Out on the Town Publisher/Editor-in-Chief:
Mike Halterman mike@outonthetownmag.com (479) 244-0578 Creative Director: Joshua Beadle Webmaster: Chris Van Epps Advertising Assistant: Dallas Rawlins Writers: Tori Mattison, Berneta Haynes, Cristina Marrero, Amanda Molé, Sara Baker Ahaus Photo Credits Northwest Arkansas Times logo featured in original photograph copyrighted by NWA Media. Big Bad Gina photo copyright owned by the band.
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Editor’s Note: Hey y’all! This month we made our wide launch into southwest Missouri and I loved the feedback we got there! We were interviewed by KOLR 10, Springfield’s CBS station, and the piece on our magazine aired a few weeks ago. You can still search it up by going to ozarksfirst.com. KOLR 10 is owned by the same company that owns KNWA and KARK, who so diligently reported on the controversy surrounding what is now our cover story. Which leads us to this month’s story: There have been numerous stories on the Internet and in print media regarding this couple, Cody and Thomas, and this important issue, but very few from a firstperson perspective…very few from the people who know them best. Guest contributor Sara Baker Ahaus wrote about how the struggle and controversy affected her as a close friend of the couple involved. If you haven’t heard yet, I got some cool news this past month: I was selected to be featured in The Advocate’s annual “40 Under 40” issue! By late April, it will be on newsstands, and I encourage everyone to buy a copy! I’m truly honored to have been recognized on a national stage for the work I do for all of you. Hopefully it will bring the GLBT communities in this region more positive exposure. I’m excited about what the next few months have in store. Hope you will like the product to come! Sincerely Yours, Mike Halterman Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Table of Contents:
Tori Mattison’s Lowdown ........................................................................................… 8-9 In the Studio: Big Bad Gina .......................................................................................... 10 Cover Story: Love is Love…But Only if it’s Legal? A First Person Perspective ............... 12-14 The State of Disunion: Tennessee Lawmakers Stir Up Hatred .................................................. 18-20 In Memoriam: Whitney Houston: The American Princess ....................................................... 22-23 UWF Brings The Shondes to Campus ........................................................................... 24 Bars and Clubs Listings .......................................................................................... 29-31 OUT ON THE TOWN MAGAZINE is published by OUT ON THE TOWN PUBLISHING, LLC Copyright 2012 Out on the Town Publishing, LLC Opinions expressed in the pages of Out on the Town Magazine are not necessarily those held by the owners of Out on the Town Publishing, LLC. or its staff. Publication of the name or photograph of any living person or organization in articles or advertising in Out on the Town Magazine shall not be construed or implication made as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or organizations. All copy, text, display, photos and illustrations in the ads are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized, have secured proper written consent for the use of names, pictures and testimonials of any living person, and Out on the Town Magazine may lawfully publish said ads. The advertiser automatically agrees by submitting said ad to indemnify and hold harmless Out on the Town Publishing, LLC from any and all liability, loss and expense of any nature out of such publication. The deadline for the monthly release of Out on the Town Magazine is the third Friday of the month at 11 a.m. Central Time for advertising submitted from an outside graphics firm and the third Monday of the month for new advertising made and designed in-house by Out on the Town Magazine (extra fees apply). In the event that an ad is accepted after deadline, the advertiser agrees by submitting such an ad to indemnify and hold harmless Out on the Town Publishing, LLC from any and all liability, loss and expense of any nature that may arise from any error that may be made in said ad. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole of this publication without written permission is prohibited.
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TORI MATTISON’S LOWDOWN
Tori Mattison’s LOWD¥WN
¥ They’re Still Twirling!
So last month I started off 2012 new by featuring new talent and fresh faces. This month I traveled to the opposite end of the spectrum to feature Iconic established entertainers who have been in the spotlight for as long as we can remember; Those gorgeous fixtures who have paved the way for how we all entertain today.
Lisa Beauman is a raving beauty from New Orleans who has been gracing the stage since 1978. Lisa has won numerous titles early on in her career, and today retains several privileged titles, such as Southern Decadence Grand Marshall 34. “I got my start in drag when I was a mere child actually. The former EMCEE from the very famous MY O MY Club in New Orleans put me in drag for the first time to see what I would look like. the very first night I did drag, I won miss Gay New Orleans.” She is a fixture in in the city and can be seen every Wednesday at OZ. She also Emcee’s every weekend at the Corner Pocket alongside all the sexy dancers.”My favorite aspect of OZ would have to be the way a dance club can be tranformed (of course under the skillfull hand of General Manager Tommy Elias) into a Cabaret Theatre. The total concept is amazing! As for The Corner Pocket, it would have to be the 25 or more boys I work with each night. Sometimes it is like teaching kindergarten, but everyone has such a good time there.” Talking with Lisa was such an
educational experience. she possesses far more wisdom than one paragraph will allow and is a true talent. When asked what advice she would give a newcomer, she replies, “Try not to do something that your audience has seen someone else do better than you can. If you can’t do it as well or better-or maybe different, then leave it alone. You will always be compared and remembered for coming up short or lacking.” Britney Nicole your current reigning Miss Arkansas USofA Classic and is from Hot Springs. “I put on my first dress in May of 1991, so that makes me performing almost 21 years. I did a talent night in Little Rock at Discovery in the Paige Foxx Talent Night. I was the only white girl in the show and won!” You can catch Britney at Club Kinkeads in Ft Smith and Club Push in Fayetteville. “Neither bar really has an actual cast, just a lot of performers who actually rotate in and out so to speak. I perform at least twice a month at Push here in Fayetteville.” When asked what her favorite aspect of the bar is, she states “I love both bars, everything about them makes you feel at home and the crowd at both is amazing! Both club owners have done so much to make the clubs better an amazing place for the LGBT community to gather and party!” Britney will be traveling to to Missouri on April 7th for Missouri USofA Classic at Vibe, so be sure to say hey and that you read about her from me. Memphis is home to Beverly Hills, who will be celebrating 29 years in the biz on March 17th. “A group of guys, about 8 of us, decided to get all dressed up so we could get in to the bar for free and get free beer bust. Well it stuck with me!” You can catch Beverly primarily at Spectrum in Memphis, which caters to all types of people. “Lots of “young’uns”, but Stephanie and Cristen (the owners) have done a great job in giving memphis a diverse bar for any and everyone. There all all age types shapes and sizes. what
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I like most is the size.” Spectrum is basicaly 3 large bars in one. “We have the Techno/Show bar, Our stripper pole/dance floor bar and the Leopard lounge with pool tables and a range of listening music.” Showtime at Spectrum is midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with 6 queens and 1 king on cast as well as special guests. Amy DeMilo has been entertaining for almost 3 decades and currently lives in Tampa, FL. “I did a show in a talent contest a few days after seeing my first female impersonation show, in Biloxi, Ms. I’ve been performing non stop ever since.” Amy is the current reigning Miss Gaybor and is first alternate to Miss Gay USofA. you can catch her regularly at the Honey Pot in Tampa and Gbar in Ybor City, which is one of the fasted growing gay communities in the country. Amy hosts Drag Queen Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s in Tampa, and you can catch her at Dunedin Lanes in Dunedin every 1st Thursday of the month. When asked what advice she loves to give, she replies “Do what you love and love what you do. respect those who come before you!” I have so much respect for these ladies. It’s amazing to me that someone can still love what they do after so many years, yet are still able to recreate and modernize their look to appeal to the ever-changing demands of the public. Each entertainer posseses a wisdom beyond my years that I can only hope to have someday. They have my respect and they deserve yours too.
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Lisa Beaumann Beverly Hills Amy DeMilo Britney Nicole
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IN THE STUDIO
¥ BIG BAD GINA By Cristina Marrero
Big Bad Gina is a “genre hoppin’” band whose music is self-described as a “driving rock with a soulful jazzy flair.” The musical force is made up of three members: Jori Costello, Melodie Griffis and Renée Janski, who describe themselves as committed to “spreading a musical message of equality, love and justice through a performance experience that spans the genres and generations, and delivers a good time every time!” So far it seems the trio has done their job. The group won the Best New Band award at the 2010 Northwest Arkansas Music Awards, and were also the winners of the National Women’s Music Festival 2011.
ground in jazz guitar, and Janski has the classical training of an opera singer with the bluegrass style under her belt. The three play 10 instruments between them, not including their ability to beat out a solid rhythm. The diverse trio has an unstoppable sound, and under the guidance of musical veterans, the band has evolved faster than they could have ever imagined. The fantastic three said that what they hope to achieve next is an international tour, but they will enjoy the ride as it naturally grows.
Griffis and Janski first met at a Pride event for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, and started Big Bad Gina playing shows like coffeehouse gigs and the Fayetteville Goddess Festival, where the duo first encountered Costello. Before too long, Big Bad Gina grew into a trio of musical excellence.
Big Bad Gina is also blessed with a strong support system. “Renée’s wife, RJ, is our road manager,” says one, “and does SO MUCH for the band. They also have twin 15 year old sons who are amazing advocates for Big Bad Gina.” She continued, “We are grateful for our biological and chosen families. And it’s important to mention that we are so humbled and appreciative that together the three of us create a nurturing environment for expressing musical ideas.”
While Castello brings years of experience, Griffis brings a back-
When asked what the driving force behind the group was, the
response was clear: “All three of us have the same level of commitment towards the band and we respect each other as musicians and friends.” With such positive attitudes, one can only wish the best for this smooth, soul playing folk band. “We are all songwriters, and love collaborating on each other’s pieces. Individually, we are singers, multi instrumentalists, and composers – together, we are Big Bad Gina.” March starts the group’s season. They begin at Voulez Vous Lounge in Eureka Springs, traveling all over, but in April the band will be at Eureka Springs’ Diversity Weekend. The band says, “…we believe music can help change the world for the better, and we want to do our part!” If Big Bad Gina comes to your town and you’re looking for some epically awesome music, then make sure to catch their show! Please visit www.bigbadgina. com or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/bigbadgina for more show info and “all the naughty lowdown!”
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COVER STORY
¥ LOVE IS LOVE: BUT ONLY IF IT’S LEGAL?
A Perspective in the First Person. ¥ By Sara Baker Ahaus
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Cody Renegar has done my hair for years. Well, with exception to the few times I have cheated on him for other friends of mine (sorry Cody, just sharing the love!). One day, on his Facebook page, he had a post with a link to his and Thomas’ wedding announcement on Yahoo! The page starts by reading, “our largest newspaper refuses to publish wedding announcement of same sex couples.” Hmm.
And last but not least, a very solid and confident period. The kind of period Donald Trump would use at the end of a sentence. The kind you say with the utmost confidence. “You’re fired.” He’s not mad. He’s not excited. He’s not accusatory. He’s not yelling. He is dead serious, and he means business. THAT is the period Cody used. Whoa. Cody? Cody Renegar used THE Donald Trump period? Now that’s something new.
The next post I see from him, “The news crew is on their way to my house to do the story.”
Now, I’m not used to that kind of behavior from Cody! This is the person who speaks first then asks for permission (or forgiveness) later! He is not afraid of screaming like a little girl at a spider, or of telling me what he thinks about the hideous shirt I chose to actually wear out in public – “You should have known better!” – said with an exclamation point that he portrays in his voice quite appropriately. He has fun playing on his farm. He is smart. He is tough. He is confident and in command in his life. So, I suppose it’s not entirely new. He is a professional. He has a son he is raising, and raising very well, I might add.
No exclamation point. No question mark, just a period. I knew he was probably excited and nervous. He later told me that he and Thomas had talked about becoming a public figure-couple representing this cause before agreeing to proceed with the news stories, articles, and barrage of responses from the public. As any mature couple would do, Cody and Thomas discussed traversing this path before actually traveling it. The bottom line, though, was that “It really wasn’t our decision to make, it was now our responsibility. We were not doing this for just ourselves anymore.” Someone needed to take a stand. Still, the period at the end of the sentence says a lot. For example: “Oh shit.” “Am I going to represent everyone well? What, specifically, am I going to say? I had better get ready, and fast.” “It is about time someone in Arkansas made the news for equal rights.”
But, still, this was a formal, public, Donald Trump statement of a sentence. It surprised me, and it made me proud. Cody Renegar and Thomas Staed had jointly decided to take that blind step forward to do what was right. That takes a more strength than I feel I will ever have. A day or two later, amidst all of the media attention, Cody’s words of wisdom were, “The news crew is on their way to my work to do a follow up story and I wore the same pants as yesterday!!!!! OMG....” It was nice to
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see he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. Still, I can’t imagine what it took to get through the publicity. My thoughts, you wonder? What is it that makes one strong? Are we genetically predisposed to emotional strength? Are we outwardly confident thus giving the appearance of strength? Or, are we simply supported by those around us to the point of knowing that, “If I fall, I won’t ever hit the ground”? Cody and Thomas only had the gut feeling of “need” when starting this journey. But, by now, agree that if it had not been for the huge outpouring of support from the community, it would have been immensely more difficult. So in this case, the correct answer is “all of the above.” They were not sure they would have all the support of the community before starting down this path, but there was something that had to be done, and they felt they were in the right place at the right time to do it. The community agreed. Cody’s son even had a teacher pull him out of class to not only make sure no one had been bullying him over this subject, but also to say how proud she was of his parents for what they were doing. That impressed Cody and Thomas. “Of all of the media attention, 80 or 90 percent of it was positive and supportive. The few who weren’t were trying to ‘save’ us!” He and Thomas laughed pretty well at the recounting of hateful comments. Not to belittle the cause, but simply as point of comparison, I suppose it would be likened to someone telling me I was going to hell because I love my shoes. Now I, however, have not publicly announced my shoe love affair/addiction, or I would probably be harassed just the same. Maybe I should take out an “in love” (with my shoes)
announcement in the paper…do you think they would let me do that? I have every right to profess my love of shoes to the world, right? Freedom of speech! Lucky for me, no one cares about my shoes. They do, however, care about equal rights for all American citizens, two of whom just so happen to be Cody Renegar and Thomas Staed. They also happen to be getting married. Want another lucky coincidence? Dan McGinnis, a writer for Yahoo!, is currently ghostwriting a book on Cody about the difficulties he has traversed throughout his life, after being prompted by the documentary, “Hollywood to Dollywood.” Dan just so happened to be present when “The Denial,” as we shall call it, was doled out by the all-knowing gods of publishing in Arkansas. Dan decided to publish their marriage announcement worldwide via Google. Dan’s editor caught wind of it and encouraged him to write a story. The story spread. Now if you Google Cody’s or Thomas’s name, you are brought over twenty (I got tired of looking after 20) pages of information on their collective experiences of late. Living in Northwest Arkansas has changed after this: notably, in the atmosphere. They were right. They weren’t doing this for themselves. It wasn’t a decision they made for their own benefit. This was something they were in the position to do for the public at large. This was their way to help. I now see an air of confidence about people’s faces. It is not yet the same as the “Donald Trump period,” but, it is leaning in that general direction, and that puts a genuine smile on my face.
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The State of Disunion:
Tennessee Lawmakers Stir Up Anti-GLBT Hatred
By Amanda Molé What is going on in Tennessee? The state that used to make people think of picturesque hiking trails, live music, and Dollywood now brings to mind images of hate crimes, violence, and teen suicides. In what is reminiscent of Salem witch hunts, GLBT persons are openly discriminated against and accused of actions they never commit, simply because they are not straight. Rhea County representatives actually proposed, in 2004, to ban gays from living within its borders. Any same-sex couples found living together would have been charged with “crimes against nature.” Doug Landreth, who was a keynote speaker at the first annual Rhea
County Gay Day, recalls approximately 300 participants, many of them teenagers. “I told the young students who organized the event, and those who had shown up against homophobia, that they were far braver than I was at their age. I could not express how proud of and inspired by them I was,” he said. However, despite public support for equal rights, not much progress has been made in the last eight years. “While the weekend event was uplifting for me, and I hope for others, things really did not change much. What was to be the First Annual Gay Day in Rhea County was in fact the only one to take place, and people remain ‘uncomfortable’ with the idea of GLBT equality for the most part.” Uncomfortable, indeed! Here are a few highlights
of Tennessee news in the past few months.
BATHROOM HARASSMENT ACT This bill, originally sponsored by Senator Bo Watson, would charge a $50 fine to any transgender person using the “wrong” bathroom or dressing room. Theoretically, this would be enforced using the person’s birth certificate. Tennessee does not allow changes to be made to a person’s birth certificate following transgender operations, so even if a person is physically female, she would still be fined if her birth certificate has the male marker. Richard Floyd, who took over sponsorship of the bill, said that the bill “penalizes no one” and “protects everyone.” He
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has no intent to punish transgender people – unless, of course, he meets one, in which case he has threatened to “stomp a mudhole in him” for trying to use a public restroom. Aside from being unconstitutional and discriminatory, this bill is completely absurd. How does merely relieving oneself in a public restroom constitute “harassment?” While harassment covers a very broad range of actions, the legal definition involves behavior that is intentionally threatening or offensive (such as “stomping a mudhole” in someone). Merely using a restroom does not conform to the legal definition of harassment. Additionally, how is a law like this supposed to be enforced? People generally do not carry their birth certificates around with them. Police officers are usually not assigned to protect public restrooms. The passage of such a law would lead to confusion and a waste of resources.
SPECIAL ACCESS TO DISCRIMINATE This bill, signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam, prohibits municipalities from enacting any antidiscrimination regulations that are stricter than state laws. This came after Nashville made Tennessee history by passing laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexuality. Under this new law, Nashville’s laws are null and void, leaving
GLBT workers vulnerable to discrimination. While this bill does not specifically attack homosexuals, they are currently not protected under state laws. The only logical inference, since this bill was proposed right after Nashville enacted laws to protect the GLBT community, is that Tennessee employers wish to continue discriminating against prospective GLBT employees.
RAISING INSURANCE ON GAY MALES Stacey Campfield, a State Senator representing Knoxville, continued his long-running campaign against homosexuals with this tirade on the David Pakman show. He claimed that insurance companies charge higher rates to gay males because they live “dangerous” and “shorter” lives – according to him, up to 24 years shorter than their straight counterparts. Additionally, Campfield claimed it is also “statistically proven” that many gay males do not have monogamous relationships and have numerous sexual partners, and that animals do not “sodomize” each other because it is an unnatural choice. Not surprisingly, Campfield could not cite any sources for his information. He simply told viewers to “go online and look it up.” Aside from the fact that a growing amount of scientific studies link
sexuality to genetics, the belief that merely being gay is dangerous and shortens a person’s life by more than two decades is completely dishonest. There are countless homosexual couples in safe, healthy relationships that live a normal life span. Similarly, there are just as many straight people engaging in unsafe sexual behavior (such as unprotected sex) as gay people. Reckless behavior is not limited to a person’s sexual orientation.
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THE UN-TRUTH OF AIDS ORIGIN Stacey Campfield went on the record blaming homosexuals for the AIDS virus in humans. In an interview with Michelangelo Signorile, he declared that most people realize that gays are to blame, since a gay man “had sex with a monkey” and then slept with other men, causing the virus to spread. He also said that it is more difficult to contract AIDS through heterosexual intercourse than in homosexual intercourse. Educated people across the nation rolled their eyes, since most outgrew this myth in elementary school along with cooties and the tooth-fairy. The Pulitzer prize-winning website, Politifact.com, gave Campfield its most shameful rating, “Pants on Fire,” for his blatant misrepresentation of the truth. The U.S. Center for Disease Control, Jacques Pepin, who is head of the Infectious Diseases Division
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of the University of Sherbrooke’s Department of Microbiology; Beatrice Hahn, professor of microbiology; and various peer-reviewed scientific publications were consulted in debunking Campfield’s claim. He stuck with it, however, posting on his blog that he was right and that the host was “not of a receptive lifestyle.” Well, when science proves you wrong, the best you can do is whine about it on your blog.
DON’T SAY GAY The “Don’t Say Gay” bill, sponsored by Stacey Campfield, would prohibit public school teachers from discussing any type of sexual relationship other than heterosexuality with students from kindergarten through eighth grade. This is in addition to regulations that are already in place that make it a misdemeanor for educators to discuss relationships outside of Tennessee’s “family life” curriculum, which does not include homosexual relationships. Supporters of the bill stressed the importance of an “age appropriate” curriculum. This, of course, implies that any mention of homosexuality to children under the age of fourteen is inappropriate and potentially harmful to “sexually confused” children. First of all, the idea that a teacher could present the possibility of two consenting adults, who happen to be the same sex, in a loving relationship as healthy and could “sexually confuse” a child is absurd. Secondly, this
could have a potentially negative effect on children who have gay family members or may be gay themselves. How are children supposed to feel if they have questions about homosexual relationships and are told by their teachers that it is “inappropriate” to discuss? Not only does this place homosexual relationships in a negative light, but it also forces children to look to less than ideal sources for information.
LICENSE TO BULLY Following the suicide of 18-year-old Jacob Rogers, who was bullied relentlessly for being gay, the Tennessee Legislature presented a bill that was originally intended to minimize bullying. However, using creative language, the bill also provided protection for bullies if their behavior was religiously motivated. In other words, a student who was “religiously motivated” to tell another student that he was going to hell for being gay would be protected, not punished. Fortunately, the wording that would have protected religious bullying was removed after backlash from the media and gay rights advocates. While the law would have prohibited physical violence and damage to property, it most likely would have led to an increase of verbal abuse, which is sadly what motivates victims of bullying to commit suicide in the first place.
TEEN SUICIDES
Tennessee has been rocked by two teen suicides in as many months, both due largely to relentless bullying by peers for being gay. Jacob Rogers, 18, and Philip Parker, 14, took their lives when the bullying became too difficult to endure day after day. In both situations, parents and friends had complained to school officials, including administrators and guidance counselors, about the bullying. Little was done to protect the victims. In an interview with Cheatham County’s director of schools, it was reported that Jacob’s school only knew of one incident, and that the bullies were given a warning. The warning, apparently, did little to modify their behavior. Sadly, it is not surprising that schools do not take anti-gay bullying seriously. What can one expect from a state that refuses to acknowledge the existence of homosexuals before high school? What can one expect when children are told that the mere mention of homosexuality is “inappropriate” and that bullying is acceptable as long as it is religiously motivated? What kind of message is being sent to children when anti-discrimination laws are nullified and public officials openly threaten violence on transgender people? If it takes a village to raise a child, this village is failing miserably. One can only imagine how many more tragedies it will take before the people of Tennessee wake up and join the twenty-first century.
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Whitney Houston: The American Princess By Berneta Haynes
On Saturday evening, February 11, my aunt and I were sitting in the living room—she was reading a novel while I was working on assignments for class— when my mother called and delivered the heartbreaking news: “Whitney was found dead.” I immediately screamed, “Who?” and my 49-year-old aunt, wide-eyed expressed similar disbelief. On the day before, we had been discussing Whitney Houston’s remake of the 1970s film Sparkle. While still on the phone with my mother, my aunt turned on the television, and I did a quick Google search to verify that Whitney was indeed gone. A quiet gloom came over us that night, a gloom that lasted the rest of the weekend and throughout the following week. As my aunt stated, “It feels almost like I lost a family member.” Whitney had fallen, another strong beautiful sister, another example of the hardship of being black and female in this country that demands so much but gives so little.
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The media has reiterated unflinchingly and tactlessly her drug abuse for over a decade, in article after article and TV special after TV special. Indeed, for many black folks, Whitney will always remain a little black girl from the block who became America’s princess but not without falling into the stereotype that many of us black women desperately seek to avoid. The stereotype of the drug-addicted black woman, that familiar character we have all seen on TV shows and films. By now, we
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all know the details: the infamous Diane Sawyer interview and the sickeningly thin pictures and TV appearances. Yet I don’t care about Whitney the drugaddict. I care about Whitney the diva, the princess, the original Black American Princess. I care about Whitney, the girl from around the way who became an inspiration to little black girls who, like me, watched the “How Will I Know” and “I’m Your Baby Tonight” videos on BET when we were barely five years old and saw ourselves reflected in her spunk and mocha complexion. She was an inspiration. Whitney epitomized playfulness and grace intermingled, gentle when she wanted to be but also as hard as her New Jersey roots when necessary. She represented the contradictions that lie at the heart of being black in America, of being a woman in a man’s world. What’s more, she demonstrated the contradictions of being American: a free spirit yet constrained by social expectations. Whitney was real. Because of that realness, that so many other pop stars of similar megastardom lack, her death hit me hard. Never has
a celebrity death left me in tears. Yet for Whitney, who for me was much more than a celebrity, I wept. I wept because her death symbolized something more: the endless struggle against the stereotype that so many black women seek to avoid, that we were hoping Whitney would overcome. I had been batting for Whitney to reemerge, the beautiful black queen she always was, and overcome. Indeed, recently she looked like she was on her way to doing just that. Perhaps she did find her queendom after all, as she sang “Jesus Loves Me” on the night before her death, singing herself into the arms of the ancestors. Being a black woman in this country is an everyday battle, and I am sure it was no different for Whitney. For this reason, I felt close to Whitney and her struggle. I had a stake in her recovery. Perhaps many Americans, no matter their color, felt a similar closeness to her struggle. After all, as the news stories and TV specials have repeated, she was at one time America’s princess. In the end, Whitney will always be that unique American princess, a symbol of our greatness and our complexity. Only the greatest can remake a song and outdo the original, such as Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” Who else could turn the National Anthem into a Billboard success? Furthermore, consider this: any time someone attempts to sing one of her songs, many of us cringe because we know they will sound horrible compared to Whitney’s version. Only the greatest artists have that effect. How many drag shows have featured half the soundtrack of The Bodyguard? She was a great, a diva of the highest degree. Yet perhaps more importantly, Whitney’s songs taught us to want love. Songs like “My Love is Your Love” encouraged us to appreciate love, to hunger for it because nothing is more important than loving one another in this sometimes harsh world.
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Therefore, I cried for Whitney because no matter her shortcomings, she was the greatest female vocalist of her generation. She was a beautiful black woman, with an astonishing realness and strength even in her vulnerability. I salute her for giving me a mirror of myself when I was little girl, as I danced to “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” in front of the TV. I salute her for giving us all a reason to aspire to greatness, to love, and for giving us all a desire to do endless karaoke renditions of pop ballads like “Saving All My Love.” I salute Whitney, a true American princess.
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UWF Student Leaders and The Shondes Unite to Save Lives By Cristina Marrero The last few decades have seen a tragic epidemic of suicides caused by bullying and hate crimes that have stolen queer lives. One group of student organizers has seen the need for change, and are uniting college students and community members to combat apathy on a local level and prove hope is not yet dead. The University of West Florida’s Gay Straight Alliance, Students for Suicide Awareness, and To Write Love on Her Arms have teamed up to put on a concert for suicide prevention, featuring an all-queer feminist band from New York called the Shondes.
diversity. The Shondes were asked how they hoped events like the Pensacola concert would help the community at large. Elijah Oberman remarked, “I'd hope that they would help stop suicides by raising awareness and starting conversations...” According to Logan Hartwig (the president of UWF’s TWOHA), Kayla Wankowski, the President of the GSA, approached Hartwig and Shane Kuhlman (President of Students for Suicide Awareness) for support with the event.
This indie-rock band is touring the East Coast, to promote their new CD “Searchlights” and their goal is to also help student organizations along the way.
When Wankowski was asked why she decided to push for a suicide awareness concert, she said, “Having lost a friend last year to suicide because of a gender identity issues, I want to let anyone having issues with gender, sexuality, or anything else, LGBT related or not, know that there are people who care and will listen.”
Because of a grant shared by UWF’s Gay Straight Alliance, TWLOHA and Students for Suicide Awareness, these three groups can afford to bring the Shondes down to the Deep South for a concert, designed to save lives and raise awareness through music and unity through
Both the student leaders and the Shondes share the same excitement. Oberman commented, “…it's an incredibly moving experience for everyone involved, to realize how their lives are bound up in one another's, and how working together for the benefit of everyone is
empowering.” Kuhlman added, “Suicide is one of those topics that is hard to talk about in any situation, so if we have three prominent student organization groups working together to talk about suicide through large scale events, the effect will be felt on a large scale.” While those in minority groups will love this concert, one must remember that Pensacola is still located in the Deep South, and not everyone will love the idea of diversity joining forces. Wankowski said that the response would probably be mixed. “As with any concert dealing with suicide as well as LGBT issues, we will have some disgruntled individuals. However, I hope it will be accepted with open arms.” The event will be held at the Handlebar on March 25 at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8:15, with no cover charge for University of West Florida and Pensacola State College students, and a $5 charge to community members. Visit www.shondes.com and all the student organizations’ Facebook pages for more information.
24 | OUT ON THE TOWN | THE DEEP AND MID-SOUTH’S HOTTEST GLBT MAGAZINE
uNITY pARTY 2012 / hhP
Jeff House Joelle Terots Partytrap Honoring
Out on the Town Magazine publisher
Mike Halterman's
selection to The Advocate's 2012 "40 Under 40"
$5
All Divas free till 11 Free Parking
21+
CLUB LUSH 112 west center st
March 10th 2012 10-2am March | 25 $2.50 Wells till Midnight $22012pbr
26 | OUT ON THE TOWN | THE DEEP AND MID-SOUTH’S HOTTEST GLBT MAGAZINE
SUPPORTS
THE LGBT COMMUNITY OF SPRINGFIELD
Visit our website to learn more about our catering service. www.backyardburgers.com
March 2012 | 27
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28 | OUT ON THE TOWN | THE DEEP AND MID-SOUTH’S HOTTEST GLBT MAGAZINE
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YELLOW PAGES
Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 263-4322
Florida:
Alabama:
Icon 516 Greensboro Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 345-3820
The Cabaret 101 S. Jefferson St. Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 607-2020
B-Bob’s 213 Conti St. Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 433-2262
Al’s on Seventh 2627 7th Ave. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 321-2812
The Roundup 560 E. Heinberg St. Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 433-8482
Gabriel’s Downtown 55 S. Joachim St. Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 432-4900
Our Place 2115 7th Ave. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 715-0077
Emerald City/The Other Side 406 E. Wright St. Pensacola, FL 32501 (850) 433-9491
The Midtown Pub 153 S. Florida St. Mobile, AL 36606 (251) 471-5090
Quest Club 416 24th St. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 251-4313
Bacchus 455 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 445-4099
Partners Bar and Grill 631 Meridian St. N. Huntsville, AL 35801 (256) 539-0975
Club Imagination 4129 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 (334) 792-6579 Dothan Dance Club 2563 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36301 (334) 792-5166
Vieux Carré 1204 Posey St. Huntsville, AL 35816 (256) 534-5970
Top of the Town 15 E. Intendencia St. Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 434-8779 Fiesta Room La Royale Lounge 100 Harrison Ave. Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 763-1755 Splash Bar Florida 6520 Thomas Dr. Panama City Beach, FL (850) 236-3450
Silhouette 322 N. Lawrence St.
Mississippi: Just Us Lounge 906 Division St. Biloxi, MS 39530 (228) 374-1007
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Club Veaux 834 Howard Ave. Biloxi, MS 39530 (228) 207-3271
Jester’s 1010 E. Grand Ave. Hot Springs, AR 71901 (501) 624-5455
Bottoms Up 3911 Northview Dr. Jackson, MS 39206 (601) 981-2188
Kinkead’s 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave. Fort Smith, AR 72901 (479) 226-3144
JC’s 425 North Mart Plaza Jackson, MS 39206 (601) 362-3108
The Chute 714 Laurel St. Texarkana, AR 71854 (870) 772-6900
Arkansas:
Club Push 21 N. Block Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 381-8090
Discovery/Triniti 1021 Jessie Rd. Little Rock, AR 72202 (501) 664-4784 (501) 664-2744 Six Ten Center 612 Center St. Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 374-4678 Miss Kitty’s & The Saloon 307 W. 7th St. Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 374-4699 Trax 415 Main St. North Little Rock, AR 72114 (501) 244-0444
Speakeasy 509 W. Spring St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 443-3279 Henri’s Just One More 19 1/2 Spring St. Eureka Springs, AR 72632 (479) 253-5795 Eureka Live 35 1/2 Main St. Eureka Springs, AR 72632 (479) 253-7020 Lumberyard Bar & Grill 105 E. Van Buren St. Eureka Springs, AR 72632 (479) 253-0400
Louisiana: Central Station 1025 Marshall St. Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 222-2216 The Korner Lounge 800 Louisiana Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 222-9796 Corner Bar 512 N. 3rd St. Monroe, LA 71201 (318) 329-0046 Club Pink 1914 Roselawn Ave. Monroe, LA 71201 (318) 654-7030 Uniques Bar 3217 Industrial St. Alexandria, LA 71301 (318) 448-0555 Olympus 86 Bolton Ave. Alexandria, LA 71301 (318) 442-6735 Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 (337) 433-5457 Drama Club/Act II 126 and 124 N. Hollywood Rd. Houma, LA 70364 (985) 580-2582 (985) 872-9997
30 | OUT ON THE TOWN | THE DEEP AND MID-SOUTH’S HOTTEST GLBT MAGAZINE
Club LAX 2301 N. Causeway Blvd. Metairie, LA 70001 (504) 834-7979 4 Seasons/The Out Back Bar 3229 N. Causeway Blvd. Metairie, LA 70002 (504) 832-0659 Billy’s 2600 Hwy. 190 W. Slidell, LA 70460 (985) 847-1921 Anything Geauxs 1540 W. Lindberg Dr. Slidell, LA 70458 (985) 643-2191
Tennessee:
Missouri:
Tribe 1517-A Church St. Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 329-2912
Pla-Mor Lounge 532 S. Joplin Ave. Joplin, MO 64801 (417) 624-2722
Play Dance Bar 1519 Church St. Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 322-9627
Martha’s Vineyard 219 W. Olive St. Springfield, MO 65806 (417) 864-4572
Blue Gene’s 1715 Church St. Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 329-3508
Club Vibe 2526 S. Campbell Ave. Springfield, MO 65807 (417) 501-1041
Stirrup 1529 4th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37210 (615) 782-0043
Edge Bar 424 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802 (417) 831-4700
Canvas Lounge 1707 Church St. Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 320-8656
NOTES: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
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Over 50 gay-owned and friendly businesses World class art community • Victorian architecture Energetic nightlife • Beautiful panoramic views Crystal clear lakes • Domestic partner registry Diversity Weekends & GLBT events year-round!
For an attractions and visitors guide call 866-947-4387 or visit www.eurekasprings.org