May 2009
PUBLICATION INFORMATION Copyright © 2009 ACCESS in Northeast Iowa P.O. Box 2666 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2666 (319) 550-0957 www.ACCESSlineIOWA.com ACCESSline is a bimonthly publication by ACCESS (A Concerned Community for Education, Safer-sex and Support) in Northeast Iowa, a registered non-profit organization in the State of Iowa and a federal non-profit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code. Arthur Breur, Editor in Chief Aaron Stroschein, Assistant Editor Cory Tenney, Advertising Sales Joshua Dagon Brett Edward Stout Sharon Malheiro, One Iowa Lisa Schreihart (a.k.a IowaLisa) Q Syndicate Rex Wockner News Service All rights reserved. Original material printed in ACCESSline (with the exception of information from other sources) may be “lifted” for use in other publications so long as proper credit is given. Publication of the name, photograph or likeness of any person, business or organization in ACCESSline is not to be construed as any indication of sexual orientation. Opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ACCESSline, ACCESS or the gay and lesbian community. Letters to the editor may be published. We cannot be responsible for errors in advertising copy. We welcome the submission of original materials, including line drawings and cartoons, news stories, poems, essays. They should be clearly labeled with author/artist name, address, and phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters and other material for reasons of profanity, space, or clarity. Materials will not be returned. A writer’s guide is available for those wishing to submit original work. Advertising rates and deadlines are available at ACCESSlineIOWA.com. All ads must be approved by ACCESSline’s editorial board.
Section 1: News & Politics What’s Inside: Section 1: News & Politics US News.................................................4 World News ..........................................5 Gay Men Tortured in Iraq......................5 Interview with Miss California..............6 A Message from One Iowa....................7 Opinion & Commentary................... 7-9 Political IQ...............................................................7 Steve King, Creep of the Week..........................8 National Organization for Marriage................9 Health & HIV/AIDS News............ 10-11 Joshua Dagon.......................................12
Section 2: Community Look Before You Leap.........................25 Chef deJon............................................26 Ask Auntie Emm..................................27
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Comics............................................28, 29 Hemming and Hawing........................28 Q Crossword........................................28
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Morals & Values: The Evolution of a Sacrament....30 Out of Town: Hawaii.............................31
SScontinued from page 1
Music Reviews......................................32
Tipping Point
DVD Review.........................................32
that’s how I think that it should be: between a man and a woman. Thank you.” In reality, Americans can choose same-sex marriage only in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and, starting Sept. 1, Vermont. One would think Miss California might remember that tiny little battle over Proposition 8, but whatever. Prejean, who came in first runnerup, later said, “At that moment after I’d answered the question, I knew that I was not going to win because of my answer.” Subsequent reporting revealed she apparently is right about that, which suggests that having “correct” gay positions has become more important than many of us might have assumed. Yet, in a video blog, Hilton later opined: “She lost not because she doesn't believe in gay marriage. Miss California lost because she's a dumb bitch. OK? ... If that girl would have won Miss USA, I would have gone up onstage — I shit you not — I would have gone up onstage, snatched that tiara off her head and run out the door.” The boy does have a way with words.
Business Directory/Resource List......33
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“Fun Guide” Theater Ads Civic Theater of Greater Des Moines Bar Ads Studio 13, Iowa City Kings & Queens,Waterloo Private Men’s Clubs Hole-in-the-Wall Spa Deep Inside Hollywood.......................13 IowaLisa’s List......................................13 Cocktail Chatter..................................15 The Outfield: Sherry McGregor.........21 WEDDING SERVICES AND RESOURCES................. 16-18 New Wedding Service Advertisers....16 Featured:Tip Top Cakes......................16
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Yet later, Hilton told MSNBC, “I called her the b-word and, hey, I was thinking the c-word, and I didn’t say it.” One does not often hear “the c-word,” even called just “the c-word,” on MSNBC. At any rate, Hilton appears to believe there is a way for a Miss USA contestant to oppose gay marriage -- but that would be some way other than the way Prejean did it. All of this resulted in so many media stories that Google News probably had to add server capacity. But the interesting question, actually, is: Was this a gay tipping point? All Prejean did — albeit not particularly articulately — was say that she believes marriage is between a man and a woman. Fifty-two percent of California voters think that, too. Or at least they did as of last Nov. 4. But then there was Iowa. And Vermont. And 8 million media stories and TV things. The bottom line, I guess: If Miss USA can't dis the gays and get away with it, then there probably now are many, many arenas in which one can't dis the gays and get away with it. If that's true, a “tipping point” is probably exactly what we observed, and the orgy of media coverage may have been (sigh) warranted.