FROM THE EDITOR
The Strength of the Community
P.O. Box 17674 • Phoenix, AZ 85011-7674 (602) 373-9490 • info@ntouchaz.com Editor
Gina Read
Creative & Technical Director
I received quite a few comments about last month’s cover featuring Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ intern, Daniel Hernandez Jr. who is credited with saving her life. Comments have come from across the country, and although the majority have been positive there are a few which have centered on the fact that there were other heroes on that tragic day. “Carolyn’s Community” a blog at Tucson Citizen.com ran our cover story and there too several readers of the popular blog made comments about all those who rose to the level of hero. So as the editor of ‘N Touch Magazine I would like to give anyone who read the article insight as to why I put Daniel Hernandez Jr. on our cover. Even though we saw the worst that day, we also saw the best. There were many that horrific day who were heroes, some even lost their lives trying to protect others. So why Daniel? Was it because he was the first gay hero? No. I volunteered with gay youth and their allies at a Phoenix nonprofit (1n10.org) for over 12 years. In that time I saw gay/lesbian/bi/trangender youth who were brave, standing up for themselves and others. In fact, Micheal Weakley Director of Programs at 1n10 expresses this in detail in his column on page 15 of this issue. BUT, what I also witnessed way to often were gay bashings. In that 12 years we lost at least three youth to bias related murders. A few years ago I saw a documentary on men who were serving time for killing gay
men. Every single one of these murders said they targeted gay men because they perceived them as being weak. That is a stereotype we cannot afford. If by putting Daniel on the cover helps to change that then ‘N Touch has been a responsible community partner. And by community partner I mean the greater community, not just the gay community. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of ‘N Touch. Each one of them contributes in their own way to community. Whether it is Shelby donating his graphic design abilities to non-profits that can’t afford a designer and making sure that ‘N Touch is a “green” publication, Luis collecting blankets for the homeless or putting on poker tournaments for charity, Danny volunteering for organizations in Tucson such as SAAF and Wingspan, Joseph volunteering at Joshua Tree and as his alter ego “Jagi” putting on shows for many causes, or my partner Tracey who does everything from anonymously buying dinner for older folks at restaurants to gathering food and clothing for those in need. I feel very blessed to work with them each and every day. So why bring this up? Next month we will be announcing the staff’s picks of unsung heroes in our community, those individuals who volunteer their time to make life better for all of us.
M. Shelby Blanton
Business Development Director
Tracey Stewart
Assistant Editor
Luis Garcia
Web Programming Assistant
Jason Walsh
Advertising Sales Joseph A Gaxiola, Danny Catt National Advertising Sales Rivendell Media - (212) 242-6863 Photographers Patrick Kelley, Jamie Saragosa, Joseph A. Gaxiola, Danny Catt Writers
Dr Damien L. Brandeis, Jarrod Dill, Dorian Kreiling, Kirk Matthews, Dr. Dina Evan, Jane O. Ross, Dr. Alicia Ruiz, Kyrsten Sinema, J. Ursone, John Thomas Lotardo
Additional Distribution Support Ted Kirby, Paul Sanchez
To advertise in ‘N Touch News, call Tracey Stewart at (602) 373-9488.
Publisher
Gina Read
© 2011-15 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.
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Issue At A Glance ‘N Touch News Magazine Issue #80, March 2011
LOCAL NEWS 6
Two honored for art advocacy
7
Unitown in Prescott
8
Filmmaker transformed into activist
9
Two choirs lift women’s voices
p 8 - Movies that Move
COMMUNITY 15
Youth are there when others fail
FILM 21
Up Under the Roof - facing fear
p 9 - Women in song
BUSINESS 24
North Phoenix now has a gay-owned restaurant/bar
FEATURE ARTICLE 28
p 21 - Face your fears
Dine in and help those with HIV/AIDS
PETS 39
Make sure the next plant you buy isn’t toxic to your pet
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 40
p 28 - Eat & Fight AIDS
Sister is at it again
TRAVEL 42
Italy part two
NIGHTLIFE 46
p40 - One funny nun
Experience the alternative
FOCUS TUCSON 49
Moda Provocateur: Fashion meets The Cirque
p 49 - Fashion gets freaky
LOCAL NEWS
Art award goes to two with ties to LGBT community By Luis Garcia Arizona will honor two individuals with ties to the LGBT community. The Shelley Arts Advocate Award will be given to Former State Senator Carolyn Allen and Bill Sheppard. The Arizona Governor’s Arts Awards, the largest annual statewide gathering of arts and culture supporters will also be celebrating a milestone with it’s the 30th anniversary. The Shelley Award, presented to an Arizona individuals who has advanced the arts through strategic and innovative work in creating or supporting public policy beneficial to the arts in Arizona, is named for Shelley Cohn, who spent more than 25 years as executive director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Allen and Sheppard will be recognized along with honorees in six categories at the 30th Anniversary Governor’s Arts Awards. Catherine “Rusty” Foley, Interim Executive Director of Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts, told ‘N Touch News that Allen and Sheppard were easy choices. “Sen. Allen and Bill Sheppard represent different spectrums of advocacy. One as an elected official and another in the private sector, both promoting community values in the arts. We are honored to recognize them. They are two individuals who represent the best of community advocacy supporting the arts.” Sen. Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale was the only one of the 17 Republican senators who refused to sign on
Sen. Allen receives the 2007 State Arts Leadership Award
William Sheppard & Jessica Andrews, President AZ Citizens for the Arts.
in support of the measure SCR1038, the measure sending a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to the fall ballot in 2008. As a Republican legislator from Scottsdale, Allen consistently refused to vote for the state budget when it did not include arts funds. In 2006, she led the effort to ensure completion of the Arizona ArtShare endowment fund to fulfill the state’s promise of $20 million in total, funds that were swept during last year’s legislative session. In 2007, Allen received the State Arts Leadership Award from Americans for the Arts for her advocacy. Among her many additional accolades, Allen was named Scottsdale Woman of the Year by the Women of Scottsdale in 2004 and Legislator of the Year, State Senate, by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce in 2003. Before shifting her focus to the Arizona Legislature, Allen was Development Director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the
Scottsdale Cultural Council. She also served as Executive Director of the Scottsdale Cultural Council and President of its board of directors. She has been a member of Arizona Citizens for the Arts since 2003. Known as one of the “five Bills,” Sheppard has served on the Arizona Theatre Company Board of Trustees, is a past a member of the Phoenix Arts Commission (now the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture), the Arizona Citizens and was a member of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. A native of Globe, Sheppard earned his Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from the University of Arizona and his law degree from the Yale Law School. He has been a practicing attorney in the state since 1973. Sheppard served on the Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) Board of Trustees from 1986-1997 and from 1999-2005, serving as chairman from 1995-1997 and as Honorary Co-Chair of the ATC Gala in 1999.
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He has been a Trustee Emeritus since 2007. Sheppard was a member of the Phoenix Arts Commission (now the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture) from 1995 to 2001 serving as Chair of the Grants Committee and Advocacy Committee and as both Vice Chair and Chair of the Commission. A board member of Arizona Citizens for the Arts from 2002 to 2010, he was Chair of Arizona Action for the Arts for two years. He also was a member of the Arizona Commission on the Arts from 2003 to 2009. Sheppard has received the AriZoni Theatre Award for Distinguished Service, the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the National Society of Fund Raising Executives for his work for ATC and that organization’s Georgy Award. He also received the 2006 Arts Advocate of the Year Award from the Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix. “This is a wonderful honor. But we have to keep advocating for support of the arts. Support is the lowest it has been in 40 yrs. We have to continue to support funding for the arts in our community and our schools,” Sheppard told ‘N Touch News. The celebration will take place at the Herberger Theatre Center on Apr. 12. Honorees will be recognized at the Oscar-style ceremony at 7 p.m.. For ticket informartion visit governorsartsawards.org
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LOCAL NEWS
Tucson executive takes helm at statewide reproductive health group
The Arizona Family Planning Council (AFPC) announced Wendell Hicks as its new 2011 Board President, a one year term. In this role he will lead the 36-year-old organization in its work to provide basic healthcare screenings and preventive health, including family planning
services across Arizona. AFPC works with a dozen community-based health centers located throughout the state to provide necessary reproductive health care and family planning support to the uninsured and low-income individuals regardless of ability to pay. As Executive Director for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) in Tucson, Mr. Hicks brings extensive experience in public health leadership, nonprofit management and community relations to his volunteer role. Before joining SAAF in October 2007, he spent seven years as Executive Director for Special Health Resources for Texas, a multi-million dollar AIDS service
Unitown program to reduce prejudice in Prescott Schools By ‘N Touch Staff Prescott - Prescott High School (PHS) announced the dates for a four-day prejudice reduction camp. The four-day camp is scheduled for May 6-9 at Friendly Pines Camp on Senator Highway in Prescott. According to a Unitown press release, 50 youth from local high schools will participate in this lifechanging program, and many students who attended Unitown 2010 will return as advisors for first-time campers. Prescott High School staff members will provide leadership for the program and will be enlisting the support of community members to act as facilitators and mentors throughout the camp. Unitown is a youth leadershipdevelopment program that allows high school students to explore personal biases and develop strategies to reduce prejudice in their own school communities. Based on the well-respected Anytown model developed by the National Conference for Community & Justice (NCCJ), the program is tailored to address the issues and challenges faced by
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local youth. According to Frankie Reynolds, Executive Director at the Prescott Pride Center, the Unitown program is particularly beneficial for LGBT kids because it provides a safe opportunity to discuss the harassment and bullying experienced in school while simultaneously improving the school environment by breaking down the negative biases of other students. The Prescott Pride Center is assisting with coordination and fundraising for the camp, which costs $200 per child, including lodging and meals. Discounted rates and scholarships will be available to some students, based on the success of the Center’s fundraising efforts. If you’d like to sponsor a child or fund a scholarship, please consider supporting the 2011 Unitown camp through your Arizona tax credit or a direct donation. For more information, please contact Patty Delp, PHS Unitown Director, at 928-445-2322, extension 124.
organization which provides health care, substance abuse prevention and treatment services for those living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, he actively participates in a number of other community and fundraising organizations including the Arizona Ryan White Part B Statewide Advisory Council and the Pima County HIV/AIDS Consortium. After more than 22 years of leadership and work in the HIV/AIDS field, Mr. Hicks recognizes the connections between HIV prevention efforts, family planning and health care. He sees his leadership role with the AFPC as a natural progression in his lifelong commitment to providing necessary and life-altering health care for all. “Family planning is for everyone. It is about helping people women, men and young adults - from all backgrounds, to make informed decisions and responsible choices that will impact the long-term health and well-being of their own lives and the families they are a part of,” says Hicks. He also noted that AFPC and its group of delegate clinics conduct more AIDS/HIV testing than any other group. “As an executive of a nonprofit, we know the importance of outreach, support and direct services,” commented Hicks. “AFPC and its work in managing and monitoring the use of Title X funds throughout Arizona allows for many more people to seek and receive the health care they need.” Karen Ford Manza, CEO of AFPC, is excited to have Mr. Hicks
leading what might usually be considered a typically female-centric organization. “Wendell Hicks brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to AFPC. His background in AIDS/HIV prevention makes him a strong champion for the work we carry out at the Council. His perspectives as a man, a representative outside our largest service area of Maricopa County, and his decades in the health arena are all valued by an organization serving such a diverse population,” said Manza. “Universal access to family planning is no easy task, especially given the challenging times we face. However, Wendell’s leadership will keep us moving toward our goals.” Mr. Hicks’ newly-appointed executive committee for the Arizona Family Planning Council Board includes: Jessica Stago, Vice President, representing Navajo County; Jill Stark Cohen, Secretary/Treasurer, of Maricopa County; Len Campanaro, Audit Committee Chair, of Maricopa County; and Brenda (Bré) Thomas, immediate past president, of Maricopa County. The Arizona Family Planning Council is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to making reproductive health care and education available and accessible to all, with particular concern for disadvantaged and under-served groups. Services are free or low cost based on family income. For more information, please visit www.azfpc.org or call 888-2725652.
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 7
LOCAL NEWS
Filmmaker transformed into activist By Luis Garcia In 2009, film director Rachel Lack went on a journey to document the civil rights struggle which lesbian and gay individuals faced when attempting to get married. Her trek across the nation transformed her from a filmmaker into an activist. Her film, “The Activist Within,” which is schedule to debut this year features footage of events that took place during the aftermath of the Nov. 2008 elections and the many right to marry rallies across the county that occurred after Proposition 102 in Arizona and Proposition 8 were passed by voters. “These propositions changed their state constitutions to ‘marriage is between a man and women’ only. I was so sad and angry that this could happen, especially at the same time Obama was elected,” said Lack. “I couldn’t believe more people weren’t upset like I was. I couldn’t imagine not being able to marry my husband or not knowing if I was still married to him.”
Lack spent most of 2009 filming marches and protests aimed to repeal propositions 8 and 102. The “Activist Whitin” documents the journey of two grassroots civil-equality organizations, one from her home state of Arizona and another from California, in their struggle for marriage equality from November 2008 to the present. Through this process, she discovers her own drive to fight for marriage equality. Lack graduated from the Film School at Scottsdale Community College in 2003 with concentrations in Production and Acting and
Directing. The short film, “Shush”, which she produced, was accepted and shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. In 2005 the Film, “5th World”, which Lack helped produce, was also shown at Sundance Film Festival as well as many other festivals that year. Later that year, Lack worked for a documentary film company in Toronto, Canada where she helped promote and research documentaries which included; “Escape to Canada” and “Let’s All Hate Toronto.” “No one ever met a nicer sweeter woman than Rachel,” said Melissa Halverson, who walked 97 miles as part of the Right to Marry Arizona
UUCP presents “Bullied” for free If you missed it at other venues here’s your chance
Paradise Valley - The compelling film BULLIED will be shown free of charge at the Sanctuary at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix (UUCP) on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. UUCP has been on the Valley’s social action frontline since 1961. Its recently-revived Interweave Committee (LGBTQI and allies) is sponsoring this film showing as their first public service event. Following the film, a panel of experts on LGBTQI youth and bullying will engage for a post-film discussion. UUCP Interweave gratefully acknowledges Southern Poverty Law Center for its generous gift of this DVD. BULLIED has received the highest critical acclaim and accolades for its outstanding portrayal of the story of Jamie Nabozny’s groundbreaking lawsuit against his school district. It echoes the continuing problem of bullying that goes on in high schools and including the world wide web, whereby teenagers are bullied by their peers -- many times with tragic consequences. Organizations advocating LGBTQI issues have called this film
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advocacy group in 2009. “She was there with us early in the morning, and walked ahead of us, behind us and with us for the 97-mile walk. Just a constant person of support and encouragement. She is pillar of our movement because it was so important to her that these struggles and conversations with city officials and religious leaders were recorded. She is amazing and I look forward to seeing her hard work on a big theater screen. And I look forward to standing with her as one of those that struggled with us to bring about full marriage equality. Thank you Rachel and your team of film people who help make history.”
a must see for all gay teenagers and their parents, and for all their allies who are deeply concerned about what is happening to gay teenagers, such as the recent suicide provocations resultant from bullying. “BULLIED puts it right out there, front and center, as to exactly what teenagers have to endure on a daily basis -- the bullying that turns their already difficult lives into nightmares,” said Dean Clarke Taylor, CoChair of UUCP Interweave Committee which is sponsoring the film showing at UUCP. UUCP is located at 4027 E. Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. Seating will be first come, first served. There will be snacks and beverages available at nominal charge. For more information, please contact Dean Clarke Taylor at uudean@ gmail.com news / politics / business / opinion
LOCAL NEWS
Valley’s women’s voices lifted by two choirs By Luis Garcia Valley women who blessed with the sound of music now have two different groups they can join to express themselves. Both Arizona Women in Tune and the newly produced Full Circle Women’s Choir are in full swing and looking for women to join them who want to articulate their talents. “I have been inspired by these wonderful women,” said Full Circle Women’s Choir Board President Gordon Street III. “They are a great group of diverse talented women of every age and background. It’s a new group so they are building a sense of community.” The new choir is coming off their inaugural fall concert which was attended by over 250 people. “It’s coming together very well,” said Street. “A big part of it is the ongoing support by State Senator Robert Meza and those who enjoy music.” According to Street, the Full Circle Women’s Choir is open to all women gay and straight. The choir is under the Artistic Direction of Kimilee McCreary, a progressive leader in the Arizona women’s choral movement. She
brings 25 years of choral conducting experience. McCreary has a Master of Music from Arizona State University and has served as Director of Choirs at Grand Canyon University. Full Circle Women’s Choir’s May concert, “Come Along-Rise Above,” will take place May 7 & 8, at First Congregational UCC Church. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at fullcirclechoir.org. Arizona Women In Tune (AZWIT), the oldest lesbian choir in the Valley, is also preparing for their spring concert. “Voices Lifted in Strength and Harmony,” is produced to honor Women’s History Month. According to Lucik Aprahamian, Artistic Director for AZWIT, central to the program are three works
by renowned composer Libby Larsen: Today This Spring, composed to commemorate breast cancer survivors; Stepping Westward, for chorus, oboe handbells, marimba; and Refuge, whose poetry emphasizes the miracle of finding refuge in life through music. “Other popular favorites that are sure to please you as much as we love to sing them are Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, Gwyneth Walker’s How Can I Keep From Singing, and “For Good” from Wicked.
“Affinity, friendship and unity are the keys to growth and development as individuals and as a community. We recognize the strength of our sisters not only in our own communities, but the greater sisterhood around the world through various works, including Pima Wind Song, composed by Victoria Ebel-Sabo, and Iraqi Peace Song, arranged by Lori Tennenhouse. “In this winter concert, we come together to heal and grow, to let go, and to prepare for springtime through music. Come along with us! Undertake this journey, discover the treasure, and experience the rich legacy of Women.” “Voices Lifted in Strength and Harmony” will be held March 18 & 19 at 801 E Camelback Road in Phoenix. For more information or to purchase tickets go to azwit.com.
Green Tip! Coffee Break Invest in the perfect reusable mug and kick the Styrofoam disposable cup habit. Support local brewers and cafes – the less distance your coffee has traveled from farm to mug, the better. Resist the temptation to use individually packaged sugars, creamers, and throwaway stirrers. If your coffee shop is using them, ask them politely to change their ways. Be your own barista. If you need a new coffee maker, try a French press. Unlike most coffee machines, French presses are manual, don’t require paper filters, and use less water and energy per brew.
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ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 9
Superbowl Party @ Rainbow Cactus Bar, Phoenix
The Weekend @ IBT’s, Tucson
Wett Party @ Woody’s Bar, Tucson
OUT SILENCE in the
presented by Pima County Public Library
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7:30 P.M. with director Joe Wilson and a performance by Namoli Brennet FREE ADMISSION
The LOFT CINEMA 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information:
791.4010 | www.library.pima.gov Additional screenings are planned for Ajo, Arivaca, Bisbee, and Yuma.
Your attorney doesn’t have to be family. . . but it helps. • Domestic Partnership & Divorce • Business & Corporate Contracts • DUI & Criminal • Wills & Probate • Real Estate • Landlord/Tenant
Jane O. Ross 668 N. 44th St., Suite 300 Phoenix, AZ 85008
602.685.1177
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS 928-445-8800 or email info@prescottpridecenter.com.
Multi-faith breakfast The 2011 Go Daddy Tour For Life Ask a gardener Phoenix - Want ideas for creating yearround color in your yard and conserving water in the desert? Drop by the Desert Botanical Garden’s “Ask a Gardener station” where knowledgeable volunteers can help with your gardening questions. Saturdays and Sundays March - April from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix’s Papago Park.
Phoenix - Be a part of this year’s exquisite home tour. Help in the fight against HIV/AIDS while enjoying the work of Arizona’s most notable designers in a magnificent self-guided home tour March 6, 2011, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds go directly to Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $75 each. Ticket Booklets, which provide information on each home as well as a detailed map of the tour, will be mailed to the address you provide. For more information or additional questions, please call Emily at 602-307-5330 ext. 2241.
Tucson - Wingspan’s Multi-Faith Working Group will hold a breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24 at Wingspan, 430 E. Seventh St., for clergy and lay members of Tucson’s diverse congregations. The breakfast will focus on generating a deeper understanding of transgender issues and needs in faith communities and encourage working with Wingspan’s Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) as a resource. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Reservations can be made through Scott Morris at scottmorr@aol.com
Food box needs re-filling
State Rep Katie Hobbs & C.J. Carenza
AZ Dem LGBT Caucus reorganizes Phoenix - Arizona Democratic Party’s LGBT Caucus convened on Jan. 22, 2011 in Phoenix to hold their bi-annual reorganization meeting. Party Caucuses also met for reorganization and planning. The new executive committee for the LGBT Caucus is Chair C.J. Carenza (Maricopa-Phoenix), Vice Chair Barbara McCullough-Jones (Maricopa-Tempe), Secretary Trish Rensink (Coconino), and Treasurer Bob Bland (Cochise). The LGBT Caucus also has strong representation on the State Executive Committee with Chris Campas (Cochise)elected Vice Chair, Sharon Thomas (LD15 Maricopa)as Secretary and Bob Bland (Cochise) as Chair of Chairs. C.J.Carenza stated, “We will have a big push over the next two years to ensure LGBT Democrats play a significant role in determining the Arizona Party’s platform and work hard at the PC level to increase Democratic voters for 2012.” For more information about the Democrat LGBT Caucus, contact trish@azlgbtdems.org or visit their website at azlgbtdems.org.
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Prescott - Hunger isn’t something that just happens around the holidays, it’s an issue in our community all year round. There are many people who still need a helping hand as we head into the new year, so please don’t let our food box get too low. If you can contribute non-perishable food items, just stop by the Pride Center and drop them in the box. If you’re having trouble making ends meet and you need food, please help yourself to whatever’s in the box. If you can’t make it in, give them a call at 928445-8800 and they will try to arrange a delivery. The Center also have a limited number of $10 Fry’s gift cards available that can be sent through the mail. Just let them know if you need one.
Prescott PFLAG Prescott - The February PFLAG meeting will be a discussion about the insidious nature of prejudice. The group will be discussing privilege and exploring our own biases toward others. Special activities and role-playing will help illuminate personal biases we may harbor unknowingly. This meeting will offer a great opportunity to look at our own beliefs more closely in a safe, supportive environment. All PFLAG meetings are open to the entire community, so please be sure to join the discussion! Each interactive session will be about an hour, with a 30-minute peer support period at the end. All meetings are confidential and are facilitated by a member of the PFLAG steering committee. If you’d like more information on the peer support process or are in need of one-on-one PFLAG support, please call the Pride Center at
Help for Homeless Youth Project Tucson - Wingspan’s Homeless Youth Project, which is part of Eon, has been selected by the University of Arizona’s Family Studies and Human Development Ambassadors as their semester project. This student-run organization works with both the university and Tucson communities to provide philanthropic assistance for families and populations in need. Through philanthropic efforts and outreach, FSHD Ambassadors educate potential and existing students about the benefits of service in the community, provide for families in need, build relationships among faculty, students, alumni, and community, while developing future service professionals. Composed of approximately 30 U of A students, the Ambassadors group will be working with the Homeless Project to assist in its mission to provide basic-needs assistance, support and advocacy for homeless and near-homeless LGBTQ youth. “We’re very honored to have been selected and look forward to fostering an ongoing relationship with FSHDA in an effort to end youth homelessness,” said Kevin Jackson, Wingspan’s Homeless Youth Project program coordinator.
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LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Out in the Silence viewing and discussion Yuma – The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona (ACLU-AZ), in cooperation with The Amancio Project is proud to bring to Yuma the documentary Out in the Silence, to be presented Feb. 24, 2011, at the Yuma County Main Library at 5:30pm. The program will include an introduction by the film’s protagonist and director Joe Wilson and a short performance by transgender singer and song writer and musical contributor for Out in the Si-
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lence Namoli Brennet. Brennet is a three-time Out Music award nominee whose genre-breaking music has received airplay throughout the United States and overseas. Following the documentary, Addy Bareiss from the ACLU-AZ and Mr. Joe Wilson will engage the audience in a lively question and answer discussion of the various themes posed by the film. Out in the Silence captures the remarkable chain of events that unfold when the announcement of filmmaker Joe Wilson’s wedding to another man ignites a firestorm of controversy in his small Pennsylvania hometown. Drawn back by a plea for help from Kathy, the mother of gay teen C.J., being tormented at school, Wilson’s journey dramatically illustrates the universal challenges of being an outsider in a conservative environment and the transformation that is possible when those who have long been constrained by a traditional code of silence summon the courage to break it. The aim of Out in the Silence is
to expand public awareness about the difficulties that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people face in rural and small town America and to promote dialogue and action that will help people on all sides of the issues find common ground. Presenting Out in the Silence is particularly significant for Yuma’s vibrant GLBT population at Yuma High School, because it was there, with the active participation of deeply concerned and motivated students, the ACLU-AZ, The
Yuma County Gay Rights Meetup and The Amancio Project; the first Gay Straight Alliance was allowed to form after an eight year battle with school administrators. Seating is limited and reservations are suggested. To RSVP contact Addy Bareiss at abareiss@ acluaz.org or Michael at TheAmancioProject@gmail.com.
More News Online! ntouchaz.com
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 13
YOUTH
Unique & extraordinary strength By Michael Weakley, Director of Programs, 1n10, Inc. The smiles, laughter, hugs, the unique strengths and talents- the feeling of being accepted and loved for who you are- this is the greatest gift of all. It is what our LGBTQ Youth bring each day, bring to share with each other, with us and with our community. With the love, support and consistency of having a safespace, a place to truly be yourself, a place to grow, a place to call home and build community or “family”, our Youth have created and continuously change what 1n10 is. They are what makes our programs work. With the empowerment and acceptance from having this safe-space, mentors, recreational activities, learning opportunities, access to community resources, and love our Youth continue to make tremendous strides such as enrolling in school, securing housing, sharing the message of prevention, building on their own creativity and skills, reaching out to others, selfadvocating, building community, securing resources, accepting identity, the list is endless. They are AMAZING! I have watched time and time again when a Youth is in crisis with nowhere safe to simply sleep for the night, with no consistent home, and when community resources fall short, our Youth come together taking each other in and sharing what little resources they do have. Risking their own safety and housing to give another Youth a greater sense of safety or a place to lay their head. Sharing their food stamps, squatting together in the cold under a shared sleeping-bag, walking miles together when only one has a bus pass so as to make the other feel safe, sharing their favorite “hoody” with another Youth who has no jacket, and it doesn’t stop there. They help each other fill out applications, help each other look for jobs, welcome new Youth into the center, give each other first-aid when one is hurt. I watch as one Youth who has a car uses their last bit of gas to drive the rest home. I see them standing up for one another when being harassed at the bus stop, advocating for not only themselves but for their community, and their own families of choice. I watch them share ideas, give advice on which jobs may be hiring, encouraging each other to go back to school, encouraging each other to stay safe, to use protection, to make better decisions, to use moderation, to get tested. They support and build each other’s self-esteem by giving props at talent shows, through inclusion, through listening, news / politics / business / opinion
through positive feedback, through joking and having fun together. When one of the Youth is in need of help, the other Youth rally together, encouraging the Youth to go to someone, to talk to a mentor - to get help. They come together to participate in community events, to lead groups, to participate in outreach, to create crews for their own events that promote acceptance and healthier choices. No matter what they are facing they stick together. Sure, there’s drama, typical “sibling rivalry,” and sometimes chaos, but when push comes to shove, when one of them needs a place, a basic need, support, a shoulder to cry on, an openear, a hug, a laugh, they are there for each other 100 percent. So often, we focus on the challenges our LGBTQ Youth face, challenges with safe-housing, harassment, addiction, depression, suicide, violence, identity, self-esteem, education, employment, mental health, physical health, safe transportation, meeting basic needs etc. etc. Although acknowledging such challenges may help activate more involvement from our Community, an overall focus that is much more powerful and effective can be found in the unique strengths of our Youth themselves. Building self-esteem and acceptance, sustaining their safe-space so they can continue to grow and support each other, supporting their leadership, and empowering not only change in their own lives, but change in our community and our world. I am so Proud and Thankful for our LGBTQ Community as we continue to grow and collaborate in order to empower ourselves, our Community and our Youth. I am even more Proud that our Youth stand as a model for our Community when it comes to empowering themselves and each other, and in true community building, peer-support, acceptance and love. 1N10: Fun, safe, & free programs for LGBT Youth & Allies ages 14-24. A place where LGBTQ & Allied youth can be themselves, be empowered, and build community. So come and meet friends, hang out, get support & resources. Just show up or call/TXT 602-754-1175. For information on 1n10 and their services, go to 1n10.org, myspace.com/1n10youth or facebook.com/1n10.org ‘N Touch is happy to donate this space to 1n10, an organization that helps countless young people, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and straight.
HERE TO SERVE OUR
COMMUNITY!
725 West Indian School Road, Suite 125 Phoenix, AZ 85013 For more information visit www.1vcc.org or call (602)712-0111
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 15
NATIONAL NEWS
Gay marriage issue resurfaces in flurry of debate
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Lawmakers in Rhode Island and
Maryland are taking up bills to legalize gay marriage, advocates in New York are making a renewed push, and opponents are fighting for constitutional bans in Indiana and Wyoming and to re-impose bans in Iowa and New Hampshire. The flurry of activity nationwide has activists on both sides of the gay marriage debate encouraged that 2011 will be a year of gains for them. “There is so much happening that it is a challenge even for the most ardent marriage-equality supporters to keep track of,” said Molly McKay, media director of Marriage Equality, a national group that favors same-
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sex marriage. “This is a national fight being fought out on various local grounds. Rhode Island, New York, those are states right now where all eyes are looking.” In New York City, the advocacy group Freedom to Marry on Wednesday announced the launch of what it described as the largest-ever national public education campaign aimed at increasing popular support for same-sex marriage. The group said it hopes to raise and spend $10 million over the next three years to run ads featuring gay and straight couples talking about the importance of marriage. The first ad is scheduled to run nationally on CNN on Valentine’s Day, the group said. McKay said that with more people open about their sexual orientation, and with gay marriages legal in Massachusetts since 2004, there is a growing acceptance among the public that allowing two men or two women to marry is not a big deal. “People are realizing, ‘Oh, this isn’t just a theoretical issue. That’s our nice neighbors down the street,’” she said. “You can’t put the toothpaste back into the tube once it’s squeezed.” Gay marriage is legal in a handful of states besides Massachusetts: Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa, as well as in the District of Columbia. In California, supporters of gay marriage are mounting a challenge in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage there after vot-
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ers approved it in 2008. On the other side, 30 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriages. Maggie Gallagher, chairwoman of National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, said her group is working to increase that number by adding Indiana, Wyoming and possibly North Carolina, the only state in the South that does not have such an amendment. In Wyoming, the proposed amendment is heading to the full House after clearing a committee on Tuesday. It has already passed the Senate. Gallagher said the group hopes it can block legislative efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland and Rhode Island, as well as in New York, where a similar measure could emerge this year. She said that she doesn’t believe there are enough votes in New York to pass potential legislation, and that she’s especially hopeful in Maryland, which has a voter referendum process similar to the one in Maine. Voters in that state repealed same-sex marriage in 2009 after legislators approved it. If the bill is approved, Gallagher said, “the people of Maryland will, like the people of Maine, reverse their legislators’ decision.” In Maryland, supporters say they are “cautiously optimistic” that a same-sex marriage bill will pass the Senate. Maryland’s House speaker, a Democrat, has said he will wait on action from the Senate before advancing the debate in his chamber.
In Rhode Island, activists believe that after years of trying, this year represents their best chance yet of legalizing gay marriage. New Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, has been a longtime supporter of legalizing gay marriage, and Democratic House Speaker Gordon Fox, who took his post last year and is gay, is co-sponsoring a bill that drew hundreds of people to a key House committee Wednesday for testimony. Democratic Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, however, opposes samesex marriage. Lise Iwon, a lawyer who is gay, testified she works with many same-sex couples who must have legal papers drawn up to make sure they have protections similar to heterosexual married couples. Joe Cavanaugh, a lawyer and member of the Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization for Marriage, told the committee the point of marriage was to create children. “I think families and kids are what we’re talking about here,” he said. “Let’s think of ways to give benefits, but do not change marriage.” The Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization for Marriage has aired TV and radio ads targeting Chafee, while advocates held a Statehouse rally Wednesday afternoon in support of the bill. McKay said activists see Rhode Island as key. “What happens in Rhode Island will advance the cause of equality nationwide,” she said.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Transgender Americans face multiple challenges NEW YORK (AP) - Many transgender Americans face intolerance in almost every aspect of their lives, contributing to high levels of homelessness, unemployment and despair, according to a comprehensive survey released Feb. 11. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality say their survey of 6,450 transgender people is the largest of its kind. It details discrimination encountered “at every turn” – in childhood homes, in schools and workplaces, at stores and hotels, at the hands of doctors, judges, landlords and police. “Their lives are just a crapshoot,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the task force.“They don’t know from one interaction to the next whether they will be treated with respect and dignity. It’s not the way people should be living their day-to-day life.” The report comes at a sobering
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time for transgender community. While their gay-rights allies celebrated the recent Senate vote that will enable gays to serve openly in the military, transgender people were left out of the debate and remain barred from service. Efforts to pass a federal law barring workplace discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation failed in the previous Democratic-controlled Congress – gender identity was a key stumbling block – and the new Republican-led House is considered more hostile. Uncertain of prospects for progress at the federal level, activists hope to make headway through lawsuits, corporate diversity programs, local anti-bias ordinances, and public education efforts. They hope the survey will buttress those efforts; some of the data had been released in preliminary reports, but the final version contains new details and is prefaced
by an emotional plea for Americans to rethink their attitudes. “It is part of social and legal convention in the United States to discriminate against, ridicule, and abuse transgender and gender nonconforming people,” the survey says. “Nearly every system and institution in the United States, both large and small, from local to national, is implicated.” According to the survey, 41 percent of respondents reported attempting suicide, 26 percent said they had lost a job due to being transgender, and 19 percent reported being denied a home or apartment. Almost onefifth said they’d been homelessness at some point. The survey found that complaints of discrimination were particularly pronounced among blacks. In an e-mail, Ja’briel Walthour of Hinesville, Ga., detailed the difficulties of growing up in the 1980s and
Mara Keisling, ED of the National Center for Transgender Equality
`90s as an African-American boy in the South who began to identify as a female. Neither her church nor rural community offered acceptance, she said. “I felt there was not an ounce of compassion or empathy for individuals who may be displaying atypical gender roles,” and by 17 she was contemplating suicide, she wrote. continued on page 53 >
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 17
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WORLD NEWS Botswana politician defends anti-gay comments
German theologians call for acceptance of gay couples Berlin - University theologians in Germany have called on the Catholic Church to abandon the vow of celibacy for priests, open up the clergy for women and accept gays couples. The 143 professors said the church must implement bold reforms because of “a crisis without precedent” following the discovery of widespread sexual and physical abuses by clergymen a year ago. More Christians than ever have turned their backs on the Catholic Church in the past year, they said. “The Church has to understand these signs and move beyond its ossified structures to regain new vitality and credibility.” The appeal, published in newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung’s Feb. 5 edition, called on the church’s leadership to stop excluding gay couples and remarried Christians. “The Church also needs married priests and women holding positions in the clergy,” the appeal said – in clear defiance of the Vatican’s dogmas. But Germany’s Bishops Conference cautiously welcomed the appeal, saying it could enhance the ongoing reform discussion, while noting several proposals contradicted the church’s principles. “On some issues, the memorandum is in conflict with theological convictions and church regulations that are highly binding,” Bishops Conference Secretary Hand Langendoerfer said in a statement. The appeal – signed by a few Austrian, Swiss and by almost a third of Germany’s Catholic university theologians – is a rare challenge to the clergy establishment and the Vatican, because the church has a veto right in appointing theologians at Germany’s state-run universities. But the wealthy Catholic Church in the homeland of Pope Benedict XVI sees the number of its followers dwindling, leading to lower proceeds every year, and ever fewer young men choosing to become priests. The theologians, in turn, said the challenges are already obvious for a long time, but there are still no church reforms within sight. The professors also called for a more democratic and less centralized church, including giving the faithful a say in appointing their priests and bishops. “What can be decided locally, should be decided there,” the appeal said.
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Gaborone, Botswana (AP) - A prominent Botswana politician is defending antigay comments he made, despite criticism from rights groups in the southern African country. Deputy Speaker Pono Motloadi disparaged gays late last month during a meeting organized by AIDS groups on the subject of preventing the spread of HIV in prisons. In an interview with The Associated Press, he called homosexuality “a culture away from our culture.” Gay rights activist Lorraine Setuke calls Motloadi’s comments “barbaric.” Motloadi’s views are not uncommon on this conservative continent. Botswana is among dozens of African countries with anti-gay laws, though prosecutions here are rare.
to accept the government’s previous decision to deport Thomas when his temporary residency expired, has paid off. For now the decision to deport Schmidt has been reversed until the details of his case are reinvestigated. “I have lost a son, I don’t want to lose Thomas as well,” Said the mother of Schmidt’s slain partner, Ayala Katz, according to Ynet . A masked gunman opened fire in 2009 at a meeting of gay and lesbian youth, killing two Israelis. Police are still searching for the assailant. Schmidt, 27, was in the process of registering himself as the partner of an Israeli citizen when his partner, Nir Katz, was killed.
Israel: Partner of gay shooting victim is granted visa Tel Aviv (AP) - Israel’s interior ministry issued a temporary visa to Thomas Schmidt, the German citizen whose partner was killed during a shooting at the LGBT center in Tel Aviv. Public pressure and the Katz family’s refusal
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 19
SEDONA FILM FEST “Up Under the Roof” at Sedona Film Festival Theme of “fear” touches all of us By J. Ursone The 17th Annual Sedona International Film Festival presents 145 films and more! With the strongest field of foreign films in its 17-year history and a diverse lineup of shorts, documentaries, animations and full-length features, the Sedona International Film Festival will screen 145 films – including “Sedona, The Motion Picture” – at three venues from Feb. 20-27. One of the shorts at this year’s festival speaks to something all of us have experienced. Based on Manly Wade Wellman short story, UP UNDER THE ROOF, explores the central theme of fear and mustering the courage to face it or flee. During the dustbowl era on a dilapidated farm, a lonely ten-year-old boy begins hearing strange noises above his bedroom ceiling at night. The noises grow threatening as the thing in the attic becomes restless and hungry. Through a friendship with a visually impaired girl, he comes to understand that he must face this thing hiding up under the roof before it consumes him. “When I was a child I was terrified of something indescribable that ‘appeared’ in the upper corner of my bedroom ceiling at night. I’m still not sure what it was. It might have been some sort of asthma-induced nightmare, or maybe some everyday occurrence that was incomprehensible to my young mind. Whatever the case, it had a profound effect on my interest in fear, and more specifically, the facing of it,” says Director/ Producer Darin Read. Although this is the first time at the Sedona Film Festival, Read’s films have won best picture and best director at the 2009 Film Outside the Frame Festival (an industry showcase), and best film at the USC/ Universal film program. The making of UP UNDER THE ROOF was very personal for Read. “We’ve all had those experiences. There are many undefined but malevolent psychic forces that afflict children growing up. These terrors news / politics / business / opinion
must be faced or they’ll stay with us as we mature, creeping inside the darkest depths of our subconscious, evolving into even more malignant fears and insecurities that will paralyze us as adults. Then, we will truly become haunted. That’s the point of our film. UP UNDER THE ROOF is about facing that which we fear the most. It’s about trusting our instincts, letting go of reason and embracing the unknown. There’s still a ten-year-old in each one of us looking to overcome the fears that almost broke us. The lonely places still need to be conquered.” The product of a grandmother who homesteaded a ranch at Mud Springs on one side of the family tree and a grandmother who was a worldclass violinist on the other, Read was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. As a child Read traveled throughout the southwest with his family buying and selling kachinas, baskets and pottery from Native Americans out of an old bronze colored station wagon. He also spent numerous hours drawing his own comic books and shooting super 8 films starring his Six Million Dollar Man action figure. Read graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in history where he convinced his thesis advisor to allow him to shoot a documentary (entitled THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF ASU) in lieu of writing a paper. His first short narrative film FEAR won the best picture award at the USC/Universal Studios summer film program. Darin spent ten years at New Line Cinema working in post production on a myriad of feature films including THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. He recently went back to school to complete his MFA in film production from Loyola Marymount University where he directed six films
and produced several more for his peers. Most recently, he co-produced HAUNTED PLANET and wrote and directed UP UNDER THE ROOF, two 35mm films based on classic short stories. The latter film won the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editor awards at LMU’s first look festival: Film Outside the Frame 2009. Darin is currently developing a feature with his long-time collaborator, Danielle Stallings. Award-winning producer/director Danielle Stallings began her career as a professional stage actor. Since earning a BFA from USC’s School of Cinema & Television and
an MFA from Loyola Marymount University, Stallings has continued writing, directing and producing independent film projects. Her films have enjoyed success at festivals in India, Italy, Germany, Israel, Seattle, London, Austin, Phoenix and Baltimore and her 16mm short PORN QUEENS OF THE 70’S was honored by the DGA. Stallings has a 14-year history of animal welfare volunteerism. She’s most proud of having served as the point-person and facilitator of the negotiations between Chris DeRose of Last Chance for Animals and HBO for the ground-breaking documentary “Dealing Dogs”. For more on the film go to upundertheroof.com For more information on the Sedona International Film Festival, visit their website at sedonafilmfestival.com.
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ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 21
Gay Chambers
Information
BUSINESS
Sage Restaurant & Bar Come taste the difference By Gina Read
Phoenix Gay Chamber
Lunch Networking March 4 from 11a.m.-1 p.m. at the Best Western in Scottsdale . You must RSVP by emailing lunch@phoenixgaychamber.com
Net Mix
March 8 from 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. RSVP to rsvp@phoenixgaychamber.com
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.
What do you get when you join a minister, activist and world-class chef? Sage Restaurant & Bar. You might recognize Bradley Wishon, James Gruender, and Paul Roark for any number of reasons. Wishon was the Pastor who organized a marriage bus for same-sex couples as a protest against his right to legally marry whomever his religion/ heart told him to several years ago. Married partners Gruender and Roark were staples at Phoenix Pride where they volunteered for years. All three have been involved with H.E.R.O. and organized numerous protests against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy during the past year, and all three have been involved in the Right to Marry Walk. BUT, do not let their activism mislead you into wondering how that will translate into pulling off something as difficult as running a successful restaurant. Gruender has worked in and managed bars for over 15 years, and Roark (an excellent trained chef ) has been in food service his entire life. And Wishon? For anyone who knows him and knows Jimmy, Brad is a people person who has a calming influence that is key to running a successful restaurant. Besides, as Wishon said, “It was an opportunity too good to pass up.” Although the three encompass a myriad of philosophies, their vision for Sage is a simple one - to be a place where people can enjoy good food and drink in a comfortable, warm environment that
- Some of the choices at Sage Restaurant & Bar Country Skillet Two eggsany style atop breakfast potatoes, onions,mushrooms, green peppers and topped with cheddar jack cheese. Eggs Florentine English muffin topped with sauteed spinach, poached egg and hollandaise sauce, served with breakfast potatoes
Tucson Gay Chamber
Breakfast Meeting
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.
Tuscan Chicken Grilled Chicken breast with roasted garlic aioli, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato on a ciabatta roll Pork Fritter Deep-fried pork loin with lettuce, tomato, sliced pickles and whole grain aioli on a toasted brioche bun Kooky Cobb Hearts of romaine, teriyaki grilled chicken, mango tomato, pepitas, hardboiled egg,
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nourishes body and soul. Open for three months, Sage Restaurant & Bar offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food ranges from biscuits and gravy to Eggs Florentine at breakfast. To mainstays such as burgers (vegetarian included) and Angel Hair Pomodoro to Asian Salmon Tostadas and Blackberry Glazed Pork Loin Chops at lunch and dinner. Every dish is made to order from only the freshest ingredients. A full catering as well as liquor/wine menu is also available. Besides providing an enjoyable dining and drinking experience for the LGBT community in North Phoenix, the activism in all three is apparent at Sage. “We believe in giving back to our community, and will be holding fundraisers, and events to benefits for local organizations. If you need a space to do a fundraiser, please give us a call we have banquet/ ball rooms available, and would love to help you raise some money for your group, “ said Wishon. Mention ‘N Touch while dining and you will receive 10 percent off your bill. Sage Restaurant & Bar is located at 2641 W. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85027 (Inside the Comfort Inn). Open everyday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Prices range from $4.95 to $16.95. Phone: 602-863-7966 Website: sagephoenix.com
cucumber, fried wonton strips and choice of dressing Steak Fromage Salad Thinly sliced steak atop romaine & spinach with bacon, blue cheese crumbles, tomato, fried onions and choice of dressing Southwest Chicken Quesadilla Grilled jalapeno tortilla stuffed with chicken, cheddar jack cheese, tomato, green chilies and caramelized onion. Served with cumin sour cream and salsa. Asian Salmon Tostadas Teriyaki glazed grilled salmon atop a fried wonton tostada topped with a mango salsa, pickled ginger, chives, sesame seeds and drizzled with sesame oil. Ahi Tuna Steak Grilled to medium rare and drizzled with an asian vinaigrette and served with edamame, cucumber salad and pickled ginger and wasabi.
news / politics / business / opinion
BUSINESS
Stonewall hires
transgender advocate Phoenix - Stonewall Institute has hired Transgender Advocate, Julian Melson as its new LGBT Community Outreach Specialist. Melson originally from Phoenix, transitioned from female-to-male (FTM) 5 years ago and seeks to raise awareness about the importance of transgender affirmative behavioral health services for people in transition. “Julian is an amazing individual who is extremely committed to enhancing the quality of services for our community. We are truly blessed to have him,” said Courtney Penniman, Founder and CEO of Stonewall Institute. In his role at Stonewall Institute, Melson is a member of the Maricopa County LGBT Consortium and also collaborates with the Arizona Department of Health Services to help strengthen LGBT behavioral health services at the local and state level. In addition, he has helped spearhead a free community support group for trans-masculine identified or questioning individuals as well as a group for family, friends, and allies. “Working for Stonewall is a perfect fit for me because I feel comfortable referring people and knowing I work for a place that would be a positive experience for trans people to have. I want our voice to be heard too, and I want us to be cared for as well,” said Melson. Melson grew up in Phoenix, and came out at the age of 18, spending much of his adult life in the local Phoenix lesbian community. In spite of his attraction to females, Melson knew from his earliest childhood memory that he was male. He states, “I felt like a boy from the moment I had an awareness about myself.” Five years ago, Melson decided to take action realizing that he could no longer deny the truth about who he was. “One of my fears in confronting my gender issues was that I didn’t think people would understand and I didn’t know if I would have a community,” said Melson. In spite of a positive outcome, Melson felt very alone during the transition process due to a lack of local resources at the time for those transitioning from female-to-male. Throughout the last 5 years, he has been a key player in helping to build FTM resources locally here in Phoenix. “When I transitioned, there was no community for me; no group of men, that I could connect with. Today, we have a community here. I don’t
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want any guy to transition by himself and have to navigate through the system by himself. If I make my presence known, they can at the very least have a face and a resource to connect with.” Melson is happily married today and lives in central Phoenix with his wife, Theresa. In addition to working for Stonewall Institute, he volunteers for 1 n 10 in Phoenix as a mentor for LGBT youth. The community support groups which Melson helps to facilitate are free of charge and held at Stonewall Institute every Sunday evening from 6pm to 8pm. For more information about these free community support groups, or clinical behavioral health services offered by Stonewall Institute call 602-535-6468. Stonewall Institute, located in Phoenix, Arizona is an innovative outpatient behavioral health provider offering safe and confidential services for people in need of mental health counseling or addiction treatment. For more information about Stonewall Institute visit stonewallinstitute.com or call 602535-6468.
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 25
FITNESS
The dangers of undereating By Kirk Matthews Readers: Here’s a New Year’s question you probably weren’t expecting… Kirk, it’s a new year and a new time for health. So I’m asking a question for a friend who just won’t ask it, even though she reads your column every month. Regarding anorexia and weight restoration… I heard that if someone is extremely underweight and they gain weight, a lot of it goes towards replenishing organs and muscle rather than pure fat. Is this true? So if an anorexic was around 80lbs and she gained 20, where would the weight likely go? Rita Rita, we’re going to start with the assumption that the person in question has already spoken with the appropriate medical professionals and/ or counselors, so I’ll view and answer this mostly from a dietary angle; for instance: the viewpoint for someone who has crashed-dieted repeatedly. Now, there are a number of variables here, so some general answers: How fast does the person gain the 20 lbs.? If it’s four weeks, then we’d expect more of it to be bodyfat. If it’s four months, we’d expect more of it to be structural or internal, where it might be needed. What types of foods are eaten to achieve the weight gain? If it’s doughnuts, fast food, bread, candy, and so on, it’s not nutritionally dense and is less useful: it would likely be wasted or stored as bodyfat. If it’s vegetables and good fruits, healthy oils, meats or other good proteins, and fiber-rich foods, then it’s a whole different picture. Bodybuilders figured this out years ago and it’s why they have such extremely strict diets, especially near competition time. How does this apply to this situation? Well, they have learned how to optimally preserve as much muscle as possible and lose bodyfat so they can win a show – all with restricted calories. It’s a complex program of weight training, recovery, proper eating, and more. The idea is to feed the whole body, not just the brain. The brain can use lots of sugar, and in a depleted diet will likely make you crave exactly that: sugar – leaving 26 | Issue #80 | March 2011 | ntouchaz.com
the rest of the body behind. Sugar cravings are sometimes regarded as one of the warning signs of undernourishment – whether it’s anorexia or just poor dietary planning. To illustrate: many people, especially people who work in a stressful office environment, are essentially under eating by not planning for proper nutrition ahead of time. They are, in some ways, starving themselves. Many people will work extended uninterrupted hours in order to get ahead. They’ll avoid eating, and when the urge to eat something does finally overwhelm them, they rush to the vending machine or break room and choke down the quickest and most useless forms of food available. Your typical vending machine doesn’t stock health food; it stocks high-carb, low-protein foods that can last in a machine for months. So ask yourself this: Is this food designed for my health or for someone’s profit? Some of my clients now have a pleasantly strict habit of stocking their drawer at work with a variety of protein bars, nuts, dried fruits, and clever supplements that mix with water and give a healthy boost (contact me for info on these). They know the following to be essentially and reliably true in their new lives and new bodies: WE WANT TO FEED OUR BODIES, NOT OUR BELLIES! That entire extended diversion was to help to lead us to this: An anorexic would do well to consult with a nutritionist who can help to plan and maintain the proper diet. But that’s not in everyone’s budget, so remember, quality rules over quantity: We want to feed the muscle, not the fat! And that’s going to appeal to anyone wanting optimal health, and wanting to gain optimal weight. To clarify further, many professionals suggest the following approach: Frequent, small meals: 5 or 6 a day. High quality proteins at each meal, with veggies and a glass of water or unsweetened tea. Moderate daily physical activity: Walking, then light weight training, starting out very light and progressing slowly. The idea here: the regular activity encourages proper use of the calories,
shuttling them toward building tissue and not into storage. An appropriate sleep schedule – reliable time of day and appropriate length of time. And, plenty of water between meals -- not on a full stomach – proper digestion matters. Yes, a program like this can be done alone. Yet a person with a known medical challenge like anorexia is best assisted by medical professionals who can observe, guide and counsel this person to a new lasting lifestyle that is life-giving and lifeextending. Professional counselors are a sensible choice. They’ll advise the client to keep a “loose” eye on the weight and not to obsess about it. The interior, structural fat that the body does need can’t be seen on the outside of the body anyway. The bodyfat that most people worry about is the exterior fat, but there’s a need for a reserve of bodyfat on all people: Key point: The national healthy average percentage of bodyfat for adult women: 16-23%. Yes, that much! And for fit women (not athletes), the standard is closer to 20-23% bodyfat. Many pro-athlete women have as little as 10-18% bodyfat. But many American women are beyond 33% bodyfat, which is on the obese side of the equation. Opinions vary on this topic, and the numbers are expected to be higher as a person ages. So it’s good to keep it in perspective. One important point: If a woman becomes so lean that she stops menstruating, then she might need to examine her program and seek medical advice. I mention this because female athletes watch for this important indicator and adjust accordingly under the advice of their team doctors. To wrap it up: You might find some of this information scattered about online or in magazines, but sometimes a collection of ideas can clarify and focus, pointing someone in the right direction. So, I hope this helps your friend. And please feel free to follow up via e-mail – those life-changing stories are always an inspiration. Good Luck! That’s all for now. All the Best to you all as you renew your goals and focus in this New Year. As always, keep those questions coming, and stay healthy and well! Kirk Matthews is a multiple Certified Personal Trainer and Professional Nutrition Consultant; answers may contain advice from either or both disciplines. Call: 602-616-9195. Questions: e-mail kirk. matthews@hotmail.com (use “‘n touch” in subject line). Call or e-mail Kirk anytime to discuss Custom Essentials: Lab-formulated supplements made just for you! And visit: sportsclubatcitysquare.com to try before you buy. news / politics / business / opinion
SPORTS
LGBT Sports
AZ Derby Dames
Hot Shots vs. LA Derby Dolls Fight Crew Brutal Beauties vs. Runaway Brides
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 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sports Club of City Square www. phoenix.ngba.us hellraiserhoops@yahoo.com
Flag Football
PHX Hellraisers Flag Football League Phoenix - February brings interleague banked track roller derby to Phoenix! The Arizona Derby Dames welcome the Los Angeles Derby Dolls Fight Crew to Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum for a bout against the Arizona Derby Dames all-star team, the Hot Shots. As always, the Dames deliver a double header, so second on the agenda for Saturday, February 19 will be home teams the Brutal Beauties vs. the Runaway Brides. Led by captain Ellie Mayhem and co-captain Lady Lawless, the Arizona Derby Dames Hot Shots feature the best of the best from the Arizona Derby Dames. Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is located at 1826 W. McDowell Rd., in Phoenix (602-2526771). Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the bouts starting at 7p.m. The Arizona State Fair Bar & Grill on the lower level of the Coliseum will open at 5 p.m. for dinner before the bout. General admission tickets for the stadium seats in the Coliseum are $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 is $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. on February 18 at tickets. arizonaderbydames.com where group discounts are also available. Stick around for the after party right inside the Coliseum at the Arizona State Fair Bar & Grill. Meet with the Arizona Derby Dames over some great food and drink and discuss the night’s bouts. All ages are welcome, but you must be over 21 to be served at the bar. For more information about the Derby Dames go to .arizonaderbydames.com or facebook.com/ arizonaderbydames or myspace.com/azderbydames
Worlds largest gay and lesbian
snowboarding event returns to CO
Grab your snowboard (or skis) and get ready for OutBoard 2011, as the event returns to Crested Butte, CO, March 29-April 3, 2011. Recently named the “Most Laid Back” and “Most Affordable Gay & Lesbian Ski Week” by TripOutGayTravel, attendees can get all five breakfasts, two dinners including the private “Last Tracks Dinner” with a nighttime descent of Mt news / politics / business / opinion
Crested Butte, and three parties including the Outboard Closing Party all for $325. OutBoard focuses on fun, well organized events, both on and off the ski hill and creating a great place to meet like-minded, fun-loving snowboarders and skiers. Crested Butte is a beautiful mountain and great town to fall in love with. It has awesome restaurants, clubs and bars to meet other OutBoard attendees or be welcomed by the locals. OutBoard is also very happy to announce that they have partnered with the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte as the non-profit beneficiary for this year’s event. The proceeds from bar sales at the Adventure Park event, will be benefiting the Adaptive Sports Center. The Adaptive Sports Center improves the quality of life of people with disabilities through outdoor adventure activities. For all event descriptions, details, access to exclusive Outboard 2011 discounted rates, and to register, visit outboard.org .
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. January – April Colter Park www.phoenixflagfootball.com info@phoenixflagfootball.com 602.284.9207
Rugby – Men Phoenix Storm
Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00 p.m. Longview Elementary School www.phoenixstorm.org info@rugbystorm.com
Softball
Cactus Cities Softball League
Sundays starting at 8:00 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 - 8:00 pm Saturdays - 4:30-6:00 pm Three Locations throughout the valley www.phxsunfish.org
Volleyball – Indoor
Desert Volleyball Alliance February - May Saturdays 12:00 – 3:00 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 | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 27
SAVORlife this March A dinner that makes a difference B y
T
he concept is easy. You invite your closest friends over for dinner at your home in an evening in March and ask them to make a donation to help programs that prevent HIV/AIDS or assist those living with HIV/AIDS. The month long event, SAVORlife, is one of Aunt Rita’s Foundation’s signature events of the year which helps raise money for 19 central Arizona HIV/AIDS services organizations. “It’s okay if you’ve never hosted a dinner before,” sais Aunt Rita’s Executive Director Kit Kloeckl. “We’re not expecting you to serve a four-course meal. This is about you, your friends and family having an enjoyable night together and raising money for Aunt Rita’s Foundation. Accoding to Kloeckl, Aunt Rita’s raised $209,000 last year. “HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects all of us. It is important that as a community we all come together and step up the fight against HIV and AIDS.” All dinner hosts and any dinner guests who make a minimum $25 donation will be placed on the guest list for the Sugar & Champagne SAVORlife Soirée at the Phoenix Art Museum on April 8. SAVORlife event co-chair Angela Hughey told ‘N Touch that SAVORLife is an easy and fun way to get involved in the fight agains HIV and AIDS. “HIV/AIDS is a non-discriminatory disease that affects all communities,” said Hughey. “Host a dinner for your family and friends, ask them for a minimum $25 donation, and then join us on Friday April 8th for dessert.” Eric Moore is just one of the people hosting a dinner this March,. “AIDS is still here and is still killing people. The agencies that benefit from the efforts of the dinner
L u i s
G a r c i a
hosts provide vital services to people with HIV. We also like to host a dinner because we have a great time doing it. It’s fun to get together with friends and ‘break bread,’ especially if those friends are making a donation to a cause that we love and that they support.” The Sugar & Champagne SAVORlife Soirée will be held at the Phoenix Art Museum on April 8 at 8 p.m. The Soirée is sponsored by Aunt Rita’s corporate partners, ensuring that all donations from SAVORlife dinners go directly to programs serving people living with HIV/AIDS and HIV/ AIDS education and prevention efforts. Any hosts or attends a dinner will be placed on the guest list for the Sugar & Champagne SAVORlife Soirée. In 2004, HIV/AIDS agencies in the Valley came together to create SAVORlife to help raise much needed funds to sustain existing programs serving people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts. With the help of an $8,000 loan provided by Phoenix Shanti, Aunt Rita’s Foundation successfully held its first annual SAVORlife event. The event has grown each year, with individual dinners raising as much as $3,500. Agencies started to hold their own luncheons over the years, and the creativity of dinner hosts has shown no bounds. The Soirée has also grown into an event of its own, with a successful silent auction and corporate sponsors underwriting the cost. Between 2004 and 2009, the Soirée was held at Bentley Projects Art Gallery in downtown Phoenix. In 2010, the Aunt Rita’s foundation moved the Soirée to the Phoenix Art Museum. “Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS a little better,” says Kloeckl. “It’s a great cause.”
Orange Salad Saverio Submitted by George Burson of Salon GEORVID Peel and slice navel oranges (Use one medium orange for 3 people) and arrange on a serving platter overlapping slices slightly. Slice garlic cloves very thinly and place a slice in the center of each orange slice. Add a dusting of salt and pepper over the oranges. It is best to cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour or two to allow the flavors to marinate together. 20 minutes prior to serving drizzle a dressing of two parts olive oil to one part balsamic vinegar (preferably white balsamic) and serve.
HOST A DINNER As a dinner host, you will need to register at savorlifephoenix.org or by calling Aunt Rita’s Foundation at 602-882-8675. Invite your guests. Your guests may register as dinner attendees and pay online with a credit or debit card or pay you directly. Plan and host your dinner anytime during the month of March. If a dinner is not convenient for you or your guests, feel free to host a breakfast, brunch, or lunch instead. All details of your dinner — the type, time, menu, and everything in between — are up to you. You can plan a backyard barbecue, a six-course formal meal. If you prefer not to cook, then order in pizzas or take-out, have your dinner catered, or make it a pot-luck. Then be Aunt Rita’s guest at the Sugar & Champagne SAVORlife Soirée, April 8.
IF YOU’VE
BEEN INVITED If you have been invited to a SAVORlife dinner, you will need to register to attend and pay online with a credit or debit card. Or, you may bring cash or a check to your dinner host the night of the dinner. The minimum requested donation per guest for 2011 is $25. Attend the dinner and enjoy! Be Aunt Rita’s guest at the Sugar & Champagne SAVORlife Soirée at the Phoenix Art Museum on Friday, April 8. Each dinner guest who donates a minimum of $25 will be placed on the guest list for the Soirée. There is a list of public dinners open to everyone online. If you would prefer to just donate to a dinner and will not be attending the Soirée, visit savorlifephoenix.org
MISS & MISTER PHOENIX
SAAF Bowling for Tommy Fundraiser @ Bedroxx Bowling, Tucson
Leztourage CD Releae Party @ The Biz & Woody’s, Tucson
HEALTH
Letters from readers! By Dr. Damien Brandeis Dear Dr. B., Everyone tells me to take vitamins and supplements. Is there a general list that says take so much Vitamin E and so much of this or that? I just turned 50 and generally feel in pretty good health. You have such a great question. The US Department of Agriculture recommends daily amounts for several vitamins, but its information is, frankly, outdated. The direct answer to your question is, um, not really. It’s a well-known fact that the average amount of beta-carotene in your conventionally grown carrot in 2011 is a seventh of what you would have found in a carrot grown in 1950. Vitamins are assimilated best from good sources of organic foods, but most people can’t always eat organic. This is a great argument for supplementation what with today’s eating habits coupled with the quality of the conventional foods available these days. The question is not what but how much. Dose is the issue. One can generally never go wrong with good doses of water soluble vitamins, such as C and the Bs. Any excess you ingest is readily eliminated from the body. Fat soluble vitamins, namely A, D, E, and K are more problematic because the amount you do not use right away gets stored in body fat. So beware of taking large amounts of the fat soluble ones. They can be toxic and have harmful side effects. Let’s start with Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. This vi-
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tamin is found in many foods, the most notable of which are the citrus fruits. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and an essential nutrient, meaning we must have it. The absence of Vitamin C leads to the medical condition known as scurvy. When we label ascorbic acid with a radioactive nucleotide and watch its activity in lab rats, it concentrates in the adrenal glands where it is believed to promote their healthy functioning and our immune system. This is the direct causal connection between the use of Vitamin C and combating seasonal viral infections. Scientists argue about its direct effect on viruses, but the adrenal glands modulate our immune systems. The adrenal glands also play a huge role in managing stress in our bodies. There are many opinions about how much Vitamin C a person should take. Recommendations vary from the USDA recommending a daily average of 90 milligrams (mg) to Linus Pauling, Nobel laureate in chemistry, who took 18,000 mg daily. Like Dr. Pauling, I am a Vitamin C enthusiast. I recommend that my patients take 1000 mg of buffered Vitamin C every day. In patient cases with high oxidative stress, I recommend patients take a dose to bowel tolerance (over 3 grams a day by mouth generally causes diarrhea or treats constipation!) For oxidative stress, I administer Vitamin C intravenously in what is commonly called a Meyer’s Cocktail. The cocktail is a great energy booster, positive way to treat
stress, and an excellent medicine to fight a cold. The next cocktail you buy, consider one with a good dose of Vitamin C and some B vitamins. I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Is there a homeopathic way to treat it? Pam Yes, but let me be very precise: while there is no single homeopathic remedy for treating fibromyalgia, there certainly is a way to treat your condition successfully with homeopathic medicine. Homeopathy is a complete stand alone system of medicine. After conducting an extended interview, usually an hour or more, the doctor arrives at a “constitutional” remedy based on all of your symptoms. The symptoms will include not only those which mainstream medicine attributes to the disease known as fibromyalgia, but also a wide array of physical and emotional characteristics. Remedies are medicines made from serial dilutions of mother substances made from plants, animals, and minerals. They come in pills, liquid form, and there are thousands of different remedies. The objective is to move the body’s vital force to bring about its own resolution of the disease. Please understand that, if you are looking for a specific remedy for fibromyalgia, the answer to your question is no. Homeopathy approaches disease in a different manner than allopathic medicine. Homeopathy is tailored to the individual, and because all people are different, it
treats each person’s disease as different and unique. The remedy that would treat your fibromyalgia may be different from another fibromyalgia sufferer. In fact, there may be a hundred different remedies an experienced homeopathic might choose from to treat you. Fibromyalgia is an inflammatory process that has settled in muscle and its supporting tissues. The pain and discomfort is caused by the inflammation of the tissue. When the cause of the inflammation is addressed and eliminated, the pain and discomfort go away. I treat my fibromyalgia patients with a number of modalities, including changes in dietary habits, herbal medicines, homeopathy, macro nutritional supplements (vitamins and amino acids), and mind/body medicine. This approach always improves the health of a fibromyalgia sufferer. Thanks for the letters and keep them coming! Dr. Damien Brandeis, NMD has a private practice located in Chandler. Dr. Brandeis is a new Cigna provider, so please give him consideration for your medical care. For more information, please visit drbrandeis.net or call 480-855-6560.
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 35
My quality of life
...my story, my
has improved due to the services I have received through SAAF. My health has improved over time so I am now able to take classes at Pima Community College.
A Celebration of Style, Fashion, and Compassion
I also fulfill a personal need to give back by volunteering at SAAF for 5 hours a week.
benefiting the programs & services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation.
I believe all this is in large
part, due to
03/06/11
the invaluable support I have received from SAAF.” Title Sponsor
The University of Arizona® Student Union Grand Ballroom
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Lobby Doors Open 4:30 PM (No Host Bar) VIP Dinner/Pre-Show 5:00 PM General Admission 5:40 PM Show Starts 6:00 PM
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ETHICS
The ethics of owning it By Dr. Dina Evan
I
use to think, “These are easy things to fix,” would be a welcomed acknowledgment to couples coming in for therapy. However, very often even as the words wafted from my mouth, instead of a joyful yippee, the response is often a deer in headlights expression of, oh crap. This response made me start to wonder whether it is the truth that we resist, or our attachment to the lies that we believe. It’s much easier to believe that we are forever broken and in need of constant support and pity than it is to risk being whole. It is easier to believe that our relationships cannot be fixed, than to accept that we can create a profound connection that might go away. It is easier to believe that we are helpless in a world gone mad than it is to get mad, say our truth and risk being abandoned. Since we are creating our own reality as we go, of course our beliefs are mirrored back to us with an affirming, “ You win, your illusion is absolutely correct and here’s the proof. Things are exactly as you believe them to be.” Consequently, if you believe all people will abandon you, when you bring into your life people who are incapable of committing and they ultimately abandon you, sure enough, you stand back and say…hey, see I was right. Life is tricky. It wasn’t designed to be that way. We just couldn’t conceive of having so much power that we could actually create what we want, so we dumbed down instead and pretended to be helpless and unconscious. Arthur Stopenhauer says, “All truth goes through three stages, first it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third it is accepted as self-evident.” Most of us are still in the somewhat violently opposed era, but really, isn’t it time to move on to what is self-evident? The buck stops with us. Fundamentally, people just don’t want to believe the obvious truth even when it would make them happy. Why? Perhaps, it is because we don’t want to be responsible or maybe we are afraid of the enormous implications some truths contain, such as the truth that we create our own reality. That truth could imply that not only do we have some responsibility for where we are right now, but also, we are also responsible for where we are going. Therein lies the rub and the place where we shut down. We do that because taking personal responsibility is another one of those things we pretend not to know we must do. We hate admitting our relationship sucks because what if no one else comes who would love us. We hate leaving that job that is going nowhere because we aren’t sure we are worthy of a better one. We hate standing up in our ethics because we are afraid of being different and ostracized. On top of all that, we are overwhelmed just trying to decide where to make a dent in this broken system. All change occurs from the inside out, beginnews / politics / business / opinion
ning with a willingness to see the illusions and own them. That means kicking the judgments and limitations to the curb and becoming a person who is willing to explore the unthinkable - ideas such as people do stay, honesty is respected and being different is the badge of an inquiring mind and a courageous soul. It means starting to live those outrageous ideas, first in your own small circle and then as you feel increasingly more comfortable, moving them out into your bigger world. It means having a support group of others who dance on the edge and mirror back your insane sanity. It means being willing to make it contagious. Despite how hard we might try to be in denial, a truth once heard will always be a truth. So, speak your truth aloud and let it reverberate in others who will take courage from your acts of enlightened pioneering, and who will begin to speak their truths as well.
Unconsciousness gives the illusion of a certain degree of security and comfort. This is why we cling to not knowing as if it were the last potential lover in existence. However, illusions are not real, seldom satisfying and there is no security in remaining unconscious. We say we intend to live consciously, but doing it is a broad jump because the grooves in the status quo are deep and enduring. It’s hard to get out of the rut even when it is costing us our quality of life and character. As Dresden James says, “When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic.” When you are standing in your ethics, being a raving lunatic looks an awful lot like greatness. Send questions to DrDBE@attglobal.net or to editor@ntouchaz.com. Dr. Dina Evan is a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist in the State of California. She has offices in Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Evan has won national acclaim as a human rights advocate. She is a columnist for several newspapers and has written five best selling books. For more information you may go to DrDinaEvan.com.
ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 37
YOUR PETS
Pets in search
Your Pet Questions Answered By Dr. Alicia Ruiz
of a Loving Home 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.
Skye Skye’s beautiful blue eyes and lovely coloring are sure to grab your attention when you first meet this sweet girl. However, Skye wants people to know there’s more to her than just her good looks! Skye loves hanging out with people, and likes to rub up against you, particularly her face to your face. She even bestows the occasional kitty kiss upon you when she’s feeling extra affectionate!
Human medications have topped the list of pet toxins for the third year in a row, according to a new list released by the ASPCA. In 2010, the ASPCA’s 24-hour poison control hotline fielded more than 167,000 phone calls about pets exposed to common household toxins and other potentially poisonous substances. To help keep your pet safe and sound in 2011, experts from the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Illinois, have created a list of the 10 most common poisons that affected our furry friends last year. A few high-
lights of their findings include: Accidental ingestion of human medications accounted for 25 percent of all calls to the ASPCA in 2010. The most common culprits included antidepressants and over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Approximately 20 percent of all calls concerned insecticides commonly used for flea control. Our feline friends are especially vulnerable to the misapplication of spot-on flea and tick products. Baits used to kill mice and rats can be deadly if ingested by pets. Many rodenticides are grainbased, which attracts not only rodents, but dogs and cats, too, and can cause seizures, internal bleeding or kidney failure. Some of the most delicious people food, including grapes, raisins and garlic, can be poisonous to pets. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, while onions and garlic can cause anemia if ingested in sufficient amounts. Household plants may keep your house green and your air clean, but some can cause serious gastrointestinal problems for companion animals. Please visit the ASPCA’s website (aspca. org) for a list of pet-safe plants before your next trip to the nursery.
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
Andy Andy is a precious, young, inquisitive little guy with a big heart and lots of kisses for everyone! He loves to go on walks and play with toys. His foster parents report: “Andy is a hoot! He LOVES the backyard...he will sit outside for hours watching and smelling the air. He sits on our mat at the patio door as if it is throne watching the world around him.”
To learn more or about Skye or Andy, go to azrescue.org. ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 39
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Workin’ hard for the money 9 to 5 comes to Gammage By John Thomas Lotardo Move over Donna, have we got some gals who know how to work hard for their money. Here comes 9 to 5: THE MUSICAL to Gammage Auditorium. Nominated for four 2009 Tony Awards® including Original Score and received a record breaking 15 Drama Desk nominations including Outstanding Musical, the show is based on the hit movie and features Dolly Parton’s original hit title song along with her new Tony Award® and Grammy-nominated score and runs at ASU Gammage, February 22 and through February 27. The Country Girl who pays a lot of money to look that trashy, Dolly Parton, was tapped to be composer and lyricist of the new show marking it her Broadway debut. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show,” said Dolly Parton. “I’ve had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people who have become like family to me. I can’t wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country can see why I’m so proud of everyone involved.” The musical is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. This is the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t
do -- even in a man’s world. Outrageous, thoughtprovoking and even a little romantic, 9 to 5: The Musical is about teaming up and taking care of business... it’s about getting credit and getting even. Dee Hoty plays the role of Violet. She has earned three Tony nominations for her starring roles in Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and The Will Rogers Follies. She has appeared in “Law & Order”,“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”
Late Night Catechism Still in the hobbit By John Thomas Lotardo
Have you been bad? Do you need to do penance for your sins? Well by penance I mean a fun night at the theater with the venerable Sister of the Late Nite Catechism comedies- then Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has just the thing. The wellknown local comedies of Late Night Catechisms have resurrected themselves to be reborn on stage at the Scottsdale Center for a limited engagement from Jan. 21 to March 26, 2011. The original Late Nite Catechism will run on Friday evenings at 8 p.m. in Stage 2, and its sequel, Late Nite Catechism III: ’Til Death Do Us Part, will be performed on Saturdays at 8 p.m. 40 | Issue #80 | March 2011 | ntouchaz.com
Spontaneous, witty and fun, Late Nite Catechism is a highly interactive show starring AriZoni Award-winning actress Patti Hannon as tart-tongued Sister. Ruling her classroom with an iron fist, she teaches her students – who happen to be the audience – everything she knows about sins and saints while doling out rewards and reprimands with lightning speed. In Late Nite Catechism III: ’Til Death Do Us Part, Sister offers up even more, including the latest doctrine fresh off the Web, some hilarious lessons about love and marriage and her own outrageous version of The Newlywed Game. Each Late Nite Catechism performance is unique and will appeal to people of all ages and faiths. I had a chance to talk with Hanson aka Sister on the rebirth of this hit show. Tickets are available for $38 online at ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Patron Services Box Office at 480-994-ARTS (2787), ext. 2. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and directly behind Los Olivos restaurant on Wells Fargo Avenue.
and numerous television and film appearances. The role of Judy will be played by Mamie Parris whose Broadway credits include the Tony-Nominated revival of Ragtime, 110 In the Shade and the Tony-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone. She turned the road pink in the First National Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical, has sung with the Radio City Rockettes, toured with country music icon Kenny Rogers. “American Idol” finalist, Diana DeGarmo has been cast in the role of Doralee Rhodes, made famous by the queen of country music and iconic songwriter, musician, movie star and entrepreneur Dolly Parton. Diana gained overnight fame, at age 16, as a runner-up on the third season of television’s No. 1 series, “American Idol”. Broadway credits include Hair, Hairspray and Brooklyn: The Musical. I got a chance to catch-up with Hoty smack in the middle of the current run in Chicago. As the feisty Hoty describes the windy city (“it’s freezingbutt cold!”), she is glad to report that the show is going swell and being well-received by audiences. When asked whether the show is updated or outdated, Hoty explains it is neither. Explaining, the show “takes place in 1979. Best thing Jeff Calhoun did in revising the show was take out all the automation.” It is at a time when, as Hoty explains, “a phone had a cord.” Although it follows much of the original movie, it adds some additional love interests for the girls, to add a little spice for the stage since as Hoty tells us, we “don’t have the car chase on stage!” The show about empowerment is really something that audiences can relate to, especially gay and lesbian audience members. And Hoty agrees. “Absolutely! There is a lot of forward thinking in the play.” She does admit that while there is a theme of equal opportunity rewarding in the show, she admits that there is just as much equal opportunity bashing in the show- from a comedic standpoint. The roles are played straight but not narrow in as much they make the audience endear the characters- even the dastardly boss who you come to see get his licks from the power of 3. With its streamlined version over the Broadway show (cut out about 25 minutes of duplicative dialogue), the show is a great ball of fun to start off 2011. Tickets are on sale now at asugammage.com or by calling 1-800-982-ARTS (2787). ASU Gammage is located on the main campus of Arizona State University in Tempe at Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard. The PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona series is presented by ASU Gammage, Broadway Across America and US Airways. U.S. Bank is the official bank sponsor of the PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona series. news / politics / business / opinion
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TRAVEL
La dolce vita, Ah the sweet life! Part two: Florence Part Two of a three-part series By John Thomas Lotardo
A
s we embarked on the second leg of our trip from Venice to Florence, we wondered if the city of art and culture could compare to the fanciful enchantments of Venezia. But as the iconic Betty Buckley had once told me in an interview with her about her favorite things in life, “I don’t compare the things I love.” I took that to heart as my husband and I left the magical waterways of Venice, hoped for the best and hopped onto the train to Florence. But when travelling, it is hard not to compare the subtle differences which make each place special, each place unique. When we arrived in less than 2 hours into Florence, we had track down a specially permitted taxi to transport us the few miles to the edge of the Historic District, since only taxis with special permits are permitted within the district limits. And I was glad of the limitations once acclimating to the hustle and bustle of Florence’s inner hub. Even with the limitations, there was plenty of traffic in this centuries’ old town of narrow twisting streets. Once transported to its historic edge, the van taking us to our next Italian adventure was waiting for us and few others- Americans; I found it was hard to get away from them on our trip with nary a street or restaurant without a gaggle of them. All were, for the most part, the most respectful and pleasant of folks but I wished they would speak Italian to add to my ambient experience. For this part of our trip, we chose to go to a nearby Villa, just about 15 minutes outside the city of Florence to expose our selves to that ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ vibe so romanticized in countless movies. The Villa Mangiacane had all the fixings for a great adventure. It had the vineyards, the rolling hills, and true to its name, an Old- World Villa. Tough as it was to admit, it did not live up to our expectations. Though the staff was as pleasant as they could be, the timing of our trip (mid-fall) did not allow the Machiavellian Mansion to show its best colors. With the foliage almost gone and no activities nor even its Spa available for use, we grew antsy and eager for more. While the accommodations were large, they were a bit tattered and as a result, we chose to relocate to the in-town Hotel Longarno after the first night. But with timed entrances of mid-morning and midday to various museums, the ability to coordinate the checkout, drive and check-in within our time restraints seemed a bit daunting indeed. That is where the staff at the Villa came through for us. The Manager, Juan Miguel, was able to call-in a few favors, and with newly finagled Historic District driving42 | Issue #80 | March 2011 | ntouchaz.com
privileges, was able to get us checked out and into town.(All the while, not charging any cancellation charges for our rebooking in another hotel for the remainder of our stay in Florence.) They not only got us into the Historic District, but, the driver dropped us off at the Galleria dell’ Accademia, the Museum were Michelangelo’s David is housed and then deliver our luggage to the Hotel Lungarno for us- permitting us to arrive in time for our scheduled museum entrance times with our luggage awaiting for us later that day - safe and sound. Though the Museum is filled with all the typical trappings of priceless paintings and sculptures, you do grow a bit weary. (A stroll through the area with sculptures which were only partially completed does create an eerie sense of movement which deserves special observation.) How many Renaissance portraits can you view and enjoy their intricacies without having to take a break from them? Worthy to see them we did, but we then poured our attention to the most popular boy in town- David. I know. You’ve seen him countless times. In print, in film, in paintings. David, in all his sculptured perfection is worth the trip. I was surprised at what an experience it was to actually see him live in-person, me that is. Though the longer you view David, the more you conjure up brilliant images of his getting ready to rumble and slay that big town bully. As you may already know, he is
quite a bit taller than real life and one hand is quite large- certainly not symmetrical. But this supposedly was all intended to convey a message of power, strength and connection to God. In any case, it is quite amazing to be there and see him. The Hotel Lungarno (lungarnohotels.com), located right on the river of the same name is perfect location. A short walk to cross over the Ponte Vecchio, allowed us to enjoy the changing colors of the river and the shops along the famous bridge. With less than a five-minute walk to the bridge, we were able to experience the inner sections of the Historic District as early and as late as we wanted on foot. If I hadn’t pointed it out before, you walk everywhere. But for the few train and taxi rides I’ve already mentioned, walking is the best mode of transportation. (With the notable exception that, if you are outside the city as in our earlier Villa adventure, you would want a car there for exploring the nearby towns). While Florence has some gay and lesbian bars, we actually we’re too busy (and frankly too tired at the end of the day) to frequent them. We focused on enjoying the sights and sounds of the Historic District- Including some of the best Cappuccinos I’ve ever had. Did I mention that Cappuccinos are my new favorite food? Starting in Venice with Marietta innocently suggesting I try one at the Centurion Hotel in Venice where we started our Italian trip (see last month’s article Part One – Venice), the street corner coffee shops of Florence solidified the “Cappuccino Experience”. One of our other great experiences is dining in one of the beautiful piazzas in the evening. While it seems chock-full of cliché, the dining experience is something to really enjoy. The statues really do take on an other-worldly appearance when the sun goes down and the vino starts pouring. Even before the first glass of wine is poured, the square’s atmosphere takes on this magical quality. The chill in the air is only noticeable at the end of the dinner, which merely encouraged us to take a brisk walk back to the hotel. I would return to Florence a bit earlier in fall or in late spring to enjoy the open air experiences of the beautiful rolling hills and fragrant scents of the areas scenery. Florence and the surrounding Tuscany locations are definitely something to consider when booking your magical Italian adventure. NEXT- Part Three of the La dolce vita seriesRome. news / politics / business / opinion
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ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 45
NIGHTLIFE
Experience the alternative By Luis Garcia
The Show Room at The Rock has quickly become the place to “experience the alternative” in the Valley of the Sun. Late last year the Rock in Phoenix joined forces with Pandora Productions, taking a gamble in bringing in fresh entertainment and combining it with some of the most exemplary performers in Arizona. That risk has paid off. Along with the premiere of the Rock’s new show Showgirlz and the award winning talents of Lawanda Jackson, Coti Collins and the legendary Venus DeMars, the Rock has become the new home of the
blonde one herself, Barbra Seville. “It is nice to perform in a space that was specifically created for a show,” said Seville. “So often, shows are a secondary consideration, but the lights, the sound, the seating, they are all with a show in mind. There are so many great shows in town, but what will make this one different is that the show is the focus. We are not competing with darts, football, or techno music. If you want to sit down and enjoy a show, I think that this is a great option.” Seville told ‘N Touch News that the management at the Rock has been incredible and guests should be prepared for a welcoming show experience. “They have tweaked the show lounge a bit to give it a more intimate cabaret feel. There are new enhancements and touches every week,” said Seville. “A friendly show experience that you will feel comfortable sharing
with your mom or co-workers. Lots of familiar faces, but some lesserknown queens, as well as some headline entertainers from all over the country. I wanted to create the kind of intimate cabaret setting that was very popular when I first started performing. Because of that, seating is limited. I think there 60-70 seats, with standing room for about 20-25 more. So reservations are a good idea.” Rounding off the entertainment at the Rock is Gong Karaoke with
Barbara Seville, Scandaleyez, Genderfuct and Snatch: An Act of Drag Terrorism. “I feel so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to unleash my creativity at The Rock,” said Scott Pierce, founder of Pandora Productions. “The space is Amazing and the staff is Incredible. We have some stellar events planned for the new year. 2011 is gonna Rock. So, if you haven’t popped in to see a show in our newly renovated show room, then head on over and experience the alternative!”
Support Joshua Tree over the Rainbow
12, 2011 Have A Heart Foundation will host their 3rd Annual Underwear Auction/Show at Bunkhouse. The event will start at 1 p.m. All of the proceeds will go to the three G.L.A.D. charities; Arizona Cancer Charities, Joshua Tree Feeding Program, and Lost Our Homes. Bunkhouse is located at 4428 North 7th Avenue.
Phoenix - On Saturday Feburary 27, 2011 Joshua Feeding Program will have a fundraiser at Rainbow Cactus starting at 7 p.m. Scheduled to perform will be Miss Kobalt 2011 Paula Sha, Mr Cash Inn 2011 Freddy Prinze Charming, Miss Rainbow Cactus 2011 Kedence McKenzie, Sherri Lynn Windz-Mor, Ava Grab-Mor, Ladonna Pearl, and Edward Pylley singing live. The fundraiser will be hosted by JaGi. Rainbow Cactus is located at 15615 N Cave Creek Rd.
Kobalt hosts plethora of “Queens” Phoenix - Miss Kobalt 2011, Paula Sha is having a fundraiser at Kobalt on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 9 p.m. Performing at the show will be Lady Christain, Sophia Sinclair, Sara Gosa, Sissy Collins, JaGi, TC Taylor and special guest Victoria London. Lady Christain and TC Taylor will be hosting the show. Kobalt now has free Wi-Fi Kobalt is located at 3110 N. Central Ave., Suite 125.
3rd annual Underwear Auction Phoenix - On Saturday March 46 | Issue #80 | March 2011 | ntouchaz.com
Rainbow Cactus turns two Phoenix - On March 17, Rainbow Cactus will celebrate its 2nd anniversary. Owner Karen Bovard would like to thank the community for supporting the neighborhood bar which is just a hop, skip and a jump away off of Cave Creek and Greenway Pkwy. Congratulations to Karen and her incredible staff! Stop by and see what’s up at Rainbow Cactus.
Join us at Coyote Moon Tucson - Join ‘N Touch News at Coyote Moon Pub on March 5 from 9 p.m. till 2 a.m. Lucinda Holliday, Vivika D’Angelo, and Jagi play hostesses for live singers, Drag Queens/Kings and GoGo Boys. Coyote Moon is a friendly neighborhood bar for men, women, and the LGBT community. Located at 915 W. Prince Rd. (corner of Prince & Fairview). continued from page 48 >
news / politics / business / opinion
FOCUS TUCSON
Möda Provocateur Where fasion meets the Cirque! By ‘N Touch Staff For over seven years Möda Provocateūr, a fashion and fundraising event, has become known for pushing the boundaries of hair, style and entertainment! Different from typical fashion shows, Möda Provocateūr features salons which plan their segments and collaborate with boutiques to match their unique style...add amazing dance and music to that and you have Möda Provocateūr! The 8th annual Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation Möda Provocateūr will be held on Sunday,March 6, 2011 at The University of Arizona® Student Union Grand Ballroom. It will include salons, boutiques and designers from all over Tucson and will have between more than 250 models walk the runway. Project Runway Moda is an opportunity for budding fashion designers to compete against other talented designers for cash prizes and outstanding publicity in the Tucson version of the hit television series, Project Runway. This year winners will appear in the March addition of Tucson Lifestyle Magazine and be highlighted in the exciting and ever popular fashion show, Moda Provocateur. Esteemed judges from the community voted on the best of each of the four challenge categories and Moda Provocateur audience members get to vote on the #1, Top Designer for
From the album: Runways by Jake Rafus
the Best of Show category. This Year’s Project Runway Moda Challenges are Viva Las Vegas, 30’s Glam, Future Shock and of course, AIDS Awareness. The first Möda Provocateūr, held in 2004, was created by Kevin Casey from Avalon for Hair, Skin and Nails after he participated in ‘Crème de la Do’ in 2003, a fashion and style show or-
Campus Corner:
SafeZONE awarded Alliance Fund grant By Christina Bischoff, Wingspan The University of Arizona’s SafeZONE program has been awarded a grant from the Alliance Fund, one of just nine organizations to split nearly $30,000 in grants the fund provided for 2011. SafeZONE is a campuswide program designed to make the University of Arizona a welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students, staff and faculty. It does so through free workshops for the public several times a semester. Each workshop is composed of a generaleducation section to review the basics of being LGBTQ, and an ally-development section to learn how to be an effective ally to the LGBTQ community. “We also created an Advanced SafeZONE workshop series,” said Jessica Boor, graduate SafeZONE coordinator. So far, these workshops have included transgender and intersex identities and bisexuality. Plans for expansion of both 48 | Issue #80 | March 2011 | ntouchaz.com
topics and the number of participants are in the works. “SafeZONE is not about changing hearts and minds but about education,” Boor added. Much of the workshop concentrates on teaching participants about queer identities and how being a minority sexual identity or gender identity can affect a person’s everyday life. Those who complete the ally-development portion leave with knowledge of how to fight discrimination and a plaque to denote their office or home as a safe space. More than 400 people have completed the general-education workshops, with 250 completing the ally-development portion as well. Meanwhile, you can keep abreast of all the LGBTQ-related films, health-and-wellness workshops, lectures, etc., at the UA at the Calendar of Events website at deanofstudents.arizona.edu/ LGBTQeventscalendar
ganized by an agency in Albuquerque helping to raise funds for local HIV/AIDS agencies around the country. Since 2004, Möda Provocateūr has raised more than $250,000 in support of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) programs and services. The incredible, continued support for Möda Provocateūr from the local salons, boutiques and businesses through their participation and underwriting of the cost of the event, helps to build tradition and ultimately, the success of this exciting fundraiser. Lobby doors will open at 4:30 p.m.The main show begins at 6 p.m., and guests holding tickets for Runway and VIP tables will enjoy dinner and entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at saafmoda.org Organizers recommend parking at 2nd Street Garage on the University of Arizona Campus. SAAF is the primary community-based organization in southern Arizona providing case management and ancillary support services for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, culturally appropriate prevention and education programs to reduce the rate of infection, and extensive trainings and opportunities for community members to fill critical support roles all under one roof. For more information please visit saaf.org
Nightlife... < continued from page 46
Colors Food & Spirits Tucson - Friday for Guys and Dolls with Hostess Lucinda Holliday and special guests, show starts 9 p.m. Happy Hour from 4-7p.m. with food and drink specials. Colors Now has Dancing right after the show, $2 well & domestics when the DJ is spinning & on Sunday Brunch from 10-2 p.m. followed by karaoke from 3-6 p.m. Colors is located at 5305 East Speedway Boulevard.
Penny Friday Tucson - Start your weekend right at The Biz. Every Friday is now full of the hottest Top 40, R&B, and Urban Rock in town with DJ Shorty... it’s a night you can’t miss. Happy Hour 5-9pm with 2-4-1 drinks. The Biz is located at 2900 E Broadway Blvd # 118. news / politics / business / opinion
NIGHTLIFE - TUCSON
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ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 51
CLASSIFIEDS FOR RENT/LEASE
ANNOUNCEMENTS Happy Birthday Shelby! Have a great day followed by a fantastic year! Happy belated B-Day Miss Babe Caylor! Happy Birthday Laurie Provost! You don’t look a day over 30!
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.
Roommate wanted to share nice house in quiet neighborhood near 36th St. and Indian School. Available Feb. 1st. 2 bed/2bath, covered parking, washer dryer, wireless internet, cable tv, private backyard, no smoking in house, dog allowed (no cats). $600 plus 1/2 utilities. Call John at 602-5023313.
‘N Touch News would like to say thank you to all of our advertisers, supporters, and readers. There are many people who say they do it for the community, but all of you really do. Downtown Phoenix Public Market is now open on Wednesdays from 4-8pm. Not just on Saturdays anymore! Support local farmers and artists while also supporting the local economy... and by the way, a little organic food won’t hurt you!
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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!
Remodeled Rental 7th St/ Maryland Small triplex, private end unit $695.00 per month, water included. 1 bed/1 bath, 850 sqft, travertine throughout, french doors, upgraded kitchen, lots of storage, walk in closet, mature landscaping. Move in Ready! Contact Martha Zabala 602-2144083. Arizona Lifestyle Realty.
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52 | Issue #80 | March 2011 | ntouchaz.com
South Phoenix Home for Rent 3 bed/ 2.5 bath, 1400 sqft, two levels, 2 car garage, split floor plan, washer/dryer, landscaping included in rent. $995 per month. Pets ok w/ approval. Section 8 welcome, ready for immediate move in! Contact Martha Zabala 602-214-4083. Arizona Lifestyle Realty.
Coronado Historic Rental 2 bed/2 bath home, over 950 sqft, gated front courtyard, fireplace, hardwood floors, kitchen island, full appliances. Great private backyard, ideal for gardening w/ lots of fruit trees. Hurry this won’t last long! $995.00 per month. Martha Zabala 602-2144083. Arizona Lifestyle Realty.
Room For Rent South Phoenix area, near South Mountain, ASU, Tempe, Downtown. Newer home, two levels, modern decor, over 2800 sqft, gated front courtyard, tile/carpet floors, granite counters, patio. Room is $500 per month, includes utilities & internet. Shared bath, prefer non smoker, no pets. Contact Ron Houston for more info 480-8618744.
FOR SALE
WOW Bank Owned Bargain! 23rd St/ Indian School. Charming single level home, over 1000 sqft, 3 bed/2 bath, living room, open kitchen, dining area, family room, inside laundry, carport parking, RV gate & more. Listed at $46,900. Contact The Ron Houston Group 602-402-2459 www.RonHoustonGroup.com Arizona Lifestyle Realty.
McDowell Mountain Retreat - Bank Owned Guarded Community, amazing mountain views. 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home, 3749 sqft, single level, open floorplan, fireplace, large kitchen, gated front courtyard, pool/spa, built in bbq, firepit, 3 car garage. Offered at $569,900. For more infor contact The Ron Houston Group 602-402-2459. Arizona Lifestyle Realty. FOR SALE: LUXURY PENTHOUSE 207 W. Clarendon #22E Spacious, bright, views. 1566 sq.ft. 2 split Master BRs/2 full baths. Eat-in kitchen. LR/DR. Pool,spa,tennis,light-rail. 24/7 front desk. Move-in ready. Priced to
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CLASSIFIEDS MASSAGE
sell. $395,000.00. Linda Pool Keller Williams - (480)600-7504 lindapool@cox.net
Not a Bank Owned or Short Sale! North Phoenix, Tatum/ Bell. Single level home, 3 bed/2 bath, 1400+ sqft, vaulted ceilings, skylights, open kitchen w/ breakfast bar, formal dining, 2 car garage & more! Listed at $172,500. Contact Sue Ligeros for more info 602-628-2549. Arizona Lifestyle Realty.
FOR SALE: Uptown Gem of a Home 1024 West Georgia Avenue, Pasadena Neighborhood, Walkability Score 67, Energy efficient 3 bedrms, 1.75 baths. 1900 sq. ft has home office entry. Spacious corner lot, walled privacy, paddle fans, skylights, A/C and evap. Security doors thruout & alarm system. Detached 2+ car port with secure storage, Offered at $235,000. MLS # 4186597, 10 2 4 w g e o r g i a a v e . e p r o p e rtysites.com. Owner/agent John E. Hughes, Jr. (520) 907-6792.
HEALTH Bank Owned 16th St/ Northern Spanish style home, over 2000 sqft, single level, 3 bed/3 baths, 2 car garage, large laundry room, pool, built in bbq area, mountain views. Remodel never completed, needs work. Offered at $144,000. The Ron Houston Group 602-402-2459 or www. RonHoustonGroup.com Arizona Lifestyle Realty.
Vacant Land for Sale! Central Phoenix. 36th St/ Thomas. Ideal for seasoned investors & developers. Less than $1.78 per sqft of land. Potential for mutli family units or single family home. Listed at $19,900. Seller may carryback up to $10k- contact for more info The Ron Houston Group 602-402-2459. Arizona Lifestyle Realty.
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Challenges... < continued from page 17
Walthour, now 34, eventually became a school bus driver while deciding to transition to female and pursue a degree in social work. Transgender activists say future progress for their cause may depend on more people like Walthour choosing to speak out. “We need more trans people telling their stories,” said Diego Sanchez, a transgender aide to U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., at a forum
last weekend. The forum was convened to address the frustrations of some transgender people who feel marginalized within the broader gay-rights movement. The movement has for years adopted the initials LGBT – lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender – but transgender activists at the forum wondered if the“T” instead meant “token.” “We’ve become second fiddle, maybe third fiddle to LGB rights,” said Meghan Stabler, a transsexual businesswoman. “We’re a minority inside of a minority … Right now, we’re a small `t’.” Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said the LGBT movement – by sheer force of numbers and financial support – was inevitably going to focus on the agenda of gays and lesbians rather than transgender people. “The people who just plain hate us – they’re dying out,” she said. “There is not a reasonable person left in United States who doesn’t understand that transgender people exist, that it’s a legitimate aspect of the diversity of nature.”
HELP WANTED 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 Experienced Licensed Massage Therpist and Experienced Cosmetologist for upscale central Phoenix salon. Call George or David at 602277-8849 for more information.
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
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ntouchaz.com | March 2011 | Issue #80 | 53
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Information PFLAG of Payson
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Insurance Ken Leombruno
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54 | Issue #80 | March 2011 | ntouchaz.com
news / politics / business / opinion
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