Democrats Are Knocking at the Door

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The 411 on Reno 911! The Man Behind Jim Dangle, TV’s Sexy Gay Cop in Hot Pants

October 13, 2003 Volume 4, Number 41 See story on page Q2 Democrats Are Knocking at the Door Local Grassroots Effort Seeks to Activate Dormant Voters By Phil LaPadula participating in the grassroots campaign, Managing Editor including the Florida Democratic Party, the A group of local Democrats led Broward County Democratic Party, and by Wilton Manors Mayor Jim Democratic clubs such as the Dolphin Stork have “had enough” of Democrats, the Florida Young George W. Bush, and they are Democrats and the Broward Young mobilizing an early grassroots Democrats. effort to help terminate his “This is a great way for people to presidency. get out and talk to their neighbors,” Volunteers with At Your Door in Stork said. “We want to connect with 2004 will knock on the doors of 10,000 pieces of literature in a few hours. people to share with them why the upcoming registered Democrats who voted in 2000 but This time they have rounded up 1,000 election is so important, and to encourage not in 2002. The voters will be given party volunteers to visit 10,000 voters in Wilton their participation.” literature and asked to fill out a survey. “The Manors, Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, Prior to the Nov. 1 canvassing event, At survey is to find out what’s important to these Pompano Beach, Lauderdale Lakes and parts Your Door in 2004 will hold a launch party on voters,” explained Danielle Sylvester, event of Plantation. “We’ve taken it to the next Oct. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Dave and Busters Wilton Manors coordinator for At Your Door in 2004. “We level,” Sylvester said. in Hollywood. The party will feature food, Mayor Jim Stork want to ask them what their values are, what Besides the surveys, the group will be drinks and an eight-foot video screen showing will turn them out to vote in 2004.” educating voters about their voting options, the At Your Door in 2004 video. Everyone in Sylvester thinks Democrats can overcome The event, scheduled for Nov. 1, is an such as early voting and absentee voting. attendance will also get tokens for Dave and Bush’s wads of cash this year as well. expansion of a get-out-the-vote strategy that “Early voting was the best-kept secret in Buster’s interactive games and simulators. “Democrats will never have as much Stork and other local activists first tried 2002,” Sylvester said. “And I’ve always The group’s battle cry is “Enough is money as Republicans, but we wrote the during last November’s gubernatorial race. voted absentee myself because I’m usually Enough.” “Our economy has been in a nose- book on grassroots organizing,” Sylvester Back then, 300 volunteers with “Take a Walk working on a campaign on election day.” dive,” Sylvester noted. “The president said. “We need to re-engage that grassroots on the McBride Side” passed out 18,000 Several Democratic organizations are basically lied to the American people about process.” Iraq.” Michael Albetta, president of the Sylvester said the media have focused a Dolphin Democrats, a gay group that is The Good Terminator lot of attention on Bush’s big lead in raising participating in the effort, thinks the GLBT campaign cash. But she urged Democrats not community can have clout if it organizes to be discouraged, noting Jeb Bush raised properly. “The political events in South or the Bad Terminator? substantially more money than Lawton Florida over the past three decades are a Schwarzenegger Has Sent Mixed Signals on Gay Rights Chiles in the 1994 Florida governor’s race, testament to how much power the gay but Bush still ended up losing to Chiles. See DEMOCRATS on page 14 Bush Plays ‘the Gay Card’ Groups Say Divisive Marriage Proclamation Aligns President with the Radical Right

By Phil LaPadula President George Bush Managing Editor In 1992, critics accused the first President Bush of playing “the gay card” when his reelection campaign ran into trouble. In fact, Newsweek magazine referred to the 1992 Republican Convention as a “Festival of Hate” because of its strident anti- gay, mean-spirited tone created by Pat By Phil LaPadula the law,” a spokesperson for the governor- Buchanan and other speakers at the Managing Editor elect’s campaign told the San Francisco convention. Arnold Schwarzenegger terminated Gov. Chronicle shortly before the election that Today, as his approval ratings Gray Davis’s job on Oct. 7, winning the Schwarzenegger would not have signed A.B. sink to new lows, George W. Bush is being Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “Rather, it is a California recall election handily with 48.7 205, a bill recently enacted by Gov. Gray Davis accused of stooping to the same divisive bald campaign to demonize and defame gay percent of the vote in a 135-candidate field. that gives registered domestic partners, tactics to rally his conservative base. Last people and our families, a shameful mixing of But it remains to be seen if the former including same-sex partners, most of the state- week, national gay rights groups leveled their religion and politics. This attack is about even “Terminator” will be his own man or a level benefits, rights and protections of civil harshest criticism to date against the more than denying our families equal civil Republican “robot” whose buttons are marriage. Furthermore, Schwarzenegger’s president after he issued a proclamation in rights and responsibilities that are associated pushed by the Bush people in Washington. hiring of Bob Stutzman, a leader of the anti- support of the so-called “Marriage Protection with marriage, but also seeks to deny any Much of the mainstream media have gay Knight initiative in 2000, as a campaign Week,” an anti-gay event organized and legal recognition whatsoever to our labeled Schwarzenegger a “pro-gay rights” spokesman has raised more questions. sponsored by several far-right groups. families….Through his proclamation, the Republican. But while Schwarzenegger’s For gay rights group, the main question “Contrary to his statement, this ‘week’ president is adopting the politics of division official campaign Web site includes a is whether Schwarzenegger is the “Bad has nothing to do with ‘building strong and and prejudice.” statement saying that he believes “gay Terminator” from the first Terminator movie healthy marriages in America,’” said Matt The beginning of Bush’s proclamation, couples are entitled to full protection under See ARNOLD on page 14 Foreman, executive director of the National See BUSH on page 8

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 1 2 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 3 October 13, 2003 Volume 4, Number 41 Issue 150 Publisher Norm Kent [email protected] Broward News Page 9 Managing Editor Phil LaPadula Pride Group Thanks Volunteers, [email protected] Arts & Entertainment Editor Hands Out Checks Mary Damiano Stonewall Festival Produces $1,000 [email protected] Palm Beach Correspondent Chip Alfred Gift for APFL, Smith Nutrition Center [email protected] EDITORIAL Features Editor Palm Beach News Page 10 Andy Zeffer [email protected] EDITORIAL

Ex-Clinton Aide Speaks Out Supervisor of Marketing and Development Kevin Hopper Boykin Addresses AIDS Crisis [email protected]

Account Executives from Gay Black Man’s Perspective Craig Combs [email protected] Anthony Verrico [email protected] National News Page 12 Classifieds Manager Ralph Lankford Top Companies Come Out [email protected] National Sales Representatives Rivendell Media in Support of Gay Issues 212.242.6863 Record Number of Firms Attend Workplace Conference BUSINESS News & Features Jennifer Trovato • Paul Harris • Dan Aiello Business & Finance The Express Backside Back Page Daniel M. Pye • Michael Wilke Syndicated Columnists Mike Alvear • Mubarak Dahir ‘Live from New York—It’s Terry Sweeney’ Paul Varnell • Deb Price • M.Signorile Timothy J. Critzer • John D. Siegfried Jennifer Vanasco • Marc Acito Openly Gay Actor Talks About ‘SNL’ Health & Fitness Columnists Stephen Fallon Advice & Counseling and ‘Coming Out Party’ Mark Rutherford Editorial Assistant Michael Irwin Webmaster • Gary Hallock Local & National News...... 6-15 Network Administrator • Ray Johnston The Express Stylebook Policy Contributing Photographers Weekly Highlights...... 17 For the sake of readable newswriting the word “gay” in Steven Shires • Pompano Bill • Carole Fawcett Editorial Page...... 18 The Express Should, when relevant, be interpreted to be Distribution Managers Comics, Horoscopes & Crossword...... 26-29 inclusive of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals, Charlie Braun • Glenn King • John Fugate Classifieds...... 30-31 transvestites, transgendered people, two-spirited people, Graphic Artist • Henny Snow intersexed people, men-who-have-sex-with-men, women- Office Administrator • Logan Kent Business Directory...... 32-33

who-have-sex-with-women, queers, homosexuals, sexual CONTRIBUTORS Faces in the News...... 34-35 minorities, and people who are unsure of their sexual orientation, Cultural Events...... Q10 but think they might be gay. Here is an example: “Toronto’s gay- Maximum Volume...... Q11 pride parade is bigger than Vancouver’s.” The Express Gay News, Inc. 1595 Northeast 26th St. Wilton Manors, Fl. 33305 Phone: 954.568.1880 Fax: 954.568.5110 UPCOMING EVENT www.ExpressGayNews.com DEADLINES Tricks and Treats in Belle Meade Display Advertising Classifieds Placement Request Line Ads Annual Halloween Party Expected to Draw Thousands Monday by 5pm Wednesday by 4pm Art Work Art Work By Andy Zeffer The first party in 1996 attracted 400 people to the Wednesday by noon Tuesday by noon Features Editor home of Treece and Gonzalez. By the third year, the The Express is published weekly on Mondays. Our paper is a member You’ll get something good to eat and more at the eighth organizers began collecting donations at the door for of the Associated Press, and a Founding Member of the Gay American Media annual SAVE Dade/Belle Meade Halloween Party on Saturday, SAVE Dade. In 2000, the party attracted 3,000 people. To Association. The views or opinions expressed within this publication, in bylined Oct. 25, at the American Legion Hall in Miami. As a matter of accommodate revelers, the party was moved to the columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer and do not fact, this year’s theme is “Let Them Eat Cake.” Proceeds from American Legion Post, where it has been held since. necessarily represent the opinions of Express Gay News, Inc. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in The Express does not necessarily indicate the event will go to SAVE Dade, the community-building The classic masquerade ball will boast the music of the sexual orientation of that named person or persons. organization that works to end discrimination. DJ Pride, DJ Chambless and DJ Q-ban. Adora will perform, All material in The Express is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Express Gay News. “Because the theme is ‘Let Them Eat Cake,’ we’re as will a Cher impersonator. Donations are $20 in advance The Express reserves the right to enforce its own judgments regarding going to have a special surprise where guests are going or $25 at the door, which includes two free drink tickets the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and/or photographs. to be treated to creations specifically made for the party,” for the cash bar. Parking is free. says press spokesperson Lily Majjul Pardo. Because The hottest Halloween Party in town has long been the creations are a surprise, Pardo is keeping mum on reputed for the amazing ensembles guests put together. specific details. But she promises that guests will be In fact, some revelers plan their costumes months ahead impressed by the preparations put into this year’s of time. “The costumes are amazing; it’s all about the Halloween Ball. costumes,” Pardo says. The event began as a neighborhood party in the The American Legion Hall is located at 6445 NE 7th Belle Meade section of Miami. It has since evolved into Ave. (just two blocks east of Biscayne Boulevard) in one of the most exciting and glamorous events of the Miami. Tickets are available at New Concept Video, 1671 year and attracts thousands of revelers. The creative Meridan Ave. in Miami Beach and at Pride Factory, 845 N. “This Above All... To Thine Own Self Be True. And it minds behind the costume party are Luis Gonzalez, David Federal Hwy. in Fort Lauderdale. For credit card must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to Treece and William Vallenvilla. purchases, call 305.751.7283. any man.” • Shakespeare / Hamlet / I / III

4 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 5 Taking Needy HIV Clients Under Their Wings Tuesday’s Angels Kick Off Season with First Dinner Fundraiser By Andy Zeffer Next up was the presentation of The raffling off of prizes brought the Features Editor awards given to participants of the “100 Angels’ dinner meeting to a close. Among the The season got off to a rousing start Percent Solution Bike Ride for Life,” which prizes raffled off were dinners at restaurants this past Tuesday at Chardee’s, where was held in April. After the certificates such as Chardees and Mustards, computer Tuesday’s Angels held their first monthly were presented, a Tuesday Angel’s software and case, and an exquisite glass vase. dinner of the 2003-04 season. The place member announced the third annual In addition, cash prizes were given out ranging was packed with members eager to begin Charity Golf Outing, which is scheduled in amounts from $50 to $250. At the end of the another year of activities, dinners and for Saturday Oct. 25, at Palm Aire Golf night, organizers announced that the dinner raising money for worthy causes. Many Club. The Angel emphasized that the had raised nearly $3,000, which is considered active members had just returned from event is going to be “giggle golf”— a great amount for October. summer homes up north. meaning if you haven’t touched a golf The evening began with cocktails at Bill Barnash and John Dorry of The Cabanas club for over 30 years, you’re still For more information about Tuesday’s 6 p.m. Nametags were handed out at the Guesthouse present a check to Tuesday’s Angels welcome and encouraged to sign up and Angels, or if you would like to become President Chuck Nicholls. door, where folks snapped up streams of hit the fairways. an Angel, call 954.566.7686. raffle tickets for the many prizes to be given out after dinner. By 6:30, the bar was packed with gentlemen like Jeff, who was A Gay Marriage—of Two Fundraising Events enjoying a cocktail before sitting down to have dinner. GLFSF’s Winter Party Joins with ‘Fun Under the Sun’ “It’s a nice night to network and meet a The Gay & Lesbian Foundation of South businesses and tourism within the county. chairman of the Gay Business Alliance of lot of new friends,” Jeff observed when asked Florida and The Gay Business Alliance of They were in the midst of planning their “Fun Greater Fort Lauderdale. “We are sending a about coming out for the night. Greater Fort Lauderdale are joining forces by Under the Sun” weekend when their main strong message of commitment between the By 7 p.m., the crowd began to sit down at scheduling their respective fundraising benefactor passed away. The group met with two counties, and the diverse 10 days of beautifully set tables and get in line for dinner. events—the Winter Party and “Fun Under the GLFSF, and all parties that helping each other activities will help reinforce southeastern An expansive buffet offered a wide array of Sun”—back to back. The result will be 10 days would bring the best benefit to the community. Florida as America’s gay epicenter.” delicious food for attendees. After everyone of destination pleasure. “To make 10 days of “Fun Under the Sun” will take place the Fundraising for “Fun Under the Sun” will had eaten, board president Chuck Nicholls got events successful, you have to diversify the first weekend in March, and the Winter Party benefit three local Fort Lauderdale charities— onstage to welcome everyone back and offerings,” says veteran fundraiser and GLFSF event will be held the second weekend in SunServe, Gamma Mu Scholarship Fund and oversee the evening’s agenda. Executive Director David Phelps. “Dance March. The Winter Party has an 11-year track the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of The Cabanas Guesthouse owners Bill parties are only part of it. There will also be record of fundraising in Miami-Dade County, South Florida. The Winter Party is the primary Barnish and John Dorry then presented a check films, art exhibits, dining adventures, club and last year the first Broward County Winter annual fundraiser for the Gay and Lesbian to Tuesday’s Angels for $5,100, which they performances and live music—truly something Party events were held. Foundation of South Florida. raised at their recent “Steam 2003” fundraiser. for every entertainment taste.” “Thanks to the generosity and vision of Barnish and Dorry also donated a stay at the The Gay Business Alliance of Greater Fort the GLFSF, the Gay Business Alliance of For more information, visit www.glfsf.org, Cabanas as one of the prizes the evening’s www.winterparty.com and Lauderdale is a group of Broward County Greater Fort Lauderdale will be able to present www.fununderthesun.org. raffle prizes. professionals who organized to promote gay ‘Fun Under the Sun,’” said Michael Kenny,

6 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 7 Stork’s ‘Morning Man’ Exemplified Community Spirit Ric Czorniak Volunteered for Poverello, Many Other Causes From Staff Reports Ric Czorniak, the orginal “morning man” Ric Czorniak Ric Czorniak at Stork’s Bakery at Stork’s Bakery and Cafe, passed away on was known as Monday, Sept. 29, after a long bout with cancer. Family members and friends the “Morning remembered him at a memorial service at Man” at Stork’s. Religious Science Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Oct. 3. He volunteered Czorniak is survived by his mother, for many GLBT Jeanne Czorniak; sister, Sharyn Kalden; causes and brother, Ed Czorniak; his long-time partner’s sister, Katherine Bluemel; and many friends made many and loved ones in the community. friends in the Czorniak was born in Chicago, Ill. He served his country in the Navy until 1978. Wilton Manors He worked for the University Club in community while Chicago, until he and his long-time partner, working the 5 Clem Stegman, moved to Fort Lauderdale. Czorniak then worked with the Tower Club in a.m. shift at Fort Lauderdale. He was an original staff Stork’s. member with Stork’s Bakery and Cafe in Wilton Manors, starting in 1997. his quick wit and great personality made him Czorniak was very active in the a treasured friend and employee,” Mayor Jim BUSH from Front Page community, volunteering for Poverello for Stork said. At the Oct. 3 memorial service, which he issued Oct. 3, reads: “Marriage is Council, is trying to get politicians to sign a many years, serving as a member of Dignity Stork recalled that Czorniak was the first a sacred institution, and its protection is “Pledge” that commits them to the following and volunteering for several campaigns as a person to apply for a job at Stork’s while the essential to the continued strength of our statement: “The uniting of persons of the member of the Dolphin Democrats. store was still under construction. “He society. Marriage Protection Week provides same or opposite sex in a civil union, His partner, Stegman, died in July of this applied for the 5 a.m. shift, which we thought an opportunity to focus our efforts on domestic partnership or other similar year. no one would apply for,” Stork said. Stork preserving the sanctity of marriage and on relationship shall not be valid or recognized “Ric was a giver—pure and simple,” said also noted that Czorniak was one “always building strong and healthy marriages in with any legal benefits or privileges in the friend Dannielle Sylvester. “He gave his heart the first person to sign up” for charity events. America. Marriage is a union between a United States.” to everyone—whether serving it with a cup He also helped with Stork’s mayoral man and a woman…” Another one of the groups, the Alliance of coffee, or a basket filled with love for an campaign. While the proclamation itself does not for Marriage, described the goal of the week AIDS patient. He will be tremendously missed “He was a close neighbor whose specifically mention gays or same-sex in a statement on its Web site that reads: in the lives of everyone he knew.” kindness and generosity was never ending,” couples, gay rights groups are pointing out “The sacred institution of marriage is under “His support and loyalty, coupled with said neighbor and friend Frank Schickley. that by issuing a proclamation in support of attack. There are those who want to redefine an event organized by extreme right-wing marriage to include two men, or two women, religious-political groups, Bush is aligning or a group of any size or mix of sexes: One himself with those groups and endorsing man and four women, one woman and two their radical agenda. “President Bush has just men, etc.” endorsed an organized agenda of bigotry, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) discrimination, exclusion and intolerance,” accused Bush of pandering to the extreme said Joan M. Garry, executive director of the right and using gay people as political Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation pawns. “Using gay, lesbian, bisexual and (GLAAD). “It’s critically important that the transgender families as pawns in electoral media ask the Bush administration and its politics cost the president his claim of being supporters to defend their association with a compassionate conservative,” said professional homophobes who seek to Elizabeth Birch, HRC’s executive director. “It target, undermine and destroy American is reprehensible for a president who claims families. Such attempts to deny protections to be compassionate to pander to a coalition to some American families are in fact an attack of extremist groups by joining their assault on all American families.” on gay families. The American people want Some of the right-wing groups behind to see politicians in Washington “Marriage Protection Week” include Coral concentrating on the real threats to our Ridge Ministries, the American Family families—an unstable economy, high Association, the Traditional Values Coalition, unemployment and uncertainty in Iraq—not Focus on the Family, Family Research guaranteeing that same-sex couples are left Council, the Christian Coalition, the Free without more than 1,000 rights, Congress Foundation and the Eagle Forum. responsibilities and protections under federal One of the groups, the Family Research law.”

8 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 Pride Group Thanks Volunteers, Hands Out Checks Stonewall Festival Produces $1,000 Gift for APFL, Smith Family Nutrition Center By Andy Zeffer Upon presentation of the funds, Murray said, Features Editor “APFL is very grateful to Pride of Greater Fort The board of directors of Pride of Greater Lauderdale. Every donation is extremely Fort Lauderdale (PGFTL) held a Volunteer meaningful in this time of dwindling funds for Appreciation Party Sept. 5 at Boom nightclub. AIDS treatment. Thank you.” Boom provided drinks for the event, while Marti Forman, executive director, Georgie’s Alibi provided the food. accepted the check for the Edward W. Smith, At the party, PGFTL took the Jr. Family Nutrition Center. Forman said, “Out opportunity to present checks for $1,000 to of the thousands of groups in the area that both AIDS Project Florida (APFL) and the you could have chosen, our organization is Edward W. Smith, Jr. Family Nutrition Center. very thankful that Pride of Greater Fort PGFTL chairpersons Tony Ramos and Brian Lauderdale has selected us to be one of their Leonard handed over the donations on recipients of funds this year. This money will behalf of the board of directors. be put to good use helping those in need in Accepting the check for APFL were Stacie Broward County.” Murray, director of Clinical Services, and PGFTL also presented awards Wayne Brown, director of Case Management. recognizing some of the most creative floats

Kevin Wright, Margaret Broenniman, Brian Leonard, Wayne Brown, Stacie Murray and Tony Ramos and booths at the festival. The Coliseum In addition to the appreciation party, Nightclub took the prize for “Best Decorated PGFTL also announced its new board of Booth” for its Greek/Roman theme. Century directors. Ramos and Brian Leonard have 21 Hansen Realty won in the category of been elected as co-chairs. Dennis Schroeder “Best Use of Theme” for a float that was has been elected secretary, and Roscoe Deis family oriented. And Cupids Cabaret has been tapped for treasurer. Rounding out snatched the “Best Float” award for their the board is Kevin Wright. Margaret truck full of sexy cupids. Broenniman will continue as legal counsel. “Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale is proud PGFTL has already set the date for the to offer an event of celebration and pride for fifth annual Stonewall Street Festival and the GLBT community, and at the same time Parade, which is scheduled for Sunday, June give back to service originations which provide 20, 2004, in downtown Wilton Manors. To find Tony Ramos, Kevin Wright, Margaret Broenniman, Brian Leonard, Marti Forman, Wayne help and encouragement to the community out more about becoming involved with Brown and Stacie Murray (front) throughout the year,” Ramos said. PGFTL, check out its Web site at www.pgftl.org.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 9 Ex-Clinton Aide Speaks Out Keith Boykin Addresses HIV/AIDS Crisis from a Gay Black Man’s Perspective By Chip Alfred believes there is a growing misconception Palm Beach Correspondent that AIDS is a livable disease rather than a At age 38, it appears that Keith Boykin deadly one. “America is convinced it’s no has done it all. He graduated from Dartmouth longer an issue; that it’s simply a manageable College and Harvard Law School. He served disease,” he said. as press secretary for two presidential Boykin believes the key to solving the campaigns. He’s written AIDS epidemic is trying not to two books, writes a isolate areas such as Palm syndicated newspaper Beach County, now fifth in the column and has appeared nation in the number of new on national television AIDS cases. He said it’s all many times. about “connecting the dots”— He served as bringing the treatment and executive director of the prevention of the disease into National Black Lesbian perspective with the larger and Gay Leadership issues, such as the healthcare Forum. He founded crisis in America. “Forty-three BLARE, an online million people in this country magazine of Black LGBT don’t have health insurance,” literature, film, music and Keith Boykin he said. art. As a special assistant Boykin says looking for to President Clinton, he was the highest- a scapegoat isn’t going to solve the ranking openly gay person in the Clinton problem either. He points to the trend administration. And the list goes on. among black women to shift the blame to But this popular lecturer, online black men “on the down low,” men who columnist, author and activist isn’t planning identify themselves as straight but have to kick back anytime soon. This is a man who sex with other men on the sly. argued a lawsuit against Harvard, claiming “Everybody has to be involved in the university discriminated against women finding solutions,” he said. “You can’t put and minorities in hiring. This is a man who the burden on someone else,” he said. organized and participated in the nation’s Boykin said it all boils down to the three first meeting between gay and lesbian leaders R’s—resources, research and relationships. and a U.S. president. This is a man who “We need more resources on the federal level continues to be one of America’s leading to treat the disease and more research and commentators on issues of race and sexual information about how AIDS is affecting orientation. people of color,” Boykin said. “Our The Express caught up with Boykin at communities need to take the issue seriously, the Gulfstream Hotel in Lake Worth, where and our families need to be more open and he delivered the keynote speech at a willing to talk about sexuality. In our conference titled “HIV/AIDS in Communities relationships, we need to take personal of Color: What’s Going On?” The two-day responsibility for our conduct,” he said. conference on Oct. 2 and 3 was organized by After the conference, Boykin returned Compass, Palm Beach County’s LGBT to New York to work on several of his new Community Center, and provided networking media projects in development—a gay cable and idea-sharing opportunities for providers TV show, a radio show called Face the Music, of HIV services in Palm Beach County. “The and a third book, titled Take America Back, goal of this conference is to try to address which he describes as “a response to the HIV prevention in the context of broader right-wing crisis in this country.” He will also social issues,” said Monique Hosein, an HIV- continue working on his syndicated column, prevention coordinator at Compass. public speaking and lecturing, and updating The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to his Web site, www.keithboykin.com, with ravage black and Latino communities in the fresh information and articles on a daily basis. U.S. In fact, HIV is the leading cause of death Boykin said he’s become somewhat like among blacks and the third leading cause of an advice columnist. People constantly ask death among Latinos in Florida, according him for guidance on coming out, dealing with to 2002 statistics issued by the Florida discrimination and other issues facing the gay Department of Health. community. “People say to me, ‘I’m so glad to “AIDS is really becoming a Black and hear the voice of a gay back man helping to Latino disease, and gay men of color are on educate people,’” Boykin said. “I love the fact the front lines of the battle,” Boykin said. He that I feel like I’m making a difference.”

10 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 11 Clinton: Gay Ban ‘Diminishes Our Security’ Former President Denounces ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy WASHINGTON — In his strongest unfair, and it unfairly restricts the talent pool previous ban and allow lesbian denunciation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to available to the military—and that diminishes and gay Americans to serve date, former President Bill Clinton on Oct. 5 our security.” He stated, “If you can serve openly. Since the current law said, “Simply put, there is no evidence to as a police officer, an FBI agent or a member went into effect, almost 10,000 support a ban on gays in the military.” The of Congress, there is no reason why you service members have been written statement was made to cannot serve as a soldier, sailor, airman or discharged on the basis of sexual Servicemembers Legal Defense Network marine.” orientation. (SLDN) in conjunction with the Clinton signed the military’s gay ban, Since then, Clinton said, organization’s “End the Witch Hunts” known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” into law “Our nation as a whole has national dinner. on Nov. 30, 1993. Adoption of the law moved significantly … toward Clinton also said, “Discrimination is followed a campaign promise to lift the recognizing the full citizenship of gay Americans.” He urged Americans to “keep striving for Top Companies Come Out the time when serving in our military is an honor open to everyone regardless of sexual in Support of Gay Issues orientation.” Record Number of Firms Attend Workplace Conference The former president also pointed to the experiences of foreign allies who have lifted their bans without incident. “We Clinton said, “Discrimination is unfair, and it unfairly should learn, too, from some of restricts the talent pool available to the military— and that diminishes our security.” our most effective military allies, like Great Britain and Israel,” he said. “Great in America asking the British to stay out of Britain lifted its ban on gays after our debate Afghanistan or Iraq.” in 1993, and over the past year, I did not see President Clinton’s complete remarks are any of the critics of gays in the military here available online at www.sldn.org. Gay Republicans Denounce GOP Chairman’s Remarks Gillespie Suggested Anti-Gay Plank in Party’s Platform WASHINGTON — The Log Cabin debacle in Texas, led by Patrick J. Buchanan, Republicans, a gay GOP group, has which led to the defeat of President George responded to suggestions from H.W. Bush.” Republican National Chairman “Log Cabin’s message is Ed Gillespie that the Republican clear: For our party to be a pro- Party platform next year might family party we must value all Kirsten MacPherson, a Boeing Company personnel manager from Seattle, Wash., browses the booths at the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Minneapolis include a plank in favor of American families,” Guerriero Thursday, Oct. 2. (AP Photo/Janet Hostetter) amending the U.S. Constitution said. “We should not marginalize to ban gay marriage. The gay families. And, to be true to By Renee Ruble that attended the annual conference, passing amendment as currently written our conservative roots we should Associated Press Writer out free pens and flying discs to some of the could also deny civil tax not tinker with the sacred United MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The presence 600 people from across the country who fairness, benefits and States Constitution to score of Best Buy, Target, IBM and other corporate signed up for the three-day event. responsibilities for gay and temporary political points.” giants Sept. 4 at a national conference for Many cited improvements in work lesbian Americans. In a recent Patrick C. Guerriero, Conservatives including Bob lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender environments for gays, ranging from a Washington Times story, executive director Barr, author of the federal Defense professional workers was evidence for some “significant other” option on company forms of the Log Cabin Republican National Committee Republicans of Marriage Act, Vice President gays that work environments nationwide are to offering same-sex benefits and having (RNC) chairman Ed Gillespie Dick Cheney and many becoming friendlier. senior executives serve on diversity boards. indicated growing interest in a potential conservative members of the U.S. Congress “Some of these companies I shop at Yet, they also say discrimination remains constitutional amendment. have argued against an amendment. every day. I didn’t realize they were as open,” prevalent, and gay concerns can become lost “The last thing the GOP needs to do is “We win elections by addition not said Carlos Trevino, who arrived from Dallas when companies group them with religious to pattern the 2004 Republican Convention subtraction,” Guerriero said. “With the to attend the opening day of the Out & Equal and racial issues in broad diversity training. after the 1992 Houston Convention, which electorate evenly divided, a small number of Workplace Summit. “We’re kind of like the invisible minority started a culture war in America,” said Log fair-minded swing voters who embrace Trevino’s company, JP Morgan Chase as far as diversity training goes,” said Lori Cabin Executive Director Patrick Guerriero. tolerance and inclusion will decide this Bank, was among the record 60 companies See COMPANIES on page 14 “Log Cabin exists today because of that election.”

12 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 13 HMO Agrees to Cover Transplant for HIV-Positive Man Lambda Legal: Initial Denial of Coverage ‘Not Based on Good Science’ By Dan Aiello “Kaiser’s decision denying this man a with HIV, the medical community nationwide outcomes,” Gorenberg said. “There’s a solid Local Correspondent transplant is not based on good medicine or has learned a great deal about organ and growing body of scientific and medical After first refusing to cover the cost for sound science,” said Hayley Gorenberg, transplants.” evidence that clearly shows HIV does not a kidney transplant for an HIV-positive man, AIDS Project director at Lambda Legal, upon Carl, a 53-year-old resident of the significantly affect the outcome of kidney Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s first and one filing the formal appeal with Kaiser Denver area, began experiencing kidney transplantation.” of its largest Health Maintenance Permanente on Sept. 22, in which Lambda failure in the fall of 2001 and now must receive In its appeal, Lambda Legal cited a 2002 Organizations (HMOs), agreed Oct. 8 to cover Legal’s attorneys asked the HMO to reverse dialysis three times per week. This summer, New England Journal of Medicine article the procedure following the submission of a its denial “in light of a range of scientific he requested coverage for a kidney on the subject that found “no evidence of formal appeal by Lambda Legal Defense and data and the man’s personal health history transplant, but Kaiser denied his request in poorer survival among otherwise healthy Education Fund (Lambda Legal), a national and experience.” late July, saying, “Kidney transplantation for HIV-positive patients who are receiving anti- organization committed to recognition of civil “To deny our client the care he needs, HIV-positive patients is contraindicated... retroviral therapy,” which Gorenberg said is rights for the GLBT community. Kaiser is ignoring published reports on due to its experimental status and non- precisely Carl’s situation. The article went Kaiser had at first denied John Carl, an organ transplants for HIV and not looking favorable outcomes.” on to say that “transplantation in HIV- HIV-positive man, coverage to receive a at its patient’s individual health status,” said “It’s flat-out wrong that kidney positive patients should... not be considered kidney transplant, a decision which could Gorenberg. “In the last seven years since transplants for people with HIV are experimental,” and it further supported have cost him his life. the advent of better treatments for people experimental and have unfavorable reimbursement for the patients. A recent study of 45 liver and kidney COMPANIES from page 12 transplant recipients with HIV on anti- Mahla, who is gay, and works at a nursing Chrysler at the conference was a big step, but Equal event, a 20 percent increase from the retroviral medications showed that after one home in Ramsey County. they also acknowledged critical shortcomings. number that attended a year ago and a 175 year, the patients and their new organs Most of the questions Adam Wolf Candi Wallace, who works for Cargill in percent jump compared with 2001. survived at rates similar to HIV-negative fielded at the Hewlett-Packard booth were the Twin Cities, said there were small In August, a study released by the transplant recipients. The study’s authors more about the work atmosphere at HP— challenges like being allowed to hang a Human Rights Campaign Foundation found concluded: “There is no ethical justification which he boasted had created a global partner’s picture on a cubicle wall, and larger 64 percent of Fortune 500 companies include for withholding transplantation from this council to address gay issues—instead of ones including receiving same-sex health sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination population.” the company’s business strategy and benefits, which her company does not offer. policies. Seventy-one percent of the Lambda Legal welcomed Kaiser economic projections. “We’re really changing the face of companies surveyed advertised to the gay Permanente’s announcement that it had “The questions are less about the diversity,” said Debra Davis, who is community, up from 61 percent in 2002. reconsidered its initial rejection of a kidney overall lookout of the company,” said Wolf, transgender and executive director of the Joe Campbell, who works in consumer transplant for Carl and will now cover the who is gay and from Loveland, Colo. “It Minnesota-based Gender Education Center. relations for Procter & Gamble, said procedure. shows that people really do care about the She has been hired by companies and awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and “When real research on HIV and AIDS work environment.” government agencies to speak on transgender issues is increasing on the work is considered, reasonable people come to Many attendees said simply the transgender issues since her well-publicized front—but at its own pace. reasonable conclusions, and that’s exactly presence of companies including Honeywell, transition in 1998. “It’s getting better, and it’s slow,” what happened in this case,” Gorenberg said. Deutsche Bank, Motorola and Daimler Sixty companies supported the Out & Campbell said. For more information on organ transplants in people with HIV visit www.lambdalegal.org.

ARNOLD from Front Page all. I do not support gay marriage. Marriage is DEMOCRATS from Front Page or the “Good Terminator” from Terminator unique to a man and woman. That said, I do community has once it is mobilized for a just 2: Judgment Day. believe that gay couples are entitled to full on,” he said. “We all know that lives are being cause,” Albetta said. In a statement issued Oct. 8, the Human protection under the law and should not be lost every day in a conflict that was generated Sylvester thinks the GLBT community is Rights Campaign (HRC), a national gay rights discriminated against based on their by inaccurate, hyped information that cannot one of many communities with a lot to lose if group, expressed hope that the Good relationship.” be called intelligence. Bush dragged us into Bush is re-elected. “If this man gets re-elected, Terminator would emerge out of the political The Log Cabin Republicans, a gay GOP this war without a clear plan or a clear budget human rights will have a setback of enormous rubble of the California recall. “We are group that endorsed Schwarzenegger’s for the post-war reconstruction.” proportions,” Sylvester said. extremely hopeful that Governor-elect candidacy issued a statement Oct. 8 Organizers still need more volunteers Stork also stressed the urgency of Schwarzenegger will hold true to his congratulating the governor-elect on his to knock on doors. The door-knocking removing Bush from office. “We have lost more campaign pledge and join the majority of “remarkable and historic victory.” The statement campaign will only take a few hours once it than 2 million jobs since George Bush took office, Californians in supporting all families refers to Schwarzenegger’s “supportive stances begins. as a result of failed economic policies that are equally,” said HRC Executive Director on gay adoption, domestic partner benefits and The Nov. 1 campaign is just the first of causing our budget deficit to sky-rocket and Elizabeth Birch. “As an emerging leader legal protection for gay and lesbian Californians several events that the group is planning. destroying what too so long to build. We must within the Republican Party, he has a and their families…” To volunteer for At Your Door in 2004 or for act now if we are to save our country from remarkable opportunity to help build “A moderate, gay-friendly Republican will more information, visit economic ruin.” bipartisan bridges of understanding and now lead the largest state in our nation,” said www.AtYourDoorin2004.com, e-mail Jim Stork is also highly critical of Bush’s Iraq tolerance for his GLBT constituents.” Log Cabin Executive Director Patrick Guerriero. Stork at [email protected] or call policy. “I don’t have to tell you what’s going The HRC statement then quotes part of “Schwarzenegger’s inclusive, tolerant message 954.561.7650. Schwarzenegger’s statement on same-sex worked—the numbers don’t lie….The Log Cabin couples from his Web site. Schwarzenegger’s slogan, “Inclusion Wins,” was proven right once Read The Express online at full statement reads: “I am for equal rights for again.” www.ExpressGayNews.com

14 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 Baptists Expelled for Baptizing Gay Men Convention Says Church Violated Rules by Accepting Gay Members RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Baptist 81-church group and McGill Baptist. State Convention of North Carolina has McGill Baptist was dropped because expelled a Cabarrus County church for it was unwilling to repudiate accepting two gay men as members and homosexuality, said James Royston, the later baptizing them. executive director and treasurer of the The action by the state’s largest state convention. religious group represents the first time The Rev. Steve Ayers, pastor of the convention has gone after a church McGill Baptist, said his church has never for having openly gay members. discussed the issue of homosexuality The 3,969-church convention and did not go through a process of previously kicked out three churches declaring itself “open and affirming” to that ordained gays or blessed their gays and lesbians, as some other relationships, based on a 1992 policy churches have. that forbids churches from showing He said church leaders didn’t ask “public approval, promotion or blessing the men if they were homosexuals. of homosexuality.” “In our tradition, we open the Expelling a church is mostly church doors to everyone who comes symbolic because affiliation with the to know Christ,” Ayers said. “Jesus told state convention or the national Southern us to fish for people. He didn’t say to Baptist Convention is voluntary. use fishhooks, but nets. It’s not our job In the Cabarrus County case, the to sort the fish. He’ll take care of any two gay men joined the 101-year-old sorting.” McGill Baptist Church in Concord last The two men, who declined to be year and were baptized in March. The interviewed or identified, are regular middle-aged men have been together six worshippers and sing in the choir. years and share a house in Kannapolis. “They were not out to make a After a church member complained, statement,” said Wanda Ritchie, a the Cabarrus Baptist Association voted deacon in the church and lifelong a month later to sever ties between the member. “They’re just like anyone else.”

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 15 16 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 Trantalis Celebrates For more information, contact Nora Brunnett Fear at Pride Factory Cher at Office Depot at Hotel Biba 561.832.0094 or via e-mail at Oct. 25—Lavender Writes and Pride Oct. 25—The incomparable Cher will Half a Century [email protected]. Factory will host a Halloween reading. appear for her “Farewell Tour” at Office Depot Oct. 13—Join in a celebration of Scared S#¡tless is an opportunity for Center at 7:30 p.m. Commissioner Dean Trantalis’ 50th birthday at Beach Plan your Estate writers to share their scariest work, or anything All tickets previously sold for the Oct. 23 Place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The $50 admission Oct. 14—Stephanie Small will present an related to Halloween, at the Pride Factory at 8 show will be honored at the new date. Tickets charge will be donated to the Replant Broward estate and financial planning workshop for p.m. are on sale now and can be purchased at all Foundation for permanent tree plantings in the unmarried couples in the Morgan Stanley Conference The Pride Factory is located at 845 N. Ticketmaster locations or charge by phone: central beach district. The event will include live Room, 2400 E. Commercial Blvd., Suite 1200, in Federal Hwy. For more information, or to sign Broward, 954.523.3309; Dade, 305.358.5885; music, food, cocktails and a birthday cake. Fort Lauderdale. Qualifying attendees will also up to share your work, write to or Palm Beach, 561.966.3309. Tickets for the For more information, send e-mail to receive a complimentary Basic Estate Planning [email protected]. show are $80.75, $60.75 and $40.75. For more [email protected]. Analysis to assist in the planning process. information and ticket sales go to www.cc.com. For more information and to make a ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ ‘Cocktails, Charities reservation, contact Stephanie Small, financial Oct. 25—The Eighth Annual SAVE Dade/ Help Support the Fight advisor, at 954.267.5672. and Biba’ Belle Meade Halloween Ball will be held from 9 Against AIDS Oct. 14—Join the Comprehensive AIDS p.m. to 2 a.m. at the American Legion building Oct. 26—The Ninth Annual Tea Dance will Program of Palm Beach County, Inc. and Hotel NightCAP at 6445 N.E. Seventh Ave. in Miami. This year’s start at 4 p.m. at Kashmir nightclub, 1651 South Biba, 320 Belvedere Road, in West Palm Beach, for Oct. 23—Join the Comprehensive AIDS theme is “Let Them Eat Cake,” a classic Congress Ave., in West Palm Beach. Proceeds Cocktails, Charities and Biba, an event held once a Program of Palm Beach County, Inc. (CAP) for European masquerade ball as DJ Pride, DJ Carlos from the $10 admission fee, in which you will month that allows charitable organizations to gather NightCAP at Tavern on the Greenery, 301 Yamato Chambless and DJ Q-ban spin the night away. receive entertainment by The Divas, Cuban food to inform the public about their missions. The event Rd., in Boca Raton. The benefit will run from 6 Tickets are on sale now for $20 through provided by Havana Cuban Cuisine and a chance is hosted in the trendy Biba Bar, a candlelit lounge p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature an hors d’oeuvre SAVE Dade by calling 305.751.7283, at the Pride to win raffle prizes, will benefit the with eclectic Asian gardens. Hotel Biba will donate buffet, cash bar and raffle drawing. The ticket price Factory, 845 N. Federal Hwy in Fort Lauderdale Comprehensive AIDS Program of Palm Beach one free drink and light hors d’oeuvres to each of $10 per person will benefit CAP. and at New Concept Video, 1671 Median Ave., County (CAP). attending guest. For reservations or information about ways to in Miami. Tickets are $25 at the door. For reservations and more information, Unique prizes will be raffled. Proceeds raised help in the battle against HIV/AIDS in our For more information, tickets or to contact Nichole Fahrenholz at 561.472.3022 will be equally divided among the evening’s community, contact Nicole Fahrenholz at volunteer, contact SAVE Dade at 305.751.SAVE ext. 234. participating agencies. 561.472.3022 ext. 234. (7283).

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 17 EDITORIAL PAGE Remembering Chicken Little Christians Religious Right Screaming Matthew Shepard ‘Sky Is Falling’ Over Same-Sex Unions Five Years after Hate Killed His Dreams, You may remember the childhood story of people will choose to be in homosexual of Chicken Little who had all the animals in an relationships if it is made legal? That would the Dream of Tolerance Lives On uproar because an acorn fell on its head and be the only logical justification for her Our nation’s conscience is seared by the purpose amid tragedy, amid the scattered was convinced the sky was falling. Chicken argument. No doubt some would feel less tragic story of Matthew Shepard’s death. remains of broken dreams. Little was only following a duty to warn and persecuted and be able to admit their sexuality, Five years ago yesterday, two A lot has changed in five years. Look at keep the rest of the but it is practically homophobic men lured the Wyoming youth the culture around us: Boy Meets Boy. Queer community safe, but had Different Spirit impossible that the majority into a rusty pick-up truck, strapped him to a Eye for the Straight Guy. Emmy wins for Will missed the reality of what By Robert Buchanan would do so. It hasn’t fence, pummeled him into an unrecognizable & Grace. Gay parents on the new program was happening. Actually happened in any society that mess and left him alone to die. It’s All Relative. The June 26 Supreme Court the acorn falling was a perfectly natural thing openly accepted homosexual relationships We’ve all heard the story. Countless decision legalizing gay sex. Democratic that didn’t have any negative impact, in spite as equal to heterosexual ones before. The articles have been written. Television movies candidates tripping over each to show their of the little chick’s unfounded fears. facts simply don’t line up. and documentaries have been produced. The support for gay rights. There are some bigger Chicken Littles This outcry comes when the evidence Laramie Project, a traveling theater I can’t help but wonder how Matt’s who are starting an uproar again, and, once is growing that sexual orientation is an production exploring the death and the subsequent again, they are missing the point altogether. inherited trait that is part of our genetic townspeople impacted by national debate over the A group of self-identified Christian groups makeup. A study just released as a joint effort the event, still tours the Guest Column way we treat each other and some rather powerful politicians are of the University of East London and the country and debuted earlier By Kristofer Fegenbush have opened the door to trying to stop gays and lesbians from having Psychiatric Institute showed significant this year on HBO. cultural change. I can’t the right to marry. Interestingly, the United differences in the limbic system of the brain Articles about the help but wonder if Matt States is one of the only civilized depending on one’s sexual orientation. They anniversary of Matt’s death appeared in most ended up realizing his dream—although very governments moving in this direction, when used involuntary responses to loud noises national publications over the weekend. Just differently than he would have expected. most are moving toward recognizing same- to measure the differences since they can’t last week, Time magazine ran an in-depth Matt continues to affect politics; he continues sex unions in some way or another. Right be faked, and come from the same section of article about the changing face of Gay to help others. now, same-sex partners do not have the entire the brain that one’s sexual desire comes from. Wyoming. It’s a tragedy that his dream was realized list of benefits given to opposite sex couples This study affirms what millions of sexual We know Matthew Shepard by the federal government. Yet, some are minorities have known all along from more in death than we did in life. trying to take away a right that doesn’t exist. experience: No one chooses to be gay or He has become a gay martyr, his How absurd! lesbian; sexual orientation is hard-wired. memory a symbol for tolerance. Hate- The Christian Coalition, the Southern Just as Chicken Little’s acorn was a crime protection statutes bear his Baptist Convention and the Eagle Forum are perfectly natural part of life that the little chick name. And the hairs on the back of among more than two dozen Chicken Little had no reason to fear, so also is one’s sexual our necks stand up when we think Christian organizations fighting for a orientation. It is a part of God’s naturally about what befell him in that lonely constitutional amendment to ban same-sex diverse world to be embraced. Would that Wyoming field. marriages in the United States. The groups the religious folks who are in an uproar would But it wasn’t supposed to have declared the week beginning Oct. 12 as pay attention to all the evidence to the happen like this. Matt was a sensitive “Marriage Protection Week.” Poor Chicken contrary and let nature take its course. The Wyoming country boy. He wanted Little was misguided and scared, and one acorn falling from the tree is not to be feared to major in foreign relations and must wonder about the motivations and but appreciated. The gay or lesbian who languages. He wanted to involve prejudices of these modern Chicken Littles wants to live in commitment to her or his himself in politics; he wanted to help who seem only to want to persecute others partner is to be appreciated as well. people. His dream was interrupted by because they are different. Claiming to be Robert Buchanan is an evangelical hate and death. Christian, they miss Christ’s teaching of love Anglican minister and psychotherapist With Katie Couric on the Today and acceptance, it would appear. who lives with his partner of many years Show this week, Matt’s mother, Judy, Sandy Rios, a spokesperson for in Durham, N.C. He is the author of Love, remarked that she “never planned to Concerned Women for America, said to the Honor, and Respect: How to Confront be an activist.” Her grief thrust it Associated Press, “We want to make sure that Homosexual Bias and Violence in upon her. She never planned to start homosexual marriage is not legal in this country. Christian Culture and director of the a foundation, tour the country on This is the very underpinning of civilization. If Institute for Inclusive Christianity, speaking tours, lobby Congress for we remove those foundations, our entire (www.inclusivechristians.org) an hate-crime legislation or produce a civilization will come crumbling down.” online training program for inclusive documentary. She just wanted to be Doesn’t she sound just like Chicken clergy. He may be reached at a mom. Little? Does she and her religious and [email protected]. Her dream didn’t happen the political cohorts really think that the majority way she planned. It too was interrupted by hate and death. Matthew Shepard was 22 years old when he was Life works like that. We make beaten and tied to a wooden ranch fence because he was gay. (AP Photo) plans, chart our course and dream our dreams. And then reality steps in. Tragedy strikes. Systems fail. Dreams through suffering and death. But purpose is falter. People die. Quickly, we realize we are often found amid tragedy. in control of very little. We can’t control Heartbreaking stories like Matthew’s circumstances. We can’t control others. At can still happen in so many places, in so times we can barely control ourselves. many different ways today. His cause lives But here’s an interesting fact of life: on. And because of that, our mission Circumstance and fate often thrust upon us endures. It falls upon you and me to shepherd the greatest, the deepest contributions we his dream to reality. make in this life. The things we don’t plan— May his death be not in vain. May we what we couldn’t have planned and often continue to raise our voices, vote our never would have wanted—provide us the consciences and change our behavior to most poignant opportunities to grow, touch support tolerance and understanding. others and affect our world. And we find our May Matt’s dream still come true.

18 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 ‘What’s Your Name, Again?’

Keeping Names Straight in the Gay World Is a Challenge The biggest challenge is There’s nothing like the allure of free from Marvin is tricky, particularly if they’re revolves around them. They are the ones who when I meet two guys tickets or free booze to entice me out into the both in leather. respond by rolling their eyes like eighth-grade world. Like Andy Warhol, I’d go It doesn’t matter that they girls and huffing, “I know who you are,” who are a couple. With to the opening of an envelope The Gospel look nothing alike. Take the case which immediately signals that a re- straight people, it’s if I were invited. As such, I meet According of my friends Doug and Brian, introduction is not forthcoming. usually apparent which hundreds of people. But when to Marc whom I’ve known for two years The bastard is going to let me squirm. one is Fran and which is it comes to remembering their now and still can’t remember So there I am, filled with performance Marvin, but knowing names I’m hopeless. And not which is which. I’ve finally come anxiety as I flip through the Rolodex in my just because of the free booze. to the conclusion that the brain, struggling to figure out what to call Frank from Marvin is You see, my name and face problem isn’t my memory at all; this temperamental diva. (How about tricky, particularly if appear in the newspaper every it’s their names. Brian simply looks “bitch?”) they’re both in leather. other week, so many people more like a Doug to me and vice Still, I’m the one at fault here, despite recognize me. And because they versa. Or is it the other way my best efforts. I’ve tried the traditional I’ve also tried associating them with know everything about me, from around? method of conjuring up some clever mental someone I already know who has the same my getting married to getting a Of course, I can sometimes picture, but I find that about as simple as name, which doesn’t do me any good when I boil removed (though, Marc Acito buy myself a few seconds by memorizing the tax code. To remember Matt meet another Doug or Brian. thankfully, not at the same time), they think I greeting someone as “buddy” or “dude” or Drapinski, for example, I’m supposed to The method I like best is noting an must know them as well. “darling,” depending on the occasion, but transform his name into “mat-drop-pin-ski,” outstanding physical feature and associating But a little cocktail chatter a couple of then comes the horribly awkward moment of then visualize a welcome mat dropping out it with that person’s name, such as Male Pattern times a year is simply not enough for me to making introductions. I’ve tried the old trick of the sky onto a safety pin and a Polish Balding Bart or Over-Exfoliated Owen. Not only necessarily remember someone’s name. I’m of waiting for those present to introduce sausage. Oh yeah—and carry on a does it work best, but it allows me to secretly not proud of it, but, unless I move to a new themselves, but that just makes me look rude conversation at the same time. mock people who piss me off. city and start all over, I’m not sure I can ever instead of absent-minded. I’ve tried other techniques, too, like Still, it’s a ton of work. So if you see me catch up. Most of the time I’m honest and simply frequently repeating the person’s name: “Nice out and about, I beg of you, please be Just the simple act of going out to a bar apologize for spacing their name. After the to meet you, Jim. What do you do for a living, patient. I’m thinking as fast as I can. means I can expect a pop quiz; at random, I third or fourth time, though, I can tell I’m not Jim? Where do you go to the gym, Jim?” It’s And that, my friends, is The Gospel will have to recall up to two dozen names. winning friends and influencing people. effective but makes me sound like Rain Man. According to Marc. And it’s not like I’ve slept with these people I know I’m not alone in this disability, so (well, not necessarily). It’s gotten so bad I’ve typically when I encounter someone I taken to studying before I go, poring over haven’t seen in a while, I try to put them at my mailing list like I’m cramming for the ease by re-introducing myself. And most Faggot Finals. people respond graciously. The biggest challenge is when I meet Not gay boys. We’re not called queens two guys who are a couple. With straight for nothin’. people, it’s usually apparent which one is Many gay men seem to think the laws of Fran and which is Marvin, but knowing Frank physics do not exist and that the world indeed

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 19 Workplace Fairness Scores Take Off Lockheed, Wal-Mart Among Firms Showing Dramatic Improvement Since last year, Lockheed Martin has seven items HRC considers key to creating a rules. changed from being rated one of the worst gay-friendly workplace. The best corporate One of biggest breakthroughs was by large corporations to being one citizens include such familiar Wal-Mart, the nation’s biggest civilian of the nation’s best, in terms of Price Lines names as American Airlines, employer, which went from a 14 to a 43 by policies covering gay employees. Eastman Kodak, Levi Strauss and adding sexual orientation to its anti-bias Ranked zero in the 2002 Nike. policy, as well as to its diversity training. Corporate Equality Index, an An impressive 70 percent HRC’s workplace chief, Kim Mills, notes annual survey by the gay Human of the companies surveyed another positive development: Companies Rights Campaign of hundreds of provide partner benefits. What’s have begun boasting of their high HRC the nation’s top companies, more, 95 percent now ban anti- ratings as they compete for the best workers Lockheed Martin this year scored gay discrimination, meaning and market their products and services. In 71 percent. That wonderful such policies are now the norm. response to requests, HRC has just created improvement reflects its decision The shift is critical since it a seal of approval that companies scoring Deb Price to add sexual orientation to its is legal in 36 states to fire a person 100 percent can proudly display in ads or on written anti-discrimination policy and offer simply for being gay. their Web sites. medical benefits to its gay workers’ partners. In addition to checking for a written anti- Louise Young, a senior software “I think people sometimes don’t think bias policy and partner benefits, HRC engineer at Raytheon and founder of its gay about what it would be like to have a baby evaluates whether companies have a workplace group, says the $16 billion and suddenly you are responsible for the diversity training program, allow a gay electronics corporation touts its 86 percent whole maternity bill, or your partner needs employee group, market to the gay on its Web site and in job interviews. expensive medication and you have to pay community, ban discrimination based on “It’s not just about attracting talent but for it,” says subcontract-manager Dwayne gender expression and avoid anti-gay keeping talent,” Young says. “It’s a morale Neal, a 21-year employee at Lockheed Martin. activities. (Check www.hrc.org for details.) booster.” He’s a founder of GLOBAL, the company’s With the bar of standard business As Congress lets legislation languish gay employee group, which helped persuade practices rising so quickly, HRC wisely plans that would ban anti-gay job discrimination executives that the changes would be good to toughen its grading, for example adding nationwide, America’s top corporations are for Lockheed Martin’s bottom line. “It was whether companies treat gay workers equally sending a very different message: A proven hugely unfair that situations like that were in terms of family leave and COBRA (post- record of valuing all employees is good for happening.” employment) insurance coverage for their business. Lockheed Martin’s dramatic turnabout partners. Deb Price of The Detroit News writes is but one gem in the second HRC survey of All of last year’s zeros showed the first nationally syndicated column 250 major U.S. companies. improvement. Cracker Barrel, long sullied by on gay issues and is the co-author of Twenty-one companies—nearly double its history of firing workers for being gay, Courting Justice: Gay Men and the total from last year, when HRC unveiled began living up to wholesome family values Lesbians v. the Supreme Court. its project—scored a perfect 100 percent on by adding sexual orientation to its anti-bias

20 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 Silence = Death: Disclosing HIV Status to a Partner Positives and Negatives Both Owe Each Other Respect This week, a former San Francisco health men (42 percent) fail to disclose their HIV status approaching bus knock him down and say, to put a partner at risk. Those expressing commissioner was jailed for knowingly passing to sex partners than do members of any other “Tough luck; he should have looked.” We pull medium responsibility were eight times more HIV to his partner. Ronald Hill’s group. Two large studies find that him back to the curb. likely to have unprotected sex, and those arrest will trigger charged debates 13 to 16 percent fail to disclose But HIV-positive men recognize that their stating their responsibility level was low— Man to Man about who is to “blame” for rising even before having unprotected desire to protect partners can come back to that it was up to the other partner to protect HIV rates in our community. New sex. Non-disclosure rates with bite them. The HIV-negative community, of himself—were 59 times more likely to put their HIV infections among gay and casual sex partners are six times which I am a part, is notoriously hypocritical partner at risk through unprotected sex bisexual men have climbed 17 higher than with primary partners, in dealing with positive guys. When someone without disclosure. percent in the past three years, according to the Centers for discloses his HIV-positive status, too often Ryan’s team finds that showing men how more than for any other group. Disease Control and Prevention (in we smile, say it doesn’t matter and then nondisclosure is causing friction with their What accounts for this casual encounters, straights fail to politely extricate ourselves from the sexual own belief system can lead them to take more climbing infection rate? While disclose at similar rates). encounter, relationship or even friendship. responsibility for protecting their partners. more programs are needed to HIV-positive men sometimes Until we stop imposing social Somehow in rejecting the narrow and promote higher HIV testing rates ask why they should have to excommunication on men who disclose, they punitive moral laws that constrict mainstream Stephen Fallon among younger, closeted and shoulder the responsibility for will continue to hide their status. America, we seem to have forgotten to build minority men, whose fault is it when a gay man bringing up HIV, when they’re already forced Along the continuum between full our own standards of conduct to guide us who knows his status infects someone else? to live with its negative consequences every disclosure and premeditated denial, many HIV- through life. Disclosure should be the For months now, the media has laid the day. They say that any guy who has sex positive men admit to nondisclosure by expected norm, and people who bravely blame at the feet of pathologically self- without asking their status (or without insisting omission, rather than by commission. In one disclose their status deserve respect as the destructive HIV-negative gay men who on condoms even after asking) has willingly early study, men said that they wouldn’t lie, community leaders that they really are. That’s supposedly haunt chat rooms and sex parties entered a risk arena. Caveat emptor. but that if a partner does not ask their status, what the whole gay community owes its HIV- in a perverse quest to become “pozzed up.” I don’t buy this argument. From a they have no obligation to disclose because positive members in turn for the life-saving British researcher Melissa Parker even declared probability standpoint, an HIV-negative man’s “in this day and age, they should know.” honesty that we expect back from them. last month that in today’s gay community duty to ask is not equal to an HIV-positive Others described giving hints to partners, but “being HIV positive is a badge of honor.” She man’s duty to disclose. The guy who doesn’t not declaring their status. Other studies show Stephen Fallon is the president of related anecdotes of gay men seeking out ask is gambling that his partner is probably that the environment influences Skills4, Inc., a healthcare and disease- infection, by having up to 40 partners penetrate HIV-negative. It may be a foolish gamble, but nondisclosure. Some guys said, “If I go to a prevention consulting firm that them per night. even in most urban gay ghettos, chances are sauna...I feel less responsible, because people specializes in gay lifestyle and health Americans who are uncomfortable with pretty good that he’ll be correct. On the other go there to have sex, so they should know.” issues by providing workshops, gays readily buy into these overblown stories hand, the diagnosed HIV-positive man knows How HIV-positive men perceive technical assistance, and grant writing as proof that we’re all depraved. This week’s with 100 percent certainty that he’s infected. responsibility dictates how they will act. services to community organizations story about Hill deliberately withholding his So not disclosing amounts to failing to protect University of Washington’s researcher and health departments. Visit his status will give the media new gay demons to a fellow human being. Rosemary Ryan asked 325 infected men website at www.Skills4.org. If you depict. Someone else’s foolishness does not about their perceived responsibility in need sources for any medical In the early days of AIDS, gay activists negate our universal human responsibility to “protecting (a partner) from your strain of information cited in his columns, e-mail chanted “Silence = Death.” Well, our protect one another. If someone steps off a HIV and other STDs.” Those who felt high him at [email protected]. community isn’t talking much today. More gay curb without looking first, we don’t watch the levels of responsibility were highly unlikely

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 21 The Gathering Storm of Gay Marriage Hetero Insecurities Are at Root of Opposition to Same-Sex Unions During our recent South Florida rainy position. I already have a Broward County community. Nothing officially holds couples that threatens people with their own fear of season, I’ve watched a lot of storm clouds Domestic Partnership Certificate of together in the first place. If I don’t like homosexual impulses in themselves.” He gather. From my apartment window I can see Registration on my wall, but it’s only good in dessert tonight, or I’m pissed that he didn’t continued by saying, “It challenges the basic them obscure Pompano, then the Broward County. The privilege clean the bathroom when he said he would, black-and-white stereotypes we grow up Galt Ocean Mile, before the Gay & Gray of visiting my partner in a I can simply take my collection of Barbie dolls with, and once that black and white is deluge hits my building in Fort hospital intensive care unit, or and walk out. challenged, it brings us all into this crazy Lauderdale. Similarly, for more being by his side in an What frequently holds straight couples zone of existential uncertainty.” than a decade now I’ve watched emergency room, is negated together is kids, a mortgage, career concerns That jibes with my experience. I’ve long the storm clouds gather over the when I cross the county line. and the recognition that breaking up is not recognized that the only straight men I know issue of gay marriage. In recent Should either of us die, our 14 only hard to do, it’s expensive. The fact that who are totally comfortable interacting with months, those clouds have years together will count for straight couples declare their union before gays are the men who are completely at ease grown, and the storm seems to be nothing, legally, in terms of family and close friends is an important part with their own heterosexuality—and there approaching hurricane disposition of the body and of the cement that is generally lacking in the aren’t too many of them. Many straight men proportions. It’s been fueled by John D. Siegfried funeral arrangements. The next gay and lesbian culture. have residual unresolved homosexual the legalization of same-sex of kin—children, siblings or But as the storm clouds gather, and as memories and/or feelings that make them unions in the Netherlands and Belgium, and parents—get first dibs on those decisions. I drown in the flood of media commentary, a uncomfortable in the presence of gays— by Canada’s Supreme Court decision that is Legalization of same-sex marriage would central question has come into focus for me. particularly gays who are happy and well forcing provincial legislatures to recognize allow me to be the primary decision maker, Why is the concept of recognizing gay and adjusted. gay and lesbian unions. The U.S. Supreme should the need arise. lesbian unions perceived as such a threat While the insight of Dr. Wolson helps Court ruling on sodomy in Texas and Judge It would also give me the same tax to society at large? Is heterosexual marriage me to understand the resistance, it’s no Antonin Scalia’s blistering dissent stating advantages as well as medical and retirement so fragile and weak that the recognition of reason for me to accept that resistance as that, “…the Court has largely signed on to benefits that are important to my partner when same-sex unions in something less than five the status quo. What I really want, and am the so-called homosexual agenda…” are the I’m sent to the scrap heap. I hate the thought percent of our population will be a death willing to work for, is the prize of equality thunder and lightening strikes predictive of that what I’ve contributed to Social Security knell to the institution of marriage? I hardly and the recognition of my relationship now the deluge yet to come. over a long work career that hasn’t been think so. as being just as valid as the traditional one I In the past, I’ve not been too interested returned to me in monthly payments will stay Sure, many political and religious maintained for many years through deceit in the gay marriage issue. As one who has in Uncle Sam’s pocket when I die. Similarly, institutions whip up a frenzy. Change always with a high cost to all concerned. come from a traditional marriage between a the retirement and medical benefits that I’m carries the threat of potential loss of power It’s ironic that as Canada and members man and a woman, and who had the requisite entitled to from my years of employment with and that, for most groups, demands of the European Union move rapidly three kids, a dog and a parakeet, my attitude a Fortune 500 company cease at the time of resistance at all costs. But I think it goes toward legalization of same-sex unions, the was been there, done that. In fact I’ve my death. If my partner were female and we deeper than that. Peter Wolson, a Beverly United States, which prides itself on questioned why gays and lesbians would fit George Bush’s definition of marriage, those Hills psychoanalyst, may have put his finger freedom, liberty and equality, becomes want to get married. Obviously it isn’t working benefits would continue to my spouse. on it in an article in The New York Times of ever more strident in opposition. It seems well for our straight brethren. Fifty percent In the years that my partner and I have July 10. He said, “…the prospect of gay a bit disingenuous for us as a country to of marriages end in divorce. Why would we been together, I’ve been impressed that it’s marriage threatens people with a government export democracy as the cure for the want to emulate that? frequently too easy for couples to split. stamp of approval on homosexuality. If that’s world’s ills and yet not grant full equality But lately I’ve begun to rethink my That’s particularly true in the gay and lesbian the case, it’s a normal form of sexuality, and to all of our own citizens.

22 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 Variable Annuities May Help Solidify Financial Future Investments Offer Guaranteed Income, Death Benefits More and more Americans are on the claims-paying ability of the issuing Freedom of Choice started your retirement fund comparatively expressing concern over their insurance company. As the owner of a variable annuity, your late in life, a variable annuity may help you long-term financial future— Prudential freedom to choose from among different make up for lost time. especially in terms of being able Report How Do They portfolios can help you to better balance your to enjoy a comfortable investment objectives, personal Inflation Protection retirement. Traditional Work? In buying a variable circumstances and risk tolerance. In addition, Variable annuities also offer possible company-sponsored pension you’ll be able to switch your assets from one protection against the effects of inflation. benefits are becoming annuity, your money is allocated among a number of portfolio to another at any time without tax Although past performance is no guarantee increasingly rare, and Congress consequences. And that can be extremely of future results, returns from stock market talks repeatedly about “fixing” professionally managed investment portfolios helpful whenever your investment objectives investments have historically outpaced Social Security. As a result, or personal circumstances change. Finally, inflation over the long term, which can help many Americans have begun to (structured similar to mutual funds). Among the choices variable annuities guarantee your principal maintain the purchasing power of your assume a greater degree of in the event you die before you annuitize the assets. responsibility for their own Dan Pye usually offered are money market portfolios, fixed-income contract—a feature known as the guaranteed Especially for younger retirement savers, retirement funding. But without death benefit. Some annuity contracts may the important question isn’t “What can my a carefully thought out and comprehensive portfolios, equity portfolios and guaranteed fixed-rate accounts. The also allow you to choose an “enhanced” death dollars buy today?” but “What will those retirement plan, few of us will likely to be benefit that can increase the value of the same dollars be able to buy in 20 or 30 years?” able to realize our retirement dreams. allocation process is similar to that used in 401(k) plans, and your rate of return will death benefit (usually for an additional fee). Depending on your personal needs and depend on the market performance of the circumstances, as well as on a number of What Are Variable portfolios you’ve chosen. (These Unlimited Contributions outside factors, what seems to be a Annuities? portfolios are sometimes referred to as your Although Social Security and company- substantial financial cushion today may After you have fully funded all available underlying investments or sub-accounts.) sponsored pension payments may be prove less than adequate tomorrow. When qualified plans, one possible method of Remember, however, that the value of your sufficient to cover your basic retirement living estimating how much you’ll need to achieve saving for your retirement is by purchasing portfolios may rise or fall and that any expenses, they probably won’t be enough your retirement goals, be sure to consider a variable annuity—a type of investment that amounts you contribute to a variable to allow you to realize all of your retirement the likely impact of inflation on your projected combines the advantages of professional annuity are subject to market risks, dreams. Other popular retirement plans, such nest egg. money management with tax-deferral and including the possible loss of principal. as IRAs and 401(k)s, limit the amount of death benefits. Variable annuities, which have If you regularly contribute the maximum money you can contribute each year to your evolved in direct response to the increasing to your existing retirement plan(s), are retirement plan. But as long as the funds Dan Pye has 20 years of experience in “privatization” of retirement funding, offer interested in reducing your current you’re investing are non-qualified (post-tax), the financial services industry. He is two important guarantees. Annuity owners investment income tax bill and are concerned your variable annuity will permit unlimited currently vice president of investments receive a guaranteed income when they that you may outlive your long-term savings, contributions. You can also continue to and associate branch manager with annuitize their contract, while beneficiaries then variable annuities may be right for you. invest in your account even if you have no Prudential Securities. He lives in Palm may receive a guaranteed death benefit upon This two-part article will briefly discuss some earned income or are not working—options Beach with his partner of 18 years, Pe- the death of the owner (if death occurs before of the major benefits available to purchasers that may not be available with other types of ter, and their yeIlow lab, Diva. Call him annuitization). These guarantees are based of tax-deferred variable annuities. long-term savings plans. So, even if you’ve at 1.800.321.0013.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 23 Master of Mischief When soap-actor- Gay Gossip Guru Billy Masters Dishes Dirt with ‘The Express’ turned-artist Jeff By Andy Zeffer Griggs presented a Features Editor portrait to George W. So you think you have a favorite Internet homepage? Think again. Bush in the oval Filth2go.com is gaining legions of new fans office, Masters was every day by the click of a mouse. And the the first to report mind behind it all, Billy Masters, couldn’t be happier with its success. Masters is a about Griggs’ lesser- showman through and through, not, only, known career as gay through his writing but also with a resume that boasts such varied credits as writing for porn star “Tony Joan Rivers and performing in Ronnie Sinatra.” It gave the Larson’s cult play Making Porn. photo of Griggs Though Masters’ brainchild has been keeping online readers entertained for patting the president sometime now, Filth2go.com made a jump on the back a whole from cult status to national recognition when Masters reported on a spicy presidential different twist. tidbit earlier this year. When soap-actor- Chip and Reichen from The Amazing Race with Masters (middle) turned-artist Jeff Griggs presented a portrait to George W. Bush in the oval office, Masters was the first to report about Griggs lesser-known career as gay porn star “Tony Sinatra.” It gave the photo of Griggs patting the president on the back a whole different twist. This dish landed Masters’ name on Page Six, The New York Post’s notorious and widely read gossip page. It also landed him in The Gayvine, The Express’s very own gossip column. Since that time, the larger-than-life Masters has been on gay minds. With his Hollywood ties as well as links to the world of gay porn, Masters never lacks material to post on his Web site. And Filth2go.com offers something for everybody, from gay horoscopes (or in this case, “Homoscopes”) to a fitness page. The Hollywood gossip page has garnered Masters legions of straight fans as well, who regularly e-mail him their thoughts. Masters and Anna Nicole Smith Masters and ChiChi LaRue at Grabbys Here in Florida, folks like their gossip hot, just like the weather, so it’s for them for free, but within a couple of together that way? have sex on screen. You have to do more not surprising that Fort Lauderdale and months, a paper in Chicago asked if they I have my degree in marketing, so I knew than look hot and touch yourself to be a star, Miami are two of Masters’ favorite could pick up the syndication rights. That’s that the more diverse we were, the more traffic in my humble opinion. As to my friends, Will destinations. Recently, Masters took time out when it hit me that this could actually be fun we’d attract. That’s also how I write the Clark is far and away my best buddy in the of his busy schedule to share thoughts with and make some money. column—a little bit of everything. business—and one of the most amazing fans down here and gain some new ones in people alive. Dino Phillips, Kurt Young, the process. And the Web site? Which do you prefer, writing the George Fleece, Matt Sizemore, Kevin Kramer, A couple of years later, a friend was Hollywood dish or the porn dish? Steve Richards, Michael Brandon, Michael Andy Zeffer: Filth2go.com is a gay learning Web design and asked if he could I find porn somewhat boring because Lucas, Talvin DeMachio, etc. etc. I could go man’s wet dream—the perfect combo of set up a Web site for the column. I said yes, so little of it is really gossip worthy. I mean, on and on. They’re great people. Hollywood gossip and behind-the-scenes and we just did it for fun. A few months later, there’s only so many times that you can dish about the gay porn world. How did the he was ready to move on, so either I had to report someone getting arrested, dying of an So what’s in store for the future of Billy site come about? learn how to do it myself or it was over. I took OD or leaving the business before it gets Masters. Theatre? Television? Film? Porn? Billy Masters: I wish I could say that over. At that point, it was all pretty old. I leave those stories to the real porn Oh, I don’t think porn is an option. “Filth” started as a wet dream, but that’s not rudimentary—and completely free. I knew reporters and reviewers. I stick with gossip, Although, I’ll tease you by saying it quite right. The truth is, “Filth” (the column there had to be a way to keep the column free and if I’ve got a good story, then I write it. wouldn’t be the first time. Who knows? One that’s syndicated to gay publications around and still get people to join. That’s when I Since gay people love their porn stars, I thing I’ve learned is that everything happens the country) and Filth2Go.Com (the Web started the “Members Only” section. This always include them in the mix. Plus, I live in for a reason. Joan Rivers told me eons ago, site) were both things that I started for fun way, people can read the column for free every LA, and so many of the boys are my friends. “Man plans, God laughs”—and that’s the that took off. A friend of mine worked for a week just like in their local paper. And if they Actually, we call the group Billy Masters’ truth. It looks like I’m inching closer and gay paper in San Francisco, and their gossip want the photos or the archived columns, Porn Posse. closer to mainstream, so more television and columnist had quit a few hours before press. they pay $20 for six months—which is a steal film would be wonderful. I just hope I don’t So, they needed something fast. Since I was by net standards. Name some of your favorite gay porn have to choose because that would be a stand-up comic and writer, my friend hoped buddies—and the ones you think are the tough. David Drake recently told me that I could put something together within an hour. I love how you have divided the Web site hottest. someone lumped us all together as “sub- He told me, “If you have to, just buy the up into different columns. For example, you Without question, Matthew Rush is the lebrities”—celebrities in a little subgroup of rags and copy their stories.” Happily, I had have the fitness buff section, the hottest porn star in the universe right now. society. I think the “subs” are really crossing enough dish on my own, but I told them it “Homoscopes” section, the porn reviews. And he’s gay. You don’t find that every day. over big time, and if I have anything to say was a temporary gig. That was eight years There is something for everybody. Did you Plus he’s a good friend. Mark Dalton is on about it, I’ll be dragging everyone I know ago. At the time, I was doing this as a favor plan it out that way, or did it just come the brink of being enormous, but he’s yet to along for the ride.

24 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 Norm Kent Radio Show Celebrates Anniversary at the ‘Flo’ Guests Have Included Congressman, Mayor and Marlins Manager By Sean Giamassi the same week, Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Local Correspondent Carlton Moore came on the show to lend his Norm Kent, Express publisher who hosts support to fired city manager Floyd Johnson. a daily morning drive radio show at the “The show is simply the only serious Floridian Restaurant on East Las Olas morning drive talk show in town,” Kent said. Boulevard, celebrated his first anniversary “It provides witty and intelligent forums for there by bringing in gay supportive the makers and shakers of our county to speak Congressman Peter Deutsch (D-Fla.) as his their piece, over a cup of coffee.” Kent said he guest. The show airs Monday through Friday got the idea of doing the show at the Floridian at 8 a.m., on AM 1400, WFLL. because the restaurant is “where the makers Deutsch and Kent have been friends for and shakers of downtown have their over 25 years, meeting years ago when Kent breakfasts before going off to their Las Olas was a professor at Florida Atlantic University, offices, the governmental centers and the and Deutsch was beginning his career as a courthouse…. I can collar Terry Stiles one state representative in Sunrise. During the morning to talk about a new Publix, or Howard one-hour forum, Deutsch discussed his Forman to talk about changes at the Clerk’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate and accused office.” one of his opponents, Miami Mayor Alex In fact, last May The New York Times did Penelas, of “committing election law fraud.” a piece on the show, which Kent hosts before During the past year, Kent’s show has heading to the offices of AIDS Project Florida, been a forum for a wealth of local politicians, where he is the executive director. representing all viewpoints and every party. Unashamedly, he acknowledges he uses Photo by Dennis Dean In fact, during his anniversary week, Kent the forum to boost AIDS awareness in The one and only Norm Kent left town for two days to do a broadcast from Broward County. On June 27, he brought the San Francisco, where he covered the Florida APFL mobile testing unit to the Floridian for fun with sports and politics, and make fun rocky roads and the calm surfaces. It’s OK to Marlins playoffs for Live 85, 850 AM, a news testing, and one of the testees was none other of all my lawyer friends, like Howard get agitated at the periphery if you are talk radio station, recently converting to than County Mayor Diana Wasserman Rubin. Finkelstein.” centered at the core.” 50,000 watts, with a tri-county reach. Kent described her as a “favorite guest— Kent’s guests have included everyone The show has limited commercial On one of the mornings, Fort Lauderdale vivacious, articulate, with an important from national sportswriters such as Howard interruptions, and is sponsored by the Life Mayor Jim Naugle, often a political adversary message.” Balzer to the Marlins Manager Jack Settlement Alliance, allowing consumers to of Kent, guest hosted the show with Kent, who had broadcast morning drive McKeon. But the show will also air Greg cash in their life insurance policies for Republican Party leader Ed Pozzouli. To on WFTL from 1989-97, restarted the gig in von Hausch to promote the Fort Lauderdale immediate capital. Said Kent, “My goal is not balance things off, a day earlier, Kent invited June of 2002, bringing his show to the Floridian International Film Festival, or the director to have to hawk pastrami sandwiches every Democratic Party leader, attorney Michael last Oct. 1. “It’s been a good run, and provided of the popular gay film about the lives of 10 minutes. It is to present a very entertaining Moskowitz, on the air, to lend his support to a forum for me to promote the advertisers in two lovers, The Trip. Said Kent, “Life is a hour that will make people laugh, think, smile the Joe Lieberman presidential campaign. In The Express, make AIDS a public issue, have trip, and you have to be resilient for the and appreciate the beginning of their day.”

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 25 26 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 27 By Charlene Lichtenstein For the week of 10/13/03 Sexy Venus penetrates intense Scorpio turning us mad with passion and anxious for connection. But enough turns of the heart makes us dizzy when Venus squares delusional Neptune. Will it be just another tickle and tumble or a grand mad fall?

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20) Your desserts are smothered in whipped cream as Venus dips into Scorpio. How far will you go to satisfy your sweet tooth, proud Ram? As Venus squares Neptune, you grab your goodies from a veritable Viennese table. Who ate the cherry? TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Lovely Venus enters passionate Scorpio and envelopes cuddly queer Bulls into the warm bosom of relationships.That is, until Venus squares Neptune and ratchets up the amount of attention you must pay to career issues. Juggle all balls adeptly. Ouch! . GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Pink Twins can make even the most boring mundane task sexy and interesting now as Venus ambles into Scorpio. Start pushing that pencil, cousin. Too too soon Venus squares ditsy Neptune and all bold and brash plans suddenly shrivel. Sound familiar? CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Life becomes a steamy sexfest for pink Crabs when Venus cooks in Scorpio. Your libido lambadas and you find the perfect dance partner at every ball. But soon Venus squares Neptune and turn your royal highness back into a toad.... or is it troll? LEO (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23) Proud Lions are happy to curl up in front of the tv and couch potato it. But the truth is that you are curling up with a stack of triple xxx dvds and silicon amusements. Could it be that Venus square Neptune has you questioning certain relationships?? VIRGO (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23) Great ideas flow. Queer Virgins can get their point across but, as Venus squares Neptune, your magnificent desires overtake your common sense and you may over shoot the mark. They say that simple pleasures are the best. Do they know what they are talking about? LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23) There are gay Libras who strive for uber-extravagances and those who are content to live frugally. Venus in Scorpio scoops the cream from the top and whips it into a froth. When Venus squares Neptune, the froth is inhaled. Earth to Libra!! SCORPIO (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22) Your personal stock hits a yearly high when charming Venus enters your own sign. Dress to impress and press the flesh. Acquaintances travel on their knees to touch the hem of your garment. Hey, as long as they are on their knees....

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22) You have a dreamy creamy magic. Is it your stylish hair and wardrobe? No! It is your inner aura, gay Archer, as reflected through the prism of Venus in Scorpio. Follow your dreams with a map; Neptune surprises you while you fumble in the dark. WooHoo! CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20) There may be a spark of romance where you least expect it, gay Cap. But will your wilde exuberance exceed your budget when Venus squares Neptune? Oh who cares! Your assorted bag of nuts just got roasted. Hmmm, are they chestnuts or peanuts?? AQUARIUS (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19) Aqueerians are tossed into the vortex and must find their way through professional obligations without slipping into the shark tank and becoming lunch. Are you up to the task? Yes but when Venus squares Neptune you get too big for your britches. Goody! PISCES (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20) Guppies have a greater than average chance of finding love in international environs. Okay, maybe not LOVE but certainly lust. (This is Scorpio energy here...) If funds are tight, cruise the net. Venus squares Neptune and enhances your imagination... if nothing else.

© 2003 MADAM LICHTENSTEIN, LLC., All Rights Reserved.For Entertainment Purposes Only. Check out her site www.AccessNewAge.com/Stargayzer for egreetings, horoscopes and Pride jewelry. Her book “HerScopes; A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians” from Simon & Schuster is available at bookstores and major booksites.

28 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 29 Classifieds

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www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 33 Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Pompano Bill ArtsUnited’s Artist of the Month, Genevieve Steel, at Stonewall Library Jim Wagner and Wayne Lampert at ArtsUnited exhibit at Stonewall Kevin Lerner at ArtsUnited exhibit

Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Pompano Bill

Rick Sherman at ArtsUnited exhibit Mode Montemayor at ArtsUnited exhibit Author Mary Britton at ArtsUnited exhibit David Bonazzoli at ArtsUnited exhibit

Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Pompano Bill Ray Rideout at ArtsUnited exhibit Genevieve Steel and Chris Yoculan at ArtsUnited Alana Bard, Karen Johnson and Vilma Zeno at ArtsUnited at Stonewall Library

Photo by Carole Fawcett Photo by Carole Fawcett Photo by Carole Fawcett Photo by Carole Fawcett Tom Kostuff, event committee chair, Miami Mark and Yesi at the Miami Gay and Gay and lesbian Chamber of Commerce Lesbian Chamber Luncheon Deryll Burks at the chamber luncheon Commissioner Luis Garcia at luncheon

34 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 Photo by Steven Shires Photo by Steven Shires Paul Gallotta reads his part with passion Michael Hughes, Lorene Parker, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Mayor at Journey Onward Oliver Parker and Mary Takacs

Photo by Steven Shires

Cari Champion of NBC - WRTV, Mary Lynn Lovejoy and Dr. Keith Photo by Steven Shires at Journey Onward Bonnie Benson, director of Journey Onward

Photo by Steven Shires

Marilon Macatangay, honorable consul Photo by Carole Fawcett general of the Philipines for South Florida; Photo by Steven Shires Angelo Macatangey; and Erikk cruz at Ken Chase, Michael Chesalka, Tevin Campbell, Geir Ness and Journey Onward Jackson at Toast to Humanity Arceli Redila, Binfg Redila and Dada Dequito at Journey Onward at Art Serve

Photo by Carole Fawcett Photo by Carole Fawcett Photo by Carole Fawcett Photo by Steven Shires Michael Chesalka and Lee Harper at Gier Ness and Edison Farrow at Toast Beatrice, Tevin and Monica at Toast To Humanity Toast To Humanity To Humanity H.G. Gallichio, director of Journey Onward

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003 35 October 13, 2003 Volumne 4, Number 41 Call 954-568-1880 for advertising Information or Online at www.ExpressGayNews.com ‘Live from New York—It’s Terry Sweeney’ Openly Gay Actor Talks About ‘SNL’ and ‘Coming Out Party’ By Mario Lavandeira “I came out to my dad on the phone,” didn’t know how you got AIDS. It was a time Special to The Express says Sweeney, whose mother passed away when if somebody sneezed who had AIDS As the first openly gay performer on while he was in college. He confronted his Irish- and you were in the room, people thought television, Terry Sweeney is remembered by Catholic father with an ultimatum: love me or maybe you’d get it.” millions of Americans for his wicked leave me. Sweeney’s dad chose to go down Despite society’s shunning of gay men caricature of Nancy Reagan on Saturday the route of love and acceptance. “He was fine during the Reagan era, Sweeney had no Night Live during the mid-’80s. “I’ve never with it,” Sweeney says. “Ultimately, he would qualms about being openly gay on Saturday met Nancy Reagan,” Sweeney confesses. send us cards for Christmas and anniversaries.” Night Live. “It would have been so dishonest “But I did meet Ron Reagan, Jr., who was When Sweeney speaks of “us,” he is not to be out,” he says. “I just said I’m not one of the hosts of SNL. He told me, “You’re referring to himself and his partner of 21 going to do that. I didn’t know that no one more like my mother than she is,” says years, Lanier Laney. The two met one fateful had said that up until then, that there wasn’t Sweeney with a laugh. Sweeney, who has rainy night at the now-defunct Chaps bar in an openly gay person. I think there was even been out of the spotlight since his SNL days, New York City, where Sweeney had moved a morals clause when you signed contracts marks his return to performing in the new after studying English and Spanish at back then. And they did it. They put me in film Coming Out Party. Middlebury College. there. But that doesn’t mean it was easy once For many, the act of publicly declaring Soon after they began dating, Laney I was on the show. It was just I was open their sexual orientation is a deliberate and invited Sweeney to perform in his comedy about it. That’s who I was.” often complicated process, not something troupe, the Bess Truman Players. Not long Sweeney’s openness led People intrinsically linked with comedy. However, in after that, Sweeney received a glowing review magazine to run a big spread on him and the new stand-up comedy film, Coming Out in The New York Times, comparing his comic Laney, which featured a picture of the two Terry Sweeney performing in the new Party, Sweeney sets out to prove that sharing skills to those of Lily Tomlin. Subsequently, holding hands and walking with their dogs film Coming Out Party our stories can be funny and touching. These talent scouts were sent from Saturday Night through the woods. The profile, quite even know that you could be happy with stories—which anyone who has ever been Live to scope out Sweeney, who within months revolutionary for its time, even quoted Laney someone. That you could have a life and be embarrassed, proud, confused or auditioned for and became a cast member of as saying, “I have a husband and two dogs, open about it.” overwhelmed can relate to—have the the 1985-86 season. Laney was invited to join and a house in the country. I have everything Moments like that are why Sweeney potential to educate minds and open hearts. his partner as a writer on the show. I’ve always wanted.” agreed to be in Coming Out Party. “I hope Coming Out Party showcases the funny The climate of the mid-80s was quite The response to the article was the movie has that effect,” he says. “You and moving coming out stories of seven openly different from the world we are used to now. overwhelming. “Numerous times I’ve had a forget when you live in the city that there are gay and lesbian comedians—Sweeney, Rene Fear gripped most Americans, and little was gay person walk up to me and go, “You don’t people living in very small towns who are Hicks, John Riggi, Bob Smith, Dan Renzi, Jackie known about the disease that would go on know me, but when that article came out in terrified of coming out.” Beat and Sabrina Matthews. Sweeney talked to kill hundreds of thousands of our loved People magazine, I was in a small town in the The Coming Out Party DVD will be to us about his coming out experience and ones. Sweeney reminisces, “There was a Midwest. I read that article and I cut it out released on Oct. 14 and is available for what it means to be gay in America. panic and hysteria around that time. They and I saved it and I read it all the time. I didn’t purchase at www.comingoutpartydvd.com.

36 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 13, 2003