Lavender Magazine 748 by Lavender Magazine

CONTENTS ISSUE 748 January 25-February 7, 2024

Sports & Outdoors Issue 16 2024 LGBTQ+ Sports Directory 18 The Journey Of An LGBTQ+ Baseball Player 22 A New Era of Women’s Hockey Begins with The PWHL 24 Ripple Effect Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association 26 An Ally On Ice: The Minnesota Wild’s Jon Merrill 28 Enjoy the Great Outdoors at West Forty RV Park and Campground 31 “Seeing The Forest For The Trees” - Outwoods Considers Its Role in an Ever-Changing Community

OUR LAVENDER

8 From the Editor 9 A Word in Edgewise

OUR SCENE

10 Travel: Springfield, MO 14 Pride Journeys: Hawai‘i

OUR RESOURCES

32 Community Connection 33 The Network

ON THE COVER

Solomon Bates. Photo courtesy of the Sioux City Explorers 22: Photo courtesy of the PWHL, 14: Photo by Joey Amato, 26: Photos by Minnesota Wild/Bruce Kluckhohn, 31: Photo by Dan M. Vega.

LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Roya Moltaji, CFP®, ChFC®, CASL , CAP® TM

Senior Financial Planner, Financial Services Representative

EDITORIAL Relational Financial Planning

Call Roya today at

952-769-2126 WWW.ROYAMOLTAJI.COM

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2013 Quorum Business Leader of the Year 100 S 5th St, Suite 2300, Minneapolis MN 55402 rmoltaji@financialguide.com DREAM • VISION • PLAN

Volume 29, Issue 748 • January 25-February 7, 2024

Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. Roya, LLC is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC, or its affiliated companies.

Managing Editor Randy Stern 612-461-8723 Editorial Assistant Linda Raines 612-436-4660 Editor Emeritus Ethan Boatner Editorial Associate George Holdgrafer Contributors Lakey Bridge, Buer Carlie, Emi Gacaj, Terrance Griep, Elise Maren, Jen Peebles-Hampton, Linda Raines, Gabrielle Reeder, Alexander Reed, Madison Roth, Jamez L. Smith, Susan Swavely, Carla Waldemar, Todd P. Walker

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ADMINISTRATION Publisher Lavender Media, Inc. President & CEO Stephen Rocheford 612-436-4665 Chief Financial Officer Doug Starkebaum 612-436-4664 Administrative Assistant Michael Winikoff 612-436-4660 Distribution Metro Periodical Partners 612-281-3249 Founders George Holdgrafer, Stephen Rocheford Inspiration Steven W. Anderson (1954-1994), Timothy J. Lee (1968-2002), Russell Berg (1957-2005), Kathryn Rocheford (1914-2006), Jonathan Halverson (1974-2010), Adam Houghtaling (1984-2012), Walker Pearce (1946-2013), Tim Campbell (1939-2015), John Townsend (1959-2019) Letters are subject to editing for grammar, punctuation, space, and libel. They should be no more than 300 words. Letters must include name, address, and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Priority will be given to letters that refer to material previously published in Lavender Magazine. Submit letters to Lavender Magazine, Letters to the Editor, 5100 Eden Ave, Suite 107, Edina, MN 55436 or e-mail editor@lavendermagazine.com. For our Privacy Policy, go to LavenderMagazine.com/resources/ privacy-policy

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OUR LAVENDER | FROM THE EDITOR

Sports and Much, Much More! BY RANDY STERN

This time of year, we publish our annual Sports issue. And, here we are… Unlike previous years that we publish an edition with this theme, you may have noticed that this issue has more than just sports. This year, we added outdoor activities to the mix. Why did we expand this issue to include outdoor activities? It is all because of you. As a community, we love to let the world know how active we are year-round. This goes beyond gym workouts and running down the street. We love to do more. Whether it is Nordic skiing, hiking, camping, and even more extreme outdoors sports, we’re doing it! To that point, we also love to participate in our community’s sporting activities. From pickleball and bowling to ice hockey and softball, we’re doing it! And we love doing it! Doing is what drives us to connect with our fellow LGBTQ+ people. We want to be active, involved, and engaged. We want to connect with people who are like minded that enjoy the same activities. That is how you build community. Photo by Minnesota Wild/Bruce Kluckhohn

LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

That includes our allies. We constantly remind ourselves that in order for us to be a community, we embrace those who support us from the outside. That is why we gravitate to a select number of athletes who speak up for us in places where we are not present. I have said this in these pages – and outside of them – that we’re a very well-rounded culture and community. So much so that we’re everyAnother way to build community is to enjoy activities together from the stands. I mentioned before that we love see ourselves in the stands, as well as down on the field of play. Or, court… ice…etc. Even though there are many of us

where. Whether it’s on the ice, in the gym, on the hiking trail or in the stands, we’re everywhere you want to be. This issue covers all of it. I wished we had space for more…

would rather not admit it, we’re sports fans, too.

There are so many stories to tell. That is what

We also want inspiration to live our best lives.

informs my work at Lavender. And, yes, we want

That is why we look at people in our commu-

to tell those stories – the ones that have not been

nity who have emerged in professional sports

told.

that are amongst us. We become fans of those

So, sit back and give this issue a good read.

athletes who fly our flag while performing at the

Then, get inspired! Get out there with your fel-

best level.

low LGBTQ+ folks and participate. Or, spectate. 

OUR LAVENDER | A WORD IN EDGEWISE

Friendship, Friendship, Just A Perfect Friendship BY E.B. BOATNER

Friendships range from the sublime of legend’s Damon and Pythias “I’d die for you,” to the less so, as Billy Dannreuther in Beat the Devil, stood boldly up to their captor declaring, “Fat Gut’s my best friend, and I will not betray him cheaply.” Most all of us have had memorable friendships, yet even so, haven’t there been times, a few … perhaps more than a few… when those same dear souls have been … irritating?… aggravating?… and all over the least little thing… Yasmina Reza’s ‘ART’ introduces a trio; pals for fifteen years. The single set is spare with the same few sticks of furniture; only the painting on a back wall indicates a change of venue. Objects are static, but emotions are volatile as the three enter a pasde-trois around a canvas; a Rorschach test whose twenty square feet take on emotional dimensions more on the scale of Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The rift begins with a small thing, as titanic things are wont to do. Note the single quotes around ‘ART’; plenty of heat is about to be generated, but has little to do with actual brushes, oils, or felt-tip pens. Sans quotes, you’d be left with Subtexts. Serge has just bought a painting. It’s

… White, or nearly so, bisected by a few whitish streaks. He’s about to ignite the tinder. Serge has invited Marc over to see this painting he’s been coveting for months. He pops offstage, brings it in and sets it up. Marc is underwhelmed; “Expensive?” his first reaction, and their exchange caroms downhill, until Marc delivers his final judgment, “It’s shit. I’m sorry.” Throughout, the characters speak directly to each other, or step aside and soliloquize to the audience. Marc and Serge each take a moment to air their feelings. Marc next visits Yvan to confer about Serge’s action and his own his feelings. “Has he gone crazy?” exclaims Yvan after Marc reveals the purchase price. But then rounds with a conciliatory, “All the same…” … “If it makes him happy…he can afford it.” Marc is further incensed, accusing, “You don’t understand the seriousness of it.” Aside, he shares, “Yvan’s a very tolerant guy, which of course when it comes to relationships is the worst thing. “ Birds of prey, Marc and Serge peck and tear, words sharp, witty, and painful, as Yvan flutters about the scrimmage trying to effect peace. A brief

melee, then all three become embroiled, personalities, faults and flaws revealed; Yvan’s fiancée and his spinelessness, “You’re marrying a gorgon,” “You’re an amoeba;” Marc’s “Condescension” and “Contempt,” and Serge’s pretensions as a “Collector” and “Great connoisseur.” Reza’s dialog is brisk, hilarious and spot-on. Even as one is thinking, “Oh, really…why don’t they just–’’ one is encountering nagging flashbacks of personal scenes– past, perhaps ongoing–lingering in the brain’s crenellations. Mercifully, Reza’s wounding words cleave swift and clean, sure in their accuracy that laughter dispels the bite of the blade. It’s a one-act performance, better absorbed in one gulp, not ingested in bits and pieces of quotes and bon mots. All those are woven seamlessly into the fabric of the script, until underlying motives surface, having first been stirred to a high froth coalescing into a delectably digestible meringue. ‘ART’ will delight, unnerve, and entertain at the Guthrie through January 28. Do go, and take a friend–or two! 

Photo by Dan Norman LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM

OUR SCENE | TRAVEL

Get Your Fix… BY CARLA WALDEMAR

…. Yup, you know where! On Route 66, of course. And get it in Springfield, Missouri—the hometown buckle on the belt that connects Chicago and L.A. Here, in a city that masquerades as a homey, small town, the route is marshalled by frozen-in-time motels and vintage diners as it streaks through town. Pull over at the Route 66 Car Museum, launched by collector Guy Mace in 2016 to showcase the 70 cars he’s amassed to fuel his passion, ranging from that first fancy acquisition, a 1954 Jaguar, followed by more Jags, two Rolls Royces and a slick 1948 Hudson, on down to the humble truck filmed in “Grapes of Wrath.” But—surprise!—the town’s most-visited attraction stars a far different form of transportation: boats. It’s Bass Pro Shop. This fishermen’s mecca was launched right here in 1970 by Johnny Morris, a dedicated angler who couldn’t find himself any good tackle. The original shop—just a shelf in his liquor store—is displayed today, along with the first aquarium, configured from an old gas storage tank. Today the shop connects with Morris’ mega-adventureland called Wonders of Wildlife, an expansive natural history museum-cum-aquarium. Journey through exhibits starting with Native Americans’ ways of life, where you’ll meet a buffalo, thanks to taxidermy, as you make your way to Teddy Roosevelt’s cabin in replica, a wall of antlers, a sheep mountain, penguin cove, African hall, and more-more-more, all painstakingly displayed in sweeping dioramas.

Take a break on-site at Hemingway’s Café to nibble on bison meatloaf, country-fried steak or smoked duck poppers. Or grab a bar stool to toast Ernest while watching fish float past the back bar’s see-through window to a giant fish tank. Then wander through the aquarium’s rainforest, pat the stingray if you dare, and peek at the penguins. Springfield is a showcases for local art, too, starting with a sweet shop called Artists’ Collective, wherein fabricators offer sensuous silk scarves, colorful ceramics, shining glassworks and polished wood carvings (love the walking sticks!). If you’re in town for the city’s First Friday Art Walks, award yourself extra points. On any day of the month, it’s rewarding to head to the Commercial Street neighborhood to do the C-Street stroll. Check out the art vibe—mu-

(Top to Bottom) Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, C-Street in Springfield. Photos by Carla Waldemar

10 LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Continued on page 12

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OUR SCENE | TRAVEL

rals to metal sculptures to sidewalk mosaics—that punctuate the six-block area’s retinue of indie shops, cafes and coffeehouses. As a bonus, explore Springfield’s Art Museum, which shines a spotlight on American art since the 1800s. Wander the sculpture garden, too. Live theater as an artform is alive and well in Springfield, too. Downtown’s Landers Theatre of 1909 is home to Springfield Little Theatre, where we caught a polished holiday performance of “Elf the Musical.” The following evening, the Springfield Contemporary Theatre troupe ambitiously performed “Treasure Island” in the Gillioz Theatre of 1926, where upcoming shows include “Rock of Ages” and August Wilson’s “Fences.” Best of all: on its campus, Missouri State U’s theater department’s ebullient, top-notch staging of “9 to 5 The Musical.” Dolly Parton, its creator, would be proud. Not to worry: Springfield doesn’t neglect that most important artform—dining. Settle in amid the dark wood and warm lighting at Black Sheep for your choice of stylish burgers and—a first for me—a flight of

fries, including Parmesan, truffle and sea salt renditions. Van Gogh’s, on C Street, salutes Dutch cooking (think savory pancakes, satays and my choice, a giant platter of cured meats and cheeses) in a cheery, casual setting). Gailey’s is clearly a town favorite for breakfasts. This former drugstore now features morning musts such as the Ozark Benedict, built upon whopping biscuits smothered in cream gravy. Drost’s serves as the poster child for a classic small-town diner. Grab a booth or stool, then insist on a bowl of the kitchen’s snappy homemade tomato soup. Big Momma’s does morning coffee up proud on C Street; add a breakfast burrito or homemade scones and consider your morning off to a good start. Then, for the ultimate Ozarks experience, head to Lambert’s, for 80 years “home of the throwed roll.” Yes, that’s how they’re served, so bring your catcher’s mitt. The menu runs from hearty ribs to homey meatloaf. Plus all-you-can-eat sides, from okra to home-fried potatoes. For a grand finale, head to downtown’s centerpiece roundabout, anchored by a theater, library and the city’s history museum to round out your stay. Top it off with a visit to Martha’s Vineyard, downtown’s gay nightclub, featuring karaoke evenings, Ru-Paul’s Drag Race watching parties and more. To plan your stay, visit www.springfieldmo.org. 

(Top to Bottom) Lambert's Cafe is famous for its "throwed rolls," homemade tomato soup and sandwich at Drost's Diner, Big Momma's Coffee & Espresso Bar is a neighborhood favorite on Commerical Street.

LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

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OUR SCENE | PRIDE JOURNEYS

Hawai’i BY JOEY AMATO

In 1987, I visited the island of Hawai‘i for the very first time. My mother and I decided to join other family members on the vacation of a lifetime. Hawai’i had always been my mother’s dream vacation, so she was eager to go. Being seven years old at the time, I don’t remember much about that trip with a few exceptions. One notably was having to wrap a hula skirt around my neck because I was too short for it to go around my waist. 36 years later, I finally had the opportunity to travel back to the island of Hawai‘i. This time, I asked my boyfriend Dylan if he would like to join. As a travel journalist, I get to experience so many wonderful things but often I don’t have anyone to share them with, so I was excited to share these moments with someone. It was Dylan’s first time visiting the island of Hawai‘i and his longest trip to date. A bit tired from traveling nearly 12 hours, we began our journey in Kailua-Kona at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort. The beachfront property is centrally located to almost all of Kona’s beautiful attractions and was also home to the annual Kona Pride festival, which was headlined this year by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Anetra and Jessica Wild. After a quick power nap, we headed out for our first excursion, an evening swim with manta rays organized by Anelakai Adventures. A small Photos by Joey Amato

LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

group of 8 of us paddled about 10 minutes off the coast to an area known for its abundance of manta rays. Although sightings aren’t guaranteed, the team had heard the chances of seeing some rays were pretty good that day. Sure enough, as we anchored down and jumped into the warm Hawai‘i water, we looked down and saw over half a dozen manta rays swimming under our boat. For nearly an hour, we watched these gentle giants play in the water. What I enjoyed most about this tour was the fact that we had to paddle to the site rather than take a motorized boat, adding to the authentic experience. This will definitely go on my top 10 list of most memorable experiences. The next morning, we woke up early and drove to Pu‘ukohola- Heiau National Historic Site. Pu‘ukohola- Heiau NHS is open all year round and shares the history of the beginning stages of the Hawaiian Kingdom. A socio-political hierarchy, deeply rooted in spiritual beliefs developed in Hawai‘i. This rigidly ordered class system gave power to a small number of ali‘i nui (high chiefs) who controlled different parts of an island, a whole island, or several islands. Alliances through bloodlines and marriage further complicated and enhanced the relationships among rival chiefs. The site became a National Historic Site on August 17, 1972. Back at the hotel, Kona Pride was in full swing. Dozens of vendors lined the lu‘au grounds of our hotel, while entertainers performed on the main stage to a crowd of thousands. Although Kona Pride isn’t one of the largest pride events I’ve attended, the setting is the most unique. Where else can you celebrate LGBTQ culture while standing on sacred grounds adjacent to the ocean? In addition to the festival itself, Kona Pride offers festival goers a variety of activities throughout the weekend including Pride Yoga, Drag Brunch, Tea Dance, and a Pride Pool Party. If you are looking for a more relaxing experience, rent a kayak from Kona Boys and paddle around the ocean for a few hours. The company offers standard kayak rentals, guided tours, paddle boards, snorkeling equipment as well as surfboards if you are more adventurous. To get a glimpse into Hawaiian (and Polynesian) cultures, I recommend getting tickets to the Island Breeze Lu‘au. It is also conveniently located on the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort grounds. The lu‘au begins with the Royal Court arriving on stage and mo’‘olelo storytelling.

Guests can feast on a variety of cuisine ranging from locally caught fish and poke to kãlua pork. The court will teach guests the art of hula dancing before they begin their ceremonial dances from different parts of the world. The dinner culminates in a breathtaking traditional fire dance. Of course, one can’t visit the island of Hawai‘i without tasting some of their world-renowned coffee. We visited Ueshima Coffee Company where we were able to roast our own beans and create a unique coffee as well as learn the process creating the perfect roast. Big Island Coffee Roasters in Hilo offered us a wonderful 11-course coffee tasting of a wide variety of beverages including a delicious affogato that almost tasted like a creamsicle. At Kona Pride, we met a local gay couple who owned a farm not too far from our hotel, so we decided to visit Tony and Louie the following afternoon. They graciously welcomed us into their home and toured us around their farm, where they not only grow coffee, but a variety of fruit as well as cacao. On the way to Hilo, we visited Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The entry fee to the park is a bit steep at $30, but it gives you access for a few days so be sure to keep your receipt. The park encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kilauea and Maunaloa – and is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the next few hours, we explored Kilauea, hiking around the edge of the volcano which had been erupting a few days prior to our visit. For dinner that evening, we dined at The Rim,

a wonderful restaurant overlooking the volcano. We shared a few appetizers including lobster crab cakes, edamame, and a tuna poke stack. Everything was delicious and the service was wonderful. I would definitely come back to this restaurant on my next visit. For the next stop on our Hawai‘i holiday, we drove to Hilo, located on the island’s east coast. After checking in to SCP Hilo, we drove to the downtown area which contains dozens of quaint boutiques and restaurants. It was here that we had more encounters with the locals and embraced their ‘ohana (family) mentality. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming to the point where Dylan and I were ready to relocate to Hilo. The Hilo Airport offers inter-island flights to Honolulu International Airport so travel to and from the city is pretty simple. Hilo contains a few black sand beaches that are free and accessible to the public. As relaxing as Kona was, Hilo has an even more relaxed and holistic vibe. I felt like I was among the locals more so than in Kona. The next morning we drove a few minutes to Wailuku River State Park, home to Waianuenue (Rainbow) Falls, an 80 foot waterfall located just a few minutes outside of downtown Hilo. It was crazy to see a natural wonder located that close to the city. During our visit, we were just 2 or 3 people at the site. We passed a few more people on the trail leading to the top of the falls, but it was great to visit without any crowds. We then stopped by Ken’s House of Pancakes for breakfast. The prices seemed a bit high at first, so we decided to split an omelet which came with a side of their famous pancakes. Luckily, we only ordered one item as the omelet was the largest I’ve ever seen. It was overflowing with a variety of vegetables and the pancakes came with three types of syrup: coconut, guava, and passion fruit. It was well worth the extra calories. As we drove back to Kona, I thought about all the experiences we had on the trip. One Hawai‘i experience that we had not seen yet was their picture-perfect postcard sunset. The sky that afternoon was pretty clear, and I thought to myself today will be the today and sure enough, it was. We pulled over to an overlook about 15-minutes north of Kona to a westward facing field of black volcanic rock that ran into the ocean and spent the next hour watching the sun sink over the horizon. It was the memory I was hoping to achieve before our departure from paradise. Enjoy the Journey! 

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OUR SCENE | SPORTS DODGEBALL

Stonewall Sports – Dodgeball Co-Ed, 21+ • All are welcome • Harold Mezile North Community YMCA, 1711 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55411 Twincities.dodgeball@stonewallsports.org Website: https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/stonewallsportstwincities/Dodgeball

FLAG FOOTBALL

Minnesota Gay Flag Football League (MNGFFL) Co-Ed • All are welcome • Falcon Heights Community Park, 2050 Roselawn Ave. W., Roseville, MN 55113 board@mngffl.com Website: www.mngffl.com

HOCKEY

2024 LGBTQ+ Sports Directory BY LINDA RAINES The Twin Cities metro is home to a remarkable number of athletes who identify as LGBTQ+ and Allies. The sports that they participate in are wide-ranging—basketball to broomball to bocce and more—and the teams are all welcoming and inclusive to new members as well as to spectators. Whether you want to join in as a member of a team or simply cheer on these athletes from the sidelines, here’s a listing of what is out there in our community sports scene and where to find out more details about the leagues.

BASKETBALL

Women’s Silver Fox Basketball League Women (age 40+) • Beginners welcome Website: www.ywcampls.org/leagues-and-rentals/ womens-basketball-leagues/

BOCCE

Stonewall Sports – Bocce Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies • Beginners welcome • Bottineau Field Park, 2000 2nd St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 Twincities.bocce@stonewallsports.org Website: https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/stonewallsportstwincities/Bocce

BOWLING

Twin Cities Pride Bowlers Co-Ed, All Ages Welcome • LGBTQ+ and Allies • AMF Southtown Lanes, Bloomington, MN tcpridebowlers@gmail.com Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ TCPrideBowlers/ Photo courtesy of BigStock/yurakrasil

LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Wednesday Rainbow League – Twin Cities Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies • Open & Diverse wednesdayrainbowleague@gmail.com Website: www.facebook.com/WednesdayRainbowLeague

BROOMBALL Minnesota’s Women’s Broomball Program Women, Non-binary Folx mnwomensbroomballprogram@gmail.com Website: www.facebook.com/MNWBP/

CORNHOLE Stonewall Sports – Cornhole Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies • 56 Brewing, 3055 NE Columbia Ave., Ste. 102, Minneapolis, MN 55418 Twincities.cornhole@stonewallsports.org Website: https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/stonewallsportstwincities/Cornhole

CYCLING Team Recess Women, FTWNB teamrecessmpls@gmail.com Website: www.teamrecessmpls.com Red Ribbon Ride Co-Ed • All experience levels welcome • 150+ mile ride to raise funds for HIV services in Minnesota • August 2024 (612) 822-7946 • ride@aliveness.org Website: https://aliveness.org/calendar-events/

Team Trans Twin Cities Hockey Open to Trans/Binary players of any skill level Website: www.facebook.com/ TeamTransTwinCities/?ref=page_internal • https://teamtranstc.org Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association LGBTQIA and Allies welcome Website: www.facebook.com/groups/tcqha • https://tcqha.org Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota Women, 18+ • All are welcome leagueadmin@whamhockey.org Website: www.whamhockey.org

KICKBALL

Stonewall Sports – Kickball Co-Ed, age 21+ • LGBTQ+ • Lake Nokomis Park, 4955 W. Lake Nokomis Pkwy., Minneapolis, MN 55417 Twincities.kickball@stonewallsports.org Website: https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/stonewallsportstwincities/Kickball

MOTORCYCLING

Dykes on Bikes MPLS Women drojasusa@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/dykesonbikesmpls Twin City Riders Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies Website: www.twincityriders.com

OUTDOOR RECREATION Outwoods Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ Website: www.outwoods.org

PICKLEBALL

Stonewall Sports – Pickleball Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies • Lucky Shots Pickleball Club, 3300 5th St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 Twincities.pickleball@stonewallsports.org Website: https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/stonewallsportstwincities/Pickleball

QUADBALL

Twin Cities Quadball Club Co-Ed • All are welcome • Diverse & Inclusive Website: www.facebook.com/twincitiesqc/ • www.twincitiesqc.com

RODEO

North Star Gay Rodeo Association Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies Dead Broke Arena, Hugo, MN Website: www.nsgra.org

Twin Cities Amazons FC Women • All experience levels welcome • Diverse & Inclusive info@amazonsrugby.org Website: www.amazonrugby.org

ROLLER DERBY

RUNNING/WALKING

Twin Cities Roller Derby Co-Ed • All are welcome Website: www.facebook.com/TwinCitiesRollerDerby/ Minnesota Roller Derby Women, Non-Binary, Gender Expansive people 18+ (320) 634-6674 • info@mnrollerderby.com Website: www.mnrollerderby.com North Star Roller Derby Women info@northstarrollerderby.com Website: www.northstarrollerderby.com

RUGBY

Mayhem RFC Men • LGBTQ+ and Allies • All experience levels welcome info@mayhemrugby.org Website: www.mayhemrugby.org Metropolis Rugby FC Men/Women • All ages/skill levels welcome • Diverse & Inclusive metropolisrugby@gmail.com Website: www.metropolisrugby.com

MSP Frontrunners Running, Walking • All fitness levels welcome Co-Ed • All inclusive info@mspfrontrunner.org Website: www.mspfrontrunners.org

SOCCER

TC Jacks Soccer Club Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies Website: www.tcjacks.org • www.facebook.com/ tcjacksmn Minnesota Gray Ducks Soccer Men’s, Co-Ed, Women’s • LGBTQ+ and Allies (651) 317-9262 • ryan@grayduckssoccer.com Website: www.grayducks.com

SOFTBALL

Northern Lights Women’s Softball League Women Nlwsl.mn@gmail.com Website: www.facebook.com/nlwsl.twincities Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League Co-Ed, LGBTQ+ and Allies • Diverse and Inclusive chris@tcgsl.org Website: https://tcgsl.sportngin.com

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TENNIS Stonewall Sports – Tennis Co-Ed • LGBTQ+ and Allies • InnerCity Tennis, Mpls (Fall/Winter/Spring) and Richfield High School, Richfield, MN (Summer) Twincities.tennis@stonewallsports.org Website: https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/stonewallsportstwincities/Tennis

VOLLEYBALL GLASS Volleyball Co-Ed • All skill levels welcome glassvball92@gmail.com Website: www.glassports.org Gray Ducks Sand and Indoor Volleyball Co-Ed, LGBTQ+ and Allies (651) 317-9262 Website: www.grayducks.com/volleyball • www.facebook.com/groups/270915676649128

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OUR SCENE | SPORTS

The Journey Of An

LGBTQ+ Baseball Player BY ELISE MAREN

A professional athlete’s journey can take some twists and turns. Especially when they are struggling with coming out as LGBTQ+. They have been few and far between. In the game of baseball, there had been quite a few. One of them is a player you might not have heard about. His name is Solomon Bates. Lavender Magazine had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Bates about his career and coming out journey. Bates pitched for the University of Southern California before getting drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. After being surprisingly released in 2022, he started for the Sioux City Explorers in the American Association of Professional Baseball. Later in this article, we will hear reflections from Bates about the unexpected professional transition regarding what he has learned and what his hopes are for the future. When asked about making tough career choices, Bates reminisced about a conversation with his mom where she asked, “Why do you always want to wait to see what other people want you to do? Why not do something for yourself? You can still advance your career while keeping your own interests in mind.” As far as allowing his public authenticity to expand from being a talented pitcher to being a role model for LGBTQ+ athletes, he began his coming out journey professionally by being open with teammates in the Giants organization prior to the pandemic. He felt significantly more welcome in that environment than when he came out in college. Thankfully, he had college teammates who advocated for his inclusion and helped him address his worries about policing his own behavior. He first came out publicly in a radio interview before he was released, but that did not garner as much attention as an Instagram post where he also came out after his release. It was then that Bates became nationally recognized as the first openly gay active minor league player since David Denson, recently followed by the coming out of Anderson Comás in 2023. Bates’ goals include being the first ever out player to make it to the major leagues, sustaining career success, and breaking strikeout records. He believes that being out has helped him play better, as he is more open about several aspects of who he Photo courtesy of the Sioux City Explorers

Continued on page 20 LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM

OUR SCENE | SPORTS all neighbors, even when it comes to watching sports. Becoming a fan favorite was invigorating and an honor. It was eye-opening to play for a team that has so many greats from the major league. Like, I had Eduardo Escobar (of the Los Angeles Angels) on my team last year. It was wild. I think I fangirled for half an hour when I first saw him. I had William Contreras (of the Milwaukee Brewers) as the catcher!” He enthusiastically learned a lot of tools from the major league players, especially his fellow pitchers. He values playing in front of MLB affiliated coaches and managers again to broaden his professional network and showcase his skills. While he is on the tail end of an elbow injury healing journey, he has remained in contact with managers about hopefully returning to Venezuela when he is back to full strength.

is as a player and person. He declared, “I’m no longer hiding or holding back anything. I think that’s the main reason I did it. I’m just gonna be myself and let my style and skill speak for what I do.” Since coming out, he has received some notes from young LGBTQ+ athletes whom he has inspired, which reaffirmed his mission to help fans see queer people for their skill rather than a label. When asked about perseverance from both personal and athletic standpoints, Bates stated that he likes to reframe any challenge as a small bump in the road, find a way to “keep his eye on the prize”, and come up with plans to address the challenge head on. In addition to being open about his queerness, he also identifies as a person of faith. It is a common misconception that faith and queerness do not align. Bates expressed, “I have faith in God but also it’s about having faith in my skills after not having that for so long. In a way, I feel like my unexpected career change last year was meant to happen because it helped me to take back my power and my confidence in my abilities.” He also reflected on mental hygiene in sports, “Patience is key: patience for learning the right tools to become the best you can be, patience to learn how to fight through obstacles, and using patience to rise to the challenge instead of expressing anger towards others. Anger is human and lots of men don’t know how to process it in a healthy way because men’s mental health is often neglected. It’s a vital skill.” Bates summarized his experience in Venezuela well. “Playing baseball in different parts of the world has shown me how people in countries like Venezuela are very generous in their support of (L to R) Photo provided by Solomon Bates; photo courtesy of the Sioux City Explorers.

20 LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

One of his favorite things about playing in Venezuela has been fan engagement. Bates reflected, “All the fans thoroughly enjoyed the games and wholeheartedly love the players who have a clear passion for the game of baseball. They continue to reinforce my drive to do this for the rest of my life. A few big-league clubs have given me looks recently, but I haven’t had any offers from domestic teams, and I have a desire to return to playing in the United States, optimally with the MLB.” Readers can follow along with Bates’ journey to make history by following him on Instagram @solomonbates to see where to watch him play. Bates would also like to shout out coach Dave Coggin for helping him to sculpt his pitching skill as well as friends and former Giants teammates Blake Sabol and Frankie Tostado. 

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OUR SCENE | SPORTS

A New Era of Women’s Hockey Begins with The PWHL BY MADISON ROTH

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) dropped the puck for its first game of its first official season on January 1, representing a new era in women’s hockey. The PWHL is composed of six teams: three from Canada and three from the United States, one of those U.S. teams being Minnesota. The new league was brought to life after the shutdown of the Premier Hockey Federation, previously known as the National Women’s Hockey League before 2021, due to the league being bought out by the Mark Walter Group and Billie Jean King Enterprises. There has been turmoil in the past with funding a professional women’s hockey league, but those who represent the Minnesota team have hopes for a bright future ahead in the sport they express extreme passion for. Natalie Darwitz, the general manager for the Minnesota team, upon being asked to take on the Photos courtesy of the PWHL

22 LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

position, said, “To be one of the first six GMs of the league and the first GM of Minnesota is quite an honor. My goal is to push this thing forward, grow the game even more and to give these players a tremendous opportunity and experience.” Darwitz added that the team has demonstrated a great dynamic on the ice as they prepare for their season. “We have a great group that come to the rink every day, hungry to get better, and they have each other’s backs,” Darwitz said. While not all players on the Minnesota team are former players for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Women’s hockey team, a good majority of players have represented the maroon and gold in the past. Darwitz said this creates trust between those players since they have familiarities within their backgrounds. Lee Stecklein, a starting defender and team leader for Minnesota, emphasized the strong connection between the players, especially those she has played with before. “It’s made it very familiar and comfortable despite starting something that is totally new,” Stecklein said. “You get the chance to play with people who you know really, really well.” On top of Minnesota players supporting each other, the PHWL itself is an all-inclusive and welcoming league, according to Darwitz. She added the league will learn more about how to improve this aspect as time goes on. To Stecklein, the opportunity to play on the Minnesota team was where she wanted to continue her professional career and knew immediately she wanted a spot on the team so she could honor those before her, along with paving the way for future women hockey players to come. “I think that women’s hockey has so much to offer,” Stecklein said. “I want people to keep playing, like I’ve been able to keep playing, so they can continue to improve.” Before a professional league was formed, women’s hockey was only broadcasted every four years during the Winter Olympics. Now, every year during the month of January, the PWHL will broadcast their games for the world to see.

“To see this through yearly now and to grow the game, I’m so excited for these players to put a great product on the ice,” Darwitz said. “It’s long overdue, and they deserve it.” “The more we can educate people and show them what we do on the ice, hopefully the more people continue to come watch us play,” Stecklein added. Darwitz and Stecklein both said that the start of this league has the potential to show the world that women should be able to play the sport they have a driving passion for as a career. “For all those little girls growing up that aren’t even figuring out where they want to go to college yet are able to have that dream to play in this league and have this league still be there when it’s their time, that’s my dream,” Stecklein said. Stecklein added she hopes people begin to realize hockey is a feasible career for women out of college with a steady income for those who want to dedicate their careers to the sport. Minnesota played their first game on January 3 against Boston, winning 3-2 with Taylor Heise, the first overall draft pick and former Minnesota Golden Gopher, scoring the opening goal for the team. Minnesota won their first home game on January 6 against Montreal, winning 3-0. The home opener saw 13,316 fans, which is the most to have ever attended a women’s hockey game in Minnesota. Currently, PWHL Minnesota is now 2-1 on the season. To see the Minnesota team play, fans can purchase tickets on the PWHL website for the opportunity to watch the team play at the Xcel Energy Center, home of the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild. Darwitz said she believes everything we do in life is to “pave the path forward,” which is also what she believes when it comes to every women’s hockey player in the past who made it possible for the PWHL to come to fruition. “For these players and the past players who didn’t have this opportunity to play professional hockey, this is for them,” Darwitz said. “This is a tremendous moment for the players to reap the rewards of those other players who planted the seeds way back when.” The PWHL has looked to the past and honored those before them while looking towards the future for those yet to come. With the first season underway, the PWHL represents a new era in women’s hockey. For more information of PWHL Minnesota, log on to: www.minnesota.thepwhl.com/en/

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OUR SCENE | SPORTS

Ripple Effect Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association BY BUER CARLIE

“We taught our children when you throw a rock in a pond, what happens? Ripples.” Dani Bennett-Danek says. She and her spouse Cam DanekBennett are explaining the ripple effect principle that drives not only the way they operate the Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association (TCQHA), but also their personal lives. The pair is cognizant about how their decisions create ripple effects, which leads them to act both decisively and compassionately with an eye to the future. Cam picks up where Dani left off, “With everything we do, we have that in mind. If we do this, how will it affect other people?” TCQHA is a beloved queer hockey league, in large part because of this guiding principle. The league not only gives people the opportunity to play a sport they love (or have always wanted to try) but provides an inclusive, supportive community both on and off the ice. “There is something about hockey that has a community and a bond,” says Cam, “It’s next level. It’s family.” Cam personally experienced this years ago. Their hockey team at the time helped them move and rebuild their life after a devastating breakup. Now they – along with Dani – strive to bring that same energy to TCQHA. “Right now, we have three trans players who are going through major surgery,” says Dani, “We always offer meals. We offer help being cared for after [the surgery]. I put an APB out in our chat…and [people help however they can].” Similarly, when Cam and Dani noticed that a player was struggling to hold his stick (he lost his fingers from bacterial meningitis when he was young) they asked him if he’d like to troubleshoot. Enlisting the help of another league member who has a 3D printer, the four of them worked collaboratively to cast and mold several different versions of a device that they’re calling “hockey hands”. Photos by Forrest Barclay

24 LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

In TCQHA “everyone is welcome” does not just mean that everyone is invited. It means being a part of a community that wants to support you as a player and a person, which is empowering both on the giving and receiving end of the support. Creating an environment of camaraderie that centers around love of the game instead of competition is another central focus of TCQHA. “Nobody gets to pick on somebody because they’re the worst player and bully them until they leave the team,” says Dani, “because then you just go after the next worst player and the next worst player.” She pauses, “Rule one is ‘Don’t be an asshole. Rule two, three, and four are ‘See rule one.’” This is not a toothless policy. It has not happened often, but occasionally a player is pulled aside to discuss behavior that negatively impacts the team. Offenders get the one warning to turn it around and, more often than not, they do. “We want to win but at the end of the day that is not the most important thing,” says Cam. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, the list goes on. “You just have to be big enough to hold your own,” says Dani, “We don’t want anything to be a barrier. Money, fear, locker rooms. So if you are struggling, let us know and we will figure something out.” For those who are interested in playing, the contact form on the TCQHA website is the best way to get connected with the team, which is linked below. The bulk of games are played at ice rinks in Minneapolis. TCQHA also gets ice time in Brooklyn Park and occasionally plays at the Xcel Energy Center as well. The team meets all year round and charges $12/skate during the summer and $17/skate during the winter, but if fees are ever an issue there is a scholarship fund (which you can donate to at the Venmo listed at the end of this article) to help get everyone on the ice. Some skaters even pay a little extra for ice time to keep everyone coming through difficult times. TCQHA accepts donations of used gear which is then provided for players. Needs vary widely. There are players who have outgrown their old gear, are new to the game (sixty out of their original 100 registrations had never played hockey before), or just can’t afford to purchase a full hockey kit in one go. To donate, you can reach out on that same contact form on the website. The team also hosts occasional Wild watch parties at EAGLE|MPLS, which is one of the team’s largest sponsors. This is a

great option for anyone who wants to plug into the community but does not want to play. The next is February 7th at 8:30 PM and again, everyone is welcome. Since its inception, TCQHA has allowed allies to be a part of the league. “We don’t gatekeep,” says Cam. This decision has occasionally received pushback, but after experiencing the slow exodus of players from a team they used to play on because it was not inclusive enough, the obvious choice is to err in the opposite direction.

“There’s so much hockey in Minnesota,” says Dani, “[Allies] don’t need to skate with us. These are allies who sit on DEI committees of General Mills and Medtronic. These are allies that marry us. These are allies whose children are transitioning and they’re trying to understand what that means.” “These are people who are good humans,” says Cam, “And that’s our one rule.” The ripple effect of TCQHA is as beautiful as it is vast. It has impacted countless players, offering not only a fun team to play with,

but also a supportive community that extends beyond the ice. I would encourage any of our readers to set another ripple in motion by joining the team for a watch party, joining the league, or supporting the people involved with a gear or monetary donation. You never know how far that one action will spread until you throw the stone and see where the ripples spread.  Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association www.tcqha.org Venmo: TCQHA (2365)

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An Ally On Ice The Minnesota Wild’s Jon Merrill BY RANDY STERN

After a year of skating around the LGBTQ+ fan base, it appears that we will still be welcomed at the Xcel Energy Center this season. The National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild will host their annual Pride Night on March 12 with the Arizona Coyotes coming into town to face off against the State of Hockey. At this point, there are no openly LGBTQ+ players in the league…yet. However, we do have allies. We always had. For the Wild, our ally is a Defenseman named Jon Merrill. He skates for our community – our fandom. The Oklahoma City native is playing in his 12th season in the NHL, 3rd with the Wild. He was signed as a free agent and is under contract until the 2024-25 season. Merrill was drafted in the second round – 38th overall – in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. At the time of the draft, he played on the United States Development Team, in which he won a Bronze in the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. Merrill also played at the University of Michigan for three seasons before turning professional. Merrill had stints with the Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens before coming to the Wild. His resume includes six postseason appearances, including two Stanley Cup Finals – 2018 with Vegas and 2021 with Montreal. Resume aside, where Merrill shines is through his commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Last season, he welcomed us into the Wild locker room prior to the Pride Photos by Minnesota Wild/Bruce Kluckhohn

26 LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Night. Even in the face of some backlash by some players across the NHL for teams hosting similar nights, Merrill stated that he has never received “any sort of backlash or any negativity that’s come on me because of it.” Merrill is not the first NHL player to proclaim his allyship for the LGBTQ+ community. Back in 2011, now-retired defenseman Sean Avery made a statement in support for our community as an advocate for marriage equality in New York. It was a rare statement for that time that a few of us may still remember.

Why would Merrill become our ally? “To me it’s a human rights issue,” Merrill explained. “I don’t understand why everyone’s not in an ally or in full support of it, doesn’t really make much sense to me. It’s always been something that I’ve always just tried to be understanding and inclusive of all walks of life and the way people live and just try and be supportive of everyone. And this is just another issue that I can offer that support and be a good human being in my eyes.”

“I think especially because in conversations I’ve had with members of the LGBTQ community, they always have felt maybe outcasted or not well received in the athletic or jock community,” Merrill further explained. “To just have somebody stand up and tell them that they’re accepted in the jock world, in the athlete world, I think can go a long way and just show and support it and making them feel more welcome and more comfortable in their own skin. If it’s something that I can do as simple as doing an interview or putting tape on my stick or marching in a parade, and then I’ll do it every day of the week just to make someone feel more comfortable and to make someone feel more okay to be themselves.” He is not alone is being allies to our community. Merrill is joined by his wife, Jessica, who is, in his words, also “a huge

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the scenes making all of this come to fruition.” What will Merrill do at his year’s Pride Night? He said that, along with Jessica, he will “definitely host some kids. We like to bring underprivileged youth that are a part of the community that may otherwise never have experienced a hockey game or anything of that magnitude, to allow them to come to the game on our costs and just show them a good night, if anything, and show them some support from someone they may have never thought supported them. And so, we’ll definitely do our part and bring some families in and meet them after the game and give them tickets.” If you go, make sure you go to the Promotions page on the Minnesota Wild website and select the Pride Night offer. With your ticket, you get a Wild-branded Pride beanie. Plus, proceeds from your ticket purchase will go to “the Twin Cities Pride community,” per the Promotions page. We’ve got a friend on the ice. Whenever you see number 4 working his shift against the Coyotes – or the rest of the NHL – know that Jon Merrill is in our corner.  Minnesota Wild Pride Night vs Arizona March 12 at 7:00 PM Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul $44.00-105.00 https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/wildpride2324

adapted by JEFFREY HATCHER from the original by FREDERICK KNOTT directed by TRACY BRIGDEN

Now – February 25 LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM

OUR SCENE | OUTDOORS

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at West Forty RV Park and Campground BY SUSAN SWAVELY

If spending more time enjoying the great outdoors is on your 2024 New Year’s resolution list, we’ve got some great news for you. There are tons of ways to get outside, and one of the best is by visiting West Forty RV Park and Campground, which is located in the heart of Minnesota’s gorgeous Iron Range on the Laurentian Divide. Whether you’re a seasoned camper, a less experienced glamper, or you just want to see some of the beautiful nature that Northern Minnesota offers, West Forty is the perfect place for you. And, as a cherry on top, it’s a gay-owned and LGBTQ+ friendly space, so everyone can feel welcome and celebrated when they show up with their camping gear! Photos courtesy of Paul Skrbec

28 LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

The owner-operator of West Forty RV Park and Campground, Paul Skrbec (he/him), has big plans for the campgrounds this year, on top of the incredible improvements he’s already made to the family-owned and run business. Skrbec says, “My dad built the campground from scratch in 2004 with about 15-20 campsites and slowly added sites over time. I’ve been a part of the operation from the very beginning. In fact, I came up with our name—West Forty RV Park and Campground. Back in our early days, I was responsible for marketing and sales while I also worked my corporate job and balanced life in the Twin Cities LGBTQ-community.” Skrbec inherited the campgrounds from his father in 2020. He says, “at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, my 80-year old dad wanted to retire and have less stress related to how much we’d grown since opening. During COVID, everyone wanted to get out and do something, but most activities except camping were shut down or severely limited. The demand for camping was overwhelming, so I took over daily operations of the business. I transitioned the campground from a hobby farm to a full-time job almost overnight. We’ve have continued to grow ever since.”

Now, West Forty RV Park and Campground is a thriving community center for campers and outdoors-adorers from all over. Skrbec says, “We started as an RV park that focused on families and pull-behind campers/RVs, but have expanded our campsite options over the years to include tenting and group camping… Since I started managing my family’s campground, we’ve increased the number of total campsites by more that 25 percent, made significant improvements to water, sewer and electric options on almost all of our sites, and added a camp store with commonly requested items and apparel.” West Forty truly is a perfect place to bring your friends, family, or chosen family to enjoy! Relax by a crackling campfire, soak in the sun, relish all of the beauty that Minnesota has to offer, and connect with your loved ones. And, while it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a peaceful camping trip, there are also tons of other amazing attractions nearby. Skrbec says, “We’re conveniently located to a variety of popular tourist destinations like the World’s Largest Hockey stick (great for selfies!) and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, the Iron Range Off-Road Vehicle Park for ATVs and Jeeps or the Mesabi Trail for hiking/biking in Gilbert, Minnesota’s tallest bridge (with stunning views and photos) in Virginia, the Redhead Mountain Bike Park and the Minnesota Museum of Mining in Chisholm or the Soudan Underground Mine State Park in Soudan.” Take a trip to truly remember by heading to West Forty RV Park and Campground! Even with all its amazing amenities, West Forty RV Park and Campground isn’t resting on its laurels. Skrbec says that there are tons of incredible developments on the horizon. He says, “In December, we were fortunate to be one of 33 recipients of a grant from the PFund Foundation that is intended to help queer entrepreneurs in greater Minnesota with capital investments…This grant will help us to renovate our campground office, add a massage studio, expand the offerings of our camp store and also fuel the launch of our new glamping tent-cabin product which we expect to have available for guests beginning in July.” If you’re not a camping pro quite yet, but you want to dip your toe into the world of the great outdoors, you can still enjoy the campground. Don’t worry about bringing camping gear if you plan on glamping—no sleeping on the ground required! Skrbec also says the campground is excited to add, “a community/ peace garden which will be open to all campground guests and include access for guests to pick fresh vegetables in-season for free when they stay with us.” Possibly the most special improvement to Continued on page 30 LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM

OUR SCENE | OUTDOORS

the campground, one very near and dear to Skrbec’s heart, is that this year they’re opening a brand new, gender-inclusive restroom, so guests of all genders feel welcome and accepted. Skrbec says, “This year, we will open our new, state-of-the-art restroom and shower facility that includes a gender inclusive design which ensures our trans and non-binary guests feel just as comfortable as our cis-gender guests. This project is something I’m particularly proud of because of the number of trans and non-binary people in my life.” Adding a new gender inclusive restroom is proof that West Forty lives up to its mission, which, as Skrbec says, is to, “offer an inclusive and welcoming space to use as a basecamp for exploring all the great things about northern Minnesota.” The campgrounds offer a space to

30 LAVENDER JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2024

both LGBTQ+ people and allies alike to relax and enjoy nature, without any stress about who they are. West Forty RV Park and Campground’s connection to the LGBTQ+ community goes deeper than that, however. They’re a gold sponsor of Iron Pride, and they host an annual pride event alongside the Iron Pride Festival, called CampOUT. Skrbec explains CampOut: “Our CampOUT weekends started two seasons ago as an effort to offer a welcoming space for the LGBTQ-community and provide access to enjoy the Iron Range. As we started planning our first weekend, I discovered Gay Camping Friends which is a national directory of LGBTQ campgrounds. Through working with them, we realized that our campground is the only gay/queer-owned campground in Minnesota.” Skrbec elaborates, “The first few CampOUT weekends were well attended and grew with each event we planned and each of them helped raise money for our local Pride organization. This year, the weekend has morphed into an event that cooperates with our local LGBTQ-community. This year’s Iron Pride festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 10. Our CampOUT weekend is being planned for August 8 – 11. The CampOUT offers a mix of self-led tourist activities focused on exploring the area as well as an option to participate in Iron Pride weekend events.” But if you can’t make it to CampOUT, that’s okay! The campgrounds are open from May 1st to October 15th. So take a step out into nature this spring, and head to West Forty RV Park and Campground for a wonderful time with your loved ones.  West Forty RV Park 245 Highway 37 Gilbert, MN 55741 www.westfortyrvpark.com

OUR SCENE | OUTDOORS

“Seeing The Forest For The Trees” Outwoods Considers Its Role in an Ever-Changing Community BY RANDY STERN

It was first planted in the summer of 1989. It took root that September, and it sprouted in October. It first blossomed as a fall colors hike in the Saint Pauladjacent Afton State Park. It currently presents as “a vehicle for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community and their friends in Minnesota and adjacent states to publicize quality, enjoyable, non-competitive, outdoor recreational activities.” Such activities might include hiking or biking, fishing or wishing, canoeing or kayaking, roller skating or ice skating, indoor rock climbing or outdoor rock climbing, studying summer birds or studying autumn leaves…even skiing down hills, across country, or over water. Photo by Dan M. Vega

It, of course, is Outwoods. As it germinated in those long-ago days of a thousand points of light, of a post-Sean-Penn, pre-Guy-Ritchie Madonna and, alas, of the panicdrenched AIDS Crisis, one of several names considered for the nascent group was the Evergreen Club. While it nears its thirty-fifth year of existence, Outwoods has proven an ever green vehicle, indeed…but, as its trunk had nudged constantly upwards, its branches have been bent by the winds of time. The original pith of Outwoods was its newsletter–for younger readers, a “newsletter” is something like a single Reddit page, only with one subreddit, printed on hard copy. Nurtured by member subscriptions, the newsletter would be delivered to said members via the U.S. Postal Service—for younger readers: think of e-mail, but, y’know, without the e. From this quaint pulp-and-ink amalgamation, Outwoods’ main modus operandi sprouted again and again: individual members would assume the role of event leader, offering up usually-roofless diversions in which other members might partake. Continued on page 34 LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Community Connection brings visibility to local LGBTQ-friendly non-profit organizations. To reserve your listing in Community Connection, email advertising@lavendermagazine. com.

ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE Foster Adopt Minnesota

Finding families and providing information, education, and support to Minnesota Adoptive, Foster and Kinship communities. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste. 104 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 861-7115, (866) 303-6276 info@fosteradoptmn.org www.fosteradoptmn.org

ANIMAL RESCUE

Second Chance Animal Rescue

Dedicated to rescuing, fostering, caring for, and adopting out dogs and cats into forever homes. P.O. Box 10533 White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 771-5662 www.secondchancerescue.org

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS

Quorum

Minnesota's LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce working to build, connect, and strengthen for a diverse business community. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste 112 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 460-8153 www.twincitiesquorum.com

CASINOS

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel

Nonstop gaming excitement with slots, blackjack, bingo and more plus distinctive bars and restaurants. 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. Prior Lake, MN 55372 (800) 262-7799 www.mysticlake.com

ENVIRONMENT

The Nature Conservancy

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Aliveness Project

Community Center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS – on-site meals, food shelf, and supportive service. 3808 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55102 (612) 824-LIFE (5433) www.aliveness.org

Family Tree Clinic

We're a sliding fee sexual health clinic and education center, now in Minneapolis. 1919 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis MN 55403 (612) 473-0800 www.familytreeclinic.org

NAMI Minnesota

(National Alliance on Mental Illness) Providing free classes and peer support groups for people affected by mental illnesses. 800 Transfer Rd. #31 St. Paul, MN 55114 (651) 645-2948 www.namihelps.org

Rainbow Health Minnesota

PFund is the LGBTQ+ community foundation that provides grants to students and grants to non-profits. PO Box 3640 Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-870-1806 www.pfundfoundation.org

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Theater with character. Comedies, musicals, & dramas in a professional, intimate setting where all are welcomed. 420 E. Main St. Anoka, MN 55303 (763) 422-1838 info@lyricarts.org www.lyricarts.org

Minnesota Orchestra

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LIBRARIES

Quatrefoil Library

Your LGBTQ+ library and community center. Free membership, events, and e-books/audiobooks. Check us out! 1220 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 729-2543 www.qlibrary.org

MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

Radio K

EVENT VENUES

PFund Foundation

Lyric Arts Main Street Stage

Red Door Clinic

Create your own adventure at MNHS historic sites and museums around Minnesota. mnhs.org

GRANTMAKERS/FUNDERS

Open to the public year-round, the Guthrie produces classic and contemporary plays on three stages. 818 S. 2nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 377-2224 www.guthrietheater.org

World-class opera draws you into a synthesis of beauty; breathtaking music, stunning costumes & extraordinary sets. Performances at the Ordway Music Theater - 345 Washington St., St. Paul, MN 55102 (612) 333-6669 www.mnopera.org

Radio K is the award-winning studentrun radio station of the University of Minnesota. 330 21st. Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-3500 www.radiok.org

A classic venue, with a grand cortile and beautiful courtrooms, accommodates celebrations of all sizes. 75 W. 5th St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 292-3228 www.landmarkcenter.org

Guthrie Theater

Providing comprehensive health services for LGBTIA+ people, those living with HIV & folks from underserved communities facing healthcare barriers. 701 S. 4th Ave. #1500 Minneapolis, MN 55415 General: (612) 341-2060, MN AIDSLine: (612) 373-2437 info@rainbowhealth.org www.rainbowhealth.org

TNC is an environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature thrive. 1101 W. River Pkwy., Ste. 200 Minneapolis, MN 55415-1291 (612) 331-0700 minnesota@tnc.org www.nature.org/minnesota

Landmark Center

Children’s Theatre Company

Children’s Theatre Company excites the imagination with world-class familyfriendly theatre for kids, teens, and adults. 2400 3rd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 874-0400 www.childrenstheatre.org

MUSEUM

Minnesota Historical Society

Walker Art Center

Showcasing the fresh, innovative art of today and tomorrow through exhibitions, performances, and film screenings. 725 Vineland Pl. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 375-7600 www.walkerart.org

PERFORMING ARTS

Chanhassen Dinner Theaters

The nation’s largest professional dinner theater and Minnesota’s own entertainment destination. 501 W. 78th St. Chanhassen, MN 55317 (952) 934-1525 www.ChanhassenDT.com

Minnesota Opera

Led by Music Director Designate Thomas Søndergård, the Minnesota Orchestra, one of America’s leading symphony orchestras. 1111 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 371-5656, (800) 292-4141 www.minnesotaorchestra.org

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Leading performing arts center with two stages presenting Broadway musicals, concerts and educational programs that enrich diverse audiences. 345 Washington St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 224-4222 info@ordway.org www.ordway.org

Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus

An award-winning chorus building community through music and offers entertainment worth coming out for! 1430 W. 28th St., Ste. B Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612) 339-SONG (7664) chorus@tcgmc.org www.tcgmc.org

RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL

All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church

A welcoming, inclusive, safe place to explore and discover God’s love for ALL God’s children. 3100 Park Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 824-2673 www.agcmcc.org

Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church

Everyone is welcome at Hennepin Church! Vibrant Worship. Authentic Community. Bold Outreach. 511 Groveland Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-5303 www.hennepinchurch.org

Plymouth Congregational Church

Many Hearts, One Song; Many Hands, One Church. Find us on Facebook and Twitter. 1900 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-7400 www.plymouth.org

St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral

An inclusive and affirming community transforming lives through God’s love. 519 Oak Grove St. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 870-7800 www.ourcathedral.org

Westminster Presbyterian Church

An open and affirming congregation, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. 1200 Marquette Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 332-3421 www.westminstermpls.org

SENIOR LIVING Friends & Co

Fostering meaningful connections for older adults for 50+ years. Offering quick drop-in chat line, phone & visiting companionship services. 2550 University Ave. W., Ste. 260-S St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 721-1400 www.friendsco.org

Senior Community Services

Providing non-medical services that meet the changing needs of older adults & support their caregivers. 10201 Wayzata Blvd., Ste. 335 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 541-1019 www.seniorcommunity.org/lav

SOCIAL SERVICES

Lutheran Social Service of MN

TRAVEL DESTINATIONS Discover St. Louis Park

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YOUTH

The Bridge for Youth

Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, and resources for youth currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness. 1111 W. 22nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55405 (612) 377-8800 or text (612) 400-7233 www.bridgeforyouth.org

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OUR SCENE | OUTDOORS In the first years of its existence, Outwoods often served as a necessary refuge for more than a few members who were closeted in every other aspect of their lives…simply because they had no other (practical, realistic) choice. “We had two different types of envelopes, one that said ‘Outwoods’ and one that did not,” recounts Outwoods co-chair Dan M. Vega, who has himself been a member for nearly two decades. “That was a lot of work, trying to figure out who gets which envelope.” Expensive and impractical by 21st Century standards, the newsletter has been replaced with Meetup, the networking app—for younger readers: think of an app—that allows people to connect with like-minded others in their physical area. Says Vega, “That online presence makes it easier for people.” That ease can manifest in ways which might have seemed fanciful to Outwoods’ initial members. “It’s much easier for an event change,” Vega observes. “It lets anyone who wants to lead an event to do it just a week prior, where before, we’d do our newsletter for January in the middle of December…but a lot of people don’t plan that far ahead.” That same means of mass communication offers an opportunity for a degree of popular self-selection. “Event leaders can just invite

certain members to an event,” says Vega. “Paddlers can invite other paddlers to a paddling event, for example. It’s led to the formation of cliques.” The passage of three-and-a-half decades hasn’t just changed the way Outwoods members communicate with each other…it’s also changed the world outside of Outwoods, as well. “What we’ve noticed, especially since the marriage amendment passed, young people are finding community within their own circle of friends,” Vega notes. “They are not reaching out for a gay-specific outlet. They’re more accepted in their own circle of friends and co-workers and study groups and such, so [being openly gay] is really not that big a deal.” Which isn’t to say that Outwoods has been wholly forsaken by the New Phone Who Dis Generation. “We do have younger members, but their mentality is different,” Vega says. “They have different issues. The relativity is not there.” A highly-specific, all-but-forgotten demographic has asserted itself recently, looking to Outwoods for something more than just an excuse to play Frolf in the snow. Catalogs the co-chair, “People who come out later in life–forty, fifty, sixty-year-olds–are not going to reach out to their friends.”

The needs of this sub-group run parallel to those of Outwoods’ original, Newsletter Era membership, people whose own circle of friends and co-workers and study groups and such might have a little more trouble adjusting to a drastic-seeming self-redefinition. As Vega puts it, “They’re not reaching out to their immediate social circle–they’re looking for something specific.” Something like Outwoods. A group can’t remain evergreen without green, naturally. “We ask for a donation from members through Meetup,” says Vega, who adds with a laugh: “We ask around February and March, when people are fresh off the New Year and have paid off their credit cards, and right before tax time.” The world’s changes have forced Outwoods to change in some ways…but its original purpose remains as sturdy and unyielding as a tree trunk. “We’re still strong,” Dan M. Vega insists. “We’re still out there. We’re still helping people connect to the outdoors. We’re not going anywhere.”  Outwoods www.outwoods.org www.meetup.com/Outwoods

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