Remembering The Day Of Our Liberation: The Stonewall Riots and Why Drag Queens are still on every gay man's mind?

Today marked the 39th Anniversary of the modern birthing forth of our queer liberation. For those who constantly bitch about the necessity for drag being promoted within our community today, I will tell you to take a strong look at what the big mamma's of drag had the courage to do and still do everyday. For by their struggles we are free!

They challenge our community members to be themselves and better the lives of queers now and fags to come. They are a face, a figure head, for the GLBTIQAS Community to the rest of society. As previously stated, in my post a couple of days ago, "The Bars are for Queers, What the Church is for Blacks", Drag Queens are for the Gay Community what the Patron/Matron or Mother/Father of the House or Church is to those within the Pentecostal Movement or the African American Christian Communities.

EDITOR'S UPDATE:
You have to READ this article from 15-July-08
by Eric Leven @ Knuckle Crack via BILERICO!

To the pointe that illustrates this perfectly, even an accomplished Christian author, playwright, and movie and television producer Tyler Perry uses drag to communicate the message of the Gospel and righteous living to the Black Community and all who love the Chronicles of Mable "Madea" Simmons (They are the same person, picture to left).

Pardon me for a moment while my inner baptist black woman comes out for a tour across your mind. She needs no further introduction to the readers of the original F6, a monthly article series, which was published in a traditional publication many years ago, she is Mamma Kahlua Kyler (*see FAQS below).

"Most drag queens today at least in this area don't give two dumps about the history or the future. They is just confused little boyz wanting to play dress up as girls and win the pageants they did not get to as participate in as a child. Yes, I saysd it!"

But somewhere over the rainbow on their adventures across the yellow bricked path something clicks (like Dorothy's heels in the ruby slippers) and they begin to realize that their voice has a power for change in the Community! Their presence on stage and in the local arenas is one that makes fundamentalist rile in agony and civil society quiver in fear. That is why certain Drag Queens become pseudo or default leaders within the Community, because while "in character" they have the ability and the definitive power of the people at their disposal and command. Their character or persona can challenge the statistical quotation and educate the public in a similar way to the Vaudeville Shows or Shakespeare's (who used young men in drag on stage for female roles) writings played out on stage. The Drag Queen has the ability to explain and enforce the moral compass of the Community, without necessarily preaching.

Every once in awhile though, as with anyone whom has power or prestige thrust upon them and become default leaders in a Community, that power either corrupts them or makes it almost impossible for them to be challenged or corrected when doing something wrong. That is when some serious drama and rumors develop. It is not just enough to excuse or correct the infraction. However to let it fester and continue, to a point that the damage to the Community is not repairable in the foreseeable future, is even worse and makes for a bad taste in the mouth for all members of the Community.

The problem is created when someone is put into leadership before they learn how to serve the people. I have stated this before several times and will continue to state that: We need to "open every Community institution for review. Bury the skeletons in the ground not back in the closet! We must not make it harder for Community members to self identify as (belonging) by lining their path of realization with (tales of) corruption, greed, scandal, abuse, or outdated stereotypes and reputations", with no merit or historical fact.

LINKS: References and works on Stonewall Riots and the Gay Liberation Movement
Stonewall Revisited | Stonewall and Beyond | Stonewall Movie, 2005 |

FAQS: Drag names are formed by your first pets name and mother's maiden name combined; while porn names, start with your middle initial followed by the first street you lived on.
(using myself eg: R. M. = Ram or Rim Livingston(es), as an example)

VIDEOS: Here are three videos that I think are awesome and have some reference within this post but not directly so please bear with the fact that they are out of sync with the text pretty please.

Day 1 Diner with Rev. Otis Moss of Trinity UCC in Chicago "Guess who is coming to dinner?" The reason for posting this video is because the pastors actually had an open conversation with all sides being heard which before would have hardly ever happened. That shows progress in our fight for equality and recognition as also being made in the image and likeness of GOD!


Chi Chi LaRue speaking out about condom usage even before the SafeSexIsHotSex campaign


Tyler Perry as Madea talking about telling the truth and keeping true people in your life.

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Fort Wayne PRIDE Fest: warming up to be a mediocre celebration this year.

Just within the past month or so the GLBT Community has finally been receiving messages from our Fort Wayne PRIDE Festival Committee regarding this year's celebration. The group has a new host for its website and it looks really awesome in the picturesque "Room For Dreams" colour scheme and display. Unfortunately for myself the schedule as it is laid out so far is lame as hell. Instead of taking the opportunity to reinvent the wheel after an awesome fucking late show last year arranged (16-July-08*updated via Della: by Paige Turner and headlined*) by Miss Tykela, crowned Miss Fort Wayne PRIDE 2007, it seems like the schedule (as of 19April08, pdf) just languishes.

I mean no offense, and I do love their music, but who wants to hear two hours of Good Night Gracie on Friday? For that matter, do we really need a drag show on Saturday to go on for two hours either? Both events close their perspective evenings of PRIDE Fest from 10p-12m. I do like the fact that they are bringing in newer talent like Rich Lysaght (Friday, 8:50p) and some committed classic performers @ our PRIDE return as well like LVNMUZIQ (Saturday, 12:45p). But seriously after ten years one would think that the same old format needs to change or at least mature to the next level.

I am pleased to announce that after three weeks since the competition, we "finally know who" Miss Fort Wayne PRIDE 2008 will be, Della Licious, the incomparable former morning Disc Jockey on WJFX HOT107.9, is going to be representing the Fort Wayne Gay Community in her finest fashion and presentation. I have to give credit to Della she is a friend and strong advocate for the GLBTIQAS Community. Mr. Pride will be decided on the 12th of July along with the other competition going on for PRIDE, which is an "IDOL" karaoke competition with the preliminary rounds happening on the 9th of July. All three preliminary events are being held @ After Dark Night Club, 1601 South Harrison Street (5 blocks south of Jefferson Boulevard, past Powers Hamburgers and under the viaduct).

Of course that leads back to one of my original bitch session for the last decade (10 years):
Q: Why does everything queer happen at the bars?
A: The bars are for Queers what the Church is for Blacks.

As a matter of fact a lot of Gay Churches started in the back of the Gay Bars on a Sunday night. The bars were the only historical place for us to be ourselves, be safe, be with each other, get caught up on the news of the day or current queer events, and rally for our equality and freedom. So therefore younger queer bois and gyrlz can not participate in the activities within the larger GLBTIQAS Community, because alcohol is being consumed/served. Then as that is the case, you are not considered a "full member of the Community" unless you are at the bar once in awhile. In addition, because our Community organizations and leaders are so lacking in responsibility and accountability, most of the local queer youth and young adult programs are so deficient it is ridiculous to consider them even functional at the moment. But anyway I digress and will return back to the original intent of this post.

Yesterday this message came through the FWPC MySpace: We are almost one month away from Pride '08 and we are seeking volunteers to help with front gate, wristbanding, security, the childrens' area and set up/ tear down. Anyone is able to take advantage of being a Pride '08 volunteer which includes a free t-shirt and free admission on the day you work! Being a volunteer is a great way to help out Pride and not have the commitment of being on the committee. For more info or to fill out a volunteer application (pdf) visit our website.

There is still no word on how much admission will be ...wait the secret press release just came through.... apparently the price has not changed from last year, thank goodness, it will be $3 dollars on Friday the 25th of July from 7p-12m and $5 Saturday from 12n-12m @ Head Waters Park East. To read more of Nikki Berger-Fultz's commentary on the history and future of Fort Wayne PRIDE Fest, and a response to some critics, please check out page 3 of the July issue of Reality Magazine which will hit news stands near you in a week or so.

FINAL COMMENTARY:

One of the things that frustrates me more than any is that our PRIDE Fest has gotten stuck some where between a family reunion and a full fledged big city event.

One of the things I seriously miss, that was promised to be brought back by now, was an open volleyball (all the hot sweaty bois with their shirts off, yummy!) game, but it hasn't still happened. Volleyball is one of the "event's qualities" that kept our celebration and our Community more like family, rather than every organization and group's leader challenging for top dog position within the Community during PRIDE.

During PRIDE opposing sides actually came together during the festival and now we find ourselves on the opposite side of a huge tent and bitching about how incompetent the other organizations are, while having to shout over the music like a banshee because the echo/reverberation is too loud.

Let us not even get started on the interpersonal drama between individuals within the Community as a whole. Sure you can hate the other persons guts for fucking your best friend's boyfriend's ex-girlfriend's current boyfriend or ex; but back then you didn't let it affect you at PRIDE! In Fort Wayne, unfortunately if you have fucked one of them, you have in essence fucked all four, sexually or otherwise. Thank GOD, I am still a virgin!!!

PRIDE is not just about being proud.

It is about becoming a family with other people that have common interests or bonds (like a pride of lions). That is what I miss about PRIDE. What do you miss? What do you want to see change? What do you want to see come back? and What should they do away with? Please leave your answers to these questions and any comments below. Comments will be forwarded on.

EDITOR'S UPDATE:
The followup post for this review and further analysis of this post may be found here:
UPDATE: FW PRIDE! And just to prove how open I am to all of your comments...

Supporting Three Rivers Athletics: Midsummer, part 2

Did you all break out the chamomile tea and eat fried sunflowers to get through the rain storm this morning? For those whom have no idea as to what I am talking about, today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year; the day the sun stands still, per say. Christians remember the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Prophet and Martyr and Pagans celebrate Litha, those with a more literary panache will know this day by Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. Remember to enjoy the strength of the Divine Light within each other today and always.

Do you want to be a Fort Wayne Derby Girl?

Are you a dedicated business-minded woman able to help with the day to day administration of the business? Are you a tough woman looking to strap on some skates and get rough? Here is your chance. Fort Wayne Derby Girls are holding mid season tryouts to recruit fresh talent for next season on Tuesday the 24th of June from 6-8p.m. @ The PLEX on California Road north of Coliseum and east of Parnell Avenue. You need to bring a helmet and skates if you have them, rentals will be available for those whom don't; all other padding is optional for tryouts. Contact KonaKrusher@fwderbygirls.com for more info.

In Fort Wayne women play full contact football too!

In other Woman's professional sports news the Fort Wayne Flash completed their playoff season today in a contest against the Cleveland Fusion in a highly anticipated away game. No results are available yet, which is why this post was delayed as well. In other news regarding our National Womens Football Association team, Ben Smith @ the Journal Gazette did a good opinion-feature during their Fathers Day game against the Indianapolis Chaos.

Mentioning Cleveland and Football aka Soccer!

The Fort Wayne Fever's Mens Team lost against the Internationals, 2-1, whom they will play again in an away game on the 3rd of July. This evening they were playing Toronto Lynx @ The Fort Wayne Sport Club fields. The Mens Fever next home game is the Wednesday 9th of July vs. Michigan Bucks.

The Fort Wayne Fever's Womens Team has three home games coming up: Tuesday 24th 7p, vs. FC Indiana Lionesses;
Friday 27th 7p, vs. Michigan Hawks; and Sunday 29th 4p, vs. Kalamazoo Outrage.

Games are @ Hefner Stadium near The PLEX unless stated otherwise. Tickets are $6 at the gate per person per game, with season passes per person $30 and Family passes $75 Children 3 and under are free. To tryout for the Fort Wayne Fever Mens or Womens Teams call Coach Nick Potter @ 260-496-9999 ext. 25 or by email: nickp@plexsports.com, (note: tryouts are in March). For more information about the Fever visit their website.

In local politics and minor league baseball shenanigans

The Fort Wayne Wizards have garnered some flak for wanting to change their name when they move to the new Downtown Stadium next season (If it is built on time?) Citizens can go to the Harrison Square website and enter their suggestions for a new team name. Although one word of caution, according to certain reports across the local blogoshpere, the recommendation must include the letters "IN" for Indiana, supposedly.

Some of the recommendations reported so far that I like personally are:

Maumee Valley Mosquitos, (it is kind of cute); The Runaways, (historical reference to Josiah Harmar who ran away during the Battle of Kekionga in October 1790); The Summit City Sandbaggers, (which is referring to the Flood of 1982 where Fort Wayne earned the moniker "The City That Saved Its Self" and a fly in by then President Ronald Regan (who now has the interstate around Fort Wayne named after him) on Air Force One to access the damage and revitalization by the citizens afterward).

F6 is all for historical significance! We could always pay homage to Chief Little Turtle or one of the other foriegn nationals who governed this geographical area before it became a military installation and City named after an insane and abusive General in the United States Continental Army.

In my honest opinion, it is time to rename the Wizards!

Over all I think the Summit City Sandbaggers has the best historical significance as it continues to tell the story of individuals coming together no matter what their race, creed, colour, religion, or sexual orientation might be and working as a community in one accord for the sake of their fellow man. To prove that we recently had a similar experience with major flooding for about two weeks and once again the residents showed up and shouted with their bodies in action that "We is a commUnity!" That is something deserving of a team name. As much as I and most Libertarians and Conservative Republicans or Democrats disagree with the way Harrison Square was carried out politically and financially and will continue to bitch about it, this is not an issue of money or clout it is about our Community Pride being established in everything that we do. In my honest opinion, it is time to rename the Wizards!

EDITOR'S NOTES:
This post is a continuation of Support 3 Rivers Athletics: Spring into Summer, part 1 which is part of the continuing editorial service of F6 in promoting a healthy life choices in all gay bois and gyrlz. Through showing our support of the local amateur and professional sports and athletic associations F6 intends to prove it is possible to concentrate on more than just tight ends, wide receivers, pitchers and catchers, etc. Although it is nice to know that we can do more than think about swinging your nine inch piece of wood around in our hands.

The Photo:
Pemberton Ditch Sandbags Flood of 1982 is by John Stearns of The News Sentinel.

UPDATE: 2 Brazilian Sergeants Come Out; Expose 10 Year Relationship; 1 Gets Arrested For Desertion?

Outing Brazil's military secrets
by Conor Foley
The Guardian,
Monday 16 June 2008

Despite the fact that their country plays host to the largest pride festival in the world, gay soldiers in Brazil face humiliating discrimination The imprisonment of a gay soldier in the Brazilian army has sparked a nationwide debate about sexuality and discrimination in the world's largest Catholic country.

Army sergeant Laci Marinho de Araújo, revealed that he was gay in an interview with a national news magazine, Epoca, which featured the story on its front page. He and his partner, sergeant Alcântara de Figueiredo, have maintained a serious relationship since 1997 and have lived together for most of that time. They spoke about the prejudices against gay people in the Brazilian armed forces and how they had been forced to conceal their relationship from official view.

Last week de Araújo was arrested after giving a television interview. Army police dramatically surrounded the TV station while the interview was in progress and Araújo pleaded with the TV show hostess for help saying that he believed his life was in danger. He said that since admitting to being gay he has suffered a number of personal attacks and has also had to seek medical treatment for depression.

The sergeant suffers from a variety of health problems, including multiple sclerosis, for which he is also receiving treatment. This has meant that he has been absent from his unit for some time and he was arrested for desertion when he left the TV studio. He was taken from Sao Paulo to the capital Brasilia, where he is now being held in military custody. His partner Figueiredo says that he has been denied access to him and fears that he has been beaten up and tortured.

The Brazilian military penal code defines the "practice of homosexual acts in places subject to military administration" a crime, punishable by up to a year's imprisonment. Although Araújo has been charged with desertion instead, a variety of Brazilian human rights and lesbian and gay groups accuse the army of persecuting him on the basis of his sexuality.

On Thursday the Sao Paulo state council of human rights said that it has proof that de Araújo was under medical care at the time of his supposed desertion. It is preparing to take a case to the supreme court declaring the parts of the military code which discriminate against homosexuality to be unconstitutional. It has also asked President Lula to intervene in support of its case.

On Tuesday Brazil's Attorney General, José Antônio Dias Toffoli, officially supported a move by the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sérgio Cabral, to grant official recognition to civil unions between same-sex couples, which will give them the same rights to social benefits such as healthcare as heterosexual couples. This means that the action could set a precedent for the effective legalisation of same-sex civil unions throughout Brazil.

The two legal cases come in the same week as Brazil held its first national gay rights conference – a move hailed by President Lula as historic – and shortly after the Sao Paulo lesbian and gay pride festival, which is the largest in the world.

This is a continuation of stories on F6 concerning Gays In The Military and the absurdity of Don't Ask Don't Tell. You may cross over to the original post regarding this story and also view our Links Page for more information and resources.

Local Chapter of HRC holds Mobilization Meeting for Volunteers next month @ Main Library

EDITOR'S CORRECTION BELOW - MY APOLOGIES TO LINDA
A Message from the HRC FW Chapter Coordinator, Linda Bentz:

Birthdays are a time of reflection and celebration.

We held our first meeting on May 27, 2007. It's been a wild ride so far, and we're just getting warmed up! We have met the most amazing souls on the planet through our work, and have been deeply blessed by all the people who have written letters, volunteered at events, or have simply said, "Thank you for fighting for us!" It is both humbling and inspiring!

Word is spreading, and together, we are making it safer to live, love, and work, right here in northeast Indiana.

Organizations* with which we've collaborated to date: • Bars and Nightclubs 3, • Community Orgs. 10, • Political Campaigns 5, • Advocavy Alliances 7, • Serve on Boards 3, • Churches 4, • Publication 3 (*numerical list **modified by Fr. Fozy from the original text)

We have come so far, but as long as the Human Rights Campaign Fort Wayne is still receiving phone calls and emails from people who have been fired, beaten up, or otherwise discriminated against simply because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or an ally, we are not done yet. To that end, we are holding a Volunteer Mobilization Meeting on Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown branch of the Allen County Public Library in the Business and Technology Room. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Linda Bentz at LindaHRCvolunteer@yahoo.com, @ MySpace, or at 260-615-4154.

Thank you dearly for all you do to achieve our common goal of equality for ALL!

Linda Bentz, Lead
Human Rights Campaign Fort Wayne

Five Riddles To Tease Your Brain

THESE ARE SOME OF THE BEST FIVE RIDDLES I HAVE SEEN! THEY SHARPEN YOUR BRAIN AND STALLS ALZHEIMER'S FOR YEARS!

1. A serial child molester is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?

2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But ten minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?

3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away ?

4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday?

5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!

THE ANSWERS TO ALL FIVE RIDDLES ARE ON F6's Feeds and Jump Page
==(open in new tab please)===>

Happy Fathers Day

"So many babies brought into the world today, amongst so many maybes: like maybe they’ll feel loved, be provided for, and have a place to stay. But instead of placing them in loving stable homes, that might not fill the conservative bill, they’re tossed around the foster system like a hot potato. Instead of making friends of Dorothy they’re thrown to the tornado."


Jay Brannan, 26 HOUR DAY, verse four
© 2004 Great Depression Publishing (BMI)

Scottish Highland Games are tomorrow @ Concordia Theological Seminary

Just the thought of sexy young men running around in plaid skirts... well you get the idea!

When: 14th of June, 2008 Time: 9a - 8p
Where: Concordia Theological Seminary Soccer Fields
6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825
Free Parking: Red Lot (16b), Yellow Lot (16d), Green Lot (16c) and White Lot (17) Tickets: Adult $10 (13 & up), Children $5 (6 - 12) and Infant to 5 are Free There are two entrances: one will be off of Red Lot 16b by building #11 and the other will be at off of Yellow Lot 16d.

A day at the Indiana Highland Games will consist of: Bagpipe and Drums, Clan Tents, Food and Beverage, Genealogy, Highland Animals and Horses, Rugby (is back!!), Celtic Market Place - Shopping
9a - 5p Highland Athletic Competition,
9a - 3p Highland Dance Competition
10a - 8p Entertainment Tent, 9a - 12n & 1p - 4p Cricket
9a - 5p MacFarlane's History, 10a - 5p Children's Area
11a - 8p Beer Tent, 12:30p Welcoming Ceremonies
1:30p Haggis Toss and Bonnie Knees Contest (Sign up at Welcome/SCS Tent)
4:30p Athletic Awards Ceremony
6p - 8p Ceildah & Pub (one great party)

Children's Highland Games: will be available between 10a and 3p. Crafts will begin at 10a and run through 3p. This year the kids will have an opportunity to learn more and experience Scottish music first hand. They will have a chance to play a tin whistle bodhran drum, lesson are at 2p and 4p; the cost will be $10 each. The $10 includes the instrument, which you get to keep. Lesson sign up will be at the Welcome/SCS Tent. Scottish Country dancing lessons will also be taught at 2p and 4p. For more detail please check at the Childrens tent after 10a. (on June 14th) Don't forget about the children's athletics: Caber Toss, Sheaf Throw among others.

Live Music by Bag Pipe Bands from Indiana: 12n - Massed Bands* followed by the Parade of Tartans; 1p - The Ft Wayne Scottish Pipes & Drums (Fort Wayne); 1:40p - The Murat Highlanders Pipes & Drums (Indianapolis); 2:20p - FWPD Pipe and Drum Brigade (Fort Wayne); 3p - The Thistle & Heather Pipe Band (South Bend); 3:40p - The Indiana Caledonia Pipe Band (Zionsville); 5p - Massed Bands *Different Pipe and Drum bands from the area gather together and perform as one.

In the Entertainment Tent/Beer Tent: Dave and Trinity 10a, 1:30p; Melinda Crawford 10:30a, 3:15p, 6p, 7:30p (joint); Fonn Mar 11:30a, 12:45p, 5:15p, 6:45p, 7:30p (joint); Tugboat Jack 2:15p, 4p; Children's performance on Tin Whistle and Bodhran Drum and Scottish Country Dance 3p, 5p.

Food and Shopping Vendors: House of Douglas - Scottish Food & Bake Goods, Whistle Stop - American Food, Dough Ditties, Celtic Corner, CeltiCrafters, Scottish Banner Publications, The Scotland Yard, Faire Isles Trading Company, UK Market, Blossoms of Avalon

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:

I previously have made editorial comments that were republished on F6 regarding kilts/tartans or male skirts as an alternative to resolving the extreme sagging (below the buttocks) of pants issue with our teenagers.

And as a further note, if we did switch to a dress skirt for men, it would actually be more environmentally friendly. A basic male skirt wouldn't need to be washed after each wearing and you might actually get to wear it several times before having to wash it due to the lack of tight body/skin contact, thereby reducing the waste of water and the reduction of chemicals used to clean the fabrics. Of course by all means, don't pull a Brittney and forget to wear underwear, please!

I will post some modern male skirt links on the F6 LINKS PAGE over the weekend.

Lost and Found in Fort Wayne

This was intended to be an updates post on other articles and information previously covered on F6 regarding the news and politics around our three rivers.

In trying to attempt, at least for a short time, a closure so that everything was updated and all analysis (and my snarky commentary) could come to a resting pointe; is just proving to be impossible! Once again, after I think I have gotten all the sources and information required to make an honest follow up with every side being heard and bashed for their stupidity equally; I find yet another story hidden away by government and/or corporations or not reported on promptly and profoundly by news agencies. Certain stories should not be relegated to page twelve when they need to be on page one or three. And would somebody please do an hour long newscast without filler.

Furthermore, while I am bitching, can we please get a consolidated Community Calendar for all events. I have been working on one but it is a royal pain in the ass to disseminate information from all the private and public organizations in Fort Wayne alone, let alone trying to put one together.

STAY TUNED.......

Queer Update: The State of a Gay Nation

There were several stories that have hit the news wires over the last two weeks so I want to highlight and expand on some of them slightly but not use up a whole post on just one, you'll get the idea. I will probably choose to add to this post during the next couple of days; so feel free to check back with this post on Friday or Sunday for the full Monty.

COMIC OF THE MONTH!

PINK KRYPTONITE: Boy Meets Hero (MySpace), written by Chayne Avery & Russell Garcia, was picked as the LGBT COMIC OF THE MONTH for June. BMH is now available in a 120 page hardback format starting around thirty dollars. Also readers will be interested in knowing that BMH newest release in the series Blue Comet and Fusion is now for sale online for a $1.99 you can soak up the delicious first installment featuring an out 'n proud, gay super hero couple!

PASS THE MEATBALLS AND THE MESSIAH?

Praise the Lord and pass the menu, please
In Indiana Bible Belt, restaurant-church catering to gays
By Ron Grossman Chicago Tribune 1st of June, 2008
[*EDITOR'S NOTE: twenty paragraphs were removed for space and time]

LA PORTE, Ind. — Some first-time visitors to Holy Macaroni pass through an entrance hall separating its sanctuary and dining room, glance at a display of local newspaper notices, turn on their heels and leave. Apparently they weren't prepared to find the building contains not only the Italian restaurant but a gay-friendly church, both of them operated by co-chefs, co-pastors and lovers Randy Duncan and Daniel Wright. This part of northwest Indiana is just a few miles to the south of the Lake Michigan sand dunes that draw Chicago urbanites to summer homes, but it is Bible Belt country.

Still, on a recent visit some diners said they resented any suggestion their gustatorial taste should be influenced by their hosts' love life. Among them is Brian Buck, who was eating at Holy Macaroni with his girlfriend and her parents. The young woman wore a necklace dangling a cross. "Arab, gay, or straight, there's no difference between people," said Buck. He resents those who blame a whole people for the terrorist acts of a few, and ditto for condemning someone's sexual orientation. In a restaurant, Buck said, the only issue should be: How's the food? He expressed this with a vigor suggesting that, should his questioner not agree, a dinner plate might be headed toward his face. But "no, I wouldn't do that," said Buck. "This calzone is too good."

The religious side of the enterprise is the New Life Community Church of Hope, a "gay-affirming" Christian ministry that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Sunday services here, which draw 40 to 50 people, show that when Duncan left the United Pentecostal Church he took with him the denomination's enthusiastic approach to prayer. These are foot-stomping, hand-waving events accompanied by an electric organ, keyboard piano and a full set of drums....

Shortly after they met, Duncan asked Wright to come to La Porte and become co-pastor of what became the New Life church. It initially met in Duncan's basement, but 5 1/2 years ago the pastors went looking for a new home. The men found the right place in a take-out pizza business with an antique shop tacked onto the back of the building. The shop became the sanctuary, while the pizzeria was transformed into a full restaurant to support the congregation financially. Neither Duncan nor Wright had any experience in the food-service industry, but Wright in particular turned out to be a natural at rolling out pizza crust and making red sauce. Today at the highly successful restaurant, diners can choose among pizza, pasta and improbable mélanges of Italian and Middle American cuisine, like Momma Mia's Bread Pudding.....

ANOTHER FULL FAITH AND CREDIT CLAUSE COMING DOWN ON STATE'S RIGHTS!

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled on the 6th of June that a Vermont child custody order in a civil union must be upheld, meaning that Virginia must honor it even though the state prohibits same-sex marriages, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lisa and Janet Miller-Jenkins entered into a civil union in Vermont in 2001, and daughter Isabella was born shortly thereafter. ( Lisa was artificially inseminated. ) After the couple broke up, Lisa - who changed her surname to Miller—moved to Virginia and renounced her lesbianism. A Vermont court gave Miller primary custody and awarded Janet Jenkins visitation rights. Then, a Virginia court granted Miller sole custody and denied Jenkins visits. However, the state's supreme court employed a federal statute to enforce the Vermont court's ruling. [Copy Windy City Times]

F6's Links: Comics and Animation or Science Fiction

Taking A Shot For Queer History: Absolut honors 30th Anniversary of the Rainbow Flag

Absolut Vodka is honoring the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Rainbow Liberation Flag created by Seamstress Gilbert Baker. To watch a video by HOMOVISION which interviews Gilbert @ an English pub regarding the new campaign please see Andy's post @ Towleroad. Here is the official press release explaining the three part campaign for Absolut Colours:



The History of the Rainbow Flag
by Steven W. Anderson
copied from Planet Out and originally published
in GAZE known as Lavender Magazine (Minneapolis)

Color has long played an important role in our community's expression of pride. In Victorian England, for example, the color green was associated with homosexuality. The color purple (or, more accurately, lavender) became popularized as a symbol for pride in the late 1960s -- a frequent post-Stonewall catchword for the gay community was "Purple Power." And, of course, there's the pink triangle. Although it was first used in Nazi Germany to identify gay males in concentration camps, the pink triangle only received widespread use as a gay pop icon in the early 1980s. But the most colorful of our symbols is the Rainbow Flag, and its rainbow of colors -- red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple -- represents the diversity of our community.

The first Rainbow Flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a San Francisco artist, who created the flag in response to a local activist's call for a community symbol. (This was before the pink triangle was popularly used as a symbol of pride.) Using the five-striped "Flag of the Race" as his inspiration, Baker designed a flag with eight stripes: pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. According to Baker, those colors represented, respectively: sexuality, life, healing, sun, nature, art, harmony and spirit. In the true spirit of Betsy Ross, Baker dyed and sewed the material for the first flag himself.

Baker soon approached San Francisco's Paramount Flag Company about mass producing and selling his "gay flag." Unfortunately, Baker had hand-dyed all the colors, and since the color "hot pink" was not commercially available, mass production of his eight-striped version became impossible. The flag was thus reduced to seven stripes.

In November 1978, San Francisco's gay community was stunned when the city's first openly gay supervisor, Harvey Milk, was assassinated. Wishing to demonstrate the gay community's strength and solidarity in the aftermath of this tragedy, the 1979 Pride Parade Committee decided to use Baker's flag. The committee eliminated the indigo stripe so they could divide the colors evenly along the parade route -- three colors on one side of the street and three on the other. Soon the six colors were incorporated into a six-striped version that became popularized and that, today, is recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers.

In San Francisco, the Rainbow Flag is everywhere: It can be seen hanging from apartment windows throughout the city (most notably in the Castro district), local bars frequently display the flag and Rainbow Flag banners are hung from lampposts on Market Street (San Francisco's main avenue) throughout Pride month. Visiting the city, one cannot help but feel a tremendous sense of pride at seeing this powerful symbol displayed so prominently.

Although the Rainbow Flag was initially used as a symbol of pride only in San Francisco, it has received increased visibility in recent years. Today, it is a frequent sight in a number of other cities as well -- New York, West Hollywood and Amsterdam, among them. Indeed, the Rainbow Flag reminds us that ours is a diverse community, composed of people with a variety of individual tastes of which we should all be proud.

Gays In The Military: Two Brazilian Sergeants Come Out; Exposes Ten Year Relationship; Government Arrests One For "Desertion?"

Story from BBC NEWS: Gay soldier's fate grips Brazil
By Gary Duffy

BBC News, Sao Paulo~ Brazilian military police have arrested an army sergeant who revealed that he was gay in an interview with a national news magazine at the weekend. The ministry of defense says the sergeant is to be questioned about alleged desertion from the military and there is no question of discrimination. Sgt Laci Marinho de Araujo, who suffers from ill-health, was moved from a Sao Paulo hospital to the capital Brasilia.

Human rights groups say they are concerned about his welfare.

The arrest happened just as Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was due to address the country's first national gay rights' conference. Sgt Laci Marinho de Araujo and his partner, who is also a sergeant in the Brazilian army, featured on the front page of Epoca magazine. They gave an interview in which they talked openly about living together as a gay couple. The two soldiers said they had been in a stable relationship for 10 years. However, while they were taking part in a television interview on Wednesday, Sgt de Araujo was arrested by military police who surrounded the TV station until he came out.

Health problems

The sergeant, who says is being treated for a variety of medical problems including multiple sclerosis, was recently absent from his unit, and the army says he is accused of desertion. A human rights group which has been in contact with the couple says they called in desperation asking for help, and it is concerned for his welfare.

Brazil's first national gay rights conference is taking place over the next four days.

President Lula's government has hailed the event as historic. However, despite staging what is thought to be the biggest gay pride demonstration in the world in Sao Paulo, which this year attracted an estimated three million people, gay groups in Brazil say they still face enormous problems of discrimination and violence. Between 1963 and 2007, activists say that more than 2,800 people were killed in Latin America's largest country because of their sexual orientation.


Brazilian soldier arrested after discussing gay relationship
By Tony Grew

A gay Brazilian army sergeant has been arrested just as the country's first national gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans rights conference takes place. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is due to address the conference today, which is being credited as an important historic event in the history of Brazil. Sgt Laci Marinho de Araujo was taken into custody after he and his partner took part in a television interview on Wednesday. He was arrested by the military police who surrounded the TV station until he came out, and has now been taken to an Army prison. The sergeant had been featured on the cover of this month's Epoca magazine, where he and his partner Sergeant Fernando Alcantara de Figueiredo had given an interview. In it they talked openly about being in a stable relationship for 10 years, and how they had been living together.

Sgt de Araujo had been missing from his unit since April as he was suffering for a number of health and mental problems. He claims he has been a victim of 'sexual discrimination.' The ministry of defense has denied this, claiming that he had been arrested on the grounds of his desertion from the military. "This is not a problem of sexual discrimination, but rather one of discipline," Defense Minister Nelson Jobim told newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo. In spite of the positive shift of attitude towards gay men and lesbian women serving in the army, the arrest of the sergeant raises some serious doubts about how real and substantial the shift really is.

F6's SOURCES:
Gay News Watch | British Broadcasting Company | By The Fault by Charles Lemos | Pink News |

Made In Brazil Post 1, Post 2, | You Tube (note: in portuguese) News Follow Up | Epoca |

F6's RESOURCES: Posts: Gays In The Military | Links: Inclusive Military |