'N Touch News Magazine Issue #90, January 2012

Visit Beautiful Northern Arizona!

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FROM THE EDITOR

The times, they are a changing!

Ever the eternal optimist, I am hopeful that the political and economic landscape may be changing for the better in Arizona.

As the mayor of the 6th largest city in the nation, Greg Stanton announced that the first thing he plans to do is form a new collaboration with Arizona State University, Mayo Clinic Hospital and others in the private sector to develop a major bioscience center in northeast Phoenix much like the University of Arizona’s Phoenix medical school, which has spurred economic growth downtown.

The mayor also vowed to open up City Hall to everyone, whether they supported him or not during the campaign.

But what was truly amazing is in his inaugural speech he addressed the topic of bullying in our schools. Better yet, his wife Nicole France Stanton has said she will be taking on an anti-bullying initiative.

Another reason to be optimistic - Kyrsten Sinema, a progressive leader and champion of our community is resigning from the state

Senate to run for Congress representing Arizona’s newly drafted 9th District.

In announcing her candidacy on her Facebook page and in an email, she said: “I’ve decided to run for Congress because we need to wake up Washington! I will fight for the forgotten middle class and stand up to a system that is rigged against them.”

I first interviewed Sinema in 2004 after she outed herself during a speech on the House floor. Since then she has learned to reach across the aisle to form coalitions to get things done, but has always stayed true to her core principles fighting for the middle class, demanding equality and protecting the powerless.

So as Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a changing.” We hope so!

Green Tip! Green your workout!

Take it outside whenever you can. Instead of increasing your energy consumption via home and gym exercise machines, take advantage of hiking and biking trails in your area.

One big advantage to the great outdoors - it’s 100% free and always interesting! Check out the Rails-to-Trails TrailLink database to find the perfect outdoor trail in your area.

Car pool to your local gym with a friend or neighbor. Not only does carpooling cut down on your fuel costs and usage, but having a gym buddy is an instant incentive to keep up with your fitness goals and resolutions. For extra support, consider joining a soccer, volleyball, or kickball league in your neighborhood. No one to car pool with? Your bike is another great way to get where you’re going and warm up for your workout at the same time.

Just say no to one-time use plastic water bottles. It’s time to commit to using refillable water bottles for workouts and everyday hydration. Using a refillable bottle means less waste in landfills and more money in your wallet. How about this self-filtering, re-usable healthy-plastic model from our friends at Back to the Tap? Don’t let a good workout go to waste. Put your pedal power to work by hooking up your stationary bike to a battery or generator! In no time you will be making enough energy to power common household appliances and gadgets.

Recycle your cross-trainers. After putting in all of that extra mileage, your new shoes are bound to lose their bounce. Instead of tossing them, give your shoes new life with Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program. Worn out shoes are used to build new tracks, basketball and tennis courts. New life for old shoes!

P.O. Box 17674 • Phoenix, AZ 85011-7674 (602) 373-9490 • info@ntouchaz.com

Editor

Gina Read

Creative & Technical Director

M. Shelby Blanton

Assistant Editor

Luis Garcia

Advertising Sales Joseph A Gaxiola, Danny Catt, Han Nguyen, Michael Smith National Advertising Sales Rivendell Media - (212) 242-6863 Photographers Patrick Kelley, Jamie Saragosa, Joseph A. Gaxiola, Danny Catt Writers

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Additional Distribution Support Ted Kirby, Paul Sanchez To advertise in ‘N Touch News, contact Joseph Gaxiola at (602) 410-9825 Danny Catt at (520) 429-5905

Publisher

Gina Read

© 2012-15 WriteBrain Productions, LLC, Design & Layout by Lionwood Visual Design.

Published on the 15th of every month ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

All original artwork for ‘N TOUCH NEWS remains property of LIONWOOD VISUAL DESIGN and cannot be reproduced, altered, or sold without authorization and compensation. Limited usage rights can be purchased for a small fee.

NOTE: The opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect the views of ‘N TOUCH NEWS, its staff, or that of its parent company.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization within ‘N TOUCH NEWS is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or organization. Some photos were submitted by our readers. To our knowledge, they own the copyrights, and they have given us permission to reproduce them. If you see a picture that you own, please call us immediately and we will remove if from future publications. All copy, text, display, photos and illustrations in the ads are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized, have secured proper written consent for the use of names, pictures, and testimonials of any living person, and that ‘N Touch News is not responsible for unlawful use of such content.

‘N Touch News is a member of...

Excerpted from http://www.earthshare.org/2011/01/green-your-workout-.html

4 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

news / politics / business / opinion

Issue At A Glance ‘N Touch News Magazine Issue #90, January 2012

LOCAL NEWS 6

1VCC adds new board members

8

Desperado Film Fest turns two, looks to make a mark

UNSUNG HERO 15

p 6 - The Center Grows

Brad Wishon deserves praise

NATIONAL NEWS 16

The return of GOP anti-gay rhetoric?

BUSINESS 22

p 15 - Brad gets his

QTalk Radio tells it like it is

FEATURE ARTICLE 28

H.O.P.E. House is the first trans shelter in the U.S., and its right here in Phoenix

MORE GEEK THAN GAY 31

p 24 - Today’s gay radio

The origin of the ‘Gay Geek’

ETHICS 37

Dr. Dina breaks down the ethics of New Year’s resolutions p 28 - 1st trans shelter

PETS 39

Getting your pet to survive the holidays unscathed

NIGHTLIFE 46

Pandora analyzes 2011 A blessing or a curse?

p 31 - Making gay geeks

FOCUS TUCSON 48

Remember your first time?

p 48 - Ahh the first time...

news / politics / business / opinion

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 5

LOCAL NEWS

One Voice adds board members

By Luis Garcia PHOENIX - For many people

the new year symbolizes a time of rebirth. The One Voice Community Center plans to celebrate with the addition of five new faces to the board of directors.

According to 1VCC Chair Jimmy Gruender, elections were held last month and joining the 1VCC Board of Directors are Bill Soroka, Bradley Wishon, Cary Jones, Christine Schubert and Christopher Boutwell.

“I am very excited to be on the board for One Voice,” said Soroka. “It always seemed to me that the greatest challenge our community faces is how to unify. Because, even though we all identify as LGBT, within that realm, we are all as diverse as the world itself. This Center has the potential to bring us all together in a

spirit of education, organization, and fun. I am honored to be invited into the core of One Voice with a chance to increase the reach of such a grand idea. I can’t wait to see what the year brings.”

Gruender has served on the Phoenix Pride Board from 2004-2009 and was the Region One Representative for the Inter-Pride 2009-2011, co-Chair of the Human and Equal Rights Organizers (H.E.R.O) in 2010, a member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) steering committee, and co-Director for Right to Marry Arizona Walk in 2010 and again in 2011, as well as a equality walker in 2009.

Re-elected to the board, Gruender will serve another term as chair with Angela V. Harvey serving as Vice Chair.

Harvey has been an advocate and leader in the LGBTQ Communities for over 17 years. She is a member of Beta Phi Omega Sorority Inc., a national lesbian sorority and is a two-time Leeway Grant Recipient/ Participant for her work with lesbian youth, HIV-positive individuals and the Transgender community in the City of Philadelphia.

Marisa Zelaya Tristan will continue as treasurer with Christopher Boutwell will now serve as Secretary.

Zelaya Tristan currently serves as

the treasurer, is chair of the fundraising committee for 1VCC and was on first class of the Anti-Violence Project (AVP) Hotline volunteers, a resource hotline for the LGBT in crisis.

Also coming back to the board is Philip McGuffie.

McGuffie began volunteering at 1VCC in June 2011. He helped with the relocation of the Center and assisted in the improvement of the facilities. Phil joined the board in September 2011 where he has been facilitating the upkeep of the Center.

McGuffie also manages the renting of the Center’s office space for local LGBT groups.

Committee Chairpersons are to be determined in the next board meeting on January 23. for more information visit 1VCC.org

Introducing 1VCC’s new Board members Cary Jones

Jones was born in Princeton, KY. He has worked with Adopt-aHighway and Children’s Miracle Network. Jones feels that he can bring a fresh and new ideas on how to help our organization and our community grow.

Bradley Wishon

Wishon hails from Missouri. He has served as the Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Churches in St. Louis, Missouri and Phoenix, Arizona. He serves on the Executive Committee of No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice as Vice-President, and has served on several local non-profit boards and committees. One of his personal moments of pride was completing the Walk Across America, going from Phoenix to Washington, D.C. in 2006.

Bill Soroka

Soroka is a native Arizonan and serial entrepreneur committed to creating businesses, events, and organizations that promote win/win strategies and philanthropy. He’s been involved in various non-profit groups, youth leadership programs, and several small businesses throughout Arizona and Colorado.

Christopher Boutwell

Boutwell began working with 1VCC as a volunteer in May 2011.

Last August, he began to intern at the Center where he began assisting the Communications and Programs committees in engaging in strategic planning.

Christine Schubert

Find more news & information online!

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6 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

Schubert is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has been a patron of 1VCC since 2009, and is presently holds a full membership.

For the past two years, Christine has been employed by the Apollo Group, which controls a number of online universities, geared toward the working adult, or adult returning to the academic world and is presently working toward her MBA with the University of Phoenix in Business Management.

news / politics / business / opinion

LOCAL NEWS Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. awards

PHOENIX - Celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at the 26th annual MLK Awards Breakfast, Stand Up for Justice, 7 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 340 N. Third St. The event recognizes one winner for the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award and six individuals for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award, who have made Phoenix a better place to live through a lifelong commitment to creating a compassionate and socially just society.

The Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to Dr. Gene C. Blue, president and chief executive officer of Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center (Arizona OIC). The award recognizes an exceptional individual who has made Phoenix a better place through a lifelong dedication to promoting social and economic justice,

defending civil rights and enhancing the dignity of all people. The award is named for former Phoenix City Councilman Calvin C. Goode, who worked to ensure these rights for all residents during his 22-year tenure on the council.

The six Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream awardees include: Dr. Madelaine Adelman, associate professor, Justice and Social Inquiry, Arizona State University and cochair of GLSEN Phoenix; Dr. Donald Campbell, retired, Arizona State University; Dr. Wil Counts, professor emeritus, Gateway Community College and pharmacist, PharMerica; Adam Lopez Falk, governing board member, Alhambra Elementary School District #68; Dr. Carnella Hardin, business faculty emeritus, Glendale Community College; and Jerry Oliver II, detective, city of Phoenix Police Department.

The event is sponsored by the Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee and supported by the Phoenix Human Relations Commission.

Cost for the event is $65 per person or $650 for a table of 10. The reservation deadline is 4 p.m. Jan. 6.

To receive a reservation form and/ or obtain additional information on this or other Dr. King events in January, call 602-254-5081.

New International Film Festival comes to Tucson

TUCSON - The Southwest LGBT Film Society announced the coming of its 1st Annual “Out in the Desert”, Tucson’s International LGBT Film Festival.

The Festival, scheduled for February 17-19, and February 24-26, 2012 at the Screening Room, is a celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films. The six-day event will showcase the best features, documentaries, shorts and musical films exploring LGBT issues and/or created by members of the LGBT community, and promises to be an exciting and diverse addition to Tucson’s Art Culture.

Film submissions to “Out in the Desert” are coming in from all over the world, as well as from local filmmakers in and around the Tucson area. Steering Committee

members, Joe Sprague: Festival Director, Tom Forester: Programming Chair, Chris Canine: Sponsorship and Community Partners Chair, ‘N Touch News own Han Nguyen: Communications Chair, Kris Nicola: Online Chair, Brad Spaulding: Ticket and Membership Chair and Lana Baldwin: Special Events Chair, have begun organizing to bring the best LGBT films to Tucson. The committee is currently in search of additional chair/committee members and volunteers. For more information, please visit “Out in the Desert’s” official website at outinthedesertff.org.

“With many years of experience in the LGBT Film Festival Circuit, I can tell you first hand that Film can and does change peoples’ lives.” – Joe Sprague, Festival Director

Saddle up cowboys/girls!

The Road Runner Regional Rodeo (RRRR) is on the way! Come out to Rawhide Western Town and see the first gay rodeo of 2012.

The rodeo, hosted by the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association, takes place Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-19, 2012 at the Rawhide Arena and Pavilion. news / politics / business / opinion

The Arena will be the place to see bull-riding, roping events, speed events on horseback, and the crowd favorite camp events like Wild Drag Race and Goat Dressing. Next to the Arena is a huge indoor Pavilion - where you will find dozens of vendors of food and displays for all, plus bars for the adults. Country Idol Finals competition takes place on stage, free on Friday - and country dancing and music are featured throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are available now through the website agra-phx.com. Admission to all the rodeo events and pavilion are $15 each day - Saturday and Sunday. The Weekend Pass is only $25.

For additional information go to agra-phx.com ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 7

LOCAL NEWS

Desperado Film Fest makes its mark LGBT students and their straight allies to celebrate and promote diversity throughout the PVCC campus. In addition, the club hopes to unite the community through education, creating dialogue that promotes human rights, encouraging an appreciation and celebration of diversity and to engage in political activism.

The Center for the Performing Arts is located at 34th Street and Union Hills at the east end of the campus of Paradise Valley Community College in North Phoenix.

By Luis Garcia PHOENIX - Coming off a successful year, the Desperado LGBT Film Festival is looking to permanently make its mark as one of the premier film festivals that showcase the best in LGBT film making.

From Jan. 27-29, at the Paradise Community College Center for the Performing Arts in Phoenix, the third annual Desperado LGBT Film Festival will present a variety of timely and socially relevant films to foster awareness and understanding of key issues in our community.

According to the Alan East, chair of the Desperado LGBT Film Festival, this is an opportunity to provide the Phoenix LGBT population and all students of Maricopa Community Colleges an understanding of diversity and multiculturalism.

“The national discussion about LGBTQ issues is now underscoring the ongoing fight for equality and anti-discrimination legislation for same-sex marriage, workplace discrimination and teen bullying,” said East. “We want to promote education and understanding of cultural diversity through these films about social change.

New to the festival this year is an entertainment stage with local performers.

“Multiple musicians are performing during the weekend, so go to the website to check out who will be playing,” said East.

In May 2011 the festival was honored with the 2011 Diversity Advisory Council Award for its effort to foster a community of acceptance for all students.

The Desperado Film Festival is a collaboration of Paradise Valley Community College’s People Respecting Individuality, Diversity and Equality (P.R.I.D.E.) student club, the Center for the Performing Arts and the Office of Student Life. Proceeds fund the PVCC Rainbow Scholarship for LGBTQA students.

The PVCC P.R.I.D.E. club is comprised of

8 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

Desperado LGBT Film Festival Line-up: Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Wish Me Away Feature-length documentary Wish Me Away is a personal and intimate look at Chely Wright, the first country music star to come out as gay. After a lifetime of hiding, she shatters cultural and religious stereotypes within Nashville, her conservative heartland family, and most importantly, herself.

Over a three-year period, award-winning filmmakers Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf followed Chely’s struggle - some of which was recorded on private video diaries - and her unfolding plan to come out publicly. Using interviews with Chely, her family, key players in Nashville and her management team, the film goes deep into Chely’s back story as an established country music star and then forward in verite scenes as she prepares to step into the media glare to reveal that she is gay. The film chronicles the aftermath of that decision in Nashville, her hometown and within the LGBT community.

Finally, performing before an LGBT audience of over 100,000, with the Capitol Building blazing behind her, we feel both the excitement and uncertainty of the future that awaits her.

Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m., Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation (free) Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation is the story of six individuals as they journey through the social, religious, and political landscapes of a society that struggles to understand and accept gender variations. This film breaks through gender stereotypes and historical gender ideologies to liberate our bodies, minds and spirits from our own social Gender Dysphoria.

Proceeds from the event will go to supporting the PVCC Rainbows Scholarship and also to the P.R.I.D.E. student organization Followed by a panel discussion related to Gender Identity featuring local activists Sat. Jan 28 1 p.m., Mixed Shorts The Queen, Tech Support, Pride, Poker Face, 52, Slashed, The Violation, Spiral Transition, Skallaman. Q&A by Christopher Bradley, filmmaker of The Violation

Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m., Tomboy In “Tomboy,” filmmaker Céline Sciamma’s (“Water Lilies”) second feature, a family with two daughters, 10-year-old Laure (Zoé Heran) and 6-year-old Jeanne (Malonn Lévana), moves to a new suburban neighborhood during the summer holidays. With her Jean Seberg haircut and tomboy ways, Laure is immediately mistaken for a boy by the local kids, and decides to pass herself off as “Mikael,” a boy different enough to catch the attention of the leader of the pack, Lisa ( Jeanne Disson), who becomes smitten.

At home with her parents (Mathieu Demy and Sophie Cattani) and girlie younger sister, she is Laure: hanging out with her new pals and girlfriend, she is Mikael. Finding resourceful ways to hide her true self, Laure takes advantage of her new identity, as if the end of the summer would never reveal her unsettling secret. Sciamma brings a light and charming touch to this contemporary coming-of-age story, which is also about relationships between children, children and parents, and the even more complicated one between one’s heart and body.

Saturday, Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m., Three Veils Three Veils is a film about three young MiddleEastern women living in the U.S, each with her own personal story. Leila is engaged to be married; however, as the wedding night approaches, she becomes less and less sure of how her life is playing out. Amira is a very devout Muslim, but she is deals with her deep repressions about her intimate feelings toward women. Nikki acts out her promiscuity as she battles her own demons after a tragic death in the family. As the film progresses, all three stories unfold and blend into each other as connections are revealed between the three women.

Awards: Best Facebook.com/threeveilsmovie.

Proceeds from the Desperado Film Festivalsupport LGBTQA Scholarships Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8:30 p.m., Going Down in LA-LA LAND A candid, sexy, and outrageously funny look at what an actor can – and will do – to survive in Hollywood.

Young, handsome, and ambitious, Adam arrives from New York with dreams of making it big in L.A. He moves in with his zany best friend Candy who, between auditions, spends her time at the gym, shopping, or looking for a wealthy man.

Adam gets off to a rocky start, complete with parking tickets and an insufferable job answering phones. A new job in production looks promising, but soon Adam finds himself dealing with downand-out directors, washed up starlets, and meth addicts, as he starts to loose himself in a seamy underworld of gay porn and prostitution.

Actor Matthew Ludwinski will be in attendance news / politics / business / opinion

LOCAL NEWS Sunday, Jan. 29 12:30 p.m, This is What Love in Action Looks Like In the summer of 2005 a 16yo Memphis, TN wrote on his MySpace blog about his parents sending him to a “Fundamentalist Christian” program that strives to turn gay teens straight. This documentary follows the inspirational story of this teens local community standing up for their friend with daily protests at the facility in what would become an international news story. The documentary features several former clients of the organization who tell their personal stories about the time they spent within the programs walls.

Followed by a Civic Engagement Discussion Panel Sunday, Jan. 29 3 p.m., Sunday Film Shorts Couples Therapy, Coffee and Pie, Loop Planes, Cyclicity, Club Scene, The Under-Ager, Nice shirt, More or Less, Door Prize, Thank You for Your Call, and Ketheron’s Bucket-Mending & Hymen Emporium.

Sunday, Jan. 29 at 5:15 p.m., Joe+Belle A dark comedy about two girls who fall in love with their country and with each other en route from Tel Aviv to Sderot (the ongoing target of Qassam rocket attacks).

Joe is a frustrated drug dealer and Belle is a french psychopath. The two meet and get involved in an

absurd murder in the center of Tel Aviv, Israel.

They now have to dump the body and escape the police. In this long and difficult journey, the coincidental encounter becomes a true love story that can only exist in one place – Sderot.

Sunday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m., Half-Share (free) Half-Share? Quarter-Share? Men who impersonate Cher? The men on Fire Island speak a different lingo and for a newcomer like Mac, it’s way more than a mouthful! Practically hetero and fresh out of a 14-year relationship, Mac (Kyle Spidle) packs his Birkenstocks and emotional baggage for a summer share. What Mac envisions as relaxing beach-time turns into high camp hysteria after his eccentric housemates take a fish out of water and fling him into the gay shark-pond!

Mac’s old friend Ito, the neurotic House Mother (Alec Mapa), collects “antiques” while frantically trying to keep this unconventional family together.

Ito’s efforts are thwarted by the antics of an aging chorus boy ( Jesse Archer) on a personal quest to never grow up.

The Michaels ( Jack Plotnick and Sam Pancake), a couple who give new meaning to co-dependency, are celebrating their ten year anniversary by seeking a third. And Republican lawyer by week, drag diva by weekend, Harold (Kevyn Morrow) offers sage but insensitive advice that Mac struggles to accept. After a downward spiral with high tea hi-

Your friends are living it up...

jinx, a hot tub surprise and a tense showdown with his new housemates, Mac has to make a decision: Survive–or vote himself off the island?

Sunday, Jan. 29 at 7:45 p.m., eCupid: Love on the Download Marshall (Houston Rhines) is a cocky young ad man working at a dead-end job for a boss ( John Callahan) who overlooks his talents. After seven years with his boyfriend, Gabe (Noah Shuffman), Marshall’s love life has become too comfortable.

On top of that, he’s turning 30!

He is desperate for a new life. He goes looking for it online, where he comes upon a mysterious app called “eCupid” that guarantees to find true love. From the moment he downloads it, “eCupid” scans every inch of Marshall’s online world and instantly turns his life upside down.

Marshall suddenly gets everything he thinks he wanted. Newly single and ready for adventure, “eCupid” overwhelms Marshall with sexy guys at every turn, each promising to be the man of his fantasies. But too much of a good thing may not be a good thing. Marshall soon finds that all the attention is more than he bargained for.

With the help of a wise and mysterious waitress (Morgan Fairchild), Marshall is given one last chance to listen to his heart and figure out what (and who) is really important.

Director JC Calciano will be in attendance.

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ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 9

LOCAL NEWS

La Fiesta de Los Osos

Bears of the Old Pueblo host 15th annual event

Tucson - Over the past 15 years the much loved, signature event of the Bears of the Old Pueblo has welcomed thousands of Bears and buddies from across the globe and helped raise over $40,000 for

local charitable organizations. La Fiesta de Los Osos 2012, will take place Jan. 12-16. The Bears have a beautiful new host hotel right in the heart of downtown Tucson, Hotel Tucson City Center, as well as new features and of course all your Fiesta favorites to guarantee you a weekend of mirth and merriment in warmth of the desert sun.

New this year, the “Fur Real” dance DJ’d by David Biehl, who has run the 1000+ Bear “Tidal Wave” dances/parties at the Walt Disney World water park for the past three years. The Fur Real dance will launch following the banquet and contest giving everyone the chance to shake it with to some hot tunes on the hotel’s spacious dance floor.

The Fur Real Bears dance is a public event that non-Fiesta registrants can attend for $10 at the door with 100% of the proceeds benefitting Wingspan. The $10 gets folks in

10 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

the door for the dance and the infamous Bear Contest as well as access to the pool and the Bears Den hospitality suite.

Cigar and pipe enthusiasts will find nightly parties on the hotel’s beautiful patio, and Desert Dominion will again host an off-site Bear Hug Party in their organization’s warehouse/playspace.

This year the Bears of the Old Pueblo again have chosen the Homeless LGBT Youth Services of Wingspan (wingspan.org) and Open Inn (openinn.org) to be recipients of the funds raised during Fiesta, so know that you are helping make the lives of LGBT youth better while you’re having fun. The

Bears will also be offering a specially produced shirt with the artwork of talented New Zealander Don Chooi featured on the Fiesta poster with 100 percent of sales going to these amazing organizations.

Registration closes when organizers reach 300 registrants. They are offering reciprocal discounts for Bears of the Old Pueblo and Bears of the West members in good standing.

Registrations are coming in fast and they are sure to hit the 300 registrant cap so don’t miss out on the first big Bear run of the new year, head over to: fiesta.botop.com for all the details, a complete schedule of events, and registration options.

Bearracuda returns

By Luis Garcia PHOENIX - Cubs, and otters and bears! Oh my! Bearracuda, the premier party for bears, cubs and other wildlife, returns to Phoenix this month.

After three successful party celebrations in Phoenix, Bearracuda will return to the Rock on Jan. 27.

According to the Rock owner Michael Jacobs, the winter dance party is one of the best and biggest celebrations in the Valley with “a lot of hot men” from all over the country.

“This is probably the one biggest party of the year in Phoenix,” said Jacobs. “Imagine walking into a dance club with a bunch of guys moving to the music, most of them shirtless. All type of guys and all types of bodies.

It’s nonstop fun from the moment we open those doors. If you have never been to one of the Bearracuda events you are missing out on the most electrifying events anywhere..

Bearracuda is now in 25 cities across the world and was voted the “best club for queer men” the last four years by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. ”Friday, January 27th will be our winter event and our only party in Phoenix for the next four months.

We’re looking forward to seeing our regulars and a slew of new people at

The Rock,” said Mikesell.

And due to “very popular demand” Bearracuda is flying down DJ Matt Consola.

Consola has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years primarily in the circuit, leather and bear communities. Consola has his own record label and is producer of memorable events across the country and across the world.

“It’s all about the DJ and being happy with yourself,” says Todd Burke, who plans to attend Bearracuda. “It’s the ability to be who you are and dance the night away.”

Jacobs agrees with Burke.

“We brought this party to Phoenix to offer an experience of a lifetime for people of all ages and all body types.

The music is unbelievable and the people are incredible,” said Jacobs.

Bearracuda, Jan. 27, 9 p.m. at the Rock, 4129 N 7th Ave. Cover $6 before 10 p.m., $8 after. news / politics / business / opinion

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

ADL commends U.S. Justice Department report on civil rights violations PHOENIX - The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) commended the U.S. Department of Justice for its report detailing repeated and flagrant civil rights violations by the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office, saying the report validates concerns of systemic deficiencies within the department that led to ethnic profiling of Latinos and other civil rights violations.

Miriam Weisman, ADL Arizona Regional Board Chair, and Bill Straus, ADL Arizona Regional Director, issued the following statement: “We welcome the inquiry and intervention of the U.S. Justice Department in response to concerns of repeated and flagrant civil rights violations by the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office.

The Justice Department’s report is a significant official recognition of our longstanding concerns regarding unconstitutional practices by the Sheriff ’s Office.

“Sheriff Arpaio’s leadership in Maricopa County has clearly resulted in a systematic failure in the exercise of responsible and accountable law enforcement, and a breakdown in the community’s ability to trust law enforcement. We believe the sheriff no longer has the credibility to attain the respect and support that such a position requires and demands.

“We have received numerous complaints of ethnic profiling targeting Latinos. Sheriff Arpaio has always denied these activities, so we asked the Justice Department to conduct a thorough external investigation. Their report validates many of our concerns, and those of the community.

“The Justice Department report found there was reasonable cause to believe that a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct and/or violations of federal law occurred in several areas related to the profiling of Latinos in Maricopa County. It also highlighted a number of longstanding and entrenched systemic deficiencies that caused or contributed to patterns of unlawful conduct, including inadequate training and inadequate supervision of law enforcement officers.”

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 12 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

Desperado previews “Pariah” PHOENIX - Preview “Pariah”, one of the films of the Desperado LGBT Film Festival, Jan. 5 at Tempe Marketplace and Jan. 11 at the Camelview in Scottsdale.

The Desperado Film Festival selections have been made and can be seen desperadofilmfestival. com.

If you’re coming in to town - organizers have a $99 rate at the Hilton Suites Hotel in Phoenix.

You have to call Lynn Frontado at 602-212-5310 or email lynn.frontado@hilton.com. You must mention the film festival for that rate.

3rd Annual Her HRC Phoenix PHOENIX - Join HRC in Phoenix for Mardi Gras, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Arcadia Room at LGO, 3950 E. Campbell Ave, Phoenix. Experience the legendary New Orleans Mardi Gras and “Her HRC” is a night celebrating women, featuring great music, authentic food, games and prizes.

Support your community and kick off the year with some fun.

Join thousands of women in cities across the country for a national night of celebration!

Her HRC is a time for us to come together as women in support of equality for the LGBT community and have fun!

Admission is $20 and includes admission, an annual HRC membership, one drink ticket and appetizers!

Space is limited, arrive early - this event is expected to reach capacity. Please contact communityevents@hrc.org with questions.

For more information about other Her HRC, please visit hrc.org/herhrc.

All you need is love PHOENIX - Voices of The Desert proudly presents “All You Need is Love” music of The Beatles. Friday January 20, 8 p.m. and Saturday January 21, 7 p.m. This show is filled with singing, dancing and theatrical performances by Voices of The Desert Chorus along with local guest artists. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. You won’t want to miss this show, which will introducing the new Artistic Director, Keith Clark.

Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the Door. You can purchase tickets online by visiting voicesofthedesert.org under “tickets”.

Auditions for dancers, singers, acrobats performers PHOENIX - ArizonaDrag.com will be premiering its new show Eclipse which will begin with auditions starting on Jan. 12 and will continue through Jan. 26 when the winners will be announced.

They are looking for dancers, vocalists, drag performers and acrobats who would like to help develop this new concept. Male/Female/Trans/ Drag Queens and Kings will be considered. The winners will win a three-month booking and will perform at Pride!

If you are interested in competing contact Edward Castro at arizonadrag.com

Free Healthy Living workshop PRESCOTT - Did you miss the last Healthy Living Workshop the Prescott Pride Center offered? Well, life is full of second chances! The Pride Center will be hosting another workshop series in February 2012. Are you dealing with a chronic disease or caring for someone with a

news / politics / business / opinion

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS chronic illness? Would you like to take control of that situation and learn skills to better manage your health or the health of your loved one?

The Prescott Pride Center is teaming up with Yavapai County Community Health Services, Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and Prescott Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to offer another free workshop series designed to help you manage the condition and get your life back. This series is an excellent resource for anyone with diabetes, heart disease, COPD, mental illness, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or any other ongoing health condition, and it’s FREE! The Healthy Living Workshop meets once a week for six weeks and can teach you important skills that you can use for self-management of your chronic condition. You’ll also enjoy the company and support of others living with chronic illness.

Carla Hover and Frankie Reynolds will co-facilitate the 2½ hour workshops. Space is limited and advance registration is required. To sign up or for more information on the program, please contact Virginia Rodriguez at 928-442-5480 or Virginia.Rodriguez@co.yavapai.az.us.

Alliance Fund Queer Youth Awards TUCSON

-

Join Wingspan Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. for the presentation of grant awards for 2012 from the Alliance Fund’s Queer Youth Initiative grant round. There will be brief comments about projects from the grant recipients.

This is a free event that celebrates the donors whose gifts made the grants possible and the grantees and their winning projects.

Food, drink, and sustenance for the soul.

The event will take place at Casa Feliz at Hacienda del Sol, 5501 N Hacienda del Sol Rd. For more information call 520-299-1501.

TIHAN seeks volunteers TUCSON - TIHAN’s next volunteer orientation will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. (one block south of the Arizona Inn).

The orientation is a great way to learn more about HIV/AIDS, TIHAN, its current volunteer opportunities and how you can help make a difference in our community. It is also your first step to becoming a volunteer with TIHAN. The cost of the orientation is $17 per person. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, contact TIHAN at 299-6647 or volunteercoordinator@tihan.org.

To download a Volunteer Application Packet, go to tihan.org, click on “Volunteer”, then on “Volunteer Application Packet.”

Retro Game Show Night returns to Colors Hit show benefits the Humane Society of Southern Arizona TUCSON - Colors, Tucson’s premiere gay-owned and LGBT-friendly restaurant and nightclub, announced the January edition of Retro Game Show Night, the hit monthly show that engages the audience in hilarious versions of vintage television games shows. It’s also hosted by a gigantic drag continued on page 23 >

news / politics / business / opinion

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 13

UNSUNG HEROES

Unsung Hero: Brad Wishon

By Luis Garcia

I

f you ask Brad Wishon how he feels to be our first unsung hero he would tell you that he has been ‘sung’ many times before during the 25 years he has been involved in activism the LGBT community.

Though he might be correct we believe that it has been a while since anyone has recognized the amazing work he has done in the Valley of the Sun, especially in the last few years. ‘N Touch News was able to sit down with the ‘pastor turned activist’ and have a candid one on one interview.

‘N Touch: How did you first get involved in the community?

Wishon: I came out very early and was involved actively both in the Metropolitan Community Churches and in activism. I started out as a pastor at the Assemblies of God. I knew at three years old that I loved men and that I’d be a minister.

‘N Touch: Tell us more about this walk across America that you did.

Wishon: In 2005, Eric Elnes, who is a pastor up in the Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ talked about this idea about walking across America to show that there are Christians who are not narrow-minded or judgmental. I loved the idea so I had to be part of it.

I helped with the planning, set up an organization and participated in the walk itself. I had been an activist for over 20 years when we started the walk but it truly changed my life in that it helped me see things in an unlimited way. There is nothing we cannot do if we simply choose to do it. We may not make it happen immediately but each

of us has the power to help make those kinds of changes.

‘N Touch: I understand that you were the only gay person in the walk. How was that?

Wishon: To see community after community of majorly straight people who were not necessarily the most welcoming groups and to see them accept you was an amazing expectance. My view is that if there is one kid that can be saved after all the hours, weeks and months of something that we have done that one kid is always worth it. And it is never just one kid. The world is a different place not because of what I have done but because continued on page 23 >

‘N Touch: I know you have always had an activist heart. Where there certain things that you could not do as a pastor?

Wishon: I was pretty free. You have to realize that I was a pastor of a church that was primarily drawn for the LGBT community. For me they go hand in hand. In my mind it’s not separate. The Gospel demands justice. Jesus’ primary statement is that “I come to preach good news to the poor and hope for those who are hopeless and let the oppressed go free.” That is the primary mission of Jesus so if that is not activism I am not sure what is.

‘N Touch: What are you working on now?

Wishon: I am currently the vice president of No Longer Silent Clergy for Justice. I continue to work on ways to help educate faith communities and the communities at large on including LGBT people and families. I worked with H.E.R.O. and continue to work with H.E.R.O. on direct action issues. I am working along with the One Voice Community Center because I believe the center is an extremely vital part of this community and I want to see it thrive. I am also working on a couple of books on my own and I do consulting and spiritual direction. news / politics / business / opinion

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 15

NATIONAL NEWS

Is antigay rhetoric making its way back into GOP politics?

Mitt Romney was declared winner of the Iowa caucuses in a photo finish. But the LGBT community may not have escaped the Rick Santorum juggernaut, as Iowans delivered a come-from-way-behind surge Jan. 3, and perhaps propelled his antigay agenda onto the national stage.

Networks had dubbed the race “too close to call,” but late in the night Romney was announced by the Iowa GOP as the winner of a three-way race to the finish that ended with him beating Santorum by a mere eight votes, both with 25% of the vote. Ron Paul finished third with 21%.

Santorum rode a wave of enthusiasm in recent polls that followed his sudden rise from single digits to a reported 15% in the most recent Des Moines Register poll, which is well regarded for its accuracy in predicting how Republican caucuses will unfold. The poll was taken over four days from December 27 to 30, and Santorum averaged 10% during the first two days but doubled that number in the last two.

The Register poll found that more than 40% were still open to changing their minds, then NBC reported Tuesday that its entrance polling found 31% of people who made their decision on the day of the caucuses went for Santorum.

While none of the candidates is a darling of the LGBT community, the possibility of Santorum emerging as the Republican nominee has the potential to rile LGBT voters like no other. Santorum has eagerly courted

the socially conservative wing of his party, and he’s left a long antigay record on the campaign trail and before that as s U.S. senator from Pennsylvania.

It was while senator that Santorum was “Google bombed” by activists in 2003, led by Dan Savage, in response to his comparison of gay sex to bestiality and pedophilia.

Santorum had publicly worried that legalization of gay sex could lead to recognition of “man on child” and “man on dog” relationships.

Political pundits might consider the eight-vote margin in Iowa a virtual tie, which gives Santorum a greater platform for his antigay views and perhaps leaves some question about whether being antigay is once again a winning argument with the Republican base.

The blowback felt by Rick Perry — who aired a commercial in Iowa claiming it’s unfair that gays can come out in the military while Christians supposedly must hide their beliefs during Christmas — had some declaring it was evidence that demagoguery against gay people

16 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

is no longer politically acceptable.

Outside the Republican primary, the message does appear to have less appeal. Perry’s ad, called “Strong,” has more than 700,000 dislikes on YouTube compared to just 25,000 likes.

And it was the subject of mocking by late-night comics and in imitations of the video that spread across the Internet.

But none of that stopped Santorum. Just the opposite — he often brags about being mocked by gay rights activists and describes himself as the “courageous conservative.” When Perry had his turn surging in polls, it was Santorum who pounced on the Texas governor’s credibility on samesex marriage issues.

“When we have people who say states have the right to pass gay marriage, I say, ‘No, they do not,’” Santorum told a crowd in Waterloo, Iowa, in a veiled attack on Perry, who had stumbled early with some conflicting statements on the issue and finished in fifth place in Iowa.

Santorum used his election night speech to first thank his wife, God, and Iowa — in that order — and then delivered an economic message that alluded to the social issues he campaigned on. “When the family breaks down, the economy struggles,” Santorum said, echoing a theme he’s struck while on the trail that also ties back to his stance on marriage being only for heterosexuals.

Santorum was among the first to sign antigay pledges from the Iowa Family Leader and the National Organization for Marriage promising to seek a federal ban on same-sex marriage via an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In Santorum’s most recent pronouncement, he said

that if elected president, he would seek to invalidate the marriages of thousands of same-sex couples who have already wed.

“I think if the Constitution says, ‘Marriage is this,’ then people whose marriage is not consistent with the Constitution” should not be married, Santorum told NBC’s Chuck Todd.

“I’d love to think there’s another way of doing it.”

By contrast, Romney also supports the constitutional amendment but has said he’d leave existing marriages in place. Romney also refused to sign the pledge from the Iowa Family Leader.

Paul eschewed both pledges.

Santorum’s photo finish, a highly improbable scenario just weeks ago, might be cause for concern in the Romney camp if the surging candidate uses the momentum to suddenly find the campaign muscle and coffers needed to compete in New Hampshire and other upcoming primaries. And Santorum, who has complained repeatedly about being ignored by debate moderators, can be expected to get a lot more attention.

Santorum has come a long way from his fourth-place finish in the Iowa straw poll in August, when he finished behind Tim Pawlenty who then dropped out citing lack of support. The straw poll was won

by Michele Bachmann who finished the election in single digits, essentially in last place among contenders there. She suspended her campaign the next day.

Newt Gingrich finished in fourth place and unabashedly praised Santorum on Tuesday night, especially for waging what he described as a “positive campaign.”

“I wish I could say that for all the candidates,” Gingrich jabbed, alluding to his dissatisfaction with a barrage of attacks he faced from Romney. Then Gingrich had some thoughts on what’s ahead. “One of the things which became obvious in the last few weeks in Iowa,” Gingrich said, “is that there will be a great debate in the Republican Party before we are prepared to have a great debate with Barack Obama.” news / politics / business / opinion

NATIONAL NEWS

Washington State Governor supports gay marriage

SEATTLE

(Reuters)

-

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire announced her support for gay marriage legislation Jan. 4, potentially putting the state on track to become the nation’s seventh to fully recognize same-sex unions.

Gregoire, a Democrat in the final year of her second term, is backing legislation to be introduced before the Washington state legislature.

“It is time in Washington state for marriage equality,” Gregoire told a news conference in the state capital

news / politics / business / opinion

of Olympia. “It is time, it’s the right thing to do.”

More than 40 U.S. states have outlawed same-sex marriages, while six states explicitly allow it: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa. Gay marriage is also legal in the District of Columbia.

Although Democrats hold majorities in both of Washington state’s chambers, a bill is not certain to pass because some conservative Democrats have sided with Republicans on the issue.

Gregoire’s move comes a month after she joined forces with Rhode Island’s governor to ask the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to allow doctors to legally prescribe marijuana as a medical treatment.

The 64-year-old governor, who has held the office since 2004, said in June she would decline to run for a

third term in November elections.

Polls show sharp national division on same-sex marriage, and the issue is still divisive in Washington, which tends to be split between a liberal coast, including Seattle, and a more conservative inland.

Brian Brown, president of the 800,000-member Washington, D.C. -based National Organization for Marriage, told Reuters his nonprofit group would lobby against gay marriage in Washington state.

Gregoire, a Catholic, has not always been a public supporter of gay marriage, but moved the issue to the fore in May 2009 when she signed a bill granting domestic partners the same rights as married couples so long as they did not conflict with federal law. Voters narrowly approved the measure in a referendum later in the year.

“Our gay and lesbian families face

the same hurdles as heterosexual families-making ends meet, choosing what school to send their kids to, finding someone to grow old with, standing in front of friends and family and making a lifetime commitment,” Gregoire said.

“For all couples, a state marriage license is very important. It gives them the right to enter into a marriage contract in which their legal interests, and those of their children if any, are protected by well-established civil law,” she added.

Her announcement was welcomed by gay marriage supporters.

“We’re supporting the legislative effort,” said Zach Silk, campaign manager in Seattle for the group Washington United for Marriage, which includes gay rights, civil liberties, labor and religious leaders. “The governor is a long-time supporter of equality and fairness.”

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 17

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WORLD NEWS

Spain’s first gay retirement home passes its first hurdle MADRID - A group of elderly Spanish gay men are rebelling against the homophobia of their generation by setting up what will be the country’s first gay and lesbian retirement home.

“Homosexuals who go into homes often also have to go straight back into the closet,” said Federico Armenteros, the man behind the scheme. “This will be a place that is open to everyone and where no one will have to hide their sexuality.”

In a country where many people over 40 grew up being taught that gay people were sick or criminals, the atmosphere in some retirement homes is still crudely homophobic.

Armenteros, who heads a gay and lesbian NGO called December 26, has already found a site for the new retirement complex, with land being ceded by the leftwing town hall of Rivas-Vaciamadrid, a Madrid dormitory town.

Now he needs to find 120 like-minded people to sign up as members of the co-operative and start paying the quotas needed to raise a bank mortgage.

Around 20 have already joined.

“We’ll have a gym, a library, a laundrette and a conference room,” he said. “We will even have our own shop and restaurant.”

The retirement home would cost €1,000 (£834) a month to live in, he said – much lower than the average Madrid price of €1,400.

It will have 30 staff to look after the 230 residents in the 120 apartments and studios in the complex, with some set aside for people who are HIV positive. “Most homes simply won’t let them in,” he explained.

Armenteros insisted that it would not be a place

only for gay, lesbian or transsexual people. “What we want is a space of tolerance, where anybody can come,” said Armenteros.

His NGO, named after the day in 1978 when gay men were finally removed from a law against people deemed “socially dangerous”, has already

Jamaica’s Prime Minister stands for gay rights KINGSTON - Portia Simpson Miller was elected prime minister of Jamaica in late December, and unlike her predecessor, Miller supports civil rights for gays and says she would hire a gay person to serve in her cabinet.

Miller previously served as prime minister of the island nation in 2006 and 2007. A member of the People’s Party, Miller was able to capture the working-class vote in this latest election. During a debate with now-outgoing PM Andrew Holness, Miller declared support for gay rights; a surprise, as Jamaica is considered one of the most homophobic nations on earth and antigay killings are common and often condoned by police.

news / politics / business / opinion

found that single elderly women are happy to join their weekends away at Spanish seaside resorts.

“They seem to feel secure with us,” he said.

And younger people will also be welcome – though they will be expected to lend a hand in the co-operative’s work.

Among those to have contacted the NGO are a 90-year-old transsexual fed up with her current Madrid retirement home.

“I imagine she needs somewhere where she can feel to talk about her life and her experiences, or even explain why her body is like it is and how she was operated on,” he said. “Old people need to be able to talk about their lives openly.”

José María Herreras, a resident at another Madrid retirement home has also joined the list, complaining that other residents either ignore or insult him.

Nobody will share a room with him, so he must have one of his own. “I am alone,” he said.

“They come from a generation that was brought up to think that there was something filthy and wrong about homosexuality,” said Armenteros.

“Older gays and lesbians have had a difficult life.

We were downtrodden in the Franco years and many people were arrested. It took years for us to win our rights,” he said. “We refuse to go back to that atmosphere when we retire.”

A spokesman for Rivas-Vaciamadrid town hall, Emilio Silva, said the retirement home had passed through council planning procedures without causing a scandal.

“This is a tolerant town,” he said. “We put the land out to tender for people to come up with projects that were socially useful, and this is the one that won. It seems perfectly normal to us.”

But the gay and lesbian retirement home is such a new concept in Europe that the town hall has received phone calls from potential residents from as far away as Switzerland.

“A Spaniard living in Switzerland who planed to retire soon saw it on the television there and rang me,” said Silva. “He was very enthusiastic.”

But Armenteros admits that, despite the power of both the gay euro and the grey euro, Spain’s economic crisis means it is hard work finding people ready to invest in the co-operative.

“If we don’t get enough people, then our NGO will take ownership of the rest of it and rent apartments out,” he said.

If all goes well, he added, the residence will be up and running by 2014. The NGO sees RivasVaciamadrid as just a first step.

“If this works, we will start looking at other places,” he said. “Benidorm is one possible choice, as is Sitges – which is a popular gay resort.” ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 19

Gay Chambers

Information

BUSINESS PROFILE

QTalk Arizona Expands Many voices, one network

Phoenix Gay Chamber

Net Mix The Chamber Membership Mixer will be held Jan 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. at The Saguaro Hotel, 4000 N. Drinkwater Blvd in Scottsdale.

Board of Directors Meeting The GPGLCC Board of Directors meets every month on the second Wednesday at 8 a.m.

Members are welcome to attend the meeting.

If you wish to address the board, you must do so in writing by emailing Tony Felice at development@gpglcc.org and by calling in advance 602-237-5572.

Tucson Gay Chamber

Net Breakfast Breakfast Meetings will be held the third Thursday of the month at The Manning House, Lavender Ballroom, 450 W Paseo Redondo # 212 in Tucson. Go to tucsonglbtchamber.org for more info and to rsvp.

22 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

PHOENIX - QTalk Arizona, the only LGBT podcast in Arizona, is expanding. The QTalk Network is moving two of its most popular call-in shows to weekend time slots and changing the format of “What The Hell Is Going On In Arizona” into a call-in show.

Starting Jan. 7, “Joe and Babe” featuring Joe Dugandzic and Babe Caylor, will be broadcast live at 1 p.m. MST on Saturdays. “The Dr. Dina Hour”, featuring Dr. Dina Evan, will broadcast live at 2:30 pm MST on Sunday afternoons beginning Jan. 8.

Jimmy Gruender, a major LGBT rights activist and a force to be reckoned with, officially joins Luis Garcia as co-host of the weekly “What The Hell Is Going On In Arizona?” show. The very opinionated Gruender is very active in the statewide LGBT community and adds great dynamics to the show.

Garcia, the editor of ‘N Touch News and an activist in his own right, took over in November as host ofthe show from Seth Anderson, who originated the show on QTalk Arizona in Spring 2011.

“What The Hell Is Going On In Arizona?” will become QTalk Arizona’s third live call-in show, broadcasting at 4 p.m. on Sundays beginning Jan. 8. “What The Hell Is Going On In Arizona?” features the latest events, nightlife, arts and culture and more. Garcia and Gruender bring in guests from all over the State, to talk about their events and involvement in the community. The dynamic duo keeps the random outbursts and one-liners coming, and the whole studio in stitches.

“Joe and Babe” is the longest-running show on QTalk Arizona and features longtime friends Dugandzic and Caylor. Both Dugandzic and Caylor have been involved in the local LGBT community for many years, with Dugandzic having served on the Board of Directors for Phoenix Pride and Caylor being the former Program Coordinator for Valley One In Ten (now 1n10). Joe and Babe met originally in 1998 when he was a participant in the LGBT youth program. “Joe and Babe” features guests from across the State, both in the LGBT community and its allies, current events and lively chat.

“The Dr. Dina Hour” is hosted by Dr. Dina Evan, a noted spiritual therapist and counselor and published author. Dr. Evan is no stranger to radio, having had her own radio programs in Los Angeles before moving to Phoenix. Dr. Dina wants our community to “get connected” through discussion on ‘topics that matter’. Whether it’s a discussion about interpersonal relationships or the implications of the year 2012, listeners will find spiritual, intellectual and fascinating conversation.

QTalk Arizona is also proud to announce opportunities for advertisers to feature their business on its shows. QTalk Arizona has adopted a

testimonial-based advertising system and limits ads to only one per thirty minutes of show time.

Dugandzic, QTalk Arizona founder, believes the testimonial format is the best for his Internet radio venture and it is much more convincing and heartfelt to the listener than a basic ëcanned ad’.

Rates are affordable and terms are flexible. QTalk Arizona programming is downloaded thousands of times per month and can expose advertisers to a new and engaged audience. See QTalk Arizona’s website for more details.

QTalk Arizona was created in June 2010 by podcaster Joe Dugandzic as a way to fill the void in LGBT talk radio programming in Arizona.

Dugandzic grew up listening to talk shows on KTAR in the 1980s and 90s and feels that it was his calling to eventually be in talk radio. QTalk Arizona’s mission is to inform, inspire, connect and entertain the LGBT community of Arizona and its allies. Today, QTalk Arizona has nine distinct talk shows covering a wide variety of topics, and it is the largest LGBT podcast network in the country. Instead of simply aggregating content and podcasts, QTalk Arizona produces the majority of its content in-house. Three of the podcasts are also broadcast live on the Internet in a call-in format, also featuring a chat room for those who wish to type instead of talk. The other six podcast series on QTalk Arizona range from covering nightlife and cultural events, technology news and reviews, automotive news, sports news and content from ‘N Touch News, Compete Radio, food and wine lifestyle programming and more. These programs are produced and hosted by individuals representing a diverse crosssection of the LGBT community.

Find out more about QTalk Arizona’s programming, download episodes and listen LIVE at qtalkaz.com, or subscribe to the podcasts on iTunes. “Like” QTalk Arizona on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and join them on Google+.

QTalk Arizona is “Many Voices. One Network.” news / politics / business / opinion

BUSINESS NEWS BRIEFS

Phoenix Pride elects new board

PHOENIX - On Dec. 14, the Phoenix Pride Board of Directors re-elected three of its current board directors, elected six new directors, and bid farewell to two board directors.

Three board directors: Lawrence Moore, Katy June, and Bill MacDonald were all re-elected to the Pride Board of Directors.

Becca Daltroff is leaving the Pride Board to be more involved in the committee work of putting together Pride events.

Paul Roark is termed out after 6 years of service to Phoenix Pride. The organization’s bylaws allow a maximum of 6 years of consecutive service on the Pride Board. Paul’s contributions have helped shape and grow our community organization over the years.

Pride welcomes: Stacey Jay Cavaliere has worked and volunteered in the community for years. Originally from Greenly, Colorado, he currently works as Prevention Coordinator with 1n10.

Luisa Valdez is a US Army veteran and long

time LGBTQ community activist. She is a cofounder of Barrio Botanical and Wellness, Holistic Wellness Practitioner, yoga instructor, and volunteer with 1n10.

Vincent Medina brings his passion for education and commitment to helping others achieve their academic aspirations to the organization.

In addition to Phoenix Pride, Vincent lends his time to students of Maricopa Community College District as adjunct faculty.

Matthew Harris came to Phoenix Pride as a volunteer, helping relocate the Pride office and set up the office IT systems. Matthew is the owner of a local IT firm, and grad student.

Tucker Parkinson is originally from Milton, Vermont and has lived in the valley for over 10 years. He is a student of Justice Studies at Mesa Community College. Tucker is passionate about education and trans justice issues.

Angie Guerra is originally from Milwaukee, WI where she worked as Director of Development and Marketing for Milwaukee LGBTQ Community Center. Angie joins the Phoenix Pride board with past experience as a former board director of the Sedona Pride Association.

The Phoenix Pride Board is a group of individuals who commit their time to growing the organization’s Grant and Scholarship Programs and set the direction and goals for the organiza-

Calls for the Arizona Legislature to stop killing jobs

We Build Arizona, a statewide coalition of job creators, launched a media campaign calling upon the Arizona Legislature to stop killing job creation by raiding the HURF. Over 43,000 jobs in Arizona have been lost due to the legislature’s raiding of these funds.

“A good transportation system is needed to manage future economic growth,” said Ryan Mackey of We Build Arizona. “The politicians in the Arizona Legislature have been raiding the HURF for 11 years and it must stop so we can put Arizonans back to work and keep Arizona families safe on our roads.”

The statewide media campaign includes television, radio, social media, and direct voter contact to educate Arizonans on how the politicians in the Arizona Legislature have cost our state over 43,000 jobs while putting the safety of Arizona driver’s at risk.

“The raiding of the HURF didn’t start because the economy went south,” said Gary Haydon of We Build Arizona. “The politicians in the state legislature have been using the HURF for their own political benefit, not for what it is intended. news / politics / business / opinion

tion. These individuals take on the responsibility for the current and future stability of the organization.

The board is a broad representation of the LGBTQ community and allies in Phoenix. Board Directors are expected to conduct themselves with the integrity and respect consistent with the values of Phoenix Pride.

Local News Briefs... < continued from page 13 queen, so what’s not to love?

Mistress of ceremonies Tempest Du Jour and her extra-special guests will hold their own hilarious version of the classic game show “Match Game” on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 7-10 p.m. Due to the unprecedented response to the debut show in December 2011, January’s Retro Game Show Night will feature more rounds in order for more audience members to join the fun.

“We had no idea December’s show was going to be so popular.” said John Lochert, owner of the seven-year-old midtown establishment. “We had standing room only while Tempest hosted ‘Password’. The crowds were into the game all night and left laughing.”

All admission proceeds to Retro Game Show Night benefit local nonprofit organizations. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona will be the beneficiary of the January performance.

Admission: $3 per person. Ages 21 and over only.

Colors is located at 5305 East Speedway Blvd., Tucson. Call 520-323-1840 or go to colorstucson.com for more information.

Unsung hero... < continued from page 15

If they are unwilling to fix their mistakes, then we will take their raiding of funds and killing jobs directly to the voters by placing an initiative on the 2012 ballot.”

We Build Arizona is a statewide coalition of businesses and organizations dedicated to creating jobs by protecting and growing state and local infrastructure funding. The coalition consists of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona, Arizona Builders’ Alliance, Arizona Chapter, Associated General Contractors, Arizona Transit Association, Associated Minority Contractors of America, Friends of Transit, and Tucson Utility Contractors Association.

To view the television ad and listen to the radio ad, please visit WeBuildAZ.org.

done but because people collectively have stood up and engineered change in our world. Without that those lives would not be better and my life would not be better. We have to remember not to lose sight of what is important. In 1997 when the movie the Jackal came out. I remember going to a packed theater in north Phoenix and during the course of the movie Bruce Willis’ character is in a gay bar and kisses a man. The entire audience booed. Later in the movie Willis kills the same gay man and the audience applauded. I stood up and I said, “shame on you, you people are disgusting. You boo at a kiss and you applaud at murder you’re sick” and I sat back down. I cannot stand by when people are doing that.

‘N Touch: That is amazing. Thank you so much for all that you do and keep up the good fight. ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 23

2012

Sat., Feb. 25, 2012 7pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10pm Tempe Center for the Arts 700 W. Rio Salado Tempe, AZ Tickets: $20 Get your tickets today at

pride-pageant.org

Honoring Olivia Gardens & Freddy Prinze Charming Support your favorite contestant by placing an ad in the pageant program! Contactwww.phoenixpride.org heather@culturalsponge.com for more details.

Photo by Cinthia Schmidt/Echo Magazine

SPORTS

LGBT Sports

Brutal Beauties vs.

Schoolyard Scrappers Saturday, January 21st, 2012 at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Leagues Spotlight

Sports leagues of the Valley provide a safe, friendly, and fun social setting for the LGBT community. Whether a new comer, veteran, or a fan, everyone is welcome.

Basketball

Hellraisers Hoops Open Play Sundays from 2 – 4 p.m.

Sports Club of City Square www. phoenix.ngba.us hellraiserhoops@yahoo.com

Flag Football

PHX Hellraisers Flag Football League Saturdays 9 a.m. January – April Colter Park www.phoenixflagfootball.com info@phoenixflagfootball.com 602.284.9207

Rugby – Men

Phoenix Storm

Tuesdays & Thursdays 7 p.m.

Longview Elementary School www.phoenixstorm.org info@rugbystorm.com PHOENIX - The Arizona Derby Dames return to the coliseum to fight for position for the 2012 season. Teams compete for top stats rankings, and the chance to move directly into the championship game by ending the season in first place. The Schoolyard Scrappers take to the track for their first game of the season against the Brutal Beauties. Then the Bombshells take on the Runaway Brides.

Referee, John Wilkes Boosh, said of the upcoming bouts, “It’s always a blast watching new skaters make their debut, and since it’s the Schoolyard Scrapper’s first bout of the season, they will be showcasing their newest team members Darth Evade Her, Nikki Badazz, Samba Slugger, and Shirley Demise. They will play the new look Brutal Beauties in the first bout who have also been given a boost from their rookies Kiki UrHaz, Jill O’Shotz, Sarahcuda, and phenom jammer, Molly Whoremon. As a ref, both games will be keeping me on my toes because rookies tend to be a little penalty heavy as they learn the ropes, and the Bombshells and Brides both have some huge hitters on their squads. No doubt it’s going to be a blast!”

The Arizona Derby Dames traded their skates for hammers on December 17th to participate in a build for Habitat for Humanity in Surprise, AZ. The charity allows families to purchase houses that would be otherwise unattainable.

Now the Dames are back in Phoenix and ready for the next double header of the season. In the first bout of the night, the Schoolyard Scrappers will battle the Brutal Beauties. The first bout be-

news / politics / business / opinion

tween the Schoolyard Scrappers and the Brutal Beauties will showcase the diverse personalities of the league, ranging from the 2011 Drama Queen-- Kat Von Double D’s of the Schoolyard Scrappers-- to the 2011 Silent but Deadly Blocker-- Skluz Out of the Brutal Beauties. The second bout is a rematch of last year’s playoff final between the Bombshells and Runaway Brides; a game that came down to a jammer race in overtime and has been widely referred to as AZDD’s most exciting game in history. These ladies are ready to bring on the excitement, and show fans what Roller Derby and the Arizona Derby Dames are all about.

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is located at 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602-252-6771). Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. with the bouts starting at 7:00 p.m. General admission tickets for the stadium seats in the Coliseum will be $12. Two hundred general admission tickets are available for standing room on the floor around the track for $12. General admission for children 12 and under is free. VIP tiered seating right off the floor (with access to a nearby VIP only bar and restrooms) will be $20 for adults and children. Parking will be $7.

Tickets will be on sale the day of the event at the Coliseum box office starting at 4 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased until 2 p.m. at arizonaderbydames.com. Group discounts are also available. Follow the Derby Dames to Chopper John’s at 2547 E Indian School Road for their 21 and older after party immediately following the bouts.

Softball

Cactus Cities Softball League

Sundays starting at 8 a.m.

Spring: Feb. – May; Fall: Oct. - Dec Ceasar Chavez Park www.cactuscities.com

Swimming

The Phoenix Sunfish

Year around schedule Mon, Tues, & Thurs - 6:30 - 8 pm Saturdays - 4:30-6 pm Three Locations throughout the valley www.phxsunfish.org

Volleyball – Indoor

Desert Volleyball Alliance February - May Saturdays 12 – 3 p.m.

Kingdom Courts www.desertvalleyalliance.org aaryck@hotmail.com

Volleyball – Sand

Arizona Gay Volleyball Association

Three seasons to choose from Feb – May, June – Aug, Sept – Dec Indian Steele Park & Radisson City Center Mondays & Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. www.azgv.org commissioner@azgv.org

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 25

First Trans shelter in U.S. is here in the Valley

By Gina Read

T

he house is large and roomy, sleeping eight and sometimes more. It has seven bedrooms, a large screen TV, wireless, a pool table, a nice patio and pool, and many other amenities. BUT, this is not why Joy Lilois spent her last $14 to change her Greyhound bus ticket so she could leave two hours earlier for the 38-hour journey.

Originally from Louisville Mississippi, Joy is a veteran of United States Army. A combat engineer, Joy spent tours of duty in Iraq. She came to Arizona in the effort to begin the transformation from male to female, but mostly she came for safety, security, and for community.

“Where I am from there is very little to no understanding of transgender people. It is very hostile toward anyone who is different. I was desperately searching online to find a safe place.”

A safe place is what Aubrey and Jordon, twins, were seeking too.

When the twins’ family became hostile upon learning that the girls had long felt they were boys, it started a downward spiral that led to them being captives in a “friend’s” home.

“We had known him for ten years, but had no idea he was an alcoholic and mentally unstable,” says Aubrey. Nor did they know that the man was obsessed with Jordon.

“I would wake up to find him in the room staring at us as we slept. When Aubrey would be at work at night he would start drinking then start fighting

with me. He would accuse me of not thinking he was attractive enough. He would just keep hammering me with things like - we didn’t treat him right, we didn’t listen to him,” says Jordon.

Aubrey was frantically looking for shelters while at work, but they didn’t fit the demographics for any shelter. “We were trapped,” he says.

In the meantime the man became more controlling. He wouldn’t let them access the Internet, he refused to let them talk to friends and then he refused to let them talk to each other, and would not allow them to close their bedroom door.

“If he thought he heard us talking he would go ballistic and twist what he thought he had heard us say,” says Aubrey. But the worse was yet to come.

The man did not want Jordon to transition so he was not allowed to leave the house unless the man accompanied him.

Then one night Jordon woke up in extreme pain.

“Something did happen to me in my sleep. I knew something had happened but I was in denial.” Jordon started sleeping with a knife and a baseball bat.

Suffering from autism, Jordon started to retreat in to himself.

At work Aubrey continued to try and find someone to help, chatting and corresponding with Trans people. Month after month passed by.

“I knew it would never end. I would walk 40 minutes to get back home in the freezing weather, and then think ‘I could easily turn, walk to the river jump and it would all be over with,’” says Aubrey, joking up.

“But knowing Jay had no where to go and no one to

turn to kept me from taking that direction.”

Then one night at work their prayers were answered. Two bus tickets were being wired for them to leave for Phoenix. Aubrey told his co-workers what was happening and they went to the house, got Jordon and their few belongings and were on their way.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Gavin Turnbow says he had been screwing up his life for a decade.

“I’d been in four relationships, two of them were long-term. Each relationship became more abusive more chaotic. My life has been in turmoil ever since I can remember,” said the young Trans man.

Coping by smoking pot and drinking, Gavin says he was a junior alcoholic when he crashed his car into a light pole in 2007. The year before, he had told his adoptive parents that he was a man trapped in a female body. At the time he was living with them and was taking testosterone shots. “I told them it wasn’t their fault it wasn’t anything that they had done. It was just something that had happened.”

His parents told Gavin that if he wanted to stay he could not continue with the hormone therapy.

So for two years Gavin refrained from the shots and went by his former girl name.

Then last March things came to a head during one of the family’s frequent arguments. “My mother said I was crazy, that I needed inpatient therapy and that she didn’t believe anything I told her. His father physically attacked him and the police had to be called to intervene. “I think he would have killed me if the police hadn’t arrived.”

Gavin’s parents disowned him.

“After a lot of drama and heartache they decide to cut ties with me. I’d rather say we are estranged because I don’t like to think they disowned me. I’m trying to reframe it.”

Gavin floundered for three months “not being successful”. He ran out of money, sold his car, and moved in with his best friend. The two friends would smoke pot, but as Gavin tried to sober up his friend began to smoke more. “It was so unstable, I was just waiting to fall.”

Having befriended Aubrey and Jordon online, they told him to come and talk to Michael Brown.

Gavin didn’t want to ask for help, he had been on his own for so long and was surviving. But then he got to the point where he says he couldn’t do it any longer.

“I didn’t want that life any more.”

Scheduled to have a hysterectomy, Michael and Lillian Brown told Gavin to come to HOPE House after the surgery and they would take care of him for a few days and see how it went.

“I came for a week and stayed to help with ‘Fit to a T’ and then stayed to help with the 4th of July party.

Then I signed the agreement to live here.” For the first time since I sat down with him, Gavin smiles.

“That was the best thing I’ve ever done. That was the most positive step in the right direction for my future. It was more important than getting my GED or stopping drinking and the pot. It was better than pursuing an associates degree. It was more positive than any of those things. It made me live instead of existing.”

Welcome to H.O.P.E. (Healing, Opportunity, Promise, Empowerment) House, the first and unfortunately the only Trans safe house/shelter in the country, perhaps even the world. In a state known more and more for its conservatism, Arizona houses the only Trans shelter and one of the only recover/ sober living shelters for Trans people – THIS IS H.O.W. “TES” Transgender Emergency Shelter is getting ready to open a shelter, Azalea Hill in Macon Mississippi, but still lacks funding.

H.O.P.E. House was conceived by Michael and Lillian Brown in 2008. A Trans man, Michael married Lillian four years ago. As a co-founder of TransMentors International Inc., Michael saw the need for the house.

“Too many Trans people are kicked out by their families, by friends, by apartment managers. They have no place to go. I’m finding more and more are coming from abusive situations because they are unable to cope with what is happening inside. They can’t stand up for themselves because they are ashamed.

They haven’t learned the coping tools to live productive lives. No one who needs a safe place to stay will ever be turned away due to lack of money,” says Michael.

In October 2008, an 18 year-old Trans youth who was kicked out by his parents came to live with Michael and Lillian.

“He came first, then someone from out of state got in touch with me said I’m moving to Phoenix I need a place for two or three months until I get a job and get on my feet. We let her move in. Then someone else got a hold of us, so there we were with three people and us in a one-bedroom apartment. It kept growing from there. People started hearing that we were there to give a room or a couch.”

H.O.P.E. House founders Michael and Lillian Brown The “House” was moved first to a two-bedroom apartment, then to a four-bedroom house in June 2009. In September 2010, Michael and Lillian purchased a large five-bedroom home and immediately added two more bedrooms, making a total of seven, to accommodate the growing need for safe housing in the Trans community. The money for the house came from their own savings. Lillian’s job in the healthcare field has been the main support for the house and its inhabitants. Since it’s inception, H.O.P.E. House served over 3071 bed nights through December 22, 2011.

Besides the shelter, group support at H.O.P.E. House include Sunday Genderific Groups, and weekly Friday T-Night get-togethers which are open to the entire Trans community and all allies, along with other planned events and socials throughout the year. H.O.P.E. Everyone who attends is made to feel welcomed.

“Most of us grow up knowing something was wrong but having no clue what that was. Something finally clicks and we go ‘that’s what’s wrong.’ But until that point we really don’t know what it is. We are so busy knowing that we are different.”

Joy, Aubrey, Jordon and Gavin all said they knew there was something “different” at an early age. All four first came out as gay or lesbian.

Joy came out at age 12 to her parents and was promptly shipped off to an in-house mental health facility for four weeks.

She says she always felt something was different, something was wrong. “It was not until I watched a Ricki Lake show on transgender people that I had a name to call what I had been feeling for all those years.”

As children the twins played the so-called “boy” parts such as Hans Solo or Zorro. They were always transfixed by male figures. When their mother told them they would have to wear boy’s jeans because they were too rough on their clothing, they were thrilled.

As Aubrey grew older he dressed acrogenously. “I remember wanting to be Boy George and trying to braid my hair. I fixated on Boy George because he was a boy but also looked like a girl and we could be that.”

He ventured into the gay club scene but realized

something still didn’t fit. He hung out with a friend and was thrilled when someone thought he was a boy. “It was the greatest thing ever.”

Once Aubrey realized that he was Trans, a friend suggested he sit down and talk to Jordon.“I told Jordon and he started crying and said me too. That was that.”

They told their father first, who was divorced from their mother. He accepted them as his sons. But after telling their mother, who threatened him with violence should he side with them, his ill health forced him to say that he couldn’t see them any more.

“We think he passed on, but we don’t know for sure. He always wanted boys. They were told after the first sonogram that they were having a boy, then the next one they were told they were having twin boys. Then oops it was two girls. They had our male names picked out and everything,” says Jordon.

The twins are content to know that the last time they did speak to him he loved them as his sons.

Gavin says he always felt like a disappointment to his parents. He too first came out as a lesbian, but when he told his parents he felt he was meant to be male, it was the last straw.

Michael understands, he too dealt with losing his family.

“I was very angry I guess it was because I was suppressing who I was. When I ended up in therapy I was teaching in a college and during a class I lost it. I walked out of the room went on a three-week drunk, which I don’t remember most of it. When I got done I went back to my boss told him I had screwed up and needed a sabbatical to get help.”

Michael immediately checked himself into a clinic and got help. There he realized his drinking wasn’t the problem, it was the coping mechanism. He also realized that he was Trans, but most importantly he learned the tools that would save his life. He lived out of his car for three months then found friends who would let him stay on their couch. I look back and see that people were good to me, so I just pass it on to someone else.”

Although his dad was accepting, his mother was not. He says it wasn’t a close relationship anyway.

“But I know for some people losing their family is devastating, but there are far more problems,” Michael says. continued on next page >

< continued from previous page

“By the time they end up here most have been looking for work with no success. A lot of that is they don’t know how to look for work, but more than that they are usually so depressed because they have always viewed themselves as ‘different’ or ‘wrong’ that they can barely function.”

H.O.P.E. House offers structure. Everyone must get up by 7 a.m., make their beds, get ready and physically leave the house by 8:30 to look for work.

They are not to return until 4 p.m. They must keep a log of the businesses they have gone to, and who they contacted. “Many times we have to just learn to walk up shake someone’s hand and introduce ourselves and ask if they are looking for work. It’s all just strength building,” says Michael.

Having been through cognitive therapy, Michael feels it is essential to changing a person’s life for the better.

“They teach you A, B, C etc. Unfortunately, most of us get stuck on that ‘B’ because of they way we have reacted to external things. I work with everyone here to start reframing. We teach not to assume that when someone says something negative it is an attack on you. Or, how to react to things like when a button gets pushed not to react with anger - to understand that it is just one of the triggers you have and how to deal with it. Keeping a positive attitude and taking steps like making your bed, keeping your room clean, all the things that most of us were taught as kids, but somewhere we lost that because we were too involved in what was happening inside us, those are the things that help reshape us.

“When people get here life wasn’t working the way they were trying to live it. By the time they arrive they are willing to try something different and it works. Everything they do prepares them such as chores having to be done by bedtime. It’s all preparing them to get out there, get up, get to work on time and earn a paycheck and feel good about it.

“I care about each person who comes here. There are some that I can tell right away are not going to work, whether they are not capable or not willing, we’ve had both. I care about them so I find something that will work for them because I am not going to kick them out on the street. That’s why they came here in the first place. I care about all of them.”

Michael has been called a Nazi because he is so structured. He likes things clean he says it is someone’s first impression of you and your home. Despite the rules, or maybe because of them, all of the residents think of Michael as a father and Lillian as a mother.

Coming to H.O.P.E. House for the twins means safety, but much more.

“I broke down crying. He [Michael] said ‘you have a community behind you and they [family] can’t hurt you even if they do show up.’ He promised we would be the ‘boys’ and we are. It’s been wonderful. I like working with Michael. I have a job where everyone knows I am transitioning and they are supportive. It feels like I’ve been running my whole life and to find these people here, it is a Godsend,” says Aubrey.

“I was terrified of confrontation because the last time I was shoved into a wall and beaten down. Michael taught us that it is okay to stand up for yourself.

I had been depressed because I couldn’t go anywhere and I had this psycho holding us hostage. My anxiety was off horrible. Michael prodded me into going to a therapist. It is all about tough love here, but that is the point - there is love here. From the moment I got with my therapist my anxiety and autism are so much better and now I’m making steps forward because of Michael,” exclaimed Jordon.

Although therapy has helped Jordon, both brothers attribute most of his gains to Michael.

“Jordon was terrified to answer the phone. Now Michael has him answering and making phone calls for TransMentors. He actually is acting like his old self but even better says,” Aubrey.

“There’s just something about him [Michael].

They are like mom and dad here. No matter how much we have screwed up he is going to do what he can to support you. He doesn’t want to give up on anybody. He tells you in a gentle way that this is what you should be doing. Or, that this is something he feels you can you do, and before you know it you are say to yourself ‘Yes, I can do this!’ You can handle everything that comes your way. He is so nurturing,” says Jordan.

The boys get up at 5:30 every morning just so they can have an hour with Michael before everyone else gets up. “We talk about everything, I never had that with anyone before,” says Aubrey. “We can face people here we can reach out to someone we care about and that it is okay to hug them or ask for a hug. We’ve learned that someone is not going to want something from us when they give us a hug or tell us that we are loved. They do what they do because of love.”

The twins describe Lillian as very quiet but very direct. They love making her laugh.

“At first you think she is very stern but then you realize she is real bubbly and sweet. And because she does so much and works really hard we feel if she wants the TV then she gets the TV. She deserves that - she deserves respect,” says Jordan.

A nurse, Lillian taught both boys how to give themselves the injections of hormones that they take daily and not to fear the needle. She’s works long hours, which is not lost on the twins. For Mother’s Day they took her out and when people asked if she were their mom they didn’t hesitate to say “yes”. Aubrey went so far as to put on his Facebook that he was taking out the only woman he had ever known that had truly been a mother to him and Jordon.

Since coming to H.O.P.E. House two months ago, Joy has become much more open and has begun to push her masculinity to the side and start becoming who she truly is. She has found a job and is working on making friends. Joy is also enrolled at the Phoenix Veteran’s Hospital in a pilot program that has a transgender program for veterans of the military forces.

“The V.A .is a very slow process, but they have therapists that deal with gender identity. After therapy I will get a letter of recommendation that will send me to endocrinology for hormone therapy and other medications. I’m definitely on the right track,” says Joy. Military still classifies “gender identity” as a severe mental defect and as “body mutilation”. So even if Joy completes her transformation she will not be able to

return to the military as a female. Still, she is grateful for all that Michael, Lillian, Aubrey, Jordon and Gavin have done for her. “They accepted me.”

For Gavin, H.O.P.E. House he says saved him.

“It has saved me in practically every way there could be. Saved me from my demons. Michael and Lillian didn’t step in front of my demons or try to diminish them, they gave me the tools. Here’s the sword here’s the shield you can attack your demons on your own and you can win. We will show you how and that’s what they did. They helped me get a therapist, helped me understand that it is okay to be on medication that it doesn’t mean you are crazy or weak.

“The program itself, the structure of the house, and the unwavering support of Michael and Lillian and the rest of the house is something I have never experienced in my life. I have never known this kind of compassion.”

Gavin says Michael, Lillian, Aubrey, Jordon and even Joy whom he has known only a short time are his family. He also sees some of the men and women who come to TransMentor’s programs each week as extended family. “They are my uncles, my aunts my cousins. It has given me something that I never had before, a feeling of home.”

Although he says he will always call H.O.P.E. House home, he knows that it is the people within the house and programs that are his home.

“No matter where I go in my life I know they are going to be here. If I need to call and bitch for five minutes about something they understand that. Michael allows you to get mad, but then he makes you use that energy in a positive way. Focus that anger, re-channel it into something positive something constructive.

They teach you to reframe your thoughts to go from negative to positive. You break your old habits, you formulate new ones. So many people come here from devastation of some sort and it’s not a recovery from some substance it is a recovery from your life that was.

Michael steps in and says ‘shut up, stop for a minute and think. In that darkness you are the light that can guide yourself out. You remember that.’ He reminds you that there are real compassionate people out there and not to give up on humanity.”

For Gavin who aspires to be a minister, that was something he says he needed to realize and that it was a powerful moment.

Although he didn’t see himself with a large family, Michael says he can’t imagine doing anything else.

“They need the laughter, they need the rules, they need the relaxation time, and they need to know someone cares. So that is what we try to give them.”

Michael’s ideal would be to have a H.O.P.E. House everywhere. For now he is focused on raising enough money to open a second house that would be a 501(c)(3) that Aubrey and Jordon would run.

When asked how long he will keep housing people, holding support groups and running TransMentors, he says, “Until there is no need.”

For more information, or to donate please email info@transmentors.org or go to transmentors.org To view a video on H.O.P.E. House produced by the “I’m from Driftwood” series, visit ntouchaz.com.

MORE GEEK THAN GAY

The Origin Issue

By Edward Pulley What is a gay geek? Where does he come from?

What does he want?

Molded of clay and brought to life by the sitcom gods of yore, the gay geek was placed in a rocket to save him from the eminent destruction of his planet. Warping through space, he eventually lands on Earth where he was raised by a loving family of muggles. All progressed normally until high school when, while on a field trip to the local water farm, he failed his initiative roll and was bitten by a radioactive bionic zombie. Suddenly imbued with the ability to recall obscure plot developments and characters while maintaining a talent for matching solids and patterns, the gay geek set forth into the world to share his knowledge and bring others into the light of fandom.

Well, that isn’t exactly accurate. I might have taken a liberty here and there. But the grain of truth is in there, so perhaps I should try again.

The gay geek is essentially like any other geek.

There is a joy for genres of the fantastic, be it sci-fi, fantasy, comic book, horror, even western. There isn’t necessarily a connecting interest for them all, but the gay geek tends to be open to cross-overs. As a matter of fact, there is a common thread among geeks, gay or otherwise – a tendency towards inclusion instead of seclusion. In many ways, we are the anti-hipster – while they are known to smugly revel in things “I’m sure you haven’t heard of ”, geeks are all about “and did you know that..?” Regardless of how obscure and seemingly trivial, the geek wants to share all he knows and bring you into the fold. Geeks don’t care about color, religion, gender, orientation, or even politics; they bond over a shared love and that is enough.

That isn’t to say that there aren’t bigots, but commonly the goal is to bring as many as possible together, embracing the unique and forging bonds from similarities and differences.

Go to a comic book convention. There you will find loving Christian families hob-knobbing with pagans at a book-signing by a favorite author. A discussion panel with the stars of a nostalgic TV show will be filled with black, white, brown, green, winged, and furry audiences. People stand in line to see their favorite artist, whether gay or straight, young or old, male or female. Even those most famous of rivals, Star Trek fans and Star Wars fans, will argue over whether the Enterprise or the Millennium Falcon would win in a battle, voices constantly raising, only to eventually join up for a beer and filk songs (folk songs of a genre-theme).

What happens when someone tries to interfere with all this?

In 2010, at the San Diego International Comic Con, the Westboro church decided to protest, perhaps growing tired of protesting funerals. The result was a gathering of gays, straights, robots, aliens, and news / politics / business / opinion

undecideds counter-protesting them. Comic writer Gail Simone gave interviews supporting the counter protesters. Comic book web-sites announced the Westboro protest ahead of time, asking for as many as Batmans, Spider-mans, and Supermans to step up against them. Even when the police were called out, they were pleasantly amused by robots asking Phelps to bite his shiny metal…well, I think you are getting the idea.

And don’t think that geeks are restricted to just encounters at conventions, game stores, or comic shops. When you least expect it – bam! There we are! Proof? There is a well-known member of the leather community here in town, who the first time we met, we spent the evening chatting about classic cartoons like Bullwinkle, and if you catch him at the right moment he will multi-geek over both the Queen Mary and a Star Trek exhibit. And this is not an isolated incident. I met up with a guy one time for something that we will loosely call a date, and somehow the subject of “Earth: Final Conflict” came up, and we both ended up talking about scifi shows and comic books for hours. On another genuine date with a professional jock-type, he suddenly broke out with his love of the Japanese cartoon “Starblazers”. And of course the “Buffy”boyfriend. And ladies, how about Xena?

So we are everywhere. Interestingly enough, many still seem surprised to find this out. But this is changing in many ways.

The industries are starting to make a point of trying to include the LGBT community in our favorite fandoms. There are gay comic books, gay sci-fi shows, gay horror shows, gay fantasy novels and more. Some of these things have been around for awhile, such as the gay themes in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s literature, the Japanese Yaoi comics, and all those inspired Kirk/Spock fan-fictions, but those were more notable exceptions. Yet now the LGBT is an actively sought market.

Yet we are still not widely acknowledged by the LGBT community. Not a deliberate slight, but more of an oversight. Regardless of how common we actually are, few seem to realize this. (This magazine is a great exception to this, thank you Gina.)

But gentlemen (and ladies), we can do something about this. We have the technology. We have the ability to build a real LGBT geek presence. Better, stronger, more unified than before.

(Give yourself bonus points if you can recognize the inspiration for that last little monologue.)

I propose that we can start a conversation about getting together to not only enjoy our mutual interests but also to work toward helping others.

As an example, I can mention the Arizona Ghost Busters and the Arizona Avengers. Both of these are organizations that have combined their geekly interests with fund raising for charities. Why can’t we do likewise? One week get together for the premier of The Hobbit. The next week possibly a gaming get-together that can raise money for a local HIV food program. Socializing with friends and helping out groups we care about. We become more noticed in the community by becoming an active force for the community.

Just putting it out there. I think it would be something worthwhile to pursue. Then again, of course I think that, since it spouted from my own mind. I need to know if anyone else would be interested in this. I look forward to getting your input.

(I also look forward to developing our battlecry. “Flame On!” seems too spot on, as well as possibly proprietary.)

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 31

REAL ESTATE

The reluctant property manager

By Dorian Kreiling Question: I was wondering if you can help. My partner hired someone to help her with the management of her house after she moved in with me. She is a friend of the family and they seem nice enough, but now the tenant owes three months back rent, has all kinds of excuses why and now wants to trade the rent for all the nice things she says she has done to the house. Family friend says she has been through the house and the tenant has really fixed it up nice so she thinks it is a good idea to maybe forgive the three months rent, start fresh and move forward. Do you have any suggestions?

Why, in this moment, do I want to jump on a stage and begin singing? Where do I begin... To tell the story… ?

Oh. Sorry.

The management of a property seems SO deceptively easy. What could be simpler? You rent the place, the tenant pays the rent (always on

time, right?) you deposit it, and wait for the first of the month to come.

It’s like a slot machine for Pete’s sake.

(Interestingly enough, Melinda likens it to a piggy bank. Hmm. Which one is the saver and which one has been known to blow on the dice and scream, “Come to mama! Come to mama!”?)

But then – life happens. The call comes in. The water heater is leaking. The tenant, a likeable sort, has lost his/her job. They have no resources or savings. It’s July and the A/C is out.

Yours, Dear Writer, is a much subtler story with many subplots. The tenant, who cannot/will not pay, has decided to take your rent and “help” thus attempting to hold you ransom to their tastes. (Explain THAT one to your mortgage company.) The Property Manager, who should be a licensed Realtor specializing in such management should have accepted an application, checked the tenant

out completely, presented the candidate to you and your partner, accepted the rent on a timely basis, paid any privilege taxes due, charged an agreed up rate for their services (customarily a percentage) and delivered the cleared net proceeds to you.

I am not sure “Friend of the Family” is any of these things other than over their head. There is no reason the tenant should owe three months rent. The fault lies with the Property Manager that was entrusted to represent your interest. Meanwhile, you are stuck paying that monthly mortgage.

Here are some strategies to correct the situation as soon as possible: 1. Give the tenant the legally required 48 hour notice; arrange to walk through the property to determine just what has been done.

When making the appointment, do not accept from the tenant an excuse like, “that isn’t a good time.” They are not required to be present. (Many

times they will be, but they don’t have to be.) Look for excessive wearand-tear, conditions of the A/C filters, etc.

2. Give the tenant a “five day notice to quit” with a list of all the monies they owe. This must be hand delivered to them in person or mailed by certified mail.

3. Start looking for an attorney or a licensed Realtor specializing in continued on page 38 >

32 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

news / politics / business / opinion

fresh 3rd annual

brunch

giving never tasted so fresh February 26, 2012 • Phoenician Resort • • • • • •

Enjoy a delicious brunch prepared by Phoenician chefs Cocktails and silent auction Comedic stylings by the hilarious Tania Katan Performance by the talented 1n10 Fusion Dancers Live auction by the mesmerizing Letitia Frye And much more!

1n10 provides empowering social and service programs that promote self expression, self acceptance, leadership development and healthy life choices to our local LGBTQ youth. Visit us at www.1n10.org.

We thank you for your generous support.

Be there to see Greg and Nicole Stanton recieve the Community Leadership Award.

Purchase tickets at www.freshbrunch.org

HEALTH

Chronic back pain and SCENAR

By Dr. Damien Brandeis

Dr. B: I have had a bad back for years. I have gone through physical therapy numerous times. Have taken pain pills and tried chiropractors. It is no better now than it was when it started. As a naturopath what would you try? Ellen Dr. B: I experience horrible acid reflux every time I eat. I have tried eating smaller meals and have to recline with the head of the bed higher than the lower end, what else can I do? It keeps me up at night. Josh The good news is: both of these issues have natural solutions that work! Thank you for an opportunity to discuss a new therapy I have been using in my practice. I have searched and studied alternative pain treatments for years. When all else fails, I have prescribed conventional prescriptions.

I am offering an effective therapy to replace the medications and therapies that most of you may have tried without success. Better yet, the FDA has approved this therapy for pain relief and control.

The therapy utilizes Scenar. I am excited because my patients have received lasting relief of their pain and discomfort issues. It is non toxic, has few contraindications and improves over all health. While the FDA has approved it for pain control, it is all that and so much more.

The Russians use it for everything these days. They use it in physiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offices and hospitals. With over 40 years of study, they have arrived at a therapy that thrills me. The rest of the Europe, Canada and Australia have been using for quite some time now. It is becoming popular around the United States.

Scenar was developed in the 1970s in the Soviet Union for the treatment of a variety of health issues for cosmonauts. The So-

viet goal was an effective therapy to work in the weightless of space and could be used on the direction of a physician on Earth or many times without their input. They wanted medical treatment for the Space station. When one considers that people in the USSR were treated by the state for health issues, the therapy needed to be effective and inexpensive. Other criteria were safety and universal application without harmful side effects or restrictions of application. They accomplished their therapy goal and have spent decades studying applications for all diseases.

Scenar stands for Self Controlled Energetic Neuro-AdaptiveReceptor. In a nutshell, the therapy awakens and balances the nervous system throughout the entire body.

In doing so, it regulates and relieves pain by creating a dialogue between the device and the nervous system.

The therapy is quite similar to Acupuncture or other similar medical therapies such as the Tens units. It is essentially a biofeedback therapy.

As a result, the body regains control of the healing process and the pain resolves in the process.

Pain is like the indicator light on your car. It tells you there is a problem. It is your task to resolve it. You and your physician can ignore the indicator light, turn it off, or fix the issue. Many people ignore the problem by taking some pain meds. This is somewhat like turning the indicator light off. Pain meds bypass the indicator light from your nervous system. However, the patient owns the choice and the result.

Scenar therapy does three things.

First, it locates the issue and assists in diagnosis. You can tell the Scenar physician where the pain is.

The device will confirm this. OR it will actually tell the physician where the real issue is. Second, the device creates a dialogue with the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nervous system. This opens communication for healing and resolution. Thirdly, because the device interacts with the brain, it allows a nervous system to balance many issues which leads to resolution.

For instance, I have treated acute

34 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

allergic headaches and acute sinus attacks with potential infections successfully within 15 minutes of therapy. Normally, I would have provided intravenous therapy or possibly antibiotic therapy in the past. People have not required this after Scenar therapy. The body was able to generate and promote a natural immune response and resolve the pain by the end of treatment.

Of course, Scenar does not replace good nutrition and all of the other ingredients for good health. It does enhance the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to direct metabolism in a positive healthy manner. Scenar is simply balancing much in the same manner as traditional Chinese medicine.

Forty years of Russian research has demonstrated resolution of low back pain. This treatment does not use surgery. I have successfully used this therapy to improve mobility and reduce pain in several patients with back pain. Some of these patients have had issue for decades.

Their quality of life without pain is priceless. The therapy allows the removal of pain killers that have extensive side effects and so those problems resolve as well.

For my readers with other medical issues such as gastrointestinal issues mentioned by Josh, here is a list of systems that are treated with Scenar.

Digestive system, Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system, Musculoskeletal system, Urinary system, Reproductive systems, Nervous system, Blood systems, Immune system, Endocrine system, Nutritional and metabolism systems comprise the types of health conditions the benefit based on Russian clinical experience and research.

Most importantly, Scenar impacts the production of neuropeptides and neuro-hormones. This means that depression and other affective disorders are improved and treated as well. I predict the treatment of depression with Scenar could become the most significant application of this therapy. There will be resistance in the mainstream to this!

I had a basic treatment dur-

ing training without any particular health complaint. So the goal was simple balancing of my nervous system. Afterwards, I felt wonderful, better than I had felt in decades. I had energy, great sleep that night, all of my senses, taste, smell, touch, hearing and sight were acute and better. I have felt great since. It positively impacted my mood. I was joyful and positive on my life outlook. I felt grounded and well balanced.

This report is typical of my patients as well. They simply love it.

I relieve pain and they feel overall better as well. I treated one person for a stiff neck that was resolved in one treatment. They reported later that their knees had hurt them for decades because of former sports injuries. The pain was gone and had not returned (for weeks now.) I really did not focus the therapy on arthritic joint pain but the body knew what it needed to heal.

OK so I am not advocating a panacea for treatment of all medical issues with a cure. That would be inappropriate and illegal to do so.

I am saying that of all of my many therapies, this one is golden based on my clinical experience and patient response.

The question that I am sure skeptics of my statements would ask is: why have we not heard of this before. I suppose it is because the therapy requires time and effort on the practitioner. When one has a profit based medical system, quick and easy is best for business. If I can see 30 patients in a day and simply write prescriptions, why not do it. That is a money maker. If I have to spend 20 to 30 minutes or have a nurse or assistant do it, would I make as much money? The answer is no. Remember, in Russia and most countries with national health insurance, the goal is results not profit. Their health care policy emphasizes efficacy or results. You can draw your own conclusions. I believe this is the reason other countries have promoted this therapy as an effective and cost saving health solution.

As a Cigna provider, my patients love it. Cigna pays for treatment and continued on page 38 >

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L I C E N S E D

P S Y C H O L O G I S T

520.906.7048 Phone 5956 E. Pima, Suite 130 520.296.8157 Fax Tucson, AZ 85712

ETHICS

Keeping New Year’s resolutions

By Dr. Dina Evan

“One of the greatest gifts we have as human beings is that we get to begin again in each moment, in each day and on each New Year. We get to do that by making a new choice. Nothing you have done in the past means anything or can hurt you, the moment you make a new choice.”

O

ne of the greatest gifts we have as human beings is that we get to begin again in each moment, in each day and on each New Year. We get to do that by making a new choice. Nothing you have done in the past means anything or can hurt you, the moment you make a new choice. That is very powerful. Since we are creating our reality with each new choice, you get to have a great impact on creating the life, the body, the joy you want to have, the moment you make that new choice – if you follow through.

Maybe, there is a deep place inside that knows that, and perhaps that’s why we make New Years resolutions.

However, for me, this is just one more place where if we are not careful, we can cheat on ourselves in life.

I believe in personal responsibility.

Your ability to respond to your own life in an emotionally adult way is the number one requirement on the path to consciousness. Think about it, nearly every problem we experience in life, as adults, is because we have failed to take responsibility.

Look at your own life. Be excruciatingly honest with yourself. What problems can you identify that originated in the past from not taking responsibility immediately, or at all?

I bet it’s 90 percent or higher. Isn’t one of the reasons why most resolutions are not kept? We believe our problems are always someone else’s responsibility.

It’s time to grow up. The exponential growth of the human race, our issues of obesity, addictions in every form, financial instability and child abuse in the country demand action. Our over consumption of planetary resources must be addressed immediately. After all, once this exponential trend is noticed, ac-

news / politics / business / opinion

cording to some scientists, we have very little time left to tip the growth curve and correct it.

What is interesting is that most of our New Years Resolutions are based upon excess - excess spending, drinking, eating, sex or whatever.

When deciding on your New Year’s resolutions, it is easy to be swept up in hopeful excitement. As the clock ticks away the final minutes of the old year, the excitement can be intoxicating. You may earnestly believe that you’re going to tackle your goals effortlessly. But, after the initial rush of New Year’s celebration fades and reality sets in that trip to the gym, or push back from the table, or leaving your dysfunctional relationship seem insurmountable.

According to time magazine, while 65 percent of people who make a resolution kept their promise for at least part of the year, 35 percent never even made it out of the gate.

Indeed, when you wake bleary-eyed on the first day of a New Year — or decade — resolutions to “cut back” and “moderate” seem both an excellent idea and an impossibly hazy dream.

According to Hinda Dubin, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and psychiatrist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, the key to achieving even your most lofty goals is to get started immediately.

Don’t wait a day or two.

“Action precedes motivation, not the other way around,” said Dr. Dubin. “People often think that they should wait until they are motivated to start doing something good for themselves. They say, ‘I’ll start that diet or fitness program when I’m really well rested and have a lot of energy’. But it doesn’t work that way.”

Dr. Dubin says that instead of waiting for inspiration to act on your goals, you need to take action first and inspiration will follow.

Your initial action doesn’t have to be anything big. Just by putting on your sneakers and hopping on the treadmill for 10 minutes, you will make that energy you are “waiting” for materialize.

Once you initiate an action and take that first step you have changed the energy into a more positive supportive place -- even the smallest of actions -- you pick up momentum and you realize, ‘Hey, this isn’t so bad,’ and it becomes a lot easier to keep moving forward and to stay motivated.

There is a 1,2, 3 simple mindfulness process I give my clients. First, when you are about to break your promise to yourself, identify the feeling that is under that desire.

For instance you might be feeling, “I am never going to have food I enjoy again.” So, the feeling under the desire to break your promise is fear, fear of feeling deprived.

Step two, is to ask whether that fear is a new fear or an old fear and assign a percentage to it. For instance, you might say, “Oh that is a familiar feeling from my childhood, when other kids could eat whatever they wanted and mom made me stay on my diet. So let’s say 70 percent of what I am feeling is about the past.” Then remind yourself you already survived the past and you are just fine. Now let’s look at the truth of the last 30 percent. Is it true that you will never be able to eat foods you enjoy? No! Step three, is to make a new decision or reframe the issue. Now that you know the fear is just that, a fear, you can say to yourself, I will promise to eat foods that I enjoy in

a healthy way when I am off my diet and for right now I am doing something wonderful for myself. Breathe into that and you will start to feel the anxiety leaving you.

Courage is the discipline to act on values rather than satisfying an immediate impulse. So, how do we strengthen the muscle that has courage and accepts personal responsibility? Here’s the bottom line – believe in your own strength and capabilities. Look behind you at all you have over-come in your life and ask yourself, “Can I live through giving up sweets or leaving an abusive relationship?” Chances are you have tackled and won much harder challenges.

The more you sincerely believe you are capable of meeting the challenge, the more relentless you will be in facing, pushing through, and overcoming that challenge. The biggest win is that with every small successful step, your self-esteem grows and you have more confidence with which to take on even bigger challenges.

Happy New Year and Happy January Resolutions!

Dr. Dina Evan is an author and licensed MFT in California and a Spiritual and Executive coach in Arizona. She has won national acclaim as a human rights advocate and motivational speaker. You can reach her at DrDBE@attglobal.net, DrDinaEvan.com, 602-997-1200 or here at ‘N Touch and on her weekly podcast The Doctor Dina Hour at QTalkAZ.com

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 37

CONTINUED Reluctant... < continued from page 32 Property Management to guide you as to what to do next.

Deciding which attorney to use to get your tenants either caught up or gone is a good idea, but consider recognizing that your family friend aka the property manager needs to be gone. They are not just doing you more harm than good; they are hurting your wallet and most probably affecting your friendship.

Dorian Kreiling and her Partner Melinda Murphy, GRI are affiliated with Keller Williams Lifestyle Realty and can be reached at NTouch@MelindaMurphy.com or by calling 623-694-4737

Back pain... < continued from page 34 the patients get great results. Cigna is happy and the patient receives relief and resolution.

There are very few physicians in the Valley who are trained and offer this therapy at this time. I am one of them. If you are interested, call my office. I blend alternative therapies with Scenar to promote resolution to the problem. Dear readers: just because you have had these issues for a long time, does not mean there is no hope of resolution. You simply need to take action. Get a good diagnosis and appropriate therapy. I have solutions for you!

When we move to health care as opposed to disease management, we will see therapy that works and does not cost huge amounts of money.

As long as disease treatment and management is the business model, alternative therapies will never impress that establishment. Alternative therapy could be bad for profits. It is not an issue of efficacy --- because the mainstream will fight issues of efficacy that is bad for business.

The LGBT community is inherently alternative. We are different but that is not a bad thing.

It is good. The LGBT community looked for alternatives when the government did not rise to the issue of HIV/AIDS during the 80s. The LGBT community promoted traditional Chinese medicine, organic food, herbal medicine, and alternative health care to public awareness. In the face of adversity, this is our pride for the rest of humanity. I am elated to offer this information to my brothers and sisters because we positively impact culture, humanity and life itself. We each do our part and this is mine.

We love your letters. Keep them coming!

Thank you!

Dr. Damien Brandeis, NMD has a private practice located at the corner of Chandler Blvd and McClintock Road. For more information about Dr. Brandeis and his practice, visit drbrandeis.net. Or phone 480-855-6560 to make an appointment.

Cigna insurance is accepted.

YOUR PETS

Pets in search

Pets and ringworms

of a Loving Home

By Dr. Alicia Ruiz Located in Phoenix, Arizona Rescue is the last voice for dogs and wcats who, through no fault of their own, find themselves awaiting death at our county pounds.

Harmony Harmony is a gorgeous Chocolate-Point Snowshoe with beautiful blue eyes and incredibly soft fur! Harmony is a great all around gal. She welcomes you with enthusiastic meows, especially if it is near mealtime, and is always happy to accept love from anyone willing to give it. Harmony loves having her head scratched and will purr happily the whole time! Harmony also enjoys being brushed and will wiggle around to help ensure you don’t miss any spots.

Do animals get ringworm? If so, is it dangerous?

Animals can get ringworm, which is not a worm but a fungal infection. It can be contracted from other animals, humans or infected soil. In animals a ringworm infection usually clears on its own unless the animal is immuno-compromised, but very effective treatments are available.

Cats, especially Persians and Persian mixes, can become asymptomatic chronic carriers of ringworm and be chronic sources of infection if not treated.

Treatment can consist of oral medication, medicated bath or dips or antifungal cream depending on the severity of disease. Ringworm can also be very effectively treated in humans and really only poses a

threat to immuno-compromised people.

How often should older pets be brought in to check on their health?

Most veterinarians recommend a twice yearly exam for geriatric pets as a routine, and recommend at least once yearly blood screens to detect organ failure early and to rule out common diseases older pets commonly get.

A pet is considered mature or geriatric after the age of 7 for large dog breeds and 10 for small breed dogs and cats. Your veterinarian will make specific recommendations based on the health and appearance of your pet.

Dr. Ruiz is a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine at Central Phoenix Animal Hospital, 602- 277-5155. Questions for Dr. Ruiz can be emailed to editor@ntouchaz.com news / politics / business / opinion

Cameron Cameron is just as cute as a button! He’s had a bit of a scary life but I’m happy to say that’s a part of his past. He is learning to respond to his name, and is beginning work on some basic commands. He does not seem to have any problems getting along with other dogs, big or small. He is a little love-bug polar bear pup.

He will steal your heart! So if you have a safe, loving home with plenty of ear scratches, toys and cuddle time for our little “polar bear pup” fill out an application for him today!

To learn more or about Harmony or Cameron, go to azrescue.org. ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 39

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Daddy Long Legs struts its stuff at ATC

By John Thomas Lotardo What a way to start off the new year but with some fun and light-hearted theatrical fare.

Arizona Theatre Company’s new musical Daddy Long Legs, makes its Arizona premiere in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from December 29, 2011 through January 15, 2012 with a special New Year’s Eve performance on December 31.

This award-winning musical love story has been lauded for its innocence, its sheer beauty, and its depth of emotion, not to mention its magnificent musical score. It tells the story of a young girl’s Cinderella journey into womanhood, as well as a confirmed bachelor’s awakening into love. Charming and bright, this new musical about falling in love with life begins when an orphanage trustee offers a college education to an 18-year old girl. His only request is that she must never know who he is and that she write to him monthly, though he will never respond.

Told through a series of letters between Jerusha Abbott, the oldest orphan at the John Grier Home, and Jervis Pendleton, her mysterious benefactor, Daddy Long Legs is a testament to the power of the written word based on the beloved 1912 novel by Jean Webster. Winner of three prestigious Ovation Awards including Best Book, Best Score and Lead Actress in an Original Musical, Daddy Long Legs is a beguiling affair. The cast includes Megan McGinnis ( Jerusha Abbott) who originated the role of Jerusha in Daddy Long Legs at Rubicon Theatre, and received a Los Angeles Ovation Award for her performance. Her Broadway credits include Les Misérables, Little Women, Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade and The Diary of Anne Frank and Robert Adelman Hancock ( Jervis Pendleton), who originated

the role of Jervis in Daddy Long Legs at Rubicon Theatre Company. He was in the national tour of Mamma Mia! Regional credits include James Joyce’s The Dead, The Fantasticks, Hair, Route 66, Forever Plaid, Muscle, A Christmas Carol, Fiddler on the Roof, among others. Other credits include Madison Repertory Theatre, Court Theatre, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Skylight Opera Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, American Folklore Theatre, and Clarence Brown Theatre, among others.

I caught with Hancock early on in the show performances while performing in Cleveland of all places. We got to talk about the show and his “All things Rob” website (robhancock.com/) - his website is fun and doesn’t take himself too seriously which is quite refreshing for such type of sites.

Before I even started talking with Hancock about the show, I was already won over. In addition to his great looks and obvious theatrical abilities, his TV credits spoke to me as he was in one of my favor-

Shipwrecked!

The amazing adventures of Louis De Rougement (As told by himself) TUCSON - A fanciful journey, told with startling theatricality, that begins with a young boy determined to see the world. See it he does--from England to the South Seas and back over a thirty year span, all the while accompanied by his faithful dog. When he tells his story in print, he becomes the toast of London and the living example of how to survive by one’s own ingenuity...or does he?

Shipwrecked! is an adventure for all ages!

Joseph McGrath as Bruno the Dog, David Morden as Louis De Rougemont and Patty Gallagher as Captain Jensen in Shipwrecked!

Shipwrecked! previews on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the preview performance are $23, or

40 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

$15 for children and for students with ID. Regular performances of Shipwrecked! continue on Saturday, Jan. 7 through Sunday, Jan. 22. Curtain times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A musical pre-show will begin fifteen minutes prior to every performance. Tickets are $30 for adults or $15 for children and for students with ID, and can be purchased online at TheRogueTheatre.org or by calling 520-5512053. Thursdays, January 12 and January 19 are “Half-Price” nights; all tickets for these shows are $15. Reservations are encouraged for all performances.

Free parking is available in our lot off Herbert Avenue (the alley just east of the theatre).

ite Television shows, Royal Pains (episode 9) . RP is set in the Hamptons and, well, is also fun and light-hearted- sort of a cute MacGyver-playing-aDoctor-in-a-beach-town fare.

But back to Daddy Long Legs. Hancock says he is enjoying playing the role of Jervis, but you can clearly tell this from the tenor in his voice as well.

He explains it was that way from the start, “we started performing the world premiere two years ago and we’ve been doing it ever since. It’s been an amazing 2-year experience.” It is hard to express his exuberance for the role and the show in words on the page as you read this and he notes that the audience will experience that same feeling about the show. As he explains, “it is special, unique. You have to experience to believe it.”

I ask about whether the story would resonate with gay and lesbians audiences and Hancock quickly re-assures that it will. As he explains, “ the themes are universal. They are big. Isolation. Loneliness. Trying to find a way to fit in. I know the gay community can relate to that. Anyone gay or straight can relate to feeling of “where do I belong”.”

He explains there’s a line in one of the songs that answers this with “where love is....”

When one thinks of the show as a 2-person show, Hancock thinks of it as more of a threesome- a manage a troi if you will. Hancock explains by saying that “Paul Gordon, our composer, has his finger on people’s heartstrings. There are some beautiful moments and the music just adds to it.” I ask if the show has a happy ending that i always yearn for during this time of year but Hancock he plays a bit coy with me. He does not let out too much of the story and wishes the audience to come in and enjoy it for themselves as it unfolds.

He does ultimately divulge to me after some pleading that “it is an absolutely feel good show - very satisfying... but we’ll make you wait for it!”

Well Daddy, I for one can’t wait.

Tickets for Daddy Long Legs are $37-$74, subject to change, depending on date and section choice and are available at arizonatheatre.org or by calling the box office at 602-256-6995. Discounts are available for seniors and active military on specific performance days. $10 student ticket pricing is now available for all performances. Half-price rush tickets are available for balcony seating for all performances one hour prior to curtain at the ATC box office (subject to availability). Pay What You Can for Daddy Long Legs is January 15 at 7:00 p.m. Balcony seats for this performance are available for a suggested $10 donation. (Tickets must be purchased at the Herberger Theater Center box office starting at 6 p.m. on January 15. Seating is first-come first served and is not guaranteed. Cash only, please. Two tickets per person maximum.)

For discounts on groups of eight or more, call 602256-6995. news / politics / business / opinion

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16. Linda’s on Osborn 2333 E. Osborn Rd., PHX | 602-956-4420

17. Oz 1804 W. Bethany Home Rd., PHX

18. Plazma 1560 E. Osborn Rd., PHX

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 45

NIGHTLIFE Phoenix Rainbow Cactus Rainbow Cactus is offering all day and night Happy Hour on Sundays and Mondays and NFL Football too! Thursdays in-house Dart Tournament Join some of the best and worst singers, but always the most fun, on Karaoke Fridays!

Rainbow Cactus offers Wii Sports, and a free WiFi. What’s coming up? Glad you asked!

Sunday, Jan 8 Miss Rainbow Cactus, Nikki Starr, will be hosting a Spaghetti dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. Then a show from 6 to 9 p.m. for the Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program.

Saturday, Jan. 14 Mister Rainbow Cactus, Baron Von Ausome, hosting benefit show at 9 p.m. for Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program.

Sunday, Jan. 15 How To Tame a DragOn benefit show for 1n10 at 7 p.m.

Please come and join us for the Sassy Sisters Show on Saturday Jan 21st at 9 PM for Sissy Collins last show as the host of the long running drag troupe, Sassy Sisters Show. Sissy will be stepping down for health reasons but will stay on as part of the Sassy Sisters. As the host for the Sassy Sisters Show, Sissy Collins has raised thousands of dollars for charities around the valley and hosted many shows at Rainbow Cactus and The Rock as well as other bars around the valley. While she is stepping down as host Sissy Collins will still be part of the Sassy Sisters Show. The show starts at 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan 28 Mister Rainbow Cactus, Baron Von Ausome, will be hosting a benefit show at 9 p.m. for Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program.

Rainbow Cactus is located just a hop, skip and a jump away at 15615 N. Cave Creek Rd in Phoenix. Phone: 602-971-1086.

The Rock If the Mayans are right, then this is going to be our last year on earth! So, The Rock is starting off the New Year with some amazing new entertainment! If this is it, then we are going out with a bang! We are premiering Three New Shows this month and we will be welcoming some legendary guest performers to the show room. January also marks the return of Bearracuda, One of the hottest circuit parties on the scene.

More News Online!

www.ntouchaz.com

46 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

On Jan. 5, The Women of The Rock will host a benefit, ‘Sharing the Stage” at 8 p.m. This will begin a new tradition of hosting a benefit show once a month to raise money for local charities. This month’s beneficiary will be the Animal Defense League of Arizona. For more information on this Amazing Organization visit their website at adlaz. org.

Jan. 22 The Rock will be hosting a benefit for Miss Rock and The Phoenix Pride Scholarship Fund called The Jackie and Olive Show. The Madness begins at 7 p.m.

The illustrious Venus DeMars and her band All the Pretty Horses will be passing through Phoenix in support of their latest album 10 Bones on Jan. 12. If you love David Bowie, New York Dolls, Patti Smith and the like, then this show will be a rare treat!

Bearracuda returns to The Rock Friday Jan. 27 beginning at 8 p.m. This circuit party has quickly become one of the most well attended dance parties in the world. Stop by to see why Victoria Bacon, Felicia Minor and Friends take over the Show Room every Wednesday at 9p.m. with Open Wide Wednesdays! This show is always a barrel of laughs! Follow them on Facebook (Open Wide Productions) to see what the theme is from week to week.

Spend an evening with the award winning Arizona Gender Outlaws every Friday at 10 p.m. This cabaret style show features Live Singing, Campy Comedy and Outrageous Videos. They Just Released their 2 DVD Set entitled Drag Terrorism and Other Oddities which features a compilation of the wacky videos that have made them famous and their new documentary Portrait of a Drag Terrorist. Available only at The Rock!

Barbra Seville takes the stage every Saturday night at 10 p.m. and will be welcoming the illustrious Miss Gay America, Kirby Kolby, Jan. 14.

And, of course, you can always just stop by for some reasonable priced cocktails in one of the friendliest bars in town. Each week hosts poker, darts, karaoke and other fun events.

For more information, or to make a reservation, go to therockdmphoenix.com The Rock is located at 4129 N 7th Ave., in Phoenix. Phone: 602-614-4154

TUCSON IBT’s Come party in the entertainment district of Tucson, N. 4th Ave., and enjoy all of the offerings of IBT’s. IBT’s has been the center of LGBTQA fun for 25 years. Every night is something different. On Mondays, celebrate reverse happy hour.

If you haven’t had the tacos on Taco Tuesday, you must make a point of trying them. James Espino, the chef for this night makes fantastic tacos for only

$1 each. On Wednesdays, the ever-popular Janee Starr and special guests put on Viva La Diva. It is always a large and fun crowd. Therapy Thursdays follow with go go dancers and 2 for 1 drinks and all the fun begins at 10p-m. On Friday’s, China Collins hosts Flawless Fridays. Friday also starts the three day-long karaoke sessions. Yes, karaoke is on Friday’s, Saturdays and Sundays. The weekend continues with the award winning Saturday Night Starlets with Janee Starr and finish off the weekend with Cheap Ass Sundays. And have you seen Richard, the bartender. Well worth the trip!

Major hottie.

IBT’s is open Mon - Sun from noon until 2 a.m.

To see what’s happening go to ibtstucson.com IBT’s is located at 616 N 4th Ave., Tucson.

Phone: 520-882-3053

New Moon Tucked into a nondescript strip mall, you may just drive right on past if you don’t have a good navigator on hand, but the New Moon is a friendly hangout no matter what your orientation. Heck, they even accept folks who are oriented toward questionable karaoke selections.

The New Moon gives you plenty of reasons to howl, from poker—play for prizes, not cash—to country dance lessons (7:30 p.m. Fridays), drag shows, karaoke and more.

Head on over to the New Moon, 915 W. Prince Road, at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 for a Disco-themed Drag Bingo with Drew to benefit Wingspan. Each card is a minimum $5 donation for Wingspan; come in sequins or DRAG and get one card free. You’ll compete for more than $500 in prizes, including gift baskets and deals with local merchants. And you don’t want to miss the entertainment, for sure.

New Moon is located at 915 West Prince Road.

Phone: 520-293-7339.

Woody’s Exciting things are happening at Woody’s in Tucson - Mike Kramkowski of IBT’s is proud to announce that he has purchased Woody’s from Dave Huff and Frank Shepis and is looking forward to injecting new energy into one of Tucson’s long-time night spots. Mike intends to keep some of the popular events and improve both the property and the offerings. Look here for more information as it evolves.

Not to be missed are the Wednesday Night Underwear nights and Saturday Steak Night. Can you beat $8.50 for a filet mignon encased in bacon and all of the fixings? We don’t think so. And if you missed the go-go dancers on Sunday, have no fear, they also perform on Monday Nights.

For more information go to mywoodysaz.com.

Woody’s is located at 3710 North Oracle Road, Tucson. Phone: 520-292-6702. news / politics / business / opinion

NIGHTLIFE

2011 - A blessing or a curse?

By Pandora DeStrange

A

nother year has passed and I am left with the task of sifting through the many trials, tribulations and blessings that came with it.

I started out 2011 battling Valley Fever. Can I just say…Not pleasant!

In late 2010, I was misdiagnosed as having pneumonia three times. After several rounds of random antibiotics (one of which I was allergic to, which landed me in the hospital) and a ridiculous amount of x-rays, I was finally sent to a pulmonary specialist who found a “mass” on my left lung.

He explained that I either had lung cancer, tuberculosis or Valley Fever.

Needless to say, as one of the many Americans that are barely getting by and therefore doesn’t have insurance, this was not good news. I had applied for ACCHS twice during my previous trips to the emergency room and had been denied, so the idea of trying to battle cancer or one of it’s equally hateful accomplices without insurance was not something I was mentally or financially prepared to deal with.

Luckily on my third trip to the hospital (when I had my allergic reaction) I was finally approved. So, that helped to alleviate one of my concerns. What a blessing! Once I was approved, I was immediately sent in for exploratory surgery. My doctor had to go down my throat, into my lungs and get some sputum samples.

Big fun! Then I simply had to wait to get the results. I awaited the news of my fate. I have to admit, being from the east coast, I had never heard of Valley Fever and had no idea what to expect from this diagnosis once I received it. I had no idea just how serious of an illness I had. I knew that I felt like death was looming in the distance, just waiting for the opportunity to drag me into its icy embrace. However, I decided I was not going out like that because I had finally gotten to a place in my life where I was truly happy. I was working with amazing people, performing on a regular basis and doing what I loved every day. I found it ironic that all my hard work had finally begun to pay off, but I didn’t have the energy to celebrate news / politics / business / opinion

my successes. It felt as though I was skating on the edge of a double edged sword and I got really depressed, although most people wouldn’t have known that. I do a great job putting on a happy face and generally tend to be quite optimistic. I prefer to see “the cup” as being half full!

So, after a long battle and a hideous amount of antifungal medication, breathing treatments and such, I finally received news in June that the Valley Fever appeared to have left the building. One of the truly ironic parts of battling this illness is that exhaustion is the first and last symptoms you have to learn to live with. I still can’t make it through a day without taking a well deserved nap! I am glad to report that it has now been six months without all those hateful medications and I am starting to feel like my old self again, although I am acutely aware of the chance of it coming back for round two. And thanks to Governor Jan Brewer, I am again without insurance! Needless to say, I pray every day that I don’t have to rely on help from our government with silly things like medical insurance or financial assistance again.

So, having reflected on the “dark days” let’s take a look at the highlights of the last year. Like I said, one of the poetic parts of my journey over the last year was that I lad finally reached a point in my career, as an entertainer, that I was doing what I loved on a daily basis. I had the opportunity to perform with some of my favorite entertainers of all time, like Pandora Boxx, Joey Arias and Sherry Vine. I had gotten to share the stage with Mink Stole and established a friend-

ship with her and as a result, when my idol John Waters came to town, he asked for me by name! I got to work with my friend and mentor Peaches Christ on several occasions (which is always a joy!) and dove even deeper into my love of filmmaking.

My performance troupe, The AZ Gender Outlaws, won several awards and I have gotten to see their careers flourish as well. So, although my life

was wrought with turmoil, trials and tribulations, I could always see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am now presently working with local burlesque troupe Scandalesque as their Mistress of Ceremonies, I have been recording my first album and The AZ Gender Outlaws just released our first DVD. I have been writing for ‘N Touch Magazine for almost a year now and have recently started working on an internet radio show for QTalk Arizona. Life is good!

So, the year 2010 helped to remind me…

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Always shoot for the moon because even if you miss, you will land among the stars.

And if you are feeling bitter, just throw on some glitter!

May your New Year be blessed!

Pandora xoxo

ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 47

FOCUS TUCSON

The first time TUCSON - What are some of the firsts in our lives? The first cigarette, first fainting spell, first birth, the first time you “did it”, the first time you went to college but dropped out . . .

Come and hear theatre teacher, Carrie J. Cole; HIV / AIDS educator, Jerry Diaz; performance artist, Logan Phillips; Casa Libre director, Kristen Nelson; author, Mark Ozeroff: and social justice advocate, Sarita Gonzales tell stories of their “firsts” Jan. 12 at Fluxx Studios, 414 E. 9th Street.

Odyssey Storytelling has moved to Fluxx Studios and Gallery, a non-profit community art space designed to host exhibitions, performance art, movie screenings, workshops and special events. They are located just off 4th Avenue, near the underpass to Congress Street, across the street from the Shanty.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., come early to get a good seat. Parking is free on the street. In February, Odyssey will resume their regular schedule of 1st Thursday of the month.

Odyssey Storytelling can only survive with your support. When you buy tickets to the performances and make donations you help keep the stories flowing and the bills paid.

Odyssey Storytelling is a program of StoryArts

Group, Inc., a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and they are gratefully accepted.

You can mail your check to: StoryArts Group, Inc. P.O. Box 40422 Tucson, AZ 85717 If you love what they do and you want to support storytelling arts in Tucson, please send a year-end gift today.

For more information contact Penelope Starr at penelope@odysseystorytelling.com, Adam Hostetter, at adam@odysseystorytelling.com or Sarah K. Smith at sarah@odysseystorytelling. com Website: odysseystorytelling.com Facebook: Facebook.com/Odysseystorytelling ~ Blog: tucsoncitizen.com/stories

Fabulous Feygeleh LGBT Film Series TIHAN and ‘N Touch News are proud to be a sponsor of the 2012 Fabulous Feygeleh LGBT Film Series, in conjunction with the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival. Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 22 for three films at the Grand Cinemas Crossroads 6 (Swan and Grant Roads), including the acclaimed AIDS film “We Were Here.”

1 p.m. - Double Feature: We Were Here (USA, 2011, English, 90 minutes) “We Were Here is, above all, a film about love: not romantic love but the kind that really matters, in which people selflessly show up and keep on showing up for one another in the worst of time” –Stephen Holden, New York Times. Tickets for each show are $8 for adults or $7 for students (the double-feature counts as one show), and can be purchased online or at the door.

Filmmakers David Weissman and Bill Weber co-directed the 2001 documentary, The Cockettes, chronicling San Francisco’s legendary theater troupe of hippies and drag queens, 1969 – 1972.

We Were Here revisits San Francisco a decade

More News Online!

www.ntouchaz.com 48 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

later, as its flourishing gay community is hit with an unimaginable disaster.

We Were Here is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco. It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.

Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself. It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.

Edie and Thea: A Very Long Engagement (USA, 2009, English, 61 minutes) For 42 years, this remarkable lesbian couple shared their lives before finally being permitted to legally marry shortly before one of them dies. Their love and devotion, and the graceful way in which they faced and overcame societal, political and personal challenges, are an inspiration to us all.

3 p.m.: Mary Lou (“Tamid oto cholom”) (Israel, 2009, Hebrew with English subtitles, 150 minutes with intermission) From the gifted Israeli director Eytan Fox comes Mary Lou, the Israeli take on Glee. Based on the songs of Israeli pop icon Svika Pick, it depicts a young gay man who, while looking for the mother who deserted him at 10 years old, discovers himself. Tickets are $7. Sunday, January 22.

Grand Cinemas Crossroads 6 is located at 4811 E. Grant Road.

Give to Wingspan and pay less in taxes!

Wingspan is a Qualifying Charitable Organization for the Arizona State Working Poor Tax Credit in 2011. This means that you can donate $200 as a single, or $400 as a married couple (unless your marriage is not legally recognized in Arizona) and you pay that much less in taxes as long as you itemize your deductions.

In addition, your contribution will be eligible for a Tax Deduction on your Federal tax return.

So please give today. You’ll feel good for supporting our community, people will be helped through your generosity, AND you’ll pay the money in taxes if you don’t give it to Wingspan.

Got to wingspan.org for more information. news / politics / business / opinion

View these galleries and more at

ntouchaz.com

IBT’s Newcomer Pageant

News Year’s Eve at Woody’s & IBT’s

New Years’s Eve at Colors

Wingspan Night Thing 2011

NIGHTLIFE - TUCSON

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ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 51

CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS

COUNSELING

Wow! 2012! Can you believe it?

Here’s wishing you all the best!

Licensed Professional Counselor - Call Rene Broussard, LPC for a Caring Counselor who knows our community, from the inside out: 480-751-1020. Sliding Scale Fee and Free Initial Consultation Available.

If you have ever been abused by anyone in our support community, please come forward. Your disclosure will remain anonymous. editor@ntouchaz.com Downtown Phoenix Public Market Wednesdays 4-8pm, Saturdays 8am-1pm.

Support local farmers and artists while also supporting the local economy.

BUSINESS / SERVICE

HAVE GIN − WILL TRAVEL Professional Bartending Services. Weddings • Holiday Celebrations • Private Parties • Corporate & Special Events • Arizona Title 4 Certified. Michael Woodward @ 520.977.4714 or haveginwilltravel@gmail.com.

Having a bad hair day? John Krebs of Panache Salon can help you with all of your hair needs. 5533 N. 7th St, Suite 401, Phoenix. Call (602)678-5517.

Mobile bookkeeper for small business. I’ll crunch your numbers so that you can focus on what you do best. Contact Dave Connell at 602-400-5383.

The GLBT Guide, Inc. The national gay business listings, personals and classifieds. Bringing America’s GLBT Community together. Listings for less than $3/mo. glbtguide.com.

COMMUNITY INFO Free Social Group and Nonprofit listings. List your social group or non-profit organization for free at ntouchaz.com! Click on the community directory page and add your listing today!

Now, Voyager Hypnotherapy/ Coaching- Let me help you improve many areas of your life.

Visit NowVoyagerHypnosis.com for some ideas or call 602-3016551. The Mind Is The Greatest Vessel!

FOR RENT/LEASE Studio, 1 & 2 br apts $500 & up. Swimming pool, Sauna, Covered Parking, Granite countertops, Hardwood floors, Pets allowed. Specials plus $300.00 move-in bonus with this ad. Gay owned and managed. Woodside apts: 2930 N.52nd St. Phoenix.602-840-3053 Studio Apartment for Rent.

Completely Remodeled. Walk to Light Rail, stores & Restaurants. $450 monthly. 19th & Camelback.

602-242-8812.

RENT TO OWN a Home!!!

Mobile Homes & Park Models in Mobile Home Community. Rates start at $460 monthly. Walk to Light Rail, stores & Restaurants.

19th & Camelback. 602-2428812.

RV Site with adjacent newly remodeled Studio Apartment. $450 monthly. Long Term Lease preferred. Walk to Light Rail, stores & Restaurants. 19th & Camelback. 602-242-8812.

FOR SALE MOBILE HOMES & PARK MODELS FOR SALE in Mobile Home Community. Starting at $7,000 - Financing any credit.

Walk to Light Rail, stores & Restaurants. 19th & Camelback. 602242-8812.

52 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

LUXURY PENTHOUSE 207 W. Clarendon #22E 1566 sq.ft. 2 split Master BRs/2 full baths. Eat-in kitchen. LR/ DR. Pool,spa,tennis,light-rail. 24/7 front desk. $395,000.00. Linda Pool - Keller Williams - (480)600-7504 lindapool@cox.net

FOR SALE: 1024 W Georgia Ave, Pasadena Neighborhood, Energy efficient 3 bedrms, 1.75 baths.

1900 sq. ft, home office entry.

Corner lot, walled privacy, paddle fans, skylights, A/C & evap.

Security doors & alarm system.

Detached 2+ car port with secure storage, Offered at $235,000.

MLS # 4186597, 1024wgeorgia ave.epro p er t ysites.c om.

Owner/agent John E. Hughes, Jr. (520) 907-6792.

HEALTH Are you experiencing any of the following? Hot flashes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, depression, headaches, anxiety, foggy thinking, vaginal dryness, prolonged fatigue? Call 1-888-314-3413

HELP WANTED SSR TRADE is offering a position payment clerk and office manager where you can earn extra income at your own flexible schedule plus benefits that takes only little of your time. Requirements: 1-2 hours access to the internet weekly; Must be Efficient and Dedicated. gmacssrtrade@ gmail.com. This great opportunity is limited.

Bartenders/Cocktail Servers Wanted Looking for at least 2 years experience or customer service equivalent. Stop into the Rock for an application, 4129 N 7th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85013. 602-248-8559

‘N Touch News is growing, and would like to add you to our Advertising Sales Team. E-mail sales@ntouchaz.com if you are interested in a contract/commission position.

LANDSCAPING

VOX | Landscaping & Construction Complete landscaping design including walls, stucco, pavers, fireplaces, barbeques and metal work. Call Beth Rohlfs, Owner at 480538-8081 | ROC# 262709

MASSAGE

Rainbow Massage Therapy.

Bring this ad in for $10.00 off your massage. Located near 7th Ave & Indian School. Swedish & Hot Stone. Call (602) 2651631 to make your appointment or e-mail rainbowmassagephx. com (MT-09329)

PETS Two AKC registered English Bulldog puppies for single / family home for re-homing they are (Male and Female), contact me at bsky41@gmail.com for more information about my Adorable puppies.

Experienced Licensed Massage Therpist and Experienced Cosmetologist for upscale central Phoenix salon. Call George or David at 602277-8849 for more information.

Purchase Classified Ads Online!

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My name is Stacey Jay Cavaliere. My sources of strength in life are the joy of music, the healing power of writing, and the satisfaction of helping others. These activities allow me to learn more about myself and help me see the beauty in the world around me.

The Q Line is a 24-hour crisis hotline & information referral for LGBTQ youth and allies.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis please call the Q Line at:

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ntouchaz.com | January 2012 | Issue #90 | 53

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY Building a great community starts with you!

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PRISM @ NAU

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UA Office of LGBTQ Affairs

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54 | Issue #90 | January 2012 | ntouchaz.com

news / politics / business / opinion