CONNECTING THE BLUEGRASS LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
Paul Brown
The Heart of Lexington Pride JUNE 2018 - VOL 40 / NO. 6 - A Publication of the PCSO
R. Bauer ristopher hief - Ch -C in ro eadows it Ed esday G M sing - Tu ti er v d b Stead A Editor/ itor - Bar Assistant Copy Ed D. Lee, er, Dena er R. Bau h p o ws st ri h G Meado phy - C & Tuesday Photogra er au B opher R. t - Christ u o y a nt L ri P g - 859 Design & & Bindin Printing ices nity Serv e Commu d ri P e es th and for ity Servic onthly by Commun m e d ri ed P sh e li h ub dividual. unity. T LinQ is p tes each in and comm ra s b er le b ce em d ion m cepts an Organizat nity that ac n can be a commu s n io is informatio v d en an n es io cl at . arti Organiz csoky.org All LinQ editor@p r o it d E to the ditor/ submitted ssistant E with the A ed g n 233. ra -3 ar 3 - 859-25 ts can be de Center vertisemen ri P ad O Q S in C L All ith the P ngth. .org or w tent and le s@pcsoky d a g n si r both con fo ed it Adverti ed ay be issions m or and/ All subm f the auth ly those o le so e LinQ ar e PCSO. in LinQ inQ or th L expressed f s o n io se ate. o in p All o or candid present th tical party d do not re li o an p r, y se an ti dorse or adver pport or en do not su O S C P csoky.org e and th e: LinQ.p ine
Q Onlin
Read Lin
yPCSO
@ LinQb
improve works to n io at iz expansive es Organ d gender ity Servic n an u m ty ri m o o ity, e C xual min ng visibil The Prid in the se y enhanci b le y p ck t eo tu p of rn Ken blic abou the lives and Easte ng the pu ti al tr ca u en C ed f ity o ers, and commun ity memb commun g in er w y. o it emp commun ting said ac p im ors es issu of Direct and Board e te it m om ecutive C ent PCSO Ex er, Presid au B . R er h p o st ri h C sident n, Vice Pre Paul Brow r re d, Treasu Jacob Boy Secretary ing Josh Day, rogramm . Abreu, P L to er b o an R , Histori on Coleman & Educati Jonathan , Advocacy k o o eniors ar S F ellness / Minnah ealth & W H , n so n Mark Joh Media ee, Social utreach Dena D. L ibility & O is V , ts an cC ng Wanda M Advertisi Meadows, Tuesday G / I.T. ent icke, Web Developm Clint Now e, Donor u ag -H le ca as David P D Wells, TB Jonathan r oordinato ff Center C e d ri P s, PCSO Sta ollin ampler-C Carmen W r Y 40504 te de Cen ington, K PCSO Pri e 100, Lex it u S e, u rg r Aven w.pcsoky.o 389 Walle 233 • ww 859-253-3 urs: . Office Ho .m.-6 p.m riday : 1 p F ay d es Tu 4 p.m. 11 a.m. Saturday : onday nday & M Closed Su
2 LinQ // JUNE 2018
Magaz
@ LinQ_
IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE
JUNE 2018 VOL 40 / NO. 6
Paul Brown
The Heart of Lexington Pride page 14 June 30th is the 11th Annual Pride Festival and one person has been there since the very beginning. Get to know the heart of the Lexington Pride Festival, Paul Brown, as our community honors him for his dedication and service.
THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT
page 4
Helena Handbasket gives us her opinion on opinions, and how she best deals with those who might differ with her.
SPOTLIGHT ON WELL-BEING Impostors Among Us
page 10
How many of us feel like impostors for whatever reason? David Pascale-Hague, PhD tells us about his own feelings and how it’s best for us to deal with those feelings.
page 12
AROUND THE LIBRARY
Two new books and a DVD from the Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project are reviewed by Barb Stead. These items and hundreds more books and DVDs are available for loan at the PCSO Pride Library.
HUMOR ADVOCACY CULTURE
TRANSKY ADVOCATE
No In Between, There Is Only Inclusion Or Exclusion
page 6 When transgender women are excluded from the conversation about equality, is it really equality?
IMPERIAL COURT OF KENTUCKY NEWS page 19 It’s time for The Bourbon Ball-Coronation 37 here in the Bluegrass! Read all about the event and other activities happening the weekend of June 1st to 4th.
FEATURE COMMUNITY CALENDAR JUNE 2018 // LinQ 3
TALKIN’ ABOUT
by Helena Handbasket
HUMOR
R
ecently, I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop called Happiness—Link to Success and I was amazed at some of the insights that were shared that day. The room was filled with professionals from many different types of businesses and each was encouraged to share their own experiences as we discussed the agenda. Topics such as emotional maturity and how that can affect our private lives as well as the workplace were discussed. We also talked about the many differences between introverts and extroverts and how each has a different approach toward their pursuit of happiness as well as how they deal with and attempt to resolve conflict. Believe it or not folks, we aren’t all going to agree or see things the same way. If the differing parties have a certain degree of emotional maturity, then they will agree to disagree and continue on with their regularly scheduled programming. But then there are those who feel that they must “shine a light” on the person with the opinion that they perceive to be wrong (rather than different) and work to convince them to “see the light”. This is often when the situation can become tense and in some extreme cases, turn violent. For those of you who read this article often, you already know that I am not one to hold back with my opinions, however I pride myself on trying to acknowledge
4 LinQ // JUNE 2018 . HUMOR
and respect the opinions of others even when they are different from my own. And, when faced with someone who chooses to force their views on me, I have a tendency, whether right or wrong, to avoid the situation by walking away entirely. Sadly, after I have walked away sometimes, people have chosen to continue making it “a thing” and talking about me and the situation whenever they can. I’ve never really understood how someone with intelligence would want to disparage someone and their reputation over a difference of opinion. Again, I’m offering my own opinion here, but I always thought that behavior makes the person doing this look small and insecure. Look, I really don’t claim to be the voice of morality for the community nor do I want that responsibility. What works for me and is good in my own house does not have to be the way it is in someone else’s world as long as they don’t insist on imposing their morality or values on me. I am open-minded and always willing to hear the views and opinions of others and yes, even sometimes I am led toward a new understanding and can be swayed to “see the other side”. But just remember that if I don’t see things the same way that you do, let’s just agree to disagree and then move on rather than create hurt and pain for each other.
Learning to follow and live in the light rather than in the shadow that hurt and pain casts on us is a constant lesson for me. Someone told me once that, “It will all be okay in the end... if it’s not okay yet then it’s not the end.” But on the humorous side... once a little boy told his mommy, “Everyone in the world hates me mommy!” to which his mommy replied, “That’s silly... not everyone in the world knows you.” LOL. We all just have to do our best to be our best each day and we need to be ourselves without apology, realizing and expecting that not everyone is going to like us or they will label us as difficult. And often there are lessons to learn about ourselves if we pay attention and also lessons about others (didn’t our Mamaw’s teach us not to touch an oven if it’s hot? Stay away from what can hurt you.) But wow... so thankful for the gift of people in our lives that like us and even love us— in spite of our differences of opinion and with all of our flaws! Celebrate those that not only don’t hurt us, but who lift us up and encour-age and inspire us to be our best selves. May we all make that our focus every day. Happy PRIDE month everyone! Send comments or suggestions to HelenaHandbasketKY@gmail.com
Q
TransKY ADVOCATE by Tuesday G Meadows
NO IN BETWEEN, THERE IS ONLY INCLUSION OR EXCLUSION
“She sees them walking in a straight line, That’s not really her style/And they all got the same heartbeat but hers is falling behind/Nothing in the world could ever bring them down/Yeah, they’re invincible, and she’s just in the background/and she says/I wish I could be like the cool kids/’cause the cool kids, they seem to fit in.” Cool Kids, Echosmith
ADVOCACY
W
hen I was five years old, everyday a group of girls played next door to my house, and I remember how I used to sit and watch them play and want to join them so badly. They were much older and more sophisticated than me; they were either seven or eight years old. In their backyard, they had a cute little table where they all sat and played with their dolls. When I finally worked up enough courage, I walked next door to ask if I could play with them, their response was a unanimous “No.” Even then, I was hard-headed and I asked, “why not?” The answer: “Because you are not a girl.” Unbeknownst to them, I was indeed a girl. I’ll never forget the next thing out of my mouth. I said, “We can all pretend that I am a girl.” Of course, the answer from them was still “No,” and I slunk back to my house, embarrassed at my desperate attempt to join them. It was the first time I remember being excluded. I’ve often wondered how or why anyone who calls themselves feminist or identifies as LGBTQ+ would exclude transgender women from participating in their circles, but it happens regularly. I think many of us recognize those on the political right excluding transgender people, but often fail to see the same behavior on the other side of the political spectrum. Some of my progressive friends maintain a blind spot when it comes to transphobia from the left. But, anti-trans liberals are just as dangerous
6 LinQ // JUNE 2018 . ADVOCACY
for me as those haters on the right. Let me assure you that hate is hate from wherever it comes. Since I am an activist and a woman, my main emphasis is fighting for better healthcare and against hate and discrimination against all women. While I fight for all women, I am also fighting against the exclusion of transgender women in our society. I am sure transgender men face many obstacles, but I am more familiar with the barriers that I face as a transgender woman. I am always the target of bathroom bills, trans-misogyny, horrible jokes on television and in movies, and anti-transgender media attacks. There are some on the left and right that feel that we should also be excluded from women’s safe spaces, groups, colleges, athletics, and should be treated as second class citizens. It is amazing at how many of the anti-trans people on the left align themselves up with the same talking points as the religious hate groups and other haters on the right. I’ve heard Rush Limbaugh making many awful comments about transgender women and it sounded just like the same things that are coming from trans exclusionary feminists on the left. In sports, they say that I am “male bodied”. In women’s health or reproductive rights, they point out that I do not have a uterus (never said that I did). In discussions about misogyny, they say that I have “male
privilege” as a way to exclude me from the conversation. In my use of a public restroom, haters call upon images of “men dressed as women” sexually assaulting innocent urinators. For the record, I’m not a man and I just want to pee. In her book Excluded, Julia Serano says that while feminist and queer movements are designated to challenge sexism, they often simultaneously police gender and sexuality as fiercely as the straight male-centric mainstream does. I believe that even with our differences, cisgender women and transgender women have a lot in common and have many intersecting experiences. We need to stop fixating on our differences and support each other with our like-minded goals. I know for sure that I want politicians to stop telling me what I can do with my body. I want all women to be free from harassment, especially in the workplace. I want equal pay for equal work. I want to be able to love who I love without being subjected to being told that it’s wrong or ridiculed. All of our struggles are real. I want to belong and I just want to live in a world that accepts me as who I am. I want nothing more, nothing less. If all women are not all included in our equality movements, then the movement is not really achieving equality. You may write me at tmeadows828@gmail.com or follow my blog at Tuesdaysgonewiththewind. wordpress.com. Now Tuesday’s gone with the wind. Q
THE JOURNEY HOME A DELUGE FOR RON AND ESDRA by Stan “JR” Zerkowski, Founder of Lexington Interfaith Encounters Executive Director, Fortunate Families, Inc.
CULTURE
I
t was a deluge. A deluge of people at the wake and deluge of rain the morning of his funeral as people poured into the church and followed in procession to the cemetery where we stood shoulder to shoulder against the wind and the rain to pray farewell and commend one we loved to the infinite love of our Creator. Inside, we began with water, too, at the baptismal font, near the main doors of the church, where we sprinkled the casket with blessed water that reminded everyone of that day, long ago, when he was claimed as a Child of God, at baptism. The homily was a masterpiece, really. Ron Hall’s life was so complex, so rich! How does one weave words and faith into a message that makes sense, celebrates, heals, welcomes, embraces, shares hope, gives thanks, and makes
8 LinQ // JUNE 2018 . CULTURE
God present to the diverse crowd filling the church? Fr. Chris looked for God in the complexity of Ron’s life and said he found a reflection of God’s love in Ron’s relationship with his children, grandchildren, partner, and all his many friends who came to the wake, to church and were in so many other places, too. Those filling the pews at Historic Saint Paul Catholic Church that morning were as diverse a crowd as I have ever seen in my seven years there. Love united everyone that morning: the magnificently inclusive love Ron Hall shared and the complex and rich deluge of love that God shares with every person. I have one particularly beautiful memory of Ron that will be forever etched in my heart. Every Sunday— when Ron was in Lexington—I would arrive about 30 minutes prior to the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass, enter through the main doors, and see Ron, about 5 pews in on the left, praying his Rosary. His was a quiet piety; a solid piety, a practical faith. Ron’s faith found expression in a smile that was God’s own smile and in a heart that had room for everyone. Ron’s funeral was an icon of what I believe our eternity will be: magnificently diverse people brought together in love with our Creator. The final hymn was a declaration of that belief; as we took Ron’s body from the church to be buried, we sang We Shall Overcome. Ron believed it, and I know
God dreams it for us, too: a day when our love wins out over suspicion, fear and bigotry; a day when our smiles reflect Infinite Love; a day when our hearts are big enough for everyone. Surely, that day will be a glimpse of heaven. Not two weeks later, on May 5, it was another deluge. We gathered at that same baptismal font. Outside the wind and rain were raging. Christopher Ryan Bauer and Roberto Luis Abreu brought their son, Esdra Lawrence, to be baptized into the Catholic faith and claimed as a Child of God. A smaller, intimate, gathering was no less a deluge of love. Deacon Steve’s words were brief, befitting the moment: we were there to fix our eyes on grace and the deluge of God’s love poured out like water on Esdra and this family—biological, church, and extended—gathered to reflect Infinite Love and the promise of love for eternity! Sister Clara wiped Esdra’s head after his baptism; already, the Christian community was serving our new brother with love. Father Chris came and asked God’s blessing on Esdra’s new journey and on the brand-new cross he was wearing, too! We prayed together: “Give us grace and vision to build the culture of encounter together, understanding we do not have to agree on everything, nor understand everything, to walk together, to work together and uphold the dignity of every person. Help us meet one another on the bridge, every bridge we can find or create, united in dignity,
celebrating our belonging to a common family, born of the One whose diversity is our strength and glory. Give us grace to go forward, always forward, walking together in love, as the Family of God, the Church! Amen.” And so began
CULTURE
journeys home. For Esdra and his parents, family and friends, the journey is just beginning and God’s dream, born by Divine adoption in love, will be lived by grace. For Ron’s partner, family, and friends, a new part of the journey begins and God’s dream will be realized in grateful hope and quiet loving remembrance. For Ron, his new journey began in an unimaginable way—he knows “the rest of the story,” the story of eternal love and life. And for us? Well, I think we need to keep that deluge of love raining
down everywhere we go and upon everyone we meet along our journey home. In the end, that will be our ultimate and eternal source of pride. JR can be reached at jrchevychase@aol.com.
Q
SPOTLIGHT ON WELL-BEING by David Pascale-Hague, PhD
CULTURE
S
IMPOSTERS AMONG US Do You Feel Like One Too?
ometimes I still feel like an imposter. I am glad to say most days it doesn’t occur and I can carry on without much concern. But other times the voice still can creep in. The one that tells me I’m not worthy or that people will soon discover that I don’t belong. Doubts can still exist. The feeling of being an imposter in our careers, our lives, and our families is more common than anyone cares to admit. Isn’t it funny that so many of us feel like frauds, but we are all too scared to talk about it? It is a real double-edged sword. Even when we have family and friends who love us, a career we are passionate about, and material comforts, we can still be learning to cope with an inner thought process that would have us believe we don’t deserve any of it. We spend time worrying that we can be found out at any moment, discovered as a fraud and embarrassed. The doubt is like a critic who sits on our shoulder telling us to be fearful. These imposter feelings can stem from several root concerns. We may believe we are only in our positions based on luck and that we don’t really deserve what we have attained. We may also believe we are simply good liars and convinced others we are skilled, or talented. The third reason we convince ourselves we may only be a fraud is because we think we were simply in the right place at the right time or knew the right people. What do you notice as the common thread? A belief we aren’t
10 LinQ // JUNE 2018 . CULTURE
as good as other people think we are, we aren’t as skilled, and we are only successes because of dumb luck. Knowing that these feelings are more common than any of us would want to admit is only a part of the battle in learning how to deal with them. In my work with clients, we often discuss these imposter feelings and aim to find skills and techniques to move past the self-doubt and into confidence. But more than simply developing confidence, there comes a point when we aim to open up to others, building bridges, and honesty. I like the way that the super popular author, therapist, and speaker Dr. Brene Brown discusses it in her books and writing: “When we’re in pain, we create a narrative to help us make sense of it. This story doesn’t have to be based on any real information. One dismissive glance from a coworker can instantly turn into I knew she didn’t like me. Our stories are about self-protection. Unconscious storytelling leaves us stuck. We keep tripping over the same issues, and after we fall, we find it hard to get back up again.” (Brene Brown, 2018, Rising Strong) So we remain stuck in feeling like an imposter and telling ourselves unconscious and sometimes overt stories as a form of self-protection. If I feel like a fraud and I keep hiding, no one will discover me. Only in opening up to others and finding a way to come to terms with our stories can we begin the process of moving through the self-doubts and
forming more honest and true ideas about our worth and value. Alright—so what are the practical steps in all this?
Come to terms with the stories we tell ourselves.
This is not an overnight solution. Throughout the day, take the opportunity to set an alarm on your phone. Have it remind you every six hours to ask yourself one question, “What is the story I am telling myself right now?” It can be as simple as a word or phrase, “Fraud”, “Scared”, or more complex, “My boss is mad at me”, “My friends secretly dislike me”. Whatever it is, begin to notice over time the consistent messages and stories you are telling yourself. You could even choose to write them down so you can notice patterns over time. Or use the notes app on your phone to make it easy to document. It will just look like you are typing a text message. No one even has to know what you are doing.
Seek out knowledge.
Use books, podcasts, and other resources to get a sense of how to move forward. As I highlighted earlier, the work of Dr. Brene Brown is amazing and I can personally speak to the impact it had on my own life. Beginning to get honest about the self-doubts, imposter feelings, and fears can be an important step. Brene’s work can be a catalyst to deepening our knowledge of how we can “rumble with the stories we are telling ourselves.
Find a supportive community where you can start being real. The stories we tell ourselves about being a fraud remain strong because they cause us to hide. When we bring the truth out in the open, the lies can begin to wither. Here is my shameless plug for the PCSO and the amazing programming offered each week. Going to a meeting, a dinner, or a group, and sharing space with likeminded, diverse, and wonderful people can help you build bridges and have a new community to open up and get honest about your feelings and doubts. Also, when you feel like you need additional support, always remember that Lexington is a community with wonderful therapists and healers that can help you on this journey. You do not have to do this work alone. Having the bravery to talk about being afraid you are an imposter connects you to others. We believe we are imposters, but we hide it away. We think we are alone. But in the end others feel the same way and the amazing thing that can happen when we admit the fear is we can see that it is most often a lie. Some days I feel like an imposter, but the more I talk it out the less it has the ability to control me. David Pascale-Hague is a licensed Psychologist in private practice in Lexington, KY and a Board member of the Pride Community Services Organization. This article is educational in nature and not intended to replace mental health treatment. Please reach out to local resources if you need professional support.
Q
AROUND THE LIBRARY
CULTURE
reviewed by Barb Stead
S
The Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project written by Arden Eversmeyer and Margaret Purcell
everal years ago, while attending the National Women’s Music Festival, I went to a workshop presented by the Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project (OLOHP) and found it fascinating. Started in 1998 by Arden Eversmeyer, the Project interviews lesbians age 70 and older around the country to document their lives so that this herstory is not lost. As Arden says: “The OLOHP seeks to document and preserve the unique Herstories of lesbians born in the first half of the last century.” Since 2002, Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC) has been a primary sponsor of the Project and many of the women involved in the project
as interviewers and interviewees are OLOC members. Out of these now over 600 interviews, two books (so far) have been produced as well as a DVD. The books are: A Gift of Age: Old Lesbian Life Stories and Without Apology: Old Lesbian Life Stories, both written by Arden Eversmeyer and Margaret Purcell. In 2016 a DVD called Our Stories, Our Voices was produced featuring six women aged 68 to 82 who gave voice to passages from many of these interviews covering a wide range of topics: about first awareness, religion, life in the closet, coming out, experiences in the military, “treatments” and
much more. These books and the DVD are not only informative and touching; they are also insightful and important. And they are now part of the PCSO Pride Library. You can find the books under BIO ANT (Biography Anthology) and the DVD under AV-DOCU OURS. If you are interested in learning more about or financially supporting The Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project their website is www.olohp.org. They also publish a free quarterly newsletter called The OLOHP Insider that you can sign up on their website to receive.
Q
Respect Matters. ®
Set an appointment and see how Shelter’s Shield can work for you.
Josh Mers
115 Codell Drive, Suite 115 Lexington, KY 40509 859-254-7755 JMers@ShelterInsurance.com
We’re your Shield. We’re your Shelter.
EXIN TON f a i r n e s s
FEATURE
Paul Brown
The Heart of Lexington Pride by Christopher R. Bauer
H
e has been a fixture of the LGBTQ+ community since he arrived to Lexington in 2003 to teach Spanish at the University of Kentucky (UK). Paul Brown graduated from Brescia University in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish & English with a certification in Secondary Education. Soon after, he received his Master’s degree from Middlebury College in Spanish language, literature, and culture. Since then, Paul (“Pablo”) has used his proficiency in Spanish to advocate and work for others. He has worked as a bilingual client counselor for the Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) program at the Fayette County Health Department and as an eligibility counselor at the Cardinal Valley Center. In these roles, Pablo focused on advocating for Hispanic clients, breaking down language barriers and empowering this marginalized community to 14 LinQ // JUNE 2018 . FEATURE 14 LinQ // FEBRUARY 2018 . FEATURE
connect to community resources and build strong community relationships. In 2008, Pablo found his passion when he began his career as a Spanish teacher at Henry Clay High School. Since then, Pablo has taught students various levels of Spanish including Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Spanish Literature; his students have consistently received the highest scores on these tests and he has worked with others who have gained the Seal of Biliteracy on their transcripts. Although he will continue to teach some Spanish courses, Pablo is excited that he will be launching and teaching 3 classes in Advanced Placement Research at Henry Clay in the fall. Since 2011, Pablo has spent much of his summers teaching both Spanish and English for Upward Bound, a federally funded program that seeks to provide better opportunities to
Board. After another banner year for the Lexington Pride Festival, Pablo turned over the reins as Chair of the festival, but continued as GLSO President, during a time in which LinQ magazine was born as a successor to the GLSO newsletter. Once his term was up at the end of 2014, Pablo remained on the GLSO Board, first as Secretary and then as Vice President, and was instrumental in guiding the Board through the organization’s name change to PCSO, celebrating its 40 year anniversary, increasing its programming and funding, and growing the Board to its current level of strength and diversity. Pablo returned to the Pride Committee as logistics chair in 2016 and in 2017 was elected Chair for his third term, the 10th anniversary of the Lexington Pride Festival. Pride 10 was a huge success, and Pablo ran and won a fourth term as festival Chair for this year’s festival. So far, Pablo has presided over three Lexington Pride Festivals, one of which rescued both the festival and the GLSO and two others that were record-breaking events. This year’s festival is already set to be the biggest and best yet! When I asked Pablo what he was most proud of in his advocacy work he told me, “It’s hard to remember all the things and events I’ve done over the past thirteen to fourteen years. I struggle to pinpoint that for which I am most proud. I look at this work as my duty. I am a resident of planet Earth, and I need to give back to it as much as possible and make it better than when I found it. I can say that I’ll never forget the first PrideFest at the old courthouse when a lady stopped me to say how much that event meant to
her. Twenty-five years earlier a judge had taken away her children at that courthouse because she was a lesbian. She was amazed and overjoyed that the place of so much pain for her could turn into a source of joy and empowerment. That is the moment I knew that I was a part of something that positively changed people’s lives, and it warmed my heart. That’s maybe the most important thing I can do.” Pablo has done so much for the Lexington LGBTQ+ community, and as he steps back for a while, it is my intention that it does not go unnoticed. The Imperial Court of Kentucky has honored him twice, once with the Michael Thompson Community Service Award in 2008 and the Henry Faulkner Award in 2013; he is once again a nominee for the Henry Faulkner Award in 2018! On June 29, Pablo will be honored by Lexington Fairness as he is inducted into The Fairness Hall of Fame, an honor for those who have dedicated a lifetime to fairness. He does what he does because of a passion for education and advocacy and because of that he does not want or need any recognition to continue leading and fighting for what is right. Pablo says, “I am a cog in a machine with much finer, more important parts. I could never have done all the things I’ve done without standing on, around, in front of, behind and to the side of so many who have given of their time and energy toward similar pursuits.” It is that dedication and humility that deserves recognition, and I urge everyone to seek Pablo out and say, “Thank You” at this year’s Pride Festival.
FEATURE
attend college to poor and/or rural high school students whose parents didn’t attend college. He has also sponsored his school’s GSA and Spanish club, organized and judged foreign language festivals at UK, and participated in several Latino health fairs. He has sat on the board of and been a building representative for the Fayette County Education Association, been a board member of the Kentucky Education Association, and has been an integral part of Henry Clay’s Site Based Decision Making team. In 2004, Pablo went to an open meeting of Lexington Fairness. Pablo told me, “I knew nothing about anything then and had a steep and fast learning curve. That meeting changed the course of my life. I don’t know that I would have come to activism and advocacy otherwise.” Pablo quickly joined the Lexington Fairness Board, serving as its Chair from 2006-2010, during which time they began the Fairness Awards, which he emceed twice. As Chair of Lexington Fairness, Pablo spoke at the Capitol Rotunda during one of the first Fairness Rally Days. After a very unsuccessful Lexington Pride Festival in 2011, which almost forced GLSO (now known as PCSO) to close its doors (The Lexington Pride Festival was GLSO’s biggest fundraiser), the GLSO Board drafted Pablo to rescue the festival and he then also joined the GLSO Board in order to be a better advocate for the festival. Although Pablo took on these tasks reluctantly at first, he turned things around, and the 2012 festival was a huge success! After such success, he was reelected Lexington Pride Festival Chair for the 2013 festival and then elected President of the GLSO
Q FEATURE . JUNE 2018 // LinQ 15
PRIDE
VISION & VALUES
COMMUNITY
R
by Paul Brown, 2018 Lexington Pride Festival Chair
ecently, the Board of the PCSO, the parent organization of the Lexington Pride Festival, spent an entire Saturday doing strategic planning. We created a new vision and drafted values for the organization. Since the Pride Festival is hosted by the PCSO, this vision and these values are then reflected in everything the Pride Festival does. Our new Vision is as follows: “Creating safe, inclusive spaces where every LGBTQ+ Kentuckian is celebrated and supported.” This statement is the embodiment of the Pride Festival. June 30th, the entire community is invited to celebrate and to support the greatness that is the LGBTQ+ community. The Lexington Pride Festival organizing committee has worked with so many different organizations, businesses, and city operations to ensure that we provide an environment where everyone feels comfortable being who they are. Next, do you believe in the following statements?:
and performers. We put voices on our stage that can educate the entire populace. We increase visibility just by existing, and that visibility in turn celebrates the worth of all people, teaches that all people are warriors for equality, and helps to create social justice for all. I have watched the Pride Festival grow from humble origins in 2008 to the beast that it is today. Thousands will come, and thousands will take part in these values. I believe the Pride Festival even in its earliest incarnations did the things outlined in this vision and these values, but now we have a document that ensures that we will always provide a top-notch event with quality, family values. Of course, we have arrived at the month of June. That means we will enjoy another Pride Festival. I am proud to announce some of our great entertainers: Our headliner, Shadina, Brody Ray, Small Batch, Sora Contemporary Circus, The Blu Janes, Synergy Violins (back by popular demand), and a number of your favorite local acts with drag shows lead by our 2018 Mr. • We celebrate and respect the dignity and worth & Miss Lexington Pride, Savion Laroux and Cortney of all people. Carson. Additionally, we will have several events leading up to the big day, including Pride Night with • We advocate for and embrace an inclusive and the Legends on the 22nd, a Pride Turnabout Show at diverse community. Crossings on the 24th, Pride Yoga at the PCSO Pride Center on the 25th, and Pride Trivia at Pivot Brewing • We believe in empowering each individual to be on the 27th. Also, keep your eyes open for a series of an agent of change. Pride Idol preliminaries, which will be held at various locations around town throughout the month of June, • We believe in collaboration as a vehicle for as well as an announcement about pre-pride festivities creating a more just and equitable community. happening on June 29th, the night before the Pride Festival. Look to our social media, the Lexington Pride • We believe that education is the cornerstone for Festival app on Apple and Android, and our websites creating social justice. www.lexpridefest.org and www.pcsoky.org for more information on upcoming events. Most importantly, PCSO has adopted those statements as their core come to these events and definitely to the Pride Festival values, and we have committed to incorporating those and take part in this vision and these values. Help us values into every decision we make at the PCSO and make Pride Fest 2018 the biggest one yet, and be proud by extension all of its programs and events. The Pride that you are taking part in an enormous event that works Festival is no exception. We constantly look at how we from those values. can increase diversity through a wide array of vendors Happy Pride! Q
16 LinQ // MAY 2018 . COMMUNITY
IMPERIAL COURT OF KENTUCKY NEWS by Nicole Diamond, Minister of Protocol of the College of Monarchs of the ICK
T
City Supervisor in San Francisco in 1961 (11 years before Harvey Milk). Each year, our court of volunteers knows neither limits nor boundaries when it comes to dedication and “service above self ” for the betterment of our community. Through the work of a dedicated Board of Directors and devoted College of Monarchs, the Imperial Court of Kentucky continues to reach higher and accomplish amazing goals. It is exciting to see that great things are being accomplished within our community. This past year has been a
year of growth and restructuring for our organization. We feel that over this past year we have re-energized ourselves, gained new members, and built bridges with our community partners. Through the combined leadership accomplishments between the Board of Directors and College of Monarchs, fundraising for the charities of the Imperial Court of Kentucky has been remarkable. We would like to thank the community for supporting our continued fundraising efforts within Lexington. Together we make a difference one dollar at a time. We welcome everyone on Sunday June 3, 2018 at the downtown Hilton Hotel as the Imperial Court of Kentucky presents The Bourbon Ball – Coronation 37. That evening we will be crowning our aspirants to the throne, Empress Elect Petty Giuliana Poussey and Regent Emperor Clayton Burchell. We are looking forward to working beside these two amazing individuals as we continue our fundraising efforts in the Bluegrass. Stop by our booth at the Pride Festival and say hello and meet our newly crowned Monarchs. Watch our website at www.imperialcourtkentucky. org and our Facebook page for upcoming events. “From the Heart, Through the Court, For the Community.”
Q
COMMUNITY
he Imperial Court of Kentucky is honored to welcome courtiers from across the International Imperial Court System to the Bluegrass State, June 1–4. We welcome friends from near and far as the Imperial Court of Kentucky presents The Bourbon Ball Coronation 37. We are thrilled this year to be showcasing a preview of the film Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of Jose Sarria at Coronation. Jose Sarria was the founder of the International Imperial Court Imperial Court System 53 years ago. This 110-minute feature documentary celebrates the social, cultural and political legacy of Jose Sarria, the world’s first openly gay man to run for public office in 1961. Nelly Queen is the first feature documentary that focuses solely on Latino activist Jose Sarria (1922-2013) and his milestone contributions to the LGBTQ+ movement. At the intersection of politics and camp, Nelly Queen reveals an intimate portrait of a drag performer who, during the 1950s and early 1960s, brazenly stood up (in red heels) to corrupt San Francisco police and undercover officers; litigated anti-gay city ordinances; and founded the nation’s second largest gay nonprofit. When San Francisco politicians threatened to shut down the gay bars, Sarria ran as the first openly gay candidate for
COMMUNITY . JUNE 2018 // LinQ 19
New Song in the Bluegrass, Lexington’s LGBTQ+ Community Chorus, performs at their Spring concert at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 12.
SisterSound, the Lexington Women’s Chorus, performs at their Spring concert: You Can’t Stop the Beat at Crestwood Christian Church on Saturday, May 19.
Trans Parent Lex held their first annual park picnic at Jacobson Park on Sunday, May 20
Shady Dior performs at ICK Ultimate Entertainer of the Year Pageant at Crossings on Sunday, May 20.
Serena Van Daren performs at ICK Ultimate Entertainer of the Year Pageant at Crossings on Sunday, May 20.
Russell Drake & Tim Logsdon enjoy the show at the ICK Ultimate Entertainer of the Year Pageant at Crossings on Sunday, May 20, a fundraiser for Erase Hate 2018 for the Matthew Shepherd Foundation.
Bachelor Terrance Tichner is bid on at the 9th Annual Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction at Soundbar on Friday, May 18.
Bachelorette Casey Quickel is bid on at the 9th Annual Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction at Soundbar on Friday, May 18.
Participants enjoy the 9th Annual Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction, a fundraiser for the Lexington Pride Festival, at Soundbar on Friday, May 18.
Bachelor Ted Houlehan is bid on at the 9th Annual Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction at Soundbar on Friday, May 18.
Bachelorette Sierra Hatfield is bid on at the 9th Annual Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction at Soundbar on Friday, May 18.
FOCUS ON FAIRNESS, EQUALITY & JUSTICE
Happy Pride Month! I look forward to meeting you at PRIDE and other community events and I appreciate your VOTE on November 6!
JUDGE PAMELA
GOODWINE COURT OF APPEALS
EXPERIENCE • DEDICATED • RESULTS • Presided over more capital murder cases than any judge in the Commonwealth of Kentucky • Presided over more trials than any other judge in the 5th Appellate District • Awarded Trial Judge of the Year • 18 years as a trial judge
CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK
VISIT JUDGEGOODWINE.COM TO HELP ME ACHIEVE MY DREAM! VOLUNTEER • DONATE • YARD SIGNS
Paid for by Friends of Judge Goodwine, Lindy Karns, C.P.A., Treasurer
JUNE CALENDAR & DIRECTORY
Saturday, June 2 10:00 a.m.-Grief Support Group (Ahava Center) 2:30 p.m.-Bluegrass Black Pride Meeting (Northside Library) 7:30 p.m.-TransKentucky Sunday, June 3 3:00 p.m.- LGTBQ+ Historic Markers (224 E. Main Street) 6:30 p.m.-ICK Bourbon Ball/Coronation (Downtown Hilton) Tuesday, June 5 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, June 6 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Center) 6:30 p.m.-PCSO Board Meeting (Henry Clay High School) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Center) Thursday, June 7 6:00 p.m.-A Reading with Silas House (Brier Books) 6:30 p.m.-Lexington Pride Festival Committee Meeting (PCSO Center) Saturday, June 9 9:00 p.m.-Kentucky Bourbon Bears Board Meeting (Crossings) Monday, June 11 6:00 p.m.-LGBTQ+ Sci-Fi/Horror Group (PCSO Center) Tuesday, June 12 6:30 p.m.-PFLAG Meeting (St. Michael’s Church) 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, June 13 5:00 p.m.-Richmond’s Alphabet Soup Support Group (UU Fellowship Hall) 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Center) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Center) Thursday, June 14 6:30 p.m.-Lexington Pride Festival Committee Meeting (PCSO Center) Friday, June 15 LinQ Editorial & Ad Deadline
7:00 p.m.-Senior’s Bistro (Potluck) (PCSO Center) Sunday, June 17 3:00 p.m.-Kentucky Fried Sisters (PCSO Center) 7:00 p.m.-Bingo with the Kentucky Fried Sisters (Pivot Brewing) Monday, June 18 7:00 p.m.-GLAST - LGBTQ+ in Recovery Peer Support Group (PCSO Center) Tuesday, June 19 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, June 20 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Center) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Center) Thursday, June 21 6:30 p.m.-Lexington Pride Festival Committee Meeting (PCSO Center) Friday, June 22 6:30 p.m.-Pride Night with the Lexington Legends (Whitaker Bank Ballpark) Sunday, June 24 6:00 p.m. ICK’s Board of Directors/Membership Meeting (PCSO Center) 8:00 p.m.-Pride Turnabout Show (Crossings) Monday, June 25 6:00 p.m.-LGBTQ+ Sci-Fi/ Horror Group (PCSO Center) Tuesday, June 26 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, June 27 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Center) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Center) 7:00 P.M.-Pride Trivia (Pivot Brewing) Friday, June 29 6:00 p.m.-Fairness Hall of Fame (Hyatt Regency) Saturday, June 30 LEXINGTON PRIDE FESTIVAL (Lexington Courthouse Plaza)
For more details on events, view the full calendar at pcsoky.org at the bottom of the webpage
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL GROUPS 24-Hour National Crisis Line
1-800-221-0446
24-Hour Teen Crisis Line
1-800-432-4510
24/7 Veteran’s Administration Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255, Press 1
AA/Alcoholic Teens
859-277-1877
Alcoholics Anonymous
859-967-9960
Arbor Youth Services
859-254-2501
Council for Peace and Justice
859-488-1448
Fairness of Louisville
502-893-0788
Gay-Straight Alliance, Teens
859-221-4396
Gays & Lesbians Achieveing Sobriety Together
513-334-6945
“Heart to Heart” Discussion Group
859-253-3233
Imperial Court of Kentucky
859-619-7521
KY Survivors Area of Narcotics Anonymous
859-253-4673
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
859-431-8200
Lexington Fair Housing Council
1-866-438-8617
Lexington Fairness
859-951-8565
Lexington Human Rights
859-252-4931
Lexington Pride Festival
859-253-3233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
PCSO Pride Center
859-253-3233
PFLAG Central Kentucky, Inc.
859-338-4393
PFLAG Louisville
502-223-1323
Rainbow League
859-806-4299
SAGE Elder Hotline
1-888-234-7243
SisterSound
859-806-0243
Social Services, Lexington
211
TransParentLex
859-230-0409
TransKentucky
859-448-LGBT (5428)
TransLex
translexington@gmail.com
Transgender Youth Family Allies
1-888-462-8932
Trevor Lifeline 24/7
1-866-488-7386
United Way
859-313-5465
VA, Lexington LGBT Veteran Care Office
859-233-4511, Ext. 3482
COLLEGE STUDENT GROUPS Berea College ACE
859-958-3633
BCTC Gay-Straight Alliance
859-246-6365
Centre College BGLA
859-238-5332
EKU Alphabet Center
859-622-5041
EKU Pride Alliance
859-622-1027
Morehead State University
606-783-2071
TUnity (Transy)
859-445-3822
UK LGBTQ* Resource Center
859-323-3312
RELIGIOUS GROUPS Ahava Center for Spiritual Living
859-373-8910
Bluegrass United Church of Christ
859-233-0208
Central Christian Church
859-233-1551
Faith Lutheran Church
859-266-7621
First Presbyterian Church
859-252-1919
Hunter Presbyterian Church
859-277-5126
Lex Friends, Quakers
859-254-3319
Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church
859-255-1075
St. Martha’s Episcopal Church
859-271-7641
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
859-277-7511
Unitarian Universalist Church
859-223-1448
Woodland Christian Church
859-266-3416
HIV/STD TESTING, SERVICES & INFO AIDS Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL)
859-225-3000
Health Department, Fayette County
859-288-2437
Health Department, Woodford County
859-873-4541
HIV/AIDS Legal Project
502-584-1254
Moveable Feast
859-252-2867
Northern KY Region
859-341-4264
UK Adolescent Medicine
859-323-5643
CALENDAR & DIRECTORY . JUNE 2018 // LinQ 23