Story on Michael Kenny to be A Hustler’s Life: Story on Page Page 4 Honored at MCC The Complete Story 31

Esera Tuaolo Lands National Television Campaign Former NFL Player Pitches Chili’s Hawaiian Steak

Esera Tuaolo July 28, 2003 Volume 4, Number 30 See Story on Page 14 NEWS ANALYSIS City Hall’s Gay Killer Case Raises Questions about Gay Domestic Abuse, HIV Counseling By Phil LaPadula Managing Editor t started out as just another shocking story about “homeland insecurity.” Despite Tom Ridge’s rainbow-of-terror color codes Iand a tough-talking attorney general, a man was able to walk into New York’s City Hall on Wednesday, July 23, and gun down a city councilman in broad daylight in a city that has been on “high security alert” since Sept. 11, 2001. But in a New York minute, the story quickly spiraled down a dark subway tunnel of intrigue to end up in the blazing headlines of New York’s brash tabloids by Friday morning. It is now a twisted tale of “outing,” gay domestic violence, AIDS and blackmail. See Killer on page 4

Ricardo Alfonso, host of Out N’ About, and Shayna Davidnov Hanson, public relations Sen. Geller Calls for director for Foreverfilms International, at Boom on July 23 John Lloyd Park Probe Official Says State Has No Plans for Formal Investigation By Phil LaPadula Tracy Faulkner, who was also arrested by Managing Editor Officer Lopez. Florida State Sen. Steven Geller has “Obviously, I have no knowledge of called for an investigation of the “serious whether any of the allegations about either allegations” that park officers have targeted Officer Lopez or Officer Jones are accurate,” gay men at John U. Lloyd Geller continues. “As a State Park, harassing them and representative of the falsely accusing them of legislative branch, I have violations. neither the authority nor the But a spokesperson for ability to do any the Department of investigation as to the Environmental Protection, accuracy of these Division of Law Enforcement allegations, and I am not told The Express on Thursday prejudging in any fashion that the department has no what has occurred here. Let’s Get Real! plans to launch a formal However, the allegations, if investigation of the situation. true, would be serious Casting Call for ‘Out N’ About’ Show Held at Boom “We have not launched Florida State Sen. allegations against state By Phil LaPadula casting calls before shooting the first show on any formal investigation into Steven A. Geller employees. Managing Editor Sept. 13. The show, a combination of talent this because our officers are “I would appreciate it if With gay reality TV shows like Queer show and dating game, will be shot on location just doing their jobs and enforcing the law,” you could investigate these allegations, and Eye for the Straight Guy and Boy Meets Boy in Boom and Georgie’s Alibi. The show will said Lucia Ross, public information officer determine on your own whether or not these heating up the summer ratings, it was probably begin with three or four performers showing for the department. “I do have some park allegations are accurate…” just a matter of time before the cameras off their hidden talents at Boom. It will then officers doing some research in the park.” While the state apparently continues to zoomed in on the new epicenter of gay life in move to Georgie’s Alibi, where three suitors In his letter, dated July 17, to David B. resist calls for a formal investigation of the America—Wilton Manors. will choose dates from the competing Struhs, secretary of the Department of harassment allegations, The Miami Herald Well, they arrived last week. The performers. The show will include both gay Environmental Protection, Geller notes that was willing to look into the matter. In the production team of a new gay reality dating men and lesbian contestants. he has enclosed several articles that appeared paper’s July 25 edition, Herald reporter show, called Out N’ About, held its first casting Shayna Davidov Hanson, public relations in The Express about the John Lloyd Park Diana Moskovitz interviewed Faulkner, the call at Boom nightclub in Wilton Manors on director for Foreverfilms, said Out N’ About situation. “I have been contacted by a registered nurse who was charged with Wednesday, July 23. The Gong Show-like will include a surprise “twist,” but she number of people in Broward County in “indecent exposure” for wearing a white casting competition was emceed by local promised that it would not emulate Boy Meets regards to these articles,” Geller writes. “In bathing suit that a park officer said was “not entertainer Daisy Deadpedals. Boy’s trick of including straight men in the addition to these articles, I have been The show’s producer, Foreverfilms contacted about an additional individual, See Park on page 4 International, plans to hold at least 20 more See Reality on page 8

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 1 July 28, 2003 Volume 4, Number 30 Issue 139

Inside THE EXPRESS Publisher Norm Kent [email protected] Broward News Page 5 Managing Editor Phil LaPadula [email protected]

Community Spirit Main Health Editor J. Michael James Entrée at Gala Event [email protected] Arts & Entertainment Editor Taste of Oakland Park & Wilton Manors Welcomes 500 Guests Mary Damiano [email protected]

Expressions Page 20 Palm Beach Correspondent EDITORIAL Chip Alfred ‘Why Don’t You Guys Shut Up [email protected] Features Editor Andy Zeffer and Stop Wearing Dresses?’ [email protected] EDITORIAL Answering the Eternal Homophobic Question Michael Alvear Supervisor of Marketing and Development Kevin Hopper Q Cover Story Q2 [email protected] Account Executives Craig Combs Rachael Sage: Music’s [email protected] Anthony Verrico [email protected] Classifieds Manager Best-Kept Secret Lexx Thomas ‘Public Record’ May Finally Make Singer’s Talent Public Knowledge [email protected] National Sales Representatives Rivendell Marketing 212.242.6863 BUSINESS

News & Features Jennifer Trovato • Paul Harris Local Gay Democrats, Local Feature Columnists Scott Colton • John Templeton Business & Finance Daniel M. Pye • Michael Wilke Republicans Denounce Pryor Syndicated Columnists Mike Alvear • Mubarak Dahir Bush Nominee Advocated Jailing Gay People Paul Varnell • Deb Price • M.Signorile Dennis Scott-Bush • Jennifer Vanasco By Phil LaPadula “For President Bush to nominate a known bigot Health & Fitness Columnists Stephen Fallon • Lee Strausberg Managing Editor and homophobe such as Alabama Attorney General Pryor Advice & Counseling Local gay Democrats and Republicans issued is not only offensive but calls into question this president’s Mark Rutherford statements late last week strongly denouncing President and the Republican Party’s assertions that they represent Editorial Assistant Bush’s nomination of William Pryor all Americans and are ‘compassionate Michael Irwin to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, conservatives,’” said Michael A. Albetta, Webmaster • Gary Hallock Network Administrator • Ray Johnston which includes the state of Florida. president of the Fort Lauderdale-based Dolphin Contributing Photographers The statements came after the Senate Democrats. “This nominee, should he be allowed Steven Shires • Pompano Bill • Carole Fawcett Judiciary Committee voted 10-9 to to serve on the Federal Court of Appeals, will Distribution Managers send Pryor’s nomination to the full not represent all Americans equally under the law, Charlie Braun • Glenn King • John Fugate Graphic Artist • Henny Snow Senate. and this becomes a frightening prospect for those Office Administrator • Logan Kent CONTRIBUTORS Pryor, Alabama’s attorney of us within the GLBT community, along with general, has a history of anti-gay other minority groups, throughout this Circuit’s The Express Gay News, Inc. rhetoric and activism. His area of coverage, especially in light of the fact 1595 Northeast 26th St. Wilton Manors, Fl. 33305 Phone: 954.568.1880 Fax: 954.568.5110 nomination is being opposed by that presently this court is hearing the case www.ExpressGayNews.com numerous LGBT groups. Senate regarding Florida’s ban on gay adoptions. The William Pryor Democrats sought to block the Republicans on this committee, along with Sen. nomination from reaching the Spector, should be ashamed that they think so DEADLINES Senate floor and are now expected to filibuster it. little of the many minorities, including those of us within Display Advertising Placement Request - Monday by 5pm Pryor has compared homosexuality to pedophilia, the GLBT community, who are represented within this Art Work - Wednesday by noon necrophilia, prostitution, incest and adultery. He has also Circuit that they would allow this nomination to proceed.” Classifieds been accused of using the office of the Alabama Attorney Andy Eddy, of the local Log Cabin Republicans, Line Ads - Wednesday by 4pm General to attack gays and lesbians by linking the state’s also strongly denounced Pryor’s nomination. “We feel Art Work - Tuesday by noon official website to anti-gay groups. Pryor also wrote a that he is not fair-minded individual,” Eddy said. “This The Express is published weekly on Mondays. Our paper is a member strongly worded amicus brief in the Lawrence v. Texas fellow is not inclusive, and Log Cabin does not in favor of the Associated Press, and a Founding Member of the Gay American Media sodomy case. In the brief, Pryor argued for upholding this nomination. This is where we all share the common Association. The views or opinions expressed within this publication, in bylined state sodomy laws and advocated jailing people involved ground. Pryor’s rhetoric is unacceptable for a person on columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer and do not in same-sex relationships. the bench. In the United States, we are all guaranteed not necessarily represent the opinions of Express Gay News, Inc. The appearance Pryor’s nomination would have died in committee if only freedom of religion but freedom from religious of names or pictorial representations in The Express does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named person or persons. not for the crucial vote of Sen. Arlen Specter, R- persecution.” All material in The Express is protected by federal copyright law and Pennsylvania. Specter—who is often used as a model Eddy said he expected the national branch of Log may not be reproduced without the written consent of Express Gay News. The Express reserves the right to enforce its own judgments regarding pro-gay Republican—decided at the last minute to send Cabin Republicans to issue a statement opposing Pryor’s the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and/or photographs. the Pryor nomination to the Senate floor. nomination as well.

Editorial Page / Letters to the Editor ...... 16 Expressifieds ...... 26-27 Business Directory ...... 28-29

The Express Stylebook Policy “This Above All... To Thine Own Self Be True. And it For the sake of readable newswriting, the word “gay” in The Express should, when relevant, be interpreted to be inclusive of gays, lesbians, must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to bisexuals, transsexuals, transvestites, transgendered people, two-spirited people, intersexed people, men-who-have-sex-with-men, women-who- any man.” • Shakespeare / Hamlet / I / III have-sex-with-women,queers, homosexuals, sexual minorities, and people who are unsure of their sexual orientation, but think they might be gay. Here is an example: “Toronto’s gay-pride parade is bigger than Vancouver’s.” Copyright © 2003 • Express Gay News, Inc.

2 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 3 Michael Kenny to be Honored at MCC Visitors Bureau Official to be Recognized for Work with SunServe From Staff Reports enduring vision in support of SunServe,” “None of us on the board of directors Michael Kenny was honored Sunday, said Tom Clift, public relations director for of SunServe can imagine having gotten this July 27, during services at the Sunshine the Sunshine Cathedral. far without Michael’s invaluable assistance,” Cathedral Church in Fort Lauderdale for his As a member of SunServe’s board, Clift said. “SunServe will forever be work with SunServe, the cathedral’s social Kenny was a driving force behind indebted to this very special person. services agency. SunServe presented to fundraising efforts to establish a senior day Everyone is invited to attend either service.” Kenny, who is vice president of cultural care center catering to the gay community The cathedral’s board of directors has tourism for the Greater Fort Lauderdale at the cathedral. The Noble A. McArtor also announced an opportunity to win a get- Convention & Visitors Bureau, with an Senior Day Care Center is expected to open away cruise for two for four days and three award “for his tireless leadership and in the early fall. nights to the Bahamas. All port, government and taxes are included in the prize. Park from Front Page Tickets are available, now, at $10 each or they told someone they worked at John U. three for $25, at the Sunshine Cathedral’s Great Michael Kenny, vice president of cultural fully opaque.” Faulkner defended himself in Lloyd, the person gave them a look and said tourism for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Hall after Sunday services or from a board Convention & Visitors Bureau court and was acquitted of the charges. they would never take their kids there again. member. You may also visit the Cathedral’s The Herald story, titled “State Denies This is so people can feel free to go to the website: www.SunshineCathedral.Org and Targeting Gays in Busts at Park Beach,” park again.” The Sunshine Cathedral MCC is purchase tickets there. located at 1480 SW 9th Ave. in Fort includes a picture of Faulkner holding up the The Law Offices of Kent and Cormican The drawing to select the winner of the ordinary looking white swim trunks. have the names of at least 15 gay men who Lauderdale. For more information or cruise will be a special feature at the directions to the church, call Moskovitz also interviewed Jose Mendoza, say they were falsely accused of a variety Sunshine Country Fair, at the Sunshine who was cited for sitting on a restricted part of violations or witnessed harassment at the 954.462.2004 or visit Cathedral, on Sept. 1. Pride World Travel www.SunshineCathedral.Org. of the beach. The charges against Mendoza park. Eight of the men attended a meeting will provide travel arrangements. were later dropped. to plan strategy for a possible class-action The Herald article also quotes Michael suit against the state. Killer from Front Page Salazar, a Fort Lauderdale attorney, who has At Ross’s request, The Express faxed kill Davis. “Had Askew been convicted of represented four men facing similar charges a list of eight questions to the public One thing seems certain: The shots fired domestic violence, a misdemeanor, he would from citations they received at John Lloyd information officer, who promised to by Othniel Askew that killed New York City have been ineligible to buy a gun,” the Daily Park beach. According to the Herald, two forward them to Major Elwood Stevens, Councilman James Davis will reverberate News reports. of the cases ended with the state dropping bureau chief of the park patrol. On June 6, through the gay world for some time to The story also raises many questions the charges, and the other two are pending. Ross told The Express that the department come. The story is sure to rekindle the debate about gay domestic abuse and how it is According to the Herald, since March was “drafting a response.” The Express has about the outing of handled in both the gay 47 people have been ticketed for trespassing- still not received any response. political figures. But community and the criminal type offenses at John U. Lloyd and another State officials have also declined according to a report in justice system. According to the state park, Hugh Taylor Birch in Fort repeated requests from The Express to talk The New York Daily Daily News article, Askew’s plea Lauderdale. with the officers involved or their immediate News, Askew had more bargain in the domestic abuse The DEP’s Ross told the Herald: “One supervisor. to hide than his sexuality case was the result of his former officer was in a convenience store, and when and his HIV-positive partner’s reluctance to pursue the status. According to the charges. “The best recollection paper, before he gunned we’ve got is that the victim down Davis, Askew changed his mind and said, ‘Let’s called the FBI and told just make this thing go away,’” a agents that Davis was source in the district attorney’s threatening to reveal James Davis office told the New York Daily Askew’s 1996 arrest for News. attacking his gay lover with a hammer. While This seems consistent with many studies many would argue for the right to privacy of gay domestic abuse, which show it is in the case of an individual’s sexual underreported and victims are often reluctant orientation, few people would suggest that to prosecute. For example, in his extensive the public does not have the right to know study of gay and lesbian domestic violence, about the violent criminal background of a Richard Niolon, Ph.D. suggests that such candidate for public office. abuse is both underreported and misreported. But as far as the gay community is “What is really gay domestic violence is concerned, one of the most important things often recorded in police logs as ‘mutual to come out of this case is the dialogue it is combat,’” Niolon writes. likely to spark about the issue of same-sex Niolon notes that little is known about domestic violence. As reported by the New gay domestic violence because “only since York Daily News, in the police report about 1987 have statistics regarding gay and the domestic violence incident, Askew’s lesbian domestic violence been collected.” former lover, Mario Romero, says Askew Niolon’s report, however, suggests that “repeatedly struck [him] over his head, face there is probably more domestic violence and body with a hammer,” causing injuries in gay relationships than in heterosexual that sent him to Bellevue Hospital. ones because of self-esteem problems that Askew was originally charged with many gays develop as adolescents. felony assault and possession of a deadly Finally, the Askew case raises concerns weapon, but Manhattan prosecutors agreed about HIV status and counseling for HIV- to a plea bargain. Askew agreed to plead positive individuals. HIV medications were guilty to second-degree harassment, the found in Askew’s apartment, and he was equivalent of a parking ticket under New known to be HIV-positive. Was his HIV York law. status the thing that made him snap or just a According to press reports, Askew was factor that contributed to his unraveling? also charged with grand larceny in 1999, but What kind of HIV counseling, if any, did those charges were dismissed. Askew told Askew receive? the FBI that Davis was trying to blackmail These questions may be answered in the him by threatening to reveal Askew’s two days ahead. But one thing is certain: arrests if he ran for city council against Wednesday, July 23, was not a proud day for Davis. the gay and lesbian community. The case Askew’s case raises many questions represents a dark chapter in gay history, a stain about New York’s criminal justice system. at least equal to that of the Andrew Cunanan First, Askew’s felony assault charge was murder spree in 1997. Our enemies on the far supposed to be sealed—unavailable to the right are sure to use this incident against us— public—because he agreed to plead guilty painting us all as crazed murderers. to a lesser charge. But, as reported by the But it is how our own community Daily News, it turned out to be available to addresses the issues arising from this case the public. Secondly, the plea deal left that will determine whether we are in denial Askew eligible to buy the gun he used to or moving forward.

4 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 Community Spirit Main Entrée at Gala Event Taste of Oakland Park & Wilton Manors Welcomes 500 Guests By Mary Damiano community,” Fleming said. “They’re refer to whenever they’re looking for a good Arts & Entertainment Editor coming out, and they’re tasting. place to eat. A heaping helping of community spirit They’re meeting their local restaurants, “A lot of people don’t was served up along with specialties from and hopefully building special know that our area has a 24 local restaurants at the third annual Taste relationships. The exposure that wonderful culinary of Oakland Park & Wilton Manors, held everyone is getting from this event is tradition, and that is how Monday, July 21, at the Lake Emerald a big benefit.” we’re positioning Clubhouse in Oakland Park. Lynda Brown, president of the ourselves—as a culinary Parrot Main Street Cafe, Stork’s Bakery Cities of Oakland Park & Wilton destination,” Constantine and Café, Seoul Sister BBQ, By Word of Manors Chamber of Commerce, saw said. “We have five-star Mouth, Tuscan Today, The Ambry, the event as a way for people to learn restaurants in our area— Ratskellar, Hi-Life Café and Simply Delish more about what Oakland Park and Primavera is rated in the top were among the restaurants that served Wilton Manors have to offer. “It makes 200 restaurants in the samples of their cuisine to 500 guests at the a great impression for our cities,” she country. These restaurants sold-out event. said. “We’re becoming more and are local, and we need to “We’re thrilled about the turnout,” said more professional and beautiful, and patronize them.” Geoffrey Fleming, who does media relations this is an important event. The Tracie Jacobsen of for the Cities of Oakland Park & Wilton excitement and momentum that’s Photo ByPompano Bill Chocolate Forest tempted Manors Chamber of Commerce. “It’s an building in the cities is expressed here. Chef Jason and Henry Clarke, owner of Simply Delish guests with chocolate advancement over the 250 tickets that were Everything has been donated by people who the community. People have a chance to get dipped pretzels, pineapple and grapes. “The sold last year, so we’ve doubled the size.” live and work in the cities.” to know their business neighbor.” response has been incredible,” she said. “A But even while guests enjoyed the In addition to the food, many items and Siegi Constantine, event chair of The lot of people who don’t know us see us here, crabmeat stuffed shrimp from Primavera packages were available at the annual silent Taste of Oakland Park & Wilton Manors, and then they come by the shop and they’re Restaurant, or the sushi and appetizers from auction. All of the funds raised by The Taste noted that the guests who attended were not impressed.” Galanga or the Pad Thai from Sushi Thai, of Oakland Park & Wilton Manors benefit just local, but from Miami, Delray Beach and Carlos Fernandez from the Hi-Life Café they also appreciated the chance to show the chamber of commerce, so that the other parts of South Florida as well. served pan-seared salmon with a light Dijon their support for their community. organization can help develop and support Constantine had friends fly in from New cream sauce served over sautéed spinach “I think it’s been really fun,” said Tony businesses in the community. Funds are also York especially for the event. with roasted red potatoes. Fernandez praised Beall, a neon artist who owns Luminosity, being earmarked for a scholarship to benefit Constantine was also pleased by the The Taste of Oakland Park & Wilton Manors while munching on chocolate dipped grapes a student at Atlantic Tech Center Culinary caliber of the restaurants that participated. as one of his favorite events of the year. “It’s from Chocolate Forest. “It’s great to see so Institute. “The restaurants that came on board are all a wonderful event, our third year, and it’s many people from the local community out Howard M. Cohen was on hand first class,” she said. exceeded all expectations,” he said. “It’s a here supporting our businesses and the representing first-time sponsor Wachovia Another bonus for those who attended great group of people to be hooked up with.” chamber.” Bank. “I’m amazed by the amount of people The Taste of Oakland Park & Wilton Manors Fernandez was thrilled with the community Fleming concurred. “The benefit to the who have come out tonight,” he said. “The was the program book, which was designed support: “Love our neighborhood, love our people who’ve attended is definitely food is great, and there’s a lot of spirit from as a restaurant guide people could keep and food,” he said.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 5 IO Lounge in Miami Cruise to the Bahamas Lavender Auditions Ave., Miami Shores, starting at 1pm. Tickets are $5 at the door, and reservations are not necessary. For more Wednesdays—PE is a new weekly event at IO Now through Sept. 1—Members of The July 29—Creative Arts Enterprises will hold information call 305.751.0562. Lounge, located at 30 NE 14th St., Miami. Guests are Sunshine Cathedral’s board of directors announce an auditions for its upcoming Lavender Footlights Festival encouraged to dress in short shorts or a track uniform. amazing opportunity to win a getaway cruise for two from 4:30 to 10pm. Auditions will be held at the Dance For more information, visit www.pemiami.com, for four days and three nights to the Bahamas. Tickets Esaias space at 1155 SW 6th St. in Miami. The Hooked on Film are available for $10 each or three for $25, at the Lavender Footlights Festival will be a weekend of Aug. 2—The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film See Jane Read Sunshine Cathedral’s Great Hall after Sunday services, staged readings of plays by gay and lesbian playwrights Festival (MGLFF) and Fort Lauderdale International from a board member or you may purchase from the on GLBT themes. The festival will be held on Sept. 13 Third Sundays—Stonewall Library’s book club Film Festival (FLIFF) will join together at Cinema cathedral’s website, www.SunshineCathedral.org. and 14 in Miami Beach. Actors of all ages, ethnicities for women meets the third Sunday of every month to Paradiso to present Hooked. Directed by Los Angeles The drawing to select the winner of the and types are needed. Please prepare a one- to two- discuss fascinating multicultural novels, biographies filmmaker Todd Ahlberg, the movie is a documentary getaway cruise will be a special feature at the minute contemporary monologue. Call Doug Williford and short story collections. The club meets at 3pm at about online cruising, which is an issue in today’s gay Sunshine Country Fair, at the Sunshine Cathedral at 305.695.0481 for audition appointment. 1717 N. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For community. on Sept. 1. Creative Arts Enterprises is a 501-C3 nonprofit th information, contact Program Director Karen Friedman Cinema Paradiso is located at 503 SE 6 St. in The Sunshine Cathedral MCC is located at organization dedicated to producing gay and lesbian- at [email protected] or 954.462.2475. Fort Lauderdale. Tickets for the 9:30pm presentation 1480 SW 9th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more themed entertainment for South Florida audiences. Over are $10 for general admission and $7 for MGLFF or information or directions to the church, visit the past year, Creative Arts Enterprises has produced FLIFF members in advance by calling 305.534.9924. Cuisine of Queens www.SunshineCathedral.Org or call Bed, Boys, and Beyond and Jon and Juan’s Wedding. Phone orders may be paid for by Visa, Mastercard or Through Nov. 15—All “girls” who like to 954.462.2004. For more information, visit www.caemia.org or call American Express. Tickets will also be available at the perform, along with all current and former pageant title 305.695.0481. door starting one hour before showtime on a cash-only holders, may submit their favorite recipes for the Spring Finding and Keeping Mr. basis. 2004 edition of the Cuisine of Queens cookbook. Recipe Write and Wrong For more information on Hooked, visit the official categories for the book include Appetizer/Hors Right, Not Mr. Perfect Aug. 1—What’s Wrong & What’s Write is a website at www.hookedmovie.com. d’oeuvres, Dip, Soup/Salad, Main Course, Dessert, and July 29—The Gay Male Empowerment musical written by youth between seven and 16 years Odds & Ends. Project will hold “Finding and Keeping Mr. Right, of age about people who discriminate against others Landscapes and Still Life Send your recipes, stage name, up to five of your Not Mr. Perfect” at Art Serve, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. just because they are different. This musical teaches a Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 8-Sep 5—The Broward Art most recent titles and the name of your favorite charity Admission to the event is $10 per person, $15 for valuable lesson about how it feels to be discriminated Guild is accepting entries to the exhibition Landscapes to Cuisine of Queens, PO Box 752882, Memphis, TN you and a new guest. against. & Still Life. All media addressing the theme will be 38175. You may also include a photo and booking For reservations and more information, call What’s Wrong & What’s Write will be held Friday considered. information. 954.768.0434 ext. 6000. at the Shores Performing Arts Theater, 9806 NE 2nd Artists may deliver their works to the Guild,

6 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 located at 530 NE 13th St. in Fort Lauderdale, on Aug. Gay Chorus to Make History Fair will run from 11am until 7pm. There will be 2 and 3 from noon to 4pm. The opening reception and carnival-type booths with food and games, as well Aug. 12—The Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus presentation of awards will take place on Aug. 8 from as a cakewalk. There will be a bounce house for will be the first gay chorus ever to perform the national 7-9pm, and will run through Sept. 5. the kids, a clown to do face painting and balloons. anthem at a Florida Marlin’s game. Express publisher For more information, visit There will be contests to judge the best Norm Kent, who organized an AIDS Awareness www.browardartguild.org or call 954.523.4824. homemade cake and pie and a separate contest for Fundraiser to benefit AIDS Project Florida and Care jams, as well as a revival-and-gospel sing in the Resource, invited the chorus to perform. main sanctuary at 6pm. Oriental Celebration Funding for the Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus The Sunshine Cathedral is located at 1480 SW Aug. 9—Women In Network (WIN) will is provided in part by The Express, TWN, Norwegian 9th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information celebrate Obon, Japan’s traditional holiday honoring Cruise Line, American Express and the Broward County or directions, visit www.SunshineCathedral.Org ancestors, at Morikami Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Board of County Commissioners as recommended by or call the church office at 954.462.2004. Road, Delray Beach. Activities include games, folk the Broward Cultural Division. dancing, taiko drums and ghost stories, followed by a For more information about the Fort Lauderdale fireworks display. Gay Men’s Chorus, call 954.832.0060. Dancing for Life Tickets must be purchased in advance ($10 for Nov. 2—The American Red Cross of adults and $7 for children) by calling Flo at Fun for Food Greater Miami & The Keys will be hosting South 954.961.7176. Aug. 23—Teams are now forming for the 13th Florida Dance for Life on Sunday, at 7pm at the Annual Poverello Bowl-A-Thon. The Bowl-A-Thon Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 East Etz Chaim at Tropics will take place on Saturday from noon to 3pm and Flagler Street, Downtown Miami. 3:30pm to 6pm at Manor Lanes, 1517 NE 26th St, Performances will include acts by Aug. 10—Congregation Etz Chaim, a spiritual in Wilton Manors. Maximum Dance Company, Miami home for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Jews For information on sponsoring a team or Contemporary Dance, Ballet Florida Principal and their friends in South Florida, will begin its social signing up to bowl, please call Brian Watson at Dancers, Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance and Music season with Sunday Brunch at Tropics Restaurant, 2000 954.561.3663 or Richard Decker at 954.563.4167. Ensemble, Mid Eastern Dance Exchange and a Wilton Drive, at 12:30pm. Tickets for the brunch are finale of all dance companies choreographed by $18 for synagogue members and $20 for guests, and A Little bit of Country Paolo Manso de Sousa. include Tropics’ famous brunch, coffee, a bloody Mary For ticket information, visit www.tixops.com or mimosa. Reservations to the brunch must be submitted Charm in Fort Lauderdale or call 877.877.7677. For sponsor information, please and paid for by July 25. For more information about the Sept. 1—The Sunshine Cathedral MCC will call 305.644.1200 ext. 108. Etz Chaim Tropics Brunch, call Jesse at 954.424.8449. host the Sunshine Country Fair on Labor Day. The

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 7 Teenager Charged in Blind Man’s Murder Victim’s Roommate Says He Saw the Two Men Having Sex By Chip Alfred being held without bail. He is charged with “[Ramirez] was a good Palm Beach County in the Palm Beach Correspondent first-degree murder and attempted robbery. neighbor. He did a lot of favors last two weeks. Ed Reagan An elderly blind man was found stabbed According to police reports, Ajpop is an for people,” Ande Morales told was nearly beaten to death to death in his West Palm Beach apartment illegal alien and considered a flight risk. WPBF Eyewitness News 25. outside his condominium in after having sex with a 19-year-old man, Ajpop has his own account of the Morales added that he did West Palm Beach on July police said. incident. He denies having sex with Ramirez. sometimes hear altercations in 10. In addition, two According to West Palm Beach police, He said Ramirez made sexual advances Ramirez’s apartment. “When cousins, including one gay on the evening of July 17, Vicente Castillo, toward him, and he rebuffed the advances. he moved in, there were several man, were verbally his roommate, Juan Ramirez, 61, and Saul Ajpop says Ramirez then pulled a knife and arguments with people coming harassed by a woman who Ajpop, 19, were all in the apartment Ramirez attacked him. Ajpop says he took Ramirez’ in and then they leave.” Saul Ajpop is charged yelled anti-gay epithets at and Castillo shared at 707 Talladega St. knife away, got his own knife and stabbed This is the second incident with first-degree murder them outside a video store Castillo was getting ready to go to church. Ramirez in self-defense. of violence against gays in and attempted robbery. in Boca Raton on July 14. Ramirez and Ajpop were having cocktails, Gio Marcia, who has performed in shows International Film Festival award. Its TV show and Castillo says he saw Ramirez giving Reality from Front Page on board Royal Caribbean International and New York Underground, which highlights Ajpop oral sex. Castillo then left for church. pool of prospective dates. Norwegian Cruise Line ships, said he was underground, up-and-coming artists, has When he returned to the apartment a few “We don’t want it to be too over the top,” optimistic about his chances of making the cut. garnered 5.8 million viewers in its second hours later, Ramirez was dead. Davidov Hanson said. “We don’t want actors; Chip C., another contestant who seemed to season on the Mun2 network, NBC’s bilingual Victor Escobar, Ajpop’s landlord, is the we want real people who are interested in garner approval, said he learned of the casting Cable station. The show is shot in some of man who led police to Ajpop. Escobar says having a good time and maybe making a love call just the night before and decided to sign New York’s toughest neighborhoods, Ajpop told him he had killed someone and connection. We basically chose Wilton up. Michael Martini, a stand-up comedian and Davidov Hanson said. showed him the bloody knife. Escobar told Manors because it’s not the over-the-top party host of a gay radio show in West Palm Beach, The company recently shot a beach-set him to get rid of the knife, pack his things scene of South Beach, and we think we’ll get was a hit with the crowd. game show called Buzzed Out in South Beach. and move out. Escobar also said Ajpop took a more down-to-earth response. We want the The show’s host will be Ricardo Alfonso, The entire show was shot poolside in a beach- a small photo of himself out of a picture show to be entertaining, but we want it to have a well-known Miami actor who has house style set, designed by renowned set frame in his room and ate it, thinking that a true-to-life element.” appeared in soap operas. The show will also designer John Nyomarkay, who was the art would prevent police from identifying him, Things got a little too real for some people feature several performances by the Out N’ director for the critically acclaimed film The according to the police report. Wednesday night at Boom. One contestant About dance troupe, led by choreographer Hours. When they searched Ajpop’s building sang to his dog, as it peered up at him from a Ruben Pinon. on July 19, police said they found several baby carriage. He was gonged. Another Out N’ About will be holding casting calls Based in New York with an office in personal items belonging to Ramirez, crooner was gonged, but two other singers every Wednesday. Davidov Hanson said the Miami, Foreverfilms is a small boutique including his wallet with more than $1,400 seemed to capture the crowd’s affections. company has already received more than company that bills itself as “young and cutting 1,000 applications to appear on the show. inside it. Even contestants who were gonged, however, could still be chosen for the show, edge.” Its film credits include Two Henrys, a For more information, call 305.534.6398 or Ajpop was arrested on July 20 and is send e-mail to [email protected]. Davidov Hanson said. drama about a love triange that won a Zoe

8 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 9 10 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 Washington Post Publishes Wedding Announcement Columnist Price and Spouse Break New Ground at Prestigious Daily The Washington Post on July 23 wed, have just been legally wed or are hometown of Takoma Park, Maryland. In published the announcement of Deb Price celebrating the anniversary of their lawful May 1995, on the day of their 10th and Joyce Murdoch’s wedding—their legal marriage. Other sorts of announcements, anniversary, they were denied a marriage marriage in Canada—one of the first including civil unions, run on the Post’s license at the Montgomery County, announcements of a legal same-sex marriage Celebrations page. Wednesday’s Maryland, courthouse. On July 2, 2000, they to run in a major U.S. newspaper. Price is a announcement ran on the Weddings page. were united in a civil union by Justice of the syndicated columnist whose articles are Deb Price and Joyce Murdoch were Peace Keith Goslant in Plainfield, Vermont. published regularly in The Express. married at 10:30am on June 27 in Toronto Murdoch is now managing editor for For the Post, the marriage announcement City Hall’s wedding chapel by Officiant politics at National Journal magazine. Price was the first placement of a same-sex couple’s George McConnachie. A couple since 1985, is a nationally syndicated columnist on gay wedding on the newspaper’s Weddings page. Price and Murdoch met at The Washington issues for The Detroit News, where she also The Post’s rule has long been that the Post, where they both were employed as covers Congress out of the Washington Weddings page is open only to couples who editors. In November 1993, they became the bureau. are announcing an engagement to be legally first registered domestic partners in their —Advocate.com Deb Price and Joyce Murdoch ‘White House Enemies List’ Targets Gay Journalist Drudge Says Bush Staffer Gave Him Info to Discredit Kofman By Paul Johnson communications department employee told administration used a similar list in a futile began he has been the target of right-wing 365Gay.com Newscenter Drudge that he should know two things about attempt to silence reports about the radio talk shows and characterized as An ABC news report in which U.S. Kofman: He is gay, and he is a foreigner Watergate break-in that eventually led to disloyal and untrustworthy because of his soldiers in Iraq criticized the military has (Kofman is Canadian). Nixon’s downfall. sexual orientation and citizenship. earned reporter Jeffrey Kofman a place at Drudge followed up the call with a The offending story featured soldiers in That Kofman is gay and Canadian has the top of what some journalists are now headline on his website: “ABC News the Iraqi capital asking when they would be never been a secret. His ABC office is filled referring to as a “White House Enemies Reporter Who Filed Troops Complaint sent home. “If Donald Rumsfeld was here, with Canadian memorabilia and he has been list.” Story—Openly Gay Canadian.” Rather than I’d ask him for his resignation,” said Spc. out since he was a cub reporter at Toronto’s The administration was so outraged linking to Kofman’s ABC news report, the Clinton Deitz. Global television. He later went on to report by Kofman’s story, broadcast last Tuesday link took readers to a 2001 Advocate Drudge told the Washington Post’s for the country’s national television network, on ABC’s World News Tonight, that a interview with Kofman. Lloyd Grove that he was unaware of the the CBC, before being picked up by CBS White House staffer called cyber The White House officially condemned ABC story until “someone from the White and then moving on to ABC. journalist Matt Drudge in an attempt to the call, but many journalists within the House communications shop tipped me to In his 2001, Advocate interview, discredit Kofman, Drudge told The Beltway believe the White House is it” along with a profile of Kofman in the Kofman talked about covering the war in Washington Post. compiling an enemies list of journalists that Advocate. Afghanistan and about being out in the According to Drudge, the White House it intends to discredit. The Nixon Since the campaign against Kofman network news business.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 11 Complaint Filed Against Nursing Homes Lambda Legal Says Stroke Victim Denied Care Because of HIV Arguing that six Louisiana nursing But Gloria Rowe, Little’s sister, recently the nursing homes are in violation of the Franklinton. homes violated federal law by refusing to has noticed his progress slipping. “He hasn’t Federal Rehabilitation Act that prohibits The discrimination Little faces is a care for a stroke victim because he also spoken since the July 4 weekend and is facilities that receive federal funds from growing national problem, according to has HIV, Lambda Legal Defense and growing more depressed,” she said. “We are discriminating against people with Lambda Legal. “As people with HIV Education Fund will file a federal one of his primary motivations for improving disabilities. Since Lambda Legal believes and AIDS live longer, they have medical discrimination complaint against the in his physical, occupational and speech these six nursing homes accept Medicare or needs that aren’t always related to HIV,” homes today. therapy. Finding a way to get him closer to Medicaid, they are bound by this law. said Jonathan Givner, a staff attorney in A month before Cecil Little, 50, was home is critical to his progress, his outlook The five other homes are Kentwood Lambda Legal’s AIDS Project who is also discharged from the hospital, his mother on life and our peace of mind.” Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood, Belle working on the case. “The nursing homes and his sister approached a nursing home In the complaint, filed with the U.S. Maison Nursing Home, Heritage Manor and and other facilities they turn to for help may within six miles of where they live. That Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Office Hammond Nursing Home, all located in react with fear and turn them away—which facility, Tangi Pines, agreed to care for for Civil Rights, Lambda Legal argues that Hammond as well as Heritage Manor of is clearly illegal.” Little but after learning of his HIV status, just three days before he was due to arrive, the home backed out of the agreement. Gay Student Settles Lawsuit Five other nearby nursing homes also revoked their agreements to provide care School District to Pay $25,000 for Violating Free Speech to him. Little is now living in a nursing By Caryn Rousseau to go through what I did.” to everyone’s satisfaction and that the district home 160 miles round-trip from his Associated Press Writer The American Civil Liberties Union and its staff were moving on and putting the family. A gay teenager in Little Rock, Arkansas, (ACLU) filed the federal suit in April against case behind them. “Cecil Little requires help meeting his has reached a $25,000 settlement with his the Pulaski County School District on behalf The settlement terms also require the most basic needs, and discrimination former school district after he sued, claiming of McLaughlin, who attended Jacksonville school not to disclose any student’s sexual based on his HIV status should not dictate school officials violated his freedom of Junior High School. orientation or punish students for talking where he gets those needs met,” said Brian speech when he was disciplined for talking McLaughlin, who will be a high school about sexual orientation or discipline Chase, a Dallas-based Lambda Legal about his sexual orientation. freshman in the coming school year, won’t when they’re not in class. The district also attorney working on the case. Thomas McLaughlin, 14, said teachers be attending a school in Jacksonville. The said it wouldn’t preach to students or In February 2003, Little suffered two at the school disciplined him for speaking McLaughlins have moved from Arkansas to punish students for talking outside classes consecutive strokes and brain aneurysms, about being gay. The suit also claimed that he Louisiana for reasons unrelated to the about their sexual orientation or discipline leaving him on life support and in a coma was preached to from the Bible and that the lawsuit, they said. they’ve received. for a month. He has since made great school had told his parents that he was gay. According to the agreement, the district Rita Sklar, executive director of the strides in his recovery. Currently, he is “It’s like it’s been lifted,” will pay McLaughlin and his parents $25,000 ACLU’s Arkansas chapter, said the group capable of walking with limited assistance McLaughlin said Thursday. “I’m really in damages and attorney fees, write hopes other schools will learn from the suit. and can communicate by gesturing with glad that this is all over and that the ACLU McLaughlin a letter of apology and clear his “Public schools aren’t above the his head and hands and with limited is making the school treat gay students the disciplinary record. Constitution, and they can’t get away with writing and few words. He is fed through way they should have been treated in the Superintendent Don Henderson said silencing gay students and violating their a tube and requires assistance bathing. first place. No more students should have through his secretary that the suit was settled rights,” she said.

12 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 National AD Campaign Targets ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ By Paul Johnson 365Gay.com Newscenter The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) has unveiled a national ad campaign as part of its ongoing effort to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The campaign, which features transgender activist Calpernia Addams, urges Congress to repeal the law, which prohibits gay and lesbian Americans from serving openly in the armed forces. The campaign features a photo of Addams with the headline “Soldiers Murdered Her Boyfriend. Now, You Can Help.” “In 1999, PFC Barry Winchell was brutally murdered Troy Garity plays Private First Class Barry Winchell in by fellow soldiers who perceived the Showtime Original Picture Soldier’s Girl. Winchell is a young soldier whose romantic relationship with a him to be gay,” the ad says, trans-gendered nightclub performer ends in tragedy. “because of his relationship with Calpernia Addams, a transgender woman he for the campaign. met while serving in the Army. The time “As a veteran, I know that every has come to end discrimination in our armed American, regardless of their sexual forces. Log on to www.lifttheban.org and orientation or gender identity, is touched by tell Congress to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” said Addams, who once and for all.’” was the subject of Showtime’s recent film The campaign began appearing on Aug. Soldier’s Girl. “This campaign honors 1 in transit ads in Washington, D.C., and Barry, the dedication of his parents and the will be featured in publications throughout work of SLDN. It continues, together, our the country. Numerous LGBT publications important campaign to repeal the military’s across the country have donated ad space unjust and discriminatory policies.” 19 Indicted in AIDS Drugs Fraud By Fidel Ortega counting on what they believe to be a 365Gay.com Newscenter legitimate drug to save their lives,” Florida In what is being described as possibly Attorney General Charlie Crist told a press the biggest scam involving phony AIDS conference. drugs in U.S. history, 19 people have been Crist said the suspects had earned tens indicted on racketeering charges. of millions of dollars in the scheme. He The 19 are accused of selling fake and added that he expects to lay further charges diluted AIDS and cancer drugs to as the investigation expands. pharmaceutical wholesalers throughout The grand jury issued a 47-page report Florida. earlier this year calling for stricter controls The scam involved drugs such as on drug wholesalers. It also backed tougher Neupogen, which is used to treat cancer and penalties for violators—including the death HIV, Gammagard, used for HIV patients, penalty if a consumer dies as a result of and Epogen, which is used to treat cancer ingesting an adulterated drug. and AIDS. The report said drugs to boost the Prosecutors say that in one instance, immune system of cancer and HIV patients labels on Epogen were altered to show that have become a favorite of counterfeiters. it was 20 times stronger than its actual In one case cited in the report, criminals potency so it could be sold for a higher price. realized a $28 million profit from a shipment “It’s hard to imagine a more heinous of 11,000 boxes of counterfeit versions of crime perpetrated upon an individual who’s the AIDS drugs Epogen and Procrit. Prosecutors Suspect Anti-Gay Motive in California Killing Family and Friends Say Victim Was Heterosexual A Fairfax, California, man beaten to didn’t enter a plea. death last weekend may have been killed A third defendant, 21-year-old Jesse because his alleged assailants thought he was William Rath of Cromberg, pleaded innocent gay, authorities told a Marin County to an accessory to murder charge. newspaper. While Oldham’s family and friends say During a two-day court hearing in this he was heterosexual, Plumas County Deputy small Northern California town, two Plumas District Attorney David Hollister said County men were charged with the beating prosecutors have reason to believe the trio and strangulation death of Marc Oldham. thought Oldham, 37, was gay, the Marin The Marin County resident was killed Independent Journal reported Thursday. Sunday while vacationing at Bucks Lake, Hollister wouldn’t provide evidence to about 150 miles north of Sacramento. support that claim. Kevin Glen Rikard, 21, of Quincy Appley and Rickard are also accused of pleaded innocent Thursday to the charges. robbery, a special circumstance charge that Rikard and Johnathan Grant Appley, 21, also could carry the death penalty if tied to a of Quincy, are accused of clubbing Oldham murder conviction. Rath faces up to three with a tree limb and strangling him because years in prison if convicted. they allegedly thought he was gay. Appley —The Associated Press

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 13 Esera Tuaolo Lands National Television Campaign Former NFL Player Pitches Chili’s Hawaiian Steak By Cyd Zeigler Jr. “I went to the audition with my ukulele, jeans and a Outsports.com tight shirt, and I sang the Baby Back ribs commercial song.” Esera Tuaolo, the former professional football player That song has become one of Chili’s signatures, with ’N Sync who recently went public about being gay, is back on TV. performing it on a desert island in a commercial the premiered This time, though, he’s not playing football or coming out two years ago. “They said they wanted something different.” of the closet. He’s promoting steak. What they didn’t expect is to get was an openly gay Tuaolo is the centerpiece of a new television campaign former NFL player. Adams says that Tuaolo’s sexual for Chili’s, a national chain of restaurants that is the orientation never entered the decision-making process. And, centerpiece of Brinker International. given the campaign’s theme of average people expressing The commercial is part of Chili’s “Tastemonials” themselves, they didn’t realize until very late in the process campaign series. “It shows people who are not professional that they had a former professional athlete on their hands. entertainers,” says Chili’s public relations representative, In the commercial, Tuaolo isn’t billed as a former NFL Louis Adams, “expressing their love for Chili’s through player, or a gay person. He is simply labeled: “Esera— their performance.” Retired Athlete.” This particular installment features Tuaolo—30 pounds “He’s not a celebrity in the context of this commercial,” lighter than his HBO Real Sports appearance eight months Adams said. “He’s just Esera—from Hawaii and talented.” ago—sporting a beaming smile, playing a ukulele, and Asked if someone’s sexual orientation would ever affect singing about Chili’s Hawaiian steak. The setting is the company’s decision to work with them in a marketing quintessentially Hawaiian, complete with the big Hawaiian campaign, Adams was adamant: “No way. It runs contrary centerpiece from the NFL. to our company policy. We don’t discriminate on any basis, The Chili’s people say Tuaolo is not a professional in the hiring of any employees, in serving customers, in any entertainer. But his resume indicates otherwise. On top of capacity.” singing the national anthem at more sporting events than Michael Wilke, from ComercialCloset.org, sees Chili’s Whitney Houston, Tuaolo has a commercial CD, titled One handling of the campaign as a solid message. “It is encouraging Man’s Island, has appeared on several NFL music to see that he has gotten an endorsement so soon after his coming compilations and has no less than a half dozen theatrical out process.” performances under his belt. Certainly other closeted professional athletes should take It was during an audition for one of those theatrical notice. While Tuaolo’s sexuality seems to not have played a productions that he first heard about the Chili’s promotion. part in him getting the role, Chili’s is not shying away from In St. Paul to audition for the ’70s send up, 8-Track, last the issue of his sexuality. Given his experience with the January, someone in the casting office told Tuaolo that company, Tuaolo isn’t surprised. Chili’s was looking for a Hawaiian person to use for their “Everybody who was involved treated me first class,” “Everybody who was involved treated upcoming commercial. Tuaolo knew Chili’s well, having Tuaolo says. “They were really interested in my family. I me first class,” Tuaolo says. “They eaten there countless times while traveling with teammates showed them pictures of my kids and my husband.” were really interested in my family. I during his playing years in the NFL. “It must be a jock “I loved Chili’s before, but now I love the company showed them pictures of my kids and thing,” Tuaolo says. “I love the ribs.” even more.” my husband.”

14 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 Egyptian Court Acquits 11 Men in Gay Trial Judge Expresses His ‘Disgust’ for Defendants An appeals court in Egypt acquitted 11 major sin, but unfortunately the case has men of charges of debauchery linked to procedural errors, and the court had to acquit homosexual activity, one of their lawyers all of you.” said Sunday. The 11 had been convicted in April and As his three-member panel issued its sentenced to up to three years in prison in ruling Saturday, lawyer Helmi al-Rawi said one of several such cases that have drawn Judge Mo’azer El-Marsafy told the accusations of anti-gay bias in Egypt from defendants: “We are so disgusted with you, international human rights groups. The we can’t even look at you. What you did is a defendants appealed in May. London to Host International Gay Rugby Tournament Bingham Cup Named after Sept. 11 Hero Following the successful U.S. launch in 2002 of the Bingham Cup, an international rugby competition for gay and bisexual men, London has been named as the hosting city for the next tournament to be held in May 2004. The decision was welcomed by the new president of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Photos courtesy of Chuck Martin for Outsports Robert Horner, who expressed his support for The San Francisco Fog won the inaugural this historic event at the RFU’s Annual Mark Bingham Cup rugby tournament in General Meeting held at Twickenham. San Francisco June 29. King’s Cross The Bingham Cup was named in honor Steelers from London took second, while of Mark Kendall Bingham—one of the heroic third place went to the Village Spartans from Manchester. Bingham’s mother, Alice victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Hoagland, presented the trophy. Bingham The tournament was inaugurated to provide was the SF Fog rugby player who helped an international competition for gay and fellow passengers bring down Flight 93 on bisexual rugby players by The International Sept. 11 after it was hijacked by terrorists. Gay Rugby Association and Board (IGRAB), the world coordinating body for rugby clubs organize and promote the tournament, provide catering mainly to gay and bisexual men. support services to participating teams and IGRAB aims to promote rugby as an all- supporters, and to act as a central source of inclusive, nondiscriminatory sport. information regarding the event for the press A hotly contested bidding phase resulted and event sponsors. in a dual between New York, represented by A dedicated website will be launched Gotham RFC, and London, represented by shortly to provide up-to-the minute King’s Cross Steelers RFC. The final majority information on the event, details of decision of the IGRAB coordinating board participants, registration facilities and selected London as the preferred location. sponsorship opportunities. On the weekend of The event will take place from May 28- the tournament, the site will also provide news 31, 2004, and participants and spectators are and the results of all the matches played. expected from IGRAB’s member clubs in the —Outsports.com United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia For more information on the Bingham and New Zealand, as well as from United Cup, please contact David King at +44 Kingdom teams based in London, Manchester (0)7786 422829. Further information on and Edinburgh. Mark Kendall Bingham can be found To manage the event, KXS Events at www.markbingham.org or by Management Ltd., has been formed to contacting the San Francisco Fog. Gay Ads Criticized in Sweden Stockholm Pride Campaign Features 6-Year-Old Lesbian “Birgitta, 6 years old, lesbian,” reads the influenced in childhood by “how our parents advertisement with a photograph of a little raise us and how we’re influenced by toy girl in a swimsuit and armbands, alongside shops, etc.” some childish drawings. “Not all princesses But conservative member of parliament choose a prince,” it adds. Rosita Runegrund, who works for Ecpat, an A campaign by a Swedish gay group to international network of organizations that promote awareness that non-heterosexual combat the sexual exploitation of children, orientation can start from an early age caused objected to the fact that the campaign gives a backlash on July 23 from a child protection young children a sexual identity. “Pedophiles group that said the sexual depiction of use the argument that children have a sexual children could encourage pedophiles. identity,” she said. “For me it was a shock Stockholm Pride, a volunteer group that to find the pictures on their website because organizes the city’s annual pride festival, Pride is a respectful organization. There is a launched the campaign on its website and strong reaction from the public who don’t plans to run ads in the mainstream and gay understand these pictures. It’s not necessary. press. Pride’s chairman, Anders Selin, Children must have their own experience, stressed that all the children depicted are now and it takes time for them to find their own adult gays, lesbians or transsexuals between sexual identity.” the ages of 24 and 40. Selin, a 36-year-old youth worker who “We’re not telling people that every is featured in one of the ads (as “Anders, youngster is homosexual, but that it should seven years old, gay”), said that “as soon as be as respectable as being heterosexual,” he you talk about homosexuality and children, said. Selin said he wanted to provoke debate everyone starts yelling about pedophiles.” about how adults’ sexual orientation is —Advocate.com

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 15 EXPRESSITORIALS Letters to the editor

Marlins Story Showed Increased Respectability of Gay Community I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your commentary on the Florida Marlins’ advertising contract in your 7/21 edition of The Express. What gave it extra interest, perspective, depth and importance, I think, is the way you combined some level of gay history and growth and the angle that there is an increased recognition of responsibility, respectability, credibility and unity in the gay community, which makes directed advertising and consideration a wise business decision. You indicate that this is great progress, and I believe you are right-on in recognizing this. By the way, I also enjoyed your commentary a month or so ago when you profiled your own lack of interest in yet another PrideFest that didn’t have much importance other than being another street party, and yet you and your party, as a leading business and community citizen, were among its primary supporters and promoters. Ironic yet honest. I found it refreshing. Living in Delray and working way too long, I don’t always get a chance to get a copy of The Express, but, being on the board of Congregation Etz Chaim, I am getting down to Fort Lauderdale more, where I’m much more likely to see your newspaper. Continue the good writing and success to you.

Alex Rosenberg Delray Beach Take Back Tell Us What you think. John U. Lloyd Park! [email protected] When gay people hear the word was told they were forwarded to a Major “stonewall,” they generally think of the Elwood Stevens for a response. There has police raid on the Stonewall Inn in been none. There has been silence. Our calls Manhattan that launched the gay rights have gone unanswered; our petition ignored. movement in 1969. We therefore applaud the efforts of Sen. Recently, The Express has run into Geller. We invite the initiative and inquiry another kind of stonewall—the stonewalling of Attorney General Charles Crist. by state officials who have refused to answer Park representatives now insist and any questions or launch any kind of maintain they have done nothing wrong; investigation into the many allegations of that they were merely enforcing the law. misconduct by park officers at John U. Lloyd That is not so. They are abusing the law, State Park in Dania Beach. generating unjust arrests and wrongful The Express will not permit and shall prosecutions. The situation is transparent. not allow these “officers” and their Told by superiors to “clean up” the park, supervisors to think and act as if they are overzealous officers are targeting anyone simply above the law, accountable to no one. who even looks gay, incorrectly We will take action against them. concluding ‘they’ must be there for illicit The Express particularly applauds and purposes. Though several of these cases sends it gratitude to Sen. Geller for sending have now been dismissed, they go on, a letter to the Department of Environmental unbridled by conscience or caution. Protection asking for an investigation of the Can you imagine what it is like, being allegations of police abuse in the park. We on a beach blanket wearing only a bathing hope his efforts are effective. suit, lying in the sun, entirely innocent of So far, at least 15 gay men have come any wrongdoing, and having a uniformed or forward to report that they have been armed officer accost you abruptly, harassed or cited for specious violations. demanding that you awake, accompany him Some gay men have reported being to your car and produce identification? All subjected to unwarranted and illegal searches this with no probable cause, except the of themselves and their vehicles. Others have likelihood that you might be a homosexual been ordered to show their IDs while merely he does not want on “his” beach. hiking along a designated trail. Several have Ladies and gentlemen of our received citations for sitting on a “restricted community, these are stories of 21st-century part of the beach,” even though there was Broward, not 19th-century Mississippi. There no signage demarcating the restricted area. is a valid reason people are upset, Heterosexuals have not been so accosted. newspapers are reporting and TV cameras In the most egregious incident, a gay are awoken and interviewing—because our man was arrested and charged with two rights are being tread upon. counts of “indecent exposure” for wearing The park officers have a problem a white bathing suit that the park officer believing that there are gay men who want deemed was “not opaque” enough. For the to go to a beautiful park simply to relax, most part, these people did not know each swim and sit on the beach, and not to cruise other, but each story lent independent for sex. Our laws do not allow a class of authenticity to the next. Now courts and our citizens to be targeted because random elected officials are joining in. We call upon individuals within that class may be engaged the attorney general of this state, himself a in improprieties. You target the wrongdoer. man with an interest in this issue, to You do not create a greater wrong. commence an investigation. One answer our managing editor The Express has bent over backward to proposes is creative. Our gay community get the park officers’ side of this story. Our should organize citizen patrols of the park. managing editor has repeatedly invited It should be led by the Gay & Lesbian comment from the Department of Community Center of South Florida. We can Environmental Protection and the Division form a proactive volunteer citizens’ patrol of Law Enforcement. From its representative that can deter both illegal activity by park Lucia Ross on down, they have been un- patrons, such as public sex, and the abusive cooperative and rude, condescending and bullying and harassment that these officers belligerent. The process of evasion and have engaged in. It will be cheaper and more denial does not become a state agency. It productive than a class-action lawsuit. invites class actions. We need to take back this park. We’re Told of our investigation, the paying for it with our tax dollars, and we department insisted we fax our questions to will not sit back while it’s turned into a them. We did so. In early June. The Express police state.

16 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 Bailey’s Book Relies on Gay Stereotypes Author Fails to Consider Non-Biological Reasons for ‘Gay Accent’ Northwestern University psychologist J. Thus, although Bailey vacillates about probably do so not because they feel Monopoly, writing a little newspaper, Michael Bailey’s recent book The Man Who the proportion of men who are gay, he finds feminine but because their prostate gland is listening to a lot of classical music, writing Would Be Queen has been two percent or even “at least one stimulated that way. Nor does Bailey trouble stories, collecting stamps and coins, and Varnell’s criticized by transsexual percent” plausible estimates. Yet himself about “tops,” or men who enjoy both reading science fiction, books on astronomy Voice advocacy groups. But most of avowed gays are at least four receptive and insertive sex, or men who do and news magazines. Bailey’s book is about gay men percent of voter turnout. And the not engage in anal sex at all. Basically, Bailey tries to update and and that part of his book should 1992 National Health and Social Bailey sometimes acknowledges these biologize the hoary psychological theory that have received far more critical Life Survey found that in large alternative explanations, but even when he gays suffer from faulty gender identity. But attention than it has. cities such as Chicago where agrees they are plausible, he dismisses them Bailey’s view, like the older one, dies the death Bailey’s primary claim is Bailey lives, more than nine with little argument. of a thousand cuts and counter-examples. that the link between femininity percent of men identify as gay or Bailey’s view that gay men were When did Bailey go wrong? First, he and homosexuality is well- bisexual. (Bailey himself thinks feminine boys is based largely on some gay believes simple-minded, lower social class established: “My research Paul Varnell most “bisexual” men are gay.) men’s recollections. But retrospective notions of exaggerated gender dichotomy. demonstrates a large degree of The problems with Bailey’s memories are unreliable: Most people recall Second, although he is unforthcoming about femininity in gay men.” And Bailey thinks use of stereotypes of gay femininity to the things that fit the prevailing cultural view. his methods in this book, his past methods this gay femininity is rooted in the brain. support his notion of gay men’s feminized In a culture suffused with notions of gay of gathering research subjects or data (e.g., Gay men’s brains are a mosaic of male and brains are that they are based on an femininity, gay men likely recall more ads in gay newspapers) seemed to skew his female parts, he says. exaggerated notion of gender dichotomy, feminine behavior (and heterosexual men results without his realizing how they might For example, Bailey says gay men were and there are very plausible non-biological less) than was actually the case. be systematically unrepresentative. Third, feminine in childhood. They move in explanations for the instances of stereotyped And like most heterosexual researchers, Bailey over-interprets his findings and those feminine ways, have feminine voices (a “gay behavior Bailey mentions. Bailey views team sports as the distinctive of people he agrees with. accent”) and tend to be feminine in their sex Gay men may not feel more depression masculine activity. He assumes a false Fourth, Bailey’s view of gay men seems roles. They have feminine interests—show and anxiety than heterosexual men, though dichotomy of either playing those sports or shaped particularly by visits to gay dance tunes, decorating, fashion, dancing. They they may be more willing to label and being feminine. But gay youths who did not bars in Chicago. But the generally younger, have more psychological problems than acknowledge those feelings. But gays enjoy those sports need not have been single gay men at dance bars are hardly heterosexual men, such as depression and obviously face additional stress growing up feminine, though some may have typical of all gay men in Chicago’s gay anxiety, just as women do. and living in a potential hostile environment, internalized that interpretation. enclave, much less those living elsewhere. These are long-familiar stereotypes so anxiety could be a valid response. Boys may have preferred individual Fifth, Bailey seems remarkably un-self- about gay men. But Bailey claims the Most of our speech patterns and body sports—running, swimming, diving, critical, reluctant to look for, acknowledge stereotypes are true of most gay men. No language are learned behavior, differing from gymnastics. Or they might have enjoyed or discuss problems or inadequacies in his doubt some gay men fit part of the culture to culture, rather than brain regulated. entirely different activities. I remember as a intuitions, hypotheses, methods or findings. stereotype, but the problem with stereotypes Thus Americans think Frenchmen act gay. young child, bike riding, climbing trees, Paul Varnell writes for the Chicago Free is that believing them causes people to And much of “gay” gestures and affectations making castles and forts out of blocks, Press. Some of his previous columns overlook gays who do not fit the stereotypes, are social performance. Kinsey noted that most playing cowboys and Indians, creating are posted at the Independent Gay even if they are far more numerous. Such gay men can drop them readily. marionette shows, building dams and canals Forum (www.indegayforum.org). His e- people think there are few gays. Gay men who enjoy receptive anal sex in a creek, playing with our dog, playing mail address is [email protected].

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 17 ‘You Don’t Need a Weatherman … Hurricane Homo Is Blowing Away the Right-Wing Blowhards Brace yourself America: Hurricane make all of us stop thinking Homo is headed this way, and there ain’t of our neighbor to the north no stopping it. Like it or not, this country is as Bland-ada, Canada about to get a whole lot gay, gay, gayer, and legalized same-sex all I can say is: “Yeeha, it’s marriage. Yep, about time!” After two years Guest Column while in the “land of being told by the Bushies of the free,” we to shut up, eat another Happy cheered because Meal, drive a flag-plastered we can no longer SUV and cheer while the be arrested for bombs drop, a deluge of making love, sequined, feather-boa Canada left us in queerness will be a welcome the dust and blessed relief. homo nuptials with And let’s not pussyfoot Patrick Letellier the same rights around: a hurricane it is. granted straight After the big “see ’ya!” to sodomy laws, couples. courtesy of Justice Kennedy and the Like the flying Supremes, gay marriage is charging down monkeys of The Wizard of from Canada like the Horseman of the Oz, queers from all over Apocalypse (say the screechy the U.S. are now conservatives), potty-mouthed Michael descending on Canada to Savage got his gay-bashing butt kicked off tie their knots, and will TV and the queer “Fab Five” made their soon return to sue the over-the-top debut, there ain’t no doubt pants off American about it: Hallelujah, it’s raining queers. institutions that refuse to Don’t know what the heck I’m talking recognize their marriages. about? Here’s a Hurricane Homo weather Come back, my pretties, and sue! chart. Sue! Sue! First, in case you’ve been lost at sea for But, oh, what a difference a border the past month and haven’t heard, in a wildly makes. Back here in the good ol’ “you’re- pro-gay decision, the U.S. Supreme Court either-wid’-us-or-agin’-us” U.S.A., much, struck down the nation’s sodomy laws, laws Republicans rushed to “protect traditional much harder that made getting’ your groove on with your marriage” by endorsing a Constitutional than, say, lying to the partner a crime for gays in 13 states. amendment to prevent us marriage-license- American public about The government should stay the heck seekin’ queer freaks from walking down any non-existent weapons of mass destruction Finally, among an impressive line-up out of people’s bedrooms, Justice Kennedy aisles in this country. and spending hundreds of billions of dollars of new queer shows, we come to Bravo’s wrote, and about gays and lesbians he made Protect marriage? Puhlease. With a 50 on the most protested war in history. Even reality TV Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, this radical declaration: “The state cannot percent divorce rate, rampant domestic our current band of moralizing, puffed-up, in which five trendy gay guys, the Fab Five, demean their existence or control their violence, Las Vegas drive-through chapels blowhard Republicans won’t be able to pull remake real-life straight men into, well, destiny by making their private sexual and I wanna-marry-a-really-rich-guy reality it off. better straight men. conduct a crime.” TV shows, there’s no way gays could trash In other blowhard news, Michael While it’s just a TV show, inasmuch as Not demean our existence? Hot damn, marriage the way straight people have. Savage was booted off TV last week; his television both leads and follows culture, you can say that again. That means laws Honestly, after all straights have done, it’s new show canceled after a typical Queer Eye represents radical new ways of against gay marriage, gays in the military amazing homos want to play the newlywed homophobic rant. Savage is a widely relating for straight and gay men. And for and every other decree to keep them darned game at all—well, aside from the gazillion syndicated radio shock-jock, author of a that alone, it’s welcome. homos out are next on the chopping block. civil rights and automatic respect married national best-seller and all-around arch- From legalized whoopie, to homo No wonder uptight conservatives are couples get. conservative, immigrant-, women-, and gay- weddings to a TV gay-basher replaced by shaking in their wingtips, poor dears. But Republican hand-wringers are right bashing menace. happy, ultra-gay men, the queer storm has about one thing: Gay marriage is a-coming To a gay caller on his new show he said: begun. And now, borrowing from the old Sorry, but after a lifetime of being told fast, and not just from Canada. Thanks to a “Oh, you’re one of the sodomites. You Weather Girl’s hit, I recommend you go and by conservative creeps that gays suck, case in front of the Massachusetts Supreme should only get AIDS and die, you pig.” let yourself get absolutely soaking wet. deserve AIDS and are criminals, sinners, Court, it may already be legal here by the What’s notable is not that Savage child molesters and biological errors that time you read this. Get ready for a bride- spewed anti-gay venom, but that he, too, got need Jesus, I’m all about petty revenge. Who bride, groom-groom media frenzy, fierce his butt soundly kicked and his show Patrick Letellier is a freelance journalist am I kidding? I’m not sorry at all. Take squawking from “deliver-us-from-Sodom” canceled. Bashing gays, it seems, is not as who teaches gay, lesbian, bisexual and that, feverish right-wingers: Your own religious crybabies and George W., on cue, fashionable today as it has been for Savage’s transgender politics and culture at the Republican-dominated Supreme Court mumbling incoherently. counterparts. A big, Santa Cruz “Later, University of California, Santa Cruz. He kicked your sorry asses to the curb. And that Constitutional amendment? dude” to Savage and the sodomy laws he can be reached at [email protected]. Meanwhile, in a ruling that should Don’t worry, changing the Constitution is rode in on.

18 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 It’s Time for the U.S. Congress to Evolve Legislation Would End Unfair Tax on Domestic Partner Benefits Zooming home from work the other leading allies. And anyone who still talks protecting families, safeguarding the elderly Committee—signaled a willingness to look night on our scooter, my spouse Joyce and I about preventing same-sex marriage sounds and saving money, they should be among at when committee member Rep. Jim chuckled at the timely bumper like a clueless, just-awakened the first onto the shore, pulling their trailing McDermott, D-Washington, brought it up at sticker on the car in front of us: Price Lines Rumplestiltskin: Many colleagues out of the muck. a February hearing. “Oh, evolve!” American gay and lesbian The most intriguing development on Lobbyist Winnie Stachelberg of the We had just married in couples are already married— Capitol Hill involves taxes. Sens. Gordon Human Rights Campaign says Republicans Canada, the day after the U.S. and every day more are Smith, R-Oregon, and Bob Graham, D- have been increasingly receptive to helping Supreme Court deemed gay and returning home from Canada Florida, who sit on the powerful Senate gay taxpayers when issues are framed in heterosexual romantic legally wed. Finance Committee, want to change tax terms of tax equity. “Pensions, inheritance, expression equally protected by In the increasingly gay- policy so the health benefits that countless tax treatment of domestic partnership the U.S. Constitution. friendly global village we live companies provide to employees’ domestic benefits are part of a vocabulary that Tipsy from the sweet smell in, those 1990s prohibitions partners are no longer treated as taxable conservatives are comfortable with,” she of magnolia blossoms on the can’t last long. Ideally, Congress income. (Benefits for married heterosexual says. Deb Price steamy night, we two gay will erase them itself, with the employees’ spouses are already tax exempt.) Other opportunities for congressional Darwins were reveling in the sudden kind of gracious apology that the Supreme The two moderate senators point out that evolution include bills to: dawning of a new day of human progress, Court offered to gay Americans in its June the unfair treatment of partner benefits • Give partners of federal workers the one in which the tired old objections to gay 26 ruling. means employees have to pay higher income benefits available to spouses of married equality seem like quaint fossils from a less Given that congressional conservatives taxes while businesses have to pay higher heterosexual workers. evolved era. rightly extol the values of marriage, payroll taxes and are needlessly burdened • Provide gay Americans who fall in Of course, life forms don’t with extra paperwork. love with foreigners the same rights under all evolve at the same pace. “This legislation follows immigration law as their straight married And the U.S. Congress should an immense shift within counterparts. seize this wonderful moment to corporate America and in local • Amend the Family and Medical Leave get unstuck from the muck. and state governments toward Act so a gay worker can take unpaid leave Right now, Congress is offering domestic partner to care for an ill mate. frozen in the prehistoric ’90s, benefits. Unfortunately, Having studied the Supreme Court, when it passed the 1993 ban on federal tax law has not kept up Joyce and I long told doubters that it was gays serving openly in the with change in this area,” ready to change. Predicting that Congress, military and the 1996 law Smith and Graham wrote to too, will evolve doesn’t seem daring restricting federal spousal their colleagues. anymore. It just seems natural. benefits to married That idea is something heterosexuals. Rep. Bill Thomas, R- Deb Price of The Detroit News writes Today, America’s soldiers Californiaš—the Arnold the first nationally syndicated column are serving side by side with Schwarzenegger of the U.S. on gay issues and is the co-author of the openly gay soldiers of House because he chairs the “Oh, evolve!” Courting Justice: Gay Men and Great Britain and our other tax-writing Ways and Means Lesbians v. the Supreme Court.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 19 ‘Why Don’t You Guys Shut Up and Stop Wearing Dresses?’ Answering the Eternal Homophobic Question I was recently invited by a major Sometimes you’ve just gotta say, “Damn the us out of the Boy Scouts, the alternative newspaper to write an essay about torpedoes, full steam ahead!” Army, the Marines, the Navy, diversity. At first, I declined. Liberal editors, Here’s how I answered: the Air Force, the Church, your especially straight liberal “Why don’t we just shut up families, our jobs. You string editors, tend to take a dim view Slouching and stop wearing dresses? For us up, you dress us down, you of my opinions about race, Through the same reason straight people slap us sideways. And then you ethnicity and homosexuality. Gomorrah can’t shut up and stop making have the nerve to ask why we They usually want people fashion mistakes on the scale of won’t shut up? holding hands singing industrial accidents: Because We’ll plug our pie holes “Kumbayah” while eating we can’t help it. when you stop making such a plates of platitudes in “We shall Well, at least some of us. f***ing big deal about who we Overcome” fake-a-thons. The rest of us wear jeans and T- sleep with. And I’m just not that type shirts. We’re the ones who kick Hearing straight people of guy. your ass in sports, like my tennis complain about bellyaching gays So imagine my surprise team did when we won the city and lesbians is like hearing jailed Michael Alvear when the editor proposed the championship. rapists complain that their question he wanted me to answer: “Why But don’t let facts get in the way. We’re victims outside won’t shut up. don’t you guys just shut up and stop wearing all limp-wristed, loud-mouthed gender- Can’t these women get on with dresses?” benders who never saw a dress we didn’t their lives? Why do they have to Now there was a question with some want to cross, right? We’re so gay we walk form victim rights groups? Why teeth. Offensive? Yes. But I’ll take offensive with a lisp, right? We’re so obsessed about are they trying to change laws to and honest over inoffensive and inauthentic our sexuality that we only go to restaurants protect future generations of anytime. that serve openly gay food, right? women? The worst has passed, I told him I’d accept the assignment Oh, we’re obsessed about our they’re making good money, on one condition—he couldn’t edit my sexuality, all right. Know why? Because they’ve got safe spaces. Why are answer. He agreed. I took an extraordinary you make us obsessed. You poke, prod they always bitching and amount of time writing it to make sure that and punch us every chance you get. You moaning about justice and I answered diplomatically. After all, this constantly remind us that we don’t fit, we humanity? was an enormous opportunity to change don’t deserve, we don’t belong. If you’re Why don’t they just shut up? people’s minds. not hanging us on deserted fences, you’re Besides, if they hadn’t Thank God I came to my senses. deserting us for our differences. You kick been parading around in tight skirts the way those queers prance around in dresses, nothing would have happened to them. If everyone just We’ll plug our pie holes obeyed the laws straight men when you stop making laid down, nobody would be such a f***ing big deal raped or found dead in a ditch. Shut up and stop prancing? about who we sleep with. Yeah, when you wise up and stop bashing. I don’t know who was more stunned— out—reaching in. the editor, his readership or me. What I said was a complete failure in In some ways I knew I was wrong. If terms of fostering a climate of respect, the intent was to build goodwill, I botched it tolerance and acceptance. But to most gay but good. I completely failed to win the people I completely succeeded in voicing hearts and minds of conservative straight their frustrations, their rage, at a society that people. You can’t insult your way into wants to shut us up and go away. acceptance. Communications experts were proved But every once in a while it feels good wrong that day. There really is a value to to say things that’ll make people feel bad. preaching to the choir. The paper happens to have a large gay Michael Alvear is the author of Men readership. Judging by all the hugs and high- Are Pigs But We Love Bacon. E-mail fives, the calls and the e-mails, I knew I had him at [email protected]. done something just as important as reaching

20 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 MSNBC Should Fire Erik Sorenson Hiring of the Psychotic Savage Exposed Network’s Lack of Standards With the dust beginning to settle on the He didn’t, after all, directly advocate violent Even if Savage could keep his trap shut week, also told the instigating caller to “eat brief television career of psychotic talk show actions. on television, the network raised his stature a sausage.” Savage had to get the ax, but it’s host Michael Savage, it’s a good time to look I have no problem cutting the guy by giving him his own program—and that Sorenson’s head that needs to roll next. back at the hypocrisies, big and loose—he should never have had only gave more credence to his distortion- Michelangelo Signorile hosts a small, that enveloped many of The Gist a show to begin with—based filled attacks on radio. Sorenson was so national radio show each weekday those involved in this demented simply on the fact that media desperate to compete with Fox News and from 1 to 4pm EST on Sirius Satellite tale. From network executives companies like MSNBC claim to save the pathetic MSNBC from the depths Radio, stream 149. He can be reached and Christian conservatives to have standards and practices. It of obscurity that he hired a fairly deranged at www.signorile.com. some gay activists and even a few angers me that these companies individual, a nutcase who, in his outburst last liberal commentators in the have a history of not including media, there have certainly been homophobia in the list of things enough contradictions to go that don’t meet their standards, around. Just about everyone on often hauling in the “free-speech” planet Earth seemed to praise Michelangelo argument as an excuse. Savage’s TV demise last week, Signorile During the Schlessinger after MSNBC fired him for debacle, I argued that it wasn’t labeling a prank caller to his show a “pig” free speech that some liberal and a “sodomite,” and wishing the caller commentators—and media companies like would “get AIDS and die.” So you just had CBS, which was airing her TV show—were to wonder: How the hell did Savage ever get really defending. Rather, they didn’t think anywhere in the first place? Schlessinger’s brand of homophobia was Let’s begin with the conservatives. serious enough to warrant booting her, and Even Christian right outfits like the Family they were just too cowardly to admit it. It’s Research Council came out in support of highly doubtful that any liberal would defend Savage’s firing last week, though they have a commentator who spouted blatantly racist not said a word all the while he’s been on cant. Similarly, the liberal commentators’ radio railing that America “is being taken refusal to now defend Savage’s rantings over by the freaks, the cripples, the perverts exposes the fraudulence of their “free- and the mental defectives” and charging that speech” argument. (The lesson here for gay- immigrants are “defecating on your country haters is that it’s better to couch your and breeding out of control.” For the past homophobia more politely, like those few years, Savage seemed just fine to smiling blondes and smarmy guys on Fox conservatives, including Christian right News.) leaders—and presumably to their legions, Some gay activists, too, have been who are no doubt among Savage’s fans, the dabbling in contradictions in the aftermath people who helped make him a success. But of Savage’s fall, particularly at the Gay & suddenly his venom goes public, and the Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation religious right crowd gets all pious about hate (GLAAD). Unlike the Schlessinger case, in speech? which GLAAD was criticized by many If they’re now going to become fed up (including me) for not immediately with hatemongers in the media, they really demanding that CBS pull the show, GLAAD ought to start with Jerry Falwell and Pat was out front on Savage, urging MSNBC to Robertson, who blamed feminists and gays torpedo him pronto. But, bizarrely, GLAAD and lesbians for bringing on 9/11, among dropped the ball entirely on Savage’s other nasty things. And what, after all, is the syndicated radio program, which reaches difference between telling people they’re millions more people—far more than the going to burn in hell if they don’t change dismal, third-ranked cable news station, their ways—which Christian conservatives MSNBC—and the radio show is where tell us over and over again—and wishing Savage spews his most brutally antigay them dead? At least Savage is more honest. remarks. Then there are those liberals in the In the wake of Savage’s firing from media who’ve defended free speech—yes, MSNBC, reports surfaced that several radio even for vicious homophobes—but who stations had suspended his radio program; were pretty quiet about it last week when perhaps, now that Savage’s bile has been Savage got canned. Back when hate radio more publicly exposed and condemned, the doyen Laura Schlessinger was under attack stations were running for cover. There seems from gay activists, who’d launched a boycott to be an opening to hobble Savage on radio, against advertisers on her ill-fated television but when asked if GLAAD would be taking show, some liberal commentators chastised action, the group’s Michael Young told the the activists. No matter how antigay the faux Boston Globe that “radio is a little different doctor was, Schlessinger had a right to speak [than television]” since “they’re not her mind, they argued. Gay activists, the positioning themselves as journalistic liberal critics charged, were going too far in enterprises.” demanding that CBS drop plans for Huh? Many of the radio stations that Schlessinger’s TV show because she had carry talk shows by the major fire-breathers called homosexuality a “biological error” on the right are NBC, CBS and ABC radio and advocated “reparative therapy.” affiliates—and last time I checked, those Los Angeles Times TV critic Howard companies were in the business of Rosenberg, who has always written journalism, just like MSNBC. These stations thoughtful pieces on homosexuality and wouldn’t give a talk show to a white popular culture, called the activists’ demands supremacist calling for the return of slavery, “unsavory” and “abortive,” and told them so why let them get off easy for promoting to “get over it.” Even Salon lectured gay someone as vile as Savage? activists on the speech issue, warning of a But the supreme hypocrisy here “backlash” that might be fomented, which belongs to MSNBC honcho Erik Sorenson. would hamper the left’s speech as well. In recent days, some have actually heaped So it was odd that no liberal praise on this buffoon, claiming that he kept commentators in the media came out to his word: Back in February, he promised to defend Savage’s free speech rights last week, fire Savage if he used the kind of language and that many such commentators praised on MSNBC he’s known for using on radio. MSNBC for giving him the boot. Savage’s But that lets Sorenson and the network off rants are admittedly much more horrendous the hook entirely for having elevated Savage than Schlessinger’s, but if you’re a free in the first place, knowing full well the kind speech purist, that shouldn’t matter, right? of garbage he trafficked in.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 21 22 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 Heard It Through the Gayvine Queers, Quotes and Quips of Interest Rosie’s Temper Is Taboo Rosie’s ego is at it again. According to the New York Post’s Page Six, Rosie O’Donnell is going bonkers with the production of the musical Taboo, based on the life of gender-bending star Leigh Bowery, whom Boy George brought to the London Stage. Rosie is said to be throwing fits, demanding that the story be completely rewritten and still hasn’t decided if she will appear in the show, which is supposed to open this fall. In one bizarre moment, Rosie is said to have pounded her fists on a table during a creative meeting, shouting, “Isn’t this great? We’re all gay! We’re all gay!” Let’s see, gay people working on a Broadway show—what will they Leigh Bowery think of next?

Rupert Everett Film Debuts on Starz Unconditional Love, a film starring Rupert Everett and Kathy Bates that was originally slated for a theatrical release, will premiere Saturday, Aug. 2, on Starz cable channel. Bates plays an American housewife who travels to England to attend the funeral of a beloved pop star. Everett plays the late pop singer’s lover. Bates and Everett team up to investigate who killed the singer. The film was directed by P.J. Hogan, who directed Everett in the immensely enjoyable and popular My Best Friend’s Wedding. Barry Manilow and Sally Jessy Raphael have cameos in the film.

Angelina’s New Love and New Role Luscious Angelina Jolie, who’s heating up the screen in the action-packed summer flick Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life, has been spotted cuddling up to adorable actor Olivier Martinez. The two are costarring in the upcoming film Taking Lives, now shooting in Montreal. In other Angelina news, Oliver Stone has just cast the bisexual actress as Olympias, the mother of bisexual conqueror Alexander the Great, who will be portrayed by Colin Farrell.

Homo on the Range Are you ready to get back in the saddle for yet another gay reality show? Producer Larry Dvoskin and director Jeff Margolis have launched a nationwide search for a gay male country music singer. Wannabes must be openly gay and sing country music. Auditions will whittle contestants down to 50 finalists whose struggle to become the competition’s top man will be aired as a reality TV show.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 23 By Charlene Lichtenstein For the week of 7/28/03 Rowdy Mars retrogrades and continues its out of control course until September. Our small, unobtrusive actions suddenly become weapons of mass destruction. Oops! Sorry!! Will you be around to clean out the fallout, comrade? ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20) Gay Rams smell a rat. Heck, they smell a nest of nasty, skulking rats that need to be disposed of yesterday! You haul out the tanks with retro Mars. But the rustling you hear behind the walls may be the wind. Just buy a piece of poisoned cheese and wait. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Your dance card has become oversubscribed and the world is turning too fast. Queer Bulls are popularity plus personified but if you feel like you just want to be alone, don’t feel guilty. You are bound to trod on a few insteps if you keep up the rapid pace. GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Pink Twins feel that they are not getting the recognition or credit they deserve but must learn to manage and control petty tirades and reduce the volume. With retro Mars you have a chance to make a solid impression on the bosses. Don’t forget to flush. CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) Queer Crabs may find that retro Mars packs a powerful, decidedly unrelaxing punch to any vacation plans. How does a week lounging on a demolition site sound? Find your relaxing interludes closer to home and plan an all Out vacation in the fall. LEO (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23) Piquant retro Mars piques your taste buds and sets your ardor ablaze. But are you only packing a popgun, proud Lion? There is nothing more disappointing than a promise that is bigger than the actual delivery. By September though you will over deliver! VIRGO (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23) If you feel like relationships are not measuring up, you may be tempted to take drastic action while Mars retrogrades. Swallow your bile, queer Virgin; this is no time to assess the situation dispassionately. Dive into pleasant areas. No names please! LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23) Rainbow Libras are whirlwinds at work. You are a tireless motivator and a worker bee. But take an inventory of what you have really accomplished during retro Mars. You are a “can do” type of person. Now please just do it somewhere else. SCORPIO (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22) Proud Scorps are sizzle on the steak most times and now you are on the verge of singeing your beef tips. Pleasant pastimes can go to extremes with retro Mars. But I suspect that is the way you really like it anyway. Pack a fire extinguisher just in case. SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22) A new broom not only sweeps clean, it vacuums paint off the walls. Do not do massive renovations since retro Mars never knows when enough is enough. Consolidate and enjoy your surroundings just the way they are. Just like some people... CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20) Pink Caps should be especially careful of what they say and how they say it through the summer. You have no idea how much your words will impact people and events and change the landscape. It is a shame that Congress is off for the summer. AQUARIUS (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19) All that glitters is not gold. Aqueerians are chasing the pot at the end of the rainbow only to find that it is full of mirrors. Retro Mars says there is a big payoff but the secret is to value the pleasant ride on the rainbow itself, especially with fellow travellers. PISCES (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20) Guppies are not usually forces of change and now you find that even a glance produces impactful results. But are they the results that you want? Wait as events unfold or at least until you sufficiently test the waters for your big splash.

© 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.

24 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 25 Office: 954.568.1880•Fax: 954.568.5110•Email: [email protected]

CHEAPER THAN RENT INTRACOSTAL PARADISE 2Br/2Ba. East of I-95 off Oakland. FOR YOU Will go fast. Billy Looper, Broker- and your boat. 1/1 guesthouse on Mack Lane Real Estate. $92,900 Intracoastal w/ dock and boatlift 954.557.6990 outside your door. Furn or not. Private entrance and parking. Attached to mansion & landscaped BOWL-A-THON 3/2 POOL HOME IN grounds in Pompano Beach with 13th Annual Poverello Bowl-A- MID RIV TERR use of 60 ft pool and prvt court Thon Saturday August 23, 2003 at Private Yard With Heated Pool. yard $1700/mo with 6 month min Manor Lanes in Wilton Manors Just minutes from Wilton Manors. plus 1 mo dep. utilities and satellite 1517 NE 26th St. 1st Shift- 12 $1500.00 MO 1st/Sec Pets TV incl. Ref. a must 917.543.8433 Noon- 3pm 2nd Shift 3:30pm- 6pm allowed. 954.661.4550 Come out and support The LAKE RIDGE 2/2 HOME IN PROGRESSO. Poverello Food Bank! Have a 2/1 Lrg. screened porch, all new MINUTES TO THE DRIVE! HAS GREAT time with old friends and kitchen appl., carpet, paint, spanish BONUS ROOM FOR? meet new ones! TEAMS NOW tile, sm pets OK POOL & laundry LAUNDRY ALSO. $1,100.00 MO. FORMING for information on room on site. $1100/ mo. 954.522.4262 OR 954.801.1648 sponsoring a team or signing up to 954.467.1513 bowl, please call Brian Watson at 954.563.4167 NEAR WILTON MANORS/ LAS OLAS LAKE RIDGE URBAN TRIBE Spectacular view of Intracoastal Newly remodeled houses in A monthly social gathering Waterway, pool, exercise room, Progresso near Wilton Manors/ promoting friendship & extended walk to the beach and restaurants Lake Ridge. Central A/C tile /wood family outside of the bar scene for Exquisite bachelor pad 2/1.5 floors, big backyard, from $1000 info 561.750.3993 furnished with office set up. French per month pets allowed Please www.AmUniv.org doors, Marble baths. Gay Friendly call: 954.390.0189 building. Prefer professional non- BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS smoker, covered parking, $1895 / A monthly discussion group GATED RANCH HOME mo Call Yveline 954.649.3575 promoting healthy relationships for So. Middle River, great 2/2 plus additional info: www.AmUniv.org or bonus room, W/D, new central A/ WEST PALM BEACH 561.750.3993 C, new appliaces, carpet, pets OK, Lg 2/1, Historic 1928 Bldg, on A DOWNTOWN CHURCH Check this out for total privacy. Flagler & 41st, completely restored First Evangelical Lutheran Church $1000 mo + util. Call Ron (new kt, bath, hard wd fl, fireplace), 441 NE Third Avenue/ 5th Street 954.801.1648 or 954.522.4262 great views on ICW - fabulous Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 light, blks to PB Sailing Club, Suba worship on Sunday 10:30 AM Rev. WILTON MANORS Club, Currie Park, off street pk, pvt Heiner Hoffmann Lrg. 2/1.5 Townhome $850 - courtyard, pets OK , $1,150/mo, FLS, 561.841.9122. $1100 Huge 3 BR Suites/2.5 Ba Townhome $1450 2//2 Garden WEST PALM BEACH Apartment $950, $3/2.5 Furn. 2/1, on Flagler & 41st, private apt Townhome Downtown $2000 All compound, completely restored new white appliances, ice maker, (new kt, bath, terrazzo flrs), great laundry, cen. A/C, w/patio/yard views on ICW - bloks to PB Sailing Unfurnished and or partly Club, Scuba Club, Currie Park, off furnished avail. F/L/S Seeking street pk, pvt patio, pets OK $750/ MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE responsible Pet owners call Rose, mo, FLS, 561.841.9122. Immaculate Duplex, 2/1 & 1/1 954.288.4206, 954.762.3638 night, Upgraded. $260K Russ Clifton 1250 SQ. FT. ENJOY SPACE! or 954.565.3618 954.396.5198 Oakland Park 2 bed/ 2 bath in RE/MAX PARTNERS Oakland Forest 5' walk in shower, MIDDLE RIVER walk in closet, W/D, pvt. 15' CORAL HEIGHTS Lg one bedroom, private cottage balcony, cath. ceiling, corner unit, AFFORDABLE w/ separate computer room. All pool, tennis, $950/ mo. Move in condition, 3/2, huge lot, new, very cozy $750/mo for info. 954.731.5994 new appliances, room for pool, Call 954.733.3394 freshly painted interior, $245,900. SPACIOUS 1 BEDROOM/ Magfret 305.215.7193 1 BATH HOUSE FOR RENT- shop.zlinkz.com/realestate.htm in immaculate 2 story building in VICTORIA PARK Middle River Terace area. WATERFRONT IN 2/2 w/ pool Immaculate with Apartment has new paint, new WILTON MANORS upscale furniture, computer, fax, berber carpet, swimming pool, Waterfront 3/2, pool in Wilton telephone & Cable TV. Short or laundry on the premisis. Really Manors. End of Cul de sac, long term available starting 9/20/03 clean well-kept building, on site professionally landscaped front Small Pet OK Dave 954.523.4725 manager. 1 mile south of 5 points. and back. Owner transferred. call or Dan 215.416.6248 Gene 561.376.4485. Brian Maguire at 954.522.5050 $395,000 A1A 4TH FL WILTON MANORS OCEANVIEW APT 3/1, Deck, circular driveway, FLORIDALE Furnished, H. Pool. Pd Util. Avail. 2/2, Split level, with den, enclosed private fenced yard, $1300 /mo. wkly./ monthly F/S 954.568.4988 private sun deck, 100% remodeled 954.732.2804 $16,000 or OBO/ or possible MIDDLE RIVER rental. 954.610.0661 Half Duplex: 2/2 priv. yard & deck. LAS OLAS AREA Central AC. Clean & fresh, Pets FT LAUD ADULT COLONY $1450/mo, 2/2 condo Rental Las OK . Walk to Ramrod, Jackham- MOBLE HOME - 14 X 56 Furn. full Olas Call John, 954-529-5505 RE/ mer, and Boardwalk. $875/mo 2 bed, 2 full bath, heated pool, MAX Partners bckgrd check required Contact $8,000 716.553.7071 Owner 754.581.1564 AMSTERDAM NEXT TO LAKEFRONT COMMUNITY BRIGHT SUNNY RED LIGHT DISTRICT 2001 manufactured home, double, DESIGNER 1/1 2/2, heated pool. $68K Sunny apartment near Neumarket Furnished or Unfurnished, in 954.764.2750 Square; Cuban cigars and direct historical Sailboat Bend.Private marijuana/hash are legal; 1 sleeps tropical gardens A/C, W/D, new FT LAUD NEWLY 4 direct canal location and view kitchen/ bath $800/ mo. REMODELED 3/2 fully furnished and equipped 954.524.7032 in Lake Ridge, new roof, A/C, central location and near Metro; Terrazzo and carpet. Lush Big windows $1200 2 week NEAR WILTON MANORS landscaping. $295K 954.821.5618 minimum maid service included, Spacious 1/1, carpeted, walk in By appt only. 917.375.5159 or amsterdam- closet, clean, quiet, safe area. [email protected] $650/mo + sec. 954.783.8130 WILTON MANORS 2625 NE 10TH Terr. 3/2 with pool. ONE-TWO BEDROOM RIVER OAKS $270,000 Miraco Realty OAKLAND PARK Lrg. 3/2 in immaculate condition. 954.563.1881 One Bedroom- NE 40th St. New kitchen with D/W , and dining Oaklnad Park, 2nd Floor Condo area, new baths. Cen. A/C huge CATSKILL MTS - NY HOME fenced yard, private, quite safe For Rent Vail. Sept. 1st, 2003 Move in condition, unbelievable 2 near Davie Blvd Laundry on $595/mo. 2/1 - 270 NE 40St. br/2 full baths, Den, enclosed patio, premises- pets ok $1150 1st + Oaklnad Park 2nd Floor Condo living room, high ceilings, eat in Sec. Gene 561.376.4485 kitchen, tremendous patio, heated For Rent Avail NOW!!! $695/mo pool beautifully furnished $160K or Both Require one year lease unfurnished $150K 845.434.1204 complex has pool, $50 Condo Fee or 954.298.5126 Appl. Fee F/L/S & Credit check LAUDERHILL required 954.229.0968 Share 4/3 Luxury gated villa, with absentee gay male owner. Pools, tennis, golf. Luxury amenities. A1A/ICW POMPANO TOWNHOUSE STYLE CONDO Furnished living and dining. Must Luxury Furn. Studio Apts. 1/2 block Walking distance to Wilton Drive. see. $750/month includes all. 2 bed.1 1/2 bath including washer, to sec. dune beach. Cable/ HBO, Deposit/References required. dryer in a pet friendly complex. local phone utilites incl. Call: Wilton Manors 5 miles. Call Brian Maguire at 954.568.4988 954.486.8099 850.566.4714 954.522.5050 $149,000 Office: 954.568.1880•Fax: 954.568.5110•Email: [email protected]

26 ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003

CYMK Office: 954.568.1880•Fax: 954.568.5110•Email: [email protected]

OAKLAND PARK/ PINE WEST Seeking M/F reliable roommate for furnished 2/2 villa no drugs, alcohol, utilities incl., pool, gym, tennis, gated. Must like GAY CRUISE dogs, $500 /mo F/S Avail. 8/ For older gay men and their 1 954.448.2191 admirers Leaves Ft. Lauder- dale on Feb. 8, 2004 on brand new luxury cruise ship, 7 days WILTON MANORS CAFE Western Caribbean, visiting Established 40 yr. business. Key West, Progreso/Merida, Steady built in Gay Clien- Cozumel and Grand Cayman tele. Reduced for quick sale. and a couple of fabulous days Bring an offer! $90,000+ at sea. Come find your yearly sales. Bob at ReMax Valentine and join a great 954.396.5990 group of guys for a fantastic week of fun and friendship. For more information contact Norm at: 954.735.8055 or toll ALL OR NOTHING SALE free: 877.469.8055. BY OWNER Retail Building 1716 Sq. Ft. & Residential Duplex 651 Sq Ft. 2505 Davie Blvd Ft. Laud FL. Located less then 1/2 mile from I-95 and less then 2 miles from I-595 St. Rd 7, St Rd 94 and the Turnpike. Retail building has a 1650/ mo potential. Rental income SKILLED NATIONALLY 450/mo per unit, $900 total. CERTIFIED Since purchased in 1999 PROFESSIONAL DOG Offering Shiatsu, Thai, many, many new upgrades. WALKING SERVICE Swedish Massage from $295,000 call 954.584.0087 Dogs need to be exercised to general stress to specific or fax inquires to be healthy and happy. complaints. Miami to West 954.587.0067 Excellent References with 7 Palm Michael Quintal year history of dog happiness. 954.448.4159 (MA #38874) Seeking customers in the area of Victoria Park and Las Olas. Stephane 954.832.0556

NOW HIRING New Aveda Concept Spa & Salon in Wilton Manors- Taking Applications for all positions send resume to: [email protected] fax to 954.563.4729

SALES EXECUTIVES The Express is looking for outgoing individuals in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami- Dade counties to join our publication. Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience with comission based sales. Fax resume to 954.568.5110 PROFESSIONAL PET CARE HOT DAD FOR HIRE or email as a text, html, or with Love and Affection while Local Hunk will sooth away Word file to SalesApplicant you are away, for a day, two your stress and tension. 6', @ExpressGayNews.com days or longer. Daily dog 205lbs-49"c, 32"w, 18"a. walks and play time. Over 15 Blonde buzz cut, blue eyes, SEEKING POSTION years in the Pet Care smooth. http:// Responsible attentive Business. Call today for a free dadforhire1475.20m.com companion, with light house in home consultation; Ft. 954.646.8004, keeping and driving duties if Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, [email protected] needed full or part time Oakland Park. Call Woof Woof 954.485.3313 Pet Care - 954.561.9751 Specialize in Pet Nutrition and advice or Flea/Tick control. Also, Man Friday for other HEART OF Misc. needs. WILTON MANORS Florist shop seeking community oriented partner ATHLETIC MUSCUALR or buyer. Unique opportunity JOCK for the right person. 6’4" Stud with table in Wilton 954.483.3806 Manors. $65/hr. Robert 954.829.6465

COMMISSION TO START MARKETING SOLUTIONS STRAIGHT TOP Looking to hire people for a Everything Matters marketing MALE MODEL non profit child support org. solutions focuses only on Top straight 100% masculine Duties will include selling helping our clients become Panamanian /Italian 5’10 ads and sponsorships, Call more profitable. Our 180lbs ripped muscular 954.938.3535 Domestic Partner documenta- physique extremely attractive tion packages provide 9 1/2" cut, full service protection for GLBT relation- rubdown $100. in/out. Alex ships, finances, health and Cell 786.486.3396 children. Call Jason Rodgers at 954.763.6850

PALM BEACH CO 1990 ISUZU PICK-Up PSYCHOTHERAPIST 5 spd, CD. Runs perfect new Provide individual, couples battery $1300 obo good work and group psychotherapy in truck 954.610.5999 Great MR. RIGHT OR West Palm Beach. Special- transportation and truck for MR. RIGHT NOW ization working with the gay yard work. Whether you’re looking for Mr. community and HIV related Right or Mr. Right now, we’ve issues. Accept most 2000 CHRYSLER got your number. Fort insurance. If interested SEBRING JXI CONV Lauderdale 954.454.6600 and please call Atrthur Strauss, Cherry red w/ black ragtop. Miami 305.654.7777 or visit LCSW at 561.721.0842 or Chrome wheels, loaded. 58K us online at thenumber.com. 561.309.7502 mi $13,500 954.483.3806

Office: 954.568.1880•Fax: 954.568.5110•Email: [email protected]

ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 27

CYMK ACCOMMODATIONS ATTORNEYS— CHURCHES/ FINANCIALSERVICES Inn Leather IMMIGRATION LAW SYNAGOGUES(cont) A.G. Edwards Matt Gill, Investment Advisor 610 SE 19th St. Fernando J. Gutiérrez, EdD, Esq. Congregation ETZ Chaim [email protected] Fort Lauderdale...... 954.467.1444 Member CA Bar, Am. Imm. Lwyers. Assn. 3970 NW 21st Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl...... 954.761.1060 Liberty Apartment & Garden Suites 80 SW 8th St. #2000 Miami...... 305.423.7063 Fort Lauderdale ...... 954.564.9232 Edward Jones Investments 1501 SW 2nd Ave Shari L. Moidel, Esq. Holy Angels Nat’l Catholic Church Darcy J. Beeman Dania Beach ...... 954.927.0090 3471 N Federal Highway Suite #300 2330 Wilton Drive Fort Lauderdale...... 954.566.4252 Orton Terrace en-vision.com/ShariMoidel www.nationalcatholic.faithweb.com Morgan Stanley 606 Orton Ave Fort Lauderdale ………...... … 954 566.1610 Sun. 11 am, Wkdys incl. Sat. 5:30 pm Stephanie Small - Financial Advisor Fort Lauderdale...... 954.566.5068 David I.Witz, Esq.- Amer. Imm. Law Assc. Wilton Manors..954.565.4642 or 954.731.8173 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.267.5672 Venice Beach Guest Quarters usaimmigrationvisas.com House of Divine Mercy- Smith Barney - David Starkey, Sr. VP. 552 N. Birch Rd. West Palm Beach...... 561.655.8090 New Catholic Communities 350 E LasOlas Blvd, Suite 1200 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.564.9601 2749 Northeast 10th Ave. Fort Lauderdale...... 954.762.3012 AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR Wilton Manors...... 954.561.4545 ACCOUNTANTS/ For Brakes and More Sunshine Cathedral, MCC FLORIST BOOKKEEPERS 160 E. Prospect Road 1480 SW 9th Ave. Boat Blossums Wholesale Florist Bottom line Accounting & Tax Services, Inc. Fort Lauderdale...... …. 954.563.7254 Fort Lauderdale ...... 954.462.2004 3001 Griffin Rd. Incorporations, Individual & Ford of Pompano CLEANING SERVICES Fort Lauderdale...... 954.961.9141 Business Acct & Tax Svc Collision Center...... 954.818.9720 Maid Brigade West Palm Beach...... 561.627.7778 Parts Dept...... 954.781.9800 Solutions for a cleaner home. FURNITURE & ANTIQUES Service Dep...... 954.868.5833 Nelson Sabbagh, CPA Broward/Boca ...... 954.345.5565 Bar & Stool Emporium Personal Automotive Service Accounting & tax services 2201 N. Dixie Hwy. 5095 NE 12th Ave Miami ...... 305.632.0865 Fort Lauderdale……...... 954.566.7966 Fort Lauderdale……...... ………954.772.7780 COMPUTER SERVICES Thomas Marshall Madison, Jr. CPA, P.A. Cargo Rosen’s Prestige Automotive Affordable in Home Training / 2701 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Ste. C 2301 NE 26th St. 600 W Broward Blvd. (1-mile E of I-95) Trouble Shooting Fort Lauderdale...... 954.561.8959 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.568.5944 Fort Lauderdale.……...... …954.467.2234 Broward/ Dade / West Palm.....954.925.1801 Compudoc Makes Housecalls AIR CONDITIONING AUTO SALES www.compudoc4u.com GRANITE & MARBLE ACA Air Conditioning ATCO Autos Fort Lauderdale....954.584.6053 or 881.7013 Best with Granite 4700 West Prospect Road, Ste. 109 Fort Lauderdale………...... 954.462.7514 K-Laser Information Technologies, Inc Kitchen & bathroom counter tops Fort Lauderdale ……...... …..….954.492.5510 Braman BMW - Jay Estis 1256 5th St.West Palm Beach..800.785.9399 Oakland Park...... 954.733.5541 Expert Air Advice, INC. 2901 Okeechobee Blvd. StartComputing.cjb.net Cooling is what we do best! West Palm Beach...... 561.436.1261 GRAPHIC DESIGNS Fort Lauderdale...... 954.764.1990 CONTRACTORS- GENERAL Printing Xcetera BOAT CHARTERS Joe Gallo Construction, Inc. APARTMENTS FOR RENT 145 SE 11th Street Airboat Tours 840 NW 7th Ave. Deerfield Beach…….……..….954.420.0084 Palmetto States Properties, Inc. Fort Lauderdale.……...... 954.389.0202 Fort Lauderdale ……...….....… 954.766.9850 Studios – 2-Bedrooms; $600-1500 Florida Gay Cruise HAIR SALONS Fort Lauderdale...... 954.525.0210 Fort Lauderdale ...... 954.524.1234 CREDIT COUNSELING Hair Industry Miami...... 305.933.GAY9 Financial Asset Management Corp. ARTS & CULTURE 2000 Harrison St. Sean R. Cherry, Certified Financial Planner(R) Hollywood, Fl………...... 954.920.8220 Art and Culture Center of Hollywood BOOKS/VIDEO/AUDIO Fee-only financial planning Heclynn’s Barber, Beauty & Nail Studio 1650 Harrison Street LAMBDA Passages Bookstore West Palm Beach ...... 800.435.2463 3801 N Andrews Ave Hollywood...... 954.921.3274 Dade...... 305.754.6900 Oakland Park...... ….954.566.9776 Studio Gallery 425 DENTISTS Styling & Profiling Hair Emporium David Mulvenna proprietor BONDSMAN 21ST Century Dental Hollywood.…....954.923.1818 • 954.791.8159 Hollywood...... 954.924.8574 Brandy Bail Bonds Don Nadel, D.D.S, M.P.H Fort Lauderdale…………...... 954.463.4333 3038 N Federal Highway Build H HEALTH/FITNESS/BEAUTY ATTORNEYS Fort Lauderdale...... 954.568.9788 THE HIRING OF A LAWYER IS AN IMPORTANT CARPET CLEANING The LaserWorks Andrews Dental DECISION THAT SHOULD NOT BE BASED SOLELY House Carpet Cleaning 2480 E. Commercial Blvd. UPON ADVERTISEMENT, BEFORE YOU DECIDE, ASK 2654 N. Andrews Ave. Fort Lauderdale...... 954.202.5870 THE ATTORNEY TO SEND YOU FREE WRITTEN Tim House, Owner Wilton Manors……...... …..…954.567.3311 INFORMATION ABOUT HIS OR HER QUALIFICATIONS William Borawski Fort Lauderdale...... 954.360.0069 Bal Harbour Dental Center AND EXPERIENCE. hlth nutr [email protected] Bruce J. Kirsch Esquire 2026 NE 19th St. Fort Lauderdale...... 954.649.2067 CEMETERIES Fort Lauderdale.…...... …….954.566.5428 3800 S. Ocean Drive, Ste. 218 Lauderdale Memorial Ceneteries Hollywood...... 954.456.0220 Oakland Park Dental www.browardcemeteries.com Howard R. Cunningham, D.D.S. INSURANCE David L. Jacovitz, Esq. Fort Lauderdale.…...... …..954.745.2140 Allstate Insurance/Karl Grace South Trust Building - 1 East Broward Blvd. 2020 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale.……...... …..954.566.9812 2171 Wilton Drive Fort Lauderdale...... 954.630.8847 CHIROPRACTORS Wilton Manors……….....……..954.537.5321 Dean Trantalis Cabieses Chiropractic Centers Correct Coverage Insurance 2255 Wilton Drive DERMATOLOGY 1776 N Pine Island Rd Plantation. Jim Rakvica Peter Babinski, M.D., PH.D. Fort Lauderdale………………..954.566.2226 456 W 51st Place Hialea...... 954.559.1999 Fort Lauderdale……...... 954.565.1731 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.463.5406 Elizabeth F. Schwartz, P.A. Dr. Michael Cohen, D.C Singer & Associates, Life & Health Insurance 407 Lincoln Rd. Ste 4D 2631 E. Oakland Pk. Blvd., Ste. 104 ELECTRICIANS Life, Health, Annuities, LTC, Disability Income Miami Beach………………….305.674.9222 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.537.5558 The Electrician West Palm Beach...... 561.624.6325 Jeffery Seth Selzer, PA Gimbel Chiropractic Center 1536 NW 5th Ave Ft Lauderdale 2550 NE 15 Ave. Dr. Bruce Gimblel/Dr. Denise Gimbel Broward, Palm Beach, Dade.....954.522.3357 INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE Wilton Manors………………..954.567.4444 1907 North Andrews Ave. A1 Electric Service Affordable Interiors Jerome & Fischer, PA Wilton Manors...... 954.567.1924 Scott Conley, Master Electrician Window Treatment Specialist 4331 N. Federal Hwy. Ste 403 Monaissa Chiropractic & Wellness Center Pager...... 954.875.9873 12 Years Exp..in [email protected] Fort Lauderdale...... 954.489.1011 11200 Pines Blvd. Ste 101 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.764.8090 Ft. Lauderdale...... 954.629.5829 Law Offices of Robin L. Bodiford, PA Pembroke Pines...... 954.880.0101 EVENT PLANNERS 2550 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 20 Peele Chiropractic EVENTors, INC. Fort Lauderdale...... 954.630.2707 Dr. Kathy Ragone/Dr.Beth Cooper Event & Meeting Planning for Any Occasion LANDSCAPING Margaret Broenniman, Esq. 3296 NW 9th Ave. Fort Lauderdale…...... 877.9.EVENT.5 Blue Zebra Landscaping Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning Oakland Park ……...... 954.566.7222 FENCE SERVICES 1017 SW 15th Ter [email protected] Fort Lauderdale...... 954.764.1149 A-Hinze Fence Contractors Fort Lauderdale...... 954.288.4064 Exotic Landscaping Design CHURCHES/SYNAGOGUES Marty Hinze, Owner Randy Strauss PO Box 4580 Church of the Holy Spiritsong 721 NE 12th ST Wilton Manors.……………….954.566.5297 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.567.4133 Deerfield Beach 33442 ...... 954.418.8372 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.763.7658

28 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003

CYMK LANDSCAPING(cont) OFFICE EQUIPMENT P.I. & DETECTIVE AGENCIES REAL ESTATE(cont) R.H. Ireland & Sons Copyco Intracoastal Detective Agency Coldwell Banker 3080 S. Oakland Forest Dr. 1700S Powerline Rd. Suite H-I 1511 E Commercial Blvd Paul Nolan Fort Lauderdale ……...... 954.240.9701 Deerfield Beach...... … 954.881.7013 Fort Lauderdale…....…...... 954.564.5455 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.258.4654 LEGAL EXPENSE PLANS Coldwell Banker/Tim Singer Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. OPTICIANS PSYCHOTHERAPY & Realtor & Associates Cynthia Lyle……...... …... 954.916.2031 Downtown Opticians COUNSELING Fort Lauderdale...... 954.463.1373 Curtis McCoy ...... …… 954.723.7745 800 Broward Blvd David Greco-Brooks, PH.D. John Castelli & Jason Johnson/ LIGHTING Fort Lauderdale……...... … 954.764.6962 Individual and Couples Psychotherapy Re/Max Partners 1507 E Las Olas Blvd Luminosity Studio & Gallery Dr. Jeffrey C. Hilton, O.D. Fort Lauderdale ...... 954.377.5051 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.776.0406 Tony Beall Broward...... 954.524.9400 Darrin Spardello Community Real Estate Arthur Strauss, LCSW; FL Lic. #SW0003111 981 NE 45th Street South Beach...... 305.534.0539 [email protected] 6000 South Dixie Highway, Suite B Oakland Park...... 954.202.NEON Palm Beach/WPB/Lake Worth..561.262.4780 West Palm Beach, 33405...... 561.721.0841 PAINTING/WALLCOVERING Howard Elfman/Distinctive Homes Realty M. Ross Seligson, Ph. D., PA (PY2686) LIMOUSINE & CAR SERVICES Broward Boy’s Painters/ Jerry 1512 E Broward Blvd., Suite 201 Lic. Psychologist. Indiv. & Couples Chauffeur Service/Custom Transportation Fort Lauderdale...... 954.720.9605 Fort Lauderdale…………..…....954.764.4552 Broward, Dade, West Palm .....954.336.7849 Do. It. Rite Wallcover + Painting Psychotherapy. Keyes/Todd Paulk Sterling Services Fort Lauderdale………...... 954.786.0287 915 Middle River Drive Suite 401 1520 E. Sunrise Blvd Broward & Dade Counties...... 888.239.9200 Professional Interior Painting Bill Mears Fort Lauderdale 33304...... 954.563.2800 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.523.0796 LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING Wilton Manors...... 954.309.4089 Anita MacGregor, M.S., IMT.....954.254.2972 Keyes Company/ Al Kuntz IMS FINANCIAL SERVICES Professional Speedy Painting Gus Flores Asher Center - Couple Counseling 10101 S. Dixie Highway Ita Schenkel, CLTC, CSA Painting & general repair work around the house. Dr. Jay Asher ...... 954.565.1901 Miami...... 305.596.3991 Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist Fort Lauderdale...... 954.540.9316 Dr. Carmine Pecoraro, Psy.D. & Assocs. Kim Garvy, Broker/Remax Consultants N. Miami Beach...... 305.653.5116 Counseling, Evaluations & Psychological Testing 1625 SE 17th Street Causeway MARKETING PEST CONTROL Fort Lauderdale...... 954.463.2723 Fort Lauderdale……...…….…...954.767.1166 Everything Matters, LLC Harper Bros. Termite & Pest Control Cora Wujceak, LCSW Russotto Realty Inc. 2122 SW 60th Terr. Marketing Solutions 1909 N. Andrews Ave. Craig White Miramar ………...... … 954.983.4149 www.Everything-Matters.com Wilton Manors………...... 954.567.1008 2242 Wilton Drive ...... 954.296.4236 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.763.6850 Hugh Turner Pest Control, INC. Re/Max Partners/Dan O’Flaherty 840 NW 33rd Street Diana Promuto, LCSW, ACSW MASSAGE THERAPY 218 Commercial Blvd., Ste. 208M 2810 E OaklandBlvd Tom Clephane, LMT Oakland Park...... 954.564.0037 Lauderdale by the Sea...... 954.771.5040 Fort Lauderdale..……...... …...954.396.5965 Lic.# MA0019978...... 954.579.5044 Terry Bush/Re/Max Partners Eric Schoenfeld, PHD Psychologist Terry DiVincenzo, LMT PETS Fort Lauderdale……...... ….954.661.4550 Swedish & Therapeutic Massage Brenda’s Birds Inc. 224 Datura St. Suite 402 Lic.# MA 022936 …...... …..954.491.8180 324 NE 3rd Ave. Downtown West PalmBeach.....561.804.9595 RETIREMENT Michael Quintal, LMT Delray Beach…...... 561.278.5394 Lisa C. Niebling Ph.D., LMHC, CST Treemont on the Park Shiatsu, Thai, Deep Tissue 11388 Okeechobee Blvd. 3881 NE 3rd Ave., Oakland Park Lic.# MA38874...... 954.448.4159 PET GROOMING Royal Palm Beach...... 561.798.2310 Fort Lauderdale …...... …954.563.0276 Brian L. Wright MS, LMT, CR Rover the Rainbow Mari Alschuler, LCSW, RPT Shiatsu, Reflexology, Deep Tissue 929 North Federal Hwy., (Sears Town) Hypnosis, Career Counseling, Journaling SCREEN PRINTING Lic.# MA33341...... 561.582.1177 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.525.6988 Dade & Broward ...... 954.243.5288 Fastsigns MORTGAGES Yuppy Puppy & Co. Show & Pet Grooming Mark Rutherford, LCSW 1747 N. Federal Highway Alliance Mortgage Funding, Inc. Catering to those who want the Very Best! West Palm Beach...... 561.835.6821 Fort Lauderdale...... 954.566.8500 Brian “Tyler” Leonard Coral Springs...... 954.753.7647 Robin Traiger, LCSW 2200 NE 26th St Fort Laud...... 954.568.0108 TAILOR PHARMACIES 2624 NW 6th Avenue Countrywide Home Loans Commcare Pharmacy Cassini Tailor Shop Wilton Manors...... 954.565.8650 Rod Pans - Home Loan Consultant 2817 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Ste# 303 934 NE 20th Ave Michael G. Mele, LCSW, P.A. Serving East Ft. 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www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 29

CYMK 30 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 A Hustler’s Life—The Complete Story Biographer Shines New Light on ‘City of Night’ Author By Dan Aiello Casillo recalls reading the compelling choices and his “impenetrable” emotional moments when I assumed the stance. And I Local Correspondent description on the cover: “an expose on the barricade. As a child, Rechy learned to had been there a few minutes when a Mr. By the age of 15, Charles Casillo was homosexual underground lifestyle.” anticipate rejection by other children because Klein came by and spoke the words as adept at riding New York subways as he In fact, according to Casillo, City of he was effeminate, so he began to reject embedded in my mind: ‘I’ll give you 10 was clumsy at sports. And for this awkward Night was the first true documentation of gay others first. Casillo writes: “Surely most of bucks, and I don’t give a damn for you.’ teenage boy who was the target of every life in the 1950s that was not, like earlier the other boys his age would have excluded Those were the first words I heard hustling.” bully at school, the subways provided more works by Gore Vidal or Tennessee Williams, this seemingly strange, haughty boy who was Casillo believes that taking the time to than just transportation, they heavily veiled to ensure publication and delicate and remote. So instead John rejected appreciate the historic context of the choices offered escape. avoid the book-burners of religiously them first. He separated himself with an air John made creates a better understanding of Every weekend, Casillo conservative, McCarthy- of absolute indifference before he could be those decisions and the very vulnerable side jumped on the E-train at the era America. excluded. As a result, he always seemed to of his subject. While Rechy appears anything Union Turnpike Station, Published in book be judging others,” and exhibited “a dislike but vulnerable in his own works, Casillo’s usually without any planned form in 1963, Rechy’s of ordinary people.” This disdain was biography attempts to reveal the soft destination. He had to ride honest and open Rechy’s defense, a wall he kept up, underbelly of Rechy’s emotions. the trains, and not just for portrayal of the life of a deflecting any kind of romantic love, until “You have to remember that at the time his sake. “My parents did male prostitute was his 50s. John was coming out, homosexuality was the best that they could shocking to the literary So why, even after he’d become a classified by the scientific community as a and loved me and world and made Rechy both famous, financially secure novelist and mental illness,” Casillo explains. “A lot of worried about me a famous and controversial. In teacher, does Rechy continue to turn tricks guys, like John, used prostitution as a way lot,” he said. “I began his book, Rechy referred to the for pay, something he did not riding the trains so life he led as “the private, stop until the age of 50? that they would beautiful, and ugly magic of Casillo believes this is think I was busy hustling.” perhaps the most compelling and happy.” In Casillo’s book, Outlaw: question of Rechy, something So to protect his The Lives and Careers of John never covered in the books of parents from worrying as much as to Rechy, the former prostitute reflects the hustler’s youth. Casillo avoid his tormentors in the tough Queens on his past life: “Would I like to be concludes that Rechy equated neighborhood where he lived, Casillo rode remembered as an object of desire? Sure, but being sexually desirable with the subway system. I know I will be remembered primarily for being alive, and the loss of his At first the train rides served only to my work. My body of work and my body.” looks with death. Without waste time, sometimes all day. But in time, Casillo’s biography delves into both internal validation, the need for Casillo began to get off at different stops to what was and what now is of value to the external validation increases. explore the rest of New York—especially former street hustler. Those who have read Getting paid for sex was the Manhattan—a few train stops but a world all of Rechy’s novels, which include only validation that worked for away from Queens. It was during one of Numbers, Rushes, The Sexual Outlaw and Rechy. these Saturday excursions to Manhattan that nine others, understand that for Rechy, his Casillo’s difficulty in high Charles Casillo and John Rechy 15-year-old Casillo found himself. body is his most valuable asset. Throughout school translated to a grade After getting off of the train at 5th his life and despite his fame as an author, point average that prevented him from to come to terms with being gay. Basically, Avenue Station, Casillo walked into a Barnes Rechy’s looks remain his source of attending college. But Rechy’s life inspired they convinced themselves that if money was and Noble bookstore, where he spotted a emotional validation. him to become a writer, and he was happy involved, then they weren’t homosexual.” book called City of Night, an But to read just Rechy’s novels is not to to commit three years to getting to know his Although City of Night is a novel based autobiographical novel based on the know the man that wrote them, according to subject. “[Rechy] was very guarded at first,” on Rechy’s life, it was written when he was experiences of a New York street hustler Casillo. Rechy does not provide a full Casillo explains. “John has many sides to 30, more than 40 years ago. Casillo’s named John Rechy. Although he didn’t account of his history in his books, and him. After having only known him through biography both covers Rechy’s entire life know it that afternoon, finding that book on Casillo believes that he still may not fully his work, I expected someone darker, broody and discloses aspects of City of Night that that day would eventually lead Casillo to his understand its significance. Casillo presents or private, yet I found him to be very were disguised for the protection of future not just as a writer but as the a “delicate,” daydreamy child, “slightly friendly, outgoing. He can turn on any individuals. biographer of the man who’s book would built,” who was rejected by a father because persona, a skill he mostly developed as a “The whole world has changed since teach him to accept his sexuality and inspire he didn’t play sports, choosing instead to hustler on the streets. Over the course of three City of Night was written and since I was him to become an author. design dresses for his sister. years, there were times he was pleased with growing up,” Casillo says. “We’ve had Boy Twenty years later, Casillo still has vivid Rechy’s relationship with his father is me, times he was displeased, times he was George, Ellen, Will & Grace and Queer as memories of that day. “I’ve said this a lot, perhaps the driving force throughout his life. apprehensive… I saw many sides of him, and Folk. But the kind of loneliness you feel as but discovering this book was a turning point Casillo is astonished to hear Rechy’s I think I capture that.” a misfit or outcast still makes City of Night in my life,” Casillo says. “The book seemed allegations that his father, joined by his “I was pulled into that world so eternal and relevant. to jump off the shelf at me, demanding me friends, molested Rechy in a way that Casillo quickly,” Rechy recalls in Casillo’s book. “I think we all have a little bit of a hustler to read it. It’s difficult to explain, but I’ll feels clearly defines the father as a pedophile, “As if I rehearsed it in dreams, acted it out— in us,” Casillo says. “In the gay community, never forget how I felt the moment I picked yet Rechy simply refers to it as “weird.” without remembering. There I was on the so much value is placed on our beauty that up the book and began to read the back Casillo finds further trauma in Rechy’s street. I looked around, and I had been at some point I think we all have felt that cover.” childhood, which could explain his life observing the hustlers only for a few urge to want to test our value.”

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003 31 Gay Teens Discover HOPE Compass Group Helps Youths Cope and Adjust By Chip Alfred woman. She was raised by her father; her very comfortable with his sexual orientation Coming out to his father was quite a Palm Beach Correspondent mother died when Jackie was just three years and has been out for a few years. different story. He says his dad just “freaked They are three teenagers from different old. She jokes that her dad feels responsible When word got around school that he out” when Adam told him he’s gay. When cultures, different backgrounds and very for her butchness. “I’ve always been very was gay, he got so tired of everybody asking that happened, Adam ran away from home different families. They have three things in tomboyish and into sports,” she says. him about it, that he literally put up a sign. and came to West Palm Beach to live with common—they’re gay, they’re proud and She says coming out was never a big “I went to the mall and bought a sticker that his mom, who he says accepts him the way they’re talking about it. They each have a deal to her, and believes it’s easier for says, ‘I kiss boys’ and plastered it on my he is. Adam’s parents are going through the story of struggle to tell. They all have found lesbians than for gay men. “Straight people backpack. When people would ask me, I court system, fighting a bitter battle over inner strength in the face of adversity, and are more accepting of lesbians,” she says. would show just them my backpack.” Adam’s custody. they all agree their lives have been changed She wears gay pride T-shirts to school, and He says he’s heard his share of gay Josie Rodriguez, Hope Teens’ program for the better by something they do together she adorns her school backpack with epithets, but he refuses to let it bother him. coordinator, says, “This is a place for young every week. rainbow stickers. She doesn’t seem to be “I’ll be just walking down the hall…people people to be themselves and to feel safe.” Jackie, Daniel and Adam are part of the concerned about the consequences. calling you faggot. It’s just something you The program takes a holistic approach to Hope Teens program, a combination social/ “I’m 225 pounds of dykeness,” she says. have to live with because the teachers at my helping young gay people deal with their support/educational group for gay teenagers “I speak my mind, and don’t take crap from school won’t really do anything about it,” lives and their sexual orientation. at Compass, Palm Beach County’s LGBT anyone now.” Daniel says. But he is trying to do something “How you cope with being gay is Community Center. Daniel, 16, is soft-spoken, yet confident about it. Daniel has tried three times to start important, but it is how you cope with Jackie is 18, the oldest of the group, a and determined. He was raised by his a gay/straight student alliance at his school, being a human being that is most very strong-willed, mother, who is a lesbian. Daniel has not but every time he does, he says school important,” Rodriquez says. Hope teens outspoken young seen his father administrators find a different excuse to learn about the basic principles of since he was shoot him down. He says he’s not giving up integrity, self-respect and how to two years old. that easy—he plans to try again in the fall. understand and embrace diversity. He seems Adam, 16, is mature and introspective. “I get to be who I am. I get to be myself,” A native of Chicago, he’s the son of a says Jackie about her experience at Hope Pakistani father and an American mother. Teens. Daniel says, “You become aware of Adam was bounced around from Illinois how different people really are.” Adam says, public schools to an Islamic private school, “I don’t have to put on a show anymore. I where he says he endured his share of get to talk about my problems and be at harassment. He says the gay student groups peace.” at his public school helped him come out to “I want these young people to leave here his classmates. “It’s a very different and say, ‘Compass changed my life,’ says From left: Jackie, Adam, and Daniel, members of the HOPE Teens program at Compass, environment up north; it’s more accepting,” Rodriguez. “I want them to become Palm Beach County’s LGBT Community Center. he says. extraordinary human beings.”

32 www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 28, 2003