The Betty Pages Dec 2012

THE BETTY PAGES

a Desire Enterprises publication

The region’s most inclusive alternative-lifestyle entertainment tabloid

December 2012

The Betty Pages - December 2012 Betty’s Corner

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Celebrations

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By Betty Desire, The Betty Pages Marcymark

Page 3

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In The Mix

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NW Photo

By Bridget Adams

Rumor Has It

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A Filmi News Reporter’s Christmas

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Breakdown of Ref 74

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The Comics!

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By Thea Hart

By Bishoo Vrischik

1323 Railroad Ave

(360) 734-3884

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.

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, 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.

Naomi 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

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”

Betty’s Corner

Betty Desire, The Betty Pages

Washington we did it! As of December 9th same sex marriages will begin across our State! We will become the 7th State in the country where all people within those states borders are free to Marry the person they love. I am 58 years old and never thought I would see this happen in my lifetime.

In Washington State Gay and Lesbian citizens have equal protection under the law in housing and employment and their long term committed relationships will be recognized by the state the same as everyone else. By a public vote of 54% to 46% our friends and neighbors agreed with our elected representatives in Olympia and Marriage equality became the law of the land. Gay and Lesbian people are not a majority in our state. This law change happened because our neighbors and fellow citizens believe in fairness and equality. They proved by their vote at the ballot box that the pursuit of happiness is a right for all, not just a privilege for a majority group. Now all we need is the removal of the Federal defense of marriage act. So every legally married couple will be treated the same.

Remember Washington State has a three day waiting period after you get the license, so in order to Marry on the 9th of December you must get your paperwork done on the 6th. Also remember that Miss Betty is a Reverend and able to perform weddings for you! Oh how joyous the wedding season will become now! I am single of course so none of this will directly effect me. Unless someone out there wants to make an honest lady out of Miss Betty. If that is the case you can connect with me here at thebettypages@ gmail.com. We can begin a let’s Marry off Betty campaign!

I will be hosting Christmas Eve at my house this year with the kids and Taylor. I am looking forward to watching Taylor open gifts, after all it really is about the children. Taylor seems more practical than I remember at her age. She want a bicycle of course but her other requests have been for art supplies and rope. I asked her about the rope with fear and trepidation (she is my daughters child after all) only to find out she wants to make a rope swing in the tree in the back yard! (whew! Dodged a bullet there)

My nephew Tony will be joining us on Christmas and if you have nothing to do or nowhere to go you can join in too. Track me down at Rumor’s on a Wednesday for my address

Happy December

Betty Desire Marcymark

Hello all.

It’s Marcy again.

So many things have happened since last month.

There is speculation as to Halloween’s precise origin. A Christian’s “All saints” celebration, a Celtic traditional folk festival. For me really, It’s just another reason to have a party. From what I’ve heard it’s the celebration of Samhain (Sow-win). Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the darker half of the year. This was a time for preparing for the cold winter ahead. Cattle were brought back down from the summer pastures and livestock were slaughtered. Bonfires were lit and there were rituals involving them. Some livestock was sacrificed for the coming winter.

Some of these rituals hint that they may once have involved human sacrifices. Samhain was when the door between the real world and the spiritual world was at it’s thinnist. A time when souls of the dead could possibly visit and return to their home. For those strong believers of this time an extra plate at the dinner table was put out for the visiting souls. Some believed that not all the souls were here for good

intentions. So they took measures to protect themselves by disguising themselves in costumes to hide from the unwanted souls. To further there good fortune during this time a gathering of food was made by going door to door and asking for offerings.

Halloween has always been one of my most favorite times of the year. Mainly because it was for so many years my excuse for dressing up like a woman. The one time of the year I could feel comfortable walking in drag without worrying about criticism.

Being dressed up for Halloween has always been a perk for me in the past but this year felt special. I wasn’t Mark dressed up like a woman.

I was Marcy dressed up like a kitty cat, or Silk Specter. (depending on what party I went to.) It was a special Halloween for me because everyone knew me as Marcy. It was the most enjoyable Halloween for me this year.

I’ve never really been into politics, in fact I remember there was a time when I was proud of myself for knowing who our president was.

I had voted. But that was all the effort I put in to politics in the past.

It was the only time when the words republican and democrat really meant anything to me.

This year was different for me. Maybe it was because this years presidency winner felt like a huge turning point in regards to being democratic. Or maybe the new friends I’ve made are more political than the friends I’ve had in the past. Or maybe its because

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Celebrations

Continued on page 5

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Page 3 Model

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Get it where you want it!

The Betty Pages are available at these fine local establishments.

Bellingham

*The Black Drop *Brandywine Kitchen *Cabin Tavern *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 *The Shakedown Allied Arts The Archives Arlysis Avalon Music The Bagelry Bayou on the Bay Bellingham Bar & Grill Bellingham Flea Market Bellingham Public Library Bellingham Public Market The Bistro on Magnolia Street Boundary Bay The Cobra Lounge The Copper Hog Daisy Café Everyday Music Fairhaven Laundry & Cleaners Fiama Burger The Gathering

Hot Topic Koi Café La Vie en Rose Lettered Streets Coffeehouse Looking Glass Love Zone Lover’s Merch Bot Mt. Bakery Nelson’s Market Old Town Café Pel’Meni Pita Pit Rocket Donuts Royal Rudy’s Pizza Studio Galactica The Sub Shop Tony’s Coffee House Tubbs Tavern Up’n’Up Village Books WWU Viking Union Building Whatcom Community College Whatcom Co-Op (Downtown) Wild Buffalo

Mt. Vernon

The Dogghouse Draft Picks Lincoln Theatre Resroti Same Ol’ Grind Skagit Community College Skagit Co-Op Tattered Page Bookstore Tri Dee *Indicates our advertisers!

Celebrations Cont.

I am feeling more like a woman then ever and more than just my vote needs to be heard. In the past years I would have turned on the TV to see who had won or ask “who won” and reply with a small “yay” or “aw.”

This year I made the effort to volunteer my time towards approving 74. I also had gone down to my second home hang out (Rumors) and celebrated the voting outcome that Tuesday night. As little time as I ended up putting into helping I felt I had made a huge personal achievement for myself from the past years lack of political awareness.

The place was packed with friends. Filled with hopeful anticipation.

And when we herd the outcome of the vote the emotion turned into heavy tears of joy. We all shared hugs of happiness for our achievements.

I met and even got the privilege to chat with Senator Kevin Ranker. That Tuesday night at Rumors was a fantastic and emotional event for me. I will always remember.

Are there perks to being a woman in regards to politics? I couldn’t really tell you for sure but I sure got a lot more out of it this year than ever before. Lol

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had both the men and women come up to me and tell me how wonderful my clothing looks. Feeling very flattered especially after I tell them that every thing I buy are from the second hand stores. Good Will and Value Village are two of my favorites. The bargins you can find there are second to none. I had a top with a broken shoulder strap and it was too nice to get rid of so I decided turn it into a skirt. Used a belt to hold it in place around my waist and went out on the town. I got all sorts of complements on the skirt I was wearing that night. Did you know that any top you have can be used for a skirt? Sweet! I just quadrupled my skirt selection.

That cold chill is already upon us. Holidays, celebrations, and family gatherings. So many things to look forward to. I for one am not looking forward to the cold weather we must endure. But I am looking forward to the cool coats and hot looking boots I get to wear during this season.

I’m such a girl sometimes. Lol.

Cheers you all.

In The Mix Bridget Adams

moved so we have a new apartment to set up, plus slightly higher rent with people who don’t know us, so have no goodwill toward us. And, and, and…

And, my dear David looks at me and smiles and says “We get to have the holidays together. In our home. They haven’t laid me off.

We can decorate.” He pointed to his computer, and added, “There’s so much free stuff to do here over the next two months!” When I looked into his eyes, he was genuine. This wasn’t an act, meant to make me feel better, or to convince himself it was okay. He was truly embracing – was thankful for – this turn of events.

So, I thought about it. We’ve been worse off. Far worse off. We’ve spent the holidays apart. Driving in dangerous snowstorms. Flying in treacherous weather. Broke. Unemployed. Homeless. Truthfully, I was shocked. Shocked at myself. Shocked at how quickly I had forgotten how far we’ve come. How blessed we are. You might even say, if you wanted to be emotional about it, that my Grinch heart grew three sizes that day.

Do me a favor this year, Poppets. Remember to find the gifts that may come in unexpected packaging. Don’t stress if it’s not all perfect.

Or even at all how you’d planned it. Embrace the bumps that will come this month. Enjoy the imperfections, and even the setbacks. It’s the holidays. Wherever you are. Whatever you’re doing. Whomever you’re with. Decorate, even a little. Find the free stuff. Look at the world with a sparkle in your eye. If this year is better than last year, or turns out to be worse than next, who cares? It’s now. It’s this holiday. It’s now. It’s a blessed time, whatever you celebrate. So stay here. Stay in this moment.

And enjoy this holiday season, whatever it brings.

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It’s the holidays, Poppets, and you know I love them! Halloween through New Year’s, I’m giddy. This year, though…this year was looking unusual. According to David’s schedule, we were supposed to be on the road for all of them: October 31st, November 22nd, December 25th, and December 31st-January 1st. And not on the road, as in over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go. On the road, as in living in a hotel room in some small town in northern Idaho, while he worked every day but Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We talked about me getting a ticket to one of my sisters’ homes, and doing Thanksgiving or Christmas with them. I nixed that idea. As much as I love my sisters, “family holiday” means being with David.

Wherever we are, so long as we’re together, I’m happy.

Then, the day before we were scheduled to leave, he got a call that the site he was to take over had been closed for the winter. He didn’t have to go to work until early January. Um…yay?

I mean, I am the queen of the unusual holiday. I have fed over a dozen people. I have fed two. I have served at soup kitchens. I have been a hostess, and a guest. I have eaten my own recipes, and dishes I had never seen before. I have even turned up the heat and poured daiquiris for misfit toys. Yes, I had managed to embrace the idea of spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in a hotel room in Idaho, with nothing but a mini-fridge, a microwave, and the specific days off.

Now, we get the holidays at home, but at what cost? Like most people, when David doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid. Sure, there is a token salary to keep him on payroll, but it’s really just that – a token salary. With less than a day’s notice, we were facing somewhere between six and eight weeks without a real paycheck. And those weeks include not only the holidays, but his birthday. And my mother’s birthday. And approach our wedding anniversary. And, oh, by the way, we’ve just

Until next month, Poppets, take care of you.

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Throw Back

MONDAY Karaoke

THURSDAY 80’s & 90’s

4 Jim Beam $ 2.75 Micros $

1 Wells $ 2.25 Rainier 11-1 $ 2 Wells

9-11

Pitchers

TUESDAY

9-11 $ 1 Wells 2.25 $

PBR

11-CL

$

Pitchers

1 HighLife

WEDNESDAY 1.25 $ 3.75

Fire

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FRIDAY

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DJ

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SATURDAY

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Mike Tolleson 9-12 $ 5 Touch Downs

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Betty Desire $ PBR

$

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If You’re Reading This...

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Rumor has it . . .

-Thea Hart

Dec. 14, 7 p.m. – Village Books, Bellingham, Slide Show & author talk This book about a Puget Sound-based sailor’s world adventures in the 1930s and 40s references Bellingham numerous times and was written by the sailor’s nephew, who has a vacation home in Bellingham. The author is a retired CIA officer who has also recently released a spy novel entitled Sasha Plotkin’s Deceit. I can send you information on that book, as well, if you would like. – Diane SEA TRAVELS Memoirs of a 20th Century Master Mariner The story of J. Holger Christensen as told to Vaughn Sherman Using seed money earned gold mining in Alaska, a Danish couple and their two young boys make their way to Bainbridge Island, Washington; buy a workboat; and establish themselves among the Pacific Northwest’s most respected seafarers.

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You can find karaoke seven days a week in Bellingham. There is a reason for this. For years I could not understand the appeal of standing on a stage singing someone else’s song for a group of random strangers waiting their turn to stand onstage and sing for strangers. When I was working at Downtown Johnny’s I found myself the cocktailer on Mondays. This was when I finally understood the draw. I began to appreciate that karaoke is more than bearing your soul to a bar of people. It is an opportunity, whether you sing or not, drink or not, understand or not. Karaoke night is a chance to do more, and yet remains in its own right an experience unmatched by any other.

I strive to learn every day and I promise you I evolve with every piece I compose for the Betty Pages, and this month I was truly enlightened. Karaoke is about people. It is a vehicle to personal growth and enlightenment as well as a social venue for networking and expansion of one’s cache of comrades. As I encountered the same individuals repeatedly in my personal tour of Bellingham karaoke nights I found not only people excited to share with me their passion for the art, but also people who put thought into our encounter. I saw Adrien, Taryn, Audra, Ken, Jeremy and others several times over through the last few weeks. I met many new people and reconnected with some I have not seen in a while, including Seamus, Madeline, Liisa, Evan, Caden, Lukas, Alex, Dave, Jessica, Sinclaire and so many more. Not to mention the esteemed hosts I spoke with, Alan, Todd, Shelby and Zach Zinn. It was wonderful seeing all of these people, getting to know them better and just spending time with a cool group out to have fun.

Time and time again I was showered with praise for the tradition we now call karaoke. I was informed “Karaoke is it!” [Sinclaire] that “Karaoke is the source of great happiness” [Audra] and also “the most fun

in the world” [Liisa] not to mention, “The great equalizer” [Madeline] and “uplifting” [Taryn]. I learned this month that there is far more to the ritual of singing and even attending karaoke night than is readily apparent to the random observer. It is a spiritual quest that singers embark upon for a wide variety of reasons, but the result is the same, contentment.

On our second karaoke night together Adrien related the practice of Karaoke to the ancient tradition of sharing songs around the campfire.

Yes the technology and venue have changed, but the concept and cultural impact remain the same. This is a time dedicated to the coming together of individuals from all walks of life to revel in the songs and stories we choose to divulge to our fellow humans.

Long standing karaoke participant and host Todd enjoys that “anyone can get up and sing…it’s an amazing thing…it’s probably the best way to make friends in a new town, find a good karaoke night and relax”.

Adrien appreciates that “it is a highly social activity that does not necessarily involve drinking. It breaks down social barriers. You can meet a lot of people you wouldn’t meet otherwise.” [adrien] Meeting people is one of the top two reasons I got from folks for attending karaoke night. Sometimes people go to karaoke in groups, and sometimes not, but Audra met her best friend at karaoke and she’s not the only one. I ran into several couples who found love between songs. Singers know it’s obvious that this is a place to meet people.

Getting on stage breaks down the barriers we usually hold up during casual conversation and basic introductions covering where we grew up and where we work now, and how we like the rain or dislike it as the case may be. Through karaoke we can unashamedly introduce ourselves to a crowd as nothing more than who we are. Have you ever tripped over your own feet and looked over your shoulder to check if anyone saw? Well at karaoke night you can trip over your own tongue and stare straight into the eyes of a community of support, as they have been there before.

The other overpowering motivation to participate is self-discovery.

Shy people are inspired to shine in this ever freeing after dark activity.

When I asked Taryn why she participates she told me: “’cause it’s uplifting and it’s forcible, you have to do it, you sign up and you’ve got to do it.”

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A FILMI NEWS REPORTER’S CHRISTMASBishoo Vrischik

every large Indian city has a major thoroughfare called MG Road). But the bus from downtown doesn’t go directly there. It left me at an intersection where nobody knew what I was asking about, I thought, and following instructions I soon found myself in front of St. Marks Hotel.

The doorman there directed me up the hill and around a corner where again apparently nobody knew what I wanted. It was hot -- in these affluent streets I was using my umbrella to ward off the sun, not just inclement traffic. Finally, following further instructions, up a winding road, when I had lost hope I spotted a small sign in the distance -- “St. Mark’s Cathedral.” Trudging up to it, I discovered the gates around the cathedral garden were locked, but there was another sign that clearly stated, “Sunday Services at 8:30AM, 9:30AM, and 10:30AM.” I walked all the way around the outside of the compound to decide which was the best entrance, depending upon which bus dropped me where. I never thought it peculiar that Theo had said, “But get there by 8:30AM if you want to get a seat.” I certainly wasn’t going to take a bus and walk half an hour for an 8:30 service. I decided to try the 10:30 service instead. Sure enough, I was on a different bus next morning and it dropped me at a farther intersection. But I had a pretty good sense of the surroundings, I thought, and headed up the hill. I soon did find MG Road, past a McDonalds on the left and a Pizza Hut on the right, turned left and headed in the direction I knew my destiny to be. None of the shops had street numbers on them, so I couldn’t really tell if they were getting smaller, but I was sure of the direction I was headed. Shortly I passed a bookstore with a crude, handmade sign out front, “X-mas and New Year cards available,” so I figured I was close. I arrived at St. Mark’s Cathedral at 10:25AM. But something odd was happening. The seats were indeed full; in fact an awning had been arranged outside for about 50 people, and three TV screens were broadcasting a service live to all who were not in a position to view the altar. “The 9:30 service must be running overtime,” I thought, but soon spotted a double line of people entering the church from the rear.

“Good,” I thought again, “Maybe there are seats left inside after all,” and joined the line. But I found that I had joined the line for communion, and was soon kneeling in front of the altar accepting a thin wafer and sip of wine from a common goblet. I followed one of two lines to the back of the church, where a woman in a sari kindly gave me a seat next to her. There was a very short “Go in peace” message, and only one hymn before the congregation began to exit the colonial, colonnaded cathedral. I spied some other foreigners, a Frenchman studying Buddhism in New Delhi and a retired German couple, and began, “Well, I guess the 9:30 service ran over. We still have the 10:30 service to go.”

“Oh no,” I was informed, “That’s for an ordinary Sunday. On Christmas there’s only one service, at 9:30AM.” A couple of Indians chimed in with parts of their life stories. I was determined to go back to the bookstore with the “X-mas and New Year cards available.” I did, but they turned out to be garish and not at all ethnic. They were nothing like the Christmas card I had bought years ago in Pakistan of a tired

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In India a Hindi-speaking man on the street called me a “filmi news reporter.” I often repeat this phrase in the U.S., and nobody finds it funny. But in India it invariably raises a smile. One reason it does, I’ve found out, is that it’s genuinely good Hindi. ‘Filmi’ is an adjective, ‘news’ is often used in Hindi, and even ‘report’ is listed in my Oxford Hindi-English dictionary as a noun “from English.” So there I am in Bangalore, the Bangalore International Film Festival was on its last day, and it was three days before Christmas. My Christian friends Theodore Baskaran and his wife Thilaka live on the outskirts (it takes over an hour by bus), and I was supposed to phone them. But so many people have mobiles (cellphones) in India that phone booths (called STDs here, for State Telephone Department) are now rare. On that day, I went to an obscure old theater, the Suchitra, now used for film society showings, to see a couple of Indian classics. There were two cybercafes across the street and one of them had an STD sign out front. But there was no longer an STD there, and with no mobile, I couldn’t phone the Baskarans. I spent several hours between films wandering the neighborhood, including a very well-kept park, with lots of flowers and people walking for exercise. Under my parasol (an umbrella) I found no STD, and didn’t get back to my hotel until midnight. The next day I wrote for four and a half hours in another cybercafe, and by the time I made it to the train station to use the only STD I could find downtown, the Baskarans were out for the evening. They wouldn’t be back until 10:00PM a servant told me, and that was certainly too late to call when Christmas was in the balance. I called the next morning, and the call went like this. “This is Bichoo.”

“Oh, yes. Your package came yesterday. Thank you very much. (I had a friend in the U.S. send them a package a few weeks previously.) “Consider it your Christmas present,” I tried to lead the conversation toward an invitation.

“Listen -- I’m all tied up tomorrow. I won’t be coming in town. But call me in the morning the day after. What is the number at your hotel?”

I gave Theo the two numbers of my hotel, hoping that at least one of them was working.

“Tomorrow is Christmas,” I continued. “What should I do? What is a good church to go to?”

“St. Mark’s Cathedral. But get there by 8:30AM if you want to get a seat. Call me Monday morning.” I was somewhat dejected, but Theo and Thilaka lived in a complex of new houses built around a garden, the other houses peopled by various other family members. I was sure now that Christmas for the Baskarans would be a family affair . It was Saturday, December 24. I had seen various churches decorated with strings of lights and three-dimensional stars illuminated from within, as well as temples and mosques, out of bus windows as I had traversed Bangalore many times, but I had no idea where St. Marks Cathedral was. Well, I thought, this is going to be as good as it gets, and to be smart I must ask Enquiry at the bus station where St. Marks is, and go there this afternoon so that I don’t get lost tomorrow morning. So I did. I was told it was at No.1 Mahatma Gandhi Road (or MG Road:

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A Filmi New Reporter Conâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Bishoo Vrischik

donkey pulling a cart with rubber tires. Without making a purchase, I wound my way down the hill bypassing the Pizza Hut on the left and McDonalds on the right, bought all the local papers in English for Rs.18 (34c; foreign newspapers are not available here) and ate at a purely local establishment called U.S. Pizza. Among the filmi news items was the following, in DNA SUNDAY (25/12/11):â&#x20AC;¨â&#x20AC;¨â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Hindu actress Kareena Kapoor] has some very fond memories associated with the day ... from attending midnight mass to helping mum prepare the special lunch ... â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We even put up a Christmas tree and decorate it with lights and trinkets ... I make it a point to visit the midnight mass no matter where I am,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she says. She is however quick to add that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not for religious, but spiritual purpose. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s somehow very beautiful and the positivity around it is amazing. You actually feel like taking in all the

Referendum 74 Whatcom County Breakdown

Unincorporated Whatcom County 21,909 Approve 23,261 Reject Bellingham City Blaine

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28,066 Approve 11,534 Reject 1221 Approve

1147 Reject

Everson

339 Approve

584 Reject

Ferndale

2423 Approve

2701 Reject

Lynden

1461 Approve

5494 Reject

182 Approve

349 Reject

Sumas

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Referendum 74 is on it's way to passing state wide by 53.6% to 46.3%. The numbers in Whatcom County follow the same trend.

Referendum 74 did slightly better here than the state average passing with 55% A prove and 45% Reject. In unincorporated Whatcom County R74 was rejected 51.4% to 48.6% of the 7 incorporated cities in Whatcom County only 2, Bellingham and Blaine Approved Referendum 74 Blaine by 51.5% and Bellingham by a whopping 76% Approve 24% Reject. Here is the breakdown of the vote by City and unincorporated areas

warmth around,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; [says the actress who vacations annually in Switzerland and just] finished the first schedule of her new film HEROINE.â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;¨â&#x20AC;¨ The next morning I did phone the Baskarans, and Thilaka told me to come out immediately. When I got there, they had already had lunch, but had saved a lovely one for me of fish curry, rice, and three salads from their garden. We talked about my Christmas misadventure, the difficulty of translating film terms into various Indian languages, and India over the years. I never did get around mentioning Kareena Kapoor and her midnight mass. One definition of a friend is a person to whom you never have time to tell everything.

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The Comics!

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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 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. www.triskeli.org Queries—triskeli@ triskeli.org Evergreen AIDS Foundation Evergreen AIDS Foundation provides support services for people living with

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 PFLAG of Skagit County Support meetings for Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people and GLBT individuals are held at Central United Methodist Church, 1013 Polte Rd, Sedro-Woolley 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 online 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.

Meets every Saturday at Noon at Trapeze in the Bellingham Market on Cornwall h t t p : / / g r o u p s . y a h o o. c o m / g r o u p / BellinghamRadicalFaeries/ Cascade Rainbow Community Cntr is a community of LBGQT people that enjoy each other’s company. We gather every Friday @ 6:30 PM for community, sharing of food, conversation, ideas, and current events. Each Friday is either game or movie night. The group has a lending library, Pride participation, and educational support. We are located at The Center for Spiritual Living @ 1508

N 18th St., Mount Vernon, WA. For information call (360) 840-8499 and for additional information checkout and subscribe to our Facebook Page.

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 WCC’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!

WWU 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 360-6506120.

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 on-line! http://www.mbpp.org Bellingham Clinic: (360)734-9095 Mount Vernon Clinic: (360)848-1744

Counseling Education Programs Support Groups Children’s Services Parenting Classes Crisis Intervention Shelter Referrals Info and Referrals Legal Assistance 24-hour support 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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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

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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