Las Vegas Night Beat April 2012 by Jeffrey Hames

Ask me about

Fabulous Homes and great

Investment Bargains

Rob Schlegel

Realtor®

If you don’t recognize his name, just ask around ... In 1986, Rob Schlegel founded and published the (LGBT) Las Vegas Bugle, has been a Las Vegas journalist since 1974 and has spearheaded numerous projects to benefit the local gay community, including Nevada’s first LGBT bookstore. Now, he’s selling real estate. You can depend on him to assist and stand by you during every aspect of the sale. Specializing in short sale listings with little to no cost to home sellers (unlike attorneys).

(702)

813-6214

E-mail: JustPeople@cox.net www.RobSchlegel.com

Rob Schlegel

l LAMBDA

BUSINESS

ASSOCIATION

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 3

OUR COVER – Born and raised in Nevada, talented artist KD Matheson has been creating art here for over 25 years. This month he’s collaborating with fellow artist Alexander Sky in the exhibit Quantum Visits at Sin City Gallery inside the Arts Factory in the heart of the Arts District. Get all the details on page 169.

Convene for Green: Sustainability Shari Farkas Executive Director of Green Chips Presents Southern Nevada’s

Roadmap for Sustainability

Join us for Lunch Wed, April 11th

with Emphasis on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs

11:30 am to 12:45 pm / $15 price includes meeting, lunch, beverage, tax and tip. 85+ usually attend.

Meet us at ...

Call (702) 893-2088 for more details.

953 E Sahara Ave: Inside the Commercial Ctr / Far West Side

Our Business Directory: www.LambdaLV.org 4 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

LAMBDA

BUSINESS

ASSOCIATION

Inaugural Variety Show to raise funds for local nonprofits Alexis Park Resort Hotel’s Apollo Ballroom will showcase the Prime Timers’ inaugural Charity Variety Show on Wednesday, May 9 at 8:30 p.m. Featured performers will include Jerry Halliday, Irene Soderberg and the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus. The general public is invited, but there will be adult content, so attendees must be 18 and older. Tickets are $30 per person. And net proceeds will beneﬁt charitable LGBT organizations in the Las Vegas area. A spokesman for the Prime Timers wrote: “We are very excited about hosting our 1st Annual Charity Variety Show here in Las Vegas, Nevada. “A minimum of $10 per ticket will go directly to the (501.c.3) LGBT organization that you select. If we can keep our operating expenses down, we will be able to contribute even more of the ticket price to the cause. “On the night of the show, you will exchange your ticket for a wrist band and select the charity of your choice (tickets sold by various organizations may be preselected). “Please consider buying your tickets in advance. This will really help us in making logistical decisions about how we can bring you the best show possible.” To purchase tickets, by check or money order, send payment (no cash please) to Las Vegas Prime Timers, P.O. Box 42424, Las Vegas, NV 89116. Indicate how many tickets you are buying and what address to send them (or pick up paid tickets at the door the night of the show); by credit card: email LVprimeTimers@cox.net and request a PayPal Invoice. Indicate the number of tickets at $30 each and where to send those tickets. (or pickup paid tickets at the door the night of the show); several organizations, like the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus, will have tickets available to buy.

6 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

Members of a non-proﬁt (501. c.3) organization may consider using this show as a fundraiser for their organization. Nonproﬁts will receive a

minimum of $10 for every ticket sold. Alexis Park is located at 375 E. Harmon Ave., across from the Hard Rock Hotel.

Can You Spell Diva? I-R-E-N-E Soderberg All Irene’s music takes you on a wonderful musical journey that leaves you begging for more. And wait until you see her live! You’ll laugh and have a great time, as she simgs every kind of music, doing impersonations, characters, and improvisation. With outrageous song parodies, costumes and comedy, Irene is a true entertainer. She’s performed from New York to Portland, San Francisco to Boston, Provincetown to Hawaii, Chicago to Palm Springs, L.A. to Key West, opening for artists like Willie Nelson, Pat Benetar, Chaka Chan, Hootie and the Blowfish, Thelma Houston, Grace Slick, Judy Tenuta and many more. Irene performs with a heart that touches everyone. She’s donated her time to almost 1000 benefits for AIDS, raising $5 million, and many other causes, Such as women’s and children’s assistance, the Red Cross, and global aid. She was also included in a book of the best singers in the world. Irene IS bigger than Life! Irene’s currently working on her one woman show about her life that will tour nationally.

Las Vegas Men’s Chorus The Las Vegas Men’s Chorus was established in the early 90’s by a small group of men looking to bring the choral sound of Men’s Voices to the Las Vegas Community. Our vision was and still is to “become the best men’s chorus in the state”. We have the ability to become Ambassadors of the community, producing quality music, reaching out to all avenues of the Las Vegas and greater community, and gaining the respect of our peers. We have enjoyed performing for a variety of causes including our own Concert Performances, usually twice a year. And we’re always looking for new opportunities to reach out and perform, showing off our talents. We’re blessed to have wonderful leadership, musical direction, and a great accompanist to help bring the best out of us all! If you have the talent and desire to sing with a community men’s chorus, we hope you’ll consider joining us.

Jerry Halliday – “Its NOT for the kids” Comedian / Puppeteer / Impressionist What becomes a Diva most? A man with his hand up her dress and putting words in her mouth. Besides his original characters, Granny Goodtimes, the Not So Holy Nun, and Sista Girl, Jerry presents impressions of Joan Rivers, Bette Davis, Mae West and a score of other celebrities, supplying all their voices with remarkable mimiary. Halliday has polished his comedy act to hilarious perfection at Bally’s, Harrahs, the Rio and Riviera in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City. He also appears on luxury cruise ships, nightclubs and theaters worldwide. A world-class puppet designer, Jerry actually makes his own puppets and astonishingly brings them to life with impressive artistry. Although Jerry never leaves the stage, he is so accomplished at manipulating his puppets that he virtually disappears while his characters command the full attention of his mesmerized spectators.

Prime Timers’ Flyer touts the talented performers scheduled for their first ever Variety Show

Discussion of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs at monthly Lambda meeting, April 11 Shari Farkas, Executive Director of Green Chips will be the featured speaker at the Lambda Business Association April Lunch Meeting on Wednesday, April 11 at 11:30 a.m. The Lunch Meeting is open to the public and costs $15, inclusive. Farkas’ topic will be “Convene for Green, Southern Nevada’s Roadmap for Sustainability” with an emphasis on energy efﬁciency and renewable energy programs. Shari joined Green Chips in 2009,

8 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

the year the organization was created. The mission of Green Chips is to create momentum for sustainability in Southern Nevada. The organization has accomplished this is several ways: they have provided energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy installations for non-profits like ShadeTree Shelter and Salvation Army, created a revolving loan program for homeowners to finance energy efficiency upgrades and Convene for Green, bringing all sectors of our community together to create a roadmap for sustainability. Prior to joining Green Chips, Shari was the Managing Partner of business process consulting firm Acuity Solutions for nearly 20 years. Acuity helped hundreds of organizations understand

and implement the most state of the art management tools available. A native Las Vegan, she has served the community in many ways. Shari is active with the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Business Council Board of Directors 2008-2012, the Community Council Board of Directors 19992003, graduate of Leadership Las Vegas 2002, Chair/Co-Chair Community Achievement Awards 2002/2003, recipient of Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Circle of Excellence Award and she also served on the Board of the Technology Business Alliance of Nevada and was the board president in 2006. Lambda’s Lunch Meeting is held at Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant in Commercial Center.

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 9

Bogart and Bacall screenings at Clark County Library April 3 through 24 at 1 p.m. the Clark County Library is offering “Tuesday Afternoon at the Bijou: Pucker Up & Blow – The Films of Bogart & Bacall” in the Main Theater. All programs are free to the public. For more information on any of the events, call 507-3459 or go to the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District’s website at www.lvccld.org The Clark County Library is located at 1401 E. Flamingo Road, just east of Flamingo.

April 3 • To Have and Have Not (1944, 100 min, NR) This Howard Hawks masterpiece is the ﬁlm that provided Lauren Bacall with her ﬁrst featured role. To Have and Have Not is adapted from Hemingway’s daring story about a cynical Caribbean seaman who becomes deeply involved in a mission

for the French resistance. William Faulkner and Jules Furthman wrote a brilliantly moody and compelling screenplay spiced with Bogart-Bacall wit at its best.

April 10 • The Big Sleep (1946, 114 min, NR) Humphrey Bogart stars as Philip Marlowe, Raymond Chandler’s tough, cynical, but charming private eye. Marlowe investigates the gambling debts of the wealthy General Sternwood’s younger daughter and is plunged into a world of blackmail, deception, and violence. Lauren Bacall is the general’s older daughter and the sparks ﬂy between her and Bogie in a classic duo performance.

April 17 • Dark Passage (1947, 106 min, NR) Escaping from prison after being framed for his wife’s murder, Humphrey Bogart hides out with Lauren Bacall and undergoes plastic surgery in an attempt to ﬁnd the real killer. Offbeat mystery, fueled by the Bogey/Bacall magic, also stars Agnes Moorehead, Tom D’Andrea; based on the novel by David Goodis.

April 24 • Key Largo (1948, 101 min, NR) The tough, unyielding Edward G. Robinson, the cynical, disillusioned Humphrey Bogart, the acid-tongued but loyal Lauren Bacall are unquestionably three of the most memorable characters ever created. Frank McCloud (Bogart) travels to an island in the Florida Keys to visit the widow of a war buddy. At the hotel where he stays, he meets crass gangster Johnny Rocco (Robinson), who has taken over the hotel.

10 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 11

KD Matheson

the mysteries of our past, the understanding of who we are now, and the wonder of what we will become tomorrow KD Matheson blends the mystery of the past, the knowledge of the present, and the wonder of the future. He draws inspiration from many cultures, ancient and present, and has created many sought-after collection pieces. Matheson’s work is a modern fairy tale utilizing bold colors, which swirl and blend to create

mystical images of visions past, combined with flashes of sensual wonderment that beckons you to a world of the fantastic. “The past, present and future are like vessels that house lines of connection to the mysteries of our past, the understanding of who we are now, and to the wonder of what we will become tomorrow,” stated Matheson who was born and raised in Las Vegas and attended Valley High School. He went on to study psychology, but got sidetracked by his love of creating art. His passion has been a full time occupation for the past 25 years. KD works in two dimensional and three dimensional projects, which is somewhat unusual for an artist. “Sometimes I need to project an idea and it’s got to be three dimensional, that’s the only way you can express it. And other times the best way to express an idea is through imagery and painting or drawing. I think you need to have as many tools as you can to convey your ideas.” He says his inspiration is a combination of different things, the majority of which is dream imagery – day dreams, sleep dreams. He tries to tap into a collective consciousness that we’re all a part of. “From that I learn something about myself, and hopefully I’m putting something back out there that I can understand better and then show people and maybe they’ll feel the same.” Currently most of his work is done in a material similar to papier-mâché , and cardboard construction. “I really like the idea of working with something as simple as papier-mâché, you can do incredible things with it, and you’re not confined to working with

Quantum Visits Painter and sculptor K.D. Matheson and mixed media artist Alexander Skywill present Quantum Visits at Sin City Gallery April 5 through 29. On First Thursday, April 5, there will be an artists’ preview from 7 to 10 p.m. 12 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

Quantum Visits: ‘Whether its people or dance or environment, you’re tapping into something that’s not just on a physical, dimensional level, it’s something that’s internal, it’s sort of transcendent.’ traditional things that people think of as sculpture materials like carving wood, or working in plaster, or heavy metals. I like the idea of exploring other mediums that maybe aren’t traditional.” His work can be seen this month at Sin City Gallery where Matheson is exhibiting in collaboration with Alexander Sky. Matheson describes the exhibit, titled Quantum Visits as “… a way of experiencing things. Whether its people or dance or environment, you’re tapping into something that’s not just on a physical, dimensional level, it’s something that’s internal, it’s sort of transcendent. Think of dreaming, it’s like an alternate dimension, you’re kind of bringing something from that realm into an exhibit, share it, focus it, in a way that other people can

The works of KD Matheson Huitlacoche (above), 92 x 60 inches acrylic on paper Fatima (left), 72 x 48 inches, acrylic on paper Us and Them (page 14), 72 x 60 inches acrylic on paper LOA (front cover), 36 x 15 inches Papier-mâché Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 13

See Matheson’s work April 5 though 29 at Sin City Gallery experience it too.” Matheson speaks of his co-exhibitor with glowing respect. “He’s an awesome guy, a young, brilliant artist, who works a lot in mixed media using spray paint, collage, magic markers, a variety of materials and techniques. It’s been great to work with him and be a part of the show.” He adds Alex has a good spirit, he’s a really talented artist. He explains, “The main focus of the show is a theme that pervades a lot of my work and, speaking for Alex, I think it does for him as well.” “Both K.D. and Alexander explore the universe and life-force energy in varied mediums that will make Sin City Gallery’s April exhibit an exciting one that moves the pendulum of creativity once again for Las Vegas,” said the gallery’s curator, Dr. Laura Henkel. Sin City Gallery is located off the Strip in the famous Arts Factory, situated in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas’ thriving arts community, at 107 E. Charleston Boulevard, Suite 100. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. For information, updates and exhibition calendar, call 702-608-2461 or visit www. SinCityGallery.com.

14 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

Need the Right House at The Right Price? ...and Beginner Questions Welcome! Whether you’re buying a home for $75,000 or $750,00, I can find your bargain. Beginner questions gladly answered. With me, there are no silly questions. We’re all beginners at some point. Let me help make your home buying simple.

Rob Schlegel

REALTOR®

If you don’t recognize his name, just ask around ... In 1986, Rob Schlegel founded the (LGBT) Las Vegas Bugle, has been a Las Vegas journalist since 1974 and has spearheaded numerous projects to benefit the community, including Nevada’s first lesbian-gay-feminist bookstore, film festival and co-founded our local pride event. “Call or email me for a personalized MLS search – better than Realtor.com or other web sites.”

Rob Schlegel

LAMBDA

BUSINESS

ASSOCIATION

813-6214 Second Chance Mortgages Available. www.RobLasVegas.com / JustPeople@cox.net

(702)

If you had good credit before your short sale or foreclosure, we can probably get you a loan – even one day later – with 20% down. Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 15

Dinah’s coming, Dinah’s coming! April 27 – 29 What’s in store? Night Beat talks with Robin Gans about the move from Palm Springs to Vegas all love gambling and it’s deﬁnitely the entertainment capital of the world. We thought it would be great to move our event to Vegas, you have great weather it’ll be a great weekend weather-wise and there’s so much to do in Vegas. Plus we got a great opportunity to work with Caesar’s Entertainment Group, who’s been following us and actually pursuing the gay community to do events. They recognize that there are lots of gays and lesbians in the entertainment ﬁeld and in the company itself. They’ve been very supportive of the community

mature group? Robin: Well our age range is anywhere from 25 to 55, I mean we have In case you’ve been spending the such a wide range, between ourselves last few months hiding under a rock and then we have Linda and Michelle and didn’t already know it … Girl Bar’s with us from the Truck Stop Girls in Dinah Shore Weekend is coming to Vegas Los Angeles, they have a club on Friday April 27 -29! That’s right! The legendary nights that’s very successful and I have lesbian party has left its 21-year home GB2 Wednesday nights at The Abbey in Palm Springs California. They’ve that does very well. We’re definitely packed up their DJs, go-go dancers, going to have a nice range but there’s shot-girls, bikini-clad-SoCal-hotties and no doubt we’re promoting to 25-55 moved the party to Vegas! Co-owner, year olds because what I’ve found more Dr. Robin Gans, was kind enough to than anything is that Las Vegas appeals take a few moments to talk to everyone. So we’re with Night Beat Magazine marketing to our regular about their move, the reasons Dinah base plus adding the behind the change, what you Truck Stop Girls who draw a can expect from this year’s much younger crowd, I think Dinah Shore Weekend and it’ll be a good mix. how the no longer year-to-year NB: There’s also some competition between Girl Bar other hotels involved besides and Club Skirts may affect Caesar’s, right? future Dinah events. Robin: Yes, we’re at NB: Thank you so much the Flamingo Hilton; we’re taking the time to talk with having our pool party there. me. On behalf of the Las The typical format that we Vegas lesbian community let had from Palm Springs has me say how thrilled we all are completely changed this will that you’ve moved Girl Bar be a very different event. Dinah Shore Weekend to Las Don’t forget in Palm Springs Vegas! we had hotels exclusively NB: So let’s do the to ourselves where we had obvious question first. Why Just added: The first-ever Dinah Shore Red Stiletto hotels between 200 and 400 the change? After over 21 rooms but in Las Vegas that’s Ladies Event No-Limit Hold’em Tournament years of extremely successful a little tough since we’ve Saturday, April 28, at 4 p.m. at Treasure Island Dinah Shore events in Palm got hotels with 2000 to 3000 Springs, why move to Vegas? Resort and Casino rooms. Someday maybe Robin: Well, quite for a long time and we all decided it was we could take over one entire hotel that honestly we’ve been wanting to move time to bring something really big to Las would be amazing! But yes, we’ve taken this event for the past couple of years. Vegas. a room block at the Flamingo because We’ve always felt that as much as we It was just time to make the move I that’s where we’ll have our pool party love being in Palm Springs, we just love think we’ve just traded way up. As great on Saturday. We also have a room block it there it’s a great desert town, but we as Palm Springs was in many ways, I at Planet Hollywood because they have felt we were definitely having issues think Vegas will be even better. We have a great casino and we felt it had a more with our international customers. We some great venues and we’re working hipster kinda feel, you know a little have quite a few people that come from with some great hotels and I think the cooler. Australia, England, Europe and even room rates are so much better in Vegas. Our opening night party is at the South America. One of the issues was You have a lot more to choose from, in new nightclub in town, Share Nightclub. that Palm Springs closes down, you Palm Springs you only had a few hotels That’s our Friday night party where get your last drink at 1:40 and by 1:50 to select from so always the rates were we’ll have a hosted VIP cocktail party they’re ripping the drinks outta your really high. Las Vegas is much more early and then the club opens at 10pm hands. So one of the great things about competitive so you can really get some for everybody, we’re calling it Bling. Vegas is there is no last call. great deals. You can have an amazing In previous years, that’s the night we’d One of the other issues is that after weekend for not a lot of money. have the White Party but the White Party all the years in Palm Springs we needed NB: So will you be aiming this new belongs in Miami and in Palm Springs. something more interesting, more event at a different market in the lesbian When you come to Las Vegas the first exciting. We want to offer our customers community then, not so much the 20thing you think of is glitter, glitz, flash, something bigger, something better. We something pool crowd? Maybe a more Continued on page 18 16 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

By Cintha Hall Night Beat Contributor

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 17

Go Pool Party: Girls can go topless at the pool What do you bring to a city that’s loaded with entertainment? Continued from page 16 you know? So our party is Bling, wear your glitziest, flashest outfits, Vegas is all about Bling! So what’s great is that our party will start late and end late, at 4am, so people can go out first, have dinner, see some sights and then come to Bling and party. I just think Vegas is more suitable for our nighttime parties. Where in Palm Springs the restaurants, everything, closes at midnight it’s a city that goes to sleep early, but Vegas never sleeps! NB: So what else can we expect from this year’s Dinah Shore Weekend? Robin: Saturday day is our pool party at the Flamingo Hilton it’s called Go Pool Party because we’re at the Flamingo Go Pool. It’ll go from 11am to 5pm, we’ll have some live entertainment, we’ll have DJs and obviously go-go girls and a couple of other things that we’re about to add, it’ll be great! And one of the great advantages is, which I think will be great is that the girls can go topless at the pool and it’s no big deal. In Palm Springs we used to have to go on bathing suit patrol, as per the executive management of the hotels, to tell the girls to put their tops back on. So we’d say, “great, we’ll go tell them and as soon as we walk away they take them right back off again”, which is exactly what happened! So there were always things like that we had to be careful of and now we don’t have to, Vegas is a lot freer and open that way. NB: So what’s planned for Saturday night? Robin: Well on Saturday night we’re going to be at the Paris Hotel, for Gurlesque at Château, outside under the Eiffel Tower, which will be great. They have a beautiful beer garden, which is what they call it; it’s a fabulous outdoor area. We’ll have go-go girls, and DJs I’m excited, I think it’ll be entertainment enough to just be over-looking the strip; it’s a great view. And then on Sunday day, originally we used to do pool parties in the past but I think since everyone will be out

all night on Saturday night I don’t think anyone will be getting up early to head to the pool. That’s been my experience, so what we’re just going to do is have a Sunday night Last Chance Dance closing party instead, which is going to be at Cleopatra’s Barrage at Caesar’s. I think it’ll be great; we’ll all be dancing on the boat that night! So therefore, on Sunday during the day people can go shopping, go to brunch, sight seeing, hangout by the pool or sleep more if they want to. They don’t have to get themselves up to go hang by the pool all day but certainly they’re free to do whatever they want during the day

Robin Gans & Sandy Sachs and then we’ll have our closing party that night. So we’re kinda keeping it simple this year, giving us something to build on, getting everybody’s feedback, getting the reports together and really making 2013 even bigger! NB: Over the years you’ve had some awesome entertainment, some really big names, who can we expect to see now that you’re in the entertainment capital of the world? Robin: Well what do you bring to a city that’s loaded with entertainment? I mean you’ve got the biggest names in entertainment performing in your city. The only thing that I know we’re going to do is to offer tickets to Holly Madison’s Peep Show, at Planet Hollywood, which I’ve seen, it’s an amazing show, I think it’s the hottest topless show that I’ve ever seen.

18 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

I know Sandy is working on something special, a possible performance for Friday night. So hopefully somebody pretty good on Friday night and we’ll just go from there, but as soon as I know I’ll let you know. You know in Palm Springs you had to bring everybody in, there’s nothing there, Vegas isn’t that way. In Palm Springs we had to bring in the big names that’s all there was there but in Vegas there’s entertainment everywhere. In the past we had to have important entertainment whereas in Palm Springs this year the entertainment that is going on there (Club Skirts’ The Dinah), quite honestly, I don’t think is any big deal. Nothing like in the past, which obviously speaks for itself. But overall I would say that what you have to offer in Vegas far out-weighs whatever you could ever offer in Palm Springs. NB: I must say I agree with you that the entertainment this year in Palm Springs is deﬁnitely a step down since you guys have walked away, nothing against Chaka Khan she’s great, but it’s certainly not up to the caliber it has been in the past. Robin: I know, Chaka Khan is great but I have girls coming up to me asking, “Who’s Chaka Khan?” The girls 40 and up know her but none of the twenty year olds. Obliviously it’s a strategy for her, (Mirah Hansen of Club Skirts) to try to get the older girls to come, because we’ve had a nice older crowd in the past. I think the entertainment is a huge step down and some of the people that she has performing quite honestly we’ve had play for free in the past, which is interesting. So hey, I think it’s like you said we’re no longer there so she’s backed down and she’s no longer willing to spend the money. NB: Right? And so now it’s great that you don’t have that competition anymore and we don’t have to choose which party to go to, but also on the other hand, without that competition will Dinah slow down and not be quite as good anymore because there is no more Continued on next page

Reduced prices for locals, in advance or at the door competition? That would be kinda sad. Robin: Well I agree with you, I think we’ll have to see. You know, where as my friend Jeffery Sankers does his parties in Vegas and in Palm Springs (the yearly Men’s White Party) and his line-up this year is spectacular and Jeffery really has no competition. So if you want to make a comparison, he always presents to the men’s community spectacular DJs, great décor and set-up and he literally tops himself every year. Even though he’s the only one there really is Jeffery feels it’s his reputation just like Sandy and I have felt, it’s our reputation to always have good entertainment, great décor, and fabulous dancers, for us it’s our calling card. Obliviously, what’s going on in Palm Springs this year, honestly, is a step down, you know, which I think obliviously specks to the values of the person who’s doing that promotion. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that…. I’m trying to think more in terms of us moving forward. When you have huge names you have to have your ticket sales much higher so you can pay for that entertainment. Our prices are much lower this year, we have Weekend Party Passes

starting at just $100 and a Hotel & Party Package starting at $285 per person that includes your room for two nights and your Weekend Party Pass and our all-inclusive Ultra Vegas Weekend Package starting at $475, which includes everything; hotel room for two nights, the Weekend Party Pass, the exclusive VIP Cocktail Party, tickets to Holly Madison’s Peepshow, and a 48 hour Buffet Pass which is good at seven different buffets in town. We’ll also have something for the locals, we’ll be giving them reduced prices because they live there, we’ve always done that in the past, give the locals a discount. The prices will be going up after the ﬁrst week in April so we’ll probably keep the locals at the same price. You’ll be able to either pay a reduced price at the door for that event or come down on Friday, April 27th to our welcome desk at the Flamingo and also at Planet Hollywood and show proof that you’re a resident and then you can buy your Weekend Party Pass at the reduced local’s price. We don’t have the exact price worked out yet but deﬁnitely the locals will get a discount. I know that’s the way it goes in Vegas, locals usually pay less.

NB: What are you looking forward to most this year? Robin: Wow, what am I personally looking forward to, that’s hard. Always historically my favorite party has been the White Party, it’s always my favorite event of the weekend because everyone’s just arrived fresh and they look great and nobody’s been out at the pool all day drinking and that kinda stuff, so it’s always been my favorite. But this is all new so we’ll have to see. You’ll have to ask me at the end of the weekend and ask me what my favorite party was. I’m looking forward to all of them, absolutely, I’m sure to party under the Eiffel Tower on the strip will be pretty spectacular! Yah, you’ll have to ask me at the end of the week and you’ll have to ask Sandy, Michelle and Linda too. Let’s see what everybody liked best! Girl Bar’s Dinah Shore Weekend will be in Las Vegas from April 2729th, tickets are available at www. dinahshoreweekend.com. For information about this and other events for lesbians in the Las Vegas area please write to Cyntha at cincin1958@earthlink.net.

Continued next$ page Las Vegas Night Beat $ Aprilon 2012 19

AFAN: Cease and desist Walk ’n’ Roll for HIV/AIDS Fundraising event to benefit five community organizations, March 31 Opinion By Bill Schafer Night Beat Publisher In February, the Night Beat published an interview with the new Aid for AIDS of Nevada Executive Director Antioco Carrillo. We questioned the use of legal action against clients and former employees by the state’s largest HIV/AIDS organization, and asked about Carrillo’s intentions to continue to use what is perceived by many to be a heavy handed approach. Part of that interview: NB: Will anybody here be taking legal action against clients? Carrillo: I don’t know. NB: Restraining orders? Carrillo: It depends. I don’t think I need to get to that level. But if I have somebody that’s coming chasing me with a gun because they think the changes haven’t improved or the changes haven’t taken place when they want to you know, it’s been three months and nothing has changed so I’m going to change it with a gun, yeah, really, that’s not a nice question. I don’t have the intention of doing that. Let’s make it very clear, I don’t have the intention of creating this adversarial relationship with the community. (emphasis added) With that in mind, it was surprising to many in the community when AFAN’s attorneys issued a “Demand to Cease and Desist” letter to Lane Olson’s attorneys regarding the “Walk ’n’ Roll” event which is scheduled (after the Night Beat goes to press) for Saturday, March 31. Olson is Executive Director of ActionRed, an HIV/AIDS organization and one of the sponsors of the “Walk ’n’ Roll for AIDS” . The Night Beat requested comment from Olson’s attorneys and AFAN’s Carrillo on Tuesday, March 20. No response from Carrillo was received by deadline – Monday, March 26, so the Demand letter is reproduced here.. Amberlea Davis, Attorney for Lane Olson explained in an email response on Sunday, March 25: We did not ﬁle a written response with the court because no action was ﬁled. I verbally told the AFAN 20 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

attorney that Walk-n-Roll would not be cancelled. Ultimately, Lane did not have the authority to unilaterally cancel the event just because of AFAN’s threats. I told the attorney she would need to seek an injunction to stop the event. To date, AFAN has not sought an injunction. To give you a little background, Walk-n-roll’s date was chosen by committee, in a process of elimination. The committee wanted to have the event during temperate months – so the months of March, April, October and November were the prime choices. The committee was aware that the anticipated extreme weather during any other

months would be difﬁcult for participants especially those with health issues. The committee also ruled out September because the weather is often extreme. “The month of September was ruled out because of potential for hot/extreme weather. “October is “Breast Cancer Awareness” month and multiple events take place throughout Las Vegas, and many of the committee members are involved in those events. “Thus, March was the logical choice – the participating agencies did not have any major events scheduled for this month, and as discussions were held, the committee members’/agencies’ Continued on next page

Do fingerprints on the demand letter belong to former Executive Director? schedules could best accommodate Continued from previous page end of March. Additionally, sponsors wanted the event to launch something in Spring, to have folks come downtown who normally wouldn’t participate. The “Walk ’n’ Roll” event involves ﬁve community organizations: ActionRed, The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, Community Outreach Medical Center, Sin Sity Sisters, and Public Pedal Bicycle Collective. Olson explained these

The message is: We’re out for ourselves, so get in our way if you dare. We’ll eat up your budget in legal fees. Clients be damned. agencies are united in their commitment in the ﬁght against AIDS and advocacy for the dignity and equality of life for people affected and effected by HIV/ AIDS. In the February interview, we reported: NB: Is AFAN doing anything to mend fences with other organizations? Carrillo: Of course. I am now the face of AFAN. I have to get to know what we do so that I can go and be with the other organizations and talk to them, because I never had any problems with any other organization. And the idea is, “Look, you can agree or disagree, but we still have to provide services to clients.” I have already talked to several people. We know this can only be bad for so long. You can’t just continue running an organization that’s just having the most horrible experience because the clients don’t Continued on page 24

AFAN’s Demand to Cease and Desist, obtained by the Night Beat and shown at left and above, seeks to stop a fundraiser to benefit five community HIV/AIDS organizations. Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 21

Anitques & Collectibles

Bar/Nightclub

Your quick guide to products and services from gay-friendly purveyors. For advertising information, call the Night Beat at (702) 369-8441.

Is AFAN trying to limit client services at other organizations or harassing Olson? Continued from page 21 want to come to an organization like this when they hear all this shit in the press. They don’t want to come here. AFAN’s actions do not send the message that the organization wants to work with caring, committed organizations in the community. The message is: We’re out for ourselves, so get in our way if you dare. We’ll eat up your budget in legal fees. Clients be damned. The “Demand to Cease and Desist” reminds us that AFAN still has a lawsuit against Olson. It reminds us they sought to prevent Olson from obtaining COBRA insurance coverage when he was ﬁred from AFAN. The “Demand to Cease and Desist” begs the question, “Is

Testing is FREE! Mondays & Thursdays at the GLBT Center The Southern Nevada Health District has extended hours for free testing at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada Mondays and Thursdays except holidays, The clinic will be open from 1 to 6 p.m., offering rapid HIV testing (same day results), syphilis blood draws, urinebased gonorrhea and chlamydia screening and Twinrix (Hepatitis A and B) vaccinations.

24 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

AFAN harassing Olson?” It reminds us of the tactics used when Jennifer Morss was AFAN’s Executive Director. In fact, it would seem to have Morss’ ﬁngerprints all over it. Morss is no longer the ED, but is still at AFAN, as a “subcontractor”. We can’t help but wonder what other pots her ﬁngers are in, what other strings she’s pulling at AFAN. During the interview, Carrillo was repeatedly pressed to give a timeframe for Morss’ involvement with AFAN to end. The response was “probably six months”. We also wonder if AFAN has issued a “Demand to Cease and Desist” letter to the American Diabetes Association’s “Tour de Cure” which is happening on April 14, the day before AFAN’s Walk. The “Tour de Cure” is a fundraising bike ride to Lake Mead. We must acknowledge an improvement in client services at AFAN. Carrillo has made positive changes in that area. However, we must ask when AFAN will return to being the good community member it was before Morss’ reign? When will they start working with other organizations instead of against them? When will they begin to put the HIV/AIDS community before their petty grievances with other organizations?

Bar/Nightclub Real Estate Wigs

Plumbing

Photo Specialties Web Services

Clothing / Toys

Bar/Nightclub

Your quick guide to products and services from gay-friendly purveyors. For advertising information, call the Night Beat at (702) 369-8441.

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 25

Review Journal chosen to receive ACLU’s Emilie Wanderer Award The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada has announced that the team of reporters, editors, photographers and others who produced the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s ﬁvepart investigative series, “Deadly Force: When Las Vegas Police Shoot, and Kill,” has been chosen as this year’s Emilie Wanderer Civil Libertarian of the Year award recipients. The ACLU of Nevada will present the award to Review-Journal representatives at its Tenth Annual Celebration of Civil Liberties on Friday, April 27, to be held at The Barrymore restaurant at The Royal House hotel, 99 Convention Center Drive, Las Vegas. The series’ primary reporters/writers were Staff Writers Lawrence Mower and Brian Haynes, and Special Correspondent Alan Maimon. Principal Photographer

was John Locher, Photography Editor was Mark Damon, and Videographer was Justin Yurkanin. The Project Editor was James G. Wright, and the Assistant Managing Editor for Special Projects was Charlie Waters. Others who worked on the series included: Ched Whitney, presentation; Mark Antonuccio, Carly Brockinton, Pam Killinsworth, Melissa DeFrank, and David Stroud, graphics; Michael

Symes, principal copy editor; Brian Gaw and Jerry Henkel, researchers; Tonya Carpenter, Shane Gammon, and Mark Antonuccio, web and database design; Kerry Woodall and William Raley, database programming; Charles Zobell, managing editor; and Michael Hengel, editor. “This project is simply

Testing is FREE! Mondays & Thursdays at the GLBT Center The Southern Nevada Health District has extended hours for free testing at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada to include Mondays and Thursdays except holidays, The Health District Clinic will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The District offers rapid HIV testing (same day results), syphilis blood draws, urine-based gonorrhea and chlamydia screening and Twinrix (Hepatitis A and B) vaccinations.

The Center 953 E. Sahara Avenue, Suite B-25

(702) 733-9800 26 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

unprecedented in Nevada and is nationally outstanding,” said Dane S. Claussen, Executive Director of the ACLU of Nevada. “The ReviewJournal’s series was not only highly informative and timely for the public and local government officials, but was of tremendous help to the ACLU of Nevada as it prepared its petition to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting a patterns/practices investigation of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The Review-Journal also continues to regularly publish new stories that followup on that investigative series.” The Board of Directors of the ACLU of Nevada also acknowledged the Review-Journal’s comprehensive coverage of changes in the Clark County Coroner’s Inquest process (and efforts by opponents of the revised process to reverse those changes) — an issue in which the ACLU of Nevada has been deeply involved for many years — and the substantial attention given on an ongoing basis to constitutional rights by the ReviewJournal’s editorial writers and columnists, as well as by many of its op-ed contributors and syndicated columnists. “The ACLU of Nevada does not always agree with the Review-Journal’s positions on every civil rights and civil liberties issue, but the Review-Journal’s extensive, thoughtful, and continuing attention to the federal and state constitutions is highly unusual among U.S. metropolitan daily newspapers,” said Claussen, himself a former newspaper editor and publisher, and a former journalism professor. The Civil Libertarian of the Year award is given to individuals who have significantly contributed to the protection and advancement of civil liberties in Nevada. It is named in honor of Emilie Wanderer, one of Las Vegas’s first female attorneys and a long-time civil rights advocate. More information about Emilie Wanderer is available at: http://www. onlinenevada.org/emilie_wanderer. Starting this year, the ACLU of Nevada is holding its annual event in the spring rather than in the fall. The 2011 event was Friday, Sept. 30, and honored Clark County Commission Chris Giunchigliani with the Wanderer award.

Grandma overwhelmed; Best friend needs loving home Hi my name is Darren and I desperately need a forever home..... My mom and I came all the way from Illinois. We moved to California, the land of opportunity, only to find there was no room for me. Mom is struggling like everyone else trying to find a job and was only able find a very small place to share with a friend. My grandparents, here in Vegas, offered to take care of me while my mom gets on her feet but now grandpa is in the hospital in ICU and things aren’t looking so good. My grandma is just overwhelmed with everything and really can’t handle taking care of me since she’s all on her own right now and a little older. We’re not sure if grandpa will ever be coming home and things aren’t looking so good for my mom either jobwise. Meanwhile, no one seems to have a place or time for me. I’m a very sweet and loving boy. I’m about to have my 2nd birthday in April and really don’t want to spend it at the pound, I’m scared of going there (poor grandma doesn’t know what else to do with me). I’m a Blue Tic/Koon Hound mix, although I’m not trained yet I just know I could be a good hunting dog or just a great family protector. They say I’m very smart and just need someone to take the time to show me more stuff. I mostly hang out in the yard since I’m a country dog but of course I’d love to come inside and become an indoor boy if that’s what you’re looking for. I have all my shots and my grandma

will give you all my records if you want them. Oh I’m ﬁxed and about 50 pounds. Won’t you please give me a chance for a

happy life? If you’re interested please contact my grandma Ella at Elvis4eternity@aol.com.

Darren Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 27

HRC, TWO Condemn appointment of NOM’s Robert George In late March, House Speaker John Boehner appointed Robert George, cofounder and chairman emeritus of the National Organization for Marriage, to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom, which, according to the Commission’s chairman, addresses “the challenges of religious extremism, intolerance, and repression throughout the world.” The appointment was on the same day the Human Rights Campaign released previously sealed documents detailing how NOM is pursuing a divisive, intolerant, and racially-charged strategy to stop marriage equality in the United States. “For the Speaker to appoint someone who embodies NOM’s deep

seated anti-gay animus is the wrong victims,” said Truth Wins Out Executive thing to do,” said HRC President Joe Director Wayne Besen. “It is farcical Solmonese. “This appointment is counter that a man who has dedicated his life to the Commission’s stated mission to curtailing liberties and limiting the because George represents a narrow and freedoms of those who hold different exclusionary ideology. beliefs would Unfortunately, Rep. be named to a ‘… the group engages in Boehner has further commission that disrespectful and unsavory aligned himself with oversees liberty.” race-baiting tactics …’ the extremist wing of According his party.” to TWO, George Truth Wins Out pointed out the co-authored the Federal Marriage two-year appointment comes with a Amendment in 2001, which would have taxpayer-funded federal salary. written discrimination into the U.S. “The appointment of Robert George Constitution. And in 2004, he helped makes it clear that this commission is draft another discriminatory amendment the equivalent of a kangaroo court with to ban same-sex marriage. He wrote the the goal of casting the victimizers as the “Manhattan Declaration,” a 4,700-word document denouncing not just samesex marriage, but civil unions or any relationship recognition measure. George is an anti-LGBT extremist who once described being gay as “beneath the dignity of human beings as free and rational creatures” and said that committed same-sex relationships have “no intelligible basis in them for the norms of monogamy, exclusivity, and the pledge of permanence.” The organization that he co-founded, the National Organization for Marriage, is the nation’s foremost opponent of marriage equality, fighting to preserve the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on the federal level and pushing constitutional marriage discrimination amendments in the states. George’s National Organization for Marriage was disgraced earlier this week when internal documents revealed that the group engages in disrespectful and unsavory race-baiting tactics in its fight against marriage equality. The confidential memos asserted that NOM’s strategic goal is to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks” and “make opposition to gay marriage an identity marker” among young Latinos, “a badge of youth rebellion to conformist association to the bad side of ‘Anglo’ culture” and “a symbol of resistance to inappropriate assimilation.” “By appointing an extremist like Robert George, Speaker Boehner is again using taxpayer funds to further an aggressively anti-gay social agenda,” said John Becker, TWO’s Director of Communications. “But his stunt may ultimately backfire with Latino voters, given George’s demonization of LGBT people and his group’s appalling use of racial politics.” 28 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

information. Karaoke 9 pm to 1 am at the Eagle

Night Planner

Wednesdays:

Shows, Events, Happenings

Slot Tournament at Eagle, Noon. Wise Womyn meet at The Center, noon to 1 pm. For more information call 733-9800. Wednesday Karaoke with Wil 9 pm till 1 am at Goodtimes. Underwear Night at Eagle 10 pm to 3 am.

Thursdays: Fridays: Lunch Bunch at Eagle at noon with Andy. The L Group – Lesbian night at The Center, 7 p.m. Lesbian Movie Nights, Wine Tasting Nights, Game Nights, Potlucks, Guest Speakers. Trans.lation, a social group for transgender people and their loved ones, meets at The Center at 5:30 pm. Men’s Naked Yoga at 7:30 pm at Erotic Heritage Museum. Visit MensNakedYoga.com for more information. Underwear Night at Eagle 10 pm to 3 am. Friday, MEN of Escape, 10 pm till 2 am at Escape. Friday Vaquero Night 10 pm till 2 am at Goodtimes. Underwear Night at Spotlight, midnight to 3 am. “Naked Boys Singing” the Off-Broadway sensation, live at Onyx Theatre. 10 pm. OnyxTheatre.com for details and reservations. “Flaunt Friday” amateur go-go contest (every 1st Friday) hosted by Ginger Grant, Midnight till 2 am at Escape. Compete for $500 in cash and prizes.

Saturdays: Underwear Night at Spotlight, Midnight to 3 am. “Naked Boys Singing” the Off-Broadway sensation, live at Onyx Theatre. 10 pm. OnyxTheatre.com for details and reservations. Saturday Men of Escape, 10 pm till 2 am at Escape. Saturday Noches Caliente. Drag show, 10 pm till 3am at Goodtimes. Towel Night at Eagle. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Onyx Theatre 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11 pm. Presented by Divine Decadence. Visit www.OnyxTheatre.com for more information.

Midnight Pool Tournament at Eagle.

Sundays: Lunch Bunch at Eagle at noon with Andy. Eagle’s free slot tournament at noon Men’s Naked Yoga at 11:30 am at Erotic Heritage Museum. Visit MensNakedYoga.com for more information. Alcoholics Anonymous - Stag Meeting at The Center, Sundays @ 11 am also Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays @ 6:30 pm. Naked Boys Singing! at 2 pm at Onyx Theatre. Miss Kitty’s T-Dance at Fun Hog Ranch, 5 pm. Dart Tournament at the Eagle w/ Brett, 7 pm “Miss Frankie Unplugged!” show at Badlands, 9 pm. Sunday, Karaoke with Shelia 9 pm till 1am at Escape.

Mondays: Free HIV Testing at The Center, 1 to 6 pm. Free Hepatitis A & B immunizations at The Center, 1 to 6 pm Young Lesbians meet at The Center, 5 pm. “Pigs on Broadway” shows at Fun Hog Ranch, 8 pm. Dart Tournament at Snick’s Place. $6 buyin, winner take all. Free slot tournament at Eagle, 8 pm. Improv Vegas Sketch Comedy every Monday at 8 pm at Onyx Theatre. Monday “Top Drag” contest at Goodtimes. Compete for $300 in cash and prizes, weekly winners move on to battle it out for $750 every 5th week.

Tuesdays: ‘Rent’ at Green Valley Ranch to benefit Golden Rainbow. 702-384-2899 for tickets. 8 pm. Bisexual Women’s Chat, 6 pm at The Center. Karaoke at the LV Eagle, 10 pm. Trendy Tuesday by Sin City Q Socials, visit SinCityQSocials.com for more

Free HIV Testing at The Center, 1 to 6 pm. Free Hepatitis A & B immunizations at The Center, 1 to 6 pm Shuffleboard Tournament at Snick’s Place, 7 pm. Karaoke at Eagle, 10 pm. Men of Escape, 10 pm till 2 am; FlamBOYance (show) 11 pm. at Escape.

March 30 through April 2 The Garage celebrates their 1st anniversary. See ad on page 11 for complete details.

Saturday, March 31 Walk ‘n’ Roll 4 HIV/AIDS, Downtown Las Vegas. See pages 16 and 17 for details.

Tuesday, April 3 International Billiards Assoc. registration and tournament at the Garage, 8 pm

Wednesday, April 4 Prime Timers’ Texas Casino Buffet at 11:30 a.m.

April 5 through 8 Desert Brotherhood hosts Smokeout at Alexis Park.

April 5 through 29 Quantum Visits art exhibit at Sin city Gallery. See page 12 for details.

Saturday, April 7 SmokeOut Play Party at Hawks Gym, 11 pm. Desert Brotherhood MC meet and ride with bikers and leathermen attending “Smokeout 2012”. Meet at 9 am. For additional information: www.DBMC-LV.com, or email Desrtbrotherhood@aol.com.

Tuesday, April 10 Prime Timers’ dinner at Hash House-AGo-Go, 6800 W. Sahara at 6:30 p.m. International Billiards Assoc. registration and tournament at Charlies, play begins at 8 pm

Continued on next page Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 29

Night Planner Shows, Events, Happenings Wednesday, April 11 Lambda Lunch Meeting with speaker Shari Farkas “Roadmap for Sustainability” at Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant in Commercial Center at 11:30 am. $15 inclusive.

Thursday, April 12 SNAPI’s “What’s in Your Basket” party, 9 pm at The Garage.

Saturday, April 14 Prime Timers’ Eureka Casino Breakfast at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, April 17 International Billiards Assoc. registration and tournament at Escape, play begins at 8 pm

Thursday, April 19 Prime Timers’ Sam’s Town Casino Buffet at noon.

Saturday, April 21 Imperial Court fundraiser “Minute to Win it”, 8 pm at The garage. Las Vegas CumUnion Party at Hawks Gym, 10 pm to 6 am.

Sunday, April 22 Grease Monkeys Softball Fundraiser, 3:30 to 8 at The Garage.

Tuesday, April 24 Prime Timers’ Monthly Meeting & Potluck at LGBT Center at 4 p.m. International Billiards Assoc. registration and tournament at the Eagle, play begins at 8 pm

Wednesday, April 25 Prime Timers’ meet at Eagle Lounge, 6 to 8 p.m.

April 27 through 29 Dinah Shore weekend in Las Vegas. The full Dinah Shore Weekend 2012 schedule of events, performers, ticket and hotel information and VIP travel package options at www. dinahshoreweekend.com.

Friday, April 27 ACLU’s Tenth Annual Celebration of Civil Liberties at the Royal House hotel, 99 Convention Center Drive at 6 pm. For tickets, visit www.aclunv.org/event/ 2012celebration.

Saturday, April 28 Desert Brotherhood MC run to annual

30 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

“Laughlin River Run”. Meet at 8 am. For additional information: www.DBMC-LV.com, or email Desrtbrotherhood@aol.com. Prime Timers’ Eureka Casino Breakfast at 10 a.m. International Billiards Assoc. captains’ meeting and beginning of season tournament: at the Escape at 5 pm.

May 6 through 10 Prime Timers Wstern Regional Gathering. Visit www.LasVegasPrimeTimers.com for details.

Sunday, May 6 Desert Brotherhood MC run to Dante’s View, Bad Water, Death Valley, CA. Meet at 9 am. For additional information: www.DBMC-LV.com, or email Desrtbrotherhood@aol.com.

Wednesday, May 9 Prime Timers’ Charity Variety Show at Alexis Park, 8:30 pm. visit www. LasVegasPrimeTimers.com for details.

Sunday, May 20 Desert Brotherhood MC run to Indian Springs, Lee Canyon, Mount Charleston. Meet at 9 am. For additional information: www.DBMC-LV.com, or email Desrtbrotherhood@aol.com.

Sunday, June 3 Desert Brotherhood MC run to Caliente, Cathedral Gorge, St. George, UT. Meet at 9 am. For additional information: www.DBMC-LV.com, or email Desrtbrotherhood@aol.com.

Sunday, June 24 Desert Brotherhood MC run to Lake Mead scenic drive to Overton. Meet at 9 am. For additional information: www.DBMC-LV.com, or email Desrtbrotherhood@aol.com.

Friday, June 29 From Broadway to Hollywood, Celebrating Songs of the Stage and Screen to benefit The Center. Onyx Theatre at 6 pm.

Sunday, July 15 Desert Brotherhood MC run to Mountain Springs, Tecopa, Pahrump. Meet at 9 am.

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 31

Southern Poverty Law Center expands list of anti-gay hate groups The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) released an expanded list of antigay hate groups last month as a part of a wide-ranging report on the state of hate groups across America. The report found an alarming increase of nearly 60 percent in the number of active anti-gay hate groups between 2010 and 2011. Organizations joining the ranks of SPLC-certiﬁed hate groups include Mission America, founded by Linda Harvey, whom Truth Wins Out has dubbed “the most homophobic woman in America;” Public Advocate of the United States, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia and headed by Eugene Delgaudio, whose anti-LGBT bigotry is so extreme that he refers to the Student Non-Discrimination Act - which would protect LGBT students against bullying and discrimination in public schools - as the “Homosexual Classrooms Act;” and Minnesota’s notorious You Can Run, But You Cannot Hide ministry, fronted by radically anti-gay pastor Bradlee Dean, a hair-metal rocker who travels to public schools across the

country delivering vitriolic “faith-based” anti-gay lectures to teenagers. “We commend the Southern Poverty Law Center for so vigilantly monitoring anti-LGBT hate in America,” said TWO Executive Director Wayne Besen. “Truth Wins Out also congratulates the eleven extremist organizations newly added to the list of officially-certified hate groups, because we know all too well how hard each of them has worked to earn this dubious designation.” The latest edition of the SPLC’s Intelligence Report also contains an authoritative article detailing the hate and misinformation coming from the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), an “ex-gay” junk science group. This group is headed by radical extremist Joseph Nicolosi, whose theories on sexual orientation are so bizarre that he actually believes Bozo the Clown can turn people gay. NARTH has become the primary source for the faulty research and scientific distortions used by the religious right to justify

‘Friends don’t let friends use pink balls’ At a campaign event at a bowling alley in Wisconsin on March 28, GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum told a boy who reached for a pink bowling ball: “You’re not gonna use the pink ball. We’re not gonna let you do that. Not on camera.” Santorum went on to say “Friends don’t let friends use pink balls.” The comments were tweeted by Reuters reporter Sam Youngman. “This is another example of Rick Santorum intentionally making ignorant statements that have a real impact on LGBT people,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “Whether he’s comparing our marriages to inanimate objects, saying our children would be better off with a parent in prison as opposed to two loving same-sex parents, or calling open military service a ‘tragic social experiment;’ he’s proven that he thinks LGBT people are second-class citizens not worthy of dignity or respect. In this case, he’s advancing tired gender norms by implying a boy should be ashamed or embarrassed to use a certain color bowling ball.” Santorum’s anti-LGBT record speaks for itself: in addition to his frequent and vitriolic remarks about issues like marriage equality or LGBT families, he consistently voted against workplace protections while serving in the U.S. Senate, and was an early and vocal supporter of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. “Kids have enough to worry about,” added Sainz. “They don’t need Rick Santorum telling them that using a pink bowling ball is a bad thing.”

FREE TESTING

Mondays & Thursdays at GLBT Center On Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 6 pm, The Southern Nevada Health District offers rapid HIV testing (same day results), syphilis blood draws, urinebased gonorrhea and chlamydia screening and Twinrix (Hepatitis A and B) vaccinations.

The Center

953 E. Sahara Avenue # B-25 (702) 733-9800 32 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

their continued opposition to LGBT equality at a time when public opinion is swinging dramatically in the other direction. TWO’s Besen told the SPLC’s Ryan Lenz, “There’s no other play in the playbook except going back to the fire and brimstone.” The inclusion of Bradlee Dean’s You Can Run, But You Cannot Hide International as an anti-LGBT hate group is notable because of the close ties between Dean, his organization, and Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Before Dean dumped the notoriously anti-gay former presidential candidate for allegedly “going to the left,” she famously prayed for Dean’s traveling youth ministry to “multiply ten-fold,” helped the group raise funds, and made a guest appearance on Dean’s television show. Both Dean and Bachmann -- whose husband’s Christian counseling clinic was busted for offering “pray away the gay” therapy last year by a Truth Wins Out hidden-camera investigation -- are outspoken supporters of a proposed amendment that would write marriage discrimination into the Minnesota state constitution. “Minnesotans should take special note of the SPLC’s newly-expanded list,” said John Becker, TWO’s Director of Communications and Development, who went undercover at Bachmann & Associates last year. “Virulently antiLGBT extremist groups like the one led by Bradlee Dean will never be satisfied with simply excluding loving same-sex couples from marriage. These hate groups won’t stop until LGBT people are beaten back into second-class status in every aspect of society.” So-called “ex-gay” organizations have been at the forefront of the push for marriage discrimination in Minnesota, as documented in a recent report by Andy Birkey of the Minnesota Independent. Exodus International, the nation’s largest “ex-gay” umbrella group, has also decided to weigh in this summer, bringing its annual conference to St. Paul from June 27-30 - at exactly the same time that the debate over the proposed anti-gay amendment is expected to reach a fever pitch. “This is no coincidence,” said TWO’s Becker. “Truth Wins Out plans to be on the ground in Minnesota during Exodus’s road show, and we look forward to collaborating with local and state organizations to fight back against ‘ex-gay’ lies.”

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

BUY # SELL # TRADE # RENT SERVICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS FORMER MORMONS: The Las Vegas Post-Mormon Community is a nonsectarian organization of former Mormons. The Las Vegas chapter meets for dinner and socializing the ﬁrst Sunday of every month at 5 p.m. at a local restaurant. For more information, visit www.PostMormon.com/lasvegas or email Sin CityMormon@gmail.com. GAY SQUARE DANCING.- The Reel Rebels welcomes all experienced dancers, locals or visitors, to join us on Wednesday nights at 7:30 for mainstream and plus square dancing. Contact Ed for the location at 702-898-0922. LAS VEGAS MEN’S CHORUS - Rehearsals 7 pm - 9 pm at Community Lutheran Church. New members welcome. For Information, LVMensChorus.org or 594-3393. GAY MEN’S OUTREACH GROUP Designed to promote self-discovery through personal exploration with other like-minded men, in a safe, informal environment. We meet in the library of the GLBT Center every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 PM. The group is open to all gay and bisexual men. For more information contact Nick at nicktanc@cox.net. LAS VEGAS SUNRUNNERS. The only male nudist group in Las Vegas. We host several nudists events a month. To ﬁnd out more, call Sunrunner at 363-6862. ONYX THEATER – Las Vegas’ newest venue, a state-of-the-art, 96 seat facility is available for private parties, live performances. Call The Rack at 732-7225 for information. SINCITYQSOCIALS --You are invited to join us for our Trendy Tuesdays Martini Mixers, a free event to meet other gay men in the community in a non-traditional social setting. We meet weekly at a different ultra-lounge in the Valley. Check us out more on-line: www. sincityqsocials.com. POR AMOUR COUPLES: Pot luck club, Last Saturday of the month. Call (702) 733-9990. JEWISH GAY AND LESBIAN FRIENDSHIP GROUP -- The Jewish Community Center(JCC) of So.NV has formed a group for Jewish gays & lesbians to come together for socials, theater, happy hours, sporting events and more . We meet 6:30 p.m., second Thursday of each month at JCC 9001 Hillpointe Rd on the campus of Temple Sinai. 702-794-0090 ext.115, or Facebook group “Friends of Dorit”, or www.jccsn.org.

SPECIAL PORTRAITS & Photo novelties of you and yours in the privacy of your home . . . Photography Plus, 646-1583. WISE WOMYN Meet every Wednesday at noon at The Gay & Lesbian Community Center in Commercial Center. For more info call 369-4380. TRANSITIONS - A support group for anyone experiencing changes due to the sexual orientation of spouse, partner, parent. Every Friday at 5:30 p.m. Community Counseling Center or call 369-8700. GAY SCIENCE FICTION CLUB: CLUB: For information call (702) 733-9990. Leave message. SENIOR GAY MEN - singles or couples. Prime Timers is an organization for gay senior men and their admirers. Weekly events plus an annual national gathering here in Las Vegas in May. Meets at Gay & Lesbian Community Center, #B31, Commercial Center, 953 E. Sahara Ave. (for activities schedule call 702553-5713, e-mail - LVjupiter@cox.net) LEATHER UNIFORM CLUB OF LAS VEGAS holds a general meeting at 8 p.m. at The GLBT Center in Commercial Center on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Anyone involved, interested in or just curious about leather, uniforms, rubber, or a fetish, are welcome to attend. We are a pan sexual group and welcome everyone no matter what level you think you are at. There is a monthly Fetish and Friendship Dinner held at the Black Bear Diner on Tropicana and Jones on the 1st Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 pm. For further information WWW.LUCofLV.COM or call 702558-2223 Leather Addictions, leave a message if closed or ask for a LUC of LV member

an accessible by car only location. Call Mark at 702-255-3980. VEGAS BISEXUALS is a small online community much like Facebook, yet private. To join (there is no cost), e-mail: vegasbisexuals@gmail.com. We also meet monthly for dinner at Winchell’s Pub & Grill at 199 E. Warm Springs, LV 89119 every 4th Thursday, 7 till 10 p.m. Bring a friend if you wish. We hope to see you there! THE INDEPENDENT BILLIARD LEAGUE of Las Vegas is a new billiard league. During the regular playing season, league play will take place on Tuesday evenings at various bars. Visit www.IBL-LasVegas.com for more information.

EMPLOYMNENT HELP WANTED – clean appearance, good people skills. Pre-employment drug testing is mandatory. Hourly wage, generous beneﬁts after 90 days, friendly working environment. Apply in person at Hawks Gym & Spa, northeast corner of Commercial Center.

FOR SALE STACKED WASHER & DRYER: Perfect for apartment or condo. Gently used washer & dryer, $350; Electric stove, $200; Refrigerator, $250. All are white, all electric. Call (702) 5017182.

BUSINESS SERVICES CHUCK VANAGE - HOME AND BUSINESS CLEANING - Commercial and Residential Maintenance and Cleaning. Licensed / Insured / Estimates - * * * 355-4887 * * *

FREE PETS I NEED A HOME: Small, all black, male Chihuahua, probably 1 ½ years old, looking for a loving home. Had three brothers and sisters killed in trafﬁc. He’s lonesome, alone and cries at night. If you can give him a loving home, call (702) 501-7182.

ROOMMATES/RENTALS

HOW DO YOU MEET great people in Las Vegas? Nevada Outdoors. A great way to meet people outside of the bar area; hiking, camping, swimming, boating, jet skiing, snow skiing, 4x4-runs, volleyball games, holiday and theme parties and other fun events. Check the website at www.NevadaOutdoors.org, e-mail us at info@NevadaOutdoors.org or call Glenn at 702-860-7110 for more information.

ROOMMATE WANTED: SE, Eastern and Harmon, room for rent in fabulous immaculate large 3 bedroom home/ beautiful landscaped gated community with 6 pools and tennis court. Fully furnished with own patio and adjacent bath, $400/month plus share of utilities. Owner a professional gay male and lives most of year in London. Prefer no pets and minimum 6-12 months. 702-436-1437. 2 BDRM FOR RENT: Available in April. Like a garden home, has small, private backyard. Near Charleston and Maryland. $550 per month. New carpets, vinyl and paint. Call (702) 501-7182.

GAY CLASSICAL MUSIC GROUP of Las Vegas. Serious listeners and enjoyers of classical music welcome. We meet in

Continued on next page

SENIOR SOCIAL CONNECTION Meets at Gay & Lesbian Community Center, #B31, Commercial Center, 953 E. Sahara Ave. (for activities schedule call 702-553-5713, e-mail - LVjupiter@cox.net)

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 33

ACLU of NV: Trayvon Martin killing a horrendous act Dane S. Claussen, ACLU of Nevada reflect on how they can make a difference or others from serious injury or death. Executive Director, issued the following to civil rights and civil liberties abuses In other words, neither trespassing statement on the killing of Treyvon here in our home state. There are civil nor subjective fear, alone or together, Martin rights violations in Nevada’s prisons, are sufficient to justify such a fatal The Trayvon Martin killing was a jails, schools, and the public streets every shooting on a fence or in a backyard. horrendous act that is a grim reminder day. Earlier this week, a Summerlin As a result of the Trayvon of the continued racism of so many homeowner apparently shot and killed Martin killing, Florida is poised to American citizens, and the vigilante a probably unarmed intruder in his reconsider the so-called “stand your mentality of a small percentage of backyard. That incident is still under ground” legislation that evidently Americans who own guns, whether they investigation. But it serves to illustrate inspired George Zimmerman to take are in law enforcement, the military, or that while the common law right for a life. Nevada’s 2011 Legislature also private citizens. The way in which the citizens to protect themselves and their passed a similar law [Assembly Bill investigation and other follow-up of the property is extensive and has been well 321] codifying the so-called “Castle killing by the Sanford, Florida, police developed and well understood for Doctrine.” Therefore, we, as Nevadans, department demonstrate racial bias and hundreds of years, it is not unlimited. must also be vigilant in examining the official incompetence. The Trayvon In Nevada, reasonable force in such elements of our legal environment that Martin shooting requires a more reliable situations is justified only when the action foster such a shocking disrespect for a investigation, Sanford police and city must be taken to protect one’s one life young man’s life. officials must be held accountable for how this incident has been handled so far, and George Zimmerman should be appropriately charged after the Continued from previous page PERSONALS – L.V. completion of that more reliable investigation. MEN SEEKING MEN HOMES FOR SALE At the ACLU of Nevada, our staff PRE-MLS, FORECLOSED homes available. WM, 56, 6’, 200 LBS., HIV neg. seeks GWM, and board has been following all of the Houses have been foreclosed, some cleaning top, 30 – 50, HIV neg, under 200 lbs., (height events of the Trayvon Martin killing and and painting has been done. These houses and weight proportionate). Tops only, please its aftermath with deep concern. We also require a Buyer Brokerage Agreement call. 702-558-8386. know that these events have received before being shown. If you’re having trouble WM, 56, submissive, looking for 45-75 for adult substantial attention from Nevada’s finding a house and you’re not working fun. 330-7955. with another agent, call me. Rob Schlegel, news media and Nevadans generally. WM 50s, ISO fun loving guys. Black/White/ Realtor, Elite Realty, (702) 813-6214 or email The ACLU of Nevada supports the work foreign, discreet under 45. Bi/closet/new OK. JustPeople@cox.net. of our colleagues at the American Civil 478-0803. Liberties Union of Florida, other civil SECOND CHANCE FINANCING for those who HIV POSITIVE NOT IN TREATMENT? If you rights organizations and leaders, and the have short sales or foreclosures. Currently, 30 are HIV positive and just moved into town general public in responding to this event. year fixed at 8.99% or 15 year fixed at 8.5%. or dropped out of treatment? I can help! All As a former journalist myself, I You can be eligible the day after your short matters are kept confidential. Call Marco at commend widespread attention provided sale is recorded. Your credit score will be Community Counseling Center of Southern by U.S. news media to the outrageous considered at the level you had before you Nevada 702 369-8700 ext. 278. death of a young African-American stopped paying on your former house. This VIH POSITIVO NO ESTAS EN man, and the resulting calls for action by program is not for people with bad credit prior TRATAMIENTO? Nuevo en Las Vegas? officials and average citizens. U.S. news to entering their short sale period. Requires Yo te puedo ayudar! Si estas VIH media typically give extensive national 20% down. Refinance in a few years with Positivo y no estas recibiendo trato medico? coverage to local, isolated crimes, only no pre-payment penalty. Call Rob Schlegel, Llamame! No estas solo! Marco Flores when they are outrageous and occur to Community Counseling Center of Southern Realtor, Elite Realty, (702) 813-6214 or email white citizens, particularly those who Nevada 702 369-8700 278. JustPeople@cox.net. are young, physically attractive, female, and from the middle class or wealthy segments of the population. Such coverage is, in fact, highly predictable, including claims by neighbors or Personal and roommate ads are $12 for the first 20 words and 25¢ relatives such as “things like this aren’t supposed to happen here,” as if deaths, per word over 20. All other ads are $20 for the first 20 words and kidnappings, rapes, or major injuries are $1.00 per word over 20. E-mail ads to LVNightBeat@aol.com, or supposed to happen somewhere else, or anywhere at all. mail them to 1140 Almond Tree Lane, Suite 304; Las Vegas, NV The terrible events in Sanford, Fla., 89104-3233. are a wake-up call to all Americans and demand that we all seek opportunities to alter our environments for the better. Sorry, we do not accept ads from incarcerated individuals. I urge Nevadans to take this moment to 34 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Classiﬁed Advertising Rates

Welcome cigar Daddies for SmokeOut Last month I wrote about one of the attendees at the Red Dress event: “Who was that slutty guy at the Sisters’ Red Dress event who was wearing a slinky, shiny red dress and red Christmas tinsel? There was no underwear beneath the dress and we got an eyeful.” Well I found out who that slut was when I received this email: Greetings Wilhemina, I just got my copy of Vegas Night Beat. I was reading your column and realized that you were talking about me and Patty. I can’t believe this. In your column you asked “Who was that slutty guy at the Sisters’ Red Dress event”. I think you saw me and my slut. He was

in a red dress and on a leash held by a black man. I am the black man holding the leash. The hubby as you stated in your column. My slut’s name is Patty and my name is Ed. I am glad that you said in your column that we were supporting the cause. That is what we were doing. We did not go there wanting to show off like that. I knew his dress was tight but I did not know it had split. Patty took me to the restroom and told me about it. That is when we left. It really bothered me because I was having a good time. I wanted to be provocative but not vulgar. Patty likes that stuff. I want to admit to you that Patty is a tranny and has been dressing for a long time. I am a man who has just recently

decided to come out of the closet after my wife died this past summer. Don’t get me wrong she knew I am gay. I was out to my wife. Any help or advice you can give will be appreciated. I now want to live who I am. Patty, you keep being your slutty self. And if your dress splits, that’s just what God intended, and don’t let anyone tell you different, girl! —•— Congratulations to The Garage as the staff and management celebrates their first anniversary on March 30 through April 2. The Night Beat will just be getting delivered around town as they’re whooping it up. —•— Early April is the time when those cigar smokin’ Daddies and their boys converge on Vegas once again. They’ll be smokin’ them big ol’ cigars at SmokeOut, headquartered at the Alexis Park. Hundreds of them! They’ll be headin’ over to the Eagle for underwear Night on Wednesday and Friday, April 4 and 6. If they’re wearin’ their SmokeOut wrist band they can get a raffle ticket. Eagle’s givin’ away a box of cigars each night. Thinkin’ about the Eagle’s Underwear night, a couple of months ago I mentioned how they’re getting some really fine men in their underwear. Now those guys are coming from out of town. The March winner of the centerfold contest was Kevin Farmer, aka Vontezz. Brett tells me he’s 22 years old and came here from Palmdale, CA. Check him out in their centerfold ad. And don’t let your spittle get all over the pages of this fine magazine. —•— La Cage is back at the Riviera, if you didn’t already know that. Let’s support Continued on next page

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 35

The Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich at The Grill gets my endorsement & I’ll pretend I like Mike Continued from previous page the show that Strip Las Vegas Magazine calls “The best female impersonator show in the world”. And it’s easier now that ever before when you cut out the coupon in their ad. That’ll save you 20 bucks when you go see that show. Why do you think I just told you not to dribble all over the pages? Those girls are cheap, but they’re not giving it away! So save some money and clip that coupon. While you’re there, be sure to stop by the La Cage Store where you’ll ﬁnd all kinds of good memorabilia. —•— I’m so glad Kenny Kerr is recovering nicely. His little hospital stay had a lot of us worried. The Internet was buzzing with concern. He’s living here in Las Vegas now, and we’re hoping to see more of him.. —•— Prime Timers aren’t letting the grass grow under their feet. In addition to their western Region Gathering coming up in early May, and the Variety Show fundraiser (see page 6), it seems like they have regular events planned a couple of days each week. The Grill inside the Eureka Casino

on Sahara Avenue at Sixth Street used to be a popular late night stopping off place for a bite to eat on the way home from the Commercial Center clubs. (Gotta sop up all those cocktails before heading home!) Then they started closing in the wee hours and we found other places to go. Well Lonesome Mike has taken over The Grill and the Prime Timers have discovered that Mike has started a brunch – he calls it breakfast – on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It goes from 8 to 2. (So it’s really brunch.) Now the Prime Timers have started going there as a group twice a month. (I happen to know a couple of them are there every Saturday.) They also make a pretty mean half pound burger, and my friends will tell you I’m rather picky about Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwiches. You’ll be pleased to know the Philly’s at The Grill pass the test. Now Lonesome Mike really wants to ﬁnd some friends, but he’s not on Facebook. He thinks twittering is what birds do. Hell, he can’t ﬁgure out how to use his telephone. Is it any wonder he’s lonely? When you go into The Grill at the

36 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

Dominick needs hot young studs to do community service Eureka casino, at least pretend you like Mike and he’ll give you 10% off. He’s easy. And he’s desperate for folks to like him. So “friend” him in person and he’ll be so happy. —•— With all the violations of civil liberties happening these days – especially that Neighborhood Watch guy in Florida, and Metro’s woes with a few gun happy cops, we all need to be supporting the American Civil Liberties Union. And you can help by attending their annual fundraiser. The big night for the Tenth Celebration of Civil Liberties is Friday, April 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. Join me as we enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, an open beer and wine bar, and a silent auction at the new Las Vegas hot spot, the Barrymore restaurant in the boutique Royal House hotel on Convention Center Drive. The Barrymore is the chic new restaurant from awardwinning chef Anthony Meidenbauer and Billy Richardson and has been named one of Las Vegas’s best new attractions. The price is a little steep -- $150 per person – but ﬁghting for your civil rights isn’t cheap. It takes some bucks to keep all those attorneys working for us. (That’s you and me!) —•— Dominick at Snick’s Place is planning to do some fundraising for the Saint Therese HIV/AIDS Outreach Center. How does a Saturday afternoon car wash sound? Starting on Cinco de Mayo, there’s gonna be a car wash every Saturday during the Summer. Problem is, he doesn’t have anyone to wash cars. If you know any naught young men who want to do some community service, Dominick – and Saint Therese Center – could use some volunteers. It would be wonderful if they looked scrumptious in Speedos. And if they owned some Speedos. Anyway, Dominick will be charging $10. That goes to Saint Therese Center. The young men who help out get to keep their tips. Come on guys, is there a better way to help a great HIV/AIDS service organization while getting an almost all over tan? Just a few hours will help. And if Dominick doesn’t get enough help, He’s gonna want me there working. And

believe me, you don’t want me running around in Speedos! —•—

Enough for this month. Remember, if you haven’t anything good to say about anyone, email me. LVNightBeat@aol.

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 37

Las Vegas Prime Timers Present their 1 Annual Fundraising st

charityVa riety show You pick the organization for your charity proceeds

Wednesday Night, May 9, 2012 – 8:30 p.m.

Jerry Halliday

Irene Soderberg

Las Vegas Mens Chorus

Alexis Park Resort Hotel – Apollo Ballroom 375 E. Harmon, Las Vegas, Nevada (Harmon near Paradise across from Hard Rock Hotel) - www.alexispark.com

Tickets: $30 per person – (advance sales available) General public invited – Adult content – must be 18 and older Net proceeds to benefit charitable LGBT organizations Internet to

- www.LasVegasPrimeTimers.com – for details

click on “Charity Variety Show” – email: LVprimeTimers@cox.net 38 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 39

NOM’s malodorous methods fan the flames of hate Opinion By Wayne Besen

leaders, Brian Brown and Maggie Gallagher, opportunistically focus on politics and forget that real people are This week, the courts allowed the harmed by their efforts to shame and Human Rights Campaign to unlock an stigmatize gay and lesbian families. At a explosive cache of secret records from minimum, their parasitic plans raise the the National Organization for Marriage temperature and tensions between diverse (NOM). What they revealed is that there groups, and at worst, it is a recipe for is no gutter too filthy, no swamp too potential violence. slimy, and no cesspool too sickening for African Americans were not the only the oleaginous leaders of NOM to slither group used like expendable plastic cups into, in their offensive efforts to stop at a picnic. Latino youth were targeted in same-sex couples from marrying. one memo, with NOM vowing to exploit This historic data dump was a them to foment intolerance against the smoking gun that revealed NOM’s LGBT community: breathtaking cynicism, predatory . . . by searching for these leaders behavior, and ignoble character. The across national boundaries we group’s diabolical efforts included pitting will assemble a community of next minorities against each other to create generation Latino leaders that deep suspicion and intense hostility. Hispanics and other According to one next generation memo: elites in this country The strategic ‘NOM is a virulently can aspire to be like. goal of this (As “ethnic rebels” project is to homophobic hate such spokespeople drive a wedge will also have an group that facilely between gays appeal across racial and blacks - two exploits Jesus to lines, especially key Democratic to young urbans constituencies,” justify its malodorous in America)...Our one of the methods.’ ultimate goal is to memos bluntly make opposition says. “Find, to gay marriage equip, energize an identity marker, and connect a badge of youth rebellion to African American spokespeople conformist association to the bad for marriage; develop a media side of “Anglo” culture. campaign around their objections And from a 2009 report to its board to gay marriage as a civil right; of directors, marked “confidential:” provoke the gay marriage base into The Latino vote in America is a responding by denouncing these key swing vote, and will be so even spokesmen and women as bigots. No more so [sic] in the future, both politician wants to take up and push because of demographic growth and an issue that splits the base of his inherent uncertainty: Will the process party. Fanning the hostility raised in of assimilation to the dominant the wake of Prop 8 is key to raising Anglo culture lead Hispanics to the costs of pushing gay marriage to abandon traditional family values? its advocates. . . find attractive young We must interrupt this process of black Democrats to challenge white assimilation by making support for gay marriage advocates electorally. marriage a key badge of Latino Instead of working to bring identity - a symbol of resistance to Americans together, the goal of NOM inappropriate assimilation. is to sow the seeds of mistrust and tear Given what we now know, young different groups apart. Instead of harmony, minorities that embrace NOM should not they promote acrimony. Forget the great feel cool, but instead should realize that American melting pot, NOM simply stirs they are tools that are doing the bidding the pot of bitterness and division. of a few overpaid white zealots with an The memos show that NOM’s 42 $ April 2012 $ Las Vegas Night Beat

Wayne Besen insincere political agenda cooked up in a banal Washington conference room. This is not truly about reﬂecting black or Latino culture, but promulgating a wicked culture of corruption where the lies of scheming lobbyists are slickly packaged and cunningly sold to voters. NOM’s deceptively sunny mask has been ripped off and the dripping, bloody fangs are now visible. The tepid “liberal” media and the public can no longer credibly remain in denial about Gallagher and Brown’s Machiavellian motives. This group is not merely about protecting traditional marriage, as they falsely claim. NOM is a virulently homophobic hate group that facilely exploits Jesus to justify its malodorous methods. Indeed, the NOM’s mean-spirited anti-gay campaigns helped lead Louis Marinelli, the former organizer of the group’s bus tour, to leave NOM in 2011. “We have to stop seeing things in black and white all the time and that is, I’m afraid, what NOM does in terms of marriage,” Marinelli told blogger Jeremy Hooper. “The world isn’t black and white, it’s yellow, it’s green, it’s purple, it’s red, orange, it’s blue.” The damning memos are a piercing view into NOM’s corrosive mindset. If anything, we can ﬁnally move beyond the phony spin and get down to the substance of why this group disdains LGBT people so much that to “win” it rationalizes the use of subversive strategies that undermine our nation’s cohesion and core values. Wayne Besen is the author of Anything But Straight and the Founder of Truth Wins Out, an organization that counters anti-gay lies and the ex-gay myth. www.TruthWinsOut.org.

Las Vegas Night Beat $ April 2012 $ 43