more Chicago AIDS funding. Photo by Genyphyr Novak Feb. 3, 2010 17 ment, especially those she quotes who later Infectious Ideas book focuses died. Many people are mentioned but we are rarely told how their personal stories ended, or if they survived the war’s early years. These were on AIDS and politics often bright young men and women in their 20s or 30s, lives cut short, but not wasted, as they BOOK REVIEW ther major political party, gays found themselves battled for drugs that would save at least some outsiders at a time when many started dying as of their generation from the holocaust of AIDS. Infectious Ideas: if in a war zone. But to end on a strong note, it is important Brier has researched memos from the Reagan to have a feminist perspective on the AIDS epi- U.S. Political years, documenting that the conservative right demic, and Brier documents how early activism Responses to the was not of one mind about AIDS. Surgeon Gen- and responses to AIDS often included both les- eral C. Everett Koop was among those advocat- bian and lesbian-feminist thinkers and fighters. AIDS Crisis ing for unbiased and comprehensive education This is an important addition to the literature Written by Jennifer Brier to prevent the further spread of AIDS. But Koop on AIDS, and one of the many reasons I would $35; The University of North was battling against Reagan appointees, includ- recommend the book. The chapter on Reagan Carolina Press; 312 pages ing key Reagan advisor Gary Bauer, who wanted alone, with excellent original source material, is to use the disease as part of a push for “moral- worth the price of admission. ity.” Author Jennifer Brier. It took Reagan years to actually focus his at- tention and public comments on AIDS, but Brier shows that despite this, some work was being done by courageous conservatives who saw a bigger picture of health. “The historical understanding of the 1980s as a period of unrelenting conservatism also has much to do with how people who considered themselves opponents of the Right experienced the decade,” Brier writes. She argues that histo- rians have failed to note “political alternatives existed side by side with conservatism through- out the decade.” She says AIDS transformed the political landscape it inhabited, and that it REVIEW BY Tracy Baim helped shape an “alternative vision of progres- What was the Reagan Administration’s response sive politics.” to AIDS? How did ACT UP confront the slow and Even though Brier is now at UIC, her work biased medical and political establishments? does not have any focus on Chicago. Her main What did foundations do to support HIV and research is on 1) the federal response during the AIDS education? Reagan years; 2) activism, including ACT UP, es- A Chicago ACT UP-sponsored demonstration in the late 1980s. Pictured, starting second from These and other questions are answered in a pecially in New York; 3) safe-sex marketing ef- left, are Pepe Pena of Sidetrack, the late writer Jon-Henri Damski, the late attorney Bob Adams, new book by University of Illinois at Chicago forts in San Francisco; and 4) The Ford Founda- and the late columnist Alfredo Gonzales. Photo by Genyphyr Novak scholar Jennifer Brier. Brier is an assistant pro- tion’s response to AIDS in the global South. fessor of gender and women’s studies and his- The book begins by linking 1970s gay libera- tory; her book includes the perspective of how tion efforts to the start of a response to HIV and CULTURE CLUB feminists and lesbians played a role in the early AIDS in the early 1980s. Brier reviews the battle years of the AIDS crisis. within the gay movement to understand the im- There is no way any one book could investigate pact of the disease: there was fierce rhetoric, NOWTICKETS ON SALE! all the tentacles of HIV and AIDS, so Brier’s book but many amazing groups were created. The re- focuses narrowly on a few key areas. She does sponses included writers fighting it out in gay not, however, stay within the borders of the media columns, people setting up HIV and AIDS T H E O L D U.S. She also compares the U.S. and the “global services, others protesting for new drugs and south.” She addresses efforts in Brazil, Thailand, faster access to experimental medications, and Haiti and parts of Africa. still more activists pushing back against draco- SETTLER BY JOHN HENRY REDWOOD Probably the most politically interesting part nian AIDS legislation. DIRECTED BY RON OJ PARSON of the book for me was reviewing what hap- Because this book is so wide-ranging in its Performed at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe pened during the Reagan years, when President goals, it really is only a starting point for those Ronald Reagan and conservatives dominated interested in the politics of AIDS. Fortunately Two women test the bonds of sister- the political landscape. I started covering the for readers, Brier’s notes and bibliography are hood and find the strength and gay community in 1984, for GayLife newspaper, extensive and provide hundreds of additional re- forgiveness only family can offer. when there were just a few dozen AIDS cases in sources. Chicago, and the country was in a right-wing My main complaint with the book is that its ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Production Sponsor swing. Progressive activists were stifled but also academic approach can sometimes seem dispas- divided, because gays were not quite welcomed sionate, and I wanted there to be more follow up WRITERSTHEATRE.ORG into the fold. Without strong support from ei- on some of the early leaders of the AIDS move- Media Sponsor WRITERS’ 847-242-6000 THEATRE ACT UP from page 16 ways co-opted the issues as part of his 1992 presidential campaign, and some activists trust- flare up, and fizzle out. She does an excellent ed his paternalism and used it as a chance to job of capturing the despair of the early 1990s, walk away from street activism. That trust was prior to new drug regimes that would better betrayed, but it was too late to reignite the fight off the disease. People were dying, and movement. ACT UP simply could not overcome its internal “The story of the AIDS movement is a story fracturing and the emotional despair of so much of political possibilities,” Gould writes, “of what death. can happen when people collectivize their ef- “Exhausted, frustrated, desperate, over- forts to address their grievances and enact their whelmed—of course we were unable to address desires.” The hope for Gould, who is an assistant the emotional undercurrents that were shaping professor of sociology at the University of Cali- the substance, velocity, and intensity of ACT fornia, Santa Cruz, is that by studying this very UP’s conflicts,” Gould writes. “The historian in recent past, we can “pry open alternative, more expansive political imaginings for the contem- FeF bruauary 3 – Marrch 6, 200100 me, however, wants to emphasize that the frac- CeCentterer on HaH lssted 3656 N. Halstedd turing of solidarity in ACT UP was never inevi- porary movement.” table. It may be that assuming solidarity in the For those working on same-sex marriage, Exclusive Corporate Sponsor VISIT ABOUTFACETHEATRE.COM OR CALL 866-811-4111 early years -- an assumption that derived in part military access, hate crimes, trans rights or the from our shared anger -- prevented us from do- myriad other issues facing the LGBT movement ing more trust-building work in those years.” of this century, learning more about the ACT UP The multiple parallel potential reasons for the years would be an excellent research tool, and Mention the show at Scarlet this week and get a $5 martini! (3320 N. Halsted) decline of ACT UP are well documented here, in- I highly recommend Gould’s Moving Politics for cluding the fact that Bill Clinton had in some your bookshelf. 18 Feb. 3, 2010 CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE

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See the new look of Nightspots at your usual nightspot or download nightspots the PDF online at www.windycitymediagroup.com/nightspots

Friday’s new NIGHTCAPS: Who doesn’t love a sexy Spiderman onesie? &)60-2 Photos by Kirk

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Find it at the iTunes store Feb. 3, 2010 19 we get our energy to light up our nights. I want- taking pictures of her and, before you know it, ed a name that didn’t mean “male” or “female,” she was fine! but something that represented the soul energy WCT: Are some people seemingly freaked that is within us all. out by your appearance? WCT: What was the inspiration behind your RCF: You know, Tony, I don’t approach every- famed Mickey Glitter balls headpiece—per- body, because different people are in the club haps your most recognized costume? for different reasons. Some people are freaked RCF: People respond to the Mickey glitter balls out by the way I look! Some drag queens are with such affection, I can’t even begin to de- known for embarrassing people, but I don’t do scribe to you the kind of reaction I continue to that. I will never say anything embarrassing to get when I wear them! Actually, Tony, I made the people in the club that I do not know. headpiece for selfish reasons. Let me backtrack WCT: Do people recognize you when, as you for a second: One thing you should know about say, you are not “in paint?” me is that I believe in getting what you truly RCF: I go out when I’m not in paint, sure. I love want—and I have always wanted to work at Gay going to Showtunes at Sidetrack on Sunday. It’s Disney. I don’t necessarily love the character of funny because some guys who are really nice to Mickey Mouse per se, as much as I love Disney me when I see them on Friday night are bitches World and the whole concept of family and joy when I approach them on Sunday! I usually just and wonderment. So, I made the headpiece for smile, and tell them I am Cyon Flare, and that I myself, because I knew that some day I would was the one that they were huggin’ and kissin’ be a part of Gay Disney, somehow, someway. In and taking pictures with earlier in the weekend 2008, I flew to Orlando and I was staying at the and they usually go “Ooooh, Okay!” Parliament House, and I went, out of paint, to WCT: Are you dating anyone? consciousness, for HIV/AIDS; or for the home- the Gay Days management office with my press RCF: I haven’t dated anyone in six years. I Cyon Flare. Photos courtesy of Flare lessness; or for youth and equality issues. Can kit in hand, and I knocked on the door. I spoke haven’t met what I would consider “the one” for you imagine how powerful that would be? I’m to someone in the office, gave them the materi- me. I’m not gonna give you a list of what I am calling out to you ladies. Let’s come together als, and don’t you know two days later I got the looking for in a guy; I won’t go there [laughs], and make some big magic for our community as Performer call to be a part of Gay Days at Disney! but I will tell you that I believe it is all about a fierce Chicago force! WCT: Who have been your biggest influ- timing. You know, I tell guys in the bar all the Cyon Flare performs weekly at Hydrate, ences? time that they hot and, because of that, I think Cyon Flare 3458 N. Halsted. Visit www.hydratechicago. RCF: Sylvester, Boy George and RuPaul have the biggest misconception about me is that I com for more information. been big influences on me, in that order. am some love-hungry, love-starved individual. is on fire WCT: It sounds like you might be a big fan But, you see, when I tell guys that I find them By Tony Peregrin of RuPaul’s Drag Race? attractive, it doesn’t mean that I want to date RCF: You know, Tony, I watched RuPaul’s Drag them! Look, I am fine with myself, from the time Mariah Carey Robert Cyon Flare is famous for setting the hearts Race for Jade and for Nina Flowers. I actually I get up to the time I go to bed. I am fine with in Chicago of Boystown bar patrons aflame (pun intended) knew Jade before the show; he’s an amazing who I am, so I have no problem telling others with an infectious, positive energy and vibrant, dancer and has a gorgeous and sweet spirit, and how I feel about them—but I am not some love- Feb. 13-14 Technicolor costumes. In fact, the appeal of I was rooting for both of them. But I have to starved drag queen! Superstar recording artist Mariah Carey Flare (whose entertainment persona shuns the tell you that I am not what you would call a fan WCT: You are obviously very comfortable (who has 18 number-one hits) is embarking first name) actually shines far beyond Lakeview, of the show. I have an issue when someone is in your own skin, Cyon. Did your upbringing on her “Angels Advocate” tour this year. The fueled mainly by two Billboard-charting dance over you and telling you that you are not good have any influence on who you are today? tour began in Atlantic City Jan. 2 and will hits: In 2008, “Everybody, Everybody,” hit num- enough. As a young performer or drag queen, RCF: Well, my mom, Ida, is gay. She came out wrap up in Las Vegas Feb. 27—with a stop at ber 31 and, just a year later, “Rise” rose to num- someone could walk away from the show think- when I was around four years old. I think she had the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, Saturday, ber 36 on the charts. ing that they have to look a certain way or act just grown tired of living a lie. I have multiple Feb. 13-14. In his first interview with Windy City Times, a certain way in order to be fierce or in order to siblings, some with different fathers … and then The tour is the first major tour by Carey Flare, 39, a resident of Lakeview, revealed what be successful—and that’s simply not true. one day I noticed that there were no men com- since “Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, The it’s like to walk into Sidetrack “out of paint,” how WCT: Tell me something about Robert Cyon ing over anymore and, the next day, I noticed Hits, The Tour” in 2006. The opening act on Cyon Flare has become something of a nightclub Flare that might surprise people? that women were coming over. For me, I didn’t the “Angels Advocate” tour is RydazNrtist, a therapist and why he’s not a fan of RuPaul’s Drag RCF: I do a lot of listening, Tony, when I am really notice anything different. I believe I had new R&B group signed to husband Nick Can- Race. out. It’s interesting because people feel a cer- a normal life growing up, I had the same grow- non’s NCredible Entertainment. Carey’s latest Windy City Times: Do you identify yourself tain level of comfort with you and they will ing pains that everybody else had. For me, the CD is Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. as a drag queen or a performance artist? share with you their day or their week, or they shock wasn’t my family’s reaction to my mom, See www.ticketmaster.com for tickets. Robert Cyon Flare: I live and breathe my feath- will tell you someone in their family has died or because they were very accepting of her. What ers every day. It’s not as if there is one box for that they have just discovered their boyfriend or was shocking to me was the outside world, and “Robert” and one for “Cyon!” Just look at how their girlfriend is cheating on them. how they reacted to her. You have to remember Live P!nk I sign my e-mails: Robert Cyon Flare. To put it Now, my purpose, my goal, is to be a host and this was in the ‘70s in Detroit, so that was a very simply, Robert/Cyon is not a separate being, but DVD available an entertainer, of course, I’m not a counselor, different time. I came out to her when I was 13. On the heels of her acrobatic circus per- wholly one soul, one mind. We, being gay, for but I can be because I am open to people. Ev- She said she knew, probably because I was walk- formance at this year’s Grammys, P!nk’s live whatever reason, have clung to the word “drag,” ery night someone comes up to me and tells me ing around in cha-cha heels by the time I was 5 concert is available on the new DVD Funhouse but it is all art. At its essence, what I do is so about a broken heart, or that they are having years old! Tour Live In Australia plus bonus live CD, out artistic, but everyone does it to a certain extent. relationship problems—every night! I remember WCT: You’ve had two songs on Billboard’s now via Jive. When you get up in the morning and get ready there was a bachelorette group in the bar, and dance charts: “Everybody, Everybody” and The DVD features P!nk performing her hits for work, you ask yourself, ‘what am I going to one of the girls came up to me and said the bride “Rise.” Talk about your newest release, from the past decade and songs from her fifth wear to work today, am I feeling this blue shirt was crying and that she could not stop. I didn’t “Fire.” studio album Funhouse, which has sold over or this white one?’ And that’s what I do, but I know what I could possibly say to this person, RCF: I worked with a new producer on this 5 million units worldwide. The concert was just take it a few steps further. [Laughs] but I went over to her, gave her a hug, took off track, DJ Dealer, who is a Chicago house DJ. filmed entirely in HD in Australia, where she WCT: You are known for your vibrant, outra- my wig and put it on her head. People started The song is about what music does to you. It’s sold out a record-breaking 60 shows. geous costumes. How do you select what you about the beat, which is like fire shut up in your The performance is also available on Blu- are going to wear each night? bones. I took that concept from church, when ray. RCF: Every time I go to bed and every after- the preacher always used to say, “The spirit of noon when I wake up—and this is the truth, the Lord is shut up in your bones,” and I trans- Tony—the first thing I think about is, how am I lated it to music. It’s a basic house beat, and Queer Eye’s Filicia feeling, and how am I going to pull something not as techno as the other two tracks. I love it! together?’ Over the years, I’ve become very aware We’re working on the video for it now. hosting new show Design guru Thom Filicia (Dress My Nest, that when you dress yourself, based on how you WCT: You’ve conquered the dance charts and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), is hosting are feeling—other people will feel it, and that the local nightlife scene, Cyon. What’s next the show Tacky House on The Style Network sort of guides my process. But my favorite color for you? this spring. This show plans on “bringing is blue. RCF: You know, Tony, I really wish that all viewers a fresh and funny take on design in- WCT: It’s no surprise, then, that the col- those who bring light to our community night- tervention,” according to a press release. or blue was the inspiration for your stage life would work together more often— since we In each episode, Thom and his “Tacky name! all have a common goal to entertain the com- House” duo of experts help makeover disas- RCF: I researched the color blue and found munity and make them feel happy. Separately, trous rooms suffering from disastrous decor. “cyan,” which is a bluish- green. However, I Circuit Mom, Ms. Foozie, Frida Olay, Ms. Kitty, The real challenge is convincing the amateur wanted it to be spelled with an “O” and pro- Veronica, Sal-E, Jo Jo Baby [and] Bobby Pins are designer that the room needs a makeover (or nounced like “scion,” as in “an heir or a descen- amazing at what they do! But I want to see all in some cases, a “makeunder”). dant.” “Flare” comes from solar flare, which is of us come together for an event where we all associated with the sun. This flare is what helps use our energy and charisma to raise money and to nourish all life on our planet, and it is where 20 Feb. 3, 2010

Saturday, Feb. 6 LookLyric Opera of Chicago’s Fantasy of the Opera Fabulous food! Terrific music! Great friends! The Fantasy of the Opera is presented by the Lyric Opera Guild Board of Directors, and has been heating up Chicago’s winter social scene for 26 years Brought to you by the combined efforts of while raising important funds to benefit Chicago’s own world-renowned opera com- FREE TO BE pany. It’s one of Lyric’s most exciting and elegant events – truly “the hottest party Friday, Feb. 12 in the coldest month,” which makes this year’s theme, “Hearts Afire,” especially ap- The Chicago-made film propriate! 6:30pm, 312-827-5656, http:// Hannah Free, starring Wed., Feb. 3 www.lyricopera.org\fantasy Sharon Gless, will Chicago a cappella: Roll, Jordan, Roll: The Hydrate’s Annual Staff Turnabout Show DEAR JOHN Spiritual, Old and New Chicago a cap- premiere in Peoria, Ill. benefiting TPAN Hydrate’s Annual Staff Tuesday, Feb. 9 pella celebrates the power and beauty of Turnabout Show to benefit TPAN’s “Chica- African-American spirituals. The acclaimed go Takes Off Barlesque” Competition. $10 vocal ensemble will sing both traditional Photo by donation includes hosted bar from 8 to Historian/UIC professor and contemporary works. $28-$35, dis- Hal Baim 9:30pm; 8pm, (773) 989-9400, Hydrate, John D’Emilio will present counts for seniors and students. 8pm, 3458 N. Halsted, http://www.hydratechi- “Rethinking Gay History 773-281-7820, http://www.chicagoacap- cago.com or Richard Nixon, Gay pella.org Hawaiian/Hula and Tahitian Dance Class and-christian/calendar/12303293/ Nine to Twelve No Tap Bowling Bowling - Join us every Wednesday night at 8:20pm Liberationist?” at 701 S. First Saturday of Every Month; 9pm and learn the basics of pacific island danc- Morgan. Cake Chicago Presents: Cake Chicago Pres- ing. Learn how to dance Hula including Tuesday, Feb. 9 ents, Readers’ Choice for BEST LGBTQ Hula Auana (modern Hula) and Hula Ka- Photo by Hal Baim Historian/University of Illinois at Chicago Variety Show from Chicago Reader, blend- hiko (ancient Hula), Tahitian dances such (UIC) professor John D’Emilio will pres- ing queer artistry into the general public as the Otea and Aparima, and dances ent a lecture—“Rethinking Queer History. if women ran the world? Through March performed by Caitlin Stainken and Jeremy through live music and more. 9p Ripley from other pacific islands like Guam and Or, Richard Nixon, Gay Liberationist?— 6. Wednesday through Saturday 7:30 pm, Sher. Preview two nights. Open Feb. 6, run Caine, 10p Lojo Russo, 11p Ian Wilson; many more. 4057 N. Damen Ave. 8:15pm, Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 701 S. Morgan at 3 Saturday and Sunday 3 pm. 7:30pm, 866- through March 13. $15, $10 for students/ 9pm, 773.274.5463, http://www.mys- http://www.islapacifika.com p.m. D’Emilio, a professor of gender and 811-4111, Center on Halsted, 3656 N Hal- seniors; 8pm, 773-275-5255, The Neo- pace.com/cakechicago women’s studies and history at UIC, is Secular and the Sacred: The Right of Same sted, http://www.aboutfacetheatre.com Futurarium, 5153 N Ashland, http://www. Sex Couples to Marry Justice Albie Sachs responsible for numerous publications, Hydrate’s Annual Staff Turnabout Show neofuturists.org is the first Richard & Ann Silver Pozen Sunday, Feb. 7 including Sexual Politics, Sexual Com- benefiting TPAN Hydrate’s Annual Staff Cyon Flare with DJ Phil DaBeatz at Hy- A New Years’ Core Resolution Join Exhale Visiting Professor in Human Rights at the munities: The Making of a Homosexual Turnabout Show to benefit TPAN’s “Chica- drate Nightspots presents Thursdays at Spa’s premier Gay instructor John Nelson University of Chicago. This public lecture Minority in the United States, 1940-1970 go Takes Off Barlesque” Competition. $10 Hydrate hosted by Cyon Flare with Chica- on February 7th, and February 14th at is based on his new book, Reason and (nominated for a Pulitzer Prize). or more donation includes hosted bar from 8 to goPride.com’s own, DJ Phil DaBeatz and 2:20 PM for a calorie-torching combina- Passion: The Strange Alchemy of Life and information, contact Linda Vavra at 312- 9:30pm; 8pm, (773) 989-9400, Hydrate, hot strippers. Win cash and other prizes tion of our popular Core Fusion® and Core Law. A lifelong activist in human rights, 996-6354. 3458 N. Halsted, http://www.hydratechi- from 10:30pm to 1:30am; 10pm, Hydrate, Fusion® Sport classes! Exhale Spa 945 in 1990 he took an active part in the ne- Chefs and the City: A Stroll through the cago.com 3458 N. Halsted, www.hydratechicago. N State Street; 2:15pm, 703-304-0521, gotiations which led to South Africa be- Gallery for Vital Bridges Join us for a com http://www.exhalespa.com/locations/ coming a constitutional democracy. 7pm, delightful cocktail reception and indulge ilchicago/ilchicago.aspx# 773-702-8787, http://event.uchicago. in delectable hors d’oeuvres prepared by Thursday, Feb. 4 Friday, Feb. 5 Roman Catholic Mass Dignity-Chicago cel- edu/maincampus/search.php?who=agrp_ West Loop’s finest restaurants, including Mary Sylvester Photography Exhibit Pho- Equality Illinois First Friday Networking ebrates a Roman Catholic Mass every Sun- HumanRights&when=upcoming Blackbird/Avec, Sepia, Meiji and Prov- tography; 5:30pm, http://mspho.com Event Equality Illinois and ChicagoPride. day, 5PM, at Broadway United Methodist About Face Theatre presents What We ince; while enjoying Primitive’s beautiful Frat House Thursday at Scarlet Join Chica- com present this monthyly “Make A Dif- Church 3338 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL Once Felt The Midwestern premiere of collection. Tickets must be purchased in goPride.com and Scarlet as we host all frat ference” event. For a $10 donation to the 60657; 5pm, http://dignitychicago.org/ Ann Marie Healy’s new play featuring six advance. Primitive 130 N Jefferson St. guys and their fans! 8pm, Scarlet, 3320 Equality Illinois PAC, you receive two- current.htm prominent Chicago actresses, Charin Al- 6pm, http://www.vitalbridges.org/pages/ N Halsted, http://www.scarletbarchicago. drink tickets and a ticket for a door prize Geja’s Cafe Valentine’s Day Festival Geja’s varez, Laura Fisher, Patricia Kane, Eliza- event-detail/17.php?id=12 com drawing. 6pm, Sidetrack, 3349 N Halsted Cafe is planning the most romantic Valen- beth Laidlaw, Ana Sferruzza, and Rebecca I Am A Camera Conceived and directed by St, http://www.eqil.org tine’s Day celebration in its 44 year histo- Sohn. What kind of future would there be Wed., Feb. 10 Founding Director Greg Allen written and A Hero Comes Home, Daniel Sotomayor ry. For eight days from Sun, Feb 7 through Board Game Night with Sapphic Adven- Retrospective on the life and work of the Sun, Feb 14, the renowned ‘Restaurant of tures Join ladies from Sapphic Adventures late syndicated gay political cartoonist Romance’ will be lavishly decorated and for a night of board games and casual and AIDS activist with 100+ Sotomayor feature sparkling champagne, carriage social. Please do bring your own games political cartoons and a rare showing of rides around Lincoln Park, live flamenco to share! We have over 900 members and the 1990’s documentary “Short Fuse: Por- and classical guitarists, photo keepsakes, focus on women-only social events out- trait of an AIDS Activist” on his journey and delicious sizzling hot fondue cuisine. side bars. 7pm, http://www.sapphicad- from shy graphic artist to a force behind 5pm, 773-281-9101, Geja’s Cafe, 340 W ventures.org Chicago’s chapter of ACT-Up/Chicago. Armitage, http://www.gejascafe.com Sotomayor was diagnosed with AIDS in Bailiwick Chicago’s Show Us Your Love Friday, Feb. 12 1988 and devoted his life to fighting Bailiwick Chicago’s Show Us Your Love, a Hannah Free screens in Peoria The Peo- for the rights and welfare of Chicago’s musical revue, celebrates love and rela- ria, Ill., premiere of Hannah Free, a film growing population of AIDS sufferers. tionships, featuring both comic and dra- starring former Peoria resident Ann Hage- Refreshments. Free but donations to the matic selections from some of Broadway mann opposite Emmy Award-winner Sha- Institute’s restoration welcome. 6:30pm, and Off-Broadway’s very best. 7:30pm, ron Gless. Hannah Free is an independent 773-486-8345, http://www.iprac.org 773-969-6201, Mary’s Attic, 5400 N Clark, Chicago made film about two women who Women & Children First author event http://www.bailiwickchicago.com shared a loving relationship throughout Jaimee Wriston Colbert, author of Shark their lives, only now one must fight to keep Girls, which explores intersections of loss Monday, Feb. 8 that love alive. Ann Hagemann will attend and desire in a world ruled by accidents Affinity Junior Leadership Institute (for- the screenings of the film for talk-backs of fate. 7:30pm, Women & Children First, merly Youth Drop-In) For youth aged afterwards. Hannah Free also features a 5233 N. Clark St. 14-19, academic support, facilitated group cast of Chicago stage veterans and was Reeling Monthly Screening Series Burnt discussion, occasional field trips, guest shot entirely on the South Side of Chicago Money is a sexy, intense crime thriller speakers, teambuilding exercises, one-on- and in Beecher, Illinois. $10 at the Peoria from Argentina, hailed as a gay “Bonnie & one discussions, and meals. 4pm, Affinity Theater. Free parking. www.peoriatheater. Clyde.” Dark and sensual story of a group Community Services, 5650 S Woodlawn com One night only. 7pm, 309-202-2278, of violent bank robbers, two of whom are Ave, http://www.affinity95.org http://www.hannahfree.com gay lovers known in criminal circles as LGBT Faith Conversation This group will “The Twins.” 8pm, Chicago Filmmakers, use a variety of resources—articles, guest Saturday, Feb. 13 5243 N Clark speakers, personal sharing, short docu- Fat Saturday Ball: Allure! “Revolution Paula Poundstone: An evening of stand-up mentaries and more from a variety of dis- Never Looked So Glamorous!” is an annual The Emmy and ACE Award-winner Paula ciplines (psychology, religion, theology, fundraiser for EdgeAlliance (AIDSCare). Poundstone returns to the North Shore science, sociology, etc)—to help LGBTQ The theme for this year’s gala is promis- when Centre East presents the popular co- people reflect on their spiritual journeys. ing to reprise the glory days of 1930s and median in an evening of stand-up. North This group is a joint collaboration of The ‘40s cinema. 7pm, Westin Chicago River Shore Center for the Performing Arts 9501 Center on Halsted and Urban Village Church North, 320 North Dearborn Street, http:// FAT CAT Skokie Blvd. Skokie, IL 60077; 8pm, 847- Chicago and will meet every Monday eve- www.edgealliance.org/pages/fat_satur- 673-6300, http://www.northshorecenter. Saturday, Feb. 13 ning from 7-8:30pm from 1/25-3/1. 7pm, day_ball/52.php org 773 263-9554, Center on Halsted, 3656 EDGEAlliance (formerly AIDSCare) will host the N Halsted, http://www.meetup.com/gay- “Fat Saturday Ball: Allure!” at the Westin Chicago River North, 320 N. Dearborn. Get : WindyCityMediaGroup.com Photo from the 2009 event by Steve Starr online ChicagoPride.com Feb. 3, 2010 21 BILLY MASTERS The season belongs to the “And WHY has Joy Behar turned into such a it only came with firemen. Eh, I’m sure a few self righteous cooz head? CHEATING is between a firemen will eventually come—especially when husband and a wife. Not TMZ and Joy Bewhore... the place is flaming! God, I want to bash her in the vagina with her We hear that former gay porn star Jay Arm- ® microphone.”—Kirstie Alley’s violent Twit- strong is having some trouble in his real life. ter outburst after watching the non-stop Tiger Reportedly, the power bottom is in law school Woods coverage on La Behar’s HLN show. I smell and one of his professors has threatened him a catfight—in bikinis and mud. via e-mail, saying he “needed psychiatric help We’re in the temporary lull that sets in be- for working in the adult industry” and that there and maybe the Queen! tween the Golden Globes and the Oscars (the were consequences for his vulgar past career. SAG Awards, while fun, don’t really count—and We’re told Armstrong is filing a harassment suit I’m a member!). So life in Hollywood goes on against the professor, which should make for in- as normal—or whatever passes for that these teresting class discussion. Maybe his professor days. With all the talk about FOX wanting to pick is just doing this to see how he handles it—like up Conan (which they will, incidentally), people a mock trial. If so, I say give him an “A.” might have missed the news that the network has also ordered a U.S. version of Torchwood. The UK hit starring our own John Barrowman is must-see TV for those of you with BBC America. We’re told that Russell Davies, who created the original, will write the script and the original production team has been signed should this project get off the ground. But you don’t care about that. You just Celebrating wanna know if John Barrowman will be in the U.S. version? He’s indicated he would do it if Cupid’s work FOX wanted him. Working against him are two failed domestic series—Central Park West (CBS Sunday, Feb 14 1995) and Titans (NBC 2000). On the positive side, he’ll be joining Desperate Housewives for ® the last few episodes of this season. If America warms up to him (despite playing a baddie— more on that later), FOX might be tempted to get into bed with Barrowman, so to speak. For And mark your calendar for our Mystical Mardi Gras now, we’re waiting to see what the brass thinks Tuesday, Feb. 16. No Cover of the “Torchwood” script and if they’ll order a Sidetrack The Video Bar • 3349 North Halsted • SidetrackChicago.com pilot. Fingers crossed. As you’ve probably heard, Ugly Betty has been cancelled. ABC hoped moving the show to Ugly Betty (with Christopher Gorham and Wednesdays would bring back viewers, but no America Ferrera, above) is suddenly out of such luck. The producers and network came to fashion. this decision early so that the show could wrap up some storylines prior to a big series finale. And, along the way, we’ll get some interesting Michael Verdugo had quite a nice life going. guest stars. Hilda’s baby daddy Bobby will be He was a police officer in Hollywood, Florida gaining some parents—Lainie Kazan and Nestor and appeared as a contestant on HGTV’s Design Serrano. Broadway vet Brian Stokes Mitchell Star. The police had no problems with him being will arrive as Wilhelmina’s ex. And Liza will play on HGTV. Alas, the added publicity meant that Justin’s drama teacher. She starts shooting this people learned of his porn past ... brief as it may week and is scheduled to end by Feb. 12—just have been. He literally did a 15-minute bondage in time for her latest knee-replacement surgery. scene in Rope Rituals (which you can watch on She’s the only person I know who has had four BillyMasters.com—it’s HOT) which shows more of these. What is she? A horse? than the department was comfortable with. As Even someone as cynical as moi can appre- a result, he was fired—allegedly because he did ciate the efforts being made on behalf of the not disclose his past on his initial application. Haitians. Some appear to be more genuine than He also was not invited to the Design Star re- others. I was particularly touched when I saw union, which really sucks. Personally, I think a photos of the always enjoyable Kellan Lutz do- porn past is de rigueur for HGTV! Anyhoo, he’s nating a basket of clothes to relief efforts. Not filed a civil suit against the Hollywood Police surprisingly, most of those clothes were shirts. Department for wrongful termination and dis- Well, how often does he wear ‘em? Not that I’m crimination. In the meantime, he’s put his in- complaining. This gesture came on the heels of terior-designing skills to good use with Verdugo a professional disappointment. Lutz was up for Design Group. And he’s got a boyfriend who is the lead in a remake of Conan the Barbarian. I a field training officer for the Pembroke Pines had a feeling he was in trouble when I heard Police. Someone’s doing something right—espe- sexy Jared Padelecki was being considered. How cially when he looks this good! surprised was I (and those hotties) when Jason Speaking of exposure, someone sent me a Momoa landed the part. For those of you who nude photo of Jesus Luz. It’s allegedly an out- don’t know, Jason is a Baywatch”and Stargate: take from the “W” magazine shoot with Madon- Atlantis alum. I smell a direct-to-DVD release. na. Is it real? Is it a fake? Who knows. But it’s I certainly never get tired of watching the on BillyMasters.com. ever-earnest Anderson Cooper reporting from When Anderson is prepping to slide down a Haiti. Is it just me or are his T-shirts getting fireman’s pole, it’s definitely time to end yet an- tighter? And I don’t think he’s getting any big- other column. Well, now we’re back to form. TV, ger. I think he’s shopping at Baby Gap! Maybe stage, reality, and porn. What more could you he’s trying to save money since his search for want? Well, a Web site that contains it all— a new home in New York is over. In September which is www.BillyMasters.com. We didn’t have he purchased a former Greenwich Village fire- time for a question this week, but I still answer house for the bargain price of $4.3 million. The all my mail. So write to me at Billy@BillyMas- sprawling building is under consideration with ters.com and I promise to get back to you be- the National Register of Historic Places and is fore Verdugo hires Armstrong as his lawyer! Until still equipped with a spiral staircase and brass next time, remember, one man’s filth is another firepole—which I’m sure will come in handy. If man’s bible. 22 Feb. 3, 2010 Games give everyone that opportunity and it is the most incredible feeling to participate in the Games. The “I believe the symbolism of the Gay Games is Chicago a global event that demonstrates to the world Rowing Union that the GLBT community is vast and broad and at the in every corner of the world and that by coming 2009 together in the spirit of competition and inclu- Outgames. sion demonstrates to the world the value that Photo by our community brings to the world. I also love Ross Forman the building of relationships across the world with people who share a common bond of not only our competitive spirit but our personal be- ing as part of the global GLBT community.”

More about Richard Sypniewski: —High school: Curie High School in Chicago. —College: Northern Illinois University, Class Dee Mosbacher. Photo by Nanette of 1991; Kellogg School of Management, MBA, Gartrell Class of 2002 —Hobbies: Scuba, biking, swimming, home SPORTS DVD REVIEW GAY GAMES: TRIATHLON improvement, cooking and traveling. ‘09 Outgames —Superstitions: “The only ‘superstition’ is that I treat people like I want to be treated Training Rules claims Richard and then, hopefully, nothing ‘bad’ will happen BY STEVE WARREN to me. But I [also] never defy a superstition, financial success Sypniewski: such as walking under a ladder, just in case they In Training Rules, a documentary about ho- By Ross Forman are true.” mophobia in women’s collegiate sports, film- Tri, tri again —Little-known fact: Was bitten by a shark maker Dee Mosbacher gives herself an added Despite a worldwide economic crisis, more than By Ross Forman while scuba diving the Lesser Antilles degree of difficulty by focusing on the case 5,500 participants from 92 countries attended —Favorite sports team: Jamaican bobsled of two women, neither of whom was available the eight-day 2009 World Outgames—and orga- Every year for the past four years, Richard Syp- team to interview. nizers delivered a money-making event. niewski has been faster in his triathlon time —Favorite pro athlete: Michael Phelps Jennifer Harris appears briefly to read a let- The board of directors of the Gay and Lesbian than in previous years. —Quote: “I grew up on the South Side of ter from her attorney explaining that she can’t International Sports Association (GLISA) an- “I feel it is an accomplishment that every year Chicago and have always been a native Chica- comment in accordance with the terms of the nounced in January that the Copenhagen 2009 I get older I get just a bit faster,” said Syp- goan. I’ve been very fortunate to travel to other settlement of her suit against the Pennsylva- Outgames declared a profit of DKK 1.2 Million niewski, 40, who is single and lives in Chicago’s countries and live in some for work. I’d strongly nia State University (PSU) and Rene Portland, ($234,000 USD). Andersonville neighborhood. He is the manag- encourage anyone to find an event in the Gay who coached the Lady Lions basketball team “From day one, we had as ambition to come ing director and chief financial officer for SAGIN, Games which they enjoy and to participate. I from 1980 until her resignation in 2007. out with a positive [financial] result,” said Uffe LLC. know during these difficult economic times the (Full disclosure: I’m a Penn State grad and Elbaek, CEO of Copenhagen World Outgames. “So “I have been competing in triathlons for six cost of registration and expense of travel can a member of the Penn State Lambda Yahoo we never promised more that we could deliver. years now and my goal has always been to beat be hard. However, where there is a will there group, but I never played women’s basketball “There is not only one reason, but many, [that my personal best time. My goal and purpose is a way and the emotion and spirit captured there.) the Copenhagen event was a financial success]. [for] participating in the [2010] Gay Games [in during the events of the games is overwhelming Harris’ claims that Portland systematically Some of [the reasons are], it was the right mix Cologne, Germany] is to be a part of the spirit of and participation through either competition or discriminated against players who were or ap- of a highly professional staff, hired not because the games and foster inclusion of all people in volunteering is an incredible feeling.” peared to be lesbian, or just didn’t look “fem- of their relationship to the LGBT community, but the spirit of coming together.” inine” enough, are substantiated by a number because what they have done before as project Sypniewski competed in the 2006 Games in of players going back to Portland’s earliest managers, and lots of committed activists. This Chicago. Gay Super Bowl days at PSU. They include Cindy Davies, Lisa combination of ‘keep your mind calm and your “The Opening and Closing ceremonies [in Faloon and twins Chris and Corinne Gulas. Chicago were] an overwhelming display of love ad rejected It’s said that Portland’s “training rules” heart open’ is maybe the most important reason, CBS has rejected an advertisement from Toron- and excitement which cannot every really be de- were “No Drinking, No Drugs, No Lesbians.” that the Outgames in Copenhagen was such a to-based gay dating site ManCrunch.com that scribed in words,” Sypniewski said. “Many of us Once she tagged a player with the L-word, the success.” would have run during the Super Bowl, accord- who compete in any of our challenges every day, rest of the team was forbidden to socialize The profits from the 2009 Outgames will be ing to CNN Money. whether it is having a faster swim time, over- with her. If Portland didn’t throw the woman allocated to charitable LGBT sports, cultural and Network spokeswoman Shannon Jacobs said, coming a physical disability or fighting for hu- off the team the social ostracism was enough human rights-related purposes, in accordance “After reviewing the ad, which is entirely com- man rights, the spirit of inclusion is never more to make her quit. This could destroy the fu- with the articles of the association, said GLISA mercial in nature, our standards and practices apparent than seeing the crowds of people com- ture of a woman who was dependent on an officials. department decided not to accept this particular ing together from all around the world to either athletic scholarship to remain in school. Elbaek said it is up to the mayor of culture in spot. We are always open to working with a cli- compete or cheer their friends on. Portland’s “no-lesbian” policy first came to Copenhagen, Pia Allerslev, and other members ent on alternative submissions.” “Whenever I watch the Olympic Games, I could light in an interview she gave the Chicago of city council, to decide specifically where the Elissa Buchter, spokeswoman for ManCrunch. not imagine what it would be like to represent Sun-Times in 1986 and got more attention money goes. com, said, “It’s straight-up discrimination.” CBS my country in a competition such as that. Now in a Philadelphia Inquirer story in 1991. The So what does this mean for all future LGBT said that it did not accept the ad for financial that I am 40, it is well beyond my reach to com- university turned a blind eye because the sporting events, including the 2010 Gay Games? reasons. A letter Buchter provided CNN Money pete in the Olympic Games. However, the Gay team had 23 winning seasons out of Port- “First of all, it tells something about how stated, in part, that the ad “is not within the important it is to have the right organization land’s first 24. Network’s broadcast standards for Super Bowl Even when sexual orientation was added mixture of highly professional core staff and a Sunday.” lot of great LGBT-activists,” Elbaek said. “But to Penn State’s nondiscrimination policy in Meanwhile, an ad from the organization Focus 1992, Portland was allowed to carry on as what is also important is, to create a very clear, on the Family—known for its anti-gay stance— independent organizational structure, which you usual. Because athletics bring in a lot of is slated to air during the Feb. 7 sports event. alumni dollars, coaches are allowed to set can see through both money-wise and decision- The ad, which features University of Florida wise. So the public and the local LGBT commu- their own rules. quarterback Tim Tebow, has generated contro- Activists discuss lesbophobia in women’s nity are able to follow what kind of decision the versy because the spot reportedly has an anti- staff and the board makes during the project sports in general, where ponytails are practi- abortion message. According to the Atlanta cally mandatory, and point out that Portland period.” Journal-Constitution, Tebow said, “There are a GLISA Co-President/Director North America must have received votes from some lesbians lot of people watching. It’s a great opportunity to have been named Coach of the Year twice Julia Applegate said she was “thrilled” to hear to share a very happy and special story about about Copenhagen’s financial success. in national voting. Richard Sypniewski. Photo courtesy of Syp- my mom fighting for me. There are a lot of great I don’t believe the film mentions that Har- “Given the global financial crisis and smaller things in that.” than expected turn out, it was even more excit- niewski ris is not lesbian-identified, but it does bring ing to see that the Copenhagen team managed that out about Courtney Wicks, who played for the event so successfully,” she said. 2010 WCAA Men’s Basketball the Lady Lions in 1996 and ’97. When Harris Applegate praised Copenhagen for its “com- decided to stand and fight she joined forces bination of professional leadership, collabora- Competitive W L Intermediate W L Recreational W L with the National Center for Lesbian Rights to tion (both financial and otherwise) with local Jackhammer 3 0 Crew 3 0 Big Chicks 4 0 bring the federal suit, which was settled out Sidetrack 3 1 T’s 2 1 T’s 3 1 of court in February 2007. Portland resigned government and community organizations, and 3160 2 1 Sidetrack 2 1 Spin 2 1 an amazing group of volunteers proved to be a Hamburger Mary’s 1 2 Sofo 2 2 Taste of Heaven 2 2 the following month. winning equation.” Roscoe’s 1 3 Gotcha Covered Blinds 2 2 The Green Team 0 3 Dee Mosbacher shoots and scores with this Solfire Realty 0 3 Apocalypse 1 2 Triad Entertainment 0 4 documentary that’s newsworthy as well as The next World Outgames will be in 2013 in Hamburger Mary’s 0 4 —Teams listed by sponsor Antwerp, Belgium. praiseworthy. Feb. 3, 2010 23

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