sappho psalm

by Toni J.P. Pizanie E-mail: [email protected]

Trans Tragic econd Edit – This has been difficult to write as my feelings are conflicted. I began the first Swriting with feelings of disappointment and annoyance. A little talk with Fr. Michael and I realized my efforts needed to be more positive. I was suffering from the same feelings that the Trans Community is feeling. On Thursday, November 20th, the GLB community gathered to remember and celebrate the lives of 30 murdered individuals. But where was the T? Of the four Transgender people that showed up for the Remembrance, two left before the March to the Joan of Arc statue. For more than ten years, Ambush and I have fought for Transgender equality. So when the Transgender com- munity failed to attend the Remembrance it was natural to feel negative. The Transgender community has not supported the and community through the Forum or HRC because of their anger at not being included in mission statements or legislation. I find that reasonable. But times and policies are changing in New Orleans and across America. fighting inside our country for rights just as the GLBT community That’s a Wrap It is time for the Trans Community to leave the past is fighting. Congress has not taken care of our injured brothers eel Identities, the New Or- and work with established organizations. The Trans and sisters. leans LGBT film festival, Community is suffering like the Gay Community suffered Interested? Great! Send a holiday card with or without a Rwas a success despite a in our early years of working for equality. Today being Gay message to: A Recovering American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed lower than expected turnout. Those or Lesbian is accepted by many and just tolerated by Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, that did attend enjoyed some outstand- others. While there are still some that hate us and would DC 20307-50001. ing films based on Gay, Lesbian and destroy us, they are fewer today because of education. You could make a friend. You will make another human feel Transgender issues by Gay, Lesbian Because of working together, we have gained precious encouraged and appreciated. This may be the best gift you give and Transgender writers, directors, and rights that were just dreamed of during the 20th Century. this Christmas. film makers. It is true that no one is free until we are all free. It is The opening reception was festive. the responsibility of the Gay Community to continue to LA Equality Rally The spread so to speak was large and work not only for themselves but also for . It was honored to be a part of this event. Hundreds delicious and different from the usual is the responsibility of Transgenders to work with a gathered on Loyola Avenue on November, 15th to demand sandwiches and dips. It was difficult not to go back for seconds or even thirds. Thanks positive attitude towards those who are trying to assist equality and voice our demands for equal under I NOLGCC for a yummy party before the them. the law for the GLBT community. I was asked to speak on behalf excellent opening film. So who were the 40something people that showed of PFLAG. The reception I received was exciting. It is with love that I suggest that the up? Fr. Michael of Church of Christ the Liberator and Ryan McNeely, Managing Director, of the Forum for Equality Community Center do a better job of sell- Pastor Clinton Crawshaw of MCC lead the service with was the organizer and MC. Pastor Clinton gave the opening ing this event next year. I spoke with some love and respect. Ernie, Mattie and Amanda organized a prayer and closing remarks. Chair of the Forum, Dr. Marc Behar that did not know about the film festival. My joyful reception at the Community Center that lasted long spoke lovingly on our need for continued support for those who friend Danny Calhoun learned about the after the 8pm scheduled closing. Fr. Michel was touched wish to make a commitment to a life partner, a spouse. HRC was event from this column and invited me to by the beauty and tenderness of the young Gay people represented beautifully by Lili Alpaugh. She reminded us of our join him at the opening reception. Others learned about the event at the PFLAG who took part in the program. need for family, respect and loving commitment. Board meeting because the Center asked PFLAG was represented by Julie, Stewart and I. Sadly, I had to rush off to the CAC for the PFLAG sponsored PFLAG for financial support. So Randy, Unavailable was our Transgender Board member who was film in the Community Center’s Reel Identities. I missed hearing Stewart, Courtney and I attended in sup- traveling out of state (this was the first remembrance that Julie Thibodaux from the ACLU speak. I was very pleased to see port not only for the Center but PFLAG as Courtney has missed) and the Trans parent who has the involvement of the ACLU in our community. Julie is a precious well. Julie Thompson was in DC repre- recently resigned from our Board. and dedicated advocate. senting New Orleans at a National meet- The most exciting attendees were the youth of our Looking out over the crowd that gathered I was struck by the ing or she would have been there also. community. If you are wondering who will be our leaders diversity of the people. We were indeed a community of mixed Another of the exciting reasons for in the future, I met them that night. And I was impressed. backgrounds, ages, genders, race and needs. I met students attending the film festival at the CAC was to see the Upstairs Fire exhibit on the 4th I feel that the future of the New Orleans GLBT community who at a young age are not afraid to be “out.” I visited with older floor. Both the event and the exhibit were will be in good hands. members of the community who have been fighting for equality worth the time and money. Sponsors for for longer than I have had the courage to be “out.” I spoke with film fest were Harrah’s New Orleans, Salute a Soldier Larry Bagneris, our openly Gay representative in the Mayor’s Louisiana Public Heath Institute and his holiday season there are hundreds of office. It was Larry who stopped police from removing our PFLAG. injured American soldiers in military medical banners before the program began. The next big event for me will be the centers across our country. Whether we agree Thank you, New Orleans, for supporting this important dedication of the AIDS Memorial. I know T Washington Square Park will be full of with the war or not, we should not turn our backs on the issue. Thank you for lining the neutral-ground on Loyola and waving signs identifying us as supporters of a cause that strikes friends and loved ones that have waited men and women that are fighting for our country’s freedom many years for this day. I expect this to be the heart of our community. Thank you to the speakers who and safety. a day of great joy and sadness in remem- If you send only one greeting card this year, please reminded us all of the love we have to share. And thank you most bering those lost to AIDS. send it to a recovering American soldier. Many of these of all to Ryan and the Forum for bringing us together as a part of I hope you had a great Thanksgiving soldiers will never have a normal life again. And they are this National Rally for Equality. Day.

GayBatonRouge.BIZ • GayNewOrleans.COM • GayPensacola.COM • GayAmerica.COM • December 2-15, 2008 • EXPOSE'-1 of 48 one last song

by Donnie "Jager" Jay, SDGM XXXII E-mail: [email protected]

Hillary Clinton Many honorable Americans, both Re- Shane, manager Candise, Justin & as Secretary of State publican, Democratic and Independents Tommy serve up the Thanksgiving t should not come as a surprise of both genders were mentioned, and in Feast at Le Roundup Manager Doc opens up Double Play’s all honesty it began to look as if he Thanksgiving Feast to anyone who has read my writings over the last few years indeed would become the great uniter. I He had stated during his whole cam- in this publication that I am indeed a rather die hard liberal. Although I can paign he would be bipartisan in running and sometimes do see the opposite the government and it is looking more side of the coin, and though infrequently, as if he plans on keeping his word every which I admit, at times there are things day. He said it was time for change in that I do agree with. The one thing I have the United States and I believe he will never hidden from my friends, on either deliver on that pledge. He is facing side of the aisle however was my re- probably the worst financial state our spect and admiration of Hillary Clinton. country has been in since the great She was of course my first choice as depression. big easy the Democratic nominee for president, When the Clinton era ended, the paparazzi economy was flourishing, and we had Ambush but that being past, I am just as glad an unbelievable surplus of assets, now Bartender Al behind the bar with that Obama will be there for us, as this manager Candise at Le Roundup country can not afford any more of after just eight years of Republican rule Stephen behind the bar Bush’s policies. under George Bush’s agenda we are at the Double Play I must also confess that I was very deeper in debt than imaginable. upset and disappointed when the now Return to the Clinton era? Hardly. President-elect Obama passed on Mrs. You can not build the future on the past, Clinton as his running mate, I person- you can not restore what has been ally thought she would make a good squandered, once it is gone you can not choice. That way if any thing, and I reclaim it, but what has to be done is to hesitate to even think of such a thing, move forward and build greater strength should happen to the President-elect, for the economy, the nation and all the my first choice would be ready to serve. individual members of it’s society. Not Now, many folk feel that this is not a just the top ten percent, but everyone. possibility in this day and age, but I am sure you as I had a great laugh being a realist, it certainly is not beyond when the CEOs of our major auto mak- ers came to a hearing on Capitol Hill in Baby Queenie celebratin’ Turkey Day the fringe of the American physic. Mama Cookmeyer & son Mike carve up with her Octopussy There are still unfortunately too their private jets. Here were the men the turkey at 700 Club at Ambush Headquarters many racists among us and if you listen who allowed their companies to reach closely you will hear many discourag- such crisis that they came asking for a ing comments, and surprisingly com- bailout with billions of our tax dollars to ing from more folks, than not, that you save an industry that they have led to would not ever suspect to hear them ruin, and they came in private jets. All coming from. Are they just the but one said they would decrease their mumblings from a dissatisfied minority multi-million salaries to help, but the stunned with the results of such a lone wolf felt he was paid what he was historic election? Or are they serious. worth and he arrived in a private jet. For those of you to young to remember, Most of us can barely afford economy Turkey Day, Black Friday ~ New Orleans Photos by Day, Turkey the assignation of the beloved John F. class plane tickets now-a-days, but Kennedy was not all that long ago. they travel in private jets? Something is But I am digressing here and though very wrong with this picture. I felt that I had to say those things that Have we as a Nation become im- Bert & Laurie slingin’ cocktails on Black mune to a fair wage for a fair days work. Regina presents Marcy an early portrait are running through my mind, it is not Friday at The Country Club Press release date 11/17. The New for Marcy’s Thanksgiving b-day what I intended to start off writing. I am at Starlight quite honored and certainly satisfied York Times reports that Barack with the latest election results and revel Obama’s advisors have begun vetting in the fact to be still living at a time when Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State – the realization of the American Dream including a look at Bill Clinton’s fi- is still alive and available to all our nances and activities. Vetting is a rather citizens, Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, intense investigation into the back- Oriental, Native American or whom ever. ground of not only the person you are It makes me proud to be a part of the considering hiring, but also their family greatest nation on earth, and though and close associates to see if there are still not perfect it is getting closer every any unknown skeletons buried in their day. I still have high hopes to live long backgrounds. Maybe the major auto enough to see equality for all my GLBT companies should have used these brothers and sisters. tactics to find responsible CEOs. When the word began to leak out The examination of the former presi- on Obama’s choices for his Cabinet dent suggests just how seriously Mr. CW serves up his turkey plate Jerce Ann, Fish, Marty & Steve light up members, much speculation circulated. [continued on Expose-4] at Starlight the Friendly Bar on Black Friday

EXPOSE'-2 of 48 • December 2-15, 2008 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • GayBars.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM GayBatonRouge.BIZ • GayNewOrleans.COM • GayPensacola.COM • GayAmerica.COM • December 2-15, 2008 • EXPOSE'-3 of 48 In 2005, Rev. Perry retired as Mod- Our church - The Big Easy MCC erator of Metropolitan Community will be carpooling up to Baton Rouge on the pink pastor Churches. In his retirement, he main- the morning of the 7th, leaving our tains an active speaking schedule, lec- church building on the corner of S. by Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, 504.214.4340 turing on the history of the gay rights Carrollton and Willow at 9am; anyone E-mail: [email protected] movement, HIV issues, and marriage who would like a ride please get in touch www.bigeasymcc.com equality. He also regularly preaches in with me by phone or email. The Baton www.thebigeasymccblog.blogspot.com both MCC congregations and other faith Rouge Church (MCC of Baton Rouge) is communities. located at 7747 Tom Drive, just off Troy Perry, A Biography later were divorced. While Rev. Perry realizes the op- Airline Highway in Baton Rouge for am going to do a bad thing – I When Rev. Perry returned to Los pression still facing gays and , those who want to travel up indepen- am going to fill this column with Angeles after a two-year stint in the he stands at the vanguard of the move- dently – I hope to see many of you there Ia biography written by someone U.S. Army, he was set on the historical ment, telling his flock and the rest of the for an inspirational morning! else! I hope you can see my reasons for course his life was to take. world, “We’re Not Afraid Anymore.” doing this when I say that on Sunday, ”The Lord was dealing with me. My Dec. 7th Rev. Troy Perry is coming to previous church taught that you couldn’t one last song ...from Ex-2 reporting that Clinton will accept Louisiana! Troy is a major international be both Christian and gay. Then one Obama’s offer of the Secretary of State. figure, and the founder of the movement day it was as though God said, ‘Don’t Obama is considering bringing his one Mrs. Clinton came to her decision to include LGBT people in Spirituality. tell me what I can do. I love you, Troy, time rival into his cabinet. A team of after additional discussions with Presi- He is also the founder of the struggle for and I don’t have any stepsons or step- lawyers to facilitate the potential nomi- dent-elect Barack Obama about the marriage equality in modern times, and daughters. Reread my Word.’ And re- nation spent many hours looking into nature of her role and his plans for a major role model and inspiration in my read God’s word I did.” Mr. Clinton’s philanthropic organization, foreign policy, said one of the confi- life. He founded the denomination to It was following a close friend’s interactions with foreign governments dants, who insisted on anonymity to which I belong – The Universal Fellow- arrest that Rev. Perry realized that “God and ties to pharmaceutical companies. discuss the situation. Mr. Obama’s of- ship of Metropolitan Community cares,” precipitating the birth of MCC in While Mr. Clinton has used his founda- fice told reporters Thursday that the Churches, and is nothing less than a , and ultimately leading to tion to champion efforts to fight AIDS, nomination is “on track” but Clinton prophet for our community, and a bea- the birth of the Metropolitan Community poverty and climate changes around associates only confirmed Friday after- con for everyone else. Troy speaks the Churches movement, which has grown the world, he has also taken millions in noon that she had made a decision. truth about the universality of God’s to 250 congregations in 26 countries. speaker fees and contributions from Obama is convinced that the advan- love, and our God-created nature, and Rev. Perry was invited to the White foreign businesses with interest in tages of Clinton serving far outweigh we all have a chance to hear him speak House in 1977 by the administration of American government policies. The potential downsides and that he be- th in Baton Rouge on the 7 December. President Jimmy Carter to discuss gay nomination would be a remarkable union lieves that Hillary Clinton will bring in- Here is a potted biography … and lesbian civil rights, and was ap- the former first lady who was an early stant stature and credibility to U. S. Troy Perry has devoted his life to pointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton favorite to win the presidency and the diplomatic relations. helping others discover the loving and as an official delegate to White House first term senator who defeated her. Clinton, who still harbors hopes of caring God to whom he has committed Conference on Hate Crimes and the Such a high profile seat would be an- a future presidential run, had to weigh his life. White House Conference on AIDS. other achievement for the most accom- up whether she would be better placed As founder of the predominantly- Rev. Perry has been an interna- plished first lady in U.S. history. staying in the Senate, which offers a gay Metropolitan Community Churches tional leader in the quest for marriage 11/20 The Washington Post re- platform for life, or making the more (MCC), he has watched the member- equality for gays and lesbians. In 1969, ports that, there may be another road uncertain career move to the Secretary ship grow from 12 to over 43,000 he performed the first public same-sex block to Hillary Clinton’s seat: a clause of State job. Clinton would be well placed during the past 38 years and has guided wedding in the U.S., and in 1970 he filed in the Constitution. to become the country’s dominate voice MCC’s growth into one of the world’s the first-ever lawsuit seeking legal rec- It is called Article One, Section Six, in foreign affairs, replacing Condoleezza largest LGBT organizations. ognition for same-gender . also known as emoluments clause. Rice. Since being elected as senator MCC was the first church to recog- In 2003, he and his spouse, Philip “Emoluments” means things like sala- for New York, she had specialized in nize the need to minister to the needs Ray De Blieck, were married under ries. It states that no member of Con- foreign affairs and defense. Although of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and Canadian law. In 2004, they filed suit gress, during the term for which he was she supported the war in Iraq, she and transgender persons throughout the against the State of seeking elected, shall be named to any office Obama basically agree on withdrawal world. It is through that ministry that the state’s recognition of their Cana- “the emoluments whereof shall been of American troops. Perry has become a leading activist for dian marriage. The California Superior increased during his term. This applies, I personally applaud Obama’s se- gay and lesbian rights. Court ruled in their favor; but the new we’re told, whether the member actu- lection and her acceptance, and pray Rev. Perry began his vocation in equality was overturned by ballot amend- ally voted on the raises or not. In that it all works out. Eight years of Florida at the age of 13 and was li- ment – it is currently being appealed. Clinton’s case, during her present term, Barack Obama and then eight of Hillary censed as a Baptist minister at 15. In addition to his work as a gay which began in January 2007, cabinet Clinton and maybe, just maybe George During this period, he became aware of religious leader and human rights activ- salaries were increased. Bush’s legacy will be forgotten once his sexual orientation and felt — as ist, Rev. Perry has authored an autobi- Bill Clinton said he will do “anything and for all. many gays did in rural America — that ography, “The Lord is My Shepherd and they want” as part of the vetting pro- he must certainly be the only one in the He Knows I’m Gay,” and a sequel titled cess. You may contact me at world who felt that way. “Don’t Be Afraid Anymore,” published 11/21 The New York Times is [email protected]. In 1959 he married his pastor’s by St. Martin’s Press. He is a contrib- daughter, and a year later he, his wife uting editor for the book “Is Gay Good?” and newborn son moved to where and the subject of another book, “Our Rev. Perry planned to attend Midwest God Too.” His most recent book is “10 Get more for your ad $$$! Bible College. While studying at Mid- Spiritual Truths For Gays and Lesbi- west, Rev. Perry worked for a plastics ans* (*and everyone else!).” company that transferred him to South- Rev. Perry has represented MCC ern California to open a new plant. Rev. and the LGBT rights movement on the Reach the Lucrative Gulf South Perry, with his wife and two sons, made British Broadcasting Corporation, the Market ...Texas thru Florida the move in 1962. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Once in California Rev. Perry was Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Ambush Mag assigned to pastor the Church of God of CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, Fox News, Prophecy in Santa Ana. It was there and CNBC. Virtually every major maga- that Rev. Perry experienced an “un- zine and newspaper in the world has easy” coming out and came to terms covered the story of the founding of with his gayness. He and his wife sepa- MCC. rated after five years of marriage and 504.522.8049504.522.8049

EXPOSE'-4 of 48 • December 2-15, 2008 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • GayBars.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM GayBatonRouge.BIZ • GayNewOrleans.COM • GayPensacola.COM • GayAmerica.COM • December 2-15, 2008 • EXPOSE'-5 of 48