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THE BETTY PAGES The regionâ€™s most inclusive alternative-lifestyle entertainment tabloid

August 2010

a Desire Enterprises publication

The Betty Pages - August 2010 Betty’s Corner

Page 3

By Betty Desire, The Betty Pages

Photo By Lea Kelley

In The Mix

Sudoku for Tom

By Bridget Adams

Written by Brian Spencer, The Betty Pages

2010 Washington Primary By Nick Milhoan, The Betty Pages

Ruling Says Prop 8 Violates U.S. Constitution By Brian Spencer, The Betty Pages Photos by Dale C. Tarpenning II

9 11

Bellingham Should B-Proud

A Trans Perspective on Pride

Ask Pharmacist

By Nick Milhoan, The Betty Pages

By Rory Gould

Kagan, 112TH Supreme Court Justice 17 By Nick Milhoan, The Betty Pages

Gay Film Bibliography: Creeping Brokebackitis

GLBT Resource Guide

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.

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 wait for even better spring & summer weather! Live well, love much, laugh often.

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.

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 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, as well as Princess for the ISCEE. His interests include movies, music, politics and the pursuit of equality.

Photographer Lea Kelley is a local artist, photographer, and writer. She is a recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Award for her local photography project, Faces of Bellingham. Her abstract paintings can be found on line at leakelley.com.

Contributor Rory Gould has been a GLBT activist for more than 30 years, and is president of the Washington Gender Alliance.

Betty Desire, The Betty Pages

venders the food was great! Bellingham you did fantastic! As I write this we have only 354 days until Bellingham Pride 2011. The Dog Days of Summer are quickly approaching, as they do, remember to live life to the fullest. There is joy to be found in the simplest of tasks. Harvey Milk, the nation’s first gay man elected to public office and martyred for his success, was known for two sayings: “You gotta give them hope” and the lesser known phrase “never blend in” Dr Suess would tell us to be who you are those who mind don’t matter those who matter won’t mind. Be You! Be True! Be Proud!

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

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It has now been a full week since Bellingham Pride 2010 and I still haven’t fully recovered! What a fantastic time! The Wednesday kickoff show was packed. Thursday’s all ages party was not as well attended but the kids and parents that were there had a great time and best of all

didn’t have to “blend in” I am so grateful for all who came to The Betty Pages 6th anniversary Party! It was a grand success with blown up posters of the covers of the year and page three and other shots from the last 6 years flashing on two big screens. It was great to hear people cheer when they saw a friend of theirs one of the big screens, friends, family, community; I think we’re on to something! The picnic, which was held at Maritime heritage park for the first time, was bigger and better than ever we went through 4 cases of burgers and had over 400 people through the park. My thanks to the dj’s and the hula hoop girl who made the day for all the kids! My gigantic rainbow beads are now under the watch full care of an amazing young lady. Enjoy them dear may they bring you many smiles like they did me. The parade was also our largest to date. Over 50 entrants lined up at the high school parking lot and with all the commotion and confusion we still started the parade only 5 min late! The parade was an hour long and the crowd following us to the festival was inspiring to watch. The festival itself was wonderful. God des and She were stellar. There were many booths and

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In The Mix

Bridget Adams Three years, Poppets. As of last month, I have written for The Betty Pages for three years. It can’t possibly have been three years. And yet, it has been. In light of this, I decided I would re-introduce myself. After all, we have new readers who weren’t around three years ago when I first did so, and it would be easy to ask why this straight, cisgendered woman writes this column every month. Why this straight, cis-gendered woman refers to “us” and “we” and “our” when talking about the LGBT community. Sure, if you’ve read me frequently or met me around town or asked Betty or Brian, you could get an answer. But what if you haven’t? Who the hell am I to be writing here, using the words I use? You deserve an answer.

started to get scared. This is a scary issue to address. People are wary. Legitimately concerned of being led into a trap. People are suspicious. With straight, cis-gendered privilege comes the ability to walk away if it gets too hard. Comes the straightsplaining. Comes the straight guilt. Because, let’s be honest, the Special White Woman is just as insulting and degrading as the raging bigot, and worse because she tries to lull you into a false sense of security. You know it. I know it. And here I am, trying to find the words to explain why a straight, cis-gendered woman writes about “our community.”

The fast answer to why I consider myself a part of this community is that my husband, David, is gay. No, he’s not bi; he’s gay. He lived closeted for years, before finally coming out to himself and a handful of close, trusted friends. Neither one of us expected to fall in love. He was terrified of making another mistake that would send him back into the closet, and probably divorce court. I wasn’t the least bit interested in being a beard or a cover of some sort. We fell in love anyway. He’s not back in the closet and I’m not a beard. We are lucky enough to have been able to fall in love with people instead of just genders. As his spouse, his issues are mine. From the ones any couple faces like finances and employment and an aging father and a rebellious teenage son to ones that are more unique to our community like decisions about coming out and a legal system that doesn’t recognize him as truly equal to straight, cis-gendered men. These are my issues, every single day. Anyone who would try to tell you otherwise has never been in love. Another fast answer is that human sexuality, orientation and www . thebettypages . com

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And there’s the rub. The rub is, for me anyway, the words. Yes, words have specific definitions and that’s all fine and good. But words also What is/was interesting is that once I decided to write this article have emotional meanings for us. I know people who cringe at the this month, once I started thinking about explaining myself to you, I word “activist.” Yet, I also know people who relax once they hear it. Some people don’t want to hear an explanation at all. You either live it or you don’t and your words don’t matter. Other people need the words before they can trust the actions. As a writer, I am well aware of the importance of a properly turned phrase, and the dangers of a poorly turned one. So how do I find the way to explain to you who I am? To reintroduce myself to you? Say too much, and I sound like the Special White Woman. Say too little, and we go back to the who the hell am I, anyway, question. It’s a dilemma. It’s scary. It’s worth a shot.

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identity is so vast a spectrum, it’s difficult for me to place myself on one fixed spot on it. Am I straight? In that I am not sexually attracted to other women, yes. Am I cis-gendered? In that I do not need to give up my female-ness to be in a male body, yes. But I do not believe, since we are being honest among ourselves, that our answers - our sexuality, orientation and identity - are that cut and dried. Western society in general, and American society specifically, is distressingly closedminded about these issues. Americans like to pretend that because we acknowledge LGBT options, we’re being inclusive. But the spectrum is greater than the five points that make up Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Straight. And it’s certainly about more than who we want to fuck or who we want to be when we fuck them. Straight and cis-gendered define me because I have no other options, because once again, I am trapped by my words.

Since there are fast answers, it follows logically that there is a not-so fast answer. That there is, perhaps, a downright convoluted one. Never let it be said I am not logical. I consider the LGBT community “my” community because it is the only community I have ever known. Bear with me if you will…I walked into my first drag club when I was twelve. It was New York City and my friend knew the stage manager of the show. I’ve often wondered how they got away with having me there, in what was in essence, a bar. But it was the early-80s and it was NYC and maybe all that played into my favor. The point is I was there. And for the first time in my young life, who I was was…fine. From the bar backs to the stage crew to the performers, I was accepted. Looking back on it now, I have no doubt they were highly amused by the short, round little girl from the small Southern town trying so hard to be city cool – but they didn’t show it. They didn’t treat me like a problem to be solved or an outcast to be pitied the way most other adults in my world did.

Copies of The Betty Pages are available at these fine local establishments: •Bandito’s Burritos •Bellingham Public •Library •Cabin Tavern •Community Food Co-op •Evergreen AIDS •Foundation •Everyday Music •Fairhaven Laundry •Fiamma Burger •La Patisserie •The Love Zone •Lover’s Package (Meridian) •Lover’s Package (Telegraph) •Merch Bot •Mt Bakery •Pandora’s Box •Pel’ Meni •Public Market •Rocket Donuts

•Studio Galactica •The Sub Shop •Temple Bar •The Teriyaki Bar •Tony’s Coffee •Up N’ Up •Village Books •Whatcom Community College •Wild Buffalo •WWU Viking Union & LGBTA Mt. Vernon: •Draft Pic’s Sports Bar & Grille •Same Ol’ Grind •Skagit Valley College •The Tattered Page Bookstore (*Indicates our advertisers!)

This community is my home, my family. Like all families, we can laugh and joke – and make each other crazy. But we do so with the knowledge of shared experiences and respect, love and yes, constancy. And that’s why I write for The Betty Pages. 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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Bellingham: •The Black Drop* •Camden Chameleon* •Cap Hansen’s* •Casa Que Pasa* •Film is Truth* •Grand Avenue Ale •House* •Great Northern Books* •The Horseshoe Café* •La Rue Costumes* •Mallard Ice Cream* •Old World Deli* •Pizza Pipeline* •Re-Threads* •Rumors Cabaret* •Slo Pitch* •True Blue Boutique* __________________ •Allied Arts •The Archives •Avalon Music •The Bagelry

From there on out, straight, mainstream culture never resonated with me. Whenever I would move, which was often, it was within the local LGBT community that I found friends, love, acceptance, and family. It was here, in these clubs, community centers, theatres, bookshops, reading groups, and cafes, where I was welcomed as exactly who I was, instead of being expected to change if I wanted to be allowed in. I was never treated as an outsider. Hell, I was never even treated as just an ally. I have been wrapped up, given cookies, and brought into the fold. This is my community, our community, because I have been assured it can be.

Sudoku for Tom

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Written by Brian Spencer, The Betty Pages

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2010 Washington Primary Election Nick Milhoan, The Betty Pages It seems like only yesterday we were rejoicing (or for some crying) in the results of the 2008 election, but it’s the time again, no not the official election that will take place November 2, 2010, but the 2010 Washington Primary Election. Now for those of you who are not familiar with our state election system and more specifically our primary, we here in Sample Ballot

Not all districts or measures on this sample will appear on your ballot. Only the district that you’re entitled to vote on will appear. READ: Each candidate for partisan office may state a political party that he or she prefers. A candidate’s preference does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party, or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate.

Senator for District 42, as current Sen. Dale Brandland (R) is retiring, current District 42 Rep. Doug Ericksen (R) has decided not to seek re-election for his position and is instead seeking to replace Brandland, he is facing off against Pat Jerns (D), both candidates will be on the November ballot as no one else is running against them.

The biggest item on the agenda during this election cycle is U.S. Senator. One of our current Senator’s (each state has two) Patty Murray is up for reelection, she is facing off against a plethora of opponents (14 people are running) including two candidates from our area Bob Burr (D) and Paul Akers (R) and also her more well known opponent, Republican Dino Rossi, who is best known for his two failed attempts at Gov. of Washington in ’04 and ’08.

State Representative for District 40 and 42, positions one and two, are both up for election as well with nine candidates seeking two spots in District 40, Position 1 as current Rep. Quall (D) has chosen to retire (this covers extreme southern Whatcom County as well as Skagit). While Jeff Morris (D) is seeking re-election in Dist. 40, Position 2 and Kelli Linville (D) is seeking re-election against Vincent Buys (R), both of those candidates will also appear on the November ballot as no one else is running.

Other offices up for election include U.S. Representative Congressional District 2, which includes all of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Snohomish Counties. Our current Rep. Rick Larsen (D) is running for re-election against four other candidates, two democrats and two republicans. We are also electing a new State 3

Our state judicial system is in for possible change too as Position One, Five and Six for State Supreme Court Justice are up for election. It’s a big time for candidates here in our state and given our “top two” primary system its anyone’s guess who could be on the ballot in November. So make sure to look in you mail box for your ballot and voters guide and if you haven’t received one call your local county auditor and elections office to pick up your ballot before the August 17, 2010 primary election. Also be sure to read information around your area and online for the candidate that best represents what you believe is best for your city, county, state and country.⁂

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Washington do things a bit differently than all the other 49 states. Most primaries narrow the field to one Republican, on Democrat and than any other third party candidate. However we don’t do it that way. We take the top two candidates (regardless of political affiliation) and they will face off in the November general election.

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Ruling Says Prop 8 Violates U.S. Constitution Brian Spencer, The Betty Pages - Photos by Dale C. Tarpenning II

LGBT residents of Bellingham rallied Wednesday evening, August 4, 2010 in support of a federal judge’s decision to overturn the California voter-approved ballot initiative, Proposition 8. In a 136page decision given the same day, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker cited the fourteenth amendment of the U.S. Constitution in striking down California’s constitutional gay-marriage ban. “Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license,” Walker’s decision explained. “Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples.”

The Ninth Circuit Court is expected to hear or reject this case within the next three months.⁂

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Members of the local LGBT community gathered at the corners of Cornwall & Magnolia in front of the Federal Building in downtown Bellingham that evening to celebrate. Although an appeal has already been filed with the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge Walker has also issued a stay of his decision pending that appeal, gatherers at Bellingham’s rally voiced that they feel this is an important step in establishing marriage equality for all couples. Local LGBT activist Nick Milhoan said, “If the Court of Appeals decides not to hear this case, then it’s done and Prop 8 is overturned. It would set a better precedent though if it [was] to go to the U.S. Supreme Court and they upheld the decision.”

Bellingham Should B-Proud Nick Milhoan, The Betty Pages

Downtown Bellingham was awash with sunshine and rainbows during the second week of July as the annual pride festival took over what is normally a quiet and tame downtown during the summer months. The 10th Annual Bellingham Pride Festival was the biggest ever as over 7000 people streamed into Rumors, Maritime Heritage Park & Depot Market Square, amongst other venues during the five days of fabulous

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Of all of the events that had taken place in previous years each one had more people than it ever had before. By far the biggest jump in attendance was during the fourth annual old fashioned queer family picnic, which moved from Whatcom Falls to Maritime Heritage Park and saw roughly 400 people grab free burgers and enjoy an afternoon of music by DJ’s Double Penetration and Kai, along with hula-hooping under a beautiful clear blue sky and temperatures around 80 degrees.

The sixth anniversary party for this publication was a smashing success as people crowded into Rumors early on Friday night to enjoy food provided by Old World Deli and put together by 3-Queens Catering, along with the company of the amazing bar stuff (who pour the best drinks in town) at Rumors and of course Betty Desire herself. When asked about how she felt regarding the Betty Pages Anniversary, Betty had this to say: “It was enjoyable to see the slides of past issues,” said Betty Desire. “Hearing people cheer and talking to old friends brought back a lot of memories.” Pride’s main event on Sunday and the fourth annual parade saw record attendance levels (roughly 2500 people at the parade and over 3000 through the festival grounds). Over 50 entrants were in the parade and people packed into Depot Market Square after to walk through the vendors

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from across the Northwest and listen to music from Spindle, Spaceband and God-Des & She. “God-Des & She rocked the stage,” said Alecia Forrester. “I’ve not experienced so much fun and energy in the crowd that gathered to see them. I still can’t believe it was free! The pride committee is already hard at work on next year’s festival and plans to have the theme and sponsorship information in place by Labor Day and is planning even bigger names in entertainment for the 11th Annual Festival, which will take place July 6 to 10, 2011. If you would like to help in anyway, being on the committee, volunteering, sponsorship etc… you can contact the pride committee on there website www. bhampride.org. Also watch the site for more fundraisers throughout the year and a return from the Purple Passion Swing Band next spring and remember to B-You, B-True and B-Proud!⁂

A Trans Perspective on Pride Rory Gould Like many of you, I celebrated Bellingham Pride by spending the day at the festival in Depot Market Square. I was staffing a booth for the Washington Gender Alliance (www. WashingtonGenderAlliance.com) as I have done many times before. Yet I continue to call it Gay Pride. If anyone should be enlightened about using more inclusive language, it probably should be me. After all, I was there on behalf of the transgender community. And years before I transitioned, I was a lesbian activist in the era when we were very big on making sure that things weren’t only named “gay”. Yet I still think of it as Gay Pride. Partly it’s because GLBT doesn’t come trippingly off the tongue. But it’s more than that. We know what a gay celebration looks and feels like. It’s rainbow-laden, red ribbonadorned, and fun, with a side of free condoms and lube. Most of the people there are gay, and part of the fun is being in the majority and feeling safe being visibly queer.

Having spent the majority of my adult life living and identifying as a dyke, I have done Pride; in New York City - innumerable times, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. I consider Pride our community’s national holiday. I have it printed on my calendar every year just like Christmas and New Year’s Eve. But it just doesn’t feel the same to me being there as a heterosexual man. Yeah, I’m queer, I’m trans. But as a dyke, it was clear why I was there. I was visible, and part of the crowd. Now I’m an Average Joe, doing outreach to the gay people at the festival, educating them that yes, trans people are a part of the GLBT community, and yes, the trans community does exist in Whatcom county. I don’t mind doing that. It’s part of the reason the Washington Gender Alliance is there; to show the proverbial flag. But that’s not the same as, “Whoa Hoo! Partee! Not that Pride is solely about whooping it up; nor should it be. It started out as a protest march, not a parade; and certainly not as a festival. I knew someone in New York who would adamantly correct anyone who called it the Gay Pride Parade. She’d say, “It’s a

march! You can call it a parade when I get my RIGHTS!”. Admittedly, that was very many years ago, and even in New York, where for years they did not even permit floats, it has evolved into a parade. It is important to remember that Pride is commemorating a specific event: the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, considered the start of the modern gay rights movement. It is also important to note that there was no such word as transgender then. It wasn’t even a separate concept from being gay. Queer was queer was queer. Frankly, except for the most enlightened among us, that’s still true today. People don’t get the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. And that’s why we are one community and are in the same boat. That’s why Pride is the perfect time to remind our community of its history, educate the public about our humanity, advocate for everyone to be out and proud, and persuade our friends and family to be activists on behalf of all queer people; trans and non-trans, alike. And then we can “partee”.⁂

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But trans people aren’t in the majority at Pride. And we can’t even necessarily spot each other, because in honor of Pride, there are a plethora of non-trans people who dress en femme to be festive. And we know most people who see us there assume we’re gay. I do my best to play

along, lest I disappoint someone. That doesn’t really scream “pride”, though.

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Ask Pharmacist

Last night I found myself at the downtown sounds summer concert series enjoying a free show, great music, and good company. As we were walking downtown and could see the sun setting over Bellingham Bay I remembered why I enjoy Bellingham so much. There is so much to do in our great city and we may need to take our necessary precautions to keep us safe and healthy. Hoagland Pharmacy at 2330 Yew St is here to help with that. We all have a life we are meant to be living, and we are here for those times when you may need us. We all have questions that may need to be answered, and we would love the opportunity to help you with answering those questions.

Dapsone. I know I probably don’t need to wait 30 minutes before swimming (haha), but is there anything else I should know? Thanks for your help, and making sure everyone stays healthy! –Tim” Jeff Bunney, Rph and pharmacy manager of our retail store answered: It is very important to be aware of the potential adverse effects associated with all medications you are taking. There are important issues when it comes to hot weather and its effects on medications and your reactions to them.

Many medications require refrigeration and if you take one of We thank Tim for the following: “Considering it is summertime, these medications and plan to go somewhere where you’ll be and as a person living with HIV/AIDS, I was wondering if there without a refrigerator, be very sure to pack a separate cooler are any precautions I need to take will using my antiretrovirals with enough ice packs to keep your medication as cool as your and other meds? Specifically, I am currently taking Atripla and refrigerator for as many days as you’ll be gone. Some refrigerated medications can tolerate a short time out of the cool air but reducing or eliminating these gaps will help with medication stability and keep your therapy on track.

As always, be sure to keep hydrated and be careful doing strenous work, vigorous exercise and similar behaviors if it’s a hot day. Please e-mail your questions to mgreenleaf@hoaglandpharmacy. com or call 685-5004. Enjoy your summer! Molly⁂ Get Involved with the stories and issues that matter to you! Share your thoughts and comments on this article at www.thebettypages.com www . thebettypages . com

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In addition, there are medications that may cause significant problems if the patient gets dehydrated, and this can happen even here in western Washington. With the Atripla and Dapsone, neither of these medications would have these potential issues discussed. But for those of you that aren’t sure if you are taking a medication with this potential issue, be certain to call your pharmacy and find out if you’re taking one of these types of drugs. Many of these medications are either antidepressants or antipsychotics, but there are others as well.

Mission Statement

Whatcom PFLAG is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about advocacy and supporting our LGBTQ loved ones while promoting the health and well-being of those individuals and their families, friends and allies. Only through respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings.

Programs, Services & Activities

• Bellingham Pride Festival each July • Monthly support meetings • Local scholarship for high school seniors • Distribution of materials on coming out and family outreach • Movie & literature library • Confidential support phone-line and e-mail

Get Involved! Help Make a Difference! Monthly Support Meetings 2ND Thursday @ 7pm (excluding July) First Congregational Church 2401 Cornwall Avenue (in basement) Bellingham, WA

For more information on PFLAG or Bellingham Pride contact info@whatcompflag.com

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Make Check or Money Order Payable to Whatcom PFLAG and mail to PO Box 28704 Bellingham, WA 98227 Whatcom PFLAG is a registered 501(c)3 organization & all donations are tax deductible.

Kagan, 112TH Supreme Court Justice

Nick Milhoan, The Betty Pages The United States Senate made history on August 5, 2010 when they voted to confirm Elena Kagan as the Supreme Court’s 112th justice and just the fourth women ever to sit on the bench. The vote was 63-37 for President Obama’s nominee to succeed retired Justice John Paul Stevens, who was considered the leader of the liberal wing of the court. Kagan is the first Supreme Court nominee in nearly 40 years with no experience as a judge and when she is sworn in it will make the first time in U.S. history that three women have served on the high court. Her conformation is not expected to change the makeup of the current court, which has been primarily along party lines over the last few years. There are currently five justices who generally Court after it works its way through The 9th Circuit Court of vote conservative and four who generally swing towards the liberal Appeals this fall. While we have not heard a full disclosure of vote. where she sits regarding LGBTQ issues, Kagan’s history has shown The vote was mostly along party lines, with one Democrat, Sen. Ben she generally does support equality. She has openly said she support Nelson of Nebraska being the only dissenting vote and five members the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the militaries ban on gays serving openly. of the GOP went across the isle to support her conformation.

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This should be good news though for the supporters of the challenge She will take the bench and be sworn in as the newest justice when on Proposition 8, which is expected to make it to the Supreme the Supreme Court re-convenes in October.⁂

Gay Film Bibliography: Creeping Brokebackitis

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Bichoo Vrischik Each spring the Seattle International Film Festival (or SIFF) presents over 250 films, this year from 67 countries, including 20 features and nine shorts listed as ‘Gay/Lesbian.’ While Gary Needham, in his monograph on BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (Edinburgh University Press, 2008) correctly states that this seminal film has produced few variations in the United States or Great Britain, it has spawned many in other countries. Already, in 2007, Seattle presented Jean Baptiste Erreca’s Brazilian short COWBOY FOREVER (2006), to its director an ‘homage,’ but to me a corrective, to BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (see my article in ASIAN CINEMA, Fall/

Winter 2009). Sanjay Sharma’s DUNNO Y, ballyhooed as “India’s BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN,” has just been completed in Mumbai. Of the 29 Gay/Lesbian films in Seattle this year, five features and two shorts synopsize as imitations of BROKEBACK. Nicolo Donato’s BRODERSKAB (BROTHERHOOD, 2009) from Denmark substitutes a neo-Nazi milieu, Aluzio Abranchi’s DO COMEÇO AO FIN (FROM BEGINNING TO END, 2010) from Brazil adds incest, Enrique Buchicho’s EL CUARTO DE LEO (LEO’S ROOM, 2009) from Uruguay bisexuality, Mehdi Ben Attia’s LE FIL (THE STRING, 2010), shot in Tunisia but listed as a French film (allowing Tunisia to stay in the closet), “the tensions between French-raised Arabs and their more conservative fellow countrymen,” and Javier FuentesLeón’s CONTRAC O R R I E N T E (UNDERTOW, 2010) from Peru, a bleak fishing village and burial at sea. In my weekend at the festival, I saw the last two films. Not only do they rewrite BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, they suggest that every country makes its own coming-out film, specific to its environment. Both, unlike BROKEBACK, feature surrealism, and a minor character whose mind changes in the course of the film, in LE FIL in a rather

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surprising way. Each has a hero less attractive, and therefore easier for the average viewer to identify with, than his intended squeeze. Because LE FIL is listed on the SIFF website as a French film, I had trouble realizing where it took place until I reread the synopsis. The Tunisia it projects is so Westernized that I thought we might be in Marseilles until the French-Tunisian hero, Malik (Antonin StahlyVishwanadan, actually half South Indian) starts cruising on his motorcycle amid street signs in Arabic. And, his European mother, Sara, is actually Claudia Cardinale. Returning from Europe after the death of his Tunisian father, who appears in flashbacks, Malik becomes enamoured of Sara’s houseboy Salim (Bilal), a companion to the shy housegirl Wafa (Rihab Mejri). After using his influence to get Salim and his friends into a disco that’s far swankier than anything that I saw there in the 1970s, the pair make love -- only to be discovered in bed the next morning by a horrified Sara. In a parallel plot, two Tunisian lesbians enlist Malik as a legal husband to one of them so that their coming son will have a father. At the wedding reception, after Sara accepts Malik’s affair, she reveals how her own wedding reception also caused a scandal, not only because she had married an Arab, but because she broke tradition by not sitting with the Arab women, but on her husband’s lap as he gambled, drank whiskey (both forbidden my Islam) and smoked cigars with his unorthodox friends. Also during the reception, a minor character who has paid men for sex not because he wants them, but to humiliate them, finds himself attracted to Salim’s rejected Wafa. The surrealism, the string that attached Malik to Sara, is broken as he reaches behind himself and discovers Salim’s hand instead. And so LE FIL has a happy, happy, happy, happy end. Malik and

Bilal are one, so are the lesbian pair (who have a father for their son), Sara has accepted the gay affair, revealed her past and perhaps found a new lover, and one minor character has turned straight. Oh, if only Tunisia, or life, were like that. The better film is Fuentes-LeĂłnâ€™s CONTRACORRIENTE. In a fishing village, a funeral cortege heads toward a boat. A villager will be buried at sea, but intruding photographer Santiago (Cristian Mercado, actually a Bolivian) captures images of one of the bearers, Miguel (Manolo Cardona, from Colombia). The pair is secretly in love, but Miguel wants to keep their secret from the village, partly because his wife Mariela (Titania Astengo, from Peru) is pregnant with their first child. Santiago dies at sea, but keeps reappearing in Miguelâ€™s fantasies. One night they roll naked in the surf like Burt and Deborah in FROM HERE TO

ETERNITY -- only for Miguel to be found alone the next morning naked on the beach with an empty whiskey bottle. To exorcise Santiago, for himself and Santiago, Miguel searches for his body underwater, and finds it. But he is psychologically incapable of bringing it to the surface. Meanwhile, an attractive housekeeper, who unsuccessfully attempts to seduce Miguel, is hired to help Mariela during her pregnancy. Spurned, the young maid and her boyfriend discover nude paintings of Miguel based on Santiagoâ€™s photos, and spread rumors of the affair. Mariela leaves Miguel, Santiagoâ€™s body turns up in a fish net, and Miguel now must lead another cortege to give Santiago a proper burial. As a priest and Miguel, the sole members of the cortege, head for the sea, the ex-housekeeper, having had a change of heart, and a

few villagers join them. But it is left unsaid if Mariela and their son will return to Miguel. Before BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, and even in it, the end of gay affairs in film was almost always tragic. The happy, happy end of LE FIL is too good to be true. The suspended end of CONTRACORRIENTE is truer to life, in my mind, than that of either one.â ‚

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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 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. 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: 1509 Cornwall Ave. 360-671-0703, Everett: 2709 Wetmore Ave. 425-7403000

Sean Humphrey House An apartment complex for people living with HIV/AIDS in Bellingham. For more information call 360-7339357 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 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

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/ 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. 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. 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.

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 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! PFLAG of Skagit County Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays’ Skagit County Chapter meets every month. Please check our website at www.pflagskagit.org for the location of the monthly support meetings or call Kathy at 360 856 4676 for directions. 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. Go to rumorscabaret.com for info. Lesgo.com Is a website that helps connect the Whatcom County lesbian community with information on local and regional happenings.

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/

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

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.

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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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/

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

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