The Betty Pages Jan 2010

THE BETTY PAGES The region’s most inclusive alternative-lifestyle entertainment tabloid

January 2010

a Desire Enterprises publication

The Betty Pages - January 2010 Betty’s Corner

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Page 3

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By Betty Desire

Photo By Lea Kelley

In The Mix

By Bridget Adams

This Month’s Sign is Capricorn!

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By G.T. Warlock

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Houston Makes History, Country Makes Progress

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Gay Film Bibliography: Isherwood in Hollywood

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Yule Rites

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By Nick Milhoan

By Bichoo Vrishchik

By Ever After

GLBT Resource Guide

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Contributor G T Warlock is a musician, practicing pagan, palm reader and a member of WHACK!!! Whatcom County Kink. You can find him mid-afternoons at the Swan Café or on a gig.

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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.

Managing Editor Brian Spencer is a title-holder and board member with the ISCEE, aside from his involvement with various community organizations and work in graphic design. His interests include men, computers, drag queens and politics. He can’t believe the next issue will be in 2010. Live well, love much, laugh often.

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.

Queer Film Historian Bichoo Vrishchik (Scorpio Scorpion) has published in FILM QUARTERLY SIGHT AND SOUND, INTERNATIONAL FILM GUIDE, FILMFARE, YOUTH TIMES, MANSHOTS, and now THE BETTY PAGES. 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. His main interest is Indian cinema and articles on it are forthcoming.

Staff Writer Nick Milhoan is a student at WWU majoring in Journalism with a minor in LGBT studies. He is the current chair of the Bellingham Pride Festival and member of Whatcom PFLAG Board of Directors. His interests include movies, music, drag queens, politics and the pursuit of equality.

Photographer Lea Kelley is a local artist, writer, and photographer.

She thrives on incongruous pontifications of sardonic gratitude, combined with reflective musings, articulated in an ironic tenor with mordant respect toward inspiration, society, creativity, and the human condition - which is conducive to metaphor in run-on sentences. She’s a wry, loquacious kinda gal.

Contributor Mr. Nathan Perry Mattly What matters most in the end is: How well did you live? How well did you love? How well did you learn to let go? As much as I could say about myself, as stated above in that old Zen proverb in the end only certain things matter and it is in accordance with those things that I live every day of my life.

Betty’s Corner Betty Desire

the passing of Eric Heimbigner. Eric’s work in our community cannot be overstated. He was pivotal in its inner workings. He was deeply involved in many of our community’s organizations, usually in unseen back stage ways. I remember his work with “Bigot Busters” in the late 90s making phone calls to let people know where petitioners were.

His help to our Bellingham Pride Committee over the last 10 years was invaluable. It was Eric who approached me at my coffee shop 12 or so years ago and asked me about starting a Wednesday night show at Rumor’s.

I was skeptical at first and he had to convince me it would fly. Now, nearly 13 years later, The Betty Desire Show is somewhat of an institution in town.

memories of past accomplishments and allow them to empower us to dream and achieve above and beyond our expectations.

Let’s not settle for the possible, but work to achieve the improbable. As has been said “If not us, who? If not now, when?”

Happy New Year!!! 2010

Betty Desire Get Involved with the stories and issues that matter to you! Share your thoughts and comments on this article at www.thebettypages.com

I believe Eric’s rather well known frustration with our lgbt community was born out of a deep seeded belief that we are better, could do better, and deserve better than what we “settle” for. He had a low tolerance for mediocrity, and was a fiercely loyal friend. As was said so eloquently by Shorty at his memorial, Eric believed in inclusion before it was popular.

We have lost a strong advocate, and it remains to be seen how we will regroup, but regroup we must, he would have it no other way.

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Well, 2009 has come to a close and we now venture into the uncharted waters of the second decade of the second millennium!

It seems only yesterday we were “partying like it was 1999” Everyone has their own moments of the year that they feel are pivotal and I guess I’m no different than the rest.

Nationally, for the gay lesbian community, I would say the addition of Iowa, New Jersey, and potentially Washington D.C. to the list of areas where same sex marriage is now legal is pivotal. Our state holds the distinction of being the only state ever to extend “Everything but Marriage” or any other gay rights, by way of the ballot box, and that is pivotal. Washingtonians stand alone in their ability to see beyond the rhetoric of the theocratic right and vote for fair and equal treatment for all under the law. There was a disappointing loss in Maine and California, but the trend of marriage equality is moving As we enter this new in our favor. decade it is my wish Locally, we have seen the end of an era with that we hold on to the

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In The Mix Bridget Adams

Happy New Year, Poppets! It’s 2010.

Amazing isn’t it? Hopefully, your holidays were peaceful and joyous. Mine were good, which is always a lovely thing to report. But, with the holidays over and the new year rung in, it’s time for me to come out of my gothic-y Martha Stewart stage and start paying attention again.

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This has taken nearly a decade to the layperson’s eye, and some experts say going back to the 1970s, to create. This won’t be turned around in one year. It can’t be, no matter who is in the White House or what promises were made.

Let’s get the country stable again and

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(ENDA); the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT); the repealing of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). We opened our hearts and our wallets. We registered and campaigned and talked.

We rallied and voted. He won us over and we helped ensure he won. Yet, so See, our president made many promises far, there has been no movement on any to the LGBT community during of these issues. the campaign. The passage of the Turns out, we’re coming up on an Employment Nondiscrimination Act We deserve better. It is, after all, 2010.

How is it possible we are still having this debate in 2010?

Copies of The Betty Pages are available And yet, the Libra in me kicks in, this is at these fine local establishments: the same president who was left with the Bellingham: •Bandito’s Burritos •Studio Galactica greatest economic failure of most of our •The Black Drop* •Bellingham Public •The Sub Shop lifetimes, a two front war, a country as •Library •Camden Chameleon* •Temple Bar polarized as we’ve ever seen, an education •Cabin Tavern •Cap Hansen’s* •The Teriyaki Bar system that is barely viable, and the •Community Food •Casa Que Pasa* •Tony’s Coffee distrust and disrespect of the global Co-op •Film is Truth* •Up N’ Up community. The needs of one group – •Evergreen AIDS •Grand Avenue Ale •Village Books •Foundation •House* •Whatcom Community any group – must be put on the back •Everyday Music •Great Northern College burner until our country is functioning •Fairhaven Laundry Books* •Wild Buffalo again. Because don’t fool yourselves; our •Fiamma Burger •The Horseshoe Café* •WWU LGBTA country is barely functioning. Those •La Patisserie •La Rue Costumes* infamous foundations? They are still •The Love Zone •Mallard Ice Cream* Mt. Vernon: cracking and crumbling out from under •Lover’s Package •Old World Deli* •Draft Pic’s Sports Bar us.

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important anniversary. It’s been almost a year since Barack Obama took the oath of office. And oh dear… Sometimes being a Libra isn’t the easiest thing to be. Generally speaking, Libras are very good at seeing all sides of an issue.

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then we can start holding him to the promises he made to the smaller groups of constituents.

And yet, I answer myself, not moving on a promise because there are other, more urgent issues, is one thing. To use the weight of the White House and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to countermand future legal actions brought by us and on our behalf, is another. To use cases involving incest and pedophilia to justify the Constitutionality of DOMA (as the DOJ did last summer) oversteps. This isn’t just silence or inaction. Nor is it innocuous. Nor is it necessary. While the DOJ must defend current laws, it needs not defend them by legitimizing the opposition’s most inflammatory, oppressive stances.

It needs not give validity to the opposition’s greatest fears.

Silence, I could have understood. I could’ve even defended. I don’t expect miracles in a year, I never did. But I didn’t expect this White House, this President, to set us up, either. It’s important now for us to think clearly. To come together as a community.

To remind President Obama about his promises.

We got him elected once. We don’t have to do it twice. Maybe a year in is a good time to get that message across. What do you think? Let me know at lifeandtimesofbridget@gmail.com. And, until next month, Poppets, take care of you.⁂ Get Involved with the stories and issues that matter to you! Share your thoughts and comments on this article at www.thebettypages.com

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Still, the Libra speaks up once I’ve calmed down a bit, and then she goes silent. Because there were other ways to handle this. Ways that didn’t betray us.

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This Month’s Sign is Capricorn!

G.T. Warlock

Sagittarius may the best sign, as astrologers from Ptolemy to Linda Goodman agree, other than being a bit sloppy and not able to take teasing well. So I didn’t write about them last month because who wants a bunch of wining archers anyway.

But earthy Capricorn, on the other hand leaves, a lot of room for frivolity (busting chops).

Remember this is the sign of the goat. Some famous goats: Janis Joplin, Joan of Arc, Richard Nixon, Joseph Stalin, Al Capone. If you get the idea that Capricorns like power and control, you’re right. No matter how friendly, there’s always a piece of “what’s in it for me.”

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If it sounds like Capricorns make good pimps and politicians, it’s because they strive to reach the top of their professions. Example: President Nixon’s struggle to get to the White House. They also make great criminals because sociopathic behavior can be an asset in some lines of work. Patient and clear headed until riled goats are not as bad of snap cases that Aries or Gemini because Capricorn stays focused on “I’m not getting what I want” no matter how agitated . This applies mostly to those with a Capricorn Sun or Moon (like mine).

Those with Capricorn ascendant usually get spared the intense side of the sign and have a friendly stubbornness.

Goats either make it big young and burn out, like Janis or Big Al, or improve with age like fine cheese and wine. They are the children who win ugly baby contests, but at their 25year high school reunion they’ll be the hottest cougars at the punch bowl.

What turns the goat on???? Money, power, fame, control and fine “bling,” or if they are highly spiritual they may reject all material values and live among the real goats.

About their kink…Scorpio may have invented SM, but Capricorns perfected it to a high art form and enjoy it more than any other sign. All that planet Saturn restriction thinking makes for new & better bondage toys. Capricorns take pride in their possessions, their home, their car, their custom made Inquisition flogger in fine Italian leather, you, their bondage

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This may sound like the dark side, but while the goats will look out for their interests foremost, they are a somewhat fair lot and always work for the “greater common good.” Like Al Capone setting up & running soup kitchens during the great depression.

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chair, their other lover, the video they made of you, the flogger, the other lover and the bondage chair, their control.

Capricorn also loves earthly pleasures and because of their business sense they are always keeping track of pain and pleasure they have given or received. This is not to say Capricorns don’t make good bottoms; they love control sooooooo much that giving it or getting it can be just as good.

Compatibility: Capricorn “YOU’RE MINE” does well with Taurus “POSSESS ME.”

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Caps like to be served, so they do well with Virgos and value the maiden’s quest for perfection. As for Capricorns and Scorpios, what a Divine intense power struggle; don’t get in the middle of this one or you’ll get gored, stomped and stung.

Two goats partnered will butt heads over and over and over… Capricorn does well with Aquarius because Aquarians see them for who they are and still tolerate them.⁂

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As for other types of kink, these people will do ANYTHING, and if they like it make a habit. They take their time at methodically choreographing a scene, to the sweet perfection of pleasure. For group scenes Goats, if unattached, can be real lively orgy sluts. Sagittarius always knows where the best orgies are. Capricorns are the ones that bring the finest toys, food, and wine. Partnered swinging Capricorns will undoubtedly party you their significant others and expect at least as fun playmate in return. Capricorns take age play for real. A young female Cap may date a much older man not just because he’s loaded and still hot but also because he reminds her of one of the heavies in the some old ‘30s black n white movie. The goat is a nostalgic lot. Cap women make great cougars and Fem Doms “I said on your knees naked slut puppy.” Older Cap men may date younger women because the old goat is still really a teenager at heart and needs someone he can relate to.

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Houston Makes History, Country Makes Progress Nick Milhoan

History was made during the last election cycle when residents elected former city controller Annise Parker as Houston’s first openly gay, and only its second female, mayor.

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Parker beat former city attorney Gene before the runoff.

Locke with 53.6 percent of the vote in While the majority of Texas is a runoff election. conservative, the Houston area (as Both are Democrats who faced off well as neighboring Austin and San for the second time because Antonio) generally leans to the left. neither emerged with more than During the 2008 election, Obama 50 percent of the vote in the won the area and three of the last four November 3 election. gubernatorial races have voted for the Democratic candidate.

Parker’s election also makes her the second woman to become Of the 2.2 million residents, 60,000 mayor of Houston. Other cities of them identify themselves as gay and such as Providence, Rhode lesbian.

Island, and Portland, Oregon, Parker, 53, has never shied away have picked openly gay mayors. from, nor made an issue of, her sexual However Houston is the largest orientation. She has been with her city in America to elect a lesbian partner for 19 years and they have two as its mayor. The most recent adopted children. statistics show Houston as the She was elected to the city council fourth-largest city in America. and then spent the past five years as Parker’s victory is also remarkable city controller. She ran for mayor on a because a few years ago, Houston platform of fiscal conservatism. rejected a referendum to offer benefits to same-sex partners of “I have always stood up for the fact city workers. Also, the city sits that I am gay. It’s part of the resume in a state where gay marriage is that I bring to the table, but it’s just a piece of the package,” she said. against the law.

“Houston is a multiracial, multicultural, international city.

And I think my election will send a message to the world that Houston is a city that might surprise a lot of folks,” Parker said

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After the mayoral race entered a runoff, conservatives and anti-gay activists mounted an intense campaign against Parker. Houston residents received flyers in the mail that highlighted Parker’s support from gay groups and

her relationship with her partner.

times have changed.

“There’s a certain segment of Houston, there’s a certain segment of society that has problems with the issues around sexual orientation,” Parker said. “But the citizens of Houston have elected me six consecutive times to public office. They know me, they trust me.

In April of 2009, ABC News, in cooperation with Facebook took a poll asking “Do you favor or oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into same-sex marriage?” This was significant because if was the first poll ever to show more people in favor (49 percent) than opposed (46 “I think it’s a small and shrinking percent). While part of this was on a minority of Houstonians who have that attitude and I look forward to it as being mayor of all of Houston,” she said.

Parker will take office later this month, replacing Bill White who could not run because of term limits.

With one of America’s largest cities electing a gay major and our own state approving Referendum 71, the tone of LGBTQ issues seems to be changing. Back in 2004 when San Francisco and Multnomah County, Oregon legalized same-sex marriage, much of the country was ready to proclaim the end of society. However

Using a similar ABC poll in 2006, the majority of Americans were opposed (58 percent) to same-sex marriage, while the minority was in favor (36 percent).

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Turnout was light for the runoff.

Only 16.4 percent of the eligible voters cast ballots, according to the results from Harris County, Texas, where Houston is located. Locke received 46.4 percent of the vote.

non news based site, it shows the tone slowly changing in America.

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53 percent were in favor of this.

ABC News also conducted a poll on “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” and 75 percent favored allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military.

The poll also asked if you were conservative/ religious or liberal/non-religious and when that factored in, 56 percent of those who reported being conservative still believed gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve without repercussions.

While defeats did occur in 2009 and people in Maine, where same-sex marriage was vetoed, may believe differently, 2009 was a year of change in the LGBTQ community. As time progresses it would seem practical to say that same-sex marriage and rights for all citizens will begin to come into shape and that maybe one day equal rights for the LGBTQ community can not be talked about in a future tense, but a present one.⁂ Get Involved with the stories and issues that matter to you! Share your thoughts and comments on this article at www.thebettypages.com

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So while it appears the country as a whole is still far away from legalizing same-sex marriage, more and more people are accepting it and changing there views. When the clock struck midnight on January 1, one more state was added to the growing list the allow same-sex marriage and New York now recognizes marriages performed elsewhere and its looking as though Washington D.C. will legalize same-sex marriage very soon as well.

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Gay Film Bibliography: Isherwood In Hollywood Bichoo Vrischik

It’s difficult to leave Hollywood without thanking Christopher Isherwood. Not for the movies he co-wrote (they’re mostly terrible), Berthold Viertel’s GaumontBritish LITTLE FRIEND (1934); at MGM W.S. Van Dyke II’s RAGE IN HEAVEN (1941) with Ingrid Bergman from James Hilton’s novel, polished dialogue for Joan Crawford in George Cukor’s A WOMAN’S FACE (1941), David Miller’s DIANE (1956), Lana Turner as a 16th century French courtesan courting Pedro Armendariz as the king of France, Tony Richardson’s messy THE LOVED ONE

CHRISTMAS CAROL and SILENT NIGHT. Rather, for his Weimar Berlin short stories, collected as GOODBY TO BERLIN, inventing Sally Bowles, in 1951 adapted for Broadway by John Van Druten with Julie Harris as Sally, in 1955 on film by Henry Cornelius with Harris, in 1966 again on Broadway as CABARET re-rewritten by John Masteroff, with music

by John Kandar and lyrics by Fred Ebb with Jill Haworth as Sally, and in 1972 as Bob Fosse’s five-Oscar winner CABARET, with one for Liza as Sally. And, for gays, his 1964 novel A SINGLE MAN, based on his love for Don Bachardy, a painter thirty years younger, and imagining life suddenly upon the lover’s death. Chris and Don met on a Santa Monica beach; Chris once told David Hockney, “we’ve so much in common; we love California; we love American boys; and we’re from the north of England.” Hockney had been attracted to California via Bob Mizer’s AMG posingstrap films. Jack Hazan’s 1974 A BIGGER SPLASH, recreating Hockney’s move to California, was originally banned in France for its graphic male-male tanning booth scene. Isherwood, a Hindu adept, is also remembered for his translation of THE BHAGAVAD GITA (THE SONG OF GOD, 1944, with Swami Prabhavananda). And as a gay host of J. R. Ackerley, Adrian, Janet Gaynor, Benjamin Britten, Paul Cadmus, Truman Capote, George Cukor, E.M. Forster, Curtis Harrington, Steven Spender, Gore Vidal, Charles Laughton, Armistead Maupin, Gavin Lambert, and cousin Grahame Greene. Yet the object of his childhood

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(1965, re-written by Terry Southern) with John Gielgud, Liberace, Tab Hunter, Roddy McDowall and Robert Morley from Evelyn Waugh’s Hollywood satire; at Warners, Peter Godfrey’s THE WOMAN IN WHITE (1948), i.e., Eleanor Parker; Richardson’s independent, handheld THE SAILOR FROM GIBRALTAR, 1967), i.e. Ian Bannen, from Marguerite Duras; or Jack Smight’s FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (TV, 1973), Michael Sarrazin as a dashing monster deteriorating before the eyes of Victorian Jane Seymour.

Nor for his scripts that were never filmed -- THE LADY FROM THE LAND OF THE DEAD erstwhile THE MUMMY, Romain Rolland’s roman-fleuve JEANC H R I S TO P H E , Henrik Ibsen’s ROSMERSHOLM, THE WAYFARER (a life of Buddha), F. Scott Fitzgerald’s THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED, Somerset Maugham’s UP FROM THE VILLA, Robert Graves’ I, CLAUDIUS, Carson McCullers’ REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE, JACOB’S HANDS (with Aldous Huxley), JUDGEMENT DAY IN PITTSBURGH, and two Christmas TV Specials, A

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fantasy, Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy, if not Puck in “a fur loincloth” in Max Reinhardt’s 1935 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, remained distant.

Peter Parker’s ISHERWOOD: A LIFE REVEALED (Random House, 2004) also remembers him, in the 1960s, as a gay activist.

Guido Santi and Tina Mascara’s CHRIS AND DON: A LOVE STORY (2007) recreates his Cambridge and Weimar Berlin; and in real Santa Monica home movies he hosts Stravinsky and Huxley, Bachardy sketching everyone, painting in color after Chris’ 1986 death from prostate cancer. Cat and horse cartoons, not in Bachardy’s style, fill the gaps. The recreations blend too seamlessly with the home movies, confusing raw image and artifice, adding little historical context.

ONE magazine, 1964’s equal of THE BETTY PAGES, called A SINGLE MAN “The most honest book ever written about a homosexual.” Now, Bob Mondello, of National Public Radio (11/27/09), reports: A SINGLE MAN, the debut film from fashion designer Tom Ford, about a college professor mourning the death of his longtime lover, stars Colin Firth as the bereaved academic, Matthew Goode as the late lover (in flashbacks), Julianne Moore as the Firth character’s best friend, and Nicholas Hoult as a student who looks much like the lover. What’s got some folks exercised is the film’s don’t-ask-don’t-tellized ads. The Weinstein Company picked up the film at the Toronto Film Festival, then recut its wordless trailer

to substitute laudatory review quotes where Ford’s version had featured shots of a male-male kiss, or of men eyeing each other meaningfully. The rest was left more or less intact -- so in the new trailer, it looks as if the central relationship is between Firth and Moore, not Firth and his male co-stars.

Chris and Don would be appalled.⁂ Get Involved with the stories and issues that matter to you! Share your thoughts and comments on this article at www.thebettypages.com

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Yule Rites

Ever After Well beloved (and “muggles”) it’s that time of year again. Jack frost is nipping at our noses, giving us colds, everything from year’s last harvest is in this day and age, snugly canned and tucked away in the pantry, for all those little mid-winter snack attacks, not to mention all the fabulous holiday hosting and entertaining (hopefully on a grand scale that would put Martha Stewart to shame). The days wane shorter and shorter, and the night grows ever longer. [Maybe that’s the reason there are so many parties at this time of year?] After all, as the song goes; “the night-time is the right time:” i.e. mood lighting!? Oh my, I just flashed on A Street-Car Named Desire! Yep, just ask Blanch; low lighting improves the odds of snagging that special someone.

On a more serious note beloved: after some major reflection and meditation on recent events. I realized that Yule Rites is not just a catchy title for this article but indeed in more than one way is a very real rite of passage for millions of folks.

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During the holidays all sorts of traditions are carried out. Essentially a tradition is what besides “a ritual or rite of passage?” My point is that whether it’s “decking the halls,” or making snow angels with I don’t know

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. . . cousin Justin. There are annually darker aspects to the holidays then any of us cares to entertain in their thoughts. The reality is that many people pass over to the other side at this time of year; usually either before or after Christmas. This is but one of the darker aspects of the holiday season. Aside from the fact that the days are literally darker.

Meaning of course there is more night then there is daylight.

Loved ones [or so spirit has informed me] hold on for one last Christmas, or skip it all together in order save the breathed from not haveing to deal with the pain of watching their loved one slip away during an international holiday.

On the 16th of December I flew down to California to visit family . . . well everyone knows how the song goes, “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

On that trek (mid travel of course), my best friend in the whole world, a Lady who knew my soul better than any other waking being. A valuable asset of the spiritual community; an incredibly powerful spiritual medium, Earth Angel, and seasoned teacher, Mss. Phyllis Zylstra passed on to yet the next step of her journey. In her own words, that step was “to get her wings back.” Someone once said, “when you reach the highest peak of consciousness, then it is time to grow wings and fly” (or maybe I said that; either way, it works). In other words, Phyllis had done absolutely all that she was meant to do here on Earth; she had fulfilled every contract of existence.

Mss. Phyllis is not the first encounter with loss at the Yuletide that I have experienced, and I am quite sure she won’t be the last! I have a sneaking suspicion that perhaps the very person reading my words knows such loss. If this is the case, try to remember dear one: that this is exactly why the Yuletide is a festival of light. It is meant to warm our soul and light our path for a little while. The dark energies of our world have a symbiosis tied to this time of year. The dark energy coalesces and is strongest just before winter solstice (Yule). This is why we celebrate with lights; candles, Christmas lights, the Yule log, etc.

So whether one wants to be the host with the most. Or one just needs to chase away those holiday blues; putting up with all that chatter about the dark side, I’ll give this to you in exchange. A little recipe for throwing one hell of a fabulous Yule that I myself whipped up some time ago.

1. As with any ritual, you’ll want to cleanse the space [keep in mind the celebration its self is a ritual]. Whether the ritual space is going to include your whole house or not, it

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is up you. To cleanse: the easiest and most common way is to smudge with sage.

2.

Now take the Yule log place it in some sort of container (I prefer something decorative) (which by the way, according to tradition the log must be found not bought) place it on the altar. Decorate the Yule log with greens such as pine branches, ivy, holly, etc. whatever is native to the season. Douse the log in some sort of cider or ale (the liquid consecrates the log). Sprinkle flower all over the log (This sort of represents snow as well as dries the log, plus it looks pretty!).

3.

Now place the log in a fireplace, or wherever it is to be burned.

If at all possible: according to tradition the log is kindled from a piece of last year’s log [now would be a good time to strip a piece of the log off for this same activity next year]. [Side note: lighting the log may be postponed until guests have arrived for aesthetic purposes.] Light the log.

8.

Set the altar up in a way that is convenient for whomever is going to be heading up ritual; make it easy to grab a hold of things.

This will definitely include a candle for each element as well as a green and a gold candle. You will be using these candles in ritual later.

9.

Now it’s time to head into the kitchen to prepare the libations for guests and ritual. [Side note: make sure to inform guest to bring white elephant gifts.]

10. Once guests have arrived either play a CD with some really groovy drumming on it that also sounds like it fits the holiday season, or make sure to invite some people who play the drum [This will ground everyone at the event. Thus preparing all for a better communion of the spirits (each other’s as well as with deities and the like).]. If the music is live: begin the drumming. Whomever is heading ritual, this would be a good time for them to stand near the altar (for as long as they

4.

By tradition one keeps the log asmolder for 12 days which of course is from solstice to New Year’s Day. 5.

[Side note for later: once the 12 days has ended take the ashes of the log mix them in with the water of pets and or live stock (this blesses the Earth). [Also mix the ashes with the seeds for the spring time.]

7.

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6.

Decorate the ritual space. Use things like holly, mistletoe [make sure to hang some mistletoe over the doorways too], pine, pine cones, ivy.

For sent in the air: burn bay, chamomile, and frankincense.

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feel appropriate) in the grounding pose. This is (think tree) with arms up in the air kind of spread out, feet just the same. [Side note: this activity will be repeated later in ritual, so unless the ritual space is going to include a whole house. Be prepared with one or all of these for the guests: a CD with intense but festive music, drummers, sheet lyrics or chants.]

11.

When all guests have arrived cast the circle. Grab whichever ritual tool suits you and use this incantation if you like:

do will, so mote it be; chant the spell and be it done!

12.

Whomever is heading up ritual is either going to continue or is going to take over. It’s time for the quarter call:

13.

Light the four element candles [as the 1st is lit state: West, then as the 2nd is lit state: south, 3rd , 4th etc.]

Darksome night and shimmering moon. East, then south, then west, then north, hearken to the Witches’ Rune! Here come us to call the forth. Earth and Water, Air and Fire. Wand, pentacle, cup and sword. Work ye unto our desire; hearken ye unto my word. Cords and censer, scourge and knife. Powers of the witch’s blade, waken all ye into life; come ye as the charm is made. Queen of Heaven, Earth and Hell. Horned Hunter of night, lend your power unto the spell; work our will by magick rite. By all the power of the land and sea. By all the might of the Moon and the Sun. As We

14.

Now implore the deities: (Here’s who I used last year. Use whomever you wish)

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O, Circle of Power, I conjure thee, that thou may be a boundary, tween realms of flesh and ancient ones. This shield against bane and harm becomes a meeting place of Truth, Love, and Joy, containing the power that we employ.

By God and Goddess, we conjure thee. This is our will, so mote it be!

Now that the circle is drawn, do a salt cleanse around the perimeter of the circle.

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Athena, grant us wisdom, Hera, the strength to outlive sorrow; Artemis, give us courage; Hestia, take us home! Aphrodite, please delight us! Baubo, send us laughter flowing!

Hecate, guide our decisions. Demeter makes us whole! Selene, wrap us in your shimmering cloak! Hail all, and be welcome! We gather this night in perfect love, and perfect trust.

For the betterment of all humans, and harm to none! Make it so!

15.

Light the gold candle. Light the green candle. Now say this incantation:

official dinner bell; say a few words: (try these on for size)

Long Night’s Moon in December brings Magick so true, may the oak king grant us wisdom in all that we do! See the burning candles of green and gold so bright, light and riches they will bring on this blessed night.

We give thanks to the mother Goddess; we give thanks to the father Sun! We give thanks to the Children in the Garden where the mother and father are one!

16.

At this point chant, sing, play a CD, or drum to raise power.

If you wish, or if all else fails; you may wish to chant this simple chant: Hand in hand; heart to heart. Let the power start!

Stop the chant when the energy in the room feels as though it has reached its peak.

17.

Now it’s time for gift exchange!

20.

When it feels as though the merriment has reached commencement; say these words before opening the sacred circle and giving your guests a license to depart: As these flames of the material world are darkened, they shall ever burn in the worlds beyond. The rite is ended; blessed be!

[Guests reply:] Blessed be!

21.

Douse all of the symbolic candles. Say these words: Guardians of Earth, Water, Fire and Air; we thank you for attending our rites. Gods and Goddess, we thank you for attending our rites!

To all, go if you must; stay if you will. Ere depart to your fair and lovely realms. We bid you hail, and farewell!

19.

Now it’s time to take communion. In other words . . . it’s time to eat! Before the

[Guests reply:] Hail and farewell!

• There you have it. Now it’s ended! 21 steps, for 21 days to solstice.

Well beloved, I hope you enjoy!

I leave you now, until next time; with these words.

Success herbs include cinnamon, balm, ginger, rowan, High John the Conqueror, and wahoo.⁂

Get Involved with the stories and issues that matter to you! Share your thoughts and comments on this article at www.thebettypages.com

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After waiting awhile until the excitement has settled down. Take a little of that handy dandy holy water I discussed in my first piece and bless the libations by very lightly sprinkling a little on them.

Like the Sun at day’s end, pass into the Earth our friend. Fade now like the waning Moon.

Or a whirlwind on a shifting dune. Banished be thou Sacred Space. As the circles edge I traced. Let your power sundered be flowing back to the Earth and Sea. As we emerge from your embrace: return us now, to Time and Space!

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Betty Desire Wants You! Now 2x a Week!

For over 10 years!

The Betty Desire Show @ Rumor’s Cabaret Every Wednesday 10:30pm 1119 Railroad Ave. www.rumorscabaret.com

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Betty @ The Copper Hog Every Monday 10pm 1327 N State St. www.thecopperhog.com

GLBT Organizations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties www.theslowlane.com This website includes a gay resource guide for Bellingham located at www.theslowlane.com/guide.html.

There is also a Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ alternativebellingham/ Sean Humphrey House An apartment complex for people living with HIV/AIDS in Bellingham. For more information call 360-733-9357 Triskeli Guild TheTriskeli 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.

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 25 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.

PFLAG of Skagit County Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays’ Skagit County Chapter meets at the Central United Methodist Church at 1013 Polte Rd. in Sedro-woolley on the second Monday of every month at 7 PM. For directions and information all 360-856-4676 Counseling Line To connect with a licensed therapist in Whatcom County who is educated about kink, polyamory, and LGBTQI lives and lifestyles, call 360-756-0718.

Individual, couples, and family and phone sessions are available.

Lavender Light Meeting An LGBT Lavender Light meeting of Narcotics Anonymous meets at 1209 Girard Street every Wednesday and Friday night at 7 PM and Sunday at noon. This group has been meeting since June of 2001.

PFLAG of Bellingham and Whatcom County For information about parents and friends of lesbians and gays in Bellingham and Whatcom County call 360-733-1500.

Skagit Young Men’s Group A place for young, gay men (ages 2035) to meet new people, get support, make conversation and have fun.

Meetings held at Central Methodist Church, Sedro-Woolley.

Rumors Cabaret Rumors Cabaret caters to Bellingham’s GLBT and alternative lifestyle community and has done so since the 1980’s. An award winning dance club, Rumors provides a gathering place to celebrate party and mingle. From the Betty Desire Show at 10:30 PM on Wednesday nights, to Fetish Nite on the third Sunday of the month, to hosting foam parties and drag shows, there is something for everyone at Rumors. Go to rumorscabaret.com for info.

Evergreen AIDS Foundation Evergreen AIDS Foundation provides support services for people living with HIV and AIDS who reside in Whatcom or Skagit County. 1509 Cornwall Ave. 360-671-0703 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.

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!

Bellingham Radical Faeries Community of queerfolk interested in lifestyles celebrating queer sexuality, spirituality and sustainability of the natural world. 18+ recommended.

Meet at Three Trees Coffeehouse, 118 W. Holly St, Saturdays from 11am-ish to 1pm-ish. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/BellinghamRadicalFaeries/

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, as well as Whatcom County. We can be reached at wccqsa@gmail.com for more info or CRavenwo@whatcom.ctc.edu 4th Corner Poly A friendly group involved in or curious about non-monogamous relationships—people open to having more than one loving and honest relationship in their lives. All gender orientations and persuasions are welcome. This is a family, kid-friendly get-together for sharing experiences and desires—not a pick-up or swing scene.

We meet every 3rd Thursday evening.

For meeting information: http://groups. yahoo.com/group/4thcornerpoly/ Bellingham Leather Men is a community based organization dedicated to empower gay leathermen in Northwest Washington through social and educational events, and is open to all men who wish to better understand the gay male leather/fetish experience. We support support safe, sane and consensual play. Monthly Men’s Leather Social every second Saturday of the month at Rumors Cabaret, 7:30 until 10:30. For more information, contact President Rick Ruben at werebear100@yahoo.com Lesgo.com Is a website that helps connect the Whatcom County lesbian community with information on local and regional happenings.

The Betty Pages Copyright Notice While The Betty Pages and/or its contributors generally reserve all rights and privileges of copyright, several parts of this publication are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA. For more information and permissions, contact The Betty Pages at thebettypages@gmail.com or send a letter to The Betty Pages, c/o Desire Enterprises, PO Box 2724, Bellingham, Washington, 98227-2724, USA.

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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

Gay and Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous Meets every Wednesday night at 7:30PM at St. Joseph’s South Campus.

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