THE BETTY PAGES The region’s most inclusive alternative-lifestyle entertainment tabloid
January 2012
a Desire Enterprises publication
The Betty Pages - December 2011 Betty’s Corner
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Page 3
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In The Mix
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By Betty Desire, The Betty Pages
By Bridget Adams
Community notes
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The Comics!
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Gay Film Bibliography
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By Lara Beth Carter
By Bichoo Vrishchik
About our Contributors... Miss Betty Desire has been entertaining anyone who would listen in Bellingham for nearly 10 years, and is proprietor of The Betty Pages, the monthly publication that you are reading at this very moment. It is her hope that your perusal of the Betty Pages will enrich your life one chuckle at a time.
Naomi Steele graduated Whatcom Community College with an Associates in Visual Communications -Graphic Design but prefers more hands on tinkering such as wire craft & random projects (of which she has many still to finish). She believes that everyone has a right to pursue their happiness as long as it doesn’t harm others
Queer Film Historian Bichoo Vrishchik (Scorpio Scorpion) has published in Film Quarterly Sight and Sound, International Film Guide, Filmfare, Youth Times, and Manshots. With a BA from Pacific Lutheran College (1959) and a MA from San Francisco State College (1968), he has also taught film at Western Washington University.
Writer Bridget Adams currently resides in Washington State but that is always subject to change. Lucky enough to be a full-time, if poor, writer, she is most likely somewhere in front of her computer with a cup of coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
Staff Photographer John Phillip, after 40+ years of television production work John has settled down in B’ham to semi retirement. He now drives late night shuttle for WWU and has revised his love of photography. His education touched on Theology, pre-med, law enforcement, fire protection engineering and film production. John likes to keep broad horizons. “Don’t Dream It, Be It”
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Betty’s Corner
Betty Desire, The Betty Pages
men and women still will not get the same support as their heterosexual counter parts but there is hope this will change possibly as soon as years end. More and more people are “waking up and smelling the coffee” (another reference to 2012?) .It is my hope that 2012 will bring a dimming of fear and suspicion and a brightening of understanding and hope. Hope that all of us wll learn to mind our own business and let our neighbors live their lives in peace.
Aside from musing about the end of the world I have been thinking of the great strides made in our community in 2011. If I had to pick two major events they would be the legalization of same sex marriage in New York State and the implementation of the repeal of “Don’t Ask Here’s to the end of the world! Don’t Tell” When the legislature in Albany voted to allow Gays to marry they doubled the number of people living in a jurisdiction where they could marry the person they love. This is a huge step forward for all of us. It appears that there will be an equally huge effort Counseling Education Programs this month to push for marriage equality in Support Groups Children’s Services Washington State. Local groups are organizing Parenting Classes Crisis Intervention and lobbying our Representatives in Olympia Shelter Referrals Info and Referrals to take that last step and recognize our long Legal Assistance 24-hour support term monogamous relationships the same as they do those of our heterosexual neighbors.
Betty Desire
The implementation of the removal of our military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy toward it’s gay lesbian service members is an amazing milestone in our communities quest for equality No longer will Servicemen have to lie and hide to protect their livelihood. No longer will they be subject to blackmail from angry fellow soldiers. Until the “defense of marriage act” is repealed or struck down by the courts. spouses of gay and lesbian service
There is NEVER an excuse for domestic violence or sexual assault.
We’re here to help. Free, safe, and confidential. 24-Hour Support (360)715-1563 www.dvsas.org
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Welcome to 2012! According to the Mayan calendar the world as we know it will end this year! Time to get together all of your “end of the world” supplies. You can never be too prepared. I already have the flash lights and camping gear I need. (including extra batteries) I am going to make sure the three 5gallon propane tanks I have are charged and ready. I need to buy coffee beans to tide me over until the next incarnation of “Terra Firma” so I will stop by Maniac Roasting to stockpile what I need. I figure I will be able to barter coffee for what ever else is needed to survive. I will see if Alex can sell me some green beans and build a small greenhouse to grow coffee locally. It might work, it would be worth a try and I will have all the time in the world to tweak things til I make it work.. From what I have heard December 21 is the day to watch out for so there is still plenty of time to get ready. Oh I am going to have
to find or build a bicycle generator I already have a power inverter. Rest assured The Betty Pages will continue! I will pay the scribes in coffee of course, which is actually more than they are getting now so it is true around every dark cloud.there is a silver lining
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*The Black Drop *Cabin Tavern *Cafe Caffé *Cap Hansen’s *Casa Que Pasa *Chameleon Ink Tattoo *Evergreen AIDS Foundation *Film is Truth *Glow *Grand Avenue Ale House *Great Northern Books *Horseshoe Café *Mallard Ice Cream *Old World Deli *Pizza Pipeline *Rumor’s Cabaret Allied Arts The Archives Arlysis Avalon Music The Bagelry Bandito’s Burritos Bayou on the Bay Bellingham Bar & Grill Bellingham Flea Market Bellingham Public Library Bellingham Public Market The Bistro on Magnolia Street Boundary Bay The Copper Hog Daisy Café Everyday Music Fairhaven Laundry & Cleaners Fiama Burger The Gathering Hot Topic
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In The Mix
Community Notes
photo by Bill with our thanks (in the photo, Al, Michael, Kathy, Robert, Sally, Dave, Sally, Skip, Jerry-(RZ) )
Happy New Year, PFLAG Skagit and our friends and neighbors, We had an enthusiastic return to the Safe Haven Room and a rededication of the beloved RZ Pignacious (our rainbow piggy bank) who will remain there now after a misadventure earlier this year and having been lovingly patched by Bill and Sally Pfeifer. Rather symbolic we think- of the role of PFLAG in patching up wounds of the heart so families and individuals can carry on. Best wishes for the holidays. Everyone in PFLAG is always part of a support circle, so keep in touch. We are holding the receipt for $1950.00 for the grant we received from the Pride Foundation to be used next year in supporting our local youth leadership training, creating new bookmarks to hand out at our tabling events and purchasing needed materials. Once again we are distributing close to $1000.00 a year in booklets and films to people in our community and elsewhere- and we could not do that without the generosity of our members and supporters. Along with support and education, the third part of PFLAG's role is advocacy and 2012 will be an important year in working towards marriage equality. I will keep you posted as that effort unfolds, but if it is an area of special interest, please let me know. We will need everyone's help over the next two years to make this dream happen. Even in hard economic times, we can extend humans rights to others and make this -our state- and this- our time- to move ahead in history. It will take every ally in this state to make that happen. Most of the momentum will be in private conversations, and we (you) will be the voices. Our next support meeting will be January 9, 2012. Please put it on your calendar. Hugs, Kathy and PFLAG Skagit/Stanwood
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Bridget Adams As you know, Poppets, I frequently write my way down the coast, hitting Seattle, Portland, and, at least once, California. I’ve even headed all the way south to Mexico and east to tell you about events happening in New England. For some reason, though, I’ve never gone just east to Spokane. It wasn’t intentional; it just…didn’t happen. Too far, too under the radar. Who knows? Then Dempsey’s, that Spokane institution, closed back in November and I’d never once reminded you about their drinks, their music, or their drag shows. It was a good, if startling, reminder that even our institutions can go under if we’re not vigilant. Admittedly, I don’t know why Dempsey’s closed. Reports are inconsistent and I’m not going to speculate. What I do know is it’s gone. Not wanting to make that same mistake again, I’m using this month to tell you about Hollyrock, a new club in Spokane Valley. Is it further than Seattle or Portland? Sure. But it’s a damn site closer than California, Mexico or Boston, so why not, right? Plus, the place sounds really great. Part gathering place, part community outreach, Hollyrock is more concerned with being a safe place for everyone, than making its owner wealthy. From 4:00 pm, when it opens, until 9:00 pm, teens 16 and older are allowed – and encouraged - to come, hang out, have a place to get away from the daily grind, and just be. This would be enough to make me love the place, if it was all Hollyrock offered (you know my soft spot for teenagers, Poppets), but it’s not. The owner, Robin Tuttle, is aiming for a totally inclusive environment, rather than just being another gay club. LGBTQs, their allies, and straight folks are all equally welcomed, equally wanted. The food is a step or three above typical bar fare, making it an actual restaurant, instead of just a place to grab something greasy to help balance the booze. Many of the drag performers who kept Dempsey’s hopping have made the move to Hollyrock, as well, so you know the quality of talent is there. It’s a new venture, during a time when new ventures are risky. And, sure, it’s a little out of the way, but what better way to shake off the post-holiday blahs than a weekend away, supporting an exciting new venture? I can’t think of much. So hang with Betty at Rumors on Wednesday, and then make a run to Spokane and check out Hollyrock on the weekend. They’re open seven days a week, 4 pm-2 am, at 20 N Raymond, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. For more information, give them a call: 509-413-2793 It’s a new year, Poppets. Let’s have an adventure or two, starting in Spokane. Until next month, take care of you.
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Community Notes Whether or not you love ballet, you will love the Trocks. Reviews
Village Books is proud to announce that through a variety of fundraisers in November and December, the store has donated more than $1375 to local schools and to the non-profit organization Excellence Northwest. Village Books strives to continue supporting the local community through in-store fundraisers and events. Every year, Village Books sponsors “School Nights” at our store to help local schools earn store credit for their school libraries. Occurring each November, these events bring school staff, students, families and friends into our store. For all purchases made by these school “supporters,” Village Books donates 20% of the sales as store credit for the school library. This year, five schools earned $1,151.53 in store credit for their schools. The schools participating were Happy Valley Elementary School, Wade King Elementary School, Pioneer Meadows Montessori School, Cedar Tree Montessori School, and Explorations Academy. In December, Village Books hosted a fundraising day for the local nonprofit Excellence Northwest. This event was a partnership between Excellence Northwest and Village Books. On Sat., Dec. 3rd, our store hosted “Excellence NW Day,” an in-store event for members of Excellence Northwest. On “Excellence NW Day,” supporters and members of the non-profit earned a percentage of their sales as a cash donation. This event earned the organization more than $225. Excellence Northwest is a local non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening individuals through innovative
-By Ramona Abbott
courses that support people in creating the life they love. “Village Books theme has long been ‘building community, one book at a time,’” says Village Books co-owner Chuck Robinson. “Not only do we believe that books and education are important, we believe that community is extremely important, and we're thrilled to be able to help those organizations and institutions that help strengthen the community.” For more information about Village Books, visit our website at www. VillageBooks.com. For more information about Excellence NW you can visit their website at www.excellencenw.org.
For more information contact: Christina Claassen -Events Coordinator Village Books 360-733-1599 events@villagebooks.com
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from around the world (and that’s really around the entire world) make it clear: you will love this performance. If you currently love ballet, you will laugh in many places; if you do not currently love ballet, you will laugh in other places. But you will laugh, make no mistake about that. Let’s start with the obvious: men in tights and tutus are always funny. But as one reviewer from the Bangkok Post makes clear, if that were all the Trocks had to offer, the funny would be over in the first three minutes. So where is the rest of the funny? It’s in the details. Here’s what the Trocks have to say about themselves: “Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is a company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the ballet and modern dance repertoire, including classical and original works in faithful renditions of the manners and conceits of those dance styles. The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance.” It’s the dichotomy between how seriously the Trocks take the art form and how lightly they take it that elevates their art. Strict adherence to the rigorous skills of dancing en pointe is indeed a serious matter. Those skills include years of practice and pain, lost toenails and pointe shoes filled with blood. Hey, no one ever said art was always pretty. Here’s what Trock Paul Ghiselin says about it: “Dancing on pointe is … like learning how to dance all over again. It feels like you’re walking on stilts. When you’re six feet tall, there’s a lot of weight going over those shoes. There’s also the pain. When you’re first adjusting to pointe work, you develop nasty corns. At first, the pain holds you back, but once you learn how to protect yourself by toughening your feet and developing muscle stamina, that goes away, and you can be brave.” He goes on to say, “I lost both my big toenails in one rehearsal for Paquita. I wanted to die. In the solo, there are lots of hops on point, and I have long feet and ankles, so
the next day I could barely walk. I was so glad to see those toenails go. It was such a relief.” Yes, you heard that right. Losing toenails was a relief. So that gives you an idea of just how much work this is – even after years of rigorous study as a traditional male ballet dancer. And on the lighter side? The Trocks poke loving fun at everything in the art form. Divas are over-the-top divas. The intricate timing of ballet is stretched and twisted, as swans miss their cues and scurry to return to their flock just a few counts too late. Various choreographers are parodied in deft style that will have ballet sophisticates in the crowd hooting with laughter. “The fact that men dance all the parts – heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses, angst-ridden Victorian ladies – enhances rather than mocks the spirit of dance as an art form, delighting and amusing the most knowledgeable, as well as novices, in the audiences. For the future, there are plans for new works in the repertoire: new cities, states and countries to perform in; and for the continuation of the Trocks’ original purpose to bring the pleasure of dance to the widest possible audience. They will, as they have done for thirty-four years, “Keep on Trockin’.”” So says their website, and it is clearly the case. Quite literally, from the Bolshoi to the Muppets, from Johannesburg to Perth, from Nightline to performing for the British royal family, this is a group that delights audiences around the world. Your dedicated author cannot emphasize this enough: audiences line up around the world to see this group. They are coming right here, to the ‘Ham, to present their cutting-edge humor and skills. Don’t miss it! I will be attending en pointe just to fit in. Okay, I’m lying now. Bloody ballet shoes are not in my future. But the Trocks definitely are. In fact, I have friends (who normally view the world ending at the Seattle city limits) coming up for the performance as well. Join us!
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Community Notes - continued If You’re Reading This... then so are your customers. E-mail thebettypages@gmail.com for more information on advertising.
New Watering Hole for Thirsty Revelers Tubb's Tavern at the old Three Trees Coffee House location, opened it's doors in time to ring in 2012! They will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 2am serving Beer and Wine. Jessica Bowman also said they will have Pretzels and the best dollar Hot Dogs in town! Stop by 118 West Holly and say hello to Jessica and Tubb's Tavern!
Robert Holzer....*MAC* Make-up maniac from Seattle will be making faces, answering questions, and teaching amazing techniques for both everyday make-up and drag!!!
Chuck Dingee & Joe Young
When....:..... Saturday January 28th Where......... Jake’s Barbershop.....1411 Cornwall Avenue Time........... 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ish)
Sabrina y los Reyes
Note: this is a private party in which only 25 tickets are for sale.....We’ll have finger foods and music. (BYOB) Robert will be performing his makeup skills on a female model (everyday, day to night,& eyelash application) ALSO...A “Drag” model to show coverage and super DIVA skills!!!
Any questions please contact Julie @ Jake’s Barbershop Monday thru Sat 9-6 (360) 306-8071
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Misty Flowers
Jake’s Barbershop very proudly presents an evening with M.A.C. Makeup Maniac ......~*~”Robert Holzer”.....~*~
Design: MeganKPeterson@gmail.com
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Queer India : Gay Film Bibliography
Bichoo Vrischik
Christopher Kelly in “The Unbearable Lightness of Gay Movies” in FILM COMMENT (n.d.) complains that American new gay cinema, after the “excitement [of ] watching gay characters who resembled people encountered in real life,” became “endless shots of chiseled male torsos,” “safe-sex (or no-sex] pornography” in “sitcoms and teen sex comedies” except for Todd Haynes, who becomes too picturesque in VELVET GOLDMINE (1998), mimicking Orson Welles. Then there’s the “gay denial,” or soap opera of Gregg Araki in THE DOOM GENERATION (1995) and NOWHERE (1997), humiliating the audience “for being turned on,” as “homosexuality starts to seem not so much like a part of one’s identity as a bad habit.”
have legally been able to vote.) Outside of Bollywood, queers do sometimes appear in films. I’m going to mention some of them in a clockwise fashion beginning with the most northern such films I know of as if the state of Madhya Pradesh were at 12:00.
Whereas in Rohit Dhawan’s DESI BOYZ (a pseudonym for a London male escort service, 2011), in which only two minor characters might be gay, according to Arwa Janjali in the GOMANTAK TIMES (26/11/ 11), a Goan (India) daily, is filled with “bare chests and broad biceps.” Ex-Levi’s model John Abraham’s prospective father-in-law can hardly keep his hands off him, and is happy to receive a card to potentially rent an escort. John’s buddy Akshay Kumar feigns a gay attack on his body when a gay executive refuses him a job. In a court, where Akshay fights for the foster care of his orphaned nephew against his reputation as an escort, John accuses an effeminate lawyer of being gay, and Akshay ends up lying on the court floor on his back with the nephew on top, embracing him.
In real life, Shabnam is no longer in the Assembly, but still fights for hijras’ rights and against HIV/ AIDS: “We brothers and sisters often face stigma and discrimination ... Talking openly about AIDS helps us understand each other!”
In Yogesh Bradwaj’s regional Hindi film SHABNAM MOUSI (AUNTY SHABNAM), Ashutosh Rana essays the role of the real life Brahman hijra Shabnam, born in Madhya Pradesh, the first hijra to be elected to a State Assembly. In the film, Shabnam not only wears a sari, but kicks the ass of her opponents.
Rituparno Ghosh, something like a Bengali George Cukor, directed
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But what is being gay, in India, really like? Dhamini Ratnam, in “The Indians without laws”(MiD DAY 23/10/11) writes of “legal concerns of the LGBT community ... there is no law that criminalizes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation -- a living reality for most queers in the country.” In the case of adoption “a child will be legally recognized as the ward of one” partner only, although “the law nowhere explicitly states that queer couples cannot adopt.” “The same can be said for transgenders and those who’ve undergone Sex Reassignment Surgeries,” according to an anonymous criminal lawyer, and everything from a passport to job security depends on the attitude of the official involved. Ratnam states that in 2002 HUMJINSI (THOSE LIKE US, 1996), a “book that offered an overview of the existing legal landscape in the country, [was] updated and reprinted.” But “any law can be potentially misused,” to him “from obscenity laws to the immoral traffic (prevention) act... While the number of blackmailing cases has declined after the decriminalization of homosexuality, there are still a number of other laws that can be used to harass gay people.” The population of Indian cities is, for the first time since the great influenza epidemic of 1929, growing faster than that of the countryside. The ratio of women to men in cities is also increasing although that ratio continues to decline as a national figure. Hijras (eunuchs) could register as “others,” neither male or female, as voters by 1994, and in the November 2011 to April 2012 census a member of the poor can identify oneself as transgender, allowing many of the country’s 1,500,000 hijras to participate in a Right to Food Campaign. (Pakistan’s 80,000 to 300,000 “others” also, since 2009,
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Queer India - continued nineteen mostly women’s films until he decided to come out as an actor in two of his own scripts in 2010, Kaushik Ganguly’s AREKI PREMER GOLPO (JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY), as a gay director in love with his cinematographer who attempt to make a documentary on the real life Chapal Bhaduri, formerly known as Chapal Rani, or “Queen” of the Calcutta stage; and Sanjoy Nag’s MEMORIES IN MARCH as the lover of a deceased colleague who’s unknowing mother comes to Kolkata to retrieve her son’s belongings. Also in Kolkata, Q (Quashik Mukherjee), the director of GANDU (ASSHOLE, 2010), promises a gay twist to TASHER DESH (THE KINGDOM OF CARDS), the film he is completing for the 150th birthday celebration of Bengal’s Shakespeare, Rabindranath Tagore (CALCUTTA TIMES 28/10/11).
Onir’s Hindi film on a gay swimmer with AIDS, MY BROTHER NIKHIL (2005) takes place in Goa, but the subject has not come out in Konkani, the true language of the state of Goa. But some statistics did on World AIDS Day: although locally AIDS has declined by half, Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) are still more prone to AIDS then are men who don’t, most of them, from ages 18 to 40, the sole breadwinners in poor households. In Kanerese, to the north, Girish Kaseravalli’s GHATASHRADDHA (RITUALS, 1977) suggests that some young Hindu seminary students may practice pederasty as well as Sanskrit on each other. In Marathi, directly north, surrounding Mumbai, Ravi Jadhva’s BAL GANDARVA (2011) biopics that famous transvestite singer of the early 20th century Marathi stage as effeminate, and not gay (he is seen making love to his wife in full drag so much as a simpleton, not only practicing an art that is seen as gay today, but throwing his money away on beautiful costumes and stage sets, a sort of straight drag queen before its time. Jadhva ends with an afterward apologizing for the actor’s behavior financially, and perhaps also for his art. Rajinder Dudrah in “Queer as Desis,” in GLOBAL BOLLYWOOD: TRAVELS OF HINDI SONG AND DANCE (Hyderabad, 2008), asks “Is Bollywood Inherently Queer?” but presents precious little evidence beyond classical references, the tradition of men in drag on stage, its present camp value, and the freer life style of its diasporic audience, i.e., gay Indians living abroad. “Further research,” he concludes, “is needed.” This article is a humble attempt to show how queer traditions manifest themselves outside of Bollywood, i.e., in India at large.
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In South India, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in Nandni Reddy’s ALA MODALAINDI (IT ALL STARTED LIKE THIS, 2011) a girl tells her uncle that she’s safe with a boy (Haleem Khan) because he’s gay, and Haleem soon had his own lead role in NUVVILA (WHERE ECCENTRICITIES ABOUND), in pink lipstick and a pink shirt that reads “I Love Pink” nicknamed Sushia, stalking the hero. Sushia’s parents to Haleem in THE HINDU (7/11/11) “are willing to support him even if it means ... marrying a boy.” In Tamil, a more violent cinema, in Gautham Menos’s VETTAIYADDU VILAADU (HUNT AND PLAY, 2006) two men molested in jail by hijras, as a result become serial killers of women in New York city. In the book QUEERING INDIA (q.v.), edited by Ruth Vanita, T. Muraleedharan writes on “Queer Bonds, Male Friendships in Contemporary Malayalam Cinema,” a more positive look at male sociability. Suresh Natarajan’s 16 minute PETALS (2001), based on a true story is not the first film made on lesbian double suicides in this language. In Santosh Sivan’s URUMI (THE DOUBLE EDGED FLEXIBLE SWORD, 2011) an
effeminate government minister working against the hunky hero as well as the Portuguese meets a violent end. Now star Dileep is disguising himself as a woman in Jose Thomas’ MAYAMOHINI (THE ILLUSIONARY BEAUTY, 2012). “Mohini is an avatar of Lord Vishnu,” Dileep told THE HINDU (9/12/11), although the film has a contemporary setting. “I have a duet with Biju, whose character doesn’t know [I’m] in disguise ... I have shed weight ... After all I am playing the heroine.”
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Know Your Status Have you been tested for HIV recently? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 21%, or 232,700, of those Americans infected with HIV don’t know it. As the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator at Interfaith Community Health Center in Bellingham, I’d encourage you to think about getting tested. The Ryan White Program is a federally-funded grant program named after the Indiana teenager who courageously spoke out against the stigma of HIV/AIDS so many years ago. The program offers comprehensive medical care, dental care, behavioral health services, nutritional counseling, and case management to those living in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. This year, we recognize 30 years of AIDS. Over that time, we’ve made tremendous progress. Although a cure remains elusive, HIV/AIDS has become a treatable condition and life expectancy for those living with HIV/ AIDS, when consistent in their treatment, is nearly one par with non-infected individuals. Though challenges persist, there are renewed efforts to combat HIV. Last year, President Obama unveiled the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce HIV infection, increase access to care, and reduce HIV-related health disparities. There is a commitment to reducing the rate of infection and to improving the health outcomes of those living with HIV/AIDS. The CDC estimates that 16 to 22 million Americans are tested for HIV each year and that nearly one in two Americans has now been tested at least once. But still, an estimated one in five infected with HIV don’t know their status. Since they don’t know their HIV status, they aren’t being treated. By not being treated, they are putting their long-term health at risk – and they’re putting others at risk of infection. Like so many illnesses, the earlier
you diagnosis HIV, the better. So please consider getting tested. Now is the time. There are several places to get tested in our community. Earlier this year, Interfaith Community Health Center adopted a policy of “opt-in” confidential HIV testing for our patients. New and established patients will annually be offered the opportunity to be tested for HIV. HIV tests may be covered by insurance, but if not – or if a patient is uninsured – our Ryan White Program will pay for the cost of the test. Free and confidential HIV testing is also available at Evergreen AIDS Foundation. So, as they say, money is no object. Other organizations in our community provide HIV testing on a sliding fee scale to uninsured individuals. The Whatcom County Health Department, Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood, Mt. Vernon Planned Parenthood, and SeaMar Community Health Center all offer confidential or anonymous HIV testing on a sliding fee basis. For those who are insured and have a primary care provider, the test can always be done by your private physician. If the test comes back negative, that’s fantastic news! You can rest assured that you are not one of those 21% of Americans who don’t know their status and risk transmitting the virus to others. But if the test comes back positive, you can know that there are resources available in your community to help you. There’s the Ryan White Program at Interfaith Community Health Center to provide you with expert HIV care. There’s Evergreen AIDS Foundation to provide the support you need to cope with the news. There’s an incredible network of individuals in this community who are dedicated to assisting those living with HIV/ AIDS. And by knowing your status and getting treated as soon as possible, you will be setting yourself on the path to better health – and, at the same time, helping to stamp out this disease by reducing your chance of infecting others. -Jennifer Moon
GLBT Organizations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties ISCEE The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Evergreen Empire is affiliated with the International Court System and has been actively raising money for charity for over 30 years by sponsoring drag shows and pageants. The group is open to all regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, seeking to provide social activities and community service opportunities for gays, lesbians, and their friends and allies in Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties. Leather, Levi & Bear Social Monthly gathering of men who like Leather, Kink, and Unabashed Masculinity. Second Saturday of the month, Rumors Cabaret, 7:30 to 10:30. Info 360.380.6409 www.theslowlane.com This website includes a gay resource guide for Bellingham located at www. theslowlane.com/guide.html.
Triskeli Guild The Triskeli Guild is Bellingham’s BDSM group that promotes community and education for safe, sane and consensual play. They encourage participation by all sexual preferences, race and age 18 and up people. They meet monthly every 2nd Tuesday, at Pandora’s Box at 314 W. Champion St. at 7 m. www.triskeli.org Queries—triskeli@triskeli.org
Washington Gender Alliance A support and educational organization for anyone dealing with issues of gender identity or expression, and the people in our lives. We have weekly Open Support meetings in Bellingham and Everett. For more information, please write to us at info@ WashingtonGenderAlliance.com or call 360-445-2411, or visit our web site at www.WashingtonGenderAlliance. com. Sean Humphrey House A housing unit for people who need assistance living with HIV/AIDS in Bellingham. For more information call 360-733-9357 On Eagle’s Wings Counseling Sue Stackhouse offers counseling services to the GLBT community in Whatcom and Skagit County. For information call 360-599-2627 PFLAG of Skagit County Support meetings for Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people and GLBT individuals are held at the Skagit Valley Co-Op Bldg. at 202 S. 1st St. in room 309 (down town Mount Vernon) on the second Monday of every month at 7 PM. For directions and information all 360-856-4676 and for additional information and events check the website at www.pflagskagit.org.
Bellingham Radical Faeries Community of queerfolk interested in lifestyles celebrating queer sexuality, spirituality and sustainability of the natural world. 18+ recommended. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ BellinghamRadicalFaeries/
Whatcom County PFLAG Whatcom County Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays meets the 2ND Thursday of each month, 7pm at First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham. For more information and events visit www.whatcompflag.com Whatcom Community College’s Queer Straight Alliance is committed to supporting the GLBT community by promoting awareness of queer issues and entertaining and educating students and staff of WCC. We can be reached at wccqsa@gmail.com. Whatcom County KINK is a group to help organize events, munches, help if you have items to sell, or just a way for people to get to know each other. Meetings are the 1st Tuesday of the month at Rumor’s Cabaret. Happy Spankings!
Western Washington University LGBTA The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance at Western Washington University is a student organization which supports lesbians, gays, bisexuals, people who identify as transgender, and their allies; in the various stages of their coming out process, in the creation and affirmation of positive self identities, and in the promotion and defense of their human and civil rights. The LGBTA is located on Western’s Campus in Viking Union 515 and is open from the first day of Fall quarter until the last day of Spring quarter. For information call 360-650-6120.
Mount Baker Planned Parenthood Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood proudly demonstrates its commitment to the LGBTQ community in all of our educational and service areas, by partnering with LGBTQ service organizations and through sponsorship and participation in Bellingham Pride. Our goal is to ensure that every individual has the information, services, and freedom to make healthy, responsible decisions about sex, sexuality, and parenthood. We offer comprehensive reproductive care, affordable STD testing and treatment and annual exams. Sliding scale available. Make an appointment online! http://www.mbpp.org Bellingham Clinic: (360)734-9095 Mount Vernon Clinic: (360)848-1744
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4th Corner Poly Polyamory is the practice or acceptance of having more than one loving, honest relationship at a time. We’re a friendly, welcoming group for people involved in or curious about polyamorous relationships. Our group consists of and welcomes diverse sexual and gender identities . This is a family, kid-friendly get-together for sharing experiences and desires—not a dating or swing scene. we meet every 4th Thursday evening at alternating locations. For more information: http://groups. yahoo.com/group/4thcornerpoly
Evergreen AIDS Foundation Evergreen AIDS Foundation provides support services for people living with HIV and AIDS who reside in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Snohomish counties. Bellingham: 115 Unity St. 360-671-0703, Everett: 2709 Wetmore Ave. 425-740-3000
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