out words the voice of Montana’s LGBTIQ community

January 2012 Serving the LGBTIQ Community The Since 1998 Western Montana Inside This Edition of Out Words CommunityCenter 127 North Higgins, Suite 202 Missoula, MT 59802 Phone: 406-543-2224 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gaymontana.org News Briefs ...... 3-4 Editors: Suzie Reahard A.D. Seibel Contributors: A.D. Seibel, J. Steve Baugh, Sissy The Fringe on the Outskirts ...... 5 Spaceship, Scott Schoettes, Ron Blake Resolutions ...... 6-7 Cover Art: Erin Warren Advertising: Suzie Reahard & A.D. Seibel Sissy Spaceship Breaks it Down...... 8 Monthly Circulation: 3,000 copies Annual subscriptions cost $25. Mail a check to Out Words via the Center address. Ask Lambda Legal ...... 9 Submit letters to the editor at @gaymontana.org Center Board Members Community Resources ...... 10 Mija [email protected] David Herrara [email protected] Jim Prendergast [email protected] Calender of Events ...... 11 Acton Seibel [email protected] Bree Sutherland [email protected] Donald Stuker [email protected] Erin Scott [email protected] One copy of Out Words is available free of charge for each reader at current distribution locations. Copies of Out Words which have not been picked up for the purpose of reading them are the property of the Center. Any unauthorized person who takes or moves multiple copies of Out Words to prevent other people from seeing or reading them shall be considered guilty of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. Multiple copies can be sent to any distribution location. Please call or email us for information. The Western Montana Gay & Community Center is a 501(c)3 organization and cannot endorse any candidate for public office. Articles or advertising is strictly the opinion of the writers or advertisers, not that of the Board of Directors, members of the editorial staff of the Out Words, nor the Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center. Those who contribute, advertise and distribute Out Words do not necessarily identify as LGBTIQ. Out Words is distributed at the following locations: Billings: Barjon Books, Hastings, YAP, The Loft, Good Earth Market Bozeman: Bozeman Community Food Co-Op, Bridger Clinic, City Brew Coffee, Gallatin Community Clinic, Leaf and Bean, Nova Café, Plonk Helena: Bert & Ernie’s Restaurant , Birds & Beaslies , No Sweat Café , Real Food Market & Deli , Staggering Ox , Taco Del Sol , Tori’s Antiques & Exquisite Jewelry, GamePODS, Gaia’s Galleria Kalispell: City Brew Coffee, Dolce Villa, Flathead Valley Alliance, Starbucks Livingston: Coffee Crossing, Montana Cup Coffee House and Bakery, The Owl Missoula: The Badlander/Palace Billiards, Bernice’s Bakery, Betty’s Divine, Butterfly Herbs, Catalyst, Chocolat, Crystal Video, Dan Fox Foster Homes, Dauphine’s, Ear Candy Records, Fact and Fiction, FDH & Associates, Forward Montana, Front Street Pasta and Wraps, Taco Del Sol, Staggering Ox, The Good Food Store, The Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, Liquid Planet, Missoula AIDS Council, Midnight Dreams, Missoula Community Food Coop, Pita Pit, Public Library, ClubQ Also distributed to: Havre MT, Browning MT, Butte MT, Culbertson MT, Victor MT, Ancorage AK, Tacoma WA, Boise ID, Portland OR December 5, 2011. Belgium elects openly gay family status. Discrimination of potential parents leader, Elio Di Rupo, as it’s new Prime Minister. The based on race, national origin, and ethnicity is selection ends an 18-month stalemate between the still prohibited. Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli parties of the Dutch speaking north and the French threw his two cents in, telling the board that they N e w s south. Di Rupo is the son of Italian immigrants “lacked the authority” to ban religious groups from and has risen out of poverty to lead the Socialist discriminating. The new rules will take effect on Party and later become the leader of the southern May 1st, 2012. Wallonia region. by A.D.Briefs Seibel December 15, 2011. Eighty-seven years late, the December 5, 2011. The New Zealand Defense FBI finally changes it’s definition of “rape.” Although December 1, 2011. AIDS activists warn of major Force announces the formation of The Defense the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) shortfalls in global AIDS funding by donors. The Force Gay and Lesbian Information Service, a originally made the recommendation to change its Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and formal support network for LGBT personnel. The definition of the crime in October, it wasn’t confirmed Malaria announced that it was cancelling funding peer-support networking group has been approved till Wednesday when FBI Director, Robert Mueller, for new programs until 2014, as the organization by the defense force chief and will allow meetings announced the changes to the Senate Judiciary had not received adequate donations. This comes during work time, resources to publish newsletters, Committee. Previously, the UCR Program defined after recent scientific research determined that and maintain a resource page on the internal NZDF rape as “the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly aggressive treatment of HIV from an early stage intranet. The NZDF will also form other networking and against her will.” It’s estimated that thousands with anti-retroviral meds (AVR’s) could save lives. groups for other minority groups within its ranks. of sex crimes a year went (and still are) unreported Certainly, the recent global financial meltdowns The NZDF lifted its ban on openly gay personnel in in federal statistics due to the unfortunate and, quiet are to blame for shortages in funding donations. 1993 after New Zealand passed the Human Rights frankly, ridiculous definition of rape the FBI has had UNAIDS estimates that $28 to $50 billion would Act, which prevents discrimination on the grounds on the books since 1929. be needed from all sources every year from 2010 of ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. to 2015 to provide universal access to AVRs and December 15, 2011. The U.N’s High Commissioner actually begin to start to defeat AIDS. The World December 6, 2011. President Obama’s for Human Rights, Navi Pillay encourages countries Health Organization estimates that the sustained Administration announces that the U.S. will use to abolish legal discrimination against LGBT people, global funding to treat AIDS over the past 10 years has reduced AIDS-related deaths by 22%. diplomacy and the enticement of foreign aid including the death penalty for consensual sex, to promote gay rights on the global stage. The just days after the U.S. government said it would December 1, 2011. The Roman Catholic Church president issued a memorandum and was followed use foreign aid and diplomacy to promote gay in Scotland announces its position on whether by a speech by Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham civil rights. Pillay stated, “ Governments and inter- the government should allow same-sex marriages Clinton, during a Human Rights Council meeting governmental bodies have often overlooked violence with the statement, “In common with the historic in Geneva; that the administration is dedicated to and discrimination based on sexual orientation and position of the Christian Church, the Church of fighting efforts to criminalize homosexual conduct, gender identity.” Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland has always viewed marriage as being abuse LGBT people, or ignore the abuse against Sudan, and Yemen list same-sex relations as a between one man and one woman.” The response them. crime punishable by death, while at least 76 other comes after the government launched a 14-week countries still have legislation explicitly criminalizing consultation on the matter in September. Currently, December 12, 2011. Orlando, Florida’s City homosexuality. same-sex couples can enter a civil partnership, Council votes to begin a Domestic Partnership which carries full legal rights, but the ceremony Registry, which will give same-sex couples the same December 16, 2011. The Republican mayor of cannot be conducted in a church or other religious basic rights as heterosexual married couples. The Southhaven, Mississippi, Greg Davis, outs himself to premises. A recent survey found that more than registry will allow all couples to visit each other in his constituency after its revealed that he spent 67 60% of Scots believe that same-sex couples should the hospital, make health care decisions, and funeral bucks of public money at a gay sex store in have the right to marry vs. the 19% who disagreed. decisions. Couples can begin registration with the during a recruitment trip. The receipt in question city on January 12th for a $30 fee. is merely one of hundreds that total over $170,000 December 5, 2011. Rick Santorum reminds us all that the mayor is accused of misspending. The (for, like, the 18 gazillionth time) that he is “firmly” December 14, 2011. So the Virginia Board of receipts were provided to state auditors in hopes against same sex marriage when he awkwardly Social Services votes 5-1, to scrap their anti- of decreasing the amount they have demanded that explains to a group at a Christian college in Iowa discrimination policies and allow private state Davis repay the city for improper charges to both that if same sex marriage was legalized then licensed adoption and foster care agencies to his city-issued and personal credit cards. Davis has “their sexual activity” would be seen as “equal” to discriminate against prospective adoptive and repaid $96,000 so far and claims that he cannot heterosexual relationships and it would be taught foster parents based on their sexual orientation, recall exactly what he purchased at , “Canada’s in schools. age, gender, disability, religion, political belief, and premiere gay lifestyle store and sex shop.”

Out Words 3 December 17, 2011. Lawyers for Pfc. Bradley “gay rights” movement has never been a movement December 27, 2011. People magazine alerts the Manning, the former Army intelligence specialist that systematically, brutally, and sometimes with public that one of the covers of their magazine, accused of disclosing government secrets to local government and law enforcement support, featuring Twilight star Taylor Lautner coming WikiLeaks argue that his status as a gay soldier, to economically undermine, abuse, murder, and out as a gay man, is in fact a huge internet hoax prior to the repeal of DADT, played a crucial role generally oppress a specific group of people, perpetrated by unknown pranksters. Social media in his actions. Manning’s defense team began laying historically, people of color. In fact, the Ku Klux pranks are seemingly on the rise for the New Year, out his struggles in an anti-gay environment and Klan is considered, at the very least, a terrorist so much so, that hilarity arose the week prior when how they contributed to mental and emotional organization. an anonymous tweet announced the death of “rock problems that should have barred him from having star,” Jon Bon Jovi. The prank was so successful access to sensitive material. Saturday’s hearing December 22, 2011. Secret gay elves, Adam Lambert that Bon Jovi actually had to post photos of himself was conducted in order to determine whether and his Finnish boyfriend, Sauli Koskinen, spend a few on his Facebook page to prove that he is still alive. prosecutors have enough evidence to bring Manning hours “getting real” after an argument between the PS. Lady Gaga was also NOT found dead in a hotel to trial, where he potentially faces life in prison if two turned into a physical fight at a Swedish room this December. convicted. called, Don’t Tell Momma. The two were thrown out of the bar, but later arrested after continuing the December 21, 2011. YouTube announces it’s top tiff out on the street at four in the morning. Four five political videos of 2011. Number one being, possible assault charges are pending, maybe. Lambert W O R D E N T H A N E P. C. of course, Zach Wahls, University of Iowa student and Koskinen were released that afternoon so that A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W and son of two lesbian moms, passionately asking they could blog and tweet vague explanations Shane A. Vannatta the state legislature to reject a ban on same sex what went down and later enjoy the holidays with a Shane A. Vannatta little less drama drenched in vodka. marriage. If you haven’t seen it, you either don’t Suite 600Jane The Floren E.ce Cowley • 111 N Higgins Ave have the Internet and need to get the Internet right P.O. Box 4747 • Missoula, MT 59806 now or live in the nineteenth century in which case December 22, 2011. Wow, in a stunning “I’m just Suite 600 The (Florence406) 721-340 • 1110 N Higgins Ave begging for a massive lawsuit” move, Republican P.O. Box 4747 • Missoula, MT 59806 you need to get a time machine so that you may see (406) 721-3400 • [email protected] that particular piece of awesomeness. President Governor Rick Snyder signs House Bill 4770 Obama skewing Donald Trump at the White House eliminating health care coverage for domestic Correspondents’ dinner came in at number two. partners of public employees, and prohibiting any Texas Gov. Rick Perry came in at three with his government entity in the state from providing such embarrassing “Strong” video criticizing the repeal coverage. The bill affects the University of Michigan, of DADT and Obama’s “war on religion.” Obama’s Michigan State University, Wayne State University and announcement that Osama bin Laden had been eleven other public schools. It also affects Michigan’s How about a quickie? killed and a Florida activist’s warning about our 33,000 state employees under contract for 2011. nation’ s debt round out four and five. Oh PS, that Oh yeah, and at least eight cities, counties, and Zach Wahls video has more than 18 million views school districts including Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo RAPID HIV TESTING We offer a safe, confidential and anonymous environment for free HIV testing with testing and counseling other on it. and all just in time for Christmas! Strangely enough, gay and bisexual men. Accurate results in 20 minutes.9am-5pm M-F (weekend and evenings by appointment). Call 829.8075 or e-mail [email protected], or just stop by127 N. Higgins, Suite 205. the governor vetoed HB 4771, which would have A service of the Montana Gay Men’s Task Force, FDH & Associates, and the MT Dept. of Public Health and Human Services. December 21, 2011. Chicago’s Cardinal Francis prevented unions from including similar coverage in George compares the gay rights movement to the collective bargaining agreements. Ku Klux Klan during an interview for FOX Chicago. The flack came up when George was asked his December 23, 2011. Pastor Steve Meriwether of opinion on a local pastor who complained that the the Most Holy Redeemer Church rescinded his annual parade would force the church to invites he had given to three openly gay ministers at cancel its morning mass. George said he supported the direction of San Francisco Archbishop George the pastor, but stated, “You don’t want the gay Niederauer. Spokesman for the archdiocese, George liberation movement to morph into something Wesolek, stated that the archbishop felt the speakers like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets were “inappropriate for the season of Advent, which against Catholicism.” George admitted that the should be a time to reflect on the coming of Christ.” analogy was harsh, but reiterated his feelings on The archdiocese has ordered the parish to reign in the matter. Organizers of Chicago’s gay pride its participation in the LGBT community a couple parade have agreed to a later start so as not to of times; in 2009, Niederauer ordered the parish block access to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church’s to cancel a gay play that explored sexuality within Sunday Masses. We hope that Santa gives Cardinal a Christian context and also to end its official George a history lesson and a points out that the participation in San Fran’s Gay Pride parade. Out Words 4 trees had been growing for forty years and “sat in into it as we walk by, but no longer stop or even the ground for years before they finally started to pause. After a few years we don’t tend to notice it The Fringe on grow.” But I’ve learned to love the sagebrush and unless someone mentions it and we acknowledge our the Outskirts open views. love for the painting, but we’re taking it for granted. I realized only years after we bought this place And when we take it down during Christmas to hang that one of the problems Ben and I had while looking our Christmas quilt, which we also love, we miss the for the “perfect” place was that I had dreamed of painting. When it’s comfortably back in place, we living in a cabin in the woods from the time I was smile at it and go back to not really paying attention a Place a small boy, but Ben had grown up on a farm with to it again. expansive views, and that was his perception of My point here is that the landscape for those perfection. Neither of us had voiced our views, who grew up here, like white noise, household to Call though one or the other of us simply nixed place furnishings, and love ones, is stable. Taking notice after place in our search. of it feels redundant unless something noticeable After the drought hit and forests all over changes. It’s always there, after all, and we can look western Montana were burning, I was grateful we at it anytime. had found our home in the sagebrush hills. But I And that’s why I’m glad I didn’t grow up in the HBy J. Steven Baughome had been grateful, even before that, every day when shadows of these mountains. I like noticing them the sun rose and set and when the rains pass over every single day the clouds aren’t shrouding them. Early in June of ’93, after spending the entire month and the emerging sun casts its spell, producing They remind me, every single day that mental clouds of May searching for a place to lay our roots and full, double rainbows. The dancing displays in rural aren’t shrouding my mind, what I have here: a place to finding nothing, I was ready to explore neighboring western Montana of light and clouds and mountains call home; a beautiful landscape; a great relationship. states. Ben found an ad in the Mini Nickel for a is astonishing. place that sounded suspiciously like so many others As much as I wish describing the “perfect place in paradise.” We had I had grown up on a read so many others like it that I blew it off, but Ben farm or ranch, I am insisted we check it out, so I told him he would have also often grateful I to make the call. didn’t grow up right I was napping in the passenger seat when we here, because when drove to the place and barely cracked my eyes open we talk to those who when he said, “We’re here.” There was something did grow up here near musical joy in his voice, but I ignored it, about the dancing squinched my eyes shut and blinked to water my light on the mountains Fair Trade...Local Action corneas awake. every morning and ...Peace of Mind… Then I popped my eyes wide and looked around evening, they look in disbelief. The creek and mountain views were at the mountains Missoula’s Birthplace of Peace! spectacular. nodding their heads, “No way!” Then I calmed down and grinned at then look back at us and say, “Yeah, I guess. I JRPC is 25 years him. “This isn’t really it, is it?” don’t really notice the “Well,” he said, “it’s not this lot right here, but STRONG! we’re real close.” mountains any more. I We didn’t take long to find the lot the owner did when I was a kid, We thank you for all your had described. Not only was it beautiful, it was though.” everything we needed, so we bought it. There were I can understand support over the years, that to some degree. willows along the creek, but no trees. I wasn’t and look to the future! worried, though, because the nearby homestead had When we put a newly purchased (or, a beautiful yard filled with cottonwoods, caragana LOCATED ON THE HIP STRIP bushes, lilacs and Douglas firs all shading a lush lawn. rather, newly traded I was confident we could grow trees, which was on for pottery) painting 519 S. HIGGINS AVE the top of my wish list. on the wall, we’re 406-543-3955 That confidence has bitten me mercilessly in the so enamored we stare into it for long Visit us at JRPC.ORG shorts over the years in the form of poor soil, harsh moments every day. and become a fan on winters, rabbits, deer, porcupines and beavers. It will After several months take the rest of our lives to grow what I thought we still smile and gaze we could achieve in a decade. Those neighboring

Out Words 5 by Ron Blake Your name in lights on the marquee is already flickering; make it shine brightly! Movies entertain us like no other art form. The silver It is certainly fine to readjust your means to attaining screen continues to captivate us today just like it did your resolution. You may just find that “you’re going to s back in the early 20th century. These stories on film need a bigger boat.” Find that vessel that will help also have given us many memorable quotes and I plan you navigate that sea of unexpected sharks waiting to on using some of those quotes to inspire you to move gobble up your dreams. Always keep floating and keep forward with your New Year’s resolutions. your head above water. Any resolution you make is bound to be difficult; Look to others who have had success with n otherwise you’d already have what you’re trying to get. resolutions similar to yours. “I’ll have what she’s Make it challenging and understand it will be worth having.” If it worked for her, it just could work for completing whatever you decide. “Fasten your seat you. Jot down the secrets of her success and make ‘em belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night” It might even be your own. many bumpy nights depending Find some good on the goal time frame you set friends to cheer you to complete it. on to reaching your “You don’t understand! I resolution. “A boy’s best io Get off coulda had class. I coulda been friend is his mother.” a contender. I coulda been If the maternal thing somebody, instead of a bum, doesn’t work for you t your arse which is what I am.” Don’t start then go lassoe some feeling sorry for yourself and supporters for your throw a pity party. Get off your and make cause. You’re gonna have arse and make those resolutions some tough moments on come true this year. You have no your resolution journey one to blame if you don’t give and your booster club ‘er the old college try. those will be very helpful. The harder you work, the “Round up the usual luckier you’ll get at realizing suspects.” They can be the resolutions you create. resolutions found lurking at every “You’ve got to ask yourself one street corner and they go question: Do I feel lucky? Well, by names like apathetic, do ya punk?” Your luck is what come true indifferent, unambitious, you make it to be. lackadaisical, and Stay focused on what is important to you. “Mrs. complacent. They want to steal your resolutions and Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you?” leave you defeated. Be wary and stand your ground There will be distractions along your journey to work against these purveyors of perhaps. toward your resolutions. Don’t be led astray be those Get your list of resolutions ready and make it a treacherous temptations. Keep looking ahead to the great 2012! This is your year to exclaim,” I’m king of goal. the world!”

esolu If you dream it, you can achieve it. Go on and make This health and fitness article is brought to you by this the year of your ultimate resolution. Just be willing that guy who has all the wide-eyed optimism of the to work really hard to make it happen. “Carpe diem. Baby New Year. That guy of hope is Ron Blake and he Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary!” can be sent a toast to [email protected].

Out Words R 6 R by A.D. Seibel smash the door in while she screams hysterically. Yeah, that’s how much 2011 scared me. So I spent the morning of New Years Eve thinking about All right, all right there were also amazing and great

what made 2011 so crappy and yet, kinda wonderful. things in 2011, like Gabriel Gifford surviving the Arizona esolu Along with that, also came with thoughts about how shooting, the toppling of regimes in Egypt and Tunisia, to maintain the freshness of 2012 and how I would use and later Libya. Personally, some aspects of the Occupy that freshness to my physical, mental, and emotional Movement were pretty awesome as well. Videos, such advantage. First, lets get the crap outta’ the way. Lets as the Zach Wahls video, that went viral virtually over face it, 2011 had some pretty awful shit going on. Japan’s night, and reinforced my belief that for every one person earthquake and subsequent tsunamis and threat of a who says LGBT people suck, there are ten who know nuclear meltdown, the Casey Anthony trial, the Arizona we are awesome people and deserve equal rights. And shooting, the Norway Massacre, the deaths of Osama bin of course, I can’t forget the repeal of DADT and the Laden and Amy Winehouse, U.S. finally pulling out of and don’t even get me started Iraq. To say the least, there on the continuing crap shows was tons more about 2011 of Lindsey Lohan, the GOP that that actually gave me hope in presidential hopefuls, and our society. I even watched Pajama Jeans. The more I the Lady Gaga Thanksgiving read the news, the more I felt doesn’t Special, and thought, “hey, this like I couldn’t wait to stick a isn’t half bad.” fork in 2011 and call it done. The reason I bring all Scratch that, the more I felt mean you this stuff up is because, for like burying my dignity in me, in order to keep 2012 the woods, buying a pair of rolling with a positive spin, Pajama Jeans, and only read buy a pair is to acknowledge, that yeah, t Reader’s Digest for the rest bad shit went down, but that of my life. doesn’t mean you buy a pair At least that was safe, I of Pajama of Pajama Jeans and give up. io mean, at least I wouldn’t have So the morning, of New Years to read, or watch, or listen to Eve I took a little time to all the whack jobs who say I Jeans and remind myself of the things I should loose my civil rights, would like to continue doing or worse, my life because and start doing in 2012. said whack job thinks that give up Things like, continue my LGBT people are a sign of the swimming lessons, brush up n coming Apocalypse. At least I on my two-step, always write, wouldn’t have to engage with all the unrest happening and create something new, spend more time with my in the US and scores of other countries who are far father, and finally go to that trans conference. I also less forgiving when it comes to protestors. Lets face it, promised myself to never to read the comments on 2011 scared the crap out of me like that one part in any news story ever again (we’ll see how long that one Halloween when Laurie Strode is trying to hide from lasts!) and to always find the opportunity to volunteer s Michael Myers and she crouches down in this closet for something I feel passionate about, like Out Words AND TIES THE DOORS CLOSED?! And then Michael and the Community Center. And most of all, never stop Myers is like, “what? Are you kidding me?” And begins to giving a crap.

Out Words 7 television was during the year ABC hired tennis star Serena Williams to be one of the pre-show red carpet correspondents. The bodacious but unprepared Ms. Williams was doing awkward interviews with the nominees, how i won and Philip Seymour Hoffman was up for Best Actor in “ Capote.” As Hoffman approached her, she mistakenly introduced him to an audience of millions as Philip Semen Hoffmore. Touchdown! my o s c a r The Golden Globes are notable because they are voted on by a small by Sissy Spaceship group of shadowy figures with shadowy agendas, and by agendas I mean My name is Sissy Spaceship, and I am a television addict. Like most payola. This results in all sorts of what-the-fuck nominees and winners. chronic relapsers, I have made several attempts to quit television altogether, My favorite Golden Globes memory is the year that Madonna won Best cold turkey, have brought my cable box and remote control back to the Actress for “ Evita.” Frances McDormand was nominated that year for cable provider, high on self-righteousness and my transition drug, NPR. I “Fargo,” and losing Best Actress to Madonna should immediately send any quit television in 2005, when Adriana was (spoiler alert!) murdered on actress into an incontinent shame spiral. The Grammy awards are always ”The Sopranos.” I quit television in 2009, when Alison Iraheta did not entertaining, especially the interminable performances that make you realize win American Idol. I quit television again, when the Tea Party grudge- things like Taylor Swift sings poorly and resembles the alien hybrid from the fucked the 2010 mid-term elections. All of these things were injustices film “Splice.” The Grammy awards are notoriously behind the times, and to me, egregious acts in American history, and I protested by canceling my are seemingly voted on by septuagenarians, otherwise Radiohead would cable. I would march into my cable provider’s office, and the conversation win every category, including Best Traditional Polka Performance. invariably went something like this: The Video Music Awards are on MTV, which means that the musical ”Was there something wrong with your cable?” are usually awesome, and that somebody will swear or show a ”No! There is SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WORLD!” nipple. Sometimes, the performances are truly incandescent: Madonna Of course, my abstinence would last a few months, or until the next performing ”Vogue” in 1991, dressed like Queen Victoria, being awards show was televised. I love awards shows, but I hate watching them worshipped and served by her back-up gays, who were twirling around at other people’ s homes. These occasions have been awful and awkward. her in breeches and poet blouses, only proving the fact that homosexuals I watched the 2007 Video Music Awards in the living room of a house that really are just Madonna’ s indentured servants. The Emmys have the best was featured earlier this year on an episode of The National Geographic hosts, and the best acceptance speech in recent history, when Chris Colfer Channel’ s “ Frontier Cops. The episode was called ”Meth Van Takedown.” won Best Supporting Actor for “ Glee,” and said the following: “Most I watched the 1998 Academy Awards at a transsexual’s apartment in Hell’ importantly, to all the amazing kids that watch our show and the kids that s Kitchen, until her cats and my allergies derailed the whole thing and I left our show celebrates, who are constantly told “no” by the people in their in tears and hives and covered in snot, missing Gwyneth Paltrow’ s sweet environments, by bullies at school that they can’ t be who they are or what victory, and her sartorial defeat by wearing an offensive pink dress. In 1991, they want because of who they are. Well, screw that.” Somewhere, a my parents blocked MTV from our television after I was caught shoplifting seven year old with a wicked Katherine Hepburn impression was watching. cassettes and my new love of awards shows became a portent of things to It’s been thirty years of awards shows for me. That’s a lot of dedication come: homosexuality, sequins, and dieting on the off-chance I would have to my particular sports teams. My decades long tailgate party abruptly to wear formal wear on television. I was fully hooked on awards shows, ended in 2008, when the Academy Awards were lost in space for people because they were way better than my older sister’ s basketball games, but in my viewing area, and my local ABC affiliate showed nothing but black I still got the sports adrenaline rush by shouting things at the television like screen. I screamed and called the ABC station thirty four times in twenty “Fuck Jodie Foster! NO! Melanie Griffith! Melanie Griffith! MELANIE minutes. If someone had actually answered the phone, I would have GRIFFITH!” My mother was troubled by this. threatened witchcraft. After an hour of the black screen, I took my new For this particular gay, there has always been a hierarchy of awards dog for a walk, because my therapist has always encouraged me to defuse shows. Some are more prestigious and have more expensive dresses than my murderous rampages with exercise. It was February, and snowing, and others. The Academy Awards are at the top of the list, followed by The all was dark and quiet and peaceful. My new dog was a rescue from Animal Golden Globes, the Grammys, the Video Music Awards, and the Emmys. I Control, and he had been badly abused and neglected. Picking him out do not watch the Tony Awards, and that is my secret shame. I do not and taking him home was truly an honor. He was four years old when watch the AMAs, the CMAs, the ACMs, the BAFTAs, the Independent Spirit I adopted him, and came with the best name ever: Oscar. Just like the Awards, the BET awards, or the Latin Grammys. I have shit to do, people. real thing, my Oscar is golden brown, and stands just as tall as the award, The Academy Awards is essentially the Superbowl for sissies, real life especially when he is begging for popcorn. That walk taught me much. The drama on a grand scale: dresses made out of gold American Express cards, snow fell, my glasses steamed, and the two of us returned home to the bizarre interpretive dance pieces, couture tornados like Helena Bonham black screen. I was okay with it. I let it all go that day, and now I don’ t foam Carter and Cate Blanchett. The Academy Awards are a high wire act, a at the mouth when I hear that somebody somewhere is an being presented circus of Botoxed creatures and egotistical monsters, loose cannons like an award for Best Sound Editing. I have moved on. I have grown. Sean Penn and clowns like Jack Nicholson, and even a horse act, Hilary Now, when I watch awards shows, I fast forward through the commercials. SISSY S P ACESHI B REAKS I T DOW N Swank. Anything can happen. The best thing I’ ve ever seen on live

Out Words 8 harmful device.” Lambda Legal assisted in convincing the court to dismiss this Scott Schoettes is the HIV Project Director for Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest charge, but other prosecutions continue national legal organization committed to to result in convictions. For instance, achieving full recognition of the civil rights a man with HIV in Iowa, who had an of , gay men, bisexuals, transgender undetectable viral load, was sentenced people and people with HIV. to 25 years after a one-time sexual hCriminaliza i vtion Shortly after being diagnosed as HIV- By Scott Schoettes, HIV Project Director encounter during which he used a positive in 1999, Schoettes left a decade- for Lambda Legal condom. You can learn what laws are in long career in the theater and began his place in your state on our publications legal studies at Georgetown University Law Dear Ask Lambda Legal, page at http://www.lambdalegal.org/ Center in Washington, D.C. While in law publications/fs_hiv-criminalization . school, Schoettes was an associate editor I’m HIV positive and recently heard about HIV criminalization is particularly of the Georgetown Law Journal, served as someone getting incarcerated after a sexual concerning for groups that are co-chair of Outlaw (the LGBT student encounter, all because of his HIV status. Can disproportionately affected by HIV. In group at Georgetown Law), completed a this really happen? 2008, one in five of men who have sex fellowship with the Human Rights Campaign with men in 21 major US cities were and volunteered as a counselor in the wills infected with HIV, and nearly half were clinic at Whitman-Walker. After graduating Thirty years after the discovery of HIV, unaware of their infection. In 2009, magna cum laude in 2002, he clerked for the the medical field has learned a great African Americans comprised 14% of the Honorable J. Frederick Motz in the United about the virus, its transmission, and US population but accounted for 44% of States District Court for the District of effective treatments. Unfortunately, all new HIV infections. In the same year, Maryland. the legal landscape has not changed as Latinos accounted for 20% of new HIV Prior to joining Lambda Legal in October quickly, and people living with HIV are infections in the United States while 2007, Schoettes spent four years litigating a vulnerable to outdated statutes that representing about 16% of the total wide variety of matters from the Chicago specifically target them. Ending HIV office of Latham & Watkins — primarily US population. In 2008, in California, criminalization in the United States is a working on class actions, employment 6.8% of transgender people were HIV priority for Lambda Legal – these laws discrimination and political asylum cases. His positive, and African Americans within unfairly subject people with absolutely pro bono work during that time continued to the transgender population of California no intent to harm anyone to criminal address matters involving the intersection of had an infection rate of nearly 29%. sanctions usually reserved for truly sexual orientation and the law. In his position Lambda Legal has aligned itself with the egregious offenses. In addition, criminal at Lambda Legal, Schoettes focuses on cases Positive Justice Project (PJP), a working laws based on a person’s HIV status and issues involving and affecting individuals consortium devoted to ending the send an inaccurate message regarding with HIV. abusive application of criminal statutes prevention responsibility, create a against people living with HIV. Along with disincentive to getting tested, and may PJP, Lambda Legal is working toward actually discourage disclosure of HIV passing the REPEAL HIV Discrimination status. Act, federal legislation that would Thirty-nine states have HIV-specific require a review of all federal and state criminal statutes or have brought HIV- laws, policies, and regulations regarding related criminal charges resulting in more the criminal prosecution of individuals than 80 prosecutions in the United States for HIV-related offenses. in the past two years alone. In People v. Allen, a Michigan man living with HIV was If you have any questions or feel you charged under the state’s anti-terrorism have been discriminated against because statute with possession of a “biological of your HIV status, please call our help weapon” after an altercation with a desk at 1-866-542-8336, or see http:// neighbor—prosecutors equated his HIV lambdalegal.org/help infection with “possession or use of a b da L egal A sk L am Out Words 9 Community Resources University Congregational Church U of M Lambda Alliance Youth Forward Transgender Group Support Outfield Alliance Officer Nicole Pifari Missoula PFLAG Missoula CityHealthDepartment Missoula AIDS CouncilHousing Assistance Missoula Living Forward Group: Men Who Are Living With Keep ItSimple Al-Anon Family Group Imperial Sovereign Court of the State of Gay Men’s Task Force Gay Men’s Chorus KISMIF M  Program HIV Montana   [email protected] 243-2367 andaskfor NickorLeslie. Centerat(406)- Contact theClinicalPsychology (406) 552-6300 (main) 435 RymanStreet •Missoula, MT59802 LGBTI LiaisonOfficerMissoula Police Department [email protected] or406-240-2881. 406-258-4745 Call Annette orJordan at543-4770. available for HIV+individualslivingin Western MT. andlong-termhousingassistanceis Short-term Laue at406-327-9445 Meet Wednesday evenings 7-9p.m. Call Andrew 4744 entrance, classroom 3. ContactRandy at406-542- 6:30 p.m. at1st MethodistChurch, 300E. Main, alley LGBT andfriendsmeetingevery Thursday 5:30-  Contact Randyat406-542-4744 Monday 7-p.m. atUCC405University Avenue. lesbian transgenderqueerintersexandfriendsevery Keep ItSimpleMake ItFun AA meetingfor gay 2762 Email [email protected] orcall406-243- attheUniversityand theirsupporters ofMontana. A CoalitionofLGBTIfaculty, graduatestudents, staff 406-829-8075 406-370-9876 127 N. Higgins Ave., at Suite202-ContactGary Meeting every Monday 7-9p.m. at The Center, 406-243-5922 406-543-4770 http://www.iscsm.org Call RosalindadelaLunaat406-499-0078orvisit: http://www.uccmsla.org •406-543-6952 405 University Avenue, Missoula issoula Aids Council

Hamilton PFLAG Glacier UnitarianUniversalists Fellowship Gallatin Valley Human Rights Task Force Flathead Valley PFLAG Flathead Valley Gay Alliance Butte Services AIDS Support Butte Men’s Group Support Bozeman GLBTIQResource Center M S.H.O.U.T AIDS (StudentsHelpingOthers Seeker’s HarborFaith Community QSA -MSU PFLAG Great Falls/Golden Triangle Open HandsFoundation -Great Falls ofPublic Health& Montana Department Metropolitan Community Church Lewis & Clark AIDS Project HIV Positive Group Support -Helena HIV Positive Group Support -Butte Understand Teen Aids) Billings Human Services Monthly Chapter Meetings. 4 Every www.glacieruu.org •406-755-9255 www.EmbraceDiversity.org Blair@(406)890-0173 Call Robert www.flatheadvalleygayalliance.org •406-794-FVGA 490-6125. www.buttebassonline.org office.Center BASS CallRick406-491-1378or406- Meets 2nd Wednesday ofeachmonthatBlaine 6125 Last Monday of the month 406-491-1378 or 406-490- [email protected] www.BozemanRC.org, 406-600-3608, www.seekersharbor.org •406-661-1584 www.montana.edu/qsa •406-994-4636 Church locatedat122017thSt. So. (406)868-1064. Meets onthe3rd Tue. ofeachmonthattheMCC www.openhandsfoundation.org •406-868-8382 www.dphhs.state.mt.us/hpsd E-mail: [email protected] Sunday Worship: 10:30a.m. Rev. GinaL. Hartung, Pastor 406-771-1070 •www. mccmontana.org 1220 17thStreet South•Great Falls 530 S. Harris •Helena406-447-6030 Meets monthly-Call Greg at596-2013for more info for timeandlocation. For information call406-491-1378or406-490-6125 information. 7 P.M. Contact Terry at406-363-7656for more questions contact Dustin(406)-591-0169 in BILLINGSat the yap office at 4pmages15-24. Any ontana

meets every Thursday th Thursday @

N Human RightsCampaign Gay Men’s HealthCrisis AEGIS: AIDS EducationGlobal Advocates for Youth P Yellowstone Aids Project Yellowstone City-CountyHealth Victorian – HIV Testing Yellowstone AIDS Project Housing Wyoming Rural AIDS Prevention Project Pride Foundation Pacific NorthwestGay Rodeo Association Out Spokane issue! next the for month each of 20th the by us Email o o hv LBI eore yu at listed? want you resources LGBTI have you Do Information Systems Department Assistance Program www.wrapp.net www.pridefoundation.org www.pacificnwgra.org www.outspokane.com www.hrc.org www.gmhc.org www.endAIDSnow.org 406-245-2029 406-247-3376 Becky Taylor •[email protected] 406- 245-4293 Womyn’s Night for persons who identify as women, two- www.advocatesforyouth.org acific ational Gay Men Together, A safe and affirming place for gay & spirit, or gender non-conforming & are interested in Community The Montana Western spending time with other womyn. N Friday (except 1st Fridays) Weekly Events Center bisexual men to meet. R orthwest Thursday Thursday 6:30 p.m. esources 7 p.m. - Since Community LGBTIQ Serving the & 1998 Recurring Events Around january: february: Montana Tuesday, January 10: Calling all high school Saturday, February 4: Join QSA for a 21+ dance seniors and college/grad students. Come at the local Zebra Cocktail Lounge in Bozeman Center Board Meeting, 3rd Wednesday, 6 p.m. at the Center [Missoula] workshop your Pride Foundation scholarship starting at 9:00pm. Admission $5 Christian LGBTI Support Group meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month application with volunteer writing tutors. Help will 7p.m. at the Center [Missoula] be available from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Western Saturday, February 4: The Blue Mountain Clinic rd LGBTI Community Potluck, 3 Saturday every month, 7 p.m. at the University Montana Community Center. Questions or want presents the 5th annual Off The Rack Fashion Congregational Church - Fireside Room (405 University Avenue) [Missoula] PFLAG Missoula / Five Valleys meeting, 3rd Saturday every month prior to to volunteer? Call Caitlin at 546.7017. Show. In 2008 Blue Mountain Clinic launched Off potluck at the University Congregational Church, call 406-721-5013 or 406-541-0163 the Rack, a fashion show that stretches beyond for more information. [Missoula] Wednesday, January 18: Winter Volunteer the barriers of gender and stigma with outfits that rd HIV+ Monthly Dinner, 3 Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m. at the University Orientation at The Western Montana Community represent a theme of healthy sexuality. How do Congregational Church, call Mike or Annette at 543-4770 [Missoula] Gay & Lesbian AA Meeting, every Monday 7 to 8:30 p.m., call Randy at 406- Center at 6:00pm. Those interested in volunteering these fashion items create dialogue about healthy 726-3525 [Missoula] with the WMCC will meet and tour the center. sexuality? Many of the art-wear items are made Keep It Simple / Al-Anon Family Group LGBT and friends meeting Volunteers will have an opportunity to sign up for out of condoms and other alternative textile every Thursday 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at 1st Methodist Church, 300 E. Main, alley entrance, special event volunteerism like the 2012 Black & materials. By combining humor, art, and latex Off classroom 3. Contact Randy at 406-726-3525 [Missoula] University of Montana LAMBDA Alliance General Meetings, every White Ball or sign up to person the Center. Bring the Rack creates community conversation and a Tuesday, 7 p.m. at the UC (Room 330), call 406-243-5922 for more information. your calendars! Volunteer applications are available fashion show like no other. Local artists generously [Missoula] at www.gaymontan.org For more info email mija@ donate their creativity to making the bras, dresses, Living Forward Group: Men Who Are Living With HIV, every gaymontana.org or call (406)543-2224. suits, ties and other ensembles that make Off the Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., call Andrew Laue, LCSW for more information at 406- 327-9445. [Missoula] Rack possible. Each February models wearing Hot Springs, Montana, a Gay & Bisexual Men’s Support Group Friday, January 27: The Women’s Resource these creations take to the runway in the Wilma meets on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.. Call 741-2810 for directions and information. Center at the University of Montana presents Theatre for the hottest fashion show in town. [Missoula] Youth Forward meets the every Tuesday at the NCBI Office from 5:30-7:30pm The PANTY ROCK DRAG SHOW it’s absurdly Off the Rack is Blue Mountain Clinic’s signature Capitol City Gay Men meet every Thursday at 7pm. Location: 80 East popular drag show and fundraiser for the Vagina fundraiser and benefits our programs. This years Lawrence Street, Room 105, Helena MT 59601. For more information visit www. Monologue at The Palace Lounge. They are looking event will be held at 8:30pm at the Wilma. $20 for capitalcitygaymen.org [Helena] for performers and everyone is welcome. If you general seating. A pre-show reception will be held Women’s Coffee and Chat meets on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Location: Fireside Coffee House 1446 Euclid Ave, [Helena] want to perform email [email protected] for a at the Loft starting at 6:30pm. Tickets are $50 and Women’s Potluck, 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm. Location changes. performer application. include pre-show food and beverages and a ticket Contact Sandy at 406-442-0200. [Helena] to the show. GLBT Open AA Meeting Every Thursday 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 27- Saturday, January 28: 1417 13 St. West. Call Duane Nez at 406-861-8478 [Billings] 2012 Women’s Policy Leadership Institute (WPLI) Saturday February 11: The Women’s Resource Cancer Patient Support Group Every Other Friday: 12 p.m. 2835 Fort Missoula Rd., Ste. 301, Call Joni or Susie at 406-721-1118 E-mail joni@drjudyschmidt. will be held in Helena. Workshops will be held Center at the University of Montana presents com [Missoula] at the Montana Capitol & The Great Northern it’s annual staging of the Vagina Monologues at Billings AIDSpirit Meeting 2nd Tuesday of the month at Holy Rosary Church, Hotel. New this year – optional skill-building the University Theater on the UofM Campus. All 521 Custer at 7:00 p.m. [Billings] workshops on Friday and the opportunity to take proceeds will go to benefit the Blue Mountain Billings PFLAG Meeting 2nd Wednesday of the month held at the UCC Church in Conference office located at 2016 Alderson at 7:00 p.m [Billings] part in the annual Roe v. Wade rally at the Capitol. Clinic. Tickets go on sale the week of January 25th, Client Advisory Board Meeting 4th Monday of the Month at YAP at 6:00 NETWORK with elected leaders, activists and email [email protected] for more detailed info. PM [Billings] other great women working on policy issues that POZ Night Monthly opportunity for socializing and fun! For more information Missoula’s three up contact the Client Action Body at [email protected] or staff at (406) 245-2029. [Billings] affect women and families. LEARN APPLICABLE Tuesday, February 14: Community Night at Julian’s Bar happens the last Saturday of the month. [Butte] SKILLS from your choice of engaging workshops and coming production groups join forces to QSA General Forum Meetings Every Monday In the Strand Union Building on topics like organizing 101, public speaking, explore what can happen when love goes wrong. room 276 at 7 p.m. [Bozeman] effective media outreach, social media and The Cigarette Girls, Bellatrix, and Bass Face JavaQ Coffee Social - 7 p.m., every first, third, and fifth Thursday at International productions invite you to the Symbiotic Circus Coffee Traders, 720 S 10th Ave. [Bozeman] civil disobedience. HEAR FROM ADVOCATES The Bozeman Resource Center bi-weekly meetings. At International Coffee dedicated to economic justice, civic engagement, at the Wilma Theater in Missoula. An evening Traders, 720 S 10th Ave, the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. Contact John at equality for Native women, immigration justice, that explores passion through burlesque. Jealousy 600-3608 or at [email protected] [Bozeman] women’s reproductive health, and more! JOIN through Flamenco dance. Broken hearts through Bozeman PFLAG Meeting 2nd Thursday of the month. Check out: TOGETHER WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF circus arts. Doors open 7:30, Show at 8:00, after bozemanpflag.com for more information. [Bozeman] Bozeman HIV/AIDS Support Group meets the 1st Monday of each month. WOMEN, From those who have never done Bassface DJ’s until Midnight. Suggested age 18+ Call Greg at 406-596-2013 for time and location. [Bozeman] something like this before to established leaders. due to partial nudity and mature theme. Poz Affected Pot Luck occurs on the 3rd Sunday of each month in Questions about WPLI? Contact Olivia at 543- Advance tickets at Ear Candy Music $18.00 single, BOZEMAN. Contact AIDS Outreach at 406-551-1016 for details.[Bozeman] 3550 x213, [email protected]. $32.00 for couples. Door night of $20.00 single, Flathead Valley Gay Alliance monthly meeting, 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Flathead Count Library basement. [Kalispell] $35.00 for couples. Flathead Valley PFLAG 4th Tuesday of every month at the Flathead Valley United Champagne and cupcake specials. Christ of Christ. Call Roger Blair (406) 890-0173 [Kalispell] Pride Committee meeting every Sunday – Call Dee or DJ at 756-0050 for time and location – volunteers needed [Kalispell]