For Good Fortune in the New Year by Felicia Kyle

NEWS

A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center Volume 3 Issue 1 WISHING (AND WORKING) FOR GOOD FORTUNE IN THE NEW YEAR BY FELICIA KYLE

e can blame the Babylonians At the more than 4,000 years ago for L I K E M E ® starting the traditions of mak- Lighthouse, ingW New Year’s resolutions. Early Christians much of our believed a new year was an opportunity to time and en- identify and correct past mistakes, kind of a ergy goes to- “do something different” approach, under- ward keeping lining that it is possible to improve ourselves. the lights on, Traditions differ, but many cultural tradi- the social me- tions have a common theme of prosperity. dia updated, a We are a hopeful people and why not? Who monthly news- volvement. I am excited about the coming would not welcome good fortune? letter published, events planned, the front year and what it may bring. I will not argue However, setting and keeping resolutions desk staffed, etc. I believe it is realistic to what might work best to bring prosperity. can be tricky. Not keeping a resolution? wish for a prosperous future at the LIKEME I will eat black-eyed peas and wear my Well, many toss around the current slang Lighthouse and to discover what is possible lucky charm if good fortune is promised, phrase, “That’s on you.” for our community center in the 501(c) but I think it is also realistic to ask for what What is realistic? I never set the goal of (3) world. we need. At midnight on New Year’s Eve I climbing Mount Everest. First, I don’t own For me, the success of the LIKEME® will raise a glass and send out three simple a ladder. And second, my insurance policy Lighthouse is in our volunteers, our mem- words: Help us prosper. does not allow me to do risky things. bers of the board, and our community’s in-

continued on page 5

Follow Us On Our Social Networks & Web Sites PLACES pg. 2 LIKEME® Lighthouse The Local Board pg. 2 LIKEME® Lighthouse 3909 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 Volunteer of the Month pg. 3 (816) 753-7770 MAGLCC Member Highlight pg. 3 [email protected] Tuesday Night At the Movies pg. 4 KCAVP Winter Wonder Ball pg. 6 LIKEME® Organization Hours of Operation LIKEME® Lighthouse Gear pg. 7 Mon. - Sat.: 12 noon - 8 p.m. Sunday: 12 noon - 6 p.m.

Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved Table of Contents PLACES pg. 2 PLACES by Jen Harris The Local Board pg. 2 Volunteer of the Month pg. 3 MAGLCC Highlight pg. 3 Tuesday Movies pg. 4 “Uptown Arts Bar Revitalizes KCAVP YWWB pg. 6 LIKEME® Gear pg. 7 Midtown Art Scene”

t is a deeply en- somehow. Upstairs has a bricked-in doorway trenched myth in from one building to the next, which was the arts community probably a speakeasy.” Ithat to be an artist is to commit to a life of ward- Whether you’re in the mood for a tall ing off poverty, hunger, drink or any variety of performing art, this failure and disappoint- is the place to be after 6 p.m. Jen Harris ment. However, Greg “My vision was that this would be an art- Patterson and Jeanette Powers, rooted in ists’ home,” said Patterson. “The artists need Kansas City, actively oppose that myth. a place where they can go and feel comfort- Patterson, owner of the Uptown Arts Bar, able, that’s affordable and welcoming. [A is also the owner of Greg Patterson and Asso- place] where they can perform and if they’ve ciates, a commercial real estate firm focused got something that’s different – they can on the KC urban core. He recently joined try it out. Our purpose, originally, was to forces with artist extraordinaire Powers, the be a venue for supporting, celebrating and general manager of the Uptown Arts Bar. presenting performing arts with an emphasis The romanticism of the bohemian life- on original works. … We want to be the style has long attracted eclectic individuals place where original work can be presented to midtown, and the historic Uptown dis- and push the envelope.” trict is certainly no exception. The Uptown Powers shares this dream. She has 20 Arts Bar opened in February 2012 at 3611 years of teaching (with a degree in physics The dates and times for meetings Broadway, a location that has been a bar and math) and performance experience. She are listed on the LIKEME® Light- since 1925. edits all genres of literary works both in house Web site calendar at “The façade is a replica of the Betsy Ross print and online, curates the Kansas City likemelighthouse.org house in Philadelphia,” said Patterson. “It Writers Place art gallery, and is the director won architectural awards in the 1920s. Of of Poetic Underground. “Absolute Futility,” Summer Hours course during prohibition it couldn’t legally her first book of poetry, was published in Mon. - Sat.: 12 - 8 pm be a bar, but it remained open and operating 2012 in conjunction with Prospero’s Books Sunday: 12 - 6 pm continued on page 5

The Local Board LIKEME® Lighthouse - Kansas City

NEWS group of local Board Members plan opportunity, please send an e-mail to and direct the day-to-day opera- [email protected] or contact the Editor in Chief: Charlene Daniels tions of the Lighthouse. This Board LIKEME® Lighthouse at (816) 753-7770. Managing Editor: Felicia Kyle isA composed of prominent area business Copy Editor: Elizabeth Andersen and civic leaders who are interested in fur- Current Local Board of Directors: Reporting: Elizabeth Andersen, Dana Buckner, Lora thering Kansas City’s LGBT issues. These Ceperley, Abbye Rose Klamann, Felicia Kyle volunteers direct the Lighthouse’s Opera- Cathy Jambrosic Graphics: Howard Callahan tions Team to execute the plans and direc- Jeff Edmondson Design: Howard Callahan tion set forth for the LIKEME® Lighthouse. Lora Ceperley The Local Board Members would welcome Dana Buckner 3909 Main Street other local individuals interested in steer- Bruce Winter Kansas City, MO 64111 ing the LIKEME® Lighthouse. If you are Elizabeth Andersen 816-753-7770 interested in serving on the local board, or Felicia Kyle [email protected] just learning more about this worthwhile Howard Callahan pg. 2 January 2014 Newsletter LIKEME® Lighthouse - Kansas City only about graphics, website management, or most recently creating the program for our annual fundraiser. But he gives much more. His input is invaluable to our operations. He networks, problem-solves, offers ideas, follows through with action, all without ceremony. Howard isn’t an “it’s good enough” kind of guy, and the LIKEME Lighthouse has become better because of him.

Howard Callahan Landon Vonderschmidt

Q Volunteer of the Month For many years I’ve helped raise funds in Photo: Howard Callahan support of the AIDS Walk Kansas City event Carol Hallquist (I’m excited about and gearing up for 2014 by Felicia Kyle now). At AIDS Walk 2012 I came upon a booth with the banner LIKEME Lighthouse. Hallquist Champions I approached, wondering what was going y first memory of meeting How- on, to discover it was Chely’s organization. Diversity as VP of ard Callahan was at the 2012 I thought I’m going to help out here, be- Pride Event when he volunteered come a volunteer, and see where this goes. Hallmark Corporate Mto help with the LIKEME Lighthouse ex- It is there I met Lora Ceperley and hibit booth. I learned that he knew Chely made a new friend. You cannot meet Foundation Wright when she was growing up in Wells- Lora and not become an instant friend. by Erin Canty ville, Kan. He did not share this information From there I went down to the Light- with me in a bragging, name-dropping way, house (“There goes that danged Howard Carol Hallquist leads the card giant’s Corpo- and I remembered his understated manner. Callahan again.” That was for you, Char rate Foundation, with diversity, grant mak- As we moved through our first year, How- ... ha ha) and lo-and-behold I passed the ing, volunteer programs, sustainability, the ard gave his time and his talent. He took background check. I was off and running. Hallmark Visitor’s Center, and the children’s photographs at events for us and showed up Working beside my fellow board members center, Kaleidoscope all falling under her time after time, doing whatever was needed. and ALL the volunteers at the Lighthouse purview. Despite her full plate, Hallquist Sometimes, with the right people, the has been an enriching experience for me. I’ve ensures diversity and community engage- right time, and the right dynamic, things met, worked and grown along with the most ment remain priority for the organization, come into place without effort. Creating welcoming, remarkable, selfless, giving indi- and her personal endeavors. the LIKEME Lighthouse newsletter was viduals. I consider them family, and I love “When you work with a diverse group of effortless from the beginning. As a team each of you. We’ve accomplished and done people on a project where you all have a Howard, Char Daniels, Elizabeth Andersen, good things for the betterment of the LGBT common end goal, that’s when the best Lora Ceperley, Jen Harris and I worked well community and the overall community. That things happen,” she said. together – comfortable and competent in is the aspect of volunteering I like the most! Read more about Hallquist, her surprising our roles. 2014 has begun, and I am excited to con- path to this position, and how Hallmark’s Howard does the graphic design of the tinue supporting the efforts of the LIKEME® reaping the rewards of a partnership with LIKEME News. It is Howard’s creativity that Lighthouse to be the LGBT community the Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of makes the newsletter Saturday-night pretty. center for Kansas City and the Midwest. Commerce. Howard’s stylish blending of graphics on the We’ve had many successes over the past The full article about Carol Hallquist can be found front page shimmers and shines. 20 months due to the support of the overall online at campkc.com, or in the December print edi- Howard electronically distributes the community and the many and diverse LGBT tion of Camp Kansas City magazine. newsletter through MailChimp. His ability organizations we work alongside here in Kan- to navigate as well as create is evident in our sas City. I’m a better person because of all of website. The fancy features of rolling graph- you. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. ics, sponsor logos, links, and technological updates are Howard’s work. We may not Howard always fully understand how he manages and maintains such things, but we certainly appreciate that he does wonderful work. It would be enough if Howard’s involve- ment with the LIKEME Lighthouse was •

Night At The MOVIES

Contact Elizabeth Andersen at [email protected] with questions or movie suggestions.

Jan 7 Jan 14 jan 21 jan 28 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm

Title: “Napoleon Dynamite” Title: “In and Out” Title: Lianna Title: “The Hunger” (1983) Cast: Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Cast: Kevin Kline, Tom Selleck, Director: John Sayles Cast: Catherine Deneuve, David Gries, Diedrich Bader, Tina Ma- Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Debbie Runtime: 110 minutes Bowie, Susan Sarandon jorino Reynolds, Wildford Brimley, Bob Genre: Drama Director: Tony Scott (Top Gun, Runtime: 82 minutes Newhart Synopsis: A happily married woman Beverly Hills Cop II, Days of Thun- Genre: Comedy cult favorite Director: Frank Oz aka Miss Piggy comes to realize she is a repressed der) Synopsis: A listless and alienated and Fozzie Bear lesbian after she has an affair with Runtime: 97 minutes teenager decides to help his new Runtime: 92 minutes a female college professor, and then Genre: Fantasy/Horror/Romance/ friend win the class presidency in Genre: comedy tries to come to terms with her new- Thriller their small western high school, Synopsis: A high school English found lifestyle. Synopsis: “The Hunger”(1983) by while he must deal with his bizarre teacher is outed as a gay man by a Tony Scott is a stylish vampire flick family life back home. former student while accepting an This 1983 “coming out” classic was filled with some wonderful visuals. Academy Award. Comedy ensues in far ahead of its time. John Sayles is The film is excellently acted. A stun- Rolling Stone said about this quirky, the teacher’s private life and small the director of such diverse films as ningly beautiful Catherine Deneuve charming and offbeat movie: “You’ll town where he teaches. “Lone Star,” “Eight Men Out” and is truly memorable as Miriam, an laugh till it hurts. Sweet.” “The Secret of Roan Inish.” ageless vampire and former Egyp- “In and Out” is a lot of fun, an audi- tian queen. There is plenty of blood ence pleaser that creates characters and vampire lesbian sex, so everyone that only become more likable the who is into horror films or Goth more the plot digs in.” – Roger Eb- music should see this cult flick.” – ert imdb.com

pg. 4 January 2014 Newsletter LIKEME® Lighthouse - Kansas City GOOD FORTUNE continued

The LIKEME® Lighthouse would like • Wish Me Away Screening • Knot So Squares to publicly thank the community for their • Charity Drag Bingo at HM’s • Social Cycle support, work, and donations, as well as our • PRIDE • All Bottled Up – Art Workshop staff, volunteers, LIKEME® board members, • KC KS Community College - out- • Movie Night Camp Magazine, KKFI 90.1 FM, Ham- reach • SMASH – Self Defense Class burger Mary’s, HMC, and the Kansas City • National Records Center - LGBT • Lavender Ladies Bear Mafia. Here are some things that hap- outreach • EQUAL Trans Support Group pened at the LIKEME® Lighthouse, as well • Miss Gay Missouri Pagent • FTM Support KC as events that were supported or co-hosted • Starlight event • Midwest Trans Guy Coterie Social by the Lighthouse, in 2013: • “8” presentation at Kauffman Center Support group • UMKC LGBTQ Fair • PFLAG Events- • Summer Osborne CD release • SAGE • LIKEME® Lighthouse anniversary • “Out Late” movie screening • GLSEN with Mayor Sly James • OUT in the Crossroads • Crew 1825 • KCAVP Bowling • KC Art Institute Drag Show • Crew 2540 • Toastmaster Open House • shOUT event • Crew 4065 • Health Fair • Margaret Cho Show National Milestones- • HRC Bowling • November Art Show • Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ • AIDS Walk • Immigration Same Sex Couples • President Obama’s declaration in • UMKC PRIDE Breakfast Seminar favor of marriage equality • Same sex couple’s legal seminar • KU panel discussions • Passage of equal marriage in 20 states • Gay Dads Group Meeting • Uptown Arts Bar Port in a Storm • Favorable Supreme Court Ruling • Out Here Now screenings of short event on DOMA films Monthly Meetings- • Chely Wright’s baby announcement • Toastmasters •

PLACES... continued of Kansas City. “There really was a need for an inclusive venue,” said Patterson. “With Poetic Underground I wanted to restore the enthusiasm, “I have a deep-seated sense of justice and outrage when I see people brightness and intimacy of [poetry],” said Powers. “Poetry has such being oppressed or treated with prejudice. In recent history that a bad rap about being this snooze fest of poems about your cat, has been toward LGBT people. I want to find bridges and com- as something that is really disconnected with the heart of the city monalities.” and humanity. Poetry is the first history of now. Poets are the first “We have the gender queer crowd more than LGBT,” said Pow- historians. They’re the ones really talking about the heart and soul ers. “I don’t know why that is, but everyone is welcome. A lot of of the human experience. what happens here is fringe. It’s not necessarily a gay or straight “I took Poetic Underground from having an average of 6-10 bar. This is a bar for everyone interested in the dialogue of respect.” people there to having an average of 30-40 people there. We have For hours and upcoming events, visit www.uptownartsbar.com. a lot of new faces and a lot of people who feel like they found a home [at the Uptown Arts Bar]. I genuinely believe there is so • much inside in every person and I want to empower everyone. … In a way, I feel like I’ve been preparing for this role all my life.” Thus far the Uptown Arts Bar has partnered with The Writers Place, Kansas City Fringe Festival, Byrd Productions, City in Motion Dance Theater, River and Prairie Storyweav- ers, Vibe Tribe and the Kansas City Cabaret. Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved pg. 5 A Time to Celebrate LGBTQ Youth and Their Chosen Families

By Jessica Farmer Youth Outreach Coordinator, Kansas City Anti-Violence Project

hile this time of year may in- homes for these youth. These challenging Camp Magazine and Trinity Family Mid- spire “visions of sugar plums” circumstances can lead to worry and anxiety. town will be hosting a Youth Winter Wonder for some young people, for LG- A 2012 HRC survey, “Growing Up LGBT Ball on Friday, Jan. 17. There will be free BTQW youth the holidays can be a difficult in America: HRC Youth Survey Reports Key food, dancing, a holiday glitter photo booth, time. Some of these young people simply Findings,” found that the “Most Impor- pictures with Ava (KCAVP’s anti-violence don’t have a home to go to for the holidays. tant Problems” identified by LGBTQ youth avenger), a non-gender-specific gender According to a 2012 Williams Institute were non-accepting families (26 percent), bread person decorating contest, and more! study, nearly 40 percent of the homeless School/bullying problems (21 percent), and Our community is home to many who youth population utilizing drop-in centers fear of being out and open (18 percent). are supportive of LGBTQ youth. The new across the U.S. identify as LGBTQ. Oth- However, LGBTQ young people who year is a time to recognize and appreciate ers spend the holiday skirting around talk lack familial support often make up for it the support of our chosen families. A heart- of who they’re dating, what their gender with a strong social support network, or felt thanks goes out from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. identity is, or why they identify as queer. “chosen family.” These friends, mentors, at the LIKEME® Lighthouse. There will Instead of Holiday Cheer, many of teachers, religious leaders, and supportive be a Youth Talent Showcase, to all those these youth receive a heaping helping community members are invaluable for who’ve made the holidays a little bit eas- of Holiday-Inspired Crippling Anxiety. these youth. This is why it is more impor- ier for LGBTQ youth just by being there. 2013 brought with it several historical tant than ever to provide inclusive spaces Your gift is more valuable than you moments for the LGBTQ community, both for LGBTQ youth where they can be sur- may ever know. Happy post-holidays locally and nationally. The Defense of Mar- rounded by support, meet other LGBTQ from KCAVP! For more info about the riage Act was repealed. At the writing of this youth, and know that they are not alone. Youth Winter Wonder Ball, contact Jes- article, 18 states recognize same-sex mar- To this end, the Kansas City Anti-Vi- sica: [email protected], 816-561-0550 • riage. Kansas City, Mo., passed a city-wide olence Project, the Like-Me Lighthouse, anti-bullying ordinance, recognizing the need to protect youth harassed on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity not only in school but also in the community and online. But do these milestones mean that things are getting better for LGBTQ youth in Kansas City? As more schools form gay-straight alliances, more cities pass anti-bullying ordinances protecting LGBTQ youth , and LGBTQ rights become more visible in the media, more young people will inevitably feel comfortable coming out. “Today, the average age of individuals “coming out” or verbalizing their sexual orientation and gender identity to their family and friends is 13 years. This is nearly a decade younger than the average age that individuals chose to “come out” 20 years ago,” C. Winters said in the Missouri Founda- tion For Health’s report, “Respond- ing to LGBT Health Disparities.” This means that more and more young people are still dependent on their parents when they come out. However, this does not mean that their parents will provide safe and accepting pg. 6 January 2014 Newsletter LIKEME® Lighthouse - Kansas City LIKEME® T-Shirts Online LIKEME® T-Shirt Men’s & Women’s

We have T-shirts with the logo LIKEME® in various colors for $20 each. The LIKEME® Lighthouse tee (the small LIKEME® Lighthouse logo over the pocket area) comes in black only and is $25. Our store at likemelighthouse.org also offers keychain bobbles and caps. All pro- ceeds benefit the LIKEME® Light- house. Price: $20.00 Price: $25.00 NOTE: These shirts are form fitting and Men’s (SM-2XL) Men’s (SM-2XL) wear tighter than a normal T-shirt. Women’s (SM-LG) Women’s (SM-LG)

Various T-Shirt Colors Comes in black only

SUPPORT LIKEME® Donate Online at:

e invite you to support The http://likemelighthouse.org/donate-now/ LIKEME® Organization’s work for LGBT individ- Donate by Mail: uals.W We are a 501(c)3 non-profit Make your personal check, money order, or cashier check payable to: organization, and we rely largely on the generosity of the public to The LIKE ME Organization provide the funding necessary for us P.O. Box 1605 to provide support, education and Belton, Missouri 64012 resources to the LGBT community. Monthly Recurring Donation: Our new donate page now has the option to make monthly recurring donations.

Supporting the Lighthouse

LIKEME® Lighthouse Gear is available at the community center and through our new online shopping cart.