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February 2012 Issue No. 419
Memorable — Dirty — moment that makes Pgh hip —page 22
FREE
2012 promises drama, suspense for the LGBT community
Stars—like Cruz—allign for local ‘hero’—page 3
CChristopher hristopher Sieber Sieber
Will success spoil Sharon Needles? Not if she can spoil it first
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can Foundation for Equal Rights with famed attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies leading the charge—is mind-boggling. Whatever the results, any or all aspects could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court immediately or they could be appealed to a full 9th Circuit bench and then to the Supreme Court. But the panel’s decision will almost certainly have political impact, too. Not only will it affect the momentum of the marriage equality movement, it will almost certainly become fodder in the presidential campaigns. 2. The decision, on appeal, in DOMA A three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments, perhaps as soon as early February, in a powerful challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) denial of federal benefits to same-sex married couples. The challenge, referred to most often as Gill v. OPM, is actually three consolidated cases, two brought by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders and one by the state of Massachusetts. While there are other challenges underway to DOMA, this is the “big guns� challenge and the one most likely to reach the U.S. Supreme Court first. And while there is no deadline by which the panel must render its decision, it is
by Natty Soltesz Brace yourself, America: Local drag performer Sharon Needles (born Aaron Coady) is bringing her outsized, outrageous and occasionally offensive brand of drag to your living room. One of 13 competitors on season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race (premiering January 30 on cable network Logo), the self-anointed Queen of Shock has been blowing Pittsburgh audience’s minds for the past several years at venues like the Blue Moon and the Brillobox. How will she hold up under RuPaul’s scrutiny? We’ll have to watch and see, but underneath Sharon’s pull-no-punches stage persona is an intelligence and a dedication to drag that should serve her well. Pittsburgh’s Out spoke to Sharon about reality-
TV fame, the state of Pittsburgh drag and the necessity of Elmer’s Glue Sticks. Pittsburgh’s Out: You’ve been doing drag for a long time. Did you ever see yourself getting this much notoriety? Sharon Needles: You know, yes. When I was young I was vain enough and blind enough and living on my own planet to know that I was going to be famous. But the older I got the more that I was seeing reality and knowing that it probably wasn’t going to happen. But now there are so many reality shows, anyone can be famous. Andy Warhol once said that one day everyone will get their 15 minutes of fame, but, you know, you get 15 episodes. What’s been the best part of RuPaul’s Drag Race so far?
Continued on page 6
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Careful, they’re On the Edge—page 14
by Lisa Keen Keen News Service Significant events are crowding the calendar for 2012, and each promises considerable drama and suspense for the LGBT community. Here are the ten most important stories to keep an eye on: 1. The next decisions on Proposition 8 A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals could release its opinions any day now. That’s “opinions,� plural. Before the panel can rule on the constitutionality of California’s law banning marriage for same-sex couples, it must decide whether the Yes on 8 coalition has legal standing to appeal the federal court ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional, and it must decide whether there is any justification for Yes on 8’s request that the lower court decision be vacated. The list of possible outcomes in Perry v. Brown—the case brought by the Ameri-
likely to turn out one by year’s end. Then, as with Proposition 8, the case could go to the full circuit court for appeal or straight to the Supreme Court. And, if the appeals court decision is rendered before the November elections, it will almost certainly provoke debate on the presidential campaign trail. 3. Tammy Baldwin’s historic bid U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) is not the first openly gay person to run for U.S. Senate, but she’s the first who has a real chance of winning. The daily Capital Times is already referring to her as the “likely� Democratic nominee to fill the seat being vacated by Democrat Herb Kohl. She doesn’t have a challenger for the nomination. But she will have a very tough battle against whomever the Republicans put on the ballot. That’s because the battle will be for more than just one seat in the powerful U.S. Senate, which currently has a breakdown of 53 in the Democratic Caucus and 47 in the Republican. It will be part of a multi-state slugfest between the parties over control of the chamber, the Congress, and the nation’s laws. Continued on page 4
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PAGE 2 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 31
RESOURCES Resources is provided as a convenient directory for the tri-state area. Information regarding changes, additions or deletions to this guide should be sent in writing to Out, 801 Bingham Street, Suite 100, Pittsburgh PA 15203, or e-mail at out@outonline.com. Area code for all phone numbers is 412 unless noted. Pittsburgh area codes: 412, 724, 878.
Baths ·Club Pittsburgh, 1139 Penn Ave.; 471-6790; www.clubpittsburgh.com. Counseling ·George Dalzell, LCSW, 904-1480. ·James Manzella, LCSW, MA 488-8102. ·Debbie Szajna, LPC, 412-877-3846. ·Persad Center Inc., 5150 Penn Ave., 15224; 4419786. ·Sherri Williams, MSEd, NCC, LPC, CCDP; 5123135; www.thelovingchoice. Health/AIDS ·AIDS Info. Hotline,1-800-662-6080 . ·AIDS Leadership for Prevention and Health Awareness (ALPHA), PO Box 90097, Pgh, PA 15224; alphapittsburgh@gmail.com. ·Allegheny County Health Dept. STD Clinic, 3441 Forbes Ave.; 578-8080. ·Hemlock Society; 341-6459. ·National Org. of Restoring Men Foreskin Support Group, www.NORM.org; NORM.Pittsburgh@verizon.net. ·Pitt Men’s Study, PO Box 7319, Pgh., 15213; 6242008. ·Pitt Treatment & Evaluation Unit, PO Box 7256, Pgh., 15213; 647-8125. ·Pgh. AIDS Task Force,5913 Penn Ave., Pgh.,15206; 345-7456. ·Positive Health Clinic; Allegheny Hospital; 359-3360. ·Shepherd Wellness Community, 4800 Sciota St.,Pgh.,15224;683-4477; www.swconline.org. ·Southwestern Pa. AIDS Planning Coalition, 201 S. Highland Ave., Suite 101, Pgh. 15206; 363-1022 or 877-732-0401. Lodging ·Arbors Bed & Breakfast, (Northside); 231-4643.
·The Inn on the Mexican War Streets (Northside); 231-6544. Organizations-Political/rights ·American Civil Liberties Union Committee for Lesbian and Gay Equality, 313 Atwood St.; 681-7736. ·Equality Partners of Western Pennsylvania, 429 First Ave., Suite 1, Pgh. 1521;. 206-0874. ·Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pgh., P.O. Box 8108,Pgh., 15217; gertrudesteinclub.org. ·Outright Libertarians of Greater Pgh., Jerry, 6541154. ·Resyst, radical queer project of the Thomas Merton Center; 361-3022. ·Steel-City Stonewall Democrats, www.steelcity.org or president@steel-city.org. ·Western PA Freedom to Marry Coalition, PO Box 81253, Pgh., 15217. Organizations-Religious ·A Common Bond (ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses), 127 Harrison Ave., Pgh., 15202. ·Bet Tikvah (Jewish)., 256-8317. ·Church of the Redeemer - Episcopal, Sundays, 8am and 10:30am. 5700 Forbes Ave.,Pgh.,15217;www.redeemerpittsburgh.org 422-7100. ·Dignity Pittsburgh (Roman Catholic), Box 362, Pgh., 15230; 362-4334. www.dignitypgh.org. ·Gay and Lesbian Alternative Dimensions, 6814222. ·Golden Triangle Church of Religious Science/Center for Positive Living; 362-6149. ·Lutherans Concerned. Info: (724)228-0914. ·Metropolitan Community Church of Pgh., 4836 Ellsworth Ave., Pgh., 15213; www.mccpittsburgh.com; 683-2994. ·More Light Presbyterians, PO Box 9022, Pgh., 15224. ·Open Arms Church, Sundays, 6:30pm. Smithfield United Church, 620 Smithfield St., downtown; 5128913. ·Pgh. Church of Religious Science, 2nd Sundays, Nuin Center, Highland Park. 362-5096. ·Pgh. Friends (Quaker). Silent worship, Sundays, 10:30am. 4836 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside,15213; 683-2669. ·Rainbow Buddhists of Pgh.,www.zenbowpgh.com ·St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Sundays, 11am. 304 Morewood Ave., Shadyside; 682-3342. ·Three Rivers Interweave, c/o First Unitarian Church, Ellsworth and Morewood Aves.,15213; 343-2523. Organizations-Service ·Anti-Hate Hotline. 24-hour support service for hate activity due to sexual orientation; 820-0111. ·CONTACT Pgh.24-hour crisis/suicide hotline; 820-HELP. ·Gay Alcoholics Anonymous; 422-0114. ·G/L Community Center, 210 Grant St. Pgh PA 15217; 422-0114. Phone staffed Mon.-Fri., 6:309:30pm; Sat., 3-6pm. Send mail to : P O Box 5441, Pgh. 15219. www.glccpgh.org. ·Gay/Lesbian Community Food Bank, sponsored by MCC; 683-2994. ·GLENDA. Community volunteer organization; 422-1303; www.glenda.org. ·GLSEN, 210 Grant St. Pgh PA 15219 361-6996. ·Lambda Foundation, PO Box 5169, Pgh., 15206; 521-5444. ·P-FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). PO Box 5406, Pgh., 15206; 833-4556; email:info@pflagpgh.org. Organizations-Social/recreational ·Asians & Friends International of Pgh., PO Box 99191, Pgh., 15233; 521-5451. ·’Burgh Bears, PO Box 6426, Pgh., 15212-0426; www.burghbears.org. ·Delta Foundation/Pittsburgh Pride. PO Box 100057, Pgh., 15233. 246-4451. ·Dreams of Hope Youth Performance Group, 412361-2065; www.dreamsofhope.org or info@dreamsofhope.org. ·Dining Out Pittsburgh, GLBT Supper Club: dinner@diningoutpgh.org or www.diningoutpgh.org ·Dykes on Bikes Pittsburgh Chapter, www.pittsburghdykesonbikes.com. ·Families Like Ours (FLO), support for GLBTQ parents. facebook.com/groups/Families LikeOurs.
PAGE 30 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
·Flying Colors, www.geocities.com/cyclepgh; email: cyclepgh@yahoo.com; 731-8198. ·Friends of All Colors Together; 427-7053. ·Frontrunners, gay, lesbian running group; 2431781;www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. ·G2H2 Gay Guys Happy Hours, www.g2h2pittsburgh.com. ·Gay Anglo and Latino Alliance/La Alianza de Latinos y Anglos Gay, 362-5451. ·GLBT Youth Program-Gay & Lesbian Community Center; 422-0114. ·Greater Pgh. Men’s Society; 481-3402. ·Iron City Squares, gay, lesbian square dancing; 724-464-4324. ·ISMIR (International Sexual Minorities Information Resource). PO Box 81869, Pgh., 15217-0869; 422-3060. ·Pittsburgh Gay Book Club. Pgbc Bookclub on facebook. ·Pgh. Gay Motorcyclists; 531-8303, http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/PghGayMotorcyclists. ·Pgh. General Health Professionals Assn.; 3613557. ·Pgh. Lesbian & Gay Film Society, PO Box 81237,Pgh., 15217; 422-6776. www.plgfs.org. ·Pgh. Men’s Collective, 2226 Delaware Ave., 15218; 421-6405. ·Pgh. Transsexual Support Group; 661-7030. ·Pgh. Prime Timers, PO Box 99292, Pgh., 152339200; 519-4320; e-mail: contact@ pittsburghprimetimers.com. www.pittsburgh primetimers.com. ·PONY Gay Rodeo Assn., PO Box 99321, Pgh., 15233; 370-1548. ·Renaissance City Choirs, 116 S. Highland Ave.,Pgh.,15206;362-9484. www.rccpittsburgh.org ·Sex/Love Addicts Anonymous; 441-0956. ·Staying Positive: Pittsburgh. http://stayingpostivepgh@inpgh.org;stayingpositivepgh@gmail.com ·Steel City Bowling League; PO Box 16220, Pgh. 772-8243. ·Steel City Softball League, PO Box 99493. Pgh., 15233, 683-7676. ·Steel City Tennis League; 681-6831. ·Steel City Volleyball League, 506-3187. ·Three Rivers Leather Club, PO Box 5298, Pgh. 15206; www.trlc.net. ·TransFamily Support Group, 962 Rockdale Rd, Butler,16002; (724)758-3578. ·TransPitt, cross dressers, transvestites, transsexuals. PO Box 3214, Pgh., 15230; 454-5557. ·TREAT (Three Rivers Eastern Area Tournament), PO Box 99604, Pgh., 15233; 922-8308. ·Youth Adult Services of PA, PO Box 3539, Pgh., 15230. ·Youth Empowerment Project, PO Box 7319, Pgh., 15213; 624-5508. Organizations-Student/academic ·GLBT Allies at CMU; http://allies.andrew.cmu.edu. 268-9994. ·Gay, Lesbian Law Caucus of the University of Pgh. School of Law. 3900 Forbes Ave., Pgh., 15260; 648-1388. ·Gay-Straight Allaince at Community College of Allegheny County, Office of Student Activities. 808 Ridge Ave., Pgh., 15212; 237-2675. ·GLSEN Pittsburgh, PO Box 110288, Pgh. 15232; 361-6996. ·Pride at Carlow University, (GLBT, Straight Alliance), 3333 Fifth Ave., Pgh., 15213; pride@carlow.edu ·Rainbow Alliance, University of Pittsburgh, 611 William Pitt Union; 412-648-2105. Professional Services ·Lisa Anderson, Northwood Realty. 367-3200, ext. 340. ·Biancheria, Eriksen, Maliver and Angell, P.C. Attorneys-at-Law. 401 Wood Street, Ste, 1600, Pittsburgh PA 15222; 394-1001. ·Evolve Counseling and Coaching, 773-1220 or 818-0312. ·Edward Jasiewicz, Prundential Preferred Reality, 521-5500. ·Leone’s Florist, 5504 Center Ave. Shadyside. 687-1595. ·Lowtide Swimwear and Apparel. 2614 Lincoln Way, White Oak PA 15131. 412-751-4799. ·Weishouse Home Furnishings. 324 S. Highland
Ave., Shadyside. 412-441-8888. Pennsylvania Bars, clubs, restaurants ·Chumley’s, 108 W. College Ave., State College;(814) 238-4446 (mixed). ·Club 231. 231 Pittsburgh St., Uniontown; (724) 430-1477. ·Escapade, 2523 Union Ave., Altoona, 16602; (814) 946-8195. ·Lucille’s, 520 Washington St., Johnstown; (814) 539-4448 ·Michael’s Café, 1413 11th Ave., Altoona, 16601; (814) 941-0803. ·Papermoon, 1325 State St., Erie, 16501; (814) 455-7766. ·Rumors in Town, 1413 11th Ave., rear, Altoona, 16602; (814) 941-0803. ·The Zone, 133 W. 18th St., Erie; (814) 452-0125. Organizations ·AIDS Intervention Project, PO Box 352, Altoona, 16603; 1-800-445-6262. ·Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Help line of Altoona, (814) 942-8101. ·Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Task Force, c/o Family & Children’s Service, 2022 Broad Ave., Altoona 16601; (814) 944-3583. ·Gay, Lesbian Switchboard, PO Box 805, State College, 16804; (814) 237-1950, 6-9pm. ·Gay, Lesbian Switchboard of North Central Pa., c/o Susquehanna Lambda, PO Box 2510, Williamsport, 17703; (717) 327-1411. ·IUP Alliance, 724-357-2598. ·Laurel Highlands Gay and Lesbian Alliance, PO Box 145, Somerset, 15501. ·Lawrence County AIDS Network, PO Box 1674, New Castle, 16103; 800-359-AIDS. ·League of G/L Voters, Erie. PO Box 8083, Erie, 16505; (814) 833-3258. ·League of G/L Voters, State College regional chapter. PO Box 10986, State College, 16805; (814) 237-5520. ·LGBTA Resource Center at Bloomsburg University, 266 Students Services Center, 400 East Second St. Bloomsburg PA 17815. ·LGBTA at Penn State, 101 Boucke Bldg. University Park, 16802, 814-863-1248. ·LGBA, PO Box 444, Slippery Rock, 16057; (724) 738-2939. ·Log Cabin Republican Clubs of Pennsylvania, 1903 Walnut St., Suite 175, Phila., 19103; (215) 247-6344. ·Mon Valley AIDS Task Force, Box 416, Monessen,15063;(724)258-1270. ·PA. Council for Sexual Minorities, 238 Main Capital Bldg., Harrisburg, 17120. ·Penn State Sexual Health Awareness Program, Ritenour Health Center, University Park, 16803; (814) 865-TALK. ·P-FLAG (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbian and Gays) New Castle; (724) 658-3578. ·Project HOPE, 697 State Street, Beaver PA 15009; (724) 581-6825 or (724) 728-8220; projecthope_2009@yahoo.com. ·State College Gay Men’s Alliance, PO Box 545, State College, 16804. ·UPJ Alliance. 814-269-7065. Ext.7180. Ohio Bars, clubs, restaurants ·Adams St., 73-77 N. Adams St., Akron; (330) 4349794. ·Club MAXX, 122 N. Sixth St., Steubenville; (740) 284-1291. ·Crew, 304 Cherry Ave. NE, Canton; (330) 4522739. ·The Grid, 1437 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland; (216) 623-0113. ·Interbelt, 70 N. Howard St., Arkon; (330) 2535700. ·PJ’s at the FED, 169 N 4th St., St., Steubenville; (740) 283-2747. ·Pulse, 169 S. Four Mile Run Rd., Youngstown; (330)318-9830. ·Tear-EZ, 360 S. Main St., Akron; (330) 376-0011. ·Utopia, 876 E. Midlothian Blvd., Youngstown; (330) 781-9000. Lodging ·Circle JJ Ranch, 1104 Amsterdam Rd., Scio; (330) 627-3101.
·Freedom Valley, 1875 US 250 S, New London, OH; (419) 929-8100. Organizations ·Brotherhood Leather United Equal, Steubenville; www.blueohio.net. ·Live and Let Live, gay alcoholics, St. Newman Center, 26 Rayen Ave., Youngstown, 44503. ·Mahoning County Area Task Force on AIDS, PO Box 1143, Youngstown, 44501; (216) 742-8811. ·The Ohio State University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Alumni Society, PO Box 2012, Columbus, OH 43216; Jim Ryan, (614) 421-9389. ·Washington County AIDS Task Force, Marietta; (614) 374-9119. West Virginia Bars, clubs, restaurants ·Broadway, 210 Broad St., Charleston, 25301; (304) 343-2162. ·Driftwood, 1121 7th Ave., Huntington; (304) 6969858. ·Eagle’s Nest Club, 1500 Brinker Road, Wellsburg WV 26070. ·Lee St. Deli & Bar, 1111 Lee St. East, Charleston, 25301; (304) 343-3354. ·The New Electric Flag, 1044 Market St., Wheeling, 26003; (304) 639-8390. ·O-Zone, 1107 Main St., Wheeling; (304) 2320068. ·Polo Club, 1037 7Th Ave., Huntington, 25705; (304) 522-3146. ·Stonewall Club, 820 7th Ave. (alley entrance), Huntington, 25701; (304) 523-2242 ·Tap Room, 1022 Quarrier St., Charleston, 25301; (304) 342-9563. ·Trax, 504 Washington St., W., Charleston, 25302; (304) 345-8931. ·True Colors, 515 Market St. (rear), Parkersburg, 26101. (304) 428-8783 (TRUE). ·Vice Versa, 335 High St. (rear), Morgantown, 26505; (304) 292-2010. ·Weezies, 3438 University Ave., Morgantown, 26505; (304) 598-0088. ·WoodStarr Nightclub. 322 5th St. Parkersburg; (304) 422-3711. Lodging ·Eagle’s Nest, (412) 417-1099. ·Long Fork Campgrounds, Walton; www.longfork.com; (304) 577-9347. ·Roseland Resort, RD 1, Box 185B, Proctor, 26055; www.roselandWV.com; (304) 455-3838. Organizations ·AIDS Task Force of the Upper Ohio Valley/Buddy Program, PO Box 6360, Wheeling, 26003; (304) 232-6822. ·BiGLT Mountaineers WVU, Morgantown, 26506;(304) 293-8200; BiGLTM@hotmail.com ·Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Mountaineers (BiGLM), PO Box 6444, SOW, WVU Morgantown 26506 (304) 293-8200. ·Charleston AIDS Network, PO Box 1024, Charleston, 25324; (304) 345-4673; www.aidsnet.net. ·Friends Who Care, PWHIV support, Joni Constante, (304) 292-8234. ·G/L Alcoholics Anonymous, Wednes-days, 7pm; St. John’s Espiscopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St, Charleston, 25301. ·Huntington AIDS Task Force, PO Box 2981, Huntington, 25728; (304) 522-4357. ·Mid-Ohio Valley AIDS Task Force, PO Box 1184, Parkersburg, 26101; (304) 485-4803. ·Mountain State AIDS Network, 235 High St., #306, Morgantown, 26505; 800-585-4444. ·PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gays) Parkersburg, PO Box 836, Parkersburg, 26102; (304) 428-8089. ·P-FLAG (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbian and Gays) Wheeling, 115 18th St., Wheeling, 26003; Liz (304) 232-8743 or (740) 484-4141. ·Together in Pride, PO Box 836, Parkersburg, 26102. ·WV Coalition for Lesbian, Gay Rights, PO Box 11033, Charleston, 25339; (304) 343-7305.
Legislators pledge to keep promise to LGBT community As same-sex partner benefits are debated throughout the state, Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced he will use an executive order to keep his promise to implement same-sex domestic-partner benefits for Allegheny County employees as early as this year. State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, praised Fitzgerald for his commitment to LGBT equality. “This will send a positive signal to prospective businesses and residents that we value diversity in Allegheny County and will help the county to attract and retain quality employees,” says Frankel co-chairman of the LGBT Equality Caucus in the legislature.
“Allegheny County will join major employers, such as the 59 percent of Fortune 500 companies, that provide domestic-partner benefits to their employees. This is also part of a continuing statewide trend toward greater fairness and equality for our LGBT family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors.” Late in 2011, members of the state House and Senate created the LGBT Equality Caucus to advance LGBT rights in the state and bring attention to important issues impacting the community. Equality Pennsylvania first presented the idea in early 2011, and since then it has attracted attention and
membership from 26 legislators statewide. It is the first caucus of its kind dedicated solely to educating legislators on the lives and challenges facing Pennsylvania’s LGBT citizens, as well as being a voice on equality issues within the legislature. In addition to Frankel, other local members of the LGBT Equality Caucus include Matthew Smith, D-Allegheny County, and Jim Ferlo, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland/Armstrong Counties.
Local woman honored as a national HIV hero
by Frank Siaca For her tireless dedication and commitment to HIV/AIDS patients, Kirsten Felix Burkhart, executive director of AIDS Resource and administrator of the West House Personal Care Home in Williamsport, PA, was recently selected as one of five winners in the “ATRIPLA 5 Years 5 Heroes” contest which was sponsored by BristolMeyers Squibb. The national contest, named after the HIV-1 prescription drug medication ATRIPLA, was organized to honor five individuals who have made an impact in the fight against HIV. Winners were selected based on essays submitted secretly by co-workers, friends or relatives. The nominating essay, which detailed Burkhart’s dedication to HIV/AIDS patients, was written by Amy Harada, assistant director of AIDS Resource. “I had no idea that she did it until we got a notice that I was a finalist,” said Burkhart. Since 2001, Burkhart has been the executive director of AIDS Resource, a nonprofit organization that provides HIV/AIDS education, prevention and outreach programs in the Williamsport area. According to Burkhart, “HIV/AIDS has always been a cause about which I felt passionately.” Burkhart helped to turn around the fortunes of AIDS Resource, which was struggling with debt back when she became executive director. In her first year with the organization she was able to get the company back on good financial footing through constant fundraising and community support. “No one goes into social work to win awards, and I certainly never expected to win an award for doing a job that is so inherently rewarding,” Burkhart said. Contest winners were chosen by a panel of celebrity judges that included Dionne Warwick, Wilson Cruz, Dustin Lance Black, Malaak Compton-Rock and David Munar, and the award ceremony was held in Chicago back in November. On meeting Cruz, Burkhart stated, “I’m a huge Broadway buff and actually saw Wilson perform in Rent, so it was especially exciting to meet him.” Burkhart continues on in her commitment to HIV/AIDS patients even in the face of mounting funding issues caused by the stagnant economy including a $150,000 budget cut this year at AIDS Resource. “We are deeply committed to providing services, often in the face of unrelenting challenges,” said Burkhart.
PITTSBURGH’S
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Pittsburgh Area Bars, clubs, restaurants ·941 Saloon. 941 Liberty Ave. (Downtown);2815222. ·1226 on Herron, 1226 Herron Ave. (Polish Hill); 682-6839. ·5801 on Ellsworth, 5801 Ellsworth Ave. (Shadyside); 661-5600. ·Acanthus Fine Dining, 604 W North Ave. (North Side); 231-6544. ·Blue Moon, 5115 Butler St. (Lawrenceville); 7811119. ·Brewer’s Hotel, 3315 Liberty Ave. (Lawrenceville); 681-7991. ·Cattivo, 146 44th St. (Lawrenceville); 687-2157. ·Cruze Bar, 1600 Smallman St. (Strip District); 471-1400. ·Hoi Polloi Vegetarian Café, 1100 Galveston Ave. (North Side); 586-4567. ·Images Pgh., 965 Liberty Ave. (Downtown); 3919990. ·Leather Central, 1226 Herron Ave. (Polish Hill); 682-9869. ·The Link, 91 Wendel Rd., Irwin (Herminie); (724) 446-7717. ·Longbada, 108 W. Pgh. St., Greensburg, 15601; (724) 837-6614. ·M&J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St., Butler PA ·P-Town, 4740 Baum Blvd. (Oakland); 621-0111, ptownpgh.com. ·Real Luck Cafe, 1519 Penn Ave. (Strip District); 471-7832. ·Remedy, 5121 Butler St. (Lawrenceville); 7816771 ·Spin Bartini/Ultra Lounge, 5744 Ellsworth Ave. (Shadyside); 362-SPIN. ·Square Café, 1137 South Braddock Ave. (Regent Square); 244.8002. ·There Ultra Lounge, 931 Liberty Ave. (Downtown); 642-4435. ·Tilden, 941 Liberty Ave., 2nd floor (Downtown); 391-0804.
LOCAL NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
OUT THINK Who’s That Girl Crush?
Stories to watch in 2012 promise drama, suspense Continued from page 1
4. The fight for the Senate Some Senate races—in addition to Baldwin’s—could have big consequences for LGBT voters. In Virginia, a pro-gay former governor, Tim Kaine, will likely be pitted against an anti-gay former senator, George Allen. In Massachusetts, a pro-gay challenger, Elizabeth Warren, will almost certainly be the Democrat facing incumbent Scott Brown, whose attitude toward the community has been much less friendly. And at least seven other states are expected to have competitive races for the Senate. 5. Counting the “Gay Caucus” U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) will be starting his 40th year in Congress when the House reconvenes January 17. And it will be his last. He announced last year that he would retire. When he does, the clique of four openly gay members of Congress—Frank, Baldwin and Reps. Jared Polis (DColo.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.)—will shrink by one. If Baldwin fails to win a Senate seat, it could shrink by half. But there are prospects for adding members. Openly gay Wisconsin Democratic Assembly member Mark Pacon is running for Baldwin’s U.S. House seat. And there are two other openly gay candidates for the U.S. House this November: Marko Liias from Seattle and Mark Takano from Riverside, Calif. So, the number of openly gay members of Congress could go from four to as low as two (though zero is, technically, possible) to as high as six. But no one will have the seniority and clout that Frank has had and used to advance pro-gay measures.
6. On hold, and on defense, in Congress Pro-LGBT bills—such as efforts to repeal DOMA and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act—are not likely to see much action in 2012. Anti-gay measures might. Why? Because it’s an election year and Republicans still control the House. Supportive Democrats will not be inclined to push controversial legislation during an election year, because it can detract from the focus on jobs and the economy, where most voters want focus right now. 7. Ballot battles abound There will be important LGBT-related ballot measures before voters in several states this year: North Carolina and Minnesota will vote on whether to ban same-sex marriage through an amendment to their state constitutions. Voters in Maine will decide whether to strike down their existing ban on same-sex marriage. LGBT activists in Washington State are gathering signatures to put a measure on that state’s ballot to gain marriage equality. A small group in California has until May 15 to gather more than 800,000 signatures to put a measure on the ballot there to repeal Proposition 8. And the California Attorney General was expected to announce whether opponents of a new bill to include information about LGBT figures in history as part of the public school curriculum can begin circulating petitions to get a repeal measure on the ballot there. All of these have the potential to be big, expensive, and consequential battles. 8. Fight for freedom of religion The right-wing Alliance Defense Fund and others have a concerted effort underway in the courts to under-
mine laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Their strategy is to argue that people who discriminate against LGBT people do so because their religious beliefs require them to do so. Their question to the court is, “What rules? The First Amendment guarantee of free exercise of religion or the equal protection clause that says all citizens should be treated equally under the law?” One case has already reached the U.S. Supreme Court and failed, but other cases—many other cases—are winding their ways through nearly every circuit in the country. And their outcomes have the potential to chip away at the strength of the nation’s legal mandate that all people be treated equally. 9. A fight for the White House The difference for LGBT people between having President Obama in the White House and President George W. Bush has been stark. So the consequences of November’s presidential election will also be profound. Either Obama stays, and things continue to improve—in law and in society’s attitudes—or a new president is elected from a field of Republicans who seem, at times, to be vying for the mantle of most gay hostile candidate. In the latter case, LGBT people can expect progress to halt or backslide. 10. Ah, the unpredictable Circumstances change, things change, people change. And often, they change each other. But history marches on through time, and only in retrospect can any trajectory be certain as to where it’s going.
Across
1 Inedible Apple 5 Thailand neighbor 9 He gives gifts in stocking 14 “Safe!” or “Out!” 15 Heterogeneous mixture 16 George, who was Mary Ann 17 The African Queen author 18 Middle of Caesar’s boast 19 Drummer managed by Brian Epstein 20 She admitted a crush on Sophia Loren 23 Gay city 24 What male impersonators do? 28 Augusten Burroughs’ works 31 LBJ’s veep 32 Bullring bravo 33 Boston ball handlers, briefly 34 She admitted a crush on Christina Hendricks 37 Bear’s den 38 Spit that didn’t get swallowed 39 Porter’s regretful miss 40 She admitted a crush on Charlize Theron 42 Trial figure 43 “Eeew!” 44 They could come from Uranus
A COUPLE OF GUYS
45 Completely faithful 46 What livers do 48 Spacey’s The ___ Suspects 50 She admitted a crush on Angelina Jolie 55 Frock wearer 58 Susan Feniger preparation 59 Barbra’s Funny Girl co-star 60 One of Ours novelist Cather 61 Like a virgin 62 The number of people who like it hot 63 Raggedy Ann and others 64 Went lickety-split 65 Slant unfairly
Down 1 Optimist’s phrase 2 Three guys who went to see Mary 3 ___ Baldwin Doesn’t Love M 4 Elizabeth Taylor movie 5 Brooks and Barney, for two 6 Quite similar 7 Nostalgic song 8 Came out with 9 Top angels 10 Dress with a flared bottom 11 Henry and June’s Anais 12 Dress (up) 13 From ___ Z (completely)
21 One-night-stand partners 22 Taj ___ 25 Made purely academic 26 Current event? 27 Liam of Kinsey 28 Cream-filled pastry 29 Medium meeting 30 Moves like Mae West 31 Med. care groups 34 Screws up 35 François Ozon, to himself 36 Huge flop 38 Mr. Right-now 41 Felt around the head? 42 One that plays with balls at the circus 45 Crossed swords 47 Darn extension 48 Finish off 49 You might pick one up in an alley 51 Little fairies 52 Welcome response after an SM session 53 Zami: A New Spelling of My ___ 54 Shot up 55 WNBA position 56 Carnaval locale 57 Will descriptor
Outcome on page 26
BITTER GIRL
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PUBLISHERS: Tony Molnar-Strejcek and Ed Molnar-Strejcek (publisher@outonline.com) EDITOR IN CHIEF: David Doorley (davidd@outonline.com) EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Frank Siaca (frankS@outonline.com) PHOTOGRAPHER: John Colombo PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Laura Annibalini OFFICE MANAGER: Doe Swank (does@outonline.com) DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Tony Molnar-Strejcek, Frank D. DiFolco ONLINE WEBMASTER: Out@outonline.com ONLINE ADVERTISING SALES: Tony Molnar-Strejcek CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE: Laura Annibalini, Chris Azzopardi, John Colombo, JJ Cox, David Doorley, Lisa Keen, Richard Labonte, Charlene Lichtenstein, Romeo San Vicente, Mark Segal, Frank Siaca,, Natty Soltesz, Ed Molnar-Strejcek, Tony Molnar-Strejcek, Steve Warren, D’Anne Witkowski
PAGE 4 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 29
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PAGE 28 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 5
FEATURE Will success spoil Sharon Needles? Not if she can spoil it first Literally all the friends that I made. You take that many drag queens and pack ’em up into a room and put them in 16-hour daily shoots, and instead of hating each other we really all loved each other. Some more than most. Do you worry about how they’ll edit you, or how the exposure will affect you? I say I’m the Queen of Shock and I say it for a reason. I’ve always felt like I was pushing buttons, so I’m sure it will be no different than what I get now. In terms of how I’m being edited, I’m such a fan of the show, so I’m looking forward to seeing the story that’s created. And it’s shocking ’cause I thought reality TV was much more forced and scripted, and it really wasn’t ever scripted or forced. If Sharon could endorse any product, what would it be? Elmer’s Glue Stick. You can ask a drag queen what’s the most important thing in your makeup kit, and you’ll never hear foundation, mascara or lipstick; you will hear “glue stick.” It’s our number-one secret. You have this great sense of taste and an ability to fuse your influences—like Peg Bundy and Marilyn Manson—into your drag persona. Do you use any Pittsburgh people as role models? Any queen in this town, I love. I look at Georgia Bea Cummings; she makes me want to wear a gown. I look at Veruca la Piranha; I want to paint up like a clown. I look at Alaska Thunderfuck; I want to sing live. I look at Courtney Brown; I want to impress all the judges in a pageant. I want to be Kierra Darshell; I want to be a great MC. I want to be Marsha Mellow; I don’t want to give a fuck about anything, especially the way I look. I want to be Lola LeCroix; I want to look like a fishy, bitchy cunt. I want to be Lady Rose and be a statuesque pageant queen. I want to be Mahogany and be a fearless performer on stage. I want to be Cherri Baum and be fish down. I wanna be Amy Vodkahaus and be a total campy mess and relish in it. I love every Pittsburgh queen. Is there anything you wouldn’t do in front of an audience? I would never take myself too seriously on stage. I don’t know how. You grew up in Newton, Iowa—how’d you end up in Pittsburgh? I lived in a lot of cities in my late teens and early twenties. [At one point] I was looking at nine months in jail and my friend said “I’m moving to Pittsburgh tomorrow,” so I was thinking, “Hmm: Pittsburgh, jail—they sound quite similar! Maybe I’ll come and stay for a couple of weeks.”— ’cause I never stayed in a city for long. And I just loved it. What keeps you here? It’s like America’s dirtiest secret. I really like the street fashion, and I love the dive bar scene. I like it cause it’s rough around the edges. I still get called a faggot everyday, you know? Not that I think that’s a good thing, but I like that it’s blue collar. It’s a town where people aren’t afraid to call someone a faggot, and I like that. [Laughs.] I don’t know why. I never get called a faggot in New York or LA! Sometimes I think I’m not dressed appropriately. You consider yourself a transgressive artist. When people are put off by your performances does part of you want them to understand, or do you just think “fuck you”?
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PAGE 6 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 27
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LGBT equality in the workforce: Domestic partner benefits are not enough by JJ Cox The job crisis is severely handicapping our country. Politicians and pundits alike argue every day about what should be done, and so far nothing has changed. Furthermore, according to the Human Rights Campaign website, it is still legal in 29 states to dismiss an employee based on sexual orientation. Even worse than that, it is still legal to fire someone for being transgender in 34 states! This information seems to be in stark contrast to the bevy of corporations across the nation who now offers domestic partner benefits. This begs the question: what is the actual benefit of domestic partner benefits? Suffice it to say that equality in the workplace is about a lot more than just domestic partner benefits. In fact, statistics show that a mere 1% of the workforce is taking advantage of domestic partner benefits, and more than half of them are opposite sex couples. Furthermore, if an employee is afraid to take advantage of these benefits for fear of being “outed,” then they are essentially worthless. Does a company that would fire someone for being gay deserve credit for offering separate and unequal domestic partner benefits? There is hope! The Human Rights Campaign creates a useful tool, called the Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Every year they provide measurements that rate some of the largest American workplaces and their policies on inclusion and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. There are seven different criteria measured by the HRC for the purpose of this report. Companies can: Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation Prohibit discrimination based on gender identity Offer domestic partner health insurance Offer transgender-inclusive health care coverage plans Require competency training and provide resources for accountability measures Support the creation and maintenance of an LGBT employee resource group or diversity council and Engage in public commitment to the LGBT community. They will also deduct 25 points from any company’s score for any large-scale official or public anti-LGBT blemish. In order for any company to score 100 on this index, they must meet all seven requirements, and of course not have the 25 points deducted. This year 190 corporations passed with flying colors, as opposed to a decade ago, when they only passed 13 companies on fewer criteria. The process of rating these businesses is voluntary. Those that do participate usually have good reason to do so. In other words, if a business is actively working to combat discrimination, they want the people whom they are supporting to know about it. In Pittsburgh, there were a number of high-ranking scores. The only company on the index that is actually based out of Pittsburgh with a 100% is K&L Gates LLP. However, there are many businesses with offices here that got an A+, including Alcoa, Google and BNY Mellon, to name a few. Scores of other Pittsburgh-based operations are as follows: Reed Smith LLC, Bayer Corp and The PNC Financial Services Group all got a 90. American Eagle Outfitters came in just behind them with an 80, and HJ Heinz Corp scored a less than impressive 65, while PPG Industries put
forth little more than half an effort to achieve a 60. HRC also investigates companies that are reported to them for conditions of inequality. (The score on the index for those unwilling participants is unofficial, since they did not consent to the rating.) United States Steel got an astoundingly shameful
ZERO. While that is better than scoring a -25 (like Exxon Mobile), it is still disheartening that a company ranked number 211 in Forbes 2011 Fortune 1000 does nothing at all to ensure the safety and security of its LGBT employees. Similarly, both WEBSCO International Inc and Dicks Continued on page 8
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OPINION
WHAT’S HAPPENING – WEEKLY
by D’Anne Witkowski I’ll be frank. I’m tired of writing about Rick Santorum. But the man cut an incredible anti-gay streak across New Hampshire. Come on, Rick, give the other guys a chance! On Jan. 5 Santorum made the tired same-sex couples getting marriage equals inevitable polygamy argument. Then the next day he told a town hall meeting that marriage was “an essential good,” which is why gays can’t have it since gays are, you know, essentially bad. During a campaign speech on Jan. 7 at a private boarding school (I didn’t think that kids could vote, but then again maybe rich kids can. Hell, at this point that would not surprise me at all) he actually told the audience that they’d be better off with a dad in jail than with two same-sex parents. Mind you, he claimed that this “fact” came from an unnamed researcher, but Santorum is still the one who stood in front of a crowd of kids and said it out loud. “[The expert] found that even fathers in jail who had abandoned their kids were still better than no father at all to have in their children’s lives,” Santorum spewed. Totally true. Kids with daddies in jail are so lucky. Known fact. Kids with gay parents are sooooo jealous. Especially the three students in the audience who, according to the school’s headmaster, have gay parents. Well played, Rick. No doubt these kids will start up some prison pen pal relationships to make up for what is missing in their lives. Although, Santorum did just mention missing fathers, so maybe he’s just talking about lesbian parents? Maybe having two daddies is okay so long as one of them is in prison? It’s all so confusing. Which is why America must now allow same-sex couples to marry and have kids. “Marriage is not a right,” Santorum said according to the Los Angeles Times. “It’s a privilege that is given to society by society for a reason.” And that reason? “We want to encourage what is the best for children.” Otherwise we’re “robbing children of something they
need, they deserve, they have a right to,” he said. “You may rationalize that that isn’t true, but in your own life and in your own heart, you know it’s true.” Okay, first of all, what does “given to society by society for a reason” even mean? Last time I checked, gays and lesbians are part of society. Santorum likes to talk about “we” and “America” as if gays and lesbians are some shiftless souls on the outskirts of civilization. Which, to use Santorum’s own words, requires quite a bit of rationalizing.
Far more rationalizing than being able to admit that gay and lesbian parents are raising lots of kids who are doing just fine. Better than fine, even. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that a kid with two loving, committed parents is pretty fortunate. Even if both of those parents are moms or dads. And especially if neither is having their cellmate ink a teardrop on their face with a tattoo gun fashioned out of a Bic pen, toothbrush and a guitar string.
Sporting Goods International got a measly 15 points. (There are plenty of others with low scores, but these are the ones based in Pittsburgh.) The CEI is a great resource to see which big corporations are actually doing their part, and which of them are just claiming to offer domestic partner benefits and not much else. However, what about the small companies? How can a single person judge a prospective employer’s equality policy before sitting down for negotiations? Or worse yet, how does one make the judgment before a problem arises in the workplace? Alcoa’s Director of Corporate HR and Global Benefits, Mary Ellen Lammel, had some helpful insight to offer on this subject. She recommended checking to see if the potential employer has a website. If so, “read everything available in search of equal employment opportunity (EEO) statements.” Lammel believes that if a company is interested in equality for homosexual, bisexual and transgender individuals, it is going to advertise it. In fact, she says that it should be visible in every aspect of the organization. “We post our EEO Policy with the other required
PAGE 8 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
•Male dancers: P-Town, Real Luck Café. •Worship: Metropolitan Community Church. Friends Meeting House, Shadyside. 7pm. Info: 412-683-2994. •Worship: Dignity. Roman Catholic mass followed by social. Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. 7pm. Info: 412-362-4334. •Worship: Gay-welcoming Holy Eucharist. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave., Shadyside. 11am. Info: 412-682-3342. •Worship: Allegheny Open Arms United Church of Christ, 707 East St., North Side. 10:30am, Info: 412-321-1328, www.alleghenyopenarms.org. •Worship: OneChurch. Bricolage Theater, 937 Liberty Ave., downtown. 1pm. Info: 412-390-5400. •Worship: Community House Presbyterian Church, 120 Parkhurst St, North Side. 10:45am. 412-321-3900. •Meditation, worship: Pittsburgh Center for Spiritual Living, 5655 Bryant St., Highland Park. 10am. Info: 412-362-5096, www.oneintruth.com.
Every Monday in February
•Male Dancers: Real Luck Café. •Rapid oral HIV testing: Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, 5913 Penn Ave., East Liberty. 9am-5pm. Info: 412-345-7456, www.patf.org. •TransPitt phone line: 7-9:30pm. Info: 412-454-5557 or transpitt_org@yahoo.com. •Recovery: Into Action AA, Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. 7:30pm. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous: Calvary Episcopal Church, Shady Avenue and Walnut Street, Shadyside. 7pm. Info: 412-441-0956.
•Male dancers: Images. 6-8pm, 10:30pm. •Frontrunners: meet at Columbus statue in Schenley Park, 7pm; run at 7:10pm. Info: 412-481-5549, www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. •Worship: supper, 6pm; gay-welcoming Holy Eucharist, 7pm. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave., Shadyside. Info: 412-682-3342. •Support: Just for Today AA, First United Methodist Church, Centre and South Aiken Avenues, Shadyside. 7:30pm. •Radio: This Way Out. WYEP 91.3. 7:30pm. •Buddy Night at Club Pittsburgh. 412-471-6790.
Every Wednesday in February
•Karaoke: P-Town. •Dinner: Shepherd Wellness Community. 6pm. 412-683-4477 or www.swconline.org. •Flying Colors GLBT bicycle riding group: meet at statue in front of Phipps Conservatory, Oakland; rides depart at 6:45pm. Info: send e-mail to pghbikeguy@verizon.net. •Gospel singing: with the OneVoice Choir. Wood Street Galleries, Sixth and Wood Streets, downtown. 6:30pm. Info: 412-281-4655. •Recovery: Gay, Lesbian, Friends AA. Fayette County Health Center, 100 New Salem Rd., Uniontown. 8pm. Info: 724-439-3173. •Recovery: Sober as Folk AA. Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. 7:30pm. Info: 412-373-3739. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous. West View United Methodist Church, Princeton and Center Avenues, West View. 12:15pm; St. Peter’s Church, 720 Arch St., North Side. 6:30pm. Info: 412-441-0956. •Nude Male Yoga. 7pm. 115 Sedgewick Street, Millvale. •Male dancers: Real Luck Café, P-Town. •College-Work Out Wednesdays! GLCC. 3-5pm. 412-422-0114.
2500, www.patf.org. •Frontrunners: meet at Columbus statue in Schenley Park, 7pm; run at 7:10pm. Info: 412-481-5549, www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. •Recovery: Celebrate Sobriety AA, First Unitarian Church, Ellsworth and Morewood Avenues, Oakland. 8pm; Beaver County AA/NA meeting, 2pm, Info: 724-375-0760. •Free rapid HIV testing, 6-9pm, GLCC, 412-422-0114. •Yoga for HIV+ people. 5:15pm. Shepherd Wellness Center. 412-683-4477.
Every Friday in February
•Deep, Dark and Naked Fridays. Club Pittsburgh. 412-471-6790. •Male dancers: Images, Real Luck Café, and P-Town. •Recovery: New Hope, beginners and regular AA, Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill, 7pm; Joy of Living AA, Trinity Lutheran Church, North and Buena Vista Avenues, North Side, 8pm; Rainbow Bridge NA meeting, Persad Center, 7pm. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous; East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Ave. 7:30pm. 412-441-0956. •HIV Wellness Dinner; 6pm; Shepherd Wellness Center, 412-683-4477 or www.swconline.org. Check for weekly location. •Youth Drop-In. GLCC. 7-10pm. 412-422-0114. •Good Fridays. Half price admission and cash bar. The Andy Warhol Museum. 5pm-10pm.
Every Saturday in February
•Frontrunners: meet at Columbus statue, Schenley Park. 9am; run at 9:10am. Info: 412-481-5549, www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous. Carnegie Library, South 22nd and Carson Streets, South Side. 10:30am. Info: 412-441-0956. •Male Dancers: Real Luck Café, P-Town. •Request Night, Club Pittsburgh. 11pm. 412-471-6790.
Every Thursday in February
•Positive OUTlook. Health issues in the LGBT community. 1pm. www.outonline.com. •Karaoke: Images. 9:30pm. •Rapid oral HIV testing: by Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. Women only: Miryam’s, 1410 Fifth Ave., Uptown, 11am-3pm; all welcome: GLCC, 6-9pm. Info: 412-242-
Due to space restrictions, Out’s “What’s Happening” calendar of events is unable to list cocktail/happy hours, beverage and complimentary food specials and most complimentary entertainment/games. Most businesses with the necessary facilities feature disc jockeys/dancing nightly when open. Check the ads in this issue for complete information regarding activities at area businesses.
WHAT’S HAPPENING – DAY BY DAY Wednesday, February 1
•THERAPY: Hypnotherapy for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm class. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477. •STAGE: Ruthless! The Musical through May 6. CLO Cabaret. CLOCabaret.com. 412-456-6666. •STAGE: As You Like It through Feb. 19. Pittsburgh Public Theater. 412-3161600. www.ppt.org.
Thursday, February 2
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
LGBT equality in the workforce: Domestic partner benefits are not enough Continued from page 7
Every Sunday in February
Every Tuesday in February
postings in every break area,” Lammel said. Furthermore, do a Google search. Look for chat rooms or other forums devoted to the subject and ask around about the company. Finally, try to find a few sympathetic people who have personal experience working there. Reach out to other members of the LGBT community who can offer a personal testimony about the experience of being out on the job in that office. When it is all said and done, domestic partner benefits will tip the scales greatly in the decision-making process. Which of Pittsburgh’s seven biggest corporations offer them? UPMC, Giant Eagle and the University of Pittsburgh seem to offer a great deal of parity between spousal and domestic partner benefits. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States government also offer some benefits, but for the most part they are separate and unequal. It would appear that West Penn Allegheny Health System and Wal-Mart do not, as they refused to comment when asked. Unfortunately, all of these companies are required to enforce some discrimination handed down by DOMA and the IRS.
It always comes down to money. Essentially, a domestic partner’s insurance premium is going to come out of the employee’s paycheck post-tax and will be counted as taxable income. This is the law, and if an employer does it differently, he is probably taking a calculated risk because there are so few people actually enrolling in domestic partner benefits. There is no clear cut answer when it comes to LGBT equality in the work place. Every company offers different benefits, handles discrimination differently, and no two experiences are the same. However, there are some very obvious signs to observe while one is in the process of researching prospective employers. The absence of discrimination is not enough. Companies that work diligently toward equality spend a lot of time, money and other resources to incorporate it in their workforce from top to bottom. They want you to know. Therefore if none of the suggestions in this article yield results, just ask. A good employer will delight in answering your questions, because it affords them the opportunity to boast about all of the work they have done in the quest for LGBT liberation.
Friday, February 3
•STAGE: mid-strut through Feb. 19. Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse. 412-392-8000. www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. •SHOW: First Friday Show with Kierra Darshell. Featuring Angelique Young, Lady Rose and Claire Voyance. Cruze Bar. www.cruzebar.com. •SHOW: Sasha’s Stepdown with Akasha LeStat and Chloe LaRocca. Vice Versa. www.viceversaclub.com
Saturday, February 11
•SHOW: Miss Vice Versa Pageant. Visit website for entry details. www.viceversaclub.com. •BINGO: Outrageous Bingo, sponsored by Pittsburgh’s Out, benefits GLCC and Shepherd Wellness Community. Door open at 6:30pm, games begin at 7:30pm. Rodef Shalom, Oakland. 412-422-0114.
Tuesday, February 14
Tuesday, February 21
•See weekly events for every Tuesday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Friday, February 3
Cruze Bar
First Friday Show
Monday, February 6
•MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Tuesday, February 7
•See weekly events for every Tuesday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Wednesday, February 8
•See weekly events for every Friday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
•PARTY: Mardi Gras. $250 Wet t-shirt and wet boxer contest hosted by newly crowned Miss Vice Versa. www.viceversaclub.com.
Monday, February 20
•DEADLINE: March 2012 issue. News to Pittsburgh’s Out. 412-381-3350 or out@outonline.com. •MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
•EXHIBIT: Warhol and Cars: American Icons through May 13. Andy Warhol Museum. www.warhol.org. •EXHIBIT: About Face through May 13. Andy Warhol Museum. www.warhol.org.
Friday, February 10
Saturday, February 18
Monday, February 13
Sunday, February 5
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
•PARTY: Mardi Gras. www.viceversaclub.com.
Sunday, February 19
•See weekly events for every Sunday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
•See weekly events for every Saturday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Thursday, February 9
Friday, February 17
Sunday, February 12
Saturday, February 4
•MEETING: ALPHA Membership Meeting. 7pm. PATF Offices. alphapittsburgh@gmail.com. •CLASS: Ceramics class for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm class. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
parties, worship, yoga and more.
•See weekly events for every Sunday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more. •DEADLINE: March 2012 issue. Classified advertising to Pittsburgh’s Out. 412-381-3350 or out@outonline.com. •MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477. •STAGE: Pop Goes the Rock with Cirque Dreams through Feb. 26. Heinz Hall. 412-392-4900.
Wednesday, February 22
•MEETING: GLEC Anniversary/Planning Meeting. 6pm. WQED. 412-697-2000. •FILM: Art Therapy for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm movie. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Thursday, February 23
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
with Kierra Darshell
Friday, February 24
Featuring Angelique Young, Lady Rose and Claire Voyance
Saturday, February 25
•See weekly events for every Friday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more. •See weekly events for every Saturday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Sunday, February 26
•See weekly events for every Sunday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Monday, February 27 Wednesday, February 15
•DEADLINE: March 2012 issue. Display advertising, calendar information to Pittsburgh’s Out. 412-381-3350 or out@outonline.com. •FILM: Movie Night for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm movie. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Thursday, February 16
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers,
•MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Tuesday, February 28
•See weekly events for every Tuesday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Wednesday, February 29
•PARTY: Bitches Ball. 6-9pm. Cruze Bar. Benefits Animal Rescue League. www.cruzebar.com.
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 25
CMYK
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Santorum stains on the campaign trail
“What’s Happening” is compiled from information supplied by business advertisers and event sponsors. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but sponsors and readers are urged to inform Out of changes, cancellations and incorrect or outdated listings. Send e-mail to calendar@outonline.com or write to Calendar Editor, Out, 801 Bingham St., Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Consult Out’s “Resources” guide in this issue or at www.outonline.com for addresses and phone numbers of businesses and organizations where not listed.
OUT AND ABOUT Celebrating art and life
Prime Timers sets Feb. events
Pooches on the Runway
Support Persad Center by attending Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art on April 13 at the National Aviary Atrium. The event includes a gourmet dinner, cocktails, dancing in the Aviary’s exotic tropical tent and a preview of featured artworks that will be auctioned off in May. Contact Persad for event tickets and details at 1-888-873-7723 ext. 224, or at www.persadcenter.org.
Pittsburgh Prime Timers is holding its monthly social/potluck supper at the United Methodist Church on Feb. 19. RSVP by Feb. 17. On Feb. 23 they Dine Out at Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville. RSVP by Feb. 21. The monthly breakfast social at Ritter’s Diner will be on Feb. 25 at 10am. Meet in the parking lot.
Fashion goes to the dogs on April 29 at the Animal Rescue League’s A Mutter’s Day Fashion Show and Luncheon. The show includes shopping, lunch and a fashion show featuring alumni dogs in canine fashions and women’s fashions by Carabella. Doors open at 11:30am. Ticket information is available online at www.animalrescue.org/events.
B-I-N-G-O! Book your tables and get your cards because it’s time for OUTrageous Bingo at 6:30pm on Feb. 11. “It ain’t your grandma’s bingo… but bring her anyhow” to Rodef Shalom in Oakland. Reserve your table now at 412-4220114.
La Cage is back! Welcome back a classic as Broadway Across America presents a revival of La Cage at the Benedum Center March 13-18. The show stars the fabulously tanned George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber. For ticket information contact trustarts.org or call 412-456-6666.
Strut down to the Playhouse Point Park University presents the world premiere of Eric Burns’ play mid-strut at the Pittsburgh Playhouse from Feb. 3-19. Directed by Ronald Allan-Lindblom the play tells the story of a former high school majorette facing a mid-life crisis. For tickets contact 412-392-8000 or www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
Head out to a Rocking Circus
Get connected to those in the know The M2M Project offers a safe and confidential place for men to get information on HIV testing, substance use and safer sex. Receive up to $140 in gift cards for participating. Text FndOut to 76274 or call 412-804-1725.
SWC helps HIV+ community Shepherd Wellness Community is there to help members of the HIV+ community with meals, films, free classes, yoga, discussion groups and more. Find out their full slate of activities—or how you can volunteer—by calling 412-683-4477 ext. 12 or visit www.scwonline.org.
Break laws of love for your Valentine In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this February Chatham Baroque presents Lawes of Attraction featuring Paula Fagerberg on Italian harp in William Lawes’ Harp Consorts. A special preview performance will be held at Olive or Twist on Feb. 16 at 6:15pm, followed by a show at the Synod Hall on Feb. 18 at 8pm, and a show at the Laughlin Music Center on Feb. 19 at 2:30pm. Ticket information is available at chathambaroque.org.
Romancing with the Bard
Set your sights on spectacular feats of human acrobatics as Cirque Dreams performs Pop Goes the Rock at Heinz Hall Feb. 21-26. Rock out to over 20 hits songs including “She Bangs,” “Womanizer,” “Like a Prayer” and more. For information and tickets contact trustarts.org or call 412-392-4900.
Treat your valentine to a special night out to see Shakespeare’s As You Like It presented by the Pittsburgh Public Theater. This smart, feisty and funny show will be playing through February 19. Ticket information is available at 412-316-1600 or online at ppt.org.
Spice up your life
Get Ruthless!
Put the sexy back in your life at the grand opening of Adam & Eve Pittsburgh at 7775 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh. This is the place to get your sexy lingerie, club wear, dance wear, novelty toys, party goods and more.
Pittsburgh CLO presents the outrageously witty, hysterically funny Ruthless! The Musical through May 6 at the CLO Cabaret. For ticket information and show times call 412-456-6666 or visit CLOCabaret.com.
Get lucky with Cupid
Don’t miss the celebrations coming up in February at Vice Versa, Morgantown’s hottest night club. Events include Sasha’s Stepdown show on Feb. 3 with Akasha LeStat and Chloe LaRocca and the Miss Vice Versa Pageant Feb 11. Get soaked at the Mardi Gras blowout on Feb. 17 and 18 with the wet t-shirt and boxer contest hosted by newly crowned Miss Vice Versa. Come to open stage night hosted by Mark Cash Feb. 2 and 16. See other event listings at www.viceversaclub.com. Vice Versa is at 335 High St. in Morgantown, WV.
Dance the night away with DJs Tyler and Tony Ruiz at Real Luck Café, a gay bar for men and women at 1519 Penn Ave. in the Strip District. Hot male dancers strut their stuff nightly Wednesdays-Sundays.
www. outonline.com • 412-381-3350 PAGE 24 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
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museum and saw how Jews dealt with the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the fight for civil rights and women’s rights, it was obvious that something was missing. LGBT. In fact, I didn’t find those four letters anywhere in the museum. Here’s the rub. Many of the most prominent pioneers of the LGBT community were Jewish; perhaps the most well known, Harvey Milk, does not even get a mention. In fact, in what might look like a backhanded insult to the LGBT community, there are two gay men in the museum’s Hall of Fame gallery—Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein—who are both closeted thanks to the museum, as neither of their displayed bios mentions it.
It’s a shock and a failure on the part of the museum that we gay Jews do not exist. A total failure, and they should bow their heads in shame. Not only is this discrimination by censorship, it reminds me of a time when, in the Jewish tradition, if you discovered something about a member of the family that was shameful, you didn’t talk about it. Does the museum find LGBT shameful? This becomes somewhat personal for me since, in my family, one of my cousins was one of “those individuals.” At the tender age of 16, my cousin Norman was asked to leave his home. As a child on the streets in the 1950s, he was homeless and had a life of drugs and alcohol. And growing up, we children occasionally heard his name and
asked about him. We were told we don’t talk about cousin Norman. Imagine growing up, knowing you’re gay, and discovering the real story of cousin Norman. How do you tell your parents? Do you worry about what the rest of the family will think? Does it sound like the 1950s? That is what the National Museum of American Jewish History has done. On behalf of my cousin Norman, shame on you! Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, is one of the nation’s most-award-winning commentators in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
Opinions expressed in bylined columns and letters are strictly those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Out’s management, staff or advertisers.
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by Mark Segal For me, the aging process has led to a clearer view of equality. After all, it has been the passion of my life for 42 years. Everywhere I travel, I’m in search of how our community is depicted. Unfortunately, I notice we are not always included. That is discrimination by censorship. And unfortunately, many of our national organizations get a failing grade on this subject. They don’t understand the seriousness of this censorship. Even GLAAD doesn’t know the history of the battle to end censorship in mainstream media. They must learn that our collective history is the building blocks for our future, and the justification of why our struggle for equality deserves to become a reality. About two months ago, my nephew and I visited the new National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. The museum opened a little over a year ago with much fanfare. It was a spectacular debut with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Steven Spielberg and Jerry Seinfeld. The museum not only covered the plight of the Jews in coming to the States, it showcased their religious and political views. It also highlights 12 people from the Jewish community who represent who Jews are and their contributions to American society. It’s a shock and a failure on the part of the museum that we gay Jews do not exist. A total failure, and they should bow their heads in shame. That’s a tough statement, but as I went through the
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Meet your Club Valentine
What a bitch! Celebrate National Spay Day at the Bitches Ball which is being held at the Cruze Bar on Feb. 28 from 6-9pm. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue League. Tickets and information are available online at animalrescue.org/events.
There are no gay Jews in Philadelphia
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Cruze down for a great time Don’t miss the boat — head to Cruze Bar in February. Come to the First Friday Show with Kierra Darshell on Feb. 3, featuring Angelique Young, Lady Rose and Claire Voyance. Cruze Bar is located at 1600 Smallman St. in the Strip District.
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OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 9
IN WITH THE OUT CROWD
Pittsburgh struts its stuff in 2011—and Colombo was there to cover it Continued from page 22
It ain’t your grandma’s bingo…but bring her anyhow!
SATURDAY Feb. 11th • Mar. 10th Apr. 28th • May 5th Doors open at 6:30 PM Games begin at 7:30 PM
SITE CMYK
Rodef Shalom in Oakland
4905 Fifth Avenue Entrance from parking lot between Devonshire St. & Morewood Ave.
TICKETS
Email invites, social events and rumors or just say hi: john@outonline.com.
FEATURE Will success spoil Sharon Needles? Not if she can spoil it first Continued from page 6
It would be stupid to think that by doing transgressional art for a living [I’m not] gonna piss them off. But then the innocent side of me that does what I do… I’m always really upset when someone’s upset about it. And I say “fuck you.” But I don’t mean it. I always feel bad when I make someone else feel bad. And then the mean side of me wants to say “I feel bad that they’re too fuckin’ stupid not to realize that a man in a
Check your Valentine forecast then choose best of best Continued from page 21
Picnic attractions
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held this year in the stunning Cabaret at Theatre Square downtown. Then “Night of a 1000 Needles” at the Blue Moon featured half the city dressed up as
the pizza delivery in.
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20)
Strengthen all of your relationships—from business to platonic to romantic—especially those that require more sharing and compromises. It is not as bad or as difficult as you think. In fact, you may find it relatively easy to do. Those queer Virgins who are seeking new connections should request introductions from friends. You are too fresh for fresh faces now.
You have some great ideas bubbling in your head. How can you best present them to the world? The answer may elude you, but that is because it is hard to choose the best way to fully express yourself. Pink Caps are often careful and cautious. Maybe too much so. This may be the time to blow the lid off life. Make your mark on the world. Don’t make it a smudge.
Don’t be a pin cushion for every backstabber at work. You are putting out the effort, so be sure that you get the credit. The best way to protect yourself is to keep your eyes open for any unusual activity. You will eventually triumph, proud Libra, but not before your stress level peaks for much of February. Ah, any excuse to take a nice long relaxing vacation!
This is the perfect time to research and implement any long term financial plan. Dream big, Aqueerius. Your monetary goals can be within reach with a little discipline, pluck and focus. That may mean curtailing expenses and avoiding frivolous spending on trifles. If you are really clever, you will find a well endowed benefactor to spoil you while you stash your own cash.
Your loud party hound antics may rub some of your compadres the wrong way. Maybe you are becoming too popular? Maybe you are pulling away from the conformity of the pack? Whatever it is, be sensitive to friends’ feelings—especially when you are all in the social swirl. It is better to celebrate with a crowd than to celebrate alone in a crowd.
Guppies can enjoy their time on center stage now. Not only can you hobnob and rub elbows with many new and impressive people, you can also show off your talents to the crowd. Play it like you mean it and make good use of time. Before you know it the spotlight will shift and others will elbow into your space. But in the meantime, rubadub with both arms.
If the political stress of your job is getting too much for you, use the next weeks for a temporary escape. Escape into your cocoon and refresh and recharge. Find ways to enjoy life and put things in perspective. If your home is your castle, pull up the gate and fill the moat with sharks... but not before you let some close companions and
For Entertainment Purposes Only. © 2012 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. Lichtenstein’s blog www.thestarryeye.typepad.com covers everything new age. Her astrology book HerScopes; A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians is the best in tonguein-cheek astrology. Order now at tinyurl.com/herscopes
Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)
Table reservations are for advance-purchased tickets only and will not be held past 7:00pm
dress is being an example of all of our anxieties and all our fears.” I always say, I’ll take the darkest issue and put it right in the spotlight. For free. Every other Saturday at the Blue Moon. Sharon takes no shit, and that must feel liberating. Do you need to be in drag to make her real? Do I need drag to bring out Sharon Needles? Yes. And maybe alcohol.
STARGAYZER
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
For more information or table reservations, call the GLCC at 412-422-0114.
PAGE 10 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
Sharon Needles. Talk about good marketing. Dec. 2011: The 3rd annual SPARK party, the Delta
Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
$12 in advance from OUTlet sponsors: • Banner Coin Exchange • Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor • On Line at glccpgh.org or $15 at the door.
Event proceeds benefit the Gay & Lesbian Community Center and the Shepherd Wellness Community. OUTrageous Bingo conducted by permit to Shepherd Wellness Community.
Alan Cumming flanked by PATF supporters
Foundation’s fundraiser, was held at Bill Chisnell Productions, which featured the talent of RAJA. Three Rivers Leather Club held its annual toy drive at Leather Central for Allegheny Youth Services, led by Ky Eaton. And the 35th annual Miss Gay Pittsburgh Contest was held at There Ultra Lounge. Very happy the contest survived after the closing of Pegasus, where it was usually held. Plus the RCC’s annual holiday performance was held this year at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Don we now our gay apparel! So that’s some of the year that was. What do you think now, Portland? I cannot wait to see what wonderful events are in store for 2012.
Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)
Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20)
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 23
CMYK
Atlanta’s DJ Lydia Prim spent the evening spinning music for my generation at Cruze And was a hoot to boot! Sept. 2011: Matthew Murphy celebrated his 40th birthday by holding a fundraising party for GLCC at the Allegheny Harvard Princeton Yale Club, featuring the talented Pamala Stanley. Pamala’s show was called Gershwin to Gaga, and she really does have that range. During the summer Pamala is a regular performer at The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach; so kudos to Matt for getting her to Pittsburgh. Sadly Pegasus/ Eagle closed its door for good. Oct. 2011: The Pittsburgh Opera held its 57th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball at the Fairmont Hotel. Together Sam Badger and Bill Chisnell pulled off a class act. And I can’t forget all the wonderful Halloween parties the gay bars provided for us. More Pride Pittsburgh Fashion Week! Cher Impersonator Chad Michaels at Cruze! Nov. 2011: Conceived by David Dean, Chris Lewellyn and Nick Daemous, Pittsburgh now hosts an annual leather weekend event, PLOW (Pittsburgh Leather Obsession Weekend). Take that Cleveland. Kierra Darshall, creator and producer of the Miss Tri-state All-Star Pageant, successfully pulled off the 19th and one of the best pageants I have ever witnessed,
IN WITH THE OUT CROWD
Pittsburgh struts its stuff in 2011—and Colombo was there to cover it red hanky. An Easter egg for those paying attention—and thought of by Richard Parsakian who was in charge of costumes. Great primer for the opera challenged, like me. May 2011: At an unmarked warehouse in Lawrenceville, Attack Theater held its 6th annual Dirty Ball, their annual fund raiser, featuring a VIP Lounge, dance performances by Attack, a fashion show, art and a special exhibit by Eric Singer. With the theme “Pirate” in mind, Eric designed a room into a virtual pirate ship with a seascape featuring floating neon jelly fish, lanterns and a video ocean storm that viewers were projected into. My favorite performance of the evening: the pirates dancing to the Village people’s “ In the Navy.” It just felt so right and so wrong. The big gay picnic—hey there was a sign proclaim-
CMYK
Showing our Pride
Pride Fest
ing that as you drove through the gates—at the North Park lodge, was brought to us by the Delta Foundation. The Memorial Day Picnic is a Pittsburgh tradition that goes back over 25 years and is still going strong. June 2011: Splash! (another Delta-sponsored event) held again at the smart house on Mount Washington, was
Photos by John Colombo
Ky Eaton (center) heads a good cause
Fights AIDS featuring a VIP meeting and performance by Alan Cumming. Brilliant. Overheard in the crowd, “I’d sit here and listen to him read the phone book.” April 2011: G2H2’s monthly outing at Rivers Casino’s Drum Bar. Best excuse to visit the casino for a nongambler like me. The lights, sounds of machines humming and the incredible hospitality of the casino’s staff made for a very memorable event. The Renaissance City Choir’s annual spring concert Love of Nature/Nature of Love featuring the classic chamber opera Dido and Aeneas transformed for a gay and lesbian audience. Eric Olden’s performance as Belinda was stellar. One of the characters flagged a right pocket
PAGE 22 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
Honoring Kathi Boyle (center)
Making a Splash
a huge success bringing in people from other countries this year. Pride in the Street featured Patti Labelle. Pittsburgh’s biggest street party was amazing as always. Kudos to Scott Noxon for removing the glass from the front of There Video Lounge and serving drinks through the window to the street. Very New Orleans. Kudos to Labelle for a wonderful performance and being such the class act that she is. PRIDE! Parade, Grand Marshall Kathi Boyle, shirtless boys, confetti and a daylong party up and down Liberty Ave., packed with vendors, eating and drinking, again in a very new Orleans style that I hope continues. Two Stages. Lots of talent. Speeches by local politicians. Beer Garden!!! July 2011: Pittsburgh gets two new gay bars in one month. Cruze featured two bars, a dance floor that stays 20 degree cooler than the rest of the room, state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, fog machine and an outdoor deck with misting stations to help you keep cool. Headquarters featured two bars and a small and intimate patio with colorful umbrellas over the tables. There was a nice sized dance floor and raised platforms for gogo boys and entertainers. The bar also featured a VIP mezzanine overlooking the main bar. Sadly it came and went in the blink of an eye, but for a brief moment with Real Luck Cafe a stone’s throw away, we had three gay districts in full swing in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Aids Task Force bid Chad Michaels farewell to Executive Director Kathi Boyle at her retirement party, which was held at the Smart House on Mount Washington. Her retirement didn’t last long; Kathi’s now back working with Dreams of Hope. Aug. 2011: Pittsburgh was transformed into Gotham City as the filming of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, was filmed in various locations around town. The production company even made it snow in Oakland and Downtown. Catwoman rode her motorcycle in, through and out of the Mellon Institute in Oakland. Other locations used included Lawrenceville and the South Side right in front of Out’s office!
celebrate life C E L E B R ATE A RT
A BENEFIT FOR PERSAD CENTER
UNDERWRITERS CIRCLE VIP EVENT
Continued on page 23
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 11
CMYK
by John Colombo Word on the street is that the world says Pittsburgh’s hipper than Portland now. I’ve taken some time to go through the last year’s columns and list some notable parties and events that made Pittsburgh so special. So let’s look back at 2011 and be proud to live in such a wonderful city. Jan. 2011: Memorable drag performance by Kierra Darshell performing at Pegasus/Eagle in a cowboy hat and orange two piece outfit, under a large disco ball spinning over the dance floor, lip synching to Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to be Real.” That transported me back to 1978 when I didn’t have a care in the world. My personal favorite party every year: “So you want to be in pictures...?” (the 11th annual VIP party for Pittsburgh’s “Lights! Glamour! Action!”), Pittsburgh’s annual Academy Awards at the J. Verno Studios on the Southside, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Film Office. Feb. 2011: Between the G2H2 party at the New Elbowroom on Walnut Street and the Sharon Needles Show at the Blue Moon—I couldn’t get in the door at either event. At Needles’ show I did squeeze past the first six or eight bodies and caught a glimpse of Sharon doing her impersonation of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz which appeared to be entertaining, just not worth my life. Most packed events of the year. I cried two ways, in happiness and sadness, watching Hair at Heinz Hall. Plus the audience got up on stage at the end and danced to “Let the Sun Shine In.” Bonus: nudity! March 2011: Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force’s 25th annual benefit at the O’Riley Theater.This year’s Kerry Stoner award was presented to Broadway Cares/Equity
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Check your Valentine forecast then choose best of best by Charlene Lichtenstein February may prove to be a heady and emotional time with Sun, Mercury, Neptune and Venus all tromping through sensitive Pisces and opposing randy retrograde Mars. Our valentine attempts will have high highs and low lows, while constructive action may overheat and deconstruct. Check your thermostat and head for temperate climes in your thong.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Even your best laid plans at work can run afoul of the powers that be. It is because you are allowing your gut feelings to get out-of-control. So be it, gay Ram. You need to do what you need to do. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rely on dreams and â&#x20AC;&#x153;what ifs.â&#x20AC;? If stress builds, how about letting the work flow drip along for a while as you divert your attention to other more pleasant tasks in life? Who??
Itchy travelling feet must be scratched. Gay Crabs are ready and raring to go anywhere and everywhere. Spread your wings and try someplace newâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the tried and true just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold the same appeal. Plan your itinerary carefully and ask advice as to the best hotels and sites. For those with tight budgets, expand your horizons with new stuff nearby. Anyone we know?
Fun can get frantic in February because there is too much good stuff going on all over town all at the same time. Such a dilemma! Parse and choose the best of the best and allow your creativity to spurt. Not only will you personally feel more fulfilled, you will also navigate your boat into more selective and elite groups. Fill your sails before your hot air scuttles you.
Proud Lions are ready and willing to spend on their interests and passions. Your appetite is sated now only by beauty and luxury. And why not? When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got it, flaunt it. There will come a point, however, where you find yourself spending more and getting less. Know what is what, when is when and who is who. Why and how will follow later. Continued on page 23
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Pink Twins are making a name for themselves around the office. Hmm, what name is that? You have been laser focused on your professional path, but now you will also need to decide how to best balance career goals with your home life. Is balance even possible now? Try. They say that it is lonely at the top. Ah, but try living at the bottom.
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OUT â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 21
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Coming soon for your viewing pleasure by Romeo San Vicente
Hot new TV pilot trend: lesbian(ish) sitcoms Now that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been properly established that both Sue Sylvester and Coach Bieste are man-hungry heterosexuals, where is a comedy-loving lesbian to turn for representation? Well, for starters, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sara Rue, who already plays a lesbian on Rules of Engagement and plans to enter I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry territory for a sitcom pilot called Poseurs. The premise: two straight Manhattan women pretend to be lesbians in order to keep a co-op that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow roommates. You know how these things happen when you live in a big sophisticated city like New York, right? And the lez-com trend kickstarted by the still-in-development lesbian couple project called I Hate That I Love You just added another contender to the mix with Swordfighting, the latest pilot from gay producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. That oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about two friendly married couples whose relationships turn upside down when the wives fall in love with each other. Nobodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been cast yet, but at least itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a novel premise with actual lesbian characters. Sorry Poseurs, but your game is already tired.
Is a major network ready for Sarah Silverman? Did you ever watch The Sarah Silverman Program? That thing was so gay it wound up on Logo after Comedy Central couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford to produce it anymore. In addition to its rotating cast of guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;God, ghosts and cartoon dinosaursâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it also routinely featured a gay stoner bear couple, a drag queen host of a cookie-themed reality
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Adam Shankman wants to make The Nutcracker dance again
After the excruciating debacle that was last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theatrical bomb, The Nutcracker in 3D, a torturous family film that featured hip-hop-based songs sourced from Tchaikovskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ballet score and that came and went without making much money or endearing anyone to its source material, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d think that nobody would want to touch it as a movie property for a while. But youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d think wrong.
Adam Shankman (Hairspray and the upcoming Rock of Ages) believes that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the man to send The Nutcracker to rehab. His vision involves returning to the book by E.T.A. Hoffman and turning it all into an Alice in Wonderland-style event film for the 2013 holiday season, a family adventure vehicle that, for all we know at this point, will still involve 3D. And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no mentionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;yetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of dancing, which is kind of strange considering Shankmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career as a choreographer. Everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably scared of that D-word. More on this one as it developsâ&#x20AC;Ś
E! taps David Burtka Celebrity spouse David Burtka isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one to sit back and let his man bring home all the bacon. Not only is he in the running to join the crew of the upcoming A-List: Los Angeles, he was recently stunt-cast opposite his longtime partner Neil Patrick Harris in the hilariously raunchy A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. (He played a closet-straight Harrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fake-gay â&#x20AC;&#x153;beard,â&#x20AC;? get it?) And now Burtka has a regular gig, stepping into his own spotlight as a host for the E! network. The actor/chef/co-parent joined the network that brings the world The Soup, as well as all the Kardashians, as a correspondent for E! News, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also be a talking suit for various specials including Live From the Red Carpet. How long before people start calling Harris â&#x20AC;&#x153;David Burtkaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband?â&#x20AC;? Romeo San Vicente already has a roster of men lined up to keep him warm at Sundance. He can be reached care of this publication at out@outonline.com.
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competition show and a lesbian cop that Sarah fell for accidentally in one episode. In other words, not the sort of thing you ever see on Two and a Half Men. So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up with NBC giving Silverman the green light for a new primetime sitcom pilot? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all anyone will say right now beyond the loose premise, which is that it will be based on Silvermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own life. Just trust that it will shake up the status quo if and when it hits your DVR, and that it will be hilarious. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost as if sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genetically incapable of anything else.
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
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The sweetest serial killer story ever told
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by Steve Warren A critic could go overboard in praising a movie like Over the Edge (tla releasing) just because it’s different. We see so much of the same old same old, especially in the area of gay romcoms, any departure from the norm is a relief.
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So let me try to restrain myself. (Ooh, restraints!— sorry.) Over the Edge is a dark comedy about two men hooking up and maybe falling in love, even though one of them could be the Camden Monster, “the most prolific serial killer in the history of London.” Let me warn you that most of Over the Edge takes place in one rather bland apartment and most of the rest in the hallway outside and the apartment across the hall. Also, more than half the movie features only the two main characters, and they have some long conversations that don’t seem to lead anywhere. And yet when it’s all over, the mystery has been solved and the relationship resolved, all in a tidy 75 minutes. You’ve had some laughs, some scares, some arousal and some romantic “awwww” moments, and you’ve been left with the desire to see more work by Webster Forrest, who makes his debut here as writer, director, producer, director of photography and composer of additional music—since no editor is credited, I suspect the interesting experimentation in that area is his work too. Jason (Danny Bedford, who may appeal to Vin Diesel fans) has been holed up in his apartment for over a week, missing work. He’s depressed, frustrated and has been having frequent blackouts that may coincide with the
times the Camden Monster has struck. Needing help to hook up electronics he calls Richard (Sean Hart), the IT guy at work. Richard comes over and it takes us nearly 20 seconds to guess he has a crush on Jason. Though seeming to flirt with Richard, Jason mentions he has a friend in the apartment who spent the night there. Later he reveals the man in his bed is not a friend but a stranger. Who happens to be dead. Richard suggests reporting it to the authorities, but Jason, who isn’t sure he’s not responsible, has an alternative proposal. A med school dropout and fan of forensic
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by Richard Labonte 96 Hours by Georgia Beers (Bywater Books, paperback)—The plot is standard stuff. Erica is an emotionally closed-off corporate drone, Abby is a flighty travel junky who just can’t settle down. Do opposites, eventually, attract? Well, yes—and that’s not a spoiler.
BOOKS What sets Beers’ smooth romance apart from the deluge of falling-in-love stories from any number of lesbian presses is the book’s unusual setting: Gander, Newfoundland, the small Canadian town where dozens of Americabound airplanes—and thousands of unsettled passengers—set down when flights into and over U.S. airspace were banned the morning of 9/11. As befits the basic romance, Erica and Abby are positive/negative personalities, repelling each other at first, before circling warily, then finally warming to each other. Beers’ use of Gander as the setting for a 9/11 story, a decade after that searing reality, packs a different kind of emotional wallop than other stories using the terrorist tragedy as a backdrop; the horrific news is filtered through scattered TV sets, while the generosity of small-town Canadians comforting frightened, bewildered refugees becomes the story’s centerpiece. Sacred Monsters by Edmund White (Magnus Books)—In an ideal world, any queer teenager or young adult with an interest in the arts would have this collection of essays and observations close to hand. White’s miniature portraits of the likes of David Hockney, E.M. Forster or Reynolds Price—many are 10 pages or less— read like fully fleshed biographies, infusing the book with both critical substance and a sense of history. But the collection blossoms into something even better when White weaves autobiographical elements through many pieces: a quirky afternoon shared with Truman Capote, a young White’s encounter with elder author Glenway Wescott, a critical analysis of Paul Bowles set against the author’s feckless, loving trip through Morocco with his dying lover. Several of the essays, though primarily astute critical commentary, are peppered with colorful moments: “The Making of John Rechy” is mostly about Rechy’s several books, but White also recounts a dinner with Rechy and a female film star in which the author and the actress vied with each other to see which of them could turn the most men’s heads. Remembering Christmas by Tom Mendicino, Frank Anthony Polito and Michael Salvatore (Kensington Books, paperback)—Given its Christmas theme, sales for this three-novella collection has likely peaked since the ho-ho holiday. Too bad—it has yearround quality. In Tom Mendicino’s contribution, “Away, In a Manger,” the holiday moment comes when older man James meets younger man Jason on Christmas Eve, when James’ car breaks down on his way to dinner with his elderly West Virginia parents; their meeting—and subsequent seven-year relationship—is preceded by the author’s feisty account of Manhattan’s catty queer upper crust. In Frank Anthony Polito’s “A Christmas to Remember,” college boys Jack and Kirk seem destined to be nothing more than best queer buddies until a holiday encounter away from campus opens their eyes—and their arms and their loins—to each other. In Michael Salvatore’s “Missed Connections,” the most poignant of the three, Theo, dumped just before the holidays by his Grindr-obsessed boyfriend, finds himself
trapped in an airport on Christmas Eve, where he encounters a childhood friend—but is wise enough not to rekindle an old flame. 98 Wounds by Justin Chin (Manic D Press, paperback)—Fierce. Funny. Filthy. Chin’s fiction debut— after memoirs, poetry collections and performance scripts, six books in all—is a mesmerizing mashup, in 11 interconnected stories, of sex and excess, drug highs and emotional lows, heartache and hilarity. All in maybe 40,000 words, a marvel of compression, a short novel packed with wit, defiance and desperation. On the surface, Chin is a jokester, his narrator dropping flawless gems of absurdist imagery. Like: Being clawed to death by pandas could be the cutest death ever. And: Cum has the consistency of “the unnamed white stuff that you might find on tables in vegetarian restaurants.” But, beneath the humor, beyond the irony, Chin’s narrator is a man baffled by love, striving for connection, learning how to evade demons and to appreciate, oh, twoply toilet paper, the nature of cats and “time of my own.” At his most depraved, the narrator exults in excreta— “Snow” may be too much for readers with over-refined sensibilities. At his most elegiac, he transforms a monstrous world into something lustrous and vulnerable. The Retribution by Val McDermid (Atlantic Monthly Press)—Serial killers don’t get any nastier than sociopath Jacko Vance, “killer of 17 teenage girls... and once voted the sexiest man in British TV.” He committed his crimes in McDermid’s 1997 novel The Wire in the Blood, where clinical psychologist Tony Hill and Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan hunted him down. Twelve years later he has escaped from prison, ready to wreak sadistic havoc on the people who put him away— including his ex-wife, now in a loving relationship with a woman. Vance, whose ruthless venality knows no bounds, is on a killing spree that for most of this chilling thriller confounds Hill and Jordan. At the same time, Jordan is investigating the deaths
of several prostitutes, even as a cost-cutting superior sets out to dismantle her special squad, the Major Incident Team, and as her fragile relationship with Hill—both personal and professional—begins to unravel. McDermid juggles these several plotlines with coldblooded, relentless brilliance in this seventh novel featuring the investigative duo (and her twenty-fifth novel in 25 years). Fit to Serve: Reflections on a Secret Life, Private Struggle, and Public Battle to Become the First Openly Gay U.S. Ambassador by Ambassador James C. Hormel and Erin Martin (Skyhorse Publishing)—The title almost says it all: Hormel’s memoir is indeed about closeted life, ending a marriage and a seven-year battle with Republican homophobes on the way to representing the United States in the tiny nation of Luxembourg. But there’s much more to the man from SPAM (the lunch meat that made the Hormel clan wealthy, always capitalized in the book). After coming out, the father of five (he remained close to his ex-wife and kids) plunged into 1970s antiwar activism and the push for gay rights. It’s a passionate, activist side to the man’s life that most readers might not know about, overshadowed as it has been by his philanthropic endeavors. These include the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center at the San Francisco Public Library, an affiliation with which his opponents pilloried him when his diplomatic appointment was announced by President Clinton, accusing him of perversion on the basis of images culled from the library’s collection. Now nearing 80, Hormel caps a spirited, affecting life story with an account of how he came to love a man who is more than 50 years younger. Richard Labonte has been reading, editing, selling and writing about queer literature since the mid-’70s. He can be reached in care of this publication, or at BookMarks@qsyndicate.com
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Women rocked and ruled the best albums of 2011 Continued from page 15
Kinds,” the country badass plays on diversity throughout with her most expansive-sounding disc to date: bluegrass influences that first track, but then she goes cow-punk on “Mama’s Broken Heart” and, with “Fine Tune,” tinkers with Auto-Tune. She’s also good at turning on the tear ducts with “Oklahoma Sky.” One of a kind? You betcha. 3. Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials—Bigger is better in the case of Florence Welch, who wields her powerhouse pipes into competition-crushing glory on her second CD, a trip to enlightenment that sits in your soul. No album but this one, this year, had the intensity of rousing theatrics cutting through it like a tornado whipping up everything in its path. “Shake It Out” is a breathtaking exorcism; “Leave My Body,” an orgasmic release; and ballad “Never Let Me Go” rips through the very water she sings of. Oh, Flo— such a size queen. 2. Matraca Berg, The Dreaming Fields—By the strength of her from-the-heart songwriting alone, it’s no wonder she’s been one of the most sought-after Nashville tunesmiths for big-deal country stars. On her first album in 14 years, the criminally underrated prodigy—think Eva Cassidy and Emmylou Harris—continues to affirm she has what it takes to be one.
The title track is a nostalgic eulogy of longgone land, both hopeful and heartbreaking. “Racing the Angels,” about an afterlife reunion, and the homesick coda are just as wistfully tearjerking. 1. Adele, 21—The boy that broke Adele’s heart? At least he was good for one thing: this album, a timeless classic fueled by the fire of that relationship’s demise. Regret and fury are all piped into the re- Lykki Li markably performed songs—the wonderful weepie “Someone Like You,” especially—on the singer’s sophomore CD, fully rooted in retro-soul and soap-opera melodrama. “Rumour Has It” and “Rolling in the Deep” show how saucy she can be when she’s not all sad (and for much of the album, she is). Nothing studio-tricky about her or that voice, Adele sings her heart out—and captures ours.
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 19
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drama, he thinks they should carefully examine the body first. This gives them the idea of examining each other’s bodies. Call it CSI: Foreplay. (Oh, like you’ve never overlooked a murder because you were horny!) They are visited by Mrs. Van Eisner (Fenella Fielding, the love child of Ruth Gordon and Estelle Winwood), the dotty neighbor across the hall; Andy (Graham Dickson), the hunky custodian; and later Detective Trainee Best (Phillip Davey), a doughnut-devouring cop. Painted-on mustaches add another note of surrealistic absurdity to a movie you should watch when you’re in the mood for something you haven’t seen before.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Women rocked and ruled the best albums of 2011 by Chris Azzopardi 11. Lady Gaga, Born This Way—Music masterpiece? Not quite. But the Lady of the dance-pop pantheon sure knows how to do brain-raping hooks—you got me, “Edge of Glory”—and indulgent throwbacks to ’80s schlock. For goodness sake, she sings about “Hair” and makes it sound like a serious call-for-acceptance.
MUSIC
down-home diva looked on the bright side. Now that’s something to admire. 9. Augustana, Augustana—Meet Augustana, new and improved. With claim-to-fame “Boston” behind them, the San Diego guys go from Coldplay to Springsteenian. And it pays off. Whatever their brand of pop-rock lacks in originality, they make up for in choruses you crave as an early morning Florence Welch wake-up. Motivational upper “Shot in the Dark” bests, but sensitive-guy folk ditty “Borrowed Time” and love sick slowrocker “Steal Your Heart” are proof that a change does, indeed, do you good. 8. Beyoncé, 4—Crazy in love wasn’t how most people felt about Bey’s slow-to-grow fourth album. But so what: This is the diva’s masterwork, where Mrs. Jay-Z had nothing to prove... but proved everything. 4 features refined ballads, from the restrained sweetness of “I Miss You” to the legacy anthem “I Was Here”; the throwback “Love on Top,” with its Mariah vocal tics; and the funky-cool “Countdown” for her “boof.” Few songs are immediate, but that’s the thing: This is Queen Bey standing her ground and securing her crown. 7. Katy B, On a Mission—Dubstep was reborn through Katy B’s brilliantly refreshing debut, a throbbing set of underground dance primed for all-night partying. She had sass, sex and single-worthy songs—a trifecta that should’ve put her at the top of pop. With the genius of “Easy Please Me,” a cheeky kiss-off to mankind, and the thumping garage sound of “Broken Record,” the British import’s mission is inevitably possible. 6. Lykke Li, Wounded Rhymes—Sweden’s Lykki Li sings of sadness like she’s been put through the wringer, but there’s still a very charming wink in the casual girl-group tropes of her second album. Essentially a testament to innocence lost, established immediately with the deceivingly upbeat “Youth Knows No Pain,” the indie-pop dream girl decided to live it up (“Love Out of Lust”), have sex (“Get Some”) and suck up her brokenhearted blues (“Sadness is a Blessing”). Her pain was my pleasure. 5. Bon Iver, Bon Iver—Just how beautiful are Bon Iver’s earthy tunes? Let’s put it this way: an f-bomb never sounded prettier. “Holocene” is the centerpiece of frontman Justin Vernon’s melodically moving masterpiece of escapism, an album that takes us outside of ourselves and into the many states—both literally and figuratively—that the log cabin crooner paints with his singularly evocative voice. From the sincerity he casts to the Phil Collins outro he manages to pull off, it wasn’t about making sense—it was about making emotions. 4. Miranda Lambert, Four the Record—The fastest girl in town, as Lambert calls herself on her latest in a series of on-par albums, is also one of the most talented. After opening with outcast anthem “All Kinds of Continued on page 19
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The self-empowerment positivity of this big monster is easy to embrace, and so are the songs: stadium ballad “You and I,” grunge-rock “Bad Kids” and the uplifting
“Highway Unicorn.” No poker face here. Just Gaga through and through. 10. Dolly Parton, Better Day—Like a big hug from the country super-legend herself, Better Day wasn’t just one of the primo albums of the year—it was the most encouraging. “In the Meantime,” a joy-on-steroids rollick, has Dolly dishing wisdom, her attitude as infectious as the music— her best in years. Same goes for the sweetness of “Together You and I” and an ode to her roots, “Country is as Country Does,” delivered with a dose of her humorous snap. Even with a heavy heart on “I Just Might,” the
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Women rocked and ruled the best albums of 2011 by Chris Azzopardi 11. Lady Gaga, Born This Way—Music masterpiece? Not quite. But the Lady of the dance-pop pantheon sure knows how to do brain-raping hooks—you got me, “Edge of Glory”—and indulgent throwbacks to ’80s schlock. For goodness sake, she sings about “Hair” and makes it sound like a serious call-for-acceptance.
MUSIC
down-home diva looked on the bright side. Now that’s something to admire. 9. Augustana, Augustana—Meet Augustana, new and improved. With claim-to-fame “Boston” behind them, the San Diego guys go from Coldplay to Springsteenian. And it pays off. Whatever their brand of pop-rock lacks in originality, they make up for in choruses you crave as an early morning Florence Welch wake-up. Motivational upper “Shot in the Dark” bests, but sensitive-guy folk ditty “Borrowed Time” and love sick slowrocker “Steal Your Heart” are proof that a change does, indeed, do you good. 8. Beyoncé, 4—Crazy in love wasn’t how most people felt about Bey’s slow-to-grow fourth album. But so what: This is the diva’s masterwork, where Mrs. Jay-Z had nothing to prove... but proved everything. 4 features refined ballads, from the restrained sweetness of “I Miss You” to the legacy anthem “I Was Here”; the throwback “Love on Top,” with its Mariah vocal tics; and the funky-cool “Countdown” for her “boof.” Few songs are immediate, but that’s the thing: This is Queen Bey standing her ground and securing her crown. 7. Katy B, On a Mission—Dubstep was reborn through Katy B’s brilliantly refreshing debut, a throbbing set of underground dance primed for all-night partying. She had sass, sex and single-worthy songs—a trifecta that should’ve put her at the top of pop. With the genius of “Easy Please Me,” a cheeky kiss-off to mankind, and the thumping garage sound of “Broken Record,” the British import’s mission is inevitably possible. 6. Lykke Li, Wounded Rhymes—Sweden’s Lykki Li sings of sadness like she’s been put through the wringer, but there’s still a very charming wink in the casual girl-group tropes of her second album. Essentially a testament to innocence lost, established immediately with the deceivingly upbeat “Youth Knows No Pain,” the indie-pop dream girl decided to live it up (“Love Out of Lust”), have sex (“Get Some”) and suck up her brokenhearted blues (“Sadness is a Blessing”). Her pain was my pleasure. 5. Bon Iver, Bon Iver—Just how beautiful are Bon Iver’s earthy tunes? Let’s put it this way: an f-bomb never sounded prettier. “Holocene” is the centerpiece of frontman Justin Vernon’s melodically moving masterpiece of escapism, an album that takes us outside of ourselves and into the many states—both literally and figuratively—that the log cabin crooner paints with his singularly evocative voice. From the sincerity he casts to the Phil Collins outro he manages to pull off, it wasn’t about making sense—it was about making emotions. 4. Miranda Lambert, Four the Record—The fastest girl in town, as Lambert calls herself on her latest in a series of on-par albums, is also one of the most talented. After opening with outcast anthem “All Kinds of Continued on page 19
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The self-empowerment positivity of this big monster is easy to embrace, and so are the songs: stadium ballad “You and I,” grunge-rock “Bad Kids” and the uplifting
“Highway Unicorn.” No poker face here. Just Gaga through and through. 10. Dolly Parton, Better Day—Like a big hug from the country super-legend herself, Better Day wasn’t just one of the primo albums of the year—it was the most encouraging. “In the Meantime,” a joy-on-steroids rollick, has Dolly dishing wisdom, her attitude as infectious as the music— her best in years. Same goes for the sweetness of “Together You and I” and an ode to her roots, “Country is as Country Does,” delivered with a dose of her humorous snap. Even with a heavy heart on “I Just Might,” the
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
The sweetest serial killer story ever told
Diverse crop of books offers something for everyone
by Steve Warren A critic could go overboard in praising a movie like Over the Edge (tla releasing) just because it’s different. We see so much of the same old same old, especially in the area of gay romcoms, any departure from the norm is a relief.
DVD
So let me try to restrain myself. (Ooh, restraints!— sorry.) Over the Edge is a dark comedy about two men hooking up and maybe falling in love, even though one of them could be the Camden Monster, “the most prolific serial killer in the history of London.” Let me warn you that most of Over the Edge takes place in one rather bland apartment and most of the rest in the hallway outside and the apartment across the hall. Also, more than half the movie features only the two main characters, and they have some long conversations that don’t seem to lead anywhere. And yet when it’s all over, the mystery has been solved and the relationship resolved, all in a tidy 75 minutes. You’ve had some laughs, some scares, some arousal and some romantic “awwww” moments, and you’ve been left with the desire to see more work by Webster Forrest, who makes his debut here as writer, director, producer, director of photography and composer of additional music—since no editor is credited, I suspect the interesting experimentation in that area is his work too. Jason (Danny Bedford, who may appeal to Vin Diesel fans) has been holed up in his apartment for over a week, missing work. He’s depressed, frustrated and has been having frequent blackouts that may coincide with the
times the Camden Monster has struck. Needing help to hook up electronics he calls Richard (Sean Hart), the IT guy at work. Richard comes over and it takes us nearly 20 seconds to guess he has a crush on Jason. Though seeming to flirt with Richard, Jason mentions he has a friend in the apartment who spent the night there. Later he reveals the man in his bed is not a friend but a stranger. Who happens to be dead. Richard suggests reporting it to the authorities, but Jason, who isn’t sure he’s not responsible, has an alternative proposal. A med school dropout and fan of forensic
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by Richard Labonte 96 Hours by Georgia Beers (Bywater Books, paperback)—The plot is standard stuff. Erica is an emotionally closed-off corporate drone, Abby is a flighty travel junky who just can’t settle down. Do opposites, eventually, attract? Well, yes—and that’s not a spoiler.
BOOKS What sets Beers’ smooth romance apart from the deluge of falling-in-love stories from any number of lesbian presses is the book’s unusual setting: Gander, Newfoundland, the small Canadian town where dozens of Americabound airplanes—and thousands of unsettled passengers—set down when flights into and over U.S. airspace were banned the morning of 9/11. As befits the basic romance, Erica and Abby are positive/negative personalities, repelling each other at first, before circling warily, then finally warming to each other. Beers’ use of Gander as the setting for a 9/11 story, a decade after that searing reality, packs a different kind of emotional wallop than other stories using the terrorist tragedy as a backdrop; the horrific news is filtered through scattered TV sets, while the generosity of small-town Canadians comforting frightened, bewildered refugees becomes the story’s centerpiece. Sacred Monsters by Edmund White (Magnus Books)—In an ideal world, any queer teenager or young adult with an interest in the arts would have this collection of essays and observations close to hand. White’s miniature portraits of the likes of David Hockney, E.M. Forster or Reynolds Price—many are 10 pages or less— read like fully fleshed biographies, infusing the book with both critical substance and a sense of history. But the collection blossoms into something even better when White weaves autobiographical elements through many pieces: a quirky afternoon shared with Truman Capote, a young White’s encounter with elder author Glenway Wescott, a critical analysis of Paul Bowles set against the author’s feckless, loving trip through Morocco with his dying lover. Several of the essays, though primarily astute critical commentary, are peppered with colorful moments: “The Making of John Rechy” is mostly about Rechy’s several books, but White also recounts a dinner with Rechy and a female film star in which the author and the actress vied with each other to see which of them could turn the most men’s heads. Remembering Christmas by Tom Mendicino, Frank Anthony Polito and Michael Salvatore (Kensington Books, paperback)—Given its Christmas theme, sales for this three-novella collection has likely peaked since the ho-ho holiday. Too bad—it has yearround quality. In Tom Mendicino’s contribution, “Away, In a Manger,” the holiday moment comes when older man James meets younger man Jason on Christmas Eve, when James’ car breaks down on his way to dinner with his elderly West Virginia parents; their meeting—and subsequent seven-year relationship—is preceded by the author’s feisty account of Manhattan’s catty queer upper crust. In Frank Anthony Polito’s “A Christmas to Remember,” college boys Jack and Kirk seem destined to be nothing more than best queer buddies until a holiday encounter away from campus opens their eyes—and their arms and their loins—to each other. In Michael Salvatore’s “Missed Connections,” the most poignant of the three, Theo, dumped just before the holidays by his Grindr-obsessed boyfriend, finds himself
trapped in an airport on Christmas Eve, where he encounters a childhood friend—but is wise enough not to rekindle an old flame. 98 Wounds by Justin Chin (Manic D Press, paperback)—Fierce. Funny. Filthy. Chin’s fiction debut— after memoirs, poetry collections and performance scripts, six books in all—is a mesmerizing mashup, in 11 interconnected stories, of sex and excess, drug highs and emotional lows, heartache and hilarity. All in maybe 40,000 words, a marvel of compression, a short novel packed with wit, defiance and desperation. On the surface, Chin is a jokester, his narrator dropping flawless gems of absurdist imagery. Like: Being clawed to death by pandas could be the cutest death ever. And: Cum has the consistency of “the unnamed white stuff that you might find on tables in vegetarian restaurants.” But, beneath the humor, beyond the irony, Chin’s narrator is a man baffled by love, striving for connection, learning how to evade demons and to appreciate, oh, twoply toilet paper, the nature of cats and “time of my own.” At his most depraved, the narrator exults in excreta— “Snow” may be too much for readers with over-refined sensibilities. At his most elegiac, he transforms a monstrous world into something lustrous and vulnerable. The Retribution by Val McDermid (Atlantic Monthly Press)—Serial killers don’t get any nastier than sociopath Jacko Vance, “killer of 17 teenage girls... and once voted the sexiest man in British TV.” He committed his crimes in McDermid’s 1997 novel The Wire in the Blood, where clinical psychologist Tony Hill and Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan hunted him down. Twelve years later he has escaped from prison, ready to wreak sadistic havoc on the people who put him away— including his ex-wife, now in a loving relationship with a woman. Vance, whose ruthless venality knows no bounds, is on a killing spree that for most of this chilling thriller confounds Hill and Jordan. At the same time, Jordan is investigating the deaths
of several prostitutes, even as a cost-cutting superior sets out to dismantle her special squad, the Major Incident Team, and as her fragile relationship with Hill—both personal and professional—begins to unravel. McDermid juggles these several plotlines with coldblooded, relentless brilliance in this seventh novel featuring the investigative duo (and her twenty-fifth novel in 25 years). Fit to Serve: Reflections on a Secret Life, Private Struggle, and Public Battle to Become the First Openly Gay U.S. Ambassador by Ambassador James C. Hormel and Erin Martin (Skyhorse Publishing)—The title almost says it all: Hormel’s memoir is indeed about closeted life, ending a marriage and a seven-year battle with Republican homophobes on the way to representing the United States in the tiny nation of Luxembourg. But there’s much more to the man from SPAM (the lunch meat that made the Hormel clan wealthy, always capitalized in the book). After coming out, the father of five (he remained close to his ex-wife and kids) plunged into 1970s antiwar activism and the push for gay rights. It’s a passionate, activist side to the man’s life that most readers might not know about, overshadowed as it has been by his philanthropic endeavors. These include the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center at the San Francisco Public Library, an affiliation with which his opponents pilloried him when his diplomatic appointment was announced by President Clinton, accusing him of perversion on the basis of images culled from the library’s collection. Now nearing 80, Hormel caps a spirited, affecting life story with an account of how he came to love a man who is more than 50 years younger. Richard Labonte has been reading, editing, selling and writing about queer literature since the mid-’70s. He can be reached in care of this publication, or at BookMarks@qsyndicate.com
www.outonline.com • 412-381-3350
Women rocked and ruled the best albums of 2011 Continued from page 15
Kinds,” the country badass plays on diversity throughout with her most expansive-sounding disc to date: bluegrass influences that first track, but then she goes cow-punk on “Mama’s Broken Heart” and, with “Fine Tune,” tinkers with Auto-Tune. She’s also good at turning on the tear ducts with “Oklahoma Sky.” One of a kind? You betcha. 3. Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials—Bigger is better in the case of Florence Welch, who wields her powerhouse pipes into competition-crushing glory on her second CD, a trip to enlightenment that sits in your soul. No album but this one, this year, had the intensity of rousing theatrics cutting through it like a tornado whipping up everything in its path. “Shake It Out” is a breathtaking exorcism; “Leave My Body,” an orgasmic release; and ballad “Never Let Me Go” rips through the very water she sings of. Oh, Flo— such a size queen. 2. Matraca Berg, The Dreaming Fields—By the strength of her from-the-heart songwriting alone, it’s no wonder she’s been one of the most sought-after Nashville tunesmiths for big-deal country stars. On her first album in 14 years, the criminally underrated prodigy—think Eva Cassidy and Emmylou Harris—continues to affirm she has what it takes to be one.
The title track is a nostalgic eulogy of longgone land, both hopeful and heartbreaking. “Racing the Angels,” about an afterlife reunion, and the homesick coda are just as wistfully tearjerking. 1. Adele, 21—The boy that broke Adele’s heart? At least he was good for one thing: this album, a timeless classic fueled by the fire of that relationship’s demise. Regret and fury are all piped into the re- Lykki Li markably performed songs—the wonderful weepie “Someone Like You,” especially—on the singer’s sophomore CD, fully rooted in retro-soul and soap-opera melodrama. “Rumour Has It” and “Rolling in the Deep” show how saucy she can be when she’s not all sad (and for much of the album, she is). Nothing studio-tricky about her or that voice, Adele sings her heart out—and captures ours.
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 19
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drama, he thinks they should carefully examine the body first. This gives them the idea of examining each other’s bodies. Call it CSI: Foreplay. (Oh, like you’ve never overlooked a murder because you were horny!) They are visited by Mrs. Van Eisner (Fenella Fielding, the love child of Ruth Gordon and Estelle Winwood), the dotty neighbor across the hall; Andy (Graham Dickson), the hunky custodian; and later Detective Trainee Best (Phillip Davey), a doughnut-devouring cop. Painted-on mustaches add another note of surrealistic absurdity to a movie you should watch when you’re in the mood for something you haven’t seen before.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Coming soon for your viewing pleasure by Romeo San Vicente
Hot new TV pilot trend: lesbian(ish) sitcoms Now that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been properly established that both Sue Sylvester and Coach Bieste are man-hungry heterosexuals, where is a comedy-loving lesbian to turn for representation? Well, for starters, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sara Rue, who already plays a lesbian on Rules of Engagement and plans to enter I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry territory for a sitcom pilot called Poseurs. The premise: two straight Manhattan women pretend to be lesbians in order to keep a co-op that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow roommates. You know how these things happen when you live in a big sophisticated city like New York, right? And the lez-com trend kickstarted by the still-in-development lesbian couple project called I Hate That I Love You just added another contender to the mix with Swordfighting, the latest pilot from gay producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. That oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about two friendly married couples whose relationships turn upside down when the wives fall in love with each other. Nobodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been cast yet, but at least itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a novel premise with actual lesbian characters. Sorry Poseurs, but your game is already tired.
Is a major network ready for Sarah Silverman? Did you ever watch The Sarah Silverman Program? That thing was so gay it wound up on Logo after Comedy Central couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford to produce it anymore. In addition to its rotating cast of guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;God, ghosts and cartoon dinosaursâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it also routinely featured a gay stoner bear couple, a drag queen host of a cookie-themed reality
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Adam Shankman wants to make The Nutcracker dance again
After the excruciating debacle that was last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theatrical bomb, The Nutcracker in 3D, a torturous family film that featured hip-hop-based songs sourced from Tchaikovskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ballet score and that came and went without making much money or endearing anyone to its source material, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d think that nobody would want to touch it as a movie property for a while. But youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d think wrong.
Adam Shankman (Hairspray and the upcoming Rock of Ages) believes that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the man to send The Nutcracker to rehab. His vision involves returning to the book by E.T.A. Hoffman and turning it all into an Alice in Wonderland-style event film for the 2013 holiday season, a family adventure vehicle that, for all we know at this point, will still involve 3D. And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no mentionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;yetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of dancing, which is kind of strange considering Shankmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career as a choreographer. Everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably scared of that D-word. More on this one as it developsâ&#x20AC;Ś
E! taps David Burtka Celebrity spouse David Burtka isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one to sit back and let his man bring home all the bacon. Not only is he in the running to join the crew of the upcoming A-List: Los Angeles, he was recently stunt-cast opposite his longtime partner Neil Patrick Harris in the hilariously raunchy A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. (He played a closet-straight Harrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fake-gay â&#x20AC;&#x153;beard,â&#x20AC;? get it?) And now Burtka has a regular gig, stepping into his own spotlight as a host for the E! network. The actor/chef/co-parent joined the network that brings the world The Soup, as well as all the Kardashians, as a correspondent for E! News, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also be a talking suit for various specials including Live From the Red Carpet. How long before people start calling Harris â&#x20AC;&#x153;David Burtkaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband?â&#x20AC;? Romeo San Vicente already has a roster of men lined up to keep him warm at Sundance. He can be reached care of this publication at out@outonline.com.
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competition show and a lesbian cop that Sarah fell for accidentally in one episode. In other words, not the sort of thing you ever see on Two and a Half Men. So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up with NBC giving Silverman the green light for a new primetime sitcom pilot? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all anyone will say right now beyond the loose premise, which is that it will be based on Silvermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own life. Just trust that it will shake up the status quo if and when it hits your DVR, and that it will be hilarious. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost as if sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genetically incapable of anything else.
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Check your Valentine forecast then choose best of best by Charlene Lichtenstein February may prove to be a heady and emotional time with Sun, Mercury, Neptune and Venus all tromping through sensitive Pisces and opposing randy retrograde Mars. Our valentine attempts will have high highs and low lows, while constructive action may overheat and deconstruct. Check your thermostat and head for temperate climes in your thong.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Even your best laid plans at work can run afoul of the powers that be. It is because you are allowing your gut feelings to get out-of-control. So be it, gay Ram. You need to do what you need to do. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rely on dreams and â&#x20AC;&#x153;what ifs.â&#x20AC;? If stress builds, how about letting the work flow drip along for a while as you divert your attention to other more pleasant tasks in life? Who??
Itchy travelling feet must be scratched. Gay Crabs are ready and raring to go anywhere and everywhere. Spread your wings and try someplace newâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the tried and true just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold the same appeal. Plan your itinerary carefully and ask advice as to the best hotels and sites. For those with tight budgets, expand your horizons with new stuff nearby. Anyone we know?
Fun can get frantic in February because there is too much good stuff going on all over town all at the same time. Such a dilemma! Parse and choose the best of the best and allow your creativity to spurt. Not only will you personally feel more fulfilled, you will also navigate your boat into more selective and elite groups. Fill your sails before your hot air scuttles you.
Proud Lions are ready and willing to spend on their interests and passions. Your appetite is sated now only by beauty and luxury. And why not? When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got it, flaunt it. There will come a point, however, where you find yourself spending more and getting less. Know what is what, when is when and who is who. Why and how will follow later. Continued on page 23
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Pink Twins are making a name for themselves around the office. Hmm, what name is that? You have been laser focused on your professional path, but now you will also need to decide how to best balance career goals with your home life. Is balance even possible now? Try. They say that it is lonely at the top. Ah, but try living at the bottom.
Cancer (June 22-July 23)
Leo (July 24-Aug. 23)
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Pittsburgh struts its stuff in 2011—and Colombo was there to cover it red hanky. An Easter egg for those paying attention—and thought of by Richard Parsakian who was in charge of costumes. Great primer for the opera challenged, like me. May 2011: At an unmarked warehouse in Lawrenceville, Attack Theater held its 6th annual Dirty Ball, their annual fund raiser, featuring a VIP Lounge, dance performances by Attack, a fashion show, art and a special exhibit by Eric Singer. With the theme “Pirate” in mind, Eric designed a room into a virtual pirate ship with a seascape featuring floating neon jelly fish, lanterns and a video ocean storm that viewers were projected into. My favorite performance of the evening: the pirates dancing to the Village people’s “ In the Navy.” It just felt so right and so wrong. The big gay picnic—hey there was a sign proclaim-
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Showing our Pride
Pride Fest
ing that as you drove through the gates—at the North Park lodge, was brought to us by the Delta Foundation. The Memorial Day Picnic is a Pittsburgh tradition that goes back over 25 years and is still going strong. June 2011: Splash! (another Delta-sponsored event) held again at the smart house on Mount Washington, was
Photos by John Colombo
Ky Eaton (center) heads a good cause
Fights AIDS featuring a VIP meeting and performance by Alan Cumming. Brilliant. Overheard in the crowd, “I’d sit here and listen to him read the phone book.” April 2011: G2H2’s monthly outing at Rivers Casino’s Drum Bar. Best excuse to visit the casino for a nongambler like me. The lights, sounds of machines humming and the incredible hospitality of the casino’s staff made for a very memorable event. The Renaissance City Choir’s annual spring concert Love of Nature/Nature of Love featuring the classic chamber opera Dido and Aeneas transformed for a gay and lesbian audience. Eric Olden’s performance as Belinda was stellar. One of the characters flagged a right pocket
PAGE 22 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
Honoring Kathi Boyle (center)
Making a Splash
a huge success bringing in people from other countries this year. Pride in the Street featured Patti Labelle. Pittsburgh’s biggest street party was amazing as always. Kudos to Scott Noxon for removing the glass from the front of There Video Lounge and serving drinks through the window to the street. Very New Orleans. Kudos to Labelle for a wonderful performance and being such the class act that she is. PRIDE! Parade, Grand Marshall Kathi Boyle, shirtless boys, confetti and a daylong party up and down Liberty Ave., packed with vendors, eating and drinking, again in a very new Orleans style that I hope continues. Two Stages. Lots of talent. Speeches by local politicians. Beer Garden!!! July 2011: Pittsburgh gets two new gay bars in one month. Cruze featured two bars, a dance floor that stays 20 degree cooler than the rest of the room, state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, fog machine and an outdoor deck with misting stations to help you keep cool. Headquarters featured two bars and a small and intimate patio with colorful umbrellas over the tables. There was a nice sized dance floor and raised platforms for gogo boys and entertainers. The bar also featured a VIP mezzanine overlooking the main bar. Sadly it came and went in the blink of an eye, but for a brief moment with Real Luck Cafe a stone’s throw away, we had three gay districts in full swing in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Aids Task Force bid Chad Michaels farewell to Executive Director Kathi Boyle at her retirement party, which was held at the Smart House on Mount Washington. Her retirement didn’t last long; Kathi’s now back working with Dreams of Hope. Aug. 2011: Pittsburgh was transformed into Gotham City as the filming of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, was filmed in various locations around town. The production company even made it snow in Oakland and Downtown. Catwoman rode her motorcycle in, through and out of the Mellon Institute in Oakland. Other locations used included Lawrenceville and the South Side right in front of Out’s office!
celebrate life C E L E B R ATE A RT
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Continued on page 23
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 11
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by John Colombo Word on the street is that the world says Pittsburgh’s hipper than Portland now. I’ve taken some time to go through the last year’s columns and list some notable parties and events that made Pittsburgh so special. So let’s look back at 2011 and be proud to live in such a wonderful city. Jan. 2011: Memorable drag performance by Kierra Darshell performing at Pegasus/Eagle in a cowboy hat and orange two piece outfit, under a large disco ball spinning over the dance floor, lip synching to Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to be Real.” That transported me back to 1978 when I didn’t have a care in the world. My personal favorite party every year: “So you want to be in pictures...?” (the 11th annual VIP party for Pittsburgh’s “Lights! Glamour! Action!”), Pittsburgh’s annual Academy Awards at the J. Verno Studios on the Southside, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Film Office. Feb. 2011: Between the G2H2 party at the New Elbowroom on Walnut Street and the Sharon Needles Show at the Blue Moon—I couldn’t get in the door at either event. At Needles’ show I did squeeze past the first six or eight bodies and caught a glimpse of Sharon doing her impersonation of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz which appeared to be entertaining, just not worth my life. Most packed events of the year. I cried two ways, in happiness and sadness, watching Hair at Heinz Hall. Plus the audience got up on stage at the end and danced to “Let the Sun Shine In.” Bonus: nudity! March 2011: Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force’s 25th annual benefit at the O’Riley Theater.This year’s Kerry Stoner award was presented to Broadway Cares/Equity
IN WITH THE OUT CROWD
Pittsburgh struts its stuff in 2011—and Colombo was there to cover it Continued from page 22
It ain’t your grandma’s bingo…but bring her anyhow!
SATURDAY Feb. 11th • Mar. 10th Apr. 28th • May 5th Doors open at 6:30 PM Games begin at 7:30 PM
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FEATURE Will success spoil Sharon Needles? Not if she can spoil it first Continued from page 6
It would be stupid to think that by doing transgressional art for a living [I’m not] gonna piss them off. But then the innocent side of me that does what I do… I’m always really upset when someone’s upset about it. And I say “fuck you.” But I don’t mean it. I always feel bad when I make someone else feel bad. And then the mean side of me wants to say “I feel bad that they’re too fuckin’ stupid not to realize that a man in a
Check your Valentine forecast then choose best of best Continued from page 21
Picnic attractions
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held this year in the stunning Cabaret at Theatre Square downtown. Then “Night of a 1000 Needles” at the Blue Moon featured half the city dressed up as
the pizza delivery in.
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20)
Strengthen all of your relationships—from business to platonic to romantic—especially those that require more sharing and compromises. It is not as bad or as difficult as you think. In fact, you may find it relatively easy to do. Those queer Virgins who are seeking new connections should request introductions from friends. You are too fresh for fresh faces now.
You have some great ideas bubbling in your head. How can you best present them to the world? The answer may elude you, but that is because it is hard to choose the best way to fully express yourself. Pink Caps are often careful and cautious. Maybe too much so. This may be the time to blow the lid off life. Make your mark on the world. Don’t make it a smudge.
Don’t be a pin cushion for every backstabber at work. You are putting out the effort, so be sure that you get the credit. The best way to protect yourself is to keep your eyes open for any unusual activity. You will eventually triumph, proud Libra, but not before your stress level peaks for much of February. Ah, any excuse to take a nice long relaxing vacation!
This is the perfect time to research and implement any long term financial plan. Dream big, Aqueerius. Your monetary goals can be within reach with a little discipline, pluck and focus. That may mean curtailing expenses and avoiding frivolous spending on trifles. If you are really clever, you will find a well endowed benefactor to spoil you while you stash your own cash.
Your loud party hound antics may rub some of your compadres the wrong way. Maybe you are becoming too popular? Maybe you are pulling away from the conformity of the pack? Whatever it is, be sensitive to friends’ feelings—especially when you are all in the social swirl. It is better to celebrate with a crowd than to celebrate alone in a crowd.
Guppies can enjoy their time on center stage now. Not only can you hobnob and rub elbows with many new and impressive people, you can also show off your talents to the crowd. Play it like you mean it and make good use of time. Before you know it the spotlight will shift and others will elbow into your space. But in the meantime, rubadub with both arms.
If the political stress of your job is getting too much for you, use the next weeks for a temporary escape. Escape into your cocoon and refresh and recharge. Find ways to enjoy life and put things in perspective. If your home is your castle, pull up the gate and fill the moat with sharks... but not before you let some close companions and
For Entertainment Purposes Only. © 2012 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. Lichtenstein’s blog www.thestarryeye.typepad.com covers everything new age. Her astrology book HerScopes; A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians is the best in tonguein-cheek astrology. Order now at tinyurl.com/herscopes
Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)
Table reservations are for advance-purchased tickets only and will not be held past 7:00pm
dress is being an example of all of our anxieties and all our fears.” I always say, I’ll take the darkest issue and put it right in the spotlight. For free. Every other Saturday at the Blue Moon. Sharon takes no shit, and that must feel liberating. Do you need to be in drag to make her real? Do I need drag to bring out Sharon Needles? Yes. And maybe alcohol.
STARGAYZER
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
For more information or table reservations, call the GLCC at 412-422-0114.
PAGE 10 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
Sharon Needles. Talk about good marketing. Dec. 2011: The 3rd annual SPARK party, the Delta
Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
$12 in advance from OUTlet sponsors: • Banner Coin Exchange • Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor • On Line at glccpgh.org or $15 at the door.
Event proceeds benefit the Gay & Lesbian Community Center and the Shepherd Wellness Community. OUTrageous Bingo conducted by permit to Shepherd Wellness Community.
Alan Cumming flanked by PATF supporters
Foundation’s fundraiser, was held at Bill Chisnell Productions, which featured the talent of RAJA. Three Rivers Leather Club held its annual toy drive at Leather Central for Allegheny Youth Services, led by Ky Eaton. And the 35th annual Miss Gay Pittsburgh Contest was held at There Ultra Lounge. Very happy the contest survived after the closing of Pegasus, where it was usually held. Plus the RCC’s annual holiday performance was held this year at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Don we now our gay apparel! So that’s some of the year that was. What do you think now, Portland? I cannot wait to see what wonderful events are in store for 2012.
Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)
Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20)
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 23
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Atlanta’s DJ Lydia Prim spent the evening spinning music for my generation at Cruze And was a hoot to boot! Sept. 2011: Matthew Murphy celebrated his 40th birthday by holding a fundraising party for GLCC at the Allegheny Harvard Princeton Yale Club, featuring the talented Pamala Stanley. Pamala’s show was called Gershwin to Gaga, and she really does have that range. During the summer Pamala is a regular performer at The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach; so kudos to Matt for getting her to Pittsburgh. Sadly Pegasus/ Eagle closed its door for good. Oct. 2011: The Pittsburgh Opera held its 57th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball at the Fairmont Hotel. Together Sam Badger and Bill Chisnell pulled off a class act. And I can’t forget all the wonderful Halloween parties the gay bars provided for us. More Pride Pittsburgh Fashion Week! Cher Impersonator Chad Michaels at Cruze! Nov. 2011: Conceived by David Dean, Chris Lewellyn and Nick Daemous, Pittsburgh now hosts an annual leather weekend event, PLOW (Pittsburgh Leather Obsession Weekend). Take that Cleveland. Kierra Darshall, creator and producer of the Miss Tri-state All-Star Pageant, successfully pulled off the 19th and one of the best pageants I have ever witnessed,
OUT AND ABOUT Celebrating art and life
Prime Timers sets Feb. events
Pooches on the Runway
Support Persad Center by attending Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art on April 13 at the National Aviary Atrium. The event includes a gourmet dinner, cocktails, dancing in the Aviary’s exotic tropical tent and a preview of featured artworks that will be auctioned off in May. Contact Persad for event tickets and details at 1-888-873-7723 ext. 224, or at www.persadcenter.org.
Pittsburgh Prime Timers is holding its monthly social/potluck supper at the United Methodist Church on Feb. 19. RSVP by Feb. 17. On Feb. 23 they Dine Out at Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville. RSVP by Feb. 21. The monthly breakfast social at Ritter’s Diner will be on Feb. 25 at 10am. Meet in the parking lot.
Fashion goes to the dogs on April 29 at the Animal Rescue League’s A Mutter’s Day Fashion Show and Luncheon. The show includes shopping, lunch and a fashion show featuring alumni dogs in canine fashions and women’s fashions by Carabella. Doors open at 11:30am. Ticket information is available online at www.animalrescue.org/events.
B-I-N-G-O! Book your tables and get your cards because it’s time for OUTrageous Bingo at 6:30pm on Feb. 11. “It ain’t your grandma’s bingo… but bring her anyhow” to Rodef Shalom in Oakland. Reserve your table now at 412-4220114.
La Cage is back! Welcome back a classic as Broadway Across America presents a revival of La Cage at the Benedum Center March 13-18. The show stars the fabulously tanned George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber. For ticket information contact trustarts.org or call 412-456-6666.
Strut down to the Playhouse Point Park University presents the world premiere of Eric Burns’ play mid-strut at the Pittsburgh Playhouse from Feb. 3-19. Directed by Ronald Allan-Lindblom the play tells the story of a former high school majorette facing a mid-life crisis. For tickets contact 412-392-8000 or www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
Head out to a Rocking Circus
Get connected to those in the know The M2M Project offers a safe and confidential place for men to get information on HIV testing, substance use and safer sex. Receive up to $140 in gift cards for participating. Text FndOut to 76274 or call 412-804-1725.
SWC helps HIV+ community Shepherd Wellness Community is there to help members of the HIV+ community with meals, films, free classes, yoga, discussion groups and more. Find out their full slate of activities—or how you can volunteer—by calling 412-683-4477 ext. 12 or visit www.scwonline.org.
Break laws of love for your Valentine In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this February Chatham Baroque presents Lawes of Attraction featuring Paula Fagerberg on Italian harp in William Lawes’ Harp Consorts. A special preview performance will be held at Olive or Twist on Feb. 16 at 6:15pm, followed by a show at the Synod Hall on Feb. 18 at 8pm, and a show at the Laughlin Music Center on Feb. 19 at 2:30pm. Ticket information is available at chathambaroque.org.
Romancing with the Bard
Set your sights on spectacular feats of human acrobatics as Cirque Dreams performs Pop Goes the Rock at Heinz Hall Feb. 21-26. Rock out to over 20 hits songs including “She Bangs,” “Womanizer,” “Like a Prayer” and more. For information and tickets contact trustarts.org or call 412-392-4900.
Treat your valentine to a special night out to see Shakespeare’s As You Like It presented by the Pittsburgh Public Theater. This smart, feisty and funny show will be playing through February 19. Ticket information is available at 412-316-1600 or online at ppt.org.
Spice up your life
Get Ruthless!
Put the sexy back in your life at the grand opening of Adam & Eve Pittsburgh at 7775 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh. This is the place to get your sexy lingerie, club wear, dance wear, novelty toys, party goods and more.
Pittsburgh CLO presents the outrageously witty, hysterically funny Ruthless! The Musical through May 6 at the CLO Cabaret. For ticket information and show times call 412-456-6666 or visit CLOCabaret.com.
Get lucky with Cupid
Don’t miss the celebrations coming up in February at Vice Versa, Morgantown’s hottest night club. Events include Sasha’s Stepdown show on Feb. 3 with Akasha LeStat and Chloe LaRocca and the Miss Vice Versa Pageant Feb 11. Get soaked at the Mardi Gras blowout on Feb. 17 and 18 with the wet t-shirt and boxer contest hosted by newly crowned Miss Vice Versa. Come to open stage night hosted by Mark Cash Feb. 2 and 16. See other event listings at www.viceversaclub.com. Vice Versa is at 335 High St. in Morgantown, WV.
Dance the night away with DJs Tyler and Tony Ruiz at Real Luck Café, a gay bar for men and women at 1519 Penn Ave. in the Strip District. Hot male dancers strut their stuff nightly Wednesdays-Sundays.
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museum and saw how Jews dealt with the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the fight for civil rights and women’s rights, it was obvious that something was missing. LGBT. In fact, I didn’t find those four letters anywhere in the museum. Here’s the rub. Many of the most prominent pioneers of the LGBT community were Jewish; perhaps the most well known, Harvey Milk, does not even get a mention. In fact, in what might look like a backhanded insult to the LGBT community, there are two gay men in the museum’s Hall of Fame gallery—Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein—who are both closeted thanks to the museum, as neither of their displayed bios mentions it.
It’s a shock and a failure on the part of the museum that we gay Jews do not exist. A total failure, and they should bow their heads in shame. Not only is this discrimination by censorship, it reminds me of a time when, in the Jewish tradition, if you discovered something about a member of the family that was shameful, you didn’t talk about it. Does the museum find LGBT shameful? This becomes somewhat personal for me since, in my family, one of my cousins was one of “those individuals.” At the tender age of 16, my cousin Norman was asked to leave his home. As a child on the streets in the 1950s, he was homeless and had a life of drugs and alcohol. And growing up, we children occasionally heard his name and
asked about him. We were told we don’t talk about cousin Norman. Imagine growing up, knowing you’re gay, and discovering the real story of cousin Norman. How do you tell your parents? Do you worry about what the rest of the family will think? Does it sound like the 1950s? That is what the National Museum of American Jewish History has done. On behalf of my cousin Norman, shame on you! Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, is one of the nation’s most-award-winning commentators in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
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by Mark Segal For me, the aging process has led to a clearer view of equality. After all, it has been the passion of my life for 42 years. Everywhere I travel, I’m in search of how our community is depicted. Unfortunately, I notice we are not always included. That is discrimination by censorship. And unfortunately, many of our national organizations get a failing grade on this subject. They don’t understand the seriousness of this censorship. Even GLAAD doesn’t know the history of the battle to end censorship in mainstream media. They must learn that our collective history is the building blocks for our future, and the justification of why our struggle for equality deserves to become a reality. About two months ago, my nephew and I visited the new National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. The museum opened a little over a year ago with much fanfare. It was a spectacular debut with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Steven Spielberg and Jerry Seinfeld. The museum not only covered the plight of the Jews in coming to the States, it showcased their religious and political views. It also highlights 12 people from the Jewish community who represent who Jews are and their contributions to American society. It’s a shock and a failure on the part of the museum that we gay Jews do not exist. A total failure, and they should bow their heads in shame. That’s a tough statement, but as I went through the
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What a bitch! Celebrate National Spay Day at the Bitches Ball which is being held at the Cruze Bar on Feb. 28 from 6-9pm. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue League. Tickets and information are available online at animalrescue.org/events.
There are no gay Jews in Philadelphia
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...and the kitchen is open daily, 5-10pm, at 5801 on Ellsworth. Get your fill on their fresh weekly specials. Don’t miss daily happy hours from 6-8pm. 5801 is open Monday-Saturday at 4pm. The video lounge and café is located at 5801 Ellsworth Ave.
Cruze down for a great time Don’t miss the boat — head to Cruze Bar in February. Come to the First Friday Show with Kierra Darshell on Feb. 3, featuring Angelique Young, Lady Rose and Claire Voyance. Cruze Bar is located at 1600 Smallman St. in the Strip District.
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OPINION
WHAT’S HAPPENING – WEEKLY
by D’Anne Witkowski I’ll be frank. I’m tired of writing about Rick Santorum. But the man cut an incredible anti-gay streak across New Hampshire. Come on, Rick, give the other guys a chance! On Jan. 5 Santorum made the tired same-sex couples getting marriage equals inevitable polygamy argument. Then the next day he told a town hall meeting that marriage was “an essential good,” which is why gays can’t have it since gays are, you know, essentially bad. During a campaign speech on Jan. 7 at a private boarding school (I didn’t think that kids could vote, but then again maybe rich kids can. Hell, at this point that would not surprise me at all) he actually told the audience that they’d be better off with a dad in jail than with two same-sex parents. Mind you, he claimed that this “fact” came from an unnamed researcher, but Santorum is still the one who stood in front of a crowd of kids and said it out loud. “[The expert] found that even fathers in jail who had abandoned their kids were still better than no father at all to have in their children’s lives,” Santorum spewed. Totally true. Kids with daddies in jail are so lucky. Known fact. Kids with gay parents are sooooo jealous. Especially the three students in the audience who, according to the school’s headmaster, have gay parents. Well played, Rick. No doubt these kids will start up some prison pen pal relationships to make up for what is missing in their lives. Although, Santorum did just mention missing fathers, so maybe he’s just talking about lesbian parents? Maybe having two daddies is okay so long as one of them is in prison? It’s all so confusing. Which is why America must now allow same-sex couples to marry and have kids. “Marriage is not a right,” Santorum said according to the Los Angeles Times. “It’s a privilege that is given to society by society for a reason.” And that reason? “We want to encourage what is the best for children.” Otherwise we’re “robbing children of something they
need, they deserve, they have a right to,” he said. “You may rationalize that that isn’t true, but in your own life and in your own heart, you know it’s true.” Okay, first of all, what does “given to society by society for a reason” even mean? Last time I checked, gays and lesbians are part of society. Santorum likes to talk about “we” and “America” as if gays and lesbians are some shiftless souls on the outskirts of civilization. Which, to use Santorum’s own words, requires quite a bit of rationalizing.
Far more rationalizing than being able to admit that gay and lesbian parents are raising lots of kids who are doing just fine. Better than fine, even. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that a kid with two loving, committed parents is pretty fortunate. Even if both of those parents are moms or dads. And especially if neither is having their cellmate ink a teardrop on their face with a tattoo gun fashioned out of a Bic pen, toothbrush and a guitar string.
Sporting Goods International got a measly 15 points. (There are plenty of others with low scores, but these are the ones based in Pittsburgh.) The CEI is a great resource to see which big corporations are actually doing their part, and which of them are just claiming to offer domestic partner benefits and not much else. However, what about the small companies? How can a single person judge a prospective employer’s equality policy before sitting down for negotiations? Or worse yet, how does one make the judgment before a problem arises in the workplace? Alcoa’s Director of Corporate HR and Global Benefits, Mary Ellen Lammel, had some helpful insight to offer on this subject. She recommended checking to see if the potential employer has a website. If so, “read everything available in search of equal employment opportunity (EEO) statements.” Lammel believes that if a company is interested in equality for homosexual, bisexual and transgender individuals, it is going to advertise it. In fact, she says that it should be visible in every aspect of the organization. “We post our EEO Policy with the other required
PAGE 8 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
•Male dancers: P-Town, Real Luck Café. •Worship: Metropolitan Community Church. Friends Meeting House, Shadyside. 7pm. Info: 412-683-2994. •Worship: Dignity. Roman Catholic mass followed by social. Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. 7pm. Info: 412-362-4334. •Worship: Gay-welcoming Holy Eucharist. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave., Shadyside. 11am. Info: 412-682-3342. •Worship: Allegheny Open Arms United Church of Christ, 707 East St., North Side. 10:30am, Info: 412-321-1328, www.alleghenyopenarms.org. •Worship: OneChurch. Bricolage Theater, 937 Liberty Ave., downtown. 1pm. Info: 412-390-5400. •Worship: Community House Presbyterian Church, 120 Parkhurst St, North Side. 10:45am. 412-321-3900. •Meditation, worship: Pittsburgh Center for Spiritual Living, 5655 Bryant St., Highland Park. 10am. Info: 412-362-5096, www.oneintruth.com.
Every Monday in February
•Male Dancers: Real Luck Café. •Rapid oral HIV testing: Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, 5913 Penn Ave., East Liberty. 9am-5pm. Info: 412-345-7456, www.patf.org. •TransPitt phone line: 7-9:30pm. Info: 412-454-5557 or transpitt_org@yahoo.com. •Recovery: Into Action AA, Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. 7:30pm. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous: Calvary Episcopal Church, Shady Avenue and Walnut Street, Shadyside. 7pm. Info: 412-441-0956.
•Male dancers: Images. 6-8pm, 10:30pm. •Frontrunners: meet at Columbus statue in Schenley Park, 7pm; run at 7:10pm. Info: 412-481-5549, www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. •Worship: supper, 6pm; gay-welcoming Holy Eucharist, 7pm. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave., Shadyside. Info: 412-682-3342. •Support: Just for Today AA, First United Methodist Church, Centre and South Aiken Avenues, Shadyside. 7:30pm. •Radio: This Way Out. WYEP 91.3. 7:30pm. •Buddy Night at Club Pittsburgh. 412-471-6790.
Every Wednesday in February
•Karaoke: P-Town. •Dinner: Shepherd Wellness Community. 6pm. 412-683-4477 or www.swconline.org. •Flying Colors GLBT bicycle riding group: meet at statue in front of Phipps Conservatory, Oakland; rides depart at 6:45pm. Info: send e-mail to pghbikeguy@verizon.net. •Gospel singing: with the OneVoice Choir. Wood Street Galleries, Sixth and Wood Streets, downtown. 6:30pm. Info: 412-281-4655. •Recovery: Gay, Lesbian, Friends AA. Fayette County Health Center, 100 New Salem Rd., Uniontown. 8pm. Info: 724-439-3173. •Recovery: Sober as Folk AA. Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. 7:30pm. Info: 412-373-3739. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous. West View United Methodist Church, Princeton and Center Avenues, West View. 12:15pm; St. Peter’s Church, 720 Arch St., North Side. 6:30pm. Info: 412-441-0956. •Nude Male Yoga. 7pm. 115 Sedgewick Street, Millvale. •Male dancers: Real Luck Café, P-Town. •College-Work Out Wednesdays! GLCC. 3-5pm. 412-422-0114.
2500, www.patf.org. •Frontrunners: meet at Columbus statue in Schenley Park, 7pm; run at 7:10pm. Info: 412-481-5549, www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. •Recovery: Celebrate Sobriety AA, First Unitarian Church, Ellsworth and Morewood Avenues, Oakland. 8pm; Beaver County AA/NA meeting, 2pm, Info: 724-375-0760. •Free rapid HIV testing, 6-9pm, GLCC, 412-422-0114. •Yoga for HIV+ people. 5:15pm. Shepherd Wellness Center. 412-683-4477.
Every Friday in February
•Deep, Dark and Naked Fridays. Club Pittsburgh. 412-471-6790. •Male dancers: Images, Real Luck Café, and P-Town. •Recovery: New Hope, beginners and regular AA, Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill, 7pm; Joy of Living AA, Trinity Lutheran Church, North and Buena Vista Avenues, North Side, 8pm; Rainbow Bridge NA meeting, Persad Center, 7pm. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous; East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Ave. 7:30pm. 412-441-0956. •HIV Wellness Dinner; 6pm; Shepherd Wellness Center, 412-683-4477 or www.swconline.org. Check for weekly location. •Youth Drop-In. GLCC. 7-10pm. 412-422-0114. •Good Fridays. Half price admission and cash bar. The Andy Warhol Museum. 5pm-10pm.
Every Saturday in February
•Frontrunners: meet at Columbus statue, Schenley Park. 9am; run at 9:10am. Info: 412-481-5549, www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. •Support: Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous. Carnegie Library, South 22nd and Carson Streets, South Side. 10:30am. Info: 412-441-0956. •Male Dancers: Real Luck Café, P-Town. •Request Night, Club Pittsburgh. 11pm. 412-471-6790.
Every Thursday in February
•Positive OUTlook. Health issues in the LGBT community. 1pm. www.outonline.com. •Karaoke: Images. 9:30pm. •Rapid oral HIV testing: by Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. Women only: Miryam’s, 1410 Fifth Ave., Uptown, 11am-3pm; all welcome: GLCC, 6-9pm. Info: 412-242-
Due to space restrictions, Out’s “What’s Happening” calendar of events is unable to list cocktail/happy hours, beverage and complimentary food specials and most complimentary entertainment/games. Most businesses with the necessary facilities feature disc jockeys/dancing nightly when open. Check the ads in this issue for complete information regarding activities at area businesses.
WHAT’S HAPPENING – DAY BY DAY Wednesday, February 1
•THERAPY: Hypnotherapy for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm class. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477. •STAGE: Ruthless! The Musical through May 6. CLO Cabaret. CLOCabaret.com. 412-456-6666. •STAGE: As You Like It through Feb. 19. Pittsburgh Public Theater. 412-3161600. www.ppt.org.
Thursday, February 2
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
LGBT equality in the workforce: Domestic partner benefits are not enough Continued from page 7
Every Sunday in February
Every Tuesday in February
postings in every break area,” Lammel said. Furthermore, do a Google search. Look for chat rooms or other forums devoted to the subject and ask around about the company. Finally, try to find a few sympathetic people who have personal experience working there. Reach out to other members of the LGBT community who can offer a personal testimony about the experience of being out on the job in that office. When it is all said and done, domestic partner benefits will tip the scales greatly in the decision-making process. Which of Pittsburgh’s seven biggest corporations offer them? UPMC, Giant Eagle and the University of Pittsburgh seem to offer a great deal of parity between spousal and domestic partner benefits. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States government also offer some benefits, but for the most part they are separate and unequal. It would appear that West Penn Allegheny Health System and Wal-Mart do not, as they refused to comment when asked. Unfortunately, all of these companies are required to enforce some discrimination handed down by DOMA and the IRS.
It always comes down to money. Essentially, a domestic partner’s insurance premium is going to come out of the employee’s paycheck post-tax and will be counted as taxable income. This is the law, and if an employer does it differently, he is probably taking a calculated risk because there are so few people actually enrolling in domestic partner benefits. There is no clear cut answer when it comes to LGBT equality in the work place. Every company offers different benefits, handles discrimination differently, and no two experiences are the same. However, there are some very obvious signs to observe while one is in the process of researching prospective employers. The absence of discrimination is not enough. Companies that work diligently toward equality spend a lot of time, money and other resources to incorporate it in their workforce from top to bottom. They want you to know. Therefore if none of the suggestions in this article yield results, just ask. A good employer will delight in answering your questions, because it affords them the opportunity to boast about all of the work they have done in the quest for LGBT liberation.
Friday, February 3
•STAGE: mid-strut through Feb. 19. Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse. 412-392-8000. www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. •SHOW: First Friday Show with Kierra Darshell. Featuring Angelique Young, Lady Rose and Claire Voyance. Cruze Bar. www.cruzebar.com. •SHOW: Sasha’s Stepdown with Akasha LeStat and Chloe LaRocca. Vice Versa. www.viceversaclub.com
Saturday, February 11
•SHOW: Miss Vice Versa Pageant. Visit website for entry details. www.viceversaclub.com. •BINGO: Outrageous Bingo, sponsored by Pittsburgh’s Out, benefits GLCC and Shepherd Wellness Community. Door open at 6:30pm, games begin at 7:30pm. Rodef Shalom, Oakland. 412-422-0114.
Tuesday, February 14
Tuesday, February 21
•See weekly events for every Tuesday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Friday, February 3
Cruze Bar
First Friday Show
Monday, February 6
•MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Tuesday, February 7
•See weekly events for every Tuesday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Wednesday, February 8
•See weekly events for every Friday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
•PARTY: Mardi Gras. $250 Wet t-shirt and wet boxer contest hosted by newly crowned Miss Vice Versa. www.viceversaclub.com.
Monday, February 20
•DEADLINE: March 2012 issue. News to Pittsburgh’s Out. 412-381-3350 or out@outonline.com. •MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
•EXHIBIT: Warhol and Cars: American Icons through May 13. Andy Warhol Museum. www.warhol.org. •EXHIBIT: About Face through May 13. Andy Warhol Museum. www.warhol.org.
Friday, February 10
Saturday, February 18
Monday, February 13
Sunday, February 5
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
•PARTY: Mardi Gras. www.viceversaclub.com.
Sunday, February 19
•See weekly events for every Sunday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
•See weekly events for every Saturday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Thursday, February 9
Friday, February 17
Sunday, February 12
Saturday, February 4
•MEETING: ALPHA Membership Meeting. 7pm. PATF Offices. alphapittsburgh@gmail.com. •CLASS: Ceramics class for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm class. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
parties, worship, yoga and more.
•See weekly events for every Sunday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more. •DEADLINE: March 2012 issue. Classified advertising to Pittsburgh’s Out. 412-381-3350 or out@outonline.com. •MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477. •STAGE: Pop Goes the Rock with Cirque Dreams through Feb. 26. Heinz Hall. 412-392-4900.
Wednesday, February 22
•MEETING: GLEC Anniversary/Planning Meeting. 6pm. WQED. 412-697-2000. •FILM: Art Therapy for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm movie. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Thursday, February 23
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
with Kierra Darshell
Friday, February 24
Featuring Angelique Young, Lady Rose and Claire Voyance
Saturday, February 25
•See weekly events for every Friday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more. •See weekly events for every Saturday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Sunday, February 26
•See weekly events for every Sunday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Monday, February 27 Wednesday, February 15
•DEADLINE: March 2012 issue. Display advertising, calendar information to Pittsburgh’s Out. 412-381-3350 or out@outonline.com. •FILM: Movie Night for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm movie. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Thursday, February 16
•See weekly events for every Thursday of the month located above. Dancers,
•MEETING: HIV & Aging Discussion Group for HIV+ people. 5:15 Meal; 6pm discussion. Shepherd Wellness Community, Bloomfield. 412-683-4477.
Tuesday, February 28
•See weekly events for every Tuesday of the month located above. Dancers, parties, worship, yoga and more.
Wednesday, February 29
•PARTY: Bitches Ball. 6-9pm. Cruze Bar. Benefits Animal Rescue League. www.cruzebar.com.
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 25
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“What’s Happening” is compiled from information supplied by business advertisers and event sponsors. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but sponsors and readers are urged to inform Out of changes, cancellations and incorrect or outdated listings. Send e-mail to calendar@outonline.com or write to Calendar Editor, Out, 801 Bingham St., Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Consult Out’s “Resources” guide in this issue or at www.outonline.com for addresses and phone numbers of businesses and organizations where not listed.
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LGBT equality in the workforce: Domestic partner benefits are not enough by JJ Cox The job crisis is severely handicapping our country. Politicians and pundits alike argue every day about what should be done, and so far nothing has changed. Furthermore, according to the Human Rights Campaign website, it is still legal in 29 states to dismiss an employee based on sexual orientation. Even worse than that, it is still legal to fire someone for being transgender in 34 states! This information seems to be in stark contrast to the bevy of corporations across the nation who now offers domestic partner benefits. This begs the question: what is the actual benefit of domestic partner benefits? Suffice it to say that equality in the workplace is about a lot more than just domestic partner benefits. In fact, statistics show that a mere 1% of the workforce is taking advantage of domestic partner benefits, and more than half of them are opposite sex couples. Furthermore, if an employee is afraid to take advantage of these benefits for fear of being “outed,” then they are essentially worthless. Does a company that would fire someone for being gay deserve credit for offering separate and unequal domestic partner benefits? There is hope! The Human Rights Campaign creates a useful tool, called the Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Every year they provide measurements that rate some of the largest American workplaces and their policies on inclusion and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. There are seven different criteria measured by the HRC for the purpose of this report. Companies can: Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation Prohibit discrimination based on gender identity Offer domestic partner health insurance Offer transgender-inclusive health care coverage plans Require competency training and provide resources for accountability measures Support the creation and maintenance of an LGBT employee resource group or diversity council and Engage in public commitment to the LGBT community. They will also deduct 25 points from any company’s score for any large-scale official or public anti-LGBT blemish. In order for any company to score 100 on this index, they must meet all seven requirements, and of course not have the 25 points deducted. This year 190 corporations passed with flying colors, as opposed to a decade ago, when they only passed 13 companies on fewer criteria. The process of rating these businesses is voluntary. Those that do participate usually have good reason to do so. In other words, if a business is actively working to combat discrimination, they want the people whom they are supporting to know about it. In Pittsburgh, there were a number of high-ranking scores. The only company on the index that is actually based out of Pittsburgh with a 100% is K&L Gates LLP. However, there are many businesses with offices here that got an A+, including Alcoa, Google and BNY Mellon, to name a few. Scores of other Pittsburgh-based operations are as follows: Reed Smith LLC, Bayer Corp and The PNC Financial Services Group all got a 90. American Eagle Outfitters came in just behind them with an 80, and HJ Heinz Corp scored a less than impressive 65, while PPG Industries put
forth little more than half an effort to achieve a 60. HRC also investigates companies that are reported to them for conditions of inequality. (The score on the index for those unwilling participants is unofficial, since they did not consent to the rating.) United States Steel got an astoundingly shameful
ZERO. While that is better than scoring a -25 (like Exxon Mobile), it is still disheartening that a company ranked number 211 in Forbes 2011 Fortune 1000 does nothing at all to ensure the safety and security of its LGBT employees. Similarly, both WEBSCO International Inc and Dicks Continued on page 8
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FEATURE Will success spoil Sharon Needles? Not if she can spoil it first Literally all the friends that I made. You take that many drag queens and pack ’em up into a room and put them in 16-hour daily shoots, and instead of hating each other we really all loved each other. Some more than most. Do you worry about how they’ll edit you, or how the exposure will affect you? I say I’m the Queen of Shock and I say it for a reason. I’ve always felt like I was pushing buttons, so I’m sure it will be no different than what I get now. In terms of how I’m being edited, I’m such a fan of the show, so I’m looking forward to seeing the story that’s created. And it’s shocking ’cause I thought reality TV was much more forced and scripted, and it really wasn’t ever scripted or forced. If Sharon could endorse any product, what would it be? Elmer’s Glue Stick. You can ask a drag queen what’s the most important thing in your makeup kit, and you’ll never hear foundation, mascara or lipstick; you will hear “glue stick.” It’s our number-one secret. You have this great sense of taste and an ability to fuse your influences—like Peg Bundy and Marilyn Manson—into your drag persona. Do you use any Pittsburgh people as role models? Any queen in this town, I love. I look at Georgia Bea Cummings; she makes me want to wear a gown. I look at Veruca la Piranha; I want to paint up like a clown. I look at Alaska Thunderfuck; I want to sing live. I look at Courtney Brown; I want to impress all the judges in a pageant. I want to be Kierra Darshell; I want to be a great MC. I want to be Marsha Mellow; I don’t want to give a fuck about anything, especially the way I look. I want to be Lola LeCroix; I want to look like a fishy, bitchy cunt. I want to be Lady Rose and be a statuesque pageant queen. I want to be Mahogany and be a fearless performer on stage. I want to be Cherri Baum and be fish down. I wanna be Amy Vodkahaus and be a total campy mess and relish in it. I love every Pittsburgh queen. Is there anything you wouldn’t do in front of an audience? I would never take myself too seriously on stage. I don’t know how. You grew up in Newton, Iowa—how’d you end up in Pittsburgh? I lived in a lot of cities in my late teens and early twenties. [At one point] I was looking at nine months in jail and my friend said “I’m moving to Pittsburgh tomorrow,” so I was thinking, “Hmm: Pittsburgh, jail—they sound quite similar! Maybe I’ll come and stay for a couple of weeks.”— ’cause I never stayed in a city for long. And I just loved it. What keeps you here? It’s like America’s dirtiest secret. I really like the street fashion, and I love the dive bar scene. I like it cause it’s rough around the edges. I still get called a faggot everyday, you know? Not that I think that’s a good thing, but I like that it’s blue collar. It’s a town where people aren’t afraid to call someone a faggot, and I like that. [Laughs.] I don’t know why. I never get called a faggot in New York or LA! Sometimes I think I’m not dressed appropriately. You consider yourself a transgressive artist. When people are put off by your performances does part of you want them to understand, or do you just think “fuck you”?
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PAGE 6 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 27
It’s time to work together and support LGBT and LGBT friendly businesses. You can spend your dollars anywhere, but spending them at gay or gay-friendly establishments helps us all and builds a stronger LGBT community.
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PAGE 28 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 5
NATIONAL NEWS
OUT THINK Who’s That Girl Crush?
Stories to watch in 2012 promise drama, suspense Continued from page 1
4. The fight for the Senate Some Senate races—in addition to Baldwin’s—could have big consequences for LGBT voters. In Virginia, a pro-gay former governor, Tim Kaine, will likely be pitted against an anti-gay former senator, George Allen. In Massachusetts, a pro-gay challenger, Elizabeth Warren, will almost certainly be the Democrat facing incumbent Scott Brown, whose attitude toward the community has been much less friendly. And at least seven other states are expected to have competitive races for the Senate. 5. Counting the “Gay Caucus” U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) will be starting his 40th year in Congress when the House reconvenes January 17. And it will be his last. He announced last year that he would retire. When he does, the clique of four openly gay members of Congress—Frank, Baldwin and Reps. Jared Polis (DColo.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.)—will shrink by one. If Baldwin fails to win a Senate seat, it could shrink by half. But there are prospects for adding members. Openly gay Wisconsin Democratic Assembly member Mark Pacon is running for Baldwin’s U.S. House seat. And there are two other openly gay candidates for the U.S. House this November: Marko Liias from Seattle and Mark Takano from Riverside, Calif. So, the number of openly gay members of Congress could go from four to as low as two (though zero is, technically, possible) to as high as six. But no one will have the seniority and clout that Frank has had and used to advance pro-gay measures.
6. On hold, and on defense, in Congress Pro-LGBT bills—such as efforts to repeal DOMA and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act—are not likely to see much action in 2012. Anti-gay measures might. Why? Because it’s an election year and Republicans still control the House. Supportive Democrats will not be inclined to push controversial legislation during an election year, because it can detract from the focus on jobs and the economy, where most voters want focus right now. 7. Ballot battles abound There will be important LGBT-related ballot measures before voters in several states this year: North Carolina and Minnesota will vote on whether to ban same-sex marriage through an amendment to their state constitutions. Voters in Maine will decide whether to strike down their existing ban on same-sex marriage. LGBT activists in Washington State are gathering signatures to put a measure on that state’s ballot to gain marriage equality. A small group in California has until May 15 to gather more than 800,000 signatures to put a measure on the ballot there to repeal Proposition 8. And the California Attorney General was expected to announce whether opponents of a new bill to include information about LGBT figures in history as part of the public school curriculum can begin circulating petitions to get a repeal measure on the ballot there. All of these have the potential to be big, expensive, and consequential battles. 8. Fight for freedom of religion The right-wing Alliance Defense Fund and others have a concerted effort underway in the courts to under-
mine laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Their strategy is to argue that people who discriminate against LGBT people do so because their religious beliefs require them to do so. Their question to the court is, “What rules? The First Amendment guarantee of free exercise of religion or the equal protection clause that says all citizens should be treated equally under the law?” One case has already reached the U.S. Supreme Court and failed, but other cases—many other cases—are winding their ways through nearly every circuit in the country. And their outcomes have the potential to chip away at the strength of the nation’s legal mandate that all people be treated equally. 9. A fight for the White House The difference for LGBT people between having President Obama in the White House and President George W. Bush has been stark. So the consequences of November’s presidential election will also be profound. Either Obama stays, and things continue to improve—in law and in society’s attitudes—or a new president is elected from a field of Republicans who seem, at times, to be vying for the mantle of most gay hostile candidate. In the latter case, LGBT people can expect progress to halt or backslide. 10. Ah, the unpredictable Circumstances change, things change, people change. And often, they change each other. But history marches on through time, and only in retrospect can any trajectory be certain as to where it’s going.
Across
1 Inedible Apple 5 Thailand neighbor 9 He gives gifts in stocking 14 “Safe!” or “Out!” 15 Heterogeneous mixture 16 George, who was Mary Ann 17 The African Queen author 18 Middle of Caesar’s boast 19 Drummer managed by Brian Epstein 20 She admitted a crush on Sophia Loren 23 Gay city 24 What male impersonators do? 28 Augusten Burroughs’ works 31 LBJ’s veep 32 Bullring bravo 33 Boston ball handlers, briefly 34 She admitted a crush on Christina Hendricks 37 Bear’s den 38 Spit that didn’t get swallowed 39 Porter’s regretful miss 40 She admitted a crush on Charlize Theron 42 Trial figure 43 “Eeew!” 44 They could come from Uranus
A COUPLE OF GUYS
45 Completely faithful 46 What livers do 48 Spacey’s The ___ Suspects 50 She admitted a crush on Angelina Jolie 55 Frock wearer 58 Susan Feniger preparation 59 Barbra’s Funny Girl co-star 60 One of Ours novelist Cather 61 Like a virgin 62 The number of people who like it hot 63 Raggedy Ann and others 64 Went lickety-split 65 Slant unfairly
Down 1 Optimist’s phrase 2 Three guys who went to see Mary 3 ___ Baldwin Doesn’t Love M 4 Elizabeth Taylor movie 5 Brooks and Barney, for two 6 Quite similar 7 Nostalgic song 8 Came out with 9 Top angels 10 Dress with a flared bottom 11 Henry and June’s Anais 12 Dress (up) 13 From ___ Z (completely)
21 One-night-stand partners 22 Taj ___ 25 Made purely academic 26 Current event? 27 Liam of Kinsey 28 Cream-filled pastry 29 Medium meeting 30 Moves like Mae West 31 Med. care groups 34 Screws up 35 François Ozon, to himself 36 Huge flop 38 Mr. Right-now 41 Felt around the head? 42 One that plays with balls at the circus 45 Crossed swords 47 Darn extension 48 Finish off 49 You might pick one up in an alley 51 Little fairies 52 Welcome response after an SM session 53 Zami: A New Spelling of My ___ 54 Shot up 55 WNBA position 56 Carnaval locale 57 Will descriptor
Outcome on page 26
BITTER GIRL
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OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 29
RESOURCES Resources is provided as a convenient directory for the tri-state area. Information regarding changes, additions or deletions to this guide should be sent in writing to Out, 801 Bingham Street, Suite 100, Pittsburgh PA 15203, or e-mail at out@outonline.com. Area code for all phone numbers is 412 unless noted. Pittsburgh area codes: 412, 724, 878.
Baths ·Club Pittsburgh, 1139 Penn Ave.; 471-6790; www.clubpittsburgh.com. Counseling ·George Dalzell, LCSW, 904-1480. ·James Manzella, LCSW, MA 488-8102. ·Debbie Szajna, LPC, 412-877-3846. ·Persad Center Inc., 5150 Penn Ave., 15224; 4419786. ·Sherri Williams, MSEd, NCC, LPC, CCDP; 5123135; www.thelovingchoice. Health/AIDS ·AIDS Info. Hotline,1-800-662-6080 . ·AIDS Leadership for Prevention and Health Awareness (ALPHA), PO Box 90097, Pgh, PA 15224; alphapittsburgh@gmail.com. ·Allegheny County Health Dept. STD Clinic, 3441 Forbes Ave.; 578-8080. ·Hemlock Society; 341-6459. ·National Org. of Restoring Men Foreskin Support Group, www.NORM.org; NORM.Pittsburgh@verizon.net. ·Pitt Men’s Study, PO Box 7319, Pgh., 15213; 6242008. ·Pitt Treatment & Evaluation Unit, PO Box 7256, Pgh., 15213; 647-8125. ·Pgh. AIDS Task Force,5913 Penn Ave., Pgh.,15206; 345-7456. ·Positive Health Clinic; Allegheny Hospital; 359-3360. ·Shepherd Wellness Community, 4800 Sciota St.,Pgh.,15224;683-4477; www.swconline.org. ·Southwestern Pa. AIDS Planning Coalition, 201 S. Highland Ave., Suite 101, Pgh. 15206; 363-1022 or 877-732-0401. Lodging ·Arbors Bed & Breakfast, (Northside); 231-4643.
·The Inn on the Mexican War Streets (Northside); 231-6544. Organizations-Political/rights ·American Civil Liberties Union Committee for Lesbian and Gay Equality, 313 Atwood St.; 681-7736. ·Equality Partners of Western Pennsylvania, 429 First Ave., Suite 1, Pgh. 1521;. 206-0874. ·Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pgh., P.O. Box 8108,Pgh., 15217; gertrudesteinclub.org. ·Outright Libertarians of Greater Pgh., Jerry, 6541154. ·Resyst, radical queer project of the Thomas Merton Center; 361-3022. ·Steel-City Stonewall Democrats, www.steelcity.org or president@steel-city.org. ·Western PA Freedom to Marry Coalition, PO Box 81253, Pgh., 15217. Organizations-Religious ·A Common Bond (ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses), 127 Harrison Ave., Pgh., 15202. ·Bet Tikvah (Jewish)., 256-8317. ·Church of the Redeemer - Episcopal, Sundays, 8am and 10:30am. 5700 Forbes Ave.,Pgh.,15217;www.redeemerpittsburgh.org 422-7100. ·Dignity Pittsburgh (Roman Catholic), Box 362, Pgh., 15230; 362-4334. www.dignitypgh.org. ·Gay and Lesbian Alternative Dimensions, 6814222. ·Golden Triangle Church of Religious Science/Center for Positive Living; 362-6149. ·Lutherans Concerned. Info: (724)228-0914. ·Metropolitan Community Church of Pgh., 4836 Ellsworth Ave., Pgh., 15213; www.mccpittsburgh.com; 683-2994. ·More Light Presbyterians, PO Box 9022, Pgh., 15224. ·Open Arms Church, Sundays, 6:30pm. Smithfield United Church, 620 Smithfield St., downtown; 5128913. ·Pgh. Church of Religious Science, 2nd Sundays, Nuin Center, Highland Park. 362-5096. ·Pgh. Friends (Quaker). Silent worship, Sundays, 10:30am. 4836 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside,15213; 683-2669. ·Rainbow Buddhists of Pgh.,www.zenbowpgh.com ·St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Sundays, 11am. 304 Morewood Ave., Shadyside; 682-3342. ·Three Rivers Interweave, c/o First Unitarian Church, Ellsworth and Morewood Aves.,15213; 343-2523. Organizations-Service ·Anti-Hate Hotline. 24-hour support service for hate activity due to sexual orientation; 820-0111. ·CONTACT Pgh.24-hour crisis/suicide hotline; 820-HELP. ·Gay Alcoholics Anonymous; 422-0114. ·G/L Community Center, 210 Grant St. Pgh PA 15217; 422-0114. Phone staffed Mon.-Fri., 6:309:30pm; Sat., 3-6pm. Send mail to : P O Box 5441, Pgh. 15219. www.glccpgh.org. ·Gay/Lesbian Community Food Bank, sponsored by MCC; 683-2994. ·GLENDA. Community volunteer organization; 422-1303; www.glenda.org. ·GLSEN, 210 Grant St. Pgh PA 15219 361-6996. ·Lambda Foundation, PO Box 5169, Pgh., 15206; 521-5444. ·P-FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). PO Box 5406, Pgh., 15206; 833-4556; email:info@pflagpgh.org. Organizations-Social/recreational ·Asians & Friends International of Pgh., PO Box 99191, Pgh., 15233; 521-5451. ·’Burgh Bears, PO Box 6426, Pgh., 15212-0426; www.burghbears.org. ·Delta Foundation/Pittsburgh Pride. PO Box 100057, Pgh., 15233. 246-4451. ·Dreams of Hope Youth Performance Group, 412361-2065; www.dreamsofhope.org or info@dreamsofhope.org. ·Dining Out Pittsburgh, GLBT Supper Club: dinner@diningoutpgh.org or www.diningoutpgh.org ·Dykes on Bikes Pittsburgh Chapter, www.pittsburghdykesonbikes.com. ·Families Like Ours (FLO), support for GLBTQ parents. facebook.com/groups/Families LikeOurs.
PAGE 30 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
·Flying Colors, www.geocities.com/cyclepgh; email: cyclepgh@yahoo.com; 731-8198. ·Friends of All Colors Together; 427-7053. ·Frontrunners, gay, lesbian running group; 2431781;www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org. ·G2H2 Gay Guys Happy Hours, www.g2h2pittsburgh.com. ·Gay Anglo and Latino Alliance/La Alianza de Latinos y Anglos Gay, 362-5451. ·GLBT Youth Program-Gay & Lesbian Community Center; 422-0114. ·Greater Pgh. Men’s Society; 481-3402. ·Iron City Squares, gay, lesbian square dancing; 724-464-4324. ·ISMIR (International Sexual Minorities Information Resource). PO Box 81869, Pgh., 15217-0869; 422-3060. ·Pittsburgh Gay Book Club. Pgbc Bookclub on facebook. ·Pgh. Gay Motorcyclists; 531-8303, http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/PghGayMotorcyclists. ·Pgh. General Health Professionals Assn.; 3613557. ·Pgh. Lesbian & Gay Film Society, PO Box 81237,Pgh., 15217; 422-6776. www.plgfs.org. ·Pgh. Men’s Collective, 2226 Delaware Ave., 15218; 421-6405. ·Pgh. Transsexual Support Group; 661-7030. ·Pgh. Prime Timers, PO Box 99292, Pgh., 152339200; 519-4320; e-mail: contact@ pittsburghprimetimers.com. www.pittsburgh primetimers.com. ·PONY Gay Rodeo Assn., PO Box 99321, Pgh., 15233; 370-1548. ·Renaissance City Choirs, 116 S. Highland Ave.,Pgh.,15206;362-9484. www.rccpittsburgh.org ·Sex/Love Addicts Anonymous; 441-0956. ·Staying Positive: Pittsburgh. http://stayingpostivepgh@inpgh.org;stayingpositivepgh@gmail.com ·Steel City Bowling League; PO Box 16220, Pgh. 772-8243. ·Steel City Softball League, PO Box 99493. Pgh., 15233, 683-7676. ·Steel City Tennis League; 681-6831. ·Steel City Volleyball League, 506-3187. ·Three Rivers Leather Club, PO Box 5298, Pgh. 15206; www.trlc.net. ·TransFamily Support Group, 962 Rockdale Rd, Butler,16002; (724)758-3578. ·TransPitt, cross dressers, transvestites, transsexuals. PO Box 3214, Pgh., 15230; 454-5557. ·TREAT (Three Rivers Eastern Area Tournament), PO Box 99604, Pgh., 15233; 922-8308. ·Youth Adult Services of PA, PO Box 3539, Pgh., 15230. ·Youth Empowerment Project, PO Box 7319, Pgh., 15213; 624-5508. Organizations-Student/academic ·GLBT Allies at CMU; http://allies.andrew.cmu.edu. 268-9994. ·Gay, Lesbian Law Caucus of the University of Pgh. School of Law. 3900 Forbes Ave., Pgh., 15260; 648-1388. ·Gay-Straight Allaince at Community College of Allegheny County, Office of Student Activities. 808 Ridge Ave., Pgh., 15212; 237-2675. ·GLSEN Pittsburgh, PO Box 110288, Pgh. 15232; 361-6996. ·Pride at Carlow University, (GLBT, Straight Alliance), 3333 Fifth Ave., Pgh., 15213; pride@carlow.edu ·Rainbow Alliance, University of Pittsburgh, 611 William Pitt Union; 412-648-2105. Professional Services ·Lisa Anderson, Northwood Realty. 367-3200, ext. 340. ·Biancheria, Eriksen, Maliver and Angell, P.C. Attorneys-at-Law. 401 Wood Street, Ste, 1600, Pittsburgh PA 15222; 394-1001. ·Evolve Counseling and Coaching, 773-1220 or 818-0312. ·Edward Jasiewicz, Prundential Preferred Reality, 521-5500. ·Leone’s Florist, 5504 Center Ave. Shadyside. 687-1595. ·Lowtide Swimwear and Apparel. 2614 Lincoln Way, White Oak PA 15131. 412-751-4799. ·Weishouse Home Furnishings. 324 S. Highland
Ave., Shadyside. 412-441-8888. Pennsylvania Bars, clubs, restaurants ·Chumley’s, 108 W. College Ave., State College;(814) 238-4446 (mixed). ·Club 231. 231 Pittsburgh St., Uniontown; (724) 430-1477. ·Escapade, 2523 Union Ave., Altoona, 16602; (814) 946-8195. ·Lucille’s, 520 Washington St., Johnstown; (814) 539-4448 ·Michael’s Café, 1413 11th Ave., Altoona, 16601; (814) 941-0803. ·Papermoon, 1325 State St., Erie, 16501; (814) 455-7766. ·Rumors in Town, 1413 11th Ave., rear, Altoona, 16602; (814) 941-0803. ·The Zone, 133 W. 18th St., Erie; (814) 452-0125. Organizations ·AIDS Intervention Project, PO Box 352, Altoona, 16603; 1-800-445-6262. ·Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Help line of Altoona, (814) 942-8101. ·Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Task Force, c/o Family & Children’s Service, 2022 Broad Ave., Altoona 16601; (814) 944-3583. ·Gay, Lesbian Switchboard, PO Box 805, State College, 16804; (814) 237-1950, 6-9pm. ·Gay, Lesbian Switchboard of North Central Pa., c/o Susquehanna Lambda, PO Box 2510, Williamsport, 17703; (717) 327-1411. ·IUP Alliance, 724-357-2598. ·Laurel Highlands Gay and Lesbian Alliance, PO Box 145, Somerset, 15501. ·Lawrence County AIDS Network, PO Box 1674, New Castle, 16103; 800-359-AIDS. ·League of G/L Voters, Erie. PO Box 8083, Erie, 16505; (814) 833-3258. ·League of G/L Voters, State College regional chapter. PO Box 10986, State College, 16805; (814) 237-5520. ·LGBTA Resource Center at Bloomsburg University, 266 Students Services Center, 400 East Second St. Bloomsburg PA 17815. ·LGBTA at Penn State, 101 Boucke Bldg. University Park, 16802, 814-863-1248. ·LGBA, PO Box 444, Slippery Rock, 16057; (724) 738-2939. ·Log Cabin Republican Clubs of Pennsylvania, 1903 Walnut St., Suite 175, Phila., 19103; (215) 247-6344. ·Mon Valley AIDS Task Force, Box 416, Monessen,15063;(724)258-1270. ·PA. Council for Sexual Minorities, 238 Main Capital Bldg., Harrisburg, 17120. ·Penn State Sexual Health Awareness Program, Ritenour Health Center, University Park, 16803; (814) 865-TALK. ·P-FLAG (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbian and Gays) New Castle; (724) 658-3578. ·Project HOPE, 697 State Street, Beaver PA 15009; (724) 581-6825 or (724) 728-8220; projecthope_2009@yahoo.com. ·State College Gay Men’s Alliance, PO Box 545, State College, 16804. ·UPJ Alliance. 814-269-7065. Ext.7180. Ohio Bars, clubs, restaurants ·Adams St., 73-77 N. Adams St., Akron; (330) 4349794. ·Club MAXX, 122 N. Sixth St., Steubenville; (740) 284-1291. ·Crew, 304 Cherry Ave. NE, Canton; (330) 4522739. ·The Grid, 1437 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland; (216) 623-0113. ·Interbelt, 70 N. Howard St., Arkon; (330) 2535700. ·PJ’s at the FED, 169 N 4th St., St., Steubenville; (740) 283-2747. ·Pulse, 169 S. Four Mile Run Rd., Youngstown; (330)318-9830. ·Tear-EZ, 360 S. Main St., Akron; (330) 376-0011. ·Utopia, 876 E. Midlothian Blvd., Youngstown; (330) 781-9000. Lodging ·Circle JJ Ranch, 1104 Amsterdam Rd., Scio; (330) 627-3101.
·Freedom Valley, 1875 US 250 S, New London, OH; (419) 929-8100. Organizations ·Brotherhood Leather United Equal, Steubenville; www.blueohio.net. ·Live and Let Live, gay alcoholics, St. Newman Center, 26 Rayen Ave., Youngstown, 44503. ·Mahoning County Area Task Force on AIDS, PO Box 1143, Youngstown, 44501; (216) 742-8811. ·The Ohio State University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Alumni Society, PO Box 2012, Columbus, OH 43216; Jim Ryan, (614) 421-9389. ·Washington County AIDS Task Force, Marietta; (614) 374-9119. West Virginia Bars, clubs, restaurants ·Broadway, 210 Broad St., Charleston, 25301; (304) 343-2162. ·Driftwood, 1121 7th Ave., Huntington; (304) 6969858. ·Eagle’s Nest Club, 1500 Brinker Road, Wellsburg WV 26070. ·Lee St. Deli & Bar, 1111 Lee St. East, Charleston, 25301; (304) 343-3354. ·The New Electric Flag, 1044 Market St., Wheeling, 26003; (304) 639-8390. ·O-Zone, 1107 Main St., Wheeling; (304) 2320068. ·Polo Club, 1037 7Th Ave., Huntington, 25705; (304) 522-3146. ·Stonewall Club, 820 7th Ave. (alley entrance), Huntington, 25701; (304) 523-2242 ·Tap Room, 1022 Quarrier St., Charleston, 25301; (304) 342-9563. ·Trax, 504 Washington St., W., Charleston, 25302; (304) 345-8931. ·True Colors, 515 Market St. (rear), Parkersburg, 26101. (304) 428-8783 (TRUE). ·Vice Versa, 335 High St. (rear), Morgantown, 26505; (304) 292-2010. ·Weezies, 3438 University Ave., Morgantown, 26505; (304) 598-0088. ·WoodStarr Nightclub. 322 5th St. Parkersburg; (304) 422-3711. Lodging ·Eagle’s Nest, (412) 417-1099. ·Long Fork Campgrounds, Walton; www.longfork.com; (304) 577-9347. ·Roseland Resort, RD 1, Box 185B, Proctor, 26055; www.roselandWV.com; (304) 455-3838. Organizations ·AIDS Task Force of the Upper Ohio Valley/Buddy Program, PO Box 6360, Wheeling, 26003; (304) 232-6822. ·BiGLT Mountaineers WVU, Morgantown, 26506;(304) 293-8200; BiGLTM@hotmail.com ·Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Mountaineers (BiGLM), PO Box 6444, SOW, WVU Morgantown 26506 (304) 293-8200. ·Charleston AIDS Network, PO Box 1024, Charleston, 25324; (304) 345-4673; www.aidsnet.net. ·Friends Who Care, PWHIV support, Joni Constante, (304) 292-8234. ·G/L Alcoholics Anonymous, Wednes-days, 7pm; St. John’s Espiscopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St, Charleston, 25301. ·Huntington AIDS Task Force, PO Box 2981, Huntington, 25728; (304) 522-4357. ·Mid-Ohio Valley AIDS Task Force, PO Box 1184, Parkersburg, 26101; (304) 485-4803. ·Mountain State AIDS Network, 235 High St., #306, Morgantown, 26505; 800-585-4444. ·PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gays) Parkersburg, PO Box 836, Parkersburg, 26102; (304) 428-8089. ·P-FLAG (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbian and Gays) Wheeling, 115 18th St., Wheeling, 26003; Liz (304) 232-8743 or (740) 484-4141. ·Together in Pride, PO Box 836, Parkersburg, 26102. ·WV Coalition for Lesbian, Gay Rights, PO Box 11033, Charleston, 25339; (304) 343-7305.
Legislators pledge to keep promise to LGBT community As same-sex partner benefits are debated throughout the state, Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced he will use an executive order to keep his promise to implement same-sex domestic-partner benefits for Allegheny County employees as early as this year. State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, praised Fitzgerald for his commitment to LGBT equality. “This will send a positive signal to prospective businesses and residents that we value diversity in Allegheny County and will help the county to attract and retain quality employees,” says Frankel co-chairman of the LGBT Equality Caucus in the legislature.
“Allegheny County will join major employers, such as the 59 percent of Fortune 500 companies, that provide domestic-partner benefits to their employees. This is also part of a continuing statewide trend toward greater fairness and equality for our LGBT family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors.” Late in 2011, members of the state House and Senate created the LGBT Equality Caucus to advance LGBT rights in the state and bring attention to important issues impacting the community. Equality Pennsylvania first presented the idea in early 2011, and since then it has attracted attention and
membership from 26 legislators statewide. It is the first caucus of its kind dedicated solely to educating legislators on the lives and challenges facing Pennsylvania’s LGBT citizens, as well as being a voice on equality issues within the legislature. In addition to Frankel, other local members of the LGBT Equality Caucus include Matthew Smith, D-Allegheny County, and Jim Ferlo, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland/Armstrong Counties.
Local woman honored as a national HIV hero
by Frank Siaca For her tireless dedication and commitment to HIV/AIDS patients, Kirsten Felix Burkhart, executive director of AIDS Resource and administrator of the West House Personal Care Home in Williamsport, PA, was recently selected as one of five winners in the “ATRIPLA 5 Years 5 Heroes” contest which was sponsored by BristolMeyers Squibb. The national contest, named after the HIV-1 prescription drug medication ATRIPLA, was organized to honor five individuals who have made an impact in the fight against HIV. Winners were selected based on essays submitted secretly by co-workers, friends or relatives. The nominating essay, which detailed Burkhart’s dedication to HIV/AIDS patients, was written by Amy Harada, assistant director of AIDS Resource. “I had no idea that she did it until we got a notice that I was a finalist,” said Burkhart. Since 2001, Burkhart has been the executive director of AIDS Resource, a nonprofit organization that provides HIV/AIDS education, prevention and outreach programs in the Williamsport area. According to Burkhart, “HIV/AIDS has always been a cause about which I felt passionately.” Burkhart helped to turn around the fortunes of AIDS Resource, which was struggling with debt back when she became executive director. In her first year with the organization she was able to get the company back on good financial footing through constant fundraising and community support. “No one goes into social work to win awards, and I certainly never expected to win an award for doing a job that is so inherently rewarding,” Burkhart said. Contest winners were chosen by a panel of celebrity judges that included Dionne Warwick, Wilson Cruz, Dustin Lance Black, Malaak Compton-Rock and David Munar, and the award ceremony was held in Chicago back in November. On meeting Cruz, Burkhart stated, “I’m a huge Broadway buff and actually saw Wilson perform in Rent, so it was especially exciting to meet him.” Burkhart continues on in her commitment to HIV/AIDS patients even in the face of mounting funding issues caused by the stagnant economy including a $150,000 budget cut this year at AIDS Resource. “We are deeply committed to providing services, often in the face of unrelenting challenges,” said Burkhart.
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OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 3
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Pittsburgh Area Bars, clubs, restaurants ·941 Saloon. 941 Liberty Ave. (Downtown);2815222. ·1226 on Herron, 1226 Herron Ave. (Polish Hill); 682-6839. ·5801 on Ellsworth, 5801 Ellsworth Ave. (Shadyside); 661-5600. ·Acanthus Fine Dining, 604 W North Ave. (North Side); 231-6544. ·Blue Moon, 5115 Butler St. (Lawrenceville); 7811119. ·Brewer’s Hotel, 3315 Liberty Ave. (Lawrenceville); 681-7991. ·Cattivo, 146 44th St. (Lawrenceville); 687-2157. ·Cruze Bar, 1600 Smallman St. (Strip District); 471-1400. ·Hoi Polloi Vegetarian Café, 1100 Galveston Ave. (North Side); 586-4567. ·Images Pgh., 965 Liberty Ave. (Downtown); 3919990. ·Leather Central, 1226 Herron Ave. (Polish Hill); 682-9869. ·The Link, 91 Wendel Rd., Irwin (Herminie); (724) 446-7717. ·Longbada, 108 W. Pgh. St., Greensburg, 15601; (724) 837-6614. ·M&J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St., Butler PA ·P-Town, 4740 Baum Blvd. (Oakland); 621-0111, ptownpgh.com. ·Real Luck Cafe, 1519 Penn Ave. (Strip District); 471-7832. ·Remedy, 5121 Butler St. (Lawrenceville); 7816771 ·Spin Bartini/Ultra Lounge, 5744 Ellsworth Ave. (Shadyside); 362-SPIN. ·Square Café, 1137 South Braddock Ave. (Regent Square); 244.8002. ·There Ultra Lounge, 931 Liberty Ave. (Downtown); 642-4435. ·Tilden, 941 Liberty Ave., 2nd floor (Downtown); 391-0804.
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PAGE 2 • OUT • FEBRUARY 2012
OUT • FEBRUARY 2012 • PAGE 31
FIERCE. FIERC CE. FEATHERED. FE EAT ATHERED. FA FABULOUS. F ABUL LOUS. WINNER! BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL Ă&#x152; 2010 TONY AWARDÂŽ
February 2012 Issue No. 419
Memorable â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dirty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; moment that makes Pgh hip â&#x20AC;&#x201D;page 22
$2.00
2012 promises drama, suspense for the LGBT community
Starsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;like Cruzâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;allign for local â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;heroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;page 3
CChristopher hristopher Sieber Sieber
Will success spoil Sharon Needles? Not if she can spoil it first
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can Foundation for Equal Rights with famed attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies leading the chargeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is mind-boggling. Whatever the results, any or all aspects could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court immediately or they could be appealed to a full 9th Circuit bench and then to the Supreme Court. But the panelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision will almost certainly have political impact, too. Not only will it affect the momentum of the marriage equality movement, it will almost certainly become fodder in the presidential campaigns. 2. The decision, on appeal, in DOMA A three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments, perhaps as soon as early February, in a powerful challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) denial of federal benefits to same-sex married couples. The challenge, referred to most often as Gill v. OPM, is actually three consolidated cases, two brought by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders and one by the state of Massachusetts. While there are other challenges underway to DOMA, this is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;big gunsâ&#x20AC;? challenge and the one most likely to reach the U.S. Supreme Court first. And while there is no deadline by which the panel must render its decision, it is
by Natty Soltesz Brace yourself, America: Local drag performer Sharon Needles (born Aaron Coady) is bringing her outsized, outrageous and occasionally offensive brand of drag to your living room. One of 13 competitors on season four of RuPaulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drag Race (premiering January 30 on cable network Logo), the self-anointed Queen of Shock has been blowing Pittsburgh audienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minds for the past several years at venues like the Blue Moon and the Brillobox. How will she hold up under RuPaulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scrutiny? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to watch and see, but underneath Sharonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pull-no-punches stage persona is an intelligence and a dedication to drag that should serve her well. Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Out spoke to Sharon about reality-
TV fame, the state of Pittsburgh drag and the necessity of Elmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Glue Sticks. Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Out: Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing drag for a long time. Did you ever see yourself getting this much notoriety? Sharon Needles: You know, yes. When I was young I was vain enough and blind enough and living on my own planet to know that I was going to be famous. But the older I got the more that I was seeing reality and knowing that it probably wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to happen. But now there are so many reality shows, anyone can be famous. Andy Warhol once said that one day everyone will get their 15 minutes of fame, but, you know, you get 15 episodes. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been the best part of RuPaulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drag Race so far?
Continued on page 6
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Careful, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re On the Edgeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;page 14
by Lisa Keen Keen News Service Significant events are crowding the calendar for 2012, and each promises considerable drama and suspense for the LGBT community. Here are the ten most important stories to keep an eye on: 1. The next decisions on Proposition 8 A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals could release its opinions any day now. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;opinions,â&#x20AC;? plural. Before the panel can rule on the constitutionality of Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s law banning marriage for same-sex couples, it must decide whether the Yes on 8 coalition has legal standing to appeal the federal court ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional, and it must decide whether there is any justification for Yes on 8â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request that the lower court decision be vacated. The list of possible outcomes in Perry v. Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the case brought by the Ameri-
likely to turn out one by yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end. Then, as with Proposition 8, the case could go to the full circuit court for appeal or straight to the Supreme Court. And, if the appeals court decision is rendered before the November elections, it will almost certainly provoke debate on the presidential campaign trail. 3. Tammy Baldwinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic bid U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) is not the first openly gay person to run for U.S. Senate, but sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first who has a real chance of winning. The daily Capital Times is already referring to her as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;likelyâ&#x20AC;? Democratic nominee to fill the seat being vacated by Democrat Herb Kohl. She doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a challenger for the nomination. But she will have a very tough battle against whomever the Republicans put on the ballot. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because the battle will be for more than just one seat in the powerful U.S. Senate, which currently has a breakdown of 53 in the Democratic Caucus and 47 in the Republican. It will be part of a multi-state slugfest between the parties over control of the chamber, the Congress, and the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laws. Continued on page 4